《Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All》 Chapter 1: Return D-30

Chapter 1: Return D-30

Prologue What would you do if you were given the chance to go back in time ten years? Win the lottery Acquire stocks with prior knowledge and be rich Purchase Bitcoin at a low price Reverse the most regretful decision that you made If you chose one of the options, let me ask you another question. If you chose option one, do you remember the number of the lottery ticket that won first ce ten years ago? Hm, I certainly don¡¯t. Perhaps option two would have been the better option because even I know of a fewpanies whose stock prices are rising. What about option three, purchasing Bitcoin at a low price? One could make a lot of money if the timing was right¡ªbut still, making money didn¡¯t give me much joy. In any case, I made a lot of money in my first life. However, that life was too painful and futile. Even though I did make a lot of money, I was never able to sleep infort after the day my life changedpletely. Therefore, when I was given the chance to go back in time, I chose option four. Having returned to the past, I was given the chance to rechart my life¡ªthanks to the nner containing the schedule of my future ten years, which returned to the past with me. Thanks to this nner, I was able to see the impact of my actions on the future. Oh, but please don¡¯t get me wrong. Of course I¡¯m still going to make lots of money. This is my second life. Wouldn¡¯t it be weird if I failed to make money while doing the same work as in my past life? Let me begin the story of the rookie talent agent who returned to his first year of work. . . . Chapter 1: Return D-30 [Vice President of Top Entertainment: Jung Yoon-Ho] The appreciation ques that filled one side of the shelf were engraved with my name in vivid silver color. [For contributing to the development of Korean movies...] [For contributing to Korean idols¡¯ overseas expansion...] [As an ambassador for K-pop...] [The youngest to promote the culture to...] I spoke to myself while reading the words written on the appreciation que. ¡°Wow, Jung Yoon-Ho. You really did seed.¡± It had been ten years since I started working in the entertainment industry at the age of twenty-six. Not only had I be the vice president of Top Entertainment¡ªthe number one entertainmentpany in the industry¡ª I had also married a top actress, Ju Yung-In. Given the fact that I lived in Jamsil LT Tower overlooking the Han River, anyone would think that I lived a sessful life. Yet, in spite of my apparent sess, there had always been a void in my heart. On that fateful day ten years ago, I lost the people precious to me by making a wrong choice in a moment. ¡°Sigh...¡± I let out a deep sigh and shifted my gaze to the photo I had ced on one side of the shelf. [Hoop Entertainment¡¯s 7th Retreat.] Inside the red-colored frame was a photo of the employees and actors of Hoop Entertainment gathered around President Kang Gam-Chan, sporting bright smiles. ¡°That was such a good time...¡± Hoop Entertainment was the very firstpany I worked for. It was apany that valued the character of its actors, and the managers and the actors got along well like a family. However, three years after this photo was taken, Hoop Entertainment took a downturn. President Kang Gam-Chan suffered a stroke and Kim Dong-Soo, the 3rd division talent chief at the time and the president of Top Entertainment now, left with eighty percent of the actors and staff, leaving thepany in shambles. I decided to leave Hoop Entertainment with Kim Dong-Soo and this was how Top Entertainment was created. Top Entertainment was starkly different from Hoop Entertainment. Top Entertainment was infamous for its bad-tempered actors and indifference to scandals as long as the actors generated profit. Consequently, I had no choice but to promote and train celebrities regardless of their character until I became the vice president. Flinch! A twinge of pain struck the upper part of my chest as if I¡¯d been stabbed when I recalled those old memories. Recently, I had been suffering from chest pains whenever I was under even a little bit of stress. ¡®It¡¯s been a while since Ist had a checkup because I was too busy. I should visit the hospital tomorrow.¡¯ Buzz! Suddenly, I received a notification of today¡¯s schedule from Everyday, a schedule management application that I had been using for ten years. [Everyday V10] [Date: November 12th, 2029] [Current time: 04:30 AM, LT Tower(home)] -(Reserved schedule D-30: Bundang Memorial Park, Miso.) -5:00 AM: Top Entertainment Conference Room (7F,) Hwangryong Film Association day meeting. -09:10 PM: Episode 11 of ¡®Top Star with My Hands.¡¯ Min Gyu-Ri. ... ¡°Is it already thiste?¡± It was 4:30 AM and I had a lot to prepare as today was the day of the Hwangryong Film Association meeting and I received a secret call from one of the executive members of the Hwangryong Film Association, whom I met at 11 PMst night. ¡°Vice President Jung, I think a red dress would be perfect for Gyu-Ri¡¯s outfit tomorrow.¡± Min Gyu-Ri was the lead actress of the movie The Best Bride, which had garnered 8.33 million viewers this year. Top Entertainment had made a deal with the executive member to mention the color red if she was confirmed for the award for the best actress of the year. Now that I had received the signal, it was my responsibility to ensure Min Gyu-Ri was prepared to receive this prestigious de, including having the best make-up and dress, fitting of her soon-to-be-crowned title. I also had to contact the reporters in advance to publish articles around noon with titles such as ¡®Min Gyu-Ri is the leading candidate for the best actress of the year.¡¯ I was rushing to leave the house for work as I had made all my staff report to work an hour early to prepare for the award ceremony. Drag. The sound of my slippers dragging against the floor could be heard as I rushed into the dressing room. I would have been worried about waking up my wife if she were in the bedroom, but she was not home yet. ¡°Tsk. I wonder who she¡¯s with at this time...¡± Right when I was about to call my wife, my phone rang. [Caller: President Kim Dong-Soo] ¡°Huh? Why would Dong-Soo hyung call me at this hour?¡± When I answered the phone, I heard Dong-Soo¡¯s urgent voice. ¡°Yoon-Ho, we are in big trouble. Burp!¡± Dong-Soo hyung was stumbling over his words as if he had been drinking with the investors. ¡°You always say that. What is it? What happened this time?¡± ¡°The reporters are after Gyu-Ri¡¯s sponsor scandal. They are going to publish articles early tomorrow morning!¡± ¡°What?¡± The situation was dire as Min Gyu-Ri was on the cusp of receiving a major award. I felt my face heat up with anger. ¡°Are you kidding me right now? I thought you said Gyu-Ri had no sponsor! What are you talking about all of a sudden!?¡± ¡°Well, it happened, so do something about it. The party involved is someone high up. We will be in huge trouble if the reporters publish articles on it.¡± ¡°Who the heck is that high up? I have to know who that person is!¡± ¡°Hey, do I have to exin everything to you? Just do what I tell you to do! Burp!¡± The consequences of recruiting celebrities without considering their character were showing. I felt like I was about to throw up, perhaps because of stress. I held on to my throbbing chest and caught my breath. ¡°Huff, huff. Okay, fine. How many reporters are after her?¡± ¡°Three. And they are...they are...¡± Iforted Dong-Soo Hyung, who was still drunk and rambling on, and checked the list of newspapers several times. ¡°All right. I¡¯ll try my best to negotiate with them. I¡¯ll talk to youter.¡± ¡°You know the negotiation price, right?¡± ¡°I know, I know. I¡¯m hanging up!¡± As soon as I hung up the phone call with Dong-Soo, I called the Managing Director Gu Ji-Suk, my right-hand man. ¡°Yes, Mr. Jung.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I think I¡¯ll bete for today¡¯s meeting. You¡¯ll have to be in charge of Gyu-Ri¡¯s makeup, dress, and essories¡ªmake sure they are top-notch. It seems like she will win a big award today.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jung. What should I do about the reporters?¡± Gulp. My mouth went dry as I considered the ramifications of failing to prevent Min Gyu-Ri¡¯s sponsor scandal from being published. If I failed to block even one of the reporters, the news article would be replicated by every other entertainment newspaperpany in less than an hour. ¡°Just wait until I call you back. I have to take care of some things first.¡± Once I ended the call, I called the entertainment newspaperpany Dong-Soo Hyung told me about. ¡®Let the negotiation begin.¡¯ ¡°Hello? Oh, yes. It¡¯s me¡ªJung Yoon-Ho from Top Entertainment. Yes. About the scandal the reporter Jung Sang-In is after... ah,e on. Don¡¯te out so feisty right away. Why don¡¯t we go with the same as usual? One and a half?¡± One and a half meant paying them 150 million won. But the other party answered in a cocky voice, ¡°Come on, Mr. Jung. You know that¡¯s not gonna do it. You¡¯re gonna have to give me at least two this time.¡± Such negotiations were a routine part of the entertainment industry¡¯s daily grind. *** Two of the three newspaperpanies that were after Min Gyu-Ri¡¯s sponsor scandal were easily convinced to drop the scandal, with Celebrity Today receiving 200 million won and Bling Bling Celebrity getting 250 million won. Their articles would now focus on ¡®Min Gyu-Ri¡¯s Happy Day¡¯ and ¡®Min Gyu-Ri wins Hwangryong Film Association¡¯s best actress award.¡¯ ¡°Jung Yoon-Ho, you really changed a lot...¡± I used to hate making these kinds of deals. But what can I do? If I don¡¯t make these deals, all my efforts in raising these celebrities would go down the drain. Anyway, there was only one newspaperpany left to convince¡ªWeekly Stars. I managed to speak to the editor-in-chief, but the reporter Gu Min-Ji, who had the photo, wasn¡¯t responding to the deal. Hence, I had no choice but to visit her personally. Screech! I parked my car in front of the garage of an expensive-looking two-story house in Cheongdam-dong that looks quite expensive. ¡°Phew! What a nice house.¡± Gu Min-Ji used to be the leader of the girl group Pink Diamonds until a few years ago. She was now a reporter known for being pretty and stubborn. After waiting for about five minutes, I heard the engine sounding from the garage. Buzz. When the garage door opened, a fancy 2030 Pork Cheyenne came out but stopped as the driver noticed my parked car. Screech! Gu Min-Ji stopped her car and got out of the driver¡¯s seat while shaking off her wet hair. ¡°What do you think you are doing right now? Get out of my way right now and...¡± ¡°Hello. How are you doing, Miss Gu?¡± Gu Min-Ji frowned at my greeting. ¡°Hmph, it¡¯s you, Mr. Jung. I¡¯m kind of busy right now, so I¡¯ll see you some other time. Please move your car right away.¡± ¡°Please give me a minute. Why don¡¯t we grab a cup of coffee? I heard you like this?¡± When I handed over her favorite Astrobucks double-shot cafette, she epted it with unease. ¡°I¡¯ll take it only because you came all the way here. But the only time I can give you is until I finish this drink.¡± ¡°Thank you. In fact...¡± I managed to start the conversation somehow, but Gu Min-Ji soon burst into a coldugh. ¡°We are both busy, so why don¡¯t we get straight to the point? You want me to give up Min Gyu-Ri¡¯s sponsor scandal, right? You are nning to offer about 500 million won in return?¡± ¡°Wow, Reporter Goo. You should be a prophet, not a reporter.¡± ¡°Give up. If the desk stops my article, I¡¯m going to pass it over to the board of directors. To put it simply, you can¡¯t stop this, Mr. Jung. Not even your grandfather can stop this.¡± ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s not do this, Reporter Gu. I promise to take special care of you from now on. I¡¯ll hand over a pretty good article for you to publish too.¡± What I meant by taking special care of her was to pay her extra money without the knowledge of others. But Reporter Gu Min-Ji shook her head in a stubborn manner. ¡°Don¡¯t you understand what I just said? I said no!¡± ¡®She usually epts my offer, so why not today? Is there something behind the scenes that I don¡¯t know about?¡¯ In this case, I had no choice but to use myst resort even if I didn¡¯t want to. Being absolutely clueless about what I was thinking, Gu Min-Ji shook her coffee cup andughed out loud. ¡°Miss A actually won the best actress at the Hwangryong Film Association with the power of her sponsor. What do you think about this title? Damn. I came up with it myself, but it¡¯s so good. Don¡¯t you think so?¡± The cold wind chilled her coffee and Gu Min-Ji drank the remaining coffee in one gulp. ¡®I bought a venti size, but that was a mistake. I should have brought it in a tumbler.¡¯ ¡°Thank you for the coffee. I¡¯ll see youter then. Good luck with taking care of the mess.¡± I let out a deep sigh and pulled out my phone. ¡°Reporter Gu. You can leave if you want, but you might wanna check this out before you do.¡± Gu Min-Ji, who was just about to get in her car, turned pale upon seeing my phone screen. ¡°W-where did you get this photo...?¡± What I showed her was the confidential file rted to the entertainment industry that Dong-Soo hyung had sent me. [Reporter Gu Min-Ji¡ªConfidential File] -Content: Affair with Jang Min-Ki of Jungin Inc. -Reference file: 1. Yokohama Hotel (photo) 2. Bali Vi (photo.) Upon seeing Gu Min-Ji¡¯s perplexed and furious face, I felt a tinge of shame for resorting to such tactics. ¡®Did I be a talent agent to do this?¡¯ Nheless, I maintained a poker face. ¡°Let¡¯s not do this. Karma is a real thing, you know?¡± ¡°You fucking bastard.¡± ¡®Wow. She¡¯s so good at cursing.¡¯ Fwoosh! At that moment, Gu Min-Ji reached out her right arm and tried to snatch my phone but I dodged it with ease, causing her to be more infuriated. ¡°Delete that right now. Do you think Min-Ki will leave you alone if he finds out?¡± ¡°I have no idea what kind of person he is, but I know very well what kind of person President Kim Dong-Soo is. I actually came back from convincing him not to hand over these photos to a different newspaperpany.¡± Gu Min-Ji red at me and trembled, but not because of the chilly winter dawn. ¡®She must have stabbed me a few hundred times in her head...¡¯ ¡°I could have thrown Min Gyu-Ri, that bitch, down the cliff for good this time...¡± It seemed like she and Min Gyu-Ri used to have some beef between them when the former used to be in the entertainment industry. Gu Min-Ji bit her lips in annoyance. She then begrudgingly picked up her phone to call someone. ¡°Yes, Editor-in-Chief. I think we should ept the negotiated price for this article. 500 million won, yes. Yes...I had no choice. Yes, I¡¯ll exin moreter. Okay.¡± Judging by how the conversation seemed to be going on smoothly, Dong-Soo hyung had probably made a deal with the editor-in-chief again. At that moment, I flinched. My chest had begun to ache again. ¡®Damn it. I¡¯ll really have to go to the hospital tomorrow.¡¯ Gu Min-Ji finished the phone call and frowned at me. ¡°Mr. Jung. Isn¡¯t it hard to live a life where you constantly have to clean up after other people¡¯s mess?¡± ¡®You think? I feel like my lifespan is getting shorter every time I clean up the shit left behind by the celebrities in mypany¡¯.¡¯ But I answered as if it didn''t bother me. ¡°I¡¯m d we made a good deal. One of our staff will deliver my gift to your house very soon.¡± When I turned around after speaking, I heard Gu Min-Ji¡¯s sharp voice from behind. ¡°Hmph! You should do some housework instead of cleaning up after your celebrities. I heard bad rumors about your family, Mr. Jung.¡± I tried to ignore her, but the content of her remark was a hard one to disregard. ¡°The secret private life of actress Ju Yung-In...or should I say the wife of Midas¡¯ Touch Jung Yoon-Ho? What do you think? Either way, it sounds interesting enough to be the title of the year-end special article.¡± I could feel the vein in my forehead pulsating, but I knew that entertainment reporters were true aces when it came to pushing people¡¯s buttons. I tried to tell her to stop talking nonsense, but not a single word came out of my mouth. I couldn¡¯t move an inch, as if my entire body had frozen. ¡®What¡¯s going on?¡¯ ¡°Hahaha. Have a good day, then. One day, I¡¯ll make sure to drag down Min Gyu-Ri, that bitch. Hopefully, I¡¯ll bring you and that asshole Kim Dong-Soo down as well. Hahaha.¡± Gu Min-Ji poured out a curse and drove past me. At that moment, I began to feel nauseous and sick to my stomach. ¡°Blergh!¡± I vomited all over the ground, but the color of my vomit was different from usual¡ªit was dark red rather than brown. Then, I had a terrible headache and my vision began to blur. Thud! The moment I hit my head against the ground, I began to lose consciousness. The asphalt ground on a cold day in November was colder than I had expected. I could hear someone screaming and the 119 sirens in the distance as my consciousness faded away. Soon, my vision turned dark. Chapter 2: Return

Chapter 2: Return

D-30. I almost died but managed to survive. ording to the doctor, my heart stopped for a moment due to the shock caused by the excessive bleeding in my stomach. Before I coulde back to my senses, I was given a shocking piece of news¡ªI had terminal stomach cancer and had only a month left to live. ¡°Ha, hahaha. This is a joke, right, doctor?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. We did our best, but there¡¯s nothing more we can do at this time...¡± The doctor exined to me that, while there was only a one in a million chance of neurotic gastritis turning to cancer, I had unfortunately be that one person whose stomach issue had rapidly progressed to cancer. ¡®But I¡¯ve worked so hard just to reach the position I have right now.¡¯ I protested in denial and demanded a retest, but the doctors simply assured me they would focus on managing any pain. Nothing was going ording to my will¡ªneither my body nor mind. ¡®I can¡¯t believe I only have one month left to live. Is this a form of divine mercy, granting me a month to bid farewell to those I¡¯m leaving behind?¡¯ Yet, this divine mercy seemed to be more of a curse to me. D-29. The only people who visited me at the hospital were the junior staff. I asked my wife, who was tidying up the fruit basket I received as a gift, about what I had heard from reporter Gu Min-Ji. However, my wife simply turned away and left the room without saying a single word. It didn¡¯t take too long before I finally received the answer to my question. D-25. The divorce papers arrived. Gu Min-Ji was right. Ju Yung-In did indeed have an affair with Dong-Soo hyung, or rather, that asshole Kim Dong-Soo. I was a fool. ¡®No. I¡¯m not a fool. Those who betrayed me are at fault, so I¡¯m not going to me myself. But still, sending divorce papers to a man who¡¯s dying is too cruel, isn¡¯t it?¡¯ I wondered if I had worked so hard my entire life just for this. D-14. I felt bitter when none of the top stars, who had be famous through my efforts, visited me. ¡®Their character is just...¡¯ All I felt was disappointment that I ruined my health by caring for such people. D-10. A group named ¡®Faithful to the people who hate Jung Yoon-Ho¡¯[1] visited my hospital room. Faithful was a group of actors and singers from my previouspany, Hoop Entertainment, who disliked me. They were the ones who stayed loyal to the previous president and didn¡¯t side with Dong-Soo and me. When I asked why they had only included me and not Dong-Soo in the group name, a simple answer came back¡ªThey expected Dong-Soo to betray Hoop Entertainment one day, but they thought I¡¯d remain loyal to Hoop Entertainment. After Kim Dong-Soo and I left, Hoop Entertainment not only struggled financially and eventually shut down, but the president had suffered a stroke and passed away not long after. That was why they resented me so much. Yet, despite their resentment toward me, the members of Faithful were the only people who visited me in my final days. They even said they understood the reason I left Hoop Entertainment. Hearing them speak of changing the group¡¯s name and their words of encouragement left me feeling deeply touched. I was filled with regret¡ªTo think that I had left these people behind to follow Dong-Soo. ¡®How wonderful it would have been if I had stayed and worked with them...¡¯ I looked at everyone who visited me one by one. Yoo Eun-Ah, Kim Sae-Ri, Lee Tae-Poong, Kang Ha-Na, Park Sang-Gyu, Choi Duk-Bae. But the very first member of Faithful, Jung Yoo-Jin, hadn¡¯t shown up. She was the actress whose life changed at the age of 23 after losing her daughter, Miso, to a tragic ident. It seemed like she still didn¡¯t want to see me, but I couldn¡¯t me her. After all, her life changedpletely after Miso¡¯s death. And so did mine. D-7. As my breathing grew morebored, they decided to put me on a venttor. I no longer had the strength to write in my nner nor did I have any energy left to feel sad. The foreign sensation of the artificial respirator in my mouth felt very ufortable. I wanted to spit it out, but Icked the strength to do so. Death felt imminent. D-3. My senses had faded into oblivion. I really wanted to see Yoo-Jin before I died, but she still hadn¡¯t visited yet. Yet, even if she were to visit me, I wouldn¡¯t know how to treat her. D-1. It was Christmas Eve. I wished to visit the memorial park where Miso rested, a ce I hadn¡¯t visited in ten years. ¡®Maybe Miso would still be alive if I hadn¡¯t listened to Kim Dong-Soo back then...¡¯ I could still vividly remember Miso¡¯s smiling face. Would I be able to see her again after I die? D-Day. They administered a substantial dosage of painkillers, rendering me blissfully pain-free. The only thing I felt was a sense of serenity and calmness. Although I had once vehemently denied and resisted my impending death, I had nowe to terms with it. After receiving my divorce papers, I spent away all my wealth recklessly. I sponsored ys and independent films that Faithful oversaw and requested for my remaining wealth, after paying for the hospital bills, to be donated to other patients. After all, I didn¡¯t want to leave a single dime for my ex-wife. I didn¡¯t have a religion, but I somehow wanted to end up in heaven. Yesterday evening, I signed the divorce papers and sent them to the court. The thought of the divorce papers being sessfully processed gave me a sense of liberation despite my impending death. ¡®Would this mean I¡¯d legally die as a bachelor?¡¯ I felt my lifeing to an end as I had such thoughts in my head. My heartbeat grew slower, and my senses dimmed as my breath became weaker. At that moment, I heard someone¡¯s voice. ¡°Oppa!¡± It was Yoo-Jin¡¯s voice. She was Jung Yoo-Jin, a 33 years old leading actress in Korea who had won the Hwangryong Film Association¡¯s Best Actress award three times in a row and starred in five dramas with over a 30% viewer rating. The voice of a rare talent, who had even ventured into Hollywood, echoed in my ears. This felt like a dream. ¡°What is this? Oppa! How did you end up like this!?¡± Yoo-Jin¡¯s voice filled with despair resonated throughout the room. She reprimanded me for neglecting my health as she sobbed away. ¡°What happened to Miso isn¡¯t your fault, Oppa. I med you back then because I was too overwhelmed, but I¡¯m sorry. Miso appeared in my dreamst night¡ªshe said she¡¯s happy and enjoying herself in heaven. So oppa, get up. Get up! You can¡¯t leave like this!¡± ¡®Thanks for saying that. Both you and I would have been happier if that hadn¡¯t happened back then.¡¯ I pushed away the respirator to utter those words with all the strength I had left while gasping for breath. ¡°I¡¯m...sorry. I¡¯ll...take good care of Miso...up there...You live a long life...okay? We¡¯ll meet...again.¡± After finishing my words with difficulty, I took onest breath. As the tline on the heart monitor emitted its somber tone, I fell into the deep, dark abyss. *** Brrr. I felt a familiar vibration tickling my left hand. ¡®What¡¯s going on? I¡¯m dead, so why am I feeling a phone vibrate in my hand? Ah, maybe it¡¯s the buzzer for the heaven waitlist.¡¯ I tried to turn my head to see what the buzzer looked like, but I couldn''t see anything. ¡®Oh, right. My eyes are still closed.¡¯ ¡°Ugh.¡± I opened my eyes with difficulty and saw my phone vibrating in my left hand. ¡®Is this an rm to remind me to work even after death? But wait a minute. Why am I holding a Gxy Note 10? This is an old model from ten years ago.¡¯ Moreover, the date in the nner seemed strange. [Everyday V1] [Date: December 12th, 2019] [Current Time: 12:25 PM, Gyeonggi Province Guri Set] -12:30 PM: Gyeonggi Province Guri Set, Jung Yoo-Jin¡¯s first appearance on episode 21 (rm set.) -04:00 PM: MBS Celebrity Quiz Quiz set. Jung Yoo-Jin¡¯s guest appearance. -08:00 PM: Jung Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting lesson. ¡®2019?¡¯ I rubbed my eyes, thinking I might be delusional, but the numbers didn¡¯t seem to change. I couldn¡¯t fathom why the date was precisely December 12th of 2019, the day of the terrible ident involving Yoo-Jin and Miso, her only family member. I recalled someone saying that one endlessly re-lives their most terrible day in the afterlife. ¡®Am I in that state right now? Or is this some sort of a phenomenon where vivid memories from the past sh before one¡¯s eyes right before death?¡¯ At that moment, the scent of lily shampoo wafted into my senses. ¡°Yoon-Ho oppa?¡± The soft whisper, as pleasant as the subtle scent of the shampoo, made me instinctively turn my head. In front of my eyes was Yoo-Jin¡¯s face when she was around 23 years old. Her lips gleamed with her bright pink lip gloss and her silky hair swayed as if she were a shampoo model. ¡°Oh my goodness!¡± Yoo-Jin¡¯s face was so close that I took a step back without realizing it. She adjusted her thick red parka and tilted her head in wonder. ¡°Oppa. Are you sick? Did you catch a cold?¡± Yoo-Jin approached me closer and ced her slender hand on my forehead. At that moment, I finally came to my senses. ¡®What is this sensation? This isn''t a dream. This sensation, this temperature, and this set I¡¯m in where the cold wind of December blows is definitely real.¡¯ Though I had no inkling of what was transpiring, one thing was unmistakable¡ªI was very much alive. I sat huddled on a concrete block in a corner of the parking lot about fifty meters away from the filming location with not even a proper chair or heater. ¡°Hm. That¡¯s weird. You don¡¯t have a fever or anything.¡± Yoo-Jin tilted her head in confusion as she checked the temperature of her own forehead with her left hand and mine with her right hand. ¡®Come to think of it, her cheeks were flushed red.¡¯ I instinctively rummaged through my pocket and opened my mouth. ¡°Yoo-Jin. Take this hand warmer...¡± However, there was no hand warmer in my pocket. This made me realize that I had gone back in time to my rookie days, my first year on the job when I couldn¡¯t even remember to bring such basic supplies. *** Cheonho-dong''s Burger Maiden was Yoo-Jin¡¯s nickname from a year ago when she worked part-time at the Burger Queen at Cheonho-dong. Thanks to the influx of customersing to catch a glimpse of her, the branch¡¯s sales reportedly soared by 500%pared to the previous year. Her sudden poprity prompted executives from various entertainment agencies to scout her. She declined all offers but to everyone¡¯s surprise, epted a proposal from President Kang Gam-Chan. I had expected her to debut quickly, given her poprity, but for some reason, President Kang Gam-Chan made Yoo-Jin take acting lessons for a year. When I asked him why he wouldn¡¯t let Yoo-Jin debut immediately, he told me that ¡®a frog has to crouch down before it takes a leap.¡¯ Anyway, Yoo-Jin¡¯s fame as the ¡®Cheonho-dong''s Burger Maiden¡¯ ended up fading away after a year. Now, after a year¡¯s wait, Yoo-Jin was about to take on her first role with actual lines and was waiting on set. ¡°I¡¯m okay. I just didn¡¯t get much sleep,¡± I reassured Yoo-Jin, gently removing her pale hand from my forehead as I struggled to steady my trembling hand. ¡®Hiding my emotions was harder than I imagined.¡¯ Yoo-Jin nodded with a relieved expression and began to talk about the lunch menu excitedly. ¡°They have a special fish cake soup entirely made of pollock meat for lunch today. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯ll taste great with a generous amount of chili powder in it?¡± Perhaps it was because of the cold weather, but Yoo-Jin seemed to desperately crave hot soup as she gulped. However, I remembered that Yoo-Jin was on a diet around this time. ¡°Wait. You¡¯re on a diet right now, aren¡¯t you?¡± Yoo-Jin gave an awkward smile. ¡°T-that¡¯s true...but I can start tomorrow. Diet always begins tomorrow. Haven¡¯t you heard of that saying?¡± I almost nodded my head when she yfully stuck out her tongue. Her eyes were evidently desperate, but I couldn¡¯t give in. ¡°That¡¯s what ordinary people say, but celebrities are always on a diet. You know that.¡± ¡°Aw,e on. Celebrity or not, we are all working to make money to eat...¡± Yoo-Jin lowered her head andined. Her blouse hung loose, revealing her prominent corbone on her slender frame. Yet, in spite of her slender frame, she was still obligated to lose weight. Although she was 165 cm tall and weighed only 52 kg, the broadcast cameras always seemed to make anyone appear at least 5 kg heavier than they actually were. As her talent agent, what I told her the most was ¡®You need to lose weight!¡¯ I didn¡¯t feelfortable nagging her to lose weight, but I couldn¡¯t help it since she was a celebrity who was bound to spend the rest of her life in front of cameras. ¡°Ugh. But I really want fish cake soup today...I promise I will go on a diet starting from tomorrow.¡± I sighed and replied to Yoo-Jin¡¯sint. ¡°Fine. You can have some, but just the fish cake. No soup or sauce, okay?¡± Yoo-Jin red at me and shouted. ¡°You¡¯re a devil! A real devil! That¡¯s like telling someone to eat spicy rice cakes but without the gochujang!¡± ¡®A devil? But at least I didn¡¯t say she can¡¯t eat it at all. Doesn¡¯t that make me an angel?¡¯ Seeing Yoo-Jin pout her lips, I couldn¡¯t help but make a fatherly smile. The bright-faced Yoo-Jin I had always dreamed of was standing right in front of me. *** Currently, preparations for the MBS drama The Morning Takes Off, which would be broadcast every Monday and Tuesday, were underway just about 50 meters away from our location. Written by the famous drama writer Lee Ji-Yeon, often referred to as the mother of drama,¡¯ The Morning Takes Off¡® held the top spot for its time slot. Yoo-Jin had been cast to y the role of Lee Seol-Ran, the friend of the main character, in episodes 21 and 22. Beep-. A sharp noise of the megaphone echoed from a distance, apanied by Director Park¡¯s scolding. ¡°Myung-Sik! Hold the reflector properly! You punk, are you more interested in the actor¡¯s body than their face? Huh?¡± ¡°You too, Jung-Hun! Hold the mic properly! I can see all the fuzz on screen! Move it out of the camera¡¯s angle right now.¡± ¡°All right. We are starting the shoot now. Keep quiet, everyone. Ready...Action!¡± Although the set was 50 meters away, the echo from the mountains made every sound in the set so close and vivid. However, I couldn¡¯t focus on the set because I was busy thinking about what was about to unfold in a moment. Soon, the events thatpletely changed both Yoo-Jin¡¯s and my life were about to take ce all at once. 1. Referred to as faithful ? Chapter 3: First Day (1)

Chapter 3: First Day (1)

It was December 12th of 2019. Today was the day Yoo-Jin would lose her role by continuously making mistakes in front of Writer Lee Ji-Yeon who woulde to visit the set. On top of that, Miso, her only family, would die in a gas explosion today. To make matters worse, Miso, who had been known as Yoo-Jin¡¯s niece all along, would soon be revealed to be her daughter instead. Although the truth was that Yoo-Jin adopted herte sister¡¯s daughter, the public, not privy to the truth, woulde to me Yoo-Jin for getting pregnant at a young age. It was undoubtedly the worst day of her life. ¡®But things will change from now on.¡¯ I nned to prevent these terrible incidents from happening and as a first step, I quickly took off my coat and ced it over Yoo-Jin¡¯s head. After all, the reason she made so many mistakes was because of the bone-chilling cold. p. With the coat over her head, Yoo-Jin looked as if she were wearing a traditional Korean dress seen in historical dramas[1]. ¡°Stay here for a second. I¡¯ll go grab a nket and coffee.¡± ¡°I¡¯m okay, oppa.¡± Yoo-Jin tried to return the coat, insisting she was fine. ¡°Just focus on your acting. It would be more troublesome if you make mistakes because of the cold.¡± ¡°But...¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine. I don¡¯t get cold that easily. Stay put until I bring back a nket and some hand warmers. Okay?¡± Leaving behind the concerned Yoo-Jin, I ran towards the table where the staff had ced the equipment. As I grabbed a nket and some hand warmers from the table, I thought of a way to prevent Miso¡¯s death. ¡°I can call Miso¡¯s kindergarten and ask them to look after her until the evening.¡± If my memory serves me right, Miso was currently at the kindergarten and attending an early Christmas party¡ªso I figured that I could just go and pick up Miso from the kindergarten as soon as Yoo-Jin¡¯s scene was finished. Originally, Miso was fated to die today from a gas explosion when she went home. ¡°Everything should be fine as long as she doesn¡¯t go home.¡± ¡®And I can call 119 to report a gas leak after picking Miso up from the kindergarten.¡¯ Knowing what was about to happen made finding a solution surprisingly easy. ¡°Phew~¡± I let out a deep sigh of relief. With the wit of a thirty-six year old and the vitality of a twenty-six year old, I felt invincible. ¡°All right. I can stop this. I can do this.¡± I mumbled to myself and looked for a bottle to make a warm drink. Then I found an unused thermal bottle under the table. ¡°I should make some coffee and bring it back to Yoo-Jin.¡± Disying my barista skills, I made coffee while reminiscing about the time when I was called Barista Jung and Astrobucks Jung. Worried that Yoo-Jin might burn her mouth, I poured some coffee into a paper cup, allowing it to cool slightly before bringing it to her. That was when I realized the incessant ringing of the phone in my pocket. Buzz buzz. ¡°Hm? Is this an entertainment Inc?¡± Searching through my memory, I recalled my current superior¡ªTeam Lead Oh Duk-Gu. At first nce, he had a stern appearance but was a genuinely kind-hearted superior. However, the moment I took the phone out, an unbelievable message popped up. [Everyday V10] [Would you like to download the backup file (December 12th, 2029 12;12 PM?] ¡°Huh? 2029?¡± I muttered to myself and anxiously took a nce at my surroundings. Fortunately, there was no one around me. I rubbed my eyes and checked the phone screen one more time. ¡®2029 was the year I died.¡¯ Furthermore, the version of the nner was V10, which I used in 2029, not V1. ¡°W-what is going on?¡± After I recovered from my shock, I slowly pressed the ¡®YES¡¯ button, as if under a spell. Buzz. Messages began to pour in after a short vibration. [Everyday V10] [Restoring backup file] [Automatically saved to the second nner folder.] [Saving records from December 12th, 2019 to December 12th, 2029, in the second nner.] ... [Saveplete.] When the backup file was restored, another nner tab appeared on the screen. [First nner: Everyday V1] [Second nner: Everyday V10] My heart began to race rapidly. ¡°Did it actually...get downloaded?¡± ¡®I didn¡¯t think it would actually get downloaded.¡¯ I gulped and tapped on the second nner tab, opening the nner entry for today¡¯s date with a rustling sound of flipping pages. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 12th, 2019] -12:30 PM: Gyeonggi Province Guri Set, Jung Yoo-Jin¡¯s first appearance on episode 21. -01:00 PM: Gyeonggi Province Guri Set, Writer Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s visit -01:30 PM (Report): Gyeonggi Province Guri Set, Jung Yoo-Jin, 23 mistakes. Scolded by the writer on set. -04:20 PM: MBS Public Hall Broadcast, Ju Yung-In moves from Namyangju to MBS Public Hall. ... -05:30 PM: Kangdongkyung University Hospital Funeral Hall. Miso died. ¡®What is this?¡¯ Upon realizing the nner, which contained everything that happened previously from 2019 to 2029, was in my hands, my heart began to race wildly. ¡®I can¡¯t believe my nner came back in time with me!¡¯ I had lived a busy life where I could barely recall the events of the previous day. But thanks to this nner, I could now recall forgotten or iplete memories any time I wanted. *** Because I had recklessly spent money before I traveled back in time, I knew how hollow and meaningless it could be. Moreover, I learned that it was futile to hang out with people of questionable character who ended up not visiting me during myst days in the hospital. The only people who had stayed by my side during my final moments were the seven members of Faithful, whom I hadn¡¯t even properly taken care of. After sorting out my thoughts, I established my goal for my second chance at life, with the nner firmly in hand. I was determined to save Miso and make all seven of my loyal friends¡ªincluding Yoo-Jin, top stars. ¡®I¡¯m going to prioritize people over money in this life.¡¯ Determined to live my life properly this time, I shouted out loud. ¡°Let¡¯s do this!¡± At that moment, I heard a male voiceing from beside me. ¡°Are you done using the hot water?¡± When I turned my head, I saw a man shivering, waiting for his turn to make coffee. ¡°Oh, yes. Go ahead. I¡¯m sorry.¡± His face was utterly familiar for some reason. ¡°Are you by any chance Assistant Director Kim Sung-Woon?¡± ¡°Do you know me?¡± ¡°I do. Didn¡¯t you participate as a staff member in ¡®Once Again Today¡¯ and ¡®Immature Sister?¡¯¡± After bing an MBS PD (producer-director) in the uing year, AD (assistant-director) Kim Sung-Woon would go on to be a star PD for the next decade, continuously producing popr shows. As far as I remembered, he would achieve a viewership of 28% with ¡®Will You Leave Me?¡¯ which he made in coboration with Writer Lee Seung-Ah. In any case, he was a talented man who excelled in various aspects¡ªbe it directing, nning, or having a sharp eye for selecting good scripts. He was a talent who had the ability to lead the set without any major issues. ¡°Sigh. You watched my work with the lowest views.¡± Kim Sung-Woon let out a slightly embarrassed smile. He quickly changed the topic but seemed pleased that I recognized him and his work. I quickly pulled out my name card and bowed. ¡°I¡¯m Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment. Please take good care of Yoo-JIn.¡± Kim Sung-Woon read my position written on the name card and tilted his head in wonder. ¡°Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho, huh? Hm. I thought you were a team lead?¡± ¡°Ah, no. I just wore a nice suit today to leave a good impression on behalf of my actress because it¡¯s her first day.¡± Most on-site talent agents wore hoodies, jeans, and sneakers until they reached the level of a team lead. It seemed he had mistaken me for a team lead because I was wearing a suit. ¡°No wonder you looked so young. But it¡¯s a shame I don¡¯t have my name card at the moment.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. I already know your contact details, Mr. Kim.¡± ¡°You know my contact number?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve memorized the contact numbers of all the producer directors and assistant directors at MBS.¡± Kim Sung-Woon looked surprised by my response. ¡°It¡¯s not easy to find someone who memorizes numbers these days. But I feel so bad that I can¡¯t give you my name card right now...¡± At that moment, I realized this was the perfect opportunity to promote Yoo-Jin. ¡°If it¡¯s not too much trouble, do you mind if I send you Yoo-Jin¡¯s profile?¡± Kim Sung-Woon stared at me for a moment and gave a sly smile. ¡°Go ahead. I always love supporting hardworking people.¡± It was evident that he understood my intention of wanting him to give Yoo-Jin special attention. After exchanging goodbyes, Kim Sung-Woon hurriedly made three cups of coffee and rushed back to the set. ¡®He must be busy since it¡¯s his second year in the industry. Anyway, what a surprise that the first on-site staff I ran into right after traveling back in time was Kim Sung-Woon.¡¯ I had a hunch that my second life was off to a promising start. After registering Kim Sung-Woon¡¯s number on KkTalk, I immediately sent him Yoo-Jin¡¯s profile. [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: This is Yoo-Jin¡¯s profile. Please have a look.] [Attached File] [Jung Yoo-Jin Profile (Official from Hoop Entertainment)] -Age: 23 (November 14th) -Nickname: Cheonho-dong¡¯s Burger Maiden, Burger Maiden¡¯s Number One Part-timer, Yoo-Jini. -Height, Weight: 165cm/47kg -Appearances: The Morning Takes Off (Script by Lee Ji-Yeon/ Role of Lee Seol-Ran) -Hobbies/Skills: Cooking, Cross-stitching, Watching movies After sending him her official profile, I opened thepany¡¯s internal profile file on my way back to Yoo-Jin to bridge the information gap between my memories of Yoo-Jin and the current data. [Jung Yoo-Jin Profile (Hoop Entertainment Internal Data, Confidential)] ... Strengths: Distinct facial features, fair skin, stable vocalization Weaknesses: Insufficient acting skills, emotional expressiveness (evaluation by Trainer Choi Hyun-Min: seems to suppress her emotions, unable to express them properly. Rmends cing her in an idol group rather than pursuing acting.) Acting: 2/5 (currently 2.5 as evaluated by President Kang Gam-Chan, potential 4) Singing: 1.5/5 (evaluated as 2 by vocal trainer) Dancing: 1/5 (evaluated as 2 by choreography trainer) Entertainment: 0.5/5 (maximum of 1 as evaluated by the entertainment team director) No particr rumors. Was never involved in school bullying incidents. She is raising her niece, Miso, after the death of her parents and sister¡¯s family. Lose weight to 47kg (52.1kg as of December 11th.) Train acting skills. The internalpany data was based on a 5-star rating system, providing the current evaluation of Yoo-Jin. However, what particrly caught my eye was the rating on her acting abilities. Acting Trainer Choi Hyun-Min had given a harsh appraisal, suggesting that Yoo-Jin had no potential for sess in the future. ¡°What the hell. Who does he think he is judging?¡± Knowing Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting skills in the future, I couldn¡¯t help but scoff at Choi Hyun-Min¡¯s evaluation. He wasn¡¯t anyone important in the future anyway¡ªhis achievements in training or acting remained insignificant. However, he was part of the Seoul National University of the Arts¡ªoften referred to as Suhyejong¡ªwhich came under the influence of President Kim Dong-Soo. This connection would lead to a division in thepany in three years. After finishing reading the profile, I hurried back to Yoo-Jin. ¡°Put this on your chair, cover your knees with this, wear this, and drink this.¡± As I handed her the nket, hand warmers, and a warm cup of coffee, Yoo-Jin¡¯s face brightened. Following my instructions, she wrapped herself with the nket and wore the earmuffs as she sipped the coffee. Sip. ¡°Huh? What is this? Oppa, what coffee is this? This tastes amazing.¡± ¡°It¡¯s Minim.¡± ¡°Minim? Are you talking about Minim instant coffee in the tall yellow packaging that everyone drinks?¡± ¡°You know it.¡± ¡°No way. How could Minim taste like this? That¡¯s impossible!¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s possible as long as you put in the right amount of water.¡± My coffee-making skills remained unmatched even after traveling back in time. After all, I was known as Barista Jung or Astrobucks Jung at the film set in my previous life. Yoo-Jin gave me a thumbs up with a pleased expression as if the warmth of the coffee had rxed her. She seemed a bit relieved from the cold. ¡°Oppa, your coffee is great! I feel so awake now!¡± ¡®That¡¯s just the caffeine kicking in.¡¯ But I was grateful to see her so pleased with a simple instant coffee. *** [Everyday V10] [Date: December 12th, 2019] 01:30 PM (Report): Gyeonggi Province Guri Set, Jung Yoo-Jin, 23 mistakes. Scolded by the writer on set. -05:30 PM: Kangdongkyung University Hospital Funeral Hall. Miso died. The schedule written on the Everyday V10 continued to intrigue me each time I looked at it. However, I couldn¡¯t afford to get lost in contemtion. First and foremost, I had to prevent Miso from going to her house where an ident would ur. ¡°Hey, Yoo-Jin.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Should we bring Miso and show her around the broadcast station today?¡± Yoo-Jin, who was drinking coffee, opened her eyes wide. ¡°Really? Can we do that?¡± I nodded to Yoo-Jin¡¯s repeated question. ¡°Yes. Call her kindergarten right now.¡± ¡°Yay!¡± Yoo-Jin shook her fist in joy and immediately pulled out her phone. Ring ring. -The customer cannot receive the call right now... Ring ring. -The customer cannot receive the call right now... ¡®Why aren¡¯t they picking up?¡¯ Even after calling for the fourth time, the principal of the kindergarten was not answering the phone. 1. https://images.app.goo.gl/YLt39CAbj9ND8jo98 ? Chapter 4: First Day (2)

Chapter 4: First Day (2)

I was anxious and felt as if my heart was about to sink as the call returned only static noises. But thankfully, the call finally connected on the fifth attempt. ¡°Hello, is this the principal? Yes. I¡¯m Miso¡¯s auntie. Um, the reason I called is because...well...¡± -Ah, yes. Miso¡¯s auntie! Oh, yes. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll take care of Miso until 5 PM. Don¡¯t mention it! Haha. Miso is such a good child. It turned out that the reason the principal hadn¡¯t picked up the call right away was because she was busy hosting the Christmas party for the kids, as she was the only one running the small kindergarten. ¡®But when is Yoo-Jin gonna hang up the phone?¡¯ The two showed no sign of wrapping up the conversation and continued chatting. Having waited for three minutes, I felt the need to end their conversation and subtly hinted at Yoo-JIn who got my message and started wrapping up the conversation. ¡°Yes, principal. I¡¯ll stop byter.¡± -Oh, my. Kids are going to be so excited to see youe. You are a celebrity, after all. ¡°Celebrity? No way. I¡¯ve only just started my career...¡± -Haha. Let¡¯s talk more and have some warm red bean soup when youe to the kindergarten. By the way, I love Actor Jo Min-Sung from yourpany. ¡°Yes, yes. Let¡¯s talk more when we meetter.¡± Yoo-Jin hung up the phone and licked her lips, disappointed that the conversation had to end. ¡®Was there more to talk about? They¡¯d been talking for so long.¡¯ Anyway, I felt relieved knowing the ident would no longer happen since Miso didn¡¯t go home alone. ¡®It¡¯s done. Miso is safe now. I¡¯ll rush to her as soon as the on-site shoot is over.¡¯ My heart began to flutter as I thought of Miso¡¯s cheerful face. ¡°Miso will be so happy. She always told me she wanted to visit the broadcasting station. La~¡± I couldn¡¯t help but smile without realizing it when I saw Yoo-Jin¡¯s face filled with motherly affection for Miso. Yoo-Jin stopped humming and tilted her head in wonder when she saw me smile. ¡°Why are you smiling? Is there anything on my face?¡± ¡°No. It¡¯s just that...you look really happy.¡± Yoo-Jin smiled. ¡°Of course I¡¯m happy. It was Miso¡¯s wish to visit the broadcasting station. I really appreciate it, oppa.¡± Watching Yoo-Jin hum and return her gaze to the script, I thought I should be the one thanking her. Anyway, it was already in my ns to ensure Yoo-Jin and Miso did not return to their home today. ¡®By the way, how much does it cost to book a hotel room these days?¡¯ Then I shook my head. ¡®Nevermind. I¡¯ll have to book a motel instead. As far as I can remember, I only had 5 million won in my bank ount around this time.¡¯ The reminder of being financially strapped again made the fact that I had returned to the past much more real than ever. ¡®Nheless, I¡¯ll make sure to get them the cleanest motel room.¡¯ *** Writer Lee Ji-Yeon, often dubbed the Godmother of Dramas, had a habit of frequently visiting the shooting sets to oversee the progress of her work. She was also famous for screaming at actors if they made even the smallest mistakes. As a result, her set visits always led to chaotic situations. Actors would shed tears as talent agents offered their constion while assistant directors had to clean up the mess. The producer directors would even plead and apologize to her even if they didn¡¯t know what they had done wrong. However, as she was a top-tier writer who had written several works with good ratings exceeding thirty percent, there was no one who could stop her irrational attitude. Yoo-Jin was soon about to act in front of this very writer, Lee Ji-Yeon. While Yoo-Jin was preparing for the shoot and reading the script, I informed her of what was about to happen. ¡°The writer...ising?¡± ¡°Yes. I would say in about thirty minutes.¡± The heavily underlined script seemed to reflect Yoo-Jin¡¯s nervousness. ¡°What should I do, oppa? I¡¯m not sure if I can do this.¡± While Yoo-Jin was typically confident and resilient, she appeared slightly intimidated, perhaps because it was her first shoot. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve been watching you practice and you¡¯re doing fine. I think everything would be perfect if you fixed just one part.¡± ¡°Which part?¡± I pointed to the section where Yoo-Jin would make twenty-three mistakes. ¡°This fourth word in the third sentence. Oh, and keep in mind that Ms. Lee ces a lot of emphasis on diction. It¡¯s especially easy to make mistakes inplex lines, so just repeat this part until you¡¯re perfectly familiar with it.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Yoo-Jin listened to my exnation and continued to practice reading the script until she got used to the pronunciation. As she was still a rookie actress, she was receptive to the talent agent¡¯s advice and did not find it off-putting. While I was at it, I started to analyze the descriptions and lines in the script with her since having a good understanding of the character would help in her acting. Yoo-Jin seemed amazed after hearing my analysis of the script. ¡°Wow, you¡¯re really good, oppa. How are you so good at analyzing the script? I think you¡¯re even better than the acting coach.¡± Looking at Yoo-Jin¡¯s sparkling eyes, I thought to myself: ¡®You have no idea how many times I dined and drank with Lee Ji-Yeon while discussing her scripts.¡¯ I had memorized all of Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s scripts in my first life. ¡°Hey,e on now. Let¡¯s not waste time and focus on the script. We don¡¯t have much time before she arrives.¡± ¡°Yes, teacher!¡± After regaining her confidence, Yoo-Jin continued to practice her lines by going over the script repeatedly for a long time. The more Yoo-Jin practiced, the more progress she made, possibly due to my urate advice. *** ¡°Alright, that¡¯s good enough. Let¡¯s go now.¡± ¡°Where to?¡± ¡°To meet Ms. Lee. It¡¯s better to get it over with now thanter.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon had a tendency to test actors regardless of time and ce whenever she met them. Hence, I figured it would be better to show Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting directly in front of Lee Ji-Yeon than on the set far away filled with cameras and staff. However, Yoo-Jin shook her head in hesitance. ¡°Oppa, I¡¯m scared. Can I meet herter?¡± I was sympathetic to her fear, but some things had to be done. ¡°Ms. Lee is not as scary as you think. Why are you so scared?¡± ¡°Because I¡¯ve heard many rumors and they seem to suggest otherwise.¡± Yoo-Jin gave me a doubtful gaze, but I shook my head as if I had no idea what she was talking about. ¡°You must have heard wrong. Come on, let¡¯s go.¡± ¡®Well, she¡¯ll be fine as long as she doesn¡¯t mess up.¡¯ I hurriedly grabbed the script and clothes, and headed to the parking lot with Yoo-Jin. ¡°There shees.¡± A giant pink Rose-Rise, resembling a small bus, pulled into the parking lot. Crack! Crack! The gravel under the tires scattered in all directions and made a loud noise. When the car came to a stop, a young woman with her hair tied tightly got out of the driver¡¯s seat with a heavy-looking suitcase. She seemed familiar for some reason. ¡®Writer Kim Soll-Ip?¡¯ Come to think of it, she had been an assistant to Lee Ji-Yeon around this time. Kim Soll-Ip would soon be a renowned writer in ten years, rivaling Lee Ji-Yeon. Then a thought crossed my mind. ¡®It was around this time when Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s work became a huge sess after she went independent. I thought I wrote down the name of her work and ratings somewhere...was it ¡®Blue Sky?¡¯¡¯ I opened the V10 nner app to check if my memory was correct. However, the content of the nner had changed. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 12th, 2019] -01:30 PM (Deleted Schedule: (Report): Gyeonggi Province Guri Set, Jung Yoo-Jin, 23 mistakes. Scolded by the writer on set.) My mind went nk for a moment. ¡®What¡¯s going on? What is this nner? Can the schedule actually change? Did the future written in the nner change because of my intervention with Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting?¡¯ One question led to another, but I quickly came to a conclusion. ¡®The schedule of the nner changes based on my actions.¡¯ This suggested that the potential value of this nner was beyond one¡¯s imagination. Having ten years¡¯ worth of events written on it was already incredible, but being able to observe the impact of my actions on the future through the nner was even more amazing. I was so surprised that I drank the coffee I was holding in my right hand in a gulp. ¡°Ah! It¡¯s so hot!¡± I burned my tongue. ¡°Are you okay?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m fine. Make sure you¡¯re prepared because Ms. Lee is the type to jump right into things out of nowhere. She might ask you to act for her on the spot.¡± As Yoo-Jin got ready to act, I flipped through the nner to check if there were any other changed events. However, there was still one significant event that had not yet disappeared from today¡¯s schedule. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 12th, 2019] -05:30 PM: Kangdongkyung University Hospital Funeral Hall. Miso died. Thump. I felt my heart sink. ¡®Why isn¡¯t this schedule going away? Hadn¡¯t we already called the kindergarten to ensure Miso didn¡¯t go home? Could it be that my hypothesis about being able to change predetermined oues through my actions was wrong?¡¯ At that moment, a scene from a famous movie shed through my mind. ¡®Destination.¡¯ I quickly shook my head. This masterpiece taught that certain things were bound to happen regardless of what we did. Thinking about this made me feel anxious. ¡®It¡¯s only been a few minutes since I thought everything would be fine!¡¯ I came to realize that simply making a phone call wouldn¡¯t prevent Miso¡¯s death. ¡®I should go and get Miso right away.¡¯ But the timing was not good¡ªLee Ji-Yeon, who got out of her car, was just around the corner. My mouth began to dry up. ¡®Do I have no choice but to give up the opportunity to catch Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s attention? But Yoo-Jin worked so hard to get this opportunity!¡¯ Then I remembered the time Miso was in an ident. It was currently 3 PM and there was about an hour and a half left before the ident would ur. My brain worked harder than ever. ¡®Calm down, Jung Yoon-Ho. I can do both. It will only take roughly about five minutes for Yoo-Jin to show her acting. Immediately once that is done, I can run to the kindergarten to pick Miso up.¡¯ With this n in mind, I calmed myself and took Yoo-JIn to meet Lee Ji-Yeon. I had no time to lose. *** Lee Ji-Yeon was an S-ss writer who made more than 100 million won per episode. She was d in a bright leopard-patterned coat with heels over 7 cm. Despite being in her 40s, she looked stunning enough to be mistaken for an actress However, the icy ground seemed to pose a challenge for her, as she was being supported by Kim Soll-Ip, who was wearing t shoes. ¡°Be careful, Ms. Lee.¡± ¡°Enough with your nagging, okay? Shut up~¡± Although Kim Soll-Ip was bound to be a famous writer in the future, at the moment, she was nothing more than an assistant writer and a servant. I was worried about Miso, but I had to focus on the task at hand. I greeted Lee Ji-Yeon politely as soon as I approached her, mentioning Jung Yoo-Jin¡ªthe name of the actress under my care. ¡°It¡¯s an honor to meet you, Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon.¡± ¡°My name is Jung Yoo-Jin, and I y the role of Lee Seol-Ran. I genuinely admire your work.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon adjusted her red sses perched on the tip of her nose and snapped her fingers. Her index finger moved side to side like the pendulum of a metronome. ¡°Nope, nope nope! I don¡¯t like ttery~¡± ¡°B-but I really do love your work...¡± Lee Ji-Yeon looked up and down at the perplexed Yoo-Jin and opened her mouth. ¡°Lee Seol-Ran, huh? You look the part, but I¡¯m not sure if I can say the same about your acting yet. Shall we see?¡± As expected, Lee Ji-Yeon wanted to test Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting. To put it inly, Lee Ji-Yeon was obsessed with her own work. To put it nicely, she was deeply attached to her work. ¡°Yes, Ms. Lee.¡± Yoo-Jin answered confidently and began to act out her role as Lee Seol-Ran. As Yoo-Jin immersed herself in her acting, Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s eyebrows twitched. Yoo-Jin¡¯s performance perfectly embodied the ¡®Lee Seol-Ran¡¯ that existed in Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s mind. In my first life, Lee Ji-Yeon would interpret the character ¡®Lee Seol-Ran¡¯ for Yoo-Jin whenever she made a mistake. Since Lee Seol-Ran was the protagonist¡¯s friend and a confident police officer, Yoo-Jin was instructed to act with a sharp and clear diction. Thanks to Yoo-Jin listening to my advice, which was informed by my memories of my first life, her acting was incredible and I found myself unable to take my eyes off her. ¡®How should I put this?¡¯ I felt like I was being drawn into her acting. Yes¡ªthat would be the right description. Despite being in an urgent situation, I found my heart was racing without me realizing it. A subtle smile graced Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s face. It was a huge sess. *** Yoo-Jin¡¯s short acting took less than three minutes. When her acting was over, Yoo-Jin took a deep breath nervously. Lee Ji-Yeon looked at Yoo-Jin for a long time and opened her mouth to speak. ¡°Not bad. Your voice has a distinct quality and you seem well-versed with the script. Hmm~¡± ¡°Thank you so much, Ms. Lee!¡± Then Lee Ji-Yeon said something unexpected. ¡°What¡¯s your name again?¡± Lee Ji-Yeon was famous for not caring about actors¡¯ names unless they were famous top stars. On set, she simply referred to the actors by their roles. I can¡¯t believe she¡¯s asking for Yoo-Jin¡¯s name. She loves her!¡¯ Yoo-Jin answered Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s question excitedly. ¡°Ms. Lee, my name is Jung Yoo-Jin from Hoop Entertainment.¡± ¡°Hoop Entertainment? Isn¡¯t that thepany run by President Kang?¡± ¡°Yes, it is. Mr. Kang Gam-Chan is our president, ma¡¯am.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon nodded and tilted her head to the side. ¡°Got it~. Your name is Yoo-Jin, right? I love Park Yoo-Jin.¡± ¡®Huh? But what does Jung Yoo-Jin have to do with Park Yoo-Jin?¡¯ Well, it was fortunate that Yoo-Jin shared a name with someone Lee Ji-Yeon liked. ¡°Yoo-Jin~. Who taught you acting? Did Hoop Entertainment always have a good acting coach who helps their actors with character analysis to this extent?¡± Compared to the actors, the acting coaches at Hoop Entertainment weren¡¯t aspetent. This was because Lee Gi-Cheol, the operations director, had unfairly secured the spots for the acting coaches who graduated from Seoul National University of the Arts. Director Kim Dong-Soo and Coach Choi Hyun-Min were also graduates of Suhyaejong. Without giving me a chance to interrupt, Yoo-Jin answered Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s question. ¡°Oh. My talent agent here helped me with analyzing the script, Ms. Lee.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon slightly raised her head and slowly turned toward me. Then, she frowned and asked. ¡°And you are~?¡± Chapter 5: First Day (3)

Chapter 5: First Day (3)

Yoo-Jin gave an honest answer to Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s question and smiled brightly at me with a look that seemed to say ¡®I did good, right?¡¯ ¡®Why would she give me the credit instead of iming it for herself to find favor with the writer?¡¯ I was grateful yet perplexed by her naive honesty. ¡®She should have just told the writer that she had practiced hard.¡¯ I quickly responded to Lee Ji-Yeon, who was looking at me curiously. ¡°Yes, Ms. Lee. I just gave her a little advice because I¡¯ve seen your dramas and read your scripts in the past.¡± ¡°Hmm, it¡¯s very unusual for a talent agent to read my work. Do you want to be a writer by any chance?¡± Lee Ji-Yeon still looked confused as if she didn¡¯t understand. ¡°No. I read all your work simply because I¡¯m a fan. I¡¯ve read the scripts of ¡®Mother¡¯s Song¡¯ and ¡®The Story of You, Me, and Our Daughter.¡¯¡± Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s eyebrows twitched every time I mentioned the title of her work. It seemed like she was surprised a talent agent would know so much about her work. To a writer, their work was no different from their own alter ego or a child. Therefore, it was only natural for her to feel happy when she receivedpliments for her work. ¡°Hm~. What was your favorite?¡± ¡°I liked ¡®Mother¡¯s Song¡¯ the best.¡± ¡°You have a good eye. It took me five years to write that one.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon fell into deep thoughts for a moment with a proud smile on her face, possibly reminiscing the time she wrote that piece of work. Seeing this as an opportunity to make a good impression, I decided to seize the moment. After all, she really liked the coffee I made for her in the past life. ¡°Excuse me, Ms. Lee. The set is much colder than you think. I¡¯m sure a hot cup of coffee will help you keep warm.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon frowned slightly when she saw my thermal bottle. ¡°Coffee? No, no. I don¡¯t drink coffee unless it¡¯s Nespressure Ristretto~.¡± When Lee Ji-Yeon shook her head, Kim Soll-Ip smiled broadly and gratefully epted the offer instead. ¡°This is perfect. It was quite cold out here. I¡¯ll take it.¡± ¡°Here you go, Ms. Kim.¡± Kim Soll-Ip dismissively waved her hands as I poured coffee into her cup. ¡°Haha, Mr. Jung. You¡¯re too kind. It feels good to be addressed that way, but I¡¯m not a writer yet.¡± ¡°What do you mean, Soll-Ip~? You¡¯re a writer for sure.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon seemed annoyed by Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s reply. ¡®I guess these two have a good rtionship. That¡¯s surprising.¡¯ Contrary to how it seemed, Lee Ji-Yeon was going out of her way to save face for Assistant Writer Kim Soll-Ip. Drip, drip, drip. ¡°Hmm. This coffee smells amazing. Um, Mr. Jung. Do you mind if I grab another cup?¡± Kim Soll-Ip said as she took in the aroma of the coffee from her paper cup. ¡°Not at all. Have as much as you want.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon, who was sniffing the smell of coffee without realizing it, eximed in a loud voice. ¡°Soll-Ip~. I told you I don¡¯t want it!¡± ¡°Come on, Ms, Lee. You always say that but end up taking mine. That¡¯s why I need to prepare yours in advance.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to drink it! I mean it this time!¡± Lee Ji-Yeon turned her head away like an upset child. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want to drink it? Fine. Then I¡¯ll just drink both of them.¡± ¡°Shut up~. Why do you always make me repeat myself? You know I hate that!¡± I was surprised to see how adeptly Kim Soll-Ip handled Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s sharp attitude. Then again, I recalled how Kim Soll-Ip had sessfully served as Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s assistant for five years, a position known to be so challenging that made her predecessors quit after a month. ¡®Thinking about it, she was quite impressive.¡¯ Holding two cups of coffee, Kim Soll-Ip expressed her gratitude. ¡°Oh, right. I almost forgot. Mr. Jung. Could you give me your name card?¡± ¡°Of course, Ms. Kim.¡± My seemingly useless name cards had already been handed out twice on my first day of traveling back in time. ¡®I have a feeling things are going to go well.¡¯ ¡°Ah, just a second.¡± Kim Soll-Ip bit on her paper cup to free her right hand so she could take my name card. At that moment, I saw a group of producer directors and assistant directors rushing towards us from afar. ¡°Ms. Lee~!¡± Producer Director Park called out in a flustered tone, out of breath from running upon seeing Lee Ji-Yeon. ¡°Oh my, I thought you would be too busy toe, huff, huff. What brings you to the set?¡± ¡°I just stopped by before heading to my office. Why? Am I not allowed toe here?¡± ¡°No, of course you can. Your joke always makes meugh, hahaha.¡± The staff paid no attention to me or Yoo-Jin and moved to the set with Lee Ji-Yeon, as if we didn¡¯t exist. After everyone had left, Yoo-Jin ced her hand over her heart and blushed. ¡°You did great. You passed.¡± Yoo-Jin opened her eyes wide and looked at me, unsure of what I meant. ¡°I¡¯m saying that Ms. Lee approved of your acting. You exceeded my expectations.¡± Yoo-Jin¡¯s face lit up. ¡°Really? You think so?¡± ¡°Yes. I bet no actress in Korea can y the role of Lee Seol-Ran better than you can right now. I guarantee it.¡± Yoo-Jin smiled brightly as I gave her a thumbs-up. ¡°Hehe, I feel so good about myself.¡± ¡°Also, Ms. Lee rarely asks actors for their names. The fact that she asked for yours means you really stood out. Just keep up the good work and act with confidence, alright?¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Confidence radiated from Yoo-Jin''s face. The conversation took longer than expected, but there was still about an hour and twenty minutes left before Miso¡¯s ident would take ce. I sighed and checked my nner once again. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 12th, 2019] -05:30 PM: Kangdongkyung University Hospital Funeral Hall. Miso died. The schedule of Miso¡¯s death still remained unchanged in the nner. The only way for me to rest assured was to bring Miso here myself. ¡°Yoo-Jin.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Do you feel confident about the main shoot?¡± Yoo-Jin contemted for a moment before nodding. ¡°Yes. After acting in front of Ms. Lee, the main shoot doesn''t seem like a big deal anymore.¡± ¡°Good. Just do as you did in front of Ms. Lee. I¡¯m sorry to tell you this, but I need to step away for a bit. If I don¡¯t return by 3 PM, take a cab to MBS studio. You remember Assistant Director Lee Chang-Hwan, right? Just follow his instructions on set.¡± ¡°Yes, I remember him from thest time I met him...but are you going somewhere far?¡± Yoo-Jin asked anxiously. ¡°No. Another actor from ourpany is in the vicinity so I¡¯m just checking in with them. I¡¯m just giving you a heads-up in case I don¡¯te back in time. Sorry. I should be with you while you shoot, but...¡± ¡°Oppa, then what do we do about Miso? I thought we were going to show her around the broadcasting station today?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll pick Miso up on my way back. I¡¯ll take her straight to MBS if I end up beingte, so don¡¯t worry.¡± Yoo-Jin nodded. ¡°Alright, I understand. But you¡¯ll have to buy me and Miso a delicious meal for supperter!¡± ¡°Okay, got it.¡± ¡®I guess I¡¯ll let her start her diet tomorrow.¡¯ Yoo-Jin responded with a fist pump and smiled broadly. ¡°Then dessert is on me after supper tonight.¡± To me, what Yoo-Jin said sounded like ¡®I want to have a delicious supper and also a dessert because I¡¯ll start my diet tomorrow anyway.¡¯ ¡®Fine. I¡¯ll let her have it, but just for today.¡¯ ¡°Alright. But if Ms. Lee asks for coffeeter, make sure you give her the one in the thermal bottle. Don¡¯t forget to give some to Ms. Kim as well.¡± I was confident that Lee Ji-Yeon would definitely want more coffee once she had tried it. After all, how we got close in my past life was thanks to her falling in love with the coffee I made. A hot cup of coffee would be perfect to warm her up since it was about to snow. ¡°Okay. Don¡¯t worry about me and go ahead.¡± I rushed to the parking lot, desperately hoping that nothing would happen to Miso. ¡®Miso, I¡¯m on my way.¡¯ I drove to Lira Kindergarten in Cheonho-dong, while praying that nothing would happen. *** While driving over to Cheonho-dong, I called the principal of the kindergarten. It was then that I realized why the schedule for Everyday V10 hadn¡¯t changed. -A little while ago, I went to the kitchen for a moment while the kids and I were making a Christmas tree and it seems that Miso went home alone during that time. ¡®I didn¡¯t expect things to turn out like this.¡¯ The principal kept apologizing in a perplexed voice. -I¡¯m sorry. I should have taken better care of Miso... The principal exined that as much as she wanted to go and find Miso right away, she had to care for the other kids at the kindergarten. ¡°I¡¯ll go to the house and check. In the meantime, please make sure to hold onto Miso if she returns to the kindergarten.¡± -Of course, and I¡¯m truly sorry, Mr. Jung. I ended the call with the principal apologizing over and over. ¡°Is this why the schedule didn¡¯t change?¡± I was once again reminded of the movie ¡®Destination¡¯ and its message about how one cannot escape fate and events that were bound to happen. This left me with mixed feelings. ¡®I might have to face the possibility of Miso¡¯s death again if I don¡¯t hurry.¡¯ The thought of Miso¡¯s death sent chills down my spine. ¡®I need to hurry.¡¯ I became anxious and tried to speed up, but the roads at the end of the year were no different from a busy parking lot. People¡¯s voices and car horns blended together in the slow-moving traffic. Honk~. ¡°Come on, move it!¡± ¡°Hey, don¡¯t cut in line! Seriously!¡± I also honked my horn out of frustration. Honk~. At that moment, the phone in my pocket started to ring. Buzz. It was a call from Kim Dong-Soo. ¡®It had to be now of all times?¡¯ ¡°Well, this phone call didn¡¯t change.¡± I recalled receiving a call from Kim Dong-Soo around this time in my past life. I debated whether to answer the call or not before deciding to do so as he would surely call Yoo-Jin next if I didn¡¯t answer now. ¡°Yes, Mr. Kim.¡± -You bastard. For a newbie, you sure take your time to answer your phone. Where the hell are you right now? The sharp voice of the younger Kim Dong-Soo resounded through the phone. His voice was unpleasant as always. At that moment, I vividly recalled the moments before my death as if it happened just yesterday. Before I died, I was told by the doctor at the hospital that there were five stages one would go through beforeing to terms with their impending death. I had angrily used him of trying to scam me into psychological counseling to make more money, but I hadn¡¯t realized that I was in the second stage back then. [Denial-Anger-Bargaining-Depression-eptance] It turned out that the doctor wasn¡¯t a scammer, as I indeed went through all five stages before I died. In other words, I had already released every bit of the anger and frustration inside me. Thanks to that, I was able to keep my cool and be patient during the call with Kim Dong-Soo. Moreover, the future I had experienced in my first life wouldn¡¯te to pass since my second life started out differently. I took a deep breath and answered calmly while trying to forget about the past. ¡°I¡¯m currently at the Guri shooting set with Yoo-Jin.¡± -Ah! Is that so? How convenient that you¡¯re in Guri right now. Send Yoo-Jin to the next location by cab, and you go to Namyangju to pick up Yung-In.¡± Ju Yung-In was my ex-wife and was currently a rising star in her third year. At this time, her poprity had skyrocketed like crazy right after signing a major sojumercial contract. Moreover, she had received amazing ratings for her role as a young genius female doctor in the drama Three Sisters War and proved she wasn¡¯t just a pretty face but also a talented actress. But of all days, today was the day when her talent agent Kim Chul-Jun would storm off the set and disappear. The reason turned out to be that he couldn¡¯t tolerate Ju Yung-In¡¯s selfish attitude any longer. Anyway, what contributed to Miso¡¯s ident in my first life was Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s instruction to head to Namyangju. If it weren¡¯t for his instruction, I would have brought Miso to Yoo-Jin¡ªwho cried and wanted to see Miso after being fired due to making several mistakes during the shoot. If I hadn''t followed Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s instructions to head to Namyangju, Miso wouldn¡¯t have been caught in the gas explosion. The horrific memory of Miso¡¯s name being the only one written on the death roll still haunted me to this day. Am I supposed to relive that regret once again just because I have to pick up the actress in Division 3 when I¡¯m in Division 2? My ass.¡¯ I took a deep breath and managed to suppress my anger. ¡°It¡¯s difficult for me to leave the set and head to Namyangju right now given the current situation.¡± Kim Dong-Soo remained silent on the other end of the line. A first-year talent agent defying the chief¡¯s orders was unheard of and uneptable to Kim Dong-Soo. -What? What the hell did you just say? ¡°I said it¡¯s hard for me to leave the set right now.¡± -Hey! Are you out of your mind!? You fucking... Kim Dong-Soo began to pour out curses. I felt as if I¡¯d gone deaf and wondered if this could be considered a workce injury. However, Kim Dong-Soo breathed angrily and continued to rant non-stop. -I can¡¯t believe this is happening. I¡¯m so dumbfounded that I lost my words for a moment, you know that? I¡¯ve always been generous to you andplimented you for being sharp for a newbie, but that seemed to have made you think thispany is a joke. Do you know how much thepany will lose if Yung-In¡¯s schedule gets messed up? Do you really want to get fired? There it was¡ªKim Dong-Soo¡¯s catchphrase ¡®Do you want to get fired?¡¯ was thrown at me. Around this time in my past life, I was always anxious, and wary of my superiors¡¯ moods. It was only natural for me to feel that way because having no savings or parents, I would end up on the streets if I were to get fired. That fear had made me unable to reject Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s order, who wasn¡¯t even from my department. However, things were different now. Because now, I was a ¡®rookie talent agent who knows it all¡¯ with over a decade of experience. Chapter 6: First Day (4)

Chapter 6: First Day (4)

The power held by an S-ss drama writer was beyond one¡¯s imagination. Korean stars who had a billion Chinese fans as well as big-time producers and presidents of the broadcast stations could not hold a candle to an S-ss drama writer. It was a great opportunity that Lee Ji-Yeon, the mostpetent and popr S-ss writer, showed an interest in a specific actor. After all, Lee Ji-Yeon was famous for casting actors she liked in a groundbreaking manner. ¡°Ms. Lee asked a lot about Yoo-Jin on the set. It seems Yoo-Jin definitely caught her eye.¡± But Kim Dong-Soo didn¡¯t seem to be listening to me at all. -This is just ridiculous. How dare a mere first-year talent agent make such judgments? Don¡¯t think, don¡¯t judge. Just do what I tell you to do. Do you really think that every single actor Lee Ji-Yeon shows interest in is guaranteed to seed? Just focus on Yung-In! Kim Dong-Soo kept nagging non-stop. But him taking care of Ju Yung-In seemed a bit excessive beyond his scope as a chief. ¡®Could he have already been interested in Ju Yung-In at this point in time?¡¯ But I soon dismissed the thought. ¡®No. Don¡¯t let it bother you, Jung Yoon-Ho.¡¯ After all, I decided to move on from my past life long ago. I shook my head to clear my thoughts and opened my mouth. ¡°I¡¯ll report to Chief Gu first, and then I¡¯ll go to Namyangju if he gives me permission.¡± Kim Dong-Soo seemed perplexed by my reply. -Hey! Why would you bring up Chief Gu right now? There was no time to keep talking on the phone at an urgent time like this. ¡°Oh, Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon is looking for me right now. I¡¯ll have to hang up now~. I¡¯m sorry.¡± -H-how dare you try to hang up on me when... Static. I could hear Kim Dong-Soo cursing from the other end of the line, but he couldn¡¯t bother me anymore. After hanging up the call, I immediately called Chief Gu Seong-Cheol from Division 2, where I belonged, and exined the current situation to him. -Yoo-Jin caught Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s eyes? Wow, our youngest talent agent did a great job. I¡¯m so proud of you! Oh, and just ignore Chief Kim¡¯s orders. Who the heck does he think he is to order my boy around? Go ahead and act first and report what happens on the set to meter. Okay? ¡°Yes, Mr. Gu. I love you!¡± -Wow~. I love you too, my boy. With his chill personality, Gu Seong-Cheol generously epted my words. But the schedule concerning Miso¡¯s ident still remained unchanged. The congested traffic on Kangdong Bridge mirrored my feelings. In the end, I decided to take a different approach. *** -Hey, don¡¯t you know that you can get arrested for prank-calling the police station? I¡¯ll have you know that we are tracking your location right now and... Static. ¡°Huff, huff. Did thew change or something? 112 can track the location of callers now?¡± I made a false report to the police that a thief had broken into Miso¡¯s house and said that a young child was hiding under the bed, trembling in fear. I had hoped for the police officer to protect her, but the officer who answered my call immediately realized that I didn¡¯t even live in Cheonho-dong. I had no choice but to quickly hang up when he threatened to track my location and arrest me. ¡®Then onto the second n. This time, I¡¯ll call the national heroes¡ª119.¡¯ Ring ring ring. Static. -Hello? When I heard a friendly voice over the phone, I pinched my nose to disguise my voice. ¡°Hello. I live at XX apartment in Cheonho-dong. I think I smell gas around here. There seems to be a leak from the second floor~¡± -Please don¡¯t make prank calls like this. We can track your location. You seem to be near the south end of Kangdong Bridge right now. It looks like you¡¯reing down from the Guri direction... But I couldn¡¯t back down now. ¡°Ugh, this isn¡¯t a prank call! My cousin sent me a message saying that she can smell gas! I promise to pay if you decide to charge me a fer, so please. Please go check it out! Please!¡± Despite my desperate plea, the responder on the call was indifferent to the plea.. -I will charge you a fine at your address for prank calling, so please pay your bill when you receive it. Late payments will incur additional fees, so please handle it ordingly. Static. The call ended. ¡®I never knew South Korea was such a strict country.¡¯ Yet I didn¡¯t give up and dialed another number. This time, I decided to call the delivery service center. ¡°Hello? Is this the Wide Foot Delivery? There is a child who lives at XX in Cheonho-dong. Can you check on them and...huh? No, I¡¯m not kidnapping anyone! I¡¯m speaking the truth! Please don¡¯t call the police! No, I¡¯m not! Oh my goodness, this is unbelievable!¡± They treated me like I was insane. I had no choice but to hang up once again when they threatened to report me to the police. ¡®Why is everyone sow-abiding? A child¡¯s life is at stake!¡¯ Having barely escaped the traffic congestion at Kangdong Bridge, I parked my car nearby and took out an electric scooter from the trunk. However, my helmet seemed to be missing. ¡®Ah, whatever, It can¡¯t be helped. Even if I get a fine, I¡¯ming for you, Miso!¡¯ *** I finally arrived at Miso¡¯s house. ¡°Huff! Huff!¡± I felt like my chest was about to explode because I switched from riding the electric scooter to running about 500 meters from Miso¡¯s house when it started snowing. I jumped over a low wall and ran straight up to the second floor. Thanks to the front door being open, I was able to immediately go inside and call for Miso. ¡°M-Miso!¡± ¡°Huh? Uncle Yoon-Ho!¡± Miso opened her eyes wide and greeted me. She had a cute appearance that resembled Yoo-Jin, pretty enough to be a child actress. When I walked further inside the house, I could see her fiddling around with a Christmas tree in the middle of the living room with her hair neatly brushed and braided into two. Although it was a small tree about 30cm tall bought from a convenience store, she had made the effort to decorate it with cotton balls and glowing stickers. ¡°Miso, you were supposed to be at the kindergarten. What are you doing here?¡± I approached Miso in the kindest manner possible to hide my anxiety. After all, things would get more problematic if she got scared and cried while I was trying to take her out. ¡°Well, mommy...no, I mean auntie. I wanted to surprise auntie with a party! Auntie loves Christmas so much! I was nning to go back to the kindergarten and wait after finishing decorating this tree.¡± Miso made an innocent smile. ¡®At least she wasn¡¯t hurt.¡¯ ¡°Okay. How about we go see your auntie now?¡± ¡°But I have to finish this tree.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t we take the tree with us and finish decorating it outside? I¡¯ll buy you lots of glowing stickers to stick on the tree and we can decorate it in the car. How does that sound?¡± At that moment, I began to sense the faint smell of gas. I was running out of time. After a moment of contemtion, Miso stretched out her thumb and index finger. ¡°Okay. Then buy me two glowing stickers! I want the big ones!¡± ¡°Of course. Anything for you, Miso. I¡¯ll even buy you three big ones. Let¡¯s call your auntie and the principal as soon as we go out. How¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Then, Miso took my hand as we stepped outside. The stench of rotten onions grew stronger and stronger. It seemed like the smell of gas from the first floor was carried upstairs by the wind. I had a bad hunch that walking with Miso would take too long. I bent down to pick her up and held her in my arms. ¡°Miso, do you want Uncle Yoon-Ho to give you a piggyback ride?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Miso nodded cheerfully and stretched her arms around my neck. After holding Miso tightly in my arms, I tried to put on a big smile so she wouldn¡¯t be scared. ¡°Vroom vroom~.¡± ¡°Yes. Vroom vroom~.¡± I replied to Miso and cautiously headed down to the first floor. When we arrived at the first floor, the smell of gas became much stronger. ¡°Uncle. It smells weird in here!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miso. Uncle Yoon-Ho just farted. Do you mind covering your nose?¡± ¡°E, that¡¯s gross!¡± Miso covered her nose with both hands. ¡®That¡¯s right. Stay just like that.¡¯ I also covered my nose and headed towards the main door. The rusty metal door made me hesitate before opening it as I feared that a spark from it might cause an explosion. However, we couldn¡¯t stay here any longer. I clenched my teeth and held onto Miso tightly in my arms. Then, I slowly opened the door. Squeak. The squeaking sounding from the door seemed as loud as thunder. I desperately prayed for no explosion or at least for Miso¡¯s safety even if the explosion urred. The moment the door was fully opened, I got ready to throw myself outside. Then, I saw a firefighter fully dressed in protective gear and wearing a mask staring at me with heavy breaths. ¡°Are you the one who called for help?¡± ¡°Gasp!¡± I felt like my heart was about to drop. ¡°Aren¡¯t you the one who reported the gas leak?¡± ¡°Yes! Yes! It was me. I will pay a fine if I have to, but there are still people inside and...¡± ¡°Yes. We came to check, just in case, and it turns out the gas level is very high. Please evacuate to that area immediately.¡± When I turned my head, I could see that an evacuation line had already been set up on one side of the road and evacuation procedures were underway. ¡®South Korean firefighters are the best!¡¯ Although they sounded cold and indifferent over the phone, they actually responded quite promptly. ¡®I feel like I''m gonna cry.¡¯ Whistle. Whistle. The loud sound of a whistle echoed throughout the alleyways. ¡°Everyone, please move away. Sir, over there, please step back. It¡¯s dangerous.¡± ¡°The gas concentration is high, so don¡¯t go beyond this point. Hey! You in the student uniform! I told you not toe closer!¡± Eight fire trucks had rushed to the residential area of Cheonho-dong. The narrow alleyways felt as crowded as a night market. As I followed the evacuation route, I heard the sound of someone taking photos. sh! sh! ¡°Please look over here! Are you the one who reported the gas leak?¡± Upon turning my head, I recognized the familiar face of the person taking the photos. ¡®Wait. Isn¡¯t this Reporter Jang Moon-Ki?¡¯ In my past life, Jang Moon-Ki was the editor-in-chief of Weekly Stars where Reporter Gu Min-Ji used to work. Reporter Jang Moon-Ki would be the infamous editor-in-chief of Weekly Stars around five yearster, notorious for distorted and fabricated articles. It looked like he had rushed over from a nearby girl group filming, and I was quite bothered to see him. ¡°Over here, please. Yes~ this is perfect.¡± sh! sh! ¡®Why is he taking the photos so eagerly when he¡¯s only going to put it on a gossip column?¡¯ Miso squinted and looked ufortable with the repeated camera shes. ¡°Ouch~Uncle Yoon-Ho, my eyes hurt.¡± When I heard Miso¡¯sint, I blurted out out of annoyance. ¡°Excuse me, sir. Can you stop with the sh? What do you think you¡¯re doing, shing lights directly into a child¡¯s face?¡± ¡°Oops, I¡¯m sorry. Then how about we skip the photos and do a quick interview instead? I¡¯ll give you a free gift card in return.¡± Jang Moon-Ki smiled and pulled out a paper envelope. Whether I epted the gift card or not, the article was bound to be published anyway. I was concerned about being photographed as I had secretly left the filming set previously, but it couldn¡¯t be helped¡ªthere was no point arguing with an entertainment reporter who didn¡¯t respect the right to one¡¯s privacy. ¡®I might as well just ask him for more gift cards so I can buy a bunch of stickers for Miso.¡¯ ¡°Isn¡¯t the standard for an interview two gift cards?¡± Jang Moon-Ki gave an awkward smile. ¡°Hahaha. Ourpany¡¯s budget has been a bit tighttely, so...¡± ¡°Ah, then forget about the interview.¡± ¡°H-hey,e on! Be patient. I¡¯m not done speaking. Even though ourpany¡¯s budget has been a bit tighttely, I¡¯ll still give you two gift cards. Here they are!¡± He handed over two gift cards and acted as if he was doing me a huge favor. They weren¡¯t even 100,000 won gift cards, but only 50,000 won. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll give you five minutes for the interview because I have a ce to go. Please make sure to censor my face.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you worry, I promise! I¡¯m a man of my words,¡± Jang Moon-Ki said as he tapped his chest. ¡®Hah, my ass.¡¯ Reporter Jang Moon-Ki¡¯s nickname was ¡®Chameleon¡¯ as he often changed his stance and went back on his words. Knowing that he was someone who published false articles without a hint of remorse, I decided to answer his interview questions as cautiously as possible. *** ¡°Let¡¯s end the interview here.¡± ¡°Wow, have you done interviews before? Your answers are perfect. Are you by any chance from the same industry as I am?¡± Jang Moon-Ki looked at me curiously after the interview ended. ¡°No, I¡¯m not.¡± ¡°Then are you from the broadcasting field or something simr?¡± Without giving any more time to Jang Moon-Ki, who tried to continue the interview, I carried Miso on my back. ¡°Miso, hold on tight. Okay?¡± ¡°Okay, Uncle Yoon-Ho!¡± I held a Christmas tree and an electric scooter in my arms and ran towards the van through the snow-covered streets of Cheonho-dong. Feeling Miso¡¯s warm breath on my neck, I suddenly became emotional, and tears filled my eyes. ¡°Huh? Uncle, are you crying? Why are you crying?¡± ¡°N-no, I¡¯m not crying, Miso. It¡¯s just that some snow got into my eyes. It¡¯s just the melted snow, not tears.¡± ¡°Oh, I see.¡± Miso reached out her right hand and wiped the tears off my cheeks. Dab, dab. ¡°Hehe, all done.¡± Seeing the tears disappear from my eyes, Miso smiled proudly. I smiled back at Miso¡¯s innocent face. I went against fate to save Miso, but I wasn¡¯t the least afraid of the consequences of my actions. Even if my actions ended up changing Miso and Yoo-Jin¡¯s destinies, I felt confident that things would be different this time, unlike the past. After all, I had a nner with the details of future events. ¡°Alright~. Let¡¯s get going, princess. Vroom, vroom~!¡± ¡°Hahaha! Uncle Yoon-Ho~. Vroom, vroom! Hahaha!¡± Miso¡¯s brightughter gave warmth andfort to my overwhelmed heart. Chapter 7: First Day (5)

Chapter 7: First Day (5)

Yoo-Jin¡¯s shoot was just about to end when I returned to the set. In the meantime, I took the chance to check the nner. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 12th, 2019] -05:30 PM (Deleted Schedule: Kangdongkyung University Hospital Funeral Hall. Miso died.) The schedule about Miso¡¯s death had finally disappeared from the nner. ¡°Phew.¡± I finally let out a deep sigh of relief. As I was checking my nner, Yoo-Jin finished her shoot. She waved her hand and ran towards the parking lot. ¡°Yoon-Ho oppa~! Miso~!¡± I ced my phone back in my pocket and got out of the car with Miso to greet Yoo-Jin. ¡°Was there any problem with the shoot?¡± ¡°Of course not! It went well.¡± Yoo-Jin smiled proudly and made a victory sign with her fingers as she told me she finished the main shoot without making a single mistake. ¡®Well done. I¡¯m so proud of my actress.¡¯ ¡°What about the coffee?¡± ¡°Oh, right. I gave the entire thermal bottle to Ms. Kim. She really liked it! Your coffee is truly a masterpiece, oppa!¡± ¡°Ah, that was nothing. I¡¯ll show you what really delicious coffee tastes like next time.¡± ¡°Wow, I look forward to it!¡± Yoo-Jin smiled brightly and noticed Miso hiding behind me. ¡°Miso. Why are you hiding behind Uncle Yoon-Ho?¡± ¡°W-well...I was told to stay at the kindergarten but I didn¡¯t listen. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Miso fidgeted with her fingers and looked like she was about to cry. It seemed that seeing Yoo-Jin¡¯s face reminded her of her mistake. ¡®Aw, what a sweet kid.¡¯ ¡°Hmm. Then you¡¯re in trouble, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Um...yes.¡± Seeing Yoo-Jin¡¯s angry face, Miso retreated and was prepared to be scolded. But at that moment, Yoo-Jin burst intoughter and opened her mouth. ¡°Well, I¡¯m in such a good mood today that I¡¯ll forgive you. But you need to listen to what I say next time. Okay?¡± Miso¡¯s face brightened up in a heartbeat. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°But remember. There will be no next time. Understood?¡± ¡°Okay. I¡¯m sorry, auntie. I promise I won¡¯t do it again!¡± ¡°Promise?¡± ¡°Promise!¡± ¡°All right. Let¡¯s stamp it with our thumbs.¡± ¡°Stamp! Boom!¡± Twenty-three year old Yoo-Jin and six year old Miso were written as mother and daughter on legal records. However, they always acted like an aunt and a niece in public to hide this fact. I couldn¡¯t help but smile when I saw their happy faces. ¡®Well done, Jung Yoon-Ho.¡¯ What I had gone through from the time of my death and up to Miso¡¯s rescue came to my mind. I resolved never to give up in the future even if the god of fate interfered again, because there was nothing I wouldn¡¯t do as long as I could see the two happy like this. I only had one thing left on the schedule now¡ªafter today¡¯s work, I nned to go back to my one-room apartment and have a cold beer for the first time in a while, and then a good sleep. I wanted to celebrate my second chance at life and reward myself for saving Yoo-Jin and Miso. ¡°All right, then. Shall we take a tour of the broadcasting station?¡± ¡°Okay~.¡± I drove Yoo-Jin and Miso toward MBS Broadcasting Station for thest thing on the agenda. *** Perhaps it was because of the confidence she had gained from sessfully shooting The Morning Takes Off, but Yoo-Jin¡¯s recording of thest schedule, MBS¡¯ Quiz Quiz, also went smoothly. Yoo-Jin had only one job¡ªto sit and look pretty. Her role was a simple guest without even a microphone to speak, but her radiant, smiling face looked great on camera. Thanks to that, she even got an offer from the PD to appear on the show again next week. And now, we were having dinner at the Original Grandma¡¯s Gamjatang[1] House located in front of the MBS Broadcasting Station. Originally, I had nned on taking Yoo-Jin and Miso to Pizza House, but because Miso liked Korean food, I quickly made a reservation at the Original Grandma¡¯s Gamjatang House. Idled the boiling gamjatang into bowls and ced them in front of Yoo-Jin and Miso. ¡°Thank you, Uncle Yoon-Ho.¡± ¡°Oppa, let me serve you a bowl.¡± Still unaware of her status as a celebrity, Yoo-Jin offered to serve me the soup. ¡°No need. Celebrities don¡¯t do such things, so leave it to the agent.¡± Compared to the celebrities of Top Entertainment who thought it was only natural to be treated like royalty, Yoo-Jin was nothing short of an angel. Whiledling the soup into my bowl, I carefully mentioned to Yoo-Jin about the gas leak incident from earlier. ¡°T-there was a gas leak at our ce?¡± ¡°Yes, so I think it would be best for you guys to stay at a motel tonight. You don¡¯t have any ns tomorrow, so it should be fine.¡± ¡°Oh my goodness. I had no idea...¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t a big deal, so there¡¯s no need to worry. It was just a slight leak and it was fixed immediately. The firefighter said that such a minor leak wouldn¡¯t cause a fire.¡± I told Yoo-Jin several times not to be concerned about the exaggerated stories broadcast on TV and to only listen to me. Yoo-Jin nodded and looked at Miso. ¡°Are you okay, Miso?¡± ¡°Yes! I¡¯m fine. This gamjatang is really tasty!¡± Miso had already eaten all the meat in her bowl and had even finished the broth before I knew it. ¡°Uncle Yoon-Ho. Can I have another bowl?¡± Miso extended her bowl toward me with both hands. ¡°Of course you can. I¡¯ll give you as much as you want.¡± I began todle a huge amount of gamjatang into Miso¡¯s bowl. Watching the backbone meat piling up in her bowl like a mountain, Miso eximed in admiration. ¡°Wow! Wow! Uncle Yoon-Ho is the best!¡± In the meantime, Yoo-Jin kept looking at Miso, still thinking about the gas leak. Only after confirming that Miso lookedpletely unharmed did Yoo-Jin slowly let relief show on her face. ¡°Oppa, thank you so much. I don¡¯t know what I would have done if something had happened to Miso.¡± Yoo-Jin¡¯s eyes became teary. Because the restaurant was crowded, I quickly changed the subject before she cried. ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. I¡¯m telling you, it wasn¡¯t even a big deal. Anyway, should we call thendlord?¡± ¡°Oh, right. I should call her.¡± After finishing the call with thendlord, Yoo-Jin let out a sigh of relief. Then, she suddenly grabbed my right hand tightly and politely bowed her head. ¡°Please keep Miso safe in the future and also help me seed.¡± ¡®Wait. Is she praying right now or what?¡¯ Soon, Miso also grabbed my left hand as well and began to imitate Yoo-Jin. ¡°Uncle Yoon-Ho. Please keep yourself, auntie, and me safe.¡± The gazes of the other customers in the restaurant turned toward us. ¡°Hey. People are staring. Stop it.¡± Yoo-Jin and Miso clinging onto me and praying must¡¯ve looked strange in their eyes. Surely enough, one of the customers slightly raised their phone. ¡®I¡¯m not a bad person!¡¯ I silently defended myself to them in my head and quickly called out to Yoo-Jin and Miso. ¡°Yoo-Jin. How about we take a photo to celebrate today¡¯s sessful shoot? Let¡¯s take one with Miso too!¡± ¡°Okay~!¡± Yoo-Jin and Miso came closer to me with a smile. When the three of us took a wefie in a cheerful manner, the customers finally stopped staring and went back to eating their backbone soup. sh! I let out a deep sigh of relief and checked the wefie we took. But the moment I saw the photo, I burst outughing. Yoo-Jin was smiling with tears still in her eyes, Miso was smiling brightly holding a backbone in her right hand, and I was smiling with a twenty-six-year-old face. We all looked so happy. ¡®Yes. I won¡¯t ask for a lot. Please let me be happy just for today.¡¯ That was when I heard the loud vibration of my phone and snapped out of my thoughts. Brrrrr. [Missed calls: 12] [Caller: Kim Dong-Soo, Third Division Talent Chief] ¡®What does he want?¡¯ But the moment I saw the pile of unread KokoTalk messages, I understood why Kim Dong-Soo had called so many times. [Chief Kim Dong-Soo: Hey, where are you?] [Chief Kim Dong-Soo: You punk! You were in Cheonho-dong earlier, right?] [Chief Kim Dong-Soo: How dare you lie to me?] [Chief Kim Dong-Soo: Come to the office now if you don¡¯t want to be fired!] It seemed like the day¡¯s chaos wasn¡¯t over just yet. *** I headed to my studio apartment in Jamsil with Yoo-Jin and Miso. I thought about getting them a motel room, but I didn¡¯t feelfortable leaving them in an unfamiliar ce after the ordeal we had earlier. Yoo-Jin, who was sitting in the backseat of my car, asked with a worried expression, ¡°Oppa, are you okay? Chief Kim Dong-Soo sounded really mad.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± I responded nonchntly, but it was true that the situation had gotten a little messy. Just a moment ago, Lee Yung-Jin, my colleague, had sent me a video from the KBC 9 O¡¯Clock Today¡¯s News featuring my interview. [KBC 9 O¡¯Clock Today¡¯s News - (Exclusive) Cheonho-dong Gas Explosion Control] (Reporter) There was almost a massive gas explosion in Cheonho-dong this afternoon. Thanks to a brave citizen''s report, the gas leak was quickly...... The thin mosaic covered my eyes as I requested for a censor, but anyone from ourpany would have easily recognized me. ¡®I can¡¯t believe that Jang Moon-Ki passed my photo to a broadcasting station, not his own newspaper.¡¯ My brain was frozen, as if I¡¯d just downed a whole bingsu.[2] ¡®I¡¯ll deal with youter, Jang Moon-Ki.¡¯ At that moment, Yoo-Jin, who had been looking at me with a concerned expression, carefully opened her mouth. ¡°Oppa, you can just give us the keys and drop us off here since we know where you live. You should really rush to the office before they actually fire you.¡± The sincerity in Yoo-Jin¡¯s words almost made me tear up. But as a rookie talent agent who had traveled back in time, this wasn¡¯t a big deal to me. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. More importantly, Yoo-Jin¡ªI did tell you that you can start your diet tomorrow, but keep in mind that you¡¯re a celebrity now. Once today¡¯s episode of The Morning Takes Off airs, people will start to recognize you on the streets. You have to start taking care of yourself. I saw you eating too much fried rice earlier, you need to cut down on carbs, okay?¡± As I scolded her for eating three portions of the fried rice mixed with the backbone soup, Yoo-Jin covered her ears with both hands. ¡°Ughhh. I can¡¯t hear you~ I¡¯m not listening~.¡± ¡°I know you can hear me.¡± ¡°Geez. Always nagging people about losing weight. Do you really think that I¡¯d be a star just by showing my face on TV once? That would make everyone in Korea a star. You know that¡¯s nonsense, right?¡± Yoo-Jin was right. Realistically speaking, it was hard to be famous. But I knew better than anyone that Yoo-Jin could do it. Whether she wanted it or not, she was bound for stardom. Then Miso, who was listening to our conversation from the side, offered me something in a shy manner. It was a pink glowing sticker about the size of two quartersbined. ¡°Uncle Yoon-Ho. This is my favorite sticker, but you can have it. Put this on before you leave.¡± Miso handed me her most cherished glow-in-the dark sticker. Taking a closer look, it was a character from a famous animation called Powertuff Girls. ¡°Thank you. But I feel like I¡¯ll be more cheered up if you stick it on my hand for me. What do you think?¡± Miso carefully stuck the Powertuff Girl sticker on the back of my outstretched right hand with her tiny hands. ¡°Okay! Here you go!¡± Tap, tap. ¡°Wow~. I feel so strong and energetic now!¡± The bright pink light glowing in the dark was so vivid that I was slightly overwhelmed. However, I wasn¡¯t lying when I told Miso that I felt energetic. Miso stretched her right hand above her head and shouted out loud after putting the sticker on my hand. ¡°Powertuff Girl! Give energy to Uncle Yoon-Ho!¡± ¡®Is this some kind of a cult chant?¡¯ When the car stopped for a short moment, I started chanting with Miso. ¡°Powertuff!¡± Following my lead, Yoo-Jun also stretched out her right hand over her head and shouted. ¡°Powertuff!¡± After dropping off the two at my ce, I headed straight to thepany. *** [Hoop Entertainment] Having been established for ten years, Hoop Entertainment was apany ranked 7th in the industry. Hoop Entertainment was co-founded by the legendary Talent Agent Kang Gam-Chan¡ªnow the President¡ª and Lee Gi-Cheol, a talent agent who graduated from Seoul National University of the Arts. The hands-on work was overseen by Kang Ji-Yung, Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s daughter. Many used to think that Kang Ji-Yung was merely privileged by her father¡¯s position. But it turned out that she was apetent individual who had previously worked at an entertainmentpany called K-Net, where she had raised thepany¡¯s rank by ten. Not only was she skilled in her work, but she also boasted strong connections with the presidents of the top three broadcasting stations at the young age of thirty-three. It was said that she was so close to them that she even had drinks with them sometimes. Under her supervision were Actor Division 1, 2, and 3, and Singer Division 1 and 2. Actor Division 1 managed lead actors, while Actor Division 2, which I belonged to, mostly managed new or supporting actors and therefore had the weakest performance record. The problematic Actor Division 3 was a recent addition created when Kim Dong-Soo, referred to as an ace ever since he first joined thepany, was promoted to the Chief. Actor Division 3 managed ten actors. All of them were famous stars, but each had controversial personalities that were often the subject of gossip. And in about three years from now, using the name value of the stars in Actor Division 3, Kim Dong-Soo would attract external investments and absorb the primary foundation of Hoop Entertainment to establish his ownpany called Top Entertainment. He was very likely trying to draw actors and staff to his side even at this moment. But I nned to put a stop to that now. With these thoughts in mind, I arrived at thepany building in Apgujeong. Du du~ Du du~ Du du du du~ Du. Inside thepany elevator, the background music from the famous movie Jaws was ying. Ding! The elevator chimed as I arrived at the sixth floor. When I got out of the elevator, I could see the talent agents from Division 2 and Division 3 facing off near the conference room, growling at each other. Na Kyu-Chul, the team lead of Division 3, spotted me first and said deridingly, ¡°Look who¡¯s here. It¡¯s Star Jung.¡± ¡®Star Jung?¡¯ I was puzzled for a moment but soon realized that they were teasing me for appearing on TV even before the celebrity I managed. ¡°I thought you said you couldn¡¯t follow your superior¡¯s orders because you were too busy on set. But you somehow ended up on Cheonho-dong, huh? Have you gone mad or do you just not care about anything anymore?¡± ¡°Hey, Star Jung. You looked pretty good on screen. People might mistake you for a celebrity.¡± ¡°Getting carried away after just a year in the industry, huh?¡± When the staff from Actor Division 3 mocked me, Team Lead Oh Duk-Gu from Division 2, my immediate supervisor, came to my defense. ¡°Hey, enough is enough. Each of you have had your own major screw-ups before, remember?¡± Ju Yung-Hoon, another team lead from Division 2, red at Division 3 and yelled at them to mind their own business. However, I didn¡¯t hate the nickname Star Jung too much. ¡®Did going back in time make me more optimistic?¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ll be heading in. Take care, everyone.¡± I politely lowered my head before the superiors and headed toward the noisy conference room. It was time to meet Kim Dong-Soo. 1. Spicy pork backbone soup ? 2. Milk-based Korean shaved ice dessert with sweet toppings ? Chapter 8: Star Jung (1)

Chapter 8: Star Jung (1)

When I opened the door to the meeting room on the sixth floor, I could see Kim Dong-Soo and Gu Seong-Cheol, the chief of Actor Division 2, fiercely arguing with each other. ¡°Chief Gu. You seriously need to start educating the talent agents in your division. I can¡¯t believe he neglected his actress to be somewhere random during working hours! He even ignored my orders and lied about Jung Yoo-Jin catching Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s eye!¡± ¡°What did you just say? Huh? The problem started when you tried to get our division¡¯s staff to do your work!¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong with focusing on cash cows that bring us money like Yung-In rather than focusing on the extras? Isn¡¯t it only natural to borrow staff from other divisions if we have urgent matters to deal with?¡± Gu Seong-Cheol burst into anger at Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s aggressive excuse. ¡°Hey! Do you think Yoo-Jin will always be an extra? Besides, it¡¯s Division 3¡¯s job to pick up Ju Yung-In, not ours! Why would you tell my boy to pick her up?¡± As the argument continued for a long time, I cleared my throat to make my presence known. ¡°Ahem. I¡¯m here.¡± Kim Dong-Soo turned his head and approached me with big steps. ¡°Hey, newbie! How dare you ignore my orders and leave the set? Are you out of your mind? You thought you could get away with lying to me?¡± Snatch! Kim Dong-Soo grabbed me by the cor. At that moment, I realized that I hadn¡¯t actually epted the five stages of grief. ¡®Is this the sixth stage?¡¯ Anger welled up, but strangely, I felt likeughing for some reason. Perhaps this was because my anger had surpassed its limits. ¡®It¡¯s so fucking nice to see you again, Kim Dong-Soo.¡¯ *** Kim Dong-Soo, a thirty-two-year-old veteran with six years of career, was a man ofpetence and overflowing ambition. With his hair fixed up with pomade and wearing silver-framed sses, his sharp eyes piercingly stared at me as he grabbed me by the cor. He was promoted to the position of deputy section chief in his second year, team lead in his fourth year, and division chief in his sixth year. Even after attaining the position of Division 3 chief in six years, something that usually took others at least ten, Kim Dong-Soo continued his rapid growth. Although it was true he received full support from thepany¡¯srgest faction, Seoul National University of the Arts, no one in the industry could deny Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s natural talent for his job. Given this background, Kim Dong-Soo would often get staff from other divisions to do his work as if they were staff in his division. His ego was so big that he even had the audacity to grab me by the cor in front of Gu Seong-Cheol, a senior executive in thepany. But things were about to change now, because I was back, and I knew Kim Dong-Soo better than anyone. I was tempted to make a scene, but I was currently a first-year talent agent. Suppressing my anger, I looked at Kim Dong-Soo. ¡°Excuse me. It¡¯s true that I made a mistake, but could you please let go of my cor?¡± Kim Dong-Soo seemed taken aback. My behavior waspletely different from the past, when I would get scared over nothing. ¡°What did you say? Hah, look at this punk. Hey, newbie. You do realize that Ju Yung-In missed her appointment today because of you, right? At that moment, Gu Seong-Cheol intervened. ¡°Hey! Why are you grabbing my boy by the cor? You better let him go right now.¡± Kim Dong-Soo trembled angrily and let go of my cor. ¡°There¡¯s no need for long talks. Newbie, your sry will be cut by fifty percent for six months. Do you understand!?¡± ¡®What? This is unexpected. Six months is too long!¡¯ With a monthly sry of 2.2 million won, a 50% cut would leave me with 1.1 million won. The punishment was harsher than I thought. I nced at Gu Seong-Cheol, but he only nodded with a frown. It seemed hard to salvage the situation now. ¡®Ah, whatever.¡¯ The punishment was rtively light considering that I was able to save Miso in return. If I needed to buy anything, I could simply use the expense ount of thepany. ¡°I understand. I¡¯ll have the statement on your desk by tomorrow morning.¡± Perhaps it was because my calm response irked him, but Kim Dong-Soo frowned once again. ¡°You cheeky bastard...¡± ¡®What are you clenching your fist for, huh? Are you going to punch me?¡¯ As I prepared to dodge, Gu Seong-Cheol stepped forward in an angry manner. ¡°Cut it out, you punk! A sry cut is harsh enough. Don¡¯t you dare think about hitting my boy in front of me. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m going to do if you cross the line one more time. Do you understand?¡± Although Gu Seong-Cheol was a man 172cm tall with a fat belly, he had practiced judo professionally in his youth. He had the skills to win medals in nationalpetitions, and it was said that he could easily incapacitate someone for at least four weeks. ¡®They say he can break someone in half when he gets angry. It looks like I¡¯m in for a show.¡¯ Just then, the meeting room door opened and a sharp voice rang out. ¡°That¡¯s enough, everyone!¡± Division Chief Kang Ji-Yung appeared with a flushed face. She was wearing a tight ck two-piece suit and Channy essories. With a model-like figure towering at over 170cm, she had the looks to be a popr celebrity. Kang Ji-Yung reeked of alcohol and looked pretty messy. ¡°I had to rush here in the middle of drinking with President Choi from MBS because someone called me saying you two were fighting!¡± The two chiefs hastily stepped back at Kang Ji-Yung¡¯s rebuke. ¡°Chief Kang, it¡¯s not like that. This punk was...¡± ¡°Excuse me, Chief Kim Dong-Soo. Did you not hear me telling you to cut it out?¡± Kim Dong-Soo bowed his head. Kang Ji-Yung let out a deep sigh and turned her gaze toward me. ¡°So you¡¯re Star Jung, huh?¡± ¡°My name is Jung Yoon-Ho. I apologize for the trouble, Ms. Kang.¡± I bowed and apologized since this was an incident caused by me. But Kang Ji-Yung waved her hand to cut me off. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. I¡¯m not asking for an apology or anything. But did you lobby Lee Ji-Yeon today or what?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry?¡± ¡®What is she talking about out of the blue?¡¯ ¡°I mean, what on earth did you do to have our actress featured in her drama until the final episode?¡± The atmosphere in the meeting room shifted when Kang Ji-Yung mentioned the exciting news about Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s script revision. Kim Dong-Soo, who had been calling me a liar until now, frowned. ¡°Ms. Kang, is that true? I mean, Lee Ji-Yeon is famous for not revising her scripts once they¡¯re submitted!¡± Kang Ji-Yung¡¯s joyful expression twisted again at Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s remark. ¡°What? Do you think I¡¯m so pathetic that I would lie about such a thing? Chief Kim. Are you challenging me right now!?¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s not what I mean...¡± Kim Dong-Soo flinched at Kang Ji-Yung¡¯s ringing voice. With a charismatic expression, Kang Ji-Yung held out her phone in front of Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s face. ¡°Here, look. Check it out with your own eyes.¡± [(Lee Ji-Yeon): I saw an interesting actress at the set today, Park Yoo-Jin, was it? Ah, it was Jung Yoo-Jin, right? Anyway, she has a decent face and good voice projection. I like her.] Considering Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s personality, this amounted to high praise. However, upon seeing the KokoTalk message, Kim Dong-Soo frowned again. ¡°W-where does it say here that she would appear more in the drama? If you¡¯re trying to cover for the underperforming of Division 2...¡± Kim Dong-Soo wasn¡¯t the kind of person to stubbornly persist in a situation like this. But perhaps because he was so angry today, he couldn¡¯t properly judge the situation. Kang Ji-Yung¡¯s eyes narrowed at Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s argument. ¡°Oh-my-goodness. The more I think about it, the more it blows my mind. I rushed here in the middle of important business because I heard the chiefs were fighting and turning thepany upside down, and this is how you treat me? Do I look like a joke to you?¡± Kang Ji-Yung burst into anger and scrolled down the KokoTalk messages. [Attached Files] [That¡¯s right, Kim Dong-Soo. You better be humble next time.¡¯ Kang Ji-Yung turned toward me next. ¡°But Star Jung, you¡¯ll still have to submit your written statement. After all, it¡¯s true that you left the set during work hours. Copy that?¡± The half-cut sry was reced with a little paperwork. As the situation was resolved, Kang Ji-Yung looked at Kim Dong-Soo. ¡°Why are you still here? Do you want me to hold the door open for you or what?¡± ¡°I-I¡¯ll head out right now.¡± Kim Dong-Soo left the meeting room, mming the door behind him. *** Once themotion was over, Gu Seong-Cheol¡¯s shoulders slouched. ¡°Sorry, boss. Jo Min-Sung is gonna make a scene if he finds out that he had missed the chance to appear in the anniversary special. What should we do?¡± Even though Gu Seong-Cheol held a lower position than Kang Ji-Yung, he spoke to her in a casual tone when alone, given that he had been working for Hoop Entertainment since its early days. Kang Ji-Yung sat down and smiled. ¡°Oh, that was a lie.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not crazy. Did you really think I would leave behind the opportunity to get Jo Min-Sung casted? I had already confirmed his appearance with President Choi beforeing here.¡± ¡°Oh, really?¡± ¡°I only said what I said earlier because Kim Dong-Soo kept arguing with me and pissing me off. But seriously though. You guys aren¡¯t five. This whole thing was so stupid.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m embarrassed. Hahahaha.¡± ¡°Stopughing, sunbae[1]. I¡¯m still angry, you know.¡± In spite of what she said, the atmosphere gradually lightened as the conversation continued. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll take my leave now.¡± As I stood up and said goodbye, Kang Ji-Yung stopped me. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going? Although it¡¯s only temporary, you are still in charge of Yoo-Jin. You need to attend this meeting, Star Jung.¡± ¡°Me?¡± ¡°Of course. Lee Ji-Yeon personally revised the script herself and requested Yoo-Jin to appear in two more episodes. Shouldn¡¯t we discuss how to handle this matter on set?¡± In Hoop Entertainment, it was difficult for first-year staff to even attend division meetings. But here I was, given the opportunity to attend a meeting with senior executives. This seemed like a good start to my second life. *** The nning meeting for Yoo-Jin¡¯s career development started. Kang Ji-Yung and Gu Seong-Cheol began to exin to me the issues that would arise due to the script revisions. Although I knew very well what would happen, I pretended to hear this information for the first time and nodded as if I understood. After listing precautions, Gu Seong-Cheol looked at Kang Ji-Yung. ¡°Chief Kang. Lee Ji-Yeon typically continues casting the actors she likes, right? Do you think she¡¯ll want to work with Yoo-Jin in her next drama as well?¡± ¡°Probably¡ªthat¡¯s why I was thinking of giving Yoo-Jin a push. What do you think, sunbae?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not opposed to the idea, but I¡¯m worried that giving her a push too early might backfire.¡± ¡°What are you so nervous about, sunbae? This isn¡¯t like you. Just go for it. If Lee Ji-Yeon offers a role to one of my actors herself, I certainly wouldn¡¯t refuse.¡± Since Lee Ji-Yeon had taken an interest in Yoo-Jin, it was only natural for thepany to think about the possibility of her casting Yoo-Jin in the next drama as well. However, there was one major problem¡ªLee Ji-Yeon¡¯s next drama In the Name of God, set to air next year, would be aplete failure. ¡®How should I bring this up?¡¯ I would have no choice but to refuse Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s offer to work with her because her work was going to flop. But at this point where the scripts hadn¡¯t even been released yet, I couldn¡¯t bring up that topic. After all, no one in the industry would think that a drama written by Lee Ji-Yeon, a big name in the industry, would fail. Then there was only one remaining solution left¡ªto get Yoo-Jin casted in another drama as soon as possible. In the meantime, the meeting wasing to an end. ¡°So, sunbae. Please ensure the remaining two episodes wrap up well on set. That¡¯s our priority for now.¡± ¡°Okay. Besides Yoon-Ho, we¡¯ll also assign Team Lead Oh to the set. Having a team lead on set will definitely make Yoo-Jin look more prioritized.¡± After finishing the conversation, Kang Ji-Yung turned her gaze toward me. ¡°By the way, could you tell me what happened on set today? There¡¯s no way Lee Ji-Yeon would increase Yoo-Jin¡¯s showtime without a reason.¡± ¡°Actually, at the set today...¡± I told Kang Ji-Yung about the day¡¯s events. ¡°Yoo-Jin¡¯s performance was excellent and Lee Ji-Yeon was impressed by her?¡± ¡°Yes. Although she just debuted, I believe she can certainly handle a leading role with her acting skills.¡± ¡°Hahaha. Your faith in your actress is extraordinary.¡± Kang Ji-Yung looked at me as if she found me impressive. ¡°You are in your first year, right?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Maintain this attitude and keep up the good work. Understood?¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± At my polite response, Gu Seong-Cheol chuckled and praised me. ¡°See, Chief Kang? I¡¯ve always told you that Yoon-Ho is extraordinary.¡± ¡®Thank you, Chief Gu.¡¯ ¡°Oh, my. Sunbae. I don¡¯t recall you saying such a thing,¡± Kang Ji-Yung said as she tilted her head. ¡°Hahaha. A-are you sure about that?¡± Gu Seong-Cheol stealthily nced at me and turned away. My appreciation for him dissipated in three seconds. ¡®I take back saying thank you, Chief Gu.¡¯ ¡°Now, the next question.¡± Kang Ji-Yung¡¯s tone turned cold as she asked in a serious manner, ¡°I watched the 9 o¡¯clock news. Why were you in Cheonho-dong when you were supposed to be on set?¡± Kang Ji-Yung¡¯s sharp voice struck my ears. 1. Senior, a person who has more experience in work or school ? Chapter 9: Star Jung (2)

Chapter 9: Star Jung (2)

Kang Ji-Yung stared at me and asked why I had left Yoo-Jin¡¯s shooting set to go to Cheonho-dong. Although Lee Ji-Yeon was impressed with Yoo-Jin and revised the script for her, it was true that I had lied to Kim Dong-Soo. Fearing that things might get worse if I lied again, I confessed everything that had happened, omitting unnecessary information and telling only the cause and conclusion. Upon hearing my exnation, Kang Ji-Yung softened her stern expression and smiled. ¡°You would have been punished if there had been an ident on set, but fortunately, you managed to ensure things were in ce before leaving...All right. Let¡¯s forget about the written statement as well.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry?¡± ¡°Well, you prevented a gas explosion and saved many people.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but smile when Kang Ji-Yung winked and removed the need for a written statement. Contrary to her stern appearance, Kang Ji-Yung was actually an understandingdy. However, I couldn¡¯t ept her offer because Kim Dong-Soo was likely to kick up a fuss over this. ¡°Thank you, but it¡¯s alright. I¡¯ll write the statement.¡± ¡°Oh wow~. What a responsible man you are.¡± Kang Ji-Yung, who made a joke, still reeked of alcohol. ¡°Okay, do as you please. By the way, I came here in the middle of a drinking session and can go for some more. Shall we move on to the third round? Hahaha. It¡¯s on me tonight! Let¡¯s go!¡± Kang Ji-Yung began to sing, craving for more alcohol. The cold image of the division chief had vanished and she seemed to be in a merry mood as if she might break into a dance at any moment. ¡®Can she even dance in that tight Channy dress?¡¯ But Gu Seong-Cheol turned down her suggestion. ¡°Yoon-Ho, you must be tired from everything that happened today. You can go home now.¡± Gu Seong-Cheol sent me a signal with his eyes, telling me to leave before Kang Ji-Yung forced me to go with her. ¡°Huh? Sunbae, what are you doing right now? Come on. Let¡¯s move on to the third round.¡± ¡°Yikes. Chief Kang, you are way too drunk for a third round. I¡¯ll take you home. Sniff sniff. Ugh, you smell like alcohol.¡± ¡°Huh? I¡¯m not drunk! I¡¯m telling you, I¡¯m not drunk~. Sunbae, let go of me. I said let go!¡± ¡°See? You are definitely drunk. Look at you staggering.¡± Kang Ji-Yung refused and waved her hands, but Gu Seong-Cheol stepped in front of her to stop her. At that moment, I remembered Kang Ji-Yung¡¯s nickname. ¡®Barrel.¡¯ Barrel was a nickname given to Kang Ji-Yung because she would drink a whole barrel of alcohol all by herself once she started drinking. ¡®I¡¯m gonna die if I end up drinking with her!¡¯ I quickly bowed and said goodbye. ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow!¡± ¡°No~. Take me with you~! Mr. Yoon-Ho, no, Star Jung! I¡¯ll cut your sry again if you don¡¯t take me with you~!¡± ¡°Hey, Chief Kang. Stop bothering a newbie. You¡¯re not a kid anymore. Come on, I¡¯ll take you home.¡± ¡®She is simply drunk and spouting nonsense.¡¯ I hurriedly took the elevator to the underground parking lot. There, Team Lead Ju Yung-Hoon from Actor Division 2 was leaning against the wall with a teasing expression, waiting for me. ¡°Shall we go for a drink?¡± *** When I arrived at Prada Chicken[1] and shared what had happened in the meeting room, my direct superior Team Lead Oh Duk-Gu was overjoyed as if Korea had won a ser game against Japan[2]. ¡°So, you crushed Chief Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s pride?¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Then Ju Yung-Hoon started teasing me, asking how I would deal with the aftermath. ¡°By the way. What are you going to do about the consequences? Kim Dong-Soo is known for holding grudges, you know. Haha.¡± ¡°I should be fine as long as he doesn¡¯t kill me.¡± ¡°Wow~ Yoon-Ho. You¡¯ve be much braver after pulling off a big one, huh? What happened to you?¡± ¡°Ah,e on.¡± ¡®Apart from the fact that I had traveled back in time, everything else remained the same.¡¯ Everyone seemed slightly puzzled by my changed demeanor, but they warmly epted it, saying they preferred how I was now than before. It was evident that everyone was happy over the fact that Kim Dong-Soo, who always underestimated Division 2, was screwed over. After about ten minutes, Gu Seong-Cheol joined us after sending Kang Ji-Yung off in a cab. ¡°Alright, enough with the chit-chat. Let¡¯s fill our sses.¡± ¡°Though it might be anti-climatic, we should head home to see our families on a good day like this. Let¡¯s not drink too much, okay? Great work today, everyone.¡± Hearing Gu Seong-Cheol¡¯s words, I stood up and bowed. ¡°I apologize for causing trouble today.¡± ¡°What trouble?¡± ¡°Days like this happen once in a while when you¡¯re working. Don¡¯t worry about it!¡± I was touched by the encouragement from my sunbaes in Actor Division 2. After all, these were things I had never experienced during my time at Top Entertainment. At that moment, Lee Yung-Jin, my colleague, looked at me with a bright smile on his face. ¡°Thanks for the drinks, Star Jung!¡± My heart began to pound. ¡®Wait. I¡¯m paying? How much do I even have?¡¯ I immediately reached into my pocket to search for my wallet. I couldn¡¯t remember thest time my wallet was this light. Now that I had returned to the past, I remembered I no longer had my old Hermos wallet which was always stuffed with 50,000 won and 100,000 won bills, and my face twitched upon seeing the price for the chicken and beer. ¡®Jung Yoon-Ho, you are in your twenties now. Pull yourself together.¡¯ I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down. Although I only had 5 million won in my bank ount at the moment, money shouldn¡¯t be a serious issue for someone who knew the future like me. ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. I¡¯m sorry for causing trouble for everyone today. Please eat to your heart¡¯s content!¡± ¡°Wow, Star Jung. You¡¯ve be a new man after appearing on the broadcast.¡± ¡°Yes. Keep up with the good work. But try not to leave the set if possible, alright?¡± Then three more orders of fried chicken were served. I looked at the golden crispy fried chicken, the red seasoned chicken with ketchup base sprinkled with peanuts, and the oven-baked chicken with sliced garlic chips and soy sauce served on the table. Everyone raised their sses full of beer for a toast. ¡°Yoon-Ho. You lead the toast today,¡± Gu Seong-Cheol said. I stood up and raised my ss. ¡°For Actor Division 2 of Hoop Entertainment~!¡± ¡°For Actor Division 2 of Hoop Entertainment~!¡± After the toast, everyone hastily began to down their beer. I, likewise, gulped down my beer in one breath. Gulp, gulp. Fizz. The creamy foam and the fizzy carbonation traveled down my throat as I downed the beer. ¡®What a refreshing sensation! This is so good.¡¯ I almost shed tears because I hadn¡¯t been able to drink anything cold or carbonated in the month leading up to my death. After putting down the ss, I reached for a chicken drumstick. Consumed by my appetite, I transformed into a ravenous beast, tearing into the chicken drumstick. As I bit into the tender, sulent meat, I felt like I had ascended into heaven. This meal was my well-deserved reward for changing Yoo-Jin¡¯s life and saving Miso. And just like that, December 12th, which had once been my worst nightmare, was turning into a blessing. *** It was 7:30 in the morning when I woke up in the Jimjilbang[3]. I had a nightmare that all of this was just a dream and quickly pinched my cheek just to be sure this was real. ¡°Ouch.¡± ¡®It hurts, so it¡¯s definitely not a dream.¡¯ I quickly took a shower and left the Jimjilbang at almost 8 AM. When I called home, Yoo-Jin picked up the phone. ¡°Are you up?¡± -Yes. ¡°Then do you want toe out? I¡¯m almost home. We should grab something to eat.¡± -Oppa, Miso and I already made breakfast! You can juste home and eat. After parking my car in the alley, I walked to my studio apartment. But when I opened the door, I was at a loss for words. ¡®What is this?¡¯ My room was sparkling clean. There was not a trace of dust in my 330-square-foot studio apartment, and the morning rays were shining into my room through the drawn curtains. ¡®Just yesterday, all I could see through the window was piled up snow on the deck. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m looking at this amazing view right now.¡¯ ¡°Oppa, you rarely sleep at home, do you? Your ce was quite clean in the first ce, but Miso and I love to clean, so we did some tidying up.¡± ¡°Uncle Yoon-Ho. I also helped with the cleaning!¡± Miso raised her hand with a Powertuff Girls sticker on her fist. ¡®Aw. This is so touching.¡¯ ¡°I wish I could do more to show my appreciation for you saving Miso, but this is all I could do. Thank you so much, oppa.¡± ¡°Thank you, Uncle Yoon-Ho!¡± ¡®I should be the one thanking you for being alive¡ªand smiling so brightly at me.¡¯ ¡°Ah, no. Don¡¯t mention it.¡± Thanks to both of them, I felt as though the heavy weight on my shoulders had beenpletely lifted. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s sit down before the food gets cold.¡± ¡°Uncle Yoon-Ho, sit here!¡± Miso pointed to a spot and led me to my seat. As I sat down at the low table, I could see three fried eggs and kimchi jjigae[4]. ¡®But there was only dried green onions and old kimchi in the fridge as far as I know. How did they manage to make all these?¡¯ Come to think of it, it seemed like my poor eating habits were the root cause of my stomach cancer in my past life. ¡®I should pay more attention to my eating habits from now on.¡¯ ¡°Okay. Shall we eat then?¡± Slurp. ¡®Huh? It¡¯s actually delicious.¡¯ I shared my honest feedback with Yoo-Jin, who was anxiously waiting for my review of her cooking. ¡°It¡¯s delicious. It¡¯s actually really good.¡± It was surprising that she managed to make a delicious meal with so few ingredients. ¡°Yay!¡± Yoo-Jin fist-pumped, eximing that her skills learned from working part-time at a restaurant for a year were not lost. ¡°But how did you make this? The fridge must have been empty.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a secret!¡± Yoo-Jin and Miso looked at each other and giggled. At that moment, I saw a packet of MSG peeking out of Yoo-Jin¡¯s pocket. ¡®So that was the secret? Ah, who cares as long as it tastes good.¡¯ Come to think of it, this was the first time someone had a meal with me in my apartment. Looking at Yoo-Jin and Miso¡¯s happy faces, I couldn¡¯t help but smile as well. After I scooped arge spoonful of rice for myself, Yoo-Jin and Miso picked up their spoons and joined me. ¡®Thanks guys.¡¯ I felt as if the void in my heart was being filled. *** After finishing the meal, I handed Yoo-Jin the script sent by Lee Ji-Yeon. Yoo-Jin¡¯s lines in the revised script for the Morning Takes Off from episode 23 onward had increased so much that it almost entirely reced the lines of another actress. ¡°Wow. She really made a lot of changes.¡± ¡°I told you. Lee Ji-Yeon has taken a liking to you.¡± Yoo-Jin seemed excited and let out a huge grin. However, considering that Lee Ji-Yeon had made significant revisions to the script just for Yoo-Jin, making a mistake on set this time round would be a big dealpared to the first day. ¡®If Yoo-Jin were to make a mistake, Lee Ji-Yeon might not just choose to fire her but also refuse to ever see her again.¡¯ But I didn¡¯t want to scare Yoo-Jin who was just starting her career. At that moment, Miso, who had been looking at the script, slightly raised her head and asked. ¡°Auntie! Are you good at acting?¡± Yoo-Jin tilted her head at Miso¡¯s innocent question. ¡°Hmm? I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m good or not, but people tell me I¡¯m good.¡± ¡°Hehe. I want to see auntie on TV soon.¡± ¡°It will be broadcast in a few days. Shall we watch it together while eating something delicious?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Both Miso and Yoo-Jin smiled brightly at each other. For a moment, I felt like I had to tell Yoo-Jin that I had already known that Miso was registered as her daughter and prepare her for the articles regarding this that might be published soon. However, practicing the script was the priority at the moment. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s go over the script now since we don¡¯t have much time.¡± ¡°Okay~.¡± After seating Miso on the bed, I started to help Yoo-Jin practice the revised script of the Morning Takes Off. ¡°Shall we start off nice and easy from scene 291 of the revised script? Just express what you felt from reading the script. It¡¯s okay to make mistakes, so don¡¯t feel pressured.¡± ¡°Hm. Okay.¡± The moment Yoo-JIn began to act out the revised script, I could tell her excellent performance in front of Lee Ji-Yeon was no simple coincidence. ¡®Whoa. Who is this?¡¯ ¡ºYou thought I didn¡¯t know about the things you¡¯ve done? Even if my friend forgives you, I would never!¡» ¡ºI¡¯m going to get you! I will destroy you!¡» Yoo-Jin read her lines with intense emotion, expressing the heartfelt feelings of a character who cherished the female lead, her childhood friend, like no other. Tears streamed down her big eyes as if she had applied eye drops, and she began to tremble with a pale expression. I couldn¡¯t take my eyes off Yoo-Jin. ¡®Her performance was just remarkable. This was amazing.¡¯ Her voice projection was stable and her diction was clear. On top of that, her various facial expressions clearly conveyed her emotions. She was so immersed in her acting that she didn¡¯t realize it herself, but her acting skills were alreadyparable to that of a lead actress. This meant that I had to review Yoo-Jin¡¯s career n. ¡®This kid. Her talent is no joke. No wonder she became a top star in the future.¡¯ Her performance was so good that I even started to doubt whether her true acting talent had been unrecognized because of her acting coach. ¡®Now that I think about it, Coach Choi Hyun-Min gave her a harsh evaluation. Wait a minute. Didn¡¯t he also graduate from Suhyaejong?¡¯ At that moment, a hypothesis crossed my mind. ¡®am¡¯s razor¡ªthe simplest exnation could be the correct one!¡¯ I felt chills running down my spine for a moment. ¡®Could it be that he knew about Yoo-Jin¡¯s talent all along from the beginning and tried to disrupt her career? 1. famous fried chicken chain in Korea ? 2. Korea gets verypetitive in sports games against Japan ? 3. Korean sauna ? 4. Spicy kimchi stew ? Chapter 10: Unknown Truth

Chapter 10: Unknown Truth

Before I traveled back in time, Yoo-Jin stopped working for a year after Miso¡¯s death. Then she yed the role of a viin for the first time in her acting career in a drama called Murderer, making a name for herself. Her versatile acting skills and ability to y both an innocent girl and a ruthless psychopath at the same time had captivated the viewers. However, being casted for simr roles even after the drama ended had asting impact on Yoo-Jin¡¯s image¡ªshe was referred to as the best female psychopath actress. Having gained significant poprity, Yoo-Jin made a move to Ace Entertainment, the leading entertainmentpany at that time, after her contract with Hoop Entertainment ended. She thennded a role in the movie Just for Today, directed by Producer Director Kim Moon-Jin. Yoo-Jin¡¯s portrayal of a mother grappling with the profound emotions of losing her daughter moved the entire nation to tears and instantly catapulted her to the status of a top-tier actress in Korea. However, that was when she began to face unexpected challenges. Around the time Yoo-Jin made aeback, I was managing Ju Yung-In, my former wife, who oftenpeted with Yoo-Jin for lead roles during auditions. At the time, I thought Yoo-Jin was constantly trying to steal Ju Yung-In¡¯s role because she wanted to seek revenge against me. Looking back, I now realized that I had been mistaken. Although Yoo-Jin would turn away from me whenever we ran into each other on set, she had never spoken ill of me or med me. It was only when I traveled back to the past that I finally saw the truth. It wasn¡¯t that Yoo-Jin wanted to crush Ju Yung-In, but it was Ju Yung-In who wanted to crush Yoo-Jin¡¯s career, and that was the reason she kept auditioning for the same roles as Yoo-Jin. Knowing their personalities made me sure this was the case. I wasn¡¯t able to think straight back then because I believed that Yoo-Jin hated me, but my judgment now was clear. I recalled how Ju Yung-In used to keep Yoo-Jin in check all the time, while Kim Dong-Soo always looked after Ju Yung-In. Furthermore, Coach Choi Hyun-Min¡¯s biased evaluation of Yoo-Jin and the fact that he graduated from the same university as Kim Dong-Soo allowed me to form my own understanding of the situation. My hypothesis was that Kim Dong-Soo had intentionally tried to crush Yoo-Jin¡¯s career, as she had the potential to rival Ju Yung-In in the near future and Kim Dong-Soo wanted to win Ju Yung-In¡¯s favor by doing so. Suddenly, this train of thought began to generate a series of questions in my mind. Though it initially seemed like an absurd notion, pursuing this line of thought allowed me to make sense of all the questions I had in the past, present, and future. I finally understood the reason Yoo-Jin¡¯s internal profile was so harshly evaluated. ¡®Ju Yung-In was well aware of Yoo-Jin¡¯s exceptional acting talent all along, which was precisely why she sought Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s help to sabotage Yoo-Jin¡¯s career and Kim Dong-Soo did so by getting Choi Hyun-Min to give Yoo-Jin a negative evaluation!¡¯ The moment I figured out the truth, my body started trembling and I was unconsciously clenching my teeth. ¡®If...Just if...¡¯ If my thoughts were correct, Miso¡¯s death in my past life was likely Ju Yung-In and Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s doing. *** There were two factions in Hoop Entertainment: they were President Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s line[1] and Suhyaejong line, consisting of those who graduated from Seoul National University of the Arts. Actor Division 1 was predominantlyposed of the Suhyaejong line, and Actor Division 3 and Singer Division 1 were almost entirelyposed of the Suhyaejong line. On the other hand, Actor Division 2 and Singer Division 2, which housed girl group Cherry Blossom, wereposed of Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s line. Despite Kang Gam-Chan being the president of thepany, the dominance of the Suhyaejong line within Hoop Entertainment was indisputable. The reason was because about 70% of the actors and staff at Hoop Entertainment were graduates of Seoul National University of the Arts. My heart began to race wildly the moment I found out that Kim Dong-Soo, who was second in power after Operation Director Lee Gi-Cheol within the Suhyaejong line, tried to mess with Yoo-Jin. ¡®Something bad might happen to Yoo-Jin if I let my guard down.¡¯ On top of that, I realized that Kim Dong-Soo was already romantically interested in Ju Yung-In early on. That exined why Kim Dong-Soo, who took care of countless actors so that he could leave Hoop Entertainment with them to set up his ownpany, targeted only Yoo-Jin. ¡®So that was it, huh?¡¯ What needed to be done from this point forward became clear. First of all, I had to remove Coach Choi Hyun-Min from his role as Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting coach. Subsequently, I had to protect Yoo-Jin from Ju Yung-In and Kim Dong-Soo. I thought I had let go of all the negative emotions after going through the five stages of grief, but it turned out I had not. Perhaps I should get a refund from the doctor I saw in my past life. ¡®What an ipetent doctor. Five stages of grief, my ass.¡¯ I found myself breathing heavily out of anger without realizing it. At that moment, Yoo-Jin¡¯s trembling voice snapped me back to reality. ¡°Oppa, is everything okay? Is there...is there something wrong with my acting? Your expression is...¡± ¡°Huh?¡± I realized that Yoo-Jin had stopped acting and was staring intently at me. Miso was also looking at me with a slightly frightened expression. It seemed like I had been visibly triggered. ¡°Ah, no. There¡¯s nothing wrong. I just had a sudden toothache.¡± It seemed like I became better at lying after traveling back in time. ¡°Does it hurt a lot? Should we go to the dentist?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll book an appointment soon. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± ¡°Uncle Yoon-Ho, are you okay?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m fine now. Don¡¯t worry, Miso.¡± ¡°Uncle Yoon-Ho, I don¡¯t want you to be sick!¡± Miso gently blew on my right cheek as if she were blowing on a wound. Looking at Miso, Yoo-Jin smiled. ¡°You always tell us not to worry, oppa.¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s because you don¡¯t need to. What is there to worry about when you have an amazing talent agent like me?¡± I used to make lots of mistakes in my first year back in my first life, but I would always tell Yoo-Jin not to worry as I didn¡¯t want to burden her. But now, there really was no need to worry. After all, the current me was entirely different from how I was back then. Yoo-Jin continued to speak with a smile. ¡°You¡¯re right. Strangely, my worries seem to go away when you say that.¡± ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s continue practicing.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± However, Yoo-Jin was distracted by our short conversation and asked if I could analyze the script together with her instead. ¡°Sure.¡± Since I used to analyze her script all the time in my past life, I knew what Yoo-Jin would ask. In the meantime, perhaps because she had a full stomach, Miso began to doze off. I carefully picked Miso up andid her on the bed. I suggested a short break and called Yoo-Jin out into the hallway outside my studio apartment. ¡°What is it? It¡¯s too cold. We could¡¯ve just talked inside.¡± Yoo-Jin folded her arms and shivered. I hesitated for a moment but soon brought up the story about Miso. ¡°Yoo-Jin. I wanted to tell you I know that Miso isn¡¯t your niece but your daughter.¡± Upon hearing my words, Yoo-Jin was flustered and began to stammer. ¡°H-how did you...how did you f-find out?¡± I gave her the answer I had prepared in a calm manner. ¡°I identally found out when the firefighter was looking up Miso¡¯s identity to find her guardian. Your name popped up and it said you were her mother.¡± Once again, it seemed like lying became second nature after traveling back to the past. Yoo-Jin was visibly troubled but eventually confessed that Miso was her daughter. Then it was time to ask her about how that came to be. ¡°But what exactly happened? How did your niece be your daughter?¡± Yoo-Jin hesitated but began to share what had happened to her with a deep sigh. ¡°Well...¡± *** The story was that Yoo-Jin¡¯s older sister and her husband, along with their parents, went on a trip to Jeju Ind four years ago and they all met with an ident. Fortunately, Miso was spared from the tragedy because she was under Yoo-Jin¡¯s care at the time. Left alone with only Miso, Yoo-Jin began to raise her like her own daughter. However, the decisive moment came when they attended a rtive¡¯s funeral. Upon hearing that her uncle wanted to send Miso to an orphanage, Yoo-Jin decided to adopt Miso and take care of her with the insurance payout left by her parents. At that perfect timing, a specialw was enacted to ease the adoption conditions for single individuals. Moreover, there was no need to change Miso¡¯s surname because Miso¡¯s deceased father¡¯s name was Jung Sung-Han. ¡®So that was how Miso became Yoo-Jin¡¯s daughter.¡¯ Hearing her painful experiences made me think that this was likely the reason why the always cheerful Yoo-Jin sometimes also showed a resolute side to her. Yoo-Jin began to tremble, perhaps because she was reminded of those painful memories. ¡°Whenever I think about that time...¡± Yoo-Jin¡¯s eyes were filled with anger, sorrow, and a mix of emotions. Soon, tears welled up in Yoo-Jin¡¯s big eyes. I began tofort the trembling and crying Yoo-Jin. ¡°You did well. Thanks to you, Miso can be happy like she is now. Orphanages aren¡¯t that great of a ce, you know.¡± ¡°Ah, I¡¯m sorry...¡± As if she btedly remembered where I grew up, Yoo-Jin wiped her tears and bowed her head as she apologized to me. ¡°No, it¡¯s all right. It¡¯s all in the past now. The principal there was really nice.¡± Ms. Micha from the orphanage came to my mind. She was the nun whom I wished was my real mother. She warmly weed and loved me even when I caused trouble daily, but I couldn¡¯t open up to her at the thought that she wasn¡¯t my real mother. But Ms. Micha had passed on after ten years. It was not till after her death that I understood the advice to appreciate people while they were still here. ¡®But I¡¯ll be good to her now since I¡¯ve received a second chance at life.¡¯ In the meantime, Yoo-Jin stopped crying and asked. ¡°But what should I do?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Mr. Kang[2] told me to call and inform him immediately if anyone finds out about my rtionship to Miso...¡± It was only natural for Kang Gam-Chan to say so, because if everyone found out a newly-debuted twenty-three year old female celebrity had a child, her career would be over. Once an actress wasbeled with terms like ¡®a single mom¡¯ or having ¡®dirty private life,¡¯ even rifying the truth wouldn¡¯t help. ¡°I¡¯ll tell Mr. Kang about it myself. He probably instructed you to inform him right away because he¡¯s worried about reporters writing absurd articles. You trust me, right?¡± When I cautiously asked, Yoo-Jin responded with a smile and nodded. ¡°Of course I do. Who would I trust if not you? Things are going well and it¡¯s all thanks to you. You even saved Miso, oppa.¡± Having gone through the tough first day together, Yoo-Jin seemed to trust me a lot. ¡°Thank you. Now, shall we go back in and continue practicing your acting?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s do it!¡± Yoo-Jin wiped away the remaining tears in her eyes with her sleeve and took a deep breath, determined not to cry in front of Miso. As we were heading back to my apartment, I decided to ask one more thing. ¡°Oh, by the way. Just out of curiosity, why did you choose to sign a contract with Hoop Entertainment? Didn¡¯t you receive offers from ACE Entertainment and other sessfulpanies?¡± Yoo-Jin shrugged and answered as if there was no special reason. ¡°Oh, that? Otherpanies don¡¯t pay their trainees, but Mr. Kang offered me a sry. That¡¯s why I chose Hoop Entertainment.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Out of all thosepanies, only Mr. Kang offered me a monthly sry of 3 million won with full-time employee benefits, so I signed the contract. I¡¯m currently treated as an assistant manager at Hoop Entertainment.¡± ¡°Wait, you get a sry? But you¡¯re a celebrity.¡± ¡®Her position is even higher than mine.¡¯ I was relieved she didn¡¯t insist on me calling her Assistant Manager Jung Yoo-Jin. ¡°Yes. I used to make 2.2 million won when I worked part-time at Burger Queen. But Mr. Kang offered me more money and a full-time position. He even said I could stay with thepany if I didn¡¯t seed as an actress. So I signed the contract in a heartbeat.¡± It was somewhat surprising that Kang Gam-Chan recruited someone who was initially not interested in the entertainment industry as an employee first. However, there was something I still couldn¡¯t understand. ¡°Hold on. But you said you couldn¡¯t work many hours a day because you had to look after Miso. So how did you make 2.2 million won at Burger Queen?¡± Yoo-Jin looked at me and made a victory sign with her fingers. ¡°My hourly wage was 20,000 won.¡± ¡®Huh? 20,000 won per hour at Burger Queen?¡¯ I suddenly felt the world was unfair. When I was working part-time in 2018, I only received a wage of 7,530 won. ¡®But an hourly wage of 20,000 won? That¡¯s just...ugh.¡¯ I felt like grabbing someone and eximing this wasn¡¯t right. However, I understood the reason Yoo-Jin was paid so much after hearing her story¡ªwhenever Yoo-Jin was working, customers would fill the restaurant just to catch a glimpse of her, hence, increasing sales which justified her rising hourly wage. She said the manager of Burger Queen in Cheonho-dong still called her even now, offering a full-time position with a monthly sry of 3.5 million won. At that moment, I grabbed Yoo-Jin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°That is nonsense! You are going to seed as an actress. I know you will! You know that you will receive additional ie when you seed, right? Right?¡± Yoo-Jin nodded as I badgered her. ¡°Yes. Mr. Kang said he¡¯d adjust my sry once thirty percent of my earnings as a celebrity exceeds the sry that I draw as an employee. Um, oppa. You¡¯re hurting my arm...¡± ¡°Oh, sorry. I was just surprised to hear that Burger Queen still calls you.¡± I shuddered at the thought that I almost lost the future top star, Jung Yoo-Jin, to a Burger Queen store manager. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡± As I watched Yoo-Jin express her excitement about acting right in front of Lee Ji-Yeon, I promised myself once again that I would definitely help Yoo-Jin reim her ce as a top star, or perhaps even surpass it. The same held true for the members of Faithful. Thinking about living my second life as a talent agent who knows it all, my heart began to flutter. 1. Line refers to the group of people following or led by ¡®fill in the nk(person¡¯s name)¡¯ ? 2. Kang Gam-Chan ? Chapter 11: New Start

Chapter 11: New Start

Upon returning to the room, I noticed the nket that Miso had been under was slightly messed up. When I straightened the nket for her, Miso started to smack her lips in her sleep with a content expression on her face. ¡®Aw. She is adorable.¡¯ ¡°Oppa?¡± ¡°Oh, yes? I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t Miso so cute and pretty?¡± ¡°She really is.¡± After covering Miso with the nket as she squirmed in bed, Yoo-Jin asked me for feedback on her acting. ¡°Oh, right. So what did you think of my acting earlier? I still have a lot to learn, don¡¯t I?¡± Seizing the opportunity, I thought I should attempt to get Acting Coach Choi Hyun-Min out of her way. ¡°No, it was great. It was really good! But I think it would be best if you continued practicing on your own instead of taking lessons.¡± ¡°Huh? Why?¡± ¡®Because your acting is a hundred times better than that of your coach.¡¯ But I knew saying that would only raise unnecessary suspicions. Instead, I tried to exin myself in a way that Yoo-Jin could understand. ¡°I think Mr. Choi Hyun-Min¡¯s coaching method may not be the best fit for you. Don¡¯t you remember Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon mentioning something like that before?¡± ¡°Hmm. Now that you mention it, I think I¡¯ve heard something along those lines...¡± Yoo-Jin ced her finger on her temple as she tried to recall those memories. The exact meaning behind Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s words was that training lessons offered by Hoop Entertainment were subpar, but I had no intention of interpreting it correctly for her. At that moment, Yoo-Jin spoke in a worried tone. ¡°But thepany said I had to continue taking acting lessons for three more years.¡± For a moment, I almost lost my temper. Subjecting Yoo-Jin to three more years of coaching from Choi Hyun-Min was tantamount to stifling her talent. ¡°Three years? No way. If it doesn¡¯t work out, I¡¯ll find someone else to coach you in acting. Just trust me.¡± Persuading Gu Seong-Cheol would be difficult, but I already had a n in mind. Yoo-Jin gave me a yful wink. ¡°Okay. So from now on, I don¡¯t have to worry about anything and just follow whatever you say?¡± ¡°Y-yes.¡± Her unexpected reaction made my heart flutter. Despite being in the body of my twenty-six-year-old self, my thoughts and memories belonged to the thirty-six-year-old version of me. Hence, having such reactions felt strange at times. Nheless, I recognized the urgency in expediting Yoo-Jin¡¯s career development. Staying passive could result in Yoo-Jin being overshadowed and her career potentially crushed by Ju Yung-In and Kim Dong-Soo. ¡°Then I¡¯ll just quietly read the script for now. I don¡¯t think I can practice anymore since Miso is asleep.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± While Yoo-Jin silently read the script, I skimmed through the nner and decided on the next drama she should star in. ¡®Yes. Let¡¯s go with this one.¡¯ [Everyday V10] [Date: June 18th, 2020] -10:00 PM SBC Episode 24 monitoring. Highest viewership 22.1% Blue Sky written by Kim Soll-Ip would be broadcast starting on April 1st next year. Blue Sky would be a hit with all the actors gaining attention and surpassing a viewership of 22%. If Yoo-Jin could get a role in Blue Sky, her name would undoubtedly be etched into the viewers¡¯ minds. The male actors in this drama were known to flirt with the actresses all the time, but that wasmon in the industry. I was confident in handling such situations and preventing Yoo-Jin from any unwanted advances. Moreover, this drama provided a perfect excuse to turn down Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s offer to appear in her uing new drama, which would be broadcast on the same day. Considering Kim Soll-Ip was Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s assistant, thetter would concede at least once if she knew that Yoo-Jin was going to appear in Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s drama. I continued to flip through the nner and selected other dramas for Yoo-Jin to appear in. ¡®Let¡¯s go with this one after Blue Sky...¡¯ As I was envisioning Yoo-Jin¡¯s career development n with a smile, I heard the sound of Miso waking up. ¡°Auntie~.¡± Miso rubbed her eyes and looked for Yoo-Jin. Despite just waking up from a deep sleep, Miso addressed Yoo-Jin as auntie instead of mom, showing how careful she had been to hide their true rtionship in front of other people. I felt the need to address this issue of Miso not being able to call Yoo-Jin ¡®mom¡¯ promptly. When Miso opened her eyes, Yoo-Jin smiled and closed the script. ¡°Miso, are you up?¡± ¡°Yeup...I fell asleep because I was too full.¡± Miso stretched her arms and snuggled into Yoo-Jin¡¯s embrace. ¡°Come here, Miso. How was your sleep?¡± ¡°It was good! I¡¯m not sleepy anymore,¡± Miso answered cheerfully. ¡°Oh, Miso. You drooled in your sleep.¡± ¡°Huh? Where? Where?¡± With surprised eyes, Miso wiped around her cheeks with her tiny hands. ¡°Haha. I¡¯m just kidding~.¡± ¡°Ugh, auntie! I hate you!¡± Miso puffed her cheeks, upset by Yoo-Jin¡¯s jest. However, Yoo-Jin found Miso adorable and pulled her into a hug and tickled her. ¡°No, Miso. Don¡¯t hate me~.¡± ¡°Hahaha. It tickles! It tickles! Stop it~. Hahaha!¡± Miso¡¯s pout disappeared as she burst intoughter. Witnessing this scene brought a smile to my face and warmed my heart. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s call it a day and go home. Thendlord texted me to say that you guys can return home now.¡± ¡°Okay, oppa.¡± ¡°Okay, uncle Yoon-Ho!¡± After sending Yoo-Jin and Miso home that evening, thendlord thanked me for preventing her house from being burned down due to a gas leak. She bowed her head several times to show her appreciation and treated us to an extravagant dinner. Thendlord ensured I received a basket full of fruits from her before I left, though I couldn¡¯t understand why the fruit basket had to include a durian. *** The first thing I did upon returning home was open the nner app. During my first year at work, I was often scolded by my superiors, prompting me to diligently record everything in my nner, from schedules and matters to report to meeting notes, cast monitoring, and even viewership ratings. Reading through the nner where everything was written down meticulously like a personal diary filled with all sorts of information, I burst into augh without realizing it. ¡°Hahaha. I was crazy.¡± I noticed that I had written down schedules even the day after Miso passed away. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 13th, 2019] [Current Time: 07:43 PM] -06:00 PM (Deleted Schedule: Pick up Ju Yung-In) -09:50 KBC Drama <Best Doctor, Lee Pal-Ja>. Canceled due to breaking news. ¡°Habits are indeed scary.¡± As I closely examined the diary, it brought back memories of that time. Feeling too ashamed to face Yoo-Jin after Miso¡¯s funeral, I requested for a transfer to another department. Unfortunately, I was assigned to Actor Division 3 under Kim Dong-Soo, which was why my nner mostly contained schedules rted to Actor Division 3. ¡°Ah, now is not the time for this...¡± Regaining my focus, I spent some time exploring the features of the nner app. *** After ying around with the app for a while, one thing became clear to me¡ªunder no circumstance would new schedules appear in the V10 app. I tried entering schedules into the current V1 version just in case, but no new schedules were added to V10. Subsequently, I decided to observe how schedules were deleted from the app and found that there were three rules governing schedule deletion. [Everyday V10] [Three Rules Regarding Schedules] One has to identify and change the exact cause of the incident for the oue to change. It is incredibly difficult to change fate. Events written in the nner will inevitably happen. After meeting Yoo-Jin and saving Miso, I thought that all schedules rted to Yoo-Jin in the nner would bepletely deleted. However, the only thing that changed was the viewership rating of Episode 21 of The Morning Takes Off, which Yoo-Jin appeared in, scheduled to be broadcast in ten days. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 23rd, 2019] -10:00 PM (Deleted Schedule: The Morning Takes Off Episode 21 Monitoring. Viewership Rating: 19.3%) Even after scrutinizing ten years¡¯ worth of schedules, the intermittent records rted to Yoo-Jin remained unchanged. It seemed as though the hand of fate insisted that whatever was destined to happen would indeed happen, simr to the news currently being broadcast on TV. -Breaking news. Heavy snowfall in Seoul today led to the copse of a gymnasium ceiling during an event. Rescue workers are currently... At 9:50 PM, KBC Reporter Park Doo-Su did an urgent special report from the copsed site at Hansung University¡¯s gymnasium. The rescue workers hastily retreated and shouted loudly as the structure gave way. The situation was so urgent that they had to cancel the popr drama Best Doctor, Lee Pal-Ja. Suddenly, the realization that I possessed knowledge of the future began to weigh heavily on me once more. ¡°Should I have warned them in advance...?¡± The thought of whether I should have reported the ident in advance to prevent such a tragedy briefly crossed my mind. However, I soon realized that it was impossible. Saving Miso alone had proved to be incredibly difficult. Moreover, going to the scene of the ident wouldn¡¯t allow me to do anything anyway. ¡®People would think that I¡¯m out of my mind if I shouted that there would be an ident with no evidence. I might even get arrested by the police.¡¯ After some contemtion, I reached a simple conclusion¡ªI would only change the future within the bounds of what I could realistically do. ¡®Who knows what might happen if I interfered with other matters recklessly?¡¯ I thought it was rather fortunate that there were no fatalities in the gymnasium copse, and I started to examine the nner all night long. *** It was 6 AM in the morning of December 14th. I headed to thepany earlier to attend an Actor Division 2 meeting. Screech. After parking my car in the underground parking lot, I ran into the four-member girl group, Cherry Blossom, who was exiting the elevator. ¡°Huh?¡± Cherry Blossom, who debutedst fall, was receiving lots of support from thepany. However, they were in a pitiful situation of being positioned between the second and third tier of girl groups due to theirck of poprity. And soon, they were destined to fail after releasing three albums and being kicked out of thepany. Within Cherry Blossom, there were members of Faithful. They were Yoo Eun-Ah, who would be a regr winner of the Best Actress Award six yearster, and Kim Sae-Ri, who would win the Grand Prize at the Golden Disk Awards for three consecutive years. I wanted to wave hello, but I couldn¡¯t, considering their current predicament. ¡°Guys, wake up. Sleep in the van because you¡¯ll go straight to the site after visiting the salon.¡± Team Lead Han Myung-Ho, the talent agent in charge of Cherry Blossom, led the girls who looked sleepy. Twenty-one year old Woo Yeon-Hee was at the front, followed by twenty year old Yang Eun-Bi. Next was neen year old Yoo Eun-Ah and fifteen year old Kim Sae-Ri who were walking with their eyes closed, each with a pink U-shaped travel pillow around their necks. They looked like ducklings following their mother. Despite being so exhausted, they responded to Han Myung-Ho. ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°Okay~.¡± ¡°Yawn.¡± ¡°Okay...¡± They were at an age where getting sufficient sleep was crucial, but they had to start their day much earlier than others to arrive on time for regional events. At that moment, the youngest member, Sae-Ri, veered off course. Instead of following the others around a left corner, she continued to walk straight ahead. Tap tap tap. With legs that were surprisingly long for her height, she was walking at a fast pace¡ªstill with her eyes closed. ¡°Mr. Han!¡± At my exmation, Team Lead Han Myung-Ho turned his head. ¡°Oh? Star Jung. Do you have a schedule today as well?¡± ¡°Oh, no. Look at Sae-Ri over there! Hey, Sae-Ri!¡± ¡°Huh? What!? Sae-Ri!¡± ¡°Sae-Ri! Wake up!¡± Han Myung-Ho was startled to see Sae-Ri walk in the wrong direction and raced toward her. I also got out of the car and quickly followed him. Thankfully, Sae-Ri, who had been heading straight for a wall, was stopped just in time by Han Myung-Ho. ¡°Huff, huff, huff.¡± I breathed heavily, my heart feeling like it was about to burst at any moment. I felt as if my lifespan had shortened from the morning¡¯s stress. Sae-Ri, known for her poor sense of direction, had an uncanny knack for keeping people on edge. With her face buried in Han Myung-Ho¡¯s soft belly, who stood in front of her to prevent the collision, Sae-Ri asked with her eyes half open. ¡°Ugh~ hmm. Where are we right now?¡± ¡°We are still in the parking lot. Come on, wake up already. You almost ran into the wall, you know that?¡± ¡°Sigh. I thought we arrived.¡± I could even see saliva marks at the corners of her mouth. In the meantime, the remaining three members of Cherry Blossom also followed Han Myung-Ho to where Sae-Ri was. Han Myung-Ho wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and continued to lead the sleepy members to the van. ¡°Phew. Kids, sleep in the van, okay? Follow me this way.¡± As the mother duck moved forward, the ducklings began to follow as well. Han Myung-Ho gestured good-bye toward me, and Cherry Blossom followed him closely. As the door of the van opened, the members found their seats with their eyes still closed and immediately fell asleep upon getting in their seats. Han Myung-Ho made sure all the members had their seatbelts on before heading to the driver¡¯s seat and opened his mouth. ¡°Goodness, I¡¯m exhausted. I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m a talent agent or a kindergarten teacher. Anyway, thanks, Star Jung. I¡¯ll see youter.¡± ¡°Yes, see youter. Have a safe drive.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Their van made a noise as it left the underground parking lot. ¡°See you soon, guys.¡± I intended to properly support Yoo-Jin, but I also nned to support Cherry Blossom as well. If possible, I wanted to keep their group intact, as with ten years of experience, I could confidently say that they had the potential to be sessful with a little help. ¡®No, I can for sure make them sessful. If thepany can¡¯t promote them, I¡¯ll step in and do something myself.¡¯ I recalled how Eun-Ah and Sae-Ri from Faithful often expressed regret that their group disbanded in my previous life. Therefore, I was determined to keep their group intact and let them enjoy the glory they deserved. ¡°Yikes. I¡¯m runningte for the meeting.¡± Lost in thought, I had let time slip away. *** Ding~. -A shark has appeared! The elevator stopped on the first floor. As the doors were about to close, someone ran from the lobby shouting. ¡°W-wait~. Please wait!¡± I pressed the open button and waited for the person to catch up. ¡°Huff, huff. Thank you so much...huh? Jung Yoon-Ho?¡± The man with messy hair and a sly face was Team Lead of Division 3. Since I already had an ufortable rtionship with Division 3, seeing Kang Myung-Gil made me think I made a mistake. ¡®I should have just pressed the close button.¡¯ ¡°Hello, Team Lead Kang.¡± Kang Myung-Gil didn¡¯t even bother to respond and only kept pressing the open button while sticking his head out toward the lobby. There was only one person Kang Myung-Gil would frantically wait for like this. Click-ck, click-ck. The sound of high heels echoed as Ju Yung-In, my wife from my previous life, approached. Chapter 12: That Won’t Work

Chapter 12: That Won¡¯t Work

The woman, with a stature reminiscent of a model, and shiny, straight hair that reached down to her waist caught my eyes. This beautiful woman was carrying a Hermos bag worth tens of millions of won and was dressed in a ck Channy tweed belted dress. She walked slowly toward us, seemingly oblivious to the people waiting for her inside the elevator. Ju Yung-In walked into the elevator with a haughty expression and frowned for a moment when she saw me. ¡°Sixth floor.¡± Kang Myung-Gil ordered me to press the floor button. ¡°Yes, sir.¡± After pressing the button, I stepped aside and averted my gaze. She was the woman who left me while I was facing death. However, I had no choice but to endure her presence. As of now, everything rted to her and Kim Dong-Soo was a part of the future known only to me. When the elevator doors closed, Kang Myung-Gil acted as if he had done me a great favor. ¡°Yoon-Ho, you punk. I¡¯ll let it slide this time, but you better take care of Yung-In first next time. Do you know how much thepany lost because Yung-In¡¯s schedule got messed up?¡± Kang Myung-Gil¡¯s gaze was fixed on Ju Yung-In while speaking to me. ¡®Was he trying to inform her that I was the talent agent who didn¡¯t go to pick her up in Namyangju?¡¯ Then Ju Yung-In started to scrutinize me slowly from head to toe. And when our eyes met, she turned her head away in a cold demeanor. Even though she was my wife in my previous life, I had to admit she wasn¡¯t a very likable person. At that moment, Ju Yung-In turned her head toward Kang Myung-Gil and started to take her anger out on him. ¡°Mr. Kang. Why is the discipline in ourpany so terrible these days? A regr staff member is ignoring instructions from the chief and doesn¡¯t even respond to a team lead¡¯s advice.¡± Kang Myung-Gil¡¯s expression was distorted upon hearing Ju Yung-In¡¯s gentle voice. ¡°T-that¡¯s because this bastard doesn¡¯t understand hierarchies.¡± ¡°Oh, is that so? But you must be very kind-hearted considering that you are letting it slide like this.¡± Upon hearing Ju Yung-In¡¯s sarcastic remark, Kang Myung-Gil turned to me angrily. ¡°Hey, Jung Yoon-Ho. Why aren¡¯t you responding to me? Did you not hear what I said about prioritizing Yung-In next time? Do I look like a joke to you?¡± A smile that only I could recognize flickered across Ju Yung-In¡¯s face as she looked at Kang Myung-Gil. ¡®Ju Yung-In is the same as always.¡¯ I must have been out of my mind to marry such a woman in my past life. ¡®How did I ept someone who maniptes others and vents her frustrations on them as my wife? Hold on, wait a minute.¡¯ Come to think of it, she was the one who proposed to me¡ªand that was right after I became the executive director at Top Entertainment. Now that I think about it, perhaps the most important thing about a man to Ju Yung-In was his usefulness to her. ¡®Well, that¡¯s probably the reason she left me upon learning that I was dying.¡¯ At that moment, Kang Myung-Gil¡¯s voice echoed through the elevator again. ¡°Hey! Are you not going to answer me!?¡± I felt a bit sorry for Kang Myung-Gil blustering out of anger. After all, he was only a puppet under Ju Yung-In¡¯s control. If I hadn¡¯t gone through the five stages of grief when faced with death and traveled back into the past, and if I didn¡¯t know what kind of person Ju Yung-In was, I might have been helplessly caught up in this situation. ¡®I would probably be apologizing at least a hundred times if that had been the case.¡¯ I contemted how to respond, but soon decided to just avoid the situation. ¡®It takes two hands to p¡ªand I don¡¯t want to be part of this situation.¡¯ ¡°Sir, I¡¯ll be more careful next time.¡± ¡°Look at this punk. Trying to brush it off again! Answer properly!¡± I spoke in a calm tone, but Kang Myung-Gil was out of his mind. ¡®What the heck does he want me to do, exactly? Does he want a heartfelt apology? Should I split my chest open and show him my sincere heart?¡¯ I tried my best to hold back my emotions, but I began to feel the anger slowly rising within me. Fortunately, I heard the sound of the elevator stopping on the fourth floor at that moment. Ding! -Fourth floor~. The elevator announced our arrival on the fourth floor. I took thirteen deep breaths to calm myself down, then spoke to Ju Yung-In with a stoic expression. ¡°It seems like there has been a misunderstanding, Miss Ju. I couldn¡¯t pick you up due to an urgent matter that came up, not because I intended to leave you stranded. Now please excuse me, I have a meeting to attend.¡± I bowed slightly before stepping out of the elevator. However, Kang Myung-Gil reached his hand out to me, cursing. ¡°How dare a damn first year newbie turn his back toward me and get off the elevator before I am done talking?¡± At that moment, I turned and grabbed his hand instinctively. My nickname used to be ¡®Lightning¡¯ when I was a child, because of my quick reflexes and sharp eyes. I even considered bing a professional boxer at one point. However, I had neverid hands on anyone after bing an office worker¡ªuntil yesterday, that is. Irritated by Ju Yung-In, I almost threw a punch at Kang Myung-Gil¡¯s face. ¡°W-what do you think you¡¯re doing right now!?¡± Kang Myung-Gil was quite taken aback by my grip on his hand. Holding on to Kang Myung-Gil¡¯s hand, which was turning increasingly red, I warned Ju Yung-In. ¡°Miss Ju Yung-In. If you need anything, please speak to the senior talent agents in Division 3, where there are manypetent staff. I am simply someone who belongs to Division 2. The moment I finished speaking, I lightly flicked Kang Myung-Gil¡¯s hand away. He lost his bnce, staggered, and went back into the elevator. I watched the elevator door close and turned my body toward the meeting room. But at that moment, the closing elevator door opened again. Soon, I heard Kang Myung-Gil¡¯s furious voice. ¡°Why, you fucking bastard! Hey! Stay right there! Stop! I said stop right there!¡± ¡®Oh my goodness. Can he get any more annoying?¡¯ Just when I thought I might have to teach him a lesson, my savior appeared. Chief Gu Seong-Cheol walked out of the meeting room at the end of the hallway and shouted as he scratched his head. ¡°What¡¯s with all the noise so early in the morning!?¡± Upon hearing Gu Seong Cheol¡¯s shout, Kang Myung-Gil and Ju Yung In¡¯s expressions were distorted. ¡°Oh, no. It¡¯s nothing, sir.¡± ¡°Hm, is that so? Then you should really get going. Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯re busy today with the KBC special event?¡± Kang Myung-Gil and Ju Yung-In turned around with awkward expressions. ¡®But what¡¯s up with those salty nces?¡¯ No matter how upset those two were, I belonged to Division 2, not their division. As long as Hoop Entertainment didn¡¯t fail, there was no reason for me to heed their words. With a petnt air, the two turned around and walked back into the elevator. Then, Gu Seong-Cheol smiled at me. ¡°Wow, Star Jung. You¡¯ve be quite popr, haven¡¯t you?¡± ¡°It seems so. They were being so bossy this morning that I thought I was part of Division 3 for a moment.¡± Gu Seong-Cheol chuckled upon hearing my sarcastic tone. ¡°Let¡¯s start the meeting. Everyone is waiting for your coffee.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the rule to make coffee for the division members if you¡¯rete, remember? You¡¯re one minutete.¡± Because of Ju Yung-In, I was a minutete and had to make coffee first thing in the morning. ¡°Ah...I see. I¡¯ll get to it right away.¡± I definitely had to get back at Ju Yung-In for this. *** ¡°Wow. This coffee tastes amazing.¡± ¡°Have you ever considered bing a barista?¡± ¡°Hey, quit your job as a talent agent and open a cafe with me!¡± Team Lead Oh Duk-Gu, Ju Yung-Hoon, and Park In-Ki from Division 2 were sipping the coffee I handed out at the long table in the meeting room and smiling. Perhaps it was because the lower-ranked staff had gone out on schedules, I was the only junior staff there. Although I felt a bit out of ce, I gradually got used to the atmosphere of the meeting as it progressed. Following the reports by Ju Yung-Hoon and Park In-Ki, Oh Duk Gu continued his report. ¡°...So, in addition to episodes 23 and 24, we¡¯ve also received additional screen time for episode 22, which is scheduled for filming today.¡± ¡°Huh? The revised scripts are for three episodes in total? Didn¡¯t you say only episodes 23 and 24 were revised?¡± ¡°That was the case, but we received additional revisions for episode 22 as well this morning.¡± Writer Lee Ji-Yeon had eventually revised even the script of episode 22 so that Yoo-Jin could star in the drama all the way till itsst episode. Hence, because of all these script revisions, Yoo-JIn got up early to practice her acting this morning. ¡°Oh wow. It seems like Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon really likes Yoo-Jin.¡± ¡°Yes, sir. Thanks to Yoon-Ho¡¯s hard work on set, it seems like Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon has taken a liking to Yoo-Jin.¡± Gu Seong Cheol smiled and opened his mouth. ¡°That¡¯s right. I heard that Yoon-Ho has been doing greattely. So? How is it? How does it feel to be in charge of someone for the first time?¡± ¡°It feels good. I¡¯ve been managing fine, sir.¡± ¡°Keep up the good work. If you continue to do well, you might be exclusively assigned to Yoo-Jin.¡± Usually for the second year newbies, they had to attend to other celebrities'' schedules when their main assigned celebrity¡¯s schedule was over. However, exclusively managing Yoo-Jin also meant that I would have more time to assist the members of Faithful whom I would meet in the future. Of course, this was contingent on my continued sess. ¡°Thank you, sir.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. But which actress lost the most screen time with Yoo-Jin receiving more lines?¡± ¡°It¡¯s Park Eun-Bin.¡± ¡°Park Eun-Bin from Petite More? That brat?¡± Park Eun-Bin, who lost screen time to Jung Yoo-Jin, was the leader of Petite More, a top-tier girl group in their fifth year since debut. She was currently fully backed by the second biggest agency in the industry, TK Entertainment, and started her acting career this year. However, she was a textbook example of what a terrible actress was. With a deep sigh, Gu Seong-Cheol warned Oh Duk-Gu. ¡°Team Lead Oh, be careful not to sh with that brat on set. Pay special attention to those from TK Entertainment. Okay?¡± ¡°Yes, sir. Well understood. Don¡¯t worry.¡± ¡°Alright. Both of you, keep up the good work. Oh, and Yoon-Ho¡ªmake sure Yoo-Jin doesn¡¯t get bullied by other actors on set.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± toward the end of the meeting, Gu Seong-Cheol said something utterly unexpected. ¡°Also, let¡¯s increase Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting lesson hours. If Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon is showing this much interest in Yoo-Jin, we should also be paying more attention to her acting.¡± Actor Choi Hyun-Min, managed by Team Lead Ju Yung-Hoon of Division 2, was a veteran supporting actor and coach with twelve years of experience. Unfortunately, everyone had been thinking that the improvement in Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting was all thanks to Choi Hyun-Min. I had initially nned to suggest cutting down on Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting lesson hours after a period of time, but I couldn¡¯t wait any longer. Even if it meant receiving criticism, I had to step up right now. ¡°Yoon-Ho. Starting tomorrow,e to thepany for lessons when Yoo-Jin doesn¡¯t have a schedule and...¡± ¡°That won¡¯t work, sir.¡± I interrupted Gu Seong-Cheol in a firm manner, causing all eyes in the meeting room to fixate on me. Gu Seong-Cheol frowned and opened his mouth. ¡°What do you mean ¡®that won¡¯t work?¡¯ Why not?¡± ¡°Yoo-Jin is better off practicing on her own than receiving lessons, sir.¡± Oh Duk-Gu lightly tugged on the sleeve of my suit, signaling me not to cause an unnecessary scene. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± I knew very well that even if Gu Seong-Cheol was usually amiable, he was unstoppable when angered. But I couldn¡¯t let Yoo-JIn, who had just started to bloom, be crushed by an evil n. Getting a trash coach like Choi Hyun-Min to give Yoo-Jin acting lessons at a crucial time like this was nothing short of destroying her career. Sitting across from me, Ju Yung-Hoon, who was known for his gentle demeanor, also wore a stern expression. ¡°Did something happen to you this morning? What¡¯s up with the sudden change?¡± Under the stiff gaze of everyone in the meeting room, I began to argue that Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting had surpassed the level where she needed lessons. *** While I was on my way to pick up Yoo-Jin after the meeting, Oh Duk-Gu scolded me non-stop in the car. ¡°Are you...are you out of your mind?¡± ¡°No, sir. I¡¯m in my right mind.¡± ¡°You are driving me nuts. Why have you suddenly changed like this?¡± The atmosphere had turned tense earlier in the meeting when I insisted that Yoo-Jin no longer needed acting lessons. In response, Gu Seong-Cheol proposed an alternative solution. He said taking the initiative and actively looking out for my assigned talent was a good attitude. However, he said he couldn¡¯t ept my opinion without any tangible evidence to back it up considering the good reputation of Choi Hyun-Min. Therefore I was told to deliver performances that met expectations if I wanted to get Yoo-Jin out of her lessons. At the very least, I had to ensure that thepany heard about Yoo-Jin¡¯s good acting on set. He also warned that I would be removed from exclusively managing Yoo-Jin and reassigned elsewhere if they were ever to hear someone say her acting was bad. Gu Seong-Cheol was famous for keeping his word and walking the talk, so I knew his words were not empty threats. I repeatedly urged Oh Duk-Gu, who was sitting in the passenger seat, to keep mum about this. ¡°Mr. Oh. Please don¡¯t say anything about this to Yoo-Jin. If she finds out, she might be unnecessarily worried and it might affect her acting.¡± Oh Duk-Gu let out a deep sigh and shook his head. ¡°Sigh. I just don¡¯t get it. I don¡¯t know what you see in Yoo-Jin...after all, how well can a newbie who just started acting really do? Ugh! Whatever. Do as you wish!¡± ¡°You¡¯ll understand what I mean when you see Yoo-Jin on set yourself.¡± ¡°Fine, fine, It¡¯s your career on the line, so who am I to stop you?¡± Although he spoke gruffly, his expression was filled with concern. After all, this sunbae was a good person. *** ¡°Scene 269 of Episode 22. Ready~ Action!¡± Upon arriving at the set, I heard PD Park¡¯s voice through the loudspeaker. The staff continued to film ording to the cue sheet which was based on the revised script for Episode 22. However, an unexpected problem arose¡ªeven though the filming for Episode 22 had started, the viewership ratings for Episode 22 of the Morning Takes Off that was to be broadcast on the 24th remained unchanged in my nner. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 24th, 2019] -10:00 PM Episode 22 Monitoring. Viewership Rating: 19.5% Thanks to Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s fondness for Yoo-Jin, she had revised the scripts for not only Episodes 23 and 24, but also Episode 22. As a result, the amount of Yoo-Jin¡¯s screen time had increased significantly. However, the viewership ratings showed no change, not even by 0.1%. The fact that the schedule in the nner was still the same meant the future remained the same. I couldn¡¯t understand how this was happening, especially given the high-stakes situation where I had confidently staked my career in front of Gu Seong-Cheol. ¡®Why is the viewership rating still the same!?¡¯ Chapter 13: Unchanging Viewership Ratings (1)

Chapter 13: Unchanging Viewership Ratings (1)

The various thoughts in my head gave me mixed feelings. ¡®Would this schedule only get deleted when Yoo-Jin actually starts shooting for Episode 22? Or could it be that she won¡¯t be able to appear in the drama for some reason, like in my previous life?¡¯ For now, there was no way to know the exact reason the viewership rating hadn¡¯t changed yet. Therefore, it seemed like I had no choice but to constantly check the nner for the time being. In the meantime, Oh Duk-Gu was informing Yoo-Jin about Park Eun-Bin¡¯s personality. ¡°Yoo-Jin. Avoid making eye contact with Park Eun-Bin as much as possible and don¡¯t interact with her. Her personality is no joke.¡± ¡°But Park Eun-Bin sunbae seemed cute and lovely on TV.¡± Oh Duk-Gu¡¯s face turned pale at Yoo-Jin¡¯s words. ¡°Are you kidding? You are so naive. It was rumored that three years ago, Eun-Bin was...¡± Listening from the side, the rumor sounded half true and half fake. The rumor said that Park Eun-Bin pushed a hoobae[1] who didn¡¯t greet her down the stairs, and the trainee who waspeting against her to debut went missing. Despite Oh Duk-Gu¡¯s continuous sharing of these rumors, Yoo-Jin remained calm as if she was listening to old tales. ¡°Anyway, be careful. Every actor knows that the amount of lines they have can change at any time, but not everyone is cool with that. I bet you¡¯d be infuriated too if this happened to you.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Oh. You¡¯d think her rumors are nothing if you heard the stories from when I was working part-time.¡± ¡°Huh? What on earth did you go through back then?¡± Yoo-Jin simply smiled in response to Oh Duk-Gu¡¯s question. At that moment, I saw arge bus entering the parking lot. Thinking they might be staff members, I was about to greet them. But I soon noticed a sign on the front window of the bus that read [Petite Angels, On-site Support Vehicle.] Following the bus was a coffee truck. ¡°Petite Angels? Hah, even they came?¡± Oh Duk-Gu clicked his tongue. Petite Angels was the name of Petite More¡¯s fan club. Although it wasmon for fans to send meals and coffee trucks to the set to support their celebrity, it was rare for them to visit the drama set in person because cheering for the celebrity at a drama set would only affect the actor¡¯s ability to concentrate, unlike at music shows where cheering was essential. When the bus door opened, the Petite Angels got out in an orderly line and began to move hastily. They took out various supplies from the luggagepartment of the bus and started to attach cards to the coffee truck. [Today is Cutie Eun-Bin¡¯s treat!] [You got this! Park Eun-Bin!] [Staff of The Morning Takes Off, please take good care of Eun-Bin!] The Petite Angels skillfully held up cards like experts and started looking around the set. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m about to see Eun-Bin act in person! I¡¯m super thrilled!¡± ¡°Hey, make sure to bring the right stuff to support Eun-Bin and the team. I¡¯ll teach you a lesson if I catch you stealing stuff we brought for the staff, understand?¡± ¡°Okay, unnie. We¡¯re staying until the shooting ends, right?¡± ¡°Why are you asking the obvious? Of course, we are staying until the end.¡± ¡°Alright. Operations team, hurry up. Those of you without the light stick can ask the operations team for one.¡± ¡®Light sticks at a shooting set?¡¯ It seemed like they were at the wrong ce, but none of the on-set staff made anyments about that, perhaps because Park Eun-Bin¡¯s agency, TK Entertainment, was sponsoring the production of the drama. At that moment, I suddenly had a bad feeling. ¡®I boasted at thepany that Yoo-Jin no longer needs acting lessons, but the schedule on the nner hadn¡¯t changed yet. And now even Petite Angels showed up?¡¯ It all felt like a chain of unfortunate events. ¡°Today is going to be a long day.¡± Oh Duk-Gu shook his head at the Petite Angels and muttered. But when the leaders of Petite Angels arrived, I thought of a way to handle the situation. ¡°What else can they do besides leaving maliciousments online?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the most frightening thing these days. Anyway, let¡¯s be careful not to give them any reason to criticize our side.¡± ¡°I will contact the promotion team in advance and ask them to censor Instagram and Twitter posts rted to Park Eun-Bin¡¯s fan club. If any maliciousments are posted, we should forward them directly to the legal team.¡± When I spoke swiftly, Oh Duk-Gu looked at me with a surprised expression, wondering why I had suddenly changed. ¡°Shall we get going? We should start getting ready as well.¡± ¡°Oh, yes. R-right. We should go.¡± Stunned, Oh Duk-Gu nodded and began to walk forward. However, he kept ncing at me as he walked. Although I was only in my first year, I had no ns to act naively. Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s faction was likely already making moves to take over Hoop Entertainment, and I was the only one who could stop him. *** ¡°Alright, everyone. To your positions!¡± The lighting and sound team staff bustled around the elegant mansion set. After the staff had finished checking the set, Producer Park Doo-Shik shouted with a loud voice. ¡°We¡¯ll have to withdraw if it snows heavily today, so assistant directors continue to keep an eye on the weather forecast.¡± ¡°Yes, sir! Leave it to us!¡± ¡°Also, we¡¯ll move to scene 272 as soon as Eun-Bin arrives, so keep that in mind. We¡¯ll start with scene 278 first. Remember, episode 22 has been revised so don¡¯t get confused and read the script carefully. Now, revised script, scene 278. Ready~ Action!¡± The shooting began with Park Doo-Shik¡¯s distinctive call, Scene 278 was where the female lead, Choi Eun-Yung, argued with her boyfriend. Watching the boyfriend harshly push the protagonist, hurl profanities, and raise his hand to p her made my palms sweaty. At that moment, Yoo-Jin intervened between the two. Yoo-Jin¡¯s character, Lee Seol-Ran, bravely confronted Choi Eun-Yung¡¯s boyfriend to help her friend. Despite having her hair disheveled and clothes torn, Yoo-Jin didn¡¯t hold back. Anyone could see that her acting was on par with the two main actors. ¡°No wonder you were so confident...With that level of acting, it¡¯s no surprise you were so confident.¡± Oh Duk-Gu seemed surprised upon watching Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting. ¡°Right?¡± A single scene was sufficient enough to showcase Yoo-Jin¡¯s incredible acting skills. After watching Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting, Oh Duk-Gu set aside his worries and focused on the shoot. Seeing him nod his head and smile gave me a boost of confidence. I wanted to exim loudly that Yoo-Jin would be a future star who would captivate millions of viewers. However, a sense of unease washed over me as I nced at the nner in my hand. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 24th, 2019] -10:00 PM Episode 22 Monitoring. Viewership Rating: 19.5% The viewership rating for episode 22, which I thought would change once the shoot began, remained the same. This suggested that perhaps the scenes from the revised script for episode 22 would not make it to the broadcast. ¡®I need to do something about this.¡¯ I had no intention of losing the golden opportunity given by Lee Ji-Yeon to promote Yoo-Jin. Thanks to my extensive experience in my previous life, various scenarios shed through my mind. None of them were pleasant, but I began recording the set with my phone camera just in case. ~ [Video Recording Mode ON] ~ I recorded everything on the set of The Morning Takes Off on my Gxy Note 10. *** ¡°Cut! Great job, everyone. Actors, please touch up your makeup and adjust your costumes.¡± Fortunately, Yoo-Jin sessfully finished her scene without any mistakes. Upon calling the end of scene 278, Park Doo-Shik shouted to the surrounding staff. ¡°Okay, everyone! Let¡¯s take a short break. We¡¯ll rest for 20 minutes. And the directors from each department, please check your equipment and then regroup here.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Park!¡± As Park Doo-Shik turned his gaze to the monitor, the actors and staff began to move quickly. After finishing her scene, Yoo-Jin exchanged greetings with the lead actress Choi Eun-Yung for a while before returning to her seat. I offered Yoo-Jin a cup of coffee as she sat down in the chair. ¡°Well done. Here¡¯s your coffee.¡± ¡°Thanks, oppa. Your coffee is so good that now I can¡¯t drink other coffee unless it¡¯s made by you.¡± Yoo-Jin looked at the cup of coffee that was only a third full and asked for more in a yful tone. ¡°Too much coffee isn¡¯t good for you. I¡¯ll give you moreter, so just drink this for now.¡± ¡°Okay, fine.¡± Yoo-Jin took a sip of her coffee with a slightly disappointed expression. Then her eyes widened. ¡°Wow. What is this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s good, right? It¡¯s my original style of coffee, ¡®Jung Coffee.¡¯ I¡¯ll make it like this for you from now on.¡± ¡°Yes, please do! The Maxim coffee you made was delicious, but this is on another level!¡± Perhaps impressed with my coffee, Yoo-Jin started to hum a tune without realizing it. At that moment, staff members who were moving equipment to the parking lot passed by us, each one of them praising Yoo-Jin. ¡°Miss Yoo-Jin. Your acting was really good. You don¡¯t seem like a rookie at all. Everyone is super impressed!¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Choi.¡± ¡°Miss Yoo-Jin. You mightnd a lead role in the next drama at this rate. You really stood out.¡± ¡°Haha, thank you so much, Mr. Jung.¡± While Park Doo-Shik remained unresponsive, the on-site staff unanimously praised Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting. Oh Duk-Gu was filled with worry this morning, but now he couldn¡¯t hide his evidently worry-free smile. ¡°Everything is going great. I¡¯ll go and subtly promote Yoo-Jin to the staff, so you keep an eye on Yoo-Jin. If things continue like this, we won¡¯t have to worry about getting in trouble with the Chief.¡± The exhrated Oh Duk-Gu ran over to the staff to start promoting Yoo-Jin. However, unlike Oh Duk-Gu, I couldn¡¯t stop feeling tense. Tick tock, tick tock. As time continued to pass, I grew more anxious as the schedule in the nner hadn¡¯t changed yet. ¡®Could it be that Yoo-Jin gets hurt and can¡¯t appear in episode 22?¡¯ While I was deeply lost in thought, I heard one of the Petite Angels shouting. ¡°Oh my gosh! It¡¯s Eun-Bin!¡± A white Benz Sprinter was entering the parking lot. In a sh, the Petite Angels who were distributing coffee and snacks to the staff turned their heads in unison like meerkats. ¡°Where? Where?¡± ¡°In the parking lot!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± With a rush, all the Petite Angels sprinted toward the parking lot. Screech! The Benz Sprinter came to a stop. The door slid open and Park Eun-Bin, standing at 162cm with a small and round face, casually stepped out of the vehicle. With her long hair cascading down to her waist, she was wearing a designer long padded coat, a checkered mini skirt, and long boots. Her charisma and appearance gave the impression of a veteran actress with numerous lead awards under her belt, rather than an idol. I personally felt that Park Eun-Bin¡¯s acting skills were half a star out of five. However, due to the huge sess of Petite More, no one dared give her candid feedback about her subpar performance. At that moment, a talent agent from TK Entertainment stepped out from the driver¡¯s seat of the Benz Sprinter with a bag in his hand. ¡®Managing Director Ma Dong-Pal from TK Entertainment? What¡¯s that guy doing here?¡¯ Even though Park Eun-Bin was one of the big names at TK Entertainment, it was extremely rare for a managing director toe to the set as a talent agent. Moreover, as a former gangster, Ma Dong-Pal was known for his unscrupulous methods in getting things done. With his adeptness at concealing his dubious dealings, he would rise to the position of second in power at TK Entertainment in ten years. If I had topare, he was somewhat simr to Kim Dong-Soo but with better fighting skills and a more menacing appearance. ¡®Could it be because of those guys that the viewership rating isn¡¯t changing?¡¯ If Ma Dong-Pal were to interfere, it was possible that the scenes Yoo-Jin had filmed wouldn¡¯t be broadcast. When the script was revised, Park Eun-Bin had lost most of her lines. ¡®Ma Dong-Pal must have been itching to turn the situation around.¡¯ Anticipating the worst-case scenario, I gently tapped Yoo-Jin on the shoulder. ¡°Yoo-Jin. Park Eun-Bin is here. Let¡¯s greet her.¡± ¡°Oh, okay!¡± Holding the script in her hand, Yoo-Jin stood up. ¡°Eun-Bin unnie! We came here to see you!¡± ¡°Ahhh! Unnie, we love you!¡± ¡°Haha, thanks foring, everyone.¡± As the Petite Angels mored, Park Eun-Bin responded by greeting and exchanging pleasantries with her fans. ¡°Eun-Bin unnie! We called in a coffee truck for you!¡± ¡°And there will be lunch boxes arriving soon for the staff too. Good luck with your shoot today!¡± ¡°Oh, my! Thank you so much, guys. I¡¯d be nothing without you guys. I love you!¡± ¡°We love you too~.¡± After interacting with her fans, Park Eun-Bin quickly walked towards the set upon being prompted by Ma Dong-Pal. It seemed like my hunch was right. While greeting each staff member they walked past, Park Eun-Bin and Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s eyes were fixed on Yoo-Jin. As Park Eun-Bin approached us, we initiated the greeting by bowing our heads. Because Park Eun-Bin wasn¡¯t on set when Yoo-Jin had her first shoot, this was their first face-to-face encounter. ¡°Nice to meet you. I¡¯m Jung Yoo-Jin from Hoop Entertainment.¡± Park Eun-Bin also bowed her head with a bright smile¡ªthen she whispered in a voice that only we could hear. ¡°How dare the role-stealing bitch talk to me?¡± ¡®Wow, look at her insolence. What a grand way to start things off.¡¯ 1. An underssman or junior. A newer or less experienced idol in the context of this novel ? Chapter 14: Unchanging Viewership Ratings (2)

Chapter 14: Unchanging Viewership Ratings (2)

Although Park Eun-Bin and Ma Dong-Pal wore seemingly kind smiles, the wordsing out of their mouths were far from pleasant. ¡°So, you¡¯re the one who stole Eun-Bin¡¯s lines, huh? Hmm. You¡¯ve got a decent look.¡± ¡®Wow. Both the talent agent and the celebrity are rude. What a perfect match.¡¯ ¡°Ah,e on. What do you mean she¡¯s got a decent look? You¡¯ve been in the industry for years and you still can¡¯t recognize stic surgery?¡± Park Eun-Bin said. ¡®stic surgery, my ass. She¡¯s the one who¡¯s had more than a couple of surgeries thanks to skilled doctors in Apgujeong.¡¯ Since we were speaking in hushed voices, anyone nearby would assume we were engaged in casual conversation and exchanging pleasantries. ¡®Reacting angrily here could lead to misunderstandings.¡¯ Moreover, there was a possibility that they were intentionally trying to paint Yoo-Jin as a disrespectful rookie who didn¡¯t know her ce. I gently tapped Yoo-Jin on the shoulder, who was stunned upon hearing Park Eun-Bin and Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s hostile words. ¡®It¡¯s okay, Yoo-Jin. Just smile.¡¯ Yoo-Jin saw my bright smile and also gave a bright smile. Then we greeted Ma Dong-Pal and Park Eun-Bin once again in a loud voice that everyone on set could hear. ¡°Thank you for your kind words. My name is Jung Yoo-Jin and I am honored to meet you.¡± ¡°Thank you so much, we will do our best.¡± Upon seeing that Yoo-Jin and I weren¡¯t fazed at all by their harsh words, Park Eun-Bin and Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s faces appeared shocked. ¡°Hah. She¡¯s got a good mental fortitude for an actress. The talent agent has got quite the gut as well. Alright. Let¡¯s greet each other properly, shall we?¡± I reached out my hand for a handshake at Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s words. However, Ma Dong-Pal started to do something petty¡ªhis bulky right hand firmly grasped mine. Crack! A loud noise burst out from the joints of my fingers. Thick beads of sweat began to form on my forehead as I held back a groan. ¡®This jerk...¡¯ I responded with a tight grip as well. In the meantime, Park Eun-Bin was picking a verbal fight with Yoo-Jin. However, Yoo-Jin simply kept smiling innocently as if she were a part-time employee dealing with an unreasonable customer. In the end, the impatient Park Eun-Bin snapped first. ¡°Hey, dough face. What are youughing at? What¡¯s so funny, huh? Just wait and see. I¡¯ll make you pay for stealing my lines.¡± But I already knew there wouldn¡¯t be much to watch out for. After all, Park Eun-Bin would plummet into obscurity in two years due to a massive scandal. ¡°You¡¯ve got quite a grip.¡± As Petite Angels began to murmur here and there, Ma Dong-Pal quietly let go of my hand and urged Park Eun-Bin. ¡°Eun-Bin, we don¡¯t have much time. Let¡¯s go greet PD Park.¡± The two brushed past us after picking a petty fight, and the Petite Angels followed behind. Watching Park Eun-Bin walk away, Yoo-Jin clicked her tongue in disbelief. ¡°Oppa. Has the entertainment industry always been like this? Even the worst customers aren¡¯t as aggressive as Park Eun-Bin. What¡¯s wrong with her? It was hard to hold myself back from teaching her a lesson.¡± Yoo-Jin dropped her smile and began to express her frustration as she rolled her sleeves up angrily. ¡°Just treat that as a form of greeting. Trust me, there are more people like her.¡± ¡°Oh my goodness. Seriously? This is considered a greeting?¡± ¡°Yes. And remember¡ªholding back in front of the camera means winning. If you don¡¯t want to hold back, gain poprity. Once you be popr enough, someone like Park Eun-Bin won¡¯t dare to trash talk you.¡± ¡°Sigh. Seriously. I almost pulled all her hair out...wait, nobody¡¯s around here now, right?¡± Yoo-Jin stopped talking and looked around carefully. ¡®Good thinking, Jung Yoo-Jin.¡¯ Seeing that there was no one nearby, the relieved Yoo-Jin pointed at my hand. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with your hand, oppa?¡± My entire hand was swollen and red, and the area where Ma Dong-Pal had gripped turned to a shade of blue. ¡°Are you okay?¡± ¡°Y, yes. I¡¯m fine.¡± I quickly hid my hand, which had lost sensation due tock of blood flow, behind my back. ¡®I take back what I said about dealing with them nonchntly.¡¯ I swore to myself that I would get back at Ma Dong-Pal one day for this. I checked my nner once again after tidying up the surroundings. As expected, the viewership ratings had not changed. Meanwhile, Ma Dong-Pal was having a lengthy conversation with Park Doo-Shik. I knew from my experience that it wasn''t just a simple chat. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that the reason Yoo-Jin¡¯s footage might not make it to the broadcast was because of Ma Dong-Pal. *** Scene 272 was where Park Eun-Bin and Choi Eun-Yung would continue their conversation about taking revenge on her boyfriend. Yoo-Jin was supposed to appear in the next scene, so she had already gone to the second floor of the set to wait. But just before the shoot began, I heard some murmurs from where the Petite Angels had gathered. They were growing rowdy while waiting for Park Eun-Bin to start acting. When Park Doo-Shik frowned, Park Eun-Bin hurried over to the Petite Angels. ¡°Guys, shh! I don¡¯t want to look bad in front of Mr. Park.¡± When Park Eun-Bin asked them to quiet down, the two Petite Angels at the front with distinctive hairstyles nodded their heads. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, unnie. We¡¯ll just watch quietly.¡± ¡°Hey, if you guys open your mouths while Miss Eun-Bin is acting, I will kill you all. Okay?¡± The president of the Petite Angels, Kim Seung-Ae with an afro hairstyle, and the vice president Lee Jin-Ah with weird bangs, looked back and snapped. At that moment, all the Petite Angels closed their mouths as if they had zipped them shut. Park Eun-Bin smiled at Park Doo-Shik and opened her mouth. ¡°Let¡¯s start, Mr. Park.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve made an exception for your fans toe to the set today. Please continue to manage them so they don¡¯t interrupt the shoot. Okay?¡± ¡°Of course, Mr. Park.¡± Park Doo-Shik grabbed the loudspeaker and called for the shoot of Scene 272 tomence. ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s begin once the cameras are ready. Revised script, Scene 272. Ready~ Action!¡± The shoot began following Park Doo-Shik¡¯s cue. The lead actress Choi Eun-Yung started off the scene with her acting. Thirty year old Choi Eun-Yung had originally been an actress who wasn¡¯t under much spotlight, switching between minor and supporting roles for three years. However, the current Choi Eun-Yung exuded the full presence of an amazing actress, demonstrating the power of a lead actress who carried the drama up to its 21st episode. Park Doo-Shik watched Park Eun-Bin and Choi Eun-Yung¡¯s acting through the monitor with a tense expression on his face. The viewership rating of the recently aired 20th episode was 19.1% and was only one step away from 20%. In other words, the drama was just about to hit the jackpot. MBS hadn¡¯t been doing great in terms of viewership rating ever since theunch of cable broadcasting. Hence, considering the rtive sess of Morning Takes Off, Park Doo-Shik was pressured to make everything perfect. However, Park Eun-Bin¡¯s acting soon began to ruin the scene as the shoot progressed. Though her role was merely to secure the viewership ratings with her poprity, her acting was painful to watch. ¡°What¡¯s up with Park Eun-Bin¡¯s acting? She is neither crying norughing. What the heck?¡± ¡°What do you expect from an idol?¡± ¡°Still, isn¡¯t that a bit too much?¡± The staff on set whispered amongst themselves with a frown while watching Park Eun-Bin¡¯s pathetic acting, reminiscent of a kindergarten y. Such acting was intolerable in a scene where chemistry between actors was crucial. Sensing that the shoot couldn¡¯t go on like this, Park Doo-Shik hastily grabbed the loudspeaker. ¡°Cut~~!¡± Park Doo-Shik called Park Eun-Bin over with a troubled expression. ¡°Um...Miss Eun-Bin. You did well, but can you put a bit more feeling into your acting? Be subtle but bright¡ªjust as written in the script. You don¡¯t need to over do it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Park. I must have been too nervous.¡± ¡°No worries, it happens. Rx a bit. You¡¯ll do better this time, right?¡± The way he treated Park Eun-Bin waspletely different from how he treated Yoo-Jin. I understood it was only natural for him to treat the two differently given that TK Entertainment had invested a significant amount of money in the drama production. But this was too much. Encouraged by Park Doo-Shik, Park Eun-Bin bowed her head and also apologized to Choi Eun-Yung. But the real problem arose when an additional ten bloopers urred afterward. *** ¡°Ugh, I can¡¯t stand it anymore! Hey, Park Eun-Bin. Yes, you! You better start acting properly. Are you messing up on purpose to fuck me over?¡± Choi Eun-Yung¡¯s sharp voice echoed throughout the set, startling the staff to the point where they stopped their work. Given how awkward Park Eun-Bin¡¯s acting was, Choi Eun-Yung couldn¡¯t hold back anymore and exploded in frustration. From the second floor of the set where she had been waiting for her turn to shoot, Yoo-Jin poked her head out of the window like a mole. After assessing the situation, Yoo-Jin gestured toward me to ask when it was her turn to start acting. She also ced both hands on her cheeks to tell me she might fall asleep because the waiting time was too long. When I formed an X with my index fingers, Yoo-Jin curiously tilted her head. What I meant to tell her was that she might not be able to shoot today, but it didn¡¯t seem like she understood what my gesture meant. In 2029, talent agents and actors could easilymunicate on set through wireless microphones and in-ear headphones. But it was still 2019 here. ¡®What a shame that theyck technology.¡¯ At that moment, the atmosphere of the set suddenly changed when Park Eun-Bin retorted with irritation. ¡°I did make a few mistakes in the beginning, but I did it right this time.¡± The atmosphere on set turned tense with Park Eun-Bin¡¯s remark. Despite having a five-year career as an idol, Park Eun-Bin was only ten months into her acting career. Yet, she was leveraging her poprity as a girl group idol to confront her senior who was a far more experienced lead actress. I felt the strong urge to sell the video being filmed right now to Jang Moon Ki, the reporter of Weekly Stars. ¡®Oh man. This is huge.¡¯ ¡°Miss Eun-Yung, stop it.¡± ¡°Gosh, many people are watching. Hey, AD Jung, stop them!¡± ¡°Miss Eun-Bin, please don¡¯t do this. Your fans are watching...¡± The staff tried to intervene in their argument, but Choi Eun-Yung didn¡¯t seem to have any intention of backing down. ¡°This is ridiculous. Who said you can act all high and mighty on set, huh? Does this script look like a joke to you, huh?¡± As Choi Eun-Yung shook the script and red, Park Eun-Bin opened the script and read her lines out loud. Indeed, she was no easy opponent. She simply recited her lines without apologizing. ¡°...See? I did it right.¡± Choi Eun-Yung was shocked. ¡°Seriously? That¡¯s how you interpreted this line?¡± ¡°Yes. This is how I interpreted it.¡± ¡°Unbelievable. If you suck at acting, at least be humble. And how dare you talk back to your sunbae like that?¡± As their argument went on, Park Doo-Shik intervened as if he couldn¡¯t bear watching the fight anymore. ¡°Miss Eun-Yung, Miss Eun-Bin. What are the two of you doing right now? There are many people watching!¡± At that moment, Park Eun-Bin started shedding tears as if she had been waiting for Park Doo-Shik to say so. ¡®Being able to cry when things are going against you is a talent.¡¯ I couldn¡¯t understand why she was so bad at acting out the script when she had the ability to shed crocodile tears whenever she wanted. ¡®Can¡¯t she act out her role properly since she is so good at being fake in real life?¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Park. I just can¡¯t do it right since the script suddenly changed. Sob.¡± Tears fell like a waterfall from Park Eun-Bin¡¯s eyes and ruined her makeup. Park Doo-Shik was perplexed, Choi Eun-Yung frowned, Petite Angels murmured in the back, and chaos filled the set. ¡®Yep. I¡¯m certainly back.¡¯ Looking at the chaos, it felt like I had really returned to the entertainment industry. If I hadn¡¯t been worried about the issue of the viewership rating not changing in the nner, this would be an entertaining situation to watch with some popcorn. Staff members intervened, and Choi Eun-Yung decided to take a short break and left the set. In the meantime, instead of consoling Park Eun-Bin, Ma Dong-Pal approached Park Doo-Shik and started a serious conversation. The moment I saw him talking to Park Doo-Shik, it became evident to me why the nner hadn¡¯t changed¡ªthey were trying to revert the script. Ma Dong-Pal was undoubtedly trying to persuade Park Doo-Shik to change the script back to the original version. The excuse Park Eun-Bin gave, saying she couldn¡¯t act because the script had changed, was just a ploy to change the script back to the original version. ¡®So this was it?¡¯ Thanks to Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s script revision, it seemed like a protest was unfolding on the set. The expressions on Ma Dong-Pal and Park Doo-Shik¡¯s faces became brighter as their conversation continued. Their camaraderie made it seem as though they were close childhood friends who had grown up together. But even if they reverted the script to the original version, there was no reason for me to be scared. This was because I had already sent the video recording of the entire situation via KkTalk. ¡®Ma Dong-Pal and Park Eun-Bin. Do you really think things will go your way?¡¯ ¡°Let¡¯s see how this turns out, Ma Dong-Pal and Park Eun-Bin. Park Doo-Shik, you too.¡± *** ¡°So please, Mr. Park. I¡¯m begging you. I¡¯ll triple thepensation that we promised.¡± Park Doo-Shik¡¯s eyes widened at Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s offer to triple the under-the-table money for featuring Park Eun-Bin. Tripling the amount would be sufficient to take on any risk. ¡°But opposing Lee Ji-Yeon isn¡¯t easy...¡± ¡°Oh,e on. Why is everyone so scared of that writer? I told you. Mypany will take care of her. Since when did the great producer Park Doo-Shik be such a coward?¡± Park Doo-Shik frowned at Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s words. He knew better than anyone that Lee Ji-Yeon wasn¡¯t the type to be swayed by others. But because of his pride as a producer, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to admit it. ¡°Hey, that¡¯s rude.¡± ¡°Sorry. Anyway, let¡¯s cancel the new script sent by Lee Ji-Yeon and use the original version. You know Eun-Bin¡¯s acting skills, don¡¯t you? It¡¯s obvious she can¡¯t handle the changed script with her level of acting. Do you really want to proceed and watch her ruin everything?¡± ¡°If you knew how terrible her acting is, you should have made her practice before letting her on set. Why would you...no, nevermind. Let¡¯s not talk about it.¡± Seeing Ma Dong-Pal frown, Park Doo-Shik quickly shut his mouth. ¡°Alright, Mr. Ma. I¡¯ll handle it, so you can go now.¡± ¡°Thank you so much. And tonight...let¡¯s have a drink at Rose nc. I¡¯ll prepare the full course.¡± ¡°Well, there¡¯s no need for that. But if you insist...I guess it would be rude of me to decline.¡± Unaware of what was soon toe, Park Doo-Shik¡¯s face lit up at the invitation to an extravagant time at Rose nc, a hostess bar for the top 1%. Chapter 15: Unchanging Viewership Ratings (3)

Chapter 15: Unchanging Viewership Ratings (3)

After finishing his conversation with Ma Dong-Pal, Park Doo-Shik began to give out orders to the staff. ¡°Sigh. Do we really have to do it this way, Mr. Park? This seems dangerous.¡± ¡°Stopining and just do as you¡¯re told. Am I the producer here or are you?¡± ¡°Okay, fine. I get it.¡± Unable to resist Park Doo-Shik¡¯s order, the staff began to move with unease. After all, the producer held supreme authority on set. AD Jung Ju-Chul received an order from Park Doo-Shik and approached us. Then he began to speak to Oh Duk-Gu, attempting to mask the unteral directive as a polite exnation. ¡°So are you saying you¡¯re dismissing us right now?¡± Oh Duk-Gu¡¯s face turned as red as a tomato. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t take it that way. You know that¡¯s not what I mean. I¡¯m just saying that we¡¯re going to shoot ording to the original script for episode 22.¡± ¡°Shooting ording to the original script is basically the same thing as dismissing us! Do you know how much screen time Yoo-Jin has in the original script of episode 22? She barely has any!¡± ¡°Ah, then what am I supposed to do? The producer is saying that we can¡¯t proceed with the current script! He even said he¡¯d pay you for an additional two episodes, so can¡¯t you just cooperate with us?!¡± ¡°Do you think I¡¯m doing this for a mere appearance fee? All of Yoo-Jin¡¯s scenes spanning two episodes are gone!¡± Yoo-Jin was paid 100,000 won per episode. With a tax deduction of 3.3%, she was paid 96,700 won. ¡®That barely covers a day¡¯s worth of gas after splitting with the agency. I can¡¯t believe they are acting like we are doing this for money.¡¯ People in this industry always seemed to be so thick-skinned. Feeling that I might get caught in the crossfire if I stuck around, I headed to one side of the set. There, I found Yoo-Jin crouching on a waiting chair and looking around cautiously. ¡°Why are you sitting like that?¡± Yoo-Jin asked as soon as she saw me. ¡°Yoon-Ho oppa. Is this happening because of the script changes?¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s because of that.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry...¡± Yoo-Jin said with an apologetic look. I raised my hand to stop her from apologizing and opened my mouth. ¡°Wait. What are you apologizing for? For acting well? For being too pretty? If being pretty were a crime, you¡¯d be on death row.¡± Yoo-Jin burst into giggles when I cracked an old man¡¯s joke. ¡®Well, I was indeed an old man before traveling back in time.¡¯ But these days, I was gradually adapting to being in my twenties again. Yoo-Jin smiled for a moment, but her gloomy expression still remained on her face. Feeling the need to console her, I looked into her eyes and said in a firm voice. ¡°Yoo-Jin, listen to me. Every actor tries to secure more screen time in a drama, and the fact that you secured more scenes by appealing to the writer is the result of your effort. So when you feel sorry about gaining screen time, you¡¯re essentially disregarding the efforts of talent agents like me who try to get their actors even one more scene.¡± ¡°Oh...that¡¯s not what I meant...I just...¡± ¡°I know how you feel. But as a professional, you should never think that way in the future. You should always be ambitious and try your best to get even one more shot. Are you going to give up your screen time whenever other actors demand it?¡± ¡°No, of course not!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Now we are talking.¡± Yoo-Jin quickly understood my point. In reality, people employed countless sneaky tactics to snatch roles from others. Compared to them, Yoo-Jin had earned her scenes through pure talent and effort. ¡®She should be proud of herself for that.¡¯ ¡°And don¡¯t you worry. Everything will be resolved.¡± ¡°But how?¡± ¡°Just trust me and wait. You¡¯ll see. Now, shall we warm up and practice your acting?¡± Yoo-Jin tilted her head in wonder but started practicing as I instructed. *** After having a conversation with the staff, Oh Duk-Gu returned to the parking lot. ¡°Yoo-Jin, I¡¯m sorry to tell you this. But it looks like we¡¯re gonna have to shoot Episode 22 as per the original script. Episodes 23 and 24 have been canceled. I¡¯m really sorry.¡± Oh Duk-Gu said as he bowed his head, assuming all the responsibility. However, Yoo-Jin responded in a calm voice. ¡°Um, but Mr. Oh, Yoon-Ho oppa just told me to prepare for acting.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Oh Duk-Gu looked at me with a puzzled look. Looking at him, I exined to him what happened while he was gone. ¡°I couldn¡¯t report it because you were in a conversation with the staff.¡± ¡°Report what?¡± I smirked and handed him my phone. Oh Duk-Gu chuckled silently. [Kang Ji-Yung: Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon is leaving her office in Namyangju right now. Good job, Star Jung. She was furious after seeing the video you sent. Great work. I love you~.] Lee Ji-Yeon wasing. *** ¡°Did she just get fired?¡± ¡°As she should. She was trying to take Eun-Bin unnie¡¯s spot. Serves her right.¡± ¡°I just posted on Twitter about Eun-Bin struggling so much because of her.¡± The Petite Angels came to the parking lot to distribute lunch for staff and sniggered as they walked past us. Watching them talk badly about Yoo-Jin, Oh Duk-Gu banged the dashboard in frustration inside the van. ¡°Ugh, those jerks...seriously!¡± ¡°Calm down, Mr. Oh.¡± ¡°How do you stay calm in this situation?¡± ¡°Everything will end once Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon arrives.¡± Then Oh Duk-Gu took out his phone to show me a post on Twitter. ¡°Yeah? Then how are we going to deal with this?¡± [K. Song (Kim Seung-Ae): I heard that dough face bribed the staff for her role, but she got kicked out of the set with herck of talent. (Scene photo)] [LIJA (Lee Jin-AH): Her acting is total trashpared to Eun-Bin¡¯s excellent acting. (Scene photo) I don¡¯t know why they would cast someone like her in the first ce. How much did Hoop Entertainment pay them?] When I saw the Twitter posts from Kim Seung-Ae and Lee Jin-Ah of Petite Angels, I immediately opened the van door on the driver¡¯s side as I couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. ¡°Huh? Where are you going?¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to teach them a lesson. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± ¡°By yourself? But didn¡¯t you tell me to hold back?¡± ¡°Come on~. I know how to deal with this kind of situation on my own now. I¡¯ll tell them firmly to delete their posts.¡± Seeing the sudden change in my attitude, Oh Duk-Gu made a face of disbelief. I was certain Hoop Entertainment would soon intervene to have the post removed since I reported that Petite Angels had visited the site today. But I couldn¡¯t let those two bring down Yoo-Jin like this. After stepping out of the van, I called over Kim Seung-Ae and Lee Jin-Ah who were busy counting the lunchboxes to one side of the parking lot. Kim Seung-Ae looked at me with a salty look on her face and spoke first. ¡°What did you call us for? Are you hungry or something? Want a lunchbox?¡± Lee Jin-Ah shook her phone and added. ¡°No way. Don¡¯t tell me you came to ask us to delete the tweet. What a shame that¡¯s not gonna happen.¡± Smiling in the face of their mockery, I opened my mouth, ¡°How much did the both of you steal from the gift funds collected from the Petite Angels for Park Eun-Bin?¡± Their faces instantly turned to shock. ¡°W-what? What are you talking about?¡± ¡°W-what is this man saying?¡± It was quitemon for fan club leaders to collect money from members of the club for gifts and embezzle some of it. However, these two were particrly notorious. In a few days, they would turn out to be the main culprits of an embezzlement case that I had noted down in my nner in the previous life. [Everyday V10] [Date: January 5th, 2020.] -06:00 PM (Report) Embezzlement of gift funds by Petite Angels¡¯ leaders. Meeting to review simr cases at Golden Road. Second Floor. Recalling that day¡¯s meeting, I cornered the two of them. They argued and denied my usations at first, but started to waver as I dished out specific details. Kim Seung-Ae shut her mouth and Lee Jin-Ah began to apologize. Their cockiness soon faded away and was reced with humility as they politely bowed their heads. Seeing their pale faces, I issued a final warning. ¡°Return all the embezzled money and take down the tweet about Yoo-Jin. You should be able to clean up all the negativements from the other Petite Angels, right?¡± The two of them quickly nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll give you five minutes. If I catch you doing it again, I won¡¯t show any mercy. Understood?¡± ¡°Okay, oppa.¡± ¡°Yes, oppa. We¡¯ll have it deleted immediately.¡± In an instant, their attitude towards me had shifted from referring to me as ¡®this man¡¯ to ¡®oppa.¡¯ Having warned them, I returned to the van. ¡°Woah. What did you do to make them so docile all of a sudden?¡± Oh Duk-Gu asked in astonishment. ¡°I didn¡¯t say much. I just told them I¡¯d sue if they didn¡¯t delete the tweet.¡± ¡°You expect me to believe those crazy idiots became that quiet just from a warning?¡± At that moment, A call came from deputy manager Kim Mi-Hye, saying that the malicious tweets about Yoo-Jin were being taken down one by one. Oh Duk-Gu looked at me in surprise. ¡°No, but seriously. What did you really do?¡± ¡°I just talked to them. That¡¯s all,¡± I reiterated. To think I managed to tame the ferocious Petite Angels with just a few words. This made the fact that I had traveled back in time felt more real than ever. Before long, the record of their embezzlement in my nner also disappeared. ¡®I guess I won¡¯t need to report them.¡¯ Now, all I had to do was wait for Lee Ji-Yeon. *** A momentter, a pink Rose-Rise pulled into the set. Lee Ji-Yeon got out of the luxurious car and headed straight toward our van. As I quickly got out of the van to greet her, she asked for a briefing on what had happened on set without a change in her expression. ¡°Hey, you~. Give me an update,¡± Lee Ji-Yeon demanded in a cold voice. In a firm tone, I summarized the entire incident in one simple sentence. ¡°Park Doo-Shik messed around with your script, Ms. Lee!¡± I had grown adept at sinctly summarizing events since traveling back in time. ¡°I see. What¡¯s your name again?¡± ¡°I¡¯m Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment, ma¡¯am.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon nodded as if she were trying tomit my name to memory. ¡°U-know~, huh? I love U-Know Yun-Ho[1]. Alright. I¡¯ll remember you.¡± Wearing a leopard print coat, a red dress, and red leather high heels, Lee Ji-Yeon led the way with her heels clicking against the ground. Maintaining a slight distance, we followed behind her. *** ¡°Hahaha! Good, good. You are doing much better, Ms. Eun-Bin. Let¡¯s do one more take and we¡¯ll use the best one.¡± ¡°Okay, Mr. Park.¡± The atmosphere between Park Eun-Bin and Park Doo-Shik seemed peaceful and harmonious. Click, click. But when the sound of Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s heels echoed throughout the set, the ongoing shoot came to an abrupt halt. ¡°Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon...? What is she doing here?¡± ¡°Did anyone know that she wasing to set today?¡± Everyone on set looked visibly perplexed by Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s sudden and unexpected arrival. ¡°PD Park, I¡¯m here. How¡¯s the shoot going?¡± Park Doo-Shik¡¯s eyes trembled nervously, clearly caught off guard by Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s unexpected visit. ¡°U-uh, Ms. Lee. What brings you here today without notice...?¡± Park Doo-Shik discreetly signaled to the surrounding staff with his eyes and gestures. After all, he wasn¡¯t naive enough to think there wouldn¡¯t be consequences for messing around with the script. ¡®He must have already known the risks were high with the payment promised by TK Entertainment.¡¯ AD Jung Ju-Chul and production PD Oh Hyun-Seok led the staff crew to greet Lee Ji-Yeon. ¡°Oh, my. Ms. Lee! It¡¯s chilly out here. What brings you here without calling?¡± ¡°Hey, what are you doing? Hurry up and bring Ms. Lee in. How long will you let her stand out here?¡± Lee Ji-Yeon smiled in a calm manner despite the staff¡¯s ttery. ¡°It¡¯s okay. Continue with your work and I¡¯ll watch here. I just wanted to see how the shoot was going.¡± ¡°O-oh. About that...um...¡± ¡°Hm? What is it? Am I not allowed to watch?¡± The flustered Jung Ju-Chul nced at Park Doo-Shik. It was clear that chaos would ensue if Lee Ji-Yeon saw that they were proceeding with the original script after discarding the revised version. ¡°Tell me. Are you preventing me from observing the shoot after receiving all the scripts from me?¡± Sweat dripped from Park Doo-Shik¡¯s forehead despite the cold weather. ¡°Why are you sweating in this cold weather? Are you okay?¡± ¡°Ms. Lee. It¡¯s not like that. It¡¯s just that...we are almost done for the day, hahaha. So...¡± Park Doo-Shik was trying to think on his feet, but Lee Ji-Yeon was no pushover. ¡°Weren¡¯t you nning to shoot up to scene 279 today? That¡¯s the sunset scene.¡± Somehow, Lee Ji-Yeon had acquired a printed cue sheet[2]. With the cue sheets in her hand, Park Doo-Shik had no way out of this situation. Perplexed, Park Doo-Shik began to make an excuse. ¡°W-we were going to shoot that scene in advance and process it withputer graphics. Isn¡¯t it standard these days to handle backgrounds withputer graphics?¡± Park Doo-Shik let out a sigh of relief, thinking he had dodged a bullet. But Lee Ji-Yeon wasn¡¯t done just yet. ¡°You¡¯re usingputer graphics instead of natural light for the sunset? Wow. MBS must have a lot of money.¡± Seeing this as a way out, Park Doo-Shik puffed out his chest. ¡°Of course. There is substantial support with me in charge. Our viewership ratings have been great recently, so we have a lot of support. Hahaha!¡± Upon seeing Park Doo-Shik¡¯s arrogant attitude, Lee Ji-Yeon smiled and retorted. ¡°Oh, is that so? I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Park. I didn¡¯t know that the high viewership ratings were all thanks to you. Maybe I gave myself too much credit. Don¡¯t you think so?¡± ¡°I-I didn¡¯t mean it that way, Ms. Lee.¡± When Lee Ji-Yeon spoke sarcastically, Park Doo-Shik quickly waved his hand to deny. But Lee Ji-Yeon pulled out her phone and dialed a number with an emotionless face. Ding, ding, ding. Every staff member on site focused on Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s actions. Upon hearing her call out someone¡¯s name in a friendly manner, everyone froze. ¡°Myung-Hak~. It¡¯s me, Ji-Yeon.¡± ¡®Myung-Hak? Could it be Kim Myung-Hak? Did she just call the chief producer of the MBS drama department?¡¯ Kim Myung-Hak was the second inmand, set to be the next department head. While all staff froze in ce, Lee Ji-Yeon continued speaking to Kim Myung-Hak nonchntly over the phone. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s been a while. By the way, PD Park was telling me that MBS has a lot of money these days. Is it true? Yes. He said you guys can splurge onputer background for the backgrounds. No, for real. He has been ignoring me and even edited my script on his own...am I washed-up now or what?¡± Park Doo-Shik¡¯s face slowly turned pale as the call went on. ¡°Oh, you think I¡¯m doing well? Alright, then double the fee for my next script. Haha, yes. What? You don¡¯t know who PD Park is? You know, Park Doo-Shik. He¡¯s the producer of the Morning Takes Off. Don¡¯t you know him?¡± Lee Ji-Yeon ignored Park Doo-Shik and yed another move. ¡°Just a moment. There seems to be an issue with my earphones. I¡¯m putting you on speaker now.¡± ¡®Wow. She is indeed clever.¡¯ Soon, the flustered voice of Kim Myung-Hak echoed from her phone. 1. Member of a famous old k-pop boy group TVXQ ? 2. A kind of shooting scheduleid out for the day ? Chapter 16: Unchanging Viewership Rating (4)

Chapter 16: Unchanging Viewership Rating (4)

Kim Myung-Hak¡¯s voice cracked as he talked to Lee Ji-Yeon over the phone. ¡°W-what do you mean, Ms. Lee? That¡¯s nonsense. You know very well how we are barely scraping together the production budget, don¡¯t you? We can barely even breathe because the cable TV is pressuring us. You know that... ¡°Hm, is that so? Mr. Park said otherwise. He said there was excess money so he ns to use it onputer graphics. Anyway, I was shocked to hear that. Was giving you a 30% discount on my script fee a mistake? Huh?¡± ¡°Oh my goodness, that crazy bastard! Ah, I¡¯m not cursing at you, Ms. Lee. I¡¯m cursing at Doo-Shik, so please don¡¯t get me wrong!¡± The desperate Kim Myung-Hak insisted he absolutely had toe to the set and sort out the situation. ¡°M-Ms. Lee. We shouldn¡¯t be doing this over the phone. Let¡¯s meet face to face. I¡¯m near the set right now, so I¡¯ll be there in ten minutes. Just ten minutes!¡± ¡°Ten minutes? Okay, Myung-Hak. I¡¯m going to leave if you don¡¯te by then.¡± ¡°No! You can¡¯t just leave! I swear I¡¯ll be there in ten minutes no matter what!¡± With the sound of Kim Myung-Hak footsteps, the call was cut off. The General CP of MBS Drama Division Kim Myung-Hak was on his way. *** After ending the phone call with Kim Myung-Hak, Lee Ji-Yeon leisurely settled into a chair at the site and savored the coffee I had handed to her. Knowing this couldn¡¯t go on, Ma Dong-Pal quickly approached Lee Ji-Yeon. He stood in front of her and bowed his head in greeting. ¡°Ms. Lee. It¡¯s been a while since west met.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon answered with a frown. ¡°Hey, Dong-Pal~. I heard you rarelye to the set after your promotion. What brings you here today?¡± ¡°Um, Ms. Lee...can we talk privately? I believe any misunderstandings can be resolved through a chat and...¡± Lee Ji-Yeon waved her hand and interrupted Ma Dong-Pal. ¡°Misunderstanding, you say? Do I look like a fool to you? I¡¯m not in the mood to talk with you right now, so it¡¯d be best if you stayed out of my sight.¡± Ma Dong-Pal tightly bit his lip at Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s sharp refusal. ¡°Then...I¡¯ll visit you at your home tomorrow.¡± ¡°I¡¯m busy tomorrow¡ªand the day after. I¡¯ve moved, so don¡¯te. Frankly, I¡¯d prefer if we never met again.¡± Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s face turned from red to pale. Then without another word, he retreated into the opposite end of the set. After he disappeared, Lee Ji-Yeon started sipping her coffee again. ¡°Why does this coffee taste so good all the time? It¡¯s not even Astrobucks.¡± This time, Park Doo-Shik took a deep breath and approached Lee Ji-Yeon. ¡°Um, Ms. Lee. There must be a misunderstanding.¡± ¡°Hmm? What misunderstanding?¡± ¡°There is a valid reason why I intended to shoot using the original script and not the revised one...¡± Park Doo-Shik tried to exin, but Lee Ji-Yeon just smirked. ¡°Oh~? You went back to the original script without consulting me when I stayed up for forty eight hours revising the script? Mr. Park, just because I¡¯m smiling doesn¡¯t mean you can treat me like a dumbass.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon red at Park Doo-Shik with eyes as sharp as a viper¡¯s. ¡°No, no! That¡¯s not it. Ms. Lee. The thing is...the chemistry between Jung Yoo-Jin and the lead actress wasn¡¯t as good as the first day, so I had no choice but to use the original script! It was a tough decision. And didn¡¯t you say that directing was my domain?¡± The staff murmured among themselves at Park Doo-Shik¡¯s desperate lie. Yet no staff dared to openly challenge the PD¡¯s lie. ¡®But what a shame I had already sent all the on-set footage.¡¯ Thud. ¡°Shut~ up~!¡± ¡°Hic.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon shouted in an irritated voice, causing Park Doo-Shik to hup. She was evidently angry. ¡°You want to talk about directing authority? Is that how you interpreted respecting each other¡¯s domain? If you wanted to toss my script into the trashcan and do as you please, you should¡¯ve worked with a different writer. Weren¡¯t you the one who desperately wanted to work with me?¡± ¡°T-that¡¯s not what I meant...¡± ¡°And you¡¯re saying that Yoo-Jin did well on the first day but not today?¡± ¡°Y-yes...please trust me...Hic!¡± ¡°So you¡¯re saying that girl acted better than Yoo-Jin? Are you sure?¡± When Lee Ji-Yeon pointed at Park Eun-Bin, Park Doo-Shik quickly nodded. Lee Ji-Yeon made a dumbfounded expression and spoke with determination. ¡°Fine. Then I can see her acting for myself, right?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry?¡± ¡°Show me her acting! You stopped at scene 272 of the revised script, didn¡¯t you? If everything you said is true, I¡¯ll take back everything I said and say good things about you to Myung-Hak.¡± ¡°R-really? Hic.¡± ¡°Yes, really.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon boldly proposed a head-to-headparison between Yoo-Jin and Park Eun-Bin''s acting to pressure Park Doo-Shik. She seemed confident that Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting was better. ¡°Okay, ma¡¯am. You better keep your words.¡± With a desperate look on his face, Park Doo-Shik quickly gave orders to the staff. Soon, the lights were set and every staff member took their positions. Lee Ji-Yeon spoke to Choi Eun-Yung with a gentle smile. ¡°Eun-Yung~ I¡¯m sorry about the sudden situation. But you can still act, right?¡± ¡°Of course, Ms. Lee.¡± Choi Eun-Yung nodded with a confident expression. ¡°Hey, you there. Can you act?¡± When Lee Ji-Yeon called out Park Eun-Bin without using her name, thetter bit her lips and nodded. However, Lee Ji-Yeon didn¡¯t bother scolding her for her bad attitude. ¡°What are you doing, Mr. Park? Give the cue. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m going to do if Myung-Hak arrives first.¡± Park Doo-Shik nodded and quickly cued for the shoot to resume. ¡°Alright, Miss Eun-Bin. Rx and just do as before. Scene 272. Ready~ Action!¡± The moment Park Eun-Bin started acting, I could immediately tell it was over. Lee Ji-Yeon looked more troubled and horrified than ever. *** ¡°Cut~! Great job, Miss Eun-Yung. Well done, Miss Eun-Bin.¡± Park Doo-Shik¡¯s expression brightened when the acting ended without any NGs. The staff around him whispered about Park Eun-Bin¡¯s terrible acting, but Park Doo-Shik let out a sigh of relief as if he didn¡¯t hear them. Lee Ji-Yeon frowned and opened her mouth. ¡°Mr. Park. Was that the best?¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Lee. Considering she¡¯s from an idol background, her acting is better than expected and...¡± ¡°Cut out the unnecessary words. So that was the best, huh? Understood.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon turned to look for Yoo-Jin. ¡°Yoo-Jin? Where is Yoo-Jin?¡± ¡°Oh? Um, yes, Ms. Lee! I¡¯m right here!¡± Yoo-Jin, who was standing beside me and reading the script, stepped forward. ¡°Yoo-Jin. Can you act out scene 275 from the revised script?¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a challenging scene. Are you confident?¡± Scene 275 from the revised script was where Lee Seol-Ran sided with the female lead to fight against her boyfriend who visited her home. ¡°I¡¯ll give it my all without holding back.¡± Looking at a determined Yoo-Jin, Lee Ji-Yeon turned to the male lead, Park Eun-Sung. ¡°Eun-Sung~. Be careful not to hurt the actresses.¡± ¡°Of course, Ms. Lee. No one¡¯s better than me when ites to manners.¡± Park Eun-Sung, a top star with a decade of experience, seemedpletely rxed and confident. ¡®Well, Park Eun-Sung isn¡¯t the type to be intimidated in this kind of situation anyway.¡¯ But the problem was that Yoo-Jin had to hit that top star in scene 275. And not just any hit¡ªit had to be a solid one. ¡°Eun-Yung. Please lead Yoo-Jin well, okay?¡± ¡°Of course, Ms. Lee.¡± Upon receiving the signal that the actors were ready, Lee Ji-Yeon said to Park Doo-Shik. ¡°Mr. Park. Go ahead and give the cue.¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. Revised script scene 275. Ready~ Action!¡± With the cue, Park Eun-Sung suddenly struck Choi Eun-Yung¡¯s head. Smack! With a sharp sound, Choi Eun-Yung fell to the ground. Thud. With disheveled hair, Choi Eun-Yung looked up and red at her ex-boyfriend, conveying a range of emotions¡ªbetrayal, frustration, anger, and sorrow¡ªwith exquisite acting. Park Eun-Sung continued with his lines. ¡°Pregnant? Haha! You think you can just waltz into my house with that excuse? I don¡¯t believe you. How do I know if the baby is even mine!?¡± Park Eun-Sung spitting with a disdainful look was so aggravating that it made me want to p him. Just as the superb acting from Park Eun-Sung and Choi Eun-Yung continued, the mansion¡¯s door suddenly flung open. Yoo-Jin started running across thewn, yelling at the top of her lungs. ¡°Hey! You son of a bitch!¡± One of her slippers was off, but Yoo-Jin showed no signs of stopping. The moment she reached Park Eun-Sung, she went in with a full swing. Whack! The sound echoed on the set, making everyone¡¯s hearts skip a beat. Yoo-Jin¡¯s p with all her might had turned Eun-Sung¡¯s head sharply. Park Eun-Sung wobbled and fell to the ground. ¡®Uh-oh. Him falling down doesn¡¯t seem like acting. What if Park Eun-Sung¡¯s agency decides to press chargers?¡¯ Seeing Park Eun-Sung on the floor, Yoo-Jin continued her intense acting. ¡°How dare you hit a woman who¡¯s carrying your child? You¡¯re gonna pay for this today!¡± ¡°W-who are you? How dare you mess with me? Hey! Why are you just staring? Call the police now!¡± ¡°Police? You¡¯re looking at one now. I¡¯m here to ensure people like you face justice! You piece of trash!¡± The role assigned to Yoo-Jin was that of a cop in the drama. Because of that, she confronted Park Eun-Sung with the intention of arresting him on the spot. But Park Eun-Sung was no easy opponent. Spitting out curses, Park Eun-Sung got up and began to brawl with both Yoo-Jin and Choi Eun-Yung. When Yoo-Jin and Choi Eun-Yung attacked him together and grabbed his hair, Park Eun-Sung cried out loud. It was clearly acting, but it didn¡¯t seem like it. I couldn¡¯t take my eyes off of them¡ªand the staff watching nearby must have felt the same way. ¡°Wow, her acting is amazing.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe she whacked Park Eun-Sung without hesitation.¡± ¡°She¡¯s so bold.¡± ¡°She¡¯s a natural talent!¡± Impressed by Yoo-Jin¡¯s passionate acting, the staff whispered words of admiration while ensuring they did not interfere with the audio. *** ¡°Mr. Park. How long are you going to be lost in thought? Aren¡¯t you going to call it a cut?¡± When Lee Ji-Yeon shouted, Park Doo-Shik snapped back to reality and picked up the speakerphone. ¡°C-cut!¡± Only then did the three actors stop their wild movements and slumped to the floor, catching their breaths. ¡°Huff, huff, huff. Hey, you two! Are you my anti-fans? Were you trying to kill me? Admit it!¡± Seeing Park Eun-Sung pant andin, Choi Eun-Yung and Yoo-Jin made guilty expressions. Park Eun-Sung¡¯s face was red from Yoo-Jin¡¯s p and his hair, pulled by Choi Eun-Yung, was in a mess. ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry, sunbae-nim.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t intend to give it my all, but I got swept up in Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting...¡± ring intently at the two, Park Eun-Sung soon let out a smile. ¡°Heh, I¡¯m just joking. It¡¯s all good. Giving it your all even during mere rehearsals is what makes you a true actor. You both did well.¡± Park Eun-Sung touched his face and looked at Lee Ji-Yeon. ¡°Ms. Lee. That was good, right? I can¡¯t do more than this.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon smiled. ¡°Eun-Sung~. Your acting when you got hit was great.¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t acting, it was real. I think I lost a tooth. Please cover my medical expenses for an imnt.¡± ¡°Okay, Eun-Sung~. I¡¯ll make sure they rece not just one tooth.¡± Park Eun-Sung shuddered at Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s joke. ¡°Ugh, no thank you. What other scene are you nning to add?¡± Then, he got up and extended his hands to the two actresses still sitting on the floor. ¡°Stand up. Let¡¯s go and thank the staff.¡± ¡°Ah, yes.¡± ¡°Right.¡± The staff on the set were frozen in ce, thanks to Yoo-Jin¡¯s charisma and how immersed the other actors were in their performance. As Park Eun-Sung led Yoo-Jin and Choi Eun-Yung to thank the staff, the staff soon erupted in apuse. ¡°Bravo! That was amazing, Miss Yoo-Jin.¡± ¡°Wow, that was incredible. You¡¯re so good!¡± ¡°Miss Yoo-Jin, you were the best. Did you learn martial arts or something?¡± ¡°Wow, Miss Yoo-Jin. You have no regard for top stars, huh?¡± ¡°Do you have something against Mr. Eun-Sung? That p seemed so real.¡± Yoo-Jin continuously bowed as the praises echoed on site. She was covered in dirt and grass from rolling on the ground and her hair was a mess, but everyoneplimented her. After all, she waspletely different from Park Eun-Bin who always tried to look pretty. As the staff continued to cheer andpliment Yoo-Jin for her talented acting, Park Eun-Bin grit her teeth and shuddered. Ma Dong-Pal was also dumbfounded as he did not expect Yoo-Jin to show such splendid acting. ¡®You messed with the wrong person, my guy.¡¯ Seeing Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s distorted face, it felt like the pain in my right hand had suddenly eased. Chapter 17: Casting Bait

Chapter 17: Casting Bait

As the actresses were walking out of the set after finishing their scenes, they were greeted by Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s bright smile and praises. ¡°You did great, Eun-Yung. Yoo-Jin, your acting has improved a lot.¡± ¡°Thank you, Ms. Lee.¡± ¡°No, thank you. It was a pleasure to watch you act. Coming here today was definitely worth it.¡± ¡®Wow. This was the first time I saw Lee Ji-Yeon smile so brightly like a child.¡¯ At that moment, a man¡¯s voice echoed from the parking lot. ¡°Ms. Lee!¡± Nine minutes and fifty-eight seconds had passed since Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s phone call with Kim Myung-Hak. Fortunately for Kim Myung-Hak, he managed to arrive within ten minutes, as promised. Kim Myung-Hak led the drama directors and rushed over to Lee Ji-Yeon. At that moment, the particr V10 nner schedule concerning the viewership rating had finally been deleted. [Everyday V10] [Date: Dec 24th, 2019] 10:00 PM (Deleted schedule: Episode 22 monitoring. Viewership 19.5%) Finally, there was a change in the viewership rating. However, the viewership rating of Episode 22 wasn¡¯t the only thing that changed. The notes I had written down rting to the viewership ratings for Episode 23 and 24 were also being deleted. ¡®Thank goodness. It¡¯s finally over now.¡¯ Kim Myung-Hak panted heavily and said to Lee Ji-Yeon. ¡°Huff, huff, huff. M, Ms. Lee! I made it in ten minutes as promised. Ugh, cough, cough!¡± Judging by his ghostly pale face, it was evident that Kim Myung-Hak had raced to the set with all his might. ¡°Wow. How did you get here so quickly?¡± ¡°M-my legs seemed to move on their own at the thought of you waiting for me, huff, huff.¡± Kim Myung-Hak, who had just turned forty-five years old this year, stood in front of Lee Ji-Yeon, appearing on the brink of copse. ¡°You heard about the situation on your way here, right?¡± ¡°Oh, um, yes. I did, ma¡¯am.¡± I was amazed that Lee Ji-Yeon had already guessed that some staff members had left the set halfway to brief Kim Myung-Hak about the situation. ¡°So, Myung-Hak, what will you do?¡± Under Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s pressure, Kim Myung-Hak gritted his teeth and red angrily at Park Doo-Shik. ¡°Please give me a moment. I¡¯ll sort everything out. Huff, huff.¡± Kim Myung-Hak took his time to catch his breath and said sternly as he red at Park Doo-Shik. ¡°Hey, Doo-Shik.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°You¡¯re no longer in charge of directing this shoot.¡± Kim Myung-Hak¡¯s face looked ferocious, almost demonic. ¡°But Mr. Kim! That¡¯s too harsh of a punishment!¡± Park Doo-Shik looked aggrieved at the fact that a prominent figure like Kim Myung-Hak from the samepany wasn¡¯t on his side. However, Park Doo-Shik seemed to be mistaken that a PD couldn''t be reced. A director could be reced, but an S-ss writer like Lee Ji-Yeon was irreceable. Moreover, Kim Myung-Hak¡¯s career progression would definitely be affected, should Lee Ji-Yeon move to another broadcastingpany as a result of this incident. Hence, in order to prevent Lee Ji-Yeon from moving to anotherpany and doubling her script fees, Kim Myung-Hak had no choice but to make the tough decision to kick Park Doo-Shik out of this drama. ¡°Park Doo-Shik. Can¡¯t you grasp the situation? You heard me. Why aren¡¯t you heading back to the headquarters?¡± After venting his anger, Kim Myung-Hak called over one of the other directors who came with him. ¡°Tae-Shik. Can you take over the shoot immediately?¡± ¡°Of course. I should be able to manage if you provide me with a few Assistant Directors (ADs) familiar with the set.¡± Director Jang Tae-Shik who hade along with Kim Myung-Hak responded while still beating his chest to catch his breath. Kim Myung Hak nodded and gestured at the staff still frozen on the spot. ¡°Choi Song-Hyun and Kim Sung-Woon. Can you two handle it?¡± ¡°I-I mean...¡± ¡°Can you or can you not?¡± ¡°We can, sir!¡± Being pressured and put on the spot, Choi Song-Hyun and Kim Sung-Woon quickly nodded in agreement. Kim Myung-Hak then turned to Park Doo-Shik again and warned him. ¡°Doo-Shik, this won¡¯t just end with you being kicked out of the set if you choose to not return to the headquarters now. So, what¡¯s your decision?¡± ¡°Mr. Kim. No, sunbae-nim! Thepany should support me especially in times like this...¡± ¡°Hey, Park Doo-Shik. Do you only call upon thepany¡¯s name after causing a scene like this on set? Should I call the CEO right now?¡± Kim Gyuk-Shik was the CEO of MBS. He was known to be a very rigid person and a stickler for rules, so if he were to get involved, even a manageable and small situation could blow up into something big. ¡®He surely loves to make a big deal out of things.¡¯ ¡°Damn it.¡± With his face turning red and then pale, Park Doo-Shik threw the script on the floor and headed to the parking lot. Swoosh! A4-sized pages were scattered everywhere as the script¡¯s binding came loose. Seeing the script pages scattered on the dirty floor, Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s eyebrows twitched and Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s face also turned bright red out of anger. ¡®Yikes. His career is over now.¡¯ Upon witnessing Park Doo-Shik''s reckless toss of the script, a cherished possession to the writers, it was clear that it was no longer possible for him to continue working in the drama department. After all, it was unlikely that any writers would be willing to entrust their scripts to him once news of this incident spread. ¡°Why, that jerk! Do you think the good ratings were all because of you!?¡± Kim Myung-Hak raged after peeking at Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s expression. As the startled ADs picked up the script from the floor, Kim Myung-Hak bowed politely to Lee Ji-Yeon. ¡°Oh my goodness, Ms. Lee. Please let me apologize on his behalf. I¡¯ll deal with that punk once I return to the headquarters!¡± Lee Ji-Yeon watched the retreating figure of Park Doo-Shill for a moment and let out a sigh. ¡°Myung-Hak. Now that I think about it, asking for a raise in my script fees kind of feels like I¡¯m bullying you. There¡¯s a lot of talk about bullying these days. So can we forget I ever mentioned it?¡± Kim Myung-Hak repeatedly bowed at Lee Ji-Yeon. ¡°Thank you so much, Ms. Lee.¡± ¡°Oh, stop it. I wasn¡¯t actually trying to bully you. And also...¡± ¡°Also...what?¡± Kim Myung-Hak straightened his back, eagerly awaiting Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s words. ¡°The chemistry between the lead actress and the new character is really good. So I¡¯m thinking of writing around two more episodes. What do you think?¡± ¡°W-wait. Really? But you previously declined when I begged for an extension of the drama.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t like it? Then nevermind~.¡± ¡°No, no! Who in their right mind would refuse an extended script from you, Ms. Lee?¡± Kim Myung-Hak¡¯s face brightened. Having two more episodes of a drama nearing a 20% viewership rating was a significant favor from Lee Ji-Yeon to MBS. ¡°You¡¯vee running this way for me, so I should at least save your face and offer this much, right?¡± ¡°Haha! You are the only person who truly understands me, Ms. Lee!¡± Kim Myung-Hak put his hands together and ttered Lee Ji-Yeon. ¡°Myung-Hak~. You¡¯re not funny. Hahaha.¡± Despite saying it wasn¡¯t funny, Lee Ji-Yeon had a bright smile on her face. ¡°What do you think about extending it to four more episodes and...¡± ¡°Shut~up~!¡± ¡°No, no. Nevermind. Two episodes are enough. Yes, haha.¡± ¡®Wow. he¡¯s trying to push for more even in this situation?¡¯ I admired how thick-skinned Kim Myung-Hak was. One could even say he was quite remarkable. Although he promptly backed down when Lee Ji-Yeon told him to shut up, it was rare to see someone in a high position humbling themselves so much. Kim Myung-Hak then immediately started yelling into the phone, ordering the headquarters to revise the broadcast schedule. *** ¡°Mr. Jung. Thank you for the coffee and also informing us about this situation. Ms. Lee specifically asked me to convey her thanks to you.¡± As there were many people watching, Kim Soll-Ip delivered the message to me on Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s behalf. As she handed over the empty thermos, Kim Soll-Ip took a quick look around and whispered. ¡°Also, she mentioned that Miss Yoo-Jin will appear in Episodes 25 and 26.¡± ¡®Yoo-Jin is going to appear in two more episodes?¡¯ I felt like I had received an unexpected gift. However, Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s gift didn¡¯t just end there. ¡°Also, please take this.¡± On the small note were handwritten numbers. [Writer Lee Ji-Yeon] [010-9XXX-1234] ¡°This is Ms. Lee¡¯s phone number. You can also add her on KkTalk using this number as well.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon wasn¡¯t the type to hand out her business card to just anyone. But when she took a liking to an actor, she¡¯d often make this gesture. ¡®Is she considering Yoo-Jin for her next drama?¡¯ However, there was an issue with Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s next drama. To be exact, the issue was not with the drama itself but with externalplications. Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s offer would definitely be a gift under normal circumstances, but this one was risky since we might eventually have to decline her offer for Yoo-Jin to appear in any of her uing dramas. Nheless, I decided to ept the business card politely with gratitude for now. ¡°Thank you so much, Writer Kim.¡± Kim Soll-Ip flipped her hair back and smiled. ¡°Ah, every time you call me that, it really makes me feel like a writer when I¡¯m not.¡± ¡°But you are a writer.¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t even managed to get my work on TV yet. Calling me a writer is a bit too much, hahaha.¡± Seeing Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s smile, I made a bold decision. Rather than Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s next drama, I was interested in Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s first debut drama. I quickly checked my surroundings. Yoo-Jin was in the middle of shooting and Oh Duk-Gu was on the phone. Confirming that no one was listening, I slowly opened my mouth. ¡°Um, Ms. Kim. I actually have a favor to ask you.¡± ¡°What is it? Go ahead and tell me.¡± Kim Soll-Ip said I could leave her a message if I had a request for Lee Ji-Yeon, exining that Lee Ji-Yeon was actually a quite warm-hearted and receptive person, contrary to rumors. ¡°Rather than that, I was wondering if you could consider Yoo-Jin in your debut drama.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry? Not in Ms. Lee¡¯s next drama, but...my debut drama? Are you sure you¡¯re asking the right thing?¡± Kim Soll-Ip looked genuinely surprised by my request. ¡°Yes, of course!¡± There were over 10,000 individuals preparing to be drama writers but only fewer than hundred would be given the chance to see their scripte to life as a broadcast drama series. The number of writers who be as famous as Lee Ji-Yeon could be counted on one¡¯s hand. Writers who managed to seed against all odds were those known to produce provocative and cliche drama scripts. However, Kim Soll-Ip woulde to stand out as a writer known for her meticulous and intricately woven plot, along with her witty dialogues. She would be one of the few writers to capture both high viewer ratings and the hearts of critics. ¡°You seem to be serious about this.¡± ¡°Yes, I am.¡± Kim Soll-Ip examined my expression once again. ¡°Sigh. Mr. Jung. I need a script, investors, and a slot for airing in order for my drama to debut. You might forget about me by the time my first scriptes out.¡± But that wasn¡¯t the case. Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s script was already prepared and would soon be adapted into a drama. In just a matter of days, the production schedule for SBC¡¯s The Strongest Wife set to air in April, would be canceled and Lee Ji-Yeon would take an active role in supporting Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s debut. With the help of many investors and Lee Ji-Yeon leveraging her reputation to promote Kim Soll-Ip, thetter would soon start production for her drama. Nheless, Kim Soll-Ip was unaware of this at the moment and mumbled to herself. ¡°You don¡¯t even know what I¡¯d write...¡± ¡®Ah. Was that it?¡¯ Every writer hoped for their work to be recognized. However, putting forth such a request before she even had a script seemed to make me appear a little too rash and presumptuous. I wanted to tell her that I watched Blue Sky three times in my past life, but I held myself back because she would think I was crazy if I did. Instead, I shared a fact that only she and I were privy to at the moment. ¡°I enjoyed reading Good Person.¡± Instantly, Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s smiling face turned awkward. Good Person was one of her early works, posted on Drama Work, a website for aspiring drama writers, under her pseudonym, ¡°Bluebird¡±. Kim Soll-Ip avoided my gaze with an ufortable smile and stammered. ¡°W-what is that? Haha. I¡¯m not really a good person...¡± ¡°Ms. Bluebird. Come on and be honest with me and...uff!¡± Kim Soll-Ip quickly covered my mouth with her hand. She was fairly well-known among aspiring writers, but she seemed embarrassed. ¡°Do you happen to be a member of Drama Work?¡± Unable to answer because my mouth was still covered, I nodded in response. ¡°Oh, I-I¡¯m sorry. But please promise me you won¡¯t ever tell anyone about it!¡± Kim Soll-Ip gestured with her free hand and pleaded. She removed her hand after seeing me nod vigorously once more. ¡°Huff, huff. I thought I was going to die.¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be so dramatic.¡± Flustered, the twenty-eight year old Kim Soll-Ip fanned her flushed face with her hand, but she soon let out a softughter. She looked quite cute when embarrassed. ¡°How on earth did you know Bluebird was my nickname? My curiosity will keep me up all night if you don¡¯t tell me.¡± ¡°In exchange for telling you how I found out...please help Yoo-Jin do well in the audition.¡± ¡°But you know that the casting of actors is handled by the productionpany.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not talking about that. You know there¡¯s something called a writer¡¯s rmendation, right? I¡¯m sure you¡¯d have enough influence to choose the actors you want for at least a couple of roles.¡± At that moment, Kim Soll-Ip looked at me with a dumbfounded expression. Chapter 18: First Broadcast

Chapter 18: First Broadcast

¡°Mr. Jung. I heard you were in the first year of your career.¡± ¡°Yes, It¡¯s been a year.¡± ¡°But how do you know about things like writer¡¯s rmendations?¡± I silently answered Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s question in my mind. ¡®Because I went back in time.¡¯ The truth was, a writer¡¯s rmendation wasn¡¯t anything special. Casting in a drama was decided by the productionpany, the PD, and the writer. Though lead roles were usually influenced by the investors and broadcastingpanies, a writer could, at the very least, decide who to cast for a role or two for supporting characters without auditions. Someone as influential as Lee Ji-Yeon could even push to cast a certain actor for the lead role, but she was an exception. In any case, that was what a writer¡¯s rmendation meant. Kim Soll-Ip, with her round face andrge gold-framed sses, stared at me for a moment before speaking. ¡°I can¡¯t make any promises. But once I get into production, I¡¯ll...I¡¯ll try my best. How does that sound?¡± ¡°That sounds great. Thank you so much.¡± It was best to stop pushing Kim Soll-Ip any further. Given Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting skills, having the writer express interest in her would be enough to get her casted. Moreover, expecting a firmmitment from Kim Soll-Ip was unrealistic considering her character. When I answered, Kim Soll-Ip began to pressure me this time. ¡°Now, tell me. You¡¯re making me crazy! How did you find out I¡¯m Bluebird?¡± Facing an impatient Kim Soll-Ip, I shared with her a fact that I had learned from the ¡®Celebrity Everywhere¡¯ news before I went back in time. ¡°You disclosed your email when you had a magazine interview with Ms. Lee, right? I noticed how it matched Bluebird¡¯s email.¡± Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s jaw dropped in surprise. ¡°Wow. You are really observant. You noticed that? But it would have been printed in such a tiny font in the magazine!¡± Looking dumbfounded, Kim Soll-Ip let out a sigh. ¡°This is unbelievable. Please, never mention that work anywhere else! I might just lose my sanity if that gets out.¡± The moment Kim Soll-Ip red at me with folded arms, I instinctively nodded in agreement. After all, writers were known to be very stubborn people. ¡°Oh, of course, Ms. Kim.¡± Her warning held more dread than the possibility of her not casting Yoo-Jin in her drama. She might even end up casting Yoo-Jin and then working her to the bone if I ever disclosed her identity as Bluebird. ¡®Or perhaps, she might even have Yoo-Jin¡¯s character go bald.¡¯ In fact, there was one such writer who did that to one of the actors, and that writer would be Lee Ji-Yeon. With an awkward smile, I bid farewell to Kim Soll-Ip. Then, I opened the page of the nner containing the revtion that Kim Soll-Ip was Bluebird. [Everyday V10] [Date: July 3rd, 2020] -10:00 PM (Deleted Schedule: , unveiling the actual first work of the popr writer, Kim Soll-Ip.) ¡®Ah. She must have deleted her email.¡¯ In any case, the odds of Yoo-Jin getting into Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s debut drama increased. Then, I picked up my phone once again as there was still another issue left to be addressed on the site. *** ¡°Mr. Ma. Are you really going to just stand by and watch? We need to do something!¡± Park Eun-Bin trembled angrily as she watched Jung Yoo-Jin engrossed in her acting. Park Eun-Bin, the leader of the top-tier girl group Petite More who attained the top spot right after their debut, had enjoyed an impable career till now. It was only natural for her to take this situation as an insult. Even after a tearful disy in front of her fans, things had not gone her way. She was embarrassed that Kim Myung-Hak did not even acknowledge her greetings. ¡°Hey! Just wait a moment. I¡¯m on the phone with the president right now.¡± Ma Dong-Pal frowned as he ryed the on-site situation to Kim Tae-Kwon, the president of TK Entertainment. Static. Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s expression remained serious after ending the call. ¡°The president said he spoke with the president of the MBS Drama Department.¡± ¡°So? Is there a chance of things reverting back to normal?¡± A glimmer of hope was evident on Park Eun-Bin¡¯s face, but Ma Dong-Pal vigorously shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s over. Lee Ji-Yeon submitted an extended two-episode script and Kim Gyuk-Shik drew a hard line, refusing any negotiations. ¡°What!? How can this be, considering the amount we¡¯ve invested!¡± ¡°When I mentioned the production support funds to him, he said he¡¯d return the money. What else could I say?¡± Park Eun-Bin shuddered at Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s bitter response. ¡°So you¡¯re saying I should just bow down to that dough face? Me? The renowned Park Eun-Bin?¡± ¡°Well, in exchange, he gave us the lead role in another writer¡¯s uing work. He told me not to upset Lee Ji-Yeon because the other actors might get affected as well.¡± Finding it hard to ept reality, Park Eun-Bin began to re at Ma Dong-Pal. ¡°Mr. Ma. You realize I have only one year left on my contract, right?¡± ¡°Yes, I know.¡± ¡°If you know... please take better care of me.¡± Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s face twitched. His ego was as equally bruised as that of Park Eun-Bin. ¡°When has thepany ever been neglectful of you, Eun-Bin?¡± Park Eun-Bin didn¡¯t respond. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t let this go easily. Just watch.¡± Park Eun-Bin knew better than anyone that Ma Dong-Pal always stood by his word. Only then did Park Eun-Bin smile in satisfaction. ¡°Okay, Mr. Ma.¡± *** ¡°Good job.¡± Upon reporting the on-site situation, Kang Ji-Yung rushed over to the set herself. Today, she wore not Channy, but a ck line suit from Labelle, a boutique French brand. The suit was made of ck silk with a faintly embroidered lc azalea flower in bloom. ¡®Damn. That must¡¯ve been very expensive.¡¯ As expected, Kang Ji-Yung was rich. ¡°Great work, both of you.¡± Gu Seong-Cheol came along with Kang Ji-Yung, wearing a proud fatherly smile as he patted our shoulders. ¡°Team Lead Oh, Star Jung. Both of you did great.¡± He thanked Oh Duk-Gu and me for our efficient on-site response which allowed the issue to be resolved quickly. He even praised us for handling the situation neatly. At that moment, Oh Duk-Gu seemed to have remembered something and praised Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting. ¡®Right. Come to think of it, Yoo-Jin¡¯s training issue was also on the line here.¡¯ ¡°Mr. Gu, what Yoon-Ho saw in Yoo-Jin was right. Yoo-Jin is better off practicing her acting alone without lessons. Frankly, I wonder if the coach has anything to teach her. It was like watching the golden days of renowned actress Choi Eun-Jin.¡± Oh Duk-Gu made a fuss, saying Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting wasparable to the top actress, Choi Eun-Jin, who had forty-five years of acting experience. When Gu Seong-Cheolughed, Oh Duk-Gu made a frustrated look. ¡°I¡¯m serious. The on-site staff were captivated by her acting.¡± Then, Gu Seong-Cheol raised his hand to interrupt Oh Duk-Gu. ¡°I know¡ªalthough I wasn¡¯t here to see it.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°I can tell from looking at Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon and PD Jangughing like that.¡± Gu Seong-Cheol pointed to Jang Tae-Shik, who was singing praises of Yoo-Jin. ¡°Cut~! Wow~. Fantastic~! Miss Eun-Yung, Miss Yoo-Jin, that was amazing. But could you go straight to scene 286? If yes, let¡¯s roll it in one take.¡± Yoo-Jin and Choi Eun-Yung whispered among themselves for a moment and formed an ¡°Okay¡± sign with their arms. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s shoot right away then after adjusting the lighting. Ms. Lee. Is that okay with you?¡± ¡°Why are you asking me? It¡¯s the PD¡¯s role to handle the direction on site.¡± ¡°Haha, you are right.¡± Finally seeing the scene going well, Lee Ji-Yeon smiled. Jang Tae-Shik was swiftly managing the chaotic situation and continuing the shoot. ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll treat everyone to BBQ tonight if we finish up to scene 300 before sunset! Those who want to empty my wallet, give your best! If not, just ck off!¡± The staff burst into loudughter. Jang Tae-Shik¡¯s vibrant presence at the scene was undoubtedly fitting for someone who would be one of the leading star PDs of MBS. Seeing Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s satisfied expression, Kim Myung-Hak was also broadly smiling nonstop. Taking in the whole scene, Kang Ji-Yung opened her mouth. ¡°Both of you, wait here. I¡¯ll be back soon after greeting Mr. Kim and Ms. Lee.¡± Knowing I had the support of a family-like team from Division 2 and thepetent Kang Ji-Yung, my heart felt at ease. But then a question arose¡ªwith suchpetent people around, how did Hoop Entertainment crumble under the inexperienced Kim Dong-Soo? Where did it all go wrong? When I left thepany with Kim Dong-Soo in my past life, I was unaware of thepany¡¯s detailed circumstances as I was only a newbie. It seemed like I would need to investigate each matter and uncover the clues. At that moment, my phone rang and I received a KkTalk message. Ding! [Assistant Manager Jung Sung-Ah (Finance Division): Mr. Jung. a 2 million won bonus has been deposited into your ount.] ¡®Huh? A sudden bonus?¡¯ [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: Ms. Jung. Why the sudden bonus?] [Assistant Manager Jung Sung-Ah (Finance Division): Ms. Kang said to send 1 million won for the previous matter and another 1 million won for today.] Jung Sung-Ah exined that it was a bonus in recognition of my outstanding work performance. I understood the bonus for today since I had managed the situation on-site well today, but couldn¡¯t understand why she gave me a bonus for the previous matter. ¡®Could it be that she kept her promise to give me a bonus when she was drunk?¡¯ Kang Ji-Yung¡¯s favor was making me love Hoop Entertainment even more. ¡®I wish she¡¯d give me this kind of bonus more often so I can buy some stickers, snacks, and clothes for Miso.¡¯ *** After wrapping up the shoot, Kang Ji-Yung proposed a dinner party for the entire drama productionpany. There was a three-hour dinner with the filming crew after the shoot, followed by a second round just for Hoop Entertainment¡¯s staff. It was during this celebration that I witnessed the formidable drinking habits of Kang Ji-Yung, who was dubbed ¡®barrel¡¯ due to her capacity to consume a whole barrel of alcohol on her own once she started drinking. ¡°Hey, Star Jung. Why are you taking small sips only? Be a man! Come on, let¡¯s cheers! Drink up! Drink!¡± Kang Ji-Yung yed traditional Korean beats with a tambourine,ughed, and encouraged me to drink more during the karaoke session. The ratio of the drink she made me was precisely 2 soju to 1 beer. The swirling beer foam in the ss seemed to be telling me that I would die if I drank it. When I mentioned to Kang Ji-Yung that it seemed like the ratio for the drink was reversed and maybe she got it wrong, she disagreed and insisted she made it weaker than usual. ¡°Hahaha. Drink up! You worked hard today, so you totally deserve it~.¡± Having already consumed almost a lethal amount of alcohol, I responded to Kang Ji-Yung¡¯s offer by gagging. ¡°Blegh!¡± Fortunately, Oh Duk-Gu who was beside me quickly handed me a trash can, preventing a major mistake. I almost got fired from thepany on the day I received a bonus. *** It was 10:30 PM on December 23rd. After finishing the shoot for the 24th episode, I headed to Yoo-Jin''s home as she suggested watching the first broadcast together. I noticed the gas stove in her house had been reced with an induction one, and Miso was holding a smartphone with a Powertuff Girl character phone case decorated with a sticker that read ¡®Miso Angel ? ¡¯. ¡®Great. I won¡¯t have to worry anymore.¡¯ After saving Miso¡¯s contact, she pulled my hand and led me to sit in front of the TV. ¡°Uncle Yoon-Ho, over here! The drama is starting!¡± Miso held out a cushion for me to sit on. ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°Auntie, you sit here.¡± ¡°Alright, Miso.¡± With Miso in the middle, I sat on the left and Yoo-Jin on the right as we watched Episode 21 of The Morning Takes Off. It was indeed a well-produced drama, but Park Eun-Bin¡¯s terrible acting stood out to no one¡¯s surprise. However, in thest five minutes of the episode, the atmosphere of the drama drastically changed the moment Yoo-Jin appeared. Park Eun-Bin, who had been overshadowing the lead actor¡¯s performance with her terrible acting, disappeared and Yoo-Jin took her ce. Thanks to Yoo-Jin¡¯s ability to adapt and her amazing acting, Choi Eun-Yung¡¯s performance also shone. The genuine chemistry between the actors was evident. ¡®Wait. Yoo-Jin has more screen time than I expected.¡¯ She was given not only full shots but also various mid shots and close-up shots. This amount of screen time was almost on par with a supporting lead. ¡°Oppa, why do you look like that? Was my acting too awkward?¡± Yoo-Jin asked in a worried voice. ¡°N-no. You did an amazing job.¡± ¡°Really?¡± It almost seemed like the productionpany was giving Yoo-Jin a push. ¡®Could it be that Kim Sung-Woon had something to do with this?¡¯ Miso, nestled in Yoo-Jin¡¯s arms, stared at the TV without blinking her eyes, then opened her mouth. ¡°Auntie, you are the prettiest.¡± ¡°Am I pretty?¡± ¡°Yes! Yes! You are the prettiest, auntie!¡± Yoo-Jin¡¯s face brightened. To her, Miso¡¯spliment seemed to mean more than a million others. Soon, the drama ended. Yoo-Jin appeared slightly shaken, perhaps from the emotions she felt from watching her own acting for the first time. ¡°Well? How does it feel watching your own performance?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I feel flustered. And just like you said, I feel like I could be a top actress in the future...¡± ¡®That¡¯s her first impression?¡¯ ¡°Just trust me. You¡¯re definitely going to make it big.¡± Yoo-Jin smiled and expressed her hope for that toe true. At that moment, Miso tugged at Yoo-Jin¡¯s sleeve after looking at her phone. ¡°Auntie, auntie!¡± ¡°What is it, Miso?¡± ¡°What is a live search?¡± ¡°Live search?¡± ¡°Yes! Look here! Right here. It says auntie¡¯s name is in the tenth ce of live search!¡± I couldn¡¯t hide my surprise when I saw Miso¡¯s phone screen. ¡°Already?¡± Just like Miso said, Yoo-Jin¡¯s name was in the tenth ce of Nave¡¯s live search. However, an unexpected word was attached in front of her name. Chapter 19: Showing Signs

Chapter 19: Showing Signs

Lee Yung-Sook, an intern at Burger Queen¡¯s publicity department, had originally dreamt of bing a drama writer. However, the path to bing a drama writer was challenging. She managed to be a junior writer thanks to her connections but gave up after enduring three years of drawing a 600,000 won sry per month. It wasn¡¯t just about the money, but also about the stiffpetition that she faced from university graduate writers since she was only a high school graduate. Although many hadplimented her for being naturally talented at writing, the reality was harsh. She eventually left her job as a writer and plunged into the battlefield of society. Currently, Lee Yung-Sook was interning at the publicity department of Burger Queen, which was ranked third in the burger industry. ¡°What should I do...?¡± Lee Yung-Sook shut her eyes tightly and gathered courage. She had to make her presence known as an intern if she wanted to get a contract position. Pulling out her phone, Lee Yung-Sook approached Team Lead Kim Yung-Jin, who had been frowning all morning. ¡°M-Mr. Kim. Could you please take a look at this?¡± ¡°What is it? Did youe up with a good ad copy or something?¡± Lee Yung-Sook felt as if her heart sank at Kim Yung-Jin¡¯s irritated tone. However, she couldn¡¯t back down now. She showed Kim Yung-Jin the live search rankings on Nave on her phone. [1st: Morning Takes Off] [3rd: Morning Takes Off Viewership Rating] [7th: Burger Queen¡¯s Burger Maiden Jung Yoo-Jin] [9th: Burger Queen Jung Yoo-Jin] [10th: Morning Takes Off Jung Yoo-Jin] ¡°What is this? Wait a second. Jung Yoo-Jin...? Is this that Jung Yoo-Jin?¡± Jung Yoo-Jin¡¯s name was undeniably known to all at the Burger Queen¡¯s publicity department. After all, she was the legendary part-timer responsible for a 500% increase in sales at the Cheonho-dong branch. ¡°Did she debut already?¡± ¡°Yes. She made her first appearance on TV yesterday. She¡¯s trending online and everyone¡¯s talking about her.¡± ¡°I was wondering what she was up to after disappearing for a year. She must¡¯ve been preparing to be an actress during that time, huh?¡± ¡°Yes, sir. Moreover, her first appearance was in a drama written by Lee Ji-Yeon. The viewership ratings yesterday were no joke.¡± ¡°How high were the ratings?¡± Being someone who wasn¡¯t particrly fond of dramas, Kim Yung-Jin asked without much anticipation. In response, Lee Yung-Sook zoomed in on the rating chart on her phone and showed it to Kim Yung-Jin. At that moment, Kim Yung-Jin¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Listener is at 20.1% and TNK at 20.2%? That¡¯s huge!¡± Even if he didn¡¯t care much for dramas, he was, after all, the head of the publicity department. He knew better than anyone that a drama exceeding 20% in viewership ratings was a big deal. ¡°It¡¯s a work by the renowned writer, Lee Ji-Yeon. And take a look at this. These are the hourly statistics.¡± Lee Yung-Sook continued to exin excitedly. The rating chart she showed disyed an interesting trend. The ratings remained at 19.1% until 10:50 PM but suddenly began to rise dramatically about five minutes before the episode ended. ¡°The ratings soared out of nowhere five minutes before the drama ended. Why did the graph shoot up like this?¡± ¡°Because that was when Jung Yoo-Jin made her appearance. Her acting was just amazing and...¡± Kim Yung-Jin cut off Lee Yung-Sook and questioned. ¡°Hold on. How¡¯s the traffic on our website? If Burger Queen¡¯s name has reached this ranking on the live search, there must be a reaction from people, right?¡± Lee Yung-Sook scratched the back of her head in response to Kim Yung-Jin¡¯s question. ¡°Isn¡¯t that managed by Deputy Chief Choi?¡± ¡°Oh, right. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Kim Yung-Jin momentarily forgot that Lee Yung-Sook in front of him was just an intern. He quickly sought out Deputy Chief Choi Moo-Sung and asked about the data. ¡°Well? How does it look?¡± ¡°It¡¯s increased.¡± ¡°By how much?¡± ¡°By 5%.¡± ¡°What? 5%? Why are you only telling me now?¡± ¡°Y-you had me do something else earlier...¡± A 5% increase in overall website traffic was not a small number. ¡°Could it be because of our discount event?¡± Choi Moo-Sung shook his head. ¡°No. We¡¯ve been running the discount event since the beginning of the month, remember? You said it was a failure since we didn¡¯t see any changes in the graph.¡± ¡°R-right. I remember that.¡± ¡°And do you remember saying that our current ad model, Park Eun-Bin, isn¡¯t worth the money?¡± Kim Yung-Jin awkwardly scratched the back of his head at Choi Moo-Sung¡¯s consecutive questions. ¡°Alright, alright. I remember. I¡¯m sorry, okay? Are you satisfied after hearing me apologize?¡± ¡°Yes. I feel so much better.¡± Watching Choi Moo-Sung''s refreshing bright smile, Kim Yung-Jin clenched his fist tightly. At that moment, Chief Ahn Ji-Yoon of the publicity department stormed in with a frown. With the fourth quarter¡¯s sales dropping and the imminent threat of dropping a rank in the burger industry, Burger Queen was in a critical situation. ¡°What¡¯s with all the fuss? I told you not to let your guard down just because it¡¯s the end of the year.¡± ¡°Ms. Ahn! Come here. Take a look at this. Miss Yung-Sook, update her about what you told me earlier.¡± Prompted by Kim Yung-Jin who sat Ahn Ji-Yoon down, Lee Yung-Sook tried her best to calm her racing heart and repeated what she had said earlier. After being updated on the situation, Ahn Ji-Yoon gave clear directions on the next steps. ¡°Look into changing our ad model. Jung Yoo-Jin¡¯s price might be cheap since she¡¯s only a rookie, right?¡± ¡°But what about Park Eun-Bin? Are you going to cancel our contract with her?¡± ¡°We might need to wait a bit and see people¡¯s reactions, but it seems like we should for now. How much did our sales increasepared to before and after we hired Park Eun-Bin as our ad model?¡± ¡°They didn¡¯t go up. They went down...by 7%.¡± ¡°Oh, good. So you are well aware. That means it''s even worse to continue using Park Eun-Bin as our ad model than having no model. I thought our sales might increase since she¡¯s in Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s drama, but her acting is terrible. People are saying that she acts like an AI robot. You know that, right?¡± ¡°B-but she¡¯s still popr among her fandom...¡± ¡°Fandom? Oh, it¡¯s not like there¡¯s a ton of them anyway. Even if each of them buys ten burgers a day, it won¡¯t be good enough to impact our sales.¡± ¡°Okay, I understand.¡± ¡°Um, Ms. Ahn, Mr. Kim.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Choi?¡± ¡°I just checked and the number of people essing our webpage through the app increased by 10% and order volume has also increased by 12%. There are evenments on the webpage asking if there¡¯s some kind of event happening.¡± For a moment, Ahn Ji-Yoon yelled at the top of her lungs. ¡°Call thepany right now! My goodness. Everyone will be fired if we lose Jung Yoo-Jin to anotherpany!¡± Suddenly, everyone in Burger Queen¡¯s publicity department started to scramble. ¡°Miss Yung-Sook. What are you doing? We have to report what you mentioned earlier to the president. Can you prepare the data please?¡± Ahn Ji-Yoon stared intently at Lee Yung-Sook. ¡°M-me?¡± ¡°If not, who else? Didn¡¯t you say you have experience with scriptwriting? You should be the person most familiar with dramas among us, aren¡¯t you? Sort out the statistics and everything else, and make a report right now. We¡¯ll present it to the president as soon as it¡¯s ready.¡± ¡°Oh, okay. I¡¯ll prepare it right away.¡± Lee Yung-Sook returned to her desk with anticipation and began to draft the report. Her dropping shoulders straightened at the thought of finally shaking off thebel of an intern and the possibility of bing a full-time employee. *** ¡°This is incredible.¡± Yoo-Jin¡¯s name had been on the live search rankings fromst night till this morning. The search term ¡®Burger Queen¡¯s Burger Maiden Jung Yoo-Jin,¡¯ as mentioned by Miso, briefly reached 5th ce and was currently maintaining its 7th ce. This made Yoo-Jin excited all morning and she sent me a message on KkTalk. [Lovely?Yoo-Jin]: Oh my goodness. It¡¯s just like you said, oppa. I made a ssh in one go!] [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho]: I told you so. I knew you could do it! But...I think you can achieve more fame.] [Lovely?Yoo-Jin]: Ugh. Isn¡¯t this good enough? I get it. This is nothing more than just a fleeting fame, right?] ¡®Yes...for now.¡¯ However, if this continued a few more times, she could be a well-known celebrity. To be frank, I didn¡¯t expect such a swift reaction. If the response to episode 21, which featured only a small amount of screen time for Yoo-Jin, was already going viral, I couldn''t even imagine what would ur after episode 22, where Yoo-Jin had significantly more screen time. While I was reveling in my thoughts, Yoo-Jin broached a cheeky topic. [Lovely?Yoo-Jin]: Then how about some bindaetteok[1]for encouragement today????] [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: Miss actress. Don¡¯t even think about it.] [Lovely?Yoo-Jin]: I¡¯ll only eat three. Miso has been asking for bindaetteok since morning, so she¡¯s making the batter right now. Look at this. (picture: Miso is the chef for today!_JPEG)] The recently taken photo showed Miso¡¯s tiny hands making bindaetteok batter. Then, another KkTalk message arrived. [Miso Angel?: Uncle Yoon-Ho. I want to make lots of bindaetteok for auntie.] [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: Yoo-Jin. I know this is you.] [Miso Angel?: Uh...uh. No? I¡¯m Miso, Uncle Yoon-Ho.] ¡®Hah, nice try.¡¯ There was no way Miso could send a KkTalk message while making bindaetteok batter. [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: You have no ns today, so double the workout. I¡¯ll bring a scale to check your weight before going to the set, so be prepared. Okay, Miss actress?] After that, there was no response. ¡°This girl. She¡¯s always so sneaky.¡± I rested my chin on the steering wheel of the minivan and muttered to myself as I looked at the entrance to the underground parking lot elevator. ¡°I wonder when they¡¯lle down...¡± Last night at 11 PM, I received an urgent call from Gu Seong-Cheol who shared that the talent agent of the girl group Cherry Blossom had to return to her hometown urgently for her grandfather¡¯s funeral, so they needed immediate assistance. Apparently, I was the only one avable. ¡®I remembering to help them under Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s orders in my past life.¡¯ Although the person giving me orders had changed, my nner¡¯s schedule remained the same. ording to my nner, there was a significant issue that would ur today. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 24th, 2019] -11:00 PM: Notification of budget cuts for Cherry Blossom¡¯s 3rd album production. This was the notice I would receive from Lee Gi-Cheol upon returning to thepany with Han Myung-Ho afterpleting the shoot of Idol Battle at KBC. The reason was theplete failure of all the tracks in Cherry Blossom''s second edition mini-album, which had been released two months ago. ¡°Hmm. Is there any way to prevent this...?¡± Although the cost to produce a track wasn¡¯t too high, getting a cut in the promotional budget was a significant blow¡ªbecause even if the songs were good, they could go unnoticed by the audience. ¡®I have to somehow help Cherry Blossom gain poprity so they can be ced within the top 10 live search rankings.¡¯ I thought Lee Gi-Cheol wouldn¡¯t recklessly mention cutting the album production budget as long as Cherry Blossom made it to live search rankings. While I was checking my nner for a way to boost Cherry Blossom¡¯s poprity today, a particr schedule caught my eye. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 24th, 2019] -09:30 PM Opening spot for Petite More¡¯s backstage performance coboration. ¡°Maybe there is a way.¡± In today¡¯s Idol Daejun shoot, there would be an opening spot for a coboration performance with Petite More and three other girl groups. I remembered that every girl group that performed with Petite More would make it in the top 10 in the live search rankings, given how popr Petite More was. ¡®What if I slot Cherry Blossom into that open spot?¡¯ I was certain it would be a given for Cherry Blossom to make the live search rankings. ¡®Alright. Let¡¯s get the girls into that spot somehow.¡¯ At that moment, the elevator in the underground parking lot opened and the disheveled Han Myung-Ho of Idol Division waved at me. ¡°Hello, Star Jung~.¡± His dark circles reached his chin, and his unkempt beard made him look utterly worn out. ¡°Mr. Han. You don¡¯t look so good. Are you okay?¡± ¡°Ah, that¡¯s because I only had two hours of sleep. We had an event in Haenam yesterday.¡± Until an idol group became famous, they would travel nationwide for events, trying to recoup their massive investments. Looking at Cherry Blossom¡¯s Starlex minivan that had racked up an impressive 230,000 km, I could roughly estimate how many events they had attended. There was a saying in the idol industry that even used car dealers don¡¯t buy cars from talent agents of idols, since it was no different from acquiring an aged artifact. ¡°I¡¯ll drive. Please give me the keys.¡± ¡°Oh, really? I was going to ask you if you could drive. Thanks. I¡¯ll take a short nap while you drive if that¡¯s okay.¡± With his eyes already half-closed, Han Myung-Ho handed me the keys. ¡°Don¡¯t wake me up until we arrive.¡± After fastening his seatbelt and resting his head on the headrest, Han Myung-Ho immediately fell asleep. Snore~ ¡°Wait, Mr. Han. You need to tell me the location of the amodation before you...¡± Han Myung-Ho fell asleep without even telling me the location of Cherry Blossom¡¯s amodation. ¡®Well, good thing I traveled back in time.¡¯ *** Cherry Blossom¡¯s amodation was a three-bedroom apartment about 1 km away from Hoop Entertainment near Apgujeong. The smallest room was used by the dedicated female talent agent, Lee Ju-Yung, while the remaining two rooms were shared among the members. An elderly housekeeper, Mrs. Lee Mi-Ja, was responsible for their daily needs such as preparing meals and doing theirundry. She would report to work at the apartment every day, but today was her day off. Squeak. I parked the van near the Apgujeong amodation and woke Han Myung-Ho up. ¡°Mr. Han, we are here.¡± ¡°Huh? Already?¡± Han Myung-Ho quickly sat up and looked around. ¡°Wait. Did I tell you the location of this ce?¡± ¡®Nope. Not at all.¡¯ ¡°Hmm. I must have told you seeing that we got here just fine. Let¡¯s get out.¡± My heart started to race. I let Han Myung-Ho alight first before parking the van. As I was about to follow Han Myung-Ho to the front door, a KkTalk message from Gu Seong-Cheol popped up on my phone. [Chief Gu Seong-Cheol: Yoon-Ho! Come straight to thepany after your schedule! There¡¯s an advertisement offer for Yoo-Jin!] ¡®An advertisement offer? Already?¡¯ But that wasn¡¯t the only good news. 1. A kind of korean pancakes ? Chapter 20: Cherry Blossom Today (1)

Chapter 20: Cherry Blossom Today (1)

Ding! [Writer Kim Soll-Ip: This is the first draft of Blue Sky. Fortunately, I secured a time slot where another show got canceled. Please read over the script and let me know which role you want. (Attachment: Blue Sky Script.pdf)] Good news had been pouring in continuously since this morning. ¡®Yoo-Jin¡¯s ad offer, confirmation of Blue Sky securing a time slot, and Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s offer to choose whichever role we want? Today is going to be a good day.¡¯ I wished such luck would continue for Cherry Blossom as well. ¡°Yoon-Ho! What are you doing? Hurry up.¡± I came back to my senses as Han Myung-Ho got out of the car and called out to me. ¡®Right. Let¡¯s deal with Cherry Blossom¡¯s issue first.¡¯ ¡°Yes, sir. I¡¯m on my way.¡± I quickly replied Kim Soll-Ip. [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: Thank you, Writer Kim. I¡¯ll discuss it with Yoo-Jin and get back to you in a couple of days.] [Writer Kim Soll-Ip: Okay. I feel like your constant recognition of me as a writer contributed to me bing a real writer so quickly. Anyway, please do your best and reply as soon as possible because the productionpany already identified candidates for a couple of good roles.] After replying to her, I sent the script of Blue Sky to Yoo-Jin and Gu Seong-Cheol. Then, I followed Han Myung-Ho to Cherry Blossom¡¯s amodation. *** Beep beep beep. Han Myung-Ho covered the keypad with his hand as he entered the door code. It was a habit every talent agent picked up, but I already knew that the password was 1004[1]. Yoo Eun-Ah had originally set a moreplex code which was harder to remember, like 9038. However, Kim Sae-Ri changed it, saying that 9038 was too tacky. I had no idea why she found the code tacky, but that was her view. Ding! When the door opened, Han Myung-Ho gestured for me toe in. ¡°Come on in and make sure you don¡¯t step on their shoes. If they get dirty, the girls will get incredibly upset. Apparently it¡¯s some kind of a jinx for them.¡± ¡®Oh, I am well aware of that.¡¯ Yoo Eun-Ah was especially superstitious about this. Among the members of Cherry Blossom, Yoo Eun-Ah was in charge of dance, visuals, and sub-vocal. Perhaps because she had the most introverted and shy personality, she had a habit of not speaking at all if something was not to her liking. Once, she stopped talking to the rest of the members for an entire month. Eventually, Yoo Eun-Ah would walk out of this phase in her life and ovee these challenges. I remembered her telling me she was going through a turbulent time when I asked about it in my previous life. At that moment, the door flung open and Kim Sae-Ri, dressed in blue pajamas, walked out with her eyes closed. She was the main vocalist of Cherry Blossom and also yed the role of the group¡¯s cutie. Standing at 160cm, her long legs had earned her the nickname baby long-legs. ¡°Well, this is new. You¡¯re the first to wake up ande out?¡± ¡°Um, I¡¯m still asleep~.¡± Sae-Ri shook her head with her eyes still closed in response to Han Myung-Ho¡¯s question. Looking at how one side of her hair was slightly t, she seemed to have gone to bed immediately after washing her hairst night without blow drying. Then, I noticed her pajamas had a character from Powertuff Girls. ¡®Powertuff Girls? Really? Are you sure you''re fifteen years old?¡¯ ¡°Sae-Ri. We need to get to the salon. Wake up.¡± Staggering as if she was sleepwalking, Sae-Ri slowly opened her eyes at Han Myung-Ho¡¯s words. ¡°Hmm? Who is this oppa?¡± I was grateful Kim Sae-Ri called me oppa. Han Myung-Ho introduced me in a hoarse voice. ¡°He¡¯s a temporary talent agent helping out just for today. He manages actress Jung Yoo-Jin from Actor Division 2.¡± ¡°Oh, that pretty unnie from the drama? Wow~. I¡¯m so jealous of her looks.¡± ¡®But she¡¯s pretty too. Actually, she¡¯s the cute type rather than the pretty type.¡¯ Appearing exhausted, Sae-Ri staggered over to the couch and copsed onto it. Once her head touched the cushion, she drifted back into slumber, apanied by soft snores. Despite being a girl group idol, she looked just like a vulnerable child. ¡°Sigh. What did I expect? It was my mistake hoping she¡¯d wake up in one go. Hey! Wake up you guys!¡± When Han Myung-Ho¡¯s voice echoed across the living room, the door on the opposite side opened. It was Yoo Eun-Ah. Eun-Ah peeked out from the door, looking shy and hesitant to step out, perhaps because a stranger was present. Standing tall at 173cm with a delicate figure, she looked innocent in her whitece-trimmed pajamas. Sometime in the future, she would be an actress who made waves in Korea with her bold performances, showing no concern for her public image But for now, she was just an extremely shy girl. ¡°Oh, h-hello...¡± ¡°Hey, Eun-Ah. It¡¯s okay. He¡¯s also from ourpany. His name is Jung Yoon-Ho.¡± The extremely shy and introverted Eun-Ah nodded slightly. ¡°I-I know. He¡¯s the talent agent who was on the 9 o¡¯clock news...right?¡± Han Myung-Ho let out a sigh of relief upon seeing that Eun-Ah recognized me. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s him. Introduce yourselves in advance because he¡¯s the one who will be helping out today in ce of Talent Agent Lee Ju-Yung.¡± ¡°Okay...¡± After I finished exchanging greetings with Eun-Ah, Woo Yeon-Hee, the leader of Cherry Blossom, came out of her room. ¡°Hello. Wow, you look too young to be a team lead.¡± Perhaps because she found it odd that I was wearing a suit, Woo Yeon-Hee tilted her head in curiosity. ¡°He¡¯s the talent agent temporarily helping out for today, Jung Yoon-Ho. As for the suit, he considers it his battle attire.¡± ¡°Oh, I see. It suits you well.¡± I greeted her upon Han Myung-Ho¡¯s introduction. ¡°Thank you. My name is Jung Yoon-Ho.¡± ¡°Ah, yes. And please, feel free to speak casually with me.¡± ¡°Oh, okay, Yeon-Hee.¡± ¡°Yes, oppa.¡± Woo Yeon-Hee, the oldest of the group and a lead vocalist, had slightly puffy cheeks as if she hadn¡¯t gotten enough sleepst night. Alongside Eun-Ah, Woo Yeon-Hee was one of the tallest members of the team. While Eun-Ah had a delicate figure, Woo Yeon-Hee gave off a healthy and sexy South American vibe. ¡®Wait. She¡¯s also wearing the Powertuff Girl pajamas like Kim Sae-Ri. Hers is red.¡¯ When my gaze lingered on her pajamas without realizing it, Woo Yeon-Hee blushed and started to be chatty. ¡°Oh, this is just...Sae-Ri ordered them in different colors for everyone and it seemed like a waste not to wear it! Hey, Kim Sae-Ri! Wake up. Our new talent agent is here and you¡¯re sleeping?¡± ¡°Ughhh. I don¡¯t want to. I need more sleep. Mom.¡± Woo Yeon-Hee shook Sae-Ri to wake her up, but Sae-Ri just waved her hand dismissively. They looked like a mother and a daughter. Come to think of it, Woo Yeon-Hee¡¯s nickname within the group was Mom. Finally, Yang Eun-Bi with a tomboy-like short haircut appeared while scratching the back of her head. She was wearing yellow Powertuff Girls pajamas. As the main dancer and rapper of the group, Yang Eun-Bi stood at 162 cm and was the only one in the team with a morous figure. Contrary to her youthful and cute face, her curvy figure made her stand out from the rest. ¡°Huh? Mr. Han. Who is this oppa?¡± Her huge round eyes seemed to take up half her face. At that moment, Han Myung-Ho frowned upon hearing the way Eun-Bi addressed me. ¡°Eun-Bi. You call me Mr. Han but you¡¯re calling him oppa?¡± ¡°Well, I mean...you¡¯re married now, have a bit of a belly, and are a bit older. So...¡± Han Myung-Ho found himself unable to retort as Eun-Bi listed the reasons she couldn¡¯t call him oppa. Since all the girls had gathered, I bowed my head politely and introduced myself again. After all, I would have to take care of all the members of Cherry Blossom if I wanted to assist the two members of Faithful. ¡°I¡¯ll introduce myself once again. I belong to Actor Division 2, but I¡¯ve temporarily taken up the role of your talent agent for today. My name is Jung Yoon-Ho and I look forward to working with you all.¡± When I greeted them politely, they nodded and bowed in response. ¡°Yes, us too. Please take good care of us.¡± Following the oldest Woo Yeon-Hee¡¯s greeting, the rest of the members also began to greet me. ¡°Yes~ oppa,¡± Sae-Ri answered with her eyes only half open. ¡°Let¡¯s make it a good day today!¡± Yang Eun-Bi said energetically. ¡°Thank you in advance...¡± After receiving greetings from everyone, including Eun-Ah¡¯s quiet voice, I headed toward the door and put on my shoes. ¡°Where are you going?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll have the van waiting downstairs.¡± ¡°Oh, okay. Sounds good.¡± Looking at Eun-Ah taking a step forward and taking two steps back every time she made eye contact with me, I felt like I had to leave and let herfortably use the washroom. ¡°Alright then. I¡¯ll bring the girls down in a bit. Wait downstairs.¡± I nodded and turned around with a determination to support Cherry Blossom. I never wanted to see Eun-Ah and Sae-Ri sad again. *** Like a shepherd herding his sheep, Han Myung-Ho led the girls down. Seeing each of them carrying a bag, I quickly jumped out of the car to help them. ¡°Thank you, Yoon-Ho oppa. Uh, uh oh.¡± While thanking me, Kim Sae-Ri momentarily lost her bnce and nearly fell over. Seeing this, I quickly reached out and grabbed Kim Sae-Ri. Snatch! ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t fall!¡± Kim Sae-Ri gave a bright smile while holding onto my arm. ¡°Wow~! Yoon-Ho oppa. You¡¯re so fast!¡± ¡®Yikes. She almost got hurt before the schedule even started. She hasn¡¯t changed a bit.¡¯ Kim Sae-Ri was known for being clumsy, having a poor sense of direction, and having no athletic skills. It was surprising she¡¯s in a girl group despite having all these traits. But through extensive training coupled with hard work, she managed to improve her dancing to a basic level. ¡°Sae-Ri. Seriously, be careful. You¡¯re gonna end up scraping your knee.¡± Woo Yeon-Hee rushed out in a hurry and scolded Sae-Ri as she took her by the hand. However, Sae-Ri onlyughed when being scolded. ¡°Mom~ I almost fell over.¡± Then Woo Yeon-Hee gave Sae-Ri a smack on the head. ¡°Ouch! Why did you hit me?¡± As Sae-Ri opened her eyes widely, Woo Yeon-Hee gave her a light re. ¡°Don¡¯t you remember thest time you scraped your knee and couldn¡¯t wear skirts on stage? I¡¯m still heartbroken thinking about the scar on your knee. You need to start taking care of yourself.¡± Seeing Woo Yeon-Hee genuinely heartbroken like a real mother, Sae-Ri hugged her with a remorseful expression. ¡°Aww~. Don¡¯t be mad, unnie. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Sae-Ri looked like a cicada on a tree. ¡°Oh my goodness. Honestly, this girl. Sigh.¡± The more Woo Yeon-Hee expressed her annoyance, the deeper Sae-Ri sank into Woo Yeon-Hee¡¯s arms. Eventually, Yeon-Hee softened her expression and patted Sae-Ri on the head. Then she spoke to me. ¡°Thank you, Yoon-Ho oppa. Sae-Ri is a bit clumsy as you can see.¡± ¡°Good thing she¡¯s not hurt.¡± Woo Yeon-Hee nodded her thanks and got into the van with Sae-Ri. Right behind them was Yang Eun-Bi who came running, draggin the hesitant Eun-Ah behind her. ¡°Hey, we need to hurry up. We¡¯re going to bete at this rate.¡± ¡°But...unnie.¡± ¡°What do you mean but? Come on. Get in the van quickly.¡± ¡°Okay...¡± Eun-Ah lowered her head and moved slowly as she trailed behind Yang Eun-Bi, who was noticeably shorter than her. She couldn¡¯t even look me in the eye and quickly passed by, clinging on to Yang Eun-Bi¡¯s arm. ¡®It¡¯s going to take quite a long time for her to break that habit. At least her shyness doesn¡¯t show on stage.¡¯ ¡°Come on, Yoon-Ho. Let¡¯s get in the van.¡± As the members paired up to get in the car, Han Myung-Ho gave me a piece of advice. ¡°Everyone gets along just fine, but try to have them move in pairs. Fans like seeing thisbination.¡± Indeed, Woo Yeon-Hee and Sae-Ri looked like a mother and daughter, while Yang Eun-Bi and Eun-Ah looked like a bold older sister and shy younger sister. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s hope for a good day today, Yoon-Ho. Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Once I got in the car, I looked at Han Myung-Ho and the girls, making a promise to myself in my head. ¡®I¡¯m gonna do my best to avoid the unfortunate events tonight and prevent the cancetion of their next album.¡¯ I promised to ensure Cherry Blossom¡¯s schedule today will be full of good events. *** First, we visited the hair salon to prepare for the stage. After dropping Cherry Blossom off at the hair salon, I left to buy kimbap[2] for them and returned. ¡°Here you go, girls. Eat up.¡± I handed out kimbaps to the girls who were getting their hair styled. They were at an age where two rolls of kimbap wouldn¡¯t suffice, but they each had just one roll for ate breakfast because they were on a diet. ¡®Wow. They eat true to their personalities.¡¯ Woo Yeon-Hee ate her kimbap one by one in a careful manner, while Yang Eun-Bi shoved two pieces in her mouth at once and chewed vigorously. Sae-Ri quickly swallowed after only a few chews, and Eun-Ah took her time, chewing a single piece for quite a while. Sae-Ri was the first to finish eating. She was sucking on her fingers as if she wanted more. ¡®One roll of kimbap would indeed be insufficient given her age. She should be eating more.¡¯ My heart suddenly ached at the sight. If the girls¡¯ parents saw them starving to lose weight, they might immediately tell them to leave the entertainment industry. However, I quickly shook off these thoughts. There was no room for a weak heart if I wanted to make Cherry Blossom the center of attention today. ¡®Let¡¯s be sessful, guys. You need to seed for all the hard work you¡¯re putting in.¡¯ Han Myung-Ho watched the girls finish their meals and suggested that it was now our turn to eat. But I quickly grabbed and stopped Han Myung-Ho who was about to leave. ¡°Mr. Han. Can we spend a bit more money on the girls today?¡± Han Myung-Ho tilted his head in wonder, as if he couldn¡¯t grasp the meaning behind my words. 1. 1004 reads as cheon-sa in Korean, which is a homophone for angel ? 2. Korean sushi ? Chapter 21: Cherry Blossom Today (2)

Chapter 21: Cherry Blossom Today (2)

As soon as we sat down at the table, Han Myung-Ho asked. ¡°Did you actually have a prophetic dream?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯m serious.¡± Just a moment ago, I suggested that we should spend more money at the hair salon to put more effort into Cherry Blossom¡¯s hairstyling. I told Han Myung-Ho that I had a dream where a huge dragon ascended to the sky. Upon hearing this, Han Myung-Ho reluctantly paid extra for the girls¡¯ hairstyling. In the entertainment industry, superstitions often came into y due to the frequent need for reassurance. I downed the water from my cup in a single gulp, hoping to soothe my burning throat. ¡®Ah, I feel guilty about lying.¡¯ ¡°Well, I hope your dream really means something. The pressure from thepany these days is no joke.¡± ¡°What kind of pressure?¡± ¡°...I don¡¯t know if I should be telling you this, but there¡¯s talk going around in thepany questioning the need for two girl groups. Our chief is having a hard time fending off thosements.¡± In Division 1, there was a top-tier girl group, Golden Road, whopeted against Petite More for the first ce in the idol industry. On the other hand, Cherry Blossom from Division 2 was at the very end of the B-list. Considering the ie disparity between the two teams, it was only natural for there to be talks about disbanding Cherry Blossom. But having seen Cherry Blossom in person, I had a different perspective. I had no doubt they would achieve stardom with just one hit song. ¡°To be honest, we already exceeded our salon budget for this month...If pushes to shove, I¡¯m going to support the girls with my own money. I really hope your dream can help us, Yoon-Ho.¡± Watching Han Myung-Ho scratch the back of his head, I finally understood why he had been so hesitant about spending more at the hair salon earlier.. ¡®Individuals like him deserve sess, but, more often than not, the world works in the opposite way.¡¯ In the entertainment industry, and often in the world, it was the harsher, more ruthless, and less scrupulous individuals who often thrived. ¡°I¡¯m sure my dream will help Cherry Blossom.¡± ¡®So what if I¡¯m lying about a fake dream? I¡¯m giving him hope.¡¯ As I extended both my hands, Han Myung-Ho pulled them close to his chest earnestly. ¡°Thanks, Yoon-Ho. And make sure you eat well whenever you can. There might be times when you don¡¯t get to eat at all.¡± Then Han Myung-Ho looked at the menu and began ordering food. ¡°Ma¡¯am, can we have one sundae soup[1], one pork cutlet, two rolls of kimbap, and two bowls of ramen please?¡± ¡®Oh my goodness. How many dishes is he ordering?¡¯ By the end of the meal, I was nearly bursting from eating so much. *** After finishing our meal at the restaurant, heavy snow began to fall. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s snowing.¡± ¡°It looks like a snowstorm ising. The roads might get busy soon, so let¡¯s hurry.¡± As expected, the events of December 24th were unfolding again. When I returned to the hair salon with Han Myung-Ho, the girls who had just finished their hairstyling immediately caught my eye. Woo Yeon-Hee, with her long ck hair, had a red essory that entuated her sexy image. Yang Eun-Bi sported a yellow essory, emphasizing her soft and sweet image. Eun-Ah, boasting long brown hair, wore a silver essory adorned with pearls, giving her a goddess-like aura. Sae-Ri, on the other hand, had two hairpins adorned with blue gems on the side, which added a touch of cuteness to her look. Looking in the mirror, all the girls wore bright smiles, clearly pleased with the finished look. ¡°We look good.¡± ¡°Unnie, look~! Don¡¯t I look cute?¡± ¡°Yes, you look adorable. But it seems like you¡¯ve got some kimbap stuck in your teeth...¡± Sae-Ri was taken aback upon hearing Woo Yeon-Hee¡¯s cautious words. ¡°What!? Why are you only telling me now!?¡± ¡°Because I just noticed it?¡± Yang Eun-Bi answered on Woo Yeon-Hee¡¯s behalf andughed. ¡°Ah, seriously! You are so mean, Eun-Bi unnie!¡± ¡°You should be thankful I even told you.¡± Sae-Ri puffed her cheeks angrily, but quickly looked back in the mirror and broke into a big grin again. ¡°...But that aside, I look so pretty today. Hehe.¡± It was a typical response from Sae-Ri who was always quick to forget the bad stuff and move on. Han Myung-Ho also seemed pleased to see the girls so cheerful. ¡°The salon took great care of the girls.¡± In the meantime, I captured candid moments of the girls on my phone because such photos were perfect for publicity purposes. *** Thanks to our decision to leave earlier to avoid busy traffic, we managed to arrive at the KBC building hall in Yeouido before the roads turned icy. As I hurried to the waiting room for the Idol Daejun, Han Myung-Ho gave me instructions. ¡°I¡¯m going to greet the staff and get them some coffee and donuts. Could you take the girls to their waiting rooms and ensure that they greet their sunbaes as well? You know where their rooms are, right?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve checked them out a few times before.¡± ¡°Do you know in which order you should start?¡± ¡°Come on. Of course I do.¡± ¡°Perfect. Then would you be able to handle the schedule before the performance? I¡¯m going to meet the PD and try to negotiate a deal. Even if I have to humble myself, I need to achieve something for the girls today. I¡¯m counting on your dream, Yoon-Ho.¡± He had a way of making me feel guilty. ¡°For sure, Mr. Han.¡± ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s give it our all today! Let¡¯s go!¡± Perhaps because I took the lead in managing the girls, Han Myung-Ho began to actively sought out ways to promote Cherry Blossom. The future was still uncertain, but the situation seemed to be slowly changing. Upon arriving in the waiting room, Cherry Blossom finished arranging their belongings. ¡°Yoon-Ho oppa. Are we leaving right now?¡± Woo Yeon-Hee was the first to ask. Perhaps due to the effort she had invested in her hairstyle, her confidence seemed to radiate more than ever, causing her face to shine brightly. At this rate, I thought she¡¯d make a great impression on the fans during the performance. ¡°Just a moment. Let me check the schedule first.¡± I took out my phone and once again confirmed today¡¯s agenda written in Everyday V10. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 24th, 2019] -09:30 PM Opening spot for Petite More¡¯s backstage performance coboration. -11:00 PM: Notification of budget cuts for Cherry Blossom¡¯s 3rd album production. There would be a year-end special live broadcast of the Idol Daejun today at KBC Broadcasting Station. The event was divided into two parts: the first part, starting at 8 PM, showcased second-tier idol groups. Then, from 9 PM, the top-tier idol groups would take the stage sequentially in the second part of the show, where the ratings were expected to peak. At 9:30 PM, this year¡¯s best girl group, Petite More, would perform their popr song ¡®Bling Bling¡¯ on stage in coboration with four other rookie girl groups. However, one of the groups set for the coboration performance wouldn¡¯t be able to make it due to the heavy snowfall, thereby opening up a spot for another girl group. My n was to fit Cherry Blossom in that spot. The girl group who filled the spot in my past life was called Floren, but they plummeted in poprity just a week after their debut. As soon as they gained attention and made it to the live search rankings, a scandal involving assault by their leader, Choi Ji-Yeon, emerged. However, the problem was finding a way to promote Cherry Blossom to PD Choi Eun-Hyuk, who was in charge of Idol Daejun. ¡®How should I promote them?¡¯ At that moment, the door to our waiting room opened. Looking up, I saw the four-member girl group Pink Diamonds who had debuted six months ago. ¡°Hello! We are Pink Diamonds. We look forward to working with you, Cherry Blossom sunbaes!¡± Given they were promoting a sexy image, their outfits left a considerable amount of skin exposed, revealing more than they covered. ¡®Yikes, they must be so cold in this weather.¡¯ The leader at the forefront was Gu Min-Ji, with whom I had bad blood in my past life. Of course, she wasn¡¯t a journalist but an idol at the moment. However, something seemed strange. Despite being a junior, 23-year-old Gu Min-Ji was arrogantly scanning Cherry Blossom from head to toe. ¡®What the heck? What is with that look? Even if some members of Cherry Blossom are younger than Gu Min-Ji, how could she look down on her sunbaes so tantly? Is it because Cherry Blossom ranked 48thst week while Pink Diamonds ranked 15th?¡¯ Even so, such an attitude from a rookie group was appalling. ¡°Yes, we look forward to working with you too.¡± Despite Pink Diamonds¡¯ rude gaze, Cherry Blossom still responded politely. After exchanging awkward nces, Pink Diamonds quickly turned around, as if they had finished what they came for. ¡°We¡¯re busy, so we¡¯ll be going now.¡± Even as she left, Gu Min-Ji snickered and nced at Woo Yeon-Hee. They despised Cherry Blossom so much that even the talent agent of TK Entertainment didn''t step into the waiting room. ¡®Wow. It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯d seen such tant disregard.¡¯ Click. When the door closed, Sae-Ri began to grumble out of anger. ¡°Seriously, why is Pink Diamonds always like that? Yeon-Hee unnie, you should have said something to them. Why do you always hold back?¡± ¡®How ironic for her to say that, given that she remained silent. It was a perfect example of all talk and no action.¡¯ ¡°Oh,e on. It¡¯s not the first time Min-Ji unnie acted this way. You still haven¡¯t gotten used to it?¡± Woo Yeon-Hee said as sheughed awkwardly. This was a scene I hadn¡¯t witnessed when I had brought Cherry Blossom here in my past life. Back then, I was busy running errands for Team Lead Park Eun-Cheol, not Han Myung-Ho. But now that I saw this, I couldn¡¯t just let it slide. Every piece of information was crucial for changing the future. ¡°Oppa. We should go greet the sunbaes as well.¡± Woo Yeon-Hee urged me with a bitter expression, while she tried to calm Sae-Ri down. But I stopped Woo Yeon-Hee. ¡°What is it? Do you guys have some history with Pink Diamonds or something? What happened?¡± Even in a world dominated by poprity, hoobae tantly ignoring sunbae like this wasn¡¯tmon. ¡°Unnie! Tell him! Come on!¡± When Sae-Ri urged her, Woo Yeon-Hee let out a deep sigh and exined what happened in the past. *** ¡°...So that¡¯s what happened, huh?¡± Apparently, Gu Min-Ji used to be a trainee at Hoop Entertainment at the same time as Jang Eun-Yung, the leader of Golden Road¡ªHoop Entertainment¡¯s ace girl group. She then transferred to TK Entertainment to seize an opportunity to debut. In other words, although Cherry Blossom debuted earlier, Gu Min-Ji became a trainee at Hoop Entertainment before they did. ¡°So you¡¯re saying that Gu Min-Ji is a sunbae to you guys in terms of being a trainee at Hoop Entertainment?¡± Today was the first time I learned that Gu Min-Ji was once with Hoop Entertainment because I wasn¡¯t well informed of the history of the idol industry. Apparently, Gu Min-Ji was only with Hoop Entertainment for about six months. ¡®That¡¯s barely any time at all. I can¡¯t believe she is being so rude just because she¡¯s a sunbae in terms of trainee years. This is just ridiculous.¡¯ I tried to suppress my anger and asked. ¡°Don''t you know that seniority in the idol industry is determined by the duration since your debut?¡± Woo Yeon-Hee shook her head at my question. ¡°I know.¡± ¡°Then why would you let her treat you like that? You should say something.¡± I still couldn¡¯t understand her actions. ¡®Was she being too kind-hearted? How does she intend to survive in this cutthroat entertainment industry with that naive attitude?¡¯ ¡°Well...I mean...it¡¯s because...we are not popr. Furthermore, they are from TK Entertainment, which means they are wealthy. We have no choice but to endure their mistreatment.¡± It sounded as if they had to put up with these bullies simply because they were from a less privileged background. The absurdity almost made me burst intoughter. ¡°Wait a minute. Why should you endure that? Regardless of how big TK Entertainment is, they shouldn¡¯t look down on Hoop Entertainment. ¡° ¡®Why is a mere 21-year-old girl worrying about things a talent agent should be concerned with?¡¯ From my experience, such behavior usually stemmed from something someone had said. ¡®But there was no way Han Myung-Ho would¡¯ve said anything like that to the girls.¡¯ ¡°Oppa, we arete. We might bete for rehearsal...¡± I shut the door of the waiting room so no one could exit or enter. ¡°Tell me everything that happened and don¡¯t leave a single part out!¡± I felt anxious and a pressing need to get to the bottom of the matter. Considering the fact that Yang Eun-Bi, who was usually the voice of reason, remained silent, and even the typically carefree Sae-Ri appeared cautious, it was clear that there was something I wasn''t aware of. Eun-Bi and Sae-Ri held onto the hands of the hesitant Woo Yeon-Hee by her side. ¡°Unnie, tell him.¡± ¡°Come on, let¡¯s tell him. Okay?¡± ¡°Unnie...¡± Finally, after exchanging nces with the group members, Woo Yeon-Hee mustered her courage to tell me the truth. ¡°The truth is...¡± 1. Korean blood sausage soup ? Chapter 22: Cherry Blossom Today (3)

Chapter 22: Cherry Blossom Today (3)

When Woo Yeon-Hee finished her brief story, I was absolutely stunned. ¡®I can¡¯t believe that the person who stomped on their confidence is from our ownpany.¡¯ ¡°So, Chief Park Han-Cheol from Division 1 told you guys to know your ce just because youcked poprity? No way! Why would he speak that way to the singers from Division 2 when he works in Division1?¡± Yang Eun-Bi, who had been quietly listening to Woo Yeon-Hee¡¯s story,ined with a bitter expression. ¡°I mean, he¡¯s not entirely wrong. In the entertainment industry, you are considered worthless if you aren¡¯t popr. We didn¡¯t speak up as we didn¡¯t want to cause bad rumors about Hoop Entertainment and implicate Golden Road sunbae-nim.¡± At that moment, my earlier suspicions were confirmed¡ªthose who weren¡¯t part of the Suhyaejong line in Hoop Entertainment were being trampled on. ¡®Is Kang Ji-Yung unaware of this? Doesn¡¯t Kang Gam-Chan know about this situation, especially given his 30-year career in the industry?¡¯ But I couldn¡¯t confront them directly because I had no idea what either of them were thinking. However, I couldn¡¯t sit back and do nothing about it when I know about this now. ¡°You haven¡¯t told Mr. Han this, have you?¡± Woo Yeon-Hee shook her head. ¡°I thought...if I told him, Mr. Han might go to Division 1 to confront Mr. Park immediately, considering his temper. You know how he is. Once he¡¯s enraged, there¡¯s no holding him back.¡± Sae-Ri sat next to Woo Yeon-Hee and added as she clenched her fist tightly. ¡°That¡¯s why we decided to wait till we be popr and then get back at him! But...¡± I quickly picked up where Sae-Ri left off and continued. ¡°But you couldn¡¯t get back at him because you couldn¡¯t get popr?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s it!¡± Sae-Ri eximed with a bright expression and pped her hands. Sae-Ri said she was angry and wanted to speak up, yet she had no choice but to hold back because of Woo Yeon-Hee and the others. She was concerned that she mighte off as insolent as she was the youngest of the group, and this in turn would reflect badly on the entire group. ¡®Well done, Kim Sae-Ri.¡¯¡® Once she started speaking, she poured out all the past grievances. I felt a surge of anger building up within me. Talent agents and agencies were supposed to help these celebrities gain poprity or at least make money. Instead, they made such terriblements that hurt the morale of the idols of their ownpany. ¡®Those...damn bastards.¡¯ I felt my heart rate increasing rapidly, but I suppressed my emotions and stepped away from the door. Then, I looked at the girls and opened my mouth. ¡°Thanks for letting me know. It gave me much more rity on what to do. But you should have told us about it earlier. I¡¯ll discuss it with Mr. Han and make sure he doesn¡¯t lose his temper. It seems like he¡¯s been overeating because of stress...He¡¯s been really worried about you guys.¡± ¡°Um...he recently lost about 10 kg...¡± ¡®Oh, well that was a slip of the tongue.¡¯ ¡°Ahem. Is that so? Just pretend you didn¡¯t hear what I said.¡± ¡°Hehe, okay.¡± ¡®I did wonder if he had slimmed down a bit before, and I now suppose he actually did.¡¯ Woo Yeon-Hee tilted her head and said she feltfortable confiding in me for some reason. ¡°Thank you. I mean it.¡± I felt a warm flutter in my heart. Cherry Blossom cleared their throat awkwardly and smiled. ¡°We should be the ones thanking you. Thank you for listening. And we¡¯ll talk to Mr. Han about it ourselves. You¡¯re right, oppa. We should¡¯ve told him earlier.¡± Woo Yeon-Hee seemed relieved. ¡°...Thank you...Yoon-Ho oppa.¡± This time, Sae-Ri thanked me sincerely without cracking any jokes. ¡°No problem. But make sure you contact me if it looks like Mr. Han is about to lose his temper, okay?¡± All four members of Cherry Blossom nodded. But perhaps it was the anger that had cleared my mind, a strategy to appeal to PD Choi Eun-Hyuk suddenly formed in my thoughts. ¡°Wait. Before we greet the sunbae idols in their waiting rooms, shall we warm up a bit?¡± ¡°Huh? What do you mean by warm up?¡± ¡°You know that song ¡®Bling Bling¡¯ by Petite More. Can you dance to that? Every idol is covering ¡®Bling Bling¡¯ these days, aren¡¯t they?¡± Sae-Ri quickly raised her hand and nodded. ¡°Yes. I can totally dance to that song.¡± ¡®Nice, Sae-Ri! I¡¯m so proud of you. Though being able to dance to the most popr song by another group is not something to boast about when she always messes up her own choreography...¡¯ But Woo Yeon-Hee tilted her head in wonder, unsure of my request for them to dance to Petite More¡¯s song. At that moment, Yang Eun-Bi spoke up. ¡°Yoon-Ho oppa. You¡¯re nning to film it for our promotion, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡®Wow. She¡¯s sharp....although it might not be the promotion she¡¯s thinking of.¡¯ ¡°Yes. I want to film a video of you all for some promotion.¡± Only then did Woo Yeon-Hee nod in agreement, prompting the other members to do so as well. Woo Yeon-Hee was indeed the leader of the group. ¡°Alright. Just a moment.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± I searched for the apanying background music on MeTube and began to prepare to take a video. While the other members waited for me to set up, Kim Sae-Ri sang and danced continuously, unable to contain her excitement. ¡°Sae-Ri. Stay still for just a moment.¡± ¡°Bling Bling~.¡± Despite Woo Yeon-Hee¡¯s nagging, Sae-Ri kept singing ¡®Bling Bling¡¯ and moved her body. Eun-Ah also snapped her fingers to the beat, getting caught up in the mood. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ve finished setting up. Let¡¯s take a video.¡± ¡°Kim Sae-Ri. Stop dancing by yourself ande over here. We need to get the formation right for the video.¡± ¡°Yes, Mom.¡± Sae-Ri stopped dancing and walked briskly to stand on the right of Woo Yeon-Hee, while Yang Eun-Bi took her ce on the left. ¡°Eun-Ah. Come here.¡± The hesitant Eun-Ah also moved to her designated position. This was the starting formation for ¡®Bling Bling¡¯. ¡°Okay. We¡¯re all set. Shall we begin?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± I yed the music apaniment of ¡®Bling Bling¡¯ on my Gxia Note 10 and started recording. Taking their positions, Cherry Blossom began to dance. But as soon as the girls started dancing, my eyes widened. ¡®What is this? Did Sae-Ri just spin twice in front of my eyes?¡¯ I couldn¡¯t believe that Sae-Ri, known for being clumsy, could dance this well. She even danced better to ¡®Bling Bling¡¯ than ¡®Pretty Pretty¡¯, a song from Cherry Blossom¡¯s second album. The way she bopped her head to the beat at the perfect timing was like watching art in motion. And then came the highlight of the choreography where there were rapid hand and foot movements. ¡°Bling~Bling~ When I see you, my heart flutters~.¡± I was at a loss for words. ¡®Their dance is perfectly in sync.¡¯ There was no better way to describe it. Despite having two tall members and two shorter ones, their formation and movements were perfectly synchronized. They were dancing better than their own song¡¯s choreography. ¡®Oh my goodness. How much did they practice for this song?¡¯ Cherry Blossom outperformed Petite More, the original performers of this song. ¡®This will work. This will definitely get attention for sure.¡¯ Now, all that was left to do was persuade Choi Eun-Hyuk. *** Watching the girls catch their breath in silence after their exceptional performance, I couldn''t help but give them a heartfelt thumbs-up. Their dance was simply phenomenal. ¡°Wow...when did you guys even...¡± Yang Eun-Bi wiped the sweat off her forehead and opened her mouth. ¡°When did we practice so much?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°We practiced covering other girl groups¡¯ songs in our spare time. It was too boring to just dance on our own. Moreover, you¡¯ll never know when we might be asked to dance to popr choreography on a broadcast.¡± ¡°Whose idea was it?¡± ¡°Me! It was my idea!¡± Sae-Ri quickly raised her hand. ¡®But she¡¯s notorious for her poor dancing and only known for her childish dances even after her solo debut.¡¯ ¡°Sae-Ri. Didn¡¯t you have trouble with dancing? How did you have the guts toe up with such an idea?¡± Sae-Ri puffed up her cheeks in annoyance. ¡°It¡¯s not about guts. I can dance really well. You have no idea.¡± At that moment, Eun-Ah burst intoughter. ¡°Huh? Eun-Ah unnie. What are youughing about?¡± ¡°I-I didn¡¯tugh...¡± ¡°You totally did.¡± As Sae-Ri grumbled on, Eun-Ah gave a sheepish look. Then, Yang Eun-Bi exined on behalf of Sae-Ri. ¡°Yoon-Ho oppa. Don¡¯t listen to Sae-Ri. She practiced this song to death for her audition. She¡¯s not great at other choreographies. She even forgets our own choreography all the time.¡± ¡°Hey! That¡¯s not true!¡± ¡°It is. You messed up the choreography at the event yesterday.¡± ¡°Well, that...that was just a mistake!¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± As Sae-Ri continued toin, Woo Yeon-Hee approached her and took her hand tofort her. ¡°Don¡¯t say that. Sae-Ri is an amazing dancer~.¡± ¡°Right? I¡¯m good at dancing.¡± ¡°Yes, you¡¯re right.¡± As Woo Yeon-Hee consoled her, Sae-Ri pouted and snuggled into Woo Yeon-Hee¡¯s arms, before sticking her tongue out yfully at Eun-Bi. ¡®Well, I suppose she¡¯s still a fifteen year old child.¡¯ Anyway, I had amazing content to show the PD to promote Cherry Blossom. With this synchronized dance, their appeal was guaranteed to be through the roof. ¡°Alright. Shall we go?¡± ¡°Okay!¡± The girls wiped off their perspiration and appeared refreshed after sharing their secret. *** By the time we reached the fifth waiting room to greet the sunbae idols, the public TV in the hallway was broadcasting news about heavy snowfall. -Heavy snowfall in the mountainous regions of Jeju has resulted in the suspension of takeoffs andndings at Jeju Airport... Looking at the unchanged nner, I entered the waiting room and began greeting the sunbae idols with Cherry Blossom. ¡°Hello! We are Cherry Blossom, fluttering like the spring breeze of April.¡± Surprisingly, the reaction was much better than I expected¡ªnot for Cherry Blossom but for me. ¡°Hahaha. The talent agent looks the prettiest.¡± ¡°Hahaha. You¡¯re Team Lead Ju Yung-Hoon¡¯s hoobae, aren¡¯t you? Do it again. Let¡¯s film this.¡± ¡°Oh, alright. Keep up the good work.¡± ¡°My goodness. You¡¯re working so hard~.¡± Everyone in the waiting room teased me and joked that I was the fifth member of Cherry Blossom. But at least Cherry Blossom left a strong impression. We only had two more waiting rooms to visit. But at that moment, I saw Choi Eun-Hyuk PD of Idol Daejun heading toward the emergency exit of the waiting room hallway with a serious expression. ¡®What should I do?¡¯ Upon seeing Choi Eun-Hyuk, Cherry Blossom stopped their greeting mid-way and just bowed slightly. Not noticing us, Choi Eun-Hyuk continued to yell into his phone. ¡°Hey, Chief Kim! What are you talking about? There¡¯s a breaking news report about heavy snow and strong winds in Jeju right now. There¡¯s no way the ne would take off! What? A motorboat, you say? Have you lost your mind? Is it your n to get your idol killed and make the 9 o¡¯clock news? Don¡¯t even think of involving me in this absurd n of yours!¡± Choi Eun-Hyuk¡¯s angry voice echoed loudly in the waiting room hallway. ¡°Ugh, seriously. Stop talking nonsense, will you? If the ne can¡¯t take off, how can a helicopter? If you can¡¯t get to Gimpo Airport by 6 PM, this isn¡¯t going to work. Hey! Stop saying that! You know it¡¯s impossible!¡± While still on the call, Choi Eun-Hyuk opened the emergency door at the end of the hallway and pulled out a cigarette from his right pocket. ¡°Sigh~. Let¡¯s hang up for now and talk about itter.¡± Creak. The emergency door was slowly closing. I considered following Choi Eun-Hyuk, but couldn¡¯t do so as I was guiding Cherry Blossom. First, I needed to finish the greetings in the waiting room and then meet up with Choi Eun-Hyuk. I was certain that Choi Eun-Hyuk was expecting Irene[1] to not make it for the uing performance, so it was crucial to meet him and start exploring fitting Cherry Blossom in their spot as soon as possible. Thump, thump, thump. At that moment, I could see arge man rushing toward the emergency exit in heavy but swift steps. It was Team Lead Kang Hyee-Dong from CNS Entertainment who managed idol group Floren. Despite weighing over 100 kg, he seemed to be very agile in chasing after Choi Eun-Hyuk. Kang Hyee-Dong used to be a wrestler in the past and was now known for hispetence in the talent agent industry. ¡®No way. Could it be? Has he already started on his n to get Floren into that spot?¡¯ From what I remembered, he was always a man of swift actions. But I didn¡¯t expect him to take action immediately after the breaking news. ¡°Yoon-Ho oppa. Why are you in deep thought? We still have more people to greet~.¡± We were only left with two sunbae groups¡¯ waiting rooms to visit. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s wrap up the greetings for each group in a minute and head back for some rest.¡± ¡°Okay oppa~.¡± Cherry Blossom looked at me like meerkats and followed closely behind like ducklings. My heart started pounding again. ¡®I hope Choi Eun-Hyuk is still there after we finish visiting the waiting rooms...¡¯ 1. Girl group ? Chapter 23: Cherry Blossom Today (4)

Chapter 23: Cherry Blossom Today (4)

The greetings took over five minutes which was way longer than expected. As we rushed back to the waiting room, Sae-Ri hurriedly followed from behind andined that her leg hurt. ¡°Yoon-Ho oppa, I think I pulled my hamstring. It feels like it¡¯s torn!¡± Although she mentioned the word hamstring, she was rubbing her calf. ¡®That¡¯s not where the hamstring is, Sae-Ri.¡¯ ¡°Sae-Ri. That¡¯s not where the hamstring is.¡± Upon Yang Eun-Bi¡¯s logical response, Sae-Ri shot her a sharp nce. ¡°I know!¡± ¡®Sae-Ri. If you know where the hamstring is, why is your hand behind your knee this time?¡¯ ¡°You most certainly don¡¯t~.¡± When Yang Eun-Biughed, Sae-Ri stomped her foot to express her frustration. Her leg seemedpletely fine, and her hamstring far from being torn. ¡°Hmph! Why do you always act like you know everything, unnie?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t. How can anyone know everything?¡± Even though Sae-Ri was pouting, she was no match for the logical Yang Eun-Bi. However, calming Sae-Ri down was the priority. ¡°Sae-Ri. Why does it matter where the hamstring is? You¡¯re fine as long as it¡¯s not torn. Anyway, I¡¯ll buy you some pain relief patchester. Let¡¯s go inside for now.¡± ¡°Right? It just needs to stay attached and that¡¯s all that matters. And please buy the scentless patches!¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Sae-Ri¡¯s face brightened as if she had found an ally. Yang Eun-Bi shook her head, indifferent to the matter. Thankfully, we finally arrived at our only sanctuary in the broadcasting station¡ªthe waiting room. I felt relieved. ¡°Guys, I¡¯ll be right back. I¡¯m going to the...¡± I was about to say I was heading to the washroom. However, the door opened and Lee Dong-Min, the chief of Singer Division 2, appeared in a sharply tailored suit and a 24K gold chain. ¡°Oh? Mr. Lee. You¡¯re here!¡± ¡°It¡¯s our dear chief~.¡± ¡°Haha, yes, yes. How¡¯s everyone doing today?¡± ¡°We are doing good, Mr. Lee.¡± Lee Dong-Min exchanged enthusiastic high-fives and greetings with Cherry Blossom. He was once a famous producer, but now he only yed a management role. ¡°Hello, Mr. Lee.¡± Lee Dong-Min, who was joking around with Sae-Ri while holding hands with her, turned to me when I greeted him. ¡°Oh! I heard someone from the Actor Division 2 wasing to help today, but I didn¡¯t think it would be you, Star Jung. Thanks for the hard work. These kiddos aren¡¯t bothering you, are they?¡± Lee Dong-Min said as he winked. Thanks to his congeniality and friendliness, he was well-liked by everyone in thepany. ¡°Excuse me, Mr. Han. Is it okay if I step out for a moment?¡± Seeing my urgent expression, Lee Dong-Min nodded. ¡°Haha, you seem urgent. Go ahead.¡± ¡°Thank you, sir.¡± I gave a quick bow to Lee Dong-Min and rushed toward the emergency exit where Choi Eun-Hyuk was. *** ¡°Mr. Choi. Our group Floren can fill that vacant spot immediately. You¡¯ve seen our girls on Radio Big Fun dancing to ¡®Bling Bling¡¯, haven¡¯t you? The crowds loved them. Do you remember?¡± ¡°True. The members of Floren are all tall which makes their dance appealing.¡± Upon carefully opening the door, I was relieved to see that the two were still in conversation. The girl group, Floren, from CNS Entertainment, was famous for their good performances as all members were over 170cm tall. Moreover, they had once showcased their dance moves for ¡®Bling Bling¡¯ on MBS¡¯ variety show Radio Big Fun. Even if a scandal about a member of Floren being involved in school bullying were to surface a weekter, that card wasn¡¯t on the table right now. Under Kang Hyee-Dong¡¯s persistent persuasion, Choi Eun-Hyuk seemed increasingly inclined to ept his suggestion. This was why timing was so important¡ªbut until they set foot on stage, I still had a chance. As I nervously waited for my turn with sweaty palms, Choi Eun-Hyuk suddenly spoke out of the blue. ¡°I¡¯ll keep it in mind for now. If you decide to ept my proposal, please call me right away.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll contact thepany and get back to you within two hours. No, I¡¯ll get back to you within an hour.¡± A look of dismay was evident on Kang Hyee-Dong¡¯s face. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s talk again then.¡± ¡®Proposal, huh? Does that mean there are conditions attached?¡¯ Choi Eun-Hyuk wasn¡¯t the type to ept bribes and ruin his reputation since he had already climbed the careerdder. This meant there was only one possibility left¡ªa guest appearance request. At that moment, several of Choi Eun-Hyuk¡¯s programs came to mind. Currently being a PD for KBC¡¯s music show Music Stage, he would also branch into variety shows next month onwards. ¡®Wait a minute. Then...¡¯ I quickly checked my nner and looked up the viewership ratings for the variety show that would be managed by Choi Eun-Hyuk. [Everyday V10] [Date: April 24th, 2020] -10:05 PM: KBC MusicLand First Broadcast Viewership Ratings 9.5% ¡®Here it is.¡¯ I had never been so thankful for diligently noting down the viewership ratings of various shows in my nner in my previous life. With its debut broadcast on a Friday evening achieving 9.5% in viewership ratings, the show would be a massive sess. Since they always featured a girl group as guests, I figured they must be recruiting a group to feature right now. While Choi Eun-Hyuk might be using this condition as a leverage to boost the uncertain viewership ratings of the show, it was an offer good enough for me to ept. ¡®I¡¯m definitely in.¡¯ After making up my mind to ept the offer, I patiently waited for Choi Eun-Hyuk to enter the hallway. When Kang Hyee-Dong made a call somewhere else, Choi Eun-Hyuk put out his cigarette and entered the hallway. Creak. When the door leading to the waiting room hallway opened, I greeted Choi Eun-Hyuk with a bright smile. ¡°Hello, Mr. Choi Eun-Hyuk. I¡¯m with Cherry Blossom from Hoop Entertainment. Please look favorably upon our girls.¡± ¡°Ah, yes. I¡¯m a bit busy right now.¡± Choi Eun-Hyuk seemed uninterested and looked like he had no intention to engage in a conversation. Then, I vaguely recalled that Choi Eun-Hyuk was acquainted with Lee Dong-Min. Without much thought, I name dropped Lee Dong-Min in order to catch his attention. ¡°I¡¯ve heard a lot about you from Mr. Lee Dong-Min. I hope for your kind consideration.¡± Choi Eun-Hyuk, who was about to walk past me, stopped. ¡°You heard about me from Dong-Min hyung?¡± ¡®Yes! I hit the mark. But Dong-Min hyung? Were they that close?¡¯ I hadn¡¯t known that, but I persisted and went on. ¡°Mr. Lee told me to pay special attention when meeting you, Mr. Choi.¡± As I kept mentioning Lee Dong-Min¡¯s name, Choi Eun-Hyuk chuckled. ¡°Dong-Min hyung isn¡¯t the type to speak so highly of me. Didn¡¯t he badmouth me or something?¡± ¡°Not at all. You know Mr. Lee isn¡¯t the type to badmouth anyone.¡± ¡°Well,e to think of it, it¡¯s been a while since I saw Dong-Min hyung. He hasn¡¯t even answered my callstely...¡± Lee Dong-Min didn¡¯t seem to be busy when I saw him a moment ago, but I didn¡¯t bother telling Choi Eun-Hyuk that. Given that the atmosphere was cordial, I got straight to the point after a brief greeting. ¡°Mr. Choi, I apologize...but I overheard your conversation with Mr. Kang Hyee-Dong just a moment ago.¡± The smile on Choi Eun-Hyuk¡¯s face began to fade into displeasure. ¡°Ah, I should be more careful. It was my mistake. Please don¡¯t talk about it anywhere else and forget what I said.¡± I immediately held out my phone and opened my mouth. ¡°Mr. Choi. If there¡¯s an opening, I¡¯d be grateful if you could consider Cherry Blossom as well.¡± I gave a deep bow before ying the recorded video in full screen. The brightness was turned up to the max but the sound was kept low. ¡°Bling Bling~.¡± The video of Cherry Blossom¡¯s dance was disyed on my smartphone screen. Soon, Choi Eun-Hyuk¡¯s face became serious after watching the video. His eyes were fixed on my phone for a long while. ¡®Ah, my back hurts so much.¡¯ After a while, the video ended. ¡°Huh! Has Cherry Blossom always been this good?¡± As words of admiration came out of Choi Eun-Hyuk¡¯s mouth, I straightened my back, which was hurting. However, upon hearing hispliments, my expression was brighter than ever. ¡°This is just a rehearsal. They can do so much better once they warm up a little. If you give us a chance, we promise to fill the void left by Irene.¡± This wasn¡¯t the time to be humble¡ªI had to show confidence. Choi Eun-Hyuk sneaked a nce toward the emergency exit of the hallway he entered from earlier. He seemed to be checking if Kang Hyee-Dong wasing. ¡°Hmm. You¡¯re not wrong. But I also have to consider the reputation of those who approached me first, so...¡± Choi Eun-Hyuk looked conflicted and struggled to make a decision. He seemed to be expecting something from me, but I couldn¡¯t tell what he wanted. ¡®I think I know what he wants, but that¡¯s only a guess...¡¯ After a brief silence, Choi Eun-Hyuk finally opened his mouth with difficulty. ¡°Why don¡¯t we do this? I¡¯m actually preparing for a new show, and...¡± My guess was right. *** The cost of managing a single idol group surpassed the imagination of ordinary people. Excluding the expenses for song and dance production, there were expenses for clothing, food, amodation, training, salons, dermatologists, additional staff to put them on stage, and many more. Even if a group only had four members, a minimum of 50 million won was spent each month. Despite these challenges, even smallpanies dived into the idol business because if just one song became popr, the returns on investment could be dozens of times the initial cost. It was truly a high added-value business. If the idol groups were to achieve resounding sess, they could earn an unbelievable amount of money. In other words, it was no different from winning the lottery. However, the reality was that many of those who dived into this business barely broke even, let alone achieve grand sess. Yet, Choi Eun-Hyuk was proposing to block an entire day of Cherry Blossom¡¯s schedule. Most agencies were sensitive about dedicating an idol group¡¯s time to a regr schedule as they were already busy with events and trying to reduce deficits. Moreover, Choi Eun-Hyuk¡¯s new variety show wasn¡¯t even guaranteed sess. ¡°As the producer of a music show, I can simply fill a slot with just any group if I want. But Cherry Blossom meets my standard, hence the proposal. What do you think? If you promise a six-month fixed appearance on my new show, I¡¯ll set up the stage immediately.¡± I wanted to answer yes right away, but unfortunately, this wasn¡¯t my decision to make. ¡°I will discuss it with thepany and get back to you immediately. Please wait just ten minutes.¡± ¡°...Wait. The team lead doesn¡¯t have the authority to make that decision?¡± Choi Eun-Hyuk frowned and seemed taken aback, perhaps because he mistook me for a team lead as I was wearing a suit. ¡®But his words are inconsistent. Didn¡¯t he say he would wait for Kang Hyee-Dong earlier?¡¯ It was then that I formally introduced myself and handed him my business card. ¡°My name is Jung Yoon-Ho, a talent agent at Hoop Entertainment.¡± ¡°Hmm...¡± Receiving my business card, Choi Eun-Hyuk started to look at the card and my face. ¡°You¡¯re kidding.¡± ¡°I¡¯m in my first year of my career, sir.¡± Choi Eun-Hyuk looked shocked by my response. ¡°How can a first-year be so bold? Ah, really. What to do with this...¡± Had Cherry Blossom not caught his eye, he would have probably just berated me. Of course, if that had been the case, I would have approached things a little different. As Choi Eun-Hyuk contemted, I yed my trump card once more¡ªmentioning Lee Dong-Min. ¡°Mr. Choi. Mr. Lee is currently in the waiting room right now.¡± Only then did Choi Eun-Hyuk¡¯s expression soften. ¡°Hahaha, you sure know how to pull the strings. But I need to check the stage preparations now, so please tell him let¡¯s meet in Section B in thirty minutes.¡± Choi Eun-Hyuk¡¯s phone had been blowing up with calls searching for him. But thanks to that, I was given time to persuade Lee Dong-Min. ¡°Yes, sir. I¡¯ll see you shortly.¡± After Choi Eun-Hyuk disappeared from my sight, I headed to the waiting room to persuade Lee Dong-Min. *** ¡°...A fixed appearance?¡± Leaving the Cherry Blossom members in the waiting room, I stepped out into the hallway with Lee Dong-Min and Han Myung-Ho to discuss the proposal. We spoke in hushed tones, wary of eavesdroppers. ¡°Yes, sir. I understand we typically don¡¯t ept a fixed appearance request for a mere backstage performance without financialpensation. But aside from local events, Cherry Blossom doesn¡¯t have any special schedules, right? If they make regr appearances on a KBC variety show, people will start recognizing them. Their fees for events will naturally rise.¡± Promising the sess of the show to people uncertain about the future seemed like an impossible task. On the other hand, arguing that increased recognition could lead to higher fees was more convincing. Upon my earnest plea, Lee Dong-Min turned to Han Myung-Ho and asked. ¡°Chief Han. What do you think about what Yoon-Ho said?¡± Han Myung-Ho hesitated for a moment before finally opening his mouth. Chapter 24: Flowers Bloom Even in Winter (1)

Chapter 24: Flowers Bloom Even in Winter (1)

¡°It seems like a good idea. Even though the recording would take up a full day, our schedules are rtively light until the college festival season begins in April when the flowers bloom. That said, it might be tough in the long run, but I¡¯m sure we could manage for about three months.¡± Han Myung-Ho said that there shouldn¡¯t be any problems if the recording is limited to just one day a week. ¡°Hmm. You really think so?¡± ¡°Yes. Also, Yoon-Ho said he had a good dream today. Given the good dream, I think the show will do well. I have a good feeling about this. Let¡¯s get the girls on the show.¡± It didn¡¯t take long to convince Lee Dong-Min and Han Myung-Ho. The fact that Cherry Blossom had a pretty light schedule turned out to be an advantage in this situation. Moreover, it was evident that Han Myung-Ho trusted me deeply. ¡°Alright then. Team Lead Han, you stay here. Yoon-Ho, youe with me to negotiate the deal.¡± ¡°Me?¡± Han Myung-Ho smiled at my question. ¡°Yes, you. I searched for Choi Eun-Hyuk and scoured the entire broadcasting station for the whole day but didn¡¯t even manage to see his face. It seems like it¡¯s your lucky day, so you make the move.¡± Han Myung-Ho seemed to have high hopes for me. ¡°What are you waiting for? CNS Entertainment is also on the move, aren¡¯t they? We need to be a step ahead. Let¡¯s hurry and get moving.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± I followed Lee Dong-Min who seemed even more anxious than me. *** ¡°Fixed appearance for a month? Dong-Min hyung. This is a golden opportunity for a second-tier idol group to appear on a variety show. You know that guaranteeing their appearance for half a year is practically a privilege, right? I¡¯m only making this incredible offer because of our close rtionship.¡± ¡°Privilege, huh? Well, I¡¯m not so sure about that. You never know if what you¡¯re holding in your hand is medicine or poison until you¡¯ve tasted it. This is your first venture into the world of variety shows, isn¡¯t it? What if the viewership ratings suck?¡± While Lee Dong-Min appeared unfazed, Choi Eun-Hyuk seemed exasperated. ¡°Wow, starting with a low blow, are we? Are you here to negotiate or quarrel with me?¡± ¡°To negotiate, of course.¡± ¡°Why are you acting like you¡¯ve got the upper hand here? Cherry Blossom isn¡¯t in a position to refuse my offer, and you know that better than anyone else.¡± ¡°What do you mean I¡¯m acting like I¡¯ve got the upper hand? Haven¡¯t you seen my girls¡¯ video? Do you honestly think Cherry Blossom will remain second-tier forever? We¡¯re meticulously preparing for our third album. Once it¡¯s released, Cherry Blossom will be incredibly huge.¡± Lee Dong-Min¡¯s negotiation skill was remarkable. I was ready to step in at any moment if necessary, but it seemed there was no need. After all, Lee Dong-Min was bluffing about investing billions in an album that hadn¡¯t even been produced yet. However, I couldn¡¯t fault him for that strategy; I would have done the same in his position. Eventually, Choi Eun-Hyuk let out a deep sigh and gave his final offer. ¡°Three months! They have to appear regrly for three months, or the deal is off. Take it or leave it!¡± When Choi Eun-Hyuk shouted in an irritated voice, Lee Dong-Min held out his hand with a smile. ¡°Cancel the deal? No way. I¡¯ll take it!¡± Choi Eun-Hyuk sighed once again as he shook hands with Lee Dong-Min. ¡°You never make anything easy, do you?¡± ¡°Come on, don¡¯t exaggerate. We¡¯ve been managing Cherry Blossom with lots of care. They will grow fast, just wait and see. I wouldn¡¯t be making this deal with anyone else either. I¡¯m doing this just because of our close rtionship.¡± ¡°Oh, stop talking nonsense and buy me a meal one day.¡± ¡°I will buy you many meals if the show goes well. Just name what you want.¡± Choi Eun-Hyuk grumbled as Lee Dong-MInughed. Their expressions were now rxed and they teased each other yfully. ¡°Oh, and Mr. Jung. Please prepare well for today¡¯s stage. When Cherry Blossom¡¯s new song is out, feel free to send the promotion materials via KkTalk. I¡¯ll try my best to help.¡± ¡°Thank you so much! We really appreciate it!¡± Once Choi Eun-Hyuk left, Lee Dong-Min sat down and sighed. ¡°Phew. He¡¯s definitely no pushover.¡± As Lee Dong-Min loosened his tie and took a deep breath, cold sweat trickled down his forehead. ¡®Huh? Could his confident attitude have been a bluff all along?¡¯ ¡°What? Is it your first time seeing someone so nervous like this?¡± ¡°...Were you actually nervous?¡± ¡°Hey, how can anyone not be nervous in this situation? That guy is not only in charge of year-end music shows, but he is also a main PD of regr music shows. Of course I was nervous to negotiate with him. But I¡¯m relieved that the negotiation went well.¡± Lee Dong-Min wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and gave a bright smile. ¡°Anyway, you did a good job. Thanks to you, Yoon-Ho, we were able to seize this great opportunity. I¡¯ve been feeling bad that I couldn¡¯t promote our girls these days. I owe you a big one today.¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t mention it. I didn¡¯t really do much. It was Cherry Blossom¡¯s amazing performance that secured this opportunity.¡± Lee Dong-Min patted me on the shoulders as if he was proud of me. ¡°You¡¯re a humble man. Anyway, you should personally inform the girls about this. Tell them they got one more performance for the second part of Idol Daejun.¡± ¡°You want me to tell them?¡± ¡°Well, you¡¯re the one who made this possible, so you should be the one to tell them this good news. I¡¯ll also let Mr. Gu know that we owe you big time.¡± Lee Dong-Min¡¯s words warmed my heart. This wasn¡¯t a world where people climbed over each other to get ahead¡ªI was with people who helped and cared about each other. This was the life I had always wished for. *** ¡°Ahhhhh! Really? For real? I¡¯m not dreaming, am I?¡± Upon hearing the news that they¡¯d be performing in the second part of Idol Dejun, Sae-Ri was overwhelmed with tion, to the point where she seemed like she could fly and break through the ceiling. Yang Eun-Bi, who was usually indifferent and cool, also hugged Sae-Ri from behind with joy, eximing that it was great news. ¡°Sae-Ri, this performance is really important to all of us. Let¡¯s not make any mistakes today, okay?¡± Han Myung-Ho watched Cherry Blossom¡¯s joyful reactions with a fatherly smile before pping to draw everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°Alright! As you all know, the stage you are about to perform in the second part of the show is where you will bepeting with other groups. Do you think you can win?¡± A total of five girl groups would be performing their choreography on the stage today. This was not just about talent, but also about showcasing their charm and charisma. From that point forward, things became hectic. The makeup team rushed over and Lee Dong-Min stayed in the waiting room to make calls in every direction. I quickly exchanged information with thepany¡¯s publicity department and sent materials about Cherry Blossom to the PD. Just like that, one event in my nner disappeared. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 24th, 2019] -09:30 PM (Deleted Schedule: Opening spot for Petite More¡¯s backstage performance coboration.) I had ovee one hurdle, but there was still a bigger challenge waiting for me ahead. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 24th, 2019] -11:00 PM: Notification of budget cuts for Cherry Blossom¡¯s 3rd album production. The agenda about the budget cut at 11 o¡¯clock still hadn¡¯t disappeared. *** ¡°Oppa! You said securing just one backstage spot was a piece of cake! You boasted so confidently, but what is this!?¡± Facing the anger of the Pink Diamonds members, their talent agent, Choi Myung-Gil, was sweating profusely. ¡°Hey, I only said that it¡¯s worth giving a try because our president and Choi Eun-Hyuk have a great rtionship. What do you mean I boasted so confidently?¡± Upon hearing the news that there was a vacancy in Petite More¡¯s backstage due to a heavy snowfall, Choi Myung-Gil immediately went to seek out Choi Eun-Hyuk. But by the time he arrived, he couldn¡¯t even muster the courage to say a word because a recement had already been found. ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s not because you¡¯re ipetent?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not it! You know Team Lead Kang Hyee-Dong, the talent agent of Floren? Even he didn¡¯t stand a chance. I heard he protested but Choi Eun-Hyuk didn¡¯t even flinch.¡± Choi Myung-Gil animatedly described the situation with his hands. ¡°Well, you should have at least tried something! We¡¯re from TK Entertainment¡ªwe are the sister group of Petite More! If Pink Diamonds doesn¡¯t get that backstage spot, then who will?¡± Choi Myung-Gil found himself cornered at Gu Min-Ji¡¯s sharp retort. ¡°Cherry Blossom.¡± ¡°What? Cherry Blossom?¡± Gu Min-Ji looked as if she was about to faint at any moment. She thought it was absurd for Cherry Blossom, a group ranked lower than them, to perform in the second part of the show. ¡°Oh my goodness, this is ridiculous! How can this be?¡± Creak. At that moment, Ma Dong-Pal entered with a frown, mentioning that he could hear the noise from outside the waiting room. ¡°Who¡¯s raising their voice like this? What¡¯s this all about?¡± ¡°M-Mr. Ma.¡± Choi Myung-Gil stood up abruptly and Pink Diamonds also rose to their feet as they bowed their heads. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Gu Min-Ji bit her lips and began to exin the situation. After hearing the story, Ma Dong-Pal asked with an irritated look on his face. ¡°And?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry?¡± ¡°So? What do you want me to do about it?¡± ¡°Since we¡¯re the direct hoobae of Petite More sunbae, can you speak on our behalf and...¡± ¡°Hey, Gu Min-Ji.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Ma.¡± ¡°Are you in your right mind? Don¡¯t you know how much I hate people who can¡¯t grasp the situation?¡± When Ma Dong-Pal frowned, Gu Min-Ji and the rest of Pink Diamonds shivered. Ma Dong-Pal had been in a bad mood ever since the news about Park Eun-Bin''s unsessful transition to acting began circting. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Ma. I was short-sighted.¡± Gu Min-Ji bit her lips and bowed her head. Asking Ma Dong-Pal to speak on their behalf meant pleading for assistance to the high-ups. Requesting Ma Dong-Pal, thepany¡¯s second-inmand, to intercede with the PD for their benefit was clearly crossing the line. Ma Dong-Pal looked at the Pink Diamonds members frozen on the spot and spoke in a calm voice. Ma Dong-Pal was someone who employed a carrot and stick approach in training idols. ¡°Tsk. You know that I¡¯m not trying to destroy your confidence or anything, right? If you had told me about this situation earlier, I would have been able to help you out!¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Min-Ji hesitantly lifted her head and asked. ¡°That means...¡± ¡°What can I do when they¡¯ve already made a decision on their end?¡± Gu Min-Ji bit her lips. However, Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s focus had now shifted elsewhere. ¡°And you¡ªChoi Myung-Gil.¡± ¡°Y-yes? Yes, sir!¡±¡± ¡°What on earth were you doing?¡± As soon as he said that, Ma Dong-Pal kicked Choi Myung-Gil in the shin. Thud! ¡°What were you doing as a talent agent such that this happened?¡± ¡°Ke heuk! I-I¡¯m sorry.¡± Seeing Choi Myung-Gil overwhelmed by the pain in his shin and bowing his head continuously, Gu Min-Ji¡¯s face rxed slightly, as if her irritation was being eased. ¡°Did you find out who the recement is?¡± ¡°I-I heard that Cherry Blossom is the recement.¡± ¡°Cherry Blossom? That four-member girl group from Hoop Entertainment?¡± ¡°Yes, sir. I clearly heard that Cherry Blossom is the recement.¡± Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s eyebrows twitched in anger. ¡°That¡¯s so annoying. Why do we keep getting entangled with Hoop Entertainment?¡± With a frown, Ma Dong-Pal hurriedly set out to find Choi Eun-Hyuk. Despite telling Gu Min-Ji that there was little he could do, he still intended to give it a try. However, he did so not because he was looking out for Pink Diamonds. ¡®Jung Yoo-Jin fucked up Park Eun-Bin, and now it¡¯s Cherry Blossom¡¯s turn?¡¯ Ma Dong-Pal had a bad hunch about repeatedly getting entangled with Hoop Entertainment. He clenched his teeth as he nned to intervene in Hoop Entertainment¡¯s ns this time. *** As I waited for Cherry Blossom toe down after recording the first part of their stage, I saw Ma Dong-Pal approaching Choi Eun-Hyuk. Seeing him engaged in an intense conversation with Choi Eun-Hyuk. It seemed like he was plotting something. ¡°Mr. Lee, don¡¯t you think that guy¡¯s trying to do something?¡± But Lee Dong-Min simply smirked as he watched what was happening. ¡°Don¡¯t you worry. Even though Eun-Hyuk may seem naive, he¡¯s a tough cookie who wouldn¡¯t flinch even if you pricked him with a needle. Bribery, my ass. If he throws money at Eun-Hyuk, he will only get irritated.¡± ¡®Is he actually confident or is he bluffing again? It would be a real problem if Choi Eun-Hyuk ends up being convinced and switches sides.¡¯ However, as the conversation continued, theughter between the two disappeared and Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s expression became distorted. ¡°See? I told you. I bet Ma Dong-Pal irritated him real good.¡± Lee Dong-Min let out a sigh of relief with sweaty palms. ¡®Yep. He was totally bluffing.¡¯ But I pretended not to notice how nervous he was. Watching Ma Dong-Pal storm off, Lee Dong-Min looked at me and said in a serious tone. ¡°Yoon-Ho.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Lee. It really turned out just as you said. You¡¯re amazing.¡± When I gave him a thumbs up, Lee Dong-Min said. ¡°That¡¯s not it. Do you want to join Singer Division 2 by any chance?¡± For a moment, my mind buzzed with the unexpected proposal. It felt like I had used up my entire lifetime''s worth of luck today, considering that I was receiving all sorts of incredible proposals. ¡®From Yoo-Jin¡¯s advertisement proposal, Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s role proposal, and now a scouting proposal from Singer Division 2?¡¯ I politely declined Lee Dong-Min¡¯s offer, but he advised me to think it over and not turn him down immediately. ¡°I think Cherry Blossom really needs someone like you right now. If you join Singer Division 2, I¡¯ll make sure to nurture and guide you as much as possible.¡± Staring into Lee Dong-Min¡¯s sincere face, I could not find a single trace of deceit. ¡®Hm. What should I do about this?¡¯ Chapter 25: Flowers Bloom Even in Winter (2)

Chapter 25: Flowers Bloom Even in Winter (2)

Dancing on the morous coboration stage with Petite More, Cherry Blossom was given special treatment. As I had sent Cherry Blossom¡¯s profile to Choi Eun-Hyuk in advance, he was able to customize the color of the spotlight for each member such that the colorsplemented their individual characters. For Woo Yeon-Hee, a deep burgundy light was used to emphasize her elegant and sexy look. For Yang Eun-Bi, a yellow light highlighted her morous figure, which contrasted with her baby face. For Yoo Eun-Ah, a pure white entuated her innocent goddess-like beauty. Last but not least, a blue spotlight was used for Kim Sae-Ri to show off her lively image. But that wasn¡¯t all. Cameras three and four, along with the Jimmy Jib camera, were capturing Cherry Blossom to such an extent it almost seemed biased. It wasn¡¯t just talk when Choi Eun-Hyuk said he would support and push for Cherry Blossom. In response to Choi Eun-Hyuk¡¯s support, Cherry Blossom lived up to the expectations and disyed a striking presence while dancing perfectly in sync. ¡°Bling~ Bling~.¡± Although it wasn¡¯t their own song, the joy in Cherry Blossom¡¯s eyes was evident as they performed on the KBC year-end stage. I was d to see the girls so happy, but Lee Dong-Min¡¯s suggestion to move to the Singer Division 2 still weighed heavily on my mind. My expertise was primarily in managing actors¡¯ filmographies, but I also had a clear vision for the songs and dances that would be popr in the next decade. If I chose the right song and choreography, Cherry Blossom could quickly be the top girl group. But in the end, I came to the conclusion not to move to the Singer Division. I needed more time to ensure that Yoo-Jin and the members of Faith could reach their fullest potential. If I were to manage singers, I would have to apany them 24/7, unlike managing actors where I often had days off. ¡®From local festivals to university festivals, concerts, broadcasts, and even fan meets and autograph sessions?¡¯ Just thinking about all these events made my head spin. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Lee Dong-Min, who was wearing a bright smile while watching Cherry Blossom¡¯s coboration performance with Petite More, let out a sigh that hinted at his disappointment when he heard my response. ¡°...Are you sure you¡¯ve thought this through thoroughly?¡± ¡°Yes, sir. But I promise to help as much as I can on my days off.¡± Only then did a smile return to Lee Dong-Min¡¯s face. ¡°You better keep your promise.¡± ¡°Of course. But please speak kindly to my chief about it. I¡¯m worried he might view me unfavorably if I end up fumbling our division¡¯s tasks while helping another division.¡± ¡°Hahaha. Of course. Don¡¯t you worry. I¡¯ll talk to Gu Seong-Cheol for sure.¡± I nodded as I recalled hearing that Lee Dong-Min and Gu Seong-Cheol got along like friends because they were of the same age. At that moment, Han Myung-Ho suddenly approached me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, humming and smiling. ¡°Bling~ Bling~.¡± It was funny how he joyfully sang along to a song that wasn¡¯t even Cherry Blossom¡¯s. ¡°Mr. Han. What are you doing?¡± ¡°What do you think? I¡¯m just expressing my affection because I¡¯m happy.¡± I could feel a subtle tremor in Han Myung-Ho¡¯s sturdy arm. As the song was nearing its end, I could sense the envious res from the surrounding talent agents. Kang Hyee-Dong looked as though he wanted to tear us apart, and Ma Dong-Pal looked at us mockingly. ¡®Damn. If their stares could kill, we¡¯d be dead a hundred times over.¡¯ Although this performance was just backstage and not the main stage, this was only the beginning. ¡°Heh. What are they gonna do just by ring? Yoon-Ho, just smile. Give them a bright smile. Today is our victorious day.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Han Myung-Ho shed a bright smile. *** By 10 PM, all the stages of the live broadcast Idol Daejun hade to an end. Creak. When I looked at the clock, it was 10:45 PM. Responding to Lee Gi-Cheol¡¯s call, we arrived at thepany and headed to the elevator to go to the operations director¡¯s office on the seventh floor. Our hard work throughout the day had really paid off, because Cherry Blossom¡¯s name began to appear on the live search rankings of various portals. [Nave Live Rankings] 1st Petite More 2nd ¡®Bling Bling¡¯ ... 9th Cherry Blossom 10th Cherry Blossom Hairstyle Cherry Blossom used to perform only at local events for a meager fee up till just yesterday, they were now rapidly gaining attention all of a sudden with their name appearing twice in the top ten live search rankings. However, even with this sessful situation, there was no change in the schedule concerning the reduction of the production budget for Cherry Blossom¡¯s third album. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 24th, 2019] -11:00 PM: Notification of budget cuts for Cherry Blossom¡¯s 3rd album production. ¡°Well. Shall we go up then?¡± Standing in front of the elevator, Han Myung-Ho, Cherry Blossom, and I gulped nervously, knowing that Lee Gi-Cheol never called for good reasons. ¡°Yes, Mr. Han.¡± Ding! The elevator door slowly opened as we arrived on the seventh floor. To our surprise, Kim Dong-Soo was standing in front of us. ¡°Hey. I see that you guys are working hard at the end of the year. How did Idol Daejun go?¡± Han Myung-Ho nodded with a stern expression. ¡°It went well, sir. We even made it to the live search rankings, so it actually went incredibly well...¡± When Han Myung-Ho mentioned Cherry Blossom¡¯s appearance on the live search rankings, Kim Dong-Soo raised his hand to cut him off. ¡°Sess isn¡¯t that easy, you know. Don¡¯t get too swayed just because you made the live search rankings once. Anyway, well done.¡± However, Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s smile was far from being genuine. ¡®More importantly, what the heck is he doing on the seventh floor? This floor is only for operations directors.¡¯ ¡°Hey, newbie. What are you doing up here? Did you help them out today or something?¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Kim.¡± ¡°Is that so? Well, keep up the good work.¡± Kim Dong-Soo nced at me for a moment before heading toward the elevator. However, just as the elevator doors were closing, I caught a glimpse of Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s peculiar grin. ¡®What on earth is he up to?¡¯ After Kim Dong-Soo was out of sight, Han Myung-Ho tried to calm the trembling members of Cherry Blossom. ¡°Alright, girls. Let¡¯s not make any mistakes in front of Mr. Lee, okay? I¡¯ll handle the talking so don¡¯t worry.¡± But the Cherry Blossom members remained anxious. ¡°Mr. Han. Are we disbanding?¡± When Woo Yeon-Hee asked the question with a serious expression, Sae-Ri¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Huh? What do you mean, unnie? No way! If we disband, I¡¯d be dragged back home to help with the apple farm!¡± Sae-Ri cringed as he recalled her parent¡¯s apple farm in the rural area. She said she didn¡¯t mind farming, but she hated bugs. ¡°I¡¯d have to prepare for the civil service exam.¡± Eun-Bi, whose parents were both contract civil servants, let out a deep sigh. But the most shaken was Eun-Ah. ¡°N-no... I can¡¯t... I¡¯ll have to go on blind dates...¡± Eun-Ah¡¯s father was the head of a rather prominent hospital, and he frequently called her multiple times a day, insisting she quit her idol career and get married. The girls were visibly shaken. After all the effort we put into raising their poprity and boosting their morale, it was disheartening that thepany was giving them such a hard time. With a few minutes left before 11 o¡¯clock, I said to Han Myung-Ho. ¡°Mr. Han. Let¡¯s not rush in and catch our breath first. Mr. Lee Gi-Cheol won¡¯t kill us if we''re just a few minuteste, right?¡± I didn¡¯t want to give up hope, especially since Lee Dong-Min said he would help. I held onto Han Myung-Ho and suggested we waited till Lee Dong-Min arrived. ¡°S-should we?¡± Han Myung-Ho seemed somewhat relieved at my suggestion. The current time was 10:55 PM, and the time began to tick away. I grew more anxious with every passing minute. ¡®No. It can¡¯t just end like this.¡¯ Buzz. Just when it felt like my heart was about to burst, Han Myung-Ho¡¯s phone suddenly began to vibrate. Everyone tensed up, thinking it might be a call from Lee Gi-Cheol. But thankfully, it was a call from Lee Dong-Min. Han Myung-Ho hurriedly answered the phone. ¡°Yes, Mr. Lee. Yes. Huh? Pardon me?¡± I couldn¡¯t make out the details of their conversation. But seeing Han Myung-Ho¡¯s face brighten up, a glimmer of hope ignited within me. After hanging up the call, Han Myung-Ho turned to us and opened his mouth. ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry. Mr. Lee has...¡± Before he could finish his sentence, the sound of the elevator doors opening echoed from behind. Ding! And at that moment, the event on my nner was being deleted. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 24th, 2019] -11:00 PM (Deleted Schedule: Notification of budget cuts for Cherry Blossom¡¯s 3rd album production) ¡®What¡¯s happening?¡¯ But as soon as I turned my head, I instantly understood the reason behind the schedule deletion. ¡°What are you all doing huddled up here? Were you by any chance waiting for me?¡± A sigh of relief escaped my lips. With this guy around, a mere operations director wouldn¡¯t be much of a threat. It was President Kang Gam-Chan who appeared. ¡°Yes, Mr. Kang! We were informed earlier by Mr. Lee.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± As Han Myung-Ho looked relieved, Kang Gam-Chan nodded in acknowledgment and turned toward me. ¡°Yoon-Ho. No, Star Jung. I heard you¡¯ve been doing greattely. Hahaha!¡± With a chuckle, Kang Gan-Chan patted me on the shoulders. He was turning sixty years old this year, but he looked robust enough to be mistaken for someone in his forties. Standing over 180cm tall, he was a muscr man honed from triathlon training. ¡®Who would have thought such a fit man would leave us so suddenly?¡¯ Seeing Kang Gam-Chan looking healthy made my heart swell with emotions. In the ten years I worked as a talent agent in my previous life, the one thing I couldn¡¯t surpass him was his kind and generous character. Although it was true that his kind nature had led to some losses for thepany, no one in the industry disliked Kang Gam-Chan. He was a considerate man who even remembered the names of the most junior employees like me. I also admired him so much that if it wasn¡¯t for Miso¡¯s death, I would have never thought of leaving Hoop Entertainment. But it was surprising to see such a strong man fall so suddenly with no signs. I thought that I must somehow persuade him to undergo a health check-up soon. However, that was a concern forter. For now, just having Kang Gam-Chan on the seventh floor with us felt like a blessing. Knowing the reason the schedule was deleted on the nner, I bowed my head in gratitude to Kang Gam-Chan. ¡°I got a call from Chief Lee as soon as I returned from China. He kept nagging me toe to thepany as soon as possible, so I thought something bad had happened,¡± Kang Gam-Chan said with a warm chuckle. The tense and anxious Cherry Blossom rxed at Kang Gam-Chan¡¯sughter and greeted him politely. ¡°Hello, Mr. Kang.¡± ¡°Oh, if it isn¡¯t you guys, Cherry Blossom~. Your performance today was amazing. Bling Bling~.¡± When the soon-to-be-sixty-year-old yfully danced to ¡®Bling Bling¡¯ and moved his hips, Cherry Blossom¡¯s frozen expression instantly melted away. ¡°Haha!¡± ¡°Mr. Kang, you are the best!¡± ¡°Mr. Kang, you are a great dancer.¡± Then, Kang Gam-Chan spoke as if he suddenly remembered something. ¡°Oh, right. Why don¡¯t you guys wait in the third floor lounge and have some coffee? Listening to conversations among old men might be boring for you.¡± Woo Yeon-Hee looked uncertain and nced at Han Myung-Ho. ¡°But Mr. Lee called for us. Do we not have to go?¡± ¡®Why ask? Of course, they didn¡¯t have to go. The president had told them to take a rest. What more could a mere operations director say to that?¡¯ ¡°Yes, yes. Go ahead and take a rest. I¡¯ll wrap things up with Mr. Lee and take you guys to the amodationter.¡± ¡°Okay, Mr. Han.¡± ¡°Alright, our future top girl group. Please make your way down~.¡± Kang Gam-Chan yfully smiled and held the elevator for Cherry Blossom, who still seemed a bit flustered. ¡°Thank you so much, Mr. Kang.¡± ¡°Oh, what¡¯s there to thank? I should be the one thanking you guys. Cherry Blossom has been working so hard. And today¡¯s broadcast was a massive hit! Good job today and I¡¯ll see you girlster.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Kang!¡± Ding! Kang Gam-Chan continued to wave at Cherry Blossom until the elevator doors closed, and Sae-Ri energetically waved both her hands back in response. But the moment the doors closed, a different side of Kang Gam-Chan, a veteran with thirty years of career in the industry, emerged. The smile vanished from his face as soon as he turned away. His expressionless face was radiating charisma. ¡°Team Lead Han.¡± When Kang Gam-Chan called Han Myung-Ho in a low voice, the atmosphere felt stifling, as if the air had thickened. ¡°Y-yes, Mr. Kang.¡± ¡°Why did you bring the girls to a meeting when we are about to discuss budget cuts? What would those young girls think?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Kang. It¡¯s just that Mr. Lee insisted that Cherry Blossom be present since they were involved.¡± ¡°That¡¯s when you should step in. Isn¡¯t that what talent agents do? Shouldn¡¯t a team lead at least handle that much on their own!?¡± Han Myung-Ho repeatedly bowed his head at Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s scolding. ¡®Wow. His charisma is truly extraordinary.¡¯ Then, Kang Gam-Chan turned to look at me. However, his gaze was as warm as the sunlight on a spring day. ¡°Yoon-Ho.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Kang.¡± ¡°You did a great job today. Chief Lee praised you a lot.¡± I could feel the warmth from Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s hefty hand that gentlynded on my shoulder. In my past life, it was Kang Gam-Chan who had taken a chance on me and saw my potential even when I had no experience. But when Miso died, I couldn¡¯t face Yoo-Jin and ended up keeping my distance from him as well. ¡®I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Kang.¡¯ As I bowed again while suppressing the swelling emotions within me, I felt Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s reassuring pat on my shoulder. Then, as he turned to Han Myung-Ho, his stern expression softened back to his usual demeanor. ¡°I know you are working hard, Team Lead Han. Issues like this arise because I¡¯m too busy and can¡¯t oversee everything...but let¡¯s be a bit more attentive from now on, alright?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Kang.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. Don¡¯t be too disheartened and let¡¯s do better next time. Now, shall we get going?¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Kang Gam-Chan began to stride forward with confident steps. With his broad back leading the way, Han Myung-Ho and I followed closely behind. It was time to meet Operations Director Lee Gi-Cheol, who had shattered Hoop Entertainment to pieces in my past life, along with Kim Dong-Soo. Chapter 26: Core of Hoop Entertainment

Chapter 26: Core of Hoop Entertainment

Click. As soon as I opened the door to the operations director¡¯s office, Lee Gi-Cheoll¡¯s sharp voice filled the room. ¡°What took you so long to get here!? I called you long ago!¡± ¡°It took them a while because I was talking to them.¡± The moment Lee Gi-Cheol heard Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s voice, he flinched. ¡°M-Mr. Kang? You came with them?¡± ¡°What¡¯s up with that look? Am I not allowed toe?¡± ¡°N-not at all, sir. Of course you cane. Please, take a seat here.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Kang Gam-Chan made his way to the sofa with a stern look. As Lee Gi-Cheol stepped to the side, Han Myung-Ho and I could sense his piercing stare, but we averted our eyes, refusing to meet his gaze. ¡°Now...go ahead and talk as if I¡¯m not here. I heard there¡¯s an urgent matter that needs to be discussed,¡± Kang Gam-Chan said as he leaned back on the sofa. Lee Gi-Cheol tried to read Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s mood for a moment. However, he soon turned his attention to Han Myung-Ho and began to pressure him. ¡°Team Lead Han, you do realize that Cherry Blossom¡¯s second albumpletely flopped, right?¡± Han Myung-Ho nodded with a heavy expression on his face. ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡®Well, it is an undeniable fact.¡¯ ¡°As you know, the losses from Singer Division 2 are substantial. Just for Cherry Blossom alone, we are dealing with a monthly deficit of 30 million won! 30 million!¡± Han Myung-Ho nodded once again without saying a single word. His forlorn expression made it seem as if he hadmitted a sin of some sort. ¡°That''s why, with a heavy heart, I must inform you that in order to meet the production costs for Golden Road''s uing album, we may need to reduce the budget for Cherry Blossom''s third album and...¡± At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan interrupted Lee Gi-Cheol. ¡°Hold on a second, Director Lee.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Kang?¡± ¡°What are you talking about right now?¡± ¡°Um, as you just heard, Singer Division 2 is running at a deficit and...¡± ¡°Yes, I heard you. What do you mean Singer Division 2 is running at a deficit?¡± Despite Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s stern expression, Lee Gi-Cheol continued speaking confidently. ¡°We¡¯re trying to reduce the deficit from next year. It doesn¡¯t make sense to keep pouring money into these groups when we can¡¯t even be sure of their sess, does it? Any otherpany would have already disbanded them.¡± Kang Gam-Chan remained silent. ¡°For your information, we have a total monthly deficit of 100 million won if webine all of Singer Division 2. 100 million!¡± ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°On the other hand, Singer Division 1 consistently makes a profit of over 200 million won every month. Isn¡¯t it only natural to allocate more of the production budget to the more sessful division?¡± Kang Gam-Chan responded with a faint chuckle at Lee Gi-Cheol¡¯s reasoning. Then, he leaned forward as he uncrossed his arms. ¡°Lee Gi-Cheol. What the heck are you thinking?¡± ¡°Pardon? I mean...to run apany, we obviously need to consider our financial situation too...¡± But Kang Gam-Chan snorted and cut Lee Gi-Cheol off. ¡°You are suggesting we run ourpany like any other now that it¡¯s starting to grow? Cut out all the unsessful groups and only focus on the sessful ones? What do you think we are? Stockbrokers? Bankers?¡± ¡°M-Mr. Kang. I am the operations director. Your words are a bit harsh...¡± It seemed Lee Gi-Cheol¡¯s pride was hurt when Kang Gam-Chan addressed him by his name rather than his title. However, anger was evident on Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s face. ¡°Did you just say I¡¯m harsh? And what you¡¯re doing isn¡¯t? Taking away from the ones who are struggling just so that you can promote and help those who are raking in profit is what¡¯s harsh. Since when did this business only focus on profit?¡± Bang! When Kang Gam-Chan mmed the table and gave a fierce re, Lee Gi-Cheol quickly shut his mouth. It was impossible for Kang Gam-Chan, with thirty years of experience in the industry, not to understand the idol business. While the idol business might run at a loss and require hefty investments, it was a jackpot once they were sessful. It was a business where one sess could not only recover all past deficits but also have enough money left over to build a new building. ¡°...And has everyone forgotten the reason I divided thepany into separate divisions? I appointed division chiefs and gave them full authority so they could operate independently. If you¡¯re going to merge every division and wield control as you please, why do we even need separate divisions? Why have teams, huh!?¡± Kang Gam-Chan berated Lee Gi-Cheol relentlessly. Observing his charisma, I couldn¡¯t help but think that if it weren¡¯t for Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s health issues, Hoop Entertainment wouldn¡¯t have copsed so easily. Lee Gi-Cheol¡¯s confidence seemed to shrink under the fierce aura of Kang Gam-Chan. ¡°Hey, Lee Gi-Cheol. No, Director Lee. Let me ask you one more thing since we¡¯re on the subject. Are you aware that Cherry Blossom is trending on live search rankings?¡± ¡°Live search rankings, sir?¡± ¡°Tsk. What did I expect? Of course you wouldn¡¯t know when you just rely on the reports being brought to your desk. When was thest time you personally checked with the publicity team?¡± ¡°It was two days ago, but...¡± ¡°Two days? Jeez! If only I were ten years younger, I wouldn''t have been this easy on you!¡± As Kang Gam-Chan stepped forward, Lee Gi-Cheol flinched. After ring at Lee Gi-Cheol for a moment, Kang Gam-Chan called in the team lead of the publicity division through the inte. Beep. ¡°Team Lead Sung. Come up.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Kang.¡± A momentter, Team Lead Sung Min-Suk of the publicity division rushed in holding a tablet. ¡°Give me a briefing on the current situation of Singer Division 2.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°And the financial status as well. Oh, if you don¡¯t have the information, call in the team leads of the nning division and finance division.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need, sir. I¡¯ve brought all the necessary data with me.¡± ¡°Is that so? Great. Then go ahead and begin.¡± Upon Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s instruction, Sung Min-Suk began the briefing, his nervousness evident as he froze in ce. ¡°The status of the celebrities under Singer Division 2 is...¡± As the report continued, Lee Gi-Cheol¡¯s face became increasingly twisted. The moment Sung Min-Suk was done with his briefing, Kang Gam-Chan red at Lee Gi-Cheol and opened his mouth. ¡°Did you hear that?¡± Cold sweat streamed down from Lee Gi-Cheol¡¯s forehead because the report stated the monthly deficit of Singer Division 2 was indeed 100 million won, but ording to the current trend, they could reduce the deficit by half within the next three months. ¡°Um, Mr. Kang. What I meant was...¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough. Shut your mouth.¡± Lee Gi-Cheol hastily bowed his head. With a frown, Kang Gam-Chan spoke to Sung Min-Suk. ¡°Send the data you brought to my KkTalk and tell the managing director toe up immediately.¡± ¡°She¡¯s actually already waiting outside, sir.¡± ¡°Is she? Director Kang! Come in right now!¡± With a stern expression, Kang Ji-Yung walked into the office and bowed her head at Kang Gam-Chan. But without greeting her, Kang Gam-Chan sharply confronted her. ¡°Hey, Director Kang. Does it feel nice cking off at thepany?¡± ¡°Not at all, sir.¡± Kang Ji-Yung responded with a rigid, soldier-like attitude, taken aback by Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s unusual demeanor. ¡°I told you to make sure each division and their chiefs operate independently, didn¡¯t I? Do you remember that?¡± ¡°I remember, sir.¡± ¡°Then why is this even happening right now? I took my eyes off internal matters a bit because I was focused on the business in China and Japan, and now everything¡¯s a mess!¡± ¡°I apologize, sir. I will rectify the situation right away.¡± Kang Ji-Yung lowered her head at Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s rebuke. However, the most anxious person at this moment was Lee Gi-Cheol because Kang Gam-Chan¡¯sment was essentially a direct insult to him. Caught meddling with thepany as he pleased, Lee Gi-Cheol didn¡¯t dare lift his head. Kang Gam-Chan gazed silently at Kang Ji-Yung and opened his mouth again. ¡°Am I trusting you too much?¡± ¡°No, sir. I will do better.¡± ¡°If this is too much for you to handle, let me know anytime. I will step in myself.¡± Kang Ji-Yung shuddered. ¡°There is no need, sir. I can handle it.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll keep my eye on you.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Kang Ji-Yung red at the bowing Lee Gi-Cheol and bit her lips tightly. I had never seen this side of Kang Gam-Chan in my past life as he usually appearedid-back. But today, I could see all of his meticulousness, decisiveness, and charisma. ¡®Indeed. Kang Gam-Chan is the core of Hoop Entertainment.¡¯ In addition to Faithful, I decided to look out for Kang Gam-Chan. As long as Kang Gam-Chan remained strong and well, Lee Gi-Cheol would never dare to act recklessly. As Kang Gam-Chan continued to reprimand his own daughter without mercy, someone knocked on the door. Knock, knock, knock. ¡°Who is it?¡± At Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s sharp words, the door opened slightly. ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± Kang Gam-Chan frowned upon seeing Finance Director Jung Su-Hyuk, whom he had been friends with since he was a child. He originally worked in the finance team of arge corporation and was an ountant by profession, but he retired five years ago and joined Hoop Entertainment at Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s persuasion. He was the only person who could calm the rampaging Kang Gam-Chan down. ¡°Everyone outside can hear. Please calm down.¡± Given they were in a formal setting and there were many eyes on them, Jung Su-Hyuk remained very courteous. However, Kang Gam-Chan was still visibly irritated as he breathed heavily out of anger. ¡°Hey, Director Jung! How can I calm down when...¡± ¡°Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon has arrived.¡± Kang Gam-Chan quickly changed his words. ¡°...Lee Ji-Yeon is here?¡± He then stood up abruptly from his seat. ¡°What is Lee Ji-Yeon doing here?¡± ¡°She¡¯s here to discuss an issue concerning an actor that guy over there is in charge of.¡± Jung Su-Hyuk pointed toward me. *** Kang Gam-Chan, along with Kang Ji-Yung and Gu Seong-Cheol, went down to the conference room on the sixth floor. Although I was a newbie, I also participated in the meeting as the person-in-charge. Upon arriving, I could see that Kim Soll-Ip hade along with Lee Ji-Yeon. ¡°Ha ha ha. Ms. Lee. What brings you here at thiste hour?¡± Lee Ji-Yeon grumbled at Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s question. ¡°Why? Are you not pleased to see me?¡± ¡°Hey! Who said I¡¯m not happy to see you? Was it you, Chief Gu? Or was it you, Director Kang?¡± Lee Ji-Yeonughed at Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s joke. ¡°You¡¯re not funny. Anyway, Soll-Ip sent a script but there was no reply, so we came by to check what was going on. Also, it¡¯s been a while since I saw you, Mr. Kang~.¡± Kang Gam-Chan looked puzzled at Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s words. ¡°Director Kang, what script are we talking about here?¡± ¡°Ms. Kim Soll-Ip sent us the script for Miss Jung Yoo-Jin¡¯s next drama this morning. It¡¯s a drama set to air on SBC on April 1st, and she wants to cast Miss Yoo-Jin for a major supporting role...¡± Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s face instantly brightened. ¡°Haha, what good news. Ms. Kim, please take good care of Yoo-Jin.¡± Kim Soll-Ip looked quite surprised at Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s courteous greeting. ¡°Oh, of course, Mr. Kang.¡± ¡°Ha ha ha. Now that you¡¯ve be a writer, what should I give you as a debut gift?¡± At that moment, Lee Ji-Yeon made an unexpected deration. ¡°By the way, Mr. Kang. There¡¯s a role perfect for Yoo-Jin in my new drama as well.¡± Gulp. After a brief silence, I heard someone gulp. The people in the meeting room were left in an absurd situation where they could neitherugh nor cry. Because now, both writers werepeting to cast Yoo-Jin. Kang Gam-Chan carefully opened his mouth and broke the silence. ¡°W-wait a minute. So both of you want to cast Yoo-Jin?¡± Both Lee Ji-Yeon and Kim Soll-Ip nodded simultaneously. ¡°Supporting Soll-Ip¡¯s debut drama and giving up a favorite actor are two separate issues. So you need to make a choice. Do you want to go with my work? Or Soll-Ip¡¯s work?¡± Looking sideways, I could see Kim Soll-Ip grinning. ¡®Is she confident or just fearless?¡¯ She didn''t even bat an eyelid at thepetition with Lee Ji-Yeon. ¡°Ha ha ha. W-what should we do about this?¡± Everyone looked perplexed. Most people would likely choose Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s work, but the problem was that Kim Soll-Ip was Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s assistant. A wrong decision might end up causing hard feelings. As everyone hesitated to answer, Gu Seong-Cheol took the initiative and replied. ¡°Ms. Lee. Why don¡¯t we discuss this matter after the scripts havee out and...¡± ¡°Oh my, I haven¡¯t sent the script yet? I must¡¯ve been out of it because I¡¯ve been so busytely.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon immediately sent the script via KkTalk. ¡°You can read it right now if you want. I¡¯m confident about my script. I¡¯ve actually been preparing it for a long time and havepleted it up to the fourth episode, and the outline to the end is set. The productionpany is Red Moon and the male lead is Choi Jun-Woo from Ace Entertainment. You know how hot he is, right?¡± Having teamed up with the top drama productionpany in the industry, Lee Ji-Yeon was brimming with confidence. I pretended to read the script I received on KkTalk while I nced through my nner. However, my concerns regarding Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s next work remained. At that moment, Lee Ji-Yeon turned to face me. ¡°Hey, Yoon-Ho~. Don¡¯t you want Yoo-Jin in my drama? Why the long face?¡± After Lee Ji-Yeon spoke, I felt all eyes on me. Chapter 27: Decision

Chapter 27: Decision

¡®Do you like Mommy or Daddy better? If you don¡¯t answer, I will kill you.¡¯ It felt as if a witch was whispering in my ear, pointing a chilling de at my throat. Deep down, I had already chosen Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s drama¡ªbut I had to answer carefully to make sure I didn''t hurt Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s feelings. If I spoke carelessly in front of Lee Ji-Yeon, she might think I was dismissing her and not contact me for her next drama. After gathering my thoughts, I spoke cautiously. ¡°In my opinion as a talent agent, I think it would be best for the actor to choose the role they are passionate about!¡± Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s expression brightened, perhaps because I remained calm despite the intimidation from top-tier author Lee Ji-Yeon. However, I was met with Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s intense gaze. ¡°Yoon-Ho. I don¡¯t like that look in your eyes. Don¡¯t you know how observant I am?¡± ¡®Yikes. Did she realize I had already made up my mind about whose drama to go with?¡¯ I quickly bowed my head to avoid Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s gaze. ¡°Hey, Ms. Lee. Stop tormenting him. Look at how pale his face has be because of you.¡± ¡°What do you mean, Mr. Kang? All I did was just look at him. Can¡¯t I even look?¡± ¡®She was just looking at me? Her eyes were zing!¡¯ After being scolded by Kang Gam-Chan, Lee Ji-Yeon yfully poked Kim Soll-Ip on her side afterining. ¡°Eek! Ms. Lee!¡± The startled Kim Soll-Ip rubbed her side. ¡°Soll-Ip~. What are you doing? You should tell them about your situation as well.¡± Kim Soll-Ip sneaked a nce at Lee Ji-Yeon and began to share the progress of her drama. ¡°My drama Blue Sky is rapidly progressing under the control of the external productionpany, Blue Dragon. And...¡± However, as she spoke of the process of her drama, an issue became evident. ¡°So, there aren¡¯t many roles avable for immediate casting through writer rmendations. Naturally, we¡¯ll have to open an audition to cast the female lead. As for my personal favorite character, the second daughter Twilight, there''s an actor who''s being strongly endorsed by the productionpany. Perhaps we could consider the role of the third daughter, Autumn.¡± The character that would gain the most poprity in Blue Sky was that of the second daughter Twilight. I had intended to rmend Yoo-Jin for this role, but it seemed the productionpany already had another actor in mind. ¡®Should I give up on the role?¡¯ This thought briefly crossed my mind, but I quickly dismissed it. Given Yoo-Jin¡¯s talent, she should be a strong contender in auditions, regardless of who the opponent is. I asked Kim Soll-Ip directly. ¡°Ms. Kim. What if Yoo-Jin auditioned for the role of the second daughter, Twilight?¡± After pondering for a moment, Kim Soll-Ip responded. ¡°Then it wille down to who¡¯s the better actress.¡± ¡°And what if the productionpany insists on using the actress they¡¯re pushing for?¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll insist on casting Miss Yoo-Jin. Simple!¡± I was surprised by Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s readiness to confront the productionpany while Lee Ji-Yeon seemed quite taken aback by her confident response. ¡°Wow, you aren¡¯t afraid of anything, are you? Do you think the productionpany is easy to deal with?¡± But Kim Soll-Ip simply smiled back. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t I at least be this bold topete against you, Ms. Lee?¡± ¡°Oh my goodness! Look at her audacity. You do realize I¡¯m helping with the production of your drama, right?¡± ¡°I¡¯m well aware that I¡¯m debuting thanks to your help, Ms. Lee. But you did say to y fair, didn¡¯t you?¡± The corner of Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s mouth twitched upwards at Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s provocation. Despite her words, she appeared more like a proud parent, admiring their aplished child. ¡°Alright, then. Let¡¯s do this.¡± Kim Soll-Ip nodded, dly epting the challenge. However, the tension in the room was palpable, as everyone from Hoop Entertainment knew that whichever decision we made would be a tough one. At that moment, the startled Kim Soll-Ip spoke urgently after looking at her phone. ¡°Ms. Lee! We made a reservation at the Japanese restaurant at 12 o¡¯clock, remember!?¡± ¡°After all, everything we do is to feed ourselves, so we shouldn¡¯t be skipping meals. Right?¡± The two writers stood up andughed as if their squabble never happened. Then, before leaving, Lee Ji-Yeon shared one more piece of information. ¡°Oh, our dramas will be broadcast at the same time. I¡¯m on MBS and Soll-Ip is on SBC. A viewership ratings war between Lee Ji-Yeon and her prot¨¦g¨¦, Kim Soll-Ip. Sounds pretty exciting, doesn¡¯t it?¡± The realization that any drama we choose would garner significant attention made Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s face light up. ¡°Ha ha ha. I¡¯ll give you an answer within a week, Ms. Lee.¡± But Lee Ji-Yeon shook her head. ¡°No, a week is too long. Please respond within three days.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon was going to great lengths for her departing prot¨¦g¨¦. She secured a drama time slot and even offered production assistance to Kim Soll-Ip. Moreover, she was challenging her to a direct time-slot showtime to help her gain more prominence. However, the result of this head-to-head battle would be Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s defeat. As Kang Ji-Yung saw Lee Ji-Yeon off, I checked my nner to see if this meeting had changed the future. But the event on the nner remained unchanged. *** [Everyday V10] [Date: April 1st, 2020] -10:00 PM <In the Name of God> Monitoring. The viewership ratings started at 3.5% due to Choi Jun-Woo¡¯s scandal. -10:00 PM <Blue Sky> Monitoring. The viewership ratings started at 7.5%. The stark difference in viewership ratings between the two dramas wouldn¡¯t stem from differences in quality. It would be due to an revtion about the lead actor in "In the Name of God," Choi Jun-Woo, and his alleged mistreatment of female fansing to light. With dozens of victimsing forward, South Korea would be in an uproar for a while. Due to this, the drama would be halted after just four episodes. I wondered how to help Lee Ji-Yeon, but I had a more pressing issue before me. After all, we were in the meeting room right now discussing which of the two dramas to cast Yoo-Jin in. After seeing Lee Ji-Yeon off, Kang Ji-Yung returned to her seat. ¡°I escorted her to her car.¡± ¡°Good. Well done.¡± Then, Kang Gam-Chan looked at us and beckoned us to share our thoughts. Kang Ji-Yung looked back and forth between Gu Seong-Cheol and I, before speaking. ¡°Let¡¯s first hear from those directly involved. What do the both of you think?¡± Gu Seong-Cheol spoke first. ¡°I¡¯m inclined towards Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon. Both dramas are being released simultaneously, going head-to-head, right? Besides, the viewership ratings are guaranteed with Choi Jun-Woo¡¯s appearance. The oue is predictable and there¡¯s not much more to say.¡± It was only natural for Gu Seong-Cheol to make such a choice, as the prospect of a newbie like Yoo-Jin being in Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s new drama would be newsworthy. On top of that, Lee Ji-Yeon had even mentioned she would cast Yoo-Jin in a significant supporting role. On the other hand, despite having Lee Ji-Yeon as her mentor, Kim Soll-Ip was only a debuting writer. Moreover, she hadn¡¯t even confirmed the roles yet. Then, Kang Ji-Yung asked for my opinion next. ¡°What do you think, Mr. Jung?¡± ¡°I think Yoo-Jin¡¯s next drama should be with Ms. Kim Soll-Ip.¡± Silence enveloped the meeting room as soon as I spoke. A debut drama by a new writer was often a gamble that could either be a huge hit or a flop. Hence, everyone seemed perplexed and unconvinced. At that moment, Gu Seong-Cheol posed a question carefully. ¡°Yoon-Ho, did Yoo-Jin by any chance be interested in Miss. Kim¡¯s drama after reading the script?¡± ¡°No, sir. That¡¯s not the case. She¡¯s probably still in the midst of reading it.¡± If an actor strongly insisted on a role, the agency couldn¡¯t say much. But since that wasn¡¯t the case, murmurs broke out everywhere. Everyone looked puzzled, possibly wondering why I had pushed for Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s drama over Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s. Kang Gam-Chan raised his hand to quiet themotion and asked me again. ¡°Have you read the script written by Ms. Kim?¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Kang. I¡¯ve read it thoroughly. It¡¯s far from mundane, and the chemistry among the characters, set against a universally rtable backdrop, is exceptional. Plus, I believe the nostalgic touch, reminiscent of the hit series Reply!, is another positive factor.¡± In reality, I hadn¡¯t read the script for Blue Sky yet¡ªI had just watched the drama multiple times in my past life. ¡®It¡¯s one of my all-time favorites.¡¯ Gu Seong-Cheol nodded in agreement with my view. ¡°Yoon-Ho is right. As he said, the script for Blue Sky is certainlymendable. It can appeal not just to the younger generation but also to middle-aged viewers. Given that it¡¯s set twenty years ago, it can evoke nostalgia.¡± Following Gu Seong-Cheol, Kang Ji-Yung also added. ¡°I haven¡¯te across a script as good as this in recent times. It¡¯s no wonder Ms. Lee rmended it. However...¡± ¡°However?¡± ¡°The dialogue is so detailed that if they cast an actor who can¡¯t do it justice, it might ruin the essence of the drama.¡± ¡°A detailed dialogue, huh...if they cast someone with subpar expressive skills, they might not be able to bring out the essence of the drama.¡± Kang Gam-Chan seemed lost in thought. After a short moment, he posed a sharp question. ¡°Does Ms. Kim¡¯s drama have something that Ms. Lee¡¯s drama doesn¡¯t?¡± ¡®Wow, he is definitely a man with experience.¡¯ As Kang Gam-Chan pointed out, vivid characters and crisp dialogues were Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s trademark. While her drama had the typical characteristics of Korean dramas, including a certain predictability, it also had stability. ¡°No, sir. While their styles are different, Ms. Lee¡¯s drama isn¡¯tcking in any aspect.¡± ¡°Then why should ourpany choose the drama of an untested Ms. Kim? Answer me.¡± The meeting room fell silent once more. I knew that missing this chance could mean the end of everything. Having the opportunity to voice my opinion in front of high-ranking members of thepany was a rare privilege. The fact that both writers wanted Yoo-Jin had miraculously granted me this chance. In the end, I decided to share information concerning the future that only I was privy to. ¡°The truth is that there¡¯s a significant issue with the lead actor, Choi Jun-Woo, in Ms. Lee¡¯s drama.¡± ¡®Drugs and women.¡¯ There was a brief moment of silence following my short and direct revtion. Soon after, Kang Gam-Chan asked with a look of disbelief on his face. ¡°But Choi Jun-Woo is known to be a gentleman. Are you sure about this? Who told you?¡± Given that Choi Jun-Woo from Ace Entertainment had a gentlemanly image, everyone looked shocked. A month from now, Reporter Jang Moon-Ki would release an article about Choi Jun-Woo¡¯s scandal. [Everyday V10] [Date: January 15th, 2020] 11:05 PM (Report): Weekly Star News sh. Choi Jun-Woo causes a ruckus, intoxicated by drugs at the entrance of club BLUE. Arrested on the spot. However, I couldn¡¯t reveal this nner. ¡®What do I do?¡¯ While I was contemting, Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s impatience grew. ¡°Ah! This is so frustrating! Give me a proper exnation!¡± As Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s voice resonated loudly throughout the meeting room, Kang Ji-Yung stepped in. ¡°Mr. Kang. Um...¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°If you pressure him like that, how can he answer?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not pressuring him. I¡¯m just...anxious. Ugh.¡± After calming Kang Gam-Chan down, she questioned me in aposed manner. ¡°Just tell us about the source of the information.¡± After a brief hesitation, I fabricated the story. ¡°I heard this from a reporter who was covering my gas leak incident. He mentioned that apart from him, a few other entertainment reporters were digging into Choi Jun-Woo, coordinating when to release the article.¡± The room¡¯s atmosphere instantly turned tense after hearing a rather usible story. When Kang Gam-Chan gulped, Gu Seong-Cheol intervened. ¡°Mr. Kang, although half of what entertainment reporters say is often exaggerated, a scandal involving the main lead can be a huge burden. It might not be a bad idea to verify this.¡± ¡°I agree with him, Mr. Kang.¡± Kang Gam-Chan nodded in acknowledgement. ¡°Then I¡¯ll personally assign someone to look into this matter separately. Everyone, make sure to keep quiet about it until then.¡± Kang Gam-Chan decided to verify the authenticity of the information I provided before making a decision. ¡®Thank goodness.¡¯ I felt relieved. With Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s capabilities, I was certain he would find out the truth. However, another thought crossed my mind. ¡®What if...he fails to find any evidence?¡¯ I sneaked a nce at the nner, but there were no changes in the schedule as expected. After all, Choi Jun-Woo had perfectly fooled everyone with his gentlemanly act until the news broke out. A chill ran down my spine but I couldn¡¯t let my thoughts wander any longer. I had other matters to attend to today, and before I knew it, the conversation had shifted to the next topic. ¡°Oh, and Team Lead Sung. Let¡¯s hear about the advertising deal now. Sorry for making you wait so long.¡± ¡°No problem at all, Mr. Kang. Currently, a major fast-foodpany Burger Queen has approached Yoo-Jin for an advertisement. The amount they¡¯ve offered in exchange for Yoo-Jin to be their model is...¡± However, the amount Sung Min-Suk mentioned for Yoo-Jin¡¯s advertising fee was absurdly low. ¡®Wait. That¡¯s all?¡¯ Chapter 28: Promotion

Chapter 28: Promotion

Sung Min-Suk of the publicity division continued to report on Yoo-Jin¡¯s advertisement proposal while holding his tablet. ¡°They offered 30 million won for a one-year contract?¡± ¡°Yes. It¡¯s quite a good deal for a rookie like Miss Yoo-Jin.¡± Not only Kang Gam-Chan but also Kang Ji-Yung and Gu Seong-Cheol looked pleased. Typically, the amount for a rookie actor ranged between 10 million to 20 million won for a one-year contract. Furthermore, the opportunity to raise Yoo-Jin¡¯s profile through amercial was a positive thing for Yoo-Jin¡¯s career. ¡®30 million won isn¡¯t a small amount, but...¡¯ Still, the me in my past life would have never epted such terms. If I leveraged the fact that Yoo-Jin had received an offer from Lee Ji-Yeon, I could raise the amount to at least 50 million. However, everyone except me in the meeting room seemed content and inclined to ept Burger Queen¡¯s proposal. ¡®What should I do? Should I just let it go this time?¡¯ In contrast to my difort, everyone was busy smiling at the good news. ¡°By the way, they said they are in a hurry and want a decision by tomorrow.¡± Upon hearing Sung Min-Suk¡¯s additionalment about Burger Queen¡¯s urgency, Kang Gam-Chan suddenly turned his gaze toward me. ¡°Let¡¯s see. Yoon-Ho, what¡¯s your take on this?¡± Kang Gam-Chan asked with a sly expression. ¡°Um...may I speak my mind?¡± ¡°Of course. Feel free to say whatever you want.¡± With Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s permission, I took a deep breath and opened my mouth. ¡°I think we should dy that contract.¡± At that moment, Gu Seong-Cheol eximed in surprise with a perplexed expression. ¡°Yoon-Ho, didn¡¯t you hear they are in a hurry?¡± Kang Ji-Yung tilted her head in confusion and Sung Min-Suk wore an expression which suggested that he thought of me as being audacious. However, Kang Gam-Chan seemed amused and asked. ¡°So, how long do you think we should dy the contract?¡± ¡®Did he notice my intentions?¡¯ ¡°How about till next week? I think it would be best to observe the situation for just one week.¡± ¡°What? But why would we...¡± Kang Gam-Chan pacified Gu Seong-Cheol who looked bewildered. ¡°Chief Gu, calm down and assess the situation. How many years have you been in this industry?¡± ¡°It¡¯s been a full fifteen years for me, sir.¡± Kang Gam-Chan yfully replied to Gu Seong-Cheol¡¯s answer. ¡°Fifteen years, huh? You¡¯re still a rookie. Ha ha ha.¡± ¡°If we y hard to get and Burger Queen decides to go with another model, won¡¯t we be at a loss?¡± Gu Seong-Cheol asked as he scratched his head. While Gu Seong-Cheol still seemed uncertain, Kang Ji-Yung had a different take on this matter. ¡°No, Mr. Gu. It seems there¡¯s something up considering how much they¡¯re rushing. We shouldn¡¯t appear too eager. Waiting a bit more seems to be a good idea.¡± ¡®Yes. Now we are talking.¡¯ Hearing Kang Ji-Yung¡¯s judgment, Kang Gam-Chan gave a slightly satisfied look. Then he called out to Sung Min-Suk standing beside him. ¡°Team Lead Sung. Could you check the current live search rankings?¡± ¡°Huh? Oh, yes, sir. It¡¯s...un...¡± The flustered Sung Min-Suk quickly regained hisposure and tapped away on his tablet. ¡°First ce is Petite More. Fourth is Burger Queen¡¯s Burger Maiden Jung Yoo-Jin, and fifth ce is Cherry Blossom...¡± Everyone in the meeting room was stunned. ¡°How could you guys im to work at an entertainmentpany when you are so slow? Are you all dimwits? How can you guys be even worse than Yoon-Ho!¡± ¡°Oh...¡± ¡°We apologize, Mr. Kang.¡± Only now did everyone grasp the situation and understand my intention. ¡°Yoon-Ho. No, Star Jung.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Kang.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got sharp eyes. You might as well be promoted to assistant manager.¡± I felt as if my heart had dropped. ¡®Being promoted to assistant manager in my third year was fast, but bing an assistant manager in just my first year!?¡¯ Gu Seong-Cheol and Kang Ji-Yung beside me looked shocked as well. ¡°Why are you all so surprised? Don¡¯t you know ourpany operates on a performance-based system?¡± Indeed, Kim Dong-Soo had quickly risen through the ranks thanks to the very same performance system. ¡°But still. This is too fast, Mr. Kang. There¡¯s still much for Yoon-Ho to learn...¡± Gu Seong-Cheol said with a worried expression. However, Kang Gam-Chan was adamant. ¡°It¡¯s not without precedent, so why are you all so worried? Didn¡¯t we promote Kim Dong-Soo to assistant manager in his second year?¡± Then Kang Ji-Yung retorted. ¡°Chief Kim Dong-Soo was almost into his second year when he got promoted. But promoting Yoon-Ho who hasn''t evenpleted one year is...¡± Kang Gam-Chan raised his hand and cut Kang Ji-Yung off. ¡°That¡¯s enough. Are we so timid that we can¡¯t try new things? You guys handle any minor disturbances and promote Yoon-Ho to assistant manager once Jung Yoo-Jin¡¯s next drama is decided!¡± Kang Gam-Chan stood his ground, refusing to entertain any further disagreements. No one dared to counter his assertive statement. ¡°And Chief Gu.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°Leave the Burger Queen advertisement negotiations to Yoon-Ho.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry? To Yoon-Ho?¡± ¡°Yes. It seems Yoon-Ho knows how to y hard to get. Make sure you assist him but let Yoon-Ho handle most of the negotiations. I want to see what he¡¯s made of.¡± Hearing Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s bold statement, my heart began to race wildly. ¡®He is really entrusting advertisement negotiations to a first-year employee?¡¯ Even if I had caught Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s eye, this felt too fast even for me. ¡°Um, Mr. Kang...¡± But Kang Gam-Chan immediately cut me off. ¡°End of discussion. You¡¯ll learn by doing, so I¡¯ll leave it to you. No one in this room knows Yoo-Jin¡¯s worth better than you.¡± Everyone looked astonished, but Kang Gam-Chan exuded unwavering confidence. It seemed my earlierments had left a deep impression on him. ¡®Well, refusing further wouldn¡¯t be so polite of me.¡¯ I stood up and bowed to Kang Gam-Chan, grateful for the opportunity he¡¯d given me. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best, sir.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Right now, my career was growing at a rate many times faster than in my past life. ¡®Thank you, Mr. Kang.¡¯ *** Sitting in the backseat of a Rose-Rise, Lee Ji-Yeon spoke to Kim Soll-Ip. ¡°Soll-Ip~.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Lee?¡± ¡°You saw Yoon-Ho¡¯s expression earlier, right?¡± ¡°I did.¡± ¡°A guy with that kind of look in their eyes doesn¡¯t change their mind easily. He didn¡¯t even flinch when I pressured him.¡± ¡°What do you mean...?¡± ¡°I mean even though he said that he will ask Yoo-Jin about it, it seemed like he had already made up his mind. You know it too, don¡¯t you? Nothing can escape my eyes.¡± ¡°...¡± Kim Soll-Ip found herself at a loss for words. ¡°Writers should have pride, but there aren¡¯t many talent agents who have that level of confidence in their actors. It¡¯s not just about the actor but also about the talent agents who manage them. So make sure you learn from him. It will help you choose good actors in the future.¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon spoke with a trace of regret in her voice. ¡°Soll-Ip. This is thest piece of advice I can give you. You¡¯re on your own from now on. You understand?¡± Looking at Lee Ji-Yeon gazing at her with affectionate eyes, Kim Soll-Ip felt a surge of emotions within her. Lee Ji-Yeon wasn¡¯t easy to assist due to her unique personality. But over time, Kim Soll-Ip had been moved by the care and attention Lee Ji-Yeon had shown her. Even now, Lee Ji-Yeon was going to great lengths to support Kim Soll-Ip by securing a productionpany and scheduling slots for her. Moreover, she had evenplimented Kim Soll-Ip by proiming her as apetitor in the presence of Hoop Entertainment. Trying to hide her tears, Kim Soll-Ip changed the topic. ¡°Ms. Lee. You haven¡¯t been diagnosed with any illness or given a limited time to live, have you?¡± Lee Ji-Yeonughed and replied. ¡°Of course not. It¡¯s just that my pride is hurt after being turned down. Oh, thinking about it, he rejected me without even reading my script, right?¡± Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s grumblingsted longer than expected. ¡°No. On second thought, it¡¯s a waste to give Yoo-Jin to you, Soll-Ip. I¡¯ll take her with me. Is that okay?¡± ¡°Ha ha, no way. You said earlier that he¡¯s already made his choice.¡± Hearing that, Lee Ji-Yeon began toin as usual and Kim Soll-Ip had to endure Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯sints all the way till the next morning. -How dare he reject me without even looking at the script! I¡¯ll make sure he never does that again! -I¡¯ll make sure to write an outstanding script so that he¡¯lle begging to work on my next drama! -Give me Yoon-Ho¡¯s number! Call him and let me speak to Yoo-Jin! -Huh? He¡¯s sleeping? How can he be sleeping when I¡¯m still awake!? -No. Why should the great Lee Ji-Yeon wait for the next drama to work with them? -Soll-Ip. Call him and tell him that if he doesn¡¯t work with me on this drama, I won¡¯t ever see him again! As she edited the manuscript, the crazy rants of Lee Ji-Yeon, fueled by caffeine, continued until seven in the morning. Even though Kim Soll-Ip paid no heed to Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯sints, she felt as if her ears were bleeding from the incessantints. Nheless, thanks to the high-end sushi that Lee Ji-Yeon treated her to the previous day, she had the strength to endure it all. *** It was December 25th, 2019. I was currently visiting Yoo-Jin¡¯s house to celebrate Christmas. ¡°Merry Christmas!¡± ¡°Merry Christmas!¡± Yoo-Jin and Miso smiled brightly and approached me with a cake they had baked together. It was a crooked cake with whipped cream spread on top, decorated with Powertuff Girls-shaped choctes. Miso gathered the candles and lit them at once. ¡°Uncle Yoon-Ho! Blow out the candles! Hurry!¡± Whoosh! When I effortlessly blew out the candles with one breath, Miso sighed in relief. ¡°Miso, we don¡¯t want to start a fire here.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay! I have a secret weapon now!¡± Miso ran to the kitchen and came back holding a small fire extinguisher. She had gotten it after attending a training session at the local fire station with thendlord, but she was disappointed that she hadn¡¯t had a chance to use it yet. I was momentarily taken aback, but I refrained from scolding her after seeing her cute expression. ¡°Oppa, here you go.¡± Yoo-Jin handed me a stic cake cutter. ¡°Why are you giving this to me? You should be the one cutting it.¡± ¡°Well...it¡¯s all thanks to you that we are celebrating Christmas right now.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but scratch my head at Yoo-Jin¡¯s words. I felt a tingling sensation in my chest. ¡°Alright. Should I cut it then?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± As I cut the cake, Miso wore a bright smile and pped her hands. Then Yoo-Jin served me a piece of cake on a te. ¡®Wow, it¡¯s sweet.¡¯ The cake had buttercream, onion rings, choctes, and even strawberry jam. ¡°Um, why are there onion rings here?¡± ¡°Because it¡¯s Miso¡¯s favorite snack.¡± ¡°Yes! I love onion rings the most. It¡¯s my favorite~!¡± Miso held the onion rings in her hand and ced them against her cheeks. Although it was an oddbination, the cake had a taste of happiness. While eating the cake, Yoo-Jin asked. ¡°Is it not tasty? Miso worked hard on it...should I remove the onion rings for you?¡± I was caught trying to secretly pick out the onion rings. Fearing Miso would spot me, I quickly put an onion ring in my mouth and spoke. ¡°N-no. It¡¯s delicious. Ke hem. I was just thinking about your next drama. Which writer do you prefer? Ms. Lee or Ms. Kim?¡± Yoo-Jin had already read both scripts because I immediately sent her the script for In the Name of God that I receivedst night from Lee Ji-Yeon. I hadn¡¯t told her which role I would rmend because I wanted to hear Yoo-Jin¡¯s personal opinion. After a brief moment of contemtion, Yoo-Jin shared her thoughts. ¡°Hmm. I prefer Ms. Kim because I like the character Twilight from Blue Sky.¡± ¡°Twilight?¡± Blue Sky was a family romanticedy set twenty years ago, depicting the daily lives of the Sung Blue¡¯s family that ran a seafood restaurant and the Kim Sky¡¯s family that ran a BBQ restaurant. Kim Twilight was a cheerful girl who took over the household chores from her eldest sister who couldn¡¯t eat meat despite running a BBQ restaurant. Twilight was a character that would be as popr as the female lead and receive immense love from the audience. In my past life, the role was yed by an actress named Park Jin-Hee. Thanks to ying the role of Kim Twilight, Park Jin-Hee had earned several million won just from advertisements that year. Feeling proud that Yoo-Jin also chose the role of Twilight, I couldn¡¯t help but break into a fatherly smile. Seeing my smile, Yoo-Jin looked confused. ¡°Oppa. Did I make a wrong choice?¡± ¡°No, the role I wanted to rmend was also Twilight.¡± For a moment, Yoo-Jin¡¯s face brightened and she suddenly eximed while holding out her right hand. ¡°Jji-jji-pong![1]¡± ¡°Ouch! What was that for?¡± Yoo-Jin pinched my arm as sheughed, saying we had the same thought. ¡®What the heck is this? What even is jji-jji-pong?¡¯¡¯ ¡°Ooh, me too! Jji-jji-pong!¡± ¡®Why are you pinching me as well, Miso?¡¯ Enduring the pain, I asked Yoo-Jin. ¡°Ouch...how long are you going to keep doing this?¡± ¡°Until it¡¯s resolved!¡± With her innocent face, Miso said I had to shout something to resolve it. But I had no idea what was going on. ¡°How do I resolve it?¡± Miso sneaked a nce and whispered in my ear. ¡°Say pong-jji-jji!¡± ¡®What? What on earth is that?¡¯ It felt odd, yet I had no choice but to shout it out. ¡°Pong-jji-jji!¡± With that, Yoo-Jin and Miso stopped pinching me and burst intoughter. ¡®So, it¡¯s something people do when they say the same thing or have the same thought?¡¯ When I acted as if the pinch hurt, Miso blew on the spot she pinched to soothe it. I couldn¡¯t help butugh at Miso¡¯s contradictory actions. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Uncle Yoon-Ho~.¡± ¡®Wait. It makes sense why Yoo-Jin pinched me, but why did Miso pinch me too?¡¯ I was tempted to question Miso about it, but seeing her brightlyughing face, I couldn¡¯t help but break intoughter too. ¡®She¡¯s too cute to be held ountable.¡¯ ¡°But Yoo-Jin, why do you prefer Ms. Kim¡¯s drama over Ms. Lee¡¯s drama?¡± ¡°Oh, that?¡± As Yoo-Jin began to exin, I inadvertentlyughed out loud. 1. Jinx in korean. You pinch someone while saying this, and let go of them only when they say pong-jji-jji ? Chapter 29: Good Things Happen on Christmas (1)

Chapter 29: Good Things Happen on Christmas (1)

¡°So, you have no idea how to y the role of a shaman, huh?¡± Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s new drama, In the Name of God, was aedic piece where a passionate detective, a rookie female prosecutor, and a beautiful shaman team up to catch a murderer. The role that Lee Ji-Yeon expected Yoo-Jin to y was that of a young shaman. It was a role that was as significant as the male and female leads. ¡°ying the role of a shaman does seem interesting. But when I tried to practice my acting, I just couldn¡¯t capture the essence of the role. Should I incorporate a knife dance into my portrayal of a shaman? Like this? Whoosh~ whoosh~!¡± Holding chopsticks in both hands, Yoo-Jin mimicked the shaman¡¯s knife dance andughed. Though she was uncertain about ying the role of a shaman, she expressed confidence in ying the role of the second daughter in Blue Sky better than anyone else, especially since she used to work part-time at a BBQ restaurant for six months. ¡°You made a good choice. Recognizing what you can do is the first step in managing your filmography.¡± ¡®So what if she can¡¯t y the role of a shaman now? She can always do itter.¡¯ As actors progress in their careers and gain more experience, their capacity to take on a wider variety of roles naturally expands. Additionally, it was entirely possible to expedite the development of one¡¯s ability to y a wide range of roles through learning. If needed, I could help Yoo-Jin by visiting a professional shaman and watching them carry out rituals or even interviewing them. I recalled the award eptance speech of an actor I had heard in my past life¡ªshe said that acting was essentially just pretending, be it pretending to be dead, tired, or to be a good person. In romantic films, actors had to pretend to love, and in horror films, they had to pretend to be a murderer. ¡®Hollywood actors often pretend to be elves and it¡¯smon for them to pretend to be aliens, right?¡¯ ying a shaman might not bemon, but it was still within the realm of human characters. Or, as was the case now, Yoo-Jin could choose roles she was confident in and grow by being more selective. Helping actors to receive awards was easy as counting to three for me since I could foresee the future. ¡°Anyway, it feels like a dream to have both writers want me.¡± When Yoo-Jin smiled broadly, Miso also smiled joyfully. ¡°Yes! Me too! I¡¯m happy as well!¡± Seeing Miso¡¯s innocent expression, it felt like it was time to tell her what I had previously discussed with Yoo-Jin. ¡®Should we tell Miso now?¡¯ ¡®Yes.¡¯ Yoo-Jin immediately understood my intention even with the slightest lip movement ¡®Alright. Let me take a deep breath first.¡¯ ¡°Miso.¡± ¡°Yes? What is it, Uncle Yoon-Ho?¡± Miso snuggled into Yoo-Jin¡¯s arms and tilted her head in wonder. ¡°Miso. Isn¡¯t it hard for you to address your mom as your auntie?¡¯ Miso stoppedughing. Then she nced back and forth between Yoo-Jin and me. Yoo-Jin stroked Miso¡¯s hair and opened her mouth. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Miso. Yoon-Ho oppa already knows I¡¯m your mom.¡± Miso hesitated for a moment and then replied. ¡°Actually...I know that Uncle Yoon-Ho knows everything...¡± At that moment, Yoo-Jin and I froze in shock. *** ¡°You mischievous girl~! Grr! You¡¯re in big trouble now, Miso~,¡± Yoo-Jin said as she tickled Miso under her armpits. ¡°Hehehe. Mom, it tickles! It tickles~.¡± Miso confessed that she had pretended to be asleep and unintentionally overheard the conversation between Yoo-Jin and me on the first day I returned when she was awoken by Yoo-Jin¡¯s sobbing. ¡°But why didn¡¯t you say anything, Miso?¡± ¡°Because I promised.¡± ¡°Promised what?¡± ¡°You told me to call you auntie when there are other people around, remember?¡± ¡°So that¡¯s why you kept it a secret?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miso.¡± Tears began to well up in Yoo-Jin¡¯s eyes and Miso hugged Yoo-Jin tightly with her small arms. ¡°Don¡¯t cry, Mom. I¡¯m okay.¡± Miso wiped Yoo-Jin¡¯s tears with her sleeve, but tears welled up in Miso¡¯s eyes as well. ¡°I¡¯ll stop crying if you stop crying, Miso.¡± ¡°Okay, Mom.¡± Seeing Yoo-Jin and Miso wipe each other¡¯s tears away made me emotional. ¡°Yoo-Jin, I¡¯ll help to resolve this issue soon, so don¡¯t worry about it.¡± Handling a celebrity¡¯s family issues carelessly could result in a major scandal. On the other hand, it could be a huge benefit to their image if handled well. So now, this issue was something I had to take care of. ¡°I understand. I trust you, oppa.¡± After addressing the issue regarding Miso, I quickly brought up the topic of advertisement. ¡°By the way, Burger Queen had contacted thepany.¡± ¡°Huh? Why? I even deleted the contact number of the branch manager in Cheonho-dong,¡± Yoo-Jin tilted her head and asked while holding Miso in her arms. ¡°No, that¡¯s not it.¡± When I informed her that we had received an offer of 30 million won for a Burger Queen advertisement yesterday, Yoo-Jin looked utterly surprised. ¡°30 million won? They¡¯re offering that much money to me?¡± ¡°Yes. But I declined their offer for now.¡± Yoo-Jin made a puzzled expression. However, the reason I was transparent about the matter was because I believed that she would understand my intentions and not misinterpret them. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We didn¡¯tpletely give up on the advertisement opportunity. I¡¯m thinking of pushing it to at least 50 million won.¡± ¡°Whoa. 50 million won?¡± ¡°Ah, and don¡¯t snack on the cake in the meantime.¡± Yoo-Jin, who was sneaking another piece of cake into her mouth, stopped. ¡°You caught me...haha.¡± Having been caught eyeing food like a starving predator, Yoo-Jin smiled awkwardly. *** The publicity department at Burger Queen was so busy that all employees had toe in to work on Christmas. ¡°...What? They said they needed time to think over our offer?¡± Ahn Ji-Yoon, the chief of the publicity department, made a dumbfounded expression. ¡°Was that all they said?¡± ¡°Well, it seems both Lotterina and Magnum Burger are trying to snag Miss Yoo-Jin as their model. They seemed to have each made a move.¡± Lotterina and Magnum Burger, who were ranked 1st and 2nd in the fast-food industry, were strongpetitors of Burger Queen. Ahn Ji-Yoon¡¯s eyebrows twitched in frustration. ¡°Damn it. Those bastards just can¡¯t stand to see others do well, can they!? Why are they butting in all the time? And Miss Yoo-Jin is already associated with the keyword Burger Queen, so why are they even trying!?¡± After bursting into a rage, Ahn Ji-Yoon paused and bit her lip as if she had remembered something. ¡°Wait, that doesn¡¯t make sense though. Isn¡¯t it odd that the industry¡¯s top chains are moving so quickly when they aren¡¯t in a rush? They have nothing to lose, right?¡± Kim Yung-Jin, the team lead who was sweating while dealing with his temperamental boss, agreed. ¡°You do have a point, ma¡¯am. Could it perhaps be that Hoop Entertainment is testing the waters with us because they aren¡¯t satisfied with our offer?¡± The publicity department, responsible for overseeing every single Burger Queen advertisement, had rarely encountered such a situation. It was surprising that a newly debuted actress would turn down a generous offer of 30 million won for a single advertisement. Ahn Ji-Yoon made an irritated expression. ¡°Should we give them a better offer one more time?¡± Despite the subtle suggestion by Team Lead Kim Yung-Min, Ahn Ji-Yoon shook her head vehemently. ¡°No. If they¡¯re going to be so snooty, we shouldn¡¯t contact them for a while before...¡± At that moment, they noticed Intern Lee Yung-Sook, hesitating to report something because her two superiors were raising their voices. ¡°What is it, Miss. Yung-Sook? Do you have something to say?¡± ¡°You told me to report immediately if there were any peculiarities, so...¡± ¡°I did say that. What¡¯s so peculiar?¡± ¡°Um, please take a look at this...¡± Lee Yung-Sook handed over the tablet. [Nave Live Search Rankings] 1st Jung Yoo-Jin p 5th Morning Takes Off viewership ratings 22% 6th Burger Queen Jung Yoo-Jin 7th Burger Queen¡¯s Burger Maiden fanclub 9th Park Eun-Bin terrible acting 10th Idol Daejun Cherry Blossom ¡°W-what is this? What¡¯s going on? Jung Yoo-Jin ranked 1st on the live search rankings?¡± ¡°Yes. Miss Yoo-Jin gave a good p to Mr. Park Eun-Sung in yesterday¡¯s episode of Morning Takes Off. Here, look at the photo and the article.¡± [Morning Takes off, God¡¯s hand Jung Yoo-Jin!] (Comments) -LOL. I bet no one would survive if she was to p that hard. -How can Miss Yoo-Jin be so good at pping someone like that? -Wow...I fell in love with her. -Yikes, you fell in love with her because she pped someone? -That¡¯s more like a punch than a p. I¡¯d faint if she pped me. -She is such an amazing actress. People had turned the scene where Jung Yoo-JIn hit Park Eun-Sung into a GIF and were spreading it around the inte. ¡°How could this happen...¡± Ahn Ji-Yoon quickly analyzed the cause of Jung Yoo-Jin going viral on the inte because it was inexplicable how a rookie had such a strong impact. But it didn¡¯t take long before she found the reason¡ªit was because the Burger Queen¡¯s Burger Maiden¡¯s fan club, ranked 7th in the live search rankings, had resumed their activities. At that moment, Ahn Ji-Yoon¡¯s expression changed dramatically. ¡°Now I see why Hoop Entertainment was ying hard to get. With this amount of attention, it makes sense for them to be so snooty. I like it.¡± The employees looked bewildered at Ahn Ji-Yoon¡¯s sudden change in attitude. Then, Assistant Manager Choi Moo-Sung eximed loudly. ¡°Ms. Ahn! We¡¯ve exceeded our webpage traffic again today.¡± ¡°R-really? What about the orders?¡± ¡°It increased by 17%pared to yesterday.¡± The startled Ahn Ji-Yoon quickly called Lee Yung-Sook over. ¡°Miss Yung-Sook. You¡¯ve worked at a broadcasting station before, so you should be quite knowledgeable about dramas. Right?¡± ¡°Um, yes. I suppose so...?¡± ¡°I¡¯m gonna head over to Hoop Entertainment right now. Can youe with me and assist me? You¡¯re probably more experienced in broadcasting matters. If I run into any issues, please help me out. Can you do that?¡± Seeing this as an opportunity to prove herself to the chief of the publicity department, Lee Yung-Sook nodded eagerly. ¡°Of course, Ms. Ahn.¡± ¡°Then get ready immediately. What does Miss Jung Yoo-Jin like? Can someone quickly call the store manager in Cheonho-dong and ask? We need to find out what our future Burger Queen, Miss Yoo-Jin, likes!¡± Ahn Ji-Yoon¡¯s thunderous voice resonated throughout the room. Taking the directive from his unpredictable superior, Kim Yung-Jin made the call in haste. ¡°Is this the manager from the Cheonho-dong branch? This is the head office publicity department.¡± *** I was simultaneously helping Miso with her drawing homework and watching Yoo-Jin practice her script. ¡°Miso, don¡¯t you think a flesh tone would be better there?¡± Miso, who was about to color the Little Mermaid¡¯s face blue, paused to think for a moment before nodding. ¡°Hmm. Okay! After all, the Little Mermaid bes humanter...That makes sense.¡± ¡°I-is that so?¡± ¡°Yes, Uncle Yoon-Ho. Fish have blue skin, but humans have flesh tones!¡± ¡®But shouldn¡¯t the Little Mermaid¡¯s face have been flesh-toned from the beginning anyway?¡¯ I wanted to make a furtherment, but decided to keep quiet. Then, I also spoke to Yoo-Jin who was next to me looking frustrated with her script. ¡°Yoo-Jin, try reading thatst line a bit more cheerfully.¡± ¡°Yes, Uncle Yoon-Ho.¡± ¡°Why are you calling me your uncle?¡± ¡°Well, just for fun. Ha ha.¡± Yoo-Jin giggled and went back to focusing on her script. In the meantime, I checked my social media and let out a sigh of relief. ¡®I¡¯m d we did not immediately ept the Burger Queen¡¯s initial offer.¡¯ As I had expected, all the entertainment news on Nave was solely about Morning Takes Off. [Morning Takes Off Episode 22, Viewership Ratings 22.5%] [Writer Lee Ji-Yeon delivers another hit!] [The godmother of dramas, Lee Ji-Yeon. The top contender for this year¡¯s best drama?] [Morning Takes Off, discovering new actress Jung Yoo-Jin.] Thanks to Episode 22 of Morning Takes Off achieving a viewership rating of 22.5%, the entertainment news was buzzing with anticipation for the record-breaking viewership ratings. As a result, the clip of Yoo-Jin pping Park Eun-Sung in the face also became a hot topic. -Look at Park Eun-Sung¡¯s face after getting pped. He looks truly shocked. -Despite acting alongside amazing actors Choi Eun-Yung and Park Eun-Sung, Jung Yoo-Jin didn¡¯t get overshadowed at all. Her presence is remarkable. -Wait. Isn¡¯t she the famous Burger Queen¡¯s Burger Maiden? -Yes, that¡¯s right. That¡¯s Jung Yoo-Jin, Cheonho-dong¡¯s Burger Queen. There was even an article about the fan club of Cheonho-dong¡¯s Burger Maiden being active again. Thanks to the barrage of rted articles, Yoo-Jin had ranked 1st on live search rankings on Nave for four hours straight¡ªremarkably, on Christmas. This proved the saying that ¡®luck is more important than skill.¡¯ ¡®Of course, skillys the foundation for a longsting career. But still.¡¯ When Yoo-Jin saw that I couldn¡¯t take my eyes off my phone, she discreetly asked about her ranking. ¡°Oppa, what¡¯s my current ranking?¡± ¡°You¡¯re still the 1st.¡± ¡°Wow. That¡¯s amazing!¡± Yoo-Jin shook her head, seemingly in disbelief. However, I couldn¡¯t fully rejoice over this good news because of a single schedule entry written in the nner. [Everyday V10] -7:00 PM Kangdongkyung University Hospital Funeral Hall 1F VIP Room. Jang Jun-Hyuk. Send a wreath. Actor Jang Jun-Hyuk, who became the top star by consecutively seeding in two major historical dramas, went independent with a one-person agency a month ago after filing awsuit to terminate his exclusive contract. His reason was that he hadn¡¯t taken a single break in the ten years since his debut, due to an overly intense schedule forced upon him by the former agency. However, perhaps due to umted fatigue, he would suddenly die from a heart attack while driving. Being a rare genuine individual in an entertainment industry filled with duplicitous people, everyone attending his funeral would sincerely mourn his passing. Soon, at around 3:30 PM, he would meet his fate on Cheonho bridge. The current time was 2:30 PM and there was only about an hour left before the incident. I hesitated for a moment but eventually decided I had to save him. There was no reason to turn a blind eye to someone I could save, especially since it wasn¡¯t even about preventing a terror act of some sort. With determination, I stood up from my seat. ¡°There¡¯s no other schedule for today and tomorrow, so take a good rest at home. I¡¯ll pick you up at 11 o¡¯clock the day after tomorrow. Prepare well for the audition.¡± Yoo-Jin and Miso saw me off with a longing look. ¡°Okay, oppa. Drive safely.¡± ¡°Bye~ Uncle Yoon-Ho~!¡± I bade farewell to the two and drove towards Cheonho bridge to save Jang Jun-Hyuk. Chapter 30: Good Things Happen on Christmas (2)

Chapter 30: Good Things Happen on Christmas (2)

The expected time of Jang Jun-Hyuk¡¯s ident was around 3:30 PM. But since that was only an approximate time, I had been circling near the ident site from about 3:10 PM. The current time was 3:27 PM. My heart was racing wildly. Thump thump. Every time I tried to prevent someone¡¯s death, it was never an easy task. From what I knew, Jang Jun-Hyuk¡¯s vehicle would suddenly elerate and cross over to the fourthne from the thirdne before crashing into a building wall. To prevent that crash, I had no choice but to block thene with my vehicle. Honk honk. ¡°Hey! Why are you blocking thene like that? Move out of the way!¡± ¡°What¡¯s with that guy? Is he out of his mind?¡± ¡°Hey, you jerk! Move your damn car!¡± I kept circling the same route amidst the honking of people driving in the fourthne. It was now 3:29 PM. Tick tock tick tock. The inaudible ticking of the second hand echoed in my ears, like a hallucination. At that moment, I could finally see Jang Jun-Hyuk¡¯s ck Binz sedan entering the thirdne from my rearview mirror. ¡®He¡¯s here.¡¯ The distance between his car and mine was roughly about 30 meters. I immediately picked up my phone and dialed 119. ¡°Um, hello. I¡¯m on Cheonho Bridge right now.¡± -Yes, we know. Our system can detect the location. It was the same operator I had spoken to before when I tried to prevent Miso¡¯s ident. ¡°Oh? It¡¯s you from before, right?¡± -Yes, it¡¯s me. What¡¯s the matter? Is there a gas leak again? ¡°No. There¡¯s been an ident here. The location is...¡± -I already told you that we can detect the location. We¡¯ll dispatch help immediately. Are you nearby? ¡°Yes. The driver is having a heart attack. Please hurry!¡± -Wait, hold on a minute. If you switch to a video call, I can guide you through the steps of performing CPR so that you can... ¡®There¡¯s no need for CPR because the ident hadn¡¯t even happened yet.¡¯ I simply hung up the phone and prepared for the impending crash. Jang Jun-Hyuk¡¯s car would soon suddenly elerate after his heart attack at any moment now. [Current time: 3:30 PM] Suddenly, Jang Jun-Hyuk¡¯s car, which had been moving slowly in the thirdne, started to elerate rapidly. Vrooom! I tucked my smartphone in my arms and clenched my teeth tightly. I then mmed the brakes and gripped the steering wheel, ready for the collision. Crash! Jang Jun-Hyuk¡¯s Binz mmed into the driver¡¯s door of my vehicle. Jolt! My car almost flipped over from the impact. ¡°Ugh!¡± My neck felt stiff, as if I got a terrible muscle cramp, but thankfully, the impact wasn¡¯t too severe due to the short distance of eleration. However, the problem was Jang Jun-Hyuk¡¯s car was now pushing mine because he didn¡¯t take his foot off the elerator. His luxury car seemed to have good power, unlike mine. Squeeeak! The sound of tires being dragged along the ground was followed by the burning smell of rubber due to friction against the road. I pulled the handbrake and rolled down the window. Then I screamed at the top of my lungs. ¡°Mr. Jang Jun-Hyuk! Snap out of it!¡± Squeeeak! The acrid smell from Jang Jun-Hyuk¡¯s spinning tires grew stronger and stronger. Despite my screams at the top of my lungs, Jang Jun-Hyuk still remained unconscious with his head resting against the steering wheel. ¡°Damn it! Jang Jun-Hyuk! Wake up! Turn off the engine! Turn it off now!¡± As I repeatedly shouted his name informally, Jang Jun-Hyuk seemed to slowlye to his senses while clutching his chest. Then, gasping for breath, he weakly reached out his hand. Tap. He barely managed to reach the key. However, he seemed too weak to turn off the ignition. Tap, tap. He missed once, then again. His hand kept missing the ignition. ¡°Ugh...ke uk...¡± But eventually, he managed to turn off the engine. Vroom. Thud. The engine was finally off. At the same time, Jang Jun-Hyuk copsed to the side as if all his strength had been drained. I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt to exit from the passenger door of my vehicle and went over to check on Jang Jun-Hyuk. *** ¡°Huff, huff, huff. Stay with me!¡± I began performing CPR to resuscitate him. ¡°Huff, huff, huff.¡± Performing CPR was much harder than I thought it would be. ¡°Please! Just breathe!¡± I could see his chest sinking slightly with eachpression, but Jang Jun-Hyuk showed no sign of waking up. ¡°Huff, huff.¡± I pressed down on the center of his chest about 1.5 to 2 times per second, but there was no response. Sweat poured down my face. ¡°Damn it...they said to press hard enough to break the ribs, didn¡¯t they?¡± I closed my eyes tightly and began pressing harder on his chest. Crack! The clear sound of a bone breaking resonated. Cold sweat ran down from my forehead out of frustration, but I didn¡¯t stop my hands. After all, saving the life in front of me was more important than any other consequence. ¡°Huff, huff, huff.¡± My whole arm throbbed and my back was drenched with sweat from pressing so hard and not holding back. At that moment, I heard mumbling from my surroundings. ¡°Hey! Seriously, man. Who taught you how to drive, huh? If there¡¯s an ident, you have to move your car out of the...wait. Isn¡¯t that Jang Jun-Hyuk? What¡¯s going on here?¡± ¡°Is this a movie shoot?¡± ¡°N-no, dude! It looks like a real heart attack!¡± ¡°Well, then what are you doing! Call 112 and get an ambnce!¡± ¡°That¡¯s for reporting a crime, you idiot!¡± Themotion continued, and soon after, I heard the sound of cars blocking thene behind me. ¡°Please control the traffic!¡± ¡°Everyone! Please make way for the ambnce! Everyone!¡± ¡°Hey, young man. Let me know if you¡¯re tired. I¡¯ll help as well.¡± The previously annoyed crowd had a change in attitude upon realizing that this was a real emergency. I hadn¡¯t been able to trust people for quite a while, but maybe the world wasn¡¯t so bad after all. However, Jang Jun-Hyuk still wasn¡¯t breathing. ¡®Well, I have no choice. I have to save him.¡¯ ¡°Huff, huff.¡± I continued performing CPR, incorporating artificial respiration from mouth to mouth for about two minutes. ¡°Cough! Ughh...¡± Jang Jun-Hyuk began groaning with a painful expression upon regaining consciousness. ¡°He¡¯s back!¡± ¡°He¡¯s alive!¡± ¡°Wow, this guy saved him!¡± ¡°He¡¯s breathing again!¡± Amidst the cheers of the crowd, I felt utterly drained of energy. As I slumped to the ground due to the surging muscle pain throughout my body, I heard the distant sound of sirens approaching from afar. *** [Everyday V10] [Date: December 25th, 2019] -7:00 PM (Deleted Schedule: Kangdongkyung University Hospital Funeral Hall 1F VIP Room. Jang Jun-Hyuk. Send a wreath.) The event rted to Jang Jun-Hyuk¡¯s death that was recorded in my nner disappeared right before my eyes. ¡°Are you the one who called 119?¡± ¡°Yes. I made the call.¡± A firefighter with a name tag that read Kim Chun-Soo greeted me with a bow. ¡°Thank you. Could I get your contact information?¡± ¡°Is there any issue? Do I need to pay a fine?¡± ¡°No. It¡¯s just that the patient might want to contact youter when he recovers, and there might be a reward. We collect contact information in advance for those reasons. You won¡¯t face any consequences since you helped in an emergency.¡± ¡°Oh, is that so? Alright then.¡± I took out my business card and handed it to Kim Chun-Soo. ¡°Here you go, sir.¡± ¡°Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment. That''s a great name. On behalf of our station, thank you for your good deed.¡± Then, Kim Chun-Soo straightened his posture and saluted me. ¡°Attention! Salute.¡± Snap! All the rest of the firefighters saluted in unison except for those who were carrying Jang Jun-Hyuk. ¡°Oh, um, yes. No problem at all.¡± I was taken aback but quickly returned the salute. I wondered why they were saluting me, but I didn¡¯t particrly mind the gesture. sh! sh! People around us started taking pictures with their phones. Soon after, the police arrived and began to manage the scene. A short whileter, an insurance agent arrived to take photos and began speaking. ¡°I¡¯ll discuss this matter with Mr. Jang Jun-Hyuk¡¯s insurance agent first. It seems they might cover the entire cost.¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯d appreciate your assistance with the follow-up. Thank you so much.¡± After providing my personal details, I headed to the auto repair shop the insurance agent had rmended. *** I left my car at the auto repair shop and received an estimate of the costs. They said it would cost around 1.2 million won, so I picked up my phone to inform thepany. However, before I could do so, I received an iing call. [Caller: Chief Gu Seong-Cheol] ¡°Huh? Why would Mr. Gu call me?¡± I recalled sending pictures of the damaged car to Oh Duk-Gu via KkTalk right after the ident. Wondering if he called to scold me for that, I cautiously answered the call. ¡°Um, Mr. Gu. What happened is...um...¡± -Yoon-Ho. Burger Queen visited thepany to discuss the advertising issue. I know this is superst minute, but can youe right away? ¡®Oh, so it¡¯s not about the ident. I was supposed to have a meeting with Burger Queen a weekter, but they came today? On Christmas?¡¯ It seemed my busy day wasn¡¯t over just yet. *** White snow began to fall from the sky as I arrived at thepany. Flurries of cold snow touched my palm, melting instantly from the warmth of my skin. Though it was cold, I couldn¡¯t help but smile because I was grateful for being able to feel even this minor sensation. ¡°Yikes. I¡¯m going to bete.¡± When I opened the door and walked into the lobby, I could see Lee Dong-Min, who was talking busily on the phone. ¡°Hey, Star Jung. Why did youe to thepany on Christmas when you should be resting at home?¡± ¡°Oh, Mr. Gu called me in.¡± ¡°Why would he call someone in on their day off? Hmm. This wouldn¡¯t happen if you transferred over to the Singer Division 2. Hmm, hmm.¡± ¡®Wow, another one trying to deceive me here. I know how busy it is to be in charge of idols.¡¯ ¡°Does Cherry Blossom have any schedule today? It seemed like Mr. Han had one...¡± ¡°Oops. You caught me.¡± Lee Dong-Min chuckled yfully before sharing some exciting news¡ªChoi Eun-Hyuk, the main PD of KBC Music Stage, had called personally. ¡°He said Cherry Blossom will be on air continuously for the foreseeable future, starting next week.¡± ¡°Oh, really?¡± For Cherry Blossom to appear on the music show wasn¡¯t easy due to their low rank. However, thanks to their sudden surge in poprity after Idol Daejun, they would be allowed to continue to be on the show. Furthermore, it was said that Choi Eun-Hyuk was in a hurry to sign the agreed contract for their appearance on KBC Music Land. Themitment to appear on KBC Music Land in exchange for appearing in the Idol Daejun was only a verbal agreement so far. With Choi Eun-Hyuk¡¯s rush to get the contract in writing, Lee Dong-Min had the upper hand now. This was what made the entertainment industry interesting. Once one gained poprity, their life could change overnight. ¡°Anyway, thanks to you, Yoon-Ho, Cherry Blossom no longer needs to worry about disbanding. All the members wanted me to convey their gratitude.¡± ¡°No worries at all. There¡¯s no need to thank me because they achieved that on their own.¡± ¡°They were always good but were never given any opportunities. Indeed, it is all thanks to you.¡± Lee Dong-Min looked at his surroundings for a moment before sharing another piece of news with me. ¡°Also, Cherry Blossom received an offer for amercial film. I guess it¡¯s because they were trending all day yesterday and ranked within the top ten searches.¡± Lee Dong-Min exined that it was a three-month contract with a cosmeticspany worth 10 million won. ¡°10 million won? Hm. That¡¯s not much. Considering the amount, the cosmeticspany must be a startup, right?¡± ¡°Yes. It hasn¡¯t been long since they were founded. What was the name again? Yeppedang? Yeppudang? Oh, right. It¡¯s Yetterang.¡± At that moment, a familiar name came to mind. ¡®Yetterang? Hold on. Where have I heard that before? Wait. Is it really that Yetterang I know of? That¡¯s thepany that would be one of the top three in the cosmetics industry in ten years!¡¯ Yetterang was apany established independently by Ahn Suk-Hoon, a cosmetics research director of a major corporation. Because its quality was better than the top-ranked Rohnson¡¯s products and priced at only a fifth, it saw tremendous growth over ten years. During my time at Top Entertainment, they had hired Min Gyu-Ri as their advertising model. In my past life, they had chosen Golden Road as their model. However, the future had changed due to the aftermath of Idol Daejun. ¡°So, Yoon-Ho, what do you think? Should we do it? Or should we not?¡± Lee Dong-Min mentioned that he is aware of the fact that I am currently negotiating an advertisement deal with Burger Queen for Yoo-Jin and was seeking my advice. ¡°Mr. Lee, you must secure a contract with them no matter what!¡± Lee Dong-Min tilted his head with a puzzled expression. ¡°Huh? Do you know thatpany well?¡± ¡°Yes! The teen cosmetics produced by Yetterang are extremely popr among teenagers.¡± ¡°If their sales target is teenagers, then it oveps with the target of Cherry Blossom. Doesn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Yes, sir. It would be a perfect coboration. Since thepany is still a start-up, I think it would be good to include an extension option in the contract.¡± After a moment of contemtion, Lee Dong-Min nodded. ¡°Alright. We can ask for more product sponsorships in exchange for a lower advertisement fee.¡± ¡°For sure, Mr. Lee.¡± Then, I suddenly remembered that Yetterang would list stocks in about five years from now and their stock price would surge multiple times after listing. ¡®I¡¯ll need to buy some stocks when the timees...¡¯ Lee Dong-Min gave a heartyugh and thanked me for the advice. ¡°Please feel free to share your thoughts with me on any matter, Yoon-Ho. I¡¯ll always listen to you.¡± ¡°In that case, Mr. Lee. How about starting work on Cherry Blossom¡¯s new song as soon as possible?¡± ¡°Hm? New song?¡± ¡°Yes. We have gained some momentum and we need good songs to keep it going.¡± I subtly hinted that the songs from Cherry Blossom¡¯s second album weren¡¯t great. For a moment, Lee Dong-Min stared at me intently with a proud look as if he were admiring a sessful son. Chapter 31: Good Things Happen on Christmas (3)

Chapter 31: Good Things Happen on Christmas (3)

Feeling unexpectedly shy at Lee Dong-Min¡¯s warm gaze toward me, I scratched the back of my head and asked. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that, Mr. Lee?¡± ¡°Yoon-Ho. I really think you deserve a promotion.¡± ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± ¡°Mr. Han and I are actually in the midst of a serious discussion about producing a new song for Cherry Blossom. Come to think of it, you are much morepetent than I am.¡± ¡°Oh, not at all, Mr. Lee.¡± Lee Dong-Min chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s true. Anyway, let¡¯s discuss this further once we¡¯ve finalized the new song. Star Jung, you¡¯re practically part of the Singer Division 2 as well, so I will let you know Cherry Blossom¡¯s schedule for the next album.¡± In any case, I felt a ray of hope for Cherry Blossom¡¯s future. ¡®A new song and Yetterang¡¯s cosmetics advertisement?¡¯ I had a hunch that Cherry Blossom could grow as fast as Yoo-Jin. Indeed, it was a merry Christmas today. *** After parting with Lee Dong-Min, I headed straight to the meeting room. ¡°I¡¯m here.¡± In the meeting room, Gu Seong-Cheol and a woman, who seemed to be in herte thirties, wearing horn-rimmed sses were facing each other. ¡°Are you the talent agent of Miss Jung Yoo-Jin? I am Ahn Ji-Yoon, the publicity director of Burger Queen.¡± Ahn Ji-yoon introduced herself and extended her hand for a handshake. After shaking hands, the female employee next to her introduced herself as well. "I''m Lee Yung-Sook, an intern from the publicity department at Burger Queen." ¡®Wait. Why is a mere intern attending an advertisement negotiation?¡¯ "Why is an..." As Gu Seong-Cheol and I wore puzzled expressions, Ahn Ji-yoon looked at Lee Yung-Sook and hastily addressed her. "It¡¯s true that you''re an intern now. But Miss Yung-Sook, you''ll soon be a full-time employee¡ªso you shouldn''t introduce yourself like that." Lee Yung-Sook''s eyes widened in surprise. "M-me? A full-time employee?" "Oh, you haven''t received the official notice yet. Anyway, Miss Yung-Sook, you are a full-time employee at Burger Queen, so please introduce yourself again." Lee Yung-Sook seemed to have heard the news for the first time, but soon broke into a bright smile and greeted us again. Her tone and demeanor were noticeably different from her first greeting. "I''m Lee Yung-Sook from Burger Queen." As we sat down after the greetings, Lee Yung-Sook opened her tablet and began her presentation. "As of today, whenever someone searches for Miss Jung Yoo-Jin on the search engine, Burger Queen also appears in the results. Likewise, when someone searches for Burger Queen, Miss Yoo-Jin¡¯s namees up. This alone shows the mutually beneficial nature of the rtionship between Burger Queen and Miss Yoo-Jin." Seeing Gu Seong-Cheol¡¯s intrigued expression, Ahn Ji-yoon took over the presentation. "We intend to sponsor whatever drama Miss Yoo-Jin appears in, including everything up to the extended 26th episode of the currently airing The Morning Takes Off." "How did you know about the extension to the 26th episode?" "Haha, this youngdy here has many connections in the broadcasting industry,¡± Ahn Ji-Yoon said as she pointed toward Lee Yung-Sook. ¡®She had an experience in the entertainment industry but she wasn¡¯t a PD or AD? Was she perhaps a junior writer?¡¯ "For this reason, we are willing to increase the contract amount to 40 million won. The duration of the contract is one year." Gu Seong-Cheol¡¯s jaw dropped in astonishment. ¡®He really can''t hide his emotions, can he?¡¯ "Mr. Gu mentioned that the final decision would be made by the talent agent of Miss Jung Yoo-Jin. We can even sign the contract today if you decide to take up the offer." With the decision-making authority now in my hands, I thought I should negotiate properly. "Ms. Ahn, I really appreciate your offer. But there are a few things I want to address before deciding on the amount." When I took a tough stance from the start, Ahn Ji-Yoon¡¯s face scrunched up in displeasure. "You know that 40 million won for a rookie actress is more than generous, right? We can''t offer any more than that." ¡®Hah. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m falling for that.¡¯ "I understand. In that case, I suppose this meeting is over." I stood up from my seat, indicating that there would be no deal. "Yoon-Ho! Wait a moment!" At that moment, the surprised Gu Seong-Cheol pulled me out of the meeting room and whispered so that no one inside could hear. "Do you really intend to reject the offer?" "Yoo-Jin is going to appear in the new drama from March and it would be the perfect time to raise her value. A one-year contract is too long, sir." "But don¡¯t you think you¡¯re taking it a little too far? If this deal falls through, your promotion might be jeopardized." Gu Seong-Cheol warned that those keeping an eye on my promotion would find fault. But that didn¡¯t matter, because I was determined to make this deal happen no matter what. "If writer Lee Ji-Yeon and Kim Soll-Ip both want Yoo-Jin, the buzz will only increase, right? It''s certainly worth taking a risk, Mr. Lee." "So, you''re suggesting we use the publicity department of Burger Queen to leak this information and turn it into a news article?" "Yes. Exactly that." "Do you think Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon will stay silent about it? She might be upset if she realizes her name is being used." "That''s why we need to seek her permission in advance." "Who''s going to sound her out?" I pointed at Gu Seong-Cheol with both hands. "Of course, almighty Mr. Gu right here should handle it. I''ve only been here for a year, after all." Gu Seong-Cheol¡¯s face crumpled. "You cheeky brat. You¡¯re just going to pass this on to me? Only at times like this?" When I gave a yful smile, Gu Seong-Cheol made a fist as if he was about to punch me. ¡®Yikes, I need to be careful.¡¯ But being a first-year employee had its perks. Due to my limited experience, I could pass troublesome problems to others. "Alright. I''ll handle that part. Let''s go back in and finalize the deal. Are you confident?" "Yes. Without a doubt, they will contact us again. Let''s just let them go for today." "Indeed, they seemed pretty desperate from what I could see." "Did you see the news today, sir? Yoo-Jin was the top trending live search until just a moment ago. It has now dropped to 8th, but she is still holding strong." Gu Seong-Cheol patted my shoulder. "As expected. Mr. Kang sure knows how to pick the right people. I never realized my boy would be this capable." I felt somewhat awkward at hispliment. "...Not at all, Mr. Gu." "Don¡¯t be so humble. Just go in there and give it your best." "Yes, sir!" "But you mentioned being in an ident earlier, right? Are you okay?" ¡®So that''s why he was looking at me from head to toe when I first got here.¡¯ Gu Seong-Cheol exined he had btedly received a report from Oh Duk-Gu. I reassured Gu Seong-Cheol, who was looking at me with a worried expression, that I was fine. "I''m tougher than you think. But... the estimated repair costs came out to be 1.2 million won." Gu Seong-Cheol red up at my words. ¡°The repair costs aren''t what¡¯s important! I¡¯m just d that you are not hurt. We can fix the carter. After the negotiation today, you''re calling in sick tomorrow! No, rest until the day after!" "Thank you, Mr. Gu." "Why are you thanking me? Let''s go back inside and finish the negotiation. I¡¯ll buy you steak once the negotiation is over. After all, steak is the best remedy for pain." My eyes lit up for a moment. "I''ll give it my all, sir." Upon returning to the meeting room, I immediately put on an act. "I apologize. I hope we can meet under better circumstances next time." If I showed an attitude of indifference, they would have no choice but to do so as well. It was only when both parties hadid all cards on the table would the real negotiations begin. However, the demeanor of Ahn Ji-Yoon seemed off for some reason. "Hold on a moment. Mr. Jung. I''d like to speak with you in private." "With me?" "Yes. Just the two of us." I wondered what had transpired while I was away as her attitude toward me hadpletely changed. "Why don¡¯t we just speak in here? At the end of the day, I still have to report everything to Mr. Gu anyway." When I refused to leave the room, using Gu Seong-Cheol as my excuse, Ahn Ji-Yoon sighed and held out her phone. "Is this you, Mr. Jung?" On the screen of the phone that Ahn Ji-Yoon held out, my face appeared in a news article. [Life-threatening car crash. The hero who saved Jang Jun-Hyuk.] -Officer Kim Chun-Soo from Kangdong Fire Station revealed that the person who rescued Jang Jun-Hyuk was a Talent Agent at Hoop Entertainment. -Today, talent agent of actress Jung Yoo-Jin, Mr. Jung risked a life-threatening collision on Cheonho Bridge to save top star Jang Jun-Hyuk. -...Meanwhile, the talent agent of Miss Jung Yoo-Jin, known widely as the Burger Queen¡¯s Burger Maiden, had also recently saved... (Comments) -I saw it with my own eyes at the scene. He used his own car to block Jang Jun-Hyuk''s car and rescued him. It was crazy! I thought my heart was going to explode. -He looks more like a model than a talent agent. He¡¯s tall and dresses well. -The celebrity is the beauty from Burger Queen in Cheonho-dong and the talent agent is just as handsome. What a pair. -Is there no fan club for this talent agent oppa? -Should I make one? A fan club for the handsome talent agent? Lol. ¡®Woah. The article is already up?¡¯ Although thements were full of nonsense, Ahn Ji-Yoon looked flushed after reading the article. At that moment, Ahn Ji-Yoon made me a new offer. "50 million won per year!" But there was a condition attached. "On the condition that Mr. Jung also appears in the advertisement!" Ahn Ji-Yoon was looking at me with greed in her eyes. But I firmly eximed. "No way!" When I immediately responded, Ahn Ji-Yoon looked puzzled. "But why? If you and Miss Yoo-Jin both appear in the advertisement, we can offer the 50 million won that you wanted. And of course, we''ll provide a separate advertising fee just for you as well." But I shook my head once again. "No. I have no intention of appearing in an advertisement." Ahn Ji-Yoon sighed and looked at me sideways. "Come on. Be honest. It''s a good opportunity to get your face out there on TV. There are many talent agents who want to be on television." ¡®That''s because they have other ambitions.¡¯ Many talent agents used their broadcasting contacts to transition into entertainers or broadcasters. However, I had no such intention¡ªthough the offer of an additional 5 million won in return for just my appearance was quite tempting. "You really are imprable, aren¡¯t you, Mr. Jung? Fine. What''s your price? Let''s discuss." "Shorten the contract duration to six months and maintain the advertisement fee of 50 million won. And if it''s a series of advertisements, the fee will be renegotiated. In return, I promise Yoo-Jin won''t appear in any bread-rted ads." Given that it might have been a steep condition, I specified that Yoo-Jin wouldn''t ept any other bread ads. "Not a year, but six months?" "Yes." Ahn Ji-Yoon was dumbfounded upon hearing the conditions I put forth and abruptly stood up. "You are asking for way too much, Mr. Jung. This can''t be done! Miss Yung-Sook. Let''s go. Let''s just look for another model." "Oh, yes. Alright." The startled Lee Yung-Sook stood up as well with a perplexed expression. However, I continued with a smirk on my face. "Sales of Burger Queen haven''t been good recently, have they?" Suddenly, Ahn Ji-Yoon, who was on her way out, stopped and red up. "That''s not true! I don''t know where you heard such baseless information, but our sales are excellent!" Ahn Ji-Yoon didn''t seem to have much talent for negotiation. ¡®They are trying to rece their main ambassador, Park Eun-Bin, within just three months of hiring her. Yet, she is iming that sales are good? Who would believe that?¡¯ Her flushed face and defensiveness were evident enough to convince anyone that she was lying. "With Park Eun-Bin''s declining poprity, the sales of burgers would have surely dropped as well. Doesn¡¯t yourpany need some kind of countermeasure?" "W-why would you say such a thing?" "You seem to be mistaken as we are not the ones who are at a disadvantage. I wonder if you''re aware that Lotterina has also been reaching out to us." Ahn Ji-Yoon''s face turned a shade of red. Mentioning Lotterina was a bluff, but it seemed to have worked. "Oh, and are you aware of the current state ofments left on Park Eun-Bin''s social media?" Each time an idol switched to acting, they often faced harsh criticism for one simple reason: they couldn¡¯t act. In Park Eun-Bin''s case, the situation seemed particrly dire. Comments like ¡°pathetic acting,¡± ¡°the most cringe acting ever,¡± and ¡°just stick to singing,¡± filled her social media page. As I continued discussing the public''s assessment of Park Eun-Bin, Ahn Ji-Yoon''s face grew redder. "I told you! That''s not true!" After fussing for a while, Ahn Ji-Yoon managed to calm her frustration. "Huff, huff. I apologize. I got a bit heated. But Lotterina won''t offer as much as us. Do you know how cheap their publicity department is?" "Well, we''ll see about that." I sneaked a nce at Gu Seong-Cheol. Then, Gu Seong-Cheol cleared his throat and spoke. ¡®It''s showtime.¡¯ "Ms. Ahn. Yoo-jin will appear in a new drama in March." "And?" "Well, the writer of that drama...hm, should I say it or not? It''s someone extremely famous." Gu Seong-Cheol''s rxed tone began to soften Ahn Ji-Yoon''s expression. ''Wow. Mr. Gu has excellent acting skills. A perfect ten out of ten.'' Ahn Ji-Yoon became more contemtive at Gu Seong-Cheol¡¯s ambiguous words. Growing impatient, I subtly hinted to Gu Seong-Cheol. "Mr. Gu, should we just eat at Lotterina tonight? Their new menu is quite good these days." "Oh? Are you talking about the Double-Double? Yeah, my daughter loves it. Deputy Head Kim of Lotterina''s publicity department sent me lots of free coupons. Might as well use them today." At that moment, Ahn Ji-Yoon eximed urgently. "Wait! Hold on, Mr. Jung!" Chapter 32: Reason for the Visit

Chapter 32: Reason for the Visit

"Are you saying you won''t sign any bread-rted advertisement contracts at all?" "Yes. I do still have a conscience." Ahn Ji-Yoon red at me for a moment and opened her mouth. "Fine! It¡¯s a deal! Let¡¯s sign the contract! But let me make just one call to the president of Burger Queen first! Okay?" ¡®Great. That settles it.¡¯ Ahn Ji-Yoon¡¯s hand was trembling as she grabbed her phone. "Hello, sir. This is Ahn Ji-Yoon speaking..." While Ahn Ji-Yoon was updating the president on the current situation, I secretly made a victory sign with my fingers under the table. Today was indeed a merry Christmas. *** Comints constantly poured out from Ahn Ji-Yoon¡¯s mouth as she drafted the contract. However, they were merely the grumbles of the defeated, of course. "I wonder if I''ve been bewitched by a fox." "Trust me, Ms. Ahn. You won''t regret this." "You are so annoying." The negotiation over the advertising contract terms with Burger Queen and Yoo-Jin ended with myplete victory. This was all thanks to the revtion that Yoo-Jin was scheduled to appear in a drama written by either Lee Ji-Yeon or one of her prot¨¦g¨¦s. Ahn Ji-Yoon, who had been ring at me, soon let out a sigh and stood up from her seat. "Anyway, moving forward, Miss Lee Yung-Sook over here will be the onemunicating with Mr. Jung. Please take good care of her." Lee Yung-Sook bowed politely to me. "Hi. I will contact you as soon as the advertising storyboard is ready!" At that moment, I nced at them and muttered to myself. "I¡¯ve heard that Marin nning and JUN nning make really good advertisements." But Ahn Ji-Yoon scoffed. "Mr. Jung, you do know that one is the top advertisementpany and the other is the most prominent risingpany among the neers, right?" Of course, I knew¡ªthey were the most famous advertisingpanies in my previous life too. "Oh, is that so? I just heard they are quite famous these days." "They are not just quite famous. They are the most expensive too!" As I made a puzzled and clueless expression, Ahn Ji-Yoon looked annoyed with me once again. After seeing Ahn Ji-Yoon and Lee Yung-Sook off at the elevator, Gu Seong-Cheol clicked his tongue at me. "You''re ruthless!" "Me?" "You''re so good at this that it¡¯s scary!" Gu Seong-Cheol clicked his tongue again. "Now that the negotiation is done, you should keep your promise and treat me to steak, Mr. Gu. Oh, by the way, I prefer Two-Horn Matured Hanwoo KING near thepany." Gu Seong-Cheol quickly turned his head to avoid my gaze. "It''s up to me what kind of steak I''ll buy you." I felt like I had been backstabbed by someone I trusted. "Wow! I suppose the saying about how people change before and after going to the restroom[1] is true after all. " "What? Weren¡¯t you the one who wanted a double-double burger earlier? Oh, it has a steak patty too, right?" Suddenly, tears obscured my vision. ¡®This is why one shouldn''t trust in empty promises.¡¯ "Keuk. The truth is, our division has been running low on funds recently...¡± Gu Seong-Cheol said as he struggled to squeeze out non-existent tears. "Ah, I get it. You can stop now. Cancel the steak. Let¡¯s just indulge in some pork ribs." But Gu Seong-Cheol grinned and opened his mouth. "No, not the pork ribs. Let''s just go to Chunja Grandma''s ce and have a bowl of soup. They say their beef soup is out of this world." "Ah, seriously! ...Wait, can we go now?¡± I started to get angry but immediately changed my mind because Chunja Grandma''s ce indeed has the best beef soup. "Yes. I¡¯m quite thirsty as well, so let''s also have a shot of soju there." I nodded at Gu Seong-Cheol''s suggestion. "That sounds like a n, Mr. Gu." But then Gu Seong-Cheol looked at me with a warm gaze and spoke. "By the way, Yoon-Ho." "Yes, sir?" "You really did a great job today." He praised me for my hard work in saving Jang Jun-Hyuk and also for the sessful negotiation. "Thank... you." In my past life, I had never heard the words ¡°good job¡± from anyone no matter how hard I tried. Buttely, I had been hearing them quite often. It was a simple phrase, but my heart inexplicably swelled with emotions every time I heard it. *** "Slurp, burp! Now, don''t just eat, have a shot of soju too." Drip drip drip. Gu Seong-Cheol poured a generous amount of clear soju in my shot ss until it overflowed. Gulp! "Ahh! The hot soup paired with soju warms my cold body. Here, let me pour you a shot, Mr. Gu." "Alright." After receiving his shot ss, Gu Seong-Cheol looked content and scooped some of his meat into my bowl. "Eat a lot. After all, beef is the best when you¡¯re injured." "Thank you, Mr. Gu." When I finished a bowl brimming with special beef soup, sweat poured down my forehead like rain. The beef chunks were so substantial that it felt like I had eaten more meat than at a barbecue restaurant. Thanks to that, the stiffness in my neck from the car ident seemed to havepletely disappeared. Indeed, beef seemed to be the cure-all. "Ahh, that was a good meal. Well, I should be heading back in," Gu Seong-Cheol said as he stretched his arms. "Aren''t you going home, Mr. Gu? Your wife must be waiting." "I need to pass the documents you signed to the legal team and do some final adjustments as well." Recalling that the entertainment industry didn¡¯t have nights, holidays, or weekends off, I nodded. "Do you want toe with me?" Suddenly, I felt as if the food I had eaten was sitting like a rock in my stomach. "No, sir. I won''t work as much as you do unless I earn a sry like yours." "You cheeky kid. Anyway, I''ll put it down as sick leave, so take tomorrow off. Your body must be still in shock, so go see a doctor." "Yes, sir." At that moment, my phone began to ring. It was a number I didn''t recognize. "Huh? Who¡¯s calling you on Christmas? Is it your girlfriend?" "You know I don''t have a girlfriend, so why do you ask?" "Answer it." "Okay." When I answered the phone, I heard a feeble male voice. -This is Jang Jun-Hyuk. Can we meet today? *** Kim Dong-Soo''s right-hand man, Team Lead Kang Myung-Gil, went to the Asan Medical Center in Seoul where the top star Jang Jun-Hyuk was admitted. As the news spread that Jung Yoon-Ho from Division 2 had saved Jang Jun-Hyuk, an urgent order from Kim Dong-Soo came down. After all, there was no bigger star without agency representation than Jang Jun-Hyuk. -Go to the hospital right now and secure a contract first! Give him whatever terms he asks for! Kang Myung-Gil nced around and noticed a crowd of journalists that had gathered. "Ah. Just let me get a shot of your face, please?" "Hey, don''t push! Ugh, I''m going to file a report!" "Call the police! Ouch! The hospital security is hitting people!" Kang Myung-Gil stuck close behind a visitor who seemed to be the family of another patient to avoid the journalists who were fighting with the hospital staff. However, he was soon stopped at the entrance to the VIP ward. "You cannot enter past this point." Stopped by a bodyguard in a ck suit, Kang Myung-Gil spoke with an awkward expression, worrying that the premium fruit basket he had gotten to wish Jang Jun-Hyuk a speedy recovery might get damaged as he turned his body. "Please tell them that I am from Hoop Entertainment." The bodyguards in charge of VIP protection hesitated for a moment before getting confirmation over the radio that Hoop Entertainment''s talent agent was the one who had saved Jang Jun-Hyuk. "Yes. Yes, sir. Do you want me to let him in? Okay, I understand." When the bodyguards received instructions through their radios, they quickly cleared the way. Kang Myung-Gil bowed slightly and headed for the hospital room where Jang Jun-Hyuk was staying. When the door slid open, Jang Jun-Hyuk''s manager, Lee Seung-Hoon, appeared. "Oh? You''re not Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho..." Lee Seung-Hoon looked for Jung Yoon-Ho as soon as Kang Myung-Gil walked in. However, Kang Myung-Gil made a broad smile and opened his mouth. "Ah, Yoon-Ho is a bit tied up, so I came first." "Oh, is that so?" Not knowing when Jung Yoon-Ho would arrive, Kang Myung-Gil continued to lie. Then while exchanging words, Kang Myung-Gil nced inside the room and spoke. "Could I possibly have a word with Mr. Jang Jun-Hyuk?" "That might be difficult. He needs to be resting fully." "Ah, I see. Sorry about that. Please ept this for now." As Kang Myung-Gil handed over the fruit basket containing well wishes for a speedy recovery, Lee Seung-Hoon bowed his head in gratitude. After taking a moment to catch his breath, Kang Myung-Gil continued. "Um... It might be a bit difficult to discuss this now, but there''s something I would like to seek your advice on, Mr. Lee." "What is it?" "I heard a rumor that Mr. Jang is looking for a new agency. Is that... true?" ording to the information Kim Dong-Soo had gathered, Jang Jun-Hyuk was in the midst of looking for a new agency after hastily going independent and struggling to manage things properly on his own. After all, the biggest reason he had an ident today was because he was finishing a schedule on his own. "Yes, it''s true. Jun-Hyuk hyung''s schedule was too overwhelming." "That''s why I was thinking... What do you think about signing a contract with Hoop Entertainment? We will make the best offer in the industry.¡± Lee Seung-Hoon appeared contemtive upon hearing Kang Myung-Gil¡¯s words. "It''s a decision for Jun-Hyuk hyung to make but I don''t think he would be opposed to the idea. He was briefly awake just now and we did have such a discussion." "Ah, is that so? That''s great news." Wearing a happy expression, Kang Myung-Gil wiped the cold sweat from his palms onto his pants and held out a document. "Then, I would like him to review this when he wakes up. I will make sure the conditions are the best." Lee Seung-Hoon seemed slightly annoyed by Kang Myung-Gil¡¯s suggestion to immediately sign a contract. However, it was true that Jang Jun-Hyuk needed a contract as soon as possible. He needed apany to handle the broadcast cancetions that would arise during his hospital stay. "I understand. Please leave this here and I will pass it to him." "Oh, would you do that? Please also feel free to contact me at the number on my business card." As Kang Myung-Gil smiled happily, Lee Seung-Hoon muttered to himself while looking at the business card he had just received. "Division 3? Does that mean Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho is also from Actor Division 3?" Kang Myung-Gil was about to answer with an awkward expression. But at that moment, a young man''s voice was heard from behind. "No, I¡¯m from Division 2." Feeling a shiver down his spine, Kang Myung-Gil turned to see Jung Yoon-Ho holding a cup of orange juice as a recovery gift. *** ''This is just unbelievable.'' Seeing the business card and contract in Kang Myung-Gil''s hand, I immediately understood the situation. ¡®Was he trying to make Jang Jun-Hyuk sign a contract using my name?¡¯ A chill suddenly ran down my spine. "I am in Actor Division 2, Mr. Lee." As I made my affiliation clear once again, both Kang Myung-Gil and Lee Seung-Hoon''s expressions twisted simultaneously. "Hm. Is that so?" When Kang Myung-Gil heard Lee Seung-Hoon¡¯s cold voice, he hurriedly gestured with his hands, suggesting that everything was a misunderstanding. "Well, I¡¯m from Actor Division 3 and Jung Yoon-Ho is from Actor Division 2. But since we''re from the samepany..." But Lee Seung-Hoon cut off Kang Myung-Gil''s ridiculous excuse and put down the documents and the business card he was holding. "I will consider this not received." "N-no, I mean..." Kang Myung-Gil stammered. "You can either see yourself out or I can call the security." Kang Myung-Gil quietly stood up from his seat upon hearing Lee Seung-Hoon''s firm tone. "I apologize for the inconvenience." When Kang Myung-Gil bowed, Lee Seung-Hoon spoke again. "Oh, and you should take back the fruit basket you brought." "No, please keep it. I genuinely brought it out of concern for Mr. Jang Jun-Hyuk." "Hm. Alright. Since there are many patients in the hospital, we''ll donate the fruits to them." Finding himself at a loss for words, Kang Myung-Gil turned around. Then, he headed to the elevator after ring at me for a moment. It was ridiculous to see him upset when he was the one trying to pull off a sneaky move using my name. After Kang Myung-Gil disappeared, Lee Seung-Hoon left the fruit basket in the corridor and opened his mouth. "We almost ended up signing a contract with someone other than you, Mr. Jung." Lee Seung-Hoon tried to lighten the mood with a strained smile. He exined that he thought Kang Myung-Gil had visited them on my behalf because I was too busy. "Ah, my car is a huge mess right now. That''s why I waste¡ªI had to take the bus." "Oh, that. We''ll make sure to handle the insurance properly." Lee Seung-Hoon, looking somewhat flustered, took my hand and bowed his head. "Anyway, I can finally greet you properly. You saved Jun-Hyuk hyung¡¯s life. Thank you so much." "It''s nothing. Anyone would have done the same." "Well, I don¡¯t know about that. Now, pleasee on in. Jun-Hyuk hyung is waiting inside." Lee Seung-Hoon headed towards the hospital room and began to exin in detail what had just happened before I arrived. ''Kim Dong-Soo. He really is something.'' I started to realize just how dangerous the situation with Kang Myung-Gil earlier could have been. ''If I had arrived even a littleter, Kim Dong-Soo might have secured a contract with Jang Jun-Hyuk.'' Come to think of it, Kim Dong-Soo had an amazing talent for digging up information even in my past life. ¡®I didn''t know it would be to this extent, though.¡¯ Having heard the whole story, I was determined to pay Kim Dong-Soo back in kind. After all, there was an actor that Kim Dong-Soo was trying to recruit that I needed to bring over to my side. ''An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.'' 1. Korean idiom to describe how people change their minds before and after they achieve their goal ? Chapter 33: Contract

Chapter 33: Contract

I slid open the door to the VIP hospital room and found a handsome man, towering over 180cm, lying on the bed. He had an IV hooked to his arm and his broad chest was draped with all sorts of medical equipment. "Seung-Hoon, did you bring the ck bean noodles?" Jang Jun-Hyuk looked for the ck bean noodles without taking his eyes off his phone. ¡°Come on, hyung. How would I bring ck bean noodles into the hospital room?" A yfulint came out of Jang Jun-Hyuk''s mouth. "Hey, you call yourself a talent agent when you can¡¯t even bring me ck bean noodles? Try to do something about it. Would you not even fulfill a dying man''s wish for a bowl of ck bean noodles?" "Stop talking nonsense and greet the person who saved your life. Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho is here." When Jang Jun-Hyuk met my eyes, he smiled brightly. "Are you feeling alright?" I asked. "It¡¯s painful but it''s bearable. Don¡¯t stand there, pleasee closer. It''s a bit difficult for me to get up in this state right now..." Jang Jun-Hyuk seemed unable to move due to the IV lines attached to his body. "Ah. Yes." As I approached him, Jang Jun-Hyuk grabbed my hand. "Thank you so much. If it weren''t for you, Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho, today would have been my memorial day." Jang Jun-Hyuk smiled yfully before suddenly gripping his chest and letting out a low groan. "Ughhh." Lee Seung-Hoon quickly came to Jang Jun-Hyuk''s side to support him. "My goodness, I told you to be careful! The doctor said not tough or move, remember?" Jang Jun-Hyuk pouted in response to Lee Seung-Hoon¡¯s nagging. "All you ever do is nag. I onlyughed because I was happy to see Mr. Jung, who even gave me a kiss." ¡®All I did was mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and he calls it a kiss!?¡¯ I frantically waved my hands in denial. "Mr. Jun-Hyuk, I had no choice but to do that to save your life!" ¡®Begone, lips of Jang Jun-Hyuk! Get away from my memory!¡¯ Seeing me sweating in embarrassment, Jang Jun-Hyukughed teasingly. "Well, let¡¯s put that aside. If there''s anything you want, please feel free to ask. Think of it as the reward for saving my life. I''ll give you anything you want if it''s within my means." "Oh, but I didn''t do it for a reward." Jang Jun-Hyuk shook his head at my reply. "I know, but still. There''s no such thing as just receiving and not returning the favor in my life!" I said it was okay, but Jang Jun-Hyuk seemed to have no intention of listening. "If you don''t ept my offer, I''ll just go lie down in front of Hoop Entertainment and make it seem like I was caught in a scandalous situation because I was kissed while unconscious." The thought of a scandal involving a top star was chilling. ¡®I can''t win this.¡¯ "Alright. I¡¯ll ept it, just to avoid the scandal." "Ha ha ha. You made a wise decision Mr. Jung." When Jang Jun-Hyuk gestured, Lee Seung-Hoon approached me to pass me something¡ªit was a car key with a triangr star logo. "I heard your car was wrecked in the ident. Please take mine." ¡®What? Jang Jun-Hyuk must be out of his mind after a near-death experience.¡¯ "Mr. Jang. This is too much for a gift." "Too much? Is my life worth less than this?" I could picture the 100 million won Binz E-ss car in my mind but I hadn¡¯t saved Jang Jun-Hyuk¡¯s life to receive such a reward. Moreover, there were practical issues to consider. ¡®Insurance and fuel costs must be crazy.¡¯ Driving such a luxurious car carelessly could lead to bankruptcy. "I appreciate the gesture, but honestly, a foreign car is too much for a talent agent." I politely cited the reasons I couldn¡¯t receive the car. However, to my surprise, things began to move in a different direction. "Ah, if it''s the maintenance costs you''re worried about, then... Seung-Hoon, switch the car to a lease and keep the fuel card topped up every month for Mr. Jung." "Will do." ¡®Wait. Is he being serious right now?¡¯ At this point, it became difficult to refuse Jang Jun-Hyuk¡¯s offer any further. Regardless of whether they had good or bad personalities, top stars were ustomed to having things their own way. Further refusing this favor would be no different from openly inviting a conflict. I eventually epted the car keys with an awkward expression. "Then, I''ll gratefully... make good use of it. Thank you." Only then did Jang Jun-Hyuk¡¯s face light up with a smile. "Ha ha ha. You''re the first person I''ve seen who''s so ufortable receiving a gift." I just scratched my head at Jang Jun-Hyuk¡¯s words, who seemed to find the fact that I refused his offer interesting. "Oh, and since you''re here, I have a favor to ask." "A favor? Please feel free to tell me." Jang Jun-Hyuk spoke with a more serious expression than before. "To be frank, I want to join yourpany." "You want toe to Hoop Entertainment?" "Yes. Seung-Hoon will exin the reason to you." Then, Lee Seung-Hoon began to exin the difficult situation that Jang Jun-Hyuk had encountered due to the day''s events. While most of the broadcasting schedules disrupted by the ident were substituted with future appearances, there were a few advertisers talking aboutwsuits. "Lawsuits?" "Yes. As you know, today''s ident made it public knowledge that there is a problem with Jun-Hyuk hyung''s heart." "That''s true." "The problem is that Jun-Hyuk hyung was in the midst of advertising several health supplement products." "Ah!" Though it was not intentional, having an unhealthy image seemed to be harming the hiringpany''s product image. "I get the picture." "This is why we shouldn''t do health supplement ads... thosepanies are sensitive about these things." Lee Seung-Hoonughed helplessly. I felt sorry for the advertisers who had suffered damage. But to me Jang Jun-Hyuk like this on the very day of such an unforeseen ident was preposterous. It seemed thepanies were using the ident as an excuse to seekpensation. ¡°Given the situation, we have to quickly secure arge agency that can help us. I found out today that Hoop Entertainment¡¯s legal team is famous for doing a good job.¡± I realized once again just how dangerous the situation had been when Kang Myung-Gil tried to sign a contract with Jang Jun-Hyuk using my name. Acknowledging the tricky situation, I responded to Jang Jun-Hyuk''s proposition. "Do you mind if I quickly make a call to thepany? It¡¯s just that I can''t decide on the recruitment alone." Recruiting a top star like Jang Jun-Hyuk would at least require a managing director to be involved in the negotiations. "Not at all, please go ahead. Please tell them we won''t be difficult about the conditions." Looking at Jang Jun-Hyuk smiling as he spoke, I felt unsure whether he was joking or serious. I stepped into the hallway and called Gu Seong-Cheol. ¡°Jang Jun-Hyuk wants to join ourpany? For real?¡± "Yes, he insists on working with Division 2. So please inform Ms. Kang about this matter. Also, something happened earlier before I arrived..." After I ryed information about Jang Jun-Hyuk¡¯s contract, I also told Gu Seong-Cheol about how Division 3 tried to secure the contract using my name. In response, Gu Seong-Cheol couldn''t contain his anger and repeatedly burst into shouts. *** The chiefs¡¯ meeting at Hoop Entertainment had concluded. Many significant issues had been discussed but the main topic was the recruitment of Jang Jun-Hyuk. Gu Seong-Cheol confronted Division 3 for their attempt to intercept Jang Jun-Hyuk¡¯s contract, but Kim Dong-Soo kept making excuses till the end, iming it was a misunderstanding. Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s excuse was that he had heard that TK Entertainment was trying to poach Jang Jun-Hyuk, so he intended to secure the contract first and then transfer it to the Actor Division 2 where Jung Yoon-Ho was. Gu Seong-Cheol dismissed Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s excuse as nonsensical but Kim Dong-Soo insisted on his excuses to the end. Then, he quickly left the meeting room, mentioning that he was in the midst of negotiating a contract with another top star, Cha Tae-Hoon. "That sneaky snake. His words are always so slick." Gu Seong-Cheol grumbled about Kim Dong-Soo as he left the meeting room. Then, Lee Dong-Min followed him out and opened his mouth. "Just let it go. After all, you brought Jang Jun-Hyuk into your division." Lee Dong-Min tried to console him, but Gu Seong-Cheol could not contain his frustration. "I feel so sorry for Yoon-Ho. It¡¯s such a shame that I can''t do anything against that asshole." Gu Seong-Cheolmented his inability to act against Kim Dong-Soo''s obvious lies. Then, Lee Dong-Min snickered at Gu Seong-Cheol''s reaction. "Why does it seem like a green newbie is doing a better job than you?" Gu Seong-Cheol hit back immediately at Lee Dong-Min''s teasing joke. "And what about you? I heard you wouldn''t have secured Cherry Blossom''s end-of-year stage without Yoon-Ho¡¯s help." Lee Dong-Min''s face turned red. "Why, you little...!" "You¡¯re the one who started it first!" The sparks ignited by Kim Dong-Soo had spread to both Gu Seong-Cheol and Lee Dong-Min. After a moment, the two felt a bitter taste in their mouths. "...What are we even doing?" "I have no idea." "Chief Gu, are we getting old?" Gu Seong-Cheol chuckled. "Could you say that in front of Mr. Kang?" "Are you crazy? Of course not." The two shuddered at the thought of President Kang Gam-Chan, who, even at the age of sixty, was still robust enough topete in triathlons every year. It was then that Gu Seong-Cheol seemed to remember something and asked Lee Dong-Min. "By the way, Chief Lee. Isn''t Cherry Blossom going into their third album soon?" "I¡¯m not sure whether it will be a third album or a digital single... But we need to get right on it. Now that I think about it, I''m also too ashamed to face Yoon-Ho. I should''ve cut losses with the second album sooner. I only felt a pang of guilt after hearing Yoon-Ho''s critique." Gu Seong-Cheol nodded at Lee Dong-Min¡¯s words. The recent changes in Jung Yoon-Ho''s demeanor had even taken him by surprise. "It''s not toote if we properly handle it now. But let''s do better to avoid any more embarrassment..." "Speak for yourself, punk." Gu Seong-Cheol and Lee Dong-Min shared augh as they looked at each other because they thought it was ridiculous that the chiefs were having this kind of conversation over a first-year rookie talent agent. *** "Ready~ Action!" It was December 28th, 2019. On the set of the final episode 26 of Morning Takes Off, Yoo-Jin''s passionate performance was unfolding. "Did you just see Miss Yoo-Jin''s tearful acting?" "They say Lee Ji-Yeon has a sharp eye for actors. Looks like it''s true." "It''s been chaotic with no good actresses in Chungmuro but here''s a good actress. After this episode airs, she''ll probably get a lot of love calls from everywhere." "But isn''t her appearance fee per episode only 100,000 won? I can¡¯t believe it. 100,000 won for that acting skill, huh..." "What can they do? That''s the contract. She''ll get what she deserves in her next drama." As the viewership ratings crossed the 20% mark, the staff couldn''t hide their excited expressions. As articles about Morning Takes Off started filling the entertainment news sections, Yoo-Jin''s stagnant Instargem also began to update actively. [Jung Yoo-Jin @miso_1004] [Posts 24, Followers 10k, Following 150] It''s cold. Too cold. I¡¯m shivering. (Photo: MorningTakesOff_ShootingSet_CheerUp.jpeg) #MorningTakesOff #Midwinter #FreezingToDeath #Hungry #Yoo-JinIsOnADiet #LivingOnGreensOnly #Herbivore #EatingGreensEveryDay #GreensAgainToday [Likes? 2,350] (Comments) -risa: Oh? Jung Yoo-Jin is back. Watching the drama and loving it. -garosu10: The scene where you pped Park Eun-Sung was the best! Didn¡¯t know you had such great acting skills. My mom and I are supporting you. -parknambong: I''m an original fan club member. Do you still live in Cheonho-dong? -loveYJ: Yoo-Jin, I¡¯ve been waiting for youreback. Please visit the fan page. -padopado: I hope the drama is sessful! Well, it already is, so I hope your next drama will be a hit too! Yoo-Jin''s ount name was smile angel. Thepany''s promotion division managed the ount, but Yoo-Jin wrote the posts herself. "But who came up with these hashtags? Was it Yoo-Jin?" ¡®I''ll have to ask her after she finishes acting.¡¯ Everything was going well but there was still one nagging issue. "It was due today, huh..." Choosing Yoo-Jin''s next drama was giving me a headache. ¡®Blue Sky or In the Name of God?¡¯ Today was the day I had to decide which drama Yoo-Jin would appear in next. But Kang Gam-Chan had not yet found evidence rted to Choi Jun-Woo''s scandal. Because of this, Gu Seong-Cheol and Kang Ji-Yung were raising their voices every day, insisting on choosing Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s drama over Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s. ''What should I do?'' I scanned through my nner and tried to retrace my memory. [Everyday V10] [Date: January 15th, 2020] -11:05 PM (Report) Weekly Star News sh. Choi Jun-Woo, caught at the entrance of Club BLUE, intoxicated and causing a disturbance. Arrested on the spot. One monthter, Reporter Jang Moon-Ki of Weekly Star would seed in uncovering the truth about Choi Jun-Woo. When the horrifying photos and videos of a female victim, struck on the head with a beer bottle by the intoxicated Choi Jun-Woo, would be released, people would universally condemn him. Moreover, the situation would escte rapidly as the cases of harm done to female actresses who had worked with Choi Jun-Woo in the past would alsoe to light. To prevent Yoo-Jin''s name from being entangled in such a filthy incident, I had to ensure at all costs that she would not be cast in In the Name of God. ''Right. The issue won¡¯t be solved just by stalling for time. I need to take action today. What did Jang Moon-Ki say when he broke the exclusive story?¡¯ "Ah, that''s right!" Only now did the statement made by Jang Moon-Ki at that timee to mind. Chapter 34: Time to Make a Decision (1)

Chapter 34: Time to Make a Decision (1)

-I heard a rumor that Mr. Choi Jun-Woo had been frequenting Club BLUE daily since the end ofst year. So, I staked out. Now that the prosecutors have secured the CCTV footage, everything will soone to light. ording to Jang Moon-Ki''s words, there was a high possibility that Choi Jun-Woo would appear at Club BLUE today as well. At that moment, Oh Duk-Gu, having exchanged greetings with the staff on-site, approached me as he buttoned up his coat. "Brr, it''s cold. What are you up to?" "Oh, I''m pondering over the casting proposal for Lee Ji-Yeon''s new drama." "Is that so? Why not just ask a reporter on the scene for information on Choi Jun-Woo?" "Because they won''t give it to me." "Hey, you know it could be just a rumor. Don''t struggle for nothing and just go with Ms. Lee¡¯s script. I''ve read it too and her script is excellent." ¡®Of course, the script itself was great and had no problems.¡¯ If I didn''t know what was going to happen, I would havefortably chosen Lee Ji-Yeon''s script as well. ¡°Mr. Oh, could you please take Yoo-Jin with you to the wrap-up party tonight?" "Are you nning to skip the party?" "Yes." After contemting for a while, Oh Duk-Gu offered me a piece of advice. "Be careful. Don''t do anything that will get you into trouble. These days, there are a lot of people who are envious of you." ¡®I know that better than anyone else.¡¯ It was no surprise that the number of envious people would increase when a fresh newbie did well and earned the favor of thepany¡¯s president. What was surprising was the unwavering trust that Division 2¡¯s sunbaes had in me. "Thank you for your concern." "Don¡¯t mention it, I¡¯m merely looking out for my team." Oh Duk-Gu spoke as if it was only natural for him to take good care of me. "But if no new informationes in today, let''s follow the higher-ups'' decision, Yoon-Ho. You''ve been doing well so far, so don''t stumble over this trivial matter now. Okay?" "I understand, sir." Indeed, it was a stretch to try to convince someone using only words in the absence of any evidence. "Cut~! Great work, everyone. It was perfect. Miss Eun-Yung, Miss Yoo-Jin." Yoo-Jin had finally concluded herst shoot for her first drama. "Great job, everyone." "Miss Yoo-Jin, thank you for the hard work." "Thank you." The actors who had finished their shoots began receiving flower bouquets from the staff. Yoo-Jin, whose acting shone in thetter half of the drama, was being treated like a main lead. I was overwhelmed and my heart swelled with emotions when I saw her smiling so brightly. She had been destined to be fired by Lee Ji-Yeon right after her debut but she was now a significant supporting character for as many as six episodes until the extended 26th episode. Moreover, shended an advertisement deal and formed connections with A-list writers like Lee Ji-Yeon and Kim Soll-Ip. Yoo-Jin''s life, which could have been shadowed by darkness, was shining brightly. ¡®Yes, watching this scene unfold before me was the reason I traveled back in time.¡¯ But the real challenge had yet to begin. As fast as one rose to fame, one could also fall with just one blow in the entertainment industry. That was why I couldn¡¯t let Yoo-Jin get involved with Choi Jun-Woo. At that moment, Yoo-Jin left behind the apuse of the staff and walked towards us holding an armful of flowers. "Oppa, how was my acting?" ¡®What''s there to say? Her acting was simply radiant.¡¯ I took the bouquet from her and gave her a thumbs up. "It was the best." Yoo-Jin smiled broadly at my praise. "Ah, and here''s a gift." "Huh? What is it?" I pulled out two heart-shaped locket nes I bought on the day I received a bonus pay. "Wow. It¡¯s a pair." "Yes. I got one for Miso and one for you. I thought it would be nice if you both put your pictures inside." Inside each silver heart-shaped locket, there was a space just big enough for a thumbnail-sized photo of Yoo-Jin and Miso. "It''s pretty, but isn''t this expensive?" "No, it''s cheap. Keep up the good work and I look forward to continuing working with you." "Me too, oppa." Yoo-Jin smiled brightly and nodded her head. Then I noticed there were tears welling up in her eyes. It seemed like Yoo-Jin cried over everything. Yet I inexplicably felt emotional as well and turned away. "Then Mr. Oh, please take good care of Yoo-Jin." "Sure. Take care." "Where are you going? Isn''t there a dinner party soon?" Yoo-Jin asked. "There''s something urgent I need to settle." "Then make sure toe to dinner even if it''ste. We''re having Hanwoo[1]today!" ¡®Now that I think about it, it''s been a while since I''ve had Hanwoo.¡¯ Gulp. I unknowingly gulped at the thought of having Hanwoo. In my past life, I was lying in a hospital bed, unable to eat anything, and surviving only on IV drips. Ever since I traveled back in time, the only meat I''d eaten was canned braised beef from Yoo-Jin''s home and beef soup. Nheless, I forced myself to turn away and head towards Club BLUE where Choi Jun-Woo might appear. Ugh! ¡®I''ll make Choi Jun-Woo pay for making me miss out on Hanwoo.¡¯ *** I arrived in front of Club BLUE, which was located in the basement of the Le C?ur Hotel in Gangnam. "Ah, seriously! Stop pushing." "Are you sure the ZIZAK oppas areing today?" "They''re already here and have booked a room. SingSing oppa sent me a photo. Look." A group of young women dressed in miniskirts and long coats seemed excited about the arrival of the idol group ZIZAK. Another group of young men looked excited about having a birthday party. "Don¡¯t you think our style is on point today?" "Absolutely, sir." "Hey, watch yournguage! Do you want to out yourself as a soldier?" "I-I''m sorry, Sergeant Choi, I mean, hyung." ¡®What a pity.¡¯ Anyone could tell they were soldiers from their crew cuts and the way they talked, which meant they would probably be turned away at the entrance. I moved my car away from the bustling entrance of Club BLUE to a side street near the entrance of the Le C?ur Hotel parking lot. ¡®A famous guest like Choi Jun-Woo would probably take the VIP elevator in the hotel to go down to the club.¡¯ Screech. I parked the car where I could see the hotel parking lot entrance. Then, I turned off the engine and waited patiently for Choi Jun-Woo. One hour passed, then two. Screech. At that moment, I saw Choi Jun-Woo''s blue Ramborghini enter the parking lot of the Le C?ur Hotel. "He''s here." I had worried about what to do if he didn''t show up, but it turned out my worry was unfounded. sh! The first thing I did was to snap a photo of him pulling into the parking lot. I thought about entering the club but changed my mind. After all, there was someone better suited to handling these kinds of situations. *** "Ah. Shit. Do they think news justes out with no effort?" Snap! After being called to the editor-in-chief''s office, Reporter Jang Moon-Ki couldn''t contain his anger and threw his nner onto the desk. "Reporter Jang. What happened?" Fellow reporter, Yang Ju-Sung, asked as he pulled out a chair. "Ah, I don''t even know. Damn it. The chief keeps pestering me to bring back an interesting scoop and gives me crap. Since he''s so frustrated, why doesn''t he go out ande back with scoops himself? Ever since he was promoted to the editor¡¯s position, he''s been hounding me at least every three days." "They say thepany''s running at a losstely. Maybe that¡¯s the reason. But hey, you''re still better off than me. I get reprimanded every single day." Even though they were both struggling, Jang Moon-Ki felt better upon hearing that his colleague was having a tougher time. "Reporter Yang, do you have any sources by chance?" "Hmm. Recently, there''s been a lot of negative buzz about Park Eun-Bin from TK Entertainment and her terrible acting skills. Why don''t you dig into that and make some pocket money? TK throws money around a lot, you know. Why don¡¯t you go get a meal out of it?¡± Yang Ju-Sung spoke as if he just remembered something. "Ah, Come on. That''s not a scoop. That''s just taking money for writing an article." "Hehe, just p the word ''exclusive'' on it and it will be a scoop. What''s so special about a scoop anyway? Just write anything, man." "You keep churning out those half-baked articles, buddy." Jang Moon-Ki sighed and looked at Yang Ju-Sung with a pitiful expression. "Reporter Yang. How about we go drink some soju? I''m feeling down today." "Forget it. Do you think I''m as carefree as a single guy like you?" "Geez. What happened to the heavyweight drinker Yang Ju-Sung? Is your wife that scary?" "Get married yourself, then you''ll understand," "I guess I¡¯ll just have to crack open a beer at the convenience store by myself. I''m out of here," muttered Jang Moon-Ki, a lifelong bachelor. When Jang Moon-Ki was about to get up to go home, themon phone in the press department started to ring. Ring Ring. Park Bong-Du, the department head, called out to Jang Moon-Ki after picking up the call. "Hey, Reporter Jang. Some informant with a weird voice is looking for you. Take it quickly." "Me?" "They say it''s a big case. They absolutely won''t talk to me about it." "Don''t hang up, please!" Jang Moon-Ki hurriedly grabbed the inte at his desk. ¡°Hello? Is this Reporter Jang Moon-Ki?¡± True to Park Bong-Du¡¯s description, it sounded like the man on the call was speaking with a nasal voice as if he was deliberately pinching his nose. It was very likely that it was a prank call, but Jang Moon-Ki¡¯s reporter instincts were telling him otherwise today. Seeing the man¡¯s effort to disguise his voice, Jang Moon-Ki thought he could be an informant who wanted to stay anonymous. Jang Moon-Ki took the phone and gestured to Park Bong-Du to hang up. But Park Bong-Du ignored Jang Moon-Ki''s signaling. "Sir, one moment please. Is it okay if I record this phone call?" ¡°Hm. I don¡¯t know about that.¡± "Then I''ll get ready to take some notes." Jang Moon-Ki covered the phone and started ring at Park Bong-Du with an angry look. "Mr. Park. Put the inte down, please." But Park Bong-Du awkwardly cleared his throat and said. "Hey, if it¡¯s supposed to be an exclusive scoop, let me in on it, too." "That''s not going to happen. I need to save up money if I want to get married." "Damn it. What woman would want a jerk like you? Go ahead and indulge yourself then." "Yes, that''s the n." Click. As soon as Park Bong-Du put down the inte, Jang Moon-Kiposed himself and went back to the call. "Go ahead, sir" Not expecting much, Jang Moon-Ki was utterly surprised when the man with the nasal voice actually provided him with a major exclusive. ''This is huge!'' Jang Moon-Ki''s heart raced with excitement. But as a reporter, his skepticism kicked in at the same time. "But I heard that Gentleman Choi Jun-Woo doesn¡¯t drink or go to clubs. Is there any evidence that..." ¡°I just sent you a photo, check it now~.¡± Ding. At that moment, a photo was sent to Jang Moon-Ki¡¯s phone. It was a picture of Choi Jun-Woo taking an elevator up to Club BLUE in Gangnam. Knowing that Club BLUE in Gangnam had been the subject of bad rumors recently, Jang Moon-Ki wanted much more direct and explicit evidence. "That is indeed Mr. Choi Jun-Woo. But unfortunately, this isn''t enough. He could just be meeting a friend there. It¡¯s difficult to report on this with just this much..." ¡°Really? Okay~. Then I¡¯ll call Reporter Ju Kang-Yong at Celebrity Big News instead~.¡± Upon hearing an unexpected response, Jang Moon-Ki cried out in desperation, not wanting to lose the scoop. "Wait. Just a moment! Not Ju Kang-Yong! That guy''s terrible! Everything will be ruined if it gets to him! I''m heading out right now. Yes! Of course! I will expose this for the sake of justice, if nothing else. Such scum shouldn''t exist on this. I can dig out everything down to the color of his underwear. Oh, yes. Yes. But what was your name again...? A prophet from the future? Why, you insane little... No, no, I''m not talking about you. Hello? Hello......." Click. The call was disconnected. "Ah, this bbermouth of mine!" Jang Moon-Ki regretted carelessly upsetting the informant. But he quickly grabbed his essential belongings and hurried outside. His heart raced with the fear that the informant might contact another reporter instead of him. After all, Reporter Ju Kang-Yong from Celebrity Big News and Jang Moon-Ki were arch-enemies. Jang Moon-Ki was given a 30-minute deadline. Since the informant said he would call Ju Kang-Yong if Jang Moon-Ki didn''t show up within that time, he couldn''t waste a second. "Reporter Jang, where are you going?" Park Bong-Du asked. "I''m on a scoop!" Jang Moon-Ki turned around without looking back. Upon hearing the news of top star Choi Jun-Woo using drugs, there was nothing holding him back. If he could capture just one picture, a promotion and a bonus would be guaranteed. *** "This guy really talks too much. And what''s wrong with calling myself a prophet from the future?" Since Jang Moon-Ki didn''t do his own reporting and tried to extract more information from me, I dropped the name of Reporter Ju Kang-Yong from Celebrity Big News. Reporter Ju Kang-Yong was a scoundrel, just like Jang Moon-Ki. He was known for being hical as long as he could get profitable news. Since I had tipped off Jang Moon-Ki, all I had to do now was wait. After all, he would naturally produce sensational stories andplicate the issue upon arriving at the scene. Although Jang Moon-Ki was typically the nemesis of any entertainmentpany, he was undeniably the best expert in digging up scandals in this industry. Jang Moon-Ki arrived shortly, before even 20 minutes had passed. Getting out of his car, he looked around and then approached the valet parking attendant. He then pulled something white out from his pocket and started talking to the attendant after handing it to him. "That little runt. He didn''t give out gift vouchers again, did he?" But as Jang Moon-Ki continued his conversation with the valet attendant, his face lit up. "It looks like he''s dug up something useful." It was impossible to get information through the police because Club BLUE had police who conveniently turned a blind eye. At that moment, the sound of an engine could be heard from the parking lot. Vroom! It had been less than 30 minutes, but Choi Jun-Woo''s car was alreadying out of the parking lot. Then, I noticed a woman who appeared to be unconscious in the passenger seat next to Choi Jun-Woo. "What? What the heck is that bastard doing? Is he seriously taking a drunk woman home?" 1. breed of small cattle native to Korea ? Chapter 35: Time to Make a Decision (2)

Chapter 35: Time to Make a Decision (2)

Jang Moon-Ki also hurried back to his car when he saw Choi Jun-Woo leaving. However, Choi Jun-Woo''s Ramborghini was already heading onto the road. I spat out curses without realizing it. "Wow, seriously. That son of a bitch." I quickly started the engine and began to follow Choi Jun-Woo. Although I didn¡¯t know the woman in his car, I knew that she would be in big trouble if I let him go like this. As I followed Choi Jun-Woo, I could see the woman in the passenger seat swaying around. At that moment, it dawned on me that Choi Jun-Woo must have drugged her, causing her to move in such a manner. I called Kang Gam-Chan right away after capturing the scene on video. "Mr. Kang! This is Yoon-Ho!" -Yes, Yoon-Ho? What''s going on? "I''m currently following Choi Jun-Woo from Club BLUE, and there is a woman in the passenger seat who seems to be unconscious. I think she''s been drugged?" -What? Where are you right now?! "I''m on my way from Club BLUE to Nonhyeon Station. We don''t have much time, Mr. Kang. I''ll send you the photos and video right away!" -Yes, okay, do that. I urgently sent the files via KkTalk to Kang Gam-Chan. -What, what is this? Did she take some kind of drug? The video I sent showed the movements of a woman who was clearly unconscious. "Mr. Kang, what should I do?" After a brief moment of silence, Kang Gam-Chan opened his mouth. -Keep following him and keep me updated on your location for now. Leave the rest to me. "Yes, sir. I''ll continue to stay on his tail." Suddenly, I found myself transformed into a pursuit unit, rying Choi Jun-Woo¡¯s location to Kang Gam-Chan in real time. Looking through the rearview mirror, I saw that Jang Moon-Ki had switchednes a few times, swiftly closing in on my tail. I followed Choi Jun-Woo''s Ramborghini with sweaty palms, determined not to lose sight of it. However, the sluggish pace of my van made it challenging for me to keep up with his speedy car. "Argh, this damn van!" Rumble rumble rumble. "Come on, Super Vroom! Please don''t give out on me now!" I fervently hoped that my van, affectionately named Super Vroom by Miso, would not fall behind the Ramborghini. For the first time in my life, I found myself wishing for all the roads in Seoul to bepletely jammed. At that very moment, the traffic on Bongeunsa-ro miraculously began to congest, as if a deity had heard my wish. *** Choi Jun-Woo was infuriated with the traffic jamming up the road¡ªand that was when he spotted two familiar vans in the rearview mirror. They were the vehicles that left the parking lot at the same time as he did. Worried they might be reporters, Choi Jun-Woo started to drive faster. "Damn it! They didn¡¯t get me on camera yet, did they?" Choi Jun-Woo knew there would be no problem as long as he arrived home because the high-end Luchen Vi in Cheongdam-dong, where he lived, strictly prohibited external entry. Choi Jun-Woo immediately swerved into the back alley and stepped on the elerator. Vroom! The Ramborghini jerked noisily each time its low chassis hit a speed bump. Crunch! "Ah! Fuck!" Choi Jun-Woo heard the sound of the car''s undercarriage breaking apart, but he couldn''t stop. ¡®I have to get out of here.¡¯ That was all Choi Jun-Woo could think about. At that moment, Han Yi-Seul, the rookie actress who had been drugged by Choi Jun-Woo with GHB, was about to open her eyes. "Ugh..." The multiple jolts from the speed bumps seemed to be bringing her back to consciousness. Choi Jun-Woo cursed without realizing it. "Damn it!" In the meantime, Han Yi-Seul, who had been unconscious from the GHB, began to fumble around with her feeble arms. "Ah, damn it!! Why does this bitch have to wake up now of all times!?" Choi Jun-Woo began to drive even more recklessly to get home as soon as possible. Vroom! The more he swerved, the more the car shook. And the more the car shook, the quicker Han Yi-Seul came to her senses. "W-where... where am I?" Han Yi-Seul asked with eyes barely opened. Choi Jun-Woo panicked and responded. "You¡¯re fine! Just sleep a little more! Please!" "Huh? Choi... Jun-Woo sunbae-nim? But why am I here...?" Han Yi-Seul looked around in confusion. In response, Choi Jun-Woo hastily spat out a lie. "You said you wanted to see my house, right? That''s where we''re heading. I''ll wake you when we get there, so sleep for now." "When did I say I wanted to see your house...?" Han Yi-Seul groggily questioned as her head began to spin in confusion. Han Yi-Seul had just reached adulthood and had visited the club for the first time to celebrate a sunbae actress'' birthday. Although she only drank juice, she found herself waking up next to the top star Choi Jun-Woo. Han Yi-Seul felt a chill down her spine. She couldn''t grasp the situation but had a hunch that something terrible would happen if she stayed in Choi Jun-Woo¡¯s car. With tears streaming down her face, Han Yi-Seul begged to be let out. "P-please... let me... out. Please." However, her drugged body wouldn''t cooperate and her attempt to scream for help only resulted in feeble sounds. "Ugh... ah." Just as her cries went unheard, she saw a police car approaching the Ramborghini from the side. Gasping for breath, she managed to press the button to lower the window after several failed attempts. Whirrr. Han Yi-Seul mustered all her strength to shout when the window lowered. "Help...please...help me..." Though barely audible, her face protruding from the window caught the attention of the police. "Hey! Are you crazy? Keep your mouth shut!" The startled Choi Jun-Woo reached out his right hand to cover Han Yi-Seul''s mouth. However, Han Yi-Seul bit down hard on Choi Jun-Woo''s right hand with all her might. Crunch! "Arghhh! Fuck! You crazy bitch!" Choi Jun-Woo''s Ramborghini, which had been swaying from side to side, started hurtling towards the guardrail at a terrifying speed. *** I continued to update Kang Gam-Chan on Choi Jun-Woo''s location over the phone. Then, a police car that zipped past me spotted Choi Jun-Woo''s vehicle and began to elerate. Vroom! ''Yes! Thank goodness!'' The police car, which was much faster than my van, stuck close to Choi Jun-Woo''s car. Just when I thought I could rx now, Choi Jun-Woo''s Ramborghini suddenly began to weave erratically. Screeech! "Huh..? Nooo!" All I could do was scream helplessly from inside my car as the distance between my van and the Ramborghini widened to about 50 meters. At that critical moment, the police car pulled up alongside the Ramborghini and deliberately collided with it. Bang! Screech! The sound of tires dragging was followed by the Ramborghini pushing the blocking police car onto the sidewalk. Thud! Both vehicles only came to a halt after hitting a roadside tree. Thankfully, the police car managed to slow down the Ramborghini and prevented a major disaster. "That crazy bastard, Choi Jun-Woo!" Smoke began to rise from the front trunks of the two collided cars. As the driver¡¯s door of the Ramborghini swung open, Choi Jun-Woo stumbled out in an attempt to flee the scene. Clunk! The police also exited their car to catch Choi Jun-Woo. However, they were staggering, possibly due to the impact of the collision. With a remaining distance of 30 meters between Choi Jun-Woo and me, I slowed down my van to block Choi Jun-Woo who was trying to cross the road. Tap. I managed to avoid hitting him by a narrow margin. "Huh? What?" Blocked by my car, Choi Jun-Woo tripped over himself and fell t on his back. "What the hell! You bastard, you just hit me! Police! You saw it too, right? I''m going to sue!" But no one was listening to him. The police officers who were pursuing Choi Jun-Woo caught up and forcefully twisted his arm. "Huh? What? Let go of me! What did I do?" "You have the right to remain silent..." While the police officers were cuffing Choi Jun-Woo''s wrists and reading him his Miranda rights, Jang Moon-Ki, who arrivedte, incessantly snapped photos. He then immediately ran to the blue Ramborghini and began taking pictures of the woman who had not yet regained consciousness. Click, click! I was impressed by how he maintained his professionalism even in a situation like this. ¡®Wow. How can he think about taking pictures amidst this chaos?¡¯ I could finally rx now. After all, I was sure that Jang Moon-Ki would publish an exclusive article right away even before the sun rose. With that, the event in my nner had also been deleted. [Everyday V10] [Date: January 15, 2020] -11:05 PM (Deleted Schedule: (Report) Weekly Star News sh. Choi Jun-Woo, caught at the entrance of Club BLUE, intoxicated and causing a disturbance. Arrested on the spot.) "Phew. It''s over." Heaving a sigh of relief, I reported to Kang Gam-Chan that the situation was resolved. -You really did a great job, Yoon-Ho. "I just got lucky. But what should we do now? Jang Moon-Ki is here taking pictures and causing amotion." -Leave the rest to me. I''ve already spoken to the police there, so just pretend you don''t know anything and slip away. "But is that really okay?" -Of course. I''ve taken care of everything already. That exined why the police were not questioning me and were instead preupied with stopping Jang Moon-Ki from taking the photos. "Okay, Mr. Kang. But you must make sure that the woman gets a blood test immediately. If I¡¯m not wrong, traces of GHB disappear if you don''t test within the same day." -Wow. How do you even know that? "Well, isn¡¯t it something you can learn from watching American dramas?" It was something that I couldn''t help but know as there were a couple of top stars at Top Entertainment who had caused such incidents in my past life. Of course, cleaning up after them had always been my responsibility. "Please ensure that the victim is also taken care of without any harm, Mr. Kang." -Okay, I got it. I''ll take care of it. After exchanging nods with the police, I quickly left the scene. *** I considered joining thepany dinner, but it was already midnight. "It''s probably over by now." The image of Hanwoo beef flickered in front of my eyes, but going now at this time to eat Hanwoo seemed too much. Just as I was about to drive home, I received a call from Oh Deok-Gu. "Yes, Mr. Oh." -Yoon-Ho oppa, when are youing? I could hear Yoo-Jin''s slurred voice over the phone. "Oh? Is the dinner still going on?" -Yeah~ It just started. Okay~ I¡¯ming! ¡®Huh? Where is she going?¡¯ A momentter, Oh Deok-Gu took the phone. -Yoon-Ho. Come join us if you''re done with your urgent business. The dinner''s still in full swing. And try to calm Yoo-Jin down, please. She''s starting to make a scene with her drunkenness. "Yoo-Jin is drunk?" -Yeah. She''s been asking for you like crazy. Hurry over. "Me?" The news of Yoo-Jin causing a scene got me turning the van around immediately to head to the dinner location. An actress¡¯ drunken antics were the perfect fodder for the press. My heart started to beat even faster than when I was chasing Choi Jun-Woo. *** "Mr. Oh. Huff, huff." "Oh, you made it." Oh Deok-Gu greeted me. I was worried about Yoo-Jin''s drunken behavior making the news, but Oh Deok-Gu quickly reassured me. He said the PD had firmly warned everyone from the start of the dinner not to recklessly take photos and leak them, or he wouldn''t let them off easily. "You should have told me that earlier, Mr. Oh. Do you know how hard I pressed on the elerator because I was worried sick?" Team Leader Oh Deok-Guughed teasingly. "Haha, were you that concerned? Well, I guess it makes sense since she''s your first assigned actress. But hey, why worry when I''m here?" ¡®Now that I think about it, he''s right.¡¯ I cleared my throat and subtly changed the subject. "But how much has Yoo-Jin had to drink? She¡¯s wasted." "She became like this after just half a bottle of soju." The drunk Yoo-Jin had somehow got hold of an apron and was bustling around the table with her sleeves rolled up to her forearms. It was hard to tell if she was an actress or a part-timer at the barbecue restaurant. ¡®I mean, why is an actress holding tongs and a bottle of soju?¡¯ "Enjoy your meal~." "Hahaha. Wow, Miss Yoo-Jin. You''re really good at grilling meat." "How many part-time jobs do you think I''ve had~? Here, cheers~!" ¡®Oh my goodness.¡¯ Yoo-Jin picked up a well-cooked piece of meat with the tongs and ced it on the staff''s lettuce wrap. She even poured them a ss of soju. With her words slightly slurring and speaking with a lisp, Yoo-Jin was feeding the staff in a drunk manner. The staffughed brightly as they epted Yoo-Jin''s offers of soju. "I didn¡¯t know she had that kind of drinking habit." "I''m seeing it for the first time too. Didn''t you know?" "Not really. Well, I¡¯ve never had an opportunity to drink with her." "It''s better than her crying, though. Look at that. Assistant Director Choi Song-Hyun is a lightweight drinker but he''s drinking so much because it''s from Yoo-Jin." Yoo-Jin was serving drinks fairly to both the actors and staff. "Well, I¡¯d rather choose this over a snobbish actress." "That''s why I left her be." Unlike many others who would refer to the youngest staff members as ¡®hey, you¡¯, Yoo-Jin addressed them by their names and handed them drinks. Thanks to her, the dinner proceeded in a cheerful atmosphere. Then, Lee Ji-Yeon, who had been drinking with the PDs, approached me with Kim Soll-Ip. "Yoon-Ho~." I bowed my head to greet Writer Lee Ji-Yeon. "Ah, Ms. Lee!" The reason we were able to book the entire restaurant for the dinner was thanks to Lee Ji-Yeon. She was treating everyone to dinner in celebration of the drama surpassing 20% viewership ratings. Kim Soll-Ip also came over and sat down beside Lee Ji-Yeon. "Hey, you made it! But why is Miss Yoo-Jin like that?" I turned to look at Yoo-Jin. ¡®Wait. When did Yoo-Jin slip into the kitchen again?¡¯ Yoo-Jin was now carrying side dishes on arge silver tray over her head. "Eat the beef as soon as the redness fades. Here''s some salted sauce. And excuse me! Could we get some more soy sauce and onions over here~?" ¡®Is she the owner of this ce or what? Why is she so focused on serving the side dishes?¡¯ "Hahaha. Got it, Miss Yoo-Jin. I''ll bring it right away. Do you need any more lettuce?" "We''re good with lettuce. Just please bring seven more peri leaves, ma''am~." "Okay~." Yoo-Jin¡¯s energy in helping out seemed to rub off the restaurant staff who appeared to also be having fun. Lee Ji-Yeon was amused andughed at the sight but Kim Soll-Ip was observing Yoo-Jin with a sharp gaze. ¡®Wait.¡¯ The sight of Yoo-Jin serving food felt strangely familiar, like something I had seen before. ''Could it be?'' Chapter 36: Time to Make a Decision (3)

Chapter 36: Time to Make a Decision (3)

The sight of Yoo-Jin serving drinks and food to everyone seemed to bear exact semnce to that one scene of Blue Sky in my memory. ¡®Yoo-Jin, Ms. Kim is looking at you right now. Show her that you are the best actress for Twilight¡¯s role!¡¯ Kim Soll-Ip stared intently at Yoo-Jin and pulled out her phone to write something in her memo app as if she had an idea. I cheered inside. ¡®Yes!¡¯ As I saw Kim Soll-Ip smiling contentedly while jotting down her idea on her phone, I was sure that Yoo-Jin would get more scenes if she got cast for the role. At that moment, Lee Ji-Yeon handed me a shot ss. ¡°Here. Let me pour you a shot.¡± ¡°Thank you so much, Ms. Lee.¡± ¡°Thank me for what? You did a great job today.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry?¡± ¡°Mr. Kang called me today. Thanks to you, my drama avoided trouble.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon exined that Kang Gam-Chan had immediately called Lee Ji-Yeon as soon as the situation was resolved. ¡°Ah, not at all. It was something that I wasn¡¯t 100% sure of, so I couldn¡¯t let you know right away and ended up dragging time unnecessarily. I am rather sorry for the inconvenience.¡± ¡°Well, if you didn¡¯t drag time, my next drama would have beenpletely ruined.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon took a sip of her drink and asked another question. ¡°Let me ask you one question. You said you read through all my scripts, even the previous ones. Right?¡± I nodded my head to Lee Ji-Yeon who remembered what I said on the first day I met her. ¡°Yes. There¡¯s not a single script I haven¡¯t read of yours.¡± ¡°Then what do you think of my script this time?¡± ¡°Pardon me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m talking about In the Name of God. You told me the reason you turned it down wasn¡¯t because of the script but because of Choi Jun-Woo, right? If the male lead wasn¡¯t Choi Jun-Woo, would you be interested in casting Yoo-Jin in my drama?¡± Lee Ji-Yeon asked in a soft tone. When I hesitated to answer her sudden offer, Lee Ji-Yeon took a step back. ¡°Oh, and of course¡ªif you don¡¯t like my drama, I have no intention of forcing you to ept the offer.¡± ¡°Not at all, Ms. Lee! How could I not like your drama? The script is amazing! I¡¯m sure it¡¯s going to be great!¡± In the Name of God had never been properly evaluated because it got canceled after only four episodes. However, based on my ten years of experience as a talent agent, I was confident that this script would be sessful. ¡°I certainly want Yoo-Jin to be on your drama as long as the time slot doesn¡¯t sh with Ms. Kim¡¯s drama.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon gave a smile at my answer. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that part. I¡¯m going to have a meeting with the productionpany and make changes to everything. I¡¯m going to get a different time slot.¡± ¡°In that case, I will beg you to cast Yoo-Jin in your drama. The role you have in mind for Yoo-Jin is that of the shaman, right?¡± ¡°Yes. Why? Don¡¯t you like that role? Do you want me to give Yoo-Jin the female lead?¡± ¡°No, Ms. Lee. The role of the female lead should be cast through an audition. I will make sure Yoo-Jin prepares herself for this role.¡± Lee Ji-Yeon smiled. ¡°Haha. You¡¯re pretty good. You really know how to consider the writer¡¯s situation.¡± No matter how famous Lee Ji-Yeon was as a writer, she would be the talk of the town if she were to cast a female lead she wanted without an audition. But given that I knew of many dramas that would be sessful in the future, there was no need for me to make an unreasonable move just to get Yoo-Jin to be the female lead now. Seemingly satisfied with my answer, Lee Ji-Yeon smiled contentedly. ¡°Hmm, perhaps I will spice up Yoo-Jin¡¯s role a bit more¡ªmaybe to the level of a leading role.¡± ¡®A supporting role that¡¯s equivalent to a lead role? That¡¯s an absolute yes.¡¯ ¡°Thank you, Ms. Lee. I pledge my loyalty to you.¡± At that moment, Kim Soll-Ip, who was sitting next to Lee Ji-Yeon, pouted her lips. ¡°Come on. Are you pledging allegiance to someone else before my drama has even been confirmed? I¡¯m disappointed.¡± I passed one hurdle, but another one was waiting for me. ¡°Oh, of course not! Ms. Kim, that¡¯s not what I meant...¡± "Haha. Then you should take a penalty drink from me." When Kim Soll-Ip offered me a ss with augh, I epted it with a pleased expression. Once the talk about work ended, Kim Soll-Ip and Lee Ji-Yeon began to bicker. "Soll-Ip, unfortunately, it seems I won''t be facing off against you this time¡ªthough I would have won anyway." "Oh my, Ms. Lee. You know that my work is not something to be taken lightly." ¡°Is that so? But when has my work ever been poor?" Kim Soll-Ip and Lee Ji-Yeon clinked their sses together and snickered. This scene before me seemed to be like a mentor and a departing prot¨¦g¨¦ sharing a farewell drink. "Come on, let''s drink. We''ve finished thest shoot, so let''s forget everything for today." "Yes, Ms. Lee." Soon after, the two of them took a shot of soju and started extending their chopsticks to eat well-grilled beef ribs. At that moment, Yoo-Jin appeared with tongs in her left hand and soju in her right hand. "Ah! It''s Yoon-Ho oppa. You should let me pour you a ss of soju too." ¡®She really decided to take this part-time job, huh? I should probably not let her drink again in the future.¡¯ Yoo-Jin put down the tongs and soju bottle before clinging to my side. Lee Ji-Yeon and Kim Soll-Ip set down their sses and each threw in a word. "Yoo-Jin, you did well. Thanks to you, thetter part of the drama really came to life." "Hehe, thank you, Ms. Lee." "Miss Yoo-Jin, I hope you can do as well in the next drama." "Yes! Trust me, unnie! I''ll put my life on the line to carry the viewership ratings!" "Ha ha ha. Unnie? That sounds nice, doesn''t it?" "Yoo-Jin! Howe you call me Ms. Lee but call Soll-Ip unnie?" "Then, shall I call you big unnie?" Lee Ji-Yeon melted at Yoo-Jin¡¯s charm and smiled. "Pfft. Who do you think you¡¯re calling big unnie, huh?" Despite her sharp words, Lee Ji-Yeon''s face was filled withughter. *** I copsed on the bed as soon as I got home right after thepany dinner ended yesterday. When I awoke, I realized it was alreadyte afternoon. "I need to get to work... Ah, that''s right. I took a day off today." Feeling relieved, I turned on the TV while still lying in bed. Just then, on the celebrity TV channel, they were showing Choi Jun-Woo being taken out of the police station. His face was covered by his jumper as he was caught red-handed. -What were you thinking when youmitted the crime? -Mr. Choi Jun-Woo! You have something to say to the victims, don''t you? -Are you even human? You trash! -Die, you bastard! Choi Jun-Woo was being beaten by the crowd and was screaming in distress as his hair was pulled. His clothes were being torn to shreds, but the police were only making a half-hearted attempt to stop it. Seeing him get hit with eggs and covered in flour thrown by the crowd, I thought to myself that all of this was nothingpared to what the victims had suffered. Thanks to the news, various search terms like "Choi Jun-Woo¡¯s drug scandal," and "Choi Jun-Woo, the human scum," filled the top 10 trending searches on the portal. "Farewell, Choi Jun-Woo." I watched Choi Jun-Woo being tied up with rope and escorted into the police van as I opened my nner app. It seemed that the schedule rted to him had disappeared because Lee Ji-Yeon had also changed her time slot for the drama. [Everyday V10] [Date: April 1, 2020] -10:00 PM (Deleted Schedule: MBS n the Name of God> Monitoring. (Report) Due to Choi Jun-Woo¡¯s scandal, the viewership started at 3.5%.) "It''s finally over." There was no need to worry anymore. I rolled around on my bed for a while before browsing through the delivery food apps. "Were there always this many delivery ces?" Just as I was contemting whether to go for the Golden Jjajangmyeon set or the Elephant Leg Jokbal set, I received a KkTalk message from Yoo-Jin. [Lovely?Yoo-Jin: Oppa. Did I make any mistakes yesterday?] ¡®Is she serious? Does she not remember anything? Don¡¯t tell me she cked out after half a bottle of soju.¡¯ I was dumbfounded but responded kindly to her message. [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: I don¡¯t know whether or not I should call that a mistake. But everyone seemed to have had fun.] [Lovely?Yoo-Jin: W-what do you mean? What did I do? Tell me.] [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: ? Do you actually not remember anything?] [Lovely?Yoo-Jin: I remember having fun. But I¡¯ve had a little too much to drink and exceeded my limit...] ¡®Wow. I can¡¯t believe that she got that drunk only after half a bottle of soju. She deserves a thumbs up for that.¡¯ [Lovely?Yoo-Jin: Ah, seriously, oppa! Please tell me. Pretty please? I can¡¯t even practice for the audition because I¡¯m so stressed that I can¡¯t remember anything about yesterday :¡¯(] Yoo-Jin continuously sent me the crying emoji. ¡®I guess I have no choice but to tell her.¡¯ [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: (Attached file: Drunk Yoo-Jin. MPEG)] Soon, Yoo-Jin sent me another KkTalk message. [Lovely?Yoo-Jin: No way. This is not me in the video. This can¡¯t be me. This is unbelievable!] [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: ept reality, Actress Jung Yoo-Jin.] For a moment, Yoo-Jin sent many frustrated emojis. Then, she went on about how to apologize to all the staff. [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: Don¡¯t worry about that part. All the staff loved it and had fun.] Only after telling her that everyone had fun did Yoo-Jin rx. In the meantime, I sent Miso a message as well. [Miso Angel?: Uncle Yoon-Ho. When are youing over again?] [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: Hmm. Maybe tomorrow? I will see you when I go and pick Yoo-Jin up.] [Miso Angel?: Okay! I won¡¯t sleep and wait for you, Uncle Yoon-Ho!] ¡®Aww. What a sweet kid.¡¯ I saw Miso every time I went to pick up Yoo-Jin, but Miso always told me she missed me. I never thought that having someone wait for me would give me so much joy. ¡®Thanks for making me feel this way, Miso.¡¯ Making a fatherly smile, I sent a message to Miso. [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: No, Miso. You need to sleep if you want to grow taller. Go to bed early, okay, Miso?] [Miso Angel?: Hmm, okay! Have a good night, Uncle Yoon-Ho! :)] After saying good night to Miso, I opened the nner as I opened the Elephant Leg Jokbal set I ordered. There were tons of tight schedules, pitfalls, things I could leverage, and situations I had to prevent. ¡°Yikes. It¡¯s all so daunting.¡± But internally, I thought that this was much better than being dead. I felt grateful for being sent back in time, being able to save someone, and being able to give Yoo-Jin the chance to have a better life. ¡°All right, Jung Yoon-Ho. Stay strong. Let¡¯s take this one step at a time.¡± But on 31st December 2019, thest day of the year, another incident was waiting for me. *** [Everyday V10] [Date: December 31, 2019] -11:00 PM (Report) Industry¡¯s 3rd rank Louis Entertainment''s final bankruptcy, 4th rank Stepping Stone Entertainment''s final bankruptcy At a time when the entertainment industry should have been bustling with various award ceremonies, the atmosphere was tense due to the bankruptcy of two major entertainmentpanies. Gu Seong-Cheol stood up abruptly from his seat in the break room after watching the news on TV. With the fall of the 3rd and 4th ranked entertainment agencies, the ripple effects were bound to spread across the industry. "Tell everyone to gather in the conference room," Gu Seong-Cheol said urgently. Oh Deok-Gu picked up the phone at Gu Seong-Cheol''s urgent voice. Within just five minutes, all the employees who were still at thepany had assembled in the conference room. Gu Seong-Cheol addressed the gathered employees with a serious expression. "I know everyone is busy with the preparations for today''s award ceremony and I''m sorry to call you here during a time like this. Have you seen the news about the bankruptcies of Louis Entertainment and Stepping Stone Entertainment?" "Yes, Mr. Gu." "Alright. The productions and shows that the actors from thosepanies are involved in are going to be chaotic for a while. The on-site PDs will be on edge, so everyone, be careful." "Yes, sir." Actor Division 2 began to move efficiently at Gu Seong-Cheol¡¯s instruction. Gu Seong-Cheol then listed the actors who had a high chance of receiving awards at today''s ceremony. "Pay a bit more attention to the nominated ones. Make sure their hairstyles and costumes are top-notch if possible." "Yes, Mr. Gu" However, contrary to Gu Seong-Cheol¡¯s expectation, only one actor in Hoop Entertainment from Actor Division 1, Jo Min-Sung, would receive an award. ''We only had a bunch of nominees as far as I remember.'' Disappointed by this, Kang Gam-Chan would give the order to seize the opportunity to recruit the celebrities who had be avable due to the bankruptcy of the twopanies, hoping to have more award-winning actors next year. The problem was that this situation allowed Kim Dong-Soo to rapidly expand the scale of Actor Division 3. What seemed like an opportunity to expand thepany could actually be a crisis for Hoop Entertainment in the long run. Being only in my first year, I wouldn¡¯t have the power to stop Kim Dong-Soo from gathering actors for his division. However, there was one person I had to bring to Actor Division 2 by any means necessary¡ªLee Tae-Poong, one of the members of Faithful. If Lee Tae-Poong got involved with Kim Dong-Soo, his life would be ruined. "Alright, everyone. Let''s move quickly. And Team Lead Park, keep checking the bankruptcy situation and keep us updated." Park In-Ki of Actor Division 2 nodded. "Yes, Mr. Gu." "Let''s go, everyone." Everyone left the meeting room in haste as soon as the short meeting was over. Then, Gu Seong-Cheol let out a deep sigh and called me over. ¡°Yoon-Ho. How¡¯s Yoo-Jin¡¯s audition preparation going? What happened to the actress that the productionpany was pushing for?¡± ¡°Oh, the productionpany backed off when Ms. Kim Soll-Ip pushed for Yoo-Jin with a writer¡¯s rmendation. Yoo-Jin will have a solo audition for the role of Twilight.¡± Gu Seong-Cheol squinted and scanned me from head to toe. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that, Mr. Gu?¡± ¡°Hehe, it¡¯s nothing. I was just thinking how well you¡¯ve grown. You¡¯ve been preparing well for the auditions and taking good care of the actors. If Yoo-Jin gets the role this time, you might actually be promoted.¡± ¡°Ah, you¡¯re giving me too much credit. Anyway, I¡¯ll go and help with the driving.¡± ¡°Sounds good. Go and help Team Lead Ju out. I heard they are quite short-handed today.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± But just as I was about to leave the meeting room, I received a message from Kang Gam-Chan, requesting for me to go to the president¡¯s office right away. Chapter 37: A Crisis is an Opportunity

Chapter 37: A Crisis is an Opportunity

Knock knock. ¡°Mr. Kang. It¡¯s Yoon-Ho.¡± "Yes,e on in." As I entered the president''s office, Kang Gam-Chan''s praise followed. "You did a great job. Thanks to you, we avoided a big mess." Kang Gam-Chan told me I did well and worked hard. His face was full of smiles as he patted my shoulder. He also mentioned that negotiations had concluded well to ensure that the rookie actress, who almost became a victim of a terrible crime, would be protected by making sure her photos were published with a mosaic if needed. Furthermore, he had received a firm response that Choi Jun-Woo would receive the maximum sentence. Even the police and the prosecutor had promised not to inquire about my identity. "Ah, and I should give you this first." "Huh?" Kang Gam-Chan handed a white envelope to me. When I made a puzzled expression with the envelope in my hand, Kang Gam-Chan opened his mouth. "What are you doing? Check it out. I can only show off if you check it." What Kang Gam-Chan handed to me in the president''s office was a check¡ªbut not just any check. It was a million won check. And there were three of them. "Three million won?" I asked, not quite understanding the reason behind this unexpected bonus. "It¡¯s a year-end bonus. The Choi Jun-Woo incident was a huge help to thepany. It surely silenced those who were grumbling about your promotion." Thanks to me preventing In the Name of God from going under because of Choi Jun-Woo, Kang Gam-Chan said he had received a firmmitment from Lee Ji-Yeon to cast two actors from Hoop Entertainment in her next drama. "So let''s make sure to get the calctions right," Kang Gam-Chan said. ''Man. He is awesome.'' I took the envelope and bowed my head in gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Kang." But suddenly, Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s expression turned stern. "And there''s something I always say..." However, I knew exactly what he was going to say next. "Are you about to say that it''s not over until we step on stage?" Kang Gam-Chan cracked a smile at my quick response. "No, it''s not over even when we''re on stage. It¡¯s only over when the curtain falls." The saying ¡®it''s not over until we step on stage¡¯ was Kang Gam-Chan''s catchphrase. It was a saying that I, too, had adopted and frequently repeated after being influenced by him. But today was the first time I heard the next part of his saying. ¡®It''s not over until the curtain falls? In that case...¡¯ "Are you saying we should work ourselves to death?" Kang Gam-Chanughed with a grin. "Haha. The interpretation is up to each individual." But at that moment, I noticed that Kang Gam-Chan was wearing the same clothes as he had two days ago. Looking at how the cor and cuffs of his shirt were grimy, I could tell that he hadn''t gone home at all. ¡®Working so hard must have contributed to his stroke.¡¯ After a brief moment of contemtion, I broached the topic of Kang Gam-Chan''s health. "Mr. Kang, when was thest time you had a health check-up?" Kang Gam-Chan rolled up his sleeves to unt his muscr arms. "A health check-up? Why? Do I look like Ick energy?" Despite his old age of 60, his muscles were even more defined than mine. If it weren''t for his face, he could pass for an active UFC fighter. But I continued to speak with concern. "You must go for regr check-ups, Mr. Kang. I''ve heard that President Kim of Louis Entertainment and the president of Stepping Stone Entertainment couldn''t focus on management due to health deterioration, which was how thepany went into disarray." My earnest tone wiped the smile off Kang Gam-Chan''s face. In my past life, I was not the type to speak out or make my superiors ufortable. Even while cleaning up after Kim Dong-Soo, I only grumbled as I endured any unpleasant tasks. But having died once and having a second chance at life, I couldn''t live exactly as I had before. I had to do the right thing even if it meant being nagged and cursed at. I prepared myself for the scolding I expected from Kang Gam-Chan and closed my eyes tightly. But Kang Gam-Chan did not scold me. "...Geez. I must really be getting old, considering how a young guy like you is worrying about me after just one night without sleep." When I opened my eyes, I could see a hint of bitterness on Kang Gam-Chan''s face. "I''m sorry, Mr. Kang." As I bowed deeply, Kang Gam-Chan came to my side and pulled me up. "Don''t bow so frivolously because I¡¯m not reprimanding you. Keep bowing and it will only be a habit." "You always say that a talent agent''s flexibility is the key..." Kang Gam-Chan looked at me with warm eyes and spoke again. "Do I really look that tired to you?" "Yes, sir..." Dark circles hung heavily under Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s eyes, making him resemble a panda. ¡®That¡¯s probably due to his habit of sleeping poorly in saunas after consecutive drinking sessions to sign contracts.¡¯ Kang Gam-Chan slowly opened his mouth after a moment of contemtion. "Kang Ji-Yung has also been pestering me to go for a health check-up." "Then..." "Alright. I''ll join the staff for the New Year''s health check-up. Are you satisfied now?" I grinned and bowed my head. "Thank you for epting the loyalty of your employee." "Loyalty? What is this, the Joseon era? Anyway, let''s end this topic here. By the way, watching you these days reminds me a lot of my younger days. It''s pleasing and energizing." I deflected the credit to those around me. "Not at all. Everything I did was only possible because you and the chiefs gave me many opportunities." Kang Gam-Chan let out a quiet chuckle at my response. "Does giving opportunities always lead to sess? Frankly, even I might not have been able to achieve what you did with Yoo-Jin¡¯s advertisement deal. You did really well." My heart swelled with dness at Kang Gam-Chan''s praise. In my past life, I had never received such praise from him. The only thing I had ever heard was ''You¡¯ve worked hard.'' Kang Gam-Chan continued to praise each thing I had done with fond affection in his eyes. "Just keep doing as you are now." "Yes, sir! I will continue to give it my all." "No, just work hard. There''s no need to go as far as giving it your all." Indeed, I had worked myself to death in my previous life. ¡®I should work hard but not to the point of death this time.¡¯ "By the way, I spoke with Yoo-Jin over the phone. And..." Kang Gam-Chan''s expression became strange for a moment as he continued. "How did you find out?" "About what, sir?" "How did you find out that Miso is Yoo-Jin''s daughter?" It was rather opportune that Kang Gam-Chan had brought up this issue that needed sorting eventually and I felt that I should take this opportunity to rify and move on. "I found out when the firefighters were asking about Miso''s family while dealing with the gas leak ident." As I calmly responded to Kang Gam-Chan''s inquiries, he couldn''t help but exim in astonishment. "Now that I think about it, you were at the ident scene then too. How many idents have you been in? It seems like you''re really getting rid of bad luck this year." Thus, Kang Gam-Chan came to share this secret with Yoo-Jin and me "Take good care of her, Yoon-Ho. She''s a kid with a lot of pain." "Yes, Mr. Kang." Kang Gam-Chan nodded his head. "And the fact that Miso is Yoo-Jin''s daughter will be properly announced through the publicity division, so don''t worry too much." It seemed like Kang Gam-Chan noticed my concern about the trashy articles that would explode if Yoo-Jin became popr. "Yes, sir." I bowed my head but had no intention of just sitting back and doing nothing. After all, I was much better than Kang Gam-Chan when it came to dealing with nasty reporters. *** Ju Yung-In sat on the sofa inside Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s office and made a deep frown as she opened her mouth. "Mr. Kim. You seem too busy recruiting new actors to care about me recently, right?" Kim Dong-Soo turned pale at Ju Yung-In''s prickly tone and shook his head hastily. "What do you mean? Did Team Lead Kang treat you poorly by chance? Weren¡¯t you confirmed for the lead role in the new drama?" Lately, Ju Yung-In had been confirmed as the female lead in SBC''s new drama Wind, Cloud, Moon. "Why would you bring up Team Lead Kang?" Ju Yung-In¡¯s attitude didn¡¯t fit that of an actress who had just secured a leading role¡ªshe was far too indifferent. When Kim Dong-Soo rified, an unexpected reply came from Ju Yung-In. "I don¡¯t like that drama. I''m drawn to a different drama, Mr. Kim. What should I do?" Then, Kim Dong-Soo panicked and raised his voice. "Hey! You¡¯ve just passed the audition for the lead role after so much effort! What do you mean you don¡¯t like that drama!?" When Ju Yung-In¡¯s expression immediately soured, Kim Dong-Soo instantly regretted raising his voice. Once Ju Yung-In got upset, she could go for days without speaking. "Sorry, sorry. Let¡¯s hear about what drama you¡¯d like to appear in before we decide anything." After hesitating for a moment, Ju Yung-In spoke up. "Blue Sky." Unsure if he had heard her correctly, Kim Dong-Soo asked again. "What did you say?" "Blue Sky¡ªthe drama that Jung Yoo-Jin just joined. Don''t you know it?" "That''s not possible! It''s written by a rookie writer!" Kim Dong-Soo tried to hide his dismay and dissuade her. To abandon Wind, Cloud, Moon, in which she had already secured a lead role, just for another drama by an unknown writer was unthinkable. "Yung-In, why are you acting this way? Why don¡¯t you choose a different drama by a famous writer instead? I¡¯ll arrange it for you, just as you wish." But Ju Yung-In shook her head in disdain. "This is why I told you to read the scripts when you have time." "Why should I read them?" "You are so frustrating! I¡¯m saying the script for Blue Sky is good!" In the face of Ju Yung-In''s irritation, Kim Dong-Soo could only blink his eyes with a puzzled look. Kim Dong-Soo was not confident in his ability to select promising dramas. Yet, he had managed to climb his way to sess without any major issues. As a talent agent, maintaining awork with famous actors, renowned directors, and celebrated writers alone ensured a high sess rate. He took a moment to steady his breathing and looked at Ju Yung-In. While the quality of a drama often depended on the writer¡¯s potential, he knew Ju Yung-In was not the type to carelessly abandon a leading role she had secured just because of a good script. "Is that all?" he asked. Ju Yung-In snorted. "You don''t need to know everything. Just trust me this time and do as I ask. You know I have a good instinct." Silence fell between the two for a moment. However, the one to bow his head in the end was Kim Dong-Soo, as always. "Alright. I''ll talk to the PD and apply for the audition. Since you boasted so much, you''d better secure the lead role." "Do you not know who I am?" Ju Yung-In said with a smug expression, causing Kim Dong-Soo to rx. "That''s right. My actress should have that kind of confidence. Alright." But Ju Yung-In was thinking something else. ''Kim Dong-Soo isn''t quite cutting it. I need someone more capable than him.'' At that moment, one man''s face shed through her mind¡ªJung Yoon-Ho. He was said to have an exceptional eye for quality works, unlike Kim Dong-Soo. ¡®Why does it matter that his rank is lower than Kim Dong-Soo anyway?¡¯ After all, a talent agent''s rank was proportional to the poprity of the celebrity they managed. ''What should rank matter if he is capable?'' A smile spread across Ju Yung-In''s lips and grew more pronounced. *** A frantic week passed by. As expected, the bankruptcies of Stepping Stone and Louis Entertainment had a ripple effect on the entire industry. Talent agents and actors from bothpanies were in disarray over the issue of transferring to otherpanies, which led to frequent tardiness on set. This caused the PDs to unleash all sorts of frustration. Thanks to this, talent agents working on-site also sweated bullets trying to catch a break amidst the heightened scrutiny. I was momentarily distracted from the repercussions of the industry''s turmoil but was just as consumed by the frenzy of Yoo-Jin''s audition preparations. Then, it was finally January 7th of 2020, the day of the Blue Sky audition. Creak! We arrived at the Blue Dragon Studio in Gangbuk. The Blue Dragon Studio, belonging to one of Korea''s top production studios, was as imposing as a huge broadcasting station itself. A staff member who hade to meet us in the parking lot guided Yoo-Jin and me to the audition waiting room. "Over here. Please follow me this way." "Don''t worry. Just do as you always do and you''ll definitely pass. Don''t be scared." "I''m not scared. I took some Uhwang-Cheongsimhwan[1]beforeing." "Really?" Perhaps the pill was taking effect because Yoo-Jin''s expression was calm, almost like a Tibetan monk on the verge of enlightenment. ¡®Having a clear mind free of any thought or worry¡ªsomething like that?¡¯ I hadn''t informed Yoo-Jin that she was rmended by the writer. As such, Yoo-Jin believed she was just attending a regr audition. [Audition Waiting Room] As I opened the door to the waiting room in the studio, there was already one actress waiting there¡ªPark Jin-Hee. In my past life, she was an actress who enjoyed a short-lived heyday of about a year and a half after ying the role of Twilight. ''What is she doing here?¡¯ Because I had heard that the role of Twilight was virtually confirmed for Yoo-Jin by the writer''s rmendation, I couldn''t understand Park Jin-Hee''s presence in the audition studio. "Hello, I''m Park Jin-Hee.¡± Park Jin-Hee recognized us first and greeted us as her eyes met with Yoo-Jin¡¯s. Park Jin-hee had an egg-shaped face with big eyes. She was a doll-like beauty who had long charmed the home viewers ever since she started out as a child actor. However, despite her cute appearance, her personality was known to be prickly and sensitive. Being unaware of such a fact, the startled Yoo-Jin greeted her in return. "Oh! I should have greeted you first. I''m sorry, Park Jin-Hee sunbae-nim. My name is Jung Yoo-Jin." "It''s okay. And please speakfortably with me. You''re older than me, after all." "But how could I possibly speak casually to such a respected sunbae-nim..." Park Jin-hee let out a slightugh andplimented Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting. "Then do as you please. I''ll do the same. But unnie, I saw the drama you were in. Your acting was remarkable." To an outsider, it might seem like she was fostering camaraderie with Yoo-Jin. But that was in fact her way of putting up her guard against Yoo-Jin. "Oh, not at all. It was my first drama ever, so I was just fumbling around." "Ah, you''re too modest. Anyway, let''s both do well today." "Yes, sunbae-nim." "I¡¯ll go ahead then." Giving a cute cheering pose using both hands, Park Jin-Hee went into the audition room first. Yoo-Jin looked slightly moved after Park Jin-Hee left. "Oppa, there are some nice people in the entertainment industry. All the people my age I''ve seen so far have been so prickly. But that sunbae-nim seems different." I was dumbfounded. ¡®Park Jin-Hee? Nice?¡¯ I shook my head in disbelief. 1. a calming pill formted with thirty-odd herbs and other medicinal ingredients ? Chapter 38: Taking an Audition

Chapter 38: Taking an Audition

¡°Yoo-Jin. Do you remember when I told you not to believe everything you see?" Yoo-Jin flinched at my words. "Don''t tell me that sunbae is also someone who can¡¯t be trusted." "Yes, she¡¯s someone you absolutely shouldn¡¯t trust. If we were topile a list of everyone in this industry who''s holding a grudge against Park Jin-Hee, it would fill a whole truck. You have no idea how well she backstabs people with that cute face." Not only did Park Jin-Hee steal other actresses¡¯ roles, but she also stole their men to shake up herpetitors. "And there must be over 20 people who have had their boyfriends stolen by Park Jin-Hee." Yoo-Jin looked at the door through which Park Jin-Hee left with a look of disbelief. "But she really doesn''t look like someone who would do that..." "I¡¯m speaking the truth. Anyway, be extra careful around her." "Seriously, there''s not a single trustworthy person in this entertainment industry, is there?" "That''s why I told you before that this industry is like a battlefield. Now, let''s get going." But suddenly, Yoo-Jin stopped and gave me a sidelong nce. "Wait. Does that mean I shouldn''t trust you either, oppa?" "I''m the only exception. Trust no one but me." "That sounds like a line I''ve heard before... but I''ll let it slide." I felt a twinge in response to Yoo-Jin''s gaze but kept my expression unchanged and nodded. "If an actress can''t trust their talent agent, who can they trust? Right?" "Yeah, yeah." "Oh? You don''t trust me?" "I do trust you." "Are you giving a half-hearted response again?" Yoo-Jin put her hands to her forehead and slightly bowed from her waist, reminiscent of a character in a historical drama. "I sincerely believe in you, oppa! Please believe in my sincerity!" I couldn''t help butugh at her dramatic gesture. ¡®I''ll let it pass this time, seeing her earnest performance.¡¯ *** As we headed to the audition room, I noticed a 30m by 30m audition stage set up with a camera for filming on one side. Staff members were positioned nearby to manage the scene. "Miss Park Jin-Hee? Miss Jung Yoo-Jin?" Park Jin-Hee and Yoo-Jin, who were sitting and waiting to be called, stood up and bowed their heads. Jo Eung-Gu, the head of Blue Dragon, mumbled to himself with a satisfied look. "They both look better in person." On the sides of Jo Eung-Gu sat Production Chief Cha Soo-Yeon, PD Kang Soo-Hoon, and Writer Kim Soll-Ip. However, thest person sitting in the judges'' seats was a real big shot¡ªhe was Jung Sam-Ryong, CP from SBC Broadcasting. ¡®Why would someone of his rank be here at this event?¡¯ In the past five years, Jung Sam-Ryong had achieved over 20% viewership ratings for three consecutive dramas, positioning him as the top producer coveted by scouts from cableworks. He was a star CP acknowledged by everyone. But he turned down lucrative scouting offers to stay in public broadcasting with the intention of eyeing the next director position at SBC''s drama department. In other words, having Jung Sam-Ryong at the audition for a supporting role in an outsourced drama was like having the Minister of Education attend an elementary school entrance ceremony. "The drama time slot was suddenly decided, so we had to rush the auditions. I hope Miss Park Jin-Hee and Miss Jung Yoo-Jin will understand," exined Cha Soo-Yeon. Park Jin-Hee responded with a light smile and waved her hands. However, the exchange of nces between Cha Soo-Yeon and Park Jin-Hee seemed suspicious. Looking at Cha Soo-Yeon and Jo Eung-Gu whispering to each other, I quickly noticed that they were pushing for Park Jin-Hee. Kim Soll-Ip was mouthing ''I didn''t know either'' toward my direction. ¡®It makes sense. She would have contacted me earlier if she had known this.¡¯ I responded to her with a ''It''s okay.'' After all, it wasn''t Kim Soll-Ip''s fault that the productionpany changed their mind. If the writer had a strong reputation like Lee Ji-Yeon, the productionpany wouldn''t even consider recing an actress that the writer had rmended. But such a situation was quitemon for rookie writers. Still, I had no intention of being brushed aside so easily. "Now, the role of Kim Twilight was one that Ms. Kim put a lot of effort into. Both of you have memorized the script, right?" Park Jin-Hee replied cheerfully to Cha Soo-Yeon¡¯s question. "Yes, Ms. Cha!" "Miss Jin-Hee, it¡¯s very nice to see you full of energy." Park Jin-Hee promptly stood up and bowed to the panel of judges. "Thank you." Her ability to find the right timing for smiling and bowing was impable. Having debuted as a child actress and survived 17 years in this industry, she was undoubtedly a veteran. "Shall we start the audition then? How about we start with Miss Jin-Hee first?" Yoo-Jin nodded and responded. "Of course. Please go ahead, sunbae-nim." Park Jin-Hee stepped onto the audition stage without hesitation. "Okay. Shall we start with scene 12?" The audition began with Kang Soo-Hoon¡¯s cue. *** In scene 12 of Blue Sky, Kim Twilight, having returned from school, immediately threw off her school uniform and changed into her part-time worker uniform at Sky Pork Ribs. As this was the first scene where Kim Twilight''s character was introduced to the viewers, it was crucial to capture the lively spirit of a high school girl. ¡ºI''m home~!¡» Park Jin-Hee started her performance with a loud voice, striding across the stage and pretending to open the doors of the restaurant. The faces of the judges lit up at her vibrant expression and actions. Her acting skills, honed since her days as a child actress, were impressive, and her enunciation was alsomendable. Park Jin-Hee''s next act flowed naturally as she entered through the door. The more I watched, the more impressive her performance became. Like many child actresses, Park Jin-Hee had gone through a long slump after bing an adult. But now, there was no awkwardness in her energetic portrayal of a waitress cleaning the tables, with rolled-up sleeves, after diners had finished eating. ¡®Wait. I¡¯m sure she had never worked a part-time job since she was always busy as a child actress.¡¯ As I shifted my gaze with a bad hunch, I noticed Cha Soo-Yeon sticking close to Jung Sam-Ryong in the judges'' area, hyping up Park Jin-Hee''s excellent performance. At that moment, a thought crossed my mind. ''The audition scene was leaked.'' That was the only exnation for this situation. ¡®So everything¡¯s been decided already...this isn¡¯t right.¡¯ As Park Jin-Hee''s performance continued, the reactions from the judges'' panel grew more enthusiastic. "She''s good, isn''t she?" "Yes, you can really see the acting skills honed from her child actress days." "Does she actually have experience as a part-time worker? Her acting is so natural." "Wasn''t she born filthy rich?" Since I was not too far away from the panel of judges, I could hear them talk even though they spoke in low voices. When scene 12 was about to end, Kang Soo-Hoon stopped Park Jin-Hee¡¯s performance with a very satisfied expression. "Good job. Why don¡¯t we take a short break." Park Jin-Hee, having concluded her impressive act, returned to her seat. Now, it was our turn. The judges returned from their short break and took their seats again. "Now let''s see Miss Jung Yoo-Jin''s performance." Following Cha Soo-Yeon''s instructions, Yoo-Jin stood up and bowed deeply to the judges. "Hello, I''m rookie actress Jung Yoo-Jin." The head of Blue Dragon burst intoughter upon observing her 90-degree bow reminiscent of an idol. Jung Sam-Ryong, who was seated next to him, also wore a pleased expression and asked, "Miss Yoo-Jin, I''ve been enjoying the drama you''re currently in. When does it end?" "On the 14th, Mr. Jung." "MBS really struck gold. They got an extension of two episodes, huh? I wonder why Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon was so generous this time." Jung Sam-Ryong looked at Kim Soll-Ip beside him and asked. "Ms. Kim, what was the viewership rating for episode 23 of The Morning Takes Off?" "It was 23.8%." Jung Sam-Ryong seemed impressed. "Wow. Ms. Lee is truly talented. But I¡¯m sure that Ms. Kim can achieve that record too, right?" Despite the subtle pressure disguised as praise, Kim Soll-Ip responded with a smile. "There''s nothing I can''t do if I receive your strong support, Mr. Jung." "Ha ha ha! You want me to pump in the ads, don''t you?" Jung Sam-Ryongughed heartily as he read Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s intention right away. After all, Kim Soll-Ip had been following Lee Ji-Yeon around the broadcasting station for five years. Although she was just debuting as a writer, she wasn''t naive about the workings of the broadcasting world. "Alright, then. Let''s aim for record-breaking viewership ratings." The highest-ranking person on the panel of judges wasn''t Jo Eung-Gu but Jung Sam-Ryong who had the authority over program time slots at the broadcasting station. Yoo-Jin''s scene to perform was Scene 13. With Jung Sam-Ryong¡¯s nod, Kang Soo-Hoon signaled the start of the audition. This scene followed directly after Scene 12, which Park Jin-Hee had just performed. As the red REC light on the camera lit up, Yoo-Jin started sniffing without speaking her lines. ¡ºAh! As expected of beef¡ªeven its fragrance is a blessing!¡» Yoo-Jin brought her hands together and recited the lines with a dreamy expression. She looked like a fervent devotee of some newly emerged Beef Religion. Yoo-Jin continued to sniff as she went on to recite her lines. Sniff, sniff. She seemed determined to inhale the smell of the sizzling meat on the charcoal grill. She even fanned the air towards herself, inhaling the aroma of cooking meat. Then came the highlight of the scene. ¡ºCough, cough, cough! Mom! Soda! I need a soda! I inhaled the smoke!¡» Holding her throat and running around in panic, Yoo-Jin acted out the scene of being hit on the back by her mother. ¡ºMom. If you don''t want to see your daughter suffocating, give me the soda fast! Ouch! Why are you hitting me!¡» Yoo-Jin''s eyes welled up with tears as she touched her back where she had been hit. With just that one tear, she captivated the panel of judges. "Shall we have Myeongryun Satto Ribs for dinner tonight?" "Yeah, I''m craving meat now after watching Miss Yoo-Jin''s performance." "Was Miss Jung Yoo-Jin''s acting always this good? This doesn''t seem like a performance by a rookie who just debuted." "It looks like her previous performances weren''t just luck." Yoo-Jin''s performance was on a different levelpared to Park Jin-Hee''s. Her coughing sprayed saliva everywhere, her eyes reddened with tears even without real smoke, and her salivating and gulping almost made the judges hungry. The just-debuted Yoo-Jin seemed to havepletely overshadowed Park Jin-Hee, even though thetter had 17 years of experience. ¡®Well done, Jung Yoo-Jin!¡¯ "Cut! Good job!" Everyone on the panel woreplicated expressions at Kang Soo-Hoon''s cut sign. Among them, Cha Soo-Yeon seemed the most unsettled. ''It seems like she''s the one who benefited the most from the under-the-table negotiations.'' Simrly, Jo Eung-Gu, who most likely was involved in these shady negotiations, also looked like he was observing the situation. It seemed like Kang Soo-Hoon was the only one who hadn''t been involved with those negotiations. However, such underhanded means only worked if there was a semnce of skill parity¡ªin the face of such a talent gap, these unofficial under-the-table negotiations were ineffective. Cha Soo-Yeon barely came to her senses and directed the continuation of the audition. "Hmm. Both of you are really good. Let''s continue to check out scenes 25 and 35, shall we?" Jo Eung-Gu hastily agreed with Cha Soo-Yeon''s suggestion as he tried to salvage the situation. "Y-yes. Let''s see more scenes before making a decision." Jung Sam-Ryong looked at them suspiciously but the two seemed too flustered to notice. The audition continued with two more scenes. But the oue was apparent. The already mentally distraught Park Jin-Hee failed to close the gap with Yoo-Jin''s crystal-clear performance, thanks to taking the Uhwang-Chungsimhwan. Cha Soo-Yeon and Jo Eung-Gu became increasingly anxious. Then, as Park Jin-Hee and Yoo-Jin were about to start the fourth scene, everyone¡¯s attention turned to Jung Sam-Ryong as he opened his mouth to speak. "Hold on, Miss Jin-hee and Miss Yoo-Jin. Could both of you wait outside for a moment? Can the talent agents please take them out for some fresh air?" "Of course, Mr. Jung." Noticing Jung Sam-Ryong¡¯s face barely containing his anger, I quickly got up and took Yoo-Jin out of the room. *** Click. With the talent agents and actors gone, Jung Sam-Ryong leaned back in his chair. "Chief Cha, are you messing with me right now?" His one sentenceden with irritation caused the staff to freeze on the spot. "Mr. Jo, you think that I¡¯m a dumbass, don''t you? Is that it?" "No, Mr. Jung, that''s not it. Everything is a misunderstanding..." "Misunderstanding? You think I don''t know you''re ying games?" "Well, that''s..." "Look, Mr. Jo. Park Jin-Hee is from Ace Entertainment, isn¡¯t she?" "Yes." "Mr. Jo and Chief Cha, both of you must have taken money from Ace Entertainment." Their inability to respond when confronted with the truth was evident in their restless difort. Chapter 39: What Are You Doing Here?

Chapter 39: What Are You Doing Here?

"What are you going to do if Ms. Kim gets upset and decides to scrap this drama and switch over to KBC or MBS? You all never want to see me again, is that it, huh?" As Jung Sam-Ryong reprimanded them, beads of cold sweat formed on the heads of the productionpany executives as they bowed their heads. The power held by a broadcastingpany''s CP was indeed absolute¡ªand this was especially true for someone like Jung Sam-Ryong, a candidate for the next station director. Falling out of favor with him could not only jeopardize future dramas but also sour rtions with SBC entirely. Jo Eung-Gu bowed his head hastily. "I''m sorry, Mr. Jung. Ms. Kim, we made a mistake." Cha Soo-Yeon also quickly stood up and bowed. "I''ll take responsibility and step down from this drama.¡± Cha Soo-Yeon tried to cover for everyone at her level. Although the production portion might face some issues, it could still proceed if they reced Cha Soo-Yeon with someone else. After all, what was more pressing at the moment was to appease the CP, especially since he had the authority over the scheduling of future dramas. Just as the atmosphere was bing more tense, Kim Soll-Ip, who had been silent until then, stepped forward. "May I say something?" "Sigh. I''m too embarrassed to face Ms. Kim now." Jung Sam-Ryong had set the stage for Kim Soll-Ip to speak up. Kim Soll-Ip started to speak and assert her position as a writer. ¡°Mr. Jo, Ms. Cha. Wouldn''t it be better not to embarrass each other like this?" The heads of the Blue Dragon staff dropped even lower. Kim Soll-Ip took a deep breath before continuing. "I''ve spent five years at the broadcasting station under Ms. Lee. Just know that if you treat me like a novice, I have other ns in mind." The ''Ms. Lee'' she referred to was undoubtedly the renowned Writer Lee Ji-Yeon. When Kim Soll-Ip nced sharply at the Blue Dragon production team, the staff shivered. Then, Kim Soll-Ip took a deep breath and forced a smile. "That''s all I have to say. And Mr. Jung, please rx. I''m not going anywhere. I chose SBC because of you, after all. What would that make me if you keep getting upset like this?¡± Her change in expression to a brighter one was followed by Jung Sam-Ryong''s agreement. "Hahaha. I appreciate your understanding." With Jung Sam-Ryong''sughter, Jo Eung-Gu and Cha Soo-Yeon finally rxed. Only then did the staff of Blue Dragon realize that Kim Soll-Ip was not someone to be taken lightly. "Oh, and Ms. Cha." "Yes? Yes, Ms. Kim?" "There¡¯s no need for you to step down. I know your capabilities," said Kim Soll-Ip. Cha Soo-Yeon bowed repeatedly at Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s generosity. She had once underestimated Kim Soll-Ip for being too young and looked down on her, but that was no longer the case. "Thank you, Ms. Kim." Kim Soll-Ip disyed her control of the situation, a skill she had learned from Lee Ji-Yeon. "So, the role of Twilight is decided, right?" "Of course. Can I bring the two actresses back in?" "Yes, please do that." With Kim Soll-Ip''s permission, Cha Soo-Yeon quickly sent the staff to bring the two actresses back. *** "Thank you so much. I will give it all I¡¯ve got for this role." Kim Soll-Ip and Jung Sam-Ryong gave a warm smile when Yoo-Jin bowed. Cha Soo-Yeon''s polite apology followed. "Miss Jin-Hee, you did very well too. It''s a pity that you didn¡¯t get the role today but hopefully, we''ll have a chance to work together in the future." At that moment, Park Jin-Hee tightly bit her lips and suddenly made an unexpected statement. "Ms. Cha, Mr. Jo. I must be in this drama!" ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°What is she talking about?¡± All the staff members who were in the midst of gathering the documents on the table stopped and made surprised expressions upon seeing tears well up in Park Jin-Hee¡¯s big eyes. "This audition is myst chance. If I don''t get a role in this drama, I''ll retire." ¡®Wait, what? Is she actually using this tactic here?¡¯ I had seen her use this tactic to get a role in my previous life when Park Jin-Hee was with Top Entertainment. However, I never knew she had been employing this tactic this early on. Jung Sam-Ryong, who had known Park Jin-Hee since her child actress days, seemed to be falling for her act. "What? Jin-Hee! What do you mean you¡¯ll retire? What are you talking about all of a sudden?" he eximed with a perplexed expression. Park Jin-hee sobbed with tears now falling from her eyes. "I''ve been trying hard to shed my child actress image for the past three years. But if I fail this time, I''ll have no other choice." The judges were visibly flustered by Park Jin-Hee¡¯s sudden outburst, but it was unlikely to affect the decision to give Yoo-Jin the role because Jung Sam-Ryong was a reasonable man. Cha Soo-Yeon quietly observed the situation and suggested apromise. "Ms. Kim, Miss Jin-Hee''s acting was pretty good as well. So how about offering her the role of the third daughter?" Everyone''s attention shifted to Cha Soo-Yeon. ¡®Casting Park Jin-Hee for third daughter Kim Autumn¡¯s role? But Autumn is the character that shes the most with Kim Twilight who will be yed by Yoo-Jin.¡¯ But Jung Sam-Ryong seemed to find Cha Soo-Yeon¡¯s idea quite usible. "That''s not a bad idea. Miss Jin-Hee''s acting is impressive, after all." Soon, Jo Eung-Gu began to nod in agreement. As a result, Kim Soll-Ip seemed to be considering the suggestion. "...There are 15 applicants who applied for the role of the third sister, Autumn¡ªso I can¡¯t just give her the role. If she passes the audition fairly, I won¡¯t object. But Autumn is a character that¡¯spletely different from the second sister, Twilight. Is that okay?" The third sister, Autumn, was quite a rebellious character. But Park Jin-Hee nodded continuously, grateful for the opportunity. "Yes, I''m fine with it. I''ll do my best. Thank you! Thank you." Her repeated thanks prompted Jung Sam-Ryong to gesture for her to calm down. "Hey, you didn¡¯t get the role yet! You still need to pass the audition," he reminded Park Jin-Hee. Park Jin-Hee wiped her tears away. "I''m confident I will pass the audition." Jung Sam-Ryong acknowledged her confidence. "Yes, I know your abilities, Miss Jin-Hee." Cha Soo-Yeon also let out a sigh of relief at the thought of not having to return the money they had received from Ace Entertainment. Although I was concerned about Park Jin-Hee staying in the drama, at least her acting wasn''t infuriating like Park Eun-Bin''s. In this unpredictable industry, it was sometimes better to work with someone you know. ''Well, I guess I can tolerate Park Jin-Hee.'' After all, not every role could be filled with the ideal candidate I wanted. Thispromise was satisfactory. Besides, Park Jin-Hee could still lose the role of Autumn to Choi Eun-Woo, the actress who yed the role of Autumn in my past life. With the situation resolved, Cha Soo-Yeon announced the schedule for the first script reading. "Mr. Jung. I''ll send you a text about itter, but the first script reading is next week on the 15th, at 3 PM. Please don''t forget." "Well understood, Ms. Cha!" Having secured the role of Twilight on her own, Yoo-Jin¡¯s first audition was a significant feat and a resounding sess. *** In the meantime, a tense meeting between the chiefs was escting in the manager director¡¯s office at Hoop Entertainment. "Mr. Kim! Are you joking right now?" The unfazed Kim Dong-Soo shrugged his shoulders with a sly expression despite Kang Ji-Yung¡¯s shout. "Joking? No way. Yung-In made the decision herself after reading Ms. Kim Soll-Ip''s script. Oh, and of course I tried to dissuade her. But what can I do when the actress insists?" ¡°Then what is going to happen to Wind, Cloud, Moon that Miss Ju Yung-In was originally supposed to appear in?¡± ¡°I took care of that already. I apologized to Writer Choi Sora and PD Park Jun-Ki. I also sent them an apology gift so there is no need to worry. Actually, Ms. Choi even said it¡¯s better this way since she dislikes Yung-In to begin with.¡± When Kim Dong-Soo finished speaking, Gu Seong-Cheol instantly burst into anger. ¡°Chief Kim, are you kidding me right now? What do you mean there¡¯s no need to worry? Even if the writer lets it slide, SBC might think otherwise! The role was confirmed and the reporters already know about it as well! And why the same broadcasting station, huh?¡± Park Sang-Yung from Actor Division 1 nodded in agreement as he understood the severity of a confirmed lead actress suddenly dropping out of a scheduled drama. ¡°Hold on. We should be talking to Yung-In about this. Where is she right now?¡± ¡°She already went to the audition site.¡± ¡°Today...? But Yoo-Jin is there right now. Wait. Did you do this on purpose?¡± When Gu Seong-Cheol used Kim Dong-Soo, he feigned innocence. ¡°Hey, Chief Gu. Don¡¯t be too harsh now. I told you I didn¡¯t do anything.¡± ¡°Even so, you should¡¯ve told us in advance if she was applying for the same drama! What would the productionpany think of us?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you remember the managing director telling us to operate the divisions independently of each other? She said it was Mr. Kang¡¯s special instruction. Isn¡¯t that right, Ms. Kang?¡± Kang Ji-Yung massaged her temples to ease her headache. As Kim Dong-Soo had a point, she had no choice but to contain her anger. *** I calmed Yoo-Jin, who was ecstatic from passing the audition, down and headed to the parking lot. "Yes, Mr. Gu. The audition ended sessfully." -Were there any issues? There were many issues, but I replied that there were none since the oue was good. However, Gu Seong-Cheol''s voice sounded grim for some reason. -Well...Yoon-Ho. We have a problem. I could hear Gu Seong-Cheol¡¯s sigh over the phone. "What''s the problem?" -Ju Yung-In ditched her confirmed lead role and went there instead. "There? You mean here?" -Yes. She wants to audition for the lead role. I was so dumbfounded that I was speechless. For Ju Yung-In to recklessly ditch a lead role she had already secured was like dering that she would never work with that drama''s production team ever again. ''Why would she choose our drama at the risk of causing such a scandal?'' Just then, Ju Yung-In''s Binz Sprinter entered the underground parking lot. "She''s entering the parking lot right now." -Don¡¯t make a fuss but just treat her as an actress from anotherpany. Make sure to exin the situation to Yoo-Jin as well. "Okay, Mr. Gu." After parking her Binz Sprinter, Ju Yung-In, who was impably dressed in a tailored school uniform for the lead role, stepped out of the car. Kang Myung-Gil followed her out and asked about the audition. "Have you guys finished already?" "Yes, Mr. Kang." "And the result?" "She got the role." "Well, a writer''s rmendation is like a pass without an exam." It was disheartening that he didn''t congratte a fellowpany actress who passed the audition but made a snide remark instead. ¡®I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll ever like him.¡¯ "I thought so too. But when we got here, they made Yoo-Jinpete against Park Jin-Hee from Ace Entertainment. Luckily, Yoo-Jin surpassed her in the audition and earned her role." Kang Myung-Gil seemed slightly taken aback. "I-is that so?" Then, Ju Yung-In, who had been listening to our conversation, came closer and greeted me first. "We meet again, Mr. Jung." ¡®Why is she acting so friendly?¡¯ Unlike before, she even made eye contact. This was unusual for Ju Yung-In, who typically ignored those she deemed beneath her. "Ah, yes. Sorry for any past inconvenience." She even smiled slightly as I responded. ¡®Why is she behaving so oddly? I¡¯m getting scared.¡¯ Normally, she wouldn''t even speak to anyone below a team lead. "Hello, sunbae-nim," Yoo-Jin greeted and bowed her head. "Congrattions on getting the role. I have my audition today too. Ah, I''m auditioning for the lead role. It would be nice to be in the same drama together, wouldn¡¯t it?" Ju Yung-In''s bright smile seemed utterly unnatural and awkward. "Let''s go, Yung-In. It''s almost time for your audition." "Alright then, we''ll get going." I immediately opened my nner as soon as the two left. [Everyday V10] [Date: March 2, 2020] -7:50 PM SBC (Deleted Schedule: Monitoring. Viewership ratings 6.5%. Starring Ju Yung-In.) As expected, Ju Yung-In''s original schedule had been deleted. Wind, Cloud, Moon was a fusion historical drama written by the rising Writer Choi Sora and PD Park Jun-Ki. However, it would end with disappointing viewership ratings of 13% due to historical inuracies and inadequate production budgets. It would also be the point where Ju Yung-In, who had always picked popr dramas to appear in, stumbled a bit. But now, that future had changed. Although Ju Yung-In was reckless, she rarely took such risks in her work. Although I was curious why Ju Yung-In had made this odd decision, I was more concerned about Yoo-Jin¡¯s state of mind. As soon as Ju Yung-In and Kang Myung-Gil disappeared, Yoo-Jin sighed deeply. "Sigh." "What is it?" "It¡¯s hard whenever I see that sunbae." "Ju Yung-In? Why?" Yoo-Jin hesitated, unsure whether to tell me or not. "I''m not asking you to tattle but I¡¯m just trying to understand the situation. So feel free to tell me." Yoo-Jin stuck out her tongue slightly. "You are totally telling me to tattle.¡± "Hmm. Anyway, tell me. What did she do to you?" I couldn''t ignore this as the future was changing. "Well... if I don¡¯t tell you, who would I tell?" Upon my insistence, Yoo-Jin finally opened her mouth to exin. "Yung-In sunbae always yelled at me every time she saw me, saying it would be better for me to leave thepany." "What? Tell me more about it." Yoo-Jin started to tell me what happened between her and Ju Yung-In in the past. Chapter 40: Luxury or Quirky (1)

Chapter 40: Luxury or Quirky (1)

Yoo-Jin exined that her bad rtionship with Ju Yung-In began when she first started taking acting lessons a year ago. -I¡¯m telling you, it wasn¡¯t my decision. It was a special directive from Mr. Kang. -I just don¡¯t understand Mr. Kang. I don¡¯t know why everyone is so hyped up about the Burger Queen¡¯s Burger Maiden or whatever she is. It¡¯s ridiculous to give special treatment to someone who is only here for a quick win and not in for the long haul. What does that make the rest of us who are seriously dedicated to acting? -Yung-In, please be careful with your words. If Mr. Kang hears about this, he will... -So what if he hears me? It¡¯s true that Mr. Kang¡¯s judgment has be questionable¡ªbringing in someone of unknown background... Yoo-Jin let out a deep sigh as she recalled her first week at thepany when she was harassed by Choi Hyun-Min. ¡°I¡¯ll stop here. It feels pathetic to go on about it anyway.¡± From what I heard, it sounded like Ju Yung-In subjected Yoo-Jin to a level of bullying akin to Cindere¡¯s wicked stepmother. Yoo-Jin further exined that Ju Yung-In¡¯s tant interference even made Choi Hyun-Min neglect Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting lessons. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say something earlier? You didn¡¯t have to keep quiet about it.¡± ¡°I approached Talent Agent Yang Tae-Min, who was managing me at that time, asking for a different trainer. But as you know, he moved to Division 3 shortly after.¡± ¡°Oh, right...¡± I remembered that Yang Tae-Min used to be in charge of Yoo-Jin but moved to Division 3 within just two months after taking her on. I even secretly resented him for not doing a proper handover. But now that I think about it, it seemed like all of that was on purpose. This was the situation before I took over as Yoo-Jin¡¯s talent agent. However, I had not been aware of all these in my past life as I was busy driving multiple actors and singers around and was not able to focus solely on managing Yoo-Jin. Anyway, my suspicion was confirmed: Ju Yung-In and Kim Dong-Soo were indeed trying to undermine Yoo-Jin. They had not only arranged for Yoo-Jin to have a different talent agent but also even sabotaged her lessons with a biased trainer. I felt a twinge of guilt for leaving Yoo-Jin on her own. ¡°You¡¯ve had a tough time...¡± But Yoo-Jin smiled, saying everything was in the past now. ¡°Well, I just thought this was how the entertainment industry was. Besides, I was paid regrly despite being bullied. I knew it would all pass by if I endured it with patience.¡± Yoo-Jin was an actress who climbed to the top through sheer willpower in my past life. She had decided to raise a two-year-old child at the tender age of 19. Her resilience seemed to have been honed while living as a mother. I felt a lump in my throat. I knew that her strong willpower was the result of struggling to survive in this harsh world. After all, having strong willpower would have been the only way she could hold out. Yoo-Jin nced at me and cautiously said, ¡°And...to be honest, I¡¯m only telling you this because it¡¯s you. You really feel like you care about me as a talent agent...¡± Thanks to my efforts tofort her and hard work in securing roles for her, Yoo-Jin had gradually started to acknowledge me as her real talent agent. I wished we had this conversation sooner. She probably didn¡¯t open up to me earlier because everyone around her had been trying to hold her back all this time. Suppressing my emotions, I spoke firmly. ¡°Yoo-Jin. If something like this happens again, tell me right away. Actually, no¡ªI won¡¯t let you go through such things ever again.¡± Yoo-Jin smiled and saluted in a yful manner. ¡°Yes, Mr. Talent Agent!¡± At that moment, something unexpected happened. My heart, the heart of Jung Yoon-Ho in his twenties, started to palpitate suddenly. ¡®What the heck, Jung Yoon-Ho. It was your stomach that had issues in your past life, not your heart!¡¯ I thought to myself that I should probably get a heart check-up at my next regr health examination. *** When we arrived at Yoo-Jin''s house, the door swung open and Miso jumped out of the housekeeper¡¯s arms with a bright smile on her face and ran toward me with her short legs. "Uncle Yoon-Ho!" "Careful, careful," I cautioned as I stretched out my arms to catch her. While clutching the PowerTuff Girl doll I had bought for her before, Miso asked, "Uncle Yoon-Ho, did youe to see me?" "Of course I came to see you, Miso~. I can''t bear not seeing you for even a day.¡± Miso''s face lit up with joy at my answer. "Then, will you y with me today? Can you stay tillte at night?" Her eyes shone with hope, making my heart waver. I wanted to stay and y with her but I had to attend a concept meeting for a Burger Queen advertisement. "I¡¯m sorry, Miso. I have work and need to go back to the office right now.¡± Miso''s cheerful face immediately faded and she lowered her head. "I''m sorry, Miso. I''m busy today and can only stay for a short while but I''lle back again, okay?" Miso whispered in a small voice, "But...you''re always busy." Herint made my heart sink. ¡®What should I do now?¡¯ Then, Yoo-Jin spoke up from behind. "Miso, do you want to y with me?" "Uhm... okay," Miso replied in a sullen tone and left my arms to run into Yoo-Jin¡¯s arms. Feeling Miso¡¯s warmth leave my arms made me feel like there was an empty void in my chest. "Do you feel sad because Uncle Yoon-Ho has to leave?" Yoo-Jin asked. "Yes.¡± "Is that so? Does this mean you like Uncle Yoon-Ho more than me?" Miso shook her head vehemently in response to Yoo-Jin¡¯s yful question. "No? That''s not true. I like Mommy! Oh, but that doesn''t mean I don''t like Uncle Yoon-Ho! It''s just... it''s just..." Miso answered as she looked back and forth between Yoo-Jin and me, not knowing what to do. ¡®She is indeed a good mother. She dispelled Miso''s gloomy mood in just one shot.¡¯ Yoo-Jin smiled andforted Miso. "I know what you mean. But Miso, Uncle Yoon-Ho is a bit busy today, so let''s yter. Okay?" Although Miso nodded her head, she couldn''t seem to hide her feelings of disappointment. Seeing her disappointed expression, I said, "Miso, I cane see you again tomorrow.¡± Only then did Miso turn her head toward me. "Promise?" "I promise." I made a pinky promise with Miso¡¯s small hands, her tiny little finger gripping mine tightly. A promise was made that must never be broken. At that moment, thendlord who had been watching us with a pleased expression opened her mouth. "I''ll pack some japchae for you, soe in and sit for a while." Having lived with Yoo-Jin and Miso for four years, thendlord knew that Miso was Yoo-Jin''s daughter and cherished Yoo-Jin and Miso as if they were her family. "Huh? Oh, thank you for the offer, but I need to go right away..." However, I had no choice but to follow thendlord who had already walked into the kitchen. When I sat down on the tform in the yard, Miso climbed up next to me and started chattering about her kindergarten life. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, Jin-Gu likes me but Cheol-Min also likes me. The problem is I like both of them. What should I do?" Cold sweat trickled down my back. I should have given an appropriate response but I couldn¡¯t seem to think of a good one. This appeared to be tougher than trying to delete an event from my nner. "Huh? Oh, um..." I didn¡¯t know what to say because I knew nothing about love triangles. In the end, I gave a simple and straightforward answer. "Hmm. Wouldn''t it be better to have good rtionships with all friends?" Miso tilted her head. "Hmm. Both of them said they love me, but I don¡¯t go as far as to say that I love them. So I''m confused. Love isn''t something to be said lightly, right?" "Th-that''s right. It''s a word that shouldn''t be taken lightly." ¡®How was I supposed to handle such a tough question out of the blue? I thought she was just talking about a simple friendship between good friends!¡¯ "What should I do, Uncle Yoon-Ho?" "Hahaha. That, that''s..., you know." Yoo-Jin sat next to me and simply watched me fumble with an amused expression. Fortunately, thendlord came back to save me. "Here, take this with you and share it with your co-workers." ¡®Wow, she¡¯s so generous.¡¯ Thanks to thendlord who came out with a big container full of japchae, I managed to dodge Miso''s difficult question. But Miso insisted that I must answer her the next time I visited. ¡®Oh, man. What should I do?¡¯ *** When I returned to thepany, the meeting for the advertising concept for Burger Queen was already in full swing. Gu Seong-Cheol, Deputy Manager Kim Mi-Hye from the Publicity Division, and Oh Deok-Gu were reviewing the documents spread on the table. "Oh! Yoon-Ho, you''re here." "Hi, Mr. Gu." When I sat down after greeting everyone, Oh Deok-Gu gave a bright smile. "Congrattions on Yoo-Jin''s sessful audition." "Thank you, Mr. Oh." "I bet you''ll be a deputy manager soon. Oh, right. Yoon-Ho, you know it''s the first time that thispany is nning to promote someone to deputy manager in their first year, right?" "Yes, sir." "Do you know that your sry jumps significantly once you be a deputy manager?" Hoop Entertainment increased their employee¡¯s sries by more than ten million won upon promoting them to deputy manager to prevent them from moving to otherpanies. It was almost like getting an extra million won per month. "I''ll definitely give everyone a proper treat after the promotion!" "Wow~. I''ll be looking forward to it." Then, Gu Seong-Cheol chided Oh Deok-Gu. "Why are you more excited about Yoon-Ho''s promotion?" Oh Deok-Gu retorted with a pout. "My subordinate is getting promoted¡ªthat''s why I''m happy. Do you know how much effort I put into helping Yoon-Ho?" "Team Lead Oh, let¡¯s be honest. When did you help Yoon-Ho? He got here on his own." ¡°Hey, you know nothing. I''ve supported him in every way possible." Oh Deok-Gu was right. When I first joined thepany in my past life, I had no money left after moving out of the goshiwon[ref]small room that students live in while studying for an exam/ref] and paying the deposit for my first one-room apartment. As I couldn''t afford to buy appliances, I survived on eating only kimbap. Seeing this, Oh Deok-Gu got me a used refrigerator, washing machine, and rice cooker. Of course, Gu Seong-Cheol also gifted me a stove and a TV. Thanks to them, I was able to enjoy a decent life for the first time. I had always been grateful for their kindness even after leaving Acting Division 2. I intended to pay back the debt I owed them in my past life. Watching the two jokingly bicker with each other, I stood up and bowed my head. "All of my sess is thanks to both of you. Thank you so much." My gratitude made them stop their yful argument and reply awkwardly. "Ke hem. It''s all because you worked hard, so there is no need to thank us..." "Hmm, hmm. Yes, congrattions. And remember, bing a deputy manager isn''t the end of your career. You need to work even harder in the future." After these exchanges, Gu Seong-Cheol steered the conversation back to the Burger Queen advertisement. "Alright, enough of that. Let''s get to urgent matters. We need to send our opinions on the ad concept to Burger Queen¡¯s publicity department by today." "Yes, Mr. Gu." "And Deputy Kim, Yoon-Ho should also see the ad drafts." "Yes, sir." I received two advertising concept proposals sent by Kim Mi-Hye. One was a luxury concept ad created by JUN nning, the top ad agency. The other was a quirky ad from a new agency, Marine Boy Agency. Both were ads I remembered from my past life. However, the two ads had very different fates. I looked at the ad drafts,paring them to my memories and the information recorded on my Everyday V10 app. [Everyday V10] [Date: February 1, 2020] -09:00 PM (Report) Lotteria''s quirky ad is a huge hit. Achieved over 1 million views in a day. ''I can''t believe this ad is in my hands right now!'' The proposed concept sent by Marine Boy Agency was simple: a hero defeats the Demon King and obtains a new burger. However, the key was that all characters, including the Demon King, the hero, the hero''spanion, the traitor, and the subordinate monsters, were yed by a single person. With its variety of amusing puppet masks and funny dialogues, this ad gained immense poprity in my past life. It was so popr that it even spawned a series. On the other hand, the ad created by JUN nning had a significant problem. [Everyday V10] [Date: February 14, 2020] -07:00 PM (Report) Burger Queen''s luxury ad. Controversy over abuse of power, suspension of both the ad and the burgerunch. One was a hit and the other a flop. Knowing what would happen in the future, I wasn''t too worried. Originally, Burger Queen had chosen the ad that flopped. ¡®But it will be a huge hit this time if I choose the Marine Boy Agency¡¯s work.¡¯ However, out of the blue, Gu Seong-Cheol made a statement. "We''ve decided to go with the ad from JUN nning." "I¡¯m sorry?" "The proposed concept of a luxury burger matches well with their n and the ad director is the famous Yoo Myung-Hun. Nheless, I thought we should at least listen to your opinion." ¡®They had to choose the failed ad out of all things!?¡¯ I couldn''t help but raise my voice toward the smiling Gu Seong-Cheol. "No, we can¡¯t do that, Mr. Gu!" Chapter 41: Luxury or Quirky (2)

Chapter 41: Luxury or Quirky (2)

The new burger from Burger Queen was named ''Truffle Monster Burger.'' It was a premium burger featuring a thick beef patty brushed with truffle oil and topped with crisp lettuce, various secret sauces, tomatoes, cheese, and even bacon. To highlight this luxurious image of the burger, JUN nning created an advertisement which featured handsome men and beautiful women in extravagant dresses elegantly eating the burger with forks and knives in a hotel restaurant. ¡ºTruly an aristocratic taste! Don''t you want to try it too?¡» Right after this advertisement was released, there were numerousints on the Burger Queen website. People were criticizing and asking if burgers had be too elite for the average person to enjoy. As a result of this bacsh, both the advertisement and the product were eventually discontinued. I couldn''t let Yoo-Jin be the model for such a failed product. After I criticized JUN nning''s advertisement, the atmosphere in the meeting room became awkward. Unable toprehend my firm stance, Gu Seong-Cheol questioned, "But why? The product and proposed advertisement concept align perfectly." Oh Duk-Gu agreed with him. "I share Mr. Gu¡¯s thoughts. Eating a burger in a hotel restaurant isn''t too strange, is it? It even reminds me of the recent trend of gourmet burgers." ¡®If only I had the storyboard, convincing them would be much easier.¡¯ I checked again to see if the storyboard had arrived, but as confirmed by Kim Mi-Hye, only the initial proposal had been sent. It was a serious situation. If we were to decide on JUN nning¡¯s proposal, Burger Queen would likely give their approval without much objection. ¡®What should I do?¡¯ Gu Seong-Cheol asked for the reason for my objection again. "Yoon-Ho, are you against JUN nning because you know something?" I briefly considered revealing that Yoo Myung-Hoon, a famous CF director, would be involved in an adultery scandal with a female model. However, that incident wouldn''t happen for another five years. I was at a loss for how to argue against JUN nning without an excuse and felt utterly frustrated. That was when an idea struck me. "M-Mr. Gu! Do you know about Prime Minister Cameron?" "Cameroon? In Africa?" "No, I mean the British Prime Minister Cameron." "Ah, the one who caused trouble with Brexit? What about him?" "I remember seeing somewhere that Cameron was heavily criticized for eating a hotdog with a knife and fork. People said he was trying to connect withmon folk in a way that just didn''t resonate well." "Eating a hotdog with a knife? Is that some kind of obsessivepulsive disorder?" "No, it''s just how he always ate them. Cameron is actually from a noble family in Scond." Then I showed them a photo of Prime Minister Cameron that I found on my phone. "Hmm, it kind of does look bad." Seizing the opportunity, I criticized JUN nning''s storyboard depicting a model in a luxury evening dress cutting a hamburger with a knife, simr to Cameron''s situation. When I exined that this could lead to simr bacsh, Oh Duk-Gu cleared his throat awkwardly in response. "Isn''t that too much of an exaggeration? Even so, one advertisement couldn''t possibly ruin Yoo-Jin''s image that much..." But I was firm in my stance as I knew the oue of this advertisement in my past life. "Mr. Gu, please trust me just this once. I really have a bad feeling about this. Look at the goosebumps on my arm. See?" I showed them my arm, which actually had goosebumps from the cold. Nheless, my provocative statement seemed to have deepened everyone''s concerns in the meeting room. "Well...Mr. Kang did say to give you full authority this time..." The atmosphere in the meeting room slowly began to change. And just like that, I managed to draw everyone away from the luxury concept advertisement n. *** "Well...having no negative publicity is better, right?" "Yes. Also, a quirky and absurd concept might fit better considering the current trends. It could also increase the approachability factor for Yoo-Jin." The advertising concept was finally decided after several discussions between Gu Seong-Cheol and Oh Duk-Gu¡ªit was to be a quirky ad concept proposed by Marine Boy Agency. "Deputy Kim, let ourpany know that we prefer the ad concept sent by Marine Boy Agency." Kim Mi-Hye recorded Gu Seong-Cheol¡¯s instructions on her tablet. "Yes, sir." Then, Gu Seong-Cheol stopped giving out instructions and turned to me. "By the way, Yoon-Ho. Yoo-Jin doesn¡¯t happen to dislike hamburgers, does she?" "She''s crazy about them. She just can''t eat them because of her strict diet." Yoo-Jin was currently on an extreme diet, and as a result, she constantly sent me KkTalk messages, threatening to break her diet and indulge in some high-calorie foods. This morning, she even joked about downing a 1.5L bottle of regr c, not even the zero-calorie version. To be honest, I kind of wanted to see her do it just for fun. Anyway, the concern was that if given the opportunity, she might indulge in excessive hamburgers and gain too much weight. "Okay then. Mr. Kim, please inform the agency that Yoo-Jin should be confident about enjoying a hamburger on camera. Also, go gather some feedback from the publicity division but make sure they don''t deviate from the n, okay?" Kim Mi-Hye nodded and immediately headed to the publicity division. At that moment, it dawned on me that I had forgotten to discuss the advertisement with Yoo-Jin. In my eagerness to prevent Yoo-Jin from shooting the luxury ad, none of us had considered consulting Yoo-Jin about her preferences for the ad. But the solution was simple. ¡®Whatever. I can discuss it with her the day before she shoots the ad. A good talent agent delivers potentially unsettling news aste as possible, right?¡¯ I thought that with Yoo-Jin''s acting skills, one day of practice should suffice. ¡®After all, how hard could it be to act like a bear, chicken, rabbit, or caterpir for a day?¡¯ *** When the chief of Burger Queen''s publicity department, Ahn Ji-Yoon, was updated by the publicity division of Hoop Entertainment, she grabbed her throbbing head in disbelief. "They chose Marine Boy Agency¡¯s proposal over JUN nning¡¯s?" "Yes. They emphasized multiple times that they preferred the quirky ad concept." Ahn Ji-Yoon was briefly taken aback but soon regained herposure and asked again. "Mr. Kim, you sent them the correct proposal, right?" "Yes, it''s the 24-page proposal from Marine Boy Agency." "But why would they choose the quirky ad over the luxury one? It doesn''t make sense." Ahn Ji-Yoon had actually dismissed Marine Boy Agency¡¯s ad proposal. It was amon strategy to present two contrasting concepts during an ad pitch¡ªone good and one bad¡ª expecting that people would naturally choose the better one. However, Hoop Entertainment surprisingly chose the less favorable one. Understandably, this development became a headache for Ahn Ji-Yoon. "What do you think, Miss Yung-Sook? What do young people like these days?" Lee Yung-Sook fell into contemtion as she knew that Ahn Ji-Yoon favored JUN nning''s concept. However, in all honesty, she found the Marine Boy Agency''s concept much more interesting. Lee Yung-Sook decided to take a risk and share her views, which ran contrary to that of the chief of the department. "Looking at the ads and banners on streaming sites, this kind of approach seems to be bing popr. It''s unconventional forwork TV ads, but..." Lee Yung-Sook hesitated before continuing. "Personally, I think going even bolder might be more effective!" "What? You mean we should spice up the current n even more?" "Yes. If we n to make things interesting, we might as well go all out." Lee Yung-Sook gulped and waited nervously for Ahn Ji-Yoon''s response. "I see..." Ahn Ji-Yoon nodded before gathering the entire publicity team for a vote. The vote concluded with an 11 to 9 majority in favor of the quirky ad concept. "Okay. Let''s trust Miss Yung-Sook''s judgment this time." Ahn Ji-Yoon decided to go with an option she usually wouldn''t. Previously, her decision to hire the popr idol Park Eun-Bin as a model had resulted in a disastrous oue. This time, she was willing to bet on something different. *** [Nave Live Search Rankings] 1st The Last Episode of The Morning Takes Off 2nd Viewership of Episode 26 of "Morning Is Going" ... 6th Jung Yoo-Jin 7th Burger Queen Part-Timer 8th Burger Queen''s Burger Maiden Jung Yoo-Jin Finally, Yoo-Jin''s first acting role in The Morning Takes Off had concluded. The final episode achieved a viewership rating of 25.9%, causing a stir at MBS broadcasting station. Even Kim Myung-Hak, a famous CP, personally called Hoop Entertainment. Gu Seong-Cheol was flustered by the rare call from such an influential figure, and even Kang Ji-Yung sent her personal congrattions. Thanks to the publicity division¡¯s hard work, the entertainment section of Nave was filled with articles about Yoo-Jin. [Jung Yoo-Jin. The Discovery of a New Star!] [From Cheonho-dong''s Burger Maiden to Entertainment''s Rising Star.] [What''s Next for Burger Maiden Jung Yoo-Jin?] [Jung Yoo-Jin Ranked 21st in the World''s Most Beautiful Women!] Thest article seemed to be a sensationalized one based on a blogger''s personal ranking of beautiful women in the world, with Yoo-Jining in 21st on the list. ¡®Okay, this is a bit of an exaggeration.¡¯ Nheless, all the articles portrayed Yoo-Jin in a positive light, each garnering hundreds ofments. (Comments) -That was amazing. Yoo-Jin unnie''s acting was phenomenal. Such amanding presence! -I¡¯m really looking forward to the year-end award ceremony. -Clearly, she''s a strong contender for the Best New Actress award this year. -She''s captivating. Completely drawn to her. Yoo-Jin''s Instargem followers were also rapidly increasing. "Oppa, what are you doing?" "Oh, I¡¯m just checking out your articles." We were currently at Marine Boy Agency¡¯s Studio in Apgujeong, waiting for a shoot for a CF. As I searched up the articles while waiting for the staff to pick us up, Yoo-Jin asked as she was unable to contain her curiosity. ¡°Are there any negativements about me?¡± "Not at all. Everyone is praising you and saying how much they enjoyed the drama." Yoo-Jin said she was okay with everything else, but she was genuinely shaken by the idea of readingments. I filtered out and read only the positive ones to her¡ªafter all, managing an actress'' mental well-being was part of the talent agent¡¯s job. I omitted thement saying that Yoo-Jin has a dough face, which seemed to have been written by Park Eun-Bin. Hearing the positive feedback, a bright smile bloomed on Yoo-Jin''s face. "That''s a relief. I''ll have to work even harder next time!" Yoo-Jin¡¯s joy from hearing thements made her seem like a true celebrity. ¡®Yes, this is how one slowly bes a celebrity.¡¯ "Anyway, let''s aim to nail the CF in one go today." "Okay." A little whileter, a staff member from the set hurried over to our vehicle. The staff led us into the studio where we saw the CF director sitting in front of several monitoring screens. However, the director was someone I recognized. ''What? This person directed this ad? This is a big deal indeed.'' The future genius of advertising, Park Bull-Chool, was directing today''s ad. With disheveled hair and a pair of round sses with no lenses, Park Bull-Chool approached Yoo-Jin. "Nice to meet you. I''m Park Bull-Chool and I¡¯m in charge of today''s set." "Hello, Mr. Park." Park Bull-Chool couldn''t hide his delight upon seeing Yoo-Jin. "Haha. It''s an honor to be called a director by you, Miss Yoo-Jin. I''m just a humble ad maker. Nothing more than that." "Not at all, Mr. Park. I''m really looking forward to working with you today," Yoo-Jin said with a beaming smile as she mentioned how she loved the ad concept, giving a double thumbs-up. However, that was a tant lie. Yoo-Jin was horrified by the ad concept when I showed it to her yesterday. -What?! Are you asking me to film the ad while wearing an animal costume? -Didn''t you say you''ve taken on mascot jobs before? -Yes, but this is different! I mean, a bear costume is one thing, but a snake? I''ve never even worn a chicken costume! -Hey, you''ve worn half of them already. That''s good enough. Chickens and snakes are animals too, so it''s all the same. Think of this as an opportunity to gain experience. And remember, it''s like a part-time job. The ad pays well, right? Do you think earning 50 million won is easy? -Well, that''s true, but... -Just focus on the money. The promise of money, or rather the heartfelt appeal, eventually made Yoo-Jin agree reluctantly. The power of capitalism certainly triumphed over everything. However, what truly made Yoo-Jin let go of her reservations was Miso. To provide for young Miso, Yoo-Jin needed all the financial support she could get. But when Miso started pping her hands in excitement during practice for the ad saying it was fun, Yoo-Jin''s attitude changedpletely. -Oppa, I''ll give my all to this bear performance! I will make it a heartfelt one! I wasn''t exactly sure what giving her all to the bear performance meant, but that''s how our conversation ended yesterday. And now, it was time to witness that heartfelt bear performance. Chapter 42: Luxury or Quirky (3)

Chapter 42: Luxury or Quirky (3)

Completely unaware of the previous conversation between Yoo-Jin and me, Park Bull-Chool was passionately discussing today''s shoot. "Miss Yoo-Jin. Today¡¯s shoot will be a huge sess as long as you just follow the storyboard. Trust me on this. I''m quite well-known in this industry, you know?" Yoo-Jin smiled and responded yfully. "Of course, my talent agent already told me how much of a genius you are." This was a lie. After all, I had only learned who the director was upon arriving at the set. Nheless, Yoo-Jin maintained a professional business smile with an overjoyed expression. This encouraged Park Bull-Chool to extend his hand to me for a handshake as well. "I appreciate the trust, Mr. Jung. Please leave it to me and I''ll deliver a perfect result." Park Bull-Chool''s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. At that moment, a chill ran down my spine. The other nickname for the advertising genius Park Bull-Chool was ''the Maverick of the ad world.'' Though I had heard of his fame, I had never witnessed his shooting style firsthand. Just then, an assistant director approached us quietly. "Mr. Park, we need you to check the set." Park Bull-Chool, who had been engrossed in exining the storyboard, suddenly snapped back to reality. "Oh, right. I almost forgot. Haha. Okay, I understand. Just give me a moment and I''ll be right there." "No, Mr. Park. We don¡¯t have the luxury of time." When I turned around, I saw the staff scratching the back of their heads while waiting for Park Bull-Chool''s final check. The basic setup wasplete, but Park Bull-Chool preferred to do the final checks himself, which was part of his unique style. "Okay." Park Bull-Chool quickly left to check the set and promised to return soon. While he meticulously inspected every detail of the set, the staff approached Yoo-Jin to start her makeup. Within just 20 minutes, she underwent a remarkable transformation, adorned with borate eye makeup, horns, and a crimson robe. With a scepter in hand, Yoo-Jin was exuding the regal presence of a queen as she burst intoughter. "How do I look?" "You look beautiful. Really beautiful." "Right? Oh, but there''s a burger here. Wow. It looks delicious." Yoo-Jin, who had been on a strict diet until now, cast an eager gaze upon the ''Truffle Monster Burger'' prop. She seemed starved, considering that she was drooling over a fake burger. "There''s a scene where you''ll eat a burger during the shoot, so just hold on a little longer." Yoo-Jin¡¯s eyes widened in excitement. "Really? Yay! Don''t stop me today, I''m loosening my belt!" Promising her that she could indulge in burgers on set today had skyrocketed her energy levels in an instant. Once everything was ready, a staff member announced the start of filming. "Miss Yoo-Jin, we''re going in for the shoot." "Okay." Wearing a crown with burger motifs and holding a scepter, Yoo-Jin made her way to a red throne set up on the set. She raised her left hand to signal she was ready, and Park Bull-Chool grabbed a megaphone and called out. "Everyone, get ready~." "Yes, Mr. Park." As the staff signaled their readiness, Park Bull-Chool announced the start of the shoot. "Okay, we''re shooting. Ready~ Action!" With the cue, the background music began to fill the set. The low sound of drums echoed from the woofers and dry ice smoke started to flow across the floor. Soon after, a cacophony of bizarre sounds filled the air. Keeooooo! Kyaaaaa! The shoot was chaotic from the start. But Yoo-Jin went a step further and raised her hands as sheughed like a madwoman. Park Bull-Chool was delighted with Yoo-Jin''s performance and waved his right hand enthusiastically with an impressed expression. Seeing the signal, Yoo-Jin began to re at the camera intensely, as if she was about to devour it. Then, the low drumming in the background stopped. That was when Yoo-Jin''s lines began. ¡ºHahahaha! I, the Burger Queen, have finally obtained the divinely bestowed ''Truffle Monster Burger!¡¯¡» Dressed in ck stockings with her legs crossed, Yoo-Jin slowly turned her head toward a transparent acrylic box. That was when Park Bull-Chool called out. "Cut! Great job. Let''s prepare for the second scene right away." Just like that, the first scene was done in just one take. Park Bull-Chool was quick to give the okay sign which was rare. "Really? Just like that? No retakes?" "Nope. I don¡¯t see the need to shoot twice. Let''s move on." "Ah, okay. Alright." Yoo-Jin looked surprised, but she quickly started preparing for the next scene following Park Bull Chool''s direction. While it wasmon for a non-international location CF shoot to bepleted in a day, this pace was exceptionally fast. "Alright. Camera jibs at a 45-degree high angle from Miss Yoo-Jin''s right! Focus on the bust with camera 3, Miss Yoo-Jin''s left face with camera 1, and a low angle from her right with camera 2! And the production team, make sure to check the shadows with the green screen. Props team, double-check Miss Yoo-Jin''s costume." Every staff moved in perfect unison as Park Bull-Chool directed them like a maestro. "Cut. Perfect~. The second shot is also great! Let''s move to the next one. Ready~ Action! Cut! That was great. Yes, yes. Excellent, Miss Yoo-Jin!" Once again, it was a one-take wonder. Park Bull-Chool was moving onto the next shot before Yoo-Jin could even fully reset her emotions. The speed of shooting was simply insane. *** After finishing the queen scene, Yoo-Jin came over after removing her makeup. However, there was a look of concern on her face. "Oppa, is it normal to shoot ads like this?" "Uh, maybe?" Despite reassuring Yoo-Jin, I couldn''t help but share her concerns. This pace of shooting was certainly unprecedented and unheard of, even in my past life ¡®What kind of advertisement is he aiming to create?¡¯ "Props team, hurry up and change Miss Yoo-Jin''s outfit," directed Park Bull-Chool. Soon, AD Choi Joong-Gu approached us. "Um, Miss Yoo-Jin. We''ve prepared as many animal costumes as possible. We''re hoping to avoid using CG if we can..." I checked the prepared costumes upon sensing the assistant director¡¯s hesitance. There were about twice as many as originally nned: bear, lion, chicken, and caterpir costumes. This would reduce the need for CG work. Given the tight budget, cooperating with them seemed like the best course of action. After all, it was not surprising for ns to change on the day of filming advertisements. "Yoo-Jin, it might be a bit tough, but let''s go with it. We should earn our advertisement fee, right?" "Hmm. Okay," Yoo-Jin agreed withoutining, making things much smoother. Compared to other actors I had managed before my regression, Yoo-Jin was an angel. I remembered actors who demanded CG for running scenes in ser shoe ads just because they didn''t want to sweat. Yoo-Jin¡¯s willingness to cooperate brought a bright smile to Choi Joong-Gu''s face. "Thank you for your cooperation, Miss Yoo-Jin. You¡¯ve got this!" "No problem, Mr. Choi. Yes, I can do it!" Yoo-Jin cheered energetically, but her unease was evident because she now had to portray animals, not humans. "Miss Yoo-Jin, we''re changing the order for the shoot. We''re starting with Bear Queen." In this ad, ''Queen'' was appended to all the characters given that this was an ad for Burger Queen. "Bear Queen? Not Rabbit Queen?" "Yes, Bear Queen first. Please get ready right away." ¡°Ah, okay.¡± A short whileter, Yoo-Jin emerged from a makeshift changing room at one corner of the set, wearing an animal costume. "Pfft." ¡®I shouldn¡¯t beughing...but how do I notugh at that?¡¯ Trying not tough was a challenge. Yoo-Jin¡¯s pale face stuck out awkwardly from the hole in the costume''s head, and her left eye had blue makeup to simte a bruise given by the Warrior Queen who defeated the Bear Queen. Yoo-Jin, d in the oversized bear suit, waddled toward the center of the set. Park Bull-Chool cheered enthusiastically. "Okay, Miss Yoo-Jin. Let''s do it in one go. Whether human or bear, it''s all the same. Raise your hands high and shout! Go~ Bear!" Yoo-Jin lifted the massive bear costume''s arms and roared loudly. ¡ºRoaaar! Bear!¡» As Yoo-Jin''s roar echoed through the set, the staff were struggling to contain theirughter, covering their mouths and turning red-faced. The sound of a human imitating a bear was far from being authentic. Nevertheless, Yoo-Jin continued her spirited bear performance. She crossed her sharp ws, lumbered around the set, and even asionally struck PowerTuff Girl poses¡ªwhich looked utterly different from the original in the bear suit. The whole scene was absurd. But the quirkier an ad, the more likely it was to capture attention. It was a rule of thumb in advertising. "Yoo-Jin, hang in there," I whispered. All I could do was cheer her on for carrying out an intense performance. Park Bull-Chool continued with his wild directions. "Now, Beggar Queen! Lie on the ground and beg for a burger as pitifully as possible!¡± He was like a madman, relentless in his directing. "Rabbit Queen is a treacherous courtier! Act annoyingly, Miss Yoo-Jin! Threaten to behead if not given a burger! Yes, that''s perfect!" Yoo-Jin, who had been energetically performing acrobatic moves in her costume, returned to her chair utterly exhausted, gasping for breath. "Huff, huff, huff. O-oppa, please get me some water." She was proudly taking on the challenge just a moment ago, but now she seemed like her soul had left her body. "Oppa, I might die at this rate." "Nah, people don''t die that easily." Yoo-Jin nced at me with a slightly annoyed look. It looked like she was shooting aser out of her eyes. "Oppa, are you saying that just because it''s not you doing it? Huh?" I tried to maintain a poker face but couldn''t help feeling a bit guilty. "Me? No. No way." Just then, Park Bull-Chool announced thest scene. "This is thest one, Miss Yoo-Jin. The burger-eating scene. You can do this!" For the first time today, a spark of life returned to Yoo-Jin''s eyes. "R-really? The burger-eating scene already, Mr. Park?" The incredible speed of the shoot had left her unable to keep track of her progress. "Of course! Just enjoy eating the burger and we''re done. Look, there''s a freshly prepared Burger right there!" Yoo-Jin''s face lit up with excitement. The table at the set was piled high with ''Truffle Monster Burgers'', and the aroma seemed to revive her. She raised her exhausted self up, ready to forget about her diet and indulge in the burgers. In her Warrior Queen costume, Yoo-Jin sat at the table and started filming the scene where she savors the ''Truffle Monster Burger'' as a reward. After a big bite, Park Bull-Chool instructed, "Now, just drool over the burger without actually eating it. Yes, that¡¯s it. And now, just a small bite." Soon, Park Bull-Chool made a content smile. "Cut! Perfect, Miss Yoo-Jin. You really have great expressive skills. You could even do mukbang!" Yoo-Jin spoke with her mouth full of burgers and made a perplexed expression, "Huh? Really? I thought it wasn''t that good." "Not good? It was perfect, Miss Yoo-Jin. Perfect!" The shoot was okayed in just three takes. Seeing the table still full of countless burgers, Yoo-Jin''s eyes shook rapidly. Yoo-Jin pleaded desperately, "Mr. Park. Can we do one more take? I can eat it more deliciously!" "Come on, I can''t let an actress consume high-calorie food like that. I''m not that heartless. Alright, everyone! That''s a wrap for today! Props team, please clear the table." Park Bull-Chool turned to me, winked, and walked away. This was thanks to the discreet request I made to him before the shoot, asking if he could minimize the eating scene. Yoo-Jin made a sad face and left the table when the staff began to clear the set. Disappointment was evident on her face as she licked the sauce on her lips. However, she had to turn around as many staff were looking at her. Being exhausted from the rough shoot, Yoo-Jin slumped down on the chair. "I only had three bites... I didn''t even eat half a burger..." Yoo-Jin murmured to herself and looked at me with a sad expression. "Yoo-Jin, listen. I..." Before I could even finish, Yoo-Jin responded in a weak voice. "I''m so hungry." "Yeah, I thought you might be so I prepared a sd for you. Want to try it?" At the mention of a sd, her eyes seemed to shootsers at me. She then burst into a mix ofughter and frustration. "Roaaaar! Bear! Burger! Give me meat!" In mock fury, Yoo-Jin yfully attacked me. "Hey, don''t bite! Ahhh! Did you actually bite me? Ouch! Let go, let go!" While the shoot ended sessfully, I was left with a red mark on my arm. Thanks to Yoo-Jin''s yful ''bite,'' I was able to check how many teeth Yoo-Jin had. Chapter 43: Blooming Days for Cherry Blossom (1)

Chapter 43: Blooming Days for Cherry Blossom (1)

I had to take on the role of Cherry Blossom''s Talent Agent today as Yoo-Jin¡¯s schedule was empty. When I said I wouldn''t go to Singer Division 2, Lee Dong-Min went all the way to the managing director¡¯s office to plead and even threaten. Unable to withstand his persistence, Kang Ji-Yung eventually gave in. As a result, I officially became in charge of Cherry Blossom whenever Yoo-Jin had her days off. Thanks to this, I got so busy I wished I could clone myself. After parking the car in the underground lot, I did my routine nner check. Upon checking the day¡¯s events, I inevitably let out a sigh. "Well. It''s going to be chaotic today." [Everyday V10] [Date: January 12, 2020] -06:20 PM Yongpyong, Gangwon-do H Resort, KBC Live Music Stage outdoor stage. (Report) Golden Road rehearsal no-show -06:40 PM (Report) sh between Golden Road and Petite More during KBC Live Music Stage. -07:00 PM KBC Live Music Stage live broadcast -09:00 PM (Deleted Schedule: Gangwon-do Hoengseong Hanwoo Taste Festival stage, Cherry Blossom) I recalled this day which happened in my past life. ¡®Man, I really did have a tough time on this day.¡¯ While driving Golden Road''s van to Yongpyong, an unexpected heavy snowfall would ensue, causing a dy in their schedule and ultimately leading to them missing the 5:30 PM deadline. As a result of missing the rehearsal and getting scolded by the AD, Golden Road would be quite hysterical, with one of their members, Eun-Yung, being entangled in a big fight with Eun-Bin of Petite More. Although everyone managed to sessfully finish the live stage, it was a day that I never wanted to experience ever again. However, as I looked at the nner, I couldn''t help but smile when I saw a canceled schedule at the bottom. "Come to think of it, Cherry Blossom has grown a lot." Instead of performing at the Hanwoo Taste Festival, which was located in the middle of a market, they were performing on the KBC Music Stage. This was indeed a huge milestone! Beep. I turned off the van''s engine and headed to Singer Division 2. There, Lee Dong-Min, who was scratching the back of his messy hair, greeted me. "Star Jung, please take good care of our kids today. Oh, and we''ve started working on a new song." "Already?" Lee Dong-min brought up my own words and smirked. "Is that a bad thing? You were the one who said we needed a better song, weren¡¯t you? Anyway, I might be a bitte today because of that. You should go ahead with Team Lead Han." "Understood, Mr. Lee." The moment I heard about the new song, I began organizing all the potential hit songs in my mind as I recalled my ten years of memories to rmend a few of them to Cherry Blossom. Then, Han Myung-Ho, who was in charge of Cherry Blossom, entered Division 2. He looked extremely tired, possibly from sleeping in thepany''s dormitory again. Indeed, being in charge of idols was not an easy job. "Oh? You''re here already?" "Yes, Mr. Han." Han Myung-Ho made a tired expression and opened his mouth. "It''s still early, so let''s have a bowl of hot soup before we leave. My body feels so stiff." But I shook my head at his suggestion to leave after eating. "Mr. Han, didn''t they issue a heavy snow warning today? I think we should leave early." Han Myung-Ho looked puzzled at my words. It seemed he hadn''t heard about the warning. "Is that so? Then I guess it can''t be helped. Let''s leave now and buy some kimbap on the way then." "That sounds good, Mr. Han." We left the office and rushed toward Yongpyong¡ªtoday''s battleground. *** Screech. When I parked the car in the Yongpyong H Resort parking lot, heavy snow had already been falling for about 20 minutes. The snow, each ke the size of a thumb, covered everything in a pristine nket of white. "It''s a blizzard." "Huh, we would have been in trouble if we had taken our time and dyed leaving." Talent Agent Lee Ju-Yung, who was sitting in the back seat, also nodded in agreement. "We really would have been in big trouble if we had a no-show today. After all, the other talent agents were giving us the side-eye, saying that we are not even among the top ranks but still squeezed our way into the face meeting..." Face meetings were meetings where PDs and agencies of singers gathered together to decide the order of appearance for the singers at music shows. Cherry Blossom, having gained recognition from the end-of-year idol battle, was receiving solid support from Producer Choi Eun-Hyuk. Thanks to him, Cherry Blossom was able to perform on the Yongpyong special stage, despite holding a low ranking of 35. That was when it happened. Thud. The car door in the back opened and Sae-Ri jumped out. "Snow! I have to be the first to step on it!" Sae-Ri headed toward the parking lot garden where the snow had piled up to her ankles. I couldn¡¯t understand why she was so excited to step on the pristine white snow nobody had stepped on yet. But thanks to the boots that we had prepared in advance for the blizzard, there was no concern about getting her skirt wet. "Sae-Ri! Your clothes will get wet! Why would you go there!" As Woo Yeon-Hee shouted, Sae-Ri carefully lifted her skirt and coat slightly, seemingly also worried about getting her clothes wet. "Is this okay now?" "Okay? What do you mean okay!" "No, it''s fine!" Seeing Sae-Ri running again, Woo Yeon-Hee decided she had to intervene and ran after Sae-Ri to catch her. Even though she had just turned 16 with the new year, Yang Eun-Bi shook her head whilementing that Sae-Ri was still a baby. "Sigh. When will she grow up?" Thest one to get out of the car was Eun-Ah. She held onto Yang Eun-Bi''s arm and looked around the surroundings vigntly like a meerkat on guard, perhaps because the ski resort was crowded with people. But I was just relieved that Eun-Ah wouldn''t be experiencing panic attacks on stage amidst all this. "Eun-Bi unnie...today I..." Seeing Eun-Ah''s anxious expression, Yang Eun-Bi shrugged her shoulders. "Don''t worry, just stick close to me." "Okay, unnie." Then, Lee Ju-Yung gathered all the necessary clothes from the car and called me over. "Yoon-Ho, could you help me with this?" "Of course, Ms. Lee." I took a bunch of stage costumes wrapped in vinyl. "Wait, but why are there two sets of stage costumes?" Lee Ju-Yung asked with a puzzled expression. "Oh. I brought extra as a precaution because of today''s weather." Lee Ju-Yungughed, praising my thorough preparation. "Wow, Yoon-Ho. You really got this, huh?" But I had another reason for bringing these costumes. "Let me help. I''ll help you carry some too." Han Myung-Ho also joined in carrying the luggage and we headed to the open set. People who were d in ski wear and carrying skis and boards at the ski resort started talking among themselves as they saw us. "Isn''t that Cherry Blossom?" "Oh! I heard there¡¯s going to be an outdoor stage performance today." "Wow, their body proportions are great. Their faces are really small. Maybe even smaller than my fist?" "Right? I''m theplete opposite. Mom, why did you give birth to me like this?" "Hey. Don''t me me. You take after your dad." "Their visuals are amazing. I''ve been seeing them a lot on TVtely." "It''s all thanks to the end-of-year broadcast effect. But it¡¯s such a shame though. They would have really made it this time if only their song was better." sh! sh! People at the ski resort started taking out their phones to snap photos. Woo Yeon-Hee was shy, Yang Eun-Bi tried to act unbothered, and Sae-Ri waved and greeted everyone around. "Hello! We are Cherry Blossom. I''m Long Baby Kim Sae-Ri. Oh, what is Long Baby? It''s a bit embarrassing to exin my nickname myself, but...people call me that because I have long legs although I am petite! And this is......." ¡®Wow. She is so approachable. She¡¯s good!¡¯ She was certainly the most suited to be a celebrity among the Cherry Blossom members. ¡®I wish I could take half of that charisma and give it to Eun-Ah.¡¯ Meanwhile, Eun-Ah walked quickly with her head down and drew closer to my side when Yang Eun-Bi was briefly distracted. "Eun-Ah, just stick behind me. Don''t worry." "Okay, oppa..." I shielded Eun-Ah with my body and headed toward the temporary waiting room. Upon arriving at the waiting room, I could see that all the staff were busy bustling around. When Han Myung-Ho and I were greeting everyone, Assistant Director Cha Tae-Hee let out a sigh of relief while she held onto a cue sheet in her hand. "It''s good that at least one team arrived early. Mr. Han, was there a lot of traffic on the Yeongdong Highway?" "It was fine up till we arrived, but it seemed to be getting congested because of the snow when we exited the IC." "Ah, what should I do? It looks like there¡¯ll be a no-show by several teams today." Muttering to herself, Cha Tae-Hee informed others of our arrival via her wireless inte. "Mr. Choi. Cherry Blossom has arrived. Yes, yes." After checking the site, Cha Tae-Hee consulted with Han Myung-Ho. "Rehearsal will start with Cherry Blossom regardless of the order." "Yes, Ms.Cha." Clearly tense, Cha Tae-Hee crumpled the cue sheet in her hand. Even with her five years of experience in music show broadcasts, this was her first time dealing with such a cmity. She couldn¡¯t help but constantly mutter a curse under her breath. Then, she received some instructions via the inte and nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes. I''ll do that. Yes~." After the conversation, Cha Tae-Hee called out to Han Myung-Ho who was heading toward the waiting room. "Mr. Han, I''m sorry to ask this out of the blue. But can Cherry Blossom also take the first slot for the live show performance?" "The first performance slot? Doesn¡¯t that belong to Pink Diamonds?" "Yes, but they haven''t arrived yet. So Mr. Choi is asking if Cherry Blossom could take both the first and second performances for now. The rehearsal is about to start soon. Can they do two songs?" In my past life, a snowstorm had caused several teams to bete, resulting in chaos. In the end, the singers who arrived early had to fill in the empty slots with multiple songs¡ªand that was the reason I insisted on arriving early. If a team dropped out, someone else had to fill the stage. This was another opportunity to score points with Choi Eun-Hyuk, following the idol battle. Han Myung-Ho''s face lit up in an instant. "Of course! We''ll do it! Not just two, but three or even four!¡± Cha Tae-Hee let out a sigh of relief and updated Choi Eun-Hyuk over the inte. "Yes, yes. I understand, Mr. Choi." After receiving a reply from Choi Eun-Hyuk through the inte, Cha Tae-Hee immediately gave orders. "Please get ready for the rehearsal right away. And for the live broadcast, we''ll give you three minutes to change outfits... Oh right, you probably didn''t bring stage costumes, so let''s go with what you have." "No, we have plenty of outfits for Cherry Blossom to change into." Cha Tae-Hee smiled brightly and yfully tapped Leader Han Myung-Ho''s arm. "Huh? Really? Wow. Mr. Han, are you trying to impress me today or what?" "Hahaha. Are you impressed?" "Totally. I''d give you a kiss if I didn''t have a boyfriend, " Han Myung-Ho chuckled. "Well, I''m married, so that won''t do. Give it to Yoon-Ho here instead. He was the one who suggested bringing extra outfits." "Then, Mr. Yoon-Ho. Here''s a kiss for you!" I quickly responded to Cha Tae-Hee¡¯s wink. "I''m d you¡¯re impressed, but no thanks for the kiss." My sharp refusal made Cha Tae-Heeugh. "Tsk. Men who reject women are not that attractive... Anyway! Cherry Blossom has saved me today. I won''t forget this favor. Thank you so much." "Oh, don¡¯t mention it. But please keep a lookout for Cherry Blossom¡¯s new song when ites out." The mention of the new song brightened the expressions of the Cherry Blossom members who were standing next to me. They seemed unaware that their next song was being prepared. After Cha Tae-Hee left, Han Myung-Ho turned and gave me a big hug. "Yoon-Ho! Whenever you''re around, things just seem to go smoothly! Son, what kind of good dream did you have yesterday?" ''It''s not a dream, it''s just a memory.'' His hug was so tight it felt like I was being crushed. "Ah, Yoon-Ho. I adore you!" Han Myung-Ho was like a dad rubbing his stubble chin against a seven-year-old''s cheek. His prickly stubble made my skin crawl. "Uh, Mr. Han. We should get ready." "Oh, right, yes. Let''s get ready, everyone!" "Okay~." The members of Cherry Blossom all wore excited expressions. *** Music Stage staff Jung Eun-Ah rushed into the waiting room, announcing the start of the rehearsal. "The rehearsal starts in five minutes." Seizing the moment, Han Myung-Ho inquired about the situation on-site. "Excuse me. What''s the current situation on-site like?" Jung Eun-Ah grumbled as if she was exhausted. "It''s the worst. The show is about to start and less than 20% of the singers have arrived. The cue sheet order ispletely messed up and everything is just chaotic." ¡®She must be getting a lot of k.¡¯ Even Golden Road from Hoop Entertainment hadn''t arrived on site yet. But since the schedule on the nner hadn''t changed, it seemed like they would be arriving before the show. "Alright, let''s go. Yes~. Cherry Blossom is on their way." Jung Eun-Ah reported over the inte and led us to the rehearsal stage. The members of Cherry Blossom, tasked with consecutive performances including the opening stage, were visibly excited. But we had to be cautious today. A real chaos would soon unfold. Chapter 44: Blooming Days for Cherry Blossom (2)

Chapter 44: Blooming Days for Cherry Blossom (2)

The singers who arrivedte were all in a fluster in the temporary waiting room at Yongpyong H Resort. They didn¡¯t even know where their waiting rooms were because they were in a hurry due to the dy caused by the heavy snowfall and were unfamiliar with the location. However, being the first to arrive, we had already figured out theyout and were proceedingfortably with our rehearsal. As Cherry Blossom took the stage, Han Myung-Ho and I surveyed the audience area. "Less than half are filled." Perhaps due to the snowstorm, only about 20% of the outdoor seats were upied. But there was a bigger issue than theck of audience. "Mr. Han, the stage is quite slippery because of the snow. What if the girls fall?" Without any surrounding snow barriers, the stage was umting snow. The staff were clearing the snow intermittently but the melted snow continuously left puddles all over the stage. Falling on the hard acrylic surface could result in, at the very least bruises, and worst, fractures. "What should we do?" Fortunately, I was prepared for this. "I brought sneakers just in case. They should be much safer than heels. Can the girls wear them instead?" After some consideration, Han Myung-Ho decided to prioritize the girls¡¯ safety. "They might look odd without heels... but you¡¯re right. Safety alwayses first. Let''s go with your suggestion." "Then I''ll go grab the sneakers once the rehearsal is over." "No, go now. I''ll take care of the girls. I¡¯ll meet you back at the waiting room." I was relieved that Han Myung-Ho took my advice. In my past life, many singers had slipped on the wet stage. I nodded and hurried to the parking lot. Opening the trunk of the van, I grabbed four pairs of white shoes. As I was about to return, a group of high school girls wearing ''CHERRY BLOSSOM'' caps caught my eye. ¡®They are Cherry Blossom¡¯s fans.¡¯ "Excuse me." The girls, who were giggling at their phones, turned toward me. "Yes?" "You''re Cherry Blossom fans, right? Oh, I''m their talent agent, by the way. I¡¯m not a weird person." However, the fans red at me with wary expressions. ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°Yes. Take a look at this pass yourself. It says I¡¯m part of the attendee¡¯s associate team, doesn¡¯t it?¡± When I showed my blue pass, indicating my affiliation with the associate team instead of the yellow pass for the staff, the fans began to scream excitedly. ¡°Oh my goodness! Where is Cherry Blossom right now?¡± ¡°Cherry Blossom is here today, right? Everyone has been disappointed that there are no idols on-site right now. Oh! Has ZIZAK oppas arrived yet?¡± Only then did I notice the ZIZAK cheering sticks that the girls were holding in their right hand. ¡®But that¡¯s okay.¡¯ It was only natural for the fans to support numerous groups. I was just grateful that they were not anti-fans of Cherry Blossom. "I don''t know about ZIZAK because they''re not from our agency, but I¡¯m sure they will be here soon. I heard they value their fans a lot." When I praised the fans¡¯ favorite group, their faces brightened. "Um, Mr. Talent Agent. Could we maybe take a picture with Cherry Blossom?" That was exactly what I¡¯ve been wanting to hear. I wanted to say yes right away but needed Han Myung Ho''s permission first. "They''re rehearsing right now, but I''ll try my best to find some time. Want toe along?" The four fans nodded while beaming. Following closely behind me, the fans discussed how other agencies didn''t care about the fans but Cherry Blossom was different. ¡°See? I told you Cherry Blossom is different from the other idols.¡± ¡°Hey, do you remember when Golden Road¡¯s talent agent pushed mest time? I had my clothes ripped back then.¡± I asked the fans to wait for a moment and rushed back to the waiting room with the shoes. In the room, Lee Ju-Yung was busy ironing Cherry Blossom¡¯s stage costumes on the hangers. "What''s that?" "Oh, these are non-slip sneakers." Once I exined the stage conditions, Lee Ju-Yung quickly understood. "I see. The shoes look nice. I was worried, but these shoes should match the costumes well." ¡®Of course they would match. I deliberately chose the best sneakers to match the two different outfits for today''s performance.¡¯ Click. At that moment, Cherry Blossom returned to the waiting room with an excited expression after finishing their rehearsal. Sae-Ri, who was giggling, saw me and made a peace sign with her hands. Sae-Ri beamed with confidence and proudly shared her sess. "Yoon-Ho oppa, I didn¡¯t make a single mistake today!" "Good job, Kim Sae-Ri! Excellent!" "Give me a high five!" p! "Yay!" When I gave a high five to Sae-Ri, Yang Eun-Bi shook her head and opened her mouth. "Sae-Ri, do you have a separate battery to charge your energy or something? Aren¡¯t you tired?" "Nope, not tired at all. I feel like I can do really well today! My energy and spirits are at max levels!" Sae-Ri''s lively mood brightened the atmosphere in the waiting room. ¡®Oh, I almost forgot.¡¯ I informed Han Myung-Ho about the fans waiting outside. "Fans?" Cherry Blossom did have fans, as they were active in their second album promotion until very recently. However, they didn''t have dedicated fans showing up at the venue¡ªat least until today. Woo Yeon-Hee¡¯s eyes widened with surprise. "Really? Our fans came to the site?" "Yeah, they¡¯re waiting outside the waiting room right now." I nodded and asked Han Myung-Ho. "Could the girls take a picture with the fans?" Han Myung-Ho smiled. "Why not? Let¡¯s do whatever you want, Yoon-Ho!" Han Myung-Ho and I hurried to take Cherry Blossom outside the waiting room to meet the fans. *** It was incredible. The four fans from the Hoengseong Girls'' High School screamed in ecstasy upon meeting Cherry Blossom. Their enthusiasm was so intense during their photo-taking session with Cherry Blossom that it drew the attention of passersby. Thanks to them, the other people walking by even asked to take pictures with Cherry Blossom. The fan encounter was a resounding sess. After returning from meeting the dedicated fans, the Cherry Blossom members were visibly uplifted. The strong support and enthusiasm from the fans seemed to have invigorated them. Woo Yeon-Hee joked with a bright smile. "It feels like only good things happen when youe, Yoon-Ho oppa." "So, you want me to stoping?" "No, I wish you would alwayse." "Really?" Woo Yeon-Hee smiled with her eyes curving into crescents. For some reason, she was looking more alluring than when I first saw her. ''It¡¯s so interesting how her image keeps changing.'' Initially, I only noticed her beauty. But the more I observed, the more facets of her personality revealed themselves. She radiated aforting warmth, asional yfulness, and even a subtle sexiness. Beingbeled as ''the mother of the group'' might have limited her, but she could certainly show many more charms with a dedicated stylist to develop her image. The same could be said for the other three members. ''I should suggest getting a dedicated stylist for the new song.'' At that moment, Sae-Ri who was dancing yfully chimed in. "Me too, me too! I totally agree that Yoon-Ho oppa should alwayse! It feels like we always have a good day when he is here~" Sae-Ri¡¯s dance, which was supposed to express the blooming of Cherry Blossom ording to her, seemed a bit acrobatic due to her awkward movements. ¡®As expected. Sae-Ri sucks at dancing.¡¯ Yang Eun-Bi wiped the sweat off her forehead and nodded in agreement. "Yoon-Ho oppa, when will you join us again? I¡¯m going to ask Mr. Han if he can book us as many schedules as possible on days that you join us." Yang Eun-Bi yfully stuck out her tongue and openly expressed her desires. But strangely, it wasn''t annoying at all. Lastly, Eun-Ah hesitantly reached out and gently grabbed my sleeve as she finally spoke up. "What is it, Eun-Ah?" "I just wanted to say thank you for today." For Eun-Ah, this was a big expression of gratitude. The simplicity of her ''thank you'' somehow made my heart flutter unexpectedly. Feeling a bit shy, I scratched my head. "Don''t mention it. Let''s do well today, just like this, okay?" "Okay~!" A renewed sense of ambition to lift these wonderful kids to greater heights surged within me. ''Yes, I''ll make sure your spring truly blooms.'' Soon after, Cherry Blossom changed into their stage outfits and put on the white shoes I had brought. "Let''s gather for a quick cheer before going on stage." At Han Myung-Ho''s cue, Cherry Blossom huddled together and ced their hands in the center. "Shall Eun-Ah lead the cheer for today?" Eun-Ah''s face turned bright red, but she bravely shut her eyes tight and led the cheer. Then, the rest of the Cherry Blossom members joined in with the chant. "Cherry~ Cherry~ Blossom! Please let us bloom this time!" ¡®Yikes. What a peculiar cheer.¡¯ Yet the members kept a straight and serious expression as they shouted such a peculiar cheer. ¡®I guess it¡¯s a testament to their desperation and longing for sess.¡¯ The moment their hands shot up in unison, the door opened with a knock and a staff member entered. "It''s time to go on stage. The live opening is in five minutes." Cha Tae-Hee personally came out to escort us, showing her care and attention. *** Meanwhile, the four girls from Hoengseong High School who took pictures with Cherry Blossom were busy examining the photos on their phones. "Wow, I look like a squid next to Eun-Ah. I shouldn¡¯t have stood beside her" "Haha. I look like a tfish. This is ridiculous. I can''t show this to anyone else." "I stepped back 30cm, but why does my head still look so big? Hey, is this camera distortion?" "Stop deluding yourself and look at Eun-Bi''s photo instead. She''s slim but one part is bulging. I wonder if I can look like that if I diet?" "No way. I asked her but she said it''s all gics in her family." Despite the heavy snowfall, the girls were so engrossed in the photos that time seemed to fly by. "Hey! The show is starting!" "Let''s go! There should be lots of seats because of the snow." The announcer took the stage, grabbed the microphone, and announced the start of the KBC Music Stage at Yongpyong H Resort. "Today''s KBC Music Stage is at Yongpyong H Resort. Wee to the open broadcast, everyone~." Ba-bam~ bam! As the loud background music sted from the speakers, Cherry Blossom quickly popped onto the stage and took their set positions. The sight of Cherry Blossom preparing for their performance while wearing thin re skirts in this blizzard made the high school girls shiver. "Wow, they''ll freeze to death at this rate." "But where do you think Sae-Ri got those shoes? They''re so pretty." "Probably from Seoul." "Hey, what can''t you buy online these days? We don''t live in the countryside. You live in an apartment, right?" "Yes. But we don''t even have a mall in Hoengseong." "What do you mean we don¡¯t have a mall! Hanwoo mall is still a mall!" "What the heck? Hey, are those evenparable?¡± ¡°Ah, forget it. I¡¯ll search for those shoes onler. I¡¯m gonna order the exact same design~." The girls giggled andughed at one girl''sment. However, as the performance began, their chatter quickly died down. "Looks like it''s starting. Everyone be quiet." Their argument seemed to be forgotten as they all focused on the stage. The background music thumped and Cherry Blossom began their choreography. However, no one was cheering loudly for them. The songs ''Pretty Pretty'' and ''Shiny Sunshine'' weren''t bad, but they just weren''t catchy enough for people to sing in the karaoke or to showcase their vocal prowess. The performance was good thanks to Cherry Blossom¡¯s hard work, but the choreography wasn¡¯t outstanding. Nevertheless, the high school girls clenched their fists in support as they remembered Cherry Blossom''s kindness in taking photos with them. "Hey! Let¡¯s cheer for them." "Yeah. We should repay them for the photo!" The Hoengseong High School girls started cheering loudly after counting down and shouted at the top of their lungs. "Yessssss! Cherry Blossom!" The girls¡¯ support continued unabated throughout the first and second performances. The shouts of the girls were incredibly effective, inspiring others around them to gradually start cheering for Cherry Blossom as well. Because Cherry Blossomcked a well-known cheer, some of the audience simply pped in rhythm as their way of showing support while some of them sang along to the song. The cheer was out of sync and chaotic, but it was enough to support Cherry Blossom who began to dance even more passionately. This enthusiasm caught the attention of more people, who started capturing the moment on their phones. sh, sh! At the same time, the photos that were taken were also being uploaded onto social media. Comments began to pour in and the reporters started to ride the wave of growing interest and drafted news articles about Cherry Blossom. Chapter 45: Golden Road and Park Eun-Bin (1)

Chapter 45: Golden Road and Park Eun-Bin (1)

After finishing their back-to-back performances, Cherry Blossom exited the stage with their cheeks flushed with a rosy hue reminiscent of cherry blossoms in full bloom. At first, I thought it was due to the cold, but it turned out they were excited about the fan chants. "Oppa, did you see our fans? They kept calling our name until the end of the second stage!" "Yeah, I saw. It was so touching." Cherry Blossom¡¯s morale peaked, thanks to the enthusiastic support from the high school girls who had taken photos with them earlier. "That was amazing! Have we ever had a day like this?" "No, we haven''t!" "I¡¯m so happy..." The girls chatted non-stop, bubbling over with joy. Then, Woo Yeon-Hee nced at me and spoke up. "It''s all thanks to our Daddy-Long-Legs." ¡®Daddy-Long-Legs?¡¯ Yang Eun-Bi nodded in agreement. "Yes! With Yoon-Ho oppa here, everything seems to be going well! Even Sae-Ri didn¡¯t make a single mistake throughout both the rehearsal and live performance." ¡®Wait. What does my being here have to do with that?¡¯ Sae-Ri instantly reacted to Yang Eun-Bi¡¯s words. "Hey, that''s not it! I genuinely put in a lot of effort today to avoid making any mistakes!" Eun-Ah added her two cents in a soft, yet impactful way. "But Sae-Ri...you always work hard..." Sae-Ri turned and red sharply at Eun-ah. "Ugh! Even you, unnie?" Woo Yeon-Hee calmed Sae-Ri down. "Sae-Ri, you did work hard, and Yoon-Ho oppa being here helped too. So don''t frown or you''ll ruin your pretty face." ¡®But really, what does that have to do with me?¡¯ Sae-Ri begrudgingly made a smile and ran into Woo Yeon-Hee¡¯s arms. "Mom~ Tell the unnies to stop teasing me!" "Alright. You guys, stop teasing Sae-Ri." "Okay~." Yang Eun-Bi and Eun-Ah nodded at Woo Yeon-Hee¡¯s reprimand. Cherry Blossom celebrated their sessful stage performance withughter and smiles. However, I urged them to head to the waiting room because I was concerned they might catch a cold in their thin outfits. "Let''s go to the waiting room, it''s too cold out here." "Okay~!" As we were about to make our way back to the waiting room, amotion erupted in the corridor. Murmur. "What do you mean we don''t have a slot? We literally risked our lives getting here through the snowstorm!" Pink Diamonds¡¯ talent agent, Park Bong-Soo, was confronting Cha Tae-Hee furiously. Pink Diamonds¡¯ members, led by Gu Min-Ji, were continuously bowing their heads in apology behind him. But Cha Tae-Hee¡¯s expression was ice cold. ¡°Well, if you have so manyints, just go speak with Mr. Choi. I''m too busy right now to have this conversation." As Cha Tae-Hee tried to walk away, Park Bong-Soo grabbed her arm roughly. "Wait! It seems like there might be other teams who fail to turn up today as well. We can fill those slots!" Cha Tae-Hee turned her head with narrowed eyes. "What the fuck. Let go of me, will you?" When Cha Tae-Hee¡¯s harsh and firm voice echoed throughout the waiting room corridor, Park Bong-Soo froze in ce. "I-I mean, it''s just that...Please don¡¯t get me wrong, Ms. Cha. I¡¯m..." Cha Tae-Hee jerked her arm free. "Let go of me now, you asshole!" Park Bong-Soo''s grip was so tight that it left a red mark on Cha Tae-Hee¡¯s wrist. "I''ve been trying to keep my temper in checktely, but you¡¯re not helping at all. Are you a thug or what?" Cha Tae Hee''s scolding left Park Bong-Soo stumbling over his words. "N-no. Not at all." It was surprising to hear such amanding voicee from her slender frame. Cherry Blossom and Han Myung-Ho instinctively hid behind me, intimidated by the scene. Staff and other artists passing by looked at them curiously, but Cha Tae-Hee didn¡¯t seem to care. "I asked you several times where you were, didn¡¯t I? And what did you tell me? ''Almost there,'' right? Didn¡¯t I fucking ask more than once?" "Y-yes, you did ask several times." "I told you to hurry because I had already scheduled your performance. And look, what time is it now? It¡¯s 6:10 PM, isn¡¯t it? You said you''d be here by 5:25 PM." Park Bong-Soo seemed to have lied continuously about their arrival time amidst the scheduling chaos. Cha Tae-Hee sighed and tried to calm herself down upon realizing the attention she was drawing. "Sigh. Alright, that''s it for today. I¡¯m too agitated to continue this conversation. We''ll discuss this at the next face meeting, okay?" But as we looked on, the Pink Diamonds members'' eyes revealedplex emotions like anger, envy, and jealousy. They seemed to realize that Cherry Blossom had taken their spot on stage. However, instead of acknowledging their fault, they seemed to me us. Seemingly tired of continuing the conversation with Park Bong-Soo, Cha Tae-Hee decided to take her leave. However, as she turned around with a crumpled cue sheet in her hand, she was interrupted by a low, deep voiceing from the end of the corridor. "What''s going on here? What is up with all themotion?" It was Ma Dong-Pal, the managing director of TK Entertainment. "Mr. Ma!" Pink Diamonds and Park Bong-Soo''s faces lit up at the sight of him, while Cha Tae-Hee''s expression turned sour. Even she couldn''t disregard the managing director of TK Entertainment. Ma Dong-Pal quickly grasped the situation and apologized to Cha Tae-Hee. "Sorry, Ms. Cha. There was an ident on the way here which prevented us from arriving any earlier. Please, try to calm down." Typically assertive and dominant, Ma Dong-Pal seemed somewhat subdued today. "But that''s no excuse, Mr. Ma. Mr. Choi is furious right now. None of this would have happened if you had just been honest about beingte. Why would you keep lying..." Cha Tae-Hee spoke, as she narrowed her eyes with irritation. Then, Ma Dong-Pal did something unexpected that waspletely out of character. "I''m sorry. It''s all my fault." Ma Dong-Pal bowed deeply even in front of the other talent agents and staff watching him. "I told him to lie about the arrival time, Ms. Cha. I¡¯m truly sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have done that even though there was a bad snowstorm..." Cha Tae-Hee epted his apology but maintained a firm stance with a frown on her face. "I''ll ept your apology, but Pink Diamonds won''t be performing today." Straightening up, Ma Dong-Pal looked regretful and answered. "Fair enough. I don¡¯t n to force you to carve out a slot for us when it was our fault. Oh, and Petite More will also skip the stage performance this time. See you next week." At that moment, Cha Tae-Hee''s expression twisted. "What? Mr. Ma. Why involve Petite More in this? Are you trying to mess with me right now?" Cha Tae-Hee¡¯s eyes shed with frustration because she was well aware that 30% of the audience today were fans of Petite More. But Ma Dong-Pal turned around to leave without saying a single word. Then, Cha Tae-Hee eximed worriedly. "Wait! Where are you going? Mr. Ma, are you serious?" Ma Dong-Pal''s strategy had worked. After all, poprity mattered the most in the entertainment industry. Ma Dong-Pal paused and tilted his head as if he was confused. "But why? Petite More is in the same boat. They arrivedte and missed rehearsal as well, so it''s only fair they don¡¯t perform today too. By the way, has Golden Road from Hoop Entertainment arrived yet? Staff on site told me they hadn¡¯t yet..." ¡®Oh my goodness. He is trying to mess with ourpany as well?¡¯ By mentioning Golden Road from ourpany which had yet to arrive, Ma Dong-Pal was muddying the waters further. Cha Tae-Hee bit her lip as she realized she was trapped in Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s ploy. "Are you really going to be this petty, Mr. Ma?" She scowled but Ma Dong-Pal just smiled. "Petty? I''m just trying to take responsibility. How can those who missed the rehearsal because they arrivedte me others? Come on, girls, let¡¯s go. Let¡¯s make sure not to bete next time." "Yes, Mr. Ma." As Ma Dong-Pal led Pink Diamonds away, Cha Tae-Hee grabbed his arm with a frown. "Just a moment!" "Hey, there¡¯s no need to do this here. Why create such a fuss among busy people?" Cha Tae-Hee whispered into her inte, likely discussing a solution with Choi Eun-Hyuk. After a while, Cha Tae-Hee let out a deep sigh. "Okay! Pink Diamonds! Get ready to go on stage after the current performances end! Mr. Choi has given the go-ahead." Cha Tae-Hee''s words made Ma Dong-Pal stop in his tracks andugh heartily. "Really? Haha, how can I thank you? I''ll apologize to Mr. Choiter as well. And Ms. Cha, we should have a drink sometime soon, don¡¯t you think? I''d feel better if I could make it up to you with a drink." "I quit drinking a long time ago." "Hmm, but I heard someone saw you in a bar in Gangnam the other day... Oops, my big mouth!" When Cha Tae-Hee red at him, Ma Dong-Pal mimicked zipping his lips shut. "What are you girls all waiting for? Apologize to Ms. Cha right now!" Pink Diamonds bowed in unison at Ma Dong-Pal''s sternmand. "We''re sorry, Ms. Cha." It was Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s win. He managed to save the situation for Pink Diamonds, demonstrating the influence of poprity in the entertainment industry. Cherry Blossom needed such poprity to avoid being pushed around by people like Kim Dong-Soo and Lee Gi-Cheol from ourpany. "What are you looking at? The show is over! Everyone, disperse!" The staff and other agency representatives quickly moved at Cha Tae-Hee¡¯s irritatedmand. Then, upon recognizing my face, Ma Dong-Pal approached me and extended his hand for a handshake. "Nice to see you again. Seems we''re fated to meet, huh?" Despite the friendly words, his gaze was piercing like aser. However, I didn''t shy away from his handshake. "It seems so." ¡®Park Eun-Bin and Jung Yoo-Jin. Petite More and Cherry Blossom, huh...¡¯ The actors and singers from TK Entertainment were currently more popr than those from Hoop Entertainment, but I intended to change that within a year. I couldn¡¯t tell whether it was due to the newfound confidence I had or the resolve I felt, but Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s grip, though firm, didn¡¯t feel as unbearable as before. *** Click. Only after returning to the waiting room could we finally rx. Regardless of the chaos outside, we had done our part. Sae-Ri opened her mouth as soon as we came back to the waiting room. "Phew! I thought I was going to die from fright. I''ve never seen Ms. Cha yell like that!" When Sae-Ri made a surprised expression, the rest of the girls also nodded. ¡°Me too.¡± ¡°That was scary.¡± Then, Han Myung-Ho advised the girls to stay put until the situation had calmed down. "You saw what happened out there, right? Just stay in the waiting room until we leave for the amodation. It''s best to stay put in times like these." "Okay!" ¡°And we will greet Mr. Choiter when Mr. Lee gets here. Take a good rest until then.¡± While everyone rested, I let out a sigh and checked my nner. But one event still hadn''t disappeared. [Everyday V10] [Date: January 12, 2020] -06:40 PM (Report) sh between Golden Road and Petite More during KBC Live Music Stage. It was currently 6:20 PM. As events that didn¡¯t disappear from the nner would happen no matter what, I was sure that Golden Road and Petite More would definitely sh in 20 minutes before going on stage. "What¡¯s wrong, Yoon-Ho? Is there a problem with Yoo-Jin''s schedule?" Han Myung-Ho asked, noticing my concern. I shook my hand and lied without changing my expression. "No, I''m just worried about Mr. Leeing in this terrible snowstorm." "Oh, don''t you worry. Mr. Lee is an excellent driver. He¡¯s even better than an F1 driver. So let''s rest for a bit. Ah, I feel so stiff." As I nodded and took a moment to rest on the chair, Sae-Ri suddenly eximed while browsing her phone. ¡°Eun-Bi unnie! We are 10th on the live search rankings!¡± "Really? Wow! You¡¯re right! Wait, but the Hoengseong girls are 9th." "Wow, we were beaten by the Hoengseong girls? We really need to work harder." As Cherry Blossom buzzed with excitement, the door suddenly burst open. Park Han-Cheol, the chief of Singer Division 1, entered. The hat he always wore to hide his balding head was half-off and covered with snow. "Huff, huff. Busy day, huh? Where''s Mr. Lee?" "He hasn''t arrived yet." "Is that so? Then, let¡¯s get some people together. One of our cars skidded off the road on the way, so we managed to get only one car here.¡± ¡°Huh? Is everyone okay?¡± ¡°Everyone¡¯s fine and unharmed but the car is no good. Team Lead Cha Sang-Jin is still in the car with the stylists and makeup artists while I brought Golden Road and Deputy Eun Ji-Yu here. I''m worried this might affect the girls'' performance on stage." This ident didn''t happen in my past life. However, fate seemed to be steering me toward a confrontation between Golden Road''s Jang Eun-Yung and Petite More''s Park Eun-Bin. Chapter 46: Golden Road and Park Eun-Bin (2)

Chapter 46: Golden Road and Park Eun-Bin (2)

Park Han-Cheol urgently sought assistance, but Han Myung-Ho expressed reluctance. "Why are you being so difficult today? Didn¡¯t you say your team is done with their stage performance?" "Yes, but Mr. Lee specifically instructed us to wait here." "Is that so? Then let me just borrow Yoon-Ho for a while." Han Myung-Ho frowned. "Mr. Park, you do realize he''s with the Actor Division 2, right?" "Come on, you know I rarely seek this kind of favor. We¡¯ll take good care of him and return him promptly.¡± ¡®What does he mean he will take good care of me and return me? Am I an object or what?¡¯ Nevertheless, even though Park Han-Cheol was in the Suhyaejong line, I couldn¡¯t just stand by in such an emergency, especially when Golden Road¡¯s Jang Eun-Yung and Petite More¡¯s Park Eun-Bin might sh. However, there was another reason I wanted to go to Singer Division 1¡ªthere was someone I wanted to meet there. "I¡¯ll be back soon, Mr. Han." I grabbed my coat and quickly followed Park Han-Cheol. *** Golden Road, the renowned five-member girl group from Singer Division 1, was a top-tier group which was often considered a formidable rival to Petite More. The members¡ªLeader Jang Eun-Yung, Park Soo-Jin, Choi Myung-Eun, Jung Yi-Soo, and the youngest Yoon Ji-Hee¡ªwere all close in age. The eldest Jung Eun-Yung was 24 and the youngest Yoon Ji-Hee was 19. Thanks to Park Han-Cheol handpicking only the most talented members, four other trainee teams within thepany were disbanded. For this reason, the members didn¡¯t have a strong bond due to the rush in forming the group. Not only were they thrust onto the stage without adequate time to get to know each other, but they also had to attend multiple events immediately upon gaining poprity. Even now, the members sat separately in the waiting room without giving each other a single nce and stared at their own phones. "What are you all doing? Get ready for the stage!" Jang Eun-Yung raised her head at Park Han-Cheol¡¯smand. Because she had been a trainee at variouspanies ever since she was 12, she was unfazed by most situations. Needless to say, her attitude was utterly notorious. "Ugh, shut up! We''ll move when the staff arrive. I''m already stressed out because of the car ident just now! Seriously!" Her attitude toward Park Han-Cheol, who was likely around the same age as her father, was incredibly rude. However, Park Han-Cheol simply sighed and didn¡¯t react much to her rudeness, almost as if he considered it a normal urrence. "Do you really have to talk like that all the time? Hey, Eun-Yung. Do you really think staff woulde in this situation? We missed the rehearsal and we''re runningte. Get up already. You''re going on stage without rehearsal." "Jeez! I should''ve just switched agencies when ACE Entertainment offered me the opportunity for a solo debut!" "You¡¯re talking about Ace Entertainment again? I¡¯m telling you, things would still be the same even if you had gone over to Ace Entertainment instead." "Oh, whatever!" As Eun-Yung stood up in a huff, the other members followed suit. "Hold on, girls. Let''s check your outfits before we leave." Amidst the chaos, one person stood up to adjust Golden Road''s outfits¡ªEun Ji-Yoo, the person whom I wanted to meet. She assumed the role of an elder sister, taking care of these unruly girls. I remembered sharing a bitter drink with her after Miso¡¯s passing in my past life. Despite her busy life, taking care of Golden Road, she was one of the sunbaes whoforted me during those tough times when life was unbearable. She left the Entertainment Industry for good when she got married, but I was always grateful for her constion and reassurance that Miso¡¯s death wasn¡¯t my fault. ''Ji-Yoo noona. It¡¯s really good to see you again.'' Seeing Eun Ji-Yoo right in front of me made my heart swell with emotions. However, the Eun Ji-Yoo in front of me now was only a deputy in her third year whom I wasn¡¯t close to yet. Eun Ji-Yoo finished checking Golden Road''s outfits and asked in an apologetic tone. "Mr. Yoon-Ho, I know you must be busy, but thank you foring. Could you please carry these shoes and follow us?" "Sure, noona... Oh, I mean Ms. Eun." Eun Ji-Yoo looked surprised for a moment at my slip but soon burst intoughter. "Haha, calling me noona, huh? That''s kind of nice." "Sorry, I meant to say Ms. Eun. I apologize." I had unintentionally addressed her like I used to in my past life but quickly corrected myself and picked up the five pairs of shoes for Golden Road. After all, taking care of the urgent matter at hand was the priority. ¡°Ms. Eun, I need to head out because I¡¯m meeting up with one of the staff, so ensure everything is good and help the girls get on stage. Okay?¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Park.¡± ¡®What a joke. Everyone knows that he¡¯s just going out to have a smoke.¡¯ The reason I came to help Singer Division 1, despite knowing Park Han-Cheol was only looking for someone to dump his tasks to, was because I knew Eun Ji-Yoo wouldn¡¯t be able to handle everything alone. "Let''s go, everyone." Eun Ji-Yoo led the way with the Golden Road members following closely behind. It was still chaos outside the waiting room, with staff running around in a rush. The current time was 6:35 PM. No matter how many times I looked at the nner, the event on the nner remained. In just five minutes, Jang Eun-Yung of Golden Road and Park Eun-Bin of Petite More would inadvertently sh on their way backstage, simply because their shoulders brushed against each other as they stepped towards the stage. But I could prevent the sh by simply making sure they don¡¯t run into each other. I was determined to get Golden Road to take a different path to the backstage. "Ms. Eun, there''s a faster way over there." When I stopped Eun Ji-Yoo, she tilted her head in wonder. ¡°Oh, is that so?¡± ¡°Yes. If we turn right there, we can arrive sooner and...¡± However, before I could finish my sentence, Jang Eun-Yung urgently interrupted. ¡°Ji-Yoo unnie, give me a moment. I need to use the washroom real quick.¡± She rushed off to the washroom, presumably because of her sensitive stomach. As she dashed into the washroom before we could respond, we ended up waiting for her in front of the washroom. "Seriously, she''s always like this. She always has stomach issues." Park Soo-Jinined and looked at Eun Ji-Yoo. "Unnie, can''t we just go ahead without her?" "Well, that''s... what if Eun-Yung gets lost on the way?" Eun Ji-Yoo¡¯s concern was reasonable. Given theyout of the temporary stage was moreplicated than that of KBC¡¯s broadcasting station, getting lost was a real possibility. "Then what? How long do we wait?" As the youngest Yoon Ji-Hee joined the rest inining, Eun Ji-Yoo looked evidently perplexed. "Ms. Eun, go ahead with the rest of the girls. I¡¯ll bring Miss Jang Eun-Yung as soon as she¡¯s out." "Really? Are you sure?" ¡°Yes. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m familiar with this ce.¡± I was familiar with the area after taking Cherry Blossom to their stage earlier. After nodding and saying she trusted me, Eun Ji-Yoo led the other four members of Golden Road on the path I suggested. Then, I checked the nner again while waiting for Eun-Yung outside the restroom. [Everyday V10] [Date: January 12, 2020] -06:40 PM (Report) sh between Golden Road and Petite More during KBC Live Music Stage. ¡°The event is still here.¡± I nned to lead Jang Eun-Yung via a different path to avoid meeting Park Eun-Bin once she got out of the washroom. After all, ensuring they do not run into each other was the best oue. ¡°Jang Eun-Yung, you better thank me for this.¡± Some time had passed but Eun-young still hadn¡¯te out of the washroom. ¡°What¡¯s taking her so long?¡± The current time was 6:39 PM, just one minute before the event was supposed to ur. I thought the sh could be avoided if she stayed inside the washroom like this. However, I turned on a recording app just in case. Tick Tock Tick Tock. Time continued to pass but there was no sign of Jang Eun-Yung or Park Eun-Bin anywhere. "What¡¯s going on?" [Current Time: 6:40 PM] It was now 6:40 PM but the nner''s event remained unchanged. "Could it be that the event won''t happen?" At that moment, amotion erupted from the women''s washroom with Jang Eun-Yung''s sharp voice shing against that of another woman. "Ahhhh! What are you doing!?" "What? What did you just say to your sunbae?" ¡®The location changed.¡¯ Instead of backstage, the conflict had shifted to the washroom. "Hey! Are you crazy? How dare you talk like that to your sunbae!" "Sunbae? You''re younger than me! Let go! Ahhh!" "Let go first, you bitch!" I could hear the fight resonating through the area. "Seriously. A premonition never fails... Or should I say, the nner''s event will always happen?" The only difference was the location of the sh, which was now in the washroom instead of the backstage. It seemed like the two were having a physical fight. However, I was stuck outside as I couldn¡¯t enter the women¡¯s washroom. "What are you doing here, Yoon-Ho?" Amidst themotion, Cherry Blossom''s talent agent, Lee Ju-Yung, appeared. "Ms. Lee, you came at the perfect time! Jang Eun-Yung and Park Eun-Bin are fighting inside. Could you please break it up? Hurry!" ¡°Oh, okay!¡± Lee Ju-Yung rushed into the restroom. Soon, I could hear her trying to stop Jang Eun-Yung and Park Eun-Bin. "Both of you, stop it! There are people outside, you know?" "She won¡¯t let go of me!" "Get your hands off me! I''ll sue you if you scratch my face!" As their rivalry had intensified recently, this explosion of tensions between Golden Road and Petite More seemed inevitable. "I said let go!" "You let go first!" Lee Ju-Yung managed to pull them out of the washroom but they were still grabbing each other''s hair tightly. Then, Sung Ji-Hyuk, the team lead who managed Petite More under Ma Dong-Pal, rushed over. He walked past me and grabbed Lee Ju-Yung''s wrist. "Hey! What are you doing? Let go of Eun-Bin!" "Uh, there seems to be a misunderstanding here. I''m trying to separate them, not attack her!" However, Sung Ji-Hyuk seemed to be more focused on pushing Jang Eun-Yung away rather than stopping the fight. ¡®He¡¯s trying to protect his singer amidst this chaos, huh?¡¯ I quickly stepped out and grabbed his wrist. "W-what are you doing? L-let go!" "This isn''t right. Keep your hands off our agency¡¯s singer and go worry about stopping Miss Park Eun-Bin instead." Although I did not approve of Eun-Yung''s behavior, I simply couldn¡¯t let her be assaulted. At that moment, Park Eun-Bin and my eyes met. "What? It¡¯s you again?" ¡®Surprise, surprise. She¡¯s speaking informally again.¡¯ "Miss Park Eun-Bin, watch yournguage. I''m not your friend. And Miss Jang Eun-Yung, let go of her hair." "Not until she lets go!" But I had to remain calm because everything was being recorded. "Please, we can talk this out. Although this is a temporary stage, we''re still in a broadcasting station. The PD will be furious if he finds out about this." I tried to de-escte the situation using a calm and diplomatic tone. Although Jang Eun-Yung was being a brat, I had to prove that at least the talent agent of Hoop Entertainment tried to resolve the issue. Suddenly, Lee Ju-Yung mimicked my approach, as if she had caught on to my intention. "Yes, let''s talk this out. So please, let go of each other, you two. Jang Eun-Yung, please listen to me!" "But this is unfair! Park Eun-Bin grabbed my hair first! I was just washing my hands at the sink but she cursed at me and told me to piss off!" Eun-Yung stomped her foot in frustration but my focus was on demonstrating that our agency was trying to resolve the conflict. "Miss Jang Eun-Yung, I understand you''re upset. But still, please let go of her so we can talk this out." I made sure my voice was loud and clear for the recording. On the other hand, Sung Ji-Hyuk failed to share the same intentions as me and proceeded to hurl insults at Jang Eun-Yung. "Fuck, this uneducated brat. How dare you grab your sunbae''s hair? Jang Eun-Yung. Are you a thug or something?" ¡®Did he just curse at our singer?¡¯ His words were harsh but I kept myposure and responded calmly. "Please don''t insult our singer. And Miss Jang Eun-Yung, let go of Miss Park Eun-Bin first. Please!" Jang Eun-Yung grumbled but finally let go of Park Eun-Bin¡¯s hair first. Only then did Park Eun-Bin also lower her hands. Park Eun-Bin red fiercely at Jang Eun-Yung. "Fuck you, bitch. I won''t let you off!" ¡®Yikes. The situation is tense.¡¯ After listening to their recount of what happened, it turned out that Park Eun-Bin was the one who initiated the physical altercation. Apparently, there was only one functioning sink in the washroom and Jang Eun-Yung happened to be using it when Park Eun-Bin came out of the cubicle and tried to force her way in with insults and aggression. Jang Eun-Yung exined that when she refused to move away, Park Eun-Bin grabbed her hair. "Of course you should move when your sunbae needs to use it. How dare you talk back to me?" Park Eun-Bin insisted, still acting as if she did nothing wrong. ¡®How can she be so brazen?¡¯ With the recordingplete, my job was to hand over the evidence to the staff. "Enough of this. Let''s move on. Miss Eun-Yung, everyone''s waiting. We need to go." Jang Eun-Yung shot me a venomous look. "Aren''t you supposed to be on my side?" ¡®No? Why should I?¡¯ Her expectation was misced, particrly considering how she had treated me in my past life. If anything, I was being generous considering everything that she had done to me in my past life. After all, many talent agents had suffered because of Golden Road''s rude attitude. Just then, a familiar voice came from behind. "Unbelievable. What a day this has turned out to be." Chapter 47: Golden Road and Park Eun-Bin (3)

Chapter 47: Golden Road and Park Eun-Bin (3)

Cha Tae-Hee''s face turned red, resembling the R¨¡kshasas[1] after seeing Park Eun-Bin and Jang Eun-Yung fighting. "I was wondering what you were all up to, not showing up backstage...And this was what you were doing?¡± Coldness seeped through Cha Tae-Hee''s voice. Lee Ju-Yung and I bowed deeply to apologize. "I''m sorry." "We apologize." Park Eun-Bin and Jang Eun-Yung also reluctantly bowed their heads in session. But their disgruntled expressions remained even with their heads bowed. They didn¡¯t seem the least bit sorry at all. Cha Tae-Hee''s bellow echoed through the corridor, akin to a resounding five-octave G note. "Forget it. Summon the chiefs from TK Entertainment and Hoop Entertainment to the broadcast van now!" "Ah, no, Ms. Cha! Please let me exin about what happened..." Sung Ji-Hyuk rushed to intervene, but Cha Tae-Hee turned away, expressing her reluctance to engage in any further conversation. "Ah, seriously. We are fucked," uttered Sung Ji-Hyuk, as his face turned pale. However, Park Eun-Bin simply snorted and wandered off nonchntly, as if the situation was not her problem. ¡®What a bitch. How can she act so nonchnt when this is her fault?¡¯ However, Jang Eun-Yung was no different. ¡®Jeez. Both of them are ridiculous. They started this mess, and yet they are just going to leave it to the talent agents to clean up after them?¡¯ Then, Jang Eun-Yung nudged me. "Aren''t we going? We''rete." She talked as if nothing had happened. ¡®Does she have the memory of a goldfish or what?¡¯ "Right. Let''s go, Miss Eun-Yung." Lee Ju-Yung quickly gestured for us to leave. After briefly bowing to her, I hurriedly took Jang Eun-Yung to the back of the stage. On our way to the stage, Jang Eun-Yung didn''t bother speaking a single word to me. *** Park Han-Cheol rushed over after receiving my call. "Hey, Jung Yoon-Ho! What were you doing letting it get this far?" "I tried to stop them, but they wouldn''t listen. There''s only so much I can do without using force." Park Han-Cheol frowned and grumbled as if it was all my fault. However, after listening to my recording of the situation, he stopped ming me. "Take this with you when you meet the PD. It will help." Park Han-Cheol made an awkward expression. "Ahem, ...kid. If you had something like this, why didn''t you say so earlier!" ¡®Not gonna give me a single word of praise, are you?¡¯ After Park Han-Cheol asked me to send the recording to his KkTalk, he quickly rushed off, his sparse hair fluttering in the wind as he ran. When Park Han-Cheol left, Eun Ji-Yoo, who had been watching me handle the situation, eximed in admiration. "Wow, Mr. Yoon-Ho. You''re amazing. How did you think of recording in that situation?" "Park Eun-Bin''s temper is well known. I recorded just in case, and bingo¡ªit paid off." Eun Ji-Yoo looked bitter as she shifted her gaze to Golden Road on stage. "Sigh. I should start recording too. But considering Eun-Yung¡¯s temperature, I don''t know if it would be of any help." Golden Road was singing the title track of their fourth mini album, ¡®Like the First Time! Like Now!¡¯, while winking at the audience. Despite the earliermotion, Jang Eun-Yung was unfazed and casually blew a kiss to the audience. She swayed in her pink, pearl-embellished stage outfit with cute and vibrant movements. ¡ºAs before! Like the first time! That look in your eyes toward me~.¡» As Jang Eun-Yung, the main vocalist, sang the highlight of the song, the audience began to get pumped. "Yessssss!" "Golden Road. Let''s only walk the golden path!" The fans of Golden Road, who made up about 20% of the audience, were waving yellow glow sticks. I quietly hoped that Cherry Blossom could also receive the same kind of passionate support from the fans. I was confident that Cherry Blossom could elicit even greater reactions if they were given a good song for their next album. After all, I was with Cherry Blossom to support them now. That was when I heard a boorishugh from behind me. "What''s with the serious face? Isn''t the stage performance going well?" Lee Dong-Min approached us with his hands in his long coat. "Mr. Lee!" Lee Dong-Min grinned and nodded. "Ms. Eun, I see that you are doing well even without Team Lead Cha. You seem quite experienced now." "Oh, not at all, sir. I still have a lot to learn." "Nonsense. Who else can handle Golden Road''s temperament apart from you? Everyone at thepany knows how hard you work. So keep your chin up. Let me know if work gets too stressful." Eun Ji-Yoo bowed, grateful just to hear those encouraging words. ¡®This isn''t too bad of an atmosphere, is it?¡¯ I thought of a way to transfer Eun Ji-Yoo, who always struggled because of Golden Road, to Singer Division 2. In a few months, Golden Road''s leader Jang Eun-Yung would cause an uproar by demanding for Eun Ji-Yoo to be fired over a costume issue. Fortunately, the innocent Eun Ji-Yoo managed to apologize and got through the situation. But this time, I nned to use that incident to transfer her to Singer Division 2. Of course, for that to happen, Cherry Blossom would need to be popr and require additional staff. ''Hang in there a little longer, Ji-Yoo noona. I''ll make sure you get transferred.'' After finishing the conversation, Lee Dong-Min looked around. "Wait. Where did Chief Park go? Did he go out to smoke again?" "No, he went to the broadcast van." "The broadcast van? Why?" After hearing my exnation about everything that happened, Lee Dong-Min made a joke with a sneer. "Shouldn''t you have kept the recording from Chief Park and let him get scolded a bit?" "Should I have done that?" "Hahaha. No, we can''t do that to someone from the samepany no matter how annoying they are. However, you did very well to think of recording the situation in the midst of all this. Great job." Lee Dong-Minughed heartily and patted my shoulder. *** Standing in front of Choi Eun-Hyuk, Ma Dong-Pal didn¡¯t even dare to lift his head. "Mr. Ma Dong-Pal, did TK Entertainment decide to screw me over or what?" Coldness permeated Choi Eun-Hyuk''s voice. TK Entertainment was branded the viin when Park Han-Cheol yed the voice recording. While Hoop Entertainment had tried to calm the situation, TK Entertainment appeared to only worsen it. As a result, Ma Dong-Pal found himself bowing deeply twice that day. After apologizing repeatedly to Choi Eun-Hyuk, Ma Dong-Pal returned to the waiting room of Petite More while fuming. Bang! Ma Dong-Pal furiously mmed the door open. "Hey, Park Eun-Bin. Are you out of your mind? How dare you fight in such a public ce?" Park Eun-Bin retorted with annoyance at Ma Dong-Pal''s scolding. ¡°Ugh, you think I wanted to fight? That bitch kept pissing me off when I¡¯m her sunbae!" "Even so, you shouldn¡¯t have done that in front of so many people! Do you know how humiliated I was because of the recording? Hoop Entertainment threatened to release the contents in a news article!" Park Eun-Bin bit her lip slightly. ¡®A recording?¡¯ She did not expect someone to have recorded the whole situation. But then, an idea crossed Park Eun-Bin''s mind. "Mr. Ma, could it be that talent agent who recorded it?" "That talent agent? What are you talking about?" The enraged Ma Dong-Pal couldn''t understand Park Eun-Bin''s words. "Ah, you know, the Dough Face¡¯s talent agent! There was only one female talent agent and him there. The female talent agent was busy talking, so she couldn''t have recorded. But that Dough Face¡¯s talent agent was just standing there with his arms folded!" At that moment, Ma Dong-Pal frowned. He knew that young man, who was always in a suit, would certainly have had the audacity to do such a thing. "The talent agent of Jung Yoo-Jin, huh... that newbie who always wears a suit?" "Yes. That¡¯s the guy. I told you there''s something off about that talent agent. He¡¯s only in his first year but is always wearing a suit as if he''s a chief." As Park Eun-Bin got more irritated, Ma Dong-Pal scowled. No matter how upset she was, Park Eun-Bin should be apologizing, not shouting. "Hey! Who do you think you are to be yelling in this situation? Quiet down!" When Ma Dong-Pal''s face soured, Park Eun-Bin stepped back with a frown. "Okay, fine. I know I did wrong. But we are not gonna let this go, are we?" Grinding his teeth, Ma Dong-Pal lowered his voice and whispered. "Park Eun-Bin. I said keep it down. Others might hear." Only after ncing behind did Park Eun-Bin also lower her voice and calm herself down. "Wait. Are you...?" "Yes. We are already in motion." "Really?" "When have I ever lied to you? I¡¯ve been waiting for the right opportunity. Just pretend you don''t know anything about this and keep your temper in check." Jung Soo-Hee and Yeo Jin-Yung, the members of Petite More, did not hear the conversation as they were busy with their own things. "Got it,¡± Park Eun-Bin answered. While Ma Dong-Pal made a call, Park Eun-Bin searched the entertainment news on her phone and let out a sharp scream. "Ugh, seriously. What is this?! She¡¯s the one who took my ad?" [Burger Queen''s New Face: Rookie Actress Jung Yoo-Jin!] [Jung Yoo-Jin Chosen as Burger Queen''s New Advertising Model!] [Burger Queen Reces Slumping Park Eun-Bin with Rising Star Jung Yoo-Jin!] [Park Eun-Bin''s Acting Venture: A Disastrous Failure.] Nave reported that Jung Yoo-Jin was the new face of Burger Queen''stest product. Three days ago, Park Eun-Bin was notified of her contract termination by Burger Queen. Although her pride was hurt, she reluctantly moved on because she was paid a penalty fee. After all, such things weremon in the entertainment industry. However, the rage became unbearable when she found out it was Jung Yoo-Jin who reced her. Park Eun-Bin screamed in the waiting room as if she had been struck by lightning, while Sung Ji-Hyuk struggled to soothe her. "Mr. Sung, get me an ad with Lotteria or Magnum! Something topete with her!" "You know that¡¯s not as easy as it sounds." "Ah, just do it! Or I won''t renew my contract with TK!" Her high-pitched pleas pierced Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s ears as he left the waiting room with a headache. As soon as he stepped out into the hallway, he made a call. "Yeah, it''s me. Proceed as we discussed. Yeah. If you can make the scandal with Jung Yoo-Jin happen, I''ll support your appearance in any drama you want." Ending the call, Ma Dong-Pal''s eyes sparkled with a sinister gleam. *** After the eventful music stage, we returned to Seoul via the Yeongdong Highway. The exhausted Cherry Blossom members had fallen asleep in the backseat of the van. "We''re here, girls." Cherry Blossom stretched and got up at Han Myung-Ho¡¯s call. Even while half-asleep, the Cherry Blossom members instinctively bowed and expressed their gratitude. "Thank you for your hard work." "You guys too." Then, Sae-Ri approached me in the driver''s seat. "Yoon-Ho oppa." "Hmm?" "Thank you so much for today, really." As Sae-Ri bowed, the other Cherry Blossom members soon came over to express their gratitude as well. "Thank you, Yoon-Ho oppa." "Everything from the Idol Daejun to today has been like a dream all thanks to you, oppa." I lost count of how many times I was thanked today. "I haven''t done much, really. So lift your heads, it''s fine." "What do you mean you haven''t done much? We got another stage performance because of you, and our photos flooded social media thanks to the shoes you got us." "Shoes?" I was unaware because I was driving, but it turned out the ugly shoes Cherry Blossom wore today became a hot topic on social media. They even ranked fifth on Nave''s live search. "We¡¯ve been really lucky these days. What luck. Looks like this year is going to be big for us." "How great would that be, eh?" "Well, we''re going inside now. Thank you for your hard work." "Alright. Take a good rest." As Woo Yeon-Hee was about to enter the dorm, she stopped and turned around. "Yoon-Ho oppa, see you tomorrow~." "I told you I can''t make it tomorrow." However, Woo Yeon-Hee pretended not to hear what I said. "Sorry, what was that? I didn¡¯t hear you~. You have toe tomorrow!" "Yoon-Ho oppa! See you tomorrow!" "Tomorrow! Tomorrow!" Following Woo Yeon-Hee, the Cherry Blossom members also insisted on seeing me again tomorrow, giggling while running into the dorm. Han Myung-Ho looked at me with a slight smile. "Yoon-Ho, can''t you help out again tomorrow? I''ve never seen them this happy before." "I''m sorry, but I have a schedule tomorrow." "Oh, you have a schedule?" "Yes." Unfortunately, I had an important task to handle tomorrow. ¡®Kim Dong-Soo.¡¯ I had a n to get back at him. At that moment, Han Myung-Ho¡¯s phone rang with a loud and unusual ringtone. ¡ºThe Ultra Kiga destroying the earth~ Super~ Soniiii~~eek~ BOMB!¡» ¡®Yikes, that scared me. It must be the theme song of an animated show his son watches or something.¡¯ Han Myung-Ho tilted his head curiously and answered the call. "Oh, it''s Mr. Lee. I wonder why he¡¯s calling." But as the conversation continued, his face gradually lit up with excitement. "Yes. Yes. Huh? Really? For Cherry Blossom?" 1. A race of usually malevolent beings prominently featured in Hindu mythology ? Chapter 48: Fate is Gathering (1)

Chapter 48: Fate is Gathering (1)

I was greeted with good news when I returned to thepany after receiving a call from Lee Dong-Min. "Mr. Lee. Is it true that Wheelies is sponsoring shoes for us?" "Yes, I just got the call." Apparently, the white casual shoes Cherry Blossom wore on stage became a hot topic on social media after making it to the trending live searches. Thanks to that, Wheelies, the manufacturer of those shoes, offered a sponsorship. "They said they can send it over right now via express delivery as soon as the order is ced. So make sure you call them first thing tomorrow morning and receive them." "Yes, sir." Han Myung-Ho happily received the contact details from Lee Dong-Min. Sponsorships were usually requested by agencies. No matter how many proposals agencies throw around and how they bribe the advertisingpanies, the sess rate was less than 10%. Of course, the treatment was different for popr celebrities, where the advertisingpanies would be the ones to beg for a sponsorship contract. Hence, Wheelies making the first move to reach out to us was a good sign. "It''s a pity it''s not an ad offer, but still, it''s something. Oh, also ask for several pairs in different colors for the girls'' outfits. Make sure to receive them properly." ¡®Yes. We should definitely take whatever we can while we are offered.¡¯ Han Myung-Ho nodded continuously, but I felt a bit disappointed. If Cherry Blossom were a little bit more popr, we might have even gotten an ad offer along with this sponsorship opportunity. "But Yoon-Ho, where did you get those shoes from?" "Wait, you didn''t buy them with your own money, did you?" Lee Dong-Min and Han Myung-Ho finally asked about the origins of the shoes. "They were in the storeroom." "What?" I had taken the shoes from thepany''s storeroom, which had been collecting dust. I couldn''t afford to buy expensive shoes that cost 100,000 won per pair with my own money. "I got permission from Deputy Choi to get them from the storeroom. They were originally sponsored for Golden Road, but they didn''t want to wear them. He just told me to sign the paperwork and take them." "Haha, Golden Road rejected the luck that came their way." "That''s how it seems." Realizing they had one-upped thepetitive Division 1, both Lee Dong-Min and Han Myung-Ho¡¯s expressions brightened. That was when Lee Dong-Min brought up the topic of Cherry Blossom''s new song with a serious expression. "Oh, by the way, Yoon-Ho. I''m going to personally produce Cherry Blossom''s new song. Keep that in mind." Han Myung-Ho looked surprised. "Wait. You are producing the song yourself, Mr. Lee?" "Yes." Lee Dong-Min had not been producing songs for a while, but his producing ability was still among the top in Korea. Having Lee Dong-Min produce a song for Cherry Blossom would mean that the chances of their next song being a hit were extremely high. After all, thepleteness of a song depended on the producer. "Mr. Lee, do you mind if I ask if you have anyposers in mind?" Lee Dong-Min chuckled. "Why? Do you have someone in mind?" "N-no, not really...I was just curious about the level of experience of theposers you are considering." "I''m thinking of meeting top-tier, S-gradeposers I know in person. I won''t scrimp on the expenses for the song fee." The fee for S-gradeposers averaged around 20 million won but Lee Dong-Min seemed determined to pay even more if necessary, of course, below a few hundred million won. "I don¡¯t feel too pressured since it¡¯s just one song and not an entire album. We''ll choose something good among various songs." "What if you like all the songs?" Han Myung-Ho joked. "Then we''ll buy them all." Lee Dong-Min, who had always been passive in his work, was showing a change. If we could get an S-gradeposer, it would be half the battle won. I was excited to see which song would match the blockbuster hit in my memory. "So, that''s settled then. Team Lead Han and Yoon-Ho, I''m counting on you guys." "Yes, sir!" "Leave it to us, Mr. Lee!" Spring seemed to have arrived for Cherry Blossom, marking the start of a new dawn where their talents would be on full disy for all their fans. *** Before heading to Actor Division 2, I heard from Lee Dong-Min about a fight between Gu Seong-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo. Although I did not know the reason for the fight, I instinctively checked my nner when I heard it concerned Ju Yung-In. [Everyday V10] [Date: April 1, 2020] -10:00 PM (Deleted Schedule: SBC <Blue Sky> Monitoring. Starting rating: 7.5%.) ''So Ju Yung-In got the lead role.'' But I wasn¡¯t surprised because this was as expected. Given Ju Yung-In''s recent recognition and acting skills, it was easy for her to outshine the originally cast newbie actress, Choi Yeon-Ah, for the role of Kim Sky. However, I still couldn''t figure out why the two chiefs had fought over this. Curious, I headed to Actor Division 2. Ding-dong. I arrived at the office on the fourth floor. It was 11 PM but the lights were still on. Gu Seong-Cheol and Oh Duk-Gu sat in a corner of the office, both looking utterly exhausted. "Ah, Yoon-Ho is here." "Good work today." Gu Seong-Cheol greeted me with a wave. "Star Jung. I heard you did a great job today." "I was just lucky." Gu Seong-Cheol chuckled. "Well, repeated luck seems to point to skills and expertise. But you''re not nning to move to the Singer Division 2, are you?" "Come on, Mr. Gu. I am forever a part of Actor Division 2." "Really? Are you sure about that?" I held out my finger at his doubtful tone. "Do you want me to write a blood oath?" As I joked, Gu Seong-Cheol nodded and responded. "Team Lead Oh, hang on to Yoon-Ho. He says he''ll write a blood oath. I''ll bring the knife." "Yes, Mr. Gu." Oh Duk-Gu yfully wrapped his arm around my shoulder, but soon stopped the joke and cleared his throat when I didn¡¯t show much reaction. "Ah, you¡¯re so boring. Anyway, did you hear about Ju Yung-In getting the lead role?" "I did." "And the fight between Chief Kim and me?" "Yes. Mr. Lee told me." As I asked what happened, Gu Seong-Cheol began to exin with a bitter smile. "Actually, Chief Kim was giving a phone interview to the Bangbang News this afternoon and he called Yoo-Jin a ''push-in'' actress, so we had a fight." "Push-in?" ''Push-in'' referred to a less talented actor who was cast as a favor by the productionpany in gratitude for getting a talented actor they desired. "Wow, that''s just unbelievable." As I raised my voice, Gu Seong-Cheol calmed me down. "Well, at least they know Yoo-Jin auditioned first and Ju Yung-In appliedter. Don''t worry too much about it." It seemed I might need to win over a few entertainment reporters. If Kim Dong-Soo decided to use the media as part of his underhanded tactics, I needed to be prepared as well. "But it''s not all bad news. Yoo-Jin shot the Burger Queen CF, right?" "Yes, she did." "Let''s hope the ad will be a hit. Then Yoo-Jin will be even more recognized. Right, Team Lead Oh?" "Yes, that''s right, Mr. Gu!" Both Gu Seong-Cheol and Oh Duk-Gu tried to maintain a bright facade, hiding their irritation. However, this opened up an opportunity for me to easily bring up the topic of recruiting Lee Tae-Poong. I cautiously broached the subject with the two who were trying to smile through the awkwardness. "Mr. Gu, have you considered giving Kim Dong-Soo a taste of his own medicine?" I asked. Their expressions brightened as if they had been waiting for such a suggestion. "Do you have a good idea, Yoon-Ho?" ¡°What is it? Tell us!¡± Curiosity was evident on their faces. *** Last year, after the third-ranking Stepping Stone Entertainment and fourth-ranking Louis Entertainment went bankrupt, every entertainmentpany was vying to sign their celebrities. Of course, our Actor Division 2 had also been making attempts to recruit these celebrities and had created a recruitment list. I suggested adding one more name to that list: Lee Tae-Poong. ¡°Lee Tae-Poong?¡± Gu Seong-Cheol tilted his head in thought before nodding as he remembered. ¡°The guy from Beautiful Farewell?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s him.¡± Lee Tae-Poong, who debuted in high school through street casting, quickly rose to stardom with his sculpted looks. However, his acting skills were severelycking and earned him the nickname ¡®Lacking David¡¯¡ªimplying he was as good-looking as the David statue but had no substance. His good looks had sustained him throughmercials, but even those had dwindled over the past year. As expected, Gu Seong-Cheol reacted negatively. ¡°But he''s got nothing. Bad acting, poor vocalization, poor everything. He¡¯s just a good-looking face who has already hit rock bottom as an actor. Why would we recruit him?¡± Oh Duk-Gu chimed in. ¡°Mr. Gu is right. He used to appear in many ads for a while, but he¡¯s not getting any these days due to image overuse.¡± In the entertainment industry, one could easily be indifferent to good looks because everyone was pretty or handsome. A statue was merely decorative in this industry. ¡®But what if someone took interest in this decorative piece?¡¯ That could create value where there was none. ¡°Kim Dong-Soo is eyeing Lee Tae-Poong,¡± I revealed. At that moment, Gu Seong Cheol and Oh Deuk-Gu¡¯s eyes sparkled with interest. ¡°Are you sure?¡± In my future nner, there was an entry about Kim Dong-Soo meeting Lee Tae-Poong for recruitment. [Everyday V10] [Date: January 14, 2020] -01:00 PM Cheongdam-dong H Vi, Lee Tae-Poong recruitment meeting. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m certain.¡± ¡°Hmm...¡± The fact that Kim Dong-Soo, who was known for his keen sense for profitable ventures, had his eye on Lee Tae-Poong grabbed Gu Seong Cheol and Oh Duk-Gu¡¯s attention because this meant there was something they were unaware of. Gu Seong-Cheol pondered for a moment but soon shook his head. ¡°Still, I''m against it.¡± ¡°Huh? But why?¡± ¡°Yoon-Ho, I don''t want to follow in Kim Dong-Soo''s footsteps. He has a keen eye for money, but I don¡¯t. What will we do after bringing in a ruined actor? We might not have the means to revive his acting career.¡± Gu Seong-Cheol was concerned with how to revive an actor with a severely damaged image and who wascking in his acting skills. But I knew exactly what problem Lee Tae-Poong had¡ªand I knew how to resolve it. *** Lee Tae-Poong''s issue was dyslexia, which made reading scripts extremely challenging for him. However, in my past life, he overcame his dyslexia and disyed remarkable acting skills with my help. Despite having this knowledge, I couldn''t disclose Lee Tae-Poong''s condition to just anyone for the time being because it was a major insecurity for him, considering how long he had kept his condition hidden. After some thought, I decided to lie to convince Gu Seong-Cheol and Oh Duk-Gu without exposing Lee Tae-Poong''s actual condition. "Not many people know this about Lee Tae-Poong, but as far as I''ve heard, he has something akin to camera shyness," I exined. "Camera shyness?" they echoed. "Yes. As you know, camera shyness can easily be ovee. Plus, I''m confident I can persuade him. Just leave it to me." "An actor with camera shyness, huh..." "That does make some sense. His acting always seemed a bit awkward." Finally, the two nodded, seemingly convinced by my exnation. They were probably thinking that if I was right about Lee Tae-Poong, recruiting him could be worth a try. "This is tricky. But still...moving ahead with a contract without confirmation is a risk.¡± Of course, it was a challenging task. That¡¯s why I needed to take an active role in making it happen. It was a deal that wouldn''t be possible under normal circumstances. "How about proposing a short-term contract, and if certain conditions are met, we would automatically extend it to a long-term contract?" I suggested. Gu Seong-Cheol listened attentively as if my proposal seemed usible. "Let''s think it over ande to a decision tomorrow morning. It''s a bitplicated since we''re not just bringing in an actor but a talent agent as well. It might not be easy." My suggestion to bring in Lee Tae-Poong''s talent agent made them hesitant to give a firm answer on the spot. "I understand.¡± But I was sure they would be convinced. ¡®How could they not be? If ''Lacking David'' turned into ''Brilliant David'', wouldn''t it be akin to getting a free pass to an expedited journey to stardom?¡¯ *** The next morning, I checked the schedule for Blue Sky''s first script reading which was to take ce the day after tomorrow. Yoo-Jin was focused on the script despite knowing that Ju Yung-In had secured the lead role. I gave her a thumbs up, admiring her dedication to doing her part well. Then, I approached Miso, who was lying on the floor while kicking her feet and coloring. This time, she was coloring the gingerbread house from "Hansel and Gretel." However, the colors she used for the candies were not something humans would typically eat. ¡®Does she not have enough crayons?¡¯ I wondered if she was short on crayons, but a quick nce showed all 36 colors were present. ''Oh. I guess she¡¯s just a creative spirit.'' Nheless, I kept my honest thoughts to myself and praised her coloring. "Wow, Miso. You color so well." Miso lifted her head and smiled. "Really?" "Yeah, you''re the best six-year-old artist I''ve ever seen! Miso is the best!" Miso beamed with joy. "Hehe. I¡¯m seven years old now." She wriggled her fingers, showing seven to emphasize her age. "Ah, sorry, I forgot." "And next year, I''m going to school!" "Already? Wow!" "Yes!" Miso¡¯s face brightened even more. Looking at Miso¡¯s smile, I suddenly remembered her previous dilemma about a love triangle with two boys from her kindergarten. Thinking that I should give her the answer I had been mulling over, I slowly opened my mouth. "Miso, about what you mentioned before... ah." No matter how much I thought about it, there was only one answer to her question about love. ¡®She¡¯s too young to be thinking about love!¡¯ I was about to give my well-considered advice that it was too early for her to think about love and that I would personally intervene if those boys mentioned anything like that again. But before I could say anything, she interrupted me. "Oh, that? It''s okay now." Miso quickly turned her head away, saying she didn''t need an answer anymore. ¡®What? Why? What happened, Miso?¡¯ Chapter 49: Fate is Gathering (2)

Chapter 49: Fate is Gathering (2)

Standing near Miso, Yoo-Jin smiled softly at us as she held the script in her hands. ncing over, I noticed Miso''s cheeks slightly puffed up in a pout. ¡®Wait. Could it be? Did the two boys have a change of heart?¡¯ I decided to visit Miso¡¯s kindergarten soon to talk to the two boys myself. ¡®How could their love change so quickly!? How dare they hurt Miso¡¯s feelings!¡¯ But before addressing the issue, it was important to cheer Miso up first. "Miso?" Miso slowly turned her head toward me when I called her name. "Yes?" "Do you have any ces you want to visit? I think I''ll be getting a break soon. Shall we go somewhere together?" Miso suddenly sat up and looked at me with sparkling eyes, pondering where to go. At that moment, Yoo-Jin mouthed silently. ''Snow sleds and Cherry Blossom?¡¯ I figured that Miso must have read the articles of Cherry Blossom that were uploaded yesterday. "Miso, how about we go to a snow sled park?" Miso''s face lit up with joy, making me d I brought it up. "Really?" "Of course. Should we make a pinky promise?" Miso came over and hooked her little finger with mine. "Pinky promise! Uncle Yoon-Ho, you¡¯re the best!" As Miso bounced around happily, Yoo-Jin set her script aside and hugged Miso. "Wow, good for you, Miso! You''re going to the sled park, huh?" "Yes! Hehe." "How happy are you out of ten?" Miso stretched her arms wide in a big circle. "Eleven out of ten!" I was a bit concerned that Yoo-Jin would get recognized but thought that we could disguise her identity with ski clothes and goggles. Come to think of it, it had been a long time since Ist went sledding by myself. The thought of being able to go to the sled park again made me feel grateful for traveling back in time. While Miso was in the washroom, Yoo-Jin, who had been reading her script, asked. "But oppa, are you sure it''s okay to spend your break with us? You have been spending so much time on us that you hardly have much time for yourself, and now you¡¯re even going to spend your break with us..." Yoo-Jin was concerned that I had no time for myself, after dedicating almost all my time to them. "Don''t worry. I¡¯m going because I want to go. And besides, I don''t have anyone else to spend time with." "Still, you should get some rest..." Yoo-Jin looked apologetic. But ever since I saved Miso, my longstanding insomnia had disappeared. Seeing Miso always made me feel more rxed and sleep better. "It''s okay, don''t worry about it." "Alright. Then I''ll give you a treat at the sled park." "Wow, such generosity from a highly paid actress!" Yoo-Jin yfully waved her hands, still not used to the idea of being addressed as an actress. "Oh, stop it. I heard you¡¯re the one who asked for higher pay for that ad. It¡¯s all thanks to you. Also, you know I''m not used to being called an actress." When Miso returned from the washroom and saw usughing, she asked. "Mom, why are youughing?" Yoo-Jin simply smiled at Miso whoined it wasn¡¯t fair that we were having fun without her. "It''s a secret." Miso''s cheeks puffed up like an angry pufferfish. "Hmph!" Clearly, she wasn''t happy about being left out of the fun conversation. Yoo-Jin then tickled Miso to lighten the mood. "We were just talking about buying you lots of treats at the sled park~." Miso¡¯s puffy cheeks deted in an instant and she burst intoughter. "Hahaha! Mom, stop, it tickles!" Moments like these made my life worth living. I spent the entire day helping Yoo-Jin practice her script and assisting Miso with her picture diary. Thanks to this, Miso told me about what happened with those two boys who confessed to her. "Jin-Goo and Chul-Min secretly told Jeong-Yeon they love her too! Then, Jeong-Yeon said she loves them both as well!" When Miso fumed, I exhaled with frustration. ¡®Man, these kids and their love stories are no joke!¡¯ "I can''t believe those boys! So, what did you do?" When I asked with curiosity, Miso answered in an angry voice. ¡°I told them I won¡¯t y with them anymore.¡± Miso looked quite determined as she ced her hands on her hips. "Good for you, Miso. You really need to draw the line in such situations." Miso nodded proudly, before dering her punishment for the boys. "So I''m not going to talk to them for two days." ¡®Huh? Just two days? Miso, don¡¯t you think you¡¯re being too forgiving?¡¯ *** The next day at work, Gu Seong-Cheol called me over as soon as I arrived. "If Lee Tae-Poong really has camera shyness... let''s give Kim Dong-Soo a taste of his own medicine." Permission was granted¡ªbut I had only one day to secure Lee Tae-Poong''s recruitment. "You made the right decision, sir." "Just remember, let¡¯s start with a one-year short-term contract. Do you think he will ept that?" The offer was only a short-term contract, but I wasn¡¯t disappointed as this was expected. After all, thepany couldn¡¯t risk spending lots of money just based on my words. "I¡¯m sure he will," I affirmed. "Alright, then. Team Lead Oh, did you get the contact number?" "Yes, Mr. Gu. I got Mr. Lee Tae-Poong''s personal number from a colleague at his previous agency." "Great. Let¡¯s call him. Tell him we''d like to meet regarding a recruitment offer." When Oh Duk-Gu called Lee Tae-Poong, his slow voice came over the phone after a few rings. "Hello, this is Team Lead Oh Duk-Gu from Hoop Entertainment." -Hoop? "Yes, I¡¯m Team Lead Oh Duk-Gu from Hoop''s Actor Division 2.¡± -Oh, I see... Oh Duk-Gu exined our intention to discuss a contract, revealing that we know Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s current situation with his agency very well. "We can amodate your requests as much as possible... So could we meet to talk?" Lee Tae-Poong hesitated but soon asked a question. -Could you perhaps also recruit my talent agent as well? Thanks to my heads-up, Oh Duk-Gu responded without hesitation. "Of course. Whether it''s a professional talent agent, family member, or friend, we can amodate one person¡ªthough we''ll need to discuss the sry." Lee Tae-Poong''s voice brightened. -Then how about meeting up tomorrow afternoon at 3 PM? But I shook my head at Oh Duk-Gu. ording to my nner, Kim Dong-Soo was still scheduled to meet Lee Tae-Poong tomorrow at 1 PM. [Everyday V10] [Date: January 14, 2020] -01:00 PM Cheongdam-dong H Vi, Lee Tae-Poong recruitment meeting. Kim Dong-Soo would undoubtedly offer Lee Tae-Poong a significantly higher amount than what we could propose. We had to meet Lee Tae-Poong today or he might end up signing with Kim Dong-Soo. Oh Duk-Gu saw my gesture and responded. "We would like to meet you today if possible. We won¡¯t take up too much of your time." Lee Tae-Poong remained silent for a moment. -Then, could youe right now? I have an appointment in three hours. "We''ll leave immediately." -Okay. I¡¯ll be waiting. When the call ended, I quickly gathered my belongings. "Take this just in case. I got them from the legal division." Gu Seong-Cheol handed me some documents. Even if it was only a tentative agreement that we were trying to secure with Lee Tae-Poong, having it written on paper would prevent future issues. That was when Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Yung-In unexpectedly appeared at our office. ¡°Wow, you guys must be busy, huh?¡± Ju Yung-In was dressed in a flowing sky-blue dress appropriate for her role of Kim Sky in Blue Sky. Judging from her fancy outfit, it seemed that she had something on her schedule today. ¡°Do you have an interview today?¡± Kim Dong-Soo nodded and mentioned they had an interview scheduled with Baro Star, one of the top three entertainment magazines. Typically, if more than one actress from the samepany were to star in the same drama, they would do joint interviews. However, Kim Dong-Soo had not informed Division 2 about this interview, seemingly trying to get revenge for yesterday. Gu Seong-Cheol stared at Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Yung-In for a moment before speaking. ¡°Is that so? Good luck with your interview.¡± Kim Dong-Soo made a curious expression at Gu Seong-Cheol''s calm reaction. Thanks to his calm reaction, Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Yung-In were utterly perplexed as they had expected more of a reaction from us. ¡°Oh, okay...¡± Gu Seong-Cheol then turned to Oh Duk-Gu and me, telling us we needed to hurry. I could see the corner of his lips slightly lifted because we were on our way to outsmart Kim Dong-Soo right now. Leaving behind the confused Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Yung-In, we made our way to the underground parking lot. Vroom! When I started the engine, Gu Seong-Cheol quietly muttered, "Let''s secure Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s recruitment today no matter what." ¡°Yes, sir.¡± The provocation by Kim Dong-Soo spurred Gu Seong-Cheol¡¯s determination to recruit Lee Tae-Poong. ¡®What a surprise that Kim Dong-Soo can be helpful sometimes.¡¯ *** Screech. "Wow. Nice house." Lee Tae-Poong''s residence was in a high-end vi neighborhood in Cheongdam-dong. Known for being a homebody, he apparently invested most of his CF earnings into his home. The tall, red brick walls gave off the vibes of a medieval castle rather than a house. Ding-dong. -Who is it? "Hello. We are from Hoop Entertainment." -Oh, okay. Please wait a moment. Click. After a brief answer, the oak-colored gate to the parking area lifted with a buzzing sound. ¡°We won¡¯t have to worry about parking.¡± The huge parking area offered more than enough parking space. As we entered upon parking the car, we noticed a gazebo in the grassy yard surrounded by outdoor curtains, creating a cozy atmosphere. "That''d be a perfect spot for a barbecue, don¡¯t you think?" I quietlyughed at Gu Seong-Cheol¡¯s remark, because it was indeed used for such purposes. As we approached the front door, it opened as if someone was waiting. "Wee," greeted Lee Tae-Poong, whose good looks were so striking that even I was left speechless. His long hair was casually tied up, but his effortless style seemed straight out of a magazine. With his tall stature, sculpted face, and long limbs, Lee Tae-Poong''s simple home attire also reflected a sense of style. Indeed, he pulled off and entuated his clothing perfectly with his good looks. His striking good looks almost forced all of our gazes to stay fixed on him. Lee Tae-Poong, ustomed to such attention, didn''t seem bothered and led us to the living room. Gu Seong-Cheol snapped out of his brief trance and coughed to clear his throat. "Ke hem. He really is incredibly handsome." "Yes, indeed. He looks even better in person," Oh Duk-Gu agreed. However, this beautiful flower, named Lee Tae-Poong, had its thorns¡ªthorns that only I could remove. Upon arriving at the spacious living room, I spotted a huge TV. As a movie fan since a young age, Lee Tae-Poong had a diverse collection of DVDs on his bookshelf. However, not a single book was in sight, possibly due to his dyslexia. ¡®Not evenic books, huh.¡¯ "I¡¯m sorry. I only have this to offer for a drink." Lee Tae-Poong served us sujeonggwa[1] with pine nuts on the table. "Thank you. We appreciate it.¡± Gu Seong-Cheol and Oh Duk-Gu took a sip of cold sujeonggwa. Then, the two quickly moved on to the main topic after exchanging greetings, because they knew time was of the essence for everyone. "If you join ourpany..." Lee Tae-Poong quietly listened to Oh Duk-Gu¡¯s exnation of our proposal. In the meantime, I was lost in my memories. In my past life, Lee Tae-Poong once whispered to me in the hospital, thinking I was asleep. He probably didn¡¯t know I was awake, but I still couldn¡¯t forget what he said back then. -Why would you die after saving me? Wake up. Please. You said you wanted to work with me again someday, didn¡¯t you? Hyung... His mournful voice resonated in my heart, but I couldn''t respond as I was dying. Only now in my second life did this opportunity to work with Lee Tae-Poong again arise. ''Tae-Poong, I won''t let you suffer this time.'' In my past life, it was only after a long time since he joined Division 3 that I managed to help him ovee his dyslexia. He had attempted suicide due to despair over his acting career. When I discovered the cause of his acting struggles, I found a way to treat his dyslexia. But in this life, I nned to spare him that pain right from the start. As Oh Duk-Gu finished exining the contract terms, Lee Tae-Poong asked, "A one-year short-term contract?" Gu Seong-Cheol candidly replied, "We''re open to all other conditions but we want to be cautious with the contract duration. However, once your next project is confirmed, we''ll immediately switch the contract to a long-term contract." Lee Tae-Poong''s expression grew serious as Gu Seong-Cheol spoke. At that moment, I gave Gu Seong-Cheol a cue. He then nodded and pointed to me as he spoke. "To be honest with you, Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho here strongly rmended you." Lee Tae-Poong slowly turned to me and met my eyes. "This person?" ¡®Yes, it''s me, Tae-Poong.¡¯ With all eyes on me, I nodded. "Yes. I was the one who strongly rmended you, Mr. Lee Tae-Poong. I have a n prepared for you." With that, I spread out the files I had prepared on the table. At that moment, Lee Tae-Poong''s eyes began to show a change, a flicker of interest sparked by my words. 1. Korean cinnamon punch ? Chapter 50: Fate is Gathering (3)

Chapter 50: Fate is Gathering (3)

In my hands was a script from Director Choi Sung-Moon, which I had obtained from the script department earlier that morning. ¡°This is Director Choi Sung-Moon¡¯stest script. He¡¯s currently casting for this piece of work and I heard he has been facing challenges in securing a lead actor.¡± Choi Sung-Moon was one of the few directors known for achieving his artistic merit andmercial sess. Most importantly, he was Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s favorite director. ¡°If you sign the contract with us, we¡¯ll ensure that you get cast as the lead actor for this piece of work within the next three months.¡± I sensed Oh Duk-Gu¡¯s questioning gaze, seemingly inquiring when I had prepared such a n. However, I ignored it and focused on my conversation with Lee Tae-Poong. Lee Tae-Poong appeared skeptical of my remark. ¡°M-me? The lead actor in Mr. Choi¡¯s work? How is that possible?¡± ¡°If you follow my guidance, it¡¯s entirely possible.¡± Once we sessfully manage Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s dyslexia, he would no longer be criticized for his poor acting skills. Setting aside his struggle with dyslexia, he was actually a pretty good actor. After hearing my offer, Lee Tae-Poong seemed to ponder deeply before sighing and nodding. ¡°I would love to. It¡¯s been my lifelong dream to star in a work by Mr. Choi. But, you know about my nickname, right?¡± Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s eyes were filled with uncertainty, revealing hisck of confidence. He wanted to act but was acutely aware of his limitations. ¡°I''m well aware of it,¡± I responded firmly. Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s face showed a glimmer of hope upon seeing my confident attitude. ¡°Even if it''s not the lead role, I would be grateful just to be in Mr. Choi''s work.¡± Lee Tae-Poong took the bait, but the real challengey ahead. To ensure he could audition for Choi Sung-Moon¡¯s work, I had to let him know that I was aware of his dyslexia. As my eyes met Gu Seong-Cheol, I signaled for a private conversation with Lee Tae-Poong. When Gu Seong-Cheol agreed, I bowed to express my gratitude and asked Lee Tae-Poong if we could speak in private for a moment. Lee Tae-Poong looked puzzled but soon pointed to the gazebo. ¡°We can talk there. I''ve put up curtains, so it won¡¯t be cold.¡± *** As we moved to the gazebo, Lee Tae-Poong asked anxiously. ¡°You¡¯re not going to ask me to do something like a sponsorship, are you?¡± ¡°Not at all,¡± I reassured him. ¡°Sigh. That''s good to hear. So, what is it?¡± I hesitated before asking because it was always difficult to bring up the topic about someone¡¯s weaknesses. ¡°Before we proceed, I just want to confirm one thing. The talent agent you wish to bring along is Lee Dae-Ho, right?¡± ¡°H-how do you know about him? Dae-Ho hyung is not even from this industry.¡± ¡®As expected. That hasn¡¯t changed.¡¯ Lee Dae-Ho was Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s close cousin who was five years older than him. He was a graduate of Seoul National University, the best university in Korea, and was currently a Seoul city government official. However, the truth was he had always dreamed of acting. In the future, he would be a sessful businessman managing several actors with Lee Tae-Poong leading the way. ¡°Researching a prospective recruit is standard procedure.¡± Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s face turned anxious, possibly worried he might have to tell me about his dyslexia. Nheless, letting Lee Tae-Poong know that I was aware of his dyslexia was necessary if I wanted to offer a solution. "Mr. Lee Tae-Poong, I know about the condition you have..." The moment I finished speaking, Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s face turned pale. *** After our conversation ended in the gazebo, I returned to the living room alone where Gu Seong-Cheol inquired why I hade back by myself. ¡°He probably needs a moment to think. Let¡¯s wait a bit.¡± Lee Tae-Poong remained seated in the gazebo, clearly zoned out. It was very likely that he was overwhelmed by the mention of his dyslexia and the solution I had proposed. Ten minutester, Lee Tae-Poong rejoined us in the living room. ¡°Mr. Gu.¡± ¡°Ah, yes, Mr. Lee. Please go ahead.¡± ¡°Do you happen to have the contract with you right now?¡± At Gu Seong-Cheol''s nod, Oh Duk-Gu promptly presented the contract. ¡°H-here it is. Please read it carefully and if you agree...¡± Without reading through the contract, Lee Tae-Poong flipped to thest page and picked up a pen, ready to sign it. ¡®Hmm. That¡¯s not a good habit.¡¯ ¡°Do I sign here?¡± At that moment, Gu Seong-Cheol gently stopped Lee Tae-Poong and shook his head. He then gave sincere advice as a senior, not a business partner. ¡°I rmend you read the contract first and consult awyer when signing an important document like this. I can give you a day for you to...¡± However, Lee Tae-Poong shook his head and interrupted Gu Seong-Cheol before he could finish speaking. ¡°Your words alone are enough for me to trust you. I''ll ept everything as long as Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho is assigned to me.¡± His finger pointed at me, drawing all eyes in my direction. Gu Seong-Cheol flinched for a moment and nodded. ¡°Although it¡¯s true your previous agency went bankrupt, you still need to process the termination of your previous contract.¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s fine. Please handle it ording to your needs.¡± Lee Tae-Poong promised to entrust all contract-rted matters to us, with his sole condition being that I was assigned to him. To be honest, I had not expected this situation. During our private conversation in the gazebo just a while ago, I shared a n to help ovee his dyslexia: a voice recording of the script I had read aloud. While it was a straightforward solution, it proved to be highly effective for dyslexia¡ªa condition where the brain struggles to process written words. Some individuals may mistakenly believe that people with dyslexia can''t read because they aren''t intelligent enough, but dyslexia is unrted to intelligence. After all, the brilliant director Steven Spielberg and the action maestro Jackie Chan both have dyslexia. Unfortunately, many individuals with dyslexia choose to hide their conditions for fear of beingbeled as stupid. The same was true of Lee Tae-Poong. Despite his struggle to read due to dyslexia, Lee Tae-Poong possessed a remarkable auditory perception. For this reason, his acting significantly transformed and eventually led him to stardom after I provided the recordings of the script in my previous life. Before Tae-Poong signed the contract, Gu Seong-Cheol rified my situation. ¡°Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho here is currently handling both the Singer and Actor Divisions 2, so he can¡¯t be exclusively assigned to you. We''ll try to coordinate schedules as much as we can, but you¡¯ll need another talent agent.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine. I¡¯m bringing along one talent agent I know of anyway,¡± Lee Tae-Poong said, looking at me with a weighty gaze. I felt slightly tense about what he might say next, but Lee Tae-Poong unexpectedly made a light-hearted remark. ¡°By the way...Please feel free to speak casually with me, Yoon-Ho hyung.¡± ¡®Wait. Was that all he wanted to say with such a serious expression?¡¯ As always, his ability to shift the mood was impressive. ¡°Sure, I look forward to working with you.¡± When I shook Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s hand, Gu Seong-Cheol took back the signed contract and stood up. ¡°We should head out now that everything seems settled. Mr. Tae-Poong, don¡¯t you have an appointment?¡± But Lee Tae-Poong shook his head, ¡°I think I''ll have to cancel that appointment.¡± He grinned mischievously like a yful child. When we asked what he meant, Lee Tae-Poong exined his earlier ns. ¡°Actually, I had an appointment with Mr. Kang Myung-Gil, Team Lead of Hoop Division 3, this afternoon. If things went well today, I was nning to seal the deal with Mr. Kim Dong-Soo tomorrow.¡± ¡®We nearly lost Lee Tae-Poong to Kim Dong-Soo.¡¯ ¡°Were you testing the waters between our Division 2 and Division 3?¡± Lee Tae-Poong nodded with a yful smile. ¡°Well, that was before I knew about you, Yoon-Ho hyung.¡± He was indeed a bright individual who wasn¡¯t hindered by his condition. ¡°Oh dear, what do we do about Team Lead Kim? We inadvertently jumped ahead in line. I feel bad.¡± Despite his words, Gu Seong-Cheol''s face was filled with mischievous delight. At that moment, a scheduled event was being erased from my nner. [Everyday V10] [Date: January 14, 2020] -01:00 PM (Deleted Schedule: Cheongdam-dong H Vi, Lee Tae-Poong recruitment meeting.) We had finally sessfully outsmarted Kim Dong-Soo. *** ¡°All done, thank you,¡± announced Reporter Jung Woong-Seok as he concluded the exclusive interview with Ju Yung-In for Baro Star. As the photographer packed up, Kim Dong-Soo pulled Jung Woong-Seok aside to the corner of the meeting room and whispered, ¡°Make sure to write a good article. This is a crucial time for Yung-In.¡± ¡°Ke hem. Well, I never know what I¡¯m going to write. It might go well but it might flop depending on how I feel...¡± Jung Woong-Seok gave a nonmittal response, but upon receiving an envelope from Kim Dong-Soo, his demeanor changed. ¡°Oh, you didn¡¯t have to do this. Don¡¯t worry and just rx. I¡¯ll prepare an excellent article.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. We¡¯re pushing hard for her in our Division 3, so Baro Star better support us.¡± Jung Woong-Seok nodded vigorously to Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s suggestion. ¡°You know how good we are at promoting people. But hey, I didn¡¯t see Miss Jung Yoo-Jin here. I was thinking of getting her interview as well...¡± ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Kim Dong-Soo cut him off abruptly. ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°Just don¡¯t.¡± Reading Kim Dong-Soo''s stern expression, Jung Woong-Seok quickly understood the tension between the two and chose to remain silent. At that moment, Jung Woong-Seok¡¯s thoughts began to take a negative turn. ¡°Then, I guess I can write Miss Jung Yoo-Jin¡¯s article however I want to?¡± Kim Dong-Soo nodded with a smirk, indicating that he didn¡¯t care how damaging the article might be, even if it were to ruin Jung Yoo-Jin. In fact, that was exactly what he wanted. ¡°Hehe, alright. I¡¯ll take care of it. See you next time. Miss Yung-In, good job today.¡± After Jung Woong-Seok and the photographer left, only Ju Yung-In and Kim Dong-Soo remained in the meeting room. Ju Yung-In sat back on her chair and made a stiff expression. ¡°I thought my face was going to cramp from smiling so much. Why did that interview take so long?¡± Kim Dong-Soo reassured theining Ju Yung-In, emphasizing how Jung Woong-Seok wrote great articles. ¡°But tomorrow is the first script reading. It¡¯s going to be ufortable being around her,¡± Ju Yung-In grumbled. ¡°That¡¯s why I keep telling you the moment you feel threatened, you have to stamp it out before it grows.¡± ¡°As if it¡¯s that easy,¡± Ju Yung-In retorted with a cold expression as she stood up. Click ck click ck. As Ju Yung-In walked away in her heels, Kim Dong-Soo called Kang Myung Gil. -M-Mr. Kim. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me. What happened with Lee Tae-Poong?¡± -Well...L-Lee Tae-Poong suddenly sent me a text message saying that he had already signed a contract with another party. He didn¡¯t even show up for our meeting. ¡°What? But why all of a sudden? We had already discussed the conditions and all that was left to do was sign the contract. Who did he sign the contract with?¡± -I¡¯ve been trying to find out but he isn¡¯t answering no matter how many messages I send. Bang! Kim Dong-Soo furiously threw his phone to the ground,pletely shattering it. ¡°Who could have snatched him away from us!¡± Being aware that Kim Ae-Ja¡ªthe President of Daecheon department store and the Vice Chairperson of Daecheon group, which ranked 17th in the business world ¡ªwas a passionate fan of Lee Tae-Poong, Kim Dong-Soo had been eager to recruit Lee Tae-Poong. However, he didn¡¯t expect his n to fail miserably. ¡°Damn it! This was the perfect chance to monopolize major ads from Daecheon Group.¡± With this opportunity to earn at least millions slipping away, Kim Dong-Soo was infuriated. ¡°Is this some kind of bad luck? Why is everything going wrong these days?¡± Kim Dong-Soo''s life had consistently been a fast track of unhindered sess. But recently, he felt as if invisible obstacles were constantly thwarting his ns. ¡°It¡¯s Jung Yoo-Jin. Yes, it all started with her.¡± Things seemed to have gone awry for him ever since Jung Yoo-Jin, a newbie actress discovered by Kang Gam-Chan, had begun to stand out in the drama The Morning Takes Off. ¡°Or is it because of that first-year talent agent?¡± After pondering for a moment, Kim Dong-Soo recalled Jung Yoon-Ho, the first-year talent agent who had boldly stood up to him. Then, he realized that his troubles seemed to have started after their encounter. ¡°I need to deal with both of them,¡± Kim Dong-Soo resolved, determined to remove Jung Yoo-Jin and Jung Yoon-Ho out of his way. Chapter 51: Script Reading (1)

Chapter 51: Script Reading (1)

It was the 15th of January 2020¡ªthe day of the first script reading for Blue Sky, which was taking ce at the SBC Main Building in Room 701. The atmosphere in the building resembled a busy and bustling marketce. "It¡¯s chaotic here, isn''t it? Please follow me." Choi Eun-Hee, who was waiting for us at the entrance to the drama department, led the way. ¡°Mr. Jung-Hoon, hurry up and deliver this to the editing department!¡± ¡°PD Choi, what were your viewership ratings forst week¡¯s episode?¡± ¡°Ugh, don¡¯t even ask. I think the stress is causing me to go bald.¡± Amidst the bustling activity, I caught sight of PD Choi Seong-Lak and PD Park Hu-Don. I had been familiar with these famous PDs in my past life and to see them in their early days as junior PDs was quite a sight. While they weren''t on the level of Kim Sung-Woon, building a connection with them seemed like a good idea. I contemted introducing myself, but it turned out there was no need for me to make the first move as the PDs, having spotted Yoo-Jin, approached us first. "Miss Yoo-Jin! What do you think about making a cameo in our drama before you start filming Blue Sky?" "Miss Yoo-Jin, how about a guest appearance in our Living Only for Today? We''ll make sure to give you more screen time and promote you!" "Hey, PD Choi, your drama''s viewership rating is only at 7.5%. Why are you bringing up a drama that''s barely surviving?" "That¡¯s rude, sunbae! It¡¯s only natural for the viewership rating to be low in the beginning! It''s going to shoot up soon.¡± "Tsk. Well, if that really happens, I''ll carry you on my back everywhere you go. Do better, okay?" All of the PDs at SBC''s drama department were giving Yoo-Jin a warm wee. Highly cognizant of viewership ratings, they all expressed high appreciation for how Yoo-Jin had driven up thetter half of the viewership ratings for The Morning Takes Off. My back was aching from all the greetings and exchanging of business cards. ¡°I will check her schedule and get back to youter today.¡± At that moment, Jung Sam-Ryong spotted us as he strolled down the hallway and waved at us. ¡°Hey, when did you get here?¡± "Hello, Mr. Jung.¡± "Just do as you usually do and everything will be great. Don''t feel pressured.¡± "Yes, sir!" "Come with me. AD Choi, you handle things here." "Yes, Mr. Jung," Choi Eun-Hee nodded and replied before disappearing from the scene. We were then led by Jung Sam-Ryong to the script reading room. *** Upon entering the script reading room, I noticed the main director''s seat was empty. Kang Soo-Hoon hesitated to take his rightful ce as he nced around nervously. Observing this, CP Jung clicked his tongue. "You want me to direct myself? You should be sitting here, PD Kang." Jung Sam-Ryong then moved to the back row while telling Kang Soo-Hoon not to be so nervous. Upon hearing Jun Sam-Ryong¡¯s reassuring words, Kang Soo-Hoon scratched his head and took the main director¡¯s seat. "Haha. Yes, Mr. Jung. I''ll do my best,¡± In the meantime, I guided Yoo-Jin to her assigned seat. "Yoo-Jin, you got this!" Yoo-Jin turned to me and clenched her fists energetically. "Of course! Don''t worry." ¡®Worry? What for? Just take it easy and don''t overshadow your sunbaes.¡¯ After guiding Yoo-Jin to her seat, I moved to the back row where the talent agents sat. I spotted Kang Myung-Gil¡ªJu Yung-In''s talent agent¡ªalready seated and tapping the seat next to him, signaling for me to sit there. Though I preferred another spot, I had no choice but to sit there. "Why are you sote? You should be more on the ball as a newbie. If the actorcks discipline, you should at least be responsible." He started with aint even before I sat down. I was exactly on time, but dealing with small conflicts like this was a part of a talent agent''s job. "I''m sorry," I replied. "Whatever. How much has Yoo-Jin practiced?" "She''s practiced hard.¡± "Well, it''s her first significant role, so it might be tough. But she''ll gain a lot from this experience." ¡®What the heck? Does he really think Yoo-Jin wouldn''t get noticed because of Ju Yung-In? How ridiculous. Yoo-Jin''s role as Twilight is much better than the main lead¡¯s!'' I suppressed my irritation and responded with patience. "Yes. We''ll learn a lot from this experience." Without anything more to say, Kang Myung-Gil turned his attention to the script and turned his head. More and more actors began to fill the empty seats. Beside Yoo-Jin, Lee Sa-Rang took her seat. She had started as a child actress and was now almost 40 years into her acting career. Despite being 45 years old, she looked like she was in herte thirties. Lee Sa-Rang was a true talent who won the Best Actress award twice. "I look forward to working with you, my daughter." Yoo-Jin smiled brightly and reciprocated Lee Sa-Rang¡¯s yful words. "Yes, Mom." "Haha, that sounds nice. From now on, let''s be mother and daughter until the drama ends, okay?" "Once a mother and daughter, always so. Right?" Lee Sa-Rang sped her hands together with a pleased expression. ¡°Haha. Well, aren''t you a charming girl!¡± Then, they started to exchange small talk. ''Good job, Yoo-Jin.'' Beforeing here, I had specifically advised Yoo-Jin to pay attention to Lee Sa-Rang. After all, she would be Yoo-Jin''s primary scene partner among all the sunbae actors in Blue Sky. Lee Sa-Rang¡¯s role as Twilight¡¯s mother in the drama would contribute significantly to the poprity of Twilight¡¯s character in Blue Sky. ording to the script, Lee Sa-Rang would y the role of a disciplinarian and strict mother, evoking empathy from the audience for Twilight, who would be seen as ¡®the nation¡¯s second child representative¡¯. ''What a good start.'' Soon, the room was filled with actors and actresses. Then, Kang Soo-Hoon announced the start of the script reading. "Alright, everyone''s here so let''s begin. I''m Kang Soo-Hoon, the director of Blue Sky. I hope everyone gives their best to make this drama sessful." p p p. Apuse from staff and actors filled the room. Then, the actors introduced themselves one by one. "I''m Jung Beom-Gyu, ying the father of Sky. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to act alongside the respected sunbae-nim Lee Sa-Rang." Then, it was Lee Sa-Rang''s turn, who would be acting with Yoo-Jin the most. "I''m Lee Sa-Rang, ying Sky''s mother. I''ll make sure to keep her father in line in the drama." ¡°Haha, you are so funny, sunbae-nim,¡± Jung Beom-Gyu chuckled at Lee Sa-Rang¡¯s yful remark as he scratched his head in a shy manner. The yfulments by the two sunbae actors lightened the atmosphere, bringingughter to the room as everyone continued to introduce themselves. Thest person to introduce herself was the scriptwriter, Kim Soll-Ip. "I''m Kim Soll-Ip, the writer who wrote this script. As you all know, I learned to write scripts under Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s guidance and this is my first drama. However, I don''t n to stay in her shadow. Thank you all in advance." Her confident introduction caused a stir among everyone. Then, Jung Sam-Ryongughed heartily to set the mood. "Yes. A writer should be confident, just like Ms. Kim. Right, everyone?" The actors nodded at Jung Sam-Ryong¡¯s response to Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s statement. "Wow. Ms. Kim is quite sharp.¡± ¡°She is indeed Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s disciple. We might be scolded by Ms. Kim if we ck off, huh? Hahaha." Everyone including the staff and the actors seemed excited. Lee Ji-Yeon''s drama The Morning Takes Off ended with a 25% viewership rating and Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s statement on not wanting to remain in Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s shadow meant she was aiming for a viewership rating of over 25% for Blue Sky. After everyone was done introducing themselves, Kang Soo-Hoon pped his hands to get everyone¡¯s attention. "Now, shall we slowly begin?" His cue was followed by the sound of script pages turning in unison. Flip, flip. The real war was about to begin now. As the actors start their performances, their skills would be fully known to all. *** The story of Blue Sky was centered around two families¡ªSung Blue¡¯s family, who owned ¡®Blue Fish House,¡¯ and Kim Sky¡¯s family, who owned ¡®Sky Pork Ribs¡¯. The script reading of Blue Sky began with the child actors. ¡ºUgh...¡» ¡ºWhat¡¯s wrong, Sky? Don¡¯t you want a barbecue?¡» ¡ºDad, I just can''t eat meat. No matter how much I try, I just can¡¯t. I hate it. It''s greasy. I feel like I''m going to throw up.¡» Kim Sky''s child actress puffed her cheeks with her arms crossed, looking dissatisfied. Jung Beom-Gyu, a veteran actor with 30 years of experience ying Sky''s father, leaned in to match the child actor''s height. ¡ºIs that so? Then shall we go to Blue¡¯s restaurant for sashimi?¡» ¡ºYes! And...can we invite Blue oppa and eat with him?¡» ¡ºHey! You little one. Did you refuse to eat barbecue because you wanted to see Blue? Sigh. You used to say your dad was all you need. ¡» ¡ºHehe.¡» Kim Ye-Jin, who was ying the role of Young Kim Sky, giggled and yfully stuck out her tongue in response to Jung Beom-Gyu''s teasing. Her charming performance would significantly contribute to the high viewership ratings of the first episode. The chemistry between the two actors broughtughter to the entire room. Flip, flip. The script pages began to flip at an incredible speed and it only took less than ten minutes to finish reading the first episode. This marked the transition from child to adult actors. The moment Ju Yung-In started her lines, the atmosphere immediately shifted. She began her performance without looking at the script. ¡®As expected. She hasn¡¯t changed a bit.¡¯ Ju Yung-In calmly looked at the other actors and read the script as if she were in an actual filming session. She seemed to be doing this simply to dere herself as the true protagonist of the drama. This disy of dominance made the other actors, who werefortably reading their scripts just a moment ago, extremely tense. Then, Ju Seong-Jin¡ªwho was ying the role of the main male lead, Sung Blue¡ªstumbled over his lines several times and made a mistake. He was an actor from Ace Entertainment with five years of experience and was known for his great acting skills. Unfortunately, he was caught up in Ju Yung-In''s rhythm and acting, causing him to lose focus in an attempt to match her acting by not looking at the script. ¡°Mr. Ju, shall we take a short break?¡± ¡°N-no, Mr. Kang. I can do this.¡± ¡°Take a deep breath. It¡¯s fine if you need to look at your script. It seems like you haven¡¯t fully memorized the script yet, so don¡¯t push yourself too hard because we still have some time left until we start shooting.¡± Ju Seong-Jin¡¯s face turned red out of embarrassment at Kang Soo-Hoon¡¯s advice. Despite Ju Seong-Jin''s insistence on continuing in his attempt to make up for his mistake, his confidence was visibly shaken. ¡®Getting it together right after you lose your tempo isn¡¯t easy.¡¯ When Ju Seong-Jin made two more mistakes, Kang Soo-Hoon decided to skip Ju Seong-Jin¡¯s lines. ¡°Okay, maybe today is not the day. Let¡¯s just move on to Scene 52.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Kang.¡± If they were filming on set, the director would simply give an NG cut and suggest that the actor take a short break before resuming. However, this was a script reading where directors would often skip their lines and move on to the next scenes if the actors made a mistake. Thanks to the reporters being in the room, Ju Seong-Jin¡¯s confidence and ego were greatly hurt. The chain of errors continued among the other actors, but Ju Yung-In maintained her ster performance. It wasn''t until Jung Beom-Gyu and Lee Sa-Rang, who yed the role of Sky''s parents, joined in that the acting rhythm began to stabilize. Their natural interaction with Ju Yung-Inughing, crying, and scolding¡ªmade them seem like a real family. Writer Kim Soll-Ip was visibly delighted as she watched the actors bringing her characters to life through their performances and acting as if they were actually shooting an actual scene. Now, it was Yoo-Jin''s turn to act. The tension in the room was palpable, especially after witnessing the brilliant performances by the veteran actors. My palms started to get sweaty without realizing it. Flip. When Yoo-Jin, who was seated opposite Ju Yung-In, closed her script, all eyes in the room were drawn to her. ¡°No way. Has she also memorized the entire script?" "We can''t becent. These hoobaes might actually outshine us." Yoo-Jin took a deep breath as she waited for her turn and briefly closed her eyes before opening them again. At that moment, the atmosphere around Yoo-Jin transformed. Her gaze, posture, and expression shifted, embodying the character of Kim Twilight sopletely that it felt as if the character hade to life. Chapter 52: Script Reading (2)

Chapter 52: Script Reading (2)

¡ºHey! Kim Sky, is that any way to speak to your mother?¡» ¡ºWho are you to call your unnie by her name like that? Are you crazy?¡» ¡ºYeah, I''m crazy! Yell at Mom again, and I''ll rip out every hair on your head, unnie or not!¡» Yoo-Jin''s trembling voice was filled with vivid resentment and anger. Her authentic delivery of emotions sent chills down my spine. Expressing a character''s feelings through just a few lines is no easy task, yet Yoo-Jin did it effortlessly from her seat. At that moment, all eyes in the script reading room turned toward Yoo-Jin. It was just a script reading, but Yoo-Jin was so immersed in her performance as if it were the actual shoot. As Yoo-Jin matched Ju Yung-In''s powerful acting, Ju Yung-In''s brows furrowed more and more. She tried to dominate the entire room with her powerful performance but did not expect Yoo-Jin to match her performance. Ju Yung-In started her lines again with a strong tone. ¡ºDon¡¯t meddle in my affairs and mind your own business! I saw your grades and they were pathetic. So what makes you think you can butt in, Ms. Know-it-all?¡» ¡ºAnd what about you, unnie? Is doing well academically all that matters? Have you ever used that smart brain of yours to think? Do you even realize how hard Mom struggles to pay for your college tuition?¡» As with any sibling rivalry, the exchange between Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In¡¯s lines was sharp and intense. If they had been seated closer, they might have even been at each other''s throats. Everyone in the script reading room watched the intense acting duel between the two with bated breath, as if witnessing a tightrope walk over a cliff, and gulped. After about three minutes of intense performance, surprisingly, it was Ju Yung-In who first began to falter in her lines. ¡ºTha-that''s... wait, let me start again. I got my lines mixed up.¡» Ju Yung-In stumbled over her words, forgetting her next line. This marked the end of the exhrating showdown. Ju Yung-In fiercely nced at Yoo-Jin for a moment before reopening her script reluctantly. The tension that had tightly wound the script reading session finally unraveled. At that moment, Jung Sam-Ryong decided to give the actors a break. "Phew, it''s getting too heated for the first day. Let''s take a short break. Anyone who needs the washroom, feel free to go now." Jung Sam-Ryong deliberately stood up and made some noise with his chair. Only then did every staff let out a sigh of relief. " ¡°I feel suffocated just watching them." "Why are they putting so much effort into script reading? They are making other actors feel bad for not memorizing the script." "Yikes. Is this a script reading or an actual shoot?" ¡°Camera crew, please stay back after the session. We need to redo the n for the camera route and setting!¡± As the tension in the room loosened, the actors rxed a bit and looked relieved. Yoo-Jin also btedly reopened her script and checked her lines. A thrill ran through me when I witnessed Yoo-Jin''s potential, clearly on par with Ju Yung-In''s¡ªand I wasn''t the only one who had witnessed this. *** Kang Soo-Hoon, clearly pleased with the heated atmosphere, made an announcement with a flushed face. "Great job, everyone! That''s all for today. The next script reading is on the 22nd. See you next week." Despite the script readingsting for two hours straight, time seemed to fly by due to the tense atmosphere. p p p! The staff''s apuse filled the room. ¡°Thank you for your hard work, everyone.¡± "Wow, time flew by! Just reading the script felt more entertaining than an actual drama." "Are we heading towards a 30% viewership rating with this, or what?" "Oh my goodness. It was so intense, I couldn''t even breathe." Jung Sam-Ryong called the main directing team over and praised them for the excellent start. Meanwhile, the actors began mingling with one another. "Miss Yung-In. Let''s take it easy, will you? My heart was pounding in fear of making a mistake." "I¡¯m sorry. I just got carried away because I know how good you are, sunbae-nim.." "Haha, is that so? And here I thought you were challenging me." "Me? Challenge you? Never..." After the script reading session ended, Ju Yung-In went around bowing her head to the sunbae actors to praise them. She approached Jung Beon-Gyu and Lee Sa-Rang, who yed the role of her parents, saying that she fell in love with their acting. Her social skills were just as impressive as her acting, though they were strictly reserved for those who could benefit her. In contrast, the actors and staff approached Yoo-Jin first, thanks to the impact of her strong performance against Ju Yung-In. "Miss Yoo-Jin, that was impressive!" "Did you actually memorize the whole script?" "Such an attitude is needed in a rookie. Bravo!" "Take it easy. What are we supposed to do if you don¡¯t look at the script?" Yoo-Jin quickly reverted to her cheerful self after the performance. Her transition from role to reality was astonishingly quick. Even seasoned actors struggled with this, but Yoo-Jin, a mere rookie, handled it effortlessly. I recalled veteran actress Choi Soo-Hee, known to be the best actress in South Korea, mentioning how difficult it is to return to herself after immersing in the role. This made me wonder if we had yet to see the full extent of Yoo-Jin¡¯s talent even in my past life. I couldn¡¯t help but tremble at the thought that I had caught a glimpse of the potential of actress Jung Yoo-Jin. "I¡¯m sorry, sunbae-nim! I''ll make sure to read the script next time!" When Yoo-Jin humbly apologized, everyone responded warmly. "Hey, Are you teasing me right now because I didn''t memorize the script?" "N-no, not at all!" "Haha, I¡¯m just kidding. Do as you wish, with or without script.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about Choi sunbae. She always jokes around like this anyway. Let''s do well together, okay?" "Yes, sunbae-nim!" The mood was heartwarming. However, it wasn¡¯t time to rx yet. Knowing the drama''s sess, I was also aware of the male actors'' notorious reputations for womanizing. Not surprisingly, one of them approached Yoo-Jin. "Miss Yoo-Jin, not only is your acting great but your voice is really nice too. I''ve always envied people with good voices." Ju Seong-Jin, wearing a red sweater with wavy hair and a sharp jawline,plimented her. He was well known for his scandals with every single actress he acted with ever since his debut. Despite making mistakes in the script reading, he seemed unfazed and approached Yoo-Jin in a flirty manner. Yoo-Jin responded to Ju Seong-Jin¡¯spliment with a bright smile. "Thank you, but I still have a lot to learn. I''ll take your words as encouragement." "Come on, what do you mean you have a lot to learn? Oh, by the way, you can call me oppa. We''re going to be working together for a while and sunbae-nim sounds a little too formal." Following my advice, Yoo-Jin kept a professional distance. "I can''t be informal with a sunbae-nim like you. I''ll be respectful." Ju Seong-Jin smiled awkwardly at Yoo-Jin¡¯s rejection as he was unustomed to being turned down. ¡°I-is that so? Call me whatever you want then.¡± Then, a muscle-bound man with short sports hair approached the two. He was Choi Jong-Hyuk, who was cast as Seong Blue''s brother, Seong Clear. Since Choi Jong-Hyuk was known for his preference for older morous women, he did not pose a concern for Yoo-Jin. He never showed interest in younger women as he considered them unattractive. "Seong-Jin hyung, are you trying to stir up another scandal?" Ju Seong-Jin hastily denied Choi Jong-Hyuk''s teasing usation. "Hey! What do you mean by scandals? Don''t believe those nasty reporters writing fake articles! Miss Yoo-Jin! Don¡¯t believe what he says!!" Choi Jong-Hyuk slyly dissed Ju Seong-Jin and reached his hand out to Yoo-Jin for a handshake. ¡°I¡¯m Choi Jong-Hyuk. I¡¯m looking forward to working with you.¡± ¡®Okay. That¡¯s just an ordinary conversation between actors. I don¡¯t need to butt in yet.¡¯ However, my thoughts quickly changed when Choi Jong-Hyuk handed Yoo-Jin his phone with a smile. "It seems like we have many scenes together in this drama, so let¡¯s exchange contact details for better coordination, shall we?" Then, Ju Sung-Jin also chimed in. "That¡¯s a great idea. Let me share my number too." I had already expected Ju Seong-Jin to ask for Yoo-Jin''s number, but Choi Jong-Hyuk initiating this was surprising. In my memory, Choi Jong-Hyuk never bothered with women he wasn¡¯t interested in. Sensing a chill down my spine, I quickly intervened in the conversation between the three. "We have a tight schedule, so we must get going. Here''s my business card. If you need to contact us, please use this number." Ju Seong-Jin and Choi Jong-Hyuk grumbled in response. "Come on, what''s this? We can''t exchange phone numbers when we aren¡¯t even idols? Why are you being so strict?" "You¡¯re being too harsh, Mr. Jung." However, I was being generous considering their history of scandals. Yoo-Jin made a bright smile, seemingly relieved by my timely intervention. She smiled politely while keeping a professional distance once again. "Then I¡¯ll see you next time, sunbae-nim." ''You¡¯re doing great, Yoo-Jin.¡¯ I quickly left the script reading session with Yoo-Jin. *** After the script reading, Ju Seong-Jin headed to the washroom to fix his hair. Then, he spoke to Park Ju-Oh, his talent agent, who followed him to the washroom. "Hey, Ju-Oh. Don¡¯t you think Yoo-Jin is pretty?" Park Ju-Oh immediately turned pale and began to scold Ju Seong-Jin. "Come on, hyung. Stop focusing on the actresses, will you? The president said he won''t let it slide if you cause another scandal this time!" "Are you being serious right now? It¡¯s not like the President could do anything to me. I''m Ju Seong-Jin." "Ugh, I don¡¯t want to hear it. Anyway, Jung Yoo-Jin isn''t even your type." ¡°Hey, you¡¯re saying that because she¡¯s too young right now. But if she gets made up real good, I bet all the male actors will line up until they reach Busan.¡± Park Ju-Oh covered his ears with both hands and left the washroom. "Sigh, whatever. I don¡¯t want to hear it." At that moment, Choi Jong-Hyuk entered the washroom. He clicked his tongue and washed his hands at the sink. "Hyung, you¡¯re always fixing your hair every time I see you. Are you shedding or what?" "You punk. Respect your sunbae, will you? And why are you so interested in Yoo-Jin anyway? She''s not even your type." Choi Jong-Hyuk dried his hands and rebutted, "That¡¯s my question to ask. Isn''t someone like Ju Yung-In more your style, hyung?" "I thought so too, but after seeing her in person, I figured she¡¯s not my type. She¡¯s too bossy and I hate bossy women." "Be honest with me. You¡¯re just embarrassed because you messed up your lines, aren¡¯t you?" "Whatever. But what¡¯s up with you? You¡¯re always chasing older women but why are you suddenly going after Jung Yoo-Jin? Is she secretly 30 years old or something?" Choi Jong-Hyuk just snorted dismissively. ¡°Wait. Are you...¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Ah, never mind. It¡¯s none of my business anyway.¡± ¡°You¡¯reme.¡± When Choi Jong-Hyuk was about to leave, Ju Seong-Jin subtly asked. ¡°Hey, Jong-Hyuk. Do you wanna bet who can win over Jung Yoo-Jin first? Let¡¯s make it worth 5 million won. What do you think?¡± ¡°What kind of bet is that? We¡¯re not kids, you know.¡± Visibly annoyed, Choi Jong-Hyuk left the washroom with an unpleasant expression. Ju Seong-Jin watched Choi Jong-Hyuk leave and muttered to himself. "That asshole. He is definitely lying. There¡¯s no way he would go after a woman younger than him. What''s going on with him? He must be up to something..." Grasping the situation, Ju Seong-Jin clicked his tongue. ¡°Things won¡¯t go your way, Choi Jong-Hyuk. You know who I am¡ªI¡¯m Ju Seong-Jin.¡± Ju Seong-Jin looked at himself through the mirror andbed his hair back to fix his style. ¡°Looking good as always.¡± His narcissism was evident in his self-congrattory monologue. Chapter 53: Approaching Danger

Chapter 53: Approaching Danger

Inside the van in the SBC underground parking lot, Yoo-Jin slumped in her seat, resembling melted sticky rice cake. "Great work today, Yoo-Jin." "Phew. This was my first script reading...but it was just as tough as acting. It doesn''t feel much different." "It''s because Ju Yung-In made the atmosphere so tense. Script readings are typically for actors to align and get familiarized with their characters and get to know each other." "Is that so?" "Yes, but let me ask you one thing. Did you really memorize the entire script?" Yoo-Jin pondered for a moment before answering. "I memorized most of it, but not perfectly. I actually made a few mistakes. Did you notice?" ¡®Mistakes? Where? Even the actors in the room didn''t notice any.¡¯ I was speechless at Yoo-jin¡¯s ingenuity¡ªit was no wonder Ju Yung-In was outmatched by her. Yoo-Jin checked my expression and continued to sigh heavily. Upon listening to her reproach herself, saying she still has a lot to learn, I hid my astonishment and nodded. ¡®Excellent. That''s the right attitude.¡¯ I never expected her to make such huge progress after receiving the script. "You must have been busy taking care of Miso. Where did you find the time to analyze the script so quickly?" "Miso doesn''t bother me while I''m practicing acting. She just quietly draws or studies." "That''s good of her." However, Yoo-Jin sighed regretfully when Miso was mentioned, feeling sorry for not spending enough time ying with her. "It¡¯s okay, don¡¯t be too hard on yourself. Let''s y with Miso a lot at the sled parkter." "Oh, right. About that sled park¡ªI''ll talk to thepany. I¡¯ll tell them I insisted on going so you had no choice but to let me." "Hey. Already using your actor''s privilege to make requests? No, thank you." "Ah, is it too much? Hehe." As her talent agent, it was my job to follow her wherever she wanted to go. Yoo-Jin was suggesting a leisure trip disguised as work. "By the way, I did draw the line firmly with the male actors as you advised. Was that okay?" "Are you talking about Ju Seong-Jin and Choi Jong-Hyuk?" "Yes. They are my sunbae colleagues in the same drama, so I felt like I was being a bit too rude. I feel bad..." "No, no. You did well. Don''t even make eye contact with them." Then, it hit me. The ''unease'' I felt when Choi Jong-Hyuk approached Yoo-Jin was probably not unfounded. After all, there had to be a reason for such unusual behavior. In my mind, one face flickered. ''Ma Dong-Pal.'' There was a high chance he might have instructed his agency''s actor Choi Jong-Hyuk to seduce Yoo-Jin. In fact, it would be weird if he hadn''t given such instructions. Given that Yoo-Jin took over Park Eun-Bin¡¯s role and ad, I couldn''t help but think Ma Dong-Pal must be up to something. Although this was just spection, Choi Jong-Hyuk could have possibly been bribed with this role by Ma Dong-Pal. ''The pieces fit together too well.'' There was nothing entertainers feared more than dating rumors. Such scandals had the potential to cause entertainers, especially female rookies, to lose their fanbase. A single scandal could easily end their career in just one day. Just lining up the actresses who fell from grace due to such scandals could fill a stadium. To illustrate these risks and caution Yoo-Jin, I started revealing the various incidents involving Ju Seong-Jin and Choi Jong-Hyuk¡ªthe untold stories that never reached the media and the scandals quashed by thepany before they erupted. For instance, the time Ju Seong-Jin got involved with a married woman which led to her husband creating havoc at thepany. Another incident involved him dating multiple women simultaneously and getting caught on set. As I narrated these sensational stories, Yoo-Jin''s eyes widened in shock. Her eyes sparkled as if she was watching a melodramatic drama. "Wow! That''s crazy! They did that outdoors? Oh my, why would they?" Yoo-Jin''s reactions were spot on. Indeed, the stories from the entertainment industry were quite fascinating. Yet, the thought of Yoo-Jin potentially bing part of such a scandal made me shudder. "Anyway,e to me immediately if you feel something''s not right." "Got it." After I finished speaking, Yoo-Jin leaned back in her chair. "Oppa, I''m going to sleep a bit. I¡¯m suddenly feeling a bit sleepy." "Sure, rest up." Today''s script reading must have been mentally taxing for her. After all, she was taking on a major role for this entire drama, unlike her first drama The Morning Takes Off. I watched Yoo-Jin as she fell asleep and made a silent vow. ¡®Don¡¯t worry, Yoo-Jin. I won¡¯t let anyoney a finger on you.¡¯ I drove more carefully than ever, cautious not to wake Yoo-Jin up. *** "Fuck!" Coming down to the underground parking lot, Choi Jong-Hyuk cursed aloud. His manager, Yoo Han-Seok, was startled by Choi Jong-Hyuk''s sudden outburst. "What''s wrong, Jong-Hyuk?" "That asshole Ju Seong-Jin is eyeing Jung Yoo-Jin!" "Ju Seong-Jin? Why would he?" "I don''t know. He said he''s got his eyes on Yoo-Jin first." "T-then what do we do now? With the proposal from Mr. Ma..." "Ugh, just stop talking. Can¡¯t you see I¡¯m in a bad mood? Let me think!" Yoo Han-Seok frowned. Despite being six years older than Choi Jong-Hyuk, he never got the respect he deserved from thetter. It was only natural for him to feel unpleasant. ''He is always so rude.'' Buzz. At that moment, Yoo Han-Seok¡¯s phone rang. "Jong-Hyuk, it''s a call from Mr. Ma." "Mr. Ma?" "Yeah." "Give me the phone." Choi Jong-Hyuk took a deep breath and answered the call. "Yes, yes. I did as I was told. But all I could do was greet her. Yes. Then, what should I do now? Yoo-Jin''s talent agent is guarding her closely." Choi Jong-Hyuk scowled at the voice berating him from the other end. "I''ll do whatever it takes, so just keep your promise to cast me as the lead in Director Kim Jong-Sam''s next work and make sure Park Eun-Ah stars alongside me. Yes, I know, okay?" After hanging up, Choi Jong-Hyuk muttered to himself. "Phew. A young rookie like Jung Yoo-Jin is not my type anyway..." Click. At that moment, a car door next to him opened and revealed a slim silhouette of a woman. "Sorry to interrupt. But it seems like I identally overheard your conversation, oppa." Stepping out of the car, Ju Yung-In smiled slyly. *** While her talent agent, Kang Myung-Gil, was dyed in discussions with the production team about her schedule, Ju Yung-In had gone down to the parking lot first and ended up overhearing Choi Jong-Hyuk''s phone conversation. At that moment, Ju Yung-In''s mind began to race with possibilities. If a scandal broke out between Jung Yoo-Jin and Choi Jong-Hyuk, she wouldn¡¯t have to see that detested face of Jung Yoo-Jin anymore. "Ju Yung-In? Why...what are you doing here?" Caught in their scheming, Choi Jong-Hyuk and Yoo Han-Seok began to sweat. After all, Ju Yung-In was from the samepany as Jung Yoo-Jin. "You should''ve been more careful before making such calls. As an actor, shouldn¡¯t you have checked your surroundings?" Choi Jong-Hyuk tried to make excuses, looking at Ju Yung-In. "I-it''s not what you think. It seems like there¡¯s a misunderstanding here..." "What misunderstanding? I heard you''re trying to bring down Jung Yoo-Jin in exchange for a lead role in a drama." Choi Jong-Hyuk''s face twisted with annoyance. Ju Yung-In had indeed heard everything. "Fuck it. Go ahead, bber all you want! I''ll just deny it." "Don''t get angry with me, oppa. I don''t intend to make things difficult for you." "What are you talking about? Stop pissing me off and get straight to the point." "Well, I¡¯m telling you to just go ahead with your n. I''ll stay silent. I''ll even help if you need." Choi Jong-Hyuk sensed something off in Ju Yung-In''s attitude. ''Is there a rift between her and Jung Yoo-Jin?'' Relieved by the thought, Choi Jong-Hyuk let out a sigh of relief. "By the way, you got trampled by your hoobae today, didn''t you?" Ju Yung-In frowned and retorted sharply. "I wouldn¡¯t makements that would upset me if I were you. Just focus on your n. Anyway, you saw her talent agent, right? He''s no ordinary guy. Any slip-up and you''ll be humiliated." Choi Jong-Hyuk chuckled. "Hey. How can a mere talent agent stop me? He¡¯s not even an actor. There''ll be plenty of chances to be alone with Jung Yoo-Jin during the shoot. You know what happens in the drama between me and Yoo-Jin¡¯s role. We end up bing a couple." "And that¡¯s why I¡¯m telling you to do your best." Satisfied with Choi Jong-Hyuk''s confidence, Ju Yung-In nodded. Seong Clear, a role taken by Choi Jong-Hyuk, and Kim Twilight''s characters in the drama, would always fight but inevitably fall in love in the drama, just like how Ju Yung-In and Ju Seong-Jin¡¯s characters would fall in love. It was natural for men and women who worked closely together to be attracted to each other. Therefore, Choi Jong-Hyuk''s attempts were very likely to seed. However, it didn¡¯t matter to Ju Yung-In whether the n would eventually seed or not, as all she wanted was for Jung Yoo-Jin to be embroiled in a scandal. "Anyway, I''ll give you a gift if you seed, oppa." Choi Jong-Hyuk snorted. "Forget it. What could I possibly want from you?" Choi Jong-Hyuk had agreed to y only a supporting role this time because the script and character were excellent. Choi Jong-Hyuk had been a bit subdued recently, but he was still a famous leading actor. "You''re mistaken once again, oppa. My gift isn''t what you think." "Then what is it...?" "Oppa. You like Park Eun-Ah sunbae, right? I''m quite close to her. Maybe I can set something up between you two. How about that?" Choi Jong-Hyuk''s demeanor softened at Ju Yung-In¡¯s unexpected offer. For someone with a preference for older and morous women, being introduced to the 33-year-old attractive Park Eun-Ah was an irresistible offer. "R-really? I''m in. You better keep your promise." "Of course. You know I always keep my promises." The two exchanged cunning smiles, each harboring their own motives. *** After ending the call with Choi Jong-Hyuk, Ma Dong-Pal ground his teeth in anger. "Fuck. That damn fool..." Just then, a man walked into the lounge. Dressed in an Ormani suit and gold-rimmed sses, the cheerful figure was none other than Executive Director Cheon Lee-Sang¡ªthe second-inmand of TK Entertainment. "Hey~ What''s with the long face? Did some hooligan stir up trouble again?" Cheon Lee-Sang, a formerwyer who led the legal team at one of Korea''srgest conglomerates, had managed ounts and operations, cleaned up shady businesses, and created the TK Entertainment it was today. He has been close friends with Kim Tae-Kwon, thepany''s CEO, ever since high school. Ma Dong-Pal quickly bowed. "What brings you to the lounge, Mr. Cheon?" Cheon Lee-Sang grabbed two canned coffees from the vending machine. "Here, drink up. These cheap coffees are the best sometimes. The sugar gets the brain going." "Ah, yes. Thank you, sir." After gulping down the cans in an instant, the two sat down on the mboyantly gaudy stic chairs in the lounge. "So, tell me. What''s going on?" "Ah, it''s about Choi Jong-Hyuk." "Choi Jong-Hyuk? What did he do this time? Should I speak with him?" Cheon Lee-Sang wasn''t the fist-fighting type because he didn''t need to use his fists to destroy someone. His ability to ruin lives without resorting to physical force made him, in some ways, more frightening than a gangster. Ma Dong-Pal scratched his head. "Actually, I assigned Choi Jong-Hyuk a task. But I''m not sure if he can pull it off. He started off sounding so unsure and it annoyed me." "A task?" Upon hearing the details from Ma Dong-Pal, Cheon Lee-Sang¡¯s expression turned serious. "Dong-Pal, what do you gain by crushing Jung Yoo-Jin? The risks are too high and the head of the drama department will hate it. Furthermore, Writer Lee Ji-Yeon is backing Kim Soll-Ip as well." Even Ma Dong-Pal grimaced at the mention of Lee Ji-Yeon. "Eun-Bin set that as a condition for renewing her contract with thepany." Just that one sentence was enough for Cheon Lee-Sang to understand the situation. Park Eun-Bin¡¯s capriciousness was notorious within thepany but they couldn¡¯t afford to lose her, considering the tens of billions she brought in annually. "That bitch, Park Eun-Bin. If only she''d fix that awful attitude of hers..." Neither Ma Dong-Pal nor Cheon Lee-Sang felt any moral qualms about ruining another actor in a scandal. They were simply weighing the potential benefits and losses this situation might bring to them. Chapter 54: Reporter and Reportrash (1)

Chapter 54: Reporter and Reportrash (1)

Entertainment Big News had its main office in Shin-sa-dong. Unlike most entertainment newspanies which were quite small, Entertainment Big News upied an entire five-story building in Shin-sa-dong. This was all thanks to the staff who spared no means or methods to make money. Among them, Reporter Ju Kang-Yong sat in the most prestigious spot on the third floor and was writing a sensational article about the trending actress Jung Yoo-Jin. Given her beauty, he assumed Yoo-Jin had to be involved in some school violence incidents. [Rookie Actress J: Her Private Life] -The hottest new actress J from The Morning Takes Off. Was she really a bully? (We are currently seeking articles about actress J. Entertainment Big News, reporter Ju Kang-Yong) "Let''s see. Did anyone send me new emails?" Ju Kang-Yong opened his email but frowned upon seeing the inbox. [(Sender: Park Eun-Yung) I''m Yoo-Jin¡¯s friend. Back when we were in the same school, Yoo-Jin was extremely kind...] [(Sender: Teacher Choi Min-Joo) Yoo-Jin was a positive example for others...] [(Sender: Jung Woo-Ram) I have a physical disability. With Yoo-Jin¡¯s help, I could enjoy my high school years...] "Damn, is this for real? Is Jung Yoo-Jin some kind of saint or what? There''s nothing here to write about. Fuck. How could someone as pretty as her have such a kind heart as well?¡± He was hoping for some juicy tip-offs about her past, such as bullying or smoking issues, yet found nothing but stories of her kindness and helpfulness in her school years. The reason he chose Jung Yoo-Jin as his next target for the article was that she was the most trending actress. However, he felt hopeless after receiving such unexpected emails. After all, nobody would be interested in reading an article about an actress¡¯ kindness. At that moment, Reporter Cho Kyo, who was seated next to him, leaned over the partition with a sinister smile. "What is it? Is there nothing to write about?" "No. I thought I''d find at least one... but I just can''t make anything out. With such good looks, I thought she should have been one of those bullies during her school days. Hey, don''t pretty and rich kids be bullies these days?" "Yeah. Things are different now than they used to be for us. Not just the tough ones but even the good-looking ones are bullies now. It''s a different world." "I heard even student council presidents are bullies in Gangnam. Is that true?" Cho Kyo-In chuckled. "It sure is. That¡¯s why teachers can''t do anything about them bullying other students. These rich kids are backed by their parents who would call theirwyers if a teacher even scolds their kids." Ju Kang-Yong spat out a curse with a look of disbelief on his face. "Fuck. I¡¯m so jealous. I wish all those privileged brats living off of their parents'' money would just disappear." Having been raised in extreme poverty, the mere mention of those with privileged backgrounds and rich parents triggered a furious resentment in Ju Kang-Yong. To him, his parents were nothing more than a nuisance. Then, Cho Kyo-In inadvertently recalled something. "But wasn¡¯t Jung Yoo-Jin known to be an orphan since her part-time days in Cheon-Ho-Dong Burger Queen?" "Wait...did you say she has no parents?" At that moment, a wicked smile crossed Ju Kang-Yong''s lips as an idea crossed his mind. Cho Kyo-In frowned upon deciphering Ju Kang-Yong¡¯s intention. "Sigh. You asshole. You¡¯re gonna do that again? Hey, isn''t it a bit inhumane to exploit someone¡¯s hardships?" "That¡¯s why you don¡¯t make money, dumbass. Do you think we are working at some national newspaperpany? We''re here to give the public what they want. That¡¯s our job." "Sigh. I just can''t deal with this. Do what you want." Cho Kyo-In might not have strayed far from being a so-called ¡®reportrash¡¯, but he had his limits and refused to cross a certain line. On the other hand, Ju Kang-Yong was different¡ªhe was a rabid dog and the scourge of humanity. Ring Ring Ring. Just then, Ju Kang-Yong¡¯s phone began to ring. "Who could this be?" Ju Kang-Yong answered the phone with a nonchnt expression. "Ah, yes. This is Ju Kang-Yong from Entertainment Big News, the top newspaperpany investigating the truth of the entertainment industry." He introduced thepany with an absurdly grandiose title, but his expression instantly brightened as he recognized the voice on the other end. "Ah, yes, Mr. Kim. How have you been? Yes?" The caller was none other than Chief Kim Dong-Soo of Hoop Entertainment, with whom Ju Kang-Yong asionally coborated. Kim Dong-Soo was passing along some information about Jung Yoo-Jin. Ju Kang-Yong, who had been worried about theck of a story to write an article on, now had a big smile on his face. Ju Kang-Yongughed out loud after ending the phone call. "Hahaha, Chief Kim really saved me." "Why? What is it?" Cho Kyo-In asked, but Ju Kang-Yong only shook his head. "Focus on writing your own articles. Don''t look at someone else''s meal." "Wow. Look at this guy. Hogging it all to yourself again?" Ju Kang-Yong grinned and said, "I''ll let you write a supporting article once I set the framework. You can take the scraps then." Cho Kyo-In smiled in response. "Really? If that''s the case... leave it to me." Tabloid articles gained more impact when written by several people. With more attention given to the articles, reporters could then extort more money from the relevant entertainmentpany. To make such threats work, at least three reporters had to be involved in circting the article. This was a perfect opportunity to make big money¡ªand stepping on a rising star was an added thrill. *** After parking my car in the underground lot, I checked my nner and browsed through the entertainment news. Then, I came across a tabloid article about Yoo-Jin. [Rookie Actress J: Her Private Life (Reporter Ju Kang-Yong)] -The hottest new actress J from The Morning Takes Off. Was she really a bully? "This asshole. He did this in my past life and he''s doing it again now?" In my past life, Ju Kang-Yong had preyed on Yoo-Jin who had be a hot topic of discussion due to a tragic gas ident. I had prevented that incident in this life, but Yoo-Jin¡¯s good acting and advertising fame must have caught his attention again. I hurriedly went through my nner to check for events rted to Ju Kang-Yong. [Everyday V10] [Date: February 7, 2020] -10:00 AM Entertainment Big News Reporter Ju Kang-Yong. Spread school bully and abortion rumors about Yoo-Jin. Full strategy meeting. That particr event hadn''t disappeared from my schedule yet, which meant that Ju Kang-Yong was going to publish that terrible article again. I remembered how angry I was at even the titles of the articles he had published. [Recently deceased M (5 years old) from the gas leak ident revealed to be the biological daughter of rookie actress J.] [J, who dropped out of high school due to pregnancy.] [J''s daughter, adopted by J''s sister and husband who were unable to get pregnant. She disguised her daughter as a niece.] [Exclusive interview with K, who ims to be the biological father of the deceased child!] Back then, I couldn''t do anything as I had transferred to the Actor Division 3 after Miso''s death. However, things were different now. Since I already knew the content of the articles Ju Kang-Yong would publish, I nned to act swiftly to prevent them. "Ju Kang-Yong, it won''t go as you wish this time." I put my phone inside my pocket and rushed up to the office. *** I entered Gu Seong-Cheol''s office and presented him with the article I had found. "Mr. Gu, could you please take a look at this?" Gu Seong-Cheol read the article and immediately frowned. "Those scumbags are at it again, huh? Alright, I''ll contact the Publicity division right away." "No, we need more than that. Yoo-Jin has a vulnerability that they can exploit. If we don''t respond properly, we could be in trouble." "Vulnerability? What do you mean?" "Don''t you remember the rumor that spread about Yoo-Jin when she first joined ourpany?" "The one about her having a daughter?" Upon joining ourpany, Yoo-Jin had been embroiled in rumors that Miso was actually her daughter and not her niece. At that time, Kang Gam-Chan stepped in to quell the rumors and exined that Miso was Yoo-Jin¡¯s niece. However, Gu Seong-Cheol seemed to have understood that it could be dangerous if the reporters twisted this story. "Yes. You know what kind of person Ju Kang-Yong is. He exaggerates and fabricates stories all the time." Gu Seong-Cheol quickly understood the gravity of the situation and made a serious expression. "I see. This isn''t something the Publicity division can handle alone. I''ll report it to Miss Kang." Thankfully, my opinion was quickly epted. Gu Seong-Cheol immediately called Kang Ji-Yung to inform her of the situation. Upon hearing this, she immediately summoned Gu Seong-Cheol and me to the president''s office. When we arrived at the president''s office, Kang Gam-Chan and Kang Ji-Yung were in a serious conversation amidst scattered documents about expanding thepany in Japan and China. "Mr. Kang, we are here.¡± Kang Gam-Chan pointed to a side of the table for us to sit. After we sat down, Kang Gam-Chan opened his mouth and spoke. "Ju Kang-Yong has started writing articles about Yoo-Jin, hasn¡¯t he?" "Yes, here they are." Gu Seong-Cheol showed Kang Gam-Chan the articles on a tablet. "Of all people, it had to be that scoundrel. This is going to be a headache. We are screwed," Kang Gam-Chan sighed. Kang Ji-Yung, who was seated to the right of Kang Gam-Cha, had a stiff expression on her face and suggested, "Mr. Kang, what about negotiating directly with him to have the article taken down? It seems like it''s all about money anyway..." Kang Gam-Chan pondered for a moment but soon shook his head. "Ju Kang-Yong is the type who would demand for more if he senses weakness in his opponents. Let''s prepare a rebuttal article together with the Publicity division and get the legal team ready." Kang Ji-Yung nodded. "Yes, Mr. Kang." But I knew this wouldn''t be enough. Given Ju Kang-Yong''s persistence in my past life, I was certain he wouldn''t stop here. The event in my nner, which had remained unchanged, proved my point. Taking a deep breath, I spoke up. "Mr. Kang." "Yes?" "Why not use this opportunity to reveal the truth?" "The truth?" As the conversation continued between Kang Gam-Chan and me, Gu Seong-Cheol and Kang Ji-Yung tilted their heads in wonder with puzzled expressions. "What are you talking about?" Kang Gam-Chan began to share Yoo-Jin''s life story after a moment of hesitation. "Actually, Yoo-Jin..." As he recounted Yoo-Jin''s past, Gu Seong-Cheol¡¯s expression changed drastically with every second. Regardless of how many times I had heard this story, it never ceased to shatter my heart. Not only did Yoo-Jin have to bear the pain of losing her parents, sister, and brother-inw, she also had to adopt Miso amidst opposition from rtives. When the story was over, Gu Seong-Cheol and Kang Ji-Yung made a serious expression. "That means we can¡¯t deny it if Ju Kang-Yong writes that Miso is Yoo-Jin¡¯s daughter." ¡°Technically, no, we can¡¯t. Miso used to be Yoo-Jin¡¯s niece but is now her daughter." Gu Seong-Cheol scratched his head and looked troubled. "This puts us at a disadvantage." On the other hand, Kang Ji-Yung was sipping her cold drink and pondering for a moment. At that moment, Gu Seong-Cheol spoke in a tone that sounded like he was scolding me. "Yoon-Ho, when did you know about this? You should have told us sooner!" Then, he turned toward Kang Gam-Chan andined to him as well. "Mr. Kang, you should have informed me earlier too. I feel really let down." However, Kang Gam-Chan shook his head. "Yoo-Jin had requested for me not to tell anyone. Yoon-Ho figured it out himself." After being deep in thought, Kang Ji-Yung opened her mouth to speak. "That¡¯s not what¡¯s important right now. What''s important now is how we handle this situation." "I know. I actually have something prepared for such a situation." Kang Gam-Chan began to reveal the n he came up with in advance. "I''ve already agreed with PD Na of KBC Human Story to make a documentary about Yoo-Jin." "A documentary? That sounds promising." Indeed, Yoo-Jin''s life story waspelling enough for a documentary. Moreover, a documentary on public broadcasting would have a much greater impact than any scandalous tabloid article. Only then did I understand Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s confident attitude despite the serious issue. "If we start filming now, it can be broadcast within two weeks. It''ll be tight, but we should be able to craft a strong narrative,¡± Kang Gam-Chan exined. Kang Ji-Yung immediately agreed. "Yes. I support this approach despite the short timeframe." The consensus was to confront Ju Kang-Yong¡¯s lies using a truthful narrative rather than negotiations. However, I had another strategy up my sleeve. Looking at Kang Gam-Chan, I slowly opened my mouth. "Sir, I have a viable n." "What is it?" In response to his question, I momentarily adopted the role of ex-Vice President Jung Yoon-Ho of Top Entertainment and began to present my thorough n. As my story unfolded, expressions of astonishment, disbelief, and anticipation appeared on everyone¡¯s faces. "It''s a bit extreme, but it seems to be the best course of action if we want to settle this definitively. Let¡¯s go for it.¡± "Then I''ll get started on the preparations.¡± The battle against the despicable Ju Kang-Yong, which I couldn''t fight before in my past life, was now about to begin. Chapter 55: Reporter and Reportrash (2)

Chapter 55: Reporter and Reportrash (2)

After finishing the meeting, I immediately went to Yoo-Jin''s house. "Uncle~!" As I arrived at their house, shortly after 10 PM, Miso¡ªd in her Powertuff Girls pajamas¡ªenthusiastically sprinted toward me, arms outstretched for a warm embrace. "Miso, don¡¯t run so fast. What if you fall?" "I''m the fastest runner in my kindergarten. I''ve never fallen!" Miso boasted proudly, clutching the Powertuff Girls plush toy I had given to her. ¡®Wow. Where did she find all this confidence?¡¯ Yoo-Jin munched on konjac jelly and teased Miso. "Miso~ do you remember when you were three and you fell over and bumped your head?" Miso turned slightly toward Yoo-Jin and denied it. "I don''t remember!" "Is that so? What about that time when you were four and scraped your palm?" Yoo-Jin prodded further with a yful expression, but Miso shook her head. "...That never happened." "I see. Then, what about the time you fell and scraped your knee while running to mest year?" ¡°...T-that¡¯s different! I just slipped, that¡¯s all! I hate you, Mom!¡± Miso''s cheeks puffed up like a blowfish as Yoo-Jin continued to yfully bring up the times Miso had fallen in the past. ¡®Hey, leave the kid alone.¡¯ Miso reminded me of Pinhio, yet I always sided with her. I locked eyes with her and spoke in the gentlest voice I could muster. "Miso is the fastest runner. There is no way she''d fall, right? Maybe your mom''s dieting made her so sensitive that she forgot. I''m on Miso''s side!" Only then did Miso''s pout vanish. She broke into a beaming smile, and happiness radiated from her face. "Hehe, I''m on your side too." As Miso snuggled closer to me, we allied against Yoo-Jin. Yoo-Jin pretended to feel betrayed. ¡°Wow. You are on Uncle Yoon-Ho¡¯s side and not my side? I¡¯m so sad.¡± However, Miso and I simply high-fived, disying our unbreakable alliance. After ying with Miso for a bit, Yoo-Jin tilted her head with a puzzled expression. "Anyway, what brings you here at such an hour? Is there a new schedule or something? Miso,e here." ¡°Okay, Mom.¡± Miso ran into Yoo-Jin¡¯s arms with a big smile as if she had forgotten aboutining just a moment ago. "No, it''s not about any schedule. But...can I have a private conversation with you?" Yoo-Jin''s face showed concern, perhaps because my voice sounded more gloomy than usual. "Is it about Choi Jong-Hyuk or Ju Seong-Jin sunbae?" "It''s not about them." Yoo-Jin shook her head, not wanting Miso to feel left out. "You can just say it in front of Miso. I think she should hear and be involved in whatever decision I make." I sighed and shared the news from thepany. "Thepany suggests it''s time to reveal that you two are mother and daughter." At that moment, Yoo-Jin froze on the spot. ¡°D-did Mr. Kang agree to reveal this?" Yoo-Jin¡¯s voice was trembling. "Yes." Upon hearing my reply, Yoo-Jin hugged Miso tightly with tears brimming in her eyes. "Miso, you can now call me Mom openly. Isn''t it great?" Miso looked at Yoo-Jin whose eyes were welling up with tears. "Yes, it''s great. But Mom, don''t cry. If you cry, I''ll be sad too." Miso started to wipe Yoo-Jin''s tears with her pajama sleeve,forting her. At the same time, tears also welled up in Miso''s eyes. Watching them, my anger toward Ju Kang-Yong surged. Scum like him, who profited from crafting tabloid and sensational articles, have inflicted so much pain on so many. Miso and Yoo-Jin hugged and cried for a while before sitting up again and wiping their tears. Then, I began to exin everything to them¡ªwhat was going to happen and how we were to respond. After hearing my exnation, Yoo-Jin nodded, while Miso didn''t seem to fully grasp the situation due to her young age. Nheless, she seemed to have understood my intention to protect her. Yoo-Jin was resolved to ept anything as long as she didn''t have to hide Miso¡¯s identity as her daughter any longer. She bit on her lips firmly and opened her mouth. "Do I just need to follow your instructions, oppa?" "Yes, for now. I''ll handle the rest on my own." "Okay, I will." "Miso, you need to be strong too, okay? Bad people are trying to nder your mom!" Miso nodded vigorously. "Okay! Even if people lie, I know my mom best!" Miso crossed her arms over her chest, mimicking a pose from the animation Powertuff Girls. It was the pose the characters would do whenever they eximed ''Together with Powertuff Girls, we are the strongest.'' "I¡¯m so proud of you, Miso." Watching Miso, I also adopted the same pose and resolve. I vowed that I would never let trash like Ju Kang-Yong harass these two again. Then, I briefly shared the situation with thendlord, Jung In-Ji, who had just brought some sikhye[1] to the second floor. After learning what had happened, she was equally, if not more, furious. "Mr. Jung, don''t you worry! I''m good with phones. I''ll record everything that rotten guy says." "I trust you, ma¡¯am. Please take good care of Yoo-Jin and Miso." Knowing that thendlord treated Miso and Yoo-Jin as her own family, I felt more assured than ever. After discussing our strategy, I had only one concern. Miso was clinging to her mom and blinking her eyes. I gently asked her, "Miso, it seems like Uncle''s vacation might be dyed. Can we go to the sledding park after all this is over? Is that okay with you?" Miso closed her eyes and ced her fingers on her temples as she fell deep in thought. "Hmm." Her serious expression reminded me of The Thinker by Rodin. After a short while, she eximed, "One night, two days!" With a bright smile, Miso held up her index finger on her left hand, and thumb and index finger on her right hand. "One night, two days?" "Yes! I¡¯m fine with it being dyed. But in return, can we stay one night at the sledding park and y another day? Oh, and I want to sleep in an igloo!" ¡®Huh? Igloo? Which sled park ad did she watch?¡¯ I wondered where she got the idea of sleeping in an igloo from, but I nevertheless agreed. "Of course. Once this is over, let''s go for a one-night and two-day trip to the sled park! In an igloo!" Miso''s face lit up with excitement. "Wow, wow! Really? Are we really going to sleep in an igloo?" "Y-yes!" I replied, unable to say no. ¡°Yay!¡± Miso jumped up and down with joy, filling the room with herughter. Thanks to Miso, I could forget my worries about Ju Kang-Yong for a moment and spend my time with them searching for a sledding park with an igloo. *** At SBC''s Documentary Department, Producer Na Hun-Seok led us to the Director''s office. After greeting Documentary Department Director Woo Ji-Han, we got straight to the point. Na Hun-Seok said with a stiff expression, "I''ve heard about the situation from Mr. Kang. Since Human Stories is scheduled weekly, it''s just a matter of adjusting the broadcast schedule." Kang Ji-Yung responded with a request. "We appreciate your cooperation. Also, could we possibly request a two-part series?" "Although it''s tight, that shouldn''t be a problem. And you are the talent agent, correct?" Mr. Na asked, pointing to me. I immediately stood up and greeted him. "Yes, Mr. Na." Na Hun-Seok would be the head of the Documentary Department in about six years. Known for his good reputation and tear-jerking productions, he would be everyone¡¯s favorite PD in the future. Na Hun-Seokughed and waved his hand. "Haha, you have good social skills. Also, you have a camera-friendly look as well, Mr. Jung. Would you consider appearing in the documentary as a handsome talent agent? It might help boost the ratings." I immediately epted Na Hun-Seok''s offer. "If it will increase the ratings, feel free to use me in any way. I''ll do everything you ask." Although I had declined a personal offer for a Burger Queen ad before, the situation was different this time. Sacrificing a bit of myself was not a big deal at all. Na Hun-Seok smiled, pleased with my response. Although he worked in the documentary department, he was still a broadcaster who was focused on and cognizant of viewership ratings. "Understood, but should we inform the Drama Department as well about this matter? I feel like things would be easier that way. However, I¡¯m not sure how much I can disclose?" "Please speak only to Mr. Jung Sam-Ryong for now. We will personally reach out to Ms. Kim Soll-Ip." "Right, that makes sense since Miss Yoo-Jin was rmended by Ms. Kim Soll-Ip." Then, we started discussing how to structure the story for the episode of Human Stories. The shoot for SBC''s Human Stories was scheduled to start the day after tomorrow and the broadcast was scheduled for the end of January. Na Hun-Seok announced the set schedule and said confidently, "Miss Yoo-Jin is too precious to be trampled by a scumbag like Joo Kang-Yong. I will do my best to create a good piece, so don''t you worry." Na Hun-Seok was known to be a gentleman, yet he couldn¡¯t help but curse at Joo Kang-Yong, demonstrating his determination to get back at him. "Thank you so much. We''re counting on you." After exchanging greetings, we immediately went about our respective tasks. *** When I arrived at Kim Soll-Ip''s house, she was busy with script revisions but got up to greet me. Upon hearing about Yoo-Jin¡¯s situation, she quickly became concerned as Yoo-Jin was one of the main characters of Blue Sky and negative press would impact the ratings of the drama. "I promise the situation will be resolved before the drama airs, Ms. Kim. It might even boost the viewership ratings." Kim Soll-Ip looked puzzled. "What do you mean, the viewership ratings will increase? Even though a key supporting character gets mentioned in a tabloid article?" "Without the rivalry issue with Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon, there''s no way for Blue Sky to receive a strong push from SBC now." Kim Soll-Ip seemed convinced and nodded. "So, if Yoo-Jin¡¯s name is mentioned in those...sigh, I¡¯m sorry. If Yoo-Jin¡¯s name is mentioned in those tabloid articles, it will naturally bring up the name of Blue Sky. If you could bear with it..." At that moment, Kim Soll-Ip''s eyes sparkled. "So, you¡¯re saying it''s better to have bad publicity than no publicity at all." ¡®Exactly. After all, noise marketing is a form of marketing.¡¯ "That''s right, Ms. Kim." Kim Soll-Ip smiled. "Then, let''s try it. But how is Miss Yoo-Jin doing right now? It will be hard on her once those kinds of articles are published..." "This is just a phase. Once it''s over, she can live freely without hiding her rtionship to Miso. That''s what Yoo-Jin is focusing on." "True, it''s not something that can be hidden forever. Please tell her I''m rooting for her." Then, the door opened with a squeak. Writer Lee Ji-Yeon entered. "Huh? Yoon-Ho~? Chief Gu? When did you guys get here?" Seeing Lee Ji-Yeon''s cheerful face, I was at a crossroads. ¡®Should I tell Lee Ji-Yeon this story or not?¡¯ However, Lee Ji-Yeon immediately noticed something was amiss as soon as she took off her shoes. "What''s going on? I can already tell you''re hiding something. I''m Lee Ji-Yeon, you know. Not even ghosts can deceive me." Eventually, upon Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s cue, I decided to tell Lee Ji-Yeon what was happening. Besides, Lee Ji-Yeon was the writer for Yoo-Jin''s next work, In the Name of God, and I had to prevent her from forming prejudice against Yoo-Jin due to Joo Kang-Yong''s articles. After hearing my story, Lee Ji-Yeon made a suggestion. "Yoon-Ho~ When does the shoot for the Human Stories documentary start?" "We start shooting next week." "Is that so? Then, could you send the documentary team over to me for a bit?" Lee Ji-Yeon was known to have an aversion to being photographed. For this reason, she strictly prohibited the making film team from filming her even during her script readings. "Ms. Lee. Does that mean...?" "I''ll offer a few words of help. Don''t you need it? If not, never mind." "No, we definitely need it! We really need it!" Extremely grateful for her kindness, I quickly stood up and bowed. "Thank you so much, Ms. Lee." Kim Soll-Ip also said she''d appear in the documentary as well to provide some good insights. She would mention Yoo-Jin¡¯s diligence in acting, her enthusiastic attitude toward her work, and her kind treatment of her fellow actors. As if things couldn''t get better, I received good news from Kang Ji-Yung, who was in charge of having a conversation with the broadcasting station. She had received a promise from Jung Sam-Ryong, the CP of Blue Sky, that he would protect Yoo-Jin''s role from any external pressure. Now, the only thing left was meeting the most crucial person who could defeat Joo Kang-Yong¡ªReporter Choi So-Hye. I thought it would be hard to meet with such a high-profile daily newspaper reporter, but meeting Choi So-Hye turned out to be surprisingly easy. Choi So-Hye, the team lead of the entertainment and culture department of Central Daily Newspaper, one of the top three newspapers, happened to be drinking buddies with Kang Ji-Yung. 1. Korean traditional sweet rice drink ? Chapter 56: Reporter and Reportrash (3)

Chapter 56: Reporter and Reportrash (3)

I arrived at the meeting ce to meet Choi So-Hye, the team lead of the Culture and Entertainment Department at Central Daily Newspaper. But in the meantime, a new article by Ju Kang-Yong had been uploaded. [¡®The Private Life of Rookie Actress J¡¯] -The Morning Takes Off, On-Set Sketch. -sh with sunbae Park Eun-Bin? -''Sunbae, you don¡¯t like me, do you?'' Rookie actress suggests. Is there an inverse rtionship between poprity and personality? (Seeking tips. Entertainment Big News Ju Kang-Yong) Ju Kang-Yong was truly a master at captivating people with his attention-grabbing headlines. ¡®How does this guy constantly get better at writing each day? He should be a novelist instead of wasting his talent on writing tabloid articles.¡¯ I couldn¡¯t believe he even fabricated a statement by Park Eun-Bin and attributed it to Yoo-Jin. Fortunately, the publicity division of Hoop Entertainment was also engaged in a media battle to prevent Ju Kang-Yong''s article from reaching the top of the entertainment news rankings. I began reviewing the articles as I scrolled up, starting from the top-ranked one. [Blue Sky¡¯s First Script Reading. Fierce Acting Competition Among the Actors.] [Ju Yung-In and Jung Yoo-Jin, Hoop Entertainment¡¯s Dynamic Duo in Action!] [SBC''s Ambitious drama Blue Sky Cranks In on January 30th!] While I was checking the articles, I heard the sound of Kang Ji-Yung walking into the room. Click. Then, a beautiful short-haireddy, who was wearing a suit, entered the room with Kang Ji-Yung and started to scan me from head to toe. She was Reporter Choi So-Hye, a future bigwig who would shape the Korean entertainment industry. "Is this the guy?" "Yes, he''s ourpany''s rising star. Pretty good, huh?" Choi So-Hye giggled at Kang Ji-Yung''s remark. "Hey, he''s totally your type, isn¡¯t he?" "What kind of nonsense are you talking about? Just sit down already!" "But he looks more like an aspiring actor than a talent agent..." "Unnie, for real. I''m tired. Let''s just sit and talk. My legs are swollen from walking all day." "You are always so prickly... Alright, then." Choi So-Hye approached me first and extended her hand. "I''m Choi So-Hye. Nice to meet you." Choi So-Hye, who was apetent and youngest team lead at the prestigious Central Daily Newspaper, was a year senior to Kang Ji-Yung in the industry. In three years, she would independently establish ''Star Special,'' apany that she would propel to the pinnacle of the entertainment journalism industry. However, my present meeting with Choi So-Hye was not focused on her capabilities; rather, it was because I knew she possessed information that could do more than merely tarnish Ju Kang-Yong''s reputation. We sat down after exchanging brief greetings. Choi So-Hye, looking at the pricing of Hanwoo on the menu,ined to Kang Ji-Yung. "What? This is too expensive, isn¡¯t it? Won''t this vite the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act?" "This isn¡¯t a bribe. It''s for a tip-off to uphold social justice. Don¡¯t you eat with your sources?" "Oh, is that so? Then let''s start with soju." "Soju? In broad daylight?" "What¡¯s wrong with you? Don¡¯t you know that reporters in Korea don¡¯t care about the time when ites to drinking?" Kang Ji-Yung sighed and pressed the call button. "If I keep up with your drinking pace, I might end up crossing the threshold to the afterlife." ¡®Wait a minute. Is ''Barrel,'' known for being a heavy-weight drinker, actually talking about being weak in the face of alcohol? I¡¯m getting scared of Choi So-Hye.¡¯ I had never drank together with Choi So-Hye before in my past life. But looking at Kang Ji-Yung''s exhausted expression, it seemed like I wouldn''t be walking out on my own two feet today. As expected, Choi So-Hye¡¯s order of alcohol was on a different scale. She started with three bottles of soju for appetizers. After cing the order, Choi So-Hye opened her mouth with her eyes sparkling with interest. "Anyway, let''s just cut to the chase. You¡¯re the one who called me here, right?" "Yes, Miss Choi." "I did hear the news that Ju Kang-Yong has been messing with the actress you are in charge of, Mr. Jung. But if you''re thinking of asking me to write a counter-article against him, then you''ve got the wrong idea." Her reaction was only natural because even though the entertainment section of newspaperpanies often wrote or pulled articles for money, it was a different story with Central Daily Newspaper, one of the top three newspapers. Such big newspaperpanies were more strictly regted. "It''s not about asking for a counter-article." "Then what is it?" "I¡¯ve heard rumors that you''ve been investigating Ju Kang-Yong''s crimes for a while." At that moment, Choi So-Hye¡¯s gaze suddenly turned sharp. Attacking a fellow reporter, even within the domain of tabloids, was generally avoided in Korean journalism. However, Choi So-Hye had ignored this culture and was digging into a sunbae reporter Ju Kang-Yong. "How did you know?" Choi So-Hye looked at me with suspicion and a cold expression. That was when Kang Ji-Yung joined the conversation. "Don''t be too guarded, unnie. Everyone knows Ju Kang-Yong is capable of such behavior. I told him myself because I assumed you must be investigating him as well." I had already mentioned the crimes Ju Kang-Yong hadmitted against female rookie reporters and actresses to Kang Ji-Yung, including some specific incidents. As such, the conversation flowed well. "Right... That human scum. I can¡¯t even keep track of all the crimes that asshole hasmitted." Just then, the server came in. "I''ll serve the side dishes first." We paused the conversation for a moment as the server brought the drinks and side dishes. Choi So-Hye asked the server to serve the Hanwoo a bitter. ¡°Then what should I do about the side dishes and soju?¡± "Oh, please serve those now." After the server left, Choi So-Hye poured me a ss of cold soju as her stern face softened. "Let''s have a drink first and then talk." ¡°Sure.¡± As the cold soju she poured me slid down my throat, I felt more alert. Choi So-Hye stared at me for a while and offered me another ss. "Another one." After pouring me a second ss, she asked, "This isn''t going to be an issue with the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, right?" Gulp. I calmly emptied my ss and answered, "I don¡¯t even know what that is." "Okay, great. If you don''t know, you should have another ss." ¡®What does not knowing have anything to do with having another ss?¡¯ I found the logic puzzling as I stared at Choi So-Hye, who kept pouring me another ss of soju. ''I did hear she¡¯s the type to drink without food, but I¡¯m different! Can we order some meat?'' After gulping the next drink, Choi So-Hye finally started to respond to my offer. As she revealed all the information she had gathered about Ju Kang-Yong, the bitterness from the soju in my mouth began to taste sweeter. She already had enough evidence to put Ju Kang-Yong behind bars. *** My head was throbbing¡ªor maybe my body was swaying. ¡®Why is someone shaking me?¡¯ When I forced myself to open my eyes, I could see Choi So-Hye shaking me at a close distance. ¡°Star Jung. You made a promise. Okay ?¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Star Jung. Hey. Why aren¡¯t you saying anything? Are you dead?¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Unnie, stop it. He¡¯s a light-weight drinker.¡± "Hey, Ji-Yung. You are taking the guy''s side? I''m really disappointed. We promised to grow old together as elegant singledies, don¡¯t you remember?" "Ah! What kind of nonsense are you spouting again? And whose marriage n are you trying to ruin? When did I ever say I''d grow old and single with you!? You are always lying whenever you open your mouth!" "He he he. Kang Ji-Yung, of all people, taking a guy''s side. Ji-Yung and Yoon-Ho sitting on a tree. K, I..." Kang Ji-Yung continued her sharp grumbling. "Ugh, I hate it when you get drunk! Unnie, just stop it already!" "Shhh, be quiet. Now give me the information fee." "Hey, buying you meat and drinks is the information fee! Ugh, I feel so dizzy.¡± "Not that!" "Ugh, then what?" "Let me join in too!" I had barely managed to regain my senses but chose to feign unconsciousness to eavesdrop on their conversation. Choi So-Hye set a few conditions. The first was to write an article exposing Ju Kang-Yong''s criminal facts under her own name. The second was to ask Hoop Entertainment to take care of thewsuit costs for the victims. She also set a condition that if an appeal were to be made against her, Hoop Entertainment had to assign awyer to her. "Ourpany might not protect me. So you need to take responsibility." Kang Ji-Yung nodded. "Got it. Whether it''s money orwyers, ourpany will cover it. All you need to do is just hand over that data, unnie." "Okay ." Finally, I possessed the card to utterly destroy Ju Kang-Yong. Left unchecked, he would have caused harm not only to Yoo-Jin but to many others as well. Fortunately, the deal was made and I could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Of course, I passed out at the same time the deal was made. *** "What the fuck is this? Are these people rotten with money? Articles defending Jung Yoo-Jin are lining up like crazy." Ju Kang-Yong faced an unbelievable situation. He had reced Yoo-Jin¡¯s name with ''J'' to avoid awsuit but had secretly configured the system such that his articles would show up when people searched for Jung Yoo-Jin as the keyword. However, the number of articles that appeared when one searched Jung Yoo-Jin''s name was overwhelming, as if she were a top star. Because of this, his own articles didn''t even show up in the first 5 pages of search results. "Are they really trying to mess with me or what?" Ju Kang-Yong''s forehead bulged with thick veins. "Fine then. Let''s see who wins this battle." Ju Kang-Yong got up abruptly and rushed to the editor-in-chief''s office. Editor-in-chief Go Dong-Min, secluded in a separate office, was admiring the scantily d leader of the sexy idol group, Kim Eun-Ji, who was wearing a rag-like swimsuit. "Wow! Isn''t this art? This is real art." He couldn''t take his eyes off the monitor as he clicked his fingers. "If her poprity drops, she might strip even more. Hahaha." Go Dong-Min chuckled while touching his lips. However, Ju Kang-Yong, who had silently approached him from behind, let out a deep sigh. "Sir, that''s the limit for her. She won''t strip any more than that." "Ahhh!" Go Dong-Min was startled and quickly clicked on another tab, but it was filled with even more naked pictures. "Uh-oh!" In a panic, Go Dong-Min hurriedly closed all the inte windows and red at Ju Kang-Yong with a frown. "Damn it! You bastard, you scared me! Didn''t I tell you not to silently approach me like a thief?! You asshole!" "Mr. Go, I knocked and called your name when entering." "D-did you? Wait. But what''s this about her not stripping anymore?" "Kim Eun-Ji got a proper sponsor two weeks ago." "What? Who?" "The vice president of Jaewoon Group." Go Dong-Min''s eyes sparkled. "Then are you going to write an article about that?" Indeed, the sexy idol group ''Nine Ladies'' and their leader Kim Eun-Ji''s sponsor could be a good story to write about. "No, not about that. I came to ask for more funds for the project I''m currently working on." For a moment, Go Dong-Min''s face twisted. "You jerk, don''t you know thepany''s situation? You know we¡¯ve got no money." "You always say there''s no money regardless of whether there is or not. If you keep this up, I''ll really go independent. I mean it." Ju Kang-Yong brought in millions annually for thepany by scamming other celebrities and agencies. Remembering this, Go Dong-Min quickly changed his tone. "Ah, look at this guy''s temper. Why does our conversation always lead to this, huh? You know me saying ''no money'' is just a habit. You know that if you ask for it, I would definitely give it to you. So, how much do you need?" In the face of a single threat, Go Dong-Minpletely changed his attitude. "Mr. Go. You know I''m working on Jung Yoo-Jin''s case right now, don¡¯t you?" "Of course I do. What''s up? Is it not going well? But it''s your work after all, so how can it not go well?" Ju Kang-Yong frowned and showed Go Dong-Min the current situation on the inte using Go Dong-Min''s desktop. "The opponent is spamming their articles, so mine aren''t getting high exposure no matter what I do. To solve this, we need to invest more money in my articles. We need a significant amount." "A significant amount... 100 million? Hey! No way! With that money..." As Go Dong-Min began to shout in a loud voice, Ju Kang-Yong shook his head. "Ah, my ears are going to burst. Who said a 100 million? 10 million is enough. If it increases, up to thirty million. That should do." "Oh, is that so? Hey. Why didn''t you make it clear like that before?" "So, you''ll transfer it to my ount by tomorrow morning?" Go Dong-Min nodded. "Alright. But don''t divert it elsewhere. I''ll checkter, alright?" "Okay ." After his conversation with Go Dong-Min, Ju Kang-Yong walked to the break room as he muttered to himself, "Damn it. Jung Yoo-Jin. I was going to stop at 100 million, but that won''t work. You''ll have to cough up about 300 million." Ju Kang-Yong¡¯s purpose for writing tabloid articles was simple¡ªeach time he published an article, he would either receive money from advertisers due to high views or from celebrities and their agencies in exchange for taking the article down. However, since the n wasn''t going as intended and he ended up having spent money instead, Ju Kang-Yong nned to extort several times more than the original amount he intended to collect. Chapter 57: Don’t Cry, Miso (1)

Chapter 57: Don¡¯t Cry, Miso (1)

I ended up taking a sick leave the day after I met Choi So-Hye. "Those people are crazy. Do they think of alcohol as water or what? Ugh..." My body felt as though it had been relentlessly pounded by pain. Forcing myself up, I made my special hangover ramen with extra chili powder, bean sprouts, and dried pock. Slurp! After inhaling the chewy noodles and the salty broth, it was time to have a bite of the perfectly ripened kimchi. Crunch! It was only after savoring the refreshing kimchi with the ramen that I finally regained my senses. "Burp! Thank goodness. I finally feel a bit alive." After settling my upset stomach, I immediately headed to a nearby cafe to meet with the administrators of Yoo-Jin''s fan website from her Burger Queen part-time days, ''Cheonho-dong''s Burger Maiden,'' and persuaded them to help us with the news of Miso''s adoption. The meeting was a great sess and the administrators immediately rolled their sleeves and got to work. As a result, thements on the article written by Ju Kang-Yong began to fill up with posts from the fan club members. [Rookie Actress J''s Private Life] -J''s high-paying part-time job!! -Underaged Miss J earned 3 million won a month from part-time jobs¡ªthe backstory. (Comments) -You referred to the actress as Miss J but you really think we wouldn''t know it''s Jung Yoo-Jin with that mosaic picture? -High-paying part-time job? LOL. What an attention seeker. Are you that hungry for the views? -So what kind of part-time job did Jung Yoo-Jin do to make 3 million won? -Jung Yoo-Jin worked a Burger Queen part-time job in Cheonho-dong. -I thought she worked in a strip club or something just by the title of the article. But she just worked at a burger ce part-time? How do you make 3 million won from that? -Apparently, the branch ownerspeted and ced bids against each other to recruit her. -Ah, typical reportrash. -He¡¯s deliberately confusing people. -I thought it was something serious. -Go check the ''Cheonho-dong''s Burger Maiden'' fan website. All the rification documents are there. With the zingments by the fan club members, Ju Kang-Yong''s article seemed to diminish in power. *** I arrived in front of Miso''s kindergarten. Because Yoo-Jin was busy focusing on her script rehearsal and had delegated the role of responding to all queries concerning the article to me, l came to pick up Miso from her kindergarten today. Miso wasn¡¯ting out even though it was way past her usual dismissal time. Waiting in the car, I rested my chin on the steering wheel and grumbled. ¡°Should I go check? Why isn''t sheing out?" I got out of the car and headed toward the kindergarten¡ªand as soon as I entered the kindergarten, I saw Miso fuming with anger. "My m-my auntie is not a bad person!" In the kindergarten yground, a girl, who was at least a head taller than Miso, was wearing a big pink ribbon on her head and mocking and making fun of Miso. "Shut up! Everyone knows your auntie works at a strip club! I heard all celebrities do that!" Two other girls standing behind the pink-ribboned girl were nodding incessantly. Despite the bullying, the principal was nowhere to be seen. Miso cried out again with an indignant expression, clenching her fists and thrusting her head forward. "No! My auntie doesn''t work at a strip club! She ys with me every night!" "Ah, is that so? Then she must have sneaked out after you had fallen asleep." For a moment, I was so dumbfounded by the girl¡¯s remark that I couldn''t help but let out a hollowugh. ''Is that something a 7-year-old should say?'' Suddenly, Miso erupted with uncharacteristic anger, pointing her finger at the girl''s pink ribbon in front of her and blurting out something that she typically would not have said. "You. You! That pink ribbon doesn''t suit you at all! It''s re~ally ugly!" For Miso, that was the nastiest thing she could say. The face of the girl with the pink ribbon turned bright red. "Eek~ What!? How dare you!" Then, the girl with the pink ribbon pushed Miso roughly on the shoulder, causing Miso to stagger and fall onto the sandy ground. ¡®How dare she push my precious Miso!?¡¯ I quickly ran over to Miso, helped her up, and examined her carefully. "Miso, are you hurt?" As Miso stood up, she recognized me and her eyes immediately welled up with tears. "Sob sob. Uncle Yoon-Ho~~. Waaaaah!" Miso had been holding her tears in front of the girls but began to sob out loud when she saw me. "There, there. You¡¯re okay now, Miso." Miso clung to me and cried pitifully as I red at the girl with the pink ribbon without realizing it. "Hey, you. How could you say that your friend''s auntie works at a strip club? Where did you learn to say such nasty things?" The girl with the pink ribbon seemed frightened by my low voice. The girls who stood behind the pink ribboned girl huped in fear and soon ran away. However, the girl with the pink ribbon stood her ground, shouting back defiantly. "B-but I''m right! I don''t lie! My mom said that all the pretty-faced celebrities work at strip clubs at night!" Her trembling body suggested that even at a young age, she might have issues with anger management. I struggled to restrain myself from wanting to forcibly correct her behavior. Nheless, I persisted with the patience of an adult and spoke calmly. "That''s because your mom doesn''t know better. How can a busy and popr celebrity have time to go work at strip clubs? You''ve seen Miso¡¯s auntie appear in dramas, haven''t you? Miso¡¯s auntie is so busy she hardly has any time to sleep." As I spoke, Miso gradually stopped crying and shouted, "He¡¯s right! My auntie is really famous! Super popr!" It was my first time seeing Miso shouting like this. ¡®Yes, in Korea, those with a loud voice will always win.¡¯ Unwilling to back down, the girl wearing a pink ribbon shouted back, "You¡¯re wrong! My mom also works in the entertainment industry! Mister, you are wrong! My mom is right!" The girl with a pink ribbon yelled at me with her eyes welling up with tears. However, the battle was already leaning in our favor. ¡°Hey, are you crying? You know you lose if you cry, right?" "N-no, I, I''m not crying. Hic hic. Waaaaaah!" ¡®Ah, yes.¡¯ It was a moment of triumph for the teasing and patience of an adult. But just as the cries of the girl wearing a pink ribbon echoed through the kindergarten, a sharp-faced woman came running toward us from afar. "What are you doing! Why are you making my child cry!?" Her voice was high and piercing. ¡®Wait...I know that woman.¡¯ The girl wearing a pink ribbon immediately ran to her mother. "Mommy~~!! Waaaaah!" "My Gong-Ju! Who did this to you!" The mother of that girl was dressed in a ck suit and sported a waxed short haircut, exuding an aura of intelligence. However, contrary to her appearance, she was a selfish and dogmatic woman. Her name was Jin So-Mi. In my past life, she used to work as an entertainmentwyer who handled the legal aspects of Kim Dong-Soo''s dirty work. She was a person who actively participated in Kim Dong-Soo''s misdeeds. I couldn¡¯t believe I met this woman here in Cheonho-dong. ''Wait, did she say ''Gong-Ju''? So, this pink ribbon girl is that Gong-Ju?'' The girl in Jin So-Mi''s arms wouldter be a member of the multinational idol group VIVA4 and the biggest troublemaker. ¡®Jin Gong-Ju.¡¯ Just like her mother, she was arrogant and had a nasty personality. I recalled her being notoriously backed by her mother even in my past life. However, that was a story forter. Right now, it was more important to resolve the situation. I secretly turned on the pen-shaped recorder I had bought for emergencies. In the meantime, Jin So-Mi approached me after thoroughly checking her daughter for any injuries. "Hey, you! Who do you think you are!? Why are you shouting at my daughter!?" Jin So-Mi shot me a sharp, venomous look. I looked at the mother and daughter in front of me, I knew that the uing conversation wouldn¡¯t be a wholesome and edifying one. Hence, I turned to Miso, who was still in my arms, and said, "Miso, cover your ears." "Okay, Uncle Yoon-Ho!" "And hold onto me." "Okay! Uncle Yoon-Ho!" "Miso, you can still hear everything I say, can¡¯t you?" "I can''t hear! I can''t hear anything!" Perhaps because she was curious about what was to be said, Miso still had one ear uncovered. Yet she had no choice but to cover both ears and clung to me upon my insistence. Only after confirming that Miso had also tightly closed her eyes did I respond to Jin So-Mi. "That girl pushed Miso first. I only scolded her for that. I didn''t hit her or use any badnguage. She cried out of shock, that''s all." "My Gong-Ju pushed that girl? No way. You have no idea how fragile my girl is! Don''t you dare lie, or you''ll be sorry!" ¡®Fragile my foot!¡¯ Jin Gong-Ju looked sturdy enough to win a healthy baby contest. "Hmph! And even if she did push her, that girl must have said something nasty to my Gong-Ju first! Just look at her¡ªshe seemspletely spoiled!" I was d I had Miso cover her ears so she did not have to listen to such unjust words. Just as I was about to respond to Jin So-Mi''s words, the kindergarten principal came running over hurriedly. "Miso''s uncle! Gong-Ju¡¯s mother! Please calm down. The children are watching." The principal''s face was pale and a never-ending stream of tissues was hanging from her waist. I figured she must have been in the bathroom and couldn''te out earlier. The usually kind-hearted principal apologized repeatedly. However, Jin So-Mi was not someone to ept such apologies. "Ma¡¯am. What kind of atmosphere is this for a kindergarten?" "Mrs. Jin. It¡¯s not like that..." "Seriously, I shouldn''t havee to such a poor neighborhood. I¡¯m withdrawing my child from this kindergarten effective from today. Please process a refund!" "M-Mrs. Jin. Please don''t...why don¡¯t we talk this out..." The principal bowed apologetically, but I couldn''t hold back any longer and confronted Jin So-Mi. "Listening to your remarks is just unbelievable. A poor neighborhood, you say? Don¡¯t you understand that children are watching us right now? You better watch what you say." The principal, fearing the argument might escte, quickly grabbed my sleeve. "Mr. Jung, please calm down." "Mr. Jung? Oh~ I know! The talent agent of that stripper celebrity, right? Was it Jung Yoo-Jin?" ''How dare she speak about Yoo-Jin like that?'' I felt a vein on my forehead bulge, pulsating with anger. I wished I had never met this woman in my second life, but it was toote. I looked at Jin So-Mi and slowly opened my mouth. "Watch yournguage, Mrs. Jin So-Mi. Or should I say, Mrs. Jin Chu-Ja?" Jin So-Mi had long had aplex about her tacky name. I recalled hearing in myst life that changing her name was the first thing she did after bing awyer. Of course, that would happen five years from now. "H-how do you... know my r-real name... W-who are you? How do you...how do you know my name!" Jin So-Mi stepped back in a flustered manner. It was only natural for her to feel frightened and unsettled when a stranger knew the secret she wanted to hide so badly. I opened my mouth again and grabbed my recorder at the same time. "I''ve recorded everything you just said. Why should Yoo-Jin, who works hard and diligently every day, be judged by you that way? Huh?" Jin So-Mi took a step back as I took a step forward. She probably understood her words could be grounds for awsuit. At that moment, the principal intervened again. "Mr. Jung, please. The children are watching." I saw the children huddled together, looking scared. Only then did I manage to regain some of myposure. "Sigh. I''m sorry, ma¡¯am. But I still demand an apology." Jin So-Mi''s eyes darted around in anger. But, as expected, she chose to step back. ¡°This isn¡¯t over! I''ll remember your face!" Jin So-Mi pointed her finger at me before turning sharply to the principal. "This is ridiculous. Just refund the fees to my ount!" With that, Jin So-Mi led her daughter, Jin Gong-Ju, out of the kindergarten. Even as she did, she kept ncing back at me¡ªthe stranger who somehow knew her real name. "Let''s go, Gong-Ju!" "Uh, M-Mom. Are we really leaving like this?" "Hurry up, won''t you!?" Jin Gong-Ju was pulled out of the kindergarten by her mother. I was d that I hade to pick Miso up. I shuddered to think how much Miso might have suffered if I hadn¡¯te today. Although Jin So-Mi remained a concern, at least the immediate conflict was over for now. Once Jin So-Mi and Jin Gong-Ju left the kindergarten, I put Miso down. Then, I called the children who had been standing behind Jin Gong-Ju over. "You two kids." The children looked slightly scared. "Ah, s-sir, we''re sorry." ¡®Sigh. Fine. After all, what do they know at their age? They must have been influenced by a bully like Jin Gong-Ju.¡¯ "It¡¯s all right. Miso''s auntie is a very kind person, so don''t believe what Gong-Ju''s mother said. Understand?" When I spoke gently, the principal and children sighed in relief. "Okay!" The two children, Yeon-Woo and Ji-Eun, cautiously approached Miso and extended their hands in apology. "M-Miso, I¡¯m sorry." "I''m sorry, too, for only taking Gong-Ju''s side." Children were bound to quickly make up no matter how much they fought. Miso, with her hands on her waist, issued a warning. "Fine. But if you talk bad about my auntie again, I''ll really get mad!" "Okay! We won''t do it again." The girls made a pinky promise, stamped it with an imaginary seal with their thumbs, and then quickly hugged and made up with Miso. Seeing the children make up in peace, the principal''s face brightened. "I''m sorry for causing amotion," I apologized. "No, it''s okay. It turned out rather well. Gong-Ju was often troubling the other kids, so it''s probably for the best that she left. And I''m the one who should apologize. It''s my fault for not educating the children properly." The principal kept apologizing to me and expressed relief that Jin Gong-Ju had left. "Oh my. Those kids..." Following the principal''s gaze, I saw that Miso was already ying and holding hands with the two girls from before. ''She''s too kind. I don¡¯t know if that¡¯s a good thing or not...'' Just then, Yoo-Jin''s call came through. [Caller: Lovely Yoo-Jin] ¡®Yikes. My bad.¡¯ Recalling that I had told Yoo-Jin that I would take Miso home quickly, I scooped Miso up in my arms and hurried to the car. Once in the car, I immediately started the engine and answered Yoo-Jin''s call. "Hey. I''m on my way. There''s a lot of traffic." -Oh, is that so? I''m sorry, oppa. Take your time. "Okay." The moment I hung up the phone, I felt like I could finally breathe. "Huff." Chapter 58: Don’t Cry, Miso (2)

Chapter 58: Don¡¯t Cry, Miso (2)

Ju Kang-Yong began writing articles just a week ago. However, through strategic promotional efforts using the extra budget that he had secured, his article has sessfully secured a position in the top 30 now. [Rookie Actress J''s Private Life] -A witness appears in the school violence case involving Miss J. -Miss J''s full-body stic surgery rumors. -Miss J''s niece is actually her daughter born during her high school days? ... (epting tips. By Entertainment Big News Ju Kang-Yong) Ju Kang-Yong had published sensational lies and blurred Yoo-Jin''s photo in a weak attempt to mask her identity, but it was clear to everyone who he was targeting. [NAVE Live Search Rankings] 2. Jung Yoo-Jin bully 3. Jung Yoo-Jin, school violence perpetrator 4. Jung Yoo-Jin''s daughter 5. Full-body stic surgery ... (Comments) -Wow, this is shocking. Was Jung Yoo-Jin really a bully? -A 24-year-old with a 7-year-old daughter? Wow, scandalous. They were right when they said pretty-faced celebrities are always two-faced. -And she''s still in the entertainment industry? I was going to watch Blue Sky, but not anymore. -What''s this about full-body stic surgery? -Wow, this is insane. LOL. Have you guys seen Jung Yoo-Jin''s pre-surgery photos? Unbelievable. (Link) In the meantime, Hoop Entertainment was countering Ju Kang-Yong¡¯s articles with their own articles. [Hoop Entertainment, ¡°January 27th, SBC Human Stories Broadcast ¨C Everything about Jung Yoo-Jin revealed!¡±] (Comments) -People actually believe that Jung Yoo-Jin was a bully? That¡¯s ridiculous. -People who leave hatements are not afraid of karma, are they? Such reckless lives. -No one believes Ju Kang-Yong''s trash articles, right? -If you had ever met Jung Yoo-Jin during her part-time days, you¡¯d know this article is a lie. -Jung Yoo-Jin was famous for being super nice during her high school days. The battle between Jung Yoo-Jin''s fans and her haters was getting more heated day by day. And now, I was in a meeting where arge LCD disyed the hatements, articles, and social media reactions to Ju Kang-Yong''s article. Gu Seong-Cheol¡¯s face turned red in anger as he raised his voice. "...Kids these days are just fearless, aren''t they? Don¡¯t you think so, Team Lead Oh?" Nheless, he managed to refrain from using curse words since the SBC Human Stories filming team was shooting in the meeting room In response, Oh Deok-Gu gave a textbook answer. "Y-yes, I agree, M-Mr. Gu. But, I think... we should still go easy on the g-good people. I-it¡¯s the reporters, w-who are bad, not them.¡± "Cut!" Human Stories'' PD, Na Hun-Seok, shook his head with a disappointed expression. "Mr. Oh, can''t you make it sound more natural?" "Sigh. I guess not. I''m no celebrity." Then, Na Hun-Seok shook his head again and turned toward me. ¡°Mr. Jung." "Yes?" "It seems like we should only film you and Mr. Gu." Gu Seong-Cheol nodded in agreement. "Yes, Star Jung. You''ve been on TV once¡ªno, twice ¡ªincludingst time. How about you handle this? Deok-Gu just won''t do." Agreeing with Gu Seong-Cheol, Oh Deok-Gu also pushed the TV appearance onto me. "Yes sir. Understood." Na Hun-Seok snapped his fingers, giving the cue. "Here we go~ Ready~ Action!" The filming started again. Responding to Gu Seong-Cheol''s criticism of Ju Kang-Yong''s article andments, I gave a calm response. "It seems there''s a misunderstanding because of Reporter Ju Kang-Yong''s article. The general fans are not at fault, so let''s refrain from suing them. And it might be better to respond with defamation charges limited to the person who posted the article." Gu Seong-Cheol nodded solemnly. "Do you think that will do?" "For now, yes. And Yoo-Jin is a rookie. Let¡¯s just think of this as publicity for her." Gu Seong-Cheol''s tone became deeper. "Hmm, I suppose that could be the case." For a while, we performed a scripted show of criticizing trash reporters, saying ''Fans did nothing wrong,'' and ''But if maliciousments continue, we won¡¯t let them off easily!'' However, I also took the opportunity to rify that there was one thing I would never forgive. "No matter what... those human trash who dragged a 7-year-old child into this should receive no mercy. We should sue them without any grounds for negotiation." Suddenly, Gu Seong-Cheol responded in a way that reflected his honest thoughts and feelings. "Seriously, those who insult a child don''t even deserve awsuit. I should just take care of them myself..." Snap! Gu Seong-Cheol broke a pen in half with one hand in anger, At that moment Na Hun-Seok eximed, "Cut! That''s a wrap." "Well done, everyone." After the filming ended, Na Hun-Seok approached me. "Wow! You seem young, Mr. Jung, but you are quite eloquent." "Not at all. I think I got a little too heated, but did the shot turn out well?" Na Hun-Seok gave a thumbs up, saying that my angry demeanor and affection for Yoo-Jin were well captured. Then, a call came through on my phone. [Caller: Miso Angel?] When I answered the call, Miso was crying. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, something terrible has happened. Mom... Mom is... sob sob." *** "Ugh! These people are really pushing it to the end, aren''t they?" Ju Kang-Yong fumed and stomped out the remains of his cigarette. He had expected Hoop Entertainment to have called him to negotiate by now. Yet, even though two weeks had passed into his n and Blue Sky was approaching its broadcast date, there had been no contact whatsoever. Then, Go Dong-Min, who was smoking next to Ju Kang-Yong, made a suggestion. "Hey, instead of waiting, why not just contact Hoop Entertainment yourself?" Ju Kang-Yong scowled. "How can I contact them first? I have my pride as a reporter!" "Pride? What pride? If you don''t get paid, it''s all for nothing. Are you really going to push this to the end?" "Yes. Now that it''se to this, I''ll show them what happens if they don''t negotiate with me. It''s not just about the money, but also about showing them they can''t trample over me. I¡¯ll teach them a lesson." "Yes, but...isn''t it kinda strange? Hoop Entertainment seems too confident." Go Dong-Min felt uneasy about this situation. Normally, by now, the publicity or legal team from thepany in question would have contacted them to either offer money to take down the article or threaten awsuit. However, Hoop Entertainment had made no such contact. "Anyway, I can''t back down from this fight." "Sigh. Do what you want. Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you." As Go Dong-Min left, Ju Kang-Yong lit another cigarette alone. At that moment, a novel-like article title suddenly popped into his head. "Fuck it. Let''s see who wins this battle, Jung Yoo-Jin." After smoking half of his cigarette, Ju Kang-Yong hurried back to his desk and began writing another tabloid article. *** When I rushed to Yoo-Jin¡¯s house after receiving Miso¡¯s call, I found Yoo-Jin lying down with her face pale as she struggled to sit up. "Oppa. You''re here." "Are you okay?" "Yes. I''m fine. Sorry to worry you over something trivial." Contrary to her words, herplexion didn''t look okay at all. Miso was sitting by Yoo-Jin''s side and looking around anxiously with her eyes brimming with tears. "Mom, are you okay?" "Yes, I''m fine." "Are you really, really okay?" "Of course~." Ever since Ju Kang-Yong targeted Yoo-Jin, I had been checking on her every morning. Today was no different¡ªbut around lunchtime, she suddenly felt sick and vomited everything she had eaten which scared Miso into calling me. But a simple stomach upset wouldn''t turn someone''s face so pale. ''Did she perhaps read the new article published by Ju Kang-Yong?'' I cautiously asked Yoo-Jin if she had seen the day''s article. "Yoo-Jin, did you read the article today?" Yoo-Jin lowered her head with a bitter expression. For a moment, I couldn''t help but let out a sigh mixed with frustration. "...I told you not to read those articles. Give me your phone. I''ll keep it for a while." "Okay..." Yoo-Jin weakly handed over her phone. But at that moment, I realized the real reason why Yoo-Jin, who had been avoiding reading articles, as advised by me, decided to read them today. [Aunt: How do you manage to get yourself involved in such articles? A young woman should behave properly.] [Uncle: My friend sent me the article. Did you actually behave like this during high school? Your deceased father would have been devastated if he saw this!] [Aunt: I''m saying this because I''m worried. You said it¡¯s difficult to survive in the entertainment industry with Miso, right? It''s not toote even now...] Ping! Ping! Yoo-Jin¡¯s phone was constantly ringing with KkTalk messages from Yoo-Jin''s rtives who had supposedly cut ties with her. ''Could it be because of these messages that she looked at the article?'' I felt a surge of anger welling up within me. The messages from her rtives even included links to the article. They were pretending to be worried for Yoo-Jin while ming her for being foolish. I decided that once this was over, I''d handle all of it myself. I resolved to tell them never to contact Yoo-Jin again. They had already decided to be strangers, so they shouldn''t torment her anymore. Yoo-Jin sat on the sofa and looked up at me as she muttered weakly, ¡°Oppa, I am really okay.¡± ¡®Okay? Who is she trying to fool? She is not okay at all.¡¯ Yoo-Jin¡¯s face was bing paler with time. ''I might need to take her to the hospital.'' That''s when I heard the sound of a camera from behind¡ªthe Human Stories team had followed me and was filming the scene. ''When did they start filming?'' I stood up and blocked the camera. "Mr. Na, could we please refrain from filming these kinds of situations...?" I didn''t want to show Yoo-Jin''s frail state. However, Na Hun-Seok briefly lowered the camera and asked for trust. "Mr. Jung I¡¯m sorry, but we need to film this. Just trust me this once." "Trust you?" Na Hun-Seok''s face was very serious as he exined how he wanted to show the pain the celebrities go through caused by malicious articles and hatefulments. "People don''t understand. They don''t realize the impact theirments have on those who read them. Filming Miss Yoo-Jin''s current condition makes me feel uneasy as well. But I want the viewers to feel the same feeling I have right now watching Miss Yoo-Jin!" Having followed Yoo-Jin, Na Hun-Seok had grown deeply empathetic. His hands were even trembling with indignation. At that moment, Yoo-Jin grabbed the hem of my clothes. "It''s okay, oppa. We were prepared for this from the start, weren¡¯t we?" "But Yoo-Jin..." Her words made me take a deep breath andpose myself. In my past life, I would have resorted to underhanded means and maniption to promote a celebrity. But now that I have a second chance at life, I resolved to live differently, drawing clear boundaries concerning what I would allow and what I wouldn¡¯t. ''Let¡¯s be flexible.'' I had to be flexible to fight people like Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Kang-Yong. I wouldn''t initiate any wrongdoing, but I wouldn''t just do nothing and remain a victim either. If Na Hun-Seok''s words were true, broadcasting Yoo-Jin''s struggle would have a significant impact. Erasing the line I had drawn in my mind, I stepped aside and signaled Na Hun-Seok to continue filming. ''Keep filming.'' Then, Iposed myself and stepped into the camera angle of Human Stories. "Why do you bother looking at those articles when I told you not to?" As I sat down in front of Yoo-Jin and grumbled, my tone naturally carried my true emotions. Yoo-Jin responded with an apologetic look. "I didn''t mean to, but I ended up seeing them while checking messages from rtives." ¡®Rtives? More like digital citizen trolls.¡¯ From the moment they suggested sending Miso to an orphanage, they were nothing less than sworn enemies of mine. Yoo-Jin took a nce at me and cautiously opened her mouth to speak. "But, oppa." "Yes? What is it?" "Did I really do something wrong? Was adopting Miso to prevent her from being alone really something to be condemned for...?" Yoo-Jin¡¯s every word defending Miso pierced my heart. "No, not at all!" Yoo-Jin''s expression faintly brightened. "Then did I do the right thing?" Yoo-Jin''s question was answered first by Miso, not me. Miso tightly held Yoo-Jin''s hand and nodded vigorously. "Yes! Mom, you did the right thing! I''m so happy because of you, Mom!" Miso''s support brought tears to Yoo-Jin''s eyes. "Yes. Miso is my daughter. I''m Miso''s mom." Yoo-Jin caressed Miso''s cheek. Miso, with her eyes smiling like crescent-moon, kept calling Yoo-Jin ''Mom.'' "Yes, Mom! I''m your daughter." Then, Yoo-Jin turned to me. "Oppa, I''m okay now. Please help me get up. I need to go to the script reading." Even in this situation, Yoo-Jin didn''t forget her professionalmitments. "Okay. But let''s stop by the hospital first to get an IV drip." I ignored Yoo-Jin''s im of being okay and immediately called 119. "Hello. We''re in Cheonho-dong right now, and...huh? Gas? No. A traffic ident? ...No, really! There''s someone who is really sick here!" ¡®Ah, this is a blooper.¡¯ The 119 operator recognized me immediately and started asking what the issue was this time. Chapter 59: One Day (1)

Chapter 59: One Day (1)

In the SBC president¡¯s office, executives at the director level were gathered to discuss how to handle tabloid articles about Jung Yoo-Jin. "How are we nning to handle this issue?" When Kim Gab-Soo, the president of SBC, asked with a stern expression, Drama Director Lee Ki-Do nced around cautiously before responding. "We''re considering recing her role. There''s no need to work with an actress caught up in a controversy, right?" As Lee Ki-Do spoke cautiously, looking for Kim Gab-Soo¡¯s approval, Jung Sam-Ryong stood up abruptly. "Mr. Lee! How could you say this all of a sudden without consulting me first?" "Hey! How dare you raise your voice in front of Mr. Kim?" But the undeterred Jung Sam-Ryong continued. "We''ve already discussed and settled this matter in advance, didn¡¯t we? They¡¯ve been handling the situation well. We can¡¯t just do this." But Lee Ki-Do shook his head. "Mr. Jung. I understand where you areing from, but this has grown into a bigger problem than expected. Haven''t you seen the reactions on social media? There''s an uproar over why we''re using such a controversial actress." Then, the Director of the Culture Division, Woo Ji-Han, stepped in. "Mr. Lee, why don¡¯t we wait a bit and watch the situation? The Human Stories episode is going to be broadcast soon. We did agree to wait until then, right?" As others started to object, Lee Ki-Do frowned. "Mr. Woo, don''t you know we need to start the crank in for Blue Sky right away?" "What''s the problem in dying it for a day or two? And don¡¯t you think public opinion will change after our documentary airs?" "Do you really think public opinion will change easily just like that? Do you think those who posted the maliciousments will suddenly start posting supportive ones!?" Despite Woo Ji-Han''s persuasion, Lee Ki-Do was adamant about his stance. The debate continued for a while without reaching a conclusion. Finally, Kim Gab-Soo intervened to end the argument. "What did the writer say?" "She insists on using Jung Yoo-Jin. She says there''s no time to cast a new actress." "And the reaction of the other actors?" "Ms. Lee Sa-Rang strongly supports Ms. Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s decision. She even threatened to boycott the shoot if we showed ack of confidence in our cast in the face of such a minor controversy." "Really? Lee Sa-Rang said that?" Lee Sa-Rang, a renowned actress with a career spanning over four decades since the age of five, was ying the mother of Twilight in Blue Sky. Her firm stance made Kim Gab-Soo fall into deep contemtion. Although not all actors might agree with her, they couldn''t ignore the words of such a sunbae with many years of experience. The pushback from the writer and actors was significant. Even with viewers calling for a boycott, SBC couldn''t make a hasty decision ignoring the sentiments on set. On top of that, Jung Yoo-Jin¡¯s fans were calling for people to show their support by contributing to the viewership ratings. After weighing the pros and cons cautiously, Kim Gab-Soo came to a decision. "Director Lee, let''s dy the crank-in for just a week for now. We made a promise, so we should keep that promise." "But Mr. Kim!" Lee Ki-Do protested, but Kim Gab-Soo responded with a frown. "If you''re so frustrated, go talk to Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon yourself!" "I¡¯m sorry? Why Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon and not Ms. Kim Soll-Ip...?" "Lee Ji-Yeon goes around saying Kim Soll-Ip is her baby. So what do you think will happen? Will she listen to her baby or us? I don''t want to be on bad terms with Ms. Lee, so if you insist on your way, then go exin the situation to her yourself!" Lee Ki-Do was taken aback by Kim Gab-Soo¡¯s harsh tone. Being on Lee Ji-Yeon''s bad side could jeopardize Kim Gab-Soo¡¯s position and future projects. After all, the broadcasting station¡¯s earnings depended heavily on star writers like Lee Ji-Yeon. "And let''s reassess the situation after the broadcast of The Human Stories. And Director Lee, you persuade the actors yourself. Act like a director in times like these, okay?" "M-Mr. Kim." "That''s enough. There¡¯s no need for further discussion. Everyone, you may leave." With Kim Gab-Soo''s dismissal, the meeting concluded. *** Yoo-Jin finished her appointment at the hospital and wanted to return to the script reading session. However, she was unable to do so as the doctor had advised against it. Having sought the hospital¡¯s permission, Na Hun-Seok captured all these moments on video with the intention of including them in the uing broadcast. Then, a few days passed. [Rookie Actress J''s Secret Life] -Miss J''s hidden child revealed, this time a son. -The child''s father has been identified! A member of a local gang... Ju Kang-Yong''s articles were bing more outrageous. However, the increased intensity of these tabloid articles indicated his desperation. Finally, January 27th arrived¡ªthe day when the first part of The Human Stories was to be broadcast. Gu Seong-Cheol and I headed to Kang Gam-Chan''s office upon his call. Knock, knock. "Come on in." As we entered, I could see Kang Gam-Chan, Jung Soo-Hyuk, Kang Ji-Yung, and the head of the legal division, Kwak Moo-Hyuk, seated with serious expressions. Kang Gam-Chan pointed to a chair for us to sit on. As soon as we took a seat, he immediately inquired about Yoo-Jin''s well-being. "Is Yoo-Jin doing alright?" "Yes, sir. Apart from the minor incident that day, there have been no major issues." "You''ve done a great job. It''s not easy to keep someone''s mental state in check..." Kang Gam-Chan appeared fatigued, probably due to his concerns about the situation. "Today''s the broadcast day for the documentary, right?" "It is." "Let''s hope it goes well." Kang Gam-Chan then turned to Kang Ji-Yung. "And Director Kang, what about the information Reporter Choi So-Hye prepared?" "The list and evidence rted to the first group of victims have already been handed over to the legal division. And today, we''ll provide them with the second group of victims'' details. It took some time to persuade them." Kang Gam-Chan''s eyes sparkled. "If we''ve drawn the sword, we must cut decisively. Make sure those scoundrels can never pester our celebrities again." If it weren''t for Reporter Choi So-Hye, we would have only seeded in imposing a fine on Ju Kang Yong''s newspaperpany. After all, the articles were initially published anonymously with blurred photos. However, with the list of victims and testimonies Choi So-Hye had prepared, we had sufficient evidence for awsuit against Ju Kang-Yong. "Well, then. Shall we start?" With Kang Gam-Chan''s words, the n was underway. *** Thendy brought seafood pajeon[1] and dongdongju[2] to Yoo-Jin''s house. Therge wooden basket overflowed with steaming hot squid-filled pajeons. "Miso! Yoo-Jin! Come and take a seat!" Yoo-Jin and Miso rushed over with their mouths watering. Having been off the phone and inte for a few days, Yoo-Jin''s condition had improved. Thendy''s seafood pajeon received enthusiastic thumbs-ups from both Miso and Yoo-Jin. "Wow!" "I even brought a bottle of soda for you, Miso." "Grandma, you''re the best!" Thendy beamed with pride. "Alright. Let''s have a drink while watching TV." "Sure, ma''am!" They filled their sses and turned their attention to the TV. "It''s starting." [SBC The Human Stories ¨C ¡®A Day in the Life of a Newbie Actress (Part 1: Under the Sky Without a Mother)¡¯] The screen was a blurry ck and white like an old movie projector. The childhood photos provided by Yoo-Jin appeared on the screen one by one. The photos showed an ordinary single-family house with traditional Korean decorations on one side andundry hung on a line across the yard. In the photo, a man in his mid-30s was sitting on the floor repairing a child''s bicycle while a woman in her early 30s was smiling brightly as she shook out the wetundry. After about ten seconds, the TV screen switched to a photo of a little girl hugging her mother who was doing theundry. The little girl was the young Yoo-Jin. Though everything on the screen was ck and white, only one person in the picture, the young Yoo-Jin hugged by her mother, was colored. "Mom... Dad..." Yoo-Jin''s voice started to intertwine with sobs as she looked at the photo. The dongdongju and pajeon she had been holding in her hands were long forgotten. Yoo-Jin''s eyes couldn''t leave the image of her parents on the TV. Miso quickly ran to the dresser and brought back a box of tissues. She carefully pulled out two sheets and handed them over to Yoo-Jin. "Mom, here." "Thank you, Miso." Yoo-Jin wiped her tears with the tissues Miso handed her and hugged Miso, before refocusing on the TV. The screen slowly depicted Yoo-Jin''s childhood, resembling the turning of pages in a picture book. Each ck and white photo showed how loved and happy young Yoo-Jin was. She was always smiling¡ªat her mother, at a puppy, and even at a frog. A girl who was always smiling: that was young Yoo-Jin. Then, Yoo-Jin''s older sister soon appeared. In every photo, Jung Yoo-Mi was holding Yoo-Jin''s hand tightly as if she were worried Yoo-Jin might get hurt or lost. Jung Yoo-Mi¡¯s gaze was always on her younger sister, even though she looked only seven or eight years old. It was evident how much Yoo-Jin¡¯s sister adored Yoo-Jin. "I must have been such a nuisance to her..." Yoo-Jin muttered to herself. The photos swiftly passed by following the timeline and showed the siblings growing older. Even as Yoo-Jin reached the age to wear a school uniform, the two sisters continued to hold hands and shared smiles. Time passed, and the photos of Yoo-Mi at a maternity hospital while holding Miso wrapped in a nket, were shown on the TV. Yoo-Mi looked disheveled as she was taking a rest in bed shortly after giving birth. But at that moment, something changed in the photo. While the background remained ck and white, another person became colored¡ªit was Miso wrapped in the nket. "It''s Miso!" Yoo-Jin pointed at the screen excitedly. Miso tilted her head curiously with an excited expression. "That''s me?" "Yes. That¡¯s how small you were when you were born, Miso..." In the photo, the whole family was smiling warmly at baby Miso wrapped in her nket. Then suddenly, without realizing it, Miso muttered to herself, ¡°Dad, Mom...¡± Looking at the face of her mom, whom she barely remembered now, Miso began to sob. Yoo-Jin quickly embraced her tofort her. "It''s okay, Miso. It''s okay. Mom is here." "Yes...I¡¯m okay, Mom." At that moment, the background music began to y. ¡ºWhen mom goes to pick oysters under the ind''s shade~¡» The song ¡®Baby of the Ind Home¡¯ filled the room from the speakers with no narrations or subtitles. The quiet and slow melody with heartbreaking lyrics touched everyone''s hearts. I felt overwhelmed for some reason and let out a tear without realizing it. I somehow felt an inexplicable longing for a mother I''d never seen. As the song neared its end, the screen slowly transitioned into full color. It was the funeral hall of Yoo-Jin''s parents and her sister''s family. The Human Stories was now indicating that Yoo-Jin and Miso''s lives had begun together from this point. Time flew by again, and Yoo-Jin''s school appeared on the screen. Suddenly, the students at the school''s main gate in the photo started to move. The screen, which had been showing only the photos so far, had now transitioned to videos. The TV showed a brief glimpse of students heading to school, followed by a scene in the staff room. A pleasant-looking woman in her mid-50s with streaks of white in her short hair was smiling broadly. "Huh? Mrs. Choi Eun-Hye?" Yoo-Jin''s high school homeroom teacher in grade 12, Choi Eun-Hye, started talking about Yoo-Jin to the camera. -Yoo-Jin? Haha! I can''t believe she became an actress. She was always busy looking into bing a civil servant. Anyway, everything that guy Ju Kang-Yong wrote is all lies. Everyone in this school knows how kind and caring Yoo-Jin was. Here, take a look at her school record. Choi Eun-Hye showed the school records and gave an insight into Yoo-Jin as a person. Next, Yoo-Jin''s friends appeared on the screen. -Yoo-Jin, are you watching this right now? Thanks to you, I''ve be a teacher at a special needs school. You helped me a lot by pushing my wheelchair all the time. Thank you. -A bully? Pfft. She used to cry at the sound of thunder. -She couldn''t even go to the bathroom alone during night self-study. How could she be a bully? Yoo-Jin, have you been hiding your true power all along? -Anyway, Yoo-Jin, I''m d I can see you on TV now! I''ll definitely watch the broadcast! -Yoo-Jin adored Miso like her own daughter. That''s why Yoo-Mi unnie always urged her to marry quickly and have her own child. But Yoo-Jin, do you even have a boyfriend now? Yoo-Jin''s face turned red at her friends'' teasing remarks. "Ah, what are they even talking about..." While there were pleasant stories, her high school friends also shared candid tales. Yoo-Jin''s life and rtionships were revealed through the footage. Moreover, the owner of the snack bar in front of the girls'' high school, theic book store, and even the convenience store owner confirmed that Yoo-Jin was a kind and caring student. Then, the screen changed again. ''When was this?'' The date was unknown, but Yoo-Jin was sitting on the couch and practicing her script. She waspletely immersed in the script with her hair tied back. Behind her, Miso was lying on the floor and diligently doing her homework as she bounced her feet in the air. For a long while, Yoo-Jin uttered her lines softly while Miso concentrated on her drawing. Seemingly bored of waiting, Na Hoon-Seok spoke up first in the video. ¡ºExcuse me, Yoo-Jin. We are here, you know?¡» ¡ºOh! It''s Mr. Na!¡» Both Yoo-Jin and Miso turned their heads with bright smiles on their faces, naturally bringing smiles to the viewers'' faces. And at that moment, the narration began for the first time. Unexpectedly, it was the voice of someonepletely unexpected. 1. Korean pancakes ? 2. Traditional Korean liquor ? Chapter 60: One Day (2)

Chapter 60: One Day (2)

¡ºYoo-Jin and Miso, both having lost their parents, have now be a family.¡» ¡ºThe girl who became a mother at the age of 19, Yoo-Jin, is still diligently reading her scriptbook for Miso''s sake.¡» ¡ºHer decision to challenge ''acting,'' something she had never done in her life, was solely for her daughter, Miso.¡» ¡ºIn return, her daughter gives her the support she needs. Despite wanting to y and be carefree, she patiently waits and supports Yoo-Jin.¡» The narration for The Human Stories was usually done by a veteran actor named Choi Seung-Rak. But in this episode, it was the voice of Lee Sa-Rang, who yed the role of Yoo-Jin''s mother in Blue Sky. "Is this... Lee Sa-Rang sunbae-nim''s voice?" "It seems so." Yoo-Jin also looked surprised. Lee Sa-Rang had always adored Yoo-Jin like her own daughter during script readings. But I never dreamt she''d participate in the narration for The Human Stories for Yoo-Jin. ¡®Such a top-notch actress must be busy yet she made time to help Yoo-Jin. I should personally reach out and thank her.¡¯ Then, the scene changed again. This time, it showed Gu Seong-Cheol and mementing over thements on social media and articles. ¡ºWhy do they write such hatefulments...¡» Our concerned expressions in the video were followed by Lee Sa-Rang''s trembling narration about how Yoo-Jin was suffering due to fabricated articles written by Reporter Ju Kang-Yong. She narrated how Yoo-Jin tried to ovee her painful past but was frustrated by the lies surrounding her. The scene shifted again. The scene now was the day Yoo-Jin had acute gastritis. She sat on the sofa looking frail and sad with Miso in her arms. Yoo-Jin was weakly slumped onto the couch and Miso was hugging her mother with tears welled up in her eyes. ¡º...So let''s go to the hospital now, Yoo-Jin.¡» ¡ºOkay, I understand. Oh, oppa, I have to go to the script readingter..¡» ¡ºWhat are you talking about when you can''t even stand up!¡» ¡ºBut I can''t break a promise. I''ll go to the hospital and then head straight there.¡» As I helped Yoo-Jin stand up, Miso was on the other side, struggling to support her mother. Lee Sa-Rang''s narration continued in the background. ¡ºWhy does this young girl, who is trying to rise from her painful past, have to hear such cruel words?¡» ¡ºI don''t understand what these two, a mother and daughter left alone in the world, have done wrong.¡» ¡ºAnother day in the lives of this mother and daughter passes by.¡» Lee Sa-Rang''s voice faded, leaving a lingering impression. The final part of the video showed Yoo-Jin being taken away by the ambnce, concluding the first part of The Human Stories. At the same time, ¡®Ind Baby¡¯ started ying again in the background. ¡ºWhen mother goes to the ind''s shadow~ to pick oysters~¡» I thought viewers of the documentary might easily misinterpret Yoo-Jin''s situation, thinking that she was grappling with a life-and-death struggle because of the negativements. The editing surpassed my expectations, delivering a much more intense and impactful result than I had expected. Just as Na Hoon-Seok confidently said in the beginning, he had indeed produced an extraordinary result. As the broadcast ended, Yoo-Jin hugged Miso tightly. Even though it was their own life story, they looked as if they had watched a deeply sad drama with swollen eyes. At that moment, my phone started ringing. [Caller: Chief Gu Seong-Cheol] I wiped away the tears that had trickled down my cheeks without realizing it and answered the phone. -Hey, you... you... "Huh? Mr. Gu, what''s wrong?" -It''s just that... "Are you crying right now, Mr. Gu?" -No, no, it''s not that. I meant to say... Kid, you did a great job! Gu Seong-Cheol was crying. Overwhelmed with emotions, he momentarily forgot what he wanted to say but eventually asked me to express his gratitude to Yoo-Jin for persevering. He mentioned that his wife and daughters were also in tears and wanted to convey their support to Yoo-Jin as well. He even said that his wife scolded him, questioning what thepany had done while Yoo-Jin was suffering on her own so much. And from that moment on, my phone started ringing non-stop. Calls from Kim Soll-Ip, Lee Ji-Yeon, Jung Sam-Ryong, and staff from Hoop Entertainment all came in, each conveying their support for Yoo-Jin. It seemed like I spent a good ten minutes talking to each of them. After hearing from Kang Ji-Yung, I checked the portal. The live search rankings andments were filled with apologies from people who had been deceived by Ju Kang-Yong''s articles. [Nave Live Search Rankings] 1st Sorry, Yoo-Jin 2nd Jung Yoo-Jin, tabloid articles 3rd The Human Stories (Live Comments) -Unnie, I''m sorry. I didn''t know about your situation and felt betrayed, so Ished out without realizing it. Really, I''m sorry. -Wow, really. They weren¡¯t kidding when they called reporters reportrash. I can¡¯t believe everything he published was a lie. -Haters are still delusional and believe in their ridiculous fantasies. They are just insane. -Innocent people got implicated because of a crazy reportrash like him. I feel so bad for Yoo-Jin. -People who cursed her, how about we bang our heads hard right now? -I knew her when she worked at a burger ce in Cheonho-dong. Even then, she was known for her kindness. No matter how much I tried to tell the truth, people cursed at me and called me apany spy. Just for your information, I took screen captures of all thements. Prepare to be sued. -What about those who insulted her? I heard thepany''s suing. -Haha, karma is indeed real. Get ready forwsuits. -I''m sorry. But at least I never cursed at her niece¡ªI mean, daughter. Please give me a chance. -I want to chop off my fingers. Really. People who had thoughtlessly maligned Yoo-Jin were quickly turning around. Perhaps because of this, the top trending search term on the portal had be ''Sorry, Yoo-Jin.'' On the other hand, those who had believed in Yoo-Jin from the beginning were bing passionate fans. I hadn''t expected such an explosive response, maybe because of something Kim Dong-Soo had said to me in my past life which was still lingering at the back of my mind. -People are so dumb that they''ll believe anything we show them. They''re no different from dogs and pigs. So forget about the truth because it doesn¡¯t even matter. Trust me. But Kim Dong-Soo was wrong. Simply by portraying Yoo-Jin''s life authentically, brimming with love and care for those around her, Ju Kang-Yong''s sensational and false articles lost all their power. While the public had been indifferent to the lives of others as they were tired of dealing with their own problems, they nevertheless did not overlook the truth. At that moment, I realized my decision to support Yoo-Jin and some of the members of Faithful in this second life wasn''t a mistake. Then, my phone rang again. It was Na Hoon-Seok, the director of The Human Stories. [Caller: PD Na Hoon-Seok] When I answered the call, I heard Na Hoon-Seok''s cheerful voice over the line. -Mr. Jung! Have you seen the viewership ratings? "The ratings?" -Oh right, it''s not up on the portals yet. But from the broadcasting station''s preliminary checks, we hit 15% in live viewership ratings! We''ll have to verify tomorrow to make sure, but it''s record-breaking! I told you it would work, didn¡¯t I? Hahaha! ¡®What? 15%? Is that even possible for a documentary program?¡¯ Such a rating for a show that isn''t even a drama seemed unbelievable. "R-really?" -Yeah, it seems there''s a bacsh against the articles written by that bastard Ju Kang-Yong. I had my doubts at first, but Mr. Jung, you were right. Hahaha. Na Hoon-Seok chattered away excitedly. My ears were hurting, but I decided to be generous today. Thanks to Na Hoon-Seok¡¯s effort in producing this wonderful piece of work, everything we had nned to do next would be much easier. "Thank you. It''s all thanks to you, Mr. Na." -No way, it''s not me. It''s all thanks to Miss Yoo-Jin having lived her life with love and care for others. When you think about it, Miss Yoo-Jin is certainly different from other celebrities. Who else would take on the responsibility of adopting and raising their sibling¡¯s child in such times? Especially at such a young age. Having filmed numerous celebrities and people, Na Hoon-Seok confessed that it was his first time being so immersed in a subject. When Na Hoon-Seok expressed the difficulty of articting his emotions but simply described it as a great experience, I found myself nodding in agreement. Watching Yoo-Jin live her life was often a heartwarming experience for me as well. As I listened to Na Hoon-Seok, I realized it was time to get moving. "Mr. Na. I¡¯m sorry to ask, but can we start filming the second part of The Human Stories the day after tomorrow?" -Hmm. Two days dy, huh? That''s a bit tight, but why? Is something going on? "Yes, I have something I need to take care of right now. Could you... help us out?" After listening to my story for a while, Na Hoon-Seok agreed. -Alright, let''s do that. Then let''s meet at SBC as soon as it''s done. "Okay, I''ll contact you again." After hanging up the phone, I nudged Yoo-Jin who was still lost in thought. "Yoo-Jin." "Yes?" "Pack your things." Yoo-Jin looked puzzled. "Why?" "I''ll exinter. Just pack for two or three days as if we are staying at a hotel. We need to leave quickly." "Okay..." Without further questions, Yoo-Jin headed to her small room to grab her suitcase. "Uncle, Uncle! What about me? What should I do?" Startled by her mom''s sudden activity, Miso looked at me with excited eyes. "Why don''t you pack your picture books and crayons, Miso?" Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Okay! But are we going somewhere fun?" "We are going to a hotel~." "Wow! Really? Isn''t that ce really expensive?" "Not really. And we''ll eat lots of good food there. But we need to leave quickly, Miso. Do you need help packing?" "No, I can pack my bag by myself!" Miso dered she could do it alone and began to carefully put her picture books into her bag with her small hands. In the meantime, I ryed some instructions to thendy who was still wiping her tears. "Ma''am, if reporterse looking for Yoo-Jin, please tell them thepany took her. You can tell them she went on a shoot for about a month." Thendy looked anxious. "Don¡¯t worry, you can trust me. But you''re not nning to move elsewhere permanently, are you?" "Of course not. Where would Yoo-Jin and Miso go without you?" ¡°Thank goodness. I¡¯d be so lonely without Yoo-Jin and Miso.¡± For thendy, who had lost her husband and had her son''s family move away to Suwon, Yoo-Jin and Miso had filled the lonely gap in her life. For Yoo-Jin and Miso, thendy Jung In-Ji had been both a mother and a grandmother. The three of them were no different than a family. Yoo-Jin and Miso assured thendy they wouldn''t leave home. "Don''t worry, we''re not going anywhere!" "Grandma, I''ll just be gone for one night!" "Alright, I¡¯m not worried! I''ll be waiting for you guys." When thendy nodded with tears in her eyes, Yoo-Jin and Miso hugged her tightly, promising to see each other again soon. After packing, we immediately got in the car and left Yoo-Jin''s house. But as we were leaving the neighborhood, reporters who had heard the news were already swarming in. ¡°Mr. Kang, I''m taking Yoo-Jin to the hotel now." -Is that so? Well done. That¡¯s good quick thinking. Take her to the Blitz-Carlson near ourpany if you can. It''s where we amodate our international guests. I''ll send you the contact of Team Lead Park Sang-Jin in the hotel reception team via KkTalk, so do call him. Don''t worry about the cost. "Thank you, sir." -And after you drop off Yoo-Jin,e straight to thepany. We need to wrap this uppletely. "I understand." There was one day left before wemenced our n. Now, it was time to put Ju Kang-Yong in his rightful ce. *** After dropping Yoo-Jin off at the hotel, I returned to thepany. Upon entering the president¡¯s office, I was met with a hug from Kang Gam-Chan. "You''ve done a good job." His strong arms enveloped me, bringing an unexpected warmth to my heart. His praise felt a few times more rewarding than any bonus. "It''s nothing, sir. We just got lucky." He chuckled and patted my shoulder as he released me from his embrace. "Still talking about luck, huh? Hahaha." Then, I noticed that only Gu Seong-Cheol was in the office while Kang Ji-Yung was nowhere to be seen. "How''s Yoo-Jin doing right now?" "As you instructed, she''s in a suite at the Blitz-Carlson. Mr. Park Sang-Jin even assigned her a dedicated concierge." I reported that Yoo-Jin entered the hotel unnoticed by anyone, thanks to the VIP elevator from the underground parking. "You handle things on your own very well, even without my instructions." My experience with top stars in my past life made this task seem trivial. Kang Gam-Chan looked quite pleased with my clean handling of the situation. After expressing my gratitude for thepliment, I asked about Ju Kang-Yong. "That jerk Ju Kang-Yong will soon be in for a shock." Kang Gam-Chan exined that Kang Ji-Yung was currently meeting with Choi So-Hye to coordinate the expos¨¦ on Ju Kang-Yong. Meanwhile, Kwak Moo-Hyuk from the legal division was finalizing the statements from the victims for thewsuit. "Everything should be wrapped up in an hour or two. You can sit back and rx now." Our proactive approach from the start had rendered Ju Kang-Yong''s articles powerless. With the help of Hoop Entertainment, The Human Stories, Yoo-Jin¡¯s fan club, and Choi So-Hye, we were on the verge of victory. Then, Kang Gam-Chan rose from his seat as he buttoned up his coat. "Now, shall we move on to the next task?" "Next task, sir? Is there something more we need to do regarding Ju Kang-Yong''swsuit?" Kang Gam-Chan grinned. "Let''s go to SBC. Follow me." ¡®But it¡¯s already past 10 PM. We¡¯re heading to SBC at this hour? What could be happening there?¡¯ Chapter 61: One Day (3)

Chapter 61: One Day (3)

Watching Jung Yoo-Jin''s episode of The Human Stories on his phone, Ju Kang-Yong burst intoughter. "Seriously, these public broadcasters. What era are they living in to produce such melodramatic shows?" Ju Kang-Yong felt nothing watching The Human Stories broadcast. "These kinds of shows are just tearjerkers for housewives, aren''t they? Getting swayed by this only reveals how shallow and empty-headed the audience can be." Ju Kang-Yong simply dismissed Jung Yoo-Jin''s episode on The Human Stories as just another trivial documentary. "Alright, time to write the next article." He started to write his final article to bring Jung Yoo-Jin down. Tap, tap! The sound of his keyboard clicks filled the air. [Celebrity Miss J¡¯s shameless scam. She is sponsored by the Entertainment broadcastingwork PDs and her past is glorified in return...] [Illegally aborted a child in her third year of high school, another child...] Ju Kang-Yong couldn¡¯t help but smirk at the provocative phrases he wrote. "Wow, even I''m impressed with what I wrote. I feel it. The momentum ising." The sensational titles and absurd content flowed out of his hands effortlessly as if he were on a roll. At that moment, his phone rang. Ring ring ring. "Who''s this?" Thinking it might be a tip-off, Ju Kang-Yong quickly answered the phone. At that moment, a torrent of curses sted through the phone, deafening him. -Hey, you worthless piece of shit. How dare you write such garbage articles... Click. The call ended abruptly, leaving Ju Kang-Yong stunned by the unexpected barrage of insults. He was so surprised that he couldn¡¯t even say a single word back at the opponent. "W-what the... Who the heck was that lunatic?" He btedly checked the caller ID out of anger, but the number was anonymous. However, that was just the beginning. Ring ring ring! "Have they gone mad? Who leaked my number!?" Ju Kang-Yong switched his phone to vibrate-only mode, but the constant buzzing forced him to eventually mute it. Then, like clockwork, all the office phones in the Entertainment Big News started ringing simultaneously. ¡°Huh? What¡¯s going on?¡± "What? Hello? Yes, you are looking for Reporter Ju Kang-Yong?" "Hey! Why are you cursing at me out of the blue?! Who are you?!" "Stop asking me for Ju Kang-Yong! Call that jerk directly!" The reporters who were busy writing articles to the point where they were unable to leave their desks even after work hours fell in total panic when the avnche ofint calls surged in. Everyone¡¯s work came to a standstill with the calls looking for Ju Kang-Yong. Soon, the office echoed with shouts looking for Ju Kang-Yong. "Hey! Reporter Ju! Answer your phone!" "Seriously. Clean up your own mess, you bastard!" His colleagues yelled and gestured angrily at Ju Kang-Yong, who was bewildered by the chaos. ''What''s happening?'' Ju Kang-Yong was unable to grasp the sudden change in situation. He had never faced such bacsh even when breaking a story about an A-list celebrity''s romance. Then, the documentary episode he had watched just a moment ago shed through his mind¡ª¡®Under the Sky Without a Mother.¡¯ "No way. All of this is happening just because of that cheesy melodrama? That can''t be it..." Despite denying the reality, Ju Kang-Yong couldn''t shake off the unease. That was when Go Dong-Min urgently called for him. "Ju Kang-Yong! Get to the president''s office right now." "Why?" "Why? What do you mean why? Obviously, because of Jung Yoo-Jin. The president is furiously looking for you!" "T-the president is?" "Yes. I told you something was off, didn¡¯t I? Hoop Entertainment is going all out to take down our newspaper!" Apparently, Hoop Entertainment was mobilizing one of Korea''s topw firms against Entertainment Big News. "B-but this is absurd... they are going all out just because of that one rookie actress?" Ju Kang-Yong couldn''t believe that a dull documentary had caused such a stir. "I don¡¯t understand. What''s so special about Jung Yoo-Jin? Don''t tell me she has a rtionship with Kang Gam-Chan." When Ju Kang-Yong scoffed and raised his pinky finger, Go Dong-Min grabbed a stack of documents from the table and threw them at him. "You dumbass. Are you still clueless about what''s going on?" Swoosh! Ju Kang-Yong snapped in an irritated voice as the papers scattered everywhere, some hitting his face. "Ugh, I get you¡¯re upset, but why throw documents at me? And it¡¯s not the first time we''re dealing with such a situation. It''ll quiet down soon enough." "Quiet down? You said ''quiet down''? It seems like you still can''t grasp the situation. Take a look at this. What''s this article about you messing with female reporters and actresses?" Go Dong-Min''s piercing gaze made Ju Kang-Yong flinch instinctively. "N-no, that''s all lies!" "You idiot. It had better be just lies. The victims are filing awsuit against you, so you better prepare for an appeal." "What? Awsuit? H-how could that be? Those bitches wouldn¡¯t dare to. I have their secrets..." "Secrets? They exposed it themselves, so how is that a secret?" Go Dong-Min led Ju Kang-Yong to hisputer monitor. "Come here and look at this." Ju Kang-Yong hurried over to Go Dong-Min¡¯s side¡ªand on the screen was a shocking headline. [Hoop Entertainment announces defamationwsuit against Entertainment Big News and reporter Ju Kang-Yong¡ªWar has been dered, and they are willing to spend any amount on legal fees...] [Special Report on Reportrash Part 1: Why the Public Can¡¯t Trust the Media!] -The Past Misdeeds of the Inhuman Reporter Ju Kang-Yong] -Regrly harassed idols of different agencies at Entertainment Big Newspany dinners. [(Exclusive) Group Lawsuit Against Reporter Ju Kang-Yong by Female Victims] -Horrific experiences of former rookie female reporters and powerless rookie actresses. -Human in name only. Reporter J exploiting vulnerabilities for sexual abuse. (Comments) -Wow, Ju Kang-Yong, that scumbag. -Birds of a feather flock together, indeed. -Entertainment Big News is no different. They are all the same kinds of people. -Shouldn''t the entire newspaperpany be audited at this point? What''s the police doing? -They must have been in on it or went to dinners together. -People like these are why the term ''Reportrash'' exists. -President Choi Kang-Cheol of Entertainment Big News was a gangster? Well, everything makes sense now. Ju Kang-Yong¡¯s eyes trembled upon reading the articles andments. "M-Mr. Go. Entertainment Big News has to stop this!" When Ju Kang-Yong¡ªwho had always acted arrogant¡ªpleaded and finally showed his vulnerability, Go Dong-Min scoffed. "Why should thepany cover for your mess? And with the president''s name dragged into it, there¡¯s no way this can be covered no matter what we do. Just deal with it on your own. Go beg, kneel, and bow your head¡ªdo whatever you have to." "...T-this can¡¯t be happening.¡± "This is what happens when you cross the line. Now, don¡¯t you have to go to the president¡¯s office? He said he''d cement your head if you''rete.¡± The mere mention of Choi Kang-Cheol, the president of Entertainment Big News, turned Ju Kang-Yong¡¯s face pale. He was known to have a gangster background, which was not umon in the entertainment business. Ju Kang-Yong made his way to the elevator with trembling legs. After all, he was on the verge of having to face the wrath of fists before facing thew. *** On the way to SBC, Kang Gam-Chan was constantly on the phone with the legal team. "Settlement? I already told you there won''t be such a thing. They''re offering arge amount? Ha! They think we''re doing all this for money?" Despite a significant financial offer from Entertainment Big News for a settlement, Kang Gam-Chan didn''t even flinch. "Who do you think they will target next if we agree to settle? We need to show that Hoop Entertainment is not to be trifled with to protect our signed celebrities." As expected, Kang Gam-Chan was someone who knew how to paint on a grand canvas. He didn¡¯t care about money as long as he could show everyone that Hoop Entertainment was apany that protected their celebrities no matter what. Despite the potential cost of legal fees reaching into the hundreds of millions, he was determined to make a stand. Such a stance would not only fend off arbitrary attacks on the celebrities already in Hoop Entertainment but could also aid the acquisition of distressed celebrities from otherpanies. Kang Gam-Chan was a visionary who turned every crisis into an opportunity. I was impressed by his strategic approach. Screech! When we arrived at SBC''s underground parking, Executive Secretary Lee Sang-Moon announced, ¡°We¡¯ve arrived, sir.¡± Only after yelling at the phone for a while did Kang Gam-Chan nod his head and end the call. "Let''s go. And you can head home early today. This might take a while," Kang Gam-Chan said to Lee Sang-Moon. "I¡¯m okay, Mr. Kang. I''ll wait." ¡°I¡¯m always grateful for you. Let your wife know in advance that you have your day off tomorrow.¡± Lee Sang-Moon smiled and nodded. Then, we got out of the car and headed toward the elevator, where he unexpectedly pressed the button for the 12th floor. ¡®Twelfth floor? That¡¯s where the executive meeting room is located.¡¯ I wondered why we were meeting with the executives of SBC, but the heavy atmosphere made me hesitant to open my mouth first. As we ascended to the twelfth floor, we exchanged brief greetings with the PDs and ADs we met. Looking at the way they exchanged nces, it seemed that they were aware of the day''s events. After all, Jung Yoo-Jin was still topping the live search rankings. Ding! Upon reaching the twelfth floor, we entered the meeting room with closed blinds. The room was filled with more people than I had expected. From SBC, there were Jung Sam-Ryong, Lee Ki-Do, Woo Ji-Han, and Na Hoon-Seok. From Blue Dragon were Jo Eung-Gu and Kang Soo-Hoon. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re here, Mr. Kang.¡± Kang Gam-Chan exchanged greetings with the staff from SBC and Blue Dragon. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time. I should have visited more often, but I¡¯ve been busy with overseas tasks recently.¡± He then introduced me and Gu Seong-Cheol to them with a chuckle. ¡°This is Chief Gu from Actor Division 2. And this is Assistant Manager Jung Yoon-Ho, who is also a talent agent of Jung Yoo-Jin.¡± For a moment, I wondered if I had heard Kang Gam-Chan right. He was referring to me as an assistant manager even though my official promotion hadn''t been announced yet. Surprised but grateful, I greeted everyone with enthusiasm. ¡°Hello, everyone! I¡¯m Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment!¡± ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you. I¡¯ve heard a lot about you. You are full of energy, perhaps because of your young age. Why don¡¯t we sit down?¡± I calmed my beating heart and exchanged greetings with the executives whom a first-year newbie couldn¡¯t normally encounter. We all sat down, but no one touched the drinks or snacks on the table as we were waiting for someone. Then, SBC''s president, Kim Gab-Soo, entered. Everyone quickly stood up to show respect. Although Kim Gab-Soo was five years younger than Kang Gam-Chan, he appeared much older, perhaps due to stress. "Oh, please sit down. This isn''t the military.¡± Those who stood up upon Kim Gab-Soo¡¯s entrance sat down in unison. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I called for a meeting at this time.¡± ¡®Well, I¡¯m sure everyone would havee to the meeting even if it were three in the morning. After all, it¡¯s the president of SBC who called for the meeting. Of course, people woulde running at 11 PM.¡¯ ¡°Hmm, hmm. It¡¯s nothing too serious...¡± ¡®Oh, it¡¯s definitely something serious if someone says that. Why would he call for a meeting at this time if it¡¯s over something trivial?¡¯ ¡°I called the meeting because I really enjoyed today¡¯s episode of The Human Stories on Jung Yoo-Jin. Mr. Na, what were the viewership ratings again?¡± ¡°We reached 15.5% near the end, sir.¡± ¡°Hahaha. Did everyone hear that? 15%! And it¡¯s a documentary.¡± I wasn¡¯t surprised because I had already heard the viewership ratings in advance from Na Hoon-Seok, but the staff from Blue Dragon¡¯s publicity team all looked astounded. Even Jung Sam-Ryong and Lee Ki-Do looked surprised. ¡°The Human Stories...reached 15%?¡± Looking at Na Hoon-Seok winking at me, I figured that I was the only person, other than the president, that he had informed. ¡°We hit the jackpot even before starting the shoot for the drama. So I called Hoop Entertainment and Blue Dragon here so we cane up with ns in advance.¡± Everyone gasped in amazement and exchanged congrattory handshakes. Kim Gab-Soo nodded in satisfaction and continued speaking. "So, Mr. Jo. I was thinking of sending The Human Stories team to the drama set. Would that be okay?" "Pardon? You want to send a documentary team to the drama set?" "Yes. It seems like a pity to end The Human Stories just like that. We''re nning a second part focusing on Miss Jung Yoo-Jin. In return, we''re thinking of increasing the production budget. How does that sound?" Kim Gab-Soo seemed eager to capitalize on the sess of The Human Stories, given that it had achieved a remarkable 15% viewership rating. After a moment of consideration, Jo Eung-Gu of Blue Dragon responded positively with a bright expression. "Well, that¡¯s totally fine by me as long as we don¡¯t have to worry about the documentary team and can focus on our own work." "Ha ha ha. I appreciate your understanding.¡± Adding a documentary team to a drama set was usually a cause for concern. But with the promise of increased production funding, it was an offer hard to refuse. "That¡¯s all settled, then. Oh, and Mr. Kang, didn¡¯t you say you have something to discuss?" Kang Gam-Chan stood up and bowed slightly upon Kim Gab-Soo¡¯s call. "An actress from ourpany has caused such a disturbance this time. I apologize." The others waved off his apology. "Oh, Mr. Kang. There is no need to apologize." "Please raise your head. Ha ha ha." After his apology, Kang Gam-Chan spoke up. "That being said... I was thinking of contributing to the drama''s production. How about 1 billion won?" The room fell into a stunned silence as everyone''s jaws dropped at the generous offer. Chapter 62: Good Bye

Chapter 62: Good Bye

When Kang Gam-Chan announced a 1 billion won investment in Blue Sky, both Kim Gab-Soo and the head of Blue Dragon were delighted. Even though Yoo-Jin''s likability had increased significantly after today¡¯s documentary''s airing, the sess of Blue Sky wasn''t guaranteed. ''I can''t believe it, 1 billion in cash? Our president really is generous.'' Such a coborative partnership, where both parties were willing to share the production risk with the understanding that the earnings would be shared upon sess, was indeed a rare and valuable urrence in this industry. The ted Kim Gab-Soo burst intoughter. "Hahaha. But don¡¯t you think you are overdoing it a bit?" "Well, we did cause some trouble this time. It''s only right that we do this." "Wow, it''s our lucky day at SBC." I held myughter in because I found all of this funny. Blue Sky was bound to achieve the highest viewership ratings this year no matter what. Midway through the drama, both SBC and Blue Dragon would probably regret taking ourpany¡¯s investment offer. Instead of having the profit split two-way, it would now be split three-way. And that was not all. If Hoop Entertainment took this opportunity and became one of the main investors, it would be difficult for the drama staff to mistreat our actors. Jo Eung-Gu stood up to shake Kang Gam-Chan''s hand firmly. "Thank you, Mr. Kang." Grip! The two men exchanged a firm handshake and a determined smile. "Hahaha, why would you thank me? If the drama does well, we''ll also benefit greatly. I''m just d to have this investment opportunity." ¡°Huh? Is that so? Hahaha. Well, when the dayes, I¡¯ll look forward to being treated to a nice meal.¡± After the discussion was over, everyone spent the rest of the time bad-mouthing Ju Kang-Yong and wishing for the sess of Blue Sky. Yoo-Jin''s rise was faster than I had expected. From a minor to a supporting role, she quickly gained the attention of even the president of SBC. *** Leaving the SBC broadcast station, I sat in the passenger seat next to Kang Gam-Chan. "How''s Yoo-Jin doing at the hotel? Is she taking a good rest?" "She''s doing fine. I told her it was okay to eat everything in the minibar before leaving. She was jumping around so happily." Kang Gam-Chan grumbled, "Do you know how expensive that minibar is? You might as well have robbed a convenience store!" I scratched my head at Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s light reprimand. "...Coming from the man who had just spent 1 billion won..." Kang Gam-Chan chuckled at my response. After all, the cost of a minibar at a hotel was nothingpared to a billion won. After staring at me for a moment in silence, Kang Gam-Chan spoke in a calm voice. "Yoon-Ho." "Yes?" "Do you think this drama will be a sess?" "I think so. With the buzz it''s created, the star power of Ju Yung-In, and Yoo-Jin''s acting skills, it will be a huge hit. Besides, the script itself is fantastic." As I spoke, Kang Gam-Chan looked at me intently and slowly opened his mouth again. "You seem to be quite logical in your reasoning, but it seems like there''s something more than just confidence. Unless I''m mistaken..." My heart skipped a beat for a moment. ¡®More than just confidence? Was it too obvious that I knew the future?¡¯ I quickly shut my mouth, worried I had revealed too much. "It''s strange when you think about it. From choosing a rookie writer''s script over Lee Ji-Yeon''s to everything that''s happened today...it all just seems to be going exactly as you had nned." Flinch! I felt a prick of anxiety under Kang Gam-Chan''s sharp gaze. "No, not at all, sir. It was all just a coincidence." "Is that so?" Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s eyes reflected a myriad of thoughts as he looked at me. "Well, I guess it doesn¡¯t matter whatever it is. A cat that catches mice is a good cat, right? If the results are good, that''s all that matters. Oh, and I have a gift for you... where did I put it..." With a deep chuckle, Kang Gam-Chan rummaged through the armrest storage and pulled out a rectangr box. "Open it." "Yes, Mr. Kang." Inside the wooden box were what looked like about five thousand business cards with my name elegantly embossed, made of much finer material than what I had been using. [Hoop Entertainment] [Jung Yoon-Ho, Assistant Manager] "These are expensive custom-made cards. If you run out, just let the nning office know. I''ve arranged for a special batch just for you." As I touched theminated business cards, I was impressed by their quality. I was already an assistant manager just two months after my return. "Just keep doing as you are now, even if people are jealous of you. And just so you know, the official notice will be out tomorrow." "Thank you so much, Mr. Kang!" Kang Gam-Chan patted my shoulder with a bright smile. On my way back, I soaked in his sage advice. *** As soon as I arrived at work, I parked my car in the underground lot as always and checked my nner. [Everyday V10] [Date: February 7, 2020] -10:00 AM (Deleted Schedule: Ju Kang-Yong of Entertainment Big News. Countermeasure meeting regarding tabloid articles about Yoo-Jin, school bullying, and abortion.) There was no longer any need to worry about Ju Kang-Yong. He had vanished from my nner, and articles about him were constantly flooding in. [¡®Reporter Ju Kang-Yong extorted millions from celebrities and their agencies! Police considering urgent arrest¡¯.] [¡®Jung Yoo-Jin of Blue Sky. Why was she targeted by Ju Kang-Yong?¡¯] [¡®The Human Stories: Jung Yoo-Jin¡¯s episode. A 15.5% viewership rating! - Moving the audience!¡¯] (Comments) -Reporter Ju Kang-Yong¡¯s victim report submission (Link: Ju Kang-Yong Victims'' website) -Kang-Yong, off to prison you go! (Waving hand emoji) -Supporting Jung Yoo-Jin. -National unity movement to watch Blue Sky (Link: Burger Queen¡¯s Burger Maiden, Jung Yoo-Jin Fan website.) -Miso, stay strong! Miss Yoo-Jin, we are rooting for you! -Miso already has perfect beauty at such a young age. When will my face ever be perfected? T.T "Goodbye, Ju Kang-Yong." After turning off the ignition and grabbing my thermos, I was about to head to the office. That was when I heard a loud voice. "Ju Kang-Yong, you bastard. How dare you turn on me?" It was Kim Dong-Soo''s voice. Blinded by rage, he seemed unaware of anyone else in the parking lot. For a moment, I instinctively ducked behind the minivan''s steering wheel. Heading to his car, Kim Dong-Soo was fuming in anger. "What? You''re going to leak Choi Sung-Ae''s recording? Do you have a death wish? I can''t stop awsuit with what power I have! Fine! If you want to die together, then go for it! Do you think only a few people are involved in this?" Kim Dong-Soo''s words were filled with a sharp edge. He was talking about an incident from a year ago around the time I first joined Hoop Entertainment. Back then, the famous actress Choi Seong-Ae, who had risen to stardom after appearing in just one drama, announced her retirement, creating a buzz. Everyone found it controversial and suspicious that such a beautiful and talented actress would step down at a young age without any reason. Even her manager didn''t know the cause of her retirement. However, Choi Seong-Ae would appear on a popr current affairs show called Forgotten People to make statements that would cause social shockwaves in ten years. -Unspeakable incidents are still happening to many actresses, which I, too, was once a victim of. I recalled her making a bitter smile as she said she didn¡¯t want to remember those terrible times. Judging by how she refused numerous interview requests subsequently, rumors circted that she had been threatened. ''Could Choi Seong-Ae have been involved with Kim Dong-Soo?'' After raging at Ju Kang-Yong over the phone, Kim Dong-Soo hung up and spat out a curse. "That bastard Ju Kang-Yong! How dare he..." As the enraged Kim Dong-Soo turned around to open his car door, I fully hid under the steering wheel of the minivan. Screech! Vroom! I could hear the sound of Kim Dong-Soo hastily driving off and leaving the parking lot. ''What could have happened between those two?'' I mused, realizing I had stumbled upon something I didn''t know about Kim Dong-Soo and Choi Seong-Ae. Though I was curious, I had no way of investigating further since Choi Seong-Ae had moved to the United States after that incident a year ago and had been out of the public eye for a long time. "I''ll see youter, Kim Dong-Soo.¡± Having no choice but to put the matter aside for now as I had plenty of other things to attend to, I headed to the office. *** Ju Kang-Yong was engulfed in panic. He couldn''t understand why Hoop Entertainment was waging an all-out war against him just to protect a rookie actress. "What is it? What am I missing? What is it that went wrong!?" No matter how hard he thought, he couldn''t find an answer to his question. ¡°Damn it!¡± Thepany had instructed Ju Kang-Yong to take full responsibility and admit his guilt. They threatened him that in any case he refused, they would ruin himpletely such that he would rather wish to die. Terrified, Ju Kang-Yong returned home and desperately called Kim Dong-Soo, only to be coldly abandoned. Being left with no choice, he frustratedly decided to bring up the issue of Choi Seong-Ae, which had entangled many people. However, it was no use. Knowing he would be sentenced to at least a decade in prison if he admitted his crimes, he made a rash decision to flee in the end. ¡®I''ll have to leave tonight.¡¯ Ju Kang-Yong hurried down to the ground floor of his house and packed a duffel bag with some hidden cash for emergencies to hide in China until the statute of limitations expired. "Ah, fuck! Just my luck, needing the bathroom at a time like this." He had to desperately use the washroom, but leaving before anyone noticed was a priority. Holding his dder, he finished packing the bag with cash and carefully opened his front door to avoid making noise before stepping outside. That was when he heard it. Wee-Woo-Wee-Woo! Police sirens were approaching his neighborhood. Ju Kang-Yong looked around and saw police cars at both ends of the alley. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the neighbor¡¯s wall. He thought he might be able to escape if he could just get over a few fences since the houses were closely located next to each other. "This is insane! How did they find me so fast?" Swoosh! Ju Kang-Yong held his bag tightly and ran in the opposite direction from the police with all his might. As he prepared to scale the wall, a police officer shouted. "Stop right there, Ju Kang-Yong!" "Fucking dumbass! Hell no!" Ju Kang Yong struggled to climb up the wall with the duffel bag that he was carrying on his back. However, just before he could clear the wall, a taser fired by a chasing officer struck him in the buttocks. Crackle! "Ahhhhhhh!" Ju Kang-Yong, trembling all over, got caught on the wall he was trying to climb over. The duffel bag he was carrying fell, and 10 thousand won bills fluttered out of the opened zipper. At the same time, his gray jogger pants began to get soaked in a dark color. The police officers sighed as they watched Ju Kang-Yong foam at the mouth and convulse down the wall. "He peed himself. He really did." "Sigh, what a nuisance." "Ah, man. I just got my car washed today! Talk about bad luck!" As Ju Kang-Yong listened to the police''s crude curses, he had to swallow both foam and tears. *** When I got on the elevator, I saw that my name had appeared on the wall-mounted LCD disying important notices of thepany. [Actor Division 2 Jung Yoon-Ho, appointed as assistant manager] I reached out my hand toward the LCD without realizing it. Slide. I felt the slippery film of the LCD against my fingers. "It''s not a dream." After traveling back in time, I often confirmed my existence through these minor sensations. Then, a message came through KkTalk. It was from Kim Mi-Hye, the assistant manager of the publicity division who had been a great help in the recent matter. [Promotion Division Assistant Manager Kim Mi-Hye: Assistant Manager Jung, congrattions on your promotion! Also, Ju Kang-Yong has been caught. (Article link)] [(Breaking News) ¡®Reporter Ju Kang-Yong, Arrested in Emergency¡¯] -Trying to escape over the wall, Ju Kang-Yong got hit with a taser and peed himself while caught on the wall...... The photo used in the article showed him pitifully caught on the wall, having wet himself. Everything was truly over. The stories of Yoo-Jin and her daughter Miso no longer needed to be hidden; they had be heartwarming tales. At that moment, the elevator reached the fourth floor where the Actor Division 2 was located. Ding! [The shark has eaten everything!] The sunbaes in the hallway started pping for me. "Wow! Star Jung, no, Assistant Manager Jung now. Congrattions!" "You really got Ju Kang-Yong good. Trash like him should''ve tasted bitterness long ago." "You did a big thing this time, huh? I always said you were the man." "Hey. You''ve got to treat us for your promotion today, right?" I began to bow to the sunbaes to show my gratitude. "Yes, of course. Thank you, sunbae-nim." After greeting the sunbaes, I headed to Gu Seong-Cheol''s office. Gu Seong-Cheol burst intoughter as soon as he saw me. "Hehehe." "Why are youughing like that, Mr. Gu?" "Just seeing your face makes me happy." I scratched my head andughed along. But then, Gu Seong-Cheol brought up something unexpected. "The viewers of The Human Stories sent all sorts of things to Yoo-Jin as a gift. What should we do with all this?" The gifts consisted of rice, kimchi, and even colored pencils for Miso. Some were small gifts, while others were worth hundreds of thousands of won. Onedy even sent a new rice cooker, thinking Yoo-Jin''s old one seemed worn out. "We tried to return most of them, but we can¡¯t do anything about those that came to thepany without a return address. Take them with youter and discuss with Yoo-Jin what to do. She can take what she wants and donate the rest." "Yes, sir. I understand." "And Yoon-Ho." "Yes?" "Mr. Lee Dong-Min was looking for you. Hasn¡¯t he contacted you yet?" "Ah, yes. I was just about to go see him." With Yoo-Jin''s urgent issue resolved, it was time to work on Cherry Blossom. However, Gu Seong-Cheol gave a weird expression. "Mr. Gu, what''s wrong? Is there a problem with Cherry Blossom?" Gu Seong-Cheol let out a deep sigh. "The Cherry Blossom girls...they still haven''t received their new song." "What? Still?" There was a problem with Cherry Blossom''seback. Chapter 63: Cherry Blossom’s New Song (1)

Chapter 63: Cherry Blossom¡¯s New Song (1)

Ding! The elevator door on the basement¡¯s second floor, where Lee Dong-Min was, opened. Recording studios 1 to 6 were positioned along the fairly wide corridor, and at the end of the hallway was a door leading to a small theater that could amodate about 150 people watching a performance. ¡®Thend value of this ce alone must be in the hundreds of billions, especially considering it''s in Apgujeong.¡¯ Seeing this reminded me that ourpany was quite wealthy, a fact which I often forgot about. That was when I heard the sound of two people arguinging from Recording Studio 2. "Mr. Lee! Why don''t we just leave it to Jee-Tae? You know he''s been on a rolltely!" "No, we''re going for an S-ss songwriter this time. How many times do I have to tell you?" "Ah, do you think S-ss songwriters are crazy enough to give a song to Cherry Blossom? Jee-Tae is more than enough for them, don''t you get the situation? Everyone''s refusing to give them songs!" The people fighting in Recording Studio 2 were Lee Dong-Min and Kang Shi-On, the idol group producer. Thetter was from the Seoul National University of the Arts and was the main contributor to the creation of Golden Road. However, he was also the one who messed up Cherry Blossom''s first and second albums. The man who was mentioned in their quarrel was Choi Jee-Tae, theposer of ¡®Ba-Bam-Ba!¡¯¡ªa somewhat popr track from Golden Road''s album. To no one¡¯s surprise, he was also from the Seoul National University of the Arts. "If you keep this up, we might not even get Jee-Tae''s song. Are you going topose their song yourself then or what?" "Hey. Mind your own business and take care of Golden Road! I''ll handle Cherry Blossom." Their heated argument made me wait outside for a moment. Soon, the noise subsided and the door opened. Click! Kang Shi-On came out with a frown. "Hello. How are you, sir?" "How am I? How do I look to you right now?" ¡®Why am I getting the bacsh?¡¯ "Hey. Star Jung. Talk some sense into Mr. Lee, will you? Does he seriously think it¡¯s okay for someone toe back to the industry after a hiatus of five years to make idol music with their old-school sensibilities?" I found his remark ridiculous. Kang Shi-On was the one who brought Cherry Blossom down to this state, and now he was criticizing Lee Dong-Min. "He''ll do well. His ss is permanent." My response didn''t seem to please Kang Shi-On as his eyes grew even more hostile. "Nonsense. What do you know about music anyway?" Not wanting to say more, Kang Shi-On waved his hand dismissively. Then, he headed toward the elevator with an annoyed expression. After he disappeared, I opened the door to the studio. Creak. Lee Dong-Min was leaning back in a chair and looking at the lit recording booth. With his disheveled hair and untucked shirt, he looked like he hadn''t been home for days. "Mr. Lee." "Ah, what now... Oh, Yoon-Ho?" Lee Dong-Min was about to show annoyance as he thought Kang Shi-On had returned, but soon made an awkward expression when he realized it was me who entered the room. "When did you get here?" "Just now. Anyway, I heard about the issue. Are theposers really not giving us any songs yet?" Lee Dong-Min sighed. "Shall we talk over a can of cold coffee?" "Sure." The chair was pushed back with a squeaking sound when Lee Dong-Min stood up from his seat. We left the recording studio and headed to the break room right in front of the small theater. Click. I took a Let''s Bee coffee from the vending machine and took a sip. ¡®Ah, it tastes bad.¡¯ "Tastes bad, doesn''t it?" Lee Dong-Min asked. I immediately hardened my expression and replied. "No, it''s delicious!" "Delicious, huh? Stop lying. I heard your coffee is the best. But what can I do? I need to simte the old days to hopefully think of something to make this work." Lee Dong-Min was trying to live exactly like he did when he first started his career as a producer to recall those times and get back on track. He said he had lost several kilograms due to this lifestyle. "Are you eating properly, sir?" Lee Dong-Minughed as he shook his can of Let''s Bee coffee. "I can''t seem to swallow anything but noodles due to stress. My meals are three cups of instant noodles a day. This coffee is like a supplement." ''He''ll die if he keeps this up. I died once because I didn''t take care of myself.'' I frowned and opened my mouth. "Mr. Lee, does your wife know you''re living like this?" "Hehe, kiddo. Don''t worry. I won¡¯t be able to keep this up longer than a week anyway. I guess I''m washed up now. S-ss, my foot. Once you''re old and lose your touch, it''s all over." "Oh,e on, Mr. Lee. Don''t talk like that. But why aren''t theposers giving us songs?" Lee Dong-Min looked just as clueless while tilting his head. "I have no idea. Can you believe it? Even after offering up to 40 million won for a song, not a single person is willing to give us their song." ¡®What? We offered double the usual rate and there are still no takers? What¡¯s going on?¡¯ "Epil K, Genos, Bambi, Kim Woon-Sik, and even Changee. All of them said the songs they made already have owners." The names of S-ssposers in South Korea came up one after another. "But that''s just unbelievable..." "Exactly." Composers would usually create new songs when requested. Normally, they always had at least one or two extra songs ready. But now, all of them were saying they didn''t have any songs. Even the experienced Lee Dong-Min looked puzzled. "I might have to ept Jee-Tae''s song at this rate." However, he clicked his tongue as if he recalled how Cherry Blossom¡¯s second album was a total flop because of Jee-Tae. At that moment, I suddenly remembered a major girl group debut happening around this time. ''Girlfriends7 should be preparing for their debut around now.¡¯ I left Lee Dong-Min pondering and started scanning through my nner. [Everyday V10] [Date: April 18, 2020] -07:00 PM (Report) Ace Entertainment, Girlfriends7 KBC Music Stage debut songs, 3 tracks. Protested to the AD. Ace Entertainment''s new idol¡ªGirlfriends7¡ªbecame strong contenders for the number one spot upon debut, starting a three-way girl group battle with Petite More and Golden Road. I recalled a rumor that Ace Entertainment had hoarded all the S-ssposers'' songs for Girlfriends7''s debut. I immediately shared my thoughts with Lee Dong-Min. "Mr. Lee, did you hear about Ace Entertainment preparing tounch a major girl group?" "Heard about it? I went and saw them myself. They''re good and have great looks too. If they get good songs, they''ll rise to stardom in no time. Wait...wait a minute." Lee Dong-Min''s eyes widened with a sudden realization as he made a dumbfounded expression. "So, are you saying that Ace Entertainment hoarded all the good songs?" ¡®Bingo.¡¯ "Yes." Lee Dong-Min pondered for a moment. "It does make sense... But even if they hoarded all the songs, that shouldn''t stop them from giving songs to Cherry Blossom. Something isn¡¯t right." "Maybe they''re doing it to keep Cherry Blossom in check." "Keeping Cherry Blossom in check? Why would they keep a group at the bottom of the second league in check?" "Well, if you look at Cherry Blossom¡¯s performance alone, yes¡ªyou might think that. But consider their poprity in thest month. They''ve risen significantly since the year-end stage, haven''t they?" Cherry Blossom''s exposure had skyrocketed since the year-end stage, thanks to the trending shoes they wore on stage. "I-I guess that''s true." ¡°Right? Mr. Lee, why don''t we meet Composer Kim Woon-Sik directly? You''re close with him, aren''t you?" Lee Dong-Min threw his empty can of Let''s Bee coffee into the trash bin. Thud! ¡®A perfect shot.¡¯ A smile appeared on Lee Dong-Min¡¯s face after hearing my suggestion. "Alright. Since Woon-Sik isn''t answering my calls, let''s meet him and press him for the truth." Having made up his mind, Lee Dong-Min stood up. Although he was staggering with his weary body, he had sparkles in his eyes. As we left the recording studio, Lee Dong-Min asked, "Don¡¯t you need to visit Yoo-Jin?" "The urgent matters surrounding her are all settled now. I can goter." When I mentioned Ju Kang-Yong''s arrest, Lee Dong-Min patted my shoulder. "It''s rewarding to see your efforts bear fruit. I felt sorry to see a good person like Yoo-Jin suffer." Han Myung-Ho and Lee Dong-Min had not mentioned Cherry Blossom''s situation to me until now as they thought that Yoo-Jin''s issue was more urgent. "Alright. Let''s go." We immediately headed to Hongdae to meet Kim Woon-Sik. *** I called Yoo-Jin in Lee Dong-Min''s car. "How''s the hotel? Is everything okay there?" -It''s really nice here! Miso is having fun and the food''s great. But oppa, why is the minibar so expensive? A bottle of water that costs 500 won outside costs over 3,000 won in the minibar. That¡¯s six times the regr price. I always wondered who would pay that much, but apparently many people don¡¯t mind paying extra. "It''s okay, don¡¯t worry about the price. Thepany will cover your expenditure." -Ugh, but it feels like I''m being ripped off. I just can''t do it. Yoo-Jinined about the unknown foreign snacks in the minibar, saying the prices made her spit out curse words. At that moment, Miso took over the phone. -Uncle Yoon-Ho, when are youing? "Hey, Miso. I''ll be there in the evening. And don¡¯t worry about eating snacks from the minibar, eat whatever you want!" -No way! It''s too expensive! My teacher taught me that overspending is bad. I found myself agreeing with Miso''s firm stance. Indeed, it was hard to argue against not overspending. ¡®But it would be a shame to leave the hotel without trying anything since it¡¯s her first time there.¡¯ "Then just eat one thing." -One thing? "Yeah. Just one. You¡¯re at a hotel, so why not enjoy it?" -Mom~ Uncle Yoon-Ho said I can eat one thing! Can I? I could vividly imagine the expression Miso was making at this moment. -It¡¯s me again on the phone, oppa! "Alright. Now that everything''s sorted out, rx for one more day. We¡¯ll go home once the reporters leave." -Thank you. I replied with a pleased smile. "What for? It''s just part of a talent agent''s job." Lee Dong-Min chuckled at my reaction while driving. "You¡¯re really that happy, huh?" "Ah, Mr. Lee. Haha, well..." "If you¡¯re happy, just say so. Who wouldn¡¯t be happy seeing their celebrity seed?" Then, Lee Dong-Min reminisced about the first singer he managed, recalling names like Park Woon-Ki and Choi Eun-Sil¡ªpopr solo artists of his time. He felt regretful that those he had worked with had already retired. ''Why not help them with aeback?'' However, I didn''t say it out loud, seeing that Lee Dong-Min had lost a lot of confidence. I decided to bring it up another time. Soon, we arrived at Kim Woon-Sik''s studio in Hongdae. It was still daytime, so the streets weren''t very crowded. "It looks shabby." "Yes, but he¡¯s got the inside all decked out." Despite being wealthy and living in an expensive house in Pyeongchang-dong, this S-ssposer was said to alwayspose his songs in the same ce where he started out. As we descended the basement stairs, the damp smell of moist cement hit my nose. An empty bowl of jjajangmyeon that appeared to be a few days old was also visible at the entrance. Lee Dong-Min grumbled as he opened the door, "This guy, he never cleans up." When the door opened, I was surprised by the fancy remodeled basement studio before me. ''Whoa, what¡¯s with this stark contrast?'' As soon as Lee Dong-Min entered the studio, he started nagging, "Hey! Why don¡¯t you answer your phone!?" A man lying on an Italian leather sofa slowly raised himself. "Ugh...uh... Who is it?" A man with bushy hair rubbed his sleepy eyes and got up. He was Kim Woon-Sik, aposer who reportedly earned over 500 million won in royalties annually. "Dong-Min... hyung?" "Dong-Min hyung, my ass. You''re not even giving me a song. Who are you calling hyung, you asshole!" Kim Woon-Sik scratched his head, looking apologetic. "Ah, seriously. Why are you like this? I told you all the songs I''ve written are already taken." Kim Woon-Sik gulped down some lukewarm water on the table and rubbed his eyes before asking, "But why are you here again?" "What do you mean why? We''re here to get a song from you." "Wow. How could you be so entitled?" Kim Woon-Sik seemed upset, insisting he genuinely had no songs left. "Then write a new one. A new song! It only takes three minutes, right?" "How great would it be if songs just popped up like that, huh? Do I look like instant noodles to you? Done in three minutes?" The conversation quickly escted into an argument. Seeing no sign of a conclusion, I stepped in. "Hello, sir. I¡¯m Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment." Kim Woon-Sik scratched his head irritably. "Who''s this now?" "He''s ourpany''s secret weapon." As Lee Dong-Min spoke cheekily, Kim Woon-Sik gave me a sharp look. "Really? He does have nice looks. Rapper? Singer? Dancer? Which one are you?" "No, Mr. Kim. I''m just a talent agent." Kim Woon-Sik turned his head to Lee Dong-Min. "But didn¡¯t you just say he''s a secret weapon?" Ignoring Kim Woon-Sik''s words, Lee Dong-Min sprawled himself on an empty sofa. "Yoon-Ho, ask him whatever you''re curious about. Wake me up when you''re done." "Wow... Am I not even human to you now? You''re not going to talk to me anymore, hyung?" "Nope. You, not human." Kim Woon-Sik looked at me again with a ridiculous expression. "I don¡¯t know what this situation is, but you heard I don¡¯t have any songs left, right?" "I did, sir." "Then, that''s the end of my answer. Take your director and leave, will you? I need to get more sleep." Kim Woon-Sik snapped and began to awkwardly settle back on the sofa. "Mr. Kim, did you happen to sign an exclusive contract with Ace Entertainment?" At that moment, Kim Woon-Sik, who was about to lie down on the sofa, froze in ce. Chapter 64: Cherry Blossom’s New Song (2)

Chapter 64: Cherry Blossom¡¯s New Song (2)

Kim Woon-Sik stared at me intently. He seemed curious about how I figured out he and Ace Entertainment had signed an exclusive contract. After all, Kim Woon-Sik had never once signed an exclusive contract with an agency given his immense pride. "This is just my guess, but I¡¯m assuming they might have threatened to end the deal if you gave us a song. Am I right?" Kim Woon-Sik''s face hardened even more. "Who are you?" When he burst out in anger, I was 100% confident that my guess was correct. Lee Dong-Min squinted his eyes and smirked. "I told you he¡¯s ourpany¡¯s secret weapon." Kim Woon-Sik red at me for a moment, then soon let out a deep sigh. "Sigh. I thought I had hidden it well, but how did you know?" "If it wasn''t for that reason, aposer of your caliber wouldn''t have said you have no songs left." Kim Woon-Sik pushed Lee Dong-Min away and sat on the sofa. "Move over. Ah, this is frustrating." Then, he finally opened his mouth after drinking a lukewarm ss of water. "Damn it. I guess I can''t lie to someone who already knows everything." Kim Woon-Sik began to exin everything. ording to him, Ace Entertainment had recently signed a one-year exclusive contract with all the well-known S-ssposers, offering huge signing bonuses. As expected, it was a process to concentrate on producing songs for Girlfriends7. It turned out it wasn''t entirely a lie that Kim Woon-Sik really had no songs left. Furthermore, it was also true that he had been pressured by the heads of major entertainers like TK Entertainment, SJ Entertainment, and Bigstar Entertainment. "Especially that guy Ma Dong-Pal¡ªhe came on strong. He said my deal with them would be forever done if I gave a song to Cherry Blossom." "Hey! If you were facing such circumstances, you should have said so earlier!" Lee Dong-Min''s annoyance made Kim Woon-Sik burst out in anger. "Fuck. I was embarrassed to tell you I signed those contracts for money! Okay?" "I''ve been clinging toposers like a fool, not knowing that." As Lee Dong-Min sighed deeply, Kim Woon-Sik lowered his voice as if he felt sorry for not telling him earlier. "I¡¯m sorry about that. Technically, even talking about this to you is a breach of contract. So please don''t mention it anywhere, okay?" Lee Dong-Min''s expression twisted. "You jerk. As if I would do that." "Anyway, all the other S-ssposers are also tied to Ace and TK Entertainment as well." Eventually, we concluded that there were no other S-ssposers who could give us a song. However, this made it easier to introduce the future hitposer I knew. *** Lee Dong-Min left the studio feeling defeated and started sighing as he looked up at the sky. "Sigh. Do I have to leave it to Jee-Tae after all?" We were already scheduled to release a new song on KBC Music World on April 24th. To do that, we needed to have the song and choreography by the end of this month at the very least so that Cherry Blossom could practice before performing it on stage. "Mr. Lee, I actually happen to know a talentedposer." Lee Dong-Min turned around in surprise. "Who is it? Is it an S-ssposer?" I shook my head. "The talent is not just S-ss, but much beyond that... Can you trust me just this once?" Lee Dong-Min looked at me doubtfully. But eventually, he nodded. "Well, who else do I trust but you at times like this? And if it doesn''t work out, we can always turn to Jee-Tae. Let''s just go for it. Now is not the time to be picky." With Lee Dong-Min''s permission, I gave him the address of a shop in Garibong-dong. *** When identifying the most sessfulposer at the moment, the name most frequently mentioned was undoubtedly Epil K. He was the one who produced Petite More''s hit song ¡®Bling Bling.¡¯ But in two years, Epil K would face awsuit for giarizing songs from an unknownposer, Bang Seon-Woo. Thewsuit, which would involve as many as twenty songs, would cause a huge uproar. Bang Seon-Woo, who was a broke amateur when he created those songs, would protest that he had no idea how his works ended up with Epil K. But Epil K, the topposer earning billions annually, would easily win thewsuit by hiring arge team ofwyers. Afterward, Bang Seon-Woo would suffer from depression and make the extreme choice of taking his own life. He couldn''t bear seeing the songs stolen from him continuously topping the charts. This tragic event was still noted in my nner. [Everyday V10] [Date: July 1, 2022] -01:00 PM Suwon St. Mary''s Hospital Funeral Hall Room 8. Bang Seon-Woo''s funeral service. Starts at 9 AM. I had also attended Bang Seon-Woo''s funeral to pay my respects in my past life. ¡®If only I could meet Bang Seon-Woo and purchase his songs at a fair price...¡¯ I was convinced that I could not only solve Cherry Blossom''s new song issue, but also prevent Bang Seon-Woo¡¯s death. I could pave a smooth path for Cherry Blossom''s future. Screech! I stopped my vehicle in front of an old pork soup restaurant in Garibong-dong. Lee Dong-Min looked puzzled. "Is theposer you''re talking about here?" At that moment, a loud voice came from inside the shop. "Gwi-Nam~ Take care of the customer!" "Ah, seriously. Mom! It''s been so long since I changed my name to Seon-Woo. Why do you still call me Gwi-Nam!?" "What''s wrong with your name? Seon-Woo? Why abandon a fine name like Gwi-Nam for something like that?" "Ugh, just forget it. From now on, I won''t respond to you if you don¡¯t call me Seon-Woo!" "Is that the way to talk to your mother?" Walking past ady speaking in a thick Gyeongsang-do dialect, a man came out of the shop. "You can give me the keys." The timid-looking man, who donned a pair of thick horn-rimmed sses, was originally named Bang Gwi-Nam. The geniusposer, now named Bang Seon-Woo and who met an untimely death in my past life, was extending his hand to me. "Mr. Bang Seon-Woo?" "How do you know me? Ah, you must have heard our conversation just now." Bang Seon-Woo scratched his head, thinking we had heard his earlier conversation with his mom. I stepped out of the vehicle and handed him my business card. "No. We actually came here specifically to meet you, Mr. Seon-Woo. Could we talk after you finish work? I am Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment." Bang Seon-Woo looked bewildered. "You''re from an entertainmentpany? For me? But why?" "Didn''t you upload sample songs to an amateurposer''s website? We came after hearing those." "That''s impossible. It''s a small website with fewer than fifty members..." I didn''t know the website¡¯s current size but it would be a much bigger site in a few years. Nheless, I continued to pretend to be clueless. "If you don''t believe me, there''s no other way to exin." "A-are you for real?" Then, Lee Dong-Min, who was standing beside me, also presented him with his business card. "I''m Lee Dong-Min, the chief of Hoop Entertainment. This guy is telling the truth." "I-it''s Lee Dong-Min!" Bang Seon-Woo was startled as if he had seen a famous celebrity. ¡®Well, Lee Dong-Min is indeed somewhat famous in the music industry.¡¯ "It seems like you''re busy now, so we''ll wait. We haven''t eaten yet anyway." Bang Seon-Woo regained hisposure and nodded. "Oh, yes. Then please have a meal first. My mom''s pork soup is really excellent. I''ll ask my mom and try my best to finish work early today!" Bang Seon-Woo took the keys from my hand and disappeared to park the car. Seeing this, Lee Dong-Min wore a stern expression. "Yoon-Ho. I trust you, but this doesn''t seem right. How can someone like that be aposer..." His face showedplete disbelief. Indeed, if I hadn''t gone back in time, I wouldn''t have believed it either. Bang Seon-Woo was known for helping his mom run the pork soup restaurant all day andposing in his spare time. He was bullied and barely graduated from high school through a qualification exam. He became engrossed in listening to and creating music alone. Although he never learned the basics ofposition, let alone music theory, he became famous forposing songs by tapping notes on an old MePad a friend gave him. That was why he was a genius¡ªa genius who could craft melodies on his own without anyone teaching him. However, telling Lee Dong-Min about Bang Seon-Woo''s background story at this point could be more of a hindrance and potentially instill a prejudice that hecked fundamentals. "Mr. Lee, let''s listen to the music first and then judge. You said you trust me, remember?" Lee Dong-Min sighed. "Alright. I''m hungry anyway, so let''s eat some pork soup first. And well, let''s listen to the music first before judging, as you said." "You''ll definitely be satisfied." Although Lee Dong-Min still looked doubtful, I was confident he would recognize Bang Seon-Woo''s talent for sure. We headed to Bang Family''s Pork Soup Restaurant with our stomachs growling. After finishing a bowl of pork soup loaded with ingredients, our spirits were lifted. Lee Dong-Min patted his full belly and smiled brightly. "Their pork soup is really good. The rich broth is super satisfying." "Mr. Lee, it seems like we won¡¯t have to wait two hours." ¡°Huh? What do you mean?¡± Bang Seon-Woo was talking to his mother in the kitchen. "Ah, Mom. Let me finish work early today. I have important guests." "Guests? Who are they?" "People from a bigpany called Hoop Entertainment. They want to listen to the music I made." Hearing Bang Seon-Woo''s words, his mother and owner of the restaurant, Kim Chun-Ja, frowned. "They want to listen to your music? Nonsense. How does that even make sense?" "Why not? Of course, it makes sense!" "Ah, stop it. You got trickedst time and they were just fooling around. Remember?" "Yes. But not this time, Mom!" "Quiet! Where are those people? Let me see for myself! I¡¯m going to kill them!" Her thick Gyeongsang-do ent echoed loudly in the restaurant. ''What did we do to deserve such a reaction?'' Kim Chun-Ja seemed furious as she rolled up her sleeves and brandished adle. Bang Seon-Woo, not knowing what to do, pleaded, "Ah, Mom, please! Stop speaking in dialect!" "How dare you talk back to your mother like that!" When she thrust thedle at Bang Seon-Woo, who was standing in her way, he immediately recoiled like a turtle. ¡®He mentioned he had three sisters, right?¡¯ Growing up in a female-dominated household, he said he couldn''t stand up to women. The bewildered Lee Dong-Min asked, "Do you understand what thatdy is saying?" "Yes." "How?" "One of my middle school friends from the orphanage was from Busan." "Ah..." Lee Dong-Min didn''t ask any further, probably realizing his mistake. I didn¡¯t care if he asked, but people¡¯s reactions were always like this whenever orphanage stories came up. Anyway, I didn''t know who previously came to meet Bang Seon-Woo, but they seemed to have caused a significant problem. For this reason, Kim Chun-Ja continued to give us an unpleasant re. However, as Bang Seon-Woo kept insisting, Kim Chun-Ja reluctantly approached us while still holding thedle. "So, you say my son''s music is good?" Lee Dong-Min and I stood up, presenting our business cards. "Yes, ma''am." Kim Chun-Ja looked at us with suspicion and snatched the business cards from our hands. "Hoop Entertainment, huh?" "Yes, ma¡¯am. That''s right." "Strange name. Is it even a properpany?" She spoke in a rough manner, but I could tell that beneath that tough exterior was her concern for her son. Even in my past life, she was the mother who protested in front of Epil K''s house for three years with banners, iming her son''s innocence after he had died. Kim Chun-Ja relentlessly said her kind child could never do such a thing. She was also the one who first made me realize that mothers could sometimes do iprehensible things for their children. "Ma''am, do you know the actor Jo Min-Seong?" "Min-Seong? Jo Min-Seong? The one from Sky Wings?" "Yes, that Jo Min-Seong. He''s with us at Hoop Entertainment." Kim Chun-Ja looked at my business card intently with a stern expression. However, when she lifted her head again, her expression had softened slightly. "T-then, does it mean we have to pay money if my son wants to be aposer?" It seemed she had an experience of being deceived by some fraudsters. "Not at all, ma¡¯am. We intend to buy the songs from your son and pay him for his work." Appearing less suspicious of us, Kim Chun-Ja pulled out a chair and sat down. "I¡¯m sorry for losing my temper. It seems like I misunderstood you." Kim Chun-Ja ced thedle she had been holding down on the table. Then, she began to tell us about a previous incident involving Bang Seon-Woo. Chapter 65: Cherry Blossom’s New Song (3)

Chapter 65: Cherry Blossom¡¯s New Song (3)

Apparently, the fraudsters they had encountered before had imed that one must register with an association and invest an initial sum before being able to debut as aposer. They also said Bang Seon-Woo had to buy all the necessary equipment forposing himself. Kim Chun-Ja vented her frustration and confusion about that day. "Even though I''m uneducated, I know that''s not how the world works. My son may be too naive and easily deceived, but not me." Despite her rough manner, Kim Chun-Ja''s deep maternal love was evident. Lee Dong-Min and I reassured her repeatedly. "Don''t worry, ma''am. We would never ask aposer to do such a thing! In fact, we pay theposers and provide them with equipment!" Kim Chun-Ja''s expression softened a bit as she looked at us. "Seeing how you speak, you don''t seem like fraudsters. But I''ll be watching you." She finished speaking and pped Bang Seon-Woo on the back. p! "What are you doing? You still haven¡¯t offered our guests a drink?" Bang Seon-Woo stretched his hand to his back and grumbled. "Ah, Mom! Stop hitting where I can''t reach!" Despite hisints, Bang Seon-Woo brought some drinks from the fridge and then suggested we go upstairs, apologizing with an awkward expression. ¡°I hope you understand our reaction. It¡¯s only because I almost got deceived by bad people once." "Don''t worry. It''s all right." "Haha. Thank you for your understanding. Anyway, pleasee this way." Bang Seon-Woo led us up the narrow stairs to the second floor. The first floor was a restaurant and the second was a family home encapsting Kim Chun-Ja''s lifetime of hard work. As we stepped on the creaking stairs and headed upstairs, I could see the small rooms about three square meters each. Their house was clearly small. Bang Seon-Woo scratched his head. "I¡¯m sorry for the cramped space." "It''s okay. Don''t worry about it." Entering the room, I saw an oldputer surrounded by used books and posters. The worn books, likely taken for free from a second-hand bookshop, were all music-rted. Lee Dong-Min, who had been skeptical, now seemed somewhat reassured. "Do you like Choi Tae-Sik?" Lee Dong-Min asked as he held an old magazine with Choi Tae-Sik''s face on it. At the mention of Choi Tae-Sik, Bang Seon-Woo''s unconfident face lit up. "Choi Tae-Sik is the best. I can¡¯t imagine how he could produce such albums twenty years ago. He''s a genius. I am nothingpared to him..." Twenty years ago, Choi Tae-Sik was a singer-songwriter who produced melodies that still wouldn''t sound out of ce today. He was popr in both indie and mainstream music scenes but preferred to stay out of the spotlight, so he wasn''t widely known. Lee Dong-Min nodded as if Bang Seon-Woo had passed some kind of test to check whether the man in front of him was genuine or not. However, the most important thing, the music, was still to be heard. I secretly hoped that Bang Seon-Woo had at least ten songs ready. "Can we listen to your music first?" Bang Seon-Woo, who had been talking excitedly about Choi Tae-Sik, scratched his head. "Well, I did make some songs, but I haven''t had formal training." "We know you''ve been studying on your own." Bang Seon-Woo blushed. Lee Dong-Min stared at me intensely, but I ignored it and continued talking to Bang Seon-Woo. "Let''s start with the songs you think are good and confident about." "But um, I don''t really know what''s good. They all sound okay to me." "Then please y them all for us." "All? But there are about 50 songs." "Wow, 50 songs?" Bang Seon-Woo blushed, embarrassed to even call them songs. "Yes. B-but they are all still unfinished..." "Let''s just listen to them for now." "Ah, okay." Bang Seon-Woo tapped on his extremely slow and old MePad. Because it was a first-generation model, it took a while to respond to each press. After about 10 seconds, the first songposed by Bang Seon-Woo started ying from the MePad''s speaker. ¡ºDing~Ding Ding? Ding?¡» The song, seemingly one of his early works, had a simple melody line. The tempo fluctuated between slow and fast, creating a dynamic rhythm. Bang Seon-Woo''s music made my heart flutter as it continuously gripped and then released it. ''Indeed, Epil K must have taken this person''s songs!'' The melody line was exactly like Epil K''s hit song ¡®Doom Chit Do Doom Chit¡¯ from my memory. Three minutes flew by in an instant. Pleasantly surprised, Lee Dong-Min gasped and requested to hear all the songs. "C-could you y the next song, please?" "Oh, yes. Of course." Bang Seon-Woo nodded and set his MePad to continuous y. The symphony of music filling the small room made my heart race. One after another, each song captivated our hearts without fail. ¡®This is incredible. There''s nothing to omit. From simple bads yed only with an acoustic guitar to hip-hop, dance music, and even trot?¡¯ Bang Seon-Woo¡¯s songs were almost too good for the current Cherry Blossom. Though Bang Seon-Woocked professional arrangement techniques, that was something a producer could cover. The core emotions and expressiveness of the songs, which were the most important factors, seemed alreadyplete. My expertise was actually more in managing actors'' filmographies than singers. But that didn''t mean I was ignorant about music. After all, I had managed top singers and idols for a decade. Relieved by Bang Seon-Woo''s music, I turned to Lee Dong-Min beside me. His initially expressionless face, devoid of expectations, now disyed a blend of emotions. His face had turned from skepticism to sheer astonishment. Meanwhile, Bang Seon-Woo''s face across from us was flushed red, seemingly embarrassed to present such imperfect songs in front of people from a major entertainmentpany. Time passed unnoticed, and before I knew it, the final notes of thest song faded away. Lee Dong-Min spoke excitedly with an exhrated expression. "Th-these songs are just... How long did it take you to make these? It must have taken an immense amount of time." Bang Seon-Woo scratched his head. "W-well, my friend gave me this MePad a year ago and I actually startedposing six months ago. Is that too slow?" He looked deted as he was expecting a critique after seeing our entranced faces while his music yed. However, his remark got us so dumbfounded that it was almostughable. "Oh, that''s just unbelievable." Lee Dong-Min''s chuckle made Bang Seon-Woo misunderstand again. "So... it''s inadequate." Bang Seon-Woo hung his head low out of disappointment. He seemed to have lower self-esteem than I thought. I realized I needed to be more careful with my words around him. Then, Lee Dong-Min suddenly extended his hand. "Inadequate? What absurdity! No, that''s not what we meant at all. Mr. Seon-Woo, let''s sign an exclusive contract with Hoop Entertainment right now!" "I¡¯m sorry?" "We''ll pay you properly for the songs. We''ll offer you the best treatment for a rookieposer. But the condition is that you contract all the songs you''ve just yed with us." "B-but that''s..." "Oh, and we''ll also provide you with a studio. Especially that 15th song¡ªit''s great. Do you happen to know about Cherry Blossom? They''re from our Singer Division 2..." Perhaps influenced by Lee Dong-Min''s enthusiastic talk as he recognized the value of the songs, Bang Seon-Woo''s expression started to change gradually. His once gloomy expression started to dissipate, unveiling a glimmer of hope. "R-really? You''re not... lying, are you?" When Bang Seon-Woo asked again, Lee Dong-Min stood up. "Let''s not waste time. Why don¡¯t we go and sign the contract right now? Oh, and I''ll buy you thetest MePad right away. Also, we need to back up the data on that MePad. How should we do this?" Lee Dong-Min hopped around while looking at the old and shabby first-generation MePad in Bang Seon-Woo''s hand as he worried about the potential data loss. "I remember all the tunes I''ve recorded, so I can just transfer them without this. It''ll only take a day to re-record them anyway." "Is that so?" "Yes. If it''s the 15th song, it goes like this: Da-dada da! Da!''" Watching Bang Seon-Woo urately imitate his melody lines, Lee Dong-Min breathed a sigh of relief. "Wow, a true genius does exist." Lee Dong-Min and Bang Seon-Woo stood up excitedly, but I stopped them as they were about to leave the room. "Um, Mr. Seon-Woo." "Yes?" "Please remove all the songs you have uploaded on the website right now. And once you¡¯ve transferred the files from the MePad, delete them all. Of course, set a password on your new tablet, and we will rece all the equipment with ones having better security." Bang Seon-Woo tilted his head out of curiosity at my specific instructions. "D-do I need to do that for the contract? I''m morefortable using the old one." Bang Seon-Woo fiddled with the first-generation MePad, looking troubled. ¡®It must be a cherished item.¡¯ However, I had to be firm as the incident about Bang Seon-Woo in my nner had not disappeared yet. [Everyday V10] [Date: July 1, 2022] -01:00 PM Suwon St. Mary''s Hospital Funeral Hall Room 8. Bang Seon-Woo''s funeral service. Starts at 9 AM. I was worried that the songs might leak if he lost his MePad. For this reason, I shared my concerns about giarism with Lee Dong-Min and Bang Seon-Woo. Fortunately, Lee Dong-Min understood my intention and persuaded Bang Seon-Woo. "The boundary of giarism is so vague that there are many who just imitate the melody lines. As our assistant manager said, please take down the songs uploaded on the website, and let''s be as careful as possible with security." Bang Seon-Woo nodded. "I understand. I will do as you ask." "You made the right decision. giarismwsuits can be really messy." As we talked, Bang Seon-Woo also told us about the entertainmentpany that had visited him before us. ''Uncle Music?'' I had never heard of such apany before. Bang Seon-Woo scratched his head as he mentioned he was unsure where he had put the business card they gave him. "I only yed them two songs I posted on the amateurposer''s website." Lee Dong-Min seemed impatient. "Hm, is that so? Well, we¡¯ll need to register the copyright for the songs as soon as we get back to thepany." "Can my songs be copyrighted? But they''re still unfinished." "That''s good enough. We just need to decide on the titles for now. We can simply register them again once we actually release the album." Bang Seon-Woo panickedly waved his hand. "I don''t have any money to register my songs..." "Mr. Bang, please don''t worry about those costs. Thepany will cover them. All you need to do is just sign with us, and you don''t have to worry about anything else." Bang Seon-Woo''s face lit up again. "I will do as instructed." That was when I understood Kim Chun-Ja''s worries. Being recognized for his talent, Bang Seon-Woo was ready to agree to anything with his face beaming like a child. His innocence was evident in every single action. He was truly a perfect target for scams. At that moment, someone knocked on the door. Knock, knock. Only then did I realize that it had been over two hours since we entered the room. "Who is it? Is it you, Mom?" "How long are you going to make me wait, Gwi-Nam?" "Ah, Mom. We''re all done now. And it''s Seon-Woo, not Gwi-Nam!" When the annoyed Bang Seon-Woo opened the door, Kim Chun-Ja stood there with a stern expression. "Sir, if you''re done talking with my son, why don''t youe down and continue your discussion with me over tea?" ''Sir?'' The level of respect in her address had risen from ¡®you people'' to ''sir.'' However, her expression was still stern and skeptical. As we went downstairs, I noticed that the restaurant was already closed. The shutter door was fully down, and the sign''s light was off. Although the restaurant usually operated until 2 AM, it was closed by 9 PM today. "Mom, why did you close the restaurant so early?" "Running the restaurant isn¡¯t our priority in this situation." It seemed she had closed the restaurant early solely out of concern for her son. I couldn''t help but find Kim Chun-Ja''s rough speech endearing in its way. Kim Chun-Ja set down four cups of tea and looked at us, then asked directly, "Do you really think my son''s songs are good? For real?" Chapter 66: Cherry Blossom’s New Song (4)

Chapter 66: Cherry Blossom¡¯s New Song (4)

Kim Chun-Ja seemed curious about whether her son truly had talent and tried to hide her anxiety, maintaining a calm demeanor. In response, Lee Dong-Min nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, ma''am! His songs are of such great quality that we want to sign a contract with him right away. I haven''t called the president yet, but I''m sure he''ll be supportive." Kim Chun-Ja responded to Lee Dong-Min¡¯s words. "Then, you should talk to the president first before proceeding." Lee Dong-Min looked puzzled. "Huh? Why is that...?" "Didn''t you hear me? Get a promise from the president about the contract first. Only then can I let Gwi-Nam go with you." ¡°B-but ma¡¯am. It¡¯s not easy for me to contact the president of thepany at this time.¡± Lee Dong-Min made a perplexed expression, but Kim Chun-Ja remained firm in her stance. ¡°Mr. Lee, just think about it. My son is so excited to sign a contract with yourpany right now, but can you imagine how hurt he would be if your president was against signing the contract?¡± Perhaps because of Bang Seon-Woo''s near experience of being scammed by ''Uncle Music'' before he met us, Kim Chun-Ja was extremely wary and careful. Lee Dong-Min pondered for a moment and then stood up. "Alright! I''ll call the president right away ande back to exin the contract details to you. Yoon-Ho, please wait here for a bit." Lee Dong-Min bowed slightly, lifting the shutter door and stepping outside. Meanwhile, Bang Seon-Woo was busy trying to persuade his mother, whose eyes were fixed solely on me. "Mom! Hoop Entertainment is a really good ce. What if I miss out on this opportunity?" Bang Seon-Woo eximed anxiously. But Kim Chun-Ja raised her hand to interrupt him. "Quiet! Just shut up!" Bang Seon-Woo flinched and recoiled. Kim Chun-Ja sighed and then turned her gaze toward me. Staring directly into my eyes, she slowly opened her mouth. "It''s you, isn''t it?" "Pardon me?" I was puzzled as I had no idea what she was talking about. ¡®What does she mean by that? Did I do something?¡® "You''re the one who brought that man to see my son, aren¡¯t you?" ¡®Ah, that''s what she meant.¡¯ "Yes, ma¡¯am. I¡¯m the one who brought Mr. Lee to see Mr. Bang Seon-Woo. But how did you know?" "I could just tell. That man had a dull expression since he entered, but your eyes were bright and excited." I was taken aback by the fact that she had noticed that in such a short time. "I''ve been running a business for decades. I can easily read people''s faces." Bang Seon-Woo chimed in excitedly. "Yeah, Mom. This guy saw the songs I uploaded to theposer''s website and..." As Bang Seon-Woo tried to join the conversation, Kim Chun-Ja raised her hand again. "Enough!" Bang Seon-Woo flinched and immediately fell silent. Realizing that I was seated across from her, Kim Chun-Ja looked slightly embarrassed. "I''m not well-educated, so I always lose my temper like this. I hope you understand." "No problem at all, ma''am." "But seriously...my son¡ªdoes he really have potential?" "Yes. I believe he can be one of the bestposers." Kim Chun-Ja stared intently at me. "It seems like you¡¯re speaking the truth. Your eyes are deep and honest. They don''t look like those of a liar. I''ve been running a business long enough to read people as well as any fortune teller." However, that wasn''t the case as I only knew that he would be sessful in the future because I had traveled back in time. My face flushed upon hearing Kim Chun-Ja¡¯s piercing words. At that moment, Kim Chun-Ja slowly stood up and continued speaking slowly. "I''m grateful you think so highly of mycking son." As soon as she finished speaking, she began to bow deeply, slowly, and sincerely. She then earnestly requested me to care for her son. "Please take good care of my son. I¡¯m sending my son to yourpany because I trust you, sir." Surprised by her unexpected action, I quickly stood up and bowed to her. "M-ma''am, please don''t do this. Of course, I will take good care of your son." "They say not to even step on a teacher''s shadow. I¡¯m grateful that you are willing to help this worthless boy. As a mother, there''s not much more I can do for him...Please help him be sessful." Then, Kim Chun-Ja, still bowing, called her son. "Gwi-Nam, what are you doing? Show your gratitude!" "Oh, right. Okay, Mom." Bang Seon-Woo also quickly stood up and bowed to me. "I''m in your hands, sir." Kim Chun-Ja''s attitude was so unfamiliar to me. I, a mere talent agent, was being addressed as ¡®sir.¡¯ Nevertheless, I refrained from passing judgment on her actions. The values and life experiences she had encountered bore a weight I dared not measure. I spoke to Kim Chun-Ja¡ªwho was still bowing¡ªwith all sincerity, promising to protect her son in any situation. "I will do my best. Please leave it to me." At that moment, I saw Kim Chun-Ja''s shoulders trembling slightly. It seemed her long-burdened shoulders, due to her concern for Bang Seon-Woo, were relieved a bit. Then, Lee Dong-Min burst in through the shutter door and eximed in a loud voice. "Yoon-Ho, Mr. Kang offered 10 million won per song and a bonus of 30 million won if it hits number one! Is that okay with...huh? What''s going on?" Lee Dong-Min looked around with a puzzled expression before bowing as well. Only after a respectful exchange of bows did we all sit down. Then, I suggested we rify the issue of address first. "Please address only Mr. Lee Dong-Min as ''sir.'' I''m just a talent agent and he''s the music expert. He will help fill in Mr. Seon-Woo''s gaps." However, Kim Chun-Ja shook her head at my words. "Nonsense. You are both offering huge help to my boy. It¡¯s only natural I address you that way." ¡®Well, I guess that''s one way to put it.¡¯ Kim Chun-Ja smiled slightly. "Okay then. I''ve said what I had to say. Go ahead and take my son with you." It seemed she had misunderstood something. Bang Seon-Woo didn¡¯t have to leave¡ªhe could simply work from home, though he might be away for a few nights because staying over at thepany for work was prettymon. But I didn''t know how to bring it up given her serious expression. Fortunately, Bang Seon-Woo spoke up and exined it to her before I had to. Kim Chun-Ja scratched her head in embarrassment after hearing the conversation. "You should have said that earlier." "Ah, Mom. You were getting ahead of yourself! I didn''t even have a chance to exin!" Then, Kim Chun-Jaughed and took my hand. "I trust you, sir." However, her eyes conveyed a different message. If something were to happen to her child, she wouldn''t let it go easily. A cold chill ran down my spine, remembering that she was someone who kept her word even in my past life. We said our goodbyes to Kim Chun-Ja and left with Bang Seon-Woo for thepany. *** We immediately called the legal division to draft the contract and swiftlypleted the copyright registration process. However, the entry on Bang Seon-Woo''s funeral remained unchanged in my nner. [Everyday V10] [Date: July 1, 2022] -01:00 PM Suwon St. Mary''s Hospital Funeral Hall Room 8. Bang Seon-Woo''s funeral service. Starts at 9 AM. ¡®What¡¯s going on?¡¯ I couldn¡¯t understand the situation. ''But why? Why isn''t there any change?'' Despite Lee Dong-Min and the legal division registering the copyrights, the fact that Bang Seon-Woo would still die remained constant. ''What''s going on? Why isn''t it disappearing?'' I pondered the reason while observing Bang Seon-Woo, who was attentively listening to Lee Dong-Min in the recording studio, determined to find the cause and erase this schedule. Meanwhile, Lee Dong-Min began to exin the equipment in the recording studio to Bang Seon-Woo. "This is a synthesizer, and this is a controller..." After exining the equipment, Lee Dong-Min opened hisptop to show theposition software he used. "Theposition programs are all quite simr. But the free app you''ve been using probably had many limitations. Tomorrow, I''ll buy you both the new MePad and a portable MeMac. But for now, you can start using this one right here." "Okay, got it. And please, feel free to speak casually to me, sir." "Are you sure? Alright then." Lee Dong-Min nodded and started pointing out areas for improvement in the melodies that Bang Seon-Woo had created. "Sigh. I¡¯m kind of scared to tamper with your melodies because they are so impactful already... but adding a little here and there might enhance them. Let¡¯s make the melody sound more full." Lee Dong-Min began adjusting the soundtracks on the monitor. With his touch, several instrumental tracks started to be added to the eight tracks created by Bang Seon-Woo. When he pressed y, all the tracks merged. The background to the previously empty melody was filled with instruments chosen by Lee Dong-Min. At that moment, the recording studio was suddenly filled with rich sound. It was the result of a fusion of talent and experience. "Wow! It changed so much with a professional touch!" Bang Seon-Woo eximed. "Well, the foundation was already excellent..." Apparently, the free app on Bang Seon-Woo¡¯s MePad had offered only about 12 instruments. Seeing the unlimited number of instruments in theposition software, Bang Seon-Woo was astounded. Lee Dong-Min then began to exin a few more things and started arranging the song together with Bang Seon-Woo. Bang Seon-Woo, who had been listening intently with an excited expression, began to make requests. "Mr. Lee. Let¡¯s put the third string instrument right here. Yes, and a half-tone higher." Bang Seon-Woo chose the instrument he didn''t even know the name of and pointed to the ce on the program where the note should go. He vividly remembered the sound of the instrument after hearing it just once. The amazed Lee Dong-Min started cing the notes as Bang Seon-Woo indicated with his jaw dropped. "L-like this?" "Yes, sir. And for the fifth instrument, start from under this sharp note for five seconds and three tones lower." "Y-you mean like this?" "Exactly. And that percussion sound from the thirty-seventh instrument¡ªcould you ce it from the beginning to the end like this? Tick! Tick~tatatat! In sync with this beat. Is that possible?" "Of course, Seon-Woo. Let¡¯s try whatever you want." Due to hisck of formal music training, Bang Seon-Woo''s expressions were quite unpolished and rudimentary. However, the conversation flowed smoothly as the experienced Lee Dong-Min was able to adjust ordingly and provide guidance. Lee Dong-Min was like hands and feet to Bang Seon-Woo, who quickly began to give more specific instructions about which instruments to use, where to ce the notes, and what beats to follow. He becamepletely engrossed in cing instruments and arranging notes in theposition software under Bang Seon-Woo''s instructions. It was only after adding about 15 instruments that Bang Seon-Woo stopped giving instructions. "Um...could we y it now and see what it sounds like?" "O-of course. Sure, let''s listen to it." Click. The moment Lee Dong-Min pressed y, all the soundtracks arranged in the musicposition program merged. The melody that used to stand out on its own was now harmonized with the other instruments, creating a beautiful harmony. I was left speechless. The chorus, the most important part of the idol song, came alive even more along with the lively and vibrant emotions. ''Wasposing always this easy?'' But looking at Lee Dong-Min''s face, I could tell it wasn''t an easy task at all. ¡°This is insane..." The moment the three-minute song ended, Lee Dong-Min suddenly hugged Bang Seon-Woo. "Seon-Woo!" "M-Mr. Lee. W-what''s this about?" "What do you mean what¡¯s this about? I''m just so happy! How could such a gem like you be hidden until now?" The song created on the spot was titled ¡®Hit It Up!¡¯, which had ranked number one for five weeks in my past life. In all honesty, the song Lee Dong-Min and Bang Seon-Woo created just now seemed much better than the version I had heard in my past life. There was indeed a huge difference between a knockoff and the original. It was the moment Bang Seon-Woo, a geniusposer, began to spread his wings. Chapter 67: Cherry Blossom’s New Song (5)

Chapter 67: Cherry Blossom¡¯s New Song (5)

"Mr. Lee, why don¡¯t we call it a day for now?" Lee Dong-Min whined like a child with an excited expression. "Huh? But we''ve just started. Why stop now?" "Hyung, let''s do a bit more and then go." Those in the entertainment industry always seemed to be obsessed with their jobs. It was already 11 PM and I had lost count of how many songs we had modified in just an hour. "Look at yourselves in the mirror. You two don''t even look human anymore." Both of them had eye bags hanging down to their cheeks and bloodshot eyes. Lee Dong-Min looked at himself in the mirror in the recording studio andughed incredulously. "Who are you?" Bang Seon-Woo only then realized his eyes were also bloodshot. "Yikes. Well, shall we stop here?" "Yes, let¡¯s call it a day." Lee Dong-Min and Bang Seon-Woo looked at each other and smiled with satisfaction. "I''ll drop Seon-Woo off on my way." "Oh, really? Are you sure?" "Of course. You drove everywhere today, Mr. Lee. You need to get some rest. And I also have something to talk to Seon-Woo about on the way." "Alright, then. I appreciate it." That was when we heard a lively voice from outside the recording studio. "Mr. Lee~" It was Sae-Ri. "Oh? Yoon-Ho oppa is here too? Hi, oppa!" A high-spirited Sae-Ri approached me for a high-five. "Hi~!" Smack! As our palms met, Sae-Ri made a strange sound. "Sticky~~Rice!" I didn''t quite understand what she meant but responded in my own way. "Buckwheat~~Jelly!" "Huh? What''s that~?" Sae-Ri giggled and added another word¡ª¡®Jjondeugi¡¯[1]. ''What''s that now?'' I was confused but had no intention of delving deep into an unknown world. ¡®I¡¯ll just go along with it, I guess. It must be something like Marco Polo.¡¯ "Jjondeugi~!" Sae-Ri giggled at my response, seemingly content with my response. Then, Han Myung-Ho brought in the rest of the Cherry Blossom members, herding them like sheep. "Mr. Lee! I heard you found us aposer." "I sure did. Here. This is Mr. Bang Seon-Woo. He''ll be working with us starting today." Han Myung-Ho extended a warm hand with a bright expression. ¡°Hello, Mr. Bang! Please take good care of our Cherry Blossom girls!" Bang Seon-Woo extended his hand like a statue, frozen stiff. "Oh, um, I, I''ll do my best." Bang Seon-Woo seemed like he didn''t know how to react upon facing the celebrities up close for the first time in his life. He looked as if he had seen an alien. ¡®Ah, and he¡¯s not the only one.¡¯ Yoo Eun-Ah had stepped into the recording studio but immediately backstepped and ran out when she saw Bang Seon-Woo. Eun-Bi ran after Eun-Ah and dragged her back in. "Eun-Ah, what are you doing there? Come and greet our newposer!" "Uh...o-okay." Cherry Blossom struck a polite pose and gave their idol greeting to Bang Seon-Woo. "Hello! We are Cherry Blossom hoping to bloom this spring~!" Although they said it with a lively expression, that slogan really needed to be changed. When Cherry Blossom bowed in a 90-degree idol bow, Bang Seon-Woo bowed back just as deeply. "Do you guys want to hear a nearly finished song?" Lee Dong-Min asked. Sae-Ri was the most excited to hear Lee Dong-Min¡¯s suggestion. "Did we already get a song?" "We did. Now, everyone. Take a seat on the sofa. The song turned out great." The excited Cherry Blossom members gathered on the recording studio''s sofa. Lee Dong-Min confidently pressed the y button. The moment the first note of the song flowed through the surround speakers of the recording studio, the Cherry Blossom members¡¯ faces lit up brightly. "Wow! The intro is amazing!" The song sounded even better the second time I heard it. The catchy hook seemed like it would stay in my mind for a long time. When Sae-Ri started to tap her knees to the beat, Eun-Bi began to bob her shoulder. Yeon-Hee was grooving to the music and Eun-Ah was tapping her fingers in rhythm. After 3 minutes and 50 seconds had passed, Lee Dong-Min turned his chair around joyfully. "How is it? Good, isn¡¯t it?" Sae-Ri jumped up and gave two thumbs up. "It''s so, so, so amazing! And I think I should be able to follow the choreography easily with this beat!" Choreography usually followed the basic tempo of a song, which was why many idol songs were medium-tempo. Sae-Ri, who was not very good at dancing, was the happiest. But Yeon-Hee asked skeptically, "Is this really our song? What if we end up losing it to Golden Road sunbaes or something?" "No, that won¡¯t happen. Mr. Bang is exclusively aposer for us Singer Division 2." Eun-Bi eximed in disbelief at Lee Dong-Min''s answer, "Mr. Lee! Show us the contract!" "What contract?" "The contract that states that Mr. Bang is exclusively with the Singer Division 2!" "Hey! I can¡¯t show you that!" "Oh, right. There''s a confidentiality issue... I forgot." Even the usuallyposed Eun-Bi seemed a bit off. Bang Seon-Woo seemed embarrassed and looked like he wanted to crawl into a mouse hole, awkwardly looking in the exact opposite direction of Eun-Ah. Anyway, there was no opposition to the song from Cherry Blossom members. "And Mr. Bang was scouted by Yoon-Ho. You guys should be really nice to Yoon-Ho." Suddenly, all eyes in the recording studio turned to me. I looked away as I felt awkward. Yeon-Hee was the first to speak up. "Yoon-Ho oppa is always like a fairy godfather." "Yes! He totally is!" When Sae-Ri agreed, the others also nodded vigorously. "Oppa. If we seed this time, it will be all thanks to you." "Honestly, I agree. If we can''t seed with a great song like this, who can we me? Let''s practice hard, Sae-Ri." "Yes, I got this, Eun-Bi unnie." The first song was chosen easily with no disagreement. But then, Lee Dong-Min, who had been smiling contentedly, suddenlyughed. "Yoon-Ho." "Yes, sir?" "Do you know any lyricists or choreographers by chance?" There was anticipation in Lee Dong-Min''s eyes. He seemed to really think I could do anything. "Of course I do!" Everyone''s faces lit up once again. *** It took a while for me to leave with Bang Seon-Woo because of the excited Cherry Blossom members who kept insisting that I sign an exclusive contract with Singer Division 2. Woo Yeon-Hee blocked my way, Sae-Ri clung to my back like a cicada, while Eun-Ah and Eun-Bi grabbed my arms as they refused to let me leave without signing an exclusive contract. Thanks to Han Myung-Ho''s intervention, I was finally able to leave the recording studio. Aftering down to thepany''s underground parking lot, I called Yoo-Jin. Hearing that Miso fell asleep after waiting for me for a long time made me feel guilty. -Oppa. You''reing early tomorrow morning to pick me up, right? "Yes, I¡¯ll see you tomorrow. Take a good rest. Maybe order some fried chicken for ate-night snack." -Okay, I will. See you tomorrow. But something was odd. Despite suggesting she order fried chicken, Yoo-Jin''s voice sounded subdued. Normally, she would be ecstatic and almost shouting with joy. ¡®She must be upset because I disappointed Miso.¡¯ I thought I should visit early tomorrow and put my phone back in my pocket. "Seon-Woo, get in." "Thank you." While driving Bang Seon-Woo home, I started telling him about the entertainment industry. Even though he was just aposer, it was important to know how the industry worked Listening to my stories, Bang Seon-Woo opened his mouth with hesitation. "...Until yesterday, I was just cooking pork soup, and now this... I can''t tell if this is a dream or reality." His voice wasced with tears. The fact that he found a glimmer of hope in his hopeless life thanks to me weighed heavily on my mind. "Just trust me. I''ll handle all the tough and challenging parts for you." Wiping away his tears, Bang Seon-Woo nodded. "Yes, I''ll trust you¡ªjust like my mom said." When I returned to the restaurant with Bang Seon-Woo, it was just past midnight. However, Kim Chun-Ja was there waiting for Bang Seon-Woo in front of the restaurant, still awake at thiste hour. "You¡¯re back, Seon-Woo." "Yes, I got 10 million won as a bonus for signing the contract, Mom!" "Really?" "Yes, really!" I felt a lump in my throat as I watched the two of them hugging, crying, andughing. Kim Chun-Ja offered to give me a drink and let me sleep over, but I politely declined and headed home. Just then, my phone rang. "...Why are they calling at this time?" I answered the phone with trembling hands. From the other end, I heard the voice of the person I had always hesitated to call after I traveled back in time. -Son? My heart started racing. -Did I wake you up?" I took a deep breath and replied, "Ah, no. What''s up? Did something happen at this hour?" -Oh, I didn¡¯t realize howte it was because I just finished bathing and putting the kids to bed. There¡¯s nothing serious going on. I just wanted to hear your voice. I¡¯m sorry for calling sote. "No, it''s okay. I told you I usually work till dawn, remember?" The person who called with a bright voice was Sister Mika, who ran the orphanage where I grew up in. In my past life, I never called her ''mom'' even though she always referred to herself as such. I thought she was a fake mom when I was younger. And as I grew up, it just didn¡¯t feel natural to call her that. But only after she died did I realize that Sister Mika was indeed my mother. I would never have survived the orphanage life without her. Despite her love and care, many kids at the orphanage didn''t appreciate her. After traveling back in time, I never managed to call her because I didn¡¯t know where to start. But it was as simple as a son calling his mother to say hi, just like how she called me. ''I''m sorry, Mom.'' I resolved to start calling her ''mom'' from now on. "W-wait a moment. Let me park the car." Holding back my rising emotions, I pulled over. And for the first time, I called her ¡®mom¡¯. "Uh... M-Mom. What''s up? Why did you call?" There was a brief silence¡ªand then I heard sobbing from the other end of the phone. ¡®Calling her ¡®mom¡¯ isn¡¯t too hard after all. Why did I hesitate for such a long time?¡¯ My heart grew heavy hearing her weeping. Sister Mika¡ªno, Mom¡ªtried to stop her tears and spoke. -N-nothing much. I just... wanted to hear your voice. This had always been the case. She usually had no reason to call me but just wanted to hear my voice. In my past life, I would have hung up without much thought. But after having a second shot at life, I knew why she was calling me. ¡°Are the kids giving you a hard time? Do you want me to go over right now?¡± The location of the orphanage was Gyeonggi-do Gwangju, and the traveling time was not too long. -N-no. It¡¯s toote for you toe all the way here. I¡¯m fine. I¡¯d be too worried that I won¡¯t be able to sleep if you came now. Come for a visitter when you¡¯re not busy. Everything is fine here. Once I called her ¡®mom,¡¯ doing so for the second time wasn¡¯t so hard. ¡°Okay. Give me a call if anything happens because I want to listen to your voice more often, Mom. No¡ªactually, I¡¯ll call you every night from now on.¡± A voice brighter than before came from over the line. -Calling you tonight was a great idea, son. I didn¡¯t expect you to call me ¡®mom¡¯. Upon hearing how emotional she sounded, I felt sorry for not being able to call her ¡®mom¡¯ earlier. ¡°I¡¯ll call you more often from now on. Oh, and Mom, make sure you get a medical examination done this year, no matter what.¡± -Okay. There¡¯s nothing I won¡¯t do for you, son. I promise to go this year. In five years, she would be diagnosed with stomach cancer just like me. Although her surgery was sessful, her cancer would suddenly spread to a different organ and she would die. I couldn¡¯t let that happen again. I mustered up courage once more. ¡°I¡¯ll visit soon, Mom. And you know I always...love you. Right?¡± -Yes. I always love you too, my son. ¡°Me too.¡± Just like that, we continued our conversation, chatting about simple and everyday topics. That night, I was able to sleep soundly and without any worries for the first time since I traveled back in time. *** The next morning, I headed to the hotel as soon as I opened my eyes. When I opened the door, Miso, who was wearing her PowerTuff Girls pajamas, jumped out and weed me. ¡°Uncle Yoon-Ho~.¡± ¡°Miso~.¡± Miso ran into my arms and then puffed her cheeks as if she suddenly remembered something. ¡°Hmph!¡± ¡°What is it~?¡± ¡°Hmph! Hmph!¡± Miso turned away in my arms. It seemed like she was protesting because I didn¡¯t visit herst night when I had promised her I would. But having already expected that she would be upset, I brought her a doll. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miso. Work endedter than expectedst night. But I brought you a gift.¡± Only after giving her a PowerTuff Girls doll did Miso dete her pufferfish-like cheeks. ¡°Hehe, it¡¯s pretty.¡± Miso hugged me tightly with the doll in her hand. ¡°Where is your mom, Miso?¡± ¡°Mom is taking a shower!¡± I could hear the water running in the washroom. I sat in the living room of the suite and watched the kids channel with Miso while listening to her experience of living in a hotel. Click. Then, Yoo-Jin came out of the shower and greeted me. ¡°Oh. Hi, oppa.¡± ¡°Hi.¡± ¡°Give me a moment. I¡¯ll be back after drying my hair.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Yoo-Jin went into the room. But I noticed that she was subtly pouting her lips, seemingly upset. ¡®What¡¯s going on?¡¯ At that moment, Miso approached me and began to whisper the reason her mom was upset. ¡°Uncle Yoon-Ho. Mom is...¡± 1. Chewy snack that is made of sweet potato and pumpkin and contains konjac ? Chapter 68: Crank In

Chapter 68: Crank In

¡°What?¡± Miso looked toward Yoo-Jin¡¯s room, cing her index finger over her lips. ¡°Shh!¡± Then, she shook her head as she warned me that Yoo-Jin was angry. Miso exined that Yoo-Jin was upset that I didn¡¯t visit them yesterday although I had promised to. She had even ordered a bunch of snacks to share with me. When I told her that I couldn¡¯t visit them, Yoo-Jin grumbled that I was always too busy. As a result, Miso was also unhappy since her mom became upset due to my actions. But something was weird. ¡®Yoo-Jin definitely told me that Miso was mad because I couldn¡¯te when she missed me.¡¯ However, ording to Miso, it was the opposite¡ªYoo-Jin got upset first, which caused Miso to also get upset. Nevertheless, I thought I shouldn¡¯t pry too much into it. After all, I was too tired yesterday and might have misunderstood the situation. I decided to calm Miso down first while I thought of how to appease Yoo-Jin. "So do you still hate me, Miso? Even after I bought you a doll?" Miso looked into the room and then back at me, wriggling her fingers and shaking her head. "No, it''s not that... I can''t just go back to liking you while Mom is still angry." Miso pursed her lips with determination as she ced the PowerTuff Girl doll she was holding down. ¡®She doesn¡¯t hate me but can''t like me either?¡¯ Miso saying she doesn''t like me somehow made my heart ache. I made a pitiful face with my hands sped. "I¡¯m sorry, Miso. Can you please forgive me? I had a really hard time. I took care of the person who hurt you and your mom, and even saved someone who was about to die." Miso looked perplexed for a moment before entering a thoughtful contemtion. She nced back and forth at the room with a ''what should I do?'' look. "Uhh...I¡¯m not supposed to let this go so easily..." But then, Miso seemed to make up her mind and whispered in my ear. "Then it''s a secret that I forgave you, Uncle Yoon-Ho. Okay?" "Yes, it¡¯s a secret." Only then did Miso hug the PowerTuff Girl doll again. At that moment, the closed door opened and Yoo-Jin came out of her room after finishing her makeup. "You must be tired, oppa. Why did youe so early? You could have taken your time..." ¡®That¡¯s a lie.¡¯ She was smiling with her mouth, but her eyes weren''t. I looked at Yoo-Jin and behaved just like I did with Miso, apologizing to her. I exined the circumstances of yesterday and how busy I was untilte at night. Yoo-Jin''s expression started to change as she listened to my story, asking questions with excitement and fascination. "Wow, really? Mr. Seon-Woo is amazing." Yoo-Jin was especially amazed by the story about Bang Seon-Woo. She said she''d never seen a ''genius'' in her life. ¡®That¡¯s funny. There''s a genius in the mirror she looks into.¡¯ "Oppa, can you introduce him to me one day? I would love to meet him." "Of course I can. You can do whatever you want." Yoo-Jin red and sulked. "Hmph... you¡¯re always just words. You tell me I can¡¯t eat whatever I want." "Well, that''s... not okay. You can do everything you want but eat." "See? You changed your words again. I can''t trust you anymore." Yoo-Jin acted as if she was offended, just like Miso. I realized where Miso got her habit of pretending to be upset and being whiny¡ªit was from Yoo-Jin. "Fine. You can eat as much as you want until lunch today." "Really? Promise me you won¡¯t change your mind." "I promise." Yoo-Jin''s face finally brightened up. Then, I remembered that she had fried chicken yesterday. ¡®No, I should just let it go this time.¡¯ "Let''s go home now. I heard the reporters have left." As Yoo-Jin decided not to move to a new home, thepany went ahead to install security systems in her house. Yoo-Jin nodded and fiddled with Miso''s clothes. "Miso, let''s get you changed and get ready to go home now!" "Okay, Mom!" "And from now on, you can call me ''Mom'' outside as well. Okay?" Yoo-Jin''s voice was louder than ever. Miso replied loudly with a bright smile. "Okay, Mom!" Holding Miso in her arms, Yoo-Jin turned to me and said, "Oppa, thank you so much. Thanks to you, Miso finally feels like my real daughter!" "Uncle Yoon-Ho is the best!" My heart swelled with emotions. "There¡¯s no need to thank me. I was just doing my job. Now, let''s get going. Thendlord must be waiting." Having packed everything, we headed to the underground parking lot to greet the concierges. When I handed out the bonus envelopes given by Kang Gam-Chan, everyone greeted me with bright smiles. Indeed, all effort should be rewarded. I was feeling that reward too. [Assistant Manager Jung Seong-Ah: As per the President''s instructions, a bonus of 5 million won has been deposited. Congrattions on your promotion, Assistant Manager Jung!] A smile crept across my face. Hoop Entertainment was indeed worth working for. *** After several days of chaos, it was finally February 7th¡ªthe dyed crank-in day for Blue Sky. We arrived at the filming location, Youth Street in Gyeonggi-do Namyangju. Contrary to its name, the area was filled with empty buildings due to the deadmercial district. Thanks to this, the shooting team managed to rent two adjacent two-story buildings for the next six months. The props team had ced signs for Blue Seafood Restaurant and Sky Pork Ribs on the two buildings. We started the ritual[1]for sess in the shared parking lot in front of the two buildings. The chilly wind of February was blowing through the parking lot. "Okay, let''s ce the offerings here. Actors, pleasee this way. Reporters, please keep a distance and take your photos. Yes, yes." The SBC The Human Stories team, the behind-the-scenes team of Blue Sky, and reporters were all bustling around. Then, I noticed everyone was talking about Yoo-Jin. "Can we get some interviews with the cast?" "Just a moment! We''ll arrange interviews after the ritual. Please don''t push in, just wait a little!" "That¡¯s a promise, okay? If I don''t get an interview with Miss Jung Yoo-Jin today, I''ll be fired from mypany." Cha Soo-Yeon, the production manager from Blue Dragon, was busy holding off the reporters. Soon after, the ritual started. Jung Sam-Ryong was the first to bow to the pig''s head, contributing 300 thousand won. "May our Blue Sky be sessful~." "Wow, Mr. Jung is so generous." "Hmm. I wanted to contribute more, but this is all I can afford on my sry. Now, it''s time for Mr. Kang Soo-Hoon, Ms. Kim Soll-Ip, and Ms. Cha Soo-Yeon to bow." After they bowed, all the rest of the staff began to bow to the pig¡¯s head. Then, the actors stepped forward to bow and made their contributions. Yoo-Jinpleted her bow with Ju Yung-In, who yed the role of Sky, and Park Jin-Hee, who yed the role of Autumn. However, the bill Yoo-Jin took out had a different color than others. Seeing the money in Yoo-Jin''s hand, Cha Soo-Yeon''s expression turned to shock. "1 million won? Miss Yoo-Jin, you don''t have to give this much!" Yoo-Jin''s appearance fee for one episode was currently 1 million won. She donated her entire episode fee, causing a stir at the site. "What, what''s this?" "1 million won for the ritual? Is Miss Yoo-Jin that rich?" "Our drama is going to be a hit!" The money pinned to the pig''s head was to be used for a staff mealter in the afternoon. This made the staff''s faces brighten and they cheered. "There were a lot of issues regarding the drama because of me recently, causing the crank-in to be dyed... I''m really sorry for everything. That''s why I wanted to make today''s meal special." As Yoo-Jin bowed, the staff erupted in cheers. "Wow. Jung Yoo-Jin is amazing! So generous!" "Thanks to Miss Yoo-Jin, we''re going to have avish meal today. Let¡¯s have ribs! Ribs!" Since the contribution was meaningful, no one could use her of being reckless even though it was arge amount of money. The actors also smiled brightly as they admired Yoo-Jin''s action. I couldn''t stop my lips from curving upwards upon seeing the shes of the reporters'' cameras going off continuously as they observed the scene. The headlines for today''s articles popped up in my mind. [Jung Yoo-Jin. Donates 1 Million Won to the Blue Sky Ritual!] [Jung Yoo-Jin: "I really hope Blue Sky seeds."] Every move Yoo-Jin made seemed to instinctively position her as the center of attention. It was undeniably a trait of a star. But among the actors, I noticed something odd. Ju Seong-Jin, the number one risk factor of this drama, was avoiding Yoo-Jin with an unpleasant expression. On the other hand, Choi Jong-Hyuk, known for being attracted to older women, looked at Yoo-Jin with a wolf-like gaze. *** "Alright. Look this way, please. Yes, that''s good." "Mr. Kang, could you say a few words about the actors in this drama?" "What''s your target viewership rating?" The production team and actors of Blue Sky continued with group photos and interviews with reporters on one side of the filming location. This was because there wasn¡¯t enough time to hold a proper production presentation due to the tight drama schedule. With the drama set in the years 1980 and 1999, the actors were dressed in styles that were popr back then. Looking at the actors'' costumes, I felt as if I had time-traveled¡ªalthough I had already gone back in time. Meanwhile, the interviews concluded. Kang Soo-Hoon bowed to the reporters. "Blue Sky will properly depict the lives, love, and sess of ordinary people from that time. Please give us a lot of love and attention." The reporters apuded Kang Soo-Hoon''s deration and cheered for the drama''s sess. "That''s all for today. We''ll arrange another meeting with the reporters next time." Cha Soo-Yeon announced the end of the interviews. But then, Star Special¡¯s Jang Moon-Ki urgently raised his hand. "Ms. Cha! You promised to spare some time for Miss Jung Yoo-Jin!" Jang Moon-Ki from Star Special, without caring about the displeased expressions of the surrounding actors, mentioned Jung Yoo-Jin''s name. To be honest, Actress Jung Yoo-Jin was more of a topic than Blue Sky itself at this point. Several leading actors openly showed their displeasure. I thought Ju Yung-In must be feeling especially terrible since her ego would be hurt to have the focus taken away by a supporting actress when she was the protagonist of the drama. "Of course. Miss Yoo-Jin, could youe this way, please?" Cha Soo-Yeon readily epted Jang Moon-Ki''s request. After all, even a small topic turning into an article was beneficial for the productionpany. As Yoo-Jin followed Cha Soo-Yeon to a corner of the shooting location, over 80% of the reporters followed her. I also stood by Yoo-Jin''s side to assist her with the interview. "Miss Jung Yoo-Jin, how did you decide to adopt your niece at such a young age?" "Did the agency know from the beginning that Miso was your daughter?" "Do you have a message for reporter Ju Kang-Yong?" sh! sh! The spotlight and camera shes continuously focused on Yoo-Jin. It was as if she had be the main character before the drama even started, receiving a full camera spotlight. "Okay, that''s it for the interview! Thank you all for your hard work." As Cha Soo-Yeon was about to lead the reporters away, my eyes met with Jang Moon-Ki who was staring at me. "Mr. Jung. You know me, don¡¯t you? Haven''t we met in Cheonho-dong before?" It was true I had gained the nickname ''Star Jung'' and faced some awkward situations because of Jang Moon-Ki, but his help was significant during the Choi Jun-Woo incident. While I was pondering what to do, the surrounding reporters started murmuring. "Reporter Jang, are you trying to get an exclusive story?" "Hey, don''t be selfish. Let''s share it." Jang Moon-Ki ignored the questions from other reporters and kept winking at me, clearly wanting an exclusive story. I had no choice. I owed him a favor, and I would need his help again in the future. I nodded slightly. Giving Jang Moon-Ki a scoop at this time meant he would write ¡®positive¡¯ articles about Yoo-Jin. He would ensure that Yoo-Jin received the spotlight with his ''specialty.'' I left a message to meet Jang Moon-Ki separately and headed toward the filming location. *** Ju Seong-Jin, the male lead, sneaked a cigarette behind the temporary trailer used as a makeup studio. His mood was off due to the crank-in being dyed a week which messed up his schedule. Puff~ As he exhaled a long puff of smoke, he heard a rustling sound from behind. The startled Ju Seong-Jin quickly tried to stub out the cigarette but rxed when he saw who it was. It was Choi Jong-Hyuk, his co-star ying a brother in the drama. "What are you doing here? I thought you said you don''t smoke, hyung. Were you lying?" "Damn, you scared me. I thought you were a reporter." "The reporters are all busy taking photos of Jung Yoo-Jin. How does a supporting actress attract more cameras than the lead?" "Damn those reportrash. Always sticking like barnacles whenever there''s an issue..." Jealousy among celebrities knew no gender bounds. "Give me one too." Ju Seong-Jin handed Choi Jong-Hyuk a cigarette. "I need a lighter as well." "Do I look like your talent agent?" But despite his gruff words, Ju Seong-Jin lit the cigarette for him. Puff. For a moment, the two just smoked in silence before Ju Seong-Jin spoke again. "Hey. You now know Yoo-Jin has a daughter. Are you still going to approach her?" "What about you?" "I''m cutting ties. The moment I heard she has a daughter, my interest plummeted. It''s too much of a burden even if it''s an adoption." Choi Jong-Hyuk smirked and took another drag of his cigarette. A cunning smile yed on his lips. "Wait. Are you...? Are you really..." "Really what?" "Really going to make a move?" Choi Jong-Hyuk shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah. I''m really going to make a move.¡± ¡°But I thought you only chased after older women?" "Having a daughter gives a different vibe. A woman with strong maternal instincts¡ªthat''s attractive. For the first time in a while, I''m serious." Ju Seong-Jin shook his head with a dumbfounded look. "You''re crazier than I am." Finishing his cigarette, Ju Seong-Jin disappeared toward the set. Choi Jong-Hyuk watched Ju Seong-Jin leave and smirked. Previously, he was doing it solely because Ma Dong-Pal had asked him to. However, things were different now. "Being known as Jung Yoo-Jin''s man. That''s a decent title, isn¡¯t it?" Just the thought of gaining poprity through his association with Jung Yoo-Jin made him smile. And thinking about Yoo-Jin''s stunning figure only added to his grin. "Well, I should head over too." Choi Jong-Hyuk stubbed out his cigarette and walked toward the filming location with a smile. 1. Shamanistic ritual intended to prevent misfortune and bring good luck by cing the pig heads on the table along with many different kinds of dishes ? Chapter 69: On Set (1)

Chapter 69: On Set (1)

It has been three days since the crank-in of Blue Sky. Today marked the start of filming episode two, featuring Yoo-Jin''s first appearance. As I waited for Yoo-Jin while she was getting her makeup touched up by the stylist, I checked out the entertainment news articles that were filling the web. [Blue Sky Begins Filming!] [The Fearless Rookie Writer Kim Soll-Ip of Blue Sky Aims to Surpass Her Mentor, Writer Lee Ji-Yeon.] [The Heroine of The Human Stories, Jung Yoo-Jin. Will She Be the Heroine in Blue Sky Too?] [Jung Yoo-Jin, Oveing Pain with a Bright Smile. Pledges to Repay the Excessive Love from Viewers with Good Acting.] Most articles were favorable towards Blue Sky and Yoo-Jin. But as expected, Jang Moon-Ki had a different style. [Shocking! Jung Yoo-Jin: "Miso, actually..."] [Exclusive. Jung Yoo-Jin. The Person She Loves the Most is...] [Sensational Report. Jung Yoo-Jin. The Secret Location of her Mole...] [Ranked No.1 for Best School Uniform Looks Among Korean Actresses!!] Jang Moon-Ki had mastered the art of creating attention-grabbing headlines to draw theizens'' interest. Thanks to him, Yoo-Jin was currently topping the live search rankings. Fortunately, mostments on the articles were criticizing Jang Moon-Ki, not Yoo-Jin. (Comments) -Wow, Reporter Jang Moon-Ki, you''ve really outdone yourself. A master of clickbait. -A real fisherman of people. -Jung Yoo-Jin¡¯s favorite person being Miso is an article? I got hooked by the title but there¡¯s nothing interesting here. -Miso, actually... your mom is an actress? Are you kidding me? -I agree that she looks best in school uniforms. -A mole on the sole of her foot is a secret? Really? -Another big catch. Today¡¯s fishing is a hit. p p. -Lol. What was he thinking with these titles? "Jang Moon-Ki. Just as I had expected, you''re the best at clickbait titles." Admiring Jang Moon-Ki''s clickbait prowess, I turned my attention back to the filming location. The child actors who filled the set yesterday were all gone and cannot be used as an excuse for the viewership ratings for the uing broadcasts. Kang Soo-Hoon fiddled with his dry lips with a nervous expression."Miss Yung-In, I¡¯m counting on you." "Yes, Mr. Kang. I¡¯ll do my best." After Kang Soo-Hoon checked the readiness of the production staff, he grabbed the megaphone. "Alright, then. Scene thirteen. Ready~ Action!" Ju Yung-In, dressed in a school uniform and carrying a bag, started acting. She yed the role of Kim Sky, the eldest daughter at Sky Pork Ribs who had a unique taste of never eating meat despite her family running a barbecue restaurant. She was a bit selfish but intelligent and was recognized for her academic prowess. When the shoot began, Ju Yung-In transformed into Kim Sky, full of the unique angsty characteristic of a high school girl. As Ju Yung-In continued her performance, the staff¡¯s faces started showing signs of amazement. And when Lee Sa-Rang joined in the acting, their astonishment turned into admiration. The renowned actress Lee Sa-Rang was recently known for ying mother and mother-inw roles, but in her youth, she was a popr main lead just like Ju Yung-In. Famous for her bold ad-libs that never disrupted the main narrative, she was considered a genius actress. As Lee Sa-Rang performed the mother''s role with her solid acting foundation from her child actress years, sighs of relief were heard around the set. Kang Soo-Hoon grabbed the megaphone with a thrilled look on his face. "Cut! Miss Yung-In, Mrs. Sa-Rang. Great work, both of you." As the first scene with only adult actors wrapped up, a loud round of apuse echoed among the staff. Despite Ju Yung-In''s personality, her acting was beyond reproach. I called Yoo-Jin who was engrossed in reading her script while sitting on the standby chair. "Yoo-Jin, it''s almost your turn. Get ready." Yoo-Jin, dressed in a school uniform, merely nodded without taking her eyes off the script. "Just a moment. I''m a bit nervous." "Just do as usual. And it''s okay even if it doesn''t go well. I''ll find you a better role if needed." Yoo-Jin yfully responded to my lighthearted joke. "Ah, really. If I fail, will it be your fault?" "Yeah, yeah." However, I didn¡¯t really think she would fail. We did a fist bump for encouragement. Then, Yoo-Jin asked again, "But don¡¯t you think you¡¯re trusting me too much?" "A talent agent should definitely trust their actress." "This time, I''m truly moved. Watch me, I''ll do my best." That was when it happened. "Miss Jung Yoo-Jin, please get ready!" Yoo-Jin stood up when Assistant Director Yang Soon-Ho called her over. "You got this. I¡¯m rooting for you!" Yoo-Jin''s performance was in no way inferior to Ju Yung-In''s. Her character, Twilight, the second daughter, was clumsy and wed but loved by everyone for her cheerful nature and helpfulness at home. Her only grievance in life was that her parents'' attention seemed solely focused on her older sister, Sky. As Yoo-Jin''s performance, mixed withughter and tears, unfolded, the staff''s expressions brightened even more. Her acting skills were clearly on par with Ju Yung-In''s. "Cut~ Okay! Miss Yoo-Jin, please keep it up like this. Okay?" "Thank you!" The cinematographer, Lee Seong-Hwan, especially praised the way Yoo-Jin appeared on camera. "Her young age really suits the high school student role. Her expressions are different from the other actors. How many years has it been since you graduated?" "It¡¯s been four years." Lee Sung-Hwan was surprised. "What? It¡¯s been that long?" "Haha. Thank you for thinking I look young." Lee Seong-Hwan chuckled, saying Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting reminded him of his own daughter. "Does your daughter give you a hard time too? Like me?" Yoo-Jin''s yfulment made Lee Seong-Hwan sigh deeply before fiddling with his camera. "My daughter... she''s a good kid." His joke made all the staff burst intoughter. After the shoot, Yoo-Jin continued to engage in a friendly chat with the staff. Watching Yoo-Jin blend in effortlessly with everyone around her, Ju Yung-In frowned once more perhaps because she felt a tinge of jealousy. ¡®Don¡¯t me others. It¡¯s your personality that¡¯s the issue.¡¯ Yoo-Jin let out a deep sigh when she came back to her chair. "Sigh, as expected. I still feel like I''m not getting the hang of it." ¡®What? If that¡¯s her level when she thinks she''s not getting the hang of it, how much better could she possibly get?¡¯ "From my perspective, you did very well." "That''s because you''re on my side, oppa. It''s different in reality, you know?" It seemed beyond my ability to judge. But I knew I could still help with some things. Just as important as managing her filmography was giving her mental support. "Don¡¯t worry too much. You did great. And for the next scene with Mrs. Lee Sa-Rang, just think of it as a learning experience. Rx your shoulders." Just then, Assistant Director Jung Mi-Sun hurried over. "Miss Yoo-Jin, quickly change your outfit and get ready for the next scene please." "Okay! Let''s go!" I followed Yoo-Jin with a nket as she went to get changed. Exiting the changing room, Yoo-Jin transformed into a part-timer at Sky Pork Ribs. Because the scene involved grilling pork ribs using charcoal, smoky air filled the set. "Be careful when changing the charcoal, Mr. Beom-Gyu. You might get burned if it breaks." "Don''t worry. I''ve been handling charcoal since I was a kid. It''s been a while. This is kind of nostalgic." ying the dad, Jung Beom-Gyu applied burn-prevention cream to his hands and picked up the charcoal tongs. nk, nk. Every movement of the ck tongs scattered ash everywhere Yoo-Jin, dressed as a part-timer, held tongs and a grill, while Lee Sa-Rang, ying the mom, stood with a tray of side dishes. "Alright, everyone. This is Scene twenty-two. Be careful with the fire. And extras, just chat casually. Ready!" As the call sign dropped, Jung Beom-Gyu holding the charcoal tongs sessfully reced the charcoal on a customer''s table. A supporting actor ying the role of a regr customer started a yful conversation. ¡ºHey! I heard Sky topped her ss again. I was so jealous I couldn¡¯t sleep!¡» Lee Sa-Rang, setting up side dishes on a table, burst intoughter. ¡ºDid you already hear the news? Hahaha.¡» ¡ºYep, my daughter told me. Sigh, my child is alwaysst. I''m so embarrassed I can''t show my face around the neighborhood.¡» ¡ºI¡¯m so jealous. If only my eldest son was half as good as Sky. You must send your first daughter to Seoul National University.¡» Lee Sa-Rang responded to the regr customer''spliments by calling out toward the kitchen. ¡ºHoney! Please add some extra service dishes to table 2!¡» Then, the brightly smiling regr customer turned to Yoo-Jin who was holding the grill. ¡ºBut what about your second daughter''s grades?¡» Lee Sa-Rang''s expression soured at the unexpected question. Based on the script, Yoo-Jin would deflect and change the topic in this scene. But at that moment, Lee Sa-Rang started improvising. ¡ºShe''s alwaysst in ss! She''s not good at studying unlike her older sister.¡» The sudden change in script startled the production staff. But the unfazed Yoo-Jin smoothly continued acting without even blinking her eyes as if she had be Twilight herself. ¡ºMom! Why would you say that?!¡» Yoo-Jin, holding the grill, burst into feigned anger. Kang Soo-Hoon silently raised his hand and calmed the crew¡¯s nerves. It wasn''t a cut but hinted at a continuation of the scene. Everyone swallowed hard as they watched the interaction between the two actresses. ¡ºHow dare you yell at your mom?¡» After finishing setting up the side dishes on the table, Lee Sa-Rang pped Yoo-Jin on the back with her hand as she scolded her. p! Yoo-Jin, still holding the grill and tongs in both hands, squirmed in pain. ¡ºOw! Why did you hit me? Ouch! Ouch! It hurts!¡» Yoo-Jin wriggled like an octopus but did not drop the grill and tongs, disying her professional part-timer skills. Yoo-Jin''s actions almost made the staff burst intoughter. But they had to struggle to hold it in as the scene continued. ¡ºWhy are you making such a fuss? Hurry up and serve the grill!¡» ¡ºAre you really my mother? Your daughter is in pain! And why did you mention my grades, huh?! I''m so embarrassed. How am I supposed to go to school tomorrow?¡» ¡ºThen am I not your mother? Am I your stepmother? If you''re embarrassed, why don''t you study like your sister, huh?¡» As Yoo-Jinined about Lee Sa-Rang telling everyone in the neighborhood about her grades, Lee Sa-Rang continued to scold her. ¡ºIf you are going to alwayspare me to my sister, why don''t you make her do the restaurant work then!¡» When Lee Sa-Rang raised her tray out of anger, the startled Yoo-Jin raised the grill in defense. She stepped back while adopting a perfect defensive stance using the grill as a shield and brandishing the tongs in her right hand. ¡ºAre you going to hit me again?¡» Lee Sa-Rang lowered her hand and sighed heavily. ¡ºSigh. I wonder where she got her personality from...¡» At that moment, Yoo-Jin raised her voice as if she was truly upset. ¡ºWho do you think? Like mother, like daughter!¡» Yoo-Jin shot back, causing the customers to giggle andugh. ¡ºHa ha ha!¡» The extras couldn''t hold back theirughter. It was such a natural response that the PD still didn''t call it a cut. ¡ºUgh, I¡¯m speechless!¡» Lee Sa-Rang angrily shook her fists and turned toward the kitchen. As soon as her ''mom'' was out of sight, Yoo-Jin ced the grill over the charcoal. The once rowdy second daughter was reced by a smiling Yoo-Jin, prompting another burst ofughter from the customers. ¡ºEnjoy your meal, sir.¡» After a moment ofughter, the customers regainedposure and returned to the original script. ¡ºRight, right. So what if you¡¯re not good at studying? You¡¯re such a good girl. Ah, and here''s some pocket money.¡» The man handed over six pieces of 1 thousand won bills from 1999. Yoo-Jin also went back to the script with a bright smile. ¡ºWow! Thank you so much!¡» She bowed gratefully and the customer added his final line. ¡ºGive 3 thousand won to your older sister, keep 2 thousand won for yourself, and give 1 thousand won to your younger sister.¡» ¡ºHuh? You want me to give some to my sister as well?¡» Yoo-Jin''s face fell upon realizing the money wasn''t all for her. ¡ºSiblings should get along. I''ve heard your older sister really cares for her siblings.¡» ¡ºMy sister? Ha! No way.¡» Yoo-Jin pouted and crossed her arms, causing another round ofughter on set. "Cut!" Kang Soo-Hoon spoke with a satisfied expression. "Ha ha ha. That was great!" "Wow! Miss Yoo-Jin really knows how to handle the grill." "Didn''t you know she worked part-time at a barbecue restaurant?¡± ¡°No wonder she looks so experienced.¡± This level of performance in her first shoot was a huge sess. Yoo-Jin bowed continuously, thanking everyone before returning to her spot. But then, Lee Sa-Rang followed behind her. Chapter 70: On Set (2)

Chapter 70: On Set (2)

Lee Sa-Rang held Yoo-Jin''s hands, continuously showering her with praise. "I didn''t know my daughter could act so well. I''m impressed as a mother." Suchpliments from a renowned actress like Lee Sa-Rang were a big deal. Reporters would love to write articles about this if they had seen it. ''What a missed opportunity.'' Yoo-Jin blushed and smiled shyly, overwhelmed by praises from such a distinguished sunbae. "No, not at all. I just improvised because I couldn''t quite get the feel. And even now, I''m not sure what I did." Lee Sa-Rang smiled. "Do you know how demanding Mr. Kang can be? But look at his expression right now." She pointed toward Director Kang Soo-Hoon and the assistant directors, who were joking andughing. "See? You did great. I really mean it." Yoo-Jin held Lee Sa-Rang''s hands firmly to show her gratitude. "Thank you. It''s all thanks to your great lead." "Acting bes really fun when there''s good chemistry between the actors, don¡¯t you think?" "It really does. I had lots of fun too." "Anyway, my acting only became really good after a long time. Let''s keep up the good work, okay?" Yoo-Jin''s ears turned red, from the unexpected high praises that she received. "But what do you think of when you act?" "I just think...what would Twilight do in this situation? That¡¯s all." "Is that so? Is this a method that you thought of? Or did someone teach you to do this?" I shrugged when Yoo-Jin nced at me. All I had advised was to immerse herself in the role. It had been over four months since herst acting lesson, so today''s ster performance was entirely a result of Yoo-Jin''s own interpretation of the script and decision-making. "Mr. Jung, I see that you have been a great help to Yoo-Jin." "Not at all, Mrs. Lee." Lee Sa-Rang grinned. "By the way, I''ve heard a lot about you recently, Mr. Jung. Do you have some kind of sixth sense or something? Don''t even try to deny it. Ms. Kim Soll-Ip already told me everything about how you tried to build rapport andnd Yoo-Jin this drama before it even started." The idea of having a ''sixth sense'' in the entertainment industry wasn''t unusual. Those with a ¡®sixth sense¡¯ were often known to have good intuition and could predict things such as who would be sessful. I awkwardly cleared my throat. After all, I didn¡¯t have a ¡®sixth sense¡¯ or good intuition¡ªI simply knew the future because I had traveled back in time. Regardless, it seemed Kim Soll-Ip and Lee Sa-Rang were closer than I thought, given that Kim Soll-Ip had shared that much information with thetter. "No, nothing like that. Oh, would you like some coffee, Mrs. Lee?" Lee Sa-Rang''sughter deepened when I quickly changed the subject. "Coffee sounds good in this chilly weather. Can you rmend a future drama for me with your special talent? I''ll pay well for it." I kept my mouth shut tightly and poured coffee into a cup. Lee Sa-Rang teased me as she took the coffee. "Hmm? Are you charging me high rates because we''re not from the samepany? If this drama bes a big sess, I might consider moving to your agency. So treat me well." ¡®That would be perfect.¡¯ I knew all of Lee Sa-Rang¡¯s sessful and unsessful roles from my past life like the back of my hand. If she were to join Hoop Entertainment, I could manage her career with a near-perfect track record for at least a decade. Just then, Lee Sa-Rang¡¯s eyes widened when she took a sip of my coffee. "What''s this? It''s really good. Mr. Jung, do you want to work with me starting right now? I''ll meet any condition you want. What do you think?" At that moment, Yoo-Jin stepped in front of me and blocked Lee Sa-Rang. "No! If he goes somewhere else, I''ll be in big trouble!" Lee Sa-Rang burst into loudughter. ¡°Haha. I¡¯m just kidding, just kidding! You''re so serious~." "Ah, no, I-I didn¡¯t mean...¡± As Lee Sa-Rang gave her a yful re, Yoo-Jin¡¯s face turned even redder with embarrassment. *** The morning meeting in the Actor Division 2 had started. Today¡¯s atmosphere was unusually warm and cheerful, unlike most days, perhaps because Lee Sa-Rang''s recent interviews praising Yoo-Jin had stirred quite a buzz. [Blue Sky¡¯s Veteran Actress Lee Sa-Rang: ¡°Jung Yoo-Jin is a talent who will surpass me one day.¡±] [Esteemed Supporting Actress Lee Sa-Rang Praises Rookie Jung Yoo-Jin¡¯s Acting!] [From Burger Queen¡¯s Burger Maiden to Actress: Jung Yoo-Jin Is the Name to Remember.] "Haha! Should we send a ginseng set[1] to Mrs. Lee Sa-Rang?" I scratched my head and responded to Gu Seong-Cheol. "I''ve already bought a ginseng set. I''m nning to give it to her talent agent at the set today." "Good job. You really got this." I shared how much Lee Sa-Rang seemed to care for Yoo-Jin on the set. In response, Gu Seong-Cheol shared some valuable advice. "In the entertainment industry, it''s important to cherish such connections. Though celebrities live off public attention, rtionships among fellow actors cannot be ignored." "I''ll keep that in mind, sir." "Oh, and submit the receipt. Why would you use your own money to buy the ginseng set? It should be paid for by thepany." "Then, can I submit it today?" "That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m telling you to do." Saving 200 thousand won felt great. As I grinned, everyone else chuckled, understanding my relief. That was when the door burst open and Team Lead Seong Min-Suk from the publicity division rushed in. "Mr. Gu! Oh, Mr. Jung is here too?" "What''s up?" "We''ve got an advertising offer for Miss Yoo-Jin." "Well, we¡¯ve been getting lots of ad inquiries for Yoo-Jin recently. What''s the big deal about this one?" "This one''s pretty big." "Whichpany?" "It¡¯s HK Apparel''s new brandunch campaign." "What? HK Apparel?" The entire Actor Division 2 began to buzz with excitement. HK Apparel was the top clothingpany with over 1 trillion won in annual sales. It was also a part of the HK Group which ranked 12th among conglomerates. An advertising inquiry from a big corporation was always special news, but one from HK Apparel was exceptional. Gu Seong-Cheol asked eagerly about the advertising fee with a nervous expression. "They offered 200 million won for a year." Gu Seong-Cheol stood up in shock. "What? 200 million won?" It was an unusuallyrge fee for a rookie actress, especially before the drama had even aired. While Yoo-Jin had previouslynded a lucrative deal with Burger Queen, that was only an exceptional case due to the opponent¡¯s desperate circumstances. Compared to that, an apparel ad¡ªalong with liquor, beverages, mobile phones, and cars ads¡ªwas a prized opportunity that only the top celebrities could dream of. Being considered for this ad was no mean feat. This was perfect evidence that Yoo-Jin was being recognized as one of the top celebrities in the industry. "Ha ha ha. What a pleasant surprise to start the day!" The room was filled with livelyughter. However, I couldn¡¯t join in. If my memory served me well, a man named Hong Sung-Beom would have been appointed as the executive director of HK Apparel around this time. The rich yboy Hong Sung-Beom, the fourth son of HK Group''s founder, was known for having a habit of hunting rookie actresses. I was the only one frowning, prompting Seong Min-Suk to ask. "Why that look? Is something wrong?" "Mr. Sung, did the ad offere from HK Apparel''s PR department or the secretary''s office?" "What difference does it make?" The other sunbaes of Actor Division 2 stoppedughing and started paying attention to my question. "HK Apparel doesn''t ept any sort of inappropriate entertainment, right?" "Right. CEO Gu Wang-Soo is known for his strict policies. He never allows anything that could cause any controversy." Oh Deok-Gu and Ju Yung-Hoon exchanged words. While listening, Seong Min-Suk responded with a confused look. "The contact came directly from the secretary''s office. They said their executive director specifically picked Yoo-Jin, thinking her image fits their new brand perfectly." HK Apparel had been nurtured to the top of the industry over twenty years by Gu Wang-Soo, a close associate of HK Group''s founder, Hong Moon-Gyu. But in a year, the current executive director, Hong Sung-Beom, would be the new CEO when Gu Wang-Su resigned for some reason, changing thepany''s culture entirely. Removed from the group''s session rights, Hong Sung-Beom was more interested in mingling with celebrities and squandering his family''s wealth than in business management. I figured that thepany employees must be supporting Hong Sung-Beom, who would soon be the next CEO. In other words, the offer was made by Hong Sung-Beom, and not Gu Wang-Soo. Gu Seong-Cheol looked puzzled and asked, "Yoon-Ho, what¡¯s the problem? Don''t keep us in suspense." "The executive director there is Hong Sung-Beom. Have you heard of him?" "Not really. Was he recently appointed?" "Yes. Hong Sung-Beom is the fourth son of Chairman Hong Moon-Gyu. If the contact hade through the PR department, we would have considered it an official offer. But a contact from the secretary''s office doesn''t seem like good news, does it?" Upon hearing this, everyone seemed to understand the situation and shook their heads. Gu Seong-Cheol frowned. "Hmm. You all know what it means when a third-generation chaebol with real power reaches out directly, right?" A chill settled over the room. Apart from scandals, the next most dangerous thing for a celebrity was a sponsorship offer. In the past, it was tough tond an ad without a sponsor. But now, things were different given that celebrities held much more power than before. Of course, many actors and idols still opted for sponsors for an easy route. "Mr. Seong, let¡¯s be more careful about ad offers in the future. We know how this industry works. One misstep could end everything." Seong Min-Suk looked flustered and apologized. "I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean this to... My apologies." "No, it¡¯s not that I¡¯m upset with you. It¡¯s just that...ah, never mind. Let¡¯s not drag this on. People make mistakes. Let¡¯s move on." But Seong Min-Suk apologized once again, specifically to me since I was in charge of managing Yoo-Jin. "But, Mr. Jung. How do you know so much about the internal affairs of HK Apparel?" I smiled awkwardly. "A friend of mine works there. He says a terrible executive director arrived and is ruining thepany culture." "Ah, I see... Anyway, it¡¯s good that we caught that issue in time. We''ll reject the offer right away." When I made an excuse, Seong Min-Suk returned to the publicity division. But as we wrapped the meeting up, Seong Min-Suk sent a link to an article. [Publicity Division Team Lead Seong Min-Suk: Check this out. Yoo-Jin''s opponent seems challenging. (Article Link)] [(Breaking News) The blockbuster web novel Moonlight Starpour from Cameo Page with Million views, Dramatized!] -MBS''s Moonlight Starpour vs SBC''s Blue Sky. Who will win the April drama battle? ''But this is too soon.'' The drama Moonlight Starpour, originally set for a Julyunch, was now pitted against Blue Sky. ''This won¡¯t be easy.'' Moonlight Starpour was a huge hit with viewership rating peaking at 20.5%. *** Kim Dong-Soo was reading articles covering Lee Sa-Rang''s praises of Jung Yoo-Jin. "Why are they only mentioning Jung Yoo-Jin and not the main lead Yung-In?" When Kim Dong-Soo burst into anger, Kang Myung-Gil, who was in charge of managing Ju Yung-In, hurriedly bowed and exined, "I-it seems like the Actor Division 2 yed some dirty tricks. Jung Yoon-Ho has been seen with Mrs. Lee Sa-Rang quite a bit on set." "Damn it! Why didn''t you tell me that sooner?!" "I-I''m sorry." "All of you are utterly useless! If only you were half as good as Jung Yoon-Ho!" The reason Kim Dong-Soo was so frustrated was simple¡ªthere were fewer than six months left until the contract with Ju Yung-In ended. Kim Dong-Soo breathed heavily and made a quick call. -Yes, this is Lee Chun-Sik from the PR department. Lee Chun-Sik from Seoul National University of the Arts line answered the call. "It''s me." -Oh, Mr. Kim. ¡°Fill the entertainment page with Yung-In¡¯s articles right now. I¡¯ll send you the fee right away. -Yes, sir. Oh, and Mr. Kim. ¡°What is it?¡± Lee Chun-Sik informed Kim Dong-Soo about Actor Division 2¡¯s rejection of HK Apparel''s 200 million won ad offer for Jung Yoo-Jin. "What? They turned down a 200 million won deal?" -Yes, sir. But Mr. Seong wouldn¡¯t tell me why they refused the offer. At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo''s eyes sparkled with a cunning light. ''Are they trying to negotiate a higher price?'' "Okay. If HK contacts us again, let me know immediately." As Kim Dong-Soo was about to hang up, Lee Chun-Sik added, -And about that ad¡ªit was the secretary''s office of HK Apparel that contacted them directly, not their PR department. I don¡¯t know the reason though. "Secretary''s office? Okay, got it." After hanging up, Kim Dong-Soo quickly contacted the operating director''s office. The secretary of HK Apparel was a high school alumnus of Operation Director Lee Gi-Cheol[2]. Kim Dong-Soo''s mind was now filled with ns to use Lee Gi-Cheol''s connections to have Ju Yung-In be the new model for HK Apparel. "Jung Yoon-Ho, it seems like you¡¯ve had enough and aren¡¯t hungry anymore. I¡¯ll seize this opportunity for myself, then." Believing Jung Yoon-Ho''s refusal of the advertisement was a ploy to raise the advertising fee, a sly smile began to form on Kim Dong-Soo''s face. 1. Ginseng ismon gift to give seniors in Korea ? 2. Previously Lee Ki-Chul ? Chapter 71: On Set (3)

Chapter 71: On Set (3)

In the executive office of HK Apparel sat a man with neatly trimmed short hair and a stocky, muscr build. His fierce look made him appear like a thug to many. He was lounging with his legs on an expensive oak wood table, smoking a cigarette. Hong Sung-Beom, the fourth son of the conglomerate HK Group, which ranked 12th in the business world, put out his cigarette and spoke in a low voice. "Hoop Entertainment refused 200 million won?" Secretary General Kim Seung-Moon froze on the spot and bowed cautiously. He was originally the secretary to CEO Gu Wang-Soo but had switched allegiance to Hong Sung-Beom, who was parachuted into the executive position a few months ago. "Yes, Mr. Hong." "She must be too proud because of her good looks. Offer them 300 million won this time then." Kim Seung-Moon¡¯s face stiffened at Hong Sung-Beom''s order. "U-um, Mr. Hong. That¡¯s...¡± "What is it?" "Hoop Entertainment said they would thoroughly review the offer before contacting us. If we show haste, they might just inte the price." While Kim Seung-Moon''s concern was valid, Hong Sung-Beom merely snorted. "Hey, Secretary Kim. Do you know why I pay you a high sry?" Having lived a reckless and hedonistic life, thirty-year-old Hong Sung-Beom was not used to being rejected by others. He seemed to have no problem speaking rudely to Kim Seung-Moon who was fifteen years older than him. "I-I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Hong." "You¡¯re sorry? Then contact Hoop Entertainment right now. Use any means to bring Jung Yoo-Jin to me! If not, you''re also done when Gu Wang-Soo retires. Got it?" Hong Sung-Beom didn¡¯t hesitate to mention Gu Wang-Soo¡¯s name. At that moment, Kim Seung-Moon¡¯s phone started ringing. [Caller: Hoop Entertainment¡¯s Operations Director Lee Gi-Cheol] "How dare you enter my office with your phone on?" When Hong Sung-Beom picked up a paperweight with an irritated expression, Kim Seung-Moon frantically waved his arms and shouted. "Please calm down, Mr. Hong. This call is from Hoop Entertainment. Hoop!" "Really?" Hong Sung-Beom put down the paperweight. "Turn on the speaker. Let''s hear what they have to say." "Y-yes, sir." Kim Seung-Moon let out a sigh of relief and answered Lee Gi-Cheol''s call. -Hello, Mr. Kim. It¡¯s been a while, haha. "Yes, hello, Mr. Lee." After a brief exchange of greetings, Kim Seung-Moon opened his mouth. "If the fee for Miss Jung Yoo-Jin''s ad is insufficient, we are willing to increase it. Please reconsider your decision." Listening to the conversation, Hong Sung-Beom gestured upwards and signaled to raise the offer. "We can go up to 300 million won. How about that?" Lee Gi-Cheol continued speaking. -Haha, thank you so much for your interest, but Jung Yoo-Jin doesn¡¯t seem to be interested. How about Ju Yung-In instead? She''s the lead in Blue Sky and perfectly fits the luxurious image of HK Apparel... As Lee Gi-Cheol droned on, Hong Sung-Beom lost his temper and let out a curse. "Hey! I said to bring Jung Yoo-Jin! Who says I need a different bitch!?¡± The startled Kim Seung-Moon quickly grabbed the phone. Despite Hong Sung-Beom''s position as a fourth-generation chaebol, it was out of line for him to speak so rudely to an executive of anotherpany. Kim Seung-Moon tried to turn off the speakerphone, but it was toote. -W-what did you just say to me? Who are you? "Me? I''m Hong Sung-Beom, the executive director! You bastard! Do you think I called to ask for Ju Yung-In? Send Jung Yoo-Jin immediately!" -M-Mr. Hong Sung-Beom? Realizing this conversation was going nowhere, Kim Seung-Moon turned off the speakerphone. "M-Mr. Hong. I will try to talk to them again." Hong Sung-Beom fumed in anger and sat down as he shouted. "If youe back to me and tell me about the nonsense you¡¯ve heard from that guy on the phone, don¡¯t bother showing your face ever again. Just leave. There are plenty of others who want your job." Kim Seung-Moon bowed repeatedly and left the executive office. Then, he immediately called Lee Gi-Cheol, spending a long time trying to pacify him. After a lengthy call, he managed to get a promise from Lee Gi-Cheol¡ªthough it would take time, he would try to secure Jung Yoo-Jin as the model for HK Apparel''s advertisement. In return, Kim Seung-Moon promised a ¡®kickback¡¯. Hanging up the call, Kim Seung-Moon sighed in self-disgust. He was a proud graduate from Korea''s top university in business administration but had now found himself in the degrading position of procuring women for his boss. "Darn that filthy rich bastard..." All Kim Seung-Moon could do was go to the rooftop, smoke a cigarette, and curse the world. "I need to endure until all my daughters are married." He had no choice but to head back to the office for his family who looked up to him at home. *** [Director Kim Seong-Woon of Moonlight Starpour: "We will not disappoint the original fans!"] [The adaptation of Moonlight Starpour is in the hands of the original author, Choi Sung-Eun.] [Genius writer Choi Sung-Eun¡¯s bold statement on expanding to screenys: ''Novel? Screeny? The essence of storytelling is the same. It''s all about the fun.''] [MBS''s CP Kim Myung-Hak deres the revival of the drama empire MBS with Moonlight Starpour!] [Moonlight Starpour: This year''s most anticipated drama!] Moonlight Starpour was based on a solid Cameo Page original web novel that 1.02 million people were crazy about. For the male lead, they cast Han Soo-Ho¡ªa popr and good-looking actor among teenagers. Moreover, Choi Sung-Eun, the author of the novel, was directly writing the drama script herself to prevent any original story destruction. However, this work had a crucial w. Although Choi Sung-Eun was a great author, she was a mess as a scriptwriter. There were lots of issues as she often belittled the actors for ruining her work and caused quite a stir. As a result, the viewership rating for thest episode plummeted to the 8% range. But I thought the same issue might not ur this time. Due to changes in the broadcasting schedule, PD Kim Sung-Woon, who would be a future famous director, was set to take over from PD Park Eung-Chan. "I understand things can change, but why does it have to be Kim Sung-Woon..." That was when it happened. Whirr! On the set, Kang Soo-Hoon was holding a red megaphone and standing on a chair. "Ah, ah. Mic test. Mic test." Then, Kang Soo-Hoon looked around at the staff and shouted. "Did you see the articles today?" The staffughed at Kang Soo-Hoon¡¯s words. "It looks like MBS is scared of us. They wrote a ton of articles, didn¡¯t they?" "Even if the original work has millions of fans, things will be different when it gets made into a drama. They are too proud." "Wasn¡¯t PD Kim Sung-Woon only promoted from being an assistant director recently?" "A novice writer and a novice director, huh? It''d be really embarrassing to lose to such an opponent." Unlike me who knew the future, the production staff of Blue Sky were confident. Such a reaction was only natural with the outstanding script written by Kim Soll-Ip and the actors¡¯ passionate performances on set. Hence, I was the only one worried about the future events. Kang Soo-Hoon smiled brightly. "It seems you all think the same as me." ¡®Nope. Not me.¡¯ But I couldn''t dampen the mood here. Kang Soo-Hoon nodded his head repeatedly. "Great. In this spirit, we''ll have a dinner party at Sky Pork Ribs after today''s shoot. All cast and staff must attend." Kang Soo-Hoon¡¯s announcement caused a noisy uproar. The staff wondered why they were having the party on set, asking if this was the reason they set up the set at the pork rib restaurant. "We need to save money." Kang Soo-Hoon''s joke over the loudspeaker made everyone tease him for being stingy. And then, the shoot began. Amid the busy actors, I spent my time frantically looking after Yoo-Jin. As usual, Lee Sa-Rang bravely improvised when acting with Yoo-Jin while Yoo-Jin responded perfectly. ¡®She''s doing great.¡¯ I headed to the parking lot to take care of Yoo-Jin''s costume. There, the extras were gathered in one corner of the parking lot and drinking coffee while waiting for their turn. That was when I saw him¡ªa man with messy hair and shabby clothes ncing around. His face looked familiar for some reason. ¡®Who is that? I feel like I''ve seen him somewhere...oh, right! That¡¯s Lee Beom-Jun.¡¯ The name of the man who shed through my mind was Lee Beom-Jun. In four years, he would cause a major hidden camera scandal involving hundreds of female celebrities in the entertainment industry. After he was caught, numerous agencies had to struggle to prevent the release of the hidden camera photos. And he was here now¡ªat the filming site of Blue Sky. I quickly turned my head and walked calmly to avoid getting caught looking at him. I took out clothes from the car, brought them to the waiting chair, and whispered to Yoo-Jin. "Yoo-Jin." "Yes?" "Don''t get changed in the dressing room today." "Huh? Why?" A temporary trailer was set up on one side of the filming site to serve as the actors'' dressing room. "I heard there''s a hidden camera perpetrator roaming around drama sets these days." Yoo-Jin was startled and looked around. "T-then, shouldn¡¯t we tell the other actors about it as well?" True to her character, Yoo-Jin was worried about others. "It''s just a rumor for now, so let''s just be careful. But I''ll keep an eye out for other actresses who might be targeted as well." "Okay." From then on, I started focusing on observing Lee Beom-Jun''s movements. I had to catch him no matter what. Otherwise, Yoo-Jin could be his victim. *** One of the extras ying the role of passerby grabbed his stomach and stood up during the meal. "Mr. Beom-Jun, where are you going?" "Ah, I have a stomachache, so I''m going to the bathroom." "But there''s a shoot soon. You know you won''t get paid if you''rete, right?" "Don''t worry too much, I''ll be back soon." The extra actors had been talking since the morning, so they were familiar with each other. But Lee Beom-Jun, who said he urgently needed the bathroom, started walking leisurely as he looked around the surroundings. Then, he sneakily changed direction and headed somewhere else. Lee Beom-Jun took out a phone hidden in a secret pocket inside his underwear. All the extras had to surrender their phones before filming. However, Lee Beom-Jun had brought two phones and only handed in one.. Checking his surroundings, Lee Beom-Jun, aptly nicknamed ''Night Owl'', quickly moved to the back of the trailer to avoid the gaze of people. Crouching and moving along the path he had been eyeing all along, Lee Beom-Jun reached his target location. As expected, he could hear the voices of female actresses inside the trailer. "Ah, seriously. Do we have to change clothes here?" "Of course. You want to change in the building where the props team is still working? If you don¡¯t like it here, get changed in the cramped car." "But it''s so annoying with the smell of paint and all!" "Get changed or don''t!" "Hey! Are you going to use the mirror all by yourself?" Lee Beom-Jun held his breath and quietly turned on the video function. He couldn''t use the photo function because of the shutter sound. ''20 seconds. Just 20 seconds is enough.'' Waiting for the actresses to undress, Lee Beom-Jun held his breath and slowly lifted the phone to the small window of the trailer. After filming for about 20 seconds, Lee Beom-Jun lowered his phone. That was when it happened. "Hey! Wasn''t there someone outside just now?" "It looked like a camera, didn¡¯t it?" ¡°Aaaahhh~!¡± As the actresses screamed sharply, Lee Beom-Jun began to move quickly. Following a pre-nned escape route, Lee Beom-Jun threw the phone he was holding under a nearby trailer. ''Nice.'' The phone slid neatly under the trailer. Now, he was safe even if he were to be searched and he could simply retrieve the pher. After sprinting 20 meters, Lee Beom-Jun changed his expression and moved slowly. At the same time, he started taking deep breaths to suppress his rough breathing. After all, panting would be suspicious behavior. As the actresses screamed, the talent agents rushed over and started knocking on the outside of the changing room. "Yung-In! What''s wrong?" "Jin-Hee! Why? What''s happening?" "Jung-Mi noona! Is everything okay there?" Even the reporters on the scene also started to rush in. Due to the fuss outside, the female celebrities couldn''te out of the trailer because they knew saying something carelessly would allow the entertainment reporters to make sensational headlines about them. Seeing this, Lee Beom-Jun''s smirked subtly. He had secretly filmed over 30 clips without being caught due to his quick reflexes, knowledge of the filming site, and understanding of the actresses¡¯ psyche. ''As always, they are all fools.'' Lee Beom-Jun scorned the celebrities and talent agents who couldn''t do anything just to save face. He exhaled a little more heavily. Then, he saw a man standing in front of him. He started to pant, making his words tremble. "What, what''s this? Who are you?" At that moment, the suit-d man in front of him smiled and opened his mouth. "You''re having a hard time, aren''t you? Mr. Hidden Camera Guy?" A shiver ran down Lee Beom-Jun¡¯s spine as he instinctively felt danger and turned around. Then, true to his nickname ''Night Owl'', he began to run away quickly. Chapter 72: Paparazzi

Chapter 72: Paparazzi

I caught Lee Beom-Jun before he could even escape five meters. Lee Beom-Jun was fast, but he couldn''t escape from me, nicknamed ''Lightning.'' I pressed down hard on the fallen Lee Beom-Jun¡¯s shoulder and warned him. "Stay still if you don''t want to get hurt. Your shoulder might dislocate." "Agh! M-my arm! Who are you? Let me go! I''ll sue you if you don¡¯t let me go! Ahhh!" The moment I twisted his arm a bit more, Lee Beom-Jun stopped struggling. "Keugh, s-stop! Please...let me go..." But Lee Beom-Jun''s screams had already attracted the staff and reporters. "Mr. Jung! Fighting on the set? Have you lost your mind?" The gathered staff tried to pull me away from Lee Beom-Jun. "Mr. Yang, please call the police. This man is the paparazzi who¡¯s been taking videos of the actresses with a hidden camera." My words made the approaching staff stop in their tracks. "What? Hidden camera?" "R-really?" "Yes." The staff began to cause amotion. "Hey! Call the police first! Police!" Soon, the shes from the cameras of the reporters who came to cover the shoot began to flicker incessantly. At that moment, Lee Beom-Jun, who was held down by me, shouted. "Hey! Do you have any proof? Prove it! Do you have any proof that I filmed the video with a hidden camera?" Lee Beom-Jun struggled as he yelled, but I just smiled wryly. Wee-oo wee-oo! A littleter, the familiar yet tacky siren of a police car could be heard. After arriving at the scene, the police quickly ran toward us. "Huff, huff. You can let go of him now." As I let go of Lee Beon-Jun¡¯s arm, he sprang up and pointed his fingers at me usingly. "You, you bastard! You''re definitely going to jail! How could you just use an innocent person with no evidence? Officer! This guy, you see..." The listening officer frowned. "Is this guy speaking the truth? Do you have no evidence?" "Just a moment, please." I headed toward the trailer where Lee Beom-Jun had thrown his phone. "Hey. You, you..." I heard Lee Beom-Jun''s voice from behind, but I didn''t bother looking back and just bent down to the gap under the trailer. There it was¡ªthe phone Lee Beom-Jun had thrown was hanging precariously about 10 cm from the ditch at the edge of the trailer. Wobble! I tried to look cool and confidently present the evidence, but my hands were too shaky. ''...I almost fell into the ditch. Wow...'' I dusted my clothes and stood up, speaking to the police officer. "Underneath the trailer is the phone this man used for his secret filming. But it''s hanging precariously over the ditch, so please be careful." "Th-that''s not mine!" ¡®Not yours, my ass.¡¯ "The phone should have his fingerprints on it. Please check for it." Lee Beom-Jun''s face turned white beyond pale. ¡®He should have at least worn gloves if he wanted to lie.¡¯ The officer agreed and fetched a tool resembling tongs from the trunk of the police car. ''Wow, truly advanced policing.'' The officer inserted the tool under the trailer to grab the handle and pulled out the phone. Wearing stic gloves, he examined the phone and turned it over before cing it in a clear bag. A smile appeared on the police officer''s face. "The fingerprints are clearly visible. Officer Kim, take this man into custody as a suspect." "L-let go of me! Ahhh! My arm, my arm!" Having a glossy ck back panel, Lee Beom-Jun¡¯s phone was covered in fingerprints. I followed the police to the station as I was the only witness to Lee Beom-Jun¡¯s alleged crime. *** At Hoop Entertainment, Kim Dong-Soo was in a meeting with the newly recruited top star, Cha Tae-Hoon, when he received a phone call. "Mr. Cha, please excuse me for a moment. I need to take this call." "Tsk! Take itter if it''s not important." "Well, it''s a call I can''t dy. Haha, I¡¯m sorry for the inconvenience." Despite being only a year older, the arrogant Cha Tae-Hoon treated Kim Dong-Soo almost like a subordinate. Kim Dong-Soo tried his best to appease the top star and stepped out of the meeting room to take the call discreetly. "Lee Beom-Jun. Why are you calling? Did you catch something new?" Kim Dong-Soo and Lee Beom-Jun had been doing business for a long time. Whenever Lee Beom-Jun threatened the celebrities with the photos he took, Kim Dong-Soo would help by iming that he made sure Lee Beom-Jun deleted the original photos. But in reality, Lee Beom-Jun had never deleted any of the original photos and kept them as a potential bargaining chip for the future. While Kim Dong-Soo was expecting news about new photos of celebrities, he was shocked by what he heard instead. -Um, Chief Kim. "Hurry up, I''m busy right now." -I got caught. "What?" -I''m at Namyangju Police Station right now. Can you send me awyer if you know any? "You idiot. What have you done?" Realizing Lee Beom-Jun was threatening him, Kim Dong-Soo cursed out loud. If he didn''t help, Lee Beom-Jun might just expose him. "What were you thinking when you decided to call me from there? What if they trace the call!?" -I''m sorry about that. Bute to think of it, you''re the only one who can help me out. Kim Dong-Soo gritted his teeth and replied. "I''ll...send someone. Keep your mouth shut until then." -Ke ke ke. Thanks. I''ll keep quiet until thewyer arrives. "You better not mention my name." -Why would I? You''re my only lifeline. The angry Kim Dong-Soo took a deep breath to calm down. After all, ''Night Owl'' was still a useful card for him. "You owe me big time." -If you get me out... I''ll do anything for you. "From now on, you''re my dog." -Woof woof. Is this good enough for you? "Stop the bullshit and hang up." -Haha. I''ll be loyal. Don''t worry. After ending the call, Kim Dong-Soo cursed under his breath. After taking a deep breath, Kim Dong-Soo immediately called someone to handle the situation. There was one person who would be willing to get involved in such a dirty job. Click. A young woman''s voice came from the other end. -What''s up? I haven''t heard from you in months. "Stop being so sassy. I need you to do me a favor." -Wow. Chief Kim needs my help? "Don''t be sarcastic, Jin So-Mi. You''re still working, right?" -Why do you ask? "I need to get a peeping Tom out of the police station right now. He was caught red-handed. Can you do it?" -I was about to quit this life, but I can''t because of you, Chief Kim. "You? Quit this life? Hah, my ass." -Wow, look at yournguage. So elegant. Fine, I''ll do it. But you know the price, right? "One middle-sized bill?" -Oh,e on~. The minimum wage has gone up, you know. That was two years ago. Now it''s two bills. Kim Dong-Soo frowned. He was annoyed, but there was no one, apart from Jin So-Mi, who could handle such a filthy case. Jin So-Mi was known as the ¡®poisonous spider¡¯ and a famous legal broker. She was not only close with the prosecutor and judge, but even the police. Jin So-Mi''swork in the legal field was deep and widespread. -If you don''t like it, just say no~. "Sigh. Alright, two bills. It¡¯s a deal." -You know I don''t take checks, right? "I know. Send awyer first and we''ll meet tonight." Jin So-Mi agreed to meet up. That was when it struck Kim Dong-Soo. Before he was about to end the call, he asked a question out of curiosity. "But why did you disappear and stop working for a while?" A sigh came from the other end of the phone. -It¡¯s because of my daughter. I tried to earn an honest living. But no, it just doesn''t work. The world doesn''t help me to live that way. Trying to live among those who have nothing felt too pathetic. "You''re joking, right? You? Living without money? The great Jin So-Mi?" -Exactly. Leaving Gangnam, the neighborhood''s just not the same~. People are so vulgar. So I''m going back to my old ways. Time to go back and y big. Kim Dong-Sooughed out loud and weed her back. "Then I¡¯ll ask for your help more often from now on." -Ha ha ha. Why is that? Is there something interesting going on these days? Kim Dong-Soo replied with a big smile on his face. "I might be quite busy for a while. There''s a lot to handle with this and that guy everywhere." -I''ll treat you like a VIP, Mr. Kim. Kim Dong-Soo reminisced about their first meeting and smiled slyly. Jin So-Mi''s VIP treatment was still unforgettable even after years. *** With the help of Team Lead Kwak Moo-Hyuk from the Legal Division, I finished signing the statement and left the station. Lee Beom-Jun tried to involve me in assault charges, but the evidence was too clear. His fingerprints were all over the phone case, and the phone itself contained videos of the actresses changing. "You are always so busy, huh?" When Kwak Moo-Hyuk teased me, I quickly bowed apologetically. "I apologize for the trouble, Mr. Kwak." "Don''t worry about it. This is what I do for a living. I was just joking." But with his stern expression, it was hard to tell if he was serious or joking. Kwak Moo-Hyuk patted my shoulder and spoke in a subtle voice. "If it weren¡¯t for you, Ju Yung-In would have been in big trouble. You did well." I didn¡¯t expect Ju Yung-In to be in that changing room as well. For this reason, it seemed that I inadvertently earned Kwak Moo-Hyuk¡¯s favor. "Even though Actor Division 2 and 3 don''t get along, we should help each other in such situations. Anyway, leave the rest to me and enjoy dinner tonight." "Thank you for your hard work, sir." "You too. Take care~." After saying goodbye to Kwak Moo-Hyuk, I went back to the filming location with Yoo-Jin. p, p, p, p! As I arrived, a round of apuse broke out. "Mr. Jung, you were awesome earlier!" "Yay, Mr. Jung!" "You really worked hard today." I was greeted like a returning hero¡ªespecially by the female actresses and their talent agents who separately came to thank me for catching the paparazzi. Then, I started helping the staff set up for the dinner. Because the set, Sky Pork Ribs, was already decorated like a barbecue restaurant, the entire set immediately turned into our dinner ce. The art team set up the tables while the props, who could always create something out of nothing, prepared the grills and charcoal. The productionpany generously supplied the needed meats and drinks. Amidst the red-hot charcoal and rising smoke, sashimi glistening with oil brought over from the Blue Seafood Restaurant next door was served. At that moment, Kang Soo-Hoon suddenly stood up in surprise and spoke with his voice trembling. "S-Soo-Min, please don''t tell me... that sashimi... it¡¯s not from the fish tank, is it? The live fish in the fish tank are really expensive! Tell me it''s not true! Quick!" Jang Soo-Min responded with a look of disbelief. "I bought the cheapest tfish from a nearby ce, Mr. Kang!" Only then did Kang Soo-Hoon slump back into his chair. "Phew. I thought you had sliced up the live fish." The staff began to protest yfully. "Ugh. Look at him trying to save money again. Wow~." "Right? We are always stuck with tfish and pork ribs. How about some sea bream or... what''s it called, amberjack? Something like that?" "Exactly!" "Miss Soo-Min, please bring two rockfish from the fish tank where the sashimi is kept! I can slice one up really well." "Should I really?" Just as Assistant Director Jang Soo-Min was about to turn around, Kang Soo-Hoon grabbed her arm and eximed, "Hey! Soo-Min, where are you going? I¡¯m telling you¡ªthis whole situation is all because of Chief Cha, you know? Always about the money, money!" Cha Soo-Yeon stood up with a soju bottle in her hand. "Have you got a death wish?" "Ah, Miss Cha. Let''s talk without the soju bottle, shall we? I mean, it''s just a figure of speech!" The staff began tough and chuckle. After the shot sses were set, Kang Soo-Hoon stood up, holding a soju bottle with a spoon stuck in it like a makeshift microphone. "Alright, alright. We did have some trouble, but isn¡¯t it true that dramas destined for great sess experience such things once in a while?" The staff agreed. "Totally!" "Hey, I''ve seen worse back in my time! And dramas with such happenings always be a big hit! It''s all part of the history, isn''t it?" "Now that the culprit is caught, everything is good. We shook off bad luck. What could be better?" The staff wereughing as they saw the earlier incident as a sign of the drama''s impending sess. Kang Soo-Hoon also nodded continuously and then suddenly pointed at me. "So, let''s hear a word from today''s hero, Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment." Suddenly, about a hundred staff, actors, and talent agents all turned to look at me. I scratched my head and waved my hand to decline, but the staff pushed me up to speak. "Just like Mr. Kang mentioned, we¡¯ve really shaken off the bad luck. So all that''s left is to achieve a 20%, no, 25% viewership rating. I hope this drama will be a huge hit. Let¡¯s all work hard! We¡¯ve got this!" Whistle, whistle. The sound of the lighting team leader''s whistles, mixed with the staff''s pping in appreciation, echoed. "Jung Yoon-Ho, you''re awesome~!" Then, Kang Soo-Hoon calmed the atmosphere and raised his ss high. "Now, let me lead the toast. To the great sess of Blue Sky~" "For the sess of Blue Sky~." The staff and actors echoed and then began tough as they passed sses around, toasting each other. When the toast was repeated about two times, I heard a woman¡¯s voice calling me. "Mr. Jung." The moment I turned my head to the voice, I saw Ju Yung-In approaching me with her cheeks slightly flushed. She seemed a bit shaken earlier by the incident of the hidden camera, but now she looked okay. However, the look in her eyes as she gazed at me was a bit strange. ¡®Is it curiosity? Wonder? Or maybe interest?¡¯ Then suddenly, Ju Yung-In sat down next to me and held out an empty ss. "Could you... pour me a drink?" Chapter 73: Looking for the Choreographer (1)

Chapter 73: Looking for the Choreographer (1)

After my return to the past, the person I wanted to avoid the most was my ex-wife¡ªJu Yung-In. There was no deep affection between us, but she was closer to me than anyone else. The memory of her betrayal during myst days still made me shudder. However, the Ju Yung-In in front of me now was essentially a different person. After all, the experiences we had shared in my past life were now a future that would never be realized. ''Right. She''s just a stranger now.'' With that thought, I felt a bit more at ease. I poured soju into the ss she held out without any emotion. Glug glug glug. Subconsciously, I filled only half of her ss. Somehow, my body seemed to remember how Ju Yung-In didn¡¯t like her ss filled to the brim. The clear soju rippled in her ss. Ju Yung-In smiled slightly with a look of satisfaction on her face. This time, Ju Yung-In picked up the bottle. "What are you doing? Aren''t you going to take a ss?" Of course, I knew this was her expression of gratitude for catching the paparazzi earlier. But I just wanted to pretend I didn''t understand the intention. I let out a soft sigh almost inaudibly. "I''ll just take the ss, but not soju. I have to drive Yoo-Jin hometer." Ju Yung-In flinched and frowned. "Sure...whatever works for you." The moment she filled my ss full, she opened her mouth again. "Thank you for today..." I doubted my ears for a moment. This wasn¡¯t like Ju Yung-In at all, who never apologized and took anything for granted. Clink! At that moment, she suddenly clinked her ss against mine. The sound of the soju sses clinking resonated clearly. Ju Yung-In downed her drink in one go and returned to her usual haughty demeanor, standing up from her seat. Then, using the excuse that she was still shocked by today¡¯s incident and had to leave early, Ju Yung-In left without greeting the other staff. "Let''s go, Mr. Kang." The spilled soju on my hand from the toast with Ju Yung-In felt colder than usual for some reason. *** "Yoo-Jin, how about you stop drinking now?" "I can drink more though." "You do realize your speech is slurred, right?" After just three sses of soju, Yoo-Jin¡¯s face had turned as red as a persimmon. Yoo-Jin yfully stuck out her tongue. "I¡¯m fine~ I¡¯m fine~." But fortunately, I knew the solution to stop Yoo-Jin from drinking further. "Let''s see, where''s my phone? I need to take a picture and show it to Miso. If the kid finds out what her mom is like when she¡¯s drunk..." Flinch! Yoo-Jin grabbed my hand with a pitiful look in her eyes. "I''m sorry! Please don¡¯t!" "So, you¡¯ll stop drinking?" "Fine~." Yoo-Jin looked at me with her big, glistening eyes and nodded continuously. Then she surprisingly started drinking only water, quite contrary to her usual self. But in return, she reached for the food more often. She was taking huge bites non stop. "Hey! You need to chew before swallowing!" Yoo-Jin hummed a tune while gulping down the meat. "But it melts in my mouth before I can chew~. Hanwoo beef is truly magnificent~." ''Oh my goodness. That¡¯s pork ribs, not Hanwoo. Has she finally gone mad after eating only sd for the whole day?'' But I couldn¡¯t possibly stop her from eating at the dinner party. That was when it happened. The time was 9:50 PM. My nner for today showed one particr incident. [Everyday V10] [Date: February 7, 2020] -10:00 PM Meeting with an employee of Ace Entertainment. Before returning to the past, I had joined Kim Dong-Soo''s Division 3 after a terrible ident that took Miso away. I remembered having trouble fitting in and feeling out of ce. I constantly met with employees from otherpanies to explore a possible job change. In particr, I met with Chief Lee Chan-Dong, a key figure at Ace Entertainment, to discuss a transfer on this very day in my past life. But I gave up on movingpanies when the offer didn¡¯t match my expectations. ''Thanks to that, I lived my life as Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s dog.'' There were only ten minutes left before the event on the nner. But because I had no particr reason to meet him now, I excused myself from the dinner under the pretext of having to drive the drunk Yoo-Jin home. Yoo-Jin fell asleep as soon as she sat in the backseat. She exined that she usually wouldn¡¯t touch a drop of alcohol but had indulged tonight as she felt safe because I was there with her. I scolded the sleeping Yoo-Jin while fastening her seat belt. "If she¡¯s going to be so drunk after only three sses of soju, she shouldn¡¯t drink at all. She doesn¡¯t even have a high tolerance." "Mmm..." "Huh? Were you awake?" "Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm." ¡®She must be talking in her sleep. At least she''s behaving.¡¯ I finished fastening her seat belt and went back to the driver''s seat to start the vehicle. But then, I heard a strange sound. Krrrrr! "What''s going on?" I tried to start the engine again, but the noise continued Krrrrr! Despite having a mileage of just 250,000 km, my minivan had broken down. ¡®Is the battery dead because it''s too cold?¡¯ I was about to call the insurancepany when I heard a knock on the window. Knock knock! Click. I opened the door and got out, only to let out a hollowugh. The person knocking on my car was Lee Chan-Dong, the influential chief of Ace Entertainment¡ªthe leading entertainmentpany. It seemed the event noted in my nner wasing true after all. "Are you Assistant Manager Jung Yoon-Ho?" "I am." "Hi. I am Lee Chan-Dong from Ace Entertainment. It¡¯s nice to meet you. Here is my business card." I handed him my business card in return. While looking around the surroundings, Lee Chan-Dong quickly noticed the condition of my car. "It looks like your battery is dead. Let¡¯s connect it to my car and see if we can revive it." "Thank you so much." After connecting the jump cables, Lee Chan-Dong started his minivan''s engine. Vrooom! "It will take about 20 minutes to charge the battery. Would you like to go over there and have a coffee or something?" I took out a thermos containing coffee I had brewed earlier. "I feel a bit hesitant to leave my actress alone. Why don¡¯t we just talk here? I have some coffee prepared." "Wow. The aroma is incredible." Lee Chan-Dong took a few sips of coffee before getting to the main point. "Actually...Jin-Hee from ourpany was caught in the hidden camera incident today. She almost faced a huge embarrassment." "Ah, yes. I hope Ms. Park Jin-Hee wasn''t too shaken up." And as I had expected, Lee Chan-Dong brought up the topic of apany transfer. "...Mr. Jung. Would you be interested in joining Ace Entertainment?" I immediately declined Lee Chan-Dong''s offer without hesitation. "No, I''m not interested." I liked working at Hoop Entertainment. However, Lee Chan-Dong didn''t give up easily. In fact, he became more assertive. "But still, I hope you would consider it. Ourpany actively supports talent agents with potential in their entertainment industry endeavors." ¡®Potential? Entertainment industry endeavors?¡¯ Only then did I understand why Lee Chan-Dong approached me. Ace Entertainment wasn''t interested in my achievements as a talent agent., but they were attracted to the media attention I got as a ''star talent agent'' with Yoo-Jin. Given that I was at the center of attention for saving Jang Jun-Hyuk and appearing in The Human Stories with Yoo-Jin, they wanted to use me. But that made it easier for me to refuse the offer. "Thank you for the offer, but I have no intention of bing a celebrity. I believe being a talent agent is my true calling." "Oh, I didn''t mean to suggest you quit being a talent agent. Mr. Jung, what I mean is..." Despite his continued exnation, I shook my head to indicate I had no interest in bing a celebrity. Lee Chan-Dong took a final sip of his coffee with a look of disappointment. "That''s a pity. If you ever change your mind, please contact me." I disconnected the jumper cables from my car after the charging wasplete and started the engine. Vroom! Lee Chan-Dong left with a look of regret on his face. "Oh, good. The engine started. Then I¡¯ll see you again sometime." As I watched him go, I muttered softly under my breath, "And I have no intention of joining apany that''s doomed to fail, Mr. Lee." Ace Entertainment was currently at the top of the industry, but it would face a tremendous ordeal and copse in three years. *** Several days had passed since we recruited the geniusposer Bang Seon-Woo. Now that the song for Cherry Blossom wasplete, it was time to find a choreographer and lyricist. Bam-bam-bam! As I went down to the usually quiet underground recording studio, I heard it was filled with vibrant sounds. But I stopped in my tracks when I noticed the song being yed was definitely the hit song ¡®Shortcut¡¯ by Epil K, though the instruments used and feel of the music were different. It was also Bang Seon-Woo''s 11thposition. Despite being registered for copyright, one particr incident still hadn''t disappeared from my nner. [Everyday V10] [Date: July 1, 2022] -01:00 PM Funeral Hall No. 8, Suwon St. Mary''s Hospital. Bang Seon-Woo''s Funeral. 9 AM. ¡®I just don¡¯t get it. What could possibly happen...?¡¯ The incidents written in my nner were based on my knowledge of the future from my past life. ''Am I misunderstanding something about Seon-Woo¡¯s death?'' But there was no way to find out the reason behind Bang Seon-Woo¡¯s death at the moment. All I could do was to be more vignt from this point on. As I opened the door and entered Studio 2, I could see Bang Seon-Woo and Lee Dong-Min with their disheveled hair. They seemed so deeply engrossed in their work that they had forgotten the time. Lee Dong-Min seemed pleased as he shouted ''okay.'' "Seon-Woo, I think we should be good with finalizing the song like this." But Bang Seon-Woo shook his head firmly. "The mid-range sounds empty. How about we enhance it a bit?" "Honestly, I can''t tell what''s missing. Isn''t it perfect already?" "Wait a minute. What I mean is, if we adjust it like this..." Bang Seon-Woo selected a vi, added it to the existing track, and yed it. Once again, the magic unfolded. ''This is amazing!'' Just by adding one more instrument, the mood of the song became much richer. Lee Dong-Min eximed in admiration, "Kid, you¡¯re really something." "Oh, not at all, Mr. Lee. Hahaha." After giving a high-five to Bang Seon-Woo, Lee Dong-Min noticed my presence. "Oh, Yoon-Ho. When did you get here?" "Yoon-Ho hyung!" Lee Dong-Min and Bang Seon-Woo greeted me with bright expressions. But I frowned and opened the door to the recording studio as I reprimanded them. "You two, how long have you been here without going home?" Bang Seon-Woo and Lee Dong-Min nced at each other and held up three fingers. ¡®Three days? Really? And why are they smiling proudly about that?¡¯ "Seon-Woo, your mother must be worried. So even if you can¡¯t go home every day, at least stop by every two days. And call her often." Bang Seon-Woo scratched his head and made an apologetic look. "Okay...I will." "So, Yoon-Ho. What brings you here? You must be busy with Yoo-Jin¡¯s schedule," Lee Dong-Min asked. "Don¡¯t you remember, sir? You asked me to find a choreographer and lyricist." "Oh, right." "I¡¯ll send you their profiles via KkTalk." K-talk! As I sent the profiles of the choreographer and lyricist via KkTalk, Lee Dong-Min¡¯s expression changed from joy to disbelief. "Park Seon-Nyeo?" Choreographer Park Seon-Nyeo was currently a star aerobics instructor MeTuber with 150,000 subscribers. Famous for her dancing skills since childhood, she mastered everything from ssical to contemporary dance. However, she switched over to bing an aerobics instructor due to theck of respect for choreographers in Korea. But in a year, she would be recognized by an American producer for her potential after bing the top aerobics instructor MeTuber in Korea and would be hired to create choreography. The result would be a huge hit. She would then change her name to ''Eight Angels'' and oversee the choreography and concert performances of North America''s top dance artist, ''Catzfinger.'' However, she was currently running ''Park Seon-Nyeo Aerobics'' in Guro and uploading videos on MeTube. Lee Dong-Min looked puzzled as he couldn¡¯t understand my intention. "You want to hire an aerobics instructor for idol choreography?" "Yes, sir." "Was she originally an idol choreographer? Are there any videos of her choreography or something?" ¡®Videos?¡¯ There were, but they were only essible to members of a Nave webpage exclusive to subscribers of ''Park Seon-Nyeo Aerobics.'' "You have to register at her aerobics studio to get ess to the videos." "Can''t we just tell her we want to hire her as a choreographer and ask her for the videos?" I shook my head. "She dislikes entertainment agencies. If an agency contacts her, she''ll just ignore it." Lee Dong-Min tilted his head. "Why is that?" "Apparently, her pride was hurt when TK Entertainment and Big Star Entertainment paid her too little for her choreography. Since then, she¡¯s been reluctant to work with any agencies." Agencies often didn¡¯t pay separate fees for choreography. Hiring a choreographer as a dance lesson trainer was the best they could hope for. In some cases, the agencies would simply tell the choreographers not toe back after using them as backup dancers on stage a few times. Disappointed by this reality, Park Seon-Nyeo was avoiding contact with agencies. "But how do you n to bring her on board? Do you know her personally?" "Nope. Not at all." However, I knew the conditions she agreed to when she first epted an offer for idol choreography in the U.S. But Lee Dong-Min looked troubled upon hearing the conditions. "Yoon-Ho, do we really need to go that far?" Chapter 74: Looking for the Choreographer (2)

Chapter 74: Looking for the Choreographer (2)

Lee Dong-Min finally gave in to my persistent persuasion and gave an okay sign. However, he insisted that I show him ''Park Seon-Nyeo¡¯s idol choreography video'' before making a final decision because he needed it to persuade the higher-ups about the unconventional conditions I had mentioned. For this reason, I was currently standing in front of Park Seon-Nyeo¡¯s aerobics studio. I had to register as a member to ess the videos which were avable only on her exclusive website. "One, two, three! Ho! Two, two, three! Ho! Good! Point! Point! Yes, now all together! Ho~!" The lively music and Park Seon-Nyeo''s voice echoed out into the corridor from the studio. However, now that I was here, my concern wasn¡¯t about the contract but something else. "Do I...really have to wear this?" The aerobics outfit I brought was colorful and tight-fitting. "Sigh. Why do all aerobics outfits have to be like this?" While letting out several deep sighs, an idea popped into my head. ''Right. I came here just to sign up. Let¡¯s just register today and download the videos from the website. I don¡¯t need to actually attend her ss.'' Pleased with my quick thinking in a crisis, I waited for the ss to end. "Okay! That¡¯s it for today! Ho~!" "Ho~!" As Park Seon-Nyeo shouted cheerfully, the members of her ss exited and looked at me curiously. "Oh my! Who is this young man?" "Ha ha ha! Maybe he came to watch us dance?" They seemed amused to see a male member after a long time. At that moment, the door opened and someone walked out. "Everyone, please make way so the next group cane in, okay? Let''s move to the changing room. Let¡¯s go~ Ho~!" The woman''s charisma was entuated by tight silver pants, a fluorescent t-shirt, and a neon pink hairband. The 32-year-old Park Seon-Nyeo was shouting with a booming voice. "Are you a new member?" "Yes." As soon as I answered, Park Seon-Nyeo grabbed my arm and pulled me over. "You¡¯re here to register, right?" "Ah, well, yes. But..." "Alright then, don¡¯t be shy! Don¡¯t hesitate and join us! Let¡¯s go~ Ho~!" She was so strong that I found myself being dragged without realizing it. Inside the director''s office, I sat down with the enrollment form in front of me as I listened to her sales pitch. Park Seon-Nyeo urged me to sign up for three months. "One month is 50 thousand won. Three months, with a 30% discount, is 100 thousand won. What do you think? You¡¯ll enjoy savings if you go for the three-month package. Do we have a deal?" "Um... Ms. Park. About that..." "What is it? Is it too expensive? You don¡¯t seem to know, but this is the cheapest rate in Guro. And I won¡¯t run off with your money even if you pay three months in advance. Don¡¯t you know I¡¯m a MeTuber? I run the studio just as a hobby." She pointed to the silver MeTube que on that wall that she had received for reaching 100,000 subscribers. "You see that?" When I nodded, she pointed back to the enrollment form. "So, do you trust me now?" "Yes. If I sign this form, can I join the Nave website? I heard there are videos only avable to offline members." Park Seon-Nyeo looked at me for a moment and smiled ambiguously. "Aha~. That¡¯s your goal, huh? Young people prefer idol dance covers over aerobics. But here¡¯s the thing. You need a three-month membership to join. Oh, and a free dance cover ss once a week as a bonus!" This left me with no choice but to sign up for three months. "Oh okay, I¡¯ll take three months then. Where do I sign?" "Right here. Once you make the payment, I¡¯ll give you ess to the website right away." "I''ll make the payment now." After I signed up, Park Seon-Nyeo¡ªthe choreographer, or rather, the director of the aerobics studio¡ªbeamed with a bright smile. Park Seon-Nyeo held my hand and cheerfully shouted. "Okay. Wee to the club! Let''s burn our souls together! Let''s go~ Ho~!" And that day, I experienced my first aerobics ss. Despite my excuses of physical pain and ill-fitting clothes, there was no escape. Park Seon-Nyeo insisted that everything could be ovee with grit. As the music started on the floor, I had to shout along with the 30 women in the 9:30 PM ss. "Ho~~!!" *** "Uncle Yoon-Ho?" "Yeah..." "Why are you lying on the floor?" "Because I''m tired." "Why are you tired?" "I didn¡¯t realize aerobics would be this tough." I hade to Yoo-Jin''s house to help her with her script. But as soon as I arrived, I was overwhelmed with muscle pain and copsed on the floor. "Then I''ll give you a massage. Here goes!" Pat, pat. Miso began to gently pat my back with her small hands. Despite the soreness from the muscle pain, I kept quiet and endured it, feeling somewhatforted by her efforts. Yoo-Jin handed me a drink while holding the script. "Why suddenly do aerobics, oppa?" The pine nuts floating in the cup of Sujeonggwa gave off a sweet nutty smell. Gulp gulp! The cold sensation down my throat felt revitalizing. "Phew. Thank you. The choreographer for Cherry Blossom happens to be an aerobics instructor." "An aerobics instructor?" "Yeah. Search ''Park Seon-Nyeo Aerobics'' on MeTube." As Yoo-Jin yed the video on herptop, the amused Miso started to imitate the moves. "Ho~!" ¡®That darn ''Ho''. I must ask why they shout that catchphraseter.¡¯ "Mom! Look at me! Yap yap! Ho~!" "Miso, you are a great dancer!" Surprisingly, Miso was quite good at following Park Seon-Nyeo''s moves. I thought she was just ying around, but Miso replicated the choreography quite well after seeing it just once. Her short limbs stretched out so adorably that I was captivated by her moves. It urred to me that she could be an idol when she grew up. After dancing for a minute, Miso ran out of energy. Shey down beside me, panting andughing. "Huff, huff, huff. I¡¯m so tired. Mom, what did you think of my dance?" "The best!!" When Yoo-Jin praised her, Miso raised her thumb. "Ho~!" I also raised both thumbs and responded. "Ho~!" That was when it happened. Ding! I received a notification informing me that I had been leveled up on the Nave website. I struggled to sit up and began to write a formal greeting post. [Nickname: AstralAerobics] I am Jung Yoon-Ho, a new member who joined today. I apologize for underestimating aerobics and am in awe of the sunbae-nims'' incredible stamina. I am looking forward to...... After leaving a heartfelt greeting message, I clicked the idol dance cover section and downloaded the videos. *** ¡°...She¡¯s good.¡± As I showed the video at thepany, Lee Dong-Min was impressed. He couldn''t take his eyes off the screen as he admired Park Seon-Nyeo¡¯s exceptional dance moves. "If she''s this good, I have high expectations. Does she have any original choreographies?" "Of course she does." Despite suffering from muscle aches all over my body, I yed a video of Park Seon-Nyeo¡¯s original choreography with trembling hands. Lee Dong-Min couldn¡¯t contain his admiration. "Wow, she''s truly talented. Her moves are different. Just different." She madeplex dances look effortlessly simple to the extent that even someone like me, who knew nothing about dance, thought I could follow along. Lee Dong-Min gave the okay. "This is amazing. We must get her!" "Yes, Mr. Lee." However, Lee Dong-Min asked again. "But... Yoon-Ho, are we really going to offer her 20 million won as an initial payment?" "Yes. Plus, we have to promise not to interfere with her choreography at all." Lee Dong-Min let out a deep sigh. "Do you think she¡¯ll agree to join us if we promise her those conditions?" "Just keep those two conditions, and I¡¯ll do my best to get her on board." Lee Dong-Min nodded. "Well. With such conditions, we have to get her no matter what. It''ll be a big deal for thepany." He was right. Currently, no other Korean agency could match Park Seon-Nyeo¡¯s conditions. If she were to take on the choreography, I was confident Cherry Blossom would be a sess. After all, Park Seon-Nyeo was extremely sessful when she came back to Korea after her sess in the U.S and made a name for herself in major agencies for creating popr choreographies. Later, her minimum contract fee would start from 200 million won. But Lee Dong-Min was still hesitant about paying her 20 million won. ¡°Mr. Lee, you know how important a signature dance is for an idol song to be sessful. Can''t you spend that much for Cherry Blossom¡¯s sess?" Lee Dong-Min flinched at my direct response. "I know, but... it''s not about you or me understanding this matter. Will others understand why we are spending so much on choreography?" He had a point, but that was something for the higher-ups to handle. "That''s why we need you to persuade the higher-ups, Mr. Lee." Lee Dong-Min gave me a disbelieving look. "What?" "I believe in our almighty Mr. Lee! You got this!" When I said that convincing the higher-ups was something I, a mere talent agent, couldn¡¯t even dream of doing, Lee Dong-Min yfully clenched his fist at me. "Ah, really. I am so close to giving you a good punch, you know that? But seriously. If Cherry Blossom doesn¡¯t seed this time, let¡¯s resign together. Got it?" I nodded at Lee Dong-Min''s words. "Yes. If that happens, I¡¯ll leave the Singer Division 2." "Really?" "Yes. And then I''ll go back to the Actor Division 2." "Huh? Then what about me?" I smiled. "Sorry, but I¡¯m too busy taking care of myself." That day, I ended up being wrestled by Lee Dong-Min. "Aaaack! My back, Mr. Lee. My back!" It didn¡¯t hurt that much, but I exaggerated my reaction which made Lee Dong-Min pleased as he proudly boasted about how he was still alive and kicking. "I¡¯ll think of a way. And in return, you must persuade Park Seon-Nyeo and make it happen!" "Yes, Mr. Lee!" *** In the conference room on the sixth floor of Hoop Entertainment, a meeting of division heads hosted by Kang Ji-Yung was underway. "20 million won just for an external choreographer¡¯s fee? Mr. Lee, are you out of your mind?" "Out of my mind? You better watch your words." Park Han-Cheol from Singer Division 1 and Lee Dong-Min from Singer Division 2 went head-to-head with each other. Lee Dong-Min dered that Singer Division 2 had decided to pay Park Seon-Nyeo, the aerobics instructor, a choreography fee of 20 million won and to entrust herpletely with the choreography. Park Han-Cheol was visibly irritated. "The atmosphere of our internal production is a mess because of this matter. I mean,e on. External recruitment for both theposer and choreographer!?" "We¡¯re just looking for talent, that''s all!" In response to Lee Dong-Min¡¯s retort, Park Han-Cheol asked, "Are you going to outsource the lyricist as well?" Lee Dong-Min mimicked the hook part of ¡®Pretty Pretty,¡¯ a track from Cherry Blossom¡¯s second album, with a frown. "Yes! Frankly, I¡¯m not satisfied with the internal production work." Park Han-Cheol questioned what was wrong with the song. "What do you mean what¡¯s wrong with the song? It totally flopped!" "That''s because Cherry Blossom couldn''t properly bring it to life. If Golden Road had received that song, they would have hit number one." "What? Are you kidding? Number one with that song? Come on! There are things you can say and things you shouldn''t!" Unable to reason with Lee Dong-Min, Park Han-Cheol turned to Kang Ji-Yung. "Ms. Kang, even if you told us to proceed independently by divisions, this is not eptable! Do you know how demoralized our internal production staff are these days?" Kang Ji-Yung spoke emotionlessly. "Please...continue." "Choreographer Seong Eun-Soo says her pride is hurt, and she can''t work for thepany anymore. She¡¯s threatening to go independent." Seong Eun-Soo, whose reputation grew after Golden Road''s sess, was a talent coveted by manypanies. As Park Han-Cheol exined how Seong Eun-Soo threatened to leave, the chiefs began to murmur. Everyone was eyeing who Kang Ji-Yung would side with¡ªSeong Eun-Soo or Jung Yoon-Ho? Park Han-Cheol, emboldened by the murmurs, spoke even louder. "First, please cancel the outsourcing of the choreography. We need to do at least that much to prevent Eun-Soo from leaving and..." That was when Kang Ji-Yung raised her hand to interrupt Park Han-Cheol. Simultaneously, her firm voice filled the room. "Let her leave." "Excuse me?" The conference room began to buzz with surprise. "If she doesn''t like working at ourpany, let her leave." When Kang Ji-Yung dered to ept Seong Eun-Soo¡¯s resignation immediately, Park Han-Cheol backed down. "N-no, I mean...she¡¯s not really going to leave, but..." Kang Ji-Yung started to frown. "What now? Is working at thispany a joke to you? Should I cater to everyone throwing a tantrum?" "T-that¡¯s not what I meant. it¡¯s not like that..." As Park Han-Cheol''s confidence faded, Kang Ji-Yung pushed him even harder. "Is there anyone here who doesn¡¯t know that Miss Eun-Soo only cares about Golden Road? Don¡¯t you understand that¡¯s the reason Singer Division 2 is looking for people outside of internal production?" "W-who would say such nonsense..." ¡°Nonsense, huh? You didn¡¯t know that a photo of Miss Eun-Soo with Golden Road¡¯s Jang Eun-Yung was posted on Instargem during Cherry Blossom¡¯s lesson time today?" Kang Ji-Yung projected Seong Eun-Soo''s Instargem post on the conference room screen. An hour ago, a photo of Seong Eun-Soo and Golden Road¡¯s Jang Eun-Yung having coffee in front of thepany was posted during Cherry Blossom''s lesson time. Kang Ji-Yung issued a final warning, causing everyone to fall silent. Then, she sternly directed Lee Dong-Min. "Mr. Lee!" "Yes, Ms. Kang." "Proceed with the contract!" Lee Dong-Min nodded, clenching a victorious fist under the table. Finally, Kang Ji-Yung dered for thest time. "And if anyone hasints about Assistant Manager Jung,e prepared with better results for discussion! Don''t just target someone who''s doing their job well. Got it?" Everyone was at a loss for words as it was true that Assistant Manager Jung Yoon-Ho was currently the most prominent and outstanding employee at Hoop Entertainment. Chapter 75: Song Completed

Chapter 75: Song Completed

After I finished chauffeuring Yoo-Jin to and from the shooting set every day, I would head to Park Seon-Nyeo''s aerobics studio each night to mark my attendance. After a week of this routine, Park Seon-Nyeo finally called me into her office. "Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho." "Yes, ma¡¯am?" "Could youe see me for a moment?" Since my face had often appeared in entertainment news articles thanks to Yoo-Jin, I thought that she had recognized me. I had nned to approach her myself if she didn¡¯t call me in, so this was a relief. When I walked into the office, Park Seon-Nyeo looked at me somewhat skeptically. "You''re from an entertainmentpany, right? I''ve seen you in the newspaper, so don''t even think about lying." As expected, she knew who I was. "Yes, ma''am." Park Seon-Nyeo sighed. ¡°Then would you mind leaving?" ¡®What? Just like that?¡¯ I wanted to at least discuss the conditions, but Park Seon-Nyeo shook her head. "Don''t bother if you''re not really interested in learning aerobics. I''ll refund your fee right away." ¡®Wait. She thinks I¡¯m not interested in learning?¡¯ "Ma''am, it''s true I came to offer you a choreography job. But to say I have no interest in learning aerobics? That''s unfair!" For a whole week, I had checked every night if my hamstrings were still attached. My body was covered in patches due to muscle pain. Even Yoo-Jin joked that I smelled like I was undergoing chemical warfare training. This was so unfair that I couldn¡¯t bear it. ¡®It¡¯s not fair that she thinks I have no interest in learning just because I suck at aerobics!¡¯ "It''s been a week and you still can''t do the basic moves. Don¡¯t you think you''re being a bit shameless?" ¡®...Oh. I thought I was doing well.¡¯ Tears clouded my vision. "So you think I¡¯m not interested in learning because I can¡¯t dance... sigh, that''s definitely not it!" My passionate defense made Park Seon-Nyeo hesitate. I briefly forgot about the contract and demonstrated how hard I had practiced every night. For a moment, Park Seon-Nyeo flinched. "You... you just happen to be a terrible dancer. I see. I-I didn''t realize. Um." Her blunt truth nearly stopped my heart. "Was it necessary to say that out loud...?" After realizing that I was indeed a terrible dancer with bad motor coordination, Park Seon-Nyeo finally apologized. "I-I apologize for that. But you dide here to make a deal with me, didn¡¯t you!?" "Yes, that''s correct." "You must have heard I arranged choreography for TK Entertainment and Big Star Entertainment. But I¡¯m not doing idol choreography anymore." Disappointed with the treatment from Korean agencies, it was no surprise that she was set on drawing a line with me as well. But I was ready to convince her. "Please just hear out my conditions." Park Seon-Nyeo gestured dismissively. "No. I¡¯ve been disappointed too many times..." I cut her off. "20 million won as a contract fee!" "What?" "Plus, a 10 million won incentive if we reach the top three, and 20 million won if we rank first! How about that?" Park Seon-Nyeo was left speechless. "That¡¯s... that¡¯s ridiculous..." It would be another year before she received such an offer from an American producer. For this reason, I figured the words I brought up would be a much more valuable proposal to her at this moment. In return, I made an additional request. "In return, please help with the girls'' lessons. The Cherry Blossom girls have real potential, but they haven¡¯t been able to bloom yet. Please help us!" I bowed my head deeply before ying a video of the lessons Cherry Blossom received from thepany. After a while, Park Seon-Nyeo nodded her head. "The choreography...can''t keep up with the girls¡¯ skills. Oh, what I mean is that the potential of the Cherry Blossom girls isn''t being fully unleashed." Feeling the time was right, I handed her the contract prepared by Lee Dong-Min. It was a contract from thepany stating they would not intervene in Park Seon-Nyeo¡¯s choreography in any way. After reading the contract, Park Seon-Nyeo spoke heartily. "Okay. I guess it would be rude of me to reject your offer with this condition." Park Seon-Nyeo finished signing the contract and took my hand. What she wanted was not only money but also respect as a choreographer. Apart from securing the contract with Park Seon-Nyeo, it was also a victory for my hamstring, which had held out for a week. But after signing the contract, Park Seon-Nyeo opened her mouth again. "Oh right. Since I misunderstood your intention, I''ll drill rhythms into that stiff body of yours from today. Let''s go~! Ho~!" And that day, I realized she was a born teacher to the point where she could forcibly imnt a sense of rhythm in me, who was rhythmically challenged. *** After finalizing the contract with Park Seon-Nyeo, I immediately set out to find a lyricist. The lyricist I had in mind was Jang Ye-Bin, a web novelist who wrote entertainment-themed stories on Cameo Page. I sent her an email regarding the lyricist offer. Thankfully, her email address was easy to remember. Jang Ye-Bin promptly responded to my email and met me at a cafe near the office. She appeared weary, with her hair tightly tied back and dark bags hanging under her eyes. She exined she had stayed up until dawn writing and hadn''t slept at all after receiving my email. Jang Ye-Bin took a sip of her matcha drink with whipped cream. ¡°Um, how much can I earn for writing lyrics?¡± She was currently an unpopr web novelist, barely earning a million won a month. But in a year, she would be famous after writing lyrics for a song sung by the protagonist ''Hee-Yeon'' in her novel, which was picked up by TK Entertainment''s Petite More. After that, she would fully transition into a lyricist. Knowing her future sess, I offered her a generous deal. ¡°We are thinking 2 million won per song. This is an A-grade treatment, Ms. Jang.¡± Jang Ye-Bin¡¯s expression brightened. ¡°...2 million won per song? Really?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°How many songs do you want me to write lyrics for?¡± I answered while catching her bloodshot tired eyes. ¡°More importantly, Ms. Jang¡ªwould you consider an exclusive contract? If so, I can offer up to 3 million won per song. Of course, the royalties would be all yours." My proposal seemed to immerse Jang Ye-Bin in deep thought. "Do I need toe to thepany every day? I really don''t fit well with office life..." I responded with a smile. "It''s a remote job. If you''re notfortable with your working environment, we can set up a studio for you at thepany." Jang Ye-Bin''s face brightened again at this. "When can I start?" "If you could start immediately, that would be great. We''re in a bit of a rush." "Do you have a song ready now?" "We do." "Then let''s write the contract first. I''ll start writing lyrics right away." "Pardon me?" After she signed the contract I had handed her, Jang Ye-Bin plugged in her earphones and began listening to the songposed by Bang Seon-Woo. Jang Ye-Bin swayed to the tune and then pulled out a palm-sized notebook and started writing at a rapid pace. Her handwriting seemed chaotic, almost like a self-encryption. The characters were unmistakably Korean, but utterly indecipherable. Soon after, she wrote the title at the top of the page with a satisfied look on her face: ¡®Hurry Up!¡¯ Just like that, Cherry Blossom''s next song was born in a corner of the cafe. "How is it? I think it turned out really well..." "H-how did you do this so quickly?" "Composing lyrics on the spot while listening to music is my hobby." That exined how she managed to produce dozens of songs in a year in my past life. "Um, sorry, but I can''t read your handwriting. Could you send the lyrics to me over KkTalk?" Jang Ye-Bin''s face flushed with embarrassment. "I¡¯m sorry..." With an awkward expression, she sent the lyrics via KkTalk message. As soon as I received the lyrics, I silently let out a cheer¡ªher lyrics were almost identical to her biggest hit ¡®Wake Up! Follow Me!¡¯ But I managed to hide my excitement and forwarded her message to Lee Dong-Min. A minuteter, my phone rang. -That¡¯s amazing! Yoon-Ho, did you get her to sign the contract? Please tell me you did! "Hehehe, of course I did.." -Good job! Seon-Woo loves it too! But how did you get the lyrics so fast? It wasn''t pre-written, was it? "No, sir. She wrote it on the spot. She''s a genius." -No way... When Lee Dong-Min switched the call to Bang Seon-Woo, he was also delighted that the lyrics perfectly captured the vague image in his mind. With theposer and producer''s approval, I confidently proceeded. "Should I transfer the payment to your ount number here, Ms. Jang?" Jang Ye-Bin smiled. "I look forward to working with you, Mr, Jung Yoon-Ho." Finally, Cherry Blossom''s new song wasplete. *** "Here you are, Yoon-Ho!" For my promotion celebration, I met up with my colleagues at Albongi Fried Chicken near thepany. Out of the 20 talent agents who joined thepany in the same year as me, only five remained, including myself. Excluding Yung-Jin from Actor Division 2, there was Han Jin-Tae from Actor Division 1, Choi Myung-Seok from Actor Division 3, and Do Ran-Hee from Singer Division 1. "Hey, how have you been?" "Good." Though it was a celebration for my promotion to assistant manager, we treated each other like friends outside of work since we were of the same age, except Do Ran-Hee who was younger. As the drinks went round, everyone got tipsy and opened up. Han Jin-Tae, with the lowest alcohol tolerance, let out a deep sigh. "Sigh. You''re already an assistant manager, but what am I doing?" "Hey! Yoon-Ho is the odd one here. We are doing fine too." Han Jin-Taeughed at Yung-Jin¡¯s words. "Are you kidding? There''s not a day I don''t get scolded. From sunbaes at work to PDs and ADs at the broadcasting stations, they all seem eager to devour me." ¡°Hey, you think you''re the only one? At least the actor you¡¯re in charge of is decent. My actor is a nightmare... Honestly, I secretly cry every day." They began topete over who had it tougher, but there was someone who envied me among them. "You might not see it now, but only time will tell who will really make it, right? Yoon-Ho, you''ve been showing off too muchtely, you know that?" The atmosphere quickly changed when Choi Myung-Seok from Actor Division 3 suddenly spoke. "Hey, what''s that supposed to mean?" Yung-Jin tried to intervene, but Choi Myung-Seok brushed him off. "What? Can''t I even say that?" I stopped Yung-Jin. "It''s okay, Yung-Jin. And Myung-Seok, I''m sorry. I''ve been struggling to survive as well. Don''t be angry. It¡¯s not like I¡¯m unting on purpose, am I?" In my past life, I might have already grabbed Choi Myung-Seok by the cor for such rude words. But after traveling back in time, jealousy from someone ten years younger seemed like watching a children''s y. My goal was to lift Faithful and bring down Kim Dong-Soo anyway. To do so, I had to draw these colleagues to my side. Choi Myung-Seok wasn''t inherently bad-natured, but being under Kim Dong-Soo appeared to have influenced him negatively. I poured more drink into his empty ss. "Myung-Seok, let''s not turn against each other because of the higher-ups'' fights. Frankly, you might get promoted to team lead before any of us. Isn''t the actor you¡¯re managing doing the best among us?" Currently, Choi Myung-Seok was the talent agent for Lee Byung-Jun, Actor Division 3''s top star. Technically, his superior Na Gyu-Cheol handled most of the work but it was still possible that Choi Myung-Seok might be promoted. "W-well, that''s true..." ¡°I just got lucky. Besides, Mr. Kim Dong-Soo scouted you himself because you¡¯repetent.¡± Choi Myung-Seok straightened his shoulders as I boosted his ego. After all, he was indeed the mostpetent out of all the colleagues. Though he might have felt bitter aboutgging behind in promotions, I knew he didn¡¯t truly hate me. "Ah, this is embarrassing... Alright, alright! Fine! I''ll do my best so I can be a team lead before you." As Choi Myung-Seok softened his expression, the atmosphere lightened again. Then, Do Ran-Hee from Singer Division 1, who had been quietly eating fried chicken, approached me. But she said something strange. "Oppa, did you know there''s a rumor that theposer you brought in giarized someone¡¯s work?" At that moment, my mind which had been slightly clouded by the alcohol instantly cleared. ¡®What is she talking about? Bang Seon-Woo is a giaristposer?¡¯ Then, a thought suddenly crossed my mind. ''Absolute pitch.¡¯ Bang Seon-Woo''s ears were different; he could catch every sound in the world, unlike ordinary people. ¡®Could he have unintentionally picked up someone else''s melody?¡¯ But I shook off that thought. ''That doesn¡¯t make sense. Seon-Woo remembers every sound he''s heard which means there¡¯s no way he would write a simr melody as someone else¡¯s.'' Only now did I seem to catch a clue rting to the incident of Seon-Woo¡¯s death on my nner. I took Do Ran-Hee outside where the noisy streets naturally muted our conversation. "Tell me in detail. What do you mean Seon-Woo is a giaristposer?" "This is an S-ss secret. You know fried chicken isn''t enough for this information, right?" Do Ran-Hee knew when to strike a deal. She was a fearsome woman indeed. "Alright. I¡¯ll buy you whatever you want, Ran-Hee!" "Hanwoo. Deal?" She had already eaten four drumsticks and was now asking for Hanwoo. But I wasn¡¯t surprised as this was typical of Do Ran-Hee. "It¡¯s a deal. But let''s pick a day when those hyenas aren''t around, okay?" Do Ran-Hee nced inside and nodded. ¡°Totally. I won''t get a single bite of meat with those hyenas around." "Now, tell me. Where did you hear that Seon-Woo is a giarist?" Do Ran-Hee began to spill what she had heard on the condition that I wouldn''t reveal her as the source. "Don''t worry. You know I can keep a secret. I keep secrets even if someone rips open my lips." "Alright. So, here''s what happened..." The clue to Seon-Woo''s death starteding out of her lips. Chapter 76: Plagiarism (1)

Chapter 76: giarism (1)

"Seon-Woo giarized someone else¡¯s song?" "Yes. I went to the copyright association with Mr. Park because of work, and I overheard him talking with an association employee. They said the song was exactly the same as one that was already registered." "Ran-Hee, when did you hear this news?" "Two days ago." Now I could understand why I still hadn''t received the final confirmation after registering Seon-Woo''s song at the copyright association. ''Park Han-Cheol. You¡¯re seriously trying to screw Singer Division 2 over, huh?'' After sharing the news, Do Ran-Hee seemed a bit worried and asked me to keep it a secret. "Don''t worry. I won¡¯t mention your name. I¡¯ll say we looked into it ourselves." I told the relieved Do Ran-Hee to go back inside the restaurant first. "I''ll go back in after making a phone call. Oh, and..." "And?" "Thanks for sharing this information with me. It was a big help. I''ll treat you big time at Hanwoo Myeongga in Apgujeong." Do Ran-Hee''s eyes widened like huge marbles. "What? But that ce costs 55 thousand won per person! I heard the charcoal-grilled barbecue with myeongi-namul[1] is amazing!" "Yes. Now, I¡¯m going to make that phone call. I¡¯ll meet you inside?" Do Ran-Hee threw her head back and roared with joy. "Yes, go ahead. We still have our second round so hurry up! Hanwoo! Hanwoo! Delicious Hanwoo!" ¡®Yep. She¡¯s definitely drunk.¡¯ I immediately called Lee Dong-Min and updated him over the phone. Relieved by Lee Dong-Min¡¯s reassurance that he would look into it right away, I headed back to the restaurant. In the short time I was gone, only the bones of the chicken we ordered were left. "S-so. Where shall we go for the second round?" Yung-Jin answered my question. "How about Hanwoo Myeongga?" Do Ran-Hee looked startled and shook her head as she said it wasn''t her who suggested going to Hanwoo Myeongga. ¡®Then Yung-Jin is just talking nonsense.¡¯ Iughed and downed the remaining beer in my 50 ss. ng. The sound of the beer ss hitting the table was quite loud. "My beloved friend, Yung-Jin. I must have heard you wrong, right?" Yung-Jin hesitated for a moment. "Then... how about the food stall nearby?" Despite the protests from other colleagues, I nodded and gave Yung-Jin a warm gaze¡ªthough I highly doubt he considered it a warm gaze. "Ah, yes. It¡¯s a perfect ce for wrapping up. Sounds good to me~." Thanks to Yung-Jin''s alternative suggestion, I managed to settle the second round for 30 thousand won. *** The filming of Blue Sky that started in the morning ended at 6 PM. After dropping off the exhausted Yoo-Jin at home, I headed straight to thepany. "Have you seen Mr. Lee?" After reporting the giarism incident yesterday, we decided to have a strategy meeting as soon as he came into the office today. But Lee Dong-Min wasn''t answering his phone. Choi Kang-Woo, the team lead of Singer Division 2 who was busily moving around, answered my question. "Go check Practice Room 1 on the second floor." Practice Room 1 was thergest in ourpany, usually used by Golden Road and Cherry Blossom for practicing their choreography. I thanked him and headed straight to the second floor. As soon as the elevator doors opened, I slightly opened the ss door of the practice room right in front of me. But instead of Cherry Blossom who should have been practicing, it was Golden Road. p p! The members of Golden Road all turned in unison to the loud p counting the beat. "That''s it! There~ turn! One. Two. Eun-Yung, you¡¯re doing great. Soo-Jin, your right hand is too low. Myung-Eun, you''re not concentrating!" Seong Eun-Soo, the choreography team lead, was busy overseeing the dance practice for Golden Road members, who were all wearing a tracksuit with hair tightly tied back. Not understanding the situation, I closed the door and stepped out. Then, I checked the LCD notice board at the entrance of the practice room. It was clearly written that it was Cherry Blossom''s practice time from 7 PM to 9 PM. The current time was 8 PM. ¡®But why is Golden Road here?¡¯ Cherry Blossom was scheduled to attend Park Seon-Nyeo''s aerobics lesson at 11 PM¡ªso it couldn''t be that they had finished practice and left already. ''Could they have been pushed out by Golden Road?'' That was when Seong Eun-Soo opened the door and appeared with a fierce re like a predator. "You really stick your nose everywhere, don¡¯t you. What brings you here today?" Seong Eun-Soo¡¯s words wereced with thorns. "I came looking for Cherry Blossom because they are supposed to be using the practice room at this time." Seong Eun-Soo scoffed and red at me. "But you guys are training with that aerobicsdy, aren¡¯t you? That''s why our Golden Road girls are using this space. Why? Is there a problem with that?" Every single word she spoke was dripping with hostility. It was true that Cherry Blossom were scheduled for lessons at Park Seon-Nyeo''s aerobics academy, but they still needed to use the practice room for other times. "I understand why you''re upset, Ms. Seong. But you still have to respect the scheduled practice time." "What did you just say to me?" "Since you''ve used up Cherry Blossom¡¯s practice time, our girls will use the next time slot." When I replied firmly, Seong Eun-Soo''s face turned red with anger. "Are you kidding me? My girls will be practicing in this room until dawn, so don''t even think about it!" ¡®Until dawn? Yikes.¡¯ I saw the faces of the members of Golden Road turning pale through the ss door. ¡®Sorry, girls. It seems your dance trainer has lost it.¡¯ Their expressions twisted as they looked at me, but it wasn''t my fault. Seong Eun-Soo went back into the practice room and yelled at the Golden Road members. "What are you looking at!? Get back to practice!" ¡®Well, it doesn''t matter much. Cherry Blossom can practice when Golden Road has a schedule.¡¯ But I definitely intended to pay them back for what was happening now. Once Cherry Blossom became more popr, the priority for using the practice room could change anytime. This time, I called Team Lead Han Myung-Ho. -Hey, Yoon-Ho. ¡°Mr. Han, where are you? I came to the main practice room, but Ms. Seong is..." -Come to the basement theater. Things got a bit awkward with Seong Eun-Soo, so we came down here. ¡®They must have already had a confrontation before I came.¡¯ "I''ll be right down, sir." After ending the call with Han Myung-Ho, I went down to the small theater on basement level 2. The small theater on the second basement floor located at the end of the recording studios had 150 seats and a stage. It was slightly smaller than a broadcast station''s open hall, but perfect for real-life practice even though practicing here wasn¡¯t what we had intended. I carefully opened the back door, trying my best not to disturb the practice. Boom! Boom! Doo-Doo-Boom! A powerful percussion sound escaped the room as soon as I opened the door. On stage was Cherry Blossom dancing in bear print sweatshirts and track pants. ''It looks like the choreography has changed. Is this the finalized version?'' The members of Cherry Blossom turned their waists in unison while raising both hands. With each flick of the waist, their outlines were slightly revealed. The simple movements looked easy enough for even a child to follow and had a showstopper that made them appealing to the crowd. ''Wow. This is going to be a hit.'' Idol choreography that had dance moves which made it easy for children to follow as well as a showstopper tended to be more sessful. Of course, it also needed to possess a level ofplexity that was challenging to replicate in intricate detail. The choreography arranged by Park Seon-Nyeo had both of these elements of sess. ¡®Hurry Up!¡¯ had so many waist movements that it could even be called ''waist up'' choreography. The formation of Cherry Blossom hadpletely changed from the initial version. Sae-Ri, who used to be at the back of the diamond formation, was now at the front. Yang Eun-Bi stood to her left and Eun-Ah stood to her right while Woo Yeon-Hee danced at the very back. In the past, Sae-Ri was usually sent to the back of the formation because she was considered a bad dancer. But just by assigning her an easier choreography and cing her at the front, the entire mood had be more lively. I couldn¡¯t believe how much had changed just by changing the choreography and the formation. Hiring Park Seon-Nyeo was indeed a masterstroke. "One~ Two~ Three~ Ho~!" The recorded voice of Park Seon-Nyeo flowed out of the speakers of the small theater. Below the stage was Han Myung-Ho recording the performance with his phone for monitoring purposes. "Okay~! That''s good for now. Let''s take a quick break, guys." As Han Myung-Ho called cut and stopped the music, the Cherry Blossom members plopped down on the stage. Then, Woo Yeon-Hee somehow managed to spot me in the dark and waved her hand with a bright expression. "Oppa!" ¡®Woah. Does she have infrared cameras for eyes or something? How did she see me in this darkness?¡¯ "Hey. Good work, guys." As I waved back and walked down the stairs, a barrage of greetings followed. Yang Eun-Bi''s greeting had changed. "You are now Assistant Manager Jung, right? Hey~ Wassup!" Eun-Ah stood up and bowed politely upon seeing me. "Mr. Jung. Hello." "Whoa, Eun-Ah. If you greet him politely like that, what does that make me?" Yang Eun-Bi yfully grumbled, turning Eun-Ah''s face red. "I¡¯m sorry, unnie." It seemed like everyone had heard the news of my promotion and started addressing me as Assistant Manager Jung. ¡®But I''d prefer it if they just called me oppa.¡¯ However, Sae-Ri didn''t care about such formalities and shouted with her hand raised high. "Sae-Hi!" ''Sae-Hi'' was short for ''Sae-Ri says Hi.'' "Yep. Sae-Hi~." When I responded to her long-distance high-five, Sae-Ri smiled contentedly. After greeting everyone, I handed a bag filled with soft drinks to Han Myung-Ho. "Guys,e down the stage and have some of this." One by one, the Cherry Blossom members came down the stairs next to the stage in a line. Woo Yeon-Hee quenched her thirst and asked, "How did you know we came down here instead of Practice Room 1?" Yang Eun-Bi took a sip of her drink and answered on my behalf. "He must have called Mr. Han." Yang Eun-Bi always made things easier and simple to understand, which was something I appreciated about her. Everyone was drenched in sweat as if they had worn their clothes in the shower. Despite the sweat streaming down their exhausted faces, they all looked really pretty and fresh. ¡®Oops. This is not the time for that.¡¯ "Mr. Han, do you know where Mr. Lee went? He''s not answering his phone." "Mr. Lee? He went to see Ms. Kang earlier. Why? Is there an urgent matter to be discussed with him?" It seemed Lee Dong-Min hadn''t told Han Myung-Ho about the giarism issue of Bang Seon-Woo. ¡®Well, fair enough. Talking about it would only increase worries.¡¯ "No, it''s nothing serious. But what are we going to do about the practice room situation, Mr. Han? It seems to be getting moreplicated." Han Myung-Ho sighed. "I guess we can''t help it. Seeing how tant they are about it, we''ll have to use the room when Golden Road''s schedule allows." I nodded in agreement. Even if we talk to the higher-ups about it, they would probably just say we need to give priority to Golden Road due to their Japan joint concert preparations. That was when Woo Yeon-Hee bit her lip slightly and spoke as if she''d made up her mind. "Don''t worry too much. We can keep practicing down here." Yang Eun-Bi nodded in agreement with Woo Yeon-Hee. "Ms. Seong never really paid attention to our lessons anyway. It''s better to practice on our own down here than to go up and bump into them. Plus, we can practice at Mrs. Park Seon-Nyeo''s academy too." Han Myung-Ho nodded with a sympathetic look on his face. "Alright. Let''s endure just a bit more. If this song does well, I''ll push out Team Lead Seong and secure the time slot for us." Cherry Blossom responded in unison. "Okay!" ''Sigh. It''s like they¡¯re underground idols or something.'' Then, Sae-Ri looked at me and began to brag. "Yoon-Ho oppa. Mrs. Park said I dance well and put me in the center of the formation!" "Wow, she did? That''s great!" Sae-Ri made a peace sign with her fingers. "Yes. I finally met a trainer who recognizes my dancing skills!" Eun-Bi shook her head in the background, suggesting that wasn''t the case, but she seemed reluctant to spoil Sae-Ri''s mood by saying anything. From my perspective, Sae-Ri¡¯s dance skills seemed the same as before. Sae-Ri was indeed talented in singing, but when it came to dancing, she was the type to ovee hercking skills with effort rather than with natural talent. I figured that Park Seon-Nyeo must have ced Sae-Ri as the center because of her ''liveliness'' alone. Anyway, everyone seemed optimistic thanks to both the song and the choreography turning out well this time. Sae-Ri dered her ambition after receiving mypliment. "Unnies, let''s take first ce thiseback and snatch back our practice room!" As expected, Sae-Ri''s ambition was impressive. Yang Eun-Bi was grumbling until a moment ago but nodded with a serious expression to Sae-Ri¡¯s determination. "I agree with Sae-Ri. It would be embarrassing to face our families if we can''t take first ce with such a good song and choreography." Woo Yeon-Hee extended her hand with a smile. "Then, shall we do a cheer?" "Should we?" I also ced my hand on top of the four hands. Following Sae-Ri''s lead, everyone yelled as if their throats would burst. "Please let us bloom this spring!" With the four girls'' earnest wishes in my heart, I headed to the director''s office. *** In the director''s office, Kang Ji-Yung, Kwak Moo-Hyuk, and Lee Dong-Min were having a meeting with a pile of documents spread out everywhere. As I sat down, Lee Dong-Min briefed me on the situation. "I checked with the association, and it turns out it wasn''t just one song that was already registered. Anotherpany had preemptively registered all twenty songs from Seon-Woo''s old notebook pad. Damn those assholes." "All twenty songs? Whichpany is it?" Lee Dong-Min sighed and answered my heated question. "Well, thatpany is..." 1. A type of vegetable ? Chapter 77: Plagiarism (2)

Chapter 77: giarism (2)

"Uncle Music." "Uncle Music?" "Yes. Those guys who came to meet Seon-Woo before us." But I couldn''t understand how they managed to register the copyrights before us. Although Uncle Music had a meeting with Bang Seon-Woo before us, Bang Seon-Woo said he hadn''t shown them any songs other than the two already posted on the amateurposer''s website. "Did you check with Seon-Woo about what happened?" Lee Dong-Min scratched his head with a troubled look. "I only asked Seon-Woo briefly about it because I was worried it might affect his mental state, especially since he''s in the middle of working on the song. But he did tell me nothing much happened other than just a brief chat in the room with the people from Uncle Music." That was when Kwak Moo-Hyuk stepped in. "This is not my area of expertise, but I suspect they might have done something like hacking into his ount within a very short time. So we took Seon-Woo''s MePad and requested an analysis." He exined that if we can prove the exact date the songs were created, it would be advantageous in court. "Oh, I see...." At that moment, Kwak Moo-Hyuk''s face lit up as he checked the message on his phone. "Wait a minute. The information request about Uncle Music just came in." Ding! Ding! Kwak Moo-Hyuk sent the information he received to everyone''s KkTalk. But the moment Lee Dong-Min and Kang Ji-Yung saw the representative''s face in the file, they eximed simultaneously. "What? It was this bastard?" "Do you know this person?" Kwak Moo-Hyuk asked. Lee Dong-Min frowned and opened his mouth. "Don''t you remember Choi Hyun-Oh? You know the guy who fell after a giarism case. He used to be a vocalist in the Hongdae indie band called ¡®Bloody Mary.¡¯" Choi Hyun-Oh was quite a popr vocalist and guitarist during his Hongdae indie band days. He gained poprity by copying a song from an unknown Argentine band, ¡®EL SANDRO,¡¯ but the scandal broke when a Korean fan informed the original creator on Instargem. It became an international giarism case covered not only in Korea but also in foreign news. Kang Ji-Yung calmed the fuming Lee Dong-Min. "Mr. Lee, please calm down for now." Lee Dong-Min took a deep breath to steady himself. "I''m sorry." "It''s alright. But this guy, Choi Hyun-Oh...how about you meet up with him and try to convince him? Once the analysis results we requestede in, we''ll have to go to court. So let''s avoid any trouble as much as possible." Kang Ji-Yung''s words were loaded with various meanings. Lee Dong-Min nodded. "Sure. I''ll go see him right now." As Kang Ji-Yung gave her directions, I quickly raised my hand. "Um, can Ie along?" "You want to go with him?" Although Uncle Music was unfamiliar to me, I knew Choi Hyun-Oh from my past life. He wouldter be a founder of a recordpany called ¡®Gangnam Brothers¡¯ and mess with the copyrights of otherposers like what he was doing with Bang Seon-Woo now. As Lee Dong-Min and I stood up, Kang Ji-Yung added onest thing. "And both of you, please keep quiet about Chief Park Han-Cheol hiding this incident." Park Han-Cheol of Singer Division 1 still hadn''t reported to thepany that Bang Seon-Woo''s song was a subject of giarism. Kang Ji-Yung¡¯s eyes shed as she dered to hold him ountable. "Understood." "Of course, Ms. Kang." Just like that, Lee Dong-Min and I headed to Uncle Music to meet the copyright thug, Choi Hyun-Oh. *** Park Han-Cheol of Singer Division 1 headed to the room of the operations director upon being summoned. Knock knock. "Come in." When he opened the door and entered, he saw Kim Dong-Soo sitting on the opposite side of Lee Gi-Cheol. As soon as he sat on the sofa, Kim Dong-Soo praised Park Han-Cheol. "Hehe. Mr. Park. You¡¯ve really done a big job this time, haven¡¯t you?" "Oh, it¡¯s nothing. I just had some connections at the copyright association and things worked out well." Park Han-Cheol had schemed to screw over the Singer Division 2 for quite a while. He had asked Director Jang Myung-Soo of the copyright association if there was anything in Bang Seon-Woo''s songs that could be caught for giarism just in case. But what happened next was unexpected. Running theparison program revealed a plethora of songs with melodies identical to already existing ones. "Haha. So, what¡¯s happening with it now?" "After themittee''s review is over, we''ll receive an official notice of giarism within a week. Then, I n to feed it to the reporters to blow it up." Lee Gi-Cheol nodded with a satisfied expression. "Is there a way to fully utilize this opportunity to ruin Cherry Blossom?" Then, Kim Dong-Soo suddenly intervened. "How about we cover up the giarism case for the time being and blow it up timed with theireback?" Park Han-Cheol also brightened up and agreed. "That¡¯s a great idea!" Lee Gi-Cheol grinned wickedly. "Tell the copyrightmittee we''ll handle the issue ourselves and drag this on. Then, when Cherry Blossom is about to make aeback, tell them it didn''t work out and we need their help. That way, Director Lee won¡¯t be able to do anything about it. Right?" Park Han-Cheol praised Lee Gi-Cheol enthusiastically. ¡°Mr. Lee, your foresight is unparalleled!" "Haha. Stop overreacting. I¡¯m in a good mood today. How about we all go have a drink and chat?" "I know just the ce. I¡¯ll treat you properly tonight!" Unaware that Kang Ji-Yung already knew everything, the Seoul National University of the Arts alumni headed straight to a room salon in Gangnam and turned off their phones to party all night. *** President Choi Hyun-Oh was on the phone in the office of Uncle Music located in Sinsa-dong. "Damn it. Why doesn¡¯t this bastard ever answer his phone?" After several attempts, the other side finally answered. "Hey~ Epil. How have you been?" -Why the sudden call? Got any good stuff? The person on the other end was the famousposer, Epil K. Choi Hyun-Oh inwardly cursed at Epil K''s casual speech despite being younger, yet he had no choice but to suppress his anger. As annoying as he was, Epil K was an important client. "Of course. You know I only call when I have something good. Who else would I think of first other than you when I got good news?" -Hmph. Cut the crap and just get to the point. How much this time? "20 million won per song." -W-what? Not 2 million, but 20 million won? I¡¯m hanging up! Their usual deals averaged around 3 million won per song. Hearing a price several times higher, Epil K was about to hang up. "W-wait, just listen to me and you¡¯ll change your mind. It¡¯s a really good song this time." Epil K hesitated before hanging up. Choi Hyun-Oh was known for his terriblepositions, yet his keen ability to identify excellent music was unparalleled. Choi Hyun-Oh quickly yed the first 30 seconds of a melody. Click. -...Do you have just this one song? "No. I have a total of 20 songs and it belongs to oneposer. It¡¯s a package deal, but I¡¯ll give you a special 10% discount if you buy them all. What do you say? Are you interested?" For Epil K, Korea¡¯s top idolposer earning billions of won annually, the price was steep but not impossible. However, Epil K was notoriously cheap. -I¡¯ll get back to you by tomorrow. Choi Hyun-Oh shook his fist in the air triumphantly while grumbling about the little brat in his mind. However, the actual words that came out of his mouth were full ofughter. "Tick tock, tick tock. The discount ends at midnight tomorrow, Mr. Customer. There are no exceptions. It will be 20 million won per song, okay?" -...You bloodsucking leech. Choi Hyun-Oh chuckled after hanging up the call. Even if he was a leech, bing the king of leeches meant he was winning. "Hehehe. Always a pleasure doing business with you." Epil K didn¡¯t respond and just hung up. Click. "Kim Pil-Seok, this bastard....he is always so rude. I''m several years older than him but how dare he talk down to me? Epil K? Hah, my ass. Everyone knows his real name is Kim Pil-Seok! Hey, Hyung-Jun, get me another yogurt from the fridge." Hyung-Jun, a huge man, was eating ck bean noodles beside Choi Hyun-Oh. He scratched his head saying, "There¡¯s no more yogurt left in the fridge, hyung." Choi Hyun-Oh scowled and rummaged through his pockets. Then, he crumpled up a bill and threw it at Hyung-Jun with an irritated expression. "Did all the convenience stores copse or what, you brat?" Hyung-Jun picked up the bill from the floor and left the room with a deep bow. *** Screech. I could see the sign of Uncle Music on the second floor of a side street at Gangnam Station Exit 4. With words like ''Record Production, Music Distribution, and Singer Discovery,'' the shabby sign looked more like a loan shark''s advertisement. Lee Dong-Min looked up and sighed. "How distasteful. Be careful, Yoon-Ho. This man is no different from a thug." "Yes, Mr. Lee." Following Lee Dong-Min, I headed to Uncle Music. When we opened the door, there were three men ying cards on top of a military nket. p! "I¡¯m going for double!" All three men had cigarettes in their mouths and the small office smelled like a roon''s den. Choi Hyun-Oh''s eyes widened as they met with Lee Dong-Min¡¯s. "Huh? Isn¡¯t that Director Lee from Hoop Entertainment?" "Tsk. How pathetic." Choi Hyun-Oh red and shot back at the sound of Lee Dong-Min clicking his tongue, "What are you doing here?" "What do you think?" Lee Dong-Min sat on a sofa and tapped his foot impatiently to Choi Hyun-Oh¡¯s question. "At least have the decency to put out the cigarettes when guests arrive, you brat. Damn it, and clean up a bit. You call this an office?" Lee Dong-Min kicked the nket on the table. Normally, he would never do such rude things. But he seemed furious at the thought of Bang Seon-Woo''s songs being stolen. "It''s been a while. You seem to have be quite prickly over time, huh? Fine. Just say what you came for and leave. I have work to do." As Choi Hyun-Oh responded while folding the nket, Lee Dong-Min opened his mouth. "Work? Who are you nning to sell Seon-Woo''s songs to?" Choi Hyun-Oh¡¯s expression changed. "Seon-Woo¡¯s... songs? Ah, so that¡¯s what brings you here today?" Licking the ck bean sauce off his lips, Choi Hyun-Oh turned to a man nearby. "Sang-Taek, bring us something to drink. I thought he came to visit a friend, but turns out he''s a guest." "Yes, sir." One of the card yers, a sturdy man about 170 cm tall, slowly stood up. ¡®Wait. His face is quite familiar...Cha Sang-Taek?'' Cha Sang-Taek was someone I had a bad history with in my past life. He was a former boxer with a gangster background whoter rode the trot singer wave to be a sessful recordbel CEO. He then tried to poach singers from Top Entertainment to break into the mainstream music industry. But that would not happen till ten yearster. Knowing Cha Sang-Taek¡¯s rough nature of resorting to fists when things went awry, I prepared myself for any possible situation. Meanwhile, the argument between Lee Dong-Min and Choi Hyun-Oh was getting more intense. "I know all about your dirty tricks. If you steal and mess around with our songs, you guys are all dead. Drop the copyright registration while I¡¯m still being nice!" "Us, steal your songs? Got any proof? I''m really starting to feel wronged here. Ah, the tears..." As Choi Hyun-Oh pretended to cry, Lee Dong-Min frowned. "Don¡¯t be ridiculous, Choi Hyun-Oh. Compared to the tears shed by those you¡¯ve wronged, you couldn¡¯t match them even if you drained all the water from your body." "Ah, damn it. Director Lee, can''t I make a living too? Huh?" "Then make an honest living and earn money! Don''t swindle others!" Lee Dong-Min''s anger wasn''t subsiding. I didn''t know what past they had between them, but nothing was going to be resolved this way. That''s when Choi Hyun-Oh sighed heavily and waved his hand as if to surrender. "Fine. How about this? Considering our past, I''ll give you a discount¡ª20 million won per song. I gotta admit, the songs are pretty good." "20 million won? Are you out of your mind?" Choi Hyun-Oh smirked. "What? I''m really offering this deal out of kindness. If you don¡¯t want the deal, there are plenty of others who would buy it." Lee Dong-Min scoffed. "Are there really fools who would make a deal with you? They must have a strong stomach." "Hehehe, . You know better than anyone how many people in this business need songs, don¡¯t you?" Choi Hyun-Oh was impressive in his own way. Even as Lee Dong-Min growled and taunted, he kept on smiling. "Who are you nning to sell to?" "Who knows? Take a guess~" Lee Dong-Min was getting entangled in Choi Hyun-Oh¡¯s game. This wasn''t going well. It was time for me to step in. I smirked at Choi Hyun-Oh and opened my mouth. "Epil K is a regr at Uncle Music, isn¡¯t he? It''s obviously him." Suddenly, Choi Hyun-Oh''s expression froze and the atmosphere in the office turned tense. I must have hit the mark about who Choi Hyun-Oh was making a deal with. Lee Dong-Min noticed the change of atmosphere and suddenly stood up abruptly. "Ah, is that it? Then we should visit Epil K first. I wonder if he''d still buy the songs knowing we''re preparing to sue?" That''s when it happened. Choi Hyun-Oh shouted at Cha Sang-Taek, who was bringing drinks. "Stop them from leaving!" Instantly, Cha Sang-Taek threw the drink tray upwards and jumped toward us without hesitation. Chapter 78: Plagiarism (3)

Chapter 78: giarism (3)

Cha Sang-Taek was aiming for Lee Dong-Min. Swoosh! The fist of a former boxer swung toward Lee Dong-Min''s jaw. However, I extended my right hand at just the right time and caught his fist. Crack! "Huh?" Surprised that his fist was caught by me, Cha Sang-Taek''s eyes widened. "H-how did you catch my fist..." The confused Cha Sang-Taek staggered back. "You''re too slow," I murmured. Cha Sang-Taek suddenly changed his target from Lee Dong-Min to me and lunged forward. This time, Cha Sang-Taek''s fist swiftly aimed at my left jaw. But I easily dodged it by rotating my shoulder. Swoosh. "He dodged it...?" Cha Sang-Taek''s expression twisted once again as his punch missed me at close range. Biting his lips, Cha Sang-Taek continuously threw punches. Swoosh! Swoosh! As I continuously dodged his punches, Cha Sang-Taek''s face turned red with anger. "Urgh! Just get hit, will you!?" I could easily counter and shatter Cha Sang-Taek''s jaw if I wanted to. But I refrained from using my hands as I had a different purpose for being here. "Huff huff huff!" Despite being out of breath, Cha Sang-Taek relentlessly swung his fist again. Swoosh. "Alright. It¡¯s time to stop." Not wanting to continue this standoff any longer, I tripped his approaching leg slightly. "Whoa!" Cha Sang-Taek immediately lost bnce and staggered forward. That''s when it happened. "I brought some yogurt as you requested, sir~." A huge man opened the door energetically. At that moment, Cha Sang-Taek, who was falling forward, hit his head hard on the corner of the open door. Bang! "Keuk!" Caught off guard by the sudden shock, Cha Sang-Taek lost consciousness and fell to the ground. Simultaneously, the open door was flung back and it hit the burly man straight in the face. Bang! "Agh!" At the same time, the huge man screamed while covering his face, and the ck bag he was holding flew up into the air. Yogurt bottles exploded from the torn ck stic bag like a volcanic eruption and rolled around everywhere in the small office. *** Lee Dong-Min, who had been watching nkly, snapped back to reality and started berating Choi Hyun-Oh. "Hey! Choi Hyun-Oh! Are you a gangster or what? What was your intention? To silence us and then dump our bodies in the sea near Incheon? You son of bitch!" Intimidated by Lee Dong-Min''s shout, Choi Hyun-Oh stepped back hesitantly. "N-no, it''s not like that..." While Lee Dong-Min was screaming at Choi Hyun-Oh, I kept a close eye on both Cha Sang-Taek, who had lost consciousness, and the huge man, who was sprawled out on the ground with his limbs stretched. "Ughhh..." The huge man regained his consciousness first. Quickly assessing the situation, the huge man suddenly moved swiftly. I stepped back, ready to defend myself at any moment. "Are you gonna attack me too?" But there was no need to. The huge man, who was next to the unconscious Cha Sang-Taek, raised his hands above his head as if to surrender. "What are you doing right now?" "W-well...since you knocked down Sang-Taek hyung-nim, I figured you''re not someone I should mess with. I''ll just stay out of the way." Despite his intimidating appearance, he was kneeling before me even without being asked to. Soon, Cha Sang-Taek also opened his eyes. But he didn''t think of attacking anymore and leaned against the wall while rubbing his forehead. He probably realized he couldn''t beat me. At that moment, Choi Hyun-Oh pointed with his finger to a spot in the top corner of the office. Choi Hyun-Oh eximed, "Y-you guys are done for. The security camera caught you hitting us! I''m going to sue all of you!" But I had already checked the security camera when I entered¡ªthe recording light was off. "Stop lying. I know that¡¯s just a decorative security camera with no real function. Moreover, I didn¡¯t hit anyone." ¡®Although I did trip him slightly.¡¯ "But if you insist that I¡¯ve hit you... shall I make your statemente true?" As I stepped forward, Choi Hyun-Oh flinched and stepped back. Then, he pointed to Cha Sang-Taek, who was leaning against the wall. "Wait! If you want to hit someone, beat him up! He''s the one who threw punches, not me!" ¡®Wow, what a character. He''s turning his back on the one who fought for him?¡¯ Sure enough, Cha Sang-Taek dropped his head in disappointment. But Lee Dong-Min stopped me and said something unexpected. "Yoon-Ho, are you okay? He hit your leg earlier. Are there any bruises? You also bumped your shoulder, didn¡¯t you?" It was true that my shoulder and chest got brushed a few times by Cha Sang-Taek¡¯s fist while blocking and dodging. Lee Dong-Min secretly winked at me. ''Act like you¡¯re hurt.'' ''You want me to act?'' ''Yes. You know what bluffing is, right?'' At that moment, I leaned against the sofa and started screaming loudly as I rolled around ¡®in pain.¡¯ "Ow, ow. Now the pain is rushing in. Mr. Lee, please call 112 or 119![1] My leg! My shoulder! Ahhh!" Cha Sang-Taek and the huge man looked dumbfounded. But it didn''t matter. ¡®What can you do when your boss gives you orders? If he says roll, you roll.¡¯ As I rolled around on the sofa, Lee Dong-Min took out his phone. "Jeez. How could you beat up someone who came for a peaceful conversation like this? I''ll make sure you all get jail time!" As Lee Dong-Min fumed and took out his phone, Choi Hyun-Oh clung to his clothes. "W-wait. Let''s talk this out! Let¡¯s talk!" "Let go of me. I said let go!" "Ch-Chief Lee. Let''s negotiate the amount, huh? I can drop the price to 10 million, no, 5 million won. We need to make something out of this too!" Choi Hyun-Oh was utterly ridiculous. Even now, he was talking about money. Fed up, Lee Dong-Min shouted, "Stop the nonsense and call the association by tomorrow to withdraw the copyright application. And send a document to ourpany by 12 tomorrow stating you acquired ourposer¡¯s file, causing damage.''" When Lee Dong-Min drew a firm line, Choi Hyun-Oh gauged his reaction. "So, you won''t sue if I do that?" "You''re joking, right? The legal team has already filed awsuit." "Damn it. Then why should I do what you say? Huh?" Choi Hyun-Oh was angry but kept ncing at me. "Do as you''re told, and we''ll consider a settlement. You better think carefully if you want a settlement. I''m being generous enough to make it a suspended sentence." Choi Hyun-Oh seemed to be pondering over the offer. "You have until 12 o''clock. Don''t forget. Of course, if this story leaks before that, it''s all over." I followed closely behind Lee Dong-Min, who had be several times more confident than when we first entered Uncle Music and left the office. *** Choi Hyun-Oh watched Woo Hyung-Jun pick up yogurt scattered on the floor and raised his hand. "Ah! This bastard. You¡¯re big for nothing! You are absolutely useless when needed! You eat so much for nothing!" Woo Hyung-Jun flinched. "I''ve told you several times that I can''t fight, boss." Choi Hyun-Oh vented his frustration on him. "What a waste of size! And why did you buy exactly as much yogurt as the money I gave you? Did you think it would all fit in the fridge, huh?" There were 20 thousand won worth of yogurt bottles on the floor. The bill he threw at Woo Hyung-Jun was a 10 thousand won bill, but another bill must have been hidden inside. The yogurt that burst out of its packaging was spreading a sweet smell in the office. Choi Hyun-Oh scratched his head in exasperation. He didn''t want toply with any of the conditions Lee Dong-Min had set. Choi Hyun-Oh harshly chided Cha Sang-Taek, who was still holding his head. "And you¡ªCha Sang-Taek, you damn fool. Weren''t you a national boxing champion?" "That was ten years ago." Choi Hyun-Oh started to get angry again at Cha Sang-Taek''s calm response. "But still. You were so easily beaten by that ordinary guy. Didn¡¯t you say you were unbeatable? I was a fool to believe your words!¡± Choi Hyun-Oh raged, but Cha Sang-Taek frowned, looking dumbfounded. "Boss, that man is not an ordinary guy. He has been properly trained." "What?" "He''s not at an amateur level! Even if my punches have dulled over time, there¡¯s no way an ordinary person can dodge them. Look at this!" Swoosh! Cha Sang-Taek quickly threw a punch which stopped right in front of Choi Hyun-Oh''s nose. The swift air ruffled his hair. "Ugh! A-are you trying to hit me just for scolding you?" Choi Hyun-Oh was startled and copsed on the sofa. Although it was done in anger, Cha Sang-Taek continued talking as if nothing had happened. "You see how fast my fist is? That guy dodged this fist and didn¡¯t even blink. He was only on defense too. He''s better than me." "Th-then, how about we ask your friends for help?" Cha Sang-Taek sighed. "There''s no one among my friends who can fight better than me. And it seems like even a bigger opponent can¡¯t stop someone like that guy. One hit in the jaw is all it takes for a human to lose consciousness." Choi Hyun-Oh said in a frustrated voice. "Th-then what do you want me to do?! Just pay them for everything and go to jail?" Cha Sang-Taek silently picked up a yogurt from the floor. He tore off the green cap and drank the sweet yogurt. ''Whether you go to jail or hell, it''s none of my business.'' Cha Sang-Taek had been serving Choi Hyun-Oh as a ''boss'' for over two years, but Choi Hyun-Oh tried to abandon him without a moment of hesitation. Cha Sang-Taek thought about looking elsewhere for a new job. ''Perhaps I should actively cooperate with the police and save myself instead.'' Rather than getting entangled in the mess, Cha Sang-Taek was thinking of suing Choi Hyun-Oh first. *** "Achoo." As I was driving, my ears itched and a sneeze burst out at the same time. ¡®Is someone cursing me right now or something?¡¯ But Lee Dong-Min, who left Uncle Music with me, remained silent ever since we got in the car. Sighing at his changed attitude, I asked. "Why are you suddenly feeling so down like this? Is something wrong?" "M-me, what? No, I¡¯m not feeling down at all. Nothing''s wrong." Lee Dong-Min pretended to be fine, but this man had no talent for acting. "If it''s about what happened earlier, I''m sorry. I shouldn''t have stepped in." Lee Dong-Min turned his head toward me. "Yoon-Ho, you didn''t have some kind of gang life before joining thepany, did you? Tell me it''s not true!" "Of course not. I just learned various things here and there." "So, what is it that you learned!?" Lee Dong-Min asked me earnestly. After contemting for a while, I shared a bit of my life story with Lee Dong-Min. To stand up against the kids who bullied me in the orphanage and those at school who teased me for not having parents, I initially started with fighting in the streets. Then, thanks to a boxing club teacher in middle school, I dreamt of bing a professional boxer. But when boxing wasn''t profitable enough, I turned to mixed martial arts next. However, after a few people from the orphanage tried to ''scout'' me into a gang, I decided to chart a new course in life. I realized if I didn''t make a firm decision, my life could end up inplete disarray. Moreover, there was, ironically, a hierarchy in the gang world. Being good at fighting only made you a human shield and you could never rise to a leadership position. In a world where you couldn''t survive without backing¡ªwhether in the light or the shadows¡ªI wanted to start everything from scratch. That''s how I ended up in the entertainment industry. I calmly shared my past life story. I used to hate talking about my past. But after having a second chance at life, sharing my past no longer felt difficult. Lee Dong-Min awkwardly cleared his throat and then praised me. "You''ve been through a lot, Yoon-Ho. I¡¯m proud of you." As I shared deep conversations with Lee Dong-Min, I felt a bit lighter. When we arrived at thepany, Lee Dong-Min asked, "But do you think those guys will really do as we asked?" I shook my head firmly. "They definitely won''t." "...Then what was the whole point of what we did at their office?" Lee Dong-Min sighed. But I showed him the smartwatch on my left wrist. "I turned this on before we entered Uncle Music." When I activated the voice memo app, the recordings at Uncle Music started to y back. [Go ask Epil K. You think that bastard, Kim Pil-Seok, will tell you honestly he received songs from me? You¡¯re making meugh. We''ve traded over 30 songs, dumbass! ...And me stealing Bang Seon-Woo''s songs? How are you going to prove that?] The moment Choi Hyun-Oh''s clear voice came out of my smartwatch, Lee Dong-Min burst into heartyughter. "Hahaha. He has no way out of this now. Come on, let''s go up. We need to report this to Ms. Kang." "Yes, sir." We took bold strides toward thepany, reminiscent of victorious generals. 1. In Korea, 112 is for the police and 119 is for Fire and Ambnce ? Chapter 79: Proposal

Chapter 79: Proposal

While Kang Ji-Yung was in a meeting with the legal division¡¯s team lead, I handed over the voice memo file to her. Lee Dong-Min then began to detail the events that urred at Uncle Music. "Are you guys hurt anywhere?" "No. But I''m nning to get a medical report from the emergency room just in case." "You both did a great job." The relieved Kang Ji-Yung began to listen to the recorded voice memo. In the voice recording, S-ssposers who were regr clients of Uncle Music, like Epil K, were mentioned. Kang Ji-Yungughed out loud, saying the issue would be easily resolved thanks to the voice memo file. "Ha ha ha. This is so much better than I had expected. Alright, everyone here, please discuss the follow-up actions with the publicity division. And Mr. Jung, could you see me for a moment?" "Me?" "Yes. Right now." Not knowing what this was about, I followed Kang Ji-Yung to her office. "Just give me a moment. I''ll make some tea." "Oh, I can do it." "No, it''s fine. I can''t sleep if I drink too much caffeine at this time." As I waited on the sofa in the director¡¯s office, Kang Ji-Yung brought warm chamomile tea. The subtle scent¡ªsomewhat like apples and herbal medicine¡ªbegan to fill the room. "Please help yourself." "Thank you, Ms. Kang. The scent is really unique." "Right? It''s supposed to be good for your health." Kang Ji-Yung took a sip of the tea and started to smile yfully. "Now that I think about it, I don''t know much about you, Mr. Jung." "I mean, I¡¯m in my first year. It''s only natural you haven''t seen me much." "First year? Hah. Who would think of you as merely a first year, Mr. Jung?" Kang Ji-Yung covered her mouth with her hand and burst intoughter. Her crescent-shaped eyes were charming. "Honestly, this copyright issue would have been a real disaster if you didn¡¯t find out what was going on behind it." "I just got lucky." But I wasn''t saying this to be modest; this time, it really was luck. If I hadn''t offered to pay for my colleagues'' drinks at my celebration party, I wouldn''t have heard such a story from Do Ran-Hee. ¡®What if I had found out just the day before Cherry Blossom¡¯seback?¡¯ That thought alone sent chills down my spine. Kang Ji-Yung looked curiously at me as I shuddered. "What are you thinking about?" "I¡¯m relieved that we were able to take care of this issue promptly. If it had happened the day before Cherry Blossom''seback, it would have been a huge mess." Kang Ji-Yung smiled like a child. "Right? I was sweating bullets thinking about that as well." Then came the usual talk about work and whether it was manageable. As the conversation progressed, Kang Ji-Yung began to share her own life story. "I entered this industry at the age of 14. I aspired to be an idol, you know?" "At 14?" "It''s a bit of a funny story, actually. Don''tugh, okay?" I nodded at her serious expression. However, I couldn''t help but burst intoughter soon after. Kang Ji-Yung''s story of her attempt at being an idol at 14 was hrious. "Ugh, seriously! You promised not tough!" "Hmm, hmm. Sorry. It''s just funny that you fainted after a day of fasting at 14. Ahem. I won''tugh anymore. But why did you quit? You would have suited being an idol." "Sigh. Back then, I didn''t know being an idol would be so tough. When I actually started training as a trainee, they wouldn''t feed me! So I quit at the thought that I might die..." Kang Ji-Yung exined she had a tendency to gain weight very easily back in her middle school days, so she couldn''t bear the hunger and quit being a trainee. ¡®Well, she isn''t the only one like that. There are so many trainees who quit because of that reason.¡¯ "Anyway, after that, I tried everything from Miss Korea to modeling and then acting when I entered high school. But none of those worked out. You really can''t make it in this industry without possessing a certain ir." It was certainly hard to survive without a unique charm no matter how pretty or handsome one was in the entertainment industry. Being attractive could bring a sh of poprity in the beginning, but that poprity would soon turn into poison and gradually be suffocating and unbearable. As Kang Ji-Yung''s story came to an end, she asked me a question. "That''s my story. But Mr. Jung, can you share with me your life story?" "...." I was suddenly at a loss for words at her question. It was easy to talk about starting sports to bing a pro with Lee Dong-Min, but I didn¡¯t know why I found it so hard to talk about my own life. ¡®Is it because of my past life¡¯s memories? Or is it because there''s someone else I intended to share my life story with first?¡¯ Whatever the reason was, I couldn''t open my mouth. As my response was dyed, Kang Ji-Yung looked disappointed. "I guessed I asked too suddenly. Tell me sometimeter then." "Sure." After a brief silence, I asked a question. "Ms. Kang. It seems like you had a real reason for wanting to see me rather than to share life stories." Kang Ji-Yung fiddled with her teacup and slowly revealed her true intentions. "Actually, I was hoping you would be on my side, Mr. Jung." Her low voice carried a significant weight. At that moment. I, too, fiddled with my teacup and was deep in thought. I wanted to tell her I was already on her side. But in this situation, I couldn''t aplish the ns I had in mind if I openly pledged allegiance to Kang Ji-Yung. I still had important things to do, like having a gathering with the colleagues who provided important information or pulling people out from Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s hand. If I openly took Kang Ji-Yung¡¯s side, I could be shunned by people from the opposing side. ''I should refuse for now.'' Having made up my mind, I decided to keep a distance from her sweet proposal. For now, it was better to do our best from our respective ces¡ªher at the top and me at the bottom. "Um. I''m not quite sure what you mean, Ms. Kang." Kang Ji-Yung bit her lip slightly. "Are you really asking because you don''t know? Or are you pretending not to know?" Her words had an edge, but I couldn''t give her the answer she wanted even if that meant the distance that had rapidly closed between us might widen a bit again. But I could tell her one thing. "I don''t know about other things, but I don''t think I can walk the same path as Mr. Kim Dong-Soo. His style really doesn''t suit me, that¡¯s for sure." Kang Ji-Yung looked at me intently, but with a relieved expression. "Okay. Shall we leave it at that for now?" "Yes. Let¡¯s keep it at that for now." Kang Ji-Yung nodded. "Oh, and Miss Yoo-Jin has requested to keep her schedule clear on February 14th and 15th. Is that correct?" A few days ago, Yoo-Jin had requested a leave for personal reasons from the afternoon of the 14th to the evening of the 15th. It was the only time before the end of February for her to bring Miso to a sledding resort, given that no shoots were scheduled for Blue Sky. "Yes. Miso has been wanting to go to a sledding resort for a long time." Kang Ji-Yung looked relieved. "Phew. Thank goodness. I thought she was going with a boyfriend." ¡®So that was why she didn''t immediately agree to Yoo-Jin¡¯s leave request.¡¯ When I reassured her Yoo-Jin wasn''t seeing anyone at the moment, she told me there was something else she was also worried about. "Hmm. I''m not sure if it''s okay to send Miss Yoo-Jin alone to the ski resort given that she is pretty well known now." "That''s why I n to take her, care for her, and bring her back." Kang Ji-Yung gave an apologetic look. "I¡¯m sorry for making you work even on weekends because of our actress, Mr. Jung." "Please don¡¯t be. It''s all part of my job anyway." Kang Ji-Yung pondered for a moment, then snapped her fingers as if an idea struck her. "Why don¡¯t we do this?" "What is it?" "I will count those days as overtime, so take the corporate card and make sure Miss Yoo-Jin is well taken care of. Buy her lots of good food too. Both Miss Yoo-Jin and you have really been working hardtely." ¡®What? The corporate card and overtime pay?¡¯ Receiving the corporate card was a real bonus. I had to struggle to suppress the corners of my mouth from rising too noticeably. ¡°Oh, and check your bank ountter too.¡± ¡°Sorry? Why is that?¡± ¡°I need to create a reason for having spent so long in my office with you. You''re not going to go around telling people that I called you in to be on my side, are you?¡± She implied that people would be curious about why a junior employee would have a private meeting with the managing director. ¡°Understood. I''ll check it, and thank you in advance.¡± Kang Ji-Yung smiled and waved goodbye. After leaving her office, I immediately opened my Cameo Bank app. To my surprise, a substantial amount had been deposited. [Cameo Bank: Jung Yoon-Ho] [Deposit: 8,619,310 won (Bonus)] [Total Bnce: 22,317,250 won] ¡®Whoa. A whopping 10 million won!¡¯ Although it was about 8.6 million won that actually came in after the taxes, it was still a significant amount. ¡°Wow, look at those taxes. 1.4 million won all gone just like that.¡± Even though I had avoided death by traveling back in time, I couldn''t escape taxes. Still, I couldn''t help but whistle in delight when I saw the total bnce in my bank ount. But then, a thought struck me. ¡®Has anyone else received such arge bonus before?¡¯ Thinking back, I realized that even though bonuses were often given to employees for their good work, this amount seemed excessive. The special bonuses for other employees weren¡¯t this high. That¡¯s when it dawned on me¡ªKang Ji-Yung and Kang Gam-Chan had been trying to get me on their side for a while now. ¡°I¡¯ve beenpletely won over. Haha.¡± Finding out about their intentions didn¡¯t bother me at all. In fact, I was rather pleased because it meant they valued me a lot. ¡°I¡¯ll make good use of this money, Mr. Kang and Ms. Kang.¡± *** [Waiting to be assigned: Chief Park Han-Cheol of Singer Division 1] An announcement about Park Han-Cheol''s pending reassignment was posted next to the elevator in the first-floor lobby. However, the reason section was left empty. ¡°What''s this? Mr. Park is waiting to be reassigned? Why?¡± ¡°Did he make some mistake?¡± ¡°Yikes. This is the first time I''ve seen someone from the Suhyaejong line getting pushed back in ourpany.¡± Talent agents from all divisions, regardless of whether they managed singers or actors, were buzzing in the lobby. Particrly, the employees from Singer Division 1 were reacting more sensitively than others. ¡°Ah, fuck. Our Division 1 is performing well, so why is this happening? Are they nningyoffs or something?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no way that¡¯s the case. Didn''t Mr. Park say anything to you guys?¡± ¡°The atmosphere was so tense I couldn''t even speak to him.¡± That¡¯s when Lee Gi-Cheol appeared and shouted at the employees who were gathered in the lobby. ¡°What are you all doing here instead of working!¡± ¡°M-Mr. Lee!¡± Like the parting of the Red Sea, a path to the elevator opened up. At the same time, Lee Gi-Cheol also noticed the announcement about Park Han-Cheol''s pending reassignment. Lee Gi-Cheol¡¯s expression twisted at once. He couldn''t understand why this had happened overnight, especially after he had drinks with Kim Dong-Soo and Park Han-Cheol at Club Rose. ¡®A chief-level personnel change happened without me knowing? Are they really trying to challenge me or what?¡¯ The infuriated Lee Gi-Cheol shouted loudly, ¡°What are you looking at! Don''t you all have jobs to do? Get moving!¡± ¡°Y-y-yes! Yes, sir!¡± The employees quickly dispersed in all directions with their heads bowed. Lee Gi-Cheol then called Park Han-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo to his office. Shortly after they arrived, Lee Gi-Cheol yelled as soon as he saw them. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Park Han-Cheol bowed his head. ¡°I have no idea either.¡± While everyone was anxious and clueless about the reason for Park Han Cheol¡¯s pending reassignment, a call came through on Park Han-Cheol''s phone. It was Jang Myung-Soo, the director from the copyright association. Park Han-Cheol received Lee Gi-Cheol''s annoyed gaze and answered the call. ¡°Hello?¡± -Chief Park! Why weren''t you answering your phone yesterday!? ¡°Sorry, I had some important things to do yesterday.¡± -Sigh, whatever it is, we''re in big trouble! The higher-ups at Hoop Entertainment have figured everything out, including the fact that we deliberately didn''t send official documents. Everything! ¡°B-but how is that possible?¡± -Ugh, I don''t know. And Uncle Music is saying they¡¯ll cancel their copyright registrations. Anyway, be prepared for what¡¯s toe. I¡¯m hanging up. ¡°M-Mr. Jang! Please wait. Mr. J...¡± Click. The call ended abruptly. It was at that moment that Park Han-Cheol finally understood the reasons behind his pending reassignment. Kim Dong-Soo and Lee Gi-Cheol, who overheard the phone conversation, grimaced. Everything they had nned had fallen apart just over one night. Park Han-Cheol desperately turned to Kim Dong-Soo. ¡°Chief Kim, is there anything we can do about this situation?¡± Amidst the heavy atmosphere, Kim Dong-Soo offered a suggestion. ¡°Mr. Park, if the CEO or managing director calls you in, just deny these allegations for now. Just vehemently deny it. That''s the only way.¡± ¡°A-alright.¡± Lee Gi-Cheol looked at Kim Dong-Soo and asked, ¡°Chief Kim, who do you think meddled in this?¡± ¡°Please give me a while. I''ll find out.¡± Kim Dong-Soo started making calls to people inside and outside thepany. After a while, Kim Dong-Soo began to reveal what he had found out. ¡°The legal division team lead and the managing director intervened. Also, Lee Dong-Min and Jung Yoon-Ho visited Uncle Music.¡± Bam! Lee Gi-Cheol mmed his hand on the armrest of the sofa. The loud sound resonated from the reddish oak armrest. Lee Gi-Cheol''s voice thundered. ¡°Damn it, how is that possible!? They managed to resolve the copyright issue in just one day? You expect me to believe that!?¡± But at that moment, Kim Dong-Soo frowned and began to say something unexpected. Chapter 80: Consequence

Chapter 80: Consequence

"Mr. Lee. It seems this issue was caused by Jung Yoon-Ho." "Huh? Are you messing with me right now?" "Of course not. Please hear me out." Kim Dong-Soo presented his analysis to the irritable Lee Gi-Cheol. He exined that it was unlikely that Lee Dong-Min could resolve this issue so quickly on his own, which meant that it was done by Jung Yoon-Ho. "Look, I know Assistant Manager Jung ispetent, but do you really think it makes sense for a first-year newbie to solve such a big problem? There''s a limit to imagination, seriously. Tsk!" Lee Gi-Cheol was displeased that Kim Dong-Soo was fixated on a mere assistant manager when there was a mountain of work to do. "But Mr. Lee, that guy, Jung Yoon-Ho...He even had a private meeting with Miss Kang. Officially, it is said that the meeting was about a bonus. But they spent over 30 minutes together." Lee Gi-Cheol fell into deep thought. ¡®Kang Ji-Yung is known to get straight to the point, but she actually spent 30 minutes with him?¡¯ He figured that Kim Dong-Soo''s conjecture was possible after all. "So, what now?" "......I never thought I''d say this but......" "What is it?" "It won¡¯t be easy, but before Jung Yoon-Ho gets into the President¡¯s faction, maybe we should try to pull him into ours." "What? That hothead, Jung Yoon-Ho, to our side?" As Kim Dong-Soo spoke, he looked like he had bitten into a sour lemon. *** The rm rang loudly. When I sprang up and looked around, I was in the makeshift duty room situated in a corner of the recording studio. "Ah, right. I slept herest night." I stayed beside Bang Seon-Woo all night as I feared that he would be shaken by the giarism issues. At that moment, Bang Seon-Woo, who was sleeping next to me, also woke up. "Oh? Hyung...how was your sleep?" "It was good. Did you sleep well?" Bang Seon-Woo smiled brightly in response. I never thought I''d end up managing aposer''s mental health. ¡®I¡¯ve been so busy these days taking care of everyone. I really wish I could clone myself.¡¯ As soon as I woke up, I checked my nner as usual. [Everyday V10] [Date: July 1, 2022] -01:00 PM (Deleted Schedule: Bang Seon-Woo''s funeral at 10 AM at Suwon St. Mary''s Hospital Funeral Hall, Room 8.) ''So that was the reason for the previous schedule.'' The incident that couldn¡¯t be deleted untilst night was finally gone. It turned out that cutting the link between Epil K and Uncle Music was the key to preventing Bang Seon-Woo''s death. A sigh of relief naturally came out of my mouth. "Ugh. My whole body feels stiff." My shoulders were stiff from sleeping on the narrow field bedst night. I swung my arms to loosen them. At that moment, my phone in my right hand fell to the ground. Bang Seon-Woo, who was stretching with me, picked up my phone. "Here you go, hyung." But Bang Seon-Woo''s expression immediately changed as he saw my phone''s screen. ¡®Could he have seen the screen and the future events written on the nner? What if he saw the one about his own death?¡¯ Wondering how to exin, I opened my mouth. "Um, Seon-Woo. This is...." ¡®Damn it.¡¯ I was at a loss for words. There was no way to exin this situation to Bang Seon-Woo. If it were any other incident, I could have lied to him and said it was just something I wrote down. But this was about his own funeral. It was impossible for him not to be curious about such an incident. ¡®Is this how my secret gets revealed?¡¯ My heart started pounding. That''s when Bang Seon-Woo said something I never expected. "Hyung, why were you looking at an empty nner?" "An empty nner?" It felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on me, snapping me to my senses. Bang Seon-Woo tilted his head in confusion and handed me my phone. Indeed, the phone still disyed the [Everyday V10] with the future events deleted. I showed him my phone''s screen again to double-check. "Look closely. What does it say here?" Bang Seon-Woo tilted his head in wonder. "It says Everyday V1. July 1, 2022." "And what does it say below that?" "It doesn¡¯t say anything. It¡¯s empty." Bang Seon-Woo didn''t understand why I was acting this way and only tilted his head in confusion. After going back in time, I had always worried about how I would exin myself if someone were to see the schedule on my phone. But it turned out Everyday V10 could only be seen by me. Even Bang Seon-Woo said the version of Everyday that he saw was not V10 but V1. When I asked Bang Seon-Woo whether or not he saw two tabs, he trembled in fear. "Hey. Why are you doing this? I really hate such spooky pranks..." "Ah, s-sorry. I guess I''m still not fully awake. It is empty." Bang Seon-Woo still looked uneasy as he nced at my face. "Hyung, you''re not possessed or anything, are you?" Stories of seeing ghosts in the studio or recording ghost voices were quitemon among those who made records. Seon-Woo must have heard such stories too often whileposing songs for Cherry Blossom. "Why? Do I look like the studio¡¯s ghost to you?" Bang Seon-Woo swallowed hard,pletely frozen on the spot. ¡®Huh? Does he actually believe that?¡¯ I thought about teasing him further but changed my mind and reassured him instead when I saw his legs trembling. He looked as if he would faint at any moment if I continued teasing him. I put the phone in my pocket and slightly pped my face. "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not a ghost. I¡¯m just kind of out of it because I just woke up. I was outte yesterday so I¡¯m still tired." Bang Seon-Woo swallowed hard again as he watched me. "I-I''ll go get some coffee!" Then, Bang Seon-Woo quickly ran toward the door. "That kid, always so scared of everything." It seemed like a good decision not to tell him about the giarism issue. But perhaps because of Seon-Woo''s words about the ghost, the recording studio felt eerily cold today. "Ugh. Are there really ghosts here or what? Why is Seon-Woo taking so long?" But it was such a relief that Seon-Woo couldn¡¯t see my nner. After going back in time, I had set up all sorts of passwords in my nner just in case someone saw it. I even prepared excuses in case it was discovered. But it seemed like all that was for nothing since the information in Everyday V10 was visible to me alone. "What have I been doing all this time..." I smiled and opened KkTalk to check what had happened overnight. ''It seems like everyone was busy all night.'' [Legal Division¡¯s Team Lead Kwak Moo-Hyuk: I found a log on Seon-Woo''s MePad. I was able to identify the exact moment where its memory was being tampered with and it seems like they installed a malicious app to extract it. They took three soundtracks that day, and the other 17 were auto-extracted whenever the device was connected to WiFi. Everything has been verified so don''t worry.] ¡®So that¡¯s how the data was leaked.¡¯ [Chief Lee Dong-Min: LOL. The copyright association contacted us. I requested to cancel the registration of Seon-Woo''s song due to a giarism dispute. Soon they''ll remove the ones registered by Uncle Music!] The copyright issue also seemed to be neatly resolved. ¡®Andstly...¡¯ [Managing Director Kang Ji-Yung: Assistant Manager Jung. I filed awsuit against Uncle Music this morning. And the recording file you provided was very useful. Thank you.] Kang Ji-Yung also seemed to have made good use of the recording file I gave her. At that moment, I received another KkTalk notification. [Culture and Entertainment Team of Central Daily Newspaper¡¯s Team Lead Choi So-Hye: Assistant Manager Jung. Thanks for the tip. And the article will be out at 12 PM. You better treat me if it goes well.] Just in case Uncle Music yed their hand first, I had also sent the information to Choi So-Hye of Central Daily Newspaper to prepare for the possibility that they might frame Bang Seon-Woo as a giarizingposer. But even after 12 PM, there was no news from Uncle Music. For this reason, I asked Choi So-Hye to upload an article about Uncle Music on the online entertainment section of Central Daily Newspaper. As Choi So-Hye said, the articles about Uncle Music began to appear online right at the moment the clock struck 12. [Hit song maker Mr. K. His hits are actually the blood and sweat of unknown and powerless newbie writers. (Star Exclusive: Choi So-Hye)] -Not only the well-knownposer Mr. S, but Mr. A and Mr. B are also suspected of buying songs from professional brokers. -An industry insider confirmed the existence of a ''music ck market''. -After fraud and theft as well as copyrightw vitions, Entertainment Company C is preparing for a massivewsuit...... *** "What? What did you say? You¡¯ll kill me if I mention your name? Go ahead! Kill me! Do you think I, Choi Hyun-Oh, will die alone? I''ll drag everyone down with me. Let''s die together!" Choi Hyun-Oh harshly hung up the incessant iing calls. Although it was already past the deadline Lee Dong-Min from Hoop Entertainment had given him, Choi Hyun-Oh was still trying his best to find a solution but to no avail. There was nowhere he could turn to for help. "Hah, let¡¯s see if they can actually sue me! Don¡¯t they realize they are aplices too?" The big-nameposers were threatening Choi Hyun-Oh, saying they would make him spit out huge sums of money and make him penniless if he mentioned their names. In other words, they were insisting that Choi Hyun-Oh should take on all the me and keep his mouth shut. "Argh! Damn it!" Unable to contain his anger, Choi Hyun-Oh nced at Woo Hyung-Jun. "Where did Sang-Taek go?" "Um, I¡¯m not sure. Sang-Taek hyung-nim didn''te today." "What? Why?" "Who knows? He just said he had urgent business to take care of." "Fuck that. What urgent business does he have? He''s just a bit hurt and he''s noting in on such a busy day?" Choi Hyun-Oh hurriedly called Cha Sang-Taek but thetter didn''t answer the phone. -The call is being redirected to the voicemail...... "Huh?" At first, Choi Hyun-Oh thought maybe Cha Sang-Taek had gone to the hospital because of his injury. But after the second call, he had a bad feeling. And after the third, he was certain. "This bastard. Did he betray me? Hey, Hyung-Jun. Follow me! Let''s go get Sang-Taek!" As Choi Hyun-Oh stood up, Woo Hyung-Jun looked around cautiously. "J-just the two of us?" "Yes! That guy ran off to save his own skin! We must catch him no matter what!" "But is that possible? I can''t even handle one punch from him." Choi Hyun-Oh was about to burst in anger. Thump, thump, thump! At that moment, the door shook and a rough male voice was heard. "Mr. Choi Hyun-Oh. A search warrant has been issued. Open the door!!" "Wh-wh-what¡¯s going on?" Startled by the words from outside, Choi Hyun-Oh looked around frantically. He was currently on the second floor. Wondering if it would be safe enough to jump out, he ran toward the window. But two police officers were already standing guard on the ground floor. Realizing there was no escape, Choi Hyun-Oh''s face turned white beyond pale. "Damn it." At the same time, a man was watching Uncle Music at the mouth of an alley about 50 meters away. The man sighed deeply with his face hidden under a ck jumper and a baseball cap pulled low. "Mr. Choi. No, Hyung. I learned a lot from you." Cha Sang-Taek had secretly extracted Choi Hyun-Oh''s documents the previous night and anonymously passed them to the prosecutors. Then, he turned and quickly left the alley. *** On Valentine''s Day, I handed out handmade choctes I had ordered in advance to all the staff and actors on set. Thanks to that, the atmosphere on set became much warmer. "Cut! Okay! Miss Yoo-Jin, You¡¯re doing great! Keep it up just like that!" "Miss Yoo-Jin is really getting better day by day, isn''t she?" "Thank you." During a brief break, Cha Soo-Yeon approached me as I was checking Yoo-Jin''s schedule. "Mr. Jung." "Oh. Yes, Ms. Cha." Cha Soo-Yeon smiled, saying she enjoyed the chocte. "By the way, Miss Yoo-Jin received a sponsorship offer. Would you like to meet the representative?" "Sponsorship?" "LM Clothing wants to sponsor outfits for Miss Yoo-Jin. They fell in love with her after seeing an article where she wore a school uniform. What do you think? Are you interested?" LM Clothing, the thirdrgest clothingpany co-headed by the married couple Lee Jong-Hoon and Moon Yung-Mi, started from a two-square-meter underwear shop in Daegu and became a legendarypany over 40 years. A sponsorship offer could easily lead to amercial deal. Without hesitation, I readily epted the offer. If we could secure an exclusive contract with LM Clothing, it would help dismiss Hong Sung-Beom''s proposal from HK Clothing without any fuss. But I was curious about one thing. "Ms. Cha, why did they approach Yoo-Jin instead of Miss Ju Yung-In? Usually, sponsorships go to the lead first, right?" When I asked, Cha Soo-Yeon carefully looked around and whispered in a low voice. "LM Clothing''s Moon Yung-Mi was so moved by Miss Yoo-Jin''s episode on The Human Stories that she cried her eyes out." "Oh, I see." "Anyway, Madam Moon Young-Mi will visit the set soon, so I''ll arrange a meeting." "Thank you so much." "Thank me? I¡¯m the one who should be thankful. Thanks to Miss Yoo-Jin, our drama Blue Sky is getting a lot of publicity. Let''s keep supporting each other." "Ha ha ha, of course." "Alright then, keep up the good work!" I couldn''t help but smile. It was encouraging that the production director paid so much attention to Yoo-Jin who wasn''t even the lead. It felt like fate was showering Yoo-Jin¡¯s path with flowers. But then, Yoo-Jin, who was sitting in the waiting chair, asked cautiously, "Oppa, the chocte you gave to Choi Jong-Hyuk earlier...it wasn¡¯t anything weird, was it?" "Why? You think I gave him something inedible?" The chocte I gave to Choi Jong-Hyuk was specially ordered and wrapped by myself. Choi Jong-Hyuk, of course, misunderstood it as something made by Yoo-Jin. When I didn''t reply, Yoo-Jin nced at my face with her eyes full of suspicion. "Hey. You don¡¯t trust me?" "That¡¯s not it... I¡¯m sorry." "There¡¯s no need to apologize. But I did give him something different from others." "Huh? What did you give him?" "What I gave him was..." Hearing my response, Yoo-Jin''s expression turned to disbelief. "How could you feed that to another human being!? Are you crazy?" "What? Some people like it, you know?" Yoo-Jin shivered, saying that she never knew how cruel I could be. ¡®But she¡¯s smiling as well.¡¯ "Okay, time''s up. Let''s go for the shoot." Yoo-Jin made a cross with her fingers and booed. "Boo! You''re the devil! You''re evil! Begone!" I looked at her yful face and replied calmly, "I told you. It¡¯s still edible." Chapter 81: Burger Queen Commercial (1)

Chapter 81: Burger Queen Commercial (1)

Ju Yung-In, who was seated in the backseat of therge Merciless Springer parked in the shooting site''s parking lot, erupted in anger. "Why did you only give choctes to the male staff when Assistant Manager Jung gave them to everyone on set!? I heard the female staff talking about me earlier. Didn''t you?" "I-I¡¯m sorry. I''ll go and prepare more chocte right now, so..." "Seriously?! You''re making me look even more bad. If you do that, it will make it look like I¡¯m apologizing! Are you trying to embarrass me or what!?" Kang Myung-Gil was sweating profusely under Ju Yung-In''s annoyance. ''This is all because of Jung Yoon-Ho. Why on earth would he give choctes to women on Valentine''s Day?''[1]. Because Jung Yoon-Ho had given choctes to the female staff as well, people inevitablypared his and Kang Myung-Gil¡¯s managerial skills and saw thetter in an unfavorable light. At that moment, the door slid open and Choi Jong-Hyuk emerged. "Hey. Everyone can hear your voice, so stop harassing your talent agent. Honestly, it''s not even his fault and you know that too. It¡¯s Yoo-Jin¡¯s talent agent who is unusual." Seeing Choi Jong-Hyuk, Ju Yung-In sighed deeply. "Mr. Kang. I have something to discuss with Jong-Hyuk oppa, so could you give us a moment?" "But are you sure? I¡¯m worried if rumors start just because you two are alone in the car..." "Ugh, why are you talking so much today!? Just leave when I ask you to!" Kang Myung-Gil looked at Ju Yung-In with an anxious expression but soon left. As soon as Choi Jong-Hyuk got into the car, Ju Yung-In started questioning him. "Oppa, what are you doing? Didn¡¯t you say you were going to make a move on Jung Yoo-Jin? You know I can¡¯t break things off with Eun-Ah unnie if you keep this up, right?" Choi Jong-Hyuk burst intoughter. "I''ve been working on it for a while. Haven¡¯t you noticed how close we¡¯ve gottentely?" "Close? From what I see, she¡¯s putting up walls against you." Choi Jong-Hyuk confidently pulled out a ck case in response to Ju Yung-In¡¯s sarcasm¡ªit was the case of choctes Jung Yoon-Ho had handed out on set today. However, the case in Choi Jong-Hyuk¡¯s hand seemed different from what the other staff had received. "Hehehe. She gave these handmade choctes only to me. She¡¯s definitely a little shy, but don¡¯t you think she is showing her feelings little by little?" Ju Yung-In was dumbfounded. ¡®How delusional can he get? Is he from the same as Ju Sung-Jin?'' Trying to suppress her anger, Ju Yung-In asked how he nned to woo Jung Yoo-Jin. Choi Jong-Hyuk excitedly shared his strategy. Listening to it, it seemed not as bad an approach as she thought. "Alright. Then do that and I¡¯ll let you know if I find out anything as well. But hurry up and make some progress, okay?" "Okay." At that moment, Choi Jong-Hyuk took out one of the choctes from the case. Ju Yung-In extended her hand, asking for one. "Give me one. I feel like I need some sugar." "But Yoo-Jin said these were only for me..." "Oh, stop it. Just give me one." "Always so fiery. Here, take it." Choi Jong-Hyuk put one in his mouth first and handed over a mint-colored wrapped chocte. Ju Yung-In carelessly took the chocte and crunched it in her mouth while thinking of Jung Yoo-Jin. At that moment, a taste and scent that should nevere from chocte filled her mouth. "U-ugh. Wh-what is this?" "I don¡¯t know. Mint chocte?" "Barf!" Ju Yung-In spat everything in her mouth onto a tissue. "Cough, cough. So much for getting along with Jung Yoo-Jin! She is just telling you to back off and get lost! Who in the world eats this kind of thing?" But Choi Jong-Hyuk just sniggered. "Stop underestimating mint chocte. Hey, this is my favorite chocte. She hit the mark with my taste, you know?" Unable to contain her rising anger, Ju Yung-In shouted. "Favorite or not, my car smells like toothpaste now! Get out! Leave!" Choi Jong-Hyuk shook his head in disbelief, muttering curses on mint chocte haters. *** As soon as the shoot ended, I headed to G Ski Resort located in Gyeonggi-do Gwangju with Yoo-Jin¡¯s family, driving the Binz that I had received as a gift from Jang Jun-Hyuk instead of thepany car. Upon arriving at the resort, Yoo-Jin, who was seated in the passenger seat, turned to the back. "Miso, wake up. We''re here. Auntie, wake up too." "Oh my, we''re here already?" Miso rubbed her eyes, insisting she wasn¡¯t sleeping. "Uh...um, I wasn¡¯t sleeping..." ¡®But there¡¯s drool in the corner of her mouth!¡¯ Only after thendlord wiped Miso''s mouth did Miso smile. "I guess I did sleep a bit... hehe." I thought she could lie all she wanted if she was this cute. "Alrighty. Shall we get out then?" To avoid being recognized by the crowd, we fully geared up with goggles, a helmet, and a mask. After unpacking in the reserved room 1123, Miso rushed to the terrace that revealed a clear view of the ski slopes. "Wow! Wow! There''s so much snow!" The ski slopes and sledding hills were brightly lit by the night lights. Miso cheered and hopped excitedly at the sight with her pigtails swaying and her hands fluttering like wings. "Miso, do you like it?" "Yes! Yes! I really like it!" She gave two thumbs up, thrilled even before sledding. Yoo-Jin and I smiled warmly before realizing the time was already 6:30 PM. "Oppa, it''s almost time for themercial. We should hurry!" "Right. Let''s order some room service for dinner while watching themercial! Then we can head out for the night skiing." Everyone nodded and agreed with my suggestion. "Miso, what would you like to eat?" "I want cheonggukjang!"[2]. ¡®Cheonggukjang of all things? She doesn¡¯t want pork cutlet or fried chicken?¡¯ Yoo-Jin and thendlord looked at the room service menu and screamed in shock. "This is insane! Cheonggukjang costs 12 thousand won here!" "It¡¯s daylight robbery!" Seeing them fuming at the expensive price, I confidently pulled out a card. "Don''t worry. I''ll cover everything today." Yoo-Jin quickly grabbed my arm. "No, no, oppa. Let me pay. I received mymercial fee, remember?" "No, it''s okay. This is actually a corporate card. You can eat as much as you want today." Only then did Yoo-Jin smile brightly. "Yay!" From that moment, we all started choosing set menus instead of individual items. That''s when Miso looked at Yoo-Jin with sparkling eyes while holding the menu. "Mom, can I order grilled saury as well?" ¡®Grilled fish and cheonggukjang, huh? She knows her stuff despite her young age.¡¯ "Of course, Miso. Order whatever you want~." When I responded with the shining corporate card in hand, Miso jumped around and shouted with joy. "Then I''ll have grilled saury!" "Okay!" We quickly ordered food through room service and gathered in front of the TV. After all, today was the day the Burger Queenmercial would be first unveiled. *** "Is everyone ready?" "Yes." "Tech team, check the server handling orders and disy the order volume on the monitor in real-time." "Yes, Ms. Ahn!" "And the PR team, double-check if any banners or contracted ads are missing." "Yes, Ms. Ahn." "Mr. Heung-Min, please monitor the traffic from the MeTube banner ads!" Ahn Ji-Yoon swallowed nervously while fixing her eyes on the monitor along with the tech and publicity team leads. The current time was 6:59 PM. The bizarre and quirkymercial they had filmed with Jung Yoo-Jin left them clueless about how customers might react. ''I hope it goes well...'' Ahn Ji-Yoon bit her nails anxiously with a nervous expression. Upon seeing her, Lee Yung-Sook handed her a cold bottle of water. "Ms. Ahn, take this." "Thank you, Miss Yung-Sook." Gulp, gulp! Ahn Ji-Yoon felt refreshed after drinking half a bottle of cold water in one go. She held the stic water bottle in her hand, nervously waiting for the clock to hit 7 PM. ''5, 4, 3, 2, 1.'' Click. As soon as the clock hit 7 PM, the event web page opened. The banners went live at the same time with links to the quirky ad. "Ms. Ahn, the MeTube traffic link is active." "SBC, KBC, MBS are starting to broadcast as well!" The tech team¡¯s assistant manager, Park Yung-Soo, who was reporting the unfolding situation step by step, shouted in panic. ¡°H-huh!?¡¯ "What''s wrong, Mr. Park? What happened?" When Ahn Ji-Yoon asked urgently, Park Yung-Soo replied immediately. "...Th-this is too fast. We''ve exceeded 500 views per second, and it''s still rising. 530, 550..." When Park Eun-Bin was the model, the increase in views per second on MeTube was only 100. But now, with views several times higher, Ahn Ji-Yoonmanded, "Publicity team, report the real-time search rankings, social media reactions,ment count, and activity records of ''Cheonho-dong¡¯s Burger Maiden'' fan website members!" Despite the blunder of choosing Park Eun-Bin as a model before, Ahn Ji-Yoon''s experience was not to be underestimated. "Ms. Ahn! The event server crashed due to the overwhelming orders!" "What? But we doubled the server capacity, didn¡¯t we!?" "Yes, but it still crashed within five minutes." Then, Assistant Manager Choi Moo-Sung yelled after checking the reaction on social media. "Ms. Ahn! People are freaking out because they can''t ce orders! Tech team, we need backup now!" Everyone looked at the tech team¡¯s team lead, Kang Oh-Jin. But he was already yelling into the phone. "Increase server capacity by two, no, three times! Don''t worry about the cost, just do it! Increase the limit as needed!" Ahn Ji-Yoon felt her lips drying out from anxiety. The site had crashed due to the overwhelming orders despite the temporary increase in server capacity. The dedicated app and website were both down, which caused the flood of scathingints on social media toward Burger Queen. While everyone waited anxiously in the publicity team¡¯s office, Kang Oh-Jin''s excited voice echoed. "The server upgrade isplete! ess is restored!" Hearing that the server was back up before even five minutes had passed, everyone sighed in relief. "Phew. This is nerve-wracking." Soon, a surge of orders came pouring in smoothly. Then, a thought inadvertently passed through Ahn Ji-Yoon¡¯s mind. ''I made a mistake. I should have secured a one-year contract with Miss Yoo-Jin by any means.'' She remembered Jung Yoon-Ho, who expertly negotiated the deal with her from the start to the end despite his young age. At that moment, Choi Moo-Sung''s shout interrupted her thoughts. "Ms. Ahn! The hourly order volume increased by 30%pared to the usual!" A moment of silence fell in the bustling publicity team¡¯s office. Then, the murmurs soon resumed. "30%?" "Yes. Most orders are for the new burger! It''s a hit!" "Ms. Ahn, social media is calling Miss Yoo-Jin a ''Mukbang Fairy!''" Ahn Ji-Yoon once again remembered what Jung Yoon-Ho had said. -If it goes well, we''ll do a series. But you know it''ll cost more for a series of ads, right? Everything was going as he had nned, making Ahn Ji-Yoon shiver once again. ''How much is he going to rip us off this time? Just thinking about it gives me a headache.'' *** ¡º(Voiceover) Come and taste it! The burger that is coveted by the Burger Queen and conquered by the Warrior Queen! The ultimate burger! The essence of burgers! Delicious! Heavenly! The ''Truffle Monster Burger'' is so good it will make everyone fight for it! It''s not a triple but truffle!¡» ¡º(Yoo-Jin) Try it now!¡» As themercial was ending, a male voice actor with a deep baritone was shouting enthusiastically. Simultaneously, Yoo-Jin, the Warrior Queen, took a bite of the burger with one eye bruised and raised her thumb in approval. "He he he." "Ha ha ha. Yoo-Jin, you really did a great job...ha ha ha." Yoo-Jin''s face turned red after watching themercial. "You guys promised not tough!" She was trying to feign innocence, even though she hadughed as well during themercial. Ignoring the bashful Yoo-Jin, I asked Miso, "Miso, did you enjoy themercial? Ask your mom to show it to you again." Miso nodded and tugged on Yoo-Jin''s arm. "Mom, Mom. Can you y the bear again? It was so funny! Please?" Yoo-Jin shot me a sharp nce. But soon, she raised both her hands and roared powerfully. "Roarrr! Bear!" ¡°Hehehe!¡± Miso''sughter filled the room. The encouraged Yoo-Jin started rolling on the floor with Miso, making all kinds of noises. "If you don''t surrender, you''ll face the ''patty-less burger'' punishment!" While Yoo-Jin yfully acted out lines from the Burger Queen ad with Miso, I logged into MeTube. [Burger Queen: Bizarre Ad - The Quest for the Truffle Monster Burger (30-second version)] -Views: 152,239 (Comments) -LOL, was the director high when filming this ad? Why would he dress up the pretty Yoo-Jin as animals? -I''ll buy those costumes! -This ad is hriously weird LOL. -Both Warrior Queen and Burger Queen are beautiful. -I can''t take my eyes off it. Is there a full version? -I¡¯m definitely having Burger Queen for dinner tonight. -Birth of a beautiful mukbang fairy! -An ad you can''t skip. As expected, the bizarre ad''s views were skyrocketing like crazy. In my past life, this ad had surpassed a million views. But with Yoo-Jin as the model, I couldn''t predict how much higher it would go. At that moment, my phone started ringing. When I picked up the call, I heard the enthusiastic voice of Chief Ahn Ji-Yoon from Burger Queen. -Mr. Jung! It''s a huge hit! The order volume surged and crashed the server! "Congrattions, Ms. Ahn." Then, Ahn Ji-Yoon stumbled over her words. -And... you know... The moment I had been waiting for had finally arrived. 1. In Korea, women give men choctes on Valentine¡¯s Day while men give women choctes on White Day ? 2. traditional Korean food made by fermenting soybeans. It contains whole as well as ground soybeans. It is known to have a stinky smell even to Koreans ? Chapter 82: Burger Queen Commercial (2)

Chapter 82: Burger Queen Commercial (2)

Before traveling back in time, the bizarre ad Yoo-Jin had shot for Burger Queen was originally for Lotteria and it was a series of ads. That''s why I made sure the contract stated that additional pay would be received for each extra ad shot before we signed it. Thanks to this, we now had the opportunity to receive additional ad revenue. "Yes, Ms. Ahn, please go ahead." Ahn Ji-Yoon''s voice trembled as she spoke. -Can we immediately start producing a second part of the ad? You heard that Mr. Park Bull-Chool nned it as a series, right? People are loving the ad and it¡¯s going viral on the inte. It would be a shame to stop at one ad, don''t you think? "Of course, we should definitely shoot the second part." -Right? I knew you would agree, Mr. Jung. I''ll start preparing right away. And I''ll discuss the details with Mr. Gu, okay? Ahn Ji-Yoon tried to hurriedly end the call. "Um, Ms. Ahn?" -Yes? "Mr. Gu is busy these days, so you can discuss the details with me. And we¡¯ll also need to decide on the additional fee. By the way...you do know that Yoo-Jin is getting a lot of calls from otherpanies to shoot an ad with them now, right?" Ahn Ji-Yoon''s voice started to tremble even more. -O-of course. Could we pay an additional 10 million won per ad? That would be 20 million for two! "Ah,e on, Ms. Ahn. Don¡¯t be stingy. You and I both know that¡¯s not going to work! Let''s just settle for a total of 30 million won for both. And of course, the contract will be for six months." -Ughhhh. Mr. Jung. You¡¯re doing this again? "You know I¡¯m being this generous because it''s you, Ms. Ahn. Otherwise, it¡¯s 20 million won each. Take your pick." After a moment of silence, she finally agreed. -Okay, okay! I''ve recorded this call, so it''s a done deal! An additional 30 million won for two more ads. Deal? "Deal. I''ll call Mr. Gu and tell him we''ve settled for 30 million won." -Okay. Please also contact me immediately because I¡¯ll need to report it to the CEO of Burger Queen as well. As I hung up the phone with Ahn Ji-Yoon, I clenched my fist and eximed, "Yoo-Jin, you''ve earned more money!" "Huh?" "We¡¯ve gotten additional ads. You''ll be working with Director Park Bull-Chool again this time." Yoo-Jin, who was waiting for the room service, looked surprised. But she soon gave a resigned smile. "That means I have to wear a costume again, right?" "Of course. That''s the reason the ad went viral anyway..." Then suddenly, Yoo-Jin burst outughing as if she remembered something. ¡®But why do I suddenly feel a chill down my spine?¡¯ "By the way, oppa?" Yoo-Jin looked at me with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Uh, yes?" "I¡¯ll shoot the ad only if you appear in the ad too. I''ll do it more enthusiastically. How about that?" ¡®Why did the conversation suddenly take this turn? I don¡¯t want to be part of this.¡¯ "Come on. A talent agent in an ad? That doesn''t fit the concept. You should be the focus of the ad!¡± Yoo-Jin pouted. "Ah, fine. Next time, I''ll make sure to take you with me!" Yoo-Jin sighed with a disappointed look on her face. But the truth was that the second and third parts of Park Bull-Chool''s quirky ads would feature supporting roles like a 3-meter-tall intable doll or a half-naked truffle hunter. I decided to keep the storyboard a secret until right before the shoot. After all, I was a good talent agent who wanted my actress to be the only focus of the ad. In the meantime, the food we ordered through room service arrived. I checked the Nave live search rankings while eating distractedly. ''Wow. It''s a huge hit.'' [Nave Live Search Rankings] 1st: Burger Queen Quirky Ad 2nd: Burger Queen Jung Yoo-Jin 3rd: Jung Yoo-Jin the Mukbang Fairy 7th: Burger Queen¡¯s server down Half of the top 10 search words on the live search ranking were about Yoo-Jin. At that moment, I received a call from an unfamiliar number. "Who could this be?" *** -Okay then. I''ll keep in mind the meeting scheduled for the day after tomorrow. "Sure, I''ll contact you through KkTalk as soon as the meeting ends." The call was from the publicity department of LM Clothing. Given the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the Burger Queen ad, LM Clothing immediately proposed to discuss an advertisement contract instead of just a sponsorship¡ªa direct instruction from CEO Moon Young-Mi herself. Although the contract was a lucrative offer of 200 million won for a year, there was a condition. -The ads must exclusively feature LM Clothing only. In other words, it was an exclusive advertising deal for clothing. Normally, I would have thought about it more before signing the contract. But since HK Clothing was still relentlessly making offers, I didn''t hesitate to ept LM Clothing¡¯s offer. When I ended the call, Yoo-Jin finished getting ready to go outside for sledding and asked, "Who was that?" "Oh, it was LM Clothing. They called after seeing your burger ad." "Why did they call? Are they sending over clothes for sponsorship right now?" "No, they want to do an ad with you." Yoo-Jin''s face lit up. "Woah, really? Another one?" "Yeah, another one." "Wow, this is unreal. Wearing that costume and sweating was worth it, huh?" "I told you it would turn out well." Yoo-Jin nodded continuously. The worth of an advertising model was determined by their ability to enhance sales rtive to their poprity. Even the most popr singer or main actor from a top-rated drama would be reced if they failed to boost sales. But it seemed like Yoo-Jin didn''t have to worry about that part. Thanks to the ad that was released earlier, ''Burger Queen¡¯s Order Surge'' and ''Burger Queen¡¯s Server Down'' were at the top of the live search rankings. "Just a moment, I need to call thepany." I called thepany to inform them of LM Clothing''s offer. But it turned out Yoo-Jin was receiving inquiries from various other ces as well. With Yoo-Jin as the model, the reaction now was even more explosive than in my past life. Gu Seong-Cheol couldn''t hide his excitement and continued tough out loud over the line. -Hahaha. Good job. We will take care of the rest, so don''t worry and take a good rest. "Thank you, Mr. Gu. And please make sure to secure the LM Clothing deal no matter what. An exclusive contract for clothing is crucial." -Got it. Will do. If we sign an exclusive contract with LM Clothing, HK Clothing will probably stop sending us their proposals. Gu Seong-Cheol seemed to have immediately caught on to my intention. "I hope so. I''ll see you at the office on Monday, Mr. Gu." -Alright. Tell Yoo-Jin I enjoyed the ad! After hanging up, I told Yoo-Jin about thepany''s reaction and her face turned red in embarrassment. But just as I was about to leave the room, another call came in. -Hello, is this Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho? I¡¯m calling from Wheelies. It was a call from the publicity department¡¯s team lead from Wheelies, who supplied shoes to Cherry Blossom. "Yes, this is Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho." Wheelies was also making an advertisement inquiry. ''What a blessing this Valentine''s Day has been...'' After finishing the call with Wheelies, I immediately turned off my phone as I started to feel overwhelmed by the non-stop ringing of my phone. *** Ju Yung-In''s irritation was growing day by day. In every entertainment news section, Yoo Jin¡¯s name was mentioned three times more than hers even though she was the main lead of Blue Sky. For someone as proud as Ju Yung-In, it was a hard pill to swallow. "Ah, seriously. This is so annoying!" Leaning on the sofa and reading the script, Ju Yung-In started to feel overwhelmed with irritation and threw the script across the room, causing it to knock over a vase on the coffee table. Crash! The crystal vase fell and water spilled all over the floor. "What''s going on, Yung-In? What happened?!" Kang Myung-Gil who was busy blending fruit juice in the kitchen rushed over as he was startled by the noise. "Mr. Kang! What on earth is ourpany doing?" Seeing Ju Yung-In''s ring eyes, Kang Myung-Gil thought to himself. ''Why the hell is she throwing a tantrum again this time?'' He already knew about her hysterical nature once she got into a new drama, buttely, it had been getting worse. "Let''s talk this out, Yung-In. Just tell me what¡¯s going on and I''ll fix it right away..." "Fix it? Did you just say fix it?" Kang Myung-Gil swallowed hard. "Uh..." "Then ensure that my name is mentioned more frequently than Yoo-Jin''s! I''m the main lead, but why is Yoo-Jin''s name mentioned more!?" "Well, that''s just because of the recent documentary she filmed. Don''t worry, Mr. Kim has already contacted the reporters." Only after repeated persuasion did Ju Yung-In seem to calm down a bit. "Really? Can I trust your words?" "Of course. I¡¯m serious right now." Ju Yung-In sighed heavily and leaned back on the sofa. But just then, Yoo-Jin''s Burger Queen ad started ying on the TV. "Ah, what now? Is it her again?" The moment Kang Myung-Gil saw Ju Yung-In frown at the ad, he immediately interjected. "Don''t worry about it, Yung-In. A female actress shooting such ads will only ruin her image. Just look at how ridiculous she looks." "You think so?" "Absolutely. She''s totally ruined, I bet. All the talent agents in our Division 3 ced bets that she''s going to flop." "Even you, Mr. Kang?" "Of course. I bet 100 thousand won. Whoever told her to do that ad is totally crazy." Ju Yung-In seemed satisfied with the response and reached out her hand. "Okay, then give me the script." ¡®After having thrown it, now she''s asking for it back.¡¯ Kang Myung-Gil cursed internally but wiped the wet script and handed it back to Ju Yung-In. At that moment, a call came in from Jung Woong-Seok, a reporter from Baro Star. "Ah, look who called! What made you call me, Mr. Jung?" -Mr. Kang. I¡¯m actually calling because I have a favor to ask. "Haha. There''s no need for formalities between us. What is it? An interview with Yung-In? Shall I set a date?" -No, it''s not that. Can you arrange an interview with Miss Jung Yoo-Jin for me? I don''t know any talent agents in Division 2, so you were the only person I could think of. "...Jung Yoo-Jin?" -Yes. There''s a lot of buzz about her Burger Queen ad. My superiors are pushing for an article with her. "What? That ridiculous ad is causing a buzz? How is that even possible..." -Don''t you even check social media? Well, never mind. Just help me set up an interview with Yoo-Jin, and I''ll make sure you''re wellpensated. Click. Kang Myung-Gil abruptly ended the call. He was worried Ju Yung-In might have heard his conversation and was about to quickly warn her not to check the inte. But it was toote¡ªJu Yung-In, who was next to him, had already heard everything. "Y-Yung-In. That was just..." Ju Yung-In had finished browsing the inte on her phone while Kang Myung-Gil was on the call. Her expression was cold as ice. Trembling, Ju Yung-In suddenly made a phone call somewhere. "Hello? It''s me, Yung-In." -Hey. What''s up? "That burger ad Jung Yoo-Jin appeared in...It was chosen by Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho, right?" -Yeah, that¡¯s what I heard. But I feel like that¡¯s totally going to flop... "Mr. Kim! Haven''t you checked themunity reaction?" -What do you mean? "Jung Yoo-Jin is the top trending live search right now!" It turned out that Ju Yung-In had called Kim Dong-Soo. Kang Myung-Gil¡¯s face turned pale as he thought about how he was going to be scolded by Kim Dong-Soo. ''I need to figure out what the heck is going on first!'' Kang Myung-Gil quickly took out his phone and searched for Jung Yoo-Jin. [Nave Live Search Ranking] 1st: Jung Yoo-Jin''s Quirky Ad 2nd: Burger Queen''s Burger Maiden Jung Yoo-Jin ...... Meanwhile, Ju Yung-In continuously berated Kim Dong-Soo. "How can the entire Actor Division 3 be worse than Jung Yoon-Ho alone!?" -Hey! Ju Yung-In! Watch your words! "No. I can''t stand it anymore. Do something about it! If nothing works, then assign Jung Yoon-Ho to me!" Kim Dong-Soo responded coldly to Ju Yung-In''s irritable demand. -...Assign Jung Yoon-Ho to you? Ju Yung-In clenched her teeth tightly. "Yes. You know I have good intuition, don¡¯t you? I''m getting anxious to death that I''m falling behind. If you want me to renew my contract, then assign Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho to me." The conversation got serious as the topic of her contract renewal, which was due in six months, was brought up. A deafening silence filled the spacious living room in Ju Yung-In¡¯s house. After a moment, Kim Dong-Soo finally opened his mouth. -Okay. Let''s do that... Only then did Ju Yung-In lower her voice with a satisfied expression. "I''m sorry for shouting earlier, Mr. Kim. I''m just on edge. So please do this favor for me. Okay?" When Kim Dong-Soo silently ended the call without responding, Ju Yung-In began to read her script again in a calm manner. Watching this, Kang Myung-Gil couldn''t help but shake his head. ''She really knows how to get her way.'' *** From the night opening of the sledding hill on the 14th until the afternoon of the 15th, we fully bundled up and excitedly enjoyed sledding. I had never tried sledding before in my past life as I had dismissed it as a childish amusement. But I was wrong. The thrilling speed and the snow flying wildly around me were addictive. Yoo-Jin, Miso, and even thendlord enjoyed it immensely. We were so happy that we talked abouting back every year. Fortunately, the resort had ''Igloo Rooms'' outdoors, so we could fulfill Miso''s wish. Of course, it was a hassle to dissuade her from wanting to spend the night there. We were all exhausted and out of energy from sledding but none of us wanted to leave. However, we had to force ourselves to head home. Screech. The moment the car stopped in front of the house, Miso sat up and shouted with sleepy eyes, ¡°Uncle Yoon-Ho! Let''s go sledding again!" She must have thought we were still at the sledding hill. "Sure. We can go sledding again after we sleep and wake up." Miso''s eyes closed again. "Hehe." Thendlord rubbed her sore shoulders and held Miso in her arms. "Wow. Miso must have really enjoyed it." "Alright, then. I''ll go in first." "Okay. Thank you foring along with us, ma¡¯am." "Oh, don¡¯t mention it. You¡¯re the one who did all the work, Mr. Jung." After watching thendlord go inside, I was about to say goodbye to Yoo-Jin and leave. That''s when Yoo-Jin took out a luxuriously wrapped case from her bag. "Oppa, this is for you." Chapter 83: Backstab

Chapter 83: Backstab

In Yoo-Jin''s hands was a deep ck wooden case, carefully wrapped with a blue ribbon. "What''s this?" "It¡¯s chocte. I meant to give it to you yesterday, but I forgot with all the excitement." "Right, we were pretty crazy yesterday." We both had lost our senses in the thrill of sledding and Yoo-Jin hadpletely forgotten about the gift. She yfully stuck out her tongue. Yoo-Jin bowed her head and then rushed into the house. "Thanks to you, Miso and I had so much fun. Thank you." "Be careful, you might get hurt running like that." "Okay~." I watched Yoo-Jin wave goodbye and disappear, then slowly unwrapped the ribbon. Inside the smoothly opened box were four bite-sized choctes and a note. [FROM Yoo-Jin] Oppa, I really appreciate everything you do for me. I hope you continue to be my talent agent. PS. I made these myself. I smiled as I read the note. "Yes, that''s the reason why I had traveled back in time anyway." I tasted a piece of chocte. It must have been high-quality chocte as it melted smoothly in my mouth. I was about to end the day on a high note and drive home when an unexpected call came through. [Caller: Kim Dong-Soo] "Why is he calling now...?" *** On the fifth floor of the MBS Drama Department, CP Kim Myung-Hak¡ªthe second-inmand at the department¡ªhad called all the key staff of Moonlight Starpour who were on a shoot in Busan back to Seoul. This included PD Kim Sung-Woon, the assistant director, cinematographer, and sound director. Everyone was waiting for Choi Sung-Eun, the original novelist and scriptwriter for this drama. "She''ste again." The shoot for Moonlight Starpour had been rushed as it went into production two months ahead of schedule. A week had passed since filming began, but only the script for the first episode waspleted. As a result, the staff were all waiting for the rest of the script because they were unable to proceed with the shoot without it. When thirty minutes had passed after the agreed time, Kim Myung-Hak grew impatient and gestured to Assistant Director Jang Sung-Tae. "Sung-Tae, who''s currently assigned to Ms. Choi?" "It¡¯s the junior writer from the script team, Han Song-Yi." "Call Song-Yi first." ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Just as Jang Sung-Tae made the call, the bell outside the conference room rang. "She must be here. You can hang up." Click. The door to the meeting room opened and Choi Sung-Eun appeared, followed by Assistant Writer Han Song-Yi who entered with her head bowed. Choi Sung-Eun made a brief nod before sitting down in the chair Han Song-Yi had pulled out for her. "I''m swamped with script revisions right now. Why did you call me here?" Kim Myung-Hak suppressed his rising frustration and forced a smile. "Ms. Choi, I''ve told you several times. We''re on a tight schedule so we need you to hurry." "Hey, a quality script takes time okay? What else do you expect me to do? Just give a shabby script? This isn¡¯t my fault!" Choi Sung-Eun''s sharp attitude caused Kim Myung-Hak to sigh. "We have a hundred staff waiting for the script toe out. How do you expect us to proceed with such dys? Huh?" "Is that my fault? It''s the drama department''s fault for changing the schedule in the first ce." Everyone in broadcasting knew that drama writers could be capricious, but Choi Sung-Eun was particrly notorious. After all, she was a renowned writer who made billions of wons in her mid-20s with a single novel. However, the staff couldn''t just wait indefinitely for a dyed script because every day of extension meant more money spent. Kim Myung-Hak, trying to suppress his anger, pointed to three writers gathered in the meeting room. "I thought you might need some help, Ms. Choi. These are the members of the script team and they are all experienced in drama writing. We need the script to be released more promptly than it is currently, so I thought we''d increase manpower. How does that sound?" When Kim Myung-Hak signaled, the three assistant writers stood up and bowed at 90 degrees. But Choi Sung-Eun only scoffed at the suggestion. "Are you seriously assigning me these losers who haven''t even made their debut as writers? You think that will help?" The faces of the three assistant writers, who had been in the industry for at least three to ten years, turned red. They had endured all these years with the dream of one day producing their own work, only to be abruptlybeled as losers. Their expressions seemed like a mix of frustration and embarrassment. Kim Myung-Hak was about to explode at Choi Sung-Eun for crossing the line, but Kim Sung-Woon intervened first. "Ms. Choi, that''s a bit harsh." "Me?" "Yes. There¡¯s not a single person here less capable than you in drama writing." Choi Sung-Eun stood up abruptly. "W-what did you say?" Kim Myung-Hak tried to stop Kim Sung-Woon, but he went on. "These people can produce an episode in two days if needed. You''re talking about dys for quality, but what quality is there in a script that neveres out?" "Mr. Kim! You''re really crossing the line!" "I¡¯m not done yet. With this pace, we''re 100% heading for a bust. The title ''writer'' is reserved for those who deliver scripts, not for those who don¡¯t. Why do you expect to be treated as a writer when you aren¡¯t doing your job?" Choi Sung-Eun was shaking with rage and pointed her finger at Kim Sung-Woon. ¡°How dare you...¡± "And stop using informalnguage. There''s no one younger than you here. These writers have contributed a lot to our drama department, so please show some respect." Choi Sung-Eun had turned 26 this year, but she had be ustomed to being treated with deference after her first sess. Both publishers and broadcasters had vied for her work, causing her ego to be bigger than anyone else. The offended Choi Sung-Eun stood up to leave and approached the door. However, she stopped at the doorknob after Kim Sung-Woon''s final warning. "Oh, by the way, If you leave like this, we¡¯ll cancel the schedule and bill you for all costs incurred so far¡ªstaff, lead actors'' fees, and evenpensation to advertisers. That''s about 50 billion won as of today." Choi Sung-Eun turned back at Kim Sung-Woon¡¯s mention of 50 billion won. "50 billion won? Are you joking with me?" "Check with awyer if you doubt it." The standoff between the two over such a terrifying amount brought a chill to the room. That''s when Kim Myung-Hak intervened. "PD Kim, that''s enough. And Ms. Choi, please sit back down for now. Let¡¯s calm down and talk this out." Both sat down but continued to re at each other. "Seriously! Do you both want me to explode or what!?" Kim Myung-Hak''s stern words made Kim Sung-Woon sigh and apologize first. "I''m sorry, Mr. Kim." Choi Sung-Eun, still holding back her anger, turned her head in the other direction. "Hmph!" Kim Myung-Hak then offered apromise. "Let¡¯s settle this. Ms. Choi, you¡¯ll ept the help of these three writers here. There¡¯s no way you canplete the scripts on time at this rate." "..." "Are you not going to answer?" Reluctantly agreeing to Kim Myung-Hak''s proposal, Choi Sung-Eun retorted, "Ugh. Fine, I will!" "And PD Kim, you owe Ms. Choi an apology. She''s just trying to do her best, isn''t she?" Kim Myung-Hak winked and gave him a nudge. Realizing his intention, Kim Sung-Woon stood up and bowed his head in a polite manner as he feigned ignorance. "I apologize, Ms. Choi. I was too hasty because I was getting nervous thinking that we might not be able to finish the shoot in time." Choi Sung-Eun also bowed her head slightly for now. "I''m sorry too. I didn''t realize my tone was getting harsh due to the stress of writing. You know what I mean, right?" Kim Sung-Woon thought to himself about the so-called ''writing stress'' that writers always talk about. No job was without stress anyway. Thanks to the dramatic reconciliation, the meeting could continue. Choi Sung-Eun didn¡¯t seem to pay attention at all. Then, saying she was busy, she told the three assistant writers to follow her. "Come with me! You know where I live, right?" "Yes, Ms. Choi." The assistant writers swallowed their pride and followed the writer who was around five to ten years younger than them. Thud. As the meeting room door closed, Kim Myung-Hak let out a deep sigh. "I haven¡¯t seen a single writer with a decent personality, but this one is exceptionally difficult." "Well, that''s true." "I heard the shoot for Blue Sky is going really well. Are we really going to be okay?" Kim Sung-Woon nodded with a heavy expression. "I hope so. We''ve ovee a major hurdle, so it should be fine. To be honest, I don''t like Choi Sung-Eun''s attitude but her writing is excellent. If we can just manage tounch it properly, we''ll definitely win." "R-really? Do you think so? But I heard that Writer Kim Soll-Ip''s script is also great." "I''ve read both, and our only problem is the writer¡ªnot the work." "Hahaha, that''s good news." "And you managed to secure Han Go-Eun and Han Su-Ho as the main leads on top of that. If we lose in ratings, you can take my head." Kim Sung-Woon''s gesture of extending his neck made Kim Myung-Hak chuckle. "Hahaha, why would I take your head? You''re the only one who can handle Choi Sung-Eun anyway. Let''s go eat, it¡¯s on me today." The staff''s tense faces rxed a bit, but Kim Sung-Woon still looked serious. "What''s wrong? Is there any problem?" Kim Sung-Woon replied to Kim Myung-Hak¡¯s words with a strange expression. "There''s something I just don¡¯t understand." "What is it?" "It''s about Miss Jung Yoo-Jin. The drama she''s in hasn''t even started yet, but it''s already creating a buzz. And yesterday, her advertisement was a big hit." Kim Myung-Hak started nodding. "Yeah, that¡¯s true. She''s strangely got good luck. How does everything she does turn out so well all the time?" "Please keep an eye on her, Mr. Kim. I''m not worried about Ju Yung-In, the female lead of Blue Sky, but it bothers me how the focus keeps shifting to Miss Yoo-Jin." "Alright. I¡¯ll do that." However, there was another concern in Kim Sung-Woon''s mind that he couldn''t express¡ªthe presence of Jung Yoon-Ho, the first year talent agent who managed everything rted to the rookie actress Jung Yoo-Jin. *** I felt so sore after sledding to my heart''s content that I wanted to take a leave of absence. But I couldn''t dy going to work because there were advertising contracts for Yoo-Jin waiting. On top of that, I had also been summoned by Kim Dong-Soo. I headed straight to Actor Division 3 as soon as I got to work. "What brings you to Division 3, Yoon-Ho?" "Hey, aren''t you going to treat us to celebrate your promotion?" The eyes of Actor Division 3''s staff were filled with wariness and envy. It seemed that my rapid promotion had rubbed them the wrong way. However, I just smiled broadly despite their hostile gazes. Most of Actor Division 3 would transfer to Top Entertainment, but some were the ones I needed to bring along. "I''ll arrange a get-together soon. Please make sure toe." I bowed and then knocked on the door of Kim Dong-Soo''s office at the end of the hallway. Knock, knock. A low voice invited me in. "Come on in." When I opened the door, I found Kim Dong-Soo leaning back in a luxurious ck leather chair. "Good morning, sir." Kim Dong-Soo stood up and gestured toward a sofa in his office. "Sit over there." As soon as I sat down, Kim Dong-Soo offered me hot honey tea, saying it was what he was drinking. ''Could it be poisoned?'' I couldn''t help but let my imagination run wild from watching too many dramas. "What''s wrong? Aren¡¯t you going to drink it? Why? You think it might be poisoned or something?" "Of course not..." He read my mind like a ghost. ¡®How did he know what I was thinking?¡¯ I shrugged off the thought and took a sip. While I sipped the honey tea, Kim Dong-Soo casually started talking about life at thepany. He spoke passionately about his affection for thepany and his desire for all the actors'' management divisions to do well. Although it was a moving speech, knowing how he would end up betraying thepany in the future made it hard for me to be impressed. "...That being said, I want you to manage Yung-In for just one month." ¡®What? What''s this about? Does he think Gu Seong-Cheol and Lee Dong-Min would allow that?¡¯ I was essential to Yoo-Jin whose career had just taken off and to Cherry Blossom who was working hard for their next album. I immediately rejected his proposal. "Mr. Kim, I have Yoo-Jin and Cherry Blossom to manage, and also the newly recruited Mr. Lee Tae-Poong. Taking on more work would be difficult..." But Kim Dong-Soo sighed deeply and interrupted before I could finish my sentence. "Yung-In is threatening to leave thepany if you don''t take care of her." "Pardon me?" "It''s not a permanent arrangement but just for a month. Just manage her for one month." I remembered that Ju Yung-In''s contract only had six months left. Kim Dong-Soo sighed and opened his mouth again. "Also, Mr. Lee Gi-Cheol has already issued your transfer." Thud! The news hit me like a sudden storm, leaving me stunned and overwhelmed. Chapter 84: Allure

Chapter 84: Allure

In Hoop Entertainment, the authority to transfer employees between divisions rested entirely with the CEO. However, with Kang Gam-Chan currently on a business trip to Japan, the highest authority in thepany was Operation Director Lee Gi-Cheol. I couldn''t believe he issued a transfer order at this time. ''Does this mean the official announcement will be in three days?'' Kim Dong-Soo tried his best to calm his irritation and continued in a soft tone, "Assistant Manager Jung, no¡ªYoon-Ho. I admit I''ve been harsh toward you. But I know there''s no one aspetent as you are. I had high expectations and that''s why I was tougher on you." I was left dumbfounded. ¡®High expectations, huh?¡¯ I knew about Kim Dong-Soo''s true nature better than anyone else¡ªhe was a cold-blooded individual who saw everyone as a tool for his use. To hide my disbelief and dumbfounded expression, I took a deep breath and asked, "Let¡¯s put that aside for now and talk about Miss Ju Yung-In. Why do you want me to manage Miss Ju Yung-In for a month? Are you suggesting I deceive her into thinking I''ll continue managing her?" "You know that actors get temperamental and fickle due to stress from their work all the time. So I''m just asking you to fill in temporarily." He sounded reasonable though his exnation was hardly convincing. ¡®A month? What if a month turned into two or three?¡¯ Of course, since a transfer order was already issued, I couldn''t outright refuse unless the CEO himself overturned it. Yoo-Jin and Cherry Blossom were important, but re-signing a big earner like Ju Yung-In was a more pressing matter for thepany. "If re-signing with Yung-In doesn¡¯t work out even after a month, I''ll take responsibility and return you to Actor Division 2 no matter what. Just trust me, okay?¡± Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s habit of bing more assertive when lying was evident. Seeing his shameless demeanor made me want to punch him. "Then I''ll consult with Mr. Gu Seong-Cheol first.¡± Kim Dong-Soo''s face lit up at my response. "If that''s morefortable for you, go ahead. The order has been approved by Mr. Lee anyway. Once the formal order is out, let''s start working together." ¡®Working together, my ass. He''d make full use of me.¡¯ Suppressing my rising frustration, I left the office promptly. I had three days until the official announcement to find a way to thwart this n. *** Bang! The door to Kang Ji-Yung¡¯s office burst open. Entering fiercely into the room was Gu Seong-Cheol, the chief of Actor Division 2. "Kang Ji-Yung, what are you thinking? Huh?" "Sunbae! We are in thepany right now!" Kang Ji-Yung scolded. Gu Seong-Cheol looked around anxiously before closing the door of the office but continued to fume. "Yoon-Ho''s transfer to Actor Division 3? You know he''s busy these days!" Kang Ji-Yung calmed Gu Seong-Cheol down and had him sit down. "Calm down, sunbae. Of course I know he is busy...but do you think I wanted this? I mean, Lee Gi-Cheol''s reasoning isn''t entirely wrong either, is it?" This was purely about not losing Ju Yung-In, a profitable actress. Kang Ji-Yung exined that Lee Gi-Cheol had requested the urgent decision and she couldn¡¯t refuse his plea. Gu Seong-Cheol managed to subdue his anger a bit after understanding the situation. If Ju Yung-In had set such a condition, there wasn''t much choice but toply. However, Gu Seong-Cheol questioned. "So, if we assign Yoon-Ho to Yung-In for a month, will she really extend her contract?" "Director Lee has taken responsibility for the re-signing. And if Assistant Manager Jung can''t handle it after a month, he has promised to send him back to Actor Division 2.¡± Given the executive decision made by Lee Gi-Cheol, it was a situation where Gu Seong-Cheol had to relent. After hearing the detailed story from Kang Ji-Yung, Gu Seong-Cheol sighed. Despite disliking Ju Yung-In''s fickle attitude, an actress nearing contract renewal held significant power. "Sigh. I apologize for getting angry earlier." "It''s okay. I was just as upset when I first heard the news." "But Yoon-Ho is currently steering Yoo-Jin and Cherry Blossom on an upward trajectory... What if their momentum gets disrupted by this decision?" Kang Ji-Yung shook her head. "I''ll allocate staff to Yoo-Jin and Cherry Blossom as much as possible. For now, let''s just get over this crisis rted to Miss Ju Yung-In." Despite Jung Yoo-Jin''s rising poprity, she still fell shortpared to Ju Yung-In in terms of earning potential. The amount of earnings Ju Yung-In brought back for thepany was at least ten times more than Jung Yoo-Jin¡¯s. Given that she was the main lead of Blue Sky, she might make even more money once it aired. In other words, losing Ju Yung-In meant losing billions of won. Gu Seong-Cheol rubbed his head. If it were mid-March, with the airing of Blue Sky and Cherry Blossom''s new album release, he might have had an excuse to refuse the decision. But there was no such option at the moment. Gu Seong-Cheol sighed and asked Kang Ji-Yung, "Hey, I know this might hurt your pride a little, but can''t you talk to Mr. Kang, who is in Japan?" Kang Ji-Yung bit her lips tightly, recalling her father''s stern warning about getting her to step down if she were to be incapable. "I''ll think about it.¡± Gu Seong-Cheol leaned back on the sofa with a sigh. His mind was so cluttered withplexities that he vented out some frustration. "But why is Yung-In suddenly insisting on Yoon-Ho when she has Team Lead Kang managing her?" Kang Ji-Yung cooled her dry throat with ice water. "You know Miss Yung-In''s personality. She must have everything she wants no matter what. Recently, everything Assistant Manager Jung touched has been going well. So maybe that caught her interest." Gu Seong-Cheol scratched his head. "These celebrities... Once they get a bit of fame, they all act so capriciously." "Yeah, tell me about it." The two sighed and wondered if there was another way out of this situation. *** Upon returning to Actor Division 2, the staff crowded around me like a swarm of bees. "Yoon-Ho, great job on the Burger Queen ad. But seriously, what were you thinking of when you epted that proposal, huh?" ¡°I had no idea that ad would be so sessful. It seems like I¡¯ve lost my senses.¡± "You never know with these ads. Honestly, who among us really thought that such an absurd ad would hit big? Yoon-Ho is the unique one here.¡± The staff of Actor Division 2 held up their thumbs andplimented me. "Um, have you seen Mr. Gu?" "Mr. Gu? He''s been with Ms. Kang for a while now. He should be back soon." "Okay, thank you. And is there a list of ads that came in for Yoo-Jin over the weekend?" "Yes, it''s on my desk. Take it." Excluding the ads with absurdly high offers, there were still five viable ones: additional ads for Burger Queen, sports shoes from Wheelies, apparel from LM Clothing, and snacks and beverages. Except for LM Clothing, the other contracts were one-year deals ranging between 3 thousand and 5 thousand won. ''These are not bad at all.'' Although the drama hadn¡¯t even started yet, Yoo-Jin''s poprity was increasing daily, thanks to The Human Stories and the Burger Queen ad. ''The Human Stories might be one of her biggest works.'' Although shooting a documentary wasn¡¯t in my n, the result turned out well. I checked the ad list and immediately sent a message to Yoo-Jin. [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: Yoo-Jin, here''s the list of ads. Let me know if there¡¯s anything you don¡¯t want to do.] A message popped back even before five seconds passed. [Lovely?Yoo-Jin: Five? My talent agent seems really capable, huh?] [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: Five is after filtering the other ads.] [Lovely?Yoo-Jin: Wow~ Mr. Talent Agent, I''m ready to do whatever you ask! (Bowing_Respectful_Emoticon)] [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: There are some crazy ads that''ll make Director Park Bull-Chool''s style seem mild inparison...] The startled Yoo-Jin called me right away. Only after I told her it was a joke did she finally let out a sigh of relief. Then, she requested to filter out any ads crazier than the Burger Queen one. Even though she''s be a ve to capitalism, she still seemed to have her standards¡ªand it seemed Park Bull-Chool was her benchmark. ¡®That¡¯s quite a low benchmark.¡¯ But thanks to that, she was willing to ept almost any ad. "Okay then. I''lle by once I''ve finished settling some things." -Okay, see youter. I hung up the phone and let out a sigh because I couldn''t discuss the current situation with Yoo-Jin. I was lost in deep thought as I tried to figure out how to resolve this situation. But no good solution came to mind. After about ten minutes, the exhausted looking Gu Seong-Cheol returned. "Go ahead and do your jobs. And Yoon-Ho,e with me. Let''s talk for a bit." Gu Seong-Cheol gestured toward his office. As I followed him into his office, the expected conversation ensued¡ªLee Gi-Cheol had epted Kim Dong-Soo''s proposal, transferring me to the Actor Division 3. "It seems like you''ll have to support them for a month. If Chief Kim can''t resolve the issue in a month, I''ll go to Mr. Kang and pull you out myself." "Does Ms. Kang have the same idea?" "Yes, but remember this. Both Director Kang and I tried our best not to send you. But there was no other way. We have to keep Ju Yung-In from leaving, you know?" I thought about asking what Kang Gam-Chan thought about this issue, but I kept quiet as I figured they surely must have considered him already. "Mr. Gu." "Yes?" "Can I meet with Miss Ju Yung-In before the official order?" "What are you nning to do?" "I''m not sure if it''ll work, but I want to try persuading her to give up on this idea." "You''re not nning to cause trouble, are you?" "Of course not." I had thought about it, but I kept a straight face and shook my head. Gu Seong-Cheol warned me to be careful with my words, then picked up the phone. "Okay. I''ll call her right now." *** The meeting ce with Ju Yung-In was set in Actor Division 2¡¯s conference room. The door opened, and Ju Yung-In apanied by Kang Myung-Gil entered. It seemed like she was dressed to shoot for Blue Sky right after the conversation given that she was wearing a school uniform under a coat. Ju Yung-In jangled her fist-sized gold ring earrings and approached me. Kang Myung-Gil pulled out a chair for her and left the room after she waved her hand at him. ¡°Mr. Kang, will you give us some space? I want to speak privately.¡± ¡°O-okay.¡± Kang Myung-Gil, who was about to take a seat, frowned and left the conference room. Facing my ex-wife and a source of bad karma, Ju Yung-In, a bunch of thoughts flooded my mind. I wanted to shout something dramatic like "Please disappear from my life!" or maybe even yank out her hair as Gu Seong-Cheol had suggested. When I realized how realistic these dramatic emotional expressions could be, Ju Yung-In opened her mouth. "You heard about the transfer, right?" I nodded and replied. "Before that, I have a question. Why on earth did you ask for me to be assigned to you? To be frank, I don''t think we get along very well." Ju Yung-In scoffed and replied, "Of course, our first meeting was a bit off. But it seems you hold onto the past quite a bit, don''t you, Mr. Jung? I''ve already forgotten all about it." I took three deep breaths topose myself and responded. "Let me make it clear. I have no interest in you, Miss Yung-In." Ju Yung-In leaned toward me. "It doesn''t matter. I can make you interested." Her confident attitude made meugh unintentionally. "Pfft." Ju Yung-In frowned. Her arrogant belief that no man could resist her was still intact. Actually, it felt odd to say ''still.'' It would be more urate to say she had always been like this, even before meeting me. "Why are youughing? You think I can¡¯t do it?" Her ridiculous belief that she could win me over in just ten minutes made meugh. ¡®What a shame that I was once fooled by you. But there¡¯s no way I¡¯d be fooled twice. That''s never going to happen.¡¯ That''s when Ju Yung-In red at me and opened her mouth. "100 million won. If you drop the other actors and manage me exclusively, I''ll give you that much every year. It''s a bonus directly from me separate from your sry. Are you still not interested?" ¡®Wow. This is quite an offer.¡¯ Chapter 85: Trojan Horse (1)

Chapter 85: Trojan Horse (1)

"...So, it seems like you''re asking me to be your exclusive talent agent. Is that correct?" "Yes. I''ll take care of your vacation and bonus pay separately as well. As you should know, this sort of treatment is usually reserved for the exclusive talent agents of top stars." Ju Yung-In''s gaze was peculiarly sparkling as she looked at me, and her eyes were filled with confidence as if she were certain I wouldn¡¯t be able to resist her offer. Considering her annual earnings were assumed to be around 1.5 billion won, such an offer wouldn¡¯t be out of reach for her. However, it was surprising to see Ju Yung-In, who usually wouldn''t spend a penny for others, making such an offer. I quietly met her gaze. At that moment, memories of her from my past life started to resurface in my mind. -Honey, would you marry me again if we were reborn? -What are you talking about all of a sudden? -Just answer me. -What''s this all about? ...Sure, I would. What about you? -Hmm, what should I do? -What? You asked first! Are you saying you wouldn''t marry me again if we were reborn? -Enough about that. Honey, you just don¡¯t get the point, do you? Anyway, didn''t you negotiate your sry? How much did President Kim offer you this year? 1 billion won? 1.5 billion won? -Always so greedy, huh? With the performance bonus, I¡¯m thinking maybe around 2 billion won? -Wow~ my husband is so capable! Then, can I buy a new luxury bag when I go to Italy? No, more like two. -How much are you nning to spend this time? -Oh,e on~ For someone like me, anything less than 50 million won is unworthy. I have a reputation to uphold, you know. If I carry something cheap, people will instantly start talking. You wouldn''t want your wife to be the talk of the town, would you? I wished memories like these could just be deleted like pages in the nner so they wouldn¡¯t pop up every now and then to irritate me. ''Whatever. There¡¯s no point getting angry over the past now.'' I tried to erase the memories and turned down her offer. "I''m not interested." The frustrated Ju Yung-In stood up abruptly. She rarely got flustered, but now she was spluttering. "Mr. Jung! It''s not 10 million but 100 million won. 100 million won! You would get your sry on time from thepany plus an annual bonus of 100 million!" Even though Ju Yung-In persisted, I calmly stood my ground. "No matter the amount, I''m not interested in being an exclusive talent agent. My goal is to rise up the ranks in thepany and be a director, so please put aside such offers." Ju Yung-In started to scrutinize me. It was as if she couldn''t believe there was someone like me. Then, Ju Yung-In sighed and sat down again. "So, you''re aiming to be a director? Fine. But just so you know, once you''re officially appointed, I should be your top priority. You got that?" ¡®This has nothing to do with me wanting to be a director. I just hate you!¡¯ I couldn¡¯t understand Ju Yung-In¡¯s stubbornness and asked, "Why are you so insistent on assigning me as your talent agent? Hasn''t Mr. Kim Dong-Soo been doing a good job so far?" Ju Yung-In answered with an irritated look. "Are you seriously asking because you don''t know?" "I''m asking because I don''t know." Despite my indifferent answer on the outside, I felt like I was about to explode. ''Please, just leave me alone! Why are you sticking to me like glue?'' Unaware of my thoughts, Ju Yung-In said, "I¡¯ve been watching the work you did for Jung Yoo-Jin and Cherry Blossom, and even bringing in Lee Tae-Poong to ourpany. No matter how much I look, there''s no other talent agent in ourpany who is as good as you, and that¡¯s including Mr. Kim Dong-Soo." Ju Yung-In continued confidently, "So, I¡¯m asking you to work with me. Choosing a talent agent who can raise your value is a logical decision, isn''t it?" I knew she was calctive, but I didn''t expect such shrewdness from someone who was only twenty-four years old. The way she analyzed andpared every employee at Hoop Entertainment left me astounded. I had nned to make Ju Yung-In dislike me so that she would give up on me, but I realized that wouldn''t be possible. She was even willing to pay me 100 million won to have me as her exclusive talent agent. Ju Yung-In''s eyes were shimmering with intense greed. In my past life, I had never seen her give up on a target once she set her sight on it. In that case, it seemed better to use this situation to my advantage. After all, losing might turn out to be a win in some situations. "Then, I have one condition too." "Tell me. I''m ready to offer you anything you want," Ju Yung-In replied confidently. The condition I set was that I would leave work by 9 p.m. no matter what. Ju Yung-In pondered for a while before epting it. "Alright. Let''s do that." "You promise? In any situation?" "Haha, of course. That''s nothing." A smile finally started to appear on Ju Yung-In''s face, which had been furrowed in annoyance until now. At that moment, Iughed inwardly. ''You''ll regret this, Ju Yung-In.'' *** After wrapping up the talk with Ju Yung-In, I immediately rushed to see Kang Ji-Yung. "Just endure it for a month. After all, this will all be over once Kim Dong-Soo secures the contract renewal with Ju Yung-In," Kang Ji-Yung said. She promised to reward me for my hard work once this was over. When I told her I just wished such a situation would never happen again, she agreed and ensured it wouldn¡¯t. "Alright, then. Please take good care of Yoo-Jin and Cherry Blossom for me, Ms. Kang." "Don''t worry. You know you can trust me." Just like that, I ended up spending a month with Ju Yung-In. I nned to gather detailed information as much as possible during the time that I was assigned to Actor Division 3. After all, that was the main reason I epted Ju Yung-In''s proposal. *** [February 17th] I immediately headed to Yoo-Jin''s house after Ju Yung-In was done with her scheduled work for the day. As I arrived after 9 p.m., I found Miso staging a hunger strike and repeatedly muttering ''I hate Uncle Yoon-Ho!'' and ''Hmph!'' about thirteen times before finally turning away in a huff. Fortunately, she had eaten plenty before starting her protest. I was worried sick, but I managed to end her hunger strike by tempting her with gummy bears. Even while her mouth was full of gummy bears, Miso demanded that I return home by 9 p.m. every day to see her. In the meantime, Yoo-Jin suddenly pledged to seed. She vowed to outshine Ju Yung-In and ensure thepany never faced such a dilemma again. [February 18th] Cherry Blossom was shocked by the news that I would be focusing on Actor Division 3 for a while. Woo Yeon-Hee was worried that I might be Ju Yung-In''s exclusive talent agent permanently. I reassured them that it would just be for a month and advised them to practice hard while I was away. Sae-Ri promised they would win first ce and then make me their exclusive talent agent. However, when I asked her about Yoo-Jin, she agreed that she would let me get away with managing Yoo-Jin as well. [February 21st] After a few days, Actor Division 3 started to feel more familiar. As I got closer to the employees by making them coffee every morning, I began to understand how Actor Division 3 worked. However, several irregrities couldn''t be overlooked. I started to investigate right away and found out that money was being siphoned off in Actor Division 3. But gathering evidence for this wasn''t going to be easy. [February 22nd] While I was taking care of Ju Yung-In on-site, my colleague, Young-Jin, looked after Yoo-Jin. Thankfully, there weren¡¯t any major issues except for Choi Jong-Hyuk messing with Yoo-Jin. However, the main problem was Ju Yung-In. As days passed, she kept trying to close the gap between us. It got so bad that I felt extremely ufortable around her. [February 24th] We headed to Jeju Ind for Ju Yung-In''s advertisement shoot. However, only one room was avable due to a reservation issue. I let Ju Yung-In have the room to herself and decided to sleep in the van. But at 9:30 p.m., I received a call from her. I didn¡¯t answer since I was off duty, but she texted saying someone seemed to be watching her room. I told her not to message me since I was off work and ced my phone aside. However, she continued to message me, insisting it was true. Although I didn¡¯t reply initially, I started to worry that it could be true. So, I secretly went up to her room and stayed for about two minutes. But I soon realized it was a lie. She seemed to be lying more and more these days. [February 25th] I grew closer to the talent agents assigned to Actor Division 3. While I made their coffee, they started sharing tips about the preferences and dislikes of the PDs and other staff they worked with. They initially didn¡¯t take me seriously at all, but soon began to show interest in what I had to say after getting good results from following my advice. Thanks to my advice proving to be a great help on-site, I could learn more about the inner workings of Actor Division 3. Nevertheless, I was only able to provide advice because Kim Dong-Soo didn¡¯t bother restraining me, as he wanted to y the nice guy. This allowed me to identify issues in Actor Division 3 that I hadn¡¯t known about. [March 1st] I casually warned Sung Han-Yung, an A-list star, that his next project might be canceled. Deciding to share this information with him had been a hard decision to make. He cursed at me and called me a jinx. But before the day was over, he came back and asked if I was a psychic, as his project had indeed been canceled during dinner. Since then, actors from Division 3 who had been keeping their distance from me started approaching me one by one. I knew about some things, guessed about others, and even took a gamble on some. By ¡°predicting¡± future events for these actors, I deepened my rtionships with them. [March 5th] Kang Ji-Yung noticed that the choreography team lead, Seong Eun-Soo, wasn¡¯t paying any attention to Cherry Blossom. This revtion caused quite a stir in thepany and led to a significant rift between Singer Divisions 1 and 2. Employees from Singer Division 1 bad-mouthed Cherry Blossom¡¯s new song, saying it was bound to fail. However, this seemed to motivate Cherry Blossom to practice harder. Choreographer Park Seon-Nyeo also gritted her teeth in determination. Their chances of sess grew even more thanks to this incident. [March 6th] I finalized an exclusive advertisement deal with LM Clothing¡¯s CEO, Moon Young-Mi. Upon hearing that HK Clothing was eyeing Yoo-Jin, the final contract was settled for 250 million won for a year, which was 50 million won more than initially offered. Now, I no longer had to worry about HK Clothing anymore because Moon Young-Mi was determined not to lose Yoo-Jin to HK Clothing. [March 10th] I received a call from Jang Jun-Hyuk, whose life I had saved recently. He informed me his condition had greatly improved and that he would be discharged from the hospital soon. He might need outpatient treatment for a few more months, but he was eager to start working on projects as soon as he got better. His exclusive talent agent, Lee Seung-Hoon, cautiously told me Jang Jun-Hyuk would be able to start working again around June. The legal division at thepany was busy resolving issues with the advertisement contract that were rted to Jang Jun-Hyuk. Hearing Lee Seung-Hoon¡¯sughing voice brightened my mood. [March 11th] Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s condition was improving day by day. To help with his dyslexia, his exclusive talent agent, Lee Dae-Ho, made recordings of his scripts for him. Lee Tae-Poong was now able to memorize the entire script with no problem. Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s acting was getting better day by day. The date of my return to Actor Division 2 was drawing near. But recently, Kim Dong-Soo had been ncing at me as if looking at a spy, which was unnerving. It seemed he was onto me about the things I had been doing in Actor Division 3 over the past month. *** On March 16th, Lee Gi-Cheol, the second-inmand at Hoop Entertainment, was sipping the coffee he¡¯d taken from the break room. ¡°Wow, Jung Yoon-Ho really has a talent for making good coffee.¡± The coffee Jung Yoon-Ho prepared every morning in the break room was extremely popr. He didn¡¯t make more than one pot a day, so some talent agents even starteding to work early just to get a cup. ¡°Geez, I can¡¯t even ask him to make more without losing face.¡± Lee Gi-Cheol was pleased with how quickly Jung Yoon-Ho had adapted to Actor Division 3 and the way he handled Ju Yung-In so impably. Ever since Jung Yoon-Ho took over managing Ju Yung-In, Ju Yung-In had stopped bothering Kim Dong-Soo and Lee Gi-Cheol. Lee Gi-Cheol even considered permanently recruiting Jung Yoon-Ho to Actor Division 3. Knock, knock. ¡°Who is it?¡± Lee Gi-Cheol called out. ¡°It''s me,¡± answered the person outside. It was Kim Dong-Soo''s voice. ¡°Come on in.¡± Click. The door opened, and Kim Dong-Soo entered with an irritated expression. ¡°You''re drinking that coffee too?¡± he asked. ¡°What? It actually tastes really good. Do you want a cup as well?¡± ¡°Sigh...¡± Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s sigh annoyed Lee Gi-Cheol. ¡°What is it? What¡¯s with the sigh first thing in the morning?¡± ¡°Mr. Lee, do you even know what¡¯s going on in Actor Division 3 these days?¡± ¡°What about it? It¡¯s lively and good, isn¡¯t it? I heard everyone has been working well.¡± Kim Dong-Soo sat on the sofa with a scowl. ¡°Lately, the acquisition of seed money hasn¡¯t been going well.¡± Lee Gi-Cheol eximed in surprise, ¡°Huh? Why¡¯s that!?¡± The seed money that Kim Dong-Soo mentioned was their war chest for taking over Hoop Entertainment upon making its IPO. If that n were to fail, it would then serve as their startup capital for a newpany. Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s gaze drifted toward Lee Gi-Cheol¡¯s coffee cup. Following his gaze, Lee Gi-Cheol looked at his cup as well. ¡°Is it because of Jung Yoon-Ho?¡± ¡°...Yes.¡± ¡°borate so I can understand.¡± Sitting beside Lee Gi-Cheol, Kim Dong-Soo began to talk about the problems that had arisen recently. Chapter 86: Trojan Horse (2)

Chapter 86: Trojan Horse (2)

"Lately, do you know who the actors in our Actor Division 3 consult first when discussing their next projects?" Lee Gi-Cheol¡¯s expression gradually hardened as he listened to Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s words. "Is it Jung Yoon-Ho?" "Yes, sir. The actors are so proactive that we can''t stop them from approaching him." Kim Dong-Soo and Lee Gi-Cheol had been receivingrge sums of money from various productionpanies in exchange for influencing the actors¡¯ decisions in choosing their next projects because the actors tended to choose projects that were strongly rmended by their ownpanies. It did not matter whether the project would seed or fail as they would typically receive the money before the projects were even released. For this reason, they had been able to generate substantial funds without any major issues until now. Unfortunately for them, with Jung Yoon-Ho¡¯s involvement now, it became difficult to continue creating these under-the-table deals. Lee Gi-Cheol asked with a flustered expression, "Don¡¯t tell me...that even the S-grade stars you personally manage are wavering?" The rebates from the projects involving the top stars Kim Dong-Soo managed were beyond one¡¯s imagination. Lee Gi-Cheol was asking if Jung Yoon-Ho was interfering even with those actors. Kim Dong-Soo shook his head. "No, I''ve taken care of those actors myself." The relieved Lee Gi-Cheol let out a sigh. "It looks like we¡¯ll need to get Jung Yoon-Ho out of Actor Division 3 as soon as possible." "Hah, this is just unbelievable!" Lee Gi-Cheol suddenly felt as if the sweet coffee made by Jung Yoon-Ho had turned into bitter poison. *** "Yes, sunbae. PD Choi Eun-Soo really likes those ginseng extract sachets. So bring a few when you go to see her." "Really? Are you sure about that?" "Forget it then, if you don¡¯t believe me." ¡°Oh,e on. You know that¡¯s not what I meant.¡± "And she¡¯s a health enthusiast so she always keeps ginseng, deer antler, and ck garlic around her... Oh, right. You know the whole ck garlic they sell these days? Bring some of that too." "Okay! If Dong-Jin hyung gets cast as the lead, I¡¯ll give you a huge treat." Assistant Manager Jung Sung-Gon, owing me a favor, dashed out of the break room after hearing my advice. Actor Sung Han-Yung, who turned thirty-five years old this year, clicked his tongue as he watched Jung Sung-Gon leave and asked with a confused expression, ¡°Tsk, tsk. Why are all talent agents asking you about this information? Wasn¡¯t that guy in this industry five years before you?¡± "Yes, sir. He was." "But Mr. Jung. How do you know all this stuff?" "..." I didn''t answer but just smiled contentedly. "Ah, here you go again. You always have secrets, don¡¯t you, Mr. Jung?" Sung Han-Yung yfully teased me and then stood up as he dusted off his pants. "By the way, when are you going to review my new project contract, huh?" "You should submit it to the legal division for review." "No. The review takes too long there. Just take a quick look at it for me." I agreed to review Sung Han-Yung¡¯s new project synopsis and contract. At that moment, Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo entered the break room. The staff started to leave like a receding tide. I, too, bowed my head and was about to leave, but Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo stopped me with a stiff expression. "Assistant Manager Jung, follow me!" Kim Dong-Soo had an ominous look in his eyes. *** In Lee Gi-Cheol''s office, the coffee I had made was left half-drunk on the table in front of the sofa. Lee Gi-Cheol¡¯s voice wasced with anger. "You! What have you been up totely?" "What do you mean, sir?" "Why are you going around doing things nobody asked you to do?!" Lee Gi-Cheol¡¯s thunderous voice echoed across the room. He was furious that I was mingling with other actors instead of just taking care of Ju Yung-In. He even used me of treating thepany like a yground. ''Why do you think I¡¯m mingling with other actors? It¡¯s obviously to thwart your schemes.'' Since I joined Actor Division 3, I realized that these two had been making money through double contracts and kickbacks with various production and broadcastingpanies. I immediately tried to get hold of the financial details, but there was no evidence as the transactions were all made in cash. For this reason, I changed my strategy. Instead of reporting my suspicions to the higher-ups, I decided that I would throw a wrench in their ns for as long as I remained in Actor Division 3. For the past month, I had deliberately approached talent agents and actors by sharing knowledge and information to get close to them. Some senior talent agents and team leaders like Kang Myung-Gil were displeased and said I was overstepping, but their opinions didn¡¯t matter. Now, it was time for me to pretend to be oblivious. "What do you mean by that...?" Kim Dong-Soo frowned and intervened. "Are you seriously asking because you really don''t know?" "Sir, I have no idea what this is about. I haven''t missed any of Miss Ju Yung-In''s schedules and there have been no issues on set. I''ve been getting along well with other employees and actors in Division 3 as you instructed." Kim Dong-Soo had been trying to pull me into his line for the past month and I had been pretending to go along with it. Thanks to this, his guard was down which allowed me to move as I wished. Kim Dong-Soo red at me and gritted his teeth. "...There¡¯s three days left until you go back to Division 2, right?" "Yes, there are three days left until the promised one month, but it''s not like I can return to Actor Division 2 whenever I want. Now that Mr. Kang is back from Japan, any personnel reassignment requires his approval. Right?" Lee Gi-Cheol frowned. It was easy for them to transfer me to Actor Division 3, but sending me back to Actor Division 2 would require Kang Gam-Chan''s approval. I decided to take the opportunity and agitate them even further. "But, you know, Actor Division 3 isn¡¯t so bad. Everyone''s been really kind to me." Bang! Lee Gi-Cheol mmed his fist on the desk. "Just get Ju Yung-In to sign the renewal contract and go back to your division. We can even send you back today if you manage to get her signature." ¡®What? He wants me to get Yung-In''s signature on the contract? This is unbelievable. They were the ones who clearly said they would handle Ju Yung-In''s contract.¡¯ "But how can a mere assistant manager handle Miss Ju Yung-In''s contract?" My valid point only infuriated them more. They couldn¡¯t bear it any longer and seemed ready to punch me at any moment. ¡®Renewing Ju Yung-In¡¯s contract isn¡¯t my job. That¡¯s your job.¡¯ "Ugh. Fine, go back to work!" "What perfect timing. It''s about time to pick up Miss Ju Yung-In. I''ll leave first then." Seeing them seething with anger, I hid myughter and left the room. *** Ju Yung-In was barely suppressing her irritation. She had sessfully managed to transfer Jung Yoon-Ho to Actor Division 3, but her n to make him her personal talent agent was going nowhere. ''How could he give such a cold response when someone as beautiful as me is suggesting we work together?'' For the past two weeks, she started making all sorts of unreasonable demands and nitpicking. Yet, Jung Yoon-Ho had never blinked his eyes once and handled all her requests smoothly. ''It''s really annoying how well he does his job.'' The way he managed her schedule was impressive. Even themon disruptions and regrst-minute cancetions in her busy schedule had vanished. On top of that, rumors were circting on set about howfortable it had be to work with Ju Yung-In ever since Jung Yoon-Ho took over. But the truth was that Ju Yung-In hadn''t done anything herself. With each passing day, her desire to win Jung Yoon-Ho over only grew stronger. Yesterday, she even attempted a tant seduction, suggesting they have a drink after a long day. She argued it was a casual invitation and it was not part of the schedule. But Jung Yoon-Ho promptly declined. -It''s 9 o''clock. I¡¯m off work and it¡¯s time for me to leave. Although they were less than 500 meters from Ju Yung-In¡¯s house, Jung Yoon-Ho coldly parked the car on the side road and attempted to call a taxi. Unable to bear it anymore, Ju Yung-In poured out curses and drove herself home. Ju Yung-In was in shock after being rejected so decisively and repeatedly every day. Ju Yung-In grumbled while looking in the hand mirror. "Ah, look at my bloodshot eyes." At that moment, the doorbell rang. Ding dong. Ju Yung-In abruptly stood up and headed to the inte as soon as the bell rang. "Who is it?" -It''s Jung Yoon-Ho. It¡¯s time to go to the filming location. "Come on in and wait in the living room." After hanging up the inte, Ju Yung-In hurriedly rushed to her bedroom. "Makeup! I need to fix my makeup!" However, she got dumbfounded and frustrated again the moment she grabbed the doorknob. "Ah, seriously. What am I doing right now?" Even though she had woken up early and already done her makeup, she found herself acting in a way that she couldn¡¯t even understand herself. But as soon as she heard the front door opening, she dashed into her room. She convinced herself that all she wanted was just to fix a little w in her eye makeup. *** It was March 16th and I was at the filming location of Blue Sky. The filming of episode 10 was nearing its end. Ever since I promised to take care of Ju Yung-In, I hadn''t had a direct conversation with Yoo-Jin at the location. But of course, I would go over to Yoo-Jin¡¯s ce after 9 PM to check her schedule and script. But we onlymunicated via KkTalk on set because Ju Yung-In was always watching me with hawk eyes. [Lovely?Yoo-Jin : Yoon-Ho oppa. There¡¯s only three days left until youe back, right?] [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: Yeah. The department transfer order from Ms. Kang shoulde out today.] [Lovely?Yoo-Jin : I guess I have to try my best to rise to the lead role as soon as possible to keep my talent agent from being taken away...] [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: Please do. I¡¯m begging you, Miss Jung Yoo-Jin.] Lately, Yoo-Jin often talked about trying her best to rise to stardom soon to prevent me from being stolen away again and called me her talent agent. It wasn¡¯t a special phrase but I felt mixed emotions whenever I heard it. At that moment, Kang Soo-Hoon¡¯s voice echoed on set. "Cut! Okay! Good job, everyone! Let¡¯s move on to the next scene after a quick makeup check for Miss Yung-In and Mr. Sung-Jin." The scene where Sung Blue, yed by Ju Seong-Jin, and Kim Sky, yed by Ju Yung-In, first acknowledge their feelings for each other had just wrapped up sessfully. But Ju Yung-In suddenly shook her head. "Mr. Kang, can we please take a short break before the next scene? I''m not feeling well today." Kang Soo-Hoon looked disappointed. "Hmm. Then we''ll shoot scene 118 first. Please let the assistant director know when you''re ready again." At that moment, Ju Yung-In headed toward the waiting chair while clutching her forehead and staggered. The staff around her tried to help but they couldn''t support her because their hands were full with their equipment, That¡¯s when I instinctively moved toward her. Catching her just before she hit the ground, I held Ju Yung-In in my arms. "Mr...Jung." Ju Yung-In looked up at me with an exhausted expression. Cold sweats on her forehead made her act look usible, but I immediately realized she was feigning illness. ¡®I¡¯ve seen you pull this act before.¡¯ However, her panting was so realistic that the rmed and startled staff rushed over. "What happened? What''s going on?" "Miss Yung-In, are you okay?" The chaos ensued as the lead actress copsed. People were fanning her and fetching water. Even Kang Soo-Hoon''s face turned pale. "Mr. Jung, quickly take her to the hospital. No¡ªshould we call 119 instead? Yes, maybe that''s a better idea. AD Choi, let¡¯s hurry and call 119." "Yes, Mr. Kang." But I raised my hand to stop them. "No, that¡¯s not necessary. I''ll take her to the hospital myself." "Are you sure?" "Yes. Miss Ju Yung-In often has anemia. It''s nothing serious, so don''t worry too much." "Then please call me as soon as the examination is over." I reassured the staff and lifted Ju Yung-In. She wasn''t too heavy because she always maintained her weight to look skinny on camera. I ced her in the back seat of her luxury van and drove to a nearby hospital. Five minutes into the drive, I opened my mouth while looking at the rearview mirror. "It''s time to get up now." Ju Yung-In flinched. No matter how good her acting was, she couldn''t fool me. After all, I had been her exclusive talent agent for many years in my past life. "I know you¡¯re faking it, so you can stop acting now. You''ll be embarrassed when the doctor tells you nothing¡¯s wrong." Ju Yung-In opened her eyes wide and sat up. "How did you know?" "..." I parked the car in a nearby lot without saying a single word and turned toward the backseat to face her. "It''s not the first time I''ve seen actors act out due to stress. Let''s take a quick rest here for a bit and then go back. Unnecessary articles mighte out if we take too long." Ju Yung-In red at me. "Whose fault do you it is for me to act this way?" ¡®What? How the heck should I know?¡¯ Seeing my silence, Ju Yung-In frowned and asked again, "Really? You really don''t know?" "No, I don''t." Ju Yung-In leaned toward me and shouted. "It''s because of you!" Chapter 87: Trojan Horse (3)

Chapter 87: Trojan Horse (3)

In a parking lot away from the filming location, Ju Yung-In sat in the backseat of the van and red at me with frustration. She was screaming about how I was giving her a hard time. "Stay by my side! I''ll pay you more, so forget the others and take care of me only!" Ju Yung-In''s words spoken with such intensity were somewhat unfamiliar. I had seen Ju Yung-Inin many times before, but her behavior today seemed excessive. "How many times do I have to say no?" Ju Yung-In red at me. "Is that so? Then I won''t renew my contract." ¡®Another threat, huh?¡¯ But I had done enough at this point. I followed thepany''s orders and fulfilled all her whimsical requests. I had no intention of listening to her anymore. "Then don''t renew your contract." "What did you say?" "I said don''t renew it." "W-what are you talking about...?" I spoke firmly as I looked directly into Ju Yung-In''s eyes. "Don''t you understand what I said? I''m not going to be your personal talent agent. Even if you offer me a truckload of money, I don¡¯t want to work with you!" I made it clear that even if she were to offer me 1 billion won or set up a one-person agency for me, I would still refuse her offer. Ju Yung-In trembled out of anger but her face was filled with curiosity. Despite all this, I knew that people would not change easily. After all, that was the one lesson I had learned in my past life. Tears welled up in Ju Yung-In''s eyes. Soon, teardrops began to fall one by one from her widened eyes. This time, it seemed like she was not putting on an act. I quietly observed her as she red at me for a moment before slowly turning away. "Take a rest for 30 minutes. We''ll head back to the set after that." Confused and overwhelmed, I crossed my arms and closed my eyes. I could hear Ju Yung-In struggling to hold back her tears in the backseat. *** [March 17th] I went to work, but there was no notice of department transfer. [March 18th] Kang Gam-Chan and Kang Ji-Yung weren¡¯t in the office, so I couldn''t meet with them to discuss the transfer. [March 19th] There was still no update. Even though the one-month promise had ended, there was no personnel transfer order. ''Why is that?'' I went to find Gu Seong-Cheol right away. However, I was told that Kang Gam-Chan hadn''t signed the documents yet, making the transfer difficult at the moment. "Mr. Gu! You promised I could return after a month!" "This isn''t the ce to talk. Follow me." I followed Gu Seong-Cheol up to the rooftop as employees of Actor Division 2 were starting toe into the office one by one. We walked to the corner of the rooftop with a blue urethane floor. Then, Gu Seong-Cheol let out a sigh and opened his mouth. "Yoon-Ho, can you stay in the Actor Division 3 for another month?" "Pardon? Is that what Mr. Kang told you?" "I just can¡¯t hide anything from you, huh? Yes, that was his order. Ever since you''ve been there, the incidents caused by Kim Dong-Soo''s line on set have halved." But I couldn''t continue doing the same now even if I had wanted to, because Kim Dong-Soo had already begun to be extremely wary of me. "I understand what you''re saying, but it will be difficult for me to continue what I¡¯ve been doing. I''m almost on standby now." "Standby?" "Yes. All I do there is just sit and hold my ce. Mr. Kim told me not to make any more moves. I even got a word from Mr. Lee as well." "Ugh... Is that so?" Gu Seong-Cheol scratched his head upon hearing that I was just idly sitting around and zoning out most of the time in Actor Division 3. "Well, if that''s the case, I guess we can''t help it. Let''s talk to Ms. Kang after the executive meeting is over." The air was clear for the first time in a long while with no fine dust. Gu Seong-Cheol looked up at the clear sky after letting out a sigh. "The air is really clear today. If I knew this, I would have brought a canned coffee or something..." "Shall I go get one?" Gu Seong-Cheol smiled and shook his head. "There¡¯s no need now. Next time, let¡¯s bring one beforeing up. By the way, how''s Yung-In''s contract renewal going?" I told Gu Seong-Cheol about the recent difficulties Kim Dong-Soo was facing because of Ju Yung-In. At that moment, Gu Seong-Cheol burst into a heartyughter. *** In Actor Division 3¡¯s meeting room, Ju Yung-In frowned after taking a sip of the coffee Kim Dong-Soo offered her. "Do you not have the coffee I always drink?" "No." Ju Yung-In''s brow furrowed even more. She put her coffee down and turned to Kim Dong-Soo. "Mr. Kim. You know I''ve been quite disappointed with youtely, right?" Ever since Kim Dong-Soo talked about sending Jung Yoon-Ho back to Actor Division 3, she had been on edge. Kim Dong-Soo was frustrated. His offers, including reducing her contract period from five to three years and providing the most favorable profit-sharing ratio, had been unsessful. He even offered her the best terms in the industry, better than those given to the recently recruited top actress Yeo Eun-Sil. However, Ju Yung-In was insistent on one condition¡ªto have Jung Yoon-Ho continue working with her. The conversation was going nowhere. Then suddenly, a surge of envy, jealousy, and anger welled up in Kim Dong-Soo. He had been romantically interested in Ju Yung-In, and hearing Jung Yoon-Ho''s namee out of her mouth was unbearably irritating. "That¡¯s enough! I said that¡¯s not going to happen! If someone tells you something, at least pretend to listen!" A moment of silence followed, and Ju Yung-In unfolded her legs and stood up. "Alright." Hopeful that she had changed her mind, Kim Dong-Soo quickly asked, "You''ll sign the contract, right? The terms are as I said¡ªit¡¯s the best in the industry and..." But Ju Yung-In cut him off. "Just so you know, I''m going to meet with Chief Lee Chan-Dong from Ace Entertainment." "W-what?" "He told me that he''d assign me any talent agent I wanted if I joined Ace Entertainment. I¡¯m nning to ask him to scout Assistant Manager Jung." Kim Dong-Soo was so flustered that he was left speechless. Ace Entertainment was the undisputed leader in the industry, and Lee Chan-Dong was a key figure in Ace Entertainment. With his financial power and capabilities, recruiting Jung Yoon-Ho would be a piece of cake. Kim Dong-Soo''s back was drenched in cold sweat. Losing Ju Yung-In was a daunting prospect, not only because of personal reasons but also due to the lucrative kickbacks he had been receiving from advertisers who wanted her. "Y-Yung-In. Just wait a moment! I take back everything I said earlier! I¡¯ll make sure to keep Jung Yoon-Ho by your side!" Kim Dong-Soo''s words halted Ju Yung-In''s steps. "Can you promise that?" It was a brief utterance, but its implication was clear¡ªthis was thest opportunity she was giving Kim Dong-Soo. "Y-Yes. I''ll even break Jung Yoon-Ho''s legs if I have to just to keep him by your side." Kim Dong-Soo decided to dy his n to transfer Jung Yoon-Ho back to Actor Division 2 just for a little while. ''First, let''s get the contract renewal done. She won¡¯t be able to do anything after she signs a five-year contract anyway.¡¯ Kim Dong-Soo forced a smile as he suppressed his anger. But then, a thought suddenly passed his mind. ''Wait. Once the contract is signed, I can just find any reason to kick Jung Yoon-Ho out of thepany. That¡¯s a better idea.'' Kim Dong-Soo smiled and nodded at Ju Yung-In. Completely unaware of Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s n, Ju Yung-In smirked at him. "Why would you break the legs of an innocent man? Just bring me Jung Yoon-Ho, intact and by my side." Kim Dong-Soo readily nodded and agreed to her demand. After Ju Yung-In left the meeting room, Kim Dong-Soo headed to the executive meeting room. He had to report Ju Yung-In''s contact with Ace Entertainment, the industry leader. *** Jung Yoo-Jin and Talent Agent Lee Yeong-Jin from Actor Division 2 arrived at Hoop Entertainment''s underground parking lot. After a month had passed, Jung Yoo-Jin was eagerly waiting for Jung Yoon-Ho to return as her talent agent. But when there was still no news of his return, she came to thepany to check on the situation. Miso and thendlord were preparing a wee cake for Jung Yoon-Ho back home. ''Why hasn¡¯t thepany issued the transfer order yet!?'' Jung Yoo-Jin tried to hide her dissatisfaction and stood in front of the elevator. That''s when Ju Yung-In appeared in the parking lot. Even though Ju Yung-In had stolen her talent agent by force, Ju Yung-In was still her sunbae, leaving Jung Yoo-Jin with no choice but to reluctantly bow her head as a form of respect. "Hello, sunbae." "You don¡¯t have any schedule today, do you? What are you doing at thepany?" Jung Yoo-Jin replied with as much patience as she could muster. "I came to find out about Yoon-Ho oppa¡¯s transfer order." Hearing this, Ju Yung-In snorted dismissively. "What right do you have to talk about my talent agent''s transfer?" Jung Yoo-Jin furrowed her brows and responded. "Did you just say ''my talent agent''?¡± ¡°Yes, my talent agent. Why? Does that bother you?¡± Jung Yoo-Jin shivered slightly before continuing in a calm tone. ¡°Why is Yoon-Ho oppa your talent agent? He was only temporarily assigned to you!" "Temporary? That¡¯s just your personal opinion.¡± "Why would Jung Yoon-Ho be your manager? He was only sent there temporarily!" "Temporary? That¡¯s what you think." The distance between them shrank to less than 30cm and sparks flew from their eyes. Fearing a confrontation, Kang Myung-Gil and Lee Yeong-Jin intervened. "Yung-In, we have to go to your next appointment." "No, let go of me. I said let go!" "Yoo-Jin, let¡¯s head upstairs, okay?" "Yeong-Jin oppa, don¡¯t worry about me and head upstairs first." Jung Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In shook away their talent agent¡¯s hands and red fiercely at each other. "Hey, Jung Yoo-Jin. How dare you confront your sunbae like this? Do you think the chiefs will just stand by and do nothing if they hear about this? Even if you have feelings for Assistant Manager Jung...¡± When Ju Yung-In crossed the line with her remarks, a fuse blew in Jung Yoo-Jin''s head. "Look who''s talking. Who was it hitting on Yoon-Ho oppa just now?" "Hitting on him? Hey, you! How dare you!" The furious Ju Yung-In reached out her right hand to grab Jung Yoo-Jin¡¯s hair. But Jung Yoo-Jin quickly stepped back, causing Ju Yung-In''s right hand to slice through empty air. Jung Yoo-Jin shouted with a scowl on her face. "I''m warning you... If youy a hand on me one more time, I won''t stay silent either. Watch yourself if you don''t want to be embarrassed by your hoobae." "H-have you gone mad?" A big fight was about to break out at any moment. It wasn''t just a verbal fight anymore but hands were about to be thrown which rmed the talent agents who intervened between them. "Both of you, stop it! Today''s shoot is over if you get a wound on your face! And Jung Yoo-Jin! How could you talk to your sunbae like that?" "Yoo-Jin! You stop it too." Blocked by two talent agents, Ju Yung-In yelled out. "Hey, why are you obsessed with Jung Yoon-Ho when you have a daughter? Just make decent money enough for a living and piss off!" At that moment, Jung Yoo-Jin''s expression hardened. ¡®What''s wrong with having a daughter? Adopting Miso was the best thing I did in my life. And my interest in Yoon-Ho oppa? So what if I¡¯m interested in him?¡¯ Memories of conversations with Jung Yoon-Ho began flooding Jung Yoo-Jin''s mind. And as her thoughts ended, she snapped at Ju Yung-In. "Because Yoon-Ho oppa is the one who can help me be a star!" "What?" "Didn''t you hear me? Yoon-Ho oppa is someone who can take me to a ce higher than yours." Jung Yoo-Jin''s ring expression was different from usual. Even Kang Myung-Gil flinched at her daunting aura. Ju Yung-In couldn''t believe she was being overpowered by her hoobae, Jung Yoo-Jin. "Y-you think you can surpass me?" "Yoon-Ho oppa said so. He said I have much more talent than you." ¡®Jung Yoon-Ho thinks that?¡¯ Ju Yung-In''s face hardened like stone. If that were true, she had even more reason not to let him go. "Hey! You think I''m just going to sit back and watch?" "Do whatever you want. But you won¡¯t be able to stop me!" Ju Yung-In and Jung Yoo-Jin red at each other for a long time. Eventually, the talent agents intervened and they went their separate ways¡ªJu Yung-In to the filming site and Jung Yoo-Jin to the president¡¯s office with a change in ns. With the fear that Jung Yoon-Ho might never return to her, there was nothing to stop Jung Yoo-Jin at the moment. Chapter 88: Trojan Horse (4)

Chapter 88: Trojan Horse (4)

Gu Seong-Cheol and I were standing in the hallway, waiting for the executive meeting to end. Click. When the door opened, Lee Gi-Cheol came out frowning along with Kim Dong-Soo. I hurriedly greeted them with a bow, but Lee Gi-Cheol left without acknowledging it. Kim Dong-Soo also disappeared, barely epting my greeting. Soon after, the finance director and Kang Ji-Yung came out of the room with Kang Gam-Chan. As I greeted them with a bow, Kang Gam-Chan burst into heartyughter when he noticed Gu Seong-Cheol and me. "Are you here because of the division transfer?" "Ah, yes..." "Then let''s talk about it in my office. Director Jung, please take care of that matter as instructed." "Yes, Mr. Kang." After the finance director left, Kang Gam-Chan led Kang Ji-Yung, Gu Seong-Cheol, and me to his office. The same exnation was repeated in the president''s office, and Kang Gam-Chan fell into deep thought after hearing my exnation. "Yoon-Ho, is it really impossible for you to manage Yung-In? I heard she even set up a meeting date with Chief Lee of Ace Entertainment. She''s really nning to transfer." While I was contemting what would be best, the inte rang. Kang Gam-Chan answered the call and opened his mouth. "Tell her toe in." Shortly after, Yoo-Jin knocked on the door and entered the room. Yoo-Jin''s face was unusually serious. Instead of her usual bright smile, her face was cold as ice. Her lips were tightly sealed and looked stern with determination. "What brings Actor Division 2¡¯s rising star to my office today?" Kang Gam-Chan tried to lighten the mood with a bright smile. But Yoo-Jin just slightly bowed her head without smiling. "Mr. Kang." Despite Yoo-Jin''s stern tone, Kang Gam-Chan still had a smile on his face. "Go ahead, Yoo-Jin. Feel free to speak your mind." Yoo-Jin nced at me and then dropped a bombshell. "I''m going to leave thepany." At that moment, the room froze. I reflexively stood up at Yoo-Jin''s unexpected deration. "Yoo-Jin! What are you talking about!" But Kang Gam-Chan raised his hand to stop both Yoo-Jin and me. "Let''s sit down and talk this through in a calm manner. Assistant Manager Jung, calm down and take a seat. We need to hear why Yoo-Jin would suddenly say something like this, don¡¯t you think?" Like Ju Yung-In, Yoo-Jin''s contract was also about to expire soon. If she decided to retire from the entertainment industry, we wouldn¡¯t be able to stop her. My heart was racing, but unlike me, Kang Gam-Chan appeared calm. Indeed, the confidence of his thirty years of experience in the industry was no ordinary thing. "Mr. Kang." When I calmed my racing heart and sat back down, Yoo-Jin took a seat on the sofa and sped her hands together. Then, she began speaking in a clear but respectful manner. "I''m still grateful for all the guidance you¡¯ve provided me when I knew nothing about this industry." "I only did that because you had potential. I wouldn¡¯t have recruited you otherwise." Yoo-Jin expressed her gratitude and went on. "Then do you remember the promise you made when you brought me to thispany?¡± Kang Gam-Chan began to look at Yoo-Jin intently in silence upon hearing her question. Just like that, a moment of silence passed. ¡®Promise? What promise? There¡¯s a promise between them I don''t know about even after traveling back in time?¡¯ At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan opened his mouth. "Of course, I remember." "You didn''t keep that promise." The intense atmosphere was not one I could interrupt. "So you''re quitting because of that reason?" "Yes, that''s the reason." The cryptic conversation continued without end. Yoo-Jin was facing Kang Gam-Chan''s earnest gaze. "Then let me ask you one thing, Yoo-Jin. The condition of that promise¡ªyou haven''t forgotten it, have you?" "Of course not. I haven''t forgotten it even for a single day." Kang Gam-Chan leaned back on the sofa. Then he closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. "I see. Alright then." ¡®Wait. What does he mean alright then? The conversation can''t just end like this, can it?¡¯ Unable to hold back, I interjected into their conversation. "Yoo-Jin! Why would you quit? And Mr. Kang, you''re being too harsh! You should hold onto Yoo-Jin! We can''t let Yoo-Jin go like this!" Kang Gam-Chan slowly opened his eyes at my outburst. "Why? If Yoo-Jin leaves, will you leave too?" "Yes! I will leave!" Kang Gam-Chan let out a deep sigh upon hearing my response. "Seriously. It''s so nerve-wracking being a president. Actors threaten me and employees threaten me... It''s so unfair." "No, I mean, that''s not exactly what I''m saying. It''s just that..." As I started to ramble on, Kang Gam-Chan burst into a chuckle. "Impatient, aren¡¯t you?" "Excuse me?" "Of course I¡¯m not letting Yoo-Jin go like this. But in exchange, I¡¯ll have to let go of something else." "Oh..." Only then did I realize what Kang Gam-Chan''s words meant¡ªkeeping Yoo-Jin meant letting go of Ju Yung-In. ¡®Is he considering that possibility?¡¯ Kang Gam-Chan looked at Yoo-Jin and nodded. "I''ll keep my promise, so retract your statement about leaving thepany." "Yes, Mr. Kang. Send me the contract and I''ll extend it right away." "Not just that." "I know. That too." The conversation was still cryptic, but at least she retracted her statement about leaving which was a relief. "Director Kang, issue the transfer order for Assistant Manager Jung immediately." "B-but Mr. Kang?" Kang Gam-Chan''s decisive instructions continued. "There¡¯s no need to think further. If we can¡¯t have the best of both worlds, then a decision has to be made as soon as possible. And Director Kang, give Yung-In a call and offer to assign a proper chief-level talent agent to her. If she doesn''t like that, then I guess there''s nothing we can do. We''ll have to give her up." Kang Ji-Yung made a surprised expression and suggested that he reconsider his decision. But Kang Gam-Chan stated he would not ept any objections and then turned his gaze toward me. "Assistant Manager Jung, you''ve worked hard for a month. Since you''ve been doing so well in the unfamiliar Actor''s Division 3, I guess I got a bit greedy. I¡¯m sorry about that." "Not at all, Mr. Kang. It¡¯s okay." Kang Gam-Chan wore a kind expression. "The transfer order will be issued soon, so take Yoo-Jin home and get some rest." "Ah... Yes, sir." I was a bit bewildered by the swift resolution of the situation. "Alright, then. The two of you can see yourselves out first. We still have things to do." At Kang Gam-Chan''s words, Yoo-Jin stood up and bowed deeply. I followed Yoo-Jin out of the room. We walked in silence to Actor Division 2 and I conveyed the instructions I had received from Kang Gam-Chan to Lee Young-Jin, who had been managing Yoo-Jin while I was away. I received the car keys from him and I headed down to the underground parking lot. I started the engine of the Super Vroom, the car I always used to drive Yoo-Jin. At that moment, Yoo-Jin, who had been quiet until now, ced her hand on her chest and took a deep breath. "Huff, huff. I thought I was going to die back there. I was really rude to Mr. Kang, right? Wasn''t I? Oh no, what should I do now?" Yoo-Jin covered her face with her hands and began to fidget, saying that her heart was still racing. ¡®Is she serious? What¡¯s the point of worrying after everything''s already happened?¡¯ "I mean...what¡¯s said has already been said, so worrying about it now won''t change anything... But Yoo-Jin, what''s that promise you made with Mr. Kang all about?" Yoo-Jin slightly spread her hands and opened her mouth. "Umm, that''s a secret." "What? Hey, how can you keep a secret from me?" "It is what it is." I kept probing throughout the drive home, but Yoo-Jin never divulged that secret. *** Ju Yung-In was on the way to the filming location when she received a call from Kim Dong-Soo. Upon answering the call, she turned her car to head back to thepany. When she reached thepany, she immediately headed to the president''s office where Kang Gam-Chan was waiting for her with Lee Gi-Cheol. "Director Lee, I''d like to have a word alone with Yung-In for a moment." "Of course, Mr. Kang." After ring at Ju Yung-In for a moment, Lee Gi-Cheol left the room. Click. When the door closed, Ju Yung-In bowed and then sat down across from Kang Gam-Chan. "Mr. Kang." "Yes, Yung-In." "Are you really sending Assistant Manager Jung back to Actor Division 2?" "I am. I just issued the transfer order." Ju Yung-In frowned at Kang Gam-Chan''s calm words. "Didn''t you hear my condition for extending the contract?" "I heard it. You said you''d leave thepany if we don''t assign Assistant Manager Jung to you, right?" "Don¡¯t tell me that you think I''m bluffing, do you?" Kang Gam-Chan let out a long sigh. "I''m the one who scouted you to thispany, so how could I not know you? Yung-In, I know you''re the type to do what you say no matter what once you make a decision." Three years ago, Kang Gam-Chan met Ju Yung-In as an extra actress on a film set and personally recruited her. Then, he entrusted her to Kim Dong-Soo, the mostpetent talent agent at the time, and had supported her with much care since then. "Why are you doing this if you know that? Don''t you need me anymore?" "That''s not it. You''re still precious to me and you always will be." Ju Yung-In raised her voice. "Then why? Why won''t you listen to my request!? Is it really that hard to assign me one talent agent I want?" Kang Gam-Chan took a sip of the drink on the table to wet his dry throat. "What should a father do when his children fight?" "Excuse me?" Ju Yung-In paused, not understanding what he meant. But Kang Gam-Chan continued with a look of regret. ¡°The father can''t do anything. Both children are dear to him, so he doesn''t know whose side to take." Ju Yung-In listened silently. "But that doesn''t mean I''ll be a father swayed by his children. If you want to leave, you can. You have your own life and I acknowledge that. After this drama ends well, you can leave without having toplete the remaining six months." The fact that Kang Gam-Chan wouldn''t hold onto her was a big shock to Ju Yung-In. Kang Gam-Chan had always taken care of her like his own daughter even when she got entangled in messy scandals. Seeing how the always-generous Kang Gam-Chan had changed his attitude, tears welled up in Ju Yung-In''s eyes. "Are you sure you won''t regret this decision?" "I know I will..." "Then why!" "That''s enough. It¡¯s not like you¡¯ll stay even if I tell you the reason. I can see it in your eyes that you''ve already made your decision." "Yes! I¡¯ll admit that Ace Entertainment has offered me really good terms! But all it takes for you to keep me is just assigning Assistant Manager Jung Yoon-Ho to me! Why can''t you do that? At least tell me the reason, considering our past friendship!" Kang Gam-Chan had decided to keep his mouth shut about the reason, but he reconsidered his decision upon seeing Ju Yung-In''s desperate demeanor. "It''s simple. I need Assistant Manager Jung more than I need you." "Wh-what does that mean?" Ju Yung-In naturally thought that it was the snake Jung Yoo-Jin who must have yed some dirty trick. However, it was Jung Yoon-Ho¡¯s name that was mentioned. "You are choosing Assistant Manager Jung over me!? Are you sure you''re not mistaken?" "No. I meant exactly what I said and I stand by it." This situation was iprehensible to Ju Yung-In. Yet she had no choice but to keep silent at Kang Gam-Chan''s words. "There are many talented actors. Each one is precious, but their talents vary so greatly that there are quite a lot of them. But finding a talent agent like Yoon-Ho is harder than picking stars from the night sky." "..." "You probably understand me since you have quite a good eye for people as well, don''t you? You dislike Team Lead Kang and Chief Kim but you insist on Jung Yoon-Ho. That''s exactly why. I need Jung Yoon-Ho as much as you need him. He will create the second and third Ju Yung-In for me." Ju Yung-In was left speechless because she feared it would be a reality if she answered. "Even though I''ll miss your presence, Yoon-Ho will fill that gap and more. So what can I do?" Only then did Ju Yung-In realize that Kang Gam-Chan wouldn''t give up on Jung Yoon-Ho no matter what she did. A single tear dropped from Ju Yung-In''s eyes and fell to the floor. But before the tear could reach the ground, Ju Yung-In stood up from her seat. She returned to her original proud expression and slowly bowed her head. "I''ll do my best until I leave." "Yes. You always have." "From now on, I won''t show any mercy either." "As expected." Kang Gam-Chan hid his aching heart and saw Ju Yung-In off. Given Ju Yung-In''s personality, she could be a formidable adversary and block the path of Hoop Entertainment if she went to anotherpany. Yet, he had no choice but to make that decision. Thud. As the door closed and Ju Yung-In disappeared, Kang Gam-Chan leaned his tired body against the sofa. Although she was arrogant and headstrong, he had regarded Ju Yung-In like a daughter¡ªand her decision to leave thepany left him with a profound sense of loss. "Yoon-Ho, you are too good at your job..." As Jung Yoon-Ho''s performance improved, his impact on thepany continued to grow. Unbeknownst to Ju Yung-In, other actors from Actor Division 3 were also requesting to be assigned to Jung Yoon-Ho. Kang Gam-Chan''s efforts to conceal Jung Yoon-Ho''s rapid growth were as futile as trying to hide a nail in one''s pocket. Ultimately, Kang Gam-Chan resolved to further support Jung Yoon-Ho¡ªeven if it meant losing Ju Yung-In, a tremendous actress. "Who knew I''d have to worry about things like this?" He found himself torn betweenughter and tears. Eventually, Kang Gam-Chan reached for a cigarette, a habit he had sessfully quit for some time. Chapter 89: Come Back Home (1)

Chapter 89: Come Back Home (1)

Driving Yoo-Jin after such a long time felt strange. It felt like I was finally back where I belonged. While driving, I grumbled to Yoo-Jin because she still hadn''t shared her secret and I was slightly annoyed. "Anyway, you could''ve given me a heads-up before you burst into the room earlier. Do you know how surprised I was?" Yoo-Jin made an apologetic look on her face. " I¡¯m sorry. I just panicked at the thought that you might note back and lost my mind." "What if Mr. Kang hadn''t listened? What were you nning to do then? Were you really going to quit thepany?" Yoo-Jin smirked. "No way. I might have felt a bit hurt if Mr. Kang hadn''t listened, but I never nned on quitting thepany." ¡®What? Was it all a bluff?¡¯ "Yoo-Jin. You should be saying something like ¡®I was going to quit right on the spot!¡¯ Isn''t that the kind of answer I should be getting?" Yoo-Jin smiled. "You''ve been watching too many dramas, oppa. Do you know how much I earn frommercials? It''s in the hundred millions. Hundred millions! You didn''t think I''d give that up and go back to working at Burger Queen, did you?" "I''m sorry... I was short-sighted." Yoo-Jinughed for a long time at my yful response. When herughter subsided, Yoo-Jin turned her head toward the window and murmured. "But I really was nning to leave if it hadn''t worked out. As long as you woulde with me, oppa..." I gave a satisfied smile without realizing it. Her n was to throw a tantrum and take me to anotherpany if that didn''t work out. I realized that Yoo-Jin cared for me as much as I cared for her. "But let''s discuss it first if something like this happens again next time, okay?" "Yes, Mr. Talent Agent!" We soon arrived at Yoo-Jin''s house. I parked the car and went up to her house to see Miso. On the wall was a sign that read, "Wee Back, Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho!" At that moment, Miso put off a celebratory firecracker. Pop! Pop! "Uncle Yoon-Ho~ Congrattions!" I was greeted by the excited Miso. The living room was filled with various dishes and a cake with the words "Wee Back" scribbled in wobbly handwriting, clearly written by Miso. "Uncle Yoon-Ho,e here! Over here!" Miso grabbed my hand and led me to a Powertuff Girl cushion near the cake. "Why is there a cake? Are we celebrating anyone¡¯s birthday?" "Miso wanted to eat cake, so we made one. Miso wrote the words herself," Yoo-Jin exined. I was right in my guess. Miso was now creating art even with her words. When I sat down, Miso put a party hat on my head and urged me to light the candles. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, hurry up and light the candle then blow it out!" "Alright, alright." Misoined that Yoo-Jin told her they couldn''t eat the cake until I had arrived. "That''s not true. We were waiting to eat it all together, weren''t we?" "Hehe. Same thing!" "What do you mean, ''same thing''? Oh, you''re in for it now!" "Ahahaha. Mom! I surrender! I surrender! I¡¯m sorry." Yoo-Jin yfully blew on Miso''s cheeks, delighted in the childlike fun. "No way. You need to be punished if you¡¯ve been a bad girl~. Whoosh!" ''Is she really that happy?'' After goofing around, they both settled back down. I did as I was told and lit the candles on the cake. "I''m lighting the candle now~" Whoosh. "Yayyyy!" As I blew out the candles, Yoo-Jin handed me a gift. She presented me with an orange shopping bag, saying it was a gift to celebrate my return¡ªIt was Hermos. "Yoo-Jin, this is... Hermos." "I''ve never bought a men''s tie before. So I just picked something nice." Unable to refuse Yoo-Jin''s generous heart as she smiled, all I could do was express my gratitude and say thank you. When I unwrapped the gift, I found a high-quality tie and a tie pin with a cross-shaped embossing at the end. "Thank you. Really." I truly felt I was back in my ce seeing the smiles of Yoo-Jin and Miso. I was finally back home. *** Everyone weed me upon my return to Actor Division 2. "You did well, Assistant Manager Jung." "Phew, Assistant Manager Jung. Did you take a good rest in Actor Division 3? Why does your skin look so good?" "I heard you were amazing there as well." From Gu Seong-Cheol to Oh Deok-Gu and Ju Yung-Hoon, everyone greeted me with a round of apuse. The rest of the staff in Actor Division 2 also lined up in a row to wee me back. This was indeed where I belonged. "I apologize for being away for a while." After greeting everyone, I sat at my desk and the fact that I was back finally sunk in. "Alright, then. Let''s get to work, everyone. Yoo-Jin''s first broadcast is just ten days away." Everyone started bustling around at Gu Seong-Cheol''s call. Currently, Blue Sky was filming its 12th episode and the first broadcast would be on April 1st in ten days. As a result, the entertainment news section was filled with stories about Yoo-Jin. [Blue Sky, This Year''s Highly Anticipated Drama! SBC to air at 10 PM on April 1st] [Jung Yoo-Jin in Blue Sky, "Please look forward to my acting transformation!"] [SBC''s The Human Stories heroine, Jung Yoo-Jin, stars in Blue Sky!] [Burger Queen''s Burger Maiden, Jung Yoo-Jin, brings a 30% increase in sales!] But beneath those were articles about Moonlight Starpour. "Hmm. Should I make a call?" In my past life, I would never have dared to casually call a PD. But now, I boldly sent a KkTalk message to Kim Sung-Woon. ¡®Of course, a gift shoulde first.¡¯ [Would you like to use the gift-sending feature?] [Yes!] [You have sent two ''Sweet and Sour Roll Cakes'' to PD Kim Sung-Woon.] [Message: Congrattions on your debut, Mr. Kim Sung-Woon. Wishing you great sess.] The unread sign immediately turned to read on KkTalk. Soon, a call came in. [Caller: PD Kim Sung-Woon] I took a deep breath and answered the call. -Oh, my. Mr. Jung! What a pleasant surprise sending me this~. Kim Sung-Woon, who particrly loved roll cakes, answered the phone with delight. "I wish I could do more. But you know I''m just a low-ranking employee for now. Sorry I can''t afford anything better." -Hahaha. Don¡¯t say that. This is my favorite. During our conversation, I found out he was taking a short break on the set in Busan. "You''re working hard." -Don''t mention it. This is the moment I''ve always dreamed of. Yet, I couldn¡¯t help but hesitate at Kim Sung-Woon''s next question. -We''ve filmed up to episode 8 so far. How far has Blue Sky gotten? ¡®Episode 8? Has Writer Choi Seong-Eun already written up to episode 8?¡¯ Choi Seong-Eun, a skilled novelist with a knack for fiction writing but less familiarity with screeny formats, frequently struggled with meeting deadlines, resulting in iplete scripts. ¡®Could it be that Kim Sung-Woon had assigned a truckload of assistant writers to help her? ...No, that can''t be. Given Choi Seong-Eun''s difficult personality, she wouldn''t have taken kindly to interference.¡¯ The drama''s viewership ratings were originally expected to rise rapidly before dropping sharply However, with Kim Sung-Woon''s capabilities, it had now be unpredictable. I hid my surprise and responded. "We''ve just started shooting episode 12." -Ah, so you''re ahead of us. Just as expected. This is getting tense, isn''t it? ¡®The pressure is more on our side now.¡¯ Then, Kim Sung-Woon suddenly brought up another matter. -Oh, and Mr. Jung. Let''s meet up when I¡¯m in Seoul. I have something to discuss regarding Miss Yoo-Jin. I wanted to ask why, but the conversation couldn''t continue further. -Mr. Kim, we''re ready to shoot the next scene~. Hearing the AD''s voice, Kim Sung-Woon hurriedly ended the call. -Oh, I gotta go now. I¡¯ll call you backter. Click. The call was disconnected. "Why does he want to meet up with me?" The most likely reason for Kim Sung-Woon''s request to meet would be to discuss a new project. But Yoo-Jin''s next project, In the Name of God, was already reserved and confirmed. ¡®Why would he ask to meet when he already knows this?¡¯ I pondered for a long time but couldn¡¯t figure out the reason. ¡®I guess I¡¯ll have to meet him to find out.¡¯ Putting my questions aside, I headed to the publicity division. Since thepetitor''s weaknesses were disappearing, we needed more publicity. Upon arriving, Team Lead Sung Min-Suk, who looked like he''d been up all night for several days, greeted me. "Are you here to request more publicity efforts and article releases for Yoo-Jin to celebrate your return?" He knew the reason for my visit without me saying a single word. "Yes, sir. Moonlight Starpour seems like a formidablepetitor to Blue Sky. I''ll treat you to a cup of coffee in return." "Fair enough. My wife is also looking forward to the rival drama. She''s a huge fan of the original novel." I couldn¡¯t help but pause upon hearing Sung Min-Suk¡¯s words, realizing once again the power of a strong original work. "Oh, what am I saying right now? I¡¯m sorry, Assistant Manager Jung. Please pretend you didn''t hear that." Sung Min-Suk awkwardlyughed and tried to change the subject. "By the way, I heard you made great coffee in Actor Division 3. Could I try some of that?" As soon as he finished speaking, I discreetly slid a thermos of coffee onto his desk. "Typical Assistant Manager Jung. Thank you so much." Sung Min-Suk gave me a thumbs-up after taking a sip of the coffee. "Wow, this is excellent. Oh, right. Have you heard the news?" "Huh? What news?" Sung Min-Suk nced around cautiously before speaking. "There''s a rumor that Ju Yung-In isn''t renewing her contract and is leaving thepany." In my past life, Ju Yung-In stayed in Hoop Entertainment until its end. The only difference between now and then was that I had been by her side in the past. "Oh,e on~. We won''t know until she leaves. It could be a ploy to raise her value." I tried not to care, but I couldn''t help being concerned. Sung Min-Suk nodded in agreement. "True. Now that I think about it, it might be a strategy to increase her contracted price. Oh, and HK Clothing keeps calling. I''ve been hanging up on them. They''re surprisingly more persistent than I thought." "Did you tell them about the exclusive contract we signed with LM Clothing?" "I did." "Please make sure not to agree to any of their offers, Mr. Sung." "Of course not. Also, I did some digging and it turns out that guy Executive Hong was quite notorious even while he was living abroad. He is a real troublemaker." Hong Seong-Beom had only been in Korea for less than a year. Although it was not widely known here yet, rumors about him from LA suggested he was quite sessful. "Cherry Blossom is having aeback soon, right?" "Yes, sir. Please take good care of the publicity for them too, Mr. Sung." "You''re so busy as always, Assistant Manager Jung. Don''t worry, I got you." Seeing Sung Min-Suk¡¯s bright smile, I headed to Singer Division 2. *** As I went down to Singer Division 2, Lee Dong-Min was the first to greet me. But he looked as tired as a zombie. "Wee back, Yoon-Ho." Looking at Lee Dong-Min struggling to raise his hand to greet me, I asked if something was wrong. "Mr. Lee, you don''t look so well. Is something wrong?" "I¡¯m fine. The girls''eback date is just around the corner, so I haven''t been able to sleep at all." His dark eye bags looked like they were at least 15 cm. "Phew. It''s a relief we''re not doing a showcase this time; if we were, I would be meeting my maker." Cherry Blossom was set to have their firsteback stage on April 24th on KBC Music World which was in three weeks, and their music showeback on April 25th on MBS Show! Music Center. However, the music video and music chart release were nned to be about ten days earlier than that. Lee Dong-Min stretched his body and let out a huge sigh. "Still, it''s worth it. The song turned out well, the choreography is good, and the lyrics are great. Nothing iscking." "But why are you so worried?" "Didn''t you know? Petite More¡¯sunch is also on the same day." In my past life, Petite More had postponed theirunch to the second week of May due to Girlfriends7, and they ranked first ce for two weeks. Then two weekster, they lost the number one spot to Golden Road. It seemed that Petite More¡¯seback date has been moved up due to Epil K notunching Girlfriends7 anymore. "I had no idea. But our girls can handle it, right?" "I hope and believe so. Oh, also...we''re thinking of officially forming a fan club this time. Got any good ideas?" "Of course I do." "I knew you would. You always make things work. So, what''s your n for the fan club?" "How about we contact the ''Hoengseong Girls Quartet''?" I referred to the powerful group of fangirls we met at the Hoengseong stagest winter. If we could bring those four Hoengseong girls into Cherry Blossom¡¯s fan club, it could be quite a buzz. "Oh, those girls with the loud voices from that time?" "Yes, sir. Why don''t you invite them to theeback stage? They also do other fandom activities. How about using them as the core for forming ''The Blossom Girls''?" "The Blossom Girls?" "Does that sound too trivial for a fandom name?" Lee Dong-Min pondered, then asked, "Then what about the fanboys" "Hmm, that¡¯s a good point. Then how about ''Cherry Blossom Family''?" Lee Dong-Min smiled as he was delighted with the idea. "Let''s go with that. Also, the girls have been asking for you. Have you visited them yet?" "I''m about to go now." Now that I was back in my original ce, it was time to visit Cherry Blossom. After all, an event that was a major factor in Cherry Blossom''s disbandment in my past life was about to happen soon. Chapter 90: Come Back Home (2)

Chapter 90: Come Back Home (2)

¡®The Yoo Eun-Ah Kidnapping Incident.¡¯ That¡¯s what everyone called the bizarre turn of events where Eun-Ah''s father barged into the dorm and took her away around this time in my past life. Eun-Ah was able to return after two weeks, after thepany threatened to take legal action against her father with the help of her mother and sister. However, the incident left Yoo Eun-Ah mentally distraught. This also affected the remaining three members of Cherry Blossom who couldn¡¯t focus on practicing, which eventually led to their third album bing a disaster. Following the failure of their third album, Cherry Blossom found themselves on the path toward disbandment. Following that incident, Eun-Ah roamed the industry for a while, eventually severing ties with her father. Of course, she subsequently became a very sessful actress. Despite this incident paving the way for Eun-Ah''s sessful debut as an actress, I had no intention of allowing her to endure such an ordeal again in this lifetime. I didn''t want to see Eun-Ah suffer. As a result of that incident, Hoop Entertainment started to hold annualpany-wide seminars to teach all staff how to handle unexpected situations caused by family members. The memory of that incident remained vivid in my mind. [Everyday V10] [May 11th, 2020] -01:00 PM Training on Handling Celebrities'' Family Issues (Basement 2 Small Theater). If this event still existed in my nner, there was only one reason for it¡ªYoo Han-Seok, Eun-Ah''s father, would show up again in this life. I headed to Cherry Blossom''s dormitory to warn Eun-Ah. *** Upon arriving at Cherry Blossom''s dormitory and opening the front door, I heard a groan along with soundsing from the TV. "Ughhh...sigh." Startled by the unexpected sound, I opened the sliding door and quickly entered. But I soon let out a sigh of relief. "What''s everyone doing?" The four members of Cherry Blossom were strewn across the sofa and floor in various positions, groaning. They were wearing their Powertuff Girls pajamas in white, red, blue, and yellow, and they had sprayed so much aerosol muscle pain relief that the entire living room was filled with the smell of it. Woo Yeon-Hee, who had been resting her head on the sofa''s armrest, straightened up when she saw me. "Wee, Mr. Jung. I want to properly greet you but I can''t raise my arms~ I¡¯m sorry." Yang Eun-Bi was sitting on the floor and leaning against the sofa. "Here you are. Wee." Eun-Ah struggled to raise her hand with a shy smile. "Hello." Lastly, Sae-Ri, who had been lying t on the floor, wriggled like a worm toward me upon noticing me and eximed, "Sae-hi~!" "Don''te closer when you can''t even lift your arms. It''s creepy," I said to Sae-Ri while taking off my shoes. Sae-Ri immediately stopped wriggling and froze on the spot. "You think I¡¯m creepy? I''m utterly shocked..." She hung her head in mock disappointment. Feeling a bit guilty, I considered giving her a high-five. But then Sae-Ri suddenly started rolling sideways. In the blink of an eye, Sae-Ri had rolled all the way to the entrance where I was standing. Then she trembled and struggled to raise her right hand. "Sae hi~!" ¡®Is this some kind of horror greeting? This is so creepy.¡¯ "Y-yeah, Sae hi." p! "Hehe." Only after I gave her a high five did Sae-Ri make a cheerful expression and lower her hand. But she soon started trembling from the muscle pain again. "Ughhh, my arm...my arm..." I couldn''t help butugh with a dumbfounded expression. Turning away from Sae-Ri, who was sprawled on the floor, I walked toward the sofa. "How intense was Coach Park Seon-Nyeo''s training that all of you are suffering from muscle pain?" Woo Yeon-Hee groaned and replied, "No, it¡¯s not her. We did extra practice because Petite More is having aeback on the same day as us." ¡®Ah, that exins it.¡¯ "You''re not scared, are you?" Sae-Ri, rolling to the side again, came closer to the sofa and shook her head while lying on the floor. "No... Not at all!" Then, Sae-Ri whined as if her shoulders and neck were cramped. "Ugh, Eun-Bi unnie. My neck...please straighten my neck." "You''re quite high maintenance, you know? Just stand up and straighten your body." Sae-Ri grumbled about how she was incapable of getting up on her own. With a sigh, Yang Eun-Bi picked Sae-Ri up and helped her lead against the sofa. "There. Is this good enough?" "Uh-huh! Thank you." At that moment, Cherry Blossom suddenly exchanged nces and seemed tomunicate something silently. Just as I was about to ask what they were plotting, they all beamed and eximed loudly, "Wee back, Mr. Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho! Yay~!!" A smile spread across my face. ¡®Was all thatining and drama just for this?¡¯ I smiled along with them. "Thanks guys." Woo Yeon-Hee then took something out from the drawer of the side table. "What''s this?" "Oh, we pooled our allowances and bought it together. It¡¯s a gift for your return." Cherry Blossom was still operating at a loss each month which meant they hadn''t received any profit yet. But they received a monthly allowance of 300 thousand won each as per Kang Gam-Chan''s policy, and they had pooled this money to buy my gift. The slightly shy Woo Yeon-Hee cautiously handed me a mint-colored gift case with a pink ribbon. "What is this?" "Open it and see!" Sae-Ri looked even more excited than I was. I untied the ribbon and found a pair of cufflinks with cherry blossom engravings. The round cufflinks looked elegant with a ck background and silver cherry blossoms. Holding them in my hand, I looked at the excited faces of the Cherry Blossom members one by one. Woo Yeon-Hee spoke on behalf of the group. "We are always grateful for you looking after us, and we wanted to give something back in return. We feel like we haven''t done much for you when you''re always helping us.¡± These girls always knew how to touch my heart. "What do you mean you haven''t done much for me? Just watching you guys work hard like this is rewarding enough." The girls all blushed at my response. "But aren¡¯t these expensive?" "It''s okay. They weren''t too expensive." ¡®This is Ormani. There¡¯s no way this isn¡¯t expensive.¡¯ But I couldn¡¯t reject this gift upon seeing their eager faces. Yang Eun-Bi hurriedly changed the subject to avoid any talk of money. "Mr. Jung, please try them on!" I took the cufflinks and attached them to my shirt. When viewed from a different angle, the cherry blossom on the cufflinks changed color to pale pink. ¡°Huh?¡± Sae-Ri captured the moment and opened her mouth. ¡°What do you think? It¡¯s pretty, isn¡¯t it?¡± "Yes, it''s pretty. I really like it." Sae-Ri''s face lit up with joy. "Eun-Ah unnie picked it out!" Eun-Ah''s face turned red. "W-well, that''s... I..." I felt a slight weight on my wrist after attaching the cufflinks, ''It feels good.'' Then, I took the opportunity to make a request to Cherry Blossom. "By the way, can you just call me ''oppa'' when it''s just us? ''Assistant Manager'' or ¡®Mr. Jung¡¯ feels too formal and distant." Woo Yeon-Hee and Yang Eun-Bi exchanged nces. Then, Sae-Ri nodded beside me and said, "Yeah. You two always keep your distance from Yoon-Ho oppa and it feels so cold!" Sae-Ri was indeed my spokesperson. ¡®But Sae-Ri, you''re too clingy. You¡¯re like a puppy with zero sense of personal space.¡¯ Woo Yeon-Hee nodded in agreement and Yang Eun-Bi also chimed in. "True. I also felt that way. I thought I was Hong Gil-Dong, unable to call my father ''father'' and my brother ''brother.''"[1]. Sae-Ri tilted her head in confusion. "Why are you Hong Gil-Dong, unnie? Does Yoon-Ho oppa have magical powers or something?" ¡®No, Sae-Ri. That''s not what she meant.¡¯ Yang Eun-Bi was dumbfounded after hearing Sae-Ri¡¯s question. But Sae-Ri nodded to herself and came to her own conclusion. "Well, the other talent agent unnies did say Yoon-Ho oppa has magical powers." ¡®Don''t just convince yourself of such absurd words!¡¯ After managing to sort out the chaotic conversation, I finally got to hear about Cherry Blossom''s ongoing preparations for their new song. They told me what happened during the music video shoot and how the status of their choreography. They shared the stories ofposer Bang Seon-Woo and lyricist Jang Ye-Bin working hard to create the next song, and also told me the unbelievable story of choreographer Park Seon-Nyep praising Sae-Ri for her dance moves. Listening to their lively chatter andughter, two hours flew by quickly. "But Sae-Ri, this is your first time being the center for a song, right? Aren''t you feeling pressured?" Sae-Ri held her neck and slowly nodded. "Not at all. Yesterday, Coach Park called me her ''prot¨¦g¨¦''." Yang Eun-Bi burst intoughter as if she couldn''t believe it. "She probably only said that to keep you from getting discouraged. To be honest, I don''t even remember how many times Coach Park had to change the choreography to amodate Sae-Ri." Sae-Ri grumbled at Yang Eun-Bi''s revtion. "That''s not true~!" "Yes, it is~!" ¡®Here they go again.¡¯ "Stop, stop. So, Sae-Ri¡ªyou can handle this, right?" Sae-Ri nodded. ¡®As long as Sae-Ri can handle it, that''s a relief.¡¯ Now it was time to tell them why I came. Yoo Eun-Ah''s father would soon be storming into this dorm at any moment. I was worried about how to initiate the conversation, but Woo Yeon-Hee took the lead and asked, "By the way, what brings you here today?" "Oh, I have something to discuss with Eun-Ah." Sae-Ri stared at me with curiosity, but this conversation wasn''t for her. "Eun-Ah, can we talk privately?" Eun-Ah looked around and then shook her head. "Can everyone listen in?" "Don''t worry, it''s not about thepany. The reason I want to talk with you privately is because it¡¯s about your family." Eun-Ah looked around the surroundings again and responded with a firm expression. "It''s okay. I can tell my members anything." The other three seemed moved by Eun-Ah''s words. Sae-Ri ran into Eun-Ah¡¯s arms. "Wow~ Unnie. I''m touched!" In my memory, Eun-Ah used to keep a certain distance from the other three members although they were pretty close¡ªbut not anymore. Just seeing her in the Powertuff Girls pajamas that Sae-Ri bought for the members was proof of their strong bond. "Alright. It''s nothing too serious, but...your father. Has he been saying anythingtely?" Eun-Ah''s face fell and the other three members began to tense up. They seemed flustered as they did not expect the mere mention of Eun-Ah¡¯s father to weigh heavily on her. An awkward silence followed until Eun-Ah finally opened her mouth about 30 secondster. Then, she began to exin the current situation in a low voice¡ªit turned out that despite still being a minor legally, Eun-Ah¡¯s father was pushing her to go on blind dates to marry someone at just 19 years old or 18 by international age[2]. "What? He''s asking you to go on blind dates to marry someone?" Eun-Ah nodded. "Yes." Even the usually unppable Yang Eun-Bi showed a look of shock. "Wow. Your dad''s unbelievable!" Woo Yeon-Hee looked like she couldn''tprehend the situation and Sae-Ri was visibly angry on Eun-Ah''s behalf. Trying to suppress my surprise, I carefully opened my mouth. "Your father''s an orthopedic surgeon, right?" "Yes. The guy he''s set me up with is the eldest son of his friend who owns aw firm." Eun-Ah''s father owned a ten-story building and ran the Gangnam Elbon Orthopedic Clinic. Apparently, his friend''s son who is 28 years old was recently set to study in the U.S. But fearing he might cause trouble there alone, his family wanted him to get married first before leaving. ''Despicable, that guy. He is even a year older than me right now.¡¯ Now I couldpletely understand why Eun-Ah cut ties with her father in my past life. "The only reason my father allowed me to debut as an idol was because he wanted me to build my resume. Since I wasn''t smart enough for a good university, he told me to at least make a name for myself TV." Eun-Ah exined that given that being an idol was now a respectable aplishment, her father had told her to aim to achieve fame in the entertainment industry to make up for her academic shorings. Woo Yeon-Hee held Eun-Ah¡¯s hand and apologized. "We had no idea what you were going through. I''m sorry." It was clear they hadn''t known about her struggles despite living together for so long. "It''s okay, unnie. I even thought about giving in and getting married if this album didn''t work out." Eun-Ah looked embarrassed to admit she considered yielding to her father''s demands. ¡®I can¡¯t even imagine how much she must have suffered to have such thoughts.¡¯ A bitter taste filled my mouth. "Eun-Ah." "Yes?" "Have you beenpletely ignoring your father''s calls then?" Eun-Ah clenched her fists tightly as she answered. "Yes. I''m afraid of what he might say. I''ll just seed... and be independent of him." ''Don''t worry. I''ll help you.'' I thought to myself and then addressed Eun-Ah''s anxiety. "Eun-Ah, if your father calls again, can you hand me your phone instead of picking up the call?" Eun-Ah fidgeted anxiously. "You want to answer my father''s call?" "Yes. I''ll try talking to him." I needed to dy her father''s visit as much as possible to implement my n. After a moment''s hesitation, Eun-Ah nodded. But as always, changing fate proved to be incredibly difficult. *** After dropping off thepletely exhausted Yoo-Jin from an early morning shoot at her home, I headed back to thepany when I received a call that the edit of Cherry Blossom''s music video was ready. But just as I entered Apgujeong, I received a call from Sae-Ri. As soon as I picked up the call, Sae-Ri''s panicky voice rang out. -Yoon-Ho oppa! Oppa! Eun-Ah unnie''s dad is here! Yoo Han-Seok had arrived at the dormitory earlier than I had expected. 1. this is a famous saying in Korea derived from the Korean novel ¡®The Biography of Hong Gil-Dong,¡¯ written during the Joseon Dynasty. The main character is a concubine''s son, so he can''t even call his father as father, and his brother as brother ? 2. not anymore as of 2023, but Korea used to have their own age system different from international age system ? Chapter 91: Come Back Home (3)

Chapter 91: Come Back Home (3)

I arrived at Cherry Blossom''s dorm in less than five minutes. Beep beep beep. As I opened the front door, a rough voice burst out. "Are you really going to be like this?" "Dad! I really don''t want to go!" A man in his 40s dressed in a navy suit and wearing a stern expression was grabbing Eun-Ah''s wrist and pulling her. That man was Eun-Ah''s father, Yoo Han-Seok. The Cherry Blossom members were also sweating as they tried to stop Yoo Han-Seok from taking Eun-Ah away. Woo Yeon-Hee was hanging onto Yoo Han-Seok''s left wrist. "Sir! Please don''t do this!" "Why are you interfering when I''m taking my own daughter with me!?" Yang Eun-Bi held onto Yoo Han-Seok''s right wrist and retorted, "You do realize this is trespassing, right?" "Hah, what a joke. Trespassing? I¡¯m just visiting my daughter!" Finally, Sae-Ri opened her mouth wide and tried to bite Yoo Han-Seok''s forearm. "Let go of Eun-Ah unnie! I''ll bite if you don''t!" It wasplete chaos. I rushed in without taking off my shoes. "What are you doing right now!?" Yoo Han-Seok started to look a bit wary when he saw a young man appear. "And who are you?¡± "I''m Jung Yoon-Ho, the talent agent of Cherry Blossom." Regardless of the circumstances, he was still Eun-Ah''s father. I bowed politely and offered him my business card. However, Yoo Han-Seok nced at me and snorted, as if I wasn¡¯t worth his time. He didn¡¯t even bother epting my business card. ''Well, I¡¯m not surprised since I did hear that he considers those who are not doctors orwyers lesser beings.¡¯ Having interacted with people like him in my past life, I was well aware of his weaknesses. Yoo Han-Seok ignored me and pulled Eun-Ah''s arm again. "Let''s go! You''ve been in this worthless job long enough! You can¡¯t even make any money out of it!" Eun-Ah, who usually spoke softly, expressed her emotions vehemently. "Dad! I¡¯m really going to be sessful this time. Please give me one more chance!" But her words fell t on Yoo Han-Seok¡¯s ears. "Shut up. What''s so great about seeding as an idol group anyway? You know Kim Yong-Seok, the CEO of KY Law Firm, right? He''s the most sessful among my friends!" "What does that have to do with me?" "Such a wealthy family offered a marriage proposal! Are you really going to miss this great opportunity?" "I don¡¯t want to get married!" Yoo Han-Seok dismissed Eun-Ah''s desperate plea. "You don''t have a choice! Remember what I¡¯ve always told you? A single choice can determine the sess or failure of your life. I told you to build your qualifications and not to get caught up in this nonsense. Look at you right now! You are just pathetic!" ¡®He is calling this industry nonsense?'' Despite the rising status of the entertainment industry, there were still many people like Yoo Han-Seok who used such terms. I couldn''t stand it anymore. I walked over, slightly twisted Yoo Han-Seok''s wrist, and pressed on the pressure point. "Ahh!" Feeling intense pain, Yoo Han-Seok stepped back and let go of Eun-Ah''s arm. I quickly separated Eun-Ah and Yoo Han-Seok. "Eun-Ah, are you okay?" "Yes, but..." Eun-Ah''s pale wrist had turned red from her father''s tight grip. ''Tsk. It''s going to leave a bruise.'' Seeing the red marks on Eun-Ah''s arm, I felt a surge of anger rising within me. ¡®How could a father try to force his 20-year-old daughter into an arranged marriage as if it were a simple transaction?¡¯ It was hard to believe this was happening in 21st-century South Korea. I took a deep breath and tried my best to calm my emotions as I had to deal with Yoo Han-Seok. After Eun-Ah was freed from her father¡¯s grip, Woo Yeon-Hee hugged her tightly andforted her. Yang Eun-Bi wiped Eun-Ah''s tears and patted her shoulders while the youngest Sae-Ri stood with arms outstretched, casting a fierce re at Yoo Han-Seok, as if dering her determination not to let him take Eun-Ah. ¡°Sob.¡± Eun-Ah¡¯s eyes were brimming with tears but I couldn¡¯t tell if it was because of the pain or her father''s disruptive visit. Yoo Han-Seok clutched his throbbing arm and threatened me. "What are you, a gangster? I''m taking my own daughter and who do you think you are to stop me?" I forcefully suppressed my rising anger. "Sir, Eun-Ah has signed an exclusive contract with Hoop Entertainment. As you would see in the contract terms, you can''t just take her away like this, even as her father." "I will just cancel that damn contract then! Hey, Yoo Eun-Ah. Come here!" I blocked Yoo Han-Seok as he tried to walk past me. "You can''t do this, sir!" Yoo Han-Seok shouted loudly, "I can¡¯t do what? I''ll just pay the penalty fee for canceling the contract!" "Do you even know how much the penalty fee is?" "It can¡¯t be that bad. How much is it? Maybe about 100 million won? No? 200 million won? I highly doubt..." I red at him straight in the eye and responded, "As of today, it''s 4.173 billion won." Yoo Han-Seok was dumbfounded and his eyes widened in disbelief. "What? You little bastard. There¡¯s no way in hell that is..." "The total cost of training Cherry Blossom and funding their activities up till today is approximately 1.379 billion won. And thepensation for unteral contract termination is typically three times that amount. So, yes, the number I gave you is indeed correct." My professional tone made Yoo Han-Seok frown. Individuals like Yoo Han-Seok were only afraid of two things: power wielded by those of higher status and money. I started to use one of those¡ªmoney¡ªto confront him. ''You chose the wrong person to mess with, sir.'' Yoo Han-Seok continued to yell incredulously in disbelief, but his vigor had noticeably diminished. "You, you young scoundrel. How dare you try to scam me like this?¡± "If you don¡¯t trust me, feel free to take the contract back and consult awyer about the penalty use. It''s written in very specific terms, so there won''t be any confusion." Shell-shocked, Yoo Han-Seok blinked rapidly. He seemed reluctant to admit defeat but had no immediate way to verify my ims. I didn''t give him a chance to breathe and pressed him further. "You mentioned that CEO of KY LAW Firm Kim Yong-Seok is your friend, right? You could ask him for advice. Or should I contact him for you and tell him that if he wants to take his future daughter-inw away, he should pay the penalty fee?" Individuals like Yoo Han-Seok were remarkably vulnerable in the presence of those of higher status, even if the person happened to be a friend or a prospective family member. And my guess was spot on. Yoo Han-Seok''s voice was trembling. "You...how dare you! I won''t let you off if you call him!" He was afraid the marriage proposal would fall apart if thismotion became known to them. After all, Yoo Han-Seok was a ''paper tiger,'' projecting toughness within his own family while being preupied with maintaining a certain image in front of others. Anyway, this was game over for Yoo Han-Seok. I looked at Yoo Han-Seok and spoke firmly, "Sir, we have no intention of spreading rumors as long as the contract remains intact. But I warn you..." I paused and stepped closer to Yoo Han-Seok who then stepped back in reflex. "If youe herete at night like this again, I will sue you for trespassing, property damage, and assault, including tonight''s incident." "What? Did you just say trespassing? Property damage? How dare you speak such nonsense!" "I thought you were smart since you''re a doctor, but you seem to not know anything about thew." I started to list potential charges while looking at Yoo Han-Seok. ¡°Eun-Ah is not the only person living here. This is a shared space for three other people. You entered a space leased by thepany without permission, used violence, and caused fear byingte at night. You also damaged a cherry blossom tree pot treasured by the Cherry Blossom members. Therefore, the mental distress is immeasurable.¡± After my relentless probing, Yoo Han-Seok appeared to have lost his resolve. The legalndscape can be intricate, with numerous issues that may surface under scrutiny. Moreover, there were security cameras outside and near the entrance of Cherry Blossom''s dorm. Thanks to the cameras, everything Yoo Han-Seok did in the living room would have been recorded already. "So please contact me about this issue rather than visiting here from now on." Yoo Han-Seok snatched my business card. "Damn it. You¡¯re a mere talent agent..." ¡®A mere talent agent, he says. Well, he¡¯s not incorrect.¡¯ But I felt no shame in my profession. Being able to elevate someone and provide protection made me proud rather than embarrassed about my job. In the end, Yoo Han-Seok finally stormed out after I warned him that I would call the police if he didn¡¯t leave within 30 seconds. However, he did not leave without threatening Eun-Ah that he wouldn''t let her be if she didn''te home immediately. *** Just like that, the storm had passed. Woo Yeon-Hee and Yang Eun-Bi hurriedly tidied up the messy living room. Meanwhile, I checked the injury on Eun-Ah''s arm. it didn''t seem like she was hurt anywhere else apart from the area her father had grabbed. Eun-Ah just stared nkly at me without any sign of difort even as I held her arm. "Oh, I¡¯m sorry." ¡°...¡± She remained silent, still not taking her eyes off me even after I let go of her arm. "You might get a bruise, so we should get you an ice pack. And let''s go to the hospital together when Mr. Han arrives." "Okay..." Eun-Ah nodded while still staring intently at me. "Just a moment. I''ll go get an ice pack." I went to the fridge to start making a temporary ice pack. I filled a stic bag with ice, wrapped it in a handkerchief, and ced it on the area where Eun-Ah''s arm had been grabbed. Eun-Ah flinched and squinted her eyes. "Does it hurt a lot?" "A little but... but it''s okay." "Don''t worry too much. It doesn''t look like any bones are broken, but we''ll still get you a proper check." Eun-Ah''s face turned red and Sae-Ri, who had just finished cleaning up, burst out in admiration. "Yoon-Ho oppa, you were amazing! It was so cool when you grabbed his hand tightly like grippp! And he was like ahhhhh and ran away screaming! ¡®Calm down, Sae-Ri. I can hardly understand what you''re saying.¡¯ But looking at Woo Yeon-Hee and Yang Eun-Bi nodding, they seemed to understand Sae-Ri¡¯s excitement. It was as if living together as a family made them telepathic. "Your father can''t forcefully take you away unless ourpany terminates the contract which will never happen. So don''t worry too much, Eun-Ah." "Okay..." "I promise you that as your talent agent. Even if Mr. Kang orders you to leave, I will stop it no matter what. Okay?" Dealing with celebrities'' families was often the hardest part of a talent agent¡¯s job. When it was time to renegotiate contracts, dealing with their families'' unreasonable demands was amon urrence. These families expected to receive gifts during the holidays and it almost became a custom for talent agents to pander to them, simr to how army generals and their family were treated like aristocrats. But I had no intention of indulging in such practices. If a celebrity expected special treatment for their family, I''d rather not work with them. At that moment, tears welled up in Eun-Ah¡¯s big eyes. Tears started to flow down her pale cheeks drop by drop. "Sob sob." As Eun-Ah burst into tears, the dorm slowly turned into a sea of tears with the rest of Cherry Blossom members crying as well. Woo Yeon-Hee, who wasforting Eun-Ah, began sobbing. "It''s okay, Eun-Ah. We''re here for you. Sob." Yang Eun-Bi, insisting there was no reason to cry, also cried. "Sob sob. Why are you crying? Sob. There''s no reason to cry." "Waaah!" And Sae-Ri just cried out loud at the top of her lungs. I wanted to console them, but I didn''t know who to start with. After receiving my report, Lee Dong-Min was on his way from thepany, Han Myung-Ho from Gimpo, and Lee Ju-Yung from Ilsan. But right now, I was the only one there who could console them. Having finally stopped crying after a while, Eun-Ah looked at me and lowered her head. "Oppa... thank you so much." "There''s no need to thank me. It''s just part of my job as a talent agent." Everyone seemed to have calmed down as they wiped away their tears and started to attend to their tasks. Woo Yeon-Hee came from the kitchen with a cup of warm milk for me. "I never dreamed that you could make Eun-Ah''s dad back down with just words. You were like awyer." ¡®Well, that''s a bit much.¡¯ Sae-Ri also kept giving me both thumbs up. "You were amazing, Yoon-Ho oppa. You¡¯re the best!" To be honest, I felt a bit embarrassed at this point. Their direct expressions of appreciation were somewhat overwhelming. I cleared my throat and began to exin what was going to happen next. "Everyone, please pay attention." Chapter 92: First Broadcast

Chapter 92: First Broadcast

"Eun-Ah will soon reach adulthood and her father won¡¯t be able to interfere with her matters then. Until then, please stay by her side and protect her." As I exined how to deal with Eun-Ah''s father, everyone listened attentively. "Okay, oppa!" the members of Cherry Blossom answered in unison. Nevertheless, Eun-Ah appeared disheartened and held herself responsible for unlocking the door, believing she could persuade her father, who had been forcefully banging on it. "I''m sorry. It''s all my fault." "No, don¡¯t say that, Eun-Ah unnie." "That¡¯s not true, Eun-Ah. Anyone would have opened the door in that situation." Yang Eun-Bi and Sae-Ri took turns consoling her. I also reassured her and said it was nobody''s fault, especially since it was her father. During this whole time, Woo Yeon-Hee repeatedly mulled over my words in an attempt to store them in her memory. She had a look of determination on her face as she believed she had to protect Eun-Ah since she was the eldest in the group. Seeing the strong bond between the four made me want to protect these girls no matter what happened. Most girl groups were known for being at each other''s throats rather than being close¡ªalthough they might get along at the beginning of their career, they would soon begin taking out their stress on each other. But the Cherry Blossom girls seemed to have be even closer after this incident. I couldn¡¯t help but smile at the scene before me¡ªa scene that I had longed to see since I traveled back to the past. *** Everyone who was involved in managing Cherry Blossom¡ªLee Dong-Min, Han Myung-Ho, and Lee Ju-Yung¡ªall gathered at Cherry Blossom¡¯s dorm. "You did well, Yoon-Ho. You handled this situation perfectly." Han Myung-Ho clicked his tongue and admitted that he wouldn''t have been able to act so assertively like me if he had been there. "I''m sorry. I shouldn''t have been away today of all days..." said Lee Ju-Yung as she let out a regretful sigh. However, Lee Dong-Min simply shook his head and responded, "It''s okay. It was an unexpected incident and it''s all over now. There¡¯s no need to feel sorry." "Thank you, sir." Lee Ju-Yung didn''t receive much me since the reason she was absent was that she had been out on official business. Lee Dong-Min smiled at the Cherry Blossom members who were seated on the sofa. "You all must have been quite startled, huh?" "Yes!" ¡®Typical Sae-Ri.¡¯ While everyone else forced a smile and said they were okay, Sae-Ri honestly shouted out how scared she was. Lee Dong-Min turned to Eun-Ah and said, "Especially you, Eun-Ah. It''s not your fault, so keep your chin up." "Yes, sir." "You all should know this already, but ourpany is very meticulous with contracts, even more so than other majorpanies. We have a great legal division to take care of the problem, so don''t worry too much." Eun-Ah nodded silently. Having shared my n with Lee Dong-Min, the conversation didn''t drag on. Nheless, there was no such thing as a foolproof contract and there was always the possibility of finding loopholes. Hence, my initial strategy was simple: push Yoo Han-Seok away for now and buy as much time as we could. Once Eun-Ah reached adulthood in a month, we could renew her contract and make it impossible for her father to interfere. Despite my strategy, the schedule in my nner remained unchanged. [Everyday V10] [May 11th, 2020] -01:00 PM Training session for Handling Family Members of Affiliated Entertainers (basement level 2 theater.) The fact that this event hadn''t been canceled yet indicated that Yoo Han-Seok probably hadn''t given up on his ns. There was one month until Eun-Ah became an adult. Depending on how you look at it, it was either a long or short period of time. *** With the date of the first broadcast of Blue Sky approaching, an unprecedented tension began to ripple through the set. The rival drama, Moonlight Starpour, had amassed a dedicated fan base,prising enthusiasts of the original work and fans of the male lead, Han Soo-Ho. They were actively dominating thement sections of articles. (Comments) -Congrattions to the drama debut of the beloved writer Choi Sung-Eun! -The male lead of Moonlight Starpour is named Soo-Ho. It must be fate that my favorite, Han Soo-Ho, is ying Soo-Ho. -Blue Sky is thepeting drama? Who''s the lead in that one? -Lol, let''s not worry about that and just support our Soo-Ho. Fans of the rival drama began to form viewing squads and dominated the online battle. Just when it seemed like they might take the lead, Yoo-Jin''s fan club started to fight back and it led to a fiercepetition between the two fan bases. The two dramas vying for the top spot in live search rankings caused a stir on set and tensions were high. Everyone had initially looked down on Moonlight Starpour because of thebination of a novelist with no drama experience and a rookie PD. However, the atmosphere changedpletely when they released a well-made trailer. "It turned out better than expected, didn''t it? The visuals are stunning..." "Was it PD Kim Sung-Woon who was in charge? I thought there¡¯d be nopetition against a rookie director, but this is something else..." Everyone on set was visibly tense. Fortunately, the veteran actress Lee Sa-Rang kept everyone grounded. "We''ll see the result after the first episode airs. Worrying now won''t change anything, so let''s just focus on our work. Why is everyone acting like newbies?" Thement made by the actress with 40 years of experience calmed the atmosphere on set. Despite facing the debut work of the famous PD Kim Sung-Woon, I trusted writer Kim Soll-Ip''s script and Yoo-Jin¡ªand the future I knew of. "Let''s give it all we¡¯ve got today, Yoo-Jin." "Okay, oppa." Yoo-Jin remained unshaken by her surroundings and focused on her acting. She truly was an amazing actress. *** At 9:50 PM on April 1st, I waited in the meeting room with the staff of Actor Division 2 for the first episode of Blue Sky to air. "When does it start?" The impatient Gu Seong-Cheol got up and paced around anxiously. Eventually, he approached me. "Yoon-Ho, how''s the atmosphere on set these days?" In my previous life, Blue Sky started with a 7.5% viewership rating. But the situation waspletely different now with Lee Ji-Yeon''s In the Name of God canceled and reced by the strongpetitor Moonlight Starpour. Still, I was confident. "The atmosphere on set is good. The actors are all confident as well." Gu Seong-Cheol nodded then asked, "But I heard the original novel of Moonlight Starpour is very famous. Have you read it?" "I have. It''s well-written. It''s a romance targeting women readers, but it''s still enjoyable for male readers too. Honestly, it was a good read." Gu Seong-Cheol tilted his head and gave me an incredulous look. "Really? But you seem very chill about this." "Well, that''s because I trust Ms. Soll-Ip¡¯s script and Yoo-Jin." Gu Seong-Cheol scratched his head and let out a sigh. "Ah, if only things could go as you say. Let''s cross our fingers and hope for the best." With Yoo-Jin being the top prospect of Actor Division 2, everyone was anxious to see the result. "It''s starting!" The moment the opening song of Blue Sky began to y, everyone in the Actor Division 2 conference room focused intently on the TV. *** In the SBC¡¯s main control room, the technical and programming teams were busily bustling around. "Double-check everything for broadcast issues." "Yes, sir. Everything looks good." "Alright. Everyone, please stand by. We''ll start the broadcast right after themercial break. Check the lists again!" The staff of the control team were too busy and in a state of frenzy to notice the gazes of Drama Department Head Lee Ki-Do, CP Jung Sam-Ryong, and PD Kang Soo-Hoon sitting behind them. Lee Ki-Do nudged Jung Sam-Ryong sitting beside him. "How do you think the ratings will be tonight?" "Well, the team worked hard on-site. The quality is excellent." Lee Ki-Do frowned. ¡°I¡¯m not talking about our drama. I¡¯m talking about Moonlight Starpour.¡± "Oh. I mean, the original work is famous...but isn''t Choi Seong-Eun a rookie writer?" "But everyone has been saying the trailer looked good. Do you think we can handle that?" Jung Sam-Ryong frowned and looked bothered by the hasty concerns andments right before the first broadcast of his drama. That''s when SBC¡¯s President Kim Gab-Soo walked in, causing all staff to stand up immediately. Kim Gab-Soo lightly reprimanded Lee Ki-Do for hisments. "Ha ha ha, Director Lee. Why are you losing hope before the first broadcast of the drama? Let¡¯s stay positive." Lee Ki-Do quickly bowed. "Wee, Mr. Kim." "Ah, there¡¯s no need for formality. Everyone, please sit down. Technical team, don¡¯t mind me and carry on with your work." With less than a minute left until the drama broadcast, Kim Gab-Soo tried to ease the tension. "Let''s rx and enjoy the broadcast. It''ll go well." Chairs were quickly set at the back of the control room and some junior staff discreetly left due to the ufortable atmosphere. As soon as themercial ended, the team lead of the control team immediately signaled the start of the drama. The intro of Blue Sky began with cheerful music and images evoking the 1980s. Kim Gab-Soo and the executives smiled nostalgically. "I was such a rascal back then..." "Haha, I caused a lot of trouble for my parents too." "Haha, did you?" The executives, who were mostly in their 50s, exchanged childhood stories from elementary school. Everyone seemed pleased with the drama''s smooth start and were especially impressed by the surprisingly excellent performance of the child actors. "The child actors are doing better than expected, aren¡¯t they? I was worried because they were mostly rookies." "They really are. They all seem like they¡¯ll be great actors in the future." However, the staff monitoring the live time ratings looked worried, and as soon as the executives saw their expressions, they slowly fell silent. After a long hesitation, Lee Ki-Do asked, "What''s the rating?" "Um, well..." "What is it?" When urged by Lee Ki-Do, staff of the control team, Kang Woo-Sung, hesitantly spoke with a trembling voice. "We started at 1.5%. And now it''s at 2.2% after 5 minutes." "What? 1.5% start? And only 2.2% now?" The atmosphere in the control room became tense. Even though the drama started with child actors, this was still a disappointing start for Blue Sky, especially given the high expectations. Everyone had hoped for a 5% start and maybe 8% by now. Kim Gab-Soo lost his smile and a silence enveloped the room. After 20 minutes, Kang Woo-Sung spoke up, "We''ve risen to 3.7%." It was an improvement, but very far from satisfactory. Lee Ki-Do closed his eyes tightly and asked, "What about Moonlight Starpour?" Kang Woo-Sung looked around the surroundings with dry lips and hesitated to answer. "Come on, what is it?" "M-Moonlight Starpour is at 9.2% per minute." The unexpected revtion of Blue Skygging significantly behind Moonlight Starpour in ratings caused a chain of coughs among Kim Gab-Soo and the other executives. "Ahem." "Cough." After a moment, Kim Gab-Soo stood up and tried to ease the tension with an awkward expression. "Let''s not get too nervous just yet, everyone. This is just the start, after all. I have some work to attend to so I¡¯ll get going now. And CP Jung." "Yes, sir." "Report the final ratings to me directly after the broadcast." As Kim Gab-Soo left the control room, Lee Ki-Do began to show his frustration out of anger. "What''s going on!? We poured so much money into this but why are we falling behind!? Speak up if you have a mouth!" Jung Sam-Ryong had no rebuttal to Lee Ki-Do''s outburst as arguing with an irate superior would only be like adding fuel to the me. And after an hour, the final viewership ratings for the first episode of Blue Sky came in. Jung Sam-Ryong received the results and let out a long sigh. "Sigh... This is... unexpected." It was just the first episode, but the results were nothing like anyone had anticipated. Chapter 93: Aftermath (1)

Chapter 93: Aftermath (1)

[Moonlight Starpour is off to a great start with an average viewership rating of 13.3% ording to TNK!] [Bold exposure! Fiery action! Moonlight Starpour transforms historical dramas! A historic start, signaling the onset of a new Korean Wave!] [Blue Sky underperforms with a 5.9% viewership rating ording to TNK.] [In the first round of the drama war, Blue Sky faces aplete defeat!] [Box-office guarantee Ju Yung-In. Is this how she falls?] Ju Yung-In frowned after reading the articles. "Only 5.9%? What? Is this for real?" Kang Myung-Gil, who had arrived early in the morning, tried to console her. "It''smon knowledge that viewership ratings are low when child actors are featured in the first few episodes. You only appeared in thest ten minutes, so don''t worry about these articles. The real battle starts from episode 2." "But their viewership ratings are over 13% which is double ours! How can you stay so calm when we¡¯ve been miserably defeated!" But Kang Myung-Gil seemed utterly indifferent to her annoyance as he already knew Ju Yung-In was moving to Ace Entertainment soon. He was only here because of the president''s special instruction to take care of her until herst day at Hoop Entertainment. Otherwise, he wouldn''t havee at all. "Read me some other articles too. It''s too annoying to read them directly." "Well, maybe it''s better to just ignore them if you¡¯re that annoyed..." "Hurry up!" Kang Myung-Gil started to read the top ten entertainment news headlines andments. "The original work is highly rmended as well. Moonlight Starpour never disappoints. Han Soo-Ho''s physique is incredible..." Ju Yung-In scowled at thements praising the rival drama. "Who asked you to read only the news rted to Moonlight Starpour? Stop there and read about ours." Kang Myung-Gil sighed and began reading articles andments about Blue Sky. "Blue Skycks excitement. It¡¯s like healthy food without MSG." "Keep going." "Ju Yung-In perfectly pulls off a rustic outfit..." "It''s set 20 years ago, so it''s supposed to be old-fashioned! Don¡¯t they get it!?" "Yes, yes, of course. You¡¯re right." "Ugh, this is so annoying. Why did I even join this drama?" Ju Yung-In¡¯s stress already started skyrocketing after just one episode. Until now, she had never been wrong about her instincts. Hence, she went with her guts again and went forward with this drama simply because it was chosen by the lucky talent agent, Jung Yoon-Ho. But now, she was shaken by doubts and worried she had relied too much on her instincts. ''I need to finalize the contract with Ace Entertainment as soon as possible. The viewership ratings could get even worse.'' The thought of experiencing failure for the first time sent a cold sweat down Ju Yung-In¡¯s back. "Mr. Kang." "Yes?" "I''ll go to today''s schedule alone." "Alone?" "Yes. So you can go back to the office now." Kang Myung-Gil was puzzled by Ju Yung-In sending him back as soon as he arrived, but agreed and left. He was used to Ju Yung-In¡¯s selfish and whimsical behavior anyway. "Alright then. I¡¯m really leaving, okay?" "Please do." As soon as Kang Myung-Gil left, Ju Yung-In called Kang Gam-Chan and dered her immediate move to Ace Entertainment. Kang Gam-Chan reluctantly agreed. -Alright. I did agree to amodate your needs, after all. That afternoon, Ju Yung-In stamped the contract with Ace Entertainment. *** The atmosphere on the set was gloomy. Even though only the first episode has been aired, Blue Sky had a low viewership rating of 5.9%pared to itspetitor, which had double the ratings. To make matters worse, Moonlight Starpour was dominating the live search rankings on social media. [Live Search Rankings] 1st Moonlight Starpour 2nd Moonlight Starpour Lead Actress Go Eun-Yung 3rd Moonlight Starpour Lead Actor Han Soo-Ho 4th Moonlight Starpour Original Novel ...... 10th Blue Sky Ju Yung-In The articles were full ofments like ''will watch Moonlight Starpour till thest episode,'' ''Han Soo-Ho''s abs drenched in water is breathtaking,'' and so on. The mood on the set was so low that today¡¯s shoot eventually ended early at 9:30. While driving back to Seoul, Yoo-Jin btedly checked the news articles. "Oppa, is this some scam of some sort?" "Of course it''s a scam. No one thought Han Soo-Ho would be taking off his shirt from the first episode." Moonlight Starpour was a story about a modern-day man ''Myung-Wol'' who travels back hundreds of years on the day of a lunar eclipse and meets the princess ''Eun-Wol'' of the royal family. The power of the original work with million views was undeniable, but what truly contributed to the huge gap between the viewership ratings of Blue Sky and Moonlight Starpour was the scene where the top celebrity, Han Soo-Ho, took off his top. It was a well-known fact that drama viewership ratings spiked when there were scenes with actors and actresses taking off their clothes. ¡®How are we supposed to beat them when Han Soo-Ho showed off his abs while doing action scenes right from the first episode?¡¯ On top of that, the battle scenes were as good as those in the American series Spartacus. ¡®Well, that''s PD Kim Sung-Woon for you.¡¯ In my past life, Moonlight Starpour was a drama with a lyrical atmosphere. But the moodpletely flipped after Kim Sung-Woon took over. The first episode reced tears with action. And thanks to the popr actor''s shirtless scene, the viewership ratings soared. All of this was possible because Kim Sung-Woon knew better than anyone how to increase viewership ratings. Yoo-Jin made a worried expression and asked again, "But will we really be okay with such a big gap in the viewership ratings?" After signaling left to changenes, I responded to her concern. "You''ll have much more screen time starting from today''s second episode, so the viewership ratings will definitely jump. Trust me~.¡± Yoo-Jin burst intoughter. "Ah, oppa. Where''s this unfounded confidenceing from?" "You didn''t appear in the first episode, so the low viewership ratings have nothing to do with you." Yoo-Jin was scheduled to appear starting from the second episode that would be broadcast today¡ªtherefore she was not responsible for yesterday''s low viewership ratings. "But still... It''s a bit disheartening to see such a huge gap from the first episode." "Ju Yung-In must be feeling much worse. She appeared in thetter half of the first episode but look how the viewership ratings turned out." That''s when Kim Soll-Ip¡¯s call came in. -Mr. Jung. Can youe now? I had no idea what was going on but agreed without hesitation. After all, it was an unwritten rule to respond immediately to the writer''s call. *** It was 10 PM on April 2nd¡ªthe time for Blue Sky and Moonlight Starpour to sh for the second time. In the SBC master control room, not even the drama department director¡ªlet alone executives¡ªshowed up, unlike yesterday. "The president won''te today, right?" "What kind of question even is that? Do you think they''lle after what happened yesterday?" One of the staff scratched his head at the team lead¡¯s scolding. But just then, the door opened and Jung Sam-Ryong walked in. "Huh? Mr. Jung? Aren¡¯t you supposed to be on set right now?" "No. Everyone will get too tense if I go to the set. e on, everyone. Drink this and cheer up. It''s just the beginning. Why such long faces?" Everyone was disheartened due to the great start of MBS''s Moonlight Starpour airing at the same time as Blue Sky. The situation worsened even more after Lee Ki-Do threw a fit yesterday. The master control room staff, scratching their heads, took the drinks and asked, "Didn''t Mr. Kange with you, sir?" Jung Sam-Ryongughed at the team lead¡¯s question. "He won''te near the control room for a while. He said he''d put his life on the line at the set." "Please tell him to cheer up. It¡¯s not his fault. It¡¯s just that thepetition is too strong. We can only handle the broadcasting, so there''s not much else we can do..." "Ha ha, what are you talking about? Everyone knows that nothing would work without you guys. If you''re going to talk such nonsense after drinking this energy drink, give it back to me!" Jung Sam-Ryong joked that each drink he bought cost 50,000 won. Thanks to him, the mood of the control room lightened up a bit. "Alright, everyone. Let''s cheer up as Mr. Jung said!" "Yes, sir." Then, it was time for the second episode. "Standby. Moving on from the ads~ and...starting now." The drama began after the lively Burger Queen ad. After five minutes, the staff checked the viewership ratings nervously. "How''s the minute-by-minute viewership rating going?" asked Park Sang-Geun, the team lead of the technical team. "Blue Sky is at 4.2% and Moonlight Starpour is at 10.5%," Kang Woo-Sung answered. "We are doing better than yesterday, but they are still two times ahead of us." The flicker of hope was extinguished. Sighs were heard from everywhere in the control room and spections began about how much more the gap between the viewership ratings of the two dramas would widen today. But Jung Sam-Ryong noticed something. "Wait. Did you say Moonlight Starpour''s rating is 10.5%?" "I¡¯m sorry? Oh, yes. Yes, sir." "Sorry to bother you, but can you tell me the minute-by-minute viewership ratings of both dramas every 5 minutes from now on?" "Pardon?" Though it was a hassle, no one could refuse a request from Jung Sam-Ryong. After all, he was the most likely candidate for the next director and was even aiming for an executive position. Five minutester, an unexpected report came in. "Blue Sky is at 5.1% and Moonlight Starpour is at 10.4%." "What? Why is Moonlight Starpour¡¯s viewership ratings dropping?" The control room¡¯s staff looked surprised. The news of Blue Sky rising by 0.9% was overshadowed by Moonlight Starpour dropping by 0.1%. Jung Sam-Ryong shed a smile as if he realized something important. "Just wait and see. Things are going to be interesting today." "Mr. Jung, don''t just smile and tell us what you''re thinking." Jung Sam-Ryong shook his head at the team lead. "Let''s talk after the resultse out." Ten minutes had passed. "Blue Sky surged to 7.6%! Moonlight Starpour is at 11.8%. The gap is narrowing!!" The control room became busy as the viewership ratings soared. "Really? Are you sure it''s not a mistake?" "No, I checked two, three times. Look." Kang Woo-Sung pointed at the graph showing the minute-by-minute viewership ratings which showed a sudden spike. "Oh my goodness...he¡¯s right." Another ten minutester, every staff member''s jaw dropped. "Blue Sky is at 8.5% and Moonlight Starpour is at 12.1%? What''s going on..." At that moment, Jung Sam-Ryong burst into a bright smile. "Ha ha! I told you so, didn¡¯t I? Let''s keep watching." The rising trend of Blue Sky¡¯s viewership ratings didn''t stop there. With ten minutes left before the end of the drama, Jung Sam-Ryong only regretted that the third episode was scheduled for next week. Right after the drama ended, Jung Sam-Ryong quickly picked up the inte. "Yes, Mr. Kim. The viewership ratings have just been finalized!" Kim Gab-Soo''s burst into a loudughter upon hearing the final ratings. -It seems I chose the wrong day to visit, eh? Hahaha. *** After receiving the call from Kim Soll-Ip, I turned the car around and headed to her apartment. I arrived at 11 p.m. due to busy traffic. Ding dong! The door of Kim Soll-Ip''s officetel[1] opened upon ringing the bell. She had her hair up with a chopstick and was wearing a tracksuit stained with ramen soup. Her attire suggested she hadn''t left her house for days. She greeted us and led us inside. "Come on in." Kim Soll-Ip started to clear off the sofa. "It''s okay, Ms. Kim. We can just sit on the floor." ¡°Yes, there¡¯s a cushion here anyway.¡± Kim Soll-Ip scratched her head as she cleaned the piles of printed manuscripts scattered everywhere on the sofa. "A-are you sure?" Kim Soll-Ip let out a sigh and leaned back in a floor chair. "Sorry for calling you sote." "Don¡¯t worry about it, Ms. Kim." Kim Soll-Ip was half out of her mind due to the huge gap in the viewership ratings. "I just didn¡¯t want to be alone after seeing the viewership ratings for the first episode. But now that I''ve called you over, I feel like I shouldn¡¯t have. Ah, the more I talk, the more sorry I feel." It was unusual to see the normally confident Kim Soll-Ip so flustered. Yoo-Jin held her hand and made eye contact. "Don¡¯t say that, Ms. Kim. We are ready toe whenever you call." Kim Soll-Ip let out a long sigh as if surprised by her own behavior. "Wait. Ah, what have I done? Miss Yoo-Jin, I apologize. Miso must be waiting at home...Ugh, now that I think about it, I''m really crazy. You two should go. I''ll give you cab fare." ¡®What cab fare? I have a car.¡¯ Kim Soll-Ip started rummaging through her wallet in a disorganized manner. The anxiety of writers often manifested in strange ways. But Kim Soll-Ip was on the better side since at least she was expressing her apologies. "Ms. Kim, Miso goes to bed at 10 p.m. I already received a call that she''s asleep, so don''t worry too much." Kim Soll-Ip frantically looked for her phone. "Is that so? That''s a relief. Then, would you like something to eat? Oh, but I can''t seem to find my phone." Just as I was about to offer to order something, the door opened automatically with a ringing sound. "Soll-Ip, what are you doing? Oh? Yoo-Jin? Yoon-Ho? You two are here too?" Lee Ji-Yeon appeared carrying something in both hands. In one hand was a bagbeled ¡®3-second grilled pork belly¡¯ and in the other was threerge cans of draft beer. "Good thing I bought extra." Kim Soll-Ip replied curtly at Lee Ji-Yeon''s words. "What are you doing here? Aren''t you busy?" "I came to check on you¡ªlooking at you, it seems like I made the right choice. Here, take these before my arms fall off." I rushed to take the pork belly and beer from Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s hands before Kim Soll-Ip could get up. "Yoon-Ho, how long have you been here watching her madness?" Kim Soll-Ip got angry at the mention of ''madness,'' denying any such behavior. "We just got here as well." Lee Ji-Yeon took off her shoes and asked as she walked into the living room. "Just now? Then did you hear about the viewership ratings for the second episode?" "No, we haven''t even checked the social media reactions yet." "Is that so?" Lee Ji-Yeon smiled slyly and spoke, "The viewership ratings for the second episode of Blue Sky were..." 1. officetel is a multi-purpose building with residential andmercial units ? Chapter 94: Aftermath (2)

Chapter 94: Aftermath (2)

"The second episode''s viewership ratings were 9.5%. Not a bad start for the first week, huh?" "Did you say 9.5%?" "Yes¡ªit''s the preliminary figure. The exact numbers will be out tomorrow, but that''s what they say. Anyway, congrattions." Kim Soll-Ip asked with a sparkle in her eyes, "What about Moonlight Starpour?" "Why do you ask? Are you worried?" "Of course I am!" Only then did Lee Ji-Yeon finally smile, saying Kim Soll-Ip was beginning to look like a professional writer. "The final viewership ratings were 15.7%. It dropped to 10.4% in the middle of the episode before climbing back up. You''ve certainly encountered a formidable opponent right from your debut." There was a 6.2% difference in the final score, but it was still quite amendable performance. "Ah, seriously. Why did I have to go up against such an opponent!?" Lee Ji-Yeon found the situation amusing and teased Kim Soll-Ip. "Soll-Ip, you''re not all that different now that you''veunched your work, huh?" "What do you mean?" "Remember how you teased me for being hysterical? I remember it very well." "Oh,e on. When did I ever tease you!" Lee Ji-Yeon shifted her gaze toward us. "You see? That''s exactly what a writer''s hysteria looks like." I nearly burst outughing at Lee Ji-Yeon''s yful remark because I knew Lee Ji-Yeon''s hysterical behavior was several times more intense than that of Kim Soll-Ip. "You can do whatever you want but just make sure to keep your phone on. CP Jung was in a frenzy because you weren''t answering your phone. Can you imagine how frustrated he must have been such that he sent me all the way here?" "Oh? My bad! I forgot to charge my phone." Kim Soll-Ip managed to recall where she had left her phone and plugged the charger in. Yoo-Jin also let out a long sigh of relief after hearing that the viewership ratings had gone up. I, too, felt slightly relieved, especially since Kim Sung-Woon had used such a wild tactic in the first episode. "Alright, everyone. Let''s eat first. You look like you haven''t had a single meal, Soll-Ip." As Lee Ji-Yeon spoke, I turned to look at the dining table. The table was covered in dust as if she hadn¡¯t used it in a long time ever since she started to revise the script. Weid down some flyers on the table as cemats and spread out the pork belly Lee Ji-Yeon had brought over. Having already eaten dinner, Lee Ji-Yeon only sipped the coffee I handed her and asked, "But isn''t everyone curious about why the viewership ratings gap narrowed all of a sudden?" Kim Soll-Ip, who was stuffing her face with three pieces of pork belly wrapped in lettuce, nodded vigorously. "Yes, I''m really curious. So please tell me." Lee Ji-Yeon urged Kim Soll-Ip to eat slowly lest she choked and pointed at Yoo-Jin. "Um...me?" "Yes, you, Yoo-Jin." Lee Ji-Yeon began to recount the story she heard from Jung Sam-Ryong. *** In Actor Division 2¡¯s morning meeting on April 3rd, the atmosphere hadpletely changed from the day before, especially with articles mentioning Yoo-Jin being posted in real-time. The mood was lightening as the meeting progressed and every staff member, including Gu Seong-Cheol, seemed excited. "Wow. Look at these articles. Read it." "Things are going great, Mr. Gu." [Blue Sky Episode 2 viewership ratings were 9.5%, Moonlight Starpour Episode 2 viewership ratings were 15.7%] [Blue Sky and Moonlight Starpour in a fierce viewership ratings battle. What will next week''s viewership ratings be?] [The drama war between the twopanies gets heated right from the start.] [Blue Sky''s Twilight, featuring griddle action and fiery scenes!] Every time Yoo-Jin changed the griddles for the customers at the barbecue restaurant, her technique of swirling the griddles behind her head sparked unexpected interest from the viewers. People likened her skills to that of a barbecue master with 30 years of experience, or even to a level of unique craftsmanship. Kim Soll-Ip had incorporated that scene after seeing Yoo-Jin dominate the barbecue restaurant while drunk on the day of thepany dinner, which unexpectedly resulted in a huge hit. Blue Sky, Yoo-Jin. A sensational debut! (Griddle-changing dance.GIF) (Comments) -Twilight''s way of speaking is so funny. It''s cheesy but cute. -She looks great in school uniform. -But the griddle-changing dance in a school uniform is a bit much. -LOL. Another hit following the Burger Queen ad. -The realism is amazing. It¡¯s probably because she has experience working part-time at a barbecue restaurant. Gu Seong-Cheol''s face was beaming with a bright smile. "Oh, by the way. Yoon-Ho met with Ms. Kimst night and she hinted at giving Yoo-Jin more scenes." "Oh, really?" Everyone''s gaze turned to me. "Yes. Ms. Kim also said that she¡¯s gained a lot of confidence thanks to Yoo-Jin. Since Yoo-Jin has been driving the viewership ratings, she¡¯s looking to expand her role." While it would require discussion with the director, the writer''smitment to granting Yoo-Jin more scenes made it highly likely to happen. Gu Seong-Cheol casually mentioned, "It''s a bit early to say, but don''t you think Yoo-Jin might win an award this year if things keep going this way?" "I believe so. If this drama does well, we can certainly hope for a rookie award." In my past life, Jung Eun-Jin from The Three Blossom Brothers, which would start airing in June this year, had won the rookie award. To surpass The Three Blossom Brothers with a 21% viewership rating, we needed to achieve even higher ratings no matter what. But I was confident that Blue Sky could do it¡ªespecially since the Episode 2 viewership rating had already surpassed its original viewership ratings of 8.9% in my past life. At that moment, the conference room door burst open and Sung Min-Suk walked in with an excited expression. "What''s up, Team Lead Sung? Did we get an advertisement offer or something?" Sung Min-Suk downed a cup of water as soon as he sat down and then shared the reason for his excitement. "It''s not an advertisement offer but something better. We''ve received casting offers thanks to yesterday''s broadcast. Not just from SBC''s Variety Department but also from MBS and KBC." "What?" "SBC wants to schedule appearances on Corner Restaurant and Running Friends, MBS on Real Hero Returns, and KBC on Omniscient Observer''s Viewpoint." These were all gship variety shows from each broadcaster. "Isn''t this too fast when just two episodes have aired so far? What''s going on?" Murmur. The room buzzed with confusion as staff whispered among themselves, trying to understand the situation. "The variety departments are apparently in a rush these days because there are no notable rookiestely. They''ve approached not just us but also the team from Moonlight Starpour." Suddenly, I could see what the PDs from the broadcasting stations were nning. They probably wanted to cast Ju Yung-In and Yoo-Jin from our side and Han Soo-Ho and Go Eun-Yung from the other to create a rivalry. "What do you think, Assistant Manager Jung? What do you think we should do?" Everyone¡¯s eyes turned toward me as Iid out my thoughts. At that moment, everyone looked dumbfounded. *** As soon as the meeting ended, I picked Yoo-Jin up and headed to the filming site of Blue Sky. Yoo-Jin was surprised to hear about the discussions from today''s meeting. "Wow~ I don''t have to go on variety shows?" "Nope. We''ve decided to stick to only advertisements and dramas for this year." Yoo-Jin looked puzzled as if she couldn¡¯t understand my intention. "But you said we have to do everything we can to get noticed. That''s why I did the Burger Queen ad." "That''s right." "But why?" "I''m not satisfied with the appearance fee." Yoo-Jin made an incredulous face. "Seriously? That¡¯s the reason? How much is the fee?" "200 thousand won." "Really? That''s way~ too low." "And that''s from other broadcasters. SBC even asked for a free appearance as a favor." Yoo-Jin¡¯s jaw dropped as she was shocked by how low the variety show appearance fees were. Celebrities could ask for a higher appearance fee if they were appearing as the host of the show. But when they appeared in the variety show to promote their new drama, the broadcasters often offered a ridiculously low fee as if they were already being generous. I declined all the offers because with Blue Sky''s viewership ratings, they''d eventually offer ten times more to have her appear on their variety show. For actors, their appearance fee could sometimes reflect their pride and worth, and I had no intention of letting Yoo-Jin go for such a low fee. Yoo-Jin nodded with a serious expression. "So that''s why many sunbaes are rarely seen on TV unless it''s for movie promotions?" "Exactly. But just let me know if you do want to appear on variety shows. There are plenty of offers." "No, I''ll follow the schedule you¡¯ve set. You''re my talent agent, after all." ¡®She¡¯s willing to do whatever I ask? She¡¯s making me emotional again. This is the kind ofmitment that makes a talent agent want to carry their celebrity on their back in gratitude.¡¯ "All I ask is to avoidte-night schedules. Miso has beenining a lot because I get home toote these days. Her cheeks are always puffed-up like this." Yoo-Jin narrowed her eyes and mimicked Miso¡¯s puffed-up cheeks expression. I wanted to take a photo for Instargem but had to hold back myughter instead. *** Upon arriving at the Namyangju filming site, Yoo-Jin stretched and breathed in the crisp air. "Ah, this feels so refreshing!" The mood on set was noticeably high due to the increased viewership ratings from yesterday, and people were treating Yoo-Jin differently. Yoo-Jin visited the make-up crew to fix her makeup and costume checks before the shooting began. Wearing a school uniform and minimal makeup, Yoo-Jin smiled and asked. "How do I look?" "You look great. The makeup''s perfect." "Perfect. Then I''m off to shoot." "Good luck!" Yoo-Jin greeted the staff and started filming. As I was setting up the waiting chair, Cha Soo-Yeon approached with a big smile. "Mr. Jung~" She was looking at me with a warm and sweet gaze as she called me in a soft tone. "W-why are you looking at me like that?" "Haha. The atmosphere on set is so much better thanks to Miss Yoo-Jin. I got so many sponsorship calls this morning I almost wanted to kiss her." "You got sponsorship calls?" Cha Soo¨CYeon nodded vigorously. "As you know, most of our props are nearly 20 years old and hard toe by. But severalpanies offered to sponsor us after yesterday''s broadcast which really eased my worries." ¡®Boosting the viewership ratings, receiving sponsorships frompanies, and earning Cha Soo-Yeon¡¯s trust¡ªthis is like hitting three birds with one stone.¡¯ "Thanks to that, Mr. Kang also got a boost in confidence. Look over there." Cha Soo-Yeon pointed at Kang Soo-Hoon, who was energetically giving instructions to the cameramen and the director of photography. "Camera 3 on Miss Yoo-Jin''s left. Jib shot over Twilight. Make sure Twilight''s face is visible. And Camera 7, please get a bust shot. Director, please make sure the paths don''t cross." "Okay, Director Kang! You''re in high spirits today. Did something good happen at home or something?" "Didn''t you see the viewership ratings yesterday? We''ll catch up in no time if we keep this up." "Hahaha, that''s true. Alright, I''ll put in some extra effort as well so we can surpass them next week!" Although today''s filming was for thetter part of episode 13 and unrted to next week''s episode 3, they were increasing Yoo-Jin''s scenes in advance to make editing easierter. Ju Yung-In was supposed to take the lead, but Yoo-Jin was filling in admirably. That''s when Cha Soo-Yeon nced around and spoke in a lower voice. "Um, the president of ourpany was wondering if Miss Yoo-Jin has any work lined up yet for her next project... Is there anything decided yet?" ¡®A next project? Already? Blue Dragon must have a plethora of drama synopsis ready.¡¯ I briefly went through a list of dramas produced by Blue Dragon in my mind, but I quickly shook off the thought. After all, Yoo-Jin''s next project was already set. "Unfortunately, it¡¯s already decided." "Ah, I should have asked sooner. Well, whoever snagged her, they sure moved fast." It was hard to believe this was the same person who initially pushed for Park Jin-Hee over Yoo-Jin. Persistent, Cha Soo-Yeon continued probing with a disappointed expression. "But when is it scheduled for?" "July." "Have you signed the contract yet? If not, how about Writer Kim Eun-Yung''s next work Beauty in Every Direction? It''s about time Miss Yoo-Jin took on a lead role, don¡¯t you think?" Cha Soo-Yeon tried to tempt me with Beauty in Every Direction which boasted a 21.5% viewership rating. This time, it was an offer for a leading role. Chapter 95: Time to Make a Decision (1)

Chapter 95: Time to Make a Decision (1)

The drama Beauty in All Direction would have a viewership rating of 21.5%. It was a work by Writer Lee Sang-Ah, and the female lead, Park Soo-Yeon, would end up bagging the MBS Best Actress Award. Knowing the potential of this drama made me feel conflicted. After all, I was confident Yoo-Jin had the potential to stretch her acting skills and aim for more. But keeping promises with writers was crucial to staying in this industry. On top of that, I didn''t think Beauty in All Direction would fit Yoo-Jin''s filmography. I concealed my regret and turned Cha Soo-Yeon down. "I''m sorry, but we''re already in talks with Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon for our next project." "Woah, with Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Is it the one that got canceled recently?" "That¡¯s the one." Cha Soo-Yeon cleared her throat and stepped back slightly. "I guess we have to step back if the opponent is Ms. Lee. I''ll let the president know. But please do meet with us at least once before you finalize your next project. You know we have several top-tier writers, right?" "Yes, I know. And it doesn''t even have to be a top-tier writer as long as the script is good. An actor¡¯s sess is not always determined by the writer''s fame." Cha Soo-Yeon''s face rxed a bit. "You know what you¡¯re talking about. A drama''s sess may depend on the writer, but an actor''s rise and fall is a different story. Mr. Jung, I¡¯m only asking this out of curiosity, but are you really in your first year?" I smiled and replied, "I''m technically in my second year now since April 1st has passed." Cha Soo-Yeon burst intoughter saying that didn¡¯t make a difference. "Anyway, good luck with your future projects as well. Of course, focusing on this drama is the priority." Cha Soo-Yeon left with a slight smile on her face. The way productionpanies treated Yoo-Jin had changed drastically after just two episodes. All the hard work and running around was definitely paying off. But this was just the beginning for Blue Sky. *** Stamp! Kang Gam-Chan stamped the contract termination agreement sent by Ju Yung-In. "Send this to Ace Entertainment today." "Just like this? We could push for more conditions, sir," suggested Kwak Moo-Hyuk. However, Kang Gam-Chan shook his head. "Whether we like her decision or not, Yung-In is an actress who was discovered and nurtured by ourpany. Let''s send her off nicely without any fuss." "Yes, sir." "More important than that, what''s the status of Cherry Blossom Eun-Ah''s situation? "Eun-Ah''s father demanded a written confirmation through hiswyer. He wants to know Cherry Blossom''s expenses and he said he will only pay off a quarter of that amount." "So he''s going to take that route, huh? Team Lead Kwak, you know what to do, right? Follow Yoon-Ho''s n." "Yes, sir. Assistant Manager Jung has really thought this through. We n to dy our response until the end of the month.¡± Kang Gam-Chan chuckled. "Alright, you can go now. Director Kang, you can stay." Thump. Kang Gam-Chan let out a long sigh after the door closed. Now, Ju Yung-In had truly left Hoop Entertainment. "Tsk. I don¡¯t understand why Yung-In was in such a rush. If she had stayed with us until the viewership ratings climbed higher, she could have gotten 20% more than what she''s getting now." "What can we do? That was her own decision." Kang Gam-Chan had also heard about the shock Ju Yung-In received after the first episode aired. "At least she has a conscience, agreeing to share the profits from this drama with us." "But it''s hardly a significant amount." Ju Yung-In had made amends for terminating the contract a few months early in her own way, While it was a substantial amount, running into hundreds of millions, it paled inparison to Ju Yung-In''s worth. Kang Gam-Chan sighed as he looked out the window. But he soon made up his mind and gave an order. "Focus on supporting Yoo-Jin from now on." Kang Ji-Yung nodded at Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s instruction. "That was already the n. Oh, right. Are you attending the final interviews for the new employees next Monday?" When Kang Gam-Chan shook his head, a flicker of interest crossed Kang Ji-Yung''s eyes because Kang Gam-Chan had always personally checked on new trainees and employees. "Handle those matters at your discretion from now on." Kang Ji-Yung gathered the approval documents. "Understood. I''ll take care of it." But Kang Gam-Chan added one more thing that stopped Kang Ji-Yung in her tracks. "And hire the sharpest new employee to assist Yoon-Ho. He''s going to be very busy moving forward." Kang Ji-Yung was taken aback. "You''re not already considering training Assistant Manager Jung for a team lead position, are you?" Kang Gam-Chan grinned. "That''s the n." "You''re joking, right?" "Of course not. I''m serious." Kang Ji-Yung expressed her concern. "I know he is capable, but he''s only been an assistant manager for a short time. There''s going to be significant pushback from other staff." But Kang Gam-Chan simply waved her off. "Let''s see how Yoon-Ho manages his staff first. If there''s no issue this time, we might give him bigger responsibilities. We''ll handle any pushback." Kang Gam-Chan was taking a gamble on Jung Yoon-Ho''s growth. If he could shake up the veteran actors in Actor Division 3 on his own, surely he could handle being a team lead or even more. "Hold on, Dad! You''re not nning to shake up Actor Division 1 as well, are you?" Unlike Actor Division 3 which was brimming with new top stars, Actor Division 1 hadn''t recruited as many actors because they already had a stable lineup with their existing top stars. However, Kang Gam-Chan was contemting implementing changes even within the most profitable Actor Division 1. "The folks in Actor Division 1 have be toocent. It''s time to give them a wake-up call." Kang Ji-Yung gulped. "Do you think that¡¯s possible?" "I have a good feeling about this drama. Remember how Yoon-Ho turned down Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s offer to cast Yoo-Jin in her next drama and chose Blue Sky instead? If he grows, even the veterans in Actor Division 1 will start feeling the pressure." Kang Ji-Yung remained silent for a long time but soon nodded. "Understood. Then I''ll make the necessary preparations and consider arger-scale approach. Kang Gam-Chan looked at Kang Ji-Yung with a warm gaze and spoke in a rxed tone as they were alone. "Sounds good. And Ji-Yung, I''m sorry for dragging you into this." Kang Ji-Yung pouted at Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s apology for making herpete with the Seoul National University of the Arts line. "Ah, Dad. Don¡¯t say that. I told you I came here because I wanted to." Kang Ji-Yung felt emotional because of her father''s unusually warm tone today. She always loved and respected her dad, but his words seemed to carry even more warmthtely. ''I wonder if Dad''s health check-up results havee out yet. Surely, he''s not sick or anything?'' Thinking she should ask her mom, Kang Ji-Yung hurriedly stood up. "I''ll head out first." Kang Gam-Chan joked around as Kang Ji-Yung got up. "Take care. And don''t drink too much, my little barrel." "Ugh, I don''t drink these days! I can''t even handle a single bottle now!" "Really? Hmm. My sources tell me otherwise..." "Dad!" "Oops." As Director Kang Ji-Yung stormed out, Kang Gam-Chan leaned back on the sofa. Then, he quietly muttered to himself. "Brain tumor...that kid sure is something. How did he know I had health issues?" Feeling unusually tiredtely, he discovered a small brain tumor growing during a health check-up in March. He needed more people to fill his potential absence with his impending surgery. *** [(Notice) Miss Ju Yung-In has transferred to Ace Entertainment as of today.] Upon arriving at the office, Kim Dong-Soo cursed in his room after receiving a KkTalk message. ¡°Fuck." He was devastated to think he''d lose Ju Yung-In whom he had cherished so much in such a vain manner. He had managed her schedule every single day without fail ever since Kang Gam-Chan assigned Ju Yung-In to him. Even after his promotion to the chief position, he still made it to the field at least once a week, though less frequently. He had even confessed his interest in her recently, but Ju Yung-In did not ept his feelings. Kim Dong-Soo had thought she would eventually ept his sincerity, but she was gone now. "It''s all because of that jerk Jung Yoon-Ho!" Kim Dong-Soo''s anger reached its peak. Everything seemed to be Jung Yoon-Ho''s doing. "I should have crushed Jung Yoon-Ho long ago." The fuming Kim Dong-Soo made a call. A woman''s sleepy voice answered. -Hello? "Jin So-Mi! When are you getting out!?" -Ugh, seriously. Why are you yelling so early in the morning? "Shut up and answer my question. When are you getting out!?" -I''ll be on probation in about three months. Kim Dong-Soo growled. "Try to get out as soon as possible." -Hmm? What''s with the terrible mood? Did something happen? "I have someone I need to crush. I need to dig into his background." -Ah. I''m pretty good at digging up dirt on people. "Shut up. Everyone knows you charge a crazy amount for a single job!" -Oh? You need to watch yournguage. Do you think getting out doesn''t cost money? Kim Dong-Soo didn''t respond further. -Alright, alright. I''ll try to speed things up, so don''t rush me. Even things that were supposed to work out won''t if you rush. "Sigh. Alright." Just then, Jin So-Mi added one more thing before hanging up. -By the way, I''m contemting obtaining awyer''s license this time. It appears essential for brokerage work. People tend to underestimate me too often, you know? "Awyer¡¯s license?" -You know how smart I am. Jin So-Mi was known for her academic background inw even when she was running a bar. Despite the financial hardships that led her to bartending, she was very intelligent. That¡¯s when a lightbulb went off in Kim Dong-Soo''s head. "Do you need a sponsor? I can help you." -Wow, how generous of you. But you know I¡¯m not looking for that kind of sponsorship, right? "I''m interested in your brain, not your body. I''ll pay well, so just work under me for ten years once you get the license." Jin So-Mi''s sharpughter came through the phone. -Don''t try to take advantage of me. Make it five years or forget it. I can find another sponsor. "Tsk. ying hard to get, are you?" -Then good luck, Mr. Sponsor. Jin So-Mi promised to get out within two months and hung up the phone. *** [(Notice) Miss Ju Yung-In has transferred to Ace Entertainment as of today.] While watching Yoo-Jin''s shoot, I received a KkTalk message announcing Ju Yung-In''s transfer. Thanks to this, there was a stir in Actor Division 2¡¯s group chat. [Chief Gu Seong-Cheol: She''s transferring even before the drama ends? Is she out of her mind?] [Team Lead Oh Deok-Gu: What''s this all of a sudden?] [Team Lead Ju Yung-Hoon: I knew Ju Yung-In would cause trouble one day. An uncontroble actress is just a waste of your time and effort no matter how much you invest in them.] [Team Lead Park In-Ki: Thinking about all the times I''ve been troubled by Ju Yung-In, I should have given her a piece of my mind before she left...] [Colleague Lee Yung-Jin: I heard from Assistant Manager Choi Eun-Woo in the legal division that the transfer itself was done yesterday. They sent the termination notice to Ace Entertainment today. [Chief Gu Seong-Cheol: Assistant Manager Jung, did Ju Yung-In show up on set today? She''s not our celebrity anymore, so don''t get involved unnecessarily.] [Assistant Manager Jung Yoon-Ho: Yes, I''ll be careful.] ¡®I know they told me not to worry...but how could I not?!¡¯ It felt as though a horse I had carefully saddled and reined in had cast off all constraints and galloped into the wilderness. I wondered how Ju Yung-In, now without a restraining pin, would behave. Speaking of the devil, arge van pulled into the parking lot. When the door opened, Ace Entertainment''s Chief Lee Chan-Dong and Ju Yung-In stepped out. For a moment, I was reminded of Ju Yung-In as my wife in my past life. Adorned in a more sophisticated designer two-piece suit than usual,plemented by limited edition jewelry and high heels, she was impably dressed in luxury from head to toe. Ju Yung-In¡¯s face radiated confidence, perhaps boosted by hervish attire. ¡®Of course. Money is her best vitamin.¡¯ Assistant Director Yang Soon-Ho stopped in his tracks upon seeing Ju Yung-In. "Huh? Miss Yung-In? Howe you''re here with Mr. Lee from Ace Entertainment and not with Mr. Kang?" Ju Yung-In replied with a bright smile, "Oh, I transferred to Ace Entertainment today." "What? In the middle of shooting a drama?" "Don''t worry. The transfer was smooth and there won''t be any issues." "But still, this is something that you should havemunicated with us in advance..." At that moment, Lee Chan-Dong reassured the perplexed staff with his characteristic gentle smile. "Hahaha. Surely you''re not doubting Ace Entertainment?" "O-of course not. It''s not like that, but...." Leaving the staff with Lee Chan-Dong, Ju Yung-In approached me with her high heels clicking. "Mr. Jung, I''m sorry for transferring without saying goodbye. You''re not upset, are you?" "Upset? I feel I''ve let you down if anything, not the other way around." "Haha. At least you''re aware of that." Ju Yung-In extended her hand first and offered a handshake. Her smiling face, hiding an underlying scheme, sent shivers down my spine. Greed still lingered in her eyes, as evident as ever. Chapter 96: Time to Make a Decision (2)

Chapter 96: Time to Make a Decision (2)

A whirlwind of thoughts swept through my mind as I shook hands with Ju Yung-In. I thought that we wouldn''t have to deal with each other anymore since she had changedpanies. However, upon seeing Ju Yung-In¡¯s attitude today, it seemed like I was mistaken. "...Indeed, you have a keen eye for choosing good dramas, Mr. Jung." There was a hint of regret in her tone. It seemed like she had regretted changingpanies too quickly. "I should have waited a bit longer before changingpanies. It was my mistake, but it won''t happen again in the future." "In the future?" Ju Yung-In giggled and then closed her mouth. In the meantime, Lee Chan-Dong from Ace Entertainment finished greeting the staff and approached us. "We meet again, Mr. Jung." "It seems like you will be in charge of Miss Yung-In now, Mr. Lee." "Yes, that''s the case. Also, Mr. Im Sung-Hak from ourpany wishes to meet you. Could you spare some time?" ¡®The president of Ace Entertainment and industry leader wants to meet me, a mere assistant manager?¡¯ There was only one reason I could think of for him wanting to meet me. "Are you nning to make an offer to recruit me?" Lee Chan-Dong replied confidently, "Please meet with us first. We have a good offer for you." ''What the heck are they thinking?'' I had never met Im Sung-Hak before, even in my previous life. But I recalled that everyone who had met him spoke highly of him. Though I had no intention of leaving Hoop Entertainment, I felt the need to find out what Ju Yung-In and Lee Chan-Dong were plotting. "Alright. Please set a date and let me know." Lee Chan-Dong offered a handshake with a satisfied expression. "For sure. I will contact you soon." Ju Yung-In nodded slightly at me before leaving with Lee Chan-Dong. During a short filming break, Yoo-Jin returned to the waiting area. "Why did Yung-In sunbaee in someone else''s car?" "She has transferred to Ace Entertainment as of today. Her new talent agent is Chief Lee Chan-Dong from Ace Entertainment." "Transfer? But wasn''t that just a rumor?" "I thought so too, but she moved right away." Yoo-Jin looked surprised. "I knew she was tough, but I didn''t expect her to actually leave..." ¡®She is tough indeed. She¡¯s the merciless woman who left me even as I was dying.¡¯ "Now that she''s with anotherpany, let''s be careful not to sh with her. A single wrong word could lead to an article calling you a rude hoobae." But Yoo-Jin just smirked, saying that it was for the best that she moved. "She should be the one to be careful. We''re not even in the samepany anymore." Yoo-Jin''s gaze toward Ju Yung-In felt strangely unfamiliar. That day, the two engaged in a fierce actingpetition, causing the atmosphere on set to tense up. *** Gu Seong-Cheol called me into his office upon returning to thepany. Scratching my head, I asked, "I heard you''re getting me a new assistant?" Gu Seong-Cheol grinned and patted my shoulder. ¡°That¡¯s right. It''s an order from Mr. Kang. When the new employees arrive next week, one of them will be assigned to work directly under you." ¡®Are they assigning me a direct assistant because things will get too busy for me once I start managing Cherry Blossom with theireback?¡¯ But Hoop Entertainment usually required one to be at least a fourth-year assistant manager or team lead to get an assistant. ''Could this be... a test to see if I''m capable of handling a team lead position?'' Sure enough, Gu Seong-Cheol spoke cautiously. ¡°Ms. Kang advised you to be mindful of your conduct. There might be many who envy you because of this decision." This was a radical decision to test whether I could rise up to a team lead role in my second year. Of course, epting this test didn''t mean I''d be promoted to team lead right away since there were several steps to officially bing a team lead. However, being tested for a team lead position right after being promoted to assistant manager in my first year was an exceptionally bold move. I was conflicted. To stand against Kim Dong-Soo, I needed to gather as many allies as possible. However, a rapid promotion would only spark envy and jealousy among other employees which wouldn''t be helpful. I considered declining the offer, but then I remembered something. ''Isn''t Sang-Bong supposed to be joining around this time?'' Talent Agent Jung Sang-Bong, with whom I had a brotherly bond in my past life, would join thepany around this time and he would be assigned to Actor Division 3. I decided to ept the decision. If I yed my cards right, I might be able to recruit a potential ace from Actor Division 3 to my side. "Mr. Gu." "Yes? What is it?" "I''d like to choose my own assistant if that''s possible." Gu Seong-Cheol opened his mouth in disbelief with a dumbfounded expression. "You''re really getting bold. Trying to set conditions on Mr. Kang¡¯s orders, huh?" "Ah, it¡¯s not like that. It wouldn''t matter who''s under me if I had a solid career. But I''ve just passed my first year, right? I''d prefer to work with someone I could get along with since Ick experience." "Hmmm..." Gu Seong-Cheol seemed ready to amodate any request, but setting conditions on Kang Gam-Chan''s order made him ufortable. However, he soon sighed and nodded. "I''ll mention it, but don''t me me if Mr. Kang says no, okay?" "No way. I¡¯m definitely going to me you, Mr. Gu." "Huh? You little..." Gu Seong-Cheol yfully raised his fist and I ducked in jest, making himugh heartily. *** It was April 8th. I drove Yoo-Jin home after finishing the shoot. But because it was already 9:40 p.m., I decided to watch Blue Sky with Yoo-Jin before leaving. Thendlord, who came out to greet us, was carrying Miso who was asleep in her arms. Miso smacked her lips with her limbs drooped as if she was dreaming. "Yum~ Yum~." Apparently, Miso had said she would definitely stay up to watch the drama with Yoo-Jin before sleeping but she had dozed off 30 minutes ago. Yoo-Jin stroked Miso''s hair tenderly. "Miso, mommy is sorry foring home sote." As Yoo-Jin''s fingers lightly pressed Miso''s chubby cheeks, dimples appeared on Miso¡¯s chubby cheeks. "Haha, she¡¯s so cute~." Yoo-Jin smiled as she continuously pressed Miso''s cheeks. Poke, poke. I wanted to join in but restrained myself. "Yoo-Jin, stop ying around and let''s head inside." "Oh, yes. Okay." Yoo-Jin finally snapped out of it. She went upstairs to wash up quickly while I headed downstairs with thendlord as it was more spacious. When weid Miso on the living room sofa, she immediately started snoring softly. Thendlord smiled contentedly as she covered Miso with a nket. "Aww, Look at Miso. She¡¯s cute even when she¡¯s asleep." "Ma¡¯am, this is for you." I handed thendlord a paper bag I had prepared earlier. "Oh my! What''s all this?" "I wanted to give you a gift for always taking care of Miso. Thank you for everything." Thendlord''s face lit up as she unwrapped the package¡ªit was a vibrant silk pajama set. "Haha, this is too pretty. How can I thank you for this?" "Oh, please don¡¯t mention it. You''ve been sending me side dishes every day. Next time, I''ll get you something even better.¡± In the meantime, Yoo-Jin quickly washed up and came downstairs. "Did you buy new pajamas?" "No, Mr. Jung gave them to me as a gift! What do you think?" "They suit you very well." Seizing the moment, I handed a gift bag to Yoo-Jin as well. "This is for you, Yoo-Jin. Well, it¡¯s actually for Miso. I noticed her old ones were worn out at the knees." "Sigh. What kind of mother am I? I didn¡¯t even notice that." Yoo-Jin had been so focused on practicing for her significant role that she hadn''t been able to pay much attention to Miso recently. "Don''t worry about it. That''s what talent agents are for." "Thank you, oppa." Yoo-Jin took out a pink Powertuff Girls pajama set from the paper bag. "Pink is Miso''s favorite color! Thank you." "You''re making too much of it." "But why is there another set?" "They were selling them as a set so I got one for you too." "Hehe, we''ll wear them together and take a photo to send you." ¡®Nice. It would be perfect for Instargem.¡¯ "Alright, that''s enough. The drama is starting." "Okay." We munched on the puffed rice snacks that thendlord brought while watching episode 3 of Blue Sky. When the scene where Yoo-Jin''s character left home after confronting her mother for favoring her eldest daughter came on, thendlord sided with Yoo-Jin. "Ugh, look at her! How can Mrs. Lee Sa-Rang only take care of her eldest daughter like that?" "Right? She¡¯s too much." "No matter how much they deny it, parents do treat their first and second children differently. But this is just too much. The second child must have felt so neglected." "Exactly~." The two of them kept munching on their snacks, cursing Lee Sa-Rang and Ju Yung-In in between. Yoo-Jin was so engrossed in the drama that she was acting like just another viewer despite being in it. An hourter, the drama ended. I was about to check the reactions on social media when a KkTalk message from Cha Soo-Yeon arrived. [Chief Cha Soo-Yeon: Episode 3 of Blue Sky got a viewership rating of 10.9% while Moonlight Starpour got 15.5%! The gap is really closing.] It was good news that our viewership rating had increased again. And then the day after episode 4 aired, the gap between the two dramas had narrowed once again. *** [Blue Sky Episode 4¡ªTNK standard, 12.1% viewership rating] [Moonlight Starpour Episode 4¡ªTNK standard, 16.4% viewership rating] [Blue Sky, Jung Yoo-Jin''s roar. "Why does Mom only like Sky!?"] [National Second Child Union. Jung Yoo-Jin for Congress!] [Wednesday, Thursday drama. Fierce battle for viewership ratings!] The day after episode 4 aired, everyone I ran into at thepany greeted me with apuse. p, p, p, p! Currently, the first and second most searched terms on the live search rankings were rted to ¡®Jung Yoo-Jin.¡¯ "Congrattions. Yoo-Jin acted so well." "My mom called me yesterday. Apparently, she suddenly felt sorry for treating me differently for being a second child after watching the drama. I actually received an apology from my mom at this age." "People were worried when Miss Yung-In left, but now it''s a relief to see Yoo-Jin rising steadily." "Why talk about someone who''s moved to anotherpany? Anyway, tell Yoo-Jin that we are rooting for her!" That wasn''t all¡ªthe promotion division was all smiles, saying that not only thepany phones but also their personal phones were ringing nonstop. The flood of iing casting calls and contacts from advertising agencies was overwhelming. Yoo-Jin''s portrayal of the overshadowed second daughter, Twilight, and her performance far exceeded my expectations. Furthermore, the chemistry between Lee Sa-Rang''s ad-libs and Yoo-Jin''s acting was also perfect. Ring ring. [Caller: Operation Director Lee Gi-Cheol] At that moment, Lee Gi-Cheol called me to his office. *** Knock knock. "Come in." As I opened the door and entered, Lee Gi-Cheol pointed to the seat in front of him. I thought Kim Dong-Soo would be there too, but Lee Gi-Cheol was alone. "What did you call me for?" "Take a seat here first." As I sat down on the sofa, Lee Gi-Cheol handed me a beverage with Japanese writing on it, saying it was his favorite drink. Upon opening the green cap, a strong scent of green tea wafted out. "Yoo-Jin has been doing really welltely. You must be incredibly busy too, huh?" I tensed up at his smooth tone. "Yes, sir." "Right. It¡¯s amazing how actors can suddenly take off like this. That''s why they say to ''strike while the iron is hot.''" Then, Lee Gi-Cheol smiled contentedly and asked another question. "Is everything going well with Cherry Blossom?" "Yes. The music video turned out great and we''re currently in the making of the final trailer video." "The music video is set to be released on April 15th and the song will hit the charts on the 16th, right?" "That¡¯s right. And the music broadcast is on the 25th." "Things seem to move smoothly when you¡¯re involved. As expected of Assistant Manager Jung. I heard you also rmended Yetterang for the advertisement. That''s been going welltely too." "Yes, I rmended it because I heard the product was good." Cherry Blossom''s current advertisement for Yetterang cosmetics was gradually gaining poprity among teenagers. ''But why is he praising me so much?'' Lee Gi-Cheol put down his drink and scratched his head. "I don¡¯t have a special reason for calling you today, but I just received a good proposal." "What proposal are you talking about?" "You know about HK Clothing, right?" At that moment, I had to try hard not to frown. "Yes... it''s the top clothingpany within the industry that¡¯s part of the HK Group, isn¡¯t it?" "You got it. Apparently, they''re interested in giving Yoo-Jin a push." I immediately responded to the absurd suggestion. "Mr. Lee, Yoo-Jin has already signed an exclusive contract with LM Clothing. You know that, right?" But Lee Gi-Cheol smirked slyly. "I know, I know. How could I not know? But they haven''t started shooting yet, have they?" Then, I remembered the terms of the contract¡ªthe penalty fee varied depending on when the advertisement was shot. In other words, we could just return the advertisement fee of 250 million won and only pay a penalty of 30%, which is 80 million won, to terminate the contract. I couldn''t believe it, but here was Lee Gi-Cheol mentioning that very possibility. "Are you suggesting we terminate the contract?" "Yes. HK Clothing wants to make Yoo-Jin their exclusive model and really build her up. LM Clothing is good too. But wouldn''t it be better to partner with the toppany rather than the second? They also offered tounch a signature brand product for Yoo-Jin." The offer was so good that even top actresses might find it hard to refuse. But with Hong Sung-Bum ted to be the president of HK Clothing, it was an offer we absolutely should not ept. I sat up straight and asked, "Mr. Lee, have you heard the rumors about Executive Hong Sung-Bum''s reputation with women?" Lee Gi-Cheol''s expression soured briefly. "Yes, I''ve heard. I heard you rejected HK Clothing''s offer because of that issue. Is that true?" "Yes." "Well, don''t worry about that. This offer is directly from President Gu Wang-Soo himself. Hong Sung-Bum isn''t aware of it at all." ¡®What? It¡¯s President Gu Wang-Soo who wants Yoo-Jin as the model? What kind of trick is this now?¡¯ Chapter 97: Time to Make a Decision (3)

Chapter 97: Time to Make a Decision (3)

Lee Gi-Cheol pulled out the formal proposal documents from HK Clothing. "Look at this. It''s stamped with President Gu Wang-Soo''s seal. You can give him a call personally if you still have doubts." The document Lee Gi-Cheol handed me was an official HK Clothing document signed by the president himself. I couldn''t figure out what was happening, but still, I couldn''t ept it. I didn''t know what was going on at HK Clothing, but I already knew that the president would change in a few months. I didn''t want to take such a risk, especially not with Yoo-Jin''s future on the line. Unaware of my turmoil, Lee Gi-Cheol continued. "They said they would cover the penalty fee as well. I''ll talk to LM Clothing, so all you need to do is just convince Yoo-Jin. You know about the separate incentive forunching an exclusive brand for three years, right? This could bring in billions annually, so exin it well." I cursed inwardly at the suggestion that I should ultimately persuade Yoo-Jin and responded, "I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t do that, sir." "What?" Lee Gi-Cheol''s calm expression quickly changed. His furrowed brows made him look like an angry toad as he raised his voice at me. "Hey! Didn''t you hear what I just said? It wasn''t Executive Hong Sung-Bum, but President Gu Wang-Soo himself who contacted us!" "Yoo-Jin has zero interest in HK Clothing after hearing the stories concerning Executive Hong. She specifically told me not to bring up HK Clothing ever again." Lee Gi-Cheol''s face turned red with anger as he yelled at me again. "You little bastard! Do you think I''m a pushover? I''m telling you to persuade her by any means necessary!" Although Lee Gi-Cheol had been pushed aside by Kang Gam-Chan, he still had significant experience in navigating the entertainment industry. But I wasn''t someone who would be intimidated so easily. After all, I had dealt with individuals who were more influential than Lee Gi-Cheol. Lee Gi-Cheol shouted in a thunderous voice, "You better do as I say while I¡¯m still being nice! Go and tell Jung Yoo-Jin right now that we''ve secured a contract with HK Clothing!" "I¡¯m sorry sir, but I can''t do that." Whoosh! Lee Gi-Cheol suddenly stood up and grabbed me by the cor. His action didn¡¯t catch me by surprise as I knew this was how old talent agents often behaved. If things didn''t go their way, they''d resort to using their fists. ¡®Should I let him hit me? Or should I dodge?¡¯ Knock, knock. At that moment, there was a knock at the door. "Who is it!" "Hi, Director Lee. It''s me, Jung Soo-Hyuk." Lee Gi-Cheol red at me with venomous eyes, but soon let go of my cor. "Let''s talk about thister. You¡¯re good to go for now." I bowed slightly and stepped out of the room. As I came out, Finance Director Jung Soo-Hyuk smiled at me. He mentioned how well Yoo-Jin was doing with a smile, then whispered softly, "I''ll report this issue to Mr. Kang, so don''t worry and go on." Finance Director Jung Soo-Hyuk winked at me. "Thank you, Mr. Jung." Come to think of it, Jung Soo-Hyuk was also someone I needed to protect. After all, Jung Soo-Hyuk was the first person Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo would attack in their scheme to take over Hoop Entertainment. *** Choi Jong-Hyuk checked the news articles on his tablet and grimaced with bitterness. Despite having struggled in the rain for over two hours, only Jung Yoo-Jin became the topic of conversation. "It''s like the saying, ''the bear does the tricks, but someone else earns the money.'' That''s exactly the situation I¡¯m in right now. If I were to be eaten, it¡¯s better for Jung Yoo-Jin to be a big fish than a small fry, in other words, I¡¯d rather be overtaken by a bigshot." Talent Agent Yoo Han-Seok, who was driving in the front seat, frowned. "Even if it''s a directive from the director, wouldn''t it be better not to mess with Jung Yoo-Jin? Don¡¯t you remember someone got into big trouble with the entertainment news folks for poking around her? His name was Ju Kang-Yong, was it?" Choi Jong-Hyuk let out a snicker. "That''s because Ju Kang-Yong was an idiot. Stop your pointlessments and just get a reporter to spin an article. I¡¯m telling you¡ªthere''s something going on between Yoo-Jin and me these days." "What should the title be? ''Jung Yoo-Jin is my ideal type.'' Would that work?" "Hyung, are you an amateur? It''s not about showing my interest but the opposite!" "But if they deny it from their side, it''s all over. Let''s just go with ''Jung Yoo-Jin and Choi Jong-Hyuk share a heated nce.''" Choi Jong-Hyuk nodded as if he liked the idea. "Okay, let¡¯s do that. You know the vibe of dating rumors, right?" Choi Jong-Hyuk hummed a tune as he put on an eye mask. "Wake me up when we arrive. I''m going to take a nap." "Alright." Yoo Han-Seok let out a sigh and made a phone call. -Hello, this is Reporter Park Eun-Gyo from Entertainment Big Time. "Hi. This is Yoo Han-Seok from TK Entertainment." -Ah, Mr. Han-Seok. What''s up? I almost forgot your voice. "Actually, I have a tip to share..." As Yoo Han-Seok continued the conversation, Choi Jong-Hyuk, who was in the back seat, made a sly smile. *** The conference room in Actor Division 2 buzzed with activity well before sunrise. When Gu Seong-Cheol pressed the remote,st night''s news appeared on therge LCD screen. [Choi Jong-Hyuk and Jung Yoo-Jin, "Love is blooming..."] -The filming site of Blue Sky, which has been receiving hot attention. -Choi Jong-Hyuk, who ys ''Sung Clear,'' and Jung Yoo-Jin, who ys ''Kim Twilight,'' share a heated nce. -Just like the overflowing pink mood in the drama, another star couple may be born in reality... (Comments) -This is ridiculous. Love is blooming between Choi Jong-Hyuk and Jung Yoo-Jin? Ah, I fell for a clickbait article again. -Wow, as soon as Jung Yoo-Jin gets popr, all sorts of rubbish articles start popping up. -Lol. Is it Entertainment Big News again? This is thepany that got totally burnedst time trying to mess with Jung Yoo-Jin. -There''s a rification post on Instargem. Be careful ofwsuits, dear reporter~. Steam seemed to puff out of Gu Seong-Cheol''srge nostrils. "It looks like it''ll be taken down soon. Thements are all criticizing the article anyway," Ju Yung-Hoon said. But Oh Deok-Gu disagreed with Ju Yung-Hoon¡¯s words. "Team Lead Ju, you shouldn''t take this so lightly. Don''t you know how much Choi Jong-Hyuk¡¯s been stirring things up on set?" Ju Yung-Hoon looked at me and asked, "Is he still like that these days?" "Yes, sir. To be honest, it''s getting worse." Ju Yung-Hoon clicked his tongue, sympathizing with my struggles. Park In-Ki, who had been observing the situation quietly, also shook his head. "We need to do something about this.¡± Gu Seong-Cheol asked me if there was any way to handle it. "I''ll just try to have a talk with him for now." "Just a talk?" Everyone seemed puzzled, but I didn''t borate further. ¡®How could I exin that I''d threaten him based on what I knew about him in my past life?¡¯ "Then I''ll go ahead and leave first." I left the conference room and headed down the emergency stairs, calling Choi Jong-Hyuk directly. ¡ºYou''re my love~ my only love~ oh my baby~¡» A Latin-style song that was popr five years ago yed as the ringback tone. -Hello? It was Choi Jong-Hyuk''s voice. "This is Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment speaking." -Oh, you¡¯re Yoo-Jin''s talent agent, right? Calling because of the article, I see. Just to rify before any misunderstandings arise, I had nothing to do with it. Choi Jong-Hyuk denied any involvement. Pretending to listen, I calmly brought up my own points. "You''re aware of Miss Jang Mi-Jin, Miss Heo Song-Mi, and Miss Jo Yoon-Joo, right?" Silence followed from the other end of the line. These three women were Choi Jong-Hyuk''s past partners who were never revealed to the media and who had been harmed by their association with him. Should their namese up in the media alongside Choi Jong-Hyuk, the damage to him would be significant. Yet, Choi Jong-Hyuk''s response was unexpected. -You seem to have picked up some rumors, huh? But fuck that shit. Got any proof? I had no proof, but there were witnesses. ¡®These three women and their acquaintances.¡¯ If I set my mind to it, obtaining credible testimony wouldn''t be too difficult. -Mention those women''s names again and you will be in big trouble. Do you think I''ll let you off? I responded with augh to Choi Jong-Hyuk''s growling voice. "Well, I''m warning you. If you cross the line with Yoo-Jin, I won¡¯t let you off. Just wait and see how far I¡¯ll go." -You insolent bastard! "And take down those nonsensical articles. What tacky article titles. It''s not the ''80s anymore." At that moment, Choi Jong-Hyuk swore and hung up the phone. My ears were tingling slightly, but this was nothing. And soon after, the number one entertainment article was taken down. [This article has been removed at the request of the news outlet.] I thought it would take at least a day, but the article was removed in just two hours. Choi Jong-Hyuk seemed more timid than I had expected. "Why did he bother acting tough when he was going to do as he was told anyway?" I smirked and headed to the underground parking lot. I was busy taking care of Yoo-Jin, but I needed to look after Lee Tae-Poong today because it would determine whether Lee Tae-Poong would step into the world of sponsorships. "Tae-Poong, I''m on my way." *** "Damn it..." Choi Jong-Hyuk had to spend his own money to have the article removed. This was all because Jung Yoon-Ho knew about his unknown past. Even though they had broken up, those women were ticking time bombs if provoked because they had the worst break-ups. It was unknown as to how Jung Yoon-Ho came to know such a secret. "Jong-Hyuk, what''s going on? Why did you suddenly take down the article you told me to publish?" Choi Jong-Hyuk frowned at Yoo Han-Seok¡¯s question. "Don''t bother with things you shouldn''t know¡ªit''ll only hurt you. Just focus on driving, will you?" Yoo Han-Seok sighed and drove back to thepany while cursing under his breath. Back at thepany, Choi Jong-Hyuk took a deep breath and visited Ma Dong-Pal. "Wait here." Leaving Yoo Han-Seok outside, Choi Jong-Hyuk entered the director''s office alone. Click. "Mr. Ma, I''m here." Ma Dong-Pal, buried in paperwork, looked up upon hearing a voice. His furrowed expression was not a good sign. "What now? If it''s not about Jung Yoo-Jin, leave. I''m busy." "It''s about Jung Yoo-Jin,¡± Choi Jong-Hyuk replied fumingly. Only then did Ma Dong-Pal rise from his seat to sit on the sofa. "Let''s hear it." Curiosity flickered across Ma Dong-Pal''s face as he looked at Choi Jong-Hyuk. ¡°Did you see the article today?" "What article?" Choi Jong-Hyuk mentioned the article that was deleted today. "It was trending? Why didn''t you say anything?" "Sigh. Damn it. I had to take it down immediately because of that asshole Jung Yoon-Ho." "Why?" Choi Jong-Hyuk exined that Jung Yoon-Ho knew about the idents he had caused in the past. "I see..." Ma Dong-Pal started to ponder, then he said to Choi Jong-Hyuk, "I''ll handle the aftermath, so just continue pushing harder." "Mr. Ma! Jung Yoon-Ho knows about how I¡¯ve been messing around! What if he attacks me out of nowhere!?" "Shhhh!" As the sound of a hissing viper escaped from Ma Dong-Pal''s mouth, Choi Jong-Hyuk mped his mouth shut. "Thepany will take care of him. So don''t be scared and just continue what you¡¯ve been doing. And report things in advance from now on. That way, we can preempt any hindrances, right?" "I''m sorry. I''ll inform you in advance from now on." "That''s settled then. At least the timing was good. I''ll handle the follow-up articles." Although the article was deleted, ''Jung Yoo-Jin dating rumors'' was still eighth on the live search rankings and ''Choi Jong-Hyuk and Jung Yoo-Jin'' was fifth. Given that the impact of the article was significant despite having only been up for a few hours, Ma Dong-Pal nned to make the most of it. If Choi Jong-Hyuk''s market value gets damaged, he could simply be discarded anyway. After all, it would pave the way for renewing the contract with Park Eun-Bin as long as Jung Yoo-Jin was crushed. The decision was based on the belief that there were tens, if not hundreds of billions left to milk from Park Eun-Bin. Unaware of Ma Dong-Pal''s true intentions, Choi Jong-Hyuk confidently stood up after receiving Ma Dong-Pal''s promise, determined to make Jung Yoo-Jin his own. Chapter 98: Storm (1)

Chapter 98: Storm (1)

[Everyday V10] [Date: April 12th, 2020] -01:00 PM Meeting between Lee Tae-Poong and Daechon Inc.''s Vice President Kim Ae-Ja at Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s house On this day in my past life, I arranged a meeting between Lee Tae-Poong and Daechun Inc.''s vice president, Kim Ae-Ja, as instructed by Kim Dong-Soo. However, this proposal would eventually turn Lee Tae-Poong''s acting career into a mess because Kim Ae-Ja intended to be his sole sponsor. Even though Lee Tae-Poong wouldter ovee dyslexia and be independent as an actor, he would already be under Kim Ae-Ja''s sponsorship by then. He would be in a situation where he had to drop whatever he was doing and rush to Kim Ae-Ja whenever she called him over. As a result, people in the entertainment industry who heard the rumors through the grapevine would belittle and criticize Lee Tae-Poong''s sess, attributing it all to Kim Ae-Ja''s support. I clearly remembered how frustrated Lee Tae-Poong was because his efforts were never acknowledged no matter how hard he tried. I absolutely had no intention of sitting back and letting such a thing happen again in this life. "Sigh. Why is the traffic so jammed?" The road to Lee Tae-Poong''s house was as congested as a parking lot. ¡®If only I had a private helicopter.¡¯ Since the event hadn''t been canceled in my nner yet, I called Lee Tae-Poong. Ring ring. But neither Lee Tae-Poong nor his talent agent, Lee Dae-Ho, answered their phones. "Could he be in the middle of an on-site shoot?" I had gotten Lee Tae-Poong to appear on MBS''s Star Delicacies! Hot Spots! on-site shoot at 1 p.m. today to avoid the meeting with Kim Ae-Ja. Wondering if he couldn''t answer the phone because he was filming, I called Kim Yung-Eun, the AD of MBS''s Star Delicacies! Hot Spots! But my hopes were soon dashed when she picked up the phone. -Ah. The restaurant owner we were supposed to film today suddenly changed their mind, so the shoot has been postponed for a few days. I was just about to contact you about it. Kim Yung-Eun exined that Lee Tae-Poong had arrived at the site earlier but had just returned home. The wheels of fate thwarted my ns once again. It was currently 12:50 p.m. I kept calling Lee Tae-Poong non-stop as I made my way out of the congested road. At that moment, Lee Tae-Poong finally picked up the call. -Huh? Yoon-Ho hyung? "Why didn¡¯t you answer your phone!?" -I¡¯m sorry. I just got home. Both Lee Tae-Poong and Lee Dae-Ho said they didn''t notice the calls because they had their phones on vibrate. "Vice President Kim Ae-Ja should be nearby, so don''t open the door for her no matter what. Got it?" -Pardon? Why would shee to my house? "Just don''t let anyone in until I get there! I''ll exin everything when I arrive!" -Oh, okay. I got Lee Tae-Poong''s firm response. However, the event on my nner was still there. *** Daechon Inc., ranked 17th in the business world and was founded by Kim Ae-Ja''s father, Kim Bu-Ho. The current president was Kim Ae-Ja''s husband, Sung Hak-Soo. However, he was a son-inw brought into the family, and it was Kim Ae-Ja who wielded actual control over thepany. Kim Ae-Ja sat in the back of a gleaming Rose-Rise Phantom and looked at a house in Cheongdam-dong. "Is this where Mr. Lee Tae-Poong''s house is?¡± Despite being 48 years old, Kim Ae-Ja looked as if she were in her mid-30s, thanks to her annual investment of over 300 million won in dermatological treatments. "Yes, Mrs. Kim." "It''s pretty small. We should get him a bigger ce," Kim Ae-Ja murmured to herself before instructing her assistant, "Open it." "Yes, ma¡¯am." The team lead of the security team, Jang Moo-Seok, got out of the car at Kim Ae-Ja''smand and pressed the inte on Lee Tae-Poong''s front door. Beep. "Good afternoon, sir. We are from Daechon Inc." Soon after, Lee Dae-Ho''s voice came through the inte. -I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t open the door for you. Tae-Poong has no intention of meeting anyone from Daechon Inc. Jang Moo-Seok smirked and before giving him a warning in a low voice. "I came with the vice president, so please open the door." The reply came as if Lee Dae-Ho was dumbfounded by Jang Moo-Seok¡¯s low-voiced threat. -Please leave before we call the police. Click. Jang Moo-Seok frowned and pressed the inte again. Beep-beep. When no answer came despite several more attempts, Jang Moo-Seok took out his phone. ¡ºBaby~ Shark! Doo doo doo doo doo doo!¡» "Huh? What''s up with this ringtone?¡± a puzzled Jang Moo-Seok mumbled to himself. The loud children¡¯s song ringtone continued for ten seconds. Click. -Hello? It was Lee Tae-Poong''s voice. Jang Moo-Seok responded briefly, "I''m Jang Moo-Seok, team lead of Daechon Inc.''s security team. I''ll send you a photo, so take a look." Jang Moo-Seok cut the call short just in case Lee Tae-Poong wanted to hang up right away, and then sent a photo. About 30 secondster, the gate to Lee Tae-Poong''s garage slowly opened. Zing. "Impudent brat. Should''ve opened it earlier,¡± grumbled Jang Moo-Seok. Seeing the gate open, Kim Ae-Ja waved her hand lightly¡ªit was a sign of approval to proceed. As the Rose-Rise Phantom entered through the opened gate, Jang Moo-Seok straightened his back and raised his hand toward the ck SUV behind him where two men in ck suits got out of the back seat. "Yung-Ho and Han-Seok, the two of you wait here at the entrance while the rest wille in with me." "Yes, sir." The two men saluted with precision and guarded the entrance to Lee Tae-Poong''s house. Then, Jang Moo-Seok got into the ck SUV and followed Kim Ae-Ja into Lee Tae-Poong''s house. Click. Kim Ae-Ja got out of the car and looked around. "A gazebo in the yard, huh? Not only does he have good looks but his taste is alsomendable. I like it very much." Kim Ae-Ja walked toward the entrance at a leisurely pace with her high heels clicking. Executive Secretary Im Sang-Ki stepped forward and opened the front door for Kim Ae-Ja. "Everyone except Secretary Im, wait outside." "Yes, ma¡¯am." Jang Moo-Seok who was following behind Im Sang-Ki bowed and stayed outside the entrance. As Kim Ae-Ja entered the living room, she was met by a grim-faced Lee Tae-Poong and his talent agent, Lee Dae-Ho, who was blocking her way. Kim Ae-Jaughed dismissively as she looked around. "Is this how you usually treat your guests?" Lee Dae-Ho snapped back, "Are we supposed to consider someone who ckmails others a guest?" Kim Ae-Ja covered her mouth and snorted, "Ha ha ha. Don¡¯t tell me you were startled by such a trivial photo." The photo sent by Jang Moo-Seok exposed a vulnerability of Lee Tae-Poong, retained by his former agency from the past. It was a photo of him in bed with his first girlfriend, Kim Eun-Yung, who had sold the photo to his former agency for 20 million won. After the betrayal of his first love, Lee Tae-Poong had never let another woman near him since. Yet that photo had somehow ended up in Kim Ae-Ja''s hands. Lee Tae-Poong red at Kim Ae-Ja, but she did not even blink once and seemed rather amused. Meanwhile, Im Sang-Kiid a white cloth on the sofa. "Vice President Kim, please take a seat here." Kim Ae-Ja nodded and sat down on the sofa as if it were her own home. "Mr. Tae-Poong, take a seat as well. I''vee to talk about something that will benefit you today." Despite her seemingly polite words, Kim Ae-Ja was actually pointing to the floor instead of the sofa. Lee Tae-Poong and Lee Dae-Ho refused without hesitation. "We''d rather not." "Is that so? Secretary Im, distribute the photo to the press. And send the other photos Kim Eun-Yung sent along with it." "Yes, ma¡¯am." When Im Sang-Ki took out his phone, Lee Tae-Poong bit his lip tightly and got down on his knees. "Please... wait a moment." It was humiliating, but he had no choice. The opponent was from a chaebol family¡ªnot just any chaebol family, but the notorious de facto ruler of Daechon Inc. Lee Tae-Poong knew from experience that if he didn''t bow his head like this, the opponent woulde at him even harder just to show their power. The face of Jung Yoon-Ho, who always trusted him, came to mind. He wanted to lock the door and hold out as Jung Yoon-Ho had instructed, but he couldn''t after seeing the photo because he hadn''t told Jung Yoon-Ho about the existence of this photo. He thought he hadpletely resolved this issue with his former agency and didn¡¯t expect it to cause him trouble like this. Lee Tae-Poong clenched his fists as he knelt. At that moment, Lee Dae-Ho who was standing beside him also trembled with anger to the point of tears. Yet, he had no choice but to do the same as his actor. Thud! Lee Dae-Ho knelt with such force that it seemed as if his knees would be injured. Only then did Kim Ae-Ja¡¯s face brighten. "Fortunately, you''re not too foolish. Good. Secretary Im, stop with the photo." "Yes, ma¡¯am." Seeing the two kneeling and submitting to her, Kim Ae-Ja finally looked satisfied. "I''vee today to make a good offer to you, Mr. Tae-Poong. So let''s not be too stiff, alright? Rx your face." Lee Tae-Poong struggled to contain his frustration and replied, "I will take care of my own affairs, ma¡¯am." Kim Ae-Ja smirked. "I''m quite straightforward, so I''ll speak frankly. You''ve been relying solely on your good looks, but every drama and movie you''ve taken part in has been a flop. Do you really think you cannd a new project without a sponsor under these circumstances?" It was quitemon for productionpanies to secure production funds or advertisements if they cast actors backed by chaebols. In fact, it was almost a norm. In return, the actor became a puppet for the wealthy. Lee Tae-Poong trembled at the harsh criticism. "I...appreciate your concern, but I already have my next project lined up." Lee Tae-Poong remembered the promise made by Jung Yoon-Ho while holding back his frustration. Jung Yoon-Ho was the person who helped him to manage his dyslexia. He provided recording files of the script and sought out various dyslexia correction methods to help Lee Tae-Poong and promised to secure a leading role in Director Choi Sung-Moon''s work. Lee Tae-Poong firmly believed in that promise. Kim Ae-Ja frowned at Lee Tae-Poong''s refusal. "Don''t act like a child. If you''re an adult, you should behave wisely. It¡¯s not like I''m asking for much¡ªjust dine with me once a month. In return, I''ll make you the main model for Daechon Department Store ads and I''ll actively support any project you want to be in. How about that?" epting such an offer was just the beginning, as with all sponsorships. A meal could turn into a drink, and that drink could lead to even more. Lee Tae-Poong had witnessed numerous sunbaes living an empty existence, running like dogs whenever the chaebols beckoned, only to fade away in obscurity. Lee Tae-Poong replied with a trembling voice, "Madam, I''m sorry. But I don¡¯t want to engage in such a rtionship." Kim Ae-Ja immediately burst out in anger. "Madam? Why would you call me madam? I''m the vice president of Daechon Inc.! My husband, President Sung, is just for show! So don''t you dare address me like that again!" Kim Ae-Ja''s irritated speech continued. "And do I look like I''m going to eat you alive or something? Ugh, this is annoying. Hey, Secretary Im, distribute the photos to the reporters right now and..." At that moment, Lee Tae-Poong crawled on his knees toward Kim Ae-Ja. "P-please, Mrs. Kim." Kim Ae-Ja seemed to enjoy Lee Tae-Poong''s submission andughed heartily. "Mr. Tae-Poong, you have more backbone than I thought. I like that. But I really dislike people who talk back to me." As Kim Ae-Ja leaned forward, her blouse clung to her and revealed her slim figure. However, Lee Tae-Poong did not even nce her way. With a smile full of amusement, Kim Ae-Jaid out her n in detail. "Your ex-girlfriend is really something, you know that? She handed over hundreds of your photos to us. If you disobey me, I''ll release them all to the press the day you get cast in another work. What do you think will happen then?" Kim Ae-Ja''s silky voice sounded like a witch''s curse luring someone into a swamp. "That, that would be..." "So don''t make me look like the bad one. Is it really that wrong for me to want to have a meal with someone I¡¯m interested in? From now on, I''ll protect you from all the dirty tricks people might y on you." Tears fell from Lee Tae-Poong''s eyes. If he agreed to ept Kim Ae-Ja¡¯s offer, he wouldn''t have to face the exposure of his past photos and could make a lot of money. ''Life... really sucks.'' At this moment, Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s handsome face felt like a curse to him. That¡¯s when Im Sang-Ki¡¯s phone began to ring. Zing. Kim Ae-Ja frowned as the call interrupted her when she was on the verge of breaking Lee Tae-Poong. "Secretary Im, I''m in the middle of an important conversation here!" "My-my apologies, ma¡¯am." The startled Im Sang-Ki rushed to the kitchen to answer the call. "What did you say?" Then, he immediately ran toward the entrance door with a shocked impression. Bang. The front door was flung open and Jang Moo-Seok was found kneeling, gasping for breath¡ªand in front of him stood a man. "Tae-Poong, I¡¯m here!" A man with beads of perspiration on his forehead red at Im Sang-Ki as if he were ready to tear him apart at any moment. Chapter 99: Storm (2)

Chapter 99: Storm (2)

I took down all the guards surrounding the entrance and made my way into the living room. I found myself soaked in sweat and panting without even realizing it. Inside Lee Tae-Poong''s living room, an absurd scene was unfolding¡ªKim Ae-Ja was sittingfortably on the sofa as if it were her own home while Lee Tae-Poong and Lee Dae-Ho were kneeling opposite her. Annoyance surged through me. Lee Tae-Poong looked at me with a shocked expression. "Hyung..." "Get up! Didn''t you hear me say not to meet with anyone from Daecheon Inc?" ¡°N-no, it''s not like that. I didn¡¯t want to but..." Lee Tae-Poong stammered in a flustered manner. "H-hyung. What happened was... these people just barged in and..." Lee Tae-Poong tried to exin the situation, but I wasn''t interested in excuses. As long as it wasn¡¯t a serious matter involving crime, such as drugs, I could stop anything¡ªand I had a way to counter Kim Ae-Ja''s threats. "I¡¯ll listen to your exnationter. For now, get up." At that moment, Kim Ae-Ja''s face crumpled instantly. "Secretary Im! Didn''t I say not to let anyone in!?" "Y-yes, ma¡¯am!" A man in a suit, called Secretary Im, approached me. Then, he bit his lips tightly and suddenly threw a punch at me. I dodged and countered with a light punch to his sr plexus. Thud! The secretary clutched his sr plexus and began rolling on the ground. "Ugh..." As her trusted secretary helplessly fell to the ground, the flustered Kim Ae-Ja tried to call for the guards waiting outside. "Team Lead Jang~~!" "It''s no use, ma¡¯am. I already took down all the guys outside." Then, I shouted at Lee Tae-Poong, who was standing there with a dumbfounded expression. "Lee Tae-Poong, aren¡¯t you gonna get up?" Lee Tae-Poong seemingly gained confidence from seeing me take down the secretary and began to stagger to his feet. That¡¯s when Kim Ae-Ja, who was seated on the sofa, pointed at Lee Tae-Poong. "Don''t you dare move a single inch without my permission!" Lee Tae-Poong and Lee Dae-Ho flinched momentarily but eventually stood up as I had instructed. The two struggled to get up on their feet, frowning and rubbing their legs. Kim Ae-Ja began to re at me as if she wanted to tear me apart. "How dare you... interfere with my business? Do you even know who I am?" Kim Ae-Ja''s sharp voice pierced my eardrums like an awl. "You are Vice-President Kim Ae-Ja of Daechon Inc, aren¡¯t you? What I don¡¯t understand is the reason you are making people kneel before you. Haven''t you seen the news about chaebols getting arrested for abusing their power?" Kim Ae-Ja''s cheeks trembled out of anger when I retorted sarcastically. "H-how dare you..." Kim Ae-Ja stood up from the sofa and strode toward me. Then, she suddenly raised her hand. ''Whoa, she¡¯s crazy.'' I lightly dodged her hand which swung toward my face without warning. Whoosh. Unable to control her own strength, Kim Ae-Ja fell to the ground with a thud. She must have expected everyone to take her hits, but I had no intention of letting her hit me. "Eek! How dare you dodge my hand!?" She had a warped way of thinking, likely shaped by the way she had lived her life doing whatever she had wanted. "Please don''t recklesslyy your hands on others. You might end up in prison." Kim Ae-Ja gritted her teeth and trembled with rage. "If a scandal involving Lee Tae-Poong breaks out, know that it will all be your responsibility!" Kim Ae-Ja took out her phone. At that moment, Lee Tae-Poong spoke with haste, "Hyung! Stop her quickly! She has a bunch of photos of me with my ex-girlfriend!" "Don''t worry about it," I reassured Lee Tae-Poong. "Hyung? What do you mean by..." I simply smiled and looked at Kim Ae-Ja. "Go ahead and make the call." "Huh?" "I said, go ahead and call the reporter." "You think I won''t make the call if you say that?" "No, I''m sure you will. But before you do, shouldn''t you hear what I have up my sleeve as well?" Kim Ae-Ja snorted, "Whatever you have, you won¡¯t be able to stop me. When I, Kim Ae-Ja of Daechon Inc., use my power, no one would dare to..." But before Kim Ae-Ja could finish her sentence, I started listing men''s names one by one. "Kim Seok-Hoon. Jang Moo-Yeol. Lee Dong-Ki..." With each name that came out of my mouth, Kim Ae-Ja''s pupils began to shake. What I had mentioned was a list of male actors specially sponsored by Kim Ae-Ja¡ªboth past and present¡ªof whom most were unknown to the majority in the industry. Kim Ae-Ja couldn''t hide her fluster. "H-how do you know about them?" "Oh,e on. Who would reveal their trade secrets so easily? Anyway, shall we go all out? You release the photos of Tae-Poong, and I''ll release all the photos you have with those actors." Kim Ae-Ja shot me a murderous look. "Do you think there''s a media outlet that would dare to publish an article about me, the owner of Daechon Inc.?" With the power and influence held by Daechon Inc., they could effortlessly wield the threat of cutting off advertising to any media outlet publishing unfavorable articles, effectively silencing them. Alternatively, their legal team could intimidate the media with the prospect ofwsuits, pushing them toward bankruptcy. However, I had no intention of passing the information to the media. In fact, I didn''t even have those photos in my hands to begin with. The sponsorship issue which involved Kim Ae-Ja that I knew of would only surface in a newspaper called Entertainment Talk seven yearster, but would disappear a few hours after publication. Entertainment Talk went out of business after just two weeks, so it was something I remembered until now. In other words, I was bluffing from the start to the end. I had to act nonchntly to avoid getting my cover blown. "Ma¡¯am, you seem to be mistaken. I''m not going to sell those photos to the media. Why would I do something so foolish when Daechon Inc. could easily block it with their power?" Kim Ae-Ja''splexion changed, sensing what I was about to say. "You...no way. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re..." "Yes. I''ll hand over the information directly to your sister, Executive Director Kim Ae-Ryeon. She would know best how to use the information I have, wouldn''t she?" I had heard that Kim Ae-Ja was born ady of Daechon Inc. and had everything she ever wanted. There was nothing she couldn¡¯t get with money, and the current president of Daechon Inc., Sung Hak-Soo, was essentially just a figurehead. After all, Daechon Inc. was founded by Kim Ae-Ja''s father, Honorary President Kim Bu-Ho. However, the sisters did not get along well, considering their fierce battle for control of thepany made headlines on the front pages of economic newspapers multiple times in my past life. "So I advise you to back off from Tae-Poong while you still can." In a battle like this, the one with more to lose was always at a disadvantage. Kim Ae-Ja looked at me for a moment before slowly standing up silently. ''Is she not willing to give up on Tae-Poong? She¡¯s more tenacious than I thought.'' Finally, Kim Ae-Ja spoke in a heavy tone, "Fine. I''ll delete all photos of Mr. Tae-Poong." ¡®That¡¯s the bestpromise she cane up with?¡¯ "I¡¯m assuming the condition must be that I destroy all the information I have about you, right?" "Of course!" "I¡¯m afraid I can''t do that." ¡®How can I destroy what I don''t have?¡¯ It was time to give her the final bluff. "What did you say?" "You can decide whether to kill me or let me live when I hand over your photos to Ms. Kim Ae-Ryeon. As the human heart is fickle, I have no intention of carelessly throwing away a means to protect us. I¡¯m not going to do anything with those photos unless Tae-Poong¡¯s photos get revealed.¡± Kim Ae-Ja trembled and red at me. "You¡¯re going to be the first person to go down if those photos get revealed." Kim Ae-Ja gave a chilling warning as she red at me and walked out the door, leaving behind Secretary Im who was still on the ground. Secretary Im hurriedly got up and followed her. Outside the entrance, the security team I had knocked down earlier with my fists was regrouping and lining up. Kim Ae-Ja left the house without giving them a second nce. The storm that had gathered was now receding. *** Kim Ae-Ja was suppressing her surging anger in the car on the way back to thepany. Her n to secure the handsome actor Lee Tae-Poong, whom she had had her eye on for a long time, had failed so miserably all because of a mere talent agent who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Kim Ae-Ja tried to contain her rage and called her secretary, Im Sang-Ki, who was in the front seat. "Secretary Im. Look into this Jung Yoon-Ho guy." Im Sang-Ki took the business card and answered, "Yes, ma¡¯am. How far should I go?" Kim Ae-Ja red at Im Sang-Ki and said, "What do you mean how far? Dig until somethinges up, whatever it is!" "Yes, ma¡¯am. Understood." "And... those actors on the list he mentioned¡ªmake sure they keep their mouths shut. Make sure no evidence is left. Got it?" "Yes, ma¡¯am." Although Kim Ae-Ja was furious, she was also curious about Jung Yoon-Ho. Even her husband, the current president of Daechon Inc., wouldn¡¯t dare to confront her so directly. But Jung Yoon-Ho, a mere talent agent of an entertainmentpany, had ckmailed her without blinking even once. She had no intention of letting someone like that go unnoticed. Kim Ae-Ja leaned back in her seat after giving Im Sang-Ki instructions. When she pressed the button to close the sunshade in the backseat of the Rose-Rise Phantom, the curtains drew with a whirring sound and blocked the warm sunlight, darkening the back of the car. Under the dim light in the back of the Rose-Rise Phantom, Kim Ae-Ja smiled enigmatically and pondered over Jung Yoon-Ho. "Just wait and watch, Jung Yoon-Ho. You''ve messed with the wrong person." *** In the president''s office of Hoop Entertainment, Kang Gam-Chan took the personnel files handed over by Kang Ji-Yung. "Here are the personnel files for the new employees this term." "Let''s see." As Kang Gam-Chan looked through the files of three employees, a look of interest appeared on his face. Kang Gam-Chan eximed in surprise upon seeing the photo of Jung Sang-Bong, "Director Kang, isn''t this kid a medalist?" Jung Sang-Bong, a taekwondo national representative, became an instant star at the age of 20 after knocking out his opponent with a splendid roundhouse kick using his long legs in the final match of the Asian Games four years ago. His bold and handsome looks and staggering height of 193 cm also contributed to his fame. But now, he was on the list of new employees at Hoop Entertainment. "Howe someone like him applied to ourpany?" "All he could do was just keep rehabilitating from an injury after winning the medal. When it was time to return, he suddenly felt an aversion to going back." "Wow. So he left that world altogether?" "Yes. He was wondering what to do with his life, so one of his sunbaes rmended him to Hoop Entertainment." "Sunbae? Is that sunbae by any chance an employee of ourpany?" Kang Ji-Yung smiled and shook her head at Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s question. "No. That sunbae is apparently a fan of Cherry Blossom. He came to check theeback schedule of Cherry Blossom on ourpany''s website, saw the job posting, and informed him." Kang Gam-Chan''s face lit up with satisfaction. "Haha, what a small world. It''s fascinating how connections are made. The world has really changed. Back in my day, being a talent agent in the entertainment industry was considered just a fancy errand boy. When I said I was marrying your mother, your maternal grandfather nearly beat me to death." Kang Ji-Yung smiled as Kang Gam-Chan reminisced about the past. "I remember Mom telling me about that. She said grandpa chased after you with the handle of a hoe and you ran away barefoot." Kang Gam-Chan cleared his throat. "Ahem. That was a strategic retreat." "Really? Mom remembers it differently." Kang Gam-Chan waved his hands and dismissed his wife¡¯s version of the story, suggesting she had remembered wrongly. In reality, the permission he had received back then wasrgely due to the shocking announcement from his wife that she was already carrying their precious daughter, Kang Ji-Yung, who was standing in front of him right now. When his father-inw finally gave his consent after days of silent dismay, Kang Gam-Chan couldn''t have been happier. This memory highlighted how the profession of a talent agent was once looked down upon in the past. After reflecting on how times had changed, Kang Gam-Chan returned his attention to the personnel files. "But this guy. Surely he''s not applying to be a talent agent with ns to switch to being a celebrityter? I mean, he is tall and handsome." Kang Ji-Yung shook her head. "I checked just in case, and he said he has no talent for being a celebrity and has never even considered it, let alone intend to pursue it." Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "Assistant Manager Jung said he wanted to pick the staff himself. Did you show him the personnel files?" "Yes. He chose this guy, Jung Sang-Bong." Kang Gam-Chan chuckled. "He really knows how to pick the cream of the crop." The profiles showed that the other two candidates had superior academic backgrounds andpany experience. However, Jung Sang-Bong possessed qualities the others did not. In the demanding world of the entertainment industry, what was often needed most surprisingly was physical stamina and perseverance. It was only natural for Jung Sang-Bong, a gold medalist, to have both. At that moment, Kang Ji-Yung presented another personnel file. "Mr. Kang, please take a look at this file as well." "Who''s this? Weren''t we supposed to have only three new hires?" Kang Ji-Yung handed over a separate file she had prepared. "Yes, but this one is for an experienced position." And again, the candidate was a graduate of the Seoul National University of the Arts. Chapter 100: Forewarning

Chapter 100: Forewarning

Kang Gam-Chan let out a deep sigh. Despite wanting to maintain a bnce, he couldn''t exclude graduates from the Seoul National University of Arts given their prevalence in the industry. "Ju Ho-Sung, huh? He used to be from Ace Entertainment?" "Yes. He was an assistant manager for three years. We brought him in at a higher position as a team lead." Kang Gam-Chan''s eyes narrowed slightly as he reviewed the personnel document. "So, are you going to send Ju Ho-Sung to Actor Division 3 as well?" Following the copse of Louis and Stepping Stone Entertainment and the subsequent recruitment of six actors recruited by Kim Dong-Soo, Actor Division 3 was facing a severe staff shortage. "Yes, sir. Actor Division 3 didn''t seem too crowded when Assistant Manager Jung was there, but gaps started to appear as soon as he left. So we¡¯ll have to deploy all the other new hires to Actor Division 3, except one person who will be assigned to Assistant Manager Jung." "Sigh. If only everyone were like Yoon-Ho, then I''d have no worries." Kang Ji-Yung smiled at Kang Gam-Chan''sint. "Well, Assistant Manager Jung is exceptional. Where else would you find someone like him in the entire industry?" "Right. Then assign Jung Sang-Bong to Yoon-Ho and send the rest to Actor Division 3." "Understood. I''ll inform them ordingly." Then Kang Gam-Chan stopped Kang Ji-Yung as she was about to leave. "Oh, and ask Yoon-Ho toe to the president''s office." At that moment, Kang Ji-Yung frowned slightly. "Are you going to mention that?" Kang Gam-Chan wore a bitter expression. "Yes. I need to let him know." Kang Ji-Yung nodded gravely to the fact that Kang Gam-Chan would have to leave Hoop Entertainment for a few months. "Alright. I''ll bring him upter." Kang Gam-Chan nodded. After all, the matter he needed to discuss with Jung Yoon-Ho wasn''t just about his temporary absence. *** I headed to the meeting room as soon as I arrived at work. In the meeting room of Actor Division 2, Gu Seong-Cheol, Oh Deok-Gu, and Ju Yung-Hoon were gathered. I stood in front of them and reported in detail about what happened with Lee Tae-Poong yesterday. "Dealing with the vice president of Daechon Inc. will definitely be troublesome. Mr. Gu, wouldn''t it be better to leak some articles to block her approachpletely?" But Gu Seong-Cheol firmly shook his head. "It''s not just any chaebols but a scandal involving the actual owner of Daechon Inc. No newspaperpany would take it anyway. We have no choice but to smooth things over with this issue." Despite brainstorming together, we found no other solution. "Alright, let''s end the meeting here. Assistant Manager Jung, the new employees will be assigned after lunch so greet them when theye." "Yes, sir." I returned to my office to work until lunchtime after the meeting. As I was heading to the lobby with the Actor Division 2 staff to go to the local restaurant, I saw Kang Myung-Gil leading four people. Three were the new employees expected today, but one person walking beside Kang Myung-Gil was someone who shouldn''t be here¡ªit was Ju Ho-Sung. ''What? Why is he here?'' In my past life, he was known as the man of action who worked for Kim Dong-Soo at Top Entertainment. My heart began to race. Ju Ho-Sung was someone who would do anything Kim Dong-Soo asked, not out of loyalty but because what he desired were women and money. Kim Dong-Soo didn''t interfere with Ju Ho-Sung as long as he did his job well even if he harassed the female trainees in thepany. He even encouraged it as Ju Ho-Sung was great at getting kickbacks from various ces. But now, Ju Ho-Sung was in Hoop Entertainment. ''What''s going on? It''s not the time for him to show up yet.'' *** Ju Ho-Sung spent the morning mingling with the new employees and only came up to Actor Division 3 after lunch. He nced around and headed toward Kim Dong-Soo''s office. Kim Dong-Soo was alone, waiting for him. After exchanging friendly greetings and sitting down, Kim Dong-Soo started with a smile, "I¡¯m sorry for calling you in earlier than expected." "It''s fine, Mr. Kim. But please keep the promise you made to me." "I know, I know. I''ll cover your outstanding sry, so just do as you''ve always done." "Of course." Kim Dong-Soo had recruited Ju Ho-Sung from Ace Entertainment and promoted him to team lead. They had shared a close sunbae and hoobae rtionship ever since their time at the Seoul National University of Arts, and it had been long agreed that they would work together if Kim Dong-Soo became independent. With Jung Yoon-Ho messing around, especially over the past month, Kim Dong-Soo felt that it was necessary to bring Ju Ho-Sung into Hoop Entertainment a little earlier than nned so that he could manage the situation. With more than half of the money-making routes blocked, Ju Ho-Sung''s knack for generating revenue was urgently needed. "It''s going to take a lot of effort to cover the shortfall." Ju Ho-Sung nodded. "Don''t worry, Mr. Kim. You know what I¡¯m capable of." Kim Dong-Soo burst intoughter because he knew Ju Ho-Sung was even more ruthless in making money than himself. "And take care of that Jung Yoon-Ho guy too. You know that our n has been dyed by at least six months because of him, right?" Ju Ho-Sung chuckled and smiled. "Leave it to me, sunbae-nim." Kim Dong-Soo''s face brightened. "Alright, then shall we go and greet the director?" "Sure. He''s a big sunbae in the Suhyaejong line. I need to make a good impression~." Kim Dong-Soo smiled slyly. *** When Kang Ji-Yung and I entered the president¡¯s office, Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo were having a serious conversation with Kang Gam-Chan. Even Ju Ho-Sung, whom I had passed in the hallway, was also there. Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo frowned upon seeing me. I bowed, but they hardly acknowledged it. But then Ju Ho-Sung, who was seated on the far left, looked at me and licked his lips as if he were eyeing a prey. Despite his kind and innocent appearance, I knew his dark intentions all too well. Thanks to his suspicious expression, I realized Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung must have discussed something. After all, Ju Ho-Sung was also from the Seoul National University of Arts line. "Oh, you¡¯re here. Take a seat." Kang Gam-Chan directed Kang Ji-Yung and me to the sofa on his left. It felt like I was sitting on pins and needles. "Then Director Lee, please do as I have instructed¡ªyou need to handle it well especially since Actor Division 3 now manages many more staff." The conversation seemed to be wrapping up. But at that moment, Kang Gam-Chan said something unexpected. "I''ll mention this again in the chief-level meeting, but I n to take a break for three months starting at the end of this month. Those of you here should be aware of this." ¡®A three-month vacation? This isn''t some Europeanpany.¡¯ Without Kang Gam-Chan, the Seoul National University of Arts line would surely cause chaos with Lee Gi-Cheol bing the top decision-maker. ¡®This is happening right when Yoo-Jin is starting to be properly recognized and Cherry Blossom is making aeback?¡¯ I got a headache from thinking about all the possible scenarios that could unfold in the near future. I had a mountain of questions, but I forced myself to wait until Kang Gam-Chan finished speaking. I nced over and noticed a peculiar change in Lee Gi-Cheol''s expression. He seemed to be struggling to hold back augh. "Oh, and don''t worry about the shareholders¡ªI''ll exin it to them myself. And I trust you to manage thepany well in my absence, Director Lee." Lee Gi-Cheol forced a worried expression and asked, "Mr. Kang, may I ask why you are taking a break?" Kang Gam-Chan chuckled. "Why? Because I''m old, that''s why. I''m taking a break to recharge. What''s the matter? Can''t you handle things for just three months?" Lee Gi-Cheol looked concerned upon hearing Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s answer, but amusement twinkled in his eyes. "You can leave it to me, sir. I can only aspire to follow in your footsteps, but I''ll do my best to lead thepany until you return." During the exchange of a few more pleasantries, I was wrapped in a whirlwind of thoughts and worries. The absence of Kang Gam-Chan, who had always been a solid backing, felt like going into battle without armor. Once the conversation concluded, Kang Gam-Chan dismissed Lee Gi-Cheol, Kim Dong-Soo, and Ju Ho-Sung. "You all can leave. I have matters to discuss with these two." "Understood, sir." At Kang Gam-Chan''s gesture, Lee Gi-Cheol suppressed his smile and led the two out of the room. Kang Gam-Chan slowly leaned back on the sofa and the luxurious leather enveloped himfortably. After taking a few deep breaths, he casually asked, "Director Kang, do you think you can handle things while I''m gone?" Kang Ji-Yung sitting beside me responded, "I''ll... have to." "And Yoon-Ho?" But no matter how much I thought about it, this situation made no sense to me. Because the event of Kang Gam-Chan''s funeral had been deleted from my nner, I couldn¡¯t understand the reason for his sudden break. ¡®Could it be that the symptoms of a stroke which urred to him in my past life are already showing?¡¯ At that moment, I stiffened my expression and asked Kang Gam-Chan, "Mr. Kang, is there a problem with your health?" Kang Gam-Chanughed heartily at my rmed demeanor. "Come on, someone might think I''m dying." "Mr. Kang!" "Woah, why are you shouting? You¡¯re not Lee Gi-Cheol. Don''t worry. The doctor said I''d recover quickly with surgery." "Surgery? What surgery?" Kang Gam-Chan looked at me intently before saying, "Director Kang, could you give us a moment alone?" "Yes, Sir." Kang Ji-Yung left the office with a concerned expression. *** In a private conversation with Kang Gam-Chan, he looked at me earnestly and began to speak. "Yoon-Ho." "Yes, Mr. Kang." "Is it tough working here?" "I can manage it." "That''s good to hear. It¡¯s nice being young, huh?" Returning to a younger body after traveling back ten years in time, I could pull all-nighters without any issue. But then Kang Gam-Chan dropped a bombshell. "It''s a brain tumor." My heart sank as if it had plummeted to the ground. This revtion hit me like a bolt from the blue. ¡®So this was the cause of the future stroke.¡¯ I had thought it was due to hypertension caused by overworking, but urging for a health check-up was indeed a good decision. However, fear crept in because brain tumor was no trivial matter. "Don''t look so shocked. It''s in the very early stages so it¡¯s not very dangerous at all." "How can that be? You said it''s a brain tumor. Of course it¡¯s dangerous!" Kang Gam-Chan smiled. "Don''t worry. The doctor said it was incredibly fortunate to be found so early. I should be back to normal within a month after the surgery without anyplications." Only then did my racing heart begin to calm down slightly. ¡®It''s a relief that it''s in the very early stages.¡¯ But of course, it was hard to bepletely at ease given his condition. "I''m thinking of taking about three months off for rehabilitation. That''s why I made up the excuse of a vacation." Kang Gam-Chan finished speaking and took my hand. A gentle warmth emanated from his thick hands. "While I''m away, please help Ji-Yung out." I could feel a slight tremor in his voice. "What could I possibly help with? She manages well on her own." "No, not that. I¡¯m telling you it''s time to choose sides now." Kang Gam-Chan''s message was clear¡ªit was about choosing a line within Hoop Entertainment. "Now that Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo have set their sights on you, you''re already part of a line whether you like it or not." "...That''s true." "Can you imagine how badly Lee Gi-Cheol will stir things up while I''m gone? Ji-Yung can''t handle it alone, so I''m asking for your help." The war had long been underway. There was no turning back now¡ªit would end up with my defeat or that of Actor Division 3. Moreover, I needed to win over thepany''s core¡ªActor Division 1¡ª to achieve my goals. After all, they would end up supporting Kim Dong-Soo''s side once the bnce began to tilt to one side. I eventually nodded and epted Kang Gam-Chan''s plea. "I''ll do my best though I may fall short." Only then did Kang Gam-Chan release my hand. "Don''t worry. I''ll be around at least until the end of this month when Cherry Blossom makes theireback." "That''s not what''s important right now." "Haha. You worry more than my wife and daughter." I grumbled and took a sip of the sujeonggwa on the table. Having chosen a side, there was one thing I definitely wanted to know. "But Mr. Kang, why are you leaving the Suhyaejong line as is? Is it because you''re significantly outvoted in shares?" Kang Gam-Chan smirked. "You''ve hit the nail on the head. The shares held by Lee Gi-Cheol and the shareholders backing him far exceed mine." The current share structure of Hoop Entertainment was 29% for Kang Gam-Chan, 6% for Lee Gi-Cheol, and the remaining 65% for other shareholders who were naturally aligned with the Seoul National University of Arts line. However, Kang Gam-Chan was entrusted with the management of thepany due to hispetence and reputation in the industry. "It''s embarrassing to say it myself, but thepany''s value will plummet if I step down from this position. So they can''t just push me out until thepany goes public." It was, in essence, sleeping with the enemy. "Then it might be best to keep your surgery schedule a secret. There¡¯s a chance it could be used against you." Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "Right. But there¡¯s no need to overthink it. Just focus on making the celebrities you''re responsible for sessful. That will naturally strengthen Ji-Yung and me." "That¡¯s true. But still..." Now I could fully understand why Kang Gam-Chan couldn''t just get rid of Lee Gi-Cheol and the Seoul National University of Arts line¡ªthepany was essentially owned by the Seoul National University of Arts line even though Kang Gam-Chan was holding it together with his experience, wisdom, and achievements. "Do you have a n?" At that moment, a meaningful smile spread across Kang Gam-Chan''s lips. "Of course, I do." Chapter 101: Changing Future (1)

Chapter 101: Changing Future (1)

Kang Gam-Chan shared his strategy to counter the Seoul National University of the Arts line. "Why do you think I''ve been so busy traveling to China, Japan, and even the US at this age? Though I used our artists'' concerts and events as an excuse, that was just a smokescreen." Hoop Entertainment was nning to go public within 2 to 3 years. Kang Gam-Chan intended to gain support and establish alignment with international entertainment partners as potential supporters. At that moment, a thought crossed my mind. ''This is an opportunity.'' If I could intervene when Kang Gam-Chan''s line shed with the Suhyaejong line, maybe I could tip the bnce and drive Kim Dong-Soo and the Suhyaejong line out of thepany. However, that would require money. Entering the stock market during the time it goes public meant engaging in a battle for shares. ''It¡¯d be nice if I could invest as well. But how do I gather money before then?'' The only money I had at the moment was 20 million won in my bank ount¡ªand the money I invested in Yetterang''s IPO was years away from generating dividends. I momentarily got lost in thought recalling memories from my past life. By the time I came up with a few ways to make money, I was suddenly jolted back to reality when I realized the room was inplete silence. When I looked up, I found Kang Gam-Chan watching me with a pleased look. "What were you thinking about?" After a moment''s hesitation, I decided to be honest. Kang Gam-Chan had opened up to me, so it was only right that I shared my thoughts to some extent. "...I thought of it as an opportunity to make a profit." Kang Gam-Chan''sughter boomed through the office. "Hahaha! Look at you, always so bold." However, it seemed he had correctly guessed my true intention for joining the share battle. He stoppedughing, firmly grasped my hand, and said, "Go ahead. Make as much as you can." I could feel the warmth and energy from his firm grasp. *** After leaving the president¡¯s office, Kim Dong-Soo took Ju Ho-Sung to his office. "So, what do you think after meeting your target?" "Well, what can I say? It was just a brief encounter." However, Ju Ho-Sung''s confident demeanor seemed slightly dampened after meeting Jung Yoon-Ho. "You were all confident just a moment ago, but why the long face now?" Ju Ho-Sung adjusted his expression and shook his head. "It''s not that. You said he''s in his first year¡ªwell, now second year, right?" "Yes. What''s the problem with that?" "He didn''t flinch in front of the chief, director, and even the president. A mere employee acting like that in front of core executives leading apany is quite odd." "Odd?" "Yes, sir. It''s not like he''s some hidden second-generation chaebol." Kim Dong-Soo nodded, realizing Ju Ho-Sung was just curious. "Jung Yoon-Ho wasn''t like this before but suddenly changed." "Suddenly changed?" Kim Dong-Soo tried to recall the past. "I think it was around the end ofst year? Ah, thinking about it makes me furious. Anyway, he suddenly changed after the day Yung-In''s schedule got messed up. Before that, he was as clueless as any other newbie." Ju Ho-Sung tilted his head in curiosity. "Did something happen to him back then?" "Who knows? Maybe those on Kang Gam-Chan''s side made him an offer." After a brief silence, Kim Dong-Soo spoke again. "Alright, take good care of Actor Division 3 and Jung Yoon-Ho for me." "Understood. I''ll pay special attention to him. So, Mr. Kim, please forget about these matters and focus on the bigger picture with the director." Kim Dong-Soo nodded with a pleased expression. As Ju Ho-Sung stood up, he shed a sly smile. "But you know what I¡¯m like, right? There might be some shes with the existing team leads. Is that okay?" "Hehe, go for it. If anyone gets taken advantage of, it''s their own fault for being foolish." Ju Ho-Sung grinned and gave a thumbs-up. After Ju Ho-Sung left, Kim Dong-Soo made a phone call with a smile still on his face. -Mr. Kim? What''s the matter at this hour? On the other end of the phone, Ga Eun-Soo, the production manager and close associate of Director Choi Sung-Moon, responded. "Ah, it¡¯s about our appointment. I was hoping we could bring it forward to early May." -Early May? "Yes, something came up on our end." There was a moment of contemtion from the other side. -It will be a bit tight, but let''s do that. "Thank you. And how about casting Cha Tae-Hoon as the lead for Mr. Choi''s next project?" -Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s a bit too early to make a decision? Cha Tae-Hoon isn''t a bad choice, but I''m not sure about Mr. Choi''s intentions... The main audition for Choi Sung-Moon''s next work Beyond the Boundary was set for May 15th, and Kim Dong-Soo was nning to secure the lead role for Cha Tae-Hoon from Actor Division 3. As the other party hesitated, Kim Dong-Soo made a discreet offer. "If you give him your full support, I''ll give you a 30% cut of the appearance fee." The man on the other endughed heartily. -Alright, then we should aim high for the appearance fee. For someone like Cha Tae-Hoon, let''s start at 700 million won. "Why not aim for 1 billion this time?" Kim Dong-Soo''s suggestion to raise Cha Tae-Hoon''s fee, which was originally 500 million per episode, made the other party ponder longer. But this was an enticing offer to pocket 300 million won, though it had to be shared with Kim Dong-Soo. -Hmm, alright. Let''s try that. So 30% of what I receive...that''s 90 million that goes into your ount, right? "This time, I''m asking for up to 50%." -150 million won? "Yes, I have a lot of expenses to make. In exchange, I''ll ensure the next contract is entirely in your favor. You can have 100% next time." Silence followed for a moment. Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s request for a higher cut was sudden, but an agreement was reached after a brief hesitation. -Well, we do have a higher appearance fee this time...okay, let''s do that. "Thank you." After hanging up, Kim Dong-Soo wore a contented smile on his face. "Ke he he. It¡¯s nice to have no one watching over us with Kang Gam-Chan gone. I wish he''d stay away longer." Then, Kim Dong-Soo picked up the phone again as if he suddenly remembered something. "Hello, this is Kim Dong-Soo. Ju Ho-Sung has arrived well. Yes, I''ll take good care of him. As for thepany''s situation..." Kim Dong-Soo began reporting to someone outside thepany about the ongoing events. *** I was summoned by Gu Seong-Cheol. But upon opening the office door, Gu Seong-Cheol was nowhere to be found and only the newbie Jung Sang-Bong was sitting alone on the sofa. His legs were so long that his bent knees seemed to reach up to my waist. Jung Sang-Bong quickly stood up and bowed at a 90-degree angle like an idol upon noticing me. "Hello, sunbae-nim. My name is Jung Sang-Bong." I reached out for a handshake. "I¡¯m pleased to meet you. I''m Jung Yoon-Ho." "Ah, yes. Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho, sir. I heard you''ll be my mentor. Please feel free to speak to me informally." "Let''s take it easy." As we shook hands, I could feel the calluses on Jung Sang-Bong''s firm hand. Suddenly, a memory from before my past life came back to me. Jung Sang-Bong was expected by many to transition from a talent agent to a celebrity due to his good looks and qualifications. However, he remained a dedicated talent agent alongside his colleagues at Hoop Entertainment until the end. And when I was about to move to Top Entertainment, he confronted me fiercely. -Hyung, are you really going with Chief Kim? Have you lost your mind? How could you betray Yoo-Jin and Hoop Entertainment? That memory was still vivid in my mind. Myst farewell with Jung Sang-Bong, who used to be close to me like a family, was bitter. Jung Sang-Bong remained true to his decision of never meeting me again, a resolution he had firmly established. I did not cross paths with him a single time since my move to Top Entertainment. ¡®I won''t leave this time, Sang-Bong.¡¯ Seeing my pleased expression, Jung Sang-Bong tilted his head in confusion. "Mr. Jung? Is there something on my face?" "Ah, I¡¯m sorry. Haha. It''s just quite something to meet a gold medalist in person." Jung Sang-Bong seemed a bit embarrassed. "No, it''s all in the past. I''ll focus solely on my work as a talent agent from now on!" I couldn''t help but smile when facing Jung Sang-Bong. Shortly after, Gu Seong-Cheol entered the office and asked, "Have you two already introduced yourselves? Sit down for a moment." Sitting on the sofa, Gu Seong-Cheol formally entrusted Jung Sang-Bong to me. "From now on, take good care of Sang-Bong. And Sang-Bong, learn diligently from Yoon-Ho. Even though your mentor''s title is ''assistant manager,'' he''s practically the ace of Actor Division 2." "Yes, sir. I''ve heard about Mr. Jung''s reputation." "Right. If you can even follow half of what Yoon-Ho does, you''ll be considered useful in this industry." "Ah, Mr. Gu. Please stop praising me so much." ¡°What? I¡¯m only speaking the truth¡± ¡®Oh, this guy. He is overpraising me in front of a hoobae.¡¯ "Well then, Mr. Sang-Bong. Or should I say, Sang-Bong, shall we go?" Having been used to only hearing informal speech from his sunbaes, Jung Sang-Bong was quite ufortable with me speaking formally to him. So I eventually had to switch to informal speech. "Yes, Mr. Jung!" Finally, a smile appeared on Jung Sang-Bong''s face and his confident voice made me feel reassured. Now I had another ally to fight alongside me against the Suhyaejong line, and an S-grade one at that. *** I was worried about how to introduce Jung Sang-Bong to Miso, who was shy around strangers. But as soon as Miso saw Jung Sang-Bong, she struck a horse-riding stance with her short legs and threw a punch. "Taekwon!" Miso froze in ce with her punch extended as if waiting for praise before changing her pose. Jung Sang-Bong, catching my nce, brought his hands to the center of his body and shouted, "Attention!" At that moment, Miso instantly responded energetically as she aligned her hands neatly. "Yes, sir!" I asked the spirited Miso who had momentarily be a taekwondo yer. "Miso, how do you know Mr. Jung Sang-Bong? Did you see him on TV?" Miso shook her head. "No, I saw himst year during a field trip. The Taekwon Master showed a demonstration in front of all my friends!" It turned out that Miso had met Jung Sang-Bong during a taekwondo field trip for kindergarteners from all over Seoulst year. "Really?" "Yes! The Taekwon Master even praised me a lot for doing well!" Miso exined that Jung Sang-Bong had even personally helped her adjust her stance. ¡®What a coincidence. She¡¯s calling him the Taekwon Master? Makes sense.¡¯ Yoo-Jin gave a pleased smile. "Oppa, will Mr. Jung Sang-Bong be taking care of us from now on?" "Yes, when I''m not around. Why? Don''t you like him?" Yoo-Jin lifted Miso to meet her gaze. "Miso, what do you think about Mr. Taekwon Master helping us from now on? Is that okay?" Miso''s eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" "Yeah. What do you think, Miso?" After a brief moment of contemtion, Miso nodded her head. "Hmm. I like it!" Ultimately, the final verdict on whether the dedicated manager passed or failed was up to Miso, the chief judge. Yoo-Jin also smiled and nodded. "Please take good care of us, Mr. Jung Sang-Bong." "I''m the one who should be asking for your care, Miss Yoo-Jin." As Jung Sang-Bong and Yoo-Jin exchanged greetings, Miso, who was standing next to Yoo-Jin, suddenly ran over to me. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, Uncle Yoon-Ho. Look at this!" Miso held out something she had made from cut paper. "What''s this?" "I made it myself." It had a red background, blue horns, and a ck tail. ¡®Is it supposed to be a demon or something?¡¯ No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn''t figure out what it was supposed to be. "What is this?" "It¡¯s an angel!" ¡®Ah...though it has horns and its face is red, it''s meant to be an angel...I see.¡¯ "Wow! What a pretty angel! Right?" "Yes! The angel will chase away all your pains, Uncle Yoon-Ho. It''s a talisman, so make sure you carry it with you wherever you go!" Only then did I realize I had mentioned that my health checkup revealed that I had Helicobacter pylori and hence, I was taking medication. Miso remembered that and prepared this especially for me. It was a rather frightening angel that might give someone gastritis just by looking at it, but that was okay because Miso made it for me. I carefully epted the paper angel. "Thank you, Miso." Miso beamed with a smile. "And Uncle Yoon-Ho." Miso gestured for me to sit down. ¡®Is there something she wants to tell me about?¡¯ "Huh? What is it?" "Quickly! Sit down!" As I knelt slightly, Miso cupped her hands and brought them close to my ear. "I like Uncle Yoon-Ho more than the Taekwon Master!" Miso smiled again after her shy confession. I felt like I could fly from happiness due to Miso''s confession. ¡®Demon? What demon?¡¯ The object in my hand was definitely a real angel¡ªeven though it had red skin, a tail, and was holding a pitchfork. Chapter 102: Changing Future (2)

Chapter 102: Changing Future (2)

It was finally April 15th, the day Cherry Blossom''s music video would be released. I had been eagerly waiting for this day to the point of nearly dying of anticipation. By defeating Uncle Music and foiling the debut of the formidable new girl group, Girlfriend7, I had brought together lyricists,posers, and choreographers who would lead Cherry Blossom to sess. On my team were the unfortunate yet brilliantposer, Bang Seon-Woo, the quirky lyricist hailing from a web novel background, Jang Ye-Bin, and Park Seon-Nyeo, who was destined to be a world-renowned choreographer. It would be strange if the song created by this team didn''t be the number-one hit. However, we were faced with another formidable opponent¡ªPetite More. TK Entertainment''s top girl group, Petite More, had intentionally mirrored Cherry Blossom''s schedule¡ªfrom the date of their music video release to charting the music tomorrow and even theireback show on April 25th. It was a tant deration of war aimed at crushing us. [Girl group Petite More to return with their 5th mini album Masquerade] [April 15th, Petite More''s new music video will be released on their official MeTube channel!] [Petite More up for the challenge to dominate music charts again!] [Girl group Cherry Blossom releases new music video] As the articles continued to be posted online, the atmosphere in the meeting room turned chaotic. Lee Dong-Min frowned and asked the team lead of the publicity division, "Team Lead Sung, can''t we spend a bit more on publicity? No one will even know our girls'' music video is out at this rate." "We''ve already spent what we could on publicity, but it''s just not noticeable because we''re up against Petite More." "So we''re just going to sit back and do nothing?" Sung Min-Suk calmed the agitated Lee Dong-Min down. "Of course not. The publicity division is currently meeting with some reporters, so we should have some good news soon." Lee Dong-Min pleaded with his hands sped together, "You know how hard the Cherry Blossom girls have been working for the release of this new album. Let''s give them a proper boost this time, okay?" "Understood. I''ll do my best as well." Upon hearing Sung Min-Suk¡¯s assurance, Lee Dong-Min looked at me with a relieved expression and asked, "Assistant Manager Jung, is the official fan club website all set up?" "Yes, sir. It''s been set up." "Can you ask the admins to put in some extra effort as well?" "I was just about to ask them." Following Sung Min-Suk''s words, I left a message in the admin group chat of the official fan club website, ''Cherry Blossom Family.¡¯ [Group Chat: Official Fan Club Website. Cherry Blossom Family Admins] [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: Hey, guys. Are you online?] [Han Kkot-Nim:[1] Mr. J! We''ve finished decorating the website. Come take a look~. (Link: Nave ''Cherry Blossom Family'' - Cherry Blossom Official Fan Club Website)] [Park Han-Byul: Hey, Kkot deungsim[2]! Why are you getting so cutesy all of a sudden!?] [Han Kkot-Nim: Hey! Bull! Why are you calling me by my nickname? Mr. J, Han-Byul''s nickname is bull by the way!] [Park Han-Byul: Oh, you are so dead tomorrow when I see you at school! I''ll teach you a lesson!] [Han Kkot-Nim: LOL, then I''m not going to school tomorrow.] [Yang Ji-Woo: Kkot-Nim and I are volunteering at a festival tomorrow, so don''t bother looking for us.] The girls from Hoengseong Girls'' High School, whom I had coincidentally encountered at a Hoengseong concertst year, readily agreed to be the admins of the official fan club website upon my request. The fandom''s name was ''Cherry Blossom Family.'' The n was to promote the girls who were currently in theirst year of high school to the board of the official fan club after they graduate next year. The girls addressed me as ¡®Mr. J¡¯ as they found it awkward and distant to address me as ¡®Assistant Manager,¡¯ and thought that I was too young to be called ''uncle,'' while ''oppa'' was too cringy. [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: Let''s focus less on local broadcasts. With Petite More making aeback on the same day, can we get some more support?] [Sung Ji-Yeon: LOL, of course. Don''t worry, we''re already publicizing Cherry Blossom in variousmunities.] [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: Thanks. Then let''s keep up with that and meet at the MBS main entrance on April 25th at 5 PM. Be careful on your way there and call me when you arrive at the entrance.] [Han Kkot-Nim: Okie.] [Park Han-Byul: Oki doki!] [Yang Ji-Woo: Don''t worry. I''ll take good care of the girls.] After the lively chat with the ''Cherry Blossom Family,'' I put my phone back in my pocket. The girls were so high-energy that I was sweating bullets without even doing much. My fingers felt like they were about to burst from responding to their rapid-fire messages which must be hitting 500 characters per minute. "But Sang-Bong, why didn''t you introduce yourself earlier? You''ll have to manage them from now on." Despite being in the same group chat, Jung Sang-Bong didn¡¯t type a single word and only scratched his head. "Well, I don''t really have much experience talking to girls." "You''ll get used to it as you do it more. Practice makes perfect." Jung Sang-Bong exined he was shy around women and sighed heavily, looking like he was about to die. But three monthster, Jung Sang-Bong would have his own fan club named ''Golden Boy.'' It would be a fan club dominated by women in their 30s and above, and Sang-Bong would end up bing almost indifferent to women because of the club''s obsessive behavior that even surpassed that of Petite Angels. I couldn''t help but burst intoughter thinking about such a future. "Well then, Mr. Lee, we''ll head straight to the Cherry Blossom girls." "Alright. Take care!" Leaving the busy Lee Dong-Min behind, I headed to Cherry Blossom¡¯s dorm with Jung Sang-Bong. *** When we arrived at Cherry Blossom¡¯s dorm, everyone was gathered for dinner. Sae-Ri was slumped on the sofa, Eun-Ah was sitting upright in a formal posture watching TV, Woo Yeon-Hee had just showered and was drying her hair, and Yang Eun-Bi was engrossed in something on her tablet. But everyone looked like they had lost half their weights due to the rigorous practice for theeback. Woo Yeon-Hee greeted us warmly, "Oppa, how are you?" After exchanging greetings, I immediately informed the four of them about the creation of Cherry Blossom''s official fan club website. "We have an official fan club website now?" Despite having released their second album, Cherry Blossom did not have an official fan club website until now. Woo Yeon-Hee was so surprised that she stopped drying her hair mid-way, causing a few drops of water to fall from her wet hair. At that moment, Yang Eun-Bi suddenly bombarded us with rapid-fire questions. "When did you create a fan club website without us knowing? And who are the admins?" "They are the girls we met in Hoengseong." Sae-Ri, who had been lying down on the sofa, instantly jumped up. "Really? That''s awesome!" Sae-Ri said that the Hoengseong High School girls were worth a hundred and began to dance joyously with her fists pumping up and down and her hips swaying as if dancing like an old grandma. ''Sae-Ri, you''ve been properly practicing the dance for this song, right?'' Eun-Ah managed to calm down the excited Sae-Ri. "For now, the publicity division will provide each of you with separate ounts so don''t join with personal IDs. There might be some unpleasant posts." The Cherry Blossom members nodded continuously and eximed, "Okay!" "Oh, by the way. This is the first time you''re meeting Sang-Bong, right?" When I called Jung Sang-Bong who was standing idly by the entrance, he approached us and bowed like an idol. "H-hello! I''m the new employee at Hoop Entertainment, Jung Sang-Bong!" Seeing Jung Sang-Bong''s face, the Cherry Blossom members tilted their heads with puzzled expressions. "I feel like I''ve seen him somewhere before..." "Probably from the Olympic reys or when the national anthem was yed after regr broadcasts." Sae-Ri pped her hands at my remark and responded, "Oh, he¡¯s the Taekwondo guy who did the spinning kicks during the national anthem!" "Huh? Really?" ¡°Whoa, seriously? Uncle, please move your hand so we can see your face properly! Oh my gosh, you¡¯re right. It¡¯s him!¡± Jung Sang-Bong''s face turned red as the girls gathered around him. ¡®But did they just call him uncle?¡¯ Despite his mature and sharp looks, he was only 24 this year¡ªand 24 wasn¡¯t really an age to be called ¡®uncle.¡¯ "Sae-Ri, don''t call him uncle. Sang-Bong is actually three years younger than me." Sae-Ri quickly bowed her head in apology, "I''m sorry! Mr. Taekwon!" "It''s-it''s okay." Listening to Sae-Ri''s apology, Yang Eun-Bi giggled and asked, "Since you both share thest name Jung, can we call you Mr. Taekwon from now on?" "U-um. T-that''s fine with me!" And so, Jung Sang-Bong''s nickname became Mr. Taekwon. "Come on, everyone. Let''s eat. Assistant Manager Jung and the new guy,e take a seat as well." Lee Ju-Yung, who was helping with household chores along with the housekeeper, Lee Mi-Ja, called us to the dining table. It was essential to feed the girls a hearty dinner as there were lessonster in the evening. The Cherry Blossom girls¡¯ faces were beaming with smiles like fully bloomed flowers because dinner was the only time they could have a proper meal in a day due to their strict diet in preparation for theireback. Although the main dish at the center of the table was bulgogi mixed with soy sauce, more than half of the other dishes were vegetables. But this was more than enough for an idol''s diet. "It¡¯s beef! Auntie! Is it someone''s birthday today?" Lee Mi-Ja put down the side dishes with a kind face and replied, "Today¡¯s the day your music video is released, right? I made this to cheer you on. Come on, eat up." "Wow, I''m touched. You¡¯re the best," eximed Sae-Ri as she hugged Lee Mi-Ja from behind. Lee Mi-Ja gently patted Sae-Ri''s small head and Sae-Ri giggled like a child. "You''ve all worked hard for this moment and I¡¯m so proud. You¡¯ve got this!" "Yes!" Jung Sang-Bong and I also pulled out chairs and picked up our chopsticks. At that moment, my phone buzzed with the pre-recorded Cherry Blossom''s new song ¡®Hurry Up!¡¯ ¡ºHands up high! Hurry~ Up!¡» When I picked up the phone, I heard Lee Dong-Min''s voice. -The music video will be uploaded on MeTube and Nave at 8 PM. Make sure the girls don''t get shaken by thements. "Yes, sir." I ended the call after receiving a few more instructions. But I noticed that Cherry Blossom members were looking at me with sparkly eyes. "Why are you looking at me like that? You¡¯re making me nervous." Woo Yeon-Hee smiled warmly and asked, "Did you already set our song as your ringtone?" "Yeah." "I''m so touched that I might start crying," said Sae-Ri as she pretended to cry. "What''s there to be touched about? This is the least I could do. And stop overacting, Sae-Ri." Sae-Ri pretended to be upset yfully. "I''m not overacting, hmph!" ¡®She is going into the ninth grade this year but still acts like a child.¡¯ We hurriedly finished our dinner and sat around the living room table, opening aptop and anxiously waiting for thepany''s official MeTube channel to upload the music video. When about ten minutes passed, Yang Eun-Bi and Sae-Ri, who were dressed for dance lessons, clung to my side. ¡°Oppa, has it been uploaded yet?" Woo Yeon-Hee and Eun-Ah also approached us, insisting on watching the music video uploaded to MeTube before leaving for their lesson. I reassured them and gently rested my finger on theptop''s F5 key. "Not yet. It''s 7:59 p.m. now, so it should be uploaded after one more minute. Just wait a little longer." Woo Yeon-Hee''s tone was filled with fear and tension. "I hope it goes well." "Of course it will. The song is great, the lyrics are great, and the choreography is great too. Thepany is also putting a lot of focus on marketing this release. We did the best we could, so don''t worry." "Even with Petite More as our opponent?" "Yes, even with them as your opponent." Woo Yeon-Hee nodded. Then, she cautiously ced her hand on my right shoulder. "Oppa, just let me stay like this for a bit." Woo Yeon-Hee''s hand on my shoulder was trembling gently. Yang Eun-Bi followed suit and ced her hand on my left shoulder as well. "Then I¡¯ll take this shoulder." Sae-Ri clung to my back as if I was giving her a piggyback. "His back is mine." Then, Sae-Ri, who was clinging onto my back gestured to Eun-Ah behind her. "Eun-Ah unnie,e here. Quick!" Eventually, Eun-Ah also approached and grabbed the hem of my suit jacket. ''Well, if that makes you all feel better, go ahead.'' I could feel the trembling in the fingertips of all four girls holding onto me. Memories of obstacles from Lee Gi-Cheol, the interference from Singer Division 1, and even the times they were forced by the trainers to use the underground performance hall instead of practice rooms all shed through my mind. But those days of hardship were now behind us. If ¡®Hurry Up!¡¯ reaches number one on the music charts, the way people treated Cherry Blossom would drastically change. I reassured the worried Cherry Blossom members confidently. "It''s okay. Everything will turn out great." ¡®...even though we ended uppeting against the industry-leading Petite More on the same day and at the same time.¡¯ My reassurance made them nod in agreement, affirming their own hard work. "It''ll be okay. Everything will work out fine." As we chanted this almost magical incantation together, it soon turned 8 o''clock. "Oppa, press the button!" "Okay." When I pressed the F5 key to refresh thepany''s MeTube channel page, Cherry Blossom''s new song ¡®Hurry Up!¡¯ appeared at the top of the channel. "It''s up!" But the rate at which the views of the music video were increasing was different than what I had expected. 1. Kkot ? is flower in Korean ? 2. A type of rib-eye steak that is rolled and skewered ? Chapter 103: Changing Future (3)

Chapter 103: Changing Future (3)

"Wow, this is amazing." [Cherry Blossom ¡®Hurry Up!¡¯ Views 5,320 Likes 521] The music video exceeded 5,000 views in less than three minutes. In an era where personal broadcasting streamers with millions of viewers abound, 5,000 might seem trivial. But for Cherry Blossom who had just set up their fan club website, these numbers were extraordinary. "Yay!" While thements section was peppered with some negative remarks as expected by Lee Dong-Min, it was still overwhelmingly positive. I hesitated to show thements to the girls before the music video was released, but it was a different story now given the circumstances. I selected a few nicements to share with the girls. (Comments) -Wow, ¡®Hurry Up!¡¯ I like this -This song is perfect for an rm in the morning! -They are bursting with fresh charms! -Who''s the one standing in the center? She¡¯s kinda my type. -Her name is Sae-Ri. She¡¯s still in middle school, so let''s keep thements clean. -This song is going to be a hit LOL. The melody is catchy and the lyrics really stick with you. Hurry~ Up! -A, my Sae-Ri. Her dance is too cute. As the views and likes on the MeTube channel rapidly increased, all of the girls were blinking in disbelief, wondering if this was a dream or reality. Yang Eun-Bi incredulously recalled the statistics from their second album. "The views for our second albumst time didn''t even reach 50 even after an hour..." ¡®Only 50 views in an hour? Wow, their second album really hit rock bottom.¡¯ But Yang Eun-Bi¡¯sment paradoxically showed how incredible Cherry Blossom''s talent and potential were, considering they managed to reach 30th ce with such low views. "Ah, I''m about to cry. Sniff~." Overwhelmed with emotions, Sae-Ri¡¯s eyes began to well up with tears. Seeing them so happy over just 5,000 views made me think we should perhaps strengthen their mental fortitude in anticipation of hitting number one. The original ''Hurry Up!'' from my previous life was a huge hit which ranked first on the music charts for five weeks. But this time, with the vastly improved skills ofposer Bang Seon-Woo, who gave his all for the song, it would not be surprising if the song could continue to rank first on the charts for more than five weeks. That''s when a cold sensation on my neck made me snap out of my thoughts. When I turned around, I saw Sae-Ri''s tears drenching the back of my neck. Her tears were falling like a waterfall. "Sae-Ri, I¡¯m d you¡¯re happy but can you cry a bit further away from me? This is the only suit I have since the rest are at the dry cleaners." Sae-Ri refused to move away and shook her head with tears brimming in her eyes. Then, she clung onto me even tighter like a baby ko determined not to let go. "No, I want to stay like this until the view count stops rising!" ¡®Are we going to stick together all day or what?¡¯ ¡°Yeon-Hee, I think we''re good now... Can you let go of my hand? And while you''re at it, could you take this ko off my back?" Woo Yeon-Hee nodded but hesitated to let go, flinching as if afraid. Fortunately, the view count continued to rise steadily, reassuring Woo Yeon-Hee who let out a sigh of relief. "Phew. We''re good." "See? Now let go. The views are still increasing as you can see." "You¡¯re right. Everyone~ it seems safe to let go now." Following Woo Yeon-Hee''s words, Yang Eun-Bi and Eun-Ah gradually released their grips. But Sae-Ri remained glued to me. "No, unnie. I feel too anxious to let go." "Sae-Ri, I¡¯m telling you¡ªwe are okay." "No, I¡¯m going to stay like this." ¡®Sae-Ri, are you going to buy me a new suit?¡¯ While I was holding back from saying those words out loud, Woo Yeon-Hee managed to get Sae-Ri off me, but only after my suit''s neckline hadpletely been soaked with tears. At that moment, Yang Eun-Bi who had been watching the monitor intently suddenly started shaking my arm excitedly as if she remembered something. "Oppa! Oppa! How many views does Petite More have? Check theirs too." "Why bother with that? Let¡¯s just focus on our views, not anyone else''s.¡± That¡¯s when Sae-Ri started whining, threatening to climb on my back again if I didn''t show them Petite More¡¯s views. "Ah, why? Hurry up and just show us, will you? I''m getting dizzy here!" ¡®Sae-Ri. You''re the one making me dizzy!¡¯ I had no choice but to give in. ¡®Fine, let''s take a look. There!¡¯ Eventually, I typed Petite More''s MeTube channel URL into the address bar. Click. The page changed, revealing Petite More''s new song, ''Masquerade.'' [Petite More ''Masquerade'' Views 62,128 Likes 620] "Their rate is ten times faster than ours... huh?" Cherry Blossom looked disappointed. Despite how good Cherry Blossom''s new song was, I had already expected it to be overshadowed initially given Petite More''s reputation, fan base, and media coverage. ¡®That''s why I didn''t want to show Petite More¡¯s new song to them.¡¯ But thankfully, a notable metric caught my eye. "Guys, you won in likes!" [Cherry Blossom ''Hurry Up!'' Views 6,820 Likes 658] "Really? Oh my gosh, you¡¯re right!" "Why do we have more likes even though the views are ten times less?" I answered Woo Yeon-Hee''s question with augh, "Because they like you guys?" Woo Yeon-Hee made an excited expression and yfully hit my arm while saying, "Oh,e on. Oppa!" ¡°I¡¯m serious. The reason there are so many likes is because the song is good. Once we start our broadcasting activities, we''ll quickly catch up with Petite More in terms of views." ¡®Right. This is just the beginning.¡¯ But there was something that made me feel uneasy¡ªPetite More''s song had changed significantly from what I knew of before in my past life. ''What''s this? Their song sounds much better than the same one in my past life.¡¯ The original ''Masquerade'' in my past life was a somewhatcking hip-hop dance track. It managed to hold the first ce for four weeks but that was purely as a result of a strong fan base and the song started plummeting soon after. The song had an almost nonexistent hook, inscrutable lyrics, muddled enunciation, and difficult English rap parts. It was a song you couldn''t possibly sing along to in karaoke. ¡®This isn¡¯t right.¡¯ Although the basic melody was simr to the one before the regression, the song''s overall vibe was entirely different. This level of change wasn''t just a matter of different music arrangements; it indicated a shift at the producer level. Many things were different from my past life. A small ripple disturbed my previously calm state of mind. ''What exactly is happening with Petite More right now?'' *** A day passed and it was time to release the songs on the music charts. In the meeting room of Singer Division 2, Lee Dong-Min was chuckling over the MeTube views. [Petite More ''Masquerade'' Views 212,128 Likes 1,920] [Cherry Blossom ¡®Hurry Up!¡¯ Views 45,320 Likes 4,564- "I''d say this is a good start. No, actually, it''s beyond expectations." The initial rapid increase in views had settled into a more steady growth rate. The gap with Petite More, which was once a tenfold difference in views, had now narrowed to fivefold. And of course, we were still leading in terms of likes. Han Myung-Ho said with hopeful anticipation, "Mr. Lee, with these numbers, we might actually stand a chance. Don¡¯t you think so?" Lee Dong-Min nodded in agreement. ¡°How are the girls holding up mentally?" "Not bad at all. They were especially over the moon this morning." The negativements on the music video on the first day had almost vanished by this morning. "Hehe, all thements were praises. It''s been a while since we''ve had such a response to one of our music videos." The positive response to the music video allowed us to show thements directly to the Cherry Blossom members without any need for filtering. Lee Dong-Min smiled contentedly. "This is the first time since I joined thepany where I''ve seen such a good response to a music video from Singer Division 2." At that moment, Han Myung-Ho frowned as he read an article about Petite More. "What''s this about now?" [Petite More to fully release their fifth mini-album today!] [Another music video from Petite More, ¡®Princess of the Night,¡¯ now avable! (Link)] [Petite More''seback stage set for April 25th on MBS Show! Music Center] Things had changed. Petite More did not only change their title track but was also now pre-releasing another music video. In my past life, ''Princess of the Night'' only existed as an audio track with no music video produced. It seemed like the change had been made at least a month ago considering the preparation time needed. "Team Lead Han, bring up MeTube!" "Yes, sir." Han Myung-Ho disyed the ''Princess of the Night'' music video on therge LCD screen at Lee Dong-Min''smand. As expected, the basic melody was indeed the same as the one in my memory but the arrangement and the styling of the music video werepletely different. After all, the quality of a song could vary greatly depending on who did the arrangement. The song was ridiculed as a clumsy hip-hop piece in my past life, but it now seemed decently polished. No one spoke a single word during the entire 4 minutes and 30 seconds of the music video. When the music video ended, Lee Dong-Min grumbled, "How much money did they pour into this music video?" Han Myung-Ho also frowned and chimed in. "If one mini-album has two major music videos, the production cost must have hit at least 50 billion won, don''t you think?" "50 billion? From what I see, I bet they easily spent 100 billion won. The scale of the music videos is just different." Kim Mi-Hye and Park Jin-Sung, the assistant managers of the publicity division also looked troubled. "TK must be really going all out this time. Launching two music videos at once..." Thevish sets and fashion that reminded one of New York Fashion Week were undeniably buzz-worthy. We had to admit that Cherry Blossom''s ''Hurry Up!'' couldn''t match Petite More¡¯s videos in terms of freshness and vivacity despite ¡®Hurry Up!¡¯ being more fresh and vibrant. But no matter how good ''Hurry Up!'' was, it could easily be overshadowed the moment the buzz leaned heavily in one direction. A chill ran down my spine. I felt like I was standing in front of a cliff. But in such times, one had to do whatever it takes to survive. "Mr. Park, how much can we stretch the publicity budget?" Park Jin-Sung, assigned exclusively to Cherry Blossom by Sung Min-Suk, had a stern expression as he spoke. "As much as needed. Mr. Kang already ordered full support to be given to Cherry Blossom¡¯seback." The atmosphere in Singer Division 2 lightened up a bit. "Alright. Then let''s give it our all so we don''t fall behind TK Entertainment." "But we need to at least perform well on the music charts to avoid bacsh. That way, I have something to say to the higher-ups. Right?" "Of course, that''s a given." Assured by my confident expression, Park Jin-Sung nodded with a pleased look. As we got back to work, the time to check the music charts arrived. It was 5:50 PM and there were only ten minutes left until the songs were released. The high tension engulfed the room. Unable to focus on his work, Lee Dong-Min set his tablet on the table. "Phew. I just can''t concentrate. What do you guys think will be our entry rank on the charts? Shall we make a bet?" Surprised by Lee Dong-Min''s sudden suggestion, Han Myung-Ho boldly dered, "The song turned out well, so I''m betting on a top 20 entry." ¡°Phew!¡± The staff of Singer Division 2 blew a whistle at Han Myung-Ho¡¯s remark. If the chart entry rank was 20th, it was a given that Cherry Blossom would end up in the top three eventually. "Ah, what!? This song did turn out really well!" When Han Myung-Ho protested, Lee Dong-Min just smirked. Then, he turned to Kim Mi-Hye and asked, "Assistant Manager Kim, what rank do you see us at?" "I''d be thankful for even 30th ce." If the chart entry rank was 30th, the result typically ended up around tenth ce. Everyone took turns predicting a good rank, and then it was my turn. "What do you think, Assistant Manager Jung?" At that moment, all eyes turned toward me. "What rank do you think, Assistant Manager Jung?" We would find out in three minutes, but with rumors of my foresight and ability to tell the future, everyone seemed curious about my prediction. I tried to recall my memories amidst hopeful and anxious stares. The original ¡®Hurry Up!¡¯ in my past life had an entry ranking of 15th. Then, exactly three dayster, it took first ce. Such was possible due to a massive marketing push by Ace Entertainment. While that marketing push was absent this time, I trusted the significantly improved song, choreography, and lyrics and called the same rank. "I¡¯d say 15th without being greedy." The staff were startled and their eyes widened. "I-if the entry is 15th, that means Cherry Blossom is going straight to first ce!" "Yes. I think they will reach first ce." Amotion broke out and staff murmured they''d have no more wishes left if that really happened. Lee Dong-Min smiled and patted my shoulder. "If that happens, I''ll treat everyone to barbeque until we''re sick of it tonight. It¡¯s all on me." "You promise?" "What? You think I¡¯m not capable of paying that much? I am Lee Dong-Min, after all!" ¡®Indeed, he did say he made quite a bit of money in his younger days.¡¯ Though there wasn¡¯t a single analog clock in the room, the ticking sound seemed to echo in my ears as if it were a hallucination. And then the time turned 6 p.m. With a ding, the song was uploaded to the Mng chart. Everyone waited with nervous expressions for the ranking updates. "It''s up!" The moment we saw the initial entry rank of ¡®Hurry Up!¡¯ on the chart at 6:05 p.m., everyone¡¯s jaws dropped. "Wow!" "Can you believe this?" Lee Dong-Min, Han Myung-Ho, and even I couldn''t help but open our mouths wide in surprise. Chapter 104: Changing Future (4)

Chapter 104: Changing Future (4)

[Mng Chart] 15th Cherry Blossom ¡®Hurry Up!¡¯ (New Entry) Upon checking that Cherry Blossom¡¯s song entered the Mng Chart at the same rank as in my past life, everyone in the meeting room burst into exmations. "Wow, look at the goosebumps on my arms!" "Assistant Manager Jung. What exactly are you?" "Do you really have some kind of special ability or something?" "You could rival even the most renowned shamans." "I bet you will be raking in bags of money if you quit thepany and be a shaman." Lee Dong-Min suddenly stood up. With an excited face, he shook hands with each of the employees. Though the final results were not out yet, such an encouraging start was unprecedented for Cherry Blossom. "Great job, Team Lead Han! Well done, Assistant Manager Kim. Good job, everyone!" Then, Lee Dong-Min came over to me, extending his hand, and said, "Assistant Manager Jung. This is all thanks to you." "Not at all, Mr. Lee." "Oh, but it really is. You brought in theposer, lyricist, and choreographer. The people you picked yourself did marvelous jobs. It''s almost as if you produced it all by yourself, so don''t be too modest.¡± Lee Dong-Min kept patting my shoulder as if to dispel all the grievances of the past. That''s when I received a KkTalk notification. Ding! "Mr. Lee. I got a message from the girls at Hoengseong Girls'' High School. Can I quickly check it for a moment if you let go..." "Ah, right. Tell them well done too." I unlocked Lee Dong-Min''s firm handshake and checked the group chat. [Group Chat: Official Fan Club Website. Cherry Blossom Family Admins] [Han Kkot-Nim: Mr. J! Girls in our ss are in love with ''Hurry Up!'' Congrattions to us and Cherry Blossom for reaching 15th ce!] [Park Han-Byul: I told our ss not only to listen but also to download it. 15th ce is a bit disappointing.] [Yang Ji-Woo: Don¡¯t say that. I think we might reach first ce in a few days with this momentum.] [Sung Ji-Yeon: Ah, I''m not satisfied with the ranking. My favorite not being first feels like the world is wrong.] [Assistant Manager Jung Yoon-Ho: Haha. What you''ve done so far is enough.] The fan club website had managed to gather a thousand members in just a day. Not only did the four girls from Hoengseong Girls'' High gather friends and rtives, but they also promoted Cherry Blossom''s new song on the onlinemunities they were part of. Their efforts truly exceeded my expectations. But ording to the girls, this was just the beginning. [Han Kkot-Nim: Woah. Is Ji-Yeon finally drawing her sword?] [Yang Ji-Woo: Mr. J. Ji-Yeon has been the president of the Elias Gangwon branch fanclub since she was in the seventh grade. She quit when Elias disbanded to focus on her studies.] Elias was the fandom name for ''Dongbangminamdan,'' a boy band that debuted a few years before Petite More and dominated the music charts for about two years. I couldn¡¯t believe that Sung Ji-Yeon had control over the entire Gangwon branch of the famous Elias fandom while in her first year of middle school. ¡®Sung Ji-Yeon. What exactly are you?¡¯ At that moment, the group chat began to explode with the girls¡¯ conversation. [Yang Ji-Woo: Huh? Petite More also charted just now. But the ranking seems a bit off.] [Han Kkot-Nim: Wow. Isn''t this some kind of a fraud?] [Sung Ji-Yeon: As expected. I should have acted a bit earlier.] Petite More''s ranking appeared on the chart ten minutes after us. At that moment, I confirmed the reason behind the vague unease I had been feeling. ¡®No way...¡¯ [Mng Chart] 3rd: Petite More ''Masquerade'' 6th: Petite More ¡®Princess of the Night¡¯ 7th: Petite More ¡®When Midnight Strikes¡¯ 8th: Petite More ¡®Golden Carriage¡¯ 9th: Petite More ¡®Magic Music Witch¡¯ ... 15th: Cherry Blossom ''Hurry Up!'' All five songs from Petite More¡¯s fifth mini-album had entered the top ten rankings as soon as they hit the chart. "Wh-what''s this? What¡¯s going on?" Amotion arose among the employees who btedly checked the rankings. ¡®Was there ever a case where songs climbed the charts with such overwhelming performance immediately upon entry?¡¯ This result was unprecedented even for Petite More''s highly sessful second and third mini-albums. "Sigh. I guess first ce... is out of reach now." Someone''sint brought down the previously lively atmosphere. Everyone had been excited at the thought of Cherry Blossom¡¯s song soon soaring to first ce, but now that hope was dashed. However, I couldn''t give up yet. ¡®The Cherry Blossom members had worked so hard.¡¯ "Mr. Park." "Yes?" Assistant Manager Park Jin-Sung from the Promotion Division turned around with a disappointed expression. "We can give Cherry Blossom more push with this rank, right?" "Well, I guess. But that''s..." I was confident that with a song created by Bang Seon-Woo, lyrics by Jang Ye-Bin, and choreography by Park Seon-Nyeo, we could aim for first ce. With that confidence, I pressed the hesitant Park Jin-Sung. "Mr. Park, Petite More entered the chart with a base of 200,000 fans. It''s only natural for them to have high rankings. On the other hand, Cherry Blossom has just made an official fan club website and still reached 15th ce without even having a fanbase. Please give them a good push. If you do, we can definitely take them to first ce." Park Jin-Sung''s expression turned sour, perhaps due to Petite More''s strong momentum. But Lee Dong-Min shook off his disappointment and requested a strong push as well upon hearing my words. "Hey, Assistant Manager Park. Let¡¯s be honest here¡ªthis is worth pushing! We are doing better than Golden Road right now. Are you really not going to give them a push?" Lee Dong-Min and the staff from Singer Division 2 started to press Park Jin-Sung. "Hurry up! We are now up to 14th ce! Up, up!" In the meantime, the news came that the ranking had climbed another step to 14th. Park Jin-Sung nodded. "Understood. Since Singer Division 2 has achieved a historic chart entry, we''ll run the publicity efforts at an A-grade level." "Come on, make it S-grade." Park Jin-Sung scratched his head with a troubled look and said, "It''s difficult to give them an S-grade push right now, but we''ll switch to an S-grade push immediately if we can overtake just one of Petite More''s fifth album songs." Lee Dong-Min quickly changed his expression and grabbed Park Jin-Sung''s hand firmly and asked, "Is that a promise?" "Yes, yes." Park Jin-Sung made a face as if realizing his mistake for overpromising, but it was already a done deal. I went further and showed the KkTalk group chat with the fanclub to Lee Dong-Min. "Mr. Lee. Apparently, Sung Ji-Yeon used to be the branch manager of Elias." "What? That quiet-looking kid was the branch manager for Elias in Gangwon? Weren''t they notoriously fervent?" "Yes. She managed the entire Gangwon region in her first year of middle school." "What exactly is her identity?" "Well, her family is incredibly wealthy, she''s the top student in the entire school, and she''s also the student council president of Hoengseong Girls'' High School...so maybe a textbook definition of the perfect girl that everyone wants to be?" "...Are you telling me to believe that?" "I can hardly believe it myself, but apparently it¡¯s true. Anyway, the admin team is rolling up their sleeves, so maybe we should at least support them with some goods." Lee Dong-Min agreed after a moment of consideration. "Just tell them to buy anything they need for their publicity efforts and send us the receipt. We''ll support them as much as we can." The previously negative atmosphere vanished in an instant. Then, Lee Dong-Min lifted the mood even further by mentioning my name. "Come on, everyone. Let''s cheer up! We got this! Assistant Manager Jung assured us that we''ll take first ce!" "Then is it Assistant Manager Jung''s fault if we don''t take first ce this time?" "Now that I think about it, I guess so. Assistant Manager Jung, you''re treating us to a barbecue if Cherry Blossom doesn''t take first ce. Right?" I couldn''t understand why the me was suddenly directed at me. But I couldn''t dampen the rising momentum. "Yes, sir! It will be on me." ¡®I¡¯ll have to take them to an all-you-can-eat buffet.¡¯ I added ''all-you-can-eat'' under my breath so no one could hear. But right now, buying what kind of barbecue was less important than beating Petite More. The only thing we werecking at the moment were recognition and poprity. I looked through the nner again just in case there might be a hint, but I couldn¡¯t find anything that could help me. This meant I had no choice but to rely on all the experience I had. I immediately called Park Seon-Nyeo when a great idea to wage a publicity campaign suddenly popped up in my mind. *** [Petite More, historic fifth mini album. All songs in ''Masquerade'' album enters Mng Chart Top Ten] [Petite More''s new song ''Masquerade.'' A dreamy image filled with the duality of angels and demons.] [Petite More sessfully changed their image to ''Hip-Hop Warriors''] [Park Eun-Bin''s intense gaze! Reborn from a girl to a woman!] [Cherry Blossom''s ''Hurry Up!'' enters the Mng Chart Top Ten! "It feels like a dream."] In just one day, all five of Petite More''s songs entered within the top seven rankings on the music chart. The fifth ce was taken by boy group ZIZAK''s ¡®Just Us Tonight,¡¯ which fluctuated within the top ten for a long time. The sixth ce was upied by boy group GOD.6''s ¡®Blue Bubble.¡¯ Inparison, Cherry Blossom''s new song had made it up to tenth ce. Lee Dong-Min sighed in disbelief. "They must have bought the entire page. How much are they pouring into advertising?" "I hear TK Entertainment is going all out with their publicity efforts. Even though our Publicity Division is pouring in A-grade advertising budgets, it''s nowhere near enough." Upon hearing Han Myung-Ho¡¯s words, Lee Dong-Min closed his tablet and looked at me with a frustrated expression and asked, "Assistant Manager Jung, how are things going on your side? Is everything going well?" "Yes, sir. Don¡¯t worry too much about it." "I¡¯m counting on you. I''ll be at the broadcasting station to arrange the schedule, so you talk to the Publicity Division." Lee Dong-Min left the meeting room with Han Myung-Ho for a face meeting for next week''seback stage. As time flew by busily, I received a call from Park Seon-Nyeo. -Assistant Manager Jung, I''ve uploaded the lesson video. And my academy students will soon upload a cover of the video as well as a bonus lesson. Park Seon-Nyeo informed me that she had uploaded the video in an excited voice. After hanging up the call, I immediately visited her MeTube channel¡ªand on the channel was a 30-minute long lesson video. [Cherry Blossom''s choreographer Park Seon-Nyeo personally teaches ''Hurry Up!'' dance moves in a simple lesson!] The rise in ie for idol groups and their rapid growth and overseas expansion owed a great deal to lesson videos and cover videos uploaded by the public. Cherry Blossom''s ''Hurry Up!'' also had a repetitive chorus and distinctive choreography, making it a great song to cover. After all, I had asked choreographer Park Seon-Nyeo to aim for that purpose ande up with such a choreography from the beginning. But simply waiting around wouldn''t guarantee when cover videos would be uploaded. ''Then we can upload the cover video ourselves.'' The lesson video Park Seon-Nyeo uploaded was simple enough for even a person with two left feet like me to follow. With 150,000 subscribers and a daily viewership of 30,000, Park Seon-Nyeo''s MeTube channel quickly started to increase the views for Cherry Blossom''s new song ''Hurry Up!'' And before even 30 minutes had passed, the cover videos from the 30 to 50 year-old female members of Park Seon-Nyeo''s aerobics ss began to be uploaded one by one. The cover videos of the fresh and lively (although questionable by many) academydies shouting ''Ho'' loudly while dancing immediately caught everyone''s attention. Thedies in the video were performing sharp choreography in shy fluorescent aerobics outfits. "That''s it. This should stir up some buzz." Jung Sang-Bong who was standing beside me couldn''t stopughing as he watched the video. "Wow, this really stands out. Wow~ It''s just amazing. Hahaha." I spoke to theughing Jung Sang-Bong in a soft voice, "Why are you talking like it''s someone else''s business? You''ll soon be wearing fluorescent tights and dancing with them." Ast that moment, Jung Sang-Bong''s face turned white beyond pale. "What? What do you mean... Me? In tights? Why?" "Don¡¯t you think a talent agent¡¯s self-sacrifice is necessary to increase even one more view?" Shocked by myment, Jung Sang-Bong''s face turned ashen and he began to tremble. I patted Jung Sang-Bong''s shoulder tofort him and said, "Hang in there. You''ll get used to it quickly." Leaving the dazed Jung Sang-Bong behind, I sent video links and article summaries to the reporters. *** As night fell, the articles began to be published one by one as expected. [Cherry Blossom''s new song ''Hurry Up!'' reaches 220,000 views on MeTube!] [The most rapidly viewed video uploaded in Korea this year!] [Aerobics academy students'' ''Hurry Up!'' cover video!] The public reaction to Cherry Blossom¡¯s new song was better than I had anticipated. ''Let''s keep this going. Onward!'' Ding! At that moment, I received a KkTalk message from someone I had asked to cover the video. [Lovely?Yoo-Jin: Oppa, I''ve filmed the video. What should I do now?] [Assistant Manager Jung Yoon-Ho: Already?] [Lovely?Yoo-Jin: Yes. I have about four videos of Miso dancing, but I''m not sure which one to send to you.] [Assistant Manager Jung Yoon-Ho: Send them all to me for now.] [Lovely?Yoo-Jin: Okay.] [Assistant Manager Jung Yoon-Ho: Thanks!] I had asked Yoo-Jin, who had finished filming early for the day, to dance to ''Hurry Up!'' with Miso to create a buzz for Cherry Blossom. The moment I yed the video Yoo-Jin sent, a pleased smile naturally spread across my face. "Haha, it¡¯s a good thing I asked." Wearing her Powertuff Girls pajamas, Miso was swaying her hips and waving her hands in the air to the lively apaniment of ''Hurry Up!'' I couldn''t take my eyes off Miso as she danced the ''Hurry Up!'' dance with a huge grin on her face. -Hurry up! -Listen up! Miso''s face flushed red with the intense dance. As the first verse ended, Miso turned her head. -Mom, how was my dance? -It was great! Miso is the best dancer in the world! -Really? Hehe! Then Mom, dance with me! -But I don''t know how to! -Aww! Still! Let''s dance together! When Miso whined, Yoo-Jin ced her phone down and started dancing to ''Hurry Up!'' next to Miso. Yoo-Jin was also wearing the Powertuff Girls pajamas I had gifted her, perhaps because she was taking a rest at home. But to my surprise, Yoo-Jin''s dance was quite something to watch. In fact, she danced so well that it was almost startling. -Hurry up! -Wow! Mom, you''re really good! ''This could be a huge hit.'' Yoo-Jin was already fiercelypeting with ''Moonlight Starpour'', a rival drama to her current drama ¡®Blue Sky'', closing the viewership gap to less than 3%. Thanks to that, Yoo-Jin''s poprity was rising rapidly each day and attracted the attention of reporters. But Yoo-Jin went further and created an issue we hadn''t anticipated with her unexpectedly good dancing. And the next day, the MeTube views and chart rankings were updated. That¡¯s when cheers erupted continuously from Singer Division 2. Chapter 105: Music Chart War (1)

Chapter 105: Music Chart War (1)

At TK Entertainment''s publicity team¡¯s office, Team Lead Yoo Jin-Myung, who had been so engrossed in monitoring the statistics to the point of eye strain, let out a sigh of relief when all five songs in Petite More''s fifth album secured their ces in the upper ranks of the music charts. "Mr. Ma! All five songs have sessfully entered the top ten of the chart!" "As they should." TK Entertainment had not only uploaded the music video for Petite More''s new song ''Masquerade'' but also released a second music video for ¡®Princess of the Night¡¯ on two consecutive days. Thanks to this, they achieved the feat of having all five songs rank within the top ten on the music chart websites in real time. However, Ma Dong-Pal''s invisible hand was at work behind the scenes. Ma Dong-Pal had brought in a famous producer named Teddy Kim for Petite More¡¯s fifth album. Although he was apetent producer, the reason Ma Dong-Pal brought Teddy Kim wasn''t just for his exceptional skills¡ªit was because Teddy Kim had close ties with apany that manipted music chart rankings, making it easy to secure a number one spot on the charts. "We can''t rx just yet. Let''s keep pouring resources into this for a while." "Yes, sir. Understood." Yoo Jin-Myung sent a KkTalk message somewhere in response to Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s orders. Watching this, Chief Ji Eun-Hak from Singer Division 1 cautiously approached Ma Dong-Pal. "Mr. Ma, do we really need to go this far? Having outsiders like Teddy causing a stir is a bit..." "Risky?" "Exactly. You might end up bearing all the responsibility, sir." Ma Dong-Pal gave Ji Eun-Hak a cold stare and said, "That''s why we need to make sure it doesn''t get out. Right?" Ji Eun-Hak hurriedly looked around his surroundings at Ma Dong-Pal''s low voice. Manipting music charts through brokers was an act of changing music rankings using hundreds of mobile phones and illegal programs, typically done bypanies who hired these brokers. It was usually the small to medium-sized entertainmentpanies who werecking in fandoms that engaged in chart maniption. However, it was quite unusual for argepany like TK Entertainment to undertake such a risky venture. Ji Eun-Hak looked around his surroundings, concerned that someone might have overheard the sensitive conversation, but everyone seemed too busy with their own work to have noticed¡ªor perhaps they pretended not to hear. Gulp. Swallowing hard, Ji Eun-Hak once again voiced his concerns. "Sir, you know that I don''t shy away from more severe actions than chart maniption depending on the situation. But we currently have nopetitors and we''re in a good position to monopolize the music charts. So why in the world would you take such a risk now?" Petite More¡¯s potentialpetitor, Girlfriends7, the girl group originally ted tounch today, had to undergo aplete rework due to a giarism dispute with theirposer which left their debut uncertain. Also, it was said that the other strongpetitor, Golden Road, wouldn''t release a new song for at least a month. Ji Eun-Hak couldn''t understand why Ma Dong-Pal was taking such unnecessary risks now. Hearing Ji Eun-Hak¡¯s concerns, Ma Dong-Pal hardened his expression and said, "Chief Ji, we need to consider Cherry Blossom as well." Ma Dong-Pal had mentioned before that Cherry Blossom was the reason for changing Petite More¡¯seback date¡ªbut Ji Eun-Hak didn''t believe it. After all, it didn''t make sense to change Petite More''s schedule just to stomp on a second-tier girl group like Cherry Blossom. Ji Eun-Hak suspected Ma Dong-Pal had other motives¡ªand he wasn¡¯t the only one within TK Entertainment to feel so. "What''s so special about them anyway..." Ma Dong-Pal''s previously smiling face turned icy. "Haha. Chief Ji, do you think I''m joking around?" At that moment, Ji Eun-Hak was taken aback. "T-then are you saying there isn¡¯t any other reason apart from Cherry Blossom?" Ma Dong-Pal clicked his tongue and called Yoo Jin-Myung. "Team Lead Yoo. What is the current ranking of Cherry Blossom''s new song?" Yoo Jin-Myung, who was standing in front of the monitor, hesitated to answer. "Tell me. What rank is it?" Caught between the two higher-ups, Yoo Jin-Myung eventually spoke up. "It''s in seventh ce, sir." "What? Seventh!?" Ji Eun-Hak was taken aback. He had thought Cherry Blossom''s new song would be outside the top ten, but it charted in 7th ce within just a day. When he nced sideways, he could see Ma Dong-Pal''s face contorted in anger. ''Fuck. We''re screwed.'' Ji Eun-Hak swallowed hard as his mind was in turmoil. He had been underestimating Cherry Blossom in an arrogant manner, but he realized he was the one out of touch with reality. "You call yourself the chief of Singer Division 1 when you didn''t even check the rankings of our potentialpetitors? You''ve becent." "I-I¡¯m sorry." "Get out of my sight if you know you messed up." Ma Dong-Pal pushed the flustered Ji Eun-Hak aside, thinking it might be time to rece the chief of Singer Division 1. "Team Lead Yoo, how about the MeTube trend? How much have the views increased?" It had been a while since MeTube views had more impact on weekend music show rankings than broadcast views. Following Ma Dong-Pal''s instructions, Yoo Jin-Myung hurriedly checked the official music videos'' view counts. At that moment, Ma Dong-Pal and the TK Entertainment staff''s expressions twisted again. "What''s going on here?!" *** [Cherry Blossom''s ''Hurry Up!'' Views: 445,320 Likes: 28,564] [Petite More''s ''Masquerade'' Views: 302,128 Likes: 6,720] "Yes! We''ve overtaken them!" Cherry Blossom''s new song ''Hurry Up!'' had surpassed Petite More''s ''Masquerade''. The ratio of likes was overwhelmingly in favor of Cherry Blossom. Thanks to thepany''s publicity efforts and the dance cover videos uploaded on MeTube, ''Hurry Up!'' had shot up to seventh ce in no time. [Mng Chart] 1st Petite More ''Masquerade'' 2nd Petite More ¡®Princess of the Night¡¯ ...... 5th Petite More ¡®Magic Music Witch¡¯ 7th Cherry Blossom ''Hurry Up!'' "Really? Are we really in seventh ce?" Lee Dong-Min couldn''t hide his pleased smile as ''Hurry Up!'' quickly climbed the ranks. Han Myung-Ho and Sung Min-Suk began to hastily prepare a press release. "It''s already reached seventh ce in just one day. Are we about to cause a real stir or what?" "Wow, it''s climbing fast." But I wasn''t satisfied at all. In my past life, ''Hurry Up!'' had started at 15th ce and climbed to first in just three days. Even with Petite More mobilizing the power of their fandom, ¡®Hurry Up!¡¯¡¯s MeTube views had already overtaken them. Yet ¡®Hurry Up!¡¯ was still in seventh ce. Moreover, all the songs in Petite More''stest album were still lined up from the first to fifth ce. Something was definitely off. ''Jung Yoo-Jin¡¯s Dance Cover Video¡¯ topped the live search rankings on search portals while ''Miso¡¯s Cherry Blossom Dance Cover Video'' came in third ce. On top of that, ''Park Seon-Nyeo''s Aerobics Students'' Bizarre Dance Cover Video'' was creating another buzz and ranked second in the live search rankings. ¡®We upied the highest ranks on the live search but ranked lower on music charts?¡¯ This was impossible even if Petite More''s fandom, Petite Angels, was working hard to promote them. High search rankings meant higher public interest from a broader audience, and that should invariably reflect in the music performance because people were naturally curious to listen to a song. Holding a suspicion, I immediately asked Sung Min-Suk, "Um, Mr. Sung. Could I see the live search ranking graph from the moment ¡®Hurry Up!¡¯ entered until now?" "Oh, sure. Just a moment. I have records at ten-minute intervals... Assistant Manager Park, where''s the file?" "I have them right here, sir." "Good, then let''s project it on the meeting room wall." Park Jin-Sung projected the real-time graph on the LCD wall of the meeting room. Cherry Blossom''s new song ''Hurry Up!'' initially entered at 15th ce and quickly climbed the ranks subsequently. But something strange on the graph caught my eye. "Huh? Wait a minute. Why does the graph look like that there?" Around 3 a.m. yesterday, all five of Petite More''s songs were momentarily pushed back from third to around tenth ce for about ten minutes. ''Masquerade,'' which was in first ce, went down to fourth. ¡®Princess of the Night,¡¯ which was in second ce, went down to seventh. And at the same time, ''Hurry Up!'' had climbed to fifth ce. "Who knows? Maybe there was a tallying error or something." The graph showed just a one-time reversal, but my suspicions turned into certainty at that moment. ¡®It¡¯s a chart maniption.¡¯ It was hard to believe, but there was no doubt that Petite More was involved in it. I immediately conveyed my concern to Lee Dong-Min. "Mr. Lee, I have a bad feeling about this." "Why? The indicators are good, aren''t they? You¡¯re probably not familiar with the singer division, but we can easily hit fifth ce in just three days with a chart entry performance like this." "No, not us. I¡¯m talking about Petite More." I had previously said Cherry Blossom would take first ce, but it seemed everyone considered that nothing more than just my wishful thinking. I promptly inquired about thepetitor¡¯s producer I had asked to be looked intost time. "Have you found out who the other producer is?" "Oh, the producer? They say it¡¯s Teddy Kim." It was said that Teddy Kim had been working with abel in the US and Ma Dong-Pal from TK Entertainment went to bring him over personally. ¡®Teddy Kim?¡¯ That''s when I came to understand why Petite More''s songs had changed from what they were in my past life. A yearter, Teddy Kim would be arrested in a chart maniption scandal reported by reporter Jang Moon-Ki. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 22nd, 2021] -6:30PM (Report) Famous producer Teddy Kim is charged in a chart maniption scandal. After confirming that my memory was correct by checking the nner, I approached Lee Dong-Min. "Mr. Lee, can we talk for a moment?" "Huh? What is it?" I led Lee Dong-Min toward the emergency stairs. "I just need a minute. Let¡¯s go somewhere else." Lee Dong-Min looked around and lowered his voice to ask, "What''s going on? Is this some kind of secret talk?" "Well, it''s just that, I think TK Entertainment might be involved in chart maniption." Lee Dong-Min tilted his head in doubt. "Oh,e on. Why would Petite More, of all groups, resort to maniption? That''s going too far, even for them." "But didn''t you see the glitch in the graph earlier? That was clearly a mistake made during chart maniption." Lee Dong-Min fell into deep thought, but soon shook his head, unable to believe such a popr girl group, like Petite More, would manipte charts. ¡®Sigh. Prejudice can be so powerful.¡¯ "Yoon-Ho, I know you''ve worked hard for this album. But seventh ce is good enough, isn''t it? Just be patient and give it a little more time. The ranking will naturally go up." Cherry Blossom''s second album had peaked at 30th ce after entering the chart at 130th. As Lee Dong-Min put it, this result was heavenpared to thest album. I asked another question, hoping for a different answer this time. "Sir, have you listened to Petite More''stest album by chance?" "I have." "Was it better than ''Hurry Up!''? I didn''t think much of it." "To be honest, I didn''t like it much either. But what can I do when the rankings are the facts?" "Then what about the MeTube views? Why do you think the views turned out like this? And the number of likes? High search rankings prove people are more interested in Cherry Blossom than Petite More. Just look at thements on MeTube." I opened thement sections of both the MeTube music videos of Cherry Blossom and Petite More to persuade Lee Dong-Min. [Cherry Blossom''s ''Hurry Up!'' Views: 489,540 Likes: 36,564] (Comments) -The dance is super easy to follow. -I''ve had the "Hurry Up!" melody line stuck in my head since morning. Ah, it''s so addictive. -Came here after watching Yoo-Jin and Miso''s video, now I can''t stop reying it. -The best rm tone! [Petite More''s ''Masquerade'' Views: 322,128 Likes: 7,202] (Comments) -Hip-hop warriors? Doesn''t quite fit Petite More''s image... -Not bad, but not as good as their fourth album. -What did you expect from idol hip-hop? -Stop the negativements. If you want to listen to hip-hop, go listen to real rappers instead. Cherry Blossom¡¯s views were now 1.5 times higher and the likes were five times ahead of Petite More¡¯s. Moreover, the difference in thements was extremely stark. Lee Dong-Min frowned upon seeing the data. "Even so, it can''t be..." "Have you not heard the rumors about Teddy Kim? Rumor has it that every song he''s involved in ranks high only because of chart maniption." Then, I also mentioned a few more cases about Teddy Kim that I had known about in my past life. Lee Dong-Min''s expression started to change as he listened to my story. "To be honest, I did think something was off. But..." After hesitating for a moment, Lee Dong-Min set his jaw. "Come with me. We need to discuss this with everyone." I returned to the meeting room with Lee Dong-Min. "Everyone, stop what you''re doing and gather in the meeting room." Soon, a meeting unfolded around the topic that Teddy Kim might have directed chart maniption. Arguments flew back and forth from assertions that TK Entertainment wouldn''t engage in such risky behavior to mentions of past rumors surrounding Teddy Kim. But in the end, the consensus was to look into it just in case. Lee Dong-Min looked at me again. "Assistant Manager Jung, do you know any reporters who could dig into this? If not, I''ll assign someone I know." "I do know someone." "Is that so? Then let''s start with that reporter. Make sure to follow up thoroughly." "Yes, sir." Chart maniption was a suspicion that could put the other party in a difficult position even without conclusive proof, as long as there was usible circumstantial evidence. "Let''s all mobilize our contacts and hit the ground running. As soon as you get something usable, cross-verify and then toss it to Assistant Manager Jung." "Yes, sir!" The eyes of the Publicity Division and Singer Division 2 staff began to sparkle. ¡®Ma Dong-Pal. So you resorted to chart maniption to mess with Cherry Blossom, huh? Then let''s see how you like this.'' I immediately called reporter Jang Moon-Ki. After all, it was Jang Moon-Ki who had exposed Teddy Kim''s chart maniption scandal in my past life. Chapter 106: Music Chart War (2)

Chapter 106: Music Chart War (2)

At the coffee shop in front of thepany, Reporter Jang Moon-Ki rushed over after receiving my call. "Woah, Assistant Manager Jung. You''re the one initiating our meet-up? This is like winning the lottery. Is it about Miss Yoo-Jin?" I was mildly irritated by Jang Moon-Ki''s casual and informal tone, but I let it slide since I was the one in need of his help today. Jang Moon-Ki opened his tablet with an excited expression. "I wanted to meet up with you because I have something to report regarding Cherry Blossom''s music chart rankings." Jang Moon-Ki clicked his tongue with a disappointed look. "Oh...about Cherry Blossom? I listened to their new song¡ªit seemed to have quite the potential this time. But you know my articlese at a premium price, right?" Seeing Jang Moon-Ki''s disappointed face, I decided to give him a hint. "I''m considering reporting about TK Entertainment''s potential involvement in music chart maniption. Is that of no interest to you?" Jang Moon-Ki was visibly shocked. "W-wait. Music chart maniption? By TK Entertainment?" He straightened up and shed his eyes, ready to listen. In my past life, Jang Moon-Ki had spent years gathering data to expose Teddy Kim''s maniption of music charts. For this reason, I was confident he would already have some information by now. "You know Teddy Kim, right? He produced Petite More''stest mini-album." Jang Moon-Ki flinched at the mention of Teddy Kim. It was obvious he knew something, but true to his nickname "Chameleon," he quickly changed his expression to feign ignorance. "I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about right now. What does the guy named Teddy have to do with Petite More''s production and TK Entertainment''s music chart maniption?" Jang Moon-Ki seemed to be ying dumb, trying to extract information from me without giving any. ''Who does this guy think he''s fooling?'' His act wasughably futile to someone like me who knew the future. ¡®I guess I have no choice then. When ites to this, there''s only one way to handle it.¡¯ "I thought a reporter of your caliber would understand what I¡¯m talking about, Mr. Jang. Well, I guess it can¡¯t be helped then. I heard Team Lead Choi So-Hye from Central Daily Newspaper writes good articles. Maybe I should contact her instead. Take care." As I got up to leave, Jang Moon-Ki grabbed my arm with haste and called out desperately, "Hey, why the rush? Sit down for a moment. Actually, I do know something." ¡®He should have said that earlier.¡¯ "I didn¡¯t say anything earlier because I was just unsure. Anyway, sit down!" Pretending to be persuaded, I sat back down. "What information do you have, Mr. Jang?" Jang Moon-Ki hesitated as if reluctant to be the first to share, but he eventually began to spill what he knew. "I know whichpanies Teddy makes deals with. I had been investigating his case for a while, but I had to stop when he fled to the U.S." This was big. Such crucial information justified his high price and reluctance to speak up first. Jang Moon-Ki gave me a look that said he wouldn''t be taken for a ride. "What information do you have?" "Take a look at this." I handed over the data showing sudden spikes in streaming numbers. On top of that, I also mentioned groups involved in Teddy Kim''s previous chart maniption scandal that Jang Moon-Ki had reported on in my past life. "In addition to this, BigStar Entertainment''s Rumble Rose and Yehwa''s N.GO were involved in Teddy''s music chart maniption." At that moment, Jang Moon-Ki''s face turned serious. He must have thought he was the only one privy to that information, but he was caught off guard by my revtion. "Ke hem... Well, you do know quite a lot. Those guys are small fry, so it''s better to focus on the big fish." Jang Moon-Ki suggested focusing on Petite More and promised to do a follow-up investigation. "By the way, do you have a separate source or something? Information like this doesn''t just circte at drinking parties, does it?" I just smiled in response. After all, I couldn''t reveal that I had traveled back in time¡ªand even if I did, he wouldn¡¯t believe me anyway. "Hmm. It seems like you have your reasons for not telling me. Fine, you don¡¯t have to tell me anything. But in return, I''ll be expecting an article from youter. An exclusive one." "I''ll think about it." "Come on! That''s the least you can do after you''ve taken all my information. " In other words, he wantedpensation for the scoop I got out of him to use at his convenience. "Fine. I''ll give you a story if you wrap this up well." "It better be a big one." "Ah, seriously. You''re persistent. Fine! A big one." Jang Moon-Ki''s face began to brighten with anticipation. *** There were only five days left until theeback stage on MBS Show! Music Center! and TK Entertainment''s artist department was in emergency mode. The sess or failure of a song was usually determined within just 2 weeks of the album''s release. Ma Dong-Pal, having caught a bit of sleep in thepany''s on-call room, roughly fixed his disheveled hair and headed to the Singer Division 1. "I see that everyone''s working hard. Here, have these,¡± said Ma Dong-Pal who handed out a bag of canned coffee and energy drinks he got from the pantry to cheer the staff up. The exhausted staff gratefully epted the drinks and showed their appreciation. "Thank you, Mr. Ma." "Don¡¯t mention it. I know this is a tough time, but let''s hang in there just a bit longer. I''ll make sure to give a bonus to everyone in Singer Division 1 at the end of the month." Then, Ma Dong-Pal approached Yoo Jin-Myung, whose expression seemed unusually grim. "Team Lead Yoo, why the long face? What''s the matter?" "Sir, Cherry Blossom''s official music video on MeTube just surpassed 800,000 views." "And what about our girls?" "Just barely over 500,000." Despite having a big fanbase like Petit Angels, there was a 300,000 difference in views. "That''s troublesome. What''s the reason?" Yoo Jin-Myung silently clicked the link to the MeTube channel of Hoop Entertainment. [Cherry Blossom ''Hurry Up!'' Cover Video Part 2 (FEAT. Jung Yoo-Jin, Jung Miso, and the handsome talent agent)] [Views 562,583 Likes 54,293] (Comments) -Lol. Part 2 even features the talent agent. -As expected of Jung Yoo-Jin. Her dance moves are unreal. She¡¯s got everything from great acting, good dancing, a pretty face, and an amazing body. Life is so unfair. -Ah, Miso is so cute. -Lol, look at Miso. She''s like a doll. Her short limbs make her dance moves incredibly cute. -This video is worth keeping for a lifetime. -But the handsome talent agent can''t dance. Lol. He stands out too much next to the two. -At least he¡¯s trying. -Look at Coach Park Seon-Nyeo scolding the talent agent for his bad dancing. Lol. "Hoop Entertainment keeps uploading these cover videos. And they''re surprisingly well-received." Ma Dong-Pal''s face hardened. As Yoo Jin-Myung said, thement reactions were indeed more positive than expected. "So that Jung Yoon-Ho guy, merely a talent agent, is up to all sorts of antics. And you''re telling me the video uploaded yesterday already hit 500,000 views?" "Yes. Jung Yoo-Jin''s fan club and Cherry Blossom''s official fan club have been spreading the link to the video like wildfire. The video hit 500,000 views in no time. I gotta admit that the video is quite entertaining." Grind! Ma Dong-Pal clenched his teeth so hard they could have shattered, causing all the staff to avert their eyes in fear they might catch his wrath. "Damn it..." They were still falling behind despite spending a fortune on music videos released in session. ''What exactly is Teddy doing right now? He was supposed to take care of MeTube as well, not just the music charts.'' Ma Dong-Pal reached for his phone to make aint call to Teddy Kim. That''s when Yoo Jin-Myung cried out again with a pale face. "M-Mr. Ma." "What? What is it now?" "U-um. Cherry Blossom¡¯s ¡®Hurry Up!¡¯ has climbed to third ce on the Mng Chart." "What? How?" Yoo Jin-Myung shook her head. The flustered Ma Dong-Pal turned to the publicity team and yelled, "Everyone! Start calling the reporters right away! From now on, tell them to ster their articles with Petite More if they want any scoops from TK Entertainment! Tell them to flood the inte with Petite More¡¯s articles!" The publicity team¡¯s staff hurriedly scrambled to make calls to the reporters. At that moment, Ma Dong-Pal shouted again, "Don''t just make calls, go out and meet the reporters in person! Whether you have to buy them meals or drinks, just get it done!" "Yes, sir!" The publicity team¡¯s staff sprang up and dashed out of the office. Subsequently, Ma Dong-Pal fumed in anger and stormed out of the publicity team''s office to head back to his room. Click! After locking the door, Ma Dong-Pal called Teddy Kim. "Hey! Teddy, you bastard! Are you skimming off the top? Our girls are falling behind in the chart rankings! And what''s with the MeTube views, huh? I told you to spend money there too!" Teddy Kim''s anxious voice came through. -Th-that¡¯s not the case. I''ve been pouring money into it, but what can I do if we''re still falling behind in the rankings? It''s hard enough just to maintain the first and second spots, let alone boost MeTube views. It''s impossible! "What kind of bullshit is that!? Don¡¯t you remember how much money I gave you? What did you do with that money?" -I''m not insane enough to deceive you, Mr. Ma. I haven''t embezzled a single won. Come and check for yourself if you don¡¯t believe me. A groan involuntarily escaped from Ma Dong-Pal''s mouth. "Ugh." -Moreover, the money you gave me before lunch has already run out. What should I do? Cherry Blossom''s new song is no joke. Petite More¡¯s fifth album and production of their second music video alone cost a whopping 1 billion won. On top of that, the outfits worn by Petite More weren''t sponsored but were all made by Europe''s top luxury designers. Each set cost 200 million won¡ªand there were four sets per person. Including the 1 billion won poured into Teddy Kim, the total expenditure far exceeded 10 billion won. Falling behind Cherry Blossom¡¯s new song after all that effort and money was absolutely uneptable. Ma Dong-Pal couldn''t give up now. If Petite More were to lose to Cherry Blossom, TK Entertainment''s President Kim Tae-Kwon would never stand for it. "Use whatever means necessary to maintain at least the first spot on the music chart! I''ll send you more money right now." Ma Dong-Pal leaned back in his chair after hanging up the phone. "Jung Yoon-Ho. This guy..." Ma Dong-Pal had gone all out from the start to crush Cherry Blossom. But in just a few days, that n hadpletely crumbled. ¡®How could a mere dance cover video cause such a stir?¡¯ In reality, the main reason for Cherry Blossom going viral was the high quality of ''Hurry Up!''''s song and choreography. But Ma Dong-Pal, oblivious to the content, was just pacing around in frustration. Eventually, Ma Dong-Pal started making calls to the reporters. "Hey, Reporter Kim. It''s Ma Dong-Pal. Could you write an article for me?" Ma Dong-Pal''s options were dwindling. *** On April 24th, Cherry Blossom sessfullypleted theireback stage on the newly scheduled KBC Music World. However, Petite More also showed off their firepower with arge-scale showcase in Hannam-dong Blue Square, apanied by numerous reporters. As a result, Cherry Blossom¡¯s music chart ranking fell from third ce back to fourth. And on the next day, reporters actively started increasing Cherry Blossom''s exposure without any need for payment as the music industry got heated up with a ''Petite More vs Cherry Blossom'' rivalry. [Petite More trying to hold on VS Cherry Blossom trying to take over!] [The frightening rise of Cherry Blossom. MBS Show! Music Center! simultaneouseback with Petite More!] [Who will win the April music chart war?] In the car on the way to MBS Show! Music Center!, I received an awaited call. [Caller: Reporter Jang Moon-Ki] ¡®Has he already found something?¡¯ "Hello, this is Jung Yoon-Ho speaking." -Assistant Manager Jung! I just met with the president of thepany that Teddy Kim used to make deals with. The excited voice of Jang Moon-Ki continued. "Do you have evidence?!" -Hehe. Why ask the obvious? Of course, I have evidence. As always, Jang Moon-Ki''s information was quite reliable. "Do you think we¡¯d be able to release the article today?" -It''s a bit too rushed for today. Why don¡¯t we aim for tomorrow? The cross-checking isn''tplete yet and we need to select the cooperating reporters. "Alright. But please release them as soon as possible." -But Assistant Manager Jung. You haven''t leaked this story to any other reporters, have you? "No. I haven''t exchanged a word with any other reporters." -Ha ha ha. Good. Then look forward to the front page article tomorrow. The same story could either get buried or be a hit depending on the reporter who broke it. With someone like Jang Moon-Ki, even the most obvious stories could make a big ssh. He was a hassle to have as an enemy but a solid ally. Screech. Lee Ju-Yung parked the car in the underground parking lot of MBS and shouted toward the back seat, "Alright, kids! Let''s give it our all today!" "Okay!" eximed the Cherry Blossom members as they got out of the car and held each other¡¯s hands with their faces lit up. At that moment, Sae-Ri eximed, "Yeon-Hee unnie! I''m really feeling it today! I have a feeling that something big might happen." "What makes you say that? Did you have a good dreamst night?" "Yeah! Two golden pigs! Golden pigs are a good sign, right? Doesn''t that mean we might take first ce?" Yang Eun-Bi scolded Sae-Ri for bringing up baseless superstitions and flicked her head. "Ouch! I''m serious!" "But why two pigs?" "Yeah, why?" Then Eun-Ah said in a calm and quiet tone, "Maybe we might end up in second ce considering that there were two pigs..." "Oh? That makes sense too," said Sae-Ri as she pondered for a moment before mentioning that even second ce would be great. "Alright, guys. Let''s just do our best no matter what rank we get. There will be good results!" Cherry Blossom responded with bright smiles at Lee Ju-Yung''s encouragement. The time to stand before the public and receive the verdict on their new song was drawing near. Chapter 107: Comeback Stage (1)

Chapter 107: Comeback Stage (1)

The MBS Show! Music Center calcted the final ranking based on 60% album and digital sales, 20% MeTube views, 15%bined on-site and SMS voting, and 5% broadcast score. Currently, Petite More was slightly ahead in digital sales, while Cherry Blossom took the lead in MeTube views. Thus, the variables that could sway the ranking in our favor were on-site and real-time SMS voting. I had asked the four girls from HoengSeong Girls'' High School to bring just twenty others with vocal cords as strong as theirs to help tip these variables in our favor. After all, the cheering battle at the Show! Music Center live broadcast was crucial. Having pleaded with the PD for twenty audience tickets, I called the girls from HoengSeong Girls¡¯ High School. -We''re near Apgujeong. "You¡¯re almost there. Call me as soon as you arrive and I''lle out to meet you." -After hanging up, Lee Ju-Yung and I headed to the dressing room. Shortly after, Han Myung-Ho arrived with the Stylists Park Yi-Yoon and Lee Eun-Hyang, who were recently assigned to Singer Division 2. Park Yi-Yoon was a third-year employee who had been in charge of Golden Road while Lee Eun-Hyang was a new intern at thepany. Both stylists spoke formally to me since my position was more senior than theirs, even though Park Yi-Yoon was my sunbae. After brief introductions, Lee Ju-Yung started checking the costumes and props with them. "Miss Yi-Yoon and Miss Eun-Hyang. Take a break once you''ve finished checking the list. We can have another look before going live." At that moment, Sae-Ri suddenly rushed toward me and stretched out her hands. "Oppa, give me something for my nerves." "Are you talking about uhwang-cheongsimhwan?"[1] Sae-Ri nodded vigorously. "Yes, that one!" It seemed like being the center for ''Hurry Up!'' had increased her anxiety and made her seek the calming pill more frequently than usual. "You weren''t nervous at yesterday''s Music World. Why are you so nervous now?" "Who knows? I don''t know why I''m like this~." Sae-Ri sang a trot melody brilliantly and then stuck out her tongue in a yful manner. Her clear voice¡ªeven with a trot twist¡ªmade meugh. She was indeed born to sing. In the future, Sae-Ri would release a mini trot album with all three songs reaching number one on the music charts. Thinking about that future album release brought a smile to my face. "Here, take it." When I handed her the uhwang-cheongsimhwan I had prepared, Sae-Ri popped the ck pill into her mouth like candy. "Eugh, it''s bitter." But despiteining, she rolled it around in her mouth and sucked on it like a lollipop. Just watching her eat the bitter pill made my body shiver. "Oh, right. I have gifts for you all. Yoo-Jin asked me to give these to you before going on stage." I took out the emerald-colored paper bag Yoo-Jin had given me. Woo-Yeon-Hee took out four cases in red, blue, yellow, and white from the paper bag. "Oppa, which one is for whom?" "The red is for Yeon-Hee, yellow for Eun-Bi, white for Eun-Ah, and blue for Sae-Ri, she said." Each of the girls opened their cases and checked their gifts. "Wow. It¡¯s so pretty." The gifts from Yoo-Jin were silver bracelets with cherry blossom decorations. Although the design was the same for all, the cubic zirconia colors on the cherry blossom decorations differed, making it clear whose was whose. Sae-Ri pointed at the cubic zirconia and tilted her head. "Wait. What''s this?" Upon closer inspection, I noticed there was a drawing inside the half-sphere cubic zirconia which was obviously drawn by Miso. She had mentioned drawing cherry blossoms on tiny pieces of paper yesterday, but I had no idea she intended to put them inside the cubic zirconia. Unfortunately, I couldn''t exin to the girls what the drawing was because even I couldn''t be certain if Miso''s drawing was of a cherry blossom. "......Miso must have drawn it to cheer you all up." The Cherry Blossom members smiled warmly, still tilting their heads in wonder. "Is it a blue cotton candy?" "I think mine¡¯s a cloud?" "Um, mine looks like a fist." "I...don''t know what mine is." ¡®Sorry, Miso. It seems they can''t decipher your art.¡¯ While everyone was happily receiving their gifts, Yang Eun-Bi suddenly eximed, "Wait, the chart rankings changed again!" Upon seeing Yang Eun-Bi''s serious expression, the other three quickly checked their phones seeing [Mng Chart] 1st Petite More ''Masquerade'' 2nd Petite More ¡¯Midnight Princess¡¯ 3rd Cherry Blossom ''Hurry Up!'' "Gosh, you scared me. I thought our ranking had dropped!" Yang Eun-Bi stuck out her tongue at Woo Yeon-Hee¡¯s criticism. "Hehe. I was just surprised because we suddenly went back up to third ce." ''Hurry Up!'' had climbed up another rank. "It feels good to see the ranking go up. Let''s all do our best today, okay?" "Okay!" Cherry Blossom¡¯s voice resonated in the dressing room. Then, a call came through on my phone. [Caller: Jung Sang-Bong] "It looks like the fan club admins have arrived. I''ll be back in a bit." "Alright. See you soon." Lee Ju-Yung waved me off. After saying goodbye to Lee Ju-Yung, I answered the call as I left. Jung Sang-Bong was waiting at the entrance of MBS. -Mr. Jung, Where should I bring these girls? There are twenty of them here. I had told the girls it was fine to bring up to twenty people for the cheering squad, and it seemed like they really did bring twenty. "Park the bus in the parking lot ande to exit A5. I''m heading there right now." I left the dressing room to meet the Hoengseong Girls¡¯ High School girls and their friends. *** "Mr. J! You didn''t really think we''de, did you?" ¡°Of course I did. I was counting on you guys." "Oh,e on~ I know you didn¡¯t believe in us." "If I didn''t, why would I have gotten twenty audience tickets? Do you know how hard it was to get these tickets?" Seeing the Hoengseong Girls¡¯ High School girls who brought along their ssmates felt reassuring. However, Park Han-Byeol and Sung Ji-Yeon made a disappointed face as they looked at the merchandise I handed out with the tickets. "What''s wrong? Is there an issue?" Sung Ji-Yeon shook her head. "No. It''s just... they''re a bit old-fashioned. We''ve prepared our own, so can we just use those instead?" "You prepared your own? You mean you made your own merchandise?" When Sung Ji-Yeon looked back, the girls from the school simultaneously pulled out cheering sticks, headbands, and banners from their bags. Their merchandise was muchrger and more splendid than the temporary ones provided by Hoop Entertainment. The cheering sticks were the size of small bats, and the headbands featured the words ¡®Cherry Blossom¡¯ in LED lights. Sung Ji-Yeon said she had them made with her own money, but they looked professional enough to have been made by a pro. It surely seemed true that she had been the Elias Gangwon branch leader since the first year of middle school. Even the small bus they came in was rented with Sung Ji-Yeon''s personal money. ''What does your father do for a living again?'' Sung Ji-Yeon''s identity was bing more intriguing. "Alright, let''s use those. Andter, Talent Agent Jung Sang-Bong will take you to the dorm. I''ll introduce you to Cherry Blossom after they finish their schedule today." "Yay!" I led the excited girls to the audiences¡¯ seat. All the girls except for the original four seemed to be seeing a broadcast stage in person for the first time and started squealing in excitement. I led the group of twenty high school girls to the center seats of row E. "Wow, you can really see well from here." "This is amazing. Mr. J, it must have been hard to get these seats, right? You begged the AD, didn''t you?" Thinking about the effort it took to get these prime seats which offered the best view of the stage, almost brought tears to my eyes. After all, I had to secure not just one but twenty seats. "Yes, I did. That''s why I''m asking for your best support today. Cherry Blossom''s ranking depends on you guys." "Oh, wow~ Are we the secret weapon then?" "Don¡¯t worry. You can trust us!" I nodded, patted Jung Sang-Bong on the shoulder, and said, "Sang-Bong, please take good care of them." "Pardon? Are you telling me to manage all of them by myself?" Jung Sang-Bong looked panicked, but I simply nodded. ¡®What? Should I do it then? You should have gotten closer to them earlier.¡¯ Despite his apparent difort with the high school girls, I had no option but to leave him in theirpany, as I had to be with Cherry Blossom to manage numerous other matters. "Listen up, guys. Sang-Bong is your leader today. Got it?" "Okay! Don''t worry. We''ll take good care of him." Leaving the bewildered Jung Sang-Bong and the excited group of high school girls behind, I headed straight to the dressing room. But there were only two stylists in the dressing room. "Huh? Where did the girls go?" "They went out to greet their sunbaes." "When?" "About five minutes ago." "Got it, thank you." I immediately rushed out into the hallway and scanned the other dressing rooms. In the meantime, the voices of the busy staff and managers buzzed around me. "I knew that Petite More¡¯s album would go well, but what''s with Cherry Blossom now?" "Their new song is pretty good. The dance is amazing, too." "Man, life''s tough. They are going to sweep everything for a while." Talent agents of sessful idols like GOD.6, Nasty, Muscle Beast, and Candy Pop were getting nervous from Cherry Blossom''s emergence. ''As they should. How dare theypare themselves to our Cherry Blossom?'' I couldn''t help but feel a little smug. Just then, a familiar voice came from behind. "We meet again, I see." When I turned around, I found Ma Dong-Pal looking at me with an annoyed expression and dark circles under his eyes reaching down to his jaw. I figured he must be struggling with Cherry Blossom closing in on the rankings despite his music chart maniption. I couldn''t help but smile and reply, "We surely do meet quite often, Mr. Ma." Ma Dong-Pal''s face twisted as he grumbled, "Stop. I hate seeing you smile." ¡®It seems the saying ''you can¡¯t spit in a smiling face'' doesn''t apply to this man.¡¯ When I nced at the dressing rooms on the sides as we walked in the same direction, Ma Dong-Pal couldn''t help but make anotherment. "Why are you loitering around the hallway when you should be in the dressing room? Did you hide gold somewhere or what?" "Oh, I''m looking for Cherry Blossom. Don''t mind me." At that moment, a sharp voice echoed through the slightly ajar door of Petite More''s dressing room. "Hey! I said take it off!" ''Is that Park Eun-Bin''s voice?'' Park Eun-Bin''s clear voice rang out again. "You¡¯re seriously not going to take it off? Do you really want to die?" Simultaneously, a sharp sound of breaking ss pierced through the crack of the door followed by a tearing scream. "Ahhhhhhh!" This time, it was Sae-Ri''s voice. I immediately rushed into Petite More''s dressing room. As I entered, an unbelievable scene unfolded¡ªblood was dripping from Lee Ju-Yung''s hand as she blocked Cherry Blossom''s way, and broken ss vase pieces were scattered on the floor. I instinctively checked on Cherry Blossom first. The screaming Sae-Ri was in Woo Yeon-Hee''s arms, and Woo Yeon-Hee was ring at Park Eun-Bin over Lee Ju-Yung''s shoulder. Yang Eun-Bi wasforting Eun-Ah whose face was pale as she looked at Lee Ju-Yung''s wound. Park Eun-Bin pointed at the red hairpin in Woo Yeon-Hee''s hair. "Still refusing to take it off? Do you really want to go through with this?" She was demanding Woo Yeon-Hee to take off the hairpin that matched the stage outfit concept. I soon understood the situation when I saw that Park Eun-Bin had the same cherry blossom design hairpin on her hair. Then, I noticed the water stain on Park Eun-Bin''s right hand as she screamed hysterically. ''Did Park Eun-Bin throw the water vase?¡¯ Lee Ju-Yung responded instead of Woo Yeon-Hee who had her lips tightly sealed. "She can''t take it off! How many times do I have to exin that it''s an essory matched with today''s stage outfit?" Despite the blood flowing from her hand, Lee Ju-Yung was calmly confronting Park Eun-Bin. Park Eun-Bin once again showed her irritation. "If I say take it off, you take it off. Why are you talking so much?" "This is ridiculous. Why should I listen to you?" "What did you say? How dare a mere talent agent talk back to me like that?" Lee Ju-Yung''s expression twisted. "Watch yournguage, Park Eun-Bin. I''m holding back a lot here." I quickly approached Lee Ju-Yung and pulled out a handkerchief. "Are you okay?" "It''s not a serious injury, so don''t worry. It''s just a slight scratch from the shards of the broken vase." I wrapped the bleeding area with the handkerchief. Ma Dong-Pal who followed me shouted upon looking around the room. "Team Lead Sung, block the door!" Sung Ji-Hyuk, who had been standing dazed up till now, quickly walked past us to block the dressing room door. Thud, thud. The sound of someone knocking on the door followed continuously. "What''s going on in there!?" "What''s happening inside?" "I''m AD Choi In-Seok. What''s happening inside? Open the door, please!" Following Sae-Ri''s scream, Choi In-Seok, the AD for MBS Show! Music Center, was demanding for the door to be opened. My heart pounded furiously and my mind was filled with nothing but rage. ''Should I just make a scene?¡¯ 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheongsimhwan ? Chapter 108: Comeback Stage (2)

Chapter 108: Comeback Stage (2)

The dressing room wasn''t very spacious and many staff and talent agents would always be passing through. I recalled seeing a talent agent flinching at Sae-Ri¡¯s scream before entering the dressing room. It seemed like that guy had run off to bring the staff over. ¡®Get a hold of yourself, Jung Yoon-Ho.¡¯ I calmed my wildly beating heart and set my priorities. First of all, first aid was needed for Lee Ju-Yung. I wrapped a handkerchief around Lee Ju-Yung''s hand to stop the bleeding. Then I quickly pulled out my phone. Just as I was about to record the scene for evidence, Ma Dong-Pal grabbed my wrist. "What are you doing right now?" Despite Ma Dong-Pal''s low and threatening voice, I responded without any hesitation. "Do you think I''m going to let this go after what happened? Let go of my wrist." Ma Dong-Pal seemed to think I would call the police and his expression turned fierce. "Put your phone away while I''m still asking nicely." But I firmly responded without blinking my eyes, "Can¡¯t you see our talent agent is bleeding? You said you¡¯re asking nicely, but it seems like the boundary has already been crossed." I showed a much firmer demeanor than usual because Lee Ju-Yung was injured. If I backed down now, Petite More might cause harm to Cherry Blossom again. Meanwhile, the banging on the dressing room door intensified. Choi In-Seok was shouting at the top of his lungs for the door to be opened. "Open the door! I said open it right now! Hey, get the key! Hurry!" "No-nothing''s wrong. Everything is fine, so you can just let us be, sir!" Sung Ji-Hyuk, who was blocking the door, struggled to keep it closed. "This voice is...you¡¯re Team Lead Sung, aren¡¯t you? Just open the door before the PDes, okay?" Sung Ji-Hyuk''s face turned pale at the mention of the PD. Seeing I wasn''t backing down, Ma Dong-Pal sighed and said, "Sigh. Alright. Let''s just stop here. It''s not good for either of us if the PDes in." ¡®He''s joking, right? The one in a tight spot is him, not us.¡¯ "That''s what you think." "What?" Ma Dong-Pal was fuming with anger and soon started to lose hisposure. If the PD arrived, it would be clear to everyone that Petite More caused the incident, not Cherry Blossom. That''s when the voice of Ju Han-Soo, the PD of MBS Show! Music Center, came from outside the door. Thud, thud, thud! "I''m Ju Han-Soo! Are you going to open this door or not?" The PD had arrived sooner than expected. The situation was turning more in my favor. Ma Dong-Pal, now flustered, tried to calm the situation in a haste manner. "Hey, Assistant Manager Jung. I''m not exactly sure what''s going on, but it looks like our kids caused some trouble. Sorry about this." But I didn''t readily ept his apology because it simply wasn¡¯t enough. At that moment, Park Eun-Bin shouted from behind and her sharp voice echoed throughout the dressing room. "Ugh, what trouble did we cause!?" Ma Dong-Pal turned his head sharply and eximed, "Park Eun-Bin! You better keep your mouth shut!" Ma Dong-Pal''s expression was so fierce that the hysterical Park Eun-Bin immediately shut up. Park Eun-Bin red at me as if she wanted to tear me apart, but I calmly met her gaze. Now, we held the advantage. "Mr. Ma. Tell her to take off the hairpin first. We have no intention of changing even a bit of Cherry Blossom''s concept props." "Fine, fine. Got it." Seeing no way out, Ma Dong-Pal yelled at Park Eun-Bin, "Park Eun-Bin. Take off the hairpin for now." "What!? Why should I take it off? They should be the ones taking off theirs, not me!" "I''ll get you something better, so just take it off!" Park Eun-Bin trembled with anger. Taking off a hairpin was a trivial matter, but she hesitated since it was a matter of pride at this point. Seeing this, Ma Dong-Pal strode over to Park Eun-Bin and pulled out her hairpin roughly. Swoosh! "Ouch!" Some of Park Eun-Bin''s hair got yanked out with the forcefully removed hairpin. "Mr. Ma! Are you really doing this to me because of those trifles?" ¡®Did she just call Cherry Blossom trifles?¡¯ Even though Petite More would soon crumble once their music chart maniption was exposed, I saw no reason to hold back after hearing this, "From now on, our kids won''t be greeting Petite More''s dressing room whether they''re sunbae or not. Don''t even think about ming uster." Ma Dong-Pal turned around and nodded. "...Let''s do that. We''re not pleased to see you either." Park Eun-Bin red at me and cursed under her breath. ¡®You fucking asshole.¡¯ At that moment, I red back at Park Eun-Bin with a smile. A provocation deserved a provocation, after all. "Oh, by the way, I checked beforeing here and Cherry Blossom¡¯s new song has climbed to third ce on the Mng charts. Don''t you think today''s broadcast will be interesting? People seem to be more interested in our fresh Cherry Blossom than in stagnant Miss Eun-Bin..." Park Eun-Bin''s face turned as red as a boiling kettle and she screamed, "Eeeek! Why, you little...!" When Park Eun-Bin pointed at me with an informal speech, Woo Yeon-Hee who had been quietly watching until now suddenly stepped in. "Don''t speak rudely to our talent agent, Park Eun-Bin!" "What? Did you just call me by my full name? Who taught you to speak to a sunbae like that..." But Yang Eun-Bi cut Park Eun-Bin off before she could finish. "Did you just say sunbae? What kind of sunbae throws a vase at their hoobae? And you know Ms. Lee getting hurt could be awsuit, right?" ¡®Yes. Bringing up potentialwsuit threats right from the start is ssic Yang Eun-Bi.¡¯ At that moment, the thudding dressing room door finally burst open. Bang! Ju Han-Soo, the PD of MBS Show! Music Center, barged in with an angry voice. "Do you think this is your private room? Why the hell did you block the door!?" As soon as he entered, he quickly assessed the situation and urgently called out to Choi In-Seok, "In-Seok, disperse the people outside." "I¡¯m sorry?" "Just tell them it¡¯s not a big deal and disperse them! Do you want the reporters to catch wind of this?" Ju Han-Soo''s veteran instincts of seven years of experience kicked in. Choi In-Seok quickly went outside and dispersed the crowd. "Chop chop! Move along, move along. What are you all peeking at, huh? Nothing to see here. Everyone, go back to your own business!" Ju Han-Soo locked the door again and approached Lee Ju-Yung and asked, "Are you okay, Ms. Ju-Yung? Are you badly hurt?" "No, sir. It''s just a small scratch." Ju Han-Soo sighed in relief and then red at Petite More before asking, "Who did this?" Feeling the chill from Ju Han-Soo''s cold demeanor, Ma Dong-Pal quickly intervened. "Just a moment, Ju Han-Soo. Can we talk privately?" "Let go of me." Ju Han-Soo shook off Ma Dong-Pal''s hand. He then red at the flustered Ma Dong-Pal and continued. "Didn''t you hear me? Who started this mess!?" Petite More trembled in fear. It seemed that they hadn''t expected the usually friendly music show PD to suddenly change his attitude. Sung Ji-Hyuk tried to step in to take the me. "It was me, Mr. Ju." However, Ju Han-Soo simply scoffed. "Do I look like a fool to you, Team Lead Sung?" "N-no, sir. It''s not that..." That''s when Sae-Ri shouted, "It was Eun-Bin sunbae!" Sae-Ri''s timely tattling made Park Eun-Bin glower at her with snake-like eyes. At that moment, Sae-Ri quickly hid behind Yang Eun-Bi. ¡®Haha, that kid. Such a bluffer.¡¯ "Park Eun-Bin, was it really you?" Park Eun-Bin red fiercely and retorted, "Yes, it was me. I did it! I broke the vase because I was annoyed, but the fragments sshed onto Assistant Manager Lee¡ªthat¡¯s all that happened. There''s no need to kick up a fuss over this.¡± Ju Han-Soo¡¯s jaw dropped in disbelief and replied, "Ms. Lee is bleeding, and you¡¯re saying ¡®that¡¯s all that happened?¡¯ Is this a small matter to you, Eun-Bin?" Ju Han-Soo¡¯s breath grew uneven as he got angry. That¡¯s when Ma Dong-Pal quickly stepped in front of Park Eun-Bin, saying, "Ju Han-Soo, that''s not it. The girls are just agitated right now, so please be patient. I''ve already scolded them enough." Ma Dong-Pal tried to soothe Ju Han-Soo and reprimanded Park Eun-Bin, "Park Eun-Bin! Just keep your mouth shut! Where do you get off talking nonsense without knowing your ce?" Park Eun-Bin flinched and lowered her head at Ma Dong-Pal''s reprimanding. Ma Dong-Pal was sweating profusely, looking flustered. Ju Han-Soo would have normally tried to smooth things over without taking our side as if it were nothing. However given the unusual poprity of Cherry Blossom''s new song, Ju Han-Soo was taking our side from the start. Indeed, poprity equated to power and authority in this industry. "This won¡¯t do. Mr. Ma, please ask Director Cheon of yourpany toe in today. I''ll have to report this matter directly to the CP and the executive director." "T-that''s..." Ma Dong-Pal''s face turned even paler as the name of Executive Director Cheon Yi-Sang, the second inmand at TK Entertainment, was mentioned. "Don''t even think about covering this up. It''s something we could even call the police for." While Ju Han-Soo wasing on strong, it was clear he didn''t intend to escte the situation that far. If he wanted to involve the police, he would have done so already. He was just setting the stage to call in high-ranking officials from bothpanies to smooth things over. However, there was a problem. If a director from TK Entertainment came in, we would also need to call in Lee Gi-Cheol¡ªand that was not what I wanted at all. After all, Lee Gi-Cheol was definitely not someone who would help me out in a situation like this. This meant that this absurd situation had to end here in this ce. First, I approached Lee Ju-Yung. "Ms. Lee." "Hm?" "Do you want to press charges?" "Me? No way. I don¡¯t think we can press charges over this small matter anyway." "Then may I handle it as I see fit?" "Sure. You take care of it the way you want, Assistant Manager Jung." With Lee Ju-Yung¡¯s permission, I approached Ju Han-Soo who was still fuming. Seeing Petite More and Ma Dong-Pal in a panic was quite pleasant, but this couldn''t go on forever. "I apologize for causing a disturbance, Mr. Ju." "Who are you? The new team lead?" "No, sir. I am Assistant Manager Jung Yoon-Ho of Cherry Blossom." "Assistant Manager?" "Yes, sir. I''m in charge of Cherry Blossom when Mr. Han isn''t here." Ju Han-Soo''s expression softened. "Hmm, I see. What is it? Do you have something to say?" "Let''s forget about this issue here." "What?" "If we cause any more trouble here, wouldn''t it be a hassle for you and MBS as well? We don''t want to inconvenience you over such a matter." A glint appeared in Ju Han-Soo''s eyes as if he was impressed. "Hmm. It would be appreciated, but someone did get injured..." "It''s just a small scratch. And Miss Eun-Bin said she didn''t do it on purpose, right?" I subtly gave Petite More an out as well. It was important to make a good impression by showing tolerance and magnanimity. "Th-that''s true, but still..." "I¡¯m not saying that I¡¯ll just let this go easily. How about we settle it with Ms. Lee''s medical expenses and a direct apology from Miss Park Eun-Bin? Then we can forget this ever happened." Only then did a smile appear on Ju Han-Soo''s face. He seemed relieved that an apology and covering for medical expenses would suffice to end this mess. But at the same time, Park Eun-Bin''s face twisted in anger. Paying for the medical expenses might have been the easy part for her, but bowing her head to apologize to a mere assistant manager was a tough pill to swallow. Seeing Park Eun-Bin''s reaction, Ju Han-Soo scolded her in a sharp voice. "You have to take responsibility for your own actions." Ma Dong-Pal hurriedly urged Park Eun-Bin as well. "Eun-Bin, hurry up and just apologize." Park Eun-Bin trembled as if she were the victim. ¡®Well, what can you do? You¡¯re the one who caused a mess, aren¡¯t you?¡¯ Park Eun-Bin reluctantly bowed deeply to Lee Ju-Yung, clearly hating every moment of it with an angry expression. "I... I think I got too carried away and made a mistake. It wasn''t intentional, so I hope you can forgive me, unnie." Lee Ju-Yung simply stared at Park Eun-Bin for a moment, making her wait. "I¡¯ll ept your apology. But in the future, try to keep your temper in check. It''s only because it ended like this that we''re letting it go." A satisfied smile spread across Lee Ju-Yung''s face. After all, she had received an apology from the notorious Park Eun-Bin. But there was still one more thing I had to get from Park Eun-Bin. Chapter 109: Comeback Stage (3)

Chapter 109: Comeback Stage (3)

"Miss Eun-Bin, what about Ms. Lee''s hospital treatment costs?" Just when Park Eun-Bin thought it was all over, her face twisted again in frustration. She definitely would have hurled more than just insults if the PD weren¡¯t here. "Fine, I''ll pay! I said I''ll pay!" Ju Han-Soo looked at Ma Dong-Pal again and said, "Mr. Ma, make sure you take care of the hospital bills ordingly. If I find out that it¡¯s not settled, I''ll make sure this whole incident is known to all.¡± "Alright, alright," said Ma Dong-Pal hesitantly as he looked my way and said, "Assistant Manager Jung, leave your number with me. I''ll transfer the hospital and cosmetic surgery costs to remove any scars right away." "Thank you, I appreciate it." Having gotten everything I needed, there was no reason for me to stay any longer. ¡°Mr. Ju, may we leave now? Ms. Lee should probably visit a hospital right away..." "Ah, yes. Let''s head out together." Emerging victorious from this ludicrous battle, we left the room where Petite More and Ma Dong-Pal were cowering. Ju Han-Soo again instructed the staff to keep quiet about the incident. Once themotion died down, the staff ran around and resumed their hectic schedules for the broadcast. As we walked back to our waiting room, Ju Han-Soo casually struck up a conversation. "Your name is Jung Yoon-Ho, right?" "Yes, sir." "You seem quitepetent for someone at your level. How many years have you been working?" "I¡¯m just in my second year." "Second year of holding a position as an assistant manager?" "No, sir. It''s my second year working in this industry. To be more precise, it¡¯s been a full year and a month." Ju Han-Soo stopped in his tracks. "Are you serious?" He scanned me from head to toe with an incredulous expression on his face. "And you went head-to-head with the infamous Ma Dong-Pal? You''re quite the character." Ju Han-Soo grinned and asked for my business card. "Have you got a business card?" "Yes, sir. I have one right here." I pulled out one of the shy and high-quality business cards gifted to me by Kang Gam-Chan. "Wow, what a fancy card you¡¯ve got. It looks expensive. Oh, by the way¡ªCherry Blossom''s new song is quite a hit. The higher-ups have high expectations, so make sure they nail the performance on stage. We''ll give you all the support you need." "Thank you so much, Mr. Ju." After exchanging greetings with Cherry Blossom, Ju Han-Soo finally headed back to the control room. When we returned to the waiting room, Han Myung-Ho, who stepped out for a while to take a call from the entertainment department director of MBS, was waiting for us. Upon seeing the bandage wrapped around Lee Ju-Yung''s hand, he asked what had happened while he was gone. "That happened? I swear, I''ll give them a piece of my mind!" Han Myung-Ho was about to storm off to confront Petite More. But Lee Ju-Yung smiled and said, "Mr. Han, Assistant Manager Jung already took care of it. There¡¯s no need to go." After getting her injury treated, Lee Ju-Yung enjoyed the rare victory over Petite More and said it was the most exhrating experience in her career as a talent agent. "I-is that so? Well, let''s head to the hospital first." "Okay." Han Myung-Ho entrusted the situation to me and took Lee Ju-Yung to the hospital. Once they left, Woo Yeon-Hee gathered the Cherry Blossom members together and said, "Guys, let''s really give it our all today. Got it?" The remaining three members made determined faces upon hearing their leader¡¯s exmation. All the members showed apetitive spirit I hadn''t seen before, likely fueled by the recent altercation with Petite More. "Shall we cheer?" Woo Yeon-Hee''s hand was met by the others stacked on top of each other. At that moment, Woo Yeon-Hee called me over. "Oppa, you have to join us." "Me too?" "Of course. You''re one of our members!" ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± With Sae-Ri''s agreement, I also called over Park Yi-Yoon and Lee Eun-Hyang who had just been assigned to the team as of today. "But can we please change the slogan for the cheer?" ¡®Please let us bloom¡¯ or ¡®Cherry Blossom blooms in April¡¯ had been the cheer slogans until now. But every time I heard them, the first one sounded too pitiful and the second made me worry if they would be sessful in April only. That¡¯s when Sae-Ri suggested a new cheer slogan on the spot. "Then how about ''Forever! Cherry Blossom!''? What do you think?" "Forever?" "Forever!" "Okay, that sounds good." ¡®Yes, let''s not disband this time as we did in my past life but instead continue on just like this.¡¯ "On three, two, one!" "Forever! Cherry Blossom!" Seven hands shot up to the sky and opened like blossoming flowers. *** On the stage of MBS Show! Music Center, the teen stars and MCs of the show Park Byung-Hoon and Kim Se-Young loudly introduced Cherry Blossom. "Here they are~ The four girls who heated up the show at the end ofst year have returned with a fresh new song!" "Cherry Blossoms bloom in the warm spring! Shall we see if they will bloom in their season? Hurry, hurry! Hurry up!" "Hurry Up! Hurry Up!" As Kim Se-Young jumped up and down while performing the key dance moves from ''Hurry Up!'', Park Byung-Hoon pointed to the center of the stage. The upbeat music started and the stage was spotlighted. At the same time, Cherry Blossom who had been waiting in their position began their dance. Cherry Blossom¡¯s clear voices started harmonizing with the melody of ''Hurry Up!'', featuring catchy rhythms, an addictive hook, and easy-to-follow lyrics. After countless revisions by Bang Seon-Woo, ''Hurry Up!'' even got the audience who came to support other performers moving along. ¡ºHands above your waist?, Hurry Up?¡» Sae-Ri, who was standing at the very front, continued dancing to the chorus and shook her hips. As her red skirt lifted and revealed her slender legs, the other three members followed with the same dance moves, creating a cute and sexy scene. That¡¯s when the cheer from the ''Cherry Blossom Family'' who was sitting in row E echoed loudly through the audience seats. "Hurry~ Up!" As the fans cheered to the chorus, Jung Sang-Bong timidly extended his arms in a shy manner among them. ¡®Sang-Bong, you''ll need some re-education soon.¡¯ The impressive energy from the Hoengseong Girls'' High School girls and their friends made talent agents of other performers nervous. "Woah, what''s with their fans? Did their agency recruit the fans based on lung capacity?" "Hahaha, it''s been a while since we''ve heard such an amazing cheer. I wish our kids¡¯ fandom could put in that much effort." "Looks like Hoop Entertainment really went all out this time." "Theirst song wasn''t that great... Ah, could there really be an upset this time?" But at the moment the second verse began, a situation arose that made the talent agents tense. ¡ºHands above your waist?, Hurry Up?¡» -Hurry~ Up! Thanks to the simple choreography designed by Park Seon-Nyeo, the audience started to follow along with the dance moves during the hook part from the second verse. It was as if all the audience had be fans of Cherry Blossom. "Holy crap. They''re currently in third ce, right?" "No, they just hit second ce on the chart." ¡®What? Second ce on the chart?¡¯ I quickly checked my phone after hearing the other talent agents'' conversation. True to their word, Cherry Blossom''s ''Hurry Up!'' was ranked second on the Mng chart. They were in second ce despite Teddy Kim''s maniption of the music charts. ¡®Could they actually hit first ce today?¡¯ In the meantime, Cherry Blossom''s heated performance wasing to an end. ¡ºHands above your waist?, Hurry Up?¡» The amps were turned off after thest chorus was yed. The spotlight went out, plunging the stage into darkness for a moment. When the lights came back on, the cheer squad led by the Hoengseong Girls'' High School girls sprang up from their seats and began to cheer so loud as if the stage might copse. ¡°Yessssss!¡± ¡°Go, Cherry Blossom!¡± Cherry Blossom waved to the audience as they caught their breaths. ¡°Thank you!¡± ¡°We love you, Cherry Blossom Family!¡± Waving to the audience with a bright smile, Cherry Blossom was washing away the sorrowful years of being a second-tier girl group. ''Let''s keep working hard and our day to bloom wille.'' Cherry Blossom, who had been chanting this every night before falling asleep, had finally bloomed. The audience was responding to their hard work. ¡°You''re the best, Cherry Blossom!¡± ¡°I¡¯m your fan from now on!¡± With flushed faces, Cherry Blossom came down the stairs at the side of the stage after giving a deep bow to the audience. The intense dance and the heat from the lights had left them soaked with sweat as if they had showered with their clothes on. ¡°Oppa, how did we do?¡± ¡°You guys did good. You saw the audience''s reaction, didn¡¯t you?¡± But Woo Yeon-Hee shook her head. ¡°No. I mean, how do you think we did?¡± The other three girls also looked up at me and expected an answer like elementary students hoping for praise after doing their homework well. Even Yang Eun-Bi and Eun-Ah had the same look. ¡°All of your hard work really paid off. You guys were the best!¡± Only after I gave them two thumbs-up did Cherry Blossom burst into cheers of joy. At that moment, Choi In-Seok suddenly approached us while fiddling with his inte. ¡°Excuse me. Mr. Jung, could youe here for a moment?¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Choi In-Seok looked around the surroundings to make sure no one was listening and then whispered, ¡°Congrattions. Please get Cherry Blossom ready for the final ranking stage.¡± ¡°Final ranking stage? Really?¡± ¡°Yes. Only the on-site voting is left now. I wish you the best of luck for good results.¡± Choi In-Seok winked at me and disappeared. ¡®Only the top three would make it to the final ranking stage.¡¯ I hurried back to Cherry Blossom. ¡°Oppa, what did Mr. Choi say?¡± ¡°Let''s go back to the dressing room first. I''ll tell you there.¡± I couldn''t openly discuss what Choi In-Seok told me since other singers were still around. When we returned to the dressing room, Han Myung-Ho and Lee Ju-Yung, who had bandages wrapped on her hand, had returned. ¡°Mr. Han! We got to the final ranking stage!¡± Han Myung-Ho stood up abruptly. ¡°R-really?¡± Cherry Blossom¡¯s eyes also widened out of surprise. After all, they had always been part of the backdrop and congratted the sunbae groups on making it to the final ranking stage. ¡°Does that mean we''re in the top three spots for the music show as well?¡± ¡°Yayyy~~!!¡± ¡°Is this for real?¡± The Cherry Blossom members were so excited that they couldn¡¯t help but jump around. ¡°Calm down, everyone. We need to fix your makeup first!¡± Cherry Blossom came to their senses at Lee Ju-Yung''s call. ¡°Oh, right.¡± ¡°Miss Eun-Hyang! Miss Yi-Yoon! Please check the girls'' makeup and costumes quickly.¡± The girls finally settled down for makeup touch-ups following Han Myung-Ho''s order. Shortly after, the door opened with a click and a staff member appeared. ¡°Cherry Blossom, please get ready.¡± As we headed to the stage, Petite More who had just finished theirst performance wasing down the stage with their backup dancers. While the other performers returned to the stage, Choi In-Seok directed Cherry Blossom where to stand on stage. "Please stand by Petite More over there. Cameras 2 and 3 will be taking a wide-angle shot, so try to keep your gaze focused on both cameras." Then Han Myung-Ho instructed Cherry Blossom as they were about to ascend the stage. "You guys remember what we always told you, right?" "Yes! Be confident yet humble!" Seeing the girls¡¯ bright faces, Han Myung-Ho and Lee Ju-Yung gestured for them to quickly go up the stage. Cherry Blossom held hands with each other tightly and leaped onto the stage. As they made their way through the path cleared by other idols to the front row of the stage, Han Myung-Ho sped his chest as if moved to tears. "Ah, we were just running around local festivals until the end ofst year. Seeing them standing at the front of the final ranking stage makes me want to cry." Lee Ju-Yung was also pacing nervously. "Mr. Han, what if our kids actually take first ce?" "I-I don¡¯t know. What do we do then?" Both of them seemed even more excited than the Cherry Blossom members themselves. But I was no different ¡ªseeing Sae-Ri''s innocent face on stage made my palms sweat out of anxiety. Thud, thud. The heavy bass that I initially thought was from the percussion turned out to be the sound of my own heartbeat. Soon, the MC¡¯s voice announced, "It''s time for the first ce announcement on Show! Music Center. First, we''ll reveal the scores for the digital music sales." As the drum roll started, the scores were announced. GOD.6 scored 2,525 points, Petite More had 5,004 points, and Cherry Blossom scored 4,563 points. This came down to a close battle between Petite More and Cherry Blossom. Following the total scores before thest audience vote count, Cherry Blossom was miraculously in the lead by just 6 points with 6,112 points while Petite More had 6,106 points. "C-could we really take first ce?" "I-I don¡¯t know." "Ah... I''ve been on blood pressure medicationtely. Call 119 immediately if I faint, okay?" "I don¡¯t know if I can. I might pass out too, so tell Assistant Manager Jung to call 119." Han Myung-Ho and Lee Ju-Yung were nearly fainting at this point. At that moment, MC Kim Se-Young started to announce the final vote tally. "Live on Show! Music Center. Petite More''s live vote score is 1,013 points, totaling 7,119 points. And for Cherry Blossom...." Chapter 110: Sound of Spring (1)

Chapter 110: Sound of Spring (1)

[Cherry Blossom''s new song ¡®Hurry Up!¡¯ achieved second ce on MBS Show! Music Center!] [Cherry Blossom''s fan club, ¡®Cherry Blossom Family,¡¯ overwhelmed the live audience with their powerful cheers!] [The frightening rise of ''Hurry Up!'' with over 1 million views on MeTube!] Cherry Blossom unfortunately ended up taking second ce yesterday at MBS Show! Music Center. There was only a two-point difference from first ce, and it was said that Cherry Blossom overwhelmingly won the on-site vote but was pushed back in the real-time text voting. Due to the concentrated efforts of the Petite Angels to win the vote, Cherry Blossom lost to Petite More by a close difference¡ªand because of this, Han Myung-Ho almost had a real heart attack out of frustration. *** The next day, I arrived at the public hall for the recording of KBC Music Stage. That¡¯s when the call I was waiting for from reporter Jang Moon-Ki finally came. -Assistant Manager Jung. The article will be out in an hour. "Is the evidence solid?" -Of course it is. That bastard Teddy Kim won''t be able to escape this time. Just watch. Confidence was evident in Jang Moon-Ki''s voice. -I''ll send you the evidence and part of the article through KkTalk, so check it out. "Thank you so much, Mr. Jang. I won''t forget this favor." -Is that a promise? "Yes." -Then can you arrange an interview with Cherry Blossom for meter? I heard they were the hottest topic yesterday. Yesterday¡¯s final ranking on Show! Music Center! had be more of a topic because it was very rare that the 1st ce and 2nd ce had only a 2-point difference. Entertainment reporter Jang Moon-Ki who thrived on such topics chuckled, seeing it as a good topic for potential new articles. "Understood. I''ll arrange an interview tonight." -Deal! There¡¯s no backing out! Okay? After hanging up the call with Jang Moon-Ki, I immediately sent the information to Lee Dong-Min and Kang Ji-Yung. Lee Dong-Min, who happened to be near the broadcasting station, rushed into the waiting room right away after receiving my message. His hair was a mess as if he had run hurriedly. "Huff huff huff. Assistant Manager Jung. When will the article be published?" "He said it will be posted within an hour." Lee Dong-Min clenched his fist. "Let''s go!" Then, he urged me on with an excited expression. "Assistant Manager Jung, follow me. Team Lead Han, you stay here and please take care of the girls." Leaving the care of Cherry Blossom to Han Myung-Ho, I headed to the main control room with Lee Dong-Min. As PD Choi Eun-Hyuk moved with theunch of KBC Music World, Cha Tae-Hee, who was the former assistant, was naturally promoted to the new PD of the show. "Camera 3 and camera 2¡ªplease check the settings again. Camera 1, please check the cue sheet." While checking the camera movements during the rehearsal, Cha Tae-Hee noticed us. "I''ll just take a short break ande back." Cha Tae-Hee came out of the main control room and approached us. "What brings you here without contacting me?" "I came urgently to tell you something important." When Lee Dong-Min nudged me, I presented the information I had received from Jang Moon-Ki through a KkTalk message. "Ms. Cha, this will be published as an article in a short while." The KkTalk screen showed a summary of the article, photos to be used as evidence, and a recording admitting to maniption of music chart rankings. Cha Tae-Hee''s expression twisted in an instant. "...Is this real?" "Why would we show you something that''s not real unless we were out of our minds?" The article exposing Petite More''s massive music chart maniption made Cha Tae-Hee scratch her head. After all, Petite More was a candidate for first ce in the final ranking stage today. "Ah, why does it have to be today? This is driving me crazy." Cha Tae-Hee made a flustered expression with today being the day of her first broadcast as a promoted PD and suddenly having a scandal break out. However, she quickly took a deep breath and thanked us. "Thank you for telling me in advance. I''ll never forget this favor." Then, Cha Tae-Hee rushed into the main control room as she had to cross-check if the article was true and report it up the chain from the CP to the higher-ups. Lee Dong-Min sat down on a long bench in the hallway and let out a deep sigh. "Sigh. Knowing PD Cha''s personality, she definitely won''t just let this slide." "That''s true. It seemed like she already had a lot of grievances against TK Entertainment." "She''s marked the day, so she''ll definitely make a big move to screw them over." "This is totally popcorn-worthy, isn''t it?" I couldn''t keep my hands steady out of excitement at the unfolding situation. ¡®But seriously, I need some popcorn. Such interesting events are best enjoyed with snacks.¡¯ Lee Dong-Min couldn¡¯t hide hisughter either. After all, it wasn''t just Cha Tae-Hee who had grievances against Petite More and TK Entertainment. "Hehehe. Thanks to you, I''ll be able to stretch my legs out and sleep well today." I nodded with a smile. A littleter, Jang Moon-Ki''s article finally made it to the main page of the entertainment section on the portal site about halfway through the recording of Music Stage. [(Exclusive) Music chart maniption for first ce. T Entertainment''s P girl group. (by Reporter Jang Moon-Ki of Weekly Star)] -Recently, T Entertainment manipted the music album rankings through bulk buying. (Photo: During the investigation of bulk buying, our correspondent was made an offer by the consulting firm A during the consultation) [Recording] -President K: It costs 500 million won to get to the first ce. To maintain it, it costs 30 million won per day. And if it seems like they''ll fall behind, we can ask for another 30 million won. -Mr. A: Ah,e on. Isn''t that all lies? Who would believe that nowadays when even the tforms deny it? -President K: Oh, don¡¯t be so naive. You know the chart-topping girl group Petite OOOO, right? That''s all our work. Teddy Kim is a regr customer of ours. ... Arge number of recordings and video files were uploaded following the evidence presented by Jang Moon-Ki. Simultaneously, Weekly Star''s article quickly topped the live search rankings. [Breaking News! Petite More''s Music Chart Ranking Maniption] "It''s all over now." As soon as I said out loud, the recording of KBC Music Stage was halted. At the same time, all the talent agents of different agencies were summoned to the main control room. "Petite More will have to drop out of the music show for today. The risks are too big given that they were mentioned in such a serious article." Sung Ji-Hyuk from TK Entertainment protested and imed it was unfair. "W-wait. Ms. Cha, this is a misunderstanding. Don''t believe the article." "Shut it. The cross-check has already been done!" Cha Tae-Hee''s cold tone made Sung Ji-Hyuk flinch. Cha Tae-Hee then turned to the other talent agents and continued. "And just in case any other groups are mentioned in the article, they will be automatically excluded from today¡¯s show as well. Make sure you understand." Cha Tae-Hee''s eyes were filled with fierce determination. Several talent agents couldn''t bear to meet her gaze and lowered their heads. ¡®Those people must have manipted the ranks as well.¡¯ Although several talent agents from medium and small management agencies were sweating, they wouldn¡¯t even be mentioned because the public never paid attention to unpopr idols unless theymitted a major crime worthy of the front page of the newspaper. "GOD.6 will take the ce of Petite More. We''ll continue the recording immediately, so please be ready." "Yes, Ms. Cha." "Great. Everyone, please go back to your waiting rooms." The recording resumed amid the chaotic atmosphere. Petite More couldn''t perform on stage today as a result of Jang Moon-Ki¡¯s articles. But the aftermath of the music chart maniption was far from being over. *** The MC hosting KBC Music Stage shouted with a fanfare in the background. "Congrattions, Cherry Blossom!" Cherry Blossom, who won first ce by a whopping 1,200 points, was frozen in shock. Pop! Pop! With the sound of fireworks, confetti began to fall from the ceiling. The Hoengseong High School girls and the Cherry Blossom Family in the audience began shouting while holding up their cards. "Cherry Blossom!" "Ahhhh! We won first ce!" Although it was just a modest cheer led by twenty people, Cherry Blossom waved their hands continuously with tears welled up in their eyes. "Thank you!" "Unnie! We won first ce!" ¡®This should have happened much sooner.¡¯ The best team had poured their heart and soul into Cherry Blossom''s new song ''Hurry Up!'' and it was only natural that Petite More¡¯s song was no match to a song made with Bang Seon-Woo''sposition, Jang Ye-Bin''s lyrics, and Park Seon-Nyeo''s choreography. In the meantime, Cherry Blossom came down from the stage after saying goodbye to the audience. Han Myung-Ho, Lee Ju-Yung, and Lee Dong-Min were all waiting for them with moved expressions. "Careful~. Don''t trip over the cables, kids." But Cherry Blossom didn''t slow down despite Han Myung-Ho''s concern. "Sniffle! Mr. Han!" "Ju-Yung unnie!" Han Myung-Ho and Lee Ju-Yung staggered as they each hugged two members. "You all did really well. I am so proud of you girls." "I knew it! I told you that you guys could do it! You guys are the best!" This marked another milestone in my new life after changing Yoo-Jin¡¯s life and saving Miso. Cherry Blossom had finally won first ce after nearly disbanding. Tears of overwhelming joy streamed down my cheeks. Han Myung-Ho and Lee Ju-Yung were also crying as they hugged Cherry Blossom. At that moment, I made eye contact with Sae-Ri who was looking around the surroundings in Lee Ju-Yung¡¯s arms. That¡¯s when Sae-Ri broke free from Lee Ju-Yung¡¯s embrace and started running toward me. "Waaaah! Oppa!" Thud! Sae-Ri''s small head struck my sr plexus as she hurriedly ran toward me. "Oof!" I shook my head and gasped for air. "No...S-Sae-Ri, wait." I felt like I was going to pass out from the breathlessness. It was such a strong impact that I wondered if I might ascend to paradise or die and go travel back in time yet again. Sae-Ri, seemingly unable to hear me, was crying sorrowfully. Eventually, Han Myung-Ho and Lee Ju-Yung had to separate Sae-Ri from me. "Sae-Ri, stop. You''re killing Assistant Manager Jung." Only then did Sae-Ri lift her head from my chest and start to look up at me. Her face resembled that of a tearful and snotty eight-year-old. "Sniff. Are you okay?" "No, I¡¯m not okay. It hurts a lot." The flustered Sae-Ri apologized as she took a step back. "Sae-Ri, no more running into my arms." "Sniff... okay. I''m sorry, oppa." Sae-Ri looked perplexed as the rest of the Cherry Blossom members reprimanded her. "I¡¯m joking. It doesn''t hurt at all. I was just messing with Sae-Ri." As the three members sighed in relief, the talent agents who were passing by started to clear their throats enviously. "Cough. Cough." "Cherry Blossom has a good rtionship with their talent agent, huh?" "I¡¯m jealous." ¡®That¡¯s right. Keep staring.¡¯ I couldn''t help but feel proud. We wiped Cherry Blossom''s tears and headed to the waiting room. Reminded of the times they were oppressed by Lee Gi-Cheol and almost disbanded under the pressure of Singer Division 1, Cherry Blossom couldn''t stop crying in the waiting room for a while. After finishing the evening schedule, we followed Lee Dong-Min to a top-grade Hanwoo restaurant. Everyone was concerned that he might get kicked out by his wife for spending too much money. But the moment we saw Lee Dong-Min pulling out the ck corporate card, we all eximed in unison. "Wagyu? Forget it! Hanwoo is the best!" *** [Cherry Blossom''s new song ''Hurry Up!'' gloriously takes first ce!] [Cherry Blossom. The great uprising of the underdog idols!] [Petite More. Abrupt halt in all activities!] [Park Eun-Bin says, "I''m just a singer who sings and dances, I don''t know about anything else. Business is the agency''s affair."] [Petite More. Apology marketing. Decision to Refund All Music Purchase Costs!] [The music chart ranking maniption incident was entirely the personal misconduct of producer Teddy Kim and Daewon Promotion¡¯s President Kim Hong-Won!] The policeunched a massive investigation within just a day, and TK Entertainment also issued an urgent apology. Kim Tae-Kwon, the president of TK Entertainment, drew a firm line stating that all this was done by an individual named Teddy Kim. However, he acknowledged the agency¡¯s responsibility and promised refunds. All of Petite More''s broadcast appearances were suspended, and Cherry Blossom indirectly benefited from the situation as a result. -The girl group throne game. The final winner who overcame Petite More and reached the top is Cherry Blossom. -The secret to securing first ce without music chart maniption is the power of content. At the same time, the absence of Petite More from numerous broadcasts led to a flurry of casting calls from the three major broadcasting stations to fill their gap. "I guess that¡¯s all settled then." With the wind in our sails, it was time for me to step back as things were running smoothly. After taking a breather at thepany¡¯s office, I checked my nner in the underground parking lot. But there was one more piece of good news waiting for me. [Everyday V10] [May 11th, 2020] -01:00 PM (Deleted Schedule: Training on handling celebrities'' families (Basement 2 mini-theater.)) Today was April 29th. I thought this incident wouldn''t disappear until after Eun-Ah''s birthday on May 5th and after the contract renewal, but it was already gone. When I hastily contacted Eun-Ah, she mentioned that her mother who had been passively supportive of her entertainment activities had decided to openly side with Eun-Ah after seeing that Cherry Blossom had won first ce. Apparently, her parents had a huge fight for the first time as Eun-Ah¡¯s mother had prepared divorce papers and a seal, taking a firm stand. As a result, Eun-Ah''s stubborn father had no choice but to give in. But as I flipped through the nner, I noticed that all incidents rted to Petite More¡¯s music chart maniption had disappeared one after another. [Everyday V10] [Date: May 31st, 2020] -10:00 PM (Deleted Schedule: Golden Road ¡®Moonlight Express¡¯ first ce celebration dinner. At Apgujeong ¡®Yu Dong Galbi.¡¯) After thinking for a while, I remembered that it was the dinner I attended when Golden Road''s new song hit first ce. ¡®Wait a minute. If the celebration dinner for reiming first ce disappeared because Teddy Kim and Daewon Promotion were under investigation...could it be...?¡¯ "Golden Road. Were you guys also manipting music chart rankings?" Chapter 111: Sound of Spring (2)

Chapter 111: Sound of Spring (2)

It was rather shocking to find out that Golden Road was involved in music-chart ranking maniption. I couldn''t believe they would deceive Kang Gam-Chan and resort to such actions. "This is unbelievable." I considered digging into Golden Road''s involvement in the music-chart ranking maniption, but then I changed my mind. After all, digging recklessly into such a serious matter could lead to a counterattack. After discovering another scandal within the Suhyaejong line, I wondered if I could find more information and scrolled through the nner. However, as I scrolled through the pages, I noticed that more than half of the content rted to Golden Road winning first ce on music shows had been deleted. "What''s this? Why are so many entries missing?" It turned out that there was more than just one or two groups involved in the music chart maniption. "Damn, everyone must be out of their minds. Aren''t they afraid of the bacsh? Even without evidence, rumors alone can ruin them." I couldn''t help but let out a dumbfoundedugh. At that moment, a thought suddenly crossed my mind. "Wait. Then, how many weeks will ''Hurry Up!'' stay as number one on the music chart?" I remembered that ''Hurry Up!'' had stayed in first ce for a long time on the music chart. Nevertheless, the situation waspletely different this time since thepetitors had fallen away on their own. "This could turn out to be quite interesting." I found myself smirking. *** After Cherry Blossom''s sessfuleback, I temporarily stepped back from my duties in Singer Division 2 and started taking care of Yoo-Jin again. Thetest episode of Blue Sky, episode 9, had a viewership rating of 13.2%. It was currently in a fierce battle with itspetitor Moonlight Starpour, with only a 1.9% difference. ''It''s a close call.'' After finishing my work report at thepany, I headed straight to Yoo-Jin''s house. Beep-beep-beep. As I unlocked the door and entered, Yoo-Jin, who had earphones on, didn''t notice my arrival; she was deeply engrossed in the script she was reading. Miso was lying on the floor and kicking her feet in the air,pletely absorbed in drawing with her crayons. Upon taking a quick nce at Miso''s drawing, it seemed her drawing skills were improving day by day. The creature Miso drew had one body but two faces. ''Wow. She¡¯s already reached the realm of Picasso''s Cubism at the age of seven. She might be a world-famous painter soon,'' I thought. "Oh? Uncle Yoon-Ho is here!" Miso sprang up and ran toward me as soon as she noticed my presence. When I opened my arms wide and hugged her, Miso gave me a bright smile. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, are you done being busy?" Miso asked. "Yes," I replied. "Then, don''t leave us anymore!" Though I had to look after Cherry Blossom and Lee Tae-Poong as well, I didn''t feel like working when I saw Miso. All I wanted to do was stick around and y with her. "I won''t go, I promise!" I said, nodding repeatedly. Yoo-Jin btedly lifted her head and smiled. She teased Miso yfully, "Miso, Uncle Yoon-Ho is lying. He''ll swoosh away again." Miso pouted her lips. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, are you lying to me?" I shook my head at Miso''s sad gaze. Feeling startled, I denied it repeatedly, "No. Of course not, Miso!" "Yoo-Jin, stop teasing Miso!" I silently mouthed to Yoo-Jin, hoping Miso wouldn''t see. However, Yoo-Jin snickered and stuck out her tongue. ''Are you joining Miso¡¯s rebellion too?'' After managing to calm Miso down, I set down the lunch box and side dish containers I¡¯d brought and asked, "You guys haven''t had lunch yet, right? Let''s eat." "What''s all this?" Yoo-Jin asked. "Kimchi." "Kimchi? All of these are Kimchi?" As I set the dishes on the low table, Miso began to help with her tiny hands, eager to set it up herself. "Wow, this is a lot." Both Miso and Yoo-Jin were surprised. "Kimchi fried rice, kimchi stew, braised kimchi, kimchi pancakes, kimchi rolls, and even stir-fried kimchi. Woah, what''s all this?" "I heard that the probiotics in kimchi are good for fighting Helicobacter bacteria." "Did a doctor tell you that?" "No? The healthdy on the morning show did," I responded My cause of death in my past life was stomach cancer. A health check-up I had at the beginning of the year revealed that I was already full of Helicobacter bacteria, which couldter cause gastritis or ulcers. Irregr meals, stress, an unhealthy diet, and too much coffee were said to be the causes. The doctor said that the condition would improve soon with the medication prescribed by the hospital. Nheless, I thought it might be even better to eat kimchi, a traditional remedy, as well. At that moment, Miso started singing the kimchi song she had learned in kindergarten while tapping her spoon and chopsticks. "I like kimchi! Kimchi~ Kimchi~ Eat it, and you will grow tall! Grow tall!" ''I don¡¯t think eating Kimchi makes you grow taller, but it doesn¡¯t matter. As long as Miso is happy, that''s all that matters.'' Feeling hungry, Miso shook Yoo-Jin''s arm. "Mom,e on~. Let''s eat. I¡¯m hungry!" "Well, it must be good for the body," Yoo-Jin said, sighing. Unlike Yoo-Jin, Miso was all smiles. "It¡¯s mealtime~! Let¡¯s eat, eat, eat!" During the meal, Yoo-Jin wiped some kimchi fried rice off Miso''s mouth and asked me, "But why did youe without calling today? There''s no filming scheduled as far as I know." "Oh. There''s an additional advertisement offer that came in, and I wanted to check with you on your thoughts,¡± I answered. "I got another advertisement offer?" "Yes. The video of you dancing with Miso went so viral that they want her to appear in it too." More advertisements were always better from the agency¡¯s perspective, but it was a different story for actors because they had to avoid overexposure. "Whichpany is it?" "Osung Electronics'' kimchi refrigerator. But Miso has to be in it with you." Miso, who had been listening intently, tugged at my arm. ¡°Uncle Yoon-Ho, am I going to be in the shoot?" "Yes. They said Miso is so pretty that they want you and Mommy to shoot the advertisement together." "Woah! Really?" Miso started singing again with an excited expression, delighted at the thought of getting an advertisement. "Kimchi~ kimchi~ yummy~ yummy~. Good for your health and tasty, kimchi~." Miso sprang up and gave a big thumbs-up as she finished singing her song. "Kimchi!" "K-kimchi!" Only after returning the thumbs-up did I finally break free from the endless loop of the kimchi song. Yoo-Jin smiled and handed Miso a cup of water. Gulp, gulp. Miso thirstily downed the entire cup of water, perhaps because her performance had been too passionate. "Miso, do you want to be in the advertisement with Mommy?" "Yes! But I want to wear a funny hat again like the burger advertisement." Yoo-Jin shuddered at Miso''s enthusiastic response. That prompted Yoo-Jin to ask me, "It''s a normal advertisement, this time... right?" "It is." Yoo-Jin sighed in relief. "Then I guess I owe the Cherry Blossom members another gift. It''s an advertisement I got thanks to them." "It''s fine. They''ve received plenty of advertisement offers too." Just like flowers blooming in spring, a true spring had arrived for Cherry Blossom and for Yoo-Jin. *** When I turned on the TV, Teddy Kim¡ªwho had been caught manipting music charts¡ªwas being shown entering the police station in handcuffs. "Mr. Teddy Kim! Is it true that you were involved in music chart maniption with Mr. Kim Hong-Won, the president of Daesung Promotion?" "TK Entertainment ims that you acted alone without their knowledge! Could you pleasement?" Amid themotion of reporters, Teddy Kim, who normally spoke fluent Korean, put his jacket over his head and responded, "I don''t know~. I''m~ American~." Then he entered the police station. Click. Kim Tae-Kwon, the president of TK Entertainment and a former gangster, turned off the wall-mounted TV in his room and let out a sigh. Then, he turned his gaze to Ma Dong-Pal, who was sitting to his left. "Did you make sure he kept his mouth shut?" "Yes, sir." "But why is everything you''ve been doingtely such a mess?" Ma Dong-Pal bowed his head deeply. "I¡¯m sorry, sir. I have no excuse." "You say you have no excuse after losing 10 billion won... Is that all you have to say?" Ma Dong-Pal clenched his teeth tightly. At that moment, Kim Tae-Kwon''s left fist struck Ma Dong-Pal''s right cheek as if he had been waiting for it. Smack! Ma Dong-Pal''s face turned to one side, and he instantly copsed with a strong impact. Losing his bnce, Ma Dong-Pal quickly tried to regain hisposure. Drip, drip. Blood streamed from Ma Dong-Pal''s nose as he sat on the sofa. Kim Tae-Kwon frowned and shook his hand. "Damn, even a bull would fall from my left hand¡¯s punch. I must be getting old." "N-not at all, sir. Your punch is still as strong as ever." "It''s not. I''m losing strength as I age. It''s just not the same... Aging is truly sorrowful.¡± Kim Tae-Kwon sighed at his own perceived weakening punch even after hitting someone. Then, he grabbed a crystal ss on the table. As Ma Dong-Pal flinched again, Director Cheon Yi-Sang, who was seated on the right, grabbed Kim Tae-Kwon''s hand. "Come on, hyung-nim. It''s natural to lose strength with age. Let''s not use the ss as a weapon," said Cheon Yi-Sang. "I was just going to drink some water, man." Cheon Yi-Sang reluctantly let go of Kim Tae-Kwon¡¯s hand. "I thought you were going to shove the ss in Dong-Pal''s mouth and then kick him in the jaw." Ma Dong-Pal shivered at Cheon Yi-Sang''s joke. Kim Tae-Kwon burst into incredulousughter. "Shove the ss in his mouth and kick his jaw? That''s a fresh idea." After drinking some water, Kim Tae-Kwon put down the crystal ss and said to Ma Dong-Pal, "Rx, I won''t hit you anymore." Only then did Ma Dong-Pal finally rxed. "Let Petite More rest for a while since there¡¯s nothing they can do in a situation like this. After a month, kickstart their overseas promotions. Focus on schedules in China or Japan," Kim Tae-Kwon instructed. "Yes, sir," Ma Dong-Pal replied. "And you said you started working on Cherry Blossom?" "We''ve alreadyid the groundwork." "Stop doing stupid things. What do you think will happen if you mess up with cameras all over?" Given their backgrounds, Kim Tae-Kwon and Ma Dong-Pal were novices in content but not in their ability to read situations. After all, they had lived in a world where one mistake could lead to getting arrested or bing a target. Kim Tae-Kwon shifted his gaze to therge man trembling at the edge of the sofa. "Why are you trembling so badly, Chief Kang Hyee-Dong? You haven''t done anything wrong that I don''t know about, have you?" Kim Tae-Kwon asked. Kang Hyee-Dong''s voice trembled under Kim Tae-Kwon''s chilling gaze. "N-n-no, sir." Kang Hyee-Dong, who once used to be the ace of CNK Entertainment, had moved to TK Entertainment with the promise of a chief position after Floren, the girl group that he hadunched, disbanded due to a bullying scandal. However, the joy of getting a higher sry and a better position had been short-lived. He had heard rumors about Kim Tae-Kwon''s rough character, but he had not imagined it would be this bad. "Chief Kang, you''ll have to lead the overall management of the singers instead of Dong-Pal here for the time being. I''ve heard good things about your work in the record business team," Kim Tae-Kwon said. "H-how could I possibly do that when I¡¯ve only joined thepany not long ago..." The moment Kang Hyee-Dong tried to refuse, Kim Tae-Kwon''s face contorted into a scowl. "Why? Don''t you want to work?" Kim Tae-Kwon''s menacing demeanor made Kang Hyee-Dong reflexively bow his head. "Th-that''s not what I meant. I will follow your orders, sir." Hearing that, Kim Tae-Kwon finally looked satisfied. "Good. Now, there''s something I''m curious about." Sitting up straight, Kang Hyee-Dong tried to hide the tremor in his voice. "You can ask me anything, sir." "It''s nothing much... It¡¯s just that we¡¯ve spent 10 billion won on Petite More''s fifth album. But in the end, we were outdone by Cherry Blossom. You know Dong-Pal personally recruited the best people for the job, and we invested a lot in the music video, right? Why do you think things turned out this way?" Kang Hyee-Dong gulped nervously. The sight of Ma Dong-Pal sitting stiffly on the sofa with blood still dripping instilled fear even in Kang Hyee-Dong, who had lived a rough life. He fell into a deep contemtion. After all, the extremely catchy melody and the fun, easy-to-follow dance of "Hurry Up!" were once-in-a-decade phenomena. However, Kang Hyee-Dong could not exin the difference in music quality to Kim Tae-Kwon, as Kim Tae-Kwon didn¡¯t understand that much about music. Consequently, the only remaining factor was the difference in the people who were in charge. "The quality of a song ultimately depends on the producer. There are rumors that the producer behind Cherry Blossom''stest track is no ordinary person!" Kim Tae-Kwon looked puzzled as he asked, "What do you mean? I heard that Chief Lee Dong-Min is the producer for Cherry Blossom." "Officially, that''s the case. But I heard someone else was actually behind recruiting the talent for this track." "Who?" "I-I''m not entirely sure..." "It''s a guy named Jung Yoon-Ho. He was in charge of Cherry Blossom''stest track!" Ma Dong-Pal interjected eagerly at this moment, hoping it could be his chance at attaining forgiveness. "Jung Yoon-Ho? That''s a new name to me. Who is he?" Kim Tae-Kwon asked. "He''s also Jung Yoo-Jin''s talent agent." "Jung Yoo-Jin? The actress acting with Jong-Hyuk?" "Yes, sir." "How did an actor''s talent agent be a music producer?" Ma Dong-Pal shared everything he knew about Jung Yoon-Ho. "I don''t know the details. But I heard that theposer, lyricist, and choreographer for this track are all neers, and they were all discovered by Jung Yoon-Ho.¡± Kim Tae-Kwon took a sip of water from his cup and fell into deep thought. "Jung Yoon-Ho, huh..." Kim Tae-Kwon smiled menacingly and handed a credit card to Ma Dong-Pal. "Dong-Pal, go to the hospital first. Then take your family to my vi in Hawaii and rest for about two weeks. And just handle the actors from now on." "I''m sorry, sir." "It''s okay. Just don''t make the same mistake twice. Now go on. Chief Kang, you can see yourself out and get back to work too." As Kim Tae-Kwon finished speaking, Cheon Yi-Sang chimed in, "Dong-Pal. Since you''re going abroad anyway, make the most of it. Tae-Kwon hyung¡¯s credit card has no limit." Despite wanting tough at Cheon Yi-Sang''s light-hearted joke, Ma Dong-Pal couldn¡¯t because his mouth was too sore and painful. With his head bowed, Ma Dong-Pal left the president''s office with Kang Hyee-Dong. After the two men left, Kim Tae-Kwon turned to Cheon Yi-Sang with a question. "Yi-Sang, what do you think about bringing that guy to ourpany?" "Jung Yoon-Ho?" "Yeah. We should bring anyone useful in." Cheon Yi-Sang responded with a sly smile, "I''ll find a good way to do that.¡± Chapter 112: Winter After Spring? (1)

Chapter 112: Winter After Spring? (1)

On April 30th, a special bonus was issued to all employees of Singer Division 2 in recognition of their contributions to the sess of Cherry Blossom''stest album. Of course, I was also selected to receive a bonus. But the amount deposited was significantlyrger than expected. [Bonus Deposit: 30 million won] [Total Bnce in Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho''s ount: 57,382,320 won] "What? One, two, three zeros...oh my goodness." My ount bnce more than doubled in an instant. However, I eventually had to make a call to confirm, given the substantial amount of 30 million won after taxes. After all, the amount was several times more than any previous bonus I had received. "Ms. Kang, it seems like the bonus amount deposited is excessively high. And I see that the taxes haven''t been deducted either." -No, your bonus has been deposited correctly. President Kang has specifically instructed us to handle the taxes in advance. Kang Ji-Yung exined the substantial bonus and deduction of the taxes were all carried out under the directives of Kang Gam-Chan. While working as a talent agent, there were asions when one had to navigate activities that tread the line between legality and illegality. This could involve managing under-the-table payments or handling expenses rted to entertainment that fall into a gray area. Minor infractions could simply be covered with corporate cards or listed as operational expenses. However, the problem arose when the line was ambiguous and became blurred. Typically, cash was used during those times to avoid leaving a trail. ording to Kang Ji-Yung, Kang Gam-Chan had instructed her to reward me generously with a substantial bonus under the guise of helping Cherry Blossom with their album production and sess. -And there will be appropriate rewards for your performance in the future as well. So don''t hesitate to use the funds for things you can''t charge to the corporate card. If it''s not enough, contact me directly. At that moment, I felt truly supported, like I was part of Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s inner circle. "Thank you, Ms. Kang." -Don¡¯t mention it. It¡¯s all thanks to you that Cherry Blossom managed to reach first ce. Oh, and my dad wanted me to convey that he''s proud of you. My face flushed with Kang Ji-Yung''s continuous praise and a part of my heart swelled with pride. "By the way, how is President Kang doing? Can I call him?" -He''s already left the country. Kang Gam-Chan was currently en route over the Pacific, heading to undergo surgery performed by one of the leading neurosurgeons in the United States. "I see. Then I''ll pray for a sessful surgery." -Thank you, Assistant Manager Jung. It was almost 10 p.m. after hanging up the call. As I packed up my belongings in the office before leaving, I gathered my thoughts. With Kang Gam-Chan, our protective barrier, gone, the employees with backgrounds from the Seoul National University of the Arts would likely be more aggressive. But within ten minutes of gathering my thoughts, Team Lead Ju Ho-Sung from Actor Division 3 visited Division 2. Wearing a hoodie and a sporty haircut, Ju Ho-Sung greeted everyone warmly with his characteristic kind smile. "Oh my, you''re all workingte." Ju Ho-Sung handed out macaron sets and 1-liter coffee bottles to the employees working overtime. "Thank you, Mr. Ju." "Wow! Cheese macarons? Mr. Ju, you have great taste!" Tired from workingte, the staff warmly weed Ju Ho-Sung as they were grateful for the sweet treats he brought. "Ha ha ha. It¡¯s my pleasure. I''ll bring more next time, so I hope we can keep a good rtionship." Unfortunately, I was the only person who knew that beneath Ju Ho-Sung''s kind-looking facey a devilish nature¡ªhe was a two-faced sociopath. In my past life, Ju Ho-Sung''s nickname was ''Mr. Troubleshooter,¡¯ meaning that everything went smoothly when it went through Ju Ho-Sung. It implied he was skilled in both his work and social maneuvering. Ju Ho-Sung made his rounds greeting everyone beforeing over to my desk. With a grin, he extended his hand to me. "Assistant Manager Jung, I heard that you are the ace of Actor Division 2. My chief said there''s a lot I could learn from you. We didn''t get to properly introduce ourselvesst time in the president''s office, did we?" I managed to keep myposure and shook his hand. "Ace is an overwhelming title. I''m the one who should be seeking guidance from you, Mr. Ju." Ju Ho-Sungughed heartily. "I might be higher in rank, but you¡¯re the sunbae here, Assistant Manager Jung. Anyway, let''s get along well from now on." Then, Ju Ho-Sung looked around the surroundings after shaking hands with me. "Where might Mr. Gu be right now~? Ah, is that the chief''s office over there?" He hummed as if he owned the ce. Ju Ho-Sung then entered the chief''s office, and soon a burst ofughter came out of the office. I couldn''t hear their conversation, but it was clear that Ju Ho-Sung was someone to keep an eye on. Unlike Kim Dong-Soo who easily shed with others, Ju Ho-Sung had the ability to quickly gain favor and be close to people, making him a more challenging opponent in some ways. Ju Ho-Sung was also my rival in my previous life and we endlesslypeted for the position of vice president at Top Entertainment. Looking at the chief''s office with the blinds drawn, I hardened my resolve. ¡®I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re up to, but it won''t be easy for you as long as I''m here, Ju Ho-Sung.'' The thought of exposing Ju Ho-Sung''s true nature to the world made my heart race. *** Choi Sung-Eun, the writer and the original creator of the show Moonlight Starpour, was currently causing amotion in the drama department. She even brought along Attorney Lee Moon-Yung from KJ Law Firm, the topw firm in Korea. "Enough! I have nothing more to say to the underlings, so hurry up and call the CP!" "Ms. Choi! Your words are too harsh!" "Harsh!? You think I¡¯m being harsh right now? I''ll show you what''s really harsh today!" Choi Sung-Eun was demanding a change in the director in charge, who was currently Kim Sung-Woon. Kim Myung-Hak quickly rushed over and started to appease Choi Sung-Eun. "Ms. Choi, what''s the problem now? The drama is doing well, isn¡¯t it!?" "Doing well? My work is being outperformed by apeting show! How is that doing well?¡± "Such things often happen in the world of drama production. It might turn around and we could be back on top before you know it." Choi Sung-Eun shook her head."No. Remember what I said? If it''s not number one, I''d rather not do it at all. Everything is bound to get worse if we leave the direction in PD Kim''s hands!" The drama Moonlight Starpour, which had been maintaining its position as the number one Wednesday-Thursday drama, had fallen to second ce by a margin of 0.2% by episode 10. At that moment, Attorney Lee Moon-Young, who was apanying Choi Sung-Eun, reiterated her client''s demand. "As stated in the contract, the writer has the right to demand a change in the director if there''s any degradation of the original work. Here are copies of the relevant documents, and the originals have been faxed to the legal department." The inclusion of such a demanding use was initially to secure the high-profile Choi Sung-Eun, but they never anticipated it would actually be invoked. Lee Moon-Young handed over the two A4-sized documents to Kim Myung-Hak who simply frowned without even ncing at the documents. Kim Sung-Woon''s skills were acknowledged by everyone in the drama department as exceptional. He not only navigated the delicate bnce of handling demanding writers but also adeptly managed the challenging production conditions. However, appeasing the writer was Kim Myung-Hak¡¯s immediate priority. "Ms. Choi, I''ll talk to PD Kim and make sure he pays more attention to your needs..." But the frustrated Choi Sung-Eun cut off Kim Myung-Hak. "I''ve said it from the start, haven''t I? PD Kim doesn''t have what it takes to adapt my novel into a drama! He skims over the emotions of the male and female leads as if he''s just ticking boxes. I can''t stand to watch him strut around like he''s some kind of a genius director anymore!" At this point, Kim Myung-Hak couldn''t hold back his frustration and retorted, "Ms. Choi! You might be well-versed in the novel industry, but we''re the experts in viewership ratings! Dragging out psychological descriptions can kill the entertainment value¡ªthat''smon knowledge in this industry!" "Entertainment? I know entertainment better than anyone! I''m the author who hit a million views on Cameo Page!" Choi Sung-Eun argued as she turned her head away. With her arms crossed and a scowl on her face, Choi Sung-Eun continued to add, "Ah, this is so annoying. Let''s just settle this using thew!" "Mr. Kim Myung-Hak, please proceed ording to the contract. We will seek damages for nonpliance," said Lee Moon-Young in a calm voice. Kim Myung-Hak''s expression twisted in annoyance. Attorney Park Yung-Sik from MBS also shook his head and indicated that they had no ground to win with such a clear use. That''s when the door to the meeting room opened abruptly and Kim Sung-Woon walked in. Click! Having spent the night in the editing room immersed in editing, Kim Sung-Woon rushed over as soon as he heard about themotion in the drama department. Kim Sung-Woon looked visibly unrested with his disheveled hair resembling a bird''s nest and his dark circles reaching down to his jaw, giving the impression that he hadn''t even had time for a shower. "What''s going on?" Kim Sung-Woon asked. Choi Sung-Eun scoffed and replied, "I don''t want to work with a subpar director like you, so I''m requesting a change in PD." Kim Sung-Woon wore a dumbfounded expression, clearly bbergasted by her words. He had put in so much effort to preserve the essence of the original work, spent time pacifying assistant writers who couldn''t stand Choi Sung-Eun''s tyranny, and ensured smooth production amidst difficult circumstances. He hadn''t expected praise, but a sudden demand for his recement was utterly unreasonable. Nheless, even after Kim Sung-Woon earnest pleas, Choi Sung-Eun''s stance remained unchanged. "You think I''ll tolerate you removing lines from my script and changing the direction as you please?" Kim Myung-Hak''s face turned beet red at Choi Sung-Eun¡¯s sharp words. It was unheard of for a novice author to throw such a tantrum, even if they held the upper hand. Just as Kim Myung-Hak was about to burst into anger, Kim Sung-Woon held him back. He was furious as well, but preventing the derailment of a drama fluctuating around 15% viewership was the priority at the moment. After all, a failed drama would only tarnish thework''s reputation, not the writer. Kim Sung-Woon stammered and continued. "I''ll... step down." "PD Kim!" Kim Myung-Hak shouted. "I¡¯m okay. Please choose a director you prefer and ensure a smooth conclusion, Ms. Choi." Kim Sung-Woon bowed to Kim Myung-Hak and Choi Sung-Eun. Though seething with frustration internally, he felt powerless. He then left Choi Sung-Eun behind and exited the meeting room. "PD Kim! Wait a moment!" Despite Kim Myung-Hak''s urgent call from behind, Kim Sung-Woon didn''t stop. The drama department''s ADs and staff in the hallway were also visibly upset because firing the director of a drama cruising at 15% viewership ratings was unprecedented for them too. Although everyone knew writers could be unreasonable at times, this was too much. Kim Sung-Woon forced a smile to assure everyone he was fine and trudged toward the emergency stairs. Click, click! Trying to soothe his sour mood, he struggled to light a cigarette with his nearly empty lighter. "Phew." The white smoke swirled and dispersed into the air. As a gust of cold wind swept away the cigarette smoke, a sense of emptiness overcame him. Being fired from his debut work was something he never anticipated. "Damn it. This sucks." Kim Sung-Woon cursed his misfortune and directed his anger toward the innocent night sky. Then, an idea struck him which prompted him to pull out his phone. Click. As always, the person on the other end answered with a bright voice. -Hello? Mr. Kim? "Yes, Assistant Manager Jung. Do you remember our promise to meet up again? Is it possible to meet today?" Jung Yoon-Ho readily agreed. *** After receiving the call from Kim Sung-Woon, I asked Jung Sang-Bong to look after Yoo-Jin and headed to the meeting venue. When I entered a makgeolli bar near MBS, I found Kim Sung-Woon waiting and drinking alone. The table was set with makgeolli, seafood pancakes, and steaming beef pancakes. After a brief greeting, Kim Sung-Woon shared his current plight with a hollowugh. "I''ve been fired." "Pardon? What do you mean? This is so sudden." Kim Sung-Woon exined that his sh with the writer led to his removal from Moonlight Starpour and downed a bowl of makgeolli in one shot. "It''s embarrassing to tell you what happened, but honestly, I feel relieved. Writer Choi Sung-Eun was truly unbearable," Kim Sung-Woon ranted. I nodded since it was indeed impressive that he had managed to work with Choi Sung-Eun, who was known for her difficult personality and staunchly author-centric views, until now. "How far did you manage to edit?" "Up to episode 10. The drama department will handle the rest, I suppose." This meant Blue Sky could potentially dominate from episode 11 onwards. With Choi Sung-Eun at the helm, a messy oue was almost guaranteed. As we continued to drink, Kim Sung-Woon revealed the reason for wanting to meet. "You''re aware of the drama, In the Name of God, which is scheduled for July, right?" "Yes. That¡¯s Yoo-Jin¡¯s next drama to appear on, and...wait...no way. Don''t tell me...?" "Yes. I''ve just been confirmed as the main PD. I was having a drink while waiting for you to arrive when thepany called me." ¡®Kim Sung-Woon has been appointed as the main PD for Yoo-Jin''s uing drama, In the Name of God?¡¯ The future had changed once again. Chapter 113: Winter After Spring? (2)

Chapter 113: Winter After Spring? (2)

In the Name of God featured a story of a young and passionate police officer, who was once the ace of the detective division, but got demoted tomunity safety officer for exposing corruption within the ranks. This officer would then team up with a rookie female prosecutor, who had the intellect of a genius, to catch criminals possessed by spirits. The role of ''Cheongmyung,'' a young shaman that Yoo-Jin was set to y, was a pivotal supporting character assisting the two protagonists. Given that the narrative revolved around dealing with possessed criminals, Cheongmyung''s role was central to the storyline. My lips began to curl into a smile. With a PD like Kim Sung-Woon who was known as the ¡®viewership ratings hunter,¡¯ a script by the hit-maker Lee Ji-Yeon, and the addition of Yoo-Jin, it was like forming a dream team. "Congrattions!" I eximed excitedly. "Thanks, but it''s really not something to celebrate. I thought I''d take a break, but it seems thepany couldn''t stand to see me taking a rest so they handed me this project." "Oh,e on, you did well in thest project. That¡¯s clearly why they entrusted this uing project to you. The higher-ups must recognize your talent, Mr. Kim." Kim Sung-Woon chuckled softly. "Well, I hope that¡¯s the case. It was hinted that I might be the next PD for MBS''s special drama, Empress Myeongseong 2021, which was the reason behind my wanting to meet you today. But things have taken an unexpected turn." In that instant, it felt like the squid suction cups in the seafood pancake I was eating were stuck to my throat. The buzz from the makgeolli dissipated simultaneously and a cold sweat ran down my spine. ¡®I almost got involved with Empress Myeongseong 2021, a project doomed to be a historic flop due to major issues with the investors and the writer.¡¯ "Em-Empress Myeongseong 2021?" "Yes, but now that I''ve decided to take on In the Name of God, someone else will probably handle that project. But why do you look so troubled?" "Oh, it¡¯s just that... the squid got stuck in my throat.¡± Declining an offer from a PD to appear in their work was no easy task. Thankfully, there was no need for me to do so anymore as the squid from the seafood pancake smoothly slid down my throat. "Ah, by the way¡ªI saw the revised script on my way here. Besides the shaman role ''Cheongmyung'' that Yoo-Jin is set to y, there seems to be another shaman character added called ''Wol-Ah.'' Have you seen the revised version?" asked Kim Sung-Woon. ¡®What? Another shaman character? What''s going on here?¡¯ I recalled I was assured that Yoo-Jin would be given a prominent supporting role almost on par with a lead. If there were two characters with the unique identity of a shaman, the significance of Yoo-Jin¡¯s role could be diluted. "Well...this is the first time I¡¯m hearing this." Kim Sung-Woon mmed up. "Ah, I might have spoken out of turn. Let''s pretend you didn''t hear that." Though I was curious, it seemed unlikely Kim Sung-Woon would divulge more even if I pressed him. It seemed that I should review Lee Ji-Yeon''s script as soon as possible. As more rounds of drinks were served, Kim Sung-Woon, now significantly inebriated, predicted a drop in the viewership ratings for Moonlight Starpour. "The viewership ratings will plummet for sure...hahaha. Adapting that novel into a drama was a killer. Turning a novel into a drama as it is can be incredibly boring. Hehehe." Kim Sung-Woon rambled. A gleeful smile spread across Kim Sung-Woon''s face. It seemed Choi Sung-Eun must have been especially tyrannical to see Kim Sung-Woon wishing for the downfall of the drama he once worked on. Feeling a bit relieved, I managed to speak up without pressure. "Now that you''ve left the drama, the viewership ratings will likely take a nosedive." "Right? As it should be. You have a keen eye, Mr. Jung." Kim Sung-Woon chuckled and passed me another drink. It looked like it was going to be yet another night of not going home sober. Just like that, I passed another eventful day in the life of a talent agent. *** Kim Sung-Woon''s prediction was urate. Without Kim Sung-Woon as the PD, Moonlight Starpour saw many disappointed viewers abandon the show. Thanks to this, the viewership ratings for Blue Sky began to soar. By episode 11, Blue Sky¡¯s viewership ratings had climbed to 15.9%. And by episode 12, they had reached an impressive 16.9%. The atmosphere in Actor Division 2 was electric, reminiscent of the eve of a festival, with many of them specting that the viewership ratings might even surpass 20%. This surge in poprity brought in a flood of CF offers for Yoo-Jin. "Assistant Manager Jung, the sports manufacturer, Rocos, wants to shoot a golf club ad with Yoo-Jin. They came to meet us directly." "I heard that the son of that advertiser is notorious. He''s known for making inappropriate demands on the models." "Okay, got it. I''ll handle it and send them away." Before Kang Gam-Chan left, he had instructed that all decisions regarding Yoo-Jin should reflect my opinion as much as possible. Hence, I had the final say on which advertisements to ept. This allowed me to utilize the knowledge from my past life and the nner effectively. At that moment, Gu Seong-Cheol mentioned an advertisement he got for Yoo-Jin. "Yoon-Ho, what do you think about the summer ad for Cocari Sweat? The PR director there is a friend of mine and he''s really hoping we can make it happen." "Cocari Sweat?" The Cocari Sweat summer advertisement was renowned for featuring only the hottest female celebrities of the year. Although the pay wasn''t the highest, the exposure was significant, making it a coveted opportunity for many. In my past life, Ju Yung-In was set to be the model for this summer''s Cocari Sweat advertisement. "Just a moment, Mr. Gu." Pretending to search for an article, I flipped through the nner. [Everyday V10] [Date: May 29th, 2020] -08:00 PM Ju Yung-In. Cocari Sweat CF meeting. (Hanul Korean Cuisine at Gangnam Station.) The entry for Ju Yung-In''s preliminary meeting for the contract was still in the nner. ''So if we don''t ept it, the opportunity would go back to Ju Yung-In?'' I might have considered leaving it if Ju Yung-In were still with ourpany, but I no longer had any reason to, considering that she was now with Ace Entertainment. I nodded as I closed the nner. "Yes, Yoo-Jin would love Cocari Sweat." "Okay. But Yoo-Jin wearing swimwear is mandatory because it is a summer ad. Is Yoo-Jin okay with skin exposure?" "We have the great invention of rash guards, don''t we?¡± Yoo-Jin had requested to avoid roles or advertisements with significant skin exposure considering Miso might see them, but a rash guard would mitigate such concerns. Gu Seong-Cheol smiled contentedly. "Alright, let''s proceed with that." "Oh, but could we add one condition?" "Condition?" "When it transitions to a global advertisement, let''s include a use for renegotiating the contract fee." After all, this summer¡¯s Cocari Sweat advertisement, which was initially created for the Korean market, would eventually turn into a global campaign due to its exceptional quality. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 25th, 2020] -07:00 PM Cocari Sweat advertisement notification for a global campaign in Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. Gu Seong-Cheol put his arm around my shoulder with a pleased expression and asked, "Did you hear something?" "Yes, I have reliable information." With an excited look, Gu Seong-Cheol started calling the PR director at Cocari Sweat. At the same time, the nner entry for May 29th was vanishing¡ªJu Yung-In''s Cocari Sweat advertisement had be Yoo-Jin''s, marking the moment she would be the hottest actress of the year. *** I had arranged to meet with Lee Ji-Yeon regarding the script for Yoo-Jin¡¯s next drama. -Then let''s meet at Soll-Ip''s house tomorrow. Also, can you bring four liters of coffee? She can''t work without your coffee these days. "Instead of that, how about I send four bottles to the studio every week?" -Ha ha. That would be much appreciated. At that moment, an unfamiliar number called me as soon as I hung up the call with Lee Ji-Yeon. "Hello, this is Assistant Manager Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment''s Actor Division 2." -I''m Cheon Yi-Sang from TK Entertainment. My expression instantly hardened. In my past life, Cheon Yi-Sang had been a formidable opponent who constantly attacked my weaknesses and poached the actors from Top Entertainment. He was one of the people who used to be in a fierce battle with me. ¡°What makes you give me a call?¡± -It¡¯s not something that should be talked about over a phone call. There is a cafe called Stone Grave near Hoop Entertainment. Can we meet there and talk about this then? Meeting Cheon Yi-Sang was not something I would have entertained in the past. However, I was curious about his intentions which prompted me to agree to the meeting. After all, as the saying goes, knowing your enemy is essential for victory. "I''ll see you in ten minutes." -Alright. I''ll be waiting. After hastily wrapping up some pending work, I headed out of the office to the cafe called Stone Grave which was just a two-minute walk away. There, a sharp-looking middle-aged man in an Ormani striped suit sipping an espresso con panna awaited me. With his pomade-slicked hair and gold-framed sses, he looked more like a financier than someone from the entertainment industry. "Right over here." Cheon Yi-Sang hollered as he lifted his hand to gesture for me to join him. We exchanged business cards and greetings as I took the seat opposite him and asked, "So, why did you want to meet me? It doesn''t seem like you''re here to apologize for Petite More''s affair." Cheon Yi-Sang grinned and said, "I see why Director Ma Dong-Pal was troubled by you¡ªyou are very direct right from the start. Haven''t you heard that the Petite More¡¯s incident was just Teddy Kim''s personal indiscretion?" "I find that hard to believe." "Haha, life must be quite difficult for you since you''re always so suspicious like this." Cheon Yi-Sang replied with a deep smile as he fiddled with his coffee cup. Then, he looked up and said, "I''m not one to beat around the bush, so I''ll get straight to the point. I''vee to recruit you to ourpany." ''What? Recruit? This is an unexpected turn of events.'' "You want to work with me? I thought you''d want me dead after what happened." I responded. Cheon Yi-Sang replied with a chuckle, "Haha, well, you know how it is with work. You fight, you make up¡ªthat''s just how it goes." Although we had shed numerous times in my past life, there was never a reconciliation between us. But now, he clearly saw me as a young contender he could easily sway to his side. Cheon Yi-Sang''s eyes sparkled as if he were looking at a delicious prey. Then, he made an offer. "If you join ourpany, I''ll immediately offer you a team lead position. Your sry will match that of a chief and I will also give you additional bonuses. This is in recognition of your achievements. What do you say to these terms?" A chief-level sry at TK Entertainment would be around 80 million won. With bonuses included, the offer would indeed exceed 100 million won, which was more than double my current sry of around 37 million won as a newly promoted assistant manager. However, the idea of moving to apany like TK Entertainment which had ties to organized crime waspletely unappealing to me. "The offer isn''t too bad, but I''m not sure I could get along well with Director Ma Dong-Pal or Miss Park Eun-Bin." Cheon Yi-Sang''s expression stiffened slightly at my refusal. "Look, Assistant Manager Jung. Companies are ces where you put up with unpleasant superiors and annoying juniors to earn money to seed. I didn''t think you''d be unaware of such basics." "It''s not that I''m unaware. It''s just that the team members are more important to me than money and prestige. I didn''t think you''d be unaware of such basics." When I used Cheon Yi-Sang''s words against him, his expression turned menacing. "Young man, you better think it over. You will definitely regret it if you don''t," warned Cheon Yi-Sang. His warning was delivered in a low voice and a cold chill seemed to emanate from his face. But this reaction was no surprise to me as it was the same old pattern as in my past life¡ªenticement followed by threats. Being awyer, Cheon Yi-Sang often paraded around with a hollowugh and rarely revealed his true intentions. However, his nature wasn''t much different from Kim Tae-Kwon''s. The fact that he got along with a former gangster like Kim Tae-Kwon meant they were cut from the same cloth. I pulled out my phone which had been recording the entire conversation. "Are you threatening me now?" Cheon Yi-Sang nced at the phone and chuckled. "You''re more amusing than I thought. Hey, Assistant Manager Jung. You do know I''m awyer, right?" "I''m well aware." "And you''re still recording, huh? You know this could cause problems, right?" At that moment, Cheon Yi-Sang suddenly spoke in a much softer tone to a passing part-timer. "Excuse me, could you rmend a good dessert or sandwich from here?" The part-timer answered kindly, "Oh, our sandwiches are quite delicious. Would you like to order one?" "Sure. Can I get two, please? Also, here''s my credit card. Please get a sandwich for each of the staff working in the store using this. It''s on me." When Cheon Yi-Sang offered his ck card, the part-timer, who was smiling while taking the order, shook her head with a perplexed expression. "Thank you so much for the offer, but it''s fine, really." "Ha ha, I just appreciate seeing you all working hard. Think of it as a tip. Go on, take it." The part-timer hesitated at first but then bowed gratefully as she received the card. "Th-thank you so much! I really appreciate it." The part-timer took the credit card to the cashier, and all three part-timers in the store approached our table shortly after to express their gratitude. "Thank you! We''ll enjoy the meal." "Ha ha, it''s great to see you all working hard. Keep it up!" Cheon Yi-Sang cheerfully encouraged them, managing the situation deftly. I hadn''t anticipated the conversation taking this turn. Apart from Cheon Yi-Sang''s voice and mine on the recording, there were now three others. The moment a third party''s voice was recorded in what was supposed to be a private conversation, itplicated the use of the recording as evidence. Cheon Yi-Sang knew this well and used it to his advantage. Then, he adjusted his Ormani suit and stood up. "Assistant Manager Jung, think about the offer to join ourpany. If I don''t hear from you by tomorrow, be prepared for some regrettable consequences." Cheon Yi-Sang''s gaze turned cold once again as he finished speaking and left the cafe without even touching the sandwiches. Ring~. The entrance bell of the cafe rang sharply. Despite it being a warm spring day, a chill seemed to permeate the air. "By tomorrow, huh...what are you nning, Cheon Yi-Sang?¡± Chapter 114: Winter After Spring? (3)

Chapter 114: Winter After Spring? (3)

On Saturday, the entire cast of Blue Sky gathered at the studio of SBC''s popr variety show, Speak Up. Speak Up was a popr talk show that delved into behind-the-scenes stories from film sets that were usually not heard by the public and boasted an impressive average viewership rating of 17%. Oh Duk-Gu frowned and gave a warning as he reviewed the script, "Yoon-Ho, let''s be on our guard today. We might encounter some unexpected situations." As usual, the variety show script was filled with provocative questions designed to boost viewership ratings. The questions ranged from standard inquiries about cosmetic surgery for female actresses to attempts at creating romantic storylines between actors and actresses. "The questions seem quite intense," Imented. "That''s why I think we need to talk to the PD and adjust some of them," replied Oh Duk-Gu. Scripts often underwent spontaneous changes in the variety department, where viewership ratings held paramount importance, even more so than in the drama department. However, sticking to the script could potentially reignite dating rumors between Yoo-Jin and Choi Jong-Hyuk. Oh Duk-Gu approached the PD, who was checking the cue sheets next to an EFP camera, to express his concerns. However, PD Choi Yoon-Cheol seemed annoyed and dismissively waved his hand, leaving Oh Duk-Gu no choice but to return with a troubled expression. "He said he understood, but his reaction was not reassuring. It''s not like we can unterally remove Yoo-Jin from this script." "Let''s see how things unfold and then decide." "Alright." At that moment, Choi Yoon-Cheol announced the start of the recording. "Okay! Makeup teams, please step down. We''ll begin once we have lighting on standby." The cue was given as the makeup teams cleared the stage. MC Jang In-Hong started the show by directing the first question to Lee Sa-Rang, the most senior member of the cast. The conversation started with the resurgence of retro fashion fueled by the poprity of Blue Sky. Actors who had lived through that era, including Lee Sa-Rang, shared their nostalgic experiences and brought a lively atmosphere to the set with tales from the past. But when it was Yoo-Jin''s turn, Jang In-Hong threw an unexpected question her way. "Miss Jung Yoo-Jin, could you show us your nose?" With a bright smile, Yoo-Jin yfully wiggled her nose to deny any rumors of cosmetic surgery. ''Don''t push your nose up, just wriggle them sideways. That''s right. Good job.'' I was reassured when she avoided lifting her nose upwards, preventing any potentially embarrassing photos. "Wow, I can''t believe your nose is natural. It''s so beautiful. Can we get a protractor to measure the angle please?" In response, the staff really brought the protractor to measure the angle of Yoo-Jin''s nose, adding a yful touch to the show. Then MC Lee Ji-Yung, a former SBC weathercaster, asked Yoo-Jin another question. "Miss Yoo-Jin. Do you happen to have a romantic interest among the cast here? I heard that an interesting rumor has been circting." The cast began to stir and murmur with anticipation. But I was surprised when Yoo-Jin began to unexpectedly blush because I had expected her to firmly dismiss that im. At the same time, Yoo-Jin''s eyes began to tremble. When Yoo-Jin hesitated to answer, Lee Ji-Yung probed further. "Oh my! Oh my goodness! Do you like someone among the cast? Wait a moment. Could it be Mr. Choi Jong..." But Yoo-Jin quickly refuted the im without hesitation even before Lee Ji-Yung could finish speaking. "No! Choi Jong-Hyuk sunbae isn''t my type!" Yoo-Jin stood up in a huff as she dispelled the dating rumors with Choi Jong-Hyuk. ''Good job. At least you denied the rumors even though there was some hesitation.'' However, Lee Ji-Yung sensed the opportunity and began to tease Yoo-Jin with an ambiguous expression. "Hmm... Your strong reaction seems to suggest the opposite. Weren''t there rumors about you and Mr. Jong-Hyuk previously?" The MCs continued to fuel the spection and Jang In-Hong looked at Choi Jong-Hyuk to seek his agreement. Choi Jong-Hyuk responded with a yful smile. "Well, noments from me." The recording of SBC''s Speak Up instantly heated up with the unexpected topic of dating rumors. I felt a surge of frustration from the bottom of my heart. On the other hand, the smile on Choi Yoon-Cheol''s face was growing wider. ''Is this a challenge?'' Despite our requests to the scriptwriter during the pre-interview and the PD on set to avoid sensitive questions, they were tantly pursuing a dating rumor narrative¡ªshowing that they had no regard for Hoop Entertainment. At this point, we couldn''t just stand by anymore. I gave Oh Duk-Gu a subtle signal and said, "Mr. Oh, we might need to inform the higher-ups about this situation." Oh Duk-Gu nodded and replied, "I agree. It seems best if Mr. Gues here himself. I''ll make a call and step out for a moment. Keep an eye on things." As Oh Duk-Gu stepped out to call Gu Seong-Cheol, Jang In-Hong and Lee Ji-Yung continued to push the narrative of a dating rumor involving Yoo-Jin. "Miss Ji-Yung, you are being quite mischievous today. What if Miss Yoo-Jin''s fans flood the message boards demanding a change in MC because of this?" "Oh,e on. A young, unmarried man and woman could very well date. Aren''t celebrities human too?" ''They are crossing the lines without hesitation. Why are they assuming a rtionship between the two anyway?'' The clearly frustrated Yoo-Jin protested amidst the fabricated discussions and provocations. "No, really. We''re just colleagues. Sunbae, please say something! Tell them it''s not true!" "What do you want me to say?" Choi Jong-Hyuk responded with a yful smile. "Wow! This is too much! Why are you pretending like you are clueless? You can just tell them it''s not true!" As Yoo-Jin''sints persisted, Choi Jong-Hyuk finally stepped back from the situation with a teasing expression. "Yes, what Miss Yoo-Jin said is correct. We''re just colleagues¡ªvery close colleagues." "Haha, alright. We''ll leave it at that for now." I quickly made an X with my fingers to signal Yoo-Jin to stop exining. After all, further discussion would only further entangle her in the rumor. ''Calm down, Yoo-Jin!'' Yoo-Jin, who was on the verge of exploding, noticed my gesture and calmed down. She tried her best to contain her anger and nodded. Just when it seemed we had managed to navigate the tricky situation, Ju Yung-In and Park Jin-Hee sensed the brewing storm and added fuel to the fire with theirments. "But it''s true that Miss Yoo-Jin and Choi Jong-Hyuk sunbae have great chemistry," said Ju Yung-In. "Right? I''ve been jealous of them," Park Jin-Hee chimed in, skillfully twisting the narrative with their back-and-forth banter. Choi Yoon-Cheol''s face lit up even more thanks to Ju Yung-In and Park Jin-Hee''sments. At the same time, he spun the cue cards with glee¡ªit was clear he was determined to push the narrative as far as it could go. While it was natural for a variety show PD to chase after high viewership ratings, it left the actors caught in the crossfire with little recourse. I was contemting confronting the PD on the spot when Oh Duk-Gu hurriedly finished his call and came back panting. "It''s settled. Mr. Gu and Ms. Kang are nearby and on their way. They''re furious." "That''s a relief." "Still, we can''t let our guard down until we see the edited version. I''ll talk to the PD again during the break." "Sounds good, Mr. Oh." *** Not long after, Kang Ji-Yung stormed into the set, apanied by Gu Seong-Cheol and another figure¡ªit was Jung Sam-Ryong, the future head of SBC''s drama department and the current CP of Blue Sky. "Hey! PD Choi!" Startled by Jung Sam-Ryong''s sudden shout, Choi Yoon-Cheol turned around angrily and replied, "Who is it!? Can''t you see we''re filming here!?" But Choi Yoon-Cheol''s expression immediately soured when he saw that it was Jung Sam-Ryong, an eight-year sunbae and the uing head of the drama department. "Oh, Mr. Jung. Why would you shout during a shoot? You''ve ruined the audio." Jung Sam-Ryong clicked his tongue in disbelief. "What do you think you are doing right now?" "What do you mean? We''re filming." "Why are you mentioning a dating rumor that''s not even in the script? Will you take responsibility if a scandal breaks out?" The actors began to murmur among themselves. Realizing that the shoot couldn''t continue in this state, Choi Yoon-Cheol gestured for a break. "Let''s take a short break." The actors exited the studio for a break, leaving Choi Yoon-Cheol to confront Jung Sam-Ryong who was clearly still frustrated. "Mr. Jung, I understand you are a man with authority, but overstepping in the business of the variety department is a bit too much." "Too much? This matter has nothing to do with whether it regards the variety department or the drama department." The confrontation between Jung Sam-Ryong and Choi Yoon-Cheol escted into a fiery argument, intensifying the ongoing feud between the variety and drama departments. Amidst the turmoil, the AD of the show made an urgent call somewhere. Soon after, CP Lee Yung-Geun who was in charge of Speak Up came down from the main control room. However, he couldn''t dissuade Jung Sam-Ryong who hade with determination. "Yung-Geun, stay out of this. I got an order from Mr. Choi beforeing down. He said to hand over today''s shoot as soon as possible so he can check it." Director Choi Woon-Sik of MBS was a key figure in the entertainment department and a close associate of Kim Gab-Soo. The fact that he gave direct instruction to leave out Jung Yoo-Jin''s dating rumor clearly indicated that the president had given him an order. Lee Yung-Geun nodded hastily and said, "PD Choi, do as he says. Edit out what we''ve filmed so far." "Y-yes, sir..." muttered Choi Yoon-Cheol as he reluctantly agreed and began issuing new instructions to the staff. As the tension diffused, Kang Ji-Yung approached us. "Contact me directly should any issues concerning Miss Yoo-Jin arise. Okay?" Being aware that Cheon Yi-Sang was targeting Yoo-Jin and me, Kang Ji-Yung was fully prepared to intervene. After a brief interaction, Kang Ji-Yung followed Jung Sam-Ryong out while grumbling about another day of drinking with the executives. Meanwhile, Yoo-Jin returned to her waiting chair and gave me a thumbs-up. "Hmm? Why the thumbs up?" "Because thanks to you, I felt reassured." Indeed, it was rare for a director of an agency toe to the set and intervene directly on behalf of an actor. Having faced quite the ordeal on her first variety show appearance, Yoo-Jin was visibly exhausted. "I didn''t expect so many off-script questions. I was sweating bullets...are variety shows always like this?" "No. I guess this proves how popr you are. But you handled it well without getting too nervous." With more filming sessions ahead, I tried to calm Yoo-Jin''s nerves with some encouragement. "But Yoo-Jin." Yoo-Jin turned to me while taking a sip of her coffee and asked, "Yes?" "Why did you freeze up at that question? You should have just said ''no'' right away." Cough! Yoo-Jin opened her eyes wide as she suddenly choked on her coffee. "W-well, that''s because...cough.¡± As Yoo-Jin struggled with the coffee caught in her throat, I handed her a handkerchief and patted her back to help. "Are you okay?" Yoo-Jin nodded with tears well up in her eyes, preventing me from probing further about her earlier hesitation. *** Cheon Yi-Sang of TK Entertainment frowned as he answered a call. -Hyung-nim, you have to understand my situation. The higher-ups just stormed in and turned everything upside down. They''re using us of sabotaging a sessful drama. Cheon Yi-Sang''s n to fabricate a scandal involving Jung Yoo-Jin and Choi Jong-Hyuk was in jeopardy before it even began. "You mean you didn''t even get to film anything?" -No, we did. We went in pretty strong from the start. But it''s all been scrapped with the directive from above to cut everything out in editing. "Hold on. Then can you at least pass me that original footage somehow?" -Come on. How am I supposed to do that? You know how things are around here... "Yoon-Cheol, you know what I''m capable of, don''t you? Just leave the tape in editing room 3 and we''ll take care of the rest." "..." There was a moment of silence. Knowing Cheon Yi-Sang''s style of offering substantial rewards for taking risks, Choi Yoon-Cheol finally relented. -Let''s see. Editing room 3 should be empty by around 10 p.m... "Good. Just make sure you''re away from your desk for a bit at that time. I''ll handle everything else." Choi Yoon-Cheol eventually agreed reluctantly to Cheon Yi-Sang''s n to hire someone to sneak out the footage. -I know nothing about this, okay? "Right, right. Tell your wife toe down to the apartment''s basement parking lot tonight at spot A4." The promise of a cash reward for the task had Choi Yoon-Cheol chuckling as he hung up. Then Cheon Yi-Sang immediately dialed another number. "Hey, it''s me. I''ve got a job for you. Are you still working these days?" -Yes, sir. "Good. SBC, editing room 3, 10 p.m. Copy everything on the file and get back to me." After hanging up, Cheon Yi-Sang smirked sinisterly. "Assistant Manager Jung, I told you you''ll regret this.¡± Chapter 115: Winter After Spring? (4)

Chapter 115: Winter After Spring? (4)

At the filming location of Blue Sky, Yoo-Jin sessfully wrapped up her first kiss scene in just one take. "Okay~! Let''s take a short break and then we''ll go straight to scene 326." p, p, p! Though all actors tend to tense up during kiss scenes, today''s scene went one smoothly without any rush. This was because Hoop Entertainment had requested for the kiss scene to be faked just before the shoot. "Good work, sunbae." After the shoot, Yoo-Jin smiled at Choi Jong-Hyuk and returned to the waiting chair. "Uh, y-yeah. You too..." The more Yoo-Jin distanced herself, the more obsessed Choi Jong-Hyuk''s heart became. Choi Jong-Hyuk returned to his StarCraft van and spat out a curse. "Is she ying hard to get with me right now?" Reclining on the chair, Choi Jong-Hyuk started to get annoyed with Jung Yoo-Jin, who appeared tantalizingly close yet remained out of reach. He was no different than a boy in elementary schoolshing out at the girl he liked. Initially, everything was just an act to create a scandal under the orders of Director Ma Dong-Pal. But Choi Jong-Hyuk had ended up developing true feelings for Jung Yoo-Jin. "Could it be that she really has no feelings for me?" questioned Choi Jong-Hyuk. But he soon shook his head and said, "Nah. No way. That can''t be." He believed that no woman could resist him if he were to set his mind to it. "Why are you muttering to yourself?" asked Yoo Han-Seok. "Ugh, forget it. I''m in a bad mood so don''t talk to me," Choi Jong-Hyuk replied. Yoo Han-Seok smiled at Choi Jong-Hyuk''s annoyance. Then, he gave a sly smile as he handed his phone over to Choi Jong-Hyuk and said, "Jong-Hyuk, check out this photo. The angle is a killer, don''t you think?" "What is it?" On Yoo Han-Seok''s phone was a photo that made it look like Choi Jong-Hyuk and Jung Yoo-Jin were kissing. "What''s this? When did you take this photo?" "Just a moment ago." At that moment, a sudden thought passed Choi Jong-Hyuk''s mind. "Hyung, pass that photo to me." "Huh? Why? Do you want to save it on your phone?" When Choi Jong-Hyuk smirked silently, Yoo Han-Seok quickly turned around. "Wait, you''re not thinking of doing something with this photo, are you? No way, man." Choi Jong-Hyuk reached out his hand. "Just give it to me." "Don''t you remember the time you were ckmailed over a woman and had to pull down the article?" But Choi Jong-Hyuk only made a sinister smile in response to Yoo Han-Seok''s concern. "Mr. Cheon Yi-Sang took care of that issue." "What?" "All the hush money has been paid, so there''s no need to worry." Choi Jong-Hyukughed wickedly with a nasty expression. With no more vulnerabilities, this photo could catapult him to the top of the live search rankings by riding on Jung Yoo-Jin''s poprity¡ªand it could also be a perfect opportunity to get officially entangled with Jung Yoo-Jin, whom he couldn''t win over. Of course, he had nned to eventually step in and resolve everything for Jung Yoo-Jin to appear like a savior. After all, what Choi Jong-Hyuk ultimately wanted was to steal Jung Yoo-Jin''s heart. Having received the photo from Yoo Han-Seok, Choi Jong-Hyuk immediately called Cheon Yi-Sang. "Yes, sir. I''ve got a great photo here." *** We keep Yoo-Jin''s variety show appearances to a minimum as each time there was a pre-interview for any broadcast, we would end up shing with writers who tried to mention the dating rumor between Choi Jong-Hyuk and Yoo-Jin for viewership ratings. As a result, we ended up canceling one of the SBC broadcast appearances after today''s pre-interview. This had Gu Seong-Cheol looking like he had indigestion all morning. "Yung-Hoon, give me some digestive pills if you have any. My stomach feels bloated...I think I''m really going to die," Gu Seong-Cheol groaned. Ju Yung-Hoon handed him a ss of water and a digestive pill and said, "Sir, just let them be. It''s not the first or second time the variety show writers have done this." "Even so, making it sound like there is something between Yoo-Jin and Choi Jong-Hyuk is too much. Just look at Choi Jong-Hyuk. Who does he think he is, the cherry on top of a cake? He''s obviously trying to ride on Yoo-Jin''s poprity without shame." "Looking at the situation, it seems like TK Entertainment is also subtly exerting their influence," replied Ju Yung-Hoon. Gu Seong-Cheol let out a harsh word. "Damn TK Entertainment. We should have crushed them when the music chart maniption scandal broke out..." Even in my past life, TK Entertainment had been a long-standing barrier in my way. Ma Dong-Pal, Cheon Yi-Sang, and even President Kim Tae-Kwon were all formidable opponents. And now, Cheon Yi-Sang was openly hostile toward me. While conducting the meeting, I was also considering the actions that Cheon Yi-Sang might take in the near future. But during the meeting, Park In-Ki from Actor Division 2 expressed his dissatisfaction. "Mr. Gu. Don''t you think thepany is paying too much attention to only Yoo-Jin these days?" "What? What are you talking about?" "There are many who feel neglected, whether you know it or not." Park In-Ki, who usually didn''t raise his voice, started to question thepany''s partial treatment of the actors and mentioned the names of two supporting actors he was in charge of. Gu Seong-Cheol grabbed his throbbing head. Park In-Ki added, "Just think about the recent Gourmet Expedition incident. Instead of just canceling the show because Yoo-Jin couldn''t make it, it would have been nice if you had slotted in Miss In-Jung or Sang-Jun hyung. They''ve already been feeling down because they have not been assigned any gigs!" Supporting actors appearing on variety shows were often there to be part of the background. But asionally, there were a few cases where they made a big impact on a variety show and became regr guests. Understanding Park In-Ki''s feelings, Gu Seong-Cheol started to pacify him. "Hey, I get where you''reing from. But now is not the time to put in substitutes. Let''s just get over this hurdle and then we can talkter, okay? I''ll personally make sure Miss In-Jung and Mr. Sang-Jun get a regr spot on a show." But Park In-Ki was particrly persistent today for some reason. "Couldn''t you at least try talking to them just once? It''s hard enough being treated as a supporting actor, but to be neglected by our ownpany is just..." That''s when Gu Seong-Cheol''s voice got louder. "Who''s neglecting who? It''s not that we are neglecting them on purpose but it''s the situation...ugh! Forget it, let''s just drop it!" Oh Duk-Gu quickly intervened to stop their argument. "Mr. Park. It''s not like that. Assistant Manager Jung is currently looking for variety shows that our Division 2 actors can appear on. Please wait a bit..." I remember selecting promising, long-term variety shows that were likely to seed and were also straightforward gigs, and handing the list over to Oh Duk-Gu. Oh Duk-Gu shared that report with Park In-Ki, trying to appease him. However, Park In-Ki cut Oh Duk-Gu off and made a twisted expression without even looking at the documents. "Team Lead Oh, are you doing charity now? Do I look like a beggar to you?" "That''s a bit harsh. What do you mean by charity!?" "Everything''s about Assistant Manager Jung! Since when did Actor Division 2 be a ce that catered to Yoon-Ho''s whims?" Park In-Ki red at me, then abruptly stood up and left. The sound of the chair being dragged back made me frown. Bang. The conference room door closed with a loud bang and Gu Seong-Cheol let out a deep sigh. "What''s gotten into him all of a sudden?" Oh Duk-Gu continued speaking with a grim expression. "Lately, he''s been grumbling that Actor Division 2 shouldn''t be like this." In my past life, Park In-Ki was someone who went with the flow like water. He was thest to join Top Entertainment when Hoop Entertainment was falling. He was quite talented, but his biggest w was being easily influenced by external factors. Gu Seong-Cheol asked Oh Duk-Gu, "Has he been hanging out with the new Team Lead Ju from Actor Division 3?" "Yes, I heard they''ve been drinking almost every day." Gu Seong-Cheol shook his head. "Tsk. He must have heard from there that each division is treated differently. Let him be. He''lle apologizing tomorrow, so don''t worry too much." However, I couldn''t help but be concerned. If it''s Ju Ho-Sung I knew, he would only sow more discord. He was an expert at exploiting the weaknesses of an organization to incite conflict. I told Gu Seong-Cheol that he should take better care of Park In-Ki. "I''ll pay more attention at the team lead level, so you focus on taking care of Yoo-Jin." "But, Mr Gu. Please take a look at the list of works featuring our supporting actors. Mr. Park isn''t entirely wrong. Our Actor Division 2 focuses on supporting actors, so we need to take good care of them." Gu Seong-Cheol frowned for a moment. "Park In-Ki is a team lead but seems to be more petty than the assistant manager, huh? Team Lead Oh, give me that file Assistant Manager Jung gave you." Gu Seong-Cheol med Park In-Ki for a moment, then asked Oh Duk-Gu for the file. Oh Duk-Gu immediately sent the file I had given him to Gu Seong-Cheol and Ju Yung-Hoon right away. I felt a bit uneasy, but resolving Yoo-Jin''s issue was the priority for now. There were too many possibilities for the kind of tricks Cheon Yi-Sang might y. *** After Yoo-Jin''s schedule ended, I was having ate dinner with Oh Duk-Gu. As I sliced therge pork cutlet and hummed a tune, Oh Duk-Gu quietly watched me and then asked, "Come to think of it, you always eat pork cutlets, don''t you?" Foods that I once dismissed without a second thought before the regression now appeared surprisingly delicious for some inexplicable reason. When the crispy batter and the warm juices of the pork loin filled my mouth, it made me feel like I was in heaven. Although it wasn''t a pork cutlet specialty restaurant, the owner''s cooking was so good that I never thought of going anywhere else. "I n to eat it until I get sick of it." "Alright. Eat as much as you want. I can buy you pork cutlets until I die." "Is that a promise? Wait, I should record this." When I jokingly reached for my phone, Oh Duk-Gu chuckled and said, "Kid, you take jokes too seriously. Man, I need to save up for marriage!" He shook his head, saying he was saving up for his wedding fund due to his nagging of his parents who lived in the countryside. ''Marriage? Been there, done that. But it was nothing special.'' At that moment, a shriek erupted from the high school girls sitting behind us. Curious about what was going on, I listened in and my heart immediately sank at what I heard. "Hey! Apparently, Jung Yoo-Jin and Choi Jong-Hyuk are dating!" "Really? Where did you see that, unnie?" "Look at this. There''s even a photo taken at the scene!" "Oh my goodness! Jung Yoo-Jin confessed to Choi Jong-Hyuk this week!" "So the rumor that was going around before wasn''t fake but real?" To figure out what was going on, I quickly checked the articles on my smartphone. [(Breaking News) Love blossomed on the set of Blue Sky. A passionate kiss not even in the script!] [(Exclusive) SBC Speak Up! Unaired footage. Jung Yoo-Jin publicly admits to having a crush on someone at the scene!] -SBC Speak Up! On-set confession recording leaked. (Link to the recording) I found myself grinding my teeth the moment I checked the articles. ''Is this an article or a novel? None of these are true!'' The newspapers featured a photo taken at an angle that made it look like Choi Jong-Hyuk and Yoo-Jin were kissing. It was a photo of the fake kiss taken on set, but the articles misled people to believe it was real. However, the real issue was something else¡ªa recording had been released of Yoo-Jin confessing her feelings for Choi Jong-Hyuk. The recording had Yoo-Jin''s voice saying she liked Choi Jong-Hyuk. Oh Duk-Gu stood up with a stern face. "Assistant Manager Jung, we need to head back to thepany." "Yes, sir." This scandal was not something to be taken lightly. Unlike the brief scandal photo with Choi Jong-Hyuk from before, this time there was a legitimate photo and voice recording. The fact that so many articles had been published meant someone was pulling strings from behind. ''It must be that guy, Cheon Yi-Sang.'' If that were the case, the issue wouldn''t just blow over. We left our food and headed straight to thepany. Even on the way to thepany, my phone was bombarded with calls from entertainment reporters asking about the truth. "Don''t answer the phone." "I won''t." But I borrowed Oh Duk-Gu''s phone to reassure Yoo-Jin. -The person you are trying to reach is currently unavable. Please try againter. When Yoo-Jin didn''t answer the call, I immediately called Miso''s phone. Yoo-Jin, who answered the phone as soon as it rang, replied with a voice full of injustice. -Oppa! I never said such things! Really! Yoo-Jin''s voice was trembling continuously, seemingly perplexed after hearing the recording. "I know. I was at the filming location that day, so how could I not know? Don''t worry. I think I understand what''s happening." -Huh? I started to exin the situation to the surprised Yoo-Jin. After all, this was one of the methods Cheon Yi-Sangmonly used in my past life. Chapter 116 Winter After Spring? (5)

Chapter 116 Winter After Spring? (5)

"Do you know what audio splicing is?" -Huh? Audio splicing? In five years, Cheon Yi-Sang would use this method to bring down a top star named Lee Ye-Sol with whom he had a conflict. It was to reprimand her for not renewing the contract with thepany and immediately trying to sign with anotherpany as an independent artist. Of course, the situation back then was far more serious because the audio file released had contained sensational content that suggested Lee Ye-Sol was doing drugs and mingling inappropriately with men. To make things worse, Cheon Yi-Sang had bribed her talent agent to further testify that he had directly witnessed Lee Ye-Sol''s crimes. As a result, Lee Ye-Sol, whose image had hit rock bottom, had no choice but to retire from the entertainment industry. It wasn''t until three yearster that it became known in the industry that Cheon Yi-Sang had fabricated the recording via audio splicing. Fortunately, I knew what Cheon Yi-Sang was capable of doing and the content of the audio splicing wasn''t as serious as it was then. My only regret was that I didn''t know the identity of the technician who worked on the audio splicing. If I had known his identity, I would have exposed him along with the evidence. For this reason, I had to resolve the issue in apletely different way. ''An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.'' I took a deep breath and reassured Yoo-Jin once again. "Don''t worry, I''ll take care of it. Oh, and since the reporters will be a nuisance, turn off your phone for today and tomorrow when there are no shoots. I''ll keep in touch with you through Miso''s phone." -Okay, oppa. I''ll do as you say. I trust you with everything. I couldn''t help but feel a lump in my throat when I felt Yoo-Jin''s trust in me through her brief response. After hanging up the call with Yoo-Jin, I turned off my phone and returned to the office. The scene was chaotic and reminiscent of a battlefield as the talent agents of Actor Division 2 and the Publicity Division''s staff were busy answering calls. "Mr. Gu, Weekly Stars is asking if the articles are true. What should we say?" "Say it''s all fabricated and manipted! There''s no way Yoo-Jin would hang out with such a bastard!" "Sir, Baro Stars is asking us to confirm the sources they have!" "Damn it, sources? What sources! Tell them to check their sauces at a tasting corner!" "This is getting out of control, Mr. Gu. All the calls from entertainment newspapers are swarming in!" "This won''t do! Hey! Everyone, turn off your phones and unplug the lines!" Gu Seong-Cheol broke out in a cold sweat as he turned off his phone. He was drained from dealing with all the entertainment newspapers publishing articles at once. Cheon Yi-Sang was using a strategy of overwhelming his opponents with a flood of articles backed by a huge amount of money. No matter how hard Hoop Entertainment tried to take down the articles and make a response, they were powerless against the overwhelming flood. The phone in Sung Min-Suk''s hand was vibrating nonstop. "I''ll do my best to block the articles for now, so please think of a way in Actor Division 2 as well," said Sung Min-Suk. "I''m sorry, Team Lead Sung." "Don''t mention it, Mr. Gu." As Sung Min-Suk was leaving the conference room, he noticed I had been standing there. "Oh, Assistant Manager Jung. How''s Yoo-Jin doing?" "I told her to turn off her phone. And Yoo-Jin''sndlord is taking good care of her, so you don''t have to worry too much." "Is that so? That''s a relief." Sung Min-Suk sighed in relief. But then he tilted his head with a puzzled expression and asked, "But why do you look so calm? Do you have a n or something?" "Of course I do." At that moment all eyes in the conference room were fixed on me. "First of all, that audio recording ispletely fabricated." "What? That recording file is fabricated? But it sounded so seamless." Oh Duk-Gu, who was standing next to me, chimed in. "Yoo-Jin never said such things at the filming site. The audio recordings were made by splicing her lines from the shoot with her everyday conversations recorded without her knowledge. And of course, the kissing photos are fake. There were many staff members at the site who witnessed the filming scenes." Gu Seong-Cheol''s expression visibly brightened. "Is that so? Then we should at least get statements from the staff." Ju Yung-Hoon quickly responded. "Mr. Gu, the first audio recording was uploaded by Entertainment Specials. How about we request them to submit the original audio recording files?" "Okay. Contact the analysispany as soon as we receive the recording. And ask the legal division to do the necessary preparations in the event they don''t hand over the files." A glimmer of hope began to circte in the meeting room. But this alone was not enough. Considering the time it would take to reveal the truth, Yoo-Jin''s image could be tarnished faster than we could rify the fake news. That''s when the conference room door burst open and Kang Ji-Yung rushed in. Her disheveled hair suggested she had run up the emergency stairs. "I heard that Speedy Entertainment News is about to release an interview with someone from the shooting site. Have you heard anything about that?" ''Did Cheon Yi-Sang already bribe someone from the filming site?'' He was indeed a formidable opponent. Ju Yung-Hoon hurriedly replied to Kang Ji-Yung''s question, "Ms. Kang, that audio file had been manipted!" "I-is that so?" "Yes. Yoo-Jin never said those things on site, and the kissing photos with Choi Jong-Hyuk are all fake," I added. Kang Ji-Yung looked relieved after hearing my response. "That''s what I thought. There''s no way Miss Yoo-Jin would do such a thing..." Kang Ji-Yung slumped into a chair and let out a deep sigh. ''But even Kang Ji-Yung believed the manipted files to be real...'' Kang Ji-Yung inquired about the strategy. "What kind of measures have we prepared? It seems all we can do is announce that we will sue for spreading false information." The false testimony of a site associate, the photos, the audio recording files, and the ambiguous stance of Choi Jong-Hyuk and TK Entertainment were more than enough to convince the public that Choi Jong-Hyuk and Jung Yoo-Jin were dating. Once rumors like these took root, they were hard to reverse. Gu Seong-Cheol asked me, "Do you have a n? What exactly are you going to do?" With Gu Seong-Cheol''s urging, all eyes turned to me. "Please ensure that what I am about to say does not leak outside this room," I replied in a serious tone. The information I was about to share was a secret known to only a very few. I nned to retaliate against Cheon Yi-Sang''s reckless attack and make him pay several times over. *** [Everyday V10] [Date: March 15th, 2022] -8:00 PM MBS Morning Today! featuring Choi Ji-Yung. Ratings 18.5%. Monitoring. Two years from now, the once-renowned actress Choi Ji-Yung would reveal the untold story behind her divorce on MBS'' Morning Today!, a show popr to housewives, -It is not true that I had an affair. She would im that her hoobae Choi Jong-Hyuk had drugged and assaulted her, and her ex-husband Jang Ji-Cheol raided the scene along with hiswyer to take away everything she had. This story enraged housewives who flooded the Blue House[1] petition board, eventually leading to a police re-investigation. This led to the downfall of Jang Ji-Cheol and Choi Jong-Hyuk, while Choi Ji-Yung was able to make aeback as an actress and garnered sympathy as a victim of a conspiracy. Of course, she was currently ousted from the entertainment industry at the moment. Kang Ji-Yung and Gu Seong-Cheol were shocked by my story. "If that''s true... are you nning to fight fire with fire?" ''They indeed catch on quickly.'' "Yes. The scandalous story behind the divorce of Jang Ji-Cheol and Choi Ji-Yung would easily overshadow the rumors about Yoo-Jin, especially if it involves a crime for financial gain." Jang Ji-Cheol of TK Entertainment was a top star known to everyone in South Korea. His scandal could more than sufficiently cover Yoo-Jin''s scandal. The specifics would be dealt withter. "Are you sure about this information? If it turns out to be wrong, the bacsh could be severe." "I wouldn''t have brought it up if I wasn''t sure. Please trust me." Although there were some differing opinions, everyone eventually nodded in agreement as there were no better alternative solutions. Kang Ji-Yung asked out of concern, "It would be more impactful if Miss Choi Ji-Yung herself coulde forward to talk about it. Do you think we can convince her?" "I''ll take the initiative on that. But I''ll need the support of everyone." After hearing my continued n, Kang Ji-Yung and Gu Seong-Cheol nodded in agreement. "Let''s do that." The war with TK Entertainment had begun anew. *** In the midst of filming a drama, it was quitemon for scandals to arise among cast members. When such incidents urred, typical responses in articles often read: -We''re just like siblings. -We have a good sunbae-hoobae rtionship. But Yoo-Jin''s scandal this time was different from the usual scandals because articles with manipted audio recordings and photos were circting around the inte. Even though we actively denied the articles, TK Entertainment maintained an ambiguous stance and imed they were in the middle of verifying the facts. At this rate, Yoo-Jin was doomed. Dating scandals like this were toxic to female celebrities. Kang Ji-Yung hurried to SBC and threatened that there would be no drama filming until the original tapes of the variety show Yoo-Jin appeared in were released. As a result, it was only natural for the drama and variety departments to be thrown into chaos. But perhaps due to Kang Gam-Chan''s prior investment of 1 billion won, they eventually agreed to our demands. Just like that, I headed over to Kim Soll-Ip''s studio with Jung Sang-Bong. We had to inform Kim Soll-Ip of what was toe at the very least because if things went sour with the writer, everything else would be meaningless no matter how well we did. While the car was momentarily stopped, Jung Sang-Bong, who was sitting in the passenger seat, was furiously scrolling throughments and visibly seething with anger. "Ah, fuck this. How can they say such nonsense?" (Comments) - Lol, the quiet ones always turn out to be the worst. - No matter how well you package her image with Human Stories, one''s true character will eventually be revealed. - I heard she even went to a ski resort with Choi Jong-Hyuk - It''s not the first time a celebrity''s been caught doing things behind the scenes. This is not surprising at all. - That audio file has been manipted. - Oh, herees the ''maniption parrot'' again. Grind! I could hear Jung Sang-Bong grinding his teeth in frustration. "Is this your first time seeing hatements? You must have had your fair share during your national team days, right?" Jung Sang-Bong seemed so worked up that steam might as well being out of his ears. "Hatements are mostly directed at ser and baseball yers. In less popr sports like taekwondo, it''s a different story. But I just don''t understand why Miss Yoo-Jin has to hear all this nonsense. She doesn''t deserve this." He seemed to have developed a sense of belonging since he started managing Yoo-Jin considering that he took the hatements personally as if they were directed at him. "How are we, meremoners, supposed to understand the intricate and delicate psychology of haters? Just let them be." My mouth felt bitter and dry. Despite our efforts to rify that the audio recording file was maliciously manipted, people were not believing us at all. Soon, we arrived at the underground parking lot of Kim Soll-Ip''s apartmentplex. "Carry these and follow me." Jung Sang-Bong carried four bottles of coffee stuffed in a bag and followed behind me. Then we took the elevator up to the floor where Kim Soll-Ip lived. At that moment, my phone began to ring and vibrate from the call from Cheon Yi-Sang. "Hello, this is Jung Yoon-Ho speaking." Cheon Yi-Sang''s low chuckle came through over the line. -My friend, I was wondering if you''ve started to consider negotiating with us, so I decided to reach out first. What do you think? Cheon Yi-Sang''s voice was filled with confidence, perhaps because he thought his initial move with the manipted file had hit its mark. Hearing hisughter over the phone made my blood boil, but I kept myposure. After all, I knew that getting worked up by his provocation wouldn''t solve anything. "How long do you intend to keep this up?" -Hmm, I told you. You''ll regret it if you refuse my offer. So think carefully. This is just the beginning. Cheon Yi-Sang''s attitude was inexorable. ''If he says it''s just the beginning, does that mean there''s more toe?'' At that moment, a thought shed through my mind¡ªI recalled the even more vicious method Cheon Yi-Sang had used when he buried another actor''s career. 1. White House of South Korea ? Chapter 117: Winter After Spring? (6)

Chapter 117: Winter After Spring? (6)

''Composite photo.'' Three yearster, a 35-year-old A-grade actor named Yang Myung-Suk would brazenly harass actress Lee Eun-Jin, who was the girlfriend of Cheon Yi-Sang at the time, and get caught. Cheon Yi-Sang pretended to forgive him boldly, but Yang Myung-Suk was exposed with aposite photo lying nude with another woman a monthter. In some ways, it was a much more dangerous tactic than what he had used before. To the public who were inclined to believe anything they saw with their eyes, photos were a bigger threat than audio recordings. The situation could be extremely serious if a few tabloids started spreading fake photos. I had to buy time becauseunching a counterattack would take at least two days. Pretending to be defeated, I let out a weak plea. "How can I make you stop here?" Cheon Yi-Sang responded as if he had been waiting. -I told you. Come to me. Then everything will stop here. I remained silent for a moment because he would suspect me if I answered right away. Swallowing dryly, I counted to ten in my mind before replying, "Could you give me some time to think?" -Time to think? Sure. I like careful people. How much time do you need? Cheon Yi-Sang began to act leisurely. He seemed to think I had given up since all the media were headlining Yoo-Jin''s dating rumors. "Please give me three days." -That''s too long. ''I knew he''d say that.'' "Then please give me at least two days. I have things I need to sort out too!" Cheon Yi-Sang burst intoughter. -Got something to cover up, huh? Have you been up to something? ''People only see what they want to see.'' But thanks to that, I had a good excuse. "Judge as you please." -Hahaha. Alright, then I''ll give you two days. Settle your matters within two days and contact me. Then I''ll cover up this whole affair. "Understood." -Oh, and bring Jung Yoo-Jin too. I''ll take responsibility and restore her image to its original state. Hahahaha." Click. The call was abruptly cut off with hisughter. At that moment, Jung Sang-Bong, who was seated beside me, asked with a worried expression, "Mr. Jung. Y-you''re not really going to move to TK Entertainment, are you?" "Why would I leave my home? I was just buying time. Let''s go. We need to hurry up! Today is going to be really busy." "Yes, Mr. Jung." Only then did Jung Sang-Bong''s face brighten again. The call with Cheon Yi-Sang had caused a slight dy. But thanks to that, I had bought time to detonate this ticking time bomb. *** Kim Soll-Ip opened the door as I rang the doorbell. Seeing her hair carelessly tied with a rubber band, it seemed she was worried after seeing the articles about Yoo-Jin''s dating scandal. "I just received a call from the broadcast station. But that audio recording is fabricated, you say?" "Yes. I was present during the filming of the kiss scene and where the audio recording was made. Yoo-Jin has never kissed or said she liked Choi Jong-Hyuk." Kim Soll-Ip let out a sigh of relief. "Indeed, it''s impossible for Miss Yoo-Jin to like Mr. Jong-Hyuk. I''ve heard things." "Huh? What do you mean you heard things...?" ''What exactly had she heard from Yoo-Jin?'' But my thoughts were interrupted by Kim Soll-Ip''s question. "Oh, no. It''s nothing. Anyway, what are you going to do now?" "Ah, before that. There''s something you need to hear." I yed the recording from myst meeting with Cheon Yi-Sang and the one automatically recorded during our recent call in sequence. Listening quietly, Kim Soll-Ip''s expression changed with every moment. "T-this... sounds like ckmail. Shouldn''t you sue him?" I shook my head after stopping the voice file yback. "It would be difficult to sue him legally because there''s no direct mention. Besides, awsuit wouldn''t bother him in the slightest. He''s awyer." Then I calmlyid out the operation I wasunching. Hearing the n, Kim Soll-Ip''s face hardened. "So Mr. Choi Jong-Hyuk will be kicked out from my drama... or are you nning to force him into retirement?" "There''s no other way. It''s the only way to protect Yoo-Jin." Kim Soll-Ip frowned and started typing on herptop''s keyboard. Tap tap tap. All the consonants and vowels were being separately typed into an empty file because she was typing without looking at the screen. The reason I hade to the writer first amidst this chaos was to prepare for the aftermath. If Choi Jong-Hyuk was kicked out as a result, not only would the script need revisions but the already filmed content would have to be discarded. "Ms. Kim?" "Ah. Yes. Yes." Only after snapping back to reality did Kim Soll-Ip finally stop typing. "Sigh. If things turn out that way, I''ll have to cut half of the script I worked so hard on." Kim Soll-Ip looked at me with a mixture of frustration and resentment. "I''m sorry, Ms. Kim." "No, it''s not your fault, Mr. Jung. Don''t worry about my grumbling. I don''t really mean it but I just need somewhere to vent." Beep, beep, beep! At that moment, the door lock opened and Lee Ji-Yeon appeared. Dressed in a gray two-piece suit, Lee Ji-Yeon kicked off her high heels carelessly and strode in. Then, Lee Ji-Yeon sat down in front of the table and immediately threw me a question. "Yoon-Ho~ what''s going on right now?" I had previously scheduled a meeting with Lee Ji-Yeon to discuss the addition of a shaman character in In the Name of God. But the situation had turned ridiculous. As I exined the current predicament Yoo-Jin was in, Lee Ji-Yeon''s expression contorted angrily. "Cheon Yi-Sang? That weasel-like jerk is messing with my babies?" ''My babies? Ah, she''s referring to Yoo-Jin and Kim Soll-Ip.'' Lee Ji-Yeon was known for building her dramas around actors she''s previously worked with to the extent that the term "Lee Ji-Yeon''s troupe" wasmonly used. It seemed Yoo-Jin had also be part of Lee Ji-Yeon''s inner circle without my knowledge. The fuming Lee Ji-Yeon then reached for her phone with the intention of calling TK Entertainment. "Ms. Lee, please hold on a moment." "Soll-Ip! What do you mean hold on? If we let things be, you and Yoo-Jin will be made aughing stock because of Cheon Yi-Sang. No, my reputation will be dragged through the mud..." "Mr. Jung has a n. But if you call TK Entertainment now, you''ll ruin everything!" "How would I ruin anything?" Kim Soll-Ip handed Lee Ji-Yeon the coffee I had brought. "Anyway! Just have some coffee and calm down first!" Lee Ji-Yeon hesitated before taking a sip. "Wait. Is this Yoon-Ho''s coffee?" "Yes." "Fine. I''ll listen for now, but you know what''ll happen if I don''t like it." Lee Ji-Yeon sipped the coffee I had brought as she listened to the n. "Going on the offensive, huh?" "Yes. So we ask for your discretion, Ms. Lee." "Okay. Well, call me if you need my help anytime." Once the situation had calmed down, Kim Soll-Ip finally noticed Jung Sang-Bong beside me and looked at him curiously. "Hmm. I feel like I''ve seen this person somewhere before..." "He''s the Taekwondo gold medalist Jung Sang-Bong." "Oh, right! The Headgear Destroyer! Oh, I''m so sorry. I''m actually a big fan of yours!" "Hmm, hmm. Thank you." Headgear Destroyer was the nickname of Jung Sang-Bong, known for knocking out opponents by removing their headgear with a reverse roundhouse kick. Scenes of Jung Sang-Bong delivering fiery knockouts with his kicks were shown every time the national anthem yed after regr broadcasts¡ªmaking it impossible for South Koreans not to know him. Visibly piqued by curiosity, Lee Ji-Yeon also joined the conversation. "But how does a medalist end up working as a talent agent? This could be material for a drama." "Well, that''s because..." Lee Ji-Yeon was deeply engaged in conversation with Jung Sang-Bong while Kim Soll-Ip took another sip of the coffee on the table. "Ahh~ the coffee tastes a bit bitter today." A hint of bitterness showed on Kim Soll-Ip''s face as she licked her lips. "I thought I had gotten used to the entertainment industry by following Ms. Lee around, but it seems I still have a long way to go." Lee Ji-Yeon chuckled. "Already trying to match up with me, are you? Come back after you''ve hit 30% viewership ratings five times!" But Lee Ji-Yeon couldn''t hide her pride even as she yfully criticized Kim Soll-Ip. After all, her prot¨¦g¨¦ was aiming for 20% viewership ratings with her debut work. "Anyway, do as you see fit, Mr. Jung. It seems there''s no other solution." "Understood. Then I''ll be taking my leave now." I stood up with Jung Sang-Bong to leave. As we were about to exit through the front door, Lee Ji-Yeon stopped me. "Oh, right. Assistant Manager Jung, I added another shaman role while revising the script for Yoo-Jin. So don''t be surprised when you see the script." ''The additional shaman role of ''Manshin Wol-Ah'' mentioned by Kim Sung-Woon was created for Yoo-Jin? What does this mean? If there are two shamans instead of one, wouldn''t that naturally diminish the importance of each role?'' But there was no time to delve further into the conversation. It was going to be a long night. "Yes, I understand. I''ll check the script and visit you once this situation is resolved." "Alright. Take care." *** Screech. I parked the car in front of the HS row houses in Cheongdam-dong. I grabbed the gift I had prepared in advance and headed to the modest vi on the fourth floor which had no elevator. Jung Sang-Bong, who was following behind me, looked puzzled and asked, "Mr. Jung, why are we here?" "You know Choi Ji-Yung, right? She was quite a star about three years ago." "Of course. She was the lead actress in The Sound of the Wind." "She lives here." "Pardon? A top star like her is living in such a shabby building?" Choi Ji-Yung had be penniless after divorcing her husband, actor Jang Ji-Cheol. She was not financially savvy as she had focused solely on acting as a celebrity, which led to her losing all her savings as alimony. Stars who had their talent agents take care of everything from a young age like Choi Ji-Yung often couldn''t handle even simple contracts. They struggled with using banking apps or became flustered at the thought of taking public transport. Choi Ji-Yung was one such star. Now that she had lost everything and was living in this deste row house, she was asionally taking small jobs from cable channels to get by. "There''s no limit once celebrities hit rock bottom. You''d be surprised how many washed-up actors live in a goshiwon[1]." As we continued the conversation, we arrived at Choi Ji-Yung''s ce. I pressed the doorbell of vi 402. Ding-dong. After a brief silence, a voice came through. -I''ll pay all the overdue rent along with next month''s in one go, okay? I''m Choi Ji-Yung. Don''t you recognize me? Her clear voice was slightly trembling. ''Good, we''re at the right ce.'' I spoke into the inte. "Hello. We''re from Hoop Entertainment, Ms. Choi Ji-Yung." -Hoop Entertainment? "Yes." -J-just a moment, please! At that moment, the inte went silent. No response came back for a full minute, making Jung Sang-Bong tilt his head in curiosity. "Should we ring the bell again?" "Let''s wait patiently. She''s probably getting ready and putting on her makeup." The door opened exactly ten minutester. Click. As the door opened, Choi Ji-Yung dressed in a radiant evening gown greeted us with her freshly done makeup. "Hahaha. Wee. I''ve been so busytely that I haven''t been home much, so it''s a bit messy here." "Yes, Ms. Choi. I understand." I responded calmly to her remarks and headed inside. The table was tidy, but the door to the room was closed.It seemed she had cleared all the clutter into the room. Choi Ji-Yung fanned herself with her hand andughed awkwardly. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead, but I pretended not to notice and sat down in the living room. "I''d offer you a drink, but as I mentioned, I haven''t been home much." It was her pride as an actress not to admit she couldn''t even afford beverages to offer her guests. I yed along and simply nodded. "That''s alright. We''ve brought a gift with us. You can enjoy that instead." I presented the prepared gift while sitting down. "Oh my. These are half-dried persimmons. How did you know I liked them?" She had revealed her fondness for half-dried persimmons on a morning show in my past life. Choi Ji-Yung''s face lit up as she took a bite of the half-dried persimmon. "I''m d it suits your taste. Sang-Bong, bring out the coffee too." "Ah, yes." This time, it wasn''t the coffee I made but a Dolce Latte from Astrobucks nearby which I offered in a tumbler. Choi Ji-Yung looked touched. "Wow, a Dolce Latte. These have been quite poprtely, haven''t they?" "To be honest, I haven''t tried it myself because it''s expensive. Hahaha." Choi Ji-Yung covered her mouth andughed, seemingly trying to hide the fact that she too hadn''t tried it. Choi Ji-Yung asked with a hint of anticipation in her voice, "But what brings you to see me today?" However, Choi Ji-Yung''s voice turned edgy as soon as I started to exin our purpose for the visit. 1. A very small room that can range from 26 to 39 feet along, which sometimes includes the bathroom ? Chapter 118: Winter After Spring? (7)

Chapter 118: Winter After Spring? (7)

Choi Ji-Yung''s face turned white beyond pale at my request to reveal the hidden truth about her divorce. "I know that Choi Jong-Hyuk was involved in Ms. Choi Ji-Yung''s divorce. So..." "Just a moment." Choi Ji-Yung set down her coffee which she had been enjoying and started staring intently at me. The previously gentle atmosphere had vanished and been reced by a tight tension as if walking on thin ice. Choi Ji-Yung made a dumbfounded expression, raised her hand to point toward the door, and said, "I wouldn''t have opened the door if I knew this was your intention. Please leave now. Thank you for the coffee and half-dried persimmons you brought as a gift." Choi Ji-Yung exuded the aura of her prime but I didn''t back down and continued to meet her gaze and asked, "Ms. Choi, do you intend to just take this lying down?" Choi Ji-Yung snorted in disbelief. "Even if I do reveal the truth as you say, people will see me as a woman fooled by a 25-year-old. I''d rather bite my tongue!" A self-deprecating toneced Choi Ji-Yung''s words. I recalled that in my past life, these same worries also prevented her froming forward with her feelings and the truth sooner. However, the future unfolded differently from her expectations¡ªthere were more viewers who cared about Choi Ji-Yung than she had thought. ''I guess I have no choice.'' I had to reveal the story Choi Ji-Yung wanted to keep hidden. "But you didn''t mention that your ex-husband was the one who instigated Choi Jong-Hyuk, did you? I believe you have evidence but chose to keep it hidden." Choi Ji-Yung''s face fell and she began to stutter. "H-how do you even know that...?" ''How do I know? Because I heard the story you would share on a morning show two yearster.'' Choi Ji-Yung''s shoulders slumped. Seeing her like that didn''t make me feel any better, but I couldn''t back down. I had to save Yoo-Jin who was earnestly growing as an actress. Besides, this was the only way to help Choi Ji-Yung make aeback. "Ms. Choi Ji-Yung, you haven''t been in touch with your ex-husband since that day, have you? You should reserve your feelings for someone worthy of them. Jang Ji-Cheol already has someone else he is dating..." "I know that..." "Then please trust me. If you follow my n, we can definitely sway public opinion." It was going to be tough, but I spoke with confidence since I had witnessed everything that would happen in my past life. "I''m not just asking for your help. In return, I''ll provide you with an opportunity to make aeback as an actress." "Aeback?" A glimmer of hope shed in Choi Ji-Yung''s eyes and her lost gaze found a target. In a slow and trembling voice, she asked, "Could it be... Hoop Entertainment is willing to take me in?" I shook my head but quickly rified to avoid any misunderstanding. "Do you remember your previous talent agent, Park Woo-Min?" "Yes..." "He''s currently a director at Altoran. He''s eagerly waiting for your return, Ms. Choi." Park Woo-Min was the talent agent who looked after Choi Ji-Yung during her divorce from Jang Ji-Cheol. They were as close as siblings and he was instrumental in her rise to stardom. Choi Ji-Yung frowned in disbelief. "But that''s impossible. Woo-Min oppa and I had a huge fight and parted ways on a bad note when I was getting divorced." She waved her hands and dismissed the possibility. But the truth was Park Woo-Min genuinely cared for Choi Ji-Yung. In my past life, he had helped her make aeback and even became her new partner. Choi Ji-Yung, who was skeptical at first, asked with a hint of hope after my continued persuasion, "Do you think Woo-Min oppa will really take me back?" "He will." "How can you be so sure? You have no idea how much I hurt him." In response to Choi Ji-Yung''s concerns, I showed her a KkTalk message I had received just beforeing here. I had asked Kang Ji-Yung for a favor which she had sessfully fulfilled. [Managing Director Kang Ji-Yung: I met with Director Park Woo-Min. He said he''s ready to help if Ms. Choi Ji-Yung is willing to make aeback.] Choi Ji-Yung''s hand trembled as she read the KkTalk message. "I-is this message... real?" "Why would I lie? Would you like to call him yourself?" "Y-yes..." I handed her the phone number of Park Woo-Min, the director at Altoran nning. "I''ll step out for a moment. Take your time to talk to him and please let me know your decision." Choi Ji-Yung nodded silently. After closing the door behind me, I stepped outside the vi to take a deep breath. The cold air pierced my chest sharply. The sky was filled with countless twinkling stars. In the night sky, darkness dominated a vast expanse, overshadowing the stars reminiscent of the entertainment industry. I pondered whether my destiny was to guide those wayward stars back to their rightful ce. After I took a few deep breaths and lowered my head, I saw Jung Sang-Bong looking at me with a peculiar gaze. ''Why is he looking at me like that?'' Jung Sang-Bong met my gaze and said, "I feel incredibly lucky to be assigned under you, Mr. Jung!" The look in Jung Sang-Bong''s eyes was akin to the admiration I had for a revered sunbae when I first joined thepany. I remember thinking when I would reach his level and wondering if he ever took a break to take care of himself. I had always admired him for managing things in a way I was not yet capable of. I cleared my throat and casually continued the conversation with Jung Sang-Bong. "Why do you say that?¡± "To be honest, I thought you were going to meet Ms. Choi Ji-Yung to extract some useful information out of her and resort to ckmail. But you opened a path for her instead." "Hey, do I look like a gangster to you? Why would I ckmail an actress who''s already hit rock bottom? Ever heard of mutual benefit?" "It''s easy to say that, but how many people do you think would actually do that? Everyone''s too busy looking out for themselves these days..." "I''m not too different from them either. But still, I should at least try to find a way that''s beneficial for both parties as long as I''m able to. Don''t you agree?" Jung Sang-Bong scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed. When about 20 minutes had passed, an unknown number called me. Click. I could hear Choi Ji-Yung''s voice over the line. -You cane back in now. I checked my nner after hanging up the call. [Everyday V10] [Date: March 15th, 2022] -10:00 AM (Deleted Schedule: MBS Morning Today Choi Ji-Yung''s episode. Viewership rating 18.5%. Monitoring.) Seeing the entry gone, it seemed that Choi Ji-Yung had decided to follow along with my n. ''Good choice. Let''s get you back to the entertainment industry, Ms. Ji-Yung.'' A star that was once dimming and barely clinging to life was starting to brighten anew. "It seems their conversation has ended. Let''s go inside," I said to Jung Sang-Bong. When we returned to Choi Ji-Yung''s ce, I could see she had changed intofortable tracksuits. "Ms. Choi? Why the change of clothes?" "It''s embarrassing to keep up appearances to save face when you''vee here knowing I''ve hit rock bottom. More than that, what should I do now?" "Could you first pass me the KkTalk messages you have, including the ones with your ex-husband?" "Are you going to leak them to the press?" "Yes. But you''ll need to announce them yourself." Choi Ji-Yung hesitated before asking, "You mean you want me to hold a press conference myself?" "It would be more beneficial for youreback if you take the spotlight and release the news yourself." After a moment of contemtion, Choi Ji-Yung nodded. "Then will you be able to arrange makeup and outfits for me?" I nodded to Choi Ji-Yung''s embarrassed confession of having no money to dress up. "I''ll make sure you''re in the spotlight, just like the day you won an award for The Sound of the Wind." Only then did Choi Ji-Yung show a relieved expression. "Okay. Then please take good care of me until I move to Altoran, Mr. Jung." Choi Ji-Yung extended her hand with an awkward smile. I felt a slight tremor in the hand I shook. Although she had agreed to my n, the thought of revealing the events of that day was evidently frightening to her. I squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Everything will be alright. I''lle to pick you up the day after tomorrow morning. Take a good rest until then." Choi Ji-Yung nodded. Back in the car, I sent a KkTalk message to Choi Ji-Yung just in case. [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: I put another gift inside the half-dried persimmon bag for you, Ms. Choi.] Choi Ji-Yung''s reply came back in less than ten seconds. [Choi Ji-Yung: Mr. Yoon-Ho, I won''t forget this kindness and help you''ve given me. I''ll make aeback and repay you many times over.] I had ced 2 million won in the half-dried persimmon bag for her. After all, cash was more weing than any other gift during tough times. This was my way of repaying her for the times her dramas had made meugh and cry in my past life. I sent an encouraging emoji to her via KkTalk and moved on to the next task. *** Two days had passed since the dating rumor between Choi Jong-Hyuk and Jung Yoo-Jin broke out. In the meantime, Cheon Yi-Sang who had spread the rumor was deeply troubled. The deadline he had given was approaching, but there had been no contact from Jung Yoon-Ho who had announced his surrender. "Could Jung Yoon-Ho be plotting something else behind my back?" Cheon Yi-Sang fiddled with his phone before setting it down as he recalled Jung Yoon-Ho''s request to give him time to think. "There''s nothing I can do if he doesn''t keep his promise." He was unfazed as he had prepared follow-up moves for any alternative scenarios. At that moment, the phone started ringing. Buzz. "Just as I thought. No one has ever escaped my grasp." However, the caller wasn''t Jung Yoon-Ho but President Kim Tae-Kwon. -Come up to my office. "Yes, sir." Responding to Kim Tae-Kwon''s summon, Cheon Yi-Sang headed to the president''s office. "So? Is everything going well?" "Yes. No matter how much Hoop Entertainment ims the file has been manipted, no one seems to believe it." "Of course. Who would believe that? I wouldn''t believe it myself. Haha." Leaning back on the sofa, Kim Tae-Kwon asked again, "What about Jung Yoon-Ho? Do you think he''llply once we have him at ourpany?" Cheon Yi-Sang smirked slyly. "He''s just a sryman. Once we have him, I''ll find a way to appease him whether it''s with women or money." "Right. Let''s get him first then we''ll figure it outter." Just then, the president''s office inte began to ring. Ding-dong. Kim Tae-Kwon picked up the inte. "Yes. Team lead of the publicity team? What is it" -We got a big problem, sir! Kim Tae-Kwon frowned at the urgent voice of the publicity team leader. "What''s the big deal?" -Choi Ji-Yung is gathering reporters to reveal her story about her divorce! "What? Choi Ji-Yung? Why would she do that all of a sudden?" -I''m not sure. But she mentioned Choi Jong-Hyuk was involved in her divorce! Choi Ji-Yung''s ex-husband, Jang Ji-Cheol, was a top star at TK Entertainment. The rmed Kim Tae-Kwon shouted with haste, "Stop her no matter what! At all costs!" The sudden crisis twisted Kim Tae-Kwon''s face into a grimace. After hanging up, Kim Tae-Kwon quickly summoned Choi Jong-Hyuk. Confused by the sudden call to the president''s office, Choi Jong-Hyuk tilted his head in curiosity and asked, "Mr. Kim, why did you call me?" "You, you bastard. What have you done to Choi Ji-Yung!? Are you involved in Ji-Cheol''s divorce?" The startled Choi Jong-Hyuk hesitated before answering. After all, only Jang Ji-Cheol, Choi Jong-Hyuk, and Choi Ji-Yung knew the hidden story behind her divorce. Seated across, Cheon Yi-Sang also contorted his face in anger as he confronted Choi Jong-Hyuk, "Jong-Hyuk, you said those women you mentionedst time were all that you were involved with! What is this nonsense now, huh?" Intimidated by Cheon Yi-Sang, Choi Jong-Hyuk nced around nervously but soon spilled the beans about the secret known only to him, Jang Ji-Cheol, and Choi Ji-Yung. "W-well, actually, Ji-Cheol hyung was..." Kim Tae-Kwon took off his watch upon hearing the whole story. Click. The moment the thick Rulelex watch hit the table, Kim Tae-Kwon threw a punch with all his might. Smack! "Aaagh!" "You fucking bastards! Are you trying to ruin thepany or what!? You used drugs too?" Thud! Thud! Thud! Kim Tae-Kwon''s fists didn''t spare Choi Jong-Hyuk''s face or stomach. Though Kim Tae-Kwon usually avoided hitting actors'' faces, he was now furiously beating Choi Jong-Hyuk under rough breath. "Aaaagh! M-Mr. Kim, it''s not like that...ugh! N-not there!" "Hey! I told you that you should report to thepany whatever you do! That''s the only way we can cover for you!" Choi Jong-Hyuk''s screams echoed in the president''s office as he curled up in defense. Meanwhile, Cheon Yi-Sang quietly stood up and left the office. His n to bring down Jung Yoon-Ho was about to crumble. Recent troubles had been mounting after Petite More, and now, Jang Ji-Cheol and Choi Jong-Hyuk were added to the list of issues. Fearing TK Entertainment might be perceived as a den of criminals, Cheon Yi-Sang swallowed hard. At this point, the scandal involving Jung Yoo-Jin was the least of their problems. Thepany needed to prove its non-involvement to survive. "Jung Yoon-Ho. This damn bastard...how dare he outsmart me?" As Cheon Yi-Sang rushed to manage the fallout, he kept repeating Jung Yoon-Ho''s name, foreseeing it would be a major obstacle for TK Entertainment. Chapter 119: Definition of Family (1)

Chapter 119: Definition of Family (1)

The ballroom located on the first floor of the Samseong-dong Star Intercontinental Hotel was buzzing with people. Murmur. Choi Ji-Yung waited for the press conference to begin and clutched the hem of my jacket with a nervous expression. "Do I look okay right now? I feel like my outfit is too in." Dressed in a ck two-piece suit, the almost make-up-free Choi Ji-Yung stood upright, looking simple and neat. "You''re fine. It''s better to go with a tidy look rather than something too shy on an asion like this." Choi Ji-Yung nodded. "Take a deep breath. It will help you feel much better." After taking a few deep breaths, Choi Ji-Yung smiled lightly and seemed a bit more rxed. "By the way, thank you so much for being my talent agent for today." "Don''t mention it." "Oh, don''t be too modest. You''ve been a great help since dawn. And the money you put in the envelope thest time you visited really came in handy. I was able to pay off my overdue rent and had a proper meal for the first time in ages. I was on the brink of depression, you know." She turned away with her cheeks flushed out of embarrassment. "Um, could you... escort me up to the stage? It''s totally okay if you can''t." I pointed to Park Woo-Min who was waiting at the entrance of the ballroom. "You should go with him from here on." Choi Ji-Yung nodded. "Then please escort me at least up to there." "Yes, of course.¡± I stood by her side and extended my right arm. "Please take my arm." Choi Ji-Yung slid her left hand onto my right arm. But her nervousness was palpable with her hand trembling distinctly. As she hesitated to move forward and took deep breaths, I gently ced my hand on hers to assure her. "It''s going to be okay. Today marks the beginning of Actress Choi Ji-Yung''seback." My voice seemed to calm Choi Ji-Yung''s trembling a bit. "Hahaha. This is really nerve-wracking. I feel like a new bride." "It''s a new beginning for you, so you''re not entirely wrong." "Pfft. You''re quite the smooth talker, aren''t you? You''re almost like a yboy." "I''m too busy to even think about flirting. Actually, I don''t even have time to date. So how could I possibly y around?" "Always the right words, huh? Alright, let''s go." Only then did Choi Ji-Yung start to walk. I handed her over to the robust-looking Park Woo-Min. Receiving Choi Ji-Yung''s hand, Park Woo-Min offered me a handshake. "You''re Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho, right? I won''t forget the favor you''ve done today in arranging this. Thank you so much." "It''s nothing, Mr. Park." Park Woo-Min greeted me in a polite manner and turned to Choi Ji-Yung to encourage her to take a deep breath. As they walked forward, the staff waiting by the door opened it for them. Creak! When the ballroom doors opened, shes from the press section started to burst continuously. It was the moment of Top Star Choi Ji-Yung''seback. *** [Top Star Choi Ji-Yung''s Tearful Press Conference: "I was deceived by my ex-husband and Choi Jong-Hyuk."] ["Choi Jong-Hyuk is Untrustworthy. I''m not the only one who''s been wronged."] [Choi Jong-Hyuk. No Response!] [TK Entertainment''s Jang Ji-Cheol: My Ex-Wife is a Scammer. ns to Counter-sue for Spreading False Information!] [The Dating Rumors Between Jung Yoo-Jin and Choi Jong-Hyuk Were All Fabricated!] Thanks to Choi Ji-Yung''s tearful plea at the press conference, public opinion began to shift. Choi Ji-Yung exposed what kind of people Choi Jong-Hyuk and Jang Ji-Cheol were, and how many others were harmed by them. Admitting how naive she was in the past incidents, she talked about how Choi Jong-Hyuk approached her when she was distressed by her husband''s frequent infidelities and how she lost consciousness after drinking with him. She also narrated the unfortunate night that unfolded, a memory that brought her pain just by revisiting it. Choi Ji-Yung mentioned how she had no choice but to hand over all her assets to her husband without any conditions during a settlement orchestrated by him and hiswyer. At that moment, a regretful murmur escaped from the reporters who wereplicit in dragging her life to rock bottom by producing false articles in exchange for money given by TK Entertainment. But Choi Ji-Yung didn''t turn the reporters into her enemies. Instead, she focused her usations on the main culprits: Jang Ji-Cheol and Choi Jong-Hyuk. As a result, the fallen top star suddenly became the epitome of a tragic heroine. Then the events began to unfold just as I had anticipated. When we stirred the guilt of the reporters and garnered public sympathy, the me shifted from Choi Jong-Hyuk and Jang Ji-Cheol to TK Entertainment. Jang Ji-Cheol denied all allegations and argued none of what Choi Ji-Yung mentioned at the conference was true, but the public bacsh against the two was intense. Thanks to this incident, the rumors about Yoo-Jin''s affair hadpletely dissipated. Spring seemed to be on the horizon for Yoo-Jin once again with fans apologizing and starting a "Watching Blue Sky Again" campaign. Only after ensuring the situation had stabilized was I able to take some time off. I needed a break and wanted to give Yoo-Jin and Miso, who had been stressed over the past few days, some fresh air. I drove my Merciless Bends E-ss, nicknamed "Cutie" by Miso, to Yoo-Jin''s house to head over to the G Ski Resort in Gyeonggi-do with thendlord just like the previous time. "Kimchi~ kimchi~! Good for your body and tasty too, kimchi~." I hummed along to the kimchi song that Miso had been singingtely and tapped the steering wheel to the rhythm. Thump thump thump thump. Immersed in the kimchi song, I had arrived in front of Yoo-Jin''s house before realizing it. But then, I noticed a ck Merciless Bends S-ss parked in front of their house. "Who could it be? I don''t think we were expecting anyone''s visit today." Considering the car was an S-ss, it wasn''t likely to be a reporter. It seemed to be an advertiser or someone of a managerial level, but I couldn''t guess who it might be. I parked the car and hurried up to the second floor. Upon arriving, I could hear the unfamiliar voices of a middle-aged man and woman. "How can you behave like this, causing such vulgar rumors to circte?" "We''re too embarrassed to show our faces because of you." "We can''t let you raise Miso in such an environment. We''ll take her, and you focus on your career." ''Are they Yoo-Jin''s rtives? But who were they to speak to Yoo-Jin so rudely like this?'' "Uncle, Auntie, both of you weren''t there for Miso when she really needed help. And now you suddenly want to take her with you? This is absurd." ''So they are her uncle and aunt.'' I turned on the recording feature of my smartwatch and burst through the door. Soon, I was dumbfounded by the scene before me. Yoo-Jin was ring at her uncle and aunt while the terrified Miso was clinging to Yoo-Jin''s back and covering her ears. Yoo-Jin''s left hand was wrapped tightly around Miso''s back to protect her, but tears were welling up in Yoo-Jin''s eyes. I couldn''t help but shout in a loud voice before I knew it. "What do you think you''re doing right now!" The couple harassing Yoo-Jin turned their heads to look at me. At the same time, relief flickered in Yoo-Jin''s eyes. "Oppa!" "Are you okay?" At that moment, Yoo-Jin''s uncle and aunt red at me with a snort and asked, "Who are you? One of her boy toys?" "No, honey. He''s her talent agent. The one we saw from the broadcasts." Yoo-Jin''s aunt approached me in quick steps. A sharp-faced woman who was not even 150cm tall came up to me and started to scream in a shrill voice. "What is yourpany doing, letting such rumors about Yoo-Jin spread? How is Miso supposed to grow up well in an environment filled with such disgraceful rumors?" Her piercing voice hurt my ears. But I ignored her and walked over to Yoo-Jin. "Are you even listening to me? Hey! Stop right there!" ''I only listen to humans.'' Ever since I found out these rtives were the ones who wanted to leave Miso at an orphanage, I couldn''t regard them as humans. "Are you really okay?¡± Yoo-Jin nodded. "What about Miso?" "She''s a bit startled, but she''s okay." ''Thank goodness.'' I stood in front of Yoo-Jin to protect her. ring at her uncle, I said, "If you have something to say to my actress, please say it to me." Yoo-Jin''s uncle looked at me with a frown. "Mind your own business. This is a family matter. Who do you think you are to interfere like this?" In the meantime, Yoo-Jin''s aunt walked over to her husband''s side and screeched at me. "No wonder Yoo-Jin acts as she pleases with a talent agent like you! Miso,e here right now!" Yoo-Jin tightly clutched the fabric of my suit with one hand. "It''s okay, Yoo-Jin. I understand the situation, so just stay put." The situation was clear at one nce¡ªthey wanted to have custody of Miso so that they could use her as a cash cow. Yoo-Jin''s uncle red at me. "You can leave now! Yoo-Jin will look for a new talent agent tomorrow!" "Yes, dear. Let''s take this opportunity to change Yoo-Jin''s talent agent and make sure we take care of Miso!" Greed was shining in Yoo-Jin''s aunt''s eyes. "Why would you and Uncle raise Miso? She''s my daughter." I calmed Yoo-Jin down and warned them in a low voice. "If you don''t leave this instant, I''ll report you for trespassing." As I pulled out my phone, Yoo-Jin''s uncle shouted. "This guy''s got some nerve, huh!? Try us!" "Do people these days think the police are magicians? Hey, the chief of the Cheonho-dong police station is my friend''s husband!" I was dumbfounded by Yoo-Jin''s aunt''s absurd words. ''Her friend''s husband is the chief of Cheonho-dong police station? Does she really think threatening such connections would scare us? How naive.'' If this recording were to be made public, that chief would definitely be the first to cut ties with them. "Hey! Jung Yoo-Jin. Are you really going to do this? Are you going to listen to this nobody instead of your family? Are you really going to report your uncle and aunt to the police, huh!?" Yoo-Jin stepped out beside me and faced the two upon hearing her uncle''s roar. Determination was etched on Yoo-Jin''s face. "My only family is... Miso." Yoo-Jin''s uncle and aunt''s faces contorted in anger. "Wh-what did you just say? You, you bitch!" "Hey! Don''t you remember what we''ve done for you? Such an ungrateful brat!" No longer willing to listen to their nonsense, Yoo-Jin urged me to take action. "Oppa, please report them to the police right now. Miso is very scared." "What? Report us to the police? Jung Yoo-Jin, have you actually lost your mind?" I nodded and was about to call the police. At that moment, Yoo-Jin''s uncle suddenly tried to snatch my phone away and reached out swiftly. But I easily dodged his attempt simply by pushing his arm away. "Were you trying to hit me just now?" "Th-this guy, how is he so quick?" The flustered Yoo-Jin''s uncle tried to reach out again. But he instantly stopped at my next words. "If you raise your hand again and touch me, I''ll report you for assault as well." "Are you threatening me right now?" "No, I''m just stating a fact." Since I was already recording everything, I had ample evidence for a potential report. "Do you want to go home, or shall we go to the police station? If you really want, we can go to the Cheonho-dong police station where your friend''s husband works. Or should I just call them here now?" Realizing he had no control over the situation, Yoo-Jin''s uncle''s expression twisted in frustration. That''s when Yoo-Jin''s aunt grabbed her husband''s arm and urged him to leave. "Let''s go, dear. We''lle backter." Yoo-Jin''s uncle shot me a re before turning away sharply. As they were about to close the door behind them, Yoo-Jin''s aunt shot a warning look back at Yoo-Jin. "Jung Yoo-Jin, you better have everything sorted out by the time I return. We''ll be taking Miso." "Still not gone,dy?" shot back Yoo-Jin. At that moment, Yoo-Jin''s aunt turned red and trembled with rage. Then the front door closed with a loud bang. Simultaneously, tears began to stream down Yoo-Jin''s face. Drip, drip, drip. Tears dripped down her cheeks and fell to the floor. But she didn''t look scared¡ªthese were tears of anger and frustration. I wanted to know the whole story, but taking care of Miso was the priority at the moment. Yoo-Jin turned and crouched down in front of her. When she gently removed Miso''s hands from her ears, Miso''s eyes widened. "Miso, it''s okay. Uncle and Auntie have left." "They left?" "Yes." "Miso, you must have been scared. I''m sorry." Miso shook her head. "No, I''m okay. I wasn''t scared at all!" I couldn''t help but smile at Miso''s brave response as she was puffing out her chest to relieve Yoo-Jin. That''s when she noticed me. "Oh? It''s Uncle Yoon-Ho! When did you get here?" Miso ran toward me. "I just got here, Miso." As Miso hugged me, I could feel her trembling. I patted her back to calm her down. "You were very brave, Miso." "Yes! I''m brave!" Miso proudly showed off the PowerTuff Girl watch I had given her as a gift. "Then you deserve a reward. Up we go!" Miso started giggling as I lifted her up. Only then did Yoo-Jin finally seem relieved. "Yoo-Jin, where''s thendlord?" "She went to the market. She said the food at the resort is too expensive." ''That exins it.'' If thendlord had been here, she would have immediately stepped in to protect Yoo-Jin. Holding Miso in my arms, I asked Yoo-Jin, "What''s this about them taking Miso away?" "Oh...that? I didn''t know until now, but apparently, there''s a will left by my deceased brother-inw. It says that Miso should be entrusted to my uncle and aunt in case of any incident." ''Huh? A will left by Miso''s dad?'' "What are you talking about? What will? Why would they bring this up all of a sudden?¡± At that moment, Yoo-Jin began to reluctantly share the story she had heard. Chapter 120: Definition of Family (2)

Chapter 120: Definition of Family (2)

Miso''s dad, Lee Sung-Han, had left a will in case something happened to him and his wife. The first use of the will appointed Miso''s maternal grandparents as her guardians. Having meticulous personalities, they had even prepared a second use. However, Yoo-Jin only learned about the existence of this will today. "The second guardians designated in the will were those people we saw earlier?" "Yes. My brother-inw used to work at their factory. And up until then, my uncle...I mean, Mr. Jung Hak-Jae had treated him well or so I heard. Besides, Mr. Jung Hak-Jae is quite wealthy." Yoo-Jin''s uncle, Jung Hak-Jae, ran a small to medium-sized stationery manufacturingpany called Hansol Stationery and was said to be fairly affluent. ''This is ridiculous. Miso''s parents left such a will and yet they tried to send Miso to an orphanage?'' I felt a burning anger in my chest. "So this wealthy family simply watched as their niece dropped out of college to juggle part-time jobs to raise a child? And now they have the audacity to show up with a will?" "Yes. They said they were worried because of my scandal and that they would take care of Miso." Miso, who was in my arms, shook her head hard and eximed, "I want to live with Mom!" "Of course. I''m not going to send you anywhere. I want to live with you too, Miso." When Yoo-Jin reached out her arms, Miso dove into her embrace. "Mom, am I too heavy?" "It''s okay. You know how strong I am, right?¡± Miso buried her face in Yoo-Jin''s embrace and snuggled close to her. Despite being seven years old, Miso seemed just like a three-year-old in moments like these. ''Anyway, the existence of Miso''s parents'' will ispletely unexpected. Predicting the oue of a potentialwsuit is difficult...'' Iposed myself and advised Yoo-Jin, "Yoo-Jin, don''t let those people into the house under any circumstances, understood?" "But what if they force their way in?" "Don''t worry. You have KkTalk messages from them from before, right? Send those to me." "All of them?" "Yes, all of them. We''ll need them to apply for a restraining order." Yoo-Jin hesitated for a moment but soon started backing up her chat history. In the meantime, I briefed the team lead of the legal division on the situation. -The situation seems quite serious judging from the evidence you sent me. Given the harassment, a restraining order should be feasible. But we''ll have to discuss the will after further research. It is a bitplicated. "Understood. Thank you for always being attentive." -Hey, don''t mention it. It''s our job. After the call, Yoo-Jin softly expressed her gratitude with a brightened expression. "Thanks, oppa." "I''m your talent agent. It''s only natural that I take care of you." At that moment, thendlord returned from the market holdingrge ck stic bags in both hands. "Miso, look what I bought for you! Mackerel, saury, and flounder...all your favorites. I''ll grill them for you at the resort~." Seeing thendlord with the fish in the stic bags, Miso''s eyes sparkled with anticipation and began to drool. "Grandma is the best!" "Haha. Oh, Assistant Manager Jung. You''re here too. Don''t worry, I''ve got ingredients for your favorite pork cutlet as well." "Ah, you didn''t have to." "What do you mean? People should eat what they crave. Wait, what''s this? Miso''s eyes are red and her face looks swollen as if she''s been crying. What happened?" Thendlord bristled upon noticing Yoo-Jin and Miso''s tear-streaked faces. After I exined the situation, she was ready to confront Yoo-Jin''s rtives immediately. "They''re not even human! They are worse than beasts! I''ll show them..." "Ma''am. Please hold back.¡± "How can I hold back? Those so-called families, who never bothered to lift a finger to offer help when needed, are now attempting to take Miso away as if they have any right! They can take Miso over my dead body!" Thendlord was even more furious than I was. That''s when Yoo-Jin approached thendlord and held her hands firmly, saying, "Auntie, we won''t let them take Miso away. I don''t care what they say. I have my family with me right here." Tears began to well up in thendlord''s eyes. "Yoo-Jin..." "Oops, it feels a bit embarrassing saying it out loud. Come on, let''s hurry to the resort. Miso has been waiting all morning." "R-right. Yes, we should go. Alright, let''s go." Thendlord wiped away her tears and headed to the first floor. Meanwhile, I gathered the luggage Yoo-Jin and Miso had packed. But just before stepping out, Yoo-Jin confided in me. "You''re my family too, oppa." It felt like my heart dropped. The word ''family'' had never held any meaning for me until now. Hearing Yoo-Jin call me family made me freeze on the spot like a malfunctioning robot and all I could do was just watch Miso walk down the stairs. "Kimchi~ kimchi~! Eat it and grow tall~." "Tall!" Today, the kimchi song felt especially warm and familiar like well-fermented homemade kimchi. *** Team Lead Ju Ho-Sung of Hoop Entertainment was currently on the phone. -Ugh, Yoo-Jin has always been stubborn since she was young and she''s not much different now. "Haha, Mr. Jung. She protected Miso even after all the turmoil she went through. Do you think she''d easily let go of Miso now? It was never going to be easy from the start," Ju Ho-Sung replied. -So you''ll handle the aftermath if I file awsuit and we take Miso, right? "Of course. Everything will be resolved once Miso is readopted into your family register, Mr. Jung. Eventually, Jung Yoo-Jin will also move to the agency you are nning to establish. After all, it''s only natural for the mother to follow her daughter. Don''t you think so?" -Hehe. Yes. I''ll be setting up an agency or something soon, so don''t forget to funnel 30% of the profits directly into my ount. "There''s no question about it, sir. We''ll even help with the establishment of the agency, so you just need to stamp your approval once it''s set up." -Make sure to keep that promise or you know what will happen. "Sir, why be so skeptical, especially after already receiving the advance payment? You''re the one who should keep your promise, Mr. Jung." -Hmph. I don''t know much about the entertainment industry anyway and will leave it all to you in the future, so don''t worry. Let''s end the call here. Click. Ju Ho-Sung''s expression twisted as soon as the call ended. "What a fucking demanding pig." Sensing Ju Ho-Sung''s irritation, Kim Dong-Soo asked, "Did it not go well?" "Well, there''s been some progress," replied Ju Ho-Sung. Ju Ho-Sung, who had contacted Jung Yoo-Jin''s uncle just in case, cheered upon unexpectedly learning about the existence of a will. Even though Miso was adopted as Jung Yoo-Jin''s daughter, a will specifying guardians could potentially nullify the adoption. Moreover, Jung Hak-Jae was in a more advantageous position to be given guardian rights to Miso, considering he operated a stablepany and appeared to be part of a happy couple. "Tell them that we will assign them apetentwyer. If we leave it to those scoundrels, they won''t spend a dime on legal fees," Kim Dong-Soo ordered. "Apetentwyer? Who are you talking about, sir?" asked Ju Ho-Sung. "Jin So-Mi went out of her way to secure a former prosecutor from the Eastern District. You''ll meet him soon, so be prepared. Pick out a few trainees in advance¡ªhe likes the younger ones," said Kim Dong-Soo. "Haha. Will do." As Ju Ho-Sung nodded, Kim Dong-Soo gave another instruction. "Also, Nalsae is being released next week. Go and bring him in." "Nalsae? That paparazzo scum is getting out already?" Ju Ho-Sung scowled, but Kim Dong-Soo burst outughing. "Lighten up. That guy will be one of ours from now on. Make sure he doesn''t cause any trouble." "But is he even useful? What else can he do apart from taking illicit photos?" "He''s been caught once but he''s quick and sharp¡ªperfect for gathering information." After pondering for a moment, Ju Ho-Sung eventually nodded in agreement. "Fair enough. They do say putting the right person in the right ce is key. And it seems there''s no one better than you, Mr. Kim, at doing just that." "Haha. ttery will get you nowhere." Then Kim Dong-Soo grimaced as he took a sip of his coffee. "Jung Yoon-Ho did make excellent coffee. I wonder if I could get his recipe somehow. Oh, and we should continue our earlier conversation. Who did you say joined us from Actor Division 2?" The first thing Ju Ho-Sung did upon assuming his new role was to try to win over the talent agents from Actor Division 2. As the saying goes, the brighter the light, the darker the shadow. As Jung Yoon-Ho''s reputation rose, so did the number of those envious of him. *** The ski resort was brimming with activities. However, Yoo-Jin couldn''t cover up like she did back in winter as it was spring now. As such, Yoo-Jin had no choice but to stay in the room while I took Miso outside. But surprisingly, many people recognized Miso. Though momentarily startled by the crowd wanting to take photos, Miso soon started striking cute poses for the cameras. She seemed like a natural celebrity in front of the cameras. After an unexpected 20-minute photo session, I had no choice but to take Miso back to the room. Upon returning to the room, I looked for activities where we wouldn''t be disturbed by the crowd. Yoo-Jin headed to the sauna with thendlord while I took Miso to a horse-riding course. The initially disheartened Miso immediately lit up at the sight of a pony no taller than her waist. The rest of the day was filled with feeding, grooming, and taking photos with the pony. Eventually, Miso even whined and asked to buy one though she gave up after hearing the cost was 15 million won excluding the substantial monthly maintenance fees. But she didn''t forget to promise another visit and even named the pony ''Spotty.'' After a fun day, we returned from the ski resort to Yoo-Jin''s home. As I parked the car, soft snoring sounds came from the back seat. "Snore~ phew~" It was Miso who was in deep sleep. Thendlord woke up first and carried the sleeping Miso inside after expressing her gratitude for a fun day. "Oppa, thank you for today." "Don''t mention it. It''s my job." "No way. I''ve heard other talent agents keep their vacations separate from work, unlike you." "Hmm. But I enjoy spending time with Miso. Plus, I''d be alone at home anyway." When I responded, Yoo-Jin hesitated before speaking up. "So, I was wondering..." "What is it? Just say it." "Is there such a thing as a personal talent agent?" Bing a personal talent agent meant exclusively managing Yoo-Jin. That would prevent me from caring for Lee Tae-Poong, who had auditionsing up, as well as the remaining members of Faithful that I had yet to meet. While pondering how to respond without hurting Yoo-Jin''s feelings, she continued, "Oh, don''t get me wrong. I know you''re also looking after Cherry Blossom and Mr. Lee Tae-Poong. I just happened to hear that registering as a personal talent agent could also enable profit sharing." ''Ah, was that her concern?'' "With everything that''s happened and what you''ve done for me, I''ve been thinking about what I could do for you. So would it be okay to give you 10% of my earnings?" "10%?" My surprise seemed to have been misunderstood. "I''m sorry. I know that''s too little. But I have to save up for Miso''s future..." Yoo-Jin began to list her ns for Miso, including buying an apartment, funding her education through graduate school, and preparing for her wedding. She outlined a life n for Miso that would secure her until she was 40. But even 10% of Yoo-Jin''s earnings was more than substantial. With Yoo-Jin set to receive over 350 million won soon, she was likely to earn over a billion won before the end of the year, given her current trajectory. And this was just the beginning. Yoo-Jin was on her way to bing not only Korea''s top actress but she would eventually also be coveted by Hollywood''s major Big 5 with immense poprity in Asia. Her future potential earnings would be astronomical. But more than the money, I was touched by her thoughtful gesture itself. "It''s okay. Ourpany doesn''t allow profit sharing until one bes a team lead. But thepany provides good bonuses, so there''s no need for you to worry about it." After hearing my exnation, Yoo-Jin began to mumble to herself. "So, profit sharing is possible once you be a team lead?¡± "W-well, yes, but..." Yoo-Jin repeated the word ''team lead'' several times and smiled brightly. "Oppa, then you just need to be a team lead quickly, right?" "Uh. Yes, I suppose." Her conclusion seemed a bit odd. But more importantly, there was something else I wanted to ask her. "But Yoo-Jin." "Yes?" "It''s great that you''re nning for Miso''s future, but what about your own life? Do you have a n for your life? Instead of giving me money, you should be saving more for yourself." I expected her to say she had ns, of course. However, Yoo-Jin unexpectedly fell silent as if she had never made ns for herself. Chapter 121: Lee Tae-Poongs Audition (1)

Chapter 121: Lee Tae-Poong''s Audition (1)

"You mean you... haven''t thought about your future at all?" Yoo-Jin''s eyes darted around the room as she fidgeted with her fingers. Seemingly out of words, Yoo-Jin gave an awkward smile. "W-well, I''ve been so focused on raising Miso well that I haven''t really thought about myself...to be honest, I was just living day by day before I met you. All I thought of was ''what should I eat tonight?'' or ''what should I cook for tomorrow?'' and such." I couldn''t believe it. Even though she had be a mother at a young age, to have no life ns at 24 seemed absurd. "B-but I''ve had a goal since meeting you¡ªto seed as an actress. Something like acting diligently every day and giving my all! I-I do have at least these goals!" At this age, any other female celebrity in her position would have been sneaking around the agency''s watchful eye and plotting ways to contact a man they were interested in. But having be a mother at a young age, Yoo-Jin had grown ustomed to suppressing her own feelings for Miso''s sake. While Miso''s happiness was important, I feltpelled to help Yoo-Jin discover her own life as well. As a talent agent, I couldn''t simply resign young Yoo-Jin to a life solely defined by motherhood. But it was pointless to ask her toe up with a n right away. I nned to help Yoo-Jin one step at a time to find her own life by being there for her. I forced a smile in my best attempt to hide my true emotions. "Alright. Let''s talk about this some other time. Go inside and rest¡ªyou have a shoot tomorrow." "Okay, oppa. Be careful on your way home and drive safely." As Yoo-Jin got out of the car, she didn''t enter her house immediately but waved as she saw me off. Yoo-Jin''s figure in the rearview mirror didn''t disappear even until I drove the car out of the alleyway. *** After the press conference by actress Choi Ji-Yung, SBC released the full original footage of Speak Up! which revealed the maniption that had urred. They then found and disciplined the PD who leaked the footage, removed the on-site staff involved in the broadcast, andpletely removed Choi Jong-Hyuk''s scenes in Blue Sky from episode 13 onwards. Blue Sky no longer had any major concerns. The viewership ratings for Blue Sky had briefly dipped to 15.2% in episode 13 following the scandal involving Yoo-Jin, but soon climbed back up to 18.7% in episode 14. This ced Blue Sky significantly ahead of Moonlight Starpour, which had a viewership rating of 12.2%, by a 6.5% margin. The consequences of Kim Sung-Woon stepping out of Moonlight Starpour were now clear. Upon returning to work after my vacation, I was met with apuse and praise from the talent agents in Actor Division 2. "Hey, Star Jung~. You really pulled off a big one this time." "I heard you crushed TK Entertainment real good, huh? At this rate, you might get promoted to team lead within the year!" I bowed my head in response to their words, aware that such attention could breed envy and jealousy. "The table was set by others. All I did was just enjoy the meal on the table." "Kid, don''t be so modest. What does that make us when you say that? Are we like newborns who can''t even eat by ourselves when the table is set? Wah, wah?" Laughter erupted in Actor Division 2, thanks to a sunbae imitating a baby sucking on a bottle. That''s when Ju Yung-Hoon came over and whispered to me. "Be careful, Assistant Manager Jung. There are many people eyeing you these days." "I''m sorry?" "Shh!" Ju Yung-Hoon lowered his voice and informed me that there were quite a few people who were displeased with metely. But I had already somewhat expected this because Ju Ho-Sung was frequently seen around Actor Division 2, fueling that envy even more. "Do you know who Mr. Ju often meets these days?" "You know he meets with Team Lead Park. Buttely, he''s been gathering the assistant managers as well.¡± I knew Park In-Ki was meeting with Ju Ho-Sung. But now, even those under him were mingling with Ju Ho-Sung. The repercussions of my rapid promotion were starting to show. However, I couldn''t just sit around and watch¡ªespecially since we were already short on talent agents. Losing more to Actor Division 3 would be a significant blow to us. It seemed I would need to arrange a meeting soon. "Thank you for letting me know, sir." At that moment, Gu Seong-Cheol lifted his finger and called me from the entrance. "Assistant Manager Jung,e to the director''s office for a moment." "Yes, sir." After exchanging goodbyes with Ju Yung-Hoon, I headed to the director''s office. Upon entering, I saw Kang Ji-Yung buried in paperwork looking up to the sound of the door opening. "Did you have a good rest?" "Yes. I had a good break thanks to you, Ms. Kang." "Thanks to me? You were just using your regr vacation time." Kang Ji-Yung stretched and let out a sigh. Then she smiled as she exined why she had called me in. "I called you two because I thought you should know. Dad''s surgery went well." "Really?" Gu Seong-Cheol was also one of those who knew that Kang Gam-Chan was undergoing surgery. He seemed more relieved than anyone. "Yes, but his return might be more dyed than expected. The surgery itself went smoothly, but they found the tumor was a bitrger than anticipated once they opened him up. They said he''ll need plenty of rest." But at least that was a relief. I had been worried sick about what we''d do if something went wrong and he couldn''t return. "That''s very fortunate. Thank you for letting us know." "No, I''m the one who should be thankful. Assistant Manager Jung, you saved my father. He never listened to me when I told him to get a physical examination...I don''t understand why he wouldn''t listen to anyone but you." Indeed, that was something I was curious about too. ''I''ll have to ask him why he only listens to me when we meet next time.'' "And I looked into the custody issue regarding Miso, but it seems quiteplicated." Kang Ji-Yung furrowed her brows as she mentioned she had also received a report on the matter. "But isn''t the adoption already finalized? Does the will pose that much of a problem?" "It''s hard to ignore the effectiveness of a will left by biological parents. We could potentially contest why they only decided to bring up the will now, but it won''t be easy since their names were mentioned as guardians." It seemed like we might have to take this to court. "Then could thepany possibly offer some assistance?" Kang Ji-Yung looked apologetic. "That''s a bit difficult because thepany''s internal regtions have changed. The regtions prevent us from offering help to anyone who isn''t a signed artist." Kang Ji-Yung let out a sigh and exined that Lee Gi-Cheol had changed thepany''s internal regtions. Previously, the families of the celebrities could also receive legal assistance. However, that was no longer possible. In truth, it was out of Kang Gam-Chan''s kindness that thepany extended these services to families of celebrities. However, this wasn''t the norm in the industry. "But Team Lead Kwak said he would find a goodwyer for her." Hearing Kang Ji-Yung''s promise to help Yoo-Jin and Miso to the best of her abilities, an idea shed in my mind. It would certainly cost a lot of time and money if it were just about getting awyer to fight against Yoo-Jin''s uncle. ''But what if Miso became a celebrity under Hoop Entertainment?'' We could then officially receive help from the legal division. I asked the concerned-looking Kang Ji-Yung, "Ms. Kang, is it possible to bring Miso onboard ourpany?" "As a celebrity?" "Yes. Then there wouldn''t be any issues with supporting her, right?" Kang Ji-Yung''s face brightened at the suggestion. After all, Miso had been receiving numerous CF offers already. But we had to carefully decline most of them since she wasn''t a celebrity. Without those restrictions, thepany could be a significant support. "I''ll try to persuade Yoo-Jin. But if we do end up signing Miso, please leave all her scheduling to me." Kang Ji-Yung nodded enthusiastically. "I''ll handle the rest if you can persuade Miss Yoo-Jin. And you can manage all her schedule as well." "Thank you." "No need to thank me. Miso is incredibly popr right now. If anything, I should be thanking you." As I was about to stand up, Kang Ji-Yung added, "Oh, right. Isn''t Mr. Lee Tae-Poong''s audition in two days?" "It is.¡± "Is everything going well? It won''t be easypeting with Mr. Cha Tae-Hoon from Actor Division 3, especially with his camera phobia symptoms..." I replied to Kang Ji-Yung confidently, "Don''t worry about that part. That''s no longer a concern." When I saw him a week ago, the symptoms caused by his dyslexia had almost disappeared. *** [Everyday V10] [Date: May 15th, 2020] - 3:00 PM Beyond the Boundary audition site. After finishing the on-site shoot of Blue Sky with Yoo-Jin, I headed to Choi Sung-Moon Film located in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, ording to the time noted in my nner where Lee Tae-Poong and Lee Dae-Ho were waiting. Choi Sung-Moon Film had received support from the local government in the form of a vast in spanning 300,000 pyeong[1]. This allowed them to construct sets and produce almost any movie in-house, making it a major productionpany. Screech. Upon arriving at the parking lot, I was met with a scene resembling a bustling marketce. Actors, talent agents, and stylists gathered for the audition, creating a huge sea of people. Jung Sang-Bong, who was seated next to me, started to name the actors one by one. "Jang Sung-Hoon, Park In-Cheol, and Choi Yang-Seop... It''s like an awards ceremony here. Mr. Jung, please don''t tell me all these people are here for the lead role audition?" "I wouldn''t be surprised. It''s a work by the renowned PD Choi Sung-Moon, after all." Choi Sung-Moon was a blockbuster director who had produced three hit films in a row and was one of the few masters that even haughty actors sought to impress. With top-tier actors and pan-Asian superstars mingling, Jung Sang-Bong grew anxious. "Wouldn''t it be tough for Mr. Tae-Poong then?" "It won''t be easy. But make sure you don''t show any signs of nerves in front of Tae-Poong. A talent agent must show faith in their actor." "I''m sorry. I''ll keep that in mind." p! Jung Sang-Bong smacked his own cheek to psych himself up while muttering under his breath that Lee Tae-Poong would definitelynd the lead role. The actors Jung Sang-Bong mentioned earlier were formidable. But ultimately, Cha Tae-Hoon would be chosen. The number of moviegoers for the film starring Cha Tae-Hoon was noted in my nner. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 31st, 2020] -10:00 PM (Report) Beyond the Boundary box office count at 12:00 PM: 8,175,234 viewers. This was the tally after two months since its premiere in early November. If Lee Tae-Poong were to be the lead, this report in my nner would disappear. "Alright. Let''s go see our actor, Sang-Bong." "Yes, Mr. Jung." We received visitor badges in the lobby of the main building and headed to the audition room. The hallway leading to the audition room had ss walls on the left, offering a full view of the vast set outside. ''Wow. This is incredible.'' I could see bomb craters, scorched mountains, and burnt trees. The set, resembling the center of Seoul, was filled with cars brought from a junkyard. As promised, the preliminary filming preparations were meticulously made which turned every corner into a part of the movie set. "Wow, this ce is truly amazing," said Jung Sang-Bong. Looking at the set, I was determined to secure the lead role for Lee Tae-Poong to fulfill his dream. Soon after, we arrived at the waiting room next to the audition room. [Beyond the Boundary] [Male Lead Audition Waiting Room] We cautiously opened the door to avoid disturbing the actors preparing for their auditions. Inside the room were about fifty actors, twice as many as those we saw in the parking lot. Beyond the Boundary was an action-romance about Choi Sung-Ha, the top ck agent within South Korea''s National Intelligence Service, who rescues the family of a North Korean nuclear physicist, Dan Myung-Han, and brings them to Seoul. The film featured gritty hand-to-handbat and intense shootouts in Dandong, Beijing, and the heart of Seoul with a romantic plot with Dan Myung-Han''s daughter, Dan Sa-Rang. The lead actor needed to be able to handle both the action and the romantic aspects of the film. For this reason, the actors were seen pumping their muscles with push-ups. "Where''s Tae-Poong?" I scanned the room and searched for Lee Tae-Poong. The towering figure of Lee Dae-Ho, standing at the far end of the waiting room, caught my eye first. But I was left speechless when I saw Lee Tae-Poong sitting right next to him. "What, what''s that?" "M-Mr. Jung...why does Mr. Lee Tae-Poong look like that?" Lee Tae-Poong was in a surprisingly different statepared to when I saw him a week before. 1. 1 pyeong is approximately 3.31 square meters ? Chapter 122: Lee Tae-Poongs Audition (2)

Chapter 122: Lee Tae-Poong''s Audition (2)

Lee Tae-Poong was dressed in shabby North Korean military clothes and looked as though he hadn''t eaten anything for a week. Not only were his eyes deeply sunken but his cheeks had also be so thin that slight wrinkles were visible. His lips were chapped and his half-open mouth was gasping for breath. Perhaps because of these reasons, his eyes held a thirst and madness that made it difficult for anyone to easily approach him. ''I didn''t think he''d be in this bad of a condition although I was the one who gave him the advice...'' Choi Sung-Moon always held actors who immersed themselvespletely in their roles with high regard. That''s why I had advised Lee Tae-Poong thest time I met him to act like the protagonist even in his daily life. Following my advice, Lee Tae-Poong was acting out the situation where the main character Choi Sung-Ha infiltrated a North Korean special operations battalion as Lieutenant Choi In-Sol under a false identity. ''Man, has he been living like this ever since Ist met him?'' As I approached Lee Tae-Poong, I could hear other actors murmuring as they were wary of him. "Look at those eyes. He looks insane." "He looks like he could kill someone." "Is he here for an audition or to take someone down?" Even Choi Yang-Seop from Ace Entertainment, who had won an award before, was making harshments at Lee Tae-Poong. "This punk can''t even act. He should just stick tomercials." Lee Tae-Poong''s good looks and overwhelming presence seemed to bother everyone, and they eventually began to openly insult him, saying he couldn''t act. But fortunately, Lee Tae-Poong didn''t let thosements bother him even a little. ''Just wait. Everyone will be surprised once they see his acting.'' I stood in front of Lee Tae-Poong and called out his name. "Tae-Poong." Lee Tae-Poong slowly lifted his head, but his eyes showed hostility like a starved fighting dog ready to attack. Lee Dae-Ho standing beside him answered with a worried expression on his behalf. "Mr. Jung, Tae-Poong said until the audition is over, he won''t respond unless you call him by the protagonist''s name. And..." When Lee Dae-Ho hesitated to continue, I encouraged him to go on. "It''s okay. You can speak freely." "Okay. He''s been living on only water and salt for a week." Lee Tae-Poong had taken my advice to heart and even gone a step further on his own. This alone showed how desperately he wanted this role. "I understand. Then I''ll take it from here." "Yes, Mr. Jung." When Lee Dae-Ho stepped aside, I crouched down to meet Lee Tae-Poong''s eyes. "Tae-Poong, no matter who approaches or speaks to you, maintain your current state. I''ll handle all the conversations. Understand?" Lee Tae-Poong red at me silently before nodding. I had to support him to maintain this level of focus between reality and the role. Soon, Lee Tae-Poong bowed his head again and began muttering to himself while dismissivements continued to surround us. "What a lunatic. What kind of messed up show is he putting on?" "What does he think he''s doing when the audition hasn''t even started yet? Hey, Lee Tae-Poong. Aren''t you going to greet your sunbae?" I instructed Jung Sang-Bong and Lee Dae-Ho to block anyone who tried to approach Lee Tae-Poong. After all, every actor here was apetitor, although the realpetition was limited to a few. That''s when Cha Tae-Hoon, the actor who posed the most challenge to Lee Tae-Poong, appeared in the waiting room apanied by Team Lead Ju Ho-Sung from Actor Division 3. He was the original lead for Beyond the Boundary in my past life and a top star managed by Actor Division 3 of Hoop Entertainment. He was known for his acting skills and box office draw, having won the Best Actor awardst year. The room began to buzz with his arrival. "...Tae-Hoon hyung is here too?" "Ah, fuck. We''re all done for if he''s here..." The reaction Cha Tae-Hoon received waspletely different from the wariness that had surrounded Lee Tae-Poong. Ju Ho-Sung spotted us and waved his hand. "Oh, Assistant Manager Jung!" "How are you doing, Mr. Ju?" "I''m good. So, how are things going? Has Mr. Tae-Poong been practicing a lot?" "Yes, sir." Cha Tae-Hoon approached us with a chuckle. "Ha ha. Mr. Jung, long time no see. Isn''t it boring in Actor Division 2? How abouting back to our Actor Division 3?" "I personally wouldn''t mind, but Mr. Kim seems to really dislike the idea." "Ha ha. Couldn''t you have tried to please Mr. Kim a bit?" After exchanging a warm greeting, Cha Tae-Hoon looked at Tae-Poong and said, "But why isn''t this punk greeting his sunbae when I''ve arrived?" "I apologize. Unlike a renowned actor like you, Tae-Poong needs to take his time to immerse in his role. We''ll greet you properly after the audition is over." Despite my polite response, Cha Tae-Hoon made a dumbfounded expression. "Immerse in his role? Hey, stop with the nonsense and bring that guy over here. He''s being rude." "I''m sorry but no. I''m afraid I can''t do that." "No?" Cha Tae-Hoon, known for not taking ''no'' for an answer, seemed like he might cause a scene just before an important audition. That''s when the concerned Ju Ho-Sung quickly intervened. "Assistant Manager Jung, let''s stop joking around and have him greet everyone. Let''s not cause unnecessary trouble before the audition." Ju Ho-Sung tried to calm the situation with a friendly smile, but I shook my head. "I apologize, Mr. Ju and Mr. Cha. Please understand that Tae-Poong takes time to immerse in his role, and we can''t do it any other way." At that moment, Choi Yang-Seop began to stir the pot as he watched us argue. "Ha ha ha. Tae-Hoon, doesn''t yourpany teach manners? It''s just ridiculous to see a greenhorn rookie ignoring a respected sunbae." Cha Tae-Hoon''s face twisted in anger. "Manners? What manners can a thug like you talk about!? Mind your own business, asshole!" As Cha Tae-Hoon red up, Choi Yang-Seop taunted him further with a sly smile on his face. "Hey, why are you taking your anger out on me?" Cha Tae-Hoon and Choi Yang-Seop had always been known to be at odds. Not only were they equally talented, but both had won the Best Actor award three years ago. They were once good friends but became enemies over a fight involving actress Jung In-Soo. Fearing a fight might break out, Ju Ho-Sung hurriedly intervened. The fuming Cha Tae-Hoon gave Lee Tae-Poong and me a sharp re before storming out of the waiting room. Ju Ho-Sung let out a deep sigh and clicked his tongue. "Even though we''re in apetitive situation, Mr. Lee Tae-Poong should have greeted his sunbae. All this effort is for nothing anyway..." Ju Ho-Sung scratched his head and followed after Cha Tae-Hoon. ''All this effort is for nothing, he says? We''ll see about that.'' Jung Sang-Bong beside me let out a sigh of relief after being frozen on the spot. "It''s a good thing we have the good-natured Mr. Ju here." ''Yes. He surely looks like a good man on the surface, doesn''t he?'' Ju Ho-Sung was always smiling around thepany, which earned him the nickname ''Golden Retriever''. But only those who had been backstabbed by him knew the pain of being betrayed by someone whom they trusted so much. "Sang-Bong." "Yes, Mr. Jung?" "Don''t take things at face value. You might get burned." "I''m sorry?" "You''ll find out sooner orter. But just remember my words, especially in this industry..." Jung Sang-Bong looked puzzled, but that was all I could say for now. Unless Ju Ho-Sung slipped up, no one would believe he was the viin. Fortunately, Lee Tae-Poong still remained deeply immersed in his role. His concentration was even more impressive than I had anticipated. That''s when the door to the waiting room opened abruptly. Click! "Mr. Cha Tae-Hoon, Mr. Lee Tae-Poong, and Mr. Choi Yang-Seop¡ªplease enter the audition room." When Producer Ga Eun-Soo from Choi Sung-Moon Films announced loudly, the waiting room started to buzz with murmurs. "What''s this? A deathmatch group?" "It''s obvious they''ve set their sights on either Cha Tae-Hoon or Choi Yang-Seop for the lead role." "Then what about Lee Tae-Poong?" "What do you think? He''s just an extra." I couldn''t believe that Lee Tae-Poong was about topete with the two actors who fiercely vied for the lead role in my past life. "Tae-Poong, let''s go." But Lee Tae-Poong did not bother to move a single inch upon hearing my words. "Will you really not respond if it''s not your character''s name?" Seeing Lee Tae-Poong''s excessively scrupulous behavior made my heart heavy. He had been following my advice with all his might and even skipped meals for a week. ''Alright, Tae-Poong. I''ll make sure you be the lead in this movie no matter what.'' I hardened my resolve and red at Lee Tae-Poong. "Lieutenant Choi In-Sol, I''m Park Gyeok-Hun. Follow me." I invoked the name of Park Gyeok-Hun, the superior officer of the unit Lieutenant Choi In-Sol whom Lee Tae-Poong was portraying. Only then did Lee Tae-Poong spring to his feet and snap his heels together. Despite not wearing military boots, his action made a sharp sound. "Understood, Comrade Colonel." Lee Tae-Poong''s voice was gruff as he began to gesture with his fingers. It felt as if he could slit my throat if he had a dagger in his hand. The actors around us started to murmur. "Jeez. What the hell is with that guy?" "Why''s he acting already?" "But Lee Tae-Poong, can that guy act? I thought he just relied on his looks." "Has he been hiding his acting skills all this time?" "Nonsense. Don''t you remember all those projects he has ruined?" Lee Tae-Poong''s voice projection had drastically improved from the past when he had issues due to dyslexia. With his voice stabilized, his confidence in acting grew along with his deep character immersion. Not to mention, even his appearance had be much more masculine after fasting for a week. Walking with military precision, Lee Tae-Poong caught the attention of all the actors and talent agents who were waiting for their turn. But this was just the beginning. I suppressed my excitement and headed to the audition room next door. Choi Yang-Seop and Cha Tae-Hoon were already present and satfortably across from the judges'' table. Five judges were seated at the table¡ªthey included Director Choi Sung-Moon, Production Manager Ga Eun-Soo, and nning Director Pyo Eun-Mi, nked by Kim Moon-Dong, the representative of KM Partners who was the main sponsor, and Shin Jong-Ki, the CEO of LT Entertainment. I pointed Lee Tae-Poong to an empty seat. "Lieutenant, sit there." Lee Tae-Poong strode over and took his seat. "Yes, Comrade Colonel." The four judges on the panel showed interest in Lee Tae-Poong''s intense gaze. His strong impression along with his handsome looks immediately caught everyone''s attention. Choi Sung-Moon, wearing horn-rimmed sses on his head, looked on with interest and asked, "What are you doing right now?" Lee Tae-Poong red back at Choi Sung Moon''s question. "Who might you be,rade?" Completely caught off guard by the response, Choi Sung-Moon burst intoughter. "Ha ha ha. My mistake. Please forgive me, Lieutenant Choi In-Sol. I am Kang Un-Gu, the admiral." When Choi Sung-Moon mentioned the name of a character from the script, Lee Tae-Poong stood up and saluted. "It''s an honor to meet you, Comrade Admiral!" The perfect angle of his salute pleased Choi Sung-Moon who nodded in approval. I recalled what Choi Sung-Moon always used to say in my past life. -Want to be my actor? It''s simple. Be the character itself. Just stick to the basics! He used to demand that actors immerse heavily in their roles to qualify for a part in his films. Because of this reason, he disliked actors taking on other projects or appearing in variety shows while filming his movie. For Lee Tae-Poong who currently had no other schedules, this was an ideal situation. "Alright. Rest for now." Only then did Lee Tae-Poong sit down. While all the judges were amused, only one of the other four, Producer Ga Eun-Soo, seemed ufortable. ''Ga Eun-Soo is from the Suhyaejong line, so it''s obvious he''d favor Cha Tae-Hoon.'' Aware of this, I had been focusing on the director from the start. While it wasmon for the sponsor who provided the funding to have casting authority, it was a different story with a renowned director like Choi Sung-Moon. No one in the industry would dare reject an actor chosen by the only active director with three consecutive films reaching over ten million views. "Alright then. Shall we start the audition? Cha Tae-Hoon, you go first. Scene 17, where Choi In-Sol kills the North Korean colonel." "Yes, sir." Cha Tae-Hoon, the original lead of the film, stood up. He closed his eyes and began to immerse himself in his role. He began to whistle softly like a diver taking a breath. Whoo~. The low whistle filled the audition room, drawing everyone''s gaze to him. And when the whistling stopped, Cha Tae-Hoon opened his eyes wide and began to act. At the same time, everyone''s attention in the audition room was captured by Cha Tae-Hoon. Chapter 123: Lee Tae-Poongs Audition (3)

Chapter 123: Lee Tae-Poong''s Audition (3)

As soon as Cha Tae-Hoon began acting, he transformed into apletely different person, proving that it was no fluke that he bagged the Best Actor awardst year. Cha Tae-Hoon''s eyes suddenly filled up with murderous intent as he quickly raised both hands. "I''m sorry,rade. But this is as far as we go." He shot a sharp re as if Park Gyeok-Hun, the superior he was supposed to kill, was right in front of him. Swoosh! He gripped the electric wires he had prepared in advance tightly in both hands, acting out scene 17 where Choi In-Sol strangled Colonel Park Gyeok-Hun. Cha Tae-Hoon''s hands had turned bright red from the force he had exerted and he wore a chilling expression on his face apanied with bloodshot eyes. On his knees, Cha Tae-Hoon tightly clenched his teeth and slowly released his hands as if confirming that he hadpletely cut off his opponent''s breath. "Shit. This feels disgusting." Bang! Cha Tae-Hoon harshly stomped on the floor, spat, and then sprawled out on the ground. There was a sense of ''That''s Cha Tae-Hoon for you'' in the eyes of the five judges sitting in the panel. "Okay!" Cha Tae-Hoon dusted himself off and got up from his spot at Choi Sung-Moon''s okay sign. Although there were a few requests for more performances afterward, Cha Tae-Hoon met Choi Sung-Moon''s demands without any trouble. It was truly befitting of a Best Actor award winner. Choi Sung-Moon announced the end of the audition. "Excellent. There''s no need to see more." Cha Tae-Hoon, wiping the sweat from his forehead, took a deep breath and bowed. "Thank you, sir." Kim Moon-Dong was pping until he suddenly became aware of Choi Yang-Seop and Lee Tae-Poong who were still waiting for their auditions. "Haha, my apologies. That was rude of me." Choi Yang-Seop''s face slightly contorted when Kim Moon-Dong apologized. However, he wasn''t naive enough to show his emotions in front of an investor. On the other hand, Lee Tae-Poong was stillpletely immersed in his role and did not even blink his eyes once. His concentration was remarkable. It was only after Cha Tae-Hoon returned to his seat that Choi Yang-Seop stepped forward. "Let''s see a different scene from you, Mr. Choi Yang-Seop. Scene 19¡ªthe guard elimination scene, please," Choi Sung-Moon requested. "Yes, Mr. Choi." With a sharp expression, Choi Yang-Seop began to portray a different version of Lieutenant Choi In-Sol than Cha Tae-Hoon. Choi Yang-Seop put on a serpentine expression and swiftly swung his right hand as if mercilessly slitting the throat of a guard with a knife. Unlike Cha Tae-Hoon''s dynamic performance, Choi Yang-Seop perfectly depicted a murderer''s chilling and eerie demeanor. The moment the judges made eye contact with Choi Yang-Seop, they shivered involuntarily. It was a moment that confirmed Choi Yang-Seop was also a formidable actor. After sessfullypleting about three more scenes, Choi Yang-Seop finished his audition. "There''s depth to Yang-Seop''s acting, indeed." Choi Sung-Moon''s praise made Choi Yang-Seop''s face light up. "I''m stillcking. But I came here wanting to be properly guided by you, Mr. Choi." After Choi Yang-Seop made his final appeal, it was finally Lee Tae-Poong''s turn. Choi Sung-Moon rested his chin on his sped hands and wore an intrigued expression. "Now, Mr. Tae-Poong. Let''s see you perform Scene 24¡ªthe escape scene. I''m curious to see how well you''ve prepared." Even the judges beside him showed keen interest. Lee Tae-Poong, who looked emaciated from not eating for a week, naturallymanded the atmosphere. Lee Tae-Poong stood up with a bored expression and stepped forward at Choi Sung-Moon''s words. His demeanor was like that of a soldier tired of monotonous military life. Trudge, trudge. But Lee Tae-Poong made no effort to silence his presence even with a guard he was supposed to kill in the script in front of him. Rather, he stretched and yawned to make his presence known. ''Why is he acting like that?'' Everyone looked puzzled. Lee Tae-Poong''s attitude was strange because he was supposed to kill the opponent but he was too calm. That''s when Lee Tae-Poong stopped in his tracks and pulled out a pack of cigarettes he had prepared in advance from his chest pocket. "Comrade, do you have a lighter?" His act of tapping the cigarette pack and asking for a light seemed so natural that it almost felt like there was another person standing in front of Lee Tae-Poong. I thought if I had been standing in front of Lee Tae-Poong, I would have been rummaging through my pockets to give him a light. But then Lee Tae-Poong''s right hand moved swiftly in an instant. He quickly drew the prop dagger hidden at his waist and stabbed upward in a motion as if piercing the neck of the person standing in front of him. It felt like I could hear the sound of the dagger piercing through flesh. Lee Tae-Poong slid the dagger between his armpits and then drew it out with a swift motion. "Sorry you couldn''t enjoy your expensive cigarette fully. My apologies,rade." Lee Tae-Poong''s performance was different from the previous two. His expression vividly conveyed the tragic sentiment of having to kill someone to fulfill a mission. The judges were stunned by Lee Tae-Poong''s natural movements and clear diction, as well as his portrayal of a skilled killing machine who nheless felt unexpectedpassion and sorrow. "Hahaha. A poignant murderer, huh? This is a good interpretation in its own way," Kim Moon-Dong murmured to himself without realizing it as the other judges nodded in agreement. Choi Sung-Moon couldn''t help but exim in admiration. "Okay! Wow, since when did your acting skills improve so much?" "That''s what I''m saying. Haha." The people seated in the judges'' panelughed despite Cha Tae-Hoon and Choi Yang-Seop being there. Cha Tae-Hoon and Choi Yang-Seop''s faces began to contort. "Ahem. But wait. It''d be a pity to judge just by this one scene. Try scene 29. Hurry." After that, the audition continued several more times. Lee Tae-Poong performed splendidly in all four scenes he was given. Finally, Lee Tae-Poong''s portion of the audition whichsted a little longer than the other two ended. As Lee Tae-Poong was about to return to his seat, Choi Sung-Moon called him back. "Mr. Tae-Poong, could you take off your top for a moment?" Lee Tae-Poong lifted his North Korean army uniform without hesitation. At that moment, a wave of admiration burst from the judges'' panel again. "Wow, look at that..." "Ha ha ha, I wonder how much work must have gone into sculpting that body..." The muscles across his shoulders, chest, and abdomen were sharply defined, and his tanned skin with a distinct six-pack looked like a sculpture. Inmercial films where marketability was crucial, an actor''s appearance and physique were just as important as their acting skills. Lee Tae-Poong had proven he possessed all these, drawing a pleased reaction from Choi Sung-Moon. "Well done! You may go now." As Lee Tae-Poong returned to his ce, I concealed my excitement and checked my nner. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 11th, 2020] - 10:00 PM (Report) Beyond the Borders Box office count at 12 AM: 8,175,234. ''Not yet, huh?'' At that moment, Ga Eun-Soo announced the end of our group''s audition. "The results will bemunicated to youter. Thank you all for your effort." Cha Tae-Hoon and Choi Yang-Seop left the audition hall first. As I took Lee Tae-Poong outside with me, I began to think about what I had to do next. The actor had done everything he could. Now it was my turn to make a move as his talent agent. After all,nding a leading role wasn''t just about acting skills. *** When Ga Eun-Soo was about to call the next group after the first group hadpleted their audition, Choi Sung-Moon made ament. "I knew Lee Tae-Poong was handsome, but his acting is exceptional as well. Was the industry gossip about him all false?" "No, it''s true. His pronunciation was a bit off and his acting was average before which was concerning. But he seemspletely transformed now. Perhaps he sharpened his skills after changing agencies," Shin Jong-Ki responded. Even nning Director Pyo Eun-Mi nodded in agreement, leaving Ga Eun-Soo unable to stay quiet. If things continued this way, Lee Tae-Poong might take the lead role instead of Cha Tae-Hoon who was supposed to receive kickbacks. Stopping in his tracks on the way to the waiting room, Ga Eun-Soo joined the conversation. "Mr. Choi, Mr. Lee Tae-Poong isn''t bad, but things could getplicated if his old habits resurface after the role is confirmed." Ga Eun-Soo''s reminder of Lee Tae-Poong''s poor past performances made Kim Moon-Dong flinch. After all, the risk of hastily choosing a lead could indeed lead to issuester on. Such was the reason the lead role was usually reserved for proven actors. Kim Moon-Dong agreed with Ga Eun-Soo. "Mr. Choi, thinking about it now, Producer Ga might be right. It''s probably better to go with someone who has proven themselves. There is less risk that way." As the conversation turned toward financial considerations, Shin Jong-Ki also changed his stance. "I''m drawn to Mr. Lee Tae-Poong as well, but it might be better to go with someone else considering the failure of his previous works..." When Shin Jong-Ki momentarily forgot the impressive performance and started listing the failed projects of Lee Tae-Poong, Choi Sung-Moon frowned and was displeased by the sudden shift in attitude from the investor and distributor. "Director Pyo, do you share the same opinion?" Pyo Eun-Mi, who had worked with Choi Sung-Moon for 20 years, leaned back in her chair and added, "To be honest, Mr. Cha Tae-Hoon would be a safer bet for a stable expected revenue. If it''s a script written by you, featuring Cha Tae-Hoon as the lead could easily surpass seven million audience." "Hmm, seven million..." Choi Sung-Moon was tempted by Pyo Eun-Mi''s prediction known as the ''audience counter.'' "And what about if we choose Lee Tae-Poong?" "If we go with Mr. Lee Tae-Poong, it could range anywhere between one million and ten million." "Director Pyo, a range from one million to ten million is too broad. What does that even mean?" Pyo Eun-Mi frowned as she was frustrated by her colleagues'' confusion and exined, "If the performance we saw just now is all there is and he reverts to his terrible past performances, we''re looking at under a million. It could be a historic flop. But if the performance we saw today is genuine, I''d stake my reputation on reaching ten million." Actors who performed well in the auditions where there were no real opponents acting against them were moremon than expected. But the real oue of a shoot, especially when interacting with other actors, could only be known once filming began. Given the numerous bad rumors about Lee Tae-Poong on set, it was difficult to make an immediate decision. "Between one million and ten million, huh?" Choi Sung-Moon responded. The judges began to weigh their thoughts, mulling over the wide range of possibilities. Pyo Eun-Mi had nted seeds of both hope and concern with just a single statement. As Choi Sung-Moon''s dilemma deepened, Ga Eun-Soo quickly began toe up with a scheme. After the auditions, he nned to invite Chief Kim Dong-Soo to dinner with the aim to secure Cha Tae-Hoon as the male lead. "Producer Ga, what''s going on? Aren''t we calling the next group?" "Ah, yes, sir. I''ll bring them in right away." As Ga Eun-Soo left the audition room, he immediately pulled out his phone and made a call. "Mr. Kim Dong-Soo? Yes, it''s me. We have a problem here!" *** Lee Tae-Poong stepped into the hallway after the audition and immediately started trembling. His body had reached its limit after nearly a week of scant eating. "Good grief, you fool. Who told you to starve yourself like this?" I reprimanded him. Lee Tae-Poong simply grinned as I scolded him. "Well, the rumors said thepetition was fierce. I thought I wouldn''t stand out if I didn''t do something drastic like this..." "But what if you had fallen ill?" Lee Tae-Poong sheepishly scratched his head and apologized. "I''m sorry." He had now shed the intense demeanor of ''Lieutenant Choi In-Sol.'' I let out a deep sigh as I touched the coarse fabric of his North Korean army uniform. "Well, you did well, Tae-Poong. Your acting was great." "Not at all. It was thanks to you that I could act at all." Lee Tae-Poong attributed his improved dyslexia and performance to my help, stirring a warm feeling inside me. But then an absurd thought crossed my mind as I saw him smiling at me. ''He really is handsome.'' His week of fasting had sharpened his facial features and made them even more striking. Anyone passing by would turn their head for a second look at such a face, and I couldn''t help but let out an exmation of admiration. If it made sense, his natural bone structure. Even his vibrating vocal cords seemed as if they were crafted with care. ''It''s unfair how some are blessed by nature.'' Yes¡ªthat was the only thought that came to mind regarding his stunning appearance. "Mr. Jung? What''s wrong?" Only after hearing Lee Tae-Poong''s concerned voice did I snap back into reality. "Oh, it''s nothing. I was just lost in thought for a moment." I suggested we head back to the car. "Let''s head back to the car for a bit to rest, Tae-Poong. Sang-Bong, you go buy some sports drinks and yogurt." "Rest in the car? Aren''t we going straight to thepany?" "No, we have somewhere else to be." My nner still had an entry about a dinner with Choi Sung-Moon following Cha Tae-Hoon''s audition. [Everyday V10] [Date: May 15th, 2020] -07:30 PM Reservation for 10 at Paju Guuguu, with Choi Sung-Moon and his party. Cha Tae-Hoon had secured the lead role during that dinner. But this time, I nned to secure the role for Lee Tae-Poong at that very dinner. It was only 4 p.m. and we still had about three and a half hours to spare. Waiting in the car for a bit was nothing if it meant securing the role for Lee Tae-Poong. However, the moment we arrived at the parking lot, I saw Cha Tae-Hoon standing there and waiting for us with a frown on his face. Chapter 124: Competing for the Lead Role (1)

Chapter 124: Competing for the Lead Role (1)

Lee Tae-Poong hurriedly apologized to Cha Tae-Hoon. "Ah, sunbae-nim. I''m sorry about not greeting you earlier. It wasn''t my intention to disrespect you..." Cha Tae-Hoon silently stared at the bowing Lee Tae-Poong and smirked. "Kid, you''ve practiced quite a bit, haven''t you? Great performance back there." "Thank you." "Don''t mention it. But Tae-Poong¡ªdon''t try too hard." "Excuse me?" "I''m saying practicing alone won''t make the lead role yours." Ju Ho-Sung added that the lead role had already been decided. "Assistant Manager Jung. This might be ufortable to hear, but the higher-ups have already finished their discussions. Tae-Hoon has already been chosen for the lead role in this movie, so let''s not embarrass yourselves." Lee Tae-Poong turned to me with a flustered expression. Seeing this, Cha Tae-Hoon clicked his tongue and said, "Kid, don''t make that face. I came here because I didn''t want you to get your hopes up. But I''ll talk to Mr. Choi to get you a good role." After finishing talking, Cha Tae-Hoon patted Lee Tae-Poong on the shoulder and headed to his van. "Mr. Tae-Poong seems to have improved a lot in acting, so I''ll personally push for him to get the role of Kang Ill-Rok. Don''t worry," said Ju Ho-Sung as he followed behind Cha Tae-Hoon, unaware of my true intentions. The role of Kang Ill-Rok, a North Korean special forces colonel chasing the protagonist Cha Sung-Ha who kidnapped a nuclear physicist, was a key supporting character in the project. However, I really wanted to secure the lead role for Lee Tae-Poong. The lead role would y a pivotal role in transforming Lee Tae-Poong''s image, which had long been associated with the nickname ''Lacking David''. As the two left, Lee Tae-Poong hesitated before asking in a disheartened voice. "Hyung, is it true? Was the oue of today''s audition already fixed from the start?" I smiled wryly and shook my head. "How could that be? Just trust me." ''That statement would have been true without you. And even without me, it would have be true.'' However, the future was about to change thanks to the sessful audition we just had. ''But it won''t be easy.'' "Let''s go grab something to eat first." "Eat?" "Yeah. Let''s have beef today." Jung Sang-Bong and Lee Dae-Ho looked at me with worried eyes. "Mr. Jung, Tae-Poong has been fasting for a long time so it might be hard for him to eat meat." "We''ll eat meat and Tae-Poong can have beef pine nut porridge. Anyway, everyone, just follow me." Based on my knowledge of events in my past life, I knew that Choi Sung-Moon would arrive 20 minutes earlier than the scheduled time and would be waiting. That 20-minute window would be the time I had to meet Choi Sung-Moon and secure the lead role for Lee Tae-Poong. *** Upon entering the lobby of the high-end Hanwoo restaurant, GuuGuu, we were greeted by well-maintained potted pine trees and ck tiles. Entering such a grand establishment, Jung Sang-Bong asked anxiously, "Mr. Jung, this ce looks really expensive, doesn''t it?" My voice trembled involuntarily. "It-it''s okay. We''ll manage somehow." I couldn''t use a corporate card in this kind of restaurant, which meant that I had to pay with my own money. A single serving of 120g cost a whopping 65,000 won. I daren''t imagine the total cost of the bill today. Lee Tae-Poong cautiously nced at me. "Hyung, are you sure about this? I can pay." "It''s okay. I''ve saved money for times like this." I nned to use the generous bonus I got from Kang Gam-Chan. In the reserved Room 4, I ordered five servings of fresh hanwoo short ribs and beef pine nut porridge for Lee Tae-Poong, who had been fasting. As the side dishes wereid out on the table, I stepped outside the room. The current time was 7:09 PM. Choi Sung-Moon was due to arrive soon. I checked my nner after stepping out and closed the sliding door behind me. ''The entry is as nned.'' Surely enough, I could see Choi Sung-Moon and his party who had finished the audition entering after waiting for about a minute. "Did we arrive a bit early?" "We''re about 20 minutes early, but Chief Kim has reserved a room for us. He said it''s Room 5..." Choi Sung-Moon and Ga Eun-Soo were walking in front, followed by Pyo Eun-Mi, Kim Moon-Dong, and Shin Jong-Ki. At that moment, Choi Sung-Moon''s eyes met mine. Choi Sung-Moon tilted his head in confusion. "Huh? What''s this? Why is Mr. Lee Tae-Poong''s talent agent here?" "Ah. Hello, sir. I heard the beef pine nut porridge here is great, so I came to help Tae-Poong recover." Choi Sung-Moon smiled warmly. "Ha ha. Is that so? The beef pine nut porridge here is indeed exceptional. Sometimes I prefer it over meat. So? Which room are you guys in?" "We''re in Room 4, sir." "Oh, really? Right next door then." As Choi Sung-Moonughed heartily, Ga Eun-Soo tried to cut the conversation short. "Enjoy your meal, Assistant Manager Jung. We have an appointment so we''ll be leaving now." At that moment, Choi Sung-Moon interjected, "Why the rush? I was hoping to have a quick chat with Tae-Poong. Is that alright? Do you guys have time?" ''Of course, it woulde to this. After showing such a performance, it wouldn''t be like the great Choi Sung Moon to just let Tae-Poong slide.'' Things were going much smoother than expected. "We can always make time for you, Mr. Choi. We have plenty of time!" I replied. "Ha ha! Look at this guy.¡± Of course, not everyone was pleased with this situation. The visibly flustered Ga Eun-Soo hurried to Choi Sung-Moon and began whispering in his ear. But Choi Sung-Moon frowned. "What''s the matter with you today? Is there a reason I shouldn''t meet Tae-Poong?" Ga Eun-Soo quickly bowed his head when Choi Sung-Moon red at him. "N-no. It''s not like that, sir." Choi Sung-Moon urged me to go to our room, saying he had time before the appointment. It didn''t matter which room we went to since Rooms 4 and 5 could be connected by sliding doors. As we opened the door to Room 4, the party that was about to start grilling meat stood up abruptly. "M-Mr. Choi!" "Ha ha ha. I happen to have a reservation in the next room. Sit down. Sit down." The staff of GuuGuu came in and opened the sliding door connecting Room 4. Suddenly, Rooms 4 and 5 merged into one long room. After a brief greeting, Choi Sung-Moon took a sip of his pre-dinner tea and started questioning Lee Tae-Poong. "By the way, Tae-Poong. You''vepletely changed. What happened to cause such a transformation?" Lee Tae-Poong answered uprightly. "I''ve been working hard, sir." "Ha ha ha. If hard work could produce such a remarkable change, wouldn''t everyone in Korea be an actor? There must have been some secret turning point." Choi Sung-Moon chuckled heartily and began to relentlessly inquire about Lee Tae-Poong''s ster performance. As expected, Choi Sung-Moon was deeply interested in Lee Tae-Poong. At that moment, Ga Eun-Soo stepped in to interrupt Choi Sung-Moon. "Mr. Choi, could we talk privately for a moment..." Choi Sung-Moon tilted his head with a puzzled expression at Ga Eun-Soo''s strange behavior. "What is it? Just say it here." "It''s a matter that''s difficult to discuss in front of others." Choi Sung-Moon frowned and reluctantly stood up. "Goodness, what a hassle today. Alright. I was about to go to the restroom anyway, so I''ll listen on the way." After Ga Eun-Soo took Choi Sung-Moon outside, Pyo Eun-Mi took over the conversation. The rest of the judges also intermittently asked Lee Tae-Poong about their interests. It seemed that Lee Tae-Poong''s earlier performance had left a significant impression on them. About three minutester, the sliding door opened and Choi Sung-Moon returned. But then, unexpected words flowed from Choi Sung-Moon''s mouth. "Tae-Poong, I''m sorry, but could you guys move to another table? I think it would be ufortable for both parties to dine in adjacent rooms like this." It was a clear order to leave. Everyone who had been waiting was taken aback by the sudden change in Choi Sung-Moon''s demeanor. Tight tension filled the air. Consequently, Ga Eun-Soo shouted in a loud voice. "What are you all waiting for? Get moving!" However, I ignored Ga Eun-Soo''s words and stood my ground. Knowing Choi Sung-Moon''s nature to never look back once he''s made up his mind, retreating now would mean losing any chance. I asked Choi Sung-Moon for a reason. "If we''ve made a mistake, please scold us directly. We will correct it." "Do I really have to spell it out?" Choi Sung-Moon replied and made an ufortable expression. Just then, Ga Eun-Soo interrupted the conversation. "Ah, you''re so persistent. Do you really not know why?" "No. I''m asking because I really don''t know. Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?" I asked. Ga Eun-Soo raised his voice, "Lee Tae-Poong has a camera phobia, doesn''t he!? How dare you attend the audition hiding such an important fact? What were you nning to do when it came to light during the actual shoot?" ''Wait a minute. He knows about the camera phobia? But only the people from Actor Division 2 should know that. Someone must have leaked it!'' But I had to resolve the current situation before figuring out who leaked it. After all, there was an easy way to clear up such a misunderstanding. "Who said that? Tae-Poong has a camera phobia, you say?" I questioned. "Ah! Look at this guy. Do I really need to say it out loud?" Ga Eun-Soo asked dismissively. "Yes. Wouldn''t it be unfair if we were misunderstood because of such a lie?" I responded indignantly. Choi Sung-Moon awkwardly cleared his throat. "Ahem." Ga Eun-Soo took a nce at Choi Sung-Moon and lost his temper. "And that''s not all! I heard he''s also receiving sponsorship from Daechon Inc. Dare you say that''s also a rumor?" This was also something only known within Actor Division 2. It seemed I would need to find out who leaked these facts once this was over. Not just Choi Sung-Moon, but Pyo Eun-Mi and the representatives from the investment and distributionpanies also frowned. After all, being sponsored by apany made an actor no different from a ticking time bomb. "I waspletely unaware...no wonder Producer Ga was hesitant," muttered Choi Sung Moon. The situation was getting worse. Lee Tae-Poong attempted to exin, but I raised my hand to stop him. This was something I needed to handle. I red at Ga Eun-Soo and asked, "Did Mr. Kim tell you that?" "Wh-who said it doesn''t matter, does it?" "Of course, it matters. I''ve been warned by Mr. Kim Dong-Soo that the lead role was already decided and not to interfere. So I need to know who you heard this from, Mr. Ga!" I confronted Ga Eun-Soo directly. Despite knowing that Ga Eun-Soo had known Choi Sung-Moon for over 10 years, I had to rify the situation no matter what. That was the only way to cling to even a sliver of hope. Fortunately, Choi Sung-Moon reacted as I had hoped. "Wait, what do you mean the lead role has already been decided? What are you talking about? I''m the director and I''m still considering it. Who decided on the lead role?" Choi Sung-Moon questioned with a frown on his face. When Choi Sung-Moon red suspiciously at the investor and distributor, they hurriedly waved their hands and denied any involvement. Then, Choi Sung-Moon red at me this time and said, "Assistant Manager Jung, you know words spoken can''t be taken back, right?" I nodded. "Yes, sir. Even if we can''t get the lead role, we must clear up the misunderstanding. This is too unfair! You have no idea how hard Tae-Poong has worked for this audition!" Perhaps sensing something was off with my earnest protest, Pyo Eun-Mi subtly spoke up. "Let''s hear their side of the story." Ga Eun-Soo protested, "But Ms. Pyo!" Despite Ga Eun-Soo''s protests, Pyo Eun-Mi remained calm. "Are you saying we shouldn''t even listen to their exnation? Mr. Ga, you''re acting quite strange today," Pyo Eun-Mi retorted. ''That was a nice assist.'' I never expected Pyo Eun-Mi, known for being strict, toe to my aid. Choi Sung-Moon sat down and gulped down some cold dongchimi[1]. He seemed frustrated by how the situation had unfolded, given his interest in Lee Tae-Poong. After taking a deep breath, Choi Sung-Moon spoke. "Alright. You might have your own side of the story, so let''s hear what you have to say.¡± "First off, if you''re talking about the sponsorship from Vice President Kim Ae-Ja of Daechon Inc, Tae-Poong has nothing to do with it. I personally rejected the offer when it was made," I exined. "How can we believe that?" Choi Sung-Moon questioned me. "Don''t you know what kind of person the Vice President of Daechon Inc is? Anyone she sponsors gets immediately slotted into advertisements. Vice President Kim Ae-Ja approached us in April and it''s already mid-May," I argued. "That''s not enough evidence." I almost presented a recorded file but then reconsidered because I couldn''t predict how Kim Ae-Ja would react. After thinking hard for a few seconds, I spoke with determination. "Then let''s change the approach. If Tae-Poong gets the lead role and receives any advertisement deals or sponsorships from Daechon Inc. or Vice President Kim Ae-Ja, we''ll sign a contract to cover all damages arising from it." Choi Sung-Moon quietly scrutinized me upon hearing my determination to stay away from Daechon Inc. by any means. Then, he asked, "Can you stand by that statement?" "If necessary, you can verify this with ourpany''s director," I stated calmly. Sensing the conversation was taking an unexpected turn, Ga Eun-Soo hastily interjected, "B-but what about the camera phobia!? It''s fraud to attend the audition hiding that fact! What if he starts trembling during the main shoot like before?" I managed to suppress my anger while looking at Ga Eun-Soo who had be aggressive again. To exin this, I needed to talk about Lee Tae-Poong''s condition. When I turned my head, I saw Lee Tae-Poong nodding. He was giving me permission to reveal the truth. I took a deep breath. Then, ring at Ga Eun-Soo with a sharp voice, I slowly began to speak. ''It''s your turn to face the consequences, Ga Eun-Soo!¡¯ 1. Radish water kimchi ? Chapter 125: Competing for the Lead Role (2)

Chapter 125: Competing for the Lead Role (2)

"Tae-Poong has dyslexia, not camera phobia. Where did you hear about any camera phobia?" Caught in a lie, Ga Eun-Soo stammered in confusion. "D-d-dyslexia?" "If you require proof, I can submit a medical certificate for the dyslexia treatment. And Mr. Choi¡ªas you saw at the audition earlier, Tae-Poong has found a way to ovee his dyslexia." Choi Sung-Moon shot a sharp re at Ga Eun-Soo. His face was as red as a ripe persimmon, clearly furious by the realization that Daechon Inc.''s sponsorship and camera phobia were just an attempt to frame Lee Tae-Poong. "Producer Ga." "Yes, Mr. Choi!" "Did you ept money from Chief Kim Dong-Soo?" "N-no, absolutely not!" Ga Eun-Soo insisted it wasn''t true, but Choi Sung-Moon didn''t believe him. "I''ve heard rumors that you were exploiting my name, but to disgrace me like this? Do you see me as aplete fool?" p! Choi Sung-Moon pped Ga Eun-Soo, causing thetter to stagger. Pyo Eun-Mi quickly grabbed Choi Sung-Moon. "Please calm down, Mr. Choi!" Choi Sung-Moon swung his arms around. "Let me go! I swear I''ll teach this jerk a lesson he won''t forget today..." Then Kim Moon-Dong and Shin Jong-Ki stepped in to calm Choi Sung-Moon. "Mr. Choi!" "Please, hold back." Only then did the still-fuming Choi Sung-Moon finally lower his hand. "Hey! Producer Ga, get out and call Kim Dong-Soo right now. Tell him I don''t ever want to see his face or Cha Tae-Hoon!" "B-but sir!" "Why are you still here? And you stay out of my sight for a while too!" Ga Eun-Soo stumbled and managed to leave the room with difficulty. Choi Sung-Moon was known for not holding back punches even with the lead actors if disagreements arose on set. Once he lost his temper, it was unpredictable what he might do. Choi Sung-Moon gulped down the dongchimi ced in front of him. After finishing the cold dongchimi to thest drop, he started to catch his breath heavily. Choi Sung-Moon then calmed down and apologized to me. "Sorry about that. I guess I misunderstood the situation." "It''s not your fault, sir. It''s true that we were hiding Tae-Poong''s dyslexia. It''s understandable to have misunderstandings. Please me me, not Tae-Poong. I''m the talent agent after all." Choi Sung-Moon shook his head and said, "You have a way of making people feel embarrassed. How is it your fault? It''s my fault for not managing my close associates." Choi Sung-Moon then bowed to Lee Tae-Poong and me. "I was too hasty to jump to conclusions. I apologize for the misunderstanding, Mr. Tae-Poong and Assistant Manager Jung." The startled Lee Tae-Poong quickly stood up. "It-it''s okay, Mr. Choi." Only after I also said it was okay did Choi Sung-Moon finally lift his head. The initially-tensed atmosphere started to ease a bit. Then Choi Sung-Moon looked at us with a contented expression and asked, "So we''re good now, right?" "Of course. I can''t even remember what happened." The atmosphere brightened even more when I made a light joke. "Even if the sponsorship was a lie, how did you handle the script? Dyslexia would have made reading difficult. Did you read it for him?" "I recorded all the lines and directions on tape for him to listen to.¡± When I mentioned that Orlenes Boom, who yed Lego in The King of the Ne, also had dyslexia and employed a dedicated staff for reading and writing on his behalf, everyone''s eyes widened. "Ha ha. I had no idea there was such a method." "Moreover, Tae-Poong is so exceptional that he memorized the entire script after listening to the recorded files a few times. So we could even start the shoot tomorrow." "Ha ha ha. I could tell how prepared he was by looking at his extraordinary physique earlier in the audition. To be honest, thepetitors stood no chance against Mr. Tae-Poong. A ck Agent with a bit of extra weight on the sides is not a good look, don''t you think?" Choi Sung-Moon expressed dissatisfaction with the other actors who came to the audition and winked at Pyo Eun-Mi who was next to him. "Director Pyo. Don''t you have anything to say?" Pyo Eun-Mi seemed to have been waiting for this moment to ask a question. "Would it be okay to reveal the fact that Mr. Tae-Poong has dyslexia to the media? It might actually help if done right. The public loves a triumph-over-adversity story." Sometimes, turning a personal weakness into a public issue felt cold and cruel. But in this industry where everyone was striving for sess, it was inevitable that the weakness would be revealed eventually. ''I guess it might be better to package it properly.'' After listening to my exnation, Lee Tae-Poong nodded in agreement that it could be used for promotion. "Yes. It''s a bit embarrassing, but I think it could send a positive message to others in simr situations, struggling with reading but still wanting to pursue acting." Pyo Eun-Mi''s face brightened as she added, "Mr. Shin, why don''t we say the reason Mr. Lee Tae-Poong was called Lacking David was actually due to his dyslexia? How about that?" "How about it? I can hear the audience growing," Mr Shin replied. "Then please take charge of improving Mr. Tae-Poong''s image, Mr. Shin." "Okay." With Pyo Eun-Mi taking the lead, things started to move quickly. But now was the crucial part. If the pay didn''t match our expectations, the contract could fall through. Pyo Eun-Mi subtly began to negotiate the contract terms. "So, how much do you expect for Mr. Tae-Poong''s fee?" Being an S-tier actor, Cha Tae-Hoon had a minimum fee of 500 million won. But for Lee Tae-Poong who was no different from a rookie, it would be tough to exceed 100 million won even for a leading role. I fell into a deep thought for a while and then made a bold proposal. "I heard the total production cost for this movie is 20 billion won. This means we need a six-million audience to break even. Until then, we are considering a no-guarantee. But! If we exceed a six-million audience, we''d like 1.5% of the productionpany''s profit." The expressions of the four people in front of me changed intriguingly. "A running guarantee, huh?¡± Choi Sung-Moon seemed amused by the proposal and rified, "So you mean to say you won''t take any money if there''s no profit?" "Exactly." "Where does this confidencee from?" Choi Sung-Moon asked puzzledly. ''From knowing the future.'' I thought to myself. I was certain that Lee Tae-Poong would surpass Cha Tae-Hoon''s record. "Depending on the revenue share between the theaters and the distributionpany, we would need about 8 million audiences to make roughly 70 million won after all the deductions. Are you okay with that?" I smiled and responded to Pyo Eun-Mi''s question. "I''m positive we could possibly exceed ten million audiences with Tae-Poong as the lead." "Ha ha. Quite confident, aren''t you? Ten million isn''t easy to achieve." "With Tae-Poong as the lead and a film by Mr. Choi Sung-Moon, attaining a ten million audience is certainly possible." Choi Sung-Moon burst into heartyughter. "Ha ha ha. Four consecutive films with ten million audience, huh? Sounds good to me. With a 20 billion won investment, that''s the least we should aim for. Yes." During the ensuing conversation, Choi Sung-Moon voiced his opinion to the representatives of the investment and distributionpanies with a satisfied expression. "I like everything about Mr. Tae-Poong. His looks, acting skills, and newsworthiness too. I''d like to have Mr. Tae-Poong as the lead. What do you three think?" The three slowly began to nod their heads. This was practically already decided when Ga Eun-Soo was sent out. *** [Everyday V10] [Date: December 11th, 2020] -10:00 PM (Deleted Schedule: (Report) Beyond the Boundary Box Office Tally at 12:00 - 8,175,234.) The entry was deleted as soon as the verbal agreement was made. ''No guaranteed pay up to six million audience...'' And thereafter, a 2% running guarantee¡ª0.5% more than the 1.5% I initially mentioned¡ªwas agreed upon along with an increase in the guarantee. Thanks to this arrangement, Lee Tae-Poong would stand to earn over 300 million won if the audience exceeded ten million. On top of that, actors had the potential for extra earnings frommercials. Despite being dubbed a "CF King" upon his debut, Lee Tae-Poong hadn''t been able to secure even a singlemercial until now. But with the sess of this film, it was expected thatmercial offers would naturally follow. Above all, there was something else to gain from this film beyond money. The transformation of Lacking David to a renowned actor respected for his acting skills¡ªthat was the real prize I sought. Once that image was established, offers for movies and dramas woulde flooding in. My party and I stood up and bowed. "We''re looking forward to working with you, Mr. Choi." "The pleasure is mine. Let''s sit down. We should have our meal now." "In that case, we''ll treat you to the meal today." I dered boldly, even if it meant maxing out the card. But then KM Partners'' President Kim Moon-Dong shook his head and said, "Now, now. It would be quite a story if the lead actoring on a no-guarantee also had to pay for the meal. What kind of investor would I be to allow that?" ''Hehe, thank goodness. Saved some money there.'' I tried to hide my grin as we sat back down. It seemed like today would be the day to loosen the belt a bit. After all, he wouldn''t fuss over a few servings of fresh ribs when he is making a 20 billion won investment. "Hyung, can I eat meat too?" Lee Tae-Poong pleaded with hopeful eyes, but I shook my head. "You need to have your pine nut porridge because you''ve fasted for too long. Why did you go that far?" "I''m regretting my decision too, okay?" ''But it was all worth it for the lead role. I''ll treat youter, Tae-Poong.'' Kim Moon-Dong burst intoughter at Lee Tae-Poong''sment. "Don''t be so harsh on our lead. He''s a valuable asset who can potentially get us ten million audiences! Ha ha. I''ll arrange another gathering soon." ''In that case, I''ll make sure to attend that day as well.'' Just like that, we began to enjoy the top-grade fresh ribs grilled over premium charcoal. Sizzle! The beautifully marbled ribs dripped fat over the charcoal as they cooked. Gobble! I took a bite of the meat which was so tender it melted in my mouth. After a hearty celebration of the session contract negotiation, I sent Choi Sung-Moon and the others who were quite drunk off and then called a designated driver to return to the office because I had to prepare and send the preliminary contract documents to Choi Sung-Moon. But someone was waiting for me in the underground parking lot. "Assistant Manager Jung. I need a word with you," Kim Dong-Soo said in a low tone as he leaned against a car, staring at me intensely. Kim Dong-Soo, who had been kicked out of GuuGuu aftering for a visit, looked noticeably ufortable. "Did you hide the fact that Lee Tae-Poong has dyslexia from thepany?" "Yes, I hid it." Kim Dong-Soo''s face contorted and questioned me, "How do you n to handle the consequences? Thepany could hold you responsible." "I was 100% sure I could resolve it, and I did. So what''s the issue here?" Kim Dong-Soo stared at me silently. It was my turn to question Kim Dong-Soo. "Now I have a question for you. Who told you about Tae-Poong''s situation? As far as I know, only the staff of Actor Division 2 should be aware." Kim Dong-Soo''s face twisted again. But this time, he looked awkward as if he had been caught doing something bad. "You don''t have to tell me. I have a pretty good idea who it might be," I said with a straight face. ''It''s very likely that he heard it from those who mingled with Ju Ho-Sung.'' The most likely suspects were Park In-Ki and his staff. But I had no intention of confronting anyone until I was 100% certain. Then, Kim Dong-Soo spoke, "One more thing, Jung Yoon-Ho." "Go ahead." "Why are you so against me all the time? I know I''ve made mistakes before, but such things aremonce in a work environment, aren''t they?" Kim Dong-Soo asked with a confused expression. I looked directly into Kim Dong-Soo''s eyes. Even though everything happened in my past life, my memory was as vivid as if it all happened only yesterday. Deep wounds on the soul didn''t simply fade with time. But more than my personal feelings towards Kim Dong-Soo, it was his future actions that concerned me. "Do you genuinely not know?" I asked. "No. I need to know why so I can decide whether to tear you apart or let you live," Kim Dong-Soo replied coldly. Kim Dong-Soo stood up, ring at me. "Aren''t you going to answer?" I remained silent and thought to myself. ''There are too many reasons and it''d take me the entire night to exin it to him. I''d rather not.'' "Fine. Then I''ll personally see to it that you''re expelled from thepany before Mr. Kang returns," Kim Dong-Soo said in a threatening tone. The direct threats had begun. ''Yes, this should have started a long time ago.'' "Actually, no. Maybe I should just ruin one of the actors you manage. That seems like it would hurt you more," Kim Dong-Soo said as he smirked. The moment I saw Kim Dong-Soo''s malicious smile, all the anger I had been suppressing exploded. I warned Kim Dong-Soo, "Don''t touch my people." Kim Dong-Soo''s face contorted. "Don''t get cocky, kid." I didn''t change my expression and stepped right up to Kim Dong-Soo''s face. "If we both set off bombs, the side with more troops will suffer more losses. Right?" "What the hell are you talking about?" "What am I talking about? I''m saying I''ll fight fire with fire.¡± Chapter 126: Confrontation

Chapter 126: Confrontation

As I shot back at Kim Dong-Soo in informal speech, his face turned red with rage. "Y-you...what did you just say to me?" "I said you''d be dead before you could touch my people." We were close enough to hear each other''s heavy breathing. I could see the veins in Kim Dong-Soo''s bloodshot eyes. Swoosh! At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo suddenly grabbed my cor as he was unable to control his anger. "Have you actually lost your mind!? Who do you think you''re talking to!?" Kim Dong-Soo''s aggressive behavior made my heart race. I thought to myself, ''Should I hit him? Just one punch. Yes¡ªjust one punch. I could argue it was self-defense.'' With that thought, I clenched my right fist and aimed for Kim Dong-Soo''s jaw right in front of me. But at that moment, I noticed the blue recording light blinking on Kim Dong-Soo''s car''s dashcam. The hot blood rushing through me cooled instantly. If I had swung my fist, it would have been recorded by that dashcam and I could get in big trouble. I rxed my fist after a moment of hesitation. But I had no intention of just standing there while he grabbed my cor. Thwack! I raised my hands and struck down hard on Kim Dong-Soo''s wrist grabbing my cor. "Keuk!" Kim Dong-Soo grimaced and rubbed his wrists. "You better watch how you talk to me. It''s unpleasant to hear," I said coldly. Kim Dong-Soo gritted his teeth and growled. Grind! "You really wanna test my limit, huh? Don''t you know that getting rid of someone like you would be no trouble at all if I set my mind to it?" Kim Dong-Soo said threateningly. ''I know what you''re capable of doing.'' No one knew more about Kim Dong-Soo than I did. On the other hand, Kim Dong-Soo neither knew much about me nor the things that I was aware of. When Kim Dong-Soo tried to threaten to fire me, I gave him a warning in a low voice. "March 17th, Executive Kim Moon-Sung from Yesung Industries. April 5th, Director Yoo Jin-Hyuk from Jinah nning. May 12th, Director Chae In-Ho from Hanos Production. Do these ring a bell?" As I listed the past schedules, Kim Dong-Soo''s previously bold face instantly turned pale. What I had just mentioned were the names of executives that Kim Dong-Soo solicited and tried to bribe that I had learned about while acting as Kim Dong-Soo''s driver in my past life. "You, you..." Kim Dong-Soo''s hands began to tremble. He must have thought mentioning Yoo Jin''s name and threatening me would make me kneel, but he was sorely mistaken. "I''m warning you¡ªand this is just the beginning. If any of my people get hurt, I''ll blow up everything done by the actors in Actor Division 3 along with what you''ve done," I gave a stern warning. Kim Dong-Soo was seething with anger but had no choice but to keep his mouth shut. At that moment, I realized that the Kim Dong-Soo, whom I had thought was so formidable, was actually nothing significant. Kim Dong-Soo was no match in front of my decade''s worth of experience and my nner. I straightened my disheveled clothes and looked directly at Kim Dong-Soo. "Have you got anything else to say?" Unable to speak, Kim Dong-Soo just trembled. It felt like I had just lit a fuse on a time bomb, but I had no regrets. As long as he didn''t find out the extent of what I knew, my warning would definitely put a brake on his actions. I took a deep breath, returned to my calm demeanor before the confrontation, and spoke calmly. "Then I''ll be heading in first, Mr. Kim." I headed for the elevator in the underground parking lot after politely bowing to Kim Dong-Soo. As the elevator doors closed, I could see Kim Dong-Soo standing there like a soulless figure, still in shock. *** Kim Dong-Soo couldn''te to his senses. After all, what Jung Yoon-Ho had mentioned earlier involved highly confidential arrangements between corporate executives and aspiring trainees. "H-how could that punk know about this?" Kim Dong-Soo was already aware that Jung Yoon-Ho had a good understanding of Actor Division 3 actors. But he had no idea that Jung Yoon-Ho even knew about those secret deals. He was so shocked that he felt chills down his spine and his hair stood on end. However, he couldn''t sit back and do nothing. Kim Dong-Soo needed to find a way to deal with Jung Yoon-Ho. Kim Dong-Soo narrowed down the possibilities of how Jung Yoon-Ho could have learned about the meeting dates to two: eavesdropping or betrayal. To address the first possibility, Kim Dong-Soo tried to calm his racing heart and picked up the phone. -Ha ha. What makes you call me today? Miss me? The nasal voice from the other end of the phone irritated Kim Dong-Soo. "Jin So-Mi! I''m not in the mood for jokes right now!" -Tsk. Fine. What is it? "Do you know someone who can detect eavesdropping devices?" -Of course I do. But you know you could get that hidden camera criminal guy to do it, right? Is it something urgent? If it''s urgent, I can call someone I know. "Are you saying that guy can detect eavesdropping?" -Yes. He''s pretty skilled. Good at stealing, cracking safes, and all. "Great. But when did you say he''d be avable?" -He''ll be out in two days at 5 in the morning. "Got it. I''m hanging up now." Fortunately, he wouldn''t need to find someone new. After hanging up on the grumbling Jin So-Mi, he immediately called Ju Ho-Sung. "Team Lead Ju, where are you right now?¡± -I''m currently at A-Lab in Nonhyeon-dong, having a drink with Mr. Cha Tae-Hoon. Ju Ho-Sung reported that he was consoling Cha Tae-Hoon, who had been dropped from the audition by pouring him whiskey. "Then get a designated driver to send Cha Tae-Hoon home ande to the office immediately." -Right now? But if I send him off like this, Mr. Cha might... "This is more important!" -I understand, Mr. Kim. Kim Dong-Soo took out a cigarette after hanging up the call, but for some reason, the usually pleasant smoke felt harsh today. "Ugh! Damn it!" Irritated for no reason, Kim Dong-Soo threw the cigarette he was smoking onto the ground. The cigarette butt bounced on the blue urethane floor and emitted a red glow. After stomping out the cigarette butt, Kim Dong-Soo thought about how to crush Jung Yoon-Ho. "How dare this insolent brat challenge me?" It was Kim Dong-Soo''s style to return any blow tenfold. If he had been the type to give up just because the opponent was tough, he wouldn''t have made it this far. "Alright. Let''s see who falls first." As his startled heart calmed down, Kim Dong-Soo''spetitive spirit began to re up. *** I went up to the director''s office and reported that Lee Tae-Poong had secured the lead role in Beyond the Boundary. Hearing the report, Kang Ji-Yung''s face brightened and she said, "I was hoping, but I didn''t expect him to actually win against Cha Tae-Hoon. As expected from Assistant Manager Jung." "It wasn''t me. It was possible all thanks to Tae-Poong who survived a week on just water and salt." Kang Ji-Yung winked and suggested that it was thanks to me anyway. "But it was you who brought Mr. Tae-Poong to ourpany, wasn''t it?" "You''re too kind, Ms. Kang." After finishing the report to Kang Ji-Yung, I handed the draft contract to Kwak Moo-Hyuk. Then I shared the threats I had received from Kim Dong-Soo in the underground parking lot. Kang Ji-Yung''s face froze. "Chief Kim...said that to you?" But she quickly regained herposure with her eyes shing like a predator''s. ''Thinking of how to fight back after only a few seconds of worry...well, that''s Kang Ji-Yung for you.'' "So? What did you do?" "I sternly warned him not to threaten me." I didn''t tell Kang Ji-Yung that I knew about Kim Dong-Soo''s future because I had no evidence to prove my words. And Kim Dong-Soo couldn''t be ousted without solid evidence. After all, thispany was fundamentally established with Suhyaejong''s capital. Gu Seong-Cheol, who had been listening beside Kang Ji-Yung, joined the conversation with a serious look. "Ms. Kang. Are we just going to watch Chief Kim make his moves?" The fuming Kang Ji-Yung shook her head. "Of course not. We have to fight. If he''s targeting Assistant Manager Jung who''s part of my team, he''s essentially targeting me." Her lips were tightly pursed and her expression was filled with determination. Kang Ji-Yung started giving orders immediately. "Assistant Manager Jung, report anything rted to Kim Dong-Soo''s movements from now on." "Yes, Ms. Kang." "And sunbae Gu. You know that Suhyaejong''s line is grooming Singer Division 1 and Actor Division 3 to push us out, right?" "I know," Gu Seong-Cheol replied. "We need to retaliate. We''ll funnel more funds into Actor Division 2 and Singer Division 2, so consult with Mr. Lee Dong-Min and try to beef up our lineup this year." Gu Seong-Cheol nodded. "Okay." I was about to offer my help in recruiting more talent, but Kang Ji-Yung beat me to it. "And Assistant Manager Jung, please help Sunbae Gu out. There hasn''t been anyone you''ve taken on who''s failed, right? Whether it''s an actor or a singer, bring them in if you find them good." "I got it," I replied. Fortunately, I had someone in mind to bring on board around this time. ''Kang Ha-Na.'' Being one of the members of Faithful, she would appear on audition show Global Produce 47 next month. She wouldpete with her own songs but get eliminated during thepetition due to her unique vocal tone which was deemed unsuitable for an idol. However, six monthster after signing with Singer Division 1 of Hoop Entertainment, she would post a song she had written andposed on MeTube and cause a sensation. With 100 million MeTube views in just a year, Kang Ha-Na would grow into a major singer upon debut. I nned to bring her to Singer Division 2 this time. *** At Lee Ji-Yeon''s vi located in the upscale neighborhood of Hannam-dong, Lee Ji-Yeon revealed the true meaning behind the new character ''Manshin Wol-Ah'' in In the Name of God, created specifically for Yoo-Jin. Yoo-Jin, who was sipping coffee, was astonished. "A dual role?" "Yes, Yoo-Jin. I believe you can definitely do it." Lee Ji-Yeon was confident. She believed Yoo-Jin could simultaneously y the roles of the young shaman ''Cheong-Myung'', aged 25, and the elderly ''Wol-Ah'', aged 65. I asked writer Lee Ji-Yeon who was smiling confidently, "But isn''t that a bit too much, even for her? Yoo-Jin has only started acting seriously for just over five months." I ttered Lee Ji-Yeon by unwrapping the traditional Korean sweets I had brought as a gift, but she was firm. "I know you''re apetent guy, but do you think you''re better than me at recognizing talent in actors?" "But still..." "Have a little more faith in your actress. Yoo-Jin is a much better actress than you think." Actors who took on dual roles always became the center of attention. There was a case where a perennial supporting actor, who yed a dual role in the legendary daily drama The Wife''s Seduction by just adding a mole on his face, became a top star. ''But there''s no guarantee it would be the case with Yoo-Jin.'' The fact that one of the dual roles Yoo-Jin was supposed to y was a person in their sixties continued to bother me. Yoo-Jin, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up with a trembling voice. "Ma''am, I''m not sure about this." "Don''t worry too much. Do you think I would entrust this to you without any thought? Kim Soo-Hee unnie agreed to help," Lee Ji-Yeon replied assuringly. "Mrs. Kim Soo-Hee?" Yoo-Jin asked. That reminded me, there was one precedent where a young woman ying an olddy became a topic of conversation. 40 years ago, Kim Soo-Hee yed the role of ''Sam-Ryong''s Granny'' in the blockbuster hit drama Rural Life that recorded legendary viewership ratings of over 40% andpletely fooled the entire nation into believing she was an actual elderly woman. The viewers of the drama were all convinced she was a real olddy even though the actor Jung Eun-Soo, who yed her son Sam-Ryong, was actually two years her sunbae. "Yes. The unparalleled Kim Soo-Hee unnie has agreed to assist Yoo-Jin in her elderly role. Still think you can''t do it?" Lee Ji-Yeon asked. With Kim Soo-Hee''s help, the idea of Yoo-Jin taking on a dual role started to seem usible. After some consideration, I eventually agreed with Lee Ji-Yeon''s suggestion. After all, it was a potentially groundbreaking n if it seeded. "Yoo-Jin, let''s give it a try. Both Ms. Lee and Mrs. Kim have already made so many preparations for you." After much contemtion, Yoo-Jin finally nodded. "...Okay. I''ll give it a try." The moment Yoo-Jin decided to take on the dual role, a brilliant idea shed through my mind. "Ms. Lee." "What is it?" "How many people know about Yoo-Jin taking on a dual role?" "Just us, the PD, and Soo-Hee unnie. Oh, and I mentioned it while having a drink with Soll-Ip. But why do you ask?" "Well..." A momentter, Lee Ji-Yeon made an amused expression after listening to my n. "This could really turn Korea upside down if we y our cards right. Couldn''t it?¡± Chapter 127: The Temptation From Ace Entertainment

Chapter 127: The Temptation From Ace Entertainment

The suggestion I gave was to keep the identity of the actress ying Manshin Wol-Ah a secret until the right moment. Lee Ji-Yeonughed heartily. "Ha ha. Yoon-Ho, your ideas are always so ingenious. This is going to be fun. I might need to make some more adjustments to the script, though." As expected, Lee Ji-Yeon was all for it. But Yoo-Jin still looked worried. "Oppa, I understand that Mrs. Kim Soo-Hee will help me out, but can we really make my face look old?" I smirked and replied, "Don''t worry. We can leave it to Assistant Manager Yang So-Ri." "So-Ri unnie?" Based on my knowledge of the future, the makeup artist for Actor Division 2, Yang So-Ri would soon leave Hoop Entertainment to work with a filmpany''s makeup team. If she could make a normal person look like an alien, aging makeup should be a piece of cake. With Kim Soo-Hee''s coaching and Yang So-Ri''s special makeup, Yoo-Jin''s transformation into Manshin Wol-Ah would beplete¡ªthen all that would remain is maintaining secrecy. ''And that''s my area of expertise.'' As I continued to exin, a hint of anticipation began to appear on Yoo-Jin''s face and she spoke, "Then..." "Yoo-Jin, let''s give it a try. What do you say?" I asked. "Yes, Yoo-Jin~. It''s going to be fun," echoed Lee Ji-Yeon. Yoo-Jin nodded as she looked at Lee Ji-Yeon and me. "Okay! Let''s give it a shot. It''s all or nothing!¡± Yoo-Jin eximed excitedly. Just like that, we began our operation to keep the identity of Manshin Wol-Ah hidden. *** During the filming of Blue Sky on set, I received a call from Im Sung-Hak, the president of Ace Entertainment, asking to meet up. -Do you remember I mentioned through Yung-Inst time that we should meet? How about today? Let''s have dinner together. Since I had no schedule for the evening, we agreed to meet at 7 p.m. After wrapping up the shoot, I arrived 10 minutes early at Hansol Korean Cuisine near Gangnam Station. A dedicated attendant greeted me as soon as I entered. I returned the greeting and asked, "Hi, I heard Mr. Im Sung-Hak reserved a table?" "Ah, you must be Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho. This way, please. Follow me." Following the path beside the desk, I found a trail with round pebbles strewn across it. Tall bamboo trees stood on either side of the path, their leaves rustling in the breeze that swept in from the entrance, creating a serene ambiance. Soon, a roombeled ''VVIP Room'' appeared about 20 meters down the enchanting path. "This is your room, sir." Inside the room were pre-dinner tea and appetizers prepared. "We''ll serve the meal once Mr. Im arrives. And please let us know if you find the appetizerscking. Our seaweed crisps are quite popr." "Ah, thank you so much." While waiting for Im Sung-Hak, I started checking the news on my phone where the articles summarized the events of the past few days. [(Breaking) Top Star Jang Ji-Cheol Arrested] [(Breaking) Choi Jong-Hyuk, central to the controversy, attempted to flee to the USA but was urgently arrested at Incheon Airport after the first investigation!] [(Exclusive) Choi Ji-Yung confesses her sad divorce story. Cast in TBC''s morning drama!] [(Exclusive) Director Choi Sung-Moon''s surprising choice for his next film Beyond the Boundary. The lead is Lee Tae-Poong!] While the news was filled with pleasing updates, it sadly wasn''t enough to bring down TK Entertainment''s Cheon Yi-Sang. After all, Cheon Yi-Sang had managed to escape by sending one director as a scapegoat to jail. "They operate just like the mafia." In bigpanies, it was quitemon for the higher-ups to cause trouble while the underlings were sent to jail¡ªit was best to avoid entanglement with them as much as possible. At that moment, a notification sound rang and I received a KkTalk message. [Bonus Deposit: 10,000,000 Won] [Total Bnce: 66,384,382 Won] A of 10 million won was deposited in my ount as a bonus for securing the lead role for Lee Tae-Poong. The money in my ount was steadily increasing, but it was still far from enough to get involved in a stock war. Considering the real estate market was expected to decline, I thought about investing in entertainment, cosmetics, and fashion stocks to grow my funds since I was aware of whichpanies in the same industry were on the rise. Creak. That''s when the sliding door opened and a robust man walked in while ncing at his gleaming gold Rulelex watch. "I apologize. I''m a bitte." "Not at all, Mr. Im." But then Ju Yung-In, dressed in a school uniform, hurried in behind him. "Huh? Why is Miss Yung-In here?" "I was headed home after the shoot and Mr. Im suggested wee together." When I questioned her presence with an awkward expression, Ju Yung-In red at me with salty eyes. "Why? Don''t you like meing along? Should I leave?" "No, it''s not like that," I replied. "Hey, Yung-In," warned Im Sung-Hak. "Ugh, fine. I was just joking because I was happy to see you after a long time," Ju Yung-In remarked. Ju Yung-In quieted down at Im Sung-Hak''s cautionary tone. "Do you drink?" asked Im Sung-Hak. ''What? Alcohol on a first meeting?'' Unlike many actors, singers, or talent agents in this industry who were heavy drinkers, I always had a low tolerance for alcohol. "I don''t drink very often, sir," I replied. "Is that so? Then let''s have a good drink but just a little." Im Sung-Hak ordered Andong soju, which cost over 200 thousand won per bottle. A sweet taste filled my mouth along with a subtle fragrance as I took a sip of the soju poured into a ceramic cup. The taste was strong yet smooth, naturally eliciting admiration. "Pretty good, isn''t it?¡± Im Sung-Hak asked. "Ah, yes. It really is," I responded while savoring the soju. "Let''s have some side dishes too. The liquor is sweet but strong." While enjoying peri oil-seasoned bitter greens as a pte cleanser, Im Sung-Hak filled a second ss and broached the main topic. "I wanted to meet today because I have a proposal for you." "Please go ahead." After downing the rest of his drink and setting his ss down on the table with a thud, Im Sung-Hak shared his proposal with me. "I''m offering to set up an independentpany for you with an initial capital of 2 billion won. You''ll have the management rights, but we''ll split the equity and profits 50:50. Distribution will be entirely handled by Ace Entertainment. You''ll also have full authority overpany operations and artist recruitment. You just need to stay by my side as the head of this subsidiary." I was initially confident that his proposal would not cause me to bat an eyelid as I had expected to be offered merely a team lead position which wouldn''t satisfy me. But I was wrong. I had never received such a generous offer before, nor did I ever expect to receive one now. The alcohol in my system started to react with excitement. But at the same time, I felt there had to be a catch to this unbelievable offer. "Your expression doesn''t seem too pleased. But my offer isn''t that meager, is it?" I rubbed my throbbing head and responded to Im Sung-Hak. "It''s not that it''s meager but it''s just too grand. I need some time to think. Excuse me, may I use the restroom?" Im Sung-Hak granted permission with a heartyugh, almost as if he was watching a checkmate unfold while waiting for me to concede defeat. "Of course. Take your time." As I stepped out, the sparkling VVIP restroom caught my eye. I let out a deep sigh upon entering and opened my nner. "What is he relying on to make such a grand offer...?" I intended to decline the proposal without hesitation. But I needed to find out the reason the president of the industry''s leadingpany would make such an offer. After all, I didn''t know how my decision would affect the future. Flipping through the nner quickly, I checked for any entries rted to Im Sung-Hak and Ace Entertainment. Fortunately, I was able to find one useful piece of information. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 24th, 2022] -10:00 PM Ace Entertainment Strategy Meeting, 5F Meeting Room (Report: Ace Entertainment''s Vice President Jang Sung-Min, PMK CEO Park Min-Gu¡ªunder investigation by the prosecution. Suspicions rted to embezzlement and ounting fraud in subsidiary PMK) This was known as the PMK embezzlement case. One of the subsidiaries operated by Im Sung-Hak''s Ace Entertainment had been skimming money by overbilling the expenses of its affiliated actors. As a result, the CEO of PMK was arrested and Im Sung-Hak was also eventually imprisoned. ''Which means...'' I figured that Im Sung-Hak''s proposal must be a scheme where he would give me the management rights but send down a finance director to siphon off money secretly. It was a perfect trap for talent agents who only knew the entertainment industry and had no clue about business management. "Tsk. Many must have fallen for this." Only then could I understand why Ace Entertainment had so many subsidiaries. Im Sung-Hak''s offer was a grand proposal that would have dazzled anyone, especially ordinary talent agents unaware of the circumstances. Im Sung-Hak had been rising to the top as the ''big brother of the industry'' with such generous offers. "Big brother of the industry, my foot. More like the industry''s big scammer." I took a deep breath and sshed my face with cold water. It seemed like I had be somewhatcent after a series of sesses. "Actually...I should be thankful to you, Im Sung-Hak." Feeling refreshed, I returned to my seat. Im Sung-Hak, who was sipping his drink alone, asked with a pleasant expression, "Have you made your decision?" "Yes, sir." My confident demeanor led Im Sung-Hak to prematurely reach into his brown Hermos briefcase with the assumption that I''d ept his offer. "I''ve prepared the documents in advance..." Before Im Sung-Hak could take out the documents, I shook my head firmly and said, "Thank you for the offer, but I''ll pretend I never heard of it." Im Sung-Hak flinched and paused before asking, "Is there a problem with the conditions I''ve offered?" "No, there isn''t. But even if you offered better terms, I have no intention of leaving Hoop Entertainment." At that moment, Ju Yung-In, who was seated next to Im Sung-Hak, suddenly shouted, "Mr. Jung! Are you out of your mind? You could go independent, take Yoo-Jin, whom you like so much, with you and even bring others too! You could be the president!" Im Sung-Hak raised his hand to silence Ju Yung-In. "Yung-In, step outside for a bit." "But Mr. Im!" "Hush." At Im Sung-Hak''s low voice, Ju Yung-In rose from her seat with a frustrated expression and left. Creak. Bang! The sliding door opened and closed roughly. Then Im Sung-Hak started looking at me with a curious expression and questioned, "Are you trying to y hard to get with me?" "Not at all, sir." "Then what''s the real reason for turning down the offer?" But I didn''t respond to Im Sung-Hak''s question. As the silent standoff dragged on, Im Sung-Hak was the first to give up. "Tsk. What am I even doing? Yung-In wanted to work with you, so I made this special offer. Everyone''s so spoiled these days. I must have misjudged you." Im Sung-Hak stood up with a displeased expression and said to me dismissively, "I''ve already paid for the meal, so enjoy your dinner. I have to leave early¡ªmy stomach isn''t feeling well." Im Sung-Hak turned swiftly and closed the sliding door behind him before leaving. I chuckled to myself and mumbled, "Such a waste of money, leaving after ordering food in such an expensive ce..." I would have refused to eat the leftover meal alone out of pride in the past, but I''ve be more easy going after traveling back in time. "I''ll have to share this with Yoo-Jin and Miso~." I pressed the bell on the table to ask for the leftovers to be packed. Before ten seconds passed, the sliding door opened again. But it wasn''t the staff who entered¡ªit was Ju Yung-In who was standing there with a frown. "Why did youe back?" I asked. "Are you out of your mind?" Ju Yung-In yelled in a sharp voice which filled the room. "What do you mean am I out of my mind?" I responded. "Why the heck did you reject Mr. Im''s offer? Don''t you realize you won''t get such terms anywhere else? Are you an idiot?" Ju Yung-In continued berating me. Her relentless barrage left meughing in disbelief with a dumbfounded expression, almost as if my wife from my past life was standing before me. "After all the effort I put into talking nicely to Mr. Im Sung-Hak! Do you dislike working with me so much that you''d turn down such a great offer?¡± Having always lived her life getting what she wanted, my firm refusal toply seemed to have infuriated her. Ju Yung-In pushed her phone toward my face. "Call him back right now and apologize!" "No. I won''t do it." "No? What do you mean you won''t!? Just do it! If you ept Mr. Im''s offer, you can freely support any actor or singer you want!" Her barrage of words continued non-stop for a while and her face grew redder as she fumed. Back when she used to be my wife in my past life, Ju Yung-In would raise her voice like this whenever she was angry and would not stop until her anger subsided. Despite my attempts to act as if I didn''t know her, this familiar situation that I was in made me feel uneasy and frustrated. Every time such situations urred, it felt as if the distance between us was rapidly closing. I averted my eyes from hers and tried to erase the memory of her from my mind. After all, the current Ju Yung-In was no longer my wife but someone who tormented and bullied Yoo-Jin and me. When I closed my eyes tightly and remained silent, Ju Yung-In''s voice eventually quieted down. That''s when it happened. "Yoon-Ho oppa." Extremely startled by the unexpected address, I quickly opened my eyes and looked up. Tears were welling up in Ju Yung-In''s eyes, who had been angrily berating me until just now. Chapter 128: Last Day of Shooting (1)

Chapter 128: Last Day of Shooting (1)

Perhaps because I refused to go to Ace Entertainment, Ju Yung-In''s shoulders slumped. Ju Yung-In resembled a kitten drenched in water with her sharp demeanor softened. After wiping off the tears in her big eyes with a tissue, Ju Yung-In said in a defeated voice, "Yoon-Ho oppa, you won. So you don''t have to be so wary of me anymore. I won''t ask you toe to Ace Entertainment anymore." "Do you really mean that?" "Yes. But let''s at least acknowledge each other and say hi when we run into each other. After all, you were my talent agent for a month. And it''s not like I was trying to eat you up, was I?" I agreed with Ju Yung-In as she continued to grumble. If I had said no, I couldn''t predict how she would react. But there was one thing I wanted to correct. "Understood. But I''m a bit ufortable with you calling me oppa." Ju Yung-In frowned. "Ah, I don''t care. I''m going to call you whatever I want!" It seemed that she had no intention to give in on that point. But there wasn''t much I could do to stop her if she insisted on calling me that. "Alright then. Do as you wish." Ju Yung-Inined and seemed annoyed by my attitude. The time it took for the soaked kitten to turn into an angry cat was merely ten seconds. ''As expected. So much for her true nature.'' Seemingly furious, Ju Yung-In gulped down the sparkling water she was carrying. The fizzing sensation in her throat made her frown. "Ugh! Getting angry just made me hungry. And I''m on a diet too!" Ju Yung-In red at me for a moment and reached for the food set on the table. After eating a few bites, Ju Yung-In put down her chopsticks. "Listen to me, oppa. Unlike what people say, Im Sung-Hak is definitely not a kind person. He won''t sit still after having his big offer turned down." "I know." Ju Yung-In looked at me in silence before sighing. "Call me if things get too hard to handle. I''ll try my best to persuade him." ''What''s with this uncharacteristic kindness? This is so unlike her.'' Ju Yung-In stood up after she finished speaking. "See youter, then." The uncharacteristically polite Ju Yung-In bowed and then left after closing the door behind her. The sound of the door sliding seemed like the ringing of a bell of liberation. *** Im Sung-Hak was waiting for Ju Yung-In in the spacious parking lot of Hansol Korean Fine Dining. "Should I go inside to check, sir?" asked Lee Chan-Dong from the driver''s seat. Im Sung-Hak shook his head. "No, let''s wait a little longer. She''ll be out soon." That''s when Ju Yung-In stormed out to the parking lot. As soon as Ju Yung-In got into the van, Im Sung-Hak asked, "What''s wrong? Did it not go well?" Ju Yung-In answered with an irritated expression. "No. But this is strange...even though Kang Gam-Chan took good care of him and gave him a bonus, I highly doubt it was good enough to refuse our offer..." "Could it be that the rumor about him being Kang Gam-Chan''s hidden son is true?" Ju Yung-In shook her head. "Definitely not. I would have noticed if that were the case." "Hmm. Alright. Just leave the rest to me and focus on building connections with him. If we take all the celebrities under him, what tricks could he possibly have left to y?" Ju Yung-In replied to Im Sung-Hak sweetly, "Got it. I''ll leave it to you then~." With the advertising losses recovered manifold through Ace Entertainment''s sales capabilities, a bit of ttery was hardly an issue to Ju Yung-In. Of course, the rising poprity of the drama certainly yed a significant role as well. Blue Sky seemed tog behind itspetitors at one point, but it had now monopolized praise from both the public and critics. Ju Yung-In quickly acknowledged that her judgment had been hasty. At the same time, her greed for Jung Yoon-Ho deepened simultaneously. She thought to herself, ''Jung Yoon-Ho really has good eyes for picking out good projects. I must get him on my side by any means.'' With Ace Entertainment''s sales power, her charm, and Jung Yoon-Ho''s project selection skills, bing the best actress in Korea wouldn''t be hard. However, Ju Yung-In had to change her strategy since Jung Yoon-Ho firmly refused to join Ace Entertainment. Im Sung-Hak spoke to Lee Chan-Dong, who was seated in the front, "Let''s go, Chan-Dong. This is not the time to just sit around." "Yes, sir." Ju Yung-In''s face blossomed into a smile after seeing the proud Im Sung-Hak moving exactly as she intended. ''Give up? Ha, my ass,'' she thought to herself with a smirk on her face. Such a term didn''t exist in Ju Yung-In''s dictionary. *** Today was thest day of filming for Blue Sky. Currently holding the top spot in its time slot, Blue Sky had reached its highest viewership rating of 20.2% with the recently aired 18th episode. Despite unexpected challenges, including fiercepetition, Blue Sky managed to break the 20% mark around the same time as before the regression. Thanks to this, the atmosphere on thest shooting day was electrifying. Murmur. The rented wedding hall in Namyangju was crowded with numerous people. Click! Click! As the two lead actors stood in front of the officiant''s stand, photographers withrge cameras swarmed to take pictures. "Alright, everyone. We''re short on extras, so we need staff members to quickly fill in the empty seats. All the talent agents, I''d appreciate your help too." Everyone sat in the guest seats with cheerful expressions thinking about how the past five months of filming was finallying to an end today. But Kang Soo-Hoon, the PD in charge of the scene, was the only one who didn''t let go of his tension until the end. "Let''s stay focused until the end to avoid any idents," Kang Soo-Hoon urged the staff. That''s when Yoo-Jin asked a sudden question. "Mr. Kang! Will there be a dinner party today?" Kang Soo-Hoon answered Yoo-Jin''s question with a smile, "Of course there is. There''s apany dinner nned, so make sure everyone attends. You''ll regret it if you don''t." The staff burst into skeptical cheers at Kang Soo-Hoon''s words. "Wow, what''s gotten into Mr. Kang?" "Surely he''s not going to settle for pork ribs again after all that talk, right?" Kang Soo-Hoon pulled out a ck card from his pocket. At the same time, everyone gasped as if they had seen the Absolute Ring. "Oh my goodness! Could that splendid ck card be...?" What Kang Soo-Hoon held in his hand was a ck card with a small diamond embedded in it. "It''s thepany credit card!" Cheers erupted at the expectation of being able to eat unlimited beef. "Alright, let''s all give our best until the end!" Amid the noisymotion, the final wedding scene preparation waspleted. "Sound team, do you have the piano ready? Are we good? Good. Then let''s go. Ready~ Action!" The wedding march resounded throughout the venue. The staff showered Ju Yung-In, the bride walking down the aisle, with flower petals. As the shooting continued smoothly, it didn''t take long before they moved on to the family and friends photo taking scene. The supporting actor officiating hurried down from the stage. "Okay, let''s move! Musicians, please step aside. Mr. Sung-Jin and Miss Yung-In, please stand in the center with family and friends around you." The set was just as hectic even on thest day of filming. As the male and female leads stepped onto the stage at the staff''s call with their arms linked, supporting actors also hurried to gather. The actors quickly descended from the stage again immediately after the photo was taken. The fast-paced movement on the set was a spectacle in itself like a mass game. But the sight of numerous actors and staff membersing together to create something special was nowing to an end. "Now, it''s time for thest scene with the bouquet catch. Miss Yoo-Jin, please stand in ce. And supporting actors, just pretend to catch it but don''t actually catch it." "Okay~!" Yoo-Jin stood at the center surrounded by the supporting actors, and Ju Yung-In held arge mist bouquet sponsored by the wedding hall in her arms. "Miss Yung-In, throw the bouquet high behind you when I give the signal." "Okay." The visibly moved Kang Soo-Hoon announced thest scene''s shooting. "Alright, thest scene of Blue Sky! Ready~ Action!" On cue, Ju Yung-In threw the bouquet backward with her eyes tightly shut. However, the bouquet thrown into the air fell way too short of reaching Yoo-Jin. Just as it seemed it would result in an NG, Yoo-Jin made a desperate leap. "It''s mine!" Snap! When Yoo-Jin snatched the bouquet like a hawk capturing a sparrow, all the staff widely opened their mouths in surprise. But perhaps due to the height of her jump, Yoo-Jin slipped after barely managing tond on both feet. Thud! Kang Soo-Hoon abruptly stood up to see if he needed to call an NG. And that''s when Yoo-Jin clutched the bouquet in her right hand and lifted it high like an athlete hoisting a trophy. "I caught it!" At that moment, a wave ofughter erupted from the actors and staff. What could have ended as an NG turned into a moment that highlighted her character, Twilight. Kang Soo-Hoon gave the okay sign with a satisfied smile. "Okay! Great job, everyone!" As soon as the director signaled okay, apuse broke out among the crew. "Wow, what dedication! Miss Yoo-Jin is amazing!" I tried to approach Yoo-Jin to check if she was okay, but Lee Sa-Rang got there first and started her affectionate nagging. "You need to be careful! How can an actress be so reckless with her body?" Yoo-Jin grinned and charmed Lee Sa-Rang with a cute expression. "I''m okay. What''s a bruise or two?" "Goodness. Thank goodness that it was thest shoot. What if it wasn''t? Seriously." "Hehe." Yoo-Jin sniggered and yfully stuck out her tongue while responding charmingly to Lee Sa-Rang''s scolding. "Stopughing! I really mean it!" Lee Sa-Rang reprimanded her. Worried Lee Sa-Rang might scold her even more, Yoo-Jin quickly linked arms with Lee Sa-Rang and started chatting away. I approached them and greeted Lee Sa-Rang. "Mrs. Lee Sa-Rang, thank you for all your hard work." As soon as Lee Sa-Rang saw me, she urged me to scold Yoo-Jin for her reckless behavior. "What kind of talent agent are you? What if she gets hurt behaving like this?" I, too, clung to Lee Sa-Rang, trying to charm her. "I''ll give her a stern talkter. Please don''t be upset." Lee Sa-Rang couldn''t help but burst intoughter. "What an actress and a talent agent. You two are so alike." Saying she''ll meet us again at the dinnerter, Lee Sa-Rang headed to her van. Then I turned to Yoo-Jin after saying goodbye to Lee Sa-Rang. It was now my turn to lecture her. "Do you not realize we have a CF shoot right around the corner? Think before you act. Think!" I berated Yoo-Jin. Yoo-Jin pouted. "I did think, but..." "Then that''s even worse!" I thought to myself, ''What''s the point of thinking if you don''t act on it?'' Yoo-Jin stuck out her tongue after a bout of scolding and retorted, "Oh,e on. I won''t get a bruise. I used the falling technique I learned in gym ss when I fell." "Falling technique?" "Yep." "Falling technique~?" ''Does she think everything counts as a falling technique as long as she hits the ground with her arm? She was just lucky there was a carpet underneath.'' But fortunately, she seemed to be okay without any injuries. I couldn''t help butugh upon seeing Yoo-Jin''s carefree smile. "Just don''t make me worry so much." "Were you worried?" "Of course I was." "Ooh, I''m touched. Then...here, I have a gift for you. I guess you deserve this much since you moved me." Yoo-Jin held out the bouquet she had been cradling against her chest. "What am I supposed to do with this?" "Take it. This is so you can get married soon, oppa." But the corners of Yoo-Jin''s eyes quivered at that moment. It seemed the pain of falling earlier was finally catching up to her. ''Marriage is out of the question. We need to go to the hospital first.'' "Stop talking nonsense and go get changed. We have an interview to do." "Okay, got it." After changing in the van, Yoo-Jin stepped out in front of the reporters who were gathered on one side of the filming location. Though the drama''s leads were Ju Seong-Jin ying Sung Blue and Ju Yung-In ying Kim Sky, the focus was on the popr Ju Yung-In and Yoo-Jin. As a result, Ju Seong-Jin and the other actors had to quietly descend after taking only a few photos. It was an awkward situation for the actors, but this was the reality of the entertainment industry¡ªpoprity dictated everything in this cold and unforgiving jungle. Then one of the reporters standing next to Ju Yung-In and Yoo-Jin asked a question. "I am Reporter Lee Hye-Won from Weekly Stars. Congrattions on surpassing 20% viewership ratings. Now that the filming of Blue Sky has ended, could you share some words about your next projects?" Yoo-Jin first announced her participation in Lee Ji-Yeon''s next project In the Name of God which was already known. Mentioning an MBS drama on the set of an SBC drama felt awkward, but promotional opportunities had to be seized whenever possible. But at that moment, Ju Yung-In unexpectedly brought up something no one had anticipated. "I''m also considering appearing in Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon''s In the Name of God to be aired on MBS." ''What? Ju Yung-In is appearing in In the Name of God?'' A buzz of surprise spread through the crowd because the idea of the lead and supporting actors from a drama that surpassed 20% viewership ratings reuniting in another drama was certainly newsworthy. ''Ju Yung-In, what exactly are you nning right now?'' Chapter 129: Last Day of Shooting (2)

Chapter 129: Last Day of Shooting (2)

"Huh? Miss Ju Yung-In is nning to appear in Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon''s next project?" "Does that mean the two of you will coborate again on the same project?" The shing camera lights captured Ju Yung-In and Yoo-Jin together. "Miss Yoo-Jin, please look this way!" "Miss Ju Yung-In, could you please strike a pose with Miss Yoo-Jin?" The lead and supporting actresses from the highest-rated drama of the first half of the year, Blue Sky, appearing together in another drama was definitely headline news. Ju Yung-In was an actress frequently mentioned as a major candidate for the Best Actress award every year, and Yoo-Jin was emerging as the most likely candidate for the Best New Actress award at the SBC Acting Awards at the end of the year. At that moment, the reporters suddenly began to surge past the makeshift photo line to get closer. Then, they thrust microphones right under the actresses'' chins and began a barrage of questions. "Is what you just said true, Miss Yung-In?" "Stop beating around the bush and give us a quick answer!" Ju Yung-In was a person who instinctively knew how to capture people''s attention as if she were born to be a star. Amid the mor of reporters, Cha Soo-Yeon hurriedly intervened to stop the interview. "We''ll only take questions about Blue Sky today. Individual interviews with Miss Ju Yung-In and Jung Yoo-Jin will be arrangedter..." The reporters started to protest at Cha Soo-Yeon''s intervention. "Why are you being so strict today, Miss Soo-Yeon? Let''s not be too harsh!" "We''ll write good articles about Blue Sky, so please help us out!" "After all, it''s not like you''re only working with SBC, right? Are you not going to work with MBS in the future?" Blue Dragon, an external productionpany, naturally supplied content to all three major broadcastingworks. Given the reporters'' somewhat threatening pleas, Cha Soo-Yeon eventually gave in. "O-okay. But please make it quick within 5 minutes! The higher-ups from SBC will be here soon!" "Okay!" The reporters continued their questions with a triumphant look on their faces. "But Miss Yung-In, the main female role auditions haven''t even been held, have they?" "Has Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon already decided on you for the female lead?" "So, does this mean there won''t be auditions for the female lead in In the Name of God?" As far as I knew, I heard that the script was just circted to the productionpany and they were nning to start auditions for the roles after next weekend. ''What the heck is going on?'' As Ju Yung-In smiled at the burst of shes, she slowly began to speak up. "I haven''t been officially cast yet. I just really liked the script and have applied for an audition." "Oh..." The reporters let out a sound of disappointment for a moment as it wasn''t a confirmation of casting but rather a statement of hope to appear in Lee Ji-Yeon''s work. However, the reporters quickly began firing questions again to extract as much newsworthy content as possible. With Ju Yung-In''s reputation and acting skills, it was highly likely she would be the lead in her next project anyway. Receiving a barrage of questions and shes, Ju Yung-In seemed to be enjoying the moment as if she were already the female lead. In my past life, Ju Yung-In had appeared in another drama other than Lee Ji-Yeon''s as her next project, and this entry had definitely not changed in my nner until this morning. I hurriedly opened my nner to understand what was happening. At that very moment, the entry for Ju Yung-In''s next project was disappearing. [Everyday V10] [Date: July 19th, 2020] -01:00 PM (Deleted Schedule: KBC Mom, Don''t Go! script reading. KBC New Building Room 701) The fact that the entry disappeared only now meant that Ju Yung-In made the decision impulsively without informing thepany. ''What are you thinking, Ju Yung-In!?'' The Ju Yung-In I knew always had a clear goal, even if she seemed to act on her own ord. But Ju Yung-In''s recent actions werepletely unpredictable. ''No way. Could it be because of me?'' The thought crossed my mind, but I immediately shook my head to dismiss it. After all, I was now Yoo-Jin''s talent agent and Ju Yung-In was just an actress I had briefly worked with in the past. *** [(Breaking) Ju Yung-In to meet Jung Yoo-Jin again in her next project?] [(Breaking) Ju Yung-In considering In the Name of God for her next work.] [(Breaking) Ju Yung-In expresses desire to work with respected Writer Lee Ji-Yeon.] As expected, the entertainment news was filled with Ju Yung-In''s statements. When I called Lee Ji-Yeon to inquire about the situation, she answered that Ju Yung-In had only informed Ace Entertainment about her intention to audition for the female lead in In the Name of God after the articles were published. Although it was annoying, there was no reason for Lee Ji-Yeon to reject Ju Yung-In given her poprity and acting skills. There was no use fussing over something that had already happened. After saying we should meet up soon, I ended the call with Lee Ji-Yeon. When I turned my attention back to the scene, I could see Ju Yung-In shaking hands with the staff and expressing her gratitude. But unlike her usual demeanor, she was mimicking Yoo-Jin''s actions. "How far are you nning to copy Yoo-Jin? What are you, a gum[1]?" I muttered aint under my breath and started to help the staff clean up the scene. After cleaning up, I took Yoo-Jin to the dinner location¡ªa famous barbecue restaurant called Hanu Hanu. Yoo-Jin sat at the actors'' table while I joined a table with other junior talent agents. In the lively atmosphere, the junior talent agents let go of their daily routines and chattedfortably while opting for soda or c instead of alcohol, knowing they had to drive their actors home after dinner. "Meat~ meat~!" Choi Yung-Mi, a second-year talent agent at Ace Entertainment, hummed a tune while devouring the barbecue. As soon as the beef hit the sizzling grill, it disappeared into Choi Yung-Mi''s mouth. "Hey, slow down. Anyone would think you''ve never had beef before," teased Kim Myung-Sang, a junior talent agent from SK Entertainment. However, Choi Yung-Mi was too busy eating to pay attention. "It''s been too long since I''ve had hanwoo." "Aren''t you in charge of Miss Jin-Hee? She''s known as a gourmet. Why don''t you eat with her?" "Jin-Hee never takes me to good restaurants. Oops." Choi Yung-Mi was the talent agent of Park Jin-Hee, an actress who started as a child actress and had revived her career with her good performance in this drama. But with the shoot over, Choi Yung-Mi let her guard down and ended up gossiping about her actress. Realizing her mistake, Choi Yung-Mi quickly looked around and rxed only after she saw Park Jin-Hee buttering Kang Soo-Hoon up. "Sigh. I''m so upset. She really makes me consider switchingpanies." Choi Yi-Bae, a talent agent from Big Star Entertainment, sympathetically consoled her with a bitter expression. "Hang in there. Actors have always been like this, haven''t they? And it''s not like switching professions would solve anything." A long sigh escaped from Choi Yung-Mi''s mouth as she eyed the soju bottle on the table. "Is she that bad?" Choi Yi-Bae asked. Choi Yung-Mi grimly stuffed a piece of meat into her mouth before answering. "Oh, yes. She is worse than you can imagine." "Well, I''m not one to talk. We''re in the same boat. Just the other day..." Choi Yung-Mi''s words opened the floodgates and the other talent agents started to share their actors'' behind-the-scenes stories. Talent agents, enduring tough jobs, often found themselves venting about their actors once someone started the conversation. I, too, felt the same way in my past life. Being a talent agent often meant being at the receiving end ofints from the actors you manage day and night. For this reason, it wasmon to gossip when talent agents of simr years of experience gathered. But careless words in such gatherings could spread across the entertainment industry in an instant. That''s why I was quietly focused on eating my food. Then Choi Yung-Mi''s gaze turned toward me in the midst of gossiping. "Mr. Jung, you''re close with Miss Yoo-Jin, right?" Prompted by Choi Yung-Mi''s remark, Kim Myung-Sang and Choi Yi-Bae showed their curiosity as well. "Now that you mention it, Miss Yoo-Jin always treats Assistant Manager Jung like a real older brother on set." "You never know. There are plenty of celebrities who seem nice but are actually terrible. There are people who change in an instant. Oh, by the way, Mr. Jung. How is Miss Yoo-Jin?" I kept my mouth shut because I knew anything I said could only fan the mes. But then Choi Yung-Mi asked a ridiculous question. "By the way, Mr. Jung. Do you by any chance have a ''thing'' with Miss Yoo-Jin?" "Huh? A ''thing?''" I looked up, wondering why such absurdity was being discussed over an expensive dinner. The eyes of the other talent agents sparkled with excitement. After all, a love story between a celebrity and their talent agent was a fantasy for many in the industry. "What are you talking about? You know talent agents get fired immediately if they get involved with an actor, right?" But Choi Yung-Mi seemed skeptical of my response. "Oh,e on. That''s just for the lower-level talent agents." "I am a lower-level talent agent." "But you''re famous as the ace from Hoop Entertainment, Mr. Jung." Choi Yung-Mi tried to tter me, but there''s no guarantee she won''t pass on whatever I had said to a journalist¡ªor maybe that was her intention all along. "No. Miss Yoo-Jin and I are not in that kind of rtionship at all." "Hah,e on. From a woman''s perspective, it''s clear that Miss Yoo-Jin is interested in you. You should try probing if you get a chance." Ipletely shut down Choi Yung-Mi''s overstepping remarks. Counting the bubbles in my ss of c, I zoned out until Choi Yung-Mi spoke again with a sour expression. "Tsk. You could have just said something...anyway, I''m going to check out the other tables." After Choi Yung-Mi left, Choi Yi-Bae moved closer to me with a chuckle. "Assistant Manager Jung, that girl is a snake. A real snake. Good thing you didn''t let anything slip." "Is that so?" I asked. "Yeah. Anyway, let''s stop this talk and focus on the meat. Eating is whatsts, after all." However, Choi Yung-Mi''s words left me inadvertently concerned about Yoo-Jin. ''A ''thing?'' Between Yoo-Jin and me? Nah, that''s impossible.'' But without realizing it, I found myself looking in Yoo-Jin''s direction. And for some reason, I could see her sitting next to Ju Yung-In and emptying sses together. ''Why is she sitting there?'' As Kim Soll-Ip moved to another table following Jung Sam-Ryong''s call, Yoo-Jin put down her soda ss and started pouring soju. Then she began to take shots of soju consecutively. Concern washed over me as the soju sses emptied, knowing Yoo-Jin''s limit was half a bottle of soju. At that moment, Ju Yung-In suddenly called me over with her face flushed. "Yoon-Ho oppa,e here for a second." The surrounding talent agents began to murmur, finding it odd for a leading actress to call over a talent agent from her previous agency. I reluctantly got up from my seat as I felt that not doing anything might fuel odd rumors. As I approached the table where Ju Yung-In and Yoo-Jin were sitting, a visibly intoxicated Yoo-Jin patted the cushion next to her. "Oppa, sit here." But then Ju Yung-In also tapped the cushion beside her and said, "I''m the one who called you to this table, so you should sit here. Sit here, Yoon-Ho oppa." ''Seriously? What''s wrong with her?'' Sparks flew between their gazes. Dumbfounded by their childish quarrel, I intervened. "Alright, both of you stop. You''re both drunk. And I''ll sit right here." I settled not beside either of them but squarely in the middle on the edge of the table. "Seriously?" "Oh,e on. It''s not like you have decision paralysis." Both shot me simultaneous res. ''What do you want me to do?'' Sitting next to Ju Yung-In felt risky, and sitting beside Yoo-Jin was too much pressure. Ju Yung-In seemed to read my dilemma and smirked. "Always so cautious, aren''t you?" She twirled the soju ss in her right hand with her pinky finger raised. ''I see that habit hasn''t changed...'' That''s when Yoo-Jin caught me ncing at Ju Yung-In''s fingertips. "Why are you only looking at her, oppa? And since when did she start calling you ''Yoon-Ho oppa?''" Yoo-Jin''s groggy eyes shotsers at me. The delicious hanwoo I had eaten earlier felt like it was churning in my stomach. ''I just got here. Why are you causing trouble too?'' Feeling ufortable as if sitting on a bed of needles, I quickly redirected the conversation topic. "So, when did you two start talking to each other?" Ju Yung-In was the one who replied. "Yoo-Jin and I are of the same age. I suggested we drop the formalities and she was okay with it. Oh, and don''t give me that look of suspicion. I''ve apologized for what I''ve done to her in the past as well. I was just too jealous of her acting talent." ''Ju Yung-In, known for her pride, not only initiating a conversation with a hoobae but also apologizing?'' This series of unbelievable events continued to unfold. This was not the Ju Yung-In I knew; she was never one to act like this. But at that moment, Ju Yung-In moved close enough for our shoulders to touch and made a request. "Yoon-Ho oppa, I have a favor to ask..." 1. This is a Korean saying to describe a person who is stubbornly copying and clinging onto you like gum ? Chapter 130: Last Day of Shooting (3)

Chapter 130: Last Day of Shooting (3)

"...So please say something nice to Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon for me, Yoon-Ho oppa. And let''s be friendlier with each other from now on. I know I made a mistake in the past, but continuing this awkward rtionship wouldn''t be too great, would it?" Ju Yung-In was smiling brightly. I didn''t want to agree to her request, but silently nodded just to avoid any unnecessary conflicts. After all, It was a well-known fact to everyone that Yoo-Jin and I were close to Lee Ji-Yeon. From Ju Yung-In''s perspective, she might have felt the need to reestablish her rtionships with those around her. But it was hard to gauge if that was all there was to it. Even when we were married and living together in my past life, I could never truly understand her intentions. I moistened my parched lips with the cold cider in silence. "..." Ju Yung-In poured a shot of soju into the empty ss in front of me. Glug-glug. She always did this despite knowing I never drink when I''m with Yoo-Jin. "Oh, by the way. I''ll be relying on your foresight for casting again this time, Yoon-Ho oppa." Her words weren''t surprising given her faith in my unique talent for recognizing roles with great potential. However, it felt necessary to set some boundaries and draw the line at this point. "As you know, Yoo-Jin won''t always be in supporting roles." The reason we could coexist without anypetition until now was that Yoo-Jin hadn''t beenpeting for the lead role. This would also be the case for In the Name of God since Yoo-Jin''s role was again a supporting one. But things would be different moving forward since there was only one spot for the lead. When I dered we would never give up the lead role from now on, Ju Yung-In simply smirked and said, "I know. We''ll have topete when the timees. But that''s a worry for the future, right?Let''s worry about it when the timees." Yoo-Jin snorted at Ju Yung-In''s sly behavior. "So? Do you n to keep riding along until then?" "Bingo. So don''t be too stingy and pour me another drink," Ju Yung-In replied. Yoo-Jin quickly filled Ju Yung-In''s ss and urged her to leave. "Ah, seriously. Here! Drink up and leave!" Holding the swaying ss of soju, Ju Yung-In clinked it against mine before downing it in one shot. "Alright, then. I''ll be leaving first. I haven''t even greeted Mr. Kang yet." After saying goodbye to me, Ju Yung-In turned to Yoo-Jin. "See you next time, Jung Yoo-Jin." Yoo-Jin shook her head. "Do I really have to see you again next time? I''m ufortable around you." "Well that''s too bad. We''re friends now." With a smirk, Ju Yung-In walked over to the table where the producers were gathered. But this was strange. Despite Yoo-Jin''s known dislike for Ju Yung-In, she had never openly expressed her feelings like this before. I asked Yoo-Jin, "What''s wrong? Did something happen while I was away?" "No, it''s nothing..." she replied. "You know you can''t fool me. Just tell me what happened. I need to know so I can deal with it." Seeing my concerned expression, Yoo-Jin hesitated before speaking up reluctantly. "She dered war on me, saying let''s see who wins in acting or in men." I stopped Yoo-Jin from refilling her ss and took it away. Yoo-Jin pouted her lips. "But why did the both of you suddenly be friends? She did terrible things to you." "She said that being in a deadlypetition is what makes true friends." ''Ugh, this is giving me a headache.'' This wasn''t about bing friends; it was a deration of rivalry¡ªand not just any rivalry, but one for life. ''Tsk. Always doing as she pleases.'' "So, what did you say in return?" I asked. "I don''t know about being friends, but I agreed topete. It''s a bit awkward to say this myself, but I was good at everything back in my school days, aside from studying and fighting. Shecane at me all she wants!" Having the ss taken away from her, Yoo-Jin started munching on the peanut butter squid that was served as a side dish. ''But wait a minute. Did she say aside from studying and fighting?'' "Um...doesn''t that mean you were bad at everything?" "No, it doesn''t! Why does it matter right now whether I''m good or bad at something anyway!?" ''Fair point.'' While pacifying Yoo-Jin who was giving me a sharp re, I mulled over what Ju Yung-In had said. ''Acting or men?'' I tried not to see Ju Yung ever again, but fate seemed to be ying a joke on me. Just like that, the dinner that troubled everyone''s minds dragged onte into the night. *** The next morning, I was called up to Kang Ji-Yung''s office where I was suddenly instructed to take on a team lead position. "Your years of service may not be sufficient, but your achievements more than make up for it. We''ll hold a personnel meeting next week and submit the approval documents to Mr. Lee Gi-Cheol, so please be aware, Assistant Manager Jung." I had ced Yoo-Jin, a newbie actress, in a significant role in Blue Sky which broke through 20% viewership ratings. I had also led the recruitment of Lee Tae-Poong, who became the lead in Director Choi Sung-Moon''s next project. Moreover, Cherry Blossom''s ''Hurry Up!'' was sailing smoothly and ranked first for five consecutive weeks. Thanks to achievements that other talent agents could never aplish even over several years, Kang Ji-Yung''s was firm in her decision to make me a team lead. I was confident I could handle the responsibilities of a team lead, but I decided to take things slower because I was well aware that many in thepany were envious of me. In my past life, I was solely focused on my own life and took the straight path to promotion while neglecting those around me. This life had to be different because that path led me to dying all alone. "Ms. Kang, I appreciate your offer, but it seems too soon. If I were to be promoted to team lead now, it might actually lead to a rapid increase in employees leaning toward Director Lee Gi-Cheol and Chief Kim Dong-Soo." Kang Ji-Yung leaned back in her chair and smiled pleasantly. "I''m aware of that. But there''s something you''re missing, Assistant Manager Jung." "What...would that be?" "Missed opportunity." ''Missed opportunity? Does it mean letting a good chance slip by?'' That''s when I suddenly remembered that Kim Dong-Soo was on a mass recruitment of actors and singers around this time in my past life. As far as I could remember, he had recruited four A-grade actors and about two groups of singers. "Is the Suhyaejong line making moves?" "You always catch on quickly." Kang Ji-Yung began to discuss Lee Gi-Cheol''s current activities. "So far, the Suhyaejong line has brought in eight A-grade actors and five groups of singers." The pace of recruitment was twice as fast nowpared to my past life, as if they were being chased by something. This significantly heightened Kang Ji-Yung''s alertness. "That''s why I want you to take on the team lead role and attract some people, Assistant Manager Jung. To recruit people, you''d need to be at least at a team lead level. I''ll handle any internalints." I took a moment to think about it after Kang Ji-Yung''s charismatic proposition. ''What should I do? Oh, right.'' I was considering bringing in Kang Ha-Na, who alone would bring in as much revenue as ten decent actors¡ªbut that was a future only I knew of. I needed to mention another celebrity to alleviate Kang Ji-Yung''s concerns. "Ms. Kang, you know Actor Park Eun-Sung, right?" "Oh,e on. Who in Korea doesn''t know Park Eun-Sung? But why bring him up now in this talk?" Park Eun-Sung was a top star among actors in their 30s, having yed the male lead in The Morning Takes Off. I responded that I would recruit Park Eun-Sung to ourpany. Kang Ji-Yung''s face lit up with excitement. "That would solve all our problems. Even all the people Director Lee brought in won''t be able to match that. But would Blue Entertainment let him go? Without Park Eun-Sung, they might as well close their doors." "There''s a way." My confident reply made Kang Ji-Yung fall into thought. "Are you sure?" "Yes. I can definitely bring him in." Kang Ji-Yung nodded. "Alright. We''ll hold off on the promotion then. But if you can''t bring him in, you''ll do as I say?" "Of course, Ms. Kang." As I was about to leave the office after finishing the conversation, Kang Ji-Yung stopped me. "Oh, by the way, Assistant Manager Jung. Do you have anything to say about Team Lead Park''s disciplinary action?" The culprit who had spread the rumor about Lee Tae-Poong''s camera phobia to Actor Division 3 had already been revealed through an internal investigation. As expected, the culprit was Park In-Ki, the team leader from Actor Division 2. Kang Ji-Yung was an emotional person. However, she clearly distinguished between personal and professional matters and seemed unwilling to let this slide. In my past life, I would have agreed with her stance. But I wanted to make a different choice in this life. I didn''t ever want to experience the loneliness of being alone on my deathbed again. Besides, I needed to increase my allies to stand against the Suhyaejong line. "Ms. Kang, could you give me a chance to persuade Mr. Park?" Kang Ji-Yung looked at me quietly for a moment before speaking. "I understand your intention, but let''s be clear about the task. You need to obtain a sincere apology and prevent it from happening again. Otherwise, I won''t let it slide. Understood?" "Understood." After leaving Kang Ji-Yung''s office, I immediately called Park In-Ki. *** In the indoor pocha[1] near thepany. The seemingly reluctant Park In-Ki showed up after receiving my call. On the table was a medium-sized jokbal[2]apanied by aplimentary fish cake soup, both steaming hot. "Mr. Park, please let me pour you a drink." Having heard he was to be disciplined, Park In-Ki silently took my ss. He was easily swayed by the opinions of others and had be disgruntled from associating with Ju Ho-Sung too often. However, he wasn''t inherently a bad person. It was only natural for him to feel frustrated when a rookie, who was not even a year in, suddenly became an assistant manager and threatened his position as team lead. My consecutive sesses probably added to his anxiety and insecurity¡ªI figured that was likely the reason he waspletely taken in by Ju Ho-Sung. "Mr. Park." "What is it, kid?" "Please don''t hate me too much. I was just trying my best to revive the careers of the actors under my care. It was never my intention to disrespect my sunbaes and push ahead." Park In-Ki shoved a big bite of jokbal into his mouth with a frown. He chewed and swallowed his food and then spoke with a hint of alcohol on his breath. "If only you had paid a little more attention to the actors in Division 2 instead of just your own, you know? They''ve beenparing you to other talent agents and expressing their dissatisfaction. You really made it hard for everyone. I could have endured it if it were just me, but Assistant Manager Kim and Assistant Manager Choi had to feel like criminals under me." Park In-Ki poured out his grievances slowly. "Sigh. How embarrassing. What am I even saying? Let''s drop it, it''s all in the past anyway." I quietly bowed my head as I listened. Then I opened up about what had been going on from the incidents involving Yoo-Jin, Cherry Blossom, and Lee Tae-Poong. I confessed how busy I had been to the point of not even being able to visit the orphanage in Gwangju where Sister Micha was. Park In-Ki began to squirm as he listened to my story. "Hey, man! Stop. You should have said something earlier if that was the case. Damn it! I had no idea..." His face turned red with embarrassment. Then he downed the shot of soju in front of him in one gulp. "Phew. That''s bitter," Park In-Ki remarked. The strong soju made Park In-Ki''s face scrunch up even more, but the hostility he had shown me had greatly subsided. I seized the moment to make a conciliatory suggestion. "So I have a proposal for you, Mr. Park." "What proposal?" Even if I could persuade Park In-Ki right now, theints would erupt again if nothing changed¡ªand Ju Ho-Sung would take advantage of that discontent. To eliminate the cause of the dispute, we had no choice but to share the pie. "Mr. Jang Jun-Hyuk will start his acting activities soon. Would it be possible for your team to take care of him when he arrives?" Park In-Ki froze with a spoon in hand as he was eating fish cake soup. "You''re transferring Jang Jun-Hyuk to our team?" Jang Jun-Hyuk, who had taken on numerous lead roles from historical dramas toedies and romances, and recently expanded his domain to variety shows, had made a significant impact in the entertainment industry. Park In-Ki''s eyes began to tremble. "Yes, sir. If you manage his schedule well, you could include your other actors in Mr. Jang Jun-Hyuk''s schedule. He likes to help out and isn''t too picky." The root of Park In-Ki''sints was managing less popr actors. If the actors under his care weren''t popr, they would always be thest priority in thepany''s scheduling¡ªfrom car arrangements to makeup scheduling and TV station timetables. The grievances that actors faced often trickled down to their talent agents in the form of harsh scolding. As a result, talent agents ended up dealing with two or three times the stress, caught between the actors, TV station staff, andpany superiors. For a talent agent, the poprity of the actors they handle was akin to their own power. My proposal seemed so unbelievable to Park In-Ki that he dropped his metal spoon. ng! Hot soup sshed over Park In-Ki''s hand, but he seemed to not feel the heat and just stared nkly at me. After all, in a situation where a torrent of curses would have been understandable, I had instead offered to share the greatest power a talent agent could wield. 1. Korean bar ? 2. pig''s feet ? Chapter 131: Recruiting Kang Ha-Na (1)

Chapter 131: Recruiting Kang Ha-Na (1)

Park In-Ki let out a sigh while holding a piece of tissue in his left hand. "I appreciate your offer to transfer Jang Jun-Hyuk over to me, but it feels like the ship has already sailed. You know Ms. Kang''s temperament. Our division is going to bepletely split up and scattered. Maybe I''ll even be fired." I shook my head. "Ms. Kang said if you and your team sincerely apologize and submit a written apology, you''d be forgiven with just a one-month sry cut. You can cover that with your bonus, right?" Park In-Ki''s eyes widened. "R-really? Ms. Kang said that?" "Yes." Park In-Ki was silent for a while before reaching out to pour the half-filled bottle of soju into an empty ss. Then, he started cursing at himself. "Sigh, damn it. What a fucking disgrace!" Park In-Ki downed the soju in one shot and frowned. "Ugh, that''s really bitter." After a long sigh, Park In-Ki bowed his head and said to me, "I''m sorry... and thank you so much, Assistant Manager Jung." "Don''t mention it. Please, raise your head." When Park In-Ki lifted his head, I could see tears welling up in his eyes. "You''re the one who asked Ms. Kang to forgive us, aren''t you?" I kept my mouth shut and just smiled. "Assistant Manager Jung, no, Yoon-Ho. I feel a bit embarrassed to say this, but why are you being so nice to me? Didn''t Lee Tae-Poong almost lose his contract for that drama because of me? And you''re just going to forgive me and let that pass?" "What''s there not to forgive? And..." "And?" I slowly spoke as I filled Park In-Ki''s empty soju ss, "I don''t want to be alone." "Huh?" I poured soju into my own empty ss with a bitter expression and also downed it in one shot. The cold and sharp soju burned down my throat, igniting a warm sensation in my stomach. "My goal is to make our Actor Division 2 the best, but I can''t do it alone. The Suhyaejong line is sticking together and we need to do the same." "But could someone like me be of any help?" I nodded at Park In-Ki''s self-deprecating words. "Why not, Mr. Park?" I had been bold and unhesitant since my regression in an effort to stand against Kim Dong-Soo because I thought beingcent would put me at a disadvantage. This might have made Park In-Ki and his team feel powerless, but the truth was they were alsopetent individuals. "I''ll do better, Mr. Park. So let''s work together." I could feel Park In-Ki''s gaze fixed on me. Contrary to the bustling atmosphere of the surrounding bars, a silence hovered over our table. I filled my ss again while waiting for Park In-Ki to speak. Glug-glug. But as the soju ss was about half-filled, Park In-Ki grabbed the soju bottle from my hand. "Don''t pour your own drink. It''s said to bring bad luck." Park In-Ki''s voice was husky with emotion. The slight tremor in his hand as he poured the drinks spoke volumes about his feelings. "Thank you, Mr. Park." "Thank me? I''m the one who''s more grateful." Feeling a bit ufortable by the somber mood, I made a fuss on purpose. "Ah, Mr. Park! You''ve had quite a bit to drink. Look at you shaking so much already!" Park In-Ki filled my ss to the brim and then raised his own. "Yoon-Ho." "Yes, sir." "I''m sorry for being such a pathetic sunbae. I''ll look forward to your support from now on. I''ve been pushed around here and there and almost went astray, but that won''t happen from now on. I''ll apologize sincerely to Ms. Kang and to the chief as well." "What''s past is past. Sharing a drink like this from time to time will smooth everything over." Park In-Ki nodded and reached his ss out. We clinked our sses and downed the soju in one go. With that shot of soju, we let bygones be bygones. Afterward, Park In-Ki called all his team members and actors for a second round. That night, I once again pledged to look after every member of Actor Division 2. It was a bit painful to drink so much, but the oue was more than satisfying. Thanks to Park In-Ki taking the lead and creating a united atmosphere, my words were well received. ''Indeed, a lead role cannot exist without supporting roles.'' Even if I were to be the lead in this life, I nned to walk alongside every supporting role around me. This second life was essentially an opportunity for me to live in such a way. *** KNET Broadcasting Station. Today was the first recording day for the Korea-Japan joint audition project, Global Produce 47 at KNET Broadcasting Station. Global Produce 47 was a show where a total of 99 participants, 41 from Japan''s mega girl group AKC47 and 58 trainees from Korean agencies,peted to be one of the 11 global idols. My target for today, Kang Ha-Na, would make her first appearance here. She was one of the three trainees from Icestone Entertainment and was eliminated in the first round in my past life. However, she would go on to achieve great sess by singing her ownpositions and using MeTube after moving to Hoop Entertainment. She would be a future top star with nicknames such as the Voice of an Angel, MeTube Queen, and Music Chart Mafia. But currently, she was no different than a hidden pearl in the mud. Thanks toing to the broadcast station with Lee Dong-Min, I received a staff pass and watched the filming preparations on-site. As Lee Dong-Min sipped the coffee I had made for him, he asked, "Yoon-Ho, aren''t you capable of recruiting a trainee by yourself?" "Oh, you know I wouldn''t even be able to get a staff pass on my own." "That''s true. You should have just said yes when they asked to have Cherry Blossom on the congrattory stage.'' Cherry Blossom had been number one for five weeks so far. Every broadcasting station''s PD was eager to have Cherry Blossom appear on their show, so just promising their appearance could have easily secured me a staff pass. However, making a deal with Ahn Jun-Hee, the PD of Global Produce 47, was absolutely out of the question. Ahn Jun-Hee might be talented in creating bold concepts and sensational editing that led to sessful broadcasts, but he had a fatal w. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 10th, 2020] -04:00 PM Singer Division 1 Strategy Meeting. 2F Meeting Room. (Report) Global Produce 47 PD Ahn Jun-Hee urgently arrested for manipting viewer votes. In a few months, it would be revealed that agencies of few trainees, PD Ahn Jun-Hee, and some of the production team conspired to rig the audition rankings, resulting in the arrest of several production members. After a brief consideration, I subtly let Lee Dong-Min know. "I was actually going to mention that, Mr. Lee. You should avoid getting involved with PD Ahn in the future." Lee Dong-Min took another sip of his coffee and asked why. "PD Ahn might be fussy, but he''s not the kind of trash you can''t associate with. So what makes you say that?" There was not a single PD who refused simple benefits. Money and alcohol entertainment were the basic passive incentives, and it was not umon for some PDs to make even more inhumane requests. Surely, Lee Dong-Min was aware of this reality. However, he seemed puzzled because Ahn Jun-Hee was known for his meticulous management of his external image. "I heard rumors that Mr. Ahn manipted the rankingsst year in exchange for money from a major agency." Lee Dong-Min''s eyes widened. "Wh-where did you hear such a thing?" "At a dinner with KNET''s assistant directors." "Who said that?" "It seemed like all the assistant directors at the table knew about it." When I said I couldn''t remember who specifically mentioned it, Lee Dong-Min let out a deep sigh. With three assistant directors under Ahn Jun-Hee and nearly 100 in the entire KNET, there was no way he could figure out who it was that mentioned such a matter. Lee Dong-Min was deep in thought. "But this project involves a Japanese partner too. Would they really pull such a risky move again?" "They might. I''ve heard things could be even worse in Japan." That''s when Ahn Jun-Hee appeared as if on cue. "Hey! Look who we have here. Chief Lee Dong-Min!? How long has it been since west saw each other? Let''s show our faces more often!" Upon Ahn Jun-Hee''s arrival, Lee Dong-Min quickly changed his demeanor and responded. "Ah, you know how busy it''s been with Cherry Blossom''s activities." "Ah, yes. Only Lee Dong-Min could revive a fading girl group so spectacrly. Anyway, how''s the ce looking to you?" "I can''t offer you anything even if you tter me like this. But you''ve really invested a lot in the stage, huh? The production cost must be no joke." The grandeur of the altar-like stage, 40 meters wide and 12 meters high, was unparalleled. The vast and movable stage in the shape of a diamond was unimaginable in cost. "It sure did cost a lot. Any chance you''d appear as a guest judge?" "Come on! I told you I''m busy." At that moment, Ahn Jun-Hee''s gaze met mine after finishing his conversation with Lee Dong-Min and he asked, "Who''s this?" Lee Dong-Min introduced me rather grandly. "Oh, let me introduce the both of you. This is Assistant Manager Jung, the actual ace who produced Cherry Blossom." "Ah! The rumored secret weapon of Hoop Entertainment?" ''Secret weapon?'' I wondered. "Seems like you don''t know all the small talk going around, do you?" Lee Dong-Min chuckled and replied, "People usually don''t know about their own rumors." "Is that so?" Ahn Jun-Hee responded with a sparkle in his eyes as he scanned me from head to toe. "Not bad looking either..." he added. But Lee Dong-Min tightly wrapped his arm around my shoulder as if he wouldn''t let me go. "Hey, don''t look at him like that. He''s off-limits. You know how much Mr. Kang values him." KNET, a conglomerate subsidiary, owned several entertainmentpanies including two significant management agencies. But Ahn Jun-Hee raised his hands in surrender despite his interest in me. "I guess I have to give up if Mr. Kang cherishes him so much. But I really want Cherry Blossom for the celebration stage in the fourth episode. Is there any way we can make that happen?" Lee Dong-Min scratched his head and came up with a convincing excuse. "There''s a government schedule lined up for the girls. They''re even giving us amendation and you know it wouldn''t be fun if we missed that. We could end up getting audited if we''re seen in a bad light, so please understand." "Government officials are never helpful." ''Like he''s ever helpful himself,'' I thought to myself. "I''ll try my best to amodate the schedule. If it really doesn''t work out, I might check in with Singer Division 1 and see if we can send Golden Road instead." Ahn Jun-Hee reluctantly nodded and showed his dissatisfaction. "Well, I guess we could do that if Cherry Blossom is really unavable." "Okay." Ahn Jun-Hee disappeared after waving his hand. Lee Dong-Min let out a sigh of relief before speaking. "Let''s just sit back and watch. We can''t see Kang Ha-Na or Kang Du-Ri until the stage is over, right?" "Yes, sir." Lee Dong-Min and I took our seats in the designated area for officials and waited for the filming to start. Soon, the filming began. While studio shoots usually involved around seven cameras, this set had a staggering 20 cameras deployed. "Trainee number one, Choi Ji-Min, please enter." Following the MC''s call, the first idol trainee stepped onto the stage. One after another, trainees from well-known entertainmentpanies like A-Teen, Pledi, Ye-Hwa, SJ Entertainment, Big Star Entertainment, and even Ace Entertainment, took to the stage to showcase their prepared performances. "Number three isn''t bad, right? She''s a promising one from Ye-Hwa. She''s got a good sense of humor and a nice smile. That one''s going to make it." "I''m betting on number 12. The profile said she''s been a trainee for five years. You can tell her fundamentals are on a different level. I like the ones who put in the effort." Staff members were also picking their own favorite members. Knowing who would survive in the entertainment industry and who would be weeded out, I was itching with excitement. If it weren''t for the contract durations, I would have wanted to sign several of the talents right away. Finally, it was Kang Ha-Na''s turn. Three tall girls, each averaging 169 cm in height, took the stage with microphones in hand. "Hello! We are Park Ye-Seul, Choi So-Yung, and Kang Ha-Na from Eyestone Music!" They were 16-year-old Park Ye-Seul, 17-year-old Choi So-Yung, and 26-year-old Kang Ha-Na. But while Park Ye-Seul and Choi So-Yung appeared confident, Kang Ha-Na''s face seemed somewhat dispirited¡ªthe noticeable age differencepared to the other two was the reason. However, in just a few months, the fate of these three would drastically change. Park Ye-Seul and Choi So-Yung would fail spectacrly despite making it into the debut group of 11, while Kang Ha-Na would spectacrly seed as a music powerhouse. But at that moment, I was the only one aware of this fact. Chapter 132: Recruiting Kang Ha-Na (2)

Chapter 132: Recruiting Kang Ha-Na (2)

When the three tall members, with an average height of 169cm took the stage, Kim Chan-Hee, a singer who debuted from a public audition, showed a pleased expression as she sat at the judges'' table. "Miss Kim Chan-Hee. You''re also from Eyestone, right?" When Judge Kim Heung-Ki asked, Kim Chan-Hee nodded. "Yes. They are my hoobaes." "Now that I think about it, everyone from Eyestone is tall including you." While the judges were evaluating the three trainees from Eyestone Music Entertainment on stage, Lee Dong-Min asked a question. "Yoon-Ho, is that her?" "Yes. What do you think, sir?" "Well, she''s got the looks but her age might be an issue¡ªand she seems to know it too. There''s no confidence in her expression. If she has a ir for acting, it might not be a bad idea to try training her to be an actress instead." As a 26-year-old, Kang Ha-Na had passed the prime age to be an idol trainee. She was two years older than Park Eun-Bin, who had been the most sessful idol from her fifth year untilst year. 26 was the age for most college graduates who were about to start a life as an ordinary working adult. But in the idol world where many typically debuted in theirte teens, 26 was the age when most idols would retire. Hence, it was understandable why Lee Dong-Min was worried. "Don''t worry. It''s not like I''m trying to recruit her as an idol anyway," I responded to Lee Dong-Min''s concerns. In the meantime, the stage performance began. The trainees started dancing to the lively introduction of the song. ¡ºCome on Boys! Break it Down!¡» The song which the trio from Eyestone chose to perform was ''Party Night.'' But as the performance went on, Lee Dong-Min''s face grew darker. This was because Kang Ha-Na''s dance was noticeably inferior to that of Park Ye-Seul and Choi So-Yung. "It seems like she''s putting in a lot of effort, but she doesn''t have talent for dancing." "Yes. She is definitely quitecking." "The other two could debut right away...but if this is all Kang Ha-Na''s got after practicing so much, then it''s going to be tough for her to make it. There are so many talented trainees these days." Sure enough, the three judges seated at the judges'' table also shook their heads in pity after watching Kang Ha-Na''s dance. Kang Ha-Na did her best, but ''Party Night'' was like an outfit that didn''t fit her. To make matters worse, she had the rap part in a fast-paced dance song. It seemed as if Eyestone''s producer had passed all the difficult parts to Kang Ha-Na to highlight the young Park Ye-Seul and Choi So-Yung on stage. There was a time when those who couldn''t sing were made rappers, but there were now many skilled professional female rappers, unlike in the past. To judges and the audience ustomed to talented rappers, Kang Ha-Na''s clumsy rap could seem almostughable. However, Kang Ha-Na''s true strengthy in her selfposed songs in which she poured her own emotions. That was the reason this stage was inadequate to showcase her strengths. "You''ll know once you hear itter, but she has good vocals," I assured Lee Dong-Min. "It''s understandable if she''s not good at dancing or rapping if she''s more vocal-oriented. But why was the song distribution done like this? It doesn''t make sense." "It seems like Eyestone is trying to push the younger ones since Kang Ha-Na turned 26 this year." Lee Dong-Min nodded. "Well, fair enough. It''s true that she''s too old to be an idol. But the producer is quite harsh to use her as a stepping stone to highlight the others in such a show." Lee Dong-Min scratched his head. "We''ll have to test her at thepany to be sure." "Of course you should." Since Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo started their active recruitment, Singer Division 1 had been aggressively incorporating idols whose contracts with otherpanies had expired and expanding its size. For this reason, Lee Dong-Min was also in a rush to recruit talents. But he made it clear that he couldn''t just ept anyone. Meanwhile, the performance of the three Eyestone idol trainees ended. The three trainees sweated profusely and held the microphones with their hands sped and their faces flushed. The judges began their evaluation. First was Park Ye-Seul. "Trainee Park Ye-Seul is well-prepared in every aspect despite her young age. It''s unanimous; we''ll give her an A! Don''t get toocent and continue working hard like this in your lessons, okay?" "Thank you so much! I''ll work hard!" Park Ye-Seul, the tallest and prettiest among the three, possessed unparalleled talent in both singing and dancing. Moreover, she was expected to debut as one of the final 11. ''I would have been rich if there were a betting game to match their grades.'' With that thought, I waited for Choi So-Yung''s evaluation from the judges. Choi So-Yung would also be a member of the final 11. Though Choi So-Yung would receive slightly lower ratings than Park Ye-Seul, her unique personality would contribute greatly to her poprity upon her debut. I inadvertently spoke the grade out loud. "Was she a B?" Lee Dong-Min asked in surprise. "B?" "Ah, what I meant to say was..." Before I could exin, Judge Bae Yoo-Jin announced the final grade. "We''ll give trainee Choi So-Yung a B grade." Lee Dong-Min asked in astonishment, "Hey, you! How did you know what grade she would get?" I cleared my throat and quickly made an excuse. "It''s obvious. She looks like a B." "She looked like an A to me. She did everything well without missing anything, don''t you think?" I imed it was purely a guess and turned my attention to Kang Ha-Na. "What about her?" asked Lee Dong-Min. "She''ll probably get an F. She would obviously be an A if she were given the vocal part, but they made her do only the rap portion." Lee Dong-Min red at me for a moment and soon nodded. "Fair enough. Kang Ha-Na looks like an F in my eyes as well." Fortunately, Lee Dong-Min didn''t probe any further. That''s when all four judges gave Kang Ha-Na an F grade with pitying expressions. "Trainee Kang Ha-Na, it seems you need to work harder. You appear tock confidence, so I hope you can ovee that. We''re giving you an F for now, but you have a great voice. So don''t give up just yet." "Thank you. I will work harder." Kang Ha-Na responded energetically even after receiving an F grade. Despite the ingrained smile from years of being a trainee, I figured she must be burning with frustration on the inside. At that moment, Judge Kim Heung-Ki grabbed the microphone with a troubled expression. "Trainee Kang Ha-Na, you seem a bit older to be dreaming of a debut...may I ask if there''s a specific reason why you want to debut?" Kang Ha-Na, who was about to leave the stage with her grade card, flinched at the question. The other Eyestone trainees who hade up to the stage with her had already returned to their seats. Suddenly, all the cameras focused on Kang Ha-Na who was left alone on stage. Kang Ha-Na took a deep breath and slowly began to share her story. She had joined thepany when she was 20, became part of a new girl group set to debut, but the group was unfortunately disbanded three years after due to investment falling through. For another three years, she had waited as a trainee for another opportunity. All judges wore expressions of sympathy upon hearing Kang Ha-Na''s story. Kim Heung-Ki lifted the microphone again. "There are hoobaes whose debuts were canceled due to simr situations in mypany as well. It''s unfortunate, but such urrences aremon in our music industry. That''s why every opportunity is so precious." One needed not just talent but also luck to be an idol or a singer. There were instances where talented individuals who were expected to debut got canceled for absurd reasons. There were also some cases wherepanies went bankrupt the day before theunch, and the CEO disappeared. Conversely, there were some lucky trainees who debuted right away after joining thepany and quickly became popr idols who led a charmed life. While many things could happen in the entertainment industry, it was clear that luck cannot be disregarded. "I hope you won''t miss this opportunity. Trainee Kang Ha-Na, I wish you the best of luck." Kang Ha-Na bowed deeply and thanked the judges for listening to her story. "Thank you!" Kang Ha-Na''s legs seemed to tremble as she descended from the stage. I wanted to go and support her, but it was frustrating that I couldn''t. ''Hang in there, Ha-Na.'' I cheered her on silently in my heart. I bit my lip as I looked at Kang Ha-Na, whom I regarded as a sister in my past life. There was still so much to do before I could bring her in. Kang Ha-Na took her ce among those assigned the F grade. She sat upright andposed, but she couldn''t hide the tremor in her eyes. Then the performances from the Japanese teams continued. Next to me, Lee Dong-Min kept talking about who had caught his eye, but I couldn''t remember any of it. All I could do was stare at Kang Ha-Na who was forcing a smile after receiving an F grade. *** As the first day of recording for Global Produce 47 came to an end, Kang Ha-Na let out a deep sigh. As feared, she had received an F grade. Kang Ha-Na recalled Producer Lee Myung-Jin from herpany shouting at her to seize herst opportunity on the show. -I''m giving this special opportunity to you. You know how many people would do anything to get into this audition, right? The way he slyly put his hand on her shoulder was utterly unpleasant. But unlike what he said, Kang Ha-Na''s specialty¡ªsinging¡ªhad been allocated to Park Ye-Seul and Choi So-Yung whom thepany was pushing for. And because she was given the unfamiliar rap part, she ended up with an F grade. ''Don''t let it get you, Kang Ha-Na. This is just the beginning.'' Just as she was resolved to sing properly in the next round and get recognized, AD Lee Hyun-Sang shouted at the participants. "Okay. That''s all for today''s recording. Everyone, please return your name tags before you leave." Lee Hyun-Sang pointed to a basket in one corner of the studio. At that moment, Park Ye-Seul and Choi So-Yung took off their name tag holders and called out to Kang Ha-Na. "Unnie, can you return ours too?" "Uh...yeah." As Kang Ha-Na awkwardly nodded, Park Ye-Seul and Choi So-Yung tossed their name tags at her and left with their talent agent. Kang Ha-Na gave a bitter smile as she watched them. "You guys are so lucky to be young." Kang Ha-Na headed down the stairs after collecting the name tags. At that moment, a sharp voice came from behind. "Ah,e on. I''m in a hurry! Don''t block the way with your F-grade self, move!" Lee Eun-Jung from the major agency, Big Star Entertainment, pushed past Kang Ha-Na roughly. Once the cameras were off, the trainees who participated in today''s audition were behaving as if their assigned grades were their social standings. Kang Ha-Na stumbled back from the push but couldn''t protest. Not just her, but even those who received an E grade were stepping aside, wary of others. The trainees holding A-grade name tags were the first to return them, followed by the B grades. And finally, Kang Ha-Na managed to return the three name tags only after the E-grade trainees had returned theirs. "Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Lee!" "Quickly return the name tag and get out," Lee Hyun-Sang grunted. Lee Hyun-Sang didn''t even bother to ept Kang Ha-Na''s courtesy and simply pointed to the basket next to him for the name tags. In this strange world, Kang Ha-Na had lived humbly and kindly just as she had been taught. She worked diligently at school and honed her skills. However, the entertainment industry was a harsh world where only poprity determined everything. Realizing she had lost track of time in the emptying set, Kang Ha-Na suddenly eximed, "Oh, I''mte!" Panting, she ran with all her might toward the parking lot. But thepany car which was supposed to be there waiting for her was already gone. "H-huh? Where did it go?" She couldn''t even make a call as her wallet, clothes, and bag were all in the car. Desperate, Kang Ha-Na tried to borrow a phone from the trainees walking past but all she received were sharp rebuffs. "Sorry, but I''m in a hurry." Eventually, all of the cars disappeared, leaving only the broadcast station staff''s vehicles. "Sigh. Really, how could they just leave me behind like this? Everyone''s being too harsh on me..." A tear dropped down her cheeks without realizing it. She thought about going back into the station to borrow money for a cab, but she didn''t have the courage to after the cold response from the AD earlier. Calling the talent agent who had left her behind was not even an option. Then there was only one option left. "Well, it''s not the first time...I''ll just walk." There was a time during a field trip when she had been left behind and had to walk from the Han River to the dorm. Though the distance was longer this time, she thought she could make it by dawn if she walked briskly. Gathering her waning spirit, Kang Ha-Na turned around. At that moment, a man in a neat suit approached her with a bright face, extending his business card. "Excuse me, are you Miss Kang Ha-Na?" "Wh-who are you?" "I''m Jung Yoon-Ho, an assistant manager at Hoop Entertainment. If it''s not too much trouble, may I offer you a ride?" Kang Ha-Na''s heart began to race at that moment, perhaps it was because she felt like a savior had appeared. The man, illuminated by the streetlight, seemed handsome. ''I must be out of my mind. Snap out of it, Kang Ha-Na.'' At the same time, she felt an inexplicable sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. ''But why does he feel so familiar even though it''s our first meeting?'' She couldn''t tell whether it was due to his smiling face or his voice. Chapter 133: Recruiting Kang Ha-Na (3)

Chapter 133: Recruiting Kang Ha-Na (3)

I got to hear Kang Ha-Na''s story as I picked her up at the empty parking lot. Kang Ha-Na, left alone, was nning to walk a distance of nearly 20 km. I couldn''t understand how someone could leave a woman alone at 10 p.m. without a wallet or a phone. ''That would be scary even for a man!'' Kang Ha-Na made an embarrassed expression. "I ended up bad-mouthing mypany. How embarrassing." Lee Dong-Min, who had been listening silently to our exchange, suddenly got angry. "It''s okay to bad-mouth such apany. I understand there are only six months left in the contract, but what if something happened to you?" When Kang Ha-Na fidgeted with her hair, Lee Dong-Min spoke as if he had made up his mind. "Miss Ha-Na." "Yes?" "Would you be interested in taking a vocal test today?" "Today? But it''s already past 10 p.m." Lee Dong-Min pointed at me. "Yeah. This guy here mentioned that there''s a trainee named Kang Ha-Na in Eyestone who''s really good at singing." "Really? How do you know about me?" I was stumped at Kang Ha-Na''s question as I couldn''t say that I knew her from my past life. Fortunately, Lee Dong-Min answered it for me. "Entertainmentpanies usually keep tabs on promising trainees from otherpanies. What do you think talent agents talk about on their days off? The talk is all about celebrities. They also look into which trainees from otherpanies they should keep an eye on." Kang Ha-Na nodded. "Ah, I see." "So we came to see you today, Miss Ha-Na. Since your dorm in Sinsa-dong is close to ourpany, let''s just do a vocal test in the recording studio. I''ll take you to the dorm after the test." "Um, about the test...could it be that..." "Yes. If you do well, we might scout you." Kang Ha-Na, who was seated in the back seat, covered her mouth with her hands, unable to believe this sudden stroke of luck. *** It was already past 11 p.m. by the time we arrived at Hoop Entertainment. "Aren''t you tired?" "A poor trainee''s only boast is their stamina. I can stay up all night starting now." I offered her a phone to contact herpany in case they were worried, but Kang Ha-Na shook her head. "I appreciate your concern, but it''s really not necessary. This isn''t the first time something like this has happened." ''What? This is not the first time?'' In my past life, Kang Ha-Na rarely talked about her past¡ªand now I could finally understand why. She didn''t want to talk about her past because there were no good memories. Looking at Ha-Na, I thought to myself, ''Don''t worry, Ha-Na. I''ll make sure only good things happen to you from now on.'' I suppressed my rising anger and put my phone away. As we went down to the basement recording studio, a familiar sound was heard as always. "Seon-Woo! Let''s upload it now that the first revision is done." "Huh? What''s there to upload without a guide singer?" "I can do the guide myself." "Noona, please! Your voice isn''t that impressive. And I haven''t slept a wink since yesterday, so let''s take a break now." It was the sound of geniusposer Bang Seon-Woo and lyricist Jang Ye-Bin bickering. The synergy between the two exceeded my expectations, with over 30 new songspleted. I verified them myself, and each song was capable of achieving an all-kill on the music charts. Since Cherry Blossom couldn''t even cover all these profitable songs, the Singer Division 2 was striking it rich. Knock knock knock. As we entered after knocking on the door, the faces of the bickering duo lit up. "Mr. Lee! Yoon-Ho hyung!" Bang Seon-Woo eximed brightly. "Oh, my! What brings you two here at this hour?" said Jang Ye-Bin with a surprise look on her face. Both greeted us with familiar smiles but soon tilted their heads in curiosity upon seeing Kang Ha-Na following behind. "Hm, I don''t remember meeting her before. Who might this be?" "A singer who will be working with us from now on." Instantly, Bang Seon-Woo and Jang Ye-Bin''s eyes curled into crescents. "Yoon-Ho hyung! Then could you find someone to sing guides for our songs? We have the songs ready but we have no avable singers now. Sae-Ri said she''s too busy toe." "Sae-Ri''s gotten a bit too full of herself now that she''s popr," grumbled Jang Ye-Bin. Bang Seon-Woo and Jang Ye-Bin grumbled about not having a guide singer for their songs. I calmed the excited duo and replied, "I hope you guys can understand her situation. Sae-Ri says she''s in her growth spurt and needs to sleep a lot, so it can''t be helped." Bang Seon-Woo chuckled. "Sae-Ri seems past her growth spurt, doesn''t she?" Hearing that, Jang Ye-Bin''s face lit up with a smile. "I should tell Sae-Ri everything. That Seon-Woo said her growth spurt is over~." "Ah, Ye-Bin noona, don''t. Do you know how much it hurts to get pinched by Sae-Ri?" Sae-Ri often filled in as the guide vocalist for the duo''spositions. Buttely, her busy schedule made it impossible to do so. "Let''s handle the guideter," I replied. Right now, it was more important to showcase Kang Ha-Na''s skills to Lee Dong-Min. "First, let''s proceed with Miss Ha-Na''s test using a song she''s mostfortable with." At that moment, Kang Ha-Na spoke up. "I''m confident about doing guides too." I tried to dissuade the confident Kang Ha-Na. "Miss Ha-Na, this is a formal test. Use a song you''re most familiar with and have practiced extensively." I barely stopped myself from suggesting that she use one of her original songs. People who were desperate to seize opportunities to prove themselves often end up overestimating themselves and taking on too much. I was worried about what might happen if Kang Ha-Na were to make a mistake in front of Lee Dong-Min after I had said every good thing I could think of to recruit her. However, Lee Dong-Min reassured me. "Don''t worry. I''ll take into ount that it''s her first time singing this song." I took a bottle of water from the table and handed it to Kang Ha-Na. "Miss Ha-Na, please moisten your throat first before singing." Kang Ha-Na took the water bottle and bowed her head in gratitude. "Thank you." Lee Dong-Min chuckled at my instinctive action. "What would you have done if you hadn''t be a talent agent?" ''Is that why I''m still working as a talent agent even after traveling back in time?'' I wondered to myself. Jang Ye-Bin turned on the memo app with the lyrics and handed it to Kang Ha-Na. "Please use this for the lyrics." Kang Ha-Na nodded. "Okay." "Seon-Woo, y the song first." "Got it, noona." At Jang Ye-Bin''s signal, Bang Seon-Woo yed hisposition, ''The Pain of Separation,'' through the recording studio speakers. The serene and lyrical melody line that started with a violin prelude made my heart flutter. ''As expected of Bang Seon-Woo''sposition.'' At that moment, Kang Ha-Na hummed with her eyes closed and enjoyed the music. The violin sounds from the speakers and Kang Ha-Na''s humming began to harmonize. In the blink of an eye, 3 minutes and 50 seconds passed. As the song ended, Kang Ha-Na slowly opened her eyes. She mumbled the lyrics a few more times and then stood up. "Okay. I''ll start now." "Miss Ha-Na, wouldn''t it be better to familiarize yourself with the lyrics more before singing?" I asked. Then suddenly, Lee Dong-Min intervened. "We''re looking at vocal tone and emotion rather than singing ability right now, so let''s hear it right away." Eventually, I had no choice but to agree. Kang Ha-Na entered the recording booth. "Seon-Woo, let''s start," cued Lee Dong-Min. "Yes, sir." As Bang Seon-Woo yed the recorded track, ''The Pain of Separation'' filled the recording studio once again. Then the unique timbre of Kang Ha-Na''s voice, which I had heard before the regression, began to flow through the recording studio speakers. ¡ºThe empty heart won''t fill, as if it''s always been this way...¡» ''Could this be what it feels like to have one''s heart gently sanded by fine sandpaper?'' A tingling sensation, starting from the heart, seemed to ripple through my body as if I were gently electrified. ncing sideways, I saw Lee Dong-Min and Bang Seon-Woopletely absorbed in Kang Ha-Na''s song with lyricist Jang Ye-Bin also looking impressed. "Wow~ this is incredible. It''s like she''s a master of breakups who''s been dumped hundreds of times." Jang Ye-Bin mentioned those who have been dumped know the feelings of the dumped the best. ''I''m pretty sure someone who''s been single her whole life shouldn''t be saying that about her own lyrics...'' I suppressed the thought that crossed my mind and immersed myself in Kang Ha-Na''s singing. After 3 minutes and 50 seconds, the [y] button on the control panel popped up and marked the end of the song. Click! Inside the booth, Kang Ha-Na, who had finished singing, looked at us. But everyone was so immersed in the afterglow that no one could speak. Among us four, Bang Seon-Woo was the first to snap back to reality. "Wow! That was amazing! There''s absolutely nothing to critique. It''s not the voice color I expected, but I think this is even better than I had imagined!" Bang Seon-Woo might be timid, but he neverpromised on music. Hence, hispliments spoke volumes about Kang Ha-Na''s impressive vocals. Lee Dong-Min, who had been listening with crossed arms, was now smiling endlessly. "There''s nothing to take away nor anything to add. We could release the recording as is." Unable to hear us inside the booth, Kang Ha-Na tilted her head and looked puzzled. "I told you so," I said. Lee Dong-Min scratched the tip of his nose, looking a bit embarrassed. "Where on earth did you find such a golden calf?" With Lee Dong-Min''s approval for the recruitment, I looked at Kang Ha-Na and made a big ''O'' with my hands. At that moment, tears started streaming down Kang Ha-Na''s face inside the booth. Kang Ha-Na tried to wipe away her tears. But as she did, more tears followed, smearing her face with mascara. I opened the door to the recording booth and handed her a handkerchief. "Sniff. The makeup will be hard to remove..." "It''s a spare, so don''t worry. Go on, wipe your tears. Don''t cry." Taking my handkerchief, Kang Ha-Na forgot to wipe her tears and just kept bowing repeatedly. "Thank you, Mr. Jung. I''ll really do my best." Having passed the test, it was time to recruit her. I had no intention of waiting another six months and Lee Dong-Min felt the same. *** Lee Dong-Min immediately called Chief Yang Eun-Cheol from Eyestone. Despite being busy with audition strategies, the folks at Eyestone agreed to meet and discuss the matter. "Let''s meet right away without dy. We might be able to bring her over immediately if we cane to an agreement since I personally know Yang Eun-Cheol." Prompted by Lee Dong-Min''s words, we headed straight to Eyestone Entertainment located in Sinsa-dong. On the way to Eyestone, Kang Ha-Na started to reveal her family background. Her mother, Kim Hyun-Ji, was a copy singer of the famous trot singer Kim Hyun-Ja from her generation, and her father was her talent agent. Although I already knew this fact from before my past life, I pretended to be surprised. Lee Dong-Min nodded while looking at the rearview mirror. "It seems like you inherited your parents'' genes." Kang Ha-Na lowered her head with a shy expression. "Thepany said they''d release an album right away if I sang trot, but my mom was strongly against it." "Why? Trot is quite good these days. To be honest, trot makes more money. You can keep it all to yourself." But Kang Ha-Na shook her head. "She''s worried thepany might make me perform at night stages. She says she can''t bear to see her only daughter live like that even if she''s buried in the ground." Times have changed, and being a trot singer didn''t necessarily mean performing at night stages anymore. There were many local events and trot music itself could generate significant revenue. However, it was true that thepany might make a singer with a hit song tour night stages throughout the contract period when they prioritized money over the singer''s image. Having seen all sorts of hardships at night stage events, Kang Ha-Na''s mother was adamantly against her bing a singer from the start. She had only permitted it because Kang Ha-Na said she would be an idol. As we continued our conversation, we arrived at Eyestone Music Entertainment in Sinsa-dong. The moment we parked the car, someone was running toward us urgently. "Ha-Na!" It was Chief Yang Eun-Cheol, with whom we had spoken before leaving. "Mr. Lee, thank you for bringing Ha-Na with you despite thete hour." Simultaneously, Yang Eun-Cheol hurriedly apologized to Kang Ha-Na as well. "Ha-Na, I''m sorry about earlier. We had to move quickly because of Ye-Seul''s urgent lesson schedule." "I understand the situation was urgent, but still..." "We were waiting for you but you didn''te. And I couldn''t contact you either because you left your phone in the car. Are you okay?" Yang Eun-Cheol looked Kang Ha-Na up and down, checking if she was hurt. But knowing the kind of person Yang Eun-Cheol was, I had to struggle to contain my anger. He always acted in thepany''s interest but pretended to be nice only in front of Kang Ha-Na. When Kang Ha-Na didn''t answer and remained silent, Yang Eun-Cheol cleared his throat and gestured toward thepany. "Alright. Let''s go inside. Let''s talk inside, Mr. Lee." Being acquainted with Yang Eun-Cheol, Lee Dong-Min responded casually. "Sure, Eun-Cheol." "Mr. Jung, please join us." "Yes, sir." Yang Eun-Cheol led the way into thepany and I took a deep breath as I watched his back. Now, it was time to wage a war to bring Kang Ha-Na with us. Chapter 134: Recruiting Kang Ha-Na (4)

Chapter 134: Recruiting Kang Ha-Na (4)

In the external meeting room of Eyestone Music on the first floor, Yang Eun-Cheol''s expression immediately changed as soon as Kang Ha-Na expressed her reluctance to renew the contract with Eyestone. "What about Produce 47 then? This is how you repay us after thepany went to great lengths to get you on the show?" Kang Ha-Na replied with a firm expression, "I''ll drop out of the show." Yang Eun-Cheol burst out in anger. "Hey, Kang Ha-Na! Are you out of your mind? Do you realize what an opportunity you''re throwing away?" However, Kang Ha-Na didn''t even blink. Since Hoop Entertainment had agreed to take her in, she had no reason to fear thepany''s tyranny anymore. "You know as well as I do that I have no chance of making it into the debut group anyway." "Who, who said that?" Kang Ha-Na sighed. "Mr. Yang. Everyone at thepany knows I''m just a stepping stone for Ye-Seul and So-Yung. You''ve always turned a blind eye to how badly they treat me." Yang Eun-Cheol scratched his head. It seemed he was at a loss for words with Kang Ha-Na''s direct confrontation. "N-no. That''s a misunderstanding. It''s not like that..." "Mr. Yang, I''ve done all I can. I don''t want to be tortured with false hope anymore when I know I won''t debut. So please let me go." Yang Eun-Cheol frowned upon Kang Ha-Na''s plea. "Why not switch to trot music even now? The directors said they would release an album for you right away if you did trot." "I''ve told you several times, I''m not doing trot!" "Hey! I''m telling you, you''re perfect for trot!" When Yang Eun-Cheol raised his voice, Lee Dong-Min, who had been silent until then, stepped in. "Director Yang, that''s enough. She''s already decided toe to our side, so stop pestering her. Besides, didn''t you hear her saying she doesn''t like trot?" "Mr. Lee! Are you really going to go this far?" "Do you want to settle this legally then? Do you think you can win against our legal division?" Yang Eun-Cheol''s expression turned fierce as he responded. "Mr. Lee, you should adhere to the ethical standards of this industry. What is this nonsense? After all the trouble we went through to get her on the show, you''re trying to take advantage of us?" "Hey. We know you intended to use her as a stepping stone, so don''t be too righteous. In exchange for canceling the remaining contract period, we''ll make sure to pay the transfer fee." Yang Eun-Cheol''s eyes widened at the mention of the transfer fee. "Transfer... fee?" "Yes. Money is the best way to solveplicated situations, and it won''t be embarrassing for you or your president." Yang Eun-Cheol cleared his throat. If Kang Ha-Na stubbornly refused to do trot, they couldn''t even get their investment back. But the thought of being able to profit through another means seemed to have sparked his greed. "If you don''t like that, you can deal with the fallout from abandoning her in Sangam-dong. Park Ye-Seul and Choi So-Yong, who appeared on Produce 47 with her, seem likely to make it into the debut group. If this issuees to light, do you think you can protect them?" "I-I told you it''s not like that! I already exined it was due to an urgent schedule, but you keep saying that we abandoned her on purpose." "Drop the ridiculous excuses and make a decision already. Either you hand over Ha-Na, or prepare for the other two to be on the front page of tomorrow''s news." Unable to see a way out, Yang Eun-Cheol reluctantly retreated. "This isn''t something I can decide on my own. I''ll make a call to the higher-ups ande back." Being outmaneuvered by Lee Dong-Min, Yang Eun-Cheol hastily left the meeting room. Finally, a sigh of relief escaped our group. But we couldn''t let our guard down because the negotiation wasn''t over yet. After all, Na Woon-Seok, the president of Eyestone Entertainment, was known to be even more ruthless than Yang Eun-Cheol. *** The door to the external meeting room opened. "Chief Lee, long time no see." Na Woon-Seok, the president of Eyestone, appeared at almost midnight. He seemed to havee from a drinking session as a strong scent of alcohol emanated from him. "I was just rxing with a drink after a long time, but what''s all this about?" Lee Dong-Min scratched his cheek. Na Woon-Seok, who had seen it all in this industry with 18 years of experience, was not an easy man to deal with. "I''m sorry things turned out this way," Lee Dong-Min uttered. Na Woon-Seok sat down on the sofa with an understanding look. "I heard about what was going on from Chief Yang. I did hear that Cherry Blossom is doing well, but you must have made a lot more money than I expected, huh? Even considering paying a transfer fee to take Ha-Na?" "We are far from making a lot, actually. We''re just about covering our past investments. Let''s not beat around the bush and get straight to the contract." "Ha ha ha. In a hurry, I see?" Na Woon-Seok looked down at Kang Ha-Na, who was keeping her head lowered, and asked. "Ha-Na, do you really want to leave?" Kang Ha-Na lifted her head. "Yes, sir. I''m grateful for everything you have done for me up until now, but I want to move on." "Do you think leaving will solve everything? Think about your age." "What does age have to do with singing?" Na Woon-Seok smirked. "Of course, it matters. Our suggestion to switch to trot wasn''t made lightly. In the trot scene, you''d be considered fresh and young until your 30s. You could easily go on for another 20 years." Kang Ha-Na shook her head. "I''ve made it very clear that I won''t do trot." Na Woon-Seok stared at Kang Ha-Na for a moment before raising his hands in resignation. "Well, it''s your loss. Alright, I''ll let you go." As Na Woon-Seok nodded, a flicker of hope appeared on Kang Ha-Na''s face. She was finally about to be free. However, that hope turned to despair in less than a second. "Let''s settle this with 300 million won." Kang Ha-Na''s face turned pale. "Excuse me?" Lee Dong-Min stood up abruptly, incredulous at what he had just heard. "300 million for a trainee with just six months left in her contract? Are you joking right now?" Despite Lee Dong-Min''s vehement protest, Na Woon-Seok remained unfazed. "Chief Lee, let''s be urate here. She''s not just a trainee anymore after appearing on Produce 47, is she? She''s currently active on television, so shouldn''t we calcte it ordingly?" ''What kind of shit logic is this? Is this an attempt to squeeze out money for the investment they made in Kang Ha-Na?'' Although the money Kang Ha-Na could earn from releasing music might cover it in just a few days, we couldn''t just hand over that much money without a second thought. Not only did Hoop Entertainmentck the funds, but Lee Gi-Cheol would seize the opportunity to use it against us. Lee Dong-Min red at Na Woon-Seok with a stern face. "Mr. Na, are you sure about the amount you just mentioned?" Na Woon-Seok wore a smug expression. "Of course~." "Then you wouldn''t mind if we blew today''s incident wide open?" "Go ahead! We are not going to stop you. It might be a bit of a headache, but KNET will cover for us. Besides, Ye-Seul and So-Yung are masters at shedding tears in front of the cameras. It''s not hard to generate public sympathy. It''s rather good for us if we be a topic of discussion." Lee Dong-Min''s expression hardened even more at Na Woon-Seok''s brazen attitude. "Leaving so soon?" asked Na Woon-Seok sarcastically. "Yes. I''ve got to distribute the story to the reporters tonight, so it''s going to be a busy evening." As Lee Dong-Min shot back, Kang Ha-Na grabbed my arm urgently as if she couldn''t bear to stay here a moment longer. She desperately held onto my arm with a sorrowful look in her eyes and whispered, ''Mr. Jung.'' ''Don''t worry.'' I patted her hand to calm her down. Then I decided to use the weapon I had. "Mr. Na." Na Woon-Seok nced at me with a look that said, ''Who are you now?'' "Don''t bother trying to persuade me any longer and just piss off already. I''m only going this far because I''m considering Chief Lee''s face. If not for that, I wouldn''t have evene here. We won''t deal for less than 300 million won¡ªso if you''re going to spout nonsense, don''t even bother," said Na Woon-Seok in a dismissive tone. "It''s not 300 million won in cash, but I''m willing to pay the equivalent in information. Let''s settle it with that." Na Woon-Seok''s face lit up with amusement. "Information worth 300 million won? You''re a funny guy. Do you even have anything like that?" "It won''t seem funny once you hear it." At the same time, I recalled a record I had seen in the nner beforeing here¡ªit was the record I intended to use to get Kang Ha-Na on our side. [Everyday V10] [Date: November 13th, 2020] - 05:30 PM Singer Division 1 regr meeting. 2F meeting room. (Report) Entertainment Everywhere broadcast. Eyestone Entertainment''s President Na Woon-Seok. Affair with the trainee Kim Jin-Yung. "Wouldn''t the story about your friend from Gwacheon be worth about 300 million won?" The moment he heard my words, Na Woon-Seok''s face turned pale with his prior confidence instantly vanishing. The ''friend from Gwacheon'' was none other than Kim Jin-Yung¡ªa trainee being trained for debut at Eyestone and entangled in an affair with Na Woon-Seok. "G-Gwacheon?" At Na Woon-Seok''s loud exmation, Yang Eun-Cheol next to him asked in surprise. "Mr. Na, what''s wrong?" Na Woon-Seok didn''t respond to Yang Eun-Cheol''s question but instead started to stare at me intently. I could tell from looking at his parched lips how tense he had be. "Who, who''s from Gwacheon? I-I don''t know anyone in Gwacheon..." "Kim Jin..." Unable to endure my threat any longer, Na Woon-Seok hurriedly covered my mouth. "Alright, fine!" What seemed like a bluff that would never work was shattered in just a few seconds. When I tapped Na Woon-Seok''s hand covering my mouth, he finally withdrew it, and repeatedly and earnestly implored me not to say anything more. "My information is indeed worth 300 million won, don''t you think?" Na Woon-Seok nodded weakly in agreement. Yang Eun-Cheol lookedpletely bewildered by the situation, but it wasn''t his ce to intervene. "Damn it! So, what do you want me to do?" "Write us a contract termination confirmation right now, and we''ll take Miss Kang Ha-Na with us immediately." "Fine, let''s do that." Na Woon-Seok instructed Yang Eun-Cheol to release Kang Ha-Na immediately. "But Mr. Na, what on earth is going on?" Na Woon-Seok snapped back in anger. "Hey! Don''t you start being a nuisance too, and just do as you''re told!" With an unpleasant expression, Yang Eun-Cheol soon disappeared to prepare the documents. Then, Na Woon-Seok leaned back on the sofa and red at me. "You said your name was Jung Yoon-Ho, right?" "Yes, sir." "I''ll remember this incident." Na Woon-Seok chewed over my name and ground his teeth. It seemed our rtionship would be quite hostile after today, but it didn''t concern me much. After all, what I knew about him wasn''t limited to just this one incident involving his affair. "You''ve paid for the information. But remember, if you change your mind and spill itter, you will be in huge trouble. Got it?" "I have no intention of doing that." Soon after, Yang Eun-Cheol returned with the contract termination confirmation. "Here! Take this." I caught the paper he tossed and handed it to Kang Ha-Na beside me. She hugged the paper to her chest with a relieved smile spreading across her face. Looking at Kang Ha-Na''s bright expression, I told Na Woon-Seok, "Our legal division team lead will reconfirm the notarization documents tomorrow morning and send them over to you. Please respond ordingly." "Just make sure you exin things to the PD of Produce 47 yourself!" Leaving a grumbling Na Woon-Seok behind, we promptly left Eyestone Entertainment. Our steps were light and carefree as we left, unlike when we entered. *** While waiting for Kang Ha-Na to pack her belongings at her dorm, Lee Dong-Min, who was seated in the passenger seat, asked me a question. "How did you know?" "About what?" "About that friend from Gwacheon, Kim Jin... whatever her name is." "Oh, the trainee involved in an affair with President Na? A reporter friend of mine mentioned it. I never thought it would actually be true." Lee Dong-Min looked at me with a mix of disbelief and astonishment, scolding me and asking what I would have done if things hadn''t gone as nned. "Then we would have gone back, done more research, ande again. President Na seems to have a lot of skeletons in his closet." Lee Dong-Min looked puzzled. "How do you seem to know President Na better than I do?" "Knowing the enemy as well as oneself ensures victory in a hundred battles, doesn''t it?" Lee Dong-Min kept asking endless questions, but I calmly dodged and weaved through them. In the meantime, Kang Ha-Na came out with her belongings. All she brought from her dormitory were her wallet, phone, and a single suitcase of belongings¡ªquite modest for someone who had lived there for six years. "Miss Ha-Na, is that all your luggage? Just one suitcase? If there''s anything left, we cane back tomorrow even if it''s inconvenient." "There''s no need. This is everything I have." Kang Ha-Na didn''t even look back at the dormitory as if she had no more attachments there. "Let''s go, Mr. Jung." "Thinking about it now, I''m a year older than you. I''ll call you by your name from now on, if that''s okay with you?" Kang Ha-Na smiled and nodded. "Of course. I was wondering when you would start speaking to me informally." "Alright, Ha-Na. Let''s do our best from here on out." "Okay, Yoon-Ho oppa. And...thank you so much. Really." Kang Ha-Na, who had experienced both hell and heaven in just one day, kept expressing her gratitude with a bright face. "Thank me? We''re the ones who should be grateful. We have high hopes for you." A smile naturally appeared on my face. Before even a few months passed, Na Woon-Seok would realize how little he valued the information fee he set. ''300 million won? Hah.'' If it were up to me, I wouldn''t have traded Kang Ha-Na for even 30 billion won. Chapter 135: Recruiting Kang Ha-Na (5)

Chapter 135: Recruiting Kang Ha-Na (5)

The day after signing with Kang Ha-Na, I went to see Ahn Jun-Hee at KNET to get her out of Global Produce 47. Ahn Jun-Hee frowned as soon as he saw us. "I heard from President Na that you''re taking her out of the show?" Sensing Ahn Jun-Hee''s tense mood, Lee Dong-Min immediately took a humble approach. "We''re sorry about this. We should have discussed it with you first, but things just moved so quickly. Besides, Ha-Na is too old to be an idol and her dance skills are F-grade. If you could just treat her as having forfeited the show, we''ll handle the rest..." Ahn Jun-Hee raised his hand to cut off Lee Dong-Min. "Hold on. Let me take a closer look at her first." Then he looked Kang Ha-Na up and down. As his snake-like sly gaze slithered over her, Kang Ha-Na bowed her head deeply. "Hmm. She''s not that impressive even on a second look. What do you n to use her for?" When Ahn Jun-Hee made a rude remark right in front of Kang Ha-Na, Lee Dong-Min''s face was slightly flushed with anger. However, he restrained his anger and continued. After all, it was easier to get her out of the show if Ahn Jun-Hee perceived Kang Ha-Na as worthless. "We''re not nning for her to be an idol, but to develop her as a singer. We thought adding another female solo artist to the Cherry Blossom lineup would be a good idea." "Is that so? Female solos don''t do well these days. But you always seem to go against the trend, don''t you, Chief Lee?" Ahn Jun-Hee appeared contemtive. "Hmm, I did have one n for using her..." Although it was frustrating to see Kang Ha-Na undervalued, showing any displeasure here could ruin everything. So we had to keep ourposure no matter what. After some thought, Ahn Jun-Hee began to smirk unsettlingly. "Alright. Hoop Entertainment owes me a big favor this time. You got that?" Lee Dong-Min awkwardly smiled and nodded. "Of course. Then can we terminate the appearance contract right now, PD Ahn?" Ahn Jun-Hee smirked and fiddled with his lips. "Ah, it''s not that simple." "What do you mean?" "This isn''t something we should discuss in front of everyone." Lee Dong-Min nodded and asked us to wait outside. "The two of you, please wait outside." Clearly, he was expecting something in return. While I could guess what Ahn Jun-Hee''s conditions might be, it wasn''t my ce to intervene. "Yes, sir." After saying goodbye to Ahn Jun-Hee, I left the PD''s office with Kang Ha-Na. While passing by the employees of KNET outside the PD''s office, I spoke to Kang Ha-Na. "Ha-Na. You know how this industry works, right?" Kang Ha-Na nodded. "I know. I''ve been a trainee for six years, after all." "Don''t take what PD Ahn said to heart. You''re going to be a singer too, not just an idol." Kang Ha-Na''splexion brightened a bit. "Thank you, oppa." "Don''t mention it. And let''s start working on your songs as soon as we get back. You said you have somepositions of your own, right?" "Yes. I''ve made some as a hobby." Worried she might get discouraged, I suggested recording herpositions as soon as we returned to thepany. Kang Ha-Na opened her phone''s notes to show me the lyrics of a song sheposed¡ªand my heart almost stopped for a moment. "H-Ha-Na. What''s the title of this song?" As I tried my best to contain my excitement, Kang Ha-Na replied calmly, "It''s called ''New Beginning.'' It''s almostplete, but I n to revise the lyrics and get Mr. Lee''s endorsement." "N-New Beginning?" "Why? Do you not like the title?" "I love the title. It''s perfect. Absolutely perfect. So let''s definitely go with that title!" Kang Ha-Na''s debut song, which wouldter achieve 100 million views on MeTube, was alreadyplete. I spoke hurriedly, hiding the smile that was about to break out. "Let''s not practice here. There are too many people around and we need to be careful about leaks." ''What if someone passing by heard it and copied it?'' Kang Ha-Na quickly turned off her phone and nodded. "Ah, okay. Got it." However, Lee Dong-Min seemed to be taking longer than expected. "Oppa, do you think something might have happened inside?" "No, it usually takes some time to cancel and confirm a contract." I was anxious as well, but I kept a poker face. It was clear things weren''t going smoothly, but showing any sign of nervousness was not an option. Click. About ten minutester, Lee Dong-Min came out of the room with a stern expression followed by a noticeably cheerier Ahn Jun-Hee. "Alright, Chief Lee. Let''s keep in touch." "Okay." Lee Dong-Min started walking ahead with a stiff expression. *** After Kang Ha-Na got into the car, Lee Dong-Min spoke to me from a distance. "We''ve canceled Ha-Na''s contract, but it looks like we''ll have to put Cherry Blossom on the final celebration stage in exchange." Of course, that wouldn''t be the only condition. It was obvious that Ahn Jun-Hee would have tantly asked for money or entertainment, but Lee Dong-Min didn''t want to burden me with those worries too. The dreaded moment had finallye. Ahn Jun-Hee had been incessantly talking about getting Cherry Blossom to perform on his show. ''But the final celebration stage? By that time, reporters will probably start sniffing around the maniption scandal...'' Getting entangled with PD Ahn and being caught up in rumors was something we should absolutely avoid. After a moment of contemtion, I decided to shake things up as the thought of only rescuing Kang Ha-Na had always weighed on my mind. Ignoring the fact that hardworking trainees who passed the audition were being vilified and harassed online due to suspicions of collusion in maniption was unsettling as well. "Mr. Lee, I think we need to blow the whistle on PD Ahn''s maniption." "Hmm. I''ve been mulling over that too. That bastard...ah, never mind, I shouldn''t say more." Lee Dong-Min was deep in thought. After all, taking on a huge broadcast station like KNET wouldn''t be an easy task. "There is a way to handle this without revealing our involvement, sir." Lee Dong-Min brightened up and asked, "What is it? Tell me quickly. It''s infuriating enough being ckmailed for favors, but I can''t stand by while innocent trainees are exploited. It''s unfair to those trainees who received votes but still didn''t make it." I echoed Lee Dong-Min''s fervor. "Understood. I''ll contact someone right away. I know a reporter who can ensure the source of the information remains anonymous." "Who is it?" "You''ll see." *** At a pub in Gangnam, I divulged the suspicions of maniption in Global Produce 47 to Choi So-Hye, a reporter from Central Daily Newspaper. Bang! Hearing the story, Choi So-Hye mmed her half-finished ss of soju onto the table. Then she eximed indignantly with her right hand soaked in soju. "Oh my goodness! I knew it! Do you know how much I spent on Lim Yung-Eunst season? So it was because of PD Ahn that Yung-Eun couldn''t make it?" Although I had only mentioned suspicions, Choi So-Hye was already convinced of the maniption because her favorite, Lim Yung-Eun, didn''t debutst season. It was only now that I realized why the Central Daily Newspaper had exposed the maniption scandal of Global Produce 47 in my past life¡ªbecause Choi So-Hye was an avid fan of the show. Lee Dong-Min refilled Choi So-Hye''s empty ss and tried to calm her down. "Reporter Choi, calm down. To be honest, we all know that PDs of audition shows tend to pull strings behind the scenes." "No way! This is fraud, no, a disturbance of public order! People like PD Ahn should be fed prison food for life!" ''Disturbing public order?'' The idol audition ranking maniption case was now being attached to a rather grandiose crime. After downing a shot of soju poured by Lee Dong-Min, Choi So-Hye turned to me. "Did you catch onto this, brother?" Since our first meeting, she had been consistently referring to me as ''brother.'' ''If she wanted to ask questions, she should have given me fewer drinks.'' My head was spinning and my tongue was tied with several drinks in. Everything around me was swirling, and I was seeing two Choi So-Hyes. "No, not really... Isn''t everyone in the industry suspicious...perhaps?" "Ah,e on. Everyone might be suspicious, but not everyone is convinced. Anyway, I got it. I''ll take responsibility and blow this wide open. Just trust your sister." "Okayyyyy. Just make sure the source of the information is well hidden. I don''t want to unnecessarily make enemies with KNET." Choi So-Hye shouted as if making a vow. "Don''t worry! This is about punishing those who exploit fans'' passion for profit! I''ll definitely show that social justice is alive with this opportunity!" Choi So-Hye sounded reassuring as she promised to find a way to expose PD Ahn without harming the innocent trainees. Her clenched fists seemed as powerful as those of One Punch Man. No one could defeat the power of a passionate fan. It seemed like I could safely leave the rest to her. *** [Everyday V10] [Date: December 10, 2020] -04:00 PM (Deleted Schedule: Singer Division 1 Strategic Meeting. 2F Meeting Room. (Report) Global Produce 47 PD Ahn Jun-Hee Urgently Arrested, Viewer Voting Completely Manipted.) The entry had disappeared even before the first broadcast aired. It looked like Choi So-Hye was seriously preparing for something. "As expected. Who could ever beat a devoted fan?" With all the issues resolved and feeling light-hearted, I headed to Lee Dong-Min''s office. I was staggering a bit due to the lingering effects of the hangover, but a smile was creeping on my face. Knock knock. "Come in." When I entered Lee Dong-Min''s office after knocking, a guest was already present. Kang Ha-Na, who had received a contract termination confirmation from KNET, had a lively aura surrounding her. She seemed more vibrant than ever despite having slept in the underground recording studio due to theck of amodation. "Mr. Lee, are you alright?" "No, I''m not okay. I feel like I''m going to die. Ugh." Lee Dong-Min stopped mid-sentence and covered his mouth. "Sir, please have this." Kang Ha-Na quickly took out a small ss bottle from her bag. "Huh? Wh-what''s this?" "It''s honey water." After giving the honey water to Lee Dong-Min, Kang Ha-Na handed me a bottle as well. "Yoon-Ho oppa, you should have some too. My dad made it with fresh honeb." I had just had a bowl of spicy ramen with lots of chili powder and bean sprouts to cure my hangover, but I nodded in appreciation of the gesture. "Ah, thank you." It was just a bottle of honey water, but simple acts of kindness like this made work more enjoyable. Drinking the cold honey water helped clear my head a bit. Then Kang Ha-Na made an apologetic look. "I''m sorry. Both of you are struggling with hangovers because of me..." "Don''t be. This is our job." "But still..." Lee Dong-Min and I quickly changed the subject, trying to smile it off. "But Ha-Na, isn''t it ufortable sleeping in the underground recording studio?" "Not at all. I overslept because I stayed upte chatting with Ye-Bin, but I slept much better here than at the old dormitory." "You managed to keep up with Ye-Bin''s chatter? That''s not an easy feat." Jang Ye-Bin could talk non-stop for an hour at a minimum, and her unique worldview often made her hard to understand. However, even those times seemed enjoyable for Kang Ha-Na. "Ye-Bin is really quick at writing lyrics. I tend to revise mine a dozen if not hundreds of times. So I learned a lot from her." "It''s good that you two get along well." "That''s why I was wondering if I could live with Ye-Bin. Would that be alright?" ''Living in an underground recording studio? That''s absurd.'' "No, that won''t work. The underground recording studio is only meant for Seon-Woo and Ye-Bin to use asionally when they''re too busy to go back home. How could you use it as a dorm? What if it affects your health?" Lee Dong-Min stood up and joined the conversation. "There''s the risk of fire and such, so we''re closing down the studio as a dorm option. But we will get Seon-Woo and Ye-Bin a ce nearby at Changseon Vi. Do you know where that is?" "Oh, that ce?" Changseon Vi was a newly constructed four-story building. I always thought it would be perfect for a trainee dorm, and now they were going to move in there. "If that''s the case, then it''s fine. Ha-Na, are you really okay with living with Ye-Bin?" "Yes!" Seeing Kang Ha-Na''s excited expression was reassuring. After all, having friends or siblings around made it easier to adapt when transferring to a newpany. After finishing the conversation, Kang Ha-Na left to share the good news in the underground recording studio. Then Lee Dong-Min, who was leaning back on the sofa, sighed deeply. "Ah, drinking isn''t as easy as it used to be." "You''re still much better off than me, though." Lee Dong-Minughed, asking me not to tter him. "But what''s up with this morning? You didn''t even go to Yoo-Jin''s filming location." "I didn''t think I could drive, so I sent Sang-Bong instead. But I came here because there''s something I wanted to discuss." "What is it?" "Do you know Kim Jong-Hoon from Blit? What do you think about having Ha-Na as a guest at his year-end concert?" Kim Jong-Hoon of SJ Entertainment was the leader of the top idol group Blit. But currently, he was pursuing a solo career as the other members were serving in the military. "Ha-Na at Jong-Hoon''s solo concert?" "Yes. If we set Ha-Na''s debut there, it seems like we could gain a lot from it. It''s good for exposure too." "It would be great if we could make it happen since Jong-Hoon''s concert would draw at least 30,000 people. But how do you n to persuade both SJ Entertainment and Jong-Hoon? They''re both notoriously difficult to deal with." "There''s a way." "How? What way?" Before answering the question, I took a deep breath and collected my thoughts. The real reason I brought up this topic was to prevent the suicide of Kim Jong-Hoon, the leader of Blit, scheduled for tomorrow at 6 p.m. Chapter 136: Gangnam Boutique Hotel (1)

Chapter 136: Gangnam Boutique Hotel (1)

[Everyday V10] [Date: June 10th, 2020] -08:00 AM Gangnam Severance Hospital funeral hall. SJ Entertainment''s Blit leader, Kim Jong-Hoon''s suicide. Kim Jong-Hoon''s time of death was set for tomorrow, June 8th, at 6 p.m. ording to the entry clearly marked in my nner, I would be attending his funeral in four days. I recalled how shocked the entertainment industry insiders were at the time. Even though Blit had passed its peak as a boy group, Kim Jong-Hoon was sessfully transitioning to a solo career. He had been on a winning streak and selling out solo concerts in Japan and Korea recently. Nobody thought he wouldmit suicide. In other words, I was the only one who could prevent his death at this moment. But being from a differentpany, I couldn''t just visit him recklessly without a reason. Finding the location where he intended tomit suicide would be even weirder and more suspicious. Therefore, I was creating an opportunity to meet Kim Jong-Hoon under the pretext of Kang Ha-na''s debut. "There is a song Ha-Na made, and I''m thinking of proposing to do a duet of it with Mr. Jong-Hoon." The song ''Honbul'' created by Kang Ha-Na would be widely known as the OST for next year''s Grand Bell Awards-winning film, amassing 30 million views. But unaware of this fact, Lee Dong-Min still looked worried. "Will that work? Jong-Hoon prefers fast-beat songs." "Come on. It''s not like we only have oneposer in Singer Division 2." Lee Dong-Min quickly caught on to my intentions. "Wait. You''re not nning to pass on Seon-Woo''s songs to him, are you?" "I am. Let''s pick a few of Seon-Woo''s works that would suit a male singer. We don''t have any male dance singers in Singer Division 2 anyway." But Lee Dong-Min seemed reluctant. "Well, we could start training one now..." "Oh, please, Mr. Lee. When are they going to debut if we start now? Don''t be greedy for nothing. Songs don''t get better just by sitting around." Being the exclusiveposer for Singer Division 2 now, Seon-Woo had alreadypleted over 30 songs. But it was very obvious that Lee Dong-Min didn''t want to give away even one. After all, no producer would be generous enough to give songs away to others. However, he let out a deep sigh and eventually agreed after some cost-benefit analysis. "You''re right. There''s noposer as fast as Seon-Woo when writing songs. Let''s go for it. Jong-Hoon would surely be tempted by Seon-Woo''s work." Thanks to Cherry Blossom''s sess, Bang Seon-Woo was the hottestposer of the first half of the year. I was certain even the picky Kim Jong-Hoon wouldn''t refuse a song from the most sought-afterposer at the moment. "Mr. Lee, how about we also offer Cherry Blossom as a guest for his concert?" Lee Dong-Min''s eyes widened. "You''re suggesting a one-for-one deal?" "Yes. We need to persuade SJ Entertainment as well." The one-for-one strategy worked in this industry just as well as it did in supermarkets. Promoting rookies by putting them beside a well-known celebrity, whether an actor or singer, was quitemon. "If you propose that, not just SJ Entertainment but even TK Entertainment would say okay!" "Haha. That''s true." "But wouldn''t that be a loss for us? I think we need to do some calctions here." "No. By having Cherry Blossom perform at Mr. Kim Jong-Hoon''s concert in Japan, we can gauge the Japanese response which is beneficial for us." "Well, that does make sense. Alright. Then filter through Ha-Na''s and Seon-Woo''s songs for the good ones. I''ll contact Seo-Jun hyung myself." ''Seo-Jun? Is he referring to Lee Seo-Jun, the president of SJ Entertainment, as ''hyung''?'' I couldn''t believe it. "No way. Stop exaggerating, sir. Why would the great President Lee Seo-Jun be on such familiar terms with you?" Lee Dong-Min shot me a re. "Hey! Back in my prime, record producers lined up just to work on a single song with me! What''s with this reaction?" Reflecting on it, Lee Dong-Min indeed was once recognized as Korea''s top producer and creator although he''d been a bit out of touch with recent trends. But I lightened the mood with a yfulugh. After all, dwelling on the heavy thought of saving Kim Jong-Hoon wouldn''t help anything. *** [@KJH_FOREVER] Depression is swallowing me day by day. I want to dip my feet in that deep darkness beckoning me. A suffocating swamp. An atmosphere devoid of air. If I don''t feel alive, am I truly alive? It''sforting to think that pain is all in the mind. I guess it''s all my fault. As always, Kim Jong-Hoon''s Chirper was filled with posts brimming with negative emotions today. When worried fans asked if he was harboring any strange thoughts, Kim Jong-Hoon responded with a bright smile, exining the following day that he was simply overwhelmed by the emotions that often visit him at night. But this fluctuation of mood was a ssic sign of depression. Reading the contents of his Chirper, I let out a deep but determined sigh. The current time was 2 p.m. on June 8th. There were only 4 hours left until Kim Jong-Hoon''s suicide. As soon as Lee Dong-Min and I arrived at SJ Entertainment, we headed straight for the President''s office. Inside, Lee Seo-Jun greeted us with a bright smile. "Come on in, make yourselvesfortable." It felt strange to see his face unchanged even after traveling back ten years. Lee Seo-Jun was a legendary figure who brought the Korean entertainment industry from the shadows of nightclub and event-centric activities into the limelight. He transformed the talent agent profession, once overrun by thugs, into a sought-after career for graduates from prestigious universities. He would stick to always wearing suits ten yearster, but now he was in jeans. Lee Seo-Jun, still active in his prime, reached out his hand to Lee Dong-Min with a bright smile. "It seems like you''re getting younger and younger, Dong-Min. Is Cherry Blossom giving you a zest for life these days?" Lee Dong-Min yfully teased right from the start. "Why don''t you raise a girl group properly too, hyung? The groups SJ is bringing up these days aren''t doing too well, are they?" ''So they are more than just close. They seem like they''ve known each other for quite a long time.'' "Agh...you''re poking a sore spot." "That''s what happens when you neglect thepany to buy wineries in California. This is what happens when you don''t pay attention to the singers." Lee Seo-Jun grumbled at Lee Dong-Min''s words. "Yeah, yeah, I understand¡ªyou''re great." "Only now you understand?" After finishing their friendly greetings, Lee Seo-Jun also extended his hand to me. "I finally meet the famous ace of Hoop Entertainment. It''s an honor, Assistant Manager Jung." "It''s my pleasure, Mr. Lee." I finished exchanging pleasantries with Lee Seo-Jun, who made me feel quite esteemed. "It''s nice to meet you. Please sit down, let''s talk." After hearing the proposal that Lee Dong-Min and I had discussed in advance, Lee Seo-Jun liked our offer so much that he suspected we had an ulterior motive. "But why Jong-Hoon? Honestly, other top artists who have concerts lined up this year would be tempted too with such an offer." Lee Dong-Min nced at me and shrugged. "This guy here insisted it had to be Jong-Hoon from the start. He says Jong-Hoon''s voice matches well with our rookie, Ha-Na." Seeing no need to ponder, Lee Seo-Jun nodded without hesitation. This was certainly a win-win situation. There was no reason to refuse a deal where both parties came out ahead. "Alright, let''s set that aside for now. But you mentioned you have songs for Jong-Hoon, right? Let''s hear those first." "Yes, hyung." I followed Lee Dong-Min''s instructions and immediately yed the recorded songs. One after another, Kang Ha-Na''s ''Honbul'' and four untitled songs created by Bang Seon-Woo were yed. I intentionally brought only the instrumental versions without any guide vocals, because I was confident someone like Lee Seo-Jun would recognize the value of thesepositions. During the yback of all five songs which were about four minutes each, Lee Seo-Jun''s expression changed with each one. "Wow! Where did you find such great music!?" As the music stopped ying, Lee Seo-Jun grasped my hand firmly. "Do you have any other songs? I''ll buy them all if you have more. No, just tell me whoposed these tracks and I''ll make it worth your while..." That''s when Lee Dong-Min interjected smoothly. "Hyung, all these songs were made by our Singer Division 2. We''re passing them on to you because they''re too much for us to handle internally, so don''t get too greedy." Lee Seo-Jun smacked his lips in resignation. "Alright, alright. I''ll tell Jong-Hoon toe straight to the office, but you two don''t go anywhere. Wait here." Recognizing the value of the songs, Lee Seo-Jun urgently made a call. There were only three hours left until Kim Jong-Hoon''s nned suicide. Considering the distance from Apgujeong to Gangnam, there was still some buffer time. I had considered picking him up myself early in the morning, but I wanted to inform Lee Seo-Jun for the future as well¡ªthat his artist was struggling so much. Everyone around Jong-Hoon needed to pay more attention to him topletely prevent this tragedy. Beep-beep. The calls kept getting redirected to Kim Jong-Hoon''s voicemail. But I wasn''t surprised, because Kim Jong-Hoon would have cut off allmunication while contemting death by now. "Why isn''t this guy answering his phone?" Lee Seo-Jun, called Jong-Hoon''s talent agent with a puzzled expression. "Hey, it''s me. I can''t reach Jong-Hoon. Where is he now?" But the moment he heard the talent agent''s voice, Lee Seo-Jun''s expression turned curious. "At a hotel? Not at his home?" Lee Seo-Jun made an apologetic look after hanging up the call. "Just wait a bit here. He sometimes turns off his phone and rests in a hotel after concerts. I''ll find him and bring him here soon." I quietly took out my phone and brought up a topic I had held back until now. It was time to actively start saving Kim Jong-Hoon. "Mr. Lee, have you seen Mr. Jong-Hoon''s Chirper recently?" "Chirper?" "Here, please take a look at this. The posts on Mr. Jong-Hoon''s Chirper are a bit concerning. Could he be harboring some dark thoughts by any chance?" When I showed him the Chirper posts, Lee Seo-Jun frowned deeply. "What about it? Isn''t thismon? You know, celebrities often deal with symptoms of depression." "But this is too severe. He is sending tant signs. Don''t you think you''ve be too ustomed to these kinds of situations? I would have set out to find him immediately. What if something serious happens?" "Hmm..." When I, an assistant manager from anotherpany, raised my voice, Lee Seo-Jun appeared ufortable. But this awkwardness was trivialpared to Kim Jong-Hoon''s death. Lee Seo-Jun started scrolling through Chirper while clearing his throat and his expression hardened as the content grew more serious. I also showed Lee Dong-Min Kim Jong-Hoon''s Chirper, and his face immediately stiffened. "Hyung, this seems too serious to just overlook." As both of us stood beside Lee Seo-Jun and amplified the anxiety, he couldn''t bear it any longer and started making confirmation calls. His face grew increasingly stern as the calls went on. Everyone over the line mentioned Jong-Hoon had often spoken such words recently, but they just brushed it off as they thought it was highly unlikely that something like that would happen. But such negligence could lead to dire consequences, especially since no one would believe someone as sessful as Kim Jong-Hoon would consider suicide. With only two and a half hours left, I considered just telling them where Kim Jong-Hoon was. But fortunately, Kim Jong-Hoon''s talent agent called first. "Gangnam Bless Hotel? But he''s not answering his phone?" Lee Seo-Jun stood up abruptly after his sharpment. "Dong-Min, let''s meet againter. I need to step out." Seeing Lee Seo-Jun ready to act upon realizing Jong-Hoon''s troubled state, I insisted oning along. "Mr. Lee, we''lle with you." As Lee Seo-Jun hesitated, Lee Dong-Min supported the idea. "Hyung, take Yoon-Ho with you. He could be of help. He has a knack for these situations, you know." Lee Seo-Jun quickly made up his mind with no time to waste. "Then let''s all go together." At Lee Seo-Jun''s suggestion to move together, I urgently stopped the two before leaving the office. There was something crucial we needed to get if we were to save Kim Jong-Hoon. Chapter 137: Gangnam Boutique Hotel (2)

Chapter 137: Gangnam Boutique Hotel (2)

Upon arriving at the Gangnam Bless Hotel, known for being frequented by celebrities, the front desk staff and Kim Jong-Hoon''s talent agent, Park Sang-Yong, were raising their voices in a heated exchange. "What''s going on here?" Seeing Lee Seo-Jun enter, Park Sang-Yong rushed over with a flustered look. "Mr. Lee!" "Why are you still here? Where''s Jong-Hoon?" The talent agent replied with a troubled expression, "The front desk staff won''t disclose his room number." "What?" The desk staff insisted that they couldn''t reveal a guest''s room number due to their privacy policy. The furious Lee Seo-Jun approached the front desk. "Wee, Mr. Lee Seo-Jun." Despite the heated situation, the front desk staff greeted him professionally. "I guess there''s no need to waste time since you know who I am. You need to tell me the room where our celebrity is staying. It''s urgent." But the front desk staff shook their heads even with Lee Seo-Jun''s request. "I''m sorry, sir. Our policy prevents us from disclosing room numbers to visitors not previously authorized by the guest. Even if you''re the president, we..." "This is so frustrating! Didn''t you hear this is urgent!?" The flustered Lee Seo-Junshed out in anger, which led him topletely forget about the documents he had prepared. "Mr. Lee, don''t you have the documents you prepared?" I reminded him. Anticipating such a situation, I had hurriedly made a copy of Kim Jong-Hoon''s contract from the legal team beforeing here because the management contract contained uses stating that the affiliated celebrities must disclose their location when requested by thepany and also included provisions for delegating the disclosure of personal information. "Right! I had that!" Lee Seo-Jun hastily pulled out a copy of the contract and handed it to the desk staff. "Miss, our legal team''s team lead will be here soon. And don''t worry about our celebrity suing your hotel for disclosing the room number. If you doubt my words, feel free to record this." "Please give us one moment, Mr. Lee." A senior desk staff member named Choi Yung-Ae checked the uses on the contract copy. "Understood. However, we will keep this copy for our records." Choi Yung-Ae handed the contract copy to another staff member and came out with a master key. "Please follow me." We followed Choi Yung-Ae straight to the elevator. *** Ding. With 20 minutes left, the elevator reached the VIP-exclusive floor. Choi Yung-Ae led the way and we followed her. Click! The moment the master key unlocked the door to room 701, thergest room at the end of the corridor, the startled Choi Yung-Ae covered her mouth with both hands and stepped back. "Uh...uh." When the startled Lee Seo-Jun pushed Choi Yung-Ae aside and entered, he immediately let out a sharp shout. "J-Jong-Hoon! What, what are you doing!?" I hurriedly followed Lee Seo-Jun inside. Inside the room stood Kim Jong-Hoon on a chair, fiddling with a tangled nylonundry line. Lee Seo-Jun quickly pushed Kim Jong-Hoon in shock. Thud. Kim Jong-Hoon let go of theundry line and fell to the floor. However, Kim Jong-Hoon made no sound of pain. He simply looked around bewildered with unfocused eyes, wondering why everyone was there. p! Lee Seo-Jun, who was rolling on the floor, abruptly stood up and fiercely pped Jong-Hoon''s cheek. "You, you reckless fool!" It was only natural for Lee Seo-Jun to be out of his mind seeing Kim Jong-Hoon attempting suicide because he had cherished Kim Jong-Hoon like his own child. I consoled Choi Yung-Ae, who was trembling in shock. Lee Dong-Min urgently restrained Lee Seo-Jun. "Hyung! Please calm down!" When Kim Jong-Hoon''s talent agent, who was thest to enter, joined in to hold Lee Seo-Jun back, Lee Seo-Jun seemed to lose strength in his legs and copsed on the spot after shaking Kim Jong-Hoon by the cor. "Good grief!" Looking like his soul had left his body, Kim Jong-Hoon silently watched Lee Dong-Min groan away. Kim Jong-Hoon''s talent agent shouted. "Hey! Kim Jong-Hoon. Were you going to leave us like this!? What about Mr Lee and your family who live for you!? And what about me!?" With tears streaming down his face, his talent agentmented the pain of those who would be left behind if Kim Jong-Hoon had gone ahead with his n. That''s when Kim Jong-Hoon, who had been sitting silently on the floor, finally let out all his pent-up feelings. "What about me?" "What?" "What am I supposed to do? I''m struggling! It feels like I can''t even breathe!!" Thud! After his harsh resolve to end his life had gone to a failure, Kim Jong-Hoon helplessly knelt down. "Aaaah!" Kim Jong-Hoon''s cries mixed with tears were so intense it almost caused tinnitus. Hearing his painful cries, Lee Seo-Jun crawled on his knees towards Kim Jong-Hoon and embraced him. "I''m sorry, Jong-Hoon. I''m so sorry. This is all my fault." No matter how much Lee Seo-Jun repeated his apologies, it couldn''t stop Kim Jong-Hoon''s tears. Kim Jong-Hoon''s heart-wrenching sobs echoed in the room for a while. But, as they say, even the mourning at a funeral doesn''tst more than three days. Eventually, the exhausted Kim Jong-Hoon''s cries began to subside. *** Kim Jong-Hoon wiped away his tears and slowly got up. "I''m sorry...Mr. Lee." Lee Seo-Jun shook his head, indicating it wasn''t Kim Jong-Hoon''s fault. Then, he soothed Kim Jong-Hoon by caressing his face with both hands. "No, it''s not your fault. I''m sorry. So, let''s not think like this anymore. Let''s take a break. We''ll cancel all schedules and go abroad for a while to rest, okay?" Kim Jong-Hoon sighed deeply and nodded. "...Alright. I''ll do that." After muchforting and crying, it was soon past 6 p.m. Realizing the time Kim Jong-Hoon was supposed to have died had passed, I quietly opened my nner. [Everyday V10] [Date: June 10, 2020] -08:00 a.m. (Deleted Schedule: Gangnam Severance Hospital funeral hall. SJ Entertainment''s Blit leader, Kim Jong-Hoon''s suicide.) The entry was deleted. It seemed I wouldn''t have to worry anymore today. However, the cause of Kim Jong-Hoon''s depression hadn''t disappeared yet. The root of Kim Jong-Hoon''s depression was the loss felt from not achieving his high musical ideals. Leaving someone as self-aware as Kim Jong-Hoon alone could lead to the same situation arising again. Fortunately, there were geniuses who could fill and surpass Kim Jong-Hoon''s sense of loss by my side: Bang Seon-Woo, Jang Ye-Bin, Kang Ha-Na, and Park Seon-Nyeo. I was confident that letting Kim Jong-Hoon mingle with them would more than dispel the crippling depression that bound him. In the meantime, Lee Seo-Jun, who had ordered the talent agent to stick with Kim Jong-Hoon all day, approached me. "Thank you, Assistant Manager Jung." "It''s nothing, Mr. Lee." "No, if you hadn''t been so assertive, who knows what would have happened...anyway, it''s all thanks to you." Lee Seo-Jun held my hand and repeatedly expressed his gratitude. "Let''s talk again once Jong-Hoones back to his senses. Let''s cover up today''s incident for now. How about that?" "Don''t worry, sir. But you should take care of that front desk staff who was quite shocked. If today''s incident gets out, it might lead to more trouble." "Don''t worry about that part." As Lee Seo-Jun nodded and was about to turn away, I brought up another matter. "More than that, Mr. Lee. About our songs..." "Songs?" "Please y them for Mr. Jong-Hoon as soon as he''s in a better state of mind. He needs some positivity and motivation right now." Lee Seo-Jun nodded after a moment of consideration. Since Kim Jong-Hoon''s phone was dead, I transferred the five audio files to Lee Seo-Jun''s phone instead. "Did you receive them?" "I did." "Perfect. Then we''ll be leaving now." "Thank you for today. I''ll make sure to repay this debt." After shaking hands with Lee Seo-Jun, I headed to the underground parking lot where Lee Dong-Min was waiting. *** Lee Dong-Min wiped the sweat off his brow in the passenger seat and let out a sigh. "Phew. It''s a good thing we came along." "Indeed." Lee Dong-Min couldn''t hide his admiration. "Do you have some sort of prophetic powers or something?" "Of course not, sir." But Lee Dong-Min continued to make a fuss. "No, you might not even realize it even if you had such abilities. Let''s go buy a lottery ticket on our way back." ''So that was his intention, huh?'' "I saw a lottery shop on our way. It should be around here if we take the right turn. I''ll give you the money, so buy one for you and one for me. If we win, let''s agree to buy each other a car." Come to think of it, I felt regret for the first time since traveling back in time. I had written down in my nner viewership ratings and the names of candidates who got first ce in music shows. Unfortunately, I didn''t bother writing down a single winning lottery number. Feeling regretful for the first time because of Lee Dong-Min, I left the underground parking lot to buy the lottery tickets and headed back to thepany. But before we even arrived at thepany, a call came in from Lee Seo-Jun. -Assistant Manager Jung. Can we meet right now? *** Music is the only drug recognized byw. For someone else, it might be a cure that washes away sad memories with a handful of tears. But for Kim Jong-Hoon, music was always a source of pain. He set high standards for himself and tortured himself for not meeting them, which eventually sickened his soul to the point of considering suicide. However, everything changed the moment he heard the music Lee Seo-Jun yed to soothe him on the way to the hospital. -Mr. Lee, please let me meet the person who created this song immediately! Driven by Kim Jong-Hoon''s earnest wish, Lee Seo-Jun turned the car around and headed not to the hospital but to ourpany. We arrived at the underground parking lot first and parked the car. Leaning against the car, Lee Dong-Min let out a deep sigh. "Ah, that damned music..." "Have you ever felt like dying, Mr. Lee?" Lee Dong-Min nodded. "Of course. Mostposers have felt that way at some point." "Even Seon-Woo?" "Seon-Woo is not in that category. He''s a geniusposing machine. With an endless spring in his mind, he wouldn''t have time to think about dying, unless he''s frustrated because he can''t bring out all the musical ideas he has." "Hmm, makes sense. I suppose that could be the case with Seon-Woo." "Leaving such monsters aside, mostposers live in agony, but Jong-Hoon''s case seems to be particrly severe." Lee Dong-Minughed bitterly, saying he even experienced auditory hallucinations. "Auditory hallucinations? Come on, that''s a bit much." "Can''t believe it, can you? I started hearing voices condemning me one day, saying my music was worse than trash rolling on the market floor. Imagine hearing that 24/7. It drives you crazy enough to want to die." His distorted expression made it clear he wasn''t joking. I was speechless after hearing such a shocking story from Lee Dong-Min. "Now I can talk about it like this. But I''m surprised I didn''t die back then. Phew." "I''m d you stayed strong." Lee Dong-Min responded with a chuckle. "I''m kind of a social butterfly as you know. My family couldn''t help much, but I felt strangely energized when I was with friends." ''Friends.'' My intention wasn''t just to provide Kim Jong-Hoon with good music, but to also give himpanions to walk the journey together. I was once again convinced that this was the remedy topletely free Kim Jong-Hoon from his depression. This had been my intended solution all along. At that moment, Lee Seo-Jun''s Maybach rolled into the underground parking lot. Screech! As the ck Maybach came to a stop, the rear door swung open and the eager Kim Jong-Hoon rushed out. "Are you Mr. Jung? Can I see theposer of the songs you gave me right away? I know this is sudden and might be inconvenient for you, but it''s important to me!" Kim Jong-Hoon grabbed my arm and pleaded. Anyone with an ear for music would recognize the value of the songs I had presented. His eyes, long tormented by a sense of loss that gnawed away at his soul, seemed desperate as if he had found the key to solving his problems. "Yes, of course. Please follow me." As Lee Seo-Jun hurried to join us, Lee Dong-Min stepped in front of him. "Where do you think you''re going, hyung? Why don''t you and I go have a coffee instead?" Lee Seo-Jun was noticeably irritated. "Hey! Do you think now''s the time for coffee?" "Oh,e on, old man! Let the young kids have their own chat. How do you run an entertainment business with so little tact?" Lee Dong-Min held back Lee Seo-Jun and winked at me, signaling me to take care of Kim Jong-Hoon. Soon, Lee Seo-Jun reluctantly nodded in agreement. "Come on. Ourpany''s coffee is exceptional, hyung." "Stop dragging me. I''m going. I said I''m going!" After the two left, I walked with Kim Jong-Hoon to the underground recording studio to eradicate the remaining causes of his depression. Chapter 138: Contract (1)

Chapter 138: Contract (1)

Boom-chick! Boom-boom, chick! As we arrived at the underground recording studio, Bang Seon-Woo''s music was echoing through the hallway as usual. "Is this a dance track?" "Ah, yes. Composer Bang Seon-Woo is currently working on it." Kim Jong-Hoon''s eyes widened in surprise. "Bang Seon-Woo? As in the one who created ''Hurry Up!'' for Cherry Blossom?" "Yes. And heposed four out of the five songs I proposed for you." Realizing that the unidentified songs that inspired him musically were created by Bang Seon-Woo, the hottestposer at the moment, Kim Jong-Hoon looked thrilled. "No wonder...''Hurry Up!'' also has a very unique flow." While Kim Jong-Hoon and I were waiting on the hallway bench, the sound from Room 1 stopped. "Let''s go in." As Kim Jong-Hoon entered the recording studio, the startled Bang Seon-Woo sprang to his feet. "K-Kim Jong-Hoon? Kim Jong-Hoon of Blit? Really?" Bang Seon-Woo''s astonishment ceased only when he saw me following behind. "Why so surprised? I left a message on KkTalk saying I''d bring Mr. Kim Jong-Hoon to see you. Didn''t you see it?" Bang Seon-Woo pointed toward his phone tossed aside in the corner of the studio. "D-did you? I didn''t see it because I was busy working." Kim Jong-Hoon apologized for startling him and bowed politely. "I''m sorry. I was so anxious that I ended up being rude and dropping by unannounced." "No, no! It''s fine! Please, lift your head! Wow, this is amazing!" When the excited Bang Seon-Woo finally calmed down, Kim Jong-Hoon began to ask questions and expressed his frustrations that had been bottled up for so long. "I was listening to your music in the car, and it felt electrifying. But I guess that dance track you were ying just now was equally, if not more, electrifying." "Th-thank you." "But how did youe up with such a track? I know this question might be impolite, but it''s got such a unique flow." Still confused about what was going on, Bang Seon-Woo caught my signal and carefully replied, "It''s kind of hard to exin in words...would you like to see how I work?" "I would love to!" Bang Seon-Woo lifted his MePad with an excited expression. His fingers started moving across the screen like lightning. "I just, like this, jot down whateveres to mind, hum it out after jotting it down...if the humming doesn''t sound right, I modify it. Oh, and the post-production isn''t done by me; Mr. Lee Dong-Min handles it." Amid his exnation, a new song was swiftly created. "Since this song was made tomemorate meeting Mr. Kim Jong-Hoon today, how about we title it ''Encounter''?" Kim Jong-Hoon''s face went pale at Bang Seon-Woo''s nonchnt question. Some struggled for years and were tormented just to create a single song. However, witnessing Bang Seon-Woo effortlessly manifest a musical idea into aplete piece highlighted the vast chasm of talent between them. "...It seems like a method beyond the reach of ordinary people like me." Kim Jong-Hoon''s voice was devoid of energy when he realized that his ideal was something he could never achieve. The disparity in talent could indeed be cruel at times. However, acknowledging one''s shorings was necessary to move forward to the next step¡ªcoboration with others. Bang Seon-Woo nced at me nervously, vividly concerned about what he might have done wrong given Kim Jong-Hoon''s stern expression. "Mr. Jong-Hoon." Kim Jong-Hoon slowly turned to me at my call. "You have the looks, dance skills, vocal talent, and the ability to write sincere lyrics." "But still..." "Wouldn''t it be okay to let go of some desires and rely on others for a change?" A flicker of realization passed through Kim Jong-Hoon''s eyes as he was about to make an excuse. "Let go, huh..." Kim Jong-Hoon closed his eyes and fell into deep thought as he reflected on my words. After mumbling to himself for a while, he sighed deeply and began to speak as he acknowledged his shorings and epted the need for others'' help. "I see what you mean. Trying to excel in everything must have been my greed." As Kim Jong-Hoon nodded in agreement, his face seemed a bit brighter like the moon slowly revealing itself from behind thick clouds. *** I called Kang Ha-Na and Jang Ye-Bin who were busy setting up their dorm to the recording studio. The two who were dressed casually caused quite a stir upon seeing Kim Jong-Hoon as they were his huge fans. After managing to calm them down, I asked Kang Ha-Na to sing. Once inside the recording booth, she started singing with a serious demeanor. The moment Kang Ha-Na''s voice came through the studio speakers, Kim Jong-Hoon couldn''t hide his astonishment. "Wait. How is it possible that a vocalist like Miss Ha-Na hasn''t debuted yet?" "What can we do if the so-called industry experts only have that much insight?" Deeming it almost criminal, Kim Jong-Hoon started to gossip about Eyestone. His sharp words were so intense that even Bang Seon-Woo, who was standing by, flinched in surprise. When Kang Ha-Na finished her song and stepped out of the booth, Kim Jong-Hoon cheered with a standing ovation. "That was fantastic, Miss Ha-Na." Kang Ha-Na blushed at Kim Jong-Hoon''spliments and responded. "Thank you, sunbae-nim!" "It''s me who should be thankful. To think of Miss Ha-Na as a guest at my concert is thrilling." Kang Ha-Na tilted her head in confusion at Kim Jong-Hoon''s excited reaction. "I''m a guest?" "Weren''t you aware?" Suddenly, all eyes turned to me. "Ha-Na, you''re going to debut at Mr. Jong-Hoon''s concert at the end of this year." "What? Really!?" Kang Ha-Na blinked herrge eyes and shook her hands frantically at the news. Jang Ye-Bin chuckled at her reaction. "Ha-Na unnie, what''s with the pping? Are you so happy you feel like flying away?" "N-no, it''s just...my, my debut... at Mr. Kim Jong-Hoon''s concert...how do I handle this?" Unlike her usual quiet nature, Kang Ha-Na would often stutter and p her hands when genuinely flustered. We allughed for a while at Kang Ha-Na''s unexpected reaction. "And this friend here is Jang Ye-Bin, the lyricist of ''Hurry Up!'' by Cherry Blossom. Though not faring well on the Cameo Page, she''s top-notch as a lyricist." Jang Ye-Bin mockingly slit her throat with her thumb at my introduction. "Yoon-Ho oppa, why would you introduce me like that? Don''t talk about my ''regrettable performance'' on the Cameo Page! My dedicated fans there will have your head if they hear this!" "How many dedicated fans are there?" Jang Ye-Bin pouted. "Does the number of fans matter?" "It does. So, esteemed writer, how manyments did you get on yourtest posts?" "There''s one¡ªbut that fan, Pr Bear, is so dedicated!" Then Bang Seon-Woo timidly raised his hand at Jang Ye-Bin''s exmation. "Sorry, noona. That was actually me." The frustrated Jang Ye-Bin eximed, "What? You are Pr Bear?" "Yeah. No one wasmenting on your stories, so I thought...at least I should." "Hey! Are you asking for a beating? Huh? Who asked for yourments?" "Ouch! What!? Weren''t you happy to have a dedicated fan? Aaagh! Don''t hit me! Why are you hitting me?" Feeling betrayed, Jang Ye-Bin yfully hit Bang Seon-Woo on the back. After their sibling-like quarrel, Jang Ye-Bin vowed to give up writing novels and focus solely on lyrics. ''That''s a wise decision.'' After all, Jang Ye-Bin would never seed with her writing in the future anyway. After themotion settled, Jang Ye-Bin and Kim Jong-Hoon started working on the lyrics for the song. Kim Jong-Hoon also had a knack for writing lyrics. However, it wasn''t long before Kim Jong-Hoon expressed his astonishment. "It''s a great fortune that you chose to be a lyricist, Miss Ye-Bin." Jang Ye-Bin nodded in agreement. "Actually, I think so too." Having friends to talk about music with, Kim Jong-Hoon no longer looked lonely. *** It took several hours before I could finally take Kim Jong-Hoon to Lee Dong-Min''s office. As we entered, Lee Seo-Jun, who had been waiting with an anxious expression, sprung up from the sofa. "Jong-Hoon. If you''re done talking, let''s head to the hospital first!" Kim Jong-Hoon smiled and brimmed with energy, looking even more spirited than me. "Mr. Lee, I''m okay now." "What, what do you mean by that?" "I mean it. If you''re worried, you can have Sang-Yong hyung stay with me." Lee Seo-Jun tilted his head as he was puzzled by the sudden change in Kim Jong-Hoon''s demeanor. Kim Jong-Hoon then shared what had happened in the recording studio. "This ce is truly amazing. And as for Miss Ha-Na, I should be the one asking her to join my concert." Kim Jong-Hoon''s enthusiastic narration left Lee Seo-Jun bewildered. "Is that so?" "Yes. Hearing it myself, I''m sure her debut will turn South Korea upside down." Kim Jong-Hoon chatted away like a child about his fantastic experience in the recording studio. Only then did Lee Seo-Jun heave a sigh of relief. "So, Mr. Lee. I was wondering..." "Yes, Jong-Hoon, what is it?" Kim Jong-Hoon approached me with a grin. "Can I stay here for a while? I''d like to receive some help from Yoon-Ho too." ''Wait a minute. When did we be so informal with each other?'' Even if we were the same age ording to our IDs, making us technically same-age friends, I had actually lived to 36 before traveling back in time. ''I am technically 37 now.'' Lee Seo-Jun and Lee Dong-Min exchanged smiles. "Alright. Dong-Min, please take good care of Jong-Hoon for me." "I can certainly do that, hyung." ''Wait, no. They can''t decide that without my consent!'' Lee Seo-Jun seemed to want to extract more than just the songs I had provided to Kim Jong-Hoon and Lee Dong-Min intended to strengthen his rtionship with Kim Jong-Hoon to further promote Kang Ha-Na. Since it appeared to be a win-win n for everyone, I had no choice but to reluctantly nod along. Just like that, I managed to make another friend after traveling back in time. *** Today was June 9th of 2020, the day when Hoop Entertainment and Miso would officially sign their contract. It was more advantageous for Miso to have a formal contract with ourpany if we were to engage in a custody battle with Yoo-Jin''s paternal uncle. As I waited at thepany''s entrance, Jung Sang-Bong appeared with Miso and Yoo-Jin. "Did you get carsick today, Miso?" "No!" Miso energetically replied and began to look around curiously. She seemed fascinated by the full-body pictures and autographs of celebrities adorning thepany walls. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, Uncle Yoon-Ho. What''s that?" "Oh, that? That''s a que of appreciation." "And what about that?" "Ah, that? That''s a g won at the Chuseok special celebrity sports festival." Miso''s eyes widened in amazement. "Wow! Do celebrities have sports days too?" "Of course they do!" "That sounds fun! I want to go running too!" Miso was thrilled at the thought of participating in a sports festival as a celebrity. Well, it wasn''t exactly a lie since there were events simr to a sports day. But if Miso were to actually participate in the celebrity sports festival, I wondered which event she wouldpete in. ''Running? Maybe not. Running is out of the question because she could easily get injured if she falls. Jump rope? If she gets caught in the rope and gets red marks on her skin, that''s a no-go too. Archery? What if she gets injured pulling the bow? I guess cheering might be the safest option.'' While I was pondering over this, employees who had been watching Miso from a distance began to slowly approach. "Hi, Miso. I''m your fan," said Kim Mi-Hye, the alwaysposed assistant manager from the Publicity Division who hade down to our floor to see Miso. Miso smiled broadly at Kim Mi-Hye and bowed politely. "Thank you, Auntie." "I''m not an auntie, call me unnie." Saying she had no regrets left in life now that she saw Miso in person, Kim Mi-Hye hugged Miso tightly and started taking pictures. Soon after, employees gathered around Miso and began to take turns to snap photos while offering candy and snacks. It was a warmer wee than when Lee Tae-Poong visited. After all, Hoop Entertainment didn''t have any child actors. That''s when Gu Seong-Cheol appeared, scolding the gathered employees. "Hey, what are you all doing instead of working!?" Startled by the reprimand, the employees quickly dispersed back to their workstations. Once everyone had scattered, Gu Seong-Cheol cautiously approached us and cleared his throat. "So this is Miso whom I''ve only heard about. Nice to meet you. I''m the highest-ranking person here." At that moment, a snicker echoed over the partition followed by murmurs grumbling about whether that was the reason they were told to get back to work. Hearing Gu Seong-Cheol''s wee, Miso sped her hands together and bowed deeply. "Hello! I''m Jung Miso from Sunbeam ss at L Kindergarten!" Gu Seong-Cheol''s face lit up with a bright smile. "It''s good to see you, Miso. But can we take a photo? My daughter is a huge fan of yours." "Of course!" Miso ran over and took Gu Seong-Cheol''s hand. She then made a peace sign and posed for the camera. Gu Seong-Cheol even mimicked Miso''s actions with an excited expression. "Are you ready? One, two, three! Cheese~." After taking the photo, Gu Seong-Cheol said Kang Ji-Yung was waiting and led us upstairs. Upon arriving at the director''s office, I could see Kang Ji-Yung and Kwak Moo-Hyuk waiting for us. "Wee. Come on in." Miso offered another polite greeting and lightened the atmosphere. After a brief exnation of the contract, Miso pulled out a character pen from the pink Powertuff Girl bag I had gifted her. The pen was topped with a character as big as her fist, which she didn''t seem to find heavy as she held it firmly. Then she asked Yoo-Jin a question. "Mom, where should I sign?" Holding the character pen, Miso looked thrilled and was ready to sign the contract herself. But Yoo-Jin shook her head and calmed Miso. "Miso, only I need to sign." "So I don''t sign?" "That''s right. You''re still too young, so I will sign for you." "I see...okay, Mom." Miso looked a bit sad and fidgeted with the character pen. That''s when the usually stoic Kwak Moo-Hyuk began to speak with an uncharacteristically gentle expression that I''d never seen before. Chapter 139: Contract (2)

Chapter 139: Contract (2)

"Miso, your mom got it wrong. I''m in charge of all the contracts in thispany and I''ll let you sign. Will you sign right here for me, Miso?" As Kwak Moo-Hyuk pointed to the nk space in the contract, Miso beamed a smile. "Really?" Miso asked with a sparkle in her eyes. "Of course~! Now, sign right over here. Make it big. That''s how you be a celebrity of ourpany," Kwak Moo-Hyuk replied. "Okay!" Miso eximed happily. It turned out there was another fan of Miso besides Gu Seong-Cheol. Kwak Moo-Hyuk pointed to arge nk space below the guardian section of the contract. "Can you write your name clearly here, Miso?" "Yes!" Miso started to write her name carefully with her pen. "Jung~Mi~So. All done!" Miso wiped her forehead with a satisfied expression after writing her name inrge handwriting as if she had justpleted a difficult task. At that moment, Kwak Moo-Hyuk presented two more contracts with a smile on his face. One was forpany records and the other for notarization. "Miso, we need two more signatures. Here and here." "Two more?" "Well, signing usually involves a total of three documents." "Okay! Then I''ll write my name even better this time!" Miso responded as she nodded and wrote her name again inrge letters with her pen with a cute design. In the meantime, I filmed the whole process on video. "After all, it marked Miso''s historic debut moment as a celebrity." After signing all the documents, Miso asked cautiously, "So am I a celebrity now?" "Yes. You are now a celebrity, Miso. The only child actress in ourpany!" "Yay! I''m so excited!" Miso raised both her arms high and began boasting to Yoo-Jin. "Mom, take a picture of me! I want to show it to my friends at school!" "Okay, just a moment." As Yoo-Jin took out her phone, Miso made a peace sign with her right hand and ced it next to her ear. Everyone including Kang Ji-Yung couldn''t help but smile at her cute winking. Snap! After the photo was taken, Miso asked to frame the contract so she wouldn''t lose it. "Alright, then. Miso, would you like to take a tour of thepany with Mr. Taekwon?" "Yes!" Miso left the director''s office in high spirits. Only then did Kang Ji-Yung put away her smile and started talking about the custody trial for Miso. "Now, let''s get to the main point." *** Kwak Moo-Hyukid out the documents on the table, exining he had investigated Jung Hak-Jae. It seemed their previous threats andments were all a bluff. "Yoo-Jin''s uncle, No¡ªthis Jung Hak-Jae guy. He''s already appointed awyer." "From where?" "From JungSung Law Firm." JungSung was thew firm at which Jung Yung-Seok and Sung Moon-Sang were representativewyers. Thewyers at JungSung were all very capable and among them were many former officials too. It looked like filing a suit against Jung Hak-Je was going to be a tough fight. "And he also established an entertainmentpany a week ago called Miso nning." Everyone in the director''s office frowned. Perhaps because she was so tense, Yoo-Jin was tightly holding onto the end of my suit jacket. "Don''t worry. There''s no way we''d lose Miso''s custody." When I held Yoo-Jin''s hand tofort her, she flinched and came back to her senses. "Oh, I''m sorry. I didn''t realize..." Realizing she had been crumpling my suit, she apologized with a troubled expression. "What are you sorry for? This is a wrinkle-free suit. It won''t crease at all." "Oh, it''s wrinkle-free?" I reassured Yoo-Jin and boasted about this miraculous invention by the fabric industry to lighten the atmosphere. Anyway, I had previously navigated a child actor''s custody battle in my past life, and naturally, it ended in my victory. "Ms. Kang, you know that a family investigator appears during custody trials, right?" "Is that so?" When Kang Ji-Yung shrugged as if hearing it for the first time, Kwak Moo-Hyuk answered instead. "Wait. How do you know all that, Assistant Manager Jung?" "I did some research in advance. Anyway, it would be good to start paying wages to Yoo-Jin''sndlord in preparation for the investigation." The oue of a custody battle was significantly influenced by the child''s living environment. It included whether the child could grow up in a stable situation and also the custodian''s financial situation, among other factors. Those who judged these factors were the family investigators appointed by the court. Kang Ji-Yung tilted her head with a puzzled expression. "Wages? Do you mean to employ her as a staff member?" "Yes. Helping asionally and having a formal contract is very different. Since she''s already taking care of Miso, it would be killing two birds with one stone to employ her at this time. We can prepare the legal documents and she can getpensated. The expenses could be under Yoo-Jin''s name, right?" Kwak Moo-Hyuk nodded, seeing the point. "Assistant Manager Jung is right. That would be quite advantageous for the trial." Kang Ji-Yung smiled broadly. "Wow, no one can match Assistant Manager Jung in taking care of our actors, huh?" I scratched my head with an awkward expression. Then, I took this opportunity to make a somewhat audacious request. "Also, Ms. Kang, could we possibly advance Yoo-Jin''s settlement for this year? The first settlement amount hase in, but having a higher bnce in the ount could be advantageous for thewsuit." Kang Ji-Yung made a dumbfounded expression andughed incredulously. "Wow. You''re incredible, Assistant Manager Jung. Can''t you just be my talent agent too? It feels like everything would be solved if I leave it to you." Kwak Moo-Hyuk also raised both his hands in surrender. "Ha ha ha. It seems like this guy here is the right person for trial preparation, not me." Their teasing almost made me break out in cold sweat. With Kang Ji-Yung''s decision, we reviewed our final n and braced ourselves. *** [(Exclusive) Hoop Entertainment, the rookie child actor Jung Miso is selected.] -Hoop Entertainment, following their actress Jung Yoo-Jin, has signed a three-year contract with her daughter, Jung Miso. Jung Miso, who had turned down numerous requests for joint appearances inmercials, is now emerging as a new blue-chip in the advertising world with this contract... "What, what is this about all of a sudden!?" Upon seeing the article, Team Lead Ju Ho-Sung from Actor Division 1 hurriedly arranged a meeting with Park In-Ki from Actor Division 2. The n to transfer Miso''s custody to Jung Hak-Jae, Yoo-Jin''s uncle, and ultimately take Yoo-Jin away as well, seemed to have met with some obstacles. Even if they were to win the custody battle, they might have to engage in a long and tediouswsuit to nullify Miso''s contract with Hoop Entertainment. "Why did Team Lead Park omit such crucial information and only pass on irrelevant details after all the money I spent on buying him drinks?" Waiting at a pub in front of thepany, Ju Ho-Sung repeatedly scanned the article. About ten minutester, Park In-Ki lifted the red curtain at the entrance of the pub and walked in. Ju Ho-Sung quickly changed his expression and waved at Park In-Ki. "Over here, Mr. Park." "Hey." Greeted by Ju Ho-Sung, Park In-Ki sat down across with a stern expression. The anxious Ju Ho-Sung skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point. "What happened? I heard that Actor Division 2 recruited Miso." "Yeah. So?" Park In-Ki responded with nonchnce. "Didn''t you promise to inform me first if you had such information? Don''t tell me you just came to enjoy my drinks and keep quiet..." Park In-Ki gave a cold smile. "I came to see you as quickly as possible because you said there was a good offer. But it seems that''s the main point, huh? Did you call me here just to argue about that?" Ju Ho-Sung also frowned. "There has to be give and take." "Are you crazy? Did I make any promises?" "Excuse me?" "Does buying drinks count as a contract? Hey! Am I your informant or what?" Taken aback by Park In-Ki''s sudden change in attitude, Ju Ho-Sung couldn''t hide his confusion as they had been drinking together and conspiring until recently. "Mr. Park, let''s just calm down and..." But before Ju Ho-Sung could finish his sentence, Park In-Ki shouted at him. "I must have been out of my mind with jealousy for a moment. Team Lead Ju, let''s not meet outside work anymore." As Park In-Ki tried to leave without even having a single drink, Ju Ho-Sung hastily grabbed his arm. If Park In-Ki were to leave like this, he would lose his way of getting information about Actor Division 2. He had to put everything he had on the line right now. "Mr. Park! Do you have any idea how hard I''m trying to get Miss Kim In-Jung on SBC''s gship variety show? I just need to push a little more and she''ll most likely get a guaranteed appearance." Kim In-Jung was a seasoned actress who had been working with Park In-Ki for three years. With a down-to-earth personality unlike most celebrities, she was just like family to Park In-Ki. Ju Ho-Sung thought he could at least keep Park In-Ki seated using Kim In-Jung''s casting as leverage. However, even that was futile. Park In-Ki''s attitude remained as cold as a block of ice. "Most likely? I must have been insane to ignore Assistant Manager Jung and stick with someone like you..." The moment Jung Yoon-Ho''s name was mentioned, Ju Ho-Sung''s smiling face turned icy. But Park In-Ki didn''t care and continued his tirade. "Assistant Manager Jung doesn''t just leave me hanging like you do. He straight upnded In-Jung roles in two variety shows on KBC and MBS. Don''te looking for me anymore. If you''re not as capable as Assistant Manager Jung, at least have some shame!" With that, Park In-Ki immediately left the pub. Ju Ho-Sung''s face contorted in an instant. "Fuck! Why the hell is everyone talking about Jung Yoon-Ho? Are they all conspiring with him or what?" Beingpared to Jung Yoon-Ho sinceing to Hoop Entertainment had pushed Ju Ho-Sung''s stress to the limit. He grabbed the soju bottle on the table. Although he downed the entire bottle of soju in one go, it did nothing to soothe his anger. That''s when Kim Dong-Soo called. -Hey, Ju Ho-Sung! You said you had a useful informant in Actor Division 2, but what''s up with this mess? Do you have any idea how embarrassed I was in front of the director today? How dare you make me lose to Jung Yoon-Ho again? Find a solution right now! Kim Dong-Soo continued reprimanding andparing Ju Ho-Sung to Jung Yoon-Ho for a while, causing the former''s anger to reignite. After enduring Kim Dong-Soo''s scolding, Ju Ho-Sung hung up the phone and clenched his teeth in frustration. "Jung Yoon-Ho, so you think you''re all that, huh? Fine, let''s see who wins, you punk." Perhaps because he was intoxicated with bitter jealousy, Ju Ho-Sung''s eyes flickered with malice as he continuously downed his drinks. *** The positive reception of Miso''s debut article led to a surge in the viewership ratings for episode 19 of Blue Sky, reaching a remarkable 21.1%. Thanks to this, Lee Ji-Yeon''s new work, In the Name of God, had also climbed the live search rankings, riding on the coattails of the buzz. The news that Yoo-Jin had been confirmed for the role of Cheongmyung and the possibility of Ju Yung-In being cast as the female lead again also contributed to the buzz. However, Yoo-Jin cut off external distractions and focused solely on practicing her acting as always. Taking on both the roles of a 20-year old girl named Cheongmyung and a 60-year-old shaman named Manshin Wol-Ah was a challenge like no other, especially in terms of character analysis. In particr, the identity of Manshin Wol-Ah had to be kept secret until a certain point after the drama aired. For this reason, the pressure Yoo-Jin had been feeling these days was a lot more than what she had experienced in the past. Amidst the strenuous practice and day-to-day life, I received a call from Lee Ji-Yeon. -The conversation went well with Soo-Hee unnie, soe straight to my house. I immediately picked Yoo-Jin up and headed to Lee Ji-Yeon''s luxurious vi in Hannam-dong. Upon entering, the legendary actress, Kim Soo-Hee, was sitting cross-legged and having coffee with Lee Ji-Yeon. Though she appeared as a fun character on TV, she was incredibly strict and demanding in reality. Even the unparalleled Ju Yung-In was once reduced to tears by Kim Soo-Hee''s scolding. "Hello, Ms. Lee." Lee Ji-Yeon greeted us and asked Yoo-Jin, "Have you practiced enough?" Kim Soo-Hee also ced her coffee cup on the table and stood up. "Let''s start with the test right away." "Just a moment, let''s have a cup of tea and exchange greetings first," said Lee Ji-Yeon. "I''m busy. I need to see this quickly and go," Kim Soo-Hee replied with a stern expression. Taken aback, Lee Ji-Yeon responded with a flustered expression. "If you promised to give lessons, you should do it properly. What''s up with this, unnie?" Kim Soo-Hee replied with a sharp expression at Lee Ji-Yeon''s insistence. "Ji-Yeon, watch your words. I said I''d only help if I thought it was possible after seeing the actress for myself, didn''t I? I don''t want to waste my time at this age when I don''t have many years left. If the test doesn''t go well, you should just give up as well." The situation unfolding was entirely different from what Lee Ji-Yeon had said about taking lessons from Kim Soo-Hee. ''We came to get advice on how to act as an elderly woman, but we have to take a test on the first day!?'' Chapter 140: Theres No Such Thing As A Permanent Number One (1)

Chapter 140: There''s No Such Thing As A Permanent Number One (1)

Yoo-Jin was not discouraged at all despite Kim Soo-Hee''s suggestion for an acting test. Instead, she even showed a fighting spirit as she said, "I''ll give it my best." Kim Soo-Hee smiled coldly. "Being diligent and cute works when you''re a student, but you need to be actually good as a professional." Kim Soo-Hee''s chilling voice left me feeling cold, as if I were standing in the middle of a Siberian in. "In that case, I''ll do well!" Yoo-Jin responded in an upbeat tone. "You have a good spirit. Now, go upstairs. Ji-Yeon has prepared the lesson room for you." We headed to one of Lee Ji-Yeon''s empty rooms on the second floor for the test. Lee Ji-Yeon''s empty room on the second floor had full-length mirrors covering the walls and a yoga mat on the floor. Soon, Yoo-Jin took her ce in the center of therge room which seemed to be at least eight meters in length and width. "Do you need the script?" Yoo-Jin shook her head at Kim Soo-Hee''s question. "No, ma''am. I''ve memorized it all." "Hmm. You''ve got potential. Then let''s start with Scene 23 where shaman Wol-Ah performs a ritual. You know it, right? Show me what you''ve got." Scene 23 of In the Name of God featured Korea''s top shaman, Wol-Ah, performing a ritual to change the fate of a client with a tangled fortune. Yoo-Jin slowly took a deep breath and began to adjust her posture. After a few seconds, her shoulders began to tremble and she slowly started to bend forward. Little by little, her waist bent as if she had aged 50 years in an instant. The setting was that the shaman Wol-Ah appeared to be in her 80s despite being only 65 years old due to revealing many heavenly secrets she was forbidden to¡ªjust like Yoo-Jin right now. I couldn''t see her face with her back turned, but the way her waist was bent and her shoulders were drooping made her look exactly like an elderly person who had endured much hardship. The result of Yoo-Jin''s countless contemtion over ying the role of shaman Wol-Ah in the past few weeks was finally showing. Even Lee Ji-Yeon, who was standing next to me, shared my astonishment as she continuously expressed her amazement. "When did she prepare to this extent?" Lee Ji-Yeon asked in awe. I was about to answer that I hadn''t expected it to be this intense when Yoo-Jin started her performance. ¡ºYou bitch! How hard have I tried to correct your wicked ways! But all has been in vain!¡» High and low tones alternated from Yoo-Jin''s mouth, and the hysterical voice of an old person echoed throughout the room. Yoo-Jin continued to curse into the air and raised her left hand. At the same time, she lifted her eyelids. But Yoo-Jin''s eyes showed no ck pupils but only white sclera. ''What''s this?'' I thought to myself. I was so startled I almost screamed. With her eyes wide open and showing white only, Yoo-Jin had be apletely different person. I barely managed to cover my mouth while Kim Soo-Hee and Lee Ji-Yeon found themselves so engrossed in her performance. Yoo-Jin began to dance with her shoulders twitching and her eyes showing only white. Then she rhythmically lifted her heels and started to move quickly in a circle. ¡ºLord of Heaven, oh Lord of Heaven~...please hear me out~ Heavenly officials~ Earthly officials~...please listen to me~¡» As Yoo-Jin''s walking pace quickened, the speed of her chanting and the rubbing of her hands also increased. The echoing sound of the Okchoo Sutra was so intense it could cause tinnitus. After performing Scene 23 for a while, Yoo-Jin finished her act with a whistling sound. Whistle~. A rough breath escaped from Yoo-Jin''s slightly parted lips as she concluded Scene 23. "Huff, huff. That''s the end of Scene 23," Yoo-Jin spoke as she tried to catch her breath. I hurried over to support the staggering Yoo-Jin. "Are you okay? Can you stand up?" Yoo-Jin grimaced in pain and let out a groan. "Just a moment, oppa. My, my back...it hurts." "Grab my hand and slowly straighten your back," I said as I extended my hand toward Yoo-Jin. "Okay." As Yoo-Jin slowly straightened her back, a cracking sound came from her bones due to being bent for so long. Crack! "Ouch! Be gentle!" Yoo-Jin cried out. "Don''t be such a baby," I teased her. Yoo-Jin frowned and protested, "I''m not being a baby!" I extended my right hand since Yoo-Jin''sints didn''t stop. "Here. Grab my other arm." Yoo-Jin reached out both arms to grab my right hand. Meanwhile, I ced my left hand on her back to support her standing up. "Huh? This isfortable," Yoo-Jinmented as she finally managed to straighten her back with some ease. "Lean against the wall and stay like that. I''ll press down on your back a bit," I instructed Yoo-Jin. As I spread my palm and gently pressed down on her back, Yoo-Jin''s previously flustered face brightened up immediately. "Ugh...wow~ This is really nice." An exmation of amazement escaped Yoo-Jin''s lips. "Oppa, have you gone for professional massage lessons before?" "Yeah, I did." "Then please do it often from now on. Wow, I feel alive." "Sure thing." Long drives often led to both talent agents and celebrities having tense muscles¡ªwhich was why I had gone for professional massage lessons in my past life. ''I remember Ju Yung-In used to really enjoy it when I massaged her...no, what am I thinking about right now? Jung Yoon-Ho. Snap out of it!'' I shook my head to clear the stray thoughts and turned my gaze toward Kim Soo-Hee. It was the moment to find out whether Yoo-Jin had passed her test. Kim Soo-Hee quietly looked at Yoo-Jin and then asked in a sharp voice, "What exactly are you?" "Excuse me?" "I mean, how can you perform like this?" Lee Ji-Yeon, who had been showing a worried expression at first, soon shrugged her shoulders nonchntly with a smirk. "What do you think, unnie? It seems like she''s worth teaching, doesn''t she? You said this was a test." Kim Soo-Hee frowned. "Are you joking right now? It seems like there''s nothing more for me to teach her." ''Wow. Yoo-Jin actually received such high praise from the renowned Kim Soo-Hee.'' I wanted to run around the neighborhood shouting that Yoo-Jin was an actress under my care. Thinking that it could help with her acting practice, I gave her recordings of documentaries on shamanism and materials on reading scriptures from movies and dramas. But I never imagined it would result in such a wonderful performance. Kim Soo-Hee and Lee Ji-Yeon whispered to each other for a moment, then Kim Soo-Hee let out a sigh. "Ji-Yeon, bring me some sweets. It''s painful to see someone so young and pretty also being good at acting. I think I''m feeling jealous. I''m craving something sweet." Lee Ji-Yeon nced at me and shouted, "Assistant Manager Jung. Two cups of coffee. Make them strong and sweet!" *** Sip! While drinking her coffee, Lee Ji-Yeon poked Kim Soo-Hee in the ribs. "Ouch! What?" "So? Is it a pass?" Kim Soo-Hee clicked her tongue as if astonished. "Hey. You know I hate obvious questions, right?" "A rookie who has spent more time grilling hamburger patties than acting haspletely charmed the great Kim Soo-Hee~," said Lee Ji-Yeon teasingly. Seemingly annoyed by Lee Ji-Yeon who kept making eye contact and teasing her, Kim Soo-Hee turned her head away. "Charmed? Who''s charmed!? Not me!" "Anyway, please take good care of Yoo-Jin from now on. There must be areas where she''scking, right? She''s someone I cherish, unnie." Lee Ji-Yeon said earnestly with a smile. Kim Soo-Hee finally gave in to Lee Ji-Yeon''s persistent pleas and raised her hands in surrender. "Oh, you''re so persistent. Alright, fine. There are indeed a few things I can point out to help her improve in her acting." I figured Kim Soo-Hee would be the best teacher to fill in the gaps in Yoo-Jin''s experience. Moreover, following ongoingmunication with Lee Sa-Rang and now the great actress Kim Soo-Hee, Yoo-Jin was gaining recognition and growing through the guidance of her sunbaes. After finishing her conversation with Lee Ji-Yeon, Kim Soo-Hee turned her attention to Yoo-Jin. "But do you happen to take acting lessons separately? If so, it might be better to continue with that trainer." Yoo-Jin waved her hands. "No, I did have some lessons at thepanyst year, but I''ve been practicing alone as Yoon-Ho oppa instructed since then. He said the trainer at ourpany''s acting style is different from mine so it wouldn''t be of much help." "Is that so?" Then, Kim Soo-Hee nced at me and asked, "Why did you think that way?" "Yoo-Jin is the type who observes and imitates acting, but the trainer assigned by thepany only emphasized the theory of acting." "And this trainer, what''s his name?" "He is Professor Choi Hyun-Min." "Suhyaejong''s Professor Choi Hyun-Min?" "Yes, ma''am." In reality, all I did was just remove someone hostile toward Yoo-Jin. But as I added a usible exnation, a glint appeared in Kim Soo-Hee''s eyes as she looked at me. "You saw right through it. For people like Yoo-Jin, formal lessons don''t necessarily improve their acting. Are you by any chance a graduate of a theater or film degree?" "No, ma''am. I''m just a talent agent." "Just a talent agent? No way. How could a mere talent agent know such things?" In truth, I wasn''t just a talent agent but a talent agent who has traveled back in time. Kim Soo-Hee tilted her head with a puzzled expression but soon turned her focus back to Yoo-Jin. "Well, let''s set that aside. More importantly, Yoo-Jin. You''re doing everything well, but there seems to be something missing." "Something missing?" Yoo-Jin asked. "Your acting, expressions, and voice are all good. But there''s too much energy. Shaman Wol-Ah is an elderly woman, don''t you know?" "Ah. But I remember from a documentary that when possessed, the shaman''s body is filled with energy." Possession referred to the phenomenon where a shaman received a deity into their body during a ritual. "The thought is right, but it''s too much. It might be good to visit a real shamanic ritual site. The movements of the elderly differ significantly from those of younger people." "I''ll keep that in mind, Mrs. Kim." "Oh, also. Is there a senior center near your house?" "A senior center?" Kim Soo-Hee''s eyes twinkled mischievously. "Here''s the thing. I''ll give you your first assignment. Volunteer at a welfare center or senior center for just two weeks. If you''re as observant as you seem, you''ll be able to learn plenty." Indeed, there was no better teacher than experience. It was quite a resonating statement. Then, Kim Soo-Hee added, "Do you have any more questions? Anything you''re curious about, anything at all. Since I''m graciously offering to teach you, I ought to at least answer questions." Yoo-Jin nced around hesitantly. The confident demeanor she had while acting was gone, reced by a somewhat hesitant one. I gently nudged Yoo-Jin''s shoulder and encouraged her to be her usual self. Then Yoo-Jin took a deep breath and spoke slowly to Kim Soo-Hee. "...I''m anxious, Mrs. Kim." Kim Soo-Hee seemed taken aback by the question. "Anxious?" "Yes, ma''am. Sometimes, I''m overwhelmed by fear when I''m practicing acting alone. You know, wondering if it''s okay to act this way or if what I''m doing is right." Kim Soo-Hee scolded Yoo-Jin for fretting over such things. "That''s totally normal. You think I''m never anxious?" "You feel anxious too?" Yoo-Jin asked with a surprised expression which made Kim Soo-Hee shrug nonchntly. "Kid, it''s not just me. Even veterans who''ve been acting for decades feel the same. They might look like they have it all figured out on TV but that''s all bluff. You know Lee Sung-Jae from MBS? Even he has trouble sleeping the night before a shoot." Yoo-Jin seemed surprised by the fact that Lee Sung-Jae, one of Korea''s most esteemed veteran actors with nearly 60 years of experience, admitted to always feeling anxious and scared about acting. "So don''t let the anxiety defeat you; use it as your driving force. Sung-Jae oppa also said that the anxiety actually served as a good stimnt for him and prevented him from bingcent every day." "Oh..." Kim Soo-Hee''s advice delivered in a seemingly indifferent but chic manner was as precious as silver and gold. And Yoo-Jin was meticulously engraving every word onto her mind. *** We agreed to have a lesson with Kim Soo-Hee once a week. "Don''t forget the assignment." "Yes, ma''am." Given Kim Soo-Hee''s busy schedule, we unfortunately had to part ways for today. After seeing Kim Soo-Hee off, Lee Ji-Yeon led us to the parking lot. "Let''s grab a meal together, you two. I''ve made a reservation at a restaurant." "Oh, let us treat you today." "No need. You''re guests at my ce, so why should you pay? There''s a good ce nearby called Hwaryong. It''s quite famous but I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it." ''Of course, I have.'' Hwaryong was a premium Chinese restaurant in Hannam-dong that only served course meals starting at 100 thousand won. The Xiao Long Bao, Menbosha, and Peking Duck included in the course were exceptional and it was a ce I often visited with Ju Yung-In. It was a timely opportunity. After all, there was another matter I needed to discuss with Lee Ji-Yeon. "Let''s go, Ms. Lee. I''ll drive," I replied. "Oh, really? That would be great. I''m terrible at driving." I took the driver''s seat after receiving the car keys from Lee Ji-Yeon. Before starting the engine, I checked my nner again to confirm the matter I needed to discuss with Lee Ji-Yeon. The entry stating that Red Moon, the top drama productionpany producing In the Name of God, would go bankrupt two months from now still hadn''t disappeared. Chapter 141: Theres No Such Thing As A Permanent Number One (2)

Chapter 141: There''s No Such Thing As A Permanent Number One (2)

At the upscale Chinese restaurant, Hwaryong, a red dragon decoration hung from the ceiling, while twelve red pirs stretched across, gleaming with golden dragons carved into them. Overwhelmed by the atmosphere, Yoo-Jin eximed in admiration. "This ce seems really expensive. Is it really okay for us to dine here?" "It is expensive, but it''s not like we can''t afford it once in a while. I think it''s around 100 thousand won per person?" I replied. Yoo-Jin looked around the surroundings and whispered in a low voice, "How could anyone spend 100 thousand won on a single meal? Do you know how many bowls of soup that would buy?" But I didn''t want to make such calctions considering how much Lee Ji-Yeon earned in a year. "That would be 20 bowls of soup, oppa." "I know. But keep it down. We shouldn''t talk like that when we''re being treated." "But if there are three of us, that''s...let''s see how many bowls of soup that would be..." Yoo-Jin''s constant calctions in terms of soup left me feeling a bit uneasy. After hushing the observant Yoo-Jin, we followed the staff member leading us. The table was already set when we entered the reserved Room 7. It was the Hwayo course, avish meal costing 150 thousand won per person¡ªbut I didn''t tell Yoo-Jin the price because I didn''t want her to start calcting how many bowls of soup that would be again. "Please help yourselves." "Thank you, Ms. Lee." As Lee Ji-Yeon picked up her chopsticks, the courses began to arrive one by one. Yoo-Jin was engrossed in the entertainment industry stories told by Lee Ji-Yeon during the meal. However, I was preupied with how to inform Lee Ji-Yeon about the impending bankruptcy of Red Moon as noted in my nner. [Everyday V10] [Date: August 5, 2020] -11:00 p.m. Emergency meeting regarding Red Moon''s bankruptcy. 6F Conference Room In the Name of God was set to crank in at the beginning of next month on July 1st. MBS'' scheduled broadcast date was July 29th, but Red Moon''s bankruptcy was on August 5th. In other words, the productionpany would go bankrupt after airing just two episodes of In the Name of God. In my past life, dramas produced by Red Moon, which were in full swing, experienced a drastic drop in viewership ratings. The production staff were worried about not getting paid due to thepany''s bankruptcy and the actors couldn''t focus on their acting due to the negative atmosphere. Although the broadcasters stepped in urgently to manage the situation, they couldn''t fully restore the morale of the disorganized staff. At that time, it was announced that the failure of In the Name of God was due to the inability to recoup investments. But it now seemed 100% possible that everything was a lie by Lee Sang-Sik, the representative of Red Moon. I had to inform Lee Ji-Yeon about this impending event. I set down my chopsticks and cautiously spoke to Lee Ji-Yeon who was enjoying the Kung Pao shrimp. "Ms. Lee." "What is it? Don''t you like Chinese food? Why aren''t you eating?" ''Of course I love Chinese food. I would eat this everyday if I could afford it.'' But that wasn''t the important issue. "Ms. Lee, how long has it been since youst contacted Red Moon?" "Hmm. I left them on their own for a while since thest incident with recing Choi Jun-Woo as I assumed they were handling things well. I''ve been too busy with script revisions recently to get in touch with them." Lee Ji-Yeon served herself another Kung Pao shrimp, then stopped moving her chopstick mid-way upon seeing my serious expression. "If you have something to say, just say it. Is there a problem with Red Moon?" "...It seems their financial situation is quite bad." Lee Ji-Yeon let out a deep sigh. "Hmm, you wouldn''t be saying this without reason. So, how bad is it?" "Bad enough to jeopardize the drama production." Lee Ji-Yeon''s face soured. "They''re that broke? Red Moon of allpanies? The number one drama productionpany?" "Unfortunately, yes. From what I''ve gathered, it seems they''ll struggle to make it through next month. It looks like trouble will arise around the beginning of August." Lee Ji-Yeon quietly looked at the Kung Pao shrimp and then put it down. "My appetite just disappeared." "I''m sorry, Ms. Lee. I should have told you sooner but I was confirming the details." "No, it''s not your fault. You''re not a god, so how could you know everything? Don''t apologize." After a moment of contemtion, Lee Ji-Yeon spoke again. "We shouldn''t just sit here. How about we go to Red Moon right now? Let''s all go together¡ªyou and Yoo-Jin as well." "Huh? Why would we go with you?" "What do you mean why? I don''t have an assistant writer or talent agent with me right now, and I can''t just send Yoo-Jin home alone. Let''s all just go and check it out for ourselves. It''ll be clear once we see it for ourselves, right?" "Hmm. Alright, let''s do that." We got up from our seats without even finishing our meal and I ignored Yoo-Jin''s pleading eyes to pack the remaining food. "Oppa, if we don''t pack up the leftover food, that''s... soup..." Yoo-Jin whispered in my ear, but I ignored her once again. "I can''t hear you. I said I can''t hear you," I mumbled as I walked on. *** Red Moon was the top drama productionpany in Korea founded by Lee Sang-Sik, a former MBS PD. Not only did it have a reputation as the number one productionpany in Korea, but it had also recently expanded into movie production as well. But the moment we arrived at thepany, it was clear why they were facing financial difficulties. ''They spent all of thepany''s money on real estate, huh?'' The newly constructed ten-story building near Gangnam Station Exit 3 was the most eye-catching in the area. The financial blow from the potential failure of In the Name of God seemed insignificantpared to the enormous amount spent on this new building. Creak. Our group headed straight to the lobby after parking in the underground lot. "Wow. Every corner of this ce is luxurious," Imented. Lee Ji-Yeon clicked her tongue. "Indeed. It wasn''t like this when Ist visited. They must have redone the interior since then." The interior walls of the building were allid with premium marble, giving the impression of being in a major corporation''s headquarters. As soon as the desk attendant saw Lee Ji-Yeon, she hurriedly made a call through the inte and then guided us to the president''s office. When we stepped out of the elevator, we were greeted by luxurious carpets covering the entire floor. It was as if the building was stered with money. "Right this way." Upon entering the president''s office, we were greeted by Lee Sang-Sik who was wearing a bright smile on his face. "Oh! Ms. Lee. It''s good to see you. Howe you didn''t let us know you wereing?" "Why? Am I not allowed to turn up unannounced?" "Ha ha ha. You know I''m just kidding. You even refused our offer to provide a workspace on the top floor. ying hard to get, are you?" But Lee Ji-Yeon responded with a cold demeanor perhaps because it was after she heard about Red Moon''s financial troubles. "Enough of that. I''m here to check on the production status today, just so you know." Lee Sang-Sik flinched at her words but quicklyposed himself and replied, "Oh,e on. Why the temper? Didn''t I handle thest issue pretty well? There won''t be any mistakes this time, so please don''t worry." The st issue" he referred to was the Choi Jun-Woo incident that nearly derailed the drama. "We''ll see about that," Lee Ji-Yeon shot back . Seeing the tense atmosphere, Lee Sang-Sik awkwardly shifted his attention to Yoo-Jin. "I see you brought Miss Yoo-Jin with you today," he remarked as he gave her a slight nod. "Nice to meet you, Miss Yoo-Jin. I''ve been enjoying Blue Sky. Judging by how the drama is maintaining its momentum even midway through, I bet it''ll easily surpass 25% viewership ratings before it ends." Yoo-Jin nodded her head and said, "Thank you for your kind words, sir." Then it was my turn. However, Lee Sang-Sik''s gaze toward me wasn''t as friendly. "Are you Jung Yoon-Ho, the assistant manager?" "Yes, sir. It''s nice to meet you, Mr. Lee." "Hmph! Do you have any idea how much trouble you''ve caused me? If you had informed us beforehand, we could have handled it smoothly." I was prepared for him not to look kindly upon me since I was the one who exposed the Choi Jun-Woo incident. But I didn''t expect him to put all the me on me. By exposing the issue, I prevented the drama from being disrupted mid-broadcast and helped them avoid a worst-case scenario. Yet, instead of showing me gratitude, he was directing his resentment toward me. I was dumbfounded by his absurd attitude but calmly acknowledged his greeting. After all, there was no point in shing with the head of apany that would soon be defunct. "I acknowledge myck of experience which led to a significant mistake." "Well, it''s not something to dwell on. Anyway, let''s put the past behind us and start anew." Lee Sang-Sik smiled shamelessly and concluded the greetings, before starting a lengthy briefing on the current production status. He boasted about the immense budget and the qualified staff assembled to make In the Name of God the best drama. However, Lee Ji-Yeon appeared disinterested in Lee Sang-Sik''s words and made a specific request. *** "...So? You''re telling me you can''t do it?" "Ms. Lee, you are asking for too much. How can we suddenly allocate the drama production budget into a separate escrow ount?" Money in an escrow ount couldn''t be used for anything other than drama production, even if thepany went bankrupt. Thus, transferring the production budget to an escrow ount would essentially prove thepany''s financial stability. What Lee Ji-Yeon was trying to do was verify Red Moon''s financial situation using amon industry practice. As expected, Lee Sang-Sik looked troubled and declined Lee Ji-Yeon''s request. "Ourpany is producing over 20 dramas right now. If we tie up funds in one drama, that would make it hard for us to move them whenever we need." "So? You''re telling me you can''t do it?" "It''s not that we can''t, but I hope you understand our situation." Lee Ji-Yeon stared into Lee Sang-Sik''s eyes for a moment before sighing. "Alright, I admit I might have asked for too much. I''m sorry." Lee Ji-Yeon stood up and shrugged her shoulders. "Yoo-Jin, Yoon-Ho. The greetings are over. Let''s go." As we stood up after having been there for less than ten minutes, Lee Sang-Sik hastily tried to keep Lee Ji-Yeon from leaving. "Oh, wait a minute! It''s been a while since you visited and I''d be disappointed if you left so soon. Let''s at least have a meal together." "No. We just had our meal, so don''t worry about it." Lee Sang-Sik made a disappointed expression. "Then I''ll see you next week at the actress audition. We have over 2,000 applicants this time. Ha ha ha." Lee Sang-Sik''sughter was full of confidence. As we waited for the elevator, Lee Sang-Sik came to see us off and tapped my shoulder. "Assistant Manager Jung, does Miss Yoo-Jin have a schedule today?" Not wanting to have any dealings with Lee Sang-Sik, I decided to lie. "Yes, sir. She has a couple of schedules." Lee Sang-Sik looked disappointed but nevertheless nudged me further. "Can you postpone that schedule by any chance? We have an investoring from China today and he''s a huge fan of Miss Yoo-Jin." "A fan of Yoo-Jin?" "Yes. His name is Jiang Wei, a media chaebol from Shanghai. He said he must see Miss Yoo-Jin if hees to Korea." For a moment, I nearly threw a punch at Lee Sang-Sik''s face. President Jiang Wei was notorious for his indulgence in women and often used investments as an excuse to have drinking parties with female celebrities from Korea, engaging in unspeakable acts. ''And he is bragging about introducing such a despicable person to Yoo-Jin?'' I had to work hard to contain my rising anger. After all, Jiang Wei''s debaucheries would only be known to the public a few yearster. "Unfortunately, it''s important schedules that can''t be skipped." Lee Sang-Sik''s face scrunched up in displeasure at my response. "Tsk. How are you nning to get along in society by being so rigid? Don''t you want to work with me in the future?" As Lee Sang-Sik continued with his displeased tone, Lee Ji-Yeon interjected with a cold expression. "Mr. Lee, one of those schedules is mine. Are you going to keep being annoying like this?" Lee Sang-Sik''s expression turned into one of realization. "Oh, my. I was unaware of the situation. My apologies. I only mentioned it because the VIP guest is a big fan of Miss Yoo-Jin..." "Hmph! If he likes her so much, tell him to watch the drama." Lee Sang-Sik forced augh and bowed his head. "Ha ha ha. He does watch it a lot. And since he''s also a fan of yours, Ms. Lee, let''s have dinner together sometime." Seemingly not interested in a lengthy conversation, Lee Ji-Yeon coldly turned her head away. As we took the elevator down to the parking lot, Lee Ji-Yeon said angrily, "You were right again, Yoon-Ho. That bastard is definitely broke." She was so angry she called Lee Sang-Sik a bastard. Realizing Lee Ji-Yeon had decided to change productionpanies, I decided to drive the point home. "Ms. Lee, are you considering changing the productionpany?" "I guess I have to. When we re-signed the contract after thest schedule disruption, I made sure to include terms that would make it easy to terminate the contract just in case." When suspicions concerning Choi Jun-Woo arose the previous time, Red Moon stubbornly refused to listen to Lee Ji-Yeon and insisted on keeping Choi Jun-Woo despite her objections. Thanks to that, Lee Ji-Yeon, who could have faced significant trouble, renegotiated the contract to include a use that allowed for immediate termination with the payment of a minimal penalty fee. Lee Ji-Yeon immediately contacted her personalwyer. "Yes, Lawyer Kim. Pleasee to my house with the contract. I''m going to terminate the contract with Red Moon, so make sure you''re fully prepared." After ending the call, Lee Ji-Yeon let out a long sigh. Then she ensured Yoo-Jin couldn''t hear and gave me a warning in a low voice. Chapter 142: Theres No Such Thing As A Permanent Number One (3)

Chapter 142: There''s No Such Thing As A Permanent Number One (3)

"Yoon-Ho. President Lee is no pushover, so do be careful. That person didn''t get to his position by mere chance," Lee Ji-Yeon cautioned. I nodded at Lee Ji-Yeon''s words that Lee Sang-Sik had a persistent personality and replied, "Don''t worry. Even if it''s not Jiang Wei but the President of China himself, I have no intention of letting him meet Yoo-Jin. I''d rather have Yoo-Jin not appear in dramas at all." Lee Ji-Yeon smiled at my response. "I guess I''ll have to change the productionpany because the thought of Yoo-Jin not appearing in my drama is scary." "Is that the conclusion we''re arriving at?" I replied teasingly. "Stop being so cheeky. Anyway, I''m tired of being in such an annoying ce. Drop me off at home¡ªLawyer Kim is meeting me there." "Yes, Ms. Lee." After taking Lee Ji-Yeon home, I headed to Yoo-Jin''s house. I arrived at Yoo-Jin''s house at around 6 p.m. After receiving Lee Ji-Yeon''s warning, I also warned Yoo-Jin. "Don''t answer any calls except mine in case President Lee contacts you. Okay?" "Okay, oppa." At that moment, Miso ran out the door as soon as she heard the sound of my car. "Uncle Yoon-Ho~!" Holding thendlord''s hand, Miso ran toward the driver''s seat and grabbed the side mirror tightly. "I have something to show you! Come inside quickly!" Thendlord also invited me toe inside for a while. "Yes,e on in, Assistant Manager Jung. I understand you''re a busy man, but at least have a meal before you go. Thanks to you, I got a job at this age. But don''t you think the sry is too much?" I shook my head and disagreed. "You deserve it for raising Miso. And please don''t feel burdened since Yoo-Jin now earns lots of money." Yoo-Jin smiled gently and linked arms with thendlord. "Think of it as your daughter giving you an allowance." "Aw, Yoo-Jin..." Thendlord teared up with gratitude once more. Sniffling, thendlord hurried into the kitchen to prepare dinner. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, let''s go. Hurry~," urged Miso. "Just a moment." After parking, I let Miso drag me by the hand up to the second floor. Then Miso pointed to the highest shelf of a ck four-tier bookcase in the living room. "Look at that over there!" Miso was pointing to a framed contract sitting on the shelf. Miso held her head high with a proud expression. At that moment, I suddenly remembered what Sister Micha had told me before¡ªreactions were important when dealing with kids. The frame was a bit messy with Powertuff Girls stickers all over it, but I waved my hands excitedly as if it was the coolest thing in the world. "Wow! That frame looks amazing!" I eximed. "He he, really?" Miso replied with a huge grin on her face. "Yes!" Miso puffed her chest out proudly at my exaggerated response. After showing off her frame, Miso seemed to remember something and asked, "But Uncle Yoon-Ho, when do I get to be on TV?" "Well, we need to set up a n with the broadcast station, so I don''t know yet." Miso asked cautiously, "Will it take a long time?" ''Already rushing schedules? Seems like she has the makings of a sessful celebrity.'' "It depends on what you want to do, Miso. What kind of show do you want to be on?" Miso tilted her head, deep in thought, before suddenly raising her right hand. "I want to draw! I want to join the drawing segment in Round and Round Friends!" Miso shouted excitedly. Round and Round Friends, hosted by EBC, was the most popr educational program for preschoolers. It seemed that Miso wanted to show off her drawing skills to her friends on the show. Despite feeling a chill down my spine, I managed to smile and respond calmly. "Aw, but Miso. It seems like there might not be any spots avable in the drawing segment." "Really...? Aw...but I really like Round and Round Friends." The kids on Round and Round Friends were incredibly talented at drawing. Even though they were young, they effortlessly created watercolor, oil, and traditional Eastern paintings. On the other hand, distinguishing a dog from a cat in Miso''s drawings was a challenge¡ªperhaps the only simrities between the two were four legs and a tail. Her work could rival Picasso''s for those who appreciated Cubism, but I suspected it might not garner favorable reviews from the general public. Looking at Miso''s disappointed expression, Yoo-Jin chuckled. When I gave her a slight look, Yoo-Jin stoppedughing andforted Miso with a hug. "Miso, it''s too bad there''s no spot in Round and Round Friends, but let''s try a different show. You like eating, right? How about joining a show where you get to eat?" Yoo-Jin suggested. Miso''s pout rxed slightly. Seizing the moment, I supported Yoo-Jin''s suggestion. "Yes. I think it would be great for you to join a show where you eat delicious food, make friends, and introduce viewers to great ces to eat." After pondering for a while, Miso finally nodded. Then, with sparkles in her eyes, she asked, "So when do I start? Tomorrow? Or the day after?" Miso''s eagerness kicked in again as soon as we decided on joining the food exploration program. Seeing her excited face, I inadvertently responded without realizing it. "In two weeks. Or maybe one?" "Yay! I''ll brag about it tomorrow to Yung-Hee, Soon-ee, Chul-Soo, and..." While Miso listed the friends she nned to boast to, I hurriedly sent messages to the producers of the food programs. After all, I needed to make Miso''s debut happen within a week and secure a permanent spot for her on the show. *** Click! The door to Lee Gi-Cheol''s office opened abruptly as Kim Dong-Soo rushed in. "Mr. Lee. President Lee from Red Moon wants to meet. He says he has a favor to ask." "President Lee? When?" "Tonight." "Tsk. What''s the rush?" With over twelve actors from Actor Divisions 1 and 3 appearing in dramas produced by Red Moon, Red Moon was in a more advantageous position than Hoop Entertainment. In other words, it wasn''t a situation where Red Moon''s request could be easily refused. Kim Dong-Soo ryed the favor that Lee Sang-Sik had mentioned. "So...if we could arrange a casual meeting for him to have a drink with Yoo-Jin, he would pay us a great deal?" Lee Gi-Cheok asked. "Yes, sir. A very important VIP from China ising and he happens to be Yoo-Jin''s fan. He said they would handle the rest if we just set up the meeting," Kim Dong-Soo replied. "Who even is this important person?" Lee Gi-Cheok questioned. "It''s the president of Hwayeon Media Inc." Lee Gi-Cheol tilted his head in confusion. "Hwayeon? You mean President Jiang Wei? Why would such a big shote to Korea?" "Apparently, he''s considering expanding into Korea." Lee Gi-Cheol leaned back on the sofa and looked surprised. "Wow. President Lee has quite the connections, hanging out with such big shots. But why did he contact us? Yoo-Jin is managed by Assistant Manager Jung." "I asked the same, and it seems Assistant Manager Jung tly refused." Lee Gi-Cheol chuckled. "That guy really is out of his mind. A mere assistant manager refusing an offer from the president of Hwayeon? Is he fearless or clueless?" After a moment of contemtion, Lee Gi-Cheol sipped his coffee and waved his hand dismissively. Messing with Jung Yoon-Ho who became a part of Kang Gam-Chan''s line was no easy job, after all. "Forget it. There''s no way that crazy jerk would stay quiet if we arrange a meeting¡ªunless we kidnap her or something." Kim Dong-Soo looked at the passive Lee Gi-Cheol and spoke up cautiously. "Um, Mr. Lee?" "What?" "Now that Mr. Kang isn''t around, aren''t you the owner of thepany? Maybe it''s time to take a stronger stance." "Take a stronger stance?" "As the owner of thepany, surely you can issue legitimate business directives. Right?" Lee Gi-Cheol cleared his throat at Kim Dong-Soo''s words. "Ahem. Well, yes. That''s true. But what if things escte when Mr. Kang returns? And Kang Ji-Yung, that bitch is just waiting for me to slip up with fire in her eyes." Lee Gi-Cheol was still concerned about Kang Gam-Chan, even though he was trying to seize opportunities by signing new celebrities. Despite being away on vacation, the shareholders still trusted Kang Gam-Chan more than Lee Gi-Cheol. Hearing Lee Gi-Cheol''s response, Kim Dong-Soo openly expressed his disappointment. "It''s because you always hesitate that''s why the investors trust Mr. Kang more!" "Hey! Kim Dong-Soo! What did you just say!?" Being told he wasn''t trusted by the investors was a taboo for Lee Gi-Cheol. "I''m sorry to say this, but this is advice for your own good. How long will you keep being scared and live under Mr. Kang''s shadow?" The fuming Lee Gi-Cheol finally slumped down. After all, there was some truth in Kim Dong-Soo''s words. "Ugh. So what do you suggest?" Lee Gi-Cheol asked reluctantly. As Lee Gi-Cheol tried to calm his anger, Kim Dong-Soo shared what he had found out. "Actually, Mr. Kang isn''t on vacation." "What are you talking about? He and his wife were supposed to be touring the US for a few months before heading to Europe." Kim Dong-Soo shook his head and said, "I was a bit suspicious, so I did some digging. Right now, Kang Gam-Chan is at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He''s recovering from brain surgery." "What...brain surgery?" "Yes, sir. The surgery went well and he''s recovering. But considering the area he operated on, it''s unlikely he''ll return before August. And his return might be dyed even further with rehabilitation." "His return might be difficult if it''s brain surgery, right?" Lee Gi-Cheol asked as he fell into deep thought. If this information were urate, now was the perfect time to showcase his capabilities to the shareholders of Hoop Entertainment. "I''ll handle the shareholders, so it''s time for you to think big and make a move. President Jiang Wei is willing to invest 10 billion won in Red Moon as a condition for this meeting." Kim Dong-Soo added. "10 billion just to meet a woman? Just for a drink?" Lee Gi-Cheol responded with a surprised expression. Kim Dong-Soo smirked and replied, "He he. There''s no way it''s gonna be just one meeting. He''s confident that he''ll be able to win her over as long as the meeting happens." "Alright. Then what do I need to do?" asked Lee Gi-Cheol. Kim Dong-Soo answered, "Just arrange the meeting as President Lee requested and we''ll just pick up the crumbs." "Arranging a meeting could be feasible. Meeting President Jiang Wei would be beneficial for us one way or another." "Yes, Mr. President," teased Kim Dong-Soo with a smirk on his face. "Hey! Not yet," Lee Gi-Cheol responded. "He he, you''ll be promoted soon enough." Kim Dong-Soo''s ttery made Lee Gi-Cheol''s face flush with excitement. *** The time was already 10 p.m. as we watched dramas and chatted. Noticing Miso''s eyelids starting to droop, I got up from my seat. "Miso, sleep well and I''ll see you tomorrow." Cradled in Yoo-Jin''s arms and nodding off, Miso grabbed my pants with her tiny hand. "I''m...I''m not sleepy, Uncle Yoon-Ho.." Miso insisted she wasn''t sleepy even though she could barely keep her left eye open. Yoo-Jin tried to dissuade her. "No, Miso. Uncle Yoon-Ho has to go." Miso shook her head. "You don''t want me to go?" I asked. "No!" Miso eximed. It was ttering how she always hated to part ways with me, but it also warmed my heart to think that I had someone who always missed me. "Miso, I''lle again tomorrow. I''ll be right here when you wake up," I promised. "Really?" "Really!" "Okay. Bye, Uncle Yoon-Ho~." Miso waved her handzily, before resting her head in Yoo-Jin''s arms with a longing look. Soon, her eyes were fully closed and she fell asleep in Yoo-Jin''s embrace. "Yoo-Jin, I''ll look into the nursing home volunteer work Mrs. Kim Soo-Hee mentioned and get back to you. It might take three to four days." "Okay, oppa. Thank you." Yoo-Jin followed me to the door to see me off. At that moment, I received a phone call from Lee Gi-Cheol. -Assistant Manager Jung, what are you up to right now? "I''m about to head home after Yoo-Jin''s schedule has ended." When I gave a vague answer, Lee Gi-Cheol sounded relieved but said in an urgent voice. -That''s good. Bring Yoo-Jin ande to Evian in Gangnam. Evian was a high-end bar with private rooms. ''But why at thiste hour?'' "Mr. Lee, it''s already past 10 p.m." -Hey, you know there''s no day or night in our line of work. It''s urgent, soe right now. I''ll send you the address. Lee Gi-Cheol hung up without further exnation. Work wasn''t confined to the office in the entertainment industry, making it hard to outright ignore a directive from Lee Gi-Cheol. Especially since Lee Gi-Cheol was the de facto decision-maker in the absence of Kang Gam-Chan. Yoo-Jin cradled the sleeping Miso against her shoulder and asked with a worried voice, "Oppa, do I need to go right now?" "No. You just stay home." "But he said to bring me along." I shook my head. I couldn''t bring Yoo-Jin along with me without knowing what this was about. "It''s okay. Just trust me and turn off your phone. I''ll say you''re too tired toe so just go along with it. If it''s urgent, I''ll contact you through Miso''s phone." "Understood." "Alright. Then I''m off. See you tomorrow." I headed to the ce Lee Gi-Cheol mentioned alone, unsure what awaited me. Chapter 143: Theres No Such Thing As A Permanent Number One (4)

Chapter 143: There''s No Such Thing As A Permanent Number One (4)

On my way to Evian, I frantically called Kang Ji-Yung and Gu Seong-Cheol but neither of them answered. "Sigh, they must be busy even at this hour." As the scale of the Singer Division 2 and Actor Division 2 grew, the workload for Kang Ji-Yung and Gu Seong-Cheol increased as well. This made it moremon for them to be unreachable like this. It seemed I had no choice but to handle this situation on my own. Upon arriving at Evian, I was stopped by security guards in suits at the entrance. "We''re only epting guests with reservations tonight. I''m sorry." "I was called here by Mr. Lee Gi-Cheol." "Oh, is that so? May I have your name, please?" "My name is Jung Yoon-Ho." The guards checked my identity with their microphones. For some reason, the security seemed unusually strict tonight. Once my identity was confirmed, a staff member came out and led me inside. Following the staff member, I noticed the hall waspletely empty. "I see there are no guests here," Imented. "No. The president has booked the entire ce for tonight," one of the guards replied. ''The president?'' I wasn''t sure which president they were referring to, but I thought this was aplete waste of money. Considering that Evian''s daily revenue was in the hundreds of millions, they could have booked a hotel suite instead with that kind of money. "This is your room, sir. Have a great time." When the staff opened the door to the VVIP room, I could see four people sitting inside¡ªthey were Lee Gi-Cheol, Kim Dong-Soo, Lee Sang-Sik, and President Jiang Wei, who was seated at the head of the table. As soon as I saw those four, I realized this gathering wasn''t orchestrated by Lee Gi-Cheol but by Red Moon''s Lee Sang-Sik. I figured he must have coerced Lee Gi-Cheol into arranging this meeting after I refused his proposal. I was relieved I hadn''t brought Yoo-Jin with me, not knowing what Jiang Wei might have nned. Jiang Wei, a stout man around 170cm tall, looked at me intently and said, "You came by yourself, I see." Having lived in Korea for seven years in his youth, Jiang Wei was quite fluent in Korean. This had allowed him to invest heavily in Korea more so than other Chinese mediapanies. At that moment, Lee Gi-Cheol quickly intervened, sensing the disappointment in Jiang Wei''s voice. "Assistant Manager Jung, where''s Yoo-Jin?" Lee Gi-Cheol asked. "I''m sorry, Mr. Lee. She really wasn''t in any condition to join us for drinks today." Everyone in the room frowned. "This meeting was arranged in honor of Mr. Jiang Wei''s 10 billion won investment in the drama featuring Yoo-Jin. Call her over. She doesn''t have to drink, so don''t worry." As if on cue, Lee Sang-Sik also tried to persuade me. "Come on, Assistant Manager Jung. We can renegotiate Yoo-Jin''s appearance fee if things go well today, so just call her. This isn''t something we can discuss over the phone, right?" Lee Sang-Sik couldn''t hide his desperate expression. To someone like him who was struggling with finances, Jiang Wei''s investment was like much-needed rain. But I firmly shook my head and replied, "Inviting a female actress to ate-night drinking session could lead to unnecessary rumors. Let''s discuss this at thepany when it''s daytime." Lee Sang-Sik raised his voice in anger at my response. "Hey! When the management gives an order, you follow it. How dare a mere assistant manager speak out of turn?" ''Why are you making a fuss when you''re not even my employer?'' I rebutted. At that moment, Jiang Wei burst intoughter and stopped everyone from scolding me. "There, there. That''s enough." "I''m sorry, Mr. Jiang Wei," Lee Sang-Sik apologized. Jiang Wei shook his head at Lee Sang-Sik''s apology. "I''m a fan of Miss Jung Yoo-Jin, so I thought I''d ask for just an autograph before investing. But it seems I caused unnecessary trouble. Come, have a seat. We''ll be seeing each other a lot from now on, so let''s enjoy some drinks tonight." ''I''d prefer not to see you ever again,'' I thought to myself. Yet I hid my true feelings and took the empty whiskey ss that Jiang Wei offered and said, "I''m not great with alcohol, so I''ll just have one drink." Kim Dong-Soo frowned at my words. "When the president offers, you should gratefully ept, not be insolent!" Kim Dong-Soo was acting more like an employee of Hwayeon Media Inc. than of Hoop Entertainment. ''Such a spineless jerk.'' Jiang Wei raised his hand to stop Kim Dong-Soo. "It''s fine. I like that he has strong personal convictions¡ªtypical of the youth these days." In response, Kim Dong-Soo bowed even more respectfully than he ever did in front of Kang Gam-Chan. "I apologize, sir." "Alright. Just one drink, as you wish." The whiskey in Jiang Wei''s hand was a bottle of Glenfiddich 40-year-old single malt, worth over 12 million won. Glug glug. Jiang Wei began pouring the whiskey into my clear ss. But even after the ss was full, he didn''t stop pouring. The whiskey overflowed and ran down my hand, soaking the table. ''Is this old man staging some sort of protest because he''s upset?'' Glug glug glug! As he tilted the bottle upside down, the remaining whiskey rushed out and made a deting sound from the bottle''s neck. I felt incredulous at the thought that he''d pour an entire bottle of 12-million-won Glenfiddich 40-year-old into one ss. Then Jiang Wei looked at me with a subtle smile. "Here''s your one drink. What do you say? I''m not a petty man." This would shock an ordinary person. But having climbed to the top of the industry, I''ve seen all sorts of absurdities from the wealthy. This was nothing. I met his gaze without blinking and downed the overflowing ss of whiskey in one shot. The strong smoky aroma of the whiskey was intoxicating as it burned its way down my throat. After I downed the whiskey, Jiang Wei burst into heartyughter and pped his hands. "Hao! You said you couldn''t handle your liquor, but you sure drink boldly. Ha ha ha!" Jiang Wei burst intoughter as if he was amused by my unfazed demeanor. People with immense wealth often had apletely different mindset from ordinary folks. To put it simply, they did whatever they pleased. Lee Gi-Cheol who had been staring nkly finally came to his senses and bowed. "I apologize. It seems like Assistant Manager Jung didn''t understand what you meant and was rude to you." But Jiang Wei shook his head. "No, no. It''s been a while since I''ve met someone as interesting as him. Why apologize?" He then waved off any furthermotion and started talking about business¡ªsuch as how much he would invest in In the Name of God and when the investment would take ce. However, I wasn''t really listening at all. Regardless of the investment amount, Lee Ji-Yeon was nning to change productionpanies soon. At that moment, Jiang Wei suddenly raised his finger. "Hey, young talent agent." "Yes, sir." "Have you ever thought about making Miss Jung Yoo-Jin the lead?" Of course I wanted Yoo-Jin to be the lead. The lead role always came first in terms of pay and awards. But my promise to Lee Ji-Yeon was a priority. Moreover, the role Yoo-Jin was ying would certainly still shine even if it wasn''t the lead role. When I didn''t respond, Jiang Wei raised two fingers this time. "If Miss Yoo-Jin wants the lead role in In the Name of God, I''ll personally ensure an investment of 20 billion won. But I can''t just invest blindly without meeting her, can I? So arrange a meeting by the day after tomorrow. How about it?" Jiang Wei changed tactics and decided to tempt me with a lead role and money. That''s when everyone in the room, except for me, changed their expressions, seemingly tempted by his proposal. 20 billion won was a sum beyond the wildest dreams of many. Yet for Jiang Wei, the president of Hwayeon Media Inc., it was merely a light expense to win over a woman. With personal assets exceeding a trillion won and thepany''s assets in the tens of trillions, such an amount was nothing to him. However, I looked straight into Jiang Wei''s eyes and said, "That''s not up to me to decide. I need to consult with the writer and convey her wishes to my actress before making any decisions..." But Kim Dong-Soo urgently interrupted me before I could even finish my sentence. "Mr. Jiang Wei, please. Give us just a moment. I need to talk to Assistant Manager Jung privately. Give us some time." When Kim Dong-Soo sought Jiang Wei''s understanding, Jiang Wei chuckled and gestured with his hand. "I hope to hear a favorable response." Then Kim Dong-Soo got up and practically dragged me out of the room. After closing the door gently, Kim Dong-Soo began to pressure me. "Hey, man! In such situations, you should just agree without setting conditions first! We can persuade Yoo-Jinter! Not only is he offering her a leading role, he''s also willing to invest 20 billion won!" Kim Dong-Soo''s face was flushed with excitement. The greed in his eyes was evident at the mention of the 20 billion won. "Mr. Kim, surely you realize that money is essentially a bribe? Are we expected to just serve up our actress for cash?" Kim Dong-Soo snorted in disbelief. "You bastard, listen to yourself. So what if an old man fancies a young actress and shows off a bit? Just y along, set up a meeting, and if anything inappropriate happens, Yoo-Jin can always leave. Right?" "Do you really think it would just be a simple drinking session? And Yoo-Jin has made it clear. She''d rather not act at all than attend such entertainment gatherings!" "Let''s set aside our differences, Assistant Manager Jung. You know this isn''t right. You need to get your words straight. How is having a drink with an investor considered illegal entertainment? It''s just like having a meal!" "I''m still against the idea." "Ah, this is unbelievable! What kind of obstinate jerk are you?" Kim Dong-Soo was fuming as he clenched and unclenched his fists. He might have wanted to resort to violence, but he knew it wouldn''t solve anything. Then, Kim Dong-Soo spoke again, "Fine then, do what you want." ''What? Just like that?'' Kim Dong-Soo backing down so easily made me suspicious. "Are you sure I can just leave like this without saying goodbye to the president?" "If you''re just going to repeat the same refusal, don''t spoil the mood and just go. I''ll handle the aftermath!" I watched Kim Dong-Soo re-enter the room before I left Evian. Despite Kim Dong-Soo iming he''d handle it, I didn''t trust his words. The determination and desperation in that man''s eyes as he kicked me out were unmistakable. I called Kang Ji-Yung again. Fortunately, she answered this time. -Assistant Manager Jung, what''s going on? After hearing my situation, Kang Ji-Yung immediately summoned me. -This isn''t something we should discuss over the phone. Come to my house. You know where it is, right? "Yes, Ms. Kang." *** When I arrived at Kang Ji-Yung''s house, I shared everything about Jiang Wei''s proposal and Lee Ji-Yeon''s intention to switch productionpanies. "Makes sense. It''s unlikely he''d invest 20 billion won without any strings attached." "Yes, President Jiang Wei is known for his escapades with women. It might just be a meal or a drink now, but who knows when it might take a turn for the worse?" Kang Ji-Yung frowned. "It''s always the same when an actress gains a bit of recognition; everyone swarms to her like flies. But are you sure about President Jiang Wei''s reputation with women?" "Yes, I have a friend in China. They say he''s known for ''collecting'' Korean actresses in the Hwayeon Media Inc." This was information I had obtained from Wang Long, the president of a rivalpany named Media Inc. in Shanghai, in my past life. Then, Kang Ji-Yung replied, "Alright. I''ll verify that rumor myself. And if it''s true, I''ll handle the aftermath." Yoo-Jin''s pay for her role as Cheongmyung was set at 10 million won per episode, which was a rate made possible by her performance in Blue Sky. But with an investment of 20 billion won, it might even go up to 100 million won per episode considering it was an investment made solely because of Yoo-Jin. And with a profit-sharing ratio of 7:3 between Yoo-Jin and thepany, Kang Ji-Yung was willing to forego a potential revenue share of 7 billion won at this moment. "But Ms. Kang." "What is it?" "When do you think Mr. Kang will return?" Kang Ji-Yung made a troubled expression. "Not before early September at the earliest. The US is very thorough with post-surgery recovery and rehabilitation." I was concerned about Lee Gi-Cheol''s active movements, but I couldn''t ask Kang Gam-Chan to return sooner than he had fully recovered. "I wish he could return sooner." "It''ll be tough, but we''ll have to endure. I''ll help in any way I can, so please trust me and hang in there, Assistant Manager Jung.." "Yes, Ms. Kang." With all authority delegated to Lee Gi-Cheol by Kang Gam-Chan, Kang Ji-Yung found it difficult to intervene in work-rted matters. After finishing my report, I stood up from the sofa. "I''ll be taking my leave now." But at that moment, Kang Ji-Yung suddenly grabbed my arm. "Assistant Manager Jung, wait a moment." Chapter 144: Theres No Such Thing As A Permanent Number One (5)

Chapter 144: There''s No Such Thing As A Permanent Number One (5)

Kang Ji-Yung began to sniff my right hand. "Yikes, how much did you drink that the smell of alcohol still hasn''t gone away yet? It seems like you''ve gotten much better at drinking. Do you want to have a drink with me? I have some good wine." Kang Ji-Yung''s eyes sparkled at the smell of whiskey as she licked her lips. But I let out a deep sigh and answered, "I didn''t drink a lot. I just had one shot." "One shot?" "Yes. When I said I would only take one shot, he poured an entire bottle of single malt whiskey worth 12 million won." "Oh my goodness, that''s ridiculous! Jiang Wei is quite a character! Dumping a Glenfiddich 40 years old on the floor? Is he out of his mind?" Upon hearing me recount what had happened, the alcohol lover Kang Ji-Yung grabbed her neck and burst out in anger as she passionately exined how she couldn''t possibly live under the same sky as someone who doesn''t cherish alcohol. Thanks to this, she was no longer in the mood to drink and I was able to escape from her house safely. *** Early the next morning, I sent a text to Gu Seong-Cheol saying I would be reporting to workte and headed to Yoo-Jin''s house as soon as I opened my eyes because there was a chance that Kim Dong-Soo might go to Yoo-Jin''s house. When I opened the door and entered, a half-awake Yoo-Jin greeted me. It was not even 7 a.m., which exined why she was still in her pajamas. "Why did youe so early this morning?" "First, let''s get Miso dressed and go to Ms. Lee''s house." "Right now?" asked Yoo-Jin as she made a puzzled face. Yoo-Jin seemed a little concerned as she probed further. "Why? Is there something wrong?" "I''ll tell you in the car on the way there." Fortunately, we could take Miso with us today since she didn''t have to go to the kindergarten. Yoo-Jin picked up the groggy Miso who was still half-asleep and dressed her. Miso, who had been lethargic, gradually woke up as she got dressed. "Huh? Uncle Yoon-Ho...?" Miso blinked and rubbed her eyes with her small hands. "Is this a dream?" "No, it''s not a dream, Miso. You remember I said I''d be here when you wake up, right?" "Yes! I remember!" It seemed I had managed to keep my promise of being there when Miso woke up, which I had made before we parted ways yesterday. "Miso, let''s get dressed so that we can go outside and have fun. Okay?" "Okay." After changing the sleepy Miso into her clothes, I packed some clothes in a suitcase and loaded it into the car. As soon as the engine started, Miso fell asleep again and I told Yoo-Jin about what happened yesterday. "What? So are we running away right now?" "We avoid poop because it''s dirty, not because it''s scary. We''ll stay away just until tomorrow. President Jiang Wei is leaving the country the following afternoon so let''s justy low until then." Yoo-Jin nodded and then asked with a worried look, "Oh, by the way. Did you get Ms. Lee''s permission?" "Of course I did. I contacted herst night and she said we could go over anytime. She even said we could live there since she has many spare rooms." "Makes sense. That house is really big for her to live alone. How big is it, like 200 pyeong?" "No, 400 pyeong." "Wow~that''s huge. Really." "I bet you could live in such a ce too in a few years." Yoo-Jin smiled, saying she didn''t want such a big house but she did hope to be in a position to afford one some day. Considering she was already making hundreds of millions a year, I wondered if her dream was too small or if she just simply couldn''t envision that future. *** We arrived at Lee Ji-Yeon''s home in Hannam-dong and woke Miso up. "Miso, we''re here." Miso rubbed her eyes and got up. "Uh, where is this?" At that moment, the garage door of Lee Ji-Yeon''s house lifted and revealed a pce-like house before us. "Wow! It''s a pce!" Miso eximed as her jaw dropped at the sight of the well-maintainedwn and the massive two-story house. As we entered through the open front door and made our presence known, Lee Ji-Yeon pointed to one side of the sofa. "Just wait a moment, everyone. I have some work to finish. It''ll be done soon." Without properly greeting us, Lee Ji-Yeon continued a conversation with a guest who had arrived earlier. The guest was Lawyer Kim Chan-Sung, awyer specializing in entertainment industry affairs. I had also worked with him before in my past life. His nickname was Yes Man¡ªnot because he only answered yes to his clients'' questions, but because he was known to fulfill all his clients'' requests and demands. "Mr. Kim, let''s start with changing the productionpany. And please rece the investors too." "Don''t worry. I''ll have everything perfectly settled by tomorrow." After getting up and greeting us, Kim Chan-Sung stepped outside. Then Lee Ji-Yeon sighed deeply as she watched him leave. "My head is spinning from working since 3 a.m. because of the productionpany change." "I''m sorry foring over so early in the morning, Ms. Lee." "Why apologize? I was the one who told you toe. And Yoo-Jin, you can always use me as an excuse if things get urgent. I''ve got your back, so don''t lose your confidence. Okay?" "Thank you, Mrs. Lee." After greeting Yoo-Jin, Lee Ji-Yeon turned to look at Miso with a pleased expression. "So this is Miso, huh?" Miso let go of Yoo-Jin''s skirt and sped her hands together. Then she greeted Lee Ji-Yeon in a loud voice. "Hello! Ms. Lee! I''m Jung Miso from L Kindergarten! I''ve been a celebrity since a few days ago!" Lee Ji-Yeon burst intoughter at Miso''s confident introduction of herself. "Ha ha! A small peanut like you is a celebrity?" "I''m sorry, Ms. Lee. Miso, you shouldn''t introduce yourself like that," said the startled Yoo-Jin. However, Miso simply tilted her head in confusion. "But Mom, am I not a celebrity?" "Well, technically you are since you''ve signed a contract. But..." Lee Ji-Yeon left the flustered Yoo-Jin aside and kneeled down to meet Miso''s eyes. "My name is Lee Ji-Yeon." "I know. You''re the scary auntie!" Lee Ji-Yeon shot me a sharp re, seemingly questioning what I had been saying to the child about her. She locked eyes with Miso after mouthing the words "Yoon-Ho, I''ll deal with youter," which sent chills down my spine. "Anyway, you should appear on TV now that you''re a celebrity too, right?" "Yes! Uncle Yoon-Ho said he''d get me on a show where I get to eat yummy things." Miso''s proud im made Lee Ji-Yeon burst into even moreughter. "Good. Then Miso, would you like to appear in my work too? This auntie here is not really scary but a very famous one. You know The Morning Takes Off that your mom was in, right?" "I do." "I''m the one who wrote that." Miso''s eyes widened. "Really?" At that moment, Yoo-Jin waved her hands in refusal. "Ms. Lee, we haven''t really thought about Miso appearing in dramas yet." "Why not? She seemed fine dancing in front of the camera on MeTube." "But we still need to consider her own wishes..." "Then let''s find out what she wants right now." Lee Ji-Yeon grinned at Miso. "Miso, do you want to appear in the same drama with your mom?" Panicking, Yoo-Jin tried to interject the conversation but Miso quickly nodded her head. "Yes! I want to do it!" ''Miso is a true Yes Girl. I''m not sure if this is something to be happy or worried about.'' The role of young Cheongmyung in In the Name of God didn''t have a lot of scenes, but she did appear in shback scenes from time to time. The role was quite significant, considering she''s set to appear throughout the drama, unlike other child actors who might only show up briefly in the first or second episodes of other dramas. "Then it''s settled, Miso is now an actress in my work too." "Wow! Really?" "Of course." "Thank you~!! You''re the best, Auntie Ji-Yeon!!" Miso hugged Lee Ji-Yeon with a bright smile. "Oh my." I was worried that Lee Ji-Yeon might get angry, but she simply smiled warmly and gestured that it was okay. "Ha ha ha. So, I''m not scary to you anymore?" "No! Not scary at all!" Lee Ji-Yeon''s face brightened even more with Miso''s response. Judging by how Miso easily won over Lee Ji-Yeon at just seven years old, it seemed Miso was born to be a celebrity. *** When I finally turned on my phone after finishing the strategy meeting with Lee Ji-Yeon, the time was past 11 a.m. There were over 100 missed calls and KkTalk messages from Lee Gi-Cheol, Kim Dong-Soo, and Lee Sang-Sik on my phone. "They must be quite desperate." The messages were mainly requests to meet and talk. As expected, Kim Dong-Soo had indeed gone to Yoo-Jin''s house ording to a KkTalk message from thendlord. Yoo-Jin could use Lee Ji-Yeon as an excuse for her absence and now it was my turn. I called Gu Seong-Cheol first to check the atmosphere at thepany. -Assistant Manager Jung, where are you? "I''m at Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon''s house, but I''ll be heading to the office soon." -No, don''te now. It''s not a good time. Mr. Lee and Mr. Kim are here raising their voices at Ms. Kang, so just stay away. "Are you telling me not to go to work today?" -Just head to a site instead of the office. If you don''t show up, they might use that against you. Cherry Blossom is at MBS today, so just stick around there all day. "Understood. I''ll do that." -Okay. Let''s talkter. Take care. After hanging up, Yoo-Jin, who was standing beside me, asked, "What did he say?" "He told me not to go to the office and that they would handle it themselves." "That''s a relief." However, as long as Jiang Wei was still in Korea, we couldn''t be at ease. *** I was about to look for Cherry Blossom at MBS when Kim Dong-Soo''s call came through right on time. -Hey! Why wouldn''t you pick up your phone? Where is Yoo-Jin right now? "I don''t know. Yoo-Jin doesn''t have any schedule today, so I''m not sure myself. I''m currently at the Cherry Blossom''s shooting site at MBS." Since thendy told me she had yed dumb, I did the same. -Hey! If you don''t know, then who does? You''re lying, aren''t you? "No, I''m not." -If not drinks, how about a meal then? There won''t be any issues with that! Kim Dong-Soo was desperately spitting words out like a machine gun. Seeing him so eager to reach Yoo-Jin, it seemed that there was a lot of money involved. -Assistant Manager Jung. Do you think Mr. Lee will let this go if the meeting ends this way? Do you have any idea how much of a mess Red Moon''s President Lee is making right now? If you only look out for Yoo-Jin, all other actors of Hoop Entertainment involved in Red Moon''s dramas will get dragged into this mess! ''So it''s okay for Yoo-Jin to suffer for the sake of other actors?'' Kim Dong-Soo''s argument was absurd. "Anyway, I''ll call you as soon as I get in touch with Yoo-Jin. Oh, and Mr Kim¡ªI have to go now. Mr. Kim Sung-Woon is looking for me." -Hey! Hey! Don''t hang up. Despite Kim Dong-Soo''s urgent pleas, I coldly cut off the call. I silenced my phone and was about to call Jung Sang-Bong who was with Cherry Blossom. At that moment, a call from Kim Sung-Woon, the designated director for In the Name of God, came in. -Assistant Manager, where are you right now? "I just passed the lobby on the first floor of MBS." -That''s good. Could youe to my office? Mr. Kim has something to say to you. ''CP Kim Myung-Hak wants to see me?'' I had no idea what it was about, but I couldn''t probe Kim Sung-Woon over the phone. "Yes, I''ll be right up." After hanging up, I headed straight to Kim Sung-Woon''s office on the sixth floor. When I entered Kim Sung-Woon''s office, I found both Kim Myung-Hak and Kim Chan-Sung gathered together. "Good day, Mr. Kim." "I wish I could say the same, but honestly, today''s not a good day for me." Kim Myung-Hak sighed heavily with a serious expression given that MBS''s Moonlight Starpour was trailing behind Blue Sky with its viewership ratings dropping to single digits. His depressed mood was understandable. "I''m sorry, Mr. Kim." Kim Myung-Hak stared at me for a moment after hearing my apology before bursting into loudughter. "Ha ha ha! Don''t take it personally. I was just being grumpy because of Blue Sky''s sess. It''s on us to do better." I had been fooled by a dad joke. Even though Kim Myung-Hak wasn''t an actor, I was taken in by his unnecessarily impressive acting skills. "But you do look genuinely sorry. Why is that? Got something on your conscience?" "No. It''s just that with Mr. Kim Chan-Sung here, I thought maybe you were going to scold me about the productionpany change." Kim Myung-Hak chuckled. "Why would you feel sorry for a productionpany change? That''s between the writer and the productionpany." "But still." "Cut the nonsense. Anyway, I called you here because I was curious about something." "Please go ahead." "Do you think this project will do well?" Honestly, I didn''t know the future of this project. After all, it was originally a work that had disappeared from history. But considering Lee Ji-Yeon''s writing skills and Yoo-Jin''s double role, there was a high chance for sess. The director-in-charge was also a true professional. The only remaining factor was the lead actors'' performances, but I was confident that Lee Ji-Yeon and Kim Sung-Woon would make the right choices. "Given it''s a project that Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon has put her heart and soul into, it''s bound to do well." I answered sincerely, but Kim Myung-Hak seemed unconvinced and shook his head. "Come on, give me a straight answer. I was hoping for a definitive response from you, Assistant Manager Jung. Tell me. You''re known as Star Jung the Fortune Teller for a reason, aren''t you?" A nickname I wasn''t even aware of was floating around. Chapter 145: Theres No Such Thing As A Permanent Number One (6)

Chapter 145: There''s No Such Thing As A Permanent Number One (6)

''What the heck? People call me Star Jung the Fortune Teller?'' I wondered how this story came about and then, I saw Kim Sung-Woon chuckling. ''So it was you.'' But still, it was important to give Kim Myung-Hak the answer he was looking forward to. Since he wasn''t expecting anything logical anyway, I figured I might as well make him feel good. "It''s going to be a huge hit!" I eximed. "How much of a hit?" "It feels like it will be the best drama of the year!" I cried out. Kim Myung-Hak seemed satisfied and smiled brightly. Then he said, "Well, with Assistant Manager Jung''s guarantee, I''ve decided to take responsibility for the change in the productionpany." "Excuse me? What do you mean by my guarantee?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. ''Why are we talking about guarantees? Nothing is guaranteed in this world, not even among family members!'' I couldn''t help but feel pressured. "Why? You just said it would be sessful, right?" "Well, it has the potential to be sessful. But..." "Never mind that. Since we''re on the subject, do you have any other productionpanies to rmend?" "Hm, I can''t think of any off the top of my head. But what about Blue Dragon, thepany that made Blue Sky?" Kim Myung-Hak chuckled upon my inadvertent rmendation. "Got it. Then we''ll go with Blue Dragon for the productionpany." Kim Myung-Hak said he would share this information with the higher-ups and stood up from his seat. I quickly grabbed Kim Myung-Hak''s arm, worried that I might end up solely responsible and even med should anything go wrong. "Mr. Kim, perhaps we should give more thought to selecting the productionpany before making a decision..." "No way. If it goes wrong, it''s all on you, Assistant Manager Jung." Kim Myung-Hak chuckled before disappearing. At that moment, Kim Sung-Woon, who was seated on the sofa, smirked annoyingly. "Come on, Mr. Kim. Is this really a time tough?" I looked at him and said in a defeated tone. Ignoring myment, Kim Sung-Woon turned to Kim Chan-Sung instead and said, "Mr. Kim, could you give us a moment? We have something to discuss privately." "Sure, I''ll go grab a coffee." Kim Chan-Sung patted his belly and left the room. When we were left alone, Kim Sung-Woon reassured me. "Actually, I''ve already seen the financial situation of Red Moon that Mr. Kim passed on. We decided to change the productionpany after seeing it, so don''t worry too much." "Phew, that''s good. I was worried..." "Perhaps Mr. Kim was hoping for a bit of your magic touch after he heard about your nickname, Star Jung the Fortune Teller. Honestly, everything you''ve been involved in has been sessful, hasn''t it? From Miss Yoo-Jin to Cherry Blossom, and even Mr. Lee Tae-Poong. I heard you''ve even reached out to Mr. Kim Jong-Hoon recently." He was amazed by the rumor that Kim Jong-Hoon of SJ Entertainment was now interacting with Hoop Entertainment. "You''re truly impressive. My first project as a PD failed, but you''ve achieved incredible results in your first year," Kim Sung-Woon added. "Oh,e on. How was that a failure? You were sessful until you were reced. Besides, I''m in my second year now." "Well, it''s all the same." Kim Sung-Woon chuckled, then ryed a message from Lee Ji-Yeon. "By the way, Ms. Lee had something interesting to say." "What did she say?" "She said to look forward to Miss Yoo-Jin''s portrayal of the shaman Manshin Wol-Ah." Kim Sung-Woon couldn''t hide his excitement as he asked, "How good is it supposed to be?" I was about to answer but then decided to get back at him for teasing me earlier. "You''ll see when you watch it." The clearly eager Kim Sung-Woon stomped his feet but eventually gave up and chuckled. "You''re quite mischievous, Assistant Manager Jung. Fine, I''ll wait. But who else knows about Miss Yoo-Jin ying dual roles?" Within the broadcasting station, only Kim Sung-Woon knew about Yoo-Jin''s dual roles. "Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon, Mrs. Kim Soo-Hee, Mr. Gu Seong-Cheol, and Special Effects Makeup Artist Miss Yang So-Ri from our agency are the only ones who know." Kim Sung-Woon nodded with a serious expression. "Make sure to keep it confidential until the end." "Of course." While chatting with Kim Sung-Woon, he received a call. "One moment, please. It''s a call from the president." But the expression on Kim Sung-Woon''s face as he answered the call was troubling. "Yes, sir. You want me toe up now? With Assistant Manager Jung too?" ''What? Why does the president of MBS want to see me right now?'' After hanging up, Kim Sung-Woon said we should go up together. "Why does the president want to see me?" "I''m not sure. Let''s just go and find out." Kim Chan-Sung, who had stepped out for a moment, mentioned he was also called and suggested we all head to the president''s office together. *** As we got in the elevator together, all sorts of thoughts crossed my mind. Considering that Kim Myung-Hak had gone up, there must have been a discussion about changing the productionpany. ''But why am I being called?'' It made sense for the president to call Kim Sung-Woon, the director, and Kim Chan-Sung, representing Lee Ji-Yeon¡ªbut I was just the talent agent of a supporting actress, not even a lead. Seeing my troubled expression, Kim Sung-Woon reassured me. "It''s probably nothing serious. Maybe he just wants to see the face of the talent agent behind the highly talked-about Miss Yoo-Jin. I''ll do the talking, so you just need to be there." "Thank you, Mr. Kim." As we approached the president''s office, we were met by bodyguards in ck suits and sunsses. On closer inspection, I noticed the HwayeonMedia Inc.''s badge on the leftpel of their suits. This meant that Jiang Wei was inside the president''s office right now. ''This is insane. Has he actuallye all the way here?'' We passed the stern-looking bodyguards and entered the president''s office. Knock, knock. Upon entering, I could see President Choi Sang-Byung of MBS seated at the head of the table with Jiang Wei and Lee Sang-Sik on his right. Kim Myung-Hak was sitting on the opposite side, looking rather perplexed. In contrast, Lee Sang-Sik and Jiang Wei appeared surprisingly confident. "Please, take a seat over there." "Yes, sir." Choi Sang-Byung also greeted me. "So you''re the famous Talent Agent Jung these days." "It''s nice to meet you, Mr. Choi. I''m Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment." "Ha ha ha. Indeed. Our drama started off well but we''ve really been put through the wringer toward the end thanks to Miss Yoo-Jin. Couldn''t you have eased up a bit?" Choi Sang-Byungmented how the viewership ratings of MBS'' drama plummeted because of Blue Sky. Once treated like a hero for The Morning Takes Off, every recent visit to MBS made me feel more like a traitor. After the greetings and taking my seat, the reason for calling me to the president''s office was revealed. "The reason for calling you isn''t anything special, but Mr. Jiang Wei here wants to invest a significant amount in Miss Yoo-Jin''s drama and there seems to be a problem." I could finally understand why Kim Myung-Hak seemed troubled. If the production budget were toe from China, we would no longer be able to remove Red Moon using financial issues as a reason. Jiang Wei looked at me and smiled confidently before speaking. "Mr. Choi, it seems you''ve missed mentioning one thing?" Choi Sang-Byung nodded hastily. "Ah, right! My apologies. And on top of that, Mr. Jiang Wei also ns to invest in another project starring Miss Yoo-Jin with an investment of 20 billion won. How about that? Offers like these don''te by easily." I could see why Choi Sang-Byung was so excited. The prospect of having 40 billion won for the production of two dramas was indeed tantalizing. However, there could only be one answer from me. "I''m sorry, Mr. Choi. While we appreciate you keeping Yoo-Jin in mind, ourmitment to Mrs.Lee Ji-Yeones first." Seemingly not having expected my response, Choi Sang-Byung became agitated. "What are you saying right now, Assistant Manager Jung? Is that supposed to be a reasonable answer?" The atmosphere immediately tensed with Choi Sang-Byung''s booming voice. That''s when Kim Sung-Woon, who had been silent until now, began to support my stance. "Mr. Choi, even the best proposals need the approval of the writer and the actress. Do you really believe Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon would agree to a change in the casting?" "Come on, PD Kim. I can persuade the writer!" As Choi Sang-Byung raised his voice, Kim Sung-Woon nced at Kim Chan-Sung who nodded back and pulled out a document. "I''m sorry, sir. But that might be difficult. Beforeing here, Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon made a clear request¡ªand ording to it, I have no choice but to demand contract termination." Kim Chan-Sung spoke firmly about the possibility of contract termination. "Oh my goodness, this is just ridiculous..." The moment Choi Sang-Byung appeared perplexed, Kim Myung-Hak quickly stepped in to help. "Mr. Choi, this project has already had its share of problems. Moreover, since Ms. Lee has already overlooked our previous issues, pushing her again might really burn bridges." Considering past incidents like the PD change during The Morning Takes Off, and now the proposed casting change, Kim Myung-Hak argued they couldn''t risk upsetting Lee Ji-Yeon further. Eventually, Choi Sang-Byung raised both his hands in surrender. "Sigh. Alright, alright!" Choi Sang-Byung then spoke to Jiang Wei with a troubled look. "Mr. Jiang Wei, thank you for your generous offer, but it seems this isn''t the right time. My apologies." "Hmm. Is that so? It seems I''ve overstepped, not knowing the broadcasting station''s circumstances." As Jiang Wei backed down, Choi Sang-Byung, looking a bit frustrated, turned to dismiss me. "Then please just make sure that Miss Yoo-Jin prepares well for her role." "Yes, sir. We''ll give it our best." "Alright, you can go." Choi Sang-Byung waved us off, not being able to hide his disappointment. When we exited the room, Kim Sung-Woon shook his head in disbelief at me. "Wow. What gave you such courage? My legs still shake whenever I stand in front of the president, but you really stood your ground." Kim Sung-Woon pped and apuded my bravery. "Well, it''s my job to speak up for my actress even if it means facing bacsh. But are you okay, Mr. Kim? You also stood up to the president as well." Kim Sung-Woon sped his head as he started to regret his actions. "Did, did I? I guess I got carried away. Oh no..." I joked that Kim Myung-Hak was on our side, so hopefully the fallout wouldn''t reach us. After chatting about the drama for another 20 minutes, Kim Sung-Woon received a call. "They''re looking for me. Let''s catch upter." After finishing my business, I stood in front of the elevator to head to the annex studio where Cherry Blossom was recording. At that moment, Jiang Wei, apanied by his bodyguards, approached the elevator. ''Well, it''s said enemies often meet on a narrow path.'' "Haven''t you left yet?" "Ah, not yet, sir. I was discussing the project with Mr. Kim Sung-Woon." "Ha ha, I see. One interesting fellow you are," Jiang Wei remarked as his face revealed an undeniable curiosity. "Is your promise to Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon that important? Important enough to give up such arge sum of money?" "Absolutely, sir." Jiang Wei grinned at me. "If you''re feeling slighted because I haven''t personally looked after you, you have misunderstood. If things had gone through, I could have changed your fortunes." Despite his reputation, it was true that Jiang Wei had built Hwayeon Media Inc. from the ground up. He was certainly adept at reading people. It seemed like he had seen through my earlier excuse. For this reason, Iid out the truth without beating around the bush. "Thank you for the offer, but Yoo-Jin is the ace of ourpany." Jiang Weiughed heartily. "So are you suggesting she''s not just another actress to be paraded at entertainment venues?" Jiang Wei immediately grasped my point. Top actress candidates were carefully managed by theirpanies. Even if they were offered hundreds of millions, it could notpare to the money a well-trained actress could bring in. "That''s why you wouldn''t even allow me to have a meal with her." "We''re cautious about avoiding any controversial situation." Jiang Wei chuckled. "Yourpany''s director doesn''t seem to think the same. But you, on the other hand, are confident in actress Jung Yoo-Jin''s future." "I am, sir." "It seems like I''ve made a big mistake. Let''s forget this happened. Till next time, young talent agent." Jiang Weiughed and headed into the elevator. "Till next time? What next time?" I muttered to myself as the elevator doors closed. He was thest person I wanted to encounter again. My angry reflection glimmered on the glossy elevator doors. *** Inside the elevator, Jiang Wei instructed his secretary, Ryu Shin, "Look into that guy." "Are you talking about Assistant Manager Jung?" "Yes. He doesn''t seem like someone who''s only been in this industry for two years. It''s all because of him that our investment fell through, isn''t it?" Ryu Shin nodded. "How deep should I dig?" "Everything. Even what he was doing before entering this industry." "Understood. I''ll get someone in Korea to start digging." A deep smile spread across Jiang Wei''s face. He had indeed been curious about the actress Jung Yoo-Jin. But at this moment, his interest shifted towards Jung Yoon-Ho who had faced him without flinching even once. Even the president of MBS was timid in his presence, yet this young man in his twenties showed a boldness that matched his own. Moreover, the depth in his eyes seemed far beyond his years. Jung Yoon-Ho was definitely an enigmatic figure. No matter how young, Jiang Wei couldn''t just ignore such an opponent, especially with his ambitions to eventually dominate the Korean entertainment market. Chapter 146: Secretstargem (1)

Chapter 146: Secretstargem (1)

[(Breaking News) Writer Lee Ji-Yeon''s new drama In the Name of God has switched its productionpany to Blue Dragon.] -The drama productionpany, Red Moon, encountered issues with the production schedule and returned the production rights to MBS. The newly selected productionpany is Blue Dragon, known for producing Blue Sky. It hadn''t been long since I left MBS, but the article was already posted. Although the president of Red Moon, Lee Sang-Sik, seemed calm during the interview, the entry about the bankruptcy in my nner remained unchanged. "Goodbye, Lee Sang-Sik." Feeling relieved, I immediately headed to Lee Ji-Yeon''s house. "I heard the news. You must have had a hard time." "Not at all, Ms. Lee." Lee Ji-Yeon told me to let her know first about any issues from now on. "President Choi Sang-Byung, that guy. He has no guts to go against me." "I''m looking forward to working with you, Ms. Lee~." When I mimicked the sycophantic attitude that Kim Myung-Hak once showed to Lee Ji-Yeon, she waved her hands dismissively. "Ah, stop it, Yoon-Ho. You''re so funny. Haha." But she seemed to enjoy it way too much despite her words to stop. After feeling reassured once again by Lee Ji-Yeon''s strong support, I headed home with Yoo-Jin and Miso. On the way home, Yoo-Jin suddenly remembered something and asked while ying with Miso in the back seat, "Oppa, what do we do about Miso''s acting lessons? She got a child actress role, so shouldn''t we arrange a trainer for her? She''s only ever acted in a kindergarten Christmas y." "Yoo-Jin, you can take care of her. What''s there to worry about?" Miso, who was seated beside me, nodded her head while holding the signed script book that Lee Ji-Yeon had given her. "Right! Mom, you can teach me acting!" Yoo-Jin appeared worried as she asked, "Do you think I''m capable though?" "Of course! You''re the best, Mom. You''ll do great." Miso''s praise was the best way tofort Yoo-Jin. "Do you really think so, Miso?" "Yes. You''re the best of the best! You were the best among all the moms in my kindergarten y." Apparently, Yoo-Jin was really good at ying the role of a dolphin when she performed at Miso''s kindergarten y. Feeling relieved, Yoo-Jin began to shower Miso''s cheek with kisses. "Miso, I love you~." "Ha ha ha. That tickles, Mom. Ha ha ha!" Miso''sughter filled the car and brightened up the atmosphere. Thanks to that, my previous bad mood from meeting Jiang Wei had disappeared as if it had never been there. *** In Lee Gi-Cheol''s office at Hoop Entertainment, Kim Dong-Soo was giving an update to the frowning Lee Gi-Cheol. "It is said that President Jiang Wei has returned to China." "But why all of a sudden? There was still a day left until he was supposed to leave. We could have nned for him to have a meal with Yoo-Jin." "I can''t get in touch with President Choi either. On top of that, the media is in a frenzy over the productionpany change announced by MBS." "Huh? What do you mean?" "Apparently, Writer Lee Ji-Yeon strongly demanded a contract termination." Kim Dong-Soo continued with the stories about what happened at the president''s office at MBS. Upon hearing the story, Lee Gi-Cheol pulled at his sparse hair. "Jung Yoon-Ho, that crazy asshole. He dared to spout such nonsense in front of the president of MBS without even contacting thepany?" Lee Gi-Cheol growled. Kim Dong-Soo replied with a frown, "I told you that you should havee down hard on him, haven''t I?" The furious Lee Gi-Cheol mmed his fist down on the armrest. With a thud, a fist-shaped dent was imprinted on the leather armrest. "Damn it. He''s screwing things up real bad." Kim Dong-Soo spoke cautiously upon seeing Lee Gi-Cheol''s distorted expression. "Sir, if the investors start questioning yourpetence over this incident..." Lee Gi-Cheol was startled by Kim Dong-Soo''s remark and replied indignantly, "What? Why the heck should I bear the brunt for Jung Yoon-Ho''s mess?" "Investors are never concerned with the details. If they hear you failed to secure President Jiang Wei''s investment, it could lead to huge trouble." "Ugh. Then what should we do?" "For now, let''s say this move was your directive. We can say that we found out Red Moon''s finances were in terrible shape after doing some investigation." Lee Gi-Cheol''s eyes sparkled as he immediately caught on to Kim Dong-Soo''s intention. "So you''re suggesting to tell them I had Assistant Manager Jung reject President Jiang Wei''s proposal because I knew about Red Moon''s dire financial situation?" "Exactly!" The two of them were a perfect match for nefarious deeds. "You might even be praised for severing ties with a productionpany on the verge of bankruptcy, Mr. Lee." Hearing Kim Dong-Soo''s words, Lee Gi-Cheol thought this was an excellent strategy. "Alright. Then first things first¡ªcheck if our celebrities involved in Red Moon''s projects have been paid already or not. If not, press Red Moon for payment. We need to collect money as soon as possible before things go downhill." "I''ve already taken care of that." Kim Dong-Soo''s response pleased Lee Gi-Cheol. "Ha ha ha. As expected of you, Chief Kim. Speaking of which, what are we gonna do about Assistant Manager Jung?" "I''ve assigned someone to keep tabs on him. I''ll inform you as soon as there''s something big." "Make sure it''s a big one this time. So big that Director Kang and Chief Gu can''t say a word even if we fire Assistant Manager Jung." Kim Dong-Soo stood up abruptly and bowed. "Yes, Mr. President." "President? Ha ha ha. That does sound nice." Pleased with Kim Dong-Soo''s ttery, Lee Gi-Cheol patted his shoulder with a content smile. *** [Cherry Blossom, challenging for eight consecutive weeks of music show wins!] [Where will Cherry Blossom''s run take them?] [Golden Road makes aeback with the song ''Blue Rabbit.'' The music industry heats up with a family rivalry at Hoop Entertainment.] [Pink Diamond returns with the cute song ''Today''s Kiss.'' TK Entertainment''s bold move.] The music industry had been in a frenzy over Cherry Blossom''s remarkable seven-week streak at number one. As the heat of ''Hurry Up!'' continued, there were only a fewebacks from other singers. Butst week, many began announcing theirebacks as they were unable to hold back any longer. But now was not the time to worry about such matters. In two days, Golden Road''s leader, Jang Eun-Yung''s, secret Instargem ount would be hacked and private photos shared among her friends would be leaked. [Everyday V10] [Date: June 16th, 2020] -11:30 PM Golden Road''s Jang Eun-Yung. Emergency meeting about the Star Patch article due to the discovery of her secret Instargem ount, fifth floor small conference room. Jang Eun-Yung''s secret ount contained not only photos revealing she was dating ZIZAK''s leader Park Hyun-Woo, but also photos of the private lives of her close idol friends. The repercussions of these leaked photos of popr idols smoking, drinking, and even nude, would spread far and wide, causing turmoil in the entire industry. I had thought about telling Jang Eun-Yung to delete her secret ount in advance, but I figured there was no way she would listen to me. For this reason, I nned to protect Cherry Blossom from getting involved in this issue. I headed to Cherry Blossom''s dorm after taking a shower and arrived at 6 a.m. When I carefully opened the door, I found Lee Ju-Yung packing in silence. "Ms. Lee, I''m here." After greeting Lee Ju-Yung, I handed her the gift I had prepared. "Here. Please take this." "Oh? Amusement park tickets? Why are you giving these to me?" "For you to go with your boyfriend on your day off." Lee Ju-Yung''s face instantly turned red as she replied, "H-how did you know I have a boyfriend?" In my memory, Lee Ju-Yung had just celebrated her 100th day with her boyfriend around this time. Things around me were still unfolding simrly to my past life aside from just a few incidents. "No one knew about that. Thanks anyway, Assistant Manager Jung." "Don''t mention it. But Ms. Lee, I heard reporters are scouring idols'' Instargem ounts with bloodshot eyes these days. Our kids don''t have anything to worry about, do they?" At that moment, Lee Ju-Yung''s previously happy expression from receiving the tickets suddenly darkened. "Our kids don''t have Instargem ounts." "But why do you look so concerned?" Lee Ju-Yung let out a deep sigh. "A photo of the kids was takenst night with the ZIZAK guys at a fried chicken and beer ce." It felt like I got a hard punch to the head. Considering the timing, a scandal now could ruin their number 1 streak. "Which newspaper took it?" Lee Ju-Yung shook her head in response to my urgent question. "It wasn''t a newspaper. The kids took it themselves." ''Ah, a selfie.'' Relieved it wasn''t a paparazzi photo, I asked about the context. "Eun-Yung called Yeon-Hee and Eun-Bi to meet at the chicken and beer ce near ourpanyst night. But it turned out the ZIZAK guys were there." "What? Why would Eun-Yung invite them to a ce where boy group members were present?" "Who knows? Anyway, Eun-Yung insisted they have a beer since they were there, so the kids had just one. That''s when Eun-Yung took a selfie with her phone." ''If she wanted to go down, why drag our kids along with her?'' I wanted to confront her immediately, but I couldn''t since Singer Division 2 hardlymunicated with Singer Division 1 considering the bad rtionship with them. "Does Mr. Lee know about this?" "Yes. Yeon-Hee and Eun-Bi were so anxious when they got back to the dorm that they called him right away. So Mr. Lee went to meet Eun-Yung and made a big deal about deleting the photo." Lee Ju-Yung exined that Jang Eun-Yung deleted the photos of Woo Yeon-Hee and Yang Eun-Bi from her phone following Lee Dong-Min''sints. But I couldn''t be at ease. Jang Eun-Yung was known for her Instagram addiction and often uploaded every photo she took onto her secret ount. This meant the photos with ZIZAK might still be on her secret ount. Just one slip could involve Cherry Blossom in the scandal. If only I knew Jang Eun-Yung''s secret ount, then perhaps there could be a way to handle this. But I couldn''t remember the incident from nine years ago. At that moment, Woo Yeon-Hee''s door opened with a creak. "Let''s talkter. The kids think the issue is over." "Understood, Ms. Lee." It seemed necessary to discuss this situation with Lee Dong-Min. Woo Yeon-Hee stretchednguidly and furrowed her brow as she focused on me. "Yoon-Ho oppa, when did you get here?" "Just now. You''ve been busytely, haven''t you? Here, take this." Woo Yeon-Hee smiled when I handed her a paper bag full of herbal medicine. "Is it okay if I take this on an empty stomach?" "No. Eat something first." "Thank you." Then Yang Eun-Bi appeared from the opposite room, waving her hand with dark bags under her eyes. "Hi, oppa~." "Hey. How was your sleep" "Not great. Morning came as soon as I blinked just once. I''m so sleep-deprived that I think I''ll die." Yang Eun-Bi rubbed her neck as sheined thatck of sleep was stunting her growth. After doing some stretches, Yang Eun-Bi noticed the paper bag in Woo Yeon-Hee''s hand. "What''s that, unnie?" "Herbal medicine. Yoon-Ho oppa bought it for us." "Yuck. I don''t take herbal medicine." "Why not?" "Because it''s bitter!" Her response was unexpectedly simplistic when I was expecting a logical reason. I gently tried to persuade Yang Eun-Bi who was waving her hands in refusal. "Eun-Bi, if you don''t take care of yourself now, you''ll run out of stamina for real and won''t be able to keep up with activitiester." "It''s okay. I''m super strong. Want to see?" As Yang Eun-Bi boasted about her energy by waving her arms, Eun-Ah, who had juste out of her room, said cautiously, "Unnie, you have 5 cm-long bags under your eyes right now." Yang Eun-Bi flinched. "What? Really?" "Yes. It looks like they might hang down all the way to your nose soon." Startled by Eun-Ah''sment, Yang Eun-Bi ran to the bathroom. Then the dorm erupted with a scream loud enough to shake the entire building. "Ahhhh! Who is this in the mirror!?" Yang Eun-Bi cried out. ''Who do you think? It''s an utterly exhausted idol who looks like cabbage soaked in brine for kimchi.'' But Sae-Ri was nowhere to be seen amidst the chaos. "Yeon-Hee, where''s Sae-Ri? She shouldn''t be at school since it''s the weekend, right? Or did she go to supplementary sses or something?" When I asked in an urgent voice, Woo Yeon-Hee answered with a deep sigh, "Where else would she be? She''s still in her room sleeping." Handing the herbal medicine paper bag to Eun-Ah, Woo Yeon-Hee headed to Sae-Ri''s room and called out to her gently. "Sae-Ri, it''s time to wake up~." Despite Woo Yeon-Hee''s gentle coaxing, Sae-Ri whined in protest. "Just five more minutes..." Sae-Ri''s face was down on the mattress and her buttocks were lifted in the air. "No, you need to wake up. We have a schedule today. We need to go to the salon now." "Just five more minutes. Please~" Sae-Ri''s resistance, cocooning herself in the nket, finally ceased when Lee Ju-Yung intervened and got Sae-Ri to sit up. Sae-Ri greeted me with her eyes barely open. "Oh. It''s Yoon-Ho oppa." Seeing Sae-Ri being helped up with half-open eyes, I asked, "Sae-Ri, didn''t you get back to the dorm by 10 p.m. yesterday? You went straight to sleep, right?" Sae-Ri was currently 16 and fell under the legal age of 15 due to ate birthday, restricting her from appearing on broadcasts past 10 p.m. "I did sleep around that time... but no matter how much I sleep, I''m still tired. Maybe I''m growing." Sae-Ri''s current height was 160.7 cm, and that would remain unchanged even after nine years. Knowing the harsh truth, I decided to keep quiet and y along. "Yes. You''ll grow another 10 cm easily. Keep stretching." Sae-Ri clenched her fists with determination. "Of course. I''ll definitely catch up to Eun-Bi unnie." ''That''s impossible, Sae-Ri. Your height has already reached its limit.'' At that moment, Yang Eun-Bi walked out of the bathroom and snorted. "Our little baby has been challenging me a lottely. Drink some milk, grow a bit more, and then I will y with you. Okay?" When Yang Eun-Bi gently pinched Sae-Ri''s cheek, Sae-Ri began to puff her cheeks. "Let go of my cheeks! I said let go!" "Aww, is my little baby getting angry~?" "I''m going to bite you!" The moment Sae-Ri opened her mouth wide, the startled Yang Eun-Bi quickly withdrew her hand. Just like that, another bustling day for Cherry Blossom was beginning. Chapter 147: Secretstargem (2)

Chapter 147: Secretstargem (2)

We arrived at Forest, Hoop Entertainment''s contracted hair salon, around 7:20 in the morning. "Ms. Lee, have you mentioned changing hair salons to thepany yet?" "I did, but there''s no feedback." "Golden Road starts their activities today. It would be troublesome if there''s a conflict because we share the same salon as them..." "But what can we do? It''s not something we can decide on our own," Lee Ju-Yung replied with a defeated look on her face. With a deep sigh, she urged the Cherry Blossom members to hurry. "Come on, guys. Sit down and let''s get started with your hair. We''re busy today as well." "Okay." Cherry Blossom members took their seats as directed by the hairstylists. As the noise of hair dryers filled the room, Lee Ju-Yung stood up. "Assistant Manager Jung, stay here for a moment. I''ll go buy some kimbap." "Oh, I''ll go." "No, it''s okay. I''ve been feeling a bit unwell since just now and I need some fresh air. I''ll be right back, so keep an eye on things." Ten minutes after Lee Ju-Yung left, the entrance bell of the salon rang and Golden Road appeared, led by Assistant Manager Eun Ji-Yoo. "Hello, Ms. Eun." "Oh, if it isn''t Assistant Manager Jung. You were here first?" I also greeted the Golden Road members standing behind her, but their responses were lukewarm. "Ah, yes. Hello." I didn''t argue as I had expected their reaction. The Cherry Blossom members greeted Golden Road without turning their heads due to their hair being styled. With dissatisfied expressions, Golden Road greeted back and sat in a row next to Cherry Blossom. Eun Ji-Yoo sighed after putting down Golden Road''s bags. "Where''s Ms. Lee?" "She went out to buy some kimbap just now." "Is that so? Then can you watch our kids for a bit? I need to buy some snacks before the team lead arrives." "Sure, I''ll be here so don''t worry and please go ahead." Eun Ji-Yoo thanked me and quickly headed to the kimbap store. But as soon as Eun Ji-Yoo disappeared, Jang Eun-Yung started a quarrel with Woo Yeon-Hee who was seated next to her. "Hey, Woo Yeon-Hee. Your chief told us not to contact you guys from now on. What exactly did you say to him?" "...I didn''t say much." "You''re telling me that he caused so much fuss when you didn''t say anything to him? I''m really disappointed in you. Instead of thanking us for introducing you guys to ZIZAK, you''re bringing us shame." "Well, we didn''t ask for it." "Hey, it''s good to know people of the same age. Who said you have to date them?" "..." ''Wow, what audacity.'' With Jang Eun-Yung''s voice getting louder, I intervened in their conversation. "Eun-Yung, let''s not start the morning with a frown. And you should look straight. Do you want to ruin your hair on the day of theeback?" Jang Eun-Yung sneered and shot back at my intervention. "Assistant Manager Jung, why are you butting in without even knowing what happened?" Despite being two years younger, Jang Eun-Yung spoke informally to me. "I''m intervening because I know what happened. Stop making a scene!" I snapped back. Upon getting scolded by me, Jang Eun-Yung looked annoyed and red at her reflection in the mirror. Her reflected face was full of spite. At that moment, Yoon Ji-Hee, the youngest member of Golden Road, screamed in a sharp voice. "Ouch! Ah, seriously. What do you think you''re doing right now!?" Yoon Ji-Hee grabbed the ends of her hair and red at the hairstylist. "I''m so sorry! So sorry!" Yoon Ji-Hee''s hairstylist kept bowing in apology, having slightly burnt the ends of her hair with a hair straightener. I thought of calling the salon manager to cover up the squabble, but Yoon Ji-Hee had already caused an incident. "Ah, fuck this. It''s oureback today. What the hell are you gonna do with my hair? Damn it." Yoon Ji-Hee''s swearing while holding her hair made the nearby hairstylists frown. Though it was true that the hairstylist had made a mistake, it didn''t warrant such harsh swearing. I quickly tried to calm Yoon Ji-Hee down. "Yoon Ji-Hee, can''t you speak nicely? I understand you''re on edge, but watch yournguage." I warned her to be careful of her image as an idol, but she decided to take things even further. "Ah, really. This is so annoying! Assistant Manager Jung, you''re our talent agent! Why are you giving me shit?" Her ignorance and rudeness gave me a headache. ''If only she were smart or at least nice.'' I took a deep breath and slowly approached Yoon Ji-Hee. Even though talent agents were supposed to tolerate their celebrities to some extent, Golden Road was practically my enemy despite being from the samepany. "Hey, Yoon Ji-Hee! Do you think I''m your friend? What makes you think you can talk shit to me like that!? And you better apologize to your hairstylist right now!" My loud voice echoed through the hair salon. Startled by my shouting, Yoon Ji-Hee''s aggression simmered down a bit. But she was still grumbling and refusing to apologize with her arms crossed. "Ugh, this is ridiculous. If only they didn''t change the hairstylist without consulting us, I wouldn''t have been this annoyed..." I wanted to smack Yoon Ji-Hee who was making an annoying face. But instead, I apologized to the hairstylist. "She''s a little sensitive today because it''s hereback day. I apologize for her swearing. Could you please get the manager?" "I''m sorry, Mr. Jung. I''m sorry, Miss Ji-Hee," the hairstylist apologized. "No worries. We are good as long as it doesn''t happen again. But please hurry, we need to get the kids styled and rush off to the broadcasting station." Yoon Ji-Hee''s hairstylist quickly rushed downstairs. I also bowed to Kim Yung-Sook, the most senior hairstylist on the floor. "I apologize for making a fuss, Mrs. Kim." "Oh, it''s fine. We understand how tenseebacks can be. It''s not like we haven''t seen this before." Thanks to Kim Yung-Sook ying it off, I was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. Both in my past life and now, Yoon Ji-Hee had always made me apologize on her behalf. Just as I thought things were settling down, Jang Eun-Yung snickered and sneakily chimed in, "Assistant Manager Jung. Why pretend to care? We''re not even from the same division as you." Golden Road was really making a scene today. It seemed like they were determined to get at me. I fully understood the sunbae talent agent who told me he sometimes wished to shave all these kids'' heads bald at the hair salon. "Hey, I''m still a talent agent of Hoop Entertainment. How could I not care?" "Then change Ji-Hee''s hairstylist to someone experienced, not some inexperienced newbie." ''It''s not like I was the one who changed the designers. Thepany did.'' It was rare for celebrities to have their assigned hairstylists changed. But with Golden Road''seback being dyed and Cherry Blossom''s number one streak extending, the treatment for the two groups got reversed. The veterans who originally worked with Golden Road were now with Cherry Blossom, and the newbies were assigned to Golden Road. I silently endured their treatment and waited for Lee Ju-Yung to return. Fortunately, Lee Ju-Yung and Eun Ji-Yoo returned with kimbap in hand in less than five minutes. Only then did Jang Eun-Yung''sints cease. *** Outside the waiting room of MBS'' Show! Music Center, I ryed the incident from the hair salon to Lee Dong-Min. "We need to change the hair salon immediately," Lee Dong-min said upon hearing what had happened. "How about the newly opened Vivian in Apgujeong? I heard the owner is really talented," I suggested. Upon rmending Vivian, which was expected to be the top hair salon in Apgujeong within five years, Lee Dong-Min looked curious and asked, "I haven''t heard of them before. Are they good?" "I heard they''re excellent." "Really? Then ask if they can start styling our kids from tomorrow." "Yes, sir. I''ll also ask for some sample styling photos." The moment I called the owner of Vivian, an excited voice responded. -Cherry Blossom? Pleasee right away! We''ll even sponsor you for free! The dignifieddy I remembered from my past life was nowhere to be found. After all, Cherry Blossom was now in a position that money couldn''t buy. After securing a sponsorship promise and hanging up the call, Lee Dong-Min brought up yesterday''s incident. "You heard about Eun-Yung and the girls yesterday, right?" "I did." "Typical Eun-Yung, such a stubborn girl. She insisted she deleted the photos and I couldn''t win with words alone. But thankfully, the photos were deleted." I cautiously brought up Jang Eun-Yung''s secret ount to the grumbling Lee Dong-Min. "A secret ount?" he asked. "Yes. I heard some reporters talking on my way here, saying that Star Patch is digging into Eun-Yung''s Instargem." Lee Dong-Min''s face twisted. Star Patch was notorious for digging up any means of private information without hesitation, and no celebrity caught by them ever got off easily. "Why did it have to be Star Patch out of allpanies?" I conveyed the urgency of the situation to Lee Dong-Min. "That''s why we need to tell Eun-Yung to delete all the photos in her secret ount immediately." If Jang Eun-Yung''s secret ount disappeared, so would any other photos of Cherry Blossom that might be there. "We should. There might be more photos of our kids that Eun-Yung has." Though it was a matter for Division 1, Lee Dong-Min rolled up his sleeves as he was concerned that Cherry Blossom might be involved somehow. "Yoon-Ho, do you know Eun-Yung''s secret ount by any chance?" "No, I don''t know that much." Lee Dong-Min scratched his head in frustration. "We''ll have to inform Ms. Kang and ask for help. I''ll take care of the rest, so you look after the kids." "Yes, sir." "Alright. Then I''ll head out first." Lee Dong-Min hurried out of the hallway. "Jang Eun-Yung. You owe me one." In my attempt to prevent any bacsh on Cherry Blossom, I inadvertently ended up helping Jang Eun-Yung and Golden Road as well. I turned toward the waiting room door as I looked at the unchanged entry in my nner. That''s when I heard a familiar voice. "Hey. Is that you, Assistant Manager Jung?" From one side of the waiting room hallway, Ma Dong-Pal, who had been out of sight for a while, was approaching with a wave. His skin had turned a deep tan as if he had been somewhere sunny. Reaching the front of the waiting room, Ma Dong-Pal instructed Pink Diamond who came along with him to greet Cherry Blossom. "Go in and say hello to the number one girl group, thene out." "Yes, sir.." With hesitant expressions, Pink Diamond greeted me and then entered Cherry Blossom''s waiting room. As Pink Diamond disappeared into the waiting room, Ma Dong-Pal began to speak. "How have you been?" "Fine, I guess. But how...how is Petite More doing? Are they doing well?" Ma Dong-Pal''s smile turned even more sinister at my response. "Thanks to someone, they''re taking a nice break. And Mr. Cheon wanted to send his regards saying that we''re looking at losses in the hundreds of billions thanks to you." "How is that my fault? Shouldn''t you me those who caused the trouble?" "The bad habit of spouting nonsense without understanding the situation is still there, I see." I ignored Ma Dong-Pal''s threats and retorted, "But don''t you think you came back too soon? There are still many who view you unfavorably." "That''s for me to worry about. Just make sure you manage things well while you''re in your prime. It''s hard to climb up, but falling happens in an instant." Ma Dong-Pal subtly hinted at targeting Cherry Blossom. As the revenue from the music market was almost fixed annually, one group needed to pull another down to rise. But dealing with those who envied and resented the sess of others was part of the routine. I was confident that Cherry Blossom wouldn''t fall to the bottom as long as I was with them. "Speaking from personal experience, are you?" I barked back. Ma Dong-Pal''s face tightened at my reply. "Always have to have thest word, huh?" ''How ironicing from him.'' Nheless, being threatened left a bad taste in my mouth. I thought about how to get back at him when a brilliant idea struck. "Ah, by the way. About Pink Diamond''s outfits..." "What about the outfits?" "From the colors to the design, it seemed quite simr to Cherry Blossom''s. Were you perhaps imitating us?" Since Cherry Blossom had been number one for seven weeks, about a third of the girl groups in the industry had been copying their style. When I suggested that Pink Diamond was one of them, Ma Dong-Pal fumed with his nostrils ring. After all, being called a copycat idol was no different from beingbeled a third-rate idol. "Are you really trying to start something with me!?" I didn''t respond further and quickly slipped into the waiting room. But upon entering the room, an interesting scene was unfolding. "Min-Ji unnie! From now on, don''t you dare speak to Yeon-Hee unnie like that! Even if Yeon-Hee unnie is younger, she''s still your sunbae!" "What, what did I even do!?" Gu Min-Ji eximed. "Always saying ''sunbae, sunbae,'' but looking down on us! Don''t you realize that''s even more infuriating?" Sae-Ri was giving Pink Diamond''s Gu Min-Ji a long lecture. Chapter 148: Secretstargem (3)

Chapter 148: Secretstargem (3)

Gu Min-Ji bit her lip tightly at Sae-Ri''s lecture. But soon, she trembled and nodded her head. "O-o-okay, I got it. I''ll be more careful next time." Such a reaction would have been unimaginable in the past, but this was the power of being number one. In this industry, such cute revenge and speaking up for oneself was sometimes necessary because the weak were always preyed upon. Gu Min-Ji bowed to Woo Yeon-Hee. "I''m sorry, Yeon-Hee sunbae." Although the tender-hearted Woo Yeon-Hee tried to stop her, I stepped in first. "Alright, Sae-Ri,. That''s enough. Pink Diamond must be busy too, so you should leave now." Unlike Cherry Blossom who had some free time since they were candidates for first ce, Pink Diamond who had just made theireback had their rehearsaling up. With her face flushed, Gu Min-Ji swiftly turned around and left the waiting room. The other members of Pink Diamond also followed her out and mmed the door behind them. Simultaneously, Sae-Ri who had been standing confidently until now slumped into a chair. "Phew. I-I thought I was going to die," Sae-Ri stuttered. Seeing Sae-Ri stutter with a flushed face, Yang Eun-Bi lifted the corners of her lips. "Pfft. You tried to give a lecture when you were that nervous?" "Well, it was obvious Yeon-Hee unnie couldn''t speak up for herself. I had to do something." But despite her brave actions, her arms and legs were trembling from nervousness. ''This kid is such a bluffer.'' But I pretended not to see her tremble and let it slide as I was proud she gathered courage for her unnie. ''They say a noble''s revenge is patient, waiting ten years if needed. In the end, you have achieved your wishes, Kim Sae-Ri.'' *** After the performances of the rookies were over, it was finally Cherry Blossom''s turn to take the stage. Everyone gathered in the middle of the dressing room and joined hands to shout their slogan. "Why don''t you join us after such a long time, oppa?" "Should I?" I gently ced my right hand on top of the joined hands. Taking a deep breath, I led Cherry Blossom''s chant. "May we bloom eternally~!" "Forever~Cherry Blossom~!" With a spirited shout, the members of Cherry Blossom energetically headed toward the stage. From below the stage, I could see the audience''s seats filled with Cherry Blossom''s fans waving their light sticks. "Wow. A lot of them came to support Cherry Blossom." Sae-Ri nodded her head excitedly at my remark. "We''ll do well ande back, oppa!" "Okay. You''ve got this!" Sae-Ri clenched her fists and went up to the stage. One by one, the remaining three also gave high-fives and headed to the stage. As Cherry Blossom took their set positions, the intro of ''Hurry Up!'' began to y and they started the lively choreography with microphones in their hands. At the same time, the light sticks in the audience started to create waves of light. ¡ºRaise your hands~¡» -Hurry Up! After Cherry Blossom sang the chorus and extended the microphone toward the audience, the fans responded with a chant. The resounding fan chant filling the hall signified Cherry Blossom''s current status. That''s when Eun Ji-Yoo, who had quietly approached me, eximed in envious admiration. "It''s nice to see Cherry Blossom doing so well." "Oh? Ms. Eun. Howe you''re not in the waiting room?" Having finished their performance, Golden Road was waiting in the waiting room for the first-ce performance to end since they had to be on stage for the final ranking announcement. "Mr. Lee told me to step out for a bit. I couldn''t go far, so I came to watch Cherry Blossom." After Chief Cha Sang-Jin was promoted to the Chief of Singer Division 1, Team Lead Lee Yung-Seop became the person in charge of Golden Road. But Eun Ji-Yoo exined that Lee Yung-Seop turned the waiting room upside down just five minutes after he arrived. Curious, I asked, "What happened?" "Oh, it''s because of Eun-Yung''s Instargem," Eun Ji-Yoo replied. It seemed that Lee Dong-Min had mobilized Singer Division 1 through Kang Ji-Yung. I feigned ignorance and asked with a clueless expression, "What about her Instargem?" "Apparently, reporters are gossiping about her having a secret ount." "Whoa. So? What happened?" I expected to hear that the ount had been deleted. However, an unexpected answer came back instead. "She said that the reporters got it wrong and she absolutely doesn''t have a secret ount. So she''s having a big fight with Mr. Lee right now." I was left speechless. ''She''s saying that she doesn''t have a secret ount when the entry is still there in my nner?'' [Everyday V10] [Date: June 16th, 2020] -11:30 PM Golden Road''s Jang Eun-Yung. Emergency meeting about the Star Patch article due to the discovery of her secret Instargem ount, fifth-floor small conference room. I was so dumbfounded that I muttered to myself without realizing it. "Jeez. Can she get any worse than this?" Hearing my mutter, Eun Ji-Yoo tilted her head in confusion. "Assistant Manager Jung, what are you talking about?" "Oh, it''s nothing. But do you believe Eun-Yung''s words, Ms. Eun?" "What can I do when she says she doesn''t have one? She''s my celebrity, so I have to believe her." ''Wow. She''s frustratingly naive.'' "By the way, Ms. Eun. When will youe to Singer Division 2? Mr. Lee says he''s always willing to wee you." Eun Ji-Yoo shook her head. "I can''t just leave for my ownfort. What about the kids'' schedules? I want to give it a try until I really can''t anymore." "Understood. But please let me know first if things get too hard." Eun Ji-Yoo looked at me intently. "What is it?" I asked. "Nothing. I''m just grateful for your constant concern." "I''m the one who''s grateful." "But what have I done? I haven''t done anything for you." ''You did a lot for me in my past life, Ji-Yoo noona.'' Pretending not to know, I turned my gaze back to Cherry Blossom''s performance. In the meantime, Cherry Blossom members were finishing their dance and shouting thest lines of the song. ¡ºRaise your hands~Hurry Up!¡» At that moment, Eun Ji-Yoo also raised her hands and shouted out loud as if she were part of the audience. But my mind was filled with thoughts of getting rid of Jang Eun-Yung''s secret Instagram ount. There was only one thing left to do¡ªto take action myself. *** "I told you! I already deleted the photos of Yeon-Hee and Eun-Bi when Mr. Lee Dong-Min mentioned it, okay?" Jang Eun-Yung pushed her phone toward Lee Yung-Seop with a snap. After checking the photo album, Lee Yung-Seop pressed her hard. "Fine. Let''s say those photos are gone. But what about your secret ount? Star Patch is making a fuss about finding your hidden ount to get photos. How can you say you don''t have a secret ount?" "How many times do I have to tell you? I don''t have such a secret ount. What can I do when it doesn''t exist?" "If it''s found out you lied, it''ll be really hard to take care of this situation, Eun-Yung," Lee Yung-Seop warned her in a low voice. Jang Eun-Yung stomped her feet in frustration. "Why don''t you believe what I say!? Maybe Star Patch got it wrong and they''re rummaging through someone else''s ount." As Jang Eun-Yung shrieked, Lee Yung-Seop quietly lowered his voice. "Sigh. Alright, I get it! I''ll tell thepany that. Just make sure you don''t get involved with Star Patch at all." Lee Yung-Seop cleared his throat and warned the other members present with an awkward expression. "If any of you have secret ounts as well, delete them right now." Caught in the crossfire, the remaining members of Golden Road also eximed in protest, "We don''t have any either!" "Ke hem! Alright." Lee Yung-Seop stood up and said before leaving, "Then I''ll go and report to thepany. Take a break here in the meantime." Click. As Lee Yung-Seop left the waiting room, Jang Eun-Yung, who had been lowering head, burst out angrily. "Ah, seriously. Why does this damnpany meddle in everything? What else are we supposed to do when we''ve deleted all the photos?" Jang Eun-Yung''s voice echoed through the waiting room. The other Golden Road members who had been scolded together also frowned. Then, the youngest member Yoon Ji-Hee, asked with a changed expression, "Unnie. Are you sure you really don''t have a secret ount? You said you had one before." "Hey! I deleted it over a month ago." As Jang Eun-Yung responded in defiance, Yoon Ji-Hee giggled. "Oh,e on~. You know you can''t fool me. I know you too well. I saw you post photos on Instargem with your boyfriend at Gyeongpo Lake and at the pub in front of thepany. But those photos aren''t on your official Instargem, are they?" "Why are you digging into everything? If I say there''s none, there''s none!" Yoon Ji-Hee diverted the topic with an innocent expression. "Why are you getting angry? Just be careful. We almost got caught as well because of you having a secret ount." The truth was that Jang Eun-Yung was not the only one who had a secret ount. Jang Eun-Yung smirked at Yoon Ji-Hee''s request to keep their secret ounts from being discovered. "Thepany always does this. How would Star Patch know about my ount? They''re just bluffing to make us delete it. So, don''t you guys get scared for nothing. It''s not like we are rookies anymore." "Wow~ unnie, you''re absolutely killing it with your industry experience." Jang Eun-Yung stretched. "Hah, you know it." She then apologized to the members for making them all get scolded for no reason. "Anyway, I''m sorry for making you all get lectured because of me. To make up for it, I''ll treat you all today. Deal?" The main vocalist, Park Soo-Jin, pouted in response. "You''re not thinking of getting away with just somete-night snacks, are you?" "Of course not. Let''s go to Club BLUEter." Yoon Ji-Hee cheered in response. "Yay! As expected from Eun-Yung unnie! So generous!" Jang Eun-Yung turned around and asked, "Ji-Hee, you can go to clubs starting this year too, right?" "Absolutely." Now 20, Yoon Ji-Hee made a peace sign with her fingers. "Then let''s go to the dorm briefly after our scheduled activities are over and then sneak out on our own. Got it?" The other Golden Road members shouted in agreement at Jang Eun-Yung''s suggestion. At that moment, the sound of staff moving hurriedly in the hallway could be heard. It was the sound of the stage preparations for the first-ce award after Cherry Blossom''s performance. "Come on, everyone. Get up. We need to go out for the first-ce courtesy." The sub-vocalist Jung Yi-Soo grumbled at Jang Eun-Yung''s words. "Ugh. This is so annoying. Why do we have to stand as fillers?" "What can we do? If the PD says so, we have to follow." "Sigh. When will we stand in the first-ce spot?" Jang Eun-Yung smiled at the members'' grumblings. "We''ll make it this time. Our song turned out great." Golden Road''s new song ''Blue Rabbit'' entered the music chart at 18th ce and was sitting at fifth ce today. With ''Hurry Up!'' by Cherry Blossom losing its effect, there were talks about Golden Road possibly reaching first ce soon. But Jang Eun-Yung didn''t stop there. Inviting Woo Yeon-Hee and Yang Eun-Bi to the ce where ZIZAK members were was part of her scheme. If photos of them with male idols surfaced, it could embroil Cherry Blossom in a scandal. ''It was a good thing that I uploaded that photo to my ount,'' Jan Eun-Yung thought to herself. She had deleted the photo from her phone, but the one on her secret Instargem ount remained. A sinister thought shed across her mind. ''If I spread the photo to the newspapers, those annoying girls will be in tears for sure.'' The fastest and easiest way to rise to the top was indeed to bring down the current first ce. As Jang Eun-Yung was about to leave the waiting room, another idea urred to her. ''I should make it more concrete this time.'' Feeling that the previous photo was too tame, Jang Eun-Yung sent a text to her boyfriend Park Hyun-Woo. [Eun-Yung???: Hyun-Woo oppa, I''ll treat you today, so let''s meet at Club BLUE with your members. And could you invite Yeon-Hee and Eun-Bi so we can take more photos? They definitely won''te if I ask, so please do it for me oppa~. (PS. Last time''s photo was too mild, so can we make it 19+ this time?)] After sending the message, Jang Eun-Yung made a deep smile on her face. "Unnie, what are you doing?" "Oh, it''s nothing. Don''t worry about it." "Come on, hurry up! What are you doing?" At Yoon Ji-Hee''s call, Jang Eun-Yung followed with her phone in hand to stand as a backdrop for the first-ce celebration stage. *** Cherry Blossom and ZIZAK members were currently waiting on stage for the winner announcement. Now ustomed to lifting the trophy on the celebration stage, Cherry Blossom stood confidently at the center of the stage. "And~ today''s first ce goes to... Congrattions to Cherry Blossom''s ''Hurry Up!''" Glitter fell from the stage ceiling like snow with the announcement of the winner. Cheers erupted from the audience and bouquets were showered upon Cherry Blossom. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" Since there was no encore performance today, everyone started to leave the stage. As they queued to descend the narrow stairs, there were still about 30 idols left on the stage. But at that moment, ZIZAK''s leader Park Hyun-Woo was seen passing a small folded note to Woo Yeon-Hee out of the camera''s angle. ''Park Hyun-Woo, what are you doing right now?'' Startled by the note handed to her by Park Hyun-Woo, Woo Yeon-Hee tried to return it immediately. But before Woo Yeon-Hee could react, Park Hyun-Woo had already gone down the stage. Confused about what to do, Woo Yeon-Hee unfolded the note. Then she soon frowned upon reading it and crumpled it up, hiding it in her wristband. When Yang Eun-Bi asked her what was wrong, Woo Yeon-Hee just gave an awkward smile indicating it was something she couldn''t share with Eun-Bi. ''Yeon-Hee, what exactly does the note say?'' Chapter 149: Secretstargem (4)

Chapter 149: Secretstargem (4)

I thought the note Woo Yeon-Hee received was something I should ask about when I was alone with her. Holding the first-ce trophy in their hands, Cherry Blossom was thest toe down from the stage. Lee Ju-Yung greeted Cherry Blossom at the bottom of the stairs. "Congrattions, girls!" "Thank you, unnie." "It was a close call today." Having maintained the first ce for eight weeks, the gap between them and the second and third ces had significantly narrowed to about 500 votes. The next expected record of maintaining first ce for nine consecutive weeks was hanging by a thread. "Let''s quickly head to the dressing room, pack our things, and head to the dorm. You guys need to rest a bit today to handle tomorrow''s schedule," Lee Ju-Yung said as she took care of Cherry Blossom and led the way. After packing our belongings in the dressing room, we headed straight to the underground parking lot. On our way to the van parked in row A, Sae-Ri started to hop excitedly with the trophy in her hand. "We''re first ce again! We won it again!" Seeing the excited Sae-Ri, Yang Eun-Bi shook her head. "When will she ever grow up?" Anyone would think she was at least 30 looking at the way shemented over Sae-Ri when she was only 21. Sae-Ri imitated the pirouette movement of the ballerina and gracefully turned before approaching me slowly. Then she stopped right in front of me and looked up at me with her eyes wide open. "Oppa. If we win first ce again, can we go down to my hometown?" "Your hometown? Why would you go to your hometown? Is there something going on?" Sae-Ri''s hometown was in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province and her family ran arge orchard there. When I asked if something was wrong, Sae-Ri simply pulled out her phone and showed me a photo. In the photo, a banner was hung in a ce that looked like a vige hall with a group of people who looked alike gathered beneath it. [Pride of the Kim family of Andong! Kim Sae-Ri! First ce in music broadcast!] About 30 rtives were smiling and gathered around Sae-Ri''s serious-looking grandfather and kind-looking grandmother along with Sae-Ri''s dad and mom who looked just like her. "Every time I win first ce, my grandparents hang a new banner in the vige hall. They said if I win first ce for nine consecutive weeks, they''ll throw a vige feast. I want to surprise my grandparents with a party." Yang Eun-Bi joined in as Sae-Ri''s excitement filled the air. "Your grandparents must really adore you, huh?" "Yeah, unnie. I told you that my grandparents raised me when I was young, right? My parents were always busy picking apples." After finishing talking with Eun-Bi, Sae-Ri turned to me with pleading eyes with her hands sped together. "So Yoon-Ho oppa. Let''s go to my hometown!" Yang Eun-Bi, Eun-Ah, and even Woo Yeon-Hee joined in Sae-Ri''s request. "Yes, oppa. Let''s go visit Sae-Ri''s home." "I agree too." "Sae-Ri wants to go so bad. Let''s make her wishe true. Okay. Yoon-Ho oppa?" I wasn''t sure if it would be possible with our tight schedule, but I decided to talk to thepany about it. After all, Cherry Blossom had been following busy schedules without any breaks. "Alright. I''ll talk to thepany. But we need to win first ce next week too, okay?" "Yay~!" Sae-Ri wiggled her hips in excitement. "But it''s not confirmed yet, so don''t call home about it untilter." "Yes, sir~." The excited Sae-Ri saluted and then ran energetically toward the van. As Eun-Bi and Eun-Ah became excited as well and caused amotion, Woo Yeon-Hee let out a sigh and nagged, "Girls, you might get hurt running around like that! Be careful!" Just as Woo Yeon-Hee was about to follow them, I grabbed her by the sleeves to stop her. "What is it, oppa?" "Give me the note you received earlier." Woo Yeon-Hee''s voice began to tremble with panic. "Huh? What, what did I receive?" "The note Park Hyun-Woo handed over to you on stage. I saw it all, so don''t y dumb." "No, that, that''s..." "It''s okay. You trust me, right?" Finally, Woo Yeon-Hee handed over the note she had kept on her wrist after much hesitation. "I''m sorry, oppa." The moment I saw the note, I could understand why she tried to hide it. [Don''t tell the talent agent or thepany, ande with Eun-Bi to where I tell you. Tonight at 11 p.m. Club BLUE. VIP Room 7. Don''te through the club entrance. Talk to ''Manager Kang'' at the hotel desk and you''ll be guided ordingly. (PS. If you don''te, the photo taken with our members will be passed to the reporters.)] As I read the note, numerous thoughts raced through my mind. ''How lightly are they regarding ourpany and talent agents to resort to such ridiculous threats?'' Celebrities belonging to powerfulpanies like Ace Entertainment, TK Entertainment, and even SJ Entertainment rarely got shaken up by big scandals. They could remain bold even after causing trouble because they believed in theirpany''s capability to handle anything for them. However, Woo Yeon-Hee was afraid to leave this incident for thepany to handle because the opposingpany was bigger than ours. Watching the nervous Woo Yeon-Hee, I made a promise to myself¡ªthat from now on, I would be a strong support and a shield for Cherry Blossom against any storm. "You were nning to handle this by yourself?" "...No." "Then?" Woo Yeon-Hee bowed her head once more with an apologetic look. "Actually, I couldn''t think of anything. I was nning to think it over on the way to the dorm. I''m sorry." "The girls are looking. Lift your head." "Oh, right." I whispered in a voice only Woo Yeon-Hee could hear, "I''m a bit disappointed in you, Yeon-Hee. Didn''t you see me as a helpful figure who''d do anything for you? Could it be that you don''t trust me?" "I''m sorry. It''s not that I don''t trust you, oppa. I was just worried you might get in trouble because of me..." "So it''s okay if you or Eun-Bi get in trouble instead? Don''t you realize that''s even more serious?" "I''m sorry." "It''s okay as long as you understand. But always tell me first in cases like this. I can take care of the problem for you that way." "Okay. I''ll always tell you what''s going on from now on, oppa." "From here on out, I''ll take care of everything. So just leave it to me and get some rest at the dorm. Taking care of a situation like this is nothing for me." When I confidently said with a smile, Woo Yeon-Hee''s face finally brightened up. But under my calm demeanor, a volcano of anger was erupting. *** Upon arriving at the dorm, I asked Woo Yeon-Hee for her phone. "Can I take your phone with me? I''ll need it for a day to take care of things." Woo Yeon-Hee readily handed me her phone as she hardly contacted anyone other than her family. "Alright, then. Rest up today and I''ll see you tomorrow." "Okay, oppa." After ensuring Woo Yeon-Hee and the others safely entered the dorm, I headed straight to thepany. I called Kang Ji-Yung on the way, but she was out dealing with actor Jo Min-Sung''s contract issues in Actor Division 1 and couldn''t be reached. Without hesitation, I went straight to find Lee Dong-Min and headed to the underground recording studio. *** "Seon-Woo, can I listen to that section just now one more time?" "Jong-Hoon hyung, please. Can we wrap it up for now? I want to sleep." "Sleep? You slept yesterday too." "Sleep is something you do every day, you know!" Kim Jong-Hoon, who had previously caused a suicide scare, was currently staying at ourpany. I did hear that Bang Seon-Woo was living together with him at his dorm, but it seemed they were always together even whenposing. "Wow. Jong-Hoon oppa. you''re even worse than me," Jang Ye-Bin sniggered. "Noona, you''re the same. Do you know how many nights I couldn''t sleep because of you and hyung nagging me?" Bang Seon-Woo grumbled. Jang Ye-Bin retorted, "Oh,e on. You kept us up the night beforest as well, didn''t you?" Lee Dong-Min intervened to stop their bickering and then stepped out of the recording studio. "Ah, Yoon-Ho. Why aren''t youing in?" "I need to discuss something about Cherry Blossom, Mr. Lee." Lee Dong-Min frowned. "What is it this time? Has Eun-Yung still not deleted the photo on her ount?" "Eun-Yung is now insisting she doesn''t even have a secret Instargem ount." "What? Then could the reporter have been mistaken?" "Eun-Yung lying isn''t anything new. She''s just saying she doesn''t have one when she does." Lee Dong-Min scratched his head out of frustration. "So what do we do now?" "You know that Park Hyun-Woo and Eun-Yung are dating, right?" "Of course." "I''ll pressure that guy to find out Eun-Yung''s secret ount." Lee Dong-Min''s eyes widened in surprise. "Do you think he''d reveal his girlfriend''s secret ount? That could expose his own private life as well." I pulled out a note Woo Yeon-Hee received from my right pocket. After reading the note containing Park Hyun-Woo''s threats, Lee Dong-Min cursed in a loud voice. "Fuck. Have these bastards lost their minds?" I egged on the fuming Lee Dong-Min. "Why don''t we use this opportunity to clean house?" "Do you think that''s possible? The emotional side of me wants to sue them immediately. But if they insist it was a joke, we might end up being forced to apologize instead." "I''ll handle it myself." After a moment of thought, Lee Dong-Min shook his head. "No, why should you do this alone? Let''s go together." Lee Dong-Min was a good person¡ªand that was why he wouldn''t be much help right now. After all, dealing with these kinds of scum didn''t require a good person. "Please, Mr. Lee. I''m asking you to let me do it alone." "Yoon-Ho. I understand how capable you are, but you can''t handle this alone. What if ites down to a fight with their guards?" "Don''t worry. You know I can fight.." Even though Lee Dong-Min had seen my capabilities at Uncle Music, he firmly shook his head. "No. No matter how I think about it, that''s not right. Photos from drinking parties? Just let them do whatever they want with it! We can think of it as catching a cold once." Lee Dong-Min''s words felt reassuring, but I had no intention of letting Park Hyun-Woo, who orchestrated this scheme, off the hook. Not even a bit. Seeing my determined expression, Lee Dong-Min stomped his feet in frustration. "You might not know this, but Club BLUE is in cahoots with the police. They are extremely hard to deal with." I smiled and replied, "There''s a way." I roughly knew about the corrupt dealings of Club BLUE''s executive director and president, and also which police officer they had connections with. I was confident I could escape any situation unscathed. Eventually, Lee Dong-Min gave up trying to persuade me as he saw my firm and determined expression. Lee Dong-Min handed me his personal card for the payment. "Alright. Entering Club BLUE''s VIP room requires at least 5 million won up front. Here, use my card. If anything happens, call me right away." At that moment, the door to the recording studio opened and Kim Jong-Hoon appeared with chopsticks in his mouth. "I don''t know exactly what''s going on, but not just anyone can enter Club BLUE''s VIP rooms. After the Choi Jun-Woo incident, they changed their policy. If your identity isn''t verified, no amount of money can get you in." "Is that so?" Kim Jong-Hoon, who had been drowning in alcohol at Club BLUE until recently, shared what he knew. I spoke informally with him now that we were friends. "Jong-Hoon, y-y-you didn''t cause any trouble there, did you?" "Nah, man." He mentioned he''d booked a VIP room just to drink alone without any women or drugs involved. ''Phew. What a relief.'' Then, Kim Jong-Hoon offered his help. "I''m also a VIP there, so let''s go together. I''m not sure what it''s about but I''m d I can help you with something." It seemed I might need a bit of help after all. Lee Dong-Min sighed and warned us. "Be careful." I nodded at Lee Dong-Min''s words. From the moment I saw the note, the photo on Jang Eun-Yung''s ount was the least of my concerns. ''Using a photo as a weapon and resorting to ckmail?'' This wasn''t just deviance but a crime. If they''d stooped to such tactics, I saw no reason to hold back any longer either. I nned to use this opportunity not only to crush Park Hyun-Woo of ZIZAK but also Jang Eun-Yung, who was undoubtedly entangled in this mess. ''Park Hyun-Woo and Jang Eun-Yung. Today is the day I end you two.'' Chapter 150: Secretstargem (5)

Chapter 150: Secretstargem (5)

As soon as I saw the entrance to Club BLUE, I let out a sigh, because the vivid memory of Choi Jun-Woo causing trouble came back to me. "What is it?" Kim Jong-Hoon asked. "Oh, it''s nothing. It''s just that I''ve been here before." "Oh, are you talking about the Choi Jun-Woo incident?" "How do you know about that?" "Seon-Woo told me." Sitting in the driver''s seat of his Ramborghini, Kim Jong-Hoon seemed to have already known everything about me. "Wow. I''ve been wondering why you weren''ting out of the basement. It turns out you weren''t making music but listening to stories about me, huh?" I teased him. "He he. I finally made a few friends. Of course I had to get to know them." "What are you, a stalker?" "Says the person who stalked me too," Kim Jong-Hoon replied with a cheeky smile, referring to the time I had gone to rescue him at the hotel. I cleared my throat, dodged the question, and then got out of the car at the hotel entrance. After Kim Jong-Hoon handed over his car to the valet parking, we headed not to the club entrance but to the hotel desk since there was a separate entrance leading to the underground club. When Kim Jong-Hoon, a top idol, appeared, the hotel guests who arrived first buzzed with excitement for a moment. That''s when a hotelier in his forties with a name tag reading ''Chief Kang Moo-Jung'' rushed out. "Long time no see, Mr. Kim." "Do you have any avable VIP rooms?" "Of course. We have to make one avable even if there isn''t, especially since it''s been a long time since yourst visit." Kim Jong-Hoon nodded in satisfaction. "Like always, don''t let anyone in." "Yes, sir." Kang Moo-Jung nodded repeatedly and took a nce at me. "Mr. Kim, may I know the name of the person apanying you to..." "Don''t bother asking and just lead the way." "Ah, yes. I apologize for my mistake. Pleasee this way." The person Park Hyun-Woo told Woo Yeon-Hee to look for when she arrived at the hotel was Kang Moo-Jung. He was the manager taking care of Club BLUE''s VIPs and also the one who was fraternizing with the local police chief. When we followed Kang Moo-Jung, I saw a separate elevator leading down to the underground Club BLUE. While waiting for the elevator, Kim Jong-Hoon took out two 50 thousand won bills from his pocket. "I heard the ZIZAK guys are here today. Is that right?" Kang Moo-Jung took the money and responded, "Yes, sir. They''re with the Golden Road members." That was good to hear because I had to deal with Jang Eun-Yung anyway. While I subtly turned on the recording feature on my smartwatch, Kim Jong-Hoon took out two more 50 thousand won bills and continued his inquiry. "I heard the ZIZAK members made an appointment with Cherry Blossom today. Is that correct?" Kang Moo-Jung looked troubled. "Ah, it''s a bit difficult for me to share such matters with you..." At that moment, Kim Jong-Hoon took out a few more bills. "You better make the right choice unless you want to see me stoping here." Kang Moo-Jung awkwardly smiled and epted the bills. "Yes, sir. What you said is exactly right." "What are they nning to do?" "I''m not sure about the details, but you know that anything is possible for a VIP." There were no security cameras in Club BLUE''s VIP rooms. So technically, if someone were to die there, it would go unnoticed. I felt my anger rising again hearing Kang Moo-Jung''s words. But I tried my best to suppress my anger as we took the elevator and headed down. Ding! When the elevator doors opened, the loud music from the club reached my ears. Kang Moo-Jung spoke through his walkie-talkie and then continued to lead us. "The usual Room 1 is avable right now. Let me take you there." In Club BLUE, there were rooms with transparent ss walls allowing one to view people on the floor, and there were also roomspletely enclosed by walls. Kim Jong-Hoon whispered in my ear that Room 1 was one of thetter. Upon reaching Room 1, Kim Jong-Hoon handed over money again to Kang Moo-Jung at the entrance. "Don''te in no matter what happens." "Don''t worry. I''ll make sure the employees ignore even urgent calls." After his response, Kang Moo-Jung bowed as he epted the bills. "I''ll bring in your usual drinks. Have a good time, sir." After bowing once again, Kang Moo-Jung closed the door behind him and left. The moment the door closed, VIP Room 1 became as quiet as if we had entered a recording booth. Simultaneously, Kim Jong-Hoon burst out a loud curse. "Those fucking bastards..." The fuming Kim Jong-Hoon fuming mmed the table with his fist. "Jong-Hoon." Kim Jong-Hoon turned his head at the sound of my low voice. "Once the drinkse in, could you give me a moment alone?" "I don''t know what you''re up to, but make sure you think it through. Yourpany isn''t known for handling cleanups well." Indeed, handling messy situations required a certain expertise. In Hoop Entertainment, only someone like Kim Dong-Soo could handle such tasks. Hoop Entertainment, following Kang Gam-Chan''s philosophy of not getting involved in nor hiding dirty work, was known externally for being poor at handling cleanups. When I smiled without a word, Kim Jong-Hoon patted my shoulder with a bitter expression. "Well, you did save me when I was at my lowest. I''m sure you''ll probably handle it well. I''ll go check out the floor, so call me when you''re done." "Okay. And...thanks for your help." "Don''t mention it. Oh, and you know there are no security cameras here, right? The soundproofing is good too." "Of course." "Thought as much." Having a wealthy friend turned out to be quite convenient in many ways. The door opened and the waiter came in with the drinks and Kim Jong-Hoon followed the waiter out. With the room quiet again, I took out Woo Yeon-Hee''s phone and sent a text to Park Hyun-Woo who would be in Room 7. *** The ZIZAK members were having a raucous time with Golden Road in the VIP Room 7 where loud music yed through the internal speakers. "Come on! Drink up! Chug! Chug!" "Ha ha ha! Bottoms up!" Park Hyun-Woo sat in the middle with Jang Eun-Yung wrapped in his arms. Park Hyun-Woo opened a bottle of whiskey and began to pour it into an empty ss. "Alright, everyone. Pay attention here for a moment. Our sponsor today has something to say." Jang Eun-Yung then lifted a ss that was half-filled. "Great work today, everyone. Have fun, but remember we do have a schedule tomorrow. So no heavy drinking." "Ah,e on. As if a few drinks would lead to heavy drinking. It''s not like we''re rookies, are we?" "We''ll just cancel the schedule if we get bad hangovers. What''s there to worry about?" Having debuted several years ago, this level of drinking was a piece of cake to both ZIZAK and Golden Road. "Oppa. We just had oureback today, remember? Canceling our schedule is not an option." Park Hyun-Woo smiled and pinched Jang Eun-Yung''s nose. "Hey, who was it that called me here on theeback day?" Park Hyun-Woo asked teasingly. "Ah, forget it. Anyway, I''m not drinking more than three sses," Jan Eun-Yung responded with a pout. Park Hyun-Woo raised his hands and bowed his head. "As the sponsor wishes. Yes, princess~ we shallply." Jang Eun-Yung giggled and pulled Park Hyun-Woo back up. Then, still in his arms, she looked at Yoon Ji-Hee. "Ji-Hee, you just have one drink. It''s your first time in a club, after all." Yoon Ji-Hee smirked. "First time? I''ve sneaked in a few times before. And unnie, I can down a crate of soju and still be fine. A ss of whiskey won''t even phase me." "A crate of soju? You need to chill." "Speak for yourself, unnie. Remember back in your school bully days? When you..." Yoon Ji-Hee''s teasing was abruptly cut off by Jang Eun-Yung''s annoyance. "Hey! If you''re going to talk nonsense, go back to the dorm!" "Why get so worked up? It''s all in the past. Anyway, I''m sorry. Let''s toast. Cheers." Park Hyun-Wooughed and broke up the argument between the two. Buzz! At that moment, Park Hyun-Woo''s phone buzzed with a notification. "What is it?" When he checked his phone, it was a message from Woo Yeon-Hee. [It''s me, Woo Yeon-Hee. Chief Kang said there was an urgent matter and took me to the VIP area and then disappeared. I''m in front of Room 1, but I can''t find where Room 7 is.] Upon reading the message, Park Hyun-Woo gulped and stood up. "Who is it?" "It''s Woo Yeon-Hee." Jang Eun-Yung pouted. "Why do you have to go, oppa? Why not send one of the others?" Park Hyun-Woo gently pinched Jang Eun-Yung''s cheek. "Hey. Why cause unnecessary rumors by sending someone else? Don''t worry. I''ll go get her quietly." Jang Eun-Yung smiled and responded in a yful tone. "Okay, but bring her back quickly. Okay?" Park Hyun-Woo stood up with a grin and instructed his members to get ready. "In-Sung and Sang-Jun, you guys get ready to take pictures when Woo Yeon-Hee and Eun-Bi arrive. Got it?" Choi In-Sung and Cha Sang-Jun put down their sses with a sly smile. "Yes, we''ll be ready." Just as nned, they intended to take pictures in Room 7 once Park Hyun-Woo brought Woo Yeon-Hee and Yang Eun-Bi in. Although Cherry Blossom and Golden Road shared the samepany, none of them cared about what might happen to Cherry Blossom. Golden Road wished for Cherry Blossom to disappear from the scene as soon as possible. After mentioning it might take a while, Park Hyun-Woo left Room 7. *** With the door to Room 1 slightly open, I waited for Park Hyun-Woo to approach. ck ck. It didn''t take long before the sound of clicking heels approached. "Where the hell did this bitch go? She said she''d be right here." Park Hyun-Woo''s irritated voice could be heard right outside the door. The moment I saw him in the dim lighting, I grabbed him by the cor and pulled him into the room. Park Hyun-Woo stumbled into the room. "Whoa! Who, who are you?" I quickly locked the door and shoved Park Hyun-Woo against the wall. Bang! "Ugh! Wh-what''s going on?" The room was well soundproofed, so there was no worry about noise leaking out. "Whoever you are, you''ve picked the wrong person to mess with..." The moment Park Hyun-Woo opened his mouth, Inded the first punch on his abdomen. Thump! Park Hyun-Woo''s body bent forward like a shrimp after taking a punch to the stomach. "Ke heuk!" Known for being a UFC enthusiast, I could feel quite a bit of resistance from his abs. "Pretty solid, huh? Oh, right. You used to work out, didn''t you?" Just as I was about tond a second punch to his abdomen, Park Hyun-Woo raised his hands to block my fist. Smack! The sound of bone hitting bone echoed in the room. "What do we have here? You blocked my fist, huh? Then I''ll make sure this onends properly." I put a bit more force andnded another punch. Crack! Park Hyun-Woo''s guard broke under the sessive punches. Then my fist found its way to his abdomen again, punch after punch. Thud! Thud! "Ugh!" No matter how much of a fitness enthusiast he was, he was still an amateur. There was no way he could block my punches with his current skill level. After taking solid hits to the abdomen and ribs, he finally knelt on the floor. "Keuugh. W-w-who the hell are you?" As Park Hyun-Woo groaned in pain, I held the note I was holding in front of him. "What the hell were you thinking sending a note like this? Park Hyun-Woo." Finally recognizing my face, Park Hyun-Woo gasped for air and scowled. "Wait. Huff, huff. Don''t tell me you''re Cherry Blossom''s talent agent?" "You got it." Park Hyun-Woo poured out a curse with a distorted expression. "Fuck! How dare a mere talent agent pull this bullshit! Have you gone mad for real? Bring Woo Yeon-Hee here right now!" "Go on. Keep talking." Failing to read the room, Park Hyun-Woo threatened me again. "You fucking asshole! Your life is done for now! How dare youy hands on a celebrity? Do you have any idea whichpany I''m from!?" Smack! I punched Park Hyun-Woo''s abdomen again for his insolent attitude. "Gah!" Park Hyun-Woo clutched his stomach and rolled on the floor. "Keugh, this crazy bastard..." I looked at Park Hyun-Woo and spoke kindly once more. "Still noting to your senses?" I gave him another punch because he was being so annoying. Thump. Park Hyun-Woo, unable to take it anymore, finally backed away and sat down. "Wa-wait. Just wait! Le-let''s talk! Talk!" "Sounds like a dog barking." This was nothingpared to what he had nned for Woo Yeon-Hee and Yang Eun-Bi. Park Hyun-Woo desperately waved his hands. "No, no! That''s all a misunderstanding! We weren''t going to do anything! It was just to scare them a bit since Eun-Yung asked..." ''What? Jang Eun-Yung put him up to this?'' As much as Park Hyun-Woo was prone to lying, I could sense sincerity in his pain-distorted face. ''So was it all Jang Eun-Yung''s n from the start? She dared to target Cherry Blossom?'' That''s when Park Hyun-Woo suddenly reached under the table and pressed a red button. A beep sound filled the room¡ªit was the emergency call sign to summon the guards. "Ke ke ke! Do you know what this sound is?" "What is it?" "The sound of calling the guards. You''re done for. How dare a mere talent agenty hands on a celebrity?" Park Hyun-Woo clutched his throbbing abdomen and snickered withughter, fully believing that help was on its way. I was about to give him a few more punches when I remembered I was recording, so I slyly baited him. "Even if I''m done for, let me ask one thing before that. What were you nning to do by calling Woo Yeon-Hee here?" Park Hyun-Woo spoke without hesitation. "He he. Are you an idiot? You really don''t have any idea? It''s obvious what happens when you bring a girl into a room full of guys." "So that was your n, huh...?" "Duh! Even if Eun-Yung hadn''t asked, Cherry Blossom is good enough to have fun with. Ah, but why aren''t these guysing?" Park Hyun-Woo looked toward the door. He seemed uneasy as the guards were taking longer than expected. I slowly approached the anxious Park Hyun-Woo. "They''re noting. I told them not to in advance." "What? H-h-how did you do that?" "Money talks, doesn''t it? Everything works with money here." Seeing my clenched fist, Park Hyun-Woo''s face turned pale. He began to stumble and back away with fear in his eyes. "W-w-wait! Just wait!" "Round 2 starts now, you bastard!" With a fierce curse, I threw my fist toward Park Hyun-Woo without hesitation. Chapter 151: If You Commit A Sin, You Should Be Punished (1)

Chapter 151: If You Commit A Sin, You Should Be Punished (1)

Thud. "Argh!" I only hit him once, but Park Hyun-Woo lost consciousness and sprawled out on the floor. "...Did I go too far?" I might have put a little too much force into my punch after hearing what he had intended to do to Woo Yeon-Hee and Yang Eun-Bi. "Hey kid, snap out of it. I haven''t even started yet." As I lightly tapped the cheek of the unconscious Park Hyun-Woo, his head weakly swayed from side to side. Soon, Park Hyun-Woo''s eyes snapped open. "Ughhh, s-stop." Half-rising, Park Hyun-Woo pushed himself backward with his feet. The terrified Park Hyun-Woo crawled and retreated until his back finally hit the sofa behind him. Park Hyun-Woo was waving his hands and pleading for me to stop hitting him, but I felt no pity for him. I couldn''t even bear to imagine what might have happened to Woo Yeon-Hee and Yang Eun-Bi if I hadn''t been here. But I barely managed to suppress my anger since hitting him more would end up with dealing with a corpse with how I was feeling right now. Now that the warning had been given, it was time to move on to what I had intended to do. "Hand over your phone." "Ph-ph-phone? Why do you need my phone?" "I heard you have the photo you took with Woo Yeon-Hee and Yang Eun-Bi on your phone. Correct?" Park Hyun-Woo leaned against the sofa and cried out in desperation, "Th-that photo is on Eun-Yung''s Instargem! I''m not lying! I''ll show you!" Park Hyun-Woo grimaced and pulled out his phone. "Quiet. What if you identally make a call? Give me the phone." "Here, here. Take it." After taking away Park Hyun-Woo''s phone, I asked for Jang Eun-Yung''s secret ount. "EY100479." "Eun-Yung, angel, friend?"[1]. "...Exactly." "Did the definition of angel change without me knowing?" Park Hyun-Woo hung his head low at my grumbling. And the moment I clicked the link, Jang Eun-Yung''s secret ount was finally revealed. *** [Message has been sent.] [Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: Mr. Lee. Please review the message I just sent first. I''ll discuss the rest in person.] I sent Lee Dong-Min the secret ount of Jang Eun-Yung and a photo of the screen captured from Park Hyun-Woo''s phone. After getting his phone back, Park Hyun-Woo rubbed his side and frowned. "Does it hurt?" "N-no." "No...? It doesn''t hurt? From the way you''re still speaking informally to me, it seems like it hurts so bad that you lost your mind." I tightened my fist slightly upon hearing Park Hyun-Woo speak informally. At the sound of my knuckles cracking, Park Hyun-Woo''s tone changed instantly. "No, sir." "Anyway, let''s pretend today''s incident never happened. I did make sure not to hurt your face, didn''t I?" A flicker of indecision passed through Park Hyun-Woo''s eyes. But the moment our eyes met, he smiled sycophantically and looked away. "I don''t like the way you''re rolling your eyes, but it seems like you''re quick to grasp the situation. It''d be best to forget about today''s incident for your own good." "Yes! Sir!" His response was quick, but I didn''t trust him. Once I got out of this ce, he would probably blow today''s events out of proportion by 200% and rat me out to thepany. But that was exactly what I wanted. After all, it would save me the trouble of sending the warning to Ace Entertainment that I won''t just sit back if they kept messing with Cherry Blossom. Ace Entertainment might cause us some trouble, but there was a solution for that as well. At that moment, Lee Dong-Min called me after having checked my KkTalk messages. -Are you okay, Yoon-Ho? "Yes. I''m perfectly fine. I told you not to worry about me." -Hey, but how can I not worry? I was about to contact a detective I know to look for you! I hadn''t expected him to be this worried. After apologizing to Lee Dong-Min, I made a request. "Mr. Lee, please don''t inform Ms. Kang about the photo I sent you and just hold onto them for now." -Why? This could definitely turn the tables on Singer Division 1 and Golden Road. Ms. Kang would definitely take action. "I''ll exin the details in person." Now that I knew what Jang Eun-Yung had done, I had no intention of letting it go easily. But if Kang Ji-Yung saw the photo I sent, it would certainly lead to overturning Singer Division 1 with Jang Eun-Yung and Golden Road facing severe discipline. That would also mean the scandal revealed by Star Patch about Jang Eun-Yung''s secret ount would disappear from history. ''I can''t let that happen.'' Since Jang Eun-Yung had attempted to mess with Woo Yeon-Hee and Yang Eun-Bi, I had no intention of letting this case end like this. ''An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.'' -Wait. What are you nning to do? Tell me! "I''ll exin in person. I''m hanging up." Park Hyun-Woo was eyeing the situation behind me, so I couldn''t say more. After ending the call, I spoke to the flinching Park Hyun-Woo. "First things first. Call Eun-Yung over here." "You want me to bring Eun-Yung...?" "If you don''t want to, I''ll go into Room 7 myself and turn everything upside down." I saw a glimmer of hope in Park Hyun-Woo''s eyes that maybe, with enough people, they could take me down. "Stop rolling your eyes. The situation would be over in 10 seconds even if all your members jumped me." As I took a step forward, Park Hyun-Woo covered his face with his hands and shouted. "I''ll call Eun-Yung right now. Just a moment!" Then Park Hyun-Woo made up some ridiculous excuse and called Jang Eun-Yung. -What is it, oppa? "Eun-Yung~. Woo Yeon-Hee and Yang Eun-Bi went into the restroom and are not out yet. I think you shoulde take a look yourself since I can''t go in. Don''t bring anyone else ande alone. You have something to discuss with them alone anyway, right?" -Ha ha, you''re right. I got it. I''ll be right there. ''Wow. Her trying to act all cute in front of her boyfriend is just disgusting.'' Listening to Park Hyun-Woo talking to Jang Eun-Yung with a lisped tone in this situation made me feel nauseous even with an empty stomach. *** Clip-clop, clip-clop. With the sound of heels, Jang Eun-Yung appeared in front of Room 1. I could see Jang Eun-Yung in a dress that clung tightly to her body through the slightly open door. "Where''s my baby Hyun-Woo~?" ''Baby? Gross. They''re certainly a perfect match.'' "He''s right here." As I swung the door wide open, the startled Jang Eun-Yung took a step back. "What, what are you doing here...?" I didn''t give her a chance to resist and dragged her into the room. "Kyaaak!" Jang Eun-Yung screamed and resisted, but helplessly fell onto the sofa. As she tried to get up and confront me, she noticed Park Hyun-Woo kneeling in front of her. "What, what is going on? Did this guy hit you, oppa? Are you hurt?" Despite Park Hyun-Woo deceiving her intoing here, she didn''t me her boyfriend but instead resented me. ''I guess she deserves a loyal girlfriend award.'' I closed the door and said to Jang Eun-Yung. "That''s not important. Hand over your phone." "Who are you to demand my phone?" "Your boyfriend has already spilled everything, so stop being arrogant and hand it over. I just need to delete our kids'' photos." Jang Eun-Yung took a nce at Park Hyun-Woo. When Park Hyun-Woo sheepishly turned his head away and avoided her gaze, the malice in Jang Eun-Yung''s eyes deepened even more. "Oppa, call the security guards first." "E-Eun-Yung, security guards won''te to this room. He''s already dealt with them." "Are you kidding me? Then call the police! If you were hit, you should sue him!" Park Hyun-Woo nced at me then shook his head vehemently. "No, no. Just give him the phone." "Ugh, why? We could get him locked up behind bars if we sue!" ''Hah. Do you think that would work? Thew is far, but fists are near.'' Park Hyun-Woo sneaked a nce at me and then yelled out loud, "Ah, seriously! Just give it to him! All he needs to do is delete the Cherry Blossom''s photo!" ''Nice assist.'' Jang Eun-Yung''s face twisted, but she eventually took out her phone. It was surprising how well she listened to her boyfriend given her personality. Jang Eun-Yung essed the secret ount and turned the screen toward me to show the photo of Woo Yeon-Hee and Yang Eun-Bi. "Do you see these three photos here? I''ll delete just these." There were three photos of Woo Yeon-Hee and Yang Eun-Bi all arm in arm with ZIZAK members. It wasn''t actually a big deal, but the faces of the ZIZAK members in the photos all looked drunk. If these were made public, it could lead to a dangerous scandal. "Delete them." "Fine!!" Jang Eun-Yung deleted the photos and handed the phone to me. After confirming the photos were deleted, I checked my nner again. As expected, the entry for Star Patch''s expos¨¦ in two days remained unchanged. Only then did I let out a sigh of relief and waved them off dismissively. "We''re all done. You can take your boyfriend and leave. If you don''t want more trouble, you better stop your pathetic antics." Jang Eun-Yung red at me venomously, and then abruptly turned her head. "Oppa, let''s go." "Uh...okay." As Jang Eun-Yung led Park Hyun-Woo out of the room, she snapped at me with a sharp tone. "Just you wait. I will never forget this." But as Jang Eun-Yung stormed out, a shadow appeared at the entrance. "Wow. Nice view. What a cute couple." Kim Jong-Hoon was standing in front of Room 1 with his arms crossed. "Kim Jong-Hoon...sunbae? What are you doing here?" A smirk escaped from Kim Jong-Hoon''s lips at the sight of the two still on edge. "Oh, me? I came along with Yoon-Ho." Jang Eun-Yung''s eyes filled with malice again as soon as she grasped the situation. "So you''re in this together, sunbae?" "In this together...Well, yes, I suppose. That''s one way to put it. But Jang Eun-Yung, are you out of your mind? How dare you speak to your sunbae like that?" That''s when I remembered that Kim Jong-Hoon was also known for having a temper. Jang Eun-Yung quietly lowered her gaze and quickly disappeared with her boyfriend. Watching them leave, Kim Jong-Hoon stuck close to me. "Let''s get out of here. Quick." There was a sense of urgency in Kim Jong-Hoon''s expression. After all, if those two went to call the police, it couldplicate things for many people. "Don''t worry. They won''t call the police. Actually, they can''t. If they do, it will only backfire on them." "Easy for you to say. Do you think they have the brain cells to figure that out after causing such a scene?" There were ways to slip away unnoticed even if we were sued, but I reluctantly followed the insistent Kim Jong-Hoon. *** When we arrived at thepany''s underground parking lot, Lee Dong-Min, who was pacing anxiously, quickly approached us. "Are you guys okay? Any injuries?" "We''re fine." Lee Dong-Min sighed in relief before suddenly putting me in a headlock. "Hey, man! Do you have any idea how worried I was? You''re bing more and more troublesome!" "M-Mr. Lee! My neck''s going to break. Ah, ah..." "Trust me, it won''t break! You''re shortening my lifespan with your antics these days!" After a good amount of scolding, Lee Dong-Min gestured for Kim Jong-Hoon to give us some space. Kim Jong-Hoon smiled and headed toward the elevator. "Alright, go ahead. I''ll go see Seon-Woo then." Now alone with just the two of us, Lee Dong-Min asked seriously, "So, what are we going to do?" "For now, I''ve deleted Cherry Blossom''s photos from Jang Eun-Yung''s secret ount." "Wait. Are you saying that Eun-Yung''s ount is still active?" "Yes. I only deleted our kids'' photos." Lee Dong-Min''s eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Then are you nning to let their scandal just blow up? Is that why you told me not to send the photos to Ms. Kang?" "Yes, that''s the n." After a moment of thought, Lee Dong-Min nodded. "Alright. We''ve done as much as we can." "And Mr. Lee, please pretend you don''t know anything about this. I''ll take care of it." Lee Dong-Min smirked. "You expect me to hide behind you when I''m the Chief? That''s just embarrassing. Don''t make ridiculous suggestions." At that moment, I was suddenly reminded that I''m surrounded by good people who think of me first, even at their own expense. I checked my nner as we headed to the underground recording studio. ''As expected of Jang Eun-Yung. Of course you wouldn''t delete that ount.'' [Everyday V10] [Date: June 16th, 2020] -11:30 PM Golden Road''s Jang Eun-Yung. Emergency meeting about the Star Patch article due to the discovery of her secret Instargem ount, 5th-floor small conference room. Now past midnight, less than 24 hours remained until Golden Road''s scandal would break out. *** At Golden Road''s dorm in Apgujeong, all the members, still dressed in their clubbing outfits, were sitting around a red Italian sofa with angry flushed faces. The reason for the uproar was Park Hyun-Woo returning to the room and breaking up the gathering after being scolded by Jung Yoon-Ho. Yoon Ji-Hee asked with an edge to her voice. "Ugh, this is so annoying! Eun-Yung unnie, are we just going to sit here and do nothing? Just watch that Jung Yoon-Ho mess things up?" Jang Eun-Yung, while taking off her ruined stockings, responded. "Are you kidding? Of course we''re not going to sit still!" "Then what''s the n? Are you going to tell Chief Cha about this?" Jang Eun-Yung frowned. "That''s a given." "And what else?" Jang Eun-Yung turned her gaze to Park Soo-Jin, the main vocalist. Park Soo-Jin, who was listening with a cold expression tilted her head in wonder. "Why are you looking at me? What do you want me to do?" "You have the contact for Cherry Blossom''s stylist, right?" "Yeah." "Give me their number." At that moment, Park Soo-Jin smirked as she quickly noticed Jang Eun-Yung''s intention. "I see. As expected. You aren''t someone who just takes things lying down." Jang Eun-Yung nodded with a sly smile. "It''s about time Cherry Blossom wraps up their activities, right? They''ve been active for too long." At that moment, smiles spread across the faces of the Golden Road members. "This is exactly why Eun-Yung unnie is our leader." "Send Jang Eun-Yung to the National Assembly!" "Ha ha ha. You guys are so funny." It was in rare moments like these that Golden Road was united perfectly. 1. 1004 is pronounced Cheonsa, which has the same pronunciation as angel. 79 is pronounced chilgu, which has a simr pronunciation as friend (chingu) ? Chapter 152: If You Commit A Sin, You Should Be Punished (2)

Chapter 152: If You Commit A Sin, You Should Be Punished (2)

I volunteered to be Cherry Blossom''s talent agent for the KBC''s Music Stage day because I was worried that Jang Eun-Yung might show up and cause trouble. Cherry Blossom had already gone up to the stage for rehearsal, leaving only Han Myung-Ho, two stylists, and me in the waiting room. I sat on the sofa and checked my nner while waiting for Cherry Blossom to finish their rehearsal. As expected, the entry about the scandal remained unchanged which meant that Jang Eun-Yung hadn''t deleted her secret ount. I couldn''t understand why she would cherish an ount that could threaten her position so much. At that moment, the waiting room door burst open with a loud noise. Bang! "Jung Yoon-Ho! Where are you?" Chief Cha Sang-Jin from Singer Division 1 barged in looking for me, his face red with anger. "You jerk! What did you do to Eun-Yung!?" Han Myung-Ho stepped in front of me. "What are you doing?" "Get out of my way! I''m going to settle things with this bastard today!" Cha Sang-Jin yelled. "You should just go back if this is about Eun-Yung. It''s not like we''re staying quiet because we have nothing to say." "Hey! Team Lead Han. Didn''t you hear that Eun-Yung was threatened by that jerk?" "I did. So what?" "What, what did you say? Have you all really lost your minds?" Han Myung-Ho, who had always seemed lenient, surprisingly took a tough stance. Hepletely lost his cool upon hearing that the members of Cherry Blossom were being threatened, and this was only natural considering that he spent three years suffering for sess with them. Thanks to Han Myung-Ho''s firm attitude, Cha Sang-Jin was left feeling perplexed. "Th-that''s enough. I have nothing to say to you, so move aside. I''ll make sure Yoon-Ho pays for what he''s done today." Despite Cha Sang-Jin''s rage, I responded in a calm voice, "Go ahead and report me." "What?" "I said you can report or sue me. Do whatever you want to do," I repeated. "What did you just say?" "But I''ll blow the whistle on Eun-Yung''s actions to Reporter Jang Moon-Ki in return. You seem unaware of what happened yesterday, but I guarantee that it''ll make for an interesting story," I replied with a straight face. Cha Sang-Jin''s expression twisted as if he had bitten into a bitter fruit. "Why, you...do you think you can get away with this just because Ms. Kang has been lenient with you?" "Yes. I couldn''t care less about anything else because of Eun-Yung''s issue right now." When I defiantly met his gaze, Cha Sang-Jin pointed at me with a look of disbelief. "D-don''t think this will just pass. I''ll report everything to Mr. Lee, so just keep that in mind!" ''What is he gonna do about it anyway? It''s not like I did anything to Eun-Yung.'' It would be a different story if Park Hyun-Woo had decided to sue, but Jang Eun-Yung couldn''t possibly sue me for anything. I was so dumbfounded that I gave a hollowugh. As I stood my ground, Cha Sang-Jin eventually turned away as he was unable to do anything. Thud! The waiting room door closed with a loud noise, and Han Myung-Ho looked at me with a worried expression. "But are you sure you''ll be okay? What if Director Lee Gi-Cheol decides to fire you?" I smiled and answered. "Let''s see them try. If I get fired, I''ll blow everything up and report it as unfair dismissal to thebor office. Then I''ll also expose everything Golden Road has done without getting caught." "That''s your n, huh? Then I should do the same," Han Myung-Ho joked and said he was on the same page. Just then, Cherry Blossom returned from their rehearsal. But something seemed off with Woo Yeon-Hee. "Yeon-Hee, what''s wrong?" Woo Yeon-Hee, supported by Lee Ju-Yung, limped in and sat down on a chair with one foot up. "Oh, it''s nothing. Really." "It''s not nothing. Let me see." Although Woo Yeon-Hee tried tough it off and say she was fine, Sae-Ri tattled, "Yoon-Ho oppa! Yeon-Hee unnie fell during the rehearsal!" "What?" Woo Yeon-Hee scolded Sae-Ri for making it sound serious, but the incident was not something to overlook ording to Lee Ju-Yung. Apparently, Woo Yeon-Hee twisted her ankle when the heel strap of her shoe broke while dancing on stage just moments ago. ''Wait. The strap of the red enamel high heels broke? Those shoes are as tough as whale tendons and they shouldn''t break that easily.'' Puzzled, I asked, "Where are the shoes?" Eun-Ah handed the shoes to me. "Here." Upon examining the shoes closely, I noticed the strap was cleanly split. That''s when I noticed. ''Who would do such a thing...?'' The strap looked as though it had been cut by something sharp with faint traces of transparent wood glue visible. It was clear someone had deliberately cut it and then glued it back together. At that moment, I turned my gaze to the two stylists standing nearby. Feeling my intense stare, both Park Yi-Yoon and Lee Eun-Hyang immediately apologized. "Assistant Manager Jung, I''m sorry. I should have checked properly before epting the sponsorship." "I''m so sorry, Mr. Jung!" I wanted to press them for answers right away to figure out the culprit, but checking on Yeon-Hee''s condition was the priority. Without responding to Park Yi-Yoon and Lee Eun-Hyang''s apologies, I approached Woo Yeon-Hee who was sitting on a chair. "Yeon-Hee, let''s go to the sofa to check your leg." "Ah, okay." I stopped Woo Yeon-Hee as she tried to get up. "Stay still. I''ll carry you, so just hold onto my neck." "I can walk." "Just listen to me¡ªyou might make it worse. Ready? I''m going to lift you now." The moment Woo Yeon-Hee''s hands gripped my neck, I lifted her in a princess carry. "Ahh!" Woo Yeon-Hee''s body was rmingly light due to the tight schedules over the past 8 weeks. After setting Woo Yeon-Hee down on the sofa, I reached for her sprained ankle. "O-oppa. I''ll...I''ll take off my socks on my own." The embarrassed Woo Yeon-Hee covered her sprained ankle with her hand. "It might worsen if you do it. I''ll take it off, so just stay still." "Okay..." I carefully removed her sock and examined her foot. Thankfully, it didn''t seem to be a severe sprain. "It doesn''t seem to be a bone injury. I''m going to massage it now. Tell me if it hurts too much, okay?" "O-okay." With Woo Yeon-Hee''s permission, I gently massaged the area around her ankle bone. Her previously pained expression gradually began to ease. In the meantime, Lee Ju-Yung and Han Myung-Ho went out to get some ice while I made a makeshift ice pack with a towel. Woo Yeon-Hee''s face rxed a bit when the cold ice pack was applied to her ankle. Han Myung-Ho asked with a concerned expression, "Should we cancel the performance and head to the hospital now?" "No. It''d be better if I massage it for now. It could get worse while going to anding back from the hospital," I replied while still massaging her ankle gently. Lee Ju-Yung, who had a background in athletics, agreed with me. "Assistant Manager Jung is right. Hotpresses and sports massages are the best for sprains." "Sigh. But can she even stand on stage today?" Han Myung-Ho asked with a concerned look. The typical recovery time for an ankle sprain injury was around two weeks. However, with the prospect of an 9th consecutive week at number one ahead of us. Eventually, I brought up a temporary solution. "We could tape her ankle for now and send her out on stage. It should allow her to perform, albeit forcefully." Everyone sighed in relief. "We''ll take her to a hospital immediately after the performance to get it checked. I know a ce that''s good with these kinds of injuries," added Lee Ju-Yung. Having no other better option, Han Myung-Ho agreed. "Alright then. Let''s do that." I alternated between applying a hotpress and massaging her ankle to reduce the swelling as much as possible. After about 30 minutes had passed, it was time for Cherry Blossom to go on stage. I asked Lee Ju-Yung to fetch the tape and scissors from my bag. Idols who performed intense dances were as prone to injuries as athletes, which was why I always carried with me sports tape and medicated gel. I got the tape from Lee Ju-Yung and taped Yeon-Hee''s ankle to support it. "Yeon-Hee, can you try rotating your ankle?" Woo Yeon-Hee moved her ankle slightly with a flushed face. "Huh?" "How is it? It doesn''t hurt anymore, does it?" I asked with a smile. Woo Yeon-Hee immediately nodded her head and asked, "Wow, this is amazing. But howe it doesn''t hurt at all?" "The tape acts like a support muscle. But remember to be careful because it''s not actually healed." "Got it." As Woo Yeon-Hee attempted to stand up, Lee Ju-Yung offered her back. "Ride on my back. Don''t use your leg until you''re on stage." "I''m sorry, unnie." "Sorry for what?" Lee Ju-Yung promised to carry her back after the performance as well. "While you''re at it, Mr. Han can help you as well. We need to keep Yeon-Hee''s ankle away from moving as much as possible." Han Myung-Ho nodded. "Understood." However, I had another reason for asking both of them to leave. After all, only after they were gone could I look for the person who tampered with the shoe. *** I wrapped all the Cherry Blossom members'' shoes with Scotch tape to prevent any potential idents before they went on stage. Lee Ju-Yung carried Woo Yeon-Hee on her back, and Han Myung-Ho led the rest of the members out of the waiting room. "We''ll be back!" "Okay. Take care." The two remaining stylists looked at me nervously. Park Yi-Yoon, who had been in the field for four years, was in charge of Golden Road until recently, and Lee Eun-Hyang was just a three-month intern. This made Park Yi-Yoon appear even more nervous. "Why did you do it?" My question immediately distorted their expressions. "Assistant Manager Jung. Are you suspecting us right now?" As expected, Park Yi-Yoon, who had been in charge of Golden Road until a month ago, was the first to react. But the one I suspected was Lee Eun-Hyang. In my past life, Lee Eun-Hyang was a key figure in Kim Dong-Soo''s line at Top Entertainment and oversaw all stylists. She was popr among celebrities for her good rtionships with designers, proficiency in English, and quick reflexes in capturing fashion at international shows. Though not from Suhyaejong, Kim Dong-Soo''s inclination to actively support talented individuals had propelled her to a considerable position. Given Lee Eun-Hyang''s willingness to engage in unscrupulous acts for her advancement, I thought she might try to shift the me onto Park Yi-Yoon¡ªthe person in charge. Unaware of the situation, Park Yi-Yoon protested with an expression of injustice. "Assistant Manager Jung, are you really suspecting us right now? It pains me too that Yeon-Hee got hurt. Sometimes the sponsored products have defects that can cause such issues." I lifted Woo Yeon-Hee''s cut shoe, showing Park Yi-Yoon the high-heel strap that had been cut and then reattached. "Does this look like a defect to you, Park sunbae?" Park Yi-Yoon''s face turned pale when saw the sharply cut area on the strap. "N-no way. This is..." Clearly, Park Yi-Yoon wasn''t the culprit. After all, she wasn''t the type who was good at hiding her true feelings. I continued with my questions. "Did you bring in this shoe, Park sunbae?" "N-no! I came inte today, so Eun-Hyang here took care of it! Wait, you don''t mean...?" At that moment, Park Yi-Yoon''s gaze suddenly shifted to Lee Eun-Hyang. Lee Eun-Hyang feigned shock and shook her hands frantically. "No, no. It''s not me! How could an intern like me do something like that?" Her trembling act was almost nauseating. "Miss Lee Eun-Hyang. If you have something to say, say it now. Otherwise, I''m going straight to the police with this." Lee Eun-Hyang stammered in panic. "No, it''s not like that... I..." She probably didn''t expect to be pointed out directly as an intern. Had I traveled in time, I wouldn''t have suspected her either because interns in this industry typically didn''t have the audacity for such actions. "Everything will be revealed if we check the security camera. Speak now, or I''m calling the police right now." I pulled out my phone and dialed 112, showing her I was ready to press the call button if needed. Lee Eun-Hyang''s gaze began to waver. "Well...that is..." ''Just a bit more pressure and she''ll crack.'' Compared to the Lee Eun-Hyang from my past life who was notorious for her malice, the current Lee Eun-Hyang seemed far too easy to handle. That''s when it happened. p! Park Yi-Yoon, holding the shoe in her left hand, pped Lee Eun-Hyang across the face with all her might. "Ahhhh!" The furious Park Yi-Yoon towered over Lee Eun-Hyang who had fallen to the floor. "How dare you tamper with a sponsored shoe? What kind of lunatic does that!?" Amidst the relentless barrage of curses, Lee Eun-Hyang knelt and desperately begged with her hands sped. "S-sunbae, I''m sorry. I made a mistake. Please forgive me." "If you''re sorry, then confess everything right now! If Assistant Manager Jung doesn''t report you, I''ll take you to the police myself!" Frightened by Park Yi-Yoon''s fierce warning, Lee Eun-Hyang began to confess to her deeds with tears streaming down her face. Chapter 153: If You Commit A Sin, You Should Be Punished (3)

Chapter 153: If You Commit A Sin, You Should Be Punished (3)

ording to Lee Eun-Hyang, Jang Eun-Yung called herst night to the dormitory and instructed her to tamper with Woo Yeon-Hee''s sponsored shoes. Jang Eun-Yung promised that if things went smoothly, she would hire Lee Eun-Hyang as a full-time stylist for Golden Road within a month. Lee Eun-Hyang showed me her call log with Jang Eun-Yung to prove she wasn''t lying and ended up confessing more than what was asked. After recording Lee Eun-Hyang''s confession, I pondered for a moment. Turning Lee Eun-Hyang over to the police would be the easy part. But I thought it would be better to use this as a trump card to bring down Jang Eun-Yung. "Miss Lee. Will you do as I say?" I asked. "Yes! I''ll do anything! Please don''t report me to the police." "Alright then. Just wait a moment." I immediately called Lee Dong-Min. Hearing about the situation, Lee Dong-Min was furious. -What? Eun-Yung dared to mess with our kids? Report her to the police right now and... "Mr. Lee, please calm down. Miss Lee Eun-Hyang said she''ll do everything as instructed." After a moment of silence, a sigh of relief came through the phone. -What should we do? Do you have a n in mind? Instead of answering right away, I spoke to Park Yi-Yoon. "Sunbae, could you please leave us alone for a moment? I need to talk to Miss Lee Eun-Hyang." "I''m sorry for raising my voice earlier. I should have managed things better..." Park Yi-Yoon apologized. "It''s okay. Don''t worry about it. I trust you, Park sunbae." "Thank you. You know I was in charge of Golden Road until recently. When this issue came up, I was afraid I''d be the first one med and panicked." "I''m sorry for putting you on the spot. I felt it was the only way to uncover the truth..." "It''s okay. I understand the situation. Let''s grab a drink sometime." "Sure, Park sunbae." Park Yi-Yoon gave Lee Eun-Hyang a stern look before leaving the waiting room. Thud. Now, only Lee Eun-Hyang and I were left in the room. I began discussing the next steps with Lee Dong-Min over the phone. -That sounds good. Send Eun-Hyang to me right away. I''ll take care of the aftermath. "Yes, sir. Please make sure this stays between us." -Don''t worry about it. I turned to Lee Eun-Hyang after hanging up the call. "Miss Eun-Hyang, you better think carefully from now on. I''m going straight to the police if what we just discussed gets out." Looking somewhat dazed, Lee Eun-Hyang kept nodding. "Okay, I understand." "Consider yourself lucky that I''m not handing you over to the police. Got it?" "Yes, sir. I won''t make such a mistake again in the future." "Good." Although I was reluctant, I had to at least pretend to trust her for now. After all, what I wanted was for her to expose Jang Eun-Yung''s orders to the media. "Discuss the details with Mr. Lee and get through the interview. We''ll say the source was one of the broadcasting staff, so make sure your story aligns." "Thank you so much! Thank you!" Lee Eun-Hyang bowed repeatedly with a relieved expression. She knew that the story she was about to leak could sever Golden Road''s lifeline. But it was only natural that everyone prioritized their own safety. With Lee Dong-Min preparing a position at anotherpany for her as part of the interview deal, this was her only way out. "Now, please leave." Lee Eun-Hyang kept bowing her head as she exited the waiting room. *** "They won first ce again?" "Wow, they''re really holding on tight." "Are they going for a nine-week streak at this rate?" Voices of idols and talent agents buzzing outside the waiting room reached my ears. They were sounds of admiration, envy, and jealousy that highlighted the current status of Cherry Blossom. ''Just keep up the good work, girls. I''ll take care of all the dirty and tough work for you.'' I could do anything for Cherry Blossom. After all, I was their talent agent. Shortly after, the waiting room door opened with amotion. Lee Ju-Yung carried Woo Yeon-Hee into the room. Woo Yeon-Hee wore a bright smile and held a trophy in her hand. "Yoon-Ho oppa! We won first ce again today~!" Woo Yeon-Hee eximed. "Congrattions. More than that, how''s your ankle?" I asked. "Oh, that. Thanks to the taping you did, it doesn''t hurt at all." She was clearly in pain as she was sweating, but she was trying her best to act like she was okay. "Let''s head to the hospital first. I know a good ce." Woo Yeon-Hee sat down on a chair after getting off Lee Ju-Yung''s back and hesitated as she nced at me. "I really don''t like hospitals..." Looking at Woo Yeon-Hee, Sae-Ri immediately tattled on her. "Yoon-Ho oppa, Yeon-Hee unnie really hates going to hospitals. She''s not even a baby but she''s seriously scared, you know?" "I am not!" ''A baby teasing another baby, I see,'' I remarked inwardly. Woo Yeon-Hee red at Sae-Ri while Yang Eun-Bi, who stood nearby, smiled. "Our perfect leader''s only weakness, right? Hating hospitals?" ''Does she maybe have some trauma rted to medical treatments?'' But if we didn''t go now, I couldn''t guarantee she''d be fit for next week''s performance. That meant saying goodbye to a nine-week streak at number one. Ignoring Woo Yeon-Hee''s insistence that she was fine, I shared my thoughts with Han Myung-Ho. "There''s a ce called the Life Extension Clinic that''s really good at treating sprains." Han Myung-Ho replied, "Sounds more like an acupuncture clinic or traditional medicine center from the name, doesn''t it?" "It''s actually a specialized clinic run by a family medical specialist." Cost constraints had prevented us from considering such options until recently, but things were different now. It was only natural for a girl group that had been number one for eight weeks straight to afford expensive medical treatment. Cherry Blossom had indeede a long way. *** The Life Extension Clinic was established by Kim Soo-Myung, a family medical specialist who named his clinic after himself [1]. It would be one of Korea''s top private clinics, but that wouldn''t happen until about five yearster. Currently, the clinic had just opened and was eagerly looking to attract patients. "Ouch, ouch, ouch!" "We haven''t even started yet. You''re being quite dramatic, miss." Kim Soo-Myung was examining Woo Yeon-Hee''s ankle with a stern expression while alternating between manual therapy, heat therapy, and acupuncture. Being a family medicine specialist with skills in manual therapy, bone setting, and even a license in traditional medicine, Kim Soo-Myung could offer a wide range of treatments. Woo Yeon-Hee cried out with a pained face, "Doctor! It really hurts!" "No, you''re alright. You are fine, miss." "Ahhh! It hurts!" "You''re not in pain." "I am! It really hurts! I mean it! Aaah!" Woo Yeon-Hee kept screaming on the treatment table, but the unfazed Kim Soo-Myung continued to im that the treatment wasn''t painful. "Needles! Please keep the needles away!" "These aren''t just needles; they''re acupuncture needles." The Cherry Blossom members burst intoughter watching Woo Yeon-Hee being treated. "Yeon-Hee unnie, you''re really overreacting." "She''s always been like that." "Yeah, that''s true." Woo Yeon-Hee screamed back at her fellow members, "It really hurts! This uncle doctor is lying... Eeek!" "I''m not an ''uncle.'' I''m still single," Kim Soo-Myung retorted. Kim Soo-Myung, at thirty-eight years old this year, found himself at an age where he disliked being referred to as ''uncle,'' especially considering he wasn''t even married. "Okay, I get it! Just please be gentle!" "Understood." After somemotion, Kim Soo-Myung finally applied a brace to Woo Yeon-Hee''s right ankle. "Don''t move your ankle anymore today ande back tomorrow." "I have toe here tomorrow too?" Woo Yeon-Hee asked in disbelief. "Yes. If you get treated like this daily, you should be able to perform by next weekend." Kim Soo-Myung''s recovery date estimation was 99% urate. I didn''t believe it in my past life and suffered a great loss because of it. Unaware of this fact, Woo Yeon-Hee wiggled her ankle and looked puzzled. "It feels much better though... Can''t I keep my schedule tomorrow?" she asked. ''Would any man not be swayed by the earnest request of a top-ranking idol?'' I wondered. Well, there was one¡ªKim Soo-Myung, who was standing right in front of us. He looked at Woo Yeon-Hee sternly. "If you use your ankle during treatment, it''s highly likely to worsen. Go ahead with tomorrow''s schedule if you don''t mind missing next week''s performance." Han Myung-Ho asked Kim Soo-Myung if there was any way around it. It was clear he would say no, so I stepped in with a suggestion. "Can we just do the main recording without the rehearsal, doctor?" Kim Soo-Myung stared at me intently. "And you still want her to perform next week?" "Yes." As Kim Soo-Myung pondered, I made an offer. "If you can make that happen, I''ll sign up for a membership and only visit this clinic." "A membership?" In my past life, the famous Life Extension Clinic required a membership for ess to treatment. It seemed they didn''t have such a system in ce yet. "Ah, I meant that we will be paying a monthly fee for regr care." After thinking for a moment, Kim Soo-Myung shook his head. "Juste in for regr check-ups and treatments. That will suffice." "Understood." "But you must cancel all schedules until next week''s music show after tomorrow''s performance." Though reluctant, Han Myung-Ho nodded in agreement. Right now, aiming for a nine-week streak was more important than a single broadcast appearance. And just like that, Woo Yeon-Hee''s treatment waspleted. But since we were at the clinic anyway, I thought we might as well contribute to Kim Soo-Myung''s revenue. After all, we could afford it after eight consecutive weeks of cing number one. "Mr. Han, why don''t the other three also get some manual therapy while we''re here?" I suggested. "The other members too?" "Yes. Do you remember how intense thest eight weeks have been? They must all be in bad shape." "Hmm. That makes sense." When I suggested manual therapy to correct their postures, the Cherry Blossom members eagerly climbed onto the treatment beds. Sae-Ri was the first to lie down on the bed and raise her hand. "I want to go first!" she dered. "Okay, we''ll start with patient Miss Kim Sae-Ri," Kim Soo-Myung replied. "Huh? I''m not a patient though." "You might as well be." With his stern expression, Kim Soo-Myung grabbed Sae-Ri''s shoulder and said, "Rx... Here we go." Crack! "Eeeek!" Sae-Ri started screaming. "It''s not painful, Miss." "It hurts! Doctor!" Crunch! "Aaaah! It hurts... it hurts!" Sae-Ri squirmed and yelped in pain for a good ten minutes as her joints and muscles were put back in ce. After Sae-Ri, Eun-Ah and Yang Eun-Bi also received their manual therapy in turn. "Ahhh! It hurts, doctor!" "Mom! Help me! Doctor, I''m going to die! Stop! Please! Ahhh!" The cries of Cherry Blossom members filled the Life Extension Clinic with their dramatic pleas for help. Having finished her treatment, Woo Yeon-Heeughed with her arms crossed as she watched the scene unfold. "See? What did I tell you? I said it hurts, didn''t I?" Despite her fears ofing to the clinic, Woo Yeon-Hee was actually the least dramatic of them all. *** Afterpleting all the treatments for Cherry Blossom, we arrived back at thepany by 10 p.m. As instructed before leaving the clinic, I headed straight to the small conference room on the fifth floor. The room was already filled with executives including Lee Gi-Cheol and other senior talent agents. "Here you are," Lee Dong-Min said to me, gesturing to a seat next to him. As soon as I sat down, what seemed to be a meeting turned into a disciplinarymittee centered around Jang Eun-Yung''s secret Instargem ount. Lee Gi-Cheol red at me. "Assistant Manager Jung Yoon-Ho, do you know why you''ve been called here today?" "Yes, sir." "Then this will be easier to discuss." Lee Gi-Cheol cleared his throat and reprimanded me. "Assistant Manager Jung. Such matters should be reported to the higher-ups before taking any action! What would you have done if rumors started to spread?" What he didn''t know was that I was hoping for the rumors to spread. Had I spoken up earlier, the issue would have likely been swept under the rug. Then, Lee Gi-Cheol turned to Lee Dong-Min. "And you, Chief Lee Dong-Min! You should have intervened when Assistant Manager Jung was acting out!" Kang Ji-Yung also expressed her dissatisfaction. "If you had found out that Eun-Yung was hiding a secret ount, you should have informed me first. And Ace Entertainment is lodging aint now saying that Assistant Manager Jung has been violent toward a member of ZIZAK." As the executives cornered me, Cha Sang-Jin from Singer Division 1 seized the moment to taunt me annoyingly. "Ace Entertainment is saying they''ll make sure you''re behind bars. What are you going to do now?" I responded with a smirk, "They''re all talk and won''t actually be able to file awsuit." Lee Gi-Cheol looked puzzled and tilted his head. "And why are you so confident about that?" I pulled out a copy of a note from ZIZAK''s Park Hyun-Woo. "A handwriting analysis will confirm that this note is from Park Hyun-Woo. Oh, and here''s a recording as well." I yed the recording of my conversation with Park Hyun-Woo at Club BLUE. Park Hyun-Woo''s voice filled the room, revealing his intentions under Jang Eun-Yung''s orders to harass Cherry Blossom members. The mood in the room changed dramatically. "Ahem!" "Is Park Hyun-Woopletely out of his mind?" Yet, no one dared to mention Jang Eun-Yung''s guilt, preferring to me the weapon rather than the hand that wielded it. ''I knew this would happen.'' The room''s focus shifted to how to reprimand Jang Eun-Yung without disrupting Golden Road''s activities. Cha Sang-Jin and Lee Gi-Cheol even made absurd statements. "As you know, Mr. Lee. Power struggles among girl groups aremonce, aren''t they?" "Right. Anyway, he didn''t actually harass them, did he? He was probably just trying to scare them. These kids have some sense, after all." Though some staff from the Suhyaejong line echoed these sentiments, I remained silent. It was now 10:59 p.m., and the scandal was about to break out. Momentster, the clock struck 11:00 p.m. The conference room door burst open and Sung Min-Suk from the Publicity Division eximed. "M-Mr. Lee! We have a huge problem!" Just like the entry in my nner, the meeting''s focus shifted from my disciplinary session to focus on the strategies for the Golden Road scandal in an instant. ''This is just the beginning, Jang Eun-Yung.'' 1. Soomyung means life in Korean ? Chapter 154: If You Commit A Sin, You Should Be Punished (4)

Chapter 154: If You Commit A Sin, You Should Be Punished (4)

"Eun-Yung''s secret ount got exposed on Star Patch!" As news of the Golden Road''s scandal broke out, murmurs rippled through the chiefs gathered in the conference room. Observing the dismay etched on the faces of Lee Gi-Cheol, Kim Dong-Soo, and Cha Sang-Jin, a sweet taste of satisfaction tingled on my pte. ''They should have listened when I first warned them. I tried to stop it¡ªif only the ever-so-precious Jang Eun-Yung hadn''t messed with Yeon-Hee.'' That''s when the always-a-step-behind Lee Gi-Cheol raised his voice in the meeting room. "That idiot still didn''t delete her ount after getting scolded by Assistant Manager Jung yesterday? And Chief Cha! What have you been doing until this happened!? You were supposed to take care of her!" "Uh, well, you see..." While Lee Gi-Cheol pressed Cha Sang-Jin, I quickly checked the entertainment news section on the portal. The front page article on Star Patch revealed the contents of Jang Eun-Yung''s secret ount in explicit detail. [Golden Road''s Jang Eun-Yung. Scandalous private life. (by Star Patch)] -Golden Road''s leader Jang Eun-Yung is in a rtionship with ZIZAK''s leader Park Hyun-Woo. -The table of the innocent girl group Golden Road was filled with empty liquor bottles and cigarette butts. -Unmentionable photos found in a secret ount of a girl group member... The article''s ranking was climbing in real time. Other reporters were also quickly following up with their own stories, adding (Breaking) to the headlines and cleverly altering the titles of the Star Patch article. With this amount of coverage, Jang Eun-Yung''s scandal was certain to hit the top of live search rankings within ten minutes. "Stop the articles from being posted! Stop it right now!" With his face pale as a ghost, Cha Sang-Jin was frantically ordering his staff over the phone to head straight to Star Patch. Lee Gi-Cheol''s face turned white as a sheet. Golden Road, responsible for billions in annual revenue, was plummeting in real time. Despite desperate efforts to contain the situation, it was beyond control at this point¡ªit was beyond even presidential intervention. Coming to his senses, Lee Gi-Cheol questioned, "Chief Cha, where''s Eun-Yung right now?" "She''s on her way back from a scheduled event," replied Cha Sang-Jin. "Then tell her not to go to the dorm. The reporters will be there any minute," instructed Lee Gi-Cheol with a frown. Without much thought, Cha Sang-Jin asked, "Should I bring her to thepany then?" Lee Gi-Cheol''s eyes opened widely as hembasted Cha Sang-Jin, "Are you out of your mind!? Don''t be dumb! Haven''t you thought about the reporters who are willing to camp out in front of thepany?" When Lee Gi-Cheol spat out a curse, Cha Sang-Jin flinched and nodded. "S-sorry. I''ll tell her to go to a hotel." "Do that right now! And the other members too!" Amidst the chaos, Lee Dong-Min and I, who knew the real story behind how the scandal broke out, had to work hard not to reveal our inner thoughts. That''s when Lee Gi-Cheol turned to me with a desperate look. "Assistant Manager Jung. Do you have any good ideas?" I was speechless at the audacity of his question. ''Lee Gi-Cheol is asking me for solutions? How does he even have the nerves and audacity?'' Lee Gi-Cheol angrily pressed for an answer. "Speak up! Don''t you have any way to fix this situation!?" ''Had hepletely forgotten how he was haranguing me just moments ago?'' But there was no solution this time. And even if there were one, I had no intention of sharing it. "I''m sorry but there''s nothing we can do at this moment. That''s why I warned everyone several times. I did say Star Patch was digging around, didn''t I?" At that moment, Lee Gi-Cheol red at me and shouted, "Hey, Assistant Manager Jung. Did you orchestrate this?" ''What a surprise. This man has a strangely good intuition sometimes.'' But I firmly denied it and dropped all pretense. As Lee Gi-Cheol was about to vent his frustration on me, Sung Min-Suk urgently burst into the room again. "Mr. Lee! Another bombshell has dropped!" "What is it now!?" "I, I think you should see this for yourself." Sung Min-Suk projected an article onto therge LCD in the conference room. [Golden Road''s Jang Eun-Yung used of bullying her sister group Cherry Blossom members? (by Weekly Stars. Lee Hyung-Sik)] -ording to an anonymous source, rumors have been circting that Jang Eun-Yung has been harassing Woo Yeon-Hee. -A broadcast staff member witnessed that Golden Road had always tried to discipline their hoobaes in various ways... This time, it was an exclusive from Weekly Stars. Lee Gi-Cheol held the back of his neck and slumped into his chair upon looking at the screen, "Oh, my blood pressure is rising...!" Lee Dong-Min had arranged a phone interview between a Weekly Stars'' reporter and Lee Eun-Hyang the night before. When I nced sideways, I saw Lee Dong-Min covering his mouth and struggling to hold back hisughter. I shot him a look. ''You''ll get caughtughing like that.'' ''Look who''s talking! You better manage your expression too!'' Lee Dong-Min nced back at me. We exchanged signals with just our eyes and barely managed to contain ourughter, straightening our expressions. All we did was poke another hole in the already sinking ship but the ship was going down at an exponential rate. It was like the Titanic. *** The day was nothing short of a storm. From 11 p.m. onwards, the entirepany had to endure a war-like situation and handle calls from entertainment reporters. The photos released by Star Patch included not only the dating scandal but also scenes of drinking and smoking. To make matters worse, Park Hyun-Woo and Jang Eun-Yung added fuel to the fire. Park Hyun-Woo of ZIZAK heated up variousmunities by iming, "We kissed but didn''t make out." Such an absurd statement only stirred the controversy even further. Jang Eun-Yung also contributed with a novel statement, "I held a cigarette but never smoked it." This only served to escte the fans'' anger to a peak. (Comments) -Wow, these two are really something. -They are made for each other. A perfect match. -Park Hyun-Woo, I''ve burned all the merch I bought from you. (Burnt merch.JPEG) -Jang Eun-Yung has always been a snake. It looks like the innocent Hyun-Woo oppa was fooled by her dirty trick. -Fooled? That''s ridiculous. Your love for Park Hyun-Woo is like a religion at this point. I respect the faith. The fandoms of ZIZAK and Golden Road began to gather all sorts of goods, gifts, and tribute items for a collective bonfire. As the mes soared high, the poprity of both groups evaporated along with them. The fans'' rage didn''t subside easily even after that, causing many Hoop Entertainment staff to feel as if they were walking on thin ice. Reporters camped outside thepany to get an interview and talent agents were overwhelmed trying to block them. Less than 24 hourster, Golden Road had no choice but to announce a hiatus in their activities. [Golden Road to halt activities abruptly due to scandal! They decided to reflect for some time.] [Golden Road cancels all overseas schedules!] [ZIZAK halts all activities!] It felt like a long-held breath was finally released. "That''s what they get for not behaving. Why would they mess with our kids for no reason?" With the cancetion of the cash cow Golden Road''s concert in Japan, Singer Division 1 lost at least 10 billion won in revenue. As a result, thepany atmosphere turned grim. But the weight in the singer management office started to shift from Singer Division 1 to Singer Division 2 for the first time. From being centered around Golden Road to focusing on Cherry Blossom. *** At the upscale Chinese restaurant Hwaryong, four men in elegant suits sat with grim expressions. Their ages ranged from their 30s to their 70s, and they shared one thing inmon: all were alumni of Seoul National University of the Arts and shareholders of Hoop Entertainment. Among the men seated at the slowly revolving round table, the most senior among them began to speak. "We should be meeting for good reasons, yet we always seem to gather for unfortunate events." Choi Eun-Tae, the leader of the group and a major shareholder of Hoop Entertainment from the ninth generation of Seoul Arts Comprehensive University, opened the discussion with a calm tone. At the age of 75, he was a formidable figure in the Myeong-dong''s private loan market and was known in the industry as a major president. At Choi Eun-Tae''s words, another man at the table frowned. "Really, Choi sunbae? Is this the time for greetings?" Lee Sang-Pil, a representative from the 19th generation of Seoul Arts Comprehensive University, grumbled from across the table because the halt in Golden Road''s activities had disrupted various business ns he had. Lee Sang-Pil, a 65-year-old man who managed LSP Inc., dealing in clothing and cosmetics, had first started as a peddler between Japan and Korea. "Then do you suggest we should be expressing our anger instead?" "When it''s time to get angry, we should. That jerk Lee Gi-Cheol messed this up, so shouldn''t wee up with some countermeasures? Do you have any idea how much my business has suffered because of Golden Road''s downfall?" Lee Sang-Pil had invested in Hoop Entertainment with the intention of expanding LSP Group''s pie in Japan. With Golden Road''s venture into Japan, he nned tounch LSP Group''s cosmetics line¡ªa n now up in smoke. "Sunbae-nim, please calm down. Chrysanthemum tea is known to soothe the mind." Park Hyung-Moon, a representative of the 34th generation of Seoul Arts Comprehensive University and managing a venture firm called True Angels, poured Lee Sang-Pil some chrysanthemum tea. With the help of his fellow alumni, Park Hyung-Moon had ambitiously expanded his firm''s scale rapidly. "More than that, is that jerk Lee Gi-Cheoling or what?" Lee Sang-Pil''s question was met with Park Hyung-Moon shaking his head. "Gi-Cheol seems to be tied up cleaning up the mess. But if you were going to be that concerned, why didn''t you exert your influence sooner?" Park Hyung-Moon asked. Lee Sang-Pil replied with a sigh, "I''m regretting it too. Things escted too quickly while we were watching." "Shall I exert some force then?" Park Hyung-Moon suggested. That''s when a warning came from Choi Eun-Tae seated at the head of the table. "Don''t make any rash moves." Lee Sang-Pil bristled at the warning. "So are we just going to watch and do nothing?" A smile appeared on Choi Eun-Tae''s lips and he asked, "Then what? Are you suggesting we oust Gi-Cheol and hand over the management to Dong-Soo?" "That would be best. Dong-Soo is much more capable and efficient than Gi-Cheol," Lee Sang-Pil remarked. Choi Eun-Tae clicked his tongue. "Tsk, tsk. I know you''ve got Dong-Soo''s back, but now''s not the time." "Pardon?" "Isn''t President Kang supposed to return soon?" As Lee Sang-Pil was about to say something more, Choi Eun-Tae raised his hand to stop him. "Man-Sik, did you look into what I asked?" Hailing from the 47th generation of Seoul Arts Comprehensive University, Choi Man-Sik, the youngest shareholder at the age of 37, nodded silently. Originally named Lee Man-Sik, he was adopted by Choi Eun-Tae, taking on his surname and working in the Myeong-dong''s private loan market as thetter had no biological sons. "Yes, sir. I checked with a connection I have working at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the US. President Kang Gam-Chan underwent surgery for a brain tumor." The group focused silently on their conversation, intrigued by the new information. "Hmm. And how did President Kang''s surgery go?" "Yes, he''s entered the recovery phase. He might return as early as September." The mood subtly shifted with Choi Man-Sik''s report. Though they had aplicated rtionship with Kang Gam-Chan, such troublesome situations hadn''t urred when the capable Kang Gam-Chan was around. Mixed feelings about his return were evident among them. Choi Eun-Tae then turned to Lee Sang-Pil. "Sang-Pil, we can''t do anything about what''s already happened. But fortunately, we have Cherry Blossom as an alternative. How about leveraging them?" Lee Sang-Pil''s expression changed at Choi Eun-Tae''s suggestion. "Are you saying we should take Cherry Blossom to Japan?" "Exactly. I''ve looked into it and their overseas reception isn''t too bad. If you can coordinate well with the Japanese broadcasting industry, it could be beneficial for both them and us." "The productionmittee, which is essentially the investors, has significant influence in Japan. But we might fall short on funds to join themittee..." "Discuss the necessary funding with Man-Sik." It was the moment when Golden Road''s role began shifting toward Cherry Blossom. As the conversation was winding down, Choi Man-Sik cautiously spoke up. "Um, Mr. Choi..." "What is it?" "I''ve heard that this whole situation was orchestrated by a rookie from start to end." "A rookie? Who are you talking about?" "He''s recently been promoted to assistant manager and his name is Jung Yoon-Ho..." As Choi Man-Sik''s story continued, the faces of the other three lit up with curiosity. "Is this information reliable?" "Yes, sir. I''vepleted cross-verification." "And his affiliations?" "He''s been marked as promising by Kang Gam-Chan''s line and pulled in early." Choi Eun-Tae pondered for a moment before speaking again. "Meet up with him, Man-Sik. If he''s useful, see if we can get him to switch to our side." "Understood, sir." A deep, enigmatic smile yed on the lips of Choi Man-Sik as he lowered his head. Chapter 155: Theres More Than Just Apples in the Apple Orchard (1)

Chapter 155: There''s More Than Just Apples in the Apple Orchard (1)

In Sae-Ri''s hometown vige in Andong, nestled within North Gyeongsang Province, Cherry Blossom was performing in the open space before the vige hall. ¡ºHands Up~? Hurry Up~?¡» "Wow~ They''re so good! Look at our Sae-Ri!" "Ha ha! Today''s feast is really something! This is great!" "Yes~ Hurry Up!" The families gathered in the vige hall were joyfully dancing along. I had promised to take Cherry Blossom to Sae-Ri''s hometown if they maintained their number one ce for nine consecutive weeks. However, due to Woo Yeon-Hee''s injury resulting in a schedule cancetion and the turmoil caused by Golden Road, we brought the visit forward. Having free schedules, Yoo-Jin and Miso also came along and Miso was dancing in Woo Yeon-Hee''s ce on the makeshift stage. "Yessss! Go Miso, you''re doing great!" Yoo-Jin cheered. Encouraged by Yoo-Jin''s cheers, Miso started stretching her short arms and legs even more energetically. Watching Miso dance, Woo Yeon-Hee asked me with a smile in her eyes. "Yoon-Ho oppa, do you think Miso could rece me in this week''s music shows?" "Absolutely. Cherry Blossom might even gain more poprity with Miso," I replied. "Ah,e on. Am I being outshined by Miso?" Woo Yeon-Hee pouted her lips and Yoo-Jin yfully poked my side. "Ouch...what? It was just a joke," I flinched and replied yfully. Jung Yoo-Jin frowned and said, "Oppa, you shouldn''t say things like that even if it''s a joke." Woo Yeon-Hee brightened up as she felt like she had gained an ally. "Right? Don''t you think Yoon-Ho oppa was too mean just now?" "Totally. Yoon-Ho oppa doesn''t quite get how girls feel." "Yeah, I thought so too." They teased me back and forth, giggling together. In the meantime, Cherry Blossom''s performance hade to an end. "Thank you!" Sae-Ri bowed deeply after finishing her performance. "Our Sae-Ri is the best!" "Oh my, to think our Sae-Ri has be such a famous singer." "She used to say that when she was little, right? That she''d be a famous singer and go global." Sae-Ri made a peace sign with her fingers. "On that note, I might be going to Japan soon!" ''Why is she suddenly announcing a move to Japan? Are you leaving for Japan without me knowing, Sae-Ri?'' I wondered. I had considered inviting her as a guest for Kim Jong-Hoon''s concert at the end of the year, but I hadn''t mentioned this to Sae-Ri. I thought to myself, ''She''s just spouting her wishes as if they were concrete ns. What a bluff!'' As Sae-Ri chatted with her acquaintances, her grandfather, Kim Pan-Seok, who was sitting at the head table, frowned. "Tsk tsk. Why is a grown woman acting so childish? How did our Andong Kim family end up with such a loach..." Kim Pan-Seok nagged. Sae-Ri bristled at the old-fashioned nagging. "Grandpa, why are you always nagging me!?" Sae-Ri''s face turned pouty. At that moment, Sae-Ri''s grandmother dressed neatly in a hanbok and with her hair tidilybed spoke softly to Kim Pan-Seok. "Old man, it''s been a long time since you''vest seen your granddaughter. So why don''t you keep your mouth shut if you have nothing nice to say? If you''re happy to see her, just say you''re happy to see her. Why are you acting so tough on the outside, huh? Tsk tsk." With a heavy hit from Sae-Ri''s grandmother Lee Yung-Sook, Kim Pan-Seok fell silent. "Ke hem, ehem. What have I ever done for you to say that?" Kim Pan-Seok responded as he cleared his throat. Feeling awkward, Sae-Ri''s grandfather quickly changed the topic. "Now that we''ve heard Sae-Ri''s singing, let''s all have a meal." The family moved into the hall and began to serve the prepared meal. A long table was set up on the tform in the open space and dishes started to pile up one after the other. Colorful pancakes, numerous stews whose names I didn''t even know, and crates of makgeolli were brought out. In the midst of this, Sae-Ri forgot about her earlierints and ran over to her grandfather with a bright expression. "Grandpa! Did you know I''ve been number one for eight consecutive weeks?" "Ke hem. Don''t be satisfied with just that. You must continue to work hard and progress." Even though she had seen the banners celebrating her sess as they entered the vige, Sae-Ri still sought validation like a child throwing a tantrum. "Wow, Grandpa. You''re too harsh. Is it that hard to give apliment?" Sae-Ri ced her hands on her hips and red at her grandfather. In response, Kim Pan-Seok flinched and responded, "Hey! How could you not know that I''m not one for ttering words?" But his face was already beaming with pride despite his gruff demeanor. ''How proud he must be of his granddaughter''s great sess at such a young age,'' I smiled as I thought to myself. His attempt to hide his inner feelings with constant throat-clearing made the stereotype of the stoic Gyeongsang-do man feel like aplete falsehood. That''s when Sae-Ri caught her grandfather smiling and teased him. "Huh? Grandpa, you just smiled!" Kim Pan-Seok''s face turned slightly red. "No, no I didn''t. You little rascal." "Oh,e on. You totally did. I did pretty well, didn''t I?" As Sae-Ri kept asking, Kim Pan-Seok reluctantly answered. "Ke hem. Yes, yes, you did well. My baby girl." Just that remark from her grandpa was enough to make Sae-Ri look as if she owned the world. "He he. Grandpa~." Kim Pan-Seok patted Sae-Ri''s back as she hugged him, smiling contentedly. Just like that, my second life was being overwritten with hope and joy, recing the gloomy memories of my first life. *** Sae-Ri''s parents, Kim Yung-Min and Jang Yeon-Jung, came up to me and started asking about Sae-Ri. It was more out of concern than actual questioning. "As parents, we''re worried that this year''s sess might just be a sh in the pan," Sae-Ri''s parents asked with a concerned look. "Don''t worry. A girl group that has risen to this level of fame won''t easily fall apart unless it''s due to a scandal," I assured them. I carefully exined to Sae-Ri''s parents that the environment surrounding Cherry Blossom hadpletely changed fromst year with talented staff like Bang Seon-Woo, Jang Ye-Bin, and Park Seon-Nyeo supporting Cherry Blossom. Their expressions gradually began to brighten with this exnation. At that moment, Sae-Ri approached me with a te filled with my favorite pancakes and skewers. "Mom! Dad! Stop it. Our talent agent oppa can''t even eat because you''re asking too many questions!" "Ha ha ha. Our Sae-Ri is taking care of others now. She really has grown up." "What do you mean? I''ve always been caring!" Sae-Ri stuck out her tongue and then scurried over to her little brother, Jung-Hoo, who was surrounded by Cherry Blossom members at the next table. Looking at the four-year-old Jung-Hoo who shared Sae-Ri''s cute looks, another idea sparked in me. ''I wish I could recruit Sae-Ri''s brother as well...'' But he was too young, so I had to put aside the thought with regret. ''Let''s wait until he grows up.'' I decided to wait until he was older, much like waiting for a wine to age. I turned my attention back to Sae-Ri''s parents. "Sae-Ri always works hard with you guys in mind. I''ll pay more attention to Cherry Blossom, so please don''t worry too much." Sae-Ri''s parents gave a warm smile and thanked me. "Thank you so much. And Sae-Ri mentioned that this sess was all thanks to you, Mr. Jung. Please continue to look after her." "That''s right. Without you, our Sae-Ri would have struggled so much. We''ll continue to ce our trust in you." I nodded at their gratitude and earnest requests. "Of course. She''s my singer, after all." "Alright, let''s eat now. We''ve talked too much." A te five timesrger than the te Sae-Ri was brought in front of me. Yoo-Jin and Miso, who had finished eating, also came over. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, Uncle Yoon-Ho! The grandparents here are so lovely." I smiled warmly and wiped off the sesame seeds stuck on Miso''s mouth. "Is that so?" Miso proudly showed off a hanbok that Sae-Ri used to wear when she was younger, aplete set with a colorful jacket and rubber shoes. "Hehe. Lookie! Grandma gave me this! Isn''t it pretty?" "I''m d we came here today. Are you having fun?" I asked. "Yes!" eximed Miso. Seeing Miso''s cheerful face made it seem like the fatigue from the tough entertainment industry life had been washed away. That''s when Jung-Hoo reached out his hands toward Miso. "Noona." "Uncle Yoon-Ho, I need to y with Jung-Hoo." Miso said as she quickly turned around and headed toward Jung-Hoo. "Hey...Miso?" ''To think Miso is snatched away from me by Kim Jung-Hoo! I''ll get back at you for this!'' I remarked inwardly. But as I watched Miso y with Jung-Hoo, their undeniable cuteness melted away any lingering resentment I harbored. However, my attention shifted when I noticed a shadow crossing Yoo-Jin''s face as she quietly observed them. "Yoo-Jin, what''s on your mind?" "Oh, no. It''s nothing." "Come on. Is it because of Miso''s custody?" "...Yes." "Don''t worry. I''ll take care of it. Let''s just rx for now." Only then did Yoo-Jin finally brighten up. "Thank you always, oppa." "Don''t mention it. I''m your talent agent and this is my job." "Pfft. That''s easy to say. Other talent agents can''t evene close to what you do." Yoo-Jin replied as shepared me to other talent agents at Hoop Entertainment. I thought to myself with pride, ''Me, once hailed as the top talent agent in Korea, beingpared to a mere assistant manager? Impossible.'' I couldn''t resist a smile, and Yoo-Jin grinned in response. At that moment, a burst ofughter filled the open space. Curious, I looked over and saw Miso and Kim Jung-Hoo dancing together. ¡ºDaddy is chubby, mommy is slender, the baby is so cute, shake shake, so fun!¡» Though his pronunciation wasn''t perfect, causing the lyrics to sound a bit off, Jung-Hoo''s cuteness was definitely on par with Miso''s. "Oh my~ well done, Jung-Hoo." "Jung-Hoo could be a celebrity following his sister, couldn''t he?" The vige elders pped and cheered him on. That''s when I noticed a teenager hesitantly peeking into the vige hall from the entrance. The face seemed familiar. ''Wait, where have I seen that face before? Who is it?'' Then Sae-Ri''s mom called out to the teen. "Haru,e in already if you''re here. What are you doing standing there?" ''Wait a minute. Haru?'' I instantly realized who the teen at the entrance was. ''Lee Haru.'' Actor Lee Haru, using the stage name Haru, had shone in both blockbuster movies with tens of millions of audience and indie films. He proved to be an all-rounder, making his presence known everywhere. That sought-after actor was right before my eyes. I knew that he had lived independently after running away from home at a young age, but I never imagined I''d run into him here. "Huh? It''s Haru! Haru,e on in! My mom made your favorite japchae," Sae-Ri eximed excitedly. "Oh, no, it''s okay, Sae-Ri," Haru replied. The blushing Lee Haru quickly turned around and disappeared. "Tsk, tsk. His dad must''ve sent him on another errand for alcohol." "Really, what kind of dad makes his son do such things?" As murmurs of disapproval spread, Kim Pan-Seok stepped in. "Let''s pack up some food for him and visit himter. Haru looks paler than a few days ago. I wonder if he''s eating properly..." While Kim Pan-Seok instructed the family, I asked Sae-Ri a question. "Sae-Ri, does he live here?" "Yes. If you go around the corner, you''ll see a house with a blue roof. That''s his ce. Oh, right, he was my number one fan. And my best friend too." ''Best friend? No way. It seemed like he had a fondness for you,'' I remarked inwardly. I started gathering information about Lee Haru through Sae-Ri. But then I learned about Lee Haru''s dark past that I hadn''t known of in my past life. *** Crash! "You damned brat. Do I sound like a joke to you? Just go get some alcohol from the feast! Why make such a fuss?" Amid the loud noise, a worn-out aluminum pot flew towards Lee Haru''s head. It fortunately missed, but Lee Haru couldn''t hold back any longer and talked back. "Dad! Please, can you stop? I don''t want to go around begging for alcohol anymore!" After his mother left home one day five years ago without a single word, Lee Haru''s father, Lee Hyung-Moon''s, alcoholism worsened. He always had alcohol over food and constantly sent Haru who should have been focusing on his studies to run alcohol errands. Having had this life be a routine at this point, Lee Haru resigned to his fate and went out to get alcohol again today. But when he went to beg for alcohol at the biggest festival in the vige at Sae-Ri''s house, he locked eyes with his first love, Kim Sae-Ri. He felt miserable and sad. The girl he liked had be a shining star while he was nothing but pathetic. Lee Haru felt like he was nothing more than a mayfly, barely surviving each day. Mustering courage he didn''t know he had, Lee Haru shouted, "I...I don''t want to live like this anymore!" Compared to the morous Sae-Ri, he despised his own pitiful state. At that moment, Lee Haru''s father grabbed a soju bottle and yelled, "Just like your mother who looked down on me and ran away, now you too dare to disrespect me? You brat! I''ll kill you today." "Go ahead! Kill me! I don''t want to live like this anymore either!" Lee Haru''s father moved forward with the soju bottle raised in his hand. "You damn bastard!" Lee Haru closed his eyes tightly. His body tensed up as he braced himself for the terrible pain that was about toe. Bang! At that moment, the door flew open. And a young man''s voice echoed loudly inside the room with amotion. "What are you doing? Are you trying to kill the child?" "Who, who are you? Let go of me!" Lee Hyung-Moon said as he struggled. Instead of pain, Lee Haru heard his father arguing with a young man and opened his eyes slightly. Crash! The fierce-looking man who took the alcohol bottle from his father and pushed him away was definitely Sae-Ri''s talent agent. As their eyes met, the young man gave Haru a spring-like smile. "Are you okay, Haru?" the young man asked. At that moment, tears streamed down Lee Haru''s face. It was a question he hadn''t heard since his mother left home. Chapter 156: Theres More Than Just Apples in the Apple Orchard (2)

Chapter 156: There''s More Than Just Apples in the Apple Orchard (2)

After taking away the soju bottle Lee Hyung-Moon had swung, I checked on Lee Haru''s condition. "Yes. I''m... okay." Lee Haru replied. A wave of heat surged within me as I looked at Lee Haru. Faint bruises all over his body peeked through the thin fabric of his clothes, and he was too short even though he was 16¡ªthe same age as Sae-Ri. ''This must probably be due to malnutrition,'' I thought to myself. Come to think of it, Lee Haru was slightly under 170cm tall even in my past life. His distinct features and good looks had allowed him to be an actor, but every director who cast him had felt something was missing. Theymented that if he had been just 5cm taller, he could have taken on twice as many roles. "Don''t worry anymore. I''m here for you," I assured Lee Haru. Realizing he couldn''t overpower me, Lee Hyung-Moon began to resort to verbal threats. "Hey! Who do you think you are to interfere in someone else''s family matters? Do you have a death wish? Let go of me!" Lee Hyung-Moon barked back. "It doesn''t matter who I am. Just be aware that I''m calling the police," I said calmly. I had started the voice recorder on my phone before entering as loud noises could be heard from the outside. Domestic violence could be reported by a third party, but it often ended inconclusively. However, possessing a recording could at least provide evidence to temporarily remove Lee Haru from his father''s custody. By reporting Park Hyung-Moon to the police and contacting welfare services, it might be possible to temporarily revoke Park Hyung-Moon''s parental rights. And in that time, I would find a way to recruit Lee Haru. Unable to physically ovee me, Lee Hyung-Moon tried to grab Lee Haru again. "Hey! Lee Haru, get your ass over here!" Lee Haru flinched, curling up into a ball and hiding behind me. Judging by the current situation, I had to act immediately. "Don''t worry, Haru," I assured him. As I pulled out my phone to call the police, Lee Hyung-Moon scoffed. "Ha ha ha, you''re going to report me? Go ahead! The local chief is my drinking buddy! I''d like to see you try!" "Is that so? I understand. Let''s do as you say, then." I was about to call the police, but I couldn''t press the call button because of the heavy weight I felt on my right arm. Lee Haru was holding onto my arm and stopping me. "Don''t do it." Fear filled Lee Haru''s eyes. ''But why?'' I wondered. I couldn''t understand why he would try to protect a father who was being so abusive toward him. But at that moment, I remembered my friends from the orphanage days. I recalled those kids who had fled their parents'' violence to the orphanage would cry at night, longing for their mom and dad. Only then could I realize why Lee Haru was acting this way. Even if life was hellish, children instinctively depended on and needed their parents. A surge of emotion suddenly welled up inside me as thoughts ran through my head. ''Such a disgusting man is still considered a parent in this poor kid''s eyes...'' In my past life, Lee Haru had run away only after graduating high school. No matter how much he despised his father, he hadn''t yet mustered the courage to leave him behind. But I couldn''t just stand by and let this abuse continue. "Haru, don''t worry. Let''s go to Seoul together. I''ll make you a celebrity," I said. "A celebrity? Me...?" Haru replied with a puzzled look. "Yes. You know I''m Sae-Ri''s talent agent, right? Ourpany always wees talent like you." A glimmer of hope began to appear in Lee Haru''s eyes. At that moment, Lee Hyung-Moon''s expression suddenly changed. "Wait a minute. Are you that talent agent who came from Seoul?" "Yes." Lee Hyung-Moon''s face lit up and he sat down on the floor with his legs crossed. "What are you doing? Come and sit down here," urged Lee Hyung-Moon. "What are you doing right now?" I questioned. "Ke he he. I''m trying to do some business here. I said sit down," replied Lee Hyung-Moon. I couldn''t understand what he was thinking but decided to give it a listen. After all, Lee Hyung-Moon was Lee Haru''s legal guardian. I reluctantly sat down as Lee Hyung-Moon suggested. As soon as I sat down, Lee Hyung-Moon made an audacious suggestion. "If Haru bes a celebrity, how much are you willing to pay us? There''s a contract fee, isn''t there? You must need my permission since Haru is still a minor." Lee Haru''s head dropped upon hearing his father trying to sell him off like an object. But Lee Hyung-Moon only looked at Lee Haru with a cold expression. "What is it? You said you hate me, didn''t you? The feeling is mutual. I can''t stand another day looking at your face that looks exactly like your mother, so let''s take this opportunity to go our separate ways." Every single wording out of Lee Hyung-Moon''s mouth was poking Lee Haru''s heart like sharp needles. I didn''t want to give money to such a scumbag like Lee Hyung-Moon, but that was the easiest way to separate Lee Haru from him. Unless Lee Hyung-Moon gave up Lee Haru''s custody, signing a contract with a minor absolutely required their parent''s permission. "Are you going to let him go as long as we pay?" I asked. Lee Hyung-Moon nodded with a bright expression. "Yes. All you need to do is pay up. Ke ke ke." "How much do you need?" "Hmm. 20 million won? No, let''s make it 30 million won! If you give me 30 million won, I''ll go ahead and sign the contract right away." After nodding in agreement I asked the trembling Lee Haru if he was sure about bing a celebrity. But Lee Haru, whose face was white beyond pale, couldn''t answer. He was likely shocked to see how his father was so willing to abandon him for money. I carefully grabbed Lee Haru''s shaking hand and reassured him. "Haru,e with me to Seoul. Sae-Ri is in ourpany as well. I''ll send you to the same middle school Sae-Ri is attending." "..." Lee Haru was still having a difficult time snapping back to reality. After all, 16 was a young age to be alone in this world. But Lee Haru mustered the courage as I continued to assure him with warm words. "Are you suggesting this out of pity?" Lee Haru asked. "Pity? No way. I have a knack for scouting future talents like you. You can ask Sae-Ri about it," I replied confidently. Lee Hyung-Moon, sitting on the opposite side of me, snorted. But I ignored him and continued to persuade Lee Haru. I reached my hand to wipe off the tears streaming down Lee Haru''s face. "I''ll be your talent agent, so let''s do this together. Okay?" Lee Haru gripped my hand tightly. "Okay..." Holding Lee Haru''s hand firmly, I told Lee Hyung-Moon, "I''ll give you 30 million won right away. By the way, the contract term will be for five years. If you were to terminate the contract within that period, the penalty would be fivefold. Is that alright with you?" "If you''re trying to deceive me right now..." Lee Hyung-Moon said in a low tone. "I''m not deceiving you. Do you think thepany takes contracts as a joke? I''ll even have awyer notarize the contract for you," I replied sternly. "Alright, just bring the contract. I''ll give you the kid right away." I wanted to include a use in the contract prohibiting him from approaching Lee Haru, but such a use wouldn''t likely be allowed between a father and son. So the contract was the priority for now. Preventing him from approaching Lee Haru would be the next step. As I was about to call Kang Ji-Yung, Lee Hyung-Moon hummed to himself and made a phone call. "Hey, Kim. Deliver me a jug of makgeolli. What? You want money? The outstanding bnce? Fine, juste on over. Come and take it." After hanging up, he stretched out his hand and pointed at me. "Hey, you. Pay for the outstanding bnce for me." "How much is it?" "About 200 thousand won, I think?" ''Such shameless trash,'' I thought to myself as I seethed with anger. But I opened my wallet and handed him 300 thousand won from the emergency fund. At this moment, ying along with him was the easiest way to secure the contract. Swoosh! Lee Hyung-Moon snatched the money and grinned. "He he he he. This isn''t included in the contract money, right?" Without responding, I took Lee Haru and stepped out into the yard. "Haru, wait here for a moment. I need to make a call." "Okay." I let go of Lee Haru''s hand for a moment and called Kang Ji-Yung to exin the situation here. Shortly after, Kang Ji-Yung''s troubled voice came through the phone. -Assistant Manager Jung. If you''re bringing the kid out of pity, it will be difficult for Hoop Entertainment to sign the contract. I can help personally, but...you know how things are right now, don''t you? Giving you preferential treatment like this could shake your position, especially after the Golden Road incident. Kang Ji-Yung exined that the repercussions of the Golden Road incident were still lingering. After a moment of contemtion, I suggested a solution. "What if I be a team lead?" -Excuse me? "If I be a team lead as you suggested, then I would have the right to recruit actors for the team. Right?" -That''s true. But... There was a moment of hesitation in Kang Ji-Yung''s voice. I had 30 million won with me right now, which was enough for the deal, and Lee Haru could live with me in my one-room apartment. But right now, Lee Haru needed more than just a ce to stretch his legs and sleep¡ªhe needed a ce to entrust his future. That was something I couldn''t immediately provide. "As promised, I will expedite the recruitment of Mr. Park Eun-Sung. This kid has the potential to be a great actor. I don''t want to miss out on him, Ms. Kang." After a heavy sigh, Kang Ji-Yung finally agreed. -Alright. I don''t know what you see in him, but I''ll trust you this time. I''ll have Team Lead Kwak handle the contract. "Please make it as quick as possible. I''d like to take him with me when I go back to Seoul." -Mr. Kwak will send awyer to Sae-Ri''s house. Send me the address via text. "Thank you, Ms. Kang." Lee Haru, who had been listening to the phone call, visibly brightened up. ''It must feel like a dream to him to leave the ce where he was born and raised.'' "Let''s stay at Sae-Ri''s house until thewyer arrives." But the door burst open at that moment. "Hey! Who said you could take him? If you take him before signing the contract, I''ll report it as a kidnapping!" Lee Hyung-Moon''s words were technically correct, so I had no choice but to send Lee Haru''s address to Kwak Moo-Hyuk and wait for thewyer. That''s when the front door creaked open and an angry voice filled the room. "Hyung-Moon, you wretch!!!" Sae-Ri''s grandfather, Kim Pan-Seok, strode in with a red cane followed by Sae-Ri''s grandmother Lee Yung-Sook and Sae-Ri herself. With the arrival of Kim Pan-Seok, Lee Hyung-Moon''s bravado faltered as he stuttered, "Ah, um. Mr. Kim, what brings you here today...?" "I heard everything from outside! Don''t you dare act familiar with me ever again, you rascal!" Kim Pan-Seok yelled. "No, there seems to be some misunderstanding..." "Misunderstanding? Did you just say misunderstanding, you wretch? Selling your child for money as a father!" "Mr. Kim, it''s not like that." Lee Hyung-Moon tried to defend himself, but Kim Pan-Seok had no intention of listening and began a loud reprimand. "I tried to understand you since your wife disappeared and you were heartbroken, but have you been taking out your frustration on Haru, that young poor child?" "Ah, Mr Kim, that''s because that brat...didn''t do the chores I asked..." That''s when it happened. Kim Pan-Seok shouted, "Ha!" and started swinging the solid oak cane he had fetched. Thwack, thwack! I flinched and thought to myself, ''Yikes. That must hurt.'' The cane repeatedly struck Lee Hyung-Moon''s body. Thwack! "Ack! Mr. Kim, please, stop! Ahh!" "You bastard! Unworthy of being a father! Even if you die from this beating, it''s well deserved, you scoundrel!" Kim Pan-Seok roared. As Kim Pan-Seok continued to beat him, Lee Hyung-Moon fled to a corner of the room. Watching the scene, Sae-Ri''s grandmother clicked her tongue and approached Lee Haru. "Haru, are you alright?" "Gr-grandma..." "You should''ve talked to me if things were this bad." Tears welled up in the eyes of Sae-Ri''s grandmother as she caressed Lee Haru''s face. A deep sigh escaped her lips. "I should have taken better care of you. How will I face your grandmother after death? I''m sorry, Haru. Forgive me for being so ignorant." Lee Haru shook his head. "No, it''s not like that. I''m really okay." Sae-Ri''s grandmother nodded and patted Lee Haru''s back as sheforted him. "Don''t worry about anything anymore. We''ll make sure your father will never be able to bother you again." Afterforting Lee Haru, Lee Yung-Sook spoke to Kim Pan-Seok. "Honey, give him a good thrashing." But the exhausted Kim Pan-Seok stopped the beating and gasped for breath. "Yes, I should. Huff, huff. I''ve gotten old and weak. Ask the kids toe. We''ll take back everything he owes us and banish him from the vige." At that moment, Lee Hyung-Moon began to beg on his knees. "M-Mr. Kim, I was wrong. Please, anything but that..." Seeing Lee Hyung-Moon afraid of Kim Pan-Seok, a sudden idea came to mind on how to protect Lee Haru''s iplete management contract. Chapter 157: Theres More Than Just Apples in the Apple Orchard (3)

Chapter 157: There''s More Than Just Apples in the Apple Orchard (3)

Lee Hyung-Moon couldn''t fight back even though he was being whipped by Kim Pan-Seok because he had been taken care of by Kim Pan-Seok, a respected elder in the vige. I knew that Lee Hyung-Moon worked in Sae-Ri''s orchard and lived off his daily wages, but it turned out that his house was also provided by Sae-Ri''s grandfather. "You are worse than a beast! I regret giving you this house," reprimanded Kim Pan-Seok. The furious Kim Pan-Seok quickly regained his strength and lifted his cane again. I quickly approached Kim Pan-Seok''s side and grabbed the cane. At this moment, whipping and reprimanding Lee Hyung-Moon was less important than recruiting Lee Haru. "Hey! What is this nonsense!" Kim Pan-Seok eximed. "Mr. Kim, please calm down for a moment," I replied. "Don''t you interfere! I''ll take care of Haru and this man will be driven out of the vige!" yelled Kim Pan-Seok. ''No. I can''t let that happen,'' I remarked inwardly. If Kim Pan-Seok drove Lee Hyung-Moon out of the vige as he intended, it could mess up the signing of the contract. Lee Hyung-Moon could im the contract was void because it was signed by force. For this reason, leaving Lee Hyung-Moon under Kim Pan-Seok''s control was a smoother solution rather than kicking him out forever. After dissuading him again, Kim Pan-Seok finally put down the cane and grumbled, "Ke hem! I would have broken his legs if you hadn''t stopped me!" Kim Pan-Seok caught his breath. At the same time, Lee Hyung-Moon bowed deeply with haste. "Mr. Kim, I won''ty a hand on Haru ever again. Please trust me one more time." Lee Hyung-Moon begged with both hands, but I didn''t believe him. Lying to avoid trouble was toomon among addicts like him. But since his spirit was broken, I decided to rely a bit more on Kim Pan-Seok''s strength. "Mr, Kim, I have a favor to ask." "I''ll do anything if it''s something I can help with. Speak freely." As Kim Pan-Seok stepped in, Lee Hyung-Moon''s face contorted as if he had bitten into a rotten persimmon. "What is it? Got a problem with that?" Kim Pan-Seok barked. Lee Hyung-Moon, who had been sneaking nces at me, suddenly lowered his head at the speed of light. "No, not at all, Mr. Kim!" Lee Hyung-Moon replied quickly. With Kim Pan-Seok''s strong backing, I started the real negotiation. "Please be a witness of this contract." Kim Pan-Seok''s eyes widened. "A witness?" "Yes, sir. We need someone to testify that the contract for Haru''s management between me and Mr. Lee Hyung-Moon was made in good standing." "Are you saying you''ll manage Haru from now on?" "Yes. I n to take him to Seoul and make him a celebrity." Kim Pan-Seok scrutinized me closely. "Does the boy have potential? If it''s for a futile hope because of that jerk Lee Hyung-Moon, leave it to me. I''ll take care of Haru myself." "That''s not it at all. I believe Haru is more than capable." Kim Pan-Seok intently stared into my eyes but soon nodded. "Well, you''re the one who made Sae-Ri sessful, after all. I understand." Kim Pan-Seok nodded and then asked Haru a question this time. "Haru, do you really want to follow this guy?" Haru nodded vigorously. "Yes, Grandpa. I don''t know if I have talent, but I want the chance to find out." Kim Pan-Seok looked at Haru with pity and spoke in a soft voice. "Alright. If that''s what you want, there''s nothing I can do. Go ahead and give it a try." Kim Pan-Seok looked at Haru with warm eyes and then agreed to my request. "I''ll do as you asked." At that moment, Sae-Ri''s grandmother Lee Yung-Sook, also rolled up her sleeves and stepped in. "I''ll also give that testimony." "Sure. My wife will probably live 20 years longer than me, so let it be." "What a dull old man," Lee Yung Sookmented as she red at Kim Pan-Seok who nonchntly cleared his throat. "Thank you so much." With this, Lee Hyung-Moon could no longer make the absurd im that he signed the contract while drunk and couldn''t remember. That''s when Kim Pan-Seok called for Haru. "Haru." "Yes, Grandpa?" "Why don''t you go pack your clothes and books and move up to Seoul?" "Right now...?" As Haru tilted his head, Kim Pan-Seok said with a warm expression. "There''s an old saying, ''Send horses to Jeju and people to Seoul.'' It''s better to go as soon as possible. I''ll take care of the school transfer paperwork." Haru looked at me for approval. "Sure, let''s do that. We''re going up tomorrow, so pack your things in advance," I smiled and replied. "Okay." Haru took a nce at his father and then darted to his room. Lee Hyung-Moon looked sour but didn''t voice anyints under Kim Pan-Seok''s watchful eye. At that moment, the wooden front door creaked and a man in his mid-30s wearing a suit with a 2:8 parting in his hair cautiously entered. "Is there someone from Seoul''s Hoop Entertainment here?" It was a localwyer called by thepany. "Yes, right over here." After greeting me, thewyer bowed to Kim Pan-Seok and said, "Mr. Kim, long time no see." "It''s been a while, Woo-Jun. How''s your father doing?" Kim Pan-Seok asked. Sae-Ri''s words about her grandfather being in charge of the whole vige suddenly felt very real. After the greetings, thewyer, named Hyung Woo-Jun, handed the contract to Lee Hyung-Moon. "Please read this through carefully, Mr. Lee Hyung-Moon." But Lee Hyung-Moon signed without even looking at the contract. "Th-there''s no need. Just give me the money and take the kid away. That''s all you need to do!" "Sir, please don''t rush through this and..." "I said it''s fine." Despite thewyer''s warning, Lee Hyung-Moon insisted he had no intention of reading it. The chances of Lee Hyung-Moon being able to terminate the contract in the future were now zero since this situation was being recorded as well. Additionally, Sae-Ri''s grandfather and grandmother hadpleted the documentation stating that the contract was signed without any issues. Taking such meticulous steps was necessary due to the uncertainty of contracts involving minors. As soon as the contract was signed, I sent a copy to thepany and requested a deposit. "The deposit has been made. Please check." Wary of Kim Pan-Seok, Lee Hyung-Moon checked his bank ount on an old smartphone. A smile spread across his face seeing the deposit of 30 million won. In the meantime, Haru came out of his room with his luggage. "Haru, let''s go now," I said. "Okay." Haru hesitated, then bowed to his father. "I''m really going, Dad." "Whatever. It''s none of my business." Haru''s shoulders trembled slightly at Lee Hyung-Moon''s indifferent response. He appeared confused, caught in a blend of resentment toward his father and fear of embarking on a new life. I gently wrapped my arm around Haru''s slender shoulders, much like Sae-Ri''s. He was my actor to take care of from now on. "It''s okay, Haru. Let''s do this together." "Okay." As the warmth from my hand transferred to him, the trembling in Haru''s shoulders gradually subsided. *** After sending Sae-Ri and her grandmother home first, we went to a nearby hospital to check Haru''s physical condition. But the state of Haru, who came out after changing his clothes, was concerning. ''Damn, he''s nothing but bones.'' Haru in the loose medical gown looked so malnourished that he looked as if he were in a state of famine. I decided in my head, ''I need to fatten him up first.'' I took Haru into the examination room. As he sat on the bed and took off his top, I couldn''t help but sigh again. His entire body was covered in bruises. Seeing Haru''s condition, the doctor''s face contorted. "Did Hyung-Moon do this?" Doctor Kim Yung-Hoon knew of Lee Hyung-Moon as well. "Keep this to yourself, Yung-Hoo," said Kim Pan-Seok. "That''s not eptable, sir. This is a crime. We should report it to the police now..." Kim Pan-Seok let out a deep sigh and exined the situation on my behalf. Understanding the circumstances, Kim Yung-Hoon nodded solemnly. "I understand. So you need a medical report, right?" "Yes." "One moment, please." Kim Yung-Hoon started exining Haru''s condition while looking at the X-rays. Fortunately, there were no damaged bones and the prognosis was a recovery period of four weeks. Although Kim Yung-Hoon exined it was difficult to issue a more detailed medical report since there were no fractures, this was enough to be of significant helpter. As we were about to leave after checking Haru''s condition, Kim Yung-Hoon spoke to Kim Pan-Seok. "Mr. Kim, why don''t you take Haru and get him changed?" "Hmm. Will do." Kim Pan-Seok replied, as he quickly caught on to Kim Yung-Hoon''s intention and stepped outside. Left alone in the examination room, Kim Yung-Hoon looked straight at me and said, "You''re quite thorough for someone young. Asking for a medical report as soon as you sign someone, huh?" "It''s not umon to end up in legal disputes with parents in our industry," I replied. "I''ve seen enough on TV to know these incidents aren''t rare. If you ever need a testimony, please call me. I stayed behind to tell you that." Now, Lee Hyung-Moon couldn''t void Haru''s contract no matter what Lee Hyung-Moon tried. Kim Yung-Hoon then began to share more about Haru''s family background. But the situation was moreplicated than I had thought. "...Did you just say Haru is of mixed heritage?" "He''s a quarter. Haru''s mother, Natalia, is of Russian mixed descent." ''Wow. No wonder Haru''s features were distinct and his skin was so pale,'' I thought to myself. "Hyung-Moon used to drink before, but he wasn''t this bad until he was scammed, which led to the family''s downfall." "Scammed?" I asked. Lee Hyung-Moon, who used to work on ocean-headed fishing boats, met his wife and settled down in his hometown, securing a job in Sae-Ri''s grandfather''s orchard. But unable to make much from the orchard work, he attempted to start a business with his savings only to be scammed and lost everything he had. After that, he began to have fights more often with his wife, Natalia, who eventually left the house about three monthster. "She was such a nice woman, but Hyung-Moon became abusive after he turned to alcohol. No wonder she couldn''t hold out anymore. She said she would earn money ande back for Haru, but..." Kim Yung-Hoon sighed and trailed off. "Do you know anyone who might have Haru''s mother''s number?" I asked. "I don''t know. Anyway, I''ll have a word with Hyung-Moon. If he''s diagnosed with alcoholism, I''ll have to have him admitted even by force," Kim Yung-Hoon replied. "Please do." Kim Yung-Hoon looked at me and said, "Please take good care of Haru. Knowing you''re managing Sae-Ri gives me peace of mind." "Thank you for saying that." After bidding Kim Yung-Hoon goodbye, I resolved to find Haru''s mother. It would be great if Kim Yung-Hoon''s words were true, but if not, I might have to take some action. *** We spent the night at Sae-Ri''s house and headed back to Seoul the next morning. Sae-Ri, who was sitting in the backseat, started to give Haru a lecture about life in the entertainment industry. "Haru, you have the kind of style girls like, so you really need to be careful. There are many bad unnies who secretly fancy men while pretending not to." "Okay." Sae-Ri gave a serious lecture for a while, then suddenly widened her eyes. "Oh, and the most important thing is to stay away from the girl groups Petite More and Pink Diamond. They are your top priority to avoid." "Why is that?" Haru asked. Sae-Ri red at Haru with big eyes. "Just do as I say!" "Alright, I got it." I shook my head and thought to myself, ''She could''ve at least exined why. I''ll need to exin it to him in detailter.'' Haru didn''t argue with Sae-Ri but only nodded happily at her words with a delighted expression. As Sae-Ri clenched her fist and dered her protective stance, everyone in the backseat burst intoughter. "Sae-Ri, stop nagging." "Seriously. It''s not like Haru is your little brother." Sae-Ri shook her head at Cherry Blossom members'' scolding. "I''ve been looking after Haru since he was little. So it''s only natural I''ve got to take care of him even when we''re in Seoul. Ahem," Sae-Ri defended herself. "Sae-Ri, ever heard of the saying ''know thyself''?" Yang Eun-Bi snickered, causing Sae-Ri to tilt her head in confusion. "What''s that supposed to mean?" Sae-Ri asked. "It means you should start by getting to school on time and not beingte yourself." "Un-unnie!" Sae-Ri protested. When Sae-Ri blushed and shouted,ughter erupted from the backseat once again. But I could understand Sae-Ri''s concerns as Haru had struggled particrly with scandals involving older actresses in my past life. "No, Sae-Ri''s right this time. Haru, be careful just like Sae-Ri said, okay?" I remarked. The cornered Sae-Ri beamed with a broad smile. "See? Yoon-Ho oppa agrees with me!" With Sae-Ri puffing out her chest in pride, the members giggled. After arriving in Seoul and dropping Yoo-Jin and Cherry Blossom off at their home and dorm respectively, I headed to thepany with Haru. Then, I habitually checked my nner after parking the car. However, while Golden Road''s schedules up to November had disappeared, December''seback schedule remained intact. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 12th, 2020] -07:30 a.m. Golden Road at Forest Salon, S-grade setting. -05:30 p.m. Golden Road''seback stage preparation. Request sound check to the AD. The fact that this schedule hadn''t disappeared meant that Golden Road was set for aeback this December. Many thoughts ran through my mind. ''Theireback schedule is still on. What the heck is going on right now? With such significant scandals, it would be normal to take a break for over a year even if it didn''t lead to disbandment, wouldn''t it?'' Chapter 158: Recruitment Completed

Chapter 158: Recruitment Completed

After the announcement of Golden Road''s hiatus, all the talent agents in Singer Division 1 were busy answering their phones because the advertisers were all rushing to request ad cancetions. "I''m sorry, Mr. Jin. Yes, yes. Our legal division will review the penalty use and get back to you within a week." "Dissolution of Golden Road? There''s no way, Mr. Bong. It''s just a temporary hiatus, so please don''t worry too much and..." "Ah, no, please listen to me. No, it''s not like that. You know what, I''ll just go to yourpany now and we can talk about this in person." "I''m sorry, Mr. Han. We tried our best to stop it but..." "Mr. Kim! Please don''t do this to me. Let''s extend the contract period for now and make adjustments ording to the situation when the girlse back." As the talent agents were desperately clinging to their phones, Cha Sang-Jin got up from his seat with shaky legs. Golden Road had to pay penalties to cancel contracts for five CFs today. At this rate, it seemed only a matter of time before the remaining 15 CFs were all canceled. Cha Sang-Jin sighed heavily and headed to the break room. "Oh? Mr. Cha. Would you like a cup of coffee?" Kim Dong-Soo, who happened to be in the break room, greeted him. But instead of returning the greeting, Cha Sang-Jin pleaded as if he had met a savior. "Chief Kim. Are we just going to take this lying down? I''m on the verge of dying because ofints about Golden Road." Kim Dong-Soo handed him a can of coffee from the vending machine, and Cha Sang-Jin reluctantly epted it. "Just wait a bit," said Kim Dong-Soo. "No, don''t just tell me to wait. What is Mr. Lee Gi-Cheol doing? Shouldn''t he being up with a n?" Cha Sang-Jin replied in an impatient tone. Kim Dong-Soo frowned at Cha Sang-Jin''s urging and said, "Mr. Lee is busy preparing a big move before President Kang returns." "I-is that so?" "Yes. So just think of yourself as dead for the time being and wait it out. If Golden Road doesn''t cause any more trouble, they could make theireback in about six months." Cha Sang-Jin couldn''t hide his surprised expression. He thought that even with a good amount of luck, Golden Road would take at least a year to make aeback. However, Kim Dong-Soo''s words meant there was a way to turn the situation around. After thinking for a few seconds, Cha Sang-Jin nodded. "Right, right. Six months should do it, huh?" "But controlling Golden Road while they''re in Korea will be challenging. To prevent any potential headaches from them being photographed at clubs or elsewhere, it''s better to send them to Japan. I''ll inform the head of our Tokyo office to monitor them closely." "Oh, okay. That sounds like a n. Sending them to Japan would ease our worries. Thank you for taking care of the situation, Chief Kim." "Don''t mention it. Alumni should help each other out, after all. And you know..." Cha Sang-Jin nodded as he listened to Kim Dong-Soo''s exnation of the ns and measures in ce. "Can I really just say it like that?" Cha Sang-Jin asked. "Yes. Just tell him I haven''t forgotten the favor I owe him from before." They couldn''t reverse the five CF contracts that were already canceled, but Kim Dong-Soo was confident they could stop about three of them from being canceled by discussing penalty fees. This was thanks to the rebate Kim Dong-Soo had given Chief Park Han-Cheol when arranging a contract in the past. "Th-thank you." "And if there are any more inquiries about canceling ad contracts, try to persuade them to switch the models to the actors from our Actor Division 3 instead of just terminating the contract. You can use my name too." "Ar-are you sure?" "Of course. Aren''t we all from Suhyaejong?" Cha Sang-Jinughed and patted Kim Dong-Soo on the shoulder. "Ha ha ha. As expected, you''re the best at taking care of alumni, Chief Kim. Thanks a lot. I''ll be off then." "Take care, Mr. Cha." As Cha Sang-Jin disappeared, Kim Dong-Soo smirked bitterly and brushed off the shoulder Cha Sang-Jin had touched. "He calls himself sunbae when he''s got no capability," Kim Dong-Soo muttered under his breath. Kim Dong-Soo was considering bringing back Park Han-Cheol, who was fired recently, to rece Cha Sang-Jin. After all, the Golden Road scandal caused by Cha Sang-Jin not being able to properly manage them had cost a tremendous amount of money. "The day Golden Road returns to the stage will be your funeral, Chief Cha." Kim Dong-Soo felt increasingly irritated as he watched Cha Sang-Jin hurry away. At that moment, he naturally found a target to vent his anger on. "Why hasn''t this guy contacted me yet?" It had been three weeks since he ordered Nal-Sae[1], who was out on bail, to dig up dirt on Jung Yoon-Ho to use as ckmail. But there was still no news. Kim Dong-Soo immediately called Nal-Sae and started questioning him aggressively. "Hey! Nal-Sae! What are you doing right now?" Nal-Sae responded in a subdued voice. -Why are you yelling? I''m digging up dirt on Jung Yoon-Ho. "Do you think I''m asking because I don''t know? You said you could uncover even the deepest political corruption in three days, didn''t you?" -...Well, fuck. I didn''t think Jung Yoon-Ho lived such a clean life. That guy came from an orphanage, right? "Yes. What is it? You got nothing?" -Nope. Nothing. Aside from some fights during his younger days, there''s nothing major. And he''s been on the elite boxing track since middle school. "Elite track? So what? There''s no way a guy who throws punches hasn''t caused any trouble." -You don''t know what you''re talking about. The lives of kids on the elite track are different from local thugs. Coaches and directors cover their tracks so well there''s nothing to catch. Kim Dong-Soo couldn''t believe it. "What about his high school days? Nothing there either?" -I''ve just started digging into his high school days. Local gangsters might have tried to scout him since he was an orphan and a sports elite. "You think so? Then focus on that area." -But...what if I find nothing there either? Kim Dong-Soo yelled at Nal-Sae for his weak reply. "If there''s nothing, make something up or dig after the celebrities Jung Yoon-Ho is with!" -Ugh. Got it. I''ll dig deeper. Not being able to trust Nal-Sae, Kim Dong-Soo shouted once more. "And if you can''t find anything again this time, I''ll send you back to prison. Got it?" -Ugh. Okay, okay! Damn it. Nal-Sae poured out a curse and hung up the phone. After hanging up, Kim Dong-Soo let out a deep sigh. "People always ck off the moment you give them a little leeway. They say they''ll do anything if you let them loose, but look at the work they do." Kim Dong-Soo thought the old saying was true, that people change as soon as they leave the restroom[2]. But at that moment, a call came from the one person Kim Dong-Soo dreaded the most. To receive a direct call from the backer, who usually only received reports, was unusual. Cold sweat ran down Kim Dong-Soo''s forehead and his face contorted as he answered the phone. "Yes, sir. Pardon? You want me to arrange a meeting with Assistant Manager Jung...? What do you mean by that?" -Just do as you''re told without asking questions. Kim Dong-Soo was caught off guard when President Choi Man-Sik, one of the shareholders of Hoop Entertainment, showed an interest in Jung Yoon-Ho. "I-I understand. Then I will arrange a meeting soon." Taking heed of the low-key warning to follow orders, Kim Dong-Soo agreed and hung up the phone. Kim Dong-Soo headed straight to Lee Gi-Cheol because it was a serious matter that Choi Man-Sik had taken an interest in Jung Yoon-Ho. The thought of potentially having to devise another n as soon as possible made Kim Dong-Soo''s head spin. *** I kept checking my nner repeatedly while waiting for the elevator. However, the schedule for Golden Road''seback on December 12th remained unchanged. ''It seems like Kim Dong-Soo is starting to make his move,'' I thought. If the Suhyaejong line behind Kim Dong-Soo began actively spending money and lobbying, it could easily revive Golden Road from its hiatus. I let out a sigh as a thought shed through my mind. ''Nothing is easy in this world.'' But of course, I had no intention of being easily defeated even if Golden Road were to return. I was confident I would have be more powerful by then. "Is it...because of me that you''re so tired?" Haru asked in a trembling voice. I turned my gaze toward Haru and replied, "Huh? What do you mean is it because of you?" "I mean, you went through a lot to recruit me." Worry filled Haru''s eyes as he looked up at me. I put my phone away in my pocket and smiled at him. "Haru." "Yes?" "Never say that to anyone ever again. You''re worth so much more than the money spent on you." I felt the need to debut Haru immediately as it seemed like the only way to solve his low self-esteem andck of confidence. It wouldn''t be easy, but it was definitely worth the challenge with the talent Haru showed before my regression. Haru pondered over my words for a moment and blinked hisrge eyes before speaking. "I''m sorry. I won''t say such weak things anymore." Facing the barriers before him, I could see courage and hope swirling in Haru''s eyes. "Good. Then shall we greet the Managing Director?" "Okay!" With Haru smiling brightly, I stepped into the elevator with vigorous steps. *** Ding. The LED inside the elevator shed as it reached the sixth floor where Kang Ji-Yung was located. Entering the director''s office, we found Gu Seong-Cheol already waiting. After introducing Haru to everyone and taking our seats on the sofa, Kang Ji-Yung made a serious expression. "You look even more handsome than you do in your photos. But I can see that your hair color is unique. Did you dye it?" Haru''s hair was a shade lighter than brown, leaning more toward a pale yellow. "No, my mother is of Russian descent." "That exins it. I thought you were wearing colored lenses." Haru''s features and the color of his eyes contributed to his poprity in my past life, earning him the nickname, Mysterious Captivating Man, implying his entrancing gaze. Seeing Haru stiffen up, I asked Kang Ji-Yung to speak more casually to ease him. "Would you be okay with that?" Kang Ji-Yung asked. "Of course!" Haru replied as his face lit up with a smile. "By the way, you have a pretty name. Are you nning to keep it for your career in entertainment?" Haru asked cautiously, "Um, can I use a stage name?" "Why? Do you have something in mind?" "I do." It was exactly as I had expected because he had done the same before my regression. "Alright then. What would you like to be called?" "Haru." "Huh?" "I''d like my stage name to simply be Haru, not Lee Haru." "Just Haru without the surname?" "Yes. I don''t want to lose the name Haru that my mom gave me. She named me that so I would live each day to the fullest[3]." It was only now that I fully grasped the meaning behind the stage name, Haru, that he had chosen. I needed to find Haru''s mom as soon as possible. While Haru seemed to want to leave his memories of his dad behind, his longing for his mom who had left him seemed to still linger. I wasn''t sure what Haru''s mom would think, but I was prepared to help them reunite if there was any lingering affection. Otherwise, it would be better to sort things out in advance, just as I did with Haru''s dad. Kang Ji-Yung readily epted Haru''s request to change his stage name. "Got it. Then I''ll have it updated in your profile too." "Thank you so much! I promise to give it all I''ve got!" And just like that, Lee Haru became Haru, just like in my past life. *** I asked Jung Sang-Bong to show Haru around thepany. In the meantime, I stayed in the director''s office for a meeting with Kang Ji-Yung. "How does he seem in person?" I asked. Kang Ji-Yung spoke with a sly smile. "His voice is good and he has a nice look. I''m not sure about his acting yet, but building a fandom would be easy with the right stylist to glow him up." Gu Seong-Cheol agreed with that. "He''s 16 this year which is a great age to debut at." But as expected, Kang Ji-Yung raised a concern. "The only thing that bothers me is his height. To be only 160 cm at 16 as a guy...He might be considered short even after he''s fully grown." Gu Seong-Cheol shook his head. "You might not be aware, but it''smon for boys to have growth spurtster. He''s only in ninth grade. I bet he''ll probably shoot up soon." But I knew Kang Ji-Yung''s concern was valid. "That''s why I was thinking, what if we take Haru to a growth clinic for a check-up?" I suggested. Kang Ji-Yung gestured with her hands as if she had misspoken. "Ah, did I cause unnecessary worry? I''m sorry." "No, your concern makes sense to me as well. I''d like to at least get him checked." Kang Ji-Yung smiled ambiguously. "And what do you n to do if there''s an issue from the check-up?" ''She''s sharp.'' "If you trust my judgment, you''ll need to be ready to invest in him." I thought to myself, ''Being short is no problem these days. There are measures that can be taken to help him grow taller with enough money.'' I recalled how the living football legend Lionel Messi from Barcelona was able to grow taller thanks to intensive growth treatments. "Alright. We''ll get the tests done and thepany will cover all the costs for the growth clinic if there''s an issue. Okay?" "Thank you." "Don''t mention it. But instead, isn''t there something you need to do in return?" Finally, the inevitable choice appeared before me. It was the promotion to the team lead position. For the average employee, this would be a joyous asion. But in front of me was the swirling vortex of a massive storm. With Kang Gam-Chan absent, the sh between the two factions intensified further. It was a proposition made just to recruit Haru, but I had to take more decisive action if I wanted to protect my actors and Hoop Entertainment. ''You got this, Yoon-Ho,'' I cheered myself silently. I steeled myself with determination and replied Kang Ji-Yung, "I''ll ept the promotion to team lead." 1. The paparazzi who got caught taking photos of actresses in the previous chapters ? 2. Korean idiom saying that people are willing to do anything when asking others for a favor but quickly change their mind after the favor has been done ? 3. Haru means the day ? Chapter 159: Everyday (1)

Chapter 159: Everyday (1)

I was promoted to assistant manager within my first year, and now, in my second year, I had taken on the role of team lead. Although an entire calendar year had passed, it essentially only took me four months to be promoted to team lead. Despite the anticipated opposition from the Suhyaejong line, Kang Ji-Yung was nothing but confident. "The team lead appointment will be issued in three days, just so you know," Kang Ji-Yung said. "What are you going to do about Mr. Lee Gi-Cheol''s side?" I asked. "I''ll handle that," Gu Seong-Cheol said. He encouraged me with a more serious expression than usual, saying this was just the beginning. "It won''t be easy. I''ll support you as much as I can, but you''ll be responsible for your team''s operations from now on..." Gu Seong-Cheong added. Then we discussed the Jung Team I would be in charge of. "After discussing with Mr. Gu, we''ve decided that the Jung Team will need special management." The Jung Team was tasked with the management of both actors and singers. However, Cherry Blossom was to be co-managed with the current team lead, Han Myung-Ho. Gu Seong-Cheol looked worried, perhaps because he was concerned about me suddenly managing so many employees and actors with little experience. "Are you sure you got this, Yoon-Ho?" Gu Seong-Cheol asked with a concerned expression. Gu Seong-Cheol didn''t know how capable I was. But in my past life, I was the one who managed the top stars of Top Entertainment and filled in for Kim Dong-Soo, who only attended entertainment events. Starting as an assistant manager and climbing up to vice president, the internal power struggles and battles with rivalpanies I faced could easily fill more than ten books. I shed a confident smile at Gu Seong-Cheol. "Don''t worry, Mr. Gu." Kang Ji-Yung smiled and chided Gu Seong-Cheol. "Mr. Gu, don''t tell me you don''t trust Mr. Yoon-Ho?" "Of course I do. I am well aware that he''s sharp with his work. But the scope of the job is broad and mistakes are bound to happen. And when they do, the Suhyaejong line will be ready to pounce on him." I grinned and retorted, "I''d like to see them try. They''ll just wear out their own teeth." Gu Seong-Cheol yfully raised his fist. "Hey, don''t just brush it off. I''m serious here." I sarcastically took a step back in a yful response. Seeing Gu Seong-Cheol''s smile, I thought about how important giving good reactions were in social interactions. Then we moved on to discussing team memberposition. Currently, I managed four actors: Yoo-Jin, Miso, Lee Tae-Poong, and Haru. With Lee Dae-Ho and Jung Sang-Bong already on board as actors'' talent agents, we were able to add one more assistant manager to the team. On the singer''s side, we needed to hire a new assistant manager and a junior staff member from scratch. Hearing this, I immediately requested for Assistant Manager Eun Ji-Yoo from Singer Division 1. With Golden Road on hiatus, it was the perfect time to bring her over. I voiced my opinion, "I''d like to bring Assistant Manager Eun from Singer Division 1 to the Jung Team." "Assistant Manager Eun, as in Miss Eun Ji-Yoo from Singer Division 1?" Kang Ji-Yung asked. "Yes," I replied. Kang Ji-Yung nodded. "Alright. We''ll make the transfer if she agrees." We decided to hire a stylistter and focus on finalizing the rough outline of the team for now. I thanked Kang Ji-Yung with a smile, "Thank you so much, Ms. Kang." As the meeting continued, we discussed amodation options for Haru. Simr to other major entertainmentpanies, Hoop Entertainment not only provided amodations for minorsing from the provinces but also acted as their legal guardians. Since I was acting as Haru''s guardian, it was only natural we lived together. I thought for a moment and said, "I''d prefer to find an amodation near Yoo-Jin''s ce. Being far away could make it inconvenient to manage her schedules." "Hm. That area is cheaper, so we might be able to get a bigger ce," Gu Seong-Cheol replied. Gu Seong-Cheol said a three-room apartment would be fine and instructed me to choose the ce myself. "Understood. And Ms. Kang, some apples will be delivered to thepany soon. Please share them with the staff," I informed Kang Ji-Yung. "A box of apples?" "Yes, Sae-Ri''s grandfather said he would send about 50 boxes of quality Fuji apples." Kang Ji-Yung''s eyes widened in surprise. "Fifty boxes of apples? Do you know how expensive apples are these days? How could we ept so many?" "I tried to refuse but there was no stopping him. He said he had to get rid of the extra apples anyway." Sae-Ri''s family owned an orchard so expansive that theirnd and orchards stretched as far as the eye could see. Gu Seong-Cheol made a lightheartedment. "You''ve brought back both apples and people from the apple orchard." I responded to Gu Seong-Cheol''sment with a light smile. "I''ll be taking my leave then," I replied. As I was about to leave, Kang Ji-Yung stopped me and brought up something unexpected. "Ah, before you go out, have a talk with Mr. Jung Soo-Hyuk. He will be of great help in handling various matters in the future." Curious, I asked, "The Finance Director...? Why?" Kang Ji-Yung simply smiled mysteriously and said, "You''ll see once you meet him." *** Entertainmentpanies and private investigation agencies were inseparable. They constantly and secretly formed rtionships with detective agencies for background checks on entertainers they wished to sign. Sometimes, they even used them as a connection to entertainment newspapers looking to release scandals. The problem was that the loose lips of detective agency personnel could be risky, sorge entertainmentpanies often operated their own intelligence teams to investigate important matters on their own. However, Hoop Entertainment had no official intelligence team. But the truth was that Kang Gam-Chan was secretly running one under the management of Finance Director Jung Soo-Hyuk. "What are you doing? Your tea is getting cold. Drink up," Jung Soo-Hyuk said to me. I asked Jung Soo-Hyuk with a dazed expression, "Why does nobody know about this side of your job, Mr. Jung?" Jung Soo-Hyuk responded with a slight smile. "What do you think my job entails?" "Managing finances...Oh!" I eximed as I came to a sudden realization. Jung Soo-Hyuk exined that he was running an independent intelligence team using a slush fund. I was pleasantly surprised. "That''s impressive. Managing both finance and intelligence." "Ha ha ha. You''re the one who''s impressive here. It''s rare for someone to catch on just from that, especially someone as young as you." Feeling a bit embarrassed, I scratched my head. Jung Soo-Hyuk then mentioned that I could request information anytime. After some thought, I asked him to find out about Haru''s mother''s current situation. "You want to find the mother of the newly recruited rookie?" "Yes, sir." "Hmm, it''s not impossible. Do you have any personal information on her?" I handed over the information I had gathered beforeing to Seoul. "Will this suffice?" I gave him a file with a photo of Haru''s mother, Natalia, and what the locals knew about her. "This should be enough. But it will take some time, just so you know." "Thank you so much." "What''s there to thank for? Oh. And Mr. Kang had high praise for you, Assistant Manager Jung." "Mr. Kang did? Really?" I asked with an excited expression. Jung Soo-Hyuk''s face brightened as he began to ry Kang Gam-Chan''s words. -Just keep doing what you''re doing. Kang Gam-Chan had apparently burst into heartyughter in his hospital room upon hearing about my exploits. "Mr. Kang was very fond of talking about you, Assistant Manager Jung. No, Team Lead Jung. He made me promise to actively help you in any way I could." Jung Soo-Hyuk said with a smile. I felt a lump in my throat. "But I haven''t done much to be so praised." Jung Soo-Hyuk''s eyes sparkled. "Ha ha ha. This guy. You still say that after turning Singer Division 1 upside down? Was that all just a coincidence then?" ''Is he being cautious?'' I wondered. But after exchanging a few words, I realized his curiosity was about how I managed to handle such challenging situations and where I got my information from. But I decided to y dumb because I couldn''t share the source of my information with anyone. "All I can say is to trust Mr. Kang''s judgment, as he has trusted me," I replied. Jung Soo-Hyuk stepped back with a content smile. "Well, I am curious about your motives but that''s not the most important thing now. Oh, and about Lee Eun-Hyang. We''ve given her a generous severance package to keep her quiet along with a separate agreement." ''So that''s why there was no word from her.'' It made sense, given her personality. Jung Soo-Hyuk exined that Lee Dong-Min had pulled some strings when she was moving to anotherpany. I expressed my gratitude to Jung Soo-Hyuk. "Thank you for taking care of it. It made handling things much smoother." Jung Soo-Hyuk waved his hands dismissively as if it were a small matter. "Don''t mention it. I was just doing my job." But the more I knew about having such a reliable ally, the deeper my thoughts grew. Hoop Entertainment was tightly controlled by the Kang Gam-Chan faction, exerting influence over both visible and hidden aspects of thepany. But how Kim Dong-Soo and the lesspetent Lee Gi-Cheol would gain the upper hand was beyond me. With questions I couldn''t ask or investigate openly, I resolved to uncover that secret. After all, that was the only way we could prevent Hoop Entertainment from being torn apart. *** I couldn''t help but feel sorry as Haru and I entered my small one-room apartment. The tiny space, barely ten pyeong, hardly had enough room toy down. "Please bear with it for a while. We''ll move as soon as we find a ce." Scanning the apartment for a ce to put his bag, Haru smiled and scratched his head. "No, I like it here. It''s cozy." Cozy indeed. The space was so small that our legs could easily touch if we sat across from each other with a table between us. "You''ll be living with me when we move. Like it or not, we''ll be together until you graduate from high school," I said. Haru beamed as if that was good news. "Okay." "And from now on, call me hyung. I don''t like being called uncle or Mr. Jung," I said in response. Haru responded energetically. "Okay, hyung!" I thought to myself, ''Coming to Seoul where he knows no one but Sae-Ri must have been daunting.'' And with Sae-Ri being busy, it would be hard even to see her. So I started by changing how we addressed each other, reassuring Haru repeatedly. Given that Haru was practically abandoned by his parents, I made an effort to provide him with unwavering trust. Just like my mother, Sister Mika, had done for me. The next morning, the scent of warm rice filled my nose as soon as I woke up. To my surprise, a small table that we used as a dining table was neatly set with freshly cooked white rice, soybean paste stew, rolled omelet, and several side dishes. "What''s all this?" I asked with widened eyes. "Oh, I just made some dishes with what you had in the fridge. Please try it," Haru replied with a broad smile. Haru had woken up 30 minutes earlier to prepare breakfast. I looked at all the food and said, "You didn''t have to wait for me. You can eat first next time." "I wanted to eat with you, hyung." It seemed I was more tired than I thought, having slept so deeply that I didn''t notice Haru preparing the meal in our small one-room apartment. I nodded and said, "But really. Go ahead and eat first next time, okay?" "No, that''s okay. We should eat together. Anyway, hyung. Go wash up before eating." "Alright, I''ll be quick." After a quick wash, I sat down at the table. "Let''s eat." I scooped some steaming stew into Haru''s bowl and then tried some myself. Expecting nothing special from a meal prepared by a teenager, I was surprisingly impressed by the taste. "Woah, this is really good!" I eximed. "Really?" "Yes, it tastes amazing. You could sell this. Seriously," I said while taking a few more sips of the stew. Haru beamed, pleased with thepliment. For a moment, I wondered if I should support him to be a chef instead of an actor. "Hehe. I''m d you like it, hyung." "But you don''t have to prepare meals like this in the future. That''s what talent agents are for." "No, I can do it." "Fine, but just for the time being. Okay? Once you start getting schedules and lessons, you won''t have time for housework." "Okay, I understand." "Alright then. Let''s eat." I topped my white rice with a slice of the yellow omelet and took a bite. ''Wow. Just wow.'' I eximed inwardly. The sweet omelet was incredibly fluffy and soft and melted in my mouth effortlessly. I was so impressed by his cooking. ''Is this ice cream or an omelet?'' Amazed once again by Haru''s culinary skills, an idea struck me as I continued to eat. "Haru, I''m thinking it might be good to move up your debut. Would that be okay with you?" "When would it be?" "Next month." Haru froze while holding his spoon in mid-air. *** In my past life, Haru had made his name by ying a young lead in MBS''s drama The Lion''s Agony. However, The Lion''s Agony wouldn''t start production until three yearster and I had to choose a different project for him. But the moment I witnessed Haru''s cooking skills, a suitable show came to mind. [Everyday V10] [Date: July 3, 2020] -05:20 p.m. Master of Mukbang Woo Sung-Chan''s audition. Woo Sung-Chan from Actor Division 3, whom Kim Dong-Soo was training, was set to be the star of Master of Mukbang. But my n was to rece him with Haru. After all, Woo Sung-Chan had a serious issue that would disqualify him. Chapter 160: Everyday (2)

Chapter 160: Everyday (2)

The 12-episode cable drama called The Master of Mukbang was a food-themed drama on TVM Cable that would achieve a 7% average viewership rating, making it the number one cable show in its time slot. In my past life, 19-year-old Woo Sung-Chan from Actor Division 3 became a rising star overnight through this show. But when it was revealed that Woo Sung-Chan was the perpetrator in a school violence case, his brief peak of three months came to an end, resulting in his expulsion from the entertainment industry. The extent of the victim''s resentment was evident when they posted a heartfelt plea on the Blue House''s petition board, shockingizens. And those records remained in my nner. Anyway, the audition requirement for The Master of Mukbang included being good at cooking. This was because the main lead had to film a cooking entertainment show called Mukbang''s Table along with the drama. Woo Sung-Chan met the criteria because his parents owned a famous Korean restaurant in Jamsil. But if it were Haru, I thought he would do even better than Woo Sung-Chan. While Woo Sung-Chan was undeniably handsome, he still fell a few grades short of Haru''s striking looks. Furthermore, Haru''s culinary skills were also superior. Haru finally nodded his head after much deliberation upon hearing that he would be on the show next month. "I''ll do as you say, hyung." His tightly pursed lips showed that being assigned a task had motivated him. "Great. You can trust me," I assured him. Now, the only thing left was to check Haru''s height. "Haru, let''s get changed if you''ve finished eating. Leave the dishes in the sink. I''ll do themter." Haru, who was about to wash the dishes right after eating, looked up at me with wide eyes. "Where are we going?" Haru asked. "To the clinic." "The clinic?" "Yeah, to check how tall you can grow." I took Haru to Kim Soo-Myung''s Life Extension Clinic, which also served as a growth clinic. *** In my past life, Haru''s height was listed as 170 cm on his profile. But in reality, it was just over 168 cm. However, I was surprised by the unexpected result when we went ahead with the test. "Wh-what did you say?" I asked in disbelief. Kim Soo-Myung began to exin in his usual indifferent tone. "I said his height could reach up to a range between 176 cm and 180 cm." "Is that really possible?" I questioned further. "The growth tes don''t lie," said Kim Soo-Myung nonchntly. Haru was waiting outside the consultation room after taking his X-ray while I was alone inside listening to the results. After Kim Soo-Myung zoomed in on the X-ray image of the growth tes on the screen and concluded his findings, I still couldn''t believe it. I asked him to check again, but the answer that came back was even more astonishing. "Really. Even 181 cm might be possible if you try hard enough." Kim Soo-Myung added. "You mean not 171 cm but 181 cm, right?" I rified. Kim Soo-Myung looked puzzled by my repeated questions. "If he eats well and sleeps well, he will definitely fall within the range I mentioned." "Th-then what if he doesn''t eat well?" I threw out another question. Kim Soo-Myung gave me a look as if it was a strange question to ask. In my past life, Haru was said to have not grown tall because he didn''t eat well. If his circumstances had been better, and if he had eaten more meat and drank more milk, he would have been taller. That''s why I kept rifying the results with Kim Soo-Myung, but his answer was unexpected. "Unless it''s severe malnutrition to the point of starvation, eating habits barely affect one''s height. It mostly follows what''s coded in your genes. That''s why there''s a predicted range of variance." Kim Soo-Myung exined. A thought crossed my mind. ''Did he just say it''s mostly due to gic factors? Then could it be that in my past life, Haru wasn''t fed enough to the point he suffered from malnutrition?'' I felt a strong surge of irritation as the face of Haru''s father, Lee Hyung-Moon, came to mind. Noticing my twisted expression, Kim Soo-Myung mentioned another possibility. "If you''re worried about him not growing taller, don''t be. His growth shouldn''t stop unless the growth tes are damaged by an injury or something." I tilted my head and asked, "Wait. Growth can stop due to injury?" In my past life, Haru had been in a traffic ident. He mentioned getting lightly hit in the knee by a reversing car while on an errand. It wasn''t a major ident, but Kim Soo-Myung exined such incidents could still damage the growth tes. However, this didn''t diminish my resentment toward Haru''s father, Lee Hyung-Moon. I thought to myself, ''That errand must have surely been for alcohol.'' Kim Soo-Hyung concluded the check-up. "Seems like there''s no major issue, so don''t worry. Let''s do monthly check-ups and decide on growth hormone injections based on how things go." "So I just make sure he eats well and gets enough sleep for now?" I asked. "Exactly." Grateful to Kim Soo-Myung for not suggesting excessive treatments, I stood up to leave. ''Should I get Cherry Blossom checked for their growth tes too? Sae-Ri always fantasizes about growing up to 170 cm,'' I wondered. "Could you check the growth tes for the Cherry Blossom memberster too?" I asked. Kim Soo-Myung organized the files and shook his head. "There''s no need. From the X-rays takenst time, it seems all their growth tes have closed." I felt relieved that I was the only one there to hear his reply. If Sae-Ri had heard that, she might end up being depressed for about a week. I requested Kim Soo-Myung to keep this to himself. "Dr. Kim, please don''t mention this to Sae-Ri. She''d be very disappointed to hear that." Kim Soo-Myung suggested a solution with his usual indifferent demeanor. "I can''t lie to a patient, so perhaps it''s better if you ensure that they don''t ask to be checked at all?" ''He speaks like it''s no big deal because it''s not his problem,'' I remarked inwardly. Anyway, I now had one more thing to worry about. *** As we left Kim Soo-Myung''s clinic, Haru let out a sigh of relief. It seemed he was inwardly concerned about his height. "That''s a relief, right?" I asked Haru with a smile. "It really is, hyung." With Haru looking a bit cheerier, I decided to head to Cheonho-dong on a whim. I thought it would be good to tell Yoo-Jin that I was nning to move nearby. So I stopped by her ce before going to the real estate agency. Jung In-Ji, thendlord, greeted us warmly. "My, my. What a handsome young man," Jung In-Ji remarked. Haru shyly bowed his head with an embarrassed expression. At times like this, I really wished I could transfer half of Sae-Ri''s confidence to him. I updated thendlord on our ns. "Ma''am, we''re nning to move around here soon." "That''s great. Really great! This neighborhood is a nice ce to live," thendlord responded with a huge grin on her face. Yoo-Jin made us some tea and asked with an excited expression, "When are you moving?" "Well, I haven''t even visited the real estate agency yet. So I haven''t set a schedule, but I came to report to my actress first," I replied in a yful tone. Yoo-Jin smiled as if she was pleased with the answer. "I like that response." Yoo-Jin rated the response 99 out of 100. Then Miso started tugging at my pants. "What''s up, Miso?" "Uncle Yoon-Ho, can''t you move into the rooftop room above ours?" "The apartment above? The rooftop room?" Miso nodded. "Yes, the one above us." Yoo-Jin''s house had a rooftop room in their three-story building. Though it was called a rooftop room, it was quite spacious with two rooms and even a yard for a deck. It was built by thete husband of Yoo-Jin''sndlord who dreamed of three generations, from his son to his grandson, living together. However, the third floor was currently almost abandoned and used as a storage space. "If Uncle Yoon-Ho moves in, we can y every day," Miso added. As Miso blinked her big eyes pleadingly, Yoo-Jin stepped in. "Miso, no. That rooftop room hasn''t been used for so long and..." At that moment, thendlord intervened. "Well, it''s just a bit run-down. We can call someone to fix it up quickly, and I can take care of Haru''s meals when Assistant Manager Jung isn''t around. That would be nice." Hearing Jung In-Ji''s words, both Yoo-Jin and Miso looked at me with eager eyes. I was about to ask if Haru would be ufortable, but there was no need to worry. Haru had already befriended Miso and was standing next to her. Both of them were looking up at me, like a pair of cats in boots staring at me. "Would you be okay living here, hyung?" Haru asked. ''Yeah, it''s fine. It''s 100% fine,'' I thought to myself. I felt myself being drawn into Haru''s eyes. They used to say that Haru had "mysterious charms" and I used tough at such odd terms, but it really did feel like I was being sucked in by his gaze. "Then I''ll get permission from thepany first," I replied. When I exined the situation over the phone, thepany responded positively and even offered to cover the interior design expenses. Thanks to this, it was settled that we''d rent the third floor of the house in Cheonho-dong where Yoo-Jin lived. "Okay. I got thepany''s permission," I updated everyone. The moment I hung up the phone, Miso raised the hand she was holding with Haru high into the air. "Hooray!" Seeing their joyous cheer, I left Haru in the care of thendlord. "Ma''am, could you please take care of Haru just for today?" "Is there something you need to do?" "Yes, I''m a bit busy today." Now, it was time to execute the n to recruit top star Park Eun-Sung which I had previously discussed with Kang Ji-Yung. Tonight, Park Eun-Sung would be abducted by thugs sent by a new entertainmentpany called Kanghan Entertainment. Kanghan Entertainment had acquired Park Eun-Sung''s agency, Blue Entertainment, hoping to have him on board. However, Park Eun-Sung had refused to renew his contract with them. After being abducted, Park Eun-Sung ended up signing a five-year contract under duress for some reason. This incident never made it to the news and was covered up. However, Park Eun-Sung wouldter on transfer to Top Entertainment and reveal this ordeal to me, including the exact location and time of his capture. *** Thump, thump, thump. In a back alley of Jamsil, Park Eun-Sung was darting through the alleyways and gasping for breath. "Huff, huff, huff. Damn it." Park Eun-Sun had run away without thinking when he saw the talent agent he had been with for three years whispering with some thuggish-looking men. He knew he had been under surveincetely but hadn''t taken it seriously as he never imagined that they would darey a finger on a top star like him. He had also never expected his own agency to be involved in something like that. However, he was greatly mistaken. Park Eun-Sung twisted and turned through the dimly lit alleyways, making his way toward the main street. There were studio apartments around, but he couldn''t yell for help. After all, his reputation would be ruined if a photo of him being chased by gangsters got out. To make matters worse, he couldn''t call the police because he had dropped his phone. The only good thing was that he was familiar with the area, having lived here as a child. Desperately gasping for air, Park Eun-Sung turned into thest alleyway. ''Just 50 m more to the main street,'' he thought to himself. At that moment, he saw a man in a suit blocking the way to the main street. "Huff! Just a moment! Just let me see the boss! Why do you have to run so fast?" The man in the suit was about 30 m away, blocking the path. The only unblocked paths were the alleyway he came from and the one to his left which looped around. But then another man in a suit appeared in the alleyway he hade from. "Looks like there''s some misunderstanding. Let''s just talk this out," said Park Eun-Sung as he struggled to catch his breath. The only clear path now was the left alleyway. It was a road big enough for cars, but it looped around too much to quickly reach the main road. He felt like giving up as his legs started to wobble. At that moment, a Merciless Bends stopped in front of Park Eun-Sung and the passenger door swung open. Screech! "Hurry, get in!" "You are..." Park Eun-Sung asked with his voice trailing off. "We can talkter. But first, we need to shake those guys off! Quick!" Park Eun-Sung quickly jumped into the Merciless Bends, leaving the shouts of the thugs behind him. *** Park Eun-Sung and I had exchanged greetings before while filming The Morning Takes Off, so we were already acquainted. We were on good terms as he had taken a memorable p from Yoo-Jin and came to greet us after the shoot. "Huff, huff. How...how did youe to be here, Assistant Manager Jung?" I casually lied that I was on my way home, which wasn''t entirely false since my one-room apartment was in Jamsil. "I was heading home when I saw someone being chased by thugs. But what''s going on here?" "Ah, that... l-let''s talk about itter." Park Eun-Sung leaned back in his seat with a troubled expression. "Here, have some water first," I said as I handed him a bottle of water I had prepared. The visibly shaken Park Eun-Sung took the bottle and gulped it down in one go. After finally calming down, Park Eun-Sung began to take a look around and asked, "Where are we heading right now?" His voice was tense, perhaps due to the near-abduction experience. "I don''t know your situation well, but it seems it''s not safe for you to go home now. Why don''t you spend the night at a hotel?" "Then please take me to Rich Hotel. That''s where I usually..." "That''s not a good idea," I interrupted. "Excuse me?" "Your movements are probably known to those guys. Let''s go to the Intercontinental Hotel instead." Park Eun-Sung nodded in agreement. "That makes sense." "Just rx and think of me as your talent agent for today. Leave it to me." "Sigh. Alright. I''ll be in your debt then." Leaning back into his seat, the evidently exhausted Park Eun-Sung soon started snoring. "He must be really tired," I muttered under my breath. Persuading him would be a challenge. While Kanghan Entertainment was certainly a concern, they were still manageable at this early stage of their operations. The real issue was with Park Eun-Sung himself, because his personality had one fatal w. Chapter 161: Park Eun-Sung (1)

Chapter 161: Park Eun-Sung (1)

After losing Park Eun-Sung, the two thugs ended up gasping for air and looking helplessly at each other. "Hey, Myung-Hoon. It looks like we lost him. What do we do now?" "What do you mean what do we do? We''re totally screwed. Let''s report back first." "Damn it. We''re going to get it big time." A year ago, Choi Kang-Han, the leader of Kanghan Inc. which dominated the area around Ansan and Gyeonggi Province, liquidated all his assets. However, he managed to retain some major nightclubs in the metropolitan area and across South Chungcheong Province centered around Daejeon. Dering his intention to wash his hands off illegal activities, Choi Kang-Han used the funds from winding up his previous business to establish Kanghan Entertainment. The newly formed Kanghan Entertainment then used its substantial cash reserves to acquire undervalued small entertainmentpanies. Among these was Blue Entertainment, to which the famous actor Park Eun-Sung was signed. But as Park Eun-Sung, the prized asset of Blue Entertainment, kept dying his re-signing, coercive measures were employed. That''s where things started to go wrong. They had intended to scare him a little, but they didn''t expect the quick-witted Park Eun-Sung to flee. The two former gangsters, now novices in the strange profession of talent agents, were flustered by the unexpected setback. "B-but the punishment should be better than before, right? We''re no longer part of an underground organization but a legitimatepany. So we''ll probably just get hit a few times." "Let''s make the call first," said the thug named Kim Myung-Hoon who then picked up the phone. "Yes, yes. Boss. We lost him...No, I mean, we havemitted a grave sin!" Kim Myung-Hoon couldn''t even finish speaking and bowed deeply. It was a mistake to have reassured themselves that things had changed. "Yes, yes! We''ll definitely find him and bring him in." Kim Myung-Hoon''s face turned pale after hanging up the call. "H-hey, what''s wrong? You''re making me nervous," stuttered the other thug named Park Sung-Jong. Kim Myung-Hoon replied in a trembling voice, "If we don''t bring him in, they said they''ll bash our heads in and throw us into the sea." "B-b-but aren''t we not gangsters anymore?" "It seems this is an exception." Both of them were losing color in their faces. "Let''s go back and grab that guy''s talent agent first and ask him." "Yeah, let''s do that." Changing their target, the two headed to the cafe where Lee Yung-Cheol, Park Eun-Sung''s talent agent and the former president of his agency, was waiting. They had to find Park Eun-Sung tonight at any cost and bring him to thepany as their own lives were at stake. *** Having rescued Park Eun-Sung from a near-abduction, I arrived at the Intercontinental Hotel''s underground parking lot. I immediately got out of the car and called Jung Soo-Hyuk, the Finance Director. To recruit Park Eun-Sung, we needed assistance from Kang Gam-Chan''s Information Team. -What''s the matter at this hour? Don''t tell me you already have a favor to ask? When I exined what had happened to Park Eun-Sung, Jung Soo-Hyuk asked in surprise for my current location. -Where are you right now? "I''m at the Intercontinental Hotel." -The Intercontinental Hotel? Then I''ll call Manager Choi Han-Song. And contact me once you''re in your room, I''ll need to send a bodyguard. "Thank you. We won''t let the caught fish slip away with this." -Don''t becent and make sure to finish this. It''s not umon to lose hold of what''s half-caught. "I''ll keep that in mind." After hanging up, Manager Choi Han-Song, informed by Jung Soo-Hyuk, contacted me shortly after. We could enter the suite without unnecessary exposure thanks to his guidance. Click! As soon as the door closed, Park Eun-Sung slumped onto the sofa. "Sigh...thank goodness." I called Jung Soo-Hyuk again to inform him that we were in Suite 1217. With the security guards on their way, my task was to proceed with the operation to recruit Park Eun-Sung. Seated across Park Eun-Sung, I poured some of the wee wine into a ss and handed it to him, along with some Emmental and Camembert cheese as appetizers. "Here. Have some snacks with it," I said. Though the wee wine might not fully satisfy a wine aficionado like him, he still drank it, perhaps due to the ordeal of the chase. When Park Eun-Sung was slightly tipsy, I asked him what had happened. "Well..." He started to tell me about how his agency tried to abduct him because he refused to re-sign the contract with them. Although I was already aware of the situation, I acted as if I was hearing it for the first time and offered sympathetic responses. "It''s a relief you weren''t hurt." "Yes. I never expected them to go this far." "Just rx and take it easy for today, Mr. Eun-Sung." At that moment, Park Eun-Sung nced at me hesitantly and then began to speak. "Um...given how things have turned out, a thought urred to me about moving to Hoop Entertainment... " "To ourpany?" "I don''t really have a choice since my currentpany was bought out by gangsters. I''m not asking for special treatment or anything. Maybe just a bit more than what I''m getting now." The tipsy Park Eun-Sung mentioned the idea as if it was an inconvenience he was passing on to me. This was Park Eun-Sung''s biggest w. He was impressionable and impulsive. He also had a bad habit of shirking responsibility and making excuses. If the gangster talent agents from Kanghan Entertainment were to threaten him again, it was clear he might flip sides once more. I needed to make Park Eun-Sung more desperate to prevent this from happening. After all, the one who was more desperate was often the one who lost in any game or contest. I poured Park Eun-Sung another drink as he leaned backfortably on the sofa. "I understand what you mean, but I didn''t save you with the intention to recruit you." When I cut off his request abruptly, Park Eun-Sung stumbled over his words with a perplexed expression. "Th-then why did you save me? Just out of goodwill with no reason at all?" "Yes. Helping someone in trouble just seems like the right thing to do, doesn''t it?" I responded. The flustered Park Eun-Sung burst out in frustration. "Ah, geez! How embarrassing! I thought you were interested in recruiting me! This isn''t funny at all!" He was acting like a child. Of course, this level of impulsive behavior was nothing but a minor quirk. In this line of work, it wasmon to encounter people who resorted to violence when things didn''t go their way. Park Eun-Sung, who had been pampered as a top star for so long, had very little patience. "Also, the security guards are just temporary. You should contact a security firm tomorrow and arrange for personal bodyguards." Only then did Park Eun-Sung start to grasp his situation. He realized he was merely a target for abduction by his agency to force a contract renewal. The previously assertive Park Eun-Sung began to show his vulnerability and sneaked nces at me. "Um, alright. Then can we discuss my agency transfer now and..." Ding dong. That''s when four bodyguards sent by Jung Soo-Hyuk arrived with perfect timing. I ignored Park Eun-Sung''s words on purpose and weed the bodyguards. After showing their faces, two of them left after indicating that they would alternate every 12 hours. With the bodyguards positioned at the entrance and the living room, Iid down on the sofa without further conversation with Park Eun-Sung. "I''ve been working all day and am quite tired. I''ll sleep on the sofa. You should get some rest too, Mr. Eun-Sung. We can talk more tomorrow," I said as I reached for a thin nket. I finished my sentence and covered myself head to toe with a thin nket I had prepared in advance. "But..." Park Eun-Sung seemed to want to say more, but I had no intention of listening. To sessfully close the deal, it was crucial to make it clear to Park Eun-Sung who was in a more desperate position. Park Eun-Sung might have been able to guess my intentions under normal conditions. But with the excitement yet to wear off and the alcohol in his system, making a sound judgment was unlikely. After all, I hadn''t offered him wine for no reason. In the end, Park Eun-Sung couldn''t say anything further and headed to the bed with slumped shoulders. Click. Sleepiness began to creep in as the lights went off. *** In the headquarters of Kanghan Entertainment located on the top-floor executive office of a 15-story building in Apgujeong, a stout man looked down at three men kneeling before him. No longer referred to as chairman but as president, this man was Choi Kang-Han who had once managed the nightlife around Ansan and Gyeonggi Province. "Please spare us, Mr. Choi!" "Please have mercy, hyung-nim!" The two employees who had been following Park Eun-Sung and Lee Yung-Cheol, the president of Park Eun-Sung''s former agency Blue Entertainment, sped their hands together and pleaded desperately. A deep smile began to form on Choi Kang-Han''s face as he observed them. "You want me to spare your lives?" The two thugs fell t to the ground in terror. "Please, Boss!!" At the mention of boss, Choi Kang-Han burst out in anger. "Why are you still calling me boss? Do you think I''m still a gangster?" At that moment, Lee Yung-Cheol quickly corrected his address. "Mr. President, please forgive us!" "Well, at least you''re educated. You react quickly. But that aside..." Choi Kang-Han nced at a young man by his side and smiled. "Eun-Gi. Even though we''ve transitioned to legitimate business, we still need to enforce strict discipline, don''t you think?" Kang Eun-Gi, once number three in line in the Kang-Han Inc, nodded. Choi Kang-Han instructed, "Handle them appropriately. Make sure not to kill them." Kang Eun-Gi nodded. "Yes, sir." As a menacing aura appeared on Kang Eun-Gi''s face, the three men turned pale with fear. Despite being only 27, Kang Eun-Gi''s decisive actions had once dominated the streets of Ansan at night. Despite his handsome appearance, Kang Eun-Gi, who stood at 185 cm with a robust build, was known for his terrifying nature. This left the three trembling and unsure of what to do. Click. Kang Eun-Gi pulled out a pair of pliers from his coat and approached the three. The head of the plier with its red handle was stained with dried blood, creating a patchy pattern. Lee Yung-Cheol turned pale as a ghost and waved his hands frantically. "D-Director Kang! Wait just a moment Wait!" "Don''t make me soft-hearted and just open your mouth. I''ll only pull out one since it''s your first time," Kang Eun-Gi said with a smirk. Kang Eun-Gi let out a sinisterugh as he grabbed Lee Yung-Cheol by the throat with one hand. In a frantic struggle, Lee Yung-Cheol desperately rubbed his hands together and shouted. "No, please! Director Kang! Don''t do this! Uff!" Kang Eun-Gi chuckled as Lee Yung-Cheol clenched his mouth shut. "Just open up if you don''t want your tongue pulled out as well." Lee Yung-Cheol hastily shook his head while keeping his mouth shut. "You''re really making things difficult." Just as Kang Eun-Gi was about to force his mouth open, Choi Kang-Han burst into heartyughter. "Are you still carrying that around? You''re always so grim. Remember, we''re not gangsters anymore. Put it away!" Kang Eun-Gi reluctantly slipped the pliers back into his pocket. He had only intended to scare them, after all. Sure enough, Lee Yung-Cheol''s pants slowly began to stain with urine. "Let''s be professional, Mr. Lee. It''s ufortable for me too, to do this to someone of your age," Kang Eun-Gi said. "Yes, yes. Of course. Director Kang, I understand youpletely. It''s all my fault and it won''t happen again!" "Alright. I''ll give you another chance." "Th-thank you." Kang Eun-Gi released Lee Yung-Cheol''s neck with a coldugh. "Don''t thank me just yet. If you don''t bring Park Eun-Sung tomorrow, this will be you." "Huh?" At that moment, Kang Eun-Gi suddenly kicked one of the kneeling thugs. Thud! A thug, likely over 190cm tall, foamed at the mouth and copsed from a single kick by Kang Eun-Gi. Kang Eun-Gi thennded a punch straight into the face of another thug beside him. Whack! With a clean straight punch, the thug fainted while still on his knees. When Kang Eun-Gi wiped his bloodied hand with a smirk, Lee Yung-Cheol started to tremble uncontrobly as he regretted the hasty decision to sell his shares for several times their worth. "Let''s not embarrass each other and just do our jobs properly, shall we?" Kang Eun-Gi said in a menacing tone. "Yes, yes. I understand, Director Kang!" Lee Yung-Cheol replied with his head bowed. Lee Yung-Cheol was now using honorifics for someone 20 years younger than him. "You may leave," Kang Eun-Gi ordered. Lee Yung-Cheol left the president''s office as fast as he could. Then Choi Kang-Han shook his head as he looked at the two men copsed on the floor. "There''s no one useful. Just no one." "I''m sorry, sir," Kang Eun-Gi said. "What are you apologizing for? Anyway, find out who took Park Eun-Sung. We need to at least know who blindsided us, right?" "Understood, sir." Choi Kang-Han smiled contentedly as he watched Kang Eun-Gi bow his head. "You''ve really mellowed out. I was worried you might pull out a healthy tooth again." Kang Eun-Gi offered a bitter smile. The reason for pulling out a perfectly healthy person''s tooth with pliers is simple: to instill fear and pain. Coming from an orphanage and being a third-rate thug, he chose pliers as his tool to stand out and catch the boss, Choi Kang-Han''s, attention. Back then, he believed that a notorious thug needed a symbolic nickname. Indeed, he was called Plier hyung-nim by his underlings and rival gangs. "Now that you have moved into legitimate business, I should also try to shed more of my gangster ways. I apologize." said Kang Eun-Gi as he looked at Choi Kang-Han. Choi Kang-Han smiled warmly as Kang Eun-Gi faltered. "Tsk. If only the others thought like you. They just can''t seem to let go of their thug mentality..." Turning his head, Choi Kang-Han continued to speak to Kang Eun-Gi. "As you know, we don''t have much time. We need to acquire as manypanies and actors as possible. The sooner we establish our position, the further we get from the prosecutor''s radar. Don''t forget that." "Yes, sir." A strange gleam shed in Kang Eun-Gi''s eyes as he bowed and stepped out of the office. Chapter 162: Park Eun-Sung (2)

Chapter 162: Park Eun-Sung (2)

The next morning after sleeping at the hotel, Park Eun-Sung followed me to my ce because he felt uneasy about going back alone and eventually gave in. "I have to head over to the site now. I hope your agency''s re-signing issue gets resolved well. See you next time," I said while getting ready to leave the apartment. The moment I showed him out, Park Eun-Sung grabbed my arm. "Wait, just a moment. Just a moment! Don''t do this and let''s talk!" He was finally starting toe around as he had a schedule to attend today and there was no one to rely on. Among those who became celebrities at a young age, there were those so socially awkward they couldn''t even take the subway alone or buy something in a store. And Park Eun-Sung was exactly that type. Having been cared for by his mother when he was young and by his talent agent when he was older, it was only natural that he felt utterly lost when left to his own devices. But here, I had to push him away one more time. I replied politely, "The people chasing after you yesterday looked like gangsters to me. I''d rather not get further involved in such matters, Mr. Park Eun-Sung." Park Eun-Sung eximed, "Assistant Manager Jung! I want to sign a contract with you. Whatever the conditions are, I''ll agree to them. I''m not the type to ask for such favors, but please. Consider it saving a life and help me out!" The pride of a top star waspletely broken. Now was the time to ept his plea. If I were to hurt his pride any further, he might just leave and let things fall where they may. "Are you sure about this?" I asked. Park Eun-Sung nodded. "Of course." "I hope you won''t change your mind." "Never! I will never change my mind. I''ll even sign a document stating I insisted on this contract if you want. Please... just get me out of Blue Entertainment!" It was a sess. With a reluctant expression, I gave the instructions I had already nned in advance. "Alright. Then let''s cancel all of your schedules today." "Cancel them all?" Park Eun-Sung had never canceled his schedule even once ever since his debut. He was understandably taken aback by how the first request from the newpany he was about to sign with was to cancel all his schedules. "Oh, that''s a bit...I mean, there''s a contract at stake..." Park Eun-Sung stuttered. "You agreed to listen to everything I say, didn''t you?" I replied. "But, but what about the penalty for breach of contract?" "I will take care of that issue cleanly." After a moment of hesitation, Park Eun-Sung finally nodded as he had no one else to trust but Hoop Entertainment now. I reassured Park Eun-Sung and immediately called thepany. It was time to reel in the big fish. *** [(Breaking News) Popr star Park Eun-Sung attacked by thugs!] [(Exclusive) Park Eun-Sung admitted to Kangbuk Samsung Hospital! Currently unconscious!] While selecting a new drama for Woo Sung-Chan, a rookie actor in Actor Division 3, Kim Dong-Soo saw the entertainment news sh and burst intoughter. "There''s never a dull moment in this industry, huh?" Ju Ho-Sung, who was seated next to Kim Dong-Soo, chuckled and nodded. "Never. But isn''t that what makes this job interesting?" At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo received a call from Nal-Sae whom he had sent to dig up information on Jung Yoon-Ho. Kim Dong-Soo quickly answered the call. "Did you find something?" -That guy was once scouted by a gang called Kanghan Inc. back in his high school days. "Are you sure?" -I''ll send you a photo, take a look. A photo was sent to Kim Dong-Soo''s phone. In the photo, the frowning Jung Yoon-Ho was seen among many other gangsters in a barbeque restaurant. -It''s a photo from Kanghan Inc.''s bonding event. You can see Jung Yoon-Ho on the right side, see? "Is this supposed to be proof of membership?" -No, it was his acquaintance who joined, not him. Knowing Jung Yoon-Ho was from an orphanage, Kim Dong-Soo thought he must have caused trouble at some point. And if any misdeeds were uncovered, he nned to use them as a pretext to fire him. However, reports from Nal-Sae indicated that Jung Yoon-Ho was an elite athlete who dreamt of being a national representative and led a dull life focused solely on sports. He even ran out after just taking a photo at a dinner with a subsidiary organization of gangsters. "Then why did you send this photo? You wouldn''t have sent it without a reason, right?" Nal-Sae''sughter could be heard over the phone. -The guy right next to Jung Yoon-Ho in the photo is Kang Eun-Gi. They grew up in the same orphanage as brothers. But this guy is currently a director at a newpany called Kanghan Entertainment. "Kanghan Entertainment?" -Yes. You know Park Eun-Sung from the news today, right? "Of course I do." -He was with Blue Entertainment, apany that was acquired by Kanghan Entertainment. Kang Eun-Gi is a director there. "So what? Are you suggesting that I should be good to him just because his friend is a director at an entertainmentpany? Huh?" -Come on. Do you think I called just for that? "Then?" -The two were almost like brothers, but now they''ve be enemies to the point of not seeing each other''s faces. That''s when a spark of interest shed across Kim Dong-Soo''s face. Many questions ran through Kim Dong-Soo''s mind. ''The rtionship between two people who were like brothers has soured? Why?'' Kim Dong-Soo thought there might be an opportunity to uncover information amidst the fallout between the two who used to be intimately acquainted with each other''s secrets, particrly given Kang Eun-Gi''s position as a director at Kanghan Entertainment. He thought he could leverage this opportunity to obtain information about Jung Yoon-Ho. The excited Kim Dong-Soo asked Nal-Sae, "Do you know why the two fell out?" -I haven''t dug that far. But with Kang Eun-Gi, maybe you can find out something nobody else knows about Jung Yoon-Ho. "Okay. Then I''ll meet with Kang Eun-Gi myself. Send me his profile first." -I''ve already sent it by email. Check it out. "Alright." As soon as he hung up, Kim Dong-Soo checked the email Nal-Sae had sent. Kim Dong-Soo couldn''t help but exim in amazement at the information about Kang Eun-Gi. "Wow, this guy is no joke. What a formidable career." That''s when the door burst open and Kang Myung-Gil rushed in. "M-Mr. Kim! Actor Park Eun-Sung is transferring to Actor Division 2 in ourpany!" Angered by the series of bad news, Kim Dong-Soo shouted angrily, "What kind of nonsense is that now? Didn''t the news just report he''s in the hospital?" "It''s true. And to protest this matter, President Lee Yung-Cheol from Blue Entertainment and Director Kang Eun-Gi from Kanghan Entertainment are here at ourpany," Kang Myung-Gil replied while trying to catch his breath. "Director Kang Eun-Gi?" "Yes." The opportunity had rolled right to Kim Dong-Soo. He did not expect Kang Eun-Gi to show up at thepany. After a brief pause, Kim Dong-Soo said, "Team Lead Ju. I''ll be back in a bit." "Where are you going?" Kang Myung-Gil asked. "To see Kang Eun-Gi!" Kim Dong-Soo eximed as he hurriedly opened the door and dashed out. *** In the meeting room of Actor Division 2, Lee Yung-Cheol of Blue Entertainment and Kang Eun-Gi of Kanghan Entertainment were looking at us across the table. Lee Yung-Cheol was wearingrge sunsses, but there were still some visible bruises on his face. I figured those bruises were probably made by Kang Eun-Gi. ''It''s been a while. Kang Eun-Gi,'' I thought to myself. Kang Eun-Gi and I were the same age and grew up like brothers in the orphanage. He was left at the orphanage at the age of ten by his mother who became a shaman after receiving a divine calling. Supposedly, living under his mother would have brought harm or something. We ended up sharing a room since we were the same age and we got into fights from the very first day. We fought because I told him to think about how to live his life from that day on since there was nothing that could be done about being abandoned. Of course, I easily dodged his punches and made hime to his senses. About a year into our life at the orphanage, he had adapted well and became my best friend, colleague, and brother. He even risked his life to save me when I fell into the water during a summer trip to a stream for a swim. From that day on, we became sworn brothers and got along like a real family together with Lee Yeon-Sil, another kid three years younger than us who always followed us around. But everything changed after we got into high school. As I started to pursue boxing seriously and aimed for the national team, I had to distance myself from Kang Eun-Gi because hanging out with him who mingled with thugs would have made me fall out of favor with my coach. Around the time we were about to graduate from high school, I was frustrated by my thwarted dream of bing a national representative. As a result, Kang Eun-Gi invited me to a barbecue ce to cheer me up. The barbecue ce turned out to be an office of a gang in Ansan, where I was scouted by a mid-level boss of the Kanghan Inc. I snapped to my senses and apologized before leaving the ce immediately. Kang Eun-Gi who followed me out, grabbed me and said, -Yoon-Ho, our lives are no different from that of a ragged beggar''s. No matter how much I think, I see no other way to climb up but this path. Let''s do it together. If you and I join forces, we can make it to the top ranks. Let''s live a bit morefortably, shall we?" But I turned my back on Kang Eun-Gi and left. As soon as I graduated from high school, I headed to Seoul. It was time to leave the orphanage anyway, and I felt that staying there would eventually drag me into that world. Kang Eun-Gi visited me asionally after that and even stayed over at my dormitory. On the surface, our friendship remained unchanged, but I no longer considered him a friend after that day five years ago. Yet it seemed Kang Eun-Gi still thought of me as a friend. "It''s been a long time, Yoon-Ho." Kang Eun-Gi greeted me. Our group was puzzled and surprised when Kang Eun-Gi greeted me. "Team Lead Jung. Do you know Mr. Kang?" Gu Seong-Cheol asked. It was Kang Eun-Gi who answered Gu Seong-Cheol''s question instead of me. "We''ve been close since we were kids," Kang Eun-Gi replied. But I immediately countered Kang Eun-Gi''s words. "We''re not friends. I''d rather not see him if possible." "Look at you get all prickly and stuff. But I didn''t know you were involved in this until I came. I wouldn''t havee here like this if I had known," Kang Eun-Gi replied. "What do you mean I''m involved?" I asked. "Why are you ying dumb? The Merciless Bends that day. That was you," Kang Eun-Gi retorted. I feigned ignorance. "I don''t know what you''re talking about." Kang Eun-Gi sighed deeply. "I understand that you want Park Eun-Sung in yourpany. But it''s not honorable to poach such a prized asset like that, is it?" ''A thug, and not just any thug but one who rose to be a close aide to a gang leader in Gyeonggi, talking about honor. What kind of world am I living in?'' I remarked inwardly. "Anyway, I don''t want to fight with you, Yoon-Ho. So back off now. I''ll make sure you''re wellpensated," Kang Eun-Gi added. But that wasn''t an option. At my signal, Gu Seong-Cheol handed over a document. "Before you talk about honor orpensation, please take a look at this." [Request for Termination of Exclusive Contract] Kang Eun-Gi''s eyes widened as he saw the document, and Gu Seong-Cheol began to reveal information we had dug up. Through a private security camera, it was revealed that those who followed Park Eun-Sung were employees of Kanghan Entertainment. Our information team also found evidence that Kanghan Entertainment owned shares in Blue Entertainment. The photos of the men who had followed Park Eun-Sung were also part of the evidence. With each piece of evidence presented, Lee Yung-Cheol of Blue Entertainment shouted, "This, this is a fraud! It''s a breach of contract!" "Is that so? Do you think such excuses will work even if it''s revealed that Kanghan Entertainment and Blue Entertainment were behind the attempted abduction of Park Eun-Sung?" Gu Seong-Cheol questioned. Lee Yung-Cheol was left speechless. Kwak Moo-Hyuk presented another document and said, "Mr. Park Eun-Sung has expressed his intention to sue all rted parties if Blue Entertainment does notply with the termination of his contract. Thewsuit is right here." Kang Eun-Gi sighed and turned to Lee Yung-Cheol. "President Lee. Is this document legitimate?" "Ah, that''s...well..." Lee Yung-Cheol stuttered, unable to give a reply. "Judging by how you can''t give a clear answer, I guess I know enough. Please see yourself out first," Kang Eun-Gi replied coldly. "W-wait, Mr. Kang! Let me talk about this before..." Lee Yung-Seok pleaded. Barely able to contain his anger, Kang Eun-Gi replied, "There''s no need to. It''s all over. Go back to the office and wait. We''ll talkter." Kang Eun-Gi''s eyes shed like those of a wolf. The twitching of the scar above his right eyebrow indicated he was extremely angry. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Kang Eun-Gi spoke again. "Let''s not drag this out and make it messy. Let''s wrap it up cleanly." "What do you propose?" I asked. "We''ll hand over Park Eun-Sung. But in return, take down all the articles by tomorrow. And make sure ourpany''s name is never mentioned again," Kang Eun-Gi replied. As expected, Kang Eun-Gi and Kanghan Entertainment were extremely wary of media exposure. Only a few people knew that Kanghan Entertainment was apany founded on the backbone of a major organized crime group. Having been established tounder the dirty money of Kanghan Inc., its parent organization, Kanghan Entertainment needed to avoid media attention. Knowing this, I had deliberately left room for negotiation by publishing the articles by not informing the reporters that the newly established Kanghan Entertainment was behind this incident. "Understood. As a gesture of goodwill for stepping back gracefully, we''ll transfer the profits corresponding to the remaining three months of the contract period to yourpany. We''ll send over the documents, so please have yourwyer review them and get back to us." I replied. Kang Eun-Gi nodded. "Okay. Let''s do that." Then, he turned to those around him and said, "Could everyone please leave the room? I need to have a word with my friend." There was a moment of murmuring, but no one left. At that moment, Kang Eun-Gi frowned and said sharply, "Take the hint and leave. Otherwise, forget about the contract and I''ll turn everything upside down." The atmosphere began to tense up at Kang Eun-Gi''s sudden outburst. Chapter 163: Kang Eun-Gi

Chapter 163: Kang Eun-Gi

In the meeting room of Hoop Entertainment, Kang Eun-Gi wanted to talk to me alone and blurted out some harsh words after failing to take Park Eun-Sung with him. Because of this reason, the atmosphere in the meeting room became tense. Others might not have known, but this was the real Kang Eun-Gi. He might appear as a neat office worker on the outside, but in reality, he was a short-tempered and ruthless gangster who was used to pulling people''s teeth out with pliers and handling things his own way. The enraged Kang Eun-Gi was now dealing with the situation in his usual manner. Kang Eun-Gi''s rude behavior nearly led to a fight. Fearing the situation might worsen, I quickly intervened. "Mr. Gu, it seems like he wants to talk to me privately. Please go ahead first and I''ll meet you outsideter. We wouldn''t want Mr. Park Eun-Sung''s contract issue to get tangled up in this." Gu Seong-Cheol looked at me while barely containing his anger. "Will you be okay on your own?" "Of course. Don''t worry," I assured him. "Alright. I''ll be outside." Gu Seong-Cheol red at Kang Eun-Gi for a moment before leaving with the others. Now alone in the room, Kang Eun-Gi rxed his expression and pulled out a vape. "This is a non-smoking area," I said with a frown. "Cut me some ck, will you? It''s a vape. It doesn''t smell at all," Kang Eun-Gi replied in an irritated tone. "Still not allowed," I insisted. Kang Eun-Gi grumbled and put the vape back in his pocket. Then he said, "I used to think our world was brutal, but this field is just as cutthroat. Park Eun-Sung could easily rake in 5 billion won within a year. And you''re just gonna swallow that up alone?" "That''s all you have to say after creating such amotion and tense atmosphere? If you''re done, you can leave," I replied. Kang Eun-Gi chuckled at my blunt attitude. "I gave in this time, so it''s your turn to back off next time." Kang Eun-Gi was trying to imply that we should give up the next time there was any dispute over signing an entertainer. "And if I don''t?" I challenged him. Kang Eun-Gi let out a threat, "Do you not realize I''ve been lenient with you all along because we''re friends? Do you want me to handle it the Kanghan Inc. way instead? Getting your hands dirty won''t do you any good either." "I thought you washed your hands off gangster life?" I asked. "I did. I''m a decent office worker now. But still. Habits die hard, don''t they, friend?" Kang Eun-Gi replied with a sly smile. I couldn''t help but smirk at Kang Eun-Gi. "Were we ever friends? After what you did five years ago? A friend who stabs you in the back, what kind of damned friend is that?" That''s when Kang Eun-Gi''s expression started to harden. The moment I mentioned that fateful day five years ago when we parted ways, Kang Eun-Gi''s expression twisted. After all, he had always thought I was unaware of that day''s events. In the fall of 2014, a girl confessed her feelings to me for the first time in my life. -Oppa, I''m serious about this. Let''s date. I''ll be good to you. It was Lee Yeon-Sil from the same orphanage who used to follow me around. She used to yfully talk about marrying me since we were kids, but she was serious about it that day. She wanted me to see her as a woman, not a sister. But at that time, I couldn''t reciprocate her feelings because I was struggling just to make ends meet. I exined that I was grateful and ttered but I couldn''t afford to date anyone. Having left the orphanage, living day by day in a goshiwon was hard enough without the added burden of a rtionship. Life was too hard to even consider romance. Yet Lee Yeon-Sil said with a bitter smile that she would wait for me, hoping my feelings would change. But in the summer of 2015, before even a year had passed, Kang Eun-Gi made a fortune through his gang activities and won over Lee Yeon-Sil with his persistent courtship as I tried to stand on my own feet juggling various jobs. And in the end, she became Kang Eun-Gi''s woman. Losing Lee Yeon-Sil was painful enough, but what truly hurt me was being betrayed by Kang Eun-Gi, a friend and brother to me. I would have understood if he had simply told me he liked Lee Yeon-Sil. Instead, Kang Eun-Gi tore apart what Lee Yeon-Sil and I had with a lie, iming I was involved with another woman. Considering how it had been 15 years, this memory had almost faded. However, the scar of losing my only friend remained. "Yes, I know what happened...so let''s just not see each other anymore and go our separate ways," I replied in a low tone. Kang Eun-Gi erased the perplexed expression on his face, stared straight at me, and said, "That''s going to be difficult." "What do you mean it''s going to be difficult?" I questioned. "Yeon-Sil and I are getting married in two months. I''ll send you an invitation, so you muste. Even if you don''t want to see me, you should at least see Yeon-Sil." I was about to refuse, but Kang Eun-Gi added, "Also, my boss wanted to bring you in but I stopped him. You owe me one, so at least show your face at the wedding." Kang Eun-Gi headed toward the door after finishing his piece. ''Debt, huh.'' I thought to myself. I was reminded that there was indeed a real debt I owed him. Though he betrayed me, the fact that he saved my life at the creek remained unchanged. Because of this reason, I decided to warn him about his future. "Hey, Kang Eun-Gi." Kang Eun-Gi stopped and turned around. "What?" "You better straighten out your gang life. If not, you''ll be in big trouble within three months, man." "Wh-what are you talking about?" "You know they call me the Fortune Teller Star Jung in the industry, right? I see you running into big trouble in three months." In a month''s time, Kang Eun-Gi would be killed in a revenge attack due to grievances from his gangster days. Back then, I saw Lee Yeon-Sil wearing a ck suit crying at the funeral filled with burly men with buzz cuts from a distance, and I left without saying anything. I gave him a hint about the future event, but Kang Eun-Gi fumed and shouted with a frown, "You bastard. Don''t you know I hate that kind of talk?" Kang Eun-Gi had always resented his shaman mother for abandoning him after receiving her spiritual calling, and that was why he particrly detested conversations of this nature. Kang Eun-Gi wore an uneasy expression and red at me for a while, then roughly opened the door and left. Bang! "He''s really got a temper. He''s going to break the door," I muttered to myself. Watching Kang Eun-Gi leave, I opened my nner to check the date of his demise. [Everyday V10] [Date: July 17, 2020] -08:00 AM Kang Eun-Gi''s funeral procession at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital. "He doesn''t believe me. That fool." My fist clenched tightly without realizing it. I began to wonder whether I should prevent his death or let it happen. *** Kim Dong-Soo was waiting in the underground parking lot for Kang Eun-Gi toe down. But the first to appear was Lee Yung-Cheol of Blue Entertainment, trembling as if shaking from the cold. Kim Dong-Soo asked him what happened, but couldn''t get a straight answer out of him. "That, that''s...it''s just..." Lee Yung-Cheol stuttered. "What happened? What urred upstairs to make you like this?" Kim Dong-Soo asked. "Ah, ah...I''m finished." Lee Yung-Cheol trembled and grabbed his head with a devastated look. Then, he suddenly grabbed Kim Dong-Soo''s arm and shook it. "H-hey, Mr. Kim. Please give Park Eun-Sung back to us. I''ll do whatever you ask," Lee Yung-Cheol pleaded. "Park Eun-Sung?" Kim Dong-soo asked with a curious expression/ Lee Yung-Cheol exined, "Yes. Yourpany''s Actor Division 2 took him. So please..." "I''ll look into it. But first, tell me what happened in the meeting room." "Well, what happened was..." Lee Yung-Cheol began to recount what had transpired before he came down. "Is that so?" The corners of Kim Dong-Soo''s mouth lifted slightly. ''Nal-Sae was right. Those two are now enemies, huh?'' Ding! That''s when the elevator opened and a man with a cold expression stepped out. Realizing it was Kang Eun-Gi, Kim Dong-Soo left the trembling Lee Yung-Cheol aside and hurriedly greeted him. "Hello. I''m Kim Dong-Soo from Hoop Entertainment." Kang Eun-Gi didn''t shake Kim Dong-Soo''s hand but only looked at him intently. "Kim Dong-Soo?" "Yes, I''m the Chief of Actor Division 3." "I see. Nice to meet you. I''m Kang Eun-Gi from Kanghan Entertainment. However, I''d like to postpone any discussions to ater time. I have urgent matters to attend to." Kang Eun-Gi fiddled with his watch and shifted his gaze to Lee Yung-Cheol who was standing behind Kim Dong-Soo. Although the timing was off, Kim Dong-Soo couldn''t back down now. With Choi Man-Sik backing him and showing interest in Jung Yoon-Ho, Kim Dong-Soo''s anxiety was peaking. "I need to talk to you about Jung Yoon-Ho," Kim Dong-Soo quickly added. Kang Eun-Gi was about to walk past but stopped in his tracks at the mention of Jung Yoon-Ho''s name. However, his expression was now even more murderous than before. The undeterred Kim Dong-Soo continued. "I''d like to apologize on behalf of Yoon-Ho for his rude behavior." "Who told you that? Ah, that guy... Tsk." When Kang Eun-Gi red at Lee Yung-Cheol who was standing behind Kim Dong-Soo, the startled Lee Yung-Cheol copsed right on the spot. Kim Dong-Soo exined, "He only told me because I was asked. Anyway, I have a proposition that could benefit us both." "What is it?" "It seems like Jung Yoon-Ho is ourmon enemy. So...what do you think?" Kim Dong-Soo asked. Kang Eun-Gi smirked and stepped closer to Kim Dong-Soo. "So, you want me to share information on Yoon-Ho with you?" Kim Dong-Soo nodded. "Yes." "And what''s in it for me?" "We''ll return Park Eun-Sung to you. And if you partner with me, we could step on Jung Yoon-Ho together in the future..." At that moment, Kang Eun-Gi threw his fist which stopped right at Kim Dong-Soo''s temple. The swift motion created a breeze that lightly tousled Kim Dong-Soo''s hair. Kim Dong-Soo swallowed hard in shock. "I''ll let it slide just this once. Don''t get between Yoon-Ho and me. Whether it''s about killing or saving him, it''s none of your business. Got it?" Kang Eun-Gi let out a warning. Kim Dong-Soo clenched his teeth. He had made a wrong judgment but he didn''t want to be intimidated by someone younger. Kang Eun-Giughed at Kim Dong-Soo''s reaction. "Wow, you''ve got some nerve. I may not know much about this industry, but I know people. And you can''t handle Yoon-Ho." Kim Dong-Soo''s face contorted in anger. "Me...? Can''t handle Jung Yoon-Ho?" Kang Eun-Gi chuckled and patted Kim Dong-Soo on the shoulder. "So if you''re going to make a move, you better make it count. If you mess with Jung Yoon-Ho half-heartedly, he''lle back at you tenfold." With that, Kang Eun-Gi walked past Kim Dong-Soo. He then forcibly put the kneeling Lee Yung-Cheol into a car. Vroom. As the ck Merciless S-ss left the parking lot, Kim Dong-Soo finally snapped out of his daze. "Wh-what? Make a move? Does he think I''m some gangster? That bastard!" Kim Dong-Soo yelled angrily. Without knowing theplex story between Jung Yoon-Ho and Kang Eun-Gi, Kim Dong-Soo was left feeling confused and frustrated. Kim Dong-Soo stared at the now-empty entrance of the underground parking lot and began to throw meaningless punches in the air out of frustration. *** [Park Eun-Sung recovers. ''Coma was false reporting.''] [Park Eun-Sung transfers to Hoop Entertainment!] After sessfully recruiting Park Eun-Sung, another round of exclusive articles was published. Although it took me much effort to recruit Park Eun-Sung, I handed him over to Oh Duk-Gu. After all, I knew Park Eun-Sung was a high maintenance actor who required undivided attention. Oh Duk-Gu was thrilled and said a well-raised hoobae is better than ten sons, but I could only offer a silent apology in my heart. Also, I received a bonus for the sessful recruitment of Park Eun-Sung. [Deposit: 10,000,000 KRW] [Bnce: 85,382,300 KRW] As I smiled contentedly at my phone, Yoo-Jin peeked out from the back seat. "Oppa, what are you looking at?" "The bonus just came in." "How much did you get?" When I showed her the amount, she was as happy as if she had received the bonus herself. "Wow, that''s awesome~." Yoo-Jin seemed even happier than when she received her own settlements worth hundreds of millions. Currently, we were in the parking lot of Blue Dragon where auditions for In the Name of God were taking ce. We stayed in the car, watching child actors and their parents enter the audition venue. Apart from the role of young Cheongmyung that Miso would portray, there were still three other child roles that had to be cast. About fifty child actors had gathered for these three minor roles. There were about a hundred people, including their parents, entering the audition venue which was as busy as a marketce. Miso didn''t need to be here since Lee Ji-Yeon had chosen her to y young Cheongmyung herself. However, Yoo-Jin suggested showing off Miso''s acting in front of the staff to avoid any talk of nepotism. Therefore we agreed to showcase Miso''s acting to the staff at the very end after all the auditions had concluded. A little whileter, the parents and child actors had all entered the venue. "Looks like most people have gone in. Let''s head inside now." "Okay~!" It was time to see Miso''s acting, which even I hadn''t seen yet. But at that moment, a Merciless S-ss entered the parking lot btedly just before we headed to the audition venue. The upants parked hastily and rushed out as if they were aware they werete as well. However, the two people who got out of the car were familiar faces to me. They were Jin So-Mi and Jin Gong-Ju. ''What the heck are they doing here?'' I wondered to myself. Chapter 164: Child Actor Audition for In the Name of God (1)

Chapter 164: Child Actor Audition for In the Name of God (1)

Unlike the first time we met in Cheonho-dong, Jin So-Mi and Jin Gong-Ju who got out of the car were now draped in designer brands from head to toe. They had proud and sassy expressions on their faces. That was the true Jin So-Mi I knew. I wondered to myself, ''What happened to them in the meantime?'' But I actually felt relieved when I saw Jin So-Mi behaving like the person I knew from my past life. Though she was finicky, it was better to know what to expect from her. Click-ck. Jin So-Mi brushed past us in her heels. Pointing at me with her finger as if to send a warning we''ll meet againter, she quickly disappeared with her daughter toward the audition hall. "Oppa, why did thatdy scan you from head to toe with such a nasty expression? Do you know her?" Yoo-Jin asked with a displeased look. Before I could answer, Miso spoke up first. "Thatdy is Gong-Ju''s mom! She''s a baddy!" "Huh? Who did you say she is?" Yoo-Jin asked. "She is Gong-Ju and thatdy is Gong-Ju''s mom. Gong-Ju is from my kindergarten and she..." I covered Miso''s mouth and quickly picked her up in my arms. "Uh-oh. Miso, we are runningte. We better hurry." Miso stopped talking and looked at me. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, are wete?" "Yes, we''rete. So let''s hurry inside." "Okay!" Fortunately, Miso didn''t say anything more and pointed toward the audition hall. "Let''s go!" But I couldn''t move, because Yoo-Jin was holding onto my arm with a grin. "Oppa, you have to finish the story before we go." Under Yoo-Jin''s insistence to tell her everything and not leave anything out, Miso ended up having to tell the story of her fight at kindergarten. "Well..." I deliberately left parts out of the story. But Miso, cradled in my arms, started to chatter away, revealing details about everything. "Gong-Ju pushed me! And she said that you work at a bar!" Miso eximed. I was reminded just how good Miso''s memory was. After a moment, Yoo-Jin spoke with a smile. "So, to summarize, that little girl with the pink ribbon rallied her friends to bully Miso, right? And her mom was behind all that?" Yoo-Jin''s eyes curved into crescents, but they were filled with anger. "W-well, the thing is..." I stuttered. Yoo-Jin didn''t wait for my answer but spoke directly to Miso instead. "Miso. You can do well in the audition today, right?" "Yes!" "Better than that girl Gong-Ju?" "Of course!" Yoo-Jin appeared confident, even though she hadn''t seen Gong-Ju''s acting before. "Good. Let''s show those two today. Got it?" Miso clenched her fists tightly. "Okay! Mom, just trust me, I got this!" Miso''s cheeks were slightly flushed and glowing healthily. *** On one side of the audition hall, the judges'' panel was set up with Kim Sung-Woon at the center, apanied by Lee Ji-Yeon, Kim Myung-Hak, and Cha Soo-Yeon from Blue Dragon. Kim Sung-Woon looked around and said, "Everyone''s here, so let''s begin." At the signal from Kim Sung-Woon, child actors numbered one to three started to perform together. ¡ºGuys, do you want to y house?¡» ¡ºSure! But let''s not y with Cheongmyung. She always says weird stuff!¡» ¡ºYou know what? My mom said that Cheongmyung is possessed by a ghost.¡» This was Scene 5 from In the Name of God. The children called up in sequence acted out the scene where neighborhood kids were shunning the young Cheongmyung who had the ability to see ghosts. The auditions were conducted in groups of three, and it was surprisingly enjoyable to watch the acting skills disyed by each child. However, Lee Ji-Yeon had a piercing gaze. "That''s enough. You may all leave now." The evaluations did not exceed three minutes, which prompted the children''s mothers to step forward withints. "Ms. Lee, could you please give Hyung-Seok another chance? He can do much better but he was just nervous..." "My baby Miho is really good at crying scenes. Do you want to see? Miho, cry!" "Move aside! Dong-Sik has a ck belt in taekwondo. Dong-Sik, show them a kick! That''s right, well done!" One child was crying while another was performing a spin kick. It was total chaos. More time was spent trying to prevent the mothers from intervening in their children''s auditions. "Ma''am! Please calm your child down!" "The judges have seen enough, so please. You can all leave. There''s no need to show us any more!" The staff were sweating as they repeatedly escorted the child actors and their guardians out of the waiting room. One of the mothers even screamed threats to sue, using the judges of having already decided on the cast and just using her child as stand-ins. But the judges continued their swift scoring and covered their ears from the noise as there were auditions being held for other roles in the afternoon. Finally, it was Jin Gong-Ju''s turn. "Hello! I''m contestant number 48, Jin Gong-Ju!" As Jin Gong-Ju introduced herself with a clear and resonant voice, a hint of energy appeared on the weary faces of the judges. "You''ve got a nice strong voice. You''ll be acting with numbers 49 and 50. Got it?" "Yes!" Jin Gong-Ju waited for the other actors toe forward, but the other two contestants didn''t show up. A staff member then went to the waiting room hallway and soon made an ''X'' with their hands to indicate something was wrong. "What is it?" "The children... they went home." "What?" "They said they felt sick and started throwing up, then insisted on going home. There was nothing I could do about it. They wouldn''t listen to me trying to stop them." Kim Sung-Woon sped his forehead. "Oh, this is giving me a headache." Such incidents weremon during child auditions. As the waiting time extended, one-third of the kids left out of boredom and another third left due to nervousness. As a result, Jin Gong-Ju ended up performing alone. "Your name is Gong-Ju, is it? I''ll give you Scene 17. Can you do it by yourself?" Jin Gong-Ju nodded confidently at a kind directive from Kim Sung-Woon. "Yes, sir!" "Alright. You can start whenever you''re ready." In my past life, Jin Gong-Ju had entered the entertainment industry at age 14. But thanks to meeting Miso, it seemed like she would start her career in the entertainment industry much earlier. Watching Jin Gong-Ju prepare seriously for the audition, I checked my nner. At that moment, I noticed that the entry detailing Jin Gong-Ju''s debut as a member of VIVA4 had disappeared. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 25, 2027] -06:00 p.m. (Deleted Schedule: VIVA4. MBS Music Broadcast Debut.) I was startled and hastily checked all the activities scheduled for VIVA4. However, there was not a single schedule rted to VIVA4 left in the nner. ''Has the sh with Miso changed Gong-Ju¡¯s fate entirely?'' I wondered. From what I''ve experienced so far, the process of fate being shaped was simr to knitting a scarf from yarn¡ªsmall choices umted to create significant oues. However, fates involving many individuals were usually hard to alter. I tried introducing some variables, but they only affected the process and not the oue, just as a scarf doesn''t cease to be a scarf just because it drops a stitch. However, this time was different. The minor altercation between Miso and Jin Gong-Ju unexpectedly resulted in a significant shift in Gong-Ju''s fate. Realizing another way in which fate could be altered, I suspected that Miso and Gong-Ju would sh frequently in the future. After all, it was only natural to be concerned about someone who haspletely changed one''s life. ''I need to keep a close watch on her.'' Because of this unexpected realization, I began to focus intently on Jin Gong-Ju as she started her audition. She might be an obstacle in Miso¡¯s path. With no other child actors present, Jin Gong-Ju began to perform the roles intended for three by herself. She performed calmly despite the numerous cameras and watchful eyes of the staff. This sparked interest among the judges. "She''s quite good, don''t you think?" "Indeed. She has a unique voice and good artiction. I bet she won¡¯t just end as a child actor." "She¡¯s not even trembling in front of the camera. She seems to have a lot of resolve." Thanks to her unexpectedly good performance, the judges continuously offered positive feedback. After her performance, Jin Gong-Ju stood up briskly and bowed. "Thank you. I am contestant number 48, Jin Gong-Ju!" "Well done, Miss Gong-Ju." The judges smiled warmly as Jin Gong-Ju was almost the only child actor today who had shown a proper performance. Kim Sung-Woon closed the scoring sheet and spoke to Jin Gong-Ju. "You will be notified by phone call regarding the results. We¡¯ll contact you soon, so wait for the good news." At that moment, Jin Gong-Ju suddenly raised her right hand. "Mr. PD! Can I stay and watch Miso''s performance?" "You want to see Miso act?" "Yes. Miso and I are friends from kindergarten, and I¡¯d like to see her perform!" "Oh. Is that so?" That''s when Miso sitting next to me puffed her cheeks, clearly annoyed. She seemed upset at being called Jin Gong-Ju''s friend out of the blue. Yoo-Jin sitting next to me asked incredulously with a dumbfounded look. "What is she doing right now?" "It''s probably her mom¡¯s doing. Seeing how much her daughter has been practicing, it seems she might be trying to outdo Miso," I replied. "But why?" Yoo-Jin asked. I shrugged my shoulders. "Who knows? It could be simple bullying. Or maybe they want to im that Miso got in by nepotism and can''t act, then post it on mommy blogs." Yoo-Jin wore a shocked expression after hearing the various possibilities. "Wow. The world of child actors is so harsh." "That''s why I told you that you can''t trust anyone and you should never let your guard down in the entertainment industry," I reminded Yoo-Jin. Meanwhile, Jin So-Mi, who was standing in the corner, began recording Miso''s performance on her phone. I furrowed my brows and thought to myself. ''She hadn''t bothered to record her own daughter''s acting but she''s recording Miso''s?'' She was clearly up to something. But unaware of the tension between Miso and Gong-Ju, Kim Sung-Woon cheerfully spoke up. "So, Miso. Would you like to perform in front of your friend?" At that moment, Miso, who was sitting next to Yoo-Jin, answered energetically and shouted, "Yes, Mr. PD!" Yoo-Jin clenched her fists tightly. "Miso, I will cheer for you, so do your best. You''ve got this!" "Okay, Mom!" Encouraged by Yoo-Jin, Miso walked to the stage with fists tightly clenched and a charismatic stride, capturing the attention of everyone present. Miso stood in front of the judges and bowed her head. "Hello, I''m Jung Miso!" The judges put down their scoring sheets and smiled warmly. "We''re so grateful you could join us today, Miso." "Make sure to do well and not embarrass yourself in front of your friend." Since the roles had already been determined, this was supposed to be merely a tform to gauge Miso''s acting skills. However, Jin Gong-Ju''s remarks turned it into an unexpectedparison of their performances which made it all the more nerve-wracking. I poked Yoo-Jin in the ribs. She looked at me sharply and hissed. "Why do you keep poking my ribs?" "Are you really confident Miso will do well?" I asked. "Don''t worry. You''ll see," Yoo-Jin replied confidently. Yoo-Jin rubbed her side and assured me that Miso''s acting abilities were not to be doubted. But I couldn''t help feeling skeptical because Yoo-Jin always spoke highly of Miso. I tensed up and focused intently on Miso. "So, Miso. Which scene would you like to start with? Do you have a favorite scene?" Kim Sung-Woon asked. "I like all the scenes!" "All scenes?" "Yes! I can do them all." "Ha ha ha, well then. Why don''t you start with any scene you''d like to do? Begin whenever you''re ready." "Okay!" Miso sped her hands to her chest and took a deep breath. Then, she suddenly sat down with a thud on the floor. Her colorful skirt fluttered and stirred up the dust which then clung to her outfit. Slumped on the stage, Miso began tapping the floor. Tap, tap. As Miso tapped the floor with her palms, everyone''s attention focused on her. At that moment, Miso began to sing. ¡ºGeneral~. Mother~. Where are you? Stop hiding in hide and seek ande out now.¡» Miso¡¯s clear voice gently filled the audition room. Though her voice was not loud, its purity made it resonate clearly with everyone. I was so astonished that I couldn¡¯t close my mouth. And I wasn''t the only one; from the staff to the judges in the audition hall, everyone was captivated by Miso¡¯s performance. There was not a hint of awkwardness in her utterly natural acting. Then, Miso lifted her head and fixed her gaze on a point in the air. ¡ºWhy? Why can''t I? Why can''t I say I see you, General, Mother?¡» Despite the bright lights that might hurt her eyes, Miso tilted her head without any difort. ¡ºOkay, I understand. Shh! I''ll be quiet. Hehe.¡» Miso covered her mouth with her finger and smiled mischievously. Winking as if pretending not to see anything, everyone in the audition room let out a low exmation of awe. At that moment, it wasn¡¯t Miso who was present on stage; it was a lively seven-year-old Cheongmyung, truly alive and breathing. Chapter 165: Child Actor Audition for In the Name of God (2)

Chapter 165: Child Actor Audition for In the Name of God (2)

Miso''s acting captivated everyone''s attention perfectly at the audition hall. Everyone followed Miso''s eyes as she acted by staring into space and looking at ghosts. When Miso sang, everyone naturally perked up their ears to listen to her song. Miso became young Cheongmyung and drew everyone at the audition hall into her world. My heart began to race like mad. After all, Miso, who was just seven years old, was pulling off a performance not even adults could easily manage. I couldn''t help but shrug my shoulders proudly upon watching Miso''s performance. ''This child is my actress!'' I smiled as I thought to myself. I wanted to boast, but I cleared my throat to bring everyone back to their senses when Miso''s performance went over three minutes. The judges were not evaluating but were lost in Miso''s performance. "Ahem!" At that moment, Lee Ji-Yeon was the first to snap out of it. The startled Lee Ji-Yeon poked Kim Sung-Woon in the side. "PD Kim! What are you doing? How long are you going to watch? Miso might copse if she acts any longer." "Oh. Sorry. Cut, cut! Miso, that''s good!" Kim Sung-Woon eximed. With Kim Sung-Woon''s cut, Miso snapped out of her acting. Miso let out a soft sigh and stood up. "Thank you! I am Jung Miso who yed the role of young Cheongmyung!" Miso greeted the judges in a cheerful voice with beads of perspiration on her forehead. At the same time, Kim Sung-Woon began to p his hands loudly. p, p, p! The staff followed suit, whistling and showering praises one after another. "Wow, she''s just like her mother!" "Miso is the best of all the child actors today! No, she''s the best of all the child actors I''ve ever seen!" Miso twisted her body shyly. "Hehe. I just did what Mom taught me." Miso''sment sparkedughter once again. But after the greetings, Miso turned abruptly and trudged toward Jin Gong-Ju who had apparently challenged her. ''Miso, what''s going on?'' I wondered. Startled by Miso''s performance, Jin Gong-Ju clenched her hands tightly. At that moment, all eyes were focused on the two little girls. Miso stood in front of Jin Gong-Ju. Then she extended her hand with a smile. "I look forward to working with you, Gong-Ju!" Miso offered a handshake with a winner''s smile. ''She''s too kind for her own good...'' I remarked inwardly. Taken aback, Jin Gong-Ju instinctively grasped Miso''s hand without realizing it. After realizing what she did, she blurted out, "I will never lose to you!" Miso smiled sweetly at Jin Gong-Ju who made a sudden deration of rivalry. "Good! Me neither!" Laughter erupted from everyone once again. "Ha ha ha. Maybe we should pass Gong-Ju as well?" "True. After all, there was no one quite like Gong-Ju besides Miso." "If the two friends debut, it''ll make for great articles." At that moment, my tension eased without realizing it and Iughed. ''I mean, they are still kids. And Gong-Ju''s fate has changed too.'' Though I couldn''t predict how Miso and Jin Gong-Ju''s fates would intertwine in the future, I decided to just keep watch for now. After all, Miso had already taken her revenge through her exemry acting performance. And ording to the nner, the current Jin Gong-Ju was apletely different person from the one I knew in my past life. After shaking hands with Jin Gong-Ju, Miso ran into Yoo-Jin''s arms. Yoo-Jin dusted off the dirt on Miso''s skirt and stroked her cheek. "Miso, you acted so well. But you didn''t have to go full out. Why did you go so hard?" "You gotta give it all you''ve got when you''re acting!" Miso replied proudly. But suddenly, Miso began to look sad. "But Mom, my clothes got dirty. What should I do?" "Is that what you''re worried about?" "Yes. Seri unnie''s grandmother gave me this...and I''ve ruined it." Yoo-Jin smiled. "It''s okay to get dirty during acting. We can just wash it, so don''t worry. I''ll have it cleaned and it''ll be brand new in no time." Miso''s smile returned and she gave Yoo-Jin a tight hug. ''But did Yoo-Jin just say ruining something while acting was eptable?'' I thought to myself. The fact that both mother and daughter had such acting spirits was slightly frightening. *** The staff began to clear the site after the child actor audition ended to make way for the audition for the female lead candidates, which would take ce soon. But at that moment, Kim Sung-Woon caught up with me. "Assistant Manager Jung. If Miso is avable, I''d like to have her in our MBS'' new show in August called Lady Chestnut. Do you think that would be possible?" I checked the scheduler while avoiding an immediate answer. "Well, I''m not sure about August..." "Oh,e on. You always do this. How busy can a child actor be? Don''t be like that. How about 300 thousand won per episode?" Miso would be paid a basic fee of 100 thousand won per episode for In the Name of God. But given such an impressive performance by Miso, I had to show negotiation skills as her talent agent. An actor''s fee reflected their value. So when an opportunity arose, it was crucial to raise the fee because the fee agreed here often applied to otherworks too. "Come on, you need to consider Miso''s poprity. She''s a MeTube star, you know? This project might be a friendship appearance, but it''ll be problematic if you do this again next time," I replied. "Th-then I''ll generously offer 500 thousand won per episode. How about that?" Kim Sung-Woon responded with a bigger offer. "Well~" The more I joked, the more desperate Kim Sung-Woon became. "Alright then. How much do you want?" Kim Sung-Woon asked. "1 million won per episode. What do you think?" I asked. "1 million won per episode is a bit steep..." Kim Sung-Woon replied. His stingy attitude immediately prompted me to bluff. "Oh, right. Speaking of which, SBC''s Chief Producer Mr. Jung Sam-Ryong mentioned he wanted to see Miso..." The moment I mentioned taking her to the farewell party for Blue Sky that would be in three days, Kim Sung-Woon hastily grabbed my arm. "Hey, why would you take her there? Stop! You win! Okay, you said 1 million won per episode for Miso, right? Deal! There''s no backing out!" "Understood. Let''s agree on that, Mr. Kim." "But promise me that there''ll be no ovepping schedules." "You know I have that much professional integrity. And I have no ns to ovep Miso''s schedule until she is an adult." I decided to limit Miso''s drama appearance to one at a time with the exception of variety shows. Managing Miso to keep her interested in acting was my responsibility as her talent agent. *** After turning down Lee Ji-Yeon''s suggestion to stay and watch the main actress auditions, we left the Blue Dragon audition hall. With her confidence boosted by the positive feedback, Miso started singing in a lispy voice while holding Yoo-Jin''s and my hands. "Daddy bear is chubby~ Mommy bear is skinny~ Baby bear is so cute!" "Why is my baby Miso lisping?" I pinched Miso''s cheek. Miso pleaded with her big, pleading eyes. "Hehe. Jung-Hoo sings it like this. But Uncle Yoon-Ho, can we go see Jung-Hoo again?" I smiled and replied, "We''ll go together when we visit Sae-Ri''s hometown againter." "Yay! Uncle Yoon-Ho is the best!" Miso waved her arms and expressed her joy once more through song. When we reached the parking lot, most of the cars that had brought child actors had already left. But there was one left. Jin So-Mi''s Merciless Bends was still there. Click. Seeing us arrive, the driver''s door opened and Jin So-Mi stepped out. Yoo-Jin clung to my side with a wary tone. "Oppa. That woman is..." "Yoo-Jin. Take Miso and go inside the van first." "Alright." Yoo-Jin took Miso and headed toward the van. Jin So-Mi watched them go and smirked. "You three get along so well. Do you think you''re their husband and father or something?" I hardened my expression. "You better watch your words." "Oops, did I say something wrong? But lighten up. I came to make a good offer." Jin So-Mi spoke with a smirk still on her face. Jin So-Mi scanned me from top to bottom and then made an unexpected proposal. "What do you think about partnering with me?" "Partnering with you?" I asked. Jin So-Mi smiled and replied, "I''ve realized there''s no reason to fight. Our first meeting wasn''t great, but we''re all adults here. If there''s a mutually beneficial path, we should take it." This was why Jin So-Mi was difficult to deal with. She was willing to make deals even with those she detested as long as it involved money. "Let me get straight to the point. I can introduce you to someone who would pay well for your skills. I can help you get promoted," said Jin So-Mi as her tone turned serious. "Are you suggesting a job change?" "No. Just switch sides within Hoop Entertainment." "You mean to Kim Dong-Soo''s side?" "Yes. Then you won''t have to worry about your sry anymore." Jin So-Mi was offering me a chance to make much more money than I was at the moment. However, I knew there was always a catch to her offers. "Did Chief Kim Dong-Soo ask you to do this?" I rified. "Ah, what¡¯s the use if I tell you in advance? You''d naturally find out if you joined us. So, What do you say? Are you interested?" Jin So-Mi asked. I wanted to know who made the offer, but I had no intention to press further if she wasn''t going to tell me. "I''m not interested. And I''ll take care of my own affairs, so you better take care of yours, Ms. Jin Chu-Ja." As when we first met at the kindergarten, calling her real name made Jin So-Mi¡¯s face turn as hard as a stone. "Hey, I''ve always wondered, where did you learn my real name?" Jin So-Mi asked in curiosity. Jin So-Mi red at me with furrows deep in her brow. But I couldn¡¯t and wouldn¡¯t tell her. "Who knows? Oh, by the way, aren''t you busy these days being a legal broker and studying atw school? And isn¡¯t Director Kim Dong-Soo currently your sponsor?" Jin So-Mi''s pupils trembled visibly. "H-how do you know that?" This time, her reaction was quite strong. "I''m warning you, Ms. Jin So-Mi. I know more about you than anyone else, so don''t even think about messing with us," I said in a low tone. Ever since I traveled back in time, I never made the first move unless provoked because thanks to the nner, I knew better than anyone that a person''s fate could change. But when someone threatened my life directly, there was no reason for me to hold back. "Try to be a dignified mother in front of Gong-Ju. You shouldn''t do anything shameful as a parent, should you?" I retorted. After my sharp rebuke, I turned and walked away. *** Jin So-Mi btedly realized she was trembling. And soon, she was able to put abel on her current feeling. It was anxiety. Born into poverty, she gritted her teeth and studied hard to earn her tuition fees by serving drinks at night during her college years. Her only stroke of luck in life was that the room salon where she had identally gotten a job turned out to be a gathering ce for the elite of the legal field. Using her beauty and eloquence, she enchanted thewyers and prosecutors who frequented the ce and became South Korea''s top legal lobbyist. Throughout those years, she had never known fear. But Jung Yoon-Ho was different. ''He knows not just my past but also my present. How is that possible?'' Jin So-Mi wondered. That was the moment Jin So-Mi raised her right hand and pped her own cheek. p! The sound of a crisp p echoed through the parking lot. "Get a hold of yourself, Jin So-Mi. What are you thinking?" Jin So-Mi muttered under her breath. Jin So-Mi picked herself up from her moment of weakness and shouted toward Jung Yoon-Ho''s departing car. "Hey! Who are you to order me around?" A small surge of malice rose in Jin So-Mi''s chest. Soon, Jin So-Mi quickly grabbed her phone and dialed someone. "Yes, judge. It''s So-Mi. About that child custody case investigator recement that I mentioned before...Oh, you think it can be done? Ha ha. There really is no one like you, judge. I''ll be bringing you to a nice ce soon. Ha ha ha. Of course." Jin So-Mi''sughter spread through the parking lot, disregarding Jung Yoon-Ho''s warning. *** Click. The sound of a hard and brittle object splitting into two echoed. I split a small object about 7 cm in length in my left hand in half, pulling out a tiny ck mass. But at that moment, Miso spoke with an anxious expression. "Huh? You shouldn''t remove anchovy guts like that..." "It seemed right to me. No?" I responded. Right now, Yoo-Jin, Miso, Haru, and I were all sitting in the living room at Landlord Jung In-Ji''s house and removing anchovy guts because Yoo-Jin had to bring anchovies for broth to the Healthy Senior Center tomorrow, where she studied the movements of the elderly for her acting. Miso neatly separated the guts from an anchovy body and proudly showed it to me. "Uncle Yoon-Ho! This is how you do it!" I asked Miso with an anchovy head in my hand. "Wow, you''re really good at this. And speaking of good, Miso, you were acting really well earlier. When did you get so good?" Miso once again removed anchovy guts and answered, "It just happened from practicing it with Mom." ''Just happened? Miso talks about it as if it''s nothing.'' I remarked to myself. Haru looked at Miso with a seemingly envious expression while removing anchovy guts more cleanly than anyone else here. ''You have talent too, Haru.'' I thought. Haru would also be an actor who received recognition for his acting right from his debut. He was scheduled to appear on Master of Mukbang soon, but he stillcked confidence in himself. Nheless, I had a n to boost Haru''s confidence. That''s why I nned to bring him along with Yoo-Jin and me to the senior center tomorrow. At that moment, Yoo-Jin, who had been quietly sorting the anchovy heads in silence until now, leaned in to whisper. "Oppa. What do we do about the family court investigatoring next week?" Yoo-Jin was currently in a custody battle over Miso with her uncle, Jung Hak-Jae. Thus, she had received an official notice that a family court investigator would visit her home next week. Tick. As I removed another piece of anchovy guts following Miso''s instructions, I grinned. "Don''t worry. Everything is prepared." The preparations for thewsuit against Jung Hak-Jae were well in ce. Kwak Moo-Hyuk was fully involved and I had made all the necessary arrangements. Encouraged by my confident demeanor, Yoo-Jin smiled and responded, "I''m not concerned. If I can''t trust you, who can I trust? I guess it''s just needless worry." "That''s right. Just focus on the drama. The production announcement ising up soon, and then it''s filming right away." After three days of auditions for the female lead role, In the Name of God would have its production announcement next week followed immediately by the start of filming. To reassure the anxious Yoo-Jin, I brushed off the anchovy dust from my clothes and stood up. "Shall I make you a special Jung coffee?" I offered. Yoo-Jin, who particrly loved my coffee, brightened up in an instant. "Yes, please make it extra sweet." "Okay!" At that moment, Haru and Miso also suddenly raised their hands, one holding anchovy heads and the other anchovy guts. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, me too!" "Hyung, me too!" "Okay~! Three cups of coffeeing right up!" For Miso and Haru, I nned to make white coffee with a ratio of 10 parts milk to one part coffee. But then Jung In-Ji brought another box of anchovies from the kitchen and gave me a sidelong nce before speaking. "Team Lead Jung. You''re not trying to escape the anchovy gutting, are you?" She had hit the nail on the head, but I quickly shrugged it off with a shout. "Of course not! By the way, would you like a cup of coffee too?" Jung In-Ji smiled broadly. "Sure!" "Alright, four cups of coffeeing right up~." I dashed into the kitchen without looking back, eager to escape the tedious task of removing anchovy guts. Chapter 166: Hitting Two Birds With One Stone

Chapter 166: Hitting Two Birds With One Stone

When asked what are the essential qualities for bing a celebrity, most people answered like this: -It''s definitely looks. The world revolves around beautiful and handsome faces. Just look at the results. -Singers really need to focus on singing over dancing. In the end, it¡¯s the talented vocalists who survive. Yup. -Acting skills! In this age where CG ironically does everything, it''s still a shining talent! -What are you talking about!? For celebrities, it''s all about charisma. However, this was only the external perspective. Lacking looks could be fixed with surgical procedures and poor singing could somewhat be covered with Auto-Tune. There were also plenty of strategies to avoid acting controversies, such as only choosing roles that were easy to act out. Historical dramas typically allowed actors to be easily pitted against acting masters and as such were absolutely forbidden. On the other hand, sis allowed actors topete against rookie actors and were highly weed. Beyond all else, the initial challenge confronting the actors was mustering the courage to face the public. Though it may appear trivial, this seemingly simple task proved profoundly daunting and required significant adjustment. Expressing emotions and acting in a scene where dozens were bustling and hundreds of onlookers were watching was no easy task. For that reason, established entertainmentpanies ran adaptation programs to help their hard-found rookie actors getfortable and be confident. Somepanies called it a Confidence Enhancement Program, where they sent rookie actors to subways to sing or to ces like Hongdae to do busking, to develop what people might call guts. This was the reason why I brought Haru to the Cheonho-dong Healthy Senior Center¡ªto develop his guts. This Healthy Senior Center, where Jung In-Ji usually volunteered at, was another name for the Cheonho-dong Senior Green Hall. And it was also where Yoo-Jin was observing the elderly for her role of Manshin Wol-Ah under Kim Soo-Hee advice. "Hyung...do I really have to do this?" Haru asked anxiously. "Absolutely," I replied. Haru looked at me with an anxious expression when I told him to sing in the living room of the Healthy Senior Center. I exined the purpose of doing so. "It''s not about doing it well. It''s about getting used to being in front of people." "But I''m bad at singing..." Haru added in a soft voice. "It''s okay. Just think of it as easing the elders'' loneliness." In the spacious living room of about 30 pyeong, the elders had already gathered around in a circle. They were waiting for Haru to start singing with the karaoke machine powered on. To help the hesitant Haru, I deployed a secret weapon I had prepared in advance. "Miso, can you help out?" "Of course!" Miso eximed as she rushed forward and grabbed Haru''s hand. "Haru oppa! Let''s sing together!" Miso said with a huge grin. Just like her mother, Yoo-Jin, Miso had no aversion to the camera whatsoever. ''Well, there are asionally kids like this,'' I thought to myself as I looked at the excited Miso. The idea of stage fright and needing to adapt to the public eye were alien concepts to the rare few children who were naturally stage-inclined, like Miso. Thanks to Miso, Haru unknowingly overcame his most difficult first hurdle without realizing it. Normally, just standing on stage itself would require a tremendous amount of courage. "Haru oppa. Find a song by the Cherry Blossom unnies!" Miso hollered. "Huh? Oh, okay." Haru picked up the karaoke book and pressed the numbers for Cherry Blossom''s ''Hurry Up!.'' Soon, the instrumental for ''Hurry Up!'' began to flow from the machine. Miso pulled out two microphones and handed one to Haru with an excited expression, then she joyfully started singing first. ¡ºHands up~ Hurry Up!¡» "Miso''s pure and innocent smile began to permeate the room like dye spreading through paint. The elderly pped their hands continuously at Miso''s dance. "Oh, look how sweet her voice is." "How can someone be so cute?" Encouraged by the lively atmosphere, Haru began to gather courage. With the microphone in his hand, Haru started to sing with a clear voice. But I was soon startled by the unexpected surprise. ¡ºHands~ up~ high~¡» ''Did I hear that wrong? What the heck is up with his pitch and rhythm...?'' I wondered in shock. I had assumed that he could sing well because he had a good voice, but it seemed I was mistaken. Then, a sudden realization hit me. ''So that''s why he didn''t sing before the regression.'' In my past life, Haru was known as an actor with great acting skills and excellent delivery of lines. However, he had never sung on variety shows. I finally knew the reason. ''He''s definitely tone-deaf andcks a sense of rhythm,'' I thought to myself. But that didn''t mean I could just tell him toe down the stage. Developing the mental strength to endure such unexpected situations was the main purpose of this program. ''Hang in there, Haru.'' I cheered Haru on silently. Contrary to my concerns, the reaction from the seniors at the center was warm. "Ha ha ha. How can they all be so lovely?" "I wish he could be my grandson-inw." "He''s doing well~ really well." I was confused by the reaction of the elderly. ''Huh?'' The fact that they could forget their loneliness for a moment was enough for the elders to start pping and enjoying themselves. ''Thank goodness.'' I let out a sigh of relief without realizing it. But just then, something astonishing happened. Growing in confidence and getting carried away by the fun, Haru began to dance along with Miso. ''Haru, no!'' I screamed silently. I tried to stop him, but it was already toote. Haru started to move like a deted air dancer and swayed unsteadily. ''Tone-deaf, rhythmically challenged, and no dancer either.'' I thought to myself as I shook my head. I suppose God is fair after all by giving him good looks and acting skills but taking away his musical talent. However, there were ways topensate for all these weaknesses. Being tone-deaf and rhythmically challenged could be addressed with vocal training and singing the same song thousands of times. I continued mulling over my thoughts. ''And as for hisck of dance skills...Haru could take dance lessons with me and choreographer Park Seon-Nyeo.'' With the roar of apuse, Haru''s dancing could certainly improve if Choreographer Park Seon-Nyeo was to forcibly instill a sense of rhythm in him. ''Though we''d have to wear those tight aerobics outfits...'' I frowned as that thought crossed my mind. *** After finishing the makeshift stage at the Healthy Senior Center, Haru came down with a flushed face. His bangs were wet and dangling, creating a strangely appealing atmosphere. "Did I do well?" Haru asked. I couldn''t even pretend to say he did well. "G-good job. The seniors really enjoyed it," I replied. Miso smiled and gave a thumbs up. "Haru oppa, you''re the best! Your voice is really nice. You sing really well." "Ah, not at all, Miso. I wasn''t that great..." Haru said shyly. Overwhelmed by Miso''s indiscriminate praise, Haru scratched his head as if embarrassed. It seemed like I would need to keep them together for a while. Miso boosting Haru''s confidence and even providing mental therapy was truly hitting two birds with one stone. Yoo-Jin smiled pleasantly and then asked Haru for help. "Haru, we''re about to prepare lunch for the seniors. Could you help set the spoons?" "Okay, noona." Miso immediately raised her hand. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, me too! Me too!" "Alright, Miso can help as well." Miso scampered to the table and busily set the spoons and chopsticks with her tiny hands. Haru, as if not to be outdone by Miso, also moved quickly with a bright expression as well. I held the tray and took bowls of rice that Yoo-Jin was dishing out. "Yoo-Jin, how''s the assignment Mrs. Kim Soo-Hee gave you? Are you making good progress?" Yoo-Jin''s assignment was to observe the elderly to prepare for her role of Manshin Wol-Ah, but she had been constantly busy working ever since she arrived at the senior center. "I''ve been ncing around and learning in between work." "Is that enough?" "Yes. I think I''m starting to get a sense of what Mrs. Kim Soo-Hee was talking about." At that moment, Yoo-Jin''s phone in my pocket began to ring. ''Who could it be?'' I was about to reject the call because the call was from an unknown number, but it disconnected on its own. "Hm. Did they get the wrong number?" But then, a text message arrived. [This is Oh Min-Jung, the family court investigator from Seoul Family Court. I see you''re not at home. If you do not respond to the investigation within 30 minutes, we will consider it a missed visit...] ''What? What''s this?'' Yoo-Jin was currently in a custody battle over Miso with her uncle Jung Hak-Jae. Before Miso¡¯s biological father, Jung Sung-Han, passed away, he had left a will asking for his children to be taken care of in case something happened to him. Having had no other close rtives, Jung Sung-Han had ced his inws at the top of the will. However, the problem was that he had listed Jung Hak-Jae''s name as the first. I wondered why Jung Sung-Han would leave a will to someone like Jung Hak-Jae, but the answer was surprisingly simple. Until the ident urred, the two were very close. But Jung Hak-Jae turned his back as soon as the tragic event happened. Enticed by the inheritance left by Jung Sung-Han, Jung Hak-Jae even thought about hiding the will from Yoo-Jin and sending Miso to an orphanage. But unaware of these circumstances, Yoo-Jin adopted Miso who was then two years old. This was only possible due to a specialw that rxed the adoption conditions for single people if they were rtives. For that reason, Jung Hak-Jae with the will in his hand and Yoo-Jin who officially adopted Miso were at odds. ording to the call, the family court investigator scheduled for a visit next week was standing in front of Yoo-Jin''s house. Legal schedules were not often expedited like this, especially when an official document had been received. It was clear then: someone was ying tricks. At that moment, I immediately called Kwak Moo-Hyuk. -Is that so? I''m currently in Guro, but I''ll head over there immediately. But we can''t let her just return without checking in. If it''s recorded as a missed visit, it willplicate thingster. "Understood. I''m currently in Cheonho-dong, so I''ll head straight home," I replied. Since the Healthy Senior Center was just five minutes away from Yoo-Jin''s house, I quickly entrusted thedies who hade to volunteer with the remaining tasks and hurried home while making sure to turn on the recording function on my phone. *** Upon returning home, our group met with a stern-faced middle-aged woman. "I''m a family court investigator, Oh Min-Jung." Her twinkling small eyes behind gold-rimmed sses and the deep wrinkles on her forehead indicated she was not someone to be taken lightly. "If you are not present at home during the next scheduled investigation period, I will record it as nonpliance," Oh Min-Jung stated coldly. "I''m sorry, I was not aware of your visit today," Yoo-Jin apologized. "You could have checked on the court¡¯s website," Oh Min-Jung retorted. "I checked yesterday, and it clearly stated that it was scheduled for a weekter. The registered document I receivedst week said the same," Yoo-Jin replied in defense. Oh Min-Jung smirked and replied. "It seems there was a mistake by theputer team. And a change in the registered document was sent, so please check it. It seems you didn''t receive it because there was no one to receive it." Yoo-Jin shook her head. "I haven¡¯t received any new registered mail." "Well, I don''t know about that. Anyway, the records I have show it was already sent. And since I''m here now, the investigation will proceed. Lead the way, guardian," demanded Oh Min-Jung. Oh Min-Jung maintained a brisk attitude as she moved with Yoo-Jin and Miso to the second floor. Watching this, thendlord asked anxiously. "Assistant Manager Jung, what should we do?" "Don''t worry too much. I¡¯m here," I assured her. Thendlord sighed with relief. "Right. What is there to worry about with Assistant Manager Jung here? Alright then. I''ll stay downstairs with Haru and prepare some snacks. Maybe if we feed her something tasty, thatdy''s mood might improve." "Ha ha. I feel like having some japchae today," I said jokingly. "Joking around in this situation, huh?" Jung In-Ji headed into the kitchen on the first floor with a slightly more rxed face. In the meantime, I rushed upstairs, taking three steps at a time. *** Family court investigators dispatched for custody disputes typically visited once or twice a month and conducted around four to five visits in total toplete their investigation. Their main focus was to assess the living conditions of the child involved in the custody battle. However, Oh Min-Jung''s actions were different from what I knew. Click. Oh Min-Jung was taking pictures around the house, specifically targeting areas that were messy. ''Just as I thought...'' Only then did I realize there was a reason she rushed to change her schedule and visit. This investigation seemed intent on finding faults by any means. After she finished taking photos, Oh Min-Jung asked an unexpected question. "How many hours does the child watch TV on average per day?" "Um, I''m...I''m not sure exactly. But I make sure it''s not more than two hours a day." "So you don''t know precisely?" Oh Min-Jung questioned. "Well, it¡¯s..." Yoo-Jin stuttered, shocked by the question. Oh Min-Jung noted something in the file she brought. "Signs of neglect..." At that moment, Miso quickly responded. "I don¡¯t watch TV for more than two hours! Mom says it¡¯s bad for my eyes!" Oh Min-Jung frowned. "Miss Miso, it''s rude to interrupt adults when they are talking. It seems you haven''t been taught proper home manners. Where did you learn such rudeness? Tsk. That¡¯s a deduction!" Miso shrank back and Yoo-Jin immediately apologized on her behalf. "I''m sorry, Ms. Oh." "There''s nothing to be sorry about. I am just going to report what I see to the judge. More than that, can I see the child''s bag?" ''Did she seriously just use Miso of rudeness?'' I thought to myself. The absurdity of the situation brought an involuntaryugh out of me. It seemed watching was no longer an option. If the investigation was going to be conducted illegally and hically, there was no reason to continue tolerating it. And clearly, this must be the work of Jin So-Mi, manipting things within the legal system. ''Jin So-Mi. You really dared to ignore my warning not to mess with Miso and Yoo-Jin, huh?'' I seethed with anger. I was determined to make her pay for interfering. But right now, dealing with the current situation was the priority. Iposed myself and stepped in front of Oh Min-Jung and questioned her, "What exactly are you doing right now?" Oh Min-Jung red at me. "What does it look like? I''m conducting a family investigation." "Rummaging through a child¡¯s bag and deliberately searching for the worst parts of the house to photograph is part of a family investigation? Are you joking?" Oh Min-Jung frowned deeply and started scribbling something on her clipboard. "Non-cooperative during the investigation." "This is ridiculous." At that moment, She stopped writing and raised her voice at me. "What did you say? You seem to think little of an investigator. I am following the judge''s instructions and directly reporting back!" "Oh, is that so? Then I guess I''ll need to file a motion to recuse the judge. A proper judge would never have allowed such an investigation." That''s when Oh Min-Jung began to fume. Clearly, she had not expected such a strong response from me. But I had prepared for all eventualities ever since thewsuit with Jung Hak-Jae began. Thanks to that, I was ready to stand my ground and press on. "So please. Leave this house immediately, Ms. Oh Min-Jung." Chapter 167: Family Court Investigator

Chapter 167: Family Court Investigator

The family court investigator showing an aggressive attitude could only happen if it was directed by a judge. After all, they served as the eyes and ears of the judge in custody disputes. In other words, the family court investigator was nothing more than an avatar acting on the judge''s orders. Because of this, I also came to question the judge''s credibility. Simply recing the investigator wouldn''t resolve matters if the judge remained unchanged. "Didn''t you hear me? I said I''m going to file a motion to recuse the judge, so please leave!" I shouted. The flustered Oh Min-Jung yelled back with her chubby cheeks trembling. "How dare you insult our judge! Are you out of your mind? Now that I see what''s going on in person, this really won''t do. The home environment is a mess and the talent agent is extremely rude! This is no proper ce for a child to live in. I''ll definitely report this to the judge and..." "No, you don''t need to bother," I interjected. "Wh-what did you say?" Oh Min-Jung asked in confusion. "Also, see that security camera over there? It has recorded a month''s worth of the home environment, so I''ll submit it directly to the court." When I pointed to the security camera installed above the curtains, Oh Min-Jung finally realized that my words were not just an empty threat. "Wh-what? Why is there a security camera inside the house...?" "Oh, and it would be quite interesting topare the footage with the notes you''re holding right now. It surely provides an objectiveparison. By the way, the way you threatened Miso earlier was really~ impressive." After Yoo-Jin''s uncle had visited, I had installed a total of eight security cameras from the first floor to the second. Thanks to this, everything that happened today was being recorded and all the conversations in front of the house were recorded on my phone as well. When Oh Min-Jung realized that her one-sided actions against Yoo-Jin were exposed, her eyes lost focus. That''s when the door on the second floor swung open and Kwak Moo-Hyuk arrived at Yoo-Jin''s house. Thump. When I immediately exined the current situation to him, Kwak Moo-Hyuk''s face hardened. "We will formally file aint against procedural vitions, coercive investigations, and the use of intimidation. Furthermore, we will proceed withints against both the judge and the family court investigator individually. We will also thoroughly investigate the reasons for the schedule change." Kwak Moo-Hyuk stated. In most custody disputes, people tried to make a good impression on the family court investigator because the documents they prepared served as legal evidence that could influence the oue of custody rights. However, Kwak Moo-Hyuk dered that he would nullify all those documents. He even said he would directly file aint against both the judge and the family court investigator. ''So he''s basically saying that he¡¯s going to check if they''ve been bribed,'' I thought. Feeling that she was getting nowhere, Oh Min-Jung decided to directly target Yoo-Jin this time. "Miss Jung Yoo-Jin! If you decide to go on like this, it will have a detrimental effect on the custody battle. Make your decision wisely!" Oh Min-Jung threatened. She was making a threat even in this situation. However, Yoo-Jin was not one to be swayed by such threats. ''She has no idea how strong Yoo-Jin is,'' I remarked inwardly. Surely enough, Yoo-Jin stared back at Oh Min-Jung and responded. "I won¡¯t forget that you targeted us right from the start. And I have an interview with the media lined up where I¡¯ll reveal everything. I never knew that family investigations were like this!" Bringing the media into it would turn this fight into a real quagmire because thest thing a judge wanted was for their case to be discussed by the media. It was one of the cards I nned to y as ast resort, but Yoo-Jin was already pulling it out. ''Nice, Jung Yoo-Jin.'' Yoo-Jin hadnded a solid blow. Oh Min-Jung red at us fiercely, then abruptly turned and headed for the entrance. *** Bang! Oh Min-Jung mmed the second-floor front door as she left. Yoo-Jin let out a deep sigh and her shoulders trembled slightly, but she forced a brave smile in front of Miso. ¡°Miso, were you scared?¡± Yoo-Jin asked. ¡°No, Mom! I wasn¡¯t scared at all!¡± ¡°Miso, you''re so brave.¡± Yoo-Jin stroked Miso¡¯s cheek, then looked over at me. ¡°Oppa. Is everything going to be okay...?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± I assured her. Kwak Moo-Hyuk, also reassured Yoo-Jin. ¡°Miss Yoo-Jin, we will file a motion to recuse the judge and separately investigate if any under-the-table payments were involved. So don¡¯t worry too much.¡± ¡°Thank you so much, Mr. Kwak.¡± As Yoo-Jin expressed her gratitude, Miso also bowed to Kwak Moo-Hyuk. ¡°Thank you so much, Mr. Kwak!¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry at all, Miso. Alright?¡± Kwak Moo-Hyuk replied with a smile. ¡°Okay! Then...I''ll give this to you as a gift!¡± Miso eximed as she extended her hand to offer something. It was two Powertuff Girls character gumballs. ''Wow. This is definitely a substantial bribe from Miso.'' I silently observed. Kwak Moo-Hyuk epted the bribe with a delighted fatherly smile. ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ll save these to eatter.¡± ¡°Huh? But you¡¯re not supposed to eat them!¡± Miso protested. ¡°Oh? Then what am I supposed to do with them?¡± Kwak Moo-Hyuk asked with a puzzled look. ¡°You need to collect five different colors. But I only have one each of yellow, blue, and green, so I can¡¯t give you those.¡± ¡°I-is that so? Then how long should I keep them?¡± ¡°Until you collect all five! Then you can eat them.¡± I wasn¡¯t sure why it had to be that way, but the deal was set. At that moment, Jung In-Ji, assisted by Haru, arrived with arge amount of japchae. ¡°Where did that investigator woman go?¡± Jung In-Ji asked. ¡°She¡¯s already left,¡± I replied. ¡°Left? Oh my, was I thatte?¡± Jung In-Ji responded, looking slightly confused. ¡°No, it¡¯s not that...¡± As soon as I exined what had happened, Jung In-Ji put down the japchae and rolled up her sleeves. ¡°What? That woman! I should chase her down right now and give her a piece of my mind!¡± Jung In-Ji fumed. Jung In-Ji was furious, suggesting she might even pull the investigator''s hair out in her anger. This lightened the mood and even Yoo-Jin started tough. *** After handing all the prepared documents to Kwak Moo-Hyuk, he went to the court the same day. The next day, there was a swift change in judge and family court investigator. The new investigator, Lee Moon-Hee, arrived on the day of the second scheduled investigation. She introduced herself immediately andpleted a warm and friendly personal interview with Yoo-Jin and Miso. -It¡¯s so nice to see Miso with her mom. I¡¯d love to have a mom like Miss Yoo-Jin too. Ha ha. The family investigation was concluded in just one session, and Lee Moon-Hee hinted that the judge handling the case was a fan of Yoo-Jin before she left. And the next day, Kwak Moo-Hyuk called me to his office saying he had something to discuss. Immediately, I rushed up the emergency stairs to his office on the sixth floor. When I hastily entered the office, Kwak Moo-Hyuk greeted me with a pleased expression and said, ¡°Why the rush? You could trip and fall.¡± ¡°Mr. Kwak, what did the judge say?¡± I asked while trying to catch my breath. Though it wasn¡¯t an official ruling, I was anxious because I had heard that the judge had given an informal indication. ¡°I''ve never seen you so nervous before, Assistant Manager Jung. Ha ha ha. I¡¯m enjoying this view.¡± Kwak Moo-Hyuk chuckled. ¡°Mr. Kwak!¡± ¡°Judge Kim told us not to worry. Ha ha.¡± ¡°Does that mean...¡± "Yes. He said any sensible judge would agree that Miso is Yoo-Jin''s daughter no matter who ims otherwise." "Really?" "Yes, and all the documents you prepared have been epted by the court. You can rx now." I clenched my fist without realizing it and shouted out in triumph. "Yes!" Kwak Moo-Hyuk burst into heartyughter. "Mr. Kwak, may I make a call?" "Of course." I immediately called Yoo-Jin to reassure her. Yoo-Jin, who was practicing for her role, cheered as soon as she answered the phone. -Oppa, is that really true?" "Yes, so don¡¯t worry. The verdict should be out in about two to three weeks." -What a relief... Yoo-Jin tried to hold back her tears as she responded. After sharing the good news and hanging up, I btedly bowed to Kwak Moo-Hyuk. While I had prepared the security camera and made recordings, it was Kwak Moo-Hyuk who had handled everything else. "Thank you, Mr. Kwak." "What for? This is my job," Kwak Moo-Hyuk replied. "Still..." That''s when Kwak Moo-Hyuk cracked his neck, making a loud popping sound. "In that case, there¡¯s still something left to be thankful for," Kwak Moo-Hyuk added. "What do you mean...?" I asked. "Since they dared to mess with Miso, we need to shake them down thoroughly. Don''t you think so?" I had no intention of letting Jung Hak-Jae off the hook either, but I wanted to hear what Kwak Moo-Hyuk had in mind first. "What are you nning to do?" Kawk Moo-Hyuk grinded his teeth. "We¡¯re going to recover every bit of property that Jung Hak-Jae took from Yoo-Jin and Miso. Not just the house they lived in but all other assets as well, pluspensation for their suffering! We¡¯ll make sure he doesn¡¯t miss a single dime." Seeing his face flushed with anger, I realized I didn''t need to step in: he had everything under control. "Come to think of it, the candy Miso gave you turned out to be quite valuable, huh?" I joked. Kwak Moo-Hyuk rxed his stern expression and nodded. "It was the most expensive fee I''ve ever been paid in my life." It seemed like Jung Hak-Jae would likely go bankrupt over the two pieces of candy Miso had given Kwak Moo-Hyuk. But of course, even one piece would have achieved the same result. *** After I left Kwak Moo-Hyuk''s office and returned to my desk, I began to check the nner. About ten minutester, I had all the misdeeds Jin So-Mi hadmitted clearly in mind. That''s when the most painful retaliation against Jin So-Mi naturally came to mind. ''She said her life goal is to be awyer, right?'' Jin So-Mi''s dream was to emerge from the shadows and be awyer. But her reason for bing awyer wasn¡¯t to defend people. It was tounder her status and make more money as a legal lobbyist. ''You want to live as awyer? I won''t let that happen.'' ording to the Attorney Act, those sentenced to prison couldn''t practice aswyers for five years, and those with a suspended sentence for two years. In other words, any legal misconduct could suspend one¡¯s legal license for several years. Thankfully, I was aware of several crimes she had narrowly smoothed over through lobbying. If I were to expose her criminal activities to the media, Jin So-Mi would not be able to be awyer. Alternatively, I could prevent her from even taking the bar exam. ''Jin So-Mi. Don¡¯t even think abouting into the light. Being a lobbyist suits you just fine. Awyer? Hardly...'' I clench my teeth while deep in thought. She had built up enough connections to operate as a lobbyist and that was something I couldn''t stop. But I could at least prevent her from bing awyer. Moreover, that would undoubtedly be the one thing Jin So-Mi feared the most. I felt unburdened and began wrapping up the remaining tasks with my thoughts organized. And just before leaving for the day, I received news from Kang Ji-Yung that my team lead appointment would be made official tomorrow. Finally, I was one step away from establishing "Team Jung." *** In Salon Rose nc located in Gangnam, Judge Choi Tae-Song, who had been disgraced after taking a bribe from Jin So-Mi, was fuming. Choi Tae-Song loosened his dress shirt and downed half a bottle of whiskey as soon as he entered the room. Jin So-Mi, who was pouring his drinks by his side, was startled by the news of the failed lobby. "You were disciplined for that trivial matter?" Jin So-Mi asked. The heavily intoxicated Choi Tae-Song bellowed loudly. "Trivial? Hey! Madam Jin! Did you say ''trivial''? Has this bitch gone crazy?" Jin So-Mi began to feel uneasy at Choi Tae-Song''s coarsenguage. "That¡¯s not what I meant, Judge..." "Hey! You said it was an easy job! Didn''t you? If it was so easy, why was the opposition so perfectly prepared? Were you trying to screw me over? No, wait, did you take a bribe from my rival, Judge Kang, to get me killed?" "N-no way, I¡¯ve never interfered in your fights! You know that!" Jin So-Mi never involved herself in the power struggles among legal professionals because getting involved wouldnd her in prison first. "Then why do I have to be audited for such bullshit? Huh!?" Choi Tae-Song cursed. Choi Tae-Song had expected some hospitality in return for the lobby. However, the oue was his exclusion from all duties. Moreover, he had heard from the audit office that they were digging into his past, which made him lose his mind. Choi Tae-Song quickly gulped down another ss of whiskey and said, "Damn it. I''m screwed all because of you." At that moment, Jin So-Mi knelt on the cold floor of the salon. Her tight-fitting dress was ufortable, but she had no time to care about such things. Being outcast by the professionals of the legalmunity meant losing all her foundations. "I¡¯m so sorry, Mr. Choi. Please forgive me." "You''re sorry? You think saying sorry is enough?" "I¡¯ll contact Chief Judge Kang and ask him to cancel the disciplinary action." Jin So-Mi pleaded. At that moment, Choi Tae-Song raised his right hand. He nearly pped Jin So-Mi but restrained himself, sighing and lowering his hand. "Ah, seriously. Listen up, Jin So-Mi! For the time being, no one in the legal circle will take your calls. So keep quiet like a dead mouse. Otherwise, you''ll be the first to go down!" Choi Tae-Song warned her. Faced with Choi Tae-Song''s warning, Jin So-Mi had no choice but to nod repeatedly. She then had to endure a year''s worth of verbal abuse as she kept himpany throughout the night. The drinking session ended around 6 a.m. The exhausted Jin So-Mi shivered as she stepped out of the room and wondered to herself, ''Jung Yoon-Ho, what kind of person are you really?'' It didn''t take long for Jin So-Mi''s thoughts, once filled with malice, to turn into fear. And only then did she start to regret messing with Jung Yoo-Jin and Jung Miso. Chapter 168: Team Lead Promotion (1)

Chapter 168: Team Lead Promotion (1)

As I arrived at the office, there was a notice about a promotion posted in the lobby. [Team Lead Appointment: Actor Division 2, Jung Yoon-Ho] My name was disyed on the LCD screen in bold calligraphic font against a stark white background. ''Finally... I''m a team lead.'' I thought to myself. I felt a lump in my chest and stood there for a while, staring nkly at the announcement screen. At that moment, talent agents from Actor Division 3 and 1 came up to me with sarcastic remarks, having seen my team lead promotion notice. "Must be nice to have high-ups pushing you, huh?" "Wow, some people take four years just to move up from assistant talent agent, but here you are. A team lead in your second year? The way ourpany operates is ridiculous." As expected, the reactions were more negative than positive. After all, a second year talent agent being promoted to team lead was unprecedented. However, I humbly bowed to them. They probably thought I would get annoyed by the sarcasm, but I was not that easily shaken. "I still have a lot to learn. So please, sunbae-nim, I ask for your guidance." I responded. The grumbling senior talent agents awkwardly cleared their throats and turned away. "Ke hem." I had anticipated such a reaction anyway. But I was confident that I could bridge the gap that had formed. I had experienced and faced these simr envious gazes even in my past life. ''I might look pretty naive, but it''s my second go at life, sunbae-nim.'' I privatelymented. Suppressing a smile that was threatening to break out, I headed to the director''s office. *** Kang Ji-Yung greeted me with a weary expression in the director''s office. "I''m sorry for the dy in your appointment," Kang Ji-Yung apologized. "No worries. Mr. Lee Gi-Cheol must have been strongly opposing the decision. I understand," I replied. "Exactly. He resisted so much saying it was unprecedented." Lee Gi-Cheol had used every reason to oppose my promotion to team leader. But the crucial issuey elsewhere. "Being promoted to team lead, you know that you can receive a part of the settlement amounts of the celebrities you manage as a bonus. Right?" Kang Ji-Yung asked. I nodded. "I do." "And you know the percentage?" "As far as I know, I understand that Mr. Kang has allowed up to 10%." "That''s right. My father wanted talent agents and celebrities to be united from the time he founded thepany, so he established such internal rules." I had heard this from my first day at thepany. I was told I could receive up to 10% of the settlement amounts of the actors I managed and was encouraged to work hard for it. "But apart from Mr. Kang, no talent agent has ever received that rate. They received 2% at most." Kang Ji-Yung exined. Former top star Jung Moon-Sik, now retired, had paid 10% of his settlement amounts to his talent agent, Kang Gam-Chan. It was his way of showing gratitude to Kang Gan-Chan, saying it would have been impossible to rise to stardom without him. And that money had been the seed funding for establishing Hoop Entertainment. But currently, only top star Jo Min-Sung from Actor Division 1 gave about 2% of his settlement to his talent agent while most actors gave only about 1% to their team lead. "But what does that revenue distribution rate have to do with my appointment?" "Are you asking because you really don''t know?" When I tilted my head out of curiosity, Kang Ji-Yung smiled. "Not only Miss Yoo-Jin but also the members of Cherry Blossom and Mr. Tae-Poong said they would give you 10%." "Pardon me?" I responded in shock. I was surprised by the unexpected news. It was not that unexpected for Yoo-Jin to consider giving me 10%, but I did not expect the others to offer the same. Though I knew there was a use about distribution of earnings, it wasn''t something that could be enforced on the celebrities. Yet all the celebrities I managed unanimously said they would give me 10%. I felt emotional and overwhelmed. It wasn¡¯t because of the prospect of earning more money that moved me, but rather that my actors and singers cared so much about me. I was about to say that I didn¡¯t need that much, but Kang Ji-Yung spoke first. ¡°But Director Lee Gi-Cheol proposed to change the internal rule to lower that distribution rate to 1%.¡± ¡°What~~~?¡± I eximed. ''Wow. This seems wrong.'' I pondered over what I just heard. Rejecting the offer myself and thepany squashing it were different issues. ¡°What¡¯s the reason?¡± I asked. ¡°He said that it''s a use that depresses the morale of other talent agents.¡± Kang Ji-Yung replied. I immediately wanted to confront Lee Gi-Cheol. ¡°But in the end, we settled on 2%," Kang Ji-Yung added. Cutting from 10% to 2% seemed too much. But before I could express my discontent, Kang Ji-Yung continued. ¡°Instead, thepany has agreed to supplement 1% of the entertainers¡¯ earnings as a performance bonus. So, Team Lead Jung, you¡¯ll be able to receive up to 3%.¡± It was a bit disappointing, but I had to ept it since it was the highest distribution rate within Hoop Entertainment. At that moment, Kang Ji-Yung smiled and added another piece of news. ¡°And going forward, team members will also receive 1% of the entertainers¡¯ earnings as a performance bonus from thepany.¡± Unlike team leads, team members had never received a share of the earnings no matter how much the entertainers made. But from now on, they would receive a performance bonus just by being part of the team. ¡°That¡¯s great news. Your reputation among the staff will surely improve with this announcement, Ms. Kang.¡± ¡°It should. Honestly, the response to promoting you to team lead has been somewhat negative among other employees.¡± Kang Ji-Yung remarked. It seemed that my promotion to team lead had caused some disharmony. But Kang Ji-Yung had her own contingency ns in ce by distributing a part of thepany¡¯s profits to all employees. Only now could I understand why she confidently told me to leave the side effects of my promotion to her. ¡°You''re very considerate,¡± I said with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s about giving the staff properpensation for their hard work. Managing my reputation is just an extra benefit,¡± said Kang Ji-Yung. Kang Ji-Yung, as always, proved herpetence. Then she added, "By the way, you should know I really put in an effort this time. Do you have any idea how hard it was to persuade the shareholders?" I bowed to Kang Ji-Yung smiling brightly. "Thank you so much." Kang Ji-Yung squinted yfully and repeatedly questioned my sincerity. "Really? You really mean it?" ''But that smile of hers...'' It seemed like she was hinting at grabbing a drink soon. "What are you thinking about right now?" Kang Ji-Yung asked. "Oh, I-I¡¯m not thinking about anything," I quickly replied. I quickly changed my response, but Kang Ji-Yung caught me real quick. "That''s a lie. Shall I take a guess?" Kang Ji-Yung asked with a smile. I involuntarily swallowed dryly and my Adam¡¯s apple bobbed. Kang Ji-Yung watched my face intently, then soon frowned. "Never mind. It''s not like you''re the only person I can drink with anyway." ''Whoa, what the heck? Is she using some kind of mind-reading technique or what?'' I remarked silently. "I didn¡¯t say anything!" I eximed. "It''s written all over your face. You hate the idea of drinking! I know you don¡¯t want to deal with drunk people." Kang Ji-Yung said with a frown. Caught in my true feelings, I scratched my head with an awkward expression. Then, Kang Ji-Yung changed the topic. "By the way, Assistant Manager Eun Ji-Yoo has rejected the offer to move to the new team." "But why?" "Because Golden Road is about to go to Japan. She wants to follow them. Everyone around her seems to be advising against it, but she says she needs to stick to her loyalties until the end." Kang Ji-Yung exined. "What~~~?" ''Why would she stick by Golden Road? They are nearly failing and won''t do her any good!'' I wondered to myself. After ending the meeting with Kang Ji-Yung, I immediately called Eun Ji-Yoo. *** Golden Road had decided to move temporarily to a studio in Japan they partnered with as it was bing difficult for them to continue their activities in Korea. On the surface, the purpose was to explore the potential of expanding overseas, but in reality it was a form of protection¡ªor rather, confinement. Shortly after having a call with Eun Ji-Yoo where she exined that Golden Road members had left and she was alone, I rushed to the luxury vi which was used as Golden Road''s dorm to try to persuade her. Ding dong. When I pressed the doorbell, a voice came through the inte. -Who is it? "It''s me, Yoon-Ho." -Just a moment. With a click, Eun Ji-Yoo came out the door. Her expression was apologetic as she nced nervously at me. She looked exhausted, perhaps because she was worn out from continuous days of stress. "Why are you following Golden Road to Japan, Miss Eun? You should be looking out for your own future." After the scandal involving Golden Road broke out, other talent agents had each found their own way forward. But Eun Ji-Yoo was alone in her loyalty. "To be honest, I''m really grateful that you made such a generous offer. But there will be no one left to take care of Golden Road if I leave." Eun Ji-Yoo exined. "I don''t understand. Why are you sticking it out alone?" "I need to be there to make sure they don¡¯t get into even more trouble. Plus, we''ve made a promise to absolutely not lie anymore." This was Eun Ji-Yoo¡¯s sole w¡ªher tendency to trust people excessively to the point of naivety. However, this trust often led to explosive situations that could drive her permanently out of the industry. I didn''t want to witness that happen again. I was just about to try to persuade her again when suddenly a loud curse exploded from behind me. "Fuck. You! What are you doing here?" I turned around to see Yoon Ji-Hee, the youngest member of Golden Road, ring at me with fiery eyes. Yoon Ji-Hee typically spent at least four hours on shopping trips, but she returned in just one hour with luxury shopping bags in both hands. Apparently, she was identified in the department store and couldn¡¯t shop properly. Her expression suggested she believed I was the reason they were being driven all the way to Japan. ''This is ridiculous.'' I silently remarked. Eun Ji-Yoo gasped in shock at Yoon Ji-Hee''s swearing and said, "Ji-Hee, what kind ofnguage is that to use with Mr. Jung?" Yoon Ji-Hee spat as she spoke. "What? Did I say something wrong? We''re getting kicked out to Japan because of this guy, and you expect me to speak nicely?!" Eun Ji-Yoo furrowed her brows. "Yoon Ji-Hee! Seriously! Don''t make me more angry than I am now!" "So what if you do!? Whose side are you on? If you''re our talent agent, you should be taking my side!" Seeing that this was going nowhere, Eun Ji-Yoo pulled Yoon Ji-Hee inside. "Come on, let''s go inside. We''ll talk about it inside." "Let go of me!" Yoon Ji-Hee shrieked. While the scuffle between her and Eun Ji-Yoo repeated, I just stood there with my arms crossed, watching the scene with amusement. But that seemed to irritate Yoon Ji-Hee even more. "You think this is funny? Am I amusing to you?" Yoon Ji-Hee yelled. "Well, anyone would find this funny," I replied. "What? What did you just say?" "Yoon Ji-Hee. Maybe people pamper you so much that you can''t see it, but you need to stop acting like a wild animal. You''re an adult now, not a minor." "A-a wild animal?" Eun Ji-Yoo stepped in to mediate. "Please, Mr. Jung. Be patient with her. She''s under a lot of stresstely." "Miss Eun, there¡¯s a limit to how much we should tolerate her poor manners. What is she, a kid? Oh, right. Mentally, maybe." Yoon Ji-Hee''s face turned as red as a ripe apple. "H-how dare you..." "And listen carefully, Yoon Ji-Hee. If I really wanted to crush you all, I would have started by leaking information about your host bar[1]boyfriends. Understand?" I retorted. Yoon Ji-Hee''s face went pale. I hadn''t realized a person''s face could change colors so rapidly¡ªalmost like a chameleon. "What, what kind of nonsense are you talking about..." Yoon Ji-Hee stuttered. When Yoon Ji-Hee stammered and struggled for words, I started listing her boyfriends by their names. "Raven and Icon. Want more? Who else is there...right. Ronc and Ryder. Hey, tell your boyfriends to get Korean names next time. It¡¯s so hard to remember that I thought I was losing hair over it." I said with a smirk. Yoon Ji-Hee¡¯s eyes widened and her body trembled, not knowing what to do. *** I had known about Yoon Ji-Hee''s host bar boyfriends for a while. However, I had refrained from exposing this because revealing her underage visits to host bars could bring a bacsh against Hoop Entertainment. Moreover, it could potentially implicate Kang Gam-Chan, who was currently in rehabilitation. That''s why I buried this issue. But now seemed like the perfect opportunity to use it. As I mentioned the names of the hosts she frequently met, Yoon Ji-Hee was visibly shocked and unable to continue her sentence. She looked around frantically, searching for someone to support her. However, having just learned of Yoon Ji-Hee''s deception and visits to the host bars, Eun Ji-Yoo started ring at her with a frosty expression. "Ji-Hee, is what Mr. Jung said true?" Eun Ji-Yoo questioned. "Ah, well...unnie..." The normally unppable Eun Ji-Yoo''s face contorted in a way I had never seen before. "Well, they weren¡¯t boyfriends but I hung out with them just for fun... you know, paid to enjoy time with..." Yoon Ji-Hee replied. "Didn¡¯t you say it was just this once that you visited the club? But you¡¯ve been sneaking out all this time to hang out with guys?" Eun Ji-Yoo asked with a trembling voice. Tears welled up in Eun Ji-Yoo¡¯s bug eyes. She had looked after Golden Road tirelessly from before their debut to the present, even tolerating their hysteria and mishaps because she thought they were just kids overwhelmed by their busy schedules. But now, she could tolerate no more and decided to cut ties. After taking a deep breath, Eun Ji-Yoo said, "Let''s not see each other again." "But unnie..." Eun Ji-Yoo turned swiftly. "Mr. Jung. If it¡¯s not toote, may I join your new team?" The shocked Yoon Ji-Hee grabbed at Eun Ji-Yoo''s arm. "No! Ji-Yoo unnie, I was wrong. I''m sorry...please don¡¯t go..." Eun Ji-Yoo harshly shook off Yoon Ji-Hee''s grip. "Let go of me!" I promptly took her hand in mine, warmly weing her. "Wee to ''Team Jung.''" "Just give me a moment, I''ll go grab my stuff right now." Eun Ji-Yoo went inside to pack her belongings. ''There. It''s all done.'' I thought to myself. The startled Yoon Ji-Hee followed her inside, but I knew it was no use trying to stop her. Once people like Eun Ji-Yoo made up their minds, they never looked back. Eun Ji-Yooforted me when Miso died and my soul was torn apart in my past life. I could finally repay her for that time. But it wasn''t just a simple repayment. The patience she maintained despite Golden Road''s rudeness, the energy she managed their schedule with, and above all, her pure faith and good nature could satisfy any demanding star and be a great talent agent. While waiting for Eun Ji-Yoo, I started checking the nner to see if anything had changed. But there was an unexpected change in Golden Road''s schedule. ''What''s this?'' 1. Host bar is simr to strip club where servers get paid to entertain customers ? Chapter 169: Team Lead Promotion (2)

Chapter 169: Team Lead Promotion (2)

The moment Eun Ji-Yoo announced that she was joining my team, theeback schedule for Golden Road set in December disappeared. [Everyday V10] [Date: December 12, 2020] -07:30 a.m. (Deleted Schedule: Golden Road Forest Salon, S-ss Setting.) -05:30 p.m. (Deleted Schedule: Golden Road Comeback Stage Preparation. Request AD for a pre-sound check.) As I flipped through the nner, I noticed that all schedules rted to Golden Road had vanished, not just for this year, but also for the next and even the year after. It was clear that recruiting Eun Ji-Yoo to my team was the reason all the schedules disappeared. Ironically, the backbone of Golden Road turned out to be Eun Ji-Yoo. ''This makes sense. Golden Road would have fallen a long time ago without Ji-Yoo noona.'' I thought to myself. I burst outughing at the ridiculousness of it. ¡°What¡¯s so funny, Mr. Jung?¡± Eun Ji-Yoo asked. It didn''t take long for Eun Ji-Yoo toe out dragging a big pink suitcase, perhaps because she had already packed it in preparation for the trip to Japan. ¡°Oh, no. It''s nothing. Let¡¯s go.¡± My sessful recruitment of Eun Ji-Yoo suggested we wouldn¡¯t have to worry about Golden Road for a while. I was just trying to form my team, but it turned out I had dropped another bomb on Kim Dong-Soo. ¡°Unnie, please! Don¡¯t go!¡± Yoon Ji-Hee pleaded. ''Waving at a departed bus won''t bring it back, Yoon Ji-Hee.'' Imented inwardly. Leaving Yoon Ji-Hee, who kept calling out Eun Ji-Yoo¡¯s name, we immediately left the dormitory. *** There had been some reshuffling at Hoop Entertainment for the Actor and Singer Divisions: Actor Division 1 moved to the third floor. Actor Division 2 and Singer Division 2 moved to the fourth floor. Actor Division 3 and Singer Division 1 moved to the fifth floor. And the remaining management teams gathered on the sixth floor. As Team Jung was formed, there had recently been lots of talks behind the scenes at thepany. Such was only natural because thepany had grouped everyone by their lines except for Actor Division 1 and the management team. Team Jung quickly settled into the partitioned office located by the window on the fourth floor. As soon as I finished cleaning and sat down, someone''s head popped up over the left partition. ¡°It¡¯s simply honorable that you called me to join Team Jung." Do Ran-Hee, who originally belonged to Singer Division 1, sped her hands to her forehead in a half bow. After Chief Park Han-Cheol retired, she had been pleading with me to take her in because she was terrified of beingbeled an internal whistleblower. Although I had already nned to take her in, I epted her plea nonchntly. After all, it was always the desperate one who was vulnerable. Eun Ji-Yoo reached out her hand to Do Ran-Hee and said, ¡°Ran-Hee, we got this. Let¡¯s do well together.¡± ¡°You know it, Miss Eun!¡± Do Ran-Hee replied cheerfully. ¡°And you need to really listen to Mr. Jung. Okay?¡± Eun Ji-Yoo urged her. ¡°He he. I already promised to live as Mr. Jung¡¯s pet. Right, Mr. Jung?" Do Ran-Hee winked and waited for my acknowledgment, but I didn¡¯t want to. ''I¡¯m on Eun Ji-Yoo¡¯s side.'' I thought to myself. ¡°Whatever. Go down to the recording studio now and take care of the people there. Everyone¡¯s foregoing meals and sleep to work, so your first task is to manage their meals and well being. Can you do that?¡± I instructed. ¡°Of course. That¡¯s easy.¡± Do Ran-Hee replied. ¡°It won''t be as easy as you think. They don¡¯t even eat or sleep well while working,¡± I added. "Don''t worry. Despite how I may appear, I''m the eldest of five siblings. At least the people in the recording studiomunicate unlike them," said Do Ran-Hee confidently. Do Ran-Hee flexed her forearm and boasted about her muscle strength, exining that handling a few recording studio hermits should be no problempared to taking care of her younger brothers who never listened. As Do Ran-Hee packed her belongings and got up, Eun Ji-Yoo also stood up. "Ran-Hee, let mee with you. I should at least say hello to them." "Okay, unnie." Things quietened down a bit when Do Ran-Hee and Eun Ji-Yoo linked arms and disappeared. To my right at my desk were the talent agents managing the actors. I had to choose assistant manager-level staff to help Jung Sang-Bong in managing the other actors. However, I specifically chose Lee Yung-Jin, my colleague who got hired at the same time as I was. He was just an ordinary employee, not an assistant manager. However, I appreciated his agreeable nature. Dealing with people was a significant aspect of the job and possessing a non-disagreeable personality was a valuable skill in its own right. I approached him and said, "Yung-Jin. If you''re not busy, let''s go meet Assistant Manager Yang So-Ri together." Lee Yung-Jin treated me with a level of respect to the extent that people said he was a changed man. "Understood, Mr. Jung!" We headed for the emergency stairs to fetch Yang So-Ri from the third floor. Then as soon as the door to the stairwell closed, I stopped Lee Yung-Jin and asked, "Hey. What''s with the sudden change?" "What do you mean, Mr. Jung?" "Cut it out. It''s giving me goosebumps." Lee Yung-Jin nced around nervously before speaking. "May I speak informally with you?" "Yeah. Let''s be casual when it''s just the two of us. It''s too ufortable otherwise." Lee Yung-Jin sighed as he looked around cautiously. "Sigh. You can say that only because you have no idea what''s going on. Everyone''s eyeing me and trying to catch my faults. It''s suffocating, man." "They''re trying to find your faults? Why?" "Because I''m not an assistant manager but a regr employee." "So? What does that have to do with them trying to find your faults?" "Are you serious? Everyone is talking behind my back saying that I''d get promoted for the vacant assistant manager position!" Lee Yung-Jin exined. "That''s ridiculous. Who says you''ll get promoted so easily just like that?" I asked. "That''s what I''m saying." Lee Yung-Jin chimed in. Then, he suddenly looked at me sharply and added, "Wait, that sounds weird. Hey! I work really hard. Are you telling me you won¡¯t promote me even with all my hard work?" Lee Yung-Jin pouted and looked at me, prompting me to quickly change my words. "Of course I will. You surely deserve to be promoted. Anyway, how did you respond to them?" Lee Yung-Jin cleared his throat and spoke. "I said if they''re jealous, they should also find a capable friend." I let out a chuckle. "What? Ha ha ha." Lee Yung-Jin might be cautious and timid, but sometimes he really knew how to make an impact. "Alright. Yung-Jin, I''ll take responsibility and get you the assistant manager position this year. I¡¯ll push your performance." I assured him. Lee Yung-Jin smiled brightly. "I''ll give it all I''ve got, Mr. Jung!" I smiled inwardly as I watched Lee Yung-Jin point toward the stairs of the third-floor emergency exit. Saying I''d push his performance meant I was going to give him enough work to justify it. I felt a bit sorry for Lee Yung-Jin looking happier than ever. After all, I''d have to work him to death to get him that assistant manager position this year. ''There¡¯s no such thing as a free lunch, Yung-Jin.'' I silently remarked. *** The recruitment of Assistant Manager Yang So-Ri, who would be responsible for Team Jung''s makeup, turned out to be much easier than anticipated. This was thanks to having constantly contacted and entrusted her with creating a special makeup mask for Yoo-Jin to y the role of an elder. "Thank you for agreeing toe to my team so readily," I said. "Not at all. I should be the one thanking you. Thanks to you, Mr. Jung, I don¡¯t need to change jobs." Yang So-Ri replied. I let out a sigh of relief as she exined she had been considering a move to a film''s special effects team. If I hadn''t had my past life''s memories to help me, I might have lost her to another industry. "By the way, could I check on the mask you¡¯ve been working on?" I asked. "Oh, yes. It''s almost finished. There are just a few more details to add forpletion. Would you like to take a look?" Yang So-Ri looked around the surroundings and took me to the makeup room. The moment I saw the mask hidden in the corner of the makeup room, I was awestruck. It was a translucent mask made of a special material used in Hollywood and you could fool anyone about your age just by wearing it. It perfectly depicted liver spots and wrinkles, and even had fine hairs to make it look like real human skin. The texture of the skin felt so real that I was shocked to think she had made the mask all by herself. ''The power of a true enthusiast is indeed great.'' As I checked the mask, Yang So-Ri looked at me with a worried expression and asked, "It seems to have turned out as you described, but do you think it¡¯s good enough?" When I asked why she doubted herself, an absurd answer came back. She answered there was a rumor circting in Hoop Entertainment that being average wouldn¡¯t cut it to join Team Jung. She further borated and exined people had been saying she''d have to be prepared to work day and night to keep up with a rising star who got promoted to a team lead in just his second year. "I''ve been so stressed out that I''ve been reading the scripts and preparing even harder," said Yang So-Ri. Despite being a ridiculous rumor far from the truth, I chose to remain silent, considering the positive result it produced. "The result is beyond expectations. I will prepare a separate workspace for you from now on, so you can work there," I told Yang So-Ri. "Phew. That¡¯s a relief." "While we''re at it, let¡¯s move your desk to Team Jung today." "Yes, Mr. Jung." Yang So-Ri¡¯s skills in special effects makeup as well as regr makeup were among the top in Korea. So by respecting her hobbies, I could ensure that the makeup of the actors I managed would remain top-tier. "Anyway, I''ll do my best!" Yang So-Ri eximed. "Just keep doing what you''re doing." Now all we needed was a stylist toplete Team Jung¡¯s basic teamposition. Hoop Entertainment was set to split in about two and a half years, and thepany¡¯s IPO was also nned around then. I needed to keep moving, busier than ever, preparing for the crucial battle ahead. Of course, constantly sabotaging Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo was also part of the job. Now that my team was formed, the real game was just beginning. ''Kim Dong-Soo, whatever you do, you won''t have a chance as long as I''m here.'' I thought hard to myself. *** In the meeting room of Actor Division 2, the members of Team Jung were preparing for their first meeting. Seated around me were Lee Yung-Jin and Jung Sang-Bong who managed actors, Eun Ji-Yoo and Do Ran-Hee who managed singers, and Yang So-Ri who was in charge of makeup. Lee Tae-Poong''s talent agent, Lee Dae-Ho, couldn¡¯t attend as he was on-site. "Mr. Jung. Please give us your word." Since Lee Yung-Jin had set the stage, I cleared my throat and spoke. "Eh. Firstly, my n is to promote everyone here faster than anyone else." "Ha ha ha. Sounds like you¡¯re nning to work us to death." Lee Yung-Jin chuckled. But perhaps because no oneughed out loud, Lee Yung-Jin stoppedughing and looked anxious. "Um, I was just joking. It''s not true, is it? Mr. Jung?" Lee Yung-Jin asked. "Just work twice as hard, Mr. Yung-Jin. Then you¡¯ll be an assistant manager by the end of the year." I replied. Lee Yung-Jin''s face turned pale. "Tw-twice as hard?" Do Ran-Heeughed andforted Lee Yung-Jin. "Yung-Jin oppa, Actor Division 3 is cutting down staff because Ju Yung-In left and they have less work. But we don¡¯t have to worry about that. Isn¡¯t that much better?" Lee Yung-Jin shook his head. "You. I''ll remember those words." "Yes, please do~." I quickly broke up the chatter. "Alright, alright. Let''s stop the chit-chat and start the meeting." As the meeting started, we began by assessing the situation of the celebrities in Team Jung. Lee Yung-Jin started briefing us on the status and revenues of our actors. "Firstly, Miss Jung Yoo-Jin is the core of our team. Blue Sky has aired up to episode 23 and is soon concluding." "How manymercials does she have currently?" I asked. Lee Yung-Jin answered, "She has sixmercials currently." "What about the appearance fee and the expected revenue for this year?" "The fee per episode for her uing drama In the Name of God is set at 10 million won. And the total expected revenue, conservatively estimated, is around 1.5 billion won." Do Ran-Hee eximed in admiration as Lee Yung-Jin continued detailing Yoo-Jin''s achievements. "Wow~ that''s no joke." Encouraged, Lee Yung-Jin continued his report with a shrug. "Mr. Lee Tae-Poong has just started filming for Beyond the Boundary, but he doesn''t have anymercials yet. And since it''s a running guarantee contract, this year''s revenue is unpredictable." "Set Mr. Lee Tae-Poong''s revenue forecast at 500 million won. We expect 300 million won from movie revenues and he shouldnd about twomercials by the end of the year." Lee Yung-Jin looked surprised. "But Mr. Jung, to reach 300 million won with a running guarantee, we''d need almost ten million audiences!" "Mrs. Pyo from Choi Sung-Moon Film has predicted we can reach ten million audiences in two months." "Mrs. Pyo, as in Chief Pyo Eun-Mi?" Hearing the prediction from Pyo Eun-Mi, renowned in the industry for herputer-based calctions, Lee Yung-Jin''s expression brightened. "I''ll make the adjustments. And currently, Miss Jung Miso is set to appear in In the Name of God as a child actor. She has twomercials, and her per-episode fee is set at 1 million won. Her expected revenue this year is around 200 million won," Lee Yung-Jin continued to report. Do Ran-Hee looked incredulous. "Wow. How can a child actress earn that much?" "You have no idea. That''s only because Mr. Jung filtered the ads to that extent; it could be more if we pushed it." Lee Yung-Jin exined. The discouraged Do Ran-Hee crouched her shoulders. "Oh, my. I feel a bit sad. Our earnings don''t evenpare." After all, the only singer we had apart from Cherry Blossom was Kang Ha-Na, who was just beginning her career. "Ran-Hee, there''s no need to worry. Ha-Na will make a big ssh, just you watch." I reassured her. "I really hope so," muttered Do Ran-Hee. I reassured the worried Do Ran-Hee as I brought up the management of the singers. "As you all know, we''ll soon be releasing Miss Kang Ha-Na''s music through MeTube." Everyone''s attention turned to me as I spoke. "Anyone who hasn''t heard Ha-Na''spositions should do so after the meeting. And Assistant Manager Eun, please prepare for the release with the publicity team." Eun Ji-Yoo asked about the timeline. "By when?" "Please have everything ready to upload within three weeks," I replied. It was earlier than in my past life, but we had to elerate the debut schedule to align with the uing joint concert with Kim Jong-Hoon at the end of the year. Eun Ji-Yoo nodded. "Three weeks, okay. Then I need to talk to the publicity team right away." "Yes. And oh, just so you know in advance, Assistant Manager Kim Mi-Hye from the publicity team will be assigned exclusively to our team from now on." Eun Ji-Yoo looked surprised. "We have... our own dedicated publicity staff? But we''re a team, not a division." "Ms. Kang has given us full support." Everyone''s faces registered shock. Having a dedicated publicity staff was usually something only the entire division had. Stunned by the shocking news, Lee Yung-Jin stammered and asked, "M-Mr. Jung. Is this really okay? Our team is already smaller in scale and revenue by more than halfpared to other teams." Seeing the surprised team members, Iid out the goal for Team Jung. "It''s fine. We have one and a half years before the end of next year to be promoted to a full division as promised with Ms. Kang." Everyone''s faces turned to expressions of astonishment, as being promoted to a division meant I would soon be a Chief. Chapter 170: Team Lead Promotion (3)

Chapter 170: Team Lead Promotion (3)

On June 17th, 2020, I dered in our first meeting as the newly appointed team lead that I would promote our team to a division before the year was out. After my shocking announcement, I met the eyes of my frozen team members and spoke. "And I would like you all to join me on this journey." Gulp. The staff gathered in the meeting room swallowed hard. "Do you have any questions?" I asked. Lee Yung-Jin immediately raised his hand. "Is this a mere hope or a realistic goal?" "Obviously, it''s a realistic goal," I replied. "But is a promotion to a division really possible with our sales?" Lee Yung-Jin continued asking. "That''s a good question, Mr. Yung-Jin. But do you know how much revenue a typical division makes?" Lee Yung-Jin shook his head. "No, sir." At that moment, Eun Ji-Yoo cautiously responded. "As far as I know, it ranges from a minimum of 50 billion won to as much as 200 billion won, Mr. Jung" I nodded. "Exactly. Last year, Actor Division 1 made 204 billion won, Singer Division 1 made 132 billion won, and Actor Division 3 made 85 billion won. Unfortunately, Singer Division 2 and Actor Division 2 only made 50 billion won each." The faces of the staff listening to me turned red at the news that the sales of the entertainers from Actor Division 2 and Singer Division 2 on our fourth floor were the lowest. "Therefore it would be fair to say that the minimum threshold for being promoted to a division starts from 50 billion won." I made eye contact with each team member as I spoke. "That''s why I''ve set our team''s sales target for this year a bit higher at 70 billion won. Next year, I n to double that. Then no one can object to our promotion to a division even if our team is small." Once again, the team members were astonished by my remark. "Oh, also, 1% of the profits will go to the team members if we achieve a revenue of 70 billion won...so you could each take home a bonus of about 5 million to 10 million won. We don''t have many team members after all," I added. As unbelievable words followed, my team members werepletely astounded. In my case, achieving 70 billion won in sales would mean an additional bonus of about 100 million won for me since I was the team lead. I spoke to the employees who were continuously rolling their eyes. "It seems my words aren''t quite getting through. Then Mr. Yung-Jin, let''s start with setting a sales target for the actors'' part." Lee Yung-Jin finally snapped back to attention at the mention of his name. He gulped down the water on the table and then spoke of the expected sales for the actors'' part. "Currently, the forecast for the actors'' part is a total of 22 billion won in the fourth quarter." I proposed a new target. "Let''s increase the target a bit more from there. How about a neat 40 billion won?" "40 billion won?" Lee Yung-Jin asked as his eyes widened. When I nodded in response, Lee Yung-Jin cautiously asked another question. "Mr. Jung, are you perhaps thinking of bringing Mr. Jang Jun-Hyuk to our team?" "No. Mr. Park In-Ki will manage Mr. Jang Jun-Hyuk." "Then how are we going to achieve that sales figure?" My solution was simple¡ªto raise the value of the current actors and recruit new ones who could bring in money. I started sharing my ns with the team. "For the second half of this year, we will focus on increasing the value of our current actors. There will also be new actors joining us." With the uing recruitment of new actors and potential members from Faithful, it would be more than sufficient for us to meet our goals. "So just trust and follow me. I assure you it''s entirely possible," I said confidently. The expressions of the team members began to brighten a little at my confident words. "Yes, sir. I may not be good at leading, but I do follow quite well, don¡¯t I?" Lee Yung-Jin remarked. I responded to Lee Yung-Jin¡¯s supportive words with a smile. He was easy-going but always did his best when it came to work. Next was the singers'' part. If the overall team sales target was 70 billion won and the actors'' part was 40 billion won, then the singers'' part would have to achieve 30 billion won. For this reason, the members in charge of the singers'' part had beenpletely spaced out with devastated expressions until now. "Miss Ran-Hee?" Do Ran-Hee, who had been frozen, was startled by my sudden mention of her name. "Yes. Yes, Mr. Jung!" "Don''t worry too much. Actor Division 2 has agreed to count 20% of Cherry Blossom''s sales toward our team''s revenue." Do Ran-Hee brightened up and asked, "What are the expected sales for Cherry Blossom this year?" "Cherry Blossom is looking at an expected sales of 5 billion won. That would mean about 1 billion won for us." "Sigh. Even with 1 billion won, we¡¯re still 2 billion won short of the singers'' part target." Do Ran-Hee said with a sigh. "Miss Kang Ha-Na will fill that gap," I remarked. "Miss Ha-Na?" The expressions of Eun Ji-Yoo and Do Ran-Hee were on the verge of tears, worried about how the rookie Kang Ha-Na alone could make up 2 billion won. Eun Ji-Yoo asked cautiously after listening in silence. "Mr. Jung, it¡¯s true that Miss Ha-Na sings well, but how can one female solo artist bring in 2 billion won?" The music charts were usually dominated by idols like girl and boy bands, which indicated the importance of recognition and publicity. Everyone was seriously worried whether the rookie singer-songwriter Kang Ha-Na could break through such fiercepetition. "We''ll open an exclusive MeTube channel for Ha-Na. We''ll do daily live broadcasts and simple talks to promote her and include advertisements. Those earnings will be additional revenue. Oh, and please look for a scriptwriter with MeTube experience rather than from broadcasting. The PD in charge of the channel can be from broadcasting though." Eun Ji-Yoo pondered for a moment and then asked, "If we open a dedicated channel, does that mean it''s separate from thepany''s MeTube channel?" "That''s right. Our team has been granted permission to open an independent MeTube channel. In the future, we n to separate the channels of other actors and singers we recruit as well." "So like individual MeTubers?" "Exactly." While it was still early days, some celebrities had already started earning supplementary ie by managing their own MeTube channels. However, the money celebrities made as MeTubers would be thergest revenue model in the entertainment industry within the next ten years. I managed to persuade Kang Ji-Yung regarding this and received permission to establish an independent channel that could be fully ounted for as Team Jung''s revenue. After all, as Team Jung grows and expands its activities, the influence of Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s line would also grow stronger. However, the content nning and publicity had to be managed by Team Jung. I looked at them and spoke. "Entertainment agencies literally manage everything about a celebrity. As long as it generates revenue, it''s our job to handle it." The faces of the team members were filled with contemtion, but eventually Lee Yung-Jin took the initiative and eximed, "Let''s give it a shot! Something wille out of it if we try hard enough." Inspired by Lee Yung-Jin''s encouragement, confidence started to appear on the other team members'' faces. I thought about everything that Team Jung had to do. ''Now the real work begins. Achieving 70 billion won in sales, promoting Team Jung to a division, increasing the size of the team by bringing key figures into our team, and gathering funds to jump into the fray when Hoop Entertainment goes public.'' For the next two and a half years, I nned to do everything to prevent Hoop Entertainment from splitting just like in my past life. On top of that, bing Korea''s top talent agent was a bonus for me. *** On the day the final episode of Blue Sky was set to broadcast, I bought some drinks and went to Yoo-Jin''s house with Haru to watch the finale. As we entered the living room on the first floor, Jung In-Ji had generously prepared snacks and was waiting for us. "Here, here. Sit down. Yoo-Jin will be down soon," Jung In-Ji said with a bright smile, pointing to the cushions she had prepared. When Haru and I took our seats, Jung In-Ji exined that the remodeling on the third floor would take about two weeks. "Then we should be able to move in by the end of the month," I replied with a smile. Jung In-Ji smiled happily. "It''s going to feel lively with people around¡ªthat''s what makes life enjoyable." "We''re excited to move in as well," I smiled and remarked. "Me too!" Haru agreed. Jung In-Ji began to tear up. "Sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky. It''s been lonely since my son went to Suwon..." "Aw. Don''t cry, ma''am," Iforted Jung In-Ji. "Oh, I''m being silly. Sorry," Jung In-Ji replied, wiping away her tears. Just then, the front door on the first floor opened and Yoo-Jin entered with Miso. But they were carrying arge box in their hands. "Ta-da!" Yoo-Jin eximed. The box wrapped in pink with colorful floral patterns had a giant yellow ribbon the size of my head tied around it. "Yoo-Jin, what is this?" I asked. Yoo-Jin and Miso were so excited they spoke at the same time. "It''s a gift for your promotion to team lead, oppa!" Yoo-Jin eximed. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, I did the wrapping!" Miso announced excitedly. I epted therge box big enough for a person to curl up inside and thanked them. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, hurry and open it. Do it now!" Miso urged with an excited expression. "Then shall we open it together, Miso?" I asked with a smile. "Okay!" If it weren''t for Miso, I would have just ripped the box open without a second thought. After all, I''ve never really cared much about wrapping paper. But I couldn''t just tear into it recklessly since Miso, who had wrapped the gift herself, was watching. I borrowed a box cutter and began carefully peeling off the tape as if performing surgery. It was surprisingly difficult to cut the wrapping paper without causing any damage to the box. As I removed thest piece of tape, a sigh escaped me unknowingly. "Phew~." I wiped my forehead with my sleeve, and Miso did the same. "Phew~." I carefully handed the peeled wrapping paper to Miso. "Here''s the wrapping paper, Miso." "Yay!" Miso beamed with satisfaction. "Alright. Shall we open it now?" I asked. "Yes!" Now it was time to remove the yellow tape stuck to the box. But fortunately, Yoo-Jinughed and said it wasn''t necessary to be so careful anymore. "Ha ha ha. Oppa, just rip it." I looked at Yoo-Jin and asked, "Is that okay?" With a sense of relief, I ripped off the tape at once. But the moment I opened the box, there was somethingpletely unexpected inside. "This is..." Inside the box was an Ormani navy blue suit. Two sets of premium suits were packed inside, identical to the ones I used to wear in my past life. I lifted my head and saw Yoo-Jin smiling. "You always wear suits only, oppa. I was thinking about what you needed most, and I couldn''t think of anything but suits." "Even so, these are too expensive..." "Oh, it''s fine. It''s not that expensive." Yoo-Jin winked, a signal not to discuss the price publicly. ''Each would cost at least 3 million won if she bought these from the mall...'' I thought to myself. Seeing my surprised face, Miso cheered joyfully and raised both hands. "Mom and I really took our time picking these out at the mall!" Ironically, Yoo-Jin didn''t even own a single designer bag, let alone a branded one. Moreover, Yoo-Jin''s frugality was such that she evenpared the value of the meals Lee Ji-Yeon bought at Hwaryong to that of a simple beef soup. I had never imagined she would give me such an expensive gift¡ªand two sets at that. "Yoo-Jin, I don''t need two sets. Let''s return one and..." But Yoo-Jin crossed her hands to form an X. "They''ve already been tailored to fit you perfectly. You can''t return them." "They''ve been tailored too? How did you know my size?" "I just took the suit you''re currently wearing to the dry cleaners and they did everything needed from there." Apparently, Yoo-Jin had taken one of my suits I left at the local dry cleaner to the mall to get it altered to the same size. ''When did she even do that?'' I wondered. At this point, there was nothing I could do. All I could do was gratefully ept her generosity and find a way to give back even more. "Thank you. I will wear them every day." At that moment, Jung In-Ji and Haru carefully handed me a box wrapped in a ck stic bag. "Ours isn''t expensive. But we packed it with lots of love." Their gifts were nutritional supplements and Ursodeoxycholic acid tablets. "You really didn''t have to do all this..." My heart swelled with emotion. I had always been the giver, not the receiver of gifts in my past life. It was essential for fostering rtionships with superiors and dealings with broadcasters and investors. I celebrated milestones like debut anniversaries, ten million hits, and film festival awards by distributing carefully chosen gifts to celebrities and their families. But this life was the opposite. From being someone who spread corrupt gifts, to receiving heartfelt ones¡ªit was aplete turnaround. I was left feeling overwhelmed, not knowing what to do. I just stood there with the gifts in my hands, feeling a tickle in my chest and a sting around my eyes. Having had few such experiences in my past life, I was at a loss for how to express my gratitude. That''s when Jung In-Ji brought me back to the moment. "Team Lead Jung, the drama is about to begin. Let''s watch the finale." "Ah, yes." Coming to my senses, I bowed deeply once again to the four of them. "Thank you. I really appreciate it." "Hey, we''re the ones who should be thankful. If it weren''t for you, I''d still be looking for minor parts, oppa," Yoo Jin responded. Everyone nodded in agreement to Yoo-Jin''s words. I felt a satisfaction greater than any mary gain, thanks to the people who knew their gratitude and reciprocated affection. I knew I had to repay this ''debt'' in the future. Miso pointed to the TV. "Hey, it''s starting!" Themercials ended and episode 24 of Blue Sky finally began. We adjusted our positions and started watching thest episode of Blue Sky while munching on snacks prepared by Jung In-Ji. ''Wow, this is going to be big news tomorrow.'' I smiled at the thought. Watching the final episode filled with Yoo-Jin''s acting, I already began to anticipate the audience''s reaction it would generate the next day. Chapter 171: On a Roll (1)

Chapter 171: On a Roll (1)

[Blue Sky''s Sessful Finale With 28.5% Viewership Ratings!] [Interview With Writer Kim Soll-Ip, Adding Perfection to the Script.] [Meeting Ju Yung-In and Jung Yoo-Jin: The Most Spotlighted Actresses of the Year.] Blue Sky had finallye to an end with the final episode featuring Ju Yung-In as the bride. However, thest scene was Yoo-Jin catching the bouquet. Thanks to this scene marking the drama''s high point, the top live search ranking was amusingly about Blue Sky Season 2. There was even a flood of requests to make Yoo-Jin the lead for the next season. Because of this, my team and I, upying the Actor Division 2''s meeting room, were swamped with handling a barrage of advertising proposals and could barely catch our breaths. "Yes. Yes. Oh, ABS Mart? Sorry, but Miss Yoo-Jin already has an exclusive contract with Wheelies for shoes." "I''m sorry. Miss Yoo-Jin is exclusively with LM Apparel for clothing." "Happy Confectionery''s Grand m Ball snacks? 50 million won a year? Hmm, I''ll discuss it with thepany and get back to you. Please give me your contact information." Our entire team of talent agents was deployed and our phones were nearly exploding from overheating. Yet there seemed to be no end. Lee Yung-Jin wiped his sweat and shouted, "Mr. Jung! Please set a minimum for the ad rates!" Following him, Kim Mi-Hye from the PR division also added, "We''ll be paralyzed if this continues. We''re getting offers from various broadcasters too and we can''t respond because we''re swamped with handling ad inquiries." Originally, advertising deals were handled by chiefs. But in the case of Jung Team, all authority had been delegated to me as this was another condition I secured from Kang Ji-Yung. After some thought, I instructed the members to set their phones to silent mode. After the meeting room quieted down, I immediately asked Lee Yung-Jin, "Mr. Yung-Jin, what''s the highest offer we''ve received for an ad so far?" Lee Yung-Jin flipped through his notes with excitement and responded. "Seven Star Electronics has approached us for a washing and drying machine set ad. It would feature Miss Yoo-Jin and Miso together. It''s a family-friendly concept, so it''s not too burdensome." "How much did they offer?" I asked. "300 million won." "And the duration of the contract?" "It''s one year, sir." "Has there been any contact from LZ Electronics, theirpetitor?" "LZ Electronics offered 320 million won for a refrigerator ad. They also want Miss Yoo-Jin and Miso together, and the duration of the contract is one year." The room buzzed louder upon hearing that Korea''s top two electronicspanies had made offers since an ad with thesepanies could change an actor''s valuation significantly. However, I wasn''t satisfied. "Mr. Jung! What''s with that look? Aren''t you pleased? It''s Seven Star and LZ Electronics," Do Ran-Hee asked. I nodded at Do Ran-Hee''s question. "It''s too low." "Pardon?" "I said the ad rates are too low." "What? But it''s 320 million won?" "Yes, but that''s for Miso and Miss Yoo-Jin," I added. "Oh, right!" Do Ran-Hee eximed in realization. "Don''t forget, Miso is also an actress on our team. We need to calcte separate ad rates for each." "I''m sorry, Mr. Jung." "That''s okay. Let''s start by setting Miss Yoo-Jin''s value." I asked for Kim Mi-Hye''s assistance to establish Yoo-Jin''smercial ad rate. "Ms. Kim, how much was Miss Ju Yung-In''s valuest year?" "She was given 400 million won under the condition of not doing ads for simr products." "Do you think Yoo-Jin is less recognized than Miss Ju Yung-In right now?" I asked. She shook her head. "No, Miss Yoo-Jin practically seemed like the main character in the recently concluded Blue Sky." "Then let me ask again. At this point, what do you think Miss Yoo-Jin''s value should be?" Yoo-Jin''s poprity had skyrocketed since the end of the year, cing her at the top tier of recognition. Sometimes, managing actors reached a point like this where everypany wanted to sign a contract with one actor. During such times, an actor''s worth must be boldly increased. Kim Mi-Hye hesitated but firmly dered with her eyes closed. "Last year, Miss Ju Yung-In started at 400 million won. Considering Miss Yoo-Jin''s poprity this year, starting at the same amount seems appropriate even though she''s a rookie." Yoo-Jin''s six months of poprity had caught up with Ju Yung-In''s years of effort in just one drama. I smiled brightly at my team members. "So, are we still talking about abined 320 million won?" For Lee Yung-Jin and Do Ran-Hee who had only been with thepany for two years, such a situation might not have been familiar to them. However, being astute, they quickly presented their views. "No. We should be asking 400 million won for Yoo-Jin and 500 thousand won for Miso, adding up to 450 million won," Lee Yung-Jin suggested. Do Ran-Hee disagreed, shaking her head, "Yung-Jin oppa, do you not realize that Miso is the reason the Cherry Blossom''s music video went viral? If Miss Yoo-Jin is 400 million won, then Miso should be at least 500 million won! Don''t tell me you''re underestimating Miso?" ''Wait. He''s underestimating Miso?'' The thought made me frown. As I nced sharply at Lee Yung-Jin, he quickly avoided my gaze, knowing how much I valued Miso. "What? No way! Why would I underestimate Miso? Ran-Hee, are you trying to get me in trouble with Mr. Jung, huh?" Do Ran-Hee stuck out her tongue at Lee Yung-Jin, insisting that Miso was continually increasing her recognition with overwhelming cuteness in the cover video. The official music video for Cherry Blossom''s ''Hurry Up!'' was number one for nine consecutive weeks with 15.32 million views, and the cover video featuring Yoo-Jin and Miso had 11.17 million views. "The amount Mr. Yung-Jin proposed makes more sense," I concluded. Although Miso had significant recognition, asking for more than 100 million won in ad fees was still a stretch as she wasn''t yet engaged in substantial activities as a child actress. At that moment, Yang So-Ri threw in an unexpected question. "But you were in the cover video as well, Mr. Jung. An ad came in for you too. What do you think about shooting one?" "An ad came in for me?" I asked. "Yes." Lee Yung-Jin asked with an interesting grin, "Where? Where did the ade in?" "Um, well..." Yang So-Ri nced at me nervously before cautiously continuing. "It¡¯s from Bong Bong Leggings. They offered 20 million won for a year..." "Pffft!" "Ha ha ha!" Lee Yung-Jin and Do Ran-Hee burst intoughter one after the other. Apparently, it was the colorful aerobics outfit I had worn in the video that led to this offer from a leggings manufacturer that matched the outfit. Even Eun Ji-Yoo wasughing. ''What the heck? The name of thepany is Bong Bong Leggings?'' I furrowed my brows at that ridiculous name. My face turned beet red and I fanned myself with my hand, shaking my head. "Ahem. I''m not appearing in any ads. Whatever offerse for me, cut them off no matter the amount." I regained myposure and instructed them. "Okay, understood. Heh." When Yang So-Ri answered with augh, Do Ran-Hee smiled with her eyes and asked, "But Ms. Yang, why did they want Mr. Jung as a model? Because he''s handsome? Because he has a nice physique?" "Miss Ran-Hee, there''s really no need to ask that..." I said. "Because his butt looked nice in the leggings. They said it really caught their eye." Do Ran-Hee replied, barely managing to contain herughter. "Ha ha ha!" "Oh my goodness, ha ha!" "Pffft!" Laughter erupted once again at Yang So-Ri''sment. ''This is so embarrassing.'' I thought to myself as I felt my cheeks flush with heat from the embarrassment. I was determined I would never wear an aerobics outfit again in my life. I cleared my throat loudly at the stillughing staff. "Ahem!" The staff finally managed to control theirughter. "Go ahead and give the official response to Seven Star and LZ Electronics that Miss Yoo-Jin''s fee is 400 million won and Miso''s is 50 million won. Also, keep one thing in mind. Let bothpanies know that they are not the only ones interested. Mention that not only are the concepts simr, but they both need Yoo-Jin as well as Miso," I instructed. "Yes, Mr. Jung!" Lee Yung-Jin energetically answered and proceeded to ce the formal offers to Seven Star Electronics and LZ Electronics. This was how a talent agent sets an actor''s worth. Still, I couldn''t rx until we heard back from bothpanies that they were willing to raise their offers beyond our set grade. *** "Yes, yes. That sounds good. Thank you, sir." I ended the call with Lee Yo-Jun, the promotion director of Seven Star Electronics. The moment I hung up the phone in the meeting room, I clenched my fists in triumph. "It''s 500 million won!" After several back-and-forths akin to a ping-pong game between LZ Electronics and Seven Star Electronics, the final ad fees were settled: Yoo-Jin at 450 million won and Miso at 50 million won. At that moment, the room burst into cheers. Everyone was visibly shocked as they hadn''t expected the fees to escte so significantly. But to be honest, I was equally astonished to see the ad fees soar this high so suddenly. "It''s a jackpot!" "Mr. Jung! This isn''t a dream, is it?" Lee Yung-Jin asked brightly. Do Ran-Hee raised her chin triumphantly at Lee Yung-Jin''s question. "Oppa. What did I tell you? I told you we can do 500 million won!" "Yes, you were right! Totally right!" Lee Yung-Jin eximed. Although the process waspletely different, the oue turned out just as Do Ran-Hee had predicted. In the midst of the noisy excitement, Eun Ji-Yoo cautiously approached me and asked, "Mr. Jung, earlier you mentioned setting a minimum for our ad offers. How should we proceed with that?" "To minimize brand dilution, cancel all offers under 200 million won per year." "Yes, Mr. Jung." After giving those instructions, I turned to Kim Mi-Hye and said, "Ms. Kim. After you draft the advertising contracts, subtly distribute press releases to the newspapers." "To the newspapers?" "Yes. Once articles about Yoo-Jin and Miso''s fees are published, unsolicited offers with ridiculous sums will naturally decrease. Plus, the PDs will start contacting us to discuss appearance fees." Kim Mi-Hye nodded enthusiastically, clearly pleased with the n. It finally felt like I was worthy of wearing the expensive suit Yoo-Jin had gifted me. *** [Seven Star Electronics Casts Jung Yoo-Jin and Jung Miso For a New Washing and Dryer Machine Ad Campaign¡ªA Whopping 500 Million Won!] The response to the article was immediate. Contacts for lower-value ads dwindled, and PDs began to offer higher appearance fees. [SBC Choi Tae-Eung PD: Team Lead Jung, we''ll reassess and contact you about the appearance fee.] [MBS Lee Man-Tae PD: Please consider our situation. Our budget per episode doesn''t even reach 100 million won. With that, we cover location costs, pay for regr and guest appearances of 10 people among other expenses. The most we can stretch to is 5 million won.] [KNET Yang Seung-Oh PD: Mr. Jung, we can go up to 6.5 million won. Give me a call if you''re interested.] While drama appearance fees had risen to ten million won, variety show fees had traditionally ranged between one to two million won. However, offers with increased amounts starteding in from various quarters after the article was released. With these kinds of appearance fees, it now seemed reasonable to consider appearing in variety shows. After all, securing a regr spot on a popr show could significantly elerate the journey to bing a national star. I waited for the elevator after parking in the underground lot. That''s when employees from the Actor Division 1 and the PR Division approached, trying to buddy up. "Team Lead Jung. I heard you pulled off another big one, huh?" "I just got lucky," I answered. "Luck? That''s not just luck. You¡¯re really something. Bagging major ads as soon as you be a team lead ain''t easy." "Everything you do is always a huge sess. I''m jealous." "Oh, and did everyone hear about the new policy? Now regr talent agents get a share of the profits too." "Yeah, I heard. Thanks to that, I¡¯ve finally got some respect in front of my wife." "Ms. Kang said that was possible thanks to Team Lead Jung''s suggestion." "Oh, is that so?" "Wow, I had no idea. We definitely owe you a drink, Team Lead Jung! Ha ha ha!" Kang Ji-Yung had made everyone believe that the profit sharing initiative was my idea. This clever n seemed to reduce envy and rivalry toward me, though talent agents from the Actor Division 3 and the Singer Division 1 still openly showed their resentment. "Anyone could have suggested it." "Why is a random guy taking credit for what the shareholders decided?" The sourments from the talent agents of the Actor Division 3 turned the atmosphere cold. But then Ju Yung-Hoon, who had just parked his car, spotted me and came over. "Team Lead Jung, how have you been holding up until now? Must have been itching to make a move all along, huh?" "It sure has been difficult," I responded. "Well done. Now that you''ve secured the deal with Seven Star Electronics for their home appliances, aim for their smartphones, apartments, and cosmetics next!" The talent agents from the Actor Division 3 grimaced at Ju Yung-Hoon¡¯s loudments, indifferent to their presence. Silence fell as we all entered the elevator and went to our respective floors. Ding. When we got off at the fourth floor where the Actor Division 2 was located, Ju Yung-Hoon burst intoughter. "Ha ha ha, did you see the faces of those guys from Actor Division 3? It felt so good." "Come on, Mr. Ju. You really shouldn¡¯t provoke them like that. What if it leads to a bigmotion?" I said. "So what if it does? Don''t you worry. Do you know how much those guys have been badmouthing us, saying we don¡¯t bring in any money? You''ve done really well!" Ju Yung-Hoon smiled as heplimented me. After parting ways with Ju Yung-Hoon, I reached my desk. "Good morning, Mr. Jung," Do Ran-Hee greeted me from over the partition. "You''re here early," I replied. "I sure am. And just like you instructed, I went down to the basement first thing in the morning to deliver the lunches." "Good. Don''t forget to feed them. They might starve to death otherwise." "I¡¯m making sure they eat three meals a day. Rice, bread, noodles, meat, vegetables, mint chocte¡ªall well bnced." There seemed to be one item on that list that shouldn''t be there, but I decided to let it slide. Just then, Do Ran-Hee''s eyes suddenly widened as she stared at something. ¡°Hey, Mr. Jung." ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°The suit you''re wearing right now. Did you receive it as a gift from a woman...uff! Uff!¡± Without thinking, my hand shot up to cover her mouth and cut her off mid-sentence. This reflex action created an awkward moment between us. Chapter 172: On a Roll (2)

Chapter 172: On a Roll (2)

As soon as I heard Do Ran-Hee''s question, I realized it was a mistake to cover her mouth. I could have just told her it was from Yoo-Jin, but covering her mouth only piqued her curiosity. With her mouth covered by my hand, Do Ran-Hee began to struggle with her eyes wide open. "Mmmph! Uff! Uff!" "I''ll let you go...if you promise to be quiet, nod your head," I told her. But Do Ran-Hee started to move her mouth instead of nodding. Her tongue peeked out and licked my palm. "Hey! Don''t lick!" I yelled. When I was startled by the wet sensation and quickly pulled my hand away, Do Ran-Hee wiped her mouth with a mischievous grin. "Your hand is salty!" Do Ran-Hee yelled. ''Do Ran-Hee, you''re crazy.'' I thought to myself. I was wiping my hand with a wet wipe from the desk when Do Ran-Hee looked at me with a sly expression. "Mr. Jung." "What!?" "Who is it?" "What are you talking about?" "Who gave you the gift? I mean, you really didn''t have to overreact and cover my mouth. Be honest with me. Do you have a girlfriend? Do you have a picture of her?" "Let''s talk in the staff lounge. People are starting toe in." "He he he. Don''t worry, my lips are sealed." ''Why is she so happy?'' I wondered. I took the excited Do Ran-Hee to the staff lounge. In the empty staff lounge, I revealed that my suit was a gift from Yoo-Jin. "Wow! It''s not from a girlfriend but from Miss Yoo-Jin?" Do Ran-Hee eximed. "Do I look like I have time to date? I got it from Yoo-Jin as a congrattory gift for bing a team lead." Do Ran-Hee swallowed hard. "Wait, Mr. Jung. Don''t tell me...it''s not...you guys don''t have that kind of rtionship, do you?" "No way! Whatever you''re thinking, it''s not that!" I quickly rified. "They say a strong denial is a confirmation. Maybe it''s not you, but perhaps Miss Yoo-Jin is the one who likes you..." Do Ran-Hee said with a smirk. "I said it''s not like that!" I insisted. "Fine, fine. I''ll believe you for now." "What do you mean for now?" "To be honest, there are rumors around thepany that you and Miss Yoo-Jin have a thing." ''A thing between Yoo-Jin and I? This is news to me.'' I thought to myself. "Wh-who''s spreading those ridiculous rumors?" I asked. Thebination of female celebrities and male talent agents often sparked various imaginations, since talent agents spent 24 hours with celebrities to help them with everything. It seemed like my age served to fan the mes of these rumors further since I was around the same age as Yoo-Jin. "You''re not suspecting me too, are you?" I asked Do Ran-Hee. "I did until I joined Team Jung," Do Ran-Hee answered. "And now?" Do Ran-Hee looked at me with narrow eyes and then shook her head. "Honestly, you two seem too close which is suspicious. But I''ll trust you. You''re not someone who lies as far as I know." "That''s right. If I were dating, I''d say I was dating," I stated. Do Ran-Hee pouted her lips, disappointed that the juicy scandalous info turned out to be false. "Anyway, the rumor could turn nasty if they find out that it''s a gift from Miss Yoo-Jin," Do Ran-Hee added. Even though she joked around, Do Ran-Hee was concerned about Yoo-Jin and me since she was now a part of Team Jung. "It''s okay. As long as you keep quiet, no rumors will spread," I replied. But I realized I needed to be cautious, recalling that one of the talent agents from Ace Entertainment had asked the same question during the Blue Sky get-together dinner. Then suddenly, Do Ran-Hee licked her lips and startedughing. "Well, I mean...life is all about give and take, isn''t it? Don''t you think you should do me some favor if you want my lips sealed?" Her words caught me by surprise. ''Huh? Didn''t she just say she would keep secrets and give advice for the sake of Team Jung?'' Nheless, I asked her to state her request. "What do you want me to do then?" Do Ran-Hee responded as if it was obvious what she meant. "Buy me Hanwoo." "Do you always start making deals with Hanwoo? There are other things like pork ribs. Don''t you like pork belly? You should eat a lot of lettuce and peri leaves. Vegetables are good for your body!" I retorted. "Nope. Hanwoo is the best for your body. I don''t like anything else," Do Ran-Hee replied. ''Damn it, I''m screwed.'' I cursed inwardly. I was about to say ''I don¡¯t have money, deal with it!'', but just then I heard someone approaching the staff lounge and inadvertently eximed, "Deal!" I didn''t know why it was so hard for me to just say that the gift was from Yoo-Jin. That''s when Lee Yung-Jin walked into the staff lounge to get coffee and asked, "Deal? What''s this ''deal''?" Do Ran-Hee grinned sheepishly. Had I known it was Lee Yung-Jin who walked in, I wouldn¡¯t have needed to shout ''deal''. But at that moment, I thought of a way to get back at Do Ran-Hee. "Oh, I told her I''m taking her to Cherry Blossom''s performance today and she was happy about it. That''s why I said ''deal''." Lee Yung-Jin nodded. "Ah, is that so?" Do Ran-Hee''s eyes widened. "Me?" "Yes, you." I said while staring at Do Ran-Hee. Do Ran-Hee shook her head and took a few steps back. "But today I have to n content for Miss Ha-Na¡¯s MeTube." "You can do that after we return. Ran-Hee, you also need to get promoted to assistant manager before the year''s out, right?" I asked in jest. Do Ran-Hee answered, "Mr. Jung. I prefer to take a thin and long approach." "That¡¯s different from my goal. I prefer a bold and long approach. So let''s work hard together, shall we?" I smirked. "M-Mr. Jung? Is this perhaps some kind of revenge...?" "Of course not! Not at all!" I smiled slyly at Do Ran-Hee and nudged her forward. ''You have to do that much work if you want Hanwoo. Right, Do Ran-Hee?'' I remarked inwardly. As Do Ran-Hee was pushed out of the staff lounge, she pleaded with Lee Yung-Jin for help. However, Lee Yung-Jin justughed while making coffee. "Have fun. Let¡¯s get promoted to assistant manager together." "Ugh, be quiet! I''ll get promoted first and then I''ll boss everyone around!" Do Ran-Hee cried out. I looked at her and thought, ''Why is sheining when I''m helping her to get promoted?'' I dragged the protesting Do Ran-Hee toward the parking lot for Cherry Blossom''s schedule. *** [Cherry Blossom Achieves Nine Consecutive Weeks at Number One with ''Hurry Up!''] As Cherry Blossom hit nine consecutive weeks at number one, articles started pouring in like crazy. It was because they had matched the unbroken record for consecutive number ones since 2010. After chatting with the delighted fan club executives, I immediately attended a meeting. Today''s meeting was unusual as not only the talent agents but also all four members of Cherry Blossom were present because it was regarding the conclusion of the recent album''s promotions next week. "Now that Yoon-Ho is here, let''s talk about wrapping up this album''s activity," Lee Dong-Min started. At that moment, Sae-Ri raised her hand excitedly. "Mr. Lee." "What is it, Sae-Ri?" "We''ve worked so hard to get here. Can''t we continue for just three more weeks? Please, just a bit longer~. Please?" Sae-Ri tried to wink charmingly but ended up blinking awkwardly. Yang Eun-Bi was usually quick to challenge Sae-Ri, but she agreed this time. "I agree with Sae-Ri this time. Moments like these don''te often." Perhaps it was because they had finally tasted sess after so much hardship, the other two members also showed their dissent. However, Lee Dong-Min replied with a troubled expression. "I understand your feelings, but let''s just end it this week. A ten-week streak at number one sounds good enough, doesn''t it? We¡¯ll stop after hitting that record." Sae-Ri stood up abruptly. "Why can¡¯t we continue? We can do this. Look!" Sae-Ri began to perform the key point dance of ''Hurry Up!'', iming she still had the energy to dance. But contrary to her words, her thin arms shook weakly. Amid promotions, events, and rehearsals, Cherry Blossom had been working non-stop for over two months and catching naps in the car. Despite efforts to manage their stamina, they were reaching their limits. The fatigue was beyond mere umtion and they were all on the verge of copse. Seeing Sae-Ri smile through the muscle pain made my heart ache. Lee Dong-Min also turned his gaze toward me as if he couldn''t bear to see the members in the eyes anymore. After all, the suggestion to halt activities came from me. "Team Lead Jung, you take it from here. I really can''t do this anymore." "Understood, sir." Suddenly, all the members of Cherry Blossom turned their gazes to me, each sending signals pleading for support. Sae-Ri, still wavering like a deted balloon, kept sending double winks. It was clear I had to handle Sae-Ri first. "Next week? No way. Looking at you wavering like a deted balloon, it seems tough even to perform this week. Shall we just end activities today?" I asked. Sae-Ri quickly sat down after myment. "No, no!" "I understand you all want to keep pushing. But in your current state, even a minor bruise could lead to muscle tears or ligament stretching. That could ruin not just a few weeks but the whole year. Don''t you know that?" I continued. I started exining how many actors and singers had been rushed to emergency rooms due to umted fatigue and had to take long breaks from their activities. Woo Yeon-Hee listened intently to my speech and eventually nodded with a look of realization dawning on her face. "I hadn''t thought that far. I''m sorry for being stubborn." "Don''t be sorry. Honestly, having achieved this much is already incredible. Let''s prepare better next time and go longer. And don''t worry, Seon-Woo has already picked out a great song for the next release." I encouraged them. "Okay." epting my reasoning, Woo Yeon-Hee began tofort the members like a mother. "Guys, remember just a few months ago we said we''d do anything just to hit number one once? Let¡¯s not ruin our next opportunity by being too greedy now." The members started to agree one by one. "If that''s what Yoon-Ho oppa thinks...sure." However, the ever-dramatic Sae-Ri sulked a little. "Sigh. I still want to do more though." "Sae-Ri, you overslept this morning because you were so tired. We almost missed the schedule." I reminded her. "No, I was just listening to the sound of me growing taller. That''s why I kept my eyes closed a bit longer." Sae-Ri retorted cheekily. ''The sound of growing taller? That sounds more like a dream.'' I shook my head at the thought. Sae-Ri could really spin tales despite not even growing 1 mm in height. Lee Dong-Min cleared his throat to lighten the mood. "Alright, since that''s settled, why don''t we review our activities so far?" "Sure." Han Myung-Ho cleared his throat and began to recount Cherry Blossom''s recent achievements. "In the past two months..." Han Myung-Ho mentioned Cherry Blossom''s impressive aplishments, including fivemercial endorsements, 1.8 billion won in sales, and a total of 38 million views on their rted MeTube content. Moreover, he also mentioned that fan club websites were beingunched in Japan and China. "The song''s catchiness has garnered an unexpectedly strong reaction from the Asian market. It might be good to consider targeting our next album for international release." The members of Cherry Blossom¡¯s faces lit up at Han Myung-Ho¡¯s report. "Really?" "That''s amazing!" Their eyes widened andughter burst forth. "Yeon-Hee unnie! Let''s aim for number one on the Billboard chart in Japan!" Sae-Ri''sment prompted Yang Eun-Bi to interject. "Sae-Ri, Japan has its own chart system..." "I know, I was joking. It¡¯s the Oricon chart, right?" Not just Yang Eun-Bi but the whole room erupted in cheers. "Wow~ Sae-Ri, you''re such a professional now." "Sae-Ri, you¡¯ve studied a lot, huh? You even know about the Oricon chart?" The talent agents cheered and Sae-Ri responded with a proud smile, "Of course! I''m not the old Sae-Ri anymore, you know?" Sae-Ri winked at me as she struck a confident pose. ''Good job.'' I smiled at theforting thought. It felt rewarding to see that the current affairs quizzes I made her do on KkTalk were finally paying off. To me, this moment was more delightful than all the achievements Han Myung-Ho had listed. ''Keep up the good work, Sae-Ri.'' I cheered silently. Sae-Ri once again performed her exuberant victory dance with shaky arms, and the meeting room was filled withughter. *** ''Stylist'' was the term for the staff responsible for celebrities'' outfits. And in the entertainment industry, it was a role often scrutinized by both reporters and fans. Today, I nned to recruit the final piece of Team Jung¡ªa stylist. "Where are you going, Mr. Jung?" "I''m going to recruit a stylist." "Wow. Who is it?" "A remarkable person." The stylist I was nning to recruit today was Lee Mi-Ri. She was once a promising candidate for the next editor-in-chief and future artistic director at Cond¨¦ Nast, having previously worked as an editor at New York''s Bogue. Four years ago, her daughter was diagnosed with pediatric leukemia. Unable to afford the exorbitant medical bills in the U.S., she had no choice but to return to Korea. Unfortunately, that decision proved to be a mistake because she found that no one in Korea was willing to hire her after hastily admitting her daughter to the hospital and looking for a job. The fashion magazine industry in Korea was declining, and existing editors were wary of a sessful international candidate entering their space. Ultimately, she couldn''t find appropriate work and decided to focus on caring for her daughter. Meanwhile, her husband, also from the same industry, started working at the Dongdaemun clothing market to make ends meet. Do Ran-Hee looked perplexed upon hearing this news. "Bogue and Cond¨¦ Nast...I get that she''s impressive, but... isn''t a former fashion magazine editor a bit off?" "Why''s that?" I asked. "Well, she hasn¡¯t really worked in the field, has she?" Do Ran-Hee responded. But that was a misunderstanding. A year from now, Kim Dong-Soo will scout Lee Mi-Ri following the tragic loss of her daughter, who passed away due to her inability to afford surgery costs. Driven by her circumstances and bing a workaholic, she would quickly be Korea¡¯s top stylist. Super stylist Lee Mi-Ri, also known as Only One, was exactly the person I intended to recruit for Team Jung. Chapter 173: Stylist (1)

Chapter 173: Stylist (1)

In my past life, Stylist Lee Mi-Ri lived and died for money. She had maintained good connections in the New York fashion scene, which she leveraged to help her affiliated celebrities break into the American market. Recognizing her talent, thepany had met her sry demands every year. Lee Mi-Ri''s fee started at 100 million won the first year and nearly jumped by an extra 100 million won each subsequent year. Ultimately, Lee Mi-Ri¡¯s sry soared to 700 million won before I died, making her the highest-paid employee in thepany aside from Kim Dong-Soo and me. This caused her to receive criticism from otherpany employees, being called a ¡®money-crazed bitch.¡¯ But the grudge she held about money buried deep in her heart was something I dared not judge. Her husband, who had boarded a deep-sea fishing boat to earn money for their daughter''s overdue hospital bills, went missing in the middle of the Pacific after six months. And with the insurance payment dyed, their daughter died without being able to undergo surgery. Without knowing such circumstances, Do Ran-Hee kept nagging relentlessly. "Mr. Jung, a stylist has to go around shops and pick up outfits. Don''t you think that would be tough for someone without field experience?" "Don¡¯t you trust me?" Do Ran-Hee raised both hands above her head to make a heart shape. "I do trust you. Absolutely loyal." "If you¡¯re going to trust me, do it 100%. You¡¯d be surprised by how Mdm. Lee Mi-Ri works." Lee Mi-Ri was a rigorous person who even scoured the rough back alleys of New York to visit shops personally. She also had experience making an unknown designer a star overnight. Compared to that, sourcing clothes from Korean sponsorship agencies would be a minor task for her. Moreover, there was something only she could do. "She''s someone who could even bring back outfits from the New York Fashion Week runway," I added. Do Ran-Hee''s eyes widened. "Isn''t that only possible for top celebrities? Oh...that would be possible for Cherry Blossom since they''re a top celebrity." ''She''s getting carried away.'' I thought to myself. "While Cherry Blossom is doing well, iming to be a top celebrity is a bit too early," I replied. "Then how will she manage to get the outfits?" Do Ran-Hee wondered. I exined to Do Ran-Hee that Lee Mi-Ri was close friends with talented rookie designers from around the world who had flocked to New York to be the next Marc Jacobs or Vera Wang. "That''s amazing. But why can''t she find work and is just hanging around?" Do Ran-Hee asked with curious eyes. "It''s because people are jealous." "Huh?" "There''s a separate fashion scene in Korea very different from New York''s. It''s not easy for foreign-trained professionals with no connections to break in." "Oh..." "And her daughter has been continually ill which kept her from focusing on work." Only then did Do Ran-Hee nod in understanding. "Anyway, I''m going to meet with Ms. Kang and then head down. Can you start the car for me?" I asked Do Ran-Hee. "I''ll go check on the folks in the basement recording studio one more time and wait for you in the parking lot." Do Ran-Hee replied as she hurriedly gathered her belongings and headed for the elevator. I took a deep breath and checked the nner where I had first looked for Lee Mi-Ri. [Everyday V10] [Date: February 1, 2021] -08:00 p.m. Stylist Lee Mi-Ri''s only daughter, Chae Eun-Byul. Hanmaum Hospital Funeral Hall. Wreath delivery. ''As expected. It''s still the same.'' At that time, Kim Dong-Soo who was on a business trip in New York had someone rmend Lee Mi-Ri to him. So he had asked me to look into Lee Mi-Ri, and coincidentally, it was the day her daughter Chae Eun-Byul had died. -Send a wreath in my name. Go to the funeral personally to pay your respects as well. The Lee Mi-Ri I met during the visit to pay respects at the funeral was still unforgettable in my mind. Her devastated look after having lost her husband and child one after another made my heart ache even though I didn''t know her. That''s why I intended to save her daughter and husband as well this time while recruiting Lee Mi-Ri. If both of them ended up dying despite Lee Mi-Ri joining my team, it would all be for naught. Also, I had no intention of letting her go through such terrible pain. After all, the pain my team members endured was the pain I would endure as well. To resolve this issue, I needed to meet with Kang Ji-Yung since my n required a substantial amount of money. *** At Seoul Hanmaum Hospital, an exhausted-looking couple whispered in low voices in the hallway outside the administration office. "Honey, what should we do? If we don''t pay Eun-Byul''s hospital bill by this week, they''re going to discharge her." The man sighed deeply. "How much was it again...?" "The overdue amount is over 30 million won. If we can pay at least 3 million won now, they''ll extend it for another month." Lee Mi-Ri and Chae Sang-Woo once thrived in the American fashion industry but were now enduring tough times in Korea after their sudden return due to their daughter''s diagnosis of childhood leukemia. "Sigh..." Chae Sang-Woo sighed deeply again at Lee Mi-Ri''s worries. Even though he had been carrying loads at the Dongdaemun Clothing Center until the day before and was running on no sleep, his daughter''s condition worried him more than his own. "Okay, I''ll try to get some loans. I can''t just give up on Eun-Byul like this," Chae Sang-Woo added. The loan he was nning to receive was from an illegalpany, as he could no longer receive any more loans from the bank. Since he had promised to board a deep-sea fishing boat soon, he was confident he could solve everything with the 20 million won advance payment he was going to receive. With that in mind, Chae Sang-Woo thumped his chest confidently. Lee Mi-Ri tried hard to hold back her tears because Chae Sang-Woo had lived as an editor for a fashion magazine and was a man who had never done physically demanding work. His frail constitution and poor appetite made his slender arms tremble from carrying fabrics all night in the market. Lee Mi-Ri bit her lip hard and said, "Honey." "Yes?" "I''m sorry." Chae Sang-Woo tilted his head. "What are you sorry for?" "It''s...it''s because of me...that Eun-Byul got sick." Lee Mi-Ri, who had her child at thete age of 38 seven years ago, med herself as she thought it was herte pregnancy that had caused her daughter''s illness. Hearing this, Chae Sang-Woo burst out angrily. "What are you talking about!? What does your age have to do with Eun-Byul being sick? Haven''t I told you not to talk like that? And Eun-Byul will get better! So, so..." Chae Sang-Woo couldn¡¯t continue. If only they had the money, there was a chance to save their daughter¡¯s life. The doctors had said Eun-Byul was doing better than other children with leukemia. But without the money for a bone marrow transnt or treatment, Eun-Byul''s condition hardly improved. At that moment, a girl''s voice came from the hospital room. "Mom, is Dad here?" It was a clear yet tremulously weak voice. Chae Sang-Woo wiped the tears from his wife¡¯s eyes and said, "Honey, we agreed to only smile in front of Eun-Byul, right? Don''t cry." "O-okay." "Just trust me. I will find a way." Chae Sang-Woo kept his n to board the deep-sea fishing boat a secret from Lee Mi-Ri until the end because he knew better than anyone that his wife would oppose it. But there was no other way to save both his daughter and wife. As Chae Sang-Woo spoke and thumped his chest, Lee Mi-Ri wiped her tears and took her husband¡¯s rough hands. "Okay, honey." As Lee Mi-Ri held his hand, Chae Sang-Woo tried to pull away. "Let go, honey. They''re dirty because I haven¡¯t washed them." "Dirty? There couldn¡¯t be hands more clean and precious than these," Lee Mi-Ri said with tearful eyes. The couple never snapped at each other even in tough situations. "Let''s go. Our daughter is looking for us. I have to go to work right after seeing Eun-Byul." "Okay, honey." Lee Mi-Ri fought back her tears and headed to the hospital room with her husband. Click. The door to the six-bedroom slid open, revealing the pale-skinned and bright-eyed Chae Eun-Byul sitting up in bed. Whenever Chae Sang-Woo visited, Chae Eun-Byul tried her best to hide her pain and put on a brave smile, stretching out her arms toward him. "Dad~" "Oh, my sweet princess. You''ve be even prettier while I was away." The other families in the six-bedroom deliberately turned their heads away to avoid greetings because they knew Chae Sang-Woo was too busy working three jobs, unable to waste even these short moments. After wiping his hands and face with the wet wipes his wife handed him, Chae Sang-Woo finally hugged Eun-Byul. Chae Eun-Byul hugged her father and said in a cheerful voice. "He he. Dad, I''m not sick anymore. I think I''m all better." "Really?" Eun-Byul wore a bunny hat over her bald head and smiled brightly. "Yes! So I can be discharged now! I want to eat the food Mom cooks. Mom''s kimchi stew is the best." But Chae Sang-Woo knew why his daughter was saying these things. She knew her parents were struggling because they didn''t have money. Holding back a surge of emotions, Chae Sang-Woo spoke with difficulty, "I also think you''re doing much better. But when the doctor allows it...then...then we can go home, okay?" Chae Eun-Byul pouted her lips in disappointment. "Dad, you always say that. I''m telling you I''m okay. Look at this!" Chae Eun-Byul raised her hands high. But at that moment, Chae Eun-Byul''splexion quickly worsened. She hunched over, gasping for breath, and started to grimace in pain. "Huff...huff..." "Eun-Byul. Eun-Byul! Are you okay?" "Huff, huff. I¡¯m okay...Mom." Lee Mi-Ri supported Chae Eun-Byul''s back as she struggled to breathe heavily. "Eun-Byul. Mom''s here, okay? My baby. I''m...so sorry." The side effects of the chemotherapy were making it hard for Chae Eun-Byul to breathe. Seeing his daughter trying not to show her pain while he was looking, Chae Sang-Woo could no longer hold back his tears. Just then, a doctor and a nurse on rounds entered the six-bedroom ward. Chae Sang-Woo rushed desperately toward the doctor, grabbing his gown and clinging to him. "Doctor, please. I''ll have the money ready soon, so please do something. Please." Doctor Kim Sung-Tae shook his head. "I''m sorry, sir. There''s nothing more we can do for Miss Chae Eun-Byul." Chae Sang-Woo snapped back. "What are you talking about!? My daughter is sick right now! I''ll bring the money. I''ll bring it, so please do something for her first!" The doctor clenched his fists and bowed his head. Despite being a doctor whose job was to save lives, he couldn''t ignore the hospital''s orders. After all, the patient had been behind by as much as thirty million won for several months. A nurse nearby grimaced and added, "Sir, I''m sorry. But there''s nothing more we can do for Miss Chae Eun-Byul. It''s because of the side effects of the chemotherapy, so she will calm down if you wait a bit." "Are you serious right now? I''ll sell my organs or do whatever it takes to bring the money. So please do something for her! Please!" Chae Sang-Woo pleaded. "Getting upset won''t change anything. The head of administration has specifically instructed this, so don''t me us." With that, the nurse mped her mouth shut. Other patients in the same room added their bit resenting the doctor and the nurse, but they couldn''t loudly support Chae Sang-Woo. Everyone was in a tough situation themselves, worried about paying their own hospital bills. All Lee Mi-Ri could do was cry as she watched her husband''s pleading. All she could do was pat her daughter''s back, hoping her pain would subside quickly. Seeing her husband beseech the unmoved doctor with folded hands felt like her heart was tearing apart. That''s when a man in a suit entered the room and shouted, "I will pay Miss Chae Eun-Byul''s hospital bill in full right now. So please start the treatment immediately!" The voice of the angry man resonated loudly throughout the room. *** An absurd scene unfolded upon entering Chae Eun-Byul''s hospital room. Seven-year-old Chae Eun-Byul was clutching her chest in pain and Lee Mi-Ri was holding her daughter with a distorted expression. And even though Chae Sang-Woo was clinging to the doctor begging to save his child, the doctor and nurse were shaking their heads with their eyes tightly shut. ''Don''t they understand there are more important things than money?'' I felt a surge of anger rising within me. Just a short while ago, I found out from the administrative department that the overdue hospital bills amounted to 32.12 million won. I knew it was a huge amount, but I didn''t expect that the doctors would refuse to give treatment because of it. "Didn''t you hear what I just said? I am going to pay the full medical expenses, so please start the treatment!" I yelled. I had negotiated with Kang Ji-Yung and had secured a promise to provide up to 20 million won for medical expenses besides Lee Mi-Ri''s sry. Furthermore, if Chae Sang-Woo also joined, it would add another 10 million won to make it a total of 30 million won in medical support for the couple. However, I hadn''t yet signed a contract with Lee Mi-Ri. Using the corporate card could lead toplications, so I offered my own card instead. "Ran-Hee, pay the bills with my card." "Will it not exceed the limit?" Do Ran-Hee asked. "I increased the limit beforeing here, so it should be fine. Charge it as a lump sum." "O-okay. Got it." Do Ran-Hee took my card and immediately ran off. I shouted at the doctor. "Are we settled? Please go check on the child now!" Only then did the doctor finally begin to move. "Just a moment, let me check." The doctor gently pushed Lee Mi-Ri aside who was supporting Chae Eun-Byul''s back. After using the stethoscope and checking a few things, the doctor put an oxygen mask on her and administered an injection. A little whileter, Chae Eun-Byul''s face began to rx gradually. Chapter 174: Stylist (2)

Chapter 174: Stylist (2)

"Huff, huff." Chae Eun-Byul panted. Chae Eun-Byul, who had been suffering from respiratory distress, felt better after receiving emergency treatment from the doctor. As her breathing became even, color returned to her previous pale face. Having finished the treatment, the doctor approached me. "I don''t know who you are, but thank you. My job is to save lives and I didn''t want to do this either." "..." I knew that everyone had their own circumstances. It wasn''t too hard to guess that the doctor in front of me made that choice because the executives told him to. He had clenched his fists and closed his eyes tightly a moment ago, obviously in distress. But I couldn''t understand why he wouldn''t lift a finger when a child seemed to be gasping for breath. I heard that doctors took the Hippocratic Oath. However, it seemed that the vow to save lives at all costs did not apply to this hospital or this doctor. For that reason, I didn''t say anything and just ignored the doctor as he left. ''I need to transfer her to a different hospital.'' I thought to myself. Having witnessed the hospital''s refusal to give treatment with my own eyes, I didn''t want to leave Chae Eun-Byul here. At that moment, a sense of rity came over me as silence enveloped the surroundings. Turning my head, I saw that all the patients and their guardians in the six-person bedroom were staring at me. That''s when Lee Mi-Ri slowly spoke. "Who... are you?" Lee Mi-Ri and Chae Sang-Woo were hesitant as they were unable to understand what was going on. They seemed confused as to who I was and why I was paying off such huge unpaid hospital bills for them. "I''m Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment. We can talk more about the detailster." Chae Sang-Woo and Lee Mi-Ri nodded. They seemed like they wanted to ask more, but they were holding back with difficulty. First, I checked on Chae Eun-Byul''s condition. "Are you okay? Can you breathe a bit easier now?" Perhaps because she had been inside the hospital room without sunlight, Chae Eun-Byul, blue beyond pale, blinked and looked at me. Her face looked morefortable than before, probably thanks to the medication. "Yes, it doesn''t hurt anymore. But who are you, sir?" "You can call me Uncle." Despite being ill, her mature response was somewhat surprising. "Hmm. Okay. Then who are you, Uncle? Are you daddy-long legs? If so, I''ll pay back the hospital bills when I grow up." She was a bright and clever child. I shook my head while looking into Chae Eun-Byul''s eyes. "Kids aren''t supposed to worry about money. And I''ll be working with your mom, Eun-Byul." Lee Mi-Ri and Chae Sang-Woo looked startled, but I pretended not to notice and continued talking with Chae Eun-Byul. "Working with my mom? But my mom is always with me so she can''t work." Chae Eun-Byul replied. "We''re going to start working together from now on. So can I borrow your mom for a bit? I need to talk things over with her in detail. Oh, can I borrow your dad too?" I asked. Chae Eun-Byul nodded. "Yes. I can be by myself. I''m not feeling sick anymore." Chae Eun-Byul, still wearing an oxygen mask, clenched her fists. Despite her lips still looking pale, she insisted she was okay and urged me to take her parents. I knew the pain wouldn''t go away quickly even after an injection. Having suffered in the hospital until death and enduring pain to stay alive, I knew that pain better than anyone. But it seemed Chae Eun-Byul instinctively recognized that I was there to help her. "Alright. Should we do a cheer together before I leave? Don''t let this illness beat you!" I said with a smile. When I clenched my fist and extended it forward, Chae Eun-Byul smiled and brought her fist to mine in a fist bump. "Fighting!" Chae Eun-Byul grinned with a smile. ''I will definitely cure you, Eun-Byul.'' I silently made a promise. Having already finished the investigation, Eun-Byul''s illness turned out to be treatable with proper medical care. ''It might cost some money, but so what? This is what I''ve been saving for.'' I thought to myself. I reassured Chae Eun-Byul with a confident expression. After exchanging greetings with Chae Eun-Byul, Chae Sang-Woo finally spoke up from the back in a hesitant voice. "Eun-Byul, Mom and Dad will have a talk with this uncle and be right back. Is that okay?" "Yes, Dad. I''m okay now." At that moment, Lee Mi-Ri spoke to a woman in her mid-forties on the next bed. "Could you please watch over Eun-Byul while we are away?" "Y-yes, sure. Of course." Everyone in the room was still bewildered. When I stepped out of the room after the greetings, Lee Mi-Ri and Chae Sang-Woo followed me. *** Click. After closing the door, the couple bowed deeply. "Thank you so much. We don''t understand what this is all about, but we promise to pay back every penny for our child''s medical expenses!" Both of them clung to my hand tightly. Their hands were trembling and tears streamed down continuously from their eyes to the floor as they bowed. "It''s alright. Please, lift your heads," I responded in a gentle voice. Lee Mi-Ri and Chae Sang-Woo slowly raised their heads. Their faces were a tearful mess. But unlike before, there was a glimmer of hope in their eyes. "About you saying you would work with my wife...I don¡¯t really understand what you mean..." As Chae Sang-Woo was about to ask what kind of work it would be, Lee Mi-Ri, perhaps misunderstanding something, hurriedly covered her husband¡¯s mouth. "No, we''ll do anything. Just tell us what to do. You said you are the team lead, right?" The startled Chae Sang-Woo rified that he didn¡¯t mean it that way. "No, no honey, I wasn¡¯t saying we get to choose the job. Of course, you¡¯ll do it no matter what. But you¡¯ve never worked in an entertainmentpany before. We need to know what to do." "Anything will do. I will do it. No, I have to. He saved our daughter''s life. There''s nothing I can''t do." After Lee Mi-Ri rapidly fired off her words, she turned to me. "You mentioned an entertainmentpany, right? Is it for Idols? Singers? I can perfectly style anyone. I mean, even though I look like this now, I¡¯ve worked with New York Bogue and..." "I know," I said before she even finished her sentence. "Excuse me?" "I¡¯m aware you worked under Editor Rachel." "How did you know that...?" "It''s a long story, but first, please take my business card." They took the card with a bewildered expression. "Let me formally introduce myself. I''m Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment. I came looking for you, Mdm. Lee Mi-Ri, hoping you would join my team as a stylist." "Not a coordinator, but... a stylist?" "Ah, would you prefer if I called you ''coordinator'' instead?" "N-no, stylist is what I¡¯m used to. It¡¯s just that in Korea, people usually say coordinator." "Well, people use both terms interchangeably. But these days, ''stylist'' is bing moremon. Anyway, could we perhaps talk about the specifics over coffee on the first floor of the hospital? There seem to be too many prying eyes here," I asked while looking around. "Oh. Of course!" Just then, Do Ran-Hee came rushing back breathlessly. "Mr. Jung." "What is it?" "They said you need to sign personally because of therge amount." "Oh? Is that so?" ''Looks like I might have been too passive-aggressive with the doctor earlier.'' I headed to the first floor with the three of them toward the administrative office. The administrative manager with a greasy face continuously bowed his head upon seeing me and then posed a question. "May I ask what is your rtionship with the patient such that you are paying such arge sum all at once?" "Do I need to exin that too?" I questioned. "N-no, not at all. So, should I really process it as a lump sum? The limit is..." "Just swipe the card." I had heard all the conversations from when Lee Mi-Ri and Chae Sang-Woo were talking in the hallway until they entered Chae Eun-Byul¡¯s room. It seemed this administrative manager was the one who gave an order not to give Chae Eun-Byul a treatment. The manager swiped the card to the machine with a skeptical look. The amount due was a staggering 32,220,000 won, which meant the doctor''s treatment earlier was worth 100 thousand won. Once the administrative manager was able to swipe the card without any restrictions, his face brightened. To him who didn''t know the situation, I must have appeared as a VIP making a lump-sum payment of 30 million won. "Ha ha ha. I''m relieved now too. Frankly, it feels terrible to be so harsh to the patients." "Ah, yes. I''m sure it does." I gave a patronizing reply. Bowing deeply, the administrative manager said, "Here''s my business card. Would you give me one of yours too?" ''How ridiculous. All this over a single lump-sum card payment?'' I rolled my eyes. But I didn''t respond to his greeting and turned my head away. After all, It wasn''t me that he was greeting but my card that could make the lump-sum payment. *** We arrived at the first-floor hospital coffee shop. While Do Ran-Hee went to buy coffee, I discussed the sry and conditions with Lee Mi-Ri. "The sry will start at 50 million won with a hospital bill welfare limit of 2 million won covered by thepany. The position is at the assistant manager level." Lee Mi-Ri''s eyes widened. "An assistant manager''s sry is that high?" "Ha ha. It¡¯s partly in recognition of your rich experience. It''s effectively a team lead-level sry." Stylists'' jobs were tough and notoriously underpaid. But the offer I made her was at least equivalent to a team lead''s treatment since I had managed to get her career acknowledged after appealing strongly to Kang Ji-Yung. Tears welled up in Lee Mi-Ri''s eyes again, then she bit her lip and responded. "I know I''m unworthy of this amazing offer, but I humbly ept it given my urgent situation, Mr. Jung." Chae Sang-Woo standing beside her also smiled and grabbed my hand tightly. "Thank you. Thanks to you, a great weight has been lifted off our chests. And I too will work hard to repay the money as quickly as possible. My wife isn''t the type to shirk her duties or default on debts." After the conversation with Lee Mi-Ri ended, I asked Chae Sang-Woo if we could talk separately for a moment. "With me?" "Yes, I thought Mdm. Lee Mi-Ri might need some time to collect herself. So let''s talk, just the two of us." "Ah, I understand." In the meantime, Do Ran-Hee brought the coffee. Leaving the still teary-eyed Lee Mi-Ri with Do Ran-Hee, I went with Chae Sang-Woo to the park located on the first floor of the hospital. Chae Sang-Woo spoke with a tense expression. "If this is about money, I will definitely repay it. You don''t have to worry about that..." He was prepared to sacrifice everything for his daughter. "No, that''s not it." Chae Sang-Woo looked puzzled. "Then why did you ask to speak with me alone?" "I heard you also worked as a fashion editor in the US with Editor Terry at ZQ?" "H-how did you know..." Chae Sang-Woo had been an editor at ZQ, a men''s magazine in the US. But he was currently uninvolved with that profession, working in transportation at Dongdaemun Market in Korea. "So I was wondering if you might consider working with me in my team as well." "I''m sorry?" "Given the circumstances, we can''t offer both of you a special recruitment package at once. So your sry would have to be aligned with that of a regr employee. However, as the team expands, I can assure you a positionmensurate with your experience." Chae Sang-Woo looked bbergasted as if he hadn''t expected a job offer himself. I was unaware of Chae Sang-Woo''s capabilities because I had never met him before in my past life. However, he was also a professional who had worked at ZQ''s headquarters in New York for over five years. It seemed perfect for Lee Mi-Ri to handle women''s styles and Chae Sang-Woo men''s. But Chae Sang-Woo¡¯s expression suddenly darkened. "Sigh. I''m sorry, Mr. Jung. I would love to ept your offer a hundred, a thousand times over. But... I¡¯ve alreadymitted elsewhere." Chae Sang-Woo bit his lip as if there were no other options. I looked at Chae Sang-Woo and said, "You''re nning to go on a deep-sea fishing boat, aren¡¯t you?" "How...how did you know?" "You spoke too confidently about paying the hospital bills, so I took a guess. There aren¡¯t many ces that offer suchrge upfront payments unless it¡¯s a deep-sea fishing boat." Since he had died on a deep-sea fishing boat in my past life, that was the only ce I could think of. Seeing Chae Sang-Woo''s shocked expression, I asked again. "You haven''t received the advance payment yet, have you?" "I''ve only met with someone who offered to introduce me to the captain and made a tentative agreement." "That''s fortunate. It should be easy to cancel that contract then. We''ll provide awyer to assist you with the cancetion process." Chae Sang-Woo looked bewildered but nodded repeatedly. "But I heard you can''t back out once you sign up..." "Where did you hear that?" I asked him. Then, I sent the contact information of the broker who arranged for Chae Sang-Woo''s deep-sea fishing boat contract to Kwak Moo-Hyuk. As expected, Kwak Moo-Hyuk wasn''t particrly concerned. -Don''t worry. These brokers are less powerful than you think. I''ll handle it, so just rx. "Thank you, Mr. Kwak." Chae Sang-Woo was surprised after overhearing the conversation. After hanging up the phone, I checked my nner. However, the schedule still showed that Chae Eun-Byul would pass away. [Everyday V10] [Date: February 1, 2021] -08:00 p.m. Stylist Lee Mi-Ri''s only daughter, Chae Eun-Byul. Hanmaum Hospital Funeral Hall. Wreath delivery. ''As expected. It hasn¡¯t disappeared.'' In that case, it seemed there was only one option left. Chapter 175: Stylist (3)

Chapter 175: Stylist (3)

I stopped Chae Sang-Woo from boarding the deep-sea fishing boat and sessfully recruited him. However, the schedule concerning Chae Eun-Byul''s death remained in the nner. In the end, I suggested to Chae Sang-Woo that we move hospitals. The only reason we couldn''t save the child even with all these measures was clear: this hospitalcked the skills to save the child. Only then did Chae Sang-Woo snap to his senses and hesitantly suggested discussing it with his wife. I went back to the coffee shop on the first floor with Chae Sang-Woo. Sitting down, Chae Sang-Woo held his wife''s hand with a much-improved expression. "Honey, I got a job at Hoop Entertainment as well." "What? How?" "Mr. Jung suggested I work there too, although at a lower rank than you." Lee Mi-Ri was too surprised by the streak of luck to continue speaking. "When both of you are working, you''ll need a caregiver to take care of Eun-Byul. But when Eun-Byul is sick, we''ll arrange for one of you to always be able to go to the hospital." The two embraced each other and began to cry profusely. "M-Mr. Jung..." Do Ran-Hee sitting next to them also started to sob and cry. "That''s such good news, unnie. Sob." "Thank you, Ran-Hee." Lee Mi-Ri replied. ''Ran-Hee, when did you be sisters with Mdm. Lee Mi-Ri? How typical of Do Ran-Hee, the social butterfly,'' I thought to myself. Lee Mi-Ri and Do Ran-Hee held hands and began to sob. Because of this, everyone in the coffee shop on the first floor turned their attention to us. When I awkwardly scratched my head, Lee Mi-Ri wiped her tears and said, "I''m sorry. I just got so happy..." Lee Mi-Ri wiped her tears and soon took out a handkerchief to wipe her husband''s eyes. "I''m okay," Chae Sang-Woo said. "Stay still for a moment, honey." Lee Mi-Ri urged. Chae Sang-Woo gazed affectionately at his wife as she wiped his eyes. Seeing them care for and love each other despite all the hardships caused by poverty, I understood why Lee Mi-Ri had lost her mind after her husband''s death in my past life. ''The deeper the love, the deeper the despair.'' I reflected silently. Once the three finally calmed down, I brought up the conversation I had just had with Chae Sang-Woo again. "Let''s move Eun-Byul to Asan Hospital as soon as possible to start with a re-examination. They handle pediatric cancer well," I suggested. "Asan Hospital?" In my past life, I had heard that Chae Eun-Byul would have lived if she had undergone surgery. That''s why I wanted her to receive proper treatment as soon as possible. The startled-looking Lee Mi-Ri began to ask cautiously, "Um, Mr. Jung. Even though thepany supports the medical expenses, the overdue hospital bills alone exceeded 30 million won. I''m sorry, but we have absolutely no money..." The faces of Lee Mi-Ri and Chae Sang-Woo reddened with embarrassment. I thought to myself, ''I don''t know why poverty should make people so miserable and weak.'' I held both their hands and encouraged them. "Don''t worry. I''ll arrange the surgery funds for now and you can pay me back slowly while we work together for a long time." ''I understand the urgency of two people wanting surgery more than anyone,'' I remarked silently. "Please consider my offer and think only of Eun-Byul''s health," I added. The couple looked at each other and then nodded in haste. "Thank you, Mr. Jung. Then we humbly ask for your help!" Finally, team Jung had two exclusive stylists¡ªand one of them was a future top stylist. After the verbal agreement, I picked up my half-finished cup of coffee and stood up. "They say strike while the iron is hot, so let''s proceed with the process now. Follow me." "N-now? Right now?" I led the bewildered couple straight to the hospital''s administrative office. *** Perhaps because I had paid in full a little earlier, the administrative manager of the hospital greeted me with a bright face. "Oh, what brings you here this time? You could have just called if there''s any inconvenience." "We''re moving hospitals," I said in a straight voice. "Excuse me? Not just the room...but you mean the hospital itself? What exactly do you mean?" "Didn''t you hear me? I don''t want to stay in this hospital for a moment longer, so please prepare for the transfer. We''re going to Seoul Asan Hospital." The administrative manager started to panic. Cancer patients were a big source of ie regardless of age, and they didn¡¯t want to lose them especially if they had financially capable guardians. "S-sir. That is...the reason we couldn''t provide treatment earlier was because of the hospital''s internal regtions. From now on, there won¡¯t be such an issue. So..." The administrative manager was dragging out his words, but I had no intention of listening any longer. "I am merely an acquaintance of the patient''s parents here, not a guardian," I rified. At my brisk attitude, the administrative manager turned his head toward Lee Mi-Ri and Chae Sang-Woo standing next to me. The administrative manager started persuading them with a demeanor as gentle as the spring sunshine. "It seems you don''t fully understand. But considering the physical condition of Miss Chae Eun-Byul, transferring to another hospital could lead to bigger problems. You might want to reconsider..." exined the manager. "Do you remember telling us to leave if we have no money, asking if we thought of the hospital as a charity?" Lee Mi-Ri questioned with furrowed brows. The perplexed administrative manager started to stutter. "N-no, that¡¯s not..." "And how about when you said to take Eun-Byul home before she dies, to feed her tasty food and send her off?" Lee Mi-Ri continued, barely able to contain her rising anger. Lee Mi-Ri and Chae Sang-Woo, perhaps understanding the reason I had brought them here, started to unleash their pent-up frustrations. It seemed like I made the right decision to bring them here. "Being someone in charge of administration, the pressure from above was too intense and..." the manager tried to exin himself. Beads of sweat formed on the forehead of the administrative manager who was lost for words. Chae Sang-Woo, not to be outdone by his wife, added his part. "The insult you hurled at my wife and daughter, I will never forget it as long as I live." The father''s anger, who had to watch his daughter suffer and be unable to afford treatment, was palpable in his words and expression. I wondered how agonizing it must have been for Chae Sang-Woo, working three part-time jobs a day. His words heavilyden with the weight of suppressed emotions carried an immense gravity. Eventually, the overwhelmed administrative manager raised his hands in defeat. "Enough! This is why you don''t deal with the poor and uneducated... Damn it. Do whatever you want!" Vitriol burst from the mouth of the flustered administrative manager. I thought about recording it to trample on him once more, but that seemed unnecessary looking at the brightened faces of the couple after having vented their frustration. After finishing our business, we left the administrative office immediately. "Since you don''t have immediate funds, use this money first and we can write up the contract tomorrow," I said as I extended an envelope containing 5 million won out to them. Lee Mi-Ri and Chae Sang-Woo clutched my hand. "We''re in no position to refuse now, so we''ll ept it with shame. In return, we''ll work ten times as hard." Seeing them repeatedly bowing their heads made my nose tingle inexplicably. These were people who could have lived the most morous lives in the New York fashion scene if they had aspired for sess. Yet here they were, bowing their heads to me solely for their daughter. Having never been a parent or even having parents myself, I couldn¡¯t fully understand their feelings. But I was filled with a sense of awe at their sacrificial attitude. *** The next morning, we transferred Eun-Byul to Asan Hospital. We secured a private room to set a treatment n after the reexamination. In the vastly improved environment, Eun-Byul hugged me tightly and thanked me. "Thank you, Uncle!" Eun-Byul, now calling me uncle, clearly showed how close we had be. "Eun-Byul, I need you to be strong even if the treatment is tough. Pinky promise?" I smiled and extended my pinky. "Pinky promise!" "Stamp?" "Stamp!" Only after linking our pinkies and pressing our thumbs together as a stamp did we finally unsp our hands. Driven by the moment, I wanted to give Eun-Byul small goals to strive for as she battled her illness. I hoped it would give her motivation to persevere through the painful chemotherapy. "Eun-Byul, I''ll bring you some drawing books soon. And colored pencils too." "But I usually color on a phone app." "O-oh. Really?" "But I''ll give it a try if you bring them. It seems like I''ve been ying with my phone for too long." "Alright. Then I''ll also buy you a backpack, pencil case, and notebooks for next year." At that moment, Eun-Byul''s eyes widened significantly. Her shoulders shook, barely containing her excitement. "Really?" "Yes. But why are you so happy about it?" I asked. "I... I really wanted to go to school." Chae Eun-Byul replied as she looked down. "Oh..." What seemed like simple school supplies meant something entirely different to Eun-Byul, who had been waiting for her days to end. Thanks to this, it looked like she harbored hope of living a normal life like everyone else. "I''ll definitely bring them! I promise." I said with a smile. "Promise~." When I made a pinky promise with Eun-Byul one more time, I noticed tears welling up again on the faces of Lee Mi-Ri and Chae Sang-Woo standing by my side. A momentter, the door to the private room opened and the attending doctor entered. After a brief greeting, we discussed the future treatment n with Lee Mi-Ri and Chae Sang-Woo. "Although we need to reevaluate her condition, it seems that surgery might not be necessary looking at the chart from Hanmaeum Hospital." "A-are you sure, Doctor?" ''Wow. No need for surgery? That''s good news!'' I thought to myself. I began to feel just as ted as the two of them. Doctor Kim Oh-Jun continued with a bright expression. "Conditions like pediatric leukemia can often be treated without a bone marrow transnt these days." Leukemia used to be a fearsome disease, buttely, chemotherapy alone often showed a very good sess rate. Hence what''s called hematopoietic stem cell transnt was increasingly avoided when possible. "Also, the chemotherapy drugs our hospital has introduced have been showing very promising oues," Kim Oh-Jun added. "Can Eun-Byul really be treated without surgery?" Lee Mi-Ri asked with hopeful eyes. Kim Oh-Jun nodded to Lee Mi-Ri''s question. "About 92% of pediatric cancer patients are cured using chemotherapy alone in our hospital. It''s difficult to conclude prematurely since it''s not 100%, but we''re approaching it optimistically. Most people only think of bone marrow transntation when they hear about pediatric leukemia." Lee Mi-Ri and Chae Sang-Woo looked at each other with uplifted expressions. That''s when Eun-Byul sitting beside me tapped my arm. "Eun-Byul, what is it?" I turned to ask. "Uncle, do I really not need surgery?" "We need to confirm to be sure, but it seems like it." Eun-Byul sighed softly in relief. "That''s good. I was scared." "Were you?" "Yes. I''m actually really scared of many things. I take after my mom," Chae Eun-Byul exined. In my past life, Lee Mi-Ri was nicknamed the Ice Witch. But the person in front of me now was just a tearful mother, hoping only for her daughter''s recovery. Unlike her past self who always sported a sharp, short haircut and a frown, now she was just an ordinary mom with her hair casually tied back in a bob, often shedding tears. *** As soon as we left the hospital, I checked the nner. [Everyday V10] [Date: February 1, 2021] -08:00 p.m. (Deleted Schedule: Stylist Lee Mi-Ri''s only daughter, Chae Eun-Byul. Hanmaum Hospital Funeral Hall. Wreath delivery.) A sigh escaped me unknowingly. "Phew~ looks like she''s not going to die now," I muttered under my breath. Switching from Hanmaeum Hospital which insisted on a bone marrow transnt to Seoul Asan Hospital where they treated patients with better new drugs was the right choice. The fact that I could make a good decision to save someone made me even more grateful for traveling back in time. Then, I promptly returned to thepany and reported the hospital events to Kang Ji-Yung. "That''s good to hear. If it costs too much, let me know. I can help arrange the needed funds," said Kang Ji-Yung. "No, I can handle it," I replied. "Please keep me informed about the progress. I really hope the child recovers well." I smiled reassuringly with confidence because I had checked the nner. However, I noticed that Kang Ji-Yung''s expression was unusually stern. "Is there something wrong? You look quite concerned," I asked her. After a long sigh, Kang Ji-Yung began to speak hesitantly. "Have you ever heard the name Choi Man-Sik?" ''Choi Man-Sik?'' I pondered over the name. I knew him. He was one of the shareholders of Hoop Entertainment and had yed a major role in splitting thepany by backing Kim Dong-Soo in my past life. Kim Dong-Soo had faithfully served that wealthy son of a bitch. No, saying that he''s a dog''s son would be an insult to the dog. To correct it, he was even worse than a dog. "Yes, I know him. He¡¯s one of thepany shareholders, right?" I asked. "Yes. He has contacted thepany saying he wants toe in right now. And he specifically asked to see you, Team Lead Jung," Kang Ji-Yung shared. "Me?" Apparently, Choi Man-Sik, the youngest representative among Hoop Entertainment''s shareholders, was on his way to thepany to meet me specifically. At that moment, my heart started beating rapidly. I had a feeling I might perhaps finally find out the real reason behind the split of Hoop Entertainment. But then Kang Ji-Yung began to say something totally unexpected. Chapter 176: Choi Man-Sik (1)

Chapter 176: Choi Man-Sik (1)

"Whatever proposal Choi Man-Sik makes, ept it without question," Kang Ji-Yung said. I questioned whether I had heard her correctly. ''Did I hear that wrong?'' There was only one thing that Choi Man-Sik, one of the shareholders of Hood Entertainment, would have to say to me in person. "Even if he tells me to switch lines?" I asked. Kang Ji-Yung bit her lip tightly and nodded. "Yes." Her response took me by surprise. ''Huh?'' That wasn''t the reaction I expected. "Do you...do you really mean that?" Kang Ji-Yung nodded. "The important thing is that you don''t get hurt, Team Lead Jung. So just do as you''re told for now." The teacup in her hand trembled and a gentle ripple spread across the surface of the tea in the cup. It seemed like Kang Ji-Yung was quite upset to only be able to say this much. But it couldn''t be helped. After all, Choi Man-Sik was never someone to get close to. In a year, Choi Man-Sik would betray his adoptive father, President Choi Eun-Tae, who had taken him in and raised him. After that, he would split Hoop Entertainment with Kim Dong-Soo and be a major shareholder of Top Entertainment. Even after bing a vice president in my past life, I had only met him a handful of times. But I still remembered him as a despicable person. It wasn''t just because he betrayed his adoptive father, but also because he would summon rookie female idols to entertain guests every month. I remembered having countless arguments with Kim Dong-Soo over that matter. But when I learned that the female idols saw those entertainment sessions as a chance to rise to poprity, I never interfered again. Anyway, Choi Man-Sik and I wereplete opposites. Having put those old thoughts aside, I immediately rejected Kang Ji-Yung''s suggestion to ept any proposal at once. "I''m sorry, but I can''t do that." A deep sigh escaped from Kang Ji-Yung. "You may not know this, Mr. Yoon-Ho. But Choi Man-Sik is so notorious that he''s nicknamed ''viper'' even in the Myeongdong private lending market. You might get seriously hurt if you cross him unnecessarily." "I was already prepared for conflicts with the other factions when I took Mr. Kang''s side. And our team has the best sales among all, so how could he fire me just because I''m not following his line?" I argued. As long as Choi Eun-Tae, the major shareholder of Hoop Entertainment and Choi Man-Sik''s adoptive father, was in power, Choi Man-Sik couldn''t just fire me recklessly. It was a well-known fact that Choi Eun-Tae who led the Suhyaejong line was more concerned about management performance. That was the reason the president of Hoop Entertainment was Kang Gam-Chan and not Lee Gi-Cheol from the same Suhyaejong line. So there''s only one thing for me to do: keep flourishing like now. As long as I did, Choi Man-Sik couldn''t dismiss me. Aplex emotion passed over Kang Ji-Yung''s face. "Sigh. Alright. Then I''ll also prepare with that in mind." "Don''t worry too much. Isn''t Mr. Kanging back in about two months anyway?" I asked. Kang Ji-Yung leaned back on the sofa and sighed. "Yes, but surviving until then isn''t easy." "I don''t know how scary this Choi Man-Sik is, but could he really be worse than Mr. Kang?" I said in jest. As I joked, Kang Ji-Yung smiled. "Really, you''re incorrigible. Where does that confidencee from?" ''From having a second chance at life.'' I answered silently. And even if I were fired from thepany, I believed that at least half of the real power within thepany would follow me out. I changed the topic and asked, "More than that, what are President Choi Man-Sik and the shareholders like? Who are they that you are so nervous?" I asked about stories I didn''t know even in my past life. Kang Ji-Yung nodded and began to tell me about the establishment of Hoop Entertainment and the intertwined stories of its shareholders. *** Hoop Entertainment was founded as a one-person agency by the once-famous actor, Jung Moon-Sik, and Kang Gam-Chan. As the then-unknown actor Jung Moon-Sik gained poprity through his exceptional acting, Kang Gam-Chan decided to expand thepany. The person he joined hands with then was Lee Gi-Cheol. Lee Gi-Cheol was the chief of Edin Music, the secondrgest recordpany at the time, and he quickly became enthusiastic partners with Kang Gam-Chan after being introduced by a mutual acquaintance. Soon after, he brought in his university sunbaes as investors. That was the first connection of Kang Gam-Chan to the Suhyaejong line. Then, Kang Gam-Chan met Choi Eun-Tae, a major yer in the Myeongdong private lending market and a member of the ninth ss of Suhyaejong, and received investment to establish the foundation of Hoop Entertainment. Subsequently, President Lee Sang-Pil of LSP Inc. and President Park Hyung-Moon of True Angels Investment joined as shareholders of Hoop Entertainment. However, shareholder management interference began to intensify three years ago with the emergence of Choi Man-Sik, the adoptive son of Choi Eun-Tae, as the fourth shareholder. "Everything changed after the greedy Choi Man-Sik came on board. That''s when they started preparing to split up after going public," Kang Ji-Yung said. She further exined that Kang Gam-Chan also knew about Choi Man-Sik¡¯s ambition and the risks. But Kang Ji-Yung''s expression became more distorted as she borated. ¡®Was there something between the two of them?¡¯ I wondered. I wondered if it was a needless thought, but I had to know because I needed as much information as possible about the enemy. I hesitated before asking, "Was there...something between the two of you?" Kang Ji-Yung hesitated before speaking. "Sigh. I just can''t hide anything from you, Team Lead Jung. Yes, that bastard Choi Man-Sik has been hitting on me." "What?" I responded in shock. Kang Ji-Yung shivered as if she got goosebumps. "Ugh, it really pisses me off thinking about it..." Kang Ji-Yung muttered to herself and downed the tea on the table in one shot. "Choi Man-Sik told me I wouldn¡¯t have to lift a finger to do housework if I married him. He says women shouldn¡¯t be working outside." I was left absurd by the utterly absurd words. The only reason why I could freely excel in the field was because Kang Ji-Yung backed me up. ''And he told such a capable person to just stay at home? Is he insane?'' I thought. I wholeheartedly agreed with Kang Ji-Yung as she vented her anger. After a long rant, Kang Ji-Yung nced at me. "Here I am telling you to just follow that man''s orders, yet I''m the one losing my temper. How embarrassing." "Not at all." As Kang Ji-Yung fanned herself, she suggested changing the subject to something more pleasant and brought up Kang Gam-Chan. "Oh, right. Dad''s recovery is going faster than expected." "I know." "Huh? How do you know?" Kang Ji-Yung asked with a surprised look. "He called me yesterday. He told me to call him immediately if I''m having a hard time," I shared. Kang Ji-Yung puffed her cheeks like a child. "It seems my dad likes you even more than me." When she asked what we talked about, I just scratched my head and said it was nothing special because it was really just a call to check in on me. Although it was just a quick update on his recovery, it felt like gaining a great army. With Kang Gam-Chan''s return, we would be able to withstand the onught from our adversaries. That was when the inte buzzed with news of Choi Man-Sik''s arrival. "Let him in," Kang Ji-Yung instructed. After clearing the tea from the table, we waited for Choi Man-Sik to enter. *** Choi Man-Sik sat in the ce of honor and looked around leisurely as if it were his own office. "You''ve changed the interior," Choi Man-Sik said. "We haven''t changed it," Kang Ji-Yung replied. "Oh. I-is that so?" Choi Man-Sik responded, a little caught by surprise. Officially, Choi Man-Sik didn''t hold a title. That fact allowed Kang Ji-Yung to speak more freely to him. However, a strange feeling had been bugging me from the moment I first met Choi Man-Sik. Dressed in Ormani suit with a Peter Phillip watch, Montnk cufflinks, and an Hermos tie, his appearance was a stark reminder of my old self in my past life¡ªcovered from head to toe in luxury brands. I wondered maybe that¡¯s why he felt so obnoxious. He looked like someone who couldn¡¯t help showing off his wealth. ¡®I...was like that too,¡¯ I reflected silently. Seeing him was like seeing my past-life self, which brought a sense of self-loathing. At that moment, Choi Man-Sik sensed my gaze and stared back pointedly. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that? I don¡¯t like being stared at.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir.¡± I apologized. Kang Ji-Yung stepped in when Choi Man-Sik warned me with a cold smile. "Why start with criticisms right off the bat when you''re the one who wanted to see him?¡± Choi Man-Sik¡¯s expression changed instantly. The way he looked at Kang Ji-Yung waspletely different from how he looked at me, proving his genuine feelings for her. ¡°That¡¯s not a criticism. It¡¯s just advice not to stare at your superiors like that. He can¡¯t even handle that?¡± Choi Man-Sik tried to exin himself. ¡°Cut the superior talk and just say what you came to say and go,¡± Kang Ji-Yung retorted. With that, the preliminary probing ended and we got to the heart of the matter. ¡°Okay. Then I''ll pass on the higher-up''s message. It''s about Cherry Blossom. Get them ready to go to Japan next month,¡± Choi Man-Sik said seriously. ¡°What?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a contract we made to use Golden Road as a local model in Japan this summer. Align the schedule with that and bring Cherry Blossom over. They''ll be releasing a Japanese album too,¡± Choi Man-Sik exined. Kang Ji-Yung frowned and rified, ¡°But that contract was canceled due to the social media scandal.¡± ¡°Who said anything about cancetion? That contract has been transferred to Cherry Blossom, so just go ahead with it," Choi Man-Sik replied with a straight face. That''s when Kang Ji-Yung¡¯s expression twisted suddenly. ¡°How could you just make this one-sided decision and inform us like this, demanding that we act on it right away?¡± ¡°What''s wrong? Aren¡¯t they wrapping up their activities soon? Why waste time? Going to Japan to make money is good for everyone,¡± Choi Man-Sik responded nonchntly. Cherry Blossom was scheduled to take a break after next week¡¯s music broadcast. They were concluding their activities due to physical strain, but now he wanted them to go to Japan immediately. His words annoyed me. ''No way. That''s nonsense.'' We had been canceling schedules and feeding them well to focus on their health. Surely the Japanese market was many timesrger than Korea¡¯s and the allure is real. But even if Cherry Blossom members were in good condition, sending them to Japan immediately would be foolish. Currently, Hoop Entertainment¡¯s partner in Japan was Aris Productions which was part of Barneys Inc., apany established with Yakuza money. True to the Yakuza¡¯s nature, Aris Productions was known for making highly unfair settlements. ''What¡¯s the use of a market several timesrger? The settlement amount is tens of times smaller,'' I thought to myself. Because of that reason, having Cherry Blossom perform in Korea than Japan was more profitable at the moment. Moreover, Kang Ji-Yung was trying to change our local partner in Japan to either APEX, AMOSE, or HOSHI PRO without the shareholders knowing to continue the work of Kang Gam-Chan. And she would seed in doing so by this November. [Everyday V10] [Date: November 24, 2020] -03:00 p.m. Wee event for the representative from Japan (President Hiroshi of AMOSE). Underground lecture hall. For this reason, Cherry Blossom''s expansion into Japan had to wait until after November. Kang Ji-Yung looked straight into Choi Man-Sik¡¯s face and rejected the shareholders'' proposal. ¡°The Cherry Blossom girls are too exhausted to perform in Japan, and they are not prepared for it either. You should know that I absolutely cannot permit it.¡± Choi Man-Sik¡¯s face was slightly contorted. ¡°Mr. Lee Sang-Pil went through a lot to secure this contract, and you want to just throw away this great opportunity?¡± ¡°Opportunity or not, it¡¯s impossible. Also, you should be consulting Singer Division 1, the parties involved in the matter. Why are you dumping Golden Road¡¯s mishap on Cherry Blossom?¡± Kang Ji-Yung argued. Despite it being a special request from Lee Sang-Pil, one of the shareholders, Kang Ji-Yung refused. The Cherry Blossom members would suffer terribly, and Hoop Entertainment wouldn¡¯t make much money, while only shareholder Lee Sang-Pil would profit. Choi Man-Sik grimaced, then turned to me. ¡°Team Lead Jung, what do you have to say? Surely, you don¡¯t want to miss the chance to make Cherry Blossom be a star across Asia with our expansion into Japan?¡± ¡°I am eager, sir. But...¡± my voice trailed off. ¡°Eager, but?¡± Choi Man-Sik cut me off. ¡°Cherry Blossom is their limit due to the excessive strain over thest ten weeks," I exined. ¡°Oh,e on. How bad of a condition could they be in?¡± Choi Man-Sik asked dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s serious enough to consider immediate hospitalization,¡± I responded. I exaggerated a bit, which made Choi Man-Sik clench his teeth. ¡°Alright. How about giving them about two weeks of rest after they finish their activities and then sending them to Japan? I¡¯ll make sure they¡¯re sent to the best hospitals,¡± Choi Man-Sik suggested. ¡°No. From what I see, they won¡¯t be able to move for the next month. We¡¯re managing people, not machines,¡± I insisted. Choi Man-Sik began to growl in a low voice at the repeated rejections. ¡°It sounds like you¡¯re taking my polite request as a suggestion because I''m being nice. Cut the nonsense and get the girls ready to go to Japan immediately!¡± At that moment, Kang Ji-Yung angrily interjected into the conversation. "Enough already. Don''t you remember agreeing that we''d handle thepany operations?" Choi Man-Sik red at Kang Ji-Yung. "That''s true. But President Kang isn''t here right now." "Yes, but I''m here instead. And I have no intention of giving in. As Team Lead Jung said, Cherry Blossom is 100% going to copse if we send them to Japan at this time. Do you want to see the kids copsing on stage and making the NHK news?" Kang Ji-Yung barked back. "Why, you...! Do I look like I''m joking around? Fuck!" Choi Man-Sik cursed. While his coarsenguage made Kang Ji-Yung flinch slightly, I didn¡¯t bat an eyelid. I had known for a long time that Choi Man-Sik tended to start swearing when he got angry. "Let''s stop there, Mr. Choi." I interrupted. In an instant, Choi Man-Sik''s icy gaze turned toward me. Chapter 177: Choi Man-Sik (2)

Chapter 177: Choi Man-Sik (2)

¡°What? What did you just say to me? Stop, you say?¡± Choi Man-Sik responded, shocked that I would interrupt him. In Kang Ji-Yung''s office, I told Choi Man-Sik to stop pestering Kang Ji-Yung to send Cherry Blossom to Japan immediately. ¡°Instead of pestering us, why don¡¯t you call Mr. Kang and ask him directly?¡± I asked. Even though shareholders owned thepany, they couldn''t exercise rights arbitrarily as long as the management rights were with Kang Gam-Chan. When I pointed this out, Choi Man-Sik gave an ominous smile. ¡°I believe it would be impolite to call Mr. Kang while he is recovering from surgery and rehabilitating. He should be allowed to rest.¡± ''Why, this bastard...he even knows that Kang Gam-Chan is ill?'' I wondered. I thought he would eventually find out someday but did not expect the information to already leak. But thanks to this, I learned that this man was capable of handling information just like Kim Dong-Soo. Kang Ji-Yung quickly took over the conversation. ¡°It was just a minor surgery.¡± ¡°Is that so? But I heard he has a brain tumor?¡± Choi Man-Sik replied. Kang Ji-Yung continued to stand her ground. ¡°Mr. Choi, you seem very interested in my dad. It was a brain tumor in name but it was actually just the size of a grain of rice. Anyway, try calling him like Team Lead Jung suggested. Let''s see what he thinks.¡± ''I''m sure it was definitely bigger than a grain of rice,'' I remarked inwardly. After pondering for a moment, Choi Man-Sik eventually nodded. It seemed like he had no intention of backing down easily, perhaps because of his pride. Click. -Hello? Yoon-Ho? ¡°Yes, Mr. Kang. I''m in Ms. Kang''s office right now. I called you because there is something urgent we need to discuss.¡± -Hmm. Is that so? It must be official then. Alright, go ahead. The healthy voice of Kang Gam-Chan came through the speakerphone. Choi Man-Sik looked displeased when Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s voice sounded better than expected. Kang Ji-Yung began to calmly exin the situation up to this point. ¡°Mr. Kang, currently President Choi Man-Sik has visited as a representative of the shareholders and......¡± Hearing the story, Kang Gam-Chan spoke in a booming voice loud enough for me to hear through the speakerphone. -President Choi Man-Sik, are you trying to shake up thepany just because I¡¯m away for a bit? Shareholders don¡¯t have the right to interfere withpany matters, do they? ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Kang. It seems there has been some misunderstanding over the phone. It¡¯s not interference but a request. Recently, Mr. Lee''s circumstances have be difficult...¡± Choi Man-Sik stuttered while replying. Choi Man-Sik instantly changed his attitude 180 degrees unlike before the phone call. -There¡¯s a reason why things can¡¯t be done. You should have somemon sense. Do I really need to exin such basic things? ¡°No, Mr. Kang.¡± Faced with Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s charismatic response, Choi Man-Sik repeatedly nodded as if Kang Gam-Chan was right in front of him. -Then let¡¯s end it here. Beep. The tension between Choi Man-Sik and me, which had been tightly drawn, disappeared with a single phone call. ''As expected of Kang Gam-Chan,'' I thought to myself. Kang Ji-Yung shrugged. ¡°It seems like the situation is pretty much over. You should probably go no.¡± Choi Man-Sik stared at us intently. ¡°Phew. I didn¡¯t know Mr.Kang was this healthy. But listen......¡± ¡°I''m listening,¡± said Kang Ji-Yung. Choi Man-Sik spoke as if he owned the room. ¡°Would you mind stepping out for a moment? That was just a side topic I happened to bring up, but I actually came today because there are some matters to discuss with Team Lead Jung.¡± ¡°You can talk to Team Lead Jung with me in the room,¡± Kang Ji-Yung said, refusing to back down. Choi Man-Sik leaned back on the sofa and crossed his arms as if he wouldn¡¯t speak if Kang Ji-Yung were there. ¡°Suit yourself. I have plenty of time.¡± Looking at Choi Man-Sik insisting on a private conversation with me, I nodded at Kang Ji-Yung. ¡°I''ll be fine." ¡°Are you really okay with it?¡± Kang Ji-Yung asked with a concerned look. I nodded. ¡°Yes.¡± Kang Ji-Yung got up from her seat and told Choi Man-Sik, ¡°Finish the conversation within five minutes.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Kang Ji-Yung sighed heavily and left the room. Thud. Watching her leave, Choi Man-Sik smirked. ¡°Such a personality...But that blunt nature is also her charm.¡± Choi Man-Sik took a cigarette out of his pocket despite the no-smoking policy and lit it with a Zippo lighter. Click! Taking a long drag, Choi Man-Sik stared at me intently in silence. The smell of smoke was harsh, but I had no time to mind it as I figured he was about to propose that I join their line. Finally, Choi Man-Sik spoke. ¡°Team Lead Jung.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°I¡¯m much older than you, so I¡¯ll speak informally if that¡¯s okay?¡± ¡°Go ahead.¡± The look in Choi Man-Sik¡¯s snake-like eyes seemed to scan my entire body. ¡°Then let me ask you just one thing. What exactly is your rtionship with Ji-Yung?¡± A question I hadn¡¯t anticipated made my head throb. I was prepared for a factional fight, but suddenly I was dragged into a jealousy fight. *** I froze on the spot, stunned by the question about my rtionship with Kang Ji-Yung. ¡°There''s nothing between you two, is there?" Choi Man-Sik asked. Seeing Choi Man-Sik misunderstand the situation made me more irritated. ¡°I¡¯m just an employee.¡± ''Well, an employee who has once reached the position as high as vice president, topped the industry, and even made aeback,'' I thought to myself Choi Man-Sik looked at me like a predator eyeing its prey. ¡°Then why does Kang Ji-Yung so tantly take your side?¡± But I responded calmly to his gaze. ¡°Isn¡¯t it normal for a superior to take the side of their subordinate?¡± ¡°You¡¯re joking. Don¡¯t you know how hard Kang Ji-Yung worked to get you appointed as a team lead?¡± Choi Man-Sik replied. I was aware there were obstacles to my promotion to team lead due to Lee Gi-Cheol''s opposition. At that time, Kang Ji-Yung had visited the shareholders herself to persuade them and secure my appointment. ¡°That dignified woman bowed down 90 degrees to ask for help, saying you¡¯ll soon be a talent that sustains the entire Hoop Entertainment even if you''re not from Suhyaejong,¡± Choi Man-Sik continued as his stare intensified. I was momentarily at a loss for words. I never imagined that Kang Ji-Yung would go to such lengths for me. ¡°Now, let me ask again. Is there really nothing between you two?¡± Choi Man-Sik questioned. I swallowed dryly and red at Choi Man-Sik. ¡°I¡¯m just grateful that Ms. Kang thinks highly of me.¡± Choi Man-Sik approached me from a distance close enough for me to feel his breath. Then he stared at me intently. Blinking as he stared into my eyes, he smirked and soon stepped back. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll trust you for now. But remember, that woman is mine. Don''t even think about winning her over,¡± Choi Man-Sik threatened. Such affairs of the heart were a personal matter and not something I wanted to be involved in. Nheless, the image of Kang Ji-Yung sacrificing her pride to get me promoted made me so upset that I raised my voice slightly at Choi Man-Sik. ¡°That won''t happen. But with that said, why is Ms. Kang yours?¡± Choi Man-Sik frowned. ¡°Look, Team Lead Jung. I¡¯m warning you. I¡¯m only putting up with so much, so keep to the line. I have guys under me who wouldn¡¯t even bat an eye at dealing with one like you.¡± Following Choi Eun-Tae in the Myeongdong loan sharking business, Choi Man-Sik had gangsters under him. But I was not someone who would be intimidated even if he brought a truckload of such people. At that moment, Choi Man-Sik startedughing as if he couldn¡¯t believe what he was doing. ¡°Ha ha ha. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m dealing with a low-level talent agent like this...¡± Being 37 years old in his prime, he found it ridiculous to be wary of someone ten years his junior. Choi Man-Sik extinguished his cigarette in Kang Ji-Yung''s cherished potted nt, stood up, and said, "Then let''s meet again next time." His words left me confused. ''Wait, that''s it? Was the sole reason for this private meeting just because of Kang Ji-Yung?'' As Choi Man-Sik was about to leave the office, I hurriedly spoke to him as I had nned to use this conversation to learn more about him. "Was the reason you wanted to see me just that?" Choi Man-Sik let out augh. "You are as sharp as I heard. Yes, originally I wanted to invite you to join our line." "Why didn''t you say anything then?" I asked. "I figured you wouldn''te. I can tell these things too. You don''t like me, do you?" Choi Man-Sik replied. "So you said nothing because of that?" Choi Man-Sikughed mockingly. "I heard you''re quite talented, but do you think you can climb up just with talent? Wake up, my friend." I knew better than anyone what he was implying. The most important thing in the entertainment industry was not talent but having the right connections, and even more so, money and power. But I was different. Even with all these constraints, I had once reached the top solely on my ability in my past life. A talent agent who handled celebrities well was a walking corporation in themselves. Once you reached a certain level, celebrities followed the talent agent, not thepany. If I could regain my position from my past life, investors would line up from Apgujeong to Jamsil. For that reason, Choi Man-Sik''s words didn''t resonate with me at all. ''That''s your thought,'' I thought to myself. Unaware of my inner thoughts, Choi Man-Sik scoffed. "The higher-ups seem to think well of you, but I disagree. Somehow, you seem like a guy who doesn''t belong in ourpany." I pondered over his words. ''Wait a minute. Other shareholders including Choi Eun-Tae think highly of me but he doesn''t? He''s the only channel through which the shareholders'' opinions are conveyed to thepany but he has different thoughts from them?'' That''s when a sudden insight shed through my mind. ''Was he nning to betray Choi Eun-Tae from this moment?'' I seemed to have caught a glimpse of why Hoop Entertainment split in my past life. "And you''re loyal to President Kang Gam-Chan anyway, aren''t you? So I will tell the higher-ups that you rejected the offer. Any objections?" Choi Man-Sik added. I pulled myself together and shook my head. "No. Go ahead." "Then take care. And I mean it when I say Ji-Yung is mine. If you dare cross that line, you''re dead," Choi Man-Sik warned me. A hollowugh escaped me as I saw him shaking his clenched fist at me. "I have no such intentions, yet you keep repeating yourself." "Who knows? People''s minds can change day by day. We''ll see," said Choi Man-Sik as he waved his hand and disappeared through the door. *** After Choi Man-Sik left, I opened the windows wide to clear the room of the smoke from the cigarettes. At the same time, I began to think about what Choi Man-Sik had said. "Choi Eun-Tae has no sons so he could inherit everything just by waiting. Why on earth would he betray his adoptive father? It''s not like he''s going through a rebellious phase at his age or anything," I muttered to myself. Choi Eun-Tae was 75 years old this year. In a few years, Choi Man-Sik would naturally inherit the vast wealth of Myeongdong''s leadingndowner. ''But why is he going against his adoptive father now?'' I wondered. At that moment, a scene from a drama shed through my mind and disappeared. "Ah...surely not." But thinking it might be an important clue, I decided to look into Choi Man-Sikter. Creak. Just then, the coughing Kang Ji-Yung entered the room and began to open the opposite window. Kang Ji-Yung fumed as she fanned herself. "Oh my goodness! He can go outside if he wants to smoke! Why would he smoke in my room? That asshole!" After opening all the windows, I shared some of what had been discussed, excluding the part about Choi Man-Sik having a different thought from the main shareholders. "So he really tried to recruit you. And he didn''t say anything when you refused?" Kang Ji-Yung asked. I answered, "He just said he would report to the shareholders that I rejected the offer." "Is that all? How strange. He''s not one to just let it go." It seemed right to mention that Choi Man-Sik was fixated on Kang Ji-Yung. Currently, she seemed to only think of him as just an annoying guy. "Actually..." I recounted the conversation to her. As soon as she heard everything, Kang Ji-Yung''s face turned red. "That crazy bastard. How dare that son of a bitch..." Kang Ji-Yung waved her hands wildly in an exaggerated reaction and said, "L-look. I have absolutely no such thoughts toward you, Team Lead Jung. So don''t worry! Got it?" I nodded repeatedly, trying to reassure her. But whether it was because of Choi Man-Sik''s words or the way she nced at me, I started to feel uneasy when I was sure I had no such feelings until just a moment ago. *** After speaking with Jung Yoon-Ho, Choi Man-Sik immediately headed to the office of Kim Dong-Soo. p! A harsh p caused blood to trickle from the corner of Kim Dong-Soo''s mouth. "Do you know why I pped you?" Choi Man-Sik asked. Kim Dong-Soo bowed deeply as if he were a criminal. "Yes, Mr. Choi." Sitting on the sofa, Choi Man-Sik sighed heavily. "You should have done it quickly when I told you to schedule a meeting with Jung Yoon-Ho. If you were just going to drag it out like this, you should have stomped him down. Why did you do that? Did you do it because you thought I would join hands with him instead of you?" Kim Dong-Soo couldn''t say a word when Choi Man-Sik clearly read his mind. "I have no excuse, sir." Kim Dong-Soo said as he bowed his head. "Stop those unnecessary thoughts and just do your job well from now on. Understand?" Choi Man-Sik warned. Kim Dong-Soo nodded with his body trembling. He was scared but wanted to clear the doubt in his mind. "M-Mr. Choi. I have something to ask." "What is it?" "I''m curious about the real reason the higher-ups are interested in Jung Yoon-Ho." Choi Man-Sik snorted. "Our higher-ups have always been greedy. You know this already, don''t you? They told me to bring him into our line this time." Kim Dong-Soo wondered if he had misheard. "T-then perhaps...?" "No. I realized he was not the right fit after meeting him. So I cut off the higher-ups'' order at my level." Kim Dong-Soo swallowed hard. Until now, Choi Man-Sik had never once defied the will of the shareholders, known as the higher-ups. But Kim Dong-Soo couldn''t voice that out loud, because saying that would imply that Choi Man-Sik was harboring other intentions. ''No, that can''t be right. Why would Choi Man-Sik go against the shareholders'' wills? If he just waits, he''ll be the majority shareholder.'' Kim Dong-Soo wondered. That''s when Choi Man-Sik quietly spoke with a firm expression. At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo felt as if the blood in his entire body had turned cold. "M-Mr. Choi..." Chapter 178: The Hidden Truth

Chapter 178: The Hidden Truth

"Did you really think I wouldn''t know that you and Director Lee Gi-Cheol were embezzling funds for independence? I heard you''ve been gathering people too." Kim Dong-Soo swallowed dryly. All sorts of thoughts shed through his mind. ''How did Choi Man-Sik find out? Which jerk leaked the information?'' His head went nk, his pulse quickened, and his lips were parched. Thinking he had to deny everything, Kim Dong-Soo shouted, "N-no! That''s not true, sir! How could I dare..." "Stop the bullshit! I know everything, so stop making excuses. You should deceive only those you are capable of deceiving," yelled Choi Man-Sik. Kim Dong-Soo''s eyes began to move quickly. He had to do anything he could do to escape this situation. He couldn''t let everything fall apart, not after how hard he had worked for the money. But at that moment, Choi Man-Sik said somethingpletely unexpected. "I''m not ming you, so lift your head. The higher-ups don''t know about this, just me. And I''ll help you from now on." Kim Dong-Soo was confused by Choi Man-Sik''s words. ''What? To forgive and even help someone who had misappropriatedpany resources?'' This was nothing like the notorious and deadly Choi Man-Sik who was known as the viper of Myeong-dong. "But why would you..." Kim Dong-Soo asked. "As long as President Kang Kam-Chan is healthy, thispany isn¡¯t something I can control as I wish. And the higher-ups will likely continue to trust President Kang even if thepany goes public," Choi Man-Sik interrupted. "Then could it be..." "Yes. I need my ownpany. I need a usable entertainmentpany." To discern Choi Man-Sik''s true intentions, Kim Dong-Soo quickly racked his brain. Entertainmentpanies of a certain size could greatly assist business in Asia. Many rich people from various countries wished to associate with Korean celebrities, and entertainmentpanies could offer special lobbies that could buy favors that money cannot. Choi Man-Sik made it clear he needed apany that could fulfill such a role. "Then...what should I do now?" Kim Dong-Soo asked. "Keep preparing to go independent as you have been. But let''s n the IPO of Hoop Entertainment and extract the investment money first," Choi Man-Sik said, signaling his intent to prepare as much money as possible. But Kim Dong-Soo still couldn''t understand. Although Choi Man-Sik was technically an adopted son, he was nevertheless the sole heir of major shareholder Choi Eun-Tae. Kim Dong-Soo took a nce at Choi Man-Sik and cautiously asked a sensitive question. "But why would you defy the higher-ups'' wills? Wouldn''t all this eventually be yours if you just waited?" Choi Man-Sik frowned and gulped down ice water on the table. Munching the ice, he red at Kim Dong-Soo. "It turns out that the old man had spread his seeds." Surprised, Kim Dong-Soo eximed loudly without realizing it. "Pardon!?" Choi Man-Sik''s adopted father and the major shareholder of Hoop Entertainment, Choi Eun-Tae was 75 this year. Because he had no children, he adopted the trusted subordinate Choi Man-Sik as his son. ''But he has a hidden child?'' Kim Dong-Soo thought to himself. The confused Kim Dong-Soo was engulfed in fear that his lifeline might snap. "He has a child? What do you mean?" Kim Dong-Soo asked. "I thought he was heartless...but it turns out he has a son he didn''t know about. Recently, he''s been frantically looking for his son," exined Choi Man-Sik Kim Dong-Soo swallowed hard and thought, ''So that''s why Choi Man-Sik is harboring other intentions.'' Choi Eun-Tae of Myeong-dong was known to be a heavyweight in mobilizing cash in South Korea. Thinking that his throne might be taken away, Choi Man-Sik was looking for ways to secure his position on his own. Only then did Kim Dong-Soo''s heart start to settle. He realized that Choi Man-Sik was just as desperate, if not more. "Then he¡¯ll find his son soon. Isn''t Mr. Choi the wealthiest in Korea?" Kim Dong-Soo asked. Choi Man-Sik shook his head. "It won''t be that easy." "What do you mean?" "He lost contact with the child¡¯s mother twenty-seven years ago. Apparently, he didn''t even know he had a child then." Kim Dong-Soo couldn''t understand. "Then how did he know about the son? Did the child¡¯s mother contact him?" Choi Man-Sik replied, "No. We have no idea whether the child¡¯s mother is in heaven or buried underground as we can¡¯t find any traces of her. She was an orphan with no family so there''s no record." "How did he find out then?" Choi Man-Sik grimaced. "About a month ago, a midwife who received the old man¡¯s child came to his house. Turns out she and the old man were from the same hometown. They knew each other in the past." "T-then why did she wait till only now to visit him?" "As they''re nearing death, she felt pity for the old man. She was worried he might die without knowing he has blood rtives," Choi Man-Sik added. "I thought this kind of thing only happened in dramas..." Kim Dong-Soo remarked. "Right? Anyway, knowing a young pregnant woman escaped from her elderly husband, the midwife figured she must have a tough story to tell. After giving birth, she recovered and then vanished," Choi Man-Sik continued. The only clue now was that the midwife had lived in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, where the mother¡¯s trail went cold. "So now the old man isbing through Gyeonggi-do Gwangju...but it hasn''t been easy. Besides, there''s no guarantee she lived there even after giving birth." Kim Dong-Soo cautiously asked, "Is Mr. Choi certain it''s his son?" "The dates of the mother''s disappearance and childbirth are close. And you know what technology these days is capable of doing. We just need to bring him in for a DNA test. Everything will be a piece of cake as long as we find the son." Kim Dong-Soo swallowed hard. "How many people know about this?" "Maybe five, now six with you. Why?" Choi Man-Sik looked at Kim Dong-Soo and asked. Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s palms were sweating as he gripped them tightly. "If that''s the case, wouldn¡¯t it be better for you to find the son first? We could use him or send him overseas to keep him out of the old man¡¯s sight..." But Choi Man-Sik raised his hand to stop Kim Dong-Soo. "What if we get caught? Do you want to die early?" As expected, Choi Man-Sik was cautious. At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo saw a chance to demonstrate his loyalty. "Maybe...I could try to find him?" Choi Man-Sik seemed intrigued. "Do you have a way?" Kim Dong-Soo nodded. "I have someone suitable for finding people. His name is Nalsae." Choi Man-Sik spoke again after thinking it through. "And if the old man finds out?" Kim Dong-Soo carefully chose his words, knowing his answer could change his fate. Looking Choi Man-Sik in the eye, he responded firmly, "I will take full responsibility. I can just say I stumbled upon this information while digging into the shareholders¡¯ backgrounds." A deep smile crossed Choi Man-Sik¡¯s face. He looked Kim Dong-Soo up and down and replied with satisfaction, "You really are someone worth working with." Choi Man-Sik''s words sent a chill down Kim Dong-Soo''s spine as he realized that Choi Man-Sik had led him to say these things on his own. As Choi Man-Sik stood up, he said with a look of satisfaction. "Don¡¯t tell Director Lee Gi-Cheol about this. Got it?" Kim Dong-Soo assured him, "Of course not. Director Lee Gi-Cheol doesn¡¯t even know who Nalsae is." Choi Man-Sik patted Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s shoulder as if he was impressed. "You are truly a capable man as expected. By the way, how¡¯s Ho Sung doing?" "Team Lead Ju whom you have sent has been a great help," Kim Dong-Soo replied. "Good. Keep him managed. Ho-Sung may be greedy, but we need such people to keep people like Team Lead Jung in check," Choi Man-Sik said. Kim Dong-Soo bowed deeply. "Thank you for your consideration, sir." "Don''t mention it. Just find the old man¡¯s son quickly. He should be about twenty-seven by now." Kim Dong-Soo nodded. "Understood. Twenty-seven years old. I will definitely find him!" Kim Dong-Soo now had another task in addition to taking control of Hoop Entertainment, but he was more than satisfied. After all, Choi Man-Sik had promised to support him more than ever before. *** [Ju Yung-In was cast as the female lead in SBC''s new drama In the Name of God after beating out 2,500petitors with a stunning ratio of 2,500 to 1!] [The production announcement of In the Name of God written by Lee Ji-Yeon from SBC will take ce on June 23rd.] "Looks like we¡¯re gonna sh with Ju Yung-In again," I said after reading the news. I recalled Ju Yung-In insisting on joining only the work I chose. Despite the formidablepetitors hoping to join Lee Ji-Yeon''s work, Ju Yung-In ultimately seeded. Yoo-Jin and Miso were extremely busy with the shooting schedule drawing near. But I had to leave the two of them with Jung Sang-Bong today and meet with Lee Tae-Poong, because it had been too long since Ist visited the set. Currently, the filming of Beyond the Boundary starring Lee Tae-Poong as the main lead was progressing smoothly. Thanks to the solid preparations, significant progress had been made three weeks into filming which began at the start of June. There were even rumors that the release could be moved up from November to the end of September. After checking the rest of the articles, I started the Merciless Bends I had received as a gift for saving Jang Jun-Hyuk. "Tae-Poong, I''ming~" I muttered under my breath. Having received permission to treat all staff to a meal to boost Tae-Poong''s spirit, I happily hummed to myself. It took about an hour and a half to reach Choi Sung-Moon Film located in Paju. After parking, I entered the main building and went up to the office on the second floor, where Pyo Eun-Mi was waiting to wee me. "Team Lead Jung, I might forget your face if you don¡¯t visit more often," Pyo Eun-Mi teased me. When she red at me in a yful manner, I presented her with a gift. "I''ve been so busytely dealing with some issues. Please ept this as an apology..." Pyo Eun-Mi, a nning director who yed a crucial role in casting Lee Tae-Poong as the lead in Beyond the Boundary, was also appointed as the production manager. In other words, she had practically gained power equivalent to the president despite holding the position of director. Meanwhile, Production Manager Ga Eun-Soo was demoted for epting money to eliminate Lee Tae-Poong. Unfortunately, I couldn¡¯t implicate Kim Dong-Soo without evidence of his involvement. Pyo Eun-Mi dly epted the two golden paper bags I handed her. "What¡¯s this? You shouldn¡¯t have." "I know everyone¡¯s been tired. I prepared red ginseng for you all. One''s for you and the other for Mr. Choi," I said with a smile. "Ha ha. How did you know I like red ginseng? Thank you. I¡¯ll enjoy it," Pyo Eun-Mi said with a grin. "There will be more delivered here for the rest of the staff too. There were too many to carry myself," I added. Just then, the office staff began to cheer. "Wow~. See? I told you. Hoop Entertainment is different." "It''s not Hoop Entertainment that''s different but it¡¯s Mr. Jung. Congrattions on your promotion, Mr. Jung!" The usual bribes¡ªI mean, gifts¡ªvaried depending on one''s position: wild ginseng for the president, red ginseng for executives, and bellflower roots for the staff. But I distributed 100 thousand won worth of red ginseng gift sets equally to all employees. After all, managing the schedules, location shoots, and the actors'' conditions wouldn''t be possible without the cooperation of the general staff. Pyo Eun-Mi smiled and nudged the staff. "Mr. Ji-Sung, pay more attention to the promotional materials for Mr. Tae-Poong." "Yes, Ms. Pyo!" The effects were immediately noticeable. After giving the instructions, Pyo Eun-Mi seemed to remember something btedly. "I heard you got promoted to Team Lead." I nodded. "I did." "Congrattions. You are really doing well these days, Team Lead Jung." Pyo Eun-Mi congratted me. "Not at all. It¡¯s just the beginning," I responded humbly. "Ah, I feel so bad. I haven¡¯t even given you a gift for your promotion." "Don¡¯t worry about it. As a gift, please keep a fond eye on Tae-Poong." "That''s easy. In fact, I don''t even need to try. He already does well on his own...Oh, you¡¯ll watch Mr. Tae-Poong''s filming, right?" I nodded as if I had been waiting for the question. *** I had to board a golf cart to move from the main building to the set because the sets at Choi Sung-Moon Film covered a vast 300,000 pyeong. After about a five-minute ride, a sharp smell of gunpowder wafted over from a distance, making my nose sting and my eyes tear up. "Wow, the smell of gunpowder is no joke," Imented. "You know how Mr. Choi is like when ites to special effects. He¡¯s been setting off explosions for days now. Sigh, but it¡¯s all money..." said Pyo Eun-Mi as she covered her nose with a handkerchief. Then, she stopped the cart to check her watch and said, "They should be shooting the mountain chase scene by now. It¡¯s that way." Pyo Eun-Mi started driving the cart again. Following the winding path, I could see the actors and staff filming on a roughly 300-meter-high mountain. Choi Sung-Moon was halfway up the mountain and directing from a makeshift tent with monitors where the mountain was surrounded by lights and camera booms. To avoid disturbing the filming, we parked the cart at a distance. Pyo Eun-Mi pointed to the distance. "There he is." I could see Lee Tae-Poong at the end of Pyo Eun-Mi''s finger. But an unbelievable scene was unfolding. ''What the heck is going on?'' I thought to myself. Chapter 179: Beyond the Boundary Shooting Set (1)

Chapter 179: Beyond the Boundary Shooting Set (1)

"What is going on? Why is Tae-Poong carrying Mr. Baek Yoon-Sung on his back?" Beyond the Boundary was an action movie depicting South Korean special agents helping the family of a North Korean nuclear physicist escape to Seoul. In the movie, Lee Tae-Poong disguised himself as North Korean Army Lieutenant Choi In-Sol and orchestrated an escape from Pyongyang to Seoul. Currently, they were on a mountain filming the final chase scene before entering South Korea. But on Lee Tae-Poong''s back was Actor Baek Yoon-Sung, who was ying the role of the genius North Korean scientist Dan Myung-Han. It must already be tough and dangerous to walk up the rugged mountain path alone, but Lee Tae-Poong was carrying someone on his back as he climbed up the mountain. Surprised by the unscripted scene unfolding before me, I asked Pyo Eun-Mi what was going on. "Oh, Mr. Baek Yoon-Sung sprained his ankle slightly during the morning shoot. So the script was quickly revised" "Did...did Mr. Choi instruct Tae-Poong to do this?" I asked. "Not at all. Mr. Lee Tae-Poong volunteered because he didn¡¯t want the shoot to get disrupted." Pyo Eun-Mi continued to praise Lee Tae-Poong without pause. However, the trail was steep and filled with overgrown bushes. Lee Tae-Poong could slip and get hurt carrying someone on his back. I feltpelled to give a long lecture to Lee Tae-Poongter. Then, Pyo Eun-Mi spoke. "By the way, Mr. Jung. Has Mr. Tae-Poong ever learned martial arts or something like it? His physical abilities are extraordinary." "Tae-Poong has always been good with action," I replied. "Even so, the martial arts director said Tae-Poong''s skills are higher than the average person''s," Pyo Eun-Mi added. "Oh, he underwent training at an action school before filming this movie. You can''t just casually appear in Mr. Choi''s work, can you?" I remarked. Pyo Eun-Mi''s face brightened in an instant. "I knew there was something special about him. Mr. Choi was very pleased and said he really made coordinating easy." It seemed Lee Tae-Poong''s acting was recognized. "Then how about Tae-Poong''s vocal and emotional acting? I heard it has improved since the audition." "Ha ha ha. You''ll see for yourself in a bit," Pyo Eun-Mi said with an expression akin to a proud mother talking about her son. Suddenly, I began to look forward to how much Tae-Poong''s acting had improved. *** "Cut~! Good job!" Lee Tae-Poong gasped for breath at the sound of Choi Sung-Moon''s cut. "Huff, huff, huff." Baek Yoon-Sung, who had been on his back, tapped Lee Tae-Poong''s shoulder. "Tae-Poong, you can let me down now. You must have had a hard time carrying me all along." "Not at all, sir," said Lee Tae-Poong as he put Baek Yoon-Sung down at the slope of the mountain. Baek Yoon-Sung had twisted his ankle during an earlier shoot but insisted on waiting until after the shoot to get treated. He even tried to move on his own after applying sports tape, so Lee Tae-Poong stepped in. -Mr. Choi. Wouldn''t it be better if I carried Mr. Baek Yoon-Sung on my back? It seems to fit the narrative better. -It will be tough. What if you hurt yourself by climbing the mountain with someone on your back? -It''s okay. I''ve read the script several times and carrying him on my back seems to work better in terms of visuals anyway. -What do you think, Mr. Baek? -If my hoobae is willing to try without sparing his body, how could I stop him? Let''s give it a try as long as you''re fine with it. Thus, Choi Sung-Moon agreed to Lee Tae-Poong''s request to continue carrying Baek Yoon-Sung up the mountain. Baek Yoon-Sung looked apologetic. "I''m making things difficult for you, aren''t I?" "Not at all, sir. If anything, it helps me focus more on the character," Lee Tae-Poong replied humbly. "That''s true. This situation is exactly like the one in the movie, isn''t it?" Baek Yoon-Sung''s joke made Lee Tae-Poong smile broadly. Initially, Baek Yoon-Sung was hesitant to ept Lee Tae-Poong as he was displeased with the idea of amercial actor being the main lead. But as the shoot progressed, he was repeatedly surprised by Lee Tae-Poong''s rapidly improving acting skills. Moreover, Lee Tae-Poong''s sincere attitude gradually warmed his heart, especially after today when Lee Tae-Poong unexpectedly stepped forward to help after Baek Yoon-Sung had injured his ankle. Baek Yoon-Sung gazed intently at Lee Tae-Poong''s back which was soaked with sweat as if he had just got out of a shower. He must have been out of breath after carrying Baek Yoon-Sung up the mountain ten times, yet Lee Tae-Poong had notined even once. Instead, his face was lively as if he was even enjoying it. That''s when Baek Yoon-Sung admitted to himself that he had held onto outdated prejudices. ''He''s not just about looks,'' Baek Yoon-Sung reflected silently. Baek Yoon-Sung realized that the actor before him was a genuine talent. Feeling sorry, Baek Yoon-Sung thought of an idea to convince other actors who, like him, had yet to acknowledge Lee Tae-Poong as a main lead. "Tae-Poong, the next scene is the one-on-one fight with Yang-Seop, right?" Baek Yoon-Sung asked. Lee Tae-Poong nodded. "Yes, sir." "How about we do that in one long take? What do you think?" "Pardon? But how could I possibly..." "Why? Think you can¡¯t do it?" Choi Yang-Seop, who had also aimed for the lead role and continued to persist in wanting to be in Choi Sung-Moon¡¯s movie despite failing the audition, was eventually cast as the main antagonist, North Korean Army Colonel Kang Ill-Rok. Lee Tae-Poong felt a weight on his shoulder to have a performance showdown with Choi Yang-Seop, the winner of the acting grand prize two years ago. Suddenly, hesitation appeared on Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s face, a rare sight that had not been seen up to now. A long take meant that it was easier to make mistakes which could ruin everything. As the pressure got to him, Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s hesitation grew longer. Watching Lee Tae-Poong contemte, Baek Yoon-Sung clicked his tongue. "What''s there to fear for a guy who overcame dyslexia? Don¡¯t be afraid of NGs and just try it as I suggested. I guarantee it will be a good experience." After much hesitation, Lee Tae-Poong finally nodded. "I''ll try my best." At that moment, Baek Yoon-Sung raised his hand to call over a nearby staff member. "Yung-Min, give me the walkie-talkie." "Yes, sir." When AD Jo Yung-Min handed over the walkie-talkie he was holding, Baek Yoon-Sung spoke into the walkie-talkie. "PD Choi. For the next scene, how about we have Tae-Poong and Yang-Seop do it in one take without cuts?" -A long take? "Yes. You know I respect the director¡¯s authority, right?" Baek Yoon-Sung added. -Of course, sir. "But still, I want to ask for a favor today. I feel bad for making Tae-Poong work so hard and I really want to treat him like a main lead just this once." -Hmm...I understand the sentiment, but will it be okay? Long takes are quite difficult and what if they get hurt? "Would you agree if the actors are fine doing it?" -Well, if they agree, that''s fine by me. "Then it¡¯s settled. I''ll persuade the two of them." -Understood, sir. We¡¯ll make the preparations right away. The moment Choi Sung-Moon graciously gave the go-ahead, the staff on set began to move. *** Choi Sung-Moon started giving sudden instructions. "We''re going to do it in one shot. We won¡¯t set up separate angles, so it needs to go right the first time. Set up three more cameras and shoot the lights from a distance. Even if other cameras and lights ovep in the angle, we can erase them with CG. So don¡¯t worry about using multiple ones!" "Yes, sir!" The cinematographer and the lighting director began setting up additional cameras and lights on the mountain. This scene was a fierce acting duel in abat scene originally nned to be shot in five cuts, but the n had suddenly changed. "Why the change all of a sudden?" I asked. Pyo Eun-Mi replied, "Just a moment, I¡¯ll find out." After checking the situation via walkie-talkie, Pyo Eun-Mi started to exin. "The next scene will be done in a long take." The performance they were about to deliver was a grueling five minutes long. It required breathtaking action and emotional acting in a challenging single-shot take. ''And they¡¯re really going to do it in one take?'' I wondered. "Did Tae-Poong agree to this?" I asked. "Yes. Mr. Baek wanted to give Mr. Tae-Poong a chance to shine, so he agreed... But a performance duel with Mr. Yang-Seop? This is going to be tough," Pyo Eun-Mi remarked. ''A performance duel with the winner of the acting grand prize from two years ago?'' My palms got sweaty and damp without realizing it. Normally, there would be no reason for Lee Tae-Poong to be outshone by Choi Yang-Seop. Choi Yang-Seop was an actor known more for his keen choice of roles than his innate ability, and he was able to win the acting award because hended a good role. However, a five-minute long take was a different story. Having to maintain control throughout five minutes of continuous acting would put the experienced Choi Yang-Seop in a much more favorable position. ''What on earth is Tae-Poong thinking?'' I thought to myself. Pyo Eun-Mi urged me, "We shouldn''t be here; let''s go to the tent to see Mr. Choi and watch the shoot together." There was still some time before filming started since the staff was still preparing for the shoot. Pyo Eun-Mi exined there was a disy for monitoring in the tent where Choi Sung-Moon was, so we could closely watch Lee Tae-Poong''s performance. I nodded. "Yes, let''s go right away." I hurried up the mountain following Pyo Eun-Mi. *** After greeting Choi Sung-Moon, I exchanged greetings with Talent Agent Lee Dae-Ho who had arrived earlier at the site. "Long time no see, Mr. Jung." Lee Dae-Ho greeted me. "Hi. How is Tae-Poong doing?" I returned the greeting and asked. "I checked on him earlier and he seemed fine," Lee Dae-Ho replied. Lee Dae-Ho continued with Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s message. "Oh, and Tae-Poong asked me to tell you that he¡¯s fine and confident he could do well when you arrive." "He always makes us worry but he''s a smooth talker," I said as I shook my head. Lee Dae-Ho scratched his head. Then, I continued, "Anyway, I understand. Please continue to keep an eye on him." "Yes, Mr. Jung." After that, I focused my attention on the monitoring screen behind Choi Sung-Moon. Soon after the staff gave the okay sign, Choi Sung-Moon grabbed the microphone and began giving instructions. "Alright! Scene 83. The fight scene between special agent Choi Sung-Ha and Colonel Kang Ill-Rok. Let¡¯s be careful not to get hurt!" The staff stood at a distance, their tension palpable. During a long take, they couldn''t intervene unless the director called "cut." After checking the framing several times through the monitor, Choi Sung-Moon finally picked up the megaphone. "Nobody interferes until I call cut, okay? Alright, let''s do this in one go. Ready¡ªAction!" Simultaneously, Choi Yang-Seop started swinging his fists with a wild scream. ¡ºDie, you traitor!¡» Choi Yang-Seop''s expression turned ferocious as heunched into his attack. But something about his actions was off. ''Is this really just acting? He seems overly aggressive!'' I started to worry. *** Normally, action scenes were rehearsed thoroughly beforehand to ensure nobody got hurt. Unlike regr acting, any spontaneous movements in action scenes could lead to serious injuries when not pre-choreographed. That''s why ad-libbing was strictly off-limits in action scenes¡ªuncoordinated moves could lead to severe injuries. However, Choi Yang-Seop threw a punch that wasn''t part of the choreography. His unexpected move almost seemed to spell the end of the shoot. But astonishingly, Lee Tae-Poong didn''t change his expression and started to deftly block Choi Yang-Seop''s attacks. Thanks to him, the filming continued without interruption. Lee Tae-Poong calmly dodged the punches and kicks that came his way. Soon, the sound of their hands and feet colliding could be heard. Thud! The impact was so strong that it shook the dust off their clothes. Even though they were wearing protective gear on their forearms and shins, I clenched my sweaty hands, worried that Lee Tae-Poong might still get hurt. That''s when Choi Yang-Seop deceived Lee Tae-Poong with a feint and thenunched a kick to his face. Thwack! Lee Tae-Poong turned his face away hastily, but the harsh kick grazed his face. Instantly, the side of Lee Tae-Poong''s cheek turned bright red. There was no bleeding but it seemed like the skin was slightly scraped. ''How dare he!'' I fumed. idents were not unexpected during filming. But it was a different story if it happened because someone didn''t stick to the rehearsal. I clenched my fists in anger. ''Choi Yang-Seop, how dare you scratch my actor¡¯s face?'' I felt like rushing over to knock Choi Yang-Seop to the ground right then. Lee Dae-Ho, who was watching the scene beside me, was also on the verge of bursting out in anger. But since we were in the same tent as the director, we couldn''t say anything. All I could do was re at Chief Lee Chan-Dong who hade with Choi Yang-Seop. I wondered, ''Could this have been intentional from the start?'' The main lead actor¡¯s face was the billboard of the movie. In a different setting with a different director, I might have stepped in to im a foul and pulled out of the shoot. That would indeed make the offending actor pay for his action. But this film was directed by the esteemed Choi Sung-Moon. It was a project Lee Tae-Poong had desperately wanted, so I barely managed to suppress my anger. I hardened my resolve. ''Choi Yang-Seop, I''m gonna get back at you at dinnerter.'' Hundreds of ways to get back at Choi Yang-Seop shed through my mind. Fortunately, Lee Tae-Poong''s expression remained unchanged despite everything that happened. ''Tae-Poong has truly be an actor,'' I remarked inwardly. A sense of pride welled up inside me. Meanwhile, Choi Yang-Seop paused to adjust his stance after moving continuously. ¡ºYou''re pretty fast. But you won''t be able to dodge my attacks forever.¡» ¡ºStop the bullshit ande at me.¡» ¡ºIs that so? Then try to block this too.¡» With a bizarre scream, Choi Yang-Seop charged again and attempted another feint. This was also not in the rehearsal. That''s when an ambiguous smile rose on Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s face. Chapter 180: Beyond the Boundary Shooting Set (2)

Chapter 180: Beyond the Boundary Shooting Set (2)

The long take scene which began with an idea proposed by Baek Yoon-Sung proceeded unexpectedly. Lee Tae-Poong suddenlyunched a front kick at Choi Yang-Seop who wasn''t performing the action as rehearsed. Thud! Not having anticipated retaliation from the more junior Lee Tae-Poong, Choi Yang-Seop was kicked back and fell. ¡ºDamn it, you fucking bastard...¡» Fortunately, Choi Yang-Seop wasn''t injured as the mountain slope was not steep. However, if it were a steep slope, Lee Tae-Poong''s kick would have sent him rolling down. At that moment, Lee Tae-Poong pounced on the flustered Choi Yang-Seop. Thud! Sitting on Choi Yang-Seop''s chest, Lee Tae-Poong began to speak in a growling voice, ¡ºRemember what I told you once, Kang Ill-Rok? That I would be the one to take your neck?¡» Lee Tae-Poong''s voice was powerful, leaving no traces of a person who once struggled to read the script due to dyslexia. I felt a chill down my spine as I made a silent observation. ''Tae-Poong has indeed improved a lot.'' I finally understood why Pyo Eun-Mi was so proud of Lee Tae-Poong. Emotions were deeply etched in every single line that Lee Tae-Poong delivered. After finishing his lines, Lee Tae-Poong pulled out a prop dagger he had on his side. It was a special prop designed to retract the de inward and release fake blood when stabbed into someone. ¡ºI spare you because I am ordered to. But... don''t even dream ofing back.¡» ying the role of a protagonist having received orders not to kill Kang Il-Rok, Lee Tae-Poong started to slowly insert the de into the opponent''s abdomen, avoiding any fatal areas. St, st, st! Lee Tae-Poong''s facial expressions as he suppressed the desire to kill and pushed the de into the opponent were chilling. My whole body shivered and my hair stood on end, almost as if I were the one being stabbed. ¡ºUgh...¡» Red liquid seeped out each time the de stabbed the opponent. In time with this, Choi Yang-Seop¡¯s eyes rolled back as he trembled and finally dropped his hand to the ground. Though annoying in some aspects, Choi Yang-Seop had nevertheless won the acting grand prize two years ago. Hepleted his final act with a great reaction to Lee Tae-Poong''s stabbing. "Okay! Wow~ we''ve got a masterpiece here!" Choi Sung-Moon cheered with excitement. Apuse from the staff erupted in session. "Wow, that was seriously no joke, huh?" "Damn, that was so intense that I thought they were enemies in real life." "Geez, how did they get this in one take without any NGs? The film production team really struck gold here." It was just a five-minute shot, but the acting from the two actors was so intense from the start till the end that there was no time for the audience to breathe. The silent exchanges of facial expressions and the continuing action would definitely be a scene that everyone would go crazy over once the movie was released. Knowing this more than anyone else, the staff couldn''t hide their excitement. Leaving the cheering of the staff behind, I rushed to Lee Tae-Poong. I was worried about his condition because his face had been scratched by Choi Yang-Seop''s unexpected action. I was determined not to forgive Choi Yang-Seop if Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s injury was serious. *** Afterpleting the scene, Lee Tae-Poong let out a long sigh. He had been startled by Choi Yang-Seop''s unexpected and daring movements during their performance. Fortunately, he quicklyposed himself and sessfully portrayed the stern national intelligence service agent, Choi Sung-Ha. Immersed in his role at times, he couldn''t recall exactly what his performance had been like. But he could definitely feel a profound sense of fulfillment enveloping him. Lee Tae-Poong continuously bowed to the apuding staff members. After finishing his greetings, Lee Tae-Poong reached out his hand to Choi Yang-Seop who was still lying on the ground. "That was amazing, sunbae-nim," said Lee Tae-Poong. Choi Yang-Seop grabbed Lee Tae-Poong''s hand with a displeased expression. "Thanks. Well done to you too. I think I tried too hard to do well and overreacted a bit, but don''t be upset about it." "Of course not," Lee Tae-Poong replied politely. Though his words were kind, Lee Tae-Poong could see the unmistakable envy in Choi Yang-Seop''s eyes. Lee Tae-Poong knew well enough that Choi Yang-Seop disliked him as he lost the lead role to Lee Tae-Poong during the auditions. But he hadn''t expected that this rivalry might lead to actual violence under the guise of acting. Snicker. A smirk slipped across Lee Tae-Poong''s face. Despite being startled, he was satisfied with the realism that the tension had brought to his performance. Feeling genuinely threatened had allowed him to infuse his acting with authentic emotion. Meanwhile, Choi Yang-Seop dusted off his clothes and disappeared. That''s when Lee Tae-Poong saw Jung Yoon-Ho rushing over with a worried look. ''He must have been startled,'' Lee Tae-Poong thought. The concern was evident in Jung Yoon-Ho''s face, fearing Lee Tae-Poong might have been hurt. "Does he think I''m a baby or what?" Lee Tae-Poong muttered to himself, unaware of the smile ying on his lips. "Hyung~ take it slow. Don¡¯t trip over anything," Jung Yoon-Ho urged him. When Lee Tae-Poong waved his hand with augh, Jung Yoon-Ho suddenly snapped at him from a distance. "Yoon-Ho hyung...he is definitely angry," Lee Tae-Poong uttered under his breath. Lee Tae-Poong shivered without realizing it. *** "It''s a huge relief that it''s not a severe injury..." I said with a sigh of relief. There was a 5 cm red scratch on Lee Tae-Poong''s cheekbone, but it wasn''t deep. It was the kind of wound that could disappear without a trace with proper disinfection and aftercare at the hospital. ''Still, to have scratched the face of a lead actor?'' I thought to myself as I felt anger rising up within me. It was infuriating just to think about it. "Should I just...kill that guy?" I muttered as I watched Choi Yang-Seop talking with Lee Chan-Dong, which made Lee Tae-Poong grab my arm. "Hyung, I''m telling you. I''m really fine," Lee Tae-Poong quickly assured me. Anxiety filled Lee Tae-Poong''s eyes as if he really thought I might kill Choi Yang-Seop. It seemed like he remembered vividly how I had knocked down all the bodyguards when Kim Ae-Ja from Daechun Inc. hade to see him. "Don''t worry. I won''t actually kill him," I replied. Lee Tae-Poong raised his eyebrows and said, "Well, with that look on your face, it seems like you could kill him..." I forced my facial muscles to rx and asked, "Is Choi Yang-Seop always like this in acting? Ignoring rehearsals and everything when ites to action scenes?" When I asked in an irritated voice, Lee Tae-Poong scratched his head with a silly smile. "Nah. It seems like he made a special effort today. Maybe because it''s a highlight scene?" I shook my head. "You''re too forgiving. You''re still able tough after that?" Lee Tae-Poong defended himself. "Hey, I really gave it back to him after he hit me. I was so nervous that I kicked him too hard and might have caused an NG..." I mulled over his words. ''Well, that''s true. I guess the oue was good...'' Confidence was evident on the face of Lee Tae-Poong after oveing his dyslexia. "But still, be careful with your face. You getting hurt could dy the filming schedule and disrupt the film promotion ns," I reminded him. "I know." "Here you are with all talks again!" Lee Tae-Poong winced and tensed his neck. At that moment, veteran actor Baek Yoon-Sung with over 40 years of experience approached us with a proud expression and said, "Tae-Poong, you were great back there. Very well done! Ha ha ha." Baek Yoon-Sung''s expression clearly showed his pride in Lee Tae-Poong. I quickly cleared my annoyed expression and greeted Baek Yoon-Sung, requesting him to take good care of Lee Tae-Poong. "Hello, sir! Please look after and help Tae-Poong. He has a lot to learn." "What else can I help with? He''s already doing so well. Meanwhile, I heard rumors about you being so capable. Star Jung the Fortune Teller, right? So? What do you think? Will our movie be a big hit?" Bae Yoon-Sung asked. Baek Yoon-Sung exined he had heard my nickname at the broadcast station. I still had no idea who coined the nickname, Star Jung the Fortune Teller. The most likely person was Kim Myung-Hak, but he also said he heard it from others¡ªso there was still no way to know for sure. I nodded at Baek Yoon-Sung''s question. "I guarantee it. You should prepare a few good outfits for the end of the year." Despite his outstanding acting, Baek Yoon-Sung was notorious for being unlucky with awards. But Beyond the Boundary would bring him a big award at the year''s end. Baek Yoon-Sung''s eyes widened when I hinted at this future. Baek Yoon-Sung chuckled. "Ha ha. This guy. Seems like he really has something, huh? What makes you so confident?" But despite his words, Baek Yoon-Sungughed heartily. ''I knew he would be pleased,'' I remarked inwardly. I was already aware that Baek Yoon-Sung liked fortune-telling and rituals. ''After all, this is the advantage of someone who knows the future,'' I thought to myself with a subtle smile. *** I took Lee Tae-Poong to a dermatologist near the set right after the shooting. The dermatologist finished a simple disinfection procedure and said the wound would heal in just a few days with a moist bandage. Thanks to Lee Tae-Poong''s quick reflexes and adept dodging, he only suffered a slight abrasion on his skin. After the treatment, I instructed Lee Dae-Ho to bring Lee Tae-Poong to the clinic daily during the shoot. Then we quickly moved to a pork belly restaurant near the set. When we arrived at Delicious Honeb Samgyeopsal, the actors and staff greeted us. Today''s dinner was an event I organized to apologize for not looking after the site until now and to encourage the main lead Tae-Poong after his amazing performance today. "Our main lead is here! Come, take a seat!" "Here''s a cushion for you!" Upon arrival, the fellow actors sat together while the talent agents sat with the staff. Baek Yoon-Sung sat between Choi Yang-Seop and Lee Tae-Poong at the actor''s table. However, it was Choi Yang-Seop who seemed to be leading the actors'' dinner as if he were the host. "Mr. Baek, please continue to guide us a lot in the future," said Choi Yang-Seop politely. "Ha ha. Guidance? What could someone like the famous Choi Yang-Seop possibly learn from me?" Baek Yoon-Sung replied with a chuckle. "I still have much to learn," said Choi Yang-Seop as he lowered his head in respect. Then, Choi Yang-Seop turned to Lee Tae-Poong who sat across from him and offered soju. "Tae-Poong, you should have a drink too." "Okay, sunbae-nim," Lee Tae-Poong said while bowing slightly. As the soju sses filled, Choi Yang-Seop smiled and said, "But you tend to put too much effort into your shoulders in action movies which might feel burdensome to the audience. It''s better to rx your shoulders when acting." At that moment, an awkward atmosphere circted at the actors'' table. Despite being the sunbae, it could appear presumptuous for the supporting actor to give acting advice to the main lead. However, Choi Yang-Seop was a winner of the Best Actor Award. Thinking it would only make things more awkward if they intervened, the other actors turned their heads to ignore the situation. "Anyway, keep up the good work. The sess of our movie depends on your shoulders!" Choi Yang-Seop added. Though it seemed like praise, it was actually a reprimand to work harder. Lee Tae-Poong gave a bitter smile and nodded. That''s when Baek Yoon-Sung solemnly called Lee Tae-Poong. "Tae-Poong, pour me a drink." "Yes, sir." Lee Tae-Poong quickly filled Baek Yoon-Sung''s empty soju ss. Glug glug glug glug. "Here, let me pour you a drink too," said Baek Yoon-Sung. Lee Tae-Poong nodded. "Thank you." As Baek Yoon-Sung filled Lee Tae-Poong''s empty ss, he spoke loud enough for everyone at the table to hear. "I learned a lot from you today, Tae-Poong." Lee Tae-Poong was at a loss and froze on the spot. "M-Mr. Baek." Everyone at the actors'' table was also astounded. Baek Yoon-Sung was a distinguished actor who had dominated the screen for 40 years with his supreme acting, and it was a well-known fact that it was not in his nature to praise someone like this. Rather, Baek Yoon-Sung was known more for his blunt criticisms than for holding back whenever he got drunk. But he began tovish praise on Lee Tae-Poong who had wlessly finished a five-minute-long take. "Did everyone see that he didn''t even blink once despite getting hurt?" Baek Yoon-Sung asked. All the actors nodded in unison. "Tae-Poong, just keep doing what you''re doing. As long as you don''t forget your current mindset and effort, no one in South Korea will take you lightly," Baek Yoon-Sung continued. Lee Tae-Poong''s body shivered. It was a moment of recognition from the respected veteran actor Baek Yoon-Sung. Lee Tae-Poong abruptly stood up from his seat and bowed deeply to Baek Yoon-Sung. "Thank you for your advice, Mr. Baek. I will treasure it like gold and jewels." Baek Yoon-Sungughed heartily and waved his hand. "Why are you thanking me? I only spoke as I felt. There might be others who think differently, though..." While praising Lee Tae-Poong, Baek Yoon-Sung also subtly criticized Choi Yang-Seop. Only then did the other actors start pping and cheering after taking a silent nce. "Indeed! I saw it on the monitor earlier and the way he acted with his eyes was absolutely amazing." "He''s got the action, he''s got the looks, and he''s got the body as well. Is there anything you can''t do, Tae-Poong?" "But why have you been acting like that until now?" "Have you been hiding your strength all along?" "Yeah, I was genuinely surprised to see you act like this." "You were awesome today." Previously nicknamed Lacking David, Lee Tae-Poong finally began to receive recognition from both his peers and sunbaes in the industry. Simultaneously, Choi Yang-Seop''s face started to sour. After all, his criticism had been openly contradicted by a much senior actor. While Lee Tae-Poong received cheers, Choi Yang-Seop sat destely sipping his drink with a face like he''d swallowed something bitter. But Choi Yang-Seop''s ordeal was far from over. Chapter 181: Beyond the Boundary Shooting Set (3)

Chapter 181: Beyond the Boundary Shooting Set (3)

At the wrap-up party for Beyond the Boundary, I could hear everything that was going on at the actor''s table since I was seated only about a meter away. The delicious smell of revenge wafted through the air. Thanks to that, there was no need to find a way to get back at Choi Yang-Seop. Lee Tae-Poong had already won the recognition of Baek Yoon-Sung and the other actors, so intervening now would only have negative impacts. Choi Yang-Seop¡¯s reputation had already hit rock bottom anyway. At that moment, Choi Sung-Moon, seated to my left, muttered to himself, "Indeed, Mr. Baek really has a good eye for people." As Pyo Eun-Mi carefully wrapped lettuce around garlic and beef, she agreed with him and shouted to make sure everyone could hear. "Of course, it¡¯s Mr. Baek we¡¯re talking about! By the way, Mr. Choi. Don¡¯t you think Mr. Tae-Poong¡¯s acting has improved a lot?" "Yes, indeed. Oh, I haven¡¯t even thanked you two yet," said Choi Sung-Moon as alternated his gaze between Pyo Eun-Mi and me, expressing his gratitude. He continued, "If it weren¡¯t for you two, I wouldn¡¯t have thought of choosing Tae-Poong for the lead role. Thank you so much." "Not at all. It''s because it''s a film by someone as highly respected as you that Tae-Poong is giving it his all and doing his best. It''s all thanks to your motivation, sir." I replied. As I responded humbly, Choi Sung-Moon smiled pleasantly. "Is that so? Ha ha. That''s nice to hear even if it''s just ttery." Choi Sung-Moon, who was in a good mood, burst out inughter and then turned his gaze to Lee Chan-Dong. But his smile soon turned into a threatening expression as he spoke. "By the way, Chief Lee, Ace Entertainment really needs to manage its actors better." "What, what do you mean by that...?" Lee Chan-Dong asked. "Didn¡¯t you see what happened? Your actor ignored the choreographed sequence we decided on during the rehearsal and aimed for Tae-Poong''s face instead. What would you have done if Tae-Poong had been seriously injured?" "N-no, that wasn''t intentional..." "I won''t make it a problem this time because I don''t want to hurt Yang-Seop''s reputation, but make sure it doesn''t happen twice. I mean it." Lee Chan-Dong turned pale. "M-Mr. Choi. But it was never intentional. My actor just got so immersed in his role that he got carried away a little bit. That''s all." As Director Lee Chan-Dong continued to make excuses, the alcohol-fueled voice of Choi Sung-Moon grew louder. I shook my head. ''It seems like he doesn''t know Choi Sung-Moon hates people who talk back. It would have been better for him just to admit the mistake and move on.'' "Chief Lee! Do you think of me as a fool? I''m trying to be nice here and this is how you talk back?" Choi Sung-Moon growled. That''s when Pyo Eun-Mi quickly stepped in to mediate. "Oh,e on, Mr. Choi. Please control your temper. There are a lot of people listening..." But once Choi Sung-Moon got angry, even famous actors could not stop him from a fistfight. It was no surprise that Pyo Eun-Mi¡¯s words fell on deaf ears. Choi Sung-Moon turned toward the actors'' table. "Choi Yang-Seop! Come over here!" Choi Yang-Seop, who had only been drinking in silence amidst the chaos, quickly approached him. Even though he was an award-winning actor, he was just another actor to Choi Sung-Moon. Choi Sung-Moon red at him sharply and shouted, "Why did you do that at the scene earlier? I let it slide because you have your reputation to uphold, but seeing Chief Lee Chan-Dong talk like that, I think we need to settle this." Choi Yang-Seop should have admitted his fault then. Although Choi Sung-Moon had a fiery temper, he was quick to forgive those who acknowledged their mistakes. However, with his pride hurt, Choi Yang-Seop chose to feign ignorance. "I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about, sir." "Really? From what I saw, youpletely disregarded my directions and did the film your way," Choi Sung-Moon rebuked him. "That never happened. There was a bit of improvisation, but I acted in the direction I thought was best," Choi Yang-Seop argued. Infuriated by Choi Yang-Seop¡¯s brazen attitude, Choi Sung-Moon began to rage. "Everyone from Ace Entertainment is just ridiculous. Hey, you! Don¡¯t even think about showing up on the set for a while!" Choi Yang-Seop was taken aback by those words. "Excuse me?" "If I see your face, I¡¯d rather quit the shooting altogether. So stay off the set!" Choi Sung-Moon yelled. Choi Yang-Seop finally realized the severity of the situation and apologized, but it was already toote. "Are you ignoring me again? You scratched the lead actor''s face and didn¡¯t even apologize. Do you think I''m a fool? You son of a bitch!" Choi Sung-Moon continued with his berating. At that moment, Lee Chan-Dong hurried over and knelt with his face white beyond pale. ''Wow. It''s been a while since I''d seen such a fiery power y,'' I remarked inwardly. Only then did Choi Yang-Seop kneel as well. "I-I''m sorry, Mr. Choi." "Mr. Choi, I couldn¡¯t control my emotions. Please forgive me," he continued. But Choi Sung-Moon wasn¡¯t in the mood to listen. "Why are you kneeling? Do you really want to make me look like a fool until the end? Get out this instant! Or rather, do you want to leave my movie? Let¡¯s consider the scene where you almost died as if you actually did. How about that?" When Choi Sung-Moon¡¯s face flushed as if he had eaten two packets of nuclear fire noodles[1], Pyo Eun-Mi quickly waved her hands with a perplexed expression. For the productionpany, ruining the rtionship with a big star with arge fandom would be a significant loss. In particr, kicking out a famous star like Choi Yang-Seop could create chaos among investors. Pyo Eun-Mi quickly gestured with her hands. "Both of you! Just go home for today! I''ll contact you separately." "Oh, okay. Yes." After ncing around, Choi Yang-Seop and Lee Chan-Dong left the ce as if chased away. Choi Yang-Seop would return to the set in just a couple of days, but as an acting award winner, he had never experienced such treatment before. Choi Sung-Moon fumed for a while even after they left and downed a shot of soju. "They better keep their fighting spirits in check. They get one small award and get all high and mighty...They''re not the only ones who''ve won an award before!" The mood at the gathering soured due to Choi Sung-Moon¡¯s outburst. If the gathering ended like this, the purpose of organizing today''s event would be halved. Therefore, I cautiously brought up Lee Tae-Poong to ease the situation. "It''s okay, Mr. Choi. The scar on Tae-Poong¡¯s face will disappear in a day or two." Choi Sung-Moon nced at me. He was on the verge of raising his voice again but barely managed to contain his anger, knowing that I, as the organizer of today¡¯s gathering and Lee Tae-Poong''s talent agent, must have been the most upset. "Hm, hm. Well, that¡¯s a relief then," said Choi Sung-Moon as he began to calm down. Seizing the moment, I poured him another drink. Choi Sung-Moon downed the soju I offered in one go as if to quench his thirst. "Ahh~ that''s refreshing." After emptying his ss, Choi Sung-Moon asked, "But aren''t you upset, Team Lead Jung? Your actor was the one affected." "Mr. Baek and you already scolded them, didn¡¯t you? What more could I say?" I responded. "Look at how this guy talks. Is this how you handle things without lifting a finger?" Choi Sung-Moon asked. "Well, that''s how it turned out." Choi Sung-Moon red at me for a moment, then suddenly burst intoughter. "What? Ha ha ha. That was your n all along?" Finally, the chilly atmosphere of the gathering returned to normal. Choi Sung-Moon raised his ss to the crowd after calming down. "It seems like I ruined the mood. I''m sorry, everyone." "Not at all, sir!" Choi Sung-Moon cleared his throat. "Ahem. Let''s all forget what just happened. Since Team Lead Jung here generously treated us today... we should hear a toast from him, right?" "Yes!" The staff and actors cheered, raising me to my feet. Thanks to this, I had to do my opening toast with a soju ss in my hand. ''Ah, what should I say?'' After a brief moment of thought, there was only one thing to say. "Then I will lead the toast." Seeing the staff ready to follow, I shouted energetically, "To reach ten million audience~" Everyone from the actors to the staff cheered instantly. "Let''s go~" "Wow. Calling for ten million straight away?" "Damn. Team Lead Jung has some ambition, huh?" Choi Sung-Moon chuckled at the staff''s cheers. "You should shout ''cheers'' right away. Again!" With the atmosphere slightly unsettled, I shouted even louder than before. "To Beyond the Boundary reaching ten million audiences~" A resounding response roared back as if it would lift the roof of the barbecue ce. "Cheers!" *** As the number of celebrities I managed increased, my days became busier. But even during this busy time, Yoo-Jin continued to visit the senior center twice a week to deepen her understanding of her role. The release date for her next work In the Name of God was approaching fast. When I received a call from Kim Soo-Hee to check on Yoo-Jin''s practice progress, I immediately drove home. But unlike this morning, I noticed four men in security guard attire stationed in front of the gate. ''Here they are.'' They wore ck suits with "ADD Caps" badges on their chests. Despite having a security camera at home, some persistent fans had been loitering around the property, necessitating increased security. We considered moving to a more secure location, but Yoo-Jin chose to pay for personal security instead to avoid leaving thendlord whom she didn''t want to part with. As I attempted to drive into the parking area by the house, two security guards stopped me. "Could we see your ID, please?" When I rolled down the window and handed over my identification, a man in histe thirties approached. "Hello, Mr. Jung. I''m Team Lead Baek Seok-Man." "Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Baek. Has there been any trouble today?" "A few reporters and some overzealous fans showed up, but we managed to send them away nicely," Baek Seok-Man replied. At that moment, a worry crossed my mind and I asked, "You didn''t have to use any force, did you?" "Absolutely not. You''ve made it clear that we shouldn''t overdo it unless there¡¯s a direct threat to Miss Yoo-Jin or Miss Miso, right?" "Exactly. That''s good to hear. But why four guards today?" I asked with curiosity. Normally, Yoo-Jin¡¯s security detail consisted of two guards from ADD Caps. The area was manned during the day and under unmanned surveince at night with the n that response teams from nearby ADD caps would arrive within two minutes should any emergencies ur. "Today we have workers going in and out due to the remodeling of the second and third floors, so we increased the personnel to manage them," Baek Seok-Man answered. I nodded. "I see. Please continue to take good care of Yoo-Jin and Miso." After exchanging greetings with the guards, I drove into the parking lot inside. *** Having moved in with Haru, we initially nned to remodel just the attic on the third floor. However, thendlord decided to take this opportunity to renovate the entire house. As I exchanged greetings with thendlord, Yoo-Jin and Miso finished preparing to visit Kim Soo-Hee''s house. "Alright. Shall we go then?" I asked with a smile. "Yes!" Yoo-Jin and Miso got inside the Merciless Springer van and we headed straight to Kim Soo-Hee''s house. When we arrived, Kim Soo-Hee greeted us warmly before looking intently at Miso who was visiting for the first time, and said, "So this is the famous Miso." Miso bowed to her. "Hello! I''m Jung Miso from L Kindergarten! Please don''t scold my mom, ma''am!" Miso greeted with a clear voice,bining a greeting and a plea in one shot. A smile flickered across Kim Soo-Hee''s face at Miso''s bold demeanor. "What a bright child. But I heard you want to act too?" "Yes, ma''am!" "Make sure you prepare well." Kim Soo-Hee encouraged her with a serious expression and Miso nodded in agreement. "Okay!" Then Kim Soo-Hee hurried Yoo-Jin. "I don¡¯t have much time today, so let''s go upstairs, Yoo-Jin." "Yes, Mrs. Kim." Before heading upstairs for her lesson, Yoo-Jin instructed Miso, "Miso, don¡¯t y around and stay quietly with Uncle Yoon-Ho. Okay?" "Okay, Mom!" As soon as Yoo-Jin heard Miso¡¯s reply, she went upstairs with Kim Soo-Hee. Meanwhile, I took out drawing tools from Miso''s bag and spread them on the table so Miso could draw like usual, but Miso just stared upstairs. "Miso, don''t you want to draw?" I asked. "I want to act too," Miso replied. Curious, I asked what kind of acting she wanted to do. Miso responded that she loved acting itself. "Anything! I feel really happy when I watch Mom act." "Is that so?" "Uncle Yoon-Ho, do you want to see me act?" Miso positioned herself in front of me without being asked. Yoo-Jin had been in charge of Miso¡¯s acting training, which was more like y than formal acting. But this approach meant that Miso did not harbor the same fears about performing as other child actors did. Since I hadn¡¯t seen Miso act since the auditions, I nodded. "Alright, let¡¯s see how much Miso''s acting has improved." "Okay!" Miso sped her hands together and nodded, sending a signal that she was ready. I winked at her and gave a director-like cue. "Ready... Action!" Miso took a deep breath and instantly transformed into the young character, Cheongmyung, she was portraying. At that moment, I was left speechless with my mouth agape. ''What... what is this?'' 1. Korean instant noodles famous for being spicy ? Chapter 182: What is Acting?

Chapter 182: What is Acting?

If someone were to ask, ''What is acting?'' the answers would vary wildly. Some might say it''s about representing someone else''s life or bringing to life a character that exists only in imagination. Just as there are various definitions of acting, the answers to ''How can one act well?'' are equally diverse¡ªthoroughly analyzing the character, trying to experience what the character experiences, and more. However, there are those who transcend all conventional methods. Born with a remarkable and rare talent, they effortlessly pursue their desires without hesitation, as naturally as breathing. And just like that, Miso''s talents were blooming right before my eyes. She waved a colored pencil topped with a Powertuff Girl figure as if it were a shaman''s ritual tool. Jumping up and down, she danced with such joy that I found myself inadvertently nodding along to her rhythm without realizing it. At that moment, Miso''s eyes met mine and she shrunk back with a startled expression as I sat on the sofa. ¡ºM-Mom?¡» Miso was acting out a scene where Cheongmyung, who was performing a ritual and ying with spirits, was caught by Manshin Wol-Ah, a shaman who had hoped her daughter would not follow in her footsteps. In the scene, the discovery that her daughter was also capable ofmunicating with spirits shocked Manshin Wol-Ah. Manshin Wol-Ah had warned young Cheongmyung never to mimic the shamanic rituals again. But lonely and longing for friends, the young Cheongmyung had once again yed with the spirits and was caught by her mother. ¡ºOkay, I''m sorry. I won''t...I will never y with the spirits again,¡» Miso whispered with her shoulders drooping weakly. Her frail shoulders began to tremble and her downcast eyes began to fill with sorrow. That''s when Miso slowly knelt down and spoke in a tear-choked voice. ¡ºAll I need is you, Mom. I don''t need the spirits. So please...please don''t hate me.¡» Tears welled up in Miso''s eyes as she lifted her head. Then suddenly, she sped her tiny hands together and began to plead earnestly, ¡ºMom, please... don''t abandon me. I''ll be good, I promise. I''ll listen to everything you say. Please...¡» Her voice, filled with fear, trembled and resonated with me deeply, tugging at my heartstrings. At the same time, I was transported back to memories of the past. I remembered children clinging desperately to their parents and begging them not to abandon them in the orphanage. The image of them promising to be good and to listen to their parents was still vivid in my memories. The abandoned children would kneel at the dirty entrance of the orphanage, their faces smeared with tears and snot. But the parents would push their child away without turning back for a single nce. When those memories enveloped my mind, something surged up inside my chest. That''s when I hugged Miso tightly without realizing it. "M-Miso, I will never abandon you! After everything I did to save you..." I cried out. It was just an act, but I got so carried away that I had failed to separate performance from reality. Only when I felt the warmth of Miso in my arms did I finallye back to my senses. I was utterly baffled and lost in my thoughts. ''Had I really been so moved by the acting of a mere seven-year-old, even for just a moment? This really isn¡¯t fitting for a talent agent... No, that¡¯s not it. It¡¯s because Miso is just that good at acting.'' Comforting myself, I patted Miso¡¯s back as she was still in my arms. Miso also snapped out of her role and patted my back in return. "Okay! Uncle Yoon-Ho, I won¡¯t leave you either!" Miso eximed. That was when Miso tilted her head with a puzzled expression. "Huh? Uncle Yoon-Ho, you¡¯re crying. Why are you crying?" ''What? I''m crying?'' I thought to myself, momentarily at a loss for words. When I touched my cheek, I found it wet with tears just as Miso had said. I snapped out of my thoughts and replied, "Ah, this is because of you, Miso." "Because of me? Why?" Miso asked. "Because you acted so well." "He he he. Really?" Miso beamed as I sincerelyplimented her, causing me to smile in return. Then suddenly, I felt like teasing Miso. "Miso, did you know you''ll grow hair on your butt if you cry and thenugh?" Miso puffed her cheeks and held up seven fingers, looking adorably indignant. "That¡¯s not true! I know that doesn¡¯t happen! I¡¯m already seven years old!" ''Aw, she has grown up so much,'' I thought to myself. We continued to hold each other and chat to calm our emotions until Yoo-Jin and Kim Soo-Hee came out and caught us in this state, looking utterly bewildered. *** Kim Soo-Heeughed heartily at me. "This is so touching. It¡¯s like a reunion of a long-lost family!" "Ah, well... uh..." I stuttered. I found myself unable to exin that I had cried over Miso¡¯s acting because it was too embarrassing. Though I was 27 years old in this life, I had essentially lived 37 years prior to traveling back in time.. I wondered, ''How could I possibly exin crying over a seven-year-old''s performance?'' But truth had a way of revealing itself. Miso, no longer in my arms, snuggled up to Yoo-Jin and began to chatter away. "Mom, Uncle Yoon-Ho felt so sad watching me act that he cried. So I felt sad and cried too." I felt like crying again. ''Miso, ever so good at summarizing,'' I remarked inwardly. Yoo-Jin looked at me and smiled. "Oppa, Miso is good at acting, isn¡¯t she?" I mixed every supetive I knew in an exaggerated praise. "Oh, totally! She''s amazing! Really¡ªshe¡¯s the best!" Yoo-Jin and Miso¡¯s faces lit up with joy. But Kim Soo-Hee looked almost regretful. "Like mother, like daughter...I guess Yoo-Jin has nothing more to learn from me either." That meant Yoo-Jin''s performance had finally satisfied Kim Soo-Hee. That¡¯s why she had ended the lesson early, only to find Miso and me hugging and crying. "We were going to skip lunch but we actually have some time now. How about we go eat something delicious? It''s my treat," Kim Soo-Hee suggested. But Yoo-Jin shook her head. "Mrs. Kim, let¡¯s just make ramen. Ordering food is too expensive." I was certain Yoo-Jin probably must be the only person in South Korea who would suggest ramen over ordering food because it''s too expensive to Kim Soo-Hee. Most would be too intimidated to even speak to her. But apparently, they had be close enough that Kim Soo-Hee immediately agreed with a nod. "Ramen? Hmm, sometimes ramen is just fine. But I''m not sure if there''s any in my house," said Kim Soo-Hee. "There is. The housekeeper said she always keeps a few packs on the top cab," Yoo-Jin replied. Kim Soo-Hee looked a little surprised. "When did you be friends with Mrs. An?" "From the first day. Then I''ll go and make it. I''m really good at cooking ramen," Yoo-Jin answered with a smile. Kim Soo-Heeughed, unable to hold back. "Unstoppable, aren¡¯t you?" In the meantime, Miso hurried to Yoo-Jin and grabbed the hem of her skirt. "Mom, me too! I want to cook ramen too!" "Sure. Do you want to help me?" Yoo-Jin asked Miso. "Yes!" Miso eximed excitedly. The two excitedly headed to Kim Soo-Hee''s kitchen. At that moment, Kim Soo-Hee suddenly pointed to the front yard which was visible through the window. "Team Lead Jung. I need to have a word with you privately." *** I wondered what Kim Soo-Hee would want to talk about in the quiet front yard while Yoo-Jin and Miso were busy with ramen in the kitchen. But Kim Soo-Hee began a conversation that seemed heavier than I had anticipated. Kim Soo-Hee gave a disimer before starting. "Take this in without any misunderstanding." I nodded. "Yes, ma''am." Kim Soo-Hee paused for a moment before continuing, "Team Lead Jung. Do you think you can handle Yoo-Jin?" "What do you mean if I can...handle her?" "Team Lead Jung, you might not fully grasp this given your inexperience...but Hoop Entertainment can''t properly support Yoo-Jin. I''m not saying this to belittle them, but Hoop Entertainment has no experience sending actors to major festivals like Cannes or Berlin," Kim Soo-Hee exined. Kim Soo-Hee made a serious expression and exined she could help propel Yoo-Jin to sess. "Of course, it''s not going to be right away. It would be after she has built up enough experience. But with Yoo-Jin''s talent, it''s definitely something to aim for," she added. Kim Soo-Hee revealed her intention to safeguard Yoo-Jin¡¯s talent. "So here¡¯s what I''m thinking...Do you know about OnlyOne Actors?" Kim Soo-Hee asked. I nodded. "I do." OnlyOne Actors was an actor managementpany where Kim Soo-Hee served as an advisor. Thepany was known for its solid acting curriculum and excellent care for its actors, and it was projected to be the top agency in the field within five years. It was reputable enough that major Hollywood distributors targeting the Asian market trusted it as a partner. Moreover, Jin Do-Hyun, who had won the Best Actress Award at Cannes, was represented by them. "What if you, Yoo-Jin, and Miso all moved to OnlyOne Actors? If we want to aim for Cannes with Yoo-Jin, we need to start meticulous portfolio management now. I''ll talk to President Kang, so don''t worry about that part," said Kim Soo-Hee I appreciated Kim Soo-Hee''s concern and support, but she seemed to be misunderstanding what talent really means. Talent wasn¡¯t something that could be cultivated or only brought out through practice¡ªit was inherent. And the ability to nurture that talent into stardom was something I could do better than the entirety of OnlyOne Actors, even with all their resources. My previous life''s experience as Korea''s top talent manager and my perfect understanding of Yoo-Jin''s capabilities now gave me a unique advantage. I tried to reassure the concerned Kim Soo-Hee with a smile, "I understand what you''re saying, Mrs. Kim. But there''s no need to switch agencies." Kim Soo-Hee looked taken aback. "Team Lead Jung, don''t get me wrong. I''m not trying to steal Yoo-Jin away for profit..." "I understand your deep concern. Why would I not know your support for Yoo-Jin?" I replied. Kim Soo-Hee exined further, "It''s not like I''m looking down on Hoop Entertainment, but theyck the respect for their actors." ''Respect for the actors, huh?'' I wondered. That was exactly why OnlyOne Actors wasn''t a considerable option for us. Being apany that followed artistic integrity, they often made choices that may not align with mainstream poprity. And that wasn¡¯t what Yoo-Jin was looking for. I recalled what Yoo-Jin had once said to me. -Oppa. I think I''m slowly getting the idea of what I really want. I want to show Miso a version of myself that''s loved by the masses...Do you think that''s possible? Yoo-Jin prioritized mainstream appeal, partly to make more money to secure a stable future for Miso. I wanted to support her life ns in any way I could. Besides, if she continued acting as she was right now, the awards Kim Soo-Hee mentioned would certainly be within reach anyway. After a brief pause, I replied, "I''ll take your concern to heart, Mrs. Kim." Kim Soo-Hee stomped her foot lightly in exasperation. "Oh, this is so frustrating. Why won''t you consider moving agencies?" I answered confidently, "Hoop Entertainment mayck the ability to develop Yoo-Jin as you said, but I don''t." "Are you saying you can make her a great actress yourself?" Kim Soo-Hee asked. I nodded firmly. "Yes, I can." "How!?" Kim Soo-Hee responded in exasperation. "I can''t exin right now. But could you just watch and see?" I couldn''t reveal that I had traveled back in time, nor could I fully convince her just as a mere talent agent without any actor training. As such, I had only one card left to y¡ªto show confidence. "I''ll say just one thing. There is no talent agent in this world who understands and cares for Yoo-Jin as much as I do," I said in a serious tone. Just then, I saw Yoo-Jin''s anxious face through the ss window. Her expression seemed to ask, ''When will this conversation end? The ramen will get soggy and cold.'' ''How many people in this world could read her like I do just by looking her in the eye?'' I remarked inwardly. Such thoughts made me feel a bit more confident. My firm attitude caused Kim Soo-Hee to sigh. "Alright. But if Hoop Entertainment starts exploiting Yoo-Jin for quick profits, then you''ll have to listen to me. Got it?" Honestly, Yoo-Jin herself was more interested in making money than thepany. But now was not the time to say that. I nodded. "Yes, ma''am." "She''s a gem of an actress. Make sure she doesn''t pick up any bad habits. You can manage that much, right?" Kim Soo-Hee looked at me and asked. "I definitely can." At that moment, Yoo-Jin could no longer hold back and pressed her face against the ss window. Her expression looked like a time bomb about to explode in five seconds, indicating the ramen was overcooked. Amidst this, Miso was going back and forth between the table and Yoo-Jin to check on the ramen. It was time to end the conversation. "Mrs. Kim, it seems my actresses are more worried about their ramen getting soggy right now." Kim Soo-Hee looked through the window into the living room and burst outughing. "Ha ha! What are they even doing?" "They seem curious about when we''lle in. They say the ramen is ready." "Let''s go inside then. I don''t want my students to hate me." By spending time with Yoo-Jin, Kim Soo-Hee had be much kinder and softer. But just as we were about to enter the hall, Kim Soo-Hee spoke with a mischievous expression. "Actually, I told Yoo-Jin about my thoughts and she said she wouldn''t want to act if it wasn''t with you, Team Lead Jung. She''d rather work at Burger Queen, she says." Her offhandment made my heart pound with excitement. There was nothing more gratifying for a talent agent than to be chosen by their actor. After all, a talent agent''s job was onlyplete with a celebrity. "That''s nice to hear," I replied. "That''s why I said it," Kim Soo-Hee responded. Slurp! The noodles were slightly overcooked, but all I could taste was happiness. *** The day of the press conference for In the Name of God had arrived. At 9 AM, I brought Yoo-Jin and Miso to the Intercontinental Hotel in Samseong-dong. I looked at her and said, "Yoo-Jin, rx." Yoo-Jin replied mischievously, "Soy sauce?[1]" Her joke showed she wasn''t nervous at all. She was a future great actress indeed. ''She might not be good atedy, but what does that matter? She''s my actress.'' I thought to myself. In In the Name of God, the role of the young college shaman Cheongmyung was a major supporting character. Miso, who was ying the young Cheongmyung, was to appear in shback scenes with a quite significant role as well. "Alright, shall we go in with spirit?" I asked. Miso crossed her arms over her chest in an X shape. ''Oh, she''s about to do that thing,'' I thought to myself. "Then you shout first, Miso. Uncle Yoon-Ho and I will follow," Yoo-Jin said with a smile. The excited Miso nodded energetically and shouted the cheer. "Powertuff!" Following Miso''s lead, Yoo-Jin and I also shouted with vigor. "Powertuff!" After shouting the cheer, we got out of the car and headed straight to the green room. But there, we were greeted by people with haggard faces waiting for us. 1. Pronunciation for rx and soy sauce is only one vowel different ? Chapter 183: In the Name of God Press Conference (1)

Chapter 183: In the Name of God Press Conference (1)

"Oh, you''re here." The newly recruited stylists, Lee Mi-Ri and Chae Sang-Woo, were looking utterly exhausted in the waiting room. They exined they had been running around Apgujeong and Dongdaemun sincest night to secure sponsorship for Yoo-Jin and Miso''s outfits, and hadn''t slept a wink. "I''m sorry for making you go through so much trouble," I apologized. Both of them hurriedly shook their heads. "Ha ha. We can easily handle this much, Mr. Jung!" "Indeed. This is nothingpared to the times we had to fetch fabrics all the time." Even without my instructions, they were eager to make Yoo-Jin and Miso shine the brightest at this press conference. They said this was the only way to repay Chae Eun-Byul''s improving condition thanks to the treatment at Asan Hospital. "Still, you need to take care of your health while we work. Just hand over the costumes and go home to sleep right away," I told them. "We''ll leave after making sure everything wraps up well today." Despite their intention to wait until the press conference ended, I firmly told them to go back, saying that it was a work order. Lee Mi-Ri agreed but cautiously asked, "But Mr. Jung?" "Yes?" "Eun-Byul keeps asking when you will visit. What should I do?" I scratched my head and answered Lee Mi-Ri''s yful question. "Tell her I''ll visit soon." "Ha ha. Okay, I''ll tell her that." "Oh. And Miso wille along too," I added. Miso nodded vigorously when I pointed to Miso standing beside me because I had already promised to introduce her to a friend of her age. "Yes! I want to meet Eun-Byul." Lee Mi-Ri''s face lit up with emotion. "Eun-Byul will love it. How wonderful. Thank you, Miso. She''s a huge fan of yours." "Really? Wow! I''m excited!" Miso eximed as she jumped up and down, bringing a smile to Lee Mi-Ri''s face. I had saved Lee Mi-Ri''s daughter and her husband as well. Thanks to that, the famous Ice Witch Lee Mi-Ri I knew in my past life didn''t exist in this world. "Then shall we take a look at the outfits you''ve prepared?" I asked. Lee Mi-Ri nodded. "Yes. Yes, Mr. Jung." Regaining herposure, Lee Mi-Ri took out a light pink see-throughce dress with a two-piece design from a special case. The midi-length dress with a red skirt at the bottom was so pretty that it would take anyone''s breath away. But there was one problem. "The dress is very pretty, but...it seems see-through, doesn¡¯t it?" I asked hesitantly. As if she had already expected my concern, Lee Mi-Ri took another white dress for inner slip wear out of the case and said, "Here. She can wear this underneath." ''Ah, the two were a set,'' I silently remarked. That reassured me. "Yoo-Jin, what do you think?" I turned to Yoo-Jin and asked. But I could tell Yoo-Jin was already lost in awe before I could even hear her answer. "Huh? What?" Yoo-Jin replied aftering to her senses. Although Yoo-Jin was always generous when it came to spending money on Miso, she was a very thrifty person who hardly ever bought clothes for herself. However, the dress Lee Mi-Ri picked out today was beautiful enough to capture even Yoo-Jin''s heart. "I-I really like it," said Yoo-Jin as she cautiously touched the dress. The corners of her mouth lifted into a smile as she fiddled with the fabric. ''I guess I''ll have to buy this dress as a gift for her,'' I thought to myself. I had been worrying about what to give in return for an expensive suit I received as a gift, and this seemed perfect. I spoke to Lee Mi-Ri without revealing my thoughts. "This outfit will definitely make today''s headlines. You''ve met my expectations wonderfully." "Not at all," Lee Mi-Ri replied humbly. "And please tell the designer I will buy this dress separately," I added. "Pardon?" "Oh, I just have a use for it. I''ll pay for it myself, so please send me the ount number and the amount on KkTalk." "Ah, okay, Mr. Jung." As Lee Mi-Ri bowed in acknowledgment, Chae Sang-Woo presented another outfit as if saying it was now his turn. "This is the outfit for Miso to wear." The young Cheongmyung in the drama always wore a hanbok[1] ording to the script. Beaming with pride, Chase Sang-Woo took out a hanbok for Miso to wear. It was a light pink jeogori[2] with a light blue hanbok skirt. Miso''s eyes widened in awe when she saw the hanbok embroidered with flowers everywhere. "Wow!" Miso eximed in admiration and looked at me before asking, "Uncle Yoon-Ho, can I really wear this?" "Yes! It''s for you to wear." Miso''s eyes doubled in size with surprise. "Wow, really?" "Yes. Miso, you should thank Uncle Sang-Woo," I said. "Okay!" Miso eximed as she bowed to Chae Sang-Woo. "Thank you! This is like a dream!" Miso shouted with glee. Chae Sang-Woo smiled and replied, "Is that so? It makes me even happier because you like it." Another thought crossed my mind. ''I should also buy Miso''s clothes.'' I told Chae Sang-Woo to send the ount number and amount on KkTalk as well. "Then I''ll step out for a bit. Go ahead and change," I said before taking my leave. I stepped out of the waiting room to allow them to change. The corridor was buzzing with production staff running around preparing for the press conference. I had been busy working hard, but it seemed that everyone was also working hard in their own way. At that moment, I saw someone I did not expect to see at the end of the corridor by the waiting room. I wondered, ''Why...why is Lee Ji-Yeon here?'' Lee Ji-Yeon usually never showed her face at ces like a press conference. She disliked appearing in front of cameras, and just dealing with the stress of writing was challenging enough. But there was something even more surprising. ''Ju Yung-In. What on earth are you doing?'' I wondered. *** There were a few trademarks that identified Ju Yung-In. Among them, her long hair reaching down to her waist was her pride. She was also a regr model for shampoo advertisements and she took great pride in her glossy, flowing hair. Even after marrying me in my past life, she always took great care of her hair. She had initially agreed to tie her hair up instead of cutting it when she took on the role of the new female prosecutor ''Bang Shin-Ae'' in In the Name of God. But now, Ju Yung-In had shown up with a new bob cut about 5 cm below her ears. It was a length not even middle school girls would typically have nowadays[3]. ''What on earth was she thinking?'' I asked myself. Ju Yung-In recognized me from afar and waved casually, regardless of whether the production staff saw her or not. Her unexpected behavior made me somewhat perplexed. "Yes, hello, Miss Ju Yung-In." I greeted her as neutrally as possible and bowed to Lee Ji-Yeon who came with her. "Mrs. Lee." "Yoon-Ho, no~ should I say Team Lead Jung now?" Lee Ji-Yeon replied. I put my hands beside my ears and yfully shook them. "Oh, why be so formal? I want you to keep calling me Yoon-Ho." This inevitably made Lee Ji-Yeon burst intoughter. "Ha ha ha. Yoon-Ho, has bing a talent agent only made you wittier?" "It seems like it. Ha ha." I chuckled. "Yes. It seems like you haven''t changed since I first met you. I really like that about you." Lee Ji-Yeon said with a smile Lee Ji-Yeon was smiling broadly. She seemed especially happy as I had prevented In the Name of God from being canceled by informing her of the bankruptcy of the productionpany Red Moon After I finished catching up with Lee Ji-Yeon, Ju Yung-In approached me as if she had been waiting. "Yoon-Ho oppa, don''t you notice anything different about me?" Ju Yung-In asked. ''Different?'' I wondered. I thought she was picking a fight for a moment. But at the same time, my mind reflexively started searching for the right answer. ''She did cut her hair. But no, that''s too obvious of an answer and might be a trap. Perhaps it''s the 18K thin chain cross earrings? Or maybe the brooch on the Channy suit she doesn''t usually wear?'' I started mulling over the various possible answers. As I puzzled over what the correct answer could be, it suddenly hit me. ''What am I even doing?'' I asked myself. I seemed to lose my pace whenever I got entangled with Ju Yung-In. Looking at her expectant and bright eyes, I decided to say whatever came to mind. "You got a haircut." ''Bring it on, Ju Yung-In!'' I thought. I prepared myself for a sharp retort, but Ju Yung-In delightfully pped her hands like a child instead. "Wow! I knew you would notice!" Ju Yung-In eximed excitedly. I was taken aback by her response. ''What? What even is this reaction? Was it really that simple?'' I nearly burst outughing from disbelief. As Ju Yung-In yed with her hair on the back of her hand, she dered with a confident expression. "I''ve put my life into this drama!" Lee Ji-Yeon nodded and continued Ju Yung-In''s words. "Yes, Yoon-Ho~. Yung-in has changed a lot. She came to me wanting to strengthen her character by getting a short haircut. But how can an actress just go for a short haircut? So we settled on a bob cut." ''Did she just say...Yung-in...?'' I thought to myself. Whatever Ju Yung-In did, it made Lee Ji-yeon start to refer to her by her first name. Previously, Lee Ji-Yeon had never addressed her in such a friendly way using her first name. Ju Yung-In finally received recognition as an actress from Lee Ji-Yeon by swallowing her pride and relentlessly pursuing the role. But perhaps because I didn¡¯t show much reaction, Ju Yung-In puckered her lips in a sullen expression. "Hmph! What? You can''t evenpliment me when I''m thismitted to the role? After all the time we''ve spent together, that¡¯s disappointing," Ju Yung-In whined. "Ah, yes. Congrattions," I said inly. "That¡¯s such a soulless congrattions. Well, it¡¯s typical of you, oppa." Ju Yung-In said with a pout. As Ju Yung-In giggled, Lee Ji-Yeon jokingly said to stop ying games of love. ''Games of love? We''ve had a rtionship that could fill up to season 14 of Love and War! No, let¡¯s just not think about it,'' I remarked inwardly. After wrapping up the joke, Lee Ji-Yeon looked around for Yoo-Jin. "But how''s Yoo-Jin doing? Where is she?" Just then, Yoo-Jin and Miso emerged from the waiting room as if they had been waiting for the right moment. "Ms. Lee!" Yoo-Jin, dressed in a see-throughce dress, had a paint tube bag slung over her shoulder like an art student in college. The bag was covered in stickers Miso had pasted all over it, and a Powertuff Girl doll hung from the handle. Seeing Yoo-Jin dressed in the style of Cheongmyung which she wore in the drama, Lee Ji-Yeon eximed in admiration. "Yoo-Jin~ you¡¯ve really worked hard on analyzing your character, haven''t you? You look just as I imagined Cheongmyung would," Lee Ji-Yeon eximed with joy. "Really?" Yoo-Jin asked with her eyes sparkling. Lee Ji-Yeon nodded. "Yes, exactly the style I wanted~." Our stylists had worked hard to achieve the look Lee Ji-Yeon wanted, and it was a fervent wish that she would look as beautiful in the photos today. Lee Ji-Yeon also showered Miso with praise. "Wow, Miso has be little Cheongmyung just as I imagined as well." "Wow! Really?" Miso eximed, thrilled at the mention that she looked exactly like little Cheongmyung. As Miso twirled in her hanbok skirt, Lee Ji-Yeon pped andughed. "Hey, little one. You''re so excited today, aren''t you? Ha ha." Though Lee Ji-Yeon was known for her cool demeanor, she was surprisingly warm toward Yoo-Jin and Miso. Suddenly left out, Ju Yung-In pouted her lips. But since she couldn¡¯t whine to the writer, herint was directed toward Yoo-Jin. "Jung Yoo-Jin, can¡¯t you see me?" "Huh? Yung-in sunbae!" "Sunbae? We agreed to be friends, remember?" ''Right, They did agree to that. A friend who snatches away jobs and boyfriends,'' I thought to myself. But because Miso was there, Yoo-Jin managed her expression and greeted her. "Yes. We did, didn''t we... How have you been?" Yoo-Jin asked politely. "I''ve been fine except for you not contacting me," Ju Yung-In replied sarcastically. After the awkward greeting, Ju Yung-In waved to Miso as well. "Hi Miso! I''m friends with your mom." Ju Yung-In''s face showed no malice. However, Miso stared at Ju Yung-In and then buried her face in Yoo-Jin''s skirt. "Miso, what is it?" Yoo-Jin asked. Miso shook her head and kept her mouth tightly shut. ''Why is she acting like this?'' I wondered. Suddenly, Ju Yung-In''s extended hand felt awkward. "Ha ha ha. She''s quite shy..." she remarked. ''Miso? Shy? The same Miso who is more sociable than the known social butterflies, Do Ran-Hee and Lee Yung-Jin?'' I thought to myself. Children knew best who liked them and who didn''t like them, after all. At that moment, the staff approached and informed us that the press conference was about to start. "You need to enter in five minutes." "Okay!" Hearing the staff''s instructions, we headed to the entrance of the grand hall. It was the moment for the much-discussed drama In the Name of God to begin. I reached out both hands to the excited Yoo-Jin and Miso. Then, I began escorting them to the entrance of the grand hall. Ju Yung-In nced at me from the side, but my hands were only enough to escort Yoo-Jin and Miso. After ensuring that Yoo-Jin and Miso entered the grand hall, I turned around and entered the venue through the staff entrance at the back. But the moment I stepped into the banquet hall, I saw someone who shouldn''t have been there at the press conference. ''What''s that guy doing here?'' I wondered. 1. Traditional Korean clothing ? 2. Top of Hanbok ? 3. Back in the day, South Korea used to have a hair regtion where students had to keep their hair short ? Chapter 184: In the Name of God Press Conference (2)

Chapter 184: In the Name of God Press Conference (2)

Murmur. The press conference venue was filled with numerous entertainment reporters, about 100 in number. Carefully looking at the faces, all the gathered reporters were those whom Kim Sung-Woon had carefully selected. I had also sent him a list of reporters with bad reputations in advance. It was unusual for a supporting actor''s talent agent to ask a director to screen reporters. But because I had helped to prevent a disaster by revealing the financial troubles of the original productionpany, Red Moon, Kim Sung-Woon dly epted my suggestion. But there sat Reporter Kang Ill-Gu from ''Star Patch,'' brazenly in attendance, even though he was on the no-entry list with a name tag that said Choi Tae-Yung. ''That guy really knows how to y dirty,'' I thought to myself. Kang Ill-Gu''s nickname was Leech. Once he targeted someone, he would cling on tenaciously and drain them, hence the nickname. I pondered, ''What should I do? He''s bound to ask ufortable questions.'' Kim Sung-Woon and the production team were already on stage, so it was not possible to speak to them. But then a way to block Kang Ill-Gu''s questions shed through my mind. At that moment, I quickly moved toward the bottom of the stage. *** sh, sh! The photo zone was crowded with many reporters continuously pressing their shutters. I approached MC Kim Jung-Ju under the stage, who was waiting for the photo time to end. "Hello, Mr. Kim Jung-Ju." I greeted him. "Who are you?" Kim Jung-Ju asked, seemingly puzzled. "I am Jung Yoon-Ho, the talent agent of actress Jung Yoo-Jin." As soon as I mentioned Yoo-Jin''s name, Kim Jung-Ju brightened up and took my business card. "Ah, yes! Nice to meet you. I''ve heard a lot about you, Mr. Jung." "It''s an honor to meet Korea''s top MC," I nodded and smiled. "What an exaggeration. Ha ha ha." Kim Jung-Ju chuckled. After exchanging brief pleasantries, I continued to shower Kim Jung-Ju withpliments. After all, they say ttery can even make a bear dance. As thepliments continued, the corners of Kim Jung-Ju''s mouth subtly rose. I seized the opportunity and said, "By the way, I would like to consider you as my hyung-nim from now on." Kim Jung-Ju smiledfortably and said, "Ha ha ha. That''s fine by me. Actually, I have something to ask about the agency. Do you have time?" Kim Jung-Ju, a frence MC, had a management contract with a medium-sized entertainmentpany called TMI Entertainment. But he approached me for advice having heard of my recent reputation in the industry. "I''m always avable for consultation for you, hyung-nim!" I replied brightly. At that moment, Kim Jung-Ju''s eyes sparkled. "How much does it cost to consult with the ace of Hoop Entertainment?" "Consultation fee? No way. Just buy me a meal as an older brother would for a younger brother." "Okay! Let''s set a date soon." Kim Jung-Ju was set to be a top MC for a long time. In my past life, he had never changed agencies. But he seemed to have some grievances with his agency like all broadcasters did. Now that I''ve buttered him up, it was time to get to the main point. "Hyung-nim, I have a favor to ask..." I asked hesitantly. "Ah, speakfortably. I''ll surely help my younger brother," Kim Jung-Ju replied with a smile. "During the Q&A session, I would appreciate it if you do not give the opportunity to speak to the reporter wearing horn-rimmed sses in the middle of the third row." Kim Jung-Ju tilted his head in confusion. "Why? I heard that the reporters here today were thoroughly screened?" "Yes, but somehow he managed to appear here by changing hispany¡¯s name tag. He''s a bit of a problematic reporter," I exined. "Is that so? Hmm. Alright. If that''s what my little brother wants." Thanks to the groundwork I hadid earlier, Kim Jung-Ju readily nodded. "But I''ll tell PD Kimter that it was your request." "Yes. I''ll speak to Mr. Kim separately about it." With that, I had taken precautions against Kang Ill-Gu. I was about to return to my spot. But at that moment, Kim Jung-Ju hesitated and grabbed thepel of my coat. "By the way, Yoon-ho. Could I possibly get Miss Yoo-Jin and Miso''s autographs?" Kim Jung-Ju exined that his wife was a fan of Yoo-Jin while his daughter was a fan of Miso. He had apparently been warned that he shouldn''t even think abouting home without their autographs. I nodded. "Oh, of course. That''s a piece of cake. I''ll get it for you after the press conference." Kim Jung-Ju grinned and scratched his head. "Thank you! Oh, I really owe you one." ''I guess I¡¯ll need to get them to sign about ten each,'' I thought to myself. *** After finishing my conversation with Kim Jung-Ju, I returned to my spot just as Yoo-Jin and Miso were stepping into the photo zone. sh! sh! With loud shutter sounds, shes went off continuously. "Ladies, please look this way!" "Miss Yoo-Jin, your outfit is absolutely stunning today!" At that moment, thece on the dress prepared by Stylist Lee Mi-Ri started to sparkle. ''What''s that?'' I wondered. A faint light reflected from various parts of Yoo-Jin¡¯s dress with every sh. The twinkling light from the pink see-through dress created a scene as if baby''s breath flowers were blossoming from the fabric. "Wow!" The reporters collectively eximed in admiration. Some even paused their shooting to check the photos on their cameras. Lee Mi-Ri''s confidence wasn''t just because the dress was pretty. ''I didn''t know the outfit had a luminescent effect.'' But it wasn''t just the dress that illuminated Yoo-Jin. Miso, smiling while holding Yoo-Jin''s hand and dressed in a beautiful hanbok, was shining brighter than any essory. "Miso, could you look over here?" "Why don''t you two strike the same pose? Yes, just like that!" Yoo-Jin and Miso ced their hands beside their faces and started smiling broadly. "Miso looks the prettiest today, doesn¡¯t she?" "Thank you!" Miso replied in a lively tone that brought smiles to the faces of the reporters. *** After the photo-taking session ended, the actors moved to a stage set with tables. Kim Myung-Hak started with a light remark. "Why did so many of youe? Hotel meals are expensive, you know." Kim Myung-Hak''s humor was met with a yful response from Kim Yi-Song, a reporter from Star Gossip. "Aren''t you making too much of a fuss over a bowl of galbitang[1], Mr. Kim?" "Hey, Reporter Kim! What do you take us for? Just wait and see, there will be a course meal!" Kim Myung-Hak replied yfully while rolling up his sleeves, causing the reporters to burst intoughter. After easing the tense atmosphere, Kim Myung-Hak left a plea for good articles and passed the microphone to Kim Sung-Woon. Kim Sung-Woon began discussing the drama with an animated expression. "Our drama In the Name of God hasunched after many difficulties. But we promise it will meet the expectations you''ve been waiting for!" He began to unravel some of the drama''s overarching story and teasers to the reporters. Shortly after, the time for interviews with the actors arrived. Kim Jung-Ju first pointed to Choi Ahn-Jin, who had raised her hand. "Yes, Ms. Choi Anh-Jin. Please ask your question." Choi Ahn-Jin quickly took the microphone and directed her question to Ju Yung-In, the main lead. "Miss Ju Yung-In! As you predicted, you became the lead actress despite the odds of 2,500 to 1. Could you share your thoughts?" Ju Yung-In ran her fingers through her short bob and took the microphone. "If I hadn''t set a goal, it would have been impossible. The audition was that challenging." "A goal?" "Yes. After bing friends with Miss Jung Yoo-Jin in Blue Sky, we promised to work together on the next project. Keeping a promise to a friend was my first goal," Ju Yung-In exined. Ju Yung-In was now officially referring to Yoo-Jin as a friend in public appearances. "But aren''t you two alsopetitors?" Choi Ahn-Jin asked. "Of course. This time, I gritted my teeth not to lose to Yoo-Jin. Look, I even cut my hair short," Ju Yung-In responded, running her fingers through her hair. The reporters didn¡¯t miss this moment and started snapping pictures relentlessly. After all, it was the first time Ju Yung-In had gone for a bob cut since her debut. "Miss Yung-In. This is your first bob cut since debut, isn''t it?" "Miss Yung-In, please look this way! Yes, that''s great." "Wow, short hair really suits Miss Yung-In." I always felt it, but Ju Yung-In¡¯s ability to draw attention was truly remarkable. During the ongoing Q&A, Kang Ill-Gu from StarPatch, whom I kept close eyes on, raised his hand to ask a question. When I quickly made an ''X'' gesture toward Kim Jung-Ju, he promptly redirected the speaking opportunity to another reporter as if he had been waiting for it. "Yes, Mr. Jang Moon-Ki from Weekly Star, please ask your question." Kang Ill-Gu looked puzzled when Kim Jung-Ju turned away when he clearly made eye contact. ''You''re not asking any question today, Kang Ill-Gu,'' I thought to myself. As the other reporters lowered their hands, Jang Moon-Ki asked his question directed at Yoo-Jin. "Miss Jung Yoo-Jin, do you feel any pressure about your role? A college student who is also a shaman. It seems like a challenging role for a rookie with little acting experience." "I understand why you might think that, but I will do my best to meet the audience''s expectations with my performance," Yoo-Jin replied confidently. Jang Moon-Ki continued with various questions, but Yoo-Jin maintained a confident demeanor throughout the interview. I smiled as I remarked inwardly, ''Well done, Yoo-Jin.'' She might not have grabbed attention instantly like the experienced Ju Yung-In, but she gave a solid and steady interview. And despite it being her first press conference, she wasn''t even trembling. At that moment, Miso gently tugged on Yoo-Jin¡¯s arm while she was being interviewed. When Yoo-Jin put down the microphone and turned her head, Miso whispered something into her Yoo-Jin''s ear. ''What is Miso doing?'' I wondered. After hearing what Miso said, Yoo-Jin nodded repeatedly. Then she grabbed the microphone and asked Jang Moon-Ki, "Mr. Jang, aren''t you curious about anything regarding Miso?" ''Was she asking because she also wanted to be interviewed?'' I pondered. The reporters burst intoughter seeing this. The usually stern Jang Moon-Ki smiled warmly and asked his question, "Miss Miso, you¡¯ve taken on a very important role right at your debut. Could we hear your thoughts?" Miso''s face brightened up. "Hello! I''m Jung Miso from L Kindergarten! I''m ying the role of young Cheongmyung. I n to act my best. Please watch me fondly!" I made a silent observation. ''How exactly had her kindergarten teacher taught her to always mention L Kindergarten during greetings? At this rate, the kindergarten should probably pay her for advertising.'' Thanks to Miso, the atmosphere on site became brighter than ever. Reporters eagerly raised their hands to throw Miso some softball questions. When asked about her favorite color, she answered pink. When asked about her favorite song, she stood up and danced while singing to Cherry Blossom''s ''Hurry Up!'' ''Miso truly is the best,'' I thought to myself. Finally, a flurry of questions came for Lee Ji-Yeon. Knowing her personality, the reporters were cautious with the questions they asked. "Ms. Lee, could you share a word with us?" Lee Ji-Yeon scanned the reporters and said, "You all know me, right?" "Of course. Who doesn¡¯t know you, Mrs. Lee?" "That''s right, I''m Lee Ji-Yeon. And I really did my best on this work. Whether it''s Yung-In or Yoo-Jin here, every character from the leads to the viin has been meticulously crafted. So, here¡¯s the thing..." Lee Ji-Yeon paused for a moment. As the reporters looked puzzled, Lee Ji-Yeon dropped a bombshell. "I might as well retire if the viewership ratings don''t surpass that of my student Kim Soll-Ip''s Blue Sky." "What?" "M-Ms. Lee. What do you mean by that..." At that moment, the reporters'' jaws dropped and shes began to go off intensely. Lee Ji-Yeon''s mere mention of retirement was enough to make headlines. "Ms. Lee! Are you seriously considering retirement?" "Ms. Lee! Is it true?" The reporters bombarded her with questions, to which Lee Ji-Yeon only smiled coyly. Finally, just when the reporters were about to burst from anticipation, she grabbed the microphone and spoke. "Shut up~. Why are you all acting like this? Didn''t you hear the condition? I said if the viewership ratings for Blue Sky aren''t surpassed!'' If they are, of course, I¡¯ll continue working. Do you all hope I retire because the viewership ratings are low?" The reporters erupted intoughter. But they likely had already drafted headlines like "Lee Ji-Yeon Deres Retirement." Thanks to this, In the Name of God quickly became the center of attention. But despite the enjoyable time at the press conference, Kang Ill-Gu did not get his chance to speak. He even stood up and raised his hand at one point but to no avail. *** After the press conference ended, Kim Myung-Hak called the main cast to the waiting room and asked, "M-Ms. Lee, you''re not really going to retire, are you?" Lee Ji-Yeon smiled at Kim Myung-Hak''s question. "CP Kim, why are you so nervous? We need the reporters to write sensational articles, don¡¯t we? It was all part of the n." Only then did Kim Myung-Hak exhale a sigh of relief. "I was worried... Ha ha ha. Maybe I''m getting more fearful with age." "Yes, maybe that''s it." As Lee Ji-Yeonughed, Kim Myung-Hak finally rxed and celebrated the sessful conduct of the press conference. "Everyone worked hard today, so thank you for that. And remember, script reading is on June 27th. The shoot starts on July 1st. Talent agents, please make sure the schedules are clear." As they were about to disperse after the meeting, Ju Yung-In asked out of curiosity. "By the way, who is ying the role of Manshin Wol-ah? I saw it''s a major supporting role in the script but they weren¡¯t here today, were they?" All the cast members paused and froze in ce at Ju Yung-In''s clear voice. 1. Beef rib soup ? Chapter 185: Overseas Advertisement Shoot

Chapter 185: Overseas Advertisement Shoot

The fact that Yoo-Jin was taking on a dual role as Cheongmyung and Manshin Wol-Ah was not known to anyone at the press conference except for Kim Sung-Woon, Kim Soo-Hee, Lee Ji-Yeon, and me. Though some had inquired about the role, reporters didn''t press further whenever Kim Myung-Hak indicated that it was just someone he knew. However, Ju Yung-In persistently asked who was ying the role of Manshin Wol-Ah. At that moment, Kim Sung-Woon responded as if he had already anticipated her question. "The actor is a senior from the theater scene who became a shaman after receiving a spiritual calling and has been residing in the mountains since." "Ah... I see," Jung Yu-In replied. We had agreed to cook up a story of an active shaman with acting experience whenever we were asked about the actor ying the role of Manshin Wol-Ah. But Ju Yung-In''s curiosity didn''t end there and she continued to ask, "But what is their name? I should at least greet them if I see them on set." The other actors also nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Mr. Kim. You haven''t said anything until now, but you should at least tell us their name." "That''s right. You said they''re around the same age as Mrs. Kim Soo-Hee. Even if it''s a supporting role, it''s not right to not even know their name." At that moment, Kim Sung-Woon hesitated to answer and was left speechless. ''Come on. Hadn''t he thought that far?'' I thought to myself. Kim Myung-Hak also seemed curious. "Come to think of it, I hadn''t thought to ask either." Kim Sung-Woon struggled to find a reply, "Well, the thing is..." "What is it? Would you get in trouble if you say the name?" As Kim Myung-Hak looked at Kim Sung-Woon suspiciously, I stepped forward and blurted out a name in desperation. "The actress'' name is Mrs. Jin Yoo-Jung." Suddenly, all eyes turned to me. "And I will personally escort Mrs. Jin Yoo-Jung on the set," I added. Ju Yung-In looked doubtful as she muttered to herself, "Jin Yoo-Jung...?" ''Had she figured it out?'' I fretted. Jin Yoo-Jung was the name I quickly came up with by reversing Jung Yoo-Jin''s name. But I was confident that no one would be able to recognize her when they saw Yoo-Jin in special makeup. Kim Myung-Hak asked with curious eyes. "Is that so? Is Mrs. Jin Yoo-Jung an actress managed by Hoop Entertainment?" "No, we''re not managing her. But I''ve agreed to look after her just for the duration of this drama," I rified. "Huh, really?" Kim Myung-Hak asked. "Yes. Still, you can ask me if you need anything from her. Given her profession, she prefers not to meet people. Casting her would have been difficult if it weren''t for Mrs. Kim Soo-Hee''s help," I exined. Kim Myung-Hak nodded. "That''s reassuring then. Okay." He seemed relieved as he looked around and said, "Alright! We''ve got this! We should aim to be number one in our time slot! The boss has high expectations." Ju Yung-In tilted her head in wonder but fortunately didn''t press further. Not much time remained until the crank-in of In the Name of God¡ªand the day when the mysterious actor Jin Yoo-Jung would appear was soon to arrive. *** [In the Name of God Crank-in on July 1!] [Lee Ji-Yeon! Retirement Deration!?] [Lee Ji-Yeon Proims: In the Name of God Will Surpass Blue Sky! "If it doesn''t surpass Blue Sky''s ratings, I''ll retire!"] [Ju Yung-In''s Short Hair! A Radical Transformation!] [Jung Yoo-Jin''s Buzzed-About Dress! What''s the secret behind the self-luminous material?] [Jung Miso! The Viral Wiggle-Wiggle Dance!] Kim Dong-Soo''s face contorted as he read the articles about Ju Yung-In. Each time he read such articles, it became increasingly difficult to suppress his rising anger. "Damn it! I hope it''s aplete failure!" Kim Dong-Soo cursed. But contrary to his words, his longing for Ju Yung-In remained. He considered bringing her back at any opportunity, regardless of what others might say. Another annoying thing was that Jung Yoo-Jin''s pink dress had made it into the top three on the live search rankings. They had hired a new stylist, and she unexpectedly had managed to ce third on the live search rankings. "Really? A self-luminous dress? This isn''t a nightclub, it''s a press conference. Talk about being out of touch with the asion and the times..." Kim Dong-Soo scoffed. Kim Dong-Soo disparaged Jung Yoo-Jin''s poprity in a fit of spite. At that moment, Ju Ho-Sung sitting beside him cautiously asked, "Mr. Kim, what about the issue Mr. Choi Man-Sik instructed us to handle? It seems like that¡¯s the most urgent matter right now." Remembering the directive from Choi Eun-Tae to find his lost son, Kim Dong-Soo frowned. "Nalsae has been searching hard day and night, but to no avail." Ju Ho-Sung offered a suggestion. "Why not dig deeper into the people involved instead of searching blindly? We might get lucky." But Kim Dong-Soo shook his head and said, "The midwife is under the president¡¯s influence and everyone else who knows about this is pretty much the president''s henchmen. If you dare even whisper that in their vicinity, we might end up in the waters off Incheon." "That makes it difficult to gather more information then..." Ju Ho-Sung sighed. "Exactly." Ju Ho-Sung spoke again while rubbing his temples as if his head hurt. "It was Gyeonggi-do Gwangju, right? The ce where that woman gave birth?" "Yes. We absolutely must find him. That kid could be our key to sess," Kim Dong-Soo replied. At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo looked at Ju Ho-Sung who was lost in his thoughts, and asked, "You haven¡¯t gotten any wrong ideas by chance, have you?" Ju Ho-Sung was startled and quickly waved his hands. "Of course not. I just had this one thought." "What is it?" "If that woman had no money, might she not have left the child at an orphanage or a childcare facility?" Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s eyes lit up instantly. "That... makes sense." "Though not 100% sure, why don''t we give it a try and start there? We''ve got nothing to lose anyway." Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s face brightened. "Team Lead Ju. You''ve got quite the brain, huh?" "Thank you." "But what if..." "What is it, sir?" "What if the child''s mother had not left the baby at the orphanage right away but a few yearster?" Ju Ho-Sung swallowed hard because he hadn''t thought that far. But he quicklyposed himself and responded. "Well, regardless of whether the child was left as a newborn or at age ten, we just need to look for all children of the same age group. You said he¡¯s now twenty-seven, right?" Kim Dong-Soo''s face brightened again. "Correct. That¡¯s a good idea." At that moment, the expressions between the two brightened. "Team Lead Ju, do you know how many orphanages there are in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do?" Kim Dong-Soo asked. "What does it matter? It''ll be Nalsae running around for information anyway," Ju Ho-sung remarked. Kim Dong-Soo chuckled. "Ha ha ha. Right. We don¡¯t need to worry about that." Kim Dong-Soo immediately picked up the phone to instruct Nalsae to start the search centered around orphanages in Gyeonggi-do. Just like that, Choi Man-Sik and Kim Dong-Soo''s dark hands were getting closer and closer to Choi Eun-Tae''s lost son. *** Team Jung''s meeting was held in the conference room located on the fourth floor. First, discussions about Lee Tae-Poong''s shooting situation and preparations for Haru''s drama audition were held. Then as we talked about Cherry Blossom''s hiatus, we moved on to discuss tomorrow''s photoshoot for Yoo-Jin¡¯s Cocari Sweat advertisement. Lee Yung-Jin and Lee Mi-Ri had been appointed to join me for the overseas shoot. However, Lee Mi-Ri was examining the advertisement storyboard with a troubled expression. "Mdm. Lee? What''s wrong?" I asked. "Mr. Jung, the color of the outfit in the concept file seems to be one shade less saturated than Cocari Sweat''s signature color. Since it''s impossible to find recements in the Philippines, I''ll contact thepany in advance to prepare about three rash guards," Lee Mi-Ri replied. "The outfits are under an exclusive contract with LM Apparel, so you should get them from there. It''s okay to get more than three," I instructed. Lee Mi-Ri nodded. "Understood. I''ll do that then." Lee Mi-Ri had noticed the difference between the printed color and Cocari Sweat''s color in just one nce and even had a backup n ready. And that wasn''t all. "Also, Mr. Jung. We need to recalibrate the monitors and printers. There''s quite a difference between the colors we see on the monitor and what gets printed." Calibration, in Korean, meant adjustment. In other words, it meant adjusting the color settings on the monitors and printers to ensure urate color disy. It seemed like a menial request, but her work was crucial. For instance, there were numerous instances where someone thought they were wearing red for a broadcast or amercial, only to find outter that the director had wanted pink. In such cases, it was the talent agents who suffered the most. They had to find new outfits and also deal with irritated directors. Thanks to Lee Mi-Ri, such mistakes could be prevented. But other talent agents unaware of our conversation just looked on nkly. As silence fell, Lee Mi-Ri, who had been suggesting ideas, shrugged her shoulders. "I''m sorry. I might have spoken out of turn." But I raised my hand to stop her. "Mdm. Lee." "Yes?" "I brought you in as team lead for this reason. Please feel free to share your ideas like you just did. In Team Jung, we never dismiss opinions without consideration. This applies to everyone else, too." "Yes, Mr. Jung." When Lee Mi-Ri made a pleased expression, I added another point. "And since we all know the kind of issues that can arise on set because of calibration, please adjust all the PCs and printers used by Team Jung. If that doesn¡¯t suffice, go ahead and purchase new ones." "Oh, but there¡¯s no need to go that far," Lee Mi-Ri interjected. I exined, "You know how many directors can''t differentiate colors. They can''t even tell the difference between Happy Pink and Millennial Pink, which ismon in this industry." Lee Mi-Ri''s eyes sparkled as I provided examples to illustrate exactly what she meant. Do Ran-Hee, who had been listening intently, gave a thumbs-up. "As expected. I''m so proud to have Mr. Jung as our team lead!" "Ran-Hee, did you even understand what I said?" I asked. "Like half of it? But it sounds like a good thing that you''re doing, isn''t it?" Do Ran-Hee replied with a grin. ''Yeah, it really is,'' I remarked inwardly. Thanks to that, the conference room burst intoughter. The team members might not have understood everything, but that didn''t matter since I could teach them gradually. The main goal was to impress Lee Mi-Ri, which I had achieved. "Anyway, Mdm. Lee. I''m giving you full authority to handle that issue," I said. "Okay! I¡¯ll do my best!" Lee Mi-Ri eximed happily. In my past life, it had taken me a year to get a hold of all thepany''s stylists, but now I was curious to see how long it would take this time. I waved goodbye. "Alright, see you tomorrow then." After all, tomorrow was Yoo-Jin¡¯s first overseas shoot. I had to suppress my fluttering heart. Even after traveling back in time, flying was always an exciting affair. *** It was 5 a.m. on June 24th. After parking at Terminal 2 of Incheon Airport, I turned to look at the back seat. Next to me was Lee Yung-Jin, and in the backseat sat Lee Mi-Ri, Yoo-Jin, and Miso side by side. Yoo-Jin and Miso were dressed in matching pastel-toned pink two-pieces with floral patterns prepared by Lee Mi-Ri. Despite the early hour which might have made others sleepy, they were wide-eyed with excitement about the flight. "Bodyguards will meet us as we enter the airport. Don''t move around by yourselves. If fans crowd around, it could lead to an ident," I warned them. When I brought up safety measures for dealing with crowds of fans, Yoo-Jin tilted her head inquisitively. "Oppa. Would my fans reallye at this early hour? I don¡¯t see a single person outside," said Yoo-Jin as she pointed to the parking lot outside the window. The parking lot was still dark with nobody in sight except for parked cars. But the situation inside the airport building would be different. With the efforts from the previous year spilling into the early months of this one, Yoo-Jin had amassed a considerable number of devoted fans. And if they were dedicated enough to be called devoted fans, they would somehow find out about the departure time and details. Anticipating a crowd, I had already requested cooperation from the fan club to help manage the scene. "There will be at least a hundred people," I said. "Ah, I''m not that popr though," Yoo-Jin replied while scratching her head. "Want to bet? You''ve been quite poprtely." "Sure. If there are more than 100 people, I''ll treat you in the Philippines." "Deal!" ''Yes, everything''s more fun with a wager indeed,'' I thought to myself. I felt a bit guilty for teasing Yoo-Jin, who was clueless about the situation. But she was brimming with confidence. "Miso, Uncle Yoon-Ho will buy us something delicious today!" Yoo-Jin said. "Yay!" Miso cheered. "But even if I win, I''ll still buy you tasty food, Miso," I said following Yoo-Jin''s words. "Okay, Uncle Yoon-Ho!" Miso eximed as she looked back and forth between Yoo-Jin and me. I paused and thought to myself, ''Wait a minute. I guess it doesn''t matter to Miso who wins.'' Miso''s cheerful smile made me smile. ''It seems like Miso is getting smarter day by day,'' I observed silently. *** After picking up the suitcases with Lee Yung-Jin, I called the bodyguards as we pulled our luggage. Although currently a small operation, TOP Security led by President Choi Yang-Han, who answered the call, was on its way to bing the most sessful celebrity security firm within a few years. "Mr. Choi, this is Team Lead Jung," I said. A frantic voice came through the phone. -M-Mr. Jung, there are too many people here. "What do you mean there are too many people?" -Please don''te inside and just stay where you are! We are heading to the parking lot...Huh? Hey! Don¡¯t push me! Stop! Click. The call ended abruptly as the sound of Choi Yang-Han''s phone hitting the ground came through. I quickly called out to the party walking ahead of me. "Wait! Stop right there." But they had already reached the front of Terminal 2, and fans who noticed us rushed toward us. "Oh my gosh! They''re here!" "It''s Jung Yoo-Jin!" The high ceilings of Incheon Airport Terminal 2 amplified the echoes and the ground vibrated under the feet of the surging crowd. Buzz! At that moment, my phone also began to vibrate in my hand. Thinking it was Choi Yang-Han calling back, I checked the screen. But there was an unbelievable message waiting. ''What''s this?'' [Everyday V2 has been released.] [Would you like to update your nner? YES/NO? (Applicable for: Everyday V1, Everyday V10)] Chapter 186: Update (1)

Chapter 186: Update (1)

Thump thump. My heart started to race like mad. I had never dreamed that the Everyday V10, loaded with records of the future, would be updated. I wanted to check out the features right away, but I had to dy because of the fans rushing at us. After all, the situation could easily lead to an ident with hundreds of people swarming at once. ''First things first,'' I thought to myself. Our party immediately shielded Yoo-Jin and moved back with Miso in her arms. "Yoo-Jin! We love you," the fans shouted. I got nervous without realizing it as the fans got so close that I could see their expressions. Various thoughts raced through my mind. ''What if I get trampled to death?'' At that moment, the rushing fans stopped about 2 meters in front of us when a crowd of at least thirty people surrounded us. "Please calm down." "Everyone, keep order so the child doesn''t get hurt." Burgerman, Patty Girl, and Lettuce Boy, the administrators of Cheonho-dong''s Burger Maiden fan cafe, appeared leading the fan club members. "Thank you." "Mr. Jung, please wait a moment." Around 200 people began to be organized by the thirty fan club members. Meanwhile, the bodyguards arrived sweating. "Sorry, we''ll just pass through." Sticking close but not forcefully pushing away the fans was thepany policy of TOP Security. Realizing they had missed us, they desperately tried to break through the crowd. "Bodyguards, just stay there for a moment," I instructed. Choi Yang-Han stopped the apanying bodyguards after hearing my instruction. Relieved, I then spoke to the fans. "Please move to one side so as not to startle other visitors. Miss Yoo-Jin will take pictures with everyone here." Following my words, Yoo-Jin and Miso came out beside me. "There''s still plenty of time before our flight, so shall we greet the fans today?" I asked Yoo-Jin. Miso nodded and cheerfully raised her hand as well. "Me too! Me too!" The fans began to squeal excitedly and take a step back. Like the parting of the Red Sea, the fans split and stuck to the right wall. Taking advantage of the gap, Choi Yang-Han of TOP Security rushed to our side with the bodyguards. "I''m sorry, we should have escorted you from the parking lot but failed to assess the situation properly," Choi Yang-Han apologized. Being a newpany, TOP Security had made a mistake in assessing the route of the person they were protecting. Such an incident could have warranted a reprimand for security failure. However, I decided to forgive them this time since it was more beneficial that TOP Security, which would soon be the best securitypany, be indebted to us. "It''s okay, but please give us tighter security from now on," I replied. Choi Yang-Han bowed again and said, "Thank you, Mr. Jung. From today, we will upgrade Miss Jung Yoo-Jin to our top security priority." That was fairpensation for a single mistake. Being named a top security priority meant that she would be registered as Choi Yang-Han''s first major security concern. We began taking pictures with the fans with the help of the bodyguards. *** The gathered fans took pictures with the help of the staff at Incheon Airport. I thought there would be more space inside the departure area, but it was the same situation there too. Yoo-Jin was starting to be recognized everywhere. "Isn''t that Jung Yoo-Jin?" "Yeah, that''s the girl from the documentary. Then that must be Miso, right?" "Where is that outfit from? It looks nice." "It must be from LM Clothing. They''re advertising there these days." Despite the constant requests for autographs, Yoo-Jin responded with a beaming smile, fully sensing her poprity. We finally managed to enter the business ss lounge with an aching back from all the fan greetings. The lounge was fronted with ss which gave a clear view of the runway at Incheon Airport. The open view seemed to clear my chest. Since there were no people in the lounge, I chose the biggest sofa and sat down. A groan escaped me without realizing it as I sank into the plush sofa. I let out a sigh of relief. "Phew. I can finally breathe now." "Mr. Jung, I''m dying." "Ugh, my instep was stepped on so many times..." Since there was food and drinks avable for a light snack in the lounge, I told Lee Yung-Jin and Lee Mi-Ri to take a rest for a while. But then Yoo-Jin sitting next to me started talking to me. "Oppa." "Yeah?" "I''ll treat you properly when we get to the Philippines." Yoo-Jin was fully admitting her defeat in our bet. "I told you there would be a lot of people," I replied. "That''s true. But I feel amazing even though I lost the bet. I didn''t know so many people would recognize me," Yoo-Jin said with a smile. Seeing Yoo-Jin''s happy expression, I couldn''t help but feel a twinge in my heart. "Take a rest for a while. I need to check some schedules with the filming team." "Okay!" As Yoo-Jin and Miso got up to eat at the lounge, I set up a meeting ce at the Philippines airport with the Cocari Sweat filming team. Then I took a deep breath and activated the Everyday app. ''Should I check it now?'' [Everyday V2 is now avable.] [Would you like to update your nner? YES/NO? (Applicable to: Everyday V1, Everyday V10)] I hesitated for a moment at the message. ''What should I do?'' Worried that some features of Everyday might disappear, I chose NO for now. ''Let''s see the update patch description first.'' Usually, you could know what the app update would entail beforehand. But the moment I pressed NO, another message popped up. [Unable to run the program.] [Would you like to update your nner? YES/NO?] ''Do I have to update the nner no matter what?'' I cautiously pressed NO again, but the same message appeared. I restarted my phone but the message remained unchanged. After much deliberation, I realized I had no choice. ''Hopefully, the nner won''t be deleted.'' The fear of possibly losing a nner containing ten years'' worth of schedules and the delete function being removed in the update enveloped me. But if the app itself couldn''t be used, it was useless anyway. ''I have no choice.'' Since future schedules were backed up already, I boldly pressed YES. At that moment, an update progress bar appeared along with the message. [Downloading instation files.] [Downloading Everyday V2 instation file.] [Downloading Everyday V10.1 instation file.] ''10.1?'' Usually, a major upgrade that significantly changed the program was indicated by numbers like V1, V2. On the other hand, minor upgrades showed changes with a decimal, like V1.1. ''Does that mean it hasn''t changed that much from V10?'' Eager to see any changes as soon as possible, I nervously tapped my feet hoping that the original features of V10 remained intact. *** I had hardly used the nner after traveling back in time. The reason I obsessively kept records in my past life was due to the fear of not knowing whaty ahead in my life and it all started with the intent not to get scolded by my sunbaes. Because of that, I let go of my past bad habits and only recorded necessary things in V1 while recing the rest with recordings or videos. After all, meticulously recording in a nner was a waste of time for someone who already knew what was going to happen and had plenty of experience unless I was going to live a third life. Anyway, I hated the idea of a third life. I didn''t want to be stuck in an endless loop doing the same things over and over again. It seemed best to regress just once. While I was thinking this, the update for the nner was finallypleted. [The update has beenpleted.] [First nner: Everyday V2] [Second nner: Everyday V10.1] Without hesitation, I tapped on the second nner tab. Instantly, the patch details appeared on the first screen. [Everyday V10.1] [Description] -10% of the total nner''s schedule has been confirmed to change. -The changed schedules have impacted future schedules. -Some future schedules have been modified. [Patch Details] -1. A new schedule rted to the category ''Jung Yoo-Jin'' has been added. -2. Creation of new schedules rted to ''Jung Yoo-Jin'' is limited to one per day. -3. New schedules rted to ''Jung Yoo-Jin'' will be notified by an rm. ''New schedules rted to Yoo-Jin have been added? Does this mean that I can now see the future specifically for Yoo-Jin?'' I wondered to myself. A shiver ran through me, but I couldn''t tell whether it was from excitement or nervousness. It felt like when I first encountered this nner. I tried to calm myself down. ''Calm down, Yoon-Ho. Just calm down.'' To figure out what kind of schedule had been created and what had appeared in Yoo-Jin''s changed fate, I steadied my trembling hands and pressed the confirm button. Then a notification suddenly popped up. [Notification: June 25th, 2020. A new schedule for Miss Jung Yoo-Jin has been added.] ''What? Why is it so friendly?'' As described in patch detail number three, an alert setting that had never appeared before now popped up. Today was June 24, so I immediately swiped the nner to June 25¡ªthe day of Yoo-Jin''s new schedule. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: June 25, 2020] -08:30 a.m. (Deleted Schedule: Golden Road 6.25 Preliminary Personal Interview) -09:30 a.m. [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Meeting with the Chief of Police in Bohol Ind, Philippines. "Damn. It actually happened," I muttered under my breath. In Everyday V10.1, Yoo-Jin''s schedule was newly listed under the bold heading [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin]. Now, I could really know whaty ahead for Yoo-Jin. But at that moment, I was perplexed by a phrase I couldn''t understand. Questions ran through my mind. ''A meeting with the Chief of Police on Bohol Ind? What could Yoo-Jin possibly have to discuss with the Chief of Police on Bohol Ind?'' If it involved going to the police station, the scenarios that came to mind were assaults, drunken incidents, or thefts. ''No, wait.'' On second thought, a few more possibilities surfaced. ''Could it be that she lost Miso? Or maybe it could just be a minor issue like losing an item. Ugh, this is frustrating. To think that the first message I see when I first look into the future is something like this!'' I started to worry. I flipped back through the nner out of habit, but there were no more new messages about Yoo-Jin as per the second patch detail. ''What should I do?'' With the update came new worries. *** As I pondered the various reasons for Yoo-Jin''s meeting with the Chief of Police on Bohol Ind, therge LCD screen in the lounge disyed the boarding message for our Korean Air flight KE112. Themercial shooting schedule had already been postponed twice due to weather conditions at the location, and it could not be dyed any further. It seemed we would have to face whatever came when we got there. ''Maybe I''m overthinking it.'' I turned to Yoo-Jin and said, "Yoo-Jin, let''s go." "Just a moment," Yoo-Jin replied. Miso, who had woken up at dawn, was snacking and had fallen asleep on Yoo-Jin''sp from being too full. I offered to carry Miso, but Yoo-Jin waved her hand no. She said she wanted to hold Miso as much as possible now because Miso was getting bigger and she might not be able to carry her as she grew older. Yoo-Jin gently stroked Miso''s cheek and said, "Miso, shall we go on the ne?" Miso responded without opening her eyes. "Uh... okay." As Yoo-Jin reached her arms and lifted Miso, Miso instinctively reached out and wrapped her arms around Yoo-Jin''s neck. Because of this, Yoo-Jin''s carefully chosen airport fashion got wrinkled. But despite her pretty two-piece suit getting creased, Yoo-Jin''s face was filled with nothing but smiles. After all, Miso was more important than anything to Yoo-Jin. Miso clung to her like a ko and rested her chin on Yoo-Jin''s shoulder with a happy expression. "It smells like Mom," Miso mumbled in her sleep as she rubbed her face against Yoo-Jin''s shoulder. As she did so, a warm smile spread across Yoo-Jin''s face. I reflexively took out my phone and snapped a photo of the mother and daughter. sh! "Oppa, what are you doing?" Yoo-Jin asked, shocked by the camera sh. "You guys look just like a ko and her baby," I replied. Yoo-Jin smiled. "Tsk. I heard kos smell bad..." ''Uh, is that something an actress would say? I got so emotional but now that''s ruined.'' I remarked inwardly. "But we''re still cute, right?" Yoo-Jin added with a cheeky grin. "Totally. Cute like a ko," I replied. "Ko again?" Yoo-Jin frowned. "What? To me, kos are fluffy, cute, and adorable creatures. So don¡¯t ruin my moment please," I said nonchntly. "Hmph, fine. Shall we go then?" Yoo-Jin replied with a pout. "Okay." As we moved toward the boarding gate, I mulled over the events that might ur to Yoo-Jin again. I silently made a resolve. ''I''ll block anything thates her way.'' That was the only thought filling my mind. With that, I tried to suppress my trembling heart and boarded the ne to the Philippines. Chapter 187: Update (2)

Chapter 187: Update (2)

When I stepped off the ne and arrived at Pano International Airport in the Philippines, I felt the humid air saturated with moisture. It was so distinct I could immediately tell there was a beach nearby. As I led the group out of the departure hall, there was Kim Chang-Jin, the chief of the publicity team from Cocari Sweat, waiting for us. He held arge sign that read ''Wee Miss Jung Yoo-Jin'' above his head. "Right over here!" Kim Chang-Jin called out. Having arrived three days earlier, Kim Chang-Jin was thoroughly tanned. "Hello, Mr. Kim!" Yoo-Jin greeted him. "You must have had a tough timeing all the way here," Kim Chang-Jin replied. Yoo-Jin shook her head. "Not at all. The business ss you arranged was incrediblyfortable." "I''m d to hear that," Kim Chang-Jin said with a smile. After exchanging greetings with Yoo-Jin, Kim Chang-Jin knelt to meet eyes with Miso. "So you must be Miso." "Yes!" Miso eximed. "You look pretty and smart. It would be perfect for you to star in ourmercials if you be a celebrity when you grow up," Kim Chang-Jin remarked. However, Miso''s cheeks puffed up in displeasure. "Miso, what''s wrong?" Kim Chang-Jin asked. "I am already a celebrity..." Miso muttered. "Oh, r-really? I made a mistake. Sorry," Kim Chang-Jin apologized. When the perplexed Kim Chang-Jin hastily apologized, Miso quickly forgave him. She was not one to hold a grudge, after all. ''Even so, isn''t it a bit quick to forgive someone over just a PowerTuff Girl candy?'' We then followed Kim Chang-Jin out of the airport where a 15-seater van had been arranged for us. Before getting in the van, he introduced our guide, assistants, and security personnel for the next three days. "This is Chris, the security officer. Anita, the assistant, and Big Sam, the guide." Then we headed straight to the resort. *** Virgin Ind on Bohol Ind in the Philippines was known for its crescent-shaped white sandbar that appeared during low tide. The pristine sandbar arched like a crescent appeared over the sea just once a day and was nked by turquoise waters on the sides. The resort where we were staying, Virgin Resort, was the closest to this Virgin Ind. Upon our arrival at the Virgin Resort, staff from Marine Boy Agency whom we had met during a Burger Queenmercial shoot greeted us. "Hello, Miss Yoo-Jin. It''s been a while. The director is thrilled to work with you again." "Where is Mr. Park?" Yoo-Jin asked. "He went to scout the location," the staff replied. Now booming thanks to the Burger Queenmercial, Marine Boy Agency had secured another advertisement with Yoo-Jin. Director Park Bull-Chool, known for his versatility, was once again tasked with working with Yoo-Jin. "Let''s meet at the dinner meetingter," Yoo-Jin said with a sweet smile. After greeting the staff again, we moved to the best two-story standalone vi in the resort, Vi No. 7. When I opened the brown wooden gate, the first thing I saw was a spacious 25-meter pool. Therge two-story building was constructed so close to the pool that one could step directly into it from any room. "Wow! Uncle Yoon-Ho, can I go into the pool?" Miso asked excitedly. "Of course," I replied. I had packed Miso''s swimsuit just for this. Seeing Miso cheer, Yoo-Jin''s face instantly brightened, adding a confident lift to Kim Chang-Jin''s shoulders who found this ce. After all, providing Miso with a business ss seat and securing the finest amodations was all to win favor with Yoo-Jin. Yoo-Jin smiled and said, "Mr. Kim, this ce seems toovish for us." "Not at all. Our headquarters know we managed to sign the contract with you early and were able to set a lower budget for the advertising fees. They instructed me to make a clear gesture of our sincerity," Kim Chang-Jin exined. Kim Chang-Jin gave a proud smile and began detailing the schedule. "Let''s have our final review meeting during dinner. Tomorrow, we''ll start shooting during low tide. The sun will be strong, so please apply sunscreen generously." He pointed to his own sunburned self as a stern reminder. We received the itinerary and started unpacking. After settling into our rooms, I called Lee Yung-Jin and Lee Mi-Ri to another room for a meeting. Thanks to thorough preparation, the operational meeting concluded in just 30 minutes. "...Then Mdm. Mi-Ri, please double-check the outfits for tomorrow''s shoot and for posting on Instargem. Let''s make the most out of this trip," I instructed. "Okay. I brought plenty of outfits just in case," Lee Mi-Ri replied, pointing to herrge suitcase of costumes. "Well done. And Yung-Jin, you''ll meet with the Cocari Sweat team for a preliminary survey." "Aren¡¯t you going yourself, Mr. Jung?" Lee Yung-Jin asked. "It''s time you gained some field experience to be promoted to assistant manager, don¡¯t you think?" I replied. The seemingly touched Lee Yung-Jin nodded. But I felt slightly guilty inside. While it was true I wanted him to gain experience, I also knew this ce well from previous visits in my past life and preferred avoiding the harsh sunburn. "I¡¯ll make sure to cover everything. I¡¯ll even record videos, so don''t worry!" Lee Yung-Jin replied enthusiastically. "Hey, hold on. Put on some sunscreen first." "Oh, it''s just a few hours; I''ll be fine without it," Yung-Jin said dismissively as he grabbed his phone and disappeared. "Uh-oh. He''s gonna get terrible sunburns..." I muttered under my breath. With Lee Mi-Ri gone to check the costumes, I finally had a chance to check my nner again. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: June 25, 2020] -09:30 AM [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Meeting with the Chief of Police in Bohol Ind, Philippines. As expected, nothing seems to have changed. "What could possibly happen?" The meeting with the police chief at 9:30 am suggested that something was expected to ur between tonight and dawn. I decided to warn Yoo-Jin to be cautious. The vi was sorge it took a while to get from my room to Yoo-Jin''s. When I knocked, Miso peeked out. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, what is it?" Miso asked. "I need to speak to your mom for a moment," I replied. "Just a second!" Miso''s head disappeared back inside. "Huh? What''s going on?" Momentster, the door opened again and there stood Yoo-Jin and Miso in blue and white rash guards. The two both stretched out their hands with bright smiles. "Ta-da!" "What''s this?" I asked. "Doesn¡¯t it look nice?" Yoo-Jin asked, with her hair styled in a sloppy bun, which made me burst outughing. "It looks nice, but... maybe we should redo the hair? There¡¯s no jetg but why does your hairstyle look like that? Ha ha." I chuckled. Yoo-Jin pouted. "Oppa, Miso did this hair for me." "Oops!" I quickly shut my mouth, but Miso''s lips were already pouty. ''Little did I know Miso had recently taken an interest in fashion alongside drawing!'' I remarked inwardly. "Mi-Miso, I was just joking," I quickly added. Finding no way to appease the sulking Miso, I quickly changed the subject. "That¡¯s not important! Both of you, sit down." As I beckoned them to sit down, they sat on the sofa in front of the room and focused on my words. "We must be extra cautious when abroad. Miso, never follow strangers. Understand?" "Okay!" Miso replied enthusiastically. "Yoo-Jin, take good care of Miso. I''ll look after her during the shoot as much as I can, but make sure to keep an eye on her the rest of the time." After advising them of the potential dangers, I handed Miso a wristband equipped with an emergency whistle and told her to blow the whistle as hard as she could whenever Yoo-Jin and I were out of sight. "Okay, Uncle Yoon-Ho!!" "Do you want to try blowing the whistle now?" Screeeek! When Miso blew the whistle with all her might with her cheeks puffing up, the sound echoed loudly through the vast vi. However, the schedule in my nner still remained unchanged. ''Is this not it? Then I might have to consider the possibility of a more severe scenario,'' I thought hard to myself. *** Widely known for its safety, Bohol Resort had its own security personnel. On top of that, we also had Chris sent by Cocari Sweat. However, Chris'' casual demeanor hardly seemed fit for a professional bodyguard. After much deliberation, I decided to call Choi Yang-Han, the president of TOP Security, who had made a mistake at Incheon Airport. -Yes, Mr. Jung. Have you arrived safely in the Philippines? "We''ve just arrived and are getting settled," I replied Choi Yang-Han. -It''s good to hear that. And I''m sorry about the mishap at the airport. "Let''s leave the past behind. More importantly, Mr. Choi. Do you happen to know any private security firms in Bohol, perhaps someone acquainted with the police chief there?" -Yes, there''s apany called BH International run by a guy named Jason. He¡¯s well-connected with the Bohol police chief and highlypetent. Like Korea in the past, the Philippines was heavily influenced by personal connections. "Then could you contact Mr. Jason to arrange for two security personnel to be on a 24-hour watch? We need them for two days until we leave the Philippines," I requested. -Absolutely, I¡¯ll make sure they send their top personnel. Don¡¯t worry about the cost; we''ll cover everything. The cost of private security in the Philippines was significantly lower than in Korea. I thanked Choi Yang-Han for his gesture to make up for the previous mistake. "Then I''ll see you when we return." -Thank you, Mr. Jung. I''ll prepare thoroughly to avoid disappointing you again! "See you then." I ended the call and awaited the arrival of the security personnel. *** As 6 p.m. passed, the sun began to set and cast a dim light. Thump. Lee Yung-Jin returned from the site with his skin charred from the sun. "Ugh...Mr. Jung." Lee Yung-Jin groaned. "See? That''s why I told you to wear sunscreen," I chided him. "I didn''t expect the sun to be that strong." "Just apply some soothing cream." As he thered on the aloe vera cream I had brought, Yung-Jin''s grimace brightened instantly. "Ah~ that feels much better." "How was the site?" "Oh, the weather was great and the sea looked amazing. I checked the beach briefly and it was clean." Hearing Yung-Jin confidently respond improved my mood. However, I needed to ensure everything was set. "Yung-Jin, what about the sand raking?" I asked. "Not yet," Lee Yung-Jin replied. "We''re shooting barefoot tomorrow. What if Yoo-Jin gets hurt? We need to rake the sand beforehand to avoid any injuries. Don''t you think you took the survey too lightly?" I asked with a worried look. Yung-Jin grinned. "Mr. Jung, Virgin Ind disappears and reappears with the tide every day. What''s the point of doing it today? Of course, we have to do it first thing when the path opens tomorrow." "Wow~ I''m impressed." "That¡¯s why I¡¯m nning to check it with ten staff members tomorrow." "That''s smart thinking." Lee Yung-Jin confidently asserted, "I''m not the old Yung-Jin anymore. I''m the future Assistant Manager Lee Yung-Jin!" At that moment, the inte began to ring. It was a call from the desk informing us that Jason, the head of the local securitypany, had arrived. I allowed him entry, and Jason appeared with four robust men in about five minutes. Jason introduced himself first and exined that the guards beside him would protect us until we left the Philippines. "We appreciate your help, Mr. Jason." Thanks to the English lessons I took in my past life, simple conversations were no problem. "Ha ha ha. Please contact me anytime if there''s anything ufortable," Jason said as he handed over his business card, mentioning he was a friend of Choi Yang-Han. After Jason and two of the guards left the room, only Ricky and Michael remained by our side. They both had rock-hard bodies and introduced themselves as experiencedmandos who had earned their stripes in long battles with the Moro Imic Liberation Front. They announced they would start referring to me as ''Boss'' and immediatelymenced their duties. Yoo-Jin looked at the stern-looking men and asked with a nervous expression. "Oppa, why are these men here?" "Just in case." "There isn''t anything wrong, is there?" "No, everything is fine. I just thought it would be better to be safe since Miso is with us too." "What about Mr. Chris from Cocari Sweat?" "He''ll also provide security, but these professionals will take the lead." After calming Yoo-Jin, I urged her to prepare for the final advertisement meeting. When we gathered our essentials and exited the vi, Ricky and Michael from BH International followed closely. "We were instructed to maintain close protection outside the bedrooms," Ricky said. I nodded to Ricky''s exnation that we have to move together even within the resort. After all, the updated schedule in my nner hadn''t been cleared yet. "Ricky, if anything happens, the priority is Miso, Yoo-Jin, and then the staff," I whispered to Ricky, making sure Yoo-Jin and Miso couldn''t hear me. "Then what about you, Boss?" Ricky asked. "I''mst," I replied. Ricky looked surprised. "Let me ask again just to confirm, Boss. You''rest? Are you sure?" When I nodded, Ricky and Michael conversed briefly in Tagalog. Despite English being an officialnguage, actual usage was under 7% and Michael didn''t seem to speak English. After understanding my intent from Ricky, Michael bowed to me with an indifferent expression unique to him. I checked my nner again, but the schedule persisted. ''What exactly is about to happen?'' Just then, Ricky, who had been vigntly scanning the area, turned to me with a stern expression. "Boss, I have a question..." Unexpectedly, a crucial clue about the nner entry began to unfold from an unlikely source. Chapter 188: Update (3)

Chapter 188: Update (3)

As we headed to the vi where Cocari Sweat''s publicity chief was for the final advertising meeting, Ricky asked one question with a stern expression. "Boss, who hired this guy named Chris?" "Chris? He''s a security guard employed by our advertisers. But why do you ask?" I responded. After much hesitation, Ricky leaned closer and whispered, "That guy seems to be affiliated with a gang." At that moment, my steps halted abruptly without realizing it. Yoo-Jin noticed my sudden stop and called out to me with a confused expression, "Yoon-Ho oppa?" "Go ahead, I''ll catch up in a minute," I reassured her quickly. Then I turned to Lee Yung-Jin and said, "Yung-Jin, take Yoo-Jin and Miso to the meeting. I need to discuss something with Ricky." "Is there a problem?" Lee Yung-Jin asked. I came up with an excuse. "No, I''m just trying to get some local food rmendations. Go ahead, I''ll join you shortly." "Okay! Make sure it¡¯s the best!" he replied cheerfully. "Sure, it''s Yoo-Jin paying after all!" I replied yfully. Yoo-Jin smiled. "Alright, oppa! I''m happy to treat whatever!" Yoo-Jin showed generosity unlike usual, perhaps because she was excited to be abroad. When Ricky signaled Michael with a nce, he led the others away and headed to Vi No.1 for the final meeting for the advertisement. As soon as they were out of earshot, I pressed Ricky for more details. "Are you sure he''s in a gang or is this just spection?" "When Chris was handling the luggage, I saw a snake tail tattoo peeking out from under his T-shirt. That''s a symbol used by members of the Ahas organization, a derivative of the BNG gang." The BNG gang, derived from the Tagalog phrase ''Bah Na,'' meaning ''let it be,'' had splintered and led to the creation of the ''Ahas gang on Bohol Ind. And ''Ahas'' means ''snake'' in Tagalog. As Ricky continued, I felt my blood chilling more and more. "But I might be overreacting and considering the worst-case scenario. It¡¯s not unusual for gang members to hold jobs in security or driving," Ricky added. Ricky continued to exin that Ahas gang members were involved in a range of criminal activities from drug trafficking and kidnapping to extortion and petty theft. Fortunately, they couldn''t carry firearms on the premises because the resort had security guards. "But how can someone affiliated with a gang work at the resort?" I asked. "Gang affiliation or not, they are residents of this ind, that fact doesn''t change." Ricky noted it wasn''t umon for lower-ranking gang members to work in local resorts. He added that he usually wouldn¡¯t report such a thing as the odds of an incident were low since nothing happened 99% of the time. But given Yoo-Jin¡¯s high profile, he feltpelled to report it. "Then what should we do now?" I asked. Ricky cautiously suggested after contemting for a moment, "Nothing may happen, but in my opinion, I think we should inform Mr. Jason to set up a backup n. But the decision is yours to make, Boss." The mention of a backup n likely involved additional costs. But that wasn''t an issue because I would have spent the money anyway had the new schedule not appeared. My decisions were usually simple whenever I saw a schedule involving a visit to the police station. "Should we exclude Chris then?" I asked. "No, that could make him hold a grudge and potentially disrupt tomorrow''s shoot," Ricky replied. I frowned. "...So hoping nothing happens is our best bet." "Either that or we prevent it," Ricky added. "Understood. Then please report this situation to Mr. Jason immediately and handle it," I instructed Ricky. "Yes, Boss." Ensuring the safety of my group, especially Yoo-Jin and Miso, was paramount. I waited for Ricky''s call with Jason to conclude and looked up at the night sky, hoping for a peaceful resolution. The stars were shining brightly in a way that Seoul could neverpare. ''Stay on your toes, Yoon-Ho,'' I reminded myself. I took a deep breath and checked my nner again. However, the schedule remained the same. Eventually, I began to assume the worst scenario. Apanying celebrities on overseas schedules could lead to all kinds of situations. I had experienced something simr before in my past life when I went to South Africa for a shoot, where a seemingly ordinary local assistant had suddenly turned into an armed robber. I remembered surviving by offering no resistance at all. At that moment, a brilliant idea came to mind. ''What if I put valuables into a temporary safe in the vi right in front of Chris and then have him guard that safe?'' I thought I could let them just take the money without harming anyone since a mere theft is much better than robbery. And it wasn''t like I brought anything expensive anyway. It might seem like I''m wearing luxury brands and expensive jewelry to others, but everything was from the Cheonho-dong market in reality. The luxury jewelry borrowed from Cocari Sweat was expensive, but I could getpensation even if it were lost, since it was insured. In the meantime, Ricky''s phone call had just ended. "Boss, Mr. Jason wants to talk to you." When I took the phone Ricky handed to me, Jason''s calm voice came through. -Mr. Jung. I''m going to triple the security personnel from now on. But since no one can enter the resort except for Ricky and Michael who will be nearby, I will be guarding from a distance outside the resort. "Thank you. Then what should I do?" I asked. -Just act like you don''t know anything. But don''t let the resort staff know that we''ve increased the security personnel. It gets harder to guard if the information leaks. I responded with an understanding and hung up the phone. Then I asked Ricky again, "Ricky. Please take good care of Yoo-Jin and Miso." "Don''t worry, Boss. I have never failed in my tasks before," Ricky assured me. "I hope I will be included in those cases." "You will be." Ricky''s eyes shone distinctly unlike before. Seeing his confident face, I took a deep breath of the cold air which momentarily cleared my mind. I thought about stopping the shoot altogether and returning to Korea. Although the possibility of an incident was uncertain, it still involved a gang. However, that uncertainty was the problem. If I canceled the advertisement without any excuse, I would have to face everything from penalties to various rumors that could destroy what Yoo-Jin had built up so far. I couldn''t let that happen. Yoo-Jin''s life in the entertainment industry had just begun to shine, and it should only be paved with roses. *** Chris was a low-ranking gang member in the Ahas organization, who also asionally worked as a bodyguard for tourists to live day by day on the money he earned. During a brief evening break, he headed to the Blues Snorkeling rental shop in front of the resort. At the Blues Snorkeling shop was a man repairing equipment with his shirt off.A snake tattoo simr to that of Chris'' was also marked on the left shoulder of the man. Chris waved with a smile. "Hey Mickey, some rich folks from Korea are here. Thinking of making a score?" "Koreans are all rich. But the Japanese carry more cash, so pick the Japanese." "Oh, no. This time it''s different. Apparently, it''s a pretty famous celebrity," Chris exined. Mickey stopped arranging the snorkeling gear. "A celebrity?" "Yeah. What was her name... Yoo-Jin Jung? Know her?" Chris questioned. "I do. My friends have been watching that drama she''s in. What was it called again? Blue Sky? Yeah, that was it." Mickey replied. "What is it?" Chris asked. "They say it''s the most popr drama in Korea these days and it''s really good." Chris tilted his head as he didn''t watch Korean dramas. "Anyway, you''re gonna join me, right? Their clothes and essories looked incredibly expensive." When Chris suggested robbing the famous celebrity of her wallet and valuables, Mickey paused to ponder. "If it''s something that big, we should inform the others ahead of time..." "Come on, then we''d have to give half to the boss. Let''s just gather a few guys and do it ourselves." Mickey scratched his head. "But I can''t get into the resort. Are you nning to get me a security card or something?" "Leave the inside job to me. I''ve teamed up with someone I work with. So just bring a car to the southwest palm tree side by dawn tomorrow," Chris instructed Mickey. "Okay. You need me for transportation, right? What time?" Mickey asked. Chris smiled broadly. "After midnight. I''ll call you. Make sure you''re waiting outside, okay?" "Okay." As Chris headed back to the resort, the corners of his mouth twitched. His main target was Jung Yoo-Jin''s essories and credit card. With the credit card, he could quickly have a technician he knew clone it and withdraw up to the limit. Chris nned to score big this time and leave Bohol Ind. After all, a low-ranking gang member like himself would never improve his life by staying put, a reason he nned to pull off a big heist without informing his boss. *** At 8 p.m., the storyboard check meeting for tomorrow''s shooting at Virgin Ind was wrapping up in the living room of Vi No. 1 which was used as the meeting center by Cocari Sweat''s publicity team. After exining the key points for each scene, Park Bull-Chool asked for onest check. "Miss Yoo-Jin, could you show us how you hold a drink and take a sip?" Yoo-Jin grabbed a can of Cocari Sweat nearby. She gripped it like a baseball bat, which made Park Bull-Chool shake his head. Park Bull-Chool gave detailed instructions. "No, you''ve held it too much like a sports yer. You need to express coolness and freshness, so lift yourst finger slightly and hold the can gently with just three fingers like you''re holding soft cotton candy." I wondered if this was the same director who once asked Yoo-Jin to act like bears, chickens, and monkeys. ''As expected of the advertising genius Park Bull-Chool,'' I silentlymended him. Despite shooting apletely different genre ofmercials than before, he was nothing but a professional. Yoo-Jin immediately changed how she held the can. "Like this?" "Exactly, Miss Yoo-Jin. I love how you don''t need a second take. That''s great. Let''s wrap up the meeting here," said Park Bull-Chool with a nod. When the meeting ended, a buffet-style meal was spread out on the table. Suckling pig roasted over charcoal, huge lobsters with a savory butter sauce, and dishes reminiscent of sweet and salty squid sundae[1] were served. Additionally, a series of exotic seafood dishes in red, blue, and various other colors began to appear on the table given the subtropical coastal resort setting. Although the famous local beer San Miguel was also served, the staff was allowed no more than one bottle due to the next day''s shoot. However, I only drank juice just in case something might happenter. Meanwhile, Yoo-Jin and Miso were too busy eyeing the food. Yoo-Jin couldn''t eat much due to the shoot scheduled for tomorrow, so she was making mental notes of what she had to eat after the shoot. Miso, on the other hand, ate as if there were no tomorrow. "Mom, look at that giant shrimp! I want it!" Miso cried out. "Okay. I''ll peel it for you. Here, open your mouth. Say ah~," said Yoo-Jin as she held the peeled shrimp in front of Miso. Miso opened her mouth. "Ah~!" After peeling a grilled tiger shrimp for Miso, Yoo-Jin just sucked her fingers. "But why aren''t you eating, Mom?" Miso asked. "Huh? Oh, because I don''t like shrimp," Yoo-Jin replied nonchntly. That was a lie. There wasn''t any food in this world that Yoo-Jin disliked. She was just holding back because of tomorrow''s shoot. With that, everyone else enjoyed a pleasant meal except for Yoo-Jin and me. It wasn''t until 10 p.m. that we could return to the vi. *** Upon arriving at the vi, Chris and Anita greeted us. Anita finished setting up the bed for us and bowed. "Then I''ll get going now. See you tomorrow morning." "Alright, Anita. Have a good rest and see you tomorrow." Once Anita left, only Chris remained in the vi. At that moment, I began to unfold the strategy I had discussed with Ricky. "Chris, do you know where the safe is within the vi?" I asked. As I saw the twinkle in Chris''s eyes the moment he answered, I instinctively knew my suspicions were correct. "It''s in the second room on the first floor," Chris replied. I turned to mypanions. "Everyone, please take out your valuables and put them in the safe on the first floor." Yoo-Jin tilted her head in confusion. "Oppa, should I also put in the jewelry Cocaris Sweat gave us?" I nodded. "Yes, put everything in there from jewelry to wallet." "Oh, okay.." From Yoo-Jin to the staff, everyone took out their valuables and wallets and ced them in the small safe about 30 cm in size. The small temporary safe allowed guests to briefly hold the valuables inside. However, any resort staff with a master key could open it because they had to unlock the safe after the guest checked out. I asked Chris to take on a specific role with a calm expression. "Chris, while Ricky and Michael will ensure the safety of our party, I''d like you to guard the safe." "Leave it to me, Boss!" Chris replied enthusiastically. ''Yes, just take the money and leave my people alone,'' I thought to myself. Having set the ''leaving the fish to the cat'' n in motion, I instructed the group to rest. After everyone had gone to their rooms, I spoke to Ricky. "Ricky, the priority is no one gets hurt. Catching Chrises second." Ricky and Michael exined that the n was for the guards outside to catch Chris if he attempted to rob the safe. "Don''t worry, Boss. Mr. Jason is closely monitoring any possible escape routes," Ricky replied. The trap was set with backup ns in ce. Hoping that no one would get hurt, I headed to my room. Tick, tick. Two hours passed, and then it was finally midnight. [Everyday V10.1] -09:30 a.m. (Deleted Schedule: [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Meeting with the Chief of Police in Bohol Ind, Philippines.) I heaved a sigh of relief. "Phew. There we go." It seemed Chris would get caught by Ricky while trying to rob the safe. Only then was I able to rx and sit up in bed. But at that moment, another rm rang on my phone. [Notification: June 25, 2020. A new schedule has been added for Miss Jung Yoo-Jin.] ''What''s this now?'' I wondered. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: June 25, 2020] -00:15 a.m. [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Visit to Bohol Hospital for a blood transfusion. My eyes widened. ''Yoo-Jin is going to the hospital for a blood transfusion in just 15 minutes from now?'' Without a second thought, I started running toward Yoo-Jin''s room. 1. A type of Korean blood sausage ? Chapter 189: Update (4)

Chapter 189: Update (4)

Transfusion was the act of giving or receiving blood. I knew the dictionary meaning of the word, but I didn''t like either situation. All sorts of thoughts began to flood my mind. Because of this, my steps to Yoo-Jin''s room quickened. However, the building was sorge that it took time to reach Yoo-Jin''s room even though it was also on the second floor. That was when a loud noise came from the first floor. Crash! "XX! XXX! XXXX!" Chris''s voice followed by Ricky and Michael''s could be heard. A loud crash and the sound of a brief scuffle and yelling continued. It was the sound of them grabbing Chris. ''Could it be that Chris had an aplice?'' I wondered. Ricky was supposed to be guarding the stairway leading to the second floor. And since those stairs were connected right in front of my room, I had left my door slightly open because I thought Chris mighte up to the second floor if the defense on the first floor failed. However, I never felt anyone pass by my door, not to mention that Ricky wouldn''t have guarded the stairs so carelessly either. At that moment, I wondered if there was another passage leading to the second floor. Otherwise, there was no way Yoo-Jin or Miso would be ced in a situation requiring a transfusion. As soon as I reached the door to Yoo-Jin''s room, I checked the nner again. But the newly added schedule for a transfusion 15 minutester was still the same. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: June 25, 2020] -00:15 AM [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Visit to Bohol Hospital for a blood transfusion. Not having the patience or time to wait for Ricky, I took a deep breath and slowly opened the door to Yoo-Jin''s room. Click. As the faint moonlight entered, the silhouettes in the dimly lit room came into view. On the bed was Miso stretched out and Yoo-Jin lying on her side, turned toward Miso. Rustle! That''s when I noticed a woman about 150 cm tall with permed hair and a plump figure rummaging through a bag beside the bedside drawer. ''What? Anita. Were you in on this too?'' Anita, bending over and searching through something, was the helper assigned to us by Kim Chang-Jin. I didn''t know what was going on, but Anita was inside Yoo-Jin''s room. As soon as I saw her, I thought I had to cautiously grab her without surprising her, because she might wield a weapon and potentially harm the oblivious Yoo-Jin if startled. I quietly crept toward Anita. But just then, Chris'' scream came through the open door. "XX! XX!" Simultaneously, the startled Anita quickly turned around. In her left hand was a long piece of metal. ''Is that a knife?'' I lunged at Anita without a moment''s hesitation. Thud! My body m lifted Anita off her feet and mmed her into the drawer. At that moment, Anita dropped the metal object she was holding to the floor. ng! At the same time, I kicked the dropped metal object away. As the knife skidded away, I didn''t miss the opportunity to hold onto Anita. "XX! XXXX!" That''s when Anita''s sharp voice woke Yoo-Jin, who sat up abruptly. Before fully grasping the situation, she instinctively turned and hugged Miso to protect her. "Yoo-Jin, it''s okay!" Yoo-Jin looked at me and shouted in a trembling voice. "O-oppa?" "Yes, it''s me. It''s all over now, so you can rx..." "What, what happened? What''s going on?" Yoo-Jin''s voice was urgent, so I kept reassuring her by repeatedly telling her that everything was okay. "It''s okay. There''s nothing going on." My heart felt like it was about to burst, but I kept repeating that it was okay because Yoo-Jin would get even more frightened if I breathed heavily to catch my breath. Fortunately, Miso turning around in her sleep seemed to mistake the situation for a dream and just muttered. In the meantime, I heard footsteps approaching from the entrance. Perhaps having finished clearing the first floor, the sound was of someone running to check on the safety of their primary protection target. Worried that Ricky or Michael might mistake me for a threat, I immediately made my presence known. "It''s me! Turn on the lights first since the situation here is over as well!" Click. The fluorescent lights turned on. "But, but I was definitely guarding the stairs...How did this even happen?" Ricky stuttered. "Ricky!" I cried out. Ricky looked stunned with his eyes wide open before running to my side. "Ah, I''m sorry, boss!" Ricky quickly pulled out cable ties from his side and adeptly bound Anita''s wrists. "Let go of me! I said let go!" Anita screamed. It seemed that Anita had tried to rob Yoo-Jin''s room directly since she had not seen us put away the valuables in the safe. "How did you get in here? Tell me!" Ricky shouted. Only after watching Ricky start to interrogate Anita was I finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. "Phew~." Yoo-Jin and Miso could have been harmed if it weren''t for the nner. ''What if Yoo-Jin had woken up to the sound of the drawer opening?'' I wondered. Just imagining it sent chills throughout my body. Just when I thought I could finally rx, a thought crossed my mind. ''Could this also be a price for changing fate?'' After traveling back in time, I saved Miso and changed Yoo-Jin''s life. Since then, I had been paving a flowery path in Yoo-Jin''s life. But it seemed like the god of fate was intent on correcting everything I changed like a spiteful being that couldn''t stand to see things going well. ''Otherwise, how could I exin all these misfortunes befalling Yoo-Jin and Miso?'' The movie ''Destination'' came to mind once again. But whatever the divine will was, I had the means to resist fate: the nner, now even better through an upgrade. Once again, I reaffirmed my life''s goal. No matter what happened, I was determined to give Yoo-Jin a happy life and likewise for every member of Faithful, even if it meant fighting with the god of fate forever. I steadied my breath and pulled out my phone from my pocket to check the schedule in the nner, hoping that the schedule I saw previously would disappear. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: June 25, 2020] -00:15 a.m. (Deleted Schedule: [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Visit to Bohol Hospital for a blood transfusion.) It was over. There was no longer any need for transfusions. ''What a relief.'' That was when Yoo-Jin called out to me with a trembling voice. "O-oppa..." "It''s okay. Don''t worry, it''s all over," I assured her. "N-no...it''s just...there''s blood on your arm..." Yoo-Jin stuttered in shock. Following Yoo-Jin''s gaze, I turned to look at my left arm where the fabric was torn and frayed. The wound wasn''t severe but a bit worse than a scrape. I seemed to have been injured by the knife Anita was holding when I collided with her. "Oh, it''s nothing. I tried to dodge it, but I guess it didn''t work. Ha ha. Still, this isn''t too bad. A bit of ointment and it''ll heal quickly," I replied. That was when Lee Yung-Jin burst through the door holding a frying pan in hand. "Miss Yoo-Jin~~!!" Lee Mi-Ri also appeared right behind him with a long stick in her hand and adopting a kendo stance. I said to them, "The situation is over. Everything is okay, so you guys can both rx." "What?" "I''ll tell you all about itter. So Yung-Jin, put that down. And you too, Mdm. Lee." Then Yoo-Jin carefully handed over the sleepy Miso to Lee Yung-Jin. "Yung-Jin oppa, please look after Miso." "Oh, okay," replied the still-startled Lee Yung-Jin. After entrusting Miso to Lee Yung-Jin, Yoo-Jin hurried over to me. Then she quickly pulled out a towel and began wrapping my arm with it. "Yoo-Jin, I''m okay, really. It''s not that bad," I assured her. But Yoo-Jin didn''t listen to me and started tightly wrapping my arm with the towel. Lee Mi-Ri went downstairs to get an emergency kit, but Yoo-Jin didn''t seem to have the patience to wait. "You''re always like this. Always! Whether it''s stopping a runaway car or fighting gangsters at Uncle Music, you always put others first and never care about your own life. Do you think you¡¯re Superman or something?" Yoo-Jin grumbled. Yoo-Jin''s mumbling pierced my heart. I had no idea she''d remember all those things. Because of that, I could only extend my arm without saying anything back. In an instant, my arm was tightly wrapped in a towel. I felt like I was wearing Thanos'' gauntlet. Yoo-Jin sighed heavily and then turned toward Anita, who was now tied up with cable ties and unable to move. "You! Be thankful Yoon-Ho oppa isn''t seriously hurt!" Yoo-Jin berated her. From then on, Yoo-Jin started scolding Anita in Korean which thetter couldn''t understand. *** While Yoo-Jin was berating Anita, Ricky came to report the situation. Apparently, gang member Chris had betrayed his aplice after knowing that there was money in the first-floor safe and tried to hog it all for himself. Unaware of this, aplice Anita had used a VIP emergency exit to sneak into Yoo-Jin''s second-floor bedroom. That was the reason she didn''t encounter Ricky or me guarding the first-floor stairway. Ricky bowed. "Chris is tied up on the first floor and I''ve called the resort manager. Mr. Jason will soon catch the aplices outside and then everyone will be taken to the police station. I''ll dly ept any reprimands for the securitypse." "There''s no need for reprimands. Let''s just focus on wrapping this situation up without an issue." At that moment, Jason called me. -Mr. Jung, we''ve arrested one of the Ahas Organization members waiting outside. Jason vowed to handle all the troublesome matters himself, ensuring that all the gang members would be handed over to the police. As things were nearly wrapped up, Yoo-Jin said to me with a displeased expression, "Oppa, leave the follow-up to Yung-Jin oppa and go to the hospital first. Okay?" But I couldn''t leave the follow-up to the clueless Lee Yung-Jin. "Hold on. I''ll finish this quickly," I replied. After calming Yoo-Jin down, I repeatedly issued instructions to Ricky. At that moment, Miso ran up to me and tilted her head curiously. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, you''re bleeding. Doesn''t it hurt?" "Not at all." "You''re lying, aren''t you? You''re just pretending it doesn¡¯t hurt," Miso said with a worried expression. I smiled at her. "No, it''s true." "Really?" "Yes." Relieved, Miso sighed and then hugged me tightly. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, don¡¯t get hurt. I¡¯ll start crying if you get hurt." I patted her back as she spoke with a worried voice. "Okay, I won¡¯t. Were you scared, Miso?" I asked. "No. I wasn''t scared at all thanks to Uncle Yoon-Ho!" Miso eximed. At that moment, Miso seemed to remember something and whispered in my ear. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, Mom was really scared." I nodded. "I know." "Then let''s go to the hospital first like Mom said, okay?" Miso urged me. When Miso urged me as well, I could no longer continue giving work instructions. "Okay, I will." After detaching Miso who was clinging to me, I turned toward Yoo-Jin facing the wall. "Fine, Yoo-Jin. I''ll stop working and go to the hospital." Still turned away, Yoo-Jin answered gruffly. "Are you going right now?" "Yes, I am." Only then did Yoo-Jin turn around, and I noticed tear streaks in her eyes. Meeting my gaze, she hastily wiped her tears and said, "H-hurry up and go to the hospital, oppa." In the meantime, Lee Mi-Ri arrived with the first aid kit. "Just a moment! Miss Yoo-Jin, let''s disinfect it first. And don''t worry, I''ve called someone for help." Untying the Thanos-like gauntlet that Yoo-Jin had tightly wrapped was harder than expected. Eventually, we had to use scissors from the emergency kit to cut the towel. While disinfecting, everyone confirmed that the wound wasn''t as bad as they feared. Sighs of relief were heard from around. Simultaneously, Park Bull-Chool and Kim Chang-Jin burst in wearing pajamas. "Team Lead Jung! What happened here?" "Miss Yoo-Jin, are you okay?" "What''s going on? What is all this chaos?" Kim Chang-Jin eximed in shock at the scene unfolding before him. "T-Team Lead Jung! Why is the room like this? And what about that wound?" "It''s all over, so don''t worry," I assured them. I exined the situation briefly to Kim Chang-Jin and asked him to handle the cleanup. "Y-yes. Leave it to me," Kim Chang-Jin answered. Soon after, the hotel''s general manager arrived with staff members. After receiving apologies from the continuously apologizing hotel general manager, I headed to the hospital with Lee Yung-Jin. On the way to the hospital, I looked at my phone and thought to myself, ''Thank you, Everyday.'' Thanks to the updated Everyday app, I was able to defy fate once again. Chapter 190: Leaving Bohol Island (1)

Chapter 190: Leaving Bohol Ind (1)

The turquoise sea began to part on both sides under a cloudless blue sky. As the pristine white sand beach slowly revealed itself, a long crescent-shaped sandy beach appeared before us. The moment the beautiful sight of the Virgin Inds was unveiled, Park Bull-Chool disembarked from the boat and shouted, "AD Kim, please ask the tourists for their understanding. And AD Choi, could you ask the tourism office staff to control the crowd?" There were dozens of boats also preparing to dock. Since it was a major tourist destination, the assistant directors quickly disembarked to start controlling the crowd. "We apologize. We''ll finish filming as soon as possible." "It won''t take long." Thanks to the swift actions of the assistant directors, we were able to use about half of the Virgin Inds for our shoot. The boat carrying Yoo-Jin, Miso, and otherpany staff also arrived at the Virgin Inds. However, seawater was surging in ces where the water was shallow enough to touch the bottom. Ssh! I jumped into the seawater first and turned my back to Yoo-Jin. "Climb on." "It''s okay, oppa. I can get down holding my clothes," Yoo-Jin replied. "No, you''re shooting in that dress. If the hem gets wet, you''ll have to change clothes again," I insisted. Yoo-Jin hesitated and nodded. "Alright." After hesitating, Yoo-Jin gently climbed onto my back. She held onto my neck with both hands, but I couldn''t tell if she was on my back or not because she was so light from skipping meals all day yesterday. Even during the short walk to the sandy beach, Yoo-Jin chattered non-stop. "Am I heavy?" Yoo-Jin asked. "Not really," I answered. "Hmph. Would it hurt to say I''m light?" Yoo-Jin had been talkative since the morning, perhaps because she was embarrassed about getting angry yesterday when I got injured. After carrying Yoo-Jin to the pristine sandy beach, Lee Yung-Jin and Lee Mi-Ri hurried after us. Lee Yung-Jin disembarked holding Miso and Lee Mi-Ri was getting down with the clothing bags. Once everyone arrived at the sandy beach, Park Bull-Chool quickly gave orders. "Okay, we''ll shoot for just one hour. Staff, move quickly. And since Miss Yoo-Jin needs to film barefooted, those who are free should check the sand again for any debris." The Virgin Inds were open for about an hour and a half. Having to capture numerous shots within that time, the staff began to move hectically. I entrusted Yoo-Jin and Miso to Lee Mi-Ri and started scanning the sandy beach with Lee Yung-Jin. *** With the signal from Park Bull-Chool, Yoo-Jin stood on the deserted sandy beach. "Miss Yoo-Jin, are you ready?" Park Bull-Chool asked. "Yes, sir!" Yoo-Jin eximed. Park Bull-Chool looked at the staff and shouted, "How''s the shooting team doing on the boat?" "We''re good to go!" Aside from the sandy beach, preparations were also underway on a boat about ten meters away. "Let''sunch the drone first," Park Bull-Chool instructed. A filming drone took off from behind us with a whirring sound. Subsequently, Park Bull-Chool called two assistant directors holding a portable green chroma key background. "AD Choi and AD Kim, run and stand behind Miss Yoo-Jin with the background as soon as the cut is called!" "Yes, Mr. Park." The meticulous instructions were over in the blink of an eye. "Alright then. Staff who are free, please continue to control the tourists. We''ll start shooting as soon as it gets quiet," Park Bull-Chool added. The moment the surroundings quieted down with the help of the staff, Park Bull-Chool shouted to start filming, "Ready~~ Action!" As the call to start filming echoed, Yoo-Jin, dressed in a white dress, began walking barefooted on the sandy beach of the Virgin Inds. Her white dress fluttered in the wind and her long hair whipped about. As she walked slowly, Yoo-Jin carefully took out a Cocari Sweat can stuck in the sand. The can was coated with seawater and sand. However, the unfazed Yoo-Jin opened the can and began to drink refreshingly. Gulp, gulp. After taking about three sips, Yoo-Jin pulled the can from her lips and shivered slightly. Then turning around slowly, she began to smile brightly at the camera. Yoo-Jin looked more beautiful than anyone in the world as she stood against the backdrop of the blue sky, sparkling white sand, and turquoise sea. ''She looks beautiful,'' I thought to myself. A proud smile appeared on my face without me realizing it. Simultaneously, Park Bull-Chool''s voice rang out. "Cut~! Wow, that was fantastic. Miss Yoo-Jin, we''ll do a bust shot and close-up of the face right away in a minute! Please be ready to go again." "Yes, sir!" Now a perfect celebrity, Yoo-Jin continued the same performance several times. Since it was an on-location shoot, the same scene had to be captured from various angles repeatedly. *** Thanks to Park Bull-Chool''s rapid filming and Yoo-Jin''s wless performance, we finished thest scene before even an hour had passed. We had scheduled a three-day shoot in case we couldn''t finish in one day, but it seemed that wouldn''t be necessary. "Cut! That''s a wrap," Park Bull-Chool called out with a pleased expression. "Great work everyone!" The staff celebrated the quick conclusion of the shoot. "Let''s quickly pack up the equipment! The tide wille in soon!" Park Bull-Chool reminded everyone. "Yes, Mr. Park!" The staff hurried to clear the equipment from the sandy beach since the equipment could not be reused if it got wet from the rising tide at the Virgin Inds. Lee Yung-Jin and I also began to help the staff pack up. Yoo-Jin offered to help as well but I made sure she and Miso could have some time alone. I wanted to give the exhausted Yoo-Jin and Miso at least some good memories after the shock ofst night''s events. *** It took only about 20 minutes to finish packing. Now, with roughly 10 minutes left before the Virgin Inds closed, Yoo-Jin and Miso dressed in a white dress were ying in the iing tide. "Miso, should wee back here again next time?" Yoo-Jin asked. "Yes, Mom. Let''se again!" Miso cried out excitedly. Despite squinting in the harsh sunlight, Miso''s face was brighter than anyone''s. At that moment, I quickly took out my phone and started to take pictures of the two. "Aren¡¯t you thirsty, Miso?" Yoo-Jin asked. "A little. But it''s okay. I can hold on," Miso replied. Yoo-Jin crouched down and pulled out the Cocari Sweat can she hadn''t removed earlier from the sand. "Do you want to drink this?" Miso looked at Yoo-Jin and asked, "Can I drink it?" "Of course, it''s fine." "Then I will!" Yoo-Jin, still crouched, carefully opened the can and handed it to Miso. Miso began to sip the drink little by little and held it with both hands. After a sip or two, Miso handed the drink back to Yoo-Jin. "Now you drink, Mom!" Yoo-Jin replied with a smile, "But I already had some earlier." "Mom''s been shooting and working hard. So drink a little more." Yoo-Jin embraced Miso with a bright smile and rubbed her cheek against Miso''s. "Aww. Thanks Miso. I love you." "He he, I love you too!" Miso eximed. Yoo-Jinughed as she drank the Cocari Sweat handed to her by Miso. The beverage, left out under the hot sun, was bound to be lukewarm. But Yoo-Jin drank it as if it were the most refreshing thing she had tasted today, given it was from Miso. Yoo-Jin then offered the Cocari Sweat can back to Miso. "Miso, do you want to drink some more?" Miso shook her head. "No, it''s okay." "Why? Aren''t you thirsty any more?" Miso looked around cautiously and pointed at the Cocari Sweat can. "Actually... it tastes like half seawater and half sugar water." "What? Ha ha, is that why you hardly drank any? Because it tasted bad?" Yoo-Jin chuckled. Miso smiled. "He he. I didn''t drink it because I thought you might be thirsty. Really!" "What~? Giving Mom something that tastes bad, huh? You''re in for a punishment!" Yoo-Jin teased Miso. Yoo-Jin tickled Miso''s sides. "Kya ha ha. Mom, Mom! It tickles!" Misoughed non-stop. The two continued tough joyfully even after setting aside the Cocari Sweat can. As the seawater began to cover more of the sandy beach, Yoo-Jin straightened her knees and stood up. "Miso, the water¡¯sing in. Shall we go now?" "Yes, Mom!" Yoo-Jin held Miso''s hand and started walking toward where I was. Yoo-Jin looked at me and waved her hand with a broad smile. "Oppa! We''re good to go now." Miso also waved her hand. "Uncle Yoon-Ho~!" I stopped the camera recording and told them, "You can take your time. We still have about ten minutes left." "It''s okay. We¡¯re done ying," said Yoo-Jin. That''s when I sensed a sudden presence nearby. "Mr. Jung, could you send me the footage you just shot?" Park Bull-Chool asked suddenly. I turned around and said, "Oh, Mr. Park? Why would you need it?" "It''s because Miss Yoo-Jin''s smile is so pleasant to watch. I think it could be useful." Park Bull-Chool asked again with a seriousness I hadn''t seen before. But since all the footage featured Miso, I set one condition. "Whether it''s for behind the scenes or Instargem, you''ll have to pay a separate modeling fee for Miso if you use this footage. Deal?" I said. Park Bull-Chool nodded. "Of course, I''ll make sure to get it from Chief Kim of Cocari Sweat!" Since Marine Boy Agency only handled the advertising production, the nning budget was managed by Kim Chang-Jin from Cocari Sweat. Park Bull-Chool assured me he would secure Miso''s modeling fee on my behalf. I nodded. ''That¡¯s definitely okay then.'' I told Park Bull-Chool that I would send him the files at the resort, and then had Yoo-Jin and Miso board the boat first. Once on the boat, I asked Yoo-Jin, "Did you like the shoot?" "It was the best. But can wee back here again next time?" Yoo-Jin asked with pleading eyes. Yoo-Jin gazed regretfully at the Virgin Inds slowly sinking beneath the waves, her face flushed with sunscreen despite the hot sun. "Of course we can," I replied with a smile. As I put a hat on Yoo-Jin¡¯s head, her slightly grimaced face brightened. "Thanks, oppa. By the way, what are we eating today? Did you find any good restaurants?" Even after yesterday''s turmoil, Yoo-Jin was still looking for good ces to eat. I broke the bad news to Yoo-Jin. "I¡¯m sorry, but we''re flying back home tonight." "What? Weren¡¯t we supposed to leave tomorrow night?" Yoo-Jin replied as her brows furrowed. "Yeah, but the schedule changed." I had reported the onsite situation to Gu Seong-Cheol in the early hour and decided to head back as soon as filming ended, given that we couldn¡¯t predict when the Ahas Organization might retaliate since Chris and Anita had been arrested. *** Because Park Bull-Chool and the Cocari Sweat team were set to return home as per the original schedule, we were the only ones who arranged an earlier return. Ricky promised to guard us until we reached the airport and didn''t sleep a wink to stay by our side. I was packing our luggage when I reassured Ricky, "Ricky, you don''t need to me yourself too much." "That''s nonsense, Boss. Something serious might have happened had we been a bitte," said Ricky. "Let''s not dwell on the past. But do you think the gang might try to retaliate if we were toe back to the Philippines next time?" I asked. "Are you...consideringing back?" "Yes, our littledy insists on returning. But I''m concerned about safety." Ricky''s face brightened up. "Don''t worry, Boss. Whether it''s Ahas or anyone else, I''ll make sure they can''t even get close. I''ll thoroughly sweep the resort and ensure everything is prepared next time you visit." "I''ll consider it then." Seeing Ricky''s expression lighten was reassuring. However, an unexpected guest appeared as we were about to leave for the airport. *** Jason, the president of the security firm, hade to the airport along with Eddie, the police chief of Bohol Ind. "I''vee to apologize on behalf of this region''sw enforcement for what happenedst night," Eddie apologized. Eddie, the police chief, deeply apologized for the incident involving Yoo-Jin at a high-end hotel resort. He mentioned that Chris, Anita, and the Ahas Organization members would soon face trial. I thanked him for the update, but Eddie hesitated as if he seemed to have more to say. "What is it, sir? Is everything okay?" I asked. As Eddie hesitated with his response, Jason scratched his head and spoke instead. "Mr. Jung, please hear us out without misunderstanding. But Daniel, the boss of the Ahas Organization, has sent a gift." "A gift...?" I was taken aback, almost disbelieving what I heard. ''They sent us a gift after all the chaos they caused? And the police chief and the president of a securitypany brought a gang boss¡¯s gift? What in the world was going on?'' Chapter 191: Leaving Bohol Island (2)

Chapter 191: Leaving Bohol Ind (2)

Police Chief Eddie of Bohol Ind ced a gift from Daniel, the boss of the Ahas Organization, on the table. Thud. The ck leather bag about 50 cm in size made a heavy sound as if something weighty was inside. "This is an apology from Daniel for the unfortunate incident yesterday," Eddie said. When I asked if it was a petition, Jason shook his head. "No. It¡¯smon for the small fries to get caught, and he¡¯s not someone who worries about lower-ranking members of the gang. Which is saying Daniel didn¡¯t orchestrate this incident either," Eddie exined. "Then what is this for?" I asked. Eddie hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Actually, Daniel of the Ahas Organization has a daughter named Annie..." "And?" "Annie got angry at her dad for the first time this morning, saying she''ll never be able to see Miss Yoo-Jin as long as she lives because of her dad''s subordinates," Eddie continued. My eyes widened. "No way. Is she a fan of Yoo-Jin?" Eddie nodded. He exined that Daniel''s daughter Annie was currently crying her heart out, ming it all on her dad. She believed she''d be hated by Yoo-JIn all her life because of her father''s poor management of his subordinates. Not knowing what to do to calm Annie, at the vtile age of 15, Daniel tried to mend the situation with a gift. Eddie sighed as he read my expression. "Honestly, I understand it might be hard to grasp." "No. I get about half of it. Even a gang boss has a soft spot for his daughter. But I''m more surprised you are directly involved," I replied. Gangs and police together looked like collusion from all angles. I never thought a high-ranking police official in charge of regional security would openly run errands for a gang. Noticing my suspicious look, Eddie scratched his head and exined himself. "Truth is, I''ve known Daniel since we were kids. But I''ve never engaged in any dishonorable activities ever since I became a police officer." He also mentioned that if Yoo-Jin epted the apology, he would ensure that the Koreans would never be bothered again. Despite knowing now that Daniel was a doting father, I was surprised by such an offer. While pondering the gang boss¡¯s proposal, Jason supported Eddie''s statement. "Daniel isn¡¯t one to lie though he''s a gang boss," Jason remarked. Eventually, I called for Yoo-Jin. "Yoo-Jin!" Yoo-Jin, who was preparing to return home on the second floor, came down. Yoo-Jin smiled after hearing the situation. "What¡¯s there to contemte about? Just say yes and that¡¯s it." "But I don¡¯t want you to be even slightly involved with a gang boss." "Then just don¡¯t ept the gift. And it''s not Annie¡¯s fault, is it? Please tell them I ept the apology." "Are you sure?" I asked. Yoo-Jin grinned. "If I can reduce crime by stepping in, why not?" "True. You''re like Mother Teresa," I remarked. "Well, I wouldn¡¯tpare myself to her...but if it¡¯s feasible, epting the apology seems like a good idea." I nodded. "Alright." At that moment, Yoo-Jin added as if she suddenly remembered something. "Oh, but oppa, if we don¡¯t ept the gift, they might think it''s a rejection. How about we send them my signature as a gift?" "That''s a good idea. Let¡¯s do that." When I conveyed Yoo-Jin''s decision to Eddie, he stood up abruptly and bowed. "Thank you. Thanks to Miss Yoo-Jin, it''ll be a safer ce for many tourists." "You''re wee." From that moment, Yoo-Jin began signing photos printed with her face. That''s when my eyes inadvertentlynded on the bag that Eddie had brought. To be honest, I was utterly curious about what the gift was. "Mr. Eddie, what exactly is the gift from Daniel?" I asked. Eddie''s face brightened once again. "Will you ept it?" I quickly shook my head. "No, I''m not asking with the intention of epting it. I just want to know what''s inside that thing to make such a heavy sound..." Zip. Eddie slowly unzipped the bag. ''No way. Could it be gold bars?'' I wondered. There they were, t golden lumps distinctly engraved with ''1,000g''. I swallowed my saliva and asked, "H-how many are there?" "There are ten. Don''t worry about customs, by the way. If you ept them, you can receive them in Korea." A gold bar of 1kg was worth about 60 million won, and ten of them would amount to a staggering 600 million won. ''600 million won for an apology? That''s just insane...'' I remarked inwardly. I nced at Yoo-Jin, wondering if she had seen them. Despite her calm face, Yoo-Jin''s hands were also trembling. Her usually neat signature now looked scribbled and erratic. "Oh, wh-why is this happening? Ha ha. Why are my hands shaking so badly?" Yoo-Jin muttered. Yoo-Jin stopped signing and gave an awkwardugh. Then she nced at the leather bag and whispered in my ear. "O-oppa? What, what is that?" "Gold bars," I replied. "Are they real gold bars? Not chocte shaped like gold bars or something like 18K?" Yoo-Jin continued. I turned to look at Yoo-Jin. "No, they''re pure gold. 1kg, 10 bars. You know all this, so why ask?" "Because I just can''t believe it. And he said he''s giving all these to us?" Yoo-Jin responded while blinking her eyes. I nodded. "Yes." "What, what...what did I do to deserve this?" Yoo-Jin stuttered. "Well, what you did was outright refuse Daniel''s gold bars without even looking at them," I replied while throwing her a look. Yoo-Jin''s throat moved up and down. She gulped and whispered cautiously in my ear. "Oppa, should we ask for them back?" I shook my head. "How can we ask for them back after outright refusing them? That''d be embarrassing." Yoo-Jin looked away and nodded slowly. "Right? It wouldn''t be proper." "Do you really want them that bad? Should I say something?" I asked. Yoo-Jin stared at me and then smiled. "Can''t you take a joke? And even if I said I wanted them, you should stop me! Surely, I wouldn''t covet proceeds from a crime?" "But why is your voice shaking?" I retorted. "How can I not shake seeing that much money? It''s not like I''m the Virgin Mary. Besides, think of how many bowls of soup that money could buy..." I nearly burst outughing and thought to myself, ''Typical Jung Yoo-Jin.'' I had been wondering when she would bring up soup. Thanks to this, the tension that surrounded my body scattered away. Yoo-Jin murmured to herself and resumed signing. "Wow. To think we refused that. Jung Yoo-Jin, you really are full of surprises!" Watching her signature regain its form, it seemed her wavering heart was steadying itself. ''Right. This is more like her.'' I thought. While Yoo-Jin was saving money for Miso, her stance of not crossing the line was admirable. No matter how hard a talent agent tried, we had no choice but to follow once a celebrity crossed that line. I felt a surge of pride and identally let my true feelings slip. "Thank you, Yoo-Jin." Yoo-Jin looked up. "Huh?" I quickly came to my senses. "Oh, it''s nothing. Just finish signing." Yoo-Jin pouted. "You distracted me and made me mess up my signature. Look at this!" ''No, those squiggles look like they''re because you were startled by the gold bars.'' I thought to myself. But fearing I might make things worse, I just kept my mouth shut. *** When we returned from the Philippines, we could safely get into the car unlike when we left. It was thanks to Choi Yang-Han having arranged for cooperation with the Incheon Airport Corporation, providing us with security from the moment we went through immigration. After sending Yoo-Jin and Miso home, I returned to my studio apartment in Jamsil and was knocked out in bed for the rest of the day. The next day, I checked my nner as soon as I woke up, and there was a new schedule for Yoo-Jin as usual. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: July 1, 2020] -11:00 a.m. [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] In the Name of God kick-off. Yangpyeong set in Gyeonggi Province. There were two things clear from the newly created nner. One: like Everyday V10, schedules could be deleted. Another was that schedules appeared specifically for Yoo-Jin. I wasn¡¯t sure how it would change with the next update, but I could hold onto the hope that I might have a glimpse of the future even if only in fragments. I closed my eyes and made a wish, ''Please take good care of me, Everyday V10.1.'' While I smiled looking at my phone, Haru¡¯s voice rang out. ¡°Hyung! Come eat if you''re up.¡± Haru had set the table after saying good morning. On the small table he brought out were stir-fried pork and kimchi stew. The tangy scent of the kimchi stew made my mouth water. "Alright. Let¡¯s eat." After quickly finishing the meal and doing the dishes, Haru took a shower. I mentioned the moving schedule to Haru while he was drying his hair. ¡°Haru, we''ll move to Yoo-Jin¡¯s ce by the end of this month.¡± ¡°Is the construction already finished?¡± Haru asked. ¡°Yeah, almost.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good...¡± With his hair still damp, Haru looked around the small studio apartment with a distant look in his eyes. It seemed he was already feeling nostalgic about leaving a space where he had been able to rx for the first time. I called out to him, ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s quickly get dressed and head over to Yoo-Jin¡¯s ce.¡± ¡°Okay, hyung!¡± Haru was currently in the process of transferring to Hanyoung Arts Junior High, where Sae-Ri was. For this reason, I was taking him to Yoo-Jin''s house on my way to work. He also needed to go to the Healthy Senior Center to carry out the Confidence Boost Project for the uing Master of Mukbang audition. *** After dropping off Haru with Jung In-Ji, I arrived at thepany. Tomorrow was thest stage performance for Cherry Blossom. Originally, I was supposed to finish the Cocari Sweat shoot and join Han Myung-Ho at the MBS venue tomorrow. But since the schedule in the Philippines was moved up a day, I ended uping straight to the office without taking a rest. I checked Yoo-Jin¡¯s Instargem after parking the car at thepany lot. [Jung Yoo-Jin@miso_1004] [Posts: 367, Followers: 280,000, Following: 270] Amazing turnout at the airport! Love you~! I love you all! Wo ai ni! Xie Xie! Ich liebe dich! Aishiteru!...Mahal kita! Nakupenda! (Photo: fan_sent_airport_photo.jpeg) #airportphoto #amazing #YooJinandMisofirsttripabroad#loveyou #didntexpectthismanyfans #nowacelebrity #star [Likes? 12,512] (Comments) -Risa99: Jung Yoo-Jin is so pretty! Miso, I love you so much! -YEDAM: Jung Yoo-Jin took a picture with everyone that day. She''s got an amazing personality, unlike most celebrities! -padopadomidam: Felt like a personal fan meet at the airport. Miso took pictures with everyone too. -burgerQ: Isn¡¯t Burger Queen making more ads? Why stop at the sequel? -tellmeSomething: Which brand is the outfit Jung Yoo-Jin wore at the airport from? "She really dug up all those ways to say ''I love you.'' But Mahal kita? Nakupenda? Whatnguages are those?" Curious about whichnguages they were, I found out that Mahal kita was Tagalog from the Philippines and Nakupenda was Swahili from East Africa. "I''m d she didn¡¯t go with Hakuna Matata...It would have been a major embarrassment for generations," I muttered. I was relieved to see that she had looked them up properly before posting them. "Now she has 280,000 followers. Wow. Jung Yoo-Jin. You''ve grown so much." I could feel Yoo-Jin''s rising poprity from her growing number of followers. The year-end awards depended not just on drama ratings but also heavily on fan support. "Maybe she''ll win an award this year." I was already looking forward to the end of the year. *** Cherry Blossom was ending their promotional activities for their song this week. Lee Dong-Min and I had prepared a few events to celebrate the hard work of Cherry Blossom. I stopped by Singer Division 2 first to check the progress of these events. Since everything was well prepared, I quickly moved on to the office after conveying my thanks. Upon reaching Team Jung''s office on the fourth floor, I found the tanned Lee Yung-Jin entertaining people with exaggerated tales from the Philippines. "...so I grabbed a frying pan and went after the robber!" Do Ran-Hee looked puzzled. "You did, oppa?" "Yes, it was me!" Lee Yung-Jin eximed. ''What a liar,'' I thought to myself. All he had actually done was console the frightened Miso with a hug. "Then oppa, you caught the robber?" Do Ran-Hee asked with doubt. "Of course, I..." Just then, Lee Yung-Jin''s voice started to falter when he spotted me arriving at work. "...helped and contributed to catching the robber, I suppose. I was a big help." "Help? Contributed?" At that moment, Lee Yung-Jin bowed to me. "Good morning, Mr. Jung." He winked at me, signaling me to back up his story. I contemted, ''Hm, what should I do? Well, he did look after Miso and took her to the hospital. So saying he was helpful wouldn''t be entirely false.'' Do Ran-Hee turned to me. "Mr. Jung! Is what Yung-Jin oppa saying true?" "Yes. It would have been really dangerous without Yung-Jin," I replied. Lee Yung-Jin¡¯s face lit up. "See? Do you think I only make things up all the time?" Do Ran-Hee pouted. "Pfft. You always exaggerate so much, that''s why!" I made a circle with my thumb and index finger toward Lee Yung-Jin. Every lie had its price, after all. Lee Yung-Jin grudgingly nodded. ''He better treat me to a meal,'' I thought to myself as I tried to hide my snigger. Then, I quickly changed the topic. "Alright, enough chit-chat. Let''s prepare for the meeting. Tomorrow is Cherry Blossom¡¯sst performance. Ran-Hee, is everything ready?" Do Ran-Hee confidently puffed out her chest. "Of course." But at that moment, I received a call from Lee Dong-Min. -Yoon-Ho,e to the conference room. We have a team leads¡¯ meeting for the entire Singer''s Divisions. "Pardon? Right now?" -Yes. Director Lee Gi-Cheol wants to discuss something about Cherry Blossom. It seems our ns might be jeopardized. Come up here as soon as possible! We had carefully prepared the events to mark the end of Cherry Blossom¡¯s weekend music show performances, but now Lee Gi-Cheol was trying to interfere. ''Who does he think he is?'' I got upset at the thought of Lee Gi-Cheol''s interference. I hung up the phone and headed straight to the conference room. I couldn''t just watch as my ns were being upended, even if it meant shing with Lee Gi-Cheol. Chapter 192: Joyful Wrap-Up (1)

Chapter 192: Joyful Wrap-Up (1)

In the music market overrun with idols, countless new artists and songs emerged overnight, and thepetition to win fans'' hearts seemed endless. That''s why it was so crucial not to lose the fans'' attention even when pausing their activities. This was especially true for Cherry Blossom who only had a fancafe and not an official fan club yet. A mere pause in activity after wrapping up the promotion for an album could lead fans to leave and support other idols. Therefore, I nned a ''Thank You'' event for the fans, but now Lee Gi-Cheol was trying to disrupt my ns. As I entered the meeting room on the sixth floor, Lee Gi-Cheol was gathered with Kang Ji-Yung, talent agents, and team leads from Singer Divisions 1 and 2. Publicity Division Team Lead Sung Min-Suk and Choreography Team Lead Seong Eun-Soo were also present today. The meeting started as soon as I sat down since I was thest to arrive. Lee Gi-Cheol asked with an eager expression, "How is Cherry Blossom doing right now?" Kang Ji-Yung responded, "We''ve wrapped up all the broadcasts and events, leaving just the weekend music shows." Lee Gi-Cheol nodded and said, "Right, it¡¯s time to wrap up their activities. Oh, and you mentioned the members aren''t feeling well, huh? Send them to a hospital for a check-up once they''re done." "We¡¯ve been managing their condition with regr clinic visits," Kang Ji-Yung replied. Lee Gi-Cheol suggested in a stern voice, "Hey, I mean send them to a proper ce like a university hospital. They''re pirs of ourpany and they deserve better treatment!" It was clear why Lee Gi-Cheol was suddenly taking care of Cherry Blossom¡ªit was because the situation with Golden Road, another major revenue source for thepany, was not great. Golden Road had been breaking apart and acting recklessly ever since Eun Ji-Yoo left, leading to constantints from Japan. For this reason, he was trying to improve rtions with Cherry Blossom with the aim of getting them to debut in Japan. I frowned and thought, ''Surely, Choi Man-Sik must have had a hand in this.'' But of course, neither Kang Ji-Yung nor Lee Dong-Min blinked an eye. Lee Gi-Cheol then addressed Sung Min-Suk this time. "Team Lead Sung, how much budget have we set aside for this weekend''s publicity efforts?" "We¡¯re thinking up to 50 million won," Sung Min-Suk answered. "No way, that''s not enough! Raise it to 100 million won. Have the whole publicity division treat the reporters to a good meal, and...you know what I mean, right?" said Lee Gi-Cheol who hesitated toplete his sentence. Lee Gi-Cheol was trying to imply further entertainment. However, Lee Dong-Min objected this time. "Um, Mr. Lee?" Lee Dong-Min spoke up. "What is it?" "Can''t we just proceed with our original n? Everything¡¯s prepared and the budget has already been allocated." Lee Gi-Cheol''s face contorted with repeated opposition. "Look, Chief Lee. Even though it''s only temporary, I''m still taking on the role of the president. Don¡¯t you understand that?" "Of course I do. How could I not? But I''m only suggesting this because there''s a better way," Lee Dong-Min retorted. Lee Dong-Min, once called the weakest director, now had a strong voice since Cherry Blossom was doing well. "Why is everyone opposing me? Let''s hear your ns then," Lee Gi-Cheol said. Lee Dong-Min looked toward me and motioned for me to speak. "Team Lead Jung, why don''t you report our ns instead?" Lee Gi-Cheol''s face twisted. "Team Lead Jung?" Cha Sang-Jin from Singer Division 1 looked just as displeased. I nodded politely and then brought up a PowerPoint file on the LCD screen in the meeting room. "This week''s stage is for their tenth consecutive number-one challenge. Reporters will write articles about it regardless of whether we pay them," I exined. Lee Gi-Cheol muttered discontentedly. "Ahem. You never know." But I simply ignored hisment and continued. "I''m nning to provide headbands, light sticks, other merchandise, and packed lunches for the fans attending the music show for the finale. This will be a grand gesture of reverse gifting." Cha Sang-Jin from Singer Division 1 challenged this idea. "Why would you do reverse gifting for the fans? It seems beneath us." Having only dealt with stars prone to celebrity syndrome, Cha Sang-Jin didn¡¯t realize the importance of fans. To him, fans were nothing more than ATMs. "By reverse gifting, fans who post on Instargem will create additional advertising impact. Several of our fan club members are Instargem influencers with over 200,000 followers." Despite my exnation, those from the Suhyaejong line were frowning. A few team leads and Lee Gi-Cheol continued to give negativements despite my clear reasoning. That''s when Kang Ji-Yung made a decisive statement. "I fully agree with Team Lead Jung''s suggestion. If you had objections, you should have mentioned them earlier. What is thisst-minute opposition the day before the stage?" Lee Gi-Cheol retorted in a sharp voice, "Director Kang! Are you serious? You''re just going with what the junior team lead wants?" "Yes. It was that junior team lead who had brought Cherry Blossom this far. Shouldn''t it be the management''s job to help to ensure a proper wrap-up?" Kang Ji-Yung barked back. "What? What did you say?" Lee Gi-Cheol replied in shock. Kang Ji-Yung looked at me. "Team Lead Jung, proceed as nned. I can cover the costs from the discretionary budget I control if necessary." Despite Lee Gi-Cheol''s pressure, Kang Ji-Yung was unppable and didn''t even blink an eye. Thanks to her, the discussion continued without changes to my n. As Cherry Blossom grew in poprity and Golden Road faded, Kang Ji-Yung''s words carried more weight than before. Indeed, the poprity of the celebrities directly influenced a talent agent¡¯s power in this industry. Eventually, the flustered Lee Gi-Cheol mmed up. From that point on, Lee Dong-Min led the meeting. As the meeting was about to end, Han Myung-Ho requested to speak. With Kang Ji-Yung''s nod, Han Myung-Ho addressed Seong Eun-Soo, the choreography team lead. "Team Lead Seong, Cherry Blossom needs the rehearsal studio for their farewell stage. Can you free it up for a while?" Seong Eun-Soo had held a grudge since choreographer Park Seon-Nyeo was hired and constantly disrupted Cherry Blossom¡¯s rehearsals. At that time, Cherry Blossom had to shuttle between an aerobics ss and a small theater for their practices. This was Han Myung-Ho¡¯s moment for subtle revenge. At that moment, Seong Eun-Soo¡¯s face turned pale. "Wh-what time do you need it?" "Oh, I don''t know. Probably for the foreseeable future?" Han Myung-Ho replied with a smirk. Seeing Han Myung-Ho''s smirk annoyed Seong Eun-Soo, causing her face to turn red with anger. However, this was not just simple revenge. Having priority over thergest rehearsal studio was a form of power within the singers¡¯ division. At Hoop Entertainment, debuted idols and those preparing for debut usually used the main studio. Trainees assessed their own status by which studio they used¡ªwhether they would debut or remain trainees indefinitely. The problem was that Seong Eun-Soo had been ying games with the young trainees, knowing how desperate they were better than anyone. If they obeyed, they were able to use Studio 1. Otherwise, they were relegated to Studio 3. But that could no longer happen under our watch. Suddenly stripped of her influence, Seong Eun-Soo trembled and struggled to respond. "I-I will make sure that Studio 1 is avable from today..." That''s when Han Myung-Ho burst into heartyughter. "Ha ha ha. Oh, I''m sorry. I feel so bad." But Han Myung-Ho didn''t look sorry at all. With that, the meeting concluded. Now, I needed to check the gifts for Cherry Blossom''s fans onest time. Ensuring Cherry Blossom had a graceful exit from thest stage was also my responsibility as their talent agent. Besides, my nned event held one more hidden purpose. *** On the night before the weekend music show, I headed to the second basement level to check Bang Seon-Woo and Jang Ye-Bin''s progress on Cherry Blossom¡¯s uing song. However, I couldn¡¯t enter the studio since the recording session was in full swing. "Why won''t these people go home..." I muttered to myself. I sat in a chair in front of Studio 1, waiting for Bang Seon-Woo''s recording session to end. The next track was already fully prepared in advance. Currently, Bang Seon-Woo was enhancing the quality of the song through arrangement work. Cherry Blossom''s next tracks were a hook song titled ''HIT ME UP!'', a pop bad titled ''Summer Snowkes,'' and a dance song titled ''First Feeling.'' Among them, ''Summer Snowkes'' and ''First Feeling'' were hit songs giarized by Epil.K in my past life which catapulted Girlfriends7 to stardom. They were number one for four and three weeks respectively. That''s why I pushed for ''Summer Snowkes'' as the title track. If Bang Seon-Woo finished the arrangement, I believed it could achieve more than just four weeks at number one. However, I postponed deciding on the title track after hearing the song ''HIT ME UP!'', which I hadn''t heard before in my past life. The moment I heard it, everyone in the studio and all the staff of Singer Division 2 unanimously eximed, ''This is going to be a hit!'' So the final decision was dyed until after the arrangement work for ''HIT ME UP!'' currently ying in the studio waspleted. About ten minutester, the work paused momentarily. Not knowing when Bang Seon-Woo would resume, I abruptly opened the door and entered Studio 1. "Oh? Yoon-Ho hyung. When did you get here?" Bang Seon-Woo asked. "Seon-Woo, wouldn''t it be alright to finish the arrangement now?" I replied. Bang Seon-Woo, wearing a stretched-out orange T-shirt, scratched his head. "Well, that''s..." At that moment, Jang Ye-Bin, who was seated beside him, shook her head. "We''re just getting started. Seon-Woo here is a perfectionist, so it''ll be a while before he''s done." "Then when do you think it''ll be finished? I want to let the girls hear it." Bang Seon-Woo scratched his head again. "Well... I''m not sure..." Although Bang Seon-Woo was tender-hearted, he was relentless when it came to music. "Alright. Let''s talk again once it''s finished," I said. Bang Seon-Woo nodded in relief. "Okay, hyung!" I was certain that a better song would emerge once Bang Seon-Woo''s worries were over. "But when''s thest time you went home?" "I go home every day now. Ran-Hee noona takes me to and from work." "Then why are you dressed like that?" I asked as I scanned him from head to toe. "Oh, these are my working clothes. Ipose better in them for some reason," Bang Seon-Woo scratched his head and replied. When Bang Seon-Woo pointed to the neck of his stretched T-shirt, Jang Ye-Bin giggled beside him and added, "Apparently, the stretched neck makes his soul feel free," ''What nonsense. It''s probably because it''s the clothes he wears at home in his room,'' I remarked inwardly. Bang Seon-Woo red at Jang Ye-Bin. "What about you, noona? You don¡¯t wash your hair when you work..." "Hey! Do you have a death wish? Who says that I don''t wash my hair!? I shower every day!" As Bang Seon-Woo revealed Jang Ye-Bin''s secret, her face turned bright red. ''I mean, it''s normal for people to have one superstition or another. She doesn''t wash her hair? So what? She''s among the industry''s finest, after all,'' I thought. I mediated between the two, who kept fighting and dissing each other. At that moment, Sae-Ri''s boisterous voice echoed through the basement studio corridor. "Seon-Woo oppa! I''m here!" Soon after, I heard the sounds of the Cherry Blossom members approaching. ''Why are they here at this hour? They should be preparing for thest music broadcast early tomorrow morning,'' I wondered. Sae-Ri burst through the studio door. "Oh? You''re here too, Yoon-Ho oppa? Weren''t you busy today? What are you doing here?" "Things ended earlier than I expected," I replied. Sae Ri remarked, "As expected~ sopetent. In that spirit, Sae-hi~." Sae-Ri raised both hands for a double high-five and quickly approached me. I too raised my hands to return the high-five. But just then. Sae-Ri suddenly stopped in her tracks. She abruptly stretched her neck forward and buried her face in my chest, sniffing. Then she clutched her nose with a frown. "Ew. Smells like alcohol. You drank, didn''t you, Yoon-Ho oppa?" Indeed, I had a drink with dinner apanied by pork belly. Though it was just one shot, Sae-Ri remarkably caught the scent. ''But I even sprayed Febreze. Doesn''t she smell the pork belly though?'' I thought to myself. I gently pushed away Sae-Ri''s small head sniffing at my chest. But Sae-Ri cleverly noticed that I had eaten pork belly as well. "Huh? Did you eat pork belly too? Wow, Yoon-Ho oppa. This is betrayal. Total betrayal! You know that, right?" Due to the greasiness of pork belly often causing stomach troubles, it was strictly off Cherry Blossom''s menu during their activities. They mainly had proteins like boiled eggs and chicken breasts, and only asionally had beef bulgogi. Thanks to this, Sae-Ri approached me with her hands on her hips in protest. "We get boring proteins and you get to eat delicious pork belly? Don''t you think that''s a bit too mean, Yoon-Ho oppa? I''m going to tell the other unnies about this!" "Fine, fine. There''s not long until your activities end. I promise to buy you all the pork belly as much as you want once your activities are over. I''ll buy you a pork belly or fiveyer belly[1] if you want," I coaxed her. Only then did Sae-Ri''s face lighten up. "Really? Then it''s a promise! You absolutely can''t forget to treat us until we''re so stuffed that we can''t eat any more, okay?" "Yes, it''s a promise." Finally, Sae-Ri''s face brightened. In the meantime, the rest of the Cherry Blossom members entered the studio. "Oh? You were here too, oppa?" The visibly exhausted members of Cherry Blossom seemed surprised to see me as they walked in with slumped shoulders. The time was now 11 p.m. They should be resting at the dormitory, considering they had to go to theirst music broadcast tomorrow. I looked at them and asked, "Why are you all here and not sleeping? You should be resting since we have a schedule tomorrow." At that moment, Sae-Ri suddenly started to say somethingpletely unexpected. 1. pork belly with skin ? Chapter 193: Joyful Wrap-Up (2)

Chapter 193: Joyful Wrap-Up (2)

"I''m nervous," Sae-Ri muttered. "Nervous? You, Sae-Ri?" I asked in disbelief. Sae-Ri exined why Cherry Blossom hade to the recording studio in the middle of the night with a face full of worry. ''They''re nervous after staying as number one for nine weeks and likely to do so again this week?'' I remarked inwardly. I nced at Woo Yeon-Hee for boration, not quite understanding what Sae-Ri meant. Woo Yeon-Hee, also looking worried, continued, "We were worried if this might be the end for us. That''s why we came to secretly listen to our next song." Eun-Ah joined the conversation. "To me, tonight feels like thest night of my life that I''ll never experience again...I couldn''t sleep." As Eun-Ah had grown more confident, she spoke with a vocabry and tone that were somewhat stronger than average. For this reason, I had advised her to think twice before speaking¡ªand this seemed to be her filteredment. ''Thest night of her life that she''ll never experience again? If this is what she says after giving it a second thought, what on earth did she first intend to say?'' I couldn''t help but wonder. Bute to think of it, Eun-Ah had indeed asionally shaken up the entertainment industry with her bold statements even in my past life. She had even confronted renowned directors if things didn''t go right. Sae-Ri spoke fast and pressed me for an answer as if rapping. "Oppa, oppa! Yoon-Ho oppa! Are we going to be okay? You said our next song is really good, right? Right? Is it really okay for us to rest like this?" To alleviate the worries of Cherry Blossom, I thought about ying the new song for them right this moment here. But I soon changed my mind. After all, these kids needed mental rest as much as physical rest. I pointed to the sofa. "Guys, take a seat over here for a second." The four members sat opposite me on the sofa. And like four meerkats, they started staring at me in the same pose. I slowly spoke while making eye contact with each one of them. "You''ve all worked hard. The new song is good, but let''s not worry about that now and just focus on tomorrow." "But..." "Sae-Ri." "Yes?" "It''s good to give it all you''ve got, and I''m proud of that. But do you know what people call it when you go beyond that?" "What do they call it?" "Greed." Sae-Ri pursed her lips and bowed her head, and the other three did the same. "Greed isn''t bad. Of course, you should have some. But let''s not be too greedy. Otherwise, it bes frustrating and stressful like now." I thought I had convinced them sufficiently, but the expressions of Cherry Blossom members looked gloomy. Tomorrow was their final stage, and this was no way to end the night before. I spoke to the girls with a slightly perked voice. "Want me to tell you a way to deal with the stress you''re feeling now?" At that moment, Sae-Ri widened her eyes and asked. "What is it? Is that even possible?" The other three also looked at me with bright eyes. "Just live for today. Worry only about today''s issues, and leave tomorrow''s concerns for tomorrow. Leave the rest to the talent agents." This was something I had heard from Ju Yung-In in my past life. She asked why I would unnecessarily worry about tomorrow when even today''s worries are hard enough. Thanks to this way of thinking, Ju Yung-In had never suffered from insomnia or panic attacks. But of course, this was only possible because Ju Yung-In was prone to passing troublesome matters onto her talent agents. Members of Cherry Blossom sank into their thoughts. Then they slowly started nodding one by one. "Got it." "It won''t be easy, but I''ll try." As their expressions softened from the worries, Woo Yeon-Hee was the first to speak after letting out a long sigh. "And...We''re sorry. It''s not that we don''t trust Seon-Woo oppa''s capabilities, but it''s just that we keep feeling anxious." I patted my chest to reassure them to trust me and thepany. "There''s nothing to be sorry about. You just need to hone your skills and give your all in every schedule without embarrassing the fans. Thepany will take care of the rest." But at that moment, all four of them started to well up with tears. Then Sae-Ri first grabbed my left arm, followed by Yang Eun-Bi grabbing my right arm. Woo Yeon-Hee and Eun-Ah quickly grabbed my arms as well and eximed. "Yoon-Ho oppa. Will you keep looking after us in the future?" "Even if you get busier, will you still be our talent agent?" "Oppa, if you leave us... we might really be in trouble." ''Don''t worry. We won''t part ways no matter what. Even if I travel back in time again, I wille back to find you guys,'' I said quietly in my heart. "Hey, hey. Miss Lee Ju-Yung is here too. Don''t you guys think you''re relying too much on me?" I teased. Lee Ju-Yung leaned against the door and waved her hand. "Ha ha ha. Don''t worry about me. I prefer less attention anyway." Although Cherry Blossom apologized btedly, Lee Ju-Yung simplyughed it off. I smiled and said, "Anyway, you should all get going now. Everyone go get some sleep. And do well on stage tomorrow. How?" All of them eximed in unison, "Professionally!" Before I knew it, the four members of Cherry Blossom had be inseparable from me. *** It was the day of the broadcast of the MBS Show! Music Center. Ten weeks ago, the number one spot at MBS was initially imed by Petite More through deliberate maniption of the rankings. But after correcting the rankings, Cherry Blossom''s new song took first ce, and their record of holding first ce started from the Saturday MBS music show. Hence, this would potentially mark their tenth week in first ce. Today was the day they were attempting a historic new record in Korea after the legendary girl group Girls'' Era had their nine-week streak. As soon as I opened my eyes in the morning, I headed to thepany and waited in the underground parking lot for the girls. Having just finished an early morning meeting, Cherry Blossom appeared slightly drained as they exited the elevator. Alongside them were Kang Ji-Yung, Lee Dong-Min, Han Myung-Ho, and Lee Ju-Yung, all there to send off Cherry Blossom for their final tenth-week number-one stage. The members of Cherry Blossom turned to the staff who had followed them to the parking lot and bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle. "We''ll be off!" "We''lle back with number one!" After bidding farewell, Cherry Blossom headed toward their usual van which had clocked 300,000 km. However, I raised my hand and called the girls over to where I was standing."Girls, over here!" Cherry Blossom''s eyes widened. "That car... what is it?" Behind me stood two Merciless Bends Springer VIP Editions which were usually reserved only for VVIPs. Springer 1 was a high-roof vehicle that was nearly 7 meters long with a height of about 2 meters 90 cm. Springer 2 had a normal roof but was almost 6 meters long and 2 meters 40 cm tall. The first Springer destined for Cherry Blossom was equipped with four seats simr to those used in first-ss aircraft cabins with a space at the back for a stylist. And the second Springer was to be used by me for picking up Yoo-Jin and other actors. This change was a reflection of the evolving status of celebrities under my care, prompting thepany to provide fittingly superior treatment. Once again, I pointed to Springer 1 for Cherry Blossom. "This is the car you''ll be riding starting from today. The old ones will be kept as backups." As Cherry Blossom stood there stunned, Kang Ji-Yung burst outughing from behind. "Cherry Blossom has worked very hard. So from now on, you should ride something befitting your level." At that moment, the members of Cherry Blossom finally snapped out of their daze. "T-thank you so much." It seemed like such a gift was beyond their wildest dreams and they all looked visibly delighted. Kang Ji-Yung clenched her fists energetically. "Alright, Cherry Blossom. Do well on today''s stage as always, okay?" In unison, the Cherry Blossom members shouted in loud voices. "Okay!" They cheered and stood in front of the car. As the sliding door opened, they all eagerly awaited to board the vehicle. At that moment, the ovepping stages of the year-end awards ceremony began to blend into the back view of Cherry Blossom. ''Could it be that Kang Ji-Yung bought the car in advance for the year-end preparations?'' I wondered. Lately, popr idols have been riding Merciless Bends Springer ss cars at year-end award ceremonies. The high roof meant less bending when getting out and therge body exuded a formidable presence. If Cherry Blossom won a ten-week consecutive first ce today, there would be nopetition for them at this year¡¯s year-end awards. I couldn''t help butugh as I read Kang Ji-Yung¡¯s intention. But while the sliding door was fully open, the Cherry Blossom members showed no signs of getting in. "What''s wrong? Why aren''t you getting in?" I asked. At my question, all the members of Cherry Blossom turned their gazes toward Woo Yeon-Hee. "Huh? Girls, what is it~?" I continued asking. When Woo Yeon-Hee looked puzzled, the other three members spoke in unison. "The leader should pick the seat first." At that moment, Woo Yeon-Hee covered her mouth with an emotional expression. As Sae-Ri hurried her saying there was no time, Woo Yeon-Hee agreed and headed for the left seat in the back row. Just then, Yang Eun-Bi began nagging. ¡°You¡¯re giving up your seat again. Don¡¯t do that. Sit in the front.¡± But Woo Yeon-Hee shook her head in the car. "No, I like the quiet corner seat." ''That means any seat but next to Sae-Ri, right?'' I thought to myself and let out a soft chuckle. Despite Woo Yeon-Hee''s wishes, Sae-Ri won the following rock-paper-scissors for seat selection. Sae-Ri quickly ran to the seat next to Woo Yeon-Hee. "Rock-paper-scissors! Yay! I want the seat next to Mom!" At that moment, Woo Yeon-Hee stretched her hand toward Sae-Ri with a resigned expression, her face bearing a tender smile. "Okay, Sae-Ri. Come here." "Okay Mom!" Sae-Ri eximed. Afterward, the front row left was taken by Eun-Ah and the right by Eun-Bi. *** As soon as the main building of MBS came into view, I turned to the members seated in the back of car number one and said, "Girls, wake up...Oh, you¡¯re not asleep?" They didn¡¯t sleep even during hair styling at the shop. I thought they¡¯d take a quick nap out of fatigue, but they all seemed full of adrenaline without any signs of tiredness. I was worried about their physical condition, but I was reassured for now. Then, I was shocked by what was happening in front of my eyes. ''Wait, what the heck?'' "Sae-Ri, what are you doing?" I asked. Sae-Ri was sniffing the stic on the seat. "He he. I love the smell of a new car," Sae-Ri giggled and replied. "Don¡¯t be so tacky." "Ah, whatever. I''m still gonna do it. Sniff sniff." She seemed intent on inhaling through the stic. As I tried to stop Sae-Ri who was enthralled with the smell of the new car, Woo Yeon-Hee asked a question. "Oppa. How much does a car like this cost? It¡¯s expensive, right?" "Hm, I''m not too sure. With full options, probably around 200 million won?" I replied. "Aaahhhh. Oh my gosh!" Woo Yeon-Hee eximed. I was startled when Woo Yeon-Hee let out a sharp scream. ''I didn''t know Woo Yeon-Hee could make such a high-pitched sound,'' I observed silently. Her usually mid-range voice suddenly sounded like Eun-Ah¡¯s soprano which certainly woke everyone up. "Ca-can we really ept a gift like this?" Woo Yeon-Hee asked, eyes wide opened. I nodded. "Of course. You''ve earned it." Yang Eun-Bi nodded beside Woo Yeon-Hee. "Unnie, Ms. Kang said it''s a gift for working so hard." "But still. It¡¯s too expensive." "What can we do? It¡¯s already been bought. But the seat really is nice...It''s morefortable than a bed." The electric chair was a model that could raise footrests and recline by pressing a button. Yang Eun-Bi was also unable to hide her excitement, humming and ying with the electric chair. Eun-Ah was the most calm. I had specifically requested the Bends Springer''s interior ceiling be decorated with glow-in-the-dark flower patterns resembling blooming Cherry Blossoms. But after staring up for a while, Eun-Ah casually remarked as she sneakily tried to scrape off a sticker. "It¡¯s pretty. I wish I could take it to our room..." It looked like Eun-Ah was checking if the glow-in-the-dark sticker could be peeled off. Puzzled, I thought to myself, ''Eun-Ah, you can just ask me to buy you a new one! Why are you trying to peel off the stickers inside the car?'' After calming the restless members, I instructed them to get ready to alight from the car. Woo Yeon-Hee tilted her head in confusion. "We are getting off here? But aren¡¯t we going straight to the underground parking?" "No. I have a gift for you guys," I replied. "A gift? What is it?" "That." Just as we were entering the main building of MBS, I pointed through the car''s front windshield to the scene outside. At that moment, Cherry Blossom''s eyes widened. And soon, a unified scream erupted for 3 seconds. "Aaaahhhhh!" "What, what is this?" I smiled and responded. "A gift." *** The parking lot in front of MBS¡¯s main building was packed with Cherry Blossom''s fans. The fans were making noise while waving headbands with ''CHERRY_BLOSSOM'' written in four different colors, light sticks, and support balloons. This event had been prepared in the early morning by Jung Sang-Bong, Do Ran-Hee, and the Cherry Blossom Family administration team¡ªthe four girls from Hoengseong Girls'' High School. Taking pictures of Cherry Blossom on their way to work had been strictly prohibited until now due to various safety concerns. But with ample staff now secured, permission had been granted to the fans on the day of theirst broadcast. As the parking lot filled with fans, Woo Yeon-Hee began to tremble. "O-oppa. That, that¡¯s..." "Yes. Your fans came out to support your final broadcast. Many even took leave from work," I said with a smile. "Then are the Hoengseong Girls'' High School girls here too?" "Yep. Look over there. They''re the ones organizing the line right now." In addition to Jung Sang-Bong and Do Ran-Hee, the Hoengseong Girls'' High School girls were wearing Cherry Blossom support T-shirts and arranging the fans in line. Moved by the scene, Cherry Blossom was about to burst into tears. But I urgently eximed to prevent any tears as their makeup had been painstakingly applied since dawn. "Girls, don''t cry. We need to take pictures once we get out!" In an instant, all four members of Cherry Blossom leaned their heads back. Simultaneously, the stylists Park Yi-Yoon and Lee Mi-Ri sitting in the back seat quickly handed out tissues. Barely preventing tears with tissues, the members took deep breaths to suppress their sobs following Sae-Ri¡¯s lead in singing the national anthem. "Until the East Sea''s waves are dry~" ''But why are they adding harmony?'' I silently questioned. "Baekdu mountain worn away~" But singing the national anthem in harmony seemed quite effective looking at the girls having stopped crying. I smiled as I watched the members cease their tears and said with an upbeat tone, "Alright! Shall we go greet your fans now?" "Yes!" Cherry Blossom stepped out of the car as ten-week chart-topping nominees and now the top girl group to an unprecedented barrage of shes, unlike any they had ever experienced. Chapter 194: Joyful Wrap-Up (3)

Chapter 194: Joyful Wrap-Up (3)

Numerous fans gathered to take photos of Cherry Blossom and constantly clicked their cameras in front of the main building of MBS. Cherry Blossom members were still dressed as they were when they visited the makeup salon, but wearing clothes prepared by Korea''s top stylist Lee Mi-Ri made them look like they were in a photoshoot for a magazine by merely standing there. "A! Yeon-Hee, you''re the best mom today and tomorrow too!" "Eun-Bi, look over here! Moon Eun-Bi!" "Sae-Ri, baby! Baby long legs! My baby!" "Yoo Eun-Ah! The goddess of the gxy!" Fans cheered and called out the four members'' nicknames. Cherry Blossom members waved awkwardly to respond to the cheers as if they were contestants in Miss Korea. "Thank you everyone!" "Thank you foring today!" Sae-Ri waved her hand with an elegant expression. "We love you! It''s a beautiful morning!" Some fans giggled at Sae-Ri''s attitude, but I decided to let her do what she wanted since it was all part of the experience. After all, Sae-Ri seemed genuinely happier than ever. As I had expected, there was a swarm of reporters next to the fans who constantly shed their cameras. "Cherry Blossom members, please look this way too!" "Team Lead Jung, don''t just take care of the fans and consider the reporters too! We''re humans too, really." "Team Lead Jung, please! I''ll be fired if I don''t get a solo shot of the members today!" Even without the ''entertainment'' Lee Gi-Cheol mentioned, reporters braved the crowd to take photos of Cherry Blossom ced in the center of attention as they were on a journey to achieve a record of ten consecutive weeks at number one. After greeting the fans, it was time for the reporters'' photo session. Seeing the joyous faces of the members made my heart swell with pride. The smiles on the hard-working girls'' faces felt like a reward in itself. *** I had instructed the staff to distribute the lunches to the fans as soon as they arrived¡ªand this included those fans who couldn''t secure tickets to enter the public hall as well. We set a budget of 70 thousand won per person for about 150 people, including a 20 thousand won lunch box, goodies, and headbands. This reverse-fan service gift was a bit pricey, but it was well worth it since the fans would flood Instargem with photos andpliments after receiving the gifts. Considering the promotional impact and fan loyalty these photos would generate, this was a rather profitable deal. For this reason, I had nned to hold the same event tomorrow at both KBC and SBC. Lee Mi-Ri had prepared the outfits upon arriving at the dressing room. When she pulled out the prepared costumes, Cherry Blossom members could not hide their astonishment. "Wow. They''re beautiful." A pink two-piece skirt with a waistband made of silk in four different colors made it immediately clear whose outfit was whose. "We''ll step out for a moment. Go ahead and change." The male talent agents stepped outside and left the awestruck Cherry Blossom members in the dressing room. At that moment, the rookie idols passing by spotted us and instinctively bowed. "Hello! We''re SB18!" "Hello! We''re Peacock!" "Hello! We''re Bell-bottoms!" "Hello! We''re called Bunny Princess!" ''What did they say? Bunny Princess?'' I wondered. A four-member girl group in pink dresses and giant white bunny ear headbands greeted us cheerfully. They were trying to stand out by an unusual concept. But with those outfits and team name, it was almost worth criticizing their agency. I was taken aback, to be honest, but Lee Dong-Min and I acted as if nothing was wrong and gave them our encouragement. "Oh, yes. Hello. Keep up the great work!" I cheered them on with a smile. But unfortunately, they were very unlikely to seed in this industry. ''I remember when Cherry Blossom almost went down that path,'' I thought to myself. Just thinking about it still made me break out in cold sweats. That''s when Lee Dong-Min tapped my shoulder. "What are you thinking about so seriously?" "Oh, it''s just that...seeing them reminds me of Cherry Blossomst year," I replied. Lee Dong-Min nodded and said, "True. Our kids were always second or third-tier...That''s why no one knows how fate will turn out." "That''s true," I nodded slowly as I concurred with him. Lee Dong-Min''s words resonated deeply with me because I knew the future. At that moment, Lee Dong-Min chuckled. "What do you mean by that? You''re the one who changed their fate." "Did I?" "Yes. It''s all thanks to you that Cherry Blossom is still here. Yoon-Ho, thank you for reaching out to our kids..." "Not at all, Mr. Lee." "Oh,e on. You''re too modest. Anyway, we''ve worked hard so let''s finish strong." "Yes, sir!" While we were talking, I heard that everyone inside had finished changing. "Everyone,e on in," Lee Ju-Yung hollered. We were about to enter the dressing room upon hearing Lee Ju-Yung''s voice. But then I noticed Ma Dong-Pal walking down the hallway with Gu Min-Ji of Pink Diamond. Ma Dong-Pal stopped walking and instructed the talent agent standing beside him to take Pink Diamond away somewhere. I turned to Lee Dong-Min and said, "Mr. Lee, you should go in first." "Why?" Lee Dong-Min asked. "It seems Director Ma has something to discuss with me." "Hmm. But wouldn''t it be better to stay together?" "I''ll be fine," I assured Lee Dong-Min. After sending Lee Dong-Min and Han Myung-Ho inside, I greeted Ma Dong-Pal. "Hello, sir. How have you been?" "Oh you know, just the usual. But today is the final broadcast for Cherry Blossom, right?" Ma Dong-Pal responded. I nodded and replied, "Yes, that''s right." At that moment, Ma Dong-Pal smirked meaningfully. "Oh, dear. What a shame! Pink Diamond girls got a good song this time. It would be a shame to leave withoutpeting with them, wouldn''t it?" Since Petite More was no longer around, TK Entertainment was pushing for Pink Diamond. Currently, Pink Diamond was ranked tenth in the music shows with their song released three weeks ago. But now, they have received a new song topete against Cherry Blossom. "What song did they get?" I asked. "Kid, you seem curious. Hmm. Don''t be shocked. They got it from the famous Americanposer Rich Devils..." Ma Dong-Pal replied with a smirk. At that moment, I suddenly remembered the song ''Golden Shower'' that Petite More got from Rich Devils in my past life. ''Is he talking about that same song even Petite More couldn''t save that they had to end their promotion activity within just a week?'' I wondered. I boldly said to Ma Dong-Pal who was bragging, "That won''t work." "What?" said Ma Dong-Pal who appeared shocked. Even Ma Dong-Pal knew that people in the industry were starting to call me the ''Star Jung the Fortune Teller.'' Then he added, "No way...Are you saying..." "Yes. I have a feeling¡ªa strong feeling. That song won''t work. I bet it''s going to be a huge flop," I responded confidently. Ma Dong-Pal''s face suddenly contorted. As soon as I saw the change in his expression, I quickly headed into the dressing room. "Take care then~." "Hey! Jung Yoon-Ho! Why, you little bastard...Trying to jinx us before it even starts, huh? Hey! You bettere back here!" I could hear Ma Dong-Pal fuming through the closing door of the dressing room. *** Just before Cherry Blossom went on stage for the music show and to attempt to achieve ten consecutive weeks at number one, everyone had gathered in the dressing room¡ªfrom Do Ran-Hee to Jung Sang-Bong who had been managing the fans outside the main building. Lee Dong-Min looked at everyone and said, "Alright. Shall we chant our slogan before going up?" At Lee Dong-Min''s instruction, we all gathered in the middle of the dressing room and reached out our hands. "Have you seen the music rankings of ourpetitors?" Lee Dong-Min asked. "Yes." "Then you know this is an easy win for us, right?" "Yes!" "But still, let''s do our best until the end. That''s what Cherry Blossom is all about, right?" "Yes!" Lee Dong-Min struggled to control his emotions as he spoke up. "And also...thanks for all the hard work..." At that moment, everyone in the dressing room had faces brimming with emotion. That''s when the AD''s prompt came from outside the door. "Cherry Blossom, it''s time to go up." We were suddenly pulled back to reality. "Alright, shall we head up then?" Lee Dong-Min asked with a smile. Everyone was ready to chant their slogan at Lee Dong-Min''s cue. "Are you ready, Yeon-Hee?" Woo Yeon-Hee took a deep breath and started the chant. "Forever~" "Cherry Blossom~~~!" Everyone except Woo Yeon-Hee shouted the slogan in a loud voice as if to lift the roof of the dressing room. And just like that, the curtain rose on Cherry Blossom''s final stage. *** At the stage of the MBS Show! Music Center, Cherry Blossom performed their sharp choreography under the spotlight with microphones in their hands. Their pink re skirts fluttered continuously just like blossoming flowers. Then as the song came to the chorus, Cherry Blossom recited the lyrics and extended their microphones toward the audience. ¡ºHands up~¡» "Hurry Up~," the audience shouted. The four girls from Hongseong Girls'' High School at the front of the audience loudly followed the chorus. And each time, Cherry Blossom''s dance and song began to fill with more energy. After all, nothing fueled performers like the support of their fans. But it was during the second verse that the consequences of their ten-week marathon began to show. ''Hang in there, girls,'' I cheered silently. Sweat beaded on the foreheads of the members. ''What should I do?'' I wondered anxiously. Today''s broadcast was a dyed live show with about ten minutes behind. In the worst-case scenario, we could cut the broadcast. However, there was no time to edit the footage so the stage would just end with only the first verse going on air. ''Should I have the girlse down?'' I thought to myself. My heart started racing with anxiety as I immediately turned to Lee Dong-Min and said, "Mr. Lee, the kids don¡¯t look too good." Lee Dong-Min standing beside me also noticed the members'' conditions and let out a deep sigh. "Yeah, I see it. They look worse than before. Sigh..." Sweat was dripping down to the earlobes of the four members. Yet even in that state, all four of them were smiling brightly. The members were between the ages of 16 to 22. While their peers were enjoying their youth while being engrossed in street food like tteokbokki and sundae, Cherry Blossom was on stage enduring the pain and persevering through it all. Once on stage, they had to be professionals. ''Sae-Ri... hang in there!'' I silently cheered her on. I wanted to run up and hug her to give her a shoulder to lean on. But all I could do was silently cheer them on until the stage was over. But at that moment, the voices of the four girls from Hoengseong Girls High School thundered through the hall like the roar of a pterosaur. "The best in the universe! Woo Yeon-Hee!" "Sexy Moon! Yang Eun-Bi!" "Goddess of the Gxy! Yoo Eun-Ah!" "Baby Center! Kim Sae-Ri!" It seemed like the girls from Hoengseong Girls High School noticed what I had seen as well. When Sung Ji-Yeon led the chants, the other three followed her. Then the rest of the fan club members shouted with all their might, pouring energy into their voices. At that moment, the power surged through Cherry Blossom''s dance. The waist-up dance was filled with vigor and their hands holding the microphones stretched out more forcefully. ¡ºHands up~ Hurry Up!¡» ''Thank you, girls,'' I silently thanked the girls from Hoengseong Girls High School. Thanks to the fans, Cherry Blossom was able to finish the stage without any disruption. As thest note of ''Hurry Up!'' yed, the four members helplessly dropped their heads in their ending positions. When I saw the members trying to hide their trembling arms and legs, I immediately ran with Lee Dong-Min toward AD Choi In-Seok. "Mr. Choi." Choi In-Seok seemed surprised by us running toward him. "Yes?" "Could we possibly start the first-ce announcement stage just about five minutester?" I asked. "There''s a ten-minute dy in the live broadcast so we can cut out five minutes... but why?" Choi In-Seok replied looking puzzled. I quickly pointed toward the members on the stage and said, "The members are about to copse and it''ll cause a broadcasting ident if we continue. All we need is just five minutes. Give us just that and I''ll get their spirits up and bring them over." "Uh, um...okay. Just a moment," said Choi In-Seok who then hastily shouted into the wireless inte with a flustered expression. "Mr. PD, Hoop Entertainment is asking for a five-minute dy. The members are about to copse!" Shortly after, Choi In-Seok nodded in approval. He added, "We''ll cut for five minutes, so you get the members ready in the dressing room and bring them over. At most, you have seven minutes. In the worst case scenario, Mr. Lee might have toe up to the stage and receive the award on behalf of Cherry Blossom." "Okay! Thank you so much!" I thanked Choi In-Seok and ran down to the stage. "Sang-bong, Ran-hee! Hurry! Mr. Han! Ms. Lee, you too!" I yelled. A momentter, all the lights on the stage went out. As I gestured for them to hurry down, Cherry Blossom started walking slowly toward the back of the stage while leaning on each other. I wanted to run up on stage and carry them down. But since the audience was still watching, they had to make it to the stairs leading down from our side of the stage on their own. ''Hang in there!'' I silently urged them. My heart felt like it would burst as the four moved slowly. Yeon-Hee and Eun-Bi, who had more energypared to the other two, encouraged Eun-ah and Sae-Ri who were struggling the most. Despite their exhaustion, the youngest Sae-Ri and weakest Eun-Ah nodded their heads while mustering the strength to keep going. The talent agents clenched their fists so tightly it seemed they might stop blood flow. "Hang in there, kids." There were only 2 meters left now. "Just a little more..." That''s when I spoke softly to the kids. "Girls, I''ll grant each of you a wish!" At that moment, Cherry Blossom''s eyes suddenly lit up. Like fire reigniting in dying embers, the four found the strength to walk faster. When they finally reached the stairs leading down from the stage, we went halfway up the stairs and caught them as they copsed into our arms. Han Myung-Ho caught Woo Yeon-Hee, Lee Ju-Yung caught Yang Eun-Bi, Do Ran-Hee caught Yoo Eun-Ah, and I caught Sae-Ri. Sae-Ri, so thin she was almost just bones, clung to me and giggled with her face soaked with sweat. "Yoon-Ho oppa...you promised a wish. Right?" "Yes. I''ll grant whatever I can." "He he he. Yay! But Yoon-Ho oppa, I''m so sleepy," Sae-Ri continued. "That''s because you''ve used up too much energy. Just close your eyes for a bit. I''ll carry you to the dressing room," I said to her. "Okay." "Lean on my back like this." Sae-Ri silently closed her eyes and reached out her arms. Carrying the nearly unconscious members, we ran straight to the dressing room. I looked at them and thought to myself, ''Well done, girls.'' But the performance wasn''tpletely over just yet. With 4 minutes and 30 seconds left, I somehow needed to get Cherry Blossom ready for the final ranking stage by any means. Chapter 195: Joyful Wrap-Up (4)

Chapter 195: Joyful Wrap-Up (4)

After Cherry Blossom finished their performance as candidates for the first ce on the MBS Show! Music Center, they were carried back to the waiting room on the talent agents'' backs. Thanks to the proximity of the waiting room from the stage, they arrived in just 30 seconds. Now only four minutes remained. As I swung open the door to the waiting room, the stylists were startled. "M-Mr. Jung!" "Yogurt! Ion drink! Please take some out!" I yelled urgently. "Okay!" "And please take out some bananas from my bag too," I added. Iid the members down on the sofa as I gave instructions. The two stylists quickly fetched the yogurt and eight bottles of ion drink from the mini-fridge. With their eyes closed, the Cherry Blossom members began to gulp down the yogurt and ion drinks we handed them. Next up were the bananas, as these three were my usual go-to for revitalizing energy. "Mr. Jung. Here''s the banana." "Thank you." I peeled the bananas and cut them into about 1 cm lengths, cing them into the members'' mouths. A momentter, the four members took a deep breath and regained their senses. "I thought I was going to die..." muttered Woo Yeon-Hee. The confession from Woo Yeon-Hee, who had struggled to open her eyes, made the other three nod in agreement. However, sweat still streamed down their foreheads. ''I guess it can''t be helped,'' I frowned as I thought to myself. At times like this, we had to use whatever means avable. I look at the members and said, "Girls, let''s take some uhwang-cheongsimhwan." Particrly hating herbal medicine more than anyone, Yang Eun-Bi shook her head vehemently. "Ugh, no. I''m not eating it." "You won''t be able to go up for the first ce announcement if you don''t eat it. There''s less than two minutes left," I insisted. "Sigh. Fine." Yang Eun-Bi grimaced and gulped it down. "Barf! It''s bitter!" "Eun-Bi, don''t throw up! Barf!" Yang Eun-Bi and the other three members twisted their bodies as if in pain. Seeing the Cherry Blossom members struggling to regain their strength, Lee Dong-Min spoke as if he couldn''t stand it anymore. "Forget it. Just stay here. I''ll go receive the award on your behalf." But Cherry Blossom protested with difficulty. "No, Mr. Lee!" "We want to go up and receive it ourselves..." "We''re fine, really. We can go up the stage." The members of Cherry Blossom struggled to get up, wanting to wrap up theirst activity on their own. Lee Dong-Min sighed and stopped walking. "Alright. Then get on our backs again for the trip over!" "Okay, Mr. Lee." Now, only one minute remained. The members mustered a bit more strength. But then I noticed that the four of them were ncing at me. "Huh? What is it?" I asked. "Well, it''s just that..." Woo Yeon-Hee said hesitantly before exchanging looks with the other three members and suddenly ying rock-paper-scissors with them. ''Are they serious? At a time like this?'' I wondered. "Rock-paper-scissors!" "I... won," muttered Eun-Ah. "What on earth are you all doing..." I continued asking, filled with curiosity. At that moment, Eun-Ah quietly approached me from behind. I soon understood what was happening. ''Is she asking me to carry her? Were they really ying rock-paper-scissors over who would I carry on my back?'' I was left speechless for a second but soon nodded. Now was the time to do whatever they asked. "Don''t worry, we have enough time. Shall we go now?" I asked. When I sat down and offered my back, Eun-Ah wrapped her arms around my neck and climbed on. The smallughing from behind me felt like a poke in the back of my head. ''I have no idea why they find this enjoyable,'' I silently remarked. I stood up, but Eun-Ah was so light it hardly felt like I was carrying anyone. Thanks to the short break, Cherry Blossom had regained their energy and were heading back to the stage. *** "The first ce goes to Cherry Blossom''s ''Hurry Up!'' Congrattions!" Pop, pop. Festive fireworks burst continuously, and gold and silver sparkles rained down from the sky. The members, who had struggled so much, were now jumping around thanks to the effects of the medicine and food. "Thank you!" "Thank you so much!" The four girls from Hoengseong Girls'' High School and the Cherry Blossom Family fan club members were all in tears as they cheered. "Aaahhh! Forever~ Cherry Blossom!" About half of the audience seats were filled with the Cherry Blossom Family''s balloons, and the light sticks changed colors to create a spectacle of light. ''What a journey it had been to reach this moment,'' I reflected silently while observing the emotional scene unfold before me. The members, who had endured such painful times, were now crying as they felt a chapter of their lives turning. Just like that, the ten-week saga for Cherry Blossom ended as they waved their final goodbye to the fans. *** The music broadcast whichsted for ten weeks was finally over. Because everyone was too exhausted, I postponed meeting the Hoengseong Girls'' High School girls and took the members to their dorm. Screech. When I stopped the car, the members let out a long sigh. Then, Sae-Ri was the first to speak. "It''s all over." The moment Sae-Ri spoke, the members of Cherry Blossom started to sob. Only now did they truly feel that the stage performances had ended. "It''s really...over. Sob." "I wish it was a dream. Sob." "Sniffle. I want to go back to yesterday. Sob." Tears followed like a wave, and even Han Myung-Ho started to cry. "You''ve all worked so hard. Really," I said. Cherry Blossom began to weep loudly at myment as if today would never happen again. After letting them cry for quite some time, I supported the four members as we headed to the dorm. Beep-beep. As the door lock clicked open, I turned to Cherry Blossom and said, "Now, are you ready for your final gift?" "Excuse me?" "Wait. There''s more?" "Yep." Han Myung-Ho and Lee Ju-Yung smiled. We couldn''t end the day on a sour note, so I had prepared onest surprise. "Shall we go in?" I said with a smile. Click. When the door swung open, the members of Cherry Blossom burst into tears again and rushed into the dorm. "Sob, Mom~" "Wah, Dad!" The parents of Cherry Blossom were waiting with open arms to wee the members. "Yeon-Hee!" "Eun-Bi, well done." "Eun-Ah, I''m so proud of you." "My baby Sae-Ri, you''ve been through a lot." This was the final gift I had prepared. ''Well done, girls.'' *** Even though they had received IV drips after the stage was over, the Cherry Blossom members were still visibly exhausted. However, they began to cry vigorously as if revitalized the moment they saw their parents waiting in the dorm. Of course, I only called Eun-Ah''s mom and sister, leaving out her dad. While the families hugged each other and cried together, I had tofort Sae-Ri''s four-year-old brother, Jung-Hoo. "Sob, sob. Daddy and noona, don''t cry~," Jung-Hoo sobbed as he spoke. "Jung-Hoo, it''s okay. They are all crying because they are happy," I assured him. Jung-Hoo cradled in my arms with teary eyes asked, "Really?" "Yes, so now you should stop too. Big guys don''t cry, right?" I wiped Jung-Hoo''s face running with both snot and tears. "Jung-Hoo, you need to blow your nose. Here, blow!" "Hmmph!" Jung-Hoo blew his nose. And as the tissue got filled, he stopped crying and looked at it curiously. "Uncle. It''s nose~nose!" "This is called snot." "Yep! Snot!" It was nice how quickly children could change the subject. At that moment, Jung-Hoo asked me another question, "Uncle, but why are Dad and the other uncles crying? Aren''t Dad and the other uncles big guys too?" His question hit hard and I struggled to find a reply. ''What should I say?'' I thought hard. "Uh. That''s because..." I stuttered as I couldn''t think of any exnation. I nced around helplessly and said, "Dad and the uncles aren''t big guys!" I flinched and apologized silently, ''I''m sorry, guys. But I couldn''t think of anything else.'' Jung-Hoo nodded. And a whileter after the touching reunion was over, Jung-Hoo asked his dad in a bright voice. "Dad! Are you not a big guy? Is that why you were crying?" Sae-Ri''s fatherughed awkwardly. "Ha ha ha. Jung-Hoo. Ha ha ha." It seemed he was embarrassed to have cried in front of his son. ''Sorry, but I had no choice,'' I silently confessed and let out a bashful smile. *** Two tables were pushed together in the living room, and Woo Yeon-Hee hadid out a feast prepared by her parents. There was sweet and sour pork, kung pao chicken, yang jang pi, kung pao shrimp, and fried rice. Woo Yeon-Hee''s parents, who ran a Chinese restaurant, had somehow managed to produce restaurant-quality food using the modest gas range in the dorm. I was amazed. ''How did they get the wok vor just right?'' I wondered how they managed to perfectly cook the fried rice on a household gas stove. "Mr. Jung, please try this," Woo Yeon-Hee''s parents said as they offered me dishes to try. I nodded. "Oh, thank you." "And this too." Their constant offering to try every dish made me eat until my stomach was about to burst. After the meal, the parents expressed their gratitude for all the support their kids had received. "Oh, I haven''t done much. It was Ms. Lee Ju-Yung and Mr. Han Myung-Ho here who really went above and beyond," I replied humbly. "Not at all. Team Lead Jung worked the hardest," said Han Myung-Ho and Lee Ju-Ying. Han Myung-Ho, Lee Ju-Yung, and I all deflected praise to each other, engaging in aughter-filled conversation. In the midst of the conversation, I was suddenly called away by Eun-Ah''s mother and sister to a small room. When I went inside, Eun-Ah''s mother, Lee Yeon-Ji, held my hand tightly and said, "I know my husband upset you before. I''d like to apologize on his behalf." I smiled and replied, "No. Not at all, ma''am." "If it weren''t for you, Mr. Jung, our daughter would have been in a mess by now." Eun-Ah''s mother mentioned that her husband would have certainly arranged a marriage for Eun-Ah to set her up with someone if I hadn''t intervened. But even if I hadn''t been there, that wouldn''t have happened. In my past life, Eun-Ah had cut ties with her father and even ran away from home. Eun-Ah''s mother added, "Please continue to look after Eun-Ah going forward. She talks about you every day, you know?" "Does she?" I replied. Eun-Ah''s mother brushed her hair gracefully and smiled quietly. Eun-Ah''s sister standing next to her nodded vigorously. "Yes, Mr. Jung, Eun-Ah always talks about you. You really need to take responsibility for Eun-Ah." I didn''t know how to respond, so I just scratched my head and smiled. At that moment, the door suddenly burst open. "M-Mom! Unnie! What, what are you talking about?" Eun-Ah said anxiously. Eun-Ah''s voice rose two octaves. With a flushed face, she waved her hands frantically. "Why? Did we say something wrong? Did we say something, Eun-Seol?" said Eun-Ah''s mother with a smirk. "Mom, she sends me daily KkTalk messages about Mr. Jung, like ''Yoon-Ho oppa this~and Yoon-Ho oppa that~''" said Eun-Ah''s sister in a teasing manner. The mother and daughter giggled teasingly as Eun-Ah denied it vigorously. Eun-Ah tried to exin herself desperately. "N-no, that''s not true! Yoon-Ho oppa! My mom and unnie are just teasing me! Ah, Unnie! Stop it!" Eun-Ah, who was responsible for high notes in the team, seemed to be trying to burst my eardrums. Her voice sounded like a mixing of a dolphin''s ultrasonic sounds. It felt as though the cochlea in my ears was being shaken, inducing a sense of seasickness. ''Is this the kind of martial arts sound attack one reads about in martial arts novels?'' I thought. Whatever the case was, I was just d Eun-Ah''s wariness about me had decreased. After all, I had to prepare her for a solo debut once she regained her normal physical condition. *** The next day, news concerning Cherry Blossom''s ten-week streak for first-ce filled the entertainment pages. [Cherry Blossom, First ce for Ten Weeks!] [Cherry Blossom, Shocking End to ''Hurry Up!'' Activities.] [What''s Next for Cherry Blossom''s New Song?] (Comments) -Wow, they could''ve easily won first ce for another 2 weeks but they going on a break now? -It was a close call yesterday. -Everyone was running out of energy but they did their best till the end. That¡¯smendable. -What''s their next song? Can''t wait. -I''m not ready to let them go yet! Sae-Ri! Eun-Ah! Don''t go~. -Did anyone see the reverse support lunchbox yesterday? -LOL. Anyone want to see the ultimate lunchbox? Click here! -A whole grilled eel on top of the lunchbox? Wow. -Those who can''t eat eel had beef instead! -There was a nine-dish banquet in the lunchbox. All the sides were delicious! -Hehe, everyone must be jealous of us fans. The articles about Cherry Blossom were filled with variousments. Thanks to ten weeks of consecutively attaining first ce and the events I organized, there were plenty of articles about Cherry Blossom. This resulted in the top live search rankings being all about Cherry Blossom''s reverse support. Upon arriving at thepany, the staff continuously congratted me. Do Ran-Hee even set off a sparkler. "Congraturashion[1]~~ Congraturashion~~" Do Ran-Hee eximed. "Stop using Konglish![2]" I said. "Whatever! Who cares as long as the meaning gets across?" Do Ran-Hee replied nonchntly. Do Ran-Hee jubntly tossed the foil and gold strings from the sparkler as she celebrated by herself. ¡®Huh? That person is...¡¯ I thought to myself. While I was celebrating with the staff, I noticed Yang Hong-Seok, the team lead from Singer Division 1, hesitantly approaching my desk on the fourth floor. "Ahem. Team Lead Jung~. Could we talk for a moment?" Yang Hong-Seok asked. "Here?" I replied. "No, let''s go to the break room for a while." Yang Hong-Seok was an experienced talent agent with 30 years of experience, managing top-tier trot singer Lee Mal-Soon and was associated with Singer Division 1. He wasn''t someone who typically engaged in office politics. Moreover, he was thest to join when Top Entertainment split off as apany in my past life. However, he soon left after a major dispute with Kim Dong-Soo and took Lee Mal-Soon with him. As a top-tier trot singer, Lee Mal-Soon was essentially a one-person enterprise. For this reason, there was no reason for him to tolerate Kim Dong-Soo''s whims. That Yang Hong-Seok hade to me personally. "Let''s go," I said. "Alright." After giving some work instructions to the staff, I followed Yang Hong-Seok to the fourth-floor break room. He awkwardly started the conversation after pulling two cans of soda from the vending machine. "Team Lead Jung, I need your help," Yang Hong-Seok said to me. At that moment, I couldn''t help but smile slightly. The moment I had been anticipating since nning the Cherry Blossom''s event was beginning to unfold. 1. Korean pronunciation of Congrattions ? 2. Korean-style English ? Chapter 196 Haru VS Woo Sung-Chan (1)

Chapter 196 Haru VS Woo Sung-Chan (1)

The rtionship between a talent agent and a star was not that of superior and subordinate but that of partners and family. It was not umon for them to stick together for a lifetime once a connection was made, and there were stars who even bought homes in central Seoul for their talent agents when they got married. And the talent agent, in turn, sacrificed everything for their star. Even if they left the care of their sick parents to others, talent agents didn''t hesitate to care for their star''s minor illnesses day and night because that was the nature of their job. But when I treated the fans to a luxurious lunchbox and it hit number one on live search rankings, thepany turned upside down. Apparently, all the stars were pushing their talent agents so hard asking why they couldn''t do the same. It was like when the neighbor''s kid topped the school, every student in the neighborhood felt the pressure as their parents nagged. As talent agents troubled byparisons to me came seeking advice, I nned to give them help while gradually making them turn to my side. ''I didn''t put effort into Cherry Blossom''s event for nothing...'' I thought to myself. "Feel free to speak, Mr. Yang," I said. Yang Hong-Seok from Singer Division 1 cleared his throat and asked, "Ahem. Team Lead Jung. You held this reverse fan support event recently, right?" I nodded. "Yes." "How much did it cost?" "Why do you ask?" "Well, Mrs. Lee Mal-Soon was just too curious." When Yang Hong-Seok asked hesitantly, I answered him frankly. "It was 70 thousand won per person. Once on Saturday''s music show and twice on Sunday for a total of 450 people." "Is that so? Hmm, 70 thousand won per person seems a bit expensive. The dinner show tickets are 150 thousand won..." "Did Mrs. Lee Mal-Soon ask you to do the same?" Yang Hong-Seok sighed deeply. "Sigh... Yes, she saw that this lunchbox was number one on live search rankings and was showing me thements. Sheined about why I couldn''t do the same when the newly promoted Team Lead Jung was doing it. Singer Division 1 is in chaos right now because of that event. Not just Mrs. Lee but other senior singers areining as well." I almost burst outughing as the impact was greater than I expected. I held back myughter again and suggested a solution to Yang Hong-Seok as if I never had a conflict with Singer Division 1. "A meal is served anyway at the dinner show, right? I''m assuming you usually budget about 15 thousand won per person?" "Yes." "Just spend an extra 5 thousand won." "Uh...was your lunchbox 20 thousand won? But it looked like it could be around 30 thousand to 40 thousand won in the photo." "Call thepany I told you about and 20 thousand won will be enough. And if you order light sticks in units of one thousand they only cost 5 thousand won each." Yang Hong-Seok''s eyes widened. "Whoa. Is it really that cheap?" "Yes. And don''t include the glowing headbands in the ticket price since it''s too expensive. Take pre-orders and ce a direct factory order instead. Since Mrs. Lee simply wants to be ranked first on the live search rankings, just the meal and light sticks should be enough." Yang Hong-Seok''s face brightened. "So I just need to spend an extra 10 thousand won in total?" "Exactly. And if you sell promotional scarves and balloons at the venue with a small markup, it will barely cost you anything extra." At that moment, Yang Hong-Seok pondered for a moment. But I hurriedly spoke since his intentions were clear to me. "Mr. Yang, don''t try to make a huge profit or raise the ticket prices too much. You''ll only earn criticism despite holding the event for the fans." "Oh, no! Who would do that?" Yang Hong-Seok quickly denied it. His thoughts were obvious, yet he pretended otherwise. Yang Hong-Seok''s greed was due to the current situation where Lee Mal-Soon''s dinner show was only filling about 50% of the seats. I reassured the disappointed Yang Hong-Seok. "Mr. Yang, I guarantee Mrs. Lee Mal-Soon''s new song will definitely make a big impact if you handle this event well." "You think so?" "Absolutely. Don''t you know my nickname? ''Star Jung the Fortune Teller.''" Although I said I was able to give him this advice thanks to already having had experience holding a simr event, the truth was I was simply relying on the remaining schedule in my nner. [Everyday V10] [Date: July 17, 2020] -03:00 p.m. (Meeting Items) Lee Mal-Soon¡¯s 12th album hits big. Dinner show sold out. Schedule meeting. Singer Division 1 meeting room. Lee Mal-Soon''s title track for this album, ''Trust Noona This Time!!''posed and written by Oryong Dosa, was going to be a huge hit. As a result, Lee Mal-Soon would manage to sell out tickets for all her dinner shows for the next five years. Yang Hong-Seok asked again with a bright face, "Really? Are you sure about that?" I nodded. "Yes, I''m confident." "Okay! Then I''ll listen to Star Jung this time. Could I possibly get the phone number of that vendor?" "Of course." Bongbong Light Sticks and Mani Mani Lunchboxes were newpanies known only to me in ourpany. But I had no intention of keeping thesepanies a secret, knowing thesepanies alone was less important than maintaining good rtions with other talent agents in thepany. And the more I influenced other talent agents, the higher the chances of preventing thepany from splitting in half. "I¡¯ll tell you, Mr. Yang. But please, speak well of me to Mrs. Lee Mal-Soon," I added. Yang Hong-Seok grinned, "Of course. And thanks for the advice. I owe you a meal." I smiled and said, "Any time, Mr. Yang." "Then take care!" said Yang Hong-Seok as he waved his hand and headed to the elevator. At that moment, it seemed like I could hear the carefully built tower of Kim Dong-Soo and the Suhyaejong line starting to crumble from the bottom. *** Haru, dressed in the uniform of Hanyoung Arts Junior High, was ready to go to school. Hanyoung Arts Junior High was located on the same premises as Hanyoung Arts High School, and was mainly attended by actors and trainees from Hoop Entertainment. Not only was it located in Apgujeong, which was close to thepany, but it was easy to pick up the celebrities since the middle and high schools were on the same premises. Haru would be taking the school bus, but I had to apany him today as a guardian due to his transfer procedures. Since I had to go to work much earlier than Haru, he and I headed to thepany together. As I brought Haru to thepany, employees began to arrive and greeted him. "Haru, are you going to school? Nice uniform," Lee Yung-Jinmented. "Hello, Mr. Lee Yung-Jin," Haru greeted him in return. "Hey, don''t call me that. We''re closer than that, aren''t we? Call me hyung!" Lee Yung-Jin replied. Haru nodded. "Okay. But hyung... why are you so tanned?" "Don¡¯t even mention it. I ended up like this working alone in the Philippines," Lee Yung-Jin said nonchntly. I shook my head. ''This guy. Making things up.'' When I red at him slightly, Lee Yung-Jin avoided my eyes. Haru took a nce at me and then tilted his head. "Is that true, Yoon-Ho hyung?" But rather than doubting, his expression seemed not to show that he did not understand. "No. He¡¯s making it up," I said with a straight face. As Haru looked convinced, Lee Yung-Jin grumbled, "Wow, Mr. Jung. What¡¯s this fabrication? Really, youck wit..." "Wit, my foot. I told you several times to apply sunscreen, but you said it was fine! By the way, have you talked to PD Yoo Hyun-Ji of Master of Mukbang?" I interrupted Lee Yung-Jin. Lee Yung-Jin stopped joking and replied. "Yes, I talked to her. But she won''t set up a preliminary meeting yet." Haru was scheduled to audition for TVM¡¯s 12-episode series Master of Mukbang in a few days. But PD Yoo Hyun-Ji of the program, although talented, was infamous for her authoritarian management style. "PD Yoo is like that with everyone. She would have done the same even if I had contacted her myself. She always wants someone higher up than the first contact to arrange a meeting," I remarked. Lee Yung-Jin''s steps abruptly halted. "Wait a minute. Mr. Jung, it seems like I¡¯ve be a scapegoat, haven¡¯t I?" "Yeah, that¡¯s right," I said with a smirk. Lee Yung-Jin looked betrayed, but there was nothing to be done. Having a conversation with the tricky Yoo Hyun-Ji meant that someone had to be the scapegoat to smooth things over. Then, I added, "I''ll treat you to lunch. Cool off." Lee Yung-Jin blurted out suddenly. "Eels." "Sure. Whether it''s eel, whale, or shark, you can eat whatever you want, Yung-Jin." "You''re not talking about the sea eel, are you?" He was quick to catch on that I had nned to treat him to sea eel. I lifted my brows and said, "Freshwater eels...do taste better than sea eels, indeed." "Then it''s a deal!" Lee Yung-Jin eximed. Just like that, a simple meal turned into a whole freshwater eel rice bowl. After cheering up Lee Yung-Jin, I handed Haru the scriptbook for Master of Mukbang. Since it was Haru¡¯s first time receiving a script, he cautiously turned the first page with an excited expression. I thought about teaching him how to read the script, but it wasn''t necessary. Haru was instantly engrossed in the densely written scriptbook and enjoyed it as if it were aic book. His talent was unmistakable. In the meantime, I checked the nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: July 3, 2020] -5:20 p.m. Woo Sung-Chan audition. [Date: July 31, 2020] -06:30 p.m. TVM Episode 1 Woo Sung-Chan monitoring (Viewership ratings 2.3%) I thought to myself after looking through the schedules, ''As expected. There are no changes yet.'' Woo Sung-Chan remained the original main character of Master of Mukbang. He was a 19-year-old senior at Hanyoung Arts Junior High who stood over 185 cm tall with a sharp nose, thick eyebrows, and distinct facial features which gave him a more foreign look than the half-Korean Haru. He had been with thepany for only about a year, known for his roles in several shows. However, his strong presence had always drawn attention from the industry and fans. Thanks to that, Woo Sung-Chan¡¯s Instargem followers numbered over 220,000 even without ever having a leading role. ''But what good is that if his personality is rotten...'' I remarked inwardly. Woo Sung-Chan had been a notorious bully since middle school, intelligently tormenting schoolmates for three years along with his gang. But in my past life when Master of Mukbang became a hit and he rose to stardom, one of the victims, Lee Si-Yoon, released evidence of the bullying online in a single stroke. Soon after, several other victims posted their evidence too. Woo Sung-Chan, who had suddenly fallen from a rising star to a school violence perpetrator, was investigated by the police and eventually retired from the entertainment industry. I had no intention of just watching such a bullymit his crimes. After all, the suffering of the victims Woo Sung-Chan had harassed was indescribable. But first, there was work to be done. Setting up a preliminary meeting and appealing to Yoo Hyun-Ji for Haru was necessary to make him the top candidate for the lead role once Woo Sung-Chan was gone. I sent a cake gift from Paris Croissant to Yoo Hyun-Ji and then cautiously messaged her on KkTalk. Soon after, a call came in to set up a preliminary meeting. "Ah, yes, Ms. Yoo. This is Team Lead Jung from Hoop Entertainment. Did you enjoy the cake? Ha ha ha. Yes, I''ll bring Haru to thepany tomorrow," I said. *** It was 8 o''clock when Lee Ju-Yung arrived at thepany with Sae-Ri. "Haru~!" cried Sae-Ri as she ran toward Haru, her childhood friend, waving her hand. Haru, who had been reading the script, greeted Sae-Ri with a bright face. "Good morning." "Wow, are you already preparing to debut?" Sae-Ri asked. "No, I''m just auditioning..." Haru had been living brighter and more confidently since staying with me for a few days. After all, he was regrly attending the Life Clinic for growth te checks and doing his Confidence Enhancement Training. But it seemed like he still turned into a child around Sae-Ri, like the male lead in a story like ''The Shower.''[1] Seeing Haru''s bright face made me smile without realizing it. ''Haru, you''re making it too obvious,'' I thought to myself. I decided to turn a blind eye for the time being since it wasn''t yet time to worry about scandals. After all, there wasn''t much time left for this innocence anyway. Lee Ju-Yung stood up due to another schedule. "Mr. Jung. I''ll be leaving then." "Yes. I''ll take Sae-Ri to the hospitalter," I told her. "Oh, would you? That¡¯s great. The other kids need to go to the hospital too. It worked out well." Cherry Blossom was practically exhausted, requiring daily hospital visits. But I could only take Sae-Ri to the Life Clinic around lunchtime because she needed to attend morning sses for now due to insufficient attendance days. After taking charge of Sae-Ri, I got up to take Sae-Ri and Haru to school. As we rode the elevator down to the underground parking lot, Sae-Ri chattered non-stop. "Haru, the friends I hang out with the most at school are..." Despite the potential annoyance, Haru seemed happily nodding continuously. That''s when Ju Ho-Sung waved from across the parking lot. "Team Lead Jung. Taking the kids to school?" I nodded, "Yes, Mr. Ju." Next to him was Woo Sung-Chan, smirking in his Hanyoung Arts Junior High uniform. "Hello, Mr. Jung," Woo Sung-Chan greeted me. "Hi," I replied. They approached closer when I returned the greeting. Then Woo Sung-Chan, who stood at 185 cm with a model''s build, looked down at Haru. I turned to Haru and said, "Haru, this is Woo Sung-Chan. Your sunbae from Actor Division 3. Say hi." Haru quickly bent his waist in half and greeted him politely. "Hello! My name is Haru." However, Woo Sung-Chan responded with a nod with an arrogant expression. ''What a disrespectful jerk,'' I remarked silently. At that moment, Woo Sung-Chan began to make a disdainfulment. 1. famous movie about first love in Korea ? Chapter 197: Haru VS Woo Sung-Chan (2)

Chapter 197: Haru VS Woo Sung-Chan (2)

"So you''re the onepeting against me this time?" Woo Sung-Chan asked in a mocking tone as he looked down at Haru. "Pardon?" Haru asked, taken aback. "Why are you so surprised? Did you really think I wouldn''t know? Ms. Yoo Hyun-Ji personally contacted me to tell me you applied for the drama audition." ''What? How did that information leak already?'' I wondered. I did not expect the news to leak so quickly when it had only been an hour since I had spoken with Yoo Hyun-Ji. ''PD Yoo has looser lips than I thought,'' I remarked inwardly. I hadn''t had much interaction with her in my past life, so I couldn''t have anticipated this. Although Woo Sung-Chan knowing about Haru''s audition wouldn''t really change anything, I just found this situation ridiculous. After all, Woo Sung-Chan was trying to intimidate a middle schooler. But he had chosen the wrong opponent. Haru didn''t even understand the situation. To Haru, Woo Sung-Chan was just a tall sunbae whom he should be careful around. Seeing Haru''s ufortable expression, Woo Sung-Chan seemed satisfied as he thought he had won the psychological battle. "Let''s do our best, shall we?" Woo Sung-Chan said with a smirk. "Yes, sunbae-nim!" Haru eximed with a smile on his face. The innocent Haru took Woo Sung-Chan''s words at face value and kept smiling. "Huh?" Woo Sung-Chan tilted his head in confusion, almost causing me to burst outughing. ''Are you shadowboxing alone or something?'' I said silently to myself. It seemed best to get Haru out of here before Woo Sung-Chan noticed what was going on. I turned to Haru and said, "Haru, it''s time to go." At that moment, Woo Sung-Chan looked at me with a displeased face. "Hey, what''s the rush? Hanyoung Arts Junior High is pretty lenient with attendance." Ju Ho-Sung also chimed in to support his actor. "That''s right, Team Lead Jung. Even if they''re auditioning for the same drama and arepetitors, they''re still colleagues at the samepany. Don''t you think you''re being a bit too harsh?" I wondered if Woo Sung-Chan would still be smiling if he ended up not getting the role. "By the way, did PD Yoo call you directly?" I asked. "Yes. Mr. Kim heard about it while scheduling a visit to the broadcasting station. Why did you keep it a secret? You could have just told us," Ju Ho-Sung replied. I remembered how Kim Dong-Soo had half-melted Yoo Hyun-Ji with all sorts of lobbying in my past life. But if I''d been so easily swayed, I wouldn''t have started in the first ce. "Keep it a secret? Why would I hide the fact that Haru is auditioning? I was just busy. And no matter who gets the lead role, I hope it turns out well," I said. Ju Ho-Sung smiled and replied, "Alright, Team Lead Jung. But don''t get the kid''s hopes up too much. Think of it as a good experience." Ju Ho-Sungughed and patted Woo Sung-Chan on the shoulder. "Sung-Chan, they seem busy. Let''s get going." Woo Sung-Chan grinned and waved at Haru. "See you at school. Since HanYoung Arts High School and the Junior High share the same field, we''ll see each other often." Haru nodded. "Okay, sunbae-nim." Ju Ho-Sung and Woo Sung-Chan got in their car and left first. ''It won''t go your way, Woo Sung-Chan,'' I thought to myself. I wanted to give them both a taste of their own medicine, but I had to hold back with Haru and Sae-Ri here. *** As soon as Haru and Sae-Ri sat in the backseat, I looked at the rear mirror and said, "Haru, try not to hang out with Sung-Chan if you can." Sae-Ri tilted her head and asked, "Why?" "That guy''s a bully," I said with a frown. My words surprised Sae-Ri, causing her eyes to widen in shock. "Sung-Chan oppa is a bully? How did I not know that?" "Because you''re in middle school and he''s in high school." "Oh! That makes sense." Although I spoke casually, Sae-Ri understood immediately and pped her hands. Since I couldn''t reveal the details of my previous life, I simply told Haru and Sae-Ri that Woo Sung-Chan was a bully. The only ones who knew about Woo Sung-Chan''s involvement in a school violence case right now were me and Kim Dong-Soo, who had scouted him. ''Maybe even Ju Ho-Sung knows by now,'' I thought. At that moment, Sae-Ri suddenly shivered and began speaking urgently with a worried look. "Yoon-Ho oppa! What if Sung-Chan oppa bullies Haru?" "It''ll be fine, Sae-Ri. Just introduce some of your friends to Haru and help him adapt to school life. I''ll handle everything else," I assured her. "But I need to protect Haru..." Sae-Ri said softly. "Sae-Ri, I''m the talent agent, so I''ll take care of it. You should just focus on your attendance. Aren''t you worried that you won''t be able to graduate?" Sae-Ri''s face turned red. "D-don''t worry! I''ve arranged to take supplementary sses during the holidays and will make up the attendance days!" "I know. Those supplementary sses are included in what I mentioned. Your homeroom teacher said it still might not be sufficient for your graduation." Sae-Ri nced at Haru. "Hey, don''tugh! It''s because I''ve been too busy with work recently!" "Yeah, I know," Haru said while smiling. "Do you really?" Sae-Ri questioned. Haru nodded. "Yes." Seeing Haru''s endlessughter, Sae-Ri finally stopped pouting and joined in theughter. "Why are youughing, dummy!" "Just cause..." Haru stuttered. I couldn''t hold back myughter while listening to their conversation. But now it was time to go to school. I turned to them and said, "Alright, enough chit-chat. Buckle up, guys." "Got it! Let''s go, Yoon-Ho oppa!" Sae-Ri eximed with a wide grin. Seeing Sae-Ri quickly recover and put on a carefree face sometimes made me envious. ''I wish I could be as simple as her,'' I silently remarked. *** In the office at Hanyoung Arts Junior High, Haru watched as his talent agent and guardian, Jung Yoon-Ho, repeatedly bowed deeply. At that moment, a warm feeling swelled in his chest without realizing it, knowing how much his newly acquainted talent agent cared about him. "Ms. Hong, please take good care of Haru," said Jung Yoon-Ho with a bow. The homeroom teacher, Hong Ye-Ji, responded with a friendly smile in a gentle manner. "Don''t worry. Even if it weren''t for me, students from Hoop Entertainment are specially looked after by the vice principal. And he shouldn''t have too much trouble adapting since he''s in the same ss as Sae-Ri." After a long greeting, Jung Yoon-Ho turned to Haru and said, "Call me immediately if anything happens." Haru nodded. "Okay, hyung. Don''t worry." "Do you have your handkerchief?" "I''ve got it." Hong Ye-Ji smiled warmly. "You seem to care more than some parents." Jung Yoon-Ho grinned and replied, "He''s my actor, after all." Haru''s heart felt tight every time he heard those wordsing from Jung Yoon-Ho. "Oh my. Haru, I thought you were an idol trainee just by looks. When is your debut?" Hong Ye-Ji asked. Haru decided not to be shy anymore. He looked Hong Ye-Ji in the eye and said in a confident voice. "I''m auditioning next month. It''s only a few days away." Hong Ye-Ji smiled and said, "Is that so? I''ll help with whatever you need for the audition and shoot. Just let me know in advance." Then Jung Yoon-Ho quickly handed over a printed A4 sheet as if he had been waiting. "Here''s Haru''s schedule. It''s still tentative, but it would be good if you could keep it in mind." Haru had never acted before. But Jung Yoon-Ho, one of the industry''s top talent agents, was already treating him as an actor. He even prepared a schedule that said ''Haru, uing appearance in Master of Mukbang.'' At that moment, Haru resolved to be a proper actor. *** In ss 3-3, Sae-Ri was waving at Haru from the front of the ssroom. After the greetings, Hong Ye-Ji pointed to the seat next to Sae-Ri because the students were seated by height order. Thanks to Sae-Ri, Haru was able to chat with all his ssmates during the four sses in the morning. Given it was a school for aspiring entertainers, Sae-Ri¡¯s influence was immense after having topped the music shows for ten consecutive weeks. After the morning sses and having lunch, Sae-Ri patted her full stomach and stood up. "Haru. You can get back to thepany on your own, right?" "Of course," Haru said. Sae-Ri crossed her arms with a worried expression. "Hmm. I''m not so sure about that." "Go on. Don''t you have to go to the clinic?" Haru asked. After ten weeks of activities, Sae-Ri was in bad shape and had to head straight to the clinic after the morning sses. "Ah, I''m sorry. I really wanted to look after you today. Have fun with the other guys and be careful on your way back. I''ve told the ssmates to look out for you." "Okay." Sae-Ri asked her friends to look after Haru and left with a brisk step. Only then could Haru breathe a sigh of relief. While he was grateful to Sae-Ri, it was admittedly a bit overwhelming. As soon as Sae-Ri was gone, his ssmates started to crowd around him even more. "Hey, you¡¯re debuting soon, right?" "When is Hoop Entertainment holding public auditions, Haru? I''ve heard good things about yourpany recently." "Haru, can I join Hoop Entertainment too? My dad said I should go to thepany where Jung Yoo-Jin is." "Hey! You''re really good-looking." "But Haru, why are your eyes that color?" As questions started pouring in from all directions, Haru didn¡¯t know what to answer. That''s when the ssroom''s back door opened and arge figure entered. Thud! It was Woo Sung-Chan, whom Haru had seen earlier at thepany. Woo Sung-Chan flicked his finger. "Hey, Haru. Come out here for a sec." The atmosphere turned tense as the high school student suddenly barged in. Woo Sung-Chan said with anguid expression, "And you guys better pretend you didn''t see anything. I came here to talk about something betweenpany sunbae and hoobae." The size difference between middle school 3rd graders and high school 3rd graders was already huge, but Woo Sung-Chan wasrger than most adults. Because of this, everyone lowered their eyes and didn''t dare raise their heads. Haru thought about calling Jung Yoon-Ho because of what he had told him earlier. But as Woo Sung-Chan stared intently, Haru put down the phone he was fiddling with. "Okay, hyung," said Haru as he reluctantly followed Woo Sung-Chan. *** The buildings of Han Young Arts Middle and High Schools are connected on the rooftop of Hanyoung Arts Junior High. This allowed Woo Sung-Chan to cross over to the rooftop while avoiding the corridors monitored by teachers. Seeing a group of students smoking on the rooftop, Woo Sung-Chan eximed as if dumbfounded. "Hey. You''ll get cancer if you smoke this early in age, kids." Five of the 3rd graders from Hanyoung Arts Junior High bowed their heads. "Sorry, Sung-Chan hyung. We''ll just finish smoking these and go down right away." "Who do you think you are to smoke freely in front of me? Get out of here now. Or is it that you have a death wish?" Woo Sung-Chan rebuked them. The 3rd graders had no choice but to bow their heads and go down. Then Woo Sung-Chan sat on a chair on the rooftop, crossed his legs, and lit a cigarette from his pocket. When Woo Sung-Chan took a long drag and exhaled the smoke, the white smoke floated around in doughnut shapes. "Why do you think I called you here?" Haru had no choice but to shake his head. "I have no idea." When a bully called you out, it was usually for one of two reasons¡ªeither to extort money or to use you as a punching bag to vent their anger. Haru gritted his teeth in determination. Seeing this, Woo Sung-Chan took another drag from his cigarette and smirked meaningfully. "What is it? Do you think I''m going to extort money from you? I know you don''t have any money, dude." Haru swallowed hard because that left only one possibility. "Please, not the face," said Haru as he covered his face with both hands, prompting Woo Sung-Chan tough. "Wow, look at this guy. You''re just unbelievable. I''m not going to hit you, dude." Woo Sung-Chan said with an incredulous expression. "Then...why did you call me here?" Haru asked. "Didn''t you hear what my team talent agent said earlier? The lead role in the drama is decided¡ªit¡¯s me. So give up on the audition," Woo Sung-Chan demanded. "I''m sorry?" "I don''t want to embarrass myself bypeting with a rookie like you," said Woo Sung-Chan nonchntly However, Haru¡¯s face hardened like stone. No matter the reason, he couldn¡¯t give up on the audition. That would betray the expectations of Jung Yoon-Ho, who had rescued him from his father and shown him a future. Haru mustered all the courage he had. Though physically weak, the old timid Haru was a thing of the past. The weak Lee Haru no longer existed. He was just Haru now. "I can ept anything else but that!" Haru yelled. Woo Sung-Chan snorted as if Haru were a joke. "No?" Woo Sung-Chan rose from his seat and approached Haru. He came up close and thumped Haru¡¯s chest with a clenched fist. Thump! "What do you mean you can ept anything else but that? When a sunbae like me tells you to do something, you do it. Have you lost your mind because I spoke nicely?" Woo Sung-Chan threatened. Thump, thump. Woo Sung-Chan¡¯s fists repeatedly hit Haru¡¯s chest. With each heavy blow from Woo Sung-Chan¡¯s thick hands, Haru¡¯s body started to sway. Haru felt pain in his chest but clenched his teeth tightly. He could endure this much. ''Just endure it. This is nothingpared to what my father used to do,'' Haru told himself silently. However, Haru¡¯s silent endurance seemed to irritate Woo Sung-Chan even more. "Look at this bastard. You''re holding out, huh? Let''s see how long thatsts, shall we?" Woo Sung-Chan said with a conniving smile. Woo Sung-Chan had hoped his opponent would back down at a certain point. But when Haru refused to submit even under threat, Woo Sung-Chan¡¯s pride was wounded. Grip! Woo Sung-Chan grabbed Haru by the cor. "You asshole. You dare ignore what I say?" Haru responded, still held by the cor. "Cough, cough. Let go... please." But Haru''s stiff resistance only fueled Woo Sung-Chan¡¯s anger. The enraged Woo Sung-Chan slowly lifted the cigarette he was smoking. "Let''s see if you can endure this too, you son of a bitch." The red glow of the cigarette began to approach Haru¡¯s left cheek. Chapter 198: Haru VS Woo Sung-Chan (3)

Chapter 198: Haru VS Woo Sung-Chan (3)

Sizzle! As Haru''s hair came into contact with the cigarette that Woo Sung-Chan had pushed forward, acrid smoke billowed up. The distance between the red cigarette ember and Haru''s cheek was merely about 2 cm, close enough to cause a burn if Woo Sung-Chan intended. Haru''s voice began to tremble. "H-hyung... please don''t do this." Woo Sung-Chan cursed. "Shut the fuck up. That''s why you need to make good decisions! You''ve got to protect this pretty face first, right?" Haru struggled with all his might to move away from the glowing cigarette ember. However, he couldn''t move at all because Woo Sung-Chan gripped his cor even tighter than before. "Ugh!" Haru groaned as he continued to struggle. "You bastard. Where do you think you''re going? You need to answer me before you leave. Are you going to audition or not?" Feeling terrified, Haru was about to scream. But he was afraid to scream recklessly as he did not know how Woo Sung-Chan¡¯s anger might unleash itself. ¡®Yoon-Ho... hyung.¡¯ Haru thought of Jung Yoon-Ho without realizing it. At that moment, tears welled up in Haru''s eyes. He thought he wouldn''t have to experience such things anymore after leaving his father and entering the entertainment industry. But he realized that the world was the same everywhere. That''s when Haru hardened his resolve. Even if such situations repeated, he decided not to be crushed. Just as Jung Yoon-Ho had said, he had to abandon his weaker self to be a true actor. Haru hardened his resolve. ¡®I''llnd a role no matter what happens.¡¯ A newfound determination began to take hold in Haru despite his body trembling due to the cigarette light in front of his face. ¡®This too will pass. This time will pass...¡¯ Haru thought to himself. Haru tightly shut his eyes and waited for the violence that was about toe. At that moment, a loud metallic sound rang out as the rooftop door burst open. Bang! And soon after, Jung Yoon-Ho¡¯s shout was heard. ¡°You crazy bastard! How dare you touch my actor!?¡± Haru¡¯s eyes snapped open in surprise. In the blink of an eye, Jung Yoon-Ho ran forward and kicked Woo Sung-Chan in the chest. Thump! Struck by Jung Yoon-Ho¡¯s kick, Woo Sung-Chan let go of Haru¡¯s cor and tumbled all the way to the edge of the rooftop. Crash! At that moment, Haru truly believed that there was a god in this world. *** Woo Sung-Chan dropped the cigarette and crouched down after being kicked. ¡°Ugh. That damn asshole.¡± While Woo Sung-Chan clutched his stomach and cursed, I paid him no mind and checked on Haru. Although I was out of breath, I was more concerned about whether Haru was hurt. ¡°Huff, huff. Haru, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?¡± I asked. Haru''s widened eyes in surprise looked up at me for a moment, and he soon burst outughing. I was puzzled by Haru''s reaction. ¡°Why are youughing? Huff, huff. Are you too shocked?¡± Haru shook his head. ¡°No, not really.¡± Then, he asked with his usual expression, ¡°How did youe here at this time, hyung?¡± ¡°What do you mean how? I came to pick up Sae-Ri and heard you were dragged up to the rooftop, so I ran here!¡± When I met with Sae-Ri after lunch, one of Sae-Ri''s ssmates suddenly called, saying that a tall high school student had taken Haru away. The moment I heard that, I told Sae-Ri to wait in the car and ran up to the school rooftop. As I opened the door to the rooftop, I saw Woo Sung-Chan about to burn Haru''s face with a cigarette. Without a second thought, I kicked Woo Sung-Chan away. "By the way, Haru. Didn''t I tell you to call me if something happens?" I asked. "I''m sorry... I didn''t have time," Haru apologized. I looked him over and Haru was fortunately not injured at all. "It''s fine as long as you''re not hurt." I calmed the startled Haru once more and slowly turned around. By then, Woo Sung-Chan had somehow gotten up and was ring at me with fiery eyes. "What the hell! A mere talent agent dares to hit an agency''s actor?" Woo Sung-Chan always looked down on talent agents as if he, being a celebrity, was superior just because he had appeared on TV a few times. He was utterly disrespectful, probably due to thepany pampering him. When Iughed as I found the situation absurd, Woo Sung-Chan was unable to contain his anger and he clenched his fist. ''Is he trying to fight me right now?'' I wondered. "Woo Sung-Chan. I really want to grind you down, but I''m barely holding back. So let''s stop here. Don''t cross the line," I warned him. I was ready to make him meet both Buddha and Jesus if Haru had been injured. But thankfully, I was restraining myself as Haru was unharmed. But Woo Sung-Chan failed to grasp the situation. "Damn it. You crossed the line first!" Woo Sung-Chan swung his fist at me. He was well-versed in fighting judging by his stance. I gently pushed Haru to the side and moved slightly toward the center of the rooftop. As I moved from where I had been, Woo Sung-Chan¡¯s legs tangled as he tried to hit me. At the same time, his bnce was thrown off and his fist sliced aimlessly through the air. Swoosh! I didn''t miss the opportunity and kicked Woo Sung-Chan in the backside. With the momentum of his run and my kick, Woo Sung-Chan helplessly tumbled forward. "Ugh!" Woo Sung-Chan groaned. Once again, Woo Sung-Chan rolled on the ground with his hair disheveled and his body dusty. I looked at him and said, "That''s enough. Let''s end it here if you really don¡¯t want to get hurt." But Woo Sung-Chan got up abruptly and charged at me again. "You fucking bastard! Die! Just die!" It seemed his judgment was clouded, perhaps due to an overflow of male hormones. ''After all, what deep thoughts could a high school delinquent have?'' I remarked inwardly. I decided to knock him out lightly to stop him from charging further. But just then, the rooftop door swung open. "Woo Sung-Chan! What do you think you are doing?" The person yelling furiously was Park Han-Young, the principal of Hanyoung Arts Junior High. At that moment, Woo Sung-Chan flinched and stopped in his tracks. Park Han-Young was the older brother of Park Doo-Sun, the principal of Hanyoung Arts High School, and also the second son of the President of Hanyoung Foundation. That''s when Woo Sung-Chan took a step back and shouted, "Ugh! I didn¡¯t do anything!" Woo Sung-Chan then turned around and ran toward the rooftop of Hanyoung Arts High School. "T-that kid! You bettere back this instant!" Park Han-Young shouted. Indeed, it seemed only a teacher could handle a student. Despite his fierce demeanor earlier, Woo Sung-Chan became like a mouse in front of a cat in the presence of his teacher. Since the two buildings were attached, it wasn''t difficult for Woo Sung-Chan to flee back to Hanyoung Arts High School and he disappeared somewhere quickly. That was when Sae-Ri peeked around the back of Park Han-Young. "Yoon-Ho oppa, are you okay? Are you hurt?" I couldn''t help butugh seeing Sae-Ri''s eyes filled with concern. ''As if I''d be beaten by a kid like Woo Sung-Chan,'' I thought to myself. I could beat him with one arm tied behind my back and finish him in ten seconds. But I wasn¡¯t sure where to start exining, especially since Park Han-Young approached me in a furious manner, having missed capturing Woo Sung-Chan. "Ahem! Are you Team Lead Jung? Let''s have a word," Park Han-Young said after clearing his throat. I flinched involuntarily. "Um, well, sir. Here¡¯s what happened..." It seemed not only students got nervous in front of a teacher. *** The irritated Woo Sung-Chan returned to ss. He had only intended to intimidate Haru a little, but Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho had unexpectedly shown up. He tried to pass it off as a joke, but Jung Yoon-Hounched a kick without hesitation. "That fucking bitch," cursed Woo Sung-Chan. It had been years since Woo Sung-Chan had been hit by anyone. Having lost his mind over this fact, he was driven to attack. But Jung Yoon-Ho was so fast that Woo Sung-Chan couldn''tnd even a single blow. Fuming, Woo Sung-Chan gasped for breath. That''s when Lee Se-Myung, who had juste back from lunch, sat next to him and asked, "Sung-Chan, what happened? You left without eating and now you look like you''ve been in a fight." "Damn it. It''s nothing," Woo Sung-Chan said dismissively. "Every sentence from you ends with a curse, huh? Wait. Why is there so much dust on your clothes? Did you lose the fight? The great Woo Sung-Chan lost?" Lee Se-Myung asked teasingly. Woo Sung-Chan frowned. "Just shut up. You''re being annoying." Lee Se-Myung eximed when he noticed the dust on Woo Sung-Chan''s chest. "Wow~ Someone actually managed tond a kick on Sung-Chan?" "Hey, will you shut the fuck up?" As Woo Sung-Chan red, Lee Se-Myung raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, I''m sorry~ But seriously. What happened?" "Actually..." Woo Sung-Chan dusted off his chest and exined what had happened. "What? You got hit by a talent agent?" "Ah, whatever." "Do you want me to handle it?" Lee Se-Myung, who dreamed of bing an action actor, was trained to a professional level in judo, jiu-jitsu, and boxing. "We''ll see. I''ll tell you if I need your help. I¡¯m outta here," Woo Sung-Chan replied. "Hey, where are you going? ss is starting." "I feel crappy. I¡¯m gonna skip and go to the PC room." "Hey, wait for me!" Woo Sung-Chan grabbed his bag and got up. While the incident with Haru bothered him, it wasn¡¯t a big concern. He thought that was something Ju Ho-Sung should handle. Rather, what he couldn''t bear was the fact that he had been hit. ''How dare a mere talent agent mess with me? I won''t let this pass,'' Woo Sung-Chan thought to himself. *** After enduring a lecture from the furious Park Han-Young, I was finally set free. It felt like I had regressed to my school days, but I was lucky to get off that lightly considering I had entered the school without permission and caused a violent incident. In return for the reprimand, Park Han-Young promised to speak to the principal of Hanyoung Arts High School about Woo Sung-Chan''s behavior and ensured he would receive a separate punishment. When I mentioned that Haru might debut soon, he even promised to pay more attention. After all, the reputation of an arts junior high depended on how many celebrities it produced. After what felt like a parental conference with benefits given and taken, I left the principal¡¯s office with Sae-Ri and Haru. It felt awkward to leave school early on their first day, but Hong Ye-Ji, feeling sorry, allowed it. As soon as I returned to thepany, I handed Sae-Ri and Haru over to Do Ran-Hee. I instructed her to check if Haru was hurt anywhere and to take Sae-Ri to the hospital. Then I gathered Team Jung and informed them about what had happened at the school. Knowing Haru''s difficult past, the team members reacted to the school incident as if it were their own problem. "Sang-Bong," I called out. Jung Sang-Bong nodded. "Yes, Mr. Jung." "You¡¯ll have to work hard for a while. Take care of Haru for the time being." "Understood, sir." "And Yung-Jin." Lee Yung-Jin looked up. "Yes, Mr. Jung." "We must win this audition no matter what. Understand?" "Would be redundant to say more." The most psychologically damaging thing for an actor was to have a confirmed role taken away. But I wasn''t nning to stop there. After the meeting, I stood up and said, "I¡¯m going to see Mr. Gu." "For what reason?" "To tell on Woo Sung-Chan!" I had to act preemptively since Woo Sung-Chan might try to make excuses and im he was treated unfairly. *** In the 6th-floor meeting room of Hoop Entertainment, a tense meeting was underway to address the violent incident that urred between Woo Sung-Chan of Actor Division 3 and Lee Haru of Actor Division 2. The talent agents from each division were raising their voices and sparks flew as they red at each other, creating an almost palpable tension as if fists might start flying at any moment. Gu Seong-Cheol couldn''t contain his anger and shouted. "Kim Dong-Soo, you jerk! Is this how you manage your actor? Calling a hoobae to the school rooftop to burn him with a cigarette? Do you want to see thepany close down from rumors?" But Kim Dong-Soo maintained his calmposure and resorted to a strategy of denial. "Seriously. How many times do I have to say it might be a misunderstanding? You can''t just use us like this." "Misunderstanding? Did you just say it was a misunderstanding?" Gu Seong-Cheol asked in disbelief. "Yes. It''s not right to act so recklessly based only on Team Lead Jung''s testimony," Kim Dong-Soo reasoned. "Are you saying Team Lead Jung is lying?" Gu Seong-Cheol questioned. At that moment, Kang Ji-Yung raised her hand and intervened to stop the argument. "Team Lead Jung. Do you have any solid evidence?" "I apologize. I didn''t have time to gather evidence because I was busy stopping the cigarette from burning Haru''s face." Having a video recording would have been ideal. However, the situation had not allowed for it, especially since it was almost a close call with Haru potentially suffering burns on his face. But that was okay since I didn''t intend to take Woo Sung-Chan down with this case alone. Today''s meeting was merely a preliminary skirmish, a set-up for arger battle. I had a real trump card up my sleeve. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: October 10, 2020] -05:30 p.m. Actor Division 3 emergency meeting. (Response to the article about Woo Sung-Chan''s school violence.) Even as our meeting dragged on at this moment, the victims of Woo Sung-Chan''s bullying were recording all the violence they had suffered and preparing to deliver a decisive blow. I nned to gather those recordings myself and blow the whistle for them. That''s when I started recalling the addresses of seven victims with the most abused among them being Lee Si-Yoon. These were the addresses I had visited in my past life under Kim Dong-Soo''s orders, to cover up incidents of school violence involving Woo Sung-Chan. Chapter 199 Haru VS Woo Sung-Chan (4)

Chapter 199 Haru VS Woo Sung-Chan (4)

I gathered information about the victims who had been harmed by Woo Sung-Chan at Apgujeong Hanjeongsik Haero, with the help of attorney Kim Chan-Sung, the personalwyer of Lee Ji-Yeon. Because Woo Sung-Chan was from the samepany, I needed to remain anonymous which was why I sought out Kim Chan-Sung''s assistance. Acting on my request, Kim Chan-Sung investigated Woo Sung-Chan''s school life and collected about 100 pages of A4 documents regarding seven victims over the past three years and handed them to me. Currently, I was meeting with Choi So-Hye with that information. As Woo Sung-Chan had recently gained recognition by appearing as a supporting actor, Choi So-Hye began to show keen interest. "Woo Sung-Chan is the eldest son of Woo Sun-Jae, the owner of the best Hanjeongsik restaurant in Jamsil, right?" Choi So-Hye asked. I nodded. "That''s right." The moment I saw Choi So-Hye''s eyes sparkle, a thought crossed my mind. "Noo-nim, were you already investigating that ce by any chance?" "Yes, I was about to dig into that ce anyway. Those scoundrels selectively used their ingredients based on the type of customers, you know?" Woo Sun-Jae, the top Hanjeongsik restaurant in Jamsil, was a famous establishment that had been passed down through three generations. However, there have been reports that they used high-quality ingredients for influential people like VIPs, power bloggers, and well-known Instargem stars, while serving lower-quality ingredients to other customers. It was easy to guess where Woo Sung-Chan learned his nasty demeanor from. ''Like father, like son.'' I thought to myself. Anyway, Choi So-Hye began to drool over the information I provided. "Ha ha ha. What should I do for you in return? I''m so grateful. We can simultaneously deal a blow to the parent and the child," Choi So-Hye chuckled. "Please take good care of this matter," I said to her. "But, Yoon-Ho. Does Ji-Yung know about this?" When asked if I had reported this to Kang Ji-Yung, I shook my head. "No." Choi So-Hye seemed curious. "What are you nning to do?" "Please keep this confidential. I''ll have to handle it alone if this information leaks," I replied straightforwardly. Choi So-Hye stared at me intently. "You really have some nerve, kid. What would you do if I spilled the beans?" I looked at her and smiled. "That won''t happen. As far as I know, you''ve never once disclosed a source." Choi So-Hye smiled. "Can''t say anything against that. Alright, let''s do it." As Choi So-Hye was about to put the documents I handed her into her bag, I suddenly grabbed her hand. "What is it?" Choi So-Hye asked, seemingly shocked. "Noo-nim,e on. You have to settle the bill correctly," I added. "Settle the bill?" "Are you nning to just devour such juicy information and give nothing back?" Choi So-Hye protested, "Keeping the secret that you were the one who gave the documents isn¡¯t enough? I still have to pay for the info?" "Hey. Keeping secrets is a given. Protecting a source ismon sense, isn''t it? You can''t include that in the bill," I argued. Choi So-Hye''s face began to sour as if she bit into an unripe fruit. "Fine! Three promotional articles for the actors you manage. How about it?" Choi So-Hye tried topensate with promotional articles instead of a fee. But I shook my head as that was too cheap. "Add three more," I said. Choi So-Hye frowned. "Double the amount?" The moment I nodded, Choi So-Hye sighed heavily. "Fine. But you''re paying for the drinks today." I pulled out a corporate card with a smile. "Of course! Not just today but I''ll pay for a lifetime." Choi So-Hye chuckled and said something chilling. "Is that a proposal?" I almost had a heart attack. "I am a bachelor by choice." I had never considered being single, but that was the first thing that popped out reflexively. At that moment, Choi So-Hye pursed her lips. "Everyone always says that to me..." ''Maybe that''s because you drink too much?'' I remarked inwardly. Choi So-Hye, though beautiful and capable as a reporter, had a drinking capacity that even surpassed Kang Ji-Yung. It seemed likely that the men who met her avoided her for that reason¡ªperhaps because theycked confidence in their drinking ability or feared they might die if they tried to keep up. Anyway, Choi So-Hye rolled up her sleeves, eager to drink freely today. "There''s plenty of side dishes, so let''s go all out today. Come on, Yoon-Ho. Drink up!" Choi So-Hye eximed. I nodded. "Yes, noo-nim!" From that point, I began to fill her ss with soju which she drank as if driven by a grudge. *** When I woke up the next morning, I was greeted by a special hangover ramen made with bean sprouts and dried pollock prepared by Haru. "Hyung, have some hangover ramen..." Haru offered. "Thanks. But we''ve received the script now, so you don''t need to make breakfast anymore," I told him. "I won''t make it anymore once I get the role." Haru said that nothing made him happier than seeing the steam rise from the rice cooker. "Fine. But you really have to stop if you get the role. Okay?" Haru nodded with a smile. "Alright." His expression suggested he would continue unlike his answer, but I decided to let it go. "Thanks for the meal." "Enjoy it, hyung." I soothed my stomach with the special hangover ramen Haru had prepared. As soon as I drank the warm broth, a calming magic settled my surprised stomach. ''Wow. This is really amazing,'' I thought to myself while eating. The noodles were chewy and the soup was spicy. The ramen disappeared so quickly that I hardly noticed when I had finished it. "Ah. I finally feel alive again," I said with a satisfied expression. Only then did Ie to my senses and ask Haru, "By the way, did you finish preparing the lunchbox?" Haru nodded. "Yes. I got up at dawn and made it all." Haru pointed to a ck four-tiered insted food container that seemed about 30 cm in length and width. "Huh? I said one lunchbox would be enough," I said. Haru''s voice trailed off. "Yes, but still..." To cast Haru as the lead, it was necessary for Yoo Hyun-Ji to taste Haru''s food. That''s why I nned to showcase the lunchbox Haru made during the preliminary meeting. Even if Woo Sung-Chan were to be ousted from the entertainment industry, it didn''t mean Haru would immediately be the lead. For this reason, I handed over a list of dishes from Master of Mukbang to Haru so that he could prepare them and to impress Yoo Hyun-Ji. I suggested picking the easy ones from the list to make into a lunchbox, but Haru had filled up the four-tiered food container. Worried about the taste, I asked for some leftover galbi-jjim that had been packed in the container. But the moment I tasted the galbi-jjim Haru made, I involuntarily eximed, "What is this? Why is this so delicious?" "Really?" said Haru whose face lit up. "This isn''t a taste you can get at home. How did you make this?" It was like food made by a professional. "By the way, where on earth did you learn to cook like this?" "Well..." Haru exined that he had volunteered in the school cafeteria in his previous junior high. Apparently, there was ady among the cafeteria chefs who held licenses in Korean, Western, and Chinese cuisine. Thinking that learning to cook would prevent him from starving to death, Haru desperately clung to thatdy to learn cooking. For that reason, Haru''s dream had been to be a chef before he met me. Haru scratched his head, mentioning he had also filmed a self-video of him cooking that dawn. He remembered that he needed to shoot a promotional video for Instargem. "I''m sorry. I should have filmed it for you," I apologized. I was so intoxicated from drinking with Choi So-Hye that I hadn''t noticed him cooking in the cramped studio apartment. A wave of guilt washed over me. Haru smiled. "Don''t be sorry. It wasn''t that difficult at all." Thanks to Haru''s thorough preparation, my worries flew away. "Okay! If I can''t make you the lead in Master of Mukbang even after this, you can get mad at me all you want," I replied. "Why would I get mad at you, hyung?" Haru asked. "That''s just a figure of speech," I said with a smile. I was quite satisfied knowing how hard my actor had worked just as hard as I did. "Shall we go then?" "Okay, hyung!" Haru clutched the four-tiered insted lunchbox close to his chest in fear it might cool down and followed me into the car. I could start to see Haru''s ambition to ovee Woo Sung-Chan and win the lead role. ''Yes. A person needs to have ambition to survive in this cruel industry,'' I thought to myself. It was impressive to see Haru gradually change day by day. *** We arrived at the drama department located on the 5th floor of the TVM Main Building. The day before the audition for the lead role in Master of Mukbang, I managed to schedule a preliminary meeting with Yoo Hyun-Ji who was in charge of the production. Although the official audition would be on July 3rd, ourpany, like all others, had arranged for a preliminary meeting. After all, getting a stamp of approval from the PD could increase the chances of securing the role. Haru and I bowed our heads at 90 degrees in front of Yoo Hyun-Ji. "Hello, I am Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment." Yoo Hyun-Ji, with her long hair tightly tied back with a yellow rubber band, greeted us. "Wow. You guys arrived so early." She seemed to have been editing all night looking at her makeup floating and dark circles under her eyes descending at least 3 cm. "This is the guy? What was his name again?" Yoo Hyun-Ji asked. "Hello, my name is Haru." "Yes, Haru. I remember the name. Have a seat here." Yoo Hyun-Ji''s eyes sparkled like a leopard eyeing its prey as she looked at Haru. "Hmm. You look much better in person than in your profile photo. How old did you say you were?" "I''m in my third year of middle school this year." "Third year of middle school...Is that 15 years old?" "I''m 16." "Is that so? How''s your acting? Have you thoroughly memorized the script?" Haru nodded. "Yes, Ms. Yoo. I have read it over and over." His answer was confident and his expression was self-assured. Haru had changed a lot, thanks to my efforts to instill confidence in him. Perhaps because of that, even the usually strict Yoo Hyun-Ji couldn''t hide a trace of favor in her expression. "Well, we can always check the acting during the audition... " But then Yoo Hyun-Ji crossed her arms and smacked her lips. "Team Lead Jung." "Yes, Ms. Yoo." "Do you really need to audition? I mean, if it were just a drama, it would be one thing. But we have a cookingpetition show nned in conjunction. You know Table of Mukbang, right?" I nodded. "Of course I know." Jo Han-Ill from the Variety Department and Yoo Hyun-Ji from the Drama Department were ssmates and secretly dating. The idea for Master of Mukbang came up while they were nning a project they could work on during a date. Of course, no one else knew this nor did anyone know that Jo Han-Ill, who had promised to marry Yoo Hyun-Ji in a year, would break up with her after catching feelings for a new AD. "Our drama''s lead must appear on Mukbang''s Table prepared by the Variety Department, but Haru is too young. If he can''t cook there, it would be a huge embarrassment for me. A lead should at least make it to the top four..." Her judgment was arbitrary as usual. But unlike the future rigid Yoo Hyun-Ji, the young version of her still had at least some flexibility. "Do you really think I would havee unprepared? Haru''s cooking skills are excellent," I said confidently. But Yoo Hyun-Ji wore a nonchnt expression. "Sending him to sses for a few months to train won''t be enough. You can deceive the audience with camera work in drama, but how will you handle the auditions for Mukbang''s Table?" I eagerly opened my mouth. "Haru, take out the lunchbox." Haru pulled out the four-tiered food container from his bag. "What''s this?" Yoo Hyun-Ji asked in curiosity upon seeing the lunchbox. "This is a lunchbox Haru made himself. Please try it." The food Haru had prepared in the four-tiered container was impably presented like a professional''s work, starting with a rolled omelet, braised pork, a seasoned mix of chili paste and mayonnaise, spicy stir-fried pork, soybean paste soup, braised ribs, and steamed seafood. These were the dishes he would be making in Master of Mukbang. Yoo Hyun-Ji looked over the food with a serious expression and tilted her head. "Did you really make all this yourself?" Haru nodded confidently."Yes!" But Yoo Hyun-Ji still wore a skeptical expression. "I''ll just try it then. I only had a cup of ramen all night because I was busy editing." Yoo Hyun-Ji, still unconvinced, spooned some steaming rice from the insted food container. "The rice seems perfectly cooked." After tasting the rice, Yoo Hyun-Ji tilted her head and began to pick at the side dishes with her chopsticks. She started with the braised ribs, then the rolled omelet, and finally the seafood stew. But her expression which had been joyful until now began to harden. "Don''t you like it?" I asked. Yoo Hyun-Ji mmed her spoon down on the table. "Team Lead Jung, are you ying games with me?" Yoo Hyun-Ji''s voice was clear and sharp. "What do you mean?" I asked. Yoo Hyun-Ji''s face grew cold. "What do you take me for? This is all store-bought!" "Store-bought?" She continued, "Are you joking with me? A middle schooler cooked this? No matter how much you want the role, do you think such a lie would work on me?" I almost burst outughing at the absurdity. Before Yoo Hyun-Ji''s misunderstanding deepened, I quickly pulled out my phone. "What are you doing right now?" Yoo Hyun-Ji questioned. "Please watch this first," I said as I showed her the video Haru had recorded earlier. In the video, Haru was humming in an apron and cooking. At that moment, Yoo Hyun-Ji''s face showed surprise. "Is this really... all made by him?" "Yes, he got up at dawn to make it. He wanted to serve you something warm." That''s when Yoo Hyun-Ji cleared her throat awkwardly. Her dismissivement about the food being store-bought earlier made her look unusually embarrassed. "Oh, so this is..." To help Yoo Hyun-Ji out of her awkwardness, I gently steered the conversation and changed the subject. "So please look kindly on Haru. Isn''t his cooking skill quite professional?" Yoo Hyun-Ji fanned herself and responded, "What¡¯s there to look kindly on or not? He came prepared with the script and necessary cooking skills. And he even has an impressive look. There¡¯s nothing to dislike about him." I knew Yoo Hyun-Ji was inherently biased from my impression of her in my past life. Once she saw something in a positive light, she seemed to think everything was good. But once you fell out of favor, it was hard to change her mind. Now that we had caught her eye, the likelihood of Harunding the lead role had drastically increased. But the real challenge was just beginning. Yoo Hyun-Ji cleared her throat and broached the main topic. "But you know that our CP is pushing for Woo Sung-Chan from yourpany for the lead role, right?" I had to respond carefully. Choi So-Hye was preparing to expose Woo Sung-Chan, but I couldn''t reveal that right now. "Team Lead Jung. Even if you managed to convince me, how do you n to convince the CP?" I answered Yoo Hyun-Ji''s question like this. Chapter 200 Haru VS Woo Sung-Chan (5)

Chapter 200 Haru VS Woo Sung-Chan (5)

"I will prepare Haru to the best of my ability until the day of the audition." This was my answer when faced with Yoo Hyun-Ji''s question of how to persuade Kim Tae-Chon, the chief producer of Master of Mukbang. Yoo Hyun-Ji smiled. "What? That''s it?" She looked as if she wanted to ask if that''s all I''ve got when I managed to win her over. In fact, I knew a way to persuade Kim Tae-Chon. But convincing him would require a lot of entertaining. In my past life, Woo Sung-Chan became the main lead of Master of Mukbang not only because of his exceptional looks and his status as the son of Woo Sun-Jae, the owner of Jamsil''s top Korean restaurant but also due to the influence of Kim Dong-Soo''s entertainment. But there was no need for such measures this time. After all, everything would be over as soon as Choi So-Hye broke the news concerning Woo Sung-Chan. Unaware of my intentions, Yoo Hyun-Ji showed a troubled expression. It seemed she thought I would suggest entertaining Kim Tae-Chon with drinks, but that was far from the truth. "Sigh, okay. I''ll do my best for now, so you, Team Lead Jung, think of something else as well. It''s really hard to convince Mr. Kim," Yoo Hyun-Ji said. I didn''t respond but simply smiled broadly. I thought, ''No, he will have no choice but to change his mind. A bombshell is about to drop soon.'' Just as I was about to get up, Yoo Hyun-Ji shared another concern. "But the thing is, Haru''s age doesn''t match the drama setting..." Master of Mukbang was about a freshman in college who lived alone and recreated dishes from local restaurants he visited at home. However, there was a problem with the setting because Haru was only 16 years old and a minor like him couldn''t live alone. "No one will believe he''s a college student because he''s too short... What do we do?" Yoo Hyun-Ji pondered. "If his age being young and living alone conflicts with the setting, how about adding a new actor as an uncle or an older brother? That could resolve the discrepancy," I suggested. "I''ve thought about that as well, but we don¡¯t have the budget to add another actor," Yoo Hyun-Ji exined. "Why not use a cameo then?" Yoo Hyun-Ji''s eyes sparkled. "Oh? It seems like you already have someone in mind. Go on, tell me." "How about Mr. Lee Tae-Poong? I think he would be suitable," I proposed. Yoo Hyun-Ji stared at me intently. Lee Tae-Poong bing the lead in Choi Sung-Moon''s Beyond the Boundary was a well-known story in the broadcasting industry. Everyone was taken by surprise because the renowned Choi Sung-Moon would never choose an actor just by his looks. "I''ve heard the rumors too. They say Mr. Tae-Poong''s acting has improved a lot, huh?" Yoo Hyun-Ji asked. "You¡¯d be surprised if you saw him yourself. Even Mr. Choi Sung-Moon said a cameo would be fine." Yoo Hyun-Ji''s face brightened. "There''s no winning against you, Team Lead Jung. You just read right through my mind. Okay, then make sure Haru practices his acting well for the audition. As long as there are no major issues, I''ll push for him to be the lead." Haru and I got up and bowed our heads. "Thank you, Ms. Yoo!" Yoo Hyun-Jiughed heartily and pointed to a tray still full of food. "Now, can I finish off the rest of the food now?" "Of course. We will take our leave now, so please enjoy your meal at ease," I added with a smile. Yoo Hyun-Ji nodded and then smiled at Haru and said, "Oh, now that I see him up close, his eyes are quite unique. That''s gonna draw lots of attention." ''Yes, people will love those mysterious eyes indeed,'' I remarked inwardly. Haru smiled with twinkling eyes and thanked her once again. Just like that, Haru and I left Yoo Hyun-Ji''s office. At the same time, I checked my nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: July 31, 2020] -06:30 p.m. TVM <Master of Mukbang> Episode 1 Woo Sung-Chan monitoring (Viewership ratings 2.3%) ''It''s still not changing, huh?'' I thought to myself. It seemed like Kim Tae-Chon had been bought over by Kim Dong-Soo''s entertainment efforts. However, the situation would certainly be over once Choi So-Hye released her article. After all, broadcasting stations were among the most sensitive to public opinion. *** All the actor division team leads, chiefs, and directors gathered in the conference room on the sixth floor of Hoop Entertainment. Today''s main agenda was the full-scale promotion n for Woo Sung-Chan. Lee Gi-Cheol spoke to Sung Min-Suk, the team lead of the publicity division. "Team Lead Sung, show us how much traction Woo Sung-Chan''s articles got today." "Yes, sir." Sung Min-Suk nodded as he disyed the articles on therge LCD screen in the conference room. [Person of Interest: Hoop Entertainment''s Woo Sung-Chan!] [Woo Sung-Chan, Hoop Entertainment''s Next Star.] [Woo Sung-Chan. Eyeing TVM''s Master of Mukbang for His Next Project?] [Woo Sung-Chan. Self-Luminous Pretty Boy Aura!] The entertainment pages were stered with articles, showing how much money had been spent. At that moment, Kang Ji-Yung frowned and said, "Mr. Lee, you do know that Haru from Actor Division 2 also applied for the audition of Master of Mukbang, right?" Lee Gi-Cheol replied, "Of course, I know." "But don''t you think it''s unfair to push only one side like this?" Kang Ji-Yung questioned. Lee Gi-Cheol grinned and started reading Woo Sung-Chan''s profile. "Woo Sung-Chan. He¡¯s trained well for a year and is a perfect fit for a mukbang show since he is the son of the owner of Jamsil''s top Korean restaurant, Woo Sun-Jae. He can cook, and his model-like stature and masculine appearance will appeal to teenagers and women in their twenties. Director Kang, don¡¯t you think it¡¯s a bit unfair topare him with Haru?" Lee Gi-Cheol''s voice rose as he thought he had the upper hand. Kang Ji-Yung was left speechless for a moment. After all, everything in the objectivepany profile file did support Lee Gi-Cheol''s statement. Following Lee Gi-Cheol, Kim Dong-Soo excitedly expressed his ambition to support Woo Sung-Chan as a key actor in Actor Division 3. That''s when Sung Min-Suk''s face turned white beyond pale after checking the reactions to the articles. ''It''s out,'' I thought to myself. Kim Dong-Soo stopped his briefing and looked puzzled. "What''s wrong, Mr. Sung?" Sung Min-Suk stuttered, "Woo-Woo Sung-Chan. There¡¯s an article about him being a bully, sir." Lee Gi-Cheol¡¯s face instantly turned grim. "What did you say?" Sung Min-Suk swallowed hard and disyed the article on the LCD. "T-take a look at this." [Woo Sung-Chan. School Bully! Victim Interview: "He was a devil."] "H-how could this happen..." The faces of Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung began to pale. At that moment, articles about Woo Sung-Chan began to appear simultaneously as if they had been waiting. [Jamsil''s Premier Korean Restaurant Woo Sun-Jae''s Eldest Son, Woo Sung-Chan, Involved in a Bullying Incident!] [Woo Sung-Chan Scheduled to Appear in Master of Mukbang. Horrific Evidence of Bullying!] ...... The meeting about how to promote Woo Sung-Chan as the lead of Master of Mukbang and his future development n suddenly shifted to a contingency n for the Woo Sung-Chan bullying scandal. At the same time, I received a call from Yoo Hyun-Ji. [Caller: PD Yoo Hyun-Ji] The reason she called was clear even without answering: It would be about the lead role decision. But still wanting to be certain, I checked the diary nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: July 31, 2020] -06:30 p.m. (Deleted Schedule: TVM Master of Mukbang Episode 1 Woo Sung-Chan monitoring (Viewership ratings 2.3%)) I thought, ''It''s all over.'' The moment I confirmed that the schedule in the nner was deleted, I immediately turned to Kang Ji-Yung and said, "Ms. Kang, it''s a call from Ms. Yoo." Suddenly, the meeting room which had been noisy discussing how to handle Woo Sung-Chan''s school violence incident, quieted down. At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo red at me and said, "Don''t answer it!" I figured that the CP of Master of Mukbang must have been trying to reach Kim Dong-Soo after Woo Sung-Chan''s bullying incident broke out. However, Kim Dong-Soo was trying to avoid calls until he could manage the situation. That''s when Lee Gi-Cheol stared at me intently and asked, "No way...Don''t tell me you did this." I defended myself. "Mr. Lee, I understand you''re upset about what happened to Woo Sung-Chan, but isn¡¯t that a bit of a stretch? What does his middle school bullying incident have to do with me?" "You could have tipped off the reporters," Lee Gi-Cheol replied. ''Damn, he''s sharper than I thought,'' I remarked inwardly. But I maintained a facade of ignorance. "Sir, it''s harmful to your health to be so suspicious. Besides, if I had the power to drop such a bomb, why would I be here instead of working independently?" I rebutted. Fortunately, Choi So-Hye had made an effort to keep me out of suspicion. Instead of keeping the story to herself, she distributed different pieces of evidence to various media outlets to spark a chain reaction of articles. But she had exclusively handled the interview with Lee Si-Yoon, the victim who suffered the most. Lee Gi-Cheol made a sound as if he was clearing a decade''s worth of constipation. "Ugh..." Just as Kim Dong-Soo was about to retort out of anger, Kang Ji-Yung stopped him and said, "Let''s just take the call first. We can''t keep avoiding it forever." I nodded. "Okay." Everyone in the meeting room held their breath. Following the instruction to use the speakerphone, I switched the call to the speaker mode. At that moment, Yoo Hyun-Ji''s sharp voice came through. -What took you so long to answer the phone! "I apologize. I had left my phone outside during the meeting," I replied. -Quick, put Chief Kim on the line! This isn¡¯t something we can just avoid forever, and Mr. Kim is about to explode because he keeps not answering! The anger meant for Kim Dong-Soo was directed at me. But since it wasn''t really directed at me, I could respond nonchntly. "I apologize. But he hasn''t had time to answer because he''s busy handling the press." -Fine. Just so you know, we are dropping that jerk Woo Sung-Chan from the lead role! Kim Dong-Soo suddenly jumped up, as if he wanted to speak to Yoo Hyun-Ji immediately. But there was no way he could just start talking on the phone having avoided their calls until now. "I understand. I will convey the message." -Oh, and Mr. Kim says you need toe to the station right now. "Excuse me? Who?" -Who do you think? It''s obviously you, Team Lead Jung. There¡¯s a mountain of issues to discuss about Haru¡¯s lead role. What? Don''t you like it? I clenched my fists and resisted the urge to jump for joy. I felt like whistling seeing the distorted expressions of staff from Actor Division 3 and Lee Gi-Cheol. At that moment, Gu Seong-Cheol tapped me on my shoulder and nudged me to respond quickly. "I-it''s my pleasure. I''ll be right there," I quickly responded. -Come right now. And bring a chief with you as well. "I''lle with Mr. Gu." -Okay. I¡¯ll let Mr. Kim know. And bring his favorite coffee when youe. He¡¯s steaming mad and needs something cool. "We''ve got it." Gu Seong-Cheol and I exchanged nces and stood up. However, a worry sprung up at the same time. ¡®There''s no way Woo Sung-Chan is just going to sit still...¡¯ I pondered. *** [Woo Sung-Chan. Expelled from Hoop Entertainment! Fullpensation for the victims of the bullying incident.] Just 24 hours after the school violence incident went public, Woo Sung-Chan was notified of his expulsion from Hoop Entertainment. Woo Sung-Chan cursed and let out a bitter chuckle. "Fuck this. The great Woo Sung-Chan can''t just die off like this. Hehe." Drenched in alcohol and unable to contain his rage, Woo Sung-Chan found himself at a rental apartment in Jamsil. Lee Si-Yoon was the one who provided decisive evidence in the article that exploded today. Woo Sung-Chan had thought Lee Si-Yoon was just an ordinary fool, but he never knew he was vicious enough to have taken photos of his beatings over thest three years, each documented by date and even keeping audio recordings. Lee Si-Yoon had dug up the past just as Woo Sung-Chan was about to spread his wings and soar, ruining everything. "That dumbass dared to spray shit on my life, huh?" Woo Sung-Chan growled. Woo Sung-Chan had nned toe to the apartment with his close friend Lee Se-Myung, but he wouldn''t even answer his calls, perhaps having heard of his expulsion from the entertainment industry. As the rain was drizzling from the sky, Woo Sung-Chan trudged forward with his ck raincoat pulled tightly over him. The cold raindrops seeped into his coat, but he felt no chill as he was blinded by anger. "Next to Lee Si-Yoon is that bastard Jung Yoon-Ho..." Woo Sung-Chan muttered to himself and fiddled with the knife hidden inside his coat. He was worried about being caught by security. Fortunately for him, the guard station at the entrance of the apartment on the first floor was empty, perhaps because the guard was out on patrol. Feeling as if even the heavens were aiding his revenge, Woo Sung-Chan slowly made his way to the elevator. The run-down rental apartment had no security camera, prompting a smirk from Woo Sung-Chan. "He he. See? Even the heavens support my revenge." Ding. When Woo Sung-Chan stepped out on the seventh floor, he noticed the long corridor of the rental apartment was dimly lit by flickering incandescent bulbs. As he walked down the dimly lit corridor, Woo Sung-Chan steeled his resolve. He hadn''t encountered anyone on the way up nor were there any security cameras around. The staggering Woo Sung-Chan reached the front of Lee Si-Yoon¡¯s apartment. Then he carefully pressed the doorbell. Ding-dong. Lee Si-Yoon''s voice came from beyond the door. "Who is it?" Woo Sung-Chan started to act with a trembling voice. "Si-Yoon. It''s me, Sung-Chan." -Go away! Leave before I call the police! Lee Si-Yoon''s voice was icy cold. ''Hah! Such treatment from someone who used to tremble without even making eye contact,'' Woo Sung-Chan thought to himself. But Woo Sung-Chan had braced himself for such coldness. Hoping that Lee Si-Yoon might open the door, he began to act with a defeated voice. "I''m so sorry, Si-Yoon. Please, just show me your face. I''ll apologize and leave right away. Please." -I have nothing to say to you. Go away. Thud. Woo Sung-Chan''s knees hit the soggy and sticky corridor floor. "I''ll stay here on my knees until you open the door." He continued his act with a seriousness he had never felt before, focused solely on getting Lee Si-Yoon to open the door. -Sigh. A-alright, get up. I''lle out. Lee Si-Yoon''s voice trembled before stopping. At that moment, Woo Sung-Chan pulled out the knife he had hidden and grinned sinisterly. ''He he he. Come on out,'' Woo Sung-Chan said silently with a smirk on his face. After a while, the door clicked open. Click. In that instant, Woo Sung-Chan sprung up and dashed inside with a shout. "Die, you fucking bastard!" Chapter 201: The New Beginning

Chapter 201: The New Beginning

As the door swung open, Woo Sung-Chan rushed in screaming. However, standing behind the door wasn''t Lee Si-Yoon but me who was waiting for him with a dining chair in one hand. Thud. Woo Sung-Chan stopped in his tracks, blocked by the chair leg, and said, "Argh! You, you are...?" With his movements restricted by the chair leg, Woo Sung-Chan was surprised when he saw my face. At that moment, I swung the chair with all my might. Bang! Struck in the sr plexus and neck by the chair leg, Woo Sung-Chan dropped the knife he was holding. ng. I seized the moment and pushed Woo Sung-Chan out of the house with the chair. "Ugh," Woo Sung-Chan groaned as he stumbled outside the front door after being pushed by the chair. Then I immediately dropped the chair and rushed over to pin Woo Sung-Chan down. Simultaneously, I twisted Woo Sung-Chan''s arm and shouted at Kim Chan-Sung inside the house, "Mr. Kim! Please call the police right now." "Y-yes! Okay!" Kim Chan-Sung responded with haste. While recording the situation with his phone, Kim Chan-Sung promptly dialed 112. ''It''s all over now,'' I thought to myself. It was game over having recorded Woo Sung-Chan wielding a knife as he entered the house. Woo Sung-Chan screamed and struggled. "Shit! Let me go! Aaaah!" I wanted to hit him a few more times, but I held back my anger to avoid exceeding the limits of self-defense. "Aaah! You''re so done if my dad finds out about this..." Woo Sung-Chan continued to yell. "You came at me with a knife and all you can do is call for your dad? Don¡¯t worry. Your father will be following you soon," I rebuked him. Woo Sung-Chan seemed surprised by my words. "What... what do you mean by that?" Soon, Choi So-Hye would be posting an article about the poor quality ingredients used at Woo Sun-Jae, the Korean restaurant run by Woo Sung-Chan''s parents. "You''ll see," I muttered. At that moment, Lee Si-Yoon, who had been hiding in fear, slowly emerged from behind the door. Lee Si-Yoon, wearing a stretched blue tracksuit, shouted at Woo Sung-Chan who was pinned beneath me, "You fucking bastard!" Lee Si-Yoon seemed too innocent to curse, but to my surprise, long-suppressed anger burst forth from his mouth. I hade today to help Lee Si-Yoon take down Woo Sung-Chan, and also to introduce him to a schrship foundation. Having prepared alone for the GED after quitting high school due to trauma from Woo Sung-Chan''s bullying, Lee Si-Yoon had the grades to easily get into Seoul National University. He had dreamed of attending a college of education as he thought bullying could have been avoided if it weren''t for teachers'' indifference. But at this moment, Lee Si-Yoon was choosing apletely different path. "I''ll definitely be a prosecutor and lock up trash like you, Woo Sung-Chan," Lee Si-Yoon said with hardened resolve. As Lee Si-Yoon affirmed his resolve, Woo Sung-Chanughed mockingly beneath me. "Prosecutor? Bullshit. You can''t even afford tuition! Tell me, do you have enough money to affordw school tuition? I bet not!" But I answered Woo Sung-Chan''s angry words on behalf of Lee Si-Yoon. "Si-Yoon just received a schrship." "What?" Thanks to the schrship foundation introduced by Kim Chan-Sung, Lee Si-Yoon and other victims of Woo Sung-Chan could continue their studies. "Woo Sung-Chan, what will you do now? It doesn''t seem too hard for Si-Yoon to be a prosecutor looking at his grades," I continued. Woo Sung-Chan''s perplexed eyes began to quiver with panic. He had always despised Lee Si-Yoon because he found it irritating that someone so poor could be so smart. Woo Sung-Chan knew better than anyone the extent of Lee Si-Yoon''s academic abilities. With a determined will, Lee Si-Yoon looked at me and said, "Yoon-Ho hyung, thank you foring today. I''ll never forget this debt." The future prosecutor was thanking me, acknowledging he owed me a great debt. I smiled and replied, "Don''t mention it. More importantly, contact me whenever you need help." "I will, Yoon-Ho hyung." The police arrived not too long after, and Woo Sung-Chan was arrested on the spot for attempted murder as he hade in with a knife. Just like that, the long night was finallying to an end. *** Actor Division 3 was turned upside down when the news spread that Woo Sung-Chan had sought out his victim with a knife. However, I decided not to inform the media about this incident. Given the outrageous nature of Woo Sung-Chan''s actions, it could severely damage thepany as a whole. Kim Chan-Sung handled everything on my behalf, and Woo Sung-Chan disappeared as if he had never existed. Naturally, Haru was set to y a leading role in Master of Mukbang. I was allowed some time off after wrapping up the incident because I needed to move before the shoot for In the Name of God began. I left the second-hand items in my studio apartment as they were, and only packed some clothes and a nket before heading over to Yoo-Jin''s house. When I arrived at Yoo-Jin''s house at 5 p.m., two security staff from ADD Caps were on guard. "Wee, Mr. Jung," the guards greeted me. I nodded and smiled. "Thank you for your hard work." I gave a brief greeting and parked the car in the attached garage. But only then did I notice that the garage door had changed. What was once a manual shutter was now an automatic one, and the entrance, previously 2.5 meters high, had been raised to 3.5 meters. Thanks to this, the Merciless Bends Springer 2 for Yoo-Jin could also be parked inside the house. ''Could it be that Mrs. Jung In-Ji is secretly rich?'' I wondered. I hadn''t thought deeply about it before since the house''s exterior looked humble, but a three-story detached house on 330 square meters ofnd must be quite valuable. But whether or not she was wealthy was not the point. More importantly, Jung In-Ji cared deeply for Yoo-Jin and me. I felt a twinge in my nose thinking that Jung In-Ji considered Yoo-Jin and I like a family. "Let''s get out, Haru." "Okay, hyung." As we got out of the car, Yoo-Jin, Miso, and Jung In-Ji, fully dressed and ready, were waiting for us. "What are you doing, Miso?" I asked. Miso, wearing gloves, said excitedly, "Uncle Yoon-Ho! We''ll help you move!" I replied, "There''s no need. I threw out the heavy stuff and there¡¯s not much left. I can just do it with Haru." But Yoo-Jin shook her head and rolled up her sleeves. "Speak no more, tenant." Jung In-Ji also smiled warmly. "Team Lead Jung. It''ll be done quickly if we help. Come, let¡¯s move quickly and have some jjajangmyeon." "That won''t be enough. I''ll order sweet and sour pork, Kung Pao shrimp, and spicy stir-fried ss noodles as well!" I responded with a smile. Jung In-Ji chuckled. "Ha ha. Alright then." "Thank you so much for your help," I expressed my gratitude. "Come on, let¡¯s go up." Jung In-Ji replied with a grin. We all carried a box each and started moving things to the third floor. When we reached the rooftop room, a neatly arranged yard came into my view. The walls of the rooftop room were perfectly repaired and the roof had been newly installed. "You didn¡¯t have to go through all this trouble..." I said. "Nonsense. It''s hot in summer and cold in winter without a roof," Jung In-Ji said. "Thank you." "Thank me for what? You''re paying rent anyway." "Oh,e on. I know you''re only charging half the market rate." "Ha ha. Let¡¯s go inside. I¡¯ve also ordered a tform [2] for the front and it will be delivered soon." I entered the room after showing my gratitude. But the interior didn¡¯t feel like a rooftop room at all. The clean three-room setup was brighter than a new building from the linoleum to the wallpaper, though I hadn¡¯t expected wallpaper with flower patterns. "Uh, this wallpaper is..." my voice trailed off. Yoo-Jin quickly replied, "Oppa, Miso chose the wallpaper." "Yep! I picked it out," Miso said excitedly. Hearing Miso''s words, any thoughts of changing the wallpaper vanished. "W-wow. It''s pretty. Exactly the shade I was looking for... yeah," I said with a sheepish smile. Yoo-Jin and Miso burst outughing. Theirughter meant different things, though. *** After we had finished setting up the house, we waited for the food from the Chinese restaurant Hwangryong. Beep-beep. "Oh? I think it''s here." Thanks to the inte system connected to the front door on the third floor, I could see who was at the entrance. But instead of the delivery person from the Chinese restaurant, it was the talent agents from Team Jung. -Yoon-Ho! Say something here! They won''t let us in without your permission! The security guards were giving them a stern look because I had instructed that not even thepany employees should enter the home uninvited. Once I assured the guards over the inte it was okay to let them in, the talent agents from Team Jung could finally enter the house. Lee Yung-Jin came up carrying a pack of toilet paper rolls. "Wow, this ce is nice," hemented. Lee Yung-Jin spoke casually with me as it was after work hours. "Why did youe without calling? I¡¯m nning to have a housewarming party on a separate day," I replied. "Hey, do you think we have time for that? There''s a hundred percent chance it will be canceled even if we schedule it. Besides, we have to eat and leave right away. We''ve got some work to do after," Lee Yung-Jin insisted. "Alright. Take a seat." All members of Team Jung hade except for Lee Dae-Ho who was currently busy managing on-site events for Lee Tae-Poong. At that moment, Do Ran-Hee eximed, "Mr. Jung. I don''t need jjajangmyeon. Just sweet and sour pork and yang jang pi noodles[1] will do." ''Ran-Hee, oh Ran-Hee. Where did you sell your conscience?'' I remarked inwardly. "I¡¯ve ordered sweet and sour pork and other dishes already. I¡¯ll add yang jang pi when they arrive," I replied. Jung In-Ji spread a mat in the third-floor yard and we all sat around waiting for the food. Shortly after, the food arrived in two rounds. Sweet and sour pork, Kung Pao shrimp, spicy stir-fried ss noodles, yang jang pi, jjamppong, and jjajangmyeon quickly filled the mat. That¡¯s when Do Ran-Hee started singing and peeled the stic wrap off the bowl of sweet and sour sauce. "Sweet and sour pork~! Sweet and sour pork~ Gotta pour the sauce over sweet and sour pork!" Do Ran-Hee sang. Just as she was about to pour the sauce on the dish, Lee Yung-Jin quickly grabbed her hand and said, "Stop right there. Who said you could pour the sauce? Pouring? Are you out of your mind?" Do Ran-Hee red at Lee Yung-Jin coldly and said, "Seriously? Do you prefer dipping the sauce? Wow, Yung-Jin oppa. You really don¡¯t know what''s good!" Lee Yung-Jin had an incredulous look on his face. "I can''t believe this, I just can¡¯t. Is this why murders happen?" "Oh dear. That¡¯s a bit much to say~." "What did you just say? Try me!" "Are you really going to force me to chop off that hand?" The two spat dialects at each other as they squabbled. With one serving of sweet and sour pork and the half-unwrapped sauce, the battle of pouring versus dipping the sauce began. At that moment, lines were drawn between the dipping and pouring factions. Jung Sang-Bong, Do Ran-Hee, Eun Ji-Yoo, and Lee Mi-Ri were for pouring, while Lee Yung-Jin, Yang So-Ri, and Cha Sang-Jin were for dipping. Do Ran-Hee stared intently at Haru who was seated beside me. "Haru, are you for dipping or pouring?" "I¡¯m for dipping," Haru answered. Lee Yung-Jin cheerfully clenched his fist at Haru''s words. "See? Haru has some sense. It''s 4 to 4." As Jung In-Ji and Yoo-Jin took sides in the dipping versus pouring debate as well, it ended up being 5 against 5. We all silently agreed not to categorize Miso since she was young, and then it was my turn. As the eyes of both the pouring and dipping factions turned to me, I dered firmly as the team lead, "We''ll just order another one!" *** After seeing off the employees following the housewarming, Do Ran-Hee and Lee Yung-Jin, whose schedules had been canceled, stayed until past 10 p.m. But they were still grumbling about the earlier debate. "Wow, seriously. Ran-Hee, who would date someone like you? Who would eat at the same table with a pourer?" Lee Yung-Jin asked. "Oh? Look at this guy talking. If there were a line for the guys who liked me, it''d wrap around Yeouido Park and still leave about a hundred," Do Ran-Hee retorted. Lee Yung-Jin grimaced annoyedly and retorted sarcastically at Do Ran-Hee''s words. "Yes, yep. So you''ve only met Judases who betrayed Jesus." ''He''s going to get hit if he keeps this up,'' I thought silently. Sure enough, Do Ran-Hee put Lee Yung-Jin in a headlock and yelled, "Eeek! You are so dead!" "Agh! Let go! Let go! You crazy witch...!" Lee Yung-Jin grimaced. ''But they seem like a good match in my eyes for some reason,'' I silently observed. Lately, watching the two of them bicker had be quite entertaining. "Quiet down and go home, everyone! I need to sleep early for tomorrow''s schedule," I yelled. Lee Yung-Jin and Do Ran-Hee pleaded to stay a little longer but were soon whisked away by Jung Sang-Bong. After saying goodbye to all the talent agents, a sudden quiet enveloped the space. "Phew. Tomorrow''s the day," I muttered to myself. The long-awaited crank-in for In the Name of God was tomorrow. Yoo-Jin was set to y dual roles as Cheongmyung and Manshin Wol-Ah, which made me a bit nervous. But I was also hopeful that this would firmly establish the name Jung Yoo-Jin in the minds of the audience. "You''ve got this, Jung Yoo-Jin," I mumbled to myself as I was about to head upstairs to sleep. At that moment, Yoo-Jin who had left Miso with Jung In-Ji came out to the yard. I looked at her and asked, "Why are you out here? You need to sleep early for the crank-in tomorrow." Yoo-Jin hesitated before she told me she had something to say. "Oppa. Can we talk for a moment?" "Huh? What about?" At that moment, Yoo-Jin blurted out somethingpletely unexpected with her face flushed red. "Oppa....what do you think about me?" 1. Chinese inspired dish with vegetables and seafood mixed with spicy mustard sauce ? 2. A very low wooden tform to sit on ? Chapter 202: In the Name of God Crank In (1)

Chapter 202: In the Name of God Crank In (1)

''What do I think about her?'' Caught off guard by Yoo-Jin''s sudden question, I was momentarily speechless. I had lived for Yoo-Jin after traveling back in time. But that was because I was her talent agent, not because I harbored any other feelings. And even if I did have such feelings, I had no intention of revealing them nor should I. I was her talent agent, after all. I suppressed my confusion and cautiously began to speak to Yoo-Jin. "Yoo-Jin, I..." At that moment, Yoo-Jin suddenly looked shocked and waved her hands frantically. "I-I must be out of my mind! What, what am I saying...That''s not what I meant to say! I mean, as an actress, what do you think of me? Uh, so, what do you think of actress Jung Yoo-Jin? Do you think I can do well tomorrow? Tomorrow''s the first time I¡¯m showing everyone Manshin Wol-Ah." Yoo-Jin was so flustered that she rattled off her words like she was rapping. I finally understood her words. ''Ah, so that''s what she meant?'' She was asking for an assessment of herself as an actress. My tension suddenly eased. "You''re asking me what I think of you as an actress?" I asked. Yoo-Jin pped her hands, clearly relieved to rify. "Yes! That!" Especially since she had to portray two entirely different characters this time, she felt a great burden. I looked her in the eyes and tried to dispel her anxiety. "I can confidently say that you''re better than any other actress your age." "Really?" "Of course. And if you ever feel uncertain, ask me anytime. I¡¯ll answer a hundred and a thousand times," I replied with a smile. When I assured her confidently, Yoo-Jin let out a long sigh. "Phew~ I feel a bit relieved hearing that." A smile began to form on Yoo-Jin''s face. "Then I''ll go to bed now." "Alright." But her steps were a bit off as she walked upstairs. She staggered slightly like someone who had had a bit too much to drink. "Just a moment, Yoo-Jin." "Yes?" Yoo-Jin held onto the railing and turned around. "You didn¡¯t happen to drink some baijiu earlier, did you?" Yoo-Jin covered her mouth. "Gasp!" That exined why her face was so red. "No, no. I had just one sip! Only one sip!" She protested as if wronged, so I raised my fist jokingly. "Just one sip?" At that moment, Yoo-Jin quickly sprinted away and shouted. "I¡¯m sorry! I had two sips!" She hurried up the stairs and wobbled as she went. I couldn¡¯t help but smile watching her. "Take it easy going up. You might fall!" "Okay! Good night, oppa!" Even in these moments, my concern for Yoo-Jin proved that I truly was born to be a talent agent. After sending Yoo-Jin upstairs, I stood in the yard and looked up at the house. With thepany¡¯s help, I had moved from a cramped one-room apartment to a house with three rooms. And now, almost 100 million won sat in my bank ount which umted naturally from my unspent sry and bonuses. "You''vee a long way, Jung Yoon-Ho," I said proudly to myself. Though it was my second chance at life after returning, I was growing faster than I had ever imagined. It would take about two to two and a half years until Hoop Entertainment went public. From now on, I nned to gradually invest in the stocks of rapidly growingpanies. That way, I could enter the battle for shares in Hoop Entertainment with even more money. "Let''s keep it this way," I told myself. As I took a deep breath to steady my resolve, I felt the thick air of Seoul''s night sky. It seemed like I could taste the gritty sand even though it was a day without fine dust. But that also made me feel alive. Suppressing my excitement, I headed toward my warm home. ''When will they install the air conditioner...?'' I wondered. It was midsummer and the instation date for the air conditioner had been postponed. Because of that, it felt like I was starting to sweat just from climbing the stairs to the third floor. *** As soon as we arrived at the shooting site in Yangpyeong in Gyeonggi Province for In the Name of God, the staff were busy putting up the unfinished sets. "Engineers! You must stop construction during filming," yelled Cha Soo-Yeon, the production chief from the external productionpany Blue Dragon. She was in charge of the shoot as the production PD. The staff replied, "Yes, Ms. Cha." When I got out of the car with Yoo-Jin and Miso, I noticed Kim Sung-Woon setting up the ritual table in a serious manner. "Mr. Jo, the pig''s head is a bit tilted," Kim Sung-Woonmented. "Ah, yes. Is this okay?" Kim Sung-Woon frowned. "Hmm. I don¡¯t really like it... Just a moment. I''ll do it myself." Surprisingly, many people were superstitious in this industry and Kim Sung-Woon was one of them. Kim Sung-Woon adjusted the angle of the pig''s head for quite some time with a serious expression. We waited until he finished before we greeted him. "Hello, Mr. Kim!" Kim Sung-Woon turned around and brightened up in an instant. "Wee, everyone. And Miss Yoo-Jin, are you well prepared for today?" Yoo-Jin nodded at Kim Sung-Woon¡¯s double-meaning remark. After all, what he was asking was if she was ready to take on the dual role of Manshin Wol-Ah. "Of course. Don¡¯t worry." Thanks to the confidence I had instilled in her yesterday, Yoo-Jin''s voice was filled with strength. Kim Sung-Woon nodded in satisfaction. He then greeted Miso and made eye contact. "Miso, are you confident about shooting today?" "Yes, I am!" Miso eximed. "Good. See youter then." At that moment, Miso hesitated and pointed to the ritual table. "Mr. Kim! Can I also bow there?" "Sure~. Miso is part of our cast too." "Wow! Really?" "Of course. I''ll see you in a bit. Okay?" "Okay!" Kim Sung-Woon said he was busy and headed back to the ritual table. This time, it was because the pock ced on the table was tilted. *** As the ritual preparation dragged on, Miso fell asleep in the car while waiting. Worried that Miso might wake up, I stepped outside with Yoo-Jin to talk about today''s shooting. But while we were talking, Ju Yung-In spotted us and strode over. Yoo-Jin bowed her head as soon as she saw Ju Yung-In. "Hello, sunbae-nim." "Ah, what''s this again? We agreed to be friends, so why do you keep bowing? And why the formal speech?" Ju Yung-In replied. Looking around nervously, Yoo-Jin replied in a low voice. "You are still a sunbae no matter what. We need to be careful in ces with many people watching." There were a few warnings I said repeatedly that had stuck in Yoo-Jin¡¯s ears. One was that regardless of the intention, the public would take the image captured on camera as the truth. Because of that, Yoo-Jin was careful about even the smallest actions and words. Ju Yung-Inughed and appreciated Yoo-Jin''s careful demeanor. "Wow~ Yoo-Jin, you have really be a celebrity now, haven''t you?" When Yoo-Jin shrugged her shoulders, Ju Yung-In turned to look at me and said, "Did you teach her this, oppa?" "What do you mean?" I asked. "You know, how to protect herself. Acting is a natural talent but managing rtionships certainly isn''t. Right?" I decided to y dumb. "Well, she''s so smart on her own that there''s not much for me to teach." "Then that''s settled. But can''t you do something about that stiff way of speaking? You''re not a celebrity, so it''s okay for you to speak to me more casually." Ju Yung-In expressed her displeasure at my consistently formal tone. "I prefer to keep things formal," I replied in a serious tone. Ju Yung-In pouted. "Sigh, fine. I get it. By the way, will the sunbae-nim taking the role of Manshin Wol-Ah be on set today?" I nodded. "Yes. I will personally go and fetch herter." "I can''t wait to meet her. Who could she be, hiding away so mysteriously...?" Ju Yung-In wondered. Ju Yung-In continued to show a keen interest in the actress Jin Yoo-Jung, who would perform the role of Manshin Wol-Ah. Shortly afterward, the call from Cha Soo-Yeon came. "Alright~. Let''s start the ritual! Everyone gather around!" Ju Yung-In quickly urged Yoo-Jin. "Let''s go." Yoo-Jin replied, "You go ahead. I''ll wake up Miso and bring her." "Oh, right. Sorry. See youter then," said Ju Yung-In as she left with a disappointed expression. I contemted leaving Miso sleeping in the car but remembered she had insisted on attending the ritual, so I headed back to the van. I gently spoke to the sleeping Miso. "Miso?" "Uh... Yes." Miso responded but couldn''t open her eyes. "Miso, do you want to go eat some gamjatang?" Miso''s eyes snapped open. "Yes! Grandma''s gamjatang!" Miso looked around her surroundings. "Huh? Oh. Did I fall asleep?" "Are you awake now?" Miso rubbed her eyes and nodded. "Yes." "You said you really wanted to attend the ritual, right? It''s about to start." "Really?" eximed the excited Miso who grabbed my hand and climbed out of the car. Then Yoo-Jin took Miso from me. "Oppa, I''ll be going now." "See youter, Uncle Yoon-Ho!" "Okay. Take care." With Yoo-Jin and Miso''s arrival, Kim Myung-Hak and Kim Sung-Woon began the ritual. Lee Ji-Yeon and Kim Soo-Hee watched the scene with delight, and reporters also attended to offer their congrattions. After making her bow, Miso ced 3 thousand won in the pig''s mouth andpleted another bow. Shortly after, the actors'' interviews followed the ritual. The reporters focused their shes on the rivalry between Ju Yung-In and Yoo-Jin while somewhat sidelining the male lead, Park Nam-Cheol. After the actors'' interviews, Kim Sung-Woon took the microphone. "We''ll go straight into shooting the scenes with the child actors after the intro shoot. Parents, please make sure your children are prepared." Kim Sung-Woon finished his remarks and sat in the director''s chair. And at that moment, In the Name of God finally began filming. Watching the busy set, I too began my preparations because it was time for Yoo-Jin to transform into Manshin Wol-Ah. I turned to Yoo-Jin and said, "Yoo-Jin, let''s go." Yoo-Jin nodded. As we were about to leave, Miso, who was waiting for her shoot, looked puzzled. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, where are you and Mom going?" "Oh, Mom has a quick schedule nearby. We''ll go home togetherter, so don''t worry." Miso nodded. "Okay! Bye~!" Leaving Miso waving at us with Jung Sang-Bong, we sneaked out of the set while avoiding people''s gazes. *** We parked about 2 km away from the set in a residential area, and Yang So-Ri started the special makeup. She put a mask and a wig on Yoo-Jin,pleting the makeup and cosmetics. At that moment, 24-year-old Yoo-Jin was perfectly transformed into an old woman. Her skin was filled with wrinkles and her hair waspletely white. Dressed in a white mourning gown, Yoo-Jin¡¯s appearance was the perfect Manshin Wol-Ah. ¡°How do I look?¡± Yoo-Jin asked. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t recognize you if we crossed paths on the street. Really,¡± I replied. Only after hearing my response did Yoo-Jin finally look pleased with her appearance. Meanwhile, Yang So-Ri advised us after finishing the makeup, ¡°Mr. Jung, please spray some face mist on her every now and then. It will make it look like she¡¯s sweating.¡± I nodded. ¡°Okay, Ms. Yang.¡± I turned to Yoo-Jin, who had finished her transformation and asked, ¡°Ready to go?¡± ¡°Hold on, oppa. There¡¯s onest thing I need to prepare.¡± ¡°What¡¯s left to prepare?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve also created a character for Jin Yoo-Jung. I¡¯ll show you.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Yes. I thought about it and realized I needed to act out Jin Yoo-Jung as well to y the role of Manshin Wol-Ah.¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see it.¡± At that moment, Yoo-Jin took a deep breath. After a brief silence, Yoo-Jin slowly began speaking. ¡°My name is Jin Yoo-Jung, and I''m ying the role of Manshin Wol-Ah. I look forward to working with you, Team Lead Jung~.¡± She sounded like Lee Ji-Yeon might in about 20 years. Her tone was sharp, high-pitched, and confident. Yoo-Jin as Jin Yoo-Jung smiled at me. I thought she would be ordinary since Jin Yoo-Jung was a hastily created character, but Yoo-Jin''s acting shattered my expectations at once. ¡°Yoo-Yoo-Jin. How...how did you...¡± I stuttered. Suddenly, Jin Yoo-Jung, yed by Yoo-Jin, slightly furrowed her brow. The mask was so detailed that the wrinkles moved with her expressions. ¡°Maybe you should also be careful about what you say. Don¡¯t you think, Team Lead Jung?¡± I waspletely taken aback by Yoo-Jin¡¯s portrayal of Jin Yoo-Jung. It was like she was performing triple roles: ying Manshin Wol-Ah, and now also creating an on-set character, Jin Yoo-Jung. I tried my best to contain my excitement and asked. ¡°But have you received permission from Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon for this character?¡± To match Yoo-Jin who was still in character as Jin Yoo-Jung, I began using honorifics. Yoo-Jin, dressed in her white mourning gown, spread her arms. ¡°Of course~. How does it look? Good?¡± ¡°It suits you well, ma''am.¡± Yoo-Jin smiled as she was pleased with my assessment. But something seemed missing. ¡®Not just the voice and acting, but it would be great if there was a distinct difference in appearance between Manshin Wol-Ah and Jin Yoo-Jung... How should we do it?¡¯ I wondered. Then an idea suddenly sparked in my mind. ¡°Just a moment, ma''am.¡± I began giving Yang So-Ri several instructions to further define the character of Jin Yoo-Jung. Chapter 203: In the Name of God Crank In (2)

Chapter 203: In the Name of God Crank In (2)

"Ms. Yang, there''s a thin summer long coat in the back seat. Yes, it''s the one with a leopard print. Also, please take out the red horn-rimmed sses without prescription lenses. Oh, and the red summer boots as well," I instructed Yang So-Ri. Yang So-ri nodded. "Oh, okay. Got it." I took the clothes and props from Yang So-Ri and handed them to Yoo-Jin, who had transformed into Jin Yoo-Jung. "Put this on, wear these, and wear these as well." Yoo-Jin, now Jin Yoo-Jung, took the leopard coat, red horn-rimmed sses, and red boots I handed over to her. And a momentter, Yoo-Jin was dressed in the items I handed her and looked at herself in the mirror with a slight smile. "I like it and the character seems more defined now. As expected from Team Lead Jung," said Yoo-Jin. I, too, thought the character finally came to life. Seeing Yoo-Jin satisfied, I also recalled the character setting of Jin Yoo-Jung. ''Jin Yoo-Jung. A friend of Kim Soo-Hee, a shaman who used to act at an earlier age, turned 63 years old this year and has a sharp but confident personality. Remember this, Yoon-Ho.'' I stored the profile of Jin Yoo-Jung created by Yoo-Jin in my mind and started treating her as a separate individual from Yoo-Jin. "It''s time to head to the filming site, Mrs. Jin." At that moment, Jin Yoo-Jung nodded and said, "But first, I''d like to see a girl named Miso. I wonder if she''ll recognize who I really am." I was curious too. If Miso couldn''t recognize who Jin Yoo-Jung was, then nobody else would be able to either. I replied, "Yes, ma''am. I''ll turn the car around right away." *** It happened to be break time by the time we returned to the site. Hearing that Miso was waiting in the car for her turn to film, we parked our car next to the one Miso was in. I turned behind and said, "Mrs. Jin, you can get out now." Jin Yoo-Jung, dressed in her mboyant leopard print long coat, adjusted her white wig. The assertive Jin Yoo-Jung gave me instructions. "The makeover is all done. Team Lead Jung, you lead the way." "Yes, ma''am." I looked around cautiously and then carefully opened the door of the van. Jin Yoo-Jung fluttered her leopard coat and stepped out of the car. The heels of her boots clicked against the asphalt of the parking lot. I led her to the door of Merciless Bends Springer 2 where Miso was. Click. As I opened the door of Merciless Bends Springer 2, Miso greeted me with a bright smile. "Oh! Uncle Yoon-Ho''s here! Where''s Mom?" "Oh, she willeter," I answered her. After calming Miso who was looking for her mom, I introduced her to the person standing behind me. "And Miso, thisdy is Mrs. Jin Yoo-Jung and she will be ying the role of Manshin Wol-Ah." In that instant, Miso turned her gaze toward Jin Yoo-Jung standing behind me. Miso blinked her eyes innocently for a moment and tilted her head in curiosity. At that moment, Jin Yoo-Jung spoke to Miso in her distinct sharp voice. "You look very clever. So, I heard your name is Miso?" That''s when Miso suddenly eximed after staring intently at Jin Yoo-Jung for a while. "Mom, what are you doing wearing a grandma''s mask?" Both Yoo-Jin and I froze on the spot. ''How on earth did she know?'' I wondered. Utterly surprised, I quickly got Jin Yoo-Jung into the Merciless Bends Springer 2. As soon as the door closed, Miso said, "Mom, are you trying to surprise me by dressing up? Then I''ll close my eyes now, so you go out ande back in again. Then I''ll pretend I don''t recognize you!" Miso covered her eyes with her hands after speaking. At that moment, Jin Yoo-Jung let go of her voice and returned to her original self as Yoo-Jin. "Miso, how did you know it was me?" Yoo-Jin asked. I was truly curious as well. ''How did Miso recognize her? Yoo-Jin''s face and hands werepletely hidden by special makeup, and her voice totally changed too,'' I thought. Miso smiled and replied, "I recognized you because your eyes look just like Mom''s. And you smell just like Mom too!" Yoo-Jin tilted her head. "Smell? But I didn''t even wear perfume today." "But it still smells like Mom. You smell good!" Miso eximed. Yoo-Jin looked quite flustered as sheughed awkwardly. At that moment, Yoo-Jin''s special makeup was slightly distorted. The startled Miso began tofort her mother. "Sorry, Mom. But I wouldn''t have been able to recognize you if it weren''t for your eyes and smell!" That''s when I realized Miso''s hidden talent. ''She has keen eyes.'' In my past life, I once heard from the veteran actor Choi Man-Ho how important it was to have good eyes. -There''s a saying that actors need a good face, but I think eyes are more important. Acting fundamentally involved portraying someone else. He had said that an actor with good eyes can, with just a nce, capture the characteristics of their subject and imitate them with ease. But Miso''s eyes were far beyond just being good. ''Indeed. To perform the role of young Cheongmyung so effortlessly at her age, she must have been imitating Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting all along,'' I silently remarked. I hid my astonishment and said to Miso, "Miso, since no one else but us knows that grandma is Mom, you shouldn''t tell anyone else. Okay?" Miso nodded and covered her mouth with her finger. "Okay! Shh! It''s a secret!" "Yes, it''s a secret," I echoed her. As Miso nodded repeatedly, I turned to the still-dazed Yoo-Jin. "Yoo-Jin." Yoo-Jin turned her head. Yoo-Jin, disguised as Jin Yoo-Jung, looked worried. "Oppa, what should we do?" "Don¡¯t worry, you''ll be fine. There¡¯s almost no one like Miso." "Are you sure?" "Yes. So let¡¯s eliminate any weak spots first. Then no one will be able to tell. Just trust me." Yoo-Jin nodded. I immediately instructed Yang So-Ri to get colored lenses that would alter the appearance of the eyes and perfume based on bluegrass flowers. *** With the colored lenses in ce and the eye makeup intensified to alter the shape of Jin Yoo-Jung''s eyes, Yoo-Jin¡¯s gentle eye shapepletely disappeared. The slightly lifted appearance of the eyelids helped to make her eyes look much sharper. Then, as we sprayed the bluegrass flower-based perfume on Yoo-Jin, Miso pped her hands in amazement. "Wow! Now I really can¡¯t tell!" "Really?" "Really! Uncle Yoon-Ho, there¡¯s no Mom now!" Only then could I finally breathe a sigh of relief. The relieved Yoo-Jin sighed and transformed back into Jin Yoo-Jung. "Shall we go now, Team Lead Jung? It''s time to check if no one else notices." I nodded. "Yes, ma''am. Let¡¯s go." With thest vulnerability hidden, Jin Yoo-Jung stepped out of the car. I assumed the other actors would have already left the scene because quite some time had passed during the special makeup application. However, many actors were still present and watching the filming. That''s when Ju Yung-In spotted us and approached with a quick stride. Standing in front of us, her eyes sharply scrutinized Jin Yoo-Jung before asking me a question. "Yoon-Ho oppa, is thisdy Mrs. Jin Yoo-Jung?" "Yes," I replied. Ju Yung-In nodded her head and bowed toward Jin Yoo-Jung. "Hello, ma''am. You know me, right? I''m Ju Yung-In." That''s when I recalled that Ju Yung-In also had keen eyes. Just as I was nervously wondering if she would recognize Yoo-Jin, Jin Yoo-Jung suddenly burst out in an angry voice. "What bad manners to look someone older than you up and down! Where did you learn to be so rude?" "N-no, that¡¯s not what I was...¡± the surprised Ju Yung-In stammered. Jin Yoo-Jung waved her hand and threatened. "Just try looking at me like that again and I¡¯ll pluck every hair from your head! Understand?" Overwhelmed by Jin Yoo-Jung¡¯s sharp energy, Ju Yung-In stepped back hesitantly. "I-I''m sorry." She apologized reflexively, then soon contorted her face in dissatisfaction. It seemed she couldn''t ept being intimidated. "It seems you don¡¯t like me from your expression, huh? Fine. Let''s try not to see each other''s faces if we can help it," Jin Yoo-Jung retorted. With her personality transformed 180 degrees, Jin Yoo-Jung hastened her steps toward where Lee Ji-Yeon and Kim Soo-Hee were. "Yes, ma''am." Jin Yoo-Jung and I left Ju Yung-In with a dumbfounded look behind, confirming that Yoo-Jin''s disguise was indeed perfect. *** Lee Ji-Yeonplimented Yoo-Jin in a low voice as she saw us. "You really came as a perfect Jin Yoo-Jung, didn''t you?" Kim Soo-Hee couldn''t close her mouth in amazement. "Really. She''spletely transformed. To be exact, she reminds me of someone I know." Both quickly realized who Jin Yoo-Jung was modeled after. But despite their praises, Jin Yoo-Jung merely listened attentively with a dignified posture. At that moment Kim Sung-Woon shouted to the staff, "Let''s start with Mrs. Jin Yoo-Jung¡¯s scene. Thisdy is a specially invited real shaman, so please be respectful." "Yes, Mr. Kim!" Following Kim Sung-Woon''s cue, it was time for Jin Yoo-Jung to perform. She nodded once and then walked with dignified steps toward the set. Watching her walk away, Lee Ji-Yeon tapped my shoulder andughed. "Good job. You really put a lot of effort into the costume, didn¡¯t you, Team Lead Jung?" "I just did what needed to be done," I said humbly. "Look at you, always so modest. Both of you are incredible," Lee Ji-Yeon continued praising us. Kim Soo-Hee also nodded in agreement. At that moment, I felt confident that we could deceive everyone on the set. After all, neither Lee Ji-Yeon nor Kim Soo-Hee would have batted an eye if it were just an ordinary transformation. "Well, I should head to the set now." "Alright. Good luck." I suppressed the excitement and followed Jin Yoo-Jung. *** The scene Jin Yoo-Jung was acting out today was scene 23 where the old shaman Wol-Ah moved to a new vige and caused a stir among the locals. [Scene 23: Manshin Wol-Ah is decorating a cedar tree. Four local residents visit her and protest that she leaves the town...] I checked the script for a moment and looked around the set. Jin Yoo-Jung, who was soon about to act as ''Manshin Wol-Ah,'' stared intently at the cedar tree and called me over. "Team Lead Jung. Please bring me shoes and a cane." "Yes, ma''am!" I quickly fetched the items Jin Yoo-Jung needed to transform into Manshin Wol-Ah and approached her. When I handed over the cane and shoes, Jin Yoo-Jung cast off her leopard print coat. She handed me her sses and boots, then slipped into the white rubber shoes I brought for her. Dressed in a pure white mourning robe with a white-haired wig and holding a dark red cane, Jin Yoo-Jungpleted her transformation into Manshin Wol-Ah. When she instructed me to step back, I moved out of the camera''s frame with the clothes and shoes in hand. Just as everything seemed ready, Kim Sung-Woon called for the start of the shoot. "Scene 23, standby. And let the extras in when I give a signal." "Yes, Mr. Kim!" Behind Jin Yoo-Jung facing the sacred tree lined up four extras in their fifties. Kim Sung-Woon continued with his instructions. "And the props team, bring over the hanji paper,[1] colorful papers, and scissors to Mrs. Jin Yoo-Jung." "Yes, sir." The props team approached and handed her the pristine white hanji paper, vibrant colored papers, and scissors. Jin Yoo-Jung silently epted the items with her left hand. Then, she slowly walked toward the cedar tree which was wrapped by a rope. The cedar tree was surrounded by a pile of stones standing about 30 cm tall and only had a rope tied around it without any other decorations. Once filming started, Jin Yoo-Jung was to climb over the pile of stones and attach the hanji and colored papers to the rope. "Mrs. Jin, are you ready?" Kim Sung-Woon asked. Holding the cane in her right hand and the props in her left, Jin Yoo-Jung nodded. At the same time, Kim Sung-Woon announced the start of filming. "Alright, let''s begin then. Mrs. Jin, I look forward to your acting. Ready¡ªaction!" At that moment, an astonishing scene that surprised everyone began to unfold. 1. traditional handmade paper from Korea ? Chapter 204: In the Name of God Crank In (3)

Chapter 204: In the Name of God Crank In (3)

Jin Yoo-Jung bent at the waist as soon as Kim Sung-Woon called out. Her lively eyes quickly turned into the mad gaze of Manshin Wol-Ah. At the same time, her previously vigorous body began to stagger and she leaned on the cane as if she would be swept away by the wind. Having transformed into Manshin Wol-Ah, Jin Yoo-Jung muttered to herself and stopped in front of a pile of stones stacked beside a cedar tree. She then put down the cane she was holding in her right hand, threw off her rubber shoes, and started to bow barefoot. A hushed silence enveloped the entire set as the scene vividly resembled a sacred ritual. After a moment, Manshin Wol-Ah began to sway and climb up the pile of stones. I involuntarily swallowed hard without realizing it due to her precarious movements. It took about 20 seconds for Manshin Wol-Ah to slowly reach the front of the cedar tree at a pace several times slower than that of an ordinary person. Standing in front of the cedar tree, Manshin Wol-Ah started to insert the hanji paper into a twisted rope. That was when Kim Sung-Woon sent a signal with his hands wearing a tense expression. At the same time, the extras ying the local residents entered the scene. ¡ºAh, there she goes again. We told you to stop doing things like this!¡» ¡ºHey, auntie! What are you doing? We made it very clear that we don''t need a shaman in our vige!¡» ¡ºShe¡¯s not an auntie, she¡¯s a grandma! Hey, grandma, get out of here! No one wees you here in our vige!¡» The vigers shouted at her, eachmanding in their own way. One of them even threw an empty makgeolli bottle handed to them by the props team. ¡ºUgh, you''re ruining the taste of the alcohol.¡» Thump! The empty stic bottle flew and hit Manshin Wol-Ah on the back and then fell to the ground. At that moment, Manshin Wol-Ah turned around and red sharply at the vigers. Her intense gaze made the vigers step back hesitantly. That''s when Manshin Wol-Ah started to yell fiercely. ¡ºYou dare to create a disturbance in the dwelling of the spirit? You fools! Do you really wish to meet your demise?¡» Her voice was sharp like the sound of nails scraping a ckboard, sending chills down everyone''s spines. At that moment, goosebumps erupted all over my body¡ªAnd I wasn''t the only one. The staff on set covered their mouths in surprise and were repeatedly gasping in amazement. Manshin Wol-Ah red at the local residents with a cold gaze, then dropped the hanji paper and colored paper she was holding onto the ground. She then stood up again and slowly started approaching the local residents. At some point, she had pulled out a sharp pair of scissors in her right hand which no one had noticed. ¡ºWhat, what? Why is she holding scissors? Has that olddy really gone insane?¡» ¡ºHey! M-Mr. Kim! B-be careful over there!¡» The voices of the flustered extras were trembling. ording to the original script, this was where they were supposed to curse the crazy shaman and throw stones before running away. However, the extras were so overwhelmed by the atmosphere created by Manshin Wol-Ah that they were frozen in ce. ''Could this be an NG?'' I wondered. But Kim Sung-Woon watched the scene intently with unwavering eyes. Then, as if she had been waiting, Manshin Wol-Ah started her ad-libbed performance. Manshin Wol-Ah approached the edge of the pile of stones surrounding the cedar tree and stopped abruptly. That''s when she suddenly lifted the scissors above her head. ¡ºH-hey! Let''s calm down and try to talk this out!¡» ¡ºPut that down right now!¡» Shouts erupted from the startled extras. However, Manshin Wol-Ah did not stop. She brought the scissors to the back of her head and grabbed her hair with her left hand. Snip! Manshin Wol-Ah cut off her hair with the scissors at once without hesitation. At that moment, a strong wind began to blow and her short white wig began fluttering wildly in the wind. Then once again, Manshin Wol-Ah shouted in a chilling voice. ¡ºIf you do not leave, not only you but your children will be cursed as well! Those who vite the sacred tree will not even leave a corpse when they die!¡» The moment the ripping voice of Manshin Wol-Ah was heard, the extras could no longer hold back and started screaming as they ran away. ¡ºAaaaah!¡» All the extras fled out of the camera''s angle. However, the extra who had thrown the makgeolli bottle slumped down on the spot and was shaking uncontrobly, not even noticing his wet front. Manshin Wol-Ah looked at him with disdain and turned around. Returning to the cedar tree, Manshin Wol-Ah began to insert her cut hair into the cedar tree''s twisted rope. ¡ºept my hair as your garment and spirit. Please protect this vige with your miraculous powers stretching over the mountains~¡» Manshin Wol-Ah kept muttering non-stop as she inserted her hair, hanji paper, and colored paper into the twisted rope. And just like that, the scene ended with the first appearance of Manshin Wol-Ah. *** "C-cut! Okay!" The startled Kim Sung-Woon shouted after a long dy. At that moment, apuse erupted wildly among the staff as if they had been waiting. "Wow, that was amazing!" "This is insane." "Could our drama hit 30% in viewership ratings with her acting?" "Her aura is no joke. She truly is a real shaman..." The staff, who had all been anxious about casting an unknown actress in a significant supporting role, hadpletely changed their attitudes. Kim Sung-Woon stood in front of the monitor and couldn''t hide his flushed face. "Are the extras okay? Are you hurt?" "Ah, yes. I''m sorry? Oh. I-I''m fine," the extra stammered. But despite his words, the extra was hiding his blushing face while folding his legs. Kim Sung-Woon immediately gave an order. "Props team, go get a pair of underwear and pants." Though the situation was embarrassing, no one med the extra due to the intense performance Manshin Wol-Ah had shown. "I would have pissed myself too," one of the staff said. I quickly ran over and handed a knee nket to the extra. The extra looked at me and gave an awkward smile. "T-thank you." "Don''t mention it. We are sorry to put you in a difficult position. I''ll buy you a pair of pantster." But the extra firmly declined, still managing a resigned smile. The extra added, "No, there''s really no need to. But I gotta admit this is the first time I''ve experienced something like this despite being an experienced extra." That was when Jin Yoo-Jung, having stepped out of her Manshin Wol-Ah role and straightened up, came down from the pile of stones. Looking at the extra sitting on the ground, she said, "I guess I scared you too much. How can I make it up to you?" "Oh, I''m, I''m fine." At that moment, Jin Yoo-Jung looked at me and spoke. "Team Lead Jung, don''t just stand there. Take this guy''s number and send him some money forundry. No, just buy him a new pair of pants." Her face, expression, voice, and actions had all changed back to Jin Yoo-Jung, but her considerate nature was still that of the kind Yoo-Jin. Without realizing, a pleased smile escaped me. "Yes, ma''am. I''ll do that." The extra was insistent on declining, but I managed to get his contact details forcibly. After handing the extra over to a staff member who had brought a change of clothes, I gave Jin Yoo-Jung her clothes and shoes that she had taken off earlier. Only after wearing a leopard-print coat, red boots, and her red horn-rimmed sses did Jin Yoo-Jung approach Kim Sung-Woon. Jin Yoo-Jung finished reviewing the footage of the scene they had just shot with Kim Sung-Woon. "Everything looks good to me. Do you think it''s okay for me to leave now?" Jin Yoo-Jung asked. Because today¡¯s shoot was just this one scene, Kim Sung-Woon nodded affirmatively as Jin Yoo-Jung looked at him expectantly. "You did very well today, ma''am. I look forward to our next shoot," Kim Sung-Woon said with a smile. Jin Yoo-Jung nodded and began walking toward the parking lot. The staff parted like the sea around Moses and cleared a path for her. She walked through with regal steps as she headed toward her car. Like that, the first appearance of Manshin Wol-Ah sessfully concluded. *** In a residential area a few kilometers away from the set, Yoo-Jin still in her Jin Yoo-Jung''s disguise posed a question. "Oppa, how was my acting today from your perspective?" "Let''s wash off the makeup first. It¡¯s hot and you might get a rash," I replied. Yoo-Jin nodded and tried to remove the makeup but struggled. "Ugh, why isn¡¯t thising off? I can¡¯t seem to remove it!" Yang So-Ri sitting beside Yoo-Jin quickly stopped her. "Wait, don¡¯t force it. It might tear." Yang So-Ri carefully removed the mask after applying some oil. When the mask finally came off, Yoo-Jin''s face and chest were drenched in sweat. "Phew, I finally feel alive," Yoo-Jin said with relief. As Yang So-Ri applied a protective solution to the mask, she said, "Since it was made to fit perfectly to prevent it froming off on set, never try to take it off alone. It could damage your skin." Yoo-Jin nodded. "Okay, unnie!" Then the relieved Yoo-Jin asked once again. "Oppa, now tell me. Was the atmosphere on set okay?" "Are you really asking because you don¡¯t know?" "I¡¯m more curious about what you think than my own thoughts." I suppressed my beating heart and responded sincerely. "You did well. I''ve never seen such acting before." A big smile spread across Yoo-Jin''s face. "That''s a relief! Then oppa, how about we go out to eat after Miso finishes acting? I feel like I''ve lost some weight from all the sweating," Yoo-Jin said with a yful wink. Though she was just dehydrated from sweating, she insisted she had lost weight. But I decided to y along since she had worked hard today. "Alright. I''ll let you win today. Let''s go eat some barbecue to celebrate," I suggested. "Yay!" Yoo-Jin eximed. The excited Yoo-Jin hummed as she dried her sweat. "But I wonder when Miso will finish her acting," Yoo-Jin remarked. "It should be soon. They said they''re only shooting up to scene 7 today," I added. But at that moment, I suddenly received a call from Lee Ji-Yeon. -Yoon-Ho~ Bring Yoo-Jin over to my ce once you¡¯re done~ Click. The call ended abruptly. ''Why is she calling us over?'' I wondered. It seemed like a casual team dinner wasn''t in our fate tonight. *** After stopping by home to wash up, we headed straight to Lee Ji-Yeon''s house. Upon arrival, I found that Kim Soo-Hee was also there. But when they saw that we brought Miso along, the two could not hide their perplexed expressions. I quickly took the initiative to exin that Miso had instantly recognized Yoo-Jin''s makeup, which surprised Lee Ji-Yeon and Kim Soo-Hee. "My goodness. Miso saw right through the special makeup?" Lee Ji-Yeon asked in surprise. I nodded. "Yes." Miso blinked and nodded. "I haven''t told anyone because it''s a secret!" Miso proudly puffed out her chest. At that moment,ughter began to appear on both of their faces. "This kid really has an extraordinary eye!" Lee Ji-Yeon remarked. Kim Soo-Hee nodded in agreement. "She has good eyes." After praising Miso for a while, they quickly turned to Yoo-Jin with excited expressions and showered her withpliments. "By the way, Yoo-Jin~ you were super amazing today!" Lee Ji-Yeon eximed. Kim Soo-Hee also nodded. "To think of ying three roles. I was worried but I was foolish to think that, Yoo-Jin." "Oh, Mrs. Kim," Yoo-Jin replied bashfully. Looking at the shy Yoo-Jin, Miso also excitedly eximed, "Mom, you were great! I totally fell for your acting!" Miso''s eyes sparkled as she looked at her mom. "Did I do that well, Miso?" Yoo-Jin asked. "Yes! I got goosebumps when you cut your hair and my heart sank. You were really scary!" Lee Ji-Yeon smiled. "Yoon-Ho, you are truly fortunate to have not just one but two such blessings..." Kim Soo-Hee grumbled about being rebuffed in her attempt to recruit Yoo-Jin and Miso. At that moment, Lee Ji-Yeon burst intoughter and said, "Unnie, Yoon-Ho isn¡¯t leaving Hoop Entertainment. Or rather, can''t leave. Do you think President Kang Gam-Chan would let this guy go?" "What do you mean?" Kim Soo-Hee asked. "President Kang Gam-Chan said that even if all the others leave, he can always rebuild thepany as long as Yoon-Ho is beside him," Lee Ji-Yeon exined. "Woah, the President Kang Gam-Chan really said that?" Kim Soo-Hee asked in surprise. "Yes. Unnie, you were trying to take the cornerstone of thepany. It¡¯s good you didn¡¯t. And President Kang Gam-Chan can be surprisingly scary when angry, you know," Lee Ji-Yeon remarked. ''Mr. Kang...'' I thought to myself. I didn''t know Kang Gam-Chan thought so highly of me. At that moment, I started to feel a deep longing for Kang Gam-Chan. Lee Ji-Yeon looked at me with a smile and changed the subject. "Anyway, I called you here today because it¡¯s my treat." Yoo-Jin''s face lit up at once. "Ms. Lee, you''re the best!" That''s when the doorbell rang. Ding dong! "Oh, right. I invited Kim PD and totally forgot about it." When Lee Ji-Yeon opened the door, Kim Sung-Woon came in barefoot and created amotion. "I''m sorry for beingte. The director suddenly came to the set." Right upon his arrival, Kim Sung-Woon highly praised Yoo-Jin¡¯s performance. "It was an unexpectedly fantastic performance." But as he continued his praise, Kim Sung-Woon suddenly dropped some unexpected news. "But Festival of Money which airs at the same time as ours just got an investment from Hwayeon Media Inc." "Hwayeon Media Inc.?" Hwayeon Media Inc. was led by President Jiang Wei, who had previously caused trouble for Yoo-Jin. ''They decided to invest in ourpetition?'' I wondered. Chapter 205: Competition?

Chapter 205: Competition?

On the same day MBS would air In the Name of God, SBC would also start airing Festival of Money by the renowned makjang[1] drama writer Hong Jang-Mi. Despite securing an S ss writer, this tragic drama never surpassed a 10% viewership rating until the very end in my past life. The biggest reason for the flop was the financial struggles of Han Se-Hwa Productions, which was in charge of the production. This led to a failure in casting proper lead actors. At that time, many people believed that achieving a 20% viewership rating would have been easily possible if the actors had brought the script to life better. And that record remained in my nner until this morning. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: July 29, 2020] -10:00 p.m. (Deleted Schedule: <Festival of Money> Episode 1 viewership ratings 2.3%) "Mr. Kim, how much was the investment from Hwayeon Media Inc.?" I asked. "About 20 billion won. That''s why they arepletely changing the lead roles now," Kim Sung-Woon replied. Lee Ji-Yeon frowned, "Hwayeon Media Inc. is where President Jiang Wei is, right? He came to MBSst time and said he would invest in us. Maybe he''s finally making a serious move into Korea?" "Probably not yet, but maybe this drama will be a test for entering the Korean market earlier than nned." Although it was nned that Jiang Wei would enter the Korean market directly a yearter, he seemed to be testing the waters a bit earlier than expected. ''Or maybe he''s just stirring up trouble,'' I thought. But Lee Ji-Yeon looked unconcerned as she simply summed up the situation. "Hmph, Han Se-Hwa and Hong Jang-Mi, huh? Fruit flies are flocking together." Hong Jang-Mi was an S ss writer, but she was still considered slightly less talentedpared to Lee Ji-Yeon which led to envy. And Han Se-Hwa, the president of Han Se-Hwa Productions, was also one of those constantly begging Lee Ji-Yeon for scripts. Kim Sung-Woon chuckled when Lee Ji-Yeon grouped the two and called them fruit flies. "I wouldn''t be worried even if it were 50 billion won instead of 20 billion won. Honestly, is Hong Jang-Mi even in the same league as Ms. Lee? It might sound like self-praise, but our directing team is also a level above," Kim Sung-Woon remarked. Lee Ji-Yeon nodded. "Plus, we have Yoo-Jin." "Yes, not just Miss Yoo-Jin but we also have Mrs. Jin Yoo-Jung," Kim Sung-Woon added. As everyone exchanged smiles, Lee Ji-Yeon suddenly turned to Miso. "And most importantly, we have our secret weapon right here." Miso tilted her head and pointed at herself. "Me? Am I the secret weapon?" "Of course you are! You have to win the early battle for us. Do you think you can do it, Miso?" Miso jumped up, sped her hands together, and shouted with determination. "Yes! I can do it!" Miso''s confident demeanor once again brought smiles to everyone''s faces. In the Name of God was the first drama I had pushed my actress into since bing team lead, and there was no way I intended to lose in the viewership ratings battle. And whatever schemes Jiang Wei had, I had no intention of letting him seed in Korea either. After all, his detrimental influence on the Korean entertainment industry in my past life was indescribable. *** In the president''s office of Han Se-Hwa Productions, Han Se-Hway on a newly acquired Italian orange leather sofa while rubbing her cheeks and screaming. "This is really soft. What on earth do the Italians do to their leather?" That''s when the frowning woman in her early forties shook her head with her legs crossed. "You crazy bitch. The first thing you do with the investment from Jiang Wei is splurge on a sofa?" Hong Jang-Mi''s sharp remarks prompted Han Se-Hwa to reply indifferently while still lying down. "Jang-Mi unnie, why do you always see things so negatively? Is that why you''re a makjang writer?" Hong Jang-Mi''s brows further furrowed. "Se-Hwa, how do you always manage to speak so annoyingly? You make me want to pull all your hair out." Han Se-Hwa hunched up yfully. "Ooh, look at how you talk. As expected of a makjang writer." "That''s enough. What are we going to do now? The drama is right around the corner and we are really changing all the actors? Are we shooting the drama live or what?" Hong Jang-Mi asked in annoyance. "Why not? We have the money. Our productionpany is solid now." "Bitch, you''re bragging when you abandoned those who won''t be able to survive alone. You consider yourself humane when you''re making people work 16 hours a day?" "Hey, they work overtime because they want to. What can I do? Force them to leave?" "And here I was thinking I''m the worst. But you really are something." Han Se-Hwa shrugged. "Anyway, you should stop worrying about the actors. Don''t you know my capability? I''ve arranged extra payments with the money we recently got to have the new actors ready to go. We can start shooting the drama as nned in three days." Hong Jang-Mi looked intrigued. "Who? Who''sing?" "Do you want to know?" "Of course I do." Han Se-Hwa sat up straight. "So Yi-Yung, Choi Tae-Kyung, Park Sang-Heun, and Lee Sung-Jae. The leads are all S ss and the supporting roles are A ss." At that moment, a smile deepened on Hong Jang-Mi''s face. "Wait, So Yi-Yung as the female lead?" Han Se-Hwa shrugged again. "Yes." So Yi-Yung was the most noticeable actress from the recently growing TNT Entertainment. She was considered a rising star of Chungmu Street up until the year beforest, but she became an S ss star overnight after making consecutive hitsst year. Because of this, rumors had it that her pride was sky-high. "But she''s been bragging about only doing films and not dramas. How did you manage to get her?" Hong Jang-Mi asked. "Unnie, really. What can''t money do? There''s a rumor that So Yi-Yung overspent on investing in a new building. I aggressively made the deal when I heard that," Han Se-Hwa replied with a sly smile. Hong Jang-Mi nodded and smacked her lips. "You never fail to impress me. This is why I can''t cut ties with you, Han Se-Hwa." Hong Jang-Mi made a satisfied expression at the thought that now her actors were better than In the Name of God''s. "I told you to trust me, didn''t I? Oh, and the male lead might change from Choi Tae-Kyung to Jang Jun-Hyuk. I heard Jang Jun-Hyuk is getting ready toe back after rehabilitation." "That might be better. Jang Jun-Hyuk has a slight edge over Choi Tae-Kyung. It could be a big issue as well." Hong Jang-Mi nodded her head with a deep smile. "By the way, what about my fee? Aren''t you going to raise it?" "Wow, you''re asking for more when I''m already paying you 100 million per won episode?" "Hey. You got a 20 billion won investment from President Jiang. Give me an extra 2 thousand won per episode." Han Se-Hwa red at Hong Jang-Mi sharply. "Don''t you think you''re being too much, unnie? I would have gone bankrupt because of you if it weren''t for President Jiang Wei." "So what are you going to do? Are you going to give me more or not?" That''s when Han Se-Hwa shook her head. "I''m not going to give you more." "What?" When Hong Jang-Mi frowned, Han Se-Hwa''s eyes sparkled. "Instead, I''ll give you an extra 100 million won for each episode that beats Lee Ji-Yeon''s viewership ratings," Han Se-Hwa added. "An extra 100 million won?" "Yes. I''ll do everything I can, but the script is your part, unnie. Let''s properly step on Lee Ji-Yeon this time, shall we?" Sparks flew from their eyes. Hong Jang-Mi chuckled. "Ha ha ha. You really know how to stir up apetitive spirit. Alright. You know the script turned out well this time, right? We won''t lose to that bitch Lee Ji-Yeon this time." "Don''t be just words." Hong Jang-Mi screamed out loud. "Hey!" But Han Se-Hwa didn''t even blink an eye and answered. "So you better win. Let''s talk with results, okay? It''d be embarrassing for me too if we lose despite all the money being poured into it." Hong Jang-Mi''s brows furrowed at Han Se-Hwa''s tease. "Okay. Then you better pay me right. Got it?" Festival of Money was about a prestigious chaebol family that overcame a crisis by marrying their son to the daughter of Myeongdong''s loan shark king and had a makjang plot from the very first episode. With this, Han Se-Hwa was confident she wouldn''t be outpaced by Lee Ji-Yeon in the first episode especially since the actor issue had been solved. Han Se-Hwa eximed in a confident voice. "Deal! I''ll throw in an extra 100 million won for each episode we win from the first!" Hong Jang-Mi nodded. "Good. I''m off to revise the script then. Send me meals from Bong Sushi. I want the Phoenix set from there for each meal." "Okay~!" Hong Jang-Mi sprang up from her seat and headed outside. Watching her leave, Han Se-Hwa made a phone call somewhere. "Yes, Mr. Lee. Are you free tonight~? You like sashimi, don''t you? Yes. Let''s meet at Daewoonha. I heard fresh amberjack just came in from Jeju ind today." Lee Ki-Do, the drama department director at SBC, was recently falling behind Jung Sam-Ryong as a candidate for the next director. ''But he is still the current director,'' Han Se-Hwa thought. Her mind was spinning furiously. By lobbying Lee Ki-Do, she could extract a hefty amount of promotional funds for the drama. *** [MBS In the Name of God Crank-in! Amazing atmosphere on set!] [MBS In the Name of God. Premiering on July 29th!] In Hoop Entertainment''srge conference room, the articles about In the Name of God were continuously popping up on therge LCD screen. "This is the perfect time to increase Miss Jung Yoo-Jin''s promotional expenses. The reporters and the drama department are all in and pushing hard for her!" I said. Whether it was spending money or leveraging connections, preparations before the drama''s airing were necessary. Every possible method had to be employed to maximize exposure until the broadcast. At that moment, Kang Ji-Yung was the first to agree with my suggestion. "It seems like Team Lead Jung has timed the funding injection correctly. I''d like to hear more opinions on the expenses." But Lee Gi-Cheol immediately interjected as expected. "Director Kang, don''t you think you''re spending too much money too soon?" "We have less than a month left. Of course we need to spend money," Kang Ji-Yung replied. Lee Gi-Cheol retorted, "I mean, do we have to be the only ones spending? Let MBS spend some money too..." "Don''t worry. I''m meeting with the president of MBS today," Kang Ji-Yung interrupted. When Kang Ji-Yung cut off Lee Gi-Cheol''s grumbling at once, Kim Dong-Soo joined the conversation this time. "The timing is right. I agree in principle, but how about we cap the spending since Yoo-Jin isn''t the lead yet?" Having a cap meant setting a limit on the funds. "Excuse me? Cap the actress who has brought in the most ads in thepany until the first quarter of this year?" I snapped. "That''s not what I mean. But we also need to consider the feelings of other actors." As expected, Kim Dong-Soo objected. But I was fully prepared to crush Kim Dong-Soo''s logic. Just as I was about to counterattack, someone agreed with me. "I agree with Team Lead Jung''s statement." At that moment, everyone''s attention suddenly turned to Chief Bang Sang-Yung of Actor Division 1. Bang Sang-Yung, the chief of Actor Division 1 who made the most profit in Hoop Entertainment, was known for being a man of few words. After all, his division could handle almost anything internally due to its smooth financial situation and rarely needed help from other sections. ''What''s going on?'' I wondered. In my past life, Bang Sang-Yung had not been someone who took any sides even right before thepany was about to close its doors. He took his subordinates and moved to Top Entertainment when Hoop Entertainment was about to split, but he left the entertainment industry altogether not long after. Such a man was voicing his opinion for the first time and supporting me. Bang Sang-Yung straightened up in his seat and asked, "Team Lead Jung." "Yes, sir." "Do you think you can fit one of my actors in your drama?" Bang Sang-Yung smiled good-naturedly, but I knew this was not just a simple request. It was no different from asking me to request Lee Ji-Yeon and Kim Sung-Woon to make room for his actors. He was trying to make a deal with me by offering support, and asking me for something worthy in return. I immediately began to make calctions in my head. If I could bring Bang Sang-Yung of Actor Division 1 to my side, it would be a tremendous card to check Kim Dong-Soo of Actor Division 3. "I can''t guarantee the oue, but I think I can ask them for a favor," I replied. At that moment, everyone began to clear their throats. Even the chiefs typically resorted to entertainment and lobbying to get roles for their actors. But the fact that a mere team lead in his second year on the job could manage that alone made the faces of Kim Dong-Soo, Ju Ho-Sung, and Kang Myung-Gil look grim. Bang Sang-Yung looked at me and smiled. "Then I''d like to ask for Yang Chi-Sung and Park Ye-Eun from Actor Division 1 to be included in In the Name of God. Do you think that''s possible? Preferably not just a one-time minor role but something they could appear in for about two or three episodes." Yang Chi-Sung and Park Ye-Eun were the actors who hadn''t been very active since joining ourpany. It wasn''t due to theirck of talent, but becausepetitors would swoop in on the roles they wanted. And whenever they did secure a role, the project would fall through for various reasons. But while not leads, they were actors certainly capable of supporting roles. The hard-working Yang Chi-Sung would eventually rise to the ranks of an A-ss actor, and Park Ye-Eun would be a popr fixture in sis with her distinctively appealing voice. "Have you read the script, sir?" I asked. Bang Sang-Yung nodded. "Of course I have. Chi-Sing and Ye-Eun have been on my case for days saying they''d love to be in it after reading the script." "Would they be okay with ying viins?" "They''re not in the ce to be picky. It''s been two years since they had a proper role. So help me get them a role in Writer Lee Ji-Yeon''s drama this time. They deserve it." "Understood. I''ll look into it right away and get back to you." Bang Sang-Yung nodded with satisfaction. At the same time, Bang Sang-Yung began to actively support me and started to press Kim Dong-Soo. 1. In popr culture, the term makjang is used to represent the idea of having reached the extreme. In the context of dramas, makjang is a stylistic, tonal, or narrative element in dramas that chooses to y up outrageous storylines to keep viewers hooked despite how ridiculous the stories be ? Chapter 206: New Ally

Chapter 206: New Ally

"Chief Kim Dong-Soo. To be frank, treating Yoo-Jin like amon supporting actress is going too far, don''t you think?" Bang Sang-Yung continued with his criticisms. The flustered Kim Dong-Soo stuttered, "M-Mr. Bang?" "You of all people should know that a star''s value isn''t in acting alone but in poprity. Weren''t you the one who treated even extras like royalty if they were popr?" Bang Sang-Yung silenced Kim Dong-Soo and continued speaking. "And about Team Lead Jung¡ªeveryone in the industry has been talking about him recently, haven''t they? Let''s push him properly this time and really grow his potential. Let''s be honest here. Has ourpany really given proper support to Team Lead Jung until now?" Bang Sang-Yung was supporting not only Yoo-Jin but me as well. His support was much stronger than I had expected. Bang Sang-Yung let out a controversial remark. "If I''m being honest, I want to bring Team Lead Jung to Actor Division 1 at any moment. If he is okay with it, that is." At that moment, everyone in the meeting room began to clear their throat even louder than before. "Ahem." "Mr. Bang, that''s a bit..." The team leads of Actor Division 1 remained unshaken, but the staff of Actor Divisions 2 and 3 showed varied expressions because Bang Sang-Yung had never talked about scouting anyone before. I almost choked upon hearing his remark. ''Bang Sang-Yung is interested in scouting me?'' I wondered. Bang Sang-Yung had never felt the need for scouting anyone else because he was confident in his own capabilities. But at that moment, he was eyeing me to bring him to his division. That''s when Gu Seong-Cheol burst in angrily. "Chief Bang. What are you saying right now? Why would you take Yoon-Ho? If you''re joking, it''s not funny at all. And if you''re serious, you''re gonna have to fight me." "No, it''s just a figure of speech," exined Bang Sang-Yung. "You can''t take Yoon-Ho! Absolutely not! Not until I''m dead in the ground!" Gu Seong-Cheol bellowed. Gu Seong-Cheol, aged 45 this year, was two years older than Bang Sang-Yung. The argument over whether to push for Yoo-Jin had suddenly changed to whether to take me. Kang Ji-Yung quickly stepped in to calm Gu Seong-Cheol. "Mr. Gu, calm down. It''s just a saying and he doesn''t really mean it." "Director Kang, don''t you know Chief Bang''s personality? He acts all sly, and the moment you let your guard down, he''ll definitely try to steal Yoon-Ho!" Gu Seong-Cheol retorted. Bang Sang-Yung shrugged his shoulders. Though he usually didn''t show much movement, he made sure to follow through once he spoke up with determination. For this reason, Gu Seong-Cheol was furiously preventing him from taking me to Actor Division 1. But I had no reason to leave Actor Division 2. After all, I had nned to create my own division within two years anyway. However, there was no need to reveal that inner thought. The more Bang Sang-Yung took my side, the more I could corner Kim Dong-Soo. *** In conclusion, the meeting ended in myplete victory with the backing of Actor Division 1, the most powerful division in thepany. Thanks to that, Yoo-Jin received lead-level support and a tripled budget. As I was about to head back to the office after winning the battle, Kwak Moo-Hyuk from the legal division asked to see me briefly. When I entered the room, Kwak Moo-Hyuk sat on the sofa and boldly requested, "Team Lead Jung, could I ask for a cup of coffee today?" His triumphant expression suggested he had something to boast about. I promptly headed to the staff lounge to make him coffee. Since everyone sought my coffee, I had hidden all the necessary ingredients in the stag lounge. Sip! Momentster, a pleased smile spread across the lips of Kwak Moo-Hyuk as he drank the coffee I made. "Indeed, the coffee you make is the best, Team Lead Jung," remarked Kwak Moo-Myuk. "Mr. Kwak, you know my coffee is expensive, right?" I replied with a smile. Kwak Moo-Hyuk nodded. "I know. That''s why I asked you to make it." "Don''t keep me in suspense and please go ahead with your story, sir." At that moment, Kwak Moo-Hyuk gave a smile and said, "The custody battle for Yoo-Jin will finally be over tomorrow. From now on, no one in this world can separate Yoo-Jin and Miso." I was overwhelmed and filled with emotions, but quicklyposed myself. "They''re not thinking of going to appeal, are they?" I asked. "Of course not. I''ve got the other side by the leash. Oh, and one more thing. One cup of coffee might not be enough..." I quickly got up and started massaging his shoulders. "Mr. Kwak~!" Kwak Moo-Hyuk chuckled. "Ha ha. I didn''t know you were capable of such charm, Team Lead Jung. Ha ha ha. Yes, that''s right. Press harder on the left." It seemed Gu Seong-Cheol was slightly envious, but I ignored him and continued massaging Kwak Moo-Hyuk''s shoulders. Then Kwak Moo-Hyuk continued, "We''ve also swiftly concluded the civilwsuit. We''ll soon get back the original house in Amsa-dong that belonged to Miss Yoo-Jin''s family." "I-is that really true?" I asked in anticipation. Kwak Moo-Hyuk nodded. "Absolutely. And I''ve filed for Miso''s inheritance that was squandered by those people¡ªit''s over 200 million won. But they''re out of money, so getting it immediately might be difficult." It seemed that Jung Hak-Jae had no money left after spending all the inheritance money recklessly. "So it looks like he might even be detained," Kwak Moo-Hyuk added. Kwak Moo-Hyuk said that Jung Hak-Jae and his wife, involved in all sorts of fraud, wouldn''t be able to avoid going to prison. I expressed my gratitude, "Thank you, Mr. Kwak." "Don''t mention it. This is all thanks to you preparing the documents so thoroughly," said Kwak Moo-Hyuk. That''s when something else urred to me. I asked, "Mr. Kwak, what about Jin So-Mi? What happened to her?" "She won''t be able to cause trouble like before." Kwak Moo-Hyuk exined that being marked as a person of interest at a gathering of judges and prosecutors in Seocho-dong for facing issues after attempting to lobby judges, Jin So-Mi would be able to act recklessly anymore. He added, "Nothing can stop her from bing awyer if she stays out of trouble from now on. But don''t worry. Awyer without a backing is nothing." I nodded in agreement with Kwak Moo-Hyuk''s confident remark. Indeed, awyer''s power wasn''t in their knowledge but their connections. After all, high-ranking judges often received high sries and were scouted byw firms for that very reason. "Then I guess I don''t have to worry anymore," Imented with a satisfied smile. Kwak Moo-Hyuk finished his coffee with a grin. "How about it? Was the coffee worth it?" I nodded. "It was more than worth it. I''ll prepare a nice gift for you next time." It seemed like we would have to celebrate at Yoo-Jin''s house tonight. Then, another thought crossed my mind. "Oh, but Mr. Kwak. Did you manage to find any evidence linking Jin So-Mi and Kim Dong-Soo?" Kwak Moo-Hyuk shook his head. "No, I couldn''t find any evidence." "That''s disappointing." "Well, they must be having a tough time now, so don''t feel too disappointed." Listening to Kwak Moo-Hyuk as he made a content smile, I couldn''t help but nod. *** While heading back to thepany after lunch, Kim Dong-Soo received a call from Jin So-Mi. "You''re taking a leave of absence?" -Yes. There''s been some talk among thew school professors, so I''ve put in for a leave. "Jin So-Mi. So you''re giving up on bing awyer?" -How can I be awyer with everyone in Seocho-dong gunning for me? Kim Dong-Soo''s expression soured when his n to sponsor her into bing awyer had been derailed. It was disappointing, but he couldn''t just give up. Leaving a woman like Jin So-Mi who handled dirty work so well would be a loss. "Alright then. Just take a break for now and we''ll think about it." -Anyway, I''m not nning on being awyer just so you know. "Fine. I''ll keep sending you money anyway, so cool off for a while." -Alright. See youter. Click. Kim Dong-Soo scratched his head in frustration after hanging up the phone. Ju Ho-Sung, who was on his way back to thepany with Kim Dong-Soo after lunch, cautiously asked, "How did things go?" "What do you think? I got thoroughly shaken down," Kim Dong-Soo grumbled. Ju Ho-Sung frowned to hear not only did they lose the custody battle for Miso but they also lost a valuable asset in Jin So-Mi. "Ah, that bastard Jung Yoon-Ho. How can he be so lucky all the time?" Kim Dong-Soo let out a deep sigh hearing Ju Ho-Sung''s frustrated mutter. It was an unspoken acknowledgment that Jung Yoon-Ho had be an opponent he couldn''t take lightly. At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo saw a middle-aged couple arguing with a security guard at thepany entrance. "Huh? Are those people..." The couple was none other than Jung Hak-Jae and his wife. Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung hesitated and stopped in their tracks, because the custody battle had cost Jung Hak-Jae''s family a fortune. "Team Lead Ju, let''s go through the underground parking lot." "Yes, sir." But before Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung could turn around, Jung Hak-Jae and his wife spotted them. Suddenly, they charged at the two with a crazed look in their eyes. "Oh, there you are. We''ve been looking for you guys~. Good timing, you bastards!" "I''ll kill you guys first then head to prison." The bankrupt couple lunged at Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung. As a result, they were tormented until the police arrived, getting their hair pulled and faces punched nonstop. *** The day of the main auditions for Master of Mukbang arrived. I headed to the TVM broadcasting station with Lee Yung-Jin and Haru. While Haru was receiving a visitor''s badge for the broadcasting station, Lee Yung-Jin cautiously asked, "Mr. Jung. Haru will get the lead role, right?" I replied, "You know how often those broadcast people change their minds. We can''t becent until it''s over." Although we had received promises from Kim Tae-Chon and Yoo Hyun-Ji that Haru would be the main lead, the situation could change at any time. "But still, we do have the upper hand. So always assure Haru that he will get the lead role. Okay?" I added. Lee Yung-Jin smiled. "Understood. Just trust me." Then we headed to the audition room as Haru returned with his badge on. "Looks like not many people showed up." "I guess that''s because it''s a cable channel." Just like in my past life, only about 30 actors had shown up to audition. Master of Mukbang was about the main character, Park Ill-Sik, replicating dishes he had tried at famous restaurants at home. Because the condition was that auditionees had to be under 22 and skilled at cooking, very few people applied. "Wow, the set is really impressive though. They''ll film Table of Mukbang hereter, right?" Lee Yung-Jin asked. Today''s audition consisted of cooking in the first part and showing eating scenes in the second part. For this reason, the audition was held on a set that was jointly nned with a cookingpetition show called Table of Mukbang. "Yeah. But keep it down, it''s embarrassing," I hushed Lee Yung-Jin. After calming down the excited Lee Yung-Jin, I instructed Haru to inspect the kitchen table which was equipped with an induction cooktop and a sink. At that moment, Ma Dong-Pal showed up at the audition site just like he did in my past life. "Oh? Isn''t that you over there, Team Lead Jung?" Ma Dong-Pal asked. Despite seeing him often, I never really warmed up to Ma Dong-Pal. But I noticed something was different from my past life. Ma Dong-Pal wasn''t apanied by Jung Moon-Sik, a rookie actor from TK Entertainment, but by apletely new actor. ''Who is that?'' I wondered. The actor with Ma Dong-Pal had a preppy appearance, dressed in a neat checkered shirt and cotton pants. He seemed rxed and confident unlike other actors nervously waiting for the audition to begin, ''He must be confident in his cooking skills. But have I ever seen this actor before?'' I thought. I couldn''t recall seeing him even up to ten yearster. In the meantime, Haru finished looking around the kitchen table and stood by my side. Ma Dong-Pal nced at Haru and tilted his head. "Who''s the kid you brought? A newly recruited actor?" "His name is Haru, a newly recruited actor. But what brings you here today?" I responded. "I''m a talent agent too, you know. I came to take care of my actor." However, it wasn''t ordinary for a high-ranking official like Ma Dong-Pal to visit the audition site of a cable drama. "Are you justing from meeting the CP by chance?" I asked. "You''re quick to notice. Yes, I met him. Why?" Ma Dong-Pal responded with a grin. When Ma Dong-Pal grinned, I immediately asked back, "Did he promise you the main role?" As I hit the nail on the head, Ma Dong-Pal couldn''t hide his flustered expression. It was clear he had made a promise. As always, those broadcasting people can''t be trusted. ''Did he provide entertainment?'' I wondered. When Kim Dong-Soo had promoted Woo Sung-Chan to the main role, he had used substantial entertainment. And now, Ma Dong-Pal was doing the same thing for a new actor. But Haru was still at an advantage. If we were really at a disadvantage, Yoo Hyun-Ji would have subtly leaked some information to us in advance. After organizing my thoughts, I spoke to Ma Dong-Pal, "Well that''s too bad. We were also promised the role." Ma Dong-Pal''s face twisted once again. "Ahem. Is that so? Well, that''s typical talk from those broadcast guys." My eyes turned to the young man next to Ma Dong-Pal. "By the way, who is this beside you?" When Ma Dong-Pal gestured, the actor beside him started to introduce himself. At that moment, I could see why he was wearing such a confident expression. Chapter 207: Master of Mukbang Audition (1)

Chapter 207: Master of Mukbang Audition (1)

"Hello. I am Lee Jin-Taek, a third-year student at the Korean Culinary Talent High School." The Korean Culinary Talent High School was a school where aspiring professional chefs fiercelypeted for admission. I had heard that one must be able to cook hotel-level meals just to get admitted. ''But he''s a third-year high school student there?'' I thought. That meant he must have the skills of a fairlypetent restaurant chef. He even said that he brought his own special knife. "A pro showed up where amateurs are ying around," I responded to his introduction. Lee Jin-Taek waved his hands dismissively. "Ha ha, I''m not a pro at all." Only then could I understand why Ma Dong-Pal wore such a confident expression. I took a slight nce at Haru in case he was discouraged. But fortunately, Haru didn¡¯t seem intimidated. ''I''m so proud of him,'' I remarked inwardly. After the previous incident with Woo Sung-Chan, Haru had matured mentally. But that''s when Haru gave an unexpected response. "My name is Haru, a third-year student at Hanyoung Arts Junior High. I learned cooking from the cafeteriadies." Lee Jin-Taek burst outughing at Haru''s confident response. "Pfft. School meals... Ahem. I''m sorry, I just didn¡¯t see thating." I frowned. ''What? What¡¯s wrong with learning from the cafeteriadies?'' I did not need to be discouraged when Haru was standing proud. But Lee Jin-Taek began to make a relieved expression as if he had no reason to worry about it. At that moment, Yoo Hyun-Ji announced the start of the audition. "Alright, it looks like everyone who¡¯s supposed to be here has arrived. Talent agents, please step back and actorse forward." At the same time, the actors started moving forward and separated from their talent agents. Ma Dong-Pal waved his hand and moved aside with Lee Jin-Taek. "See youter then." Haru was also ready to face the judges. I stopped Haru before leaving and started giving my final advice. "Haru, listen carefully. This isn¡¯t a cookingpetition but an audition to find the lead for Master of Mukbang. They are going to pick the best Park Ill-Sik, not the best chef. You got that?" Haru nodded. "Yes. I¡¯ll pay attention not only to cooking but also to acting." I pointed to the two cameras stationed on either side of the judges'' seats. "No, you need to pay much more attention than you think. Once you step forward, the cameras will start rolling. See the camera directors on both sides?" "Yes, I see them." "It might be nerve-wracking, but once you stand in front of the judges, think of yourself as Park Ill-Sik in the cooking contest. Remember the script when you''re stuck." As I advised him on how to act and how to think, Haru¡¯s face seemed to brighten a little bit. "Okay, hyung. I¡¯ll do my best ande back." "I believe in you," I encouraged him. After hearing Haru¡¯s reassuring response, I gently pushed his back. "You got this!" Haru walked forward to face the judges. *** The judges included food franchise expert President Baek Jong-Suk, world-renowned chef Eric Park, Yoo Hyun-Ji, and Kim Tae-Chon. "Alright. First up for the audition, President Baek and Chef Eric will have you recreate rolled omelets and soybean paste stew." At that moment, Lee Jin-Taek suddenly raised his hand. "Ms. Yoo, what about the rice?" "Oh, I forgot about that. The actors will have to cook the rice themselves as well," Yoo Hyun-Ji replied. The dish the auditionees had to make was the soybean paste stew and rolled omelet that the main character ate at a local diner in the first episode of Master of Mukbang. Therefore, the rice also had to be based on the first episode, and the method for cooking was clearly stated in the script. ''PD Yoo is quite pickier than I thought,'' I remarked inwardly. It seemed that Yoo Hyun-Ji was using this opportunity to check how well the auditionees knew the script. At that moment, Lee Jin-Taek raised his hand again. "Um, can we choose any pot freely? There seems to be a y pot, an electric rice cooker, and a stone pot avable." Yoo Hyun-Ji nodded. "Of course." Yoo Hyun-Ji seemed to like Lee Jin-Taek''s question as she started looking at him with interest. At the same time, I noticed the red REC buttons on both cameras light up. ''The audition is starting,'' I thought. Baek Jong-Suk began making the soybean paste stew, and Eric Park started cooking the rolled omelet. "Alright, everyone. Watch us carefully, okay?" Baek Jong-Suk was boiling the soybean paste stew in a y pot, and Eric Park was frying the rolled omelet in a frying pan. The two finished cooking in about 15 minutes. Afterpleting his cooking, Baek Jong-Suk stepped back and said, "Pretty easy, right?" Some of the actorsughed as they were relieved. "Actors, stopughing ande forward to taste the food." "Yes, Ms. Yoo." The actors hurried forward at Yoo Hyun-Ji''s instruction. On the judges'' table were the boiling soybean paste stew in a y pot and the rolled omelet on a wide ceramic te looking delicious. The savory smell of the soybean paste stew made with diced zhini, potatoes, and tofu, wafted to the end of the set. And the rolled omelet, embedded with finely chopped carrots and green onions, appeared even more appetizing thanks to its vivid yellow color. ''Just smelling it makes my mouth water,'' I thought as I tried to stop myself from salivating. At that moment, I heard the sound of gulping from various ces. "What are you doing? Aren''t you going to try it?" At Yoo Hyun-Ji''s words, the hesitant actors began to grab the tes in front of them and tasted the food. "Wow, it¡¯s delicious." "This tastes amazing!" The actors who tried the soybean paste stew and rolled omelet cheered, momentarily forgetting they were in an audition. Haru quietly observed the actors before he started tasting at the back. He took a small piece of the omelet, chewed thoughtfully, then reached for the bottled water next to him. After rinsing his mouth with water, he scooped up the soybean paste stew and slurped it down. At that moment, Haru began to smile contentedly. And simultaneously, I could see Yoo Hyun-Ji''s face light up with pleasure. ''You''re doing great, Haru,'' I silently cheered him on. The other actors were so focused on recreating the dishes that they momentarily forgot they were in the audition for Master of Mukbang. The main character of Master of Mukbang, Park Ill-Sik, was a character who thoroughly analyzed any food he tasted. So he always tasted a bit of each dish before properly cooking the meal, just like Haru right now. But Haru was the only auditionee tasting the food like Park Ill-Sik as I had advised. Once everyone finished tasting the food, Yoo Hyun-Ji shouted, "Alright! Now you have 30 minutes to cook. Start!" With Yoo Hyun-Ji''s booming voice, the second hand on therge clock set on the stage began to tick away. At that moment, the actors rushed to their respective kitchen tables. Haru also headed to his table with a determined expression, resolved to secure the leading role no matter what. *** All the actors fetched pressure cookers from the back shelves to start cooking rice. Lee Jin-Taek fiddled with a stone pot for a moment but eventually chose a pressure cooker as well. Just as the actors were about to start washing the rice, Yoo Hyun-Ji suddenly shouted loudly, "There''s 25 minutes left. Keep an eye on the time." The actors looked up at the clock. Although there was still plenty of time, awareness of the time suddenly made everyone anxious. As a result, many actors haphazardly rushed through washing the rice, not doing it properly. However, Lee Jin-Taek and Haru remained steady amidst the chaos and properly washed the rice. They even set aside the cloudy rice water to useter for the soybean paste stew. And at the moment everyone started the rice cooker, only Lee Jin-Taek and Haru ced a piece of kelp on the rice just as written in the script. That''s when the judges turned their gazes on Lee Jin-Taek and Haru, as watching other actors had be meaningless. After starting the rice cooker, the two began to prepare the ingredients as if showing off their cooking skills. The sound of the knife hitting the cutting board was steady. Thump, thump, thump. The zhini was cut precisely with the rhythmic sound of the knife hitting the cutting board, and the leeks, potatoes, and onions were also neatly cut and began to adorn the tes on the kitchen table. The two continued cooking wlessly from the time it took to prepare the ingredients to the appearance of the ingredients. "There''s 15 minutes left." Lee Jin-Taek continued cooking with a rxed smile. After all, these were easy dishes for a professional to make. Thanks to this, Lee Jin-Taek even had the leisure to look around. But Haru was different. He meticulously prepared each ingredient and cooked while humming to himself, enjoying the cooking itself like Park Ill-Sik, the main character of Master of Mukbang. I felt proud regardless of the oue because Haru hadn''t forgotten my advice. Just the fact that he heeded the talent agent''s advice was a great joy to me. And just like that, the first part of the audition progressed swiftly. *** "Stop!" The actors pulled their hands away from their food at Yoo Hyun-Ji''smand. The 30 minutes had passed in a sh, and now it was time to present the dishes. Ma Dong-Pal approached me with a confident attitude. "Why drag it out? I would give up now if I were you. It¡¯s clear that Jin-Taek''s cooking is superior. Don''t you think so?" The dishes recreated by the actors after tasting those prepared by Baek Jong-Suk and Eric Park were now on the actors'' kitchen tables. As Ma Dong-Pal boasted, the most striking was indeed Lee Jin-Taek''s dish. Being a professional, his presentation was on another level with a hotel restaurant-level decoration. Though everyone made a rolled omelet, the way it was presented made it look like a different dish entirely. Even the tofu in the bubbling soybean paste stew Lee Jin-Taek made in the y pot had perfect angles. Compared to that, Haru''s dishes looked somewhat ordinary from the outside. "Cooking isn''t crafting. You have to taste it to know who made the better dish," I replied. Ma Dong-Pal chuckled. "Look at you, always talking back. But that overconfidence needs to be broken at least once. Just watch. It won¡¯t work this time." While Ma Dong-Pal and I were bickering, the judges began tasting the food. And shortly after, the moment came for the judges to announce the results. But at that moment, Kim Tae-Chon and Yoo Hyun-Ji began whispering urgently while exchanging serious looks. ''What¡¯s going on?'' I wondered. After a brief talk with Baek Jong-Suk and Eric Park, Yoo Hyun-Ji announced the end of the audition. "Our lead for Master of Mukbang will be Haru from Hoop Entertainment. Thank you all for your hard work. And Mr. Jung, please stay behind." At that moment, the actors and talent agents began to stir and protest. The audition''s first part, cooking, was supposed to be followed by a second part featuring mukbang acting to decide the lead. But that process had been unexpectedly skipped without notice. "What? Ms. Yoo. How can this be?" "Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯d give extra points to those who eat heartily? Jun-Sik''s acting is remarkable! You need to watch him act!" "What¡¯scking in Dong-In? His mother runs the best fried chicken house in Suwon! Try his cooking one more time! He¡¯s confident in his skills!" "This isn¡¯t right. What does Yong-Jinckpared to that guy?" The flustered talent agents were makingints they usually wouldn¡¯t dare make to a PD. Of course, Ma Dong-Pal didn¡¯t just stand by either. However, his frustration was directed not at the producer but at me. "Team Lead Jung. How much did you pay the CP? What did you give him to get such a ridiculous result?" I smirked at Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s words. "Do you think everyone is like you?" "What? Say that again?" "I don''t bribe with entertainment like you do. Haru was chosen because he performed well." At that moment, Lee Jin-Taek began to protest to the judges as he was unable to ept the result. "Ms. Yoo! I can¡¯t ept that I have lost in cooking. I need an exnation that makes sense." At that moment, Yoo Hyun-Ji¡¯s expression furrowed deeply. I raised my eyebrows. ''Uh oh...'' The power of a broadcast station''s producer was immense, especially in cases like Master of Mukbang where the producer personally nned the project. In nned dramas, the position of the writer was merely to serve as the limbs reflecting the intentions of the producer. Simply put, Yoo Hyun-Ji was akin to a king in Master of Mukbang. And here was a green, yet-to-debut actor demanding an exnation directly from the producer. This act alone could ban him from appearing not just in Yoo Hyun-Ji¡¯s dramas but in any drama at TVM broadcasting station. In an instant, Ma Dong-Pal¡¯s face turned white beyond pale. "H-he must have gone mad!" The horrified Ma Dong-Pal rushed to Lee Jin-Taek¡¯s side. But Yoo Hyun-Ji was quicker to express her anger. "Kids have no sense these days. Are you asking for an exnation from the producer? You can''t ept the result, you say?" Yoo Hyun-Ji made an incredulous expression and retorted in a sharp voice. "Don¡¯t you think that Haru was chosen because he was better than you?" But Lee Jin-Taek stood his ground and replied. "No, Ms. Yoo! It¡¯s impossible that I lost to that young kid in cooking." The moment the two shed, a chilling tension began to circte in the audition hall. Chapter 208: Master of Mukbang Audition (2)

Chapter 208: Master of Mukbang Audition (2)

The moment Haru was announced as the lead for Master of Mukbang, Lee Jin-Taek was already disputing the results with Yoo Hyun-Ji. Ma Dong-Pal hastily rushed over and immediately began apologizing. "Just, just a moment, PD Yoo! There seems to be a misunderstanding. This guy here is aspiring to be a professional chef, so he has some pride in his cooking. He¡¯s not challenging you or trying to argue. I''m so sorry," Ma Dong-Pal apologized. Ma Dong-Pal finished speaking and grabbed Lee Jin-Taek by his hair. "Hey, you! Apologize to Ms. Yoo right now!" Ma Dong-Pal forcibly pressed Lee Jin-Taek''s head down, forcing him to bow in apology. Though it was clear Lee Jin-Taek did not want to apologize, he couldn''t ovee Ma Dong-Pal. "I''m sorry, Ms. Yoo," said the reluctant Lee Jin-Taek. As he apologized, Yoo Hyun-Ji sarcastically responded, "Mr. Ma, you haven¡¯t been on set in a while and it seems like you have lost your touch." "What?" Ma Dong-Pal uttered in surprise. "You¡¯re making me look like the bad guy here. A green new actor raised a concern, and what does that make me look like in front of everyone if we just end it like this? Oh, are you trying to spin this as a producer''s power y for the press?" Yoo Hyun-Ji continued. As Yoo Hyun-Ji continued to speak in a sharp voice, Ma Dong-Pal bit his lip. Since spilled milk could not be gathered, the important thing now was to clean up the mess. "PD Yoo, I''ll arrange a meeting to give you a proper treat. So let¡¯s just move past this issue," said Ma Dong-Pal. Only then did Yoo Hyun-Ji manage to calm down. As headstrong as Yoo Hyun-Ji might be, she still had the discernment not to get into an unnecessary battle with a powerhouse from a major entertainmentpany. Yoo Hyun-Ji took a deep breath and said, "Fine. I''ll ept your apology. And it seems like everyone else here isn''t convinced by the result of the audition, but this wasn¡¯t a decision I made alone." With that, Yoo Hyun-Ji turned to Baek Jong-Suk for support. Baek Jong-Suk, today''s judge and a giant in the culinary industry, stepped forward. "To be frank, apart from Mr. Lee Jin-Taek and Mr. Haru, the culinary skill level of the other actors was just too low. So I won¡¯tment on the other actors'' cooking. If you don¡¯t understand, try the dishes for yourselves." Baek Jong-Suk replied in a straightforward manner. The actors'' faces twisted in frustration as they were essentially being told they didn¡¯t even have the skills to recreate the dishes. Baek Jong-Suk then looked at Lee Jin-Taek and said, "You made your food clean and well. It tasted like eating traditional cuisine at an expensive hotel." The encouraged Lee Jin-Taek shrugged his shoulders and replied, "I''ve been cooking since I was seven and further honed my skills in school. Even the head chef of Korean cuisine at the Chosun Hotel acknowledged my soybean paste stew and..." Baek Jong-Suk chuckled. "That''s the problem. Today''s task was to recreate the stew I made, not to produce a Chosun Hotel-style stew." Lee Jin-Taek''s face showed disbelief when he was cut off mid-sentence. "What? Are you saying it''s a problem because it tasted better? Mr. Baek, where is it written that this is a rule!?" Lee Jin-Taek retorted. Baek Jong-Suk grinned and continued. "Tasted better? But isn¡¯t taste subjective?" At that moment, world-renowned chef Eric Park also agreed. "I concur with Mr. Baek. Some people prefer a restaurant-style stew, while others prefer an old-fashioned homemade soybean paste stew. While Mr. Lee Jin-Taek''s stew was neat, it¡¯s unfair to say Mr. Haru¡¯s homely stew was inferior. And the stew from episode one was simr to the one Mr. Haru made." Baek Jong-Suk nodded. As Lee Jin-Taek continued to look unconvinced, Baek Jong-Suk pointed in Haru''s direction. "Go taste it yourself. Then you¡¯ll understand what we mean." Lee Jin-Taek moved toward Haru with a stiff expression. He scooped some of the still-steaming hot soybean paste stew onto a te in front of him and blew on the stew to cool it before taking a spoonful. But at that moment, his face contorted drastically. "..." Eric Park remarked with a smile. "You can''t deny it, can you? Weren''t you the one who took cooking as a profession? Your arrogance has led to your defeat." Lee Jin-Taek''s body trembled uncontrobly. It seemed he had never imagined being outperformed by Haru. At that moment, Ma Dong-Pal sided with Lee Jin-Taek, even if it meant going against TVM to protect his actor. "I understand what Mr. Baek and Chef Eric are saying. But this isn¡¯t a cookingpetition, is it? Even if there''s a difference in taste, shouldn''t you at least give him a chance to act if his cooking is above a certain level?" Ma Dong-Pal reasoned. That''s when Kim Tae-Chon, the CP who had been silent until now, suddenly stepped in. "Director Ma, that''s enough. Let''s not cross the line here." "Mr. Kim, but this is¡ª" Kim Tae-Chon cut Ma Dong-Pal off. "Cooking skills? I don''t know much about that. But did you know that only Haru, a mere middle school student, acted exactly as the lead character as written in the script? He followed every detail in the script when he made and tasted the food! Howe no one else saw that?" As Kim Tae-Chon''s voice rose, everyone¡¯s faces changed. "PD Yoo¡¯s drama needs detail. And when we already have someone who has it all, why waste time on another audition? We¡¯ve seen the acting already," Kim Tae-Chon added. Yoo Hyun-Ji joined in to drive the point home. "Are there any moreints? And to be honest, Haru looks the best on camera. Let¡¯s ept the result and move on. Continuing would be meaningless; that¡¯s why I stopped the audition." Yoo Hyun-Ji called Lee Jin-Taek, who couldn''t hide his disappointment, over. "And you, what was your name again?" "My name is Lee Jin-Taek." "You did well too. I understand you''re disappointed, but I don''t think you''re quite ready yet. And there''s a cooking auditioning up, so try there. This isn''t the only chance you''ve got in life, is it? Actually, juste on Master of Table. It¡¯s a cookingpetition show and you canpete with Haru again there." Master of Table was currently being directed by her boyfriend, Producer Jo Han-Il. Considering her rtionship with the producer of the show, Yoo Hyun-Ji had the authority to cast Lee Jin-Taek on the spot. At that moment, Lee Jin-Taek bowed deeply. "I''m sorry, Ms. Yoo. I¡¯ll study the script more thoroughly next time." Yoo Hyun-Ji nodded. "Good. I hope to meet you again as an actor, not just a chef next time. Okay?" "Yes, ma''am!" Yoo Hyun-Ji lightened the mood and shouted once again. "Alright then. That¡¯s it for the audition! Great job, everyone." p, p. Yoo Hyun-Ji pped her hands, announcing the end of the audition once more. Only then did Haru clench his fist and begin to smile with satisfaction. ''You did it, Haru,'' I silently cheered. Haru had practiced relentlessly every single day for today¡¯s audition. Though there were unexpected challenges, he ultimately triumphed and became the main lead of Master of Mukbang. At that moment, Yoo Hyun-Ji called out, "What are you doing, our main lead? Say thank you to everyone who auditioned with you." Haru bowed to the other actors with a lifted spirit. "I will work hard and do my best on all of your behalf." Laughter broke out. "Good, do well for us!" "Ah, that was embarrassing. Let¡¯spete in different dramas next time." I was confident Haru would likely win the audition even if theypeted in acting, but I kept my mouth shut because I had no intention of crushing their little hopes. *** As the actors and talent agents all left like the tide after the audition, the clearly upset Ma Dong-Pal also disappeared without a word. After instructing the staff on cleaning up the set, Yoo Hyun-Ji called me over. "Team Lead Jung. Can we talk in my office for a moment?" Though Haru had passed the audition, there were still stages to go through¡ªnamely, the negotiation of appearance fees. A general figure was already in mind, but fine-tuning was necessary. "Yes, Ms. Yoo," I replied. A new challenge awaited me because negotiating appearance fees would require brinkmanship. I thoroughly exined this point to Haru because brinkmanship could sometimes lead to actual falls. "Haru." "Yes?" "Don¡¯t let your guard down until the contract is signed. We¡¯re about to enter negotiations for the appearance fee and I might have to reject the role if they call an absurd number." I was worried that Haru might be disappointed, but Haru responded without hesitation. "It¡¯s okay. I trust you, hyung." "Really?" Haru was showing eyes full of trust. "Even if things don''t turn out well this time, I''m sure you''ll catch another opportunity for me. Honestly, just hearing that I passed the audition makes me feel like I could fly." "Alright. Then why don''t you and Yung-Jin go home first? Let''s have a celebration party today if things go well," I replied with a smile. "Okay!" After sending Haru and Lee Yung-Jin on their way, I messaged the audition results to Gu Seong-Cheol and Kang Ji-Yung via KkTalk. Then I followed Yoo Hyun-Ji to her office. When we entered Yoo Hyun-Ji''s office, Kim Tae-Chon was already there waiting. As soon as we sat down, Kim Tae-Chon proposed the fee. "500 thousand won per episode." In my past life, Woo Sung-Chan''s fee was 1.5 million won per episode. Because Kim Dong-Soo had been making the negotiations at that time, I had no experience of negotiating with Kim Tae-Chon until now. However, I knew that while Kim Tae-Chon was good at epting hospitality, he was famous for setting low fees. But this time, his offer was too extreme. "Sir, you''ve shed the fee too much," I said politely but firmly. "Hey! shed? You know our drama has a low production budget, don''t you, Team Lead Jung?" Kim Tae-Chon rebutted. Another staff beside him also chimed in. "That''s right, Team Lead Jung. Haru is still a rookie. Just sign the contract and he¡¯ll appear on Master of Table too. We¡¯llpensate for the fee there. And if that¡¯s not enough, we can arrange sponsorships and endorsements. How about that?" But Producer Jo Han-Ill of Master of Table from the entertainment department was even stingier than these two. Knowing this, I absolutely could not back down here. Moreover, it was necessary to negotiate directly without the broadcasting station intermediating to get a proper value for endorsements. I rejected their offers. "Do you know how hard it is to find an actor who can cook as well as Haru with that look? He will at least make it to the top four in the Master of Table''spetition! I''m sorry, but we cannot participate for that fee." Kim Tae-Chon snickered and leaned back on the sofa while waving his hand dismissively as if he had expected my reaction. "Can''t do it? Ah, then I guess it can''t be helped. PD Yoo, call Jin-Taek." Yoo Hyun-Ji nodded quickly. "Should I? Actually, I kinda really liked that guy." ''Beating the drum and ying the fife, huh?'' I thought to myself. The stooge and the tterer were trying to wear me down. If I had been an ordinary team lead, I would have definitely been swayed by their skillful teamwork. ''Ugh, these broadcast station folks...'' I remarked inwardly. Fortunately, I had prepared for this too. This morning, I met with Kang Ji-Yung to ask for help before the audition. -I need a n B for the fee negotiation. After hearing my concern, Kang Ji-Yung told me to call her as soon as the audition was over, saying she would be waiting near the station. When I messaged her as soon as the audition ended, she replied that she would arrive soon. Having Kang Ji-Yung who maintained a close rtionship with the broadcasting station¡¯s executives, I was confident she could definitely change the situation. After all, the one who appeared weak would get eaten in these kinds of negotiations. I decided to leave the room first, then meet with Kang Ji-Yung and go together to see the head of TVM''s drama department to settle things. ''I should get out of here first,'' I decided. Although Kim Tae-Chon and Yoo Hyun-Ji were hiding their emotions well like people used to bluffing with a poker face, it was clear that these two were also desperate considering the tight schedule of Master of Mukbang. The one who panicked first was bound to lose in this situation. I put on a poker face as I stood up. "I''m sorry, but we''ll pass on this project." At that moment, Yoo Hyun-Ji''s eyes trembled. I could read from her eyes that my bluff had worked. But the experienced Kim Tae-Chon remained as calm as ever. "Alright. Take care. See you next time." I nodded. "Yes, Mr. Kim." But just as I was about to grab the door handle to leave, the door opened suddenly and the awaited person appeared. "Team Lead Jung, there you are," said Kang Ji-Yung who was smiling knowingly. And behind her, an unexpected heavyweight was also entering. TLN: Connections really be everything these days Chapter 209: Actor Division 3

Chapter 209: Actor Division 3

"What a shame. I could hear the noise about being lowballed on appearance fees all the way outside the room. You do realize this is why people say we, TVM, are cheap, right?" Jo Eung-Cheon remarked. Director Jo Eung-Cheon of TVM was known for his lively personality and wouldter be the president of TVM, famous for his straightforward negotiation. After reading my message, Kang Ji-Yung bypassed even the directors and brought over one of the real powerhouses of TVM. "Hello, Mr. Jo," I greeted him. Jo Eung-Cheon looked my way and smiled slightly. "So you''re the famous Team Lead Jung who''s been doing welltely. It''s nice to meet you. But just give me a moment." Jo Eung-Cheon then pressed Kim Tae-Chon once again. "CP Kim, what are you going to do? I heard the audition was cut short because you liked the actor so much. So why offer such a low appearance fee? I told you to moderate the undercutting, yet this habit of yours has emerged again?" Kim Tae-Chon began to sweat and started making excuses. "But Mr. Jo, even if he has potential, Haru is still young and aplete rookie..." As Kim Tae-Chon''s exnation dragged on, Jo Eung-Cheon''s face further contorted. Despite the constraints on appearance fees, offering only 500 thousand won to a lead role was absurd. In fact, with such fees, it would have been better not to be chosen as the main lead at all. "Look here, CP Kim. Rookie or not, isn''t he still the main lead? What will you do if rumors spread that we''re being cheap with the lead''s appearance fees? You should rather pick the right people and think about making money by attaching ads front and back!" Jo Eung-Cheon rebuked him. Just as Jo Eung-Cheon raised his voice, Kang Ji-Yung intervened. After all, things wouldn''t end well for us either If we just watched this situation unfold. "Mr. Kim, please save my face this time. Not just Haru but we also promised Mr. Tae-Poong would appear as a cameo. Remember?" Kang Ji-Yung said. Kim Tae-Chon cleared his throat as Kang Ji-Yung said in a soft voice. "Ahem. Well, producing a broadcast involves expenses here and there. You know it isn''t because I''m deliberately trying to offer a low appearance fee, right?" Due to Kim Tae-Chon''s appeal of trying to save money for TVM, Jo Eung-Cheon reluctantly stepped back. "I know you are always trying your best for TVM. But let''s keep to the boundaries," said Jo Eung-Cheon. Kim Tae-Chon bowed his head to Jo Eung-Cheon like a sly old fox when he recognized it was time to step back. "I''m sorry, Mr. Jo. My thoughts were shortsighted." Kim Tae-Chon then immediately apologized to me as well. "I''m sorry, Team Lead Jung." "Don''t mention it. Such a situation is expected in every negotiation. I was even prepared to y hardball for about three days," I replied. Kim Tae-Chonughed incredulously. "What? You nned to y hardball for three days when the shoot is just around the corner? Ha ha, you were nning to drive me crazy, weren''t you?" I scratched my head at Kim Tae-Chon''sughter. "Come on, you did the same. I thought my heart was going to burst when you mentioned that guy Lee Jin-Taek earlier." As I made a weak plea to save Kim Tae-Chon''s face, the atmosphere finally began to lighten. At that moment, Yoo Hyun-Ji noticed the chance and joined the conversation. "So, Team Lead Jung. How much do you think the appearance fee for Haru should be?" Suddenly, all eyes were on me. I actually had a specific amount in mind¡ª1.5 million won. While it wasn''t a lot for a drama main lead, it was a tough amount for a rookie actor to get since appearance fees were decided not by acting skills or looks but by recognition. Still, I wanted to secure at least as much as Woo Sung-Chan. I looked at them and said, "I was thinking 1.5 million won." That''s when Jo Eung-Cheon grinned and asked, "Will that suffice?" "I won''t refuse if you offer more. And if the fee increases, Cherry Blossom might also appear as a cameo," I said with a smile. At that moment, Jo Eung-Cheon burst into heartyughter. "Ha ha! You''re really something. Making a deal with a cameo, huh? Alright, how about 2 million won then? Might as well have Cherry Blossom appear in the first episode." But even if they raised the appearance fee for Haru, that was out of the question. "The first episode might be a bit difficult since the girls aren''t in good condition at the moment. But around episode 9 might be possible." "Come on. Isn''t that toote for a 12-episode drama?" I feigned ignorance and changed the topic. "Instead, Tae-Poong can appear from the first episode." Jo Eung-Cheon stared at my face and then raised the stakes again. "How about 2.5 million won? That''s the maximum we can offer." He was indeed a good trading partner. I was worried he might not catch on, but that was unnecessary. "They might be able to appear by the fifth episode with some effort." At that moment, Jo Eung-Cheon burst into heartyughter. "Today is the day TVM goes bankrupt, huh? Ha ha ha." There was no way a mere 2.5 million won would bankrupt TVM. But Jo Eung-Cheon was happy to admit defeat in such a humorous manner. I smiled and bowed my head slightly. "Thank you so much, Mr. Jo. I promise to do the best I can." "That''s settled then. We''ll discuss the detailster and let''s all have a meal together for now. I heard your director is treating us to Hanwoo tonight." ''This is much better than I expected. A starting fee of 2.5 million won for the first appearance is more than enough for a rookie,'' I thought to myself. I felt a surge of strength in my shoulders as I had secured a fee of 1 million won higher than Woo Sung-Chan because the value of an actor indicated how much the broadcasters needed them. Just like that, Haru became an undisputed rookie actor. And that too, as a lead right from the debut. *** "What? Haru got the lead role?" Kim Dong-Soo raised his voice with his eyes bruised ck. Ju Ho-Sung offered an egg with a troubled expression. "Yes, sir. Apparently, he cooked better than expected. Oh, and here are some eggs..." Kim Dong-Soo had gotten punched in the right eye during a scuffle with Jung Hak-Jae and his wife. Though he had punched back, Kim Dong-Soo''s right eye was bruised in return. Taking the egg and rubbing it around the bruised area, Kim Dong-Soo asked again, "How''s the atmosphere in Actor Division 3 these days?" "To be honest with you, it''s not looking too great. Especially since Sung-Chan got ousted, there''s talk that we''re falling behind Actor Division 2." "Fuck! Who the hell is spreading that nonsense?" Everything had started with Ju Yung-In. As an actress in Actor Division 3, Ju Yung-In failed to shine in the same drama as Jung Yoo-Jin and even messed up the contract renewal. Then, the trusted Cha Tae-Hoon was pushed out by Lee Tae-Poong, and finally, Woo Sung-Chan was overtaken by the rookie Haru. All this turmoil had been stirred up by Jung Yoon-Ho. Kim Dong-Soo exploded with profanity. "Those stupid bastards. It''s only natural that things go well sometimes and things don''t sometimes when you''re working. How can they not see that?" He found it ridiculous that just a few failures could lead to the talk of Actor Division 3 falling apart. That''s when Kim Dong-Soo suddenly stood up. "Come with me." "Where are you going?" Ju Ho-Sung asked. "Where do you think? To see Mr. Choi Man-Sik." "Huh? Why are you going there? We still haven''t found Mr. Choi''s son, have we?" Nalsae had yet to locate Choi Eun-Tae''s son. Faced with Ju Ho-Sung''s remark that they had nothing to report, Kim Dong-Soo frowned. "We might go under before finding that son. We need to request funds in advance. Bringing in a few star actors could change the atmosphere instantly. And we need to hold the reins of thepany until we find Mr. Choi''s son. Don''t you think so?" Ju Ho-Sung nodded. "Yes, Mr. Kim." Kim Dong-Soo put on his sunsses and stepped outside with Ju Ho-Sung hastily following behind. *** I was currently at a meeting with the team leaders and above of Hoop Entertainment. "Haru has clinched the lead role of Master of Mukbang," I said proudly. "Are you serious?" "What? Isn''t this the quickest debut ever then?" "Wow, Team Jung really pulled it off again this time." "I had given up because of Woo Sung-Chan, but you snagged it with no problem. Well done." The announcement that Haru had been internally selected for the lead role was met with cheers. A rookie actor securing the lead role simultaneously with their debut was by no means amon urrence in the entertainment industry, where dozens of new faces emerged every year. However, Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung had smiles on their faces despite their reasons toin. ''What''s up with them today?'' I wondered. But my question was quickly answered. As the excited atmosphere settled, Kim Dong-Soo spoke up. "Well done, Team Lead Jung. Sorry to interrupt our conversation, but we also have some good news to share. Is that alright?" I nodded. "Of course, sir." Kim Dong-Soo interrupted me and said to the team leads, "Next month, Mr. Sung Ho-Jun will be joining Actor Division 3." Sung Ho-Jun was a top-ss actor who had achieved the highest sess in Chungmu Street over the past three years. Having drawn consecutive ten million audiences, he was the top choice among directors for the next generation. And by this point, his advertising contracts were probably also top-tier. Excited reactions began to emerge in the meeting room. "Sung Ho-Jun, the one who alone brought in 20 billion won in revenuest year at TNT Entertainment? B-but how did you manage to bring him over?" "Exactly. How can such a big name transfer to ourpany? Would TNT Entertainment really let him go?" Transfers of star actors were umon in this industry as they neither wished to be embroiled in controversies norcked money. For this reason, everyone was naturally shocked when Kim Dong-Soo announced out of the blue that he had managed to bring Sung Ho-Jun to ourpany. Thanks to this, the previously demoralized team leads of Actor Division 3 were visibly energized. Kim Dong-Soo also stood tall and said, "Well, that''s my business secret. For now, just know that he will be joining ourpany next month." A top-ss actor was no different from a walking corporation. They alone could generate revenues amounting to hundreds of billions won annually, and the value of an actor who has reached the top couldst surprisingly long. Sung Ho-Jun had also joined Top Entertainment in my past life, where he was a lucrative acquisition that the whole industry envied. But Kim Dong-Soo suggested this was just the beginning. "And this is not the end but the beginning. I n to bring in two more S-ss actors soon." At that moment, the murmurs in the room grew louder. Chief Bang Sang-Yung from Actor Division 1 hastily asked, "You mean to say you''re bringing in three S-ss actors in total?" "Yes. I''ve beenying the groundwork for quite some time, and it looks like the fish are finally biting the bait. I''ll share the good news soon," Kim Dong-Soo replied. "Who are they? At least give us some names." Kim Dong-Soo only smiled at Bang Sang-Yung''s question. "They''ve requested confidentiality, so I''ll tell you after it''s all settled." Kim Dong-Soo''s confident expression brought some faces to mind. ''No way. Could he be bringing all those people?'' I thought to myself. During his time at Top Entertainment in my past life, Kim Dong-Soo brought in S-ss heavyweights like Sung Ho-Jun, Choi Sung-Rak, and Park Hee-Tae. All three were actors who wouldn''t lose their top spots for the next ten years. ''Has he started to use the money he embezzled? But it would be impossible with the funds of department three alone, wouldn''t it?'' I pondered. Fortunately, Kang Ji-Yung addressed the part I was curious about. "But there''s a signing quota for actors in Actor Division 3. So how is that possible? Even paying the signing bonus for just Mr. Sung Ho-Jun must be challenging." Once promoted, each chief got an annual budget for signing bonuses. But even so, there were limits. The fact that not just one but three S-ss actors were being recruited was hard to believe. "Ha ha ha. Fortunately, they weren''t much interested in the signing bonus. We agreed as long as the split was 85 to 15." "That''s...that''s very fortunate," Kang Ji-Yung replied. In cases with real power actors, there were situations where the actor and thepany had a 9:1 ratio for the total ie split. Sometimes, the actor took all of it and thepany even had to cover all activity expenses. However, the limit was 85% at Hoop Entertainment. Going beyond that meant cutting other actors'' or employees'' sries to cover the deficits. But now that an impossible situation had suddenly be possible, I was sure there was a backer behind Kim Dong-Soo. ''Could Choi Man-Sik have made a move?'' I wondered. If Kim Dong-Soo had President Choi Man-Sik''s support, it would be more than possible. I continued deep in thought, ''It seems like Kim Dong-Soo is being helped because he''s being pushed back...'' My recent efforts had shifted thepany''s power toward Actor Division 2, and the stature of Actor Division 3 had been progressively declining. Actor Division 3 had struggled to bring in S-ss actor Cha Tae-Hoon, but he lost the lead role in Beyond the Boundary to Lee Tae-Poong and hadn''t made any noticeable achievements since then. But with Sung Ho-Jun, the story would change. In terms of ability and character, he would be thepany''s pir for the next ten years. Plus, there were no scandal worries because Sung Ho-Jun was thorough in managing himself. At that moment, my mind started racing. I couldn''t just stand by and watch as the power shifted back to Actor Division 3. Moreover, Sung Ho-Jun, or rather Ho-Jun hyung, was an actor I had personally managed at Top Entertainment in my past life. That''s when a daring idea popped into my head. ''Should I bring Ho-Jun hyung over to Team Jung?'' Chapter 210: Set Up

Chapter 210: Set Up

Actors affiliated with Hoop Entertainment rarely changed their managing division, because if they were to express dissatisfaction with a talent agent, they would be assigned a different one within the same division. However, this didn''t mean they couldn''t switch divisions altogether. For actors who were profitable merely by their association, thepany usually made concessions. In the case of top-tier actors like Sung Ho-Jun, he could easily request to change his managing division as he wished. ''Of course, I need to be indispensable to Sung Ho-Jun for that to happen,'' I thought. But that was something I was confident in. After all, I knew everything about Sung Ho-Jun''s future through my nner. Lee Gi-Cheol burst into a heartyugh as he began to support Kim Dong-Soo. "Ha ha ha! It''s been a while since Chief Kim hit a home run. If a big fish like Sung Ho-Jun joins ourpany, we''d wee him with both arms. Maybe we should even throw a wee party!" Kang Ji-Yung nodded in agreement. "We should. Let''s have Actor Division 3 n it." Lee Gi-Cheol smirked. "Ha ha ha. It''s been a while since the Director Kang and I thought alike. This is excellent. Ah, yes. if only every day could be like today." Kim Dong-Soo dly epted the suggestion. "Then we in Actor Division 3 will modestly prepare a party to wee the actor. I''ll report back as soon as the other two actors are also confirmed to join ourpany." "Got it." Only then did Kim Dong-Soo look at me smugly with a satisfied expression. "Alright then. Team Lead Jung, let''s go back to Haru and discuss how much we''re going to push him. Continue the briefing, will you?" Hiding my intent to recruit Sung Ho-Jun, I continued the briefing. I nodded. "Yes, Mr. Kim." As we discussed how to push Haru forward, Actor Division 3''s faces brightened as they were unaware of what was toe. **** Gu Seong-Cheol spoke with a troubled expression in Kang Ji-Yung''s office. "Director Kang, if two more actors of Sung Ho-Jun''s caliber were to join, it''d probably be Choi Sung-Rak or Park Hee-Tae, right? Their contracts are up soon." A list of top stars nearing contract renewal was a staple for any sizablepany. Kang Ji-Yung''s expression turned grave as she thoroughly reviewed the candidate list. "That seems very likely. Chief Kim wouldn''t be so confident otherwise," Kang Ji-Yung remarked. "Well, we can''t just sit back and watch. Shouldn''t we expand our recruitment efforts?" Gu Seong-Cheol asked with a concerned look on his face. Kang Ji-Yung let out a deep sigh. "Sunbae, Actor Division 2 has almost exhausted its budget bringing in Mr. Park Eun-Sung and Mr. Jang Jun-Hyuk." "W-well, yes, I know that. That''s why I suggest we might need to dip into next year''s budget a bit early..." Gu Seong-Cheol said with hesitation. But Kang Ji-Yung shook her head decisively. "Let''s not rush into doing anything. Just one mistake is enough to give Director Lee Gi-Cheol an excuse to criticize us." Gu Seong-Cheol leaned back on the sofa helplessly. "Sigh. Just when I thought our division was making headway, herees a big snag." Yet I couldn''t help but smile despite the serious conversation. "Why are you smiling like that, Team Lead Jung?" Gu Seong-Cheol asked with a frown. "Oh, I just thought Chief Kim seemed a bit desperate," I replied. Gu Seong-Cheol scratched his head. "Chief Kim looked desperate? What do you mean?" "Chief Kim Dong-Soo would scoff at anything rted to Actor Division 2 until now. Didn''t he?" I borated. "Well, that may be, but..." "But this time, he seemed to be bragging to us as if to show off." In my past life, Gu Seong-Cheol would always return from team lead-level meetings red-faced because Kim Dong-Soo, a junior far behind in experience, often outperformed him in terms of results. For that reason, the talent agents of Actor Division 2 avoided talking to Gu Seong-Cheol on days when there was a meeting for team leads and above. At that moment, Kang Ji-Yung burst outughing. "True. After all, Actor Division 2 is now strong enough topete with Division 3. Mr. Jang Jun-Hyuk''s return to activity will ensure we don''t fall behind." Gu Seong-Cheol scratched his head in disbelief. "They say you can''t remember being a tadpole once you''re a frog... I guess that''s me. Ha ha." The mood lightened as Gu Seong-Cheolughed. I smiled and said, "Well, I should get going now. I need to prepare for tomorrow''s acting sessions and there''s a lot to arrange." At that moment, Kang Ji-Yung asked me. "Hold on. How''s the preparation for Miss Kang Ha-Na going?" "The song preparation isplete and we only need to shoot the music video now. We''re currently looking for an editor for our MeTube channel," I updated. "Seems like everything is progressing well there too. But I heard the budget has been tighttely. You''re spending only 30 million won for the music video?" Kang Ji-Yung asked. I nodded. "Yes, but that should be sufficient. We are intentionally shooting with a low budget." Even in my past life, Kang Ha-Na''s low-budget video had be a hit. Therefore I had instructed the staff to shoot the music video in a way that maximized that feel. "Got it. I''m sure you will handle it well, Team Lead Jung, but please double-check to make sure nothing is missing." "Yes, Ms. Kang." After finishing my updates on Kang Ha-Na, I left the director''s office. Yet I had disclosed nothing to the two about Sung Ho-Jun. That matter had to be handled discreetly. *** Sung Ho-Jun''s current talent agent was his younger brother, Sung Yung-Jun. Sung Yung-Jun was a 25-year-old former athlete whom you could meet through just a few connections. I nned to use Sung Yung-Jun to create a link with Sung Ho-Jun to bring him to Actor Division 2. ''Wow. It feels strange to meet Ho-Jun hyung again...'' I remarked inwardly. No one in this world knew what kind of movies Sung Ho-Jun liked and which directors and styles he preferred better than I did. Moreover, I knew better than anyone which movies would make him thrive and which would lead to failure, because those details were all recorded in my nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: August 15, 2020] -03:00 p.m. Actor Division 3, Lee Deok-Hyung''s audition for Director Lee Han-Soo''s <Divine Punishment> (Report: Sung Ho-Jun attended the main audition. It seems unlikely that Lee Deok-Hyung will be chosen.) [Everyday V10.1] [Date: November 22, 2020] -12:00 p.m. <Divine Punishment> starring Sung Ho-Jun. Box office 700,000. Screen out. At that time, top star Sung Ho-Jun had appeared on the set when I had taken Lee Deok-Hyung from Actor Division 3 to the audition for Divine Punishment. That''s when Lee Deok-Hyung and the other auditionees had half-given up on the audition because they simply couldn''tpare to Sung Ho-Jun in terms of acting skills or poprity. But Divine Punishment encountered countless production difficulties and faced a dismal failure against Beyond the Boundaries despite being a major production with a budget of 15 billion won. ''I should help him avoid Divine Punishment and draw his interest elsewhere,'' I thought. That''s when Lee Yung-Jin who had returned from an external assignment asked, "Mr. Jung, what are you looking at that makes you smile like that?" I answered calmly, "I just couldn''t help smiling because Harunded the lead role." "Makes sense. A lead role right at debut, huh? Plus, a fee of 2.5 million won per episode? Wow, that''s just incredible!" Lee Yung-Jin eximed. "Why the sudden ttery today? Did you do something wrong?" I replied cautiously. Lee Yung-Jin dodged the question. Clearly, that look in his eyes meant he had forgotten to do something. But there was something more important than that. I updated Lee Yung-Jin on today''s events. "Oh, and in today''s meeting, there was talk about Sung Ho-Juning to ourpany." From the moment I decided to promote Lee Yung-Jin to assistant manager, I shared information from team lead-level meetings with him. At that moment, Lee Yung-Jin looked surprised at the unexpected news. "Ho-Jun hyung ising to ourpany? Wow, no one told me about that. I should give him a call," Lee Yung-Jin replied with his eyebrows raised. "Wait, what? You call him Ho-Jun hyung? Are you close with Mr. Sung Ho-Jun?" I asked. I had never imagined Lee Yung-Jin would be acquainted with Sung Ho-Jun. Although we joined thepany around the same time, we were both too busy to have such conversations in my past life. Lee Yung-Jin scratched his head and replied, "Yes. Well, to be exact, I''m close with Yung-Jun, Ho-Jun hyung''s younger brother." "Really? How did you be friends? Are you school alumni or something?" "No, I got to know Yung-Jun through a bowling club for talent agents. We got so close that I sometimes hang out at their ce." Lee Yung-Jin grumbled about not hearing the news despite being friends with Sung Yung-Jun. This was an unexpected gain. I began to think that maybe I could elerate the process of bringing Sung Ho-Jun to my team. "Could you introduce me to Sung Yung-Jun?" I asked. Lee Yung-Jin nced at me sideways. "Don''t tell me..." "What?" "You''re not nning to bring Ho-Jun hyung over to Actor Division 2, are you?" "Shh! Keep it down." I hushed him as I looked around cautiously. Lee Yung-Jin''s eyes widened in shock. "Mr. Jung, even so, that¡¯s..." I nodded. "I know. But I''m not trying to force him over or anything. It''s about building rtionships in advance. That way, he might naturallye over to our side. Right?" "Wow, that''s brilliant. But Mr. Jung. Wouldn''t Actor Division 3 fight us to the death over this?" "They already picked a fight with us when they tried to intercept Mr. Jang Jun-Hyuk. Besides, they¡¯re probably targeting our actors now too." Lee Yung-Jin hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "That makes sense. If it¡¯s Actor Division 3, they would definitely do that. Our actors in Division 2 are too loyal to you to be swayed though." "Just casually drop my name to Mr. Sung Ho-Jun. Make it so that hees to me," I said. "Got it. I¡¯ll meet with Yung-Jun often and set something up." "Okay. But this stays between us, okay?" Lee Yung-Jin nodded. "Of course." But in the midst of talking with Lee Yung-Jin, I realized he was surprisingly well-connected in the industry. "By the way, it looks like you¡¯ve got quite thework. How many talent agents gather at these bowling meetups?" I asked. Lee Yung-Jin thought for a second and replied, "It varies, but sometimes up to 30 people. It¡¯s more of a drinking session under the guise of bowling. Oh, and I also attend pool and cycling groups." "What?" I uttered in surprise. "Why are you so surprised? I¡¯ve been going for a while now." To be honest, I couldn¡¯t believe it. It was hard enough with just the talent agent duties, let alone having time for such gatherings. An idea came to my mind. "Then do you think you could also get information on Choi Sung-Rak and Park Hee-Tae?" "Should be possible," Lee Yung-Jin replied casually. Seeing Lee Yung-Jin¡¯s confident demeanor reminded me of his mother¡ªMrs. Yoo Jin-Sil, the queen of insurance sales in Gangnam. Lee Yung-Jin¡¯s personality surely came from his mother as did his negotiation skills. "But you know this can¡¯t be settled with just a bowl of eel rice, right?" Lee Yung-Jin said with a smirk. "Huh?" "You aren¡¯t nning to exploit me for free, are you? This is considered extra work and overtime," Lee Yung-Jinmented. "Then what do you suggest?" I asked. "You need to make an offer. That way, I¡¯d be motivated to move." Lee Yung-Jin hinted that he wanted me to treat him to something tasty. "...Pork ribs?" I suggested. Lee Yung-Jin frowned. "Wow, that''s really cheap of you. I''m not doing it!" Lee Yung-Jin stomped his feet and threw a tantrum like a mischievous five-year-old in a supermarket as he leaned back in his chair, shaking his arms and legs. Regardless of who was at fault, I felt an urge to give him a noogie. But I managed to resist the devil''s temptation and eximed. "Hanwoo?" I suggested it again. Suddenly, Lee Yung-Jin straightened up and looked at me. "Deal!" Lee Yung-Jin eximed. ''At this rate, I might end up supporting all the Hanwoo farms in South Korea,'' I remarked inwardly. It seemed like hanging around with Do Ran-Hee made everyone have the habit of mentioning Hanwoo. But getting the scoop from talent agents was a significant gain in itself. "Don¡¯t hang around Do Ran-Hee anymore!" I eximed. However, Lee Yung-Jin just grinned and didn¡¯t respond. *** On the spread-out floor seating in front of the third-floor rooftop room, we celebrated Haru¡¯s confirmed role in Master of Mukbang alongside Jung In-Ji, Yoo-Jin, and Miso while cooking seafood pancakes. "Congrattions, Haru!" "Haru is a lead actor now, huh?" "Congrats, Haru oppa!" Ever since moving in, the usual gathering ce had been the living room on the first floor when a TV was needed. But otherwise, it was always the third floor. Haru bowed his head as if he was shy. "Thank you. I''ll do my best." "I''ll definitely watch it live." We continued the celebration as we shared seafood pancakes and c cider amid cheers. But at that moment, Miso pped her hands and eximed while eating the seafood pancake, "Uncle Yoon-Ho! When will you get me on a Mukbang show?" Previously, Miso had shifted her interest to appearing on a Mukbang show after requesting to be on a drawing TV program. But the appointment fell through because the producer at the time decided to feature his own daughter instead. Thankfully, Lee Ji-Yeon had secured the role of Cheongmyung for Miso, so she hadn''t mentioned the Mukbang show again. But it seemed like Miso had managed to recall it again. ''As expected of Miso. She has such a good memory,'' I observed silently. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, I even bought spoons and chopsticks to go on Mukbang!" Miso eximed. ''She bought spoons and chopsticks for a Mukbang?'' I wondered. The moment Miso looked at me with hopeful eyes, I started to sweat without realizing it. That''s when someone who could solve this situation shed into my mind. Chapter 211: Miso and Gong-Ju

Chapter 211: Miso and Gong-Ju

"Wait, wait a minute, Miso. I will check it out right now," I replied. Miso sped her hands tightly and made an excited expression. "Okay~!" I met Miso''s gaze and started a call with someone who could meet Miso''s expectations. -What is it, Team Lead Jung? Don''t tell me you''re gonna ask for a higher appearance fee again? You know a verbal agreement is still binding, right? PD Yoo Hyun-Ji of Master of Mukbang was flustered at the thought of having to raise Haru''s appearance fee again. "Oh, no, it''s not that. I''m calling because there''s a good actor I want to rmend for a minor role," I exined. In Master of Mukbang, there was an episode where the main character would share the food he cooked with a neighborhood kid living alone with his grandmother. I was thinking of rmending Miso for that episode. -Really? Who is it? "She''s a child actress normally worth 1 million won for an appearance fee..." -Wait, no way. Are you talking about Miso? "I am." At the same time, a cheerful voice came from the other end of the phone. -I knew it. You want her for the kid role in episodes three and four, right? "Yes." I seized the moment and switched to the speakerphone. "Miso, say hello to Ms. Yoo. She''s the PD of the show you might star in." Miso quickly followed my words and greeted her. "Hello, I''m Jung Miso from the Sun ss at L Kindergarten!" Upon Miso''s introduction, the cheerful voice of Yoo Hyun-Ji came through. -Hello, Miso. So, Miso. I heard you want to be on my show? "Yes, Ms. Yoo!" Miso eximed excitedly. Hearing the excited voice of Yoo Hyun-Ji, I turned off the speakerphone and spoke as if I were holding her daughter hostage. "So? How much are you willing to pay, Ms. Yoo?" -30 thousand won per episode! I can''t do more. "Oh~ Ah, it''s never easy with you. Alright, 50 thousand won! If you ask for more, consider it off! "Thank you so much, Ms. Yoo!" I said in a cheerful tone. Lee Tae-Poong and Cherry Blossom were given cameo roles that just required them to show their faces and disappear without getting paid. But things were different for Miso. She had to appear in about two episodes, so this negotiation was necessary. Though the amount was a bit disappointing, it was a reasonable deal considering the drama production costs. "Then I''ll see you soon." -Alright. And next time, text me the amount before we negotiate! My heart sinks every time you call, Team Lead Jung. Yoo Hyun-Ji joked that negotiating appearance fees with me was tough and hung up the phone. "Yes, Ms. Yoo. I will definitely do that." After hanging up the call with Yoo Hyun-Ji, Miso started dancing with both her hands high and gave me a double thumbs up. "Uncle Yoon-Ho is the best! The best!" Miso eximed happily. Thanks to the sessful negotiation, I was able to taste the seafood pancake Miso fed me herself. ''Miso definitely knows how to give a proper reward,'' I thought to myself with a smile on my face. *** We were currently at the Gyeonggi-do Yangpyeong filming site. Miso was scheduled toe to the set a few more times, but today marked the end of filming for child actors like Jin Gong-Ju. Worried that Jin So-Mi might show up, I cleared all my schedules and visited the site. ''Where is Sang-Bong?'' I looked around and wondered. I looked for Jung Sang-Bong during a brief pause in filming. Upon hearing that Jung Sang-Bong was in the open space behind the set, I went there to find him and saw the parents of the child actors gathered together with him, closely watching their children. Although the child actors'' moms frequently spoke to Jung Sang-Bong, he responded perfunctorily and never took his eyes off Miso. I greeted the parents of the child actors and then discreetly called Jung Sang-Bong aside. "How''s everything on set? Nothing happened to Miso, right?" "Yes, everything''s fine," Jung Sang-Bong replied. "What about Jin So-Mi?" "Ms. Jin So-Mi didn¡¯te at all. She sent an assistant instead." "Is that so? That''s a relief." Relieved, I turned my head toward Miso and asked, "Wait. What''s that?" "Oh, that?" An absurd scene unfolded before my eyes. *** "Really? You don¡¯t know how to y gonggi[1]?" Miso asked with surprise. Miso found it hard to believe that no one knew how to y gonggi, the world''s most fun game to her. Lee Song-Ah, ying child actor 1, shook her head. "Air~?[2] How do you y with air?" Lee Jin-Sang, child actor 2, spoke as if it were obvious. "It''s a game. My mom used to y it when she was young, you dummy!" Lee Song-Ah bristled. "Ugh. Don''t call me a dummy, you fool!" "What? A, a fool? You''re the dummy here!" As Lee Song-Ah and Lee Jin-Sang bickered and exchanged harsh words, the startled Miso cried out, "Guys, don''t fight, okay? I''ll teach you how to y." Both Lee Song-Ah and Lee Jin-Sang turned their heads quickly at Miso''s intervention. "This isn''t over. I''m only holding back because of Miso." "Hmph! Like anyone asked you to!" Lee Song-Ah and Lee Jin-Sang bickered like siblings who didn''t get along. Watching them fight, child actor 3, Kang Chul-Woong, and child actor 4, Jang Myung-Hee, mped their mouths shut as it seemed pointless to interject. As the attention turned to her, Miso pulled out five different colored gonggi stones from her pocket. That''s when Jin Gong-Ju, who was standing by, muttered aint. "Why would you y gonggi? ying Pico-Pico on a phone is more fun..." Miso smiled. "This is more fun than that!" Miso didn¡¯t like ying games on the phone. She preferred reading books with her mom and ying acting games all day. "But Gong-Ju, you don¡¯t know how to y gonggi either?" Miso asked. Jin Gong-Ju hesitated. "I... don''t know it either." "Really? It''s really fun. Let''s y together," suggested Miso. Jin Gong-Ju was slowly getting along better with Miso after losing the audition, especially since her mom who constantly nagged her never to lose to a rival had stopped bringing up Miso. Jin Gong-Ju was secretly getting friendlier with Miso since only the helperdy visited the set with her, not her mom. However, there was still some awkwardness due to past issues. Jin Gong-Ju hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Ah, alright. Let''s see you do it." "Okay!" At that moment, Miso began grabbing gonggi stonesid on the ground with fast hand movements. "Just do it like this!" Miso exined. As Miso disyed her impressive hand skills like a card shark, the child actors were spellbound. "Wow... Miso, your hands are so fast." "What just went by?" Even Jin Gong-Ju blinked her eyes. "Miso, show us again!" Miso''s hands were quicker than the eye. She demonstrated again to the awestruck child actors how to y gonggi. Seeing the child actors mesmerized, Miso wore a proud expression. That''s when Jin Gong-Ju''spetitive spirit was triggered. "Can I try too?" Jin Gong-Ju asked. Miso nodded her head. "Of course! Let''s all take turns. You win if you win 20 years." Jin Gong-Ju was puzzled. "20 years?" "Yes! If you catch one stone, it''s considered 1 year," Miso exined. Because no one knew how to y gonggi, Miso began to give a lecture to the child actors including Jin Gong-Ju. Thanks to this, all eyes were on Miso once again. *** "What are they doing?" I asked in a dumbfounded voice. "Miso has been teaching them traditional games since this morning. Earlier, they were even ying with stones," Jung Sang-Bong answered. Miso usually spent time watching dramas or ying old games with Jung In-Ji when she came back from kindergarten. Despite having a phone, she preferred ying with thendlord or engaging in acting and drawing more than ying games on her phone. The game Miso was teaching the children now was a new world to them as they had only yed with their phones. Filming sets with child actors often faced challenges because the kids did not follow instructions well. But thanks to Miso, both the production team and the apanying guardians were smiling pleasantly to watch children mesmerized by Miso''s hand movements. "Miso is quite popr." "Yes. The mothers were wary of her at first, but now they''re taking photos and even asking for autographs. They said they might be fans." I had a feeling that Miso might be more popr than her mother as she grew up. That''s when Cha Soo-Yeon spotted me from afar and approached me saying, "Team Lead Jung, here you were." "Hi, Ms. Cha," I greeted her. Cha Soo-Yeon started praising Miso''s acting after sharing greetings. However, the conversation soon shifted to a different topic. "How is Mrs. Jin doing?" Cha Soo-Yeon asked. "She''s doing good," I replied. Cha Soo-Yeon hesitated for a second before asking, "I was wondering...could she possibly appear for some promotions?" Cha Soo-Yeon had been on the side of promoting Manshin Wol-Ah from the start to boost the drama''s ratings. However, that could overshadow the main characters. Strong characters needed to appear sporadically to be effective. Otherwise, the primary focus could be inverted. "I''m sorry. But I can''t arrange her schedule as I wish," I replied. "Ah. What to do...Ourpetitor Writer Hong seems to be going hard this time... They''ve budgeted 20 billion won and President Han Se-Hwa has cast great actors." Cha Soo-Yeon mentioned ourpeting production, Festival of Money. But nothing had been decided yet about ourpetition other than Jiang Wei investing 20 billion won. "Have the new casting resultse out?" I asked. Cha Soo-Yeon shook her head. "Not yet. I''ve heard rumors but nothing''s been confirmed yet." I tried to reassure her. "Don''t worry too much. No matter whoes, our actors are formidable." "It''s not that...I just want to push ahead," Cha Soo-Yeon exined. I nodded. "I understand. I''ll ask her but don''t get your hopes up. She''s not an actor under our management." "I appreciate it," said Cha Soo-Yeon with a smile. At that moment, Kim Sung-Woon announced the resumption of filming. "Everyone, let''s get started! The production team needs to spread out and gather the child actors." As preparations for filming wrapped up, the production team busily started gathering the children who had been ying with Miso. Cha Soo-Yeon sighed as she watched the bustling staff. "We just don''t have the time to talk, huh? Oh, and thanks to Miso, filming the child actors was much easier. Thank you so much." Miso had been the center of attention among the children, making their scenes easier to shoot. "Don''t mention it." "See youter then." As Cha Soo-Yeon went off to talk to Kim Sung-Woon, thest scene for the child actors was being set up. *** Thest scene for the child actors was young Cheongmyung following her mother, Manshin Wol-Ah, into the mountains, signaling their separation. As Cheongmyung said goodbye to her friends, she performed a forbidden act¡ªrevealing the future of the children. Kim Sung-Woon looked around the surroundings with a nervous expression and asked, "Okay, scene 17. Parting is another beginning scene. Are you ready?" "Yes, Mr. Kim." "Everyone, please keep quiet until I give the signal." "Okay!" Kim Sung-Woon checked the readiness of the child actors gathered around the sacred tree. Being young actors, it was necessary to double-check with them even if they were ready to act. "Miso, are you ready?" Kim Sung-Woon asked. In front of the sacred tree, Miso, Jin Gong-Ju, and two other child actors were gathered in a circle around her. Miso nodded and responded to Kim Sung-Woon''s question. "Yes!" Kim Sung-Woon then shouted to the other child actors. "Are you guys ready?" "Yes~!" "Okay then. Here we go~ Ready~ Action!" At Kim Sung-Woon''s cue, Miso dressed in colorful traditional clothes quickly began to tear up. Tears continuously streamed down from Miso¡¯srge eyes with ease. Miso, who always showed an impressively quick immersion into her roles, approached one of the child actors and firmly took their hand. ¡ºYeon-Ji, don''t go near the water this year.¡» ¡ºWhy?¡» ¡ºYour life thread will be cut.¡» ¡ºHuh? What''s a life thread? More than that, can we go to the mountain? I bought another stuffy because I wanted to y with you.¡» ¡ºSob. I''m sorry.¡» Miso''s acting started to make the other children sniffle as if her emotions were contagious. ¡®Wow. Miso''s acting is no joke...¡¯ I thought to myself. The staff were taken aback by the unexpected intensity of Miso''s act, but Kim Sung-Woon raised his hand to prevent any disturbance. With tears streaming down her face, Miso pulled her peers into the world of In the Name of God. But there was one exception¡ªJin Gong-Ju, trying hard not to get absorbed into Miso''s performance, spoke to her. ¡ºCheongmyung, what about me?¡» Jin Gong-Ju was portraying the role of young Yang Eun-So. Yang Eun-So, a supporting character in the drama, was set to be Cheongmyung¡¯s adversary and would encounter her again as an enemy in adulthood. Miso turned her tear-filled eyes toward Jin Gong-Ju and started to stammer. ¡ºUh, uh... that, that¡¯s...¡» Since Yang Eun-So''s character was involved in a murder in the plot, fear began to creep into Miso¡¯s eyes. Miso¡¯s words trembled and her expression showed she was unsure how to respond. Soon, Miso''s face started to turn pale. I involuntarily swallowed hard without realizing it upon watching Miso''s pale lips and trembling body clearly showing expressions of terror. It was a moment intense enough to make one consider whether to intervene. At that moment, Jin Gong-Ju sharply red at Miso and began to speak. 1. Gonggi is a popr Korean children''s game that is traditionally yed using five or more small grape-sized pebbles ? 2. Gonggi also means air in Korean ? Chapter 212: Add On

Chapter 212: Add On

¡ºWhat is it? Can''t you see my future?¡» ¡ºNo!¡» ¡ºIs that so?¡» ¡ºTh-that''s right. I can''t see anything.¡» Jin Gong-Ju quickly scanned the sweating Miso back and forth. The scene was so intense it seemed to strain the nerves in their hands, far beyond what you''d expect from child actors. That''s when Jin Gong-Ju suddenly began to wear a deep smile with her eyes sharply narrowed and her lips curled up. ¡ºBut why are you trembling so much?¡» Miso swallowed hard at Jin Gong-Ju''s cold expression and chilling question. At that moment, I could clearly see that Jin Gong-Ju''s acting had also improved. ''She''s pretty good,'' I observed silently. Perhaps because of Miso, Jin Gong-Ju''s potential as an actor had suddenly blossomed. That was when the trembling Miso pursed her lips and slowly raised her hand. ''Huh? This wasn¡¯t in the script, was it?'' I thought. Fear slowly faded from Miso''s face and was soon reced by a poignant sorrow. Taken aback by Miso''s unexpected move, Jin Gong-Ju stepped back. But the unfazed Miso took another step forward and gently caressed Jin Gong-Ju''s cheek with her right hand. ¡ºDon''t give up... You mustn¡¯t give up. Understand, Eun-So?¡» Miso embodied the young shaman Cheongmyung and perfectly followed Cheongmyung''s emotional line. Thanks to this, she effortlessly matched her co-actor¡¯s performance with ad-libbed acting. ''Miso''s acting is truly impressive,'' I remarked inwardly. Miso swallowed her tears while delicately expressing the intricate emotions of a young shaman unable to change the future. Jin Gong-Ju stared nkly at Miso''s quivering shoulders for a while and finally snapped back to reality. She bit her lip hard and removed Miso''s hand from her cheek. ¡ºYou. Don''t you dare tell anyone what you saw. Do you understand? Or I won''t let you off!¡» The delicate emotional acting between Miso and Jin Gong-Ju left the staff on set simply staring in awe. *** "Cut! Okay! Wow~ Even the adult actors would be nervous if they were here to watch!" Kim Sung-Woon praised them as he called out ''cut''. At that moment, Jin Gong-Ju copsed to the floor. She had unknowingly exerted herself beyond her limits as she waspletely drawn into Miso''s performance. Seeing this, the staff began to apud. "Miso, you''re the best!" "Whew~ Gong-Ju was amazing!" "Great job, everyone!" Neither the audience nor the on-site staff usually had high expectations for child actors, because it was hardly reasonable to expect children, who scarcely understood themselves, to grasp and depict someone else''s life. However, Miso''s performance dramatically changed the situation. "Wow. This drama is going to be legendary." "Why state the obvious?" Everyone nodded at someone''sment, and I felt the same way. Miso''s acting was sopelling that it even threw her fellow child actors into disarray. Amidst the cheers, Miso approached Jin Gong-Ju who was sitting on the floor, and offered her hand. The dazed Jin Gong-Ju took Miso''s hand and stood up. Then she looked around,ing back to her senses. At that moment, a burst of cheers erupted from the staff. "Great job, kids!" Miso and Jin Gong-Ju held hands and thanked the staff. "Thank you so much!!" Miso finished greeting the staff as I had taught her. But at that moment, Jin Gong-Ju pursed her lips and whispered something in Miso''s ear. "What are they talking about?" I muttered. Jung Sang-Bong also wondered and tilted his head. "I''m not sure. They weren¡¯t this close initially..." Miso also whispered something back to Jin Gong-Ju, and then went on to greet other children. After wrapping up the shooting, Miso ran over to me. "Uncle Yoon-Ho~!!" "Don''t run. You might hurt yourself," I cautioned her. Miso in her colorful hanbok flounced over. She then ran into my arms with both arms wide open. "Oof. Make sure you don''t hurt yourself while running like that," I said as I grabbed her. Miso smiled. "I won''t get hurt because I''m the fastest runner!" I straightened Miso''s disheveled hair while showering her with praise. I wanted to carry her on my shoulders and boast around the neighborhood, but there were too many onlookers to do so. "Miso. You acted really well today," I said with a smile. "Really?" "Yes. You were the best among the child actors today. You did great, Miso!" A bright smile spread across Miso''s face. "He he. Thank you." "But Miso, what were you and Gong-Ju talking about earlier?" I asked. Miso hesitated to answer. "Why? Is it a secret?" I remarked. After a long moment of hesitation, Miso eventually nodded. "I see. I won''t ask anymore then," I replied. But Miso nced furtively at Jung Sang-Bong. ''Wait a minute. Does that mean she''ll only tell me?'' I wondered. "Sang-Bong, can you bring a bottle of water for Miso? She seems thirsty from acting," I said to Jung Sang-Bong who was still looking puzzled. "Oh, yes, Mr. Jung," said Jung Sang-Bong who then hurried off to the car. Only then did the relieved Miso finally begin to speak up. "Gong-Ju asked me to be her real friend," Miso shared. For a moment, I wondered if I had heard her correctly. "Really?" Miso nodded. I burst into a wryugh seeing Miso''s cheerfully smiling face. It seemed like one of the links in Jin So-Mi and Jin Gong-Ju''s chain of discord was finally breaking. Miso''s existence seemed to have changed not only Jin Gong-Ju''s fate but also her personality. "So? How did you respond to Gong-Ju?" Miso replied, "I said I would love to. We fought before and I was angry, but we still need to get along. My teacher at the kindergarten also told us to be friends!" Suddenly, Miso looked like the reincarnation of Mother Teresa or Buddha in my eyes. "But can you forgive her even after she said such awful things to your mom?" I asked. Miso nodded. "Yes. Mom said to forgive her too. She said that Gong-Ju is still young so there''s a chance for her to be reformed." "Reform? You understand what that means?" I asked with a surprised look. "Yes! I''ve been studying a lottely," eximed Miso. Miso boasted about how much she had been studying in preparation for school. That''s when it dawned on me that it would be time for Miso to start school in a few months Time had flown since my return. I nodded. "Yes. It''s definitely better to get along with everyone if possible." "Yes!" Miso cheered. Of course, how Jin Gong-Ju might change as she grew up was unknown. But that was a worry for another time. For now, I decided to just watch and support her. After all, helping Miso fulfill her intentions was part of my role as her talent agent. "Alright. Then shall we go look at some school entrance gifts for you, Miso?" I asked. "Really?" Miso asked with sparkles in her eyes. "Yes. I will buy you everything you want," I replied with a smile. "Yay! I''m so excited!" Miso eximed while jumping up and down. While Miso was bouncing around with joy, Jung Sang-Bong came back with a water bottle and Miso''s favorite fruit drink. That''s when Kim Sung-Woon came over with a doll to celebrate the sessful shoot. It was a Powertuff Girls character doll that Miso loved. "The shoot went smoothly thanks to you, Miso. Thank you!" Miso smiled happily. "Wow! It¡¯s Powertuff Blow! I already have Bubble Tea and Butter C at home. Now if I get Blitz and Bunny G, they will all be together and get along!" Miso''s innocent response made Kim Sung-Woon fluster. "Oh, i-is that so? Blitz and Bunny what? What''s the name?" Kim Sung-Woon asked in confusion. "Bunny G!" Miso eximed. "Yes, that. Should I buy you those too?" Kim Sung-Woon scratched his head and replied. Miso¡¯s face lit up instantly. "Really? Thank you! Mr. Kim!" Miso held her favorite Powertuff Girl character doll and bounced around as if she could fly, saying she hadn''t even imagined such a gift. Kim Sung-Woon would now have to buy two more dolls, but his expression was only joyful as Miso rewarded him with a smile as if she owned the world. Kim Sung-Woon btedly regained hisposure and showed confidence in the drama''s sess. "I''m sure Miso''s performance will likely help boost the initial ratings, Mr. Jung," Kim Sung-Woon said confidently. "It''s all thanks to your guidance, Mr. Kim. Editing must be a lot of work for you," I replied. Kim Sung-Woon chuckled. "Ha ha ha. Not at all. Editing is no problem with such good material." The atmosphere lightened up as both of us boosted each other''s spirits. Then, as if I had been waiting for the moment, I brought up Yang Chi-Sung and Park Ye-Eun as requested by Bang Sang-Yung of Actor Division 1. "Mr. Kim, if it''s okay with you, may I rmend a few actors? They are really talented." Kim Sung-Woon tilted his head. "What is it? Do you have another actor as exceptional as Miss Jung Yoo-Jin?" "It¡¯s not that, but they are talents that thepany has been training and they¡¯ve been strugglingtely," I exined. "Ha ha ha. It seems like you owe me a drink then," Kim Sung-Woon said with a smirk. Kim Sung-Woon was amenable even knowing it was a solicitation. I quickly presented their profiles. Both actors had the potential to grow into fine supporting roles, so I had no hesitations about introducing them. Kim Sung-Woon carefully examined the profile photos and wore a look of satisfaction. He remarked, "Both have unique appearances which is good. If Team Lead Jung rmends them, their acting must be solid." I nodded. "Of course. I am confident in their acting. You can hold me to that." "Ha ha. Why would you stake your neck on this? Anyway, they¡¯d fit the roles of the viin and victim in episodes 3 and 4. But I¡¯m worried about Ms. Lee. If she opposes..." Kim Sung-Woon said hesitantly. "Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll speak to Ms. Lee about it," I assured him. Kim Sung-Woon smiled. "Speaking of which, Ms. Lee is unusually generous with you, Team Lead Jung. If there''s persuasion to be done, it would be great if you could handle it. Let''s help each other, alright?" At that moment, a cold sweat ran down my back. ''Is he nning to push the tough requests onto me?'' I wondered. "Ha ha ha. Well, that¡¯s a bit..." I stuttered. "Come on. We should help each other out, right? Ha ha ha," chuckled Kim Sung-Woon. But for Kim Sung-Woon, it was certainly worth all the effort. After all, his path ahead promised only sess. *** After the child actors'' shoot, I took Yoo-Jin and Miso to Lee Ji-Yeon''s house as she had invited us to celebrate Miso''s debut. When we arrived, Kim Soll-Ip and Kim Soo-Hee were also there. "Hello!" When Miso, still dressed in the hanbok she wore on set, walked into the house, everyone began to cheer. Lee Ji-Yeon greeted Miso with a warmth we hadn''t seen from her before. "I got a call from PD Kim earlier. I heard your acting was amazing today, Miso." Miso twisted her body all around in a shy manner. "He he. I just did what I normally do..." Lee Ji-Yeon made a bewildered face. "You speak such daunting words so casually. I guess it''s true what they say¡ªactors are born, not made. Seems like there''s something special about that family." Kim Soll-Ip nodded in agreement with Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯sment. A momentter, the food Lee Ji-Yeon ordered from Hwaryong arrived. When I was surprised to see that a popr and high-quality restaurant Hwaryong offered delivery, Lee Ji-Yeon shook her head. "I''ve been using a third-party delivery service for a while, and now they just deliver directly. They said they''re grateful because I order so often," Lee Ji-Yeon rified. In other words, she was the only exception since she was a valued regr customer. Then Kim Soll-Ip started nagging. "Ms. Lee, you¡¯ve been eating Chinese food almost every day recently, haven¡¯t you? If you don''t change your eating habits, you''ll end up in the hospital. And you need to manage your weight!" "Shut up~! You nag the moment you see me! I''m still slim!" Lee Ji-Yeon retorted. Lee Ji-Yeon, not wanting to hear it, covered her ears and began unwrapping the food from Hwaryong. While we were eating, I cautiously brought up the topic of involving Yang Chi-Sung and Park Ye-Eun in her project. Lee Ji-Yeon wore a puzzled expression while sprinkling lemon juice on the fried chicken in hot and sour soy sauce. "Did thepany ask you to?" Lee Ji-Yeon asked. I answered Lee Ji-Yeon honestly since I knew Lee Ji-Yeon preferred people being straightforward whether she liked the idea or not. "Yes, they specifically requested it and it was hard to say no," I answered. Seeing Lee Ji-Yeon staring at me, I quickly bowed my head. "I''m sorry, Ms. Lee. I know how careful you are about selecting people for your projects and I regret having to ask you this. Please feel free to decline if it makes you ufortable," I apologized. At that moment, Lee Ji-Yeon grinned and said somethingpletely unexpected. "Why are you looking unconfident, unlike your usual self? I¡¯m not ming you. I find it admirable." I was puzzled. ''Admirable? Me?'' I couldn¡¯t quite grasp what she meant and asked her to rify. "What do you mean by that...?" I asked with a puzzled look. Lee Ji-Yeon grinned and began to exin her reasoning. Chapter 213: New Beginning (1)

Chapter 213: New Beginning (1)

"You''re honest and I admire that about you," said Lee Ji-Yeon as she looked at me. Lee Ji-Yeon had such a strong and formidable image that everyone hesitated to speak to her. After all, not getting straight to the point only led to her scolding. But she exined that she liked how honest and bold I was toward her from the first meeting. Lee Ji-Yeon took a nce at Kim Soll-Ip and spoke. "Soll-Ip, you also remember when we first met Yoon-Ho. Right?" Kim Soll-Ip nodded while picking up a spring roll with chopsticks. "Of course I do. I thought you were going to chew up a junior talent agent alive that day¡ªlike this." A crispy spring roll crunched loudly as it broke apart in Kim Soll-Ip''s mouth. At that moment, Lee Ji-Yeon made an incredulous face and said, "Shut up~! Do you think of me as some kind of a witch that chews up innocent people?" The irritated Lee Ji-Yeonined and continued to speak."I was impressed that a young talent agent and a rookie actress could be so confident. But guess what? I realized over time that both turned out to be extraordinary." Lee Ji-Yeon reminisced about the first day I had traveled back in time. "Staying true to your initial intentions, willing to do anything for good acting, and being honest¡ªI like seeing that." I put down my chopsticks and bowed to Lee Ji-Yeon. "Thank you for seeing us in such a positive light." At that moment, Yoo-Jin and Miso also bowed and thanked her in unison. "Thank you, Ms. Lee!" Lee Ji-Yeon smiled warmly. "Thank me for what? I''m only saying this because you all work hard. Come on, lift your head. Someone might think I hate you, Yoon-Ho." Urged by Lee Ji-Yeon, I lifted my head. Then I cautiously nced around and asked again. "So, what do you say about my request?" Lee Ji-Yeon smirked. "See? Look at you. Always impressive, aren''t you? Fine. I''ll cast them!" After clicking her tongue, Lee Ji-Yeon nodded and agreed to include the two actors in her project. "Thank you so much!" I eximed. "But you know the deal, right? You''ll be in big trouble if you embarrass me," warned Lee Ji-Yeon. "I wouldn¡¯t have asked if they weren¡¯t good actors," I replied. "Good. I might be a bit harsh sometimes in the future when I''m stressed. But I hope everyone here doesn¡¯t ever change. Everyone else finds it hard to talk to me," Lee Ji-Yeonmented. Lee Ji-Yeon spoke of the loneliness she often felt while writing scripts. Seeing her being in an unusually emotional state today, I nodded. At that moment, Miso got up and went over to Lee Ji-Yeon sitting on the opposite side to do something totally unexpected. Lee Ji-Yeon looked puzzled as Miso approached her. "Miso, what is it?" That''s when Miso hugged Lee Ji-Yeon tightly. Everyone froze in surprise. But the undeterred Miso hugged Lee Ji-Yeon even tighter. "You shouldn¡¯t be lonely!" Miso eximed. Lee Ji-Yeon''s expression instantly changed, not knowing what to do. "Oh my! What are you doing?" Lee Ji-Yeon responded with a shocked look. Miso simply responded, "I¡¯lle to hang out often! And you shoulde to see me at our ce too!" Taken aback by Miso''s sudden action, Yoo-Jin tried to pull her away with a flustered expression. But I held Yoo-Jin''s arm and asked her to wait a moment upon seeing Lee Ji-Yeon beginning to tremble slightly. Then Lee Ji-Yeon started to smile brightly with a never-seen-before expression. "Miso, you are truly a lovely child," said Lee Ji-Yeon. "You are too, Mrs. Lee!" Miso eximed with a smile in return. Lee Ji-Yeon warmly embraced Miso in return. Looking at Lee Ji-Yeon wearing an expression as if she owned the world seemed strangely unfamiliar as it was a face I had never seen before in my past life. Lee Ji-Yeon was known for her sharp demeanor, direct speech, and obsession with work. And while she often acted and spoke on her whims, she was as gentle as the warm sun in springtime to Miso. After the long hug, Lee Ji-Yeon sat Miso on herp and began to feed her like a mother bird feeding her chick. Just like that, we stayed at Lee Ji-Yeon''s house for a while, spending time discussing In the Name of God. But before leaving her house, Lee Ji-Yeon handed me another gift. *** "Really...? It worked?" Bang Sang-Yung remarked in a surprised tone. At the team lead-level meeting of Hoop Entertainment, Chief Bang Sang-Yung of Actor Division 1 looked perplexed upon hearing my announcement that I had sessfully included both Yang Chi-Sung and Park Ye-Eun in In the Name of God. I nodded. "Yes. Both the PD and the writer agreed. And not just two but four spots are avable, so let me know if there are other actors you want to rmend." It wasn¡¯t just one plus one; it was two plus two. "I would have been relieved if even one got in... but four? Ha ha ha. I don''t know what to say," chuckled the pleased Bang Sang-Yung. Not only had I managed to include the two actors Bang Sang-Yung asked for but I had also secured two extra spots from the famously stringent Lee Ji-Yeon. From that moment, team leads from various divisions began to bribe me. Even if it was just a small role, it was in Lee Ji-Yeon''s project. This was a great opportunity especially since MBS was pushing In the Name of God as the biggest anticipated drama of the year. "Team Lead Jung, what do you think about Song Chi-Han from our division? His acting has really improvedtely." "You''re joking, right? Honestly, Eung-Gi is a level above in acting! He''ll make it big if he just gets the chance. It¡¯s just that the opportunity hasn¡¯te yet." "Oh, Team Lead Park. Stop speaking nonsense. What¡¯s the use if only the acting is good? An actor needs to be without scandals..." Names of actors I didn''t even remember kept popping up non-stop. In the entertainment industry, such opportunities were highly prized and every talent agent valued every chance. After all, even Yoo-Jin had secured her current position by seeding in a minor role. Even the team leads of Actor Division 3 started mentioning their actors which made Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s face contort. At that moment, Lee Gi-Cheol cleared his throat and organized the situation. "Since Chief Bang got two spots, the remaining two will be taken by one from Actor Division 2 and one from Actor Division 3. Are there anyints?" I would have preferred to give both spots to Actor Division 2, but I knew I couldn''t have everything my way in apany. Kang Ji-Yung agreed as well. "That sounds fair to me." Actor Divisions 2 and 3 each got one spot which finally quieted the disputes. And once again, praise followed. Even Kang Myung-Gil who had been trying to undermine me began to subtly praise me. "Wow. Team Lead Jung is really good at his job, huh?" "Seriously. Two plus two? That''s impressive." "I heard he was capable, but I didn''t expect him to persuade the formidable Writer Lee Ji-Yeon..." After the meeting ended, Bang Sang-Yung looked at me and swallowed hard. But I received his gaze nonchntly. After all, having Bang Sang-Yung¡¯s interest was not a bad thing. *** Theunch of Kang Ha-Na¡¯s MeTube channel and the release of her music video were scheduled for July 18th, two weeks from now. The music video would also be released that day followed by a live-streamed broadcast. The only difference was the debut date on music shows. Kang Ha-Na was set to appear on music shows on September 12th, the same day the girls from Global Produce 47, who would debut as the girl group EVE*ONE, would appear. The n was to have a direct confrontation between those who passed the audition and those who did not since releasing this narrative to the media would serve as its own marketing. But that was forter. Right now, the production of the music video for the uing MeTube upload was more important than anything else. At the meeting, I asked Do Ran-Hee, "Ran-Hee, how¡¯s the music video shooting going?" Do Ran-Hee immediately replied, "We finished the initial shoot at the Insadong cafe, and tomorrow we''re heading to Buan for about three days which should wrap everything up." "Nothing''s been overlooked, right?" "No. We''ve done everything you asked for." Kang Ha-Na''s first music video was modest even in my past life. Directed by Lee Seok-Hyung, it featured simple scenes of her singing against the backdrop of a sunrise in Insadong cafe and the vast reimednd in Buan. It was shot in just those two locations because of budget constraints, but fans praised it for its emotional depth and showed positive reactions. When I instructed them to shoot the music video in the same manner, everyone seemed uneasy about the idea. Then Do Ran-Hee raised her hand. "May I say something?" I nodded. "Go ahead." "To be honest, I really think we should change the concept of the music video. I feel terribly sorry for Ha-Na." I smiled and questioned Lee Seok-Hyung''s capabilities. "Why is that? Does the director seem ipetent?" "No, it''s not that. But..." Do Ran-Hee said hesitantly. "Then what is it?" I questioned. After pushing her several times, Do Ran-Hee blurted out, "Alright. I''ll be honest with you." "Go on." "I have absolutely noints about the director. He¡¯s diligent and seems sensible. But isn¡¯t 30 million won too low for a music video budget? Am I asking for an overseas location? Did I ask for a top star? No! If Ha-Na fails because of this, I''ll be stuck to you andin for a month, ming it all on you! Huff, huff." Do Ran-Hee spoke without catching her breath which turned her face bright red. ''She should take a breath before speaking,'' I thought. I smiled and proposed to Do Ran-Hee, "Okay. Then how about we make a bet? See if it works out or not?" Do Ran-Hee flinched. "Ah, you always make me weak with this tactic...Star Jung the Fortune Teller. Seriously, ying games of intuition is not fair." "What? Are you scared? Getting cold feet?" I taunted her. The moment I taunted her, Do Ran-Hee got fired up. "Wow~ Really, Mr. Jung. You know how to trigger mypetitive spirit. Fine! But if I win, we will remake the music video with a budget of at least 300 million won!" "Are you crazy? 300 million won for a debut music video?" I eximed. Do Ran-Hee challenged me. "You can back out if you''re scared!" I locked eyes with Do Ran-Hee and shouted. "Deal! I''ll bring 300 million won for the music video even if it means I''ll have to owe someone a debt. But what will you do for me if I win?" At that moment, Do Ran-Hee grinned. "Anything you say." "Wow. You''ve got some confidence, Ran-Hee. Okay. If I win, you double your current workload. Got it?" That''s when the color suddenly drained from Do Ran-Hee''s face. "Mr. Jung! D-double my current load?" "Yep. Then you''ll be almost on par with Yung-Jin in terms of workload. And don¡¯t forget, you were the one who suggested the bet," I said with a smirk. Do Ran-Hee thumped her head. "W, what have I done!? I''ll report to the union about this!" "Ourpany doesn¡¯t have a union," I said with a straight face. "Then I''ll create one myself," dered Do Ran-Hee. "Okay. Good luck. If a union forms, I¡¯ll join too. And you can be the chairperson there. You can chew me out then." "Really?" "Yes." But whether there would even be time to create a union was uncertain. Nheless, Do Ran-Hee appeared triumphantly perhaps because she thought she had secured funding for a second attempt at the music video. At that moment, I felt like teasing her. "But Ran-Hee. Lately, you and Yung-Jin have been..." Do Ran-Hee suddenly straightened up. "What? What about Yung-Jin oppa? We haven¡¯t done anything! No way!" ''You look super awkward right now, Ran-Hee. Your facial muscles are moving on their own and you can¡¯t seem to stay still,'' I remarked inwardly. It seemed like there was something going on between Do Ran-Hee and Lee Yung-Jin, but I decided to pretend I didn¡¯t know anything. Talent agents were usually too busy to even dream of dating. But it was good for them if they could make it work like this. ''Good luck, Ran-Hee.'' At that moment, Eun Ji-Yoo looked a bit worried and said, "Mr. Jung, have you seen the viewership ratings for Global Produce 47? They''ve been rising pretty steadily from the start." "Wasn¡¯t thetest episode rated at 2.8%?" I asked. Eun Ji-Yoo nodded. Since its premiere on June 19th, Global Produce 47 had aired three episodes so far. The original PD Ahn Jun-Hee was reced, but in his ce came the capable main PD Choi Sang-Hyun. Thanks to that, the viewership ratings were higher than I remembered from my past life. Kang Ha-Na, along with Park Ye-Seul and Choi So-Yung, were currently graded A, generating significant buzz. Given the social media reactions already surfacing, it seemed almost certain they would join the 11-member group EVE*ONE just like in my past life. "Ms. Eun, have you informed Ha-Na about the direct confrontation with Park Ye-Seul and Choi So-Yung?" Eun Ji-Yoo shook her head. "No, I haven''t mentioned that yet." "Good. There''s no need to worry her in advance, so let''s keep that confidential until the timees." Kang Ha-Na was unaware of her music show debut date aside from her MeTube streaming schedule. But hearing that Kang Ha-Na was feeling anxious, I suggested we go see her immediately. "Let''s go down to the recording studio and check the situation," I said. "Yes, Mr. Jung." After concluding the meeting about the music video, we headed to the basement recording studio to check on Kang Ha-Na''s condition. *** The basement second floor housed four recording studios. Because Studio 1 was the best maintained among them, Bang Seon-Woo and Jang Ye-Bin often spent the night and worked there. But today, voices wereing from Studio 4, not Studio 1. "Why are they practicing there?" I asked. "I don''t know. They were practicing in Studio 1 until yesterday..." replied the puzzled Do Ran-Hee. Of the four studios, Studio 4 was thergest with its recording booth as big as the other threebined. However, it was a bit inferior in terms of facilitiespared to the other rooms. ''Why did they move to Studio 4?'' I wondered. I couldn''t understand why they had switched from their well-used studio. Various thoughts went through my mind. ''Could it be that they were told to vacate by Singer Division 1?'' I urged Do Ran-Hee because if that was the case, I felt we needed to rectify the situation immediately. "Let''s go and see. Hurry, Ran-Hee." "Yes, Mr. Jung." But at that moment, the sound of Kang Ha-Na singing in Studio 4 stopped me in my tracks as we approached. Chapter 214: New Beginning (2)

Chapter 214: New Beginning (2)

Kang Ha-Na''s enchanting timbre vividly revealed her soul and emotions, captivating mepletely. Because of this reason, I momentarily put aside my questions about why they had moved the recording studio and started to immerse myself in Kang Ha-Na''s singing. ¡ºPeople say I can''t do it. In painful moments, in hard times, they say it''s all my fault. But I was a fool to not realize all that was just irresponsible meddling. So I mustered the courage although I was afraid. At that moment, a small path appeared before me. Hello, a different me from yesterday, hi~. Say goodbye to the hard days, bye~ A path no one else has taken, who knows if at the end of that path there might be a leprechaun''s pot of gold at the end of the rainbow or an oasis in the desert. If I just stopped here, I''d be a mere ant struggling forever in a desert''s antlion pit. So I took a step forward. Although I''m small like an ant, and my steps are short, the fact remains that I''m moving forward. Hello, a different me from yesterday, hi~ Say goodbye to the hard days, bye~...¡» The lyrics spoke of forgetting the pains from the past caused by those around her and taking on a new life. Kang Ha-Na was expressing her determination to walk her own path despite all the struggles with her unique voice. Yet desperation was also evident in her voice, perhaps because she thought that her failure to debut with Eye Stone Entertainment might have been due to her ownck of talent. ''There''s no need to worry, Ha-Na,'' I silently assured her. Just when I thought I should reassure her, the song ended. Only then did my steps which had paused momentarily as I got lost in the song began to move again. "Ran-Hee, let''s go." "Yes, Mr. Jung." I headed toward Room 4 to console Kang Ha-Na. But just as I grabbed the doorknob of the recording studio, a different note mixed with the original guitar apaniment began to filter in. Ding~? "Huh? A piano?" A new version of Kang Ha-Na''s title song, ''New Beginning,'' began to flow from the recording studio. *** Circumstances changed the future, sometimes for the better or the worse. That was why any matter rted to Kang Ha-Na had to be handled with care no matter how small. After all, actions done with good intentions could often lead to bad oues. But now, a piano apaniment was unexpectedly added to Kang Ha-Na''s song. The situation had changed from that in my past life; it was no longer just an acoustic guitar being used. A momentter, I opened the door to the recording studio after the version with the piano interlude finished. But an unbelievable scene unfolded inside. "What''s this?" I asked. In a separate recording booth inside the studio, there was a grand piano engraved in gold with the brand Steinway & Sons. In front of the piano was Kim Jong-Hoon positioning himself. "Was Jong-Hoon the one ying it?" I muttered. At that moment, Bang Seon-Woo, who was adjusting the control panel of the recording studio, turned around and said, "Oh, here you are, hyung." "Hey. What''s going on here?" I asked. "Oh, the piano? Jong-Hoon hyung brought it over early this morning. He wanted to try adding piano apaniment to Ha-Na noona''s song." "How did you manage to bring such a big thing here?" "We called some people to disassemble and move it. It was actually done in no time." That''s when a chill ran down my spine. ''Surely he hasn''t brought it from SJ Entertainment, has he?'' I thought The face of Lee Seo-Jun, president of SJ Entertainment, shed through my mind. As Kim Jong-Hoon''s stay at Hoop Entertainment extended under the guise of rehabilitation, Lee Seo-Jun had been sending me daily KkTalk messages because he was worried that we might snatch his prized franchise star who was trained with care ever since before his debut. Of course, I had assured him several times that such a thing would not happen. But Lee Seo-Jun still did not trust my words. "Ah. You guys moved to Studio 4 because of that?" I remarked. Bang Seon-Woo nodded. "Yes. We all thought the biggest studio would be best since we''re working together. Besides, there was no other ce to put Jong-Hoon hyung''s piano." Fortunately, it wasn''t the pressure from Singer Division 1 that had forced them to move the recording studio. "Then I''ll request that all the equipment here be upgraded. But next time, tell me in advance if you''re moving rooms. Got it?" I replied. "Okay!" Just then, the door to the recording booth opened and Kang Ha-Na drenched in sweat stepped out. "Oppa! What did you think of my song?" Kang Ha-Na asked nervously. "You know it~. It was obviously the best," I encouraged her. Kang Ha-Na smiled and said, "That''s a relief." I calmly met Kang Ha-Na''s eyes as she sighed in relief. "And you''ve heard about your MeTube debut schedule, right?" "I have." "We''re scheduling the music shows right now, so take good care of your voice until then. We''ll make a big ssh once we''ve built up responses on MeTube." At that moment, Kang Ha-Na''s expression brightened significantly. "Okay, I got it." Just as I expected, it turned out she had been worried about her debut. That''s when Do Ran-Heeughed as if she couldn''t believe it and asked, "Ha-Na, why do you react so differently when you talk to mepared to when Mr. Jung is here? You smile so brightly." Kang Ha-Na waved her hands in denial at Do Ran-Hee''s tease. "N-no. That''s not it. It''s just that the song recording went well today and I''m in a good mood. That''s all." Do Ran-Hee narrowed her eyes. "I don''t believe you..." "What are you, what are you talking about?" In all seriousness, there might be no more tedious job than being a singer for those who love to sing. Every album release involved singing the same song repeatedly, hundreds or even thousands of times. Moreover, worries such as whether the song will be a hit or whether the fans will like it also increased with each practice. Confidence faded in singers as often as these questions tormented them. But seeing how happy Kang Ha-Na became from just a word of praise, I thought I shouldpliment her more often to boost her confidence. At that moment, Kim Jong-Hoon followed Kang Ha-Na out of the recording booth and raised his hand to greet me. "Hey~ I heard you''re very busy. What brings you here at this time?" "Speaking of which, what about you? You surely didn''t bring yourpany''s property here, did you?" I replied while pointing to the piano. As I pointed to the piano inside the recording booth, a yful smile appeared on Kim Jong-Hoon''s lips. "Oh, you worry too much. It''s my own piano," Kim Jong-Hoon rified. I let out a sigh. "That''s a relief. I was worried..." Kim Jong-Hoon made a face as if to say it was ridiculous. "Hey. Didn''t you once tell me to live as I please without caring about what others think? You even vacated a room in the dorm for me to live with Seon-Woo. So why are you so concerned about ourpany''s opinion?" "I never thought you''d stay this long. I thought you''d leave in a few days." Kim Jong-Hoon smiled. "If it bothers you that much, should I just move to Hoop Entertainment?" At that moment, I imagined Lee Seo-Jun of SJ Entertainment furiously running over here and saying, "No, don''te! Go back! There''s no ce for you here!" Actually, there wouldn''t be anything wrong with Kim Jong-Hoon joining ourpany. But given that Lee Seo-Jun of SJ Entertainment treats him like family and his group members are still waiting for him, I had no intention of interfering with Kim Jong-Hoon. "Okay, fine. Rx." "But why the sudden piano?" I asked. The sess of the song would be guaranteed if we released the original version. But the problem was that the piano remix version I just heard wasn''t bad either. "While listening to Ha-Na''s song, it felt like the mid and low ranges werecking. So I thought it''d be good to enhance them a little bit. It just so happened that Seon-Woo rmended trying the piano," Kim Jong-Hoon exined. Bang Seon-Woo joined the conversation. "Adding the piano as a base definitely improved the song. But Yoon-Ho hyung, which version do you like better?" I was asked to choose between the original acoustic guitar version and the newly arranged version with added piano. If I were to go by what I knew, I should choose the acoustic guitar version. However, the version with the piano did indeed sound better. After a moment of thought, I asked Kang Ha-Na for her opinion. "Ha-Na, what do you think?" Kang Ha-Na smiled and answered, "I really can''t decide. So please, you choose for me, oppa." At that moment, all eyes suddenly turned toward me. *** We sat around therge sofa in Studio 4 and started the meeting. I looked at everyone and said, "Let''s hear others'' opinions first." I would choose the originally nned version for a stable sess, but the piano version was exceptionally good. At that moment, Do Ran-Hee spoke up. "Mr. Jung, what do you think about promoting Jong-Hoon oppa and Ha-Na together in a joint event? It seems like it could be very effective." Kim Mi-Hye from the promotions division, who hade down to the studio upon being contacted, also agreed. "There''s still a lot of public curiosity about why Mr. Jong-Hoon suddenly halted hisst album activities. I vote for Miss Ran-Hee''s idea as well. I feel uneasy about borrowing Mr. Jong-Hoon''s fame, but using his name could really help." Kim Jong-Hoon responded with a smirk. "Well, you can use my name as much as you want if it helps. I''ve already talked to Mr. Lee about it." Only then did I understand why Lee Seo-Jun from SJ Entertainment had been bombarding me with KkTalk messages. "Thanks to that, your president keeps sending me messages non-stop and I''ve been ignoring them. Very thankful indeed," I said sarcastically to Kim Jong-Hoon. Kim Jong-Hoon yed along. "Hey, don''t mention it. What are friends for, huh?" After his past suicide attempt, Kim Jong-Hoon''s personality changed 180 degrees. He used to be an extremely sensitive and sharp person with too many thoughts. However, perhaps because he had more friends to talk about music withtely, he had be cheerful and bright. But as everyone suggested using Kim Jong-Hoon''s name, it actually made my decision easier. "Thanks for all your ideas. But for that reason, I think we should go with the original acoustic guitar version that Ha-Na yed," I said. Everyone wore perplexed expressions as they didn''t expect me to pass up the opportunity to promote using Kim Jong-Hoon''s name. "Yoon-Ho, are you really going to release the acoustic version?" Kim Jong-Hoon asked in a puzzled tone. I nodded. "Yes. To be honest, your participation in the session would definitely boost the promotion but I don''t think we should do that this time." "Why not?" "Because I don''t want Kang Ha-Na''s name overshadowed by yours." "What?" I made my intentions clear to the other talent agents as well. "To establish the personal brand of Singer-Songwriter Kang Ha-Na, Ha-Na has to start on her own whether we like it or not." If we began by promoting Kang Ha-Na with Kim Jong-Hoon''s name, it would weaken the image of Singer-Songwriter Kang Ha-Na. Even if he were to just participate as the pianist, Kim Jong-Hoon''s name had more than enough impact to overshadow Kang Ha-Na''s image. At that moment, Kim Mi-Hye asked, "Mr. Jung. I understand your intention, but won''t it be difficult to make Ha-Na''s face known with the promotional budget allocated?" I grinned in response, "I have no intention of throwing money at reporters." "Then what are you nning to do?" She asked further. "I have an idea. And if it goes as I think, it will be much more effective than soliciting publicity from reporters." "How so?" "I''ll tell you about itter." Having concluded the discussion, I asked Kang Ha-Na, "Ha-Na. This is what I think, but your decision is also very important. What do you think?" Kang Ha-Na looked at me with unwavering eyes. "I told you. I''ll do as you say, oppa." As a talent agent, these moments were the most gratifying and thrilling¡ªthe fulfillment that came from my artist fully trusting me. Thanks to this, I smiled broadly at Kang Ha-Na. At that moment, Kim Jong-Hoon, who had been deep in thought, pleaded, "Yoon-Ho, can''t you save this song somehow? We could at least add the piano apaniment as a separate track. I''m not saying this because I yed it myself, but it really turned out well. It would be a shame not to use it" I''ve always noticed that Kim Jong-Hoon''s obsession with his music was simr to Bang Seon-Woo''s. When I looked around the surroundings, everyone seemed to feel the same way. "I agree. It''s too good to waste it." "True! Mr. Jung, I agree as well." I felt the same¡ªit was indeed too good to waste. While I was contemting what to do, an idea struck me. "Hey, Jong-Hoon." "Yep." "Would it be okay to hide your name?" I asked. "What do you mean by...wait, no way. Are you suggesting...?" Kim Jong-Hoon stuttered. "Yes. If we use a pseudonym for the piano session, we can release the piano remix version as well. But we can only do so two weeks after the release of the original track." Kim Jong-Hoon''s mouth snapped shut. He seemed shocked that he couldn''t even use his own name. After a long pause, he sighed deeply and said, "Okay, let''s do that." "Are you sure?" I asked. "Yes. But man, you''re harsh. To the extent that I can''t even use my name?" "I''m sorry. Once Ha-Na gains recognition as a singer-songwriter, we can reveal your name." "And when will that be?" Kim Jong-Hoon asked. I held up three fingers. "Three years? Come on. I know Ha-Na is talented, but that''s too early..." Kim Jong-Hoon replied in disbelief. I shook my head. "No, just wait three months. Everything will be clear by then." At that moment, everyone''s faces began to show a mixture of shock and confusion. Chapter 215: Her Transformation (1)

Chapter 215: Her Transformation (1)

Kim Jong-Hoon made a shocked expression when I showed my confidence in promoting Kang Ha-Na without the n to call reporters or hold a showcase. "Yoon-Ho, how do you n to make Ha-Na popr within just three months? Is that even possible without spending much money?" I replied, "Of course it''s possible. But I can''t tell you how." I knew how Kang Ha-Na would seed based on my knowledge of my past life. With my experience added on top of that, I could easily make her known in the shortest time. But I couldn''t share those detailed stories with everyone. I looked at Kim Jong-Hoon, who had an incredulous look on his face, and smiled. "If it takes longer than three months, you can reveal your name first." Kim Jong-Hoon stared at me intently. "Really?" "Yes, really." After a moment of silence, Kim Jong-Hoon eventually extended his hand. "Okay. I''ll do that." I announced that the name ''Singer-songwriter Kang Ha-Na'' would be established in just three months. Because of this deration, everyone''s faces began to fill with anticipation. "But Jong-Hoon, what will the pseudonym be?" I asked him. Kim Jong-Hoon answered with a proud expression. "EOD." "You don''t mean Explosive Ordnance Disposal as in bomb disposal, do you?" "No, It means End of Day. The end of the day!" "Ha ha. Is-is that so?" When I smiled awkwardly, Kim Jong-Hoon clicked his tongue. "How could you think of a bomb disposal team when I said EOD?" I raised my eyebrows. "It could happen." Kim Jung-Hoon shrugged. "Anyway, you''re really something. You''re probably the only one in Korea who doesn''t want to sell my name." "I always tell you this, Jong-Hoon, but you''re not as great as you think," I teased him. Kim Jong-Hoon grumbled, "I know. And you don''t need to point it out like that." Despite his grumbling, Kim Jong-Hoon''s face was filled withughter. Previously having preferred solitude and being a deep thinker, Kim Jong-Hoon had brightened up enough to enjoy such jokes. Being around geniuses like Bang Seon-Woo significantly lessened the pressure and resulted in this change. At that moment, Do Ran-Hee raised her hand excitedly and said there was something she really wanted to discuss. "Mr. Jung! What are we going to name Ha-Na''s fan club? Surely not something like ''Ha-Na Family'' like ''Cherry Blossom Family,'' right?" Do Ran-Hee asked excitedly. The fans of Cherry Blossom were still using Cherry Blossom Family, which was a temporary name because they had only maintained a fan cafe without officially forming a fan club yet. "What, you don''t like Cherry Blossom Family? Don''t worry. We''ll change the name when we turn it into an official fan club. It''s not like we are going to use that name forever," I replied. Distrust filled Do Ran-Hee''s eyes. "Oh. I thought it was your taste..." ''What? My taste isn''t that bad. What does she think of me?'' I remarked inwardly. "Then what would you like the fandom name to be? You go first," I replied. Do Ran-Hee cleared her throat and said, "wanja[1]." "What?" I wondered if I heard her correctly. "''One'' for Ha-Na[2], and the ¡®Ja¡¯ for person (Õß) for people who like her, hence ''wonja.'' It might sound in if we just say ''wonja,'' so how about ''wanja''? Wouldn''t it be memorable and fun?" Seeing Do Ran-Hee''s proud expression, I thought she was out of her mind. "Do you want to see the fandom end up being called meat wanja or seafood wanja?" I questioned. "Hey, who would call it that? Wanja sounds pretty good~" Do Ran-Hee insisted. It seemed she had already settled on Kang Ha-Na''s fan club name in her heart, but it was absolutely impossible. Kang Ha-Na also made an awkward expression. "Uh, wanja is a bit..." "Don''t you like it?" Do Ran-Hee asked. "No," I answered with a firm expression. Do Ran-Hee asked me with a perplexed expression. "Then what about you, Mr. Jung? What were you nning to name it?" "Me? I was going to leave it to the fans." Do Ran-Hee looked incredulous. "You''re really going to dodge responsibility like that?" I responded, "What? What''s up with that rebellious look on your face?" "What do you mean?" For the sake of protecting the team lead''s authority, I decided to speak my mind. "If you asked me toe up with a fandom name, I was thinking of ''OnlyOne'' or ''OneAndOnly,'' to signify the fans are the only ones for Ha-Na." Do Ran-Hee looked surprised. I continued, "And if not that, following the pronunciation of Ha-Na''s ''One,'' calling it ''WantU'' might be nice. It carries the meaning of wanting Ha-Na." Kang Ha-Na''s face brightened more than when the name ''wanja'' was suggested. Do Ran-Hee asked Kang Ha-Na. "Ha-Na, do you like any of these?" Kang Ha-Na nodded. "Yes. I really like them all." Do Ran-Hee pouted her lips. "Ha-Na, you always think all of Mr. Jung''s ideas are good, don¡¯t you?" The flustered Kang Ha-Na waved her hands. "N-no, that''s not true..." Eventually, it was decided to leave the fandom name up to the fans. But if something like ''wanja'' came up, we would choose one of the names I hade up with. However, Do Ran-Hee was quite persistent. "Ha-Na, it''s not toote. Let''s go with ''wanja,'' okay?" Kang Ha-Na smiled contentedly and replied. "No way. I don¡¯t like that name." Do Ran-Hee raised her hands and yfully wiped the corners of her eyes. "Okay, fine. I got it. Poor wanja. It will disappear without ever seeing the light..." No one responded to Do Ran-Hee''s muttering. *** At 5:30 in the morning, Miso was holding Jung In-Ji''s hand as she came out to see us off. Wearing Powertuff Girl pajamas, Miso climbed into the back seat of Springer 2 with sleepy eyes. Then she gave Yoo-Jin a hug before speaking in a half-asleep voice. "Mom, don¡¯t be sad or lonely at the set without me." "Okay, I won¡¯t," Yoo-Jin replied with a smile while hugging Miso tightly. Miso added, "And listen to Uncle Yoon-Ho. Got it?" Yoo-Jin nodded. "Got it." Miso continued with her advice. "And um, oh! Don''t drink too cold water because it¡¯s summer. I heard it hurts your stomach!" As Miso grew more knowledgeable, her parting advice became longer. At that moment, Miso looked at her left hand. Three of her tightly clenched fingers had unfolded while the remaining two were still bent. "What was it? Uh. I had thought of something..." Miso rubbed her sleepy eyes and tried to remember. "Miso, I need to go now," Yoo-Jin replied. Suddenly, Miso''s memory returned and her eyes sparkled. "Oh, right. Mom. You have to act well!" Another finger unfolded and there was only thest one left. When I was curious what it would be, Miso unfolded herst finger and eximed as if she remembered. "Mom! Powertuff!" Yoo-Jinughed and mimicked Miso. "Powertuff!" At that moment, Jung In-Ji and I struck the same pose. Afterward, Miso kissed Yoo-Jin''s cheek before getting out of the car. "Mom, have a good trip. I''d be really happy if you came back sooner!" "Okay, Miso. Have fun while I''m away." Just like that, we headed to the set apanied by Miso and Jung In-Ji''s send-off. *** As we approached the filming location in Yangpyeong, Yoo-Jin, who was sitting in the back seat reading the script, cautiously asked a question. "Oppa, have you not received any offers from Ace Entertainment or TK Entertainment recently?" I shook my head. "No. They''ve been quiettely. I guess they gave up after I drew a clear line." "But still, don''t let your guard down. There''s a lot of talk among the actors about how good you are at your job," Yoo-Jin said with concern. Recently, my name had beening up more frequently among veteran actors at the site. Because of this reason, Yoo-Jin''s wariness was increasing by the day. "Don''t worry. I''m not going to leave you. To be honest, it would be better to go independent than switchpanies, right?" "I guess. That''s true." Only then did Yoo-Jin rx. A little whileter, we arrived at the shooting site located in front of the Yangpyeong post office. "Oh, here you are," greeted Cha Soo-Yeon, like how she usually did. But she seemed in a better mood than usual. "What''s going on?" I asked. "Oh, LM Apparel has provided us with a generous amount of clothing support. They said sales increased by 10% thanks to Miss Yoo-Jin," replied Cha Soo-Yeon with a pleased look. "10%?" "Didn''t you hear? Not only the lineup Miss Yoo-Jin advertises but the overall brand image of LM Apparel has improved," Cha Soo-Yeon exined. Considering LM Apparel''s revenue, this meant an increase of hundreds of billions. "We''re saving a lot on production costs thanks to Miss Yoo-Jin. I''m always grateful, Miss Yoo-Jin," said Cha Soo-Yeon with a smile. Yoo-Jin smiled and replied, "Oh, don''t mention it." As Yoo-Jin''s poprity rose, the way Cha Soo-Yeon treated us had been slowly changing. "I guess I''ll have to visit the President of LM Apparel soon." "Please tell them how much I appreciate their support." "Yes, I will." LM Apparel had been our benefactor, protecting us from the aggression of HK Apparel and helping us secure an exclusive contract. I had been trying to set up a meeting with the president out of gratitude, but he had been too busy and we still hadn''t met. After finishing our greetings with Cha Soo-Yeon, we also greeted the staff and actors. However, Ju Yung-In was nowhere to be seen. "Where did she go?" Even though Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In had agreed to be friends, it was customary to greet her since she was a sunbae actor and the lead role. That''s when Choi Ill-Seop informed us that Ju Yung-In was at the empty lot behind the post office. After expressing my gratitude, Yoo-Jin and I headed to the empty lot behind the post office. But the moment I saw Ju Yung-In, I inadvertently muttered to myself. "Why is she like that?" In my memory, Ju Yung-In had never shown signs of nervousness at any filming site. She focused more onworking with powerful staff and actors rather than practicing. But today, she was engrossed in her script with a tense expression and did not even bother looking around. "Did she eat something wrong? She''s not the type to be like this..." I remarked. Yoo-Jin also nodded. "That''s strange. Even though I haven''t seen much, Yung-In''s personality would normally have her greeting people around here by now..." "Let''s be careful. The atmosphere feels weird today," I said to Yoo-Jin. Yoo-Jin nodded. "I''ll go prepare my makeup and costume." Seeing Ju Yung-In so absorbed in the script, I realized that it wasn''t the time for casual greetings. For this reason, Yoo-Jin returned to the van to prepare for the shoot. Meanwhile, it was Ju Yung-In''s turn for the shoot. "Miss Yung-In, it''s time for the shoot." Without a word, Ju Yung-In got up from her chair and followed the AD without greeting me as she tried not to break her concentration. ''Wow. Ju Yung-In has really changed,'' I thought to myself. *** The first scene Ju Yung-In was to shoot today involved a female prosecutor leaving the post office, spotting a pickpocket, and giving chase. But the slow-moving female prosecutor would fail to catch the thief. Instead, the male lead, a policeman who was removing a parking vition sticker, catches the thief and the two main characters meet for the first time. For this first scene, the two main characters, Ju Yung-In as Bang Shin-Ae and Park Nam-Cheol as Choi Kang-In, entered the rehearsal. As soon as the check of the movement path was finished, Kim Sung-Woon grabbed a megaphone and shouted, "Alright, Miss Yung-In. This is the first scene with the adult actors, so please do your best." Ju Yung-In nodded. "Yes, sir." "Good. Scene 30. Get ready, everyone. Ready~ Action!" At the moment the cue sign was given, the extra, who had been preparing in advance, started running away after stealing an olddy''s wallet. ¡ºOh, my! My wallet! That, that thief! Someone help me! Please!¡» As the extra ying the role of the grandmother slumped down and shouted, Ju Yung-In also began acting. ¡ºIs there really no one who''s willing to help and stop a pickpocket in a crowd this big? People live so heartlessly these days!¡» The fuming Ju Yung-In threw off her high heels. At that moment, she suddenly ripped the side of her skirt. The stylist''s face turned pale. On the other hand, Kim Sung-Woon''s face lit up with joy upon watching the lead actress fully immersed in her role and disregarding her appearance. Simultaneously, Ju Yung-In wearing only stockings started chasing after the pickpocket. ¡ºHuff, huff! Hey, hey! You scoundrel! Stop right there and I''ll go easy on you! Hey! Ugh, that fucking son of a bitch! Why is he so damn fast!? ¡» Ju Yung-In kept cursing as she ran slowly. She yed the role of a rookie prosecutor, Bang Shin-Ae, who had a sense of justice but was terrible at physical activities. Due to her slow running, the distance between her and the pickpocket grew. Taking advantage of this, the actor ying the pickpocket even looked back to mock her. At that moment, Park Nam-Cheol ying the role of Choi Kang-In, a passionate young police officer demoted to the district after being an ace in the detective department, noticed the situation. While attaching a parking ticket to an illegally parked Ferrori, he stretched out his arm to block the pickpocket. The pickpocket actor was hit in the neck by Park Nam-Cheol''s arm and rolled on the ground. Ju Yung-In btedly arrived, caught her breath, and climbed on top of the pickpocket actor. ¡ºHuff, huff. You little bitch. I''m going to kill you.¡» Then Ju Yung-In raised her head and asked, ¡ºHuff, huff. By the way, I fucking appreciate your help. Huff, huff. What''s your name?¡» Park Nam-Cheol replied with a dumbfounded expression. ¡ºWhy are you so damn rude? What''s your name?¡» ¡ºMe? Bang Shin-Ae.¡» ¡ºWhat? What''s with that name?¡» ¡ºHuh? What''s your name? Your name is...Choi Kang-In? Pfft. Ha ha ha ha!¡» Ju Yung-In burst outughing after seeing the name tag on Park Nam-Cheol''s chest. ¡ºA-are you out of your mind? How dare youugh at my name! ¡ºWhat? Did you just say I''m out of my mind? Hey! Watch your mouth! How dare you...¡» Ju Yung-In and Park Nam-Cheol continued to bicker after capturing the pickpocket. And just like that, scene 30 where the two characters meet for the first time wasing to an end. Kim Sung-Woon shouted "Cut" with a satisfied expression. "Cut! Okay! Miss Yung-In, are you okay? Staff, check her quickly!" "Yes, sir!" The staff rushed to check Ju Yung-In''s condition because she had thrown off her high heels and ran on the sidewalk wearing only stockings. "I''m fine, Mr. Kim. It''s nothing," Ju Yung-In replied. Ju Yung-In was sitting on the ground,ughing and saying she was okay. But contrary to her words, her stockings were all torn and her feet were scraped. In my past life, Ju Yung-In had always used a stunt double as she said her body was her asset. But now, she was performing as if she had be a true actress. I found this change utterly unbelievable because acting had always been just a means to make money for her. ¡®What on earth are you thinking, Ju Yung-In?¡¯ I wondered. 1. Wanja ? 2. Ha-na means one and Ran-Hee is making a word y on One and Won ? Chapter 216: Her Transformation (2)

Chapter 216: Her Transformation (2)

After the filming was over, Ju Yung-In took off her stockings as soon as she got back into the car. Her feet were scraped from running at full speed on the asphalt and there were even small stones embedded in her skin. Stylist Ji Soo-Hyun yelled at the sight, "Unnie, how could you run without shoes? Your feet are all scraped up!" "Ouch, ouch! Hey, stop nagging and quickly bring me some disinfectant and band-aids!" Ju Yung-In cried out. Ji Soo-Hyun let out a deep sigh and brought the first aid kit. Once Ju Yung-In cleaned and disinfected her wounds, Ji Soo-Hyun sighed once again. "Unnie, did you really have to tear your skirt like that? It was a super expensive piece from Choi Hyun-Ho''s Boutique..." Ju Yung-In smiled. "Don''t worry. It''s not like that''s the only sponsor we have, is it?" Ji Soo-Hyun made a sulky face. "It''s not about the next sponsor; we probably can''t return it." "Hey, I''m Ju Yung-In. Just tell them I messed it up. And if theyin, I''ll just buy it." "Really?" Recently, Ju Yung-In had been working hard to bring Ji Soo-Hyun to her side. Ju Yung-In nodded before changing the topic. "Yeah. By the way, did you keep an eye on Team Lead Jung like I told you? How was he? Did he watch me act?" Ji Soo-Hyun looked around and whispered. "He was staring at your acting the whole time. He couldn''t take his eyes off you." "I knew it," Ju Yung-In replied with a grin. At that moment, Ji Soo-Hyun suddenly looked worried. "Unnie. It''s not like what I think, is it?" "What do you mean?" When Ju Yung-In furrowed her brow slightly, Ji Soo-Hyun quickly lowered her head. "Oh, no, it''s nothing. I''m sorry." "What is it? You can tell me. Shouldn''t I know what my personal stylist is thinking about?" After moving to Ace Entertainment, Ju Yung-In had a particr fondness for Ji Soo-Hyun among the many stylists. Thanks to this reason, Ji Soo-Hyun led afortable life while her peers struggled through sleepless nights working. Ju Yung-In even gave her luxury bags and expensive outfits. Recently, Ji Soo-Hyun had even received a Channy bag worth 5 million won as a gift. Ji Soo-Hyun gathered her courage and carefully asked. "Unnie...by any chance, do you like Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho?" Ju Yung-In smiled faintly. "Yes, you''re right. I like Jung Yoon-Ho." Ji Soo-Hyun looked shocked. "U-unnie!" "What? You already suspected it, didn''t you?" "Well, no. I''ll pretend I didn''t hear that. And I''ll definitely keep it a secret." Ju Yung-In''s eyebrows furrowed slightly. "But why? Is it because you''re scared of Chief Lee Chan-Dong?" Ji Soo-Hyun found herself at a loss for words. "..." "He must have put you on surveince, worried I might cause trouble. Right?" "Th-that''s...well, unnie..." Ji Soo-Hyun stuttered. "That''s enough. I understand you didn''t have a choice. But things should be different from now. From this moment on, make your allegiance clear. Thepany or me?" Ju Yung-In asked in a serious tone. Ji Soo-Hyun rolled her eyes and cautiously replied, "Unnie, will you take responsibility for me?" "Didn''t you hear what I just said? I said I''d take care of you. And do you remember how I told you from the first day to treat each other like sisters? I even gave you my clothes and bags." "I''m-I''m sorry," Ji Soo-Hyun apologized. "Just trust and follow me. I''ll take you with me even if I changepanies. Let''s stick together for life," said Ju Yung-In firmly as she looked into Ji Soo-Hyun''s eyes. Ji Soo-Hyun nodded after a brief hesitation. "Alright! Okay. I''ll trust you from now on." Having made Ji Soo-Hyunpletely loyal to her, Ju Yung-In gave her first order. "Then from now on, observe how Jung Yoon-Ho looks at me and report every detail. That''s your first mission." Ju Yung-In was already aware that Jung Yoon-Ho disliked her. So the method Ju Yung-In chose was to be someone even Jung Yoon-Ho would covet. To achieve this, Ju Yung-In was attempting an image transformation. She was even showing a determination she normally wouldn''t¡ªlike running barefoot. "Oh, and could you pass this note to Yoon-Ho oppa for me?" Ju Yung-In handed a crumpled note to Ji Soo-Hyun. *** My ears itched as if someone was talking about me. At that moment, Yoo-Jin, who had just finished her makeup, got out of the van and asked, "Oppa, how do I look?" With her soft wavy hair, Dolcha & Banana gold-frame sunsses, and a Channy two-piece dress, she looked like apletely different person from the Yoo-Jin I saw yesterday now that she was adorned from head to toe in luxury. The role Yoo-Jin was ying, Cheongmyung, was a shaman living alone in a 70-pyeong vi in Cheongdam-dong and driving a Ferrori while also studying art at a university. "Mdm. Lee, did you have any trouble getting the luxury brand sponsorships?" I asked. "No. We haven''t yet connected with therge domestic boutiques, but foreign brands are moring to sponsor Miss Yoo-Jin," Lee Mi-Ri reported. Major brands targeting the Asian market had a keen interest in Korean stars as their recognition in Asia surpassed even Hollywood actors. Thanks to this, even brands that couldn''t get sponsorship approval domestically were stepping in at the headquarters level to sponsor Yoo-Jin. With many connections in New York, it was very easy for Lee Mi-Ri to secure global luxury sponsorships. She said there were even talks aboutmercials. "Speaking with brand marketers, it seems that we might get somemercial offers if this project does well," Lee Mi-Ri added. I could almost hear the sound of money rolling in. "But remember. We have an exclusive contract with LM Apparel for domestic ads, so keep that in mind," I reminded her. Lee Mi-Ri nodded. "I''ve already mentioned that." "We can still consider overseas ads after consulting with LM Apparel though, so don''tpletely reject any proposals," I told her. "Understood." "Anyway, my job has be so much easier thanks to you, Mdm. Lee," I thanked her with a smile. Lee Mi-Ri smiled and said as she turned to look at Yoo-Jin, "Not at all. It''s all thanks to Miss Yoo-Jin''s poprity." Talking about her poprity in front of her made Yoo-Jin blush. "O-oppa, please don''t talk about that..." I smiled at Yoo-Jin who was shy aboutpliments. "Luxury goods are really something, huh?" Back when we were filming Blue Sky, all we had were school uniforms and gym clothes. But now it was all luxury from head to toe. Yoo-Jin nodded. However, she had something else on her mind. "By the way, oppa. You watched Yung-In''s acting until the end, right?" Yoo-Jin, who had been getting her makeup done, hadn''t seen Ju Yung-In''s performance. "Don''t worry about it. Just focus on your acting as always," I assured her. Yoo-Jin nodded with a disappointed look. "Okay. I''ll be off then." Yoo-Jin closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, she had transformed into apletely different person. "Take care, Team Lead Jung~," said Yoo-Jin as she winked and walked toward the set with a haughty stride. Lee Mi-Ri clicked her tongue in amazement. "Miss Yoo-Jin switches to her role so quickly. It''s just incredible." Most actors needed preparation time to immerse themselves in a character. They read the script and thought like the character before diving into the role. Some actors who were slow to immerse even struggled from the day before. But Yoo-Jin had no such process. It was as if she had a separate room in her mind for each personality. "I''m always amazed whenever I see it," I said with a smile. "I haven''t seen many actors, but it seems like there really are naturally born actors," Lee Mi-Ri remarked. It made me think that having multiple personalities might be convenient for acting. At that moment, Kim Sung-Woon saw Yoo-Jin dressed in luxury and looked surprised. "She''s already in character. Then let''s get started right away. Everyone, hurry up." Kim Sung-Woon quickly recognized the change in Yoo-Jin and immediately started filming scene 31, following the previous scene 30. ¡ºWhat? Who put a parking ticket on my car?¡» Scene 31 involved Cheongmyung getting angry about a parking ticket on her Ferrori and then dering that the pickpocket caught by the two protagonists was possessed by a ghost. This early scene established the meeting of the two protagonists and the important supporting character, Cheongmyung. *** Ju Yung-In and Yoo-Jin continued the shoot without any NGs. Unlike Blue Sky, which had attention leaned heavily toward Yoo-Jin, this time, both were showing equally strong performances. It was impossible to look away because the Ju Yung-In standing in front of me was apletely different person from the one who was my wife in my past life. At that moment, a young woman in her early twenties with her hair tied back approached me nervously. "Excuse me, Mr. Jung?" "Who are you...?" I asked. "My name is Ji Soo-Hyun. I''m Yung-In unnie''s stylist." "Ah, I see. Is there anything I can help you with?" Ji Soo-Hyun handed me a piece of folded paper. "Yung-In unnie asked me to give this to you." The note from Ju Yung-In contained something I hadn''t expected. [Ace is attempting to poach Cherry Blossom.] Currently, the other three members of Cherry Blossom aside from Eun-Ah hadn''t renewed their contracts with Hoop Entertainment. With about six months left on their contracts and everyone exhausted from thetest activities, it wasn''t the right time to discuss renewals. But Ace Entertainment was trying to take advantage of this situation. However, it was absurd to think I hadn''t anticipated this. ¡®Did she really think I wouldn¡¯t be prepared for this?¡¯ I thought. I had maintained strong ties with Cherry Blossom and had taken precautions knowing something like this could happen. While the members themselves trusted me, their families'' influence on their contract decisions was significant as well. What puzzled me more was why Ju Yung-In would send me such a note. "Why would she send me such a risky note? If herpany finds out she''s helping me, they won''t leave her alone," I said after reading the note. Ji Soo-Hyun quickly said her piece and hurried back. "I don''t know either. Anyway, I delivered her message. And she really wants to help you, so just know that. I''ll get going now." "Huh? What was that about?" ''They say birds of a feather flock together,'' I remarked inwardly. She seemed like a tough young woman in her early twenties who would likely survive well in this industry. "I should make a call," I muttered to myself. Regardless of the circumstances, I wasn''t going to ignore the warning. I put the note away and called Do Ran-Hee to check on Cherry Blossom''s situation. -Yes, Mr. Jung! "Are the Cherry Blossom members all home now?" Cherry Blossom was on a month-long break starting this morning, although Sae-Ri had toe back immediately after spending the weekend at home due to school. But ording to Do Ran-Hee, someone hadn''t gone home despite having a break. -Eun-Ah didn''t go. "Why? Her mother said she''d take good care of her and she was going home." -She changed her mind. Eun-Ah said she''d fight with her dad if she went home, so she decided to rest at the dorm. "Is she alone there?" -Yes, for now. But Ms. Lee Ju-Yung is visiting her daily and I''ll also be checking on herter today. "Alright. Ran-Hee, you''re doing great. Continue to keep an eye on Cherry Blossom, especially since we need to renew the contracts soon. You understand what I mean, right?" -Yes, Mr. Jung. Ju-Yung unnie and I will discreetly take care of them. "Okay." After confirming Cherry Blossom''s whereabouts, I called Lee Dong-Min to exin the situation. He said he''d immediately start preparing for the contract renewals with the legal division. I then sent a lengthy message about the contract renewal meeting to the family group chat. [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: We n to hold a meeting in two weeks regarding the contract renewals of your children. Please attend to review our ns for their future and to renew their contracts with Hoop Entertainment. We will be transparent with you and disclose all financial aspects, so we urge you to participate if possible.] All the members were adults except for Sae-Ri and didn''t need their parents for the renewal. However, overlooking that fact would create a loophole. Cherry Blossom members, now in their early twenties, were still not entirely free from their parents'' influence. For this reason, it was always best to inform their parents about anything significant. But replies from Cherry Blossom''s parents started arriving one after another not even five minutes after sending the KkTalk message. Chapter 217: Her Transformation (3)

Chapter 217: Her Transformation (3)

[Woo Yeon-Hee''s Mother: Of course we need to renew the contract. But that''s that and not very important right now. Mr. Jung, what do you want to eat this time? My husband insists that I ask you.] [Yang Eun-Bi''s Father: We trust only you, Mr. Jung. We were actually worried because you didn''t bring up the contract renewal first. Please take good care of our daughter.] [Yoo Eun-Ah''s Mother: You said you''d take responsibility for Eun-Ah, so why would you hassle sending messages like this? Don''t worry about my husband. How about we renew the contract for ten years?] [Kim Sae-Ri''s Father: Sae-Ri is still a child. Please teach and guide her well, Mr. Jung. You can just handle the contract renewal on your own the way you want it. If you need my signature, I''ll send it through my wife.] No matter how much effort I put in, it often got unacknowledged because that was the nature of a talent agent''s job. Many times, efforts were disregarded due to greed for money or trivial dissatisfaction. But the parents of Cherry Blossom recognized my efforts. And soon after, the members of Cherry Blossom, possibly contacted by their parents, also sent me messages. [Woo Yeon-Hee: Oppa, my parents said they''ll leave everything about the contract renewal to you.] [Yang Eun-Bi: My parents said they trust only you. They said I''ll be dead if I look elsewhere, so don''t worry.] [Yoo Eun-Ah: I''ve already renewed my contract. Didn''t you know?] [Kim Sae-Ri: Yoon-Ho oppa, I''ll cling to you like a leech. You won''t be able to get rid of me no matter how hard you try, just so you know.] Every message expressed their trust in me. Suppressing my surging emotions, I still told the members to bring their parents if possible. After all, it was necessary to clearly exin the settlement amounts and standards to avoid any misunderstandings in the future. After sending the Kk Talk messages, Lee Mi-Ri cautiously asked, "Mr. Jung, how many years have you been working here?" "Me? It''s been two years." Lee Mi-Ri clicked her tongue. "But it doesn''t seem like you''ve been here for only two years from the way you handle things..." But I understood how it might look that way to others. I doubted anyone else had achieved the sess of being promoted to a team lead at 27 years old with 2 years of experience in our industry or any other. "I tend to learn things quickly," I responded with an excuse I had thought of on the spot. Myme excuse made Lee Mi-Ri look at me incredulously. In the meantime, Yoo-Jin approached me after finishing her shoot. She had shed her haughty Cheongmyung persona and returned to being the usual Yoo-Jin herself. *** Ju Yung-In continued to deliver impressive performances. In my past life, Ju Yung-In struggled with expressing certain emotions and avoided romanticedies because she couldn''t convincingly act cute. But now, it seemed like even that weakness had vanished. Thanks to this, the staff''s evaluations of Ju Yung-In were improving. Yoo-Jin observed Ju Yung-In''s passionate performance beside me and praised her rival''s development. "Yung-In''s acting has improved remarkably. She was always good, but now it''s like she''s shed her old self," Yoo-Jin remarked. "But why do you look so serious? Is it because you''re worried about yourpetitor doing well?" I asked. Yoo-Jin shook her head. "No. Actually, I''m concerned about Scene 60." "Scene 60? Ah, the one where the two of you fight?" Scene 60 scheduled to be filmed soon involved a confrontation between the wealthy shaman Cheongmyung and the poor, quick-tempered prosecutor Bang Shin-Ae. Yoo-Jin tilted her head from side to side as if recalling the scene. There was a cracking sound from her neck, and then she started to grin. ¡°We didn''t settle itst time, but this time we can have a proper fight.¡± I was startled by Yoo-Jin''s sudden change in attitude and asked again, ¡°Last time? Do you mean you fought before?¡± Yoo-Jin quickly covered her mouth. ¡°Oh, n-no. I mean we fought in the drama.¡± ¡°Why are you stammering then? Did she say something to you and you two fought? Where and when?¡± I continued probing. Yoo-Jin avoided my gaze and pretended nothing was wrong. ¡°No, really. It was just in the drama.¡± Yoo-Jin responded firmly but I was still suspicious. I decided to stay alert for the time being. *** In the President''s office of Ace Entertainment, Im Sung-Hak mmed the table and shouted with an angry expression. Bang! ¡°What? What do you mean no one is responding?¡± Lee Chan-Dong answered with a stern face, ¡°We offered three times the contract amount proposed by Hoop Entertainment to the parents of all Cherry Blossom members, but no one showed any interest. They aren''t even taking my calls anymore now.¡± Im Sung-Hak asked back with a dumbfounded expression. ¡°But how is that even possible? Who refuses money? They didn''t respond even when we offered three times the amount?¡± ¡°W-well, this is the first time I''ve encountered such a situation...,¡± the flustered Lee Chan-Dong stammered. ¡°Did you make a mistake by any chance, Chief Lee? Were you rude to them or something?¡± Lee Chan-Dong shook his head frantically. ¡°No, absolutely not!¡± Ju Yung-In, who was listening, crossed her legs and frowned. ¡°It didn''t work out this time either.¡± Im Sung-Hak frowned deeply. ¡°This is just the beginning. Just wait and see. The results wille soon.¡± ¡°You always tell us to wait, Mr. Im. By the way, you do remember our agreement, right? My contract will be nullified if you fail to bring Team Lead Jung to ourpany within a year,¡± Ju Yung-In threatened. When Ju Yung-In joined Ace Entertainment, she had one condition in her contract. -I need Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment. Bring him over to be my exclusive talent agent. Ace Entertainment showed confidence that bringing in a low-level talent agent like Jung Yoon-Ho wouldn''t be an issue and signed a one-year contract with Ju Yung-In. They had also added a use to extend the contract by four more years if they seeded in bringing in Jung Yoon-Ho. Although this wasn''t a standard contract, Im Sung-Hak didn''t hesitate to quickly sign the contract since Ju Yung-In was a profitable actress just by being in theirpany. However, his direct attempts to bring in Jung Yoon-Ho failed miserably, putting him at risk of losing Ju Yung-In, who they had scouted with a hefty signing bonus. Having be desperate, Im Sung-Hak instructed Lee Chan-Dong to find Jung Yoon-Ho''s weaknesses. The first piece of information they discovered was that some of the celebrities Jung Yoon-Ho managed had contracts nearing expiration. Im Sung-Hak believed that if they could poach Cherry Blossom who hadn''t renewed their contracts yet, they could also bring Jung Yoon-Ho over. He was also determined to recruit Jung Yoo-Jin and Miso whom Jung Yoon-Ho cared about the most. However, they hit a snag right from the start. What they thought was a weakness¡ªCherry Blossom''s expiring contracts¡ªturned out to be ineffective. Ju Yung-In scoffed before speaking. ¡°I told you so. Bringing in Jung Yoon-Ho won''t be easy. His management of his celebrities is meticulous.¡± ¡°Hey, stop rubbing it in and keep quiet!!¡± Im Sung-Hak yelled. But no matter how hard he thought, Im Sung-Hak couldn''te up with a viable n. Seeing him scratch his head in frustration, Ju Yung-In smiled inwardly. ¡®What can I do if they can''t bring him over? I''ll have no choice but to move to apany that can,¡¯ Ju Yung-In thought to herself. If otherpanies also failed to bring Jung Yoon-Ho over, Ju Yung-In was even considering returning back to Hoop Entertainment despite having left them bitterly. Whether the stubborn Kang Gam-Chan would ept her was another matter. *** After finishing Yoo-Jin''s on-site filming, I brought Eun-Ah, who was alone in the dorm, to my house. Currently, we were all gathered on arge kimchi-making vinyl mat on the floor with aprons and stic gloves on to knead the fishcake dough. After struggling through the kneading process, I looked at therge red tub full of dough and muttered to myself. ¡°Maybe it would have been better to just buy some instead of making them from scratch...¡± Iined. Yoo-Jin smiled. ¡°It tastes better if you make it yourself. Once you try it, you¡¯ll forget you ever thought that.¡± The ingredients included plump squid, high-quality shrimp, pollock, and fresh croaker meat. Yoo-Jin boasted that the fishcakes made with 90% fish meat and finely chopped vegetables were exceptionally delicious. Wearing stic gloves on both hands, Miso announced the next step to making fishcake. ¡°Kneading is all done~! Uncle Yoon-Ho! Now it''s time to shape the fishcakes!¡± After kneading, it was time to shape the dough. We all wore aprons and stic gloves, taking pieces of the dough and shaping them. But Miso¡¯s fishcakes were unique. She made fishcakes shaped like rabbits, hedgehogs, and crocodiles, even managing to create something no one else would have thought of. ¡°Um, M-Miso. What is that?¡± I asked. ¡°This is a mammoth-shaped fishcake!¡± Miso eximed excitedly. ¡°O-oh? Is that so? But it looks a bit big. Do you think we would be able to fry it?¡± I asked again. The mammoth fishcake was about 15 cm tall and supported by chopsticks to hold it in shape as if supporting a building. When I asked if it could be fried, Miso looked at Jung In-Ji and said, ¡°Grandma, can this be fried?¡± Jung In-Ji replied cheerfully. ¡°Of course. I have a big pot ready for frying.¡± Jung In-Ji brought out arge cast-iron pot from the utility room. ¡°Grandma, you¡¯re the best!¡± Miso eximed. It seemed Miso¡¯s creativity would never be stifled with everyone''s support. However, Eun-Ah¡¯s fishcakes were unrecognizable. ¡®Eun-Ah is terrible at cooking,¡¯ I silently thought to myself. I had asked Eun-Ah to make the simplest long rectangr shaped fishcakes, but each one varied in shape and size with clear finger marks making them look more like handles than fishcakes. When everyone¡¯s eyes turned to her, Eun-Ah blushed deeply. ¡°I usually just buy food, so...¡± ¡°Let¡¯s keep buying food. It helps small businesses and is patriotic,¡± I teased her. Eun-Ah lowered her head. ¡°I''m sorry.¡± ¡°I was joking, just joking!¡± Yoo-Jinughed and handed Eun-Ah a fishcake mold. ¡°Eun-Ah, try using this mold. It¡¯ll be easier.¡± When given the mold to shape the fishcakes, Eun-Ah finally smiled brightly. Seeing her cheer up, I brought up what I had been thinking. ¡°Eun-Ah, what do you think about attending some acting lessons before releasing the next new song?" I asked. ¡°Acting?¡± Eun-Ah responded in shock. Thud. The startled Eun-Ah dropped the fishcake dough from her hands and swallowed hard with a nervous expression. ¡°Why are you so surprised?¡± I asked her. Eun-Ah¡¯s words started toe out faster. ¡°I¡¯ve just never thought about acting before. I appreciate the offer, but I don¡¯t think I can do it.¡± At that moment, Haru stepped in. ¡°Noona, I never thought I¡¯d be an actor either. But once I started taking acting lessons, I gained confidence and really liked it. So why don¡¯t you give it a try? Yoon-Ho hyung wouldn¡¯t make you do something unreasonable.¡± Eun-Ah hesitated while everyone remained silent. After a moment, Eun-Ah slowly spoke up. ¡°Do you think I can do it?¡± I thought for a second and replied, ¡°If it¡¯s too much, just think of it as a light test. No one¡¯s going to force you to do something you don''t want.¡± ¡°But am I the only one being tested? What about the other members and Sae-Ri?¡± Eun-Ah asked with a worried expression. ¡°Everyone will have a chance to take the test,¡± I replied. Only then did Eun-Ah¡¯s expression brighten. She nodded. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll try it if the other members are getting a chance too. Especially since Sae-Ri wants to be an actress...¡± ¡°Huh? Sae-Ri wants to be an actress?¡± ¡°Yes. It seems like she got inspired after watching Haru act.¡± I had experienced this in my past life and knew that Sae-Ri was notoriously bad at acting. I chuckled nervously. ¡°Ha ha ha, S-Sae-Ri acting, huh?¡± Eun-Ah nodded. ¡°Yes. She said if Haru can do it, she can do anything. She¡¯s really motivated.¡± It seemed like I''d need to help Sae-Ri face reality. After spending an hour shaping the fishcakes, we steamed half and fried the other half before delivering them to the senior center. When we returned home, we devoured arge amount of fishcake soup. But we couldn''t bring ourselves to eat the fishcakes Miso had made because they were too precious. They were like little works of art, after all. But the next day, fishcakes made by Miso led to unexpected results. *** ¡°Mr. Jung, look at this,¡± said Kim Mi-Hye. When I arrived at thepany, Kim Mi-Hye from the promotion division showed me Yoo-Jin''s Instargem. [Jung Yoo-Jin @miso_1004] [Posts 413, Followers 300K, Following 275] Mammoth fishcake! Rabbit fishcake! Dog fishcake! T-Rex fishcake! On sale now! Seller: Miso. Sales agent: Miso¡¯s Mom. (Photo: Various_Fish_Cake_Party.jpeg) #Fishcake #BreakingFishcakeStereotypes #ThisIsFishcake #TooPreciousToEat #DisyedInAcrylicCase #AllProceedsDonated #ButWillAnyoneBuyIt? [Likes ? 15,512] (Comments) -RoooR: Miso fishcakes are so cute. I want them. -elina03: Handcrafted by Jung Yoo-Jin!? A lifelong treasure! -SamjinKing: Ourpany will buy the entire stock. Please contact us at SamjinKingFishcakes. Also, check your DMs for amercial inquiry. Please, it¡¯s urgent! -YesPay: I¡¯ll buy without any questions! Due to the unique fishcakes Miso made, thement section and DM messages were overflowing. At that moment, Kim Mi-Hye asked with a serious expression, ¡°Mr. Jung, what should we do?¡± What seemed like a joke was turning into serious inquiries from people wanting to buy Miso''s fishcakes at ridiculous prices. Chapter 218: Colleague

Chapter 218: Colleague

"What? They''re really going to buy that?" I asked in shock. "Yes. They¡¯re offering a hefty price too," Kim Mi-Hye replied. Miso''s mammoth fishcakes were listed at a whopping 1 million won while her T-rex fishcakes were listed at 500 thousand won. Yoo-Jin made the post just to have fun with the fans, but it seemed like they took it seriously and were naming prices. However, if Yoo-Jin made a post saying that it was for jokes, that would be awkward in its own way. ¡°What should we do...¡± Although the fishcakes wouldn''t go bad for a while since they were stored in an acrylic case with desants, the legal issue bothered me. At that moment, a solution suddenly came to mind. I clicked on Samjin King Fishcake among thements on Instargem and managed to find thepany''s official Instargem ount. ¡°Is Samjin King Fishcake really going to buy Miso''s fishcake?¡± ¡°Yes, and they even asked if we¡¯d like to shoot amercial with them.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s sign a contract with them.¡± Even though it was a joke, Yoo-Jin had nned to sell Miso¡¯s fishcakes and donate the proceeds anyway. So if we received a little more than the fishcake price as advertising fees, we could donate the extra money and solve the problem. Feeling relieved, I asked Kim Mi-Hye. ¡°How much are they offering for themercial fee?¡± ¡°They offered 50 million won for Miso. It''s a one-year contract and if we renew the contract for another year, they¡¯ll add an extra 20%. If Miss Yoo-Jin joins, they''ll match the same amount for her. That makes a total of 100 million won.¡± The fishcakes were meant as gifts for the elderly at the senior center, but tond amercial deal like this was unbelievable. ¡°Miso is our lucky charm.¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± But that''s when Kim Mi-Hye received a call. ¡°Yes. You''re calling from Whale Whale Fishcake? How much? 70 million won each for Miss Yoo-Jin and Miso? And you''re willing to buy all the fishcakes too?¡± The entire team members burst intoughter at the absurdity of the situation. After that, numerous calls came from Midorak Fishcake, Fantasy Fishcake, and every other fishcakepany in Korea as they all wanted to sign contracts with us. At the same time, ''Miso''s Fishcake'' became the top search on portals. *** When we mentioned that otherpanies had contacted us, Samjin King Fishcake offered double the original advertising fee. In the end, we decided to film the fishcakemercial with Samjin King Fishcake which had promised 100 million won each for Yoo-Jin and Miso. Additionally, Samjin King Fishcake bought Miso¡¯s Mammoth fishcake for three million won, the T-rex fishcake for two million won, and the restbined for one million won. When Yoo-Jin said she would donate the fishcake sales proceeds, Samjin King Fishcake¡¯s president offered a higher price. After finalizing the contract, everyone burst intoughter. ¡°I can''t believe this really worked out.¡± ¡°Right? This is so unexpected.¡± As soon as Yoo-Jin was informed, she posted ament on Instargem saying she would donate the earnings to the senior center and a single-mother facility. Thanks to this, the noisy matter was neatly resolved leaving behind the incredible results of topping the live time search rankings, today¡¯s news, and securing a CF contract. ¡°Good job, everyone,¡± I said with a smile. Lee Yung-Jin smiled. ¡°Mr. Jung, then how about a team dinner tonight? Deal?¡± I agreed without hesitation. ¡°Deal!¡± ¡°Yay~. We¡¯re having a nice dinner all thanks to Miso~¡± At that moment, a cheerful voice was heard. ¡°Hey~ Why is everyone in such a good mood? What''s up with the nice dinner thanks to Miso?¡± Jang Jun-Hyuk, who previously had a heart attack while driving but survived, appeared at the office apanied by his personal Talent Agent Lee Seung-Hoon, and his new Talent Agent Park In-Ki. "Oh? Mr. Jun-Hyuk?" I said in a surprised tone. "Oh,e on! I told you to call me hyung. You''re hurting my feelings!" Jang Jun-Hyuk replied. "Jun-Hyuk hyung-nim, how has your health been recently?" Jang Jun-Hyuk shook his head. "I¡¯m exhausted because of Team Lead Park here. He visits every day to control my diet and even forbids me from drinking... There¡¯s no one more annoying than him." Knowing it was a joke, Park In-Ki yed along. "You should quit smoking too." "That¡¯s not happening! I''d rather skip meals," Jang Jun-Hyuk protested. Lee Seung-Hoon burst intoughter watching the two. He said it was a relief that Park In-Ki hade for help since he used to struggle managing the very stubborn Jang Jun-Hyuk alone until now. Jang Jun-Hyuk exined he had taken plenty of rest and focused on his health. Perhaps for this reason, he appeared even healthier than before the incident. "So, what brings you here today?" I asked. "Oh, right. I have something to discuss," said Jang Jun-Hyuk. "Then let''s move to the meeting room," I gestured. When we moved to the meeting room on the fourth floor, they finally told me the reason they hade to see me. *** "We approached the staff in charge of The Wife¡¯s Secret that you rmended for Mr. Jun-Hyuk¡¯s next project, and..." "Did something go wrong?" I asked with concern. "Yes." KBC¡¯s The Wife¡¯s Secret was a well-made drama that would achieve a 15% viewership rating. It would sell in over 60 countries because it gained lots of poprity overseas and it would also minimize viewership ratings ovep since it would air after In the Name of God ended. "They said they could only offer 60 million won for the appearance fee." "What? 60 million won? But Jun-Hyuk hyung-nim¡¯s usual fee starts at 100 million won." Jang Jun-Hyuk''s appearance fee was almost halved. They were currently negotiating the fee for this reason, but another drama had offered double the fee in the meantime. "What drama is that?" I asked. Park In-Ki scratched his head and answered, "Festival of Money." "What?" Festival of Money was apeting drama that would air at the same time as In the Name of God. "President Han Se-Hwa is offering 120 million won per episode. Plus, they said they''ll give an additional 30 million won bonus per episode based on viewership ratings." ''A maximum fee of 150 million per episode?'' I thought to myself. Both Park In-Ki and Jang Jun-Hyuk gave an awkward smile. The difference in per-episode fees ranged from 60 million won to 90 million won¡ªand this difference was enormous for a 24-episode drama. It was too much money to simply refuse. "What should we do?" Park In-Ki asked. After pondering for a moment, I asked why the fee for The Wife¡¯s Secret was cut. "Why did PD Kim Yung-Soo reduce the fee so drastically? He¡¯s not usually that unreasonable," I questioned. Park In-Ki sighed deeply. "PD Kim tried to match the original fee as much as possible, but it was cut off at CP Choi Eun-Ho¡¯s level. He said it was too risky because they don¡¯t know when Mr. Jun-Hyuk might fall ill again." For a moment, I thought I had misheard him. "Wait a minute, Mr. Park. Did you say CP Choi Eun-Ho, not CP Lee Chul-Yung?" Park In-Ki nodded. "Yeah. What is it?" The CP in charge had changed from that of my past life. ''No wonder the fee was drastically reduced unlike the usual PD Kim Yung-Soo or CP Lee Chul-Yung,'' I thought to myself. That''s when I suddenly remembered an entry in my nner. "Just a moment please." Upon checking my phone, I could confirm one schedule which had remained in my nner. [EVERYDAY V10.1] [Date: November 13, 2020] -10:00 p.m. Meeting about CP Choi Eun-Ho. 6th floor conference room. (Report: KBC CP Choi Eun-Ho. Under investigation for embezzling production funds.) It would be revealed that Choi Eun-Ho had embezzled production funds due to a report from an external productionpany. Because of that reason, all the dramas under Choi Eun-Ho at the time were investigated in my past life. It turned out that the broadcastingpany had requested cooperation from the agency, which led to the discovery that Choi Eun-Ho had been embezzling small amounts from all the cast and staff members to line his pockets. ¡®I can make good use of this information,¡¯ I thought. A solution came to mind and I asked Jang Jun-Hyuk, "Jun-Hyuk hyung-nim, what do you want to do?" Jang Jun-Hyuk replied with hesitation, "To be honest with you, I¡¯m tempted by Writer Hong Jang-Mi. Not only is the episode fee higher than before but the writer is also top-tier. Her work always has enough buzz despite the makjang elements." Jang Jun-Hyuk took a sip of water before continuing. "But what bothers me the most is that Yoon-Ho, you¡¯re involved in thepeting drama along with Yoo-Jin and Writer Lee Ji-Yeon. No matter how I look at it, it feels like we can¡¯t win in the viewership ratings war." Even if he received a higher appearance fee, it would be difficult to expect any additional revenue frommercials or other sources if the drama failed. Hence, he and Park In-Ki were asking for my advice. "Would you consider taking my advice?" I asked. Jang Jun-Hyuk nodded. "Of course. I may not listen to others, but I¡¯ll always listen to you." I began by exining the current production status of our drama. "Our project¡¯s filming atmosphere is fantastic. You know I don¡¯t easily make bold ims about a project, right?" "I know." "Jun-Hyuk hyung-nim. What you need now is a sessful drama, not just one with a high appearance fee. I believe The Wife¡¯s Secret is the right project for that purpose. And of course, I¡¯m not saying this because I''m trying to stop you from appearing in the dramapeting against Yoo-Jin''s." Even though Hong Jang-Mi received a 20 billion won investment from Han Se-Hwa, her work was highly likely to be overshadowed by In the Name of God. Jang Jun-Hyuk, who had been listening quietly, nodded. "I should follow if that''s what Star Jung the Fortune Teller says." Park In-Ki fell in deep thought for a moment before nodding as well. "Yes, the appearance fee can always be raisedter. Let¡¯s go with that." They would never have agreed so easily if it had been the past. However, they both seemed willing to heed my words despite their disappointments. "Alright then. I¡¯ll go ahead and tell President Han Se-Hwa that we¡¯re not doing it." Jang Jun-Hyuk stood up while trying to force a smile. "Let¡¯s stop with the gloomy talk and have an awesome team dinner today, shall we? I haven¡¯t treated the Actor Division 2 to a meal yet since joining Hoop Entertainment." Jang Jun-Hyuk announced that he would treat the entire Actor Division 2 to a barbeque in celebration of his return. At that moment, I said with a smile, "Why don''t we do that a littleter?" "Why?" I asked them to wait a moment, then called Kang Ji-Yung on speakerphone. "Ms. Kang, would you be able to have a drink with the KBC executives tonight? Yes, yes. Jun-Hyuk hyung-nim, Talent Agent Lee Seung-Hoon, and Team Lead Park In-Ki will be joining as well." -Why would I do that? Did something happen? I exined what Choi Eun-Ho in charge of The Wife''s Secret was up to. -What? 60 million won per episode? Is he out of his mind? He offered Mr. Jang Jun-Hyuk that little for the appearance fee? I also mentioned the ¡®rumor¡¯ that Choi Eun-Ho was skimming off actors¡¯ appearance fees, to which Kang Ji-Yung replied in a cold voice, -Do you have any evidence? "I¡¯m sorry, but I don¡¯t have any concrete evidence." -So there''s no evidence but there are rumors at the filming site, huh? "Yes. If the KBC executives conduct an audit, they¡¯ll likely find out." No one had questioned Choi Eun-Ho yet because he was a CP who had sessfully led five consecutive projects. But everything had a limit. This time, he had definitely pushed too far. -Then you attend the meeting tonight as well, Team Lead Jung. "What? Me too?" -Well I can¡¯t go alone not knowing what might happen. You shoulde with me. At that moment, I turned to look at Park In-Ki beside me. He nodded continuously, signaling me to go instead of him. However, I declined Kang Ji-Yung¡¯s request. Despite Park In-Ki''sck of experience, he too had survived in this harsh industry. If I stepped in again, it would undermine the meaning of entrusting Jang Jun-Hyuk to him and the significance of going together. "Ms. Kang, isn¡¯t it Mr. Park who manages Jun-Hyuk hyung-nim? I don¡¯t think this is something I should step into." -Pardon me? "And I believe Mr. Park can handle this situation with no problem." Then I spoke to the flustered Park In-Ki. "Mr. Park, why would you leave this to me when you can handle this on your own? You should be the one taking care of Jun-Hyuk hyung-nim now." Most of the talking during the meeting would undoubtedly be done by Kang Ji-Yung anyway. By subtly suggesting that he use this opportunity to prove his worth to Jang Jun-Hyuk, I saw Park In-Ki harden his resolve. "Ms. Kang, I''m confident I can handle this myself. And I¡¯ll make sure Mr. Jun-Hyuk¡¯s appearance fee goes back to 100 million won. Just give me a little support," said Park In-Ki confidently. Kang Ji-Yung responded favorably to Park In-Ki¡¯s confident words. -Alright. Then Team Lead Park will join me instead of Team Lead Jung. Come to my office right away. "Yes, Ms. Kang." Park In-Ki ended the call decisively. At that moment, Jang Jun-Hyuk looked at me intently and said, "Yoon-Ho, you''re quite something." "Huh? What do you mean...?" I asked. Jang Jun-Hyuk patted my shoulder without a word. Then he turned to Park In-Ki and said, "Then I''ll leave it to you, Mr. Park." "Of course. You can count on me, Mr. Jun-Hyuk," Park In-Ki said with a smile. That''s when I realized what Jang Jun-Hyuk meant¡ªhe saw firsthand how much I trusted Park In-Ki to manage him. If I didn¡¯t trust Park In-Ki, I wouldn¡¯t have entrusted him with Jun-Hyuk. If I didn''t trust him, that alone could give Jang Jun-Hyuk the right to reject Park In-Ki. But Jang Jun-Hyuk also showed his trust in Park In-Ki after seeing my full trust in him. ''What a relief,'' I thought. It was a great relief that I decided to leave it to Park In-Ki. If I had stepped in again, Jang Jun-Hyuk might have asked me to manage him instead of Park In-Ki. The beaming Jang Jun-Hyuk spoke to everyone, "Alright then. Why don''t we postpone the dinner since today will be busy?" "Sounds good. I''ll see youter." "Alright, take care!" Jang Jun-Hyuk waved and left the meeting room with Park In-Ki. But a momentter, I received a sudden KkTalk message from Park In-Ki which made me smile without realizing it. Chapter 219: Family (1)

Chapter 219: Family (1)

[Team Lead Park In-Ki: Yoon-Ho, I''ll make sure this works out no matter what. (cheering_emoji)] Park In-Ki attached an emoji to his message, showing his determination to do his best. I could understand his excitement more than anyone else, so I sent him the same emoji and cheered him on. [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: Mr. Park, I have no doubt you''ll do well with your experience. You got this, Mr. Park! (cheering_emoji)] [Team Lead Park In-Ki: Thank you for believing in me.] The next day, I heard that the meeting with Executive Director Lee Sang-Ryeol of KBC regarding Choi Eun-Ho''s case was more serious than expected. But it was said that Park In-Ki''s performance was surprisingly outstanding. I heard that he said that Jang Jun-Hyuk, who used to be a key member of KBC''s gship variety show Wild Variety 48 Hours, was being mistreated. On top of that, Jang Jun-Hyuk also protested that he never expected to be treated so poorly at KBC, his home at heart. Due to his effective protest, Kang Ji-Yung said she didn¡¯t even have to do much to help. Three dayster, I received the result before anyone else. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: November 13, 2020] -10:00 p.m. (Deleted Schedule: Meeting about CP Choi Eun-Ho. 6th floor conference room. (Report: KBC CP Choi Eun-Ho. Under investigation for embezzling production funds.)) ''It''s done,'' I thought to myself. Thirty minutes after the nner entry was deleted, Park In-Ki ran into the office with a big smile on his face, shouting, "Yoon-Ho, it''s done!" Park In-Ki was so happy that he was shouting with the joy of a child. He ran to me and hugged me out of nowhere. His body was radiating heat as if he had run all the way from the underground parking lot. Park In-Ki looked at me and said sincerely, "Thank you, man." "Don''t mention it, Mr. Park. This was all thanks to your hard work," I responded with a smile. I calmed the emotional Park In-Ki and asked him the most important question, "So, how much did you settle the appearance fee for?" Park In-Ki smiled broadly and raised one finger on his right hand. "100 million won?" I asked. But he shook his head and raised two fingers on his left hand. "120 million won?" I asked again. "That''s right!" "Wow. That''s amazing." Park In-Ki exined he received additional payment for highlighting Jang Jun-Hyuk''s contributions to KBC and quietly reporting Choi Eun-Ho''s corruption. That''s when tears started to well up in Park In-Ki''s eyes. He had been pushed around so much before that he once had bad thoughts¡ªlike siding with Actor Division 3 despite being part of Actor Division 2. But it seemed those worries were no longer necessary. Then, Park In-Ki looked at me and paused for a few seconds before speaking. "Yoon-Ho." "Yes?" "It''s been a long time since I had a drink. How about we have just one drink together today?" Park In-Ki knew well that I didn''t enjoy drinking. But I was also in the mood for drinking today because I wanted to congratte Park In-Ki. "Sure. Let''s forget about the team today and drink together, just the two of us," I replied while nodding and smiling. "Great. I''m treating you all the way till the end today! I got a bonus," Park In-Ki eximed happily. Park In-Ki beamed with a smile as he told me he had never received such a high bonus of one million won. Looking at him so happy, I also felt proud of making the right choice. *** It was July 10th. Despite the scorching summer weather, Yoo-Jin and Tae-Poong''s filming went smoothly. Haru''s shooting for Master of Mukbang started, and Kang Ha-Na''s music video was also sessfullypleted. However, there was still one remaining schedule in my nner that made me feel uneasy. ''It¡¯s still not gone,'' I thought. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: July 17, 2020] -08:00 a.m. Gangbuk Samsung Hospital. Kang Eun-Gi''s funeral. All I knew was that Kang Eun-Gi was stabbed and died in the emergency room of Samsung Hospitalte at night on July 15th in my past life. Now there were only five days left until the 15th. Since the schedule hadn¡¯t been deleted yet, I called the number on the business card Kang Eun-Gi had given mest time. -Who is it? "It''s me, Yoon-Ho." At that moment, Kang Eun-Gi¡¯s voice suddenly rose. -What? Is this your number? "Yes." A delighted voice came from the other side. -You''re not going to change your number, right? I''m saving it on my phone. "Do as you please." But then I heard another familiar voice over the phone that was not Eun-Gi''s. -Oppa, who are you so happy to talk to? I thought I heard you say Yoon-Ho oppa¡¯s name just now. -N-no, you heard wrong. It''s a call from the office. As I heard Kang Eun-Gi and Lee Yeon-Sil bickering over the phone, I began to sink into my past memories. *** Eight years ago¡ªeighteen years ago, including the time before I traveled back in time¡ªI had fallen into extreme confusion around the time I was about to graduate from high school. The university rmended by my boxing coach had informed me that they couldn''t offer me a schrship due to financial problems. Taking a year off before going to university would not have been a problem for kids with parents supporting them. But for me, who had to leave the orphanage after graduating from high school, it was a deration of the end of my life. Sister Micha suggested I stay with her for a year and try again, but I couldn''t because the longer I stayed, the more I would take up the money that could be spent on the younger kids. Moreover, Kang Eun-Gi''s constant offers to join the organization led me to eventually give up on my dream and take the 3 million won support from the government to head to Seoul. At the time, I thought I could manage to live a decent life if I worked hard with my healthy body. But the world was as simple as I thought. Not only was I scammed but I often didn''t get paid properly. Still, I gritted my teeth and endured. And after a couple of years, I could barely manage to make a living by making ends meet. Then one day, Lee Yeon-Sil, who had just graduated high school, came to find me. I could still vividly remember her face waving at me with joy. -I got a job at a smallpany in Seoul. But no matter how much I thought about it, you were the only person I knew who lived in Seoul. Just like that, Lee Yeon-Sil ended up living on the floor above me in the same goshiwon. Just the fact that she, my sworn sister, was living in the same space, allowed me to shake off my loneliness. Although I wasn''t in a position to help her much due to my own tight situation, I could at least guide her so she wouldn''t make the same mistakes I did. Meeting Lee Yeon-Sil again brought me back to my childhood days. But as she adapted to life in Seoul and started saving money, Lee Yeon-Sil began envisioning her own future. She talked about buying a two-story house and living together with me. Not realizing this meant she wanted to share a future with me, I would joke that I would take the first floor and she the second. However, the happy times were short-lived. We lost our jobs as the long-term recession began and our savings quickly dwindled. Without a solid foundation, we were shaken without a solid foundation and my anxiety grew each time our bank bnce decreased. It was excessive worry in hindsight, but at that time, I felt I had no one to rely on and believed I had to protect my only family member, Lee Yeon-Sil. But that''s when Lee Yeon-Sil confessed her feelings to me. -I like you, oppa. Lee Yeon-Sil suggested that we be a couple and support each other through tough times. But at that time, I couldn''t afford to ept her confession. -Are you out of your mind, Yeon-Sil? Dating when we have nothing? You need to wake up! Despite my harsh reaction, Lee Yeon-Sil looked me straight in the eyes and insisted she liked me more than anyone else. She said she had liked me since the moment we first met and would no longer hide her feelings. I was so shocked. The image of Lee Yeon-Sil boldly confessing to me that day remained vividly in my memory. After that day, she stopped holding back and began to express her feelings openly while I tried to ignore her emotions and focused on finding a job. As those days continued, fate cruelly brought Kang Eun-Gi back into our lives. -Yoon-Ho, I''m managing a club in Suwon. Let''s meet often. At first, I was d to see him. Although I still had uneasy feelings about him choosing violence as a livelihood, seeing my friend who had grown up with me like a brother show up in a stylish suit and an expensive foreign car was nice. It also relieved my burden knowing I had someone who would take care of Lee Yeon-Sil if anything happened to me. As a few more months passed, Kang Eun-Gi visited our ce whenever he had a day off. And as I found more stable jobs working three shifts a day, I finally began to find stability. Then came the fateful day. Lee Yeon-Sil and Kang Eun-Gi witnessed a female sunbae colleague of mine confessing her feelings for me while I was working part-time. Misunderstanding the situation, Lee Yeon-Sil distanced herself from me. -Oppa, take good care of yourself even if I''m gone...health is an asset for people like us, you know? -What''s that supposed to mean? -I''m going with Eun-Gi oppa. Those were thest words she left me before moving out of the goshiwon room. As pathetic as it sounds, it was only then that I realized I saw Lee Yeon-Sil as a woman. The emptiness and sadness were unbearable when I was left alone, but I gritted my teeth and endured the tough times. The sadness gradually wore off as I focused on solving the problem of making a living. But a few monthster, I heard a secret from the female sunbae colleague who had confessed to me¡ªKang Eun-Gi had brought Lee Yeon-Sil to my workce multiple times, and he even encouraged the female sunbae to approach me romantically by giving her money. It turned out that Kang Eun-Gi, who liked Lee Yeon-Sil, had schemed all this. But the past was already behind us. I buried the painful memories of my once-beloved brother and sister deep in my mind as my life was too harsh to dwell on painful memories. But hearing Yeon-Sil''s tearful voice, I realized that the painful scars had already faded a long time ago without a trace. Lee Yeon-Sil''s voice calling my name repeatedly over the phone brought me back from my past memories to reality. *** -O-oppa. Is it really you, Yoon-Ho oppa? "Hi. Have you been well?" I answered. As soon as I answered, Lee Yeon-Sil burst into tears as if she were wailing. -Oh, oppa. Sob, sob. I''m sorry. My chest began to ache hearing her sobbing. At that moment, Kang Eun-Gi took the phone with a low voice. -Yoon-Ho, Yeon-Sil is crying too much. Let''s talkter after she calms down. But since the schedule about him hadn''t been erased from my nner yet, I shouted urgently. "No, it¡¯ll be toote if we talkter. Eun-Gi, we need to meet up right now," I insisted. -I''m sorry, but I don''t have time. I need to go to the airport. "What? Why the airport?" I questioned. -What do you think? Of course it''s business. One of our agency''s actors is trying to enter the Chinese market, so I have to go on a business trip. I told you I¡¯m clean now. "Clean, my foot. You were still acting like a gangster thest time I saw you. Anyway, do you remember my previous warning?" I raised my voice. There was a brief silence, then a more serious voice came from Kang Eun-Gi. -About me getting stabbed? "Yeah, that." -I''ve already had a hard time dealing with that. Kang Eun-Gi exined that he had met with the rival gang and madepensation and apologies for the past incident. But still, the schedule in my nner wasn¡¯t disappearing. I had to meet him to figure out a solution. "Stop the nonsense and meet me right now," I demanded. -I told you I don''t have time. And don''t worry. I had my guys clean up my past just in case. I''ll bepletely clean for the wedding. That¡¯s my promise to Yeon-Sil. I could still hear Yeon-Sil crying over the phone, begging to talk to me. She had reverted to her childhood self as she was crying and whining. "Hey, if you¡¯re so busy, let''s meet at the airport!" I yelled. -Sorry. I''ll be back on the night of the 15th, so we can meet that day. You can hit me or kill me then. Do whatever you want. But I''m hanging up for now. "Hey! Hey! Kang Eun-Gi!" I shouted over the call. At the same time, the call ended abruptly. I tried calling again, but he didn¡¯t answer. ''He''sing back on the night of the 15th?'' I thought. I yelled into the phone, "That''s the night you die, you fucking idiot!" I tried to call Yeon-Sil, but soon realized it was futile. "Come to think of it, I don¡¯t have her number..." I muttered under my breath. Since we had cut off contactpletely after that day, I didn¡¯t have her number. I got a new phone a long time ago and Lee Yeon-Sil''s phone number had also changed. That''s when a ce came to mind. "Mom!" I immediately called Sister Micha, whom I consider my mother. Chapter 220: Family (2)

Chapter 220: Family (2)

Kang Eun-Gi looked at Lee Yeon-Sil slumped on the living room floor with a bitter expression. He said, "Yeon-Sil, I''ll meet up with Yoon-Ho as soon as Ie back from China and ask for forgiveness again. He has softened a lot, perhaps because a long time has passed." Lee Yeon-Sil looked up with a tear-streaked face and asked, "Really?" "Yes." The memory of that day was a deep wound for both of them as well. At the time, Lee Yeon-Sil realized toote that Kang Eun-Gi had been ying tricks. It was only after a few months that she understood the situation when she met the woman who was with Jung Yoon-Ho. But it was toote to turn back. Lee Yeon-Sil had threatened to kill Kang Eun-Gi the day she found out the truth, but she couldn''tpletely hate the man who was willing to give up everything for her. Although he wasn''t like Jung Yoon-Ho, he was the man who had protected her from storms since childhood. Kang Eun-Gi wiped Lee Yeon-Sil''s tears with a bitter smile. "Don''t cry too much. We don''t want to startle our baby." From the moment she heard Jung Yoon-Ho''s voice, Lee Yeon-Sil had been clutching her lower abdomen. "O-okay. I understand," Lee Yeon-Sil replied as she tried to stop her tears from flowing. After a moment, she looked at Kang Eun-Gi and spoke."Let''s go see Yoon-Ho oppa together when youe back from your business trip. Only then can we have a peaceful wedding." Kang Eun-Gi nodded. "Of course. I''m even prepared to get punched by Yoon-Ho." Lee Yeon-Sil wiped her tears andughed. "Oppa, you''ll die if Yoon-Ho oppa hits you properly. Instead, I''ll ask him to go easy on you." At that moment, Kang Eun-Gi flinched and looked away. "It-it looks like it''s time for my flight. I should go." To be honest, Kang Eun-Gi didn''t think he could beat Jung Yoon-Ho. The only reason he was able to quickly rise in the ranks during his gangster days was because he was a good fighter. But the reason he was good at fighting was because he grew up brawling with Jung Yoon-Ho who was far stronger. Of course, Kang Eun-Gi was mostly on the receiving end. Kang Eun-Gi grumbled that he wouldn''t have used such dirty tricks to make Lee Yeon-Sil his woman if he had been a better fighter than Jung Yoon-Ho as he left the entrance. "Take care, oppa," Lee Yeon-Sil said with a bitter smile. "Hmph, whatever," Kang Eun-Gi sulked. "Hey, you''re sulking again. I''m sorry, I won''t tease you anymore. Be careful on your trip. And let''s go see Yoon-Ho oppa when you return. Promise me," Lee Yeon-Sil said as she looked into Kang Eun-Gi''s eyes. Kang Eun-Gi smiled, holding onto his suitcase. "Alright. Let''s do that." He felt as much longing as he did regret thinking of Jung Yoon-Ho''s face. After all, Jung Yoon-Ho was the precious person who took him in as a brother when he was abandoned by his mother and was full of hate. This time, Kang Eun-Gi decided not to show off like thest time they met but rather to beg for forgiveness. He wanted to give his child a reliable uncle named Jung Yoon-Ho. *** Sister Micha was the nun who ran the Angel Orphanage where Kang Eun-Gi, Lee Yeon-Sil, and I grew up¡ªand she was also a mother to all the children at the orphanage. -Son, why did you call? "Hi. I''m sorry for calling out of nowhere. But do you know Yeon-Sil''s contact information by chance?" -Of course I know. I got Lee Yeon-Sil''s address and phone number from Mom. However, I feltpletely lost when it came to calling her. I couldn''t think of what to say or how to react when we met without Kang Eun-Gi. Rather, it seemed better to ask Mom for help directly. Aftering to a conclusion, I first booked a health check-up for her on the 15th. I nned to take her to the hospital for aprehensive check-up and then call Lee Yeon-Sil and Kang Eun-Gi toe to the hospital. Knowing their personalities, they''d drop everything and rush over just hearing that Sister Micha was in the hospital. I thought I could prevent Kang Eun-Gi''s death for the time being by doing this. Resolute, I immediately requested time off from work. A few dayster, I visited the Angel Orphanage in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province to seek Mom''s help. "It''s not even that far..." I muttered. I checked my nner after parking my car in the empty lot next to the orphanage. After all, the reason for my visit wasn''t solely to prevent Kang Eun-Gi''s death. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: November 11, 2024] -01:00 p.m. St. Mary''s Hospital Funeral Hall, 1st floor. Sister Micha, my mom. Died in peace. As expected, the record of Mom''s death hadn''t disappeared either. "She really should take care of herself. She works herself to the bone feeding the kids..." I muttered under my breath. Sister Micha''s cause of death was the same as mine¡ªstomach cancer. Though there were still four years left until her death, I intended to resolve Mom''s death as well this time. In my past life, I used the excuse of struggling to make a living for not visiting her and convinced myself I would visit proudly after my sess. But by the time I seeded, she was no longer in this world. They say the heavens take good people early and that was true for my mom. She ended up passing away early after spending her life caring for others, not herself. But that wouldn''t happen this time because I would make sure of it. *** Screech! A familiar scene greeted me when I entered through the sky-blue-colored iron gate of Angel Orphanage. Angel Orphanage located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, was a small orphanage amodating only about twenty children. The yard had vegetable gardens and a quaint wall lovingly enclosed the orphanage. It seemed big when I was young, but now it looked so small and shabby now that I grew up. As I nced around briefly and went to the backyard, I could see a white-haired nun tending the garden with a hoe. Despite the limited means, she managed to grow vegetables to feed everyone. That was my mom, Sister Micha. Perhaps because she sensed my presence at the door, she turned her gaze before I could take a few steps closer. Her face was beaded with sweat but she wore a big smile. "My son~ What brings you here without a word?" Sister Micha asked. I stopped in my tracks the moment I heard Mom''s affectionate voice. In the time we hadn''t seen each other, she had more wrinkles and gray hair near her ears. Because of that, my words came out more blunt than affectionate. "Why are you working alone when your knees are bad? You should have the kids help more." Mom smiled broadly and replied, "My knees are fine. I''m all better thanks to the medicine you sent me. Look at this! See?" She stood up abruptly and shook her legs. She worked so much that her joints were bound to be bad, but she insisted she was fine. Although I sent her joint medicine, it was only natural that age catches up with everyone. ''Resting would be the best medicine,'' I remarked inwardly. "It''s been too long since I saw you. You''ve aged a lot, Mom," I told her as I looked at her. At that moment, Mom froze with hoe still in her hand. Thinking back, it was the first time I''d called her Mom directly, both in my past and present lives. Tears soon began to well up in her eyes. Though she always called me her son, she seemed deeply moved when I called her mom. As tears started streaming down her now wrinkled eyes, my voice came out hoarse without realizing it. I sighed and said, "You''re crying again, Mom. Why are you crying? You''re usually so tough." She was quite small standing 160cm tall, but she had the personality tomand a crowd if she hadn''t been a nun. But she always had a tender heart when it came to her children. I slowly approached and hugged my crying mom tightly. Her small shoulders shook in my embrace. As a son who had been so stoic, I realized I had never hugged her like this before. I silently made a resolve. ''I should hug her more often from now on.'' After repeatedly wiping away her tears, Mom finally smiled with an awkward expression. "It''s just that some dust got into my eyes and made them sting." ''She couldn''t lie to save her life, my dear mom,'' I thought to myself. Despite me being a stern person, she loved me dearly even though we weren''t rted by blood. "By the way, my son. You seem much more stylish now that you''re working in Seoul. I heard you''re doing well these days, huh?" Mom said with a smile. "How do you know that, Mom?" "Why wouldn''t I? I saw you in the newspaper. And don''t underestimate my informationwork. The kids who moved out always keep me updated. They say you''re the most sessful among our orphanage kids." Feeling a bit shy, I scratched my head and looked away. I asked, "How are the kids doing?" "They''re all at school right now. The little ones are taking a nap." Angel Orphanage located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, was a small ce with about five preschoolers and ten older children. But looking around, I noticed that the ce seemed better off than before. The broken wall was repaired and the previously worn-out entrance gate was freshly painted. Although I had been sending pocket money regrly since I traveled back in time, it wasn''t enough to cover all these repairs. "Is the diocese providing substantial support these days?" I asked. "O-oh, that? Ha ha ha. Aren''t you so curious about everything when you''vee for a visit after so long?" Mom tried to change the subject in the most awkward manner as she was a bad liar. At that moment, Sister Grace entered with ck stic bags in both hands. She was a 33-year-old assistant nun who was like an older sister to me. "Noona!" I cried out. "Oh my goodness, how long has it been? Look at you! You look great!" Sister Grace eximed in return. After chatting with Sister Grace for a while, I learned about the orphanage''s situation. "Eun-Gi has been sending us monthly donations, so we''re doing pretty well," Sister Grace shared. "Who?" "Eun-Gi, Kang Eun-Gi. Your best friend." Mom hurriedly gestured to Sister Grace to stop, but it was toote. "Why would you hide this? He should know too," Sister Grace responded. "Oh dear. Look at you saying unnecessary things again..." Mom said with a sigh. Mom knew about theplicated rtionship between Kang Eun-Gi, Lee Yeon-Sil, and me. But Sister Grace shook her head firmly. "I know what went on between them too." Sister Grace looked at me and continued. "Eun-Gi has been sending us quite a lot of money for a while now. And he''s not as bad of a person as you think. To be precise, he''s repenting and finding his way now." Curious about what she meant, I asked Sister Grace. "Noona, please tell me more in detail." At that moment, Mom sighed deeply and pointed toward the inside of the orphanage. "Let''s go inside. I''ll exin everything." Mom brushed off the dirt from her clothes as she stood up. "Grace, youe with us too." "Why me?" "Why else? Your brother is here; aren''t you going to prepare some food? The kimchi is well-fermented, so bring some out." "Oh, right." Sister Grace, who was about to head to the Jangdokdae[1] turned around and looked at me. Then, she looked at me and said, "By the way, Jung Yoon-Ho. You should greet me properly. Is this how I taught you?" Seeing her stern look, I quickly responded. "Noona, I''m back." Only then did her face light up with a radiant smile. "Wee back, my brother." She, who was stricter than Mom but cared for the children deeply, hugged me tightly. This moment made me feel the reality of my time travel once again. *** The orphanage made from an old church and dormitory had a room at the back where the nuns lived. In one corner of that room, the three of us sat together at a small table as we drank the coffee I brought. "Wow! Did you only learn how to make coffee in Seoul?" "It''s good, right? This coffee is my secret weapon." "Is that so? Ha ha. It''s really good." "But let''s stop avoiding the topic and tell me. What do you mean Eun-Gi has been sending money?" With a deep sigh, Mom began to exin the situation. "I never epted a penny of the money he made with his fists during his gangster days." "Then what is it?" I probed further. After hesitating for a moment, Mom finally opened up under my persistent questioning. "A few months ago, he came here with Yeon-Sil and gave arge sum of money. He said it wasn''t money made from hurting people and asked us to use it for the kids." Come to think of it, he didn''t act in a violent manner when he came to ourpany although he spoke harshly. In the past, he would''ve caused a much bigger scene. "Do you think Eun-Gi has really turned over a new leaf?" I asked. "I don''t think he''s lying. He''s the type you can tell when he''s lying, you know? He said he''s done with being a gangster and that he''s going to be the best in the entertainment industry," Mom replied. To my recollection, Kanghan Entertainment never became a huge sess in my past life. They tried to transition from criminal activities to legitimate business, but they downsized for some reason after Kang Eun-Gi''s death. I didn''t know the full story because I only saw Lee Yeon-Sil from a distance at the funeral before leaving. ''Has he really cleaned up his act...?'' I wondered. Back at that time, I had been so overwhelmed by Miso''s death that I didn''t have the mental space to pay attention to other matters. ''If I had investigated further back then, maybe I could''ve been a better help now,'' I reflected. "How does he n to be the best with me around?" I teased. Mom smiled softly. "Anyway, Eun-Gi hastely been sending a significant amount of money from his sry. Yeon-Sil also sends money from her part-time jobs. Thanks to them, it''s been easier to feed and clothe the kids. Of course, the money you send us has also been a great help." I had also been sending 500 thousand won every month. I wanted to send more, but I needed to save money to protect Hoop Entertainment. Anyway, knowing that Kang Eun-Gi had genuinely changed lightened my heart a bit. At that moment, Mom''s wrinkled hand grasped mine and began to gently stroke it. Just like when I was a child, her touch conveyed a warm,forting feeling as she started to speak with difficulty. "Son. There''s one wish that I dearly hope for..." 1. outside space, most frequently a terrace, used to store or ferment food ? Chapter 221: Family (3)

Chapter 221: Family (3)

I nodded as I watched Mom hesitating before speaking. ¡°Yes, go ahead.¡± Mom kept ncing at me before speaking. ¡°Can you forgive Eun-Gi and Yeon-Sil now? This is for your sake. I don''t want to see my son living with hatred in his heart.¡± To be honest, I had already expected this kind of talk¡ªmaybe that was the reason I hadn¡¯te here until now. But Mom sincerely hoped I would forgive them for my good. She wanted me to start afresh without being tied to the past anymore. I looked at Mom¡¯s awkward smile and said, ¡°I''ll forgive them if you go for a health check-up without anyints.¡± At that moment, Mom looked as happy as a child. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve booked a health check-up for you on the 15th. So we¡¯ll all meet with Eun-Gi and Yeon-Sil together after that.¡± ¡°Th-that sounds good.¡± That''s when Mom and Sister Grace made the sign of the cross and began to pray. ¡®What have I done to deserve them...¡¯ I reflected silently. The reason I hadn¡¯t gone astray was all thanks to these two people who always worried about me. I sped my hands as I watched them pray with their eyes closed. A momentter, Mom looked at me after finishing her prayer. ¡°Wait a moment. I¡¯ll call Yeon-Sil first. I''ll be back.¡± But I quickly grabbed Mom as she tried to stand up and said, ¡°No. This is between us, so I''ll handle it myself. I''ll get really upset if you call and tell them first. You know how I am, right?¡± My startled mom sat back down.¡°Alright. I''ll stay quiet then.¡± I had to tell a little lie to prevent Kang Eun-Gi''s ident on the 15th. If I told Kang Eun-Gi and Lee Yeon-Sil that Mom was hospitalized for a health check-up, those two would rush over immediately. That way, Kang Eun-Gi could leave the location of the ident and I could save his life. Besides, the health check-up could save my mom¡¯s life as well. With these thoughts sorted, I said to Mom, ¡°It''s true that all is in the past... and he¡¯s really cleaned up his act now, so I¡¯ll do as you say. Just wait a few days, okay?¡± I genuinely wanted to forgive Kang Eun-Gi and Lee Yeon-Sil to make Mom''s wishe true even if it were just an excuse. Besides, none of this would have happened if Lee Yeon-Sil was my destined partner anyway. And then I remembered Kang Eun-Gi, who had risked his life to save me by jumping into the valley when we were kids. I owed him my life and now it was my turn to repay him. *** ¡°Hyung. Hyung? Seoul is huge, isn''t it?¡± ¡°Hyung! I want jajangmyeon!¡± ¡°Oppa! I-I want sweet and sour pork.¡± ¡°Oppa! Dong-Hyuk cut the rubber bands the girls were ying with! Oppa, scold him for us!¡± ¡°Hyung! Do you think I can be a talent agent? I want to see celebrities too!¡± ¡°Oppa, can you make me a singer?¡± The kids from kindergarteners to high schoolers surrounded and clung on to me while asking various questions. When I told them to call me hyung or oppa and contact me whenever they needed help, the kids starved for affection started telling me all sorts of things. As I responded to each of them, I called the boys who were about to graduate from high school toe over. ¡°Contact me if you want to try working as a talent agent after you graduate. The work is tough, but you''ll never go hungry if you endure it,¡± I told them. Next were the girls. ¡°If you¡¯re interested in fashion or beauty, call me anytime. You''ll need to study the basics first, but I can introduce you to good hair salons and dress shops even if it¡¯s not ourpany,¡± I advised the girls. Our industry alwayscked manpower as more people left than joined due to the low pay and hard work. But if one endured, they could always find a way to make a living. I figured helping those who were about to graduate high school find a job would be a great help, although they were disappointed when I said I couldn¡¯t help them be celebrities. However, the kindergarteners clinging to my arms with plenty of time left before worrying about making their own living were only interested in celebrities. ¡°Hyung! I want to see Auntie Yoo-Jin.¡± ¡°Uncle Yoon-Ho! Who are you closest to among celebrities?¡± ¡°Oppa. I want to see Cherry Blossom.¡± When I showed them a selfie on my phone with Yoo-Jin and Cherry Blossom, their eyes grew wide with amazement. ¡°Wow, that¡¯s so cool.¡± ¡°Uncle Yoon-Ho, are you some kind of really powerful person?¡± The kindergarteners looked at me with eyes full of admiration to the extent that I worried a little if I was giving them the wrong impression of working as a talent agent. At that moment, various delivery men arrived at the orphanage entrance, causing all the kids to rush away immediately. ¡°Delivery!¡± ¡°Yay! It''s jajangmyeon! I want a double portion!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll start with fried chicken!¡± ¡°I want two hamburgers!¡± ¡°I want sweet and sour pork!¡± I ordered them pizza, fried chicken, jajangmyeon, and sweet and sour pork. Even if there would be leftovers, I wanted them to eat as much as they wanted today. ¡°But still, how can all of you run away upon seeing food? Hey! Save some for me too!¡± Iined. Sister Grace approached and patted my shoulder. ¡°Yoon-Ho, understand that they¡¯re at an age where they eat a lot...¡± ¡°Noona, wipe your mouth ande with me,¡± I said teasingly. ¡°S-should I?¡± For today, I decided to worry about saving Kang Eun-Giter and enjoyed a boisterous meal as if I were a kid again. *** It was finally July 15th. Mom hade for a detailed health checkup and I admitted her to a special room as soon as she arrived in Seoul. She had to fast for a whole day today as the health check-up was tomorrow. Since she would suffer from stomach cancer and die from it being metastasized like me in my past life, I repeatedly asked the doctor to focus the checkup around her stomach. While Mom was resting in the hospital room, I called Lee Yeon-Sil and lied that Mom was hospitalized because she was sick. But Lee Yeon-Sil¡¯s reaction waspletely unexpected. -O-oppa. You see, Eun-Gi oppa will be a bitte today. I don''t think we cane today, but we¡¯ll be there early tomorrow. I¡¯m so sorry. Please take good care of Mom. Lee Yeon-Sil answered the phone in a trembling voice. She said she wanted toe right away, but she couldn¡¯t move her legs. ¡°Is there any way you cane? Mom is really scared right now. And since I¡¯m a man, it¡¯s hard for me to help her with everything like taking her to the washroom.¡± -Even so, I¡¯lle with Eun-Gi oppa. I¡¯m sorry. Although she was so apologetic, Lee Yeon-Sil was too scared toe alone. In the end, I decided to say what I thought I had to say to her directly in person. ¡°Yeon-Sil.¡± -Yes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for everything. I know I made things hard for you because I was petty and foolish. I¡¯m not going to get mad at you, so feel free toe. I want to give you and Eun-Gi my blessings.¡± Suddenly, I heard sobbing through the phone. Lee Yeon-Sil started crying loudly and repeatedly apologized. -No, oppa. I¡¯m sorry. I''m sorry I didn¡¯t trust you, oppa... I was crazy then... I mistakenly thought you had another woman... ¡°Stop crying. It¡¯s all in the past and we weren¡¯t meant to be anyway. From now on, I¡¯ll keep watching over you as your brother. Let¡¯s continue being a good family, okay?¡± A momentter, Yeon-Sil finally stopped crying and spoke. -Okay, I got it. I¡¯ll get ready and head over to the hospital right away. I¡¯ll also tell Eun-Gi oppa toe straight to the hospital.¡± I felt a wave of relief wash over me when Lee Yeon-Sil agreed toe to the hospital. ''It¡¯s done,¡¯ I thought. I hung up the phone and leaned against a chair in the hospital hallway, letting out a long sigh. Then I checked the nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: July 17, 2020] -08:00 a.m. Gangbuk Samsung Hospital. Kang Eun-Gi''s funeral. ¡°It still hasn¡¯t disappeared yet,¡± I muttered to myself. The current time was 3 p.m. on the 15th. There were only a few hours left until Kang Eun-Gi¡¯s death. ¡°Will it disappear once Eun-Gi arrives in Korea?¡± I wondered why the entry hadn¡¯t disappeared yet from the nner and waited for Kang Eun-Gi and Lee Yeon-Sil to arrive. *** Two men in suits were sitting on a luxurious sofa. The men who appeared to be in their fifties and forties called each other hyung-nim and younger brother. ¡°Is everything ready?¡± ¡°Yes, hyung-nim.¡± The man in his forties asked with a troubled expression, ¡°Don''t you think you''re going to regret your decision?¡± ¡°I know I will. It¡¯s already so regretful that it¡¯s driving me crazy,¡± replied the man in his fifties. ¡°Then should we reconsider...¡± But the man in his fifties shook his head. ¡°A caterpir should eat pine needles. It shouldn''t forget who it is just because it''s been eating mulberry leaves for a while. Don¡¯t you agree?¡± The man in his forties looked troubled. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was short-sighted.¡± ¡°Yeah. Anyway, I hope you don¡¯t get confused either. Just because we came out into the sunlight doesn¡¯t mean we¡¯re truly living under the light.¡± ¡°Indeed, hyung-nim.¡± The man in his fifties let out a deep sigh. ¡°Let''s send Eun-Gi away peacefully.¡± ¡°Okay. I have prepared two professionals.¡± At that moment, the man in his fifties turned to look behind the sofa he was sitting on. [Kanghan Entertainment, President Choi Kang-Han] ¡°That kid. His idea of running an entertainmentpany was useful...But now he¡¯s ruining everything because he¡¯s inted with dreams ofing out into the light. Is it because he¡¯s soon to be a father?¡± The man in his fifties was Choi Kang-Han and the man in his forties across from him was Kanghan faction¡¯s number two, Lee Sae-Dong. ¡°You were too amodating, hyung-nim. You should¡¯ve only done the surface business for moneyundering. Why did you go that far?¡± Lee Sae-Dong remarked. At that moment, Choi Kang-Han frowned. ¡°What else could I do when the young guys following Eun-Gi wanted it? How else could I survive if I, an old tiger, didn¡¯t use my brain?¡± The force that made the Kanghan faction the top organization in Gyeonggi-do was the strength of the 30 men in thebat unit under Kang Eun-Gi. Those men were orphans who Kang Eun-Gi had personally brought in and raised one by one. Because they had nothing to lose, they were fearless and brave. And most importantly, they were loyal to Kang Eun-Gi, not the Kanghan faction. For this reason, 27-year-old Kang Eun-Gi could be Kanghan faction¡¯s number three. But they received an intelligence report that Kang Eun-Gi was trying to leave the gang. It was also said that most of thebat unit wanted to follow his path, and even the prosecution was targeting the increasingly powerful Kanghan faction. Choi Kang-Han had dered a fake retirement to avoid the storm, and that was the moment when Kang Eun-Gi rmended the entertainment industry where his friend worked. Choi Kang-Han gave the go-ahead for this n as he thought it was perfect for the Kanghan faction''s image makeover, which was previously involved in the liquor and construction industries. He had optimistically thought Kang Eun-Gi¡¯s mind would change after experiencing the prejudice against former gang members trying to work in the light. But to his surprise, Kang Eun-Gi adapted to the new industry quickly. Kang Eun-Gi then went a step further and began to rapidly expand the business as a director of the entertainmentpany, despite Choi Kang-Han¡¯sck of such intentions. Ultimately, Choi Kang-Han''s decision was to eliminate Kang Eun-Gi. If only Kang Eun-Gi disappeared and thebat unit could be taken over, the Kanghan faction could remain the top organization in Gyeonggi-do. And Choi Kang-Han nned to use the strength of thebat unit to transform into a nationwide gang. ¡°Eun-Gi, if only you had been ipetent instead. If that entertainmentpany had gone bankrupt, I could have kept you around longer...¡± Choi Kang-Han murmured as he looked at the red sunset over Seoul through the window. ¡°The sunset is really red today.¡± At that moment, Lee Sae-Dong quietly picked up the phone. ¡°After Eun-Gi is gone, calm thebat unit members so they don¡¯t get agitated. Make sure to frame it as if the guy sent by the Taechon faction took Eun-Gi out.¡± With that, Lee Sae-Dong gave instructions to make it look like a Taechon faction''s executive, who had once been tortured by Eun-Gi, orchestrated the n and ended the call. *** It was 8 p.m. but the entry in the nner still hadn¡¯t disappeared. On top of that, Lee Yeon-Sil hadn¡¯t arrived at the hospital yet either when she had said she would leave earlier. I called Yeon-Sil immediately. ¡°Yeon-Sil, why aren¡¯t you here yet?¡± -O-oppa. I''m sorry. I¡¯ll be there soon. ¡°What''s going on? You said you were leaving earlier.¡± -Yeah, but my stomach suddenly started hurting... so I decided toe with Eun-Gi oppa when he arrives. ¡°Why does your stomach hurt?¡± -Well... never mind. I¡¯ll tell you when I get there. Lee Yeon-Sil stammered, seeming to have difficulty exining. I asked what was going on but she just said she wouldeter and hung up. At that moment, Mom who sat beside me let out a deep sigh. ¡°My son, I¡¯m really worried about your future.¡± ¡°Huh? Why?¡± I asked. ¡°Can¡¯t you tell what''s going on just by listening?¡± Suddenly, a thought shed through my mind. ¡°No way. Mom, is it...is what I''m thinking right?¡± Mom replied with a smile, ¡°Probably, yes.¡± At that moment, I jumped up from my seat. I had yet another reason to ensure Kang Eun-Gi stays alive. Chapter 222: Family (4)

Chapter 222: Family (4)

I hadn¡¯t known about Lee Yeon-Sil''s pregnancy in my past life. Even when I went to Kang Eun-Gi''s funeral, I knew nothing about her because I only saw her from a distance and left without greeting her. "How many weeks pregnant is Yeon-Sil now?" I asked my mom. "She said four weeks when I called two weeks ago, so she must be at six weeks now." ''Then it must be an extremely critical time for her,'' I thought. Because of this reason, I called Kang Eun-Gi instead of Lee Yeon-Sil. But Kang Eun-Gi wasn¡¯t answering my calls at all for some reason. At that moment, I thought the only way to prevent his death was to go directly to Kang Eun-Gi¡¯s house. "Mom." "Hmm?" "Can you be alone for a moment?" "Do you think I''m a child? Of course I can be alone. But why? Are you nning to bring them here?" "Yes. I think it¡¯ll be quicker that way." "Okay. Then bring some hotteok[1] on your way back. I¡¯m so hungry I can''t bear it anymore," Mom replied. "You''re not supposed to eat anything because you¡¯re fasting. I¡¯ll buy you anything you want after tomorrow''s check-up," I exined. "Is that a promise? Then you¡¯ll hold my hand and go with me?" I nodded at Mom who was whining like a child. "I will, Mom." Mom smiled widely. "My son has be much gentler since he came to Seoul. Alright, go ahead then." I left the hospital immediately after reassuring Mom. After all, I didn¡¯t want my ¡®nephew¡¯ to ever hear someone call them ¡®a kid with no parents¡¯¡ªsomething Lee Yeon-Sil, Kang Eun-Gi, and I used to hear all the time during our childhood. I called Kang Eun-Gi again outside the hospital, but he still didn¡¯t answer as expected. I thought about reaching out to the police, but they¡¯d probably think I was crazy. ''It''s not like I can call a bodyguard either...'' I remarked inwardly. For now, I decided to send Lee Yung-Jin to Incheon Airport and instructed him to catch Kang Eun-Gi and give me a call. In the meantime, I headed to Kang Eun-Gi''s house in Itaewon where the stabbing was supposed to ur just in case. *** I hid in a nearby alley in front of Kang Eun-Gi and Lee Yeon-Sil''s house in Itaewon, and began checking the equipment I had prepared in advance. Wearing a stab-proof vest with a sturdy te protecting my neck and hockey pads on my elbows and legs, I was pretty well-protected. I wore a bulky hoodie and wide straight-leg pants to hide the pads, and I also put on cut-resistant gloves. "Phew. This should be enough to handle most dangers," I muttered to myself There were a few critical areas where a person could get seriously injured if stabbed¡ªthe carotid artery, the heart, and the femoral artery inside the thigh. These were mainly areas where arteries passed and where bleeding out by stabbing could be fatal. But thanks to the equipment I prepared, I wouldn¡¯t die unless I was stabbed very precisely in those areas. "I guess I should warm up a little in advance." I tested my punches and found my movements a bit restricted. However, it was far more important not to get hurt rather than to be fast against a knife. After all, the extreme pain would immobilize me at once if I got cut. Then I wouldn¡¯t be able to save Kang Eun-Gi or protect my own life. After checking my gear one more time, I opened the copsible baton I had prepared and began to warm up. Fortunately, it didn¡¯t take long for me to get used to the dull movement. "Why hasn¡¯t there been any contact?" I wondered. It was already 9 p.m. Time was ticking, but there was no call from Lee Yung-Jin who had gone to Incheon Airport. In the end, I couldn¡¯t bear to wait any longer and made the call. "Yung-Jin, has Kang Eun-Gie out yet?" -Not yet. There were too many peopleing down so I might have missed him. What should I do? "Don''t worry about it, it¡¯s fine. He might have changed flights ande out earlier. Thanks for your help. I¡¯ll treat you to a meal properly some time." -Don''t mention it. Then I¡¯ll stop by Mr. Tae-Poong''s shooting site and return to thepany, Mr. Jung. "Okay, take care." My heart started racing after hanging up the phone because the entry in my nner still remained unchanged. "Seriously, he was only obedient after getting hit since he was young...I guess he''s still the same when grown up." Sweat was pouring down my back due to the protective gear, but I was too focused on saving Kang Eun-Gi to feel the heat. That¡¯s when a ck Merciless Bends sedan appeared at the end of the street. ¡®Is that Eun-Gi?¡¯ I wondered. But it wasn¡¯t Kang Eun-Gi sitting in the driver''s seat. I quickly hid, thinking it might be people nning to harm him. Soon, I could see Kang Eun-Gi''s face through the side window of the Merciless Bends sedan driving past me. ¡®He''s finally here.¡¯ There were three people in total inside the car¡ªtwo in the front seats and Kang Eun-Gi in the back. At that moment, two BWM cars started to quickly approach the sides of Kang Eun-Gi¡¯s Merciless Bends. The two BWMs sped up right in front of me and rammed into Kang Eun-Gi¡¯s Merciless Bends. Screech! Bang! The back of the Merciless Bends caved in and it crashed into the wall before stopping. As the three cars got tangled up, six men in suits with baseball bats got out of the BWMs. Not to be outdone, Kang Eun-Gi and two men immediately jumped out of the front car. But the faces of the men next to Kang Eun-Gi were utterly familiar for some reason. They were Choi Dong-Hyuk and Lee Soo-Chan, younger kids who grew up with me at the Angel Orphanage. I was confused. ¡®Why are they with Eun-Gi?¡¯ Before I could process this confusing situation, the fight began. "Hey!" "You fucking bastards!" "Die, you asshole!" The men in suits swung their bats widely, but Kang Eun-Gi and the two men skillfully dodged the first swings. Then they crouched and began to fight back against the six. "Take away their bats first!" "Okay, hyung-nim!" It looked like the side with the weapons had the advantage on the surface, but Kang Eun-Gi and the two others moved exceptionally well. ¡®I''m sure they can hold out for a while,¡¯ I thought. I wanted to jump out and help them immediately, but I couldn¡¯t move recklessly because I could see there were still two people left in the other BWM. Even among gangsters, there were those who specialized in using knives. Surprisingly, most gangsters couldn¡¯t handle knives properly. For this reason, some gangs had assassination squads specializing in throat-cutting. Not only did they send just one but two cars to kill Kang Eun-Gi. ¡®They really came prepared.¡¯ I focused solely on the knife-wielders from then on. After a while, the two men in the BWM slowly got out of the car when the six men couldn''t easily take down Kang Eun-Gi and the two others. The skinny men were wearing shirts and jeans, both holding sashimi knives in their right hands. One was tall, and the other was short. The two slowly approached Kang Eun-Gi. At that moment, I couldn¡¯t wait any longer and rushed toward them. The two quickly turned their heads toward me at the sound of my sudden footsteps. Simultaneously, I struck the wrist of the short man closest to me with my copsible baton. Whack! "Argh!" The short man groaned and dropped his knife. But my next swing missed the tall man¡¯s wrist as the short man who dropped his knife instinctively blocked my way. At that moment, I heard Kang Eun-Gi¡¯s shout from afar. "Y-Yoon-Ho! What are you doing here... Hey! Don¡¯te near me! Run away!" Kang Eun-Gi screamed at me to run away and shouted at the hitmen in front of me, "You fucking sons of bitches, I''m your target, aren''t I? Don¡¯t you dare touch Yoon-Ho!" I came to save him, yet Kang Eun-Gi was yelling and trying to divert the hitmen''s attention since he knew very well that professional hitmen usually handled only their target. But the two didn¡¯t take their eyes off me despite Kang Eun-Gi¡¯s plea. "Just you wait, Kang Eun-Gi. I¡¯ll kill you right after dealing with this guy first." The sashimi knife was aimed at my neck as soon as the hitman finished speaking. But I dodged and swung my copsible baton. I aimed at his wrist with a whoosh, but he narrowly avoided my baton. Wearing protective gear had made my movements slower, which would have been impossible otherwise. At that moment, the short man grabbed my waist and yelled, "I got him! Stab him now!" "Okay," said the tall man. The short man¡¯s grip restricted my movements. Simultaneously, the tall man¡¯s knife came straight at me. I could see the de approaching me fast. I tried to dodge, but the short man¡¯s hold made it impossible to evadepletely. To attempt to free myself, I struck the short man¡¯s iput with my left elbow. Thud! With a heavy thud, the short man lost consciousness at once and his grip on my waist loosened. I could barely manage to move, but the sharp de was already near my neck. Although I was wearing a stab-proof vest, a direct stab could still injure me. I quickly took a step back and tilted my neck to the right. At the same time, the tall man¡¯s knife grazed my neck guard. Screech! Thanks to the stab-proof vest¡¯s te, the knife only scratched the surface and left me unharmed. I took advantage of the moment and moved inside the tall man¡¯s range,nding a powerful left uppercut to his jaw. Wham! The punch as strong as a full baseball bat swing knocked the hitman unconscious, causing him to fly all the way to the back. "Phew," I let out a sigh of relief. Then, I searched the unconscious hitman for any remaining knives and threw them far away. I then ran toward Kang Eun-Gi who was still fighting and shouted, "Everyone~ stop!" *** The fight ended quickly the moment I intervened. Kang Eun-Gi¡¯s opponents turned out to be just big guys swinging bats, not skilled fighters. The two hitmen were still unconscious and the bat-wielding men were all kneeling before us. Kang Eun-Gi caught his rough breath and asked, "Huff, huff. Yoon-Ho, how did you know I''d be here?" "Shut up. Why didn¡¯t you answer my calls? Do you have a death wish?" I retorted. Kang Eun-Gi averted his eyes. "No, it¡¯s just that my phone got broken in China...that''s why I couldn''t pick it up." I took off my torn hoodie. "Shut up. Carry two phones until you die from now on. More than that, I thought I was going to die from the heat," Imented. Seeing my stab-proof vest and hockey gear, Kang Eun-Gi¡¯s mouth dropped wide open. "By the way, you should get ready for a beating today. Didn¡¯t I warn you to be careful because you''ve got bad lucking?" I rebuked him. I cracked my knuckles and made a sound, making Kang Eun-Gi instinctively take a step back. At the same time, the two subordinates acting as Kang Eun-Gi''s bodyguards tried to block me. That''s when I spoke in a low voice. "Dong-Hyuk and Soo-Chan, you guys stay back. It¡¯s your turn after Eun-Gi." Choi Dong-Hyuk and Lee Soo-Chan stopped. "H-hyung, it¡¯s not like that..." The two who had been scolded by me as kids were trembling. When they bowed their heads and stepped back, Kang Eun-Gi frantically waved his hands. "Yoon-Ho, wait!" Kang Eun-Gi¡¯s face looked urgent. "Give me one reason to hold back. I¡¯mpletely furious right now," I argued. Kang Eun-Gi urgently pointed at the two hitmen and said, "Those guys were sent by Choi Kang-Han, the president of mypany." "What?" I replied in shock. "The guys with baseball bats are from the Taechon faction who have a grudge against me, but the hitmen aren¡¯t. They were sent by my boss, or rather, the president," Kang Eun-Gi exined. "W-what? Why would your president target you?" I asked with a puzzled expression. "I don¡¯t know the reason either. But if he sent an assassination squad to take me out, it means he¡¯s determined to get rid of me no matter what." The moment a sense of foreboding washed over me, I quickly pulled out my phone. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: July 17, 2020] -08:00 a.m. Gangbuk Samsung Hospital. Kang Eun-Gi''s funeral. The entry was still showing that Kang Eun-Gi would die. ¡®Is it not over yet?¡¯ I wondered. There was still time left in the day. This meant that if no action was taken, Kang Eun-Gi would die. I put away my phone and asked, "You said you¡¯re not a gangster anymore, didn''t you?" Kang Eun-Gi let out a deep sigh. "I thought so too. But my president seems to think otherwise." "So? What are you going to do now?" I asked again. "I have to strike first before they get me. Otherwise, I¡¯ll die and the people under me will get hurt too," said Kang Eun-Gi. Kang Eun-Gi exined that not only the kids from our orphanage but also those from nearby orphanages were under his care. He named many, and I could recognize more than half of them. Kang Eun-Gi looked at me with a bitter expression. "Yoon-Ho, please let me go. It¡¯s not just me who¡¯ll die if I don''t deal with this issue right away, but Yeon-Sil will be in danger too." Kang Eun-Gi wasn¡¯t wrong. Even though I wasn¡¯t a gangster, I knew how they operated. Once a knife was drawn, there would certainly be retaliation even if today somehow passed by. In that case, it was better to handle the problem as soon as possible. "Just... don¡¯t kill anyone." That was all I could say to Kang Eun-Gi. As long as no one died, the sentences would be lighter even if he was caught by the police. Kang Eun-Gi nodded heavily. "Got it." Kang Eun-Gi stood up, sighed deeply, and borrowed Lee Soo-Chan¡¯s phone to make a call somewhere. 1. hotteok is a flour dough pancake filled with sugar syrup inside. It''s one of the most popr street snacks in Korea ? Chapter 223: Family (5)

Chapter 223: Family (5)

"It looks like I should cancel the insurance. Choi Kang-Han betrayed me," said Kang Eun-Gi. Kang Eun-Gi, not one to be fooled, seemed to have prepared in case he got caught by Choi Kang-Han. "Yeah, yeah. Okay. Hyun-Min, you gather the people who went out to the workce and tell Dong-Oh to gather everyone in the Kanghan Entertainment parking lot. If anyone tries to stop you, tell them I ordered it. Then most will turn around. Yeah, okay. And send a few support members to my house to take out the trash," Kang Eun-Gi said over the phone. After hanging up, Kang Eun-Gi instructed the two people with him, "Soo-Chan, you stay here and guard until the support team arrives. Dong-Hyuk, youe with me." Kang Eun-Gi was about to move toward the car with determined eyes. At that moment, I stopped Kang Eun-Gi. "Hey, Kang Eun-Gi. Stop right there for a second." Kang Eun-Gi frowned. "What? There''s no time." I handed over the protective gear and stab-proof vest I was wearing to Kang Eun-Gi. "Time or not, put this on first before you go." "I''m fine without them," Kang Eun-Gi refused. "Shut up and put it on quickly if you don''t want me to kill you," I insisted. Kang Eun-Gi clicked his tongue. "Sometimes I wonder if I''m the gangster or you are. I can''t quite figure it out." Kang Eun-Gi awkwardly smiled and quickly put on the gear I handed him. "I''m going now." "Alright. You''re dead to me if you get hurt even a little bit. Got it?" I warned him. "Don''t worry. I''m not that easy to take down." "I''m not worried, you idiot." Kang Eun-Gi started the car and rolled down the window before speaking to me. "And Yoon-Ho, if anything happens...please take care of Yeon-Sil and your nephew." I shouted at Kang Eun-Gi, "Raise your own kid! Don''t make them fatherless like us!" Kang Eun-Gi smiled awkwardly once again, waved his hand, and finally left. "Soo-Chan," I said. "Yes, hyung-nim." "Do you think Eun-Gi can take down that president?" I asked. Lee Soo-Chan nodded his head firmly. "Don''t worry. Ourbat team is all on our side, so we won''t lose the fight." "You think that''s something to be proud of, you punk?" I reprimanded him. Lee Soo-Chan scratched his head. "And don''t take calls from Yeon-Sil until all this is over. I''ll be with her instead, so call me as soon as it''s done," I added. "Okay, hyung-nim." "And give me your number," I said, taking my phone out of my pocket. When I handed him my phone, Lee Soo-Chan dialed his number. After leaving a call record, I reminded Lee Soo-Chan once more, "Take good care of Eun-Gi." Lee Soo-Chan bent over at the waist. "You can leave it to me." Not long after, the support team arrived and took care of the rest of the guys. To no one''s surprise, there were lots of familiar faces. "This is ridiculous. Were you all under Eun-Gi''s care?" I remarked. Kids from the Angel Orphanage and other nearby orphanages I knew nced at me nervously. "Yes, hyung-nim. Eun-Gi hyung-nim took us all in." "Sigh. Go on. And you better wash your hands clean after today," I muttered. At that moment, the support team members bowed deeply. "Yes, hyung-nim!" "I don''t want to be called hyung-nim by gangsters. Call me hyung after you clean up," I responded. The support team members nodded. "We''ll greet you againter!" The support team hurriedly loaded the fallen knifemen and Taechon gang thugs into the car and disappeared. After everyone was gone, I took a deep breath and carefully opened my nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: July 17, 2020] -08:00 a.m. Gangbuk Samsung Hospital. Kang Eun-Gi''s funeral. The entry was still in my nner. ''Should I go after him and stop him?'' I wondered. Most funerals were typically held on the morning of the third day after death. In other words, July 15th, today, was the day Kang Eun-Gi would die. It was currently 9:30 p.m. on July 15th, and there were still two and a half hours left until the day ended. I felt anxious because based on my past life memories, I only knew that Eun-Gi diedte at night and not the exact time. Words slipped out of my tongue without realizing it. "Eun-Gi, please don''t die on me." There was a time when I never wanted to see Kang Eun-Gi ever again because of my resentment toward him and my hatred for the gangster he became. But now, I only wished for Kang Eun-Gi to stay alive¡ªfor my sister Yeon-Sil, for my mother who was waiting for him in the hospital, and for Sister Grace in Gwangju who was taking care of the kids. Just like how I got a second chance through traveling back in time, I hoped Kang Eun-Gi would get a second chance too. Though he couldn''t undo what he had done during his gangster days, I wished he could pay for his sins in a way other than death. "Sigh." I felt a cold chill as the sweat that soaked my body dried in the summer breeze. "I need to calm Yeon-Sil first," I muttered to myself. I was worried about Lee Yeon-Sil who must be panicking because she couldn''t reach Kang Eun-Gi. ''She''s even pregnant. How scared she must be alone,'' I thought. I looked around the surroundings cautiously and headed to Lee Yeon-Sil''s house. Ding dong. When I rang the doorbell, I heard Lee Yeon-Sil''s surprised voice. -Yoon-Ho oppa? How did you get here? I waved my hand and smiled looking at the inte. "I came to pick you up since it seemed like you and Eun-Gi wouldn''te." -J-just give me a moment, oppa. The front door opened with a buzzing sound. I took a deep breath and walked into the house, determined not to be shaken no matter what happened. *** Lee Yeon-Sil, my sister and also the woman I once loved, and now, the woman of another man and a mother to a child, stood before me. But I smiled as if the past didn''t matter. "Hey, Yeon-Sil. Still as pretty as ever, huh?" I remarked. Lee Yeon-Sil covered her face in a shy manner. "No, not at all. I didn''t even put on makeup..." "It''s okay. You''re pretty without makeup, so you don''t need to cover up," Iplimented her. She didn''t look much different from when we parted. But now, she was not the young Lee Yeon-Sil of those days. She had grown into an adult. "Oppa..." Lee Yeon-Sil said in an emotional voice. "Let''s not talk about the past since it''s all over. Let''s talk about only good things from now on. Okay?" I said as I looked at her with a smile. "Sniff." "You''re crying again. What if the baby turns into a crybaby like you?" When I mentioned the baby, Lee Yeon-Sil''s teary face turned bright red. At the same time, Yeon-Sil instinctively ced her hand on her lower belly. "S-sorry," Lee Yeon-Sil apologized. "It''s fine. But why couldn''t youe to the hospital earlier?" "My belly started to hurt a bit perhaps from the shock earlier, so I couldn''t move. Oh, right. Sit here and wait until Eun-Gi oppaes. I''ll get you a drink," said Lee Yeon-Sil as she pointed to the sofa before hurrying to the kitchen. Meanwhile, I looked around Lee Yeon-Sil and Kang Eun-Gi''s house. Though I heard they earned a lot of money, it seemed they spent it on supporting the orphanage so the house itself wasn''t big. But the ce was filled with cute interior decorations, giving it a warm feeling. ¡®Yeon-Sil must have decorated it herself,¡¯ I observed silently. Lee Yeon-Sil, who had brought back some drinks, sat next to me and spoke carefully. "But Eun-Gi oppa ister than I thought. He''s not answering his phone either." Lee Yeon-Sil looked at the clock in the living room. I replied, "He¡¯s probably stuck in traffic. It could also be that maybe his phone''s battery died." But my lips began to dry out despite my words as the nner¡¯s entry still hadn¡¯t disappeared yet. To distract myself from thoughts about Kang Eun-Gi, I intentionally started talking about recent events. At that moment, Lee Yeon-Sil asked, "But oppa, do you have someone you''re seeing? There used to be so many girls who liked you." "Me? No way. Who would like someone like me?" I asked. When I smiled, Lee Yeon-Silughed in disbelief. "You''re doing it again, oppa. Stop smiling with your eyes like that. That''s why girls flock to you." Come to think of it, I remembered how female customers would give me drinks, choctes, and lunch boxes when I worked at cafes or convenience stores. Thanks to that, I was able to save a lot on food expenses. "I thought they felt sorry for me because I looked so poor," I remarked. "See? You''re so oblivious that it drives girls crazy. I worry about who will take you away," Lee Yeon-Sil added. As Lee Yeon-Sil¡¯s nagging continued, it felt like we were back in the old days. "Oh, poor Eun-Gi," I said teasingly. Yeon-Sil red at me. "What?" "Ah, it''s nothing." Lee Yeon-Sil smiled when I shivered. "Well, Eun-Gi oppa does block his ears when I nag." "Yeah, I admit it. Your nagging is quite intense." "It''s because you two always worry me a lot!" Lee Yeon-Sil defended herself. I didn¡¯t understand women''s feelings because I never really had any particr interest in them. That was the reason Ju Yung-In had to push for our marriage which of course ended in a failed life. The trembling in Lee Yeon-Sil''s voice seemed to rx as we continued our conversation in afortable manner. "Well, it''s funny that someone like me nags a person who has it all together like you, oppa. Isn''t it?" Lee Yeon-Sil asked. Facing the past was hard at first, but it wasn¡¯t as difficult after that. Lee Yeon-Sil started telling me what happened after we parted. She had realizedte that Kang Eun-Gi had yed tricks to keep us apart, and she tried to break up with him. But Kang Eun-Gi begged, cried, and knelt. Since then, she had been keeping a tight rein on Kang Eun-Gi which was good. "Anyway, Eun-Gi has always been soft on you. He used to just melt whenever he saw you..." I told her. Lee Yeon-Sil smiled. "Oppa." "Yeah?" "We¡¯ll keep seeing each other often, right? You''re not trying to make peace with us because you¡¯re dying of a serious illness, are you?" Lee Yeon-Sil asked, with a concerned look. ''She must have watched too many dramas,'' I thought to myself. I shook my head and answered her question "No. Eun-Gi came to ourpany recently. I thought we should make peace since then, but it took me a while toe here after hesitating so much." "I see. I thought... you looked so different from before we parted that I wondered if there was another reason." After traveling back in time, people''s perceptions of me had changed drastically. Lee Yeon-Sil also said it was a relief to see my impression had softened. Just like that, we spent time reminiscing about old times as if we had returned to our childhood. But even those stories had their limits. It was now 10 p.m. Lee Yeon-Sil started worrying about why Kang Eun-Gi hadn¡¯t arrived home yet. "Could it be that something happened to Eun-Gi oppa? He should have been here by now..." Lee Yeon-Sil said with a worried look. Lee Yeon-Sil was aware that Kang Eun-Gi¡¯s phone was broken. She kept calling Lee Soo-Chan for this reason, but he didn¡¯t answer her calls just as I had instructed. At that moment, a call from Lee Soo-Chan came to my phone. "Yeon-Sil, give me a moment," I said. "Who is it? Is it Eun-Gi oppa?" Lee Yeon-Sil asked anxiously. "No, it''s a call from work. I have to take this." I got up quickly and distanced myself from Lee Yeon-Sil. "Hello?" -Hi, hyung-nim. It''s me, Soo-Chan. Lee Soo-Chan struggled to speak as he was trying to catch his breath. "Yes. Go ahead." -We sorted out everything just now. "Really?" -Yes. "Hold on. Don''t hang up yet." I covered the phone''s speaker to keep any sound from leaking out. "Yeon-Sil, I suddenly have a stomach ache. Where¡¯s the bathroom?" Lee Yeon-Sil pointed to one side. "Ah, it''s over there." "Okay, thanks." I checked my nner as I headed to the bathroom. However, the entry still hadn''t disappeared. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: July 17, 2020] -08:00 a.m. Gangbuk Samsung Hospital. Kang Eun-Gi''s funeral. ''Could there still be a threat left?'' I thought hard. My steps quickened toward the bathroom. As soon as I closed the bathroom door, I urgently gave instructions. "Surround Eun-Gi right now and protect him. If not, Eun-Gi will die!" I said in an urgent voice. -I''m sorry? "There''s still someone targeting Eun-Gi! From now until midnight, don''t let anyone near Eun-Gi. If you don''t listen to me and something happens, you''re all dead to me! And if Eun-Gi refuses, tell him I ordered it," I exined hastily. -Yes, okay, hyung-nim. I''ll tell Eun-Gi hyung-nim that right away. At that moment, the call ended abruptly. My heart pounded, not knowing what was happening around Kang Eun-Gi. But I had to stay calm because Lee Yeon-Sil must not know about this until it was over. ''It''ll be okay. Everything will be okay,'' I tried tofort myself. I desperately wished for the entry to disappear. But as my time in the bathroom lengthened, Lee Yeon-Sil knocked on the door and asked, "Oppa... do you have constipation or something?" That''s when I began to make a strained sound without realizing it. "Oh...yes. Ugh." At the same time, intense anger toward Kang Eun-Gi surged. ''Kang Eun-Gi. You gave me constipation that I never had. When youe back, you''re dead to me. Just make sure toe back alive so I can beat you up,'' I thought to myself. I desperately suppressed my tension while earnestly praying. After a minute, the entry that seemed impossible to go away was finally disappearing. ''It''s done!'' [Everyday V10.1] [Date: July 17, 2020] -08:00 a.m. (Deleted Schedule: Gangbuk Samsung Hospital. Kang Eun-Gi''s funeral.) A sigh of relief escaped me. At the same time, a call from Eun-Gi came in. -H-hey! Jung Yoon-Ho, you, you... what...how... Kang Eun-Gi''s voice trembled with shock. Chapter 224: Family (6)

Chapter 224: Family (6)

"You made it, Kang Eun-Gi," I said in a relieved tone. Kang Eun-Gi panted and asked. -Huff, huff. How did you know they were aiming for me? If it weren''t for you, I would have been sniffing incense behind the screen![1] Though I was curious about the situation, it was more important to reassure Lee Yeon-Sil first. "Wait a moment. Let''s reassure Yeon-Sil first and talk slowly afterward. I just told her that you had an urgent task and had to handle some schedules. Keep it discreet." -Y-yes, right. But as soon as I stepped out of the bathroom, Lee Yeon-Sil was holding her nose and saying, "Yoon-Ho oppa has constipation~ Yoon-Ho oppa has constipation~." I heard that hormone secretion makes it difficult to control emotions during pregnancy. But now, it seemed like Lee Yeon-Sil was deliberately acting this way to dispel her worries. Handing over the phone, I grumbled frustratedly, "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Fine, yes I have constipation! But it''s because of Eun-Gi that I got constipated. Here! Take Eun-Gi''s call." Lee Yeon-Sil quickly took my phone and started scolding Kang Eun-Gi like crazy. For a moment, although it was just for a brief moment, I thought it was a huge relief that I didn''t end up with Lee Yeon-Sil. After the endless scolding, we agreed to meet at the hospital where Mom was admitted. After all, Mom wouldn''t fall asleep until 2 a.m. anyway. "Yeon-Sil, why don''t you take a rest today and go see Mom tomorrow? Mom isn''t seriously ill; she''s just admitted for a health check-up," I said to Lee Yeon-Sil. Lee Yeon-Sil shook her head. "No, oppa. I want to go see Mom with Eun-Gi oppa right now. Eun-Gi oppa said he''sing to the hospital directly too." I couldn''t say no seeing the worried expression on Lee Yeon-Sil''s face. *** Lee Yeon-Sil and I took a taxi to Seongmo Hospital together. Kang Eun-Gi, who was already at the hospital entrance, waved at us. He had changed into clean clothes unlike when we parted and no one would believe he had just been in a big fight. But as soon as Lee Yeon-Sil got out of the taxi, she walked briskly toward Kang Eun-Gi and punched him in the stomach. It was such a powerful punch that it made a loud thud. "Ouch. What!?" Kang Eun-Gi uttered in shock. "Don''t you know people were worried about you? Why didn''t you call me? I told you to call me if you go somewhere or if you''re runningte!" Lee Yeon-Sil yelled with a worried look. Kang Eun-Gi clutched his stomach and joked, "You seem to have gotten stronger recently. Is it because you''re going to be a mom?" "Ugh, you always bring this upon yourself," Lee Yeon-Sil grumbled. I had to stop Lee Yeon-Sil from raising her fist again. Then we headed to the special room where Mom was staying. Normally, only one person could visit at a time. But we were allowed a brief visit as we had exined our situation in advance. Kang Eun-Gi hesitated in front of the door. "Yeon-Sil, you go in first and see Mom. I''ll talk to Yoon-Ho ande inter." Lee Yeon-Sil sighed as she looked at us. "You two, talk it all out beforeing in. Don''t even think about fighting in front of Mom!" Kang Eun-Gi nodded at her words to resolve any lingering issues. As soon as Lee Yeon-Sil entered the room, Kang Eun-Gi urgently asked me, "How did you know?" "I told you, I have a sixth sense," I replied. Kang Eun-Gi stared at me with his face white beyond pale. "I really thought I was going to die this time. But Yoon-Ho, can you really see the future?" Kang Eun-Gi swallowed hard and watched me closely. I paused and then said, "You''re always so suspicious. Just trust me, okay? I can''t see everything, but sometimes I do." Kang Eun-Gi''s expression began to change to one of shock. "Rather than that, tell me what happened to you," I said. Kang Eun-Gi continued to stare at me for a while but soon started to exin how he nearly died. "So here''s what happened..." *** After parting with me, Kang Eun-Gi immediately gathered hisbat unit and attacked the upper ranks. Because the upper ranks never expected the assassination to fail, they were easily defeated. Thanks to the preparations he made in advance, Kang Eun-Gi was able to take over the remaining organization without much resistance. But then the organization''s second-inmand, Director Lee Sae-Dong, raised both hands and said he would retire following President Choi Kang-Han as he felt despair when only a few followers remained despite having led the organization for over ten years. "But when Lee Sae-Dong said he would hand over the ledger and led me to the president''s office, he pulled a knife from his coat," Kang Eun-Gi shared. "Why would you follow him there? Are you stupid?" I rebuked him in a worried tone. "I needed the ledger to clean up the aftermath cleanly," Kang Eun-Gi exined. Kang Eun-Gi said he trusted the body armor I had made him wear beforehand and followed Lee Sae-Dong. However, he admitted he might have been in big trouble without my call as he didn''t consider how the equipment would slow him down. Thanks to Lee Soo-Chan rushing in after my call, he was able to save Kang Eun-Gi''s life. "So what are you going to do about Choi Kang-Han and Lee Sae-Dong? You didn''t kill them, did you?" I asked. "You told me not to kill them, remember? So I just subdued them and handed them over to the prosecutors in Suwon," Kang Eun-Gi replied. I let out a sigh of relief, feeling grateful he didn''t handle things in a gangster-like manner. "Then what will you do now? Are you going to take over the organization and end everything like this?" Kang Eun-Gi replied with a more bitter expression than I''d ever seen before. "No. I''ll leave the cleanup to Dong-Hyuk and Soo-Chan and turn myself in." "Turn yourself in?" I asked in shock. "Even if things are settled, it doesn''t clear the past. I''ve already told the prosecutor I''ll turn myself in. I want to clean things up and start anew," Kang Eun-Gi said in a determined voice. "What? Then what about Yeon-Sil?" I probed further. Kang Eun-Gi scratched his head and replied, "That''s what I mean...Can you take care of her for a while, Yoon-Ho? Even if I turn myself in, I''ll be in prison for at least a few months. Maybe even a year or two." I clenched my fist at Kang Eun-Gi''s selfish answer. "This won''t do. You''re getting a good beating today. Brace yourself." Kang Eun-Gi flinched and took a step back, but soon closed his eyes and gritted his teeth as if ready to ept his punishment. At the same time, I threw a punch with all my might. But I rxed my fist just before it reached Kang Eun-Gi''s face. Tap. When my fist lightly touched his face, the startled Kang Eun-Gi waved his hands. "What, what?" "You coward. You''d be dead if I had hit you for real," I said angrily. Kang Eun-Gi clutched his chest. "Hey! How could I not be scared? You can see the future and also have a strong fist! I thought I was going to die. Your existence itself is a weapon, you know that?" I smiled and replied to the grumbling Kang Eun-Gi. "Did you piss yourself?" "No, I didn''t!" I pointed to his discolored zipper andughed. "Liar." "H-hey! It''s not what you think! I spilled some sujeonggwa[2] earlier, you idiot," Kang Eun-Gi rebutted. "Then want me to try again?" I jokingly threatened him again. When I clenched my fist, Kang Eun-Gi shuddered and stepped back. "I''ll report you to the police if you keep using your fists! I''ll tell them I can''t even turn myself in because of you!" Kang Eun-Gi retorted. I let out a sigh at his whining and said, "Fine. I''ll take good care of Yeon-Sil, but you have to tell Mom and Yeon-Sil yourself. I¡¯m letting you off because I think they''ll beat you too." Kang Eun-Gi''s face turned pale. "Never mind, I think I''ll go turn myself in right now." Kang Eun-Gi quickly turned around. I grabbed Kang Eun-Gi by the scruff of his neck as he tried to escape. "Who said you could leave?" At that moment, Kang Eun-Gi struggled as he begged me to let go. "Wait! Wait! Let''s talk first!" "That''s enough. Juste with me." I dragged Kang Eun-Gi, who refused to enter, into the hospital room. Mom, who was lying in bed, slowly sat up when she saw us entering the room. "Oh, my sons are both here." I felt like the fatigue of the day vanished instantly upon seeing Mom''s bright face. "It''s good to see my sons and daughter together like this," Mom said with a smile. When Kang Eun-Gi, Lee Yeon-Sil, and I reconciled and held hands, Mom''s eyes welled up with tears. At that moment, Kang Eun-Gi took a deep breath and started speaking with difficulty. "Mom, I need to go somewhere for a while." "Where? Where are you going, son?" Mom asked with a confused face. That''s when Kang Eun-Gi suddenly knelt on the cold floor. The startled Lee Yeon-Sil abruptly stood up. "Oppa, what''s going on?" "Oppa, did you get involved in the gangster organization again?" Lee Yeon-Sil continued to ask anxiously. I held the surprised Lee Yeon-Sil''s hand and told her to calm down. Meanwhile, Kang Eun-Gi began to confess. "I really tried to quit, but they wouldn''t let me leave easily. Imitted a crime today. No one died, but some got hurt. So I need to go to prison to pay for my sins. My past actions are also an issue." Lee Yeon-Sil looked shocked. "Oppa, what do you mean people got hurt?" Kang Eun-Gi calmly exined what had happened today. He said President Choi Kang-Han tried to eliminate him, so he had no choice but to counterattack and take over the Kanghan faction and entertainmentpany. Though no one died, some got hurt during the takeover and he would take responsibility and go to prison. He assured that his sentence wouldn''t be long since there were no serious injuries. Lee Yeon-Sil was utterly shocked, but she managed to keep herposure with Mom and me in the same room. However, Lee Yeon-Sil pped Kang Eun-Gi''s cheek. p! "You fool! You idiot! Did you cause trouble without telling me? I told you not to do gangster stuff anymore, but that didn''t mean I wanted you to let them kill you!" Lee Yeon-Sil yelled. It was fortunate the room was a single room, or we''d be kicked out for the loud noise. "I knew something was off when Yoon-Ho oppa came to reassure me! Both of you are terrible liars! How did you think you could fool anyone with such lies?" She continued berating us. ''Huh? Did she catch my lie too?'' I wondered. Thanks to that, I was also left speechless. Kang Eun-Gi smiled bitterly and rubbed his cheek. Then, Lee Yeon-Sil calmed down a little and asked, "Are you sure no one was seriously hurt?" "No. Those who got hurt were sent to the hospital right away. They were just following orders, so they weren''t at fault. President Choi Kang-Han and Director Lee Sae-Dong were the problem. We only subdued them and handed them to the prosecutors," Kang Eun-Gi exined. "So? What will you do next?" Lee Yeon-Sil asked. "I''m going to distribute the money and dissolve the organization. I''ll help those who want to quit the gangster life find jobs and..." At the same time, Lee Yeon-Sil''s eyes red. "Are you kidding? I know those guys. They''ll just go back to being thugs once the money runs out! You should just manage them! Keep them in line and help them transition to legitimate businesses!" She was right. It was very unlikely the gang members would change overnight. Strict management might indeed be better. After a moment of thought, Kang Eun-Gi nodded. "Okay. I''ll wrap things up and transition the business to legitimate ventures then." Only then did Lee Yeon-Sil''s expression soften. "Now that''s my man." During the time I hadn''t seen her, Lee Yeon-Sil had grown from a young girl into a capable woman. She sighed deeply and slowly approached Kang Eun-Gi who was still kneeling. cing her hand on Kang Eun-Gi''s shoulder, she said, "Go turn yourself in after Mom''s health check-up tomorrow, and swear you won''t do such things again." Kang Eun-Gi nodded. "Yes, I will. I won''t be involved in any gangster-rted work for our baby. I don''t want to either." Kang Eun-Gi said he would pay for his crimes for the sake of their unborn child. At that moment, Mom ced her hand on Kang Eun-Gi''s head with a loving and generous smile. Then, she started praying, "Lord, who forgives all. Today, this sinner sincerely repents and wishes to move forward. Though past sins cannot be fully washed away, please let him be forgiven through his love for others..." As Mom began to pray for forgiveness with tears streaming down her face, tears also began to flow from the eyes of Kang Eun-Gi, Lee Yeon-Sil, and me. After the prayer ended, Kang Eun-Gi grabbed my hand. "Please take good care of Yeon-Sil, Yoon-Ho." Eun-Gi would never ask for help even if it meant dying, but he was now repeatedly entrusting Lee Yeon-Sil to me. It might seem like nothing, but it showed how much he had changed. "Don''t worry. I''ll take good care of her," I assured him, But that''s when Lee Yeon-Sil suddenly said something totally unexpected. "Oppa, I''ll stay at the orphanage and help Mom while you''re gone. And Yoon-Ho oppa, don''t worry about me. Focus on your work. You''re really busy these days, aren''t you?" "What?" "Huh?" Kang Eun-Gi and I both made a surprised expression simultaneously. Ignoring our reactions, Lee Yeon-Sil asked Mom, "Mom, is that okay with you?" Mom smiled widely. "Of course. What mother wouldn''t like her daughter staying with her?" "Thank you, Mom." Eun-Gi looked concerned. "It...might be ufortable there..." Lee Yeon-Sil smiled brightly. "Why would my home be ufortable? And who knows, oppa? You might be gone for a longer time than you think. I''ll be at the orphanage to take care of the kids, so don''t worry." Kang Eun-Gi''s organization had enough money to hire the bestwyers. But due to his long criminal past, the oue was uncertain. It could be one year, or it could be two. However, Lee Yeon-Sil said she would wait for him while taking care of the children at the orphanage, determined she would atone alongside Eun-Gi until he paid for his sins and recovered. And just like that, we could be a family again just like before. 1. In Korean funerals, incense is lit in front of a screen ? 2. Korean cinnamon punch ? Chapter 225: Definition of Talent

Chapter 225: Definition of Talent

The day after saving Kang Eun-Gi, Mom finished her health checkup and received a lot of scolding from the doctor. He exined there was a lot of inmmation in her stomach and she needed to be careful. Mom was advised to manage her diet well from now on and to eat properly. Thanks to this, Lee Yeon-Sil who was listening to the results of the checkup with us started scolding Mom with her eyes wide open. "Mom! I''ll manage your diet from now on. Okay?" The doctor nodded and replied, "Please eat three meals a day on time and keep your mind at ease to avoid stress. If the stomach ulcer keeps recurring, it could lead to stomach cancer. Let''s start with Helicobacter treatment today." There was no need to wait a week for the detailed test results because the endoscopy results were clear. Lee Yeon-Sil didn''t stop nagging and Mom frowned while covering her ears. It was at that moment that the schedule regarding Mom''s death was being deleted from the nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: November 11, 2024] -01:00 p.m. (Deleted Schedule: St. Mary''s Hospital Funeral Hall, 1st floor. Sister Micha, my mom. Died in peace.) ''No way. Could Kang Eun-Gi have been the key?'' Thanks to saving Kang Eun-Gi, Lee Eun-Sil decided to live with Mom for the time being and she could now nag at Mom from right beside her. Consequently, I was able to prevent the death of my mom which I so desperately wanted to stop. At the moment when the tangled threads of fate unraveled, the thing I regretted the most in my life also disappeared. I could feel once again how absurdly interconnected fate was. ''It was a good thing I decided to save him,'' I thought. If I hadn''t saved Kang Eun-Gi, terrible things that I dared not imagine might have happened in session. Thanks to this, I could bid farewell to Kang Eun-Gi with a relieved heart. *** Kang Eun-Gi, who was about to turn himself in, patted his belly after eating hot budae-jjigae[1]at the budae-jjigae restaurant in front of the prosecutor''s office. And beside Kang Eun-Gi stood five men in suits. They were Kang Eun-Gi''s subordinates who would turn themselves in together. "Take care. Don''t worry about us, son," Mom said to Kang Eun-Gi. "Be careful in there, oppa," said Lee Yeon-Sil with longing eyes. "Contact us when you get out," I told him. After receiving Mom, Lee Yeon-Sil, and my send-off, Kang Eun-Gi smiled with a relieved expression. "Thanks, Mom. And you too, Yeon-Sil. Hurry and go back inside." After saying goodbye to us, Eun-Gi gave instructions to the so-called bat unit'' lined up behind me. "You guys go inside too. We''ll all get caught if we stay out here." About 20 subordinates were lined up behind Choi Dong-Hyuk and Lee Soo-Chan, who were tasked with cleaning up the organization after Kang Eun-Gi was gone. The moment Kang Eun-Gi turned around, thebat unit members bowed deeply and said, "Hyung-nim! Pleasee back safely!" Although we were 100 meters away from the prosecutor''s office, there was a high chance of encountering a prosecutor nearby. Because of this, Kang Eun-Gi got annoyed. "We''re not gangsters anymore. Stop doing those kinds of greetings." Thebat unit members stood up with awkward expressions at Kang Eun-Gi''s scolding. "And consult with Yoon-Ho for entertainment business matters while I''m gone. Got it?" Kang Eun-Gi added. Choi Dong-Hyuk and Lee Soo-Chan who were in charge of cleaning up nodded. "Yes, hyung-nim!" At that moment, Choi Dong-Hyuk and Lee Soo-Chan bowed their heads to me. "Please help us take good care of everything, hyung-nim." I just nodded slightly due to Kang Eun-Gi''s irritation. "I won''t say much because I pretty much already know everyone here. I know quite a bit about management, so call me anytime if you have any questions. But if your old habits return, I won''t let it slide," I told them. These were the kids who grew up with me in my childhood. Eight were from Angel Orphanage, and the rest were from nearby orphanages. They had all experienced getting scolded by me at least once for misbehaving. Seeing the subordinates hesitating and fidgeting made Kang Eun-Gi burst outughing, and thebat unit awkwardly scratched their heads. Especially Choi Dong-Hyuk and Lee Soo-Chan, who seemingly had been trained separately by Kang Eun-Gi, were exceedingly polite. Kang Eun-Gi''s entertainmentpany was now renamed as Reverse Entertainment. Alcohol supply would be called Reverse Distribution and construction would be called Reverse Construction. After hearing thepany name symbolizing being reborn, I said I would help as much as possible. "Alright then. I''m off," Kang Eun-Gi bade farewell. After asking me to look after things, Kang Eun-Gi went into the prosecutor''s office with his subordinates. *** Lee Yung-Jin volunteered to take Mom and Lee Yeon-Sil to Gwangju as he had some work to do there anyway. "Mom,e back up when the checkup results are out. Okay?" I told her. "Got it." I continued, "And Yeon-Sil, youe up with her. Your baby should have their regr checkups in Seoul." "I will. By the way, oppa, you''re quite the nagger too," Lee Yeon-Sil teased me. Mom smiled. "Didn''t you know? He''s a real nagger. Did you see those younger guys watching their manners in front of him earlier? He must have nagged them so much, tsk tsk." Lee Yeon-Sil agreed with Mom. "Didn''t he also use his fists sometimes?" I responded with an innocent expression. "Yeon-Sil, I barely hit them. And Mom, who says I nagged them? I just gave a little advice for their own good." "Is that what you call nagging? Two more of those and they''d have a seizure, son," my mom teased me. I had no way of winning with Mom and Lee Yeon-Sil teaming up. I looked at Lee Yung-Jin in the driver''s seat and told him to start driving quickly. "Yung-Jin, drive safely and please take them away quickly before they nag some more." Lee Yung-Jin scratched his head and said, "Sure, don''t worry." After reassuring Mom and Lee Yeon-Sil that I''d visit soon, I bade them goodbye. As soon as Lee Yung-Jin''s car left, I went straight to thepany and meetings for In the Name of God and Master of Mukbang, which were two weeks away from their broadcast dates. Soon, it was time to leave work. "Everyone, let''s put down what we''re doing and go home for today," I announced. Every staff member was in a great mood since it had been a while since we could leave work on time at 6 p.m. *** "Oppa, we''re here." In the first-floor living room, four members of Cherry Blossom and Haru were sitting in a circle, wearing sweatpants and trimming bean sprouts. "What are you guys doing here? You still have more than two weeks of vacation left." Woo Yeon-Heeughed while peeling the skin off the bean sprout heads. "Resting at home was making us antsy. Also, we couldn''t just leave Eun-Ah and Sae-Ri alone at the dorm so we came back out of worry." Even though it was a month-long vacation, Eun-Ah didn''t go home and Sae-Ri came back after three days to go to school. Yang Eun-Bi trimmed the bean sprout tails beside me and nodded. "Yes, I couldn''t leave Sae-Ri alone. You know she''s a troublemaker. Who knows what she''ll do while we''re gone?" Plop. Perhaps because she was feeling a bit guilty, Sae-Ri broke the bean sprout she was trimming in half and said, "Wh-what are you talking about? I was busy studying! Eun-Ah unnie, say something!" Eun-Ah defended Sae-Ri. "Sae-Ri''s right. Although she spent most of her time asleep." Sae-Ri looked indignant. "No! If you say it like that, it sounds like I did nothing but sleep!" Watching the bickering girls made me realize that Cherry Blossom had certainly regained their energy. I went up to my room, changed intofortable clothes, and joined them in trimming the bean sprouts. We finished trimming bean sprouts by evening and Jung In-Ji made bean sprout soup for dinner. I couldn''t help but let out a gasp of admiration as I ate the bean sprout soup made thoroughly with poached eggs and boiled squid. After the meal, I brought up the topic I had been waiting to discuss. "Guys, I''ve arranged for you to appear in the fifth episode of Master of Mukbang. It''s just a cameo role, so don''t worry too much." Woo Yeon-Hee tilted her head in confusion. "But I''ve never had any acting lessons." "It''s fine. All you have to do is just eat," I replied. In the script for the fifth episode of Master of Mukbang, it was stated that the tonkatsu restaurant Haru visited was a favorite spot of Cherry Blossom. Cherry Blossom would appear as cameos in that episode and simply eat tonkatsu silently during the recording. At that moment, Sae-Ri asked, "Yoon-Ho oppa, don''t we have any lines?" "Lines?" "Yes!" Sae-Ri eximed as her eyes sparkled with a desire to act. As far as I knew from my memories of my past life, Sae-Ri''s acting was terrible. But I thought it would be better for her to be evaluated by others than to hear it from me. I turned to Haru and said, "Haru, can you give me the script?" I handed the script Haru brought to Sae-Ri and suggested, "Why don''t you try reading the lines of the vegetable-sellingdy in scene 17?" "You''re asking me to y an olddy?" Sae-Ri asked in disbelief. I nodded. "Yep. An actor can''t only y the roles they want, can they? And this is just a test, so don''t feel too pressured. I''ll ask the PD for some lines for you if you pass the test." The easiest way to check if someone has a talent for acting was to make them y a characterpletely different from themselves. After a moment of hesitation, Sae-Ri confidently said she could do anything. "Okay. Ahem!" While Sae-Ri memorized the lines with the script in her hand, the rest of us moved to the sofa and waited for her performance to begin. A short whileter, I turned on the recording function on my phone and asked, "Sae-Ri, are you ready?" Sae-Ri said she had memorized the lines and ced the script on the floor. Then she sat with her legs crossed as if she were a grandmother at Andong Market, holding a fly swatter in her right hand and waving it around. ''That''s a nice start,'' I remarked inwardly. I asked Haru to act along with her when she began to wave the fly swatter. "Haru, can you be her scene partner?" Haru nodded. "Sure, hyung." Haru approached Sae-Ri and started acting as a customer. ¡ºMa''am, how much is a bundle of green onions these days?¡» When Haru asked, Sae-Ri replied with a triumphant expression. ¡ºYoung. Man. A bundle of green onions costs twenty-five. hundred. won¡» ''Huh? What did I just hear?'' I wondered. Sae-Ri spoke in a strange tone thatbined modern Korean with Chinese intonation. ''Was Korean such a melodiousnguage?'' I thought to myself. Even Sae-Ri seemed to find something odd as her face turned red. At that moment, I called out "Cut" immediately. "C-cut!" The Cherry Blossom members started giving their critiques right away. "You sounded like a robot. And thenguage you spoke didn''t sound Korean but rather Chinese," Eun-Ah remarked. Sae-Ri hung her head in response to Eun-Ah''s bluntment. Yang Eun-Bi added, "I felt like I was listening to an audiobook. This is what you sounded like: A bundle of green onions costs twenty-five hundred won. Twenty-five hundred won." Yang Eun-Bi''s remark with her finger wagging made Sae-Ri''s face turn even redder. Woo Yeon-Hee tried tofort Sae-Ri. "But you sing so well, don''t you, Sae-Ri?" Her words were gentle, but the implied message was to give up on acting. Sae-Ri puffed her cheeks like an angry pufferfish and turned her body away. "I''m not acting!" Even though she said she wouldn''t act, it was clear she couldn''t. But I couldn''t say that out loud. Instead, I focused on cheering Sae-Ri up. After all, Sae-Ri had her own talents even if it wasn''t acting. "Don''t be too disappointed, Sae-Ri. So what if you can''t act well? You''re an amazing singer. I''ll get you some original soundtrack and single tracks to participate in pretty soon, so cheer up," Iforted her. Sae-Ri cautiously turned her head. "Really?" I nodded. "Yes." However, the dispirited Sae-Ri didn''t attempt acting again. She returned to the sofa, nestled into Woo Yeon-Hee''s arms, and whined, "Unnie, my acting career is over." "I''m sorry to tell you this, Sae-Ri, but isn''t it a bit of a stretch to say it''s over when it hasn''t even started?" Woo Yeon-Hee replied honestly. Sae-Ri pouted and grumbled at Woo Yeon-Hee. "Then you try it, unnie! Acting is really hard." "I have no intention of acting," Woo Yeon-Hee added. "Still. You all have to try!" Sae-Ri insisted. It seemed like Sae-Ri wanted everyone to share in her embarrassment, which made Woo Yeon-Hee and Yang Eun-Bi flinch. But I was curious, too. I knew Eun-Ah was sessful as an actress and Sae-Ri as a singer in my past life, but I still didn''t know much about the talents of the other two. I thought for a moment and said, "I agree. Since we have to do the cameo acting anyway, let''s consider this an experience and try it." Unwillingly pushed into it, Woo Yeon-Hee and Yang Eun-Bi began to memorize the script. But when they actually started acting, an unexpected result emerged. ''They''re quite good,'' I thought. Woo Yeon-Hee yed a calmdy and Yang Eun-Bi portrayed a straightforwarddy at the market. Though they weren''t acting prodigies like Miso or Haru, they didn''t seem to have any noticeable weaknesses. ''They''d be good in musicals and voice acting,'' I thought. With her good vocal delivery, Woo Yeon-Hee could do musicals. And Yang Eun-Bi, with her distinct personality, could do voice acting. Sae-Ri looked at the two''s acting with an incredulous expression. "Why are they both so good?" "Well, I don''t know." "Yeah, right?" Looking like she was searching for ast ally, Sae-Ri asked Eun-Ah to act. "Now it''s your turn, unnie! Go on, try it." I had to stifle myughter at Sae-Ri''s urging. ''Sae-Ri, sorry to disappoint you but Eun-Ah is the best at this,'' I remarked inwardly. But Sae-Ri, not knowing this, sped her hands together nervously. Without a choice, Eun-Ah took her ce in front of Haru with a resigned look. "Eun-Ah, you got this," I cheered her on. When I encouraged the nervous Eun-Ah, she let out a deep sigh and said, "Okay, I''ll try my best." Haru and Eun-Ah faced each other and got ready. "Alright, shall we start then? Ready~ action!" When Haru began acting, Eun-Ah responded with her lines. At that moment, everyone couldn''t help but widen their eyes out of astonishment. Eun-Ah''s acting was beyond imagination. 1. Korean fusion stew that incorporates American style processed food such as spam, sausages, canned baked beans, and sliced cheese ? Chapter 226: Opportunity (1)

Chapter 226: Opportunity (1)

¡ºGreen onions? They''re 2,500 won per bundle! It''s practically a steal. A steal! Want a bundle?¡» Eun-Ah began acting like a seasoned merchant who had been in the market for decades sitting t on the ground with her legs crossed. Haru was momentarily surprised and hesitated at Eun-Ah''s sudden transformation. But soon, Haru started to match her performance. ¡ºWell, I don''t need that much... could you perhaps give me half?¡» Eun-Ah red at Haru, spat on her right hand, and then moved her hand as if tearing a stic bag. ¡ºI usually don''t sell in halves. But I''ll make an exception since you''re a student. Just give me 1,500 won!¡» ¡ºBut isn''t it 1,250 won for half?¡» ¡ºUgh, young people these days. Always nitpicking! The seller sets the price, not the buyer! If you don''t like it, don''t buy it!¡» When Eun-Ah shouted aggressively, Haru looked around nervously and started to fumble for money. At that moment, Eun-Ah snatched the money from Haru''s hand as if she''d been waiting for it. Seeing Eun-Ah''s vivid performance, it felt like she could be sent straight to a drama set. "That was good. Just seeing this much is enough," I remarked. As the short market vendor act ended, Haru was the first to praise Eun-Ah. "Noona, is this really your first time acting? Are you sure you didn''t get any training?" The flustered Eun-Ah waved her hands. "No, no. This is my first time... really." "Wow, that was amazing~!" Haru eximed. That''s when Sae-Ri, who had been staring nkly until now, finally snapped out of it. "What the heck, unnie? You mean it''s your first time acting and you''re this good? That''s unbelievable!" When Sae-Ri asked usingly, Eun-Ah replied timidly, "You also sing well without practice." "Th-that''s not true! I secretly practice too! Anyway, if you have any acting tips, share them with me! I want to act too!" Sae-Ri whined. Eun-Ah responded in a small voice. "I just mimicked what I saw in movies and dramas. I''m not sure if I did it right though..." "Really? Then I''ll start studying acting through watching movies from tomorrow!" Sae-Ri eximed. Woo Yeon-Hee began to gently calm Sae-Ri upon hearing her determination. "But Sae-Ri, don''t you fall asleep within ten minutes unless it''s an action movie?" Sae-Ri tried to defend herself. "No, no! Unnie, that was only because those movies were boring!" Listening to the two''s conversation, Yang Eun-Bi shook her head as if she couldn''t stop them. Knowing Sae-Ri''s personality, I signaled Yang Eun-Bi not to provoke her since I knew Sae-Ri would probably give up in two days anyway. I turned to Sae-ri and said, "Okay, okay. Sae-Ri, let''s settle down. Eun-Ah, you did very well. There was nothing to fix in your acting." Eun-Ah smiled shyly. "Thank you." "There''s no need for thanks. Let''s try to bnce singing and acting from now on as I said before," I said with a smile. "Okay, oppa." As soon as Eun-Ah agreed, I sent the video of her acting to Gu Seong-Cheol. Gu Seong-Cheol quickly called back after checking the message right away. -Did you secretly give her lessons? How can she be this good without any experience? "She looks pretty decent in your eyes too, right?" I asked. -I''ll have to see it in detail, but most trainees couldn''t even imitate this. "Then I''ll have Eun-Ah bnce Cherry Blossom activities with acting," I added. -Sounds good. Now that Eun-Ah is getting recognition, it''ll be easier to get roles. But I''m worried about what Dong-Min will say. Do you think it''ll be okay? "I''ll persuade Mr. Lee Dong-Min. You can leave it to me." Contrary to Gu Seong-Cheol''s concerns, Lee Dong-Min from Singer Division 2 readily agreed to Eun-Ah acting. After all, it was beneficial for both her and thepany to be active in multiple fields where possible. And just like that, another actress was born in the Jung team. *** After watching the acting video I sent of Eun-Ah, Yoo Hyun-Ji promised to add two more episodes for her on Master of Mukbang. Only then did we gather around the table and eat the grapes that Jung In-Ji had brought out on a tray. "Everyone, try this. Yoo-Jin bought it and it''s really sweet," said Jung In-Ji. We all popped the Shine Muscat grapes, which were seedless and could be eaten with the skin, into our mouths and turned our attention to the TV because the Cocari Sweatmercial was about to air. "It''sing on!" Sae-Ri eximed excitedly. As Sae-Ri shouted, the Cocari Sweatmercial filmed on Bohol Ind began to y on TV. In themercial, Yoo-Jin was smiling brightly against the backdrop of the blue sea and white sandy beach of Virgin Ind. ¡ºLlla~ L~ Say you like me~¡» With the familiar background music, Yoo-Jin, dressed in a dress, walked freely on the white sandy beach. Yoo-Jin wore a fresh expression with a Cocari Sweat bottle in her hand. As the camera zoomed in, Yoo-Jin smiled broadly and held out the Cocari Sweat to the camera. ¡ºWhat my body wants~ Cocari Sweat~¡» Yoo-Jin''s pure image captivated everyone for 30 seconds and no one could take their eyes off the TV. But at thest moment, a notification about an event appeared in themercial subtitle. [Instargem, Like & Comment Event (A small gift will be given through a draw.)] When themercial ended, the Cherry Blossom members began to shower Yoo-Jin withpliments. At that moment, Sae-Ri, who had been holding a strawberry jam jar in her hand to imitate Yoo-Jin, asked a question. "Yoo-Jin unnie, what gift do you get if you win the event?" Yoo-Jin answered that the Instargemment event prizes were: first ce, one of Jung Yoo-Jin''s cherished items; second ce, a signed autograph and note from Jung Yoo-Jin for ten people; and third ce, a box of Cocari Sweat for 100 people. Yang Eun-Bi asked Sae-Ri, "Why? Are you going to leave ament too?" "Of course I am!" Sae-Ri eximed. "Sae-Ri, this is an event for fans. How can a celebrity participate?" "Why not? I''m also Yoo-Jin unnie''s fan." Miso also raised her hand high at Sae-Ri''s insistence. "Unnie, I want to do it too! I''m also a fan of Mom!" Sae-Ri hugged Miso tightly in an alliance. "Miso, shall we enter the draw together?" "Yes! Yes!" Miso said enthusiastically. Overflowing with enthusiasm, Sae-Ri immediately essed Cocari Sweat''s Instargem ount. But it was already filled withments from fans who had seen themercial. "Wow~ it¡¯s going to be really hard to win this," Sae-Ri said as she looked at the neverendingments. But then Sae-Ri held out her phone with a puzzled expression. "Yoon-Ho oppa, look at this. Another video has been uploaded." On Instargem, there was another videobeled as a behind-the-scenes video besides the TVmercial video. [Cocari Sweat Official Instargem] Behind-the-scenes video of Jung Yoo-Jin and Jung Miso''s Cocari Sweatmercial shoot! - Check out the video of the two girls bursting with charm! The video on Instargem was the one I had shot and sent to Park Bull-Chool. "Director Park used that video for this, huh?" I remarked. In the behind-the-scenes video, Yoo-Jin and Miso were seen handing over Cocari Sweat to each other. Andizens captivated by the video were leaving theirments. (Comments) -rosarosa: Wow, this should have been the mainmercial. The behind-the-scenes video surpasses the mainmercial! -richman: Jung Yoo-Jin''s beauty is insane! -chris007: Miso, I cherish you dearly! -yanadoo: Cocari Sweat needs to change themercial. The TV ad is good, but Jung Yoo-Jin''s beauty is unbeatable in the behind-the-scenes video. -partygirl: Just watching the video is healing me. Let''s have Miso shoot amercial too! Thements were pouring in at an incredible pace. At that moment, Sae-Ri gave up on leaving ament. "I''ll have to give up on thement event!" Yang Eun-Bi asked yfully. "Really? You''re giving up because you think you won''t win?" Sae-Ri cleared her throat and shook her head. "The fans love them so much and it wouldn''t be fair if I won. I''ll yield this time. That''s the right thing to do. Right, unnie?" "What~? Ha ha," Yoo-Jin chuckled softly. Everyone burst intoughter at Sae-Ri''s nonsense. From that point, we started reading the umtingments on Instargem and realized Yoo-Jin''s poprity. Soon, entertainment news articles started popping up with titles like "Fresh Jung Yoo-Jin, Goddess Jung Yoo-Jin." When Yoo-Jin''s name appeared in the top ten live search rankings, Kim Chang-Jin from Cocari Sweat''s promotion team called. -Team Lead Jung! Let''s meet tomorrow! As expected, he wanted to sign Yoo-Jin as the model for their Asia region ad campaign, almost doubling the original model Ju Yung-In''s fee from 300 million to 500 million won. *** I scheduled an early morning meeting with Kim Chang-Jin from Cocari Sweat and hung up. But even at 10 p.m., the Cherry Blossom members showed no intention of returning to their dorm. "Aren''t you all going back to your dorm?" I asked. They proudly showed off their Powertuff Girls pajamas. "We decided to sleep here tonight." Miso, ready for bed, sat among the Cherry Blossom members in her pajamas. "Unnies! Are you leaving tomorrow?" When Miso asked with a pouty face, Sae-Ri hugged her tightly and shook her head. "No. We''re going to y with you all day tomorrow and the day after from morning till night!" "Really? Wow! That''s exciting!" Miso eximed while jumping up and down. I calmed the excited Miso and spoke to Sae-Ri. "Sae-Ri, y with Miso after school." Sae-Ri looked at me with sad eyes. "Yoon-Ho oppa, the break is just around the corner. Missing one day is okay, isn''t it?" "No way. You have to attend extra sses during the break because of your low attendance. Did you forget?" I reminded her. That''s when Sae-Ri straightened up and said with a determined face, "Yoon-Ho oppa, I think I''ve wasted too much time attending school while being a debuting artist. Now that I''m a professional, I think it''s better to focus more on this path." Wondering why she suddenly brought this up, I decided to give it a listen. "What''s your point?" "My point is, I want to quit school and take the GED." I responded without hesitation. "No." "What~? Why?" Sae-Ri protested. "You won''t pass the GED with your current grades. It''s better to just attend school and get your diploma," I exined. "That''s ridiculous! Who spread such rumors? I''m not that stupid!" Sae-Ri defended herself. "The teachers say otherwise. Be grateful you''re not being held back since it''s Korea." "That, that''s..." Sae-Ri stuttered and looked around for support, but everyone nodded in agreement with me. "Yoon-Ho oppa is right. Sae-Ri, you need to improve your grades." "Sae-Ri is kind and sings well, but she surely doesn''t have a brain for studying..." As Yang Eun-Bi and Woo Yeon-Hee exchangedments, Sae-Ri pouted. At that moment, Yoo-Jinid a nket in an empty room andforted Sae-Ri. "So what if you don''t have the best grades? You''re really good at singing." Sae-Ri smiled broadly in an instant. "Only Yoo-Jin unnie understands me!" With Yoo-Jin''s warmfort, Sae-Ri eventually gave up on her n to take the GED. But that didn''t mean she gave up on ying with Miso. "Yoon-Ho oppa, I''ll attend school from here for a while!" "Alright. That should be fine." Then Sae-Ri and Miso held hands and squealed together, delighted at the thought they could stay together for a while. Then, I turned and said, "Everyone, get some rest. Especially Sae-Ri¡ªyou need to sleep early for school tomorrow." That''s when a text message suddenly arrived on my phone. [Yetterang''s President Ahn Seok-Hoon: Mr. Jung, I apologize for contacting you at thiste hour. I am reaching out to see if it is possible to have Miss Jung Yoo-Jin as an advertising model. Please call me when you see this message.] Yetterang was a new cosmeticspany currently using Cherry Blossom as their model. ''Are they considering an advertising meeting with Yoo-Jin? Could it mean they want to rece the model?'' I wondered. To understand the situation, I asked Woo Yeon-Hee. "Yeon-Hee, how is your rtionship with Yetterang these days? Have you heard anything from them?" "Oh, Yetterang? I heard that sales have increased significantly since we became their model and they are preparing for a one-year renewal contract," Woo Yeon-Hee replied. "Did you hear this from Mr. Lee?" I asked further. "Yes. We are scheduled to shoot the thirdmercial as soon as our vacation ends. Apparently, the Yeji edition we advertise is extremely popr." The Yeji edition was Yetterang''s first cosmetic brand for teenagers. This meant that Yetterang didn''t intend to remove Cherry Blossom from the advertisement. Sae-Ri nodded and continued Woo Yeon-Hee''s words, "The recently released Cherry Tint is selling very well at 3,900 won each." If they were preparing for a renewal contract with Cherry Blossom and the current products were selling well, there was only one reason left for them wanting to hire another model. ''Could it be that they are nning to release a new product?'' I thought. In my past life, Yetterang expanded byunching a new brand three yearster. Thanks to Cherry Blossom''s sess, it seemed the timing had been moved up. This also implied that Yetterang''s stock listing n had been elerated by three years. I suppressed my excitement and called Ahn Seok-Hoon. If things went well, it could be an opportunity to multiply my money several times and secure funds for Hoop Entertainment''s stock battle. *** [Jung Yoo-Jin, the new model for Cocari Sweat, crowned as the Summer Goddess!] [Why did Cocari Sweat''s Instargem followers skyrocket?] [Jung Yoo-Jin chosen as Cocari Sweat''s global model!] Early in the morning, Yoo-Jin and I went to Cocari Sweat''s headquarters to sign an additional global advertising contract for a significantly increased amount. As soon as the contract was signed, Cocari Sweat began releasing rted materials and reporters published favorable articles. Right after signing the contract, Yoo-Jin and I headed to Hoop Entertainment. Within five minutes of arriving at thepany, Ahn Seok-Hoon, his brother Promotion Director Ahn Myung-Hoon, Kang Ji-Yung, and Gu Seong-Cheol showed up in the meeting room. "Hello, Mr. Ahn." Yoo-Jin and I stood up to greet them, and Ahn Seok-Hoon extended his hand with a smile for a handshake. "How have you been, Mr. Jung? Ah. And Miss Yoo-Jin, I really enjoyed themercial yesterday." "Thank you so much," said Yoo-Jin with a smile. After the greetings, we immediately started discussing the advertising contract. But Ahn Seok-Hoon proposed an unexpected condition. "As we are expanding our new production line, we are temporarily short on cash. How about we pay 1 billion won in cash and the remaining 2 billion won in stocks out of the 3 billion won advertising fee?" My heart began to race. ''He''s offering stocks that could increase dozens of times in value after listing instead of the contract fee,'' I thought. Chapter 227: Opportunity (2)

Chapter 227: Opportunity (2)

In my past life, Yetterang''s stock price increased about 20 times within a year of being listed. And Ahn Seok-Hoon was asking if he could pay for the advertising contract with those stocks instead of cash because they were short on cash due to the expansion of the new cosmetics production line. It was an offer we had to ept no matter what. But Kang Ji-Yung had a troubled expression. "While it''s not unheard of for advertisers to offer in-kind payments, Hoop Entertainment has never epted such an offer, Mr. Ahn." "We understand it''s a difficult proposal. But I''m afraid we might miss a golden opportunity if we wait until next month when our financial situation improves," Ahn Seok-Hoon exined. Despite Ahn Seok-Hoon''s persuasion, Kang Ji-Yung still looked troubled. While I was thinking about how to persuade Kang Ji-Yung, Yoo-Jin spoke up first. "Mr. Ahn, I have a question." "Yes, Miss Yoo-Jin. Please ask anything you want." "What is the brand name?" At that moment, Ahn Seok-Hoon started talking about the new brand as if he had been waiting for this question. "This product is nned to be released under the name Miso (ÃÀЦ). It''s a functional product that has UV protection as a basic feature, and also offers skin moisturizing and regeneration effects which is suitable even for women with sensitive skin." ¡®So Yetterang has already developed a line of functional products,¡¯ I thought to myself. In my past life, the functional product line was named after Ahn Seok-Hoon''s second daughter, Da-Yeon. But this time, they were nning to release it under the name Miso. Moreover, Yetterang''s functional cosmetics were known for their excellent quality. Subsequently, they would get world-renowned researchers to work on furthering the product''s efficacy. It was clear once again how quickly Yetterang was growing. Yoo-Jin had a big smile on her face perhaps because she liked the name Miso. "The brand name is the same as Miso''s name," remarked Yoo-Jin. "Yes, I got the idea for the brand name after seeing Miss Yoo-Jin and Miss Miso in the Cocari Sweatmercial." The brand name Miso (ÃÀЦ), which means beautiful smile, used the same Chinese characters as Miso''s name. Miso''s name meant charming smile when read in Korean, but it was written as ÃÀЦ in Chinese characters. Yoo-Jin''s sister had given Miso her name with the hope that she would grow up to be a pretty and smiling child. But as if by fate, Ahn Seok-Hoon had named the brand Miso (ÃÀЦ). Yoo-Jin looked at me. "Oppa, I want to do this advertisement regardless of the money. Can I take on the stock payment?" The worry about how to persuade Yoo-Jin disappeared in an instant. I added, "Of course. Yetterang is doing so well these days that you won''t lose anything by taking the stock. I guarantee it!" I barely managed to hold back from saying that it would increase several times over. Only then did Yoo-Jin speak with a relieved expression. "Then I definitely want to sign this contract. I tried the Yetterang products that Sae-Ri gave me and they were really good. I have a good feeling about the new cosmetics too. I like the name as well." Ahn Seok-Hoon''s face brightened at thepliment about the good products. "Thank you, Miss Yoo-Jin. As Mr. Jung said, you won''t suffer any loss if you hold onto our stock!" Since the actress herself wanted to do it, Kang Ji-Yung also agreed. After all, Yoo-Jin decided to take on all the burden that thepany had about receiving in-kind payments. "If the actress wants it, of course we should amodate her. We have noints with such conditions," said Kang Ji-Yung. From then on, the conversation continued with Kwak Moo-Hyuk. The contract was drawn up in such a way that thepany would receive 1 billion won in cash and the remaining 2 billion won in stocks would go to Yoo-Jin. Only then did Ahn Seok-Hoon smile brightly. "I look forward to working with you, Miss Yoo-Jin." "Likewise. Please make Miso cosmetics a sess," said Yoo-Jin with a smile. The difficult problem was solved in an instant. At that moment, Ahn Seok-Hoon''s younger brother, Ahn Myung-Hoon, who had apanied him, looked at me and asked, "Mr. Jung, is it alright if we inform the mediater that Miss Yoo-Jin invested in ourpany?" Such requests weremon as it was a method of increasing thepany''s value by gifting stocks to celebrities and subtly spreading the fact. When thepany''s name was mentioned in the securities firm''s rumors circting in Yeouido, it alone had the effect of raising the stock price as individual investors bought stocks. When I nced at Kang Ji-Yung, I got a signal to proceed as I saw fit. I expressed conditional approval to Ahn Myung-Hoon. "I guess it will be okay after the current drama is released." Ahn Myung-Hoon smiled and replied, "Thank you so much. Then we will add that use to the contract. We also need to do our best in preparation for the listing." At that moment, I realized this was an opportunity to ask about the timing of the listing¡ªand it was also an opportunity to know when to buy stocks. "Mr. Ahn, if it''s not too much trouble, may I know when that might be? We also need to prepare for media responses," I asked. Ahn Myung-Hoon exined, "The timing of the listing depends on the sess of this Miso (ÃÀЦ) brand. In fact, the margin for our teen cosmetics line Yeji is small, so it doesn''t make a significant profit despite its poprity. My brother insisted that products for kids should be made cheap, so..." It didn''t seem like it would take long. In my past life, Yetterang''s functional products were so popr they were hard to buy. At that moment, a thought crossed my mind. ¡®If they are short on cash, should I ask them to sell some stocks to me too?¡¯ I thought that the 100 million won I had could be a big help to Yetterang who was short on cash right now. While I was pondering how to bring it up, Ahn Myung-Hoon made a suggestion as if reading my mind. "Mr. Jung." "Yes?" "Would you be interested in purchasing our stocks by any chance?" My heart almost stopped. The opportunity to buy stocks that would multiply several times over before the listing hade to me naturally. Moreover, I could expect much higher returns than buying them right after the listing if I bought the stocks now. I wanted to ept it immediately, but I barely held back and asked, "May...I ask why you are making such an offer?" "Oh, if you''re not interested..." Ahn Myung-Hoon muttered. I quickly exined myself. "No, I am. I''d love to buy it even if it means pouring in the entire 100 million won in my ount. I''m just curious why you''re making this offer to me." Ahn Seok-Hoon smiled. "I know well that our contract with Miss Yoo-Jin for the advertisement following the previous one with Cherry Blossom was possible because you thought highly of ourpany. I wanted to repay you for your consideration." Ahn Seok-Hoon honestly exined the situation. Thepany was able to grow thanks to my efforts, and he wanted to give me the opportunity to buy stocks as a reward. "I had no intention of selling stocks to anyone before the listing... but it''s different with you and Cherry Blossom, Mr. Jung," said Ahn Seok-Hoon. The offer was out of pure goodwill. In that case, I was more than d to do so. I expressed my gratitude and epted the offer. After all, this was an opportunity that wouldn''te again. "Thank you. I will gratefully ept your offer." "I''m d. Oh, and you can buy up to 100 million won worth of stocks as you mentioned. The price per share is 5,000 won; is that eptable?" "Yes, that''s fine. I will buy up to 100 million won worth." My voice trembled slightly as I responded. Although it was 100 million won now, it was actually stocks worth tens of billions. When our conversation ended, Kwak Moo-Hyuk handed over Yoo-Jin''s advertisement contract. "Alright. Please sign right over here." "Okay." "Yes, understood." Yoo-Jin and Ahn Seok-Hoon each signed to finalize the contract. Then we also agreed to meet separately in a week to draft my contract. "Please take good care of us in the future, Mr. Jung." "Yes, you too." After finishing the advertisement contract, Ahn Seok-Hoon and Ahn Myung-Hoon stood up. "Then we''ll see youter at thepany for your signature, Mr. Jung." "Yes, Mr. Ahn." Thanks to introducing Cherry Blossom as the advertising model, I unexpectedly got the chance to own Yetterang''s stocks. *** After seeing off the Ahn brothers, I went up to the director''s office. As I sat on the sofa, Kang Ji-Yung clicked her tongue. "Both of you are really gutsy. Why are you so happy to receive stocks that might turn into worthless paper?" Yoo-Jin smiled. "Who knows? That money could multiply several times over. And I''ve never failed when I followed Yoon-Ho oppa''s suggestions." Kang Ji-Yung grinned. "Ah, then thepany should have taken stocks instead of cash." "It''s toote now, Ms. Kang," Yoo-Jin said teasingly. This time, Kang Ji-Yung looked at me. "But you won''t have any money left if you convert 100 million won into stocks. What are you nning to do, Team Lead Jung?" "We''ll get our bonuses at the end of the year, right?" I responded. Kang Ji-Yung smiled and said yfully, "Well, I guess you do get a share of the team''s profits. Then buy me a meal if Yetterang''s stocks hit the jackpot." "Of course, I''ll..." At that moment, Yoo-Jin suddenly interrupted me. "I''ll buy you the meal, Ms. Kang." "You, Miss Yoo-Jin?" Kang Ji-Yung asked with surprise. "I''ve always received help from thepany, but I feel like I haven''t done anything for you. I''ll buy you meals more often from now on, Ms. Kang," Yoo-Jin said earnestly. Kang Ji-Yung smiled. "What do you mean you haven''t done anything for us? Miss Yoo-Jin, you''re bringing in advertisements like this to benefit us. And even the Miso fish cake case before as well. You''re a great help to thepany." "Still, I just want to treat you properly," Yoo-Jin added. I suddenly felt a strange sensation. Both of them were clearly smiling, but it didn''t seem like a genuine smile. ¡®What the heck is going on?¡¯ I wondered. I couldn''t understand the situation but thought it would be better to change the atmosphere quickly. "Ms. Kang, how are Yoo-Jin''s publicity efforts going?" There were roughly ten days left until the first broadcast of In the Name of God. Only then did Kang Ji-Yung turn her head and smile. "I''ll meet all the press editors with the Publicity Division. Don''t worry." "Thank you." "But do you think you can beat Festival of Money this time?" Kang Ji-Yung questioned. Sensing a test in Kang Ji-Yung''s question, I answered in a confident voice, "Definitely!" "Wow~ then I bet Miss Yoo-Jin will win tons of awards, huh?" Kang Ji-Yung remarked. "Of course, she''ll bring home at least two," I said with a confident smile. Kang Ji-Yung''s face started to brighten. "Oh, by the way, are you taking good care of Mrs. Jin Yoo-Jung?" Because Gu Seong-Cheol had taken full responsibility for the approval, Kang Ji-Yung didn''t know that Yoo-Jin was Mrs. Jin Yoo-Jung. When I was considering whether to tell Kang Ji-Yung the truth, Lee Gi-Cheol suddenly burst into the office door, yelling, "Director Kang Ji-Yung! Are you challenging me to go all the way?" Startled by Lee Gi-Cheol''s sudden outburst, Kang Ji-Yung tilted her head and asked, "What do you mean by that? You need to give me some context here." "Mrs. Lee Mal-Soon has just informed us that she''s moving to Singer Division 2! She said if her request isn''t met, there will be no re-contract! What else could this be but a scheme by Jung Yoon-Ho and you?" Lee Gi-Cheol continuedshing out at us. Lee Mal-Soon was a popr trot singer I had given advice on previously regarding an event. But apparently, she had requested to be transferred to Singer Division 2. The fuming Lee Gi-Cheol also shouted at me, "Jung Yoon-Ho! What scheme did you pull this time?" At that moment, I remembered an entry in my nner. ¡®Come to think of it, was yesterday that day?¡¯ I wondered. [Everyday V10] [Date: July 17, 2020] -03:00 p.m. (Meeting Agenda) Lee Mal-Soon''s 12th album a big hit. Dinner show sold out. Schedule meeting. Singer Division 1 meeting room. If Lee Mal-Soon made such a sudden request, it must have been because ofst night''s dinner show sell-out incident. In my past life, Lee Mal-Soon''s dinner show ticket sales had dropped below 50% for a while but regained poprity with her new song, leading to a schedule adjustment meeting. And in that very meeting, Lee Mal-Soon had requested a change of division. She had asked to be transferred to Singer Division 2 while mentioning my name. ¡®She''s moving faster than I thought,¡¯ I remarked silently. Lee Gi-Cheol shouted with his face red with anger, "Jung Yoon-Ho! Aren''t you going to answer? Did you poach Mrs. Lee Mal-Soon?" Although I had met with Yang Hong-Seok regarding the event proposal, I had no direct contact with Lee Mal-Soon. I had only anticipated that such an incident might happen, although it happened much faster than I had expected. "It seems there''s some misunderstanding. I''ve never even met Mrs. Lee Mal-Soon and I''ve never suggested moving divisions," I exined. Kang Ji-Yung also stepped in to stop Lee Gi-Cheol. "Mr. Lee, it''s inappropriate to use Team Lead Jung like this without any basis. Please calm down." "Do you think this is the first time this guy has pulled such a sneaky trick? I''m not letting this go this time!" Lee Gi-Cheol barked. Kang Ji-Yung frowned. "Do you have any evidence that Team Lead Jung has done anything?" "Are you defending this guy in front of me right now?" Lee Gi-Cheol retorted. "What? I''m not defending him but trying to sort out this situation!" Kang Ji-Yung defended herself. "Who needs evidence? There''s circumstantial evidence!" Lee Gi-Cheol yelled. ''Of course there''s no evidence. How could there be evidence when I hadn''t done anything?'' I remarked inwardly. But I had no intention of enduring this poor treatment any longer now that I was a team lead and no longer a first-year employee. I looked directly at Lee Gi-Cheol and raised my voice. "Mr. Lee, don''t you think it''s a little too much to use someone without any evidence? Huh?" My sharp tone left Lee Gi-Cheol visibly flustered. Chapter 228: Harvest (1)

Chapter 228: Harvest (1)

When Kang Gam-Chan returns, Lee Gi-Cheol wouldn''t be able to do anything. Perhaps because he was well aware of this fact, Lee Gi-Cheol was bing impatient. While he was in charge of managing thepany, Singer Division 1 led by the Suhyaejong line was on the brink of copse. On the other hand, Kang Ji-Yung and I, who were on Kang Gam-Chan''s side, were flourishing. If things continued like this, Lee Gi-Cheol was likely to be insignificant after Kang Gam-Chan''s return. Because of that, I didn''t even blink at Lee Gi-Cheol''s reproaches. The flustered Lee Gi-Cheol shouted, "What? Too much? How dare a newly appointed team lead talk back like that?" "Why is talking back even relevant in a work discussion? And even if something like that really did happen, you should be reprimanding Singer Division 1 for not properly managing Mrs. Lee Mal-Soon, noting to me about it," I retorted. As my sharp exchange with Lee Gi-Cheol continued, Yoo-Jin also joined the conversation. "Mr. Lee, don''t you think this is a little unfair? Why are you questioning Yoon-Ho oppa about Mrs. Lee Mal-Soon? You can ask her directly if you have an issue." Lee Gi-Cheol''s face began to turn even redder as Yoo-Jin joined in to support me. Celebrities couldn''t treat those at the executive level in the entertainment industry lightly. This was because those at the executive level were the ones who would meet with broadcast executives and had decision-making power in investments. But there was a power unique to the celebrities that even major figures couldn''t withstand¡ªpoprity. Yoo-Jin was using her poprity to stand against Lee Gi-Cheol. Lee Gi-Cheol red at Yoo-Jin while huffing. "What are you going to do if evidencees out that Team Lead Jung was involved?" Before I could intervene, Yoo-Jin shouted, "Then I''ll grant one of your wishes, Mr. Lee!" Lee Gi-Cheol shouted with a confident look in his eyes. "Is that a promise, Jung Yoo-Jin?" "It sure is." But at the same time, Yoo-Jin asked back, "Then what will you do if you''re wrong, Mr. Lee?" "I''ll apologize then!" Lee Gi-Cheol yelled. "What? That''s a given!" Yoo-Jin rebutted. "Then what do you want me to do?" Yoo-Jin replied firmly, "From now on, don''t suddenlye and bother my talent agent." Lee Gi-Cheol red at Yoo-Jin for a moment and then nodded. "Alright. I won''t do that." Lee Gi-Cheol nced at me briefly, then turned and left. As the door closed with a bang, Kang Ji-Yung gave Yoo-Jin a thumbs-up. "Wow. Miss Yoo-Jin, your charisma is no joke." Yoo-Jin let out a deep sigh. "Phew. But Mr. Lee Gi-Cheol, isn''t he always too much?" Kang Ji-Yung patted her chest. "Yes. He''s been like that for ages, hasn''t he?" But perhaps because she''s concerned, Kang Ji-Yung asked me. "Team Lead Jung, you really didn''t suggest Mrs. Lee Mal-Soon to change her division, right?" "I was too busy to even have time for that. You know my schedule these days," I replied. "Then why did this talke up?" Kang Ji-Yung asked. I exined that Yang Hong-Seok hade to me about an event issue and I had given him a little help. "So you did spark the me," Kang Ji-Yung remarked. "Sparking the me doesn''t always lead to a fire." Kang Ji-Yung smiled and stood up. "Indeed. If such minor things led to division changes, no one would be left in thepany. But this is surely going to cause quite a stir. What should we do?" As I shrugged my shoulders, Kang Ji-Yung continued with a smile. "Let''s call it a day here. I need to finalize the advertising contract with Yetterang and stop Director Lee Gi-Cheol from causing more trouble." I nodded. "Yes, Ms. Kang. Then we''ll be off as well." *** On the way back home, Yoo-Jin sitting in the back seat wore a worried expression. "Oppa, will you be okay?" I looked at her through the mirror and asked, "What do you mean? About confronting Director Lee Gi-Cheol?" "Yes. No matter what, he''s still a director. I feel like I might have been too harsh." "If you were going to worry about it, you shouldn''t have confronted him." Yoo-Jin pouted. "But how could I stay quiet? My talent agent was getting scolded for something he didn''t do." "I appreciate you standing up for me but don''t worry too much. Director Lee Gi-Cheol can''t do anything to me anyway," I reassured her. Yoo-Jin tilted her head. "Don''t you think you''re being a bit overconfident?" I answered with a smirk. "Isn''t it about time I was?" Yoo-Jin yfully smiled. "Wow~ look at you~. By the way, oppa. Your bank bnce will be almost empty if you buy Yetterang stocks, right?" As Yoo-Jin said, spending 100 million won on Yetterang stocks a weekter would leave only about 5 million won in my ount. "It''s fine. Even if I had money, I wouldn''t have time to spend it," I replied. "If you ever need more, just let me know. I''ll lend it to you," said Yoo-Jin. "Wow~ look at you~," I remarked. I mimicked her words exactly. Then, I added, "And no matter whoes and tells you to sell those stocks, don''t sell them. Got it?" "Okay. I''ll sell them only if you tell me to, oppa." At that moment, a yful thought crossed my mind. "But what if you end up losing money?" Yoo-Jin smiled brightly. "I don''t mind." I was taken aback by her answer. "Really?" "Yes. Even if I lose money, it would be because you were trying to help us. So... it''s okay. Even if those stocks be worthless." Though she stuttered a bit, she still smiled and said it was okay. I felt overwhelmed for a moment and couldn''t say anything. Yoo-Jin didn''t have a nner and neither did she travel back in time like I did, yet she was following all my advice. She trusted me and depended on me. I realized once again how right it was to choose Yoo-Jin once again after traveling back in time. ''Thank you, Yoo-Jin,'' I said silently in my heart. Yoo-Jin''s face reflected in the rearview mirror looked prettier than ever¡ªuntil her next words, that was. "But if those stocks be worthless, there will be no dieting in my life," Yoo-Jin remarked. "Huh?" Perhaps because she was always struggling with dieting, she sometimes lost her mind like this. And it was my job as her talent agent to set her straight. "That will never happen. So keep dreaming, okay? My dear actress?" I said with a smile. *** The next day, I got a KkTalk message saying there would be a meeting for all team leads and above as soon as I arrived at thepany''s underground parking lot. Grabbing my bag from the passenger seat, I turned off the engine and got out of the car. At that moment, Oh Duk-Gu parked next to me and got out. "Team Lead Jung, are you on your way to the meeting?" I nodded. "Yes, sir." "A lot of work from early in the morning, right?" Oh Duk-Gu remarked. "Indeed." We talked about recent industry news and headed to the elevator. But in front of the elevator, Team Lead Park Hyun-Jin from Actor Division 1 and Team Lead Na Gyu-Chul from Actor Division 3 were talking. "Wait a moment, let''s go after those guys go up," said Oh Duk-Gu as he pulled my sleeve and hid behind the corner. I willingly followed, not wanting to ride the elevator with people I felt ufortable with. As soon as we hid, I heard the annoyed voice of Na Gyu-Chul. "Why are we gathering so early today?" "I heard Mr. Lee Gi-Cheol called for an early meeting because he was really angry yesterday," Park Hyun-Jin answered. "Well, it''s not a day or two that man gets angry. So, what''s the issue this time?" Na Gyu-Chul asked while rolling his eyes. "Mrs. Lee Mal-Soon requested to transfer to Singer Division 2 because of Team Lead Jung," Park Hyun-Jin exined. "Is it Team Lead Jung again? That guy is so talented. What did he pull off this time?" Na Gyu-Chul asked with a slight smirk. "I heard he nned Mrs. Lee Mal-Soon''s dinner show event," answered Park Hyun-Jin. Na Gyu-Chul raised his eyebrows. "Oh, the lunch boxes and merchandise?" Park Hyun-Jin nodded. "Yeah. I heard the response was incredible." "Do older fans like that kind of thing?" Na Gyu-Chul asked. "Hey, who doesn''t like a delicious lunch box? Age doesn''t matter," replied Park Hyun-Jin. Na Gyu-Chul thought for a second and said, "Geez. Should I get some advice from Team Lead Jung as well? Dong-Jin has a fan meeting soon..." "Sigh. Let''s ask Team Lead Jung while buying him lunchter. Sung-Hoon is also pestering me for that lunch box event or whatever," Park Hyun-Jinmented. The impact of what I had done was bigger than I expected. The elevator soon arrived, and Na Gyu-Chul and Park Hyun-Jin went up. Oh Duk-Gu tapped my shoulder after hearing the entire conversation and said, "Team Lead Jung, you''re really shaking up thepany. When did you grow so much, huh?" "I''ve always been tall, you know?" I said jokingly. "Oh, you!" Oh Duk-Gu eximed with a face full of pride as he gently tapped my shoulder. I smiled and replied humbly, "It''s all thanks to your great guidance, Mr. Oh.And please feel free to call me Yoon-Ho. I''m still morefortable with that for now." Oh Duk-Gu smiled. "For now?" "Well, that''s..." I stuttered. Oh Duk-Gu chuckled. "It''s fine. I know you''re aiming for the chief position." After dering that I would be a chief within a year and a half, I told my team to keep it secret. After all, I didn''t know what might happen if word got out. But Kang Ji-Yung exined she had already told Gu Seong-Cheol and Oh Duk-Gu to prepare for the future. That was the reason Oh Duk-Gu started calling me Team Lead Jung instead of my name. He said it was to avoid awkwardness when I became a chiefter. "I''m sorry, Mr. Oh," I apologized bashfully. Oh Duk-Gu smiled and said, "Don''t be. We''re not civil servants, so why worry about seniority? It''s only natural that you move up if you''re capable. The ones who move up first pull the others along. Hurry up and move up so you can pull me along." I nodded with a smile. "Understood." "Well, shall we go? We''ll get scolded again if we''rete." "Yes, sir." We took the elevator that had juste down to the sixth-floor meeting room. The meeting was likely being held because they couldn''t persuade Lee Mal-Soon, and it was obvious there would be a big fuss. ''I wonder how Lee Gi-Cheol will handle his apology,'' I thought. I started to look forward to the morning meeting a little more. *** When I entered the meeting room, Chief Cha Sang-Jin and Kim Dong-Soo looked grim. Lee Mal-Soon was a key member of Singer Division 1 along with Golden Road. With Golden Road inactive, the status of Singer Division 1 would drastically decline if Lee Mal-Soon moved to Singer Division 2. Thanks to that, the meeting was tense from the start. "Shouldn''t we at least keep our basic ethics? She''s just released a new song and is getting a good reaction, but this happens? How could you do something even otherpanies wouldn''t do to their colleagues?" Cha Sang-Jin argued. When Cha Sang-Jin turned red with anger, Lee Dong-Min spoke with an irritated expression. "Ah, seriously. How many times do I have to tell you? We didn''t try to bring her over. She requested it herself. Don''t you think this issue happened because there had been problems with management of Singer Division 1?" "What? Who do you think you''re ming right now!?" Cha Sang-Jin shouted. At that moment, Lee Mal-Soon''s dedicated talent agent Yang Hong-Seok interrupted with a bored expression. "Mr. Cha, let''s stop now." "Team Lead Yang!" Cha Sang-Jin turned and yelled. "Didn''t we settle this yesterday? Mrs. Lee said she wasn''t satisfied with Singer Division 1''s support. Being uncooperative will only make things harder for both sides," said Yang Hong-Seok. "Team Lead Yang! You! Do you know how hard I''ve worked to get even one more event for her?" Cha Sang-Jin questioned angrily. Yang Hong-Seok snorted."I also made that much effort." "What? Do you even hear what you''re saying?" Cha Sang-Jin replied in disbelief. When Yang Hong-Seok rebutted his direct superior Cha Sang-Jin, Kim Dong-Soo clicked his tongue and shook his head. At that moment, there was a knock at the meeting room door. "Who is it? We''re in a meeting!" Lee Gi-Cheol yelled. A sharp voice came from outside. "It''s me, Lee Mal-Soon. What''s going on in there that I can hear my talent agent getting grilled from outside? Huh?" The very person causing all themotion, Lee Mal-Soon, had appeared. *** Lee Gi-Cheol hurriedly halted the meeting at the sound of Lee Mal-Soon''s voice from outside the meeting room. "Quick, open the door for her." "Yes, sir." Yang Hong-Seok replied and hastily ran to the door. When the door opened, Lee Mal-Soon, dressed in a morous evening dress with a hat adorned with peacock feathers, peered inside the meeting room. "May Ie in, Mr. Gi-Cheol?" Lee Gi-Cheol nodded and said, "Pleasee on in, ma''am." Lee Mal-Soon looked at Yang Hong-Seok upon entering the meeting room. "Team Lead Yang, why is this meeting taking so long? Didn''t you convey my intentions properly?" Yang Hong-Seok nodded. "I did convey them, ma''am." "Then who opposed it?" Lee Mal-Soon questioned. As Lee Mal-Soon scanned the room, everyone avoided her gaze. Lee Mal-Soon had spent thirty years in the trot music industry, and the hardships she had endured in her life couldn''t be exined in a few words. In other words, there were few in thepany who could win a confrontation with her. Lee Mal-Soon furrowed her brows as she looked around the room and said, "My demands aren''t that difficult, are they? Why is the response being dragged out? What''s going on? Who''s opposing me?" Thinking it was hisst chance, Cha Sang-Jin gathered his courage and stood up. "Ma''am, I couldn''t exin everything yesterday because I was overwhelmed. But from now on, we will prioritize you in Singer Division 1 and support everything you want. So please reconsider moving to Singer Division 2..." Lee Mal-Soon raised her hand and spoke. "Chief Cha, you should have done well from the start. Don''t you think it''s a bit toote to say that now?" Cha Sang-Jin tried to exin himself. "From now on, we will..." At that moment, Lee Mal-Soon shouted in a sharp voice. "You''ll support everything I want? Alright. Then bring Team Lead Jung to Singer Division 1." Chapter 229: Harvest (2)

Chapter 229: Harvest (2)

Lee Mal-Soon''s request to bring me to Singer Division 1 caused a stir in the meeting room and I was a bit surprised myself. Even though I had discreetly taken some measures, I didn''t expect Lee Mal-Soon to need me to that extent. Cha Sang-Jin stammered at Lee Mal-Soon''s outburst. "I''m sorry, but what do you mean, Mrs. Lee..." Lee Mal-Soon responded, "What? You said you''d do everything, didn''t you? This is what I want. Can you do it? If you can, I''ll stay in Singer Division 1." Though Lee Mal-Soon was straightforward in her demands, Cha Sang-Jin couldn''t take her words at face value. "Sigh~. Ma''am, if you haveints, please speak openly. I don''t understand why you''re acting this way just because Team Lead Jung nned some trivial lunch boxes and goods!" Cha Sang-Jinined. At that moment, Lee Mal-Soon''s face contorted with anger and she mmed her handbag on the meeting room table. Bang! The studs on the handbag hit the table and made a sharp sound. "Some trivial lunch boxes? Some trivial goods? Chief Cha, you better watch what you say. Do you know how happy my fans were at the concert because of those ''trivial lunch boxes and goods''?" Lee Mal-Soon yelled. Lee Mal-Soon began to berate Cha Sang-Jin with veins bulging in her neck out of anger. "M-Ma''am..." Cha Sang-Jin stuttered in shock. The event Lee Mal-Soon provided including high-quality lunch boxes with simple letters inside and affordable goods definitely thrilled her fans. "What do you think is a talent agent''s job? Isn''t it to help a celebrity like me not fall behind trends? Huh?" Lee Mal-Soon reprimanded him. Only then did Cha Sang-Jin realize his mistake; his expression turned troubled. Lee Mal-Soon started looking around the meeting room. "I want to sing and stay active in this industry until I die. But to keep feeling this way, I need those ''trivial changes'' you speak of. And Team Lead Jung is the one who can make those changes." The staff in the meeting room began to clear their throats awkwardly as Lee Mal-Soon''s voice grew louder. Lee Mal-Soon looked at Cha Sang-Jin. "Chief Cha. I know you''ve worked hard for me until now, but it seems like this is the end for us." "I made a mistake. I can do what Team Lead Jung did for you too. I''ll do better from now on, so please..." Cha Sang-Jin pleaded. However, Lee Mal-Soon''s expression turned cold at that moment. After all, she had exined enough and persuaded enough. Then, Lee Mal-Soon spoke coldly, "Chief Cha, you weren''t like this before. Why are you being so petty?" As Cha Sang-Jin dragged the situation, Lee Mal-Soon red at Lee Gi-Cheol with her charisma cultivated over 30 years and said, "Mr. Gi-Cheol, this is making me feel ufortable. Do I have to keep listening to this?" Lee Gi-Cheol frowned and stood up. "No, ma''am. You don''t have to. We''ll do as you wish. I''m sorry for making youe all the way here." Lee Mal-Soon nodded when Lee Gi-Cheol apologized. Then, Lee Gi-Cheol asked, "But please let me ask just one question. Are you nning to move divisions with Team Leader Yang as well?" "Of course. Why? Is there a problem with that?" Lee Mal-Soon questioned. If Lee Gi-Cheol''s answer was no, Lee Mal-Soon would definitely leave thepany. Lee Gi-Cheol made a bitter look on his face for a moment before speaking. "No, I just wanted to confirm to make sure. We''ll handle it that way then." "Thank you, Mr. Gi-Cheol," said Lee Mal-Soon. Only then did Lee Mal-Soon''s face soften. But instead of turning around to leave the meeting room, Lee Mal-Soon looked at me and said, "Team Lead Jung." "Yes, ma''am." "I''m sorry for acting hastily without consulting with you. I heard you got scolded without knowing why. Is that true?" Lee Mal-Soon asked. "It''s fine. Please don''t worry about it," I replied politely. Lee Mal-Soon smiled slightly. That''s when I instinctively realized it was a chance to score more points. "Oh, and ma''am." "Yes, Team Lead Jung?" "May I say something even if it seems meddlesome?" "Say anything you want." "At the next dinner show you''re having, please consider allowing your fans toe on stage through a story lottery," I suggested. Lee Mal-Sooncked interaction with her fans. She was a skilled singer recognized by all, but she thought she had to appear mysterious to her fans like the old-time singer she was. But she shouldn''t do that anymore. Topete with young trot singers rising with the audition show boom, interaction with fans was essential. After all, a pop culture artist behind the times would only be left behind. "A story lottery?" Lee Mal-Soon asked with curiosity. I nodded. "Yes. It would be an unforgettable memory for the fans if they could talk with you on stage. And one more thing¡ªplease hold an event for those who can''t afford toe to the dinner show as a charitable act." At that moment, Lee Mal-Soon began tough heartily as if relieved. Afterughing for a while, she barely managed to stop before speaking. "Team Lead Jung, keep saying whateveres to mind like you are now in the future. Understood?" "Then you mean what I suggested will be..." "Of course, I''ll do it. The one thing I''ve learned in 30 years in this industry is that you''ll be forgotten if you don''t adapt to the changes. But the older I get, the more afraid I am of change. So don''t fear change and talk to me whenever you feel the need to like now. I''ll follow. Understood?" Lee Mal-Soon replied. I nodded. "Yes, ma''am." The meeting room suddenly became noisy as everyone looked surprised that the demanding Lee Mal-Soon epted my advice so easily. Lee Mal-Soon nodded with a relieved expression. "Then I''ll get going. Good work, everyone." When Lee Mal-Soon left the meeting room with Yang Hong-Seok, Cha Sang-Jin sat down with a pale face. He looked like he was doomed. At the same time, the atmosphere in Singer Division 1 hit rock bottom after realizing they had lost both Golden Road and Lee Mal-Soon. On the other hand, Lee Dong-Min and the members of Singer Division 2 were triumphant. Cherry Blossom hadpletely reced Golden Road''s position and they now managed Lee Mal-Soon. Taking advantage of the moment, I checked my nner. But at that moment, I saw all the schedules rted to Cha Sang-Jin had disappeared from the nner. ''No way. Could Chief Cha really be fired?'' I wondered. Thinking about it, Cha Sang-Jin had made irreversible mistakes with the Golden Road scandal and Lee Mal-Soon''s transfer. It made no sense for him to keep his position in such a situation. As the meeting was about to end, Kang Ji-Yung spoke to Lee Gi-Cheol. "Mr. Lee." "What is it?" Lee Gi-Cheol asked. "You must keep your promise." "Wh-what promise?" Kang Ji-Yung smiled coldly at Lee Gi-Cheol and replied, "This is very disappointing. I thought you''d keep your promise, Mr. Lee." Kang Ji-Yung was referring to the promise Lee Gi-Cheol had made to Yoo-Jin. It was the promise to apologize for suspecting me recklessly and not to call me without certainty again in the future. In front of all the staff at the meeting, Kang Ji-Yung was demanding that the promise be fulfilled without blinking an eye. "You want me to do that here?" Lee Gi-Cheol asked in disbelief. Kang Ji-Yung nodded. "Yes. A promise is a promise, isn''t it?" "Ugh..." Lee Gi-Cheol frowned deeply and reluctantly spoke to me. "Team Lead Jung." "Yes, sir." "I caused trouble by doubting you without checking the details this time. I''m sorry. I apologize... There won''t be a next time," Lee Gi-Cheol apologized unwillingly. His voice was low unlike usual but loud enough for everyone in the room to hear it. It was the first apology I received from Lee Gi-Cheol even including my previous life. I held back my burstingughter and spoke calmly. "Please be careful next time, Mr. Lee." Lee Gi-Cheol''s face turned red. Simultaneously, the team leads and talent agents began to murmur while looking at each other. At the same time, the way they looked at me started to vary when they saw that the highest-ranking member of the Suhyaejong line had bowed his head to a mere two-yearpetitor from the rival line¡ªsome had expressions of disbelief while others with curiosity. Kim Dong-Soo started ring at me with a resentful look, but I received his gaze with a calm expression. ''Can you hear the sound of Suhyaejong line cracking, Kim Dong-Soo?'' I thought. The moment Kim Dong-Soo turned his head in displeasure, the meeting that left a significant wound on the face of the Suhyaejong line ended. *** After finishing the early morning meeting, I headed straight to the TVM set located in Ilsan where the filming of Master of Mukbang was already in full swing. I called out to Lee Yung-Jin, who was engrossed in monitoring the works on set, "Why did you arrange to meet Ho-Jun hyung particrly at TVM?" "Because Ho-Jun hyung is also filming a TVM drama now. Birth of a Hero. Don''t you know?" Lee Yung-Jin replied. Sung Ho-Jun, scouted by Kim Dong-Soo, was currently filming Birth of a Hero which had a 10.3% viewership rating on TVM. And today, the filming was scheduled right next to our set. Lee Yung-Jin exined he had arranged the meeting in the waiting room to avoid rumors about me meeting Sung Ho-Jun. "Wow. Look at you doing great, Yung-Jin," I praised him. Lee Yung-Jin shrugged his shoulders. "I should definitely be promoted to assistant manager at this rate, don''t you think?" I smiled and replied, "I''ll consider it if you bring Ho-Jun hyung to our team." Lee Yung-Jin squinted and put on a serious face. "But isn''t that something you should handle, Mr. Jung?" "Why the formalnguage all of a sudden?" I asked. "Thinking about it, it''s work hours right now," Lee Yung-Jin replied. ''He''s pouty. Okay, I should stop joking around,'' I thought to myself. I smiled and told Lee Yung-Jin, "I''ll put in a promotion request for you when Master of Mukbang ends, so don''t worry." Only then did Lee Yung-Jin''s face brighten. "Okay, Mr. Jung!" Meanwhile, I made eye contact with Haru who had just finished his makeup. "Haru, good luck today. You got this!!" I cheered him on. "Thank you, hyung," answered Haru energetically as he headed to the set which was a replica of the studio apartment. Haru stood on the set and sent a signal to begin. "I''m ready, Ms. Yoo." The moment Haru stepped in front of the camera, he immediately switched to filming mode and impressed the staff. "That kid was born to act." "Indeed. He''s quick and has no NGs." "The filming speed is 20% faster than usual thanks to him." "How did Team Lead Jung find such a talent..." My shoulders lifted involuntarily hearing the staff''s constant praises about Haru. "Alright. Quiet on set. Ready for shoot. Scene 30~ Ready~ Action!" Haru stretched and began to act when Yoo Hyun-Ji shouted through the megaphone. His acting and voice were so natural that I didn''t have to worry about anything at all. Thanks to that, I left the scene to Lee Yung-Jin and headed to TVM''s waiting room to snatch Sung Ho-Jun, whom Kim Dong-Soo was trying to recruit. *** Avoiding the production staff''s eyes as much as possible, I headed to Sung Ho-Jun''s waiting room in TVM. Knock, knock. "Who is it?" "Hello, it''s Jung Yoon-Ho." The door clicked open without a word, and Sung Ho-Jun''s talent agent and brother, Sung Yung-Jun, greeted me in a low voice. "Come in quickly before anyone sees you." Without even being given time to exchange business cards, I hurriedly went inside the waiting room. Inside the waiting room was the slender Sung Ho-Jun sitting on the sofa while ying a mobile game. Sung Ho-Jun was humming and tapping his feet with Bluetooth earphones in his ears. Seeing this, Sung Yung-Jun frowned. "Hyung, Mr. Jung is here." But Sung Ho-Jun couldn''t hear Sung Yung-Jin''s voice with Bluetooth earphones in his ears. When Sung Yung-Jun shook his head and was about to approach Sung Ho-Jun, I stopped him. "What is it, Mr. Jung?" Sung Yung-Jun asked. "I can wait a moment until he''s done," I said. "But it''s rude to keep a guest waiting..." "It''s fine. He''ll be done soon anyway." Sung Ho-Jun used to enjoy ying mobile games even in my past life. He used to be an RPG game enthusiast, but he switched to mobile games he could y on set due to filming constraints. While Sung Ho-Jun was immersed in mobile games, Sung Yung-Jun and I exchanged business cards and introduced ourselves. "Yung-Jin hyung talked a lot about you, Mr. Jung. He says you''re doing great these days," said Sung Yung-Jun. "That''s not true. I''ve been overrated for sure," I replied humbly. "Oh,e on. Your reputation has spread even among the talent agents in ourpany." While introducing myself to Sung Yung-Jun, I subtly brought up the topic of exercise. Because we had a lot inmon as former athletes, our conversation flowed smoothly. At that moment, Sung Ho-Jun put down his phone after finishing his game and stood up. ''It''s been a long time, Ho-Jun hyung,'' I remarked inwardly. Sung Ho-Jun was a meticulous and self-disciplined person, but he was someone who could be very generous outside of business settings. And Sung Ho-Jun was quite close to me. Hiding my delight, I took a deep breath and greeted him. "Hello, I''m Jung Yoon-Ho." At that moment, Sung Ho-Jun gave a peculiar smile before speaking. "Were you waiting for me to finish my game by chance?" Chapter 230: Harvest (3)

Chapter 230: Harvest (3)

For celebrities to endure the tough life in showbiz, they needed something to cool their heads asionally. Things like alcohol or cigarettes usually served that purpose, but for Sung Ho-Jun, that role was yed by games. Because of that reason, Sung Ho-Jun valued the time spent ying games more than anything. He even fired Jang Yoo-Sik, the chief of TNT Entertainment who told him to stop ying those games, and made his brother Sung Yung-Jun his talent agent. "You like to y games, don''t you, Mr. Ho-Jun? Of course I should wait until you''re done. After all, it''s a mobile game so each round ends in just two minutes anyway," I replied. A broad smile spread across Sung Ho-Jun''s face. "That''s the first time I''ve heard that. You''re a considerate man, Mr. Jung. I''ve heard good things about youtely and it''s clear there''s a reason for that." I smiled. "You tter me, Mr. Sung." Sung Ho-Jun pointed to the sofa with a bright expression. "Come on, let''s sit and talk." I nodded. "Sure." In the meantime, Sung Yung-Jun fetched drinks from the refrigerator in the waiting room. Sung Ho-Jun handed me a drink and began the conversation with a yful smile. But now I had to focus. While cheerful and yful, Sung Ho-Jun was also quick-witted and calctive. "Alright, that''s enough greeting. What''s the reason you wanted to see me?" Sung Ho-Jun asked. "If you transfer to Hoop Entertainment, please join Team Jung under my management," I said in a straightforward manner. Sung Ho-Jun looked surprised at my direct request. "I didn''t expect you to be so blunt." When I shrugged, Sung Ho-Jun asked again, "But you must have heard that I decided to sign with Mr. Kim, haven''t you?" "Yes, I have." Sung Ho-Jun leaned forward and said, "It''s true that I''ve heard many times that you are doing well, Mr. Jung. But switching teams right after changingpanies just doesn''t seem right." Sung Ho-Jun shook his head reluctantly. But if he wasn''t really interested, he wouldn''t have agreed to meet me in the first ce. I knew through Lee Yung-Jin why Sung Ho-Jun wanted to join ourpany. The works TNT Entertainment selected for Sung Ho-Jun were of lower qualitypared to his acting talents. Sung Ho-Jun wanted to achieve greater sess and was looking to changepanies. Knowing this, Kim Dong-Soo had approached and persuaded Sung Ho-Jun. In order to recruit Sung Ho-Jun, Kim Dong-Soo had promised the lead role in the genius director Lee Han-Soo''s Divine Punishment and massive publicity efforts. And all of this was information Lee Yung-Jin had gathered through Sung Yung-Jun. Armed with this information, I began to persuade Sung Ho-Jun. "You have nothing to lose by listening to what I have to offer." Sung Ho-Jun nodded. "Alright, go ahead then." I opened the pre-organized office file on my tablet. "This is a neatly organized chart of your filmography, Mr. Sung." The tablet screen disyed the movies Sung Ho-Jun appeared in along with their audience numbers in chronological order. I started exining, "As you can see from the graph, the audience numbers for your films have been steadily declining. Let''s look at the dramas next." On the next page, the titles and viewership ratings of the dramas Sung Ho-Jun appeared in were disyed. Despite being acimed as the best actor with a wide range of acting skills and deep psychological portrayals from historical dramas to thrillers, his poprity was waning. Sung Ho-Jun frowned. "You''ve really gathered all this information." "What you need right now is a talent agent with an eye for selecting good projects, Mr. Sung. And in terms of choosing popr projects, I''m better than Mr. Kim Dong-Soo," I said confidently. I was itching to say that I even held future sess indicators in my hand. Perhaps because he was slightly offended, Sung Ho-Jun brought up the promise Kim Dong-Soo had secretly made. "It will be different next time. My next work is set to be Divine Punishment by the genius director Lee Han-Soo." I put down the tablet and turned my gaze to Sung Ho-Jun. "My nickname is Star Jung the Forteller. You know that, right?" "I''ve heard." "Then let me tell you something. The movie Divine Punishment by director Lee Han-Soo will flop. Big time," I said in a firm tone. Sung Ho-Jun jumped up from his seat. "What did you say?" Sung Ho-Jun started fuming as soon as I said that the uing movie he was looking forward to would fail. "Are you saying that the work of the great director Lee Han-Soo will fail? Big time? Are you joking right now?" When Sung Ho-Jun aggressively confronted me, Sung Yung-Jun intervened. "Hyung, calm down." "Do I look like I can calm down? You know how much I like director Lee Han-Soo, don''t you? He''s been preparing for this work for a very long time now. The script is great as well!" Sung Ho-Jun said agitatedly. "If you were so confident in your ability to choose projects, you wouldn''t have thought about changingpanies. Let''s be honest. How many movies or dramas have you carried with just your poprity, Mr. Sung? Countless," I added boldly. Sung Ho-Jun''s biggest weakness was his poor eye for choosing good scripts. But thanks to his excellent acting skills and recognition, even failing dramas or movies managed to break even to some extent. But this very fact was working against him. Sung Ho-Jun paused for a second before speaking. "So you''re saying the script for this movie is that bad?" I nodded. "Yes, unfortunately." Sung Ho-Jun couldn''t believe my firm answer, saying that many stakeholders praised the script. However, saying the script was good was just a courtesy to impress Lee Han-Soo. Moreover, there was a more serious problem with Divine Punishment. "Do you know that there''s serious friction among the staff working under Mr. Lee Han-Soo?" I asked. Currently, the cinematographer Gu Cheon-Sang''s wife was having an affair with the production manager Jung Eun-Seok. As soon as the film started production, this affair would cause a scandal leading to fights among the staff on set¡ªand Lee Han-Soo''s team would bepletely torn apart because of this fight. But unaware of the circumstances, Sung Ho-Jun asked why that mattered. "It''s not umon for staff to have some emotional issues while working together, is it?" I took a deep breath before speaking. "It''s different this time. There are serious love affairs involved among the staff. And those staff members hold key positions." Sung Ho-Jun asked Sung Yung-Jun with a look of disbelief. "Yung-Joon, have you heard about any issues among Mr. Lee Han-Soo''s staff?" Sung Yung-Jun shook his head. "No, I haven''t." Sung Ho-Jun looked at me again. He was clearly skeptical. But with the seed of doubt nted, even the great Sung Ho-Jun couldn''t hide his unease. "Maybe we should check what Mr. Jung said and then talk again." Sung Yung-Jun agreed. "Yes, let''s do that." I took a step back because pushing further would only cause bacsh. Instead, I said to Sung Ho-Jun before stepping out the door, "The game you''re ying now is Starship War 2, right?" My question seemed to have piqued Sung Ho-Jun''s interest and he replied, "Yes. Do you y this game too, Mr. Yoon-Ho?" "No. But that game will shut down in a week. So don''t buy any items or enhance anything." "What? What, what do you mean..." Sung Ho-Jun asked with a confused look. Leaving the wide-eyed Sung Ho-Jun behind, I leisurely exited the waiting room and checked my nner as soon as the door closed. But at that moment, the schedule in my nner was being erased. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: November 22, 2020] -12:00 p.m. (Deleted schedule: Main Lead Sung Ho-Jun Box office 700,000. Screen out.) It seemed Sung Ho-Jun mighte to me sooner than expected. *** Lee Yung-Jin asked with an excited expression, "Mr. Jung, did it work?" "I don''t know. I''ve nted the seed, but we have to wait and see if it sprouts," I replied. "If you don''t know, who would? How was the atmosphere?" Lee Yung-Jin asked further. "Don''t jinx it," I told him. "Seems like it went well, huh?" Lee Yung-Jin remarked. After responding with a smile, I checked Haru''s filming schedule and asked, "Is Haru doing okay?" Lee Yung-Jin nodded. "Absolutely." "Good. Has Miso arrived yet?" I asked. Today''s shoot for episode 3 of Master of Mukbang featured Miso. However, Miso hadn''t arrived on set yet. "She should be here by now..." "Oh, there shees." At that moment, Miso wearing overalls appeared holding Lee Tae-Poong''s hand from the entrance to the set. Wearing pink shoes,ce socks, and overalls, Miso was hopping with excitement. Now transformed into the Good David, Lee Tae-Poong held Miso''s hand to prevent her from falling with a kind expression. Lee Yung-Jin clicked his tongue in admiration. "Amazing. Simply amazing." Lee Tae-Poong could captivate people with his handsome looks just by smiling. With him holding the hand of angelic Miso, the scene almost looked like amercial. This caused the staff to begin taking out their phones to snap photos. Fortunately, the shoot was on hold; otherwise, Miso and Lee Tae-Poong''s appearance would have certainly caused amotion. Following behind them were Lee Dae-Ho and Jung Sang-Bong carrying clothes and costumes. Lee Tae-Poong approached me with a bright smile. "Hyung, you''re on set today?" "Yes, I wanted to see you and Miso," I replied with a smile. Miso let go of Lee Tae-Poong''s hand and beamed. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, did youe to see me?" To be honest, I felt a bit guilty because the reason I was here today was because of Sung Ho-Jun. But a little white lie was necessary sometimes. "Of course I came to see you, Miso!" I said happily. "Wow! Really?" "Yes. By the way, did you bring your spoon and chopstick set?" Miso held out the bag she always carried. "Here! I brought it! I''m going to eat a lot today!" Miso winked and made a cute gesture. In Master of Mukbang, eating well was the main content. The moment I saw Miso''s confident expression, I felt there was nothing to worry about. I said to Miso, "Alright. Let''s go greet the PD, shall we?" "Okay!" Miso eximed excitedly as she clenched her fists in determination and headed towards Hyun-Ji. As Miso greeted with a bright smile, Yoo Hyun-Ji stamped her feet in delight. "Hi, Miso. Do you think you can do well today?" "Yes! I will do my best, Ms. Yoo!" With the cue to start filming immediately, Lee Tae-Poong, Miso, and Harupleted their preparations and entered the set. The staff began running around as they got ready for the shoot. Once the preparations wereplete, Yoo Hyun-Ji grabbed the megaphone and shouted, "Scene 30. Ready~ Action!" The first joint shoot of Lee Tae-Poong, Haru, and Miso began. *** Scene 30 involved the neighbor, Lee Yoon-Jin, who lived alone with her mother. Because she hadn''t eaten anything, Haru would bring her home to make Korean pancakes. Lee Tae-Poong, ying the role of the uncle, was about to act out a scene where he hade back early from work for the first time in a long time. As filming started, Miso sitting next to Lee Tae-Poong looked around the surroundings and suddenly held her stomach. Miso''s face turned red with a rumbling sound. ¡ºYoon-Jin, would you like to eat something before your momes?¡» ¡ºI-I''m okay. Mom said not to trouble others! She''ll be here in about an hour anyway. I can wait until then.¡» Miso held her growling stomach and forced a smile. Lee Tae-Poong looked at Miso with pity and came up with an idea. ¡ºIll-Sik. We have plenty of Korean pancake batter left from yesterday, right?¡» Lee Tae-Poong nced at Haru and winked slightly. Haru winked back, indicating he understood. ¡ºYes, uncle. We have a ton of pancake batter left. I don''t think we can eat it all by ourselves. What should we do?¡» ¡ºExactly~. If we don''t eat it today, we might have to throw it all away...¡» Miso blinked her big eyes, unsure of what to do. ¡ºI-I heard wasting food is bad... Gulp.¡» Miso swallowed nervously with an anxious expression. At the same time, the sound of her gulping was clearly audible. The staff looked surprised at Miso''s detailed acting. I felt so proud that I wanted to step out onto the set and shout, "Look how good Miso is!" ¡ºSo can you help us a little, Yoon-Jin? It would be a shame to waste the batter~.¡» When Lee Tae-Poong looked at Miso with a gentle expression, her eyes started to sparkle. ¡ºR-really?¡» ¡ºOf course. We won''t waste the batter if you help, Yoon-Jin. And I''ll cook some for your momter too.¡» ¡ºTh-thank you!¡» Miso stood up and bowed at the mention of her mom''s portion. At the same time, the worry and agony disappeared at once from Miso''s face. Her big eyes curved into crescent moons and her mouth opened wide, showing her white teeth. The staff also began to smile contentedly as Miso''s expression transformed. ¡ºI''ll cook the Korean pancakes. Uncle, please y with Yoon-Jin in the meantime.¡» ¡ºAlright. Thanks.¡» Haru got up and headed to the gas stove. But at that moment, Miso looked around and then suddenly stood up before heading to the set wall. Then she grabbed a two-to-three-person table propped against the wall and moved it to the middle of the living room by herself. ¡ºOof!¡» After dragging the table to the middle of the living room, Miso struggled to unfold the table legs. When Lee Tae-Poong subtly helped, the table legs clicked into ce. Miso wiped her forehead with her sleeve and let out a long sigh. ¡ºPhew~ Is there anything else I can help with?¡» ¡ºI don''t think so. Why don''t we watch TV and rx until the Korean pancakes are ready?¡» ¡ºOkay~.¡» When Lee Tae-Poong smiled warmly, Miso followed suit with a shy smile. At that moment, Haru cooking in the kitchen looked at the living room and also smiled brightly. As the smiles of the three were captured in one shot, Yoo Hyun-Ji shouted, "Cut! Okay~! Wow, this scene looks amazing!" The staff began to cheer as soon as Yoo Hyun-Ji shouted cut. "Wow, why is everyone acting so well?" "That was awesome!" "Mr. Tae-Poong, your acting has really improved!" "Haru, you''re doing great!" The three responded with gratitude as the staff continued their praise. Then Yoo Hyun-Ji excitedly called for writer Jo Yeon-Soo in an urgent tone, "Yeon-Soo,e here." "Yes, Ms. Yoo," said Jo Yeon-Soo who hurried over with a tablet in her hand. "Can you change this part with this part? Don''t you think it would be better if Miso appeared more here?" "Hmm. Got it." Jo Yeon-Soo began revising the script as soon as she received the instructions. At that moment, Yoo Hyun-Ji called me over. "Team Lead Jung, is it okay to increase Miso''s scenes a bit?" I nodded. "Yes, of course." When I answered with a bright smile, Yoo Hyun-Ji flinched. "Team Lead Jung, w, why are you smiling like that? It''s unsettling," Yoo Hyun-Ji replied with a worried expression. I grinned as I answered her question. Chapter 231: Harvest (4)

Chapter 231: Harvest (4)

"Remember you said you''d pay more if there were additional shoots for Miso?" I remarked. I had added an extra use when signing Miso''s contract. If there were any script revisions requiring additional shoots, an extra 100 thousand won had to be paid. At that time, Yoo Hyun-Ji signed without much thought as if such a thing would never happen. "No way...did you anticipate this and include that use?" Yoo Hyun-Ji replied in shock. I nodded and answered. "Yes. For some reason, directors always request additional shoots whenever Miso films." Yoo Hyun-Ji looked at me with a spiteful expression. "Team Lead Jung, let''s never meet again after this." "Are you saying you won''t use the actors under my management?" I asked with a sly smile. Yoo Hyun-Ji red at me. "No, I''m surely going to use your actors but I''m not going to see you, Team Lead Jung." I grinned and replied, "I''m sorry, but that might be impossible." "Ugh. I''ll have to sign with another talent agent when you''re not around, then!" Yoo Hyun-Ji whined. But even that would be impossible because all contracts were handled by me. "Looks like we''ll be seeing each other often, Ms. Yoo," I replied with a smile. "Fine, fine. Then let''s proceed with the additional shoot, shall we?" I nodded at Yoo Hyun-Ji''s grumbling. "Of course. And such offers are always wee." No talent agent would reject such a generous offer. We were getting paid extra on top of additional scenes, after all. *** A momentter, the continuous filming of scenes 31 and 32 where Haru cooked alone began. While filming Haru kneading batter and making Korean pancakes, Jo Yeon-Soo finished revising the script. "Huff, huff. Ms. Yoo, it''s done," Jo Yeon-Soo said as she hurried over with the revised script. "You''re done already?" Yoo Hyun-Ji replied with a pleasantly surprised expression. "Yes. I got ideas quickly thanks to Miso''s earlier performance." "Is that so? Let me see." Yoo Hyun-Ji gave the okay after checking the revised script and Jo Yeon-Soo handed me the script as well. "Team Lead Jung, take a look." I nodded after reading the revised script. "Hmm... it looks good. I''ll prepare right away then." "Alright. Let me know when you''re ready." "Okay." After receiving the script from Yoo Hyun-Ji, I called Miso over and showed her the revised script. "Miso, the script changed suddenly. Do you think you can do it?" Miso put her finger to her lips and tilted her head, but soon smiled brightly and said, "Yes, I can do it!" My worries disappeared upon seeing her confident expression. Miso memorized the script in no time and headed back to the set. ''Wow. She really is born for this,'' I remarked inwardly. Yoo Hyun-Ji approached me with a surprised expression and asked, "Did she memorize the script already?" "She did. Miso has good memorization skills." After a moment of surprise, Yoo Hyun-Ji hurriedly ran to Miso. Confirming that Miso had mastered the script, Yoo Hyun-Ji clicked her tongue in amazement. "The actors are all ready. We''ll start filming right away, so get ready!" Yoo Hyun-Ji shouted to the staff. "Yes, Ms. Yoo!" The staff hurriedly finished the preparations. At that moment, Miso grabbed a spoon and chopsticks with an excited expression. "Ready~ Action!" When Yoo Hyun-Ji called the shot, Miso tore the Korean pancake with the chopsticks and ced it on the spoon. After blowing on it to cool it down, Miso put the spoonful into her mouth. At that moment, Miso suddenly started pping her hands and tapping her mouth. ¡ºIt''s hot~ Too hot~¡» The startled Haru rushed to the fridge and Lee Tae-Poong extended his hand in front of Miso''s mouth. ¡ºYoo-Jin, spit it out if it''s too hot! Spit it out!¡» Miso shook her head. ¡ºNo~ I can''t spit out food carelessly~.¡» Miso held the mug Haru handed her with both hands and started sipping cold water. Then she soon smiled brightly and sighed. ¡ºPhew~.¡» ¡ºAre you okay?¡» ¡ºUm... Yes! I''m fine.¡» Seeing Haru''s worried face, Miso stuck her tongue out slightly and exined she had slightly burned her tongue from the hot Korean pancake. ¡ºHehe. I burned my tongue~.¡» When Misoughed, Haru and Lee Tae-Poong sighed in relief, repeatedly telling her to be careful. "Cut!" Yoo Hyun-Ji stopped the shoot before shouting angrily, "Which idiot made the Korean pancake so hot for the kid to eat? Huh?" AD Choi Yeon-Hee reflexively ran to the set and checked the Korean pancake at Yoo Hyun-Ji''s yelling. Tilting her head in confusion, Choi Yeon-Hee even took a bite of the Korean pancake herself in disbelief. "Um, Ms. Yoo. The Korean pancake is cold... though." "What? Really?" The confused Yoo Hyun-Ji replied. "Yes." "Are you sure?" Yoo Hyun-Ji asked again. Choi Yeon-Hee nodded. "Yes, I just ate it." Seeing the bewildered staff, Miso smiled and answered, "It wasn''t hot at all!" Suddenly, the set was filled with the staff''s praise. "So that was all just acting?" "Like mother, like daughter, huh?" "Well, it did have time to cool since it''s been a while since we made it, but... wow, I waspletely fooled." The set was filled with admiration thanks to Miso''s outstanding performance that fooled everyone. Yoo Hyun-Ji awkwardly cleared her throat and apologized. "I''m sorry, props team. It''s my bad." "If you''re sorry, how about treating us to a meal today?" "You know we''re broke, right?" Yoo Hyun-Ji replied. "Then at least treat us to unlimited ribs. How about it?" Yoo Hyun-Ji reluctantly nodded. "Deal!" Next to Miso, Lee Tae-Poong and Haru''s performances stood out in the following scene 34. Miso opened her mouth like a baby bird and epted the Korean pancake fed by Lee Tae-Poong, who looked at her warmly. Lee Tae-Poong''s expression was so tender that all the staff fell for him. Moreover, Haru''s acting was also noteworthy. ¡ºIs it that delicious?¡» ¡ºYes, oppa!¡» ¡ºEat some more. I''ll make more if you need.¡» Haru, like a caring older brother, kept wiping crumbs of Korean pancake off Miso''s mouth while smiling with his eyes. When Haru, who was nicknamed Mysterious Charm in my past life, started to smile everyone couldn''t take their eyes off his face. "Cut! Okay~! Wow. Today''s footage looks great!" Yoo Hyun-Ji called out. The staff cheered enthusiastically at Yoo Hyun-Ji''s cut. "Ms. Yoo! Maybe we should add another episode with Miso at this rate!" "Yeah, Ms. Yoo! One episode doesn''t seem enough!" Yoo Hyun-Ji shouted heartily, "One episode isn''t enough, indeed! We need at least two!" Thanks to this, Miso''s appearance in Master of Mukbang increased to a total of four episodes. And of course, her appearance fee also increased. Just like that, the filming of episode 3 of Master of Mukbang concluded sessfully. *** As soon as the meeting ended where Lee Gi-Cheol bowed his head in apology to the youngest team lead in front of several team leads and talent agents, he called Cha Sang-Jin of Singer Division 1 to Hoop Entertainment''s Operations Director''s office and scolded him severely. After all, even Lee Mal-Soon was taken by Singer Division 2 after the scandal involving Golden Road. Lee Gi-Cheol sent Cha Sang-Jin away to Japan, telling him to focus on Golden Road for the time being. The fuming Lee Gi-Cheol left the office and headed to a nearby golf practice range. Only after spending three hours of nonstop swinging could he finally calm down. Sweaty and tired, Lee Gi-Cheol returned to the office past lunchtime and immediately called Kim Dong-Soo to discuss the next n. "We can''t go on like this. We need to at least bring back Chief Park before President Kang returns," Lee Gi-Cheol said. Kim Dong-Soo also had been thinking about bringing back Chief Park Han-Cheol, who originally used to manage Division 1. But now, his thoughts had changed. ''What a fool,'' Kim Dong-Soo thought to himself. Lee Gi-Cheol was the leader of the Suhyaejong line, but he had publicly apologized to Jung Yoon-Ho today which caused the talent agents who were on the Suhyaejong line to waver. Lee Gi-Cheol was the one with the most authority without Kang Gam-Chan, but that very man had bowed to the youngest team lead in thepany. Kim Dong-Soo continued to ponder, ''It seems like it''s time to part ways with Director Lee Gi-Cheol.'' Kim Dong-Soo had yet to tell Lee Gi-Cheol that he had joined hands with Choi Man-Sik. And after seeing how today''s matters were handled, he reaffirmed that his decision was correct. He decided to abandon his n to use Lee Gi-Cheol as a shield until he could be independent after concluding that going on like this could lead to the copse of the entire Suhyaejong line. Then, Kim Dong-Soo finally spoke. "Mr. Lee." "What is it?" "I think it would be best to abandon the idea of bringing back Chief Park Han-Cheol," Kim Dong-Soo continued. Lee Gi-Cheol frowned and questioned, "But why? You were the one who suggested bringing back Chief Park Han-Cheol." "He''s already done for. We should try someone else instead," Kim Dong-Soo exined. "Who?" Lee Gi-Cheol asked. Kim Dong-Soo replied, "I''m thinking of bringing Chief Han So-Yoo from ANK Music along with the girl group she''s training." The moment Kim Dong-Soo mentioned the prospective chief for Singer Division 1, Lee Gi-Cheol pped his hands in approval with delight. Then, Lee Gi-Cheok asked, "But do you think ANK Music let her go? Chief Han is a key figure there." "ANK Music is on the verge of bankruptcy, so money will do the trick," said Kim Dong-Soo. The 34-year-old Han So-Yoo was one of the few female producers in the industry with proven skills. Moreover, she had been training a girl group called Treviang for three years and preparing them for their debut. However, due to ANK Music''s financial crisis, she readily epted Kim Dong-Soo''s offer. Even Treviang dly agreed to Kim Dong-Soo''s proposal when they were unable to debut due to the crisis. All this was possible thanks to financial support from Choi Man-Sik. Lee Gi-Cheol approved Kim Dong-Soo''s suggestion. "Okay. By the way, how''s Sung Ho-Jun''s recruitment going?" "Do you know about Director Lee Han-Soo''s next project?" Kim Dong-Soo asked. "Divine Punishment?" "Yes. I n to cast him as the lead. I¡¯ve already discussed it with the production manager and decided we''ll invest 500 million won for publicity efforts." Lee Gi-Cheol nodded. "Great. Spend as much as needed." Lee Gi-Cheol was still mistakenly thinking that Kim Dong-Soo''s funds wereing from the money embezzled for independence. But the truth was that it was Choi Man-Sik who was providing the funds. "How about Choi Seong-Lak and Park Hee-Tae?" Lee Gi-Cheol continued asking. "I think we can bring them in soon as well," Kim Dong-Soo said confidently. "As expected of you, Chief Kim. What would I do without you? Ha ha ha," chuckled Lee Gi-Cheol. Lee Gi-Cheol burst intoughter, unaware of Kim Dong-Soo''s true intentions. At that moment, someone knocked on the office door. "Who is it?" A subdued voice answered Lee Gi-Cheol. "Mr. Lee. It''s me, Ho-Sung." "Come on in." Ju Ho-Sung entered the room with a troubled expression. Kim Dong-Soo looked puzzled. "What are you doing here? Weren''t you supposed to meet Sung Ho-Jun this afternoon?" "Well... Sung Ho-Jun suddenly canceled the meeting saying something came up," answered Ju Ho-Sung hesitantly. "What? We had a three-way meeting scheduled with Director Lee Han-Soo though. What happened all of a sudden?" Kim Dong-Soo asked with a puzzled expression. "He said he didn''t have time. But I have a bad feeling. It seems like he''s avoiding us on purpose," replied Ju Ho-Sung. Kim Dong-Soo shook his head. "That can''t be. Sung Ho-Jun is a huge fan of Director Lee Han-Soo, isn''t he?" Kim Dong-Soo called Sung Ho-Jun with a puzzled expression, but he didn''t answer. But he didn''t answer. He then tried calling Sung Ho-Jun''s talent agent, Sung Yung-Jun, but the line was busy as well. Kim Dong-Soo''s face began to contort. "Uh, what? What''s going on?" They had made nearly 30 attempts including Ju Ho-Sung''s earlier calls, but none of them were being answered. Only then did Kim Dong-Soo shout in frustration, "Team Lead Ju! Go meet Sung Ho-Jun in person and talk to him! Do whatever it takes and give him whatever he wants!" "Yes, sir!" Ju Ho-Sung responded with haste. Kim Dong-Soo started to sense that something was going wrong. *** I returned to thepany after dropping Miso off at home after her shoot. At that moment, Sung Ho-Jun called me on Sung Yung-Jun''s phone. -Mr. Jung, you were right. I had no idea that Mr. Lee Han-Soo''s staff was aplete mess. Although Sung Ho-Jun had a cautious personality, he handled this situation with lightning speed. "So, what do you n to do now?" I asked. Sung Ho-Jun let out a deep sigh and said he would go off the grid for a while. -I could meet up with Chief Kim and confront him directly... but I think avoiding him for now will make it easier to switch to your teamter. "Understood. Let''s do that." -Then I''ll see you at thepany soon. Sung Ho-Jun promised to switch to my team as soon as he joined Hoop Entertainment. Thanks to this, Kim Dong-Soo''s n to grow Actor Division 3 was derailed from the start. Then I began to outline my next n in my mind¡ªa n to inflict maximum damage on Actor Division 3. Chapter 232: Approach (1)

Chapter 232: Approach (1)

As soon as I finished the call with Sung Ho-Jun, Lee Yung-Jin who was beside me asked urgently, "Did it go well, Mr. Jung?" I nodded and smiled. "Yes, it went well." Lee Yung-Jin looked around the surroundings and spoke cautiously. "And Mr. Jung, Choi Seong-Lak and Park Hee-Tae have been acting shadytely. They''re quite messy." At that moment, a thought urred to me. "Are they using marijuana?" Lee Yung-Jin''s face hardened instantly. "Ho-how did you know that?" In my past life, I had caught Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak using marijuana. But I didn''t know if they were still doing it, so I asked Lee Yung-Jin to find out. "I heard they smoked it a month ago but it''s not certain," Lee Yung-Jin added. "Got it. I''ll handle it from now on," I replied. Lee Yung-Jin looked at me with a troubled expression. "Don''t tell me you''re going to...you''re not, right?" I patted Lee Yung-Jin on the shoulder. "Just pretend you don''t know anything. It''ll only get moreplicated if you get involved." Lee Yung-Jin made a stern face. "But please do let me know if you need my help. I''ll help with whatever it is." I smiled at Lee Yung-Jin. "Anyway, I owe you big this time. Tell me anything you want to eat. What do you want?" "I want Hanwoo," said Lee Yung-Jin without hesitation. Hanging out with Do Ran-Hee seemed to have given Lee Yung-Jin a taste for Hanwoo. "How about unlimited beef instead?" I counterproposed. Lee Yung-Jin shook his head firmly. "I want Hanwoo. I don''t eat imported beef." "You used to eat it just fine," I remarked. "I quit a month ago! They say it''s bad for you," Lee Yung-Jin exined. I shook my head. "It''s probably the same." But Lee Yung-Jin insisted stubbornly, "I''m telling you, it''s different." I nodded with a sigh. "Okay, fine. Let''s go have it for dinner then." At that moment, Lee Yung-Jin made an unexpected suggestion. "And while we''re at it, let''s bring Ran-Hee too. She''ll feel left out if it''s just us two..." My eyes widened as I looked at Lee Yung-Jin. "Why bring Ran-Hee~? No way. Surely not...?" When I teased Lee Yung-Jin, he immediately hardened his expression and said, "No, that''s not it,Mr. Jung!" A hint of embarrassment crossed Lee Yung-Jin''s face, but he desperately kept hisposure. I folded my arms and smiled. "Then why insist on bringing Ran-Hee? Let me hear you out. I''ll bring her if you have a good reason." "Ran-Hee has been having a hard timetely, you know? She keeps talking about wanting Hanwoo and I''d feel guilty eating it without her," Lee Yung-Jin exined. Tomorrow was the day Kang Ha-Na''s music video would be released on her MeTube channel, followed by a live broadcast. Since Kang Ha-Na was about to debut, Do Ran-Hee had been extremely busy as the person in charge, staying upte almost every night. I had intended to treat Do Ran-Hee separately, but Lee Yung-Jin was taking care of her as if she were his girlfriend. ¡®It seems their rtionship has progressed quite a bit for sure...¡¯ I thought to myself, trying to suppress my grin. At that moment, I saw Do Ran-Hee sneaking up behind Lee Yung-Jin. Do Ran-Hee put her finger to her lips and asked me to keep quiet. That''s when I felt a mischievous urge to tease him. I pretended to frown. "Yung-Jin, I''m afraid that''s not a good enough reason. If you really want to bring Ran-Hee, let''s go to MyeongRyun Sato Galbi for ribs instead of Hanwoo. I''m broke these days." Do Ran-Hee, who was creeping up, stopped and waited for Lee Yung-Jin''s answer. I thought, ¡®Yung-Jin, this is your chance to score points. You have to choose Ran-Hee over Hanwoo.¡¯ I could see the anticipation on Do Ran-Hee''s face. However, Lee Yung-Jin made the wrong choice. Lee Yung-Jin sighed and said, "Ohe on~. Then just buy Hanwoo for me alone." At that moment, I instinctively yelled without realizing it. "Hey! That''s not right! You just said we should take care of Ran-Hee and bring her with us too!" "I was thinking about it, but today I really want Hanwoo. Ha ha ha," Lee Yung-Jin chuckled. Do Ran-Hee''s expression twisted as she saw Lee Yung-Junughing heartily. When I sighed in frustration, Lee Yung-Jin looked at me with a sullen expression. "Are you upset because you don''t want to buy Hanwoo? You said you would." I shook my head. "Sigh~. Yung-Jin~." Lee Yung-Jin tilted his head at my sigh. "What?" I let out a sigh and pointed behind him with my chin. "Someone behind you is looking at you like they want to tear you apart. I hope I''m wrong." Do Ran-Hee stood with her fists tightly clenched with a smile behind Lee Yung-Jin. Lee Yung-Jin gulped for a moment. "You''re joking, right? Please tell me you''re joking!" I sped my hands together in pity. At that moment, Do Ran-Hee''s cold voice mixed withughter burst out. "Yung-Jin oppa~ You chose Hanwoo over me, huh? I see~ It seems like you like Hanwoo more than me~." Lee Yung-Jin frowned and signaled to me for help. His eyes seemed to be saying, ''Help me.'' ''Sorry, Yung-Jin. But I think it''s toote.'' I replied with my facial expressions. I shook my head with a pitying look. Lee Yung-Jin looked at me with lost eyes, but there was nothing I could do. "I guess I''ll have to eat jajangmyeon alone tonight," I muttered. "Mr. Jung, please leave first," said Do Ran-Hee while grinding her teeth. I answered in a polite demeanor, "Yes, Miss Ran-Hee!" I immediately fled the office without looking back after answering formally. *** In Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, three burly men in ck suits were traveling in a Merciless Bends S650. They were the top members of the Daeho gang, tasked with recovering funds for Choi Eun-Tae, Korea''s top loan shark. But they also held respectable positions as executives of Daeheung Savings Bank. Choi Yung-Ho who was sitting in the backseat was the boss of Daeho gang and also the president of Daeheung Savings Bank. Ju Jin-Ho who was sitting in the passenger seat was Daeho gang''s number two and the vice president of Daeheung Savings Bank. Even the driver, Jang Ki-Ho, was an executive director at Daeheung Savings Bank. Leaving behind number three of Daeho gang, Executive Director Park Jung-Ho who handled business at the bank, the other three were out looking for Choi Eun-Tae''s son whenever they had time. Ju Jin-Ho in the passenger seat spoke to Choi Yung-Ho in the back seat. "Yung-Ho hyung-nim, when will we ever find Mr. Choi''s son at this rate?" Choi Yung-Ho looked out the window and responded, "We''re not without clues, so it won''t take too long. The more we investigate, the shorter the time will be." Approximately 13,000 births were registered in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, between 26 and 27 years ago, and about 913 of them were identified as having no father. They had already tracked about 400 and narrowed down the candidates to 12. Choi Yung-Ho''s method for identifying Choi Eun-Tae''s son was simple¡ªusing secretly obtained birth records, they focused on orphanages, foster homes, or single-parent families to verify the information. They asked if the birth mother was present and where she lived 26 years ago to shortlist potential candidates. After investigating all 913 records, they nned to meet the candidates in person for a second investigation. But Ju Jin-Ho in the passenger seat spoke as if he found this method frustrating. "Yung-Ho hyung-nim, no matter what Mr. Choi ordered, we''re not the type to be chasing after some random kid. If people found out we were doing this, they''d think we''re crazy!" At that moment, Choi Yung-Ho in the back seat frowned. Choi Yung-Ho had been abandoned in Myeongdong and was raised by a group of beggars and vagrants. Without a proper name, he was nicknamed Big One or Bear Cub due to his size. At seven, he was caught pickpocketing by Choi Eun-Tae. But Choi Eun-Tae forgave him and gave him a name instead of scolding him. Since then, Choi Yung-Ho lived for Choi Eun-Tae. He was overjoyed to eat warm meals and feel human warmth. Despite being scorned as a loan shark by others, Choi Eun-Tae was a father, a savior, and a benefactor to Choi Yung-Ho. And the story wasn''t much different for Ju Jin-Ho or Jang Ki-Ho sitting in the front seats too. Because of that, Choi Yung-Ho scolded Ju Jin-Ho in a low voice. "Have you forgotten the grace of Mr. Choi who took us in when we were freezing on the streets?" "Wh-who said I''d forget that grace? I could never forget it even in death. But, hyung-nim, now that you''re also the president of the savings bank, isn''t it a bit much to be running around in the field at Mr. Choi''s words?" Ju Jin-Ho replied hesitantly. Choi Yung-Ho answered, "I volunteered. I said I''d find his son with trustworthy people. And when I narrowed it down to people who could keep their mouths shut, there was no one better than you guys." Ju Jin-Ho patted his chest in frustration. "You volunteered? Wow. You''re surely something else, hyung-nim." At that moment, Jang Ki-Ho asked. "Hyung-nim, why not just hire private detectives to find him?" Choi Yung-Ho rebuked Jang Ki-Ho. "Private detectives? Can you guarantee that this information won''t reach Choi Man-Sik''s ears?" "Well, that..." Jang Ki-Ho stammered. Loan sharks often had close ties with private detectives to catch people who ran away with borrowed money. Someone like Choi Man-Sik, who controlled the loan shark market in Jongro, could easily use private detective agency heads nationwide. But Choi Eun-Tae and Choi Yung-Ho were worried about only one thing. If they used private detectives or other subordinates, Choi Man-Sik might intervene. For example, he could stage an ident to deal with them. That was the reason Choi Yung-Ho said he would find the son himself. If he took action personally, Choi Man-Sik wouldn''t dare interfere. But the truth was that Ju Jin-Ho''s discontent stemmed from something else. "Okay, fine. I''ll give you that. But why didn''t Mr. Choi adopt you instead of that punk Choi Man-Sik...?" Ju Jin-Ho questioned. At that moment, Choi Yung-Ho instantly spoke in a chilling voice. "How could I dare im to be the son of Mr. Choi?" "Hyung-nim," Ju Jin-Ho protested. "If you bring up such nonsense again, Jin-Ho, you''ll be in big trouble," warned Choi Yung-Ho. As Choi Yung-Ho clenched his fist, Ju Jin-Ho pouted and leaned back in his seat. "Fine. But hyung-nim, I''m too old to be scolded like this..." "You''re only 37 this year. What age are youining about?" Choi Yung-Ho retorted. Choi Yung-Ho, 42 this year, treated Ju Jin-Ho who was only five years younger like a child. But since Choi Yung-Ho was the one who found and saved the three-year-old Ju Jin-Ho abandoned in an alley in Myeongdong, thetter didn''t dare to challenge him. In the meantime, they arrived at the Angel Orphanage in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, which they nned to visit today. Choi Yung-Ho looked at the shabby orphanage building and asked Ju Jin-Ho, "How many were there here?" "Two. Kang Eun-Gi and Jung Yoon-Ho. Let''s go inside, hyung-nim," replied Ju Jin-Ho. Leaving Jang Ki-Ho in the car, Choi Yung-Ho and Ju Jin-Ho entered the Angel Orphanage. Inside the orphanage was a nun and a young woman working in the field with a pleasant smile. Choi Yung-Ho cautiously made his presence known. "Excuse me, may I have a word?" Sister Micha stood up upon hearing Choi Yung-Ho''s voice. At the same time, Lee Yeon-Sil also turned her head to the voice. "What brings you here?" Sister Micha asked. Choi Yung-Ho smiled faintly at Sister Micha''s question and said, "We''re from Daeheung Savings Bank. We came to donate to the orphanage." At that moment, Sister Micha warmly weed them. "Oh, a benefactor! Pleasee on in." As Sister Micha and Lee Yeon-Sil led the way, Choi Yung-Ho and Ju Jin-Ho followed. The four of them exchanged simple greetings in a small reception room. But as soon as Choi Yung-Ho asked about Kang Eun-Gi and Jung Yoon-Ho, Sister Micha''s expression changed as she questioned, "What do you mean by without a father?" "There''s no need to be so wary. We are indeed here to make a donation, but a great benefactor is desperately looking for his long-lost son and we just want to verify that." Choi Yung-Ho exined. Sister Micha was momentarily dazed and hardened her expression before speaking. "Kang Eun-Gi and Jung Yoon-Ho were temporarily entrusted to us because their parents were struggling. They are not children without fathers. And they''re living with their parents now!" That''s when Ju Jin-Ho frowned. "Sister, we''ve already checked beforeing and..." At that moment, Choi Yung-Ho raised his hand to stop Ju Jin-Ho. "Is that so? It seems like we''ve made a big mistake." Choi Yung-Ho apologized and took out a check from his pocket. "Still, we hope you''ll ept this donation." Sister Micha shook her head. "I can''t use money whose source I don''t know. Please leave." Choi Yung-Ho put the check away with an awkward smile. "I understand. Then we''ll send something edible for the children next time." Choi Yung-Ho bent at the waist and stood up. "I''ll be leaving now." After saying goodbye, Choi Yung-Ho left the Angel Orphanage with Ju Jin-Ho. The puzzled Ju Jin-Ho asked, "Hyung-nim, why didn''t you look into it more closely?" "That nun couldn''t lie to save her life," Choi Yung-Ho replied. "I''m sorry?" Ju Jin-Ho replied with a confused expression. Choi Yung-Ho simply instructed, "Put both of them on the candidate list. I''m sure neither of them has a father." "Are you sure?" "Yes." Choi Yung-Ho was almost never wrong when it came to reading people. Then, he asked, "So where''s the next ce we''re heading to?" "Yecheon Orphanage and ddin Orphanage." "Let''s go right away." After showing his intention to visit all the orphanages within the next two weeks, Choi Yung-Ho got into the car first. *** As I was leaving the restaurant after eating jajangmyeon, I got a call from Lee Yeon-Sil. She said some tough-looking gangsters hade to the orphanage looking for Kang Eun-Gi and me. "Yeah? So what did you do?" I asked. -Mom made something up. We thought they might be after Eun-Gi oppa or you. "Good job. Did you contact Soo-Chan?" After Kang Eun-Gi turned himself in to the prosecution, the remaining organizations andpanies were being led by Lee Soo-Chan, who was also from the Angel Orphanage. -Yeah, I told Soo-Chan oppa and he said he''d send some people over. "That''s a relief." But at that moment, Lee Yeon-Sil''s worried voice came through the line. -But, oppa, what if... those people were really sent by Eun-Gi oppa''s father or your father? ''My father?'' I wondered. At that moment, a strong surge of hostility began to rise from deep within my chest. Chapter 233: Approach (2)

Chapter 233: Approach (2)

To me, my parents were the people who left a helpless infant in front of an orphanage on a cold November dawn. Fortunately, the nuns discovered me before their early morning prayer. If they hadn¡¯t, I wouldn¡¯t be alive because the temperature was below freezing point and the cloth wrapping me was thin. Perhaps because Kang Eun-Gi suffered alongside his mother, his resentment toward his father whom he had never met was much stronger than mine. Because of that reason, I answered Lee Yeon-Sil¡¯s question like this. "To me, Sister Micha was both a father and a mother. So don¡¯t bring up that talk ever again. Besides, if he really wanted to find his son, he would havee himself. Sending someone else doesn¡¯t make sense." My sharp words made Lee Yeon-Sil flinch, but she didn''t give up on trying to persuade me. Lee Yeon-Sil never knew her parents¡¯ faces like I did, but she had always wanted to meet them. She believed there must have been an unspeakable reason that her parents abandoned her. -But still. Contact them just in case. I got their business card for you. "Business card?" I asked. -Yes, they''re from Daeheung Savings Bank. He¡¯s the president. I couldn''t make sense out of this situation. ''Why would the president of arge savings bank in Seoul look for someone else¡¯s child?'' I wondered. That''s when a thought came to mind. "Maybe he¡¯s not looking for a son but trying to collect a debt from Eun-Gi?" I asked. -No way. If that were the case, he would have just found Eun-Gi oppa, not you. "But they didn¡¯t know if Eun-Gi or I was the son. They just asked if we had fathers or not, right?" -Yes, but... "Don¡¯t get your hopes up for nothing and calm down. I gave up that expectation long ago," I replied coldly. Kids at the orphanage lived with the hope that their parents woulde back for them someday. But that hope faded with each passing year and eventually turned into hatred for their parents. I went through the same process. By age twelve, Ipletely gave up that hope and reced it with hatred. -But still, oppa... I drew a firm line at Lee Yeon-Sil''s disappointed words. "That''s enough. I¡¯ve forgotten about my parents a long time ago, so don¡¯t bring it up again." -I-I''m sorry, oppa. I consoled Lee Yeon-Sil and asked about her health. "By the way, how are you feeling?" -I''m good. Working in the fields with Mom every day made me stronger. Mom¡¯s just amazing, you know? We could survive even if a war broke out with all the vegetables we grow. "Good. Eat lots of vegetables and take care of yourself. I¡¯ll visit soon." -Bring me some honey hotteok from Daehakro when youe. I¡¯ve been craving sweets! "Okay, I will." I let out a long sigh as soon as I hung up the call with Lee Yeon-Sil. Though I had forgiven Lee Yeon-Sil and Kang Eun-Gi, I couldn¡¯t feel the same about my parents. I had never seen or met them, but their reasons for abandoning me didn¡¯t make sense to me. I decided to clear my mind and focus on the task at hand. I felt I¡¯d lose my mind to the bubbling anger if I continued thinking about my parents. *** When I went up to the office, Lee Yung-Jin called me urgently. I tried to run away because of what had happened with Do Ran-Hee earlier, but that wasn¡¯t why Lee Yung-Jin was looking for me. "Mr. Jung! Take a look at this," Lee Yung-Jin cried out to me. "What, what is it?" "So Yi-Yung ispeting against us," said Lee Yung-Jin as he handed me his phone. [(Breaking News) So Yi-Yung cast as the lead actress in Festival of Money] [Star-studded cast in Festival of Money] [So Yi-Yung''s first drama choice is Festival of Money] [Festival of Money vs In the Name of God. Who will win the Wed-Thu drama slot?] So Yi-Yung was a genius actress who won awards as easily as eating a meal since her debut. She had always avoided participating in dramas but decided to join apeting drama in the same time slot. "Didn¡¯t So Yi-Yung say she wasn¡¯t interested in dramas?" Lee Yung-Jin wondered. I nodded. "Yes, she said she hated the chaotic scripts in dramas." But I knew the real reason she stayed in the movie industry rather than the drama industry. During her time at Top Entertainment in my past life, her nickname was Money Bug. She pretended to be uninterested in dramas because she was obsessed with maintaining her high value. After all, dramas didn¡¯t pay her as much as movies did. But So Yi-Yung''s decision to leave the screen for a drama meant only one thing. "She must have gotten a huge fee this time," I remarked. Lee Yung-Jin nodded. "Yes, I heard she''s getting paid 150 million won per episode. Including extras, it¡¯s rumored to be 200 million won." My eyes widened. "200 million? That¡¯s insane! That¡¯s on par with Jo Min-Sung from our Actor Division 1!" The average fee for S-ss actors was usually around 100 million won per episode plus extras. But So Yi-Yung, who¡¯s appearing in her first drama, was getting 200 million with extras. That put her on the same level as Jo Min-Sung from Actor Division 1 who was known to be the highest-paid actor in the country. I couldn¡¯t help butugh at the absurdity. "This is crazy...Well, it does make sense, though. So Yi-Yung wouldn''t have moved if it wasn''t for that much money." Lee Yung-Jin asked with a worried look, "What should we do? So Yi-Yung¡¯s first drama will generate a lot of buzz." "Yung-Jin, are you a fan of So Yi-Yung?" I asked him. "N-no, it¡¯s not that..."Lee Yung-Jin stuttered. ''He¡¯s definitely a fan,'' I remarked inwardly. So Yi-Yung was the rising star of Chungmo Street, and she not only had enchanting looks but also a mesmerizing voice and acting talent that''s said to appear only once in a hundred years among many different actors. So Yi-Yung had received lots of positive reviews for her lead role in Love, That¡¯s Nothing two years ago. I red at Lee Yung-Jin making a troubled expression and said confidently, "Don¡¯t worry. Our drama will win." So Yi-Yung was definitely a tough opponent, but I knew So Yi-Yung¡¯s issues better than anyone. After all, I was the one who turned her into a true top star in my past life. *** We arrived at the filming location in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province at 6 in the morning. Before getting out of the car, I checked the preparations for Kang Ha-Na¡¯s MeTube broadcast tonight. I reviewed and replied to the checklist Do Ran-Hee sent. [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: I¡¯lle down to the recording studio after 10. Make sure the broadcast is ready by then.] [Sexiest goddess in the Universe Do Ran-Hee: Okay~ See youter, Mr. Jung.] After sending the KkTalk message, I turned to the back seat and said, "Yoo-Jin, we¡¯re here." Yoo-Jin opened her eyes wide and looked around. "Are we... eating?" "No. We¡¯re at the filming location." Yoo-Jin wiped the drool from her mouth and smiled. Because she had been watching her diet due to constant filming, she had been thinking about food even in her sleep. I thought I should clear her schedule for some rest after this drama shoot. "And... Here''s a hand mirror," I said while handing her the mirror. Yoo-Jin tilted her head and epted the mirror. Startled, she wiped the dried drool from her mouth and asked, "Did... you see?" I smiled at her awkward grin. "You''re still pretty even when you drool, so don''t worry about it." When I joked to cheer her up, Yoo-Jin shivered saying that I was being too cheesy. "Oh,e on. Not in the morning~" Despite her words, Yoo-Jin''s face began to brighten up. "Alright, let''s go. We need to get off for the shoot." "Okay~" I got out of the car with Yoo-Jin answering with a cheerful voice. But unlike usual, the filming set was full ofmotion. It turned out the news about So Yi-Yung being the lead in our rival drama had caused a stir. The audio director frowned at the murmuring noise. At the same time, Kim Sung-Woon stopped the shoot and shouted through a megaphone, "Why is it so noisy in here!? Everyone, focus on filming!" Kim Sung-Woon''s scolding immediately restored order among the staff. As the staff apologized and began to move hurriedly, Kim Sung-Woon shouted once again, "It doesn''t matter who the lead in the rival drama is. Just do your job and stay sharp!" With his relentless charisma, Kim Sung-Woon quickly resumed filming at a faster pace than usual. Because of that reason, Yoo-Jin''s shooting schedule was brought forward by 30 minutes. "Oppa, I''m going to shoot now," Yoo-Jin said to me. "Alright. Good luck!" I cheered her on. "Thank you~!" I watched Yoo-Jin enter the set and then headed to the van. *** I started cleaning the car while Yoo-Jin was filming. I wiped the seats and shook off the mats when I sensed someone behind me. "Is cleaning a car part of the team lead''s job as well? You could just assign it to the team members, you know." I turned to see Ju Yung-In standing there with an exasperated look. I pulled out the remaining mat and replied, "What''s wrong with a team lead doing some cleaning? And my team members are too busy for this, so I do it." Ju Yung-In pouted. "Why were you so harsh on me when you''re so nice to your team members?" ''Why do you think? Because I didn¡¯t want to get involved with you,'' I silently thought. Ju Yung-In mentioned the note she had handed over earlier with a frown. "By the way, I heard you did a good job blocking the contract theft for Cherry Blossom. Don¡¯t you feel grateful or feel like you should repay me?" Ju Yung-In asked. "I could have still stopped it without your help," I replied coldly. I spoke bluntly, but Ju Yung-In seemed to have misunderstood. "You could just say thank you..." Ju Yung-In muttered in disappointment. Feeling dumbfounded, I closed my mouth. I answered by shaking the mat again. Ju Yung-In stepped back quickly when the dust flew everywhere. After all, she had a personality that couldn¡¯t tolerate such things due to her cleanliness. That¡¯s why I had to clean the van twice a day when I was in charge of her in the past. "Oppa! You know I have a dust allergy, don''t you?" Ju Yung-In said as she sniffled and was about to sneeze. "I''m sorry. I''m busy and can''t find another time to clean other than now." Ju Yung-In blew her nose into a handkerchief and looked at me before asking, "By the way, did you see today''s news?" "Are you talking about So Yi-Yung appearing in the rival drama?" I answered. "Yes. What do you think? Do you think our drama can win against that?" She continued asking. I could see worry in Ju Yung-In''s eyes. ¡®No way. Is Ju Yung-In actually nervous?¡¯ I wondered. Ju Yung-In''s appearance fee was currently 90 million won per episode, and she was concerned because she hadn''t surpassed the 100 million won mark yet. In the industry, an actor needed to earn over 100 million won per episode to be considered a true S-ss actor. Ju Yung-In wanted to elevate her status with this project, but she seemed worried that So Yi-Yung might be an obstacle. I answered firmly to Ju Yung-In''s question about the project''s sess. "It¡¯ll be fine as long as you do well, Miss Yung-In." But Ju Yung-In was staring intently at my eyes, not my mouth. Feeling ufortable, I asked, "Why are you staring at me like that?" At that moment, Ju Yung-In smiled suddenly. "Seeing how confident you are, I guess I don''t need to worry too much. And I''ll keep working hard as usual. Yoo-Jin seems well-prepared too." That''s when I got goosebumps without realizing it¡ªshe was gauging the sess or failure of In the Name of God not from my answer, but from my attitude. ''Is this why she asked me that question?'' I pondered. Though she was only 24 years old, she instinctively knew how to secure her sess. After all, she had auditioned for the lead in In the Name of God solely based on my choice, not the synopsis. When I hid my surprise with a dumbfounded smile, Ju Yung-Inughed in a yful demeanor. "Ohe on~ don¡¯t make that face. I¡¯m not such a bad person, oppa. I¡¯ve just toughened up trying to survive in this industry." She usually carried herself with an arrogant attitude and treated those of lower status as if they didn''t exist. But now, she wore a kind expression I had never seen before. If I didn¡¯t know her personality and past actions well, I might have even been tempted by her charm again. But I knew that a person''s nature would not change easily. The problem was that pushing her away wouldn''t make her leave. In fact, if I pushed her away recklessly now, Ju Yung-In mightsh out in jealousy and resentment. For that reason, I rxed my shoulders and face slightly before speaking as if to console her. "To be honest, Miss So Yi-Yung is not an easy opponent. On top of that, Writer Hong Jang-Mi and Producer Han Se-Hwa are formidable as well. Have you read the script for Festival of Money by chance?" I asked. Ju Yung-In nodded. "Yes, I have." "I¡¯ve read it too and it pushes hard from the beginning with a fast tempo. But since the tension doesn¡¯t drop in the middle, you¡¯ll have to act with all your might at every moment," I added. Ju Yung-In''s voice softened as she spoke. "I like it when you speak gently, oppa. What else?" "Miss So Yi-Yung and Producer Han Se-Hwa are both skilled at media y. If it looks like you can¡¯t win, don¡¯t fight. Also, ask Ace Entertainment to spend a lot on publicity." Ju Yung-In nodded while smiling continuously. "Got it. I¡¯ll tell our Chief to spend a lot on publicity." But at that moment, Yoo-Jin, who had finished filming, was staring at us intently. "Yung-In unnie, what are you doing with Yoon-Ho oppa?" Chapter 234: Ha-Na Tube (1)

Chapter 234: Ha-Na Tube (1)

Yoo-Jin approached us with deliberate footsteps. Click ck. The sound of her high heels clicking against the ground grew louder and were ringing in my ears. After confirming no staff were around, Yoo-Jin began speaking informally to Ju Yung-In. "I said, what are you doing here?" Ju Yung-In shrugged. "Can''t you see? I''m consulting him right now." "Consulting? With a differentpany''s talent agent? Isn''t that a talent agent from Ace Entertainment''s job?" Yoo-Jin questioned Ju Yung-In bluntly. Ju Yung-In retorted, "Hey, don¡¯t be so defensive. I was just talking to him about So Yi-Yung being cast as the lead in thepeting drama." "Regardless of the reason, why are you talking to Yoon-Ho oppa instead of your own talent agent from yourpany?" Yoo-Jin continued probing. Ju Yung-In started raising her voice slightly. "You''re being ridiculous. Am I not allowed to talk to your talent agent?" Yoo-Jin smiled even brighter and answered, "No, you''re not. Especially when you''re alone!" Ju Yung-In tightly bit her lip and dropped her smile. Simultaneously, Ju Yung-In''s gaze locked onto Yoo-Jin''s eyes but Yoo-Jin didn¡¯t avoid her gaze and stared back directly. The two''s sharp stares shed in the air. But if this continued, my n to keep a proper distance from Ju Yung-In could fail. "Yoo-Jin," I said. Yoo-Jin didn¡¯t break her gaze and neither did Ju Yung-In as if retreating first meant losing. "I was giving her advice for your sake, so I hope there''s no misunderstanding here," I exined. Yoo-Jin turned her head toward me. "For my sake?" Though she won the staring contest, Ju Yung-In''s face contorted this time. ''Yikes. It''s one problem after another,'' I thought. But soon, I found a solution that could satisfy both of them. I said, "Now is the time for the two of you to unite. That''s why I was giving some advice." At that moment, their expressions softened and turned curious. "What do you mean by that...?" Yoo-Jin asked. "You need to team up with Yung-In to win against So Yi-Yung¡¯s poprity and acting skills along with Han Se-Hwa''s promoting abilities," I told her. Ju Yung-In smirked and spoke. "See? That¡¯s why I was consulting with Yoon-Ho oppa." The relieved Yoo-Jin smiled. "Are you sure there''s no ulterior motive?" "Don''t you trust your talent agent?" Ju Yung-In asked in response. "Who said I don''t trust Yoon-Ho oppa? It¡¯s you I don''t trust," Yoo-Jin said bluntly. Just as things seemed calm, they began to bicker again. As I was about to tell them to stop, a production staff member approached Ju Yung-In. "Ah, here you are. Miss Yung-In, we¡¯re about to start the shoot." Ju Yung-In nodded. "Oh, alright." After the staff left, Ju Yung-In looked at me. "I¡¯ll do as you said, oppa. Is that okay?" "Yes." Despite my usual stiff tone, Ju Yung-In winked and disappeared as if for Yoo-Jin to see. Yoo-Jin let out a deep sigh upon watching Ju Yung-In leave. "She gets worse every day, doesn¡¯t she?" I asked the grumbling Yoo-Jin, "Yoo-Jin, why are you on edge today?" "I have to be or she¡¯ll keeping to you. Lately, she¡¯s been looking for you whenever she can. I have to be snarky or she won¡¯t be scared off," Yoo-Jinined. "I''m pretty snarky too when you''re not looking, you know," I said with a smirk. Yoo-Jin snorted as if that wasn''t enough. "Alright, alright. Let''s stop talking about this. You need to get ready for the next scene," I reminded Yoo-Jin. "Okay." At that moment, I saw Yoo-Jin slightly clenching her fist. When I asked what she was doing, she just smiled and didn''t answer. "You''re not nning to hit someone, are you?" I asked with a slightly worried look. "Oh,e on. There''s no way," Yoo-Jin denied. But my suspicion was confirmed in the uing Scene 49. Scene 49 was where Bang Shin-Ae mistook Cheongmyung to be a criminal, locked her up behind bars, and then begged for forgiveness. When filming started, Yoo-Jin who yed the role of Cheongmyung unexpectedly improvised to punch Bang Shin-Ae in the chest while cursing profusely. Yoo-Jin''s sudden cursing even shocked the audio director and Ju Yung-In started to tremble all over. Just as an NG was about to be called, Kim Sung-Woon didn''t yell cut and allowed Yoo-Jin''s ad-lib to continue because her acting was perfect for the situation. Thanks to that, Yoo-Jin was able to keep pushing Ju Yung-In around in front of everyone. Unaware of the situation, the staff cheered for Yoo-Jin''s passionate performance while Ju Yung-In bit her lip and forced an awkward smile. *** At Han Se-Hwa Productions, So Yi-Yung ced a pink Hermos Garden Party bag on the sofa and caressed it. The texture of the soft leather at her fingertips made her smile without realizing it. "Ms. Han, how much is this sofa?" So Yi-Yung asked. "Are you curious?" Han Se-Hwa replied. "I sure am. I''m putting up a building and I want to get a sofa like this. I like the design," So Yi-Yung said while admiring the sofa. Han Se-Hwa shrugged. "It''s not that much." So Yi-Yung asked with a smile. "So how much is it?" "It''s 50 million won." So Yi-Yung gave an awkward smile. "50 million won?" Han Se-Hwa nodded. "Yes. It''s handmade by an Italian artisan using Hermos leather and each stitch is hand-done." "Hermos? No wonder the texture felt extraordinary." "Are you interested, Miss Yi-Yung? If you are, I can introduce you to a buyer who can give you a 30% discount." So Yi-Yung nodded. "That price seems reasonable. Can I get it in pink though?" "Pink? Custom orders take longer and cost more, but yes, it is possible. Should I arrange it?" Han Se-Hwa asked with a smile. So Yi-Yung smiled and nodded. "Please do." Han Se-Hwa looked into So Yi-Yung''s sparkling eyes and spoke. "Then Miss Yi-Yung, how about we schedule a few interviews in return?" So Yi-Yung folded her arms and took a step back. "Interviews? Hmm, I don''t know. I''ll need to discuss that with my talent agent..." Jang Sam-Duk, So Yi-Yung''s talent agent from TNT Entertainment, intervened with a troubled expression. "Ms. Han, you know we charge separately for each interview..." At that moment, writer Hong Jang-Mi sitting on the opposite side of the sofa frowned and said, "Hey, So Yi-Yung. Don''t be so greedy. You already get a huge fee and now you want extra for interviews? Too much greed will backfire, you know." Jang Sam-Duk stepped in. "Ms. Hong, please discuss this matter with me and we can..." Hong Jang-Mi scoffed. "Chief Jang, have you lost your mind? Are you challenging me right now? Shall I mess up your actress'' character in the drama now that she''s already signed the contract? I can make her roll around in poop if I want, you know that." Hong Jang-Mi was infamous for dealing harshly with actors who didn''tply with her. In the past, she had turned popr actress Choi Yung-Ji into a scandalous character in the drama, resulting in her CF deals and future roles being canceled for a whole year as revenge for her talking back. So Yi-Yung quickly calmed her talent agent. "Mr. Jang, please be quiet. Can''t you read the room?" Jang Sam-Duk made an awkward smile and retreated. Movies were the director''s domain and dramas belonged to the writer. Knowing this very well, So Yi-Yung had no choice but to hold back herints against Hong Jang-Mi''s nagging. At that moment, Han Se-Hwa smiled slightly as she thought bringing Hong Jang-Mi along was a brilliant idea. As So Yi-Yung''s confidence waned, Hong Jang-Mi abruptly said, "By the way, your opponent is Ju Yung-In. You better be prepared, Yi-Yung. I know you''re a pretty good actress but I''ve heard Ju Yung-In has been exceptional on settely." So Yi-Yung''s eyes shed. "Ms. Hong, why are you hurting my pride like this? Comparing me to Ju Yung-In is awfully offensive." "I''m telling you not to getcent. It''s really humiliating when the lead in my work is outshined by another actor," Hong Jang-Mi remarked. "I feel the same," So Yi-Yung replied. At that moment, So Yi-Yung tilted her head and asked, "But what about Jung Yoo-Jin?" "Why do you ask? Does she bother you?" So Yi-Yung nodded. "Yes. To be honest, she only had supporting roles from The Morning Takes Off to Blue Sky, but her presence was stronger than most leads. She has a rough edge but her eyes are alive." Hong Jang-Mi looked at Han Se-Hwa. "Did you hear that, President Han?" Han Se-Hwa smiled. "Got it. I''ll keep an eye on her. But more than that, why did youe here today, Miss Yi-Yung?" So Yi-Yung tucked her hair behind her ear. "I heard Mr. Jiang Wei from Hwayeon Media Inc. is an investor in the drama. Is that true?" "It is." "Is it possible that I can meet him?" So Yi-Yung asked. Han Se-Hwa replied, "You want to meet Mr. Jiang?" So Yi-Yung nodded. "Yes. It seems proper to greet him in advance since he''s the main investor in our drama..." Han Se-Hwa''s smile began to deepen. Knowing that So Yi-Yung values money over anything, Han Se-Hwa was confident she could please Jiang Wei. In doing so, she could secure more investment. Thepany would get money, Jiang Wei would get a beauty, and So Yi-Yung would get a sponsor. Han Se-Hwa grinned widely. "I suppose I can try arranging a meeting if that''s what you want, Miss Yi-Yung." "Meeting him in China is fine too if meeting in Korea is difficult." "Okay~ I''ll schedule it right away then," said Han Se-Hwa with a smile. As Han Se-Hwa smiled, So Yi-Yung¡¯s face also bloomed with joy. *** I returned to thepany as soon as I took Yoo-Jin home, and then I went to the underground recording studio to prepare for Kang Ha-Na''s first MeTube broadcast. Studio 4 located on the basement floor was filled with equipment reminiscent of a visual radio setup. Inside the booth were high-end cameras and microphones, a table, chairs, and a stand for guitars. ''The equipment is top-notch,'' I observed silently. In my past life, Kang Ha-Na had started her MeTube channel alone without thepany¡¯s help. She set up a webcam in her dorm on her own, using only a microphone she bought herself and her old acoustic guitar. Her broadcasts which ran from 11:30 PM for 30 minutes started with three subscribers and didn¡¯t exceed twenty for a week. But with six years of trainee perseverance, she streamed live every day. She sang old Korean hits, foreign pop songs, and her ownpositions. Then one day, J-Music, a MeTuber with 1.03 million subscribers, mentioned Kang Ha-Na''s channel which caused a surge in views. But what sustained Kang Ha-Na''s poprity was her daily live broadcasts and her dedication to interacting with fans. Thanks to this, she kept the sudden interest and reached 100,000 subscribers in three months to earn the Silver Button. But this time, I nned to achieve that subscriber count within a month without J-Music''s help. "Mr. Lee, are we ready?" I asked. Lee Seok-Hyung fiddled with the newputer beside the control panel for a moment and turned his head. "Yes, we finished the rehearsal earlier. And call me Assistant Manager Lee instead of Mr. Lee." "I can¡¯t do that. You''ll be filming music videos again," I replied. Lee Seok-Hyung was the director who filmed Kang Ha-Na¡¯s music videos, and I hired him as an editor and MeTube broadcast director. We also agreed on a separate incentive for filming music videos, because Lee Seok-Hyung had made a name for himself in music videos in my past life. At that moment, the door opened and Kang Ha-Na entered with Do Ran-Hee. "Oh, you''re here, oppa," Kang Ha-Na greeted me. "Hey. Why do you look so stiff?" I asked her. Kang Ha-Na moved her right arm and right leg together like a robot. "Ha ha. Do, do I?" "Don''t worry, everything will go well," I assured her. Kang Ha-Na smiled slightly. "I really hope so." At that moment, Kang Ha-Na hesitated as if she had something to say. "Ha-Na, what''s wrong?" I asked. "Oppa, can I pray for a moment?" Kang Ha-Na replied. I raised my eyebrows. "Pray? Sure, we still have about 20 minutes left. I can step aside if you want." Kang Ha-Na shook her head. "No, not that." I scratched my head with a confused look. "Then?" Kang Ha-Na nced around and stretched out her right hand. But her handnded on my right shoulder. "Huh? What are you doing?" I asked, surprised by her actions. "Sae-Ri said that good luck wille if I hold onto you..." Kang Ha-Na said in a low voice. Kang Ha-Na''s face turned red as if she found her own words ridiculous. ''Of all people, she had to ask Sae-Ri about this?'' I thought. But at least Kang Ha-Na wasn''t climbing on my back like Sae-Ri did. "Do you think I''m some kind of good luck charm? You really believe that luck wille if you hold onto me and pray?" I asked her. "Well, that''s..." Kang Ha-Na stammered. I felt like a dol hareubang statue[1] But Kang Ha-Na didn''t let go of my shoulder despite my dumbfounded expression. The current time was 10:50 p.m. In ten minutes, the music video would be uploaded. Unlike my past life, I nned to start live streaming at 11:11 PM because it was an easy time for viewers to remember. "Alright. You can pray on my shoulder as long as you need," I said with a smile. "Thank you, Mr. Jung," said Kang Ha-Na as she sighed and prayed while holding onto my shoulder. Now, there was only one minute left before Kang Ha-Na''s music video would be uploaded. Do Ran-Hee, who was also holding my shoulder and praying along with Kang Ha-Na, asked with a worried look in her eye, "Mr. Jung, what if no one joins because you didn''t publicize this with the press?" "Who said I didn''t?" I retorted. "Huh? Did you promote it somewhere without my knowledge when I''m the person in charge of Ha-Na''s debut?" Do Ran-Hee questioned. I simply replied, "You''ll see soon. Just wait." Eun Ji-Yoo, who arrivedte, also held my shoulder following Do Ran-Hee. Apparently, she felt she had to join in. Finally, it was time to upload the music video. "Mr. Jung, it''s time to upload the music video." "Alright. Go ahead." Lee Seok-Hyung shouted while looking at the monitor screen. "Uploading the music video. Five, four... one! It''s up." The official music video for ''New Beginning'' was updated on Kang Ha-Na''s MeTube channel, Hana Tube. From that moment, Lee Seok-Hyung began refreshing the screen. At that moment, Kang Ha-Na''s grip on my shoulder tightened. But strangely enough, the music video''s views started climbing rapidly simultaneously. "Fifty! One hundred twenty! Two hundred! Three hundred! Four hundred fifty...!" 1. a type ofrge rock statue found on Jeju Ind off the southern tip of South Korea. The legend says that your wishes wille true if you rub the rock statue and pray. ? Chapter 235: Ha-Na Tube (2)

Chapter 235: Ha-Na Tube (2)

The rapidly increasing view count made Do Ran-Hee''s eyes widen. "Th-this can''t be rising so fast. What''s going on?" Do Ran-Hee asked in shock. Eun Ji-Yoo was also blinking in bewilderment, not understanding the situation. "You guys are going to rip my clothes. Everyone, let go of your hands now, will you?" I said while trying to wriggle free from their grips. Do Ran-Hee and Eun Ji-Yoo quickly let go of my shoulder upon hearing my words. Only after confirming that the trend in the music video''s view count was consistent did the two sigh in relief. But Kang Ha-Na still held onto my shoulder tightly. ''Fair enough. She''s probably the most anxious one here,'' I thought. Do Ran-Hee asked with frustration, "Mr. Jung, what exactly did you do?" I replied, "There''s no need to be surprised. I asked Yoo-Jin to promote Ha-Na''s MeTube channel." "Miss Yoo-Jin?" "Yes. Go check Yoo-Jin''s Instargem right now." Do Ran-Hee hurriedly essed Yoo-Jin''s Instargem. [Jung Yoo-Jin @miso_1004] [Posts 527, Followers 390K, Following 319] - Hoop Entertainment''s new singer-songwriter Kang Ha-Na debut - 11 PM. Music video upload. - 11:11 PM. Live streaming (for 30 minutes!) - Please show lots of interest. [Ha-Na Tube] (link) (Yoo-Jin & Miso_Cheer_Dance.GIF) #HoopEntertainmentNewSinger #LivePerformanceTonightAt1PM1 #DebutOnMeTube #MillionSubscribersGoal #SuperPretty #SuperGreatSinger The GIF file uploaded by Yoo-Jin showed Yoo-Jin and Miso holding arge banner and dancing. And below the post were countlessments. Fans of Yoo-Jin and Miso were clicking the Ha-Na Tube link, and thanks to that, the current subscribers and view count were rapidly increasing. [Ha-Na Tube] Subscribers: 313 [Official M/V] Kang Ha-Na''s ''New Beginning'' - Views: 3,142 Do Ran-Hee sighed in relief at the rapidly increasing subscriber and view counts. She asked, "Is this why you told us to do nothing?" "Yep. People pay more attention to Yoo-Jin''s Instargem already than most media, so there''s no need to spend money on promotion. I bet the number of articles will naturally increase by tomorrow morning," I exined. In the meantime, the view count surpassed 5,000. Do Ran-Hee asked another question after a brief moment of hesitation, "Mr. Jung. But don''t you think the views would have gone up faster if we informed the reporters too?" "Do you think reporters write articles for free?" The entertainment industry was all about give and take. The entertainment industry published articles based on how much money they received, except for a few reporters like Choi So-Hye. It was only natural that most entertainment reporters needed something in return whether it was money, alcohol, or newsworthy material. Although the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act was applied, it was mostly not followed in the field anyway. For this reason, I asked Yoo-Jin for help instead of using reporters because I knew Yoo-Jin''s fans would look favorably at Kang Ha-Na. Moreover, once the public took an interest, reporters would naturally write articles on their own even if I told them not to. "Even if we had informed the reporters, it wouldn''t have made much difference once the initial phase is over," I added. "That may be true, but..." Do Ran-Hee continued. I didn''t answer further and called out to Kang Ha-Na who still held onto my shoulder. "Ha-Na, it''s time to get ready for the broadcast." "Oh, yes!" Kang Ha-Na eximed in anticipation. Only seven minutes remained until the live broadcast. Kang Ha-Na bit her lip and released her grip on my shoulder. She hesitated twice before finally letting go. She looked at me and said, "I think I can do well thanks to you, oppa." Kang Ha-Na took a deep breath and stepped into the recording booth. While she prepared for the broadcast, I started watching the ''New Beginning'' music video on my phone. *** The ''New Beginning'' music video started in a quaint caf¨¦ in Insadong. Late at night in the music video, yellow incandescent lights began to turn on one by one outside the caf¨¦ in Insadong. Sitting in a dark corner of the caf¨¦, Kang Ha-Na ced a worn leather bag and a guitar beside her while staring nkly. On the table was a partially drunk chrysanthemum tea. The petals of the dried chrysanthemum had turned yellow and faded. Kang Ha-Na drank the remaining tea with slumped shoulders. The sound of sipping the tea echoed forlornly as there was no one else in the quiet caf¨¦. Kang Ha-Na let out a small sigh. Then she took out her guitar from the worn leather bag and ced it on herp. Soon, Kang Ha-Na started ying the guitar with worn strings and began to sing. ¡ºPeople say~?¡» Her captivating voice gentlyyered over the rough but clear sound of the guitar. As her solitary song filled the caf¨¦, the darkness on her face began to lighten little by little. ¡º...Hello. A different me from yesterday, hi~ Say goodbye to hard days now, bye~¡» After singing the chorus, Kang Ha-Na walked out of the caf¨¦ while ying the guitar. At that moment, the music video''s background changed to a green reed field in Buan''s reimednd. Then Kang Ha-Na started singing while looking at the rising sun in the middle of the green reed field. Her voice filled with hope was brimming with vitality. ¡º...Hello. A different me from yesterday, hi~ Say goodbye to hard days now, bye~¡» The concept was the same as the music video in my past life, but Lee Seok-Hyung had put more effort into it and made the visual quality extraordinary. The quality of the music video was so good that it was hard to believe that it was made on a low budget. Because of this reason, the reaction from viewers was positive. But suddenly, the view count of the music video was unexpectedly increasing rapidly once again. Looking into the reason, I saw familiar names in thement section. "Huh? What are they doing here?" I wondered. [Official M/V] Kang Ha-Na''s ''New Beginning'' - Views: 17,182 (Comments) - Cutie Sae-Rii: Congrattions on opening your MeTube channel, Ha-Na unnie! Your music video is awesome! - By Chance[1] Woo Yeon-Hee: Ha-Na unnie, I wish you great sess. My heart is pounding after watching the music video! - Full Moon Eun-Bi: Ha-Na unnie, let''s reach 5,000 subscribers today! - Singing Eun-Ah: I love the song, Ha-Na unnie. And I love you too. ...... Cherry Blossom members were leavingments despite thiste hour. When the top girl group Cherry Blossom members personally leftments and responded to the music video, word spread like wildfire and the view count began skyrocketing like crazy. Do Ran-Hee looked at me in disbelief. "Mr. Jung! Did you also ask Cherry Blossom to help promote Ha-Na''s channel?" I shook my head. "No. But they''ve been staying at my ce for a few days. They must have followed the link after seeing Yoo-Jin''s Instargem post." "Wow~ this is amazing!" Do Ran-Hee eximed with joy. ''The hotter the grill, the better the meat cooks,'' I thought. With Cherry Blossom''s support, thement section was ring up once again. *** The time for the live streaming was right around the corner. Currently, the channel''s subscribers had surpassed 1000 and the music video''s views had exceeded 20,000. It was hard to believe this all happened in just ten minutes. "There''s thirty seconds left," I remarked. Inside the recording booth, Kang Ha-Na was taking a deep breath with her eyes closed. I instructed Bang Seon-Woo to turn on the mic so I could talk to Kang Ha-Na in the booth. With a beep, the connection to the recording booth was made. I spoke into the mic. "Ha-Na, remember what I always say? You are the best." Kang Ha-Na''s eyes wavered. I couldn''t imagine how scared and nervous she must be. But she had practiced hard and spent six years of trainee life waiting for a debut with no real promises. Such a tough experience had made her mentally strong like steel. "There''s twenty seconds left," I said while looking at the ticking clock. Then, I shouted again, "Ha-Na, you are already a debut singer with this music video. So let''s broadcast with confidence. Got it?" At that moment, Kang Ha-Na''s eyes began to shine. "Ten seconds left." I smiled and gave a thumbs-up. "Kang Ha-Na! You got this!" "Thank you, oppa." With those words, Kang Ha-Na turned her gaze to the camera. "Start!" And just like that, Kang Ha-Na''s first live broadcast began. *** [Currently: 2,123 viewers ¨C ten minutes since the start of streaming] It was ten minutes after 11:11 p.m. Despite thete hour, there were 2,123 live viewers. The channel ranked tenth in Korea''s MeTube live viewer count, making it an astonishing achievement. Do Ran-Hee looked excited when she saw the ranking of Ha-Na Tube and said, "Mr. Jung, the viewer count is..." "Why are you so surprised by just this?" I asked. Those who were about to congratte me cleared their throats and fell silent. Meanwhile, having finished her introduction inside the recording booth, Kang Ha-Na began to sing with her deep voice. ''Wow. She''s certainly a vocal powerhouse. The birth of a vintage vocalist indeed,'' I remarked inwardly. Kang Ha-Na''s voice was so intense it was unforgettable after just one listen. After finishing singing ''New Beginning,'' Kang Ha-Na took a deep breath andposed herself. "How was it, everyone? I was a bit nervous since it¡¯s my first time, so please forgive any mistakes!" Kang Ha-Na said in a bright tone, mixed with a bit of cuteness. (Live chat) - Rearview Warning: This unnie looks like the one who appeared in the preliminary round of Global Produce 47. I remember her because she was tall and pretty. But why did she get eliminated? - Passing Shrimp Back: I saw her in the first episode prelims too. I thought she was terrible at rapping back then, but she¡¯s a born vocalist. Why did you rap back then? - General Store: It''s obvious. The typical sadness of a trainee. If thepany tells you to, you have to follow no matter what. She probably practiced rapping at thest minute for the audition show. - nket Party: Don¡¯t rap anymore, just sing. - Dasom¡¯s Dad: I joinedte and couldn''t hear properly! Please do an encore. - Evaluation Man: A live performance that''s better than the music video. A true vintage vocalist has appeared. - Sun And Moon: Effortlessly transitioning between low and high notes is almost an art form. As expected, praise for Kang Ha-Na''s vocals poured in. Kang Ha-Na gained confidence from the positive reactions and picked up her guitar once more. "Then I''ll take encore requests first for those who missed it and then sing the requested songs," she said with a smile. Kang Ha-Na told the chat to leave their song rmendations and thenposed herself again. But at that moment, the trolls started to flood in as expected. (Live chat) - Dance King: Aren''t you going to dance? Don''t just sit and y the guitar with that great body. - Night Fish: Isn''t this a camgirl show? - Veteran Return: Debuting on MeTube instead of a showcase? Your agency is something else. LOL When variousments were directed at Kang Ha-Na, Do Ran-Hee abruptly stood up and started cursing. "These fucking assholes! Camgirl show? Where do these punks get off saying this to Ha-Na? Night Fish? These pieces of trash should be thrown into a zing fire and burned to ashes. I''m gonna fucking kill them and..." Do Ran-Hee vented her anger for a while before taking a deep breath. But she soon looked at me with concerned eyes and said, "Mr. Jung! Let''s block those chats." Eun Ji-Yoo agreed. "Yes, I think it''s better to block the malicious ones as Ran-Hee said..." Before Eun Ji-Yoo could finish, I spoke to Lee Seok-Hyung. "Mr. Lee, block all sexualments and those cursing her parents." "Yes, Mr. Jung!" At that moment, Do Ran-Hee asked, "Mr. Jung, can''t we also block those telling Ha-Na to dance and rap? Ha-Na is terrible at dancing and there''s no need to mention rapping." "No need for that," I replied as I pointed to Kang Ha-Na in the recording booth with my chin. Contrary to everyone''s concerns, Kang Ha-Na didn''t even blink. "Trust the girl who survived six years as a trainee in this industry. As long as thepany believes in her, Ha-Na won''t waver," I added. ''Kang Ha-Na is a strong singer,'' I reflected silently. In my past life, she had continued her singing career without being shaken by numerous maliciousments. In an interview in my past life, she had even said this: -Did I have a hard time because of the maliciousments? No, the really hard part was before my debut. The endless days of anxiety and fear that my life might end as a trainee were the hardest. Kang Ha-Na said that what scared her most was the uncertain future, and she feared nothing after debuting. Fans were amazed by her mental fortitude, and it seemed that hadn''t changed even now. "You want me to dance? I did train as an idol for a long time, but I guess I have no talent for dancing since my skills didn''t improve. I''ll dance, but please watch me with kind eyes even if I dance poorly~," grumbled Ha-Na with a yful demeanor as she started choosing a song. The song she chose to dance to was ''Fantasy Mirror'' by the girl group Pink Diamond. Because Pink Diamond was known for their performance, the choreography for ''Fantasy Mirror'' required quick, nonstop movements for about 4 minutes and 55 seconds. But Ha-Na started to p her hands and feet with her poor dance skills without blinking an eye. At that moment, the chat was filled with cheers. 1. Woo Yeon means by chance in Korean ? Chapter 236: Ha-Na Tube (3)

Chapter 236: Ha-Na Tube (3)

Viewers couldn''t stopughing at Kang Ha-Na''s wild dancing. (Live chat) - Dasom¡¯s Dad: Ha ha, she sings well, but her dancing is a bit clumsy. - Pretty 09: Who cares if she can¡¯t dance well? I¡¯m bing a fan from today. - House: She''s amazing. She chose the hardest song ''Fantasy Mirror'' with that level of dancing skill? Ha ha, mad respect for her mental strength. No matter how hard I looked, there were no positivements about her dancing. Peoplemented that her hands and feet were out of sync and that her audacity was admirable and brave. However, it was clear that viewers were enjoying Ha-Na''s MeTube. Do Ran-Hee read through the chat and asked with a puzzled look, "Mr. Jung. She can''t dance, but why is the reaction so good?" "Because it''s funny," I said. Do Ran-Hee frowned. "What if her image gets ruined?" "Her image isn¡¯t getting ruined; she''s bing more rtable," I exined. Do Ran-Hee nodded reluctantly while looking at the chat. "Still, she won¡¯t rap, right? She shouldn¡¯t. Ha-Na is really bad at rapping." But Kang Ha-Na proved Do Ran-Hee wrong. As soon as she heard the request for a rap, Kang Ha-Na shouted with a lively voice, "Rap? Of course I can do it. But it¡¯s a bit worse than my dancing, so don¡¯t be too harsh on me." At that moment, Do Ran-Hee reached out toward the recording booth and desperately tried to stop Kang Ha-Na. "Ha-Na, no. You can¡¯t just do everything they ask! That¡¯s not right!" But Do Ran-Hee¡¯s voice didn¡¯t reach Kang Ha-Na in the soundproof booth. Kang Ha-Na cleared her throat and leaned into the mic to start rapping. "Yeah! Check it out! Check! One-two. One-two. Ah, ah~! Drop the beat! Ay yo! Look who''s here~!" Kang Ha-Na kept getting off-tempo even with the slow beat. She rapped with a serious face, but her rapping was awfully terrible. Do Ran-Hee looked at me with a defeated look as if she had given up on everything. "Mr. Jung, what do we do?" I smiled and pointed to the chat. (Live chat) - MK. Rapper: Wow, this is hrious. She¡¯s so bold. Ha ha, but her clumsy rap is oddly charming for some reason. - Mercy Venom: I didn''t know you could rap to this beat like the way she does. It¡¯s like a traditional rhythm with lyrics. Ha ha. - Cheonghakdong Girl: Totally a Joseon dynasty-style flow. Amazing. - MeTube Veteran: Let¡¯s get Ha-Na into the National Gugak Center! Ha ha. "What? Why is the reaction good?" Do Ran-Hee remarked with surprise. Kang Ha-Na''s unique vocals gave her rapping a weirdly addictive quality. On top of that, Kang Ha-Na was even showing her hip-hop swag with hand signs. At the same time, viewers were continuously typing positivements in the chat. After 30 minutes, the live viewer count peaked at 3,523 and ranked third in real-time MeTube viewers in Korea. The channel subscribers reached 1,923, and the music video views surpassed 42,000. In my past life, Kang Ha-Na''s channel only had three subscribers and one live viewer on the first day, and five views on the music video. The results in my past life and now were iparable. *** Sweat was beading on Kang Ha-Na¡¯s face as she came out of the recording booth. The booth had air conditioning, but she was drenched in sweat because she danced and rapped so enthusiastically. However, her face was full of smiles. "Kang Ha-Na, you¡¯re the best!" "Ha-Na, well done! This is amazing for a first broadcast!" Kang Ha-Na sped her hands and bowed at the cheers from everyone. "Thank you, Mr. Jung, Ran-Hee, Ms. Eun, Seon-Woo, and Mr. Lee. It seems like it went well thanks to all of you." "No thanks needed. You handled it well despite being surprised by the chat," I praised her. "Not at all, oppa," Kang Ha-Na said shyly. Do Ran-Hee shook her head and handed Kang Ha-Na a towel. "What¡¯s with you? You need to take care of your image!" Kang Ha-Na wiped the sweat from her forehead and answered, "I know how hard everyone has worked for my debut, so how could I hold back? Besides, do I even have an image I need to take care of?" Then Kang Ha-Na looked at me."The chat was pretty harsh as you said, oppa." I had prepared Kang Ha-Na for maliciousments beforehand by making her read harshments on MeTube and Paprika TV. I gave her a pleased smile. "You handled it well. And never engage with high-level sexualments. We¡¯ll filter them out anyway, but it''s best not to get involved." "Okay, I won''t." Kang Ha-Na drank the water Do Ran-Hee handed her and checked the MeTube subscribers and views. "Oppa, did this many people join?" "They''re still increasing." Currently, Ha-Na Tube had 2,522 subscribers and the music video views had surpassed 45,000. "Is this considered a sess?" Kang Ha-Na asked. "It''s not just a sess, it¡¯s a huge sess," I corrected her. Even though Yoo-Jin promoted it, I never expected so many people to join at thiste hour. Moreover, this result was almost miraculous because Ha-Na had no previous recognition. "The important thing is to keep this momentum. Don¡¯t forget how you felt today. Got it?" I reminded Kang Ha-Na. Kang Ha-Na nodded. "Yes, I understand." "And you should call your mother," I added. Although she didn¡¯t achieve her long-desired dream of debuting as a K-pop idol, bing a singer alone would make Kang Ha-Na¡¯s mom happy. I returned Kang Ha-Na her phone which she had given me before entering the recording booth. Taking the phone with trembling hands, Kang Ha-Na called her mom. "Hi, Mom... It¡¯s Ha-Na. Yeah... yeah." As soon as she said "mom," tears began to well up in her previously smiling eyes. Kang Ha-Na had endured six years as a trainee facing all kinds of temptations, even attempts by thepany to debut her as a trot singer for night performances. But Kang Ha-Na overcame it all and started making the music she wanted. "I...I finally debuted... So stop worrying about me. I¡¯m okay. No, I¡¯m not crying." Do Ran-Hee was wiping her tears while watching this. But at that moment, Kang Ha-Na handed me the phone with tearful eyes. "Huh? What is it?" I asked. "My mom wants to talk to you, oppa," Kang Ha-Na replied tearfully. "Me?" Unable to continue speaking, Kang Ha-Na handed me the phone. I took it and greeted Kang Ha-Na''s mother politely. "Hello, ma''am. This is Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho, Ha-Na¡¯s talent agent." But there was no response from the other side. I checked if the phone had turned off, but it was still connected. Then a deep male voice spoke. -Honey, he''s waiting. Finally, Kang Ha-Na¡¯s mom, Kim Hyun-Ji, spoke in a tearful voice. -Hello. This is Ha-Na¡¯s mom. Her voice was a bit more delicate than Kang Ha-Na¡¯s. "Yes, ma''am." -Thanks to you, Ha-Na was finally able to debut. Thank you so much, Mr. Jung. "Not at all. Ha-Na would have done well even without me," I replied. -That¡¯s not true. Ha-Na is persistent but not very resourceful. Kim Hyun-Ji, having experienced the rough underbelly of the entertainment industry as an impersonator of the famous singer Kim Hyun-Ja, repeatedly thanked me and said her daughter might have faced the same hardships she went through if she had been alone without me. "Please don¡¯t worry. She will do even better in the future," I assured her. -I trust you, Mr. Jung. Please take good care of Ha-Na. "Of course, ma''am." I was about to hand the phone back to Kang Ha-Na after hanging up. KkTalk! But suddenly, a KkTalk notification popped up on the phone screen. [Park Ye-Seul: Unnie, the song you sang today is the one I begged you for, right? When did you finish it? Adding lyrics made it even better.] Park Ye-Seul, a former trainee from Eyestone Entertainment, had stood on stage with Kang Ha-Na in Global Produce 47. I hadn¡¯t intended to read the message but the notification preview made it unavoidable. I handed the phone to Kang Ha-Na and said, "I''m sorry for reading the message." "It¡¯s okay. I don''t mind you reading it," Kang Ha-Na replied. "But do you still keep in touch with the trainees from your previous agency?" I asked. "I don¡¯t contact them, but they¡¯ve been reaching out to metely," said Kang Ha-Na. "Why?" "Well...they¡¯re contacting me about the Global Produce 47 voting. They''re asking me to vote for them." Do Ran-Hee suddenly burst out angrily. "Those crazy bitches. They never treated you well, and now they want you to vote for them? Ha-Na, their rival is Choi Hye-Won, right? Let¡¯s support Choi Hye-Won instead!" As a passionate viewer of Global Produce 47, Do Ran-Hee knew the contestant list by heart. I calmed down the fuming Do Ran-Hee and asked Kang Ha-Na, "Ha-Na, can Ran-Hee and I manage your phone from now on? You¡¯ll get more calls than you can handle from now on." Calls came from elementary school ssmates to salespeople they met in passing for a newly debuted celebrity, and even just receiving greeting calls 24/7 could lead to health issues and hospitalizations. Seeing unreasonable messages could not only shake their mental stability but also lead to psychiatric help if it got worse. Young celebrities often refused to give their phone to the talent agents to protect their privacy, but Kang Ha-Na fortunately handed over her phone without anyint. I checked in with her again. "Are you okay with this?" Kang Ha-Na nodded. "I don''t have anyone to call anyway. Mom and Dad hardly call me unless there¡¯s something special." "Then just tell me who you need to stay in touch with," I replied. Kang Ha-Na pointed out a few people in her KkTalk contacts. Besides her family, there were only three high school friends. "Are you okay not contacting the rest?" I asked. After a brief hesitation, Kang Ha-Na nodded. "It''s fine." "Okay then. And it¡¯s best not to meet Ye-Seul anymore. Being involved with her won¡¯t benefit you in any way," I advised. "Got it." As soon as Kang Ha-Na agreed, I took the opportunity to call Park Ye-Seul. After all, I couldn¡¯t let her disturb Kang Ha-Na again. *** When I called, Park Ye-Seul answered in a cheerful voice. -Ha-Na unnie! You were quite something today! I never imagined you had such entertainment skills. You were hrious! Her voice sounded friendly, but it wasced with sarcasm and mockery. Park Ye-Seul was currently ranked first in Global Produce 47 poprity polls while Kang Ha-Na had switchedpanies and debuted only as a MeTuber. Although their standings would soon change, I didn¡¯t call to discuss that matter. "This is Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho." A sharp voice responded. -Oh, what? Why the heck are you answering Ha-Na unnie¡¯s phone? In my past life, Park Ye-Seul had often used Kang Ha-Na¡¯s channel as a billboard for her group EVE*ONE after Kang Ha-Na''s sess as a MeTuber. But that wouldn¡¯t happen as long as I was here. I wouldn¡¯t let my celebrity be exploited by others by any means. "Ha-Na¡¯s phone is managed by thepany. She won¡¯t be receiving calls from anyone except family from now on, so please understand and cooperate." Park Ye-Seul¡¯s startled voice came through. -This is ridiculous! Who are you to decide who contacts her? Let me talk to Ha-Na unnie myself... "I¡¯m ending the call." Click. I hung up and immediately added Park Ye-Seul to the blocked list. I didn¡¯t stop there and blocked all celebrities from Eyestone Entertainment. "Drawing a clear boundary like this is better. I¡¯ll clear away anything that hinders your path," I told Kang Ha-Na. Then, Kang Ha-Na asked worriedly, "But what if we run into them at the broadcast station in the future?" "What are you so worried about? Just greet them warmly. Then use me as an excuse, saying your talent agent took your phone and is really strict," I replied. I also gave instructions to Do Ran-Hee who was standing beside Kang Ha-Na. "Ran-Hee, make sure to filter out anyone trying to meet Ha-Na privately. If you can¡¯t handle it, call me right away." Do Ran-Hee saluted in a yful manner. "Got it!" Kang Ha-Na was a kind person who had endured six years of broken promises from her agency about debuting her. To manage a celebrity with such a personality, the talent agent needed to be firm. From then on, I started blocking unimportant contacts from Kang Ha-Na''s KkTalk chat list. But as I had said, the notifications kepting in. Only then did Kang Ha-Na finally understand why I insisted on managing her phone. "Wow...this girl is contacting me after five years," Kang Ha-Na remarked. "Who is she?" I asked. Messages poured in from people she barely knew from trainee connections to elementary school ssmates. Even a message from someone saying that they wanted to meet up because they were getting married soon came in. Kang Ha-Na clicked her tongue when she saw the message from someone named Kim Song-Yi. "Does she not remember bullying me in middle school?" Kang Ha-Na exined that Kim Song-Yi had been a bully who briefly made her life miserable back in middle school. "I told you you¡¯d get ridiculous messages," I told her. With that, I blocked Kim Song-Yi. Then Do Ran-Hee grinned widely at that moment. "Ha-Na, want to go to her wedding with me?" "Why would we go there?" Kang Ha-Na asked. "Let¡¯s go with you in full celebrity makeup and a white dress," Do Ran-Hee replied with a smirk. "Th-that¡¯s a bit...." Kang Ha-Na stuttered. Despite Ha-Na''s flustered expression, Do Ran-Hee continued casually, "And I¡¯ll wear a bright red dress and cry my eyes out. Or better yet, cling to the groom¡¯s pants and scream, ''Why did you leave me?''" Hearing Do Ran-Hee¡¯s revenge n sent chills down my spine. ''Yep. Do Ran-Hee is definitely crazy,'' I noted silently. Fortunately, Ha-Na stopped the n and said we should focus on the positive things ahead rather than dwelling on the past. After blocking contacts for ten minutes, I looked at the rapidly increasing subscribers and said, "At this rate, you¡¯ll hit 100,000 much sooner than expected." The subscriber count had reached 3,327 within less than an hour since the broadcast started. In my past life, it had taken three months to reach 100,000 subscribers. I had aimed to achieve it in a month this time, but it seemed it would happen much sooner. Just like that, Kang Ha-Na¡¯s first MeTube broadcast was giving results beyond my imagination. Chapter 237: Ha-Na Tube (4)

Chapter 237: Ha-Na Tube (4)

"Ah! This is so annoying!" Park Ye-Seul threw her phone onto the sofa as soon as she ended the call with Kang Ha-Na. The phone bounced off the cushion and hit the marble floor of the dormitory with a cracking sound. A crack appeared on Park Ye-Seul''s phone screen. The panting Park Ye-Seul sat on the sofa and stomped her feet angrily. At that moment, Chief Yang Eun-Cheol beside her asked, "Ye-Seul, what''s wrong?" "Kang Ha-Na''s talent agent told me not to call her anymore! He''s so annoying! What did I do wrong? I only called to congratte her!" Yang Eun-Cheol tilted his head at Park Ye-Seul''s words. "But Ye-Seul. You didn''t like Ha-Na, did you? You said it was annoying to see her pursuing an idol career despite being older. So why did you call to congratte her?" Park Ye-Seul frowned. "What are you talking about? I only said that because she couldn''t dance or follow the lessons properly back then." Choi So-Yung walked out of the kitchen and smirked. "She lies as soon as she opens her mouth. Didn''t you say you''d get indigestion whenever you saw Ha-Na unnie?" "When did I ever say that?" Park Ye-Suel protested. "Oh, you''re funny. You acted like that from the first time you met Ha-Na unnie, so why pretend otherwise now?" Choi So-Yung retorted. Park Ye-Seul shouted at Choi So-Yung''s reprimand, "What about you? Didn''t you also dislike Ha-Na unnie? Didn''t you?" "I did dislike her. And I still do." Park Ye-Seul grumbled at Choi So-Yung''s straightforward answer. "You should fix that bluntness. Saying that in front of others will cause big trouble." "Do you think I''m stupid? You''re the one who should be careful." Yang Eun-Cheol cleared his throat and said, "Stop fighting, both of you. You''ll both make it into the final 11 as long as you keep quiet. Do you still want to fight then?" Park Ye-Seul linked arms with Choi So-Yung and smiled as if they never fought. "Are you out of your mind? Our concept is being closer than real sisters." Choi So-Yung tightened her hold and said, "Our talent agent is so naive sometimes." Yang Eun-Cheol frowned. "Ugh, kids these days. Stop teasing adults and go to bed. You''ll start training again in two days, so no snacks before bed." "Always nagging. Fine, we get it." The two chatted as if they had never fought and headed to the bedroom. After they went into their rooms, Yang Eun-Cheol swallowed hard. "If Ha-Na keeps getting positive reactions like now, Director Na won''t just sit and watch. Sigh...What should we do? With his personality, who knows how much trouble he''ll cause..." Yang Eun-Cheol had also watched Kang Ha-Na''s MeTube videos. He hoped they would fail, but the response was surprisingly good. Kang Ha-Na''s vocals had improved much more than when he was managing her. Her pitch, which used to tremble slightly due to ack of confidence, had stabilized. This made her vocals wless. Having lost Kang Ha-Na as if she had been taken away, Yang Eun-Cheol felt a bitter taste in his mouth. He was also worried about being scolded by Na Woon-Seok at work the next day. That''s when a thought crossed Yang Eun-Cheol''s mind and he muttered under his breath, "I need to do something. If I leave it like this, I''ll end up taking the me. I can''t just watch." With a n in mind, Yang Eun-Cheol immediately called Na Woon-Seok. "Yes, Mr. Na. Ha-Na ended up debuting. Yes. Yes." Yang Eun-Cheol was scolded by Na Woon-Seok as expected. However, Yang Eun-Cheol suddenly shouted into the phone. "I have an idea!" -What idea? "She left thepany recklessly, so we need to give her a tough time for revenge." -What do you n to do? Yang Eun-Cheol began to reveal the n he had thought of. *** As soon as the morning sun rose, articles about Kang Ha-Na started pouring in. [Hoop Entertainment¡¯s singer-songwriter Kang Ha-Na achieves 60,000 views on MeTube on the first day. An unprecedented rise draws industry attention.] [¡®Kang Ha-Na¡¯. A new star emerges in the history of female vocalists] [Hoop Entertainment¡¯s major new artist. Kang Ha-Na. The dramatic behind-the-scenes of the past six years.] ...... Although she hadn¡¯t appeared on music shows, news about Kang Ha-Na spread quickly thanks to Yoo-Jin''s Instargem post. Reporters were writing articles on their own as I had expected. When my prediction was proven right once more, Do Ran-Hee pledged loyalty and said she wouldn¡¯t doubt my words again. After three days, the number of subscribers to Kang Ha-Na¡¯s MeTube channel, Ha-Na Tube, increased to 15,000 and the music video views exceeded 220,000. At that moment, PD Cha Tae-Hee from KBC''s Music Stage called me. -Congrattions. Where did you find such a gem again? "I was lucky." -Again with the luck talk, huh? If that luck continues like this, it''s your ability at this point, you know?" After some pleasantries, Cha Tae-Hee got to the point. -By the way, I really liked Miss Ha-Na¡¯s debut song. Can you register it on music sites quickly? We can invite her to perform on our show only once it''s on the charts. "Hmm. I''m not sure." -Oh,e on. I¡¯ll specially arrange Miss Ha-Na¡¯s debut stage with extra care for you, Mr. Jung. It had been a long time since a female solo artist had debuted. Moreover, Ha-Na was a singer-songwriter. Singer-songwriters were always weed by broadcasting stations as they could be easily packaged as geniuses if their songs were good. Thanks to this, Cha Tae-Hee was eager but I cautiously declined his offer. "Sorry, but we¡¯re not nning on having any music show activities yet." -Then what? "We n to focus on increasing MeTube subscribers for now." -Are you nning to make MeTube the main tform for her? "Yes, that¡¯s the n." After a moment of silence, Cha Tae-Hee made a new request. -Then just tell me the date for the music registration and schedule. Even if she¡¯s active on MeTube, she¡¯ll eventually appear on music shows, right? After a brief thought, I decided to make at least one music PD my ally. "We¡¯re thinking of September." -September? Two monthster? Wait. No way... Cha Tae-Hee immediately understood my intentions. -Team Lead Jung, you¡¯re scary. September means you¡¯re nning a head-to-head match with them, right? September 12th! Right? ''A showdown between the newly formed idol group EVE*ONE, the winners of Global Producer47, and Kang Ha-Na,'' I thought to myself. Cha Tae-Hee quickly caught on to the showdown I had envisioned. "I won¡¯t deny it." -Wow~ that¡¯s a great n. Okay, I¡¯ll trust you and prepare the stage, Team Lead Jung. Let¡¯s aim for a debut and first ce simultaneously. You know what I''m talking about, right? Cha Tae-Hee was implying that he didn¡¯t want to see an idol created from the cable TV audition program KNETe to terrestrial TV and win first ce. As I was about to hang up, Cha Tae-Hee mentioned something. -And don¡¯t tell MBS and SBC about the exact schedule. I won''t ask for more, so can you do that much for me? If they didn¡¯t know the exact debut date, MBS and SBC wouldn¡¯t allocate arge budget for Kang Ha-Na''s debut stage. This would ensure that Kang Ha-Na¡¯s debut stage on KBC would be the most spectacr. "Understood. I¡¯ll do that." -Okay. I¡¯ll trust you then. After hanging up with Cha Tae-Hee, I soon received calls from MBS¡¯s Show! Music Center PD Ju Han-Soo and SBC¡¯s Popr Music PD Baek Jang-Ho. But even though I said the same thing as I did to Cha Tae-Hee, the two didn¡¯t catch on to my intention as quickly as he did. Instead, Lee Dong-Min came to see me. "Yoon-Ho, the PDs are bugging me instead of you. Can¡¯t we have her appear a little earlier?" "Come on. You know we¡¯ve scheduled everything for September. Why ask again?" When I firmly refused, Lee Dong-Min let out a deep sigh. "Sigh. Fine. I¡¯ll handle the PDs, so do it right. Got it?" "Yes, sir!" Lee Dong-Min sighed but smiled as requests for appearances poured in for the new artist from Singer Division 2. *** [In the Name of God. First broadcast on July 29!] [Festival of Money. First broadcast on July 29. Who will be the top Wednesday-Thursday drama?] [Ju Yung-In vs. So Yi-Yung. Who will take the victory trophy?] [TVM Master of Mukbang. First broadcast on July 31. Starring new actor, Haru.] News about the actors I managed was appearing on entertainment news pages every day. As Yoo-Jin and Haru''s dramas were about to air, we were spending a lot on promotions. But my current focus was on Kang Ha-Na because there was one schedule rted to her in my nner five monthster that kept bothering me. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: December 29, 2020] -07:00 p.m. BJ[1] Do-Jin. Meeting on countermeasures against Kang Ha-Na''s insult video. Singer Division 1 meeting room. This was something that happened shortly after Kang Ha-Na started to seed in my past life. BJ Do-Jin, who had 500,000 subscribers, had targeted Kang Ha-Na. His real name was Kim Do-Jin and he was the leader of the now-disbanded group, Shelter Zero, from Eyestone Entertainment. Kim Do-Jin retired after three years of activity and became a MeTuber, gaining poprity by revealing hidden secrets of the entertainment industry using initials. When Kang Ha-Na gained poprity, he began to spread all kinds of rumors about her to gain subscribers. Since they were from the same agency and his testimonies were quite specific, Kang Ha-Na suffered for a while from the rumors. But two weekster, everything was resolved naturally due to a post by Kim Do-Jin''s ex-girlfriend on Bodybook. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: January 13, 2021] -07:00 p.m. (Report) BJ Do-Jin¡¯s ex-girlfriend¡¯s Bodybook expos¨¦! Kim Do-Jin arrested. Jo Soo-Yung, a former trainee at Eyestone Entertainment, terminated her contract with thepany and rushed to prepare for marriage after getting pregnant with Kim Do-Jin¡¯s child. But as Kim Do-Jin became sessful as a MeTuber, the marriage was repeatedly postponed. Then one day, Jo Soo-Yung found out that Kim Do-Jin was seeing another woman. And on the very same day Kim Do-Jin coldly abandoned her. Afterward, Jo Soo-Yung started working at a grocery with her mother and raised her child alone. But when her child got sick monthster and needed arge hospital bill, she had no choice but to ask 500,000-subscriber MeTuber Kim Do-Jin for help. However, not only did Kim Do-Jin refuse to help her, he even hurled insults at her. iming she ruined his life, he even resorted to violence against Jo Soo-Yung, her mother, and her daughter. Unable to endure the repeated abuse, Jo Soo-Yung posted a long message and evidence with photos on Bodybook. This issue led to Kim Do-Jin being branded as trash and getting arrested, resolving everything. "Should I take action a bit earlier?" I muttered under my breath. Jo Soo-Yung would be going through a tough time after just breaking up with Kim Do-Jin. Moreover, I had a way to help her. Ironically, Jo Soo-Yung became sessful as a MeTuber after exposing the true nature of BJ Do-Jin. As a former idol trainee, Jo Soo-Yung had good looks as well as decent singing and dancing skills. Furthermore, having Kim Yu-Mi, her daughter appear on her broadcasts was cute enough to capture the viewers'' attention. But at that moment, the entry rted to Kim Do-Jin suddenly started to disappear from the nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: December 29, 2020] -07:00 p.m. (Deleted schedule: BJ Do-Jin. Meeting on countermeasures against Kang Ha-Na''s insult video. Singer Division 1 meeting room.) Surprised, I immediately checked the schedules rted to Jo Soo-Yung but her schedules remained the same. That''s when a sudden thought struck me. ''Could it be that Kim Do-Jin''s targeting of Kang Ha-Na was moved up?'' It didn''t take long for me to confirm that my suspicions were right. Do Ran-Hee rushed into the office with a shocked expression. "Mr. Jung! Look at this!" On the phone she handed me, a video was ying that insulted Kang Ha-Na, just like in my past life. [BJ Do-Jin] Subscribers: 375,000. [Behind the Scenes of Eyestone Entertainment VER 1.0] - Views: 120,000 Real story about a certain rapidly trending MeTuber. Though she gains sympathy with tales of hardship during her six years as a trainee, the truth is that she''s a two-faced sunbae. Relentless verbal and physical abuse toward younger trainees. An unfiltered expose of the true hierarchy in the practice room. A vivid documentary on the scene. You''re all curious, right? (Comments) - Fun Cool Sexy: Ha ha ha. I knew it. Acting all innocent while being so malicious behind our backs. The ones who pretend to be naive are scarier these days. - Football Is Life: Today''s her second broadcast and there''s already a broadcast targeting her? This is why people need to live honestly. - Eternal Bean Line: There''s a reason she couldn''t debut at EyeStone Entertainment. - Eric Cartman: I knew it! Something felt off. She appeared in the first episode of Global Produce 47, and I found it strange that someone so good-looking hadn''t debuted yet. - Yeji''s Dad: Isn''t it too much to make such assumptions without verified facts? - Regression is Sweet: What are you saying? He said he spent his trainee days with her. If you don''t believe someone with firsthand experience, what do you believe? The same situation that happened in my past life was unfolding before me. "What...what should we do about this?" Do Ran-Hee asked with worry in her eyes. "Don''t worry. I have a n," I assured her. Leaving the shocked Do Ran-Hee behind, I immediately went to see Lee Dong-Min. This time, I had no intention of just watching Kang Ha-Na suffer from false usations. 1. Broadcasting Jockey ? Chapter 238: BJ Do-Jin (1)

Chapter 238: BJ Do-Jin (1)

[A rookie MeTuber, Miss K. Allegations of fraudulent contracts.] [She will do anything to be popr. MeTuber emerges as the source of fake news. Is this really okay?] [Shocking! Violence and coercivenguage toward younger colleagues from the samepany!] (Comments) -This is crazy. The reason she couldn''t debut for six years was because of her personality? -K stands for Kim? -No, Kang. -The former agency was a saint for feeding and housing her for six years. -Damn, I''m dying to know who this is! Just give us the initials! -Can''t you tell just by looking? It''s KHN. -Reporters avoiding names to dodgewsuits, LOL. I understand though. Getting sued by Hoop Entertainment is scary. -LOL, you''ll get sued! Park Ye-Seul had finished two days of training for Global Produce 47 and was in the meeting room of Eyestone Entertainment snickering while readingments on the article. She looked over at Choi So-Yung and asked, "So-Yung unnie! Did you see this?" Choi So-Yung, who had been slumped over the table, sat up. "You mean Ha-Na unnie''s article?" "Another victim of Do-Jin oppa''s borate lies, huh? Today¡¯s meal will taste more delicious than usual thanks to this great news." "Hey. Do you enjoy Ha-Na unnie¡¯s misfortune so much?" "Who said I enjoy it? It''s just the truth." "You crazy bitch. Control your expression." "What did I even do?" Choi So-Yung clicked her tongue. "If you''re going to hide your feelings, do it properly." Park Ye-Seul quickly covered her mouth with her hand. "And what about you? Your expression looks like you won the lottery." "What? Don¡¯t you know I maintain a poker face in front of others?" At that moment, the meeting room door opened and Yang Eun-Cheol and Na Woon-Seok appeared. "What are you so proud of that you''re gossiping about someone else? You dropped to third and tenth ce this week!" Na Woon-Seok rebuked them. The annoyed Park Ye-Seul grumbled at Na Woon-Seok''s scolding. "Oh,e on, it¡¯s ridiculous that Choi Hye-Won is first." "What¡¯s ridiculous about it? Hye-Won is pretty and talented," Na Woon-Seok retorted. "Ugh! Mr. Na, you''re always praising Choi Hye-Won. Whose side are you on?" Na Woon-Seok sneered. "That¡¯s why you should work hard to showcase your charm. Singing? Dancing? They don''t matter. Charm is everything for a celebrity." Choi So-Yung muttered under her breath, "Hye-Won is being heavily promoted by her agencytely, but our president just talks and doesn''t act on it at all." Yang Eun-Cheol''s face hardened for a moment. "Choi So-Yung! Watch your mouth!" "Ugh, what? Did I say something wrong?" Choi So-Yung yelled back. Then, Na Woon-Seok spoke to Yang Eun-Cheol with a cold expression. "By the way, Chief Yang. The issue with Kang Ha-Na is being handled well, I heard?" "Ah, yes, sir. Do-Jin is working on it." "Tsk tsk. Look at Ha-Na suffering because she dared to leave me. That bitch shouldn''t have..." "This is all on her. She wouldn''t be going through this if she hadn''t underestimated you, Mr. Na." Listening to the two''s conversation, Choi So-Yung swallowed hard when she realized that they were the ones behind Kim Do-Jin''s sudden attack on Kang Ha-Na. She realized the reason they were having this conversation in front of them was to warn the girls that they, too, would face the same consequences if they ever crossed the line. "I-I''m sorry, Mr. Na. I just got a bit emotional..." Choi So-Yung stammered. Seeing the two bow their heads hurriedly, Na Woon-Seok shrugged as if he didn''t understand why. "It''s okay. These things can happen when you''re working. Just make sure to take care of your own responsibilities. Got it?" Park Ye-Sul and Choi So-Yung nodded, looking dejected. Na Woon-Seok gave instructions to Yang Eun-Cheol with a satisfied expression. "Tell Do-Jin to push harder. Why is he holding back now that he''s left thepany, huh?" "Should we tell him to try to bring Kang Ha-Na downpletely this time?" Yang Eun-Cheol asked. "Just hearing that makes me feel better. Go ahead. I''ll call the reporters and make sure they engage fully in this plot." As the conversation between Yang Eun-Cheol and Na Woon-Seok continued, Park Ye-Sul and Choi So-Yung''s expressions grew increasingly grim. *** Lee Dong-Min, Yoo-Jin, and I arrived in front of the vi in Jamsil where Jo Soo-Yung and her daughter Yu-Mi lived. I had initially nned toe with Lee Dong-Min alone, but Yoo-Jin insisted on joining after hearing about the situation. "Yoo-Jin, there was no need for you toe along..." I told her. However, Yoo-Jin shook her head holding paper bags in both hands. "I know the work of the single mothers'' support center the best." To help Jo Soo-Yung and ask for her testimony, I nned to check if the single mothers'' support center, Hansarang, could send some support over. However, Yoo-Jin overheard my conversation with them and insisted oning along to help herself. After all, Yoo-Jin regrly donated to Hansarang and helped single mothers. Lee Dong-Min once again told her to stay in the car, but Yoo-Jin insisted on following us inside. "Alright then. However, make sure you don''t get involved if things get tense. Got it?" Lee Dong-Min reminded her. Yoo-Jin nodded. "Yes, Mr. Lee!" With that, the three of us headed to the basement of the shabby vi where Jo Soo-Yung lived. Ding-dong. A subdued voice came from inside when the doorbell rang. -Who... is it? It was the voice of a young woman in her early twenties. "Hello. Ms. Jo Soo-Yung, we are from Hoop Entertainment." -Why...why are people from Hoop Entertainment here? Is it because of Do-Jin oppa? I have nothing to do with him. Do-Jin oppa and I broke up. It''s been a while since we met too. I feel sorry for Ha-Na unnie, but I have nothing to say. Her voice was slightly fearful, so I hurriedly reassured her. "No, that''s not why we''re here. We came here to help you. We also have something for Yu-Mi as well." -Who''s Yu-Mi? It seemed like she was trying to hide the fact that she had a child. "We came here knowing everything, Ms. Soo-Yung." At that moment, I heard a child¡¯sughter in the background over the inte. -No, be quiet! Just as I was about to persuade her to open the door again, Yoo-Jin shouted from behind me. "Ms. Soo-Yung, we¡¯re here to inform you about the support avable from the single mothers'' organization. They can help with hospital bills and basic living expenses as well. Please open the door! I also brought clothes and shoes for the baby." -Huh? Wait, is this...Jung Yoo-Jin¡¯s voice? I stepped aside so that Yoo-Jin¡¯s face could be seen on the inte. Yoo-Jin, holding the paper bags, smiled brightly at the inte. -Just, just a moment. I¡¯ll open the door right away. After the inte clicked off, the door opened shortly after. ck. As we entered, the smell of baby form hit us. The 22-year-old Jo Soo-Yung was holding her baby while wearing a blue tracksuit. The baby''s clothes were clean, but they were clearly hand-me-downs. The baby in Jo Soo-Yung''s arms giggled as she looked at us. "Come on in," Jo Soo-Yung said softly. Once a promising idol trainee, Jo Soo-Yung weed us with disheveled hair as a mother now. "Your baby is beautiful," Yoo-Jin said with a smile. A faint smile appeared on Jo Soo-Yung''s exhausted face. "Thank you." Jo Soo-Yung bowed slightly and gestured to the narrow living room floor. "Please have a seat here. I''ll get you something to drink." At that moment, Yoo-Jin handed over the paper bags she was holding and said, "We''ve already eaten. More than that, Ms. Soo-Yung. Would you like to check this out instead?" Yoo-Jin began pulling out various baby items from the paper bags from clothes and shoes to dresses and gloves. Thanks to this, Jo Soo-Yung''s face brightened a little more. "Wow, they''re beautiful..." "These will look great on Yu-Mi. Can we try them on her right now?" Yoo-Jin asked in a bright voice. Jo Soo-Yung smiled slightly. "Are you giving all of this to me?" "Of course!" As Jo Soo-Yung lowered her head, Yoo-Jin waved her hand. "Come on, let''s get Yu-Mi changed into these." Jo Soo-Yung nodded and started to undress Yu-Mi. In the meantime, Lee Dong-Min and I turned away while waiting for her to change Yu-Mi¡¯s clothes. A momentter, the child''sughter filled the room. "Kya ha ha ha!" Yu-Mi seemed to be in a good mood perhaps because she liked her new clothes. "She''s all dressed." When I turned around, I saw Yu-Mi looking cute and adorable just like in the videos on Jo Soo-Yung''s MeTube channel in my past life. "She looks pretty," I remarked. "Right? Isn''t she as pretty as Miso?" Yoo-Jin concurred. Jo Soo-Yung waved her hand dismissively. "Not at all, Miss Yoo-Jin. You can''tpare her to Miso." "Oh,e on. Yu-Mi is really pretty too, right?" Yoo-Jin added. Yu-Mi made a happy sound. "Umama mama!" At that moment, Yu-Mi in a pink baby dress looked at me. "Papa!" I scratched my head "Huh?" Suddenly, Yu-Mi reached out her hands toward me. "No, Yu-Mi. You can''t... No." Jo Soo-Yung tried to hold Yu-Mi back, but the child whined and began crawling toward me. "Papa!" At that moment, Yoo-Jinughed yfully. "Oh my, it seems like Yu-Mi likes Yoon-Ho oppa." I extended my hands upon hearing Yoo-Jin''s words. Jo Soo-Yung stood up to get a bib in concern that Yu-Mi might drool and dirty my clothes, but I stopped her. "It''s okay. Don''t worry about it," I reassured her. As Jo Soo-Yung let go of Yu-Mi with an apologetic expression, Yu-Mi crawled over and grabbed my clothes, pulling herself up. Holding onto me with her tiny hands, Yu-Mi looked up at me with a wide smile. "Papa papa!" Yu-Mi smiled angelically with her chubby face. I extended both arms and supported her back and bottom with my hands. "Yu-Mi, what is it~?" Yu-Mi giggled and buried her head in my chest. "Mama!" That''s when Jo Soo-Yung eximed in surprise. "Oh my, what is up with her today?" Yu-Mi nestled snugly in my arms and rubbed her face against my shirt while clutching me tightly as if she didn¡¯t want to let go. Her cute actions made me smile involuntarily, almost forgetting why I hade in the first ce. I held Yu-Mi tightly in my arms and asked Jo Soo-Yung, "If you don''t mind me asking, when did Mr. Kim Do-Jin stoping here?" Jo Soo-Yung, who was still flustered by Yu-Mi''s behavior, let out a deep sigh. "It¡¯s been about a month." "A month ago, huh? That''s around when his channel had around 200,000 subscribers." Jo Soo-Yung acknowledged her situation with a clear understanding. "He probably doesn''t want to be tied down to Yu-Mi and me now that he''s making enough money." "Ms. Soo-Yung, how do you n to manage without Mr. Do-Jin¡¯s help?" "I¡¯m not sure yet. Raising Yu-Mi alone is already overwhelming. Besides, Do-Jin oppa never really helped us anyway." At that moment, Yoo-Jin began exining the support avable from the organization. Thanks to her, Jo Soo-Yung¡¯s face brightened significantly. After listening to everything, Jo Soo-Yung turned to me and said, "You came because of Ha-Na unnie, right?" Jo Soo-Yung, who had exposed Kim Do-Jin and helped Kang Ha-Na in my past life, mentioned Kang Ha-Na. I hesitated for a moment but decided to answer honestly, realizing that lying to someone who already knew the truth was foolish. "Yes. Although it sounds a bit selfish, that''s the reason we came today." After a brief contemtion, Jo Soo-Yung asked, "Then...if it''s not too much to ask, how much can you help me? I really need help raising Yu-Mi..." Jo Soo-Yung put aside her pride for her child. Thanks to her courage, it became easier to talk. "In addition to the support from the single mothers'' organization, I''ll help you get back on stage." Jo Soo-Yung blinked in surprise. "I''m sorry?" Seeing her confused expression, I began to exin in detail. Though bing an idol again might be difficult, she could start anew as a MeTuber. Signing a contract with ourpany could allow her to live in a much better environment than now. Jo Soo-Yung''s face started to light up as she listened to my exnation. "I''d love to bring you into Hoop Entertainment, but it''s tough to bring you in right away because of the entanglement with Mr. Do-Jin and Ha-Na. So I''d like to introduce you to anotherpany first for the time being." "Which one?" "Altoran." Beforeing here, I had called Park Woo-Min of Altoran Entertainment where Choi Ji-Yung was. Because Altoran Entertainment had recently started managing MeTubers, they readily epted my proposal¡ªalthough it was practically a favor because I helped with the incident involving Choi Ji-Yung. "They offered a signing bonus of around 10 million won and a 70-30 revenue split after deducting editor fees. Considering your current situation, they said they''ll support you with the minimum living expenses in advance." After a brief hesitation, Jo Soo-Yung asked again, "Do you think I can do it?" "Don¡¯t worry too much. A producer will be assigned to you." "Th-then what do I need to do there?" "You can utilize your original skills to broadcast. You can do dances or song covers. With some makeup, I bet you could outshine most streamers. You can asionally appear with Yu-Mi as well." Though not made up now, Jo Soo-Yung was quite pretty. And above all, she had the secret weapon¡ªYu-Mi. Jo Soo-Yung asked cautiously, "Then what you want in return is... for me to testify against Do-Jin oppa''s lies, right?" "Unfortunately, yes." I thought it would be difficult for her, but Jo Soo-Yung readily agreed to my surprise. "Okay. I''ll testify about what Do-Jin oppa has done until now. I''ll also refute all the rumors rted to Ha-Na unnie." Jo Soo-Yung was being courageous for her child. "Thank you so much, Ms. Soo-Yung. I will do my best to help you." After a brief moment of contemtion, Jo Soo-Yung opened a drawer and took out dozens of photos. There were photos of Jo Soo-Yung herself injured, photos of her mother beaten, and even photos of baby Yu-Mi with bruises. The photos I had seen in my past life were nothingpared to these photos. Seeing the photos of the injured baby, Yoo-Jin''s eyes shed with anger. "Ms. Soo-Yung, such trash should be in jail! I will actively help you from now on, so don''t worry too much!" "I would do anything for Yu-Mi," said Jo Soo-Yung with a new determination in her eyes. Shakespeare once said, "Women are weak, but mothers are strong." Jo Soo-Yung, who became a mother at a young age like Yoo-Jin, was anything but weak. At that moment, Yu-Mi in my arms suddenly burst intoughter. "Papa! Mama~!" Thanks to her, smiles began to spread across our faces and eased the tension from the heavy conversation. I looked tenderly at Yu-Mi. "Yes, Yu-Mi. Let''s only meet good people from now on, okay? I''ll take good care of you." Yu-Mi shouted as if she understood my words and smiled brightly. "Papa!" Chapter 239: BJ Do-Jin (2)

Chapter 239: BJ Do-Jin (2)

I thought it would take at least a few days to persuade Jo Soo-Yung. However, thanks to Yoo-Jin and Yu-Mi, the problem was solved immediately. "Then let''s proceed as nned after signing the contract with Altoran tomorrow morning," I suggested. "Okay. I''ll upload the photos and text in the afternoon and report to the police after signing the contract," answered Jo Soo-Yung with a stern expression. Yoo-Jin held her hand to give Jo Soo-Yung courage. At that moment, the front door opened and Jo Soo-Yung''s mother, Lee Ji-Ae, appeared. Holding ck bags in both hands, Lee Ji-Ae looked surprised upon seeing us. "Soo-Yung, who are these people?" "Oh, Mom, you''re here." Seeing the flustered Lee Ji-Ae, Yoo-Jin jumped up and ran to the entrance. Then she reached out her hands toward the stic bags. "They look really heavy. Give them to me, ma''am," Yoo-Jin said politely. When Yoo-Jin took the stic bags, Lee Ji-Ae stared in disbelief. "Oh, uh...okay. By the way, are you by chance Miss Jung Yoo-Jin?" "Please feel free to speakfortably, ma''am. I''m like an older sister to Soo-Yung from now on." "Ol-older sister? To my daughter?" "Oh, ma''am,e on. Please speakfortably." Lee Ji-Ae nodded with a bewildered expression. I heard that Lee Ji-Ae had be extremely wary of strangers after Kim Do-Jin came to the house and caused a disturbance. However, thanks to Yoo-Jin, her wariness was easily lifted. "Soo-Yung, what¡¯s going on?" Jo Soo-Yung began to exin how she found a new agency with Yoo-Jin and my help. When Lee Ji-Ae learned about the n to take revenge on Kim Do-Jin for neglecting the child, her eyes widened and she asked, "Is, is that really true?" "Yes, Mom. Mr. Jung and Yoo-Jin unnie said they''d help a lot in the future, so don''t worry about anything anymore." At that moment, tears started to stream down Lee Ji-Ae''s face. "Oh, my dear child. That''s wonderful. That''s really wonderful." The mother and daughter tightly embraced each other and began to weep loudly. "Sob sob. Mom, I''m sorry for all this time. Meeting that man, Kim Do-Jin, made things hard for you too..." As the mother and daughter continued tofort each other, Yoo-Jin holding the ck stic bags at the entrance also wiped away tears. Then Yu-Mi, still in my arms, shouted, "Granny~!" Lee Ji-Ae turned her head to look at her granddaughter. "Oh my! Yu-Mi, you''re in that uncle''s arms?" "Um-ba-ba!" Yu-Miughed and answered while still clinging tightly to me. "Mom. Yu-Mi is really funny, isn¡¯t she? It''s already past her bedtime but she''s been clinging to Mr. Jung since earlier without any hesitation." Jo Soo-Yung shook her head and began to introduce us. "Oh, right. Mom, this is Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho, Miss Yoo-Jin''s talent agent. And this is Mr. Lee Dong-Min, a chief of Hoop Entertainment." Because I was holding Yu-Mi, I greeted Lee Ji-Ae while seated. Lee Ji-Ae grabbed my knee and expressed her gratitude. "Please take good care of Soo-Yung, Mr. Jung." "Of course, ma''am. Don''t worry too much," I assured her. However, Lee Ji-Ae''s expression seemed a bit dark as she spoke. "What¡¯s wrong, Mrs. Lee?" I probed. "Well... I''m worried if Soo-Yung can be on the broadcast because of Yu-Mi." She asked if her daughter, raising a child, could appear on the broadcast. At that moment, Yoo-Jin stepped forward and spoke. "Why not? I''m living proof of that!" Lee Ji-Ae nodded. "Oh, you''re right...!" Yoo-Jin was living proof that one could be a sessful celebrity despite having a child. Thanks to Yoo-Jin, detailed exnations were no longer necessary. "This offer was made knowing from the start that Ms. Soo-Yung is raising Yu-Mi. Altoran nning, who will take care of Ms. Soo-Yung for the time being, is well aware of that fact as well." Lee Ji-Ae nodded. "I have more unnecessary worries as I get older. It''s foolish of me." Delighted that her daughter''s dream would btedlye true, Lee Ji-Ae wiped away tears in joy. "Well... you haven''t had dinner, have you? I bought noodles. Would you like some Janchi Guksu?[1]" Lee Ji-Ae asked. "That would be wonderful, Mrs. Lee," I replied. When I swallowed hard, Yoo-Jin stood up and rolled up her sleeves. "I''ll help too." "No, Miss Yoo-Jin. How could you..." "Trust me, I¡¯m quite good at cooking. Soo-Yung, you stay seated." "No, unnie. I¡¯ll help too." Not wanting to make the guest work, Jo Soo-Yung also stood up. Thanks to this, only Lee Dong-Min and I holding Yu-Mi in my arms were left in the living room. "Yoon-Ho, y with Yu-Mi. I need to check the light here." Lee Dong-Min took off his jacket and looked at the light that had been flickering. After a brief observation, he shouted toward the kitchen as if realizing it wouldn''t do. "Mrs. Lee, the living room bulb seems like it needs changing. I¡¯ll go buy a bulb. Is there anything else you need while I''m out?" "It¡¯s okay. There¡¯s nothing I need in particr." However, Yoo-Jin shouted, "Mr. Lee, please get some eggs, zhini, and Cheongyang chili peppers." "Alright. Anything else?" "Milk and yogurt for Yu-Mi! The squeezable kind!" Yoo-Jin knew exactly what was needed after just one brief look in the fridge. As the small semi-basement room started to buzz with people, Yu-Mi¡¯sughter grew louder in my arms. However, Yu-Mi suddenly pointed to a corner in the living room with one hand after babbling in my arms for a while. "Mama, Papa!" In the corner of the living room was a messy pile of fairy tale books. "Yu-Mi, do you want to read a book?" I asked her. Yu-Mi nodded. "Alright. Yu-Mi, I''ll read you a book." I took a fairy tale book from the side of the living room and started reading. The title was The Goblin''s Club. ''All fairy tales start the same way,'' I thought to myself. "A long, long time ago~ in a faraway ce~" Yu-Mi in my arms pped her hands excitedly as she listened to my voice. "Hooray~give me gold~ Thud~ Thud!" "Thuuuud!" "Give me silver~ Thud~ Thud!" "Thud thud thud!" Yu-Mi repeated after my cheerful voice but started dozing off after about five minutes. I slowly lowered my voice as I continued to read and patted Yu-Mi''s back who was fast asleep. Meanwhile, the savory smell of Janchi Guksu broth wafted into the living room from the kitchen. The flickering light had also been reced by Lee Dong-Min, making the room bright. Jo Soo-Yung¡¯s house began to feel warm and lively with people in just one day. Everyone bustled around, setting the table, and bringing out dishes, chopsticks, and spoons. Though I tried to hand over the sleeping Yu-Mi to Jo Soo-Yung, she wouldn''t leave my arms. "Yu-Mi,e to Mommy," Jo Soo-Yung called out to her daughter. The sleeping Yu-Mi burrowed even deeper into my arms despite Jo Soo-Yung''s call. However, eventually, she rxed her grip and moved away from me. My heart suddenly felt empty for some reason as the warmth of the baby left. At the same time, anger toward Kim Do-Jin, who had hit such a young child, surged within me. ''How could anyoney a hand on this precious being tiny enough to fit in my arms?'' I fumed. I had no intention of letting the inhuman Kim Do-Jin go unpunished. "Mr. Jung, are you alright?" The moment I heard Jo Soo-Yung¡¯s voice tremble, I quickly erased my angry expression and nodded. "Oh, yes. I¡¯m fine." Jo Soo-Yung looked apologetic as she pointed to the drool mark Yu-Mi left on my clothes. "Your clothes look expensive... I¡¯m sorry." Joo Soo-Yung appeared fidgety and apologetic, perhaps because she thought I was frowning because of the drool mark. I waved my hands and reassured her, exining that the clothes weren¡¯t expensive and a wash would do. I exined that I just felt empty when Yu-Mi left my arms. "I guess I felt empty suddenly when Yu-Mi left my arms... ha ha." Only then did Jo Soo-Yung finally look relieved. "Mr. Jung, you really like kids, don''t you?" Yoo-Jin agreed. "He really does. Oppa loves Miso so much." "Really, unnie?" They spoke informally, calling each other unnie and younger sister. I scratched my head and smiled at Yoo-Jin''s words. In my past life, I never thought I liked children. However, when I encountered Miso, Chae Eun-Byul, and Yu-Mi, I found them all so adorable and cute. That¡¯s when I realized I liked children. "Oppa, enjoy the meal." I smiled at Jo Soo-Yung and picked up the chopsticks at her words. "Shall we see your cooking skills then?" At that moment, Lee Ji-Ae brought the seasoning sauce in front of me. "Add plenty of seasoning sauce, Mr. Jung." I added two spoonfuls of seasoning sauce to Janchi Guksu topped with egg strips, zhini sd, and seaweed before taking a bite. Slurp! Thebination of the stic noodles and the broth was perfect. When I picked up the bowl with both hands and drank the broth, it warmed me up from the inside. The taste of the hearty Janchi Guksu I hadn''t had in a long time made me clean the bowl to the bottom. "Wow~ this is amazing, ma''am!" "You ate so deliciously that just watching you eat makes me full. Would you like another bowl?" "Oh, no. This is enough." After assuring Lee Ji-Ae, who tried to give me more food, that I had enough, I stood up. "Well, we have work to do so we¡¯ll be going now. See you tomorrow." Lee Ji-Ae nodded with a disappointed expression. Holding Yu-Mi in her arms, Jo Soo-Yung followed us to the entrance and bowed her head. "Thank you so much foring today." "Don''t mention it. This is just the beginning, so stay strong." I left after exining I woulde back tomorrow morning with Park Woo-Min from Altoran nning. After all, Altoran would be the one to handle the contract with Jo Soo-Yung and deal with the follow-up. *** The next morning, I checked my nner as part of my habit right after waking up. However, the schedule rted to Jo Soo-Yung was deleted. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: January 13, 2021] -07:00 p.m. (Deleted schedule: (Report item) BJ Do-Jin¡¯s ex-girlfriend exposes on Bodybook! Kim Do-Jin arrested.) "Why did this disappear already?" I muttered in confusion. This was a schedule that hadn''t disappeared even when I met Jo Soo-Yung yesterday. Suddenly realizing something, I hurriedly checked Jo Soo-Yung¡¯s Bodybook. [Jo Soo-Yung''s Bodybook] Kim Do-Jin''s private life. -I am Jo Soo-Yung, a former trainee at Eyestone Entertainment. Four years ago, I sumbed to the temptation of Kim Do-Jin, who is active under the name BJ Do-Jin, and crossed the line impulsively. Such a rtionship continued for several months, and I eventually left thepany when I got pregnant with a baby. Kim Do-Jin promised to marry me, but that promise was not kept. And what I received instead was violence. (Photo: Evidence of Kim Do-Jin¡¯s assault 1 ¨C My bruises requiring 4 weeks of recovery.) (Photo: Evidence of Kim Do-Jin¡¯s assault 2 ¨C The scar on the child¡¯s neck) (Photo: Evidence of Kim Do-Jin¡¯s assault 3 ¨C The scar on my mother¡¯s arm) ...And everything BJ Do-Jin said about Kang Ha-Na is false. Ha-Na unnie spent all her time practicing singing and preparing for her idol debut, having no time for a boyfriend. This is not the first time BJ Do-Jin has made money by spreading fake rumors. I am posting this to prevent more victims... We had agreed to make this post in the afternoon, but Jo Soo-Yung posted the text and evidence photos early in the morning. ¡®Did she have a change of heartst night?¡¯ I wondered. I immediately called Jo Soo-Yung. "Ms. Soo-Yung, what¡¯s going on?" -Mr. Jung, I¡¯m sorry. You told me to post itter, but I just couldn¡¯t wait... Jo Soo-Yung only sobbed in response to my question asking for the reason. That''s when I realized that something had shaken her emotions. "It¡¯s okay. Don¡¯t worry since it was meant to be disclosed anyway. I¡¯lle right now." I quickly dressed and headed to Jo Soo-Yung¡¯s house. If my hunch was right, there was a possibility that Kim Do-Jin might show up. *** As I rang the doorbell and identified myself, the door to Jo Soo-Yung''s house immediately opened. "Mr. Jung..." Jo Soo-Yung¡¯s eyes were red and swollen as if she had been crying. Behind her was Lee Ji-Ae holding Yu-Mi with a worried expression. "Did something happen?" I asked with concern. "I got a call from Do-Jin oppa early this morning. He threatened that he wouldn''t let me be if I said anything unnecessary about Ha-Na unnie. He said he could ruin my future with just a word." Apparently, Kim Do-Jin had tried to silence Jo Soo-Yung in fear she might testify about her trainee days with Kang Ha-Na as they used to be quite close before. Moreover, he had even threatened to release intimate photos and videos taken during their rtionship if she didn¡¯tply. "On top of that, he said he¡¯d upload a video burying Ha-Na unnie this morning, so..." Jo Soo-Yung was understandably distraught. It didn¡¯t matter that she made a post earlier than agreed since it was content meant to be uploaded in the afternoon anyway. However, there was something more important. "Ms. Soo-Yung, did you by chance take intimate videos while dating that guy?" Jo Soo-Yung shook her head firmly. "No, absolutely not. I would¡¯ve told you beforehand if I did." Indeed, Kim Do-Jin had never released such videos even in my past life. "Alright. First, take a deep breath and calm down. It was something to be posted anyway, so leave the rest to me. I¡¯ll handle everything." The sequence got messed up, but it was something that would have happened anyway. What was important from now on was how we responded. "Did you record the call from this morning?" "Yes. You told me to always record if Kim Do-Jin called." "Well done." As I reassured Jo Soo-Yung, Lee Ji-Ae holding Yu-Mi in her arms asked, "Mr. Jung, will Soo-Yung be okay?" "Of course. Don¡¯t worry and listen to me first." I told them that Kim Do-Jin would probably show up soon. Knowing Kim Do-Jin, he was certainly the type to do such things. I sent Lee Ji-Ae and Yu-Mi into the room and told them not toe out no matter what. Then, I immediately called Park Woo-Min from Altoran nning and informed him of the situation. Hearing that he would set out immediately, I also called Lee Dong-Min. Then, I waited for Kim Do-Jin toe. A whileter, loud footsteps, apanied by Kim Do-Jin¡¯s voice and his banging on the front door could be heard, as if on cue. "Hey! Open the door!" 1. a simple warm noodle dish made with thin wheat noodles ? Chapter 240: BJ Do-Jin (3)

Chapter 240: BJ Do-Jin (3)

Bang bang bang. The sound was loud enough to shake the entire house. "Sh-shouldn¡¯t we report this to the police?" Jo Soo-Yung stuttered. I reassured the startled Jo Soo-Yung. "No. Photos and recordings will be enough for the police. I need to talk to him in person, so stay inside the room." "Okay, I understand." "And if I shout, please call the police right away." "I will." Jo Soo-Yung nodded and headed to the room where her mother and daughter were. Each time the door thudded, Jo Soo-Yung flinched as she walked into the room. ''She must be really scared,'' I thought. My fists clenched without realizing it, but I forced myself to rx. I needed information from Kim Do-Jin to confirm my suspicions that the rumors about Kang Ha-Na were spread by Na Woon-Seok and Yang Eun-Cheol from Eyestone Entertainment. Both of them had every reason to be envious of Kang Ha-Na''s sess and had likely leveraged their connections with Kim Do-Jin, who was also from Eyestone Entertainment, to bring Kang Ha-Na down. But I needed confirmation as I didn¡¯t want to act without knowing who was truly behind this. "Hey! Jo Soo-Yung! Aren¡¯t you going to open the door?" Hearing Kim Do-Jin¡¯s rough voice, I opened the front door. Bang. When the door opened, Kim Do-Jin barged in immediately. At that moment, he shouted in a loud voice as soon as he noticed me, "What the hell? This bitch has already brought a guy in?" Kim Do-Jin swore and reached for my cor with his right hand. I considered dodging but decided against it when a thought crossed my mind. I knew there were no security cameras, but I didn¡¯t want to make the first move to im self-defense. Grab. Kim Do-Jin grabbed my cor and I could feel his nails scratching my neck. ¡®Got him,¡¯ I thought as I twisted his arm and mmed him to the ground. Thud! Kim Do-Jin¡¯s face hit the floor directly. I quickly climbed on top of him and pinned him down without hesitation. Kim Do-Jin cursed from beneath me. "Argh! Hey! You fucking bastard! Let go of me! Ahh!" He struggled to get out, but he couldn¡¯t overpower someone who was trained professionally. Kim Do-Jin recognized me at once after turning his head. "You''re Jung Yoon-Ho, right? Damn it. I¡¯m going to make sure you end up in jail today!" "So you do know me." "Yes! So let go! Let go, I said!" His loud bluster despite beingpletely subdued under me made me burst outughing. "There¡¯s a child here. You better keep it down," I warned him. At the same time, I pressed the back of his neck with my left elbow. I needed to subdue him subtly without visible marks so I wouldn''t be used of anything by the policeter. Kim Do-Jin gasped for air and finally started to relent. "Agh! Okay, okay! I¡¯ll do what you say, so just let go for now!" I loosened my grip on his neck slightly as his resistance gradually waned. "Good. Answer one question and I¡¯ll let you go," I demanded. "What, what is it?" "It was Na Woon-Seok who ordered you to target Kang Ha-Na, wasn''t it?" Kim Do-Jin kept his mouth shut and didn¡¯t answer. "Aren¡¯t you going to answer?" I probed further. When I applied pressure to his arm once again, Kim Do-Jin iled and struggled. "Ugh! Please stop! I¡¯ll talk! I¡¯ll tell you!" "Lower your voice." Kim Do-Jin panted heavily and I prepared to record his answer. "Chief Yang called first. He said he wanted to meet me. When I arrived, Na Woon-Seok told me he¡¯d reward me handsomely if I took down Ha-Na. Is that enough of an answer?" Click. I stopped the recording and asked another question. "Do you have evidence?" "I-I''ll show you my call log if you let me go." "Fine. But don¡¯t even think about trying anything." "Okay, okay." Only then did I let Kim Do-Jin go. Finally freed from me, Kim Do-Jin gnashed his teeth and showed me the call log. There were records of seven calls with Yang Eun-Cheol and three with Na Woon-Seok. Kim Do-Jin put his phone back in his pocket and said. "I¡¯ll stop doing what Na Woon-Seok told me, so get out of the way. I need to talk to Soo-Yung..." "Sorry, but that¡¯s not going to happen." "What? Who do you think you are?" "Me? I''m Ms. Soo-Yung¡¯s guardian." "You crazy bastard. Why are you her guardian? She¡¯s my..." Kim Do-Jin struggled toplete his sentence. "Wife?" "Yes!" "What nonsense from a lowlife who never married her or paid child support? And you even hit her!" I rebuked him. "Th-hen at least make her take down those Bodybook photos!" I only intended to leave the post up briefly because all I wanted was to expose Kim Do-Jin as a liar and clear Kang Ha-Na¡¯s name although the photos were also intended as evidence if Jo Soo-Yung reported Kim Do-Jin to the police. "I¡¯ll take down the photos, but you have to leave now. I¡¯ll take them down in an hour and call you." "Do it now. How can I trust you and leave?" Kim Do-Jin yelled and refused to believe me. "Leave when you¡¯re told." Frustrated that nothing was going his way, Kim Do-Jin¡¯s temper red again. "Fuck. You bastard. Do you think I¡¯ll back down? I¡¯ll sue you for hitting me!" "Who hit whom? Do you have evidence?" ''With no injuries, what could he sue for?'' I scoffed inwardly. The fuming Kim Do-Jin breathed heavily and looked around the surroundings. "What are you doing?" At that moment, Kim Do-Jin picked up a nearby flowerpot and hurled it at me. Whoosh! The flowerpot over 30 cm in size flew toward my face. I leaned back slightly, easily dodging it. Crash! The shattered flowerpot¡¯s soil and fragments covered me. Meanwhile, Kim Do-Jin tried to pass by me. But he didn¡¯t get to see Jo Soo-Yung as he wanted when I quickly grabbed his nape and threw him down again. Thud. Pinned beneath me, Kim Do-Jin started cursing and screaming. "Hey! Let go! Let go of me! Jo Soo-Yung! You better take down the Bodybook post! Do you have a death wish!?" I had Kim Do-Jin¡¯s confession about Na Woon-Seok and Yang Eun-Cheol¡¯s actions and the evidence of his rampage thanks to the broken flower pot. I called out to Jo Soo-Yung in the room, "Call the police now, Ms. Soo-Yung." Less than five minutes after pinning down the still-struggling Kim Do-Jin, two police officers arrived. "What¡¯s going on here?" The police asked. As the police approached us, I raised my hands to show that I wouldn¡¯t resist. But as soon as Kim Do-Jin was freed, he swung a punch at me in front of the police officers. At that moment, I willingly took the punch with my forehead, the hardest part of my body. It was a bit of a shock, but not too painful. Thanks to my quick reflexes, I staged a perfect act of self-defense while Kim Do-Jin screamed in pain. "Aagh! My hand! My hand!" Simultaneously, the police officer immediately pinned Kim Do-Jin down and cuffed him. Kim Do-Jin hit the floor again with a loud thud and screamed his head off. "Let go! You bastards! You should be arresting him, not me!" "What nonsense are you talking about after hitting someone? Let¡¯s discuss this at the station." With Jo Soo-Yung reporting Kim Do-Jin for trespassing and witnessing him punch me, the situation was in my favor. *** At the police station, Kim Do-Jin was shouting that he was the one assaulted. "Ugh, that fucking bastard hit and threw me first! Why don¡¯t you believe me?" Unlike Kim Do-Jin, I sat quietly with my hands together. This made the police even more suspicious of Kim Do-Jin. "We saw you trespass and throw a punch at him. Are you still going to deny it?" The police questioned him. "Oh, how many times do I have to tell you? That was because I was pissed off for a moment! Do you know how much I suffered before you came?" "Look, sir. Does that person look like he assaulted you? His whole body is covered in dirt and his hair is messed up. Can''t you see?" The soil from the broken flower pot covered me, making it look like I had suffered more. On top of that, Kim Do-Jin had punched me in front of the police and left no room for denial. At that moment, Kim Do-Jin suddenly shouted at Jo Soo-Yung who was at the station with us, "Hey! Jo Soo-Yung! You better make a smart decision. Things won''t be pretty if you keep this up!!" The officer preparing the report yelled at him in response, "Hey! Are you threatening her in front of the police? Do you want to add vandalism, trespassing, and threats to your charges?" Kim Do-Jin looked at the police officer in frustration. "Fuck! Damn it! I have nothing to say to you cops. I¡¯ll call mywyer, so take off these cuffs right now." The police scoffed at his request. "Stop the nonsense. Let¡¯s write the report first." The police tried to get his statement, but Kim Do-Jin was too agitated to give a coherent exnation. Eventually, the officer sighed deeply and asked me, "Sir, are you okay?" "I¡¯m a bit sore, I wasn¡¯t seriously hurt thanks to you. Thank you so much," I replied calmly. Seeing my calm demeanor, unlike Kim Do-Jin, the police treated me more kindly. "More than that, can you exin what happened?" "Please wait a moment. Mywyer is on his way and I will exin then." "Alright then, we¡¯ll wait." Shortly after, Lee Dong-Min and Kwak Moo-Hyuk arrived at the station. "I¡¯m Kwak Moo-Hyuk, the legal division''s team lead from Hoop Entertainment. I heard our team lead was assaulted." "Ah, yes. We haven¡¯t taken his statement yet. He wanted to wait for hiswyer." Kwak Moo-Hyuk looked me up and down. "You look terrible. Are you okay?" "I feel awful," I replied. When I feigned pain, Kwak Moo-Hyuk immediately took pictures of my entire body. The flustered police quickly asked. "What, what are you doing right now?" Kwak Moo-Hyuk responded nonchntly. "We need evidence of the assault." "Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll document everything. Let¡¯s start with the report for now and..." But Kwak Moo-Hyuk ignored the police and took photos of the scratch on my neck. The perplexed Kim Do-Jin hurriedly made a phone call somewhere. I thought he was calling hiswyer, but he unexpectedly called Na Woon-Seok. "Mr. Na, pleasee get me from the police station. I¡¯m in deep trouble following your orders." Though a panicked voice came from the other end, Kim Do-Jin continued speaking in an angry demeanor. "Fuck! Send awyer before I spill everything you ordered me to do! Do you want to see me lose it?" Having grown up spoiled by his talent agents, Kim Do-Jin had turned into a reckless person. At that moment, Director Park Woo-Min from Altoran arrived with awyer. Park Woo-Min immediately looked for Jo Soo-Yung. "Ms. Soo-Yung, we¡¯ll handle this from here. Don¡¯t worry." "Oh, okay." Park Woo-Min then questioned the officer in charge right away. "Why is ourpany¡¯s celebrity at the police station at this hour?" The officer received Park Woo-Min¡¯s business card and quickly replied. "I think there¡¯s some misunderstanding. Don¡¯t worry. She¡¯s here to be questioned as a victim. She can leave after giving her statement." Park Woo-Min looked puzzled and tilted his head. "Who is the perpetrator?" The officer pointed to Kim Do-Jin, who was still engrossed in his phone call. "That would be Mr. Kim Do-Jin over there. He ims to be in amonw rtionship with the victim, Ms. Jo Soo-Yung." "Kim Do-Jin? He¡¯s the guy we were nning to sue for habitual assault. Hasn¡¯t the report been filed yet?" "Habitual assault? This is the first I¡¯m hearing of it." "Alright, let¡¯s file it now then." Having just finished his call and returning, the startled Kim Do-Jin shouted and asked what kind of nonsense that was. But Park Woo-Min handed the police every piece of evidence from Jo Soo-Yung¡¯s Bodybook posts and even the recorded file received this morning. When the apanyingwyer added a few more exnations, the officer¡¯s expression changedpletely. "Not only hitting a woman but also a child? I¡¯ve never seen such a piece of trash." "N-no! That was just..." stuttered the flustered Kim Do-Jin who looked around his surroundings only to realize that no one was on his side. Seeing Park Woo-Min take charge of everything, I pretended not to know anything and quietly stood up and asked, "May I leave now?" The police nodded. "Yes, you cane back for further questioning if needed." "Thank you." I nodded to Park Woo-Min who wasforting Jo Soo-Yung and left the police station. The incident that started so early in the morning had concluded perfectly beyond my expectations. Now, Kim Do-Jin wouldn¡¯t see the outside world for a while. But there was still work to be done. I had to settle the score with Na Woon-Seok and Yang Eun-Cheol in return for targeting Kang Ha-Na. Chapter 241: Promise

Chapter 241: Promise

I stopped by Kim Soo-Myung Clinic and got a medical certificate before returning to thepany. I went straight up to the director''s office and reported today''s events to Kang Ji-Yung. "That scumbag Na Woon-Seok dared to mess with us, huh?" Kang Ji-Yung said in an agitated tone. I stopped Kang Ji-Yung who seemed ready to meet Na Woon-Seok herself immediately. "Ms. Kang, rushing to meet him won''t solve anything. How about we approach this indirectly?" "Do you have a n?" "Can you arrange a meeting with the president of KNET?" Kang Ji-Yung tilted her head. "You mean Mr. Son? I can arrange a meeting, but why? Do you have any information?" "Yes, I have information that Na Woon-Seok of Eyestone Entertainment embezzled funds." Kang Ji-Yung''s eyes widened at my mention of embezzlement, because Eyestone Entertainment was a subsidiary run with KNET''s funds. "Are you sure about this information?" "I heard it from a reliable source. Besides, embezzlement can be easily found through an internal audit, right?" When I said I could bet my neck on it, Kang Ji-Yung asked sternly, "Are you nning to take this opportunity to just get rid of Na Woon-Seok altogether?" "Yes, that''s what I intend to do." There was nopromise since they messed with my celebrity. After all, I had already shown enough mercy when I brought Kang Ha-Na from themst time. After a brief moment of contemtion, Kang Ji-Yung finally made a decision. "I''ll set up the meeting right away." At the same time, Kang Ji-Yung began making a phone call somewhere. *** The entertainment section of the portal began to be filled with articles about Kim Do-Jin. [Shelter Nine''s Kim Do-Jin. ''Does Kim Do-Jin Have a Hidden Child?''] [Kim Do-Jin of Eyestone Entertainment. Assaults a Child Only Ten Months Old!] Kim Do-Jin imed to be unfairly treated when he was urgently arrested, but no one showed him any sympathy when photos of him assaulting Yu-Mi surfaced. Fortunately, articles rifying the misunderstanding about Kang Ha-Na also started appearing. [BJ Do-Jin. False usations Against Kang Ha-Na! Merely a Jealous Act!] [Miss C. "All rumors about Ha-Na unnie are false. I''m willing to have a three-way confrontation."] [Kang Ha-Na. "I don''t resent the subscribers who left maliciousments. I''m just grateful the misunderstanding is cleared."] [Singer-songwriter Kang Ha-Na. When is her Music Show Debut?] [Kang Ha-Na Reaches 100,000 Subscribers in the Shortest Time!] Kang Ha-Na''s MeTube channel was unintentionally boosted by noise marketing and reached 100,000 subscribers while the music video views exceeded 500,000. Simultaneously, the flood of maliciousments vanished too. Everything was unfolding smoothly, but I had no intention of letting Eyestone Entertainment''s Na Woon-Seok and Yang Eun-Cheol off the hook. As we parked at the KNET headquarters building, Kang Ji-Yung began giving me information on President Son Yang-Seop. "Be careful today. President Son Yang-Seop is the type of person who doesn''t like to admit his mistakes." "Yes, I understand." "Oh, and I''ll bring up the embezzlement issue first, so you join in when you see the right moment." Son Yang-Seop was a self-made man who became the president of the music-specialized broadcaster KNET after having experienced all sorts of ups and downs in the entertainment industry as a previous music entertainer. For this reason, there was a chance he might act like the embezzlement issue was no big deal. But I had a weapon to deal with Son Yang-Seop besides the embezzlement casemitted by Na Woon-Seok. It was the information that Son Yang-Seop''s reappointment as president would fail. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: October 10, 2020] -09:00 p.m. KNET''s new president Lee Sung-Joon. Congrattions wreath reserved and sent. In my past life, Son Yang-Seop was highly strung as he was aiming for reappointment as KNET''s president. Hispetitors for the position were: Executive Director Choi Tae-Joon of KNET, Executive Director Park Hyung-Min, and Director Lee Sung-Joon. Son Yang-Seop had been keeping the most threatening Choi Tae-Joon in check. However, he would lose the position to Lee Sung-Joon. Because I knew the lobbying process by which Lee Sung-Joon had be president, I nned to use this information to make a deal with Son Yang-Seop. "Then shall we go in?" After confirming the still-unchanged information once more, I followed Kang Ji-Yung. *** In the KNET President''s office, Son Yang-Seop leaned on the sofa and frowned. "That''s a sensitive topic you''re talking about. Na Woon-Seok embezzling funds...?" Kang Ji-Yung began to talk about Hoop Entertainment''s countermeasures with a stern expression. "We can''t just stay still now that President Na messed with Ha-Na. We n to sue for defamation and KNET will likely be mentioned as the parentpany. So we came to inform you in advance." Son Yang-Seop''s face twisted. "So this is a kind of deration of war." "You could see it that way. But we came to inform you out of goodwill. We don''t want to make an enemy of you, Mr. Son." "In other words, you want me to handle it on my own?" When Kang Ji-Yung nodded, a smile appeared on Son Yang-Seop''s face. "They say President Kang Gam-Chan''s daughter is capable and I see they''re not wrong. You''re quite impressive." "This is just the beginning. So what do you say? What are you going to do now?" Son Yang-Seop crossed his arms. "Well, you say it''s goodwill, but it doesn''t feel that way from the receiving end. Besides, I have my pride..." After a brief pause, Son Yang-Seop smiled slightly. "Celebrities from Hoop Entertainment don''t seem to want to appear on KNET anymore, huh?" It was a warning that Hoop Entertainment''s celebrities shouldn''t think of appearing on KNET if they were mentioned in the media. Kang Ji-Yung bit her lip before speaking, "I warned you out of goodwill, but is this how you''re going to respond?" "Give me a few days. I''ll look into it slowly and then we can talk again. How does that sound?" For Son Yang-Seop who was facing reappointment, it would be best to cover up this matter quietly. Kang Ji-Yung sighed as if she had expected this. Then she looked at me and gave me a sign to handle the rest. "Mr. Son." Son Yang-Seop tilted his head when I spoke. "Who are you again?" Although I had given my business card upon meeting him, he pretended not to know me on purpose. At that moment, Kang Ji-Yung introduced me on my behalf. "This is ourpany''s ace, Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho." "Hoop Entertainment''s ace? Wasn''t your ace Chief Kim?" "Our ace has long been Team Lead Jung here. Anyway, listen to what Team Lead Jung has to say, Mr. Son." Son Yang-Seop looked at me with an interested expression. "An ace who reced the great Kim Dong-Soo... Alright. What card do you have?" Unlike his attitude toward Kang Ji-Yung, Son Yang-Seop looked at me much morefortably. But I soon twisted that face in an instant. "I have information about your reappointment, sir." "That''s not a topic a young man should bring up. Do you think you can handle the aftermath?" Son Yang-Seop uncrossed his arms and leaned forward. His mouth was smiling, but his eyes were not. It was a silent pressure that he wouldn''t let it slide if I talked nonsense. "I''m aware of the weight of my words." "Is that so? Then let''s hear it." "Before that... If I provide you with good information about your reappointment, can you immediately deal with the issue rted to Mr. Na Woon-Seok?" Son Yang-Seop''s eyes sparkled as he looked at me. As I calmly met his gaze, he showed that he was interested in what I had to say."You¡¯re an interesting fellow. I''ll have a listen first and I''ll deal with it immediately if it¡¯s helpful.." It was a bit petty of him to make me speak first, but there was no other choice. We were in a desperate position, so it was only natural for us to reveal our cards first. "I trust you''ll keep your word, so I''ll tell you." Son Yang-Seop nodded. "You''re currentlypeting with Executive Director Choi Tae-Joon for the next president position, right?" A look of disappointment appeared on Son Yang-Seop''s face. "Come on, that''s something even ourpany''s new employees know. Of course I''m keeping an eye on Director Choi Tae-Joon. He''s next in power to me." "You''re mistaken, sir. The most likely candidate at the shareholders'' meeting next month is Mr. Lee Sung-Joon." Son Yang-Seop looked incredulous and said, "Someone like Lee Sung-Joon as the next president? That¡¯s ridiculous!" I looked directly into Son Yang-Seop''s eyes and shared the information I knew. "President Park Yung-Hwan of the Broadcasting Commission and Vice President Son Ji-Myung of CK Inc. invited Director Lee Sung-Joon to Lee Garden." A moment of silence followed, and Son Yang-Seop''s previously rxed expression began to disappear. "Lee Garden, huh... So you''ve definitely heard something." Around this time in my past life, Lee Sung-Joon had withdrawn from the front line and imed he wasn''t aiming for the president position. But this was all a deceptive tactic. Lee Sung-Joon had been strengthening his connections by meeting the president of the Broadcasting Commission while shaking up the vice president who held the authority to elect the next president. After this method was revealed, he gained a reputation as a skilled politician in the business world. However, Lee Sung-Joon was extremely harsh on his subordinates, unlike his polite demeanor toward his superiors. Because all entertainment agencies were subordinate to him, they had to endure all kinds of exploitation after Lee Sung-Joon became the president. For this reason, I supported Son Yang-Seop¡¯s continued reappointment. Son Yang-Seop asked with a more serious tone, "Where did you get this information from?" "The content is important, not the source. Given what I¡¯ve told you, you can verify the rest with your own resources." Son Yang-Seop finally made up his mind. "Alright. I''ll look into it myself. And I''ll keep my promise if your information is correct." "Thank you." Kang Ji-Yung smiled after listening to our conversation. "So? What do you think of Team Lead Jung?" Son Yang-Seop nodded. "To know high-level information about ourpany that even I didn''t know... Where did you find such a guy?" "I told you he''s our ace~." "Anyway, I''ll contact you within two days. Don''t touch Na Woon-Seok until then. You can manage that, right?" "Okay, Mr. Son. We''ll wait for your call." With that, we concluded the meeting with Son Yang-Seop and left the office. *** Although he said two days, the schedule in my nner disappeared before a day had passed. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: October 10, 2020] -09:00 p.m. (Deleted Schedule: KNET''s new president Lee Sung-Joon. Congrattions wreath reserved and sent.) Shortly after, I received a call from Son Yang-Seop. -It''s me, Son Yang-Seop. "Hi, Mr. Son." Son Yang-Seop began speaking in a slightly excited voice. -I owe you a big debt. Since he sounded pleased, I responded morefortably as well. "Debts are meant to improve rtionships when repaid properly, aren''t they?" -Ha ha, you¡¯re right. President Na and Chief Yang will be dealt with by tomorrow, so just wait for it. "I understand, Mr. Son." -And since I owe you a big time, I should repay it separately... After a brief pause, Son Yang-Seop continued speaking. -Actions speak more than words. I can give you up to two programs under my authority. KNET was a music-specialized broadcastingpany that also produced dramas and variety shows. He was offering to cast the celebrities I wanted as leads in two of those programs whoever it was. My voice trembled slightly without realizing it at the incredible opportunity I never imagined. "Th-thank you so much. sir." -No, I should be the one thanking you for saving me from losing my job. I¡¯d like to do more for you, but I have to consider the employees'' opinions as well. Anyway, let¡¯s have a meal soon with the programming department staff. Is that okay with you? "Of course, Mr. Son!" -Good. Then I''ll hang up now. Click. I clenched my fist tightly the moment the call ended. Not only did I manage to get rid of Na Woon-Seok and Yang Eun-Cheol, I also received an unexpected big gift. If I were to utilize this gift well, it could be a secret weapon that would take my celebrities to the top of the industry. I began to rack my brain to find the best way to utilize the opportunity Son Yang-Seop gave me. And it didn¡¯t take long for me to find the answer. *** At the meeting of Hoop Entertainment team leads and above, Lee Gi-Cheol asked me again with a surprised expression, "You got two programs? Wh-what are the conditions?" "There are no conditions," I replied. At that moment, the meeting room buzzed and the team leads even asked if they had heard me correctly. In reality, it was nearly impossible for a team lead-level talent agent to secure even one program from a broadcaster unless theyvishly spent cash on production support. That''s when Kang Myung-Gil of Actor Division 3 asked with an awkward smile, "You''re not nning to use both programs yourself, are you, Team Lead Jung?" He used to be eager to bring me down in the past but pretended to be friendly with me recently ever since I started securing roles for his celebrities. "I n to give one program to Miss Kang Ha-Na. And..." I paused for a moment and looked at the team leads. I could see greed in every team lead and chief''s eyes as each division had more than one celebrity they needed to promote. I met eyes with them and expressed my intention to share the opportunity with them. "I will give up the other program for other sunbae-nims. Please decide who you want to promote and I will personally deliver the proposal to Mr. Son." At that moment, everyone started to talk to me to get on my good side, even Bang Sang-Yung from Actor Division 1. Chapter 242: Tabloids

Chapter 242: Tabloids

"Team Lead Jung, did President Son say it''s okay even if we push for a rookie?" Bang Sang-Yung asked. "Kang Ha-Na is also a rookie and hasn''t appeared on terrestrial or cable TV yet. I asked if that was okay and he didn''t mind," I replied. Bang Sang-Yung smiled. "In that case, we have a promising rookie in Actor Division 1..." At that moment, Lee Gi-Cheol intervened. "Chief Bang, don¡¯t think of monopolizing this opportunity. Why are you being greedy when this is an opportunity every chief and team lead needs?" Bang Sang-Yung argued, "Mr. Lee, this is not just about pushing anyone. We need to push someone with potential to seed. I rmend Jeon In-Soo." Jeon In-Soo, who would be called the blue chip of the advertising industry in two years, was mentioned. However, Lee Gi-Cheol brought up rookie actress Jo Ye-Rin from Actor Division 3. "There is much more potential in pushing for Ye-Rin instead of In-Soo! Ye-Rin from Actor Division 3 has over 100,000 followers on Instargem. She could make it big with a bit more support!" "That''s not fair. Ye-Rin already had a chance, didn''t she? And who was the one who messed it up big time with weird jokes after getting a hard-won sport on a variety show?" Jo Ye-Rin was an actress who was given a permanent spot on a terrestrial TV variety show with thepany¡¯s support but got cut in less than a month after just being a background prop. "Mess up big time? Hey, you better watch what you say!" Lee Gi-Cheol reacted vehemently, but Bang Sang-Yung showed no signs of backing down. Then, even the team leads joined in the battle and started promoting their own actors. As the atmosphere became heated with raised voices, Gu Seong-Cheol cleared his throat to mediate the fight. "Hold on. Before we start fighting among ourselves, let¡¯s hear what Team Lead Jung has to say. It seems like he has more to say." At that moment, all eyes turned to me. The chiefs and team leads seemed willing to do whatever I wanted. Since I couldn''t use both programs alone anyway, I thought it was better to show my ability and get what I wanted. "Uh... Also, I¡¯d like to ask for the recement of the old vehicles assigned to Team Jung. The cars have been rattling these days and I¡¯m afraid they might cause an ident." Although Yoo-Jin''s car was reced with a new one, the two 250,000 km vans assigned to Lee Tae-Poong and Haru were still in poor condition. Hence, to ensure their safety, Lee Tae-Poong had been using his own van and Haru had been using my Merciless Bends. However, this was the opportunity for me to override the rule of recing cars only after a mileage of 300,000 km. "Ahem. Well, it''s true the cars are quite old..." "Indeed, it''s about time to rece them. Ahem." When everyone cleared their throats and didn¡¯t object, Kang Ji-Yung scanned the surroundings and spoke. "Then we''ll rece one with a Bends Springer and the other with a new domestic van. Is that okay with you, Mr. Jung?" "Thank you so much, Ms. Kang!" I eximed with glee as I had managed to settle a long-standing issue. *** -Mr. Jung, can we meet? Choi Ji-Yung, whom I had helped during the scandal with Choi Jong-Hyuk, called. She said she met Jo Soo-Yung after she joined Altoran and assured me that she would take good care of her. However, she mentioned that she had something to tell me and suggested meeting at Jo Soo-Yung''s house, saying it was a bit awkward to discuss over the phone. I ended the call after agreeing to meet and headed straight to Jo Soo-Yung''s house with Yoo-Jin. When I arrived at Jo Soo-Yung''s basement room, Park Woo-Min of Altoran and Choi Ji-Yung were already there waiting. After greeting Park Woo-Min and Choi Ji-Yung, Jo Soo-Yung weed us with a bright smile. "Mr. Jung, you came at the perfect time. Yu-Mi has been looking for you~. Please take her." Yu-Mi in Jo Soo-Yung''s arms smiled brightly and eximed, "Um papa pa!" "Yu-Mi, how have you been?" I asked with a gentle smile. "Papa!" I took Yu-Mi from Jo Soo-Yung''s arms. Yu-Mi weed me by burying her face in my chest and rubbing her face against me. "Yes, yes. I''m d to see you too." "Papa!" After calming Yu-Mi down by patting her back, I sat down on the living room floor. "How have you been?" I asked Choi Ji-Yung. "I''ve been good. It''s all thanks to you, Team Lead Jung. Oh, and try this." Choi Ji-Yung smiled and offered the traditional sweets she brought. "Thank you." I took a bite of the sweets Choi Ji-Yung brought. The soft sweets melted in my mouth, bringing a smile to my face. At that moment, Yu-Mi tugged at my cor and asked for some sweets too. "Um pa papa! Ah~!" When I cut the round sweet into small pieces and put them in Yu-Mi''s mouth, she smiled brightly. "Papa!" Yu-Mi pped her hands as if to say it was delicious. "Is it tasty?" "Upa papa!" Choi Ji-Yungughed with a dumbfounded expression. "Yu-Mi neveres to me but she''s basically stuck to Team Lead Jung." Apparently, Choi Ji-Yung had tried to hold Yu-Mi before I arrived but failed. Jo Soo-Yung also tilted her head as if she didn''t understand. "Right? Yu-Mi always acts like this around Yoon-Ho oppa." "Really?" "Yes. And when Yoon-Ho oppa leaves, she buries her head in the ground and cries." Jo Soo-Yung showed me a video on her phone with a slightly cracked screen. In the video, Yu-Mi had her face to the ground and her bottom in the air while crying loudly. It was a video taken after I had left her housest time. "Ha ha. Why is she crying like she lost her country?" I chuckled. Yoo-Jinughed as well. "Yoon-Ho oppa is always popr with kids, Soo-Yung." "Is he?" Jo Soo-Yung asked. Yoo-Jin smiled and exined what happened with Miso. "Yoon-Ho oppa is a magical guy with kids." As Yoo-Jin joked around with a yful smile, her gaze fell on Jo Soo-Yung''s phone. "By the way, Soo-Yung. Let''s go buy a new pher. I''ll get you one as a gift for bing your big sister." "Oh, no, Yoo-Jin unnie. My phone is still fine," the embarrassed Jo Soo-Yung replied. "No. I don''t like it, so let''s change it." When Yoo-Jin took away Jo Soo-Yung''s phone in a yful manner, Choi Ji-Yungughed and said it was great news. "Soo-Yung is lucky. It''s nice to have a new big sister to take care of you like this, isn''t it?" Choi Ji-Yung remarked as she nudged Jo Soo-Yung. "Yes..." said the clearly pleased Jo Soo-Yung who blushed. After patting Jo Soo-Yung in the back, Choi Ji-Yung finally began to exin why she wanted to meet me today. Choi Ji-Yung''s expression hardened slightly as she straightened up before speaking. "Yoo-Jin, do you know you''re mentioned in tabloids?" "Tabloids?" Yoo-Jin asked with a surprised look. "It''s a bit hard to say..." I asked Choi Ji-Yung to tell us, saying it was okay. Choi Ji-Yung nodded. "Yoo-Jin, are you dating Team Lead Jung?" The flustered Yoo-Jin waved her hands at Choi Ji-Yung''s shocking statement. "N-no, ma''am." I quickly answered as well. "We''re not in that kind of rtionship." ''A scandal between an actress and the talent agent, huh?'' I wondered. I was always cautious because I knew some gossipers would see us that way for being so close and being always together. However, it seemed that more people had been talking about us recently. When I said it was nonsense, Choi Ji-Yung sighed in relief. "Right. It''s such an important time for Yoo-Jin and you can''t make such a mistake." I hadn''t expected this was why she wanted to meet. However, what was more important was the reason Choi Ji-Yung brought this issue up. "However, Ms. Choi, where did you hear that rumor?" "It came up in a meeting of actresses. They said Yoo-Jin is dating her handsome talent agent." A chill ran down my spine for a moment. If this gossip was circting among the actresses, it would reach the talent agents in no time¡ªor it might have been the other way around. However, either way, it was only a matter of time before it reached the reporters'' ears. "The drama is about to be released and we can''t have such rumors circting. I called you to verify and warn you," Choi Ji-Yung exined. "Thank you so much for letting me know. I''ll take immediate action," I replied. Thest time the scandal between Yoo-Jin and Choi Jong-Hyuk broke out, the drama''s ratings had plummeted. We couldn''t allow such a thing to happen again. While I urgently sent a KkTalk message to Gu Seong-Cheol, Choi Ji-Yung patted Yoo-Jin''s hand. "Yoo-Jin, think of it as growing pains on your way to bing a star." "I''m fine. I''ve already been through it once with Mr. Choi Jong-Hyuk anyway. Don''t worry too much. And thank you for caring." "Don''t worry. There won''t be any issues. However, still..." Choi Ji-Yung started sharing her experiences in the entertainment industry with Yoo-Jin, saying she was speaking from concern. She talked about how it wasmon for sunbaes and hoobaes to fight over the size of their waiting rooms and to argue over sponsored outfits. She even mentioned that she once got into a hair-pulling fight with a sunbae. Jo Soo-Yung, who had been exploited by a man, also started paying close attention to the story. After a while, Choi Ji-Yung made sure Jo Soo-Yung kept her mouth shut. "Soo-Yung, you know how scary rumors can be in this industry, right? I''m saying this out of concern. Don''t ever say a thing to the tabloids about Yoo-Jin." Jo Soo-Yung nodded. "Of course not. I haven''t said a word about Yu-Mi either." "Well, it''s true that you''ve been silent like a monk. If I can''t trust you, who can I trust?" After finishing her story, Choi Ji-Yung mentioned that she had prepared a gift. "Soo-Yung, let¡¯s move you to a better ce soon. I''ll find a ce where you can live with your mother." Altoran nning had several newly built two-room apartments with good security facilities. "R-really?" Jo Soo-Yung asked with a brightened expression. "Yes. It¡¯s not too far from here, so you should raise Yu-Mi in a better environment and work hard. Got it?" "Th-thank you so much," Jo Soo-Yung replied tearfully. Seeing Jo Soo-Yung wipe her tears, Yu-Mi in my arms waved her hands. "Um mama! Aaah!" As if telling her mom not to cry, Yu-Mi''s shout made Jo Soo-Yung quickly wipe away her tears. Yu-Mi began to squirm in my arms as if she wanted to go to her mom. When I ced Yu-Mi on the living room floor, she crawled to Jo Soo-Yung. Jo Soo-Yung looked at her daughter crawling towards her and said, "Yu-Mi, should we move to a nice house?" Yu-Mi tilted her head and burst intoughter when Jo Soo-Yung smiled "Kyaaah!" While holding Yu-Mi in her arms, Jo Soo-Yung smiled at the thought of finally being able to start her life anew. *** President Son Yang-Seop of KNET started handling things swiftly. When the internal audit revealed evidence of embezzlement, he merged Eyestone Entertainment into another subsidiary called Apple nning. Then he handed Na Woon-Seok and Yang Eun-Cheol over to the prosecution after thorough investigations. Kim Do-Jin was imprisoned for charges including threats, assault, fraud, and extortion, making it difficult for him to be released any time soon. Park Ye-Seul and Choi So-Yung, who were appearing on an audition program under Eyestone Entertainment, were transferred to Apple nning. Meanwhile, Kang Ha-Na''s subscriber count was rapidly increasing and headed toward 120,000. With the two promised programs from Son Yang-Seop, I decided to create a reality TV variety show titled Hit the Bottom and Rise Again, Ha-Na! featuring Kang Ha-Na. Hit the Bottom and Rise Again, Ha-Na! was nned to air from August 20th to September 11th, spanning eight episodes. It was designed as a variety show covering Kang Ha-Na''s practice and daily life until the day before her debut on a music show. The proposal we submitted was epted without any revisions as promised by Son Yang-Seop and a producer was assigned right away. After handling the urgent tasks, the first broadcasts of In the Name of God and Master of Mukbang were just around the corner. I gathered the employees in the meeting room and began checking the preparation status. "Alright, Yoo-Jin and Haru''s first broadcasts are next week. Let¡¯s check the preparation status. How far are the press releases updated?" Kim Mi-Hye confidently spoke up. "We''ve updated everything from the actors'' histories, drama summaries, and on-set still cuts." Everything was progressing smoothly. Then Lee Yung-Jin brought some more good news. "Mr. Jung, there''s an urgent interview request for Miss Yoo-Jin from Womans. What should we do?" "Womans?" The women''s magazine, Womans, was currently the top-selling women''s magazine in Korea. The main feature articles for Womans'' August issue were set as ''Festival of Money VS In the Name of God.'' However, they did not concern Yoo-Jin, a supporting actress, as those articles involved interviews with the lead actors and writers only. However, now, they had proposed dedicating an entire section to Yoo-Jin, titled ''The Hottest New Actress'' and an interview. Furthermore, the section would be on the page right after the main feature articles too. "We absolutely have to do it if they¡¯re giving her a dedicated section. However, when is the interview?" I asked. "They suggested the 25th." "The 25th? That''s the day after tomorrow, isn''t it?" The schedule was tight with the drama airing soon, but we had to make time. Editor-in-Chief Choi Yung-Eun was expected to hold the top position for the next decade, and we needed to stay in her good books. "Tell them we''ll do it," I said. "Then I''ll contact Womans'' editorial department right away and get the preliminary questionnaire," Lee Yung-Jin replied. "Alright. Send me a copy of the questionnaire once it arrives." "Yes, Mr. Jung." Next, Jung Sang-Bong began reporting the on-site progress of Master of Mukbang. "Haru''s filming is going smoothly with almost no NGs on set." In the Name of God was set to air its first episode on July 29th while Master of Mukbang was set to air on July 31st. With about a week left until the first broadcasts of both dramas, we had to ensure all preparations were perfect for Yoo-Jin and Haru¡¯s sess. Within two hours, the preliminary questionnaire from Womans arrived. Chapter 243: Womans (1)

Chapter 243: Womans (1)

Given the high standards of Womans, the quality of pre-interview questions was quite satisfactory. [Pre-Interview Questions] (Womans) Could you please exin the character Cheongmyung you y in this drama? (Womans) How do you feel about appearing in the drama with your daughter, Miso? (Womans) Writer Lee Ji-Yeon is known for being strict, but she chose you as her persona. What is she like from your perspective, having worked with her? (Womans) Despite being a supporting actress in all your works, you have enjoyed more poprity than the leads in other works. How long will you remain a supporting actress? Isn''t it time to aim for leading roles? After carefully reading the questionnaire, I handed it to Lee Yung-Jin and Jung Sang-Bong. Lee Yung-Jin nodded after reviewing it. "This looks fine." Jung Sang-Bong also showed a satisfied expression. "I expected the questions to be tougher since it''s a women''s magazine, but this seems eptable." I nodded at their evaluation. "Their editorial independence is likely greater than most media outlets considering that they survived while other magazines disappeared. And the fact that President Jang Ji-Hye is the third daughter of Myungsung Inc. also adds to that." "Then they probably won''t publish tabloids either." I nodded at Jung Sang-Bong''sment. "That''s right. They consider publishing tabloids shameful. Their philosophy is to gather all the evidence and make it irrefutable before publishing." The President of Womans, Jang Ji-Hye, was the third daughter of the 32ndrgest conglomerate, Myungsung Inc. For this reason, Womans didn¡¯t need to publish tabloid-level articles like other magazines or media outlets. Moreover, Jang Ji-Hye served as both the president and editor-in-chief until three years ago after founding Womans. Currently, her cherished hoobae, Choi Yung-Eun, held the editor-in-chief position. For these reasons, the interviews and articles in Womans often exceeded the quality of major daily newspapers. I spoke to Lee Yung-Jin after reviewing the pre-questions."Let them know that we have no issues with the questionnaire. Inform me immediately once the meeting time is set." "Yes, Mr. Jung." "Then I''ll pick up Yoo-Jin and head to the set." "Alright. Take care, Mr. Jung." After the meeting ended, I went straight to the underground parking lot and started the car engine. At that moment, the Everyday app notification began to buzz. [Notification: July 29, 2020. A new schedule has been added for Miss Jung Yoo-Jin.] ''What now?'' I wondered. I flipped to July 29 in my nner, only to find out that an absurd schedule had appeared. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: July 29, 2020] -10:00 p.m. [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Emergency meeting to respond to Womans August issue article. (Meeting topic: Jung Yoo-Jin dating rumor tabloid.) "What? Womans is publishing tabloids?" I muttered in disbelief. The praise I had just given Womans felt meaningless. Womans would never publish tabloids; their philosophy was to gather evidence and then conduct a formal interview after persuading the celebrities involved. In fact, famous actors had even exclusively disclosed their dating rumors through Womans several times. ''But now they''re about to publish a tabloid article about Yoo-Jin''s dating rumor?'' I thought hard. I didn''t know why this was happening, but I knew who was behind it. A name came to mind. ''Editor in Chief Choi Yung-Eun.'' Ultimately, all articles and interviews in Womans would be reviewed by the editor-in-chief, so it couldn''t happen without her involvement. I thought about canceling the interview for a moment, but I quickly changed my mind because canceling an already epted interview could lead to negative consequences in the future. To prepare a countermeasure, I immediately turned off the car engine and went back up to the office. After all, it had been a while since I sought help from Finance Director Jung Soo-Hyuk and the Intelligence Division. *** When I informed Jung Soo-Hyuk that there was news of Womans nning to publish a tabloid about Yoo-Jin, he shared a possible exnation with a troubled expression. "The first possibility thates to mind is that a rival cosmeticspany might have paid for it." His usible suggestion made me nod unknowingly. Women¡¯s magazines like Womans often included cosmetics or bags as freebies with each issue. Sponsors used the magazine to promote their new products through these samples, and the magazine boosted its sales with free gifts. However, if the tabloid got published, it could severely impact the promotion of Yetterang¡¯s new product line. ''The one who benefits the most is the mastermind, isn''t it?'' I thought. In that case, the culprit was likely an existing cosmeticspany that didn''t want a newpetitor entering the market. I thought for a moment and said, "If that''s the case, Choi Yung-Eun must have received a significant amount of money. Womans is known for not publishing tabloids, so breaking that tradition means a hefty sum." Jung Soo-Hyuk nodded. "She must have received at least 500 million to 1 billion won." After a moment of thought, I asked Jung Soo-Hyuk for a favor. "Could you find out whichpany is behind this?" Jung Soo-Hyuk nodded. "I¡¯ll start by identifying thepanies providing freebies. And I''ll see if there''s any reason why Choi Yung-Eun might dislike Miss Yoo-Jin." "Yes, please, and thank you." "Oh, and it might be worth discussing this with Director Kang Ji-Yung. Our director is quite close with President Jang of Womans. Did you know that?" I shook my head. "No, I didn''t." "Pressuring through higher-ups might be the fastest way, so talk to her." "Understood." I called Kang Ji-Yung right then and there. Fortunately, Kang Ji-Yung was in her office right now. "Then I''ll go see her in the director''s office." "Alright. Contact me as soon as you get any useful information." After bidding farewell to Jung Soo-Hyuk, I got up from my seat. *** "Ji-Hye unnie? I know her well. Why do you ask?" The fact that Kang Ji-Yung called Womans'' 50-year-old Jang Ji-Hye "unnie" suggested their close rtionship. She exined that they got along well and treated each other like siblings despite the age difference. Adding to what I heard from Jung Soo-Hyuk, I informed Kang Ji-Yung that Womans was nning to publish a tabloid about Yoo-Jin. "Womans publishing tabloids? No way, I''m sure you''re mistaken. Why would they do that?" Kang Ji-Yung reacted just as incredulously as others upon hearing the news. "I didn''t believe it at first either, but the rumor is quite specific." I spoke as if the rumor was already circting when it was merely suggested by the nner. On top of that, I also mentioned the tabloid about Yoo-Jin that Choi Ji-Yung had told me at Jo Soo-Yung''s house. "They say the rumor about Yoo-Jin is even circting among the actresses'' waiting rooms." "What exactly is the content of the tabloid?" Kang Ji-Yung questioned. After a brief sigh, I answered with a troubled expression. "They say Yoo-Jin and I are dating..." As I hesitated and stuttered, Kang Ji-Yung''s face twisted. "That''s quite serious." I expected her to scoff with a dumbfounded expression, but she cautiously watched my reaction instead and asked again, "That''s not true, is it?" I was momentarily puzzled by her reaction but quickly answered to avoid any misunderstanding. "Why would a talent agent date their own celebrity? It''s absolutely not true," I exined. A scandal involving a talent agent and their celebrity could be even more problematic than a scandal with another actor, considering they spent almost all their time together. Advertisers would sue thepany like crazy and fans would leave like a summer rainstorm. When I protested vehemently, Kang Ji-Yung let out a long sigh. "Alright then. I was just a bit shocked." Kang Ji-Yung spun the teacup she was holding and fell into deep thought. After a moment, she slowly spoke up. "Ji-Hye unnie wouldn¡¯t have approved of publishing a tabloid... Maybe she¡¯s been hands-off with the editingtely?" Kang Ji-Yung sighed deeply in contemtion. Then she added, "Miss Yoo-Jin rose to fame so quickly that she made enemies everywhere. She''s in an awkward position and that''s why the scrutiny is intense." "However, that means she''s also seen as a significant threat," I added. Kang Ji-Yung nodded. "Indeed, with the Cocari Sweat and Seven Stars Electronics ads as well. She¡¯s grabbed all the hot ads of the first half of the year..." Currently, Yoo-Jin''s ad exposure rivaled that of S-ss lead actors. "What to do..." Kang Ji-Yung muttered, falling into deep thought. I said to the pondering Kang Ji-Yung, "Could you arrange a meeting with President Jang so I can meet her myself?" "However, this is just a rumor for now, isn''t it? What do you intend to do without any evidence?" "Mr. Jung is currently looking for evidence." Kang Ji-Yung hesitated for a moment and asked just in case, "What if there¡¯s no evidence?" "We''ll still have to give it a try. Just the rumor that Womans is going to publish a tabloid alone isn¡¯t something she¡¯d take lightly, is it?" "That''s true, but..." Kang Ji-Yung kept ncing at me and then spoke again. "Um, Mr. Jung, have you ever yed golf? She practically lives at the golf course these days. We¡¯d need to schedule a golf game to meet her." Kang Ji-Yung knew I was an orphan and hadn¡¯t had the means to y golf until recently. Nheless, she thought she''d asked just in case. However, she soon retracted her statement. "Never mind. That was thoughtless of me. I''ll just meet her myself." Kang Ji-Yung looked apologetic, but I smiled and responded, "I''m a single handicapper." Kang Ji-Yung looked surprised. "Single?" In golf, a single handicap meant an amateur capable ofpleting 18 holes in 73 to 79 strokes. It was a level that all amateur golfers dreamed of reaching. "My goodness, when did you learn to y golf that well?" Kang Ji-Yung eximed with surprise. In my past life, I had started ying golf after bing a director at Top Entertainment. Thanks to my natural athletic ability, I reached single status without much difficulty and I had been ying social golf since then. "I have quite good athletic skills. They say tennis and golf are essential forworking, so I picked them up in my spare time. However, please keep my single handicap a secret," I said with a wink. The idea of me ying social golf made Kang Ji-Yung''s face brighten. "Got it. We¡¯ll say your score is around 82 then. She scores about 80 with lessons." "Tell her I can go up to around 80 if I''m on a roll." Social golf was the most effective when you subtly lose to your opponent on purpose. However, to maintain long-term rtionships, you asionally had to win as well. "She practically lives at the golf course these days, so I''ll check her schedule for tomorrow." When Kang Ji-Yung called, the other party answered shortly after. "Yes, unnie. Are you going to the golf course tomorrow morning? What? y together? Okay. And I''ll bring a team lead from ourpany." After a brief conversation, Kang Ji-Yung set a date. "If you cancel on me, you¡¯ll regret it! Make sure you¡¯re on time, unnie!" Kang Ji-Yung made an okay sign with her thumb and forefinger. "Alright, see you at the H Golf Club lounge at 6 a.m. tomorrow." Kang Ji-Yung let out a sigh after finishing the call and said, "Mr. Jung, you know it''s a big deal if you miss the golf appointment, right?" "Of course. You only miss a round if you¡¯re dead." Kang Ji-Yung smiled. "Sounds like you really do y golf. Alright, be at my house by 5:30 a.m. tomorrow then. We¡¯ll go together." "Okay." "However, you don''t have golf clubs, do you?" "I''ll rent some." Kang Ji-Yung thought for a moment and shook her head. "Don¡¯t bother renting equipment and juste." "What are you nning?" "I''ll take care of everything." Having arranged a golf appointment with Jang Ji-Hye, we began gathering information using all avable connections. *** The panting Jung Soo-Hyuk burst into the director''s office eximing, "I found out what''s going on." Jung Soo-Hyuk discovered that the global cosmeticspany, nc, was involved in this matter. "Wait a minute. Did you say nc?" I asked. "What is it? Have you heard something about them?" nc, the fifthrgest global cosmeticspany, was a Frenchpany¡ªand the current major shareholder of nc was Hwayeon Media Inc. Hwayeon Media Inc. was thergest investor in thepeting drama Festival of Money. Moreover, it was a secret known only to insiders but nc would soon be wholly acquired by President Jiang Wei. That information was still recorded in my nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: November 13, 2020] - 03:00 p.m. (Report) Global cosmetics brand, nc, acquired by Hwayeon Media Inc. Jiang Wei seemed to be nning to use the global cosmeticspany, nc, to spread a rumor about Yoo-Jin. ''Jiang Wei, you''re quite cunning,'' I thought. If Yoo-Jin couldn''t withstand the scandal and faltered, thepeting drama Festival of Money would benefit. Furthermore, it could also harm Yetterang, the cosmetics brand Yoo-Jin was modeling for. "It seems like Jiang Wei''s side is involved. Hwayeon Media Inc. is the major shareholder of nc." At that moment, Kang Ji-Yung and Jung Soo-Hyuk turned their heads sharply. "What?" "What did you say?" Only a few people currently knew that Hwayeon Media Inc. held shares in nc. For this reason, Kang Ji-Yung and Jung Soo-Hyuk showed surprised expressions when they heard it for the first time. "Hwayeon Media Inc. recently became the major shareholder. So they can exert significant influence over nc." Jung Soo-Hyuk asked with surprised eyes. "Where did you hear that from?" "A friend of mine in the stock industry mentioned it by chance. I''ve been interested since I started buying Yetterang stocks." "I see..." Now that we knew exactly who was behind this, it was time to figure out how to respond. Kang Ji-Yung spoke with a determined expression. "Mr. Jung, we have a golf appointment with President Jang of Womans early tomorrow morning. I know it¡¯s a lot to ask, but do you think you can gather all visible evidence by then?" "Got it. You can count on me." After Jung Soo-Hyuk left the office, Kang Ji-Yung and I began preparing for tomorrow''s meeting with Jang Ji-Hye. After all, we needed to handle Choi Yung-Eun to stop the tabloid. Chapter 244: Womans (2)

Chapter 244: Womans (2)

Early on the day of the golf appointment with Womans'' Jang Ji-Hye, I went downstairs to Yoo-Jin''s kitchen to make the kale-beet juice that Yoo-Jin drank every morning. I blended kale, beets, carrots, apples, and other ingredients in a high-speed blender. Whirr! As the machine noise echoed throughout the house, the door opened and Yoo-Jin walked out. She was in her pajamas, yawning constantly. "Yawn... Oppa. You¡¯re here?" "Sorry for waking you up. You''ve been quite tired recently, haven''t you?" "It''s okay, I can manage." Lately, Yoo-Jin had barely been sleeping due to her tight filming schedule. She said she was fine, but she copsed onto the dining table and fell asleep again. I turned off the blender and waited so that she could sleep for a few more minutes. After about five minutes, I carefully poured the juice into a cup. As the strong scent of kale and beet juice filled the air, Yoo-Jin, who was slumped over the table, sprang up. "Ugh... Ah, I dozed off." Awakened by the juice smell, Yoo-Jin sighed deeply and grabbed the ss of juice. "How long do I have to drink this?" Yoo-Jin grumbled. "It''s a detox juice, so you should drink it for a while." "Yes, but when does ''a while'' end?" "Until you no longer have dark circles in the morning?" I replied teasingly. "Ugh... that means I have to drink it forever!" "Probably." At that moment, Miso came into the living room while rubbing her eyes and hugging a Powertuff Girls doll. "Oh? Uncle Yoon-Ho is here~ He he." "Miso, you''re awake?" Miso replied with her eyes half-closed, "No, I''m gonna go back to sleep." The swaying Miso walked over to Yoo-Jin and hugged her. "Mom, hi~." "Miso, how was your sleep? How about Sae-Ri?" Yoo-Jin asked. "Sae-Ri unnie is still sleeping. She¡¯s sleeping soundly." Apparently, Sae-Ri had yed with Miso untiltest night and slept beside her. "Miso, do you want some juice as well?" I asked. "Yes!" Seeing Yoo-Jin with the juice in her hand, Miso came to the table wanting some too. When I poured the juice into a small cup and handed it to her, Miso sniffed it and tilted her head. "Mom, is this drinkable?" Yoo-Jin smiled and nodded. "Of course~. Should Mommy drink it first?" "Yes!" Yoo-Jin smiled and drank the kale-beet juice in gulps. Seeing Yoo-Jin drink it with ease, Miso drank her cup in relief. At that moment, Miso''s previously closed eyes shot open as she eximed in disgust, "Eek! Mom! This tastes awful!" At the same time, Yoo-Jin, who had been holding back until now, also screamed, "Ugh~ I know, Miso. It tastes just awful!" Miso shuddered and asked. "Then why do you drink it?" "Because it¡¯s good for your health," Yoo-Jin replied with furrowed eyebrows. "But it tastes terrible!" Miso protested. "But there''s no choice. Apparently, actresses have to drink this kind of stuff. That''s why I endure it." Hearing the word ''actress,'' Miso sighed deeply and stared at her still-full cup of juice. Then she gathered her resolve, closed her eyes tightly, and drank the remaining juice in one gulp before she stomped her feet again. "Ew~ it tastes awful!" "Right?" "Yes!" "But it''s good for your body, so let''s keep drinking it together with me. Okay?" Miso nodded her head. After finishing the healthy yet eye-opening juice, both of them looked at me simultaneously. "But why aren¡¯t you drinking it, oppa?" Yoo-Jin questioned. "Me? I don''t need it. I''m not an actress." Yoo-Jin grinned. "Nonsense. You should be healthy too, oppa." Miso smiled brightly and chimed in. "That''s right, Uncle Yoon-Ho! You should drink it too!" "Uh, but there''s none left?" I tried to hide the blender behind me, but the sloshing sound gave it away. Yoo-Jin grabbed my hand firmly. "Hold on. Are you trying to cheat?" Yoo-Jin''s eyes gleamed with a hint of menace, showing off her top-notch acting skills even in the morning. At that moment, Miso ran over and pointed at the blender. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, there¡¯s enough left for one more cup!" "Um, yeah, I guess..." I stuttered. I reluctantly poured the remaining juice from the blender into a cup. About 100 ml of bright red kale beet juice greeted me. Both of them smiled brightly as I closed my eyes tightly and drank it. At that moment, I experienced the taste of hell. "Aaack~~~!" I belted. The overwhelmingly healthy taste hit me like a thunderbolt. The intense raw vor of vegetables and the sharp sourness made my whole body tremble as if struck by lightning. As I shuddered from the taste, the two of them giggled. After drinking the morning juice and feeling healthily invigorated, I wiped my mouth and said, "Yoo-Jin, Sang-Bong will pick you up today." "Today? Again? Oppa, is something going on?" I shook my head. "Oh, no. It''s nothing." "What is it?" "Well..." As I started to exin, Yoo-Jin looked at me suspiciously. "You''re going to y golf with Ms. Kang in the morning?" "Yes." "Do you really have to go?" Yoo-Jin seemed to misunderstand when I didn''t exin the reason for meeting Kang Ji-Yung. Miso also looked at me curiously from Yoo-Jin''s side. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, why are you ying golf with the directordy?" I didn''t know how to exin. ''What do I even say? To prevent rumors of us dating?'' I thought. However, saying that might lead to more misunderstandings, so I subtly changed the subject. "I have to discuss something with Ms. Jang of Womans because of the interview." "What''s Womans?" Miso asked. "Well, it''s a women''s magazine..." I continued exining kindly to Miso. After listening for a while, Miso nodded. "Okay! Although I still don''t get it." Yoo-Jin smiled and looked me up and down. "You should have told me earlier. If you had, I would¡¯ve bought you some golfwear. You don''t have much money left after buying shares, do you?" "Hey, I do have enough to buy something like that." I had bought shares for 100 million won from Team Lead Ahn Seok-Hoon of Yetterang. Now, I only had 5.03 million won left in my bank ount. It was almost the same as what I had right after traveling back in time, but I could still afford some cheap golf clothes. "I appreciate the thought though~. Anyway, I''ll be going now." "Okay, oppa. Take care." "You too." "Bye, Uncle Yoon-Ho!" After saying goodbye to Yoo-Jin and Miso, I headed straight to Kang Ji-Yung''s house. *** After meeting Kang Ji-Yung and receiving my golf club, we arrived at the H Golf Course in Gyeonggi¨Cdo. Then, we met with Jang Ji-Hye and immediately started the round. We were currently on the 9th hole out of 18. Thwack! Kang Ji-Yung and I pped after Jang Ji-Hye''s impressive tee shot. "Nice shot, Ms. Jang~!" Iplimented her. Although Jang Ji-Hye said she was an 80-stroke golfer, her actual skill was around 78 strokes. I tried my best to match 80 strokes with all my might. Though I made several mistakes in the first three holes due to unfamiliar clubs, I managed to recover in the remaining six holes and narrowed the gap to just three strokes. After finishing the 9th hole with a bogey, Jang Ji-Hye wiped the sweat off her forehead and asked, "Shall we rest at the shade house for a bit?" Kang Ji-Yung promptly replied. "Sure, unnie." A shade house was a resting area on a golf course. The H Golf Course we were currently at had shade houses at the 5th, 9th, and 14th holes. Entering the indoor shade house that blocked the hot morning sun, we were greeted by the cool air conditioning. Jang Ji-Hye wiped off her sweat and spoke. "Since you came so early to meet me, I''ll buy us some drinks." "No, please let me buy. You like dolcette, right?" I replied. As I stood up quickly to buy the drinks, Jang Ji-Hye smiled. "How did you know my preference? You''re meticulous, as expected from a talent agent." "Oh, it''s nothing." "Then I''ll buy lunch after the game, Team Lead Jung." "Thank you, Ms. Jang." Kang Ji-Yung and I both ordered dolcettes just like Jang Ji-Hye. The coffee at the shade house on the golf course was several times the regr price. I bought three dolcettes for 15 thousand won each and brought them to the table. The taste of the dolcette, a mixture of condensed milk and milk in a clear ss, was surprisingly better than I thought it would be. ying golf under the hot sun and the view of the green through the shade house''s ss walls seemed to have added to the experience. Jang Ji-Hye took a sip of her cool dolcette and smiled at Kang Ji-Yung. "So, Ji-Yung, what favor did youe to ask today?" "How did you know I had a favor to ask?" "Would the mighty Kang Ji-Yung have hung out with me from early morning otherwise?" Kang Ji-Yung pouted her lips. "It''s just that I''m busy. Unlike a rich person like you, I have to work every day." "Rich people are busy too, you know. So, what''s the real reason?" Kang Ji-Yung pointed at me. "Team Lead Jung has something to discuss with you." Since I was the one who gathered information about this matter, Kang Ji-Yung wanted me to exin it myself directly. After a brief bow, I started sharing the information I got from Jung Soo-Hyuk. "Ms. Choi Yung-Eun is preparing a fake article after receiving a bribe," I exined. At that moment, Jang Ji-Hye''s face turned cold and she snapped at me with a sharp voice. "Hah, and you expect me to believe that nonsense? Do you think Womans is some kind of a joke?" That''s when I pulled out a photo of Choi Yung-Eun, President Han Se-Hwa, and nc''s promotion manager leaving the Gangnam Elleborn Boutique Hotel together. "This is...?" "I''m sure you can recognize the faces although it''s a bit blurry. This is Ms. Choi Yung-Eun receiving instructions from President Han." Jung Soo-Hyuk had stayed up all night to get this single photo. Nheless, this one photo was enough to make Jang Ji-Hye suspicious of Choi Yung-Eun. After staring intently at the photo, Jang Ji-Hye made an excuse on behalf of Choi Yung-Eun. "They could have met for work." "Then why don''t you ask her what the work was about? Once you verify, you''ll know if I''m telling the truth or not." With the rumor and a single photo as the base, I used my persuasion skills to further create an irrefutable suspicion. Looking at the hesitant Jang Ji-Hye, I took a nce at my phone. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: July 29, 2020] -10:00 p.m. [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Emergency meeting to respond to Womans August issue article. (Meeting topic: Jung Yoo-Jin dating rumor tabloid.) Jang Ji-Hye was cautious as expected. ''I''ll have to push further to change things,'' I thought. From that point, I started to prod at Jang Ji-Hye''s pride. "I hope the reputation Womans has built up won''t be tarnished by dealing with third-rate tabloids." "Third-rate... tabloid...?" Jang Ji-Hye asked with furrowed brows. "If you publish groundless rumors as articles, how would Womans be different from third-rate tabloids? You know, like Star Patch or Celebrity Big News." Jang Ji-Hye''s eyes shed for a moment. "Team Lead Jung, isn¡¯t that a bit harsh? How can youpare Womans to such trash?" I shrugged and responded nonchntly, "I¡¯m not saying it is, but I''m just saying that you might be seen that way if you start publishing a tabloid. And, you know...the first time is hard, but after that is..." Jang Ji-Hye raised her hand to stop me from speaking further. Then she looked at me intently and asked, "Team Lead Jung, are you sure about this?" I met her gaze and replied. "I''ll stake my neck on it." At that moment, Jang Ji-Hye took a big gulp of her dolcette and chewed on the ice. Crunch! Therge ice chunks made a loud noise as they broke. "I won''t let this go if it turns out you¡¯re wrong and ndered our editor without evidence," said Jang Ji-Hye as she looked at me sternly. A threat from the president of Womans was akin to a threat from the powerful Myungsung Inc. in the entertainment industry. My legs trembled slightly, but I nodded calmly. "Yes, Ms. Jang." Jang Ji-Hye then picked up the phone and called someone. "Yes, it¡¯s me. Gather the audit team and have them check the editor-in-chief right now. Find out if she met with nc and President Han, and if she took any money from them. Yes, I¡¯ming in now, so be ready when I arrive." After hanging up, Jang Ji-Hye stood up right away and said, "That¡¯s it for golf. You two areing with me, right?" I stood up to follow her. "Of course." My confident attitude made Jang Ji-Hye''s eyes gleam intriguingly. *** We stopped ying golf and headed straight to Womans'' headquarters. Entering the editor¡¯s office, we found men in ck suits from the headquarters turning the room upside down. Choi Yung-Eun greeted us in a fury. "Ms. Jang, why is the audit team searching my office?" The 38-year-old Choi Yung-Eun began to protest sharply. She had bolstered Womans'' growth by securing numerous exclusive interviews with high-profile figures following Jang Ji-Hye. However, she was now just another employee under investigation. In the meantime, audit team members rushed to Jang Ji-Hye and bowed at 90 degrees. "Wee, Ms. Jang!" Their greeting was so coordinated it echoed through the room. "Have you found anything?" Jang Ji-Hye asked. "We¡¯re just starting to investigate..." Jang Ji-Hye gave further instructions to the fumbling audit team. "Is that so? Then continue. Firefighters should focus on putting out the fire, not worrying about onlookers." "Sorry, ma¡¯am." As Jang Ji-Hye waved her hand, four men quickly began sweeping items from the editor¡¯s office into cardboard boxes. It was only natural that Choi Yung-Eun¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. "Ms. Jang! What the heck is going on here?" Jang Ji-Hye looked at the seething Choi Yung-Eun in a calm manner and spoke. "What do you mean, what¡¯s going on? Isn¡¯t it obvious? We¡¯re conducting an audit." "What did I even do?" Jang Ji-Hye red at her and said, "I heard you took money." Chapter 245: Womans (3)

Chapter 245: Womans (3)

Choi Yung-Eun''s face twisted briefly upon hearing Jang Ji-Hye''s blunt words. "Wh-who said that? Do they have evidence?" Jang Ji-Hye looked at Choi Yung-Eun with a cold expression. "We''ll find out whether there''s evidence or not. I''ll buy you a drink if there''s none. There''s been a strange rumor about you going around. What would others think of me if I let you off the hook just because you''re my hoobae?" "But still! Shouldn''t you at least give me a heads-up if something like this happens?!" Choi Yung-Eun protested. "If I had given you a heads-up, that would be collusion, not an audit. Why are you so scared? Are you nervous?" Choi Yung-Eun did not back down despite Jang Ji-Hye''s firm attitude and fought back. "I''m not scared, I''m just upset! I can''t tolerate being treated like this even if you''re the president." Jang Ji-Hye replied nonchntly, "Even if you can''t tolerate it, you have to! I promise I''ll make it up to you once the audit is over and the rumors turn out to be nothing." Choi Yung-Eun was also known as a difficult person to deal with, but she was no match against Jang Ji-Hye. "Are you serious? This is just ridiculous," Choi Yung-Eun said as she rolled her eyes. "Ah~ be quiet. Just do as you''re told without any more fuss." Jang Ji-Hye said no more and walked forward to sit on the sofa. The fuming Choi Yung-Eun also sat to the right of Jang Ji-Hye. Even though the audit team was busily searching the editor-in-chief''s office, Jang Ji-Hye calmly pointed to her left and said, "Why don''t you two sit here?" Choi Yung-Eun red at us and growled, "Does this audit have something to do with Hoop Entertainment?" Kang Ji-Yung met Choi Yung-Eun''s gaze. "What if it does?" "Just wait and see. You''ll regret turning me into an enemy," Choi Yung-Eun threatened us. However, Kang Ji-Yung simply shrugged nonchntly. "You should worry about yourself. If you took money in the capacity of the editor-in-chief, that would be a big problem." Choi Yung-Eun''s face twisted as she red at Kang Ji-Yung. At that moment, the office door opened and a man in his 40s with a stern expression appeared. Seeing the man in a suit, Choi Yung-Eun''s face hardened slightly. "Even you''re here, Mr. Choi? Isn''t this too much?" "Why? Am I not allowed to be here?" The person Choi Yung-Eun was surprised to see was Choi Tae-Sung, the team lead of Womans Audit Team. Before we arrived, Jung Soo-Hyuk had sent him the additional materials found. Team Lead Choi Tae-Sung was rumored to be so thorough that he could even find out the brand of underwear someone wore three years ago. Choi Yung-Eun started to be wary just by his mere presence in the office. At that moment, Choi Tae-Sung whispered something in Jang Ji-Hye''s ear. Jang Ji-Hye''s face twisted. "Really?" "Yes." Jang Ji-Hye snapped her right hand with a cold expression. Snap! The audit team staff focused their attention on Jang Ji-Hye''s loud finger snap. "Everyone, go out and take a short break. Be ready toe back when I call you," Jang Ji-Hye instructed. "Yes, ma''am." All four audit team staff in suits except Choi Tae-Sung left the office. Then Jang Ji-Hye looked at Choi Yung-Eun with a cold expression. "Why did you do that?" "What...what do you mean?" Choi Yung-Eun stammered, feigning ignorance. Then, Jang Ji-Hye scoffed and said, "You talked with them over coffee in the lobby of Hotel Ellebon in Gangnam three days ago at 10 p.m., didn''t you? Should I also mention where you met afterward and what you discussed? And that you tried to write a tabloid?" Being a chaebol, Jang Ji-Hye managed to find out much more detailed information based on what we provided. Choi Yung-Eun''s face turned pale when the mentioned locations matched her meetings. "M-Ms. Jang..." "Call me as usual. There are no employees here, right?" At that moment, Choi Yung-Eun hesitated and spoke. "Sunbae, the truth is..." As Choi Yung-Eun stammered and sweated profusely, Jang Ji-Hye spoke coldly toward her. "Yung-Eun. I entrusted you with everything but under just one condition. Do you remember?" Choi Yung-Eun nodded. "You told me not to tarnish the name of Womans..." "That''s right. I told you many times that there''s no money without a price. If you took the money and kept quiet, I would have just let it go. But writing tabloids in exchange for money? Then you''re no longer in control of that rtionship! Who do you think you are to turn Womans into a groveling tabloid magazine? Huh?" Jang Ji-Hye''s sharp scolding continued. For Womans, retaining their independent editorial rights wasn''t just about journalistic pride. It was a strict order not to be anyone''s subordinate. However, Choi Yung-Eun did not understand the intention and ended up causing trouble. Jang Ji-Hye sighed regretfully. "Sigh. Well, what can we do? The dam is cracked, so we need to demolish and rebuild it. It''ll cost a lot of money." "What, what do you mean by that?" Choi Yung-Eun asked in a trembling voice. Jang Ji-Hye instructed Choi Tae-Sung calmly, "Get Yung-Eun''s ount information and house key and search thoroughly. If she doesn''t hand them over, contact Prosecutor Jang. He''ll handle it quietly if you tell him a stray cat has snuck into our house." "Yes, ma''am." As Choi Tae-Sung bowed, Choi Yung-Eun quickly got off the sofa and knelt. "Sunbae, I''m sorry! President Han said she''ll help Womans get published in China if I help her just this one time! It wasn''t about the money!" Even though Choi Yung-Eun pleaded desperately, Jang Ji-Hye only scoffed. "A Korean magazine being published in China? Are you out of your mind? The chances would be very low even with a high-ranking Communist Party official''s help. Did you really believe President Han Se-Hwa''s lie?" "No, it''s not that. President Han said President Jiang Wei''s chief secretary would help directly! She promised to connect us with high-ranking officials too." "You''ve gotten much better at lying, huh? Just stop it. I''ll hand you over to Prosecutor Choi right away if you act any more disgracefully." "Sunbae! Please give me one more chance..." However, Jang Ji-Hye shook her head as she looked at Choi Tae-Sung. Choi Tae-Sung called out toward the editor-in-chief''s office. "Come in and take her out!" Simultaneously, the door to the office burst open and men who had left earlier came back in. "Yes, Mr. Choi." The men lifted Choi Yung-Eun. "Sunbae! No, Ms. Jang! Let me go~!" Choi Yung-Eun called out desperately. However, Jang Ji-Hye didn''t budge. When Jang Ji-Hye gestured, Choi Tae-Sung bowed and left. Bang. The closing of the editor-in-chief''s office door sounded like thunder. At that moment, the schedule in my nner was being deleted. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: July 29, 2020] -10:00 p.m. (Deleted schedule: [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Emergency meeting for Womans August issue article. (Meeting content: Jung Yoo-Jin dating rumor tabloid.) *** It was never easy for anyone to cut off their right-hand person just like that. However, Jang Ji-Hye, who aplished that difficult task effortlessly, let out a small sigh. Then she turned her gaze toward us. At that moment, I felt like I had entered the eye of a storm. If Jang Ji-Hye in a capricious mood started to vent her anger, we''d have to bear it. "Team Lead Jung, who else did you tell about this?" Jang Ji-Hye questioned with gleaming eyes. Her gaze made me feel like I was being scorched by aser. "Just Ms. Kang here and Mr. Jung from ourpany. That''s all," I replied calmly. Kang Ji-Yung quickly agreed with me. "Don''t worry, unnie. We wouldn''t havee here if we were nning to inform anyone else about this matter." At that moment, Jang Ji-Hye let out a long sigh. She seemed relieved that the Womans she had cherished so much wouldn''t be caught up in a scandal. "Is that so? Then... I owe you a big favor," said Jang Ji-Hye, seemingly grateful to us for protecting Womans'' reputation. She added, "Tell me if there''s anything you want. If I can do it, I will do anything." The moment I saw Jang Ji-Hye smile, I realized it was my chance. "Then I would appreciate it a lot if you could designate Yetterang as the supplier for Womans August issue''s promotional items," I said. "Yetterang?" "Yes. Yetterang isunching a new product with Yoo-Jin as the advertising model next month." I informed Jang Ji-Hye about theunch of Yetterang''s new brand ''Miso,'' and I also mentioned that ''Miso'' is a cosmetic line that could target Womans'' main customer base. Jang Ji-Hye spoke after a brief consideration. "Can you connect me with Yetterang''s president?" "Of course." When I called Ahn Seok-Hoon, he answered the call in less than ten seconds. -Yes, Mr. Jung. What''s the matter? "Well, I''m currently at Womans'' headquarters and we have an opportunity to include Yetterang''s Miso line products as promotional items in the August issue." Ahn Seok-Hoon responded with a lively voice. -Wow, you''re doing our marketing director''s job, Mr. Jung. I could hear Ahn Seok-Hoon scolding his younger brother over the phone. -Myung-Hoon, did you hear that? This is how you do it, just like Mr. Jung. If this continues, I''ll transfer your shares to him. -How much are my shares anyway? Give him some of yours, hyung-nim. -I might have to do that. The yful conversation between the two was filled withughter. -Mr. Jung, let''s meet sometime soon. These two were discussing a nerve-wracking topic so easily. "L-let''s discuss thatter. More than that, the president of Womans wants to talk to you. May I switch to a speakerphone if that''s okay with you?" -Oh. Yes, please. When I switched to the speakerphone, Jang Ji-Hye started talking with a smile. "Hello, this is Jang Ji-Hye, president of Womans." Thus began the business conversation between the presidents of Yetterang and Womans. *** "Then please send the samples to our Anseong warehouse by the 26th." -Understood, Ms. Jang. After hanging up the phone, Jang Ji-Hye spoke with a satisfied expression. "Team Lead Jung." "Yes, Ms. Jang?" "Thanks to you, the promotional item issue has been resolved. Thank you." "I should be the one thanking you, Ms. Jang." Jang Ji-Hye smiled warmly. "And next time we y golf, y ording to your skill." "Excuse me? What do you mean..." Jang Ji-Hye responded yfully. "I score 73 when I''m ying well. So y ordingly. It doesn''t seem like your skill is 80 strokes." "73... strokes?" In reality, Jang Ji-Hye was the one who had cheated. "Losing the first three holes and catching up in the next six? That can''t be just luck, right? Team Lead Jung, you''re about a 75-stroke yer, aren''t you?" I looked at Kang Ji-Yung with an awkward expression. Kang Ji-Yung eximed in surprise on my behalf. "Unnie, did you cheat on your score? You told me it was 78 strokes." Jang Ji-Hye whistled. "Having a secret makes you more attractive at my age, you know." "What are you even saying? That''s not a secret; it''s a fraud!" Jang Ji-Hyeughed heartily. "At least I don''t gamble. And let''s meet often. With your golf skills, we can have fun ying together." "If I y ording to my skill, it would only be possible after I get my own clubs," I said, hinting that I was too busy to y and that I couldn''t afford clubs. "Then whose clubs did you use today?" "I borrowed Mr. Kang Gam-Chan''s clubs today." "Is that so? Then you''d score 73 instead of 75 with your own clubs, right?" Jang Ji-Hye had a knack for guessing scores. At that moment, Jang Ji-Hye suddenly made a call somewhere. "Hey, honey. It''s me. I found a great partner today. A single. 75 strokes. Yeah, let''s y together sometime. Just the four of us with Ji-Yung. Where did I find such a talent? There are always people. Anyway, you have a lot of unused golf clubs, right? Can I give away a full set? I think it would help him get to 73 strokes. Got it. Okay!" Jang Ji-Hye ended the call with a smile. "My husband said he''d give you one of his unused golf clubs. It''s the full set including the bag." Jang Ji-Hye''s husband was Han Myung-Ju, the president of Yuseong Construction. And he had offered to give me a set of his golf clubs worth a whopping 20 million won. Then, Jang Ji-Hye made an offer. "Are you free this weekend? If you y golf with us, I can extend Miss Yoo-Jin''s special feature from three pages to eight. What do you say~?" The prospect of extending Yoo-Jin''s features was more exciting than receiving golf clubs worth the price of a small car. At that moment, I quickly responded, "I''ll make time!" "Is that a promise?" After ousting Choi Yung-Eun, we gained a solid ally to fight against Han Se-Hwa and Jiang Wei. Chapter 246: Drama Wars (1)

Chapter 246: Drama Wars (1)

At Han Se-Hwa Productions, Han Se-Hwa received an unexpected call and hung up with a pale face. "I assume you heard some bad news," said Ryu Shin, a chief of Hwayeon Media Inc., calmly. Ryu Shin, chief secretary to Jiang Wei, was so proficient in Korean that he could almost pass as a Seoul native. Upon hearing that Ryu Shin was here, So Yi-Yung rushed over and curiously chimed in. "What is it? Whose call was that?" After a brief hesitation, Han Se-Hwa answered irritably, "President Jang from Womans." "President Jang? Why would she call you? Is there a problem with tomorrow''s interview?" So Yi-Yung asked. Han Se-Hwa ignored So Yi-Yung''s question and spoke to Ryu Shin. "Mr. Ryu, President Jang had just ousted Womans'' editor-in-chief." Despite the unexpected and ufortable news, Ryu Shin''s expression remained unchanged. "She must have been displeased with the bribery." "Yes, she stated firmly that she has no intention of working with me or nc ever again," Han Se-Hwa added. Ryu Shin fell into deep thought with his arms crossed. "Hmm..." Unlike the calm Ryu Shin, So Yi-Yung snapped at Han Se-Hwa with a distressed expression. "Ms. Han! Then what about my article in the August issue? Is all the extra space I was promised gone?" Han Se-Hwa swallowed dryly. "Just wait a moment. Let me check." Han Se-Hwa called Choi Yung-Eun but she did not answer. After calling twice or thrice she was greeted with an automated message saying, "The phone is turned off." It was clear that Choi Yung-Eun was avoiding her calls. "That fucking witch! She took my money and now she won''t answer the phone?" As rough curses spilled from Han Se-Hwa''s mouth, Ryu Shin sighed and adjusted his posture as he spoke. "Calm down. The promised support will not be canceled." Only then did Han Se-Hwa let out a small sigh of relief. Jiang Wei had provided the money, but Han Se-Hwa orchestrated the situation and handled the lobbying. She had expected to be harshly criticized for the failure. However, she was forgiven so easily as if it were no big deal. "Do you have any idea why this happened?" Ryu Shin asked. "Not really. President Jang stepped back from work and had been obsessed with golf for a while, so I don''t understand why she suddenly returned to thepany," Han Se-Hwa replied. "Could it be that Hoop Entertainment noticed something and took action?" "Hoop Entertainment?" Ryu Shin borated, "I understand there''s a rather capable guy named Jung Yoon-Ho at Hoop Entertainment." At that moment, Han Se-Hwa''s face contorted. She was well aware of the name Jung Yoon-Ho. However, it was absurd to mention the name of a mere team lead among industry bigwigs. Han Se-Hwa replied with a slightly displeased expression, "I''ve also heard rumors about Team Lead Jung''spetence, but I doubt he could influence President Jang to this extent..." That''s when Ryu Shin raised his hand. "That man is a talent Mr. Jiang Wei has his eye on." Han Se-Hwa gasped and quickly closed her mouth. ''President Jiang Wei is interested in a mere second-year team lead?'' She thought. At that moment, Han Se-Hwa suddenly understood the significance of the title "team lead" attached to a second-year employee. Hoop Entertainment was a top-tier managementpany in the industry, and it was extremely rare for someone who was not even thirty to be a team lead in such a ce. Although she had never met Jung Yoon-Ho in person, Han Se-Hwa realized she had to re-evaluate him if even Secretary Ryu Shin spoke so highly of him. "I acknowledge I was rash. I''ll immediately verify the details of the situation and look into Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho." Ryu Shin nodded with a satisfied look. "Mr. Jiang Wei dislikes losing. Whatever it is, just ensure that we win in viewership ratings. That''s all that matters." At that moment, Han Se-Haw swallowed dryly upon realizing that the statement about not canceling support didn''t mean forgiveness but rather a temporary suspension of the decision. Han Se-Hwa responded nervously, "Yes, Mr. Ryu!" The satisfied Ryu Shin nodded and stood up. At that moment, So Yi-Yung also stood up and bowed deeply. "Take care~ Mr. Ryu." Wearing a dress that fully exposed her chest, So Yi-Yung didn''t even cover herself as she bowed. However, Ryu Shin nodded stiffly as if looking at a stone and left the office without turning back even once. Thud. As the office door closed, So Yi-Yung grumbled, "Ugh, what''s with that guy? Is he a eunuch? Why is he showing no reaction?" So Yi-Yung felt slighted by Ryu Shin''sck of interest in her andined. Han Se-Hwa sighed and leaned back on the sofa. "Yi-Yung, why would the secretary pay attention to the woman meeting Jiang Wei? Do you think he wants to lose his head?" "But still! Ugh, this is so annoying," So Yi-Yung whined like a child. Han Se-Hwa sighed again as she sat down. "But really, will somethinge out if we investigate Team Lead Jung?" So Yi-Yung stared at Han Se-Hwa intently. "Should I meet him myself?" "What?" "Team Lead Jung is rumored to be hot among actresses these days..." "Are you crazy, Miss Yi-Yung?" Han Se-Hwa was shocked. It hadn''t been long since So Yi-Yung decided to join Jiang Wei''s line, but she was already talking about another man. "What? Can''t a woman meet multiple men?" So Yi-Yung was implying she wanted to meet Jung Yoon-Ho and have some fun with him. "Don''t you know you could get burned? Powerful men like Jiang Wei can get quite jealous." "That''s what makes it thrilling and fun. Besides, what if I get caught? When dealing with older men, you have to make them jealous to stimte them. Don''t you know?" So Yi-Yung said with a smirk. "You are unbelievable. Are you out of your mind or just bold?" Han Se-Hwa was about to tell So Yi-Yung to stop saying such nonsense, but then she thought twice. If anyone could pull it off, it might be So Yi-Yung. However, Han Se-Hwa couldn''t give So Yi-Yung permission directly because it would be troublesome if anything were to go wrong and she ended up being med. Han Se-Hwa subtly distanced herself and tacitly allowed the situation to unfold. "Ah, I don''t know. Miss Yi-Yung, handle it as you see fit. This has nothing to do with me." The moment Han Se-Hwa gave her indirect consent, So Yi-Yung smiled widely. *** The promised interview with Yoo-Jin at Womans was personally conducted by Jang Ji-Hye, who also acted as the editor-in-chief. The questions were not only about actress Jung Yoo-Jin but also about the person Jung Yoo-Jin. Jang Ji-Hye led the conversationfortably and allowed Yoo-Jin to share stories not even told in the documentary, The Human Story. Pleased with the interview, Jang Ji-Hye promised a total of nine pages including exclusive photos. Jang Ji-Hye even gifted me a golf club set after the interview. I expected second-hand items, but it turned out to be a brand new Honma 4-star set which was still unwrapped. I tried to refuse saying I couldn''t ept such a hefty gift, but I couldn''t refuse further when she mentioned that her husband''spany, Yuseong Construction, was due to change its advertising model. After all, I wanted to rmend Lee Tae-Poong as the model for Yuseong Construction''s apartment brand, Star Park. The interview ended smoothly, and the day of the broadcast of In the Name of God finally arrived a few dayster. It was July 29th, 9 a.m. However, the portal''s entertainment news section was flooded with articles about Festival of Money. [Festival of Money. A lineup of morous stars!] [Festival of Money. Trailer airing today (July 25th)!] [Festival of Money. An epic casting!] ... It seemed Han Se-Hwa was desperately spending money to make up for the loss after failing to bribe Womans. Gu Seong-Cheol asked with a serious expression, "Do you think we''ll be okay? I know that President Han received arge investment, but the articles in her favor are indeed overwhelming." "Don''t worry too much. Once this month''s issue of Womans hits the bookstores this morning, people will pay attention to us as well," I assured him. Oh Duk-Gu and Ju Yung-Hoon grinned yfully. "Looks like Team Lead Jung has gained some experience. Not even trembling, huh?" Gu Seong-Cheol chuckled. "You guys, why can''t you do half as good as Yoon-Ho? Huh?" Ju Yung-Hoonughed and replied, "Shouldn''t you be worried about your own performance instead of ours?" "What~?" When Gu Seong-Cheol raised his fist, Oh Duk-Gu and Ju Yung-Hoon pretended to die yfully and ran away. "Those guys always ask for trouble." At that moment, the conference room door burst open and Kim Mi-Hye ran in yelling, "Mr. Jung! It''s happening!" "What is?" I asked. "Womans!" Kim Mi-Hye was causing amotion, urging us to check the live search rankings. However, the impact of this month''s issue of Womans was far greater than I had expected. [Live Search Rankings] 1. Womans 2. Womans Server Down 3. Womans Stock 4. Yetterang Miso 5. Jung Yoo-Jin Miso ... Gu Seong-Cheol was stunned. "What, what is this?" Kim Mi-Hye replied excitedly, "There''s a frenzy because of the Yetterang samples included with this month''s Womans issue. The online store is already sold out, and people are scrambling to find stock in Seoul bookstores." Womans had previously caused sell-out frenzies by providing samples worth far more than the magazine price, but it was the first time thepany''s website had gone down. Gu Seong-Cheol tilted his head in confusion. "Why is a sample of an as-yet-unadvertised cosmetic causing such a stir? The TVmercial isn''t scheduled to air until 9:50 p.m. tonight." Yetterang''s new cosmetic TV ad was scheduled to air just before the broadcast of In the Name of God. Kim Mi-Hye shook her head. "The TVmercial is scheduled forter, but Miss Ha-Na, Miss Yoo-Jin, and Cherry Blossom members have posted their sample reviews on Instargem." Kim Mi-Hye immediately turned on therge LCD in the conference room and disyed rtedments. Gu Seong-Cheol looked surprised upon seeing the impact of viral reactionspared to paid articles. "Yoon-Ho, did you n this far ahead?" Gu Seong-Cheol asked with eyes wide open. I scratched my head and smiled sheepishly. "To some extent. We can''t just sit back, can we?" Yoo-Jin had 400,000 followers on Instargem, Ha-Na had 170,000 subscribers on her MeTube, and Cherry Blossom had 500,000 followers. Each celebrity in Team Jung had influencer-level followers and subscribers, creating an impact beyond what reporters could achieve. Gu Seong-Cheol suddenly stood up, walked toward me, and hugged me tightly with his thick arms. "Aww~. I love you to death!" Gu Seong-Cheol''s beard rubbed against my cheek. I was 27 years old this year, or 37 if I included my previous life; I didn''t expect to be cuddled like this at this age. "Ugh. Mr. Gu! Your beard! Your beard!" Iined. I cried out in pain, but the other team leads simplyughed without any intention of rescuing me. Fortunately, a phone call saved me. "Mr. Gu, there''s a call for Mr. Jung! It''s urgent!" "Who is it?" "President Jang from Womans!" Gu Seong-Cheol reluctantly let go of me. "Yes, this is Jung Yoon-Ho." -Team Lead Jung! Have you heard about the current situation? "Yes, I''ve heard the response is amazing..." -It''s more than amazing. All stock in Seoul is sold out right now and they''re almost gone even in the provinces. We''re printing more copies immediately. Womans had been achieving an average magazine cirction of 40,000 copies with the decline in the print magazine market despite being the number one women''s magazine. They had printed 50,000 copies this time with high expectations, but now even those were about to sell out. -I thought 50,000 copies were a lot, but I never imagined this would happen... At that moment, I realized why Jang Ji-Hye was calling. "Is this about the samples?" -See, I don¡¯t need to repeat myself with you, Team Lead Jung. Is that why people call you Star Jung the Fortune Teller? Jang Ji-Hyeplimented me while speaking kindly. However, I couldn¡¯t fall for her subtle attempt to get more samples through me. Since Yetterang''s product was well-known at this point, there was no need to send free samples for promotion. Womans was the party who needed something from us. With the increased magazine sales, the advertisers would gain significant additional benefits. Hence, I reluctantly exined to Jang Ji-Hye that her request wouldn''t be easy. "Ms. Jang, it''s not my decision to make. Also, it might be difficult to provide additional samples because Yetterang''s financial situation isn''t great." I exaggerated further by saying that Yetterang didn''t have enough cash to pay the factory workers'' sries. -Oh, really? Is it that bad? "Yes, they recently took out a loan to expand the production line. So if you could cover some of the costs for the additional samples, it would make it easier for me to negotiate with them." -Still, buying promotional items is kind of... After a brief consideration, Jang Ji-Hye let out a sigh. -Okay. The quantity is 30,000 units. I can add a 3% margin on the cost price, so please handle the negotiations for me. "Yes, ma''am." My heart started pounding as soon as I hung up the phone. I couldn''t believe I managed to sell the promotional samples at a cost with a margin. Yetterang had produced a total of 100,000 promotional samples. 50,000 had already been sent to Womans, and the remaining 50,000 were nned for retail distribution. But now, I could give half of that amount to Womans and recover some of the cost. I suppressed my excitement and immediately called Ahn Seok-Hoon of Yetterang. I quickly updated him on the situation. "Mr. Ahn, the president from Womans said..." Hearing the situation, Ahn Seok-Hoon was astonished. -Pardon me? Are you suggesting that we should sell the samples we made for promotion? This news was like rain in a drought for Ahn Seok-Hoo who was short on cash right now. However, I didn¡¯t stop there and made another proposal. "Yes, and if you agree, I can try to increase the margin further... What do you think?" Chapter 247: Drama Wars (2)

Chapter 247: Drama Wars (2)

Although I wasn''t an entrepreneur, I had experience as a vice president of an entertainmentpany. Given the current situation, I was confident that Jang Ji-Hye of Womans would agree even if I were to ask for up to an additional 10% margin. However, that would be short-sighted. The appropriate margin to ask for without significantly upsetting Jang Ji-Hye was 5%. Ahn Seok-Hoon of Yetterangughed incredulously at my suggestion. -You''re doing advertising and sales for us, Mr. Jung. You''re worth ten people. "Womans is so excited about the remarkable sales that they are very likely to ept our conditions." Womans magazine sales depended heavily on samples. It had been a long time since Womans'' sales did so well to the extent they had to reprint extra copies. As such, Jang Ji-Hye was desperate to secure Yetterang''s samples even if she had to pay. Given the current situation, a slight margin increase would be eptable. After all, increased sales would bring Womans additional advertising revenue and this money would help relieve Yetterang''s financial strain. -In that case, I''ll leave this matter entirely to you, Mr. Jung. After all, you''re a shareholder and part owner of thepany. "Then I''ll negotiate for an additional supply at a 5% margin over cost. How many units can you send them immediately?" -We can have 30,000 units ready before the afternoon if we hurry. "Got it." As soon as I hung up the phone, I called Jang Ji-Hye again. "Ms. Jang, 3% won''t work; we''ll need about 5%. They said they are very short on funds for additional production." Jang Ji-Hye hesitated for a moment. -A sudden raise in margin like this is a bit unexpected... However, I had already anticipated her reaction. "In return, I''ll have my celebrities advertise Womans magazine on their Instargem. You know it''s because of my celebrity that people are seeking Yetterang products, right?" When I offered to have the celebrities advertise Womans August issue on Instargem, I could hear Jang Ji-Hye''s cheerful response. -You should have mentioned that earlier! Alright, I''ll transfer the money right away. By the way, how many units can you send immediately? "They can package 10,000 units right now and the remaining 20,000 can be sent before the afternoon." -That should put out the immediate fire. Let''s do that then. Jang Ji-Hye was quite excited as she mentioned that Womans was reprinting for the first time in almost three years. "Thank you so much! Then I''ll inform Mr. Ahn right away." -I''m the one who should be grateful. I keep bothering you because it''s easier for me to talk to you than Mr. Ahn. ''We got cash thanks to this, so it''s all good,'' I thought to myself. If Jang Ji-Hye had contacted Ahn Seok-Hoon directly, the good-natured Ahn Seok-Hoon might have given the samples for free. However, due to the urgency of the matter, the situation turned out interestingly well. Getting money and gratitude felt great. I ended the call with Jang Ji-Hye and called Ahn Seok-Hoon this time. -They''ll transfer the money in cash instead of giving a promissory note? "Yes, she said she''ll transfer the money within 30 minutes. You can discuss the details with her directly." Ahn Seok-Hoon chuckled in a dumbfounded voice. -It seems like I have nothing left to do. Thank you so much for your hard work. Ahn Seok-Hoon''sugh was filled with relief. I was about to hang up after suggesting we meet again soon when Ahn Seok-Hoon spoke. -I won''t forget your help today. "It''s nothing, Mr. Ahn." I ended the call after exchanging a few more words. Only then did the tension in me release, making my legs tremble. ''Wow, what did I just do?'' I wondered. A transaction worth billions was handled with just a few phone calls. When I regained myposure to get back to work, I noticed the intense gazes of the staff in the meeting room. Gu Seong-Cheol stammered. "Y-Yoon-Ho, what did you just do?" It seemed unbelievable to Gu Seong-Cheol that someone like me who had only managed celebrities was now bridging the work of two presidents. Oh Duk-Gu and Ju Yung-Hoon stared nkly, while Lee Yung-Jin and the other staff had their mouths agape. "Um, well..." I stuttered, finding myself at a loss for words. I had no idea how to give an exnation. In the end, I shouted and asked if this was the time to worry about such things. "We have a lot of work today, so what are you all doing? Come on. Yung-Jin and Sang-Bong, check the social media reactions and gather article materials. Ms. Kim, please select the photos to post on Instargem!" We had a busy schedule today ahead of us with Yoo-Jin''s cosmetics ad, followed by the drama''s first broadcast. I urged the bewildered staff to resume their hectic tasks. *** Womans magazine''s sold-out incident shook the portals all day. The content of Womans was usually aimed at those over their twenties, but this August issue drew in middle and high school girls as well as older male fans of Cherry Blossom to bookstores in droves. As a result, the magazines ced in bookstores nationwide were sold out in an instant. Simultaneously, Womans, Yoo-Jin, and Yetterang''s names kept trending on social media. In the Name of God naturally began appearing in rted search terms as well. As a result, the articles funded by Han Se-Hwa began to disappear by 3 p.m. It was now 9:30 p.m., just 30 minutes before the drama''s broadcast, and the entertainment news sections were dominated by In the Name of God. At that moment, Kim Sung-Woon called. -Mr. Jung! What did you do? In the Name of God was falling behind Festival of Money despite MBS spending heavily on promotion, but the situation flipped at once. Kim Sung-Woon reported the status at the broadcasting station with an excited voice. -The CP asked me to convey his thanks to you. He thinks we can expect good viewership ratings tonight. Posts are rapidly appearing on the program''s bulletin board. After a brief contemtion, I made a request. "Mr. Kim, could you inform me as soon as the viewership ratingse out? I just can''t wait until tomorrow." -It''s no trouble. I''ll call you as soon as the drama ends. Since I had been involved from the start of this drama, Kim Sung-Woon was doing me a special favor. "Thank you so much, Mr. Kim." I suddenly felt hungry after ending the call with Kim Sung-Woon. All the staff of Team Jung had been working without eating due to the excitement of trending all day. Lee Yung-Jin, who sat next to me, was shaking his legs. "Why are my legs shaking? Is it because the drama is about to start?" "No, it''s because you haven''t eaten anything," I replied. Then, Lee Yung-Jin started to speak in a weary voice. "Oh. Now that you mention it... I haven''t eaten at all today." At that moment, the door burst open and Gu Seong-Cheol along with Oh Duk-Gu and Park In-Ki entered carrying armfuls of lunch boxes. "Come on! Let''s eat first." The threeid out the luxurious lunch boxes on the meeting room table. The staff reached for the lunch boxes like crazy, but everyone''s eyes still remained glued to theirptops. Then Gu Seong-Cheol tapped the table and said, "No matter how much you love your work, we all do this to make a living. You need to eat to keep going." Despite not having eaten himself, Gu Seong-Cheol was looking out for us. ''Thank you, Mr. Gu,'' I silently thanked him in my heart. The team finally let out a sigh and began stepping away from theirptops. It was now 9:50 p.m. Although I had suggested eating slowly, everyone ended up gobbling down their food because Yoo-Jin''s Yetterang TVmercial was about to air. The team members quickly devoured their meals and focused on the monitor. "Mr. Jung, it''sing on!" The ad time before the drama''s broadcast was the prime slot and Yetterang had ced a 30-second Miso cosmetics ad in that very slot. The ad by the rising star director Park Bull-Chool started ying on the TV. At that moment, the actors from Actor Division 2 and the members of Team Jung were entranced by the screen. *** Morning sunlight began to shine through the green pine forest of Acha mountain. Yoo-Jin stood on the path through the forest while wearing a white dress before approaching the camera. She moved very slowly and leisurely. Yoo-Jin approached with such a slow pace that her dress barely moved and her face was filled with a smile. At that moment, a catchphrase appeared at the bottom of the screen. [The first encounter with, Miso (ÃÀЦ)] Simultaneously, the smile on Yoo-Jin''s face grew deeper. The camera which had been capturing her whole body began to zoom in. By the end of the 30-secondmercial, the screen was filled only with Yoo-Jin''s smiling face. As Yoo-Jin''s wless and clear skin appeared on the screen, the catchphrase appeared again. [Turning back time, Miso (ÃÀЦ)] Although it was a 30-second ad with no dialogue, it left a deep impression like an art piece. When Yetterang''smercial ended and another ad started, Kim Mi-Hye eximed in admiration, "I didn''t know Miss Yoo-Jin was that beautiful..." At that moment, Kim Mi-Hye couldn''t hold back and hurriedly opened herptop. "Mr. Jung, I''ll just check the reactions for a moment." Even though I had told them not to work until the drama ended, it was no use. (Real-time reactions) -Probiotic: Thatmercial was amazing. -Stopwatch: I''m ying it on repeat. -Tuna Nigiri: I need to save this ad forever. Can someone please make a gif? -Tangshik Pushik: Is Jung Yoo-Jin the top beauty among actresses in their 20s right now? Despite it not being long since themercial aired,mercial video clips were already being uploaded to majormunities and portals. Soon it was 10 p.m.¡ªthe time for the first broadcast of In the Name of God, which we had been preparing for a long time. "It''s starting. Everyone, focus!" Gu Seong-Cheol cried out. Everyone stopped working on theirptops and turned their attention to the monitor. *** In the Name of God was about a detective, a female prosecutor, and a female shaman university student who caught criminals possessed by ghosts. The long-awaited drama opened with the child actors'' scenes. The child actors ying the main characters were already familiar faces who appeared on several dramas before, but the standout performances were from Miso and Jin Gong-Ju. Despite being child actresses, Miso and Jin Gong-Ju captivated the viewers with their lively expressions and acting skills. After about 20 minutes, the child actors'' scenes ended and the main story began with Ju Yung-In''s performance as the female lead. A hot-blooded detective, Choi Kang-In, who was demoted for arresting a congressman''s son, appeared. Following him were Bang Shin-Ae, a rookie female prosecutor full of enthusiasm, and Cheongmyung, an entric shaman university student who drove a Ferrari. The actors started showcasing scenes full of strong personalities shing. However, just before the end of the first episode, an unexpected scene began to appear. "Um, wasn''t that supposed to be in episode 2, Mr. Jung?" "Yeah, it was supposed to be..." The screen showed Manshin Wol-Ah, a character meant to appear in episode 2. ¡ºTall like a wooden post, face like a tray, eyes likenterns, ears like straw shoes, nose like disease, hands like iron pots, feet three feet and three inches long, sitting like a wooden post...¡» Manshin Wol-Ah dressed in a white shroud walking through the darkness while chanting a ritual song immediately captured everyone''s attention. The previously bright and cheerful atmosphere disappeared at once. The face of the old woman with white hair in a shroud was the epitome of a horror movie clich¨¦. But the drama ended at that moment. As the preview and credits rolled, Lee Yung-Jin eximed urgently, "What the...what happens in the next episode?" Gu Seong-Cheol, who had been silently focusing on the drama, also expressed his admiration with a shake of his head. "The atmosphere was chilling. That scene was directed outstandingly." I heard Kim Sung-Woon had spent countless nights in the editing room, but I didn''t expect the first episode to end like this. I immediately checked the viewer reactions on myptop. (Real-time reactions) -Who was the old woman at the end? -Shaman? Ghost? -Final boss? -She had a huge presence. She reminded me of Legend of the Evil Spirits. The reactions were better than expected. Kim Sung-Woon had sessfully captured the viewers'' attention with the appearance of Manshin Wol-Ah, making them curious about the next episode. At that moment, Kim Sung-Woon called. -Mr. Jung! The viewership ratings are out. Chapter 248: Drama Wars (3)

Chapter 248: Drama Wars (3)

"What is the viewership rating?" I asked. -10.2%! Kim Sung-Woon answered excitedly that it''d been a long time since a Wednesday-Thursday drama had double-digit ratings in its first episode. "What about Festival of Money?" -9.9%. It was really close. Kim Sung-Woon exined they narrowly won the viewership ratingspetition at the scene where Manshin Wol-Ah appeared. -Oh, I almost had a heart attack! It was back and forth from the start, then bam at the end! It was encouraging to know we won because of the appearance of Manshin Wol-Ah, but I was also curious about the viewership ratings in other segments. "How were the viewership ratings for the part with Miso? Did we get overtaken by Festival of Money?" -Don''t even get me started. That was a nail-biter too... Scenes featuring child actors usually saw a drop in viewership ratings. However, the part with Miso was neck and neck with Festival of Money in terms of viewership ratings. Then, when it was time for the scene featuring Ju Yung-In and Yoo-Jin, we were more than 1% ahead of Festival of Money in terms of viewership ratings. -Although it dropped a bit toward the end, we still won. Everything went well. Miso, Yoo-Jin, and even Jin Yoo-Jung all secured a win over Festival of Money from the first episode. I attributed the victory to Kim Sung-Woon. "It''s all thanks to your excellent editing that we won, Mr. Kim." Kim Sung-Woon responded in an ecstatic voice. -Ha ha ha, I didn''t even do anything. The script was great and the actors performed well. The staff worked tirelessly day and night, so it was a team effort. At that moment, I could hear somemotion in the background of Kim Sung-Woon''s voice. -Ah, the director is calling for me so I have to go. I''ll see you on setter. "Oh, okay, Mr. Kim." Click. As the call ended, I let out a deep sigh of relief without realizing it. At that moment, Lee Yung-Jin standing next to me looked at me and asked, "Mr. Jung, how did it go?" Everyone including Gu Seong-Cheol was intently staring at me. I made a peace sign with my hand and shouted. "10.2%!" Everyone''s jaw dropped for a moment. "What? Double digits in the first episode? This is crazy..." As people were startled, Lee Yung-Jin asked urgently, "Then what about Festival of Money? Did we win?" "Of course. They got 9.9%!" I answered. "Wow, awesome~! It was really close, wasn''t it?" Gu Seong-Cheol smiled contentedly. "See, So Yi-Yung is no big deal!" Oh Duk-Gu shook his head. "It''s not that she''s no big deal. Our Miso and Yoo-Jin did so well!" "Oh, is that so?" I immediately called Yoo-Jin. When I said we won the viewership ratings, I could hear cheers through the phone. We won by a small margin, but it was a definite victory. *** [Wednesday-Thursday Drama War Round 1. In the Name of God Wins!] [In the Name of God Child Actors'' Incredible Acting Skills!] [Chungmo Street''s Blue Chip So Yi-Yung Loses Face!] [Ju Yung-In and Jung Yoo-Jin''s Ster Acting Showdown!] [In the Name of God Last Scene''s Gray-haired Old Woman. Who is She?] As soon as I woke up in thepany¡¯s dormitory room, I checked articles about yesterday¡¯s broadcast on my phone. "It seems like President Han can''t block the articles anymore." Han Se-Hwa could no longer flood the news with her paid articles since it was clear who won the viewership ratingspetition, although it was a close margin of 0.3%. As I smoothed down my messy hair and left the dormitory room, the employees arriving for work started congratting me. "I watched In the Name of God yesterday and it was impressive." "Team Lead Jung, I heard the first episode¡¯s viewership ratings were 10.2%. It might even surpass 30% at this rate." I scratched my head, feeling a bit shy by the continuous congrattions. "Well, it''s just the beginning so we never know." "Why be so humble? You did great, Team Lead Jung." Listening to the sunbaes¡¯pliments, I headed to the shower room on the second floor of thepany. As I quickly washed up and dried my hair, Bang Sang-Yung from Actor Division 1 came in. His disheveled hair didn¡¯t look like it was from just leaving his house. "Mr. Bang, did you sleep at thepanyst night?" "Yes. I came backte from the countryside due to my actor''s filming, so I just slept at the office." "You should have slept in the dormitory room." "I have a camp bed in my office. It¡¯s morefortable there." Bang Sang-Yung stretched and congratted me. "I watched the drama yesterday. Miso and Yoo-Jin¡¯s acting was no joke." "The viewership ratings were good as well," I added. "Yeah, I heard you won thepetition, huh?" "Yes, by 0.3%." "A win is a win no matter the margin." However, Bang Sang-Yung slyly asked me a question as he got undressed. "By the way, who was that actress at the end? I heard you were managing her." "Oh, Mrs. Jin Yoo-Jung? I¡¯m temporarily taking care of her." "Temporarily..." After pausing for a moment, Bang Sang-Yung suggested, "Why don¡¯t you try to bring her to ourpany? We seem to have many veteran actors, but not many good ones." Seeing that even Bang Sang-Yung was fooled by ManshinWol-Ah, I was convinced Yoo-Jin had sessfully deceived everyone. I nodded and said, "I¡¯ll talk to her about it." At that moment, Bang Sang-Yung casually brought up another topic. "More than that, have you thought about my proposal?" "What proposal?" "I asked you to join Actor Division 1, remember?" The greed in Bang Sang-Yung¡¯s eyes was growing more intense. He added, "Why? Do you feel like you¡¯re betraying someone?" I contemted how to respond but decided to answer honestly. "I want to stay with Mr. Gu and Mr. Oh who have helped me get this far." In terms of management skills andpetence, Bang Sang-Yung was no less than Kang Gam-Chan. That was the reason even Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo couldn¡¯t treat him lightly despite his chief position. However, I had no intention of working under him. After all, I had nothing to learn from him and nned to create my own team anyway. Yet his response to my answer waspletely unexpected. "Let¡¯s be clear. It wasn¡¯t Mr. Gu or Mr. Oh who brought you up," Bang Sang-Yung said. "Excuse me?" He continued, "I heard you fought with Chief Gu and asserted your opinion when you dismissed Yoo-Jin¡¯s lesson teacher. " As I wondered who could have told him that, Bang Sang-Yung read my mind and spoke first. "I heard it from Team Lead Ju over drinks. However, I hope you don¡¯t misunderstand. It''s not like Team Lead Ju is my informant or anything like that." I used to think Bang Sang-Yung was a quiet person, but he talked more than expected when we were alone. "It''s true that Mr. Gu and I had some conflicts, but he has supported me ever since," I exined. "Hmm, I see..." Bang Sang-Yung sighed and suddenly changed his expression like a predator eyeing its prey. "Then I¡¯m curious about one thing. Can I ask?" "You can ask me anything." "I heard that Actor Division 3 had an issue recruiting Sung Ho-Jun. Did you have anything to do with it?" Hearing his question made me feel as if my heart sank. ¡®How did he know?¡¯ I wondered. However, I barely managed to hide my surprise and responded, "I have no idea what you''re talking about, sir." Bang Sang-Yung smirked. "ying dumb, huh? They said you met Sung Ho-Jun in the TVM waiting room. You¡¯re not going to deny that, are you?" I was already aware that Bang Sang-Yung had impressive connections. However, I didn''t expect him to know even what happened in the TVM waiting room. That day, only a few TVM assistant staff saw me when I went to the waiting room. No matter how careful I was, someone might have seen me going into the waiting room. ''Could he be trying to use this to ckmail me?'' I resolved to stay alert and kept my mouth shut because I couldn''t afford to make a mistake and give him any leverage. Seeing my expression, Bang Sang-Yung raised both of his hands. "Whoa, whoa~ Don''t misunderstand. I''m not trying to ckmail you with this, Team Lead Jung. I already told you, didn''t I? I''m on your side." However, I didn''t respond. "It seems I''ve caused a misunderstanding. I''m sorry. I just wanted to show you that I have this level of capability so that you might take an interest in Actor Division 1." "I''m a bit scared rather than interested," I replied. Bang Sang-Yungughed while ring at me in a yful demeanor. "I''d love to have you under my wing. I don''t just aim to be a mere chief, after all." Come to think of it, Bang Sang-Yung was widely known as thepany''s ace before Kim Dong-Soo. I could read the meaning behind Bang Sang-Yung''s confident attitude. -Join my line I finally understood why Bang Sang-Yung hadn''t joined the Kang Gam-Chan or Suhyaejong lines¡ªhe was gathering his own people under the umbre of Actor Division 1. I was on high alert as I never thought he had such hidden intentions. However, to avoid raising his guard, I said I''d consider his offer. "I''ll think about it seriously." "Sure. Oh, and don''t worry. I''ll still support you even if Sung Ho-Jun joins Team Jung. I''d hate to see that guy Kim Dong-Soo being sessful." "That''s a relief." "Well, I need to wash up and then go out again... Take care, Team Lead Jung." Bang Sang-Yung casually threw at me the heavy topic and waved as he headed into the shower room. *** Bang Sang-Yung''s words were quite concerning, but I couldn''t afford to be distracted. Episode 2 of In the Name of God today only had topete with So Yi-Yung solely with Ju Yung-In and Yoo-Jin''s acting skills, without help from Miso or Manshin Wol-Ah. After handling matters rted to Womans and Yetterang all day, it was finally 10 p.m., and episode 2 was about to start. "Mr. Jung, it''s starting." Episode 2 of In the Name of God began with the scene shown at the end of episode 1 featuring Manshin Wol-Ah. The scene revealed that the eerie Manshin Wol-Ah was actually Cheongmyung''s mother. Then came the scene where Yoo-Jin helped the main actors catch the culprit. In a narrow alley, male lead Park Nam-Cheol and female lead Ju Yung-In began to struggle against the possessed culprit. Because the possessed culprit was a judo athlete with the soul of a former champion wrestler, the two were being thrown around helplessly. At that moment, the shaman college student Cheongmyung, aka Yoo-Jin, appeared wearing a fluttering pink dress. Yoo-Jin carried an art supply bag on her back and a Channy bag on her side while running into the alley. ¡ºWell, well. Look at you guys. You guys were showing off by saying you are a detective and a prosecutor, yet you¡¯re getting beaten up by a mere ghost~? Poor citizens of Korea. If ourw enforcers are this pathetic, who can they rely on for their livelihood?¡» Yoo-Jin sighed and calmly called a beauty salon while the two main characters were getting beaten up. ¡ºUgh. Hey! Cheongmyung! Can''t you see I''m dying here?¡» Park Nam-Cheol, who was punched in the sr plexus by the possessed culprit, cried out while crawling on the ground. However, Yoo-Jin didn¡¯t hang up the phone. ¡ºGosh, just wait a bit. I''ll help after I finish the call. Yes~ Miss Kim. Something urgent came up today, so I can''t make it. Please postpone my appointment to tomorrow. Yes~ that time works.¡» At that moment, Ju Yung-In screamed. ¡ºThis is insane! Hey, Shaman bitch! Is this the time to be making salon appointments? We''re all about to die here! Aaaah!¡» Ju Yung-In was being held up by the action actor as she screamed her lungs out. However, after calmly finishing the call with the beauty salon owner, Yoo-Jin ced the Channy bag and the art supply bag on the ground. ¡ºI wasn''t booking an appointment; I was changing my existing one because of you guys. You treated me like a lunatic when I told you the possessed guy was the culprit, but look at you now... Anyway, ck-haired beasts always need to get beaten toe to their senses.¡» Yoo-Jin grumbled as she took out shaman bells and a sacred knife from the art supply bag. Holding the sacred items in both hands, she began chanting in a clear voice. ¡ºGreat deity of the heavens~ Great deity of the underworld~¡» Yoo-Jin''s voice echoed rhythmically through the narrow alley. At that moment, the viin, a former judo athlete, began to falter. ¡ºGood job, shaman!¡» ¡ºCheongmyung! Keep going!¡» Encouraged by Park Nam-Cheol and Ju Yung-In''s cheers, Yoo-Jin shook the bells with enthusiasm. That''s when the actor ying the possessed culprit changed his target. Seeing the actor approaching her, Yoo-Jin began to shout in annoyance. ¡ºHow dare a filthy ghost...¡» As Yoo-Jin shook the bells more vigorously, the actor ying the culprit clutched his head. In the meantime, Park Nam-Cheol seized the opportunity and tried to handcuff him. But just then, a bee suddenly appeared in front of Yoo-Jin. ¡ºAaaah~!¡» The moment Yoo-Jin''s loud scream interrupted the chanting, the possessed culprit started to rampage. Crash! The red-faced culprit grabbed Park Nam-Cheol and threw him against a wall, then picked up a clothes collection bin and hurled it at Yoo-Jin. Although Yoo-Jin quickly dodged, her cherished pink Channy bag wasn''t so lucky. The Channy bag she had ced on the ground was crushed under the green clothes collection bin and disappeared from her sight. At that moment, Yoo-Jin''s eyes widened with fury. ¡ºHow dare you ruin my Pinky!¡» Yoo-Jin pulled another item from the art supply bag¡ªsteel knuckles for both hands. In the drama, Cheongmyung could channel a deity directly into her body through possession. Wearing the knuckles, Yoo-Jin began to tremble before shouting in a strange voice. ¡ºYou better say your prayers because you are so dead today!¡» At that moment, Yoo-Jin''s first action scene of her life began to unfold. Chapter 249: Drama Wars (4)

Chapter 249: Drama Wars (4)

Yoo-Jin wore knuckles engraved with runes on both hands and began to take down the "possessed actor." Smack! She took on a boxing stance and threw neat punches while her kicks were a mix of Muay Thai and Taekwondo. As she showed well-formed movements, Oh Duk-Gu and Ju Yung-Hoon shivered. "Ouch... That must hurt. We might need to pay the action actor a bit more." "Yoo-Jin has a strong punch..." At that moment, Park In-Ki, who was watching Yoo-Jin''s movements, asked, "Team Lead Jung, Yoo-Jin''s action skills are impressive. Where did she learn them?" "She practiced a bit before this drama." "She practiced?" "Yes. I taught her how to punch and Sang-Bong taught her the kicks." I, a former national boxing team member, and Olympic medalist Sang-Bong trained her. "No wonder. Learning from professional athletes made her action moves so clean," Park In-Ki remarked. Yoo-Jin absorbed our training like a sponge and though her kicks were not as powerful, her kicking stances were perfectly executed. Her punches with the knuckles, in particr, were as clean as mine. "She could take on full-fledged action roles at this level." "A female actress throwing punches in a dress... She definitely stands out, but is that really okay for her image?" "Who cares as long as it looks cool?" "True. If she''s this good, it¡¯s a different story." Everyone was amazed and could not take their eyes off on Yoo-Jin''s wless action scenes. *** Fifty minutes passed without a moment of boredom. Yoo-Jin''s role as Cheongmyung was on par with the main characters, sometimes even more eye-catching. Though the shaman Cheongmyung was a supporting role, the story of chasing a possessed criminal couldn''t progress her. When the drama ended and themercials started, Kim Mi-Hye from the publicity division checked the social media reactions breathlessly. "Mr. Jung! Check the real-time reactions quickly!" Everyone hurriedly opened theirptops at Kim Mi-Hye''s exmation. And the social media reactions were beyond our expectations. (Real-time reactions) -I got goosebumps~ Did you see that 540-degree spin kick just now? -Jung Yoo-Jin sessfully transformed her acting style again. -She seemed calm in episode 1, but I guess she was just gauging the situation. -LOL. A shaman beating up ghosts with knuckles? This is hrious. The staff of Actor Division 2 were full of continuous exmations after seeing the social media reactions. "We are getting good reactions and no badments. This is smooth sailing," Gu Seong-Cheol said with relief. Oh Duk-Gu nodded in agreement with Gu Seong-Cheol''s relievedment. Ju Yung-Hoon chimed in as well. "Don''t you think it''s time for Yoo-Jin to aim for a lead role?" Gu Seong-Cheol looked at me. "You heard that, right?" I looked around at everyone and said, "The next project must be a lead role for her." "Do you have something in mind?" Gu Seong-Cheol asked. I nodded. "Yes, I do." My nner was still filled with projects that hadn''t been erased, so I answered confidently. At that moment, a call from Kim Sung-Woon came. I looked up and said, "Excuse me for a moment, Mr. Kim is calling." "Okay. Everyone, quiet down." Everyone fell silent and wore tense expressions. "Yes, Mr. Kim." Kim Sung-Woon''s cheerful voice came through when I answered the call. -Hi, Mr. Jung~ "Hi. How''s everything?" -The average viewership rating was 15.3%. 15.3% was an astounding figure. ''We are only on episode 2 and the ratings are 15.3%?'' I thought to myself. With terrestrial broadcast viewership ratings declining sharply recently, reaching 15% by the second episode was incredible. "Then what about Festival of Money?" -They averaged 13.2%! "Really?" -Yes, they''re doing well too, but we won again. Festival of Money saw a significant increase in viewership ratings thanks to So Yi-Yung''s one-man show, but we surpassed even that. "Congrattions, Mr. Kim." -The congrattions should go to you, Mr. Jung. I think a barrage of ads ising your way. I responded with augh to his meaningful words. "I look forward to working with you." -This time, let''s aim for an award with Miss Yoo-Jin. "Absolutely." Our current goal was to surpass the viewership ratings of the final episode of Blue Sky. If we achieved that, awards would surely follow. -Alright then. I have to go; the director is calling me. Let''s talk again soon. "Yes, sir. Take care." The moment the call ended, everyone turned their attention to me. "What was the viewership rating?" "An average of 15.3%. Festival of Money got 13.2%." Gu Seong-Cheol''s face lit up. "We won again! Ha ha ha!" All the team leads and staff shouted joyfully. "I can''t believe we beat So Yi-Yung..." "We might really win an award this year at this rate, don''t you think?" The moment the room filled with excited voices, Kim Mi-Hye called me urgently, "Mr. Jung! Check the live search rankings." "Why?" "Just a moment please." Kim Mi-Hye showed the search results on the meeting room monitor. [Live Search Rankings] 1. In the Name of God 2. Festival of Money 3. Cheongmyung''s Fiery Punch 4. So Yi-Yung ...... 7. Manshin Wol-Ah Grandma 8. Cheongmyung''s Dress 9. Cheongmyung''s Pink Bag 10. Ju Yung-In Six out of the top ten search terms were rted to In the Name of God. However, questions rted to Yoo-Jin''s character Cheongmyung''s fashion were pouring in unexpectedly. "The dress Yoo-Jin wore in this episode. Mrs. Lee, where is it from?" I asked. Lee Mi-Ri quickly answered, "Channy. The bag is from Channy too." Then, Lee Mi-Ri''s phone suddenly rang. "Ah, I''m sorry," she apologized. When Lee Mi-Ri tried to turn off her phone, I told her to answer it. However, her expression changed subtly as she checked the number. "Um, this number is from Channy''s headquarters'' publicity department," Lee Mi-Ri said. "Answer it quickly," I urged her. Lee Mi-Ri answered the call with trembling hands and switched it to speakerphone. At that moment, everyone in the room paused what they were doing to listen intently. -Emily, it''s Lisa. I called after watching the drama. Emily was Lee Mi-Ri''s English name, and Lisa was the name of the publicity representative from Channy''s headquarters. They were close when Lee Mi-Ri was in New York, and Lisa was the one who sponsored all the outfits Yoo-Jin wore in this drama. "Our drama? But it doesn''t even have subtitles..." -We sponsored the outfits, so of course we have to see the reaction. Miss Yoo-Jin really brought the clothes to life. I heard our outfits are trending on Korean portals. "You know that much?" Lisa was well aware of the current situation. Then she made an unexpected proposal. -In fact, I called to talk about a contract. Let''s do an ad together and make Miss Yoo-Jin the ad model for the Asia region. What do you think? Everyone in the meeting room opened their eyes widely at the direct ad offer from Channy''s headquarters. Lee Mi-Ri responded in a flustered voice, "Just, just a moment. Our team lead is here; you can discuss it with him." -Really? That''s even better. Mr. Jung? Since she already knew about me, I gave a brief introduction. "Hello, Lisa. I''m Jung Yoon-Ho. And you''re on speakerphone by the way." -Oh, wow~ Your English is quite good. So, are you interested in our proposal? If you are, I''ll send a formal proposal. "Thank you for the offer, but we already have a contract with LM Clothing for domestic apparel." -I know, but we''ll cover all of the penalty fees. Plus, we''ll pay 1 billion won per year for ads in the Asia region. And after the second ad, we''ll add 500 million won per additional ad. What do you think? It was a jaw-dropping opportunity to be Channy''s Asia advertising model. The advertising fee alone was immense, but bing a Channy model would significantly boost the model''s recognition. It would naturally elevate the model''s status, leading to invitations to numerous parties and fashion shows to increase the model''s profile. They were confident in their offer because they understood that. Gu Seong-Cheol and the other team leads looked at me with their mouths open. ''Take it! Definitely take it no matter what!'' ''Why are you even contemting? ept it immediately!'' Everyone had eager expressions, knowing this was a rare opportunity. I also knew how amazing this opportunity was. Even though the drama wasn''t over, they wanted to exclusively feature Yoo-Jin as the Channy model for the remaining episodes. If we managed to sessfully sign the contract, Yoo-Jin could grow into a highly recognized actress across Asia. Every media outlet would cover her name and broadcasters would scramble to interview her. Channy''s reputation alone was worth that much and more. However, I couldn''t give an answer immediately. In my past life, I would''ve immediately agreed to break the contract with LM Clothing and be Channy''s ad model. However, I couldn''t betray LM Clothing which had supported me through Hong Sung-Beom''s threat. Besides, an actress couldn''tst long in this industry if she lost credibility by only chasing money. Gu Seong-Cheol and the other team leads knew this too but were briefly swayed by the enormous offer. I responded calmly to Lisa''s call. "This isn''t something we can decide right away. I''ll discuss it with the actress and get back to you." -Okay. I''ll be waiting, so please get back to me as soon as possible. Her voice suggested she was confident that I''d ept her offer. Click. As soon as the call ended, the excitement in the room rose once again. "Yoon-Ho, such opportunities are rare." "That''s right, Team Lead Jung. We might feel bad for LM Clothing, but you need to consider this carefully." "I''ll call Yoo-Jin first," I said. When I called, Yoo-Jin''s bright voice came through. -Oppa, did you watch the drama? "Of course I did. It turned out well." -Mr. Kim did an excellent job editing~ Yoo-Jin was delighted that both of her characters, Manshin Wol-Ah and Cheongmyung, were well-received. "Oh, and today''s viewership rating was 15.3%! Festival of Money got 13.2%," I updated her. Cheers and screams erupted over the phone as if they had been waiting for this moment. -That''s amazing! -Yayyyy! Apparently, the Cherry Blossom members were also watching the drama together with Yoo-Jin at home. Thanks to that, there was a lot of noise for a while. Yoo-Jin finally calmed down and asked me. -Oppa, should we have a tteokbokki party today? Are youing home? "Don''t think about eating high-calorie food! More than that, I have something to tell you." -Hmph, What is it? "Channy offered an ad deal." -What~? I informed her that Channy''s headquarters proposed a direct contract. I also mentioned that they wanted to terminate the ad contract with LM Clothing and do domestic ads as well. I exined how famous she could be with such an incredible offer and ad fee. After a brief silence, Yoo-Jin asked back. -What do you think we should do, oppa? I want to hear your thoughts first. My response could change Yoo-Jin''s life. However, I chose to go down the "right path." "I think we shouldn''t do it." The staff in the meeting room were shocked for a moment. Their reaction seemed to be asking "What are you saying?" but I didn''t flinch. Then Yoo-Jin replied on the phone without a second of hesitation. -Okay. Then let''s not do it. Yoo-Jin''s swift answer surprised me. I asked again, but Yoo-Jin''s response was even more satisfying. -I don''t want to betray the two representatives of LM Clothing. And we''re already making enough money, aren''t we? She said that while doing the Channy ad would earn more money, she didn''t want to earn it by breaking promises. At that moment, my heart felt full. I said to Yoo-Jin, "Okay. Instead, I promise to take responsibility and ensure that we get a global Channy ad next time." -Can I still have tteokbokki? I didn''t see the connection between the Channy ad offer and tteokbokki, but I allowed her to. "Sure. Let''s celebrate for hitting number one in viewership ratings. But you can have just one serving. That''s it." -Uh, hello? Hello? I can''t hear you. Oppa~? Did you say I can have fried food too? Hello? Vegetable tempura, fried dumplings, seaweed rolls, and squid tempura too? Hello? Click. Yoo-Jin made strange sounds and abruptly hung up. "Hey, Jung Yoo-Jin!" I eximed. I shouted btedly, but the call had already ended. I hurriedly sent her a message saying no fried food was allowed and told the staff that we would grow Yoo-Jin to the point where Channy woulde begging for her. Gu Seong-Cheol nodded. "Well, since the actress and the talent agent are so firm, I have nothing to say. I''ll exin it well to the director." Iforted the disappointed Gu Seong-Cheol and suggested we go home. After two nights of overtime, my whole body was aching. As I reached the underground parking lot, a call suddenly came in. [010-99XX-2020] Thest digits were 2020. So Yi-Yung, who always kept the samest digits even when she changed her number, was calling me. Chapter 250: Drama Wars (5)

Chapter 250: Drama Wars (5)

Seeing So Yi-Yung''s phone number on the screen, I began to have all sorts of thoughts. ''Why is she calling me? This rubs me the wrong way.'' I had experience handling So Yi-Yung''s rtionship issues in my past life. Men usually ended the sponsorship with female celebrities when they got tired of the rtionship, but So Yi-Yung was an exception. Being the number one actress men wanted to date, she set the sponsorship period herself and ended it if she didn''t feel like continuing it. Every time that happened, I had to deal with sponsors barging in suddenly. I had to beg for forgiveness from third-generation chaebols demanding to know where she was. Some even brought theirpany''s security team with them which almost led to a fistfight. So Yi-Yung wasn''t someone I wanted to deal with because of these memories, but I was curious why she called. "This is Jung Yoon-Ho." As I answered, a voice full of charm came through. -Oh my! Mr. Jung. Hello. This is So Yi-Yung. You know me, right? "Yes, hello." -Did you by chance watch my drama today? It''s my first time acting in a drama so I made a few mistakes, but I worked really hard~. I decided to cut straight to the chase. "I''m sorry, but I''m a bit busy right now. Can you get to the point?" -You''re a bit impatient, aren''t you, Mr. Jung? Alright then. I actually called because I want to switchpanies. Her reply was so absurd that I didn''t know how to respond. I had no intention of epting her if she came to Hoop Entertainment. Moreover, I did not believe she woulde. However, a minimal check was necessary because if it were true, it would be a bothersome matter. I immediately checked through the nner to see if she was telling the truth. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: November 11, 2020] - 07:00 p.m. Regr meeting of Actor Division 3. (Report: Main role in You Are My Destiny, confirmed So Yi-Yung from TNT Entertainment.) There was no mention of her leaving TNT Entertainment. In other words, So Yi-Yung was lying to me right now. Fully convinced the reason she called wasn''t because she wanted to changepanies, I drew a clear line. "Don''t talk nonsense if you have no intention ofing." At that moment, her voice became more nasal. -Aren''t I tempting? Even I would have felt my heart race at her enchanting voice if I didn''t know her true nature. But now, her voice was nothing more than just noise to me. "No. Not at all." -What? What did you say? "I''m not tempted at all, so please look for someone else. And I have another schedule now, so I''m hanging up." -W-wait a moment... Click. After hanging up, I immediately blocked So Yi-Yung''s number. I knew her purpose the moment I heard her nasal voice. She was always involved with chaebols or top stars, but this time she was trying to seduce me. I briefly wondered, ''Why me when I don''t even have much money?'' However, I didn''t want to try to find out more. More urgent than her ridiculous antics was Yoo-Jin, who was probably having a tteokbokki party at home. ''Every piece of fried food adds an extra kilometer to your run, Jung Yoo-Jin!'' I thought. As the thought of Yoo-Jin dipping fried food in tteokbokki sauce filled my mind, I grew increasingly anxious. Because of that reason, I quickly started the car and headed home. *** "What the hell is with this guy?" So Yi-Yung cursed as she stared at the phone in a daze. She had no intention of changingpanies, but she didn''t expect to be turned down either. No matter which entertainmentpany in Korea she called, they woulde running to her with good offers. "Wait a minute. Did he reject me? Just now? A mere team lead rejected me?" So Yi-Yung continued in her bted angry realization. She was already upset over the lower viewership ratings of her drama against thepetitor, but she never imagined being treated as if she were worthless. "This is ridiculous. Is he out of his mind?" Seeing So Yi-Yung''s face turn red out of anger, Han Se-Hwa frowned and asked, "Miss Yi-Yung, did it not go well?" "Well, it doesn''t always work out on the first try, does it!?" So Yi-Yung shouted in a frustrated voice, but she didn''t know what to do because it was the first time she had been rejected like this. ''Why did this have to happen in front of Han Se-Hwa of all times? What a fucking disgrace,'' So Yi-Yung thought to herself. Each time So Yi-Yung showed a slight interest in a man, they would fall in love with her as a woman and a celebrity because she was simply that desirable to anyone. However, Jung Yoon-Ho seemed to think otherwise. Han Se-Hwa subtly provoked So Yi-Yung. "Miss Yi-Yung, try a bit harder. If the viewership ratings continue like this... things will be difficult for both of us." So Yi-Yung red at Han Se-Hwa. "Please watch what you say. It''s not my fault the viewership ratings are low! If you want to me someone, talk to the writer!" At that moment, the office door opened and Hong Jang-Mi barged in yelling, "You crazy bitch. So you think it''s solely my fault the viewership ratings are low? You think I don''t know you were half-hearted in your acting in episodes 1 and 2?" Han Se-Hwa and So Yi-Yung quickly shut their mouths and greeted Hong Jang-Mi. "Oh my~ unnie, you''re here!" Han Se-Hwa said with a bright face. However, Hong Jang-Mi snapped. "Se-Hwa, you seem quite happy not having to give me incentives, huh?" Han Se-Hwa had agreed to give a bonus of 100 million won per episode if they won the viewership ratingspetition. Hong Jang-Mi was full of dissatisfaction as she couldn''t get any extra bonus anymore. Seeing her frown, Han Se-Hwa exaggeratedly let out a long sigh. "Unnie, do you really think money is the issue right now? Do I look like I care about saving that much petty cash?" "Petty cash? Look at you Se-Hwa. Getting a big investment from a Chinese partner has made you haughty, huh?" "Don''t be sarcastic. Why are you here? Didn''t you say you were revising the script?" Hong Jang-Mi nced around. "It''s perfect timing since Yi-Yung is here too." So Yi-Yung tilted her head. "Why me?" "Why do you think so? Let''s aim for a big hit with episode 3," Hong Jang-Mi replied. Han Se-Hwa also tilted her head. "Unnie, by any chance..." Hong Jang-Mi interrupted her with an answer. "You know the scene in episode 3 where the main leads meet and drink wine at the pension, right? We''ll reshoot it in the jacuzzi at the pension. I''ve already discussed it with PD Choi." So Yi-Yung was flustered at the word ''jacuzzi'' and asked, "No way. Are you telling me to show skin already?" Hong Jang-Mi sneered. "We should''ve put it in episode 1, not episode 3. I didn''t expect you to lose in viewer ratings to child actors, Yi-Yung." So Yi-Yung gritted her teeth because the fact that she lost to child actors was humiliating. However, she had to admit her defeat and face the reality. The results were already out, and So Yi-Yung had lost not only to Jung Yoo-Jin but also to Miso. "What? You don''t want to do it? Do you want to see the viewership ratings gap widen even further?" Hong Jang-Mi retorted. So Yi-Yung gritted her teeth and responded firmly, "I''ll choose a bikini with maximum exposure. Will that be okay?" "Avoid anything too vulgar. Too much service can be a minus point. You know that, right?" "Yes, I know!" The three gathered in the president''s office were once again uniting to win against In the Name of God. *** [In the Name of God Wins the Viewership Ratings War! Viewership Ratings Gap Widens from Episode 1!] [Winner of Wednesday and Thursday Dramas: In the Name of God. The victory came faster than expected.] [Jung Yoo-Jin''s First Action Scene! Surprising Martial Arts Skills!] [Short-haired Ju Yung-In. Captivating viewers with fearless acting!] [Action Isn''t Just About Hitting! Even Taking Hits is Action! Ju Yung-In''s Striking Action Scenes Captivating Viewers!] [So Yi-Yung''s One-Woman Show in Festival of Money] [A Drama Filled with Intense vors: Festival of Money. Fun and Excitement Abound!] The winner of the drama viewership ratings war for the first week was In the Name of God. The public was impressed by Miso''s acting, astonished by the presence of Manshin Wol-Ah, and cheered for Yoo-Jin''s transformation. Though only two episodes had been aired so far, the end of this journey was already anticipated. Now, I was making my way up after being summoned by Kang Ji-Yung who stated that a visitor hade to see me. When I opened the door and entered, a neatly dressed middle-aged woman was sitting opposite Kang Ji-Yung. "Hello, Mr. Jung." The 59-year-old Moon Yung-Mi, had started with a sock shop in Daegu and built apany with a revenue of 200 billion won. She was currently co-heading LM Clothing with her husband, Lee Jong-Min. "Ms. Moon! You must be busy, what brings you here?" I asked. "Well, you''re the one who''s said to be busy day and night, Mr. Jung." Moon Yung-Mi exined that she hade to talk about a luxury brand advertisement. "My daughter in the US ising to Korea tounch a luxury brand here." At that moment, I suddenly recalled what had happened in my past life. LM Clothing hadunched the luxury brand L.M.L under the direction of General Manager Lee Yung-Ah, a top graduate of Parkinson School. Moon Yung-Mi''s daughter, Lee Yung-Ah, made L.M.L a brand with annual sales of 50 billion won in just two years. Moon Yung-Mi was now suggesting they wanted to use Yoo-Jin as the first global model for L.M.L. It was a sudden proposal but not a bad one. "I bet Yoo-Jin will be very pleased," I said with a smile. Moon Yung-Mi smiled broadly at my response before speaking. "But first, let me ask you something. I heard you turned down Channy''s offer yesterday, didn''t you? Is that correct?" When Moon Yung-Mi said she heard it from Kang Ji-Yung, I answered honestly, "Yes, it is." "May I ask why you made that choice?" "I couldn''t break the contract with LM." Moon Yung-Mi looked touched. She added, "However, bing a Channy model would have easily elevated Miss Yoo-Jin to stardom." I shook my head. "Even if it takes a bit longer, Yoo-Jin can rise on her own. Also, I didn''t want to do something against my principles and Yoo-Jin feels the same." At that moment, Moon Yung-Mi suddenly grabbed my hands. I could feel a gentle tremor from her hands. "Thank you for saying that, Mr Jung." "Not at all. Isn''t it only natural to uphold contracts?" "It''s a world where most people don''t." Then Moon Yung-Mi made a new proposal with a serious look on her face. "We will match all conditions offered by Channy for L.M.L''s advertisement. Additionally, we''ll give 1% of the sales over two years as an incentive. How about it?" ''1% of the sales?'' I thought. Considering that L.M.L had achieved 50 billion won in sales in my past life, 1% would mean an additional 500 million won every year. I wanted to agree immediately, but a thought came to mind. I looked at Moon Yung-Mi and said, "I''ll sign the contract right if you meet one condition." "Tell me." "We have a staff member who was an ace in the Vogue editorial team. So please allow us to choose the outfits for the shoot. I believe it will help LM Clothing''s sales as well." When a celebrity became a model for clothing brands, they usually couldn''t choose their own outfits. However, mentioning Lee Mi-Ri''s career piqued Moon Yung-Mi''s interest. "Can I first meet her in person?" Moon Yung-Mi asked. I immediately called Lee Mi-Ri and she quickly came up to the director''s office with a tablet and introduced herself. Moon Yung-Mi smiled broadly and extended her hand. "It seems like Yung-Ah will need her help asionally. Okay, let''s do it that way." After shaking hands with Moon Yung-Mi, I promptly informed Yoo-Jin of the news and Yoo-Jin dly epted LM Clothing''s offer. Additionally, Moon Yung-Mi proposed using Miso as a children''s clothing model in the future. Just by keeping my principles, I ended up receiving more than I expected in return. *** Finally, it was July 31, 6:30 p.m., and the first episode of Haru''s new drama, Master of Mukbang, was about to air following Yoo-Jin''s drama. There were still a lot of things to handle regarding In the Name of God, but I had to take care of Haru as well. "Mr. Jung, what are we doing for dinner?" Everyone seemed hungry since all we had today was a quick lunch. "Let''s all go eat some korean barbeque after monitoring the viewership ratings." "Yay!" Since Master of Mukbang was a 30-minute show, I suggested we head to Myeongnyun Satto Galbi after the monitoring. However, we regretted that decision the moment the first episode of Master of Mukbang started after the ads. "We should''ve just ordered some lunch boxes..." The food in the first episode of Master of Mukbang was Baekban Jeongsik.[1] The moment steam rose from the soybean paste stew Haru made, all the team members started to drool with regret. Everyone''s stomach began to growl. "Oh, this is driving me crazy." "Wow, that looks really delicious." The tofu and zhini in the bubbling hot pot looked so tasty. Moreover, the rice with a piece of kelp in it was exceptionally glossy. Saliva pooled in my mouth without realizing it. As I contemted whether to go eat right now, Haru started the mukbang scene. From that scene on, we began to pull our hair out. The slurping sound of him eating soybean paste stew, the munching sound of chewing rice, the sound of taking a big bite of soft rolled omelet, and every sound of eating food stimted our imagination. ''This is amazing ASMR,'' I remarked inwardly. Thanks to the sound effects, we desperately craved warm rice with soybean paste stew and rolled omelet. Moreover, Haru''s genuinely happy expression while eating made it clear he was not just acting. Seeing Haru''s happy face while eating delicious food made me certain his nickname would be Mysterious Charm again in this life. All the members of Team Jung couldn''t take their eyes off the screen and suffered in agony until the drama ended. The moment the drama ended, everyone stood up simultaneously. "Mr. Jung, let''s go eat Baekban Jeongsik!" "Deal!" I eximed. Just as we forgot about tidying up and were about to dash to the restaurant, Yoo Hyun-Ji called. "Wait! Let''s hear the viewership ratings first!" I quickly added. I suppressed my excitement and answered the phone. "Yes, Ms. Yoo." -Have you eaten? "No, what about you, Ms. Yoo?" -Not yet. But I thought I was going to die from hunger because of the drama. Yoo Hyun-Ji said she almost died of hunger watching the first episode of Master of Mukbang. "So, what were the viewership ratings?" At that moment, Yoo Hyun-Ji replied with an excited voice. 1. Korean meal course that consists of rice, soup, main dish and side dishes ? Chapter 251: Whatever the Opponent Does (1)

Chapter 251: Whatever the Opponent Does (1)

-It was number one in its time slot with a 3.2 viewership rating, excluding terrestrial channels! In my past life, the viewership rating for Master of Mukbang was 2.6% when Woo Sung-Chan was the lead. However this time, it had risen to 3.2%. I gestured the number 3.2 with my fingers to the team members, who were holding their hungry stomachs. At that moment, the entire team covered their mouths and cheered silently. Then Yoo Hyun-Ji''s voice tinged with cuteness came through the phone. -So, Team Lead Jung~. Her usually sharp voice suddenly sounded so different that it almost gave me chills. -You don''t have your next project lined up for Haru yet, do you? "Next project?" -Yes. I have something in mind after this drama... ''No way, is she nning to do...that?'' I wondered. I quickly removed my phone from my ear and checked my nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: November 2, 2020] - 09:50 p.m. TVM Hell Pocha Episode 1 Rating 3.2% [Date: November 24, 2020] - 09:50 p.m. TVM Hell Pocha Episode 8 Rating 0.5% (Report: Early Termination) Yoo Hyun-Ji''s next project would be Hell Pocha. It was about ghosts and spirits living among humans who asked the pocha owner to resolve their grudges, with the help of the main character and their assistant. Though the episodes were good and innovative, the problem was theputer graphics. Creating various ghosts and spirits with a limited budget resulted in terribleputer graphics quality. As such, it received many criticisms, with some even saying that they were better off using actors in costumes. Needless to say, the drama ended early in just eight episodes with the worst viewership ratings. Nevertheless, Yoo Hyun-Ji, who was unaware of her future, spoke excitedly. -I''ve been nning this project for three years, and there''s a character that''s perfect for Haru. I''ll increase the appearance fee to 5 million won. What do you think? Isn''t it tempting? Haru''s appearance fee was originally 2.5 million won per episode, but it had suddenly doubled. Still, I couldn''t just jump on the soon-to-flop Hell Pocha. "The first episode of the drama just aired, so I''m afraid it might be a bit too early to discuss the next project. I''m sorry, Ms. Yoo." I cautiously turned her down, but Yoo Hyun-Ji didn''t seem willing to let it go. -Isn''t the appearance fee satisfactory? 5 million won per episode is a real effort, you know! This would be a tough decision even if she offered 10 million won per episode. Nheless, Yoo Hyun-Ji was still trying to negotiate with me. Just as I was about to refuse again, I heard another voice. -PD Yoo. Hold on, give me the phone. -Yes, Mr. Jo. It was Director Jo Eung-Cheon, one of the real power yers at TVM. -Today''s broadcast received an unexpectedly good response. Congrattions. "It''s all thanks to your care, Mr. Jo," I replied. Jo Eung-Cheon continued to sing praises of the drama and Haru, saying he had watched the first episode with Yoo Hyun-Ji in the control room. -By the way, you haven''t forgotten that I helped cast Haru, have you? "Of course not." -Then why don''t you help me out this time? Let''s have Haru appear in PD Yoo''s next project. In return, I''ll get you an advertisement with CK Inc.''s food subsidiary that''s to be broadcast during primetime. CK Inc., TVM''s parentpany, was South Korea''s top media and foodpany. Because of this, TVM often did business with otherpanies under CK Inc. For instance, the main sponsor of Master of Mukbang was CK Foods. So, it made sense that Jo Eung-Cheon offered to have Haru cast in an advertisement for CK''s food subsidiary in exchange for having Haru appear in Hell Pocha. Nevertheless, I couldn''t let Haru appear in the early-terminated Hell Pocha no matter what. "I''m sorry, but it''s still too early to make a decision." Jo Eung-Cheon pressed me with a displeased tone. -That kind of talk makes me a bit disappointed. Anyway, think it over carefully by tomorrow. Opportunities like this don''te around often, you know! Jo Eung-Cheon raised his voice toward the end and then hung up. Click. "Phew~" When I let out a sigh and nced sideways, I saw members of Team Jung with surprised eyes. Although it wasn''t on speakerphone, Jo Eung-Cheon''s voice was loud enough for everyone to hear. Lee Yung-Jin asked with a worried expression. "M-Mr. Jung, he''s a director at TVM... Don''t you think it was too much to draw the line so clearly?" "Check the social media reactions to see why I did that. I bet this drama is viral right now," I answered. Only then did the team members start looking the drama up on their phones. (Real-Time Reactions) -I just reheated my leftover soybean paste stew and finished a bowl of rice in no time. It was so delicious! -Tonight''s dinner has to be Baekban Jeongsik. Let''s go! -Does anyone know the location of the restaurant Haru ate at? -I think the filming location is Donamdong Grandma''s Tasty Baekban. The food there is amazing. But what Haru made looks even better. -I''m gonna watch episode 2 live tomorrow for sure! Wow, just thinking about it again makes my mouth water. On social media, many people posted that they enjoyed Baekban Jeongsik or soybean paste stew for dinner after watching the drama. "Huh?" "The reactions are pretty good... aren''t they?" "No, it''s not just pretty good, it''s a huge hit." I told the surprised employees looking at social media reactions. "Even if the president of a broadcast station calls to make an offer, politely reject it if you don''t think it''s good enough. Always remember it''s our actors who suffer if we get caught up by the producer!" The team members nodded. "Yes, Mr. Jung!" "Then let''s go eat!" However, when we arrived at the Baekban Jeongsik restaurant in front of the office, the line was 50 meters long. The usually unpopr Baekban Jeongsik restaurant, which rarely filled half its seats, was packed. Lee Yung-Jin looked at me with an awkward expression. "Mr. Jung, where should we eat...?" Since standing in line would make me faint from low blood sugar, we searched for restaurants nearby, but all the usually empty set meal restaurants were full. Moreover, everyone had their phones out while watching something. At that moment, Lee Yung-Jin suddenly checked his phone while glued to a Baekban Jeongsik restaurant''s window. "Mr. Jung, people are watching the rerun of Master of Mukbang!" "Yung-Jin, you''re scaring people. Get your face off the window!" Lee Yung-Jin btedly realized what he was doing and quickly took his face off the window. He apologized to the office workers staring at him, "Oh, I''m sorry~." After looking around more, we still couldn''t find a set meal restaurant to enter. "Should we just have Japanese or Western food?" I asked. The team members shook their heads. "No way! Today, we must eat Korean food no matter what!" Seeing Do Ran-Hee''s determined eyes, I found apromise. "Then there''s no choice. Let''s go to Myeongnyun Satto Galbi for dinner. They serve soybean paste stew and side dishes there too." "Myeongpum Hanwoo has good stew and side dishes too..." I ignored Do Ran-Hee''s mumbling and walked on. Our challenge in finding a Baekban Jeongsik restaurant that was not full proved that Haru''s first Master of Mukbang broadcast was a huge sess. *** [Master of Mukbang rookie actor Haru''s one-man show. A home-cooked healing meal.] [The Baekban Jeongsik restaurant filled nationwide by a mukbang craze.] [Master of Mukbang Episode 1 viewership rating. 3.2%, cable''s number one in the same time slot.] The reactions to yesterday''s broadcast filled the entertainment news pages. Pictures of people lining up in front of Baekban Jeongsik restaurants andments asking about the location of the restaurant from Episode 1 filled thement section. The menu in Episode 2 that would be aired shortly was braised short ribs. After continuous days of overtime, I finally got off work early so I could watch Master of Mukbang with my family today. While Miso and I were setting up the table in the living room, Haru and Yoo-Jin helped Jung In-Ji cook braised short ribs. Pssst! As the pressure cooker made a loud noise and white steam spurted out, a sweet and savory smell wafted into the living room. "Uncle Yoon-Ho! It smells amazing!" Miso eximed. I nodded and smiled. "It really does, doesn''t it?" Miso stuck close to me and tapped the table with chopsticks. "Mom! Grandma! Haru oppa! Hurry up! Hurry! It''s starting now!" At Miso''s energetic shout, the three people in the kitchen ran to the living room. "Oh my! Has it already started?" "Yes. It looks like it''s about to start any time now. Please take your seats." As Jung In-Ji, Yoo-Jin, and Haru sat at the table, the broadcast of episode 2 of Master of Mukbang began. The dish Haru was going to be making in episode 2 was old-fashioned braised short ribs with lots of fat. Since Master of Mukbang involved first tasting food at a famous restaurant and then recreating it in Haru''s studio, episode 2 started with a mukbang at Sinsa-dong Original Braised Ribs. It showed Haru in the restaurant, and he had been served braised short ribs soaked in the vors of soy sauce and sugar with the beef fat turned into a soft gtin-like texture. While watching the episode, Jung In-Ji eximed in admiration, "You don''t see braised ribs made like that often these days! They found a good restaurant." "Yes. It was in the back alley of Sinsa-dong. Apparently, it''s done the old-fashioned way," I exined. "We should go there soon~" "There''s no need for that. Haru will replicate it for us at home." "Really~?" At that moment, everyone looked expectantly at the braised short ribs in the pressure cooker. Meanwhile, the TV screen showed that the mukbang at Sinsa-dong Original Braised Ribs had ended, and the scene switched to Haru''s studio apartment. The recipe for the dish appeared on the screen. Then Haru was shown heading to the kitchen to prepare the ingredients while donning an apron. A close-up shot of Haru''s face showed beads of sweat on his forehead and temples. The camera zoomed in so close that even the fine hairs on his face were visible. The Haru in reality kept looking away from the TV. It seemed he wasn''t used to seeing his face fill the screen. "Haru, are you shy?" I asked. "Yes... It feels a bit embarrassing," Haru replied bashfully. "I understand. However, you must monitor your performance. The audience will judge you based on what they see on TV, not how you acted on set," I advised him. The audience could not see how an actor performed on set, so they could only judge the actor based on the edited version that the PD showed them. For this reason, actors had to monitor their screen time so that they could understand the audience''s perspective. Of course, it was also a crucial task for talent agents as well. Haru nodded. "Got it, hyung. And... thank you." "Why are you thanking me? I''m just doing my job," I said with a smile. In the meantime, the Haru on TV had finished cooking. He ced the dark brown braised ribs in a porcin dish along with carrots, radishes, and green onions, making it look appetizing. Haru wiped the sweat off his forehead and began the mukbang with a happy expression. Seeing the tender strands of beef get pulled apart, Miso started drooling. I dabbed her mouth with a napkin to clean it, but Miso couldn''t take her eyes off the TV. "Wow~ It looks delicious," Miso said longingly. I kept hearing the sounds of Yoo-Jin and Jung In-Ji swallowing beside me, so I asked quietly, "Shall we eat now?" At that moment, Miso looked at me for the first time since the drama started. She shook her head with a mouthful of saliva and said, "No, it''s okay." Growl. "Are you sure you''re not hungry?" "Yes! I''m fine!" Miso insisted as she clutched her stomach. Her stomach kept growling, signaling her hunger. However, she endured it with superhuman patience. As soon as the drama ended, we were all unable to hold back anymore. We shouted in unison, "Let''s eat!" *** [Master of Mukbang Episode 2 features old-fashioned braised ribs!] [Master of Mukbang Episode 2 viewership rating: 4.1%!] [Public Home Shopping! Braised rib orders surge! Website server down.] [Haru, the star of Master of Mukbang. A rising star?] For two days, Haru''s mukbang had social media on fire. There were countless posts showing people enjoying braised ribs as well as a 100-meter-long line in front of the restaurant Haru had visited. Some famous MeTubers reviewed simr restaurants, creating a huge buzz. Haru was doing well, MeTubers were thriving, and the local economy was booming. It was a win-win-win situation. The third episode hadn''t even aired yet, but the response was explosive. At that moment, I received an urgent call from Jo Eung-Cheon, the TVM director who had pressured me so much yesterday. -Team Lead Jung, I might have been too hasty yesterday... You understand, right? One characteristic of people working in the broadcasting industry was how their attitude toward a celebrity would flip the moment the celebrity became popr. Unlike yesterday, Jo Eung-Cheon was now offering to cast Haru in an advertisement without the condition of having him appear in Hell Pocha. -Also, regarding what we discussed yesterday... Ms. Yang Eun-Jung, the publicity director at CK Foods, wants to use Haru as a model. What do you think? Yang Eun-Jung, the publicity director at CK Foods, a sisterpany of TVM, would be promoted to executive director within a few years. I had to meet her no matter what. Nheless, I scheduled the meeting aste as possible. "Mr. Jo, how about next weekend?" -Next weekend? "Yes." -Are you nning to wait until after the third and fourth episodes air? Wait a minute. Are you trying to negotiate a higher endorsement fee? Jo Eung-Cheon understood my intention right away. -Heh. This young man is quite shrewd, isn''t he? I didn''t answer and quietly waited for his response. -Alright. I''ll set the meeting date for next weekend. Only two episodes had been broadcast so far, but the broadcasting station had a totally different attitude toward Haru now. Everyone was staring at me when I hung up the call. "Can a person''s attitude really change this much in just one day?" "Wow, Mr. Jo Eung-Cheon seems like a totally different person. He was so arrogant yesterday and now he''s all amodating." I shrugged and replied, "Didn''t you know this industry works like this? If you''re popr, most problems get resolved." Everyone nodded in agreement. However, something happened. Lee Yung-Jin, who was checking entertainment news, shouted urgently, "Mr. Jung! Look at this." [Festival of Money Preview, Episode 3. So Yi-Yung''s Bold Exposure!] Having beenpletely defeated in the first week''s viewership ratings war by In the Name of God, thepetitor was making a drastic move. Chapter 252: Whatever the Opponent Does (2)

Chapter 252: Whatever the Opponent Does (2)

[So Yi-Yung of Festival of Money! Bold revealing preview!] [So Yi-Yung''s first revealing scene! Festival of Money Episode 3. Airs August 5!] [Lead actor Choi Tae-Kyung''s chiseled muscles revealed in Festival of Money] Popr drama writers tended to use revealing scenes to boost viewership ratings regardless of the storyline. For example, there might be a random scene of the male lead running away from somewhere and encountering the female lead bathing in a mountain pond. In any case, scenes of the main actors showing a lot of skin created a buzz and greatly increased viewership ratings. So Yi-Yung had never acted in revealing scenes like that before, so the news of her doing one ended up causing a huge stir. Every team member became tense after reading the article. Lee Yung-Jin couldn''t hide his anger. He fumed, "Mr. Jung, skin exposure on a terrestrial broadcast? What is the Broadcasting Commission doing?" "Well, they''ll probably just give a warning as always. But has the preview been released?" I asked. "Yes, here it is." "Shall we watch it?" Kim Mi-Hye yed the preview of Festival of Money Episode 3 on the LCD screen in the meeting room. In the preview, So Yi-Yung was sitting in a jacuzzi wearing a bikini and sharing a ss of wine with the male lead, Choi Tae-Kyung. She was wearing a light pink bikini with an X-strap style that highlighted her body, entuating her curvy figure. After watching the short preview, Lee Yung-Jin''s expression became even more serious. "This will definitely work." I immediately told the staff to check theizens'' reactions. While everyone was checking theizens'' reactions, Jung Sang-Bong looked particrly worried. "Mr. Jung, will things be okay?" "Don''t worry. Things like skin exposure scenes are just short-term solutions." Although I acted nonchntly, I was actually nervous too because dramas or movies with So Yi-Yung''s revealing scenes had good viewership ratings even in my past life. In the meantime, Kim Mi-Hye disyed the social media reactions she found on the LCD screen. "Mr. Jung, take a look at this." (Real-Time Reactions) -This is awesome, I must watch Festival of Money Episode 3 live no matter what. -When is this airing? -It''s a Wednesday-Thursday drama. -I''m holding my breath until next Wednesday. -LOL, they start stripping as soon as they lose in viewership rating. I''m disappointed in So Yi-Yung. -So you''re not gonna watch? -Are you crazy? I must own this video for life LOL. -Here''s a collection of So Yi-Yung''s skin exposure photos until now The portal bulletin boards were on fire. "This is just as expected," I muttered. Kim Mi-Hye pointed at a section of the monitor and said, "Look, it''s also trending in the live search rankings. So Yi-Yung''s first revealing scene!" Lee Yung-Jin grumbled with a dissatisfied expression. "Seriously, it''s just a swimsuit. You''d think it was a sex scene or something..." Looking stern, Kim Mi-Hye suggested a countermeasure. "Mr. Jung, should we also release another press release? We have plenty of newsworthy content." Currently, Yoo-Jin''s poprity was soaring due to the sell-out situation of this month''s Womans magazine and the responses to the first and second episodes of In the Name of God. However, I shook my head. "Any articles we release will get buried very quickly in a situation like this. Let''s not waste our energy and just wait." Reassuring the worried staff, I headed to the break room with a nonchnt expression. ''I need to stay calm,'' I told myself. Originally, this was something the broadcasting station should handle and the entertainmentpanies managing the main actors of In the Name of God should be the ones toe up with a countermeasure. Nevertheless, I started thinking of my own countermeasures too because I really wanted to ensure Yoo-Jin won an award with this project. After a while, I came up with some ideas. Then, I grabbed the coffee I made and headed to the meeting room with a bright expression. "Alright everyone, let''s have a cup of coffee and get to work. I have some ideas, so don''t worry, okay?" I said brightly. The employees perked up after receiving their coffee and started working again. But soon after, Han Se-Hwa released the preview for tomorrow''s SBC Sunday entertainment show. Interest in Festival of Money started to surge so much that articles about In the Name of God quickly disappeared. As expected, they weren''t an easy opponent. *** I headed to Lee Ji-Yeon''s house with Yoo-Jin and Miso after being invited for dinner. When we arrived, Kim Soll-Ip and Kim Soo-Hee were also waiting for us. They had ordered a ten-kilogram King Crab for us. As I was taking off my shoes at the entrance, Miso asked, "Uncle Yoon-Ho, what''s a King Crab?" "It''s a crab that''s as big as you." "A crab? Woof woof?" [1] Having never heard of a King Crab before, Miso tilted her head. "No, it''s a crab. It has big pincers on both hands and they''re huge," I exined with gestures. Miso''s eyes widened, and she spread her arms as wide as her body. "Is it this big?" "No, it''s even bigger." Miso spread her arms even wider. "Then this much~?" "Yes, that much." Miso eximed with her mouth wide open, "Wow~~! Really?" Seeing Miso''s bright smile, Lee Ji-Yeon couldn''t stopughing. "You did so well starting from the first episode, so I''m giving you a special gift, Miso." Miso eximed while bowing, "Really? Thank you so much!" However, Lee Ji-Yeon looked slightly dissatisfied. At that moment, Kim Soll-Ip standing behind her giggled and said, "Ms. Lee is pouting because Miso didn''t give her a hug~." Lee Ji-Yeon snapped, "No, I''m not!" At that moment, Miso took off her shoes and hugged Lee Ji-Yeon tightly around the waist. "Ms. Lee, you''re the best!" Lee Ji-Yeon also smiled warmly and hugged Miso back. "Really? You''re the best to me as well, Miso!" Kim Soll-Ip shook her head with a smile. At that moment, Kim Soo-Hee shouted from the living room, "Everyone, why are you still standing at the door? Come in quickly." We quickly took off our shoes and headed to the living room. While waiting for the crab to be delivered, we gathered on the sofa and started discussing the drama. I didn''t join the conversation because I was checking articles on my phone. The entertainment news was still filled with articles capturing short videos of So Yi-Yung in a bikini. On the other hand, there were no traces of articles about our drama and our two lead actors. "Team Lead Jung, what are you looking at so intently like that?" Lee Ji-Yeon asked. Her voice brought me back to reality. "Oh, I was just a bit worried because the number of articles about So Yi-Yung''s revealing scene is increasing." "Don''t worry. Do you think viewership ratings will go up just because she shows a bit of skin?" Lee Ji-Yeon said bluntly. Kim Soll-Ip quickly chimed in, "You have no idea, Ms. Lee. It''s creating a huge buzz right now." Then, Kim Soll-Ip turned to me and asked, "Mr. Jung, knowing your personality, I don''t think you''ll just sit back and watch. Do you have a n?" "Yes, I do." I informed everyone that Yoo-Jin had turned down being a Channy model and had be the advertising model for LM Clothing''s new luxury brandunch. "First, let''s observe the social media reactions for now. If this continues and our drama doesn''t get mentioned, we''ll advertise on Monday when the third episode of In the Name of God airs. The headline will be something like, ''Jung Yoo-Jin rejected Channy''s offer! L.M.L Clothing to be featured in In the Name of God.''" Kim Soll-Ip nodded. "See? I knew you''d have a n." Lee Ji-Yeon chuckled. "Yoon-Ho, you''re working hard doing things that should be handled by the broadcasting station and the productionpany." "Not at all. It''s not the time to differentiate between my job and others, right?" I replied. "That''s easier said than done. I haven''t seen any talent agent go to such lengths except you, Yoon-Ho." I scratched my head at Lee Ji-Yeon''spliment. Kim Soll-Ip also praised me, saying there was no one like me. Lee Ji-Yeon suddenly asked bluntly, "But Soll-Ip, why are you here uninvited? Aren''t you supposed to be writing right now?" I thought Kim Soll-Ip had been invited since she had been here from the beginning. However, Lee Ji-Yeon said she had only invited Yoo-Jin, Miso, Kim Soo-Hee, and me. Kim Soll-Ip shamelessly replied, "Why do you think? I came to get a free meal. You always treat yourself to the most expensive meal when your dramaunches saying it''s a gift for yourself!~" Lee Ji-Yeon looked at Kim Soll-Ip in disbelief. "Yes, Soll-Ip. It''s a gift for me, not for you. You should buy your own food. You didn''t even bring anything decent." "Oh,e on. I brought the strawberries you like," Kim Soll-Ip rebutted. "Just 1kg though..." Kim Soll-Ip grinned. "Okay, fine. Next time I''ll bring 2kg. And don''t scold me, I''m finally home for the first time in so long!" Lee Ji-Yeon raised both her hands in defeat. At that moment, the doorbell rang with a ding-dong. "Is the crab here?" Miso asked while blinking her eyes. Kim Soll-Ip quickly got up. "Hold on, Miso. I''ll go check." "Okay~!" Kim Soll-Ip checked the inte screen and said in a disappointed voice, "Oh, it''s not the crab. It''s Mr. Kim Sung-Woon and Mr. Choi Tae-Hyun from MBS." Kim Sung-Woon, who was in charge of In the Name of God, hade with Choi Tae-Hyun, the headquarters chief of MBS. At forty-five years old, Choi Tae-Hyun was on the verge of being promoted to a director''s position. He had initially been a producer of a drama department with no particrly sessful dramas, but he had managed to climb the ranks by ying office politics. He considered the broadcasting station more powerful than actors or writers. "Ms. Lee, what should we do?" Kim Soll-Ip asked. "What do you mean what should we do? Open the door unless you''re nning to kick them out," Lee Ji-Yeon replied. When Kim Soll-Ip opened the door, the two men appeared carrying gifts in both hands. They had brought a fancy cake and expensive wine that Lee Ji-Yeon liked. Despite that, Lee Ji-Yeon was not pleased with the uninvited guests and spoke bluntly. "Why did you bring these? We''re supposed to have dinner soon..." "Hahaha. Come on, Ms. Lee. You can have it as dessert after dinner," Choi Tae-Hyeon said. "I''m on a diet, you know. Bute on in since you''re here anyway." After that, Choi Tae-Hyun greeted us as well. Then he praised Lee Ji-Yeon¡¯s drama that was currently airing and said he had high expectations for it. "Enough with the ttery. So? Why are you here today?" Lee Ji-Yeon questioned. Choi Tae-Hyun replied solemnly, "As you know, SBC''s Festival of Money ising on strong." "And?" "We can''t just let the momentum shift to them, can we? Once the momentum shifts, it''s easy for the viewership ratings to reverse." At that moment, Lee Ji-Yeon stared at Choi Tae-Hyun coldly. "What, are you saying I''ll lose to Hong Jang-Mi?" Choi Tae-Hyun waved his hands and continued exining again. "No, I didn''t mean that. I''m just saying it could happen... you know?" "Stop beating around the bush and just get to the point! How do you want me to help?" "Hahaha. Well, you know..." Lee Ji-Yeon frowned. "This is why I hate meeting you, Chief Choi. You never get to the point!" Choi Tae-Hyun kept beating around the bush while looking at us. At that moment, I realized his intention. ''Is this guy crazy?'' I wondered. It was clear why he was looking at me. He wanted us to counter with the same strategy. In other words, he wanted Yoo-Jin to act in a revealing scene too. At that moment, Lee Ji-Yeon also realized the purpose of Choi Tae-Hyun''s visit and said to us, "Everyone except Team Lead Jung, go hang out in the script room for a while." Kim Soll-Ip tilted her head in confusion. "Are you sure? But you''ve never let anyone into the script room before." Lee Ji-Yeon''s house had a script room on the second floor where she kept her drafts and early works. Yet, she was now opening it to Yoo-Jin and Miso, though no one besides Kim Soll-Ip had been allowed in before. "Hurry up and go," Lee Ji-Yeon urged them. "Yes, I got it." Kim Soll-Ip led everyone away except for me. Then, Lee Ji-Yeon let out a short sigh and quickly changed her expression. She looked as cold and haughty as the day we first met after I traveled back in time. "So, Chief Choi. What you''re saying is that you want our actors to undress on screen too, huh? Is that it?" "Well, not exactly... It''s more like we should also take a strong approach since they''reing on so strongly..." Lee Ji-Yeon made a dumbfounded expression. "Why do we need to resort to such an extreme measure? Do you have a rival for your promotion or something?" Choi Tae-Hyun scratched his head and answered, "Yes. Director Jang of the entertainment department has been performing well, so I''m a bit anxious." "So, what do you want me to do?" "Please help me just this once. If I get promoted to director, I will never forget this favor." "Are you still anxious even with our high viewership ratings?" "Yes. Director Jang''s entertainment programs have been doing quite well. The higher-ups seem to have ns to promote him to director immediately which would reduce support for our drama department. Please help me, Ms. Lee!" When Choi Tae-Hyun brought up internal politics, Lee Ji-Yeon''s expression turned icy, and she spoke in clipped tones. "So. Who do you want me to undress?" "I think Miss Yoo-Jin would be the best candidate since she is very popr these days..." If he were to be the station''s director, he wouldn''t care about someone like me. Even though my name had be known recently, I was just a team lead at a mid-sized entertainmentpany to the broadcasting people. Regardless, it was still outrageously rude to say such bullshit in front of me, Yoo-Jin''s talent agent. Kim Sung-Woon made apologetic gestures, indicating that Choi Tae-Hyun''s remarks were his own. Nevertheless, I had no intention of staying silent. I was seething with anger. ''How dare he suggest that to Yoo-Jin...'' However, before I could even react, Lee Ji-Yeon exploded with anger. "What?! You want an actress to undress for your own career? Are you fucking out of your mind???" Lee Ji-Yeon''s sharp voice echoed through the living room. 1. Crab has the same pronunciation as dog in Korean ? Chapter 253: Whatever the Opponent Does (2)

Chapter 253: Whatever the Opponent Does (2)

"Chief Choi! Get out right now while I''m being polite!" Lee Ji-Yeon screamed. "N-no, I mean, it''s not about nudity but we need something sensational..." Choi Tae-Hyun btedly protested that he didn''t mean nudity, but Lee Ji-Yeon had no intention of listening. "Are you kidding? Did you forget what you just said in front of me?" Lee Ji-Yeon said as she pointed her finger and prodded Choi Tae-Hyun. "Team Lead Jung here ising up with all sorts of strategies to prevent my drama''s viewership ratings from falling even without being told! And all the broadcasting station can think of is undressing actresses? Huh!? Is that all you''re capable of?" She continuedmbasting him. Lee Ji-Yeon berated Choi Tae-Hyun, saying he was worse than a talent agent. The fuming Lee Ji-Yeon could no longer hold back her anger and made a phone call somewhere. The person she called was none other than MBS'' president, Choi Sang-Byung. "Mr. Choi, this is Lee Ji-Yeon. Chief Choi from the drama department is here telling me to undress actresses. Are you all ying a joke on me?" Choi Tae-Hyun started sweating and pleading as he did not expect her to call the president directly. "No, that''s not what I meant. I''m sorry, Ms. Lee! I must have lost my mind for a moment..." However, Lee Ji-Yeon continued to pressure the president of MBS without blinking her eyes. "Mr. Choi, why do I have to listen to this crap? Did I mess up the viewership ratings? Did I cause a scandal?" Lee Ji-Yeon''s voice was filled with rage as it echoed loudly through the living room. I finally understood why Lee Ji-Yeon sent Yoo-Jin and Miso to the script room¡ªShe didn''t want them to hear such conversations. After all, the script room was almost soundproof. Choi Tae-Hyun looked at me desperately, but I kept my mouth shut. Just restraining myself from punching him was a lot for me. Meanwhile, Lee Ji-Yeon''s voice grew louder. "Telling an actress to undress, huh? Is that MBS''s official stance? Just let me know. I''m about to call mywyer!" Realizing things were going terribly wrong, Choi Tae-Hyun knelt to the ground. "Ms. Lee, that''s not what I meant..." Kim Sung-Woon also knelt with him. Lee Ji-Yeon, who was still on the phone, looked at me and spoke. "Yoon-Ho~, take PD Kim and step outside." Lee Ji-Yeon knew from the beginning that Kim Sung-Woon wasn''t involved and told me to take him outside. Seeing the determined look in Lee Ji-Yeon''s eyes to punish just one person thoroughly, I helped Kim Sung-Woon up. "Mr. Kim, let''s go outside." "N-no, I also did wrong. I''m sorry, Ms. Lee!" Kim Sung-Woon apologized. He insisted on apologizing since he was from the same broadcastingpany, but Lee Ji-Yeon shouted, "Do you want to get on my nerves too, PD Kim? Get out right now! Or do you want to go to jail together with Chief Choi?" "No, Ms. Lee! I''m leaving right now!" The moment she mentioned suing, Kim Sung-Woon jumped up as if springs were attached to his knees. I quickly led Kim Sung-Woon outside to the yard. *** In my past life, Jang Byung-Hoon, the entertainment department director whom Choi Tae-Hyun was wary of, waspetent enough to be promoted directly from director to executive. However, he was eventually scouted by TVM and left thepany. With the sudden departure of hispetitor, Choi Tae-Hyun was promoted to director without any obstacles. At that time, talent agents gossiped that Choi Tae-Hyun had great luck with promotions. However, I had an inkling that his promotion wouldn''t go so smoothly this time, and checking my nner made me more certain of it. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: September 23, 2020] -03:00 p.m. (Deleted schedule: MBS Choi Tae-Hyun, promotion to director. Flower delivery.) ''He missed his promotion just because he spoke out of turn,'' I remarked inwardly. Choi Tae-Hyun''s impatience cost him his promotion. If he had stayed quiet, he would have naturally been promoted to director. Kim Sung-Woon, who hade out to the yard with me, let out a deep sigh. "Mr. Jung, I''m sorry. I should have somehow stopped Mr. Choi..." Kim Sung-Woon exined he had repeatedly warned Choi Tae-Hyung to be careful with his words in front of Lee Ji-Yeon, but he didn''t expect such a major blunder. "Sigh, what was he thinking? Ms. Lee''s personality is well-known, isn''t it?" I responded. "He said he''d negotiate with higher pay for Ms. Lee, but I didn''t expect him to push so recklessly. And I certainly didn''t expect him to ask for Miss Yoo-Jin to undress." Kim Sung-Woon kept apologizing. "Mr. Kim, it''s not like you knew this would happen. Sigh, it''s still quite a shock though." "I know. Mr. Choi... no, that guy ispletely out of his mind." I nodded and quietly offered a tip as I didn''t want Kim Sung-Woon to get damaged because of this incident. "If you''re on Mr. Choi''s side, I suggest you switch now. His promotion is gone." "Huh? Really?" "I think the president will act. It''s better to cut ties with Mr. Choi than to get on Ms. Lee''s bad side." Kim Sung-Woon looked serious for a moment before nodding. "I guess I''ll have to brace myself for what''s toe." Then, I changed the topic. "Oh, I''ve prepared a countermeasure for So Yi-Yung''s exposure scene." Kim Sung-Woon took a nce at me. "Really? You have a countermeasure?" "Yes." I exined to Kim Sung-Woon about the n to create buzz using the luxury brand L.M.L. Kim Sung-Woon''s face lit up. "Then we should change all of Miss Yoo-Jin''s costumes to maximize the promotional effect. No, maybe it would be better to reshoot some parts from episode 3." "But is that possible with the tight schedule?" "If we reshoot only the scenes where Miss Yoo-Jin is alone, we can start airing footage with L.M.L from episode 3. We can stay up all night editing if needed." "Then I''ll provide unlimited coffee," I said with a smile. "It''s been a while since I had your coffee, Mr. Jung. Let''s start reshooting as soon as the L.M.L costumes arrive." At that moment, we heard Lee Ji-Yeon''s angry voice from the living room again. Simultaneously, someone came out of the entrance with a crash. "It seems Mr. Choi ising out." The front door burst open and Choi Tae-Hyun ran out with a pale face. "P-PD Kim, let''s return to the office quickly!" Choi Tae-Hyun didn''t even look at me and headed straight for the parking lot. Kim Sung-Woon signaled that he would contact meter and hurried after Choi Tae-Hyun. *** It was August 5, the broadcast date for In the Name of God and Festival of Money. The articles about So Yi-Yung''s skin exposure and Festival of Money that filled the entertainment section until yesterday had disappeared. [In the Name of God''s Jung Yoo-Jin. Rejected Channy''s offer to be Asia''s model! "It was a good opportunity, but I felt it was too much for me right now."] [In the Name of God. Episode 3 preview. Spectacr costume reminiscent of a fashion show.] [Jung Yoo-Jin. Chosen as the model for the new luxury brand L.M.L!] [L.M.L states. The new product line can be seen directly in the drama.] (Comments) -Did Channy offer a supporting actress a deal? Isn''t this just a promotion article? -If it''s just a promotion article, they''ll get sued. We''ll see. -This is insane. Jung Yoo-Jin rejected Channy? -Wow, that''s huge. -L.M.L? What''s that? Why choose them over Channy? Han Se-Hwa and Hong Jang-Mi''s faces contorted as they were reading the articles. Among them, the most furious was So Yi-Yung who had swallowed her pride and gone through with the skin exposure scene. "Why did my article disappear and only these crappy articles are up? What is this!? Ms. Han! Say something!" So Yi-Yung shouted. Han Se-Hwa smacked her lips bitterly at So Yi-Yung''s urging. No matter how much the entertainmentpany spent, it couldn''t hold a candle to the advertising budget of LM Clothing with an annual revenue of 200 billion won. Thanks to the overwhelming advertising efforts by LM Clothing, the money Han Se-Hwa spent had vanished without a trace. "Is the president of LM Clothing a fan of Yoo-Jin or something...?" Han Se-Hwa muttered. Unable to find words to speak, Han Se-Hwa''s muttering made So Yi-Yung burst into anger. "This is driving me crazy! Is that what you should be saying now?" So Yi-Yung screamed at her. "Well, what do you expect? The amount LM Clothing spent is unimaginable!" Watching the two argue, Hong Jang-Mi spoke in a cold tone. "Just wait and see. We put a lot of effort into this episode thanks to Yi-Yung. It will go well. Let''s wait for the results." Hong Jang-Mi was more anxious than anyone, but she couldn''t show it because she was the one who told So Yi-Yung to undress. However, Ryu Shin, who was watching everything, said nothing. "It''s starting now..." Han Se-Hwa swallowed dryly and focused on the TV screen. *** With LM Clothing''s massive advertising,izens'' attention quickly turned to In the Name of God. When I asked her to take good care of Yoo-Jin, Moon Yung-Mi of LM Clothing provided tremendous support as a gesture of respect to us as their business partner. Thanks to this, the articles Han Se-Hwa posted disappeared without a trace. "LM Clothing is no joke, huh?" "Yeah, they''re really backing us up." The staff gathered to monitor the third episode of In the Name of God were full of admiration. "Thepany has an annual revenue of billions. They say it''s mid-sized but President Han Se-Hwa can''tpare. Alright. Let''s put our worries aside and watch the drama, shall we?" The promotional battle was an overwhelming victory with the help of LM Clothing. Now, it was time to win with the drama''s content. Moreover, the third episode of In the Name of God to be aired today featured Chaebol Yoo Han-Myung, the ultimate viin. Lee Byung-Jun of TK Entertainment yed the role of Yoo Han-Myung, a psychopath serial killer possessed by a ghost. Kim Soo-Hee yed the role of his mother, a rich family''s matriarch who protected him. With the appearance of a powerful antagonist and thrilling elements, I was confident about the viewership ratings unless there were external issues. "It''s starting!" The third episode of In the Name of God began with the main characters and the shaman Cheongmyung standing in front of the luxury house of the Yoosung Inc. Unable to find clues about a series of mysterious murders, the main characters guided by the shaman Cheongmyung found traces of the criminal. However, the location turned out to be a conglomerate''s mansion. They barely managed to find a clue, but they couldn''t enter because of the security guards. Blocked by the wall of Yoosung Inc., the main characters narrowed the scope of their investigation under pressure from the higher-ups in the police force, but another victim emerged. As the serial killer Yoo Han-Myung approached the terrified victim, the screen faded to ck and episode 3 ended with a piercing scream. The staff, who watched the third episode with bated breath, were full of praise for the episode. "Wow, today''s episode was amazing too." "Yeah, I couldn''t take my eyes off it. Lee Byung-Jun is incredible at ying viins. That''s why he only ys viins." Kim Mi-Hye agreed but also admired Yoo-Jin''s scenes where she wore outfits provided by L.M.L. "Didn''t Miss Yoo-Jin''s outfit look pretty in this episode?" "Yes, it looked like it could be a fashion show." As the conversation continued in high spirits, another call came in for Kim Sung-Woon. -Mr. Jung! "Yes, Mr. Kim. What''s the number?" -Episode 3 got 15.5%! The viewership ratings was slightly higher than episode 2''s 15.2%. I was relieved it hadn''t dropped. However, ourpetitor''s viewership ratings were more important. "What about Festival of Money?" After a pause, Kim Sung-Woon Sung-Woon shouted excitedly. -They got 15.4%! There was only a 0.1% difference. So Yi-Yung''s nudity exposure generated a huge buzz and led to a close contest. Without LM Clothing''s massive advertising, we might have lost. Only then did I finally let out a sigh of relief. -I''m notcking confidence in directing or anything, but I think we won today thanks to you, Mr. Jung. "No, it was because your editing was excellent, Mr. Kim. It was so intense that my team members forgot they were supposed to be monitoring the drama and became avid viewers." -Ha ha ha. Well... Oh, and it seems like Mr. Choi will face significant disciplinary action. Just so you know. The president, Choi Sang-Byung, was personally handling the disciplinary procedure for citing the absurd request made to Lee Ji-Yeon. It seemed they were making preparations in case Lee Ji-Yeon filed awsuit. However, there was also some good news. -Oh, and our president has issued special instructions to take good care of Miss Yoo-Jin. It''s all thanks to LM Clothing''s overwhelming support for the ads... Ha ha ha. It seemed like I should thank Moon Yung-Mi separately. -Well, I have to go back to editing... "Yes, please go ahead." As soon as I hung up the phone, I clenched my fist. "We have 15.5% and the opponent has 15.4%!" The team members hugged each other and began to cheer. At that moment, Oh Duk-Gu and Ju Yung-Hoon from Actor Division 2 entered the meeting room. "What''s going on? What happened? The social media reactions were neck and neck!" "Tell us quickly!" "We won by 0.1%." "What? Really?" "What were the viewership ratings?" "15.5%." "Wow. 15% for episode 3? This feels like a big hiting." When the meeting room became noisy, everyone from other divisions came in to ask about the viewership ratings. Even though I repeated the same answer, it felt good every time. The next day, the scene where the veteran Kim Soo-Hee as Lee Myung-Ah and Yoo-Jin as Manshin Wol-Ah faced off with special makeup was aired. Viewers cheered again for the profound performances of the seasoned actors. The L.M.L costumes were also even better than episode 3''s, piquing the interest of many. Thanks to that, episode 4 of In the Name of God achieved a 16.1% rating. On the other hand, Festival of Money''s viewership ratings dropped to 14.3%. Toward the end of episode 4, advertising inquiries began to pour in. However, just when the team members were busy handling the flood of ad inquiries, a text message suddenly arrived from an unknown number. [This is Ryu Shin, Chief Secretary of Hwayeon Media Inc. Can we meet briefly?] Chapter 254: Getting Rid of Potential Danger (1)

Chapter 254: Getting Rid of Potential Danger (1)

I arranged to meet Chief Secretary Ryu Shin alone at Evian, the most luxurious wine bar in Gangnam where I previously met Jiang Wei. I informed Kang Ji-Yung of the meeting location, in case anything were to happen. Screech. I parked the car in an alley and checked my nner as I remembered there was an incident rted to Hwayeon Media Inc. around this time in my past life. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: August 18, 2020] - 01:00 p.m. See off Team Lead Wang Rong of Shanghai New Media Inc. (SNMG). (Report: Broadcasting rights and publication rights dispute with Hwayeon Media Inc.) Around this time in my past life, I had built a rapport with a team lead named Wang Rong from Shanghai New Media Inc. who was on a business trip to Korea. Shanghai New Media Inc. was a huge yer that dominated the Chinese entertainment market alongside Hwayeon Media Inc. Hence, I paid special attention to entertaining him. Fortunately, Wang Rong and I became close quickly in a short time because we were both the same age. Thanks to that, I was able to get a piece of information from him on thest day of his visit. He said there would be a major conflict between Shanghai New Media Inc. and Hwayeon Media Inc., and warned me to be careful if I nned to coborate with Hwayeon Media Inc. As Wang Rong was the son of a top-level official in the Chinese Communist Party, his information was quite reliable. Upon receiving that information, I ryed it to Kim Dong-Soo who leveraged the conflict between the two corporations for thepany''s benefit and gained recognition from the management. I guessed that the management of Hwayeon Media Inc. Group was likely in a very difficult position due to the dispute with Shanghai New Media Inc. at this time. However, I still couldn''t understand why the Chief Secretary of Jiang Wei was in Korea. Even if the major conflict was set to begin in mid-August, the preliminary signs should have already appeared. "Well, I guess I''ll find out when I meet him." After confirming these details in my nner, I continued my drive to Evian. Upon arriving at Evian, I was stopped by a few robust men. I recognized them as the same men who guarded the entrance of Evian when Jiang Wei visited. As soon as they saw me, they extended their hands asking for the car key. "Go inside. Mr. Ryu is waiting for you." I asked the guard who spoke clumsy Korean, "Is Mr. Jiang Wei here too?" However, the guard remained silent, as if he had been told to. I followed him to VIP Room 2 which was slightly smaller than the one where I met Jiang Wei previously. "Please go in." As the staff opened the door for me, I saw a familiar face at the end of the long table. "You are..." I uttered. Chief Secretary Ryu Shin was one of the four men who had apanied Jiang Wei when I first met him. At that time, I had assumed he was a bodyguard because he had sharp eyes and a short crew cut. "Everyone, wait at the entrance," Ryu Shin instructed the guards in Chinese. I could understand what Ryu Shin was saying to the guards since I could speak some Chinese. After the guards closed the door, Ryu Shin pointed to a seat. "It''s been a long time. How have you been?" "What''s up with those goons?" I asked. "Goons...? It seems you have a misunderstanding. They are just here for precaution," Ryu Shin replied. "You speak Korean very well," I remarked. "Yes. My mother was born and raised in Seoul." I continued to keep my guard up as I took a seat. Ryu Shin smiled and held out an empty whiskey ss. "Here. Have a drink." In his hand was a bottle of Glenfiddich 40-year-old, the same kind Jiang Wei had poured an entire bottle of in one go. I immediately declined, fearing he might pour all the alcohol again if I agreed. "Thank you for the offer, but I didn''te here to drink." "You''re a very cautious man, aren''t you?" Ryu Shin shrugged and poured whiskey into his own empty ss. Then he offered me ice and a can of c. "If you don''t like alcohol, just tell me what you''d like to drink. The chef here is quite good," said Ryu Shin. "I appreciate the hospitality, but I''d like to get straight to the point. Why did you ask me toe alone?" I questioned. Ryu Shin smacked his lips and downed the whiskey in front of him. After wiping the whiskey from his lips, Ryu Shin smiled. "You handled this situation quite well. President Han Se-Hwa really tried hard." At that moment, I realized that Ryu Shin was behind everything Han Se-Hwa did. "Are you saying that you''re the one who orchestrated all of this?" "It wasn''t exactly my decision. I was just carrying out special instructions from Mr. Jiang." I was already aware that Jiang Wei had a hand in this because there was no way the global cosmeticspany, nc, would act just on Han Se-Hwa''s word. Nheless, it was shocking to hear that Ryu Shin, Jiang Wei''s right-hand man, handled it all. "It was you, huh..." I muttered. I almost swore at him, but then Ryu Shin suddenly bowed his head. "I apologize for the disrespect." I frowned. "What are you doing right now?" When I made a perplexed expression, he straightened his clothes and continued. "I have a message from Mr. Jiang." Ryu Shin spoke with a serious expression. "Please be the head of Hwayeon Media Inc.''s Korean branch," he added. "Pardon me?" Ryu Shin rxed and smiled. "We are asking you to take charge of the soon-to-be-established Korean branch of Hwayeon Media Inc." I was so dumbfounded that I was left speechless, but Ryu Shin continued speaking calmly. "The initial investment is 20 billion won and the second phase can go up to 50 billion won depending on the celebrities you secure. With the actors you currently manage, the second investment seems very likely, Mr. Jung." I couldn''t help butugh hollowly at such an offer,pletely different from those I had received before. Just thinking about my past memories of Hwayeon Media Inc. made me frown. Wang Hyun-Seok, the former head of Hwayeon Media Inc.''s branch in my past life, grew thepany by entertaining key figures from the political and business world but ended up under investigation by the prosecutors. Then, he suddenly disappeared just before the second investigation. When Jiang Wei feigned ignorance about his subsidiary''s corruption, the case was closed without charges. Talent agents at the time spected over drinks that Wang Hyun-Seok, who knew too many secrets, had been killed by Jiang Wei. There was no way I would choose such a future for myself. However, it seemed like a good time now to understand the opponent''s true intentions. "What''s your reason for making such an offer? Mr. Jiang Wei can''t have a favorable view of me after I disrupted his ns," I said. "The damage you have done is insignificant to us. Mr. Jiang enjoys supporting talented young people. Moreover, you have proven your capability through this incident." Ryu Shin took out a pristine piece of white paper and a ck case with the Montnc mark from his pocket. He held out the pen and said, "So... please write it down." "Write what down?" Ryu Shin smiled. "It goes like this in dramas, doesn''t it? You can write your desired sry." He handed me what was essentially a nk check with a confident expression which I found absolutely absurd. I stared into his eyes for a moment as I was extremely dumbfounded by the ridiculous offer. However, his steady gaze showed that he wasn''t lying. I had received a nk check once in my past life as well. It was offered by a big shot in the business world who told me to write billions or hundreds of billions won freely as my guts allowed me. At the time, it was a shady proposal to keep supplying female celebrities from Top Entertainment. In other words, nk checks like this meant I had to be worth more than the amount I wrote. People didn''t do business at a loss, after all. In my past life, I led a life where I sacrificed everything for money by running around day and night for Kim Dong-Soo, and I wanted no part in that anymore. I returned the nk check to Ryu Shin and said, "I''m not going to write anything on this check, so please take it back." Ryu Shin chuckled and finished his drink. "Is it because you think we can''t meet your desired sry?" "Well, partly. The Korean entertainment industry isn''t that big, so what''s the point in writing arge number?" Ryu Shin''s eyes shed for a moment. "Then you can send Korean celebrities to China. You could receive a very satisfying sry that way, you know?" "Are you suggesting circumventing the ''Korean Wave'' ban?" After the instation of THAAD in the U.S., the Chinese government banned the broadcast of content produced in South Korea or featuring Korean celebrities. That restriction was still in ce, but they were suggesting they could lift that ban just for me if I became the head of Hwayeon Media Inc. "You are very astute as expected. That''s right. If the content and celebrities belong to a Chinesepany, exceptions can be made depending on the rtionship with the Party. Mr. Jiang''s rtionship with the Party needs no further exnation," Ryu Shin exined. Ryu Shin took another sip of whiskey from the table and added, "And Mr. Jiang believes that no one manages risks in the entertainment industry better than you, Mr. Jung." At that moment, I realized the exact reason why Hwayeon Media Inc. used Han Se-Hwa to attack Yoo-Jin. ''Was it a test?'' I wondered. Thinking back, Hwayeon Media Inc.''s actions in my past life were far more extreme than this incident. After all, they were a behemoth backed by the Communist Party and allied with the Triad. The missing puzzle pieces were finally falling into ce one by one. Ryu Shin had orchestrated this "scandal incident" to test whether I could lead Hwayeon Media Inc.''s Korean operations. But that was simply Ryu Shin''s perspective. To me, this entire incident was just infuriating because Yoo-Jin''s career almost ended and my position as a talent agent could have been jeopardized. "I don''t work with people who y above others'' heads," I said curtly. "Please don''t be too angry. While you might be upset, we are prepared topensate you greatly. This money is just the beginning." "What if I still refuse?" Ryu Shin sighed and took another shot of strong whiskey without ice. "You''re ying hard to get." He stared at me, now with a predatory gaze. "In that case... bad things will happen to you, Mr. Jung, simply because you rejected our offer." As expected, he resorted to threats upon refusal. Both in my past life and now, those in power always seemed to resort to threats and violence when they were faced with rejection. "Do you n to target the celebrities under my management?" I questioned. "Ha ha ha. It''s convenient not having to say it twice." I suppressed my rising anger and spoke. "Do you think I will just sit back and do nothing?" "Mr. Jiang told me to use any means necessary to secure you, Mr. Jung. And using any means necessary is my specialty." Ryu Shin discarded his mask and revealed his true self as if he had wanted to approach it this way from the start. But I knew exactly how to remove Ryu Shin from Korea. It was time to show my power as someone who traveled back in time. I looked at Ryu Shin and said, "Let me ask one thing first." "Sure, ask me anything you want." "If you are truly the power behind Hwayeon Media Inc., you wouldn''t have time to be in Korea. Establishing a Korean branch while the conflict with Shanghai New Media Inc. is intensifying...? That doesn''t make sense." Ryu Shin, who had been smiling confidently, tilted his head in curiosity. "Shanghai New Media Inc.? What are you talking about?" "You don''t know about that? Are you really the chief secretary?" As the chief secretary of the president, he should be at the core of the group''s power. The fact that such a high-ranking official was in Korea during the height of the conflict with Shanghai New Media Inc. was strange. This was indirect evidence that Ryu Shin had either been pushed out of the power center or someone was withholding information from him. At that moment, Ryu Shin''s face twisted. "If you''re trying to shake me with baseless ims, you''ll regret it greatlyter." "Check with your colleagues at headquarters to see if the ims are baseless," I replied nonchntly. Ryu Shin''s eyes zed at the insinuation that he wasn''t in the know about significant matters despite being the chief secretary. He looked as if he couldn''t believe his position was being questioned. Seeing Ryu Shin emotionally shaken, I delivered the final blow. "And let me give you one piece of advice, Mr. Ryu Shin. Secure your own position before trying to get me." Ryu Shin looked at me in disbelief with a dumbfounded expression. "What are you trying to say now..." "Do you not know that Team Lead Maroon is aiming for your position at yourpany? I heard he''s calling you an idiot for leaving thepany during such a crucial time." In my past life, the chief secretary who apanied Jiang Wei was not Ryu Shin but Maroon. I had often met with him as a business associate and yed golf as he had a particr fondness for golf. Once when Maroon was drunk, he boasted about how he had pushed out his predecessor and seized the position for himself. He exined that he had taken advantage of a careless idiot named Ryu Shin and imed the spot for himself. As I ryed Maroon''s words, the self-assured expression on Ryu Shin''s face began to distort. "Shen me?" Ryu Shin''s face started to turn red as he shouted the Chinese word for "What?" Chapter 255: Getting Rid of Potential Danger (2)

Chapter 255: Getting Rid of Potential Danger (2)

Until now, Ryu Shin had been pressing me thinking he had the upper hand. However, the tables had turned. For the first time, I saw confusion in Ryu Shin''s eyes when he heard Maroon''s name. "How do you know Maroon!?" Ryu Shin shouted as he lost hisposure. "Mr. Ryu Shin, you should worry more about your own affairs. I wonder if you can keep that prestigious chief secretary position with yourck of information," I replied snarkily. Information was a weapon in this industry, especially when holding information that your opponentcked. Ryu Shin''s eyes were darting around like crazy as he grew anxious. He clearly wanted to call and verify my words immediately but was struggling to hold back in front of me. "Well, I''ll leave you to it. Go ahead and make your calls." When I stood up, Ryu Shin gritted his teeth and said, "You''re... someone who shouldn''t be left alone." I red sharply at Ryu Shin and replied, "I''ll take that as apliment." Ryu Shin was now wary of me. Seeing his hardened expression, I issued a final warning. "And if you n toe after me, be prepared to put everything on the line. I''ll show you everything I know and can do." At that moment, I saw a flicker of fear in Ryu Shin''s eyes. I looked at the silent Ryu Shin for a couple of seconds before slowly turning away. When I opened the door, two men in suits blocked my way as if they had been waiting. I clenched my fists and briefly considered fighting my way through. However, Ryu Shin called out from behind. "Let...him go." The two guards hesitated with their fists clenched. "Mr. Ryu, just let us know if there''s any problem. We''ll make this guy kneel before you immediately." I could see the guards'' eagerness to fight in their eyes. Then, Ryu Shin shouted at them angrily, "Just let him go! You can''t stop him anyway!" The burly men red at me and gritted their teeth. "Consider yourself lucky. You''re walking free because Mr. Ryu had mercy on you!" "Mercy, my ass," I scoffed. ''I''m the one who had mercy on him,'' I remarked inwardly. I ignored the guards'' growling nonsense and calmly walked out of Evian. *** Left alone in the room, Ryu Shin leaned back on the sofa. "If what that guy said is true, it means my information has been cut off since I came to Korea... And mentioning Maroon''s name means he wasn''t entirely making things up." Maroon was the team lead of the first team in the secretary''s department and also Ryu Shin''s right-hand man. Maroon had been tasked with assisting Jiang Wei while Ryu Shin was on his mission to recruit Jung Yoon-Ho. Having trained Maroon for five years, Ryu Shin was furious to hear that the former had betrayed him. Nheless, Ryu Shin couldn''t act solely based on Jung Yoon-Ho''s words. Even though he had his own suspicions, he still needed evidence. Ryu Shin hurriedly picked up the phone and called Yang Zhi, the team lead of the third team in the secretary''s department¡ªanother one of his close aides. "Yang Zhi, are we currently in conflict with Shanghai New Media Inc.?" -Yes, sir. Latest night, an order suddenly came through the Party to redistribute broadcasting channel rights. They told us to hand over 30% of our channels to Shanghai New Media Inc. "I see..." Even if it was an order from the central Party, it was an enormous pressure that could shake the core of thepany. ''That guy was right,'' Ryu Shin thought. This meant there was onest thing to verify. "Yang Zhi! Why didn''t you report such an important matter to me?" Yang Zhi responded in a flustered voice. -Y-you instructed us to report important matters to Team Lead Maroon first, didn''t you? I reported it to Team Lead Maroon at dawn. Wait, did he not inform you? It was past 9 p.m. Maroon would typically have called to report any important information by morning. Once again, Jung Yoon-Ho''s words were correct. At that moment, Ryu Shin trembled with anger. This meant Jung Yoon-Ho''s information was more urate than he had imagined. At the same time, he began to understand why Jiang Wei was so desperate to bring Jung Yoon-Ho in by even offering a nk check. Ryu Shin frowned. ''I made a mistake.'' Considering Jung Yoon-Ho''s informationwork, it would have been better to tempt him rather than attack him. If that failed, offeringrge sums to the celebrities under his management would have been the next move. Unfortunately, that was now a missed opportunity. "Damn it..." Ryu Shin cursed under his breath. Ryu Shin admitted he had made the wrong choice. At the same time, he acknowledged that Jung Yoon-Ho was a highly intelligent man with a firm resolve. Ryu Shin started to act with urgency. "Understood. I''ll return soon! Don''t let Maroon know I''ming back!" -Yes, sir. I will be waiting for you. After ending the call with Yang Zhi, Ryu Shin quickly formted a n. After all, he had something to deal with before focusing on Jung Yoon-Ho. "Since Mr. Jiang wants Jung Yoon-Ho so badly... I can use this to my advantage... Ah, I know just what to do." Havinge up with a solution, Ryu Shin called Jiang Wei directly. "Mr. Jiang, this is Ryu Shin." -How did it go? "Before I proceed with my report, please send everyone away." -Why? "Please send everyone away, Mr. Jiang." When Ryu Shin repeated his request in anticipation of Maroon''s presence, Jiang Wei finally agreed. -Everyone, leave the room. -Mr. Jiang, what do you mean by... -Didn''t you hear me? -I''m sorry, Mr. Jiang. From the sounds over the phone, Ryu Shin realized Maroon had been right next to Jiang Wei. -There''s no one here now. Go ahead and speak. What happened to your talk with Jung Yoon-Ho? "I''m sorry. A traitor ruined everything." -What? Who betrayed us? "I believe Team Lead Maroon, who is right beside you right now, informed Jung Yoon-Ho of my ns." -What? Exin slowly. Ryu Shin began exining how Jung Yoon-Ho knew about the conflict with Shanghai New Media Inc., something even he was unaware of. -Not only that, but Jung Yoon-Ho even mentioned Team Lead Maroon by name. Jiang Wei, naturally suspicious, readily believed Ryu Shin''s lies. Suddenly, Jiang Wei''s furious roar echoed through the phone. -Get out there and catch that bastard Maroon! The seething Jiang Wei yelled furiously amid loud noises. -Chief Ryu, leave Korea immediately ande back! The war with Shanghai New Media Inc. takes priority! "Yes, Mr. Jiang." Ryu Shin breathed a sigh of relief as he ended the call. "Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho, I owe you a huge debt. I''ll make sure to repay it," Ryu Shin muttered to himself. Ryu Shin gritted his teeth and walked out of the room. "I''m returning to China." "Yes, Mr. Ryu!" Then, Ryu Shin headed straight to Incheon Airport. *** As soon as I arrived at work the next day, I sought out Kang Ji-Yung and Jung Soo-Hyuk to tell them about yesterday''s events. When I mentioned that I had rejected the nk check, their eyes widened. "What?" "What did you say?" Looking at the startled Kang Ji-Yung and Jung Soo-Hyuk, I told them I wouldn''t leave Hoop Entertainment. I said this was where I belonged and I didn''t want to live as someone''splete subordinate. Kang Ji-Yung stared at me. "Mr. Jung... don''t you regret turning down such a good offer?" I smiled and answered, "A good offer isn''t just about money, right?" "What''s better than money?" Kang Ji-Yung asked. "I think having goodpany is the best," I replied with a smile. Kang Ji-Yung''s eyes showed a hint of admiration. At that moment, Jung Soo-Hyuk burst into heartyughter. "Ha ha. It seems like Director Kang has learned something today." "Indeed. This is quite humbling," Kang Ji-Yung said with a nod. Kang Ji-Yung looked at me again. "Still, we''ll give you the best treatment we can. And we''ll officially record that you received the offer to be Hwayeon Media Inc.''s branch manager. That way, everyone will understand why you get better treatment." "I won''t refuse any care from you, Ms. Kang," I said yfully. "What did you say? Ha ha." Kang Ji-Yung burst outughing in a loud voice which echoed throughout the room. As we were wrapping up our conversation, Kang Ji-Yung suggested having lunch together. "Ji-Hye unnie suggested we have lunch together today. Do you have time? She said she wanted to repay the favor and get your help to solve a problem." "A problem?" I asked. Kang Ji-Yung shrugged. "That''s all she told me." I didn''t know what she had prepared, but Jang Ji-Hye wasn''t one to make idle promises. "Understood. I''ll see youter then." *** We entered the pristine white circr door of the upscale Italian restaurant Eviche at Gangnam Station where a waitress checked our reservation and led us to the VIP room. "They are waiting in Room 7." As we followed the waitress, I noticed the L.M.L logo on Kang Ji-Yung''s chest. "Ms. Kang, that outfit is..." "Yes. It''s from L.M.L. Looks good, right? Ms. Lee Yung-Ah brought it over for me." "It suits you well," I remarked. "Why do I feel like yourplimentcks sincerity?" To be honest, I was thinking that the outfit would look better on Yoo-Jin. Of course, Kang Ji-Yung had a figure that could pull off almost any outfit, but it was more Yoo-Jin''s style. "Do I need to put my soul intopliments too?" Kang Ji-Yungughed heartily. "I''m just joking. By the way, I also got clothes for Miss Yoo-Jin and sent them to Division 2. Have you seen them?" "No. I''ve been so busytely that I left the wardrobe management to Deputy Manager Lee Mi-Ri." "There''s a lot of pretty clothes, so make sure she wears them well." "Yes, Ms. Kang." As we were chatting andughing, we arrived at Room 7. "This is the ce." When the waitress opened the door, Jang Ji-Hye waved at us. "Oh, you guys are here." Sitting across from her was Han Se-Hwa, who looked white beyond pale. *** Han Se-Hwa avoided making eye contact with us. Then, Jang Ji-Hye pointed to the seats next to her without blinking. "Sit here." Kang Ji-Yung red at Jang Ji-Hye. "Unnie, why did you bring this person here?" "I told you I''d take care of the troublemaker," Jang Ji-Hye replied. "Is making such an ufortable situation your way of solving a problem?" Kang Ji-Yung retorted. Jang Ji-Hye looked directly at Kang Ji-Yung. "Don''t you trust me? Just sit down for now." Kang Ji-Yung frowned but approached Jang Ji-Hye and sat beside her. I sat next to Han Se-Hwa who flinched. I ignored her and asked Jang Ji-Hye, "Mrs. Jang. Could you please exin this situation now?" Jang Ji-Hye nodded. "Alright. First, President Han, let''s start with an apology." The sweating Han Se-Hwa bowed her head. "I''m sorry, Mrs. Jang." Jang Ji-Hye shook her head. "No, the apology isn''t to me. It''s to Team Lead Jung. He went through a lot of trouble because of your little prank." Han Se-Hwa closed her eyes tightly at Jang Ji-Hye''s sharp tone and bowed her head. "I''m-I''m sorry. I tried too hard to win against you and ended up going too far. I promise it won''t happen again." I didn''t know what kind of threat Jang Ji-Hye had made before we arrived, but Han Se-Hwa didn''t even dare to look at me. Though I found Han Se-Hwa''s actions absurd, I couldn''t ignore the situation that Jang Ji-Hye had set up. After all, she wasn''t someone who did things thoughtlessly. Jang Ji-Hye looked at me and said, "Team Lead Jung, just ept the apology. From now on, President Han won''t bother Yoo-Jin anymore." Then, Jang Ji-Hye nced at Han Se-Hwa and added, "Right, President Han?" Han Se-Hwa nodded continuously. "Yes, absolutely." She nodded her head so fast that it was almost a blur. "I''ve made Yoo-Jin the main cover model for the September issue of Womans. If anything like this happens again, you won''t just be dealing with me but you''ll have to face MyungSung Inc. as well," Jang Ji-Hye said while still staring at Han Se-Hwa. Han Se-Hwa swallowed dryly. "Yes, Mrs. Jang..." Her eyes wandered aimlessly as she nodded. At that moment, I understood why Jang Ji-Hye had set up this meeting. She was officially stating her stance as my backer. More than that, Jang Ji-Hye''s words caught my attention. ''She made Yoo-Jin the main cover model for the September issue of Womans?'' I wondered. Jang Ji-Hye looked directly at Han Se-Hwa. "I''m done with what I had to say. Now, we''re about to eat. Do you want to join us?" Han Se-Hwa waved her hands frantically. "No, no, I''m fine. Please enjoy your meal..." Han Se-Hwa nced at me onest time before quickly disappearing. As the door closed, Kang Ji-Yung looked perplexed and asked, "Unnie, what did you do to make that proud Han Se-Hwa act so submissive?" Jang Ji-Hye smiled and began to exin what had happened. Chapter 256: Getting Rid of Potential Danger (3)

Chapter 256: Getting Rid of Potential Danger (3)

"How? Simple. I collected all the evidence of her trying to bribe Choi Yung-Eun, our editor, and threatened to sue her," Jang Ji-Hye replied. Jang Ji-Hye said she showed all the documents she got from Choi Tae-Sung, the audit department''s team lead. Kang Ji-Yung marveled at Jang Ji-Hye''s swift response. "Wow, bigpanies sure are scary~" "That''s right. People usually hold back because the public might frown upon it, but there''s nothing they can do if they want to." Jang Ji-Hye smiled, then turned to me and added, "Still, you shouldn''t underestimate Han Se-Hwa''s connections, Team Lead Jung." I nodded. "Yes, she indeed has a widework." "Well, at least she''ll stay quiet for a while. If she doesn''t want to fight me openly, she''ll pretend to reflect for now. So, how do you like my gift?" Jang Ji-Hye said as she gave me a smirk. Ever since we yed golf together, Jang Ji-Hye had been speaking more casually with me. "I was a bit surprised by the unexpected gift, but I love it," I responded with a smile. "Good, let''s order some food then." Jang Ji-Hye pressed the bell to call the waitress and ordered a course meal which cost 200 thousand won per person. Then, I asked her, "But what do you mean that Yoo-Jin is the model for the cover of the September issue of Womans?" Jang Ji-Hye shrugged. "That''s my second gift. Since Miss Yoo-Jin is now an L.M.L model, I thought she should dress well and be the main feature. Many readers are curious about the new brand, you know. So consider it a Jung Yoo-Jin and L.M.L special." When Jang Ji-Hyevishly praised Yoo-Jin, Kang Ji-Yung snorted. "You are an expert at taking advantage of others. I know you''re saying this to sneakily ask for sponsorship next month, but no way! L.M.L is a luxury brand!" "Rx. I''m aware," Jang Ji-Hye remarked. "What? Then what are you nning to do?" "We''ll get a few items from L.M.L as sponsorship and fill the rest with LM Apparel products." Jang Ji-Hye smiled and asked me, "What do you think, Team Lead Jung? Can you do it?" "I''ll make a call." "Alright then." I immediately called Lee Yung-Ah from LM Apparel and she answered cheerfully. -Sponsorship? We can provide up to 50,000 eco-bags with a small logo and up to five L.M.L bags. I felt confident thanks to the generous support. -I also think adding Miss Yoo-Jin''s autograph to the L.M.L bags would be a good idea. Lee Yung-Ah eagerly offered her suggestion. "I''ll check with the team and get back to you," I replied. -Sure. Please visit us soon. We need to finalize the contract for Miso children''s wear. "Alright, I''ll visit soon." -See you soon~ Jang Ji-Hye seemed delighted with the unexpected sess. "As expected of Team Lead Jung. Honestly, I would have asked you to work with me long ago if it weren''t for Ji-Yung." At that moment, Kang Ji-Yung looked at Jang Ji-Hye with a pout. "Unnie, what are you saying now?" "Why are you looking at me like that? I said I didn''t ask because of you." "Don''t even dream about it. We''re not letting Team Lead Jung go!" Jang Ji-Hyeughed. "Hold on tight. If yourpany can''t keep him, I''ll snatch him away." "There''s no way that''s happening," Kang Ji-Yung retorted. "What? Can''t I even talk about it?" "Don''t even dream of putting a im on him!" I scratched my head and tried to change the subject. At that moment, Jang Ji-Hye spoke up. "By the way, I heard an interesting story earlier..." Kang Ji-Yung tilted her head. "What story?" "The rumor that Team Lead Jung is actually the son of a very influential person." It was such an absurd story that I didn''t know how to respond. "Me?" I uttered with a confused face. Jang Ji-Hye nodded. "A little while ago, President Han said that Secretary Chief Ryu-Shin warned her not to mess with Team Lead Jung for now. And when I stepped in to back you up, she asked if you were the hidden son of some conglomerate family." I almost burst outughing at Jang Ji-Hye''s words. ''A conglomerate''s son, huh... that''s funny,'' I thought to myself. It was easy for people to think that way since they didn''t know I was an orphan nor did they know about the existence of my nner which was the source of all my information. "That''s interesting," I remarked and shrugged my shoulders. Jang Ji-Hye smiled and said, "I guess it''s only natural to think that way. Your confident attitude, skillful handling of situations, and possession of information that even I didn''t know are impressive indeed. Oh, and not to mention spending all your money to buy Yetterang''s stocks. Those aren''t the actions of an ordinary office worker." Jang Ji-Hye seemed to know more about me than I expected, almost as if she had investigated me. At that moment, Jang Ji-Hye saw my expression and looked slightly apologetic. "I hope you don''t take what I said the wrong way. Someone in my position gets a report on the people I meet first thing in the morning." "Is that so?" I asked. "Sometimes it feels unpleasant like I''m prying into others'' private lives. But that''s that. From now on, you should be careful. There will be people who know more than I do and are more ambitious in recruiting you," Jang Ji-Hye warned me. It made sense. Jang Wei had also sent his right-hand man, Ryu-Shin, to bring me over after just a brief meeting. The continuous love calls unlike anything I had experienced in my past life were a bit overwhelming. However, all these did not matter. I still believed being a talent agent was my calling. No matter how much money I could make, I had no intention of switching industries. After all, seeing stars grow under my guidance was so rewarding and enjoyable. "Thank you for the advice." Jang Ji-Hye smiled. "See? You take everything so calmly. Sometimes I feel like you''re from another world. Are you really 27?" ''No. I''m not 27, I''m 37. And I did live in a different world,'' I remarked inwardly. I simply smiled in response and said, "Thank you for your advice and for choosing Yoo-Jin as the cover model for the next issue of Womans." Jang Ji-Hye couldn''t hide her joy. "I''m the one who should be thankful. Today''s entertainment section was half-filled with Miss Yoo-Jin''s articles. Thanks to her, we''ve printed three editions this month. I can''t remember thest time that happened." Just then, the appetizers came. Since we skipped the aperitif, the assorted appetizers, or Antipasto Misto, began to be served on dark oak tes. Jang Ji-Hye picked at the ham and cheese on the te and asked, "Um, Team Lead Jung. You know our magazine covers a lot of restaurants, right?" "Yes, I know." "I think it would be well-received if Haru and you visited and interviewed the top ten restaurants we''ve selected for the year..." After a brief moment of thought, I nodded. "In return, can you also cover the restaurants featured in Master of Mukbang until the September issue? If you can, I''d definitely be down." Jang Ji-Hye''s face brightened. "Okay. I''ll get it arranged right away. You know you can''t break this promise, right?" Jang Ji-Hye put down her fork and immediately made a call to her office. Seeing her handle business even in this situation made Kang Ji-Yung click her tongue in amazement. After finishing her call, Jang Ji-Hye smiled. "Enjoy your meal today. We''ll see each other again during the cover shoot. Let''s meet at one of the restaurants Haru goes to next time." At that moment, Kang Ji-Yung joined in. "Talking about Haru makes me crave braised short ribs." "You too?" Jang Ji-Hye asked. Kang Ji-Yung nodded and looked at me. "What about you, Team Lead Jung?" "M-me too," I scratched my head and replied. I had already tasted the braised short ribs Haru made, but revealing this might lead to envious stares and ruin my meal. "It''s a shame, but let''s eat this first. I need to get back to work soon." "Okay~." We continued to enjoy the course meal while discussing the current status of the celebrities I managed. With Jang Ji-Hye as my solid backer, I had eliminated yet another potential threat today. *** Episode 3 of Master of Mukbang was about to air. After handling an urgent matter at work, I returned home and changed intofortable clothes. When I went downstairs, Miso greeted me with a bright smile. "Uncle Yoon-Ho!" The moment Miso saw me and shouted, the Cherry Blossom members turned to look at me. "Oh, it''s Yoon-Ho oppa." "Yoon-Ho oppa!" They all weed me with bright expressions as if I were a celebrity. "Are you nning to have dinner here again today?" I asked. "Yes. Haru told me toe because he''s making Korean pancakes." Sae-Ri was determined to eat a lot of Korean pancakes today. "We did all the hard work with the batter ourselves!" Sae-Ri eximed. Sae-Ri repeatedly emphasized that she and the Cherry Blossom members made the batter, not just Haru and Jung In-Ji. "But will Korean pancakes be enough for dinner?" I asked. "That''s why we''re going to have two each," Sae-Ri replied with an excited smile. "You might as well...eat some rice instead." Sae-Ri shook her head in response. "No, no. Today is Korean pancake day for sure! Don''t you know it''s a trend to eat the same food while watching Master of Mukbang?" I nced at the window in the living room and saw raindrops falling against the window. I thought, ''People will eat a lot of Korean pancakes since it''s raining.''[1] The rain was indeed timely. "Yeah. Korean pancakes taste great on rainy days. Let''s eat." The TV was already set to the TVM channel and a tablecloth was spread on the dining table. Excited by having many guests at home, Miso tugged at my clothes. "Uncle Yoon-Ho! I wish there were this many people every day!" "Miso, do you like having a lot of people around?" I asked her in a gentle tone. "I love it!" Miso eximed with glee. When I patted Miso''s head feeling sorry for her, she smiled brightly like sunshine. At that moment, Jung In-Ji shouted from the kitchen, "Kids, I''m starting to fry Korean pancakes now, soe and get them as they''re ready." "Yes, ma''am~." Everyone responded in unison, and the Korean pancake batter began to sizzle on the heated frying pan. As the batter hit the hot and oiled pan, the sizzling sound reached the living room. The batter crackled as it cooked in the oil. Soon, the savory smell wafted from the kitchen to the living room. "Ugh... I can''t wait," said the drooling Sae-Ri and everyone nodded in agreement. "Yeah, really." "The smell is amazing!" The first Korean pancakended on the te with a st. "Here, take one first. I''ll give you more soon," said Jung In-Ji. "Awesome! Miso, let''s go!" "Okay, Sae-Ri unnie!" Sae-Ri and Miso jumped up and ran to the kitchen and returned with a reverent expression as if carrying the Olympic me. Sae-Ri carefully ced the te of pancakes on the living room table. The Korean pancakes served on a white porcin te were golden brown and crispy at the edges. The Korean pancake was packed with chives, mussels, and squid, making it look filling even with just one serving.[2] "Uncle Yoon-Ho~ I''m going to eat three of these!" "Miso, you can eat as much as you want." Sae-Ri gave me a pouty look. "Yoon-Ho oppa, why does Miso get three?" "Because Miso is still growing." Sae-Ri proudly puffed out her chest. "I''m still growing too!" ''I''m sorry, Sae-Ri, but you''ve finished growing,'' I said silently in my heart. However, I didn''t want to crush her spirit, so I whispered, "One pancake is 550 kcal..." Sae-Ri flinched. "R-really?" Seeing Sae-Ri''s confused look, Yang Eun-Bi put her hand on Sae-Ri''s shoulder. "Let''s just eat one. Okay, Sae-Ri?" "Eun-Bi unnie. Yoon-Ho oppa is lying, right? How can one Korean pancake have that many calories?" "Isn''t science just amazing?" Girl groups were more sensitive to calories than anyone else as they were constantly on a diet. Thanks to that, Sae-Ri''s n to eat two Korean pancakes quietly vanished. *** After a while, Jung In-Ji brought thest of six Korean pancakes out. "It''s starting." When episode 3 of Master of Mukbang began, we sped our hands and shouted, "Thank you for the meal~!" Everyone started putting Korean pancakes on their tes and began to eat. When the golden-brown pancake was cut in half, small pieces of mussel and squid fell out. I picked up the fallen mussel and squid with chopsticks, ced them back on the torn Korean pancake, dipped it in Haru''s special soy sauce, and took a bite. The salty, tangy, and sweet taste of the sauce, the savory vor of the mussels, the freshness of the chives, and the chewy texture of the squid hit me all at once. ''This tastes amazing,'' I thought to myself. Miso eximed with a surprised expression, "Wow, it''s really delicious! Haru oppa! You''re the best!" "Really?" Haru asked sheepishly. "Yeah, yeah!" Everyone started eximing one after another. "Miso''s right. How can a Korean pancake be this good?" "Haru, teach me the recipeter!" "You know, I always thought that you''d be sessful even if you started a food business." Haru''s perfect batter ratio made it taste like a professional dish. Haru waved his hands shyly. "No, not at all." At that moment, a scene of Miso eating Korean pancakes appeared in episode 3 of Master of Mukbang. Seeing Miso burn the roof of her mouth with the hot Korean pancake, Eun-Ah asked worriedly, "Miso, did it hurt a lot during filming? Are you okay now?" Miso shook her head when Eun-Ah asked in a cautious voice. "Eun-Ah unnie. That Korean pancake was cold." "What...? You ate it cold? Then it was all acting?" "Yeah!" When Miso answered calmly, everyone looked at me. I told them what happened on the filming set. The curious Eun-Ah asked, "Miso, how did you act like that?" At that moment, Miso picked up the remaining Korean pancake on her te and took a bite. She dropped her chopsticks, patted her mouth with both hands and shouted, "It''s hot~ too hot~!" Everyone was startled by Miso''s sudden acting. "A-are you okay, Miso?" "Haru, we need water! Where''s the water?" Eun-Ah screamed in panic as Miso''s face turned bright red, and Sae-Ri sprang up like a spring and started looking for water. At that moment, Miso swallowed the Korean pancake and grinned with a look that said, ''It''s that easy.'' 1. Koreans eat Korean pancakes on rainy days ? 2. Korean pancakes are usually thin, making it not very filling ? Chapter 257: Opportunity (1)

Chapter 257: Opportunity (1)

"This is how you do it!" Miso exined the secret behind her acting, saying she imitated a scene from a movie. Everyone blinked in shock. "W-what did I just see?" "That was acting?" "You can just imitate what you see?" Miso tilted her head. She looked confused as to why everyone was surprised. "T-then how did your face turn red?" "I just held my breath. Like this! Huff!" Miso replied. When Miso held her breath and her face turned red, Sae-Ri held her chest in surprise and sat back down. "That''s impossible. This is a scam. A scam!" Miso responded quickly. "Unnie! I''ll show you how to do it!" "Really?" At that moment, I intervened and separated the two. If Sae-Ri tried acting, she would only get frustrated. "Miso, an actor must monitor their performance well. How about we continue watching the drama first?" Miso nodded. "Hmm...alright! Okay!" As Miso turned her attention back to the TV, the Cherry Blossom members who were staring at her in a daze also refocused on the drama. Even the most surprised Sae-Ri turned her gaze back to Master of Mukbang. I thought she had given up on acting, but I guess I was mistaken. Sae-Ri started watching the drama intently, saying she had given up too easily before. We became so engrossed in episode 3 of Master of Mukbang that we lost track of time. A littleter when the drama ended, enthusiastic reactions from viewers started appearing on social media. (Real-Time Reactions) -As expected, today''s episode was great as always. I just finished a bowl of rice watching Master of Mukbang! -Miso was so cute. -Today''s episode was carried by Miso! -Haru, I love you so much! -Lee Tae-Poong''s acting was better than expected. He''s surprisingly good at everyday acting. He should''ve taken on more of such roles earlier. -True. Before, his intense gaze made it ufortable to watch his acting. -I agree. He just set the mood and everything else used to be awkward. But he waspletely different today. It''s like he relearned acting from scratch. -Every time I see Haru smile, my heart feels like it''s going to explode. His eye color is super unique. Is he wearing lenses? -He''s mixed. He''s half-Russian. -Haru eats food so deliciously. Makes me hungry every time. -Today was a visual treat with Lee Tae-Poong, Haru, and Miso. The cast also received high praise along with the food scenes. Then I received a call from Yoo Hyun-Ji. -Mr. Jung! The viewership ratings hit 5%! "Really? Is it really 5%?" -Yes. It''s chaos not just in the drama department but in the entire station. This is the first time a cable mini-series of 12 episodes hit this record by the third episode! I could hear Jo Eung-Cheon''s voice behind Yoo Hyun-Ji''s emotional words. -Let me talk to him. Team Lead Jung, can youe to thepany immediately? "I''m sorry?" -Mrs. Yang from CK Foods can''t wait until the weekend. She''s a bit impatient. I know you''re busy, but can youe right now? Jo Eung-Cheon and Promotion Director Yang Eun-Jung of CK Foods were growing impatient, worried anotherpany might snatch Haru away. Then, I received another call. Just as Jo Eung-Cheon had feared, numerous foodpanies were calling for advertising inquiries. I could see the bright future ahead for Haru. *** After parking the car at TVM Headquarters'' parking lot, I got out with Lee Yung-Jin. On the way here, I instructed Lee Yung-Jin, who was in charge of Haru, to lead the advertising contract discussions with CK Foods. The extremely nervous Lee Yung-Jin held a lip balm in his right hand and moistened his dry lips with it. "Should we have brought Haru along?" Lee Yung-Jin asked. I shook my head. "No. We came here prepared to walk away if needed, so it''s better he''s not here today." "Walk away? What do you mean?" When Woo Sung-Chan was the lead in my past life, Master of Mukbang hit a 7% viewership rating and secured a 100 million won ad deal with CK Foods. I was confident we could aim for even higher viewership ratings with Haru as the lead since the initial statistics show an even higher upward trend. However, we had to be ready to walk out and renegotiate the contract againter, because CK Foods'' promotion director, Yang Eun-Jung, wasn''t easy to deal with. "You need to stay strong because they might try to lower the contract fee. Showing any sign of weakness could hurt us," I warned Lee Yung-Jin. I shared Yang Eun-Jung''s personality in detail with Lee Yung-Jin. "So what should be the minimum amount we ask for?" Lee Yung-Jin asked. "At least 100 million won." Lee Yung-Jin''s eyes widened. "Pardon? 100 million won for a rookie actor''s ad fee? Isn''t that a bit too high?" "If we can''t get that much, it''s better to walk away. The final episode will increase Haru''s value and more advertisers wille knocking anyway." Lee Yung-Jin pondered for a moment and asked again, "What''s your estimate for the final episode''s viewership ratings?" "We got 5% at the third episode, so maybe over 10% by the end? Depending on the situation, it could be even higher." Lee Yung-Jin''s eyes widened. "10% on cable?" "Why not? There are works hitting 20% on cable these days. I''m already giving a safe estimate since it''s only got 12 episodes. It''s possible as long as the drama maintains its current poprity." Lee Yung-Jin''s legs were trembling even before starting the contract discussions. "Mr. Jung, can I speak casually to you for a moment?" "Of course. I told you to do so when no one''s around." Lee Yung-Jin let out a deep sigh. "Yoon-Ho. As you know, Haru is the first actor I''m managing on my own." "Yeah." "I really want to make Haru a big sess. But what if they see me as a mere talent agent and lowball the ad fee? What if you could get 100 million won, but they offer only 50 million because of me?" "You''ll be fine. Don''t worry." "Sigh~ Yoon-Ho, I honestly don''t mind if I get disrespected. I just can''t ept Haru''s ad fee being cut." Lee Yung-Jin was afraid of causing harm to Haru because of himself. A celebrity''s future and life could change based on the ads and roles theynded. As such, most entertainmentpanies didn''t let anyone below the team lead level handle ad contracts. However, I wanted to nurture my team members differently. I intended to give them as many opportunities as possible to participate in contract discussions, allowing them to experience both sess and failure. After all, that was the fastest way to grow. That said, I would always cover them to ensure no harmes to the celebrities. "Don''t be scared! That''s why I''m here with you! And I heard that Director Yang doesn''t discriminate by rank. This is a chance to gain experience, isn''t it?" Listening to me, Lee Yung-Jin looked at me intently. "Yoon-Ho, why are you so good to me?" "Huh? What do you mean?" "You didn''t trust me before. You used to call and check everything when I handled Ju Yung-In''s schedule..." I felt a pang in my heart. It was true I didn''t trust even my peers and friends in my past life and always kept my distance. Growing up an orphan, I found it hard to trust the world and naturally did everything alone. I handled most things myself even after I became the vice president. ''Maybe that''s why I had no friends...'' I silently reflected on my thoughts. But now, I was apletely different person. I still did a lot of work, but I shared as much as possible. Perhaps because of that reason, Lee Yung-Jin, who had spent the first year with me, looked confused. At that moment, I felt a little guilty thinking about the past when I couldn''t trust my friend and colleague, Lee Yung-Jin. ''I''m d I came back...'' I remarked inwardly. I felt relief as I looked at Lee Yung-Jin. "That''s not true. I trust you a lot. It might have looked that way because I was barely able to take care of myself untilst year, but I wanted to help you out like this whenever I got the chance." Lee Yung-Jin''s eyes filled with deep emotion. "Is that... so?" "Yes. So stop with the unnecessary talk and let''s go inside. We''ll bete." I quickly changed the subject, but Lee Yung-Jin added one more thing. "Thank you for trusting me. Really... I''ll do well today." It didn''t matter if he was a littlecking because I could cover for him. And what Icked, my team members would fill in. "Take a deep breath and let''s go inside. Your first ad contract is waiting." Lee Yung-Jin took a deep breath and finally calmed his trembling body down. Then he gave me a slightly more determined look and said, "Yes, Mr. Jung!" *** Jo Eung-Cheon was waiting on the sofa in his office together with Yoo Hyun-Ji and the 47-year-old Yang Eun-Jung. After a brief greeting, we got straight to the point. "70 million won a year! Let''s just go all in without any fuss!" Yang Eun-Jung said loudly. At that moment, Lee Yung-Jin, sitting beside me, quickly bowed his head. "No, I''m sorry. But considering Haru''s rising poprity, please consider 150 million won." Yang Eun-Jung''s expression turned grim upon hearing the amount was double what he had suggested and questioned, "What do you think you''re doing? Why is this person speaking instead of you, Team Lead Jung?" I bowed to the angry Yang Eun-Jung. "Talent agent Lee Yung-Jin is in charge of Haru''s management. He knows Haru better than I do, so I entrusted him with the contract discussion. I will take responsibility as the team lead." As Yang Eun-Jung''s voice rose, Lee Yung-Jin''s shoulders shrank. When I tapped Lee Yung-Jin''s knee with my head lowered, Lee Yung-Jin nced at me. I looked at him to reassure him. ''It''s okay, Yung-Jin. Rx. Take a deep breath.'' Lee Yung-Jin seemed to understand my gesture and took a shallow breath. When he lifted his head, Yang Eun-Jung nodded. "Alright. So I should talk with Talent Agent Lee Yung-Jin about this matter, right?" Perhaps seeing him as an easy target, Yang Eun-Jung smiled slightly and continued with a louder voice. "How can you recklessly demand such a high fee for a rookie actor? I''ve been in this business for over 20 years, but this is the first time I''ve encountered such absurdity!" However, Lee Yung-Jin argued logically. "As you know, Mrs. Yang, an actor''s value changes from day to day. A rookie actor''s fee rises if there''s demand and a veteran''s fee drops if there''s none." "That''s enough! I don''t want to beat around the bush! Let''s just go with 80 million won a year! If you''re going to ask for more, let''s just part ways here!" Lee Yung-Jin sped his hands together and bowed his head. As I had instructed earlier, he remained courteous no matter the situation. "If 80 million won a year is the maximum offer, we can''t ept it. I''m sorry." Yang Eun-Jung stared intently at Yung-Jin and then turned her gaze to me. "Team Lead Jung, do you feel the same way? Should we end the contract here?" "I told you from the start that I entrusted this to Talent Agent Lee Yung-Jin. Unfortunately, his thoughts align with mine. We''ll see you next time." Yang Eun-Jung snorted in frustration. "Alright then. Let''s call it off!" She started gathering the documents on the table in annoyance. That''s when Jo Eung-Cheon stepped in as if he had been waiting. "Oh, Mrs. Yang. You can be so quick-tempered sometimes. Let''s hear more of what they have to say, shall we? There''s always a price difference between seller and buyer, right?" Yang Eun-Jung took her hands off the documents and said, "I understand that, but the price has to be reasonable! Asking for 150 million won right off the bat is too much. Don''t you think so? Isn''t there any business ethics here?" Jo Eung-Cheon nodded repeatedly. "Of course. Yes, yes. That''s right." Then, he looked at us and added, "You too. How can a deal be struck if all you do is just make bold demands? Let''s each take a step back." At that moment, Lee Yung-Jin came up with an idea. "How about this method?" "What do you suggest?" "Let''s agree to the 80 million won as Mrs. Yang mentioned for now. But if the viewership ratings exceed 10%, please add an extra 30 million won. Everyone here knows that an actor''s poprity skyrockets once they gain momentum, right? Please consider this." ''He''s not bad,'' I thought to myself. Lee Yung-Jin was maintaining the 100 million won target I mentioned while leaving room for negotiation with the other party. Yang Eun-Jung''s tone finally softened a bit. "Are you suggesting a conditional contract?" "I believe this is only the beginning of Haru''s rising poprity. Here''s a Goggle Trends graph." Lee Yung-Jin took out a tablet and started showing the prepared data. "As you can see, the search volume is increasing rapidly," he exined. The expressions of the people looking at Lee Yung-Jin''s data started to be serious. The moment Yang Eun-Jung showed signs of contemtion, Jo Eung-Cheon stepped in once more. "Mrs. Yang, isn''t this quite reasonable? Given the trend, you might even gain significantly from this contract." But at that moment, Yang Eun-Jung set a condition and showed she wouldn''t back down easily. Chapter 258: Opportunity (2)

Chapter 258: Opportunity (2)

"70 million won per year! And if the viewership ratings exceed 10%, I''ll give you an additional 50 million won instead of 30!" Yang Eun-Jung countered. She reduced the initial fixed fee and increased the conditional payment instead. Yang Eun-Jung seemed to think that Master of Mukbang''s viewership ratings wouldn''t exceed 10%, but I was confident it could easily surpass it. Yang Eun-Jung spoke to us confidently. "Well? How about it? If the viewership ratings exceed 10%, you''ll gain an additional ten million won. Isn''t that good? But if it doesn''t, then you wouldn''t get anything extra." Lee Yung-Jin nced at me to ask, ''What should we do?'' I shot him a look of confidence. ''Deal!'' The two of us nodded simultaneously as our eyes met. Lee Yung-Jin stood up abruptly and bowed. "Thank you, Mrs. Yang!" I also stood up and bowed deeply. Even though it was a conditional offer, securing over a hundred million won was still impressive. Then, Yang Eun-Jung clicked her tongue and asked, "Do you really think it will exceed 10%?" "Of course, Mrs. Yang." Yang Eun-Jung stared at us for a moment and then nodded. "I heard Hoop Entertainment is doing well these days. It must be because the young team leads and subordinates are so full of spirit." "Thank you for seeing us in a good light." As I joked, Yang Eun-Jung extended her hand to Lee Yung-Jin. "Your name is Lee Yung-Jin, right?" "Oh, yes." "You do your job very well. If you ever get interested in food marketing, contact me. I''ll treat you well." "Thank you for your considerate words, Mrs. Yang!" A newfound confidence appeared on Lee Yung-Jin''s face upon hearing high praise from his negotiation counterpart. At the same time, I felt a bit more confident too. *** After finishing the deal with CK Foods, we saw Yang Eun-Jung off. Jo Eung-Cheon sat on the sofa and stuck out his tongue. "You''re fearless. What would you have done if I hadn''t stepped in?" "CK Foods isn''t the only foodpany out there, is it?" I teased. Jo Eung-Cheon stared at me. "I heard that you''re doing quite well these days, Team Lead Jung. You''re quite sharp, aren''t you?" "Thank you." "Ahem. If you know that it''s apliment, consider adjusting that actor''s fee for Table of Mukbang. Is Talent Agent Lee Yung-Jin handling that too?" "No, I handle all the fee negotiations for the actors in our team." However, that was actually a lie. Lee Yung-Jin was too burnt out to handle more deals after his intense negotiation with Yang Eun-Jung. This was my time to shine. "Haru''s value is..." At that moment, Jo Eung-Cheon burst into heartyughter. "Ha ha ha, I just can''t win against you." The per-episode fee for the uing variety show Table of Mukbang was 5 million won. If it weren''t for the promise of a tie-in appearance following Master of Mukbang, we would have called for at least 10 million won per episode. Since the appearance was already promised in the contract, we conceded appropriately. However, it turned out that the reason Jo Eung-Cheon called me to thepany wasn''t just to discuss the advertisement. "Actually, PD Yoo has nned another new program," Jo Eung-Cheon said. "A new program? There''s another one other than Hell Tavern?" I asked with curiosity. "Yes, there is." For a moment, I thought it might be a bluff and subtly checked my nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: November 2, 2020] -09:50 p.m. (Deleted Schedule: TVM Episode 1 Viewership Ratings 3.2%) ''Wow. I guess it''s true,'' I remarked inwardly. Jo Eung-Cheon called Yoo Hyun-Ji in, thinking it would be better for me to hear directly from her. Yoo Hyun-Ji scratched her head. "To be honest, I gotta admit it''s a bit early to be discussing this now. However, since Master of Mukbang has been receiving better responses than expected, I nned a sequel." "What is the concept?" I asked. "We''re thinking of filming a mukbang travel show with Mr. Lee Tae-Poong, Haru, and Miso." The show was tentatively titled Mukbang Travel Diary. It was nned as a sequel to Master of Mukbang where Lee Tae-Poong takes Haru on a nationwide food tour. "Then how does Miso fit in?" "We n to have Miso move around with Mrs. Bae Yeon-Jin, who yed the mom role in Episode 3." Bae Yeon-Jin yed Miso''s mom in Master of Mukbang and wouldter achieve great sess in five years by exceeding 20% viewership ratings with the drama Genie''s Dream. Until then, she would move between minor and supporting roles, hardly seeing the light. However, this opportunity could change her life. After all, any small role must be extremely precious to her now. After contemting for a while, I felt that it was not a bad idea and nodded. "Scheduling would be the biggest issue, but it shouldn''t be a dealbreaker." Yoo Hyun-Ji''s expression brightened. "Mr. Jo, did you hear that? Team Lead Jung agreed! If you cut the production budget again, I''ll switch jobs." Jo Eung-Cheon nodded. "You can expect a good budget this time. I promise to allocate it generously." The excited Yoo Hyun-Ji exined the rough schedule. "We''ll go into detailed nning and preliminary surveys after finishing this episode''s filming, so we can expect to start aroundte October." "Then let''s finalize the contract and negotiate fees after early October," I suggested. Yoo Hyun-Ji''s eyes shed. "That''s because you want to set Mr. Tae-Poong''s fees based on the movie''s performance, right?" "Yes." Jo Eung-Cheon alsoughed heartily. "Ha ha. You seem confident that the movie will do well." I simply smiled contentedly without answering. ''Sess? Yes, indeed. It will be a great sess,'' I silently remarked. "Alright. I''m curious about the results too. Let''s meet again then." Despite my recent sesses, Jo Eung-Cheon still appeared doubtful about the sess of the movie. Unfortunately for him, he woulde to regret this moment after the movie''s release. The lead actor''s fee for a ten-million-viewership movie was invaluable. *** After concluding Haru''s ad contract with the legal teams from bothpanies, we wrapped up the meeting. As we got to the parking lot, Lee Yung-Jin finally let out a long sigh. "Ugh, my heart is still beating so fast. I thought I was going to die." "You did great, Lee Yung-Jin," I praised him. "I don''t even remember what I said. Yoon-Ho, am I gonna be okay? Do you think I got on their bad side?" "Why are you worrying now? Did you forget how Mrs. Yang praised you and offered you a position at herpany?" "What? When?" Lee Yung-Jin fell deep in thought and stared at me. "Oh, was that what it meant when she said to contact her if I''m interested in food marketing?" He seemed so focused on Haru that he didn''t even register the part about himself. "Yes. And you should deliver the news to Haru yourself since you''re managing him." "Thanks, Yoon-Ho." I drove home with a smiling Lee Yung-Jin. It was past 9 p.m. when we arrived. Miso and Haru were ying tag in the first-floor living room. Miso was waving her hands in the air because she was wearing a blindfold. "Haru oppa, where are you?" Haru pped his hands to show his location. "I''m here! This way!" As Miso approached him, Haru quickly dodged. "Oh? Haru oppa, did you just pass by me?" "I sure did~" "Aw, I was so close! I almost caught you!" Yoo-Jin and Jung In-Ji were standing against the wall with pleased expressions and their arms spread out to make sure Miso wouldn''t get hurt. "Miso, you have to catch him quickly." "Miso, Haru is two steps to your left!" At that moment, Haru moved toward the front door from which I had just entered and Miso followed the sound of his footsteps. As Haru found us and was about to greet us, I shushed him. In that instant, Miso grabbed Haru''s back tightly. "I got you!" Miso took off her blindfold with a joyful expression. "Oh, Uncle Yoon-Ho!" Haru smiled brightly and greeted us. "Hyung, you''re here." Miso let go of Haru''s back and came toward me. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, when did you arrive?" "Just now." As I hugged Miso who had her arms extended, she smiled brightly. After greeting her, I looked at Lee Yung-Jin. Lee Yung-Jin happily told Haru about the advertisement news. "Haru, you got an ad!" "An ad? Where?" "For CK Foods'' retort products. It''s an ad for curry and ck bean sauce. I''ll bring the contract in a few days, so we can sign it after discussing it with the legal division." Haru blinked in disbelief. "Really? Did I really get an ad?" Miso remarked excitedly, "Wow! Haru oppa! Then we''ll eat curry and ck bean sauce every day!" Jung In-Ji grabbed Haru''s hand. "Oh my, Haru. That''s great. That''s great news! I''m so proud of you.." Haru seemed bewildered, not knowing how to react to the news. I nudged Lee Yung-Jin. "Yung-Jin, you need to tell him the amount." "Oh, right. I should." Swallowing hard, Lee Yung-Jin spoke. "It''s 70 million won per year. However, if the drama exceeds 10% viewership ratings, it can go up to 120 million won." Haru blinked in shock and stuttered. "Wait, that''s..." At that moment, Yoo-Jin patted Haru''s shoulder and acted like a sunbae. "Congrattions. That''s an unusuallyrge amount for a rookie''s ad fee. Both oppas must have worked hard for you." At that moment, Haru came back to his senses and suddenly jumped at Lee Yung-Jin and me, hugging us tightly and shouting with all his might, "Thank you so much!!" Haru buried his small head between us and started to sob. While hugging Miso with my right hand, I patted Haru''s shaking shoulder with my left. Lee Yung-Jin also hugged Haru and shed tears together. After calming Haru, I spoke to Miso. "Miso, we also got a mukbang show for you. We''ll shoot it at the end of October and Haru will join too." "Really? Haru oppa too?" Miso asked excitedly. "Yes!" Miso smiled brightly and hugged me again. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, you''re the best!" Miso''s hug was a greater reward and happiness for me than any money. It felt like I had returned just for this moment. *** Upon receiving the special mission to find Choi Eun-Tae''s son, Nalsae Lee Beom-Jun who had been wandering around Gyeonggi Province returned to Seoul. Nalsae was currently waiting for Kim Dong-Soo at a small caf¨¦ in Apgujeong with a worried expression. He was so nervous that his legs were trembling without him realizing it. When he limited his search to orphanages in Gyeonggi Province, the target range narrowed down surprisingly quickly. But the problem was the candidates who emerged from the search. It was unfortunate that one of the strong candidates was Kang Eun-Gi who was from the same orphanage as Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment. He shook his head trying to deny it and turned his attention to other orphanages, but his instincts kept bugging him. ''I hope it''s not true, but it''s likely one of the two!'' He thought. Nalsae was well aware of the fact that he was in great danger. ''Fuck. What should I do?'' He thought it was just a matter of finding someone, but it could turn into a life-and-death situation. Choi Man-Sik would try to eliminate anypetitor who could threaten his position, and Choi Eun-Tae of Myeongdong would move to save his bloodline¡ªwhich would inevitably lead to a war. In that case, Nalsae''s life could also be at risk. He couldn''t predict what would happen if he informed Kim Dong-Soo that Jung Yoon-Ho was likely Choi Eun-Tae''s son. Nalsae fell into deep thought. ''This is driving me crazy. Should I... should I just go back to prison? I shouldn''t have epted that damned Kim Dong-Soo''s help in the first ce.'' Even though Nalsae hated prison, it was better than dying. Unable to control his anxiety, Nalsae groaned in frustration. Ding. At that moment, the bell rang and the caf¨¦ door opened. When Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung appeared, Nalsae quicklyposed his expression. Kim Dong-Soo sat down and got straight to the point. "Did you find him or not? Just tell me that." Already worried sick, Nalsae felt annoyed by Kim Dong-Soo''s forceful tone. "What if I didn''t find him? What then?" "What do you think? You go back to prison, you useless bastard!" At that moment, anger surged within Nalsae. "Damn it. I''m doing everything you asked! I''m really trying hard!" Then Ju Ho-Sung smiled sweetly and answered on behalf of Kim Dong-Soo. "Hey, Mr. Lee Bum-Jun. It doesn''t matter how hard you try. You need to produce results." "Who the hell are you now?" Nalsae cursed. Despite Nalsae''s rough attitude, Ju Ho-Sung kept smiling. "Me? I''ll be managing you from now on. And call me Mr. Ju or I''ll make your life really difficult." At that moment, Nalsae felt chills running down his spine. Ju Ho-Sung, who looked like he had never fought anyone before, gave Nalsae the chills. He might appear kind and innocent to others, but Ju Ho-Sung''s viciousness was clear to someone like Nalsae who had been through many hardships. Sensing the danger, Nalsae quickly bowed his head. "Alright. I''m just quick-tempered. Sorry for being rude at our first meeting, Mr. Ju." A meaningful smile crossed Ju Ho-Sung''s lips upon seeing Nalsae quickly bowing. "That''s right. A dog should act like a dog. Now, tell us about the progress of your investigation." That''s when Nalsae realized that his safety could never be guaranteed if he told them what he knew. He thought to himself, ''Fuck this. I''m not telling them anything.'' Nalsae was uneducated and ignorant, but he had managed to survive until now by being quick-witted. Nalsae''s heart began to race, trying to find a way out of this situation. Chapter 259: A Harbinger of a Storm (1)

Chapter 259: A Harbinger of a Storm (1)

Eventually, Nalsae revealed only half of what he had found out as he didn''t want to share hard-earned information with those who disregarded him. "I checked all the orphanages in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, and about 100 suspicious people came up. I met and confirmed 80 of them in the provinces, and now I was about to look for those living near Seoul." Ju Ho-Sung tilted his head. "So you only need to meet 20 more?" "That''s right. Here''s the list of people to meet. Check it out yourself." With a skill that would make a card shark envious, Nalsae handed over the list of names which excluded Jung Yoon-Ho and Kang Eun-Gi''s. "Hmm..." Ju Ho-Sung looked at the list and asked, "So you can finish this by the end of the week, right?" Nalsae scoffed. "By the end of the week? No way. Why don''t you try it yourself? It''s not that easy." Ju Ho-Sung smirked. "We''re paying you to do this. Can''t you handle it?" Nalsae let out a deep sigh. "Listen, Team Lead Ju. All these people on the list are orphans and it''s hard to know where they live or work. The registered addresses turn out to be uninhabited most of the time. Some people travel around for work in the countryside, you know? And you want me to find all of them by the end of the week? This is just too much." Hearing Nalsae''s logical argument, Ju Ho-Sung backed off slightly. "Fine. I''ll give you one month. Is that enough? If you fail, I''ll send you back to jail immediately." Nalsae swallowed hard upon realizing he only had one month of freedom left. "Alright. Let''s do it that way. I''ll find them somehow, so stop pressing me." Nalsae suddenly craved a cold beer and chicken. After all, those were foods he couldn''t have in prison. However, he quickly shook his head as he thought hard. ''No, I need to stop thinking about eating my fill before going back to prison. Instead, I must find a way to avoid going back!'' For someone like Nalsae, going to prison meant being a servant to the strong gangsters there. At that moment, Ju Ho-Sung looked at Nalsae intently and asked, "By the way, we have an employee named Jung Yoon-Ho at ourpany. Is there any chance he''s somehow rted to this? He''s an orphan from Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, and also about the right age." Nalsae''s heart almost jumped out of his chest for a moment. Kim Dong-Soo also looked suspicious. "Yeah, that makes sense. Come to think of it, Jung Yoon-Ho was an orphan too, right?" Nalsae cursed Ju Ho-Sung silently but managed to keep a poker face¡ªa skill he had honed since his paparazzi days. "Actually, he was the first one I checked," Nalsae replied. Kim Dong-Soo tilted his head. "Really? Then why didn''t you mention it earlier?" "Well, it had to be at least somewhat usible to tell you. It was too far-fetched and I found no connection after looking into it. Besides, there''s a record of his father visiting the orphanage when he was in elementary school," Nalsae lied. His calm demeanor managed to fool them. Kim Dong-Soo chuckled hollowly. "You''re right... it doesn''t make sense that Team Lead Jung would be President Choi''s son... Oh, and isn''t Kang Eun-Gi also from that orphanage as well?" "Same with him. He also had a father." Only then did Ju Ho-Sung smile and speak up. "I was just asking out of curiosity." Nalsae gritted his teeth upon realizing that Ho-Sung was testing him. He started to see how Ju Ho-Sung was bing someone who could kill with a few words. Kim Dong-Soo took the list and stood up. "Remember, you have one month. If you can''t find them, just turn yourself in to the police before I do." Ju Ho-Sung also stood up and told Nalsae to call him from now on. Nalsae bowed his head humbly and saw the two of them off. As soon as they left, curses burst out of his mouth. "Ugh, damn those fucking bastards." Although Nalsae was no saint himself, he simply couldn''t stay still and let them push him around. Since he had already lied to them, he needed to find someone who could save him from them. At that moment, a brilliant idea shed through Nalsae''s mind. "I should go see Kang Eun-Gi," he muttered. Nalsae thought Kang Eun-Gi, who had swallowed up the powerful Kanghan faction in the Gyeonggi region, might protect him. And if that didn''t work out, he nned to turn himself in and go to prison. He didn''t want to die because of this, after all. Nalsae immediately got up and headed to Kanghan Entertainment''s office. *** [Jung Yoo-Jin''s designer fashion showcased consecutively in In the Name of God!] [Haru to participate in a cooking audition for celebrities, Table of Mukbang, following Master of Mukbang!] [Director Choi Sung-Moon''s Beyond the Boundary scheduled for release at the end of September!] The celebrities under my management were thriving. Yoo-Jin was sessful with her drama In the Name of God, and Haru with Master of Mukbang. Kang Ha-Na achieved 200,000 subscribers on MeTube, and Lee Tae-Poong was smoothly filming for a movie that would be released at the end of September. As I was looking at my phone, I heard grunting sounds next to me. Yoo-Jin, now on her seventh nk set, was sweating profusely. "Oppa, how many seconds have I done? Ugh!" Yoo-Jin groaned in pain. "Thirty seconds!" "W-what? You''re lying! I just counted to fifty! I can''t hold this nk position any longer!" Yoo-Jin copsed onto the yoga mat. She had eaten a lot of tteokbokki and fried food, so her face was swollen and she was trying to reduce the swelling with nks. At that moment, Miso ran over and fanned her. "Mom, hang in there! Uncle Yoon-Ho said you have to do ten sets to lose weight!" Yoo-Jin struggled to get up. "Miso, can you tell Uncle Yoon-Ho to just stop here?" However, Miso shook her head sternly. "No, Mom. You have to keep your promise!" I had promised Yoo-Jin that she wouldn''t have to drink detox juice the next morning if she did ten sets of one-minute nks. Unfortunately, Yoo-Jin was unable to do more and simplyy t on the floor. I looked at Miso and smiled. "Miso, you''ll have to drink the detox juice with Mom." The startled Miso shook her head. "Mom, Mom! Hurry! I''ll do it with you!" Every time Yoo-Jin drank detox juice, Miso would join her willingly. Despite not being a picky eater, Miso struggled with the awful-tasting detox juice. As Miso quickly got into nk position, Yoo-Jin red at me. "Then you do it too, oppa!" "Huh? Me too?" "Of course! Talent agents and actors are one! Don''t you know that?" "I didn''t know... something like that..." I had no choice but to join them in the nk position begrudgingly. At that moment, Miso nced back and said, "I''ll count to sixty." "Okay." Miso started the count. "One~two~." We waited for time to pass as Miso counted. However, by the time she counted to twenty, I was already drenched in sweat and feeling dizzy. I used to endure ten minutes of nks during my prime, but I hadn''t exercisedtely due to my busy schedule and my body was screaming. ''I need to work out more,'' I thought to myself. Unlike Yoo-Jin and me, Miso held the nk position effortlessly while counting. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, it''s thirty now! Just a little more!" I was amazed to see that she even had the energy to look around. "Thirty-one~!" However, Miso was counting a bit slowly. It felt like it had been a minute already, but she was only at thirty. "Thirty-twooo~!" As Miso began to count slower and slower, Yoo-Jin and I felt blood rush to our faces. I nced over and saw that Yoo-Jin''s face was so red, it was as if she had eaten spicy noodles. ''Oppa! I feel like I''m going to die!'' ''Tell Miso you can''t do it!'' ''How can I say that in front of my child? You tell her!'' ''I can''t say that as a former athlete! I can''t do it either!'' Yoo-Jin and I exchanged words with our eyes¡ªat least it felt like we did. At that moment, Miso copsed to the floor with augh. "Sixty! Done!" "Phew, that was tough." At the same time, Yoo-Jin and I also fell to the floor. I nced at the time and saw that two minutes and twenty seconds had passed. ''No wonder it was so hard...'' My arms were trembling and my abs felt like they were tearing apart. Yet, Miso was looking refreshed as she said, "Just two more sets to go now!" ''What? But we have only rested for thirty seconds now!'' I screamed internally. Yoo-Jin''s eyes darted back and forth quickly. She looked at me to stop Miso, but I had no intention of doing so. ''No, you tell her!'' ''I can''t.'' Miso was excited and I didn''t want to dampen her spirits. So I said, "Miso, do as you wish." Yoo-Jin looked exasperated, but Miso beamed. "Really? Then let''s do five more sets! Mom! Doing this is good for your body and makes you pretty! Even the kindergarten principal does it every day!" I was momentarily shocked. ''Principal?! Why would the principal do nks in front of the kids!'' There was no time toin as Miso got back into position. "Let''s start~!!" Suddenly, we found ourselves doing five more sets under Miso''smand. "Fifty~~nine~~ Whew. Si~~xty! Done!" After finishing five sets, Misoy t on the floor. "Phew, that was hard!" Unlike Miso, Yoo-Jin and I could only gasp for breath, unable to speak. Seeing Yoo-Jin lying on the floor exhausted, Miso jumped up. "Mom, I''ll go get some water for you." "C-could you?" While Miso ran to the kitchen like a bullet with energy to spare, Yoo-Jin and I barely caught our breath and leaned against the sofa. "How''s the filming going these days?" I asked Yoo-Jin while still panting. The filming of In the Name of God was past the midpoint with increasingly intense action and emotional scenes. Moreover, it was strange that Ju Yung-In was keeping quiet when it was a physically tough time. Considering she was losing poprity to Yoo-Jin, I had expected some conflicts by now. Yoo-Jin also tilted her head. "Hm, you''re right. Come to think of it, Yung-In has been pretty quiettely." "Be careful. She has a hysterical side and could explode anytime." "She''s been pretty dociletely. Anyway, if she tries to bully me, I''ll just give it back to her." As always, Yoo-Jin wouldn''t take it lying down. "Alright. You handle it as you wish. Oh, and you know you''ll be ying dual roles for the 15th episode, right?" In the uing 15th episode of In the Name of God, Yoo-Jin would be performing a scene where both Manshin Wol-Ah and Cheongmyung appear on screen together. We had prepared thoroughly for that shoot, yet I couldn''t help but worry. Kim Sung-Woon would be filming the scene personally to conceal the identity of Manshin Wol-Ah, with Jung Sang-Bong holding the reflector and me handling the audio boom. I was most concerned about Yoo-Jin as she had to act in front of an empty space. However, Yoo-Jin answered with a smile. "Everyone practices acting alone in front of the void anyway. It might be different from usual, but I''m confident I can pull it off." She was reassuring as always¡ªexcept when she said things like this. "Oppa. But the nk time went way~ over because we did it with Miso. So how about jokbal[1] tonight? I heard it has a lot of cogen... and it''s supposed to be great for beauty." "What about the calories?" "It''s zero calories if it tastes good, right?" Yoo-Jin replied yfully. "The only thing with no calories is air. Where did you hear such nonsense?" Seeing Yoo-Jin''s sulky face, I thought I shouldpromise a bit. "Alright. Alright. You can have one piece for each nk set." Yoo-Jin stared at me for a moment. I thought she''d give up and call me a devil. But I was wrong. "Okay. But you have to do it with me." "W-what? Why me?" "A celebrity and talent agent are one. In that sense... let''s go!" "I don''t want to go anywhere." At that moment, Miso brought cups of water for us and shouted, "Mom! More exercise? Should I count for you again?" I was startled. ''Wait a minute. That''s not right!'' Miso began to count excitedly. "Ready~ go~! One~ two~." Miso''s counting was much slower than before. After three sets, Yoo-Jin sprawled across the floor and shouted, "O-oppa. Order jokbal...order it now..." "Huff, huff. O-okay," I replied, barely catching my breath. I called The Best Jokbal in the Universe restaurant and ordered a mini jokbal instead of a set. *** Day by day, the number of broadcast program appearances and advertisements contacting our team increased. We became so short-handed that we had to take turns for meals. "Mr. Jung. Miss Yoo-Jin got a coffee ad offer." "Coffee again?" People seemed to think Yoo-Jin''s image suited coffee as every coffeepany in Korea contacted us. "What amount did they offer?" I asked. "100 million won per year." "Nope. Cut all offers under at least 200 million." The number of advertisers who wanted Yoo-Jin was increasing, but there was only one of her. We would have dly taken the ad before, but now we had to raise her value. After all, other actors needed to get ads to generate revenue and Yoo-Jin couldn''t take everything. At that moment, I got a call from Lee Soo-Chan who managed the remaining members of the Kanghan faction in ce of Kang Eun-Gi. ''What''s this about?'' I wondered. Currently, Kang Eun-Gi was in detention and awaiting trial. I answered, thinking maybe the trial date was set. "Hey, Soo-Chan. What''s up?" -Hyung-nim, can you drop by ourpany for a bit? "I''m a bit busy today... what is it?" -It''s just... a guy named Nalsae requested protection from us. "Nalsae? You mean Lee Beom-Jun? When did that trash get out of prison?" -It''s been a while, it seems. But this guy has an interesting story. As Lee Soo-Chan exined, my heartbeat started to quicken. 1. Pig feet dish ? Chapter 260: A Harbinger of a Storm (2)

Chapter 260: A Harbinger of a Storm (2)

I arrived at the Reverse Entertainment Headquarters located in Sinsa-dong. After Eun-Gi turned himself in, the remaining members leased the entire building of Kanghan Entertainment and established a new base near Sinsa-dong, saying that new wine should be put into new wineskins. When I parked the car at thepany entrance, former gangsters with neatly groomed hair ran out in somewhat talent agent-like attire. "Good afternoon, hyung-nim!" They said with a bow. "I told you not to act like gangsters but you''re doing this again?" I chided them. Dressed in a suit, Lee Soo-Chan said with a smile, "Still, it''s your first visit and we need to greet you properly." When I waved my hand to have them stand up straight, they all smiled. "Alright. By the way, where should I park?" I asked. "Oh, you can give me the key. I''ll have the boys park it," Lee Soo Chan gestured. An employee soon ran over asking for my key. I could recognize him as soon as I saw his face. It was Kang Tae-Cheon, one of my hoobaes from Angel Orphanage. He was in sixth grade when I entered high school and now, we meet again. "Long time no see, hyung." "What? Tae-Cheon, you work here too?" "Yes, I came up to Seoul recently." Apparently, Kang Tae-Cheon had been working as a dayborer in Suwon and came to Seoul when he heard the news. He said he didn''t have time to hesitate because there were familiar sunbaes and amodations provided. "It won''t be the same as the construction site, but this ce is also quite tough. If you ever have trouble handling things alone, contact me," I said with a smile. "Thank you, hyung." After exchanging greetings, I entered the building with Lee Soo-Chan and asked, "By the way, where is that guy Nalsae right now?" "We''ve put him in Dong-Hyuk''s office for now and we''re keeping an eye on him." Since Nalsae arrived, Choi Dong-Hyuk, the operations director of Reverse Entertainment, had been monitoring him closely. "But hyung-nim, there''s something you need to know before you meet Nalsae." "What is it?" As we headed to the elevator, Lee Soo-Chan started exining what he knew. "Do you remember Daeheung Savings Bank, which visited the orphanage looking for you and Eun-Gi hyung-nimst time?" "Yes. Of course I remember." "That ce is just a renamed entity used to convert Daeho faction''s funds into legitimate ones." "Daeho faction?" "Yes, it''s an organization under Mr. Choi Eun-Tae, the elder in Myeongdong." President Choi Eun-Tae¡ªthe major shareholder of Hoop Entertainment and thergest financier in Myeongdong had mobilized Daeheung Savings Bank to investigate the orphans. "Wait...so President Choi was looking for his biological son?" I asked with a puzzled look. Lee Soo-Chan nodded. "Yes, it seems so." Lee Soo-Chan continued after swallowing hard. "And Nalsae thinks that you and Eun-Gi hyung-nim are likely candidates to be President Cha Eun-Tae''s son..." I furrowed my brows. "Me, a candidate? What do you mean by that?" As we entered the elevator, Lee Soo-Chan pressed the top floor button. "Well, Nalsae said he wouldn''t open his mouth unless either you or Eun-Gi hyung-nim were present." "Got it. I guess I''ll have to ask him directly in person." When we got out of the elevator, the executive floor with luxurious carpets appeared. The floor was covered with red carpet and various masterpieces were hanging on the walls. As I walked while admiring the sophisticated interior, I saw two ques for the president''s office. "Soo-Chan, why are there two president''s offices?" Lee Soo-Chan scratched his head awkwardly. "Oh, that? Well, it''s...um..." "Sorry, I shouldn''t have asked." "No problem, hyung-nim! You can ask anything you want. That...um, that room was made because Eun-Gi hyung-nim told us to prepare it." "Hmm? But why are you so nervous?" Lee Soo-Chan hesitated and started to speak. "That¡¯s your room, hyung-nim." "What?" I replied in shock. Lee Soo-Chan looked at me. "Me?" "Yes. Eun-Gi hyung-nim said he wanted to run thepany with you after he gets out of prison, so..." I couldn''t help butugh in disbelief. Then Lee Soo-Chan started to ask me with a serious expression, "Hyung-nim. Can''t you juste here and lead us? We''re living properly now and we''re not doing gangster stuff anymore." I looked at Lee Soo-Chan and carefully shook my head. After all, Hoop Entertainment was full of actors and singers who depended on me. Lee Soo-Chan sighed deeply with a disappointed expression before adding, "...Still, please don''t forget that we are always waiting for you." Lee Soo-Chan''s words touched my heart. There were family members here whom I had forgotten about in my past life. They had once gone astray but could now live decent lives with a little help. We arrived in front of Choi Dong-Hyuk''s office. I asked Lee Soo-Chan before we entered, "By the way, did you threaten him or something?" "Not at all. But he still thinks we''re gangsters and got scared." "Okay. Let''s go in." When I opened the door to Choi Dong-Hyuk''s office, Choi Dong-Hyuk and Nalsae were waiting for me. Nalsae had dark circles down to his nose and his hair was greasy as if he hadn''t slept in days. Choi Dong-Hyuk stood up with a bright expression. "Oh, hyung-nim. You''re here." "Yes, it''s nice to see you. Let''s save the greetings forter. Can you leave us alone for a bit so I can talk to him?" As soon as the two left, I sat down across from Nalsae. Nalsae looked at me nervously and apologized first. "I''m really sorry about what happened before. If I had known you were their hyung-nim, I wouldn''t have done that." I raised my hand to stop him from talking. "Let''s talk about thatter. Tell me about finding President Choi Eun-Tae''s son." Nalsae swallowed hard. "First, I want you to ensure my safety..." "You have my word as long as you''re not lying." After a moment of silence, Nalsae began to confess. He started with how he was ordered by Kim Dong-Soo to investigate me, and how he was subsequently instructed to find Choi Eun-Tae''s lost son. He had focused intensely on me because my age matched that of the lost son. Unsurprisingly, Kang Eun-Gi and I were the top candidates. "What evidence do you have?" I questioned. "Well, it''s not concrete evidence. It''s more like intuition...or inference. In simple terms, a hunch." My expectations quickly faded at the mention of ack of circumstantial evidence. ''What were you expecting, Jung Yoon-Ho?'' I thought. My parents were always a source of anger for me. Nheless, I must have had a tiny bit of hope deep down. I let go of my attachment and started to think logically. The situation boiled down to three main points. First, there was a high possibility that either Kang Eun-Gi or I was Choi Eun-Tae''s son. Second, if Kim Dong-Soo found out about this, our lives could be in danger as Choi Eun-Tae''s heir, President Choi Man-Sik, might try to eliminate us. Third, if Choi Eun-Tae found out about this, he would surely try to oust Choi Man-Sik. In that case, people on Choi Man-Sik''s side would also be in danger. "In summary, you don''t want to be involved in hurting people or getting hurt yourself. Is that right?" Nalsae responded enthusiastically. "That''s exactly it! That''s why I hid information about you and President Kang Eun-Gi when I reported my progress to Kim Dong-Soo!" He was clearly worried that he might be implicated as an aplice if something happened to us. Even a scumbag who filmed female celebrities using hidden cameras seemed to value his own life. "Hm, but that''s not enough to help you..." Nalsae frowned. "Are you trying to take this valuable information for free?" "I already knew most of it," I replied with a stoic expression. At that moment, Nalsae''s eyes trembled rapidly and he dropped to his knees under the sofa. "Wait a moment! Team Lead Jung! Please spare me!" "Why are you doing this?" "If President Choi Man-Sik finds out, President Kang Eun-Gi, you, and I... we could all die because of this." I didn''t know what kind of threat he had received, but Nalsae was terribly frightened. As I pondered what to do, an idea shed through my mind on how to use Nalsae. The reason Choi Man-Sik was investigating this through Kim Dong-Soo was that he couldn''t reveal himself openly as he was wary of his adoptive father, Choi Eun-Tae. Although he was worried that his position would be threatened if the biological son appeared, he was not confident enough to confront Choi Eun-Tae directly. So if Nalsae could distort some evidence or information, he could hinder Choi Man-Sik''s actions for a while. In the meantime, I could figure out how to handle the situation. I spoke to Nalsae who was desperately begging. "Alright. Then we need to divert Kim Dong-Soo''s attention from now on. Help us out." Nalsae was sweating profusely. "S-so you want me to go back to Kim Dong-Soo and follow his orders?" "You''re quick-witted." Nalsae''s face turned pale. "Are you asking me to die? If I go back there, they''re going to..." "Don''t worry. Eun-Gi''s people will protect you. Just buy us some time in return." After some hesitation, Nalsae nodded reluctantly. "I canst a month, but no more than that." "I don''t expect much from you anyway." First, I had to find out Choi Eun-Tae''s intentions for looking for his son. Then I needed to confirm whether Kang Eun-Gi or I was his son. Finding Choi Eun-Tae''s lost son was now inexplicably linked to the future of Hoop Entertainment. *** "When you hear anything from Kim Dong-Soo or President Choi Man-Sik, even the smallest clue, report it to the people at Reverse Entertainment," I instructed Nalsae. "Okay..." "And let''s finish our earlier conversation. Reveal all the hidden cameras too." It seemed like dealing with Nalsae''s matters which I nned to take care of after he got out of prison would be easier than expected. "No, really, there''s nothing like that anymore. The police confiscated everythingst time. I''m innocent." I scoffed and mentioned the location of his hideout which had been raided by the prosecutors in my past life. "I''m not talking about your house. If I find even one hidden camera at the secret locations in Yeongdeungpo and Guro, I''ll turn this ce upside down. So, is there really nothing?" At that moment, Nalsae''s face turned pale. "H-how did you know..." "Quit ying games with me. Go with these guys and turn everything over." Lee Soo-Chan and Choi Dong-Hyuk frowned nearby. "You''re hiding stuff even in this situation? Wow, what a despicable guy you are." "Indeed, you''re too much." Although the two were only grumbling, Nalsae was already shaking with fear. "I''ll-I''ll delete everything!" "Good decision." "But what should we do about the hidden photos I already gave to Kim Dong-Soo?" Nalsae asked with his head down. My eyes widened. "You traded hidden camera photos with Kim Dong-Soo?" "W-well, yes. It was about two years ago," he stuttered. For a moment, I wondered if this could help catch Kim Dong-Soo. "Do you have any transaction records?" Nalsae shook his head. "No, I''m against making such records...so there''s none." It was unfortunate but it couldn''t be helped. "Then give me the list of people whose photos you gave to Kim Dong-Soo." Nalsae nced at me and began writing on the paper on the table. He listed about ten people. ''That''s a relief...'' I thought. None of the hidden camera photos of those people on the list had been publicly in my past life. Although somewhat reassured, I had no intention of just sitting back and doing nothing. If the hidden camera photos were released, actresses could suffer from severe maliciousments and even choose suicide. With that said, I had to prioritize my own matters first. Choi Dong-Hyuk spoke to Nalsae. "Get up. We need to stop by your house again and then go to the hideout." "A-Alright." As Choi Dong-Hyuk took Nalsae out, Lee Soo-Chan asked with a worried expression, "Hyung-nim, can we really trust that guy?" "Don''t trust him, he''s a thug. But he won''t act recklessly since his own life is at stake." "Understood." Then I added, "And find out why President Choi Eun-Tae is looking for his lost son. I can guess Choi Man-Sik''s intentions, but I don''t know about Choi Eun-Tae." Lee Soo-Chan nodded. "I''ll find out somehow." "Be careful. If it seems dangerous, stop all investigations immediately." Lee Soo-Chan nced at me cautiously. "But what if he is the father of one of you two hyung-nims..." I looked at Lee Soo-Chan and spoke clearly. "That''s enough. Whether it''s Eun-Gi or me, we both hate our fathers. I''m only doing this to prepare for Choi Man-Sik''s attack, not because I want to find my parents. Anyway, your safety is more important than finding my parents. Got it?" Hearing that the family who grew up together in the orphanage was more important than my biological family, Lee Soo-Chan held my hand tightly and looked touched. "Hyung-nim..." "There''s no need to get emotional." I tried to pull my hand away feeling a bit embarrassed, but Lee Soo-Chan awkwardlyughed and held my hand tighter. "What are you doing right now?" I asked with a flustered look. "I''m grateful and thankful. But since you''re here anyway, please pick some promising talents from ourpany." I smiled slightly at his words telling me to earn my keep. "Alright, bring the list." "Yes, hyung-nim!" Lee Soo-Chan opened his tablet and started showing me the actors affiliated with Reverse Entertainment. "Not this one... this one is bound to cause trouble soon... and this one is a ticking time bomb." After we finished talking, Lee Soo-Chan grinned. "Oh, and we will recruit and protect the ten hidden camera victims you mentioned earlier." "What?" "Hyung-nim, you wouldn''t just leave those actresses alone knowing your personality, would you?" "Look at you. You can read my mind now?" I replied with a smile. Thanks to Lee Soo-Chan, I had one less thing to worry about. Then I began nning a critical hit against Kim Dong-Soo who had been investigating me behind my back. Chapter 261: A Harbinger of a Storm (3)

Chapter 261: A Harbinger of a Storm (3)

In Samcheong-dong stood an old house with vivid colors and neatly arranged tiles, reflecting the meticulousness of its owner. Clink. An elderly man in a traditional hanbok opened arge jar from one side of the wall. "The sauce has aged well this year too," he said. Behind him stood four people who smiled slightly. The sturdy man at the front was Choi Yung-Ho, the president of Daeheung Savings Bank and the head of the Daeho faction. "Sir, will you be sharing the sauce with us this year too?" Choi Yung-Ho asked. The white-haired elderly manughed heartily. "Of course. Who else would eat all this?" The old man''s name was Choi Eun-Tae. After checking the sauce, he received a handkerchief from his secretary and wiped his hands. "So, how is my son''s matter progressing?" At that moment, Choi Yung-Ho nced back and signaled. Then Ju Jin-Ho, the second inmand from the Daeho faction, and two others quickly stepped back to create distance. Choi Eun-Tae clicked his tongue. "Yung-Ho, how about going a bit easy on your younger brothers now?" "No, sir. If discipline breaks down, everything falls apart. I cannot allow that." "You really are a stubborn one..." Choi Yung-Ho gave another order, "Jin-Ho, take the others and wait in the guest room. Make sure no one contacts anyone on the outside." "Yes, hyung-nim," replied Ju Jin-Ho as he quickly disappeared with the younger men. Choi Eun-Tae and Choi Yung-Ho were now alone in the silent and wide courtyard of the hanok where no one could hear their conversation. "So, have you found out anything?" Choi Eun-Tae asked. "Here is the list," Choi Yung-Ho said as he politely handed over the first filtered list of candidates with both hands. "My eyes are getting dim these days, perhaps because I''m too old. Just tell me." After withdrawing his hands, Choi Yung-Ho began his report. "Currently, there are 22 candidates in Seoul and 15 in the provinces. I''ve met all the ones in the provinces. And starting today, I n to meet those in Seoul." "You must have wandered all over the country. You''ve worked hard," Choi Eun-Tae remarked. "It''s nothing, sir." "I''m sorry. You must be very busy managing the bank, yet I''ve troubled you to search for my child who may not even be alive." "If it''s about your bloodline, it''s only right that I take the lead. I hope to repay some of the kindness you''ve shown me in raising me with this." Choi Eun-Tae looked at Choi Yung-Ho with warm eyes and nodded. "Well, how will you ascertain if they are my son?" "Jin-Ho hase up with a good method for that." Choi Yung-Ho exined the n to offer them low-interest government-supported credit loans considering that most of the orphans on the list were in difficult situations. "What will you do after meeting them?" "I n to collect hair samples during the loan interviews. We canpare those with your DNA." Choi Eun-Tae nodded at the mention that they had found a discreet DNA testing service. However, his happy expression soon changed into a frown. "What about Man-Sik? He must have found out that I have a son by now." "He hasn''t made any direct moves yet." Choi Eun-Tae spoke out of concern. "Keep in mind that he might be getting someone else to handle the investigation. Make sure to keep your eye on him." Choi Yung-Ho nodded. "Yes, sir." "And I heard Man-Sik has been hovering around the political circlestely. How is that going?" Choi Yung-Ho frowned. "President Choi has been meeting with Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon from the ruling party frequently. There''s even talk about an engagement with his daughter." "Huh? What about Ji-Yung? That guy always coveted Ji-Yung." "Well... after meeting Assemblyman Park''s daughter, he immediately changed his mind." "What? So he''spletely given up on Ji-Yung?" Choi Eun-Tae responded with a frown. "Not exactly. He is still pestering Miss Kang Ji-Yung. It seems like he wants to marry one and date the other." Choi Eun-Tae pondered for a moment before asking, "Does he think Ji-Yung will easily ept that? Her personality is no joke." "I''m not quite sure about that." "Tsk tsk. I must have been blind. To think I almost made that trash my son... Ha ha ha." As Choi Eun-Taeughed bitterly, a silence fell between them. Choi Yung-Ho hesitated before speaking. "Uh... Sir." "What is it? Do you have something more to say?" "I wanted to be sure before mentioning it, but one of the candidates for your son is from Hoop Entertainment, where you are a major shareholder." Choi Eun-Tae''s eyes widened. "At Hoop Entertainment?" "Yes. It''s a guy named Jung Yoon-Ho who just became a team lead in his second year." "Is that so?" "Another strong candidate, Kang Eun-Gi, is from the same orphanage as Jung Yoon-Ho." Choi Eun-Tae asked excitedly, "Investigate those two carefully. Make sure Man-Sik doesn''t find out." "Yes, sir." Choi Eun-Tae started to feel anxious. He knew his adopted son, Choi Man-Sik, had a ruthless nature and would certainly take action should he be the first to find his son. If Choi Man-Sik got engaged to Assemblyman Park''s daughter, Choi Eun-Tae would be powerless against him even with all his wealth. At that moment, he began to worry whether he could fully protect his son if he found him. ''I raised a viper...'' Choi Eun-Tae reflected bitterly. Choi Eun-Tae spoke again with concern. "I''ll meet the leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties soon, so schedule a meeting for me. We must protect our own. Make sure to act without alerting Man-Sik." Choi Yung-Ho asked cautiously, "Will that be alright? You always disliked politicians, saying they were bigger crooks than us." "Can anyone live exactly as they wish? Man-Sik holds the card of being the next ruling party leader, so I must find a card to match it." Choi Eun-Tae realized it was time for a change both for himself and his family¡ªand also for the son who might be out there somewhere. "Understood. Then I will prepare as instructed." Choi Eun-Tae patted Choi Yung-Ho''s shoulder. "Thank you always, Yung-Ho." "It''s nothing, sir." Choi Yung-Ho resolved once again to do his best to find Choi Eun-Tae''s son as a form of gratitude to Choi Eun-Tae who had given him a new life by taking him in. *** After going through the list of celebrities to recruit at Reverse Entertainment, I went down to the underground parking lot. Lee Soo-Chan saw me off and said, "Hyung-nim, please take care of us in the future." "Take care of you guys? You seem to be doing well on your own." Lee Soo-Chan was only 26 years old. Compared to my younger self in my past life, he was doing exceptionally well though he didn''t seem to realize it. "Not at all. I''m just muddling through every day." "You''re doing good enough from what I see. Despite Eun-Gi''s absence, there haven''t been any major incidents and the staff''s bright faces suggest thepany is well managed." Lee Soo-Chan bowed his head with a grateful expression. "Hearing praise from you sure gives me a boost." "Oh, don''t exaggerate. And keep an eye on Nalsae." "Got it. Also, hyung-nim, we have connections with many detective agencies. So feel free to ask us if you need any information." At that moment, I remembered the name of the actress whom the despicable reporter Ju Kang-Yong had threatened Kim Dong-Soo with. "Do you know Choi Sung-Ae by chance?" I asked. "Choi Sung-Ae? Hmm, I don''t think so. It''s my first time hearing that name..." Seeing that Lee Soo-Chan didn''t know, I started telling him about the works Choi Sung-Ae had appeared in. "Oh, her? Yes, I remember her face." "I heard she went to the US after finishing her project. Do you think you can find her?" I continued. "Don''t worry. I know plenty of people who are good at finding others." Lee Soo-Chan reassured me, telling me to trust him. I nodded. "If you find her, just let me know her location. I''ll handle the rest." "Okay, hyung-nim." At that moment, I received an unexpected call. [Caller ID: Daeheung Savings Bank] Daeheung Savings Bank was owned by Choi Eun-Tae. It was a bit amusing that they were calling me at this time. When I hung up without answering, Lee Soo-Chan asked, "Hyung-nim, do you need money?" "Why? Will you lend me some if I do?" "Yes. We also run a loan business." "I was just joking. I have a lot of money. I just don''t have cash on hand right now, but I''ll get hundreds of million won in bonuses by the end of the year." Lee Soo-Chan scratched his head. "I see, you''re doing well as expected." "Let''s stop with the embarrassingpliments." Then, my phone rang again. [Caller ID: Daeheung Savings Bank] ''Block.'' Soon, the phone rang three more times from different numbers. "Wow, they''re persistent... How many numbers do they even have?" When I blocked it again, a text message arrived this time. [02-08XX-7979] ["Daeheung Savings Bank" is always with you, bringing hope! Prosper, Korea! Prosper, dear customers! We contacted you regarding a government-guaranteed loan product for vulnerable groups. You can get a low-interest (2%-5%) credit loan of up to 50 million won. Feel free to call anytime for kind and urate consultation! Same-day approval! Immediate deposit!] I burst outughing in disbelief. "Do they think I''m a fool? Offering 2% interest on a 50 million won loan? They should scam within limits..." I blocked that number too. "Hyung-nim, could it be that they recognized you and are approaching you like this?" Lee Soo-Chan asked. "No way. If that were the case, why would they call from apany number that might get blocked as spam?" "Oh, I guess that''s true." After asking Lee Soo-Chan to find Natalia, Haru''s mother, I left Reverse Entertainment. *** The fact that Choi Eun-Tae might be my father affected my daily life quite a bit. I would get angry simply at the thought of why he was looking for me so btedly, but then calm down, thinking he couldn''t possibly be my father. I tried to forget all these to manage my fluctuating emotions, "If Eun-Gi found out about this, he''d try to escape from prison..." I muttered. The news must have reached Kang Eun-Gi in the detention center by now. Knowing Kang Eun-Gi, he would be even more furious than me. After all, he had suffered so much living with just his mother that he even hated the father he couldn''t remember. In any case, I tried to focus on the immediate tasks until a conclusion was reached. The most important task now was to stop Kim Dong-Soo from growing Actor Division 3. Hence, I had informed Reporter Choi So-Hye that Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak, whom Kim Dong-Soo was trying to recruit, habitually smoked marijuana. About three dayster, Choi So-Hye contacted me urgently for a meeting. Now, I was waiting for her in Room 2 of Han-Oreum, a Korean restaurant in Gangnam. "Why isn''t this noo-nim here yet..." I muttered to myself. As Choi So-Hye waste, I passed the time by reading entertainment news. Currently, 40% of the entertainment news page was about In the Name of God and Master of Mukbang. Below that, articles about Lee Tae-Poong''s Beyond the Boundary were starting to appear. [Director Choi Sung-Moon''s Beyond the Boundary to be released next month! (September 25th)] [Director Choi Sung-Moon exins why he cast Lee Tae-Poong despite the controversy over his acting skills.] [Beyond the Boundary: The confidence conveyed by the on-site staff!] [Lee Tae-Poong: Surviving a week on just water and salt to ovee acting criticism and build determination!] The social media''s reaction was lukewarm since they hadn''t seen Lee Tae-Poong''s acting yet. ''I''m sure they''ll be surprised when they see Tae-Poong''s acting,'' I remarked inwardly. At that moment, the door to the room I was in opened with a creaking sound. "Team Lead Jung, sorry I''mte." "It''s fine, I haven''t waited long. Is something wrong?" "Oh, I''m pissed! I waste because I had a fight with the editor-in-chief, that old geezer," Choi So-Hye grumbled and gulped down cold water as soon as she sat down. "Did something go wrong with exposing Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak ''s marijuana case? I even told you the witnesses'' names, their regr meeting ces, and their meeting timings." Choi So-Hye mmed her cup down on the table. "You sure did. I managed to cover it, but they won''t approve the report." "Did the political circles tell you to hold onto it?" Sometimes, newspapers would hold onto major celebrity scandals without publishing them because politicians found them useful cards for trade when they faced big issues. "No, it''s not the political circles." Then there was only one possibility left. "Could it be that Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak are entangled with some third-generation chaebols...?" I asked. As expected, Choi So-Hye let out a deep sigh. "Yes. In fact, they weren''t just hanging out with third-generation chaebols. It was an active chaebol member. How utterly disgraceful." "What? An active chaebol? Who?" I asked with surprise. "Vice President Kim Ae-Ja of Daechon Inc. was caught hanging out with Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak, so the report was blocked." The same Kim Ae-Ja who had offered sponsorship to Lee Tae-Poong had been caught by the radar of Central Daily Newspaper. I raised my eyebrows. "Vice President Kim Ae-Ja?" Chapter 262: A Harbinger of a Storm (4)

Chapter 262: A Harbinger of a Storm (4)

The nature of an editor''s job entailed close contact with the rich and powerful. Hence, second-generation politicians and third-generation chaebols would asionally be found to be involved in cases of celebrity drug offenders. To publish these articles, editors often negotiate with the parents of the individuals involved, as chaebols exert financial pressure and politicians wield power over the situation. The current editor-in-chief of Central Daily Newspaper, Lee Sang-Mook, was a seasoned political figure. He wasn''t the type to publish an article without ensuring his own safety. Feeling frustrated, Choi So-Hye undid the top button of her blouse. "Ugh. That cowardly bastard. He has no guts even though he''s the editor-in-chief! I swear, I should just quit thispany or something..." The fuming Choi So-Hye grumbled about the upper echelons of the mediapany. "That''s it. Team Lead Jung. Let''s order some drinks first!" She eximed angrily. I pressed the bell to order two servings of a traditional Korean meal and a bottle of traditional liquor. Pouring her a drink, I began asking her for specific details. "To what extent have you covered the story?" Choi So-Hye gulped down her drink in one go. "Ugh~ Why is the liquor so bitter today? Actually, I''ve even secured some photos." "You took photos? Then it''s all over for them," I remarked. "Yes, but only if we could report it." Unlike vague news articles, having photos would give it a tremendous impact. "But how did you manage to take a picture of Vice President Kim Ae-Ja?" I asked with curiosity. "I nted someone in the club that you mentioned, then had them take pictures of Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak. Who knew Kim Ae-Ja would appear with them?" I had told her that Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak were using marijuana in Flexis Club located in Gangnam. Someone as influential as Kim Ae-Ja usually met people in secluded ces or private bars to avoid public attention, but she had appeared at Flexis Club two days ago. Choi So-Hye shrugged. "I heard shees to clubs these days to hang out with younger guys. Unfortunately for her, she got caught by me right then." "That''s amazing," I remarked. "Yes, it really is. But the problem is we still can''t report it." Pouring another drink for Choi So-Hye, I asked, "What reason did the editor-in-chief give for not publishing the article?" Choi So-Hye rolled her eyes. "Our cowardly editor said, "What if Daechon Inc. drops all their ads if we publish without any groundwork?"" "What does he mean by groundwork?" "In simple terms, he means we need backing. Anyway, we''re not to say a word about Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak for the time being. Since Kim Ae-Ja changes men easily, he said we''ll just catch the actors once things calm down." But I couldn''t let that happen. Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak would soone to Hoop Entertainment, and they would damage thepany''s reputation if the article broke after that. We had to deal with it before that happened. I looked straight into Choi So-Hye''s eyes and said, "How about this?" Choi So-Hye put down her ss. "What''s your n?" "Take the photos you secured to Kim Ae-Ja''s sister, Kim Ae-Reyon." Choi So-Hye tilted her head in curiosity. "Kim Ae-Reyon of Daechun Construction? Isn''t shepletely overshadowed by her sister, the vice president?" Two years ago during the Daechon Inc. sisters'' share war, Kim Ae-Ja had swallowed up the main industries of department stores and distribution. On the other hand, Kim Ae-Reyon was pushed into the rtively non-core construction sector of Daechon Inc. Although the general opinion was that Kim Ae-Reyon was finished, I knew she was lying low, waiting for an opportunity. "That''s why she''ll be even more eager to get back at her sister," I added. "So you want to incite a fight between the sisters?" "Exactly." Choi So-Hye pondered for a moment while drinking. After silently having one drink then two, she finally spoke up on her third drink. "Would Kim Ae-Reyon have the strength to fight her sister?" "If you give that photo to Kim Ae-Reyon, President Kim Bu-Ho will take action. This isn''t just a simple sibling fight." Kim Bu-Ho, the founder and honorary president of Daechon Inc., was the father of Kim Ae-Ja and Kim Ae-Reyon. Each time Kim Ae-Ja was attacked by outsiders, Kim Bu-Ho would always protect his daughter. However, the story would surely change if the daughters were to fight among themselves. Even during their shares war two years ago, he appeared impartial on the outside and couldn¡¯t fully support either side. Nheless, it would be different this time as it would be an unforgivable matter for Kim Bu-Ho who valued family reputation. "President Kim Bu-Ho will be furious if he finds out his daughter is behaving like this. He''s an old-fashioned man, after all," I exined. "And Kim Ae-Reyon will fan the mes?" "She''ll use every detail, real or imagined, to upset her father." Choi So-Hye¡¯s face brightened as she took another drink. "Ah~ Now this drink tastes sweet. Okay, I got it!" Choi So-Hye refilled her empty ss and held it out to me. "Well, here. Have a drink tonight since we''re in a good mood." I felt a chill down my spine seeing Choi So-Hye''s wink. After all, her one drink never ended at just one. *** In the VIP room located in a luxury hostess bar in Yeongdeungpo sat the 65-year-old Park Sang-Gon, the secretary-general of the ruling party. Next to the most likely candidate for the next party leader, his daughter Park Sang-Ah sat while holding a ss. Park Sang-Ah, about 160 cm tall with a petite build, carefully poured her father a drink while ensuring her white blouse didn¡¯t touch the ss. "Dad, have just one drink today, okay?" "Ha ha ha. My daughter cares for me so much." "Mom worries because you drink all the time. That¡¯s all," grumbled the 28 year-old Park Sang-Ah as she nagged her father. Park Sang-Gon smiled as he looked at Choi Man-Sik, the number two in the Myeongdong private loan market, who was sitting across from him. "Mr. Choi, you should ept a drink from your future wife too," Park Sang-Gon said with a smile. Choi Man-Sik nodded. "Thank you." With a gentle smile, Park Sang-Ah poured Choi Man-Sik a drink. "Thank you, Miss Sang-Ah." Park Sang-Ah smiled brightly and held out an empty ss. "Will you pour me a drink as well?" "My pleasure," Choi Man-Sik said as he returned her smile. Since they were soon to be engaged, there was no awkwardness between Choi Man-Sik and Park Sang-Ah. "Well then. Mr. Choi, why don¡¯t you propose a toast now that all of our sses are filled?" At Park Sang-Gon¡¯s words, Choi Man-Sik raised his ss high with both hands and said loudly, "Until the day Mr. Park enters the Blue House!" Park Sang-Gonughed heartily with joy. "Ha ha ha. Mr. Choi, you really know how to make people feel good. Yes, until that day~" Park Sang-Gon shouted cheerfully with a wide grin. After drinking, Choi Man-Sik reached into his pocket. "Mr. Park, I have a small gift prepared for my engagement with Miss Sang-Ah." "Oh, you¡¯re in such a hurry. The engagement is still a month away." Choi Man-Sik smiled and took out a red case. "I couldn''t help but hurry because I couldn''t stop thinking of Miss Sang-Ah." When Choi Man-Sik opened the ring case, a 5-carat diamond ring was revealed. The ring had two 1.5-carat diamonds set on each side, and the inner band was engraved with their initials ''C & P''. Park Sang-Ah beamed and held out her left hand. "Mr. Man-Sik, you should put it on for me yourself." "Certainly." ]Choi Man-Sik slid the ring onto Park Sang-Ah''s pale ring finger. Park Sang-Ah examined the ring worth billions with a bright smile. "Hmm, hmm. Mr. Choi, you are quite a capable man~" Choi Man-Sik lowered his head as Park Sang-Gon praised him. "I''m nothingpared to you, Mr. Park." "Don¡¯t be so modest. What are you talking about when there are only a few in Korea your age who can handle suchrge sums of money?" Park Sang-Gon continued. Choi Man-Sik was actually the de facto owner of Future Imagination Savings Bank, one of the two savings banks owned by Choi Eun-Tae, having secured shares under different names over the years. Choi Man-Sik smiled contentedly at Park Sang-Gon''spliment and added, "Oh, and I¡¯ve also prepared a gift for you as well, Mr. Park." Park Sang-Gon chuckled. "Ha ha ha. What? Are you thinking of giving me a watch or something?" At that moment, Choi Man-Sik shouted to someone outside, "Bring it in!" When the door opened, Yang Ji-Hoon, Choi Man-Sik''s chief secretary, appeared. With his head deeply bowed, Yang Ji-Hoon approached them on his knees without making any eye contact. Yang Ji-Hoon respectfully handed a ck bag to Choi Man-Sik. As Yang Ji-Hoon crawled back out on his knees, Choi Man-Sik handed the ck bag to Park Sang-Gon with both hands. "If you are to be the next party leader, you will have many small expenses. I have also ced a little more in the trunk of the car you brought." Park Sang Gon nodded slowly. "Our future president of Future Imagination Savings Bank is very generous." Park Sang-Gon took the bag with a pleased expression. When he opened it with a click, it was full of used 50,000 won bills. "Oh. This fellow is quite meticulous." "They''ve beenundered in Myeongdong, so they are untraceable. Please use themfortably." Park Sang-Gonughed heartily. "You may not be blessed with parents, but you are surely blessed with a fortune. You are impressive. Ha ha ha." Choi Man-Sik simply smiled despite the insulting remark. "Why am I not blessed with parents? Mr. Park, you are like a parent to me now that you''ll be my father-inw soon. I have finally found my luck," Choi Man-Sik replied fawningly. Park Sang-Gon was very pleased with Choi Man-Sik¡¯s bribery and words although he knew it was ttery. "Someone like you should be in politics!" Park Sang-Gon remarked. "No, politics is for people like you, Mr. Park. I am better suited to assist from behind the scenes." Park Sang-Gon looked at his daughter. "Sang-Ah, do you see this? This is how capable your future husband is." "I knew it from the first time we met," Park Sang-Ah replied. "Ha ha ha. Is that so? I didn''t know that. Then once I enter the Blue House, I''ll secure a good nomination for him." Park Sang-Ah smiled softly. "Is that a promise?" "Of course. Do you think I, Park Sang-Gon, would ignore my son-inw? Let''s have one more drink to celebrate our unity." "Alright, but just one more. Okay?" Just like that the meeting of the three was in full swing a month before the party leader election and the engagement. *** Choi Man-Sik waited alone for ten more minutes before leaving even after Park Sang-Gon and Park Sang-Ah left first. Returning to the car, Choi Man-Sik leaned back in the back seat and cursed. "Ugh~ These bastards can''t do anything without money... How dare they..." Even while swallowing the dirty money collected from Myeongdong, the pretentiousness of Park Sang-Gon and Park Sang-Ah was utterly disgusting. However, he needed their power to escape the shadow of Choi Eun-Tae. At that moment, Yang Ji-Hoon, who was sitting in the driver''s seat, asked, "Hyung-nim, have you given up on Director Kang Ji-Yung? You said you would marry her." "Ji-Hoon, have you ever seen me give up on a woman once I set my sights on her?" Choi Man-Sik implied that even after marrying Park Sang-Ah, he would continue seeing Kang Ji-Yung. Yang Ji-Hoon clicked his tongue at Choi Man-Sik''s obsession. "Even so, Representative Park will go crazy if Miss Sang-Ah finds out." Choi Man-Sik smirked. "It doesn''t matter if she finds out. Sang-Ah has a boyfriend too." Yang Ji-Hoon frowned. "Pardon?" "We''ve already agreed to not interfere with each other¡¯s love lives as long as we don''t have children outside." Yang Ji-Hoon was stunned into silence with his mouth agape. Choi Man-Sik looked at him and replied, "Why are you so surprised? Did you think they were sophisticated people? In reality, they are worse than people like us." "But still..." "Now I understand why my old man always said that politicians are the dirtiest. By the way, have you heard from Dong-Soo?" Yang Ji-Hoon regained hisposure and answered. "Yes. The search for his son is progressing well, and they''ve narrowed down the candidates. It will take about another month." Choi Man-Sik gave a crooked smile. "What perfect timing for an engagement gift. And once we''re sure who the son is... you know what to do, right?" "Yes. There are professionals in Mokpo who handle clean-ups. I¡¯ll call them in. They are discreet and quick." "Take care of it on your own. Could you step out for a moment? I need to call Ji-Yung." "Yes, hyung-nim." As Yang Ji-Hoon stepped out of the driver''s seat, Choi Man-Sik made a call. The signal indicated that the call was being routed. -Hello? "Ji-Yung, I was thinking about having some wine tonight. Where are you right now?" -I can''t. I''m in Japan. "Really? We should drink sake if you''re in Japan. If you''re in Tokyo, I could catch a flight ande see you right now." -What are you saying? Stop talking nonsense and go to sleep! Click. Choi Man-Sik chuckled even though Kang Ji-Yung hung up abruptly. He thought that the more prickly and thorny a flower, the more satisfying it would be when he finally plucked it. *** Yoo-Jin''s role as Cheongmyung always fought in a dress, so she had to practice Taekwondo kicks and boxing whenever she could. She used to practice in her yard before this, but she now needed protective mats for high-level action scenes. Hence, we decided to visit Park Seon-Nyeo¡¯s Aerobics ssroom. As there were no students from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Park Seon-Nyeo happily lent us the space. Jung Sang-Bong would teach Yoo-Jin Taekwondo while I would teach her boxing and Jiu-Jitsu. I waited for Yoo-Jin and Miso to change clothes while checking the news. [Episode 5 of In the Name of God: 18.4% viewership rating] [In the Name of God: Taereung resident after seeing Cheongmyung''s powerful kick. ''At this level, she''s a pro.''] [Episode 5 of Festival of Money: 13.2%] [Preview of Episode 6 of Festival of Money: ''Secret of Birth, Shocking!''] [In the Name of God: Approaching 20% viewership ratings. Aiming for the shortest time to reach this milestone in a well-made drama.] In the Name of God was quickly increasing in viewership ratings, but Festival of Money continued to chase with sensational content in each episode. However, the gap in viewership ratings that had once opened was not easily narrowing. Moreover, In the Name of God was already nearing a 20% viewership rating and it seemed likely to surpass 20% by the sixth episode. At that moment, Yoo-Jin and Miso came out of the changing room together, dressed in Taekwondo uniforms. "Oppa~! We''re all dressed!" I put my phone in my pocket and turned my attention to them. Miso, holding Yoo-Jin''s hand, was smiling much brighter than usual. "Uncle Yoon-Ho! Look at this!" Chapter 263: Into the Storm (1)

Chapter 263: Into the Storm (1)

Miso ran up to me, wearing a white taekwondo uniform and a yellow belt. I wondered why she was so excited, and it turned out it was because her name was embroidered on the yellow belt. "Look, Uncle Yoon-Ho! The taekwondo master embroidered my name here! Isn''t it pretty?" The words "Jung Miso" were embroidered in pink overlock at the end of the yellow belt that Miso was holding. On the other side of the yellow belt, five characters from the Powertuff Girls were also embroidered in overlock. Come to think of it, Miso had never worn her own uniform when learning taekwondo. When she learned it at kindergarten, she always borrowed a uniform and used a prepared belt. I remembered that Miso didn''t ask for a personal uniform and belt because she didn''t want to burden her mom. "Wow, it¡¯s so cute~. Good for you, Miso," I replied with a grin. When I reacted enthusiastically, Miso giggled. "Yes! I love it. And look at this too." Miso turned around and pointed to her back where her name was also embroidered in pink overlock. "The taekwondo master embroidered my name here too!" Miso eximed excitedly. Jung Sang-Bong scratched his head and smiled when he saw Miso jumping up and down in excitement. "Miso, you should thank the taekwondo master too," I reminded her. "Oh, right! I was so eager to show you that I forgot." The fact that she was so eager to show me her uniform and belt that she forgot to thank Jung Sang-Bong made me feel touched. Miso turned to Jung Sang-Bong and bowed deeply. "Thank you so much, master!" Jung Sang-Bong''s smile was so wide it seemed it might split his mouth. "No problem, Miso. Let''s keep working hard, alright?" "Yes! I¡¯ll go to the taekwondo center from now on too!" "That''s right. Don''t skip any lessons." Yoo-Jin also thanked Jung Sang-Bong before showing me her uniform proudly. Yoo-Jin was wearing a white belt with "Jung Yoo-Jin" embroidered in pink on one side and "Cheongmyung" in blue on the other. Thanks to Jung Sang-Bong¡¯s thoughtful gesture, Yoo-Jin was also delighted. "Oppa. It''s so pretty, isn''t it?" "It is. But you have a white belt, huh? Miso has a yellow belt. Ha ha!"[1] Yoo-Jin looked at me when I teased her in a yful manner. "Then what about you, oppa?" Yoo-Jin questioned me in return. I quickly averted my gaze. I had tried various sports, but I had never learned taekwondo properly. Others might get a dan[2] certificate during military service, but I didn¡¯t have such a certificate as an orphan who didn¡¯t even serve in the military. "As you know, I wasn¡¯t in a situation to attend a taekwondo lesson when I was young..." I said in an intentionally low tone. I tried to create a melodramatic scene with fake tears, but I failed when they didn¡¯te out. "So you have a white belt too, oppa," Yoo-Jin said nonchntly. Feeling embarrassed, I asked Jung Sang-Bong, "Sang-Bong, you should at least count me as a 1st dan. You know my real-life skills, don''t you?" Wearing his taekwondo uniform, Jung Sang-Bong shook his head firmly. "I''ll give you a white belt, Mr. Jung." ''What a cold-hearted guy,'' I remarked inwardly. Jung Sang-Bong said that taekwondo valued etiquette and he couldn¡¯t allow such exceptions and privileges. In the meantime, Yoo-Jin and Miso brought me a white belt from somewhere. Yoo-Jin continued to rub it in. "Oppa, you should do it with me. At least until you get a yellow belt like Miso." The words "white belt" began to echo in my ears. Miso also nodded beside me and tugged at my pants. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, do it with me!" If Miso wanted it, I had to do it. Though my pride was a bit hurt, I felt much better when Miso herself wrapped the white belt around my waist. "Done! Uncle Yoon-Ho is now a white belt too!" Miso eximed innocently with a smile. ''But Miso, you didn''t have to confirm it like that,'' I thought to myself. I hade to teach Yoo-Jin some martial arts, but I ended up participating too. "Okay, let''s start with a greeting then." Jung Sang-Bong stood in front of us and shouted energetically. Yoo-Jin and Miso got into position and shouted loudly in the aerobics room. "Taekwon!" I stood crookedly and shouted weakly, "Taekkyon..." Jung Sang-Bong red at me as if saying he''d straighten me out. From that moment, I paid the price for joking around in front of a gold medalist. "Ah! My legs! My legs are tearing apart...!" I cried out. I never imagined stretching alone could feel like hell. *** After stretching, there was a 30-minute training session to practice the kicking posture used in the drama. Then it was my turn. I held the mitts for Yoo-Jin. "One-two, good. Whoosh, dodge, uppercut! We''re not aiming for apetition, so don''t worry about power. Just focus on form and position. Rx your shoulders!" Yoo-Jin didn¡¯t have much arm strength, but her uracy in hitting the mitts and her reaction time were quite impressive. Thanks to that, she showed quite decent form despite the short lesson time. We moved on to boxing following the taekwondo practice. And before we knew it, an hour had passed. "Okay, that''s it for today." "Huff, huff. I''m... dying..." cried Yoo-Jin who was panting and lying t on the floor. At that moment, Miso brought water from the dispenser. "Mom! Drink some water!" Miso crouched and offered water, fanning her mom''s forehead. Although exhausted, Yoo-Jin managed to force herself to sit up. "Thank you, Miso..." I encouraged the nearly-dead Yoo-Jin and took her to the shower room. "Oppa, I think I could be an action star at this rate," said Yoo-Jin as she looked at me. "Dream on. Even if your form is good, your stamina won''t cut it," I said yfully. Yoo-Jin simply ignored my words as she was too tired and mumbled to herself. "Come to think of it, I really liked Jackie Chan when I was young. Or was it Sammo Hung?" ''Uh, their appearances are entirely different though?'' I thought to myself. Anyway, thus ended a grueling day for Yoo-Jin who dreamed of bing an action star. *** The headquarters of LT Entertainment was located in Jamsil. LT Entertainment was a subsidiary of LT Inc., the fifthrgest conglomerate in Korea, and the top film distributor in Korea handling Choi Sung-Moon''s Beyond the Boundary. Today, all stakeholders had gathered at LT Entertainment''s video business headquarters for a meeting regarding the premiere and screening schedule. Sincepeting films had postponed their releases to avoid Beyond the Boundary, everyone felt a significant burden lifted. Upon arriving at the meeting room, Pyo Eun-Mi from Choi Sung-Moon Films, President Kim Moon-Dong from the investment firm KM Partners, and talent agents of the actors participating in the film were present. While we were exchanging greetings, LT Entertainment¡¯s President Shin Jong-Ki entered the meeting room. "How has everyone been?" "Good, Mr. Shin." After greeting us, Shin Jong-Ki started the meeting right away. "Alright. Let''s begin with the schedule." It felt more like a one-sided announcement rather than a meeting as this gathering was more of a courtesy. "The blind screening is next week and the press screening is three weekster on September 1st. The VIP screening is scheduled for September 24th." Currently, Beyond the Boundary was 98%pleted and filming would wrap up within the week. After that, the distributor would hold various screenings to gauge public reaction to the footage. The blind screening was also known as the ''secret'' screening where an audience would be shown a rough cut of the film without any information on it before its official release. Based on the feedback, the production and distribution teams would make necessary edits and improvements. Shin Jong-Ki started making requests regarding the VIP screening involving celebrities. "We ask each actor to bring three celebrity acquaintances to the VIP screening." However, they requested five from Hoop Entertainment. "Mr. Gu, is it possible?" Gu Seong-Cheol nodded willingly. "Since Tae-Poong is the lead, it''s only natural we should prepare that much." After answering, Gu Seong-Cheol looked at me. "What do you think? Is that okay with you?" "Yes. We¡¯ve already cleared Yoo-Jin, Miso, Haru, Kang Ha-Na, and Cherry Blossom''s schedules for that day," I replied. Shin Jong-Kiughed heartily. "It looks like you''re gathering all the popr people these days. How should I thank you for this favor?" At that moment, Lee Chan-Dong, who was attending the meeting as the talent agent for Choi Yang-Seop, joined the conversation. "We will also have Yung-In and other A grade actors to support Yang-Seop." "Oh, Ace Entertainment should naturally do that much. We have many projects together. Isn''t that right, Mr. Lee?" Shin Jong-Ki replied. Lee Chan-Dong chuckled. "Ha ha ha, that''s true." Amidst the livelyughter, the discussion about the VIP screening continued. As the meeting was wrapping up, Team Lead Lee Eun-Joo mentioned something about Lee Tae-Poong. "We n to use the story of Mr. Tae-Poong''s dyslexia as the main promotional material. Is that okay?" "Yes. Oveing dyslexia is nothing but a good story, right?" I responded. "Then would it be possible to interview Mr. Tae-Poong''s parents?" Lee Eun-Joo asked. She said she wanted to promote it by tying in anecdotes from his childhood, which made everyone cautious. However, I answered calmly, "Of course. Actually, we''ve already cleared his parents'' schedules." I had already anticipated this and contacted Lee Tae-Poong''s parents two days ago. They had promised to make time for their son whenever needed. Shin Jong-Ki looked pleased and spoke up. "Team Lead Jung has prepared everything from A to Z, cutting our work in half." Lee Eun-Joo agreed. "For real. Thank you so much, Mr. Jung." "Don''t mention it. Also, Womans Magazine wants to feature a special article about Beyond the Boundary in their September issue. Are you interested?" Shin Jong-Ki beganughing so loudly that the meeting room almost vibrated. "Looks like we should give the publicity budget to Team Lead Jung instead of the reporters! Ha ha ha." Promotion and audience numbers were directly proportional. Thanks to that, everyone looked at me with favor. Shin Jong-Ki said to me with a delighted expression, "Okay. Since Team Lead Jung is doing this much for us, I can''t just stand by and let him do all the work. I''ll allocate a generous publicity budget." I bowed my head slightly. "Thank you, sir!" "And Team Lead Jung, I will treat you properly if this movie seeds. Look forward to it." At that moment, I decided to seize this opportunity. "Instead of a treat, could I receive a role in LT¡¯s next project?" "Sure. Whether it''s Miss Yoo-Jin or Mr. Tae-Poong, either is fine. Just say the word for any movie we are producing at LT." LT Entertainment was not only a distributor but also a notable productionpany. However, the person I wanted to cast wasn''t Yoo-Jin or Tae-Poong. "Not those two, but could you cast Yoo Eun-Ah from Cherry Blossom as a supporting role?" Shin Jong-Ki made a perplexed expression. After all, it wasmon knowledge in the industry that idols generallycked acting skills. "You want me to cast an idol? Ha ha, well..." "She will appear as a supporting role in Master of Mukbang next week. You can check Eun-Ah''s acting skills there." After a moment of hesitation, Shin Jong-Ki asked again, "Are you confident in her acting?" "I am." "Then tell me which project you have in mind." "Could she take on the role of Ye-Rim in Ballerina of Time that LT Entertainment is producing?" Ballerina of Time would be Director Na Hyung-Joon¡¯s low budget debut film, dealing with the sess and struggles of Korean ballerinas. LT Entertainment didn¡¯t have high expectations for it, so the production and promotion budgets were minimal. However, I knew how Ballerina of Time would perform well when it was taken down from theaters. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: February 25, 2021] -01:00 p.m. Director Na Hyung-Joon''s Ballerina of Time, Audience: 4.85 million. Screen Out. Mentioning a project with low expectations brightened Shin Jong-Ki¡¯s expression. "For that project, there should be no problem. But can Eun-Ah do ballet? All cast members must be able to do ballet." "Yes. She has been learning ballet since she was four. She also ys musical instruments too." "That¡¯s great. I need to have a final discussion with Director Na, but I¡¯m okay with it." Although the director¡¯s approval was necessary, getting the productionpany¡¯s approval meant oveing the major hurdle. After our conversation, Shin Jong-Ki smiled contentedly. "Wow, people keep talking about Team Lead Jung for a reason. You never miss an opportunity, do you? You''re like a sniper, a real sniper." "I''m sorry." When I scratched my head, Shin Jong-Ki burst outughing. "It''s apliment, apliment! If you can''t seize an opportunity when ites, there''s nothing more foolish. Right?" The nodding Shin Jong-Ki addressed everyone present. "Alright, let''s aim for ten million viewers with Beyond the Boundary like Director Choi Sung-Moon''s previous works." The result of all Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s hard work was finally about to step into the world. *** As soon as the meeting ended, I received a call from Choi So-Hye. -I''ve scheduled an interview with Executive Director Kim Ae-Ryeon. It''s themed around leading women in business, so no one will be suspicious. I''ll contact you again after the meeting! "Be careful, Ms. Choi." -Don''t you worry. And don''t forget the exclusive interview with Mr. Tae-Poong after this. "Did...I make such a promise?" At that moment, Choi So-Hye yfully threatened me. -What''s this? Should I cancel the appointment with Executive Director Kim Ae-Ryeon? Hmm? I had drunk quite a lot and my memory was hazy, but I seemed to vaguely remember agreeing to something like that. "Oh, n-no! I will definitely give you the exclusive article on Tae-Poong." -Okay, then~. I have to interview some others who were at the club that day, so I¡¯ll hang up now. Take care! "Yes, ma''am." After hanging up, Gu Seong-Cheol approached me. "Yoon-Ho, it seems like you''ll have to go to Tae-Poong''s set alone. Some issues havee up that I need to discuss further with Mr. Shin." I nodded. "Yes, sir. Understood." "Good. Go and boost his morale to your best ability." Today was thest filming day for Lee Tae-Poong''s Beyond the Boundary. To lift Tae-Poong''s spirit, I had arranged for lunch boxes and a coffee truck. After Gu Seong-Cheol left with Shin Jong-Ki, Pyo Eun-Mi approached me. But she had a somewhat mysterious smile on her face. 1. Yellow belt is higher than white belt ? 2. level or stage in taekwondo ? Chapter 264: Into the Storm (2)

Chapter 264: Into the Storm (2)

"Thank you, Mr. Jung!" Pyo Eun-Mi eximed. When I asked what she meant, I received a surprising answer. "Thanks to you, the promotional budget increased instead of being cut." Apparently, President Shin Jong-Ki of LT Entertainment had been suggesting that we save on the promotional budget since nopeting films were releasing at the same time as Beyond the Boundary. He figured everyone would watch Beyond the Boundary even without any promotions since there were no other releases. However, when he saw that I, a mere talent agent, was actively promoting the film, he decided to increase the promotional budget to save face. ''What? Is he out of his mind? How could he consider cutting the promotional budget without knowing what might happen in the future?'' I thought. Most Korean films that hadpleted production had postponed their release dates, but the situation was different for foreign films that had were already been imported. Anycency or gaps could cause them to change their release dates. My efforts of promoting Lee had somehow removed this looming threat without my knowledge. Pyo Eun-Mi smiled and said, "Come on, let''s go. The shooting must have started." "Yes, ma''am." Relieved, Pyo Eun-Mi and I hurried to the parking lot to see Lee Tae-Poong''s final shoot. *** Today''s shoot location was by the willow-covered Imjin River near the set of Choi Sung-Moon Film. Everyone was so focused on filming that we headed straight to the monitoring tent without greeting anyone. Choi Sung-Moon didn''t notice us either and began giving instructions through a megaphone. "Scene 138. Get into the emotion, Mr. Tae-Poong! Ready~ action!" Scene 138 depicted North Korean Reconnaissance General Bureau Colonel Kang Ill-Rok chasing the family of a defected nuclear physicist to South Korea and taking them hostage to lure out the main character. Lee Tae-Poong, the main character, was facing Choi Yang-Seop, who yed a dispatched agent, by the willow-lined river. Next to Choi Yang-Seop were two supporting actors with short crew cuts holding Lee Eun-Ji''s character hostage. Lee Eun-Ji, a 31-year-old actress with five years of experience, yed the role of Dan Sa-Rang¡ªthe daughter of the rescued nuclear physicist. Choi Yang-Seop grinned sinisterly and instructed the extras. ¡ºHey! Hold her tightly or she might escape. Make sure she doesn''t run away!¡» ¡ºYes, Colonel!¡» The two supporting actors twisted Lee Eun-Ji''s arms. Lee Eun-Ji''s face contorted, and she let out a painful scream. ¡ºAgh!¡» At that moment, a murderous intent red in Lee Tae-Poong''s eyes as if he wanted to tear the opponent apart. Lee Tae-Poong, who had been portraying a soulless killing machine, showed an intense look of agitation. At that moment, Choi Yang-Seop burst into mockingughter. ¡ºHa ha ha, does it hurt to hear her scream? So you are a man after all. I thought you were impotent~.¡» As Choi Yang-Seop sneered, the wind blew and rustled the willow leaves, making them sway and collide to create a dizzying scene. In that instant, Lee Tae-Poong reflexively took a step forward but Choi Yang-Seop quickly moved behind Lee Eun-Ji as if he had anticipated the move. Lee Tae-Poong halted his steps and dispersed the murderous intent from his face with the wind while slowly raising his hands. That''s when tears began to well up in Lee Tae-Poong''srge eyes. It was a delicate performance like never before. ¡ºLet Sa-Rang go. I''m your target, not her. I will give you anything you want...so please...¡» It was the result of countless rehearsals and many days of reflection. The subtle tempo in delivering the lines and the delicate tremor in his voice was filled with emotion. Lee Tae-Poong, who had once struggled with dyslexia, now delivered his lines with a perfect voice that no one would believe he has dyslexia. Choi Yang-Seop began tough while looking at the pleading Lee Tae-Poong. ¡ºDo you know how much I suffered because of you? Kneel quickly! If not, you will see this woman''s head rolling on the ground.¡» Lee Tae-Poong nodded and slowly knelt down with his hands ced on his head. As his knees hit the ground with a thud, Choi Yang-Seop shouted. ¡ºAnd put that shiny head of yours on the ground!¡» The ground was muddy after the rain, but Lee Tae-Poong didn¡¯t care and pressed his face into the mud without hesitation. With his face buried in the mud, Lee Tae-Poong turned his head to the right and looked at Lee Eun-Ji. At that moment, Lee Eun-Ji couldn¡¯t hold back and shouted. ¡ºMr. Sung-Ha! Don¡¯t do this! We¡¯ll both die! Run away and avenge me!¡» When Choi Yang-Seop gave a signal with a sneer, one of the supporting actors hit Lee Eun-Ji in the stomach. Thud! Lee Eun-Ji grabbed her stomach and copsed to the ground. Seeing this, Lee Tae-Poong clenched his teeth in anger. He bit so hard that blood began to trickle from his mouth. I shook my head. ''Here he goes again...'' Lee Tae-Poong began to immerse himself deeply into the role once more. Seeing the unexpected blood on the monitor, Choi Sung-Moon hesitated whether or not to call NG. However, Choi Sung-Moon was just as passionate about the project as Lee Tae-Poong and decided not to stop the shoot. At that moment, Choi Yang-Seop ran out and started kicking Lee Tae-Poong. ¡ºYou fucking bastard! I swore I would make you regret it when you let me go! Did you really not see thising?¡» The sounds of Choi Yang-Seop kicking Lee Tae-Poong were clear and loud. Lee Tae-Poong grimaced in pain despite wearing protective gear and Choi Yang-Seop controlling his strength. Choi Sung-Moon watched the scene with sweaty hands and finally called cut after 20 seconds. "Okay! Let¡¯s take a break!" As soon as the cut was called, Choi Yang-Seop stopped kicking. The staff rushed in and Choi Yang-Seop checked on Tae-Poong. "Are you okay?" Choi Yang-Seop had always wanted to step on Lee Tae-Poong in the past. But now, he didn¡¯t show that attitude perhaps because he seemed to acknowledge Lee Tae-Poong as the lead actor. "Yes. I¡¯m fine, sunbae-nim," Lee Tae-Poong replied. As Lee Tae-Poong held Choi Yang-Seop¡¯s hand and got up, the staff apuded. "Wow, that looked real, really real." "Mr. Tae-Poong, you¡¯re not hurt, are you?" Lee Tae-Poong and Choi Yang-Seop appeared satisfied with the praises from the staff. "Let¡¯s take a break. I''m feeling a bit tired too now that we''ve reached thest stage of filming." "Okay." After greeting everyone, Lee Tae-Poong spotted me and walked over with a grin. Then, I noticed there was no visible protective gear under his shirt. "Hyung, when did you get there?" Lee Tae-Poong asked. Without an answer, I lifted Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s shirt. The area where Choi Yang-Seop had hit him earlier was red and swollen. "Where is your protective gear?" I questioned him. "Oh, that...I thought it wouldn¡¯t look realistic during filming so I took it off." I gently pressed the bruised area hearing his nonchnt reply. "Ugh..." When I pressed down on his bruise unexpectedly, the startled Lee Tae-Poong hurriedly backed away. Seeing that he could move, I was relieved that his bones weren''t injured. Sometimes there were actors like this who dedicated everything for a good scene. I had warned both Lee Tae-Poong and his talent agent, Lee Dae-Ho, numerous times that immersing too deeply in a role could lead to serious injury. Lee Dae-Ho, his cousin and talent agent, knew about Lee Tae-Poong''s stubborn personality since childhood and had paid close attention to my advice. Unfortunately, Lee Tae-Poong, who was obsessed with acting, had removed his safety gear behind Lee Dae-Ho''s back. Fortunately, the experienced Choi Yang-Seop knew how to hit him in a way that could avoid serious injuries. If Choi Yang-Seop had acted maliciously as he used to, Lee Tae-Poong could have broken a bone. "Drug addiction, depression, suicidal impulses, fractures, car idents..." I continued. Lee Tae-Poong flinched every time I mentioned one of these. These weremon experiences for actors deeply immersed in their roles. I said in a serious tone, "I know you think your acting has always beencking because of your dyslexia, so I never said anything until now. But now, I¡¯m scared you might get seriously hurt, Tae-Poong." As his talent agent and as someone who cared about him, I didn¡¯t want to see him get hurt. Seeing my serious expression, Lee Tae-Poong looked apologetic. "I''m sorry. I was just anxious, hyung." "What are you anxious about? You¡¯re acting well now." "I couldn¡¯t feel at ease because of my past..." My heart ached seeing him scratch his head and smile awkwardly. If he had met me a little earlier, I could have helped him ovee his trauma of dyslexia sooner. I quicklyposed myself. Regardless of the challenges, we were already tremendously blessed to be where we were now. The other issues could be solved as we continue to move forward. "Tae-Poong, I promise to tell you immediately if I think your acting iscking in any way. So please, take care of yourself while acting. I¡¯m begging you," I pleaded with him. When I sped my hands and pleaded, Lee Tae-Poong grabbed them and asked me to stop. "A-alright, hyung. Please stop." "Really?" "Yes, really." "Good." I let out a sigh and asked Lee Dae-Ho to bring the first aid kit and protective gear. "Yes, Mr. Jung!" Lee Dae-Ho red at Tae-Poong for a moment before hurrying to the van. At that moment, Baek Yoon-Sung approached us, saying, "I came to give a stern lecture, but it looks like the conversation is already over." Lee Tae-Poong held his side and bowed his head. "Ah, yes. How are you doing, sir?" "I''m good. Tae-Poong, you''ll live a long life if you listen to your talent agent." Baek Yoon-Sung was pointing out the risk from Lee Tae-Poong''s intense immersion in the role earlier. "I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Baek," Lee Tae-Poong apologized. "There''s no need to apologize. Everyone has their own acting style, so it¡¯s not my ce to criticize you. However, it isn''t eptable for an actor to get hurt and cause pain to those around them. You don¡¯t live your life alone, you know?" Tae-Poong nodded and answered. "I¡¯ll keep that in mind, sir." "Good." In the meantime, Lee Dae-Ho returned with the protective gear and first aid kit. "Here you go, Mr. Jung." I took the protective gear and shouted to Lee Tae-Poong, "Raise your hands~!" Lee Tae-Poong raised his hands with an apologetic smile. As I wrapped the protective gear around his torso, Lee Tae-Poong grinned. "Don¡¯t smile. You''ll make me soft-hearted," I chided him lightly. Although I scolded him, Tae-Poong kept smiling, seemingly pleased. An old sunbae talent agent once said that watching an actor you manage grow feels like raising a child. I didn¡¯t understand it then, but now I could clearly feel it. Currently, the young fledgling named Lee Tae-Poong was ready to leave the nest and look toward the sky. Once Beyond the Boundary hit the screen, Lee Tae-Poong will spread his wings and soar toward the path of glory of being a ten-million-view actor. And until then, I needed to care for and protect Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s wings from harm. After all, I was Lee Tae-Poong''s talent agent. After securing the protective gear around Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s torso, I made him rinse his mouth and bite on some cotton. "Bite down on the cotton until the bleeding stops." "Okay~ Umph." His words were muffled with the cotton in his mouth. Fortunately, the bleeding stopped quickly as he hadn''t bitten down too deeply. A littleter, a staff member came and took Lee Tae-Poong away. Lee Tae-Poong initially felt awkward with the protective gear, but soon adapted and continued his excellent performance. With Choi Sung-Moon¡¯s constant recognition, Lee Tae-Poong finally rxed and began to smile. Only then did Lee Tae-Poong shed his fears and began to perform even more passionately. And just like that, Lee Tae-Poong was once again making strides as an actor. *** Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s scenes were finished, but there were still three days of filming left on set. Because of this, I promised to treat everyone on thest day of the shoot. After giving the staff lunch boxes and coffee, I took Lee Tae-Poong to the Life Clinic. "Ouch! Doctor! This hurts a lot! Did something go wrong?" Lee Tae-Poong yelled. Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s screams could be heard from the physical therapy room. "You should have been more careful. You¡¯re not a child," Kim Soo-Myung reprimanded him. "No, it¡¯s not that... these kinds of things happen when you¡¯re working and... wait a minute! Ouch!" Kim Soo-Myung gave Lee Tae-Poong some pain along with a scolding for not taking care of his body. Meanwhile, I called Lee Dae-Ho to the guardian waiting room. "Yes, Mr. Jung?" "Has Daechon Inc. contacted you by any chance?" I asked. "They haven''t, but I¡¯ve been getting frequent calls from unknown numberstely as you mentioned." Lee Dae-Ho exined that people who didn¡¯t reveal their names called, offering generous rewards if Lee Tae-Poong would have a meal with the person they represented. I knew all sponsorship rtionships started in this manner. "You haven¡¯t mentioned this to Tae-Poong, right?" "No, Mr. Jung. I just told him they were advertising inquiries. But as you suggested, I saved their numbers. What should we do with them?" Lee Dae-Ho asked. "Send me the list of numbers you¡¯ve received so far via KkTalk." Lee Dae-Ho fiddled with his phone and handed me thepiled list of numbers. But one of them looked quite familiar. [010-99XX-12XX] It was the phone number of Director Go Ill-Joon, who handled all the dirty work for Kim Ae-Ja, the Vice President of Daechon Inc. Chapter 265: Into the Storm (3)

Chapter 265: Into the Storm (3)

Ranked 17th in the business world, Daechon Inc. had numerous subsidiaries. One of them, Yuseong Foods, mainly supplied lunch boxes to departmental stores. Director Go Ill-Joon of Yuseong Foods was not just a specialist in handling lunch box deliveries, but also one in handling the "dirty" work assigned by Kim Ae-Ja. I pointed to Go Ill-Joon''s phone number and asked Lee Dae-Ho again, "Have you spoken to the person who called with this number?" "Yes. Even though I politely declined, they kept contacting me. Do you know the caller?" After a moment of hesitation, I revealed that the caller was a close associate of Kim Ae-Ja. Lee Dae-Ho raised his brows. "Wait, isn''t Vice President Kim Ae-Ja the woman who stormed into our ce and caused a scenest time?" Just hearing Kim Ae-Ja''s name left Lee Dae-Ho shocked. "Don''t worry too much. We''re well prepared to ensure it doesn''t happen again," I reassured him. Although I said that we were taking action against Kim Ae-Ja, Lee Dae-Ho still looked anxious. "Will it be alright? You said that Kim Ae-Ja is a woman capable of controlling major media outlets," Lee Dae-Ho said with worry. "Yes, but this time she won''t be able to escape easily. We''ve found a crucial weakness of hers." Hope flickered across Lee Dae-Ho''s face. At that moment, Lee Tae-Poong''s voice came from the physical therapy room. "Dae-Ho hyung~! The doctor wants you toe in." "Go ahead. Tae-Poong is calling for you." Lee Dae-Ho nodded. "Understood." I followed behind Lee Dae-Ho who ran to the physical therapy room. At that moment, I received a call from Choi So-Hye. ''She must have finished making a deal with Kim Ae-Ryeon,'' I thought. "How did it go, Ms. Choi?" -Oh, it''s frustrating. She said she won''t decide without knowing who''s backing me. It looks like you''ll have to meet her yourself. Can you do that? Kim Ae-Ryeon was as strong-willed as her sister, Kim Ae-Ja. But unlike her sister, her meticulous nature made her hesitant to make decisions. I would have considered it more carefully under normal circumstances, but with Go Ill-Joon''s persistent calls, I needed to act quickly. The enemy was likely to use dirty tactics so waiting around wasn''t an option. I had to strike first. Moreover, Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak would end up joining Hoop Entertainment if I didn''t take care of Kim Ae-Ja now. I took a deep breath and replied to Choi So-Hye. "Ms. Choi, please tell her we''ll meet under strict security." -Got it. Just give me a moment, I''ll contact her right away. Five minutes after hanging up, I received a message to meet the next day. *** I arrived at H Hotel in Gangnam at 9:30 in the morning and parked in the underground lot. As Kim Ae-Ryeon owned this hotel, she had cleared the entire 10th floor for our meeting. When I called Choi So-Hye, she answered before the second ring. -Tell the receptionist you''re here to meet Ms. Irene at the lobby and they''ll guide you. I went up to the lobby on the first floor after hanging up. I followed her instructions and was greeted by a male staff member at the lobby who guided me to the VIP elevator. Upon arriving on the 10th floor, two men in ck suits appeared in front of the elevator. "Please wait... we need to check for any recording devices." They used a metal detector to check me as soon as I stepped out of the elevator. After handing over my phone and smartwatch to them, I headed to room 1004. When I opened the dark oak door and entered, I saw Vice President Kim Ae-Ryeon and Choi So-Hye drinking milk tea. Although she looked like she was in herte 30s, Kim Ae-Ryeon was 48 years old this year and stood around 160 cm tall. She was the second daughter of Kim Bu-Ho, Daechon Inc.''s honorary president. "Team Lead Jung, say hello. This is Ms. Kim Ae-Ryeon." Kim Ae-Ryeon stared at me and smiled. "What? Is this the person who wanted to meet me?" Choi So-Hye nodded. "Yes. This is Team Lead Jung who nned everything." Kim Ae-Ryeon smiled broadly. "You''re young. I''m Kim Ae-Ryeon." "I''m Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment." When we shook hands, I felt a strong grip which contrasted her soft hand. Her tight grip alone made it very clear she had confidence. She didn''t seem like someone who had been pushed out ofpetition. "So, how did a talent agent from Hoop Entertainment find out about ourpany''s internal matters? Outsiders would have thought I was entirely out of the session race," Kim Ae-Ryeon remarked. I was worried that she might be displeased but relieved to see she found it amusing. "I understand that your father, Honorary President Mr. Kim Bu-Ho, still holds somepany shares. So the session isn''t finalized yet, is it?" I asked. "Did you bet on my resilience simply based on that?" Kim Ae-Ryeon questioned. Kim Ae-Ryeon was a person who clearly defined her friends and enemies. Hence, it seemed she wanted to know whose side I was on. "I was half sure beforeing here, but now I''m 100% certain. So let''s get straight to the point. If the photo of Kim Ae-Ja reaches your father, it would be game over," I replied in a straightforward manner. After a moment of contemtion, Kim Ae-Ryeon nodded. "Well, it''s not that easy, but yes. If my dad sees that photo, he''ll be furious and likely ban my sister from management for a while." "Then is there further confirmation you need? If not, please assist Ms. Choi in reporting the story." "Wait a moment. Before that..." Kim Ae-Ryeon muttered as she looked behind her. There stood a man in a suit, about 190 cm tall, standing upright. "Secretary Yoon, bring it here," Kim Ae-Ryeon instructed the man. "Yes, ma''am." The man in the suit bowed and retrieved a ck case from a small room. Then he ced the 007-style briefcase on the table. Click! The briefcase was filled with bundles of crisp 50 thousand won bills. "Take it," Kim Ae-Ryeon said to me. I turned down her offer. "I don''t need such a reward." "Did you just say you don''t need it? Do you know how much that photo is worth?" "I understand that Daechon Inc.''s market capitalization is about 5 trillion won. I''m assuming that photo should be worth that much, right?" Considering that photo was a weapon to bring down her rival sister and take over the group, its value was beyond imagination. Kim Ae-Ryeon''s expression changed in an instant. "You''re a sharp young man. But why not take the money? Is the reward insufficient?" "I said I don''t need the money." "Well, I get very uneasy if my counterpart doesn''t take my money. Those who don''t take the money always end up betraying their allies. So tell me, you must want something else, right?" She was indeed a person full of suspicions. I thought for a bit and spoke up. "If you can''t trust me, shall I tell you why I''m targeting Vice President Kim Ae-Ja?" Kim Ae-Ryeon''s eyes gleamed momentarily. "Alright, exin it in a way I can understand. What''s your rtionship with my sister that you''re doing this dangerous thing? Why are you using me to go against her?" I exined it so Kim Ae-Ryeon could understand. "A few months ago, I had a conflict with Mrs. Kim Ae-Ja. As a result, I dug into her weaknesses and obtained the information I shared with you." Kim Ae-Ryeon tilted her head. "Conflict?" I exined Kim Ae-Ja''s collection of handsome celebrities and Kim Ae-Ryeon frowned when she quickly understood the situation. "She''s been obsessed with men since she was young. She should be setting a good example as the eldest child instead of bringing shame to the family." "Also, Ms. Kim Ae-Ja is targeting my actor, Lee Tae-Poong," I added. At that moment, Kim Ae-Ryeon burst intoughter. "What? So you''re trying to take down the Vice President of the 17thrgest conglomerate just because she''s targeting your actor? Wow, you''re scarier than I thought." Kim Ae-Ryeon pped her hands in amusement. "Did you hear that, Secretary Yoon?" The man in the suit, who had been standing like a statue, nodded. "This young man is quite something." "Right?" Kim Ae-Ryeon looked at me with a bright expression. "Okay. My father will be greatly disappointed, but I''ll have to let him know. It will all be solved within three days." "Please let me know the oue," I said. "Trust me. I want this even more than you do, Team Lead Jung. My sister has taken everything from me since we were kids. This time, it''s my turn!" Kim Ae-Ryeon eximed. Her eyes gleamed as she trembled, as if her sister was a lifelong enemy. As far as I remembered from my past life, the rtionship between the two sisters, who fought over shares, would never improve in the future. After all, they continued to fight up to the day I died. I decided it was best not to get involved with Daechon Inc. at all. "Anyway, I''ll handle the matter with the editor-in-chief of the Central Daily News," said Kim Ae-Ryeon. Kim Ae-Ryeon expressed her intention to publish the article. At that moment, I decided to further implicate Kim Ae-Ja and mentioned another name. "Do you know about Yuseong Foods by chance?" "Yes, that''s my sister''s subsidiary. Why?" "Director Go Ill-Joon who works there is the link between Vice President Kim Ae-Ja and all the celebrities." Kim Ae-Ryeon looked surprised. "Is that true?" "Why would I lie? If you investigate him, you''ll find out which celebrities Vice President Kim Ae-Ja has been meeting." At that moment, Kim Ae-Ryeon hastily turned around and gave orders. "Secretary Yoon, investigate Yuseong Foods immediately! And thoroughly check those who''ve been managing Yuseong Foods! They might have taken bribes from my sister!" Secretary Yoon immediately entered a small room and made a phone call. After giving her orders, Kim Ae-Ryeon turned to me. At that moment, she made an unexpected proposal with a greedy look on her face. "Team Lead Jung, how about quitting your job as a talent agent anding to work for me?" *** Kim Ae-Ryeon, the formidable woman who would fight a fierce battle for control of Daechon Inc. in the future, wanted me. Nevertheless, no matter how much power she held, she was just someone I didn''t want to deal with. "I believe being a talent agent is my true calling," I answered. Kim Ae-Ryeonughed as if she couldn''t believe it. "A calling? Maybe you don''t understand because you''re still young. Managing celebrities and being on the fringe of the entertainment industry makes you feel like you own the world, doesn''t it? But the reality is not like that. Come work for me. I''ll show you a much bigger world." Kim Ae-Ryeon couldn''t hide her excitement after hearing about her sister''s hidden weakness. She immediately offered double the money on the table, 1 billion won, plus an annual sry of 1 billion won and also a position as the promotion director of Daechon Construction. Kim Ae-Ryeon also suggested I help the celebrities under my management at Hoop Entertainment by hiring them as models for herpany''s advertisements. At that moment, Choi So-Hye intervened. "Ms. Kim! What are you doing? Why are you trying to recruit Team Lead Jung?" "Reporter Choi, can you keep quiet for a moment?" Kim Ae-Ryeon silenced Choi So-Hye in a firm attitude and continued. "Even if my sister falls, she might return anytime as long as my father is alive. I need a talent like you to help me." She was preparing for the possible return of Kim Ae-Ja, but that could be avoided by making sure she couldn''t return. "Then why don''t you make sure Vice President Kim Ae-Ja can''te back? Crush herpletely this time," I suggested. "What?" Kim Ae-Ryeon replied, surprised by my bold suggestion. "H-how?" She asked. "You already know how, don''t you? What youck now is determination, Ms. Kim. If you''re serious about taking over Daechon Inc., now is the perfect opportunity. I repeat, crush herpletely while you can. You don''t want to regret itter." Kim Ae-Ryeon looked me up and down in disbelief. "Are you sure you don''t want to join me and do it yourself? I''ll give you a reward far greater than what I just offered." I made it clear I wasn''t interested and nor tempted by money. Kim Ae-Ryeon stared directly into my eyes. "I''m usually good at reading people, but I can''t figure you out at all. Are you from another world or something?" Instead ofing from a different world, I had returned from the future. However, that wasn''t something I could tell her. Kim Ae-Ryeon raised both her hands in surrender. "Okay. But let''s keep cooperating in the future. How about it?" "I thought we were allies," I replied. "That''s true. Alright then, you may leave now. I''ll contact you after the article is published." Choi So-Hye said she had nothing more to discuss, having finished her business before I arrived. I turned to Choi So-Hye and said, "Ms. Choi, let''s get going then." "Y-yeah." Choi So-Hye, who stood up following me, had an expression on her face as if she had been possessed by a ghost. As we descended to the underground parking lot, I provided Choi So-Hye with some additional useful information. Now, there were only three days left until the article would be published. Kim Ae-Ja, Park Hee-Tae, and Choi Seong-Lak had only that much time left to enjoy their freedom. Chapter 266: Into the Storm (4)

Chapter 266: Into the Storm (4)

Two days after meeting with Kim Ae-Ryeon, I received a word from Choi So-Hye that the article would be published the next day. Today was the day of the wrap party for Beyond the Boundary, held at TongTong DoyaJi, a charcoal-grilled pork belly restaurant near the set. We rented out the entire venue, which could amodate 200 people, and it waspletely packed with actors, crew members, and staff. Since the party was hosted by Hoop Entertainment, cheers erupted from everywhere when Lee Tae-Poong, Lee Dae-Ho, and I entered the restaurant. "Tae-Poong, thank you for the meal!" "Thanks for today, Team Lead Jung!" "Tae-Poong! Come over here! Come have a drink with me!" Although Lee Tae-Poong wasn''t properly regarded as the main lead at the start, no one doubted now that he was indeed a true actor. I took a seat at an empty table while watching Lee Tae-Poong mingle with people with a bright smile. At that moment, Choi Sung-Moon gestured for me toe over to his table. "Team Lead Jung,e over here for a second." As I went over wondering what was up, he immediately grabbed my hand and gently patted it. "I heard the promotional budget increased significantly thanks to you. Sorry for thete thanks." Watching Pyo Eun-Mi sitting beside Choi Sung-Moon wink at me, I figured she must have told him what happened when we visited the distributor. Choi Sung-Moon continued to praise me before lowering his voice. "To be honest with you, I was a little bit skeptical when I first saw Tae-Poong at the audition." "But you chose Tae-Poong in the end, didn''t you?" I replied with a smile. Choi Sung-Moon scratched his head. "I mean, not really. Who knows what would have happened if you hadn''t pushed so hard? Frankly, it''s true that Cha Tae-Hoon, who was rmended by Chief Kim Dong-Soo, was the safer choice." "Thank you again." "No, I should be the one to thank you. I got to work with the best actor thanks to you pushing so hard back then." In that moment, I felt a deep sense of gratitude, knowing that my efforts hadn''t been in vain. "Thank you, sir. I''m sure Tae-Poong will be happy to hear this." "Oh, don''t bother. I should be the one to tell him something like this." Choi Sung-Moon told me not to ry his words to Tae-Poong as he had his own ns. "Oh. And by the way..." "Yes, Mr. Choi." "I know it''s too early to talk about the next project, but I''ll take any actors you rmend without question from now on. You know what I mean?" "Pardon me?" "I trust that you''ll pick someone suitable for the project and handle the promotion tirelessly." "Well, that''s true. But..." In the film industry where tens or hundreds of billions were invested, the director alone couldn''t choose the lead actor as there were influences from investors and producers among other variables. However, there were exceptions. Having repeatedly achieved blockbuster sess, Choi Sung-Moon''s words carried significant weight. Seeing my stunned reaction to his generous offer, Choi Sung-Moonughed yfully. "What? You think the distributor or investors will oppose my decision? Are you underestimating me? Hey! I''m Choi Sung-Moon!" "N-not at all, sir. I was just a bit taken aback," I stuttered. "Ha ha ha. Alright. Let''s work together on the next project too. I''m counting on you." Then, I remembered Choi Sung-Moon''s next project written in my nner¡ª it was Rage of God which would draw 7.7 million viewers. It was a spy thriller film, based on the premise that Korea had acquired nuclear weapons, and it was essentially a sequel to Beyond the Boundary. I assumed that Choi Sung-Moon probably wanted me to find a main lead for that project, and I already knew the perfect candidate for the lead role in that film. Actor Choi Do-Yung was a former soldier who bounced between part-time jobs before entering this industry and coincidentally turning his life around after being dishonorably discharged from the army. Considering that he was cast as the main lead without an agency and suffered greatly in my past life, I nned to prepare him early this time. While Choi Sung-Moon continued to praise me, he refilled his own ss and stood up. "Alright! I would like to say thank you to all the actors and staff who followed the ridiculously tough schedule so well. So, once again... to achieving ten million audience!" The staff cheered enthusiastically and made a toast to Choi Sung-Moon''s words. "To ten million!" *** Gathered around the table in the CEO''s office in Daeheung Savings Bank''s headquarters located in Myeongdong were the bank president, Choi Yung-Ho, Ju Jin-Ho, Park Jung-Ho, and Jang Ki-Ho. They usually discussed the direction of the bank''s operations, government policies, and the flow of funds in Myeongdong, but today the topic was about finding Choi Eun-Tae''s son. Park Jung-Ho, who turned 35 years old this year, started his report to Choi Yung-Ho, his boss. "We''ve secured DNA samples from about half of them." Following Ju Jin-Ho''s strategy, most of the orphans eagerly signed the low-interest loan documents. Though some were skeptical, everyone took up the government support program and the extraordinary offer of 90% indemnity in case of an emergency. In the meantime, Daeheung Savings Bank employees had collected hair, cigarette butts, gum, chopsticks, and used cups of the candidates to gather DNA samples. "What are the test results?" Choi Yung-Ho asked. Park Jung-Ho replied, "There are no matches so far." "Nice work. Let''s speed up the process to test the remaining people quickly." As Park Jung-Ho bowed and finished his report, the youngest Jang Ki-Ho asked, "Yung-Ho hyung-nim, what are we going to do about the loan amounts? Are we really not going to collect them?" "Just leave it. If others find out we''re trying to collect that money, it''ll be a headache," Choi Yung-Ho answered. "Understood." Then Choi Yung-Ho turned back to Park Jung-Ho and asked, "How are things going with Jung Yoon-Ho and Kang Eun-Gi?" Park Jung-Ho let out a deep sigh. "We haven''t made any progress so far." "Why not?" "Kang Eun-Gi is in detention which makes visits and contact difficult. And Jung Yoon-Ho shows no interest at all." Choi Yung-Ho cleared his throat and asked again, "Jung Yoon-Ho, that guy. I heard he''s doing well at Hoop Entertainment. Does he not need money?" "That seems to be the case." Ju Jin-Ho interjected. "Then contact him offering a home loan service. Tempt him by suggesting he buy a nice house with the ''free money''." Park Jung-Ho sighed deeply. "I thought of that too and already tried sending someone, but they couldn''t enter because there were guards." "He has guards at his home? Is Jung Yoon-Ho making that much money?" "He''s earning well, but he also shares a building with other actors from hispany..." At that moment, Ju Jin-Ho devised another n. "Hyung-nim, how about we offer car wash services to Team Lead Jung?" The idea was to collect Jung Yoon-Ho''s fallen hairs while washing the car. All they needed was just one strand of hair with a 99% match to confirm Jung Yoon-Ho''s parentage. Choi Yung-Houghed heartily. "Ha ha ha. That''s a good idea. Then get a mobile car wash service card and leave it on the window." "Yes, understood. As for Kang Eun-Gi, I''ll try to recruit a detention center employee." "Alright. And make sure to be careful and keep this from Choi Man-Sik. You know how important that is, right?" "Of course, hyung-nim. Who do you think I am?" Choi Yung-Ho then turned to Ju Jin-Ho. "By the way, what''s the update on Choi Man-Sik?" "That guy has been very activetely. He''s been meeting frequently with ruling partywmakers." "Finding Mr. Choi''s son is important, but the speed at which Choi Man-Sik is reaching into politics is rming. Continue to keep a close watch." Everyone bowed their heads. "Yes, hyung-nim!" The search for Choi Eun-Tae''s lost son was elerating. *** It had been three days after my meeting with Kim Ae-Ryeon, but no articles about Vice President Kim Ae-Ja, Park Hee-Tae, or Choi Seong-Lak had been published yet. "Mr. Jung, shall we start the car wash?" I snapped out of my thoughts at Lee Yung-Jin''s voice. "Let''s get rid of the smell first before we start washing," I replied. Today, we were preparing to wash the newly assigned Merciless Bends Springer and arge domestic van. We opened all the doors of the Springer and the van in the spacious yard to air them out. At that moment, Miso came out to the yard while eximing, "Wow! A new car! Uncle Yoon-Ho, can I take off the stickers?" Miso''s eyes sparkled as she pointed to the edge of the vinyl tape on the door. "Of course~ you can take off anything you can." Miso cheered and ran over to the car. "Yay~!" Meanwhile, I instructed Lee Yung-Jin and Jung Sang-Bong to change their clothes. As they went into thendlord''s house on the first floor, Yoo-Jin brought out drinks on a tray. "You''ll get tanned, Yoo-Jin. Stay inside." "Oh,e on. It''s fine." "No,e here." I took the tray from Yoo-Jin and headed to the shaded area in front of the entrance. "But why are you washing cars at home, oppa? Don''t tell me thepany is cutting car wash expenses?" I sighed and exined, "Actually, there was an incident where an employee installed a hidden camera while cleaning the car at the carwash. So I never let anyone else wash the car." It was a hassle, but I didn''t want to risk such dangers ever again. Yoo-Jin nodded slowly. "Oh, so that''s why you always washed the car yourself." Then, I asked Yoo-Jin about the current situation on set as I hadn''t been able to apany Yoo-Jin there recently. "How''s it going these days? Are you managing?" "Everything''s great except for the heat. I''ve gotten close to sunbae-nims and the staff. Also, I think I''m fully used to my character Cheongmyung now." Currently, Cheongmyung''s actions and lines were bing memes on the inte. -There is no lowliness in upations! -You people are worse than ghosts! -Hey, you wretched spirit! -I swear, I''m going to exorcize you! Cheongmyung was a shaman tainted by capitalism, but her weakness was children, dogs, and cats. Despite being boastful, she couldn''t help but assist people and spirits with sad stories and often imed that her eyes were teary because something was stuck inside. "Then what about ying the role of Manshin Wol-Ah? Isn''t it tough?" "I gotta admit it''s a bit tough...but imagining what I might be like in 40 years helps." Yoo-Jin had adapted to her character much faster than I expected. Thankfully, she was still putting her all into her acting without losing her initial passion. Moreover, she still showed the same kindness, even bringing drinks for her talent agent. Then, Yoo-Jin suddenly looked worried and asked, "But, oppa. When will you reveal Manshin Wol-Ah''s identity?" "I''m waiting for the right timing," I replied. Originally, I nned to reveal Manshin Wol-Ah''s identity after the drama ended. However, with viewership ratings nearing 20% despite only having aired the early episodes, it seemed difficult to keep it a secret until the end. After all, more and more people were bing curious about who Manshin Wol-Ah was. Yoo-Jin nodded. "Got it." In the meantime, Miso came running with stickers in both hands. "Uncle Yoon-Ho! I took off all the stickers!" I praised her. "Good job!" Seeing Miso''s happy face made me forget theplicated current situations for a moment. I turned to Yoo-Jin and said, "I''m going to help with the car wash. I have to return the old vehicle today, so I''m a bit busy." "Alright. Have fun!" Yoo-Jin replied cheerfully. I drank the beverage Yoo-Jin gave me, and started washing the car without a break. After thoroughly washing and waxing the cars for three hours, I returned to my room. I let out a happy sigh. "Ah! It''s nice and cool here!" Enjoying the cold air from the air conditioner, I checked the inte and saw that the long-awaited articles had finally started to appear. [Celebrity C and Celebrity P caught in a marijuana party at Gangnam club! Urgent arrest! (Central Daily Newspaper)] (Comments) -LOL, the mosaic is so obvious. Can''t they make it less recognizable? Isn''t C CSL? -P must be PHT. Those guys often go to Gangnam Flexis. -Those two are famous among clubbers. They are notorious for their bad behavior. -Who''s the person in the middle of the blurred photo? There are three of them. -They must have been partying with a girl. Photos that appeared to be of Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak were circting as breaking news. However, the image of Kim Ae-Ja sitting between them was heavily pixted, making her unrecognizable. Just as I wondered if this would be the end of tying Kim Ae-Ja to the scandal, a video began ying on TV. [Breaking News: Daechon Inc.''s Vice President Kim Ae-Ja under urgent investigation by prosecutors for embezzlement and breach of trust.] The TV showed Kim Ae-Ja''s car entering the prosecutor''s office along with the caption, and the news anchors reported that Vice President Kim Ae-Ja of Daechon Inc. had created slush funds through several subsidiaries. Among the mentioned subsidiaries was Yuseong Foods, which I had informed Kim Ae-Ryeon about. That''s when my phone began to ring. It was Choi So-Hye. -Team Lead Jung, have you seen the article yet? "Yes I''ve just seen it." -I''m sorry if it''s disappointing, but this was the best I could do. Our department felt it was too risky to tie Vice President Kim Ae-Ja to the celebrities directly, so we separated the stories and handed them over to the social affairs department. Nheless, Choi So-Hye exined that Kim Ae-Ja will go to jail and have a hard time seeing the outside world for a while thanks to the information provided by Kim Ae-Ryeon. "Thank you for your hard work." -Don''t mention it. You''re the one who did all the hard work. Thanks to you, the president of mypany called me in and praised me, saying I''m better than the editor-in-chief. "Will there be additional reports?" -Yes, we''ll keep digging until she''spletely done for. So don''t you worry. You can rx now. The excited Choi So-Hye hung up, saying she would treat me to a nice meal soon. Lee Yung-Jin beside me asked, "Is it over? Those two?" "Yes, it''s over. Let''s head back to the office. It seems like we''ll have a lot to do today." Having dealt with Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak , it was now time to prepare for Sung Ho-Jun''s arrival. Just then, another call came in. ''What a busy day...'' I thought. This time, the call was from Kim Ae-Ryeon. "Yes, Ms. Kim." -Team Lead Jung, did you see the article? Kim Ae-Ryeon''s voice was filled withughter. "I did." -The information about Yuseong Foods you provided was a goldmine. Unfortunately, my father intervened, so we couldn''t bring it all the way down. He said it would be a disgrace to the family if she went to jail because of her ties to celebrities. I hope you understand. "Well, it''s fine as long as my actors are protected." -At least my sister won''t be able to see the outside world for a long time. I''ll make sure of that! Kim Ae-Ryeon spoke with determination before adding in a yful tone. -Oh. By the way, my father wants to meet you soon. I was shocked. ''What? The Honorary President of Daechon Inc. wants to meet me? He wants to meet the person who helped incarcerate his daughter?'' "B-but why would he have a reason to meet me..." Kim Ae-Ryeon burst into a heartyughter. -Why? Are you scared? "It''s not that, it''s just that it would be ufortable for both of us in this situation." -Don''t worry. I didn''t mention that you were the source of the information. Instead, I told him there''s someone I''m keeping an eye on. That''s why he wants to meet you. "I''ll think about it." -Think carefully. My father isn''t used to being rejected. Kim Ae-Ryeon hung up the call with that. Just as I was clenching my fist in joy, a KkTalk message arrived. Ding! [Director Lee Gi-Cheol: All team leads, please attend the meeting in an hour. Attendance is highly rmended!] Finally, the moment I had been waiting for had arrived. Chapter 267: Return (1)

Chapter 267: Return (1)

When I opened the door to Hoop Entertainment''s sixth floor meeting room, the chiefs and team leads of every division were gathered with confused expressions. Among them was Kim Dong-Soo, whose face was pale. His eyes stared nkly into space as if he never imagined Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak, whom he put in so much effort to recruit, would cause trouble. ''That''s right. I looked just like that too the day I copsed...'' I silently remarked. In my past life, I lost consciousness and copsed after hearing about my wife''s affair from reporter Gu Min-Ji. When I regained consciousness in the hospitalter, my face in the mirror looked just like that of Kim Dong-Soo''s right now¡ªpale without any blood flow. I stared at him and thought, ''You shouldn''t have messed with me, Kim Dong-Soo.'' I wouldn''t have gone this far if Kim Dong-Soo hadn''t tried to split Hoop Entertainment and had Nalsae investigate to trample me. After all, I had never made the first move on things that hadn''t happened since traveling back in time. However, Kim Dong-Soo acted just as I had anticipated and was trying to split Hoop Entertainment. ''I can''t stop here.'' After all the employees above team lead level had gathered, Lee Gi-Cheol spoke with a flushed face. "I called for a meeting because of Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak." The team leads in the meeting room reacted with confusion. "What do Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak have to do with us? Please don''t tell me...are there any actors in ourpany who hung out with them?" Gu Seong-Cheol asked. Lee Gi-Cheol frowned at Gu Seong-Cheol''s question. "Those two... are actors scheduled to join ourpany. Remember? Chief Kim Dong-Soo mentioned them before." For a moment, a buzz of confusion spread. "So the S-ss actors we talked about bringing in at thest meeting were those two?" "That''s right." Although Kim Dong-Soo had said he would bring in S-ss actors, he never mentioned anyone''s name except Sung Ho-Jun. Even though a few executives including Kang Ji-Yung and Gu Seong-Cheol had expected such a situation, everyone looked utterly surprised since it was the first time their names were mentioned directly. Lee Gi-Cheol''s shocking statement made Bang Sang-Yung speak up immediately. "Chief Kim, how far has the contract progressed? Surely, you didn''t give the down payment too, did you?" Kim Dong-Soo spoke with trembling pale lips. "The down payment...it''s already been paid." Bang Sang-Yung''s face twisted in frustration. "Hey, you fucking idiot! That makes Hoop Entertainment entangled in this case too!" Themotion grew and all the employees'' faces turned dark. Kang Ji-Yung urgently asked, "Mr. Kim. Did you give the full down payment?" Kim Dong-Soo shook his head like a docilemb. "I''ve given only half for now. I was supposed to give the rest this week......." A slight relief appeared on Kang Ji-Yung''s face. "That''s fine. That''s manageable. Let''s all get our stories straight here." Kang Ji-Yung looked around at everyone''s faces and began to take control of the situation. "We were in the process of recruiting those two, but we discovered unexpected misbehavior. So we are trying to terminate the contract. Make sure everyone agrees on this. Understand? And be careful not to leak any strange rumors to the reporters." Simultaneously, the panicked team leads began to calm down and rx. ''As expected. Well done, Kang Ji-Yung,'' I observed. Kang Ji-Yung had perfectly articted what I was about to say. Once Kang Ji-Yung suggested a n, Bang Sang-Yung immediately agreed. "I agree with Ms. Kang''s opinion. Team Lead Sung! Prepare a press release immediately!" Sung Min-Suk, the team lead of the publicity division, nodded. "Understood. I''ll send out the press release as soon as it''s ready." Perhaps feeling relieved that they had averted a crisis that could have hit the social news, everyone started to rx a bit. However, I requested to speak. Kang Ji-Yung gestured. "Team Lead Jung, feel free to speak up if you have any opinions." "Can we dy that press release for a few days?" I asked. "Why? Time is of the essence right now..." Everyone looked at me for a moment. Receiving everyone''s gaze, I began to exin in a calm manner. "Ourpany''s name hasn''t evene up yet. So if we respond too hastily and our name is mentioned, wouldn''t that be more troublesome? The repercussions could be bigger." Some agreed with me, but Actor Division 3 thought differently. Ju Ho-Sung shouted angrily, "Team Lead Jung! Where do you get off making such ridiculous statements? It''smon sense that proactive measures are important in situations like this!" ''I have more years of experience in the industry than you, Ju Ho-Sung!'' I remarked inwardly. I shouted back at the reprimanding Ju Ho-Sung. "Why do something that will obviously link ourpany''s name with Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak when everyone is paying attention to them?" Ju Ho-Sung gritted his teeth and red at me. "Just because you''re a team lead doesn''t mean you''re the same as me! You have much less experience than I do!" At that moment, Bang Sang-Yung interrupted the conversation. "Hold on. That''s not it. I think Team Lead Jung is right this time." Bang Sang-Yung retracted his earlier opinion, admitting he had been too hasty in his decision. Ever since our talk in the shower room, Bang Sang-Yung had started siding with me. Then, Lee Gi-Cheol opposed Bang Sang-Yung''s words. "Chief Bang, what''s wrong with you? What if false rumors spread before we even get a chance to exin? Don''t you know it''ll be toote to make excuses by then?" "Even so, we don''t need to make a stupid confession to something we didn''t do. Do we?" "Hah! Listen to this guy talk! A stupid confession, he says!" From that point on, a heated argument ensued over who was right. I felt sorry for Actor Division 1 and 2 who were unnecessarily caught in the argument without any idea, but there was no other way to prevent Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak from joining Hoop Entertainment. At that moment, the inte in the meeting room rang. Beep~~ Lee Gi-Cheol immediately hushed everyone. "Everyone, be quiet!" As themotion subsided, Lee Gi-Cheol answered the inte. "What? Sung Ho-Jun is here? To this ce?" The meeting room began to buzz withmotion once again. Although the marijuana issue with Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak was a big problem, they thought revealing Sung Ho-Jun''s transfer to Hoop Entertainment could divert public attention. Because of this reason, Lee Gi-Cheol also wore a happy expression as he took the inte. "Sung Ho-Jun said he has something to discuss with Chief Kim Dong-Soo? Then tell him toe to the meeting room! Right now!" ''What perfect timing,'' I thought. I knew Sung Ho-Jun would being today, but I didn''t expect him toe at this moment. Nheless, what was bound to happen would happen. I took a deep breath and waited for Sung Ho-Jun to enter the meeting room. After a while, the door to the meeting room opened and Sung Ho-Jun entered with his talent agent, Sung Yung-Jun. "Why do you all look so gloomy? Did Ie at a bad time?" Sung Ho-Jun remarked. Lee Gi-Cheol eximed with exaggerated gestures, "No~ No~ Not at all. Pleasee on in, Mr. Ho-Jun." Lee Gi-Cheol greeted Sung Ho-Jun and nudged Kim Dong-Soo. Only then did Kim Dong-Sooe to his senses and stand up. "Here''s Mr. Sung Ho-Jun, who will be a huge support to our Actor Division 3. Let''s wee him with apuse..." However, Sung Ho-Jun interrupted Kim Dong-Soo''s words with a grim expression. "No, Mr. Kim. I think there''s a misunderstanding here." "I''m sorry?" Sung Ho-Jun stared at Kim Dong-Soo and spoke. "I''m sorry, but I can''t join Actor Division 3." Sung Ho-Jun drew a firm line before they could even properly greet each other. Kim Dong-Soo looked at him with a bewildered expression. "M-Mr. Ho-Jun. What do you mean all of a sudden?" Kim Dong-Soo''s face showed signs of continuous shock. Despite this, Sung Ho-Jun didn''t even blink an eye. "I clearly said I''ll only work with you if you can get me a role in Mr. Lee Han-Soo''s next project," Sung Ho-Jun replied. Kim Dong-Soo nodded and answered, "Yes. Chief Jung Eun-Seok promised that you''ll definitely get the lead role if you audition!" Sung Ho-Jun scoffed. "Mr. Kim. Don''t you know there''s a big uproar among the Divine Punishment staff to kick out Chief Jung? The staff found out about Chief Jung''s affair with the camera director''s wife, and now they can''t even hold the auditions!" Kim Dong-Soo stammered. "Th-that can''t be...No. L-let me contact him right now and check..." Sung Ho-Jun ignored Kim Dong-Soo''s words and looked at Lee Gi-Cheol. "I can''t work with someone like Mr. Kim who is slow with information and breaks promises." Lee Gi-Cheol was visibly flustered, not having expected Sung Ho-Jun to be so blunt. "Mr. Ho-Jun, please calm down and..." However, Sung Ho-Jun continued to pressure Lee Gi-Cheol relentlessly. "Forget it. Since Actor Division 2 is doing well these days, I''ll just join Actor Division 2." Kim Dong-Soo was once again stunned and Lee Gi-Cheol was in shock. At the same time, the employees of Actor Division 3 turned their gaze toward Actor Division 2. Gu Seong-Cheol snapped at the ring eyes. "What are you looking at? He said he wants to join Actor Division 2." "Did Actor Division 2 pull some trick again?" "Are you being serious right now? Do you have any proof?" Shouting began between Actor Division 3 and 2, but Lee Gi-Cheol didn''t even try to intervene and instead clung to Sung Ho-Jun. "M-Mr. Ho-Jun, let''s discuss this separately. Changing divisions is not such a simple matter..." "That''s not any of my concern, is it? I signed a contract with Hoop Entertainment, not personally with Chief Kim Dong-Soo. And if it''s really that difficult, let''s just cancel the contract." Unable to bear Sung Ho-Jun''s pressure, Kang Ji-Yung intervened and proposed apromise. "Mr. Ho-Jun, why not give Actor Division 3 a chance first?" However, Sung Ho-Jun firmly rejected Kang Ji-Yung''s suggestion. "If my conditions aren''t met, there''s no reason for me to join Hoop Entertainment in the first ce. How can I expect to work together with Hoop Entertainment when things are already shaky before we even start?" Kang Ji-Yung couldn''t say anything further since Sung Ho-Jun''s argument was valid. Having lost Sung Ho-Jun after Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak, Kim Dong-Soo shouted in desperation. "Alright, alright! Fine, but why Actor Division 2? There''s also Actor Division 1!" Sung Ho-Jun stared at Kim Dong-Soo. "Didn''t I tell you from the beginning? I heard Actor Division 2 is doing the best in Hoop Entertainment these days." At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo''s eyes turned toward me and said angrily, "Don''t tell me...Is it because of Jung Yoon-Ho, that bastard?" The furious Kim Dong-Soo lost his temper and started cursing at me. Though I felt slightly guilty, I ignored his re and feigned innocence. When I didn''t respond, Kim Dong-Soo began pleading with Sung Ho-Jun again. "Mr. Ho-Jun, I admit I''ve been busy with other matters and neglected you. But I promise I''ll meet with Director Lee Han-Soo again and persuade him. If that doesn''t work, I''ll give up then. Please give me just one more chance." But Sung Ho-Jun only scoffed despite Kim Dong-Soo''s fervent plea. "Busy with other matters and neglected me, you say? The talent agent should look after the actor''s situation, not the other way around. What kind of ridiculous excuse is that?" Abandoning his humble demeanor, Sung Ho-Jun began speaking arrogantly. In reality, a top star like Sung Ho-Jun could act freely and no entertainmentpany could control him. After all, the revenue they generated could influence an entirepany. Kim Dong-Soo''s excuse saying he was too busy to look after a top star''s schedule was the worst excuse. Sung Ho-Jun frowned deeply and looked at me. "Team Lead Jung, do you share their opinion? Think carefully before you answer." Although we had somewhat nned this together since Sung Ho-Jun said he would join Hoop Entertainment, he seemed serious about it. If I gave a foolish answer here, he would likely break our agreement too. After making a decision, I stood up. "I''ve learned that a talent agent must prioritize the celebrity''s schedule above all else. If you join our division, I will manage your schedule with utmost dedication." The meeting room was stirred once again when I expressed my willingness to ept Sung Ho-Jun despite the potential conflict with Kim Dong-Soo. With a satisfied expression, Sung Ho-Jun said to me. "Then please manage my schedule in Actor Division 2 from now on. That''s my only condition for joining Hoop Entertainment." Losing Sung Ho-Jun to me after losing Lee Mal-Soon previously, Lee Gi-Cheol shouted angrily in frustration. "Who do you think you are!? Do you think I''ll allow such a thing to happen? I absolutely won''t allow it!" Lee Gi-Cheol''s voice echoed loudly in the meeting room. Creak. At that moment, the door to the meeting room opened and a familiar deep voice was heard. "I''ll allow it." Kang Gam-Chan, wearing a floral t-shirt and dark sunsses, appeared in the meeting room. Chapter 268: Return (2)

Chapter 268: Return (2)

Everyone was startled when Kang Gam-Chan, who was officially supposed to return to thepany in September, suddenly appeared in the meeting room. His tanned skin, dark sunsses, and floral T-shirt made it obvious that he had just returned from a summer vacation. "H-how did you get here, Mr. Kang?" "Mr. Kang! Wee back!" Everyone weed Kang Gam-Chan except for Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo. Kang Gam-Chan smiled as he took off his sunsses. "I appreciate the warm wee, but let''s save the greetings forter. Why don''t we handle the urgent matters first." Kang Gam-Chan ignored the dazed Lee Gi-Cheol and approached Sung Ho-Jun. "Ho-Jun, it''s been a while." "You look much better, Mr. Kang." They were speakingfortably in casual speech as if they were familiar with each other from before. "Yes, I had a nice long vacation. But more importantly, I''m grateful that you joined ourpany. I''ll make sure you get what you want." Sung Ho-Jun stared intently. "Then will Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho manage me?" Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "Sure. But even then, he can''t be your exclusive talent manager as the actors and singers under Team Jung are all in their crucial periods right now." After contemting for a moment, Sung Ho-Jun asked again, "What if I ask for Team Lead Jung to be exclusively assigned to me?" This wasn''t part of the agreement I made with Sung Ho-Jun. I had clearly told him that it was not an option for me to manage him exclusively. Instead, I promised to deliver the best results like with the other actors I managed. Kang Gam-Chan remained calm despite Sung Ho-Jun''s insistence. "Then what about your brother? Wasn''t he working exclusively for you?" "Yung-Jun can be reassigned to road management." "Hmm, is that so?" When Sung Ho-Jun maintained his firm gaze without backing down, Kang Gam-Chan shrugged. "Then I guess I''m left with no choice. I can''t hinder a sessful actor''s path, can I? I''ll terminate your contract without a penalty." Kang Gam-Chan wasn''t someone who yed tricks. In other words, he was truly ready to let go of this top-tier actor. Looking at Kang Gam-Chan''s unwavering expression, Sung Ho-Jun also kept his mouth shut. The two had a brief stare-down for a moment, but Sung Ho-Jun eventually sighed and stepped back. "I can see that you really mean it." "You know me well enough, Ho-Jun. Have you ever seen me bluff before?" Sung Ho-Jun raised both hands in surrender. "I can never beat you when ites to making deals. Alright, I admit my defeat. I''ll ept shared talent management along with the other actors. All I want is just help with choosing projects." Only then did Kang Gam-Chan''s stern face break into a broad smile. "You made a good decision. I look forward to working with you." "Yes, sir." When Kang Gam-Chan extended his hand with a smile, Sung Ho-Jun firmly grasped it. At that moment, Lee Gi-Cheol interrupted the conversation. "M-Mr. Kang, I wee your early return from vacation, but you can''t make such decisions about Mr. Sung Ho-Jun''s treatment unterally like this! After all, Mr. Sung Ho-Jun was brought in by Chief Kim!" Kang Gam-Chan finally looked at Lee Gi-Cheol for the first time after walking into the meeting room. "Unteral, you say?" "Yes! Someone on vacation suddenlying in and making such crucial decisions is just..." Kang Gam-Chan chuckled. "That vacation just ended. How could I possibly rx with thepany in such a mess?" Lee Gi-Cheol frowned. "Mess? That''s a bit harsh to say!" Kang Gam-Chan let go of Sung Ho-Jun''s hand and walked toward Lee Gi-Cheol. "Lee Gi-Cheol. Was it you or Chief Kim who brought in trash like Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak?" Lee Gi-Cheol, who had been confronting him aggressively until just now, took a step back. "N-no. That''s not what I meant to say..." "What do you mean it''s not? If you, who have thepany''s approval authority on my behalf, don''t know, who would? How many times have I told you to be careful when bringing in actors?" Kang Gam-Chan reprimanded him. Faced with this harsh reprimand, Lee Gi-Cheol closed his mouth. Kang Gam-Chan didn''t stop at only targeting Lee Gi-Cheol. He yelled, "Chief Kim!" Kim Dong-Soo straightened up and replied quickly, "Yes, sir!" "I won''t say more about the way you handle things, but what is this? You are not the kind of person to work so messily, are you? Do it like before when you used to work precisely without mistakes!" Kim Dong-Soo lengthened his words. "Mr. Kang, it''s not that..." "That''s enough!" Kang Gam-Chan cut off Kim Dong-Soo and then looked at me this time. "Team Lead Jung! Ho-Jun is furious because he couldn''t get Director Lee Han-Soo''s next project. Do you have an alternative n?" To show that Sung Ho-Jun''s choice was correct, I mentioned a prepared project for him. "I was thinking of rmending the lead role in Director Song Hak-Seung''s Just By Chance, Kim Cheol-Soo!" Kang Gam-Chan tilted his head in curiosity. "Song Hak-Seung?" Everyone tilted their heads as the name was unfamiliar. "I''ve never heard of him. Who is he?" "Who is Song Hak-Seung?" Kang Gam-Chan looked at Sung Ho-Jun. Sung Ho-Jun seemed clueless as well. ''Of course no one knows who he is. He is an assistant director who hasn''t debuted as a director yet,'' I thought. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: March 10, 2021] -10:00 p.m. Director Song Hak-Seung''s Just By Chance, Kim Cheol-Soo! Audience count: 4.35 million. Just By Chance, Kim Cheol-Soo! was an actionedy film written and directed by Song Hak-Seung that would be released at the end of January. The story starts with the main character, Kim Cheol-Soo, who wanted to live an easy life. However, he identally catches a criminal who turns out to be a notorious felon with eleven previous convictions. With no prior knowledge but armed with physical strength alone, Kim Cheol-Soo was specially recruited into the police force and excelled in every task. Whenever he caught a perpetrator, they turned out to be a heinous criminal, and whenever he helped kids, they turned out to be missing children. It was a lighthearted, cheerful film, perfect for unwinding without any deep thoughts. It was released in 300 theaters without much expectation initially, but subsequently gained poprity through word of mouth and eventually expanded to 1,500 theaters in my past life. If it had received proper publicity from the start, it would have easily attracted six million viewers instead of four million. I rmended this project to Sung Ho-Jun, as the original lead actor Han Sung-Woo would suddenly rise to stardom but soon retire due to a drunk assault. But everyone seemed confused as they were unaware of this. "Team Lead Jung, I think you need to exin a bit more," Kang Gam-Chan said. Listening to Kang Gam-Chan''s words, I sent the script which had been circting among productionpanies through KkTalk. "It''s a light-hearted story that''s easy to watch and provides an escape from the frustrating reality. Plus, I considered the fact that Mr. Ho-Jun excels inedy acting." The staff quickly read the script as soon as they received my message. Soon, I heard chuckles erupt from here and there. Sung Ho-Jun was no exception. I continued, "Although he''s a new director, he has been an ace while working under directors Bong Jun-Woo and Na Hong-Gi for ten years. He also wrote the script himself. With both experience and talent, all the movie needs is celebrity power and a budget to seed." Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "A so-called experienced neer, I see. And having Sung Ho-Jun canpensate for the director''sck of a strong career... Not bad." I nodded. "Yes, I expect it to perform much better than Divine Punishment." Kang Gam-Chan looked at Sung Ho-Jun. "What do you think, Ho-Jun?" Sung Ho-Jun read the script on his phone and nodded. "The script is exceptionally well-written. I''m satisfied." Kang Gam-Chan looked around with Sung Ho-Jun''s approval. "I give the script a passing grade based on the fact that it satisfied Ho-Jun. What do you all think?" The first to respond to Kang Gam-Chan was not Gu Seong-Cheol but Bang Sang-Yung. "It''s certainly interesting. Honestly, I''d have higher expectations if I didn''t know who the director was." Bang Sang-Yung then looked at me. "Can''t we just buy the script from this director and assign it to a famous director from the productionpany?" I shook my head. "Director Song Hak-Seung dreams of being a director. He won''t sell the script." "Is that so? That''s a pity. Anyway, I think this script will do well. I support it." Bang Sang-Yung''s eye for choosing projects was top-notch in the industry. Following his agreement, everyone began to murmur their support. Then Kang Gam-Chan looked at Kim Dong-Soo. "Chief Kim, do you have anyints?" Knowing excuses wouldn¡¯t work, Kim Dong-Soo bowed his head. "No... I''m sorry." Kang Gam-Chan looked around while motioning for Kim Dong-Soo to raise his head. "Team Lead Jung will take care of Ho-Jun. Any questions?" There were no questions. Kang Gam-Chan turned to Sung Ho-Jun. "Then Ho-Jun, I''ll have the legal division prepare your contract by tomorrow ande to your house. You haven''t moved, have you?" "Nope, I''m still at the same ce. Come after lunch, I wake upte these days. Then I''ll take my leave now." "Alright." Sung Ho-Jun greeted the team leads and left the meeting room. Kang Gam-Chan took his seat at the head of the table and started the meeting. When Kang Ji-Yung briefly reported what the meeting had been about, Kang Gam-Chan nodded and responded. "As Team Lead Jung said, wait until Hoop Entertainment''s namees out. Why would you jump into a burning house with a bomb? No matter how urgent it is, think before you act!" Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung''s faces turned red, having suggested immediate action earlier. "And Team Lead Kwak!" "Yes, Mr. Kang." "Immediately send a notice to those two guys. Make sure to bold the breach of contract uses." "Understood." As Kang Gam-Chan''s firm instructions continued, the team leads and talent agents began to feel relieved. "That''s it then. Everyone below the chief level, go back to your work. I''ll handle the rest, so don''t worry." "Yes, sir." The moment Kang Gam-Chan returned, the shaky Hoop Entertainment began to stand upright again. *** While I was handling some tasks in the office, Kang Gam-Chan called me to his office. As I entered, Kang Gam-Chan and Kang Ji-Yung weed me with a pleased smile. "I see you''ve been shaking up thepany quite a bit, Yoon-Ho," Kang Gam-Chan said with a smile. I scratched my head and replied, "Not at all, Mr. Kang." "Oh,e on. You even managed to silence Kim Dong-Soo, huh? Anyway, when did you start preparing for Mr. Sung Ho-Jun''s next project?" "Ever since Mr. Sung Ho-Jun said he would join Divine Punishment, sir." It had actually been from the beginning, but I chose an appropriate timing instead to avoid any suspicions. "I knew you would have a n, so I pushed a bit hard. I thought there would beints if Sung Ho-Jun was just assigned to your team. You understand, right?" His warm tone touched my heart. If Sung Ho-Jun had been assigned to me without reason, the bacsh would have been worse. Kang Gam-Chan trusted me, which was why he pushed so hard at the meeting. Thanks to my preparation, there was now a clear reason to bring Sung Ho-Jun to Actor Division 2. Kang Gam-Chan praised me. "Well done. Really." "Thank you, Mr. Kang." "Ha ha ha. Come to think of it, you''re already a team lead." "Yes, it turned out that way." Kang Gam-Chan looked emotional. However, I couldn''t help but notice how thin Kang Gam-Chan''s arms had be. "Are you fully recovered now?" I asked with concern. When Kang Gam-Chan raised both arms, his thin floral shirt fluttered. "I think I''m healed, but rehabilitation has been tough. It seems like full recovery will take some time." "Oh...I see." Then Kang Gam-Chan quickly added, "But don''t you worry. The doctor said I can work about six hours a day." My heart felt heavy when I realized the reason Kang Gam-Chan had returned to thepany so quickly. ''He came back because he was worried about Kang Ji-Yung and me.'' Kang Gam-Chan''s deep tan was to cover his pale skin, and he dressed as if he had just returned from a trip for a purpose. I wondered if I could have done more to let Kang Gam-Chan rest longer. Feeling sorry, I bowed my head. Kang Gam-Chan read my mind andughed heartily. "Hey, lift your head. There''s no way you could have done better." As I slowly raised my head, Kang Gam-Chan smiled warmly. "I came back early because I''m impatient, not because I don''t trust you." Kang Gam-Chan said that from now on, he would leave the work to Kang Ji-Yung and me so he could adhere to regr working hours. "I''m going to enjoy some work-life bnce, so please continue to work hard in my ce, Director Kang." "Yes, please do," Kang Ji-Yung replied. After finishing the conversation, Kang Gam-Chan fixed his expression and called my name. "Yoon-Ho." His calm gaze and low voice made me straighten my posture and respond. "Yes, Mr. Kang." "That Dong-Soo guy. Are you nning to push him out of thepanypletely?" My heart started racing wildly as he saw right through me. ''How should I answer?'' I wondered. I had no idea how to exin that a team lead with just two years experience was thinking of ousting another chief from thepany. I thought about evading the question, but Kang Gam-Chan''s eyes were sharp, clearly expecting a proper answer. Chapter 269: Return (3)

Chapter 269: Return (3)

Kang Gam-Chan was always known for his good intuition. His scouting of Yoo-Jin, who was working part-time at Burger Queen in Cheonho-dong, spoke a lot about his capability. This time, that intuition was directed at me. He asked if I was nning to kick Kim Dong-Soo out of thepany. I took a moment to ponder my answer. Upon seeing that he was already half-sure and not wanting to betray the kindness and care he had shown me, I answered honestly. "Yes. But it''s not out of personal interest." As soon as I finished speaking, Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "Hmm..." Kang Gam-Chan murmured in a low voice and leaned back on the sofa. He then inteced his fingers and fell into thought. Kang Ji-Yung also remained silent, creating a sense of stillness in the meeting room. After a while, Kang Gam-Chan finished his thoughts and looked at me. "May I ask why?" "Because I don''t want Hoop Entertainment to be split apart," I replied honestly. Kang Gam-Chan stared intently at me. "What do you mean Hoop Entertainment will split apart?" "It won''t just split; it will leave a big wound as well. Thepany might even fail to go public as you nned." Kang Gam-Chan tilted his head. "Even with me and Ji-Yung here? And with you?" "Kim Dong-Soo has President Choi Man-Sik behind him." Despite all my efforts ever since traveling back in time, there was one entry that remained unchanged in the nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: November 11, 2022] - 01:00 p.m. Top Entertainment''s founding ceremony. I had been striving for two goals since traveling back in time. The first goal to save Miso had already been achieved. However, the second goal to prevent the copse of Hoop Entertainment and help the members of Faithful be top stars was still unachieved. As long as the schedule for Top Entertainment''s establishment remained, I couldn''t rest easy. Kang Gam-Chan let out a sigh. "In the end, Choi Man-Sik, that snake... is the problem." Choi Man-Sik''s nickname was the Viper of Myeong-dong. As soon as Kang Gam-Chan heard my words, he understood the situation right away. "I''m also looking for ways to deal with Choi Man-Sik, so don''t worry too much," he added. I hoped so, but I couldn''t just wait blindly as long as the schedule for Top Entertainment''s establishment remained. "Yes, sir." Kang Gam-Chan nodded and stared at me. His body had weakened, but his eyes were sharper than ever. "Oh, and it won''t be easy to kick out Chief Kim. Not just because of President Choi Man-Sik but because other shareholders are also supporting Dong-Soo over Gi-Cheol as my sessor." Nheless I had already anticipated that and was preparing something as a countermeasure. I hesitated for a second and then spoke. "What if there were a major scandal? Something serious enough to make the headlines...?" "Why? Do you know something?" Kang Gam-Chan asked. "It''s not been confirmed yet." Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "Then proceed and report the progress to me. Remember not to take too many risks. When doing something big, it''s important to do it well¡ªbut it''s even more crucial to make fewer mistakes." "But aren''t you curious about what crime I''m investigating?" I asked. Kang Gam-Chan smiled broadly. "I trust you''ll handle it well on your own." His unwavering trust in me filled my heart with emotions. "I will do my best, sir." "Yes. Let''s try to protect Hoop Entertainment as much as we can." Then Kang Gam-Chan mentioned he was curious about something. "By the way, Yoon-Ho. What do you think we should do about Director Lee Gi-Cheol?" When asked if I had any ns to get rid of Lee Gi-Cheol as well, I smiled and answered, "It would be advantageous for us if he stays in thepany." An ipetent colleague often dragged down their ally. If Lee Gi-Cheol remained, he could continuously hinder Kim Dong-Soo. Although there was a time he tried to undermine me, there would be no more of that after the incident with Lee Mal-Soon. If the Suhyaejong line within thepany got disappointed, they might join Kang Gam-Chan''s line. Kang Gam-Chan liked my idea of letting Lee Gi-Cheol stay in thepany more than my ambition to get rid of Kim Dong-Soo. "Ha ha. Look at this guy, always using his brain so well. Indeed, it''s fortunate that such a person is the leader of the opposing faction. Let''s do as you say." Kang Gam-Chan patted my shoulder, saying this was just the beginning. As his thick hand touched my shoulder, it felt like an empty corner of my heart was filling up. *** Choi Man-Sik and Kim Dong-Soo were sitting across from each other at a table in the VIP room located in the high-end restaurant located in Samsung-dong. Both had ordered the finest steaks but hadn''t had a single bite. "What disturbing news you brought." Choi Man-Sik fiddled with a ss of cold water as he spoke. "So, you''ve lost Sung Ho-Jun and now Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seong-Lak are done for?" On the TV screen in the room, there was footage of Park Hee-Tae and Choi Seongk in handcuffs looking pale as they were being taken to a prosecution vehicle. Kim Dong-Soo began to tremble at Choi Man-Sik''s cold expression and tone. "I''m sorry. I should have managed things better, but controlling actors isn''t easy..." "You''re sorry, you say? Chief Kim, don''t you think you''ve done too many things to apologize for?" At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo got off his chair and knelt on the cold marble floor. "Please give me one more chance." "That''s quite bold of a useless person who only wastes money and fails in recruitment. Why should I keep you alive, Chief Kim?" Kim Dong-Soo gritted his teeth with his head bowed. Then, he mustered his strength and shouted, "You need someone to handle dirty work to aplish big things, don''t you?" Choi Man-Sik slowly crossed his arms and red at Kim Dong-Soo. "There are many others who can provide me with celebrities." Kim Dong-Soo quickly highlighted his value. "Are you talking about Director Lee? He''s too dull-witted. And Team Lead Ju? He''s too ambitious and would certainly cause trouble while supplying women!" Choi Man-Sik smirked. "You''re not wrong about that." Hope flickered on Kim Dong-Soo''s face. Right then, Choi Man-Sik reached out his right hand and grabbed Kim Dong-Soo''s throat. "Cough cough cough...M-Mr. Choi!" Kim Dong-Soo struggled for breath, but Choi Man-Sik continued in a leisurely manner. "But there are more entertainmentpanies than just Hoop Entertainment, you know?" "I''m, I''m... sorry... Please, spare me," begged Kim Dong-Soo. As Kim Dong-Soo''s face turned red, Choi Man-Sik sighed and let go. "Huff- Ugh!" Kim Dong-Soo began to breathe heavily and catch his breath. His back was drenched in cold sweat and his throat felt as if it had been ripped out. Nevertheless, Choi Man-Sik was unfazed. "Never forget that people can always be reced, Kim Dong-Soo." "Yes! Yes, sir." Choi Man-Sik wiped his hands with a wet tissue on the table. "Get up and sit down." Kim Dong-Soo quickly stood up and sat back on the chair. "What''s your n moving forward?" Choi Man-Sik questioned. "I n to appoint Chief Han So-Yoo in the vacant position in Singer Division 1. She is training a rookie team called Treviang, who could soon rece Golden Road," Kim Dong-Soo answered. "Is there no hope left for Golden Road?" "Chief Cha Sang-Jin went to Japan to try to get the girls to work on their music, but it''s not going well." Choi Man-Sik tilted his head. "Then just get rid of them. Why drag it out?" "Well, um... Director Lee Gi-Cheol has put a lot of effort into raising that group, so he''s reluctant to let go of them." Choi Man-Sik fell in thought for a moment and then nodded. "He''s quite stubborn. Just consider them gone. From what I''ve heard, theireback seems unlikely." "Understood." Choi Man-Sik paid no attention even as Kim Dong-Soo bad-mouthed Lee Gi-Cheol. Choi Man-Sik continued to ask, "By the way, what are you nning to do with the actors who bring in immediate revenue?" "I n to bring a few actors whose weaknesses I hold over to Hoop Entertainment." "Look at this guy. Did you shoot some hidden camera footage or something?" When Kim Dong-Soo couldn''t respond, Choi Man-Sik snickered. "Whatever it is, handle it on your own. Is there any S-ss among them?" Kim Dong-Soo replied, "There''s no S-ss but just two A-ss..." Choi Man-Sik cut him off. "Then do as I say." "How should I proceed?" "You have a meeting with Shanghai New Media Inc. next week, right?" Hoop Entertainment was nning to meet with the Shanghai New Media Inc. to explore opportunities for its stars to break into the Chinese market. After all, people still found ways to make it through despite the Korean Wave ban. In China where connections were key, nothing was impossible if you had the right support. Kim Dong-Soo nodded. "Yes, sir. A director from Shanghai wille to Korea with a team lead for the meeting. Team Lead Ju and I will greet them." "I''ve looked into it too through my own connection. The directoring to Korea this time is known to be very influential. If we get on his good side and establish a partnership, the Korean Wave ban won''t be an issue." Kim Dong-Soo''s eyes sparkled for a moment. China was and of golden opportunities. It wasmon to earn hundreds of millions of won for a single advertisement or stage performance. "I understand. I''ll make sure to seed no matter what," said Kim Dong-Soo. Choi Man-Sik nodded and then asked, "By the way, how is the search for President Choi''s son going?" Kim Dong-Soo rubbed his bruised neck and replied, "There''s...only nine more to check." "Find him as soon as possible and bring me the results. I''m getting tired of waiting." "Yes, Mr. Choi." Kim Dong-Soo bowed deeply, but his body trembled slightly. If they could bypass the Korean Wave ban, Kim Dong-Soo could reverse all of his past mistakes. In his mind, Kim Dong-Soo envisioned a future where all thepany''s actors tried to win his favor¡ªAnd a future where Jung Yoon-Ho was kneeling at his feet. ''Just wait and see, Jung Yoon-Ho,'' Kim Dong-Soo thought while gritting his teeth. *** Ever since Kang Gam-Chan''s return, thepany quickly regained stability and Sung Ho-Jun''s transfer was expedited. Now, it was just a matter of signing the papers in the presence of both parties''wyers and releasing the news. Today, I was busy as always. I was currently giving a brief on Yoo-Jin''s drama In the Name of God in a team lead level''s meeting. "As you can see here, about 30% of the articles are about the drama." When I clicked on theptop, articles about Yoo-Jin appeared on therge LCD in the meeting room. [In the Name of God Jung Yoo-Jin: Transforming with a fresh character!] [Jung Yoo-Jin. Expanding her acting range!] [Jung Yoo-Jin. Strong contender for this year''s Drama Rookie Award!] [Jung Yoo-Jin''s luxury brand L.M.L, brand showcase on August 29 at Samsung-dong Art Hall] [Seven Star Electronics: Jung Yoo-Jin as the model for the new dryermercial] Kang Gam-Chanughed heartily at the articles. "Yoo-Jin is now undeniably a star." "It''s not enough. She hasn''t had a lead role yet," I remarked. As I continued to list the achievements of other actors from Team Jung, Kang Gam-Chan burst into loudughter that echoed through the meeting room. "Ha ha ha. At this rate, Actor Division 2 might surpass Actor Division 3." Gu Seong-Cheol and the team leads of Actor Division 2 looked pleased. On the other hand, Kim Dong-Soo and the team leads of Actor Division 3''s faces began to distort. After listening to all the reports, Kang Gam-Chan spoke with a satisfied expression. "You''ve worked hard while I was away. But I noticed from the report that you''ve given other teams some opportunities. Why is that?" "Because we are all part of Hoop Entertainment. It''s only right that we be sessful together," I said. Everyone, except for Kim Dong-Soo and a few others, nodded in agreement. Instead of focusing on my own sess, giving other teams opportunities whenever I could had earned me extra points over the past few months. Thanks to that, Kang Gam-Chan officially dered in front of everyone, "Then you deserve a reward for your contributions." That''s when Bang Sang-Yung suddenly interjected. "Indeed. Actor Division 1 also received various help from Team Lead Jung, so I support Mr. Kang''s opinion." "Huh. Even Chief Bang received help? Alright. Then we''ll give bonuses to Actor Division 2 and a special bonus to Team Lead Jung. Anyone opposes this?" No one dared to oppose Kang Gam-Chan''s decision with Bang Sang-Yung highlighting my achievements. While I was wondering how much the bonus would be, Kang Gam-Chan brought up the topic of the Chinese partnerpany. "By the way, everyone knows that guests from Shanghai New Media Inc. areing tomorrow, right?" "Yes, sir." "The peopleing tomorrow are Director Zhang Xuan and Team Lead Wang Long, who oversee the entertainment business. Here are their photos and profiles. Make sure to review and remember them." The situation had changed. In my past life, it was Director Zhang Hun who came. But this time, Zhang Xuan, a higher-ranking official, wasing. Since they were sending a higher-level representative, there was a possibility of forming a proper partnership this time, unlike in my past life. Then, Kang Gam-Chan dropped a bombshell. "Director Lee Gi-Cheol, since they''re sending a director-level employee, we should at least match their level. You will greet the guests along with Chief Kim and Team Lead Jung." It was fortunate that I could meet Team Lead Wang Long, who wouldter be the president of Shanghai New Media Inc., as I had an important matter to discuss with him in person. ''But having to spend three days with Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo!? Mr. Kang! What are you thinking?'' Chapter 270: Team Lead Wang Long (1)

Chapter 270: Team Lead Wang Long (1)

Kang Gam-Chan looked around the bustling meeting room and shouted, "What''s with all the buzz?" "Well, don''t you think thatbination might be a bit problematic?" Someone expressed concern over the difort caused by Sung Ho-Jun''s transfer issue from a few days ago. Kang Gam-Chan simply scoffed and rebuked the team leads. "Come on! How long are you all going to hold grudges over the past? We have tasks on-hand to handle and you''re all out of it!" The team leads fell silent looked discouraged at Kang Gam-Chan''s reprimand. Kang Gam-Chan looked at Lee Gi-Cheol. "Director Lee, are you ufortable working with Team Lead Jung?" "N-no, sir." "You are perfect for this job since you are fluent in Chinese and have many Chinese friends. And Team Lead Jung, take this opportunity to learn some overseas work from Director Lee and Chief Kim." Lee Gi-Cheol nodded. Then Kang Gam-Chan turned to look at Kim Dong-Soo. "Chief Kim. You don''t have a problem with working with Team Lead Jung, do you?" Kim Dong-Soo nced at me and sighed. "To be honest with you, I do." Kang Gam-Chan''s eyes widened at Kim Dong-Soo''s blunt confession. "You..." "But I''m not so foolish as to mix personal feelings and professional matters." Only then did Kang Gam-Chan nod. "Good. That''s the Chief Kim I know." Ju Ho-Sung frowned, suggesting that Kim Dong-Soo originally wanted to take him along. Kang Gam-Chan asked me the same question, but I replied that I had no issue working with the two since I understood Kang Gam-Chan''s intention¡ªhe wanted me to keep an eye on Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo during the partnership contract meetings. "Alright then. Let''s end today''s meeting here. Team Lead Jung, stop by the secretary''s office to get the key to the VIP vehicle," said Kang Gam-Chan. "Yes, Mr. Kang." "Today''s meeting is over!" *** Lee Gi-Cheol sat in the backseat while Chief Kim Dong-Soo sat beside me on the way to Incheon International Airport to greet guests from the Shanghai New Media Inc. Group. In my past life, we used to chat about various things on the way to the airport since we were in the same Actor Division 3. However, now there was only silence. Then Lee Gi-Cheol spoke first while crossing the Incheon Bridge. "Make sure not to make any mistakes with the guests we''re meeting today." I nodded. "Yes, sir." "Can you speak Chinese, Team Lead Jung?" Lee Gi-Cheol asked. There was a hint of confidence in his question since both Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo were quite fluent in Chinese. "I can speak a little." "That''s a relief." Kim Dong-Soo frowned as if he didn''t expect me to be able to speak Chinese. He cleared his throat and spoke. "Ahem. Anyway, all you have to do is just handle Team Lead Wang Long. He won''t have much influence on the partnership anyway, so just keep him happy. I''ll take care of Director Zhang Xuan with Mr. Lee." "Understood, Mr. Kim." Although I replied as if I was displeased about being excluded from important matters, the truth was that Wang Long was the key figure. Wang Long was known only as the head of Overseas Business Division 1 at Shanghai New Media Inc. Group, but Wang Long''s true identity was the only son of Shenzhen''s Deputy Secretary Wang Min. In order to keep Wang Long''s identity strictly confidential, the president was the only person within Shanghai New Media Inc. Group who knew this. Unaware of this fact, Kim Dong-Soo and Lee Gi-Cheol were focused only on Zhang Xuan. At that moment, Lee Gi-Cheol joined the conversation. "Team Lead Jung, you just take Team Lead Wang Long around and show him a good time. In the meantime, we''ll work on persuading Director Zhang to finalize the partnership contract." It seemed Lee Gi-Cheol wanted to ensure I didn''t contribute anything to this negotiation. I had noints about that as building rapport with Wang Long was more important to me than the contract. "Yes, sir." Although mypliant attitude puzzled the two, they seemed to think it was in their favor and didn''t bother questioning it. I started thinking about what Wang Long might enjoy as I watched the nes take off andnd at Incheon Airport. After crossing the Incheon Bridge, we parked and headed to the arrivals area with a prepared sign. After a short wait, first-ss passengers from the 9:30 a.m. flight began to emerge. The first to walk out of the gate was the 170 cm tall Zhang Xuan who had a chubby figure and was wearing sunsses. Following him was Wang Long, who stood around 180 cm with a model-like physique, pulling a Louis'' Batton suitcase and a regr one in each hand. Wang Long''s celebrity-like appearance made people at the airport steal nces at him. Spotting Zhang Xuan, Lee Gi-Cheol greeted him fluently in Chinese. "Ah! Hello, Mr. Zhang!" Zhang Xuan raised his hand in greeting and answered, "How have you been, Mr. Lee?" "It''s been two years. You look even better than you used to before." The two seemed like they already knew each other. Kim Dong-Soo also joined in, exchanging greetings and business cards. Wang Long concealed his identity and handed out his business card just like in my past life. "I''m Wang Long, Team Lead of the Overseas Business Division 1." Although his Korean was awkward, his humble attitude was apparent. Despite his powerful father, Wang Long despised relying on power unlike other powerful or wealthy individuals. "I''m Jung Yoon-Ho, Team Lead of Actor Division 2 at Hoop Entertainment. I''ll do my best to assist you during your stay in Korea, sir." Wang Long gave a faint smile upon hearing my somewhat awkward Chinese. After sharing greetings, Lee Gi-Cheol pointed toward the parking lot. "Alright. Shall we get going?" Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo stuck close to Zhang Xuan as they headed to the parking lot. When I tried to load the suitcases left in front of me onto a cart, Wang Long smiled and asked me to only move his superior''s Louis'' Batton suitcase. "Superiors are the same whether in China or Korea," Wang Long remarked. I nodded and spoke cautiously. "I understand you studied in New York. I find English morefortable than Chinese...May I speak in English if you don''t mind?" When I stuttered and spoke in poor Chinese, Wang Long nodded with a bright expression. "Of course. Sometimes I also find it morefortable speaking in English." "Thank you so much. For the next three days, I''ll be responsible for guiding you through the Korean drama and entertainment scenes you want to see," I responded politely with a smile. Wang Long looked at me with surprised eyes. "How did you know I wanted to visit Korean production sites?" "Well, I did some advanced researching since I knew that esteemed guests wereing. I heard you''re a big fan of Korean dramas, especially those starring Miss Ju Yung-In." Wang Long looked at me with a gaze full of goodwill. "Looks like I''ll have quite an enjoyable three days." Forgetting about our superiors waiting ahead, Wang Long and I walked slowly while conversing. Upon arriving at the parking lot, we saw three people sweating profusely under the hot sun. Lee Gi-Cheol waved his hand in a flustered manner. "Team Lead Jung! What took you so long?" ''That''s why you should have moved with me, the one holding the car key,'' I remarked inwardly. *** We headed to the lobby after parking the car in Hoop Entertainment''s first-floor parking lot. After a brief wee, we attended a meeting with Kang Gam-Chan and the executives. Although we intended to have a simple tea time, Zhang Xuan proactively suggested discussing the contract first. Despite having exchanged the basic documents for the partnership already, there was no progress on the detailed uses. Just like in my past life, the issue of profit distribution remained problematic. Kang Gam-Chan proposed that in China, Shanghai New Media Inc. Group would take 70% and Hoop Entertainment 30%, and vice versa in Korea. However, Zhang Xuan immediately expressed his refusal. "There seems to be some disagreement here. We propose a 90-10 split in our favor in China, and a 60-40 split in your favor in Korea." Zhang Xuan was cleverly using the current situation with the ban on Korean content to his advantage. Everyone from Kang Gam-Chan to Kang Ji-Yung furrowed their brows slightly. No matter how big the Chinese market was, this wasn''t the attitude of a fair partnership candidate. As a result, the negotiations circled around and we agreed to meet again tomorrow, finally ending the schedule for the day. The current time was 11:30 a.m.. Kang Gam-Chan stopped Zhang Xuan and Wang Long who were about to head to the hotel and asked, "I''d like to treat you to lunch. Would you be willing to join us?" Zhang Xuan nodded. "Will there be drinks?" Although it was an absurd request for a daytime drink, Kang Ji-Yung epted it without hesitation. "Of course. We''ve prepared some good liquor." Zhang Xuan nodded with a delighted expression. "Ha ha ha, you really know my taste." "Alright, let''s go." At that moment, Wang Long said something in a low voice to Zhang Xuan. Zhang Xuan nodded, then spoke to Kang Gam-Chan. "Team Lead Wang would like to visit a drama filming site instead of having lunch together. Do you think that is possible?" "He won''t have lunch?" "No. Team Lead Wang here isn''t good with alcohol. Ha ha ha, he''s trying to avoid disrupting the atmosphere, so please don''t misunderstand." I remembered that Wang Long had asked to visit the site even in my past life. "I know it''s impolite, but I''d like to take this opportunity to properly study the Korean filming site situation," Wang Long exined. Kang Gam-Chan looked at me. "Team Lead Jung... what do you think?" He seemed to prefer that I stay with Lee Gi-Cheol to continue the contract progress. However, I answered that I would follow Wang Long''s opinion. After all, regardless of what decision Zhang Xuan made, the words Wang Long would say to the president after returning would be more valuable. Kang Gam-Chan nodded with a disappointed expression. "Is that so? Alright. Then, Team Lead Jung, please take good care of Mr. Wang." "Yes, sir," I replied as I stood up with with Wang Long. *** I headed to the filming site of In the Name of God with Wang Long. When I suggested we eat something first, he said two rolls of kimbap would suffice, so I bought four basic kimbap rolls from a chain store in front of thepany and got in the car. "Are you sure this will do?" I asked. Wang Long took a big bite of the kimbap wrapped in foil. "I often see scenes in Korean dramas where they eat kimbap, jjajangmyeon, and tteokbokki deliciously. I''ve always wanted to try it like that." Wang Long said it tasted better than he expected and quickly devoured two rolls of kimbap. On the way to the site, Wang Long bombarded me with questions about the Korean filming scene. In my past life, we could barely converse due to my poor Chinese. This time, however, our conversation kept flowing since we started using English right away upon meeting each other. After about a 1 hour and 30 minute drive, we arrived at the filming site of In the Name of God located in Yangpyeong and I introduced Wang Long to Cha Soo-Yeon. "He''s the team lead of the Overseas Business Division at Shanghai New Media Inc.? Someone that young?" Cha Soo-Yeon remarked in amazement. I nodded. "Yes, if things go well, our project might be exported to China too." "Really? Do you have a n?" "It''s difficult at the moment but I''ll give it a try. So please cooperate with me." After roughly exining Wang Long''s role, Cha Soo-Yeon''s face brightened and she allowed him to observe the site. Only after greeting Kim Sung-Woon did we finally head over to Yoo-Jin''s waiting chair. Yoo-Jin, who was reading the script, saw us and greeted us with a nod. "Mr. Wang Long, it''s very nice to meet you. I''m actress Jung Yoo-Jin." "Nice to meet you." When the two exchanged greetings, I asked Yoo-Jin for an autograph. Yoo-Jin dly signed and wrote Wang Long''s Chinese name below. At that moment, Wang Long''s face instantly lit up like a child''s. "How did you know my name...?" "Yoon-Ho oppa asked me in advance. I''ve been practicing since yesterday." Wang Long looked touched. "Thank you, Mr. Jung." "No problem. I just try to not miss any fans, you know?" "Treasure every meeting as if it''s thest, huh? You''re amazing," Wang Long replied with a content smile. Then Yoo-Jin got up and said she had to go for the shoot. "Good luck today. Be careful during the chase scene, okay?" I reminded her. "Don''t worry. I have all the protective gear on as you instructed," Yoo-Jin replied cheerfully. Since she had to shoot in a redevelopment area set, she was fully equipped with protective gear. Yoo-Jin rolled up her sleeves to show the protective gear inside. "See? It''s all set, right?" "Yeah. Okay." I gave a nod after checking the condition of the protective gear once more. "Alright. You got this." Yoo-Jin answered cheerfully and headed to the set. "Yes!" Watching Yoo-Jin head to the set, I told Wang Long that I would open up the filming sites from TVM''s Master of Mukbang to the current shoot of Kang Ha-Na''s Hit the Bottom and Rise Again, Ha-Na! But at that moment, Wang Long hesitated and spoke with difficulty. "Mr. Jung, thank you for your kind offer. But could I also get an autograph from Miss Ju Yung-In by chance? My fianc¨¦e is a huge fan of hers." That''s when I began to take deep breaths. The reason I wanted to meet Wang Long wasn''t just because of his future as the president of Shanghai New Media Inc., but also because of a specific event still noted in my nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: September 5, 2020] -07:00 p.m.: Wang Long''s fianc¨¦e, Lily''s, funeral. I didn''t want to see Wang Long, one of the few friends I had in my past life, in such pain again. Hence, I was determined to save the future of Wang Long and his fianc¨¦e Lily. Chapter 271: Team Lead Wang Long (2)

Chapter 271: Team Lead Wang Long (2)

The moment Wang Long asked for Ju Yung-In''s autograph for his fianc¨¦e, I looked at his left ring finger and spoke. "Seeing the engraving W & L on the ring on your left ring finger, I''m assuming your fianc¨¦e''s name is Lian? Or perhaps Lily?" Wang Long stared at me in shock. "Y-yes, it''s Lily! How on earth did you know?" "I simply guessed. Ha ha." Iughed awkwardly and made an excuse. The reason I knew her name was because of a tragic event that would happen in a few days. Wang Long''s girlfriend, Lily, was currently a popr model and actress in China. Unfortunately, about a week from now on August 28th, she would die at a fashion show in Sichuan Province due to a sudden 4.0 magnitude earthquake. There was only one casualty in Sichuan as it wasn''t a major earthquake. Nheless, Lily died because a wall at the event venue would copse on her. The reason for the building''s copse was because it was shoddily constructed with bamboo instead of rebar, and Wang Long''s father, Deputy Secretary Wang Min, would exact harsh revenge on the constructionpany responsible for the event venue. In my past life, they held a funeral for Lily to console her spirit subsequently on September 5th. Back then, I had flown to China to express my condolences to Wang Long and attended the funeral, so I remembered the whole situation clearly. Unaware of this future, Wang Long was looking at me in amazement. "I''m truly surprised you guessed my fianc¨¦e''s name. I heard earlier at thepany that you have good intuition, Mr. Jung. But..." "I apologize if I made you ufortable," I quickly added. Wang Long waved his hands. "Oh, that''s not what I meant. I was just really surprised. Anyway, I should just tell you who my fianc¨¦e is." Wang Long revealed that his fianc¨¦e is Lily, an emerging model currently making a name for herself in the Shanghai fashion scene. Wang Long proudly talked about his fianc¨¦e for a while and promised to introduce her to me when I visit China. Talking about his fianc¨¦e made us feel a bit closer. "Then I''ll go get Miss Ju Yung-In''s autograph for you first. Should I ask her to sign it with Lily''s English name?" I asked. "Yes, please. I appreciate it." I left Wang Long with Jung Sang-Bong for a moment and headed to Ju Yung-In''s waiting area with a cold drink, some paper, and a pen. Ju Yung-In''s forehead was covered in sweat due to the hot weather. Fortunately, PD Lee Chan-Dong was not around and the stylist who was always with her was fanning her with a handheld fan. When Ju Yung-In frowned in difort from the heat, the stylist grabbed her wallet and ran off somewhere. ''This is my chance,'' I thought. I confirmed that no one else was around and slowly approached her. "I see you''re working hard." I handed a cold iced coffee to the sweating Ju Yung-In. "Huh? What''s this? Why the sudden coffee?" Ju Yung-In uttered in surprise with eyes wide open. Fearing she might misunderstand my intentions, I quickly pointed toward Wang Long. "The gentleman over there is a guest from China and his girlfriend is a huge fan of yours." Ju Yung-In sighed briefly and pouted. "Hmph! I was wondering why you were being so friendly unlike usual. So you want an autograph?" "Yes, please." In the meantime, the stylist who had briefly disappeared returned with a drink. "Unnie, have this and... Oh? Mr. Jung, what are you doing here?" At that moment, Ju Yung-In lifted the cold coffee cup I had given her. "Soo-Hyun, I''m sorry. Yoon-Ho oppa brought this for me. Give what you got to AD Choi. You like him, right?" "Unnie! I told you I don''t like Mr. Choi!" Ji Soo-Hyun replied as she blushed and ran off in a hurry. Ju Yung-In giggled at the scene and took out autograph paper from her bag. "What are their names? That gentleman and his girlfriend." ''Wait. She''s going to give me the autograph so easily like this without any conditions?'' I wondered. I thought she would be difficult, but it seemed I was worried for nothing. I told Ju Yung-In the names of Wang Long and his girlfriend. "Wang Long and Lily." "Wang Long... Lily...They must be from China. What should the message be?" "Since they are engaged, how about ''Wishing you eternal happiness''?" I suggested. "Really? Wow, I''m jealous." After signing the two autographs, Ju Yung-In capped the pen and handed the signed sheets to me. "Here you go." "Is that all?" I asked hesitantly. Ju Yung-In looked at my face and scoffed. "Why? Did you think I''d ask for something in return just for signing an autograph?" To be honest, I did think that. I had even prepared a small reward, but it turned out to be unnecessary. Ju Yung-In looked at me with eyes that seemed to say she was disappointed. "Oppa, don''t look at people so suspiciously. Thanks to you, I''m doing well as the lead in this drama." "That''s because your acting has improved, Miss Yung-In." "Enough with the ttery. Just feel free to ask for small favors like this next time." Ever since Ju Yung-In became the lead actress in In the Name of God, her reputation had been rising. Her short hair transformation and her character who fought against corrupt senior prosecutors resonated well with the viewers. The consecutive hits following Blue Sky had sessfully established her as a leading figure in the living room. At that moment, Ju Yung-In waved toward Wang Long who was waiting for the autograph. Seeing Wang Long''s ecstatic reaction as he waited, an idea to save Lily came to mind. ''I need to set up a meeting.'' If I arranged a meeting for Wang Long and Lily to meet Ju Yung-In, Lily would likelye to Korea immediately. As Ju Yung-In was very busy at the moment, I subtly revealed Wang Long''s identity to persuade her. "Miss Yung-In, you should take this opportunity to introduce yourself. He''s not someone you can meet easily." Ju Yung-In tilted her head in curiosity and looked at Wang Long. "Why? Who is he?" "He''s the team lead of the Overseas Business Division at Shanghai New Media Inc. He can be a great help if you n to expand into China." "Really?" Ju Yung-In looked around and then whispered, "Then please introduce me to him." "He''s currently a guest of ourpany, so it''s a bit difficult to arrange a direct meeting... I''ll set up a time on August 28th. You can meet him then." "August 28th?" "Yes. If you keep that day free, I can rmend a project for you to participate in that Shanghai New Media Inc. is producing." Ju Yung-In always targeted the projects I chose. Initially, she did so just to outshine Yoo-Jin. But upon tasting sess, she kept monitoring the projects that I would pick next. When I mentioned rmending a project produced by Shanghai New Media Inc., Ju Yung-In began to show great interest. "Wait. But isn''t it difficult for Korean actors to enter the Chinese market because of the ban?" Ju Yung-In asked. "There is a way." Due to the current ban, Korean movies could not be shown in Chinese theaters. However, China''s video tform Yooko will start uploading selected Korean movies and dramas by the end of this year. The project I nned to rmend to Ju Yung-In was Wolf of the Battlefield which was included in that list. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: March 15, 2021] -08:00 p.m.: Director Jang Tae-Yoon''s Wolf of the Battlefield on Yooko. 200,000 simultaneous viewers crashing the server. (Note: Discovered a way to bypass the Chinese ban) Wolf of the Battlefield was a global location film directed by Korean director Jang Tae-Yoon, invested by Shanghai New Media Group Inc., and produced by a productionpany based in Australia. It will be released in February next year, attracting four million viewers in Korea alone and causing Yooko''s server to temporarily crash in China. As Ju Yung-In pondered over my suggestion, she suddenly asked an unexpected question. "Um, hey. You''re not suggesting a doomed project to get rid of me...are you?" "Why would you think such a ridiculous thing?" I responded. Ju Yung-In hesitated before speaking. "Well, it''s because you always rmend the best projects to Yoo-Jin first." While she made a good point, this suggestion was to save Wang Long''s girlfriend. Moreover, I had another good project in mind for Yoo-Jin. I decided to exin myself. "More than half of the filming for this project is done overseas, so Yoo-Jin isn''t even considering it because she has to take care of Miso in Korea. Anyway, the project is good and the production team''s capabilities are excellent. Anyway, with your experience, you can easily tell from the script if it''s a failing project. Right?" Ju Yung-In stared at me intently. "Everything sounds good... but what''s the reason for this favor? Be honest with me!" "I need to make a good impression on that guy," I replied in a straightforward manner. "Is that really all?" "It''s not a trivial matter like you think it is. I told you he is an important guest." Ju Yung-In looked at me for a moment and then nodded more readily than I expected. "Alright then. If he''s that important to you, oppa... I''ll do it. But I''ll make the final decision after I see the script and the director''s profile. Is that okay?" "Of course. I''ll arrange the meeting for the 28th then." "What time works?" "If it''s okay with you, lunchtime would be preferable." "Alright, you arrange the ce and let me know." "Thank you." I quickly checked my nner after getting Ju Yung-In''s permission, but the schedule hadn''t disappeared yet. After confirming the meeting date, Ju Yung-In headed to the set for the next shoot and I returned to Wang Long with the autographs. Wang Long was deeply moved by the autographs. "Thank you so much, Mr. Jung." Seeing how he was at a loss for what to do with the signed papers, I could tell he was a genuine fan. "You can keep the signed papers here." His face lit up when I handed him a file folder to store the autographs. Then, I turned to him and said, "Alright, Miss Ju Yung-In''s shoot is about to start. Let''s go watch it together." "Shall we?" I led the delighted Wang Long towards the set. The scene 151 being filmed next was a chase scene where Ju Yung-In''s character runs from a criminal in a redevelopment area set. The set was filled with broken windows and brick fragments, making it very dangerous and risky for the actors. Even so, when Ju Yung-In said she would perform the scene herself, Wang Long looked very surprised. "Don''t they use stunt doubles here?" Wang Long asked. "It depends on the situation, but most action scenes are performed by the actors themselves." "It''s different from what I expected. I heard that Korean actors have high standards and use doubles for most scenes..." "It''s case by case." Originally, Ju Yung-In also used stunt doubles, but she was doing most of her scenes herself for this project. After checking the preparations, Kim Sung-Woon grabbed a megaphone and shouted. "Alright. Scene 151, the chase scene with the hammer-wielding serial killer. Ready~ action!" Ju Yung-In began to run frantically at the director''s cue. She screamed while dodging debris scattered around the set. She was eventually caught by the actor ying the criminal and started a physical struggle, swinging a ss jar of mango butter in her left hand. After three minutes of intense acting, Kim Sung-Woon finally called a cut. "Cut~! Okay~! Miss Yung-In, are you alright?" Ju Yung-In got up with her hair disheveled, her face covered with mango butter, and her body covered with dirt. "Ah, yes. I''m fine." As the staff rushed to check on her, Wang Long fell into deep thought. I waited till he slowly came out of his reverie and asked quietly, "Miss Yung-In has a lot of fans in China too, doesn''t she?" Wang Long slowly turned his gaze to me. "Yes, the works she starred in before the ban were quite popr." Wang Long''s eyes sparkled with desire. He was not only a personal fan of Ju Yung-In but was also impressed by her acting in person, which made him eager to work with her. I quickly added, "Miss Yung-In is very interested in expanding overseas. I heard Shanghai New Media Inc. recently established a productionpany in Australia to set up a global production system. Is that correct? And they''re making a movie with a Korean film crew..." Wang Long was taken aback. "H-how did you know? That was just a few weeks ago." I smiled. "I have my sources. More importantly, Miss Yung-In has some free time on the 28th. Why don''t you meet her then? It could be a great opportunity for both of you." Wang Long nodded eagerly. "Mr. Jung! If that happens, I''ll never forget this favor." "Oh, don''t mention it. By the way, I mentioned it to her, and she said she''d love to meet your girlfriend Lily too. I told her she''s a big fan." Wang Long''s jaw dropped in joy. "Lily would absolutely love to meet her! If Lily hears about this, she''ll drop everything ande to Korea right away." I never imagined that Wang Long and Lily being fans woulde in handy like this. Wang Long excused himself and immediately called his girlfriend, Lily. Judging by his constantughter, I figured she must have agreed. I felt relieved and carefully checked my nner again. However, the schedule for Lily''s funeral hadn''t disappeared. ''Why isn''t it going away?'' I wondered. Chapter 272: Team Lead Wang Long (3)

Chapter 272: Team Lead Wang Long (3)

[Everyday V10.1] [Date: September 5, 2020] -07:00 p.m.: Wang Long''s fianc¨¦e, Lily''s, funeral. I couldn''t understand why the schedule hadn''t been deleted from the nner despite both Ju Yung-In and Wang Long being positive about the meeting. ''Is there some unforeseen variable in China? Or is something happening to Ju Yung-In?'' I wondered. In the meantime, Wang Long had just finished his call and spoke to me with an excited expression. "Lily is very excited to meet Miss Yung-In! Thank you!" "Ha ha. I''m d." Given how proactive both Wang Long and Lily were, the remaining variable was likely on Ju Yung-In''s side. While I was worrying about what might happen, the smile on Wang Long''s face was getting bigger and bigger. At that moment, the high-spirited Wang Long suddenly suggested making arge concession in the contract. "Although the final decision for this partnership rests with Mr. Zhang, I will convey that Hoop Entertainment''s opinion makes sense." Wang Long, one of the few who could speak directly to the president of the Shanghai New Media Inc. Group, said he would support ourpany. I bowed my head. "Thank you very much." Wang Long nodded with a broad smile. *** Next, it was Yoo-Jin''s turn to film. Scene 152 involved Ju Yung-In fighting a criminal and Yoo-Jin''s character, Cheongmyung, arrivingte to take down the criminal. "Ready~ Action!" The moment Kim Sung-Woon called for the shot, Yoo-Jin rushed toward the criminal with her dress fluttering. Seeing another actress who didn''t spare her body, Wang Long''s eyes widened once again. When Yoo-Jin appeared with an exorcism tool in her hand, the stunt actor ying the criminal attacking Ju Yung-In immediately began to flee, with Yoo-Jin chasing him behind. ¡ºHey~~!! You evil spirit! You''re dead today~~!¡» Yoo-Jin ran quickly with a wire wrapper around her waist, stepped on the wall, and jumped up to the sky. Then she delivered a spinning kick in mid-air. Yoo-Jin''s clean spinning kick hit the possessed criminal''s neck precisely. With a thud, the stunt actor who was running away instantly fell to the ground. Wearing shorts underneath her dress, Yoo-Jinnded with her dress fluttering and dusted off her hands proudly. ¡ºYou jerk. Acting up like that!¡» Yoo-Jin was indeed a student worth teaching. "Cut~! Okay! That was great!" After finishing the scene, Yoo-Jin, still attached to the wire, hurriedly approached the stunt actor to check on him. The stunt actor gave Yoo-Jin a thumbs-up when she repeatedly bowed in apology. "Wow~ Miss Yoo-Jin, your kick was really clean!" The stunt actor eximed. "I-I''m sorry, Mr. Jin-Hyuk," Yoo-Jin apologized. "No worries. It''s actually safer when it''s done that cleanly." As the stunt actor nodded his head from side to side, Yoo-Jin finally sighed in relief. Wang Long was surprised by Yoo-Jin''s intense action performance. "My goodness! Miss Yoo-Jin can do Kung Fu?" "It''s not Kung Fu, it''s Taekwondo. I only taught her a few moves but she picked them up quickly," I replied. Wang Long stared intently at Yoo-Jin and fell into deep thought for a moment. After gathering his thoughts, he spoke to me. "If you''re free this evening, could we talk privately for a moment?" I nodded. After all, I had be close friends with Wang Long because I took him wherever he wanted to go after work in my past life. *** Zhang Xuan had spent several hours conversing over drinks with Kang Gam-Chan at Treviang Hotel located in Gangnam before returning to his suite. A cold shower brought him back to his senses. "Hmm. I feel alive." After his shower, Zhang Xuan changed into a robe and sat on the sofa. After about five minutes, there was a knock at the door. Knock knock. "It''s open. Come on in," said Zhang Xuan. Creak. The door creaked open and a man entered. It was Chief Kim Dong-Soo from Hoop Entertainment. "Hello, sir. Thank you for your hard work today." Satisfied with Kim Dong-Soo''s polite greeting, Zhang Xuan pointed to the sofa in the living room. "Alright. Have a seat over there. You know why I called you separately, right?" After sitting across from him, Kim Dong-Soo mentioned Choi Man-Sik''s name. "Yes. I heard you know Mr. Choi Man-Sik personally. He''s reminded us several times to take good care of you when youe to Korea." Zhang Xuan smiled contentedly. "Right. So you''re someone whom President Choi values?" "Yes, sir. Mr. Choi looks after me despite my shorings. And this... is a token of his appreciation." When Kim Dong-Soo subtly ced a briefcase on the table, Zhang Xuan took a nce at the case and asked, "What''s that?" "It''s something safe to use," Kim Dong-Soo replied. Zhang Xuan smiled as Kim Dong-Soo exined it wasundered money that couldn''t be traced. "You want me to seal the partnership with Hoop Entertainment?" Kim Dong-Soo nodded. "Yes, please.. And if you could adjust it slightly in our favor, we''d make sure you''re well taken care of." Zhang Xuan crossed his arms and remarked, "Tsk. Cash bundles like this can only be used in Korea. If we get audited, I''m the only one who''ll be in trouble. Take it back. I don''t need it." Kim Dong-Soo grinned. "This is just a sample. Mr. Choi Man-Sik has already set up a secret ount in China. Once the deal is finalized, the ount will be transferred to you." Only then did Zhang Xuan show interest. "Ahem. In that case..." Zhang Xuan then began to discuss the terms of the deal with a pleased expression. "So we get 7 in China and Hoop Entertainment gets 7 in Korea?" "If possible, please hold out for a 9-to-1 ratio until I step in, then change it to 7-to-3. We''d appreciate it." Zhang Xuanughed heartily at Kim Dong-Soo''s words. "You want to boost your performance, huh? Sure. I can help with that." Thanks to Choi Man-Sik''s prior arrangements, the conversation proceeded smoothly. Then, Zhang Xuan spoke cautiously. "By the way, Chief Kim." "Yes?" "Could we have a light drink tonight? I mean, I don''t expect anything big, but it''s lonely to drink alone..." Kim Dong-Soo quickly responded as soon as he saw Zhang Xuan trail off. "Actually, I''ve already reserved a nice ce in Gangnam. It''s still a bit early, but shall we go now?" The current time was 6 p.m. By paying an additional fee at the club, the aces of the club could be called in a bit earlier. However, that wasn''t what Zhang Xuan wanted. "No, no. Not those kinds of girls. If I''m in Korea, I should have a drink with Korean actresses. Someone like Ju Yung-In or Jung Yoo-Jin who are popr these days..." At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo lowered his head and had to struggle to hide his emotions. He knew that the mere mention of Jung Yoo-Jin would make Yoon-Ho furious. Additionally, he also still had feelings for Ju Yung-In, despite her leaving Hoop Entertainment. ''This fucking bastard...'' Kim Dong-Soo remarked inwardly. Kim Dong-Soo tried hard to conceal his true feelings and replied cautiously, "I''m sorry. I can''t just bring in actresses of that caliber without permission." Zhang Xuan furrowed his brow. "Hah! Look at this guy. Don''t you want to do business with me? Forget it. Take your ount and leave." Kim Dong-Soo hid his trembling voice and replied, "I''ll prepare other actors for tonight, but next time..." Zhang Xuan scoffed. "Who knows when I''ll be back in Korea? If it''s not those two, I''m not interested. Handle it yourself." Kim Dong-Soo remembered Choi Man-Sik''s instructions to appease Zhang Xuan no matter what. Ultimately, Kim Dong-Soo was left with no choice when he picked up the phone to call one of the two actresses. "Mr. Lee? This is Kim Dong-Soo from Hoop Entertainment." Kim Dong-Soo decided to contact Ju Yung-In who was at least more approachable than Jung Yoo-Jin and began to devise a n to arrange a meeting between her and Zhang Xuan. *** We arrived at the underground club at Treviang Hotel as Wang Long was curious about how people around his age in Korea enjoyed themselves. Wang Long was excited by the noisy atmosphere and by the time we had dinner, Wang Long and I had be friends, chattingfortably and casually. I picked up a bottle on the table and filled Wang Long''s empty ss. "You handle your drink well. You said at the office you couldn''t drink, didn''t you?" Wang Long grinned. "I only said that because I didn''t want to be with Director Zhang. That guy''s drinking habits are terrible." We had to shout to converse over the loud music. "By the way, youe from a pretty well-off family, right?" I asked. Wang Long raised his eyebrows. "How did you know?" "Since Lily''s family is high-ranking, I figured you must be too if you''re dating her." "Well, it''s true that I don''t fall short of her family''s status." We had gotten somewhat closer, but Wang Long still hadn''t revealed his father''s identity. At that moment, three women approached our table¡ªone in a tight white t-shirt and jeans, one in a ck dress, and one in a white dress. All three were stunningly beautiful, like celebrities. The woman in the white t-shirt and jeans smiled brightly and called out. "Oppas, will you buy us a drink?" Wang Long took a nce at me and answered in English. "I have a girlfriend, so ask this guy. He''s single." The womenughed and responded back in English. "We have boyfriends too. We just want to hang out together for the night, that''s all." Then the woman in the ck dress pointed to the woman in the white t-shirt and said, "Oppas, do you know the drama In the Name of God? Hyun-Joo here just passed an audition for a supporting role today." "We came to celebrate, and we thought it''d be nice if some handsome oppas congratted her!" The woman in the white t-shirt and jeans was named Hong Hyun-Joo. ''But really? It had to be In the Name of God?'' I thought. I was about to decline immediately to avoid getting involved in any way, but her face and name seemed familiar. Then, I suddenly remembered that the second daughter of HK Textiles, a subsidiary of HK Clothing, was named Hong Hyun-Joo. She was about 170 cm tall with a model-like figure, a cat-like face, and a cute mole on the tip of her nose. Later, Hong Hyun-Joo would be quite well-known as she was supported extensively by the HK Group. She was also the cousin of Hong Sung-Beom, who had harassed Yoo-Jin. However, she was still under 19 years old. "Aren''t you too young to be here?" I asked. Hong Hyun-Joo snorted and red at me. "Oh, what did you say? Do you even know my age?" At the same time, the woman in the ck dress said, "If you don''t want to buy us drinks, just say so. Why bring up underage nonsense? You are so annoying!" Hong Hyun-Joo echoed her friend''s sentiment. "Ugh. We just came to have a good time, and this is what we get..." I cut her off. "Hong Hyun-Joo, second daughter of HK Textiles. You''re not 19 yet, are you? Oh, should I mention your birthday too?" Hong Hyun-Joo froze in shock. "W-what? Who are you?" "Me? Well... we''ll meet on set soon," I replied. Hong Hyun-Joo''s eyes wavered. "Wh-what the heck...Oppa, are you an AD... or a PD?" I ignored her question and added, "As far as I know, if an underage person gets caught drinking, their role gets canceled. Are you aware of that?" At that moment, Hong Hyun-Joo and the other two girls turned pale and looked at each other. "There must be some misunderstanding. We only came here to dance and we haven''t touched any alcohol!" "Th-that''s right. It''s our first time at a club with Hyun-Joo. Right, Yeon-Woo?" "Uh, y-yes. It''s really our first time!" The three of them who were chattering noisily until just now suddenly started pleading respectfully in honorifics. "If you turn around and leave for the exit right now, I''ll pretend I didn''t see anything tonight," I replied. Hong Hyun-Joo quickly nodded. "I-I''ll leave!" She turned to her friends and urged them. "Guys, let''s go!" "Y-yeah. Okay" As they were about to turn around and leave, I asked them to wait for a moment and handed them the soft drinks from the table. "Take an Aligatorade each on your way out." After thanking me, the three girls scurried away. Wang Longughed incredulously as they disappeared. "What was that? Do you know them? Yoon-Ho, you sure have a widework." "They''re just kids I happened to know." "Still, they must have been really surprised. Ha ha." Wang Long looked at the spot where the girls had vanished as he chuckled,menting on how I seemed to know everyone in Korea. After chatting idly about Hong Hyun-Joo for a while, I checked my phone again when the club music quieted down. However, there was still no change in the nner''s entry about Lily''s death. Instead, I realized that I had several missed calls and texts from Ju Yung-In. ''Huh? What''s this?'' I wondered. [Ju Yung-In: Oppa. What do you think you''re doing right now? If you don''t call back soon, I''m canceling our n to meet on the 28th!] Wondering what was going on, I quickly called her. "Miss Yung-In, what''s going on?" Ju Yung-In finally picked up after several attempts. -Where are you? Are you trying to mess with me? "Wait a minute. Don''t just shout and tell me what happened. What''s going on?" Ju Yung-In spoke in an agitated voice. -Mr. Lee said there was an urgent meeting with Shanghai New Media Inc., so I came to the ce you mentioned. But some fucking pig-like man is telling me to pour him a drink! I could tell how furious she was by looking at her using harshnguage. "If it''s Shanghai New Media Inc., could it be Zhang Xuan?" -I don''t know. They called him Director Zhang, I think. "What did Chief Lee say?" -You know Chief Lee''s the kind of a person who tells me to just go along with it. I thought you and Wang Long were there, but what''s this about?! Apparently, Ju Yung-In had tried to call me multiple times before entering the room to check if our meeting on the 28th had been rescheduled. Unfortunately, I missed her calls because I was dealing with Hong Hyun-Joo. -Anyway, please get me out of here right now. I don''t want to be here for another second! Ju Yung-In didn''t usually ept sponsors, but attending drinking parties to appease clients was nothing unusual in this industry. After all, it was not something she''d be criticized for. Surprisingly, her attitude was different from my past life. Of course, now was not the time to ponder this. I had to help Ju Yung-In first in order to delete the nner entry. "Do you think you cane out alone?" -No. The corridors here are veryplicated. And there are security guards, so it''s hard to get out. Ju Yung-In exined it was difficult to leave as it was her first time there. ''Damn it.'' Only then did I finally understand why the nner entry hadn''t disappeared yet. "Where are you exactly?" -I think it''s called La ParMang? Le ParMang? Or something like that. "You must be at Gangnam Le ParMang. Got it. I''ll be there soon." I ended the call and turned to Wang Long to exin the situation. "Your Director Zhang has forced Miss Ju Yung-In to pour drinks." At that moment, Wang Long exploded with anger. "What? That crazy bastard dared to make her pour drinks?" Chapter 273: Team Lead Wang Long (4)

Chapter 273: Team Lead Wang Long (4)

The moment Wang Long heard that Zhang Xuan was forcing Ju Yung-In to pour drinks, he couldn''t contain his anger and erupted. "Where the hell is that bastard Zhang Xuan right now?" Wang Long yelled. Wang Long was the son of Wang Min, the deputy secretary of Shenzhen. Privately, he addressed the president of Shanghai New Media Inc, as "uncle." His true identity was kept under wraps within thepany and known only to the president until now. However, he was ready to take this opportunity to reveal his identity to Zhang Xuan. "He''s at a club called Le Parmang about five minutes away from here by car," I answered. "Is that so? Hold on a second." Taking advantage of a pause in the club music, Wang Long made a phone call. Though I couldn''t understand the fast Chinese, I was able to catch a few key phrases like "uncle," "that bastard," pany''s disgrace," and "can''t you get rid of him?" Once Wang Long ended the call, the loud club music resumed. "Let''s go quickly," Wang Long said to me. We got up from the table and headed straight outside. Having found a taxi waiting near the club entrance, we jumped in right away and urgently told the driver our destination. "To Le Parmang, please! We need to hurry!" The driver frowned at the short distance that won''t even take five minutes, but his expression changed instantly when Wang Long pulled out a $100 bill. "Hold on tight! I used to be a racer in Itaewon during my prime!" The driver eximed. "If you get us there in three minutes, I''ll give you another $100." The driver''s eyes lit up when I tranted Wang Long''s words. "I''ll take you there in no time! Hold on!" The moment the car took off with a roar, we were thrown back into our seats. "Wang Long, what are you nning to do when you meet Director Zhang?" I asked. "Don''t worry, I''ve talked to my uncle. I''ll take care of that bastard myself." "Take care of him, how?" I continued pressing. "I said I''ll handle it!" "Hey, but he''s a director." At that moment, Wang Long whispered his true identity to me¡ªthat he was the son of Wang Min, the deputy secretary of Shenzhen, and the person he called uncle was the president of Shanghai New Media Inc. I feigned surprise even though I already knew his identity. "A-are you serious?" "Don''t tell anyone else." "O-okay. Got it. But doesn''t Director Zhang know you''re Wang Min''s son?" "No. My uncle is the only one who knows in the entirepany." "No wonder he''s been acting so fearless. I thought it was strange how he treated you." In China, the children of high-ranking officials from the Communist Party were called the "Princelings" while their sons were referred to as "Guan Er Dai," meaning the second generation of Princelings. Wang Long was one of these "Guan Er Dai." Unlike Korea where the government and business sectors were separate, the Chinese Communist Party controlled both, wielding immense power. Having studied in the United States for a long time, Wang Long had been keeping a low profile. Nheless, as a Chinese, he still valued face and reputation. Perhaps because he felt humiliated in front of me, Wang Long scratched his head in frustration. "This is so embarrassing. Just pretend you didn''t see anythingter and stay out of it. I''ll handle it cleanly." The still fuming Wang Long began to mutter curses in Chinese. Meanwhile, the driver thought that the insults were directed at him and sped up even more. "We''re almost there now!" The driver cried out. In the meantime, I made a call to someone who could handle the aftermath of this situation. -Yoon-Ho, are you there? "Yes, Mr. Kang. I''m sorry for contacting you so suddenly." -It''s fine. Why do you sound so urgent though? Did something happen to Team Lead Wang Long or something? "No. Actually..." Without revealing Wang Long''s true identity, I exined that we were on our way to pick up Ju Yung-In together. Soon, Kang Gam-Chan''s praise followed. -Well done. Even if they are not from ourpany, we should never abandon an actress asking for help. Especially since she¡¯s an actress we''ve nurtured, too. Where exactly are you now? "We''re on our way to Le Parmang." -That''s perfect. I''m nearby too, so I¡¯ll be there in five minutes. Kang Gam-Chan exined that he happened to be in the same area for a meeting with anotherpany. In the meantime, we arrived at Le Parmang. Screech. When the car came to a halt, the driver was sweating profusely from concentrating so hard. "Huff, huff, huff. Here we are, sir." It took exactly three minutes to get here. Without a word, Wang Long pulled out another $100 bill. "Thank you." "Th-thank you!" The driver muttered while taking the bill with his tired, trembling hands. We left the driver, got out of the car to bow, and headed toward the entrance of Le Parmang. As soon as we arrived at the entrance, two security guards blocked our way. "We''re full," imed the guards. Wang Long took out his wallet and handed them two $100 bills. Seeing the money, the guards'' faces brightened as they stepped aside. "Actually, there is one spot left. I''ll guide you." One of the guards stuck close to us and started talking into his radio. "We have a VIP entering! I repeat, we have a VIP entering!" I was amazed by the fact that the treatment changed drastically with just a little money. I tried calling Ju Yung-In again while heading to the basement but the call couldn''t get through, and the schedule rted to Lily''s death still remained as well. Suppressing my pounding heart, I continued to walk down to the basement. I could see numerous rooms on both sides as I walked down the corridor. At that moment, Wang Long showed ten $100 bills to the guard guiding us and asked, "Which room is Ju Yung-In in?" After the excited guard had a few exchanges over the radio, he finally got an answer saying that it was room 3. The guard began to act like a waiter as soon as Wang Long handed over the bills and politely guided us. "This way, please." After winding through the corridors for a while, it became clear why Ju Yung-In couldn''t leave easily. "Here it is, sirs." The guard who led us bowed politely, and Wang Long took out another ten $100 bills. "Share this among yourselves. When Mr. Kang Gam-Chan of Hoop Entertainment arrives, bring him here." The guard quickly bowed when I tranted Wang Long''s words. "Thank you, sir! I''ll bring him as soon as he arrives!" When we opened the door to room 3, a ridiculous scene unfolded. Zhang Xuan wasining in Chinese with a deeply furrowed brow, while Ju Yung-In was refusing to pour drinks with her arms crossed. Lee Chan-Dong was sweating profusely while trying to calm Ju Yung-In down. "Yung-In, just pour one drink. Let''s not make a scene." "Doesn''t he have hands to pour his own drink? If he really needs someone to pour him a drink, then you do it, Mr. Lee!" Ju Yung-In retorted. "Why are you being so difficult? Just pour one drink and he''ll let us leave," Lee Chan-Dong replied in annoyance. "Are you kidding? Do you really think he''ll let me go if I pour one drink?" "You''re driving me crazy. Please, give me a break." At that moment, the frowning Ju Yung-In made eye contact with me. Her face lit up instantly as she eximed, "Yoon-Ho oppa!" Ju Yung-In tried toe out of the room when she saw me, but Lee Chan-Dong quickly blocked her way. "Wait, what do you think you''re doing right now? How dare you! This isn''t a ce for you toe in!" Lee Chan-Dong yelled. "What do you mean? Then is this a ce for you to yell at an actress, forcing her to pour drinks for men?" I rebuked him. "What?" Sensing that something was going wrong, a drunken Zhang Xuan intervened. "I see that Team Lead Wang is here. Let''s sit down and talk over a drink. Why raise your voices in such a nice ce?" Wang Long simply gave Zhang Xuan a cold stare and replied, "Director Zhang Xuan. The President has ordered you to return to China immediately, so pack your things and prepare to leave." "What? What did you just say to me?" "I said get the fuck out of here and go back to China immediately!" Wang Long cursed. When Wang Long, much younger than him, raised his voice, Zhang Xuan who was pretending to be solemn also lost his temper as he couldn''t believe a young man was talking to him like that. "W-Wang Long, you bastard! How dare you!" However, Wang Long only scoffed and spoke quickly in Chinese. Only Zhang Xuan, Wang Long, and I understood what was said because Lee Chan-Dong could only speak English. "Hey, Director Zhang Xuan. Have you ever heard of Deputy Secretary Wang Min of Shenzhen?" Wang Long questioned. "Why is he being mentioned here now?" The drunken Zhang Xuan asked in return. "Think carefully about why his name has been mentioned in this context." The moment Wang Long''s eyes shed, Zhang Xuan tilted his head in confusion. "That''s the man known as the Tiger of Shenzhen...but why...wait. He can''t be rted to you... wait... no, it can''t be..." Zhang Xuan started to tremble with disbelief in his eyes. Wang Long looked at Zhang Xuan and spoke coldly. "That man is my father." At that moment, Zhang Xuan staggered and copsed onto the sofa. "No way... H-how is that possible..." The power held by high-ranking officials in the Chinese Communist Party was on a different level from that of ordinary politicians. With the exception of those higher in the hierarchy, they wielded almost absolute power in controlling the media, military, police, and the courts. A high-ranking party official could control all social infrastructure, which meant they couldpletely destroy Zhang Xuan if they wanted to. Ignoring the dazed Zhang Xuan, Wang Long turned to Ju Yung-In and bowed his head. "I apologize, Miss Ju Yung-In. I understand you must be confused by this sudden situation, but this has nothing to do with me." Ju Yung-In asked me with her eyes wide open, "O-oppa, what is he saying?" "He says he''s sorry." "What? It seems like they said a lot more things, though. Are you tranting properly?" Since Wang Long had been speaking in Chinese, I had to trante. "Yes, he was just saying he''s sorry in a long-winded way." I didn¡¯t trante the part about Wang Long''s father but only tranted that Zhang Xuan would be dismissed from Shanghai New Media Inc. "What do you mean? Zhang Xuan is no longer a director?" The fuming Lee Chan-Dong asked Zhang Xuan in English, but Zhang Xuan, still in shock, had no strength left to respond. That''s when Kang Gam-Chan burst into room 3. "Yoon-Ho! Are you here?" The moment Kang Gam-Chan walked in, Lee Chan-Dong protested sharply. "Mr. Kang, what is the meaning of this?" Kang Gam-Chan scoffed. "That''s my question to ask. What do you think you''re doing? I came because I heard Ace Entertainment was stealing our invited guest." "Wh-who said such nonsense..." Lee Chan-Dong stuttered. "That''s enough. Ace Entertainment must be ready for a showdown with us if they''re doing this," Kang Gam-Chan snapped back. Realizing the situation was dire, Lee Chan-Dong quietly backed down. "There seems to be a misunderstanding here. It''s not what you think...We just heard that Mr. Zhang from Shanghai New Media Inc. was in Korea, so we brought Miss Yung-In to greet him." "You expect me to believe that?" Kang Gam-Chan turned his gaze to Ju Yung-In without giving Lee Chan-Dong a chance to exin the situation. "Hey, Yung-In. I was hoping you would be better off when you left ourpany. Why are you hanging out with such trash?" Ju Yung-In shouted with a distressed expression. "It wasn''t my intention! I was tricked intoing here!" "I¡¯ve always told you to double and triple-check! No amount of caution is ever enough!" Unable to respond, Ju Yung-In remained silent as Kang Gam-Chan sighed. "Sigh. Never mind. I was too harsh on anotherpany''s actress. I''m sorry." "No, don''t be, Mr. Kang..." Ju Yung-In said in a low voice. When Kang Gam-Chan looked around at the chaotic scene and asked me what had happened, Wang Long stepped in to exin. "Director Zhang Xuan will be returning to China soon. In the meantime, I will be the one representing Shanghai New Media Inc. in the contract discussion." Kang Gam-Chan raised his eyebrows. "Is that so?" "Yes, our President can confirm. Would you like to call him?" Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "Alright." As soon as Wang Long made the call on speakerphone, a deep male voice answered in English. -Team Lead Wang Long, what''s the situation there? "Sir, Mr. Kang Gam-Chan of Hoop Entertainment is here with me. You are on speakerphone, and Director Zhang Xuan is here as well." President Zhou Ho-Yeon of Shanghai New Media Inc. immediately apologized. -Mr. Kang Gam-Chan, I apologize for the disgraceful behavior. Director Zhang Xuan''s actions were personal misconduct and do not reflect ourpany''s stance at all. "I understand. But is it true that Team Lead Wang Long has full authority to negotiate this partnership?" -Yes, it is true. From this moment on, all of Team Lead Wang Long¡¯s statements will be considered asing from me. Our legal team will send the delegation letter by fax shortly. "Understood. In that case, we will restart the negotiations from scratch." Wang Long continued the call briefly after turning off the speakerphone while Kang Gam-Chan looked around. Kang Gam-Chan shook his head at the still-dazed Zhang Xuan. Then Kang Gam-Chan turned to Ju Yung-In. "Yung-In, I''m leaving now. Do you need a ride home?" "Yes, please take me home." As Ju Yung-In replied, Lee Chan-Dong urgently grabbed her hand and said, "Yung-In, we brought a car too. Why would you..." Ju Yung-In shook off Lee Chan-Dong''s hand. "No thanks. I won''t be getting in your car ever again, so keep that in mind!" Ju Yung-In pushed past Lee Chan-Dong who stumbled back onto the sofa. As Ju Yung-In walked past me, she whispered just loud enough for me to hear. "Oppa, thank you foring right away." When Ju Yung-In hid behind Kang Gam-Chan, Kang Gam-Chan drew his attention back to me. "And Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho, from now on, you will handle the partnership contract with Shanghai New Media Inc.!" This meant that I, the team lead, was now in charge of the contract instead of Director Lee Gi-Cheol and Chief Kim Dong-Soo. Chapter 274: Team Lead Wang Long (5)

Chapter 274: Team Lead Wang Long (5)

Kang Gam-Chan appointed me as the Hoop Entertainment''s representative in the contract discussion with Team Lead Wang Long from Shanghai New Media Inc. Taking advantage of Zhang Xuan''s mistake, Kang Gam-Chan was pushing aside Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo to give me a chance to earn merit. As Kang Gam-Chan winked slyly at me and left the room with hispany, Lee Chan-Dong urgently called out Ju Yung-In''s name and followed after her. Now, only Wang Long, Zhang Xuan, and I remained in the room. "Director Zhang Xuan." "Y-yes, sir!" When Wang Long called, Zhang Xuan stood up hastily as if he were a private in the military. "Exin exactly what happened! If you tell me everything honestly, I''ll try my best to prevent the worst-case scenario." Wang Long pressed Zhang Xuan with an authoritative tone and thetter stammered as he began to speak. "Th-the truth is..." Zhang Xuan testified that he only wanted to have a drink with the most famous actress these days and that Kim Dong-Soo arranged this meeting. "Chief Kim Dong-Soo of Hoop Entertainment set up this meeting?" Zhang Xuan nodded continuously upon seeing Wang Long''s icy expression. "Yes, Chief Kim Dong-Soo told me to have a drink while I wait until Ju Yung-Ines to Room 3." Zhang Xuan exined that Kim Dong-Soo conspired with Lee Chan-Dong for this meeting and imed he knew nothing about it and was just here for hospitality. Wang Long asked a few more questions but he couldn''t get further information out of Zhang Xuan. "Alright. Then hurry to the airport immediately and catch the earliest flight back to China. When you arrive at Shanghai Airport, a car sent by the President will be waiting." "S-so...does this mean you''ll forgive me...?" When Wang Long frowned again, Zhang Xuan quickly dashed out of the room. With themotion finally over, high-end liquor bottles remained unopened on the table. Wang Long sighed deeply and grabbed a bottle. "Sigh. How could someone like him be a director..." Wang Long muttered to himself and gulped down the hard liquor directly from the bottle. Worried he might harm himself, I grabbed his hand. As I held his hand, Wang Long ced the bottle on the table and looked at me. "I''m ashamed. I acted all high and mighty, but my dignity is in shambles." I smiled and replied, "Hey, what about us? It turns out our Chief Kim set this up. We''re in the same boat, so let''s not me each other anymore." Wang Long chuckled awkwardly and sat on the sofa. Then, he started to talk about the contract. "You won''t be able to immediately enter the Chinese market due to the ban on Korean culture. You know that, right?" I nodded. "I know." "Nevertheless, we might soon be able to release up to three movies or dramas a year on Yooko, a Chinese streaming site. Also, we can help with your expansion into the U.S. and Europe," Wang Long borated. This was an excellent offer for Hoop Entertainment whichcked proper partners in the U.S. and Europe. "So what do you think the profit ratio should be?" I asked. "What do you think is best?" After a brief contemtion, I shared my thoughts. "Let''s make sure it''s fair for both sides. It''s always best for long-term sess." Wang Long nodded. "Then 50:50?" "I''m fine with it, but are you okay? Yourpany is ten times bigger than ours. Won''t there be anyints?" "You said to be fair, right? This is the fairest regardless of thepany size. Isn''t it?" I unexpectedly struck a massive deal with remarkable ease. I would have considered the 6:4 ratio a good enough sess as Kang Gam-Chan called for a 7:3 ratio, especially since Chinese or overseas sales could be three to ten times our revenue. Besides, the Chinese side usually took a muchrger share in such contracts. Nevertheless, Wang Long nonchntly epted a 50:50 split. "Thank you. Instead, let''s split the costs after settling them." "Sure, let''s do that." After verbally finalizing the deal, Wang Long sighed deeply with a disappointed expression. I turned to him and asked, "Why the long face? Feeling regretful about the ratio? We can do 6:4, you know." "No, it''s not that." "Then what is it?" Wang Long looked at me with sad eyes. "Zhang Xuan made such a mistake that working with Miss Yung-In is now out of the question." I couldn''t help butugh at the absurdity of his statement. "Hey, where''s all that confidence you showed earlier?" "Confidence? What confidence? I was just losing my mind and yelling. Anyway, what do I tell Lily? She was genuinely super excited about meeting Miss Ju Yung-In." I consoled Wang Long who was slumped and holding his head. "Let''s make a call first," I suggested. "What''s the point of calling? It''s all over now." I ignored Wang Long and called Ju Yung-In. "Miss Yung-In, have you arrived home yet?" -Yes, I just got inside. "I''m sorry about what happened today." Ju Yung-In stammered as she apologized for the earlier incident. -No, it''s okay. Thanks to you and Mr. Wang Long, I avoided a tough situation. And...I''m sorry for yelling on the phone earlier. "Hold on a moment. I''ll switch to the speakerphone. Team Lead Wang Long has something he wants to say." I told the startled Wang Long to speak directly to Ju Yung-In to resolve the situation with my trantion help. When I turned on the speakerphone, Wang Long immediately apologized. "I''m sorry, Miss Yung-In! Ourpany made a grave mistake." Wang Long bowed at the phone on the table as if apologizing directly to Ju Yung-In. -N-no, it''s fine. Nothing serious happened anyway. And it''s my fault for misunderstanding the situation. I should be the one apologizing. "Not at all." The conversation was going nowhere as they kept apologizing to each other, so I decided to intervene. "Miss Yung-In, can we assume the business meeting on the 28th is still on?" -Of course. "Will Chief Lee Chan-Dong also be attending?" -No, I won''t be working with Mr. Lee Chan-Dong anymore. I''ve asked the President to reassign my talent agent. So from tomorrow, Ms. Ahn Yung-Hee will take over. Chief Ahn Yung-Hee was a capable female talent agentparable to Lee Chan-Dong. With a slightly excited voice, Ju Yung-In continued. -And I''ll treat you to a nice meal that day. Please bring your girlfriend too. Wang Long''s expression brightened instantly. "Okay, I''ll bring Lily that day!" While Wang Long spoke the call with a smile, the schedule that had been on my mind was finally being deleted from the nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: September 5, 2020] -07:00 p.m.: (Deleted Schedule: Wang Long''s fianc¨¦e, Lily''s, funeral.) *** As soon as I woke up in the morning, I had haejangguk[1] at the hotel and headed to the office with Wang Long. Awyer from Shanghai New Media Inc. was already waiting for us when we arrived at thepany entrance. After greeting thewyer, we entered thepany lobby where whispers could be heard. "I heard Team Lead Jung already made a deal." "Yeah, while Director Lee and Chief Kim were passed out drunk." "They say the terms are 50:50. That''s insane, dealing with the almighty Shanghai New Media Inc." "50:50? How is that even possible? They''re a giantpany and we''re a small business." "That''s why it''s amazing." "It''s always a wonder. Whatever that guy touches seems to be a sess..." Even if I didn''t want to hear it, the admiring voices kept tickling my ears. It seemed someone had already spread the news of my sess as the details in their small talks were oddly specific. Pretending not to hear anything, I led Wang Long and hiswyer to the elevator. As we were going up, Wang Long asked a question, "Will I no longer see Director Lee Gi-Cheol and Chief Kim Dong-Soo?" Last night after Zhang Xuan fled, Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo''s side were thrown into chaos. Afterall, their negotiation partner whom they put much care into had left without a word. When the desperate two called Wang Long, I picked up the phone instead and exined the situation to them in detail. This morning, the two were called to Kang Gam-Chan''s office where they were told they would have to write reports and face pay cuts. Kim Dong-Soo in particr was severely reprimanded for arranging a meeting with an actress from anotherpany. "Who knows? I heard they went to the president''s office early in the morning and begged on their knees." Wang Long smiled slyly as he spoke. "It''s a shame I missed that. It was annoying to see him hanging out with someone like Zhang Xuan." "Yeah, it really is a shame." In the meantime, we exited the elevator and headed to the president''s office. Inside the office were Kang Gam-Chan, Kang Ji-Yung, and Kwak Moo-Hyuk waiting for us. "Here you are." When we stood before Kang Gam-Chan, Wang Long bowed politely. "Our executive was rudest night. I apologize once again." "There''s no need for apologies. By the way, I''ve finished talking with President Zhou and he made many concessions. 50:50, huh..." Kang Gam-Chan remarked. "I wouldn''t call it concessions. Fairness is the best approach to have a genuine partnership, don''t you think?" Wang Long replied. "Fairness is a good word, but it''s never easy to achieve." Then Wang Long looked at me with a smile. "But under one condition." "What condition?" I hurriedly looked at him when Wang Long suddenly brought up a condition. "You said there were no conditions yesterday, didn''t you?" "Don''t worry, it''s not a bad thing," Wang Long assured me. Wang Long turned back to Kang Gam-Chan again. "I am likely to be promoted to head of the overseas business department at Shanghai New Media Inc. soon." "Congrattions on bing a department head at such a young age," Kang Gam-Chan said with a smile. After sharing some words of congrattions, Wang Longid out his condition. "My condition is that Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho be appointed as ourpany''s overseas partner. This is a non-negotiable condition and I won''t step back." ''A department head asking for a mere team lead, and the youngest one at that, to be his partner?'' I wondered. Normally, partners were matched by the same or at least simr ranks. Considering thepany sizes, the partner of the department head of Shanghai New Media Inc. should ideally be a director or president from our side. While I was pondering how to reject this unexpected offer, Kang Gam-Chan spoke up before I could. "It''s only right that we ept your simple condition when you have offered such a good profit ratio." Startled by Kang Gam-Chan''s response, I blurted out without realizing it. "But Mr. Kang! We need to at least maintain appearances to avoid any bacsh!" "What''s wrong with you being the partner?" Kang Gam-Chan questioned. "No, that''s not...what I mean is..." I stuttered. If I, the youngest team lead, became Wang Long''s partner, it was a matter of time before rumors of favoritism inevitably spread around the entirepany. Nheless, Kang Gam-Chan''s attitude suggested he didn''t seem to think it was a big deal. "I understand your concerns, but we can''t refuse the only condition they''ve put forth, can we?" Kang Gam-Chan said to me. Wang Long also smiled, finding nothing wrong with it. No matter how much I thought about it, having the results credited to me on top of the contract terms favoring Hoop Entertainment seemed way too much. "Wang Long, what will you do if people in China who are negative toward your promotion criticize you based on this contract that only favors our side?" I asked. I wanted to maintain a long-term rtionship with Wang Long. Whether he became a significant figure in Chinese entertainment or not, he was a rare and valuable friend in this industry. However, Wang Long didn''t back down despite my advice. "I chose a good friend." "What do you mean..." I asked. "Even now, you''re worried about me rather than your own sess." Wang Long continued with a grin. "Don''t worry too much. You know who my father is, don''t you? No one can stop me from acting out in thepany when I go back." Lately, it felt like everyone around me was eager to support me. They say fortune favors the brave, but maybe I was mistaken. Chasing after money led to bitter results in my previous life, but pursuing people in this life was making a significant difference. Since Wang Long was adamant, I had no choice but to agree. At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan brought up an unexpected topic. "Well, aside from that condition, we have one condition too." "What condition is that?" Wang Long asked. "When you step down from your overseas duties, Team Lead Jung must also be relieved of his duties. Do you understand what I mean?" Kang Gam-Chan was tantly asking to boost my achievements. However, Wang Long didn''t take offense and readily agreed. "That was my n from the beginning." The two agreed on the terms regardless of my intentions, and the contract was finalized with a handshake between Kang Gam-Chan and Wang Long after thewyers added a few more uses. *** As I saw Wang Long off at Incheon Airport, I reminded him once more about our appointment on the 28th. Two dayster, I headed to the set of In the Name of God for Yoo-Jin''s shoot. Yoo-Jin, now in her character Jin Yoo-Jung''s makeup, gracefully stepped out of the car and headed to the waiting chair. At that moment, Cha Soo-Yeon came running over and shouting, "Ma''am! Have you considered my proposal?" Jin Yoo-Jung frowned. "Why are you so persistent? You''re asking again?" "Please appear just one time on a promotional program! Just once! All the other actors have already promised to appear on variety shows." "Why would an old woman returning to the shrine soon appear on a variety show? No way!" The 7th episode of In the Name of God which aired yesterday had a viewership ratings of 20.9%. Although episode 6 narrowly missed 20% and hit 19.5% instead, episode 7 finally surpassed it. However, the rise in viewership ratings seemed to be slowing down a bit with Festival of Money holding steady at 15.3% viewership ratings. As a result, MBS was promoting the show by having actors appear on variety programs, and Yoo-Jin had also promised to make an appearance. For this reason, Cha Soo-Yeon had been persistently asking Jin Yoo-Jung to join the other actors on variety shows. Despite Jin Yoo-Jung''s curt responses, Cha Soo-Yeon continued to try and persuade her whenever their eyes met. Eventually, I stepped in to handle Cha Soo-Yeon to break the awkward situation. "Ms. Cha. I''ll try talking to her, so let''s leave it at that for today." "Alright. Please do your best." After the pleading Cha Soo-Yeon left, the rm on my Everyday app suddenly went off as we were about to move for the shoot. [Notification: August 27, 2020. A new schedule for Miss Jung Yoo-Jin has been added.] ''What is it this time?'' I wondered. As I flipped the nner to August 27th, a perplexing new schedule had appeared. 1. Korean hangover soup ? Chapter 275: Manshin Wol-Ah (1)

Chapter 275: Manshin Wol-Ah (1)

[Everyday V10.1] [Date: August 27, 2020] -10:00 p.m. [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Emergency meeting regarding the article by Star Patch. (Meeting content: Jung Yoo-Jin''s makeup-free photo to be revealed.) ''What? The identity of Manshin Wol-Ah would be exposed?'' I wondered in disbelief. I blinked and verified the schedule again. It would have been nice if the name of the Star Patch reporter was mentioned. Unfortunately, only the name of the newspaper was listed. The article was set to be released by Star Patch five dayster on August 27 at 10 p.m. They would even reveal makeup-free photos of Yoo-Jin. ''How could this happen?'' I asked myself. Knowing how hard Yoo-Jin had worked to hide the identity of Manshin Wol-Ah, I couldn''t stand by and watch Star Patch expose her. Upon seeing my serious expression, Jin Yoo-Jung asked with a worried voice, "What''s wrong? Did something happen?" Today, Jin Yoo-Jung had to act out an intense emotional confrontation scene with Kim Soo-Hee. Not wanting to cause unnecessary worry, I mumbled that it was nothing. However, Jin Yoo-Jung looked at me intently and spoke in a low voice. "Don''t keep things to yourself. Just talk to me and I''ll help with anything I can. I hate seeing you with that expression." Yoo-Jin candidly expressed her thoughts using the authoritative power of Jin Yoo-Jung. Though I appreciated her concern, this wasn''t something Yoo-Jin could help me with. "Thank you for your concern, ma''am." ''I would have thanked Yoo-Jin by her real name if there hadn''t been others around.'' I saw the staff quickly taking their positions for the filming and said to Jin Yoo-Jung, "It''s time to start shooting. Let''s go." Jin Yoo-Jung took my hand and stood up. "Alright. Make sure to tell me if things get tough, okay? Talking it out might lead to a better solution." "Yes, ma''am." Dressed in a white hanbok with her short white hair tightly tied back, Jin Yoo-Jung began walking slowly. Once on the set, she quickly transformed into the hunched Manshin Wol-Ah. Seeing the genius actress who could immerse herself in a character in the blink of an eye made my heart swell with pride. Now, it was time for me to do my job. While Yoo-Jin prepared for the shoot, I started considering all possible scenarios. *** Today''s scene 99 involved the confrontation between a wealthy family matriarch who hid her son''s serial killings and Manshin Wol-Ah. The matriarch sought out her old hometown friend, Manshin Wol-Ah, to perform an exorcism for her son whom she believed was possessed by a ghost andmitting the murders. However, the truth was that her son was not possessed but simply a psychopath. Upon hearing this from Manshin Wol-Ah, the matriarch went into a frenzy. The scene captured the conflict between the misguided mother trying to protect her son and Manshin Wol-Ah urging her to stop before umting more karma. Kim Soo-Hee, who yed the wealthy family matriarch Lee Myung-Ah, had fasted for three days to prepare for today''s scene. Her cheeks were sunken and her eyes shed wildly, making her look half-crazed. At that moment, a problem with the camera caused a brief dy in filming. During this pause, Kim Soo-Hee slowly approached Jin Yoo-Jung and started muttering something to her. Their expressions were so intense that I couldn''t even try to guess what they were discussing. When Jin Yoo-Jung nodded, Kim Soo-Hee returned back to her ce. In the meantime, the filming preparations werepleted. "I''m sorry. We''ll resume filming now," Kim Sung-Woon apologized. Then, Kim Soo-Hee and Jin Yoo-Jung enter the shrine of Manshin Wol-Ah. "PD Kim, give me a moment," Kim Soo-Hee asked as she removed the rubber band that tied her hair back. Her dry hair fell limply and her white hair covered half of her face. Kim Soo-Hee took several deep breaths and then spoke in a cracked voice. "Let''s begin." At that moment, Kim Sung-Woon swallowed hard and shouted energetically. "Okay, scene 99. Ready~ action!" As soon as the filming started, Kim Soo-Hee began to speak in a trembling voice to Manshin Wol-Ah seated opposite her. ¡ºMy son... is not possessed by a ghost?¡» Kim Soo-Hee''s whole body started to tremble. She screamed that it couldn''t be in a loud voice, then soon began to stutter. She pleaded and even begged, saying it must be a mistake and asking for Manshin Wol-Ah''s help. ¡ºWol-Ah! Don''t lie to me. You must have seen it wrong. There''s no way my good boy Myung-Seok would kill people without a reason... You''re lying... Aren''t you? Are you taking revenge on me for bullying you when we were young? If that''s the case, I''ll apologize now. I''m sorry, Wol-Ah. Please help me. Please...¡» Kim Soo-Hee looked like a person whose soul had left her body. The staff were speechless with their mouths agape at Kim Soo-Hee''s possessed performance. However, Manshin Wol-Ah remained calm and fanned herself in annoyance even amidst this intense atmosphere. ¡ºYour son is definitely not someone who would forget himself by being possessed by a ghost. He''s rather the kind of person who would capture the ghost and use its power! If you thought he was possessed, he has deceived his own mother!¡» Manshin Wol-Ah spoke harshly and clicked her tongue. She had already predicted at the time of Lee Myung-Ah''s son''s birth that he would be a useless wretch and had advised Lee Myung-Ah to abandon him at a temple. Her words led to the two childhood friends bing enemies. Manshin Wol-Ah argued that Lee Myung-Ah''s son was beyond hope and warned that if Lee Myung-Ah didn''t report him to the police by the next day, she would do it herself. Lee Myung Ah''s eyes widened when she heard Manshin Wol-Ah say that her son would eventually kill many people, including his parents. She reached out and grabbed Manshin Wol-Ah''s hanbok cor forcefully with both hands. ¡ºSh-shut up! You can only say that because you don''t understand how it''s like to be a mother! Especially since you''ve been isting yourself in the mountains and have never known a man! How dare you run your mouth!¡» Kim Soo-Hee''s piercing scream as Lee Myung-Ah echoed through the set and sent chills down my spine. Despite hearing such a curse-filled remark up close, Manshin Wol-Ah remained unperturbed. It was astounding that Yoo-Jin could maintain herposure while witnessing Kim Soo-Hee''s overwhelming performance. Manshin Wol-Ah''s face started to turn red as her hanbok cor was held tightly. She told Lee Myung-Ah to let go, but thetter simply tightened her grip with veins bulging at her temples. Lee Myung-Ah even threatened to kill Manshin Wol-Ah if she reported her son to the police. At that moment, Manshin Wol-Ah unexpectedly kicked Lee Myung-Ah in the chest with her bare foot. ¡ºArgh!¡» Kim Soo-Hee screamed and rolled backward. ''This is unbelievable... Was that an ad-lib? What is she thinking!?'' I wondered. The staff were at a loss upon seeing Jin Yoo-Jung''s unscripted kick. No matter how good an actor was, a supporting actor kicking the legendary Kim Soo-Hee was unprecedented. Everyone started to get nervous, worried that Kim Soo-Hee might get angry and refuse to continue acting. Even Kim Sung-Woon seemed to be debating whether to call it a cut. But then Kim Soo-Hee, who had been thrown into the corner, struggled to stand up with her eyes full of murderous intent. The acting continued. Kim Sung-Woon sighed in relief and refocused on the monitor. This time, Lee Myung-Ah burst out screaming and lunged to grab Manshin Wol-Ah by the hair. The staff could only watch in stunned silence at the brutal acting and fighting unfolding before their eyes. Kim Sung-Woon also froze on the spot with his hands sweating as he trembled. After a minute of fierce fighting, Yoo-Jin returned to her original lines in the script. ¡ºHuff, huff... You foolish woman! Do you think you are the only mother suffering in this world? My child also lives on the boundary between humans and ghosts because she was cursed from birth.¡» ¡ºNo, no way... Huff, huff. Could it be that your daughter...like you...¡» ¡ºYes! Like me, she cuts her life short to see the spirits! That poor, pitiful child!¡» Manshin Wol-Ah cried out in agony. At that moment, the exhausted Lee Myung-Ah finally stopped attacking Manshin Wol-Ah like a madwoman and slumped to the floor. The two of them red at each other in silence with tears streaming down their faces. After a brief pause, Lee Myung-Ah stood up to leave, saying she would think about reporting her sonter. Just as she was about to exit, Manshin Wol-Ah spoke once again. ¡ºYour child will never stop. So you better report him now while you can... If you don''t, countless innocent lives will be lost. You and your husband will also die!¡» Lee Myung-Ah turned around and red at Manshin Wol-Ah with a look of pure hatred. ¡ºMy son loves me more than anything! You don''t understand anything!¡» The sharp emotional exchange between the two women left the staff as mere spectators, watching in a daze. It felt like a cold wind was blowing through the set. Goosebumps rose on my skin and it felt like the dead of winter. The acting as if walking on a razor''s edge slowly came to an end. "C-cut~~! Okay!" shouted Kim Sung-Woon. The exhausted two actresses copsed to the floor as soon as they heard Kim Sung-Woon. *** "Ma''am, you were amazing!" "Mrs. Jin! Can''t you continue acting instead of going back to your shrine?" "Wow, Mrs. Jin! Even the production team learned a lot from your performance today. Thank you for your hard work." "Gosh, seriously. Today''s shoot was incredible." "Look, I got chills. What did I just witness?" After the shoot ended, praise poured in for Kim Soo-Hee and Jin Yoo-Jung. Supported by the staff, the two of them asked for a break saying it was too hard to continue with shooting today. Given the intense emotional battle, Kim Sung-Woon postponed Kim Soo-Hee''s next scene to tomorrow. The staff worried if Kim Soo-Hee was hurt from the kick, but she assured them it was just part of the act and she wasn''t injured. ''What a relief,'' I thought. After saying goodbye to Kim Soo-Hee, Jin Yoo-Jung wobbled over while receiving congrattions from the staff. "Phew. Today''s scene was tough. Team Lead Jung, what are you doing? Let''s go now," said Jin Yoo-Jung. "Oh, yes, yes." I said goodbye to the staff and helped Jin Yoo-Jung into the car. Once the door was closed, Jin Yoo-Jung leaned back in the rear seat and let out a long sigh. "Ah, I thought I was going to die. By the way, how did I do?" The exhausted Yoo-Jin forgot she was supposed to be acting as Jin Yoo-Jung. "Um... you were the best. Truly." Her performance was so astounding it made my voice tremble. In that moment, I felt a surge of emotion realizing just how much Yoo-Jin had grown as an actress. I recalled how I initially had doubts about whether Yoo-Jin could pull off dual roles. However, there wasn''t a shred of doubt left in my mind now. "Anyway, Yoo-Jin, what was that about kicking Mrs. Kim in the chest earlier?" I asked. Yoo-Jin smiled awkwardly. "Mrs. Kim told me to do it." She exined that Kim Soo-Hee wanted to make the scene more dramatic and had instructed her to kick her away forcefully. Kim Soo-Hee had said that since she would be trying to kill Yoo-Jin in the scene, Yoo-Jin should kick her back as if trying to kill her too. It was a bold direction, but Yoo-Jin had tried to control her strength to avoid hurting her. "Give me a heads up next time. I thought my heart was going to explode," I replied. Yoo-Jin stuck her tongue out yfully while still in her Jin Yoo-Jung costume. "I''m sorry. There wasn''t enough time to discuss it with you because Mrs. Kim told me just before shooting," Her yful demeanor despite being dressed as an elderly woman somehow looked adorable. "Alright, good job. Let''s head home and rest." "Okay~" After saying goodbye to the staff, we quickly left the parking lot. Once we left the set and entered the highway, Yang So-Ri asked cautiously from the backseat, "Mr. Jung, Miss Yoo-Jin must be tired. Should we take the mask off now?" Since the car windows were heavily tinted, there was no risk of anyone seeing her unless they looked through the front windshield. I nodded. "Yes, she must be drenched in sweat. Let''s take it off now." Yoo-Jin agreed, saying she was soaked in sweat and needed to remove the mask quickly. However, that''s when something caught my eye. "Wait a minute!" I yelled. "Yes?" "What''s wrong, oppa?" I noticed a white van that I had seen when leaving the filming location following us closely. Chapter 276: Manshin Wol-Ah (2)

Chapter 276: Manshin Wol-Ah (2)

Vroom! As I sped up slightly, the white van following us also sped up. When I changednes, the car behind did the same. Then, when I slowed down, it matched my speed. I slowed down and checked the license te through the rear camera. "70O6387. Who could it be?" I muttered. Even though I had traveled back in time, I could not remember every license te from my past life. I slowed down even more to close the distance with the white van behind me to check the faces of the driver and passenger. However, both of them were wearing sunsses and masks. Nheless, I had a guess. ''They are probably reporters from Star Patch as the nner had informed me,'' I thought. As the chase ensued, Yoo-Jin couldn''t even remove her makeup and fidgeted nervously. "Oppa, will we be okay?" "Yes, as long as we don¡¯t get caught when we get out of the car. Don''t worry too much. I¡¯ll raise the partition, so use the phone if you need to talk to me." Fortunately, our car had an automatic partition separating the driver¡¯s seat from the back seat. Buzz! When I pressed the button, a ck partition rose topletely block the view between the back seat and the driver¡¯s seat. Now, Yoo-Jin wouldn¡¯t be seen even if the car behind us moved in front. ''The remaining problem is losing them. What to do...'' I thought hard. Shaking off the white van was impossible as our Merciless Bends Springer was too big and had a speed limiter. ''In that case, I¡¯ll have to rely on the power ofw enforcement,'' I decided. I immediately called 112 using my Bluetooth headphones. "Hello, is this 112?" -Yes, please go ahead. As soon as they answered, I told them that a crazy stalker was following us. I asked for their immediate help by adding that there was a celebrity in our car and it might make the news if we got into an ident. -Where is your exact location right now? "Highway 6. We just passed by Yangseo Elementary School." -Understood. We will dispatch a unit right away. About five minutes after hanging up the call, I looked at the rear camera and saw a police car with its siren on pulling over the white van. ''It worked.'' Relieved, I sped up and exited at the first intersection. After driving for about ten more minutes, I pulled over briefly to check the nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: August 27, 2020] -10:00 p.m. [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Emergency meeting regarding the article by Star Patch. (Meeting content: Jung Yoo-Jin''s makeup-free photo to be revealed.) As expected, the schedule remained. ''Of course. Star Patch wouldn¡¯t stop at just this.'' I needed to find another way. *** I left Yoo-Jin with Jung Sang-Bong, who was waiting for us in a narrow alley near Achasan. It was a safe ce surrounded by walls with no onlookers, which made it perfect for switching cars. "Drive safely," I told Jung Sang-Bong. "Yes, Mr. Jung." Not long after, I received a call from Yoo-Jin saying she had arrived home. -Oppa, I made it home safely. "Good. I''ll head to thepany and investigate who was following us today." -Okay, but please don''t overexert yourself. Though I spoke in a calm manner, this situation was honestly anything but easy. Star Patch was a newspaper that boosted its views with sensational content, which meant the article about Yoo-Jin¡¯s identity would probably not be favorable. There could even be a follow-up article like ''Jung Yoo-Jin Deceives Viewers!'' If that happened, all of Yoo-Jin''s hard work could be in vain. I had to stop it at all costs. After hanging up the call with Yoo-Jin, I spat out a curse under my breath without realizing it. "Damn it, those sons of bitches..." Cursing helped alleviate some of my stress. "How the heck did they find out about this?" I muttered. After thinking for a moment, I came to a simple conclusion. Having leaked photos despite the tight security meant it was likely that it was someone who knew that Yoo-Jin was Manshin Wol-Ah that tipped off Star Patch. I started thinking about who could have taken and sent the photos. ''No one from Team Jung would send photos to reporter Kang Ill-Gu. It can''t be Lee Ji-Yeon or Kim Soo-Hee either since everyone had been careful.'' Next on the list were the broadcasting staff. The only two people at the broadcasting station who knew about this were PD Kim Sung-Woon and AD Lee Si-Yeon who was in charge of managing the schedule. I quickly ruled out Kim Sung-Woon as he would have been determined to prove himself with this work after being fired from his first directing project previously. Hence, the most suspicious person was Lee Si-Yeon, the only one who came into our car where we did the special makeup to manage the frequently changing schedule. Moreover, she had joined thepany six months before Kim Sung-Woon and felt bitter about his quick promotion. She even ignored Kim Sung-Woon''s instructions on set sometimes perhaps because of her grudge. ''Could she be trying to mess with PD Kim?'' I wondered. Nevertheless, I couldn''t use Lee Si-Yeon without evidence even if she was suspicious. Afterall, she was still an employee of the broadcasting station. "I need to go to thepany first," I uttered under my breath. Given the situation, I had to report this matter to the higher-ups. *** When I arrived at the office, Gu Seong-Cheol was waiting and pacing about nervously after receiving my call. "Are you sure it''s Star Patch and not a stalker?" Gu Seong-Cheol asked me. "Yes, there were two people with arge camera. They were wearing masks and sunsses while following us. I''m 100% sure they are reporters from Star Patch." Gu Seong-Cheol grumbled. "Hah! Those leech-like bastards..." After venting his anger for a moment, he finally managed to calm down and asked, "What are you going to do? You¡¯re not just going to let this slide, are you?" I shook my head. "No way." "Then let''s report this to the higher-ups first. With Star Patch on our tail, anything could happen at any time." "Yes, we need to inform them indeed." Gu Seong-Cheol and I quickly headed to the president''s office where Kang Gam-Chan and Kang Ji-Yung were discussing industry matters. Kang Gam-Chan looked at us and asked, "What''s going on? Why do both of you look so serious?" Gu Seong-Cheol and I revealed that Yoo-Jin was Manshin Wol-Ah. We exined the reason for hiding her identity, how we did the makeup, and how we managed to hide her identity on-site. After a detailed exnation, Kang Gam-Chan and Kang Ji-Yung couldn''t hide their astonishment. "Sigh. How could such a thing happen..." Gu Seong-Cheol and I bowed our heads in apology. "I''m sorry. We had to keep this under wraps so we couldn''t inform you beforehand." Kang Gam-Chanughed in disbelief. "Well, I''ve entrusted Team Jung''s operations to you, so I''ll let that slide. But did something urgente up? Judging by your actions, it seems like you were nning to keep this hidden until the end." "Star Patch hastched onto us." At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan''s expression changed immediately. "This could escte quickly if they''re involved. So what''s your n? Do you have a strategy?" After taking a deep breath, I exined my countermeasure. "I''m nning to release an article before Star Patch does." Kang Gam-Chan pondered for a moment before asking me to continue. "Go on." "I have prepared materials for a reveal via a special program after the drama ends," I replied. We had filmed every moment of Yoo-Jin transforming into Jin Yoo-Jung and Manshin Wol-Ah during the shoot¡ªfrom the awkward beginning when she first wore the mask, to the scenes where she struggled because her hair didn''t fit, and even to her intense acting where she sweated profusely under the mask. "Releasing these videos will not only improve Yoo-Jin''s image as nned but also boost rerun viewership ratings and overseas sales," I borated. Kang Gam-Chan looked at me with a pleased expression and replied, "You''ve grown a lot, Yoon-Ho." The unexpectedpliment made me feel a bit shy. "Well, it seems you feel it''s a bit unfortunate about revealing Yoo-Jin''s identity earlier than nned," Kang Gam-Chan added. I nodded. Rushing the program to reveal Manshin Wol-Ah''s identity could result in a poorly structured broadcast. Despite this, I wasn''t going to let this opportunity slip away so easily. Kang Gam-Chan smiled upon observing my changing expressions. "There''s no need to be frustrated. Variables are bound to arise in any project. Anyway, let me help you a bit." "I''m sorry?" "This n started magnificently, so it should be concluded perfectly," said Kang Gam-Chan as he stood up energetically from the sofa. He turned to the other two and said, "I''ll handle this with Yoon-Ho for the time being. So Director Kang and Chief Gu¡ªstay at thepany and provide support." Kang Ji-Yung and Gu Seong-Cheol nodded. "Understood. We''ll take care of things here." "Got it. We''ll handle the rest." Kang Gam-Chan turned to look into my eyes. "Let''s meet with Writer Lee and PD Kim first." I nodded. "Yes, sir." Perhaps because I hadn''t worked on-site with Kang Gam-Chan in a long time, my heart started to race. *** On the way to Lee Ji-Yeon''s house, I shared the stories of what had happened at thepany while Kang Gam-Chan was away. I recounted my reunion with Kang Eun-Gi, the conflict with Chief Ryu Shin from China, and my involvement in the session fight between Vice President Kim Ae-Ja and Executive Director Kim Ae-Ryeon. I even shared the proposal from Bang Sang-Yung of Actor Division 1. Kang Gam-Chanughed heartily at the stories of everyone trying to scout me. "Ha ha ha. Yoon-Ho, you''re quite popr. But I''m sorry, I can''t go that far. There''s something called fairness, you know." I responded to Kang Gam-Chan''s honest confession with augh. "Ha ha. It''s okay. I n to devote my life to Hoop Entertainment anyway." Kang Gam-Chan responded with a satisfied expression. "Then I can''t just settle with words. When Hoop Entertainment goes public, I¡¯ll make sure you get plenty of stock options even if it¡¯s not as much as the offers you¡¯ve received." Contrary to Kang Gam-Chan''s thoughts, money wasn''t my top priority. I knew that if I were to make Hoop Entertainment the top in the industry and keep getting promoted, the money would follow naturally. But above all, his effort to keep me in thepany touched my heart. Soon after, we arrived in front of Lee Ji-Yeon''s house. While waiting for the automatic garage door to open, I received a call from Lee Soo-Chan at Reverse Entertainment. "Hey, Soo-Chan." -Hyung-nim, I found what you wanted. Before leaving thepany, I had given Lee Soo-Chan the license te number of the car that followed us and asked him to find the owner for a fee. I also mentioned the name of the most suspicious person: Team Lead Kang Ill-Gu of Star Patch, also known as ''Leech.'' Just as expected, my suspicion was correct. -As you suspected, it''s indeed Kang Ill-Gu''s car. Knowing exactly who was tailing me made it easier to prepare for a countermeasure. "Great job. I''ll treat youter. Bill me for the costs separately." -There''s no need for that. It wasn''t that difficult thanks to your tip. "We need to keep things professional. Besides, keep tracking him for the next three days." -Don''t worry. We''ll have a team continuously follow Kang Ill-Gu to track his movements. Then Kang Gam-Chan, who had been silently watching, suddenly held out his hand. ¡°Oh, yes, Mr. Kang.¡± He took my phone and switched to speakerphone. "This is Kang Gam-Chan from Hoop Entertainment." -Oh, hello, Mr. Kang. I''ve heard a lot about you from Yoon-Ho hyung-nim. "Yes, I¡¯ve heard about you from Team Lead Jung as well. You''ve decided to focus entirely on this business, I heard?" -Yes. That''s correct, sir. After the introductions, Kang Gam-Chan asked, "So, how many people are you nning to assign to follow Reporter Kang Ill-Gu?" -We''re nning to have two teams working in shifts. "How about assigning four teams with two people each so there''s no gap in surveince? I''ll cover all the necessary expenses." I thought this seemed excessive, but Lee Soo-Chan went even further. -That sounds good, Mr Kang. I think I might have been toocent. We''ll follow your suggestions, Mr. Kang. Don''t worry about the costs. We''ll cover anything rted to Yoon-Ho hyung-nim. However, Kang Gam-Chan replied in a firm manner. "That''s not possible. Team Lead Jung is part of Hoop Entertainment!" Amusingly, a battle of pride over who would cover the expenses ensued with each trying to assert their im over me. Ultimately, I had no choice but to intervene. "Soo-Chan. I appreciate it, but let''s leave it at that. Hoop Entertainment will cover the costs, so please just do as you''re asked." Lee Soo-Chan reluctantly agreed and stepped back. -Understood. If you insist, hyung-nim... After ending the call with Lee Soo-Chan, Kang Gam-Chan smiled yfully. "You''ve got a lot of people trying to steal you away. We need to be careful about that." As I scratched my head with an awkward expression, the garage door opened. We drove into Lee Ji-Yeon''s home garage and got out of the car. Crossing the yard to her house, I discreetly checked the nner. The schedule remained unchanged which meant that publishing an article first to break the news wouldn''t be enough. I needed to find a way to tie both Kang Ill-Gu and Lee Si-Yeon together in this. Chapter 277: Manshin Wol-Ah (3)

Chapter 277: Manshin Wol-Ah (3)

As we entered Lee Ji-Yeon''s living room, Kim Sung-Woon and Lee Ji-Yeon weed us. "My goodness! Mr. Kang, it''s been a long time." "Good to see you, Writer Lee," Kang Gam-Chan returned the greeting. "I heard you were on vacation, but you look so thin! Was the vacation not good? Or did you have too much fun?" "Ha ha, Mediterranean food didn''t suit me." Only a select few knew that Kang Gam-Chan had undergone surgery, so he joked that the vacation wasn''t great. "Anyway, it''s good to see you again. Pleasee on in." Once inside the living room, we got straight to discussing the current situation. After a short discussion, we reached a rough conclusion. We decided to reveal the true identity of Manshin Wol-Ah by bringing the MBS'' This Morning! team on the site. Lee Ji-Yeon reassured me with a disappointed expression. "It¡¯s a bit disappointing, but this is the best we can do for now. You know that, right?" Kim Sung-Woon also agreed. "It might even turn out to be a bigger advantage than we anticipated." I nodded while suppressing my disappointment. "Understood. Then when will the filming take ce? Are theying on the 26th?" "Yes, it will be a live broadcast starting at 8:30 a.m. on the 26th, the morning of the 9th episode, to generate buzz," replied Kim Sung-Woon. To maintain the element of surprise, Kim Sung-Woon only told PD Lee Heon-Jae of This Morning! that they would be doing an on-site interview about the general atmosphere. I nodded. "Got it. I¡¯ll be ready for that day, then." Next, Kim Sung-Woon brought up the media response. "Oh, I can handle the media..." However, Kang Gam-Chan intervened before I could finish my sentence. "No, I''ll handle the media." Kang Gam-Chan continued to reassure us. "It''s better if the press releases are meticulously prepared by our side for security. It''s better if I take charge." It was true that as a mere team lead, I might face resistance from some reporters. Afterall, it wasn''tmon to find reporters who published the articles just as provided by thepany. With Kang Gam-Chan stepping forward, it would be easier to manage the reporters'' resistance. Kang Gam-Chan nced at me and said, "Don''t worry. Whatever the cost, we¡¯ll support it fully." I felt an unexpected sense of relief like a child with a reliable parent, and my shoulders straightened without realizing it. "Okay. Thank you, Mr. Kang." Kang Gam-Chan smiled warmly and turned his gaze toward Kim Sung-Woon this time. "And I''ll also handle the higher-ups at the broadcasting station. We''ve been drinking buddies for years, so my words will carry more weight than yours." Kim Sung-Woon¡¯s face brightened. "I''d be very grateful if you could do that. I owe you a big time, sir." "Oh, don''t mention it." "No, really. I was worried about getting scolded by my CP." Just like that, we finalized the n to reveal Manshin Wol-Ah''s identity. As we were about to get up after finishing the discussion, I spoke. "Mr. Kim, I''d like to keep this n confidential and only known to those present here." We still didn''t have concrete evidence against Lee Si-Yeon. However, since she was the prime suspect, I wanted to keep this from her. Kim Sung-Woon tilted his head in confusion. "Even AD Lee Si-Yeon?" "Yes. I think it would be better to keep the number of people in the know to a minimum." Kim Sung-Woon furrowed his brow slightly. "Hmm..." Lee Ji-Yeon quickly chimed in as she read my intentions. "I agree, PD Kim. He''s not wrong, you know? The fewer people who know, the better." I was concerned that Kim Sung-Woon might be angry about bringing up the suspicion about Lee Si-Yeon. But fortunately, he epted it in a calm manner. "Alright, let''s do that." Kang Gam-Chan lightened the tense atmosphere once again with a heartyugh. "Ha ha. We must be extra careful to ensure all our hard work doesn''t go to waste." "Yes, Mr. Kang." After the meeting, I started preparing to catch the two culprits. *** It was August 25th, 2 p.m. Kang Ill-Gu from Star Patch parked his car at Highway 6 near Paldang Bridge and anxiously lit a cigarette. He had been tailing Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment for the past few days, but had failed each time. In his long career as a paparazzo, this was his first time. Frustrated by not getting a single shot, his anger boiled over. Kang Ill-Gu yelled as he stepped out of the car. "Damn it! Why won''t this lighter work now?" At that moment, Reporter Choi Jae-Yoon in the passenger seat put down his camera and quickly got out. "Here, use this." Tick, tick! Kang Ill-Gu silently took a drag from the lit cigarette. Taking a nce at Kang Ill-Gu, Choi Jae-Yoon spoke cautiously. "Mr. Kang, can''t we just report the suspicion that the actor ying Manshin Wol-Ah is actually Jung Yoo-Jin? Even the suspicion alone should generate enough buzz." Kang Ill-Gu exhaled smoke and replied, "Hey. Do you think people believe that Jung Yoo-Jin is ying that old woman?" Choi Jae-Yoon scratched his head. "To be honest, not really..." "See? Even you don''t believe it. How can we convince people of something we don''t believe in ourselves?" Choi Jae-Yoon tilted his head. "Then what do we do? At this rate, we won''t get a single photo. Are you nning to miss the deadline?" Kang Ill-Gu scratched his head in frustration. "We have no choice. We need to use Lee Si-Yeon again." Kang Ill-Gu, known as the Leech of Star Patch, had a handsome appearance that rivaled actors which made him adept at extracting information from female staff at broadcasting stations and agencies. After finishing his cigarette, he called Lee Si-Yeon in a sweet voice. "Hi, honey~ it''s me." Lee Si-Yeon answered with a nasally voice. Kang Ill-Gu chatted her up for a while before subtly pressing her. "By the way, what about the photos we talked about before?" Lee Si-Yeon replied that she hadn''t yet managed to get a photo proving that Jung Yoo-Jin was Manshin Wol-Ah. Kang Ill-Gu got annoyed and pressured her further. "Si-Yeon, can''t you do this much for me? If you get caught, just say I installed the hidden camera inside the car. Don¡¯t you trust me?" Under Kang Ill-Gu''s intense pressure to install a hidden camera, Lee Si-Yeon finally agreed. Only then did Kang Ill-Gu switch back to his sweet tone. "You''re the best, darling. Just trust me. Let''s go to Guam together for a trip after this drama ends. Okay?" After exchanging words of affection, Kang Ill-Gu hung up and smirked. "She always gives in eventually..." "Mr. Kang, are you really nning to go to Guam with her? AD Lee... she didn''t look pretty enough to be your type," Choi Jae-Yoon remarked. Lee Si-Yeon was an average-looking woman and Choi Jae-Yoon found it hard to believe that the actor-like Kang Ill-Gu would date her. Unbeknownst to Choi Jae-Yoon, Kang Ill-Gu had a hidden girlfriend. He was dating Lee Seon-Ah, the leader of the recently disbanded girl group School Party, with marriage in mind. Pretending to date Lee Si-Yeon was strictly business. Kang Ill-Gu grinned and joked. "Hey! If she gets me such a good source, it''s only right that I need to treat her well for a while. Besides, I¡¯m always sincere when I¡¯m with her. What''s wrong with that?" Choi Jae-Yoon clicked his tongue in admiration. Despite Kang Ill-Gu¡¯s tricks, he never seemed to get into trouble. Kang Ill-Guughed and tossed his cigarette to the ground. "Alright, let''s take a break today. I feel like my body is breaking down after days of stakeout. How about a sauna?" "I would love that, Mr. Kang." Choi Jae-Yoon followed Kang Ill-Gu''s lead, also tossing his cigarette butt on the ground. At that moment, a nearby police car suddenly slowed down and stopped about 50 meters away. Then the police car''s speakermanded Kang Ill-Gu to stay put. -70O6387, do not move. I repeat, do not move. As Kang Ill-Gu and Choi Jae-Yoon looked at each other in confusion, a police officer approached and handed them a fine notice. "You''re being fined for littering with your cigarette butts." Kang Ill-Gu feigned innocence. "Pardon? Me?" However, the officer frowned and mentioned that the incident was caught on a dashcam. Realizing there was no escape, Kang Ill-Gu pleaded while cursing Jung Yoon-Ho under his breath for causing this mess. *** It was now August 25th, 6 p.m. I parked my car at the set of In the Name of God in Yangpyeong and checked the messages from Lee Soo-Chan on KkTalk. [Team A Day Shift (Reporter Kang Ill-Gu) > (Current Location: Highway 6 near Paldang Bridge, 22 km from the site), (Note: Fined for littering cigarette butts)] [Team B Day Shift (Star Patch Team 2) > (Current Location: Staking out near Hoop Entertainment''s entrance), (Note: Eating soft-serve ice cream)] ... Thanks to the thorough surveince, Star Patch couldn''te near me. However, the nner¡¯s entry still remained unchanged. This indicated that catching Kang Ill-Gu or Lee Si-Yeon was necessary to resolve the issue. I put my phone away and turned to the back seat where Yoo-Jin was disguised as Jin Yoo-Jung. She was slumped over, exhausted from the tight shooting schedule that had started early in the morning. Looking at Yoo-Jin partially removing her mask and cooling her neck with a handheld fan, I asked, "Are you tired?" Yoo-Jin nodded. "A little bit, but it¡¯s fine. We only have two more hours of filming left anyway." "Hang in there a little longer. Here, drink this," I said as I handed her a milk tea in ce of a meal since she couldn¡¯t eatfortably while in makeup. Yoo-Jin stuck out her lips and eagerly drank the cold milk tea at once. "Ah, that¡¯s refreshing. Thanks, oppa." Despite it being 28 degrees Celsius at 6 p.m., Yoo-Jin continued her performance without a singleint. At that moment, there was a knock on the car door. "Excuse me, Mr. Jung. May Ie in for a moment?" It was Lee Si-Yeon''s voice. I immediately pressed the button to activate the pre-installed internal security camera in the car. We had set a trap just in case and it seemed like she was falling right into it. As soon as she heard someone approaching, Yoo-Jin quickly adjusted her mask and Yang So-Ri hurried to fix Yoo-Jin¡¯s special makeup. Once everything was ready, I opened the door. "Oh,e on~, I already know everything. Why hide it so much?" said Lee Si-Yeon. Lee Si-Yeon acted overly friendly as she climbed into the car. "What¡¯s the matter?" I asked. "PD Kim is looking for you, Mr. Jung. He wants to discuss tomorrow¡¯s filming," Lee Ji-Yeon replied. Despite being a sunbae to Kim Sung-Woon, Lee Si-Yeon held a lower position. It would have been better if she addressed him formally, but she always found ways to drop the formality subtly. "Come on, hurry up. PD Kim seemed to be in a hurry," Lee Si-Yeon urged. She gestured for me to go, saying she¡¯d chat with Yoo-Jin. ''I guess this is my cue to leave,'' I thought. I nodded. "Then please take care of Yoo-Jin for me." I stepped out of the car and remotely essed the in-car security camera through my phone. [See Everything VER 1.0] The interior of the car was clearly visible from four angles. I could see everything in real-time and simultaneously record the footage. From that moment, I watched Lee Si-Yeon closely to see what she was up to. She was chatting andughing loudly with Yoo-Jin. However, when Yoo-Jin turned her head for a moment, Lee Si-Yeon secretly slipped something into the car seat. ''So their n was to use a hidden camera,'' I realized. I finally had the evidence showing how the photos would end up in Kang Ill-Gu''s hand. I started running to Kim Sung-Woon as soon as I decided it was better to show this to him rather than confronting Lee Si-Yeon alone. I sprinted 50 meters to where Kim Sung-Woon was monitoring the film set. Out of breath, I arrived and saw Kim Sung-Woon reviewing the cue sheet. He looked up at me with surprised eyes. "Oh, Mr. Jung. What brings you here?" "Mr. Kim, did you call for me?" I asked. Kim Sung-Woon tilted his head in confusion. "Who said that? If I needed you, I would have just called." ''Bingo. Just as I suspected.'' I quickly added, "AD Lee is the culprit." "Huh? What do you mean?" When I showed Kim Sung-Woon the footage of Lee Si-Yeon installing something in my car, his face turned as hard as stone. "Wait, but...No way..." "This was recorded just now. She said you were looking for me and did this while I was gone," I exined. Kim Sung-Woon¡¯s face contorted in anger and seemed to be in disbelief of what Lee Ji-Yeon had done. Kim Sung-Woon cursed loudly, which was a rare urrence for him. "Fuck. Why is an AD acting like a third-rate tabloid reporter!?" He usually refrained from cursing even when upset, but now he couldn''t hold back. "Let¡¯s go," uttered Kim Sung-Woon who took the lead. I followed while ncing at my nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: August 27, 2020] -10:00 p.m. (Deleted Schedule: [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Emergency meeting regarding the article by Star Patch. (Meeting content: Jung Yoo-Jin''s makeup-free photo to be revealed.)) The schedule in the nner was finally disappearing. Now, the only thing left was to make sure Lee Si-Yeon and Kang Ill-Gu paid for their actions. Chapter 278: Manshin Wol-Ah (4)

Chapter 278: Manshin Wol-Ah (4)

Click. As we opened the car door, Yoo-Jin, Yang So-Ri, and Lee Si-Yeon, who were chatting andughing, turned their attention to us. Kim Sung-Woon asked in a cold tone, "Lee sunbae, what do you think you''re doing right now?" Kim Sung-Woon usually spoke respectfully to Lee Si-Yeon since she had joined thepany before him. Despite his rapid promotion, he had always been courteous to sunbae colleagues in more junior positions. As such, Lee Si-Yeon seemed taken aback by the abrupt shift to informal speech and looked perplexed. "What are you talking about?" "Come out here for a moment." "PD Kim, what''s with you all of a sudden?" Kim Sung-Woon exploded, "What''s with me all of a sudden? Do you really not know? You lied to Team Lead Jung saying I was looking for him!" Lee Si-Yeon bit her lip slightly. "Lied? People can make mistakes, you know. You''re being too harsh on me. Remember, I''m still your sunbae!" "Harsh? This is ridiculous." Then, Kim Sung-Woon strode into the car and pushed Lee Si-Yeon aside and pulled out a tiny hidden camera from between the seats. Kim Sung-Woon''s face contorted with fury as he spoke. "And this isn¡¯t harsh? Sunbae?" Nevertheless, Lee Si-Yeon was not one to back down easily. "What... What is that? Why are you showing it to me?" When Lee Si-Yeon feigned ignorance and pretended not to know anything, Kim Sung-Woon exploded. "Lee sunbae! No, Lee Si-Yeon! Are you really going to y dumb?" Lee Si-Yeon shook her head. "I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about! How can you use me without proof? I don''t know anything about this!" Not knowing how to respond to Lee Si-Yeon''s lie, Kim Sung-Woon looked at me in desperation. There was nothing good about being involved in a broadcasting station''s employees'' fight, but this was an exception. I had to maintain a good rtionship with Kim Sung-Woon. Besides, having someone as dangerous as Lee Si-Yeon in the team might cause more troubleter. I pulled out my phone and yed the security camera footage of Lee Si-Yeon installing the hidden camera. As the footage yed, Lee Si-Yeon''s face turned white beyond pale. "H-how...how did you..." It was always the same¡ªpeople remained bold until they were caught. Once caught, they crumbled immediately. When Lee Si-Yeon shut her mouth, Kim Sung-Woon suppressed his rising anger and spoke. "This is just unbelievable. How did you stoop so low? You¡¯ve been in contact with Kang Ill-Gu, that scumbag. Haven¡¯t you?" The moment Kim Sung-Woon mentioned Kang Ill-Gu¡¯s name, Lee Si-Yeon¡¯s eyes red up. Kim Sung-Woon added, "What? Is that scumbag offering you money or something?" Lee Si-Yeon snapped, "Kim Sung-Woon...you better watch your mouth!" She seemed more irritated by the insult to Kang Ill-Gu than anything else. Kim Sung-Woon red at Lee Si-Yeon for a moment before sighing deeply and shaking his head. "This isn''t going to work. I can''t talk to you anymore. Mr. Jung, you take over." ''I was waiting for this moment,'' I thought. I immediately called Kang Gam-Chan. "Mr, Kang, are you meeting with MBS executives today?" -Yes. I just arrived at MBS and am heading to the president''s office. What is it? Did something happen? I reported what had happened on-site and mentioned that I had secured evidence. "AD Lee installed a hidden camera in our car to capture footage to send to Reporter Kang. Can we get the legal division involved and take this seriously?" Realizing the severity of the situation, Lee Si-Yeon finally spoke up. "H-hey, Team Lead Jung. Wait a moment..." I ignored Lee Si-Yeon''s plea and continued my call. "Yoo-Jin''s information was almost leaked, Mr. Kang!" As my voice rose, Kang Gam-Chan let out a sigh. -I''ll discuss this matter with Mr. Choi as soon as I get to the president''s office. Send the footage you just recorded to me and Team Lead Kwak. We might need to file awsuit. "Yes, sir." -You''ve done a great job, Yoon-Ho. Keep up the good work. "I''m sorry for always causing you worry," I apologized. -That''s nonsense. Let''s talk again after this is over. After I ended the call with Kang Gam-Chan, Lee Si-Yeon grabbed my hand and pleaded. "Wait, wait. Let''s talk this out. We can discuss this." "Now you want to talk?" I replied coldly. "Please, don''t be so harsh..." My anger burned within me. ''If she was willing to make others cry, she should be prepared for the same.'' After acting nonchnt, Lee Si-Yeon finally began to beg. I hated people like her more than anyone else. However, it was true that I needed her help to catch Kang Ill-Gu. "Do you want us to show you mercy?" I asked. Lee Si-Yeon''s eyes wavered. I continued. "If you do, don''t say a word about this incident to anyone. Do you understand?" Lee Si-Yeon hesitated to answer. I raised my voice. "Do you understand?!" "Y-yes. Okay." Then I began to press Lee Si-Yeon even further. "Where did you get this hidden camera?" "...From Ill-Gu." "Does it transmit files remotely?" Lee Si-Yeon shook her head. "N-no, it''s too small...so it has to be retrieved manually." Then, Kim Sung-Woon spoke up. "Sunbae. If you want to avoid jail, you better spill everything. I''m sure you know how many people have been ruined simply by messing with Team Lead Jung. Do you really think your case might be different?" Lee Si-Yeon hesitated, but Kim Sung-Woon''s pressure finally made her cave. She confessed that she was in a rtionship with Kang Ill-Gu and they were nning to marry. She exined that she couldn''t refuse his persistent requests. After her confession, Lee Si-Yeon started begging desperately. "Team Lead Jung! Please, forgive me just this once! My mom will kill me if she finds out!" However, this was beyond my control. With Kang Gam-Chan meeting MBS'' president, she would, at the very least, face a demotion. I shook my head as I thought, ''She should be worried about going to jail rather than her mom finding out.'' I stared at her and said, "Vition of the Sexual Violence Crime Punishment Act, Article 14. Installing hidden cameras carry a sentence of up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won. The evidence is solid, so you won''t be able to escape this." Lee Si-Yeon''s face immediately turned pale. "J-jail?" "But if you testify about what you just told us, I''ll help you avoid imprisonment." "T-testify about what? About Ill-Gu making me do this?" "If you don''t want to, you can take the fall alone and experience jail time for yourself." Lee Si-Yeon''s eyes quivered with conflict. It seemed like exposing Kang Ill-Gu was a hard decision for her considering that they were nning to get married. ''Well, in that case...time for the final blow,'' I thought. "More than that, how strange...I heard Mr. Kang Ill-Gu is dating Miss Lee Seon-Ah from the recently disbanded School Party. How does he n to marry you?" "What? No, no way. Stop lying, Team Lead Jung!" Lee Si-Yeon screamed. However, it was true that Kang Ill-Gu would marry Lee Seon-Ah a yearter and be the envy of entertainment reporters. "If you don''t believe me, you can ask the former talent agent of School Party." Lee Si-Yeon''s hands trembled in shock. "I...I''ll testify if what you said is true. Give me that talent agent''s number now." Lee Si-Yeon made a call to the number I gave her. Soon, she ended the call with a shout. School Party members were notorious for mistreating their talent agents. Hence it was only natural that their former talent spilled the beans on Kang Ill-Gu''s rtionship with Lee Seon-Ah. Tears streamed down Lee Si-Yeon''s face as she gritted her teeth after ending the call. "I''ll testify... I''ll ruin that son of a bitch with my own hands!" With this, I finally had a card to use against Kang Ill-Gu in my hand. "I''ll contact you the day after tomorrow. Juste and testify then. Don''t make it harder than it needs to be." Lee Si-Yeon nodded with her eyes brimming with tears. At that moment, her phone rang. As soon as Lee Si-Yeon answered, a piercing shout came through. -Hey, you crazy bitch! What kind of assistant director sets up hidden cameras in an actress'' car? Are you out of your mind? Or were you trying to screw me over? The president says he''s going to kill me because of you! Get your ass back here right now! It was MBS'' Drama Department Director Kim Gyuk-Shik. Lee Si-Yeon apologized repeatedly, trying to appease him. Now, only Kang Ill-Gu remained. Once Yoo-Jin''s live broadcast tomorrow was safely over, I nned to make Kang Ill-Gu pay for using his looks to manipte others. *** The MBS'' This Morning! crew arrived at the filming site on August 26th at 7:30 in the morning. Led by PD Lee Heon-Jae, the crew, which consisted of a camera director, reporter, and writers, began coordinating the scenes to be shot live with the staff from In the Name of God. After I parked my car, I left Yoo-Jin disguised as Jin Yoo-Jung inside and stepped out. Kang Gam-Chan also parked next to me and stretched as he walked over. "It''s starting," Kang Gam-Chan remarked. I nodded. "Yes, sir." Kang Gam-Chan looked pale, likely from the stress from the past few days. "How''s your health?" I asked with concern. "Don''t worry about that. More than that, how''s Yoo-Jin doing?" Kang Gam-Chan replied. "She''s ready and on standby." "Good." My worries vanished upon seeing Kang Gam-Chan''s reassuring presence. At the set, Lee Heon-Jae was already interviewing the main actors. There were ten minutes left until the 8:30 a.m. live broadcast. At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan nced at his watch and chuckled softly. "Ha ha. It''s about time ites out..." I wondered what he meant when suddenly my phone started ringing with notifications. Ding-ding! [(Breaking) In the Name of God''s ''Manshin Wol-Ah''. A dual role?] [(Breaking) An overwhelming performance deceiving the world. Her true identity is...] [(Breaking) The identity of ''Manshin Wol-Ah''. Revealed live on MBS'' This Morning!!] Although there were still ten minutes until the live broadcast, articles about Manshin Wol-Ah ying a dual role began popping up. The buzz quickly spread across the set. As the crew started to panic, Kang Gam-Chan gave me a reassuring wink. "Don''t you worry. We didn''t mention any names or initials." "Is this really okay?" I asked. "Of course it is. You need to throw out a teaser to capture public interest." In less than five minutes, Manshin Wol-Ah topped the portal site''s real-time search rankings. The amount of money Kang Gam-Chan spent on this media y had far exceeded my expectations. *** The teaser released ten minutes ago had stirred up the set of MBS'' In the Name of God. The sudden news had the staff looking around in confusion. "Who could it be?" "Who¡¯s ying a dual role...?" With Kim Soo-Hee not present on the set, some even spected that it was her. "Could it be Mrs. Kim?" "Do you really think that makes sense? Did you forget the scene where she was acting alongside Manshin Wol-Ah during thest shoot?" "Oh, right... that happened." The atmosphere on set was getting chaotic with everyone bewildered. Some staff members approached me with questioning looks. "Team Lead Jung, who is it?" "Is it one of the supporting actors?" They bombarded me with questions, not suspecting Yoo-Jin at all. I maintained a calm smile while ignoring all the questions and threats. At that moment, Kim Sung-Woon looked around and called out. "Alright, everyone. We¡¯re about to start shooting, so let¡¯s focus! It''s getting too noisy in here~." Kim Sung-Woon urged the crew to get ready and maintained aposed demeanor. When the staff took their positions with puzzled expressions, the crew from MBS'' This Morning! also finished their preparations. "Alright. We¡¯re going live now, so everyone stay sharp," said Lee Heon-Jae. Lee Heon-Jae from This Morning! had been informed of the identity of Manshin Wol-Ah, and it was evident that keeping it a secret was a challenge for him. With everyone still unaware of Manshin Wol-Ah''s identity, Kim Sung-Woon wore a satisfied expression. "Team Lead Jung, call out Mrs. Jin." "Yes, Mr. Kim." Today¡¯s scene 111 involved Manshin Wol-Ah meeting her daughter Cheongmyung. Kim Sung-Woon first called for Jin Yoo-Jung who was ying the role of Manshin Wol-Ah. I answered and opened the sliding door of the Merciless Bends Springer. Click. As the door opened, the recording lights on the cameras of MBS'' This Morning! turned on. ''Let the live broadcast begin,'' I remarked inwardly with a smile. Chapter 279: Jung Yoo-Jins Showtime (1)

Chapter 279: Jung Yoo-Jin''s Showtime (1)

Click. Dressed in a pristine white hanbok, Jin Yoo-Jung, stepped out of the car with a dignified expression. The cameras of the MBS'' This Morning! team followed her, but she remainedposed. Scanning her surroundings, she spoke to me. "Team Lead Jung, shall we go?" "Yes, ma''am. Let''s go." As Jin Yoo-Jung and I moved toward the set, the atmosphere became reminiscent of a yearly awards ceremony. The MBS'' This Morning! team''s cameras trailed behind and the staff parted to make way for Jin Yoo-Jung. Upon reaching the set, Jin Yoo-Jung took a deep breath and whispered to me in a barely audible voice. "I''ll be back..." It was finally time to reveal the true identity of Manshin Wol-Ah. Jin Yoo-Jung slowly walked toward the set. With each step, her posture gradually hunched more and more until she hadpletely embodied Manshin Wol-Ah in the blink of an eye. Everyone watched in silence as she transformed against the backdrop of thementary by Choi Ahn-Sung, the reporter of This Morning!. -We are currently at the filming location of the most recent popr drama, In the Name of God. Rumors suggest there''s a hidden secret behind this drama, leading us to visit the set. We''ll first watch the actress ying Manshin Wol-Ah and then uncover her true identity. As the reporter''s voice yed in the background, the cameras focused on Manshin Wol-Ah standing on set. Once Manshin Wol-Ah entered the shrine set and took her seat, everyone held their breath. Kim Sung-Woon grabbed the megaphone and began to give directions. "Stay focused, everyone. We''re starting the shoot right away!" However, Cheongmyung was supposed to sit across Manshin Wol-Ah in this scene and Yoo-Jin, who yed Cheongmyung, was nowhere to be seen. The staff began to murmur. "Where''s Miss Yoo-Jin?" "Is Miss Jung Yoo-Jin here?" "Where are you, Miss Yoo-Jin~?" The staff instinctively looked at Hoop Entertainment''s talent agents. We simply shrugged and feigned innocence while Kang Gam-Chan chuckled heartily. No one seemed to suspect that Yoo-Jin was Manshin Wol-Ah. That''s when Kim Sung-Woon made an announcement in a firm voice. "We''ll start shooting Scene 111 with only Manshin Wol-Ah first." "Huh? But what about Miss Yoo-Jin?" "There''s no time to exin. Just do as I say for now." Kim Sung-Woon charismatically led the scene. Although the staff remained confused, they didn''t bother asking further questions and resumed their work. With an exaggerated expression, Kim Sung-Woon grabbed the megaphone. "Scene 111! Ready~ action!" Upon his cue, the set fell silent and Manshin Wol-Ah''s solo performance began. *** Manshin Wol-Ah slowly started her performance, gazing at the empty spot where Cheongmyung should have been. ¡ºHow did it feel to finally live in the city you longed for, Cheongmyung?¡» Manshin Wol-Ah was typically a rather grumpy character. However, the way she looked into the empty space now was filled with warmth and pity. This scene showed that even the cold Manshin Wol-Ah had a motherly warmth within her, which was a stark contrast to her usual demeanor. Her typically furrowed brow was rxed, and her tone was soft and affectionate. ¡ºI see. You''re different from me, Cheongmyung.¡» Manshin Wol-Ah nodded as if responding to Cheongmyung''s lines. Throughout the scene, Manshin Wol-Ah gripped her jacket tightly with a distressed expression when expressing her frustration. And when she was happy, sheughed heartily while pping her knees in amusement. She matched the pace of Cheongmyung''s lines, crying,ughing, and reacting as if having a real conversation. Her exquisite acting made it seem like Cheongmyung was sitting opposite to her and conversing with her when in reality she was simply acting in front of an empty space. ''That''s my actress. I''m so proud of her,'' I remarked inwardly. I was mesmerized by Manshin Wol-Ah''s performance and turned to look around. The MBS'' This Morning! team''s eyes were fixated on her with their cameras glued to her every move, and the In the Name of God''s staff were trembling with awe despite having seen her act many times before. ''She is improving day by day,'' I noted. Yoo-Jin''s acting skills had improved so much that I couldn''t think of any advice to give her anymore. Just like that, Manshin Wol-Ah performed a monodrama for two minutes straight without any mistakes, making it seem like she was conversing with an invisible partner. Then, she exhaled deeply and ended her performance. The people who were absorbed in Manshin Wol-Ah''s acting slowly came back to their senses, expressing their amazement. "Is it over already?" "Wow~ her acting has improved again..." "No, it''s not that her acting has improved; she just never had the chance to show all of it." "Phew~ what did I just witness?" Watching the scene, Kim Sung-Woon calmly called cut through the megaphone. "Cut! Okay~ well done everyone!" As soon as Kim Sung-Woon called a cut, all the staff barely contained their cheers as they remembered that MBS'' This Morning! was broadcasting the filming live. When Lee Heon-Jae signaled urgently, the reporter quickly resumed hismentary. -Alright. Viewers, we have just witnessed the performance of Manshin Wol-Ah live. Now...it''s time to reveal her true identity. At that moment, Kim Sung-Woon grabbed the megaphone and added, "Alright~ moving on. Miss Yoo-Jin, get ready." The staff wore puzzled expressions and tilted their heads in confusion. They heard Kim Sung-Woon call for Yoo-Jin, but she was nowhere to be seen. At that moment, Manshin Wol-Ah stood up abruptly and replied, "Yes, sir!" The voice of a young woman suddenlying from the elderly Manshin Wol-Ah shocked everyone and had them doubting their own ears. "Wh-what...?" "No, no way...it can''t e on, this is a joke, right...?" "That''s impossible...this makes no sense." Some started to realize what was going on while others still remained clueless. In the meantime, Manshin Wol-Ah straightened her hunched back and stopped her persistent coughing. She began to remove her wig slowly, revealing artificial skin beneath the white hair. The sight of the smooth bald head left everyone in shock. Next, Yoo-Jin removed her colored lenses which reced the cloudy gray eyes with her natural ck ones. With each piece of her disguiseing off, gasps filled the set. Finally, it was time to remove the mask. I quickly signaled Yang So-Ri who was waiting with oil to assist Yoo-Jin. She rushed over and began applying oil to remove the specially made mask, revealing Yoo-Jin''s smooth neck without the wrinkles of Manshin Wol-Ah. "What... what is this...?" "This is unbelievable..." "Was it really... Jung Yoo-Jin?" As the mask came offpletely, Yoo-Jin''s sweat-soaked hair and smiling face were fully revealed. Everyone rubbed their eyes in disbelief upon seeing the smiling Yoo-Jin. The reporter from MBS'' This Morning! was left speechless despite being on live. Yoo-Jin, now free of the mask, untied the sash of her white hanbok. A white short-sleeve shirt and light blue shorts she wore beneath it were revealed, signaling theplete transformation from Manshin Wol-Ah to ''Cheongmyung.'' Yoo-Jin fanned herself and looked at us. "Mr. Kim, I''m ready for the shoot!" Yoo-Jin beamed with sweat glistening on her forehead. As Manshin Wol-Ah vanished and Cheongmyung took her ce, Kim Sung-Woon chuckled and looked around. "It seems the staff is a bit surprised. Let''s take a short break to wipe off the sweat, shall we?" Yoo-Jin walked off the set with a cheerful smile. "Okay~ sounds good." When I quickly ran to her with a prepared towel, Yoo-Jin took it and smiled brightly with a look that seemed to be asking me if she had done well. At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan began pping. p, p, p. The steady apuse echoed around the set, and soon the other staff also joined in one by one. The previously suppressed cheers erupted from everywhere. "Wow, that''s incredible!" "Jung Yoo-Jin, you''re the best!" "How did we not know while watching from up close?" "Miss Yoo-Jin, let''s take a picture together!" "She fooled everyone and yed two roles...How is that even possible?" "Actually, she yed three roles including Mrs. Jin Yoo-Jung." "I thought it was weird from the start. Jung Yoo-Jin''s name backwards is... Jin Yoo-Jung!" eximed Lee Eun-Hyo. Everyone wore an incredulous look as they turned to the youngest member of the production team, Lee Eun-Hyo, who imed she knew this all along. The apuse and cheers for Yoo-Jin continued without end. The smiling Yoo-Jin blushed and thanked every staff member who was cheering for her. The reporter from MBS'' This Morning! seemed just as excited, praising Yoo-Jin like a sports announcer after a goal. sh! sh! As the staff started taking pictures with their phones, Yoo-Jin waved at them. She had sessfullypleted the arduous task of ying dual roles and was now basking in the recognition. Standing beside me, Yoo-Jin whispered softly so only I could hear. "Oppa, thank you." "Hmm? What for?" "For helping me grow this much." Tears welled up in Yoo-Jin''s eyes as she took in the attention and camera shes. "There''s no need to thank me. As your talent agent, it''s my job to do this." Despite my casual tone, I also felt emotional as memories of our hard work together shed through my mind. I turned my head slightly and spoke. "There''s a lot of dust today on set, isn''t there?" I had to blink away nonexistent dust to keep my emotions in check. *** Shortly after the live broadcast of MBS'' This Morning!, breaking news flooded all Korean media outlets. [(Breaking) The Shocking Truth about Manshin Wol-Ah in In the Name of God!] [(Breaking) Revealed on MBS'' This Morning!, Shockwaves Felt in Yangpyeong.] [Jung Yoo-Jin Deceives the World with Astonishing Acting.] [Veteran Actress Kim Soo-Hee Deres, "No current actress shows as much depth in acting as Jung Yoo-Jin."] (Comments) -This is unbelievable... She tricked the viewers with an elderly role in her mid-20s? -She''s amazing. I had no idea. -Of course. She portrayedpletely opposite characters perfectly. -Was the ghostly Manshin Wol-Ah and the young shaman Cheongmyung really yed by the same actress? -Is this for real? -LOL, if I hadn''t watched it live, I''d never believe it. -Alright! I''m tuning in to In the Name of God from tonight onwards! With a flood of favorable articles, MBS'' president Choi Sang-Byung gave instructions to double the interview time with the MBS'' This Morning! team instead of continuing the drama shoot. The startled Kim Myung-Hak rushed to the scene, while Lee Ji-Yeon, who wasn''t on-site, supported Yoo-Jin with an interview article. [Writer Lee Ji-Yeon: "An actress who can portray both ''Shaman Cheongmyung'' and ''Manshin Wol-Ah?'' Even in a big country like Korea, only Jung Yoo-Jin can do it!"] The praises from the on-site staff and the articles brought Yoo-Jin to tears once again. "Oppa... Do I... Do I really deserve all this praise?" I patted Yoo-Jin''s shoulder. "Yes, you do. You worked hard." However, Yoo-Jin was too overwhelmed to know how to react. "Alright, let''s thank everyone and head back. The interview ran long, so they decided to postpone the remaining scenes to another day," I said to her. Yoo-Jin wiped her tears and nodded. After saying goodbye to every staff member once more, Kang Gam-Chan and the rest of us headed back to thepany. We were greeted with cheers upon arriving at the office, and Yoo-Jin was congratted like she had won an acting award. Just as we settled into the office to catch our breath, the phones started ringing off the hook with ad inquiries this time. Yoo-Jin also had numerous interview requests, so even phone interviews kept her busy. At 10 p.m., Jung Yoo-Jin''s name was still at the top of the real-time search rankings, raising our expectations for the viewership ratings. We paused our work for a moment and gathered in the meeting room to watch the 9th episode of In the Name of God. An hourter, Kim Sung-Woon called with the viewership ratings. Chapter 280: Jung Yoo-Jins Showtime (2)

Chapter 280: Jung Yoo-Jin''s Showtime (2)

I could hear Kim Sung-Woon''s excitement through the phone. -27.4%! The 8th episode of In the Name of God which airedst week had a viewership ratings of 21.2%. Today, the 9th episode jumped by more than 6%pared tost week. Raising viewership ratings by 1% in the 20% range was exponentially harder than in the 10% range. However, the news that Yoo-Jin was actually Manshin Wol-Ah made this difficult feat possible. ''Surpassing 25% in just 9 episodes is amazing! It''s a huge hit,'' I thought to myself. Suppressing my excitement, I asked, "And what about Festival of Money?" -There''s no need to worry about them anymore because the viewership rating gap is too big now. Their viewership ratings have dropped to 11.3%. Not even the provocative plot by Hong Jang-Mi or So Yi-Yung''s passionate performance could beat Yoo-Jin''s surprising reveal. This showed that while making a good drama is important, the real game was won through publicity. Our rival drama, Festival of Money, was designed to chase viewership ratings only. On the other hand, we managed to generate a huge buzz and pull ahead with a double score. -I never imagined this would happen. I''ll see you on set tomorrow! "Yes, sir!" I replied enthusiastically. Kim Sung-Woon said he was being called by the head of the drama department and ended the call. After the call was over, I turned to Yoo-Jin and the Actor Division 2 staff and shouted, "It''s 27.4%!" "What? Come on~ No way!" "Mr. Jung, you''re kidding, right? How can the viewership ratings jump 6% in just one episode?" Everyone looked skeptical. I said to them, "I''m serious. It''s not a joke." Once I reassured them, the team members looked at each other for a moment before erupting in cheers. "Wow! 27.4%?" "Really~?" "This is unbelievable... you''re not joking, are you?" In the Name of God reached an incredible viewership rating with just the 9th out of 24 episodes. At that moment, everyone started hugging each other and cheering. "Yoo-Jin, well done!" "I knew she could do it. She was special even as a trainee." In the midst of this, someone stood out. "Sob Sob. Yoo-Jin~~" It was Do Ran-Hee who started crying uncontrobly. Ran-Hee wasn''t in charge of managing the actors but had a special affection for Yoo-Jin. As Ran-Hee cried to the point of ruining her makeup, Yoo-Jin went over and hugged her tightly. Instead of the talent agentforting the actress, the actress wasforting the talent agent. "Ran-Hee unnie, stop crying. Why are you crying so much... sob sob," Yoo-Jin said in between sobs. Tears began to fall from Yoo-Jin''s eyes as she consoled Ran-Hee, who only cried harder in response. Seeing this endless disy of tears, I tapped Lee Yung-Jin''s shoulder. "Hey, try to calm her down." However, Lee Yung-Jin shook his head. "Ran-Hee can''t be calmed unless you offer to buy her Hanwoo beef." At that moment, Ran-Hee turned sharply with swollen and teary eyes. "Hanwoo?" Startled, I waved my hands in denial. "No, no. You must have misheard me. I didn''t say anything." Ran-Hee wiped her tears and replied, "Sob. I thought you were offering me Hanwoo... Anyway, Yoo-Jin~ well done." I should have treated everyone to Hanwoo beef on a day like today, but it was already toote. ''Alright, we''ll have Hanwoo next time,'' I thought. Suppressing my disappointment, I asked Jung Sang-Bong to take Yoo-Jin home first. Yoo-Jin looked puzzled. "What about you, oppa?" "I''m workingte tonight as I have things to finish up." "Okay, but don''t overwork yourself." "Got it. Don''t worry." After saying goodbye, Yoo-Jin left the meeting room. After watching Yoo-Jin leave, I headed to Kang Gam-Chan''s office for the next step. It was time to deal with Reporter Kang Ill-Gu. *** [Jung Yoo-Jin. Deceiving viewers with clumsy acting to y dual roles...] Bang! Frustrated, Kang Ill-Gu mmed his fist on the desk as he wrote a negative article about Jung Yoo-Jin. "Damn it! This is impossible!" he cursed. It was 5:30 a.m. Kang Ill-Gu thought he finally had a major scoop but things suddenly went south. News about Jung Yoo-Jin dominated the headlines all day, making it impossible for him to publish his article. Despite staying up all night trying to write something, he couldn''t manage to get even one page done. He eventually gave up when the articles praising Jung Yoo-Jin were still trending even after a day. The date that Kang Ill-Gu had nned to publish his article was off by just one day. He couldn''t understand how Hoop Entertainment revealed that Jung Yoo-Jin was Manshin Wol-Ah themselves exactly the day before his release. Because of that, all his preparations had crumbled. "Could it be that Si-Yeon got caught?" he uttered to himself. The most suspicious person that came to mind was Lee Si-Yeon, who hadn''t been reachable since yesterday. At that moment, anger boiled inside him. "Fuck this. I need to find that bitch first and get some answers." Kang Ill-Gu shut hisptop and stood up abruptly. His hair was greasy and dark circles hung under his eyes from staying up all night. Then, Choi Jae-Yoon, his colleague, who was watching game streams next to him asked, "Mr. Kang, where are you going?" "Where do you think? I''m going to find that dumbass Lee Si-Yeon!" "Hmm. Why don''t you just let it go? It''s already over." Choi Jae-Yoon''s look of disdain implying that good looks won''t be able to save him this time bruised Kang Ill-Gu''s ego. "Let it go? Do I look like a pushover to you?" "Well, what are you going to do then? You''re not going to use your fists, are you?" When Kang Ill-Gu red at Choi Jae-Yoon, he quickly closed his mouth. Kang Ill-Gu had never been dumped by a woman before and was always the one to end the rtionship. He went down to the underground parking lot and called Lee Si-Yeon once again. "Answer the phone, Lee Si-Yeon! Because of you, I''m..." That''s when the call finally connected. -Hello? "Hey, Lee Si-Yeon! Where are you right now?" -At home. Her usually yful tone was reced with a t response. However, the furious Kang Ill-Gu didn''t notice this change. "Wait there. I''ming over right now." -Now? At this hour? "Hey! Is this the time to worry about the hour? Damn it," cursed Kang Ill-Gu as he started driving. Despite asking what happened, Lee Si-Yeon imed she didn''t know anything. She exined that she managed to install the hidden camera but the article was already out before she was able to retrieve it. Kang Ill-Gu cursed and imed her excuse didn''t make any sense. Soon, he arrived at Lee Si-Yeon''s apartment entrance. As his car approached, the security guard didn''t raise the barrier. Instead, the security guard picked up his phone and started making a call somewhere. "Hey, don''t you recognize me? I''m the boyfriend of the chick from unit 1110!" Kang Ill-Gu yelled. "Please wait a moment. I need to verify your identity," the security guard replied. "Ugh, I''m in a hurry! You''ve seen me many times before. Just open up!" "Sir, just give me a moment, please." Kang Ill-Gu barked out orders using informal and rudenguage to the older security guard who seemed to be the same age as his father. At that moment, a police car suddenly arrived behind Kang Ill-Gu. Trapped between the barrier in front and the police car behind, Kang Ill-Gu was unable to move. The police officers got out of the car and approached Kang Ill-Gu''s car. "Mr. Kang Ill-Gu?" Kang Ill-Gu blinked as he looked at the officers. "Yes, that''s me. What''s this about?" As soon as one officer nodded, another officer roughly pulled Kang Ill-Gu out of the car. "Hey, what''s going on? Why are you doing this?" Kang Ill-Gu asked in confusion as he struggled. The officer read Kang Ill-Gu his Miranda rights, informing him he was being arrested for vitingws rted to sexual violence. "You have the right to remain silent and..." "Wh-what? Whatw? I have no idea what you''re talking about right now!" yelled Kang Ill-Gu. "Watch your mouth, Mr. Kang Ill-Gu. You''re facing charges of dating violence and threats." "What? What threats? I didn''t do anything!" "You can exin that to the judge. You threatened your girlfriend and installed a hidden camera in a celebrity''s car, didn''t you? That''s considered a sexual violence crime. You''re in deep trouble. Do you not realize what era we live in? Tsk!" Kang Ill-Gu began to struggle, but he couldn''t break free with his arms twisted behind him. As one of the police officers quickly handcuffed Kang Ill-Gu and the cold metal dug into his wrists. Kang Ill-Gu''s screams echoed through the apartmentplex. "Hey, let go of me! Let me go!" *** -They got him, Yoon-Ho. The early morning call from Kang Gam-Chan jolted me awake at once. He informed me that Kang Ill-Gu had been arrested just a few hours after we filed theintst night. This was thanks to the cooperative Lee Si-Yeon who wanted to save herself. Fortunately, negotiations with Star Patch also went smoothly, ensuring no rted articles were published. The worry about Kang Ill-Gu was nowpletely gone. After thanking Kang Gam-Chan, I immediately checked the inte. A day had passed, yet the positive articles about Yoo-Jin were still increasing. [Viewership Ratings Soars for In the Name of God!] [Every Cast and Crew Were Fooled. Acting Genius Jung Yoo-Jin Shocks Korea!] [An Unprecedented Project in TV Drama History: Jung Yoo-Jin Fooled the World!] The articles continued to be published without any signs of decreasing, and Yoo-Jin''s name remained at the top of the real-time search rankings. "This is great," I remarked happily. Feeling refreshed, I finished my shower and headed upstairs to wake Yoo-Jin. Yoo-Jin greeted me with swollen eyes. "Oppa... when did youe back?" "In the early morning. But why does your voice sound like that?" "I couldn''t sleepst night because all this feels like a dream." Yoo-Jin said her heart was still racing from the excitement. "Let''s get those eyes to settle down first. Do you want to use an ice pack?" Yoo-Jin responded cheerfully. "Yes~~" I opened the freezer and took out a blue eye massage ice pack. After seating Yoo-Jin on the sofa, I ced the pack over her eyes. Yoo-Jin shivered at the cold touch at first, but soon smiled as she spoke. "Yesterday felt like a dream, you know..." I smiled and responded, "That dream will continue today." "Today too?" I nodded. "Yes. Yesterday was just the start. Today will be even crazier." So far, Yoo-Jin was known as a talented supporting actress. But from now on, things would be different. After all, the title "acting genius" would precede her name. At that moment, Miso appeared at the door. Rubbing her eyes and holding a Powertuff Girls doll, she politely bowed upon noticing us. "Good morning, Mom and Uncle Yoon-Ho!" Miso had learned the idol-style greeting from Sae-Ri. After I responded with a polite bow, Miso happily climbed onto the sofa. Miso pointed at the eye massage ice pack Yoo-Jin was wearing and asked, "Uncle Yoon-Ho, do I have one too?" "Of course, Miso. Yours is pink." Since Miso always tried to imitate Yoo-Jin, I had already prepared a pink eye massage ice pack for her. "Here you go~!" When I ced the ice pack on Miso, she let out a surprised squeal. "Oh, it''s cold~!" "Just hold on for a bit." "Hmm~ okay..." Miso gently held the ice pack with her tiny hands. With both Yoo-Jin and Miso settled, I headed to the kitchen to make some detox juice. As I prepared three sses and was about to serve them, I received a call from Jang Ji-Hye, the president of Womans Magazine. When I answered the phone, I heard her urgent voice. -Team Lead Jung! Why haven''t you been answering your phone!? "Oh, I''m sorry. Things have been crazy since yesterday, so I had my phone on silent and forgot to check it. My apologies." With the phone ringing non-stop since yesterday, I hadn''t looked at it unless I was making a call. -Anyway, Team Lead Jung. What''s this about?" "What do you mean?" When I asked what she meant, Jang Ji-Hye startedining. -If you had such a big story like yesterday, you should have told us first! We could have made it a special feature! She was referring to the fact that Yoo-Jin was the cover model for the September issue of Womans Magazine, which was set to hit the shelves today. However, that was impossible. Unlike online articles where we controlled the press releases, pre-printed magazines like Womans had too much risk of leaks. I tried to exin the situation, but Jang Ji-Hye didn''t seem to be in the mood to listen. -Oh, silly me~ that''s not the reason I called. The first print run of 50,000 copies is already sold out. Jang Ji-Hye said that as soon as the magazines went online, they were sold out immediately. "Congrattions," I replied. Jang Ji-Hye''s voice was still high-pitched with excitement. -No, no, this is not a time for congrattions! The buyers of the September issue are collectively protesting! Womans Magazine was currently being bombarded withints for an absurd reason. Chapter 281: Jung Yoo-Jins Showtime (3)

Chapter 281: Jung Yoo-Jin''s Showtime (3)

"Comints?" I asked in a puzzled tone. -Yes. People are angry that the main cover model is Jung Yoo-Jin, but there¡¯s not a single mention of her ying both Manshin Wol-Ah and Cheongmyung! Womans magazine was published today, a day after the articles about Manshin Wol-Ah went viral. People expected to find something about it in the magazine since Yoo-Jin was the cover model. However, due to the nature of monthly magazines, articles had to be finalized at least two days before printing, leaving no room forst-minute changes. For this reason, there wasn''t a single line about Yoo-Jin ying Manshin Wol-Ah in this month''s Womans magazine. -Team Leader Jung, you have to help me out! You have no idea how much criticism we¡¯re facing right now, do you? Fortunately, I had prepared for such a situation. "I have some exclusive photos and articles we can upload to the online edition of Womans magazine. How about that?" -R-really? Exclusive? "Yes, exclusive. And if we announce a detailed interview in the October issue, it could double the sales and the excitement." Jang Ji-Hye¡¯s voice lit up with joy. -Oh my. If you had told me that earlier, you wouldn¡¯t have given me such a heart attack! "Well, I just woke up." -I-I''m sorry. You must have been really busy as well. Jang Ji-Hye apologized, saying it''s been hectic for her too with all theint calls from partners since early that morning. That''s when Jang Ji-Hye unexpectedly offered a gift. -More than that, you are doing so much for us...I should return the favor. I¡¯ll make Yoo-Jin the cover model for the October issue too. How about that? With Jang Ji-Hye''s suggestion, Yoo-Jin would be the cover model for two consecutive months. Bing the cover model of Womans magazine was a rare opportunity that happened only once or twice in several years. "Thank you, Ms. Jang!" I replied energetically. -Don¡¯t mention it. With the current buzz, I might even put her on the November cover which will be out when the drama ends. In the Name of God had only aired nine episodes so far with 15 more to go. After promising that Yoo-Jin would be the October issue''s cover model, Jang Ji-Hye hinted that Yoo-Jin could potentially be on the cover for three consecutive months if things went well. "I''m assuming you want a lot of materials sent to you in return, am I right?" -Exactly! You are always so quick-witted and perceptive, Team Lead Jung. "I¡¯ll send you the content and photos for the online edition right away!" -Okay! After hanging up, I turned to Yoo-Jin, who had been waiting nearby, and told her the good news about being on the cover of Womans magazine for two consecutive months. Yoo-Jin jumped up, causing the blue ice pack to fall from her eyes and let out a cheer. "Woooo. Really~?" I nodded. "Yes, really. I just got the confirmation." Overjoyed, Yoo-Jin hugged Miso next to her. Miso¡¯s small body swayed and her eye mask fell as well. "Miso, I''m going to be on the cover of Womans magazine in October too~!" Yoo-Jin eximed with excitement. "Really? Congrattions, Mom~!" Miso cried out with joy. The two of them hugged and rubbed their cheeks together. I was as thrilled as them but managed to keep my excitement in check. Then, I said to them, "Alright, we have a busy day ahead. Let¡¯s get moving." "Okay!" Yoo-Jin answered cheerfully and headed toward the bathroom. "Where are you going?" I asked. "To take a shower." "What about your detox juice?" Yoo-Jin smiled awkwardly. "Hearing the good news made me feel so much better~ I don¡¯t think I need it today." "But you said you weren''t feeling well just now?" "No. I''m all better now," Yoo-Jin insisted. Then, Miso suddenly grabbed Yoo-Jin''s hand. "Mom. Let''s drink it together! Please~!" Yoo-Jin sighed deeply at Miso''s determined attitude. "Fine..." We headed to the kitchen and drank a ss of detox juice each. Surprisingly, Yoo-Jin drank it the best. Wiping the red liquid from her lips, Yoo-Jin tilted her head. "Hmm~ it seems to taste better after drinking it many times." "Then do you want another ss? It''s good for your body and tastes good too..." I quipped. Yoo-Jin immediately took two steps back. "Nope! I must have momentarily lost my mind. I take back what I said about it tasting better!" iming she wasn''t fully awake yet, Yoo-Jin ran off with Miso. After cleaning up the remaining juice, I began organizing materials to send to Womans. *** [Womans September issue. Sold Out!] [Inte Womans. Jung Yoo-Jin. From Cheongmyung to Manshin Wol-Ah. The Spectacr Challenge of One Person ying Two Roles!] Less than ten minutes after I sent over the materials, the article was already uploaded. At the same time,ments started flooding in on the online edition of Womans. Thanks to that, Yoo-Jin''s name and Womans began trending in real time search rankings. While checking the article, Yoo-Jin finished her basic makeup and got ready to go to the shop. "Oppa. I''m ready." "Shall we go then?" Since it was a kindergarten day for Miso, she grabbed Yoo-Jin''s hand with her yellow bag on her back. That''s when the inte on the second floor started ringing. "Yoo-Jin, just a moment," I said. When I checked the inte, unexpected guests were standing at the door: SBC''s CP Jung Sam-Ryong and KBC''s CP Yang Jun-Seok along with their bodyguards. The fact that CPs from SBC and KBC, not MBS, hade for a visit could only mean one thing. ''Could they be here to propose a new project already?'' I wondered. Having a bit of time, I decided to let them in. Beep. When the front gate on the first floor opened, the sound of someone taking two steps at a time echoed. Soon after, the two rushed in one after the other as I opened the front door on the second floor. "Come on in," I said to them. "Huff huff. I-I got here first." "What are you talking about? We came together!" When I offered them drinks, Jung Sam-Ryong downed his in one go and started speaking first. "Team Lead Jung! You haven''t decided on the next project yet, have you?" At that moment, Yang Jun-Seok covered Jung Sam-Ryong''s mouth and made his proposal first. "Team Lead Jung. We''re preparing a 40-episode special drama at KBC. Would you be interested? It''s called Lights of Gyeongseong. It''s not focused on the male lead but has the female lead at its core. You know how rare this opportunity is, right?" Lights of Gyeongseong, which KBC described as a 40-episode special drama, was set to air next January with an expected top viewership ratings of 17%. It was a decent project, but not particrlypelling. Jung Sam-Ryong bit Yang Jun-Seok''s hand covering his mouth. "Ouch! What the hell are you doing?" Yang Jun-Seok cried out. Jung Sam-Ryong wiped his mouth and spoke. "Yuck! Why is your hand so salty? Anyway, hyung-nim. You''re the one who said we''d y fair, but what is this? No matter how urgent the situation, you can''t lie about a project where the female lead is a side character! That''s low of you." Yang Jun-Seok retorted while shaking off his hand. "Hey! What do you mean low? As the main character leading the plot, it''s a significant role!" "Ha! I read the script. Where do you get off with such lies?" Jung Sam-Ryong retorted. The two were only a year apart in age and their rivalry had been intense since their school days where they were sunbae and hoobae in the same broadcasting club. Nheless, Jung Sam-Ryong was right this time. Lights of Gyeongseong mainly revolved around the male lead, who was a special forces operative fighting for independence. The female lead yed a supporting role as a gisaeng[1] aiding the male lead. She gathered information from the Japanese military and handed it over to the male lead. While the role wasn''t bad considering that there were action scenes as well, it didn''t hold enough weight to be considered a lead role. Then, Jung Sam-Ryong started to promote his drama. "Ours is a drama called Yuri''s Family. Everyone''s been praising it and saying it has an amazing script. Have you heard of it?" I nodded. Yuri''s Family was about Yuri, who bes the head of the household right after graduating high school, supporting her sick mother, her younger brother still in high school, and her youngest sister in middle school through her writing career. It was set to air next January as a Wednesday to Thursday drama and would do quite well with a viewership rating of 20%. In my past life, the lead actress was Choi Eun-Joo, who was known for being the center of many scandals in the broadcasting industry. "So? What do you think?" asked Jung Sam-Ryong as he looked at me with an excited expression. Between the two projects, Yuri''s Family was better. However, I had my mind set on another project for Yoo-Jin''s next role. Hence, I subtly diverted the conversation. "Unfortunately, it''s hard to make a decision right now. I need some time to think." When I didn''t give a definite answer, Yang Jun-Seok seemed to have misunderstood. "If it''s about the pay, we can offer 50 million won per episode." Currently, Yoo-Jin''s pay for Cheongmyung in In the Name of God was 10 million won per episode. ''Wow. A fivefold increase at once?'' I wondered in amazement. Jung Sam-Ryong went a step further. "Ohe on. Just 50 million won? I thought this guy was only a liar, but it seems like he sold his conscience too!" "Hey! For a 40-episode series, 50 million won is a generous offer!" Yang Jun-Seok yelled. As Yang Jun-Seok raised his voice, Miso widened her eyes in surprise. Jung Sam-Ryong admonished Yang Jun-Seok for shouting in front of a child. "Hey, you need to chill. There''s a kid here, you know. Lower your voice." "Uh, right. I guess I got a bit excited. I''m sorry, Miso," Yang Jun-Seok apologized quickly. Miso stared at him and then nodded. "It''s okay! But both of you have to shake hands." Jung Sam-Ryong burst out a hollowugh. "Ha ha. Shake... hands...?" "Yes! My teacher said it''s bad for both kids and adults to fight. It makes them bad people." Convinced by Miso, Jung Sam-Ryong had no choice but to shake hands with Yang Jun-Seok. At that moment, Miso beamed. "Great! Now you''re friends again!" Thanks to Miso, everyone startedughing which eased the tension a bit. Still,petition waspetition. Jung Sam-Ryong''s expression turned serious. "Team Lead Jung! SBC is ready to offer 70 million won per episode. How about that?" "70 million won?" This time, Yoo-Jin''s eyes widened. Compared to Yang Jun-Seok''s offer of 50 million won, Jung Sam-Ryong added the price of a small car¡ªand that was per episode. Moreover, Yuri''s Family was a 24-episode series. Although there were fewer episodes, it also meant that filming would wrap up sooner and this would allow Yoo-Jin to choose another project quickly. For her first lead role, it was quite a good deal. Nevertheless, I wasn''t satisfied. While it was nice that they were considering Yoo-Jin, the amount was too low given her current status that had made headlines across Korea. If we were to ask anyone on the streets right now who the most talented actress in Korea was, nine out of ten would say Yoo-Jin. The current average pay for an S grade actor was 100 million won per episode, and I wanted at least that much for Yoo-Jin. Ju Yung-In received 90 million won per episode for In the Name of God, and Yoo-Jin, who left a bigger impact, deserved no less. For this reason, I declined both offers once again. "I''m sorry, but I''m afraid I can''t make a decision right now." The two expressed their frustration in unison. "Geez! It seems you have many offers. Can you just tell us your preferred amount or style? Besides the mentioned projects, we can negotiate for other dramas too. Historical drama? Si? Rom? Just name it." They pleaded, saying they came with strict orders from higher-ups. Finally, I had to speak up. "There''s a project I''m considering for her next role, but it''s still in the nning stages." The project I had in mind for Yoo-Jin''s first lead role was a drama titled Hwaranjeon - War of Flowers by Han Woo-Ju, a rookie writer. The drama was set to air next February. It was a fictional historical drama set in the Si period, about sisters and nieces fighting for the queen''s throne. This drama would be hailed as the best historical drama in the past decade. However, there was a serious issue with this project: A copyright dispute. Han Woo-Ju, the original writer of Hwaranjeon, was an assistant writer for the star writer Yoo Sun-Jung. When the project became a huge hit in my past life, Yoo Sun-Jung immediately filed awsuit, iming Han Woo-Ju stole her synopsis. Subsequently, Han Woo-Ju suffered through a long and tediouswsuit. The result was a defeat for Han Woo-Ju as thewyers from thergew firm hired by Yoo Sun-Jung tore her apart. Because of this, Han Woo-Ju had to give most of her earnings to Yoo Sun-Jung. Having spent a few years after high school working as an assistant writer who was ve-driven, Han Woo-Ju didn''t know much about the world. The bigger problem was that she wasbeled as "a scumbag who stole her mentor''s work" and was never able to take on another drama. As such, my n was to prevent that injustice this time and make Yoo-Jin the female lead of Hwaranjeon. When I said I couldn''t ept the offer because I had another project in mind, Jung Sam-Ryong made a troubled expression and asked, "Is that an external production? If it is, I''ll grab our director by the cor and get it scheduled at SBC. Just say the word." I had to calm the relentless Jung Sam-Ryong and Yang Jun-Seok once again. "I''m sorry, but I can''t tell you about it yet. Also, we need to get to the filming site now..." Jung Sam-Ryong stood up and cleared his throat. "Well then, we''ll leave for today. But do think about my offer carefully. I''ll be back soon!" Yang Jun-Seok responded simrly. Both repeated that they wouldn''t give up and left the house. I looked at Yoo-Jin and said, "I told you today will be just as intense, didn''t I?" Yoo-Jin nodded. However, the hectic day hadn''t even properly started yet. *** On the way to the set of In the Name of God, Yoo-Jin and I talked about the next project. When I mentioned that there was a good project but it was still in the script development stage, Yoo-Jin left everything to me once again. "Let me know once it''s decided. You have the best eye for picking projects," said Yoo-Jin as she smiled brightly, showing her unwavering trust in me. "Okay. You can count on me." About thirty minutester, we arrived at the site. At that moment, something that I had anticipated was happening. "Now it really begins," I muttered. "What? What do you mean? What''s beginning?" Yoo-jin asked as she tilted her head. I pointed to the parking lot. "Look over there." Murmur. In the parking lot, more than a hundred reporters with ring eyes were waiting for our arrival. 1. highly-trained artist woman in ancient Korea who entertained men with music, conversation, and poetry in much the same way as Japanese geisha ? Chapter 282: Jung Yoo-Jins Showtime (4)

Chapter 282: Jung Yoo-Jin''s Showtime (4)

From a distance, the reporters began to buzz as they saw our vehicle. "They''re here!" "Is that the right car?" "It is!" "Run!" As soon as we entered the parking lot, the reporters swarmed toward us like a horde of zombies. Screech! I immediately hit the brakes. "Miss Jung Yoo-Jin! Please give us an interview." "Mrs. Jin Yoo-Jung, I mean, Miss Jung Yoo-Jin! Please give us a word about..." "Miss Yoo-Jin! Open the door!" The reporters were so densely packed that I couldn''t move the car at all. Not only was I worried someone might get hurt, but I also feared that if even one of them got hit by the car, there would be headlines like "Jung Yoo-Jin runs over reporter!" When the car stopped, the reporters banged on the doors and begged for an interview. Yoo-Jin blinked her eyes in surprise. "O-oppa. What is all this?" "I told you it wouldn''t be a joke." Yoo-Jin still looked like she couldn''t believe it. Yang So-Ri and Lee Mi-Ri who were sitting in the backseat clutched their chests in excitement and shock. When reporters rushed toward us with shing eyes, Jung Sang-Bong who was in the passenger seat asked, "Mr. Jung, should I get out and ask them to move?" "That''s nonsense. That won''t work." Even though Jung Sang-Bong was a former national taekwondo athlete, he would be considered lucky if he didn''t get trampled to death if he got out. "Do you know the savanna?" I asked "You mean like in Africa?" Jung Sang-Bong replied. I nodded. "Yes. Think of us as newborn gazelles and the reporters out there as hyenas starved for a week. If you go out, you''ll die." No matter how much I thought about it, there was no way out of this situation. Eventually, I had no choice but to call the staff. A short whileter, Cha Soo-Yeon led a group of crew members rushing over. Thanks to them, we had enough space to drive through, albeit barely. We could hear the loud protests of the reporters as we drove into the set with difficulty. As soon as we stopped and got out, I saw Cha Soo-Yeon running over out of breath. "Huff huff huff..." "Are you okay?" I asked. She shook her head. "No, I''m not okay." When I handed Cha Soo-Yeon water, she gulped it down like a thirsty animal. "Ugh... Is this a set or a battlefield?" Cha Soo-Yeon groaned. "When did the reporters arrive?" "Those folks have been camped out since dawn." Cha Soo-Yeon took a moment to catch her breath, then looked at me expectantly. Knowing exactly what she wanted, I said, "If you set aside some time, we''ll do an interview." Her face brightened in an instant. "Really?" I nodded. "With that many reporters, they won''t leave even if we tell them to." Cha Soo-Yeon beamed with joy. "Can I go tell them now? Like right now?" "Yes, Miss Cha." With my permission, Cha Soo-Yeon started running back the way she came. From now on, I couldn''t avoid the media no matter how much I disliked them. After all, celebrities need to take advantage of their opportunities to shine in the spotlight if they wanted to climb higher. *** From the back seat where she was doing her makeup, Yoo-Jin asked, "Oppa, you were just talking about the savanna and hyenas. So why are we doing an interview now?" "If we don''t do it when they''re swarming like that, they''ll follow us home. It''s better to just do it here." Yoo-Jin nodded. At that moment, Cha Soo-Yeon returned from talking to the reporters. Despite sweating profusely, she seemed quite pleased. "I''ve scheduled the interview with the reporters for an hour from now." "Understood." "Oh, and the CP wants to see both of you. I forgot to tell you earlier because of the reporters." "What''s it about?" I asked. "I heard there''s a good offer. He was confident about casting Miss Yoo-Jin as the lead in a 30 billion won drama." My eyes widened. ''Whoa, 30 billion won?'' At that moment, a failed MBS drama from my past life which had a huge budget shed through my mind. "Is it by any chance Empress Myeongseong 2021...?" I asked cautiously. "Oh, yes. Did you already talk to the CP?" Cha Soo-Yeon answered. "No, it''s just that the only project of that scale being made right now is Empress Myeongseong. So I just guessed." "Ah, I see. Anyway, the drama department is in an uproar. The higher-ups have high expectations for it because of the big investment." In my past life, Empress Myeongseong 2021 fell apart due to issues with investors and the writer. I thought for a second and spoke. "But isn''t there a rumor that the production was dyed because the investor couldn''t provide the money?" "Oh, that? MBS decided to guarantee the funds." What happened in my past life was happening again. "Then are there any rumors about the writer?" "Hmm. Rumors? I haven''t heard any. Are there bad rumors?" I shook my head. "No, it''s nothing." It seemed like Cha Soo-Yeon knew nothing about Oh Sang-Jong, the writer of Empress Myeongseong 2021. I asked Cha Soo-Yeon to wait a moment and checked my nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: February 12, 2021] -11:00 p.m. <Empress Myeongseong 2021> meeting about writer Oh Sang-Jong''s sexual scandal (Report: Collectivewsuit by students during his professorship. Legal Division''s team lead in attendance). After Empress Myeongseong 2021 aired, Oh Sang-Jong would face collectivewsuits from graduate students for misconduct during his professorship. In my past life, the sexual scandal of a well-known professor, sessful drama writer, and author of best-selling books had enough social impact to make the 9 o''clock news. Consequently, Empress Myeongseong 2021 faced intense bacsh fromizens and was canceled early with the worst viewership ratings in history. The lead actress back then was Yeo Eun-Sil from Actor Division 3. She had been thrilled to finallynd a good role after a tough audition, but ended her acting career due to this scandal. ''Casting Yoo-Jin in such a drama? Not a chance,'' I remarked inwardly. Still, I had to see Kim Myung-Hak as he called for us. I put my phone away and instructed Yoo-Jin and the staff of Team Jung to prepare for the shoot. "Sang-Bong, go check with the production team for any schedule changes today. Mrs. Lee, please check Yoo-Jin''s costume." With the instructions given, I headed to look for Kim Myung-Hak with Cha Soo-Yeon. *** In the monitoring area, Kim Myung-Hak and Kim Sung-Woon were having a meeting about today''s shoot. "Mr. Kim, I''ve brought Team Lead Jung," announced Cha Soo-Yeon. "Come in and have a seat. But where''s Miss Yoo-Jin?" asked Kim Myung-Hak as he looked around after greeting me. "Oh, she''s having her makeup done." Kim Myung-Hak showed some disappointment but quickly got to the point. "The drama department is nning a big investment in Empress Myeongseong 2021, and there''s a strong opinion from the higher-ups that Miss Yoo-Jin should be the lead. What do you think, Team Lead Jung?" "I heard that the roles are being decided through auditions. Is that not the case?" Currently, Empress Myeongseong 2021 was in the script distribution stage with auditions for the lead actress scheduled for early next month. Kim Myung-Hak lowered his voice, sounding troubled. "Actually, our president is very insistent on casting Miss Yoo-Jin. So I''m in a bit of a difficult situation myself." The most crucial factor in producing a drama with hundreds of billions invested was the casting. Hence, they were aiming to secure the hottest star, Yoo-Jin. Noticing my expression, Kim Myung-Hak broached a sensitive topic first. "I heard from PD Kim that you don''t like the project. However, I think you''ll change your mind when you hear the pay, Team Lead Jung." "Well, it''s not about the pay but..." Kim Myung-Hak interrupted me before I could finish. "We can offer 100 million won per episode! No otherwork can match that. You know that 100 million is top-tier treatment." Currently, Yoo-Jin''s pay was 10 million won per episode, meaning they were offering a tenfold increase. This was a far superior offerpared to what KBC and SBC proposed this morning. Moreover, it had a long run of 50 episodes being a special drama. They were tempting me with a 5 billion won deal within reach. However, the misdeeds of Oh Sang-Jong weren''t something that could be overlooked. He was a notorious criminal with numerous victims. I conveyed my polite refusal to Kim Myung-Hak with a regretful expression. "I''m sorry, Mr. Kim. I truly appreciate the generous offer, but I must decline." Kim Myung-Hak looked puzzled. "Is there another project you''re eyeing? From where? KBC? SBC? Netflux?" "Actually, Mr. Yang Jun-Seok from KBC and Mr. Jung Sang-Ryong from SBC came to my house with offers this morning." Havingpetitors approach was a sign of Yoo-Jin''s rising status and worked to my advantage. Kim Myung-Hak looked taken aback by the unexpected news. "I-is that so? How much did they offer? They can''t possibly match us." "That''s true. But..." "Hah! Stop being so frustrating! Just tell me what you need and I''ll meet any request of yours!" After a brief hesitation, I decided to reveal what I knew. "The truth is, Writer Oh Sang-Jong..." I cautiously exined what Oh Sang-Jong had done during his tenure as a university professor. Kim Myung-Hak''s face turned pale. "Is that really true? You know the consequences of making baseless usations, right? Professor Oh is a very strict person when ites to his private life. Do you have any proof?" With a 30 billion won investment on the line, Kim Myung-Hak was extremely sensitive to the scandal involving Oh Sang-Jong. He asked multiple times if I was sure, and I quietly nodded. After all, the schedule in my nner was bound to happen in reality. The crucial issue now was not about casting Yoo-Jin as the female lead, but whether the 30 billion won investment would go down the drain. That''s when Kim Sung-Woon, who had been deep in thought, offered his opinion. "Mr. Kim, we need to contact the president immediately. I heard Professor Oh received a huge advance..." "That''s right!" It was revealed that 800 million won, equivalent to ten episodes'' worth of fees, had already been paid as an advance to the writer. "Please wait a moment. I''ll call the president." Kim Myung-Hak dialed the phone right there to call the president. Ring ring ring. Click. Soon, Choi Sang-Byung''s voice came through. -Yes, it''s me. Did you secure Jung Yoo-Jin? "Mr. Choi! This isn''t the time to secure the main lead! We''re about to face a disaster." -What? Why would we face a disaster? As soon as Kim Myung-Hak ryed what I had told him, Choi Sang-Byung''s voice grew louder. -Have you confirmed it? "Well... We''re in the process of verifying it. Team Lead Jung brought this information." -Is he with you right now? Put Team Lead Jung on the phone. Kim Myung-Hak handed me the phone. When I took over the call, Choi Sang-Byung''s sharp voice came through. -Let''s not beat around the bush and just get straight to the point. Is this certain? "The victims are preparing to filewsuits. The university will deny it, but if you cross-check with the graduate students, you''ll find out the truth quickly," I answered. There was a moment of silence before Choi Sang-Byung spoke. -Come to the office today. We need to discuss this in person. I was being summoned by the president of MBS. In that case, I couldn''t go alone. "Then I''lle with our president," I added. -Okay! Click. After finishing the call with Choi Sang-Byung, I immediately called Kang Gam-Chan who agreed to go with me. -If it''s something like that, of course I need to go with you." Once I hung up, Kim Myung-Hak was sweating profusely while Kim Sung-Woon sighed in relief. "Thank goodness for Team Lead Jung." Kim Myung-Hak looked bewildered. "Wow. To think Oh Sang-Jong seemed like such a gentleman on the outside..." He mentioned that since Oh Sang-Jong was often seen on TV, it was hard to believe he had done such misdeeds. "That''s what makes him scarier," I remarked. "It seems like there''s no one in this world we can trust." Given the trust we had built, neither of them seemed to doubt me. Despite the headache caused by Empress Myeongseong 2021, it was reassuring to confirm one thing: MBS had valued Yoo-Jin as an S ss star, offering 100 million won per episode. Kim Myung-Hak let out a sigh and said he needed to return to thepany and headed quickly to the parking lot. Kim Sung-Woon expressed his gratitude as he watched Kim Myung-Hak leave. "We avoided a disaster thanks to you, Mr. Jung." But then something unexpected happened. A pristine white Merciless Bends S650 drove into the parking lot and a model-like actress in expensive-looking clothes stepped out. It was someone I knew. I wondered, ''Wait, isn''t that...'' It was Hong Hyun-Joo, the second daughter of HK Textiles, who had once asked me to buy her a drink at a club. She stepped out of the car with a haughty expression. Chapter 283: Jung Yoo-Jins Showtime (5)

Chapter 283: Jung Yoo-Jin''s Showtime (5)

Ju Yung-In was in a luxurious van, constantly checking her phone despite her restless night. "Everyone is talking about Jung Yoo-Jin... this website too..." she muttered. Almost dazed, Ju Yung-In muttered Jung Yoo-Jin''s name. She was genuinely overwhelmed by a sense of defeat she had never experienced before. During Blue Sky, she knew she hadn''t given her best. So even though Jung Yoo-Jin''s name overshadowed hers, it didn''t truly feel like a loss. However, it was different this time. She believed she had given an outstanding performance with her best effort. Yet the articles only praised Jung Yoo-Jin''s performance as the supporting role, Manshin Wol-Ah. Moreover, the words that irritated her the most were ''Genius Actress Jung Yoo-Jin.'' Ju Yung-In had once received simr praise. However, the atmosphere around the evaluations of Jung Yoo-Jin was entirely different from when Ju Yung-In received them. Industry seniors, producers, and even staff members on set were all praising Jung Yoo-Jin and this made it harder for Ju Yung-In to control her emotions each time she read the articles. It was the first time since her debut that she felt such inferiority. When Ju Yung-In began to scratch her head out of frustration, Chief Ahn Yung-Hee who was sitting next to her and also on her phone, took her phone away. "Stop looking at your phone." "Hey! What are you doing? You''re so annoying! Give it back!" yelled Ju Yung-In in a sharp voice. However, having seen and been through it all, Ahn Yung-Hee was not easily intimidated. "Why? Are you jealous? Is Jung Yoo-Jin''s sess making you angry?" Ju Yung-In red at Ahn Yung-Hee. "Do you even need to ask?" Ahn Yung-Hee shrugged nonchntly. "Well, honestly, Jung Yoo-Jin is amazing. She''s like the best of the best, right?" Ahn Yung-Hee''s brazen attitude angered Ju Yung-In. "What are you doing right now? Are you trying to make me mad on purpose?" Despite Ju Yung-In''s outburst, Ahn Yung-Hee remained unfazed. "Listen to me, I haven''t finished talking yet. I don''t think you''re any lesspetent than her." Ju Yung-In red at Ahn Yung-Hee. "Are you joking? Everywhere they''re talking about Jung Yoo-Jin!" Ahn Yung-Hee scoffed. "Maybe you don''t remember, but you were once like that too. Remember? ''Genius Actress Ju Yung-In!'' The monstrous rookie who appeared like aet. The media was all over you just two years ago." "Yes, but it''s not the same now." Ahn Yung-Hee nodded. "That''s true, but I still think you have room to grow. You just need to unleash that potential and you can easily take that title back from Jung Yoo-Jin in no time." "Don''t talk nonsense. I really gave my all in this project!" Ahn Yung-Hee snorted. "Hmm, really? Did you focus solely on acting? No other thoughts at all?" "Well, that''s... that''s not exactly..." Ju Yung-In was at a loss for words. Even now, part of her believed Jung Yoo-Jin''s sess was because of Jung Yoon-Ho and she wanted to take him from her. Ahn Yung-Hee patted the silent Ju Yung-In. "Yes, Jung Yoo-Jin is a genius¡ªbut so are you. The difference between you two is simple. She thinks only about acting while you have too many other thoughts." Hearing this from a veteran talent agent with 12 years of experience, Ju Yung-In fell into deep thought and eventually nodded in agreement. However, her heart didn''t align with her thoughts. As her resolve to outdo Jung Yoo-Jin through better acting grew, so did her desire to win over Jung Yoon-Ho. She didn''t want to give up on either desire. As such, Ju Yung-In concluded that she would work twice as hard to have both. Her eyes set in determination gleamed differently than usual. Unaware of Ju Yung-In''s inner resolve, Ahn Yung-Hee smiled at her stern expression and said, "And now, you have to admit that you''re the one following Jung Yoo-Jin. Only then can you truly surpass her." Ju Yung-In silently nodded, having no choice but to acknowledge the truth of those words. *** After meeting with Kim Sung-Woon, I headed toward Yoo-Jin''s waiting area. I could see Hong Hyun-Joo, the second daughter of HK Textiles, talking to Cha Soo-Yeon about sponsorship. Perhaps due to HK Textiles'' backing, she possessed the confidence of a lead actress. Having had an unpleasant first encounter with Hyun-Joo, I chose to avoid her and took a different path. While Yoo-Jin was acting, I organized the waiting area and sent a KkTalk message to Kang Ji-Yung. Tonight, I had to meet the president of MBS regarding the writer issue of Empress Myeongseong 2021. [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: Please look into Lee Ji-Ae, Sung Yoo-Yeon, and Yoo Ji-Hye among the graduate students who worked under Writer Oh Sang-Jong.] [Director Kang Ji-Yung: Are those three the victims?] [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: Yes. They''re preparing to file awsuit, so it would help if you bring Mr. Kwak along.] Pressed for time, I mentioned the names of the people I remembered from before the regression. When Kang Ji-Yung asked how I knew those names, I used Lee Soo-Chan''s detective agency as an excuse. At that moment, a shadow fell over my head as I was messaging Kang Ji-Yung. When I looked up, I saw a familiar face. She was a ssic beauty with a slender face and exceptionally fair skin, and long hair. It was Hong Hyun-Joo, who had just arrived at the set. "What? You are...? You''re not a PD... but a talent agent?" Hong Hyun-Joo remarked with disdain. Realizing my identity, she trembled with anger. "How have you been?" I replied calmly, causing Hong Hyun-Joo to seethe with anger. "How have I been? After you lied to me about being a PD, is that all you have to say?" "When did I ever say I was a PD? You misunderstood on your own." I jokingly mentioned how I had even given her an Aligatorade because she looked sick. At that moment, Hong Hyun-Joo started trembling and pointing at me. Just as I was about to give her a piece of my mind for her rude behavior, I heard a familiar voice. "Hey! You there! Why are you raising your voice when the sunbaes are reading their scripts?" Hong Hyun-Joo turned angrily. "What?" There stood Ju Yung-In, ring with fierce eyes. "Ju Yung-In...?" Hong Hyun-Joo stuttered. Looking incredulous, Ju Yung-In walked over. She got so close that their noses almost touched and spoke. "What? Ju. Yung. In? Am I your friend?" When Ju Yung-In spat her words right in Hong Hyun-Joo''s face, thetter began to tremble in anger. Despite being the daughter of a chaebol family, Hong Hyun-Joo had to bow her head to the lead actress to continue her acting career. The entertainment industry was known for its strict hierarchy, after all. "I''m sorry, sunbae-nim. I got too agitated and misspoke," Hong Hyun-Joo muttered as she reluctantly bowed her head. Ju Yung-In barely acknowledged the apology and added, "That''s beside the point. Yoon-Ho oppa is not in a position to be scolded by you. He''s not even yourpany''s talent agent." Ju Yung-In''s expression looked like she was ready to devour Hong Hyun-Joo, who appeared confused. After all, Ju Yung-In was defending a talent agent from anotherpany. Nevertheless, Hong Hyun-Joo had to respond to her sunbae. "W-well, this asshole... I mean oppa... pretended to be someone else and deceived me at a club. I came to confront him and got upset..." Seeing Hong Hyun-Joo''s distress, her talent agent Team Lead Jeon Hee-Sang stepped in. "Miss Yung-In, Hyun-Joo is upset because she feels wronged. Could you give us a moment please? We''llpensate youter..." Ju Yung-In red at Jeon Hee-Sang. "And who are you to talk aboutpensation?" Jeon Hee-Sang scratched his head awkwardly. "I didn''t want to mention this, but Miss Hyun-Joo here is the daughter of HK Textiles. Although I''m with TNT Entertainment, I''m actually dispatched from HK Textiles..." As Jeon Hee-Sang continued speaking, Hong Hyun-Joo regained her confidence. HK Textiles, a subsidiary of HK Clothing, was a notable mid-sizedpany supplying textiles to HK Clothing and having its own outdoor brand. However, Ju Yung-In didn''t even blink. "So what? Do you expect me to apologize or something? What''s so special about HK Textiles anyway?" Feeling offended, Hong Hyun-Joo grumbled, "No, not exactly... But don''t you think your words are a bit harsh?" Ju Yung-In scoffed. "You''ve never heard really harsh words, have you? Want to hear some right now?" Hong Hyun-Joo red at Ju Yung-In in silence and stomped her foot slightly out of frustration. With nothing left to say, she shot a look at her talent agent. "Mr. Jeon! It''s about time for my shoot, right?" "Uh, yes. Yes. We should get going." Pretending to be in a hurry for her shoot, Hong Hyun-Joo turned abruptly and left. Watching the retreating Hong Hyun-Joo, Ju Yung-In scoffed. "She''s only a small actress but she acts like a lead." Ju Yung-In made a dumbfounded expression and then turned her attention back to me. "Oppa, are you okay?" The way she spoke was as if she had just rescued me from a gangster. I pondered for a moment on how to respond, but decided to thank her out of courtesy. "Ah, yes. Thanks to you, I''m fine." Ju Yung-In''s pride seemed to inte slightly. I added, "But what now? It looks like it''ll be hard for you to work with HK in the future." "It''s fine. We never epted HK Clothing''s offers anyway. Their clothes are ugly." Ahn Yung-Hee sighed at this ridiculous excuse. From the moment HK Textiles was mentioned, she must have realized the situation was bingplicated. However, with her years of experience as a talent agent, she wasn''t easily shaken by an actress'' sudden actions. "But why were you looking for me?" I asked. Ju Yung-In nced around and answered, "Oh, I wasn''t looking for you, oppa. I actually came to see Yoo-Jin. After such an incredible performance, I have to congratte her. And take some photos for Instargem as well." Ju Yung-In hadn''t been at the scene yesterday and regretted watching the event that shook the world from home. "Just wait a bit. She''ll be done with the shoot soon." Honestly, I expected her to be sulking from being overshadowed by Manshin Wol-Ah. However, she seemed moreposed than I had anticipated. ''Well... given that Ahn Yung-Hee is a veteran talent agent with 12 years of experience, it makes sense,'' I silently noted. After all, Ahn Yung-Hee was a master of managing the mental state of celebrities. Ahn Yung-Hee smiled with her eyes and introduced herself. "Hello, I''m Ahn Yung-Hee. I look forward to working with you." "Oh, hello, Mrs. Ahn. Sorry for thete introduction." While I exchanged brief pleasantries with Ahn Yung-Hee, Yoo-Jin finished her shoot and returned. Seeing Ahn Yung-Hee, Yoo-Jin used honorifics. "Sunbae-nim, what brings you here?" Ju Yung-In smiled and brought up the previous day. "How did you manage to deceive everyone so perfectly?" Ju Yung-In continuously praised Yoo-Jin with a wide smile to the point where even I was taken aback. After their conversation, Ju Yung-In casually linked arms with Yoo-Jin and took photos. However, she revealed a bit of her true feelings just before returning to her spot. "Your acting... it''s something I can''t even dream of right now..." "What?" Yoo-Jin responded with surprise. Ju Yung-In turned and left abruptly after saying what she wanted. Yoo-Jin looked bewildered. "What''s with her?" I scratched my head and replied, "Maybe she''s having a heatstroke?" Knowing Ju Yung-In''s proud nature, it was surprising that she acknowledged Yoo-Jin. She seemed sincere judging by her tone, but her determined eyes still bothered me. ''She hasn''tpletely given up yet,'' I thought. Regardless of how Ahn Yung-Hee managed Ju Yung-In''s mentality, she wasn''t showing any signs of being defeated. Nheless, I wasn''t too bothered as I knew that with the role of Manshin Wol-Ah, Yoo-Jin''s career was set to soar even higher. I said to the still-dazed Yoo-Jin, "Alright, Yoo-Jin. It''s time to get ready for the interview." Yoo-Jin snapped out of her thoughts and nodded with a bright smile. "Yes, sir~!" *** Reporters at the scene flocked toward me, causing amotion. I spoke firmly, "Please quiet down or we won''t do the interview." Choi Han-Sun from Star Daily shouted back, "Come on, let''s just get the interview over with!" Others also joined in and criticized me loudly Despite the reporters'' grumbling, I insisted on setting conditions for the interview. I warned them that any inappropriate questions would result in a permanent ban from future interviews with our team. However, I assured them that I would be happy to amodate anyone who sent their interview questions in advance. Reluctantly, the reporters cleared their throats and nodded in agreement. After calming the reporters down, I finally called Yoo-Jin over. Yoo-Jin stepped forward with a pleasant smile and the interview began promptly. "Miss Yoo-Jin, what made you decide to take on the role of Manshin Wol-Ah?" "Well, when I first read the script..." As Yoo-Jin''s interview proceeded, I carefully observed the reporters. The first reporter to finish their interview quickly sent in their article. As articles about Manshin Wol-Ah started appearing online in real-time, the trending searches began to shift rapidly. [Live search keywords] Jung Yoo-Jin Manshin Wol-Ah Dual role In the Name of God .... ... It was another moment of confirmation of Yoo-Jin''s skyrocketing poprity. Just then, an absurd message arrived unexpectedly. [Sender: 010-97XX-8888] -This is the Promotion Department of Daeheung Savings Bank. We are interested in having Miss Jung Yoo-Jin as our advertisement model. We promise the best treatment. Chapter 284: Destiny (1)

Chapter 284: Destiny (1)

I looked at the advertisement proposal text from Daeheung Savings Bank and fell into deep thought. ''Could it be an order from President Choi Eun-Tae?'' I wondered. It was possible for a savings bank to send loan advertisement texts and it was not unusual for them to want to use a popr actress as a model. However, I was convinced that it was more than just a coincidence given the previous incidents. After a brief moment of contemtion, I made a decision. ''I have no choice but to meet them in person.'' I had asked Lee Soo-Chan for information about Daeheung Savings Bank without Kim Dong-Soo and Choi Man-Sik''s knowledge. Unfortunately, there was still no result. It seemed like it was time for me to take direct action to find out why Choi Eun-Tae was looking for his son at this point and what he nned to do after finding him. In the meantime, Yoo-Jin''s interview ended sessfully. After politely greeting the reporters, Yoo-Jin approached me. "Oppa, it''s over." "Good job. Here, drink some water." At that moment, Jang Moon-Ki, a reporter from Star Special, rushed over with a camera. Panting, Jang Moon-Ki gave a thumbs-up. "Miss Yoo-Jin, your interview skills are getting better day by day. With interviews, you improve the more you do it." "It''s all thanks to you for asking good questions, Mr. Jang," Yoo-Jin replied with a smile. "Ha ha. You think so?" After repeatedly praising Yoo-Jin, Jang Moon-Ki casually brought up a suggestion. "Team Lead Jung. You have to keep your promise, remember?" The smooth progress of the interview just moments ago was due to Jang Moon-Ki''s support. I had asked for his help in advance and promised him an exclusive interview in return. "Of course, Mr. Jang. But today is a bit difficult. I''ll set a date soon. Something came up unexpectedly," I replied. Jang Moon-Ki responded with a disappointed expression. "In that case, one interview won''t be enough." "Then I''ll arrange another exclusive interview with one of the other actors from Team Jung. How does that sound?" Jang Moon-Ki''s expression brightened at my suggestion. "Okay~ by the way, you can look forward to today''s article. You know my writing skills, right?" Today was the airing of episode 10 of In the Name of God and Star Special had promised to feature a special article on Yoo-Jin. I took the chance and asked, "Shall I send you the promotional materials as well?" "As expected, you''re good at your job. That would be great. And send over a few well-taken photos too," Jang Moon-Ki said with a grin before running off amidst the reporters wrapping up the interview. After greeting the reporters once more, I returned to the set. Every staff member I met along the way gave a thumbs-up in support. "Miss Yoo-Jin, the interview you did with the reporters just now is already up." "Hey. I''m sorry, but after the shoot, could you sign two autographs for me? My twins have been pestering me and said they''ll focus on their studies if they get your autograph." "My daughter, on the other hand, says she wants to be a shaman like Cheongmyung and make a lot of money. Could you please tell her not to do that, Miss Yoo-Jin? She''ll listen to you." Despite the absurd requests from the staff, Yoo-Jin listened and replied without a frown. At that moment, Cha Soo-Yeon urgently called for Yoo-Jin. "Miss Yoo-Jin! We need to hurry up here! The previous scene ended earlier than expected and it''s already your turn." "Yes! I''ming~" Seeing her name being called repeatedly among the staff made me feel proud inside. Justst winter, Jung Yoo-Jin was an extra actress whose name the staff didn''t even know. Now, she had grown into a popr actress dominating the scene. *** While Yoo-Jin was preparing for the shoot, I called Lee Soo-Chan. "Hey, Soo-Chan. Have you found out anything about Daeheung?" Lee Soo-Chan replied with hesitation. -The other party is being extremely cautious, so it''s been impossible to find out anything. "Is that so?" Given that this involved his own flesh and blood, it seemed that Choi Eun-Tae was being careful as well. At that moment, Lee Soo-Chan cautiously posed a question. -Um, hyung-nim. Should we step in ourselves instead of using a private detective? If we nt a few of our guys in the Myeongdong loan market, we might be able to... I cut him off sharply. "No, there''s no need to go that far. It could be dangerous. I''ll meet with them personally soon." Lee Soo-Chan replied with surprise. -You''re going to meet them directly? "Yes." -Then let us go with you, hyung-nim. "No. I actually have an official opportunity to meet them, so I''ll handle it myself." -Understood. But please give us a call before you go into Daeheung. Lee Soo-Chan said he would stand by outside just in case anything happened. "Alright, let''s do that." Lee Soo-Chan responded with a relieved voice after I agreed to his suggestion. -I''ll also inform Eun-Gi hyung-nim. "By the way, what did Eun-Gi say?" I had been too busy to visit Eun-Gi in jail, so I hadn''t heard how he reacted after learning about the news of his potential father. -Well, you know Eun-Gi hyung-nim''s personality... He said that Daeheung and President Choi have nothing to do with him, and he''ll kill them if they show up in front of him spouting nonsense. ''As expected of Eun-Gi,'' I thought to myself. "How''s Nalsae doing? Did he report any unusual movements?" -Nalsae is doing his best to keep Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung in the dark, but they''ve been pressuring him all of a sudden. They want results within the next two weeks no matter what. It seemed that Kim Dong-Soo was desperate to survive following the failed contract with China. "Tell him to hold out until I meet with Daeheung Savings Bank. We''ll take him out after that." -Okay, hyung-nim. I''ll make sure everything is prepared. After ending the call with Lee Soo-Chan, I took a deep breath and called the number from the text message. -Hello? A deep male voice answered on the other end of the line. "This is Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment." The person who answered was Director Jang Ki-Ho. After a brief conversation, I set an appointment for next week. -Our president and vice president might join the meeting that day. They''re both huge fans of Miss Yoo-Jin. There was no way I''d let Yoo-Jin take part in an advertisement rted to loan sharks and thugs. After all, this was just an excuse to meet them in person. "I''m sorry, but Miss Yoo-Jin won''t be able toe that day due to her schedule." -Oh, I see. That''s unfortunate, but I understand. I''ll ry the message then. Judging by theck of disappointment in his voice, it was clear that the real purpose was to meet with me, not with Yoo-Jin. After setting the appointment and hanging up, I started to mentally organize the things I needed to confirm in person. At that moment, I noticed Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In whispering to each other as they prepared for the shoot in front of the set. ''What are they up to now?'' I wondered. Knowing they''re not the type to be that close, I couldn''t help but feel a sense of foreboding. I stopped what I was doing and moved closer to the set. *** Frowning, Hong Hyun-Joo stood in front of the cafe with an antique exterior. Next to her was a talent agent from TNT Entertainment, fanning her constantly. For a supporting actress on her first day, she was disying an excessive amount of arrogance. Ever since rumors spread that she was the second daughter of the HK Textiles, the staff started treating her with deference, causing her to be more brazen. "Um... Miss Hyun-Joo, we''re about to start filming," said one of the staff members who approached her cautiously. Hong Hyun-Joo rxed her frown and adjusted her posture. "Oh, I''m sorry. I must''ve been out of it because of the heat." As soon as Hong Hyun-Joo indicated she was ready, her talent agent quickly moved away. In the uing scene 120, Hong Hyun-Joo was ying the role of the girlfriend of a possessed criminal being pursued by the main characters. Her role was to cause a scene with a cafe employee over a wrong order, which would lead to a confrontation with the main characters. The supporting actress ying the role of the cafe employee took a deep breath as she stood at the counter. However, the face of the extra seemed oddly familiar. ''Wait a minute, what''s she doing here?'' I wondered. She was Oh Sung-Yeon, an actress who would be known for her exceptional crying scenes andter be a top-tier actress, earning the title of "Queen of Tears" before starring in several hit dramas. However, she was only 21 years old this year and it would still be several years before shended a role that would bring her public attention. I turned to Cha Soo-Yeon. "Ms. Cha, is the person ying the role of the part-timer an extra?" "Yes, she''s just here for today. Why do you ask?" Cha Soo-Yeon replied. "Oh, nothing. I was just curious." "If you''re interested, should I get her contact information for you? I don''t think she has an agency yet..." I declined, saying I''d contact her directly if necessary. Meanwhile, the preparations for filming werepleted. "Okay, scene 120. We''re rolling. Please stand by." Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In headed toward the chairs inside the cafe. Hong Hyun-Joo stood at the door of the cafe, waiting for the signal to start. As soon as the signal was given, Kim Sung-Woon called out enthusiastically, "Alright, scene 120. Ready~ action!" As the filming began, Hong Hyun-Joo entered the cafe without lifting her head, fiddling with her phone as she ced her order. When the part-timer asked her again, she snapped back and told her to figure it out herself. A momentter, Hong Hyun-Joo screamed loudly upon seeing the coffee Oh Sung-Yeon handed her. ¡ºHey! What is this? You call this coffee?¡» And then, without warning, Hong Hyun-Joo poured the coffee filled with ice over the part-timer''s head. Ssh! I was taken aback. ''What the hell...?'' ording to the script, Hong Hyun-Joo was supposed to knock the coffee over with her hand and spill it onto the counter. However, as a rookie actress trying to show off, she decided to ad-lib. Oh Sung-Yeon stood there drenched from head to toe and Kim Sung-Woon was about to shout "Cut!" in a hurry. But at that moment, Oh Sung-Yeon handled the situation far better than expected, determined not to cause a retake. ¡ºI''m sorry... ma''am. I''ll get you a new one right away.¡» ''Could it be that a promising talent shows itself early?'' I pondered. Oh Sung-Yeon calmly delivered her lines even with coffee dripping from her hair. Seeing this, Kim Sung-Woon lowered his hand. He was seemingly impressed by Oh Sung-Yeon''s resolve to continue acting despite being an extra. However, Hong Hyun-Joo, not grasping the situation, got even more carried away and raised her voice further. She was ying the role of a despicable character ording to the script, but it was getting increasingly over the top. That''s when Yoo-Jin, who had been sitting at the table, suddenly stood up. She walked over briskly and grabbed Hong Hyun-Joo by the hair out of nowhere, aggressively shaking her. It was an ad-lib. ¡ºGotcha, you bitch!¡» ¡ºAhhh! Let go! Are you crazy!?¡» Hong Hyun-Joo shrieked as she was being tossed around, but Yoo-Jin continued her performance without blinking an eye. ¡ºYou''re the crazy one here! How dare does a worthless spirit take over a human body and causes such a scene?¡» ¡º"Ahhh! My hair! Let go! I said let go! Ugh!¡» This time, Ju Yung-In stood up and spoke to Yoo-Jin with a nonchnt expression, making no move to stop her. ¡ºHey, she looks pretty human to me. Are you sure she''s really possessed?¡» ¡ºUgh, what are you talking about? You call yourself a detective with that kind of poor judgment? Has the great shaman from Cheongdam-dong ever been wrong? I can see it clearly. This bitch is possessed. And not just by any spirit, but a real nasty one! Die, you witch!¡» Yoo-Jin continued shaking Hong Hyun-Joo''s hair for quite a while after that. Hong Hyun-Joo, who had ad-libbed by bullying the part-timer, ended up paying the price through an ad-libbed retaliation. *** "Cut~ Okay!" As soon as Kim Sung-Woon called for a cut, Yoo-Jin quickly let go of Hong Hyun-Joo''s hair. "Miss Hyun-Joo, are you okay? I might have gone too far. I''m sorry," said Yoo-Jin with a casual smile as she shook off her hair-filled hand behind her. Ju Yung-In also chimed in and sided with Yoo-Jin. "Yoo-Jin really gets into her role sometimes. So even if you''re upset, please understand." Since she had been the one to start it, Hong Hyun-Joo couldn¡¯t respond. Moreover, when the staff praised the scene for being so realistic, she said nothing further. She only turned sharply on her heel and returned to her spot with an unpleasant expression. At that moment, Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In exchanged a knowing nce as if this had been their n all along. With the set in a bit of disarray due to the spilled coffee, Yoo-Jin suddenly brought the drenched Oh Sung-Yeon over to our car. "Oppa, we have some extra clothes in the car, right?" asked Yoo-Jin. "Yeah, we do. Come over here." Although Oh Sung-Yeon insisted she was fine, Yoo-Jin pulled her along and dismissed her protests. She knew that it was rare for extras to have a change of clothes on hand. A short whileter, Oh Sung-Yeon walked out looking neat in the clothes Yoo-Jin had given her and I was reminded of my past life. Since it hade to this, I told Oh Sung-Yeon to contact me if she was considering bing a full-time actress. "Really? Me?" Oh Sung-Yeon responded in disbelief. "Yes. You handled the situation earlier very well despite the surprise. It seems like you have a talent for acting. So if you''re serious about pursuing it, I''d be happy to help." After a brief moment of thought, Oh Sung-Yeon replied, "Can I talk to my parents and get back to you?" "Of course." Since she was still a student, she needed her parents'' permission. Nheless, she seemed almost convinced from the look on her face. Just like that, today''s shoot sessfully wrapped up. *** We returned to Seoul after finishing filming on set. After dropping Yoo-Jin off at her house, I headed straight to MBS without a moment''s rest as I had an appointment to meet with MBS President Choi Sang-Byung regarding Empress Myeongseong 2021. After I parked the car in the MBS lot, I checked my phone and saw that Yoo-Jin''s name had once again risen to the top of the trending searches. [Live Search Rankings] 1st: Jung Yoo-Jin - Big-Hearted "Big-hearted?" Yoo-Jin had be the center of attention again, but for apletely unexpected reason. Chapter 285: Destiny (2)

Chapter 285: Destiny (2)

Yoo-Jin''s name became the top live trending search thanks to Oh Sung-Yeon''s Instargem post. [Miss Oh''s Challenge Life] Film set of In the Name of God. (Photo) A skirt from L.M.L gifted to me directly by actress Miss Jung Yoo-Jin. I was working as a part time actress and met an angel. Coffee spilled all over me during filming, ruining my clothes. However, Goddess Yoo-Jin gave me a blouse and skirt to change into. And the best part? The skirt is from a luxury brand L.M.L, and it''s not even released yet! From now on, I''m going to praise Miss Yoo-Jin every day. Yoo-Jin unnie is really beautiful and her heart is even more beautiful. That''s a fact. Anyway, that''s all. ...... #JungYooJinIsTheBest #TinyPrettyFace #FaceGlowing #GoddessYooJin #QueenYooJin #AngelYooJin #JungYooJinIsBigHearted (Comments) -King.KoKo: You can tell Jung Yoo-Jin has a kind heart just by looking at her face. -MiDam0707: Wow, giving out unreleased clothes from L.M.L? I''m so jealous. -BBiBBiBong: Is this some kind of brand marketing? LOL -JusticeBoom: Man, stop being so cynical. -BiBigo99: Goddess YooJin also donates a lot to single mother facilities. She must not be into material things. Even the least expensive item from the luxury L.M.L line was priced at no less than a million won. Yoo-Jin''s decision to give away such a costly outfit quickly drew the attention ofizens. I tilted my head. "Was that pink floral skirt sponsored by L.M.L?" While the blouse was from a regr brand, LM Clothing, the skirt was from the luxury brand L.M.L. Since it was an unbranded item, it seemed like Yoo-Jin didn''t realize its value. It was good that she was trending on live search ranking, yet I couldn''t help but worry that she might have identally given away the wrong outfit. When I called her, Yoo-Jin answered slightly out of breath. -Huff, huff. Oppa, what''s up? "Are you working out?" -No, I''m ying with Miso in the yard. In the background, I could hear Miso chanting, "Green light, red light." "Just the two of you?" -I''m with Haru, Miso, Mrs. Lee, Ms. Yang, and Mr. Taekwon. We''re ying while Mrs. Jung prepares dinner. "Oh, really?" Then, I remembered that I had something more important to ask her and added, "Yoo-Jin, you''re trending at number one on live search ranking again." I told her that Oh Sung-Yeon''s Instargem post had caused a stir and asked if she had identally given away the luxury skirt. However, Yoo-Jin''s response caught me by surprise. -Oh, so that was L.M.L? I did think the fabric felt really nice when I felt it. Anyway, why does it matter? Yoo-Jin admitted she didn''t know, but brushed it off saying it was just a free sponsorship anyway. For a moment, I was left speechless. ''What would the actresses I managed in my past life have done in this situation?'' I wondered. Regardless of the situation, they would''ve demanded that the luxury clothes be returned immediately. Yet, Yoo-Jin wasn''t stingy at all. Thanks to her, I didn''t have to go meet Oh Sung-Yeon to get the clothes back. -I''m trending just for that? "Sung-Yeon exaggerated a bit about what you did for her." Yoo-Jinughed and said she''d have to give her another outfit next time. -Oppa, I''ll see youter then~. Miso''s calling me. "Okay, take care." -Uncle Yoon-Ho,e quickly! After replying to Miso''s urging, I hung up. For some reason, I couldn''t help but smile. Yoo-Jin''s selfless and considerate nature warmed my heart. "Thank you, Yoo-Jin," I whispered to myself. I returned to reading the article after ending the call. Shortly, I received a call from Chief Lee Yung-Ah who managed the L.M.L brand. -Mr. Jung! Thanks to Miss Yoo-Jin, it looks like the showcase will bepletely booked! L.M.L''s brand showcase was scheduled to be held two dayster on August 29th at the Samsung-dong Art Hall. Lee Yung-Ah had set up a 500-seat stage and invited reporters, celebrities, and industry professionals. Up until yesterday, only about 30% had confirmed their attendance. However, after Oh Sung-Yeon''s post yesterday, she had been receiving responses from everyone saying they would attend. Moreover, there were now numerous requests for additional invitations. -Ha ha ha. This is all thanks to Miss Yoo-Jin. Following the sess of Manshin Wol-Ah, Yoo-Jin''s kind actions were also elevating the prestige of the L.M.L brand. -How should I possibly repay her for this? I owe her so much. Lee Yung-Ah expressed her deep gratitude, saying she had chosen the right advertising model. "Well, this much is expected considering how much she''s being paid in advertisement fees." When I joked, Lee Yung-Ahughed heartily. -Ha ha. I''ll make sure to reward her separately. See you the day after tomorrow. "Yes, see you then." After hanging up, I felt a surge of pride. I was increasingly convinced that my decision to only work with celebrities of good character was the right one. Now, it was my turn as a talent agent to step up. I started calling the reporters and asked them to promote the recent events. Soon enough, articles began to appear and Yoo-Jin''s name once again filled the trending live search rankings. [Live Search Rankings] 1st Jung Yoo-Jin 2nd Jung Yoo-Jin - big hearted 3rd L.M.L New Skirt 4th L.M.L Brand Showcase 5th Manshin Wol-Ah Jung Yoo-Jin ... *** At 8 p.m., Kang Gam-Chan personally drove to the MBS headquarters parking lot. "Mr Kang, why did youe alone? Where''s Ms. Kang?" I asked. Kang Ji-Yung was still meeting with the victims of Writer Oh Sang-Jong from Empress Myeongseong 2021. "As you suggested, she''s there with Team Lead Kwak trying to persuade them. She''ll contact us as soon as it''s done. Let''s hope for good news." I bowed slightly. "Thank you for your hard work, sir." "Hard work? The real work is being done by my subordinates. Anyway, let''s go inside," said Kang Gam-Chan with a warm smile. Kang Gam-Chan strode forward confidently. He had lost some weight and looked a bit frail, but his back seemed broad and strong today. Technically speaking, Hoop Entertainment was not obligated to help those victims with its funds. Regardless, Kang Gam-Chan didn''t hesitate to extend a hand to them. This made me realize once again how much respect he deserved. I followed behind Kang Gam-Chan as we entered the MBS headquarters building. On the way up in the elevator, I noticed posters for In the Name of God everywhere. Although Ju Yung-In was the lead, the posters were heavily focused on Yoo-Jin and Manshin Wol-Ah. At a nce, it would be easy to mistake Yoo-Jin for the lead. Kang Gam-Chan smiled contentedly as he looked at the posters. "The impact of your work is no joke." I grinned and scratched my head. "Indeed." Then, Kang Gam-Chan patted my shoulder and said, "You''ve done an excellent job while I was away." "Not at all, Mr. Kang." In the meantime, we arrived in front of the MBS president''s office. Kang Gam-Chan turned to me. "Alright. Shall we go in then?" Kang Gam-Chan knocked on the president''s office door. Knock knock. The luxurious solid paulownia wood door made a deep sound, and a man''s voice called out from inside. -Come on in. As we entered the MBS president''s office, Choi Sang-Byung nodded in our direction. He seemed in a foul mood given that his ambitious project, Empress Myeongseong 2021, was on the verge of being scrapped. However, there was something else even more concerning. To the right of Choi Sang-Byung sat Choi Tae-Hyun, who had previously embarrassed himself by visiting Lee Ji-Yeon''s house. "I called Director Choi because he was directly handling this matter," Choi Sang-Byung exined. Choi Sang-Byung didn''t seem too fond of Choi Tae-Hyun, likely due to the previous incident where thetter had proposed that Yoo-Jin showed more skin to boost viewership ratings. Nheless, as Choi Tae-Hyun was the one in charge of this project, Choi Sang-Byung had no choice but to involve him. After exchanging greetings, we took our seats while Choi Tae-Hyun red at us. "Director Choi, let''s start with your findings," said Choi Sang-Byung. Choi Tae-Hyun nodded. "Yes, sir." Then, he began his report with a firm tone. "Those usations arepletely unfounded. I personally met with Mr. Oh Sang-Jong, and he swore on his reputation that none of it was true!" Seething with anger, Choi Tae-Hyun fixed his gaze on me and continued, "Team Lead Jung! If you weren''t happy with the drama''s casting or synopsis, you should have just said so. Falsely using the writer is uneptable!" Choi Sang-Byung looked at me with a troubled expression and said, "The used is denying everything so strongly. What''s going on here? Did you really verify your ims?" Before I could respond, Kang Gam-Chan stepped in calmly. "Are you implying that Team Lead Jung is lying?" At Kang Gam-Chan''s bold retort, Choi Sang-Byung cleared his throat. "Ahem. Well, that''s not what I meant." Kang Gam-Chan brimmed with confidence and continued to present our case. "And what''s the point of asking a criminal if theymitted the crime? Of course they''ll deny it. He''s probably trying to silence the victims by now. I think Director Choi might have made a mistake this time." Although Kang Gam-Chan calmly pointed out the ws in their approach, Choi Tae-Hyun wasn''t ready to concede defeat. "Mr. Kang! A criminal, you say? How dare you nder such a distinguished figure in Korean academia? I will not let this slide!" Choi Tae-Hyun yelled. Nheless, Kang Gam-Chan didn''t even blink once. Just then, both Kang Gam-Chan and my phones buzzed simultaneously. After checking his KkTalk message, Kang Gam-Chan grinned and looked at Choi Tae-Hyun. "It seems the definition of ¡®distinguished'' has changed quite a bittely." Kang Gam-Chan then handed his phone to Choi Sang-Byung. Adjusting his sses, Choi Sang-Byung''s face twisted in anger as he read the screen. The same message had arrived on my phone¡ªa set of documents formatted in aint form with nk spaces filled in. Kang Ji-Yung had sessfully convinced the victims to file charges. Choi Sang-Byung''s face contorted further as he shoved the phone toward Choi Tae-Hyun. "Director Choi, do you see this?" "Uh-uh... this is..." "Distinguished? nder? Care to repeat that!?" Choi Tae-Hyun''s eyes darted nervously. "N-no, that''s not what I meant..." Choi Sang-Byung let out a deep sigh and pointed toward the door. "Get out!" "M-Mr. Choi!" Choi Tae-Hyun tried to insist there must be a mistake and promised to look into it again, but Choi Sang-Byung wasn''t having any of it. "You still say that even after seeing the victims''int? Get out while I''m being nice!" "B-but Mr. Choi... Writer Oh would never stoop so low..." Choi Sang-Byung couldn''t hold back any longer and mmed his fist on the sofa armrest. "Hey! Did you get bribed by Writer Oh or something?" "No, of course not." "Then are you hiswyer? Why are you making excuses for him all the time? Are you two trying to sink MBS together?" Choi Tae-Hyun had climbed the ranks by skillfully navigating office politics. But now, his rope had finally snapped. "Hey! Are you leaving or do I have to drag you out?" Choi Sang-Byung shouted. "I-I''ll leave..." Choi Tae-Hyun stuttered and stood up from his seat with a pale face. As he walked out of the president''s office, his legs were shaking. At that moment, I had a strong feeling that I wouldn''t be seeing him again. Seizing the opportunity, I checked my nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: February 12, 2021] 11:00 p.m. (Deleted Schedule: <Empress Myeongseong 2021> meeting about writer Oh Sang-Jong''s sexual scandal (Report: Collectivewsuit by students during his professorship. Legal Division''s team lead in attendance). Finally, not only were all the filming schedules for Empress Myeongseong 2021 canceled but all the events rted to Oh Sang-Jong''s scandal had also beenpletely wiped out. *** Looking as though he had aged several years in a short time, Choi Sang-Byung slumped back on the sofa, utterly exhausted. After sighing deeply a few times, he turned to look at us and asked, "By the way, Mr. Kang. When do they n to file thewsuit?" "They intended to do so after the drama aired. The victims were left with nothing but resentment..." replied Kang Gam-Chan. Choi Sang-Byung sighed heavily. "Sigh. Had the articlee out after theunch, we''d have been done for. Given the situation, should we consider providing somepensation and covering the legal fees?" His intention was to show that MBS was also a victim who had nothing to do with Oh Sang-Jong''s misdeeds and that they stood with the victims by offering support. This was a smart move that could also help prevent further damage to thework''s reputation. Kang Gam-Chan nodded and epted Choi Sang-Byung''s suggestion. "Let''s proceed with that. I''ll make the necessary arrangements." "We owe a great deal to Hoop Entertainment this time. Thank you so much, Mr. Kang." Kang Gam-Chan shook his head. "I didn''t do much. It was Team Lead Jung here who handled everything." Kang Gam-Chan was giving me all the credit. In truth, I had only provided the information and it was Kang Ji-Yung who had tirelessly run around to resolve the issue. At that moment, Choi Sang-Byung looked directly at me. "Team Lead Jung. Thanks to you, we avoided losing a massive sum of 30 billion won." I smiled. "Not at all, sir." Choi Sang-Byung shook his head. "No, I have my pride to consider and I can''t just let this slide. I need to reward you somehow..." Then, after a moment of contemtion, Choi Sang-Byung made an unexpected proposal. Chapter 286: Destiny (3)

Chapter 286: Destiny (3)

"Just pick any script with Jung Yoo-Jin as the lead and I''ll make sure it gets produced no matter what it is!" The reward for saving a potential 30 billion won in losses turned into an extraordinary opportunity. In the world of drama production, the most crucial element was securing a broadcasting slot. Productionpanies sought funding and top stars mainly to secure this very slot. Without a confirmed air date, even the best writer, synopsis, and lead actors were worthless. This was why the broadcasting stations held all the power. But Choi Sang-Byung was offering us full production funding and a guaranteed slot. "Thank you, Mr. Choi!" I eximed with joy. I was so taken aback by the unexpected proposal that I instinctively bowed deeply. Even Kang Gam-Chan looked surprised. Ourpany was suddenly being thrust into the role of a productionpany. Kang Gam-Chan said, "This is an incredibly generous gift, Mr. Choi." "It''s nothing. I have to at least do this much. Thanks to you, we managed to avert a major disaster. The board might have been talking about removing me if things had gone wrong," replied Choi Sang-Byung. Then he turned to me again. "Oh, by the way. Did I mention the payment was 100 million won?" I nodded. "Yes, the CP already informed me." "Rest assured. No matter what project you choose, the payment will remain unchanged." Typically, the actors'' pay varied depending on the drama they chose. However, Choi Sang-Byung was promising Yoo-Jin a solid 100 million won regardless of the drama chosen. For the first time, MBS was acknowledging Yoo-Jin as an S-ss star ahead of otherworks. With this level of support, I couldn''t sit idly by. I made a firm resolve. ''I''ll make sure President Choi thinks he made the right choice.'' Thanks to Choi Sang-Byung''s bold move, Writer Han Woo-Ju''s Hwaranjeon was now ted to air on MBS. *** As soon as we stepped out of the president''s office, a swarm of MBS producers who had been waiting rushed over. "Hey! Miss Yoo-Jin''s next project will be with us, right?" "We''ve got a great script. How about we take a look together?" "Any chance Miss Yoo-Jin would consider a morning show? She''s got a surprising number of housewife fans." "Skip thoseme morning shows! Miss Yoo-Jin is worth more than that for sure. Team Lead Jung, pick any weekend variety slot¡ªFriday, Saturday, Sunday¡ªyou name it and I''ll make it happen!" Proposals flooded in from every department¡ªnews, variety, drama¡ªeach begging to feature Yoo-Jin. It was fortunate that Kang Gam-Chan was with me. Otherwise, I might have been stuck here all day. Drenched in sweat, we finally made our way through the crowd and down to the parking lot. Even Kang Gam-Chan''s forehead was beaded with sweat. "It''s been a long time since I''ve felt this way." In just the past day or two, Yoo-Jin had risen to the pinnacle of Korean actors. All the attention and proposals was exhausting, but the smiles on both our faces were undeniable. Kang Gam-Chan turned to look at me. "Yoon-Ho. From now on, it''s all about endurance. You know that, right?" "Yes, sir." Once an actress'' poprity rose, it would take effort to maintain it. Climbing to the top was definitely challenging, but staying there and fighting thepetitors would be even harder. "For the time being, take all the resources thepany can offer. I''ll back you up on everything. This is going to be a valuable experience for you," said Kang Gam-Chan. Kang Gam-Chan surely knew how to give wings to a rising star. "Thank you, Mr. Kang!" I responded with a big grin. Kang Gam-Chan smiled warmly. "By the way, are you prepared for the next project?" "Yes, sir. I''ve been keeping an eye on a certain writer." I briefly mentioned Writer Han Woo-Ju, who wrote Hwaranjeon in my past life. Although shecked experience, her writing had a unique charm. I also exined the rough plot of Hwaranjeon, which was probably still just a concept at this stage. Kang Gam-Chan tilted his head. "The Si dynasty? That''s not exactly mainstream. Has the script beenpleted?" "It''s still at the synopsis stage. I''ll share it with you once I meet with the writer and if negotiations go well." Han Woo-Ju was currently an assistant writer for the renowned Writer Yoo Sun-Jung. Before finalizing the project, I needed to consider how to protect Han Woo-Ju from any potential copyright ims by Yoo Sun-Jung. Kang Gam-Chan nodded and said that he trusted me. "It''s fortunate you''ve already chosen a project, but... it''s very rare to receive this level of authority without any budget constraints. Don''t put all your eggs in one basket. Prepare a few backup options just in case." "Yes, I''ve already prepared two alternatives. I''ll organize them and report back soon." Although I had two other scripts ready in case we couldn''t move forward with Hwaranjeon, I was determined to make Hwaranjeon happen no matter what. After all, the other two projects had projected viewership ratings that were 7% and 9% lower than Hwaranjeon in my past life. Satisfied with my proactive response, Kang Gam-Chan patted me on the shoulder with a pleased expression. *** At Sushi-Ryo, a Japanese restaurant in Myeong-dong, four shareholders of Hoop Entertainment gathered for their monthly meeting at their regr spot. However, today they had a guest: a middle-aged man making various proposals in awkward Korean. He was Tanaka, the president of Hoop Entertainment''s Japanese partner, Aris Production. Tanaka had surprisingly proposed changing the previous profit-sharing ratio from 8:2 in favor of Japan to an even 5:5 split. It was unusual for him to offer a less favorable deal, but there was a reason for this. He had recently learned that a prominent Korean politician, Park Sang-Gon, was set to make one of the partners, Choi Man-Sik, his son-inw. Completely unaware of this fact, Choi Eun-Tae tilted his head in confusion. Aris Production had never been one to make concessions and relied on the size of the Japanese market to dominate negotiations. "President Tanaka, why are you making such a favorable offer to us?" Choi Eun-Tae asked. Tanaka responded in his stilted Korean. "We are well aware of Hoop Entertainment''s rapid growth. Our parentpany has instructed us to strengthen our rtionship with Hoop Entertainment as they believe it will soon be Korea''s number one. Additionally..." "Additionally?" After a brief pause, Tanaka continued, "Mr. Yamamoto, the president of our parentpany, was persuaded by Mr. Choi Man-Sik who invited me here." Choi Eun-Tae asked in a low voice, "Is that the only condition? Do we need to meet any other requirements?" Tanaka shook his head. "There''s none." Choi Eun-Tae tried to process this new development and organize his thoughts. Just a few days ago, Kang Gam-Chan had reported that they were considering switching to a different Japanese partner. Remarkably, Kang Gam-Chan and Kang Ji-Yung had managed to secure a 5:5 deal with the new candidate. However, Choi Man-Sik¡ªChoi Eun-Tae''s rival and adopted son¡ªhad brought in the same offer from Aris Production at this critical time. On top of that, Aris Production had made separate proposals to the other shareholders who were now all siding with Choi Man-Sik. ''What impable timing!'' Choi Eun-Tae thought to himself. Lee Sang-Pil of LSP Inc. licked his lips in anticipation and asked, "I need the image rights for Japanese celebrities. Do you think that''s possible?" Lee Sang-Pil, a businessman who sold cosmetics and clothing in Japan through LSP Inc., had been struggling to secure image rights for Japanese celebrities. Tanaka grinned. "Of course. I will personally ensure that happens." Not wanting to miss the opportunity, Park Hyung-Moon, the President of True Angels, also jumped into the conversation. "Th-then could you also help with financial investments? I heard you have many connections in the financial sector." Tanaka nodded. "Sure thing, Mr. Park." The eyes of the three directors excluding Choi Eun-Tae gleamed with greed. Choi Eun-Tae couldn''t help but be impressed by Choi Man-Sik''s swift maneuvering. Choi Man-Sik had managed to aplish what even Choi Eun-Tae hadn''t been able to. "And what do you think, Mr. Choi?" The four men including Choi Man-Sik stared at Choi Eun-Tae with expectant eyes and straightened their backs. When Choi Eun-Tae observed their arrogant gazes, he contemted using every resource at his disposal to crush the men before him. Even though he was an old tiger, he still had enough strength left to go for their throats. However, the lingering attachment to his son in the corner of his heart cooled his anger. If his son was out there somewhere, he had to endure this for his sake. After a brief silence, Choi Eun-Tae finally spoke. "Man-Sik has done something remarkable." With Choi Eun-Tae''s approval, a triumphant smile briefly crossed Choi Man-Sik''s lips as he spoke. "In that case, I''ll immediately revise the contract terms." Choi Eun-Tae nodded. "Good. Make sure to inform President Kang." "I was nning to visit him with President Tanaka anyway." With the conversation concluded, Choi Eun-Tae asked Tanaka to step outside for a moment. Tanaka agreed to wait in the car and left the room. Once it was just the four of them left in the room, the others praised Choi Man-Sik with excited expressions while Choi Man-Sik modestly deflected thepliments. "It wasn''t all me. Chief Kim Dong-Soo from Hoop Entertainment yed a significant role in this." Although Choi Man-Sik was the one who orchestrated everything, he attributed the sess to Kim Dong-Soo in the attempt to elevate him because if things were to continue this way, Kim Dong-Soo''s position within Hoop Entertainment could be at risk. Lee Sang-Pil and Park Hyung-Moonughed heartily. "Ha ha ha, I thought Dong-Soo was being overshadowed by that guy Jung Yoon-Ho, but it seems he still has some tricks up his sleeve." "I knew he was focused on international rtions, but I didn''t expect him to pull off something this big." Lee Sang-Pil and Park Hyung-Moon showered Kim Dong-Soo with praise, almost as if they wanted Choi Eun-Tae to hear it. Suppressing his rising anger to the three who were deceiving him, Choi Eun-Tae begrudgingly joined in their praise. When the talk about Kim Dong-Soo finally subsided, Choi Eun-Tae cleared his throat and spoke up. "Ahem. By the way, President Kang recently asked me to determine the bonus amount for Jung Yoon-Ho who made significant contributions." Choi Man-Sik furrowed his brow slightly. "Do we really need to be the ones to discuss team lead level bonuses? Shouldn''t we leave that to President Kang?" "He''s considering paying a bonus of about 300 million won." The three men''s faces twisted in disapproval in an instant. "What? 300 million won just as a bonus?" "Has President Kang finally lost his mind?" In reality, Kang Gam-Chan had only requested a 100 million won bonus. However, Choi Eun-Tae was intent on pushing it to 300 million. With the Japanese partnership secured as of today''s meeting, the bnce of power could shift toward Kim Dong-Soo significantly as the Japanese market''s profits were several timesrger than Korea''s. To counterbnce this potential shift and prevent Hoop Entertainment from falling entirely into Choi Man-Sik''s hands, Choi Eun-Tae had to put some weight on Kang Gam-Chan''s side by insisting on the 300 million won bonus. Of course, part of his decision was influenced by the lingering thought that Jung Yoon-Ho might be his son. Despite some resistance regarding Jung Yoon-Ho''s bonus, Choi Eun-Tae ultimately had his way as thergest shareholder of Hoop Entertainment. He had already given something up, so he made sure to gain something in return. Moreover, the argument that the Japanese partner''s submissive stance was due to Jung Yoon-Ho''s achievements also worked in his favor. However, Choi Eun-Tae gritted his teeth in frustration seeing the other three oppose even minor issues. ''Just wait and see, you bastards...'' Choi Eun-Tae cursed inwardly. The three men Choi Eun-Tae had once nurtured were now circling him like wolves, waiting to pounce on him. Choi Man-Sik''s rapid rise fueled by his alliance with politician Park Sang-Gon had even swayed two of Choi Eun-Tae''s closest allies to his side. Nevertheless, a tiger never loses its stripes. The three men didn''t realize that whatever power Choi Eun-Tae held that was visible to them was merely the tip of the iceberg. *** After returning home, I took a shower and went downstairs. Upon seeing me, Miso ran up to me and climbed onto myp. "Uncle Yoon-Ho! Uncle Yoon-Ho! Everyone in Korea is a fan of Mom!" I was confused at first, but then Miso pointed to an article on a website. [Jung Yoo-Jin''s Charm Captivates Korea! (By Jang Moon-Ki)] -The Nation''s Actress, Jung Yoo-Jin! The Best Actress in Korea, Who Showed Shocking Acting Skills. How Far Can Her Transformation Go? Watching Her Change Day by Day, My Heart Swells with Pride! (Comments) -Neighborhood Big Heart: LOL. The reporter is funny. Anyway, I''m a Jung Yoo-Jin fan from today! -Free Consulting: After watching her this morning, even my mom and grandma became Jung Yoo-Jin fans too! They want to buy everything she advertises, haha. -Basement Warrior: Is there an official fan club yet? -Tteokbokki Bread Lover: I''ve never stanned anyone before, but when''s the next fan meeting? -Shepherd Boy: My mom still doesn''t believe it. When I said Jung Yoo-Jin is Manshin Wol-Ah, she pped my back for talking nonsense. Most of thements praised Yoo-Jin''s acting. Seeing Miso''s excitement, I smiled warmly and responded, "Ah, I see. But I already knew that~" "He he! I knew it. Even my kindergarten teacher said she''s a fan of Mom..." Before meeting me, Miso thought everyone disliked her mother. Regardless of the circumstances, it wasmon for a young woman raising a child alone to face gossip. -Mom is having a hard time because of me. Yoo-Jin also struggled, thinking that Miso was unhappy because of her shorings as a mother. -If I were better, Miso wouldn''t cry so often. If only my sister and brother-inw were still alive, this wouldn''t be happening. But now, I couldn''t find a trace of that darkness in either of them. Over the past two days, there wasn''t a single person in Korea who didn''t know about Yoo-Jin and Miso. Looking into Miso''s joyful eyes, I asked her, "Are you happy, Miso?" Miso beamed with her eyes forming crescent moons as she shouted, "Yes! I''m the happiest girl in the world~!" Hearing her answer made my heart swell. I realized that while I had saved Miso and Yoo-Jin after traveling back in time, it felt like I was the one who had truly been saved. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I turned my gaze to the TV and said, "Miso, should we watch some drama now?" "Okay~!" As soon as Miso answered, the 10th episode of In the Name of God began airing on TV. One hourter, as expected, Kim Sung-Woon called to report the viewership ratings. -Mr. Jung~ It''s a huge hit! A massive sess!" Chapter 287: Aftermath

Chapter 287: Aftermath

"How high were the viewership ratings that got you this excited?" I asked. -We hit 29.1%! They went up again! While I had expected the viewership rating to soar with Yoo-Jin revtion of her identity as Manshin Wol-Ah yesterday, I had expected today''s rating to drop by about 2% since there wasn''t any shocking revtion. ''But 29.1% in the 10th episode?'' I thought in awe. At that moment, I realized what the phrase "My Heart Swells with Pride" from Jang Moon-Ki''s article meant. While exchangingpliments with Kim Sung-Woon, I could hear someone urgently calling out for him over the line. -Oh! The president wants me toe up right away. I''ll see you on setter. "Alright, Mr. Kim." After hanging up the call with Kim Sung-Woon, I informed Yoo-Jin about the viewership ratings. Yoo-Jin looked at me in disbelief. "Really? Is it really 29.1%?" Miso also looked up at me with her eyes twinkling with excitement. "UncleYoon-Ho, is Mom really the best?" "Yes. Right now, your mom is the most sessful actress in the country~" Miso cheered and hugged Yoo-Jin tightly. "Wow~ Mom, you''re the best!" Yoo-Jin hugged her back tightly. "Thank you~" As the two celebrated, news articles began to pour in. [Even after that truth is revealed, the transformation is still surprising¡ªJung Yoo-Jin''s dual personas.] [Breaking news! In the Name of God hits 29.1% viewership ratings with its 10th episode! [Jung Yoo-Jin! A God-given acting talent!] [Acting genius Jung Yoo-Jin! She''s taken over Korea, and she''s taken over my heart!] Typically, viewership ratings weren''t reported until the next day. But thanks to the growing interest in Yoo-Jin since yesterday, entertainment reporters were publishing articles about her, as if covering a big sports event. After checking Yoo-Jin''s articles online, I checked my nner this time. Some of the scheduled events were missing here and there due to the changes Yoo-Jin triggered. However, I noticed that several Japan-rted events had been removed as well. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: November 24, 2020] -03:00 p.m. (Deleted Scheduled Event: Wee event for Japanese partner (President Hiroshi from AMOSE). Small underground auditorium.) Upon checking the nner, I recalled that Kang Ji-Yung was about to rece the Japanese partner Aris Production with apany called AMOSE. ''Is that why it got canceled?'' I wondered. This scenario seemed usible considering that the timing of the partner recement had sped up significantlypared to my past life. At that moment, I received a call from Kang Ji-Yung. -Congrattions, Mr. Jung. I heard the viewership ratings were a huge hit. Please pass my congrattions to Miss Yoo-Jin as well. Kang Ji-Yung said that she was surprised by the sudden celebratory atmosphere she faced when she returned to thepany after meeting a victim of Oh Sang-Jong. Nheless, upon hearing about the viewership ratings, she also let out a cheer. After all, Yoo-Jin winning a big award at the end of the year was practically a given at this point. However, her voice sounded heavy for some reason despite delivering good news. "Ms. Kang, has something gone wrong?" At that moment, Kang Ji-Yung spoke in a weary tone. -Actually, the change in the Japanese partner got a bitplicated. I couldn''t understand what she meant and quickly asked again, "Didn''t you say it would be finalized with just a signature on the contract?" -Yes, that was the n. However, Aris Production, our current partner, suddenly proposed extremely favorable terms out of nowhere. My father also received the news and said there was no valid reason to refuse. Until now, Hoop Entertainment had been locked into a highly disadvantageous contract with their Japanese partner. The deal split the profits generated in Japan with a 80:20 ratio¡ª80% for them, 20% for us. We did all the work, and all they did was use their existing distributionwork to take the lion''s share of the profits. This was why Kang Ji-Yung had been working tirelessly to secure AMOSE as a new partner. But this evening, the terms were changed to a 50-50 split. -Thanks to you, Mr. Jung, Hoop Entertainment''s valuation has skyrocketed. That''s why Aris Production made this new offer. They even suggested that Hoop Entertainment could be the number one entertainmentpany in Korea at this rate... I was dumbfounded and left speechless for a moment. The sess I had achieved inadvertently interfered with Kang Ji-Yung''s efforts. Knowing her personality, she wouldn''t have given up easily. So it was clear that the higher-ups had made the decision and informed her afterward. "Did the Japanese side make the first offer?" -Oh, no, it wasn''t that. Chief Kim Dong-Soo went to Japan and secured the contract. "That''s unbelievable..." -Right? It''s strange that this offer came out of nowhere, especially since Chief Kim went to Japan months ago. Ever since my return, Kim Dong-Soo had been nothing but a string of failures. Rumor even had it that Actor Division 3 was now practically non-existent, so it didn''t make any sense how he could have advanced such a significant deal without anyone knowing. ''They must think I''m a fool,'' I thought. I knew there was only one person capable of pulling off something like this. "President Choi Man-Sik must have intervened." -To be honest, I suspected the same thing. It was obvious why Choi Man-Sik had used Kim Dong-Soo''s name: He was trying to prevent the copse of the Suhyaejong line at all costs. ''No wonder why this event remained in my nner...'' I contemted while looking at my nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: November 11, 2022] -01:00 p.m. Top Entertainment Inauguration Ceremony. ''Kim Dong-Soo, you''re more tenacious than a whale tendon.'' I never thought it would be easy to prevent Top Entertainment''s inauguration, especially since the Suhyaejong line was fiercely protecting Kim Dong-Soo. Nheless, I was sure that once I brought Choi Sung-Ae back from the U.S., there would be no way they could protect him any longer. However, this wasn''t something I could discuss with Kang Ji-Yung right now. -Phew. Still, I feel a bit better after sharing this. Thanks for listening to me. "It''s nothing, Ms. Kang." Perhaps because she finally had someone to confide in, Kang Ji-Yung''s voice brightened slightly. -Even though we missed out on Japan, we still have the Chinese market that you opened up. So we won''t fall too far behind. I ended the call with Kang Ji-Yung on a hopeful note. "I agree." At that moment, I heard a voice from beside me. "Oppa, what did Ms. Kang say? Is it something bad?" I turned to see Yoo-Jin and Miso standing nearby, eagerly waiting for my call to end. I knew that telling them would only cause unnecessary worry, so I gave a vague response. "No, it''s just that the Japanese partner offered good terms and the contract was renewed." Yoo-Jin tilted her head in curiosity. "Really? Does that mean I''m going to Japan? I only know ''Ogenkidesuka'' and ''Arigato'' in Japanese." Miso proudly chimed in while sticking out her belly. "I know ''Oishii~'' and ''Konnichiwa!''" I smiled and replied, "You both know quite a lot. You might be ready for a Japan debut!" Yoo-Jin then seriously asked if she should start studying Japanese now, but that wasn''t necessary. I shook my head. "No, just focus on your activities in Korea for now." For singers, the revenue difference between album sales and concert earnings was so significant that they often prioritize the Japanese market over the Korean one once they made it big. However, things were different for actors. While many actors shuttled between Tokyo and Seoul for marketing events like fan signings, it was much more profitable to work on a good project in Korea. Ultimately, the money naturally followed if actors performed in a lot of quality productions in this industry. I cleared my throat and suggested the two of them head to bed. After all, tomorrow will be an even busier day. "Anyway, congrattions. 29.1% in the 10th episode is amazing! You really worked hard for this." Yoo-Jin shook her head with a smile. "Oh,e on. It''s all thanks to you for pushing me to take on a dual role, oppa. I just did what you suggested." "That''s easier said than done," I replied. Yoo-Jin stuck out her tongue shyly in response. As calls for advertisements and program appearances flooded in, I put my phone on silent and stopped checking it. While the eventful day was finallying to an end, the celebratory moments awaiting Yoo-Jin were far from over. In my past life, Yoo-Jin was already hailed as a genius actor and recognized as the best talent Asia had produced. And now, she had me, the top talent agent in Korea, by her side. I started to wonder just how far she could go this time. *** As soon as I arrived at the office the next day, I saw the staff from Actor Division 2 glued to their phones. Since the revtion of Manshin Wol-Ah''s identity two days ago, our phones had been ringing non-stop with inquiries about Yoo-Jin. "Yes, Director~ I''ll check if she''s interested in movies and get back to you as soon as possible." "Mr. Choi, we''re getting drama offers not just from the three major broadcasters but also from cableworks. Do you think it makes sense we only give you special treatment?" "Please have mercy, Mrs. Yang. I''m telling you, that can''t be done!" "200 million won? The minimum rate is now 500 million won for ads!" Talent agents were usually in a subservient position, bowing to broadcasters and advertisers. But thanks to Yoo-Jin''s poprity, they were speaking with uncharacteristic authority. For this reason, everyone wore bright expressions despite the constant phone calls. Just as I was about topliment them for their hard work, everyone stood up simultaneously and raised their hands. They were signaling for my help with their respective negotiations. However, Gu Seong-Cheol blocked all those pleading looks and stepped in front of me. "Follow me." Gu Seong-Cheol grabbed me at the entrance of Actor Division 2 and pulled me outside to the hallway where he began exining the situation. "We''re getting endless offers for advertisements, programs, and movie roles right now. We''ll handle the follow-up, so don''t worry about the minor stuff and head up to the sixth floor." I raised my eyebrows. "The sixth floor?" "Yes, the meeting room on the sixth floor. The people from Yetterang are here to see you." Since my phone had been off due to the flood of calls, Ahn Seok-Hoon and Ahn Myung-Hoon from Yetterang hade to the office in person. Gu Seong-Cheol gave me a slight push on the back. "Hurry up and go." I took the elevator up to the meeting room on the sixth floor, where Kang Gam-Chan was already engaged in a conversation with Yetterang''s Ahn Seok-Hoon and Ahn Myung-Hoon. "Hello." When I greeted them, Ahn Seok-Hoon raised his hand in a warm gesture. "Oh~ Mr. Jung!" After exchanging greetings and taking a seat, they quickly got to the point. "We''re nning tounch another brand." "Already?" With the rapid growth of the current Miso line, they had secured sufficient funds. They mentioned that they had created a new product with anti-aging effects that were three times stronger than the existing products. The new product was named Wol-Ah (Ô¶ð). "So... we''d like Miss Yoo-Jin to be the advertising model again," said Ahn Seok-Hoon. My eyes widened slightly. "But Yoo-Jin is already the brand model for the Miso line." "We''d like her to do another one separately. We''re offering an additional 500 million won per year." Yoo-Jin''s advertising fee was already set at 300 million won a year, 200 million of which was paid in Yetterang''s stocks. The price of Yetterang''s unlisted stocks had roughly tripled by now. Despite this, they wanted to add a separate contract for the new cosmetics brand, offering exceptionally favorable terms. Kang Gam-Chan smiled. "What do you think, Team Lead Jung?" Without a moment of hesitation, I shouted, "We should absolutely do it!" This was another moment where Yoo-Jin''s value skyrocketed once again. *** It was August 28th. Even though I was swamped with Yoo-Jin''s schedule, I had to clear my own schedule today since I had arranged a meeting with Ju Yung-In to rescue Lily from the Sichuan earthquake. I had scheduled the meeting with Ju Yung-In at 1 p.m. at the Korean restaurant in LT Hotel in Sogong-dong, and now, I was waiting at Incheon Airport to wee Wang Long and Lily. The clock above the arrivals gate showed 10:30 a.m. "They should being out any moment now..." Just then, the doors of the arrivals gate opened and the business ss passengers began to walk out. Wang Long came out first, followed closely by Lily, a model who stood at 175 cm. She was dressed in a white see-through dress with a wide-brimmed hat. "Hey~ over here!" I called out. When I waved, Wang Long dressed casually strode over and gave me a big hug. "Hey, brother~" "What''s with the ''brother'' all of a sudden?" I asked. "I saw in the Korean movie New World that they greet like this." "Ha ha. That movie''s from ages ago!" I chuckled. After exchanging a friendly greeting with Wang Long, I extended my hand to Lily who had followed him. "Wee to Korea." Lily greeted me in awkward Korean, "Hello, Yoon-Ho oppa. Thanks to you, I get to meet Ju Yung-In!" She was bouncing on her feet like an excited child. I grinned. "Ha ha. Then let''s head straight to the meeting ce. We''re cutting it close on time." Just then, Lily asked me to wait for a moment and looked around anxiously. "Where did she go...?" At that moment, I immediately realized who Lily was looking for. "Did your younger sistere with you?" Lily''s expression, which had been joyful moments ago, suddenly became serious. "Yes, my younger sister, Ling Ling. She says she wants to be an idol in Korea! It''s frustrating! She''s so stubborn!" Ling Ling, who would be the legendary star and leader of China''s top idol group in three years, had tagged along. It was a moment where yet another destiny was about to change. Chapter 288: Changing Fate (1)

Chapter 288: Changing Fate (1)

Ling Ling was 16 years old by Korean age. In my past life, Ling Ling vowed to ensure everyone remembered her sister after losing her in the earthquake. She did so by bing the leader of the idol group, Girl Warrior V12, three yearster, and rose to the pinnacle of stardom in China. She reached her career apex at just 19 years old and expressed her longing for herte sister in her award speech, bringing tears to the eyes ofizens across China. The next day, she shocked everyone by suddenly announcing her retirement and moving to Australia to live a quiet life as an ordinary person. Ling Ling''s choice to give up a position coveted by many left a significant impact, making her a living legend in the entertainment industry. However, perhaps due to the change in Lily''s fate, Ling Ling''s future had also shifted. She hade to Korea, determined to be an idol in the country she admired. Lily sighed deeply. "Sigh. Ling Ling can''t dance or sing at all! She''s just relying on her looks to try to be an idol!" As Lily continued to voice her frustrations, Wang Long stepped in to exin. "I told her you were the talent agent who developed Cherry Blossom and Lily suggested we bring her here to get a candid evaluation. I''m sorry for not informing you in advance." ''What should I do?'' I pondered. It seemed Wang Long and Lily were hoping to dissuade Ling Ling from pursuing this path, but I knew that she would be the top idol singer in China in three years. Suddenly, Ling Ling''s future was in my hands. Knowing whaty ahead for her, I wanted to help her achieve her dream. Nheless, in front of Wang Long and Lily, I promised to respect their wishes. "Alright, I''ll give her an objective evaluation." "Thank you! Thank you so much!" Lily eximed as her face lit up. She was clearly convinced that Ling Ling had no potential as an idol. Just as I was about to head back into the arrival hall, a girl with a cute ponytail appeared. Although Ling Ling didn''t yet exude the superstar aura I remembered from my past life, there was a vibrant and lively energy in her expression. Ling Ling eximed excitedly, "Unnie! Oppa! Look over there! It''s a huge ad of Jung Yoo-Jin!" Her enthusiasm was so contagious that other passengers nced curiously in our direction. Of course, Ling Ling''s adorable looks surely yed a big part in catching their attention as well. "Ling Ling! That''s rude! Come over here and introduce yourself properly!" When Lily reprimanded her, Ling Ling stuck out her tongue yfully before running over to us. "Hello! My name is Zhang Ling Ling. My Korean name is Jang Yung-Yung, but you can call me Yung-Ah," greeted Ling Ling. She was such a huge fan of Korean dramas and singers that she had even adopted a Korean name. On top of that, she also spoke perfect standard Korean. "I''m Jung Yoon-Ho. Both of you sisters are truly beautiful." Ling Ling smiled widely. "Thank you! You''re Mr. Jung, right?" I was surprised that Ling Ling knew who I was. "Do you know me?" Ling Ling nodded. "Yes! You became a team lead in your second year and you manage Miss Yoo-Jin, Miso, and Cherry Blossom!" Wang Long shook his head in disbelief beside her. "She''s the president of a Miss Yoo-Jin fan club she started with students in Beijing. The club''s name is Yoo-Mi-Love or something?" I tilted my head. "Yoo-Mi?" "No, Yoo-Mi-Love." Yu-Mi-Love stood for Yoo-Jin and Miso Lovers'' Association. Apparently, it had over 10,000 members and was on the verge of reaching 20,000. "But due to the Korean Wave ban, you wouldn''t have been able to watch Yoo-Jin''s drama that debutedst year in China..." I replied with a puzzled look. Ling Ling confidently responded, "There''s a website where you can watch Korean dramas." Lily frowned at the illegality of it, but Ling Ling shrugged it off and said they could just take it down if they got caught. Of course, Ling Ling could be this bold only because she was the daughter of a high-ranking Communist Party official. The phrase, "rich get away with anything, the poor are guilty of everything", applied just as much in China. Still, having authority was more important in China than having money. Ling Ling continued, "And I''m also starting a Cherry Blossom fan club! So please help me be an idol. Okay?" ''Starting a fan club for Cherry Blossom too?'' I wondered. Ling Ling''s determination to be an idol was unwavering. I was at a loss for words, so I just stood there silently as Ling Ling grabbed my arm. "Mr. Jung! I can do anything, really! I''ll manage the fans well and I''ll practice really hard too!" Ling Ling blinked her eyes at me like a kitten trying to be cute. Behind her, Wang Long and Lily were shaking their heads while forming an "X" with their arms. Unfortunately, they didn''t know Ling Ling''s future. ''I''m sorry, Wang Long and Lily, but this girl is destined to be an idol,'' I silently remarked. I subtly sided with Ling Ling, though I still tried to appear as if I was considering Wang Long and Lily''s concerns. "Then why don''t we test her abilities until she returns to China? If she passes, we''ll talk about it seriously," I suggested. At that moment, Ling Ling jumped up and shouted, "Yes! I''m going to be an idol!" Ling Ling was brimming with more confidence than I had imagined. *** On the way to the Sogong-dong hotel, Wang Long asked with an excited expression, "So Miss Yoo-Jin was really Manshin Wol-Ah, huh?" I nodded. "Yes. Sorry I couldn''t tell you earlier. It wasn''t meant to deceive you, but that''s how things turned out." Wang Long shook his head, "No, you don''t have to apologize to me. But wow~ I can''t believe I didn''t recognize her even when she was right in front of me." Lily also nodded in agreement, while Ling Ling mentioned how the fan website she ran went wild when the news broke. She added that if it weren''t for the Korean Wave ban, Yoo-Jin would have been insanely popr in China as well. That''s when Lily scolded Ling Ling. "Ling Ling, you have to be at least as good as Miss Jung Yoo-Jin to be a celebrity. You can''t do it, Ling Ling. You like ying around too much." Despite Lily''s criticism, Ling Ling scoffed. "Unnie! I don''t want to be an actress, I want to be an idol! A singer!" Lily was 26 years old by Korean age while Ling Ling was 16, and the ten-year age gap between the two made Lily treat Ling Ling more like a daughter than a sister. Nheless, Ling Ling surprisingly had expert-level knowledge about the Korean entertainment industry. Ling Ling eventually pouted when Lily''s nagging continued endlessly. "Why do you always say I can''t do it, unnie?" Ling Ling grumbled. It seemed like Ling Ling and Lily''s argument was about to escte. When Wang Long stepped in to mediate, Ling Ling sulked and puffed out her cheeks like a pufferfish, remaining silent for the rest of the ride to the Sogong-dong hotel. After over an hour of driving, we finally arrived at the LT Hotel in Sogong-dong. I asked for valet service and brought the luggage up to their room. Then, I led the group to the Korean restaurant where we were supposed to meet Ju Yung-In. The current time was 12:04 PM. There was still some time before Ju Yung-In was expected to arrive. I told Ling Ling and Lily to look at the menu, and then stepped outside the room with Wang Long. Wang Long tilted his head in curiosity. "What''s up?" "I actually have a favor to ask." "What is it? Just say the word." I let out a short sigh and then spoke. "You know the Hongryun Shopping Center in Sichuan, right? The ce where Lily was supposed to have her fashion show today." "Yeah. Our Shanghai New Media Inc. is hosting the show today. But what about that ce?" "I think it might be better to dy the event a bit. Is that possible?" I responded. The event was scheduled to start at 2:30 PM. If I had remembered correctly, the earthquake would ur shortly after the event began around 2:40 PM. If the event could be dyed by just 30 minutes, no one would be harmed. Knowing the power that the son of a high-ranking official in China could wield, I thought preventing the ident might be possible. Wang Long hesitated for a moment before asking, "Why?" This time, I couldn''te up with a convincing excuse and ended up giving a ridiculous reason. "I know this soundspletely absurd, but... I had a dreamst night." I made up a story about a prophetic dream, iming that there would be an earthquake near the Hongryun Shopping Center in Sichuan and that people would get hurt. Wong Long''s eyes widened. "What?" "It sounds crazy, right? I know. But... I don''t know if I''m psychic or what, but these dreams tend to be eerily urate," I exined. Wang Long stared at me with a bewildered expression. ''Yeah, I know. I must look like a madman right now,'' I thought to myself. Just as I thought there was no hope, Wang Long raised his phone. "All you need is a 30-minute dy?" "Uh, what? Um... yes." "Got it. Give me a moment." Wang Long immediately made an international call to China to arrange the dy. A few momentster, he looked at me. "I made up an excuse and pushed it back to 3:00 PM." Since the event was hosted by Shanghai New Media Inc. Group, it seemed that dying it wasn''t too difficult. "VIPs arrivingte usually cause dys anyway. I asked our president to leave 30 minutester than nned," said Wang Long. Wang Long also added that it wasn''t a big deal since events were often dyed or canceled due to the whims of those in power in China. "I''ve made sure no one enters the venue until then, so don''t worry too much," he assured me. I felt relieved just as Ju Yung-In and Ahn Yung-Hee appeared in the hallway. "Yoon-Ho oppa, Mr. Wang Long!" greeted Ju Yung-In happily. As we entered the reserved room, Lily jumped to her feet. "It-it''s an honor to meet you! I''m such a huge fan, Miss Ju Yung-In!" Flustered, Lily froze on the spot and greeted Ju Yung-In with stiff formality. Despite being Yoo-Jin''s fan, Ling Ling also seemed excited to meet one of Korea''s most popr actresses. She cheerfully greeted Ju Yung-In and took photos together, clearly enjoying the time. After about ten minutes of pleasantries, we sat down to eat and began reviewing the script. After all, Ju Yung-In was here today to consider a role in Wolf''s Battlefield, a production by Shanghai New Media Inc. Group. Wang Long as he passed a stack of documents over. "Here''s the overall n, synopsis, and script." Ju Yung-In''s face brightened as she read the synopsis. "The concept is great and I like the character as well." When Ju Yung-In gave a satisfied smile, the meeting proceeded smoothly. And by the end of it, we had verbally agreed on her as the lead actress. "Then I''ll send over the contract by tomorrow morning," said Wang Long. Ahn Yung-Hee nodded in agreement. It was now 2:38 p.m. Time had flown by between the meal and discussing the contract. We stood up to prepare to leave for the tour that Ahn Yung-Hee had prepared for us. "Well, let''s start with a stroll through Myeong-dong..." Just then, a simultaneous vibration sounded from Lily, Ling Ling, and Wang Long''s phones. Buzz~ Ling Ling checked her phone and shouted quickly in Chinese. "Unnie! There was an earthquake at Hongryun Shopping Center where today''s event was supposed to happen!" "What?" Lily and Wang Long quickly checked their phones as well. In panic, Wang Long quickly made a frantic call to China. With each passing moment, his face grew white beyond pale. After finishing his call with the fashion show venue, Wang Long turned to me. "Yoon-Ho, how did you...?" He was so shocked that he was speaking to me in Chinese. I awkwardly stammered a reply in broken Chinese. "I told you, my dreams are pretty prophetic." Since our conversation was in Chinese, Ju Yung-In looked puzzled and asked, "Yoon-Ho oppa, what''s going on? Is something bad happening?" I exined that there had been an earthquake in China which had caused a bit of chaos. "An earthquake?" "Yes, it seems the venue for the Shanghai New Media Inc. event was affected." Given the situation, our next ns were out of the question. If we hadn''t adjusted today''s schedule, the three of them would have been at the earthquake site. Realizing that they might have died if things had gone differently, their expressions shifted from excitement to somberness. When I exined the situation, Ju Yung-In wore a disappointed expression and asked, "Well, these things happen. But will they be avable tomorrow?" I shook my head. "I''ll contact you once things have calmed down a bit." Ju Yung-In nced our way, unable to hide her disappointment. "It''s a shame. I had reserved some nice ces for today..." Wang Long stood up and bowed to Ju Yung-In. "It seems like we''ll have to part ways here today due to the sudden incident. But please rest assured¡ªthere won''t be any issues with the contract." Ju Yung-In nodded and then turned to me. "Thanks to you, I secured a good contract today. I won''t forget this debt." After shaking hands and parting ways with Ju Yung-In, Wang Long, who had been holding back his questions, couldn''t contain himself any longer. "Hey! How... No, seriously, what are you? Was that really a prophetic dream?" he questioned. Wang Long admitted that he had given the order with some skepticism. I scratched my head. "Well, there''s a reason people call me a fortune teller." "But still... it''s hard to believe." "This isn''t really the time to be debating that. Is anyone hurt?" I asked. Wang Long let out a deep sigh and replied, "One of the youngest staff members was caught under a copsing wall while doing a final check. We got him to the hospital quickly, and fortunately it''s not a serious injury." "At least that''s a relief." "It could have been worse if not for you. Thank you." Realizing that Lily could have been the one hurt in the ident, Ling Ling on the verge of tears hugged her sister tightly. The two had been at each other''s throats just before arriving at the hotel, but now they were clinging to each other''s hands. At that moment, Wang Long''s phone rang. "Hold on. It''s my father." I overheard my name mentioned a few times during the conversation, so it seemed that Wang Long was exining how I had helped avoid the ident. "Yoon-Ho, my father wants to speak with you for a moment. Oh, you can speak in English." I froze. ''Deputy Secretary Wang Min of Shenzhen, who wouldter rise to one of the top positions in the Communist Party, wants to talk to me directly?'' Wang Long urged, "Go ahead, take it." In my past life, Wang Min was someone who didn''t even acknowledge my existence despite being friends with his son. To put it bluntly, he openly expressed his distaste for a foreign civilian like me having any connection with his son. For this reason, I felt a bit nervous as I took the call. However, the moment I answered the call, I was greeted by an unexpectedly warm voice. -Thank you for saving my son. Chapter 289: Changing Fate (2)

Chapter 289: Changing Fate (2)

Originally, only Wang Long''s fianc¨¦e, Lily, was supposed to die in the Sichuan earthquake. Nheless, when the event venue copsed, Wang Min feared that his son, Wang Long, and daughter-inw, Lily, could have died together. Wang Min expressed his gratitude repeatedly in an emotional tone. -I don''t know how to repay this kindness. Thanks to you, my son and daughter-inw are alive... "Not at all, sir. I just had a bad dream and acted on a whim as a friend. This happened to work out by chance," I replied using the most respectfulnguage. -Please, don''t be so formal. If you''re my son''s friend, you''re like a son to me too. Speakfortably with me. A man who wouldter be the top official of the Chinese Communist Party had asked me to treat him like a father. I had no idea how to respond, but eventually agreed as he continued to press me further. Then Wang Min left me with onest request, saying I should call him whenever I needed help. I tried to decline, but Wang Min firmly stated that such offers should not be refused. "Understood, Father." -It sounds nice to hear you call me that. After finishing his words, Wang Min asked to speak with his son again. When I handed the phone to Wang Long, he continued the conversation with an excited tone. After a long chat, Wang Long ended the call saying he would contact Wang Min againter. "Yoon-Ho, my father wants me to bring you to China sometime." "Me?" "He says he can''t just let this go. He wants to repay you somehow." Wang Long seemed excited to see his father asking to meet his friend for the first time since he became an adult. "Scrap that. Actually, would you like to join us when we return to China?" Wang Long asked. Lily also encouraged me toe with them, but I simply didn''t have the time. "I appreciate the offer, but Yoo-Jin''s schedule is so packed that I really can''t go. Let''s n for another time." Thanks to saving Lily''s life, I received an unexpected invitation. At that moment, I noticed Ling Ling who had been quietly observing from the corner looking at me with a gleam in her eyes. It was as if she believed that earning my approval would make her an idol. ''Ling Ling, just hang in there for a bit longer,'' I remarked inwardly. I deliberately ignored Ling Ling''s gaze and beganforting the others who were still shaken by the sudden news of the earthquake. *** Wang Long, Lily, and Ling Ling had a three-day visit to Korea nned and Ju Yung-In was originally supposed to take them on a tour of Korea on the first day. Unfortunately, the Sichuan earthquake disrupted those ns. At their request to cancel all schedules and rest, I ended up bringing the three of them to my home. Having been informed beforehand, Yoo-Jin and Miso greeted them with overwhelming hospitality. "Wee, everyone!" With Ling Ling acting as the interpreter, there were no difficulties inmunication. While Jung In-Ji was preparing a meal for our guests, the topic of the L.M.L brand showcase which was happening the next day came up. Lily suggested that she could join as a guest if it wouldn''t be a bother. Upon hearing her suggestion, I immediately called Lee Yung-Ah and ryed the proposal. -My goodness! Lily is currently the hottest model in China, isn''t she!? "Yes, she''s at my ce right now." When I sent a picture of Lily and I, Lee Yung-Ah was startled and quickly epted the offer. -Absolutely yes! I''ll schedule her right after Miss Yoo-Jin. Is that okay? "That sounds good. I''ll see you tomorrow then." Then, Lily said she would help Yoo-Jin prepare for the stage by teaching her how to walk like a model. "Yoo-Jin, I''ll help you!" "Thank you, Lily unnie." Since the living room on the first floor was too small, we went out to the yard where Lily began her lesson by showing Yoo-Jin the correct posture and started walking. "Keep your back straight, gaze slightly downward, and walk with a confident expression. Like this," exined Lily. Then, wearing her slippers, she started her walk with a charismatic look with a towel draped over her shoulder that had been drying in the yard. After I tranted Lily''s instructions, Yoo-Jin also grabbed a towel from theundry rack, draped it over her shoulder, and began to walk¡ªwearing slippers as well. Yoo-Jin asked, "Like this?" Lily shook her head. "Hmm, something''s off. Let''s try it a few more times!" As Lily said, Yoo-Jin''s first couple of attempts were awkward. But after watching Lily demonstrate the walk a few more times, Yoo-Jin quickly started to mimic her. Yoo-Jin''s walk soon resembled Lily''s so closely it was as if she was ''performing'' as Lily herself. After about ten rounds of practice, Lily finally yelled okay with a satisfied smile. "Wow~ You have incredible talent! I bet you could be a sessful professional model if you wanted to!" Yoo-Jin beamed at Lily''s high praise. However, Ling Ling, who had been filming with a camera, called out with a slightly disappointed voice. "Yoo-Jin unnie! Let''s try just one more time!" "Again?" asked Yoo-Jin. "Yes. Yoo-Jin unnie, your body has a prettier shape than my sister''s. So you should walk in a way that entuates your figure more. Trust my judgment!" Ling Ling nned to post the video on a fan site when she returned to China and was making demands like a professional director. Given that Lily was quietly observing without objection, it didn''t seem like Ling Ling''sments were far-fetched. After all, it was not umon for dedicated fans to develop skills that rival professionals. Thanks to Ling Ling, Yoo-Jin''s walk was bing more and more perfect as time went on. In the darkening yard of the Cheonho-dong house, one of Korea''s top actresses coached by China''s hottest model was sweating profusely as she practiced her walk, wearing slippers on her feet and holding a pink towel in hand. *** The next morning, I headed to the second floor as soon as I woke up and woke up Wang Long. Even without my prompting, everyone was already drinking their detox juice as if it had be a habit. Lily and Ling Ling were also drinking detox juice beside Yoo-Jin and Miso. "Oh, I didn''t realize everyone''s already up," I remarked. Miso came running over and excitedly bragged that Ling Ling had told her a really fun story the night before. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, I have a fan in China too!" It seemed Ling Ling told Miso about the Chinese fan club, Yu-Mi-Love. "Wow~ that''s so exciting!" I responded. "Yeah!" "Want to hear even better news? Soon, your mom and you will have an official fan club in Korea too," I said with a smile. Currently, the fan cafe created during Yoo-Jin''s Burger Girl days was filling the role of her fan club. However, with Yoo-Jin increasing poprity, thepany needed to establish and manage an official fan club. As fan clubs grewrger, challenges rted to managing substantial funds for tribute gifts could emerge. Hence, it was much safer to operate an official fan club with an ountant. Hearing that she would have an official fan club in Korea, Miso got excited and went to find her mom. "Mom! I''m getting a fan club too~" "Really? That''s great!" "It is!" Seeing Miso so happy made me smile without realizing it. "Okay, everyone. Hurry up and get ready. We''re on a tight schedule today." Once we were all ready, we headed straight to the Samsung-dong Art Hall where the L.M.L brand showcase was being held. When we arrived at the Art Hall, the staff directing cars to the parking lot were sweating profusely. Although the venue was set up for 500 seats, the number of guests had been increased and now there were 700 seats. As a result, cars were lining up to enter the parking lot. "There are a lot of people." As we parked, Choi Sun-Mi, the Assistant Manager of L.M.L who was in charge of today''s event, rushed out to greet us. "Wee, everyone. We''ve been waiting for you." Choi Sun-Mi guided us through a passageway reserved for staff. As we walked toward Entrance 2 about 50 meters away from the parking lot, Choi Sun-Mi carefully asked a question. "Um, Mr. Jung... has Mrs. Lee ever worked in the fashion industry before by chance?" Lee Mi-Ri had been on-site since early morning to check Yoo-Jin''s outfit. When she saw some issues with the clothes backstage, she immediately fixed them on the spot. "Well, yes." When I replied that Lee Mi-Ri was a former designer and had been one of the candidates for editor-in-chief at Bogue in New York, Choi Sun-Mi''s jaw dropped and she was left speechless. "Oh my goodness. No wonder she stood out. That exins everything..." Choi Sun-Mi remarked that it had seemed odd to her how the meticulous Lee Yung-Ah had entrusted Yoo-Jin''s outfits entirely to someone else backstage. Hearing that one of my team members was being recognized made my heart swell with pride. "She''s always been extraordinary. I bet there''s no one in Korea who can match Mrs. Lee Mi-Ri in terms of her expertise," I remarked proudly. Choi Sun-Mi''s eyes sparkled as she mentioned that she should get to know Lee Mi-Ri better on a personal level. In the meantime, we had arrived at the second exit. When the door opened, a long hallway leading to the backstage area came into view. "Follow me this way, please." said Choi Sun-Mi as she guided us in a line through the narrow hallway. *** Backstage at the Samsung-dong Art Hall, employees of the L.M.L brand, a subsidiary of LM Clothing, were hanging the outfits that had passed inspection on a row of garment racks. However, the outfit for today''s main model, Jung Yoo-Jin, was ced on a separate rack. In front of it, Lee Mi-Ri, was personally inspecting the clothes. Lee Mi-Ri was meticulously checking ten outfits in total against the design book. When she noticed issues with the second and third outfits, she began repairs without hesitation. "Phew~ It''s tiring to do this after so long," Lee Mi-Ri remarked as she finished fixing the zipper on the second outfit at a table near the rack. She was now drenched in sweat having worked intensely since early morning. After taking a brief moment to catch her breath, Lee Mi-Ri took the third outfit, which had beads on it, off the rack to start fixing it. At that moment, a sharp voice echoed in her ears. "Hey! Who do you think you are to recklessly touch the outfits for the show?" Wondering who was yelling so loudly, Lee Mi-Ri turned her head to find a woman in a pristine white suit ring and pointing at her usingly. ''What''s that woman doing here?'' Lee Mi-Ri wondered. The woman was none other than Director Jo Jin-Hee of LM Clothing. She was a high-ranking official who had interviewed Lee Mi-Ri when she applied to LM Clothing the year she returned to Korea. Lee Mi-Ri still remembered how absurd it had been when Jo Jin-Hee had dismissed her international experience, insisting she provide domestic credentials instead. However, Lee Mi-Ri had never mentioned that she applied to LM Clothing before as she didn''t want to create any unnecessary friction with Lee Yung-Ah. Hoping the woman wouldn''t recognize her, Lee Mi-Ri cautiously responded, "Um, Ms. Lee Yung-Ah asked me to handle Miss Yoo-Jin''s outfits..." However, Jo Jin-Hee cut her off before she could finish. "Hey! Didn''t you hear me? First, take your hands off the outfit!" As Jo Jin-Hee''s shrill voice rang out, Team Lead Ahn Sang-Yeon, who was managing the backstage, hurried over. "Oh, Mrs. Jo, this is Miss Jung Yoo-Jin''s stylist." Jo Jin-Hee''s expression turned cold. "So what? If she''s a stylist, she should stick to picking out clothes. How dare she mess with the designer''s work! I''ve been too busy to be on-site for a while, and now everything''s a mess!" Jo Jin-Hee was a veteran with 20 years of experience at LM Clothing. Although the recently founded L.M.L brand was personally managed by Lee Yung-Ah, no one could ignore a director from LM Clothing, the parentpany. Ahn Sang-Yeon tried to exin that Lee Yung-Ah had given Lee Mi-Ri permission, but Jo Jin-Hee wasn''t listening at all. Instead, she began to berate Lee Mi-Ri even further. "Wait a minute. You... I''ve seen you somewhere before." Jo Jin-Hee tilted her head in thought before suddenly bursting out in anger. "What the...? It''s you! You''re that arrogant brat who acted all high and mighty because you''d been abroad!" Lee Mi-Ri bit her lip at Jo Jin-Hee''s harsh words. She had hoped not to be recognized, but Jo Jin-Hee clearly remembered her¡ªthough she twisted the truth and recalled Lee Mi-Ri as someone who had bragged when, in reality, she had desperately pleaded for the job. "Hey! Didn''t I tell you there was no ce in this industry for someone like you? So you ended up as a stylist, huh? What, did you think you''d made it just because you''re at a fashion show now?" If this had only been about her, Lee Mi-Ri would have endured it. But she couldn''t betray the trust that Lee Yung-Ah and Jung Yoon-Ho had ced in her by entrusting her with Jung Yoo-Jin''s outfits. Lee Mi-Ri met Jo Jin-Hee''s gaze directly and replied firmly, "That''s not it. Ms. Lee gave me permission to make adjustments to the outfits." "Chief Lee Yung-Ah gave you permission?" Ahn Sang-Yeon quickly nodded in agreement as well. "Yes, Ms. Lee had asked her to take care of Miss Yoo-Jin''s outfits." Hearing an unexpected response, Jo Jin-Hee turned her irritation towards Ahn Sang-Yeon this time. "Hey! If Chief Lee made such a decision, you should have stopped her. What were you all doing? You call yourselves designers, and yet you let a mere stylist handle your work?" As Ahn Sang-Yeon began to sweat profusely, Lee Mi-Ri briefly considered whether she should back down. However, she couldn''t tolerate the idea of Jung Yoo-Jin''s outfit not being perfect for the show. With determination, Lee Mi-Ri looked directly at Jo Jin-Hee and began to speak clearly. "Mrs. Jo! If you need to scold someone, scold me. But I need to finish the alterations on Miss Yoo-Jin''s outfit, so please step aside. Will you take responsibility if the show gets ruined?" Jo Jin-Hee scoffed and pointed a finger at Lee Mi-Ri. "You think the show will fall apart without you? What a crazy little bitch! I knew you were arrogant, but you''re also incredibly rude." "Watch your mouth, Mrs. Jo! I''m not even one of your employees!" Lee Mi-Ri warned her. Jo Jin-Heeughed incredulously. "Look at this. These brats who''ve spent time abroad always have a smart mouth, don''t they? You! What lie did you tell Chief Lee this time?" "Lie? What lies? What are you talking about...?" Lee Mi-Ri eximed indignantly. "You said you needed a job because your daughter was sick, right? And here you are, working as a stylist? It seems like you''ve really taken your lies too far." Lee Mi-Ri''s hands trembled with anger. From the beginning, Jo Jin-Hee hadn''t believed that her daughter was sick. And now, she had the audacity to use her of lying about it. Lee Mi-Ri couldn''t show her sick daughter to this woman, nor did she want to. Standing there, tears of frustration began to roll down her cheeks. However, she knew she couldn''t back down now¡ªnot after everything Jung Yoon-Ho had done to help her, her husband, and her daughter. "I''d love nothing more than to tear you apart right here...but I have a job to do, so I''ll hold back for now!" eximed Lee Mi-Ri as she ground her teeth and grabbed onto Jung Yoo-Jin''s third outfit. At that moment, Jo Jin-Hee spoke again. "If you dare to touch that outfit, I''ll make sure Jung Yoo-Jin is pulled from today''s show." Facing a director who had significant influence at LM Clothing, Lee Mi-Ri wondered if she should give up on adjusting the third outfit. At that moment, a strong and reassuring voice came from behind her. "Let''s just leave, Mrs. Lee!" When Lee Mi-Ri turned her head, she saw Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho standing there with his expression hardened as he looked at her. His face was showing he would never forgive Jo Jin-Hee. Chapter 290: Showcase (1)

Chapter 290: Showcase (1)

"Alright, let''s pack up and leave!" Jo Jin-Hee was the director who had spent 20 years alongside Moon Yung-Mi at LM Apparel and was the key figure behind thepany''s sess. In my past life, she eventually rose to the position of Vice President after Moon Yung-Mi. Regardless of her rank and influence at LM Apparel, there was no reason for my team member, Lee Mi-Ri, to be reprimanded by her. After all, Lee Mi-Ri hade to help with the L.M.L brand showcase at the request of Lee Yung-Ah. Thements about whether or not Yoo-Jin would be included in the show today were simplyughable. "What do you think you''re doing? We''re here because we were asked to be, not to be insulted like this!" I raised my voice, causing Lee Mi-Ri to flinch. "Mr. Jung, it''s okay. If it''s because of me, I''m fine..." uttered Lee Mi-Ri. Despite being used of lying about her daughter''s illness, Lee Mi-Ri was more worried about the impact on Yoo-Jin and me than herself. I shook my head firmly. "No. I''m not okay with this. If I had known you''d be treated like this, I wouldn''t have signed the contract with L.M.L in the first ce! So drop those clothes ande here." Lee Mi-Ri hesitated for a moment but eventually stepped away from the garments and moved closer to me. Jo Jin-Hee red at me as she mentioned her position. "And who are you?" I took a nce at Yoo-Jin standing beside me and replied, "Can''t you tell? I''m Miss Jung Yoo-Jin''s talent agent." "What? Ha! This is ridiculous. How dare a mere talent agent..." By the time someone reached the level of a director at apany like LM Apparel, they often treated even agency presidents with disregard, considering themselves the powerful client. But today, the true "client" of this brand showcase was Yoo-Jin. This wasn''t a paid gig nor was it an event listed in the contract. We had agreed to participate purely out of goodwill at Lee Yung-Ah''s request, even adjusting Yoo-Jin''s busy schedule to make it possible. And yet, Jo Jin-Hee was treating us with disrespect. Thanks to Ling Ling tranting the situation, Wang Long and Lily quickly understood what was happening and followed my lead as I turned back down the hallway with the group. When all of us turned around to leave, Jo Jin-Hee''s sharp voice rang out behind us. "Hey! Miss Jung Yoo-Jin! Don''t you know you''re breaching your contract by just leaving like this?" Jo Jin-Hee recognized Yoo-Jin''s status as a popr celebrity, and refrained from outrightly insulting her. Yoo-Jin, who was walking beside me, suddenly stopped in her tracks and turned her head. "I''m leaving because you told me to. How is that a breach of contract?" "Wh-what? What did you say? I was trying to let this go, but now you''re talking back to me?" "What did you just say to me?" Yoo-Jin retorted. I quickly stepped in to calm the irritated Yoo-Jin as this was something a talent agent needed to handle. "It seems like you''re not fully aware but Yoo-Jin has no obligation to walk in today''s show. You should go check the contract," I replied coldly. At that moment, Choi Sun-Mi who guided us closed her eyes tightly and called out, "Mr. Jung, please wait! I''ll speak with Ms. Lee, so just wait here for a moment and ..." Jo Jin-Hee looked incredulous and cut her off. "Hey, Assistant Manager Choi. Have you lost your mind? Where do you get off butting in?" Ignoring Jo Jin-Hee''s harsh words, I continued walking back the way we came, although I did feel a bit sorry for Choi Sun-Mi. To lighten the mood, I casually turned to Wang Long. "Wang Long, I know a great ce for bone hangover soup. It''s a must-try when you''re in Korea. Wanna go?" Wang Long and Lily nodded enthusiastically, pleased with the suggestion. "Sure, let''s do it!" Just then, a desperate voice called out from behind us. "Wait! Mr. Jung! Please~~ wait!!" I reluctantly stopped in my tracks when the voice echoed loudly through the entire backstage area. Seeing me stop, the rest of the group halted as well. Lee Yung-Ah rushed past Jo Jin-Hee and grabbed my arm firmly. "Where do you think you''re going? You can''t leave!" I pointed toward Jo Jin-Hee, who was ring at us from a few meters away. "We''re leaving because Mrs. Jo told us to." Lee Yung-Ah sharply turned her head to face Jo Jin-Hee. "Mrs. Jo, what is going on here?" "What do you mean, ''what''s going on''? How could you allow anotherpany''s stylist to handle our stage costumes? What are you even doing?" "I specifically requested it. Didn''t you hear?" "Yes, I heard. But that was a mistake on your part, Chief Lee. How do you expect our design team to maintain their dignity with decisions like that?" Frustrated, Lee Yung-Ah shot back, "So you want to protect your dignity by ruining today''s showcase? Are you out of your mind?" Jo Jin-Hee furrowed her brow. "Chief Lee, you''re getting out of line here." "You''re the one out of line, Mrs. Jo. You''re chasing away talent just to save face?" "What? Who says she is talented?" Their eyes locked in a fierce stare-off. On one side was Lee Yung-Ah, the daughter of thepany''s founder who was educated in the U.S., and on the other was Jo Jin-Hee, who had spent 20 years building LM Apparel from the ground up with the founder. This was more than a simple argument; it was a power struggle between the old power and the new. Seething with anger, Lee Yung-Ah pointed at Lee Mi-Ri. "Do you know that 70% of today''s showcase was nned by Mrs. Lee Mi-Ri here?" "And you think that''s something to brag about...?" Jo Jin-Hee replied dismissively. "Of course it is! The products she selected for Miss Yoo-Jin have propelled the L.M.L brand to where it is now! Without that, do you think today''s showcase would even be possible?" Jo Jin-Hee scoffed. "You''re seriously underestimating LM''s power. We have Korea''s top designers." Lee Yung-Ah snorted back. "I know you want to promote your junior designers, but you should be mindful of the situation." "Hey, Lee Yung-Ah! Do you think you''re all that? I practically raised you!" screamed Jo Jin-Hee. As the confrontation between the two escted, Moon Yung-Mi, apanied by her secretary, appeared from the runway''s connecting hallway. The secretary was briefing her on the situation as they approached. Moon Yung-Mi nodded and then spoke to the two women in a calm yet firm tone. "Lower your voices. If the VIPs outside hear this, it''ll be aplete embarrassment." Jo Jin-Hee immediately retorted, "Mdm. Moon, are you just going to stand by and let Chief Lee run this brand into the ground like this?" Lee Yung-Ah slightly bit her lip. The fact that even Lee Yung-Ah, Moon Yung-Mi''s daughter, was nervous showed just how powerful Jo Jin-Hee was within LM Apparel. However, Moon Yung-Mi disappointed Jo Jin-Hee with her next words. "Everything was going well. What''s the issue?" Jo Jin-Hee''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Pardon?" "Actually, everything was going well until you decided to stir things up." At that moment, Jo Jin-Hee shouted, "Mdm. Moon, are you siding with Chief Lee just because she''s your daughter?" Moon Yung-Mi''s previously soft tone hardened in an instant. "Jin-Hee, when have I ever shown favoritism because she''s my daughter? Don''t make meugh." "That''s not what I meant..." "I''ve kept quiet all this time because I respect the work you''ve done for LM Apparel, but this is enough. From today onward, you''re off the L.M.L project. Why did you even involve yourself in something that''s not within your authority?" Moon Yung-Mi reprimanded her. Jo Jin-Hee, sounding more like she was speaking to a close friend than her superior, protested. "Unnie! Aren''t you worried about your pride no matter how good the sales are? Doesn''t it bother you to let someone whose credentials you don''t even know handle our clothes? What about our designers'' pride?" Moon Yung-Mi''s expression suddenly turned cold. "Designers'' pride? Is that what this is about? Oh, I see now. Working under someone who isn''t a designer until now must have really hurt your pride, huh? You probably thought I was clueless because I started out with a tiny underwear shop, didn''t you?" Jo Jin-Hee shouted back, "Unnie, that''s not the same thing!" "What''s so different!?" When Moon Yung-Mi''s voice boomed, Jo Jin-Hee quickly closed her mouth. As Jo Jin-Hee stared at her with a look of resentment, Moon Yung-Mi continued, "I''ve been wondering why thepany''s growth has stagnated, and now I see the reason. It''s my fault for letting you and the other designers act like you had a lifetime guarantee here. As of today, you''re no longer employed here." Jo Jin-Hee looked shocked. "Unnie! Are you serious?" "Yes, I am. It is no surprise thepany''s growth has stalled when someone in your position is so stuck in their ways! Now, step aside!" Moon Yung-Mi bellowed. Then, she turned to her secretary. "Secretary Jang, make sure to notify the legal team to handle this properly so it doesn''t turn into an unfair dismissal case. List the reason as causing a significant risk of financial loss or whatever is necessary." The secretary nodded in acknowledgment. "Understood." As Jo Jin-Hee tried to say something, Moon Yung-Mi cut her off sharply. "Say one more word and I''ll make sure everyst one of your people is out the door too!" The atmosphere backstage became tense at Moon Yung-Mi''s thunderous voice. Half of the designers and staff present were aligned with Jo Jin-Hee. Still, no matter how much influence Jo Jin-Hee had within LM Apparel, she couldn''tpare to Moon Yung-Mi who had built thepany from nothing into a 200 billion won enterprise. Jo Jin-Hee''s face went pale and she stood frozen like a statue. After dealing with Jo Jin-Hee, Moon Yung-Mi let out a small sigh and approached me with a weary expression. "I''m sorry, Mr. Jung. It seems like we''ve made a big mistake. Could you find it in your heart to forgive us?" Since neither Lee Yung-Ah nor Moon Yung-Mi were at fault, I nodded. "I think I may have overreacted a bit as well. I apologize." After I epted her apology, Moon Yung-Mi turned to Lee Mi-Ri and took her hand this time. "Mrs. Lee, I know you''ve worked so hard over the past few weeks helping us out. I''m truly sorry for what happened. I ask for your forgiveness on behalf of ourpany." Seeing Moon Yung-Mi bow her head, Lee Mi-Ri was startled and quickly tried to stop her. "Mdm. Moon, please don''t do this!" However, Moon Yung-Mi remained firm and kept her head bowed. "I heard you even applied to work for ourpany before... I didn''t even know that." "It''s okay, really. There''s no need for you to apologize to me. Please, lift your head." Tears welled up in Lee Mi-Ri''s eyes as she helped Moon Yung-Mi stand upright. It seemed that the president''s apology had helped heal some of the pain from the difficult times in her past. As the backstagemotion subsided, the dazed Jo Jin-Hee was escorted out by her staff. *** Once the situation had fully calmed down, Moon Yung-Mi carefully spoke to me again. "Mr. Jung, please don''t take this the wrong way." "Of course, Mdm. Moon," I replied. "Not right now, but maybe in the future...if by any chance Mrs. Lee wants to work in the fashion industry again, would it be alright if I invited her to join us? With her experience, she might find it more rewarding on our side." It was clear that the sudden decision to fire Jo Jin-Hee was driven by long-standing frustrations, but what likely triggered it was the realization that thepany had lost a talented individual like Lee Mi-Ri. However, that was Moon Yung-Mi''s concern. For me, it was a tricky situation. I understood that Lee Mi-Ri''s skills were perhaps better suited to the fashion industry, but losing her would disrupt my ns. After all, apetent stylist was crucial to an entertainer''s sess. Nheless, it wouldn''t be right to block Lee Mi-Ri''s future opportunities for the sake of my ns. While I was contemting whether I could match the offer that Moon Yung-Mi could make, Lee Mi-Ri stepped forward. "Mrs. Moon. Thank you for the kind offer, but I have no intention of changingpanies." Moon Yung-Mi''s eyes turned to Lee Mi-Ri. "Not eventer? I meant in the future." "No, even if you offered me a fortune, I couldn''t leave until I''ve repaid the debt I owe to Mr. Jung for saving my daughter, Eun-Byul. Not even if he asked me to go." At that moment, I was overwhelmed with indescribable emotions. I hadn''t realized just how deeply Lee Mi-Ri valued what I had done for her daughter. ''Mrs. Lee..'' I thought, feeling emotional. Moon Yung-Mi hesitated for a moment after hearing Lee Mi-Ri''s response. Then, with a warm smile, she replied, "I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to make things ufortable. I won''t bring this up again." Moon Yung-Mi quickly understood the weight of having saved Eun-Byul and respected Lee Mi-Ri''s decision. She looked at me with a hint of admiration. "Mr. Jung, I envy you." I scratched my head with a smile, feeling a sense of pride in myself. After all, I was fortunate to have someone like Lee Mi-Ri on my team. The chaotic atmosphere backstage finally settled and everyone began bustling around again to prepare for the runway. *** Having dried her tears as if she had never cried, Lee Mi-Ri returned to work on altering the third outfit. Seeing her determined expression, I felt confident that there was no need to worry anymore. Yoo-Jin and Lily stayed behind to try on their outfits while I made my way to the audience area with Moon Yung-Mi. As we made our way to the audience area, Moon Yung-Mi took a moment to congratte me on Yoo-Jin''s recent sess. "Miss Yoo-Jin''s image has been so positive that ourpany has benefited greatly. Thank you, Mr. Jung." "Yoo-Jin is naturally kind-hearted, so I haven''t done much." Moon Yung-Mi smiled. "Yes, but presenting that image to the public is a skill in itself, isn''t it?" I felt a bit embarrassed and scratched my head. Then, Moon Yung-Mi mentioned something unexpected. "Oh, by the way, some people from HK Apparel are here today." I raised my eyebrows. "HK Apparel?" Brand showcases typically invited industry-rtedpanies, celebrities, and reporters. It made sense that they wouldn''t have a choice but to invite HK Apparel, the industry''s number onepany, even though they had previously fought them off to keep Yoo-Jin as their exclusive model. "Who from HK Apparel came?" I asked. "President Gu Wang-Soo and Executive Director Hong Sung-Beom came in person." The fourth son of HK Inc. and the future head of HK Apparel himself had epted the invitation to be here. He was that scoundrel who had set his sights on Yoo-Jin. Following Moon Yung-Mi''s words, I nced toward the far end of the runway. In the reserved seating area where we were supposed to sit, I spotted Hong Sung-Beom casually crossing his legs as if he owned the ce. Chapter 291: Showcase (2)

Chapter 291: Showcase (2)

As the fourth son of the HK Inc., Hong Sung-Beom was notorious for his rtionships with countless female celebrities, all while positioning himself to be the next president of HK Apparel in just a month. In my past life, I didn''t dare interfere with his matters. Back then, I was just a mere talent agent working under Kim Dong-Soo and he was the youngest son of the mighty HK Inc. However, things were different now. After traveling back in time, I knew I could handle someone like him¡ªa spoiled chaebol heir. As I noticed Hong Sung-Beom arrogantly sitting with his legs crossed, Moon Yung-Mi grimaced, clearly displeased by his presence as well. "Such arrogance at a young age..." Moon Yung-Mi muttered. Moon Yung-Mi held a significant level of caution toward HK Apparel, the industry leader, and for a good reason. Over the years, they had poached designers from herpany and even giarized designs when they couldn''t get their way to cause countless problems. Moon Yung-Mi was grumbling under her breath as we made our way to the reserved seating area, but she switched to a bright smile as if nothing had happened as soon as we approached people. "This is my husband. Go ahead and introduce yourself," she added. I greeted Lee Jong-Hoon, the co-president of LM Apparel. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Lee." With a warm expression, Lee Jong-Hoon stood up and shook my hand firmly. "Our sales at LM Apparel have seen a significant increase this year. They say it''s all thanks to you." Lee Jong-Hoon''s cheerful demeanor prompted Moon Yung-Mi tough heartily. "You should give proper praise if you''re going topliment someone." "Ahem. What do you mean? This is as high as my praise gets," Lee Jong-Hoon responded. Though typically quiet, Lee Jong-Hoon seemed invigorated by the recent 15% boost in LM Apparel''s sales thanks to having Yoo-Jin as their model. Next, I greeted Hong Sung-Beom and Gu Wang-Soo of HK Apparel. Gu Wang-Soo responded with an awkward smile, while Hong Sung-Beom extended his hand reluctantly with a visibly annoyed expression. In the meantime, Lee Yung-Ah finished organizing the backstage area and returned to the stage to give instructions to the staff. "Move the seats in section C back a little more. If they''re too close to the runway, the stage won''t be fully visible and the models might feel uneasy. Just a bit further. Yes, right there!" she instructed the staff. "Miss Jong-Mi, can you check the sightline from section D? Make sure the lights aren''t obstructing the view!" she continued. Lee Yung-Ah carefully checked the sightlines herself from the audience seats and then came down from the stage. A few momentster, the invited guests began to fill the seats. Among them were Executive Director Jo Sang-Myung of LZ Fashion, President Jang Ji-Hye of Womans, as well as reporters and representatives from international brands like Channy and Gooi. It seemed like every key yer in the Korean fashion industry was present. The show still hadn''t started even after the guests had taken their seats, causing Miso to tug impatiently at my arm. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, when is it going to start?" "It''ll begin soon. Just wait a little longer," I told her. "Hmph~ but I''m bored~" Miso whined. As I tried tofort her, Miso fidgeted with her fingers and nced up at me. "Uncle Yoon-Ho~ If I stay well-behaved, can we get that bone hangover soup you promisedter?" She looked at me with sparkling eyes, clearly still fixated on the idea of going for the soup which I had mentioned earlier backstage. "You''re not really bored, are you?" Taken aback by my response, Miso quickly waved her hands in denial. "Wh-what do you mean? I''m super bored. Really!" I smirked. "Oh, is that so? Then I''ll have to tell your mom that you were bored waiting for her." Miso immediately began to squirm nervously. "No, that''s not what I meant. It''s not like that..." I smiled and reassured her, "I''m just kidding. Of course I''ll get you that soup. But first, we''ll have some Hanwoo that Mdm. Moon is treating us to. Then, we''ll grab the bone hangover soup to take home. Okay?" Miso let out a sigh of relief and nodded happily. "Okay! I''ll be good now!" Miso responded enthusiastically and immediately sat up straight. She then started humming to herself, trying to ward off the boredom. A momentter, the lights on the stage began to dim slowly. I nudged her. "Miso, it looks like it''s about to start." "Yay~!" Miso cheered. After what felt like an eternity, the L.M.L brand showcase was finally beginning. *** The T-shaped stage was soon bathed in bright spotlights as the show kicked off. Therge LCD screen used as the backdrop disyed a stunning night view of Seoul before transitioning to the L.M.L logo at its center. A soft background music filled the room, and a delicate rose scent wafted through the air. Lee Yung-Ah skillfully captured the audience''s attention by engaging their senses, ensuring the scene was imprinted in their minds. After a brief moment, Lee Yung-Ah stepped to the center of the stage and announced the start of the fashion show. Lee Yung-Ah gave a detailed exnation of the brand. "L.M.L is a total fashion solution for high society. Moving forward, L.M.L will..." Then, she gestured to one side of the stage before stepping back. At that moment, the background music shifted once again. That was when Yoo-Jin, dressed in L.M.L''s clothing made her grand entrance. Yoo-Jin, d in a subtle mint-colored two-piece suit and carrying a pristine white L.M.L bag,manded the runway with an air of confidence. Yoo-Jin walked with the poise of a seasoned model with the tips she had picked up from Lily in a rxed demeanor. For Yoo-Jin, this runway was just providing her another role to y¡ªa model. She walked with confidence in her steps until she reached the end of the runway where she turned and posed, showing off the outfit from all angles. The reporters quickly shed their cameras to capture the charismatic Yoo-Jin. At that moment, Yoo-Jin winked at me with a yful expression. I quickly raised my hand to subtly give her a thumbs-up, half-concealing it with my sleeve so others wouldn''t notice. Seeing my gesture, Yoo-Jin smiled before turning back to continue her walk down the runway. Yoo-Jin''s presence on the runway was striking. Her performance was so polished like that of a professional model that no one would have guessed it was her first time on a runway. The industry insiders watching Yoo-Jin''s walk couldn''t help but murmur in admiration. However, there was one person whose expression darkened amidst all the praises¡ªit was Hong Sung-Beom, the executive director of HK apparel. *** Thanks to the impressive performances by Yoo-Jin and Lily, the first part of the showcase concluded sessfully. Moon Yung-Mi offered to watch over Ling Ling and Miso for a bit, giving me the chance to head backstage with Wang Long. Shortly after, Yoo-Jin quickly changed outfits and came running down the hallway with some of the staff. "Oppa, how was I just now? Did I seem awkward?" "You were perfect. Everyone wasplimenting you," I praised her with a smile. Yoo-Jin ced her hand over her heart and let out a sigh of relief. "Phew~ That''s a relief." "More than that, are you feeling okay? Do you need me to grab you a drink or something?" "No, I''m fine. Mrs. Lee Mi-Ri has been taking great care of me, so there''s nothing to worry about." Apparently, Lee Yung-Ah had informed the entire backstage team about Lee Mi-Ri''s impressive portfolio. Thanks to everyone finding out that she had firsthand experience managingrge-scale fashion shows in New York, Lee Mi-Ri was now co-managing the entire fashion show with Lee Yung-Ah. ''She really is something else...'' I marveled. I realized once again that bringing Lee Mi-Ri on board was one of the best decisions I''d made. "I''m d to hear that. Oh, and after the show, Mrs. Moon said she''d treat us to some Hanwoo beef. So let''s have a nice dinner together," I added. "Yay~!" Yoo-Jin cheered joyfully. Having skipped dinner the previous night to prepare for the show, Yoo-Jin hummed a cheerful tune as she headed back to the dressing room. As Wang Long watched Yoo-Jin, he cautiously asked, "Yoon-Ho, will L.M.L beunching in China too?" "Probably." "I have some connections there. Want me to introduce them to you?" Wang Long asked. "You''ve got a distributionwork?" Wang Long nodded. "Yeah. If you need it, just let me know. Mypany works with them too and I can make sure you get good terms." Thepany Wang Long mentioned was the thirdrgest fashionpany in China. With a partner that had a vast distributionwork covering the entire country, this could be a huge opportunity for L.M.L to make a big leap in China. However, there was a condition. Wang Long continued. "But in exchange, let Lily be the model in China. How about that?" Lily was a celebrity under Shanghai New Media Inc., and Wang Long was making sure to take care of his fianc¨¦e as well. "Isn''t this insider trading?" I joked. Wang Longughed in response and said that this was how business was done in China. "This is what we call guanxi." I smiled and replied, "Alright, let''s see what this famous guanxi can do for us." "Okay!" As Wang Long smiled yfully, it was almost time for the second part of the show. "Wang Long, I''m going to the restroom real quick," I said. "Alright, I''ll head back first. I''m a bit worried about Ling Ling," Wang Long replied. Wang Long was concerned that Ling Ling might cause some trouble, so he went ahead to take his seat. I walked past the stage toward the VIP restroom. There were two VIP restrooms backstage and I deliberately chose the farther one because I saw some people near the closer one. After quickly taking care of my business, I stepped out only to see Hong Sung-Beom approaching with his chief secretary by his side. As soon as he spotted me, Hong Sung-Beom frowned. "Hey, you! Jung Yoo-Jin''s talent agent!" ''Hey? He''s being so rude right off the bat, huh?'' I fumed. "Are you talking to me?" I asked. "Yeah, you." Hong Sung-Beom really had a knack for getting on someone''s nerves and the words that followed were even more aggravating. "Let''s not drag this out. How much for Jung Yoo-Jin? Name your price," said Hong Sung-Beom arrogantly. Hong Sung-Beom was treating sponsorship fees and ad payments as the same thing. I knew what kind of person he was, but hearing it in person made me clench my fists without realizing it. Seeing my expression darken, the chief secretary quickly tried to exin and gave excuses. "Uh, what Mr. Hong meant was how much would it take to hire Miss Yoo-Jin as an advertising model?" ''Is that what he calls an excuse?'' I thought. Hong Sung-Beom smirked and continued from where the secretary left off. "Yes, just name your price. I''ll match whatever you ask." I shot back at Hong Sung-Beom with a sharp tone. "Do you not know that Miss Yoo-Jin already has an exclusive contract with LM Apparel? And as far as I know, HK Apparel''s offers have already been rejected several times." Yoo-Jin was currently enjoying top-tier treatment as the exclusive model for both LM Apparel and L.M.L. With her image now closely associated with LM Apparel, there was no reason to switch to HK Apparel, especially not to work with someone like Hong Sung-Beom. However, Hong Sung-Beom was full of unwarranted confidence and made an outrageous proposal. "Alright, fair enough. Maybe I was a bit stingy before. How about 2 billion won a year? Plus, I''ll slip 200 million into your ount as a bonus. How does that sound? Not bad, huh?" ''He really thinks ofpany money as his personal slush fund,'' I thought. "I''ve never considered nor will I ever consider such a risky deal," I responded coldly. Hong Sung-Beom frowned. "A risky deal? Don''t make meugh. I know how you talent agents pocket money on the side..." Only then did I realize the reason he was treating me this way. He thought I was like those other talent agents who would hand over female celebrities to him for money. The chief secretary, who at least seemed to have more sense than Hong Sung-Beom, quickly pulled out his business card and offered it to me. "Mr. Jung, we can take care of the termination of the exclusive contract with LM Apparel for you. How about we meet separately sometime to discuss this further?" I ignored the card that Secretary Kim Seung-Moon offered and addressed Hong Sung-Beom directly. "You want me to break my trust for a measly 200 million won? What do you take me for, some kind of thug? And let me make one thing clear: Miss Yoo-Jin will never wear HK Apparel, not in this lifetime. So forget about it!" When I raised my voice and made my stance crystal clear, Hong Sung-Beom pushed Kim Seung-Moon aside and stepped closer to me. "What? Forget about it? How dare you, you arrogant little talent agent bitch..." The chief secretary tried to intervene. "But sir! There are reporters outside..." However, Hong Sung-Beom simply shoved him aside. "Fuck. Screw the reporters! You handle them!" Hong Sung-Beom was so worked up that he actually raised his fist as he approached me. It seemed like he had some experience with physical training, but his stance was so sloppy that it almost made meugh. I briefly considered the idea of taking this opportunity to punch this spoiled chaebol brat. But then I noticed a security camera at the end of the hallway. ''Maybe I should just let him hit me and pretend to copse,'' I contemted. With all the reporters here for the fashion show, it could make for a sensational headline. At the same time, possible headlines from the reporters shed through my mind. [HK Apparel, Executive Director Hong Sung-Beom Assaults Jung Yoo-Jin''s Talent Agent!] I continued to wonder, ''Maybe I could hand over the security camera footage to Reporter Jang Moon-Ki?'' Just then, a voice interrupted my thoughts. "Our dear Executive Director Hong, you seem to be very busy with all your public and private affairs, huh?" Hong Sung-Beom flinched and lowered his fist with an irritated look on his face upon hearing the voice. The speaker was none other than Kim Ae-Ryeon, an executive director who was widely considered the likely sessor to Daechon Inc. after the arrest of Vice President Kim Ae-Ja. Kim Ae-Ryeon was someone even Hong Sung-Beom couldn''t treat recklessly. After all, Daechon Inc. mainly dealt with department stores and distribution which meant that Daechon Department Stores¡ªone of HK Apparel''s main clients¡ªwas apany Hong Sung-Beom needed to maintain good rtions with. "What brings you here...Ms. Kim?" Hong Sung-Beom asked. "What do you think? I''m here to watch the fashion show." It seemed she hadn''t been present for the first part of the show but hade to watch the second. Kim Ae-Ryeon spoke. "Executive Director Hong, let me give you a piece of advice." Hong Sung-Beom frowned. "I don''t need any advice. I know how to handle my own business." "I''m giving it because it seems like you can''t handle it." "What do you mean by that?" At that moment, Kim Ae-Ryeon pointed at me and said, "You should think carefully before messing with this guy. If you cross the line, you might end up like my sister." Hong Sung-Beom looked dumbfounded and tilted his head in confusion. "What are you talking about?" "Figure it out yourself. Anyway, is there anything else you need to say? Because I have some private matters to discuss with him. Could you get lost?" said Kim Ae-Ryeon. It was clear she wasn''t asking politely to "move aside"; she was bluntly telling him to "get lost." Hong Sung-Beom trembled with anger, but turned on his heel without another word when Kim Ae-Ryeon red at him again. "Chief Kim, what are you waiting for? Get moving!" Kim Ae-Ryeon yelled. "Ah, yes, ma''am!" As the chief secretary hurried ahead, Hong Sung-Beom followed behind. The exchange was a clear disy of the pecking order and power dynamics even within the world of chaebols. Watching Hong Sung-Beom disappear, Kim Ae-Ryeon''s expression turned icy as she spoke. "Honestly, that guy''s just a horny dog. It''s idiots like him that give chaebols a bad name." Leaving behind some harsh words, Kim Ae-Ryeon shook her head before turning to me with a smile full of meaning. Chapter 292: Showcase (3)

Chapter 292: Showcase (3)

"How about it? Do you admit that I just helped you?" I was left speechless at Kim Ae-Ryeon''s yful tone. I gathered my thoughts and replied, "I could have handled it on my own." "You''re so prickly all the time. Anyway, since we''ve met, I have a proposal for you." I was wondering why she had stopped me, and it turned out she also wanted Yoo-Jin. "I want Jung Yoo-Jin to appear at our department store event," she added. With Kim Ae-Ja out of the picture and Daechon Department Store now in her hands, there was much she needed to take care of. She mentioned that arge-scale marketing campaign was necessary to cover the umted losses from her sister''s reckless management. However, I subtly changed the subject since I didn''t want to get involved with Daechon Inc. "Well, it''s such a sudden proposal that I''m not sure if her schedule will allow it. She''s so busy with drama filming that we barely managed to squeeze in today''s runway." "Then when is she free? We could clear out the entire department store for three hours to match her avability," said the persistent Kim Ae-Ryeon. Daechon Department Store''s main branch generated over 5 billion won in daily sales. Assuming they operated for about twelve hours a day, that was more than 400 million won per hour. Clearing out for three hours would mean giving up over 1.2 billion won in revenue. It might seem like a huge loss, but I knew Kim Ae-Ryeon wasn''t the type to suffer any losses. In other words, she had already calcted everything. Then, she asked, "Are you wondering why I''m doing this?" I responded directly to her rhetorical question. "No. I already know why." "Really?" "You must have concluded that having Yoo-Jin in the show will bring in more revenue than your investment." Seeing Kim Ae-Ryeon''s greedy eyes, I immediately knew I was right. She grinned. "As expected, you catch on quickly. This is why I want you so badly." Kim Ae-Ryeon admitted that she had read all the articles about L.M.L and regretted not securing Yoo-Jin earlier. That''s why she hade here to see the situation for herself even though she was busy cleaning up the mess left by Kim Ae-Ja. "I appreciate the proposal, but I don''t think it''s something I can decide on immediately. I''ll need to discuss it with the higher-ups back at thepany," I replied. Kim Ae-Ryeon stared at me intently. "Giving excuses, huh? You''re almost as young as my daughter, yet you are so shrewd. I know you have full decision-making authority." Kim Ae-Ryeon had two children. Her eldest daughter, Lee Ha-Yoon, was 22, and her son, Lee Sang-Yoon, was 20. Grumbling in frustration, Kim Ae-Ryeon continued as if she had no other choice. "I hate beating around the bush, so I''ll be straightforward. The proposal to have Jung Yoo-Jin at the department store event came from my father. So I need to get amitment from you today no matter what. You know how my father is, right?" I mulled over her words. ''Honorary President Kim Bu-Ho of Daechon Inc., the living legend in the business world, personally selected Yoo-Jin?'' Kim Bu-Ho was known for his bulldozer-like personality, always following through on what he said by any means. Kim Ae-Ryeon continued, "My father has been closely monitoring L.M Clothing''s growth. And you remember what I saidst time, right? That my father mentioned wanting to meet you?" Now that she mentioned it, I vaguely recalled hearing something like that. Kim Ae-Ryeon had casually said Kim Bu-Ho wanted to see me, but I hadn''t responded at the time because I had no intention of agreeing to a one-sided proposal. Nheless, if I outrightly rejected this offer, I might end up making an unnecessary enemy. ''What should I do?'' I wondered. I fell into deep thought. I had to be careful in this situation since it was a scenario that hadn''t happened in my past life. After all, I had essentially ousted one of the sisters vying for the queen''s throne with my own hands. That''s when Kim Ae-Ryeon spoke again. "Don''t worry. My sister can''t do anything now and I''ll be the next president soon. The session of shares has already begun." "Not vice president, but directly to the president''s position?" I asked. "Yes. It wouldn''t look right if I were vice president and my brother-inw were president, would it?" With Kim Ae-Ja imprisoned, her husband, the current president of Daechon Inc., had also lost his position. Given that, I figured it might be wise to maintain a good rtionship with Daechon Inc. Kim Ae-Ryeon wasn''t the type to reach out to celebrities like her sister anyway. I thought for awhile and replied, "Well, I''ll meet with Mr. Kim Bu-Ho first, and then we can discuss the detailster." Kim Ae-Ryeon pped her hands. "Okay, then I''ll set up a meeting with my father. There''s no backing out now, alright?" "Okay." In the end, I agreed to meet with Kim Bu-Ho of Daechon Inc. *** When I returned to my seat, Hong Sung-Beom of HK Apparel was nowhere to be seen. Asking Wang Long where he went, he said that Hong Sung-Beom had left with a scowl on his face. A momentter, Kim Ae-Ryeon of Daechon Department Store took over Hong Sun-Beom''s vacant seat. ''Wow. She really is something else,'' I remarked inwardly. In the meantime, the lights dimmed again and the second part of the showcase began. The second part of the show focused on bags and essories. As the show started, Yoo-Jin and Lily came out together to showcase the new bags. Yoo-Jin was holding an ivory-colored tote bag with pink floral patterns while Lily held a pink tote bag adorned with white floral designs. The sound of cameras shing furiously filled the room when the two struck a pose back-to-back. Many models disyed bags and essories following them, sessfully wrapping up the second part of the show. As L.M.L''s brand showcase ended sessfully, all the models gathered on stage to take a bow. At the center of the stage were Lee Yung-Ah and Lee Mi-Ri, who were introduced as special guests who had contributed significantly to today''s event. When the models surrounded them and apuded, Lee Mi-Ri bowed her head with a grateful expression. I also pped in support hoping that today would remain a cherished memory for her. As the event concluded, the audience and reporters began to leave en masse. However, the key buyers remained and waited for their meetings. As they enjoyed the refreshments prepared by Lee Yung-Ah and Moon Yung-Mi, L.M.L began making verbal agreements with the buyers for product sales. At that moment, Yoo Hyun-Ah, the head of Channy Korea, quietly approached me. Since Lee Yung-Ah and Moon Yung-Mi were busy with the buyers, there were no L.M.L representatives around me. "Hello. I''m Yoo Hyun-Ah, the head of Channy Korea." I exchanged a brief greeting after she handed me her business card. "Oh, hello. I''ve heard a lot about you." "Well, I''m not doing so well. Seeing a model who rejected Channy doing so well makes me lose sleep at night from jealousy." Though her words had a bit of an edge, I responded calmly. "I''m not doing that well either. I still think it was a big mistake to turn down Channy." Yoo Hyun-Ah smiled with her eyes and responded in a yful tone. "You''re quite the joker. Anyway, let''s work together sometime if the opportunity arises." However, I politely declined her offer. "I''m sorry, but Yoo-Jin is too deeply involved with L.M.L to take on any additional work from other brands." Yoo Hyun-Ah smiled mischievously. "Is Miss Yoo-Jin the only star under your management, Mr. Jung? I think the Cherry Blossom members are quite beautiful..." My eyes widened. "Oh!" Yoo Hyun-Ah revealed that she was eyeing Cherry Blossom as potential models for their ads. "Though it might sound a bit opportunistic, we will proceed only if they have a sessfuleback." I nodded in agreement. "Of course, that makes perfect sense." "To be honest with you, I got a big scolding at headquarters for missing out on MIss Jung Yoo-Jin. So I''m trying to get ahead this time." "I''ll keep that in mind." After finishing my conversation with the head of Channy Korea, other representatives from international luxury brands started approaching me and passing me their business cards. Some even asked how long Yoo-Jin''s contract with L.M.L wouldst, but they quickly retreated as soon as Lee Yung-Ah shot them a fierce re. Lee Yung-Ah huffed, saying she couldn''t let her guard down. "Don''t even think about signing with anyone else, Mr. Jung. Got it?" I reassured her. "You''re worrying over nothing. As long as you continue to take care of Yoo-Jin like you do now, we''ll never consider leaving." "Don''t worry about that part." After securing a firm promise, she turned to me with a bright expression. "By the way, we hit the jackpot today. A massive one!" She exined that the number of contracts signed that day was thrice the expected volume. They had swept up orders from department stores, home shoppingworks, as well as from international markets. With sessful contracts in hand, the L.M.L brand showcase concluded perfectly. *** At 5 p.m., an early dinner gathering was held at Hanwoo Myungga to celebrate the sess of the show as promised by Moon Yung-Mi. After some joyful conversations celebrating the sess of the showcase, the meal began. Having fasted since the previous night, Yoo-Jin and Lily eagerly devoured the beef but had to decline the invitation for a second round. Lily''s party needed to return home tomorrow, and there were still things to take care of before leaving. After expressing our gratitude to Moon Yung-Mi and Lee Yung-Ah, our group headed straight home. Meanwhile, articles about today''s sessful showcase began to surface on the inte. [L.M.L Brand Showcase! Jung Yoo-Jin''s Stunning Transformation!] [Acting Genius Jung Yoo-Jin. Is She Now Debuting as a Model?] [New Brand L.M.L. Sessful Launch! Praises from International Reporters!] [China''s Rising Model Lily Walks the Runway with Jung Yoo-Jin.] [L.M.L Announces Major Department Store ns. A Sessful Start in Business!] Yoo-Jin''s name once again topped the live search rankings while Lily was also making her presence known in Korea. When I mentioned today''s articles with a proud smile, excitement filled the car. Recalling Yoo-Jin and Lily''s performances at the show, Ling Ling shouted enthusiastically, "I knew it! Yoo-Jin unnie, you were truly amazing on stage today!" I dropped Yoo-Jin and Miso off back at the house in Cheonho-dong, "Huh? Aren''t we all staying together tonight?" asked Yoo-Jin. I responded, "No, they''ll go to the hotel. I need to run an idol test for Ling Ling now." Since Wang Long, Lily, and Ling Ling had to return to China tomorrow, tonight was the only time I could test Ling Ling''s talents. Yoo-Jin and Miso expressed their disappointment. Then, Yoo-Jin suggested, "In that case, let''s all have a meal together before you leave tomorrow! We''ll go to the hotel." Lily and Ling Ling nodded eagerly. "Alright, Yoo-Jin!" "Yes, definitely!" After watching Yoo-Jin and Miso go inside, I turned the car back toward thepany. During the drive, Wang Long and Lily continued to express their opposition to Ling Ling bing an idol in Korea. Their reasoning was that it was uneptable to send a 16-year-old alone to Korea. Ling Ling argued back that Cherry Blossom''s Sae-Ri had already released three albums, so she felt she was already behind. Nheless, her argument didn''t convince Wang Long and Lily. Since I could quickly assess her potential through the test, I remained silent and focused on driving. *** When we arrived at thepany, we headed straight to Singer Division 2. I asked one of the staff members, "Have you seen Mr. Lee Dong-Min?" "Oh, Mr. Lee is in the underground recording studio room 4." "Ah, I see. Thank you." I led the group to the underground recording studio, where we found Bang Seon-Woo humming a tune whileposing a song. "Oh, hyung?" he remarked upon seeing us. Dark circles under his eyes clearly indicated that he had stayed up all night working again. "Where''s Mr. Lee?" I asked. "Oh, he went to meet with Mrs. Park Seon-Nyeo for Cherry Blossom''s new song." "I see." I considered waiting for Lee Dong-Min, but decided to ask Bang Seon-Woo to conduct the test since we were already here. With his perfect pitch, he could urately assess Ling Ling''s potential. Before that, I introduced Ling Ling to Bang Seon-Woo. "Seon-Woo, this is Ling Ling. She wants to be an idol. Could you give her a vocal test?" "Sure." Ling Ling bowed deeply with a strong and enthusiastic voice. "Thank you for your time, sir!" Flustered, Bang Seon-Woo flinched. "Oh, uh, there''s no need to call me sir... You can just head into the recording booth." "Okay." After Ling Ling entered the recording booth, Bang Seon-Woo took his ce at the control panel. When I asked her to pick a song through the microphone connected to the booth, she immediately chose Kang Ha-Na''s ''New Beginning.'' "I''ll sing ''New Beginning'' by Ha-Na unnie!" Ling Ling said enthusiastically. Bang Seon-Woo hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Could you sing with your own voice instead of mimicking Ha-Na''s? It''s hard to evaluate properly if you''re just imitating." "Okay!" With confidence, Ling Ling grabbed the microphone and began to steady her breath. "Okay~ let''s start." As the song began, Ling Ling''s clear and pure voice filled the room. ''Her voice is so clean and clear, probably because she''s still young,'' I silently noted. She wasn''t quite at a professional level yet because she wasn''t professionally trained. However, she was well above the standard that entertainmentpanies sought. After all, her appearance alone far exceeded expectations. As I listened to Ling Ling sing with a sense of relief, I noticed that Wang Long and Lily, who had been opposed to her ambition until now, were holding each other''s hands tightly with nervous expressions. It seemed their opposition was due to Ling Ling''s young age rather than the idea of her bing an idol. However, Bang Seon-Woo''s expression was growing increasingly serious as he listened to Ling Ling sing. ''What''s going on?'' I wondered. I wanted to ask him immediately what was wrong, but his expression was so serious that I decided to wait until the song ended. After a while, Ling Ling''s song came to an end. Inside the recording booth, Ling Ling was waving her hands enthusiastically with a flushed face. She seemed quite confident in her performance. I pressed the microphone button that connected to the recording booth and spoke. "Ling Ling, wait a moment. We might need to hear another song." -Okay~ I bought some time and then turned off the microphone. Now, our conversation couldn''t be heard inside the recording booth. Only then did I turn to Bang Seon-Woo to ask what was going on. "Seon-Woo, why do you look like that? Is there a problem?" Bang Seon-Woo still couldn''t shake his serious expression and hesitated as he nced at Wang Long and Lily beside me. "It''s okay. They should hear this too. They''re family," I urged him. Only then did Bang Seon-Woo speak up with a troubled expression. "I don''t think Ling Ling should be singing." ''Huh? How could Ling Ling, who was destined to be one of China''s top idols, be told she shouldn''t sing?'' I wondered. Chapter 293: Ling Ling

Chapter 293: Ling Ling

''Is Ling Ling''s talent really thatcking?'' I wondered. I had thought that while she didn''t have the polished techniques of a professional, her clear voice and excellent expressiveness were at a considerable level. However, Bang Seon-Woo was saying that Ling Ling couldn''t be an idol. "Why is that?" I asked. "Her vocal cords are too weak," he replied. "Her vocal cords?" "Yes. Her vocal cords are struggling not only in the higher registers but even in the normal range. And the bigger problem is..." Bang Seon-Woo continued hesitantly. "What''s the bigger problem?" "The way her voice is breaking suggests she might already have vocal cord nodules." I contemted for a moment, then asked Bang Seon-Woo again."Could it be that Ling Ling just sang a song that didn''t suit her vocal range?" Kang Ha-Na''s vocal style was different from Ling Ling''s clear tone, as Kang Ha-Na relied on a strong midrange and distinctive falsetto. Bang Seon-Woo shook his head. "No, she sang with her own voice and in her own style, so that''s not the issue." ''Of course, someone with Bang Seon-Woo''s perfect pitch wouldn''t misjudge something like this,'' I thought. I briefly searched my past memories. In my past life, Ling Ling had been a top idol for about a year before she retired, iming she had no lingering attachments to the entertainment industry after making a name for her sister. That''s when a thought crossed my mind. ''Could her vocal cord issues have been the real reason behind her early retirement?'' As I recalled, Ling Ling''s voice wasn''t as clear as it was now back then. "Is there any way to treat it?" "Vocal cords are muscles, so they can be trained. However, a significant part of it is also innate..." I continued asking, "What if she receives professional vocal training? Wouldn''t that improve things?" Bang Seon-Woo scratched his head. "It would help, but she''d still need to rest for two or three days after singing for just one day and a professional can''t afford that kind of limitation." Though the situation was challenging, I found a glimmer of hope. "Then what if we find a top-tier vocal coach and have her follow a strict schedule?" Bang Seon-Woo tilted his head. "That would certainly help a lot, but it''s not guaranteed. You should consult with a professional vocal coach. And more importantly, take her to a proper clinic for a thorough examination." I nodded. "Okay." The faces of Wang Long and Lily, who had initially hoped Ling Ling wouldn''t be an idol, began to harden. They had only opposed Ling Ling pursuing an idol career because she was so young and was trying to do it in Korea. They hadn''t actually intended to stop her from bing a celebrity. I reiterated the conclusion Bang Seon-Woo and I had reached to them, knowing they understood some Korean but weren''t entirely fluent. "She''s got more than enough talent. Her Korean is nearly at a native level, so there won''t be any issues with her working in Korea." Wang Long and Lily exchanged a brief nce and silentlymunicated. Though they had opposed her bing a celebrity, they were clearly torn now that they knew Ling Ling had real talent. I continued, "But there''s another issue." I exined that Ling Ling''s vocal cords were weak, so she could only pursue a singing career with a good vocal coach and strict schedule management. With a surprised expression, Lily responded. "Can''t we just stop her from singing in the future?" "Do you think Ling Ling would listen if you tried to stop her?" Lily thought for a moment before shaking her head. "No, Ling Ling is incredibly stubborn!" ''Exactly. If that were the case, she would have listened to them long ago,'' I remarked inwardly. For Ling Ling''s future, simply forbidding her to sing wouldn''t be the best approach. "For someone like Ling Ling, it''s better to manage her properly," I remarked. Wang Long and Lily looked at each other again, clearly confused by the unexpected turn of events. Then, Wang Long took Lily''s hand and began to persuade her. "Let''s leave it to Yoon-Ho. If anyone can find the best path for Ling Ling, it''s him." Lily turned her gaze toward me. "Can I trust you with my little sister? Will you care for her like you do for Miso?" I nodded firmly at her question. "Of course." Lily looked at the recording booth still with a worried expression, but she eventually nodded her approval. As soon as Lily gave consent, Wang Long mentioned that they would cover all the expenses from Shanghai and asked me to find the best vocal coach for Ling Ling. At that moment, one particr vocal trainer came to mind. ''I should look for Yeon-Woo.'' During my time at Top Entertainment in my past life, I had worked with one of Korea''s top vocal trainers¡ªSeo Yeon-Woo. Despite being confined to a wheelchair due to a disability, Seo Yeon-Woo had started earning a living through singing at the age of 15. His ordinary appearance and physical limitations made him realize that he couldn''t seed as a singer, so he dedicated his talents entirely to vocal training. If I could bring him on board, it would be possible for Ling Ling to pursue an idol career. Since I had no idea where he currently was or what he was doing, I would need Lee Soo-Chan''s help to locate him. With Seo Yeon-Woo in mind, I reassured Wang Long. "Don''t worry, I''ll contact you once I find someone." Wang Long nodded in agreement. A momentter, Ling Ling walked out from the recording booth and asked about the result with her face flushed. Ling Ling asked with her hands tightly sped due to her racing heart. "Mr. Jung, how did I do?" "Well, your singing passed!" "Yay!" Ling Ling shouted triumphantly, turning to Lily with pride. "See, unnie? What did I tell you? I told you I''m good!" "Yes, Ling Ling..." Ling Ling frowned upon hearing Lily''s dejected tone. "Huh? But why do you look like that? Do you really not want me to be an idol that bad?" "N-no, it''s not that..." I calmed the excited Ling Ling down and began exining what Bang Seon-Woo had told me about her vocal cords. As I spoke, Ling Ling''s expression started to waver. "Does that mean... I can''t be an idol?" I gentlyforted Ling Ling as her eyes began to well up with tears. "No, you can do it. But you need to prepare thoroughly." "I''ll do anything! Just tell me what I need to do!" Lily cried. I began to exin to Ling Ling the ways she could protect her vocal cords, including avoiding cold water and carbonated drinks as well as conserving her voice as much as possible. Even though these were challenging tasks especially for a 16-year-old, Ling Ling nodded with a determined expression. I looked at Ling Ling. "These things won''t be easy, but do you still want to be an idol?" Ling Ling nodded resolutely. "Yes! Even if I regret it, I want to give it my all and see it through to the end." Ling Ling''s determined eyes shone like a precious gem. I nodded. "Alright. I''ll make sure your dreames true no matter what." At that moment, tears started streaming down Ling Ling''s face. "Thank you... so much. Sniff." Ling Ling''s sobs grew louder, and she eventually broke down crying in the recording studio. It was a day when her dream seemed within reach, but it also felt like receiving a death sentence for her vocal cords. After waiting for Ling Ling''s tears to subside, I spoke to her calmly. "Ling Ling. Try not to cry out loud like this from now on. Crying puts a lot of strain on your vocal cords too." Ling Ling quickly wiped her tears and nodded. Seeing her rekindle her determination so quickly gave me hope. In this industry, mental resilience was just as important as talent. "So what happens now? Will I stay in Korea from now on?" Ling Ling asked. I shook my head. "No, you''ll head back to China for now. I''ll call you once I find a vocal trainer." "Okay." "And before you leave, we''ll visit a hospital for a check-up first." Wang Long mentioned that he knew a good hospital, but I doubted it was better than the one I had in mind. After all, I knew the best doctor in Korea specializing in vocal health for singers. *** "Say ''Ahh~'' please." "Ahh~" At Life Clinic, Kim Soo-Myung began the examination. Ling Ling sitting in the examination chair opened her mouth wide like a little bird. Kim Soo-Myung started inserting the endoscope tube without sedation, exining that anesthesia could strain her vocal cords. Even though the thick tube must have felt ufortable going down her throat, Ling Ling endured it while gripping her sister''s hand tightly. The reason I brought Ling Ling to this clinic instead of an ENT, was because Kim Soo-Myung was also well-versed in vocal cord health. I had exined Ling Ling''s situation to Kim Soo-Myung, requesting a thorough examination. A few minutester, Kim Soo-Myung began to share his observations as the endoscopy concluded. "Mr. Jung. You know I''m not an ENT specialist, right?" said Kim Soo-Myung. Knowing Kim Soo-Myung was a specialist in family medicine, I nodded and replied, "You''re too modest, doctor. You handle everything from upper endoscopy to colonoscopy." Family medicine covered a broad range of medical fields unlike specialists who focused only on a single area. However, Kim Soo-Myung was so skilled during his training that even the professors in each department had tried to recruit him to their own specialties. At mypliment, Kim Soo-Myung cleared his throat awkwardly and continued. "Ahem. Well, as you suspected, there are indeed nodules. However, they''re so minor that it''s hard to even call them nodules." Ling Ling''s face darkened as Kim Soo-Myung confirmed Bang Seon-Woo''s earlier assessment. I gently patted her shoulder to reassure her. "It''s okay, Ling Ling. The diagnosis isn''t over yet." Kim Soo-Myung took a short breath and continued with the diagnosis. "The nodules should heal with some rest. Of course, singing is strictly forbidden during that time and she''ll need to conserve her voice." "Understood. But will she still be able to be a professional singer?" Kim Soo-Myung hesitated briefly before nodding. "Ling Ling''s vocal cords are about 30% thinner than the average person''s. But since she''s still young, there''s a possibility that her vocal cords could grow stronger as she matures. Her tone might change slightly, but that can be managed with vocal techniques." A trained singer''s vocal cords were typically thicker than those of a non-singer as they were muscles that could be developed. Relieved by the news that Ling Ling''s vocal cords could be trained, I let out a sigh of relief. Kim Soo-Myung continued, "If she meets a good vocal coach and trains carefully without causing further damage, I believe it''s possible for her to be a singer. Regr check-ups will be essential, though." Despite the difort from undergoing the exam without anesthesia, Ling Ling answered firmly, "I can handle that!" Kim Soo-Myung looked at her with a warm expression. "It won''t be easy." "It''s okay. If it means I can be an idol, that''s nothing," Ling Ling replied. Kim Soo-Myung smiled. "In that case, let''s work together and give it our best." With tears welling up in her eyes, Ling Ling suddenly hugged Kim Soo-Myung tightly. "Thank you, doctor!" The surprised Kim Soo-Myung patted Ling Ling''s back awkwardly. "Stay strong. I''ll do everything I can to help." With renewed determination, Ling Ling responded brightly. "Thank you, doctor!" *** I hade to Incheon airport to see Wang Long, Lily, and Ling Ling off. Ling Ling had decided to return to China first, get her parents'' permission, and thene back to Korea to formally join an idol group. Lily and Wang Long promised that Shanghai New Media Inc. would cover all the expenses for this project. Not knowing how much potential Ling Ling had, they felt guilty for asking so much of me and kept apologizing. I reassured them that everything would be fine. After all, a future star capable of dominating the Chinese market was essentially being ced in my care. "Anyway, I''ll contact you once I find the trainer. It''s almost time for your flight. Let''s hurry," I urged them. I helped them with their luggage and guided them to the departure gate. As we walked toward the gate, Ling Ling, wearing the scarf she had received as a gift from Sae-Ri the day before, seemed especially cheerful. "Are you okay, Ling Ling?" I asked. Ling Ling nodded. Though her expression was lively, she kept her mouth shut to avoid straining her voice. "It''s okay to talk a little." "Really?" Despite having to give up many things at the age of 16, Ling Ling immediately cut out anything that could strain her voice as soon as she heard my advice. "I''ll find the right vocal trainer and get in touch, so don''t worry too much. Just rx and wait." "Thank you!" I smiled. "No problem." After saying my goodbyes to Ling Ling and Lily, I also bid farewell to Wang Long. "See you soon, Yoon-Ho." "Yeah, I''ll contact you once I find the trainer and then we can set the schedule." Wang Long insisted that I visit China so he could repay me for saving Lily from the earthquake. "It''s almost time for your flight. Take care." I watched as Wang Long, Lily, and Ling Ling headed to the departure gate, then made my way back to thepany. I needed to inform thepany about the ns for the idol group project and start the process of recruiting a vocal trainer. *** When I arrived at the office, I checked the entertainment news while waiting for the elevator. [In the Name of God Continues Its Viewership Ratings Streak! Episode 10 at 29.1%, What About Episode 11?] [L.M.L Brand Takes Flight with Jung Yoo-Jin!] [KNET''s Hit the Bottom and Rise Again, Ha-Na! Reaches 1 Million YouTube Subscribers in Record Time!] [Lee Tae-Poong''s Beyond the Boundary to Premiere in September! No Competitors in Sight!] It was a string of positive headlines, each highlighting sess. "I hope it stays this way," I muttered to myself. Just then, some sunbaes got out of their car in the parking garage and mentioned that Hoop Entertainment had recently climbed to fifth ce in the industry rankings. Currently, the top spot was held by Ace Entertainment where Ju Yung-In was based. In second ce was TK Entertainment, home to Ma Dong-Pal and Petite More. Third was TNT Entertainment, which had expanded rapidly through mergers and acquisitions and had recently signed So Yi-Yung. Fourth was SJ Entertainment, where President Lee Seo-Jun and Kim Jong-Hoon were. And now, Hoop Entertainment was in fifth ce. Thepanies in fourth ce and above had revenues that were more than double of ours. While there was still a long way to go, Hoop Entertainment''s reputation had grown significantly thanks to our rapid growth. The recent sesses of Yoo-Jin''s Manshin Wol-Ah and the L.M.L brand had yed a big role in this. As a result, almost every employee at Hoop Entertainment I encountered was offering congrattions. "Hey, Team Lead Jung. Your team''s results are amazing!" "We''re having a team dinner today, want to join?" "By the way, when''s the next L.M.L show? You should feature Ji-Hyo, whom I''m managing, on the runway next time instead of bringing in another Chinese model. She''s got fashion show experience." When I mentioned sharing opportunities with everyone, even those from the Suhyaejong line were approaching me more openly now. I could feel the bnce of power within thepany shifting in my favor. "Then I''ll head up first. I''ve got a meeting." "Sure, take care~" After saying goodbye to my sunbaes, I made my way to the meeting room on the sixth floor. However, as soon as I entered the room, I was greeted by an unexpected surprise. Chapter 294: Vocal Trainer (1)

Chapter 294: Vocal Trainer (1)

As soon as I sat down in the meeting room, Gu Seong-Cheol leaned over and whispered to me in a low voice. "You''re getting a bonus today." "A bonus?" "Yeah, and it looks like it''s going to be in the hundred millions." The highest bonus ever given by Hoop Entertainment until now was 50 million won. But now, he was saying that my bonus might be in the hundred millions. Gu Seong-Cheol was practically beaming as if he was the one receiving the bonus. "The exact amount hasn''t been mentioned by Mr. Kang, but I figured you should know in advance." I smiled and replied, "It looks like we''re going to have an interesting meeting today." As we whispered back and forth, other team leads from each division began to fill the empty seats. Kim Dong-Soo was thest one to enter the meeting room. He had been keeping a low profile for awhile now, but today he seemed confident as he held his head high. The first item on the agenda was a report on the renewal of a partnership with a Japanesepany that Kim Dong-Soo had secured. "We''ve renewed the contract with Aris Entertainment on a 50-50 revenue split," Kim Dong-Soo reported confidently. After he had finished his report, apuse erupted from everyone regardless of which division they were from. Lee Gi-Cheol and Ju Ho-Sung from the Suhyaejong line, especially, pped enthusiastically. "I will work harder to make up for my past mistakes," Kim Dong-Soo added. Hiding his true feelings, Kang Gam-Chan encouraged Kim Dong-Soo with a proud expression. "Well done, Dong-Soo. Keep up the good work." "Of course. I''ll make sure to turn things around in the second half of the year." "Good. And your bonus has been set at 50 million won, so take note of that." Receiving the highest bonus in thepany''s history, Kim Dong-Soo eximed excitedly, "Thank you, Mr. Kang!" If I had to name the people whose fates had changed the most since I traveled back in time, it would be Miso, Yoo-Jin, Ju Yung-In, and Kim Dong-Soo. The various changes I had made to the timeline had significantly altered their records in the nner. However, the incident with the hidden camera obtained through Nalsae and the actress Choi Sung-Ae flying to the U.S. to avoid Kim Dong-Soo had already happened. If I could settle those two issues involving Kim Dong-Soo, I could bring him down no matter how much the Suhyaejong line tried to protect him. As I considered this, the chiefs began reporting their results one by one. Apart from Kim Dong-Soo, everyone else also showed significant improvements in their divisions'' performances. Although Actor Division 1''s results had declined, Actor Division 2 more than made up for it with unprecedented growth by bringing in even more revenue. Once every divisions'' reports were finished, Kang Gam-Chan turned to me with a satisfied expression. "And next is Team Lead Jung." "Yes, sir." "A performance bonus of 300 million won will be deposited by the end of this week, so be prepared for that." The highest bonus In the history of Hoop Entertainment, 50 million won, had just been announced for Kim Dong-Soo. My eyes widened. ''But 300 million won for me?'' The highest bonus inpany history had just been shattered within minutes, causing a buzz in the meeting room. That''s when Lee Gi-Cheol cautiously voiced his concern. "Um, Mr. Kang. Isn¡¯t that amount a bit excessive?" Kang Gam-Chan turned to look at Lee Gi-Cheol. "What do you mean?" "We¡¯ve never given out bonuses of that magnitude before." Kang Gam-Chan chuckled. "Ha ha. So you¡¯re saying it might cause resentment?" "Exactly. I¡¯m worried it might demoralize the other employees." However, Kang Gam-Chan was firm in his stance. "At Hoop Entertainment, we¡¯ve always rewarded people based on their performance. Or have I been mistaken?" Lee Gi-Cheol raised his voice slightly as he pointed to Kim Dong-Soo."Yes, but even Chief Kim here is only receiving 50 million won as a bonus when he has sessfully renegotiated our partnership with Japan." Kang Gam-Chan responded calmly, "And you think it¡¯s not enough?" "Of course, that amount alone is enough. But I don¡¯t understand why there¡¯s such a huge difference in the amounts." Kang Gam-Chan chuckled as if he found this situation amusing. "Ha ha ha. Does anyone else here agree with Director Lee''s point?" No one responded to Kang Gam-Chan, but it was clear from their expressions that while they might not fully agree with Lee Gi-Cheol, they did think that my bonus was excessivelyrge. Kang Gam-Chan then turned to Kim Dong-Soo this time. "Chief Kim, do you also think this decision is unfair?" Kim Dong-Soo raised his chin confidently. "To be honest, I think the difference in amounts is toorge." "Is that so? Then let me ask you one thing. Why did our Japanese partners agree to renew the contract?" "Because Hoop Entertainment has been growing rapidly in Korea, and... Oh!" Kim Dong-Soo trailed off as he realized the implication of his own words. "Exactly. The reason for this bonus is the very sess of ourpany! And who was responsible for driving ourpany¡¯s performance this year?" Only then did realization dawn on the faces of everyone in the room. Kim Dong-Soo flinched and regretted his earlier words as he realized that his sess was made possiblergely due to my efforts. Seizing the moment, Kang Gam-Chan began to press Kim Dong-Soo even further. "And one more thing! Who was it that saved the deal you almost lost with Director Zhang Xuan in China, Dong-Soo?" ''That was also me,'' I remarked silently. Kim Dong-Soo¡¯s face turned white beyond pale. Kang Gam-Chan continued. "And who ensured that we didn¡¯t lose Sung Ho-Jun, and who¡¯s been behind the sess of every project that boosted every divisions'' performance? It¡¯s all thanks to Yoon-Ho. Have you all forgotten?" The other chiefs who had forgotten about me picking their projects and been basking in the sess of their own work blushed as they remembered that they owed much of their achievements to me. Kang Gam-Chan continued to list my aplishments while berating Kim Dong-Soo. "When a junior team lead does well, shouldn¡¯t you be encouraging him instead of being envious of his bonus?" Kang Gam-Chan¡¯s stern voice echoed in the room, clearly intended for the other team leads as well. "The same goes for all of you! If you have time to be jealous, use that time to focus on delivering results! If you do, I¡¯ll give you a billion won, not just 300 million won!" The other team leads lowered their heads. Kang Gam-Chan clicked his tongue and added, "And let me remind you, this bonus was personally decided by Mr. Choi, the major shareholder of Hoop Entertainment. So don¡¯t question it any further." In my past life, I hadn¡¯t paid much attention to how Hoop Entertainment was run as I was too busy dealing with the business in Myeong-dong. Now, it seemed like even minor details like my bonus were being handled directly by Choi Eun-Tae. ''Is it because he is considering me as a potential sessor?'' I wondered. I would be meeting with the president of Daeheung Savings Bank soon, and it seemed like I should find out more about Choi Eun-Tae then. After the discussion about the bonus concluded, it was my turn to report my team''s status. Kang Gam-Chan turned to me. "Team Lead Jung, let¡¯s hear about Yoo-Jin." "Yes, sir." I stood up and began reporting on Team Jung¡¯s performance. "Due to the sess of Manshin Wol-Ah, Yoo-Jin has received offers for her next project from all three major broadcasters. The best offer is from MBS. They¡¯re willing to fund the entire production as long as she picks the script." Bang Sang-Yung from Actor Division 1 asked in a trembling voice, "No way...MBS President gave you the authority to choose the writer and script?" "Yes." A murmur spread through the room again. After all, being able to choose the script and writer essentially meant having the powers of a producer. "B-but how... That¡¯s unbelievable..." The fact that I had received a direct offer from the MBS President stunned everyone because if what I said was true, it wouldn¡¯t be surprising if all the main cast members came from Hoop Entertainment. Still in shock, Bang Sang-Yung asked once again, "I-is there any restriction on how many of ourpany¡¯s actors can be cast?" "No. We¡¯ll need to coordinate with the drama department, but they promised to amodate my preferences as much as possible." The envious and resentful looks from earlier disappeared from the faces of the other team leads when they realized that being on my good side could mean getting their actors into a major production. Bang Sang-Yung spoke up. "In that case, how about Lee Jung-Ah and Choi Tae-Jung from Actor Division 1? They¡¯re both versatile actors who can handle everything from trendy dramas to traditional historical pieces." When Bang Sang-Yung suggested his actors in a hurry, it sparked a wave of team leads to rmend their own actors to me. "You know that Mr. Jin-Soo is the top choice for supporting roles no matter the genre, right?" "How about a viin role? Mr. Jo Hong-Sik under my management is considering a switch to ying viins." With all the team leads moring to promote their actors, I felt like I had suddenly be the president of a productionpany. All the attention from the team leads had fully shifted in my direction. Amidst this, I noticed that Kim Dong-Soo, who had regained his confidence after a long time, now wore a deeply troubled expression once again. *** Themotion finally settled after I allocated roles, assigning one supporting role and two minor roles to each division. "So, Team Lead Jung. Do you need any additional support?" Kang Gam-Chan asked, indicating that I could request anything I needed. "I¡¯d like to bring in a new vocal trainer." Kang Gam-Chan raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Aren''t Chief Lee and Seon-Woo already well-versed in vocal training? Why the need for someone new?" "Ha-Na and Cherry Blossom members now need a dedicated professional vocal trainer." Kang Gam-Chan seemed unconvinced by this reasoning because thepany already had a specialized vocal trainer. I continued exining my ns. "Moreover, Shanghai New Media Inc. has agreed to fully fund theunch of a new girl group on the condition that we provide a dedicated vocal trainer for them." My statement caused a stir in the room once again. Launching an idol group at Hoop Entertainment typically required an investment of 1 to 1.5 billion won. And when marketing costs were added, even 2 to 3 billion won could be insufficient. But now, we wouldn''t need to spend any of that money as long as we found a vocal trainer. Even Kang Gam-Chan was taken aback. "Are you saying that Shanghai New Media Inc. is covering all marketing costs as well?" "Yes. And they want to maintain the 50-50 revenue split from our previous agreement." Kang Gam-Chan burst outughing in a loud voice that echoed throughout the meeting room. "Ha ha ha! Now I think even a 300 million won bonus isn¡¯t enough for you, Team Lead Jung!" Despite Kang Gam-Chan''s loudughter, the jealousy in the room hadpletely vanished. Everyone now understood that my sess was like a massive wedding cake with plenty to share. However, there was one potential issue: the vocal trainer I intended to bring in was someone who used a wheelchair. There could be bacsh about hiring someone with physical limitations when other capable trainers were avable. For this reason, I requested full authority to hire the vocal trainer without any interference. Kang Gam-Chan chuckled. "Shanghai New Media Inc. has entrusted everything to you, so it would be foolish of us to interfere. Sure, go ahead." Having settled the matter of potential opposition, Kang Gam-Chan looked at Lee Dong-Min this time. "Chief Lee." "Yes, sir." "Work together with Team Lead Jung and make sure we create another group as sessful as Cherry Blossom." "You can count on us, Mr. Kang." The meeting ended with that, and I immediately called Lee Soo-Chan as I left the meeting room. It was time to locate Seo Yeon-Woo, the talent who would be Korea¡¯s top vocal trainer. Two dayster, I received a call from Lee Soo-Chan who had moved faster than expected. -I found Seo Yeon-Woo. He lives in Guro and is working as a dayborer at a construction site in Suwon today. "Wait, a construction site? A dayborer?" ''No way. Seo Yeon-Woo is doing manualbor!?'' I wondered in disbelief. I asked if there might be some mistake but Lee Soo-Chan confirmed that it was indeed the same person who used to sing in the caf¨¦. -Yes, it''s him. He quit singing at the caf¨¦ recently due to personal reasons and started working at the construction site. "Are you sure he does not have any physical impairments?" I asked. -I''m sure. That made it a bit harder to track him down. But when I found him, he looked perfectly healthy apart from being very thin. My heart began to race upon hearing Lee Soo-Chan''s words. This meant that at this point in time, Seo Yeon-Woo hadn''t had physical impairments yet. *** "Hey! Move faster! It¡¯s already hot, so don¡¯t make me more pissed off!" "Ah, I''m sorry." "If you keep working like this, don¡¯t expect to get paid today!" At the construction site of a new vi in Suwon, a foreman with a rough demeanor kept berating Seo Yeon-Woo who had started working there just three days ago. Seo Yeon-Woo had been assigned the simple task of carrying materials, a role known as "gom-bang," but he was so unskilled at it that he had been scolded every day since he started. Struggling, Seo Yeon-Woo hefted a bag of cement onto his shoulder. It felt like his shoulders were about to give out, but he had no choice¡ªhe needed the day''s wages. "Damn it, why is my life like this..." he muttered bitterly under his breath. Seo Yeon-Woo had dreamed of bing a singer for nine years, ever since he started earning money by singing at live cafes when he was 15. He wanted to take good care of the grandmother who had raised him after his parents abandoned him by bing a sessful singer and making lots of money. Although the producers from entertainmentpanies were impressed by his voice, they hesitated when they met him in person. And they all said the same thing. -Have you thought about getting stic surgery? I think it would only take about 20 million won. They wanted Seo Yeon-Woo''s voice, but they were disappointed in his appearance. Somepanies even offered to loan him the money for the stic surgery, but Seo Yeon-Woo didn¡¯t want to take on a 20 million won debt. So he decided to try his luck on an audition program. Unfortunately, on the day he passed the first round and was preparing for the second, his grandmother who had been supporting him all this time was diagnosed with dementia. Crushed by despair, Seo Yeon-Woo decided to give up on being a singer and stopped going to the cafe to sing. Instead, he started working at the construction site for a new vi. With his legs trembling, Seo Yeon-Woo carried a bag of cement as his mind was consumed with anxious thoughts. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn¡¯t see a way forward about how he would make ends meet or how he would care for his grandmother. Lost in these thoughts, Seo Yeon-Woo suddenly found himself at the edge of the third floor where there was no railing. Swoosh! A hot wind mixed with the heat brushed against his face. The breeze jolted Seo Yeon-Woo back to reality, and only then did he realize that he was standing on the brink of empty space. "Wha... what...?" Of all ces, he was in an area where no safety had been installed. He tried to hold on, but the weight of the cement bag made his body start to tilt forward. Seo Yeon-Woo squeezed his eyes shut. He thought it might be better if his painful 23 years of life just ended right then. Flinch! At that moment, his tilting body suddenly stopped just as he was about to fall forward. Startled, Seo Yeon-Woo opened his eyes and turned his head. Behind him stood a handsome man in a suit, tightly holding onto his back. The man¡¯s expression was one of sheer determination as if he would never let go. Chapter 295: Vocal Trainer (2)

Chapter 295: Vocal Trainer (2)

Rip! I grabbed tightly onto Seo Yeon-Woo''s belt as he teetered on the edge of the third floor. Then, I heard the sound of the belt tearing. Not only was the belt giving way but it felt like my grip was about to fail as well. Even in this dangerous situation, Seo Yeon-Woo was stubbornly holding onto the bag of cement. ''Why is he being so foolish!'' I frowned. I shouted, "Drop the cement, quickly!" At that moment, Seo Yeon-Woo let go of the cement bag which fell to the ground below. His frail body was pulled backward as the bag dropped. Simultaneously, I lost my bnce and fell backward with him. Thud! Wended with a heavy thud, and I ended up slumping on the ground hard. Soon, the sound of the cement bag crashing into something on the first floor followed. Crash! Considering that the sound wasn''t just a thud but it was a splintering crash, I figured something on the first floor must have been broken. Nheless, that wasn''t my main concern at that moment. I quickly checked Seo Yeon-Woo to make sure he wasn''t hurt. "Mr. Yeon-Woo, are you okay?" Seo Yeon-Woo looked dazed lying on the ground, but then he suddenly sat up. "Ah, yes... yes..." He was trembling from the shock, but thankfully he didn''t seem to be injured. ''Thank goodness.'' I was overjoyed when I heard that Seo Yeon-Woo was working at a construction site in Suwon. The fact that he was working as a dayborer meant he wasn''t in a wheelchair and was physically able. Eager to meet him as soon as possible, I rushed to the site only to find him on the verge of falling. If I had reached even a little bitter, Seo Yeon-Woo might have ended up in a wheelchair like in my past life. Seo Yeon-Woo''s face showed a mixture of gratitude, embarrassment, and confusion. The Seo Yeon-Woo who was standing in front of me right now waspletely different from the sharp-tongued, wheelchair-bound man I remembered from my previous life. "B-but who are you...?" he asked. Seo Yeon-Woo looked puzzled by my presence as this rough work environment wasn''t a ce where a man in a suit would visit. "Ah, I''m..." I said as I reached into my wallet to give him my business card. However, before I could finish my sentence, a loud and angry voice erupted from below. "That crazy bastard screwed up again? Hey! Are you trying to get yourself killed?" When I turned around, the foreman was storming toward us while pointing at Seo Yeon-Woo aggressively. He wasn''t wearing a helmet and his outfit was a mess. Even though it was a rough construction site, I had expected him to show some concern for a fellow worker''s safety. The foreman in his mid-50s spat out curses. "You fucking idiot! The cement bag you dropped smashed all the tiles on the first floor! You''re not getting paid today!" ''So that crashing sound was the tiles breaking,'' I realized. Still, his attitude of caring more about the tiles than a human life enraged me. I shot back, "Someone almost died here, and that''s what you''re concerned about?" The foreman scowled at me. "Who the hell are you? What the hell are you doing on my site? Hey, Yong-Sik! Get this bastard out of here!" I had worked daybor jobs before, so I knew better than to cause trouble on someone else''s site. People''s livelihoods were at stake, after all. However, this site was a death trap with hazards everywhere and no proper safety measures in ce. This wasn''t a ce where work should continue. Having made up my mind, I pulled out my phone. Meanwhile, several workers rushed up to us upon hearing the foreman''s shouts and curses. "Mr. Choi, what''s going on?" "Chief Choi, what''s the problem? What happened?" At that moment, I raised my voice and called the upational Safety and Health Agency so that all the workers could hear me. "Hello? I''m calling from a construction site for a new vi in Suwon. There''s a site here that isn''tplying with worker safety regtions!" The foreman, who had been so confident just a moment ago, suddenly went pale. "Hey, man. Wait a minute! Hold on! Hey!" The constructionws were so strict that the site could be shut down at once if safety vitions were found. It was the foreman''s bad luck to cross paths with someone like me who knew how construction sites operated, having worked on them for a long time before joining Hoop Entertainment. The workers stopped in their tracks and the foreman shouted at me to hang up the phone. Ignoring him, I proceeded to report every safety vition I had seen. "Yes, there are no safety measures in ce and it''s extremely dangerous. We just had a near-fatal ident. I''ll also be contacting the Ministry of Employment and Labor, so be prepared for a thorough investigation." I made it clear that I would ensure the site was inspected and theint followed up on. This caused the previously indifferent voice of the call center operator to be more urgent. -Pl-please wait! We''ll send an inspector immediately. Could you share the location with us? "Sure." I sent the location and hung up the phone, turning to see the foreman now looking at me with a pleading expression. "Hey, hey... Was it really necessary to report this over such a small thing? Do you want to get people fired?" ''If I wanted to, I could certainly get them fired,'' I remarked inwardly. After all, the workers could just move to a different site but the foreman and the site manager would be the ones left without work. The foreman continued as he reached his hand out toward me, "You seem to understand the hardships of people working manualbor like us... I''ll take care of this, so how about we settle this for 1 million won to smooth things over? What do you say?" ''One million won? Is he serious? A person almost died and he wants to settle it with money?'' I seethed with anger. "Get your hand off me," I replied coldly. I shook off the foreman''s hand and called out to Lee Dong-Min who was below the building, "Mr. Lee! Can you record this site?" "Sure thing~" replied Lee Dong-Min as he immediately pulled out his phone and began filming. The foreman quickly ordered the workers to stop Lee Dong-Min, but no one moved to obey. After hearing where I had called, the workers knew the site was as good as shut down. *** While Lee Dong-Min filmed the site, I turned my attention back to Seo Yeon-Woo. "Mr. Yeon-Woo, let''s go." "Wh-where are we going?" "I''ll exin once we get downstairs." Seo Yeon-Woo hesitated but followed me. At that moment, the foreman shouted angrily, "Hey, kid! If you leave with that guy wearing a suit, I''ll make sure your family pays for it! I know your number and where you live!" Seo Yeon-Woo was only 23 years old, and the sight of arge, intimidating man his father''s age threatening him made him freeze in fear. I reassured Seo Yeon-Woo and turned to the foreman before snapping at him, "You! If you so much asy a finger on this guy, I''ll make sure you regret it!" I was barely holding back from punching him, but I managed to restrain myself. Looking at the foreman quickly shut his mouth, he must have sensed the danger in my eyes and the way I clenched my fists. He started hupping nervously but tried to act tough. I turned back to Seo Yeon-Woo and led him downstairs once again. "Mr. Yeon-Woo, don''t worry and juste with me." "Oh, o-okay." As I walked down with Seo Yeon-Woo, the other workers stepped aside to let us pass as they knew they''d be moving on to another site soon enough when this one got shut down. Once we were on the first floor, I called Lee Dong-Min, who had finished filming the site, over. "What''s going on? It seemed pretty serious from the looks of things. Anyway, I got everything on tape as you said," Lee Dong-Min told me. "Please send me the footage." As soon as I received the video from Lee Dong-Min, I filedints with all the relevant authorities. The foreman continued to curse and gesture angrily from outside, but I didn''t even blink. Not long after, I received confirmation that an inspector from a nearby site would arrive within three minutes. "Let''s wait for the inspector to arrive before we leave," I said. Lee Dong-Min chuckled. "Ha ha. With your skills, that guy wouldn''t stand a chance against you." "Yes, but there are too many people watching." "You''re right. Good job holding back." Only then did I turn to face Seo Yeon-Woo sitting in the back seat. "You must have been really startled. I''m sorry." Seo Yeon-Woo, who had been staring out the window, flinched in surprise. He was probably worried about how he was going to make a living now that we had caused such a scene at the construction site. I continued, "Don''t worry. I''m Jung Yoon-Ho, the team lead at Hoop Entertainment. I came here to scout you as a vocal trainer." Seo Yeon-Woo blinked as he took the business card I handed him. "Hoop Entertainment?" I nodded. "Yes. I found you after hearing you sing live at the cafe. I also heard that you worked as a vocal trainer in Guro. You have quite a bit of experience, don''t you?" Seo Yeon-Woo tilted his head in confusion. "H-how did you know that...?" "I heard you taught Lee Sang-Gyun, a trainee at TK Entertainment," I added. Lee Sang-Gyun, who was currently preparing to debut in a boy group under TK Entertainment, had been his student. Although he had only been trained under Seo Yeon-Woo for three months, it was enough for him to pass his audition at TK Entertainment with flying colors. "But he joined TK Entertainment just two weeks ago... I guess news travels fast in this industry," Seo Yeon-Woo replied. I yed it cool and continued. "By the way, I manage a team called Cherry Blossom. You''ve heard of them, right?" "Yes, I know them." "I''d like you to be their vocal trainer. Also, we''re nning tounch a multinational idol group and I want you to train them as well." Seo Yeon-Woo looked dazed as if he couldn''t process what was happening. I took the opportunity toy out the offer. "We''re offering an annual sry of 30 million won as a base and we can discuss other details to fit your needs. We''ll also provide amodation for you. What do you think?" Seo Yeon-Woo blinked in disbelief at the sudden turn of events. "This... this isn''t a dream, is it?" Lee Dong-Min replied with a smile, "No, it''s not." Seo Yeon-Woo pinched his cheek to make sure he was awake. "It hurts... it really hurts." After repeating the same words over and over again, tears began welling up in Seo Yeon-Woo''s eyes. At that moment, I noticed two inspectors approaching with stern expressions. Simultaneously, the site manager who hadn''t been seen until now came running without even wearing his helmet. It was clear that the inspectors had been lenient with the site manager by overlooking the safety vitions, but today they wouldn''t be able to ignore them because I had already sent the video evidence to all relevant authorities. For this reason the inspectors began to reprimand the site manager harshly as soon as they arrived. The foreman, who had been cursing at us earlier, waved his hands in a futile attempt to exin. Unfortunately for him, the inspectors were having none of it. They ordered all the workers to leave the site and pulled out a yellow A4-sized "Work Stop" sticker from their files. "Mr. Choi! Please don''t shut us down!" The site manager pleaded, clinging to the inspector''s pant leg. "Manager Lee! How many times have I told you to properly manage the site? What kind of era do you think this is to let these kinds of issues slide? It''s over. Step aside. Are you not going to? Do you want to end up in jail? Huh?" The inspectors pushed the site manager and foreman away and pped the "Work Stop" sticker on the site. Then they began writing something on it with a marker. The sticker detailed the reasons for the shutdown and the duration, which looked like it would be at least a month. The site manager and foreman, now pale and defeated, copsed to the ground. Only then did I get back into the driver''s seat. Lee Dong-Min watched the scene and chuckled with satisfaction. "Looks like we can leave now." I finally started the engine and headed back toward Seoul. *** I turned the car around to head to Seoul when Seo Yeon-Woo asked if we could stop by his house and mentioned that his grandmother was there. "Your grandmother lives with you?" From my past life''s memories, Seo Yeon-Woo didn''t have any family. However, I felt a deep sadness as soon as he exined the situation. "My parents left me ten years ago and my grandmother has been taking care of me ever since. But recently..." Recently, his grandmother had been diagnosed with dementia. For a 23 year old, that was an incredibly heavy burden to bear alone. I began to understand why Seo Yeon-Woo had been so reluctant to talk about himself in my past life. If I were in his shoes, dealing with a debilitating condition and a grandmother with dementia, I wouldn''t want to talk about my past either. As we continued our conversation, I realized that Seo Yeon-Woo was actually a warm and gentle person. Thanks to the changes in fate, I was able to meet him before his personality had twisted. We chatted about various things as we approached his home. "Um...there''s no ce to park around here, so I''ll just quickly check on my grandmother and be right back," Seo Yeon-Woo said to us. Seo Yeon-Woo was concerned about his grandmother''s condition, mentioning that she might not have eaten anything. "In that case, could Ie in and use the bathroom? I''d also like to say hello to your grandmother," I asked. Although he said her dementia wasn''t too severe, I wanted to understand her condition better, especially since Seo Yeon-Woo was about to be part of my team. Seo Yeon-Woo let out a deep sigh. "I suppose there''s no problem with that, but don''t be too shocked. Sometimes my grandmother does strange things..." I reassured Seo Yeon-Woo that it was fine and followed him. We arrived at a shabby three-story apartment building and headed down to the basement level. As we descended, a musty odor filled the air and it seemed like mold had grown due to theck of sunlight. Embarrassed, Seo Yeon-Woo opened the front door. "Just a moment. Let me go in first." Worried that his grandmother might be startled by sudden guests, Seo Yeon-Woo went inside first while Lee Dong-Min and I waited outside for a bit. "Grandma, I''m home." Through the slightly open door, we could hear his grandmother''s affectionate voice. "Oh, my dear! You''re back from school? You must be hungry. Should I make you something to eat?" "Did you eat, Grandma? I told you not to wait for me and to eat first." Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother replied apologetically, "How could I eat alone when my dear grandchild is studying so hard at school? I waited for you~" At that moment, Seo Yeon-Woo''s voice slightly trembled as he answered, "You shouldn''t do that. You need to eat well if you want to stay healthy and...live a long time with me. Please make sure you eat even if I''m not here, okay?" "No, no~ Don''t worry, my dear. Grandma is fine now. I''m all better thanks to you. But you must be hungry. Let me make you something. What would you like to eat?" Their tender conversation filled with warmth and care continued. Listening to their natural conversation, Lee Dong-Min seemed a bit relieved. "It doesn''t seem like her dementia is too severe." However, I gently shook my head. "Mr. Yeon-Woo only graduated from high school like me." Seo Yeon-Woo turned 23 years old this year. At that moment, Lee Dong-Min also began to realize what was wrong. Chapter 296: Vocal Trainer (3)

Chapter 296: Vocal Trainer (3)

After finishing his conversation with his grandmother, Seo Yeon-Woo carefully opened the door. "Come on in." As he came out the front door, Seo Yeon-Woo was holding tightly onto his grandmother''s right hand, who was dressed in a thin, traditional Korean blouse. Behind them, I could see a small living room, a single room, and a tiny bathroom. "Hello, ma''am." I greeted Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother. Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother tilted her head, then suddenly smiled brightly. "Oh my~ Come on in. Are you teachers from Yeon-Woo''s school?" It seemed like Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother misunderstood me as a teacher because I was wearing a suit. Nheless, I yed along knowing that she had dementia, so as not to startle her. "Yes. We came for a home visit because Yeon-Woo is doing so well in his studies." Lee Dong-Min also chimed in appropriately. "That''s right! Yeon-Woo is top in his music ss, so we came to encourage him." At that moment, Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother began pping her hands with a radiant smile. "Oh wow~ This is a great honor, a great honor!" Seeing his grandmother''s joyful expression, Seo Yeon-Woo yed along with our little white lie. "Grandma, I came in first ce. So... I think we''ll be able to live happily from now on." Tears welled up in Seo Yeon-Woo''s eyes. At that moment, Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother began to stroke her grandson''s face. She showered him with kisses on his cheeks, saying how beautiful and adorable he was. Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother shouted loudly with her voice full of life. "Oh, my dear child. You''re wonderful. I''m so proud of you! I knew this would happen~" Despite her dementia, she never lost faith when it came to her grandson. Then, Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother began to nce around. "What should I give to the teachers who''vee to visit? Ah, right. There was that!" In a sh, Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother turned and headed toward the room. The sudden movement caused Seo Yeon-Woo to lose his grip on his grandmother''s hand. "Grandma! Where are you going?" Before Seo Yeon-Woo could catch her, his grandmother hurriedly ran into the room. Seo Yeon-Woo sighed and apologized to us. "I''m sorry. She''s fine most of the time, but today..." I assured Seo Yeon-Woo it was okay and asked, "It''s alright. But does she not remember recent events at all?" Seo Yeon-Woo''s voice trembled slightly as if he was holding back tears. "No. Her memoryes and goes. She was fine just this morning when I left for work..." A momentter, the previously closed door suddenly swung open again and Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother held a crumpled box in her right hand. She quickly approached us and offered the box to me. "Sir, I hid this to give to my grandson when he was hungry, but please take it. It''s my absolute favorite~" In her hand was a squashed egg biscuit box. Surprised, Seo Yeon-Woo quickly shouted, "Mr. Jung, please don''t eat that." He seemed worried that it was old and might cause an upset stomach. Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother looked confused and flustered. "Huh? This is the one you gave me yesterday, isn''t it, Yeon-Woo?" At that moment, I smiled broadly and epted the snack from her. "Thank you, ma''am. I think Yeon-Woo didn''t want me to eat something that was meant for you." Holding the snack, I turned to Seo Yeon-Woo and continued. "Yeon-Woo, don''t worry. There will be schrship money soon, so I''ll buy snacks for your grandmother with that." Only then did Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother nod in relief, then gently scolded her grandson in a soft voice. "Hey~ My dear child, no matter how much you love Grandma, you shouldn''t do that to your teacher." Seo Yeon-Woo held back tears and nodded. "Yes, Grandma... I''m sorry." Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother turned her gaze back to me with a smile. "Please try it. It''s delicious." I discreetly checked the expiration date, and luckily, it had only expired a month ago. I pondered, ''That should be safe enough to eat.'' "Thank you so much, I''ll enjoy it." Lee Dong-Min was about to stop me, but I calmly tore open the snack bag. The egg biscuits inside were a bit dry. Nevertheless, I took one out and bit into it without hesitation. The biscuit was stale and musty as expected. However, it was imbued with the warm affection of a grandmother who cherished her grandchild. Watching me eat the snack, Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmotherughed like a child. "Tastes good, doesn''t it? It''s my favorite." "It sure does, ma''am~" I took a few more biscuits from the box and crunched them in one bite. As the saliva gathered in my mouth, they became a bit more ptable. As I smiled brightly and continued eating, Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother smiled. "If I had known you''d enjoy it so much, I would''ve saved more... I''ll make sure to save some more for next time, so pleasee back." Her offer to save snacks meant for herself to give to me left me momentarily speechless. I couldn''t help but wonder how she could remain so kind-hearted even in her condition. Swallowing the lump of emotion rising in my throat, I answered her, "Yes, ma''am. I''ll definitelye back." With a gentle smile, Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother touched my hand and Lee Dong-Min''s hand, as if trying to remember us. After exchanging more words at the entrance, we headed to the living room. Seeing Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother''s condition, I suggested to him that we finalize the contract today and start looking for a new ce right away. "Um... Could I feed Grandma before we go? She hasn''t eaten yet." "Oh, is that so? Then should we order something? What does she like?" Seo Yeon-Woo hesitated before answering. "My grandma... likes jjajangmyeon." "Ah, okay." At that moment, Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother shook her head. "My grandchild, I prefer jjamppong. Have you forgotten that?" Seo Yeon-Woo spoke with difficulty, clearly pained by the situation. "Grandma... you can''t eat spicy food..." I gently stopped Seo Yeon-Woo and addressed his grandmother. "I understand, ma''am. These days, white jjamppong is very popr. I''ll order that for you." Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother smiled warmly. "Oh my~ I''m really having a special day today, with teachersing over and treating me to jjamppong!" "I''ll make sure you can enjoy it often from now on," I replied with a smile. There was no doubt that Seo Yeon-Woo was right about his grandmother''s preference. Nheless, to avoid confusing her, I reassured her and ordered the white jjamppong for her instead. A short whileter, the food we ordered arrived. Seo Yeon-Woo was more focused on serving his grandmother than on eating his own meal, while his grandmother enjoyed the jjamppong, though it was the mild version. Only after his grandmother finished eating did Seo Yeon-Woo begin to eat his own now cold jjajangmyeon which had be quite soggy. After the meal, Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother fell asleep as she felt drowsy post-meal. We left a note before leaving, so she wouldn¡¯t be startled when she woke up and found us gone. *** After arriving at the underground recording studio in thepany, I called in Kang Ha-Na and Cherry Blossom to showcase Seo Yeon-Woo''s talent to everyone. It was a deliberate choice to demonstrate Seo Yeon-Woo''s value before finalizing the contract. I wanted to ensure he received better treatment so that he could care for his grandmother with ease. Lee Dong-Min still couldn''t quite grasp what level of talent Seo Yeon-Woo possessed given his young age. Though he trusted my rmendation, his expectations were naturally low considering that Seo Yeon-Woo was only 23 years old despite having performed live in cafes for a few years. At that moment, Kang Ha-Na opened the door to recording studio 4 and appeared. She was delighted more than anyone when she heard we had found a vocal trainer to focus on our team. I gave a short introduction. "Say hello. This is Mr. Seo Yeon-Woo, our new vocal trainer." "Hello~ I''m Kang Ha-Na, a rookie singer!" When Kang Ha-Na bowed deeply in greeting, Seo Yeon-Woo smiled awkwardly and returned the bow. "I''m not sure if I can teach you anything. You''re already so good..." Seo Yeon-Woo replied sheepishly. "Oh,e on~ I''m just singing raw without any proper technique," Kang Ha-Na replied with a smile. Kang Ha-Na ced the bag she was carrying on the sofa after exchanging greetings. "So, what should I do now?" Seo Yeon-Woo opened a note-taking app on his phone which looked about five years old. "Hmm if there''s any part in a song that you find difficult, we can refine it a bit." As he began to discuss his area of expertise, strength started to return to Seo Yeon-Woo''s voice. Noticing this, Lee Dong-Min began to look intrigued. Kang Ha-Na thought for a moment before she spoke up. "It''s nothing special, but I feel like my pitch drops slightly during the chorus, particrly on the e~'' part." Bang Seon-Woo standing nearby nodded in agreement. "Noona''s voice is so powerful that it usually carries through, but the strength does dip a bit in that section." Honestly, I hadn''t noticed it at all. However, there was no way they were just making things up with their machine-like sharp ears. Seo Yeon-Woo jotted down some notes on his phone and then asked again, "Got it. Is there anything else?" "Not really... I think that''s about it." "Alright, let''s listen to the song first and I''ll give you some feedback." Kang Ha-Na entered the recording booth. As the music began, Kang Ha-Na started singing with her enchanting voice. At that moment, a spark lit up in Seo Yeon-Woo''s eyes. His fingers moved like lightning, jotting down corrections on his phone. I personally didn''t see anything that needed to be added or removed from Kang Ha-Na''s singing, so I was curious about what he was writing. A few momentster, the song ended. Seo Yeon-Woo fiddled with his phone and nced at me nervously. It seemed he had found something that needed fixing but felt hesitant to speak up. After all, Kang Ha-Na was a MeTube star with a million subscribers. I made eye contact with Seo Yeon-Woo and reassured him. "Mr. Yeon-Woo, please feel free to speak up." "I''m not sure how to say this..." he said hesitantly. Seo Yeon-Woo looked as if he wasn''t sure if it was his ce to give feedback to a professional singer. However, I firmly encouraged him to speak up. "If you feel there''s somethingcking, don''t hold back and please speak honestly. From now on, you''re Ha-Na''s vocal trainer." Taking a deep breath, Seo Yeon-Woo responded with a confident voice, "Yes, Mr. Jung." Just then, Kang Ha-Na came out from the recording booth. "I did my best. How did it sound?" Seo Yeon-Woo began to speak cautiously. "About the part you mentioned earlier... How about slightly raising the resonance point there? You could try breathing a bit more forcefully and engaging the muscles in the pharynx andrynx to tighten the vocal cords slightly. So what I mean by that is, if you move this area like this..." Seo Yeon-Woo used technical terms and exined at length while pointing to the neck area to indicate how to improve Kang Ha-Na''s vocal production. Kang Ha-Na looked a bit troubled. "I understand what you''re saying...but I''m not sure if I can do it properly." Seo Yeon-Woo reassured Kang Ha-Na. "Let''s adjust as we go. I think if you try it this way, you''ll find it much easier to sing." "Okay, I''ll give it a try." Kang Ha-Na nodded and adjusted her vocal technique before trying to sing the note without the backing track. ¡ºCome~¡» As soon as she sang, Kang Ha-Na looked surprised. "Huh?" Bang Seon-Woo with perfect pitch also looked astonished. "Noona, it sounds much better!" For these two, who were so sensitive to pitch, to be surprised meant that there was indeed a noticeable improvement. Seeing their reaction, Seo Yeon-Woo seemed to gain confidence and continued the vocal lesson. "Now, before you enter the chorus, try taking a short breath. You have plenty of vocal power, but it would be more efficient to manage your breath until thetter part, which requires explosive volume." Seo Yeon-Woo gave detailed instructions covering everything from pitch, breath control, vocal power, how to handle the vocal cords, and finding the right resonance points. Like a doctor, he pinpointed the positions of the oral and nasal cavities, the pharynx, and the vocal cords, providing specific guidance. He even described the shape of the tongue and the amount of abdominal muscle tension required when pronouncing certain words. The instructions were so detailed that even Lee Dong-Min, with his extensive experience as a producer, was left in awe. "Is that kid a doctor or something?" "Not at all. I heard he worked incredibly hard to be a singer. He even studied anatomy books." Lee Dong-Min nodded in acknowledgement of Seo Yeon-Woo''s talent. In the meantime, Seo Yeon-Woo gave another directive to Kang Ha-Na after finishing his coaching. "Now, let''s try singing the chorus again." "Okay." Following Seo Yeon-Woo''s instructions, Kang Ha-Na took a short breath and began to sing the chorus. ¡ºSigh. Different me from yesterday, Hi~¡» At that moment, even I could clearly notice the difference. The high notes flowed as naturally as breathing, making the song much more pleasant to listen to. Lee Dong-Min seemed eager to say something, but Kang Ha-Na spoke first. "Is there anything else? Anything more I need to work on?" "Uh, well, um..." ''Who would have thought there were so many things to improve in Kang Ha-Na''s song that had seemed perfect?'' I wondered in awe. Seo Yeon-Woo''s coaching continued relentlessly, and Kang Ha-Na carefully absorbed each piece of advice. After receiving the training, Kang Ha-Na excitedly shouted, "Seon-Woo, give me the backing track right now. I want to try it again immediately." "Okay, noona!" As Kang Ha-Na stood in front of the microphone, Bang Seon-Woo immediately yed ''New Beginning.'' Entering the recording booth, Kang Ha-Na took a deep breath and started singing following Seo Yeon-Woo''s advice by holding back some of her breath right from the first line. In that instant, magic began to unfold in Kang Ha-Na''s singing. Chapter 297: Han Woo-Ju (1)

Chapter 297: Han Woo-Ju (1)

"What is this?" Originally, Kang Ha-Na''s vocals were known for her sweet voicebined with strong vocal techniques to effortlessly cover all ranges. However, her strengths across all ranges were being maximized after a brief training session with Seo Yeon-Woo. Everyone in the recording studio began to be deeply captivated by the newly evolved Kang Ha-Na''s singing. The song ended a momentter, but a heavy silence still lingered in the recording studio until Kang Ha-Na came running out of the recording booth. "I did really well just now, right? Right? I''m not imagining it, am I?" "That was incredible!" "Is this really the same song?" As everyone simultaneously gave her a thumbs-up, Kang Ha-Na was overjoyed to the point of fainting. It was the moment Kang Ha-Na acknowledged Seo Yeon-Woo, who was three years younger, as her teacher. "Mr. Yeon-Woo, you''re amazing! How did you do it?" she asked jubntly. Seo Yeon-Woo couldn''t hide his surprised expression either. "Miss Ha-Na, you''re the amazing one here. How did you manage to do that in one go?" The meeting of two geniuses had produced astonishing results. Excited, Lee Dong-Min dramatically raised the terms of the contract. "Let me offer you new conditions! Sry of 40 million won, a three-room apartment near thepany, and a caregiver for your grandmother! What do you think?" Seo Yeon-Woo''s jaw dropped in disbelief at the even better conditions. "Th-thank you so much!" A momentter, the second test began when the members of Cherry Blossom arrived. Once again, the results were a huge sess. Not only Sae-Ri, who could hold her own as a vocalist anywhere, but also the members who specialized in dance agreed that it was the best training they had ever received. They all called Seo Yeon-Woo a genius teacher. After deciding to start proper training the next day and sending off Kang Ha-Na and Cherry Blossom, I immediately yed the song that Ling Ling had sung for Seo Yeon-Woo. However, Seo Yeon-Woo''s expression turned serious as soon as he listened to the song. "I''d need to hear her in person to be sure, but it sounds like her vocal cords are quite weak." Once again, Seo Yeon-Woo''s judgment was spot on. It was incredible to think he could identify a problem with the vocal cords after just one listen. I asked, "If there''s an issue with her vocal cords, would it be difficult for her to continue as a singer?" Seo Yeon-Woo shook his head. "Oh, no. I wouldn''t say so. I taught a student in a simr situationst year, and they ended up joining Ace Entertainment as a trainee under good management." "Really?" "Yes. The girl you just mentioned, Ling Ling, especially knows how to produce pretty notes. So I think it should be more than possible if she switches to a technique that uses her vocal cords less. Of course, I''d need to hear her in person to make a more urate judgment." Indeed, bringing in Seo Yeon-Woo was the right decision. With no reason for any further dy, we headed straight to Kang Ji-Yung''s office. After hearing what had happened in the recording studio, Kang Ji-Yung immediately presented a contract. "You can start work tomorrow. Team Lead Jung, can you handle his housing arrangements?" "Of course." "Since he is taking care of his grandmother, try to find a ce without stairs." "Yes, I will." We quickly finalized the contract, fearing that someone might take Seo Yeon-Woo away. Afterpleting the contract, we went down to the underground parking lot to take him home. As I got Seo Yeon-Woo into the car, I also called Wang Long. "We''ve found a highly skilled vocal trainer. I yed the song Ling Ling recorded earlier, and he thinks he can manage it," I updated him. -Really? It had only been a few days since Wang Long had gone to China, and he was clearly surprised that we had already found a trainer. -Our president is currently on a business trip to London, so it''ll take a few days to get confirmation. "Don''t worry, it''s not urgent. I just contacted you to let you know so you can give Ling Ling the good news." -Great. Ling Ling is going to be really happy. Thanks, Yoon-Ho. "Don''t mention it. Anyway, take care!" I let out a sigh of relief after hanging up the phone. At that moment, Seo Yeon-Woo hesitated as if he wanted to say something. "What''s wrong? Is everything okay?" I asked. "Well, it''s just that you''re much older than me... so could you speakfortably? You''re my team lead now... and we''re in the samepany." It seemed that the formalnguage made him feel distant. Seeing this, I extended my hand to Seo Yeon-Woo. "Sure. Let''s get along well from now on." "Yes, hyung-nim!" Only then did Seo Yeon-Woo grab my hand with a happy expression. *** Wanting to drop him off as close to his house as possible, I turned into the alleyway leading to Seo Yeon-Woo''s house. "Hyung-nim, you can just drop me off here. It''s double-parked up ahead, so it''ll be hard to get your car out if you go further." There was still about 600 meters to his house, but he said he''d walk from here. "Are you sure? Alright." I said as I parked the car at the entrance of the alley. "But hyung-nim..." Seo Yeon-Woo said hesitantly. "You can speakfortably with me too," I assured him. "Okay, hyung. I don''t know how to thank you for everything today." Seo Yeon-Woo didn''t know how to repay me for saving his life at the construction site and offering him a job. I smiled. "If you''re really grateful, just take good care of the kids you''ll be teaching. That''s all I ask." Seo Yeon-Woo nodded vigorously. "I''m really confident in my teaching skills. I''ll bring out the best in the singers I train." "Just hearing that makes me feel reassured." Seeing Seo Yeon-Woo''s joy, I made another suggestion. "Yeon-Woo, you originally wanted to be a singer, right?" "Yes..." Seo Yeon-Woo had initially aimed to be a singer but had given up because of his appearance. However, I wanted to give him hope. "Let''s work hard as a vocal trainer for a few years. Then I''ll make sure to produce your album." Seo Yeon-Woo was stunned, his expression nk with surprise. "R-really?" "Yeah. You''ll need to focus on helping others achieve their dreams for now, but I''ll help you achieve yourster. So please take good care of our kids." Seo Yeon-Woo nodded enthusiastically with a joyful expression. "Of course, hyung!" As I patted Seo Yeon-Woo on the shoulder and was about to send him off, I noticed the neighborhood grocery store just ahead. At that moment, an idea crossed my mind. "Yeon-Woo, let''s get out." "Huh?" I turned on the car''s hazard lights and headed to the neighborhood grocery store with Seo Yeon-Woo. The owner, who had been dozing off, weed us. "Wee." "Sir, do you have egg cookies here?" I asked. "They''re inside, over there." I quickly strode into the store. Seeing the piles of egg cookies, I grabbed several and put them in a basket. Then I told Seo Yeon-Woo behind me to buy some snacks as well. "I promised to buy them for your grandmother, so I have to keep that promise. And get anything your grandmother likes and anything you want too." Seo Yeon-Woo stared at me. "What are you doing? Go on and choose what you want. I have to head back soon," I quickly urged him. Hearing that I was in a hurry, Seo Yeon-Woo lowered his head and picked up a single custard cream snack. "My grandmother likes this." "Just one? What about something you like?" "I''m fine." Unable to stand it, I started filling the basket with various snacks. "This one¡¯s pretty good, and this one''s not bad either. I tried this one from Miso and it was delicious. Oh, and let''s get some drinks too." I filled the basket with snacks and bread until the shopkeeper was fully awake. Seo Yeon-Woo, now holding stic bags full of snacks and drinks in both hands, looked unsure of what to do. "This is too much, hyung." I waved my hand. "It''s not that much. And here." I pulled out a white envelope I had prepared in advance from my pocket. "Use this to get by until your first paycheckes in. Thepany will cover the moving expenses, so you can use this for living costs." It was 2 million won. Given Seo Yeon-Woo''s current situation, even this amount might not be enough. But I put in just the right amount as I thought giving him more might make him ufortable. Seo Yeon-Woo shook his head. "N-no, really. I have money." "You didn''t even get paid for today''s work, so take it. I''ve got plenty of money." Since he was holding stic bags in both hands, he couldn''t resist and had to ept the envelope I handed him. "But still..." "Just take good care of your grandmother, eat well, and stay healthy. That''s my first order as your team lead. This money is pocket money, so don''t even think about paying it back." Although he would receive a sry, the money needed for his grandmother wouldn''t be a small amount. From the start, Kang Gam-Chan had given me a hefty bonus to use for situations like this. I didn''t hesitate to spend that money on Seo Yeon-Woo. "Your grandmother must be waiting for you. Go on inside." As I nudged him forward, Seo Yeon-Woo reluctantly started walking toward his house. Only then did I get back into the car. As I fastened my seatbelt and prepared to drive off, I saw through the rearview mirror that Seo Yeon-Woo had stopped and was bowing his head toward me. "That kid. He really doesn¡¯t listen." I started the car and waved out the half-open window. "See you tomorrow!" Seo Yeon-Woo''s voice echoed down the alley. "Hyung-nim, I''ll work hard and give it all I''ve got! I swear!" *** The day after signing a contract with Seo Yeon-Woo, Hoop Entertainment was once again in an uproar. Despite only ten episodes of In the Name of God having aired, the broadcasting station''s PDs and CPs were calling us every day. Since I was avoiding their calls, they were trying to reach me through not only Actor Division 1 and 2 but also the Singer Divisions. As a result, the team leads at Hoop Entertainment were begging me to quickly decide on Yoo-Jin''s project. After wrapping up a noisy meeting with the team leads and returning, I saw that Lee Yung-Jin had a pale expression on his face. "Why do you look like that?" I asked. "Mr. Yang from KBC called five times. He begged me to make sure you call him back as soon as the meeting was over," Lee Yung-Jin exined. Apparently, Lee Yung-Jin''s phone rang five times while I was at the team leaders'' meeting. "I-is that so?" However, that wasn''t the end of it. Jung Sang-Bong, who looked even paler than Lee Yung-Jin, spoke up. "Mr. Jung, Mr. Jung Sam-Ryong from SBC called seven times. He seems determined toe find you in person." I had to refuse the offers from both of them since I had already made a verbal contract with Director Choi Sang-Byung from MBS. However, there was no way the CPs would ept that. They''d insist that it''s not over until the ink is dry, which led to more pressure. Since I was already nning to head out to finalize the contract with Writer Han Woo-Ju for Hawranjeon, I spoke seriously to Lee Yung-Jin and Jung Sang-Bong. "Yung-Jin, Sang-Bong, listen carefully. Okay?" "Okay." "I''m going into hiding starting now!" Lee Yung-Jin and Jung Sang-Bong''s eyes widened in unison."Pardon?" "M-Mr. Jung!" I told the two startled men to hold out for just one more day. "I''ll just get chewed out if I take those calls now. So I''m going to go and finalize the contract for the next project. After that, I''ll take responsibility for handling both broadcasting stations." Lee Yung-Jin sighed and asked, "What should I say if another calles in? I told him you were in a meeting earlier." "Tell him the meeting''s over but you don''t know where I am. Say I''m not answering my phone." "Ugh... Understood." I quickly gathered my things and reassured them. "Don''t worry too much." Lee Yung-Jin grabbed my arm. "Can''t we just turn off our phones too?" "Nope. Go back." I used my authority as the team lead to wrap up the situation and quickly headed to the underground parking lot. I needed to finalize the contract as soon as possible to avoid falling out of favor with the other broadcasting station CPs. *** I parked my car in a paid parking lot near Gangnam Station that charged 3 thousand won per 30 minutes and checked my nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: March 17, 2021] -01:00 p.m.: Meeting regarding the copyrightwsuit for Hwaranjeon. (Report: Assistant Writer Han Woo-Ju, used of stealing the scenario from her mentor, Writer Yoo Sun-Jung.) "It hasn''t disappeared yet..." I muttered. Hwaranjeon, written by the 23-year-old Writer Han Woo-Ju, would achieve the highest viewership ratings in the first half of next year. Unfortunately, as soon as Hwaranjeon surpassed a 15% viewership ratings after just four episodes, her mentor, Writer Yoo Sun-Jung, would immediately file awsuit and im that her student, Han Woo-Ju, had stolen her synopsis and used it to write the script. In response, Han Woo-Ju would vehemently deny the usation, insisting that everything was her original creation. However, thewsuit would end in defeat for Han Woo-Ju as Yoo Sun-Jung had registered the synopsis''s copyright first, giving her the legal upper hand. At that time in my past life, Yoo Sun-Jung crushed Han Woo-Ju in court with the support of the industry-leading KJ Law Firm. After losing thewsuit, Han Woo-Ju was no longer able to work as a writer. My n was to prevent that from happening. "The synopsis should be ready by now, right?" My first task was to secure an agent contract with Han Woo-Ju and then immediately register the copyright for the synopsis. After leaving the paid parking lot and walking 300 meters, I arrived at her apartmentplex, Kind Vi where Han Woo-Ju lived in unit 202. Because her father worked as a dayborer in construction often in the provinces, she lived with her younger brother, a high school senior. When I reached unit 202, I tucked the gift of premium choctes I had brought under my arm. But just as I was about to ring the doorbell, loud voices echoed from behind the faded blue front door. -Woo-Hyuk! Don''t go! -Don''t stop me. I''m going to settle this with that woman today. -Woo-Hyuk, please don''t! She really promised to include my name this time. -Are you kidding? She said the same thingst time and then released your work under her name! What''s gonna be so different this time? Han Woo-Ju was desperately trying to stop her younger brother, Han Woo-Hyuk. From what I could hear, it became clear that this wasn''t the first time Yoo Sun-Jung had stolen Han Woo-Ju''s work. Chapter 298: Han Woo-Ju (2)

Chapter 298: Han Woo-Ju (2)

Behind the thin front door of Han Woo-Ju''s house, the argument that was urring between the two siblings showed no signs of stopping. -Fine. I won''t go and confront that woman. But don''t work with her on this project! -Woo-Hyuk, it''s not that simple. You can''t make a drama without connections. That''s why I need to work with Mrs. Yoo no matter what. It seemed that Han Woo-Ju was trying to coborate with Yoo Sun-Jung again even after having herst project taken away. Wanting to understand the situation better, I rang the doorbell. Ding dong~ When the faint chime of the old doorbell rang out, the voices of the two people arguing quieted down. Then I heard Han Woo-Ju''s voice. -Who is it?" "Hello, I''m from Hoop Entertainment." -What? You''re from an entertainmentpany? But why...? "You know Actress Jung Yoo-Jin, right? I''m Miss Jung Yoo-Jin''s talent agent, Jung Yoon-Ho. I came because we''re interested in the work you''re writing." -W-wait a moment, please! The inte cut off abruptly as soon as I introduced myself. A momentter, the old front door creaked open. There stood Han Woo-Ju with her hair tied back tightly with a rubber band, dressed in a ck tracksuit with white stripes. Behind her stood her younger brother, wearing a school uniform. Pretending not to have overheard their conversation, I handed my business card to Han Woo-Ju. "I''m Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment." "Are you saying Actress Jung Yoo-Jin is interested in my work?" Han Woo-Ju, who was just under 160 cm tall, looked up at me as she asked. The expression on her face was a mix of doubt and hope. It seemed like she wanted to believe it, but the situation was too sudden and unexpected. I nodded. "Yes. She said she read the synopsis and instantly felt this was the one." Han Woo-Ju''s face brightened, but then she tilted her head in confusion. "But where did you see my synopsis?" "I saw it in the KBC writer''s room. The title was listed as Hwaranjeon. Is that right?" In my past life, Han Woo-Ju had said she had sent her first script to the KBC writer''s room. ''But no one ever discovered it,'' I recalled my past memories. KBC had a writer''s room where aspiring writers sent countless synopses and scripts, hoping for the broadcasting station to give it a single nce. The junior writers who managed the room would gather these synopses and scripts into one pile. In reality, no one ever looked at them. They were just left there piled up like trash until the cleaning crew eventually threw them away. Nheless, I calmly told Han Woo-Ju that I had read the synopsis she had sent. "But I sent it just a week ago. H-how did you find it so quickly...?" Han Woo-Ju asked in a puzzled tone. I gave a subtle smile. "I guess I got lucky." As Han Woo-Ju gasped in surprise, her younger brother, Han Woo-Hyuk, spoke up pleadingly. "Mr. Jung! Does that mean you''ll make my sister''s work into a drama?" Han Woo-Ju quickly tried to stop Han Woo-Hyuk. "Woo-Hyuk, it doesn''t work like that. Even with an actor ready, you still need a productionpany, investors, and a broadcasting slot to make a drama¡ª" Interrupting her, I answered, "If Miss Yoo-Jin takes the lead role, securing a broadcast slot will be a breeze. All you need to focus on is writing." Hearing this, Han Woo-Ju froze in shock. She hadn''t expected to be able to debut so quickly. At that moment, Han Woo-Hyuk asked carefully, "Um, hyung. Does that mean we don''t have to worry about Yoo Sun-Jung anymore?" I turned to look at Han Woo-Hyuk. "If you don''t mind, could you tell me what''s going on?" Han Woo-Hyuk sighed and nodded. "Writer Yoo suggested co-authoring a script after seeing my sister''s synopsis, but she took credit for the entire work thest time. And now, she''s trying to do it again!" I turned to Han Woo-Ju. "Is that true?" At that moment, Han Woo-Ju reached out in an attempt to cover her brother''s mouth. "Woo-Hyuk, that''s not how it is!" Han Woo-Ju jumped up and down, trying to stop her brother from speaking. However, her brother, who was around 180 cm tall, was way out of her reach. Dodging his sister''s attempts, Han Woo-Hyuk turned to me and asked, "Hyung, do you know the drama Under the Big Tree?" "Yes, I know it." "My sister wrote the whole thing! But Yoo Sun-Jung, who calls herself a mentor, published it under her own name! And all my sister got was 3 million won!" Han Woo-Ju looked utterly shocked and her face turned pale. "W-Woo-Hyuk! You can''t just say things like that! What if I get cklisted in this industry?" Under the Big Tree, written by Yoo Sun-Jung, was a melodrama with an impressive 19% average viewership ratings for its genre. Thanks to its emotional depth and vibrant characters, the actors in it had swept up advertising deals. And now, I was hearing that it had actually been written by Han Woo-Ju. "What happened, Ms. Han? Is all of this really true?" Han Woo-Ju wore a resigned expression. With a heavy sigh, she began to exin the situation. "Sigh... It''s true that I wrote Under the Big Tree. But I was promised that I could debut under my own name with my next project." It wasmon for main writers to delegate a few episodes to assistant writers. However, in Han Woo-Ju''s case, she had written Under the Big Tree entirely on her own. Yoo Sun-Jung had promised to list Han Woo-Ju as a co-author, but her name had been nowhere to be found when the script was printed. Their ridiculous excuse for the reason was that the broadcast station and director were hesitant to work with a new writer. After reading the synopsis for Hwaranjeon, Yoo Sun-Jung had approached Han Woo-Ju again, proposing to co-write this time. She even promised that Han Woo-Ju would be credited solely for her next work. Hearing this, Han Woo-Hyuk clutched his chest with his anger boiling over. "Hyung, if you''re the talent agent of someone famous like Jung Yoo-Jin, that means you have influence, right? Please help my sister!" I calmed Han Woo-Hyuk down. "Don''t worry. From now on, Ms. Han and Hoop Entertainment are one and on the same boat." Then I continued, "Not only do we want to contract your work, but we''d also like you to be an exclusive writer with us. That way, Hoop Entertainment can handle everything." However, Han Woo-Ju hesitated, perhaps concerned that this would get her into a conflict with her mentor. "Is it really okay to do that without Mrs. Yoo''s permission...?" Han Woo-Ju asked hesitantly. Just then, Han Woo-Hyuk, looking like he had made up his mind, asked, "Um, hyung. If she signs a contract, will she receive an advance payment?" "Yes, we''ll provide an advance of up to 20 million won. The profit split would be 70% for Ms. Han and 30% for us." Relieved, Han Woo-Hyuk nodded and looked at his sister. "Noona, stop hesitating and sign the contract. Dad''s been admitted to Baek Hospital in Busan." Suddenly, Han Woo-Ju snapped back to reality. "What? Why is Dad in the hospital?" "He got injured at work." "Wh-where did he get hurt?" "He hurt his back while carrying some materials. He hasn''t been able to work for a week and has been stuck in the hospital." The siblings'' father worked as a construction dayborer in Busan, and just a week ago, he suffered a herniated disc while moving tiles. That''s when Han Woo-Ju suddenly shouted, "Hey! Han Woo-Hyuk! Why didn''t you tell me this sooner?" Han Woo-Hyuk defended himself, saying he had no choice. "Dad told me not to say anything to you! He didn''t want to disturb you while you were working on your project!" Tears welled up in Han Woo-Ju''s eyes. "You idiot... You should have told me..." She burst into tears and copsed onto the floor. Seeing this, Han Woo-Hyuk also started to cry. "Noona, think about Dad who works day and night just to see you seed as a writer! Do you know how much he wants to see a work with your name on it?" I finally understood why Han Woo-Ju found the courage to reject Yoo Sun-Jung''s offer and pursued her own project in my past life. It had been for her family. After crying their eyes out for a while, the two siblings stood up. Han Woo-Ju now had a determined look in her eyes. "I''ll sign the contract, Mr. Jung." "You''ve made the right decision. You won''t regret it." "Oh, our bad. Pleasee inside," Han Woo-Hyuk said, gesturing toward the inside of the house. Realizing we had been talking at the entrance all this time, the siblings hurriedly invited me in. I looked at them and proposed, "Let''s take care of the contractter. First, let''s register the copyright for your synopsis." Han Woo-Ju looked puzzled. "But I''ve only written the first episode. Can I register the copyright with that?" "You can register not only the script but the synopsis as well. You can even register the treatment too. Don''t tell me Mrs. Yoo didn''t teach you that?" I remarked. Han Woo-Ju looked down and shook her head. "She didn''t tell me anything about it. I had no idea." A writer''s creative work could be copyrighted with just a simple synopsis that included a brief plot and character background. However, since Han Woo-Ju had not graduated from a broadcasting writer''s program, she wasn''t aware of these basic procedures. When I asked if she had aputer, she mentioned that she had aptop she used and offered to bring it. "I''ll get it, Noona. You stay in the living room," said Han Woo-Hyuk before dashing into his room. In the meantime, I sat across from Han Woo-Ju at the living room table and asked, "Regarding the synopsis, who else did you show it to besides the KBC writer''s room?" Han Woo-Ju began to list the people she had shown the synopsis to. "A week before I left it in the writer''s room, I showed it to Writer Gae Eun-Sook at the KBC writer''s room. And yesterday, I showed it to Mrs. Yoo. That''s all." Gae Eun-Sook was a writer with 20 years of experience who mainly worked with KBC. She hadn''t produced any significant works and mostly did one-act dramas to assist other writers. I mulled over her words. ''I''ll need to bring Writer Gae Eun-Sook on board.'' If she could testify, it would greatly aid in any legal battle against Yoo Sun-Jung. I continued asking, "And did you show it to anyone else?" "No. After Mrs. Yoo saw it yesterday, she told me not to show it to anyone else." This suggested that Yoo Sun-Jung hadn''t had the chance to cause any problems yet. Meanwhile, Han Woo-Hyuk returned with theptop. "Here you go, hyung!" Theptop Han Woo-Hyuk brought looked to be over five years old. Wanting to register the copyright as quickly as possible, I pulled out the tablet I had brought along as the tablet was faster than theptop. I quickly registered an ount and loaded the copyright registration page, before copying the digital certificate and files onto the tablet. Shortly after, the copyright registration waspleted. I let out a sigh. Han Woo-Ju looked at me with wide eyes. "I-is it done then?" "No, this is just the beginning." Although the copyright was registered, it wasn''t the end of the matter¡ªit was just the first step in solving the problem. Nevertheless, we had passed a significant hurdle. Then, I handed the contract to Han Woo-Ju. [Hoop Entertainment Standard Electronic Contract] I pointed to the spots on the electronic contract disyed on the tablet where Han Woo-Ju needed to sign. "Please sign here, here, and here¡ªthree ces in total. Once the contract is signed, our legal team will take over." I began exining the contract terms. "The advance payment is 20 million won. The revenue split will be 70% for you and 30% for us. The contract covers both domestic and international rights, and it will remain in effect for five years after the work is broadcast." As I exined each term and answered any questions the siblings had, Han Woo-Ju nodded along and signed ordingly. On the other hand, Han Woo-Hyuk carefully checked the contract for any issues. ''This guy... he''d make a perfect talent agent,'' I remarked inwardly. Since Han Woo-Hyuk was a high school senior, I wanted to ask about his future ns, but for now, Han Woo-Ju''s situation was the priority. "But Mr. Woo-Hyuk..." "You can speakfortably, hyung." After a brief moment of hesitation, I nodded. "Alright, Woo-Hyuk. For now, Mrs. Yoo or herw firm might call often. Make sure your sister doesn''t answer the phone and that you take the calls instead. Give them my contact information and tell them to call me directly." "Oh, okay. Understood." "And Ms. Han. Don''t go back to work starting today." Han Woo-Ju looked conflicted. "I left some clothes at the office... Can I at least go get them?" "I''ll buy you new ones, so let''s forget about those. It''s best not to do anything that might raise any kinds of suspicion." After the contract was signed, I suggested that Han Woo-Ju and Han Woo-Hyuk apany me to thepany. After all, both of them needed to be aware of what was about to unfold. *** Upon arriving at Hoop Entertainment, they told Kang Ji-Yung about the situation, and she immediately mobilized the legal team. Thepany¡¯s legal team began gathering evidence for legal protection and recorded Han Woo-Ju''s testimony. Then they promptly paid the 20 million won advance. As soon as the 20 million won appeared in her bank ount, Han Woo-Ju called her father. At that moment, she suddenly began speaking in a thick Gyeongsang dialect. "Dad! It''s me, Woo-Ju!" -Oh my! Look who it is! It''s my beloved eldest daughter! Her father''s gentle Gyeongsang dialect came through the phone. Han Woo-Ju''s father was from Busan, and since Han Woo-Ju had also attended school in Busan when she was younger, they were speaking in their own dialect. "Dad, why did you keep it from me?" -What are you talking about? "Do you really think of me as your daughter?" -Have you been daydreaming? Why would you say something like that? Tears started to flow down Han Woo-Ju''s face. -Woo-Ju! Are you crying right now? Who made my daughter cry? I''ll go and give them a good beating! Despite being hospitalized for a herniated disc, her father was more concerned about his daughter. Wiping away her tears, Han Woo-Ju grumbled. "What beating? Are you a gangster or something?" -That''s just a figure of speech. But really, why are you crying? You''re making my heart ache. "Don''t you know how much my heart aches? You got injured and didn''t even tell me!" -... "So don''t ever do that again. If you do, I won¡¯t be your daughter anymore!" -Did Woo-Hyuk tell you? "Yes! And just so you know, I''ve be a writer just like you wanted! So go ahead and get the surgery. I¡¯ll send you the entire 20 million won!" -20 million won? Are you serious? "Yes! I''m sending Woo-Hyuk down to Busan, so get the surgery right away! From now on, I''ll be earning the money. So don''t worry! Got it?" At that moment, her father shouted into the phone with his booming voice. -My daughter''s really a writer now? "Yes, it''s true! And Yoo-Jin unnie will be the lead actress of my work!" -Hahaha! This is amazing! Woo-Ju, I feel like I''ve already healed just from hearing this great news! I don''t even need the surgery! You''re the best! After her father found out that his daughter¡¯s dream hade true, he kept shouting with joy. However, the entry in my nner wasn''t disappearing even with the contract signed and the synopsis registered for copyright. Chapter 299: Han Woo-Ju (3)

Chapter 299: Han Woo-Ju (3)

[Everyday V10.1] [Date: March 17, 2021] -01:00 p.m.: Meeting regarding the copyrightwsuit for Hwaranjeon. (Report: Assistant Ms. Han Woo-Ju, used of stealing the scenario from her mentor, Writer Yoo Sun-Jung.) For an unknown reason, the entry in my nner remained unchanged. It made sense, though¡ªsomeone as relentless as Yoo Sun-Jung wouldn''t just sit back and watch a project she had her eyes on slip away. After thinking it over for a moment, I decided to seek help. "Ms. Han, there''s still one more ce we need to visit. Let''s hurry." Han Woo-Ju looked at me while still on the phone. "Wh-where to?" "To Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon''s ce." With limited broadcast slots, the industry was like a battlefield with fiercepetition over what little opportunities there were. In that dog-eat-dog world, Yoo Sun-Jung was an expert at leveraging her reputation to her advantage. To take on someone like Yoo Sun-Jung, we needed an ally with an even stronger reputation¡ªand that ally was none other than Lee Ji-Yeon. Han Woo-Ju nodded in understanding. "Oh, okay. Just a moment. Let me finish the call with my dad." Han Woo-Ju then spoke into the phone. "Dad, I''ll send Woo-Hyuk down, so schedule the surgery right away. Got it?" -I got it, sweetheart. And you know how much your dad loves you, right? Han Woo-Ju blushed from her father''s warm and affectionate words. "What are you saying? That''s embarrassing! I''m hanging up now." After ending the call, Han Woo-Ju''s face was bright red. "I''m just morefortable speaking in the Busan dialect[1] so with my dad..." Han Woo-Hyuk smiled. "You were speaking so thickly in dialect, and now you''re embarrassed?" Han Woo-Ju bit her lip and pinched her brother''s arm tightly. Hann Woo-Hyuk flinched. "Ahhh! What was that for?" "Hurry up and go check on Dad!" "Alright, alright." However, I stopped Han Woo-Hyuk. If he was going to help his sister, he needed to understand the situation as well. I said, "Woo-Hyuk. I''ll take you to Seoul Stationter, soe with us for now." Han Woo-Hyuk nodded in agreement. "Oh? Okay, sure." Then I called Lee Ji-Yeon. After exining Han Woo-Ju''s situation, Lee Ji-Yeon readily agreed. -Got it. Come on over. We''ll discuss everything in detail after I see the script. Lee Ji-Yeon didn''t get along well with Yoo Sun-Jung, because Yoo Sun-Jung often mentioned Lee Ji-Yeon to boost her own fame. Recently, Yoo Sun-Jung had even engaged in media y, iming she was preparing a work that would surpass In the Name of God. "Okay, Ms. Lee! We''ll head there right away." -Alright. See you soon. Drive safely. After ending the call, I headed to Lee Ji-Yeon''s house with Han Woo-Ju and Han Woo-Hyuk. *** On the way to Lee Ji-Yeon''s house, I cautiously asked, "Ms. Han. When you start writing, do you n to use assistant writers?" Han Woo-Ju nodded her head from the back seat. "If the assistant writers arepetent, it''s definitely good to have help. Long series are too much to handle alone." Han Woo-Ju emphasized that all she wanted was her name to be written on the script for Hwaranjeon. At that moment, a rather bold idea crossed my mind. ''I should try to recruit Lee Ji-Yeon.'' In my past life, Lee Ji-Yeon had served as an assistant writer for her own mentee, Kim Soll-Ip. However, she had written two of the 24 episodes, making her more of a co-writer than an assistant. If my n seeded, Yoo Sun-Jung wouldn''t just be facing off against Han Woo-Ju in a copyrightwsuit. She''d also have to contend with Lee Ji-Yeon. Of course, I nned to bepletely transparent with Lee Ji-Yeon about what could happen. As these thoughts raced through my mind, we arrived at Lee Ji-Yeon''s house. When we approached the parking lot, the gate was lifted automatically. Once we parked and got out of the car, Han Woo-Ju and Han Woo-Hyuk looked around in awe. The expansivewn and grand mansion clearly left them impressed. "Wow! This house is amazing." "As expected of Ms. Lee... even her home is something else." The siblings seemed clearly overwhelmed by the sheer size of Lee Ji-Yeon''s house. I smiled. "Ms. Han, you could live in a ce like this one day too if you seed." Han Woo-Ju quickly waved off the idea, saying it was impossible. However, if she managed to make Hwaranjeon a sess and reim the profits from her previous work, Under the Big Tree, living in such a mansion wouldn''t be out of the question. We crossed the yard and reached the entrance, where Lee Ji-Yeon came out to greet us personally. "Wee, Team Lead Jung. And don''t be shy, you two,e on in." Han Woo-Ju and Han Woo-Hyuk bowed deeply in a polite manner. "It''s an honor to meet you, ma''am! I''m a huge fan!" "H-hello." Lee Ji-Yeon smiled warmly at their greetings. "I''m d you''re here, Writer Han. And you too, Woo-Hyuk." Startled, Han Woo-Ju quickly lifted her head. "Wr-writer? No, I couldn''t possibly..." Lee Ji-Yeon met her gaze and said, "I heard you wrote Under the Big Tree, didn''t you?" "Yes... I did." "Then that makes you a writer. Or do you not care about your own work?" It was as if Lee Ji-Yeon was asking Han Woo-Ju if she would abandon her creation like a mother abandoning her child. In response, Han Woo-Ju shouted, "No, no, Ms. Lee! I wrote it! It''s my work, and I put everything I had into it!" Seeing the earnest look on Han Woo-Ju''s face, Lee Ji-Yeon finally smiled. "Now that''s more like a writer. You can''t just throw away your baby like that!" Lee Ji-Yeon''s words about treasuring her work seemed to give Han Woo-Ju a renewed sense of determination. "Yes! I understand!" eximed Han Woo-Ju. "Alright, enough with the introductions. Let''s go inside and talk, shall we?" I couldn''t help but admire Lee Ji-Yeon. She had only said a few lines, but her words had a remarkable impact on Han Woo-Ju''s spirit. "Yes, ma''am." We followed Lee Ji-Yeon into the living room. *** After hearing the full story, Lee Ji-Yeon nodded. "Yoo Sun-Jung... I always thought she was the type to do that." Lee Ji-Yeon mentioned that she had heard rumors about Yoo Sun-Jung stealing ideas from her assistant writers and even taking credit for their scripts. However, since the assistant writers never spoke up, nothing was ever confirmed. Han Woo-Ju looked at me and said, "I was able to muster the courage thanks to Mr. Jung''s persuasion. I wouldn''t have been able to do it if it wasn''t for his help." Lee Ji-Yeon looked at me and smiled. "Well, Yoon-Ho always finds a way to get involved in everything. But going up against Yoo Sun-Jung won''t be easy. Are you sure Hoop Entertainment is ready to see this through to the end?" I nodded. "Yes. We''ve chosen Ms. Han''s work for Yoo-Jin''s first lead role." This was a clear deration that I had no intention of backing down. At that moment, Lee Ji-Yeon narrowed her eyes and gave me a scrutinizing look. "You''re taking on a new project when you haven''t even finished mine yet? And with Yoo-Jin as the lead too?" I smiled sheepishly, trying to dodge the question. "If I''d known this, I wouldn''t have agreed to help!" grumbled Lee Ji-Yeon. I scratched my head and apologized. "I''m sorry, Ms. Lee." Lee Ji-Yeon grumbled that she had nned to cast Yoo-Jin again in her next project, but that was exactly why I hadn''t mentioned Yoo-Jin''s name from the start. Lee Ji-Yeon stared at me for a moment and then sighed deeply as if epting defeat. "Sigh~ Alright, Yoon-Ho. But next time, Yoo-Jin has to star in my project as the lead. Okay?" In about a year and a half, Lee Ji-Yeon would release How to Live in a Beautiful World, which would achieve an average viewership ratings of 21%. Even though that was an impressive rating, I responded yfully, "Well, as long as the script is good." After all, there would be another project around the same time with simr viewership ratings. Lee Ji-Yeon puffed out her chest with confidence. "What do you mean, ''as long as the script is good''? I''m Lee Ji-Yeon, you know!" Nheless, when it came to choosing projects, I didn''t want to be swayed by anyone. Unable to break my stubbornness, Lee Ji-Yeon eventually took a step back. "You never make things easy, do you? Fine. I''ll write such apelling script that you''ll be begging to cast Yoo-Jin in it. Don''te crying to meter, Yoon-Ho!" Fortunately, Lee Ji-Yeon took it in stride, and we moved on smoothly. She said, "Let''s see the synopsis and the first episode." "Oh, sure." I handed her my tablet which contained the synopsis and first episode of Hwaranjeon. "This is it? Hwaranjeon?" "Yes." As Lee Ji-Yeon read the file, a small smile appeared on her face. "A fusion traditional drama set in the Si era?" While Lee Ji-Yeon read with an intrigued look, I quietly ced a cup of coffee in front of her. Without taking her eyes off the tablet, she reached for the cup and took a sip. I also offered coffee to Han Woo-Ju sitting beside Lee Ji-Yeon, but she was too nervous to take even a sip. Five minutes passed as we waited in silence. Finally, Lee Ji-Yeon looked up from the tablet and let out a long sigh. Then, she stared at us with a sharp glint in her eyes. "What is this? It''s really good!" Han Woo-Ju''s face lit up at Li Ji-Yeon''s brief but enthusiastic evaluation. "D-do you think so?" "Yes. The characters are well developed, and the story is engaging right from the start. It''s been a while since I''ve seen something this solid." Coming from Lee Ji-Yeon, who was hailed as one of Korea''s top writers after the sess of In the Name of God, this praise meant the world to Han Woo-Ju. Overwhelmed with emotion, she shouted, "Thank you so much, Ms. Lee!" "What are you thanking me for? I''m just saying it as I see it." Then Lee Ji-Yeon turned to me and asked, "I''ll help. But how far are you willing to go with Sun-Jung?" I replied immediately, "I''m prepared to go all the way." In my past life, Yoo Sun-Jung had erased Han Woo-Ju from the writing industry. Seeing that the entry in my nner still hadn''t changed, it seemed likely she would try the same thing again. That''s why I was nning topletely push Yoo Sun-Jung out of the drama industry. Upon hearing this, Lee Ji-Yeon nodded in agreement. "Okay, I''m in. If she''s a thief who steals scripts, then she shouldn''t be allowed to set foot in this industry. I''ll do whatever I can to help." "Thank you so much, Ms. Lee." Lee Ji-Yeon then asked, "So what''s your n?" I smiled and began to outline the strategy I had in mind. *** "Are you asking me to be an assistant writer?" Lee Ji-Yeon asked. "Yes." Lee Ji-Yeon stared at me with a dumbfounded expression, utterly taken aback. Hwaranjeon was a 50-episode long drama, and I was asking her to take on one of the episodes entirely, writing it herself. Given that there was already a detailed synopsis of the plot, setting, and characters, it was feasible within the framework. However, this was more than just a simple request¡ªit was a trap of sorts. My n was to keep Lee Ji-Yeon''s involvement a secret, and I''d reveal Lee Ji-Yeon''s role if Yoo Sun-Jung tried to sue. For a moment, Lee Ji-Yeon''s shoulders shook. Then she suddenly burst outughing. "Ha ha ha ha ha!" Meanwhile, Han Woo-Ju sitting beside me lookedpletely bewildered. She was supportive of my suggestion of getting an assistant writer, but she had never imagined I would suggest for Lee Ji-Yeon to be her assistant. While Han Woo-Ju was in a state of shock, I patiently waited for Lee Ji-Yeon''sughter to subside. Finally doneughing, Lee Ji-Yeon looked at me with a mix of admiration and amusement. "Yoon-Ho, you''re really something else. How do youe up with these ideas?" "Does that mean you agree?" Instead of answering me directly, Lee Ji-Yeon turned to Han Woo-Ju. "Shouldn''t the main writer be the one to approve?" Han Woo-Ju blinked in surprise. I asked, "Ms. Han?" "Y-yes?" Han Woo-Ju stuttered. I continued, "What do you think about having Mrs. Lee Ji-Yeon as your assistant writer?" Clearly overwhelmed, Han Woo-Ju stammered, "Uh, um, well, that''s..." Then Lee Ji-Yeon gently prodded her with another question. "Main Writer Ms. Han, is it okay if I handle an episode of your work?" Faced with Lee Ji-Yeon''s kind tone, Han Woo-Ju nodded her head vigorously. "Yes! Of course! It would be an honor, Ms. Lee!" Han Woo-Ju stood up abruptly and bowed deeply. Lee Ji-Yeon smiled yfully. "Where have you seen a main writer bowing to their assistant? You should be bossing me around! From now on, just call me ''Writer Lee''." Han Woo-Ju looked like she was about to cry, insisting she couldn''t possibly do that. Seeing her distress, Lee Ji-Yeon burst intoughter again and assured her it was all just a joke. With the atmosphere now lighter, Lee Ji-Yeon turned to me and asked, "Yoon-Ho, how did youe up with such a bold idea? What would you have done if I didn''t agree?" I grinned. "I wouldn''t have tried this with just anyone. But I knew you''d say yes because the script is good. I''m right, aren''t I?" Lee Ji-Yeon nodded in agreement. "Alright, then. I''ll help you out this time. And feel free to use my name whenever you need it." Despite knowing the potential conflict with Yoo Sun-Jung, Lee Ji-Yeon agreed to side with us. Grateful for her generosity, I bowed deeply. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Lee!" From that moment, we began discussing how to proceed with the script. First, I sent the 30-page synopsis, which outlined the major plot points, to Lee Ji-Yeon. Once Lee Ji-Yeon had familiarized herself with it, we decided that she would work on episodes 2 and 6 to flesh out the details under Han Woo-Ju''s guidance. The n was to have Lee Ji-Yeon enhance the specifics with Han Woo-Ju setting the overall direction. "Can I add some minor characters as I see fit?" Lee Ji-Yeon asked. Han Woo-Ju replied readily, "Yes, of course." Lee Ji-Yeon continued to boost Han Woo-Ju''s confidence as they discussed the project. At that moment, the front door swung open and Kim Soll-Ip entered, carrying bags of snacks in both hands. Setting down the tteokbokki and soondae, Kim Soll-Ip asked teasingly, "What''s going on? You''re having fun without me?" Lee Ji-Yeon had invited Kim Soll-Ip over, and after hearing about the situation, Kim Soll-Ip offered to help as well. She exined that she understood exactly how Han Woo-Ju felt, having been an assistant writer herself. Lee Ji-Yeon red at her, pretending to be offended. "Really? After all I''ve done for you, you''re saying you rte to this?" Kim Soll-Ip replied, "Come on, Ms. Lee~ You know I wasn''t talking about you. I was just speaking generally about how tough it can be for assistant writers my age." And so, Han Woo-Ju suddenly found herself with two of the top writers in the country¡ªKim Soll-Ip of Blue Sky, which had over 25% viewership ratings, and the immensely popr Lee Ji-Yeon¡ªworking as her "assistants." Still in disbelief at her good fortune, Han Woo-Ju could hardly believe what was happening. Then I gave her onest piece of advice. "Mrs. Yoo will likely call you when you don''t show up at the office. When she does, here''s what you should say." I continued, "Tell her she should speak with your talent agent from now on." Han Woo-Ju nodded resolutely. "Got it, Mr. Jung. I''m counting on you!" Despite gaining the support of Lee Ji-Yeon and Kim Soll-Ip, the entry in my nner still remained. The next day, I finally understood why that entry hadn''t disappeared. 1. Busan is a city in the Gyeonsang province. All the cities in the province have the Gyeonsang province dialect, but they also sound slightly distinct ? Chapter 300: Han Woo-Ju (4)

Chapter 300: Han Woo-Ju (4)

During Team Jung''s morning meeting, Lee Yung-Jin burst through the meeting room door and shouted, "Mr. Jung! Mrs. Yoo Sun-Jung is here!" When Han Woo-Ju didn''t show up at the office, Yoo Sun-Jung quickly figured out what was going on and came to Hoop Entertainment with herwyer. As soon as she arrived, she imed that she held the copyright to the Hwaranjeon synopsis. ''So that''s why the schedule hasn''t disappeared,'' I realized. It seemed she had also registered the copyright for the synopsis. Since anyone could register a copyright, what mattered was who did it first. "Where is she right now?" I asked. Lee Yung-Jin replied, "Ms. Kang is meeting her in the meeting room on the sixth floor. I heard she''s causing a scene with herwyer." "Got it. I''ll go see her." I quickly wrapped up the meeting. "We''ll discuss the restter." "Yes, Mr. Jung." I immediately rushed to the elevator after ending the meeting. As I reached the sixth floor and approached the meeting room, a shrill voice pierced through the walls. -Where''s Team Lead Jung? Get that bastard here right now! -Mrs. Yoo, please calm down... I could hear Kang Ji-Yung and Gu Seong-Cheol trying to calm Yoo Sun-Jung down. Currently, Kang Gam-Chan and Kwak Moo-Hyuk were meeting with Yoo Sun-Jung''s former assistant writers, suspecting that simr incidents might have urred in the past. On top of that, they were also analyzing Han Woo-Ju''sptop to see if there was any additional evidence. Since Yoo Sun-Jung had imed to also have the copyright, I didn''t hesitate to knock on the meeting room door. Not knowing what would be said, I made sure to start recording the conversation. Knock, knock. -Come on in. Hearing Kang Ji-Yung''s voice, I opened the door. Across the long meeting table sat Yoo Sun-Jung and a femalewyer. Yoo Sun-Jung, who turned 40 years old this year, had her long hair pinned up and was wearing a mint-colored two-piece suit from the Bnc brand. She was also wearing brown sunsses as if she was at the beach. I was about to greet her when a sharp voice erupted from Yoo Sun-Jung. "Is it you?" Yoo Sun-Jung red at me. "Yes, I''m Writer Han Woo-Ju''s talent agent," I replied nonchntly. Without warning, Yoo Sun-Jung picked up the file in front of her and threw it in my direction. "Look at this!" The ck filebeled "KJ Law Firm" flew in an arc toward me. ng! When I dodged it slightly, the hard file hit the wall and fell to the floor. At the same time, papers that had been inside the folder fluttered through the air. Shocked by Yoo Sun-Jung''s rude behavior, Kang Ji-Yung and Gu Seong-Cheol shouted. "Mrs. Yoo! What are you doing?" "Isn''t this too much, Mrs. Yoo?" Gu Seong-Cheol stood up abruptly and rushed over to me. "Team Lead Jung, are you okay?" I nodded. "I''m fine." Yoo Sun-Jung shouted at me. "Hmph! Take a look at my synopsis there! Then you''ll see just how shameless Han Woo-Ju really is!" She was so brazen in her im that the synopsis was hers that I almost began to doubt the facts I knew from my past life. With Gu Seong-Cheol''s help, I gathered the papers that had fallen to the floor and put them back into the folder. However, when I looked at the printed synopsis file titled Flowers of Si, the author''s name was listed as "Yoo Sun-Jung." The content was identical to Hwaranjeon, with only the title being different. Holding the file in my hand, I stood up and tilted my head in confusion. "I don''t know about that... It seems to me that you might have taken our Ms. Han''s synopsis instead." "Hey! Don''t you see my name on that synopsis?" Yoo Sun-Jung retorted. "I see it. But if you''re iming it''s yours just because your name is on the A4 paper..." I paused mid-sentence, picked up a pen from the table, and casually crossed out Yoo Sun-Jung''s name on the synopsis. Then, I wrote Han Woo-Ju''s name over it. After changing the name, I handed the file back to her. "Now, does that make it Ms. Han''s?" "What the... What kind of crazy..." Yoo Sun-Jung cursed. I mimicked Yoo Sun-Jung''s arrogant behavior on purpose. Seething with anger, Yoo Sun-Jung reached for the file again. I was ready to call the police and reporters the moment she hit me. However, before she could grab the file, herwyer who was next to her quickly restrained her. "Mrs. Yoo, please calm down. This won''t solve anything." Furious, Yoo Sun-Jung red at herwyer. "Let go! I said let go of me!" "Mrs. Yoo!" Only when thewyer shouted again did Yoo Sun-Jung reluctantly let go. ''What a shame,'' I thought. The femalewyer introduced herself as Lee Moon-Yung from KJ Law Firm and stared at me intently. "Mr. Jung." "Yes?" "I''ll be straightforward with you. The synopsis of Flowers of Si which Ms. Han Woo-Ju ims as her own is actually owned by my client, Mrs. Yoo. If Ms. Han would sign a statement acknowledging that it isn''t hers, we can avoid taking this to court." "Are you asking us to give up?" I responded. "Yes. The copyright registration for the synopsis waspleted two days ago." Yoo Sun-Jung had registered the synopsis a day earlier than we did. Despite exploiting her student''s work, she was quick to take legal action. "So you registered it on the exact date when Ms. Han showed you the synopsis, huh?" Yoo Sun-Jung snapped back. "I registered it as soon as I finished the synopsis that night! What do you mean she showed it to me? She stole it from me!" "Hold on a second. Did you just say you finished the synopsis two days ago?" At that moment, Lee Moon-Yung quickly covered Yoo Sun-Jung''s mouth. "That''s not the point! The key issue is that my client registered the copyright first!" Han Woo-Ju had mentioned that she showed the script to Gae Eun-Sook first in the KBC writers'' room a week ago. If I could get a statement from Gae Eun-Sook, I could prove that Yoo Sun-Jung was lying. Though I was tempted to confront them right then and there, I decided to y dumb for now. After all, I could push them once I had solid evidence and witnesses. I furrowed my brow and red at thewyer. "So, what do you propose?" Lee Moon-Yung let out a short sigh of relief and began to speak calmly. "Ms. Han is still very young. If she gets caught up in a copyrightwsuit, it could ruin her career as a writer." "So you''re saying she should give up on this project and write something new?" "Exactly. In return, we''llpensate her. Mrs. Yoo is willing to pay up to 10 million won for her troubles." I couldn''t believe what I was hearing. ''Is she serious? How can someone be so brazen?'' I scoffed and responded sarcastically, "How about this? We''ll give you 20 million won if you give up." Yoo Sun-Jung couldn''t hold back any longer and screamed, "Hey! Does Hoop Entertainment not want to work with me anymore?" I calmly replied, "No. How could we work with someone who''s threatening to sue one of our writers?" Thinking about what Han Woo-Ju had gone through, I wanted to curse Yoo Sun-Jung out on the spot. Yet, without solid evidence, I had no choice but to hold back. Trembling with anger, Yoo Sun-Jung suddenly stood up. Her swivel chair rolled back and crashed into the wall. Then, she let out an angry breath and turned to herwyer, "Mrs. Lee, there''s no point in continuing this conversation. Let''s go!" "But Mrs. Yoo.." "I said let''s go!" Lee Moon-Yung reluctantly stood up and said to me, "I''ll give you until tomorrow to carefully think it over." "We''ll give you until tomorrow as well. You might lose everything you''ve built up until now if you''re too greedy, so think carefully," I retorted. Yoo Sun-Jung shot me a look that could kill before storming out of the meeting room. After Yoo Sun-Jung and Lee Moon-Yung left, Gu Seong-Cheol finally let out his anger and threw his fists in the air. "Damn, I would¡¯ve flipped the table if not for the fact that we haven''t gotten any solid evidence!" "Mr. Gu, why didn''t you just blow up in front of them? Why hold back?" I asked. Gu Seong-Cheol looked at me and scratched his head. "Maybe I should have..." At that moment, Kang Ji-Yung let out a deep sigh. "Mr. Kang is trying to persuade the witness, but it seems like it''s not going well." "It makes sense. Standing up to Mrs. Yoo isn''t exactly easy." Since the other side registered the copyright a day earlier, we needed to find another way to solve this. ''I need to meet with Writer Gae,'' I thought. The first person Han Woo-Ju had shown the synopsis to was Gae Eun-Sook. If I could get her to testify that she saw the Hwaranjeon synopsis a week ago, we''d have a significant advantage in the copyrightwsuit. Once all this was over, I nned topensate Han Woo-Ju for all the damages she suffered. The phrase I liked so much crossed my mind. ''Good triumphs over evil.'' ''Writer Yoo, let''s see how this ys out,'' I remarked inwardly. *** Less than an hour after Yoo Sun-Jung left the meeting room, articles began to surface. [KBS A Wife''s Mistake Yoo Sun-Jung uses Her Student of Stealing Her Next Project''s Synopsis.] [Jung Yoo-Jin¡¯s Next Drama Project Allegedly Involves a Script Stolen by Writer Yoo Sun-Jung.] I furrowed my brows. ''What a lowlife...'' She offered us a day to think it over, but went ahead to publish articles within just an hour. The situation was so outrageous that I couldn''t help but let out a hollowugh. As soon as the articles went live, an emergency team leads'' meeting was convened right away to discuss the issue. This issue involved almost everyone as Hoop Entertainment had nned to cast actors from all divisions in Hwaranjeon, Han Woo-Ju''s next project. During the meeting, Kim Dong-Soo immediately brought up Jo Ye-Rin from Actor Division 3, who was currently starring in A Wife''s Mistake, and suggested that we avoid confrontation. "Mr. Kang! We''re dealing with KJ Law Firm, the best in Korea! And why would Writer Yoo make such a fuss over her student''s work if she wasn''t sure it was hers? Let''s not fight and just reconcile," Kim Dong-Soo urged. As Kim Dong-Soo spoke, Kang Gam-Chan looked around at the team leads. "Do you all feel the same? Are you saying that because Writer Han is young and inexperienced, she couldn''t have written such a work?" Ju Ho-Sung from Actor Division 3 cautiously voiced his opinion. "We can''t say for sure because we haven''t seen the work, but realistically, fighting Mrs. Yoo could be risky." Due to security concerns, Han Woo-Ju''s synopsis and script hadn''t been shown to anyone yet. Because of this, Ju Ho-Sung''s opinion seemed quite persuasive. "Risky?" "Yes. If we cross Writer Yoo, Jo Ye-Rin¡¯s role in her current drama could be cut immediately." "Is that all?" "No. Also, Miss Yoo-Jin who''s currently starring in In the Name of God will likely see a drop in this week¡¯s viewership ratings. It seems wiser to cancel the contract with Writer Han to avoid unnecessary trouble. There are plenty of writers and projects out there. Why not just pick a new one?" Kang Gam-Chan stared at Ju Ho-Sung for a moment before turning his gaze to me. "Team Lead Jung, do you share their opinion?" Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung both looked at me. I stared at Ju Ho-Sung and replied, "Ourpany''s writer is about to be used of theft, and you''re worried about risks? I absolutely cannot give up on this project." Ju Ho-Sung cleared his throat and said, "Team Lead Jung, you''ve only been under contract with that writer for a day. Just say you didn¡¯t know the backstory, pay the penalty, and we can wash our hands of this. There¡¯s no need for us to get involved in this mess. Be realistic!" Ju Ho-Sung spoke as if he were the wise adult in the room. I hardened my expression and responded, "To you, are the actors and singers you manage just things to be used when convenient and discarded when not?" Ju Ho-Sung''s face twisted with anger. "Hey, watch your mouth!" "But you didn''t watch your mouth, did you!?" I retorted. "Hey! Team Lead Jung!" Ignoring him, I turned around and addressed the room full of team leads. "Let me be clear: Ms. Han did not steal from Mrs. Yoo. In fact, it was Mrs. Yoo who stole from Ms. Han!" Ju Ho-Sung interrupted and shouted, "That''s just your im! And what if you''re wrong? If this goes south, our actors will be cklisted from all of Mrs. Yoo''s future projects!" "Enough!!" Kang Gam-Chan shouted, silencing Ju Ho-Sung. Once Ju Ho-Sung mmed up, Kang Gam-Chan looked around the room. "It seems some of you are worried because she''s a star writer and think we should pick a different project. Well, wake up! I¡¯ve seen the synopsis, and it''s not easy to find a work of that quality!" Kang Gam-Chan was clearly impressed with Han Woo-Ju''s synopsis and script as well, determined to proceed no matter the oue. His statement made everyone in the room sigh. At that, Kim Dong-Soo made a request to Kang Gam-Chan. "Then could you show us the synopsis and script? We need to see it to fully understand and get on board." Kang Gam-Chan shook his head. "Do I need to convince you and get your approval, Chief Kim?" "..." Kang Gam-Chan scanned the room. "It seems there''s a misunderstanding. This project was entirely entrusted to Team Lead Jung by MBS''s President, Mr. Choi. We''re just riding along!" "B-but Mr. Kang..." "Everyone, shut your mouths. I called this meeting to give an update on the situation and get some good ideas, not for you to hinder the process!" Kang Gam-Chan said in a booming voice, causing the room to fall silent. Just as Kang Gam-Chan had said, no one here could stop me even if I went ahead without the team leads'' support. Nheless, I nned to convince them knowing they were essential to thepany¡¯s sess. "I understand your concerns for Hoop Entertainment, but I ask that you trust me one more time. If I''m right, Writer Yoo will be ousted from this industry," I said as I made eye contact with each of the team leads and division chiefs. Actor Division 1 remained neutral while Actor Division 3 was clearly opposed. Seeing this, I yed my final card. "And if this leads to us losing thewsuit, I''ll ept any consequences thate my way! I¡¯ll cancel the contract with Ms. Han and switch to another project." Kim Dong-Soo''s eyes lit up as if he had been waiting for this opportunity. "Are you serious?" Gu Seong-Cheol from Actor Division 2 tried to stop me urgently. "Team Lead Jung! There''s no need to go that far..." Even Kang Gam-Chan looked surprised. "Why are you taking this so far?" The only reason the team leads and chiefs hesitated to fully support me was the fear of losing ess to future projects by Yoo Sun-Jung if we lost this battle. Now that I had dered that I''d take on the risk myself, Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung exchanged nces, nodding in agreement. After a moment, Kim Dong-Soo cleared his throat and said, "If you¡¯re that confident, fine. I¡¯ll support Team Lead Jung¡¯s decision on this one." I had anticipated this response. However, I seized the moment to make one more request. "In return, I¡¯d like amitment to grant Team Jung full autonomy to make future decisions if we seed in this." At that moment, murmurs started to ripple through the room. Essentially, I was asking for my team to be elevated to a division. Chapter 301: Han Woo-Ju (5)

Chapter 301: Han Woo-Ju (5)

"So, are you saying you want to be a chief?" Kang Gam-Chan asked me, causing everyone in the meeting room to be wary. At Hoop Entertainment, it was typical for someone to be promoted to assistant manager after three years, team lead after six, and chief after nine. However, I was only in my second year. I had already received a rapid promotion to team lead, and it had only been a few months since then. Moreover, no one would take over as team lead in the interim if I were promoted to chief. Nheless, I was aiming not for the position of chief but the independent operational authority that chiefs have which would allow me to make decisions and report them afterward. So I immediately shook my head at Kang Gam-Chan''s question. "No, I''m not ready for that yet. But I would like to request the independent operational authority given to a division." Kang Gam-Chan fell into deep thoughts for a moment. "Hmm..." The team leads and chiefs around the table began calcting in their heads. If I were granted independent operational authority, they would have even less visibility into what I was doing. Then Kang Gam-Chan suddenly smiled and spoke. "Making things moreplicated isn''t a good idea. For someone who says they''re not ready, your results have been too impressive. So how about you just take the chief position? If we need a new team lead, we can fill that role when the timees!" The team leads and chiefs looked shocked. After all, it was rming to have a second-year employee be promoted to chief position. Kim Dong-Soo, who was seated across from me, turned pale at Kang Gam-Chan''s bold suggestion. "Mr. Kang! No matter how impressive they are, promoting someone to chief after just two years is too fast! And who in thepany would agree to serve under a hoobae like Team Lead Jung? This could disrupt the entire organizational hierarchy!" Kim Dong-Soo protested loudly. Kang Gam-Chan mmed his hand on the table. Bang! "If someone has the ability, they deserve to be rewarded! That''s been a core principle at Hoop Entertainment since its founding. There was a lot of resistance when I promoted you to chief, but I still pushed it through! Have you forgotten that already, Dong-Soo?" Kang Gam-Chan retorted. Kim Dong-Soo faltered, clearly taken aback. After all, he had once been the beneficiary of a simrly fast promotion. "T-that''s..." Kim Dong-Soo stammered and eventually fell silent. Thinking about it now, there was one thing I could always appreciate about Kim Dong-Soo¡ª that his example was often cited whenever a controversial promotion came up, helping to quell resistance. Despite this, most of the team leads and chiefs except for those from Actor Division 2 wore expressions of dissatisfaction. After letting out a short sigh, Kang Gam-Chan took a step back. "Of course, Chief Kim isn''t entirely wrong. It''s true that Team Lead Jung is only in his second year..." At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan made his final move. "Is there anyone among the team leads here who would volunteer to work under Team Lead Jung? If no one agrees, I''ll reconsider promoting him." For team leads with six to eight years of experience, working under someone who had been the junior until now would be a hard pill to swallow as being ced under me could mean missing out on future promotion opportunities. Given this, I expected no one to volunteer anyway and initially nned to stick with just requesting independent operational authority. Then, something unexpected happened. "I''ll do it." I turned to see who had spoken, and it was Park In-Ki. Kang Gam-Chan looked surprised. "Oh? Team Lead Park?" "Yes!" "If you join the new division, your entire team will have to report to Team Lead Jung. Are you prepared for that?" Kang Gam-Chan asked. Park In-Ki nodded. "I''ve given it considerable thought before speaking up." As murmurs of surprise spread among the meeting attendees, Ju Ho-Sung raised his voice in opposition. "Mr. Park! What are you saying? With your experience, how could you work under Team Lead Jung..." But Park In-Ki cut Ju Ho-Sung off at once. "I barely met my targets for the second quarter, but managed to do so all thanks to Team Lead Jung. What''s the point of experience if I don''t have good results?" With Ju Ho-Sung silenced, Kim Dong-Soo was the next to step in. "Mr. Park, please think it over. You might have had a rough yearst year, but you''ve been doing well recently. No matter how much Team Lead Jung brings in the actors, managing them is your own skill. By the rules, you should be the one getting promoted to chief!" Park In-Ki smirked and responded, "Chief Kim, or rather, Mr. Kim since we''re in a formal setting. You shouldn''t be saying that. Since when has Hoop Entertainment decided ranks based on tenure?" Kim Dong-Soo, who was two years hoobae to Park In-Ki, stammered. "W-well, that''s..." "And as for management skills? You need opportunities to show those off, and it was Team Lead Jung who gave me the chance to manage top stars!" Park In-Ki continued. As Park In-Ki asserted himself, Kim Dong-Soo found himself at a loss for words. Park In-Ki then addressed the other cautious team leads and chiefs. "You all are being too much. Have you forgotten how eager you were to share the roles when Team Lead Jung secured them? You were happy to take it without hesitation, but now that it''s time to recognize his contributions, you refuse to acknowledge his achievements?" Embarrassed by Park In-Ki''s sharp words, the others cleared their throats awkwardly. "If Team Lead Jung secures the next MBS project, there will be dozens of roles avable. Those who want a piece of that, agree; if you want to do it alone, disagree. As for me, I''m sticking with Team Lead Jung¡ªno, Chief Jung." I already knew that Park In-Ki was on my side, but I hadn''t expected him to back me so fully. For a moment, I felt a light tremor of gratitude wash over me. ''This must be what it feels like to have someone stand by you,'' I thought. Thanks to Park In-Ki''s passionate defense, the mood in the room quickly shifted in my favor. Turning to Kang Gam-Chan, Park In-Ki asked, "Mr. Kang. If my team and I join under Team Lead Jung, does that make him the chief of Acting Division 4?" Kang Gam-Chan wore a proud expression. "Sure. With a team lead to support him, why not?" "Then it''s settled." Park In-Ki sat down with a satisfied expression, bolstering Kang Gam-Chan''s authority. Kang Gam-Chan spoke with a strong voice, "With at least one team lead backing him, we''ve met the minimum requirement for creating a new division. If we win thiswsuit, I''ll propose the promotion to the shareholders. That''s it for now!" I had only asked for independent operational authority, but it looked like I might end up as a chief. However, I didn''t mind since I knew I could handle it. Kang Gam-Chan looked at me with a content expression. "Remember, winning thiswsuit for Writer Han is the top priority. Understood?" I nodded. "Yes, sir." "And if you fail, you won''t just miss out on bing chief¡ªyou might lose your position as team lead too. Keep that in mind!" Kang Gam-Chan added. Sensing that thisment was meant more for the other team leads to hear, I nodded seriously. "Understood. I''ll take full responsibility if that happens." Ultimately, everything depended on how well I did. Kang Gam-Chan then began issuing directives concerning Han Woo-Ju. "Hoop Entertainment will prioritize protecting Writer Han Woo-Ju. Team Lead Sung, prepare a rebuttal press release against all articles rted to Writer Yoo Sun-Jung! Deny everything no matter what, alright?" "Yes, Mr. Kang." "And Team Lead Kwak, contact KJ Law Firm to lodge a formalint. Also, sue all the tabloids that published those garbage articles!" Kwak Moo-Hyuk responded enthusiastically, "Understood, sir!" After giving his instructions, Kang Gam-Chan stood up and signaled the end of the meeting. "That''s all for today''s meeting. Let''s get back to work!" Just like that, the meeting about Han Woo-Ju and Yoo Sun-Jung''swsuit ended with a discussion about my potential promotion to chief. *** After the meeting, I approached Park In-Ki as he was leaving the meeting room and bowed. "Mr. Park, thank you so much." Park In-Ki smiled. "There''s no need to thank me. The reason why I''m still keeping my position is all thanks to you. Watch and see¡ªI''ll repay you tenfold, no, a hundredfold." "But even so..." Park In-Ki patted my shoulder. "That''s enough. Just make sure to win, alright?" Looking at him clenching his fist and cheering me on, I steeled myself again. "I''ll win no matter what." At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan called out to me. "Team Lead Jung,e with me." I thanked Park In-Ki again before following Kang Gam-Chan into his office. As soon as he sat down on the sofa, he let out a heavy sigh. "Sigh. Yoon-Ho, do you think you can pull this off?" Kang Gam-Chan was currently meeting with Yoo Sun-Jung''s former assistant writers. However, he hadn''t been able to secure any decisive testimony so far. His face was filled with worry, likely concerned about the possibility of losing thewsuit against Yoo Sun-Jung. "Mr. Kang, please listen to this first." I immediately yed the recording of Yoo Sun-Jung''s voice that I had captured. -I registered the copyright as soon as I finished the synopsis that night... Kang Gam-Chan''s eyes widened in surprise. "This... what is this?" Kwak Moo-Hyuk standing nearby smiled. "This is Writer Yoo''s voice, right? If we y this for the judges, it could significantly sway the verdict in our favor." I smiled in return. "And this is not all." "Oh? What else?" "Ms. Han Woo-Ju showed her synopsis to Mrs. Gae Eun-Sook a week ago." At that moment, Kwak Moo-Hyuk''s face lit up. "If we can get a testimony, we''ll have a huge advantage in court.." Kang Gam-Chan suggested going with me to meet Gae Eun-Sook, but I shook my head. "I''ll meet with her alone." "Why? Are you worried people might think you''re getting the chief position because of me?" "Partly, yes. But also, I''d prefer if you continued your current work. The more evidence we gather, the better." "Hmm, fair enough..." Then, I asked about the analysis of the crucial evidence from Han Woo-Ju''sptop. "Mr. Kwak, how is theptop analysis going?" "We opened the document files she had been working on, but the metadata was a mess." Due to theptop being old and poorly maintained, the metadata¡ªinformation about when the files were created and modified¡ªwas showing incorrect dates¡ªsuch as January 1, 1900. This made Gae Eun-Sook''s testimony even more critical. Just then, a call came in from the MBS President. At Kang Gam-Chan''s instruction, I put the call on speakerphone. -Team Lead Jung, what''s going on? What''s all thismotion, and why is Jung Yoo-Jin''s name being mentioned!? It was clear that Choi Sang-Byung was furious from reading the articles. I responded calmly, "Mr. Choi, it''s nothing serious. There''s no need to worry too much." -Nothing serious, you say? How can you say that? I exined the situation to Choi Sang-Byung in detail. After understanding what was happening, he asked with an incredulous expression. -Writer Yoo stole someone else''s work? But why would she need to do that? "She''s been running out of material for the past five years and has been habitually stealing ideas from her assistant writers. Writer Han Woo-Ju had her previous workpletely stolen." Realizing the severity of the situation, Choi Sang-Byung fell deep in thought. -So what''s your n? "We''re going to see this through to the end." -To the end? "The script is so well-written that Writer Yoo feltpelled to steal it. If we don''t handle this thoroughly, she''ll keep trying to steal credit. We need to settle this definitively so there are no further issues." I hinted that if we didn''t take decisive action, she might continue with her tactics and pressure us for a settlement through thewsuit. Upon hearing that the script was excellent, Choi Sang-Byung''s tone shifted as he was someone who cared deeply about viewership ratings. -If that''s the case, why didn''t you tell me sooner? I was surprised when I read the articles...ahem... "I intended to update you as things progressed, but the situation gotplicated. My apologies." After a brief apology, I delivered one final punch to ensure he wouldn''t object further. "By the way, I have some good news." -What is it? "Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon and Ms. Kim Soll-Ip have agreed to join the writing team for this project. They''ll be handling about four episodes out of the fifty." -W-what? Is that really true? Choi Sang-Byung was stunned by the news that two of the most acimed writers of the year were joining Hwaranjeon as assistant writers. "Anyway, I''m quite busy at the moment. Could I contact youter instead?" Choi Sang-Byung quickly apologized for interrupting. -Of course! You must be so busy right now. I didn''t mean to hold you up. I''ll hang up now! Click. After the call ended, I stood up from my seat. "By the way, Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon has scheduled the press conference for today. So it might help to mention that when you meet with the assistant writers to persuade them." Kang Gam-Chan''s expression brightened at the unexpected good news. "Writer Lee''s support? That sounds reassuring. When is it happening?" Instead of answering, I showed him the KkTalk message I had just received from Lee Ji-Yeon. [Writer Lee Ji-Yeon: Yoon-Ho, seeing what Sun-Jung is up to made me so angry that I''ve decided to hold an emergency press conference in Samseong-dong. It''ll happen within the next two hours. I''ll call you as soon as the exact time is set.] Kang Gam-Chan chuckled in disbelief after reading the KkTalk message. "Ha ha. If I can''t get testimony from the assistant writers, I''ll be utterly humiliated, won''t I?" He joked that he might end up being less effective than a team lead and smiled. After saying my goodbyes, I left the office and headed to Gangnam to pick up Han Woo-Ju before making our way to KBC where Gae Eun-Sook worked. However, Gae Eun-Sook didn''t answer her phone no matter how many times I called. "Is she not answering because she''s writing?" Han Woo-Ju in the passenger seat replied, "She''s not answering my calls either." "Something must be up. I''ll speed up a bit." I quickly drove to the KBC writers'' office. The moment I opened the door to the writers'' room, I understood why Gae Eun-Sook hadn''t been answering our calls. I immediately turned on my phone''s recording function and shouted at the person next to Gae Eun-Sook. "What are you doing here!?" Chapter 302: Han Woo-Ju (6)

Chapter 302: Han Woo-Ju (6)

As soon as I entered the room, I noticed KJ Law Firm''swyer, Lee Moon-Yung, looking surprised to see me. "M-Mr. Jung. What brings you here?" Lee Moon-Yung was trying to persuade Gae Eun-Sook in the writers'' office. I walked briskly toward her and began speaking sharply. "Ms. Lee, are you attempting to coach false testimony?" A sh of panic crossed Lee Moon-Yung''s eyes. "Wh-what are you talking about? False testimony? That''s absurd!" Even awyer could face criminal charges for coaching false testimony. Lee Moon-Yung quickly began defending herself. "I''m just here to ask Mrs. Gae Eun-Sook a few questions. I never suggested she lie under oath!" "What business does awyer have with a key witness in a case? Is KJ Law Firm nning to produce a legal drama or something?" I replied sharply. Lee Moon-Yung''s mouth snapped shut and her eyes started darting around as she tried to find a way out of the situation. "Do you have anything more to say?" I continued. "..." "If not, please step aside," I demanded. However, Lee Moon-Yung remained rooted to the spot and began giving what she called "advice" to Gae Eun-Sook. "Mrs. Gae, you don''t have to say anything that could harm your position." Gae Eun-Sook nodded her head in agreement. "Understood." I couldn''t help but let out a dumbfoundedugh. "What do you think you''re doing right now, Ms. Lee?" "I''m just waiting for Mrs. Gae''swyer to arrive." "Do you think I''m clueless just because I''m not a legal professional? Rmending anotherwyer to take on a case is also a vition of the Attorneys-at-Law Act." When I pointed out that she was viting aw, Lee Moon-Yung was clearly flustered. "H-how do you know about thatw...?" "You don''t need to worry about that. Should we take this all the way, then? Hmm?" Cornered, Lee Moon-Yung did something utterly ridiculous¡ªshe asked Gae Eun-Sook for help. "Mrs. Gae, did I ever suggest that you hire anotherwyer?" "N-no, I... I reached out to the KJ Law Firm because I needed advice...And I don''t know anything about Mrs. Yoo''s synopsis!" Clearly nervous, Gae Eun-Sook avoided making eye contact with us as she spoke. At that moment, Han Woo-Ju stepped forward. "Mrs. Gae! You read my synopsis justst week! You even told me it was really interesting and that it would definitely be a sess!" "Wh-when did I ever say that? Your synopsis? I don''t know anything about that! I didn''t see anything!" "Mrs. Gae! This is too much!" cried Han Woo-Ju as her eyes were filled with tears and her voice trembled with frustration. I gently patted her on the back before turning my attention to Gae Eun-Sook. "Mrs. Gae. Do you remember Traitors, Under Heaven and The Moon of Lee Tae-Baek?" The titles I mentioned were projects she had worked on as a mid-level manager, leading a team of assistant writers. Gae Eun-Sook held the position of head writer in the writers'' room and oversaw other assistant writers. "Wh-why do you ask?" "Weren''t you responsible for managing the script fees during those projects?" I asked. In my past life, Gae Eun-Sook gained recognition as a writer with her long-developed project, Children of Destiny, which achieved 18% in viewership ratings. However, several of her former assistant writers came forward to expose her past actions after her sess: they revealed that they had been forced to give up 300 thousand won of their meager 1 million won monthly sries to Gae Eun-Sook while working as assistant writers. Despite Gae Eun-Sook''s ims that such was a long-standing practice in the writers'' room and she wasn''t the only one who had done it, the public reacted with disdain. After that scandal, Gae Eun-Sook''s career came to an abrupt end. As I hinted at this memory, I noticed Gae Eun-Sook''s face growing increasingly pale. "I-I was in charge of the writers'' room fees because I was the head writer. But wh-what''s the problem with that?" "Are you really going to go down this path? If so, how about I inform the KBC President about the ''writers'' room fund'' issue from back then..." At that moment, Gae Eun-Sook suddenly shouted, "Wait, please!" Realizing what I was about to reveal, she began pleading with me to stop. Seeing Gae Eun-Sook''s change in attitude, Lee Moon-Yung quickly interjected. "Mrs. Gae. I don''t know what''s going on, but I can help you if you tell me the truth!" Lee Moon-Yung once again overstepped her boundaries out of panic. Despite being awyer, herck of experience was causing her to make mistake after mistake. She tried to regain control of the situation, but Gae Eun-Sook''sposure was breaking under the pressure. "What? Why should I tell you anything, Ms. Lee? Are you mywyer? No, you''re not!" Gae Eun-Sook retorted. "W-well, that''s true. But you need to protect yourself from being threatened..." Lee Moon-Yung stuttered. "No, I don''t need anything from you. Just leave, now!" With that, Gae Eun-Sook physically pushed Lee Moon-Yung out of the room. Unable to resist further, Lee Moon-Yung was forced to leave the writers'' office. *** The KBC writers'' office was set up with a long table at the center, surrounded by individual desks where writers could work. While main writers usually had separate rooms, assistant writers and sub-writers often worked in this shared space. Today, the office was empty except for us. After forcing Lee Moon-Yung out, Gae Eun-Sook took a few deep breaths before speaking, "It was amon practice! I didn''t pocket the money but I passed it up to the senior writers as a fee for their guidance." "I understand. But you were the one who collected that money, weren''t you, Mrs. Gae?" Until a few years ago, it wasn''t umon for senior writers to skim off the script fees meant for assistant writers and pass them up to the main writers or producers. Taking money from writers who earned less than 1 million won a month was an unforgivable act. Yet many writers still secretly engaged in such practices, with Yoo Sun-Jung being one of the worst offenders. Tears welled up in Gae Eun-Sook''s eyes as she tried to defend herself. "What could I have done? The senior writers demanded the money! I had no choice and I lost more money than I took!" Though she was trying to paint herself as a victim, I remained firm. "Just because it was amon practice doesn''t mean the wrong you did goes away." "Th-then what do you want me to do?" "You need topensate those who were harmed and start doing the right thing from now on." "But I don''t have any money saved up!" "Who said you had topensate them with money?" "Then what do you expect me to do?" "You have enough influence to help those assistant writers who suffered back then find good positions now, don''t you? I can also help where I can." With her connections, she could easily find work for those former assistant writers. After some hesitation, Gae Eun-Sook nodded in agreement. "Alright, I''ll do it." Then, I brought Han Woo-Ju forward. "And one more thing. Please testify truthfully that you saw Writer Han''s work a week ago. If you do that, I won''t pressure you any further." Gae Eun-Sook looked back and forth between Han Woo-Ju and me. Seemingly on the verge of saying something, she hesitated before bowing her head in apology. "I-I''m sorry, but I can''t do that." When I asked why, Gae Eun-Sook reluctantly exined, "To be honest, I really want to help. I really do... but Mrs. Yoo won''t let it slide. She''ll destroy me and remove me from this industry! Didn''t you see how she sent awyer after me earlier?" Gae Eun-Sook was terrified of Yoo Sun-Jung as much as she was afraid of her past actions being revealed. She exined that Yoo Sun-Jung had a history of ruining people''s careers, ensuring they could never work in the industry again if they crossed her. She was so scared that she was visibly trembling. I knew it was time to reassure her. "Don''t worry. Writer Yoo Sun-Jung won''t be able to continue her career as a writer." Gae Eun-Sook''s eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean? How could that happen?" Instead of answering, I pulled out my phone and called Lee Ji-Yeon. Switching to the speakerphone, I could soon hear Lee Ji-Yeon''s voicee through. -Has Writer Gae agreed to testify? "No, not yet." -Am I on speakerphone? "Yes." That''s when Lee Ji-Yeon shouted in a loud voice. -Writer Gae, are you listening? It''s me, Lee Ji-Yeon. Gae Eun-Sook jumped in surprise and answered in a shaky voice. "M-Ms. Lee. Hello. How have you been?" -How have I been? Not well, because Sun-Jung is trying to sabotage a project I''m involved in. "S-sabotage a project you''re involved in? What do you mean?" -I''ve agreed to join Hwaranjeon as a supporting writer. Gae Eun-Sook''s eyes widened in disbelief. "You''re joining as a supporting writer...?" -Yes. And you know what would happen when I announce that I''m working on Writer Han''s project, right? Gae Eun-Sook swallowed nervously. The involvement of Lee Ji-Yeon, one of the most respected figures in the Korean drama industry, would undermine Yoo Sun-Jung''s credibility entirely. -I''m nning to take this opportunity to kick Sun-Jung out of the industry for good. How dare someone who calls themselves a writer steal a mentee''s script? As Lee Ji-Yeon vented her anger, Gae Eun-Sook became visibly flustered. -So what are you going to do now? Hurry up and tell me! I don''t have all day! "I-I''ll testify! I''ll say that I saw Writer Han''s synopsis a week ago!" ''Perfect,'' I thought. -Good! Nowe to Samseong-dong right away! "Samseong-dong?" -Yes, we''re holding a press conference soon. You need to be here to help. Overwhelmed by Lee Ji-Yeon''s push, Gae Eun-Sook agreed while still in daze. "Yes, I''ll be there." -Alright. See you soon. And Yoon-Ho, make sure you bring her along! "Yes, Ms. Lee. I''ll make sure she''s there." Click. As soon as the call ended, Gae Eun-Sook reached out and took Han Woo-Ju''s hand. "Writer Han, I''m so sorry. I was just so scared when Mrs. Yoo Sun-Jung sent herwyer to threaten me... I must have lost my mind for a moment." Han Woo-Ju looked at her with empathy. Although Gae Eun-Sook had beenplicit in some questionable practices, she was also a victim of the power dynamics in the industry. That''s why I decided to give her a chance instead of taking legal action. Han Woo-Ju held Gae Eun-Sook''s hand firmly. "Thank you for agreeing to testify. And you''ve helped me so much in the past... Please help me just this once more." "Of course. I should have done this from the beginning. I''m so sorry." The two women reconciled with tears in their eyes. I watched them for a moment before adding one final condition. "And one more thing, Mrs. Gae." Gae Eun-Sook looked up at me with tears still in her eyes. "If you testify truthfully, I''ll help with the adaptation of your current project into a drama." Gae Eun-Sook''s Children of Destiny was a decent sess in my past life. Helping her get the script adapted into a drama now would be mutually beneficial, and it could also change her fate in this timeline. Gae Eun-Sook''s face brightened at the offer. "R-really?" With that, we left the KBC writers'' office and headed toward the underground parking lot. As we made our way down, I checked my nner and saw that the relevant scheduled event was finally disappearing. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: March 17, 2021] -01:00 p.m: (Deleted Schedule: Meeting regarding the copyrightwsuit for Hwaranjeon. (Report: Assistant Writer Han Woo-Ju, used of stealing the scenario from her mentor, Writer Yoo Sun-Jung.)) *** At the Intercontinental Hotel in Samseong-dong, the small banquet hall was packed with over 100 reporters. "Are you ready?" Lee Ji-Yeon asked. Kim Soll-Ip, Han Woo-Ju, and Gae Eun-Sook all nodded in unison. "Yes, we''re ready." "Alright. Then let''s go to the press conference." Just as we were about to open the door to the small banquet hall, a call came in from Yoo Sun-Jung. "Hold on a moment. It''s Writer Yoo Sun-Jung calling," I exined. Lee Ji-Yeon, who had her hand on the doorknob, paused and stepped back. "Go ahead and take it. Let''s hear what she has to say before we start." "Got it." As soon as I answered, Yoo Sun-Jung''s angry voice sted through the phone. -Hey! What the hell do you think you''re doing? I heard you threatened Writer Gae and mywyer! "You think I threatened them?" -Don''t y dumb with me! KJ Law Firm is preparing awsuit against you as we speak, so be prepared! I scoffed. ''Just as expected.'' I responded coldly, "You really are shameless until the end." -Wh-what? Hey! Did you just talk down to me? You little brat, how dare you! "Someone like you doesn''t deserve respect. How could you stoop so low as to steal from your own mentees? Are you even human?" -You... you insolent little... Before she could finish, I hung up the phone. After all, there was no point in listening further. Lee Ji-Yeon looked at me with a smirk. "What did that crazy bitch say?" "She''s using us of being thieves." Lee Ji-Yeon''s smile turned icy. "What an asshole. She''s out of her mind. Let''s give her a taste of her own medicine. Everyone ready?" "Yes, Ms. Lee." "Let''s do this!" Following Lee Ji-Yeon, we headed into the press conference, ready to expose all the crimes that Yoo Sun-Jung hadmitted. Chapter 303: Han Woo-Ju (7)

Chapter 303: Han Woo-Ju (7)

Inside Lee Moon-Yung''s office at KJ Law Firm, the well-known drama writer Yoo Sun-Jung was furiously shouting. "Is Jung Yoon-Ho crazy? How dare a mere talent agent hang up on me?" Bang! Yoo Sun-Jung mmed the armrest of the sofa she was sitting on with a furious thud. "He shattered my pride!" The sound of the heavy wooden armrest echoed throughout the room. Lee Moon-Yung sighed and spoke up. "Mrs. Yoo, please calm down." Yoo Sun-Jung snapped her head toward Lee Moon-Yung. "Calm down? Do I look like I can calm down? If you had done your job properly in the first ce, I wouldn''t have to calm down!" While being awyer could sometimes feel like being a punching bag, it was not often one encountered a client as difficult as Yoo Sun-Jung. Grinding her teeth, Lee Moon-Yung bowed her head once again as she had no defense for her failure to silence Gae Eun-Sook. However, one thought kept gnawing at her: This woman really did steal the synopsis. When Lee Moon-Yung first took on the case, she believed Yoo Sun-Jung''s story. She thought it didn''t make sense why a star writer like Yoo Sun-Jung would risk everything by lying. Now, Lee Moon-Yung realized she had been wrong. She should have remembered what the head of KJ Law Firm always said. ''Never trust your client''s words. Never!'' Still, Lee Moon-Yung was determined not to let her legal career be ruined by this case. Just then, Yoo Sun-Jung snapped her out of her thoughts. "Ms. Lee! Are you even listening to me? Are you just going to sit there and do nothing?" Lee Moon-Yung quickly regained her focus. "Mrs. Yoo, if Writer Gae Eun-Sook testifies in court, the copyright registration alone won''t be enough to defend you. Is there any other evidence or testimony from a PD or CP that could support your im?" Yoo Sun-Jung exploded with irritation. "Defend? Why should I have to defend anything? No one''s going to believe some assistant writer anyway. Just crush them! Isn''t that what I''m paying you for? What''s happened to the quality of KJwyers these days?" Unable to hold back any longer, Lee Moon-Yung shouted, "Mrs. Yoo! Even at KJ, we can''t create something out of nothing!" "Or maybe it''s just because you''re ipetent!" "Mrs. Yoo!" Yoo Sun-Jung red at Lee Moon-Yung. "Where do you get off ring at me like that? I''ve been treating you with respect as awyer, but you''ve clearly got no sense of fear. You little brat!" At that moment, the door to Lee Moon-Yung''s office opened and a man in his mid-50s walked in. It was none other than Kim Tae-Jin, one of the co-founders of KJ Law Firm. After retiring as a senior judge, he established hisw firm and built it into one of the most sessful firms in the industry within just five years. "Please calm down, Mrs. Yoo." Recognizing his authority, Yoo Sun-Jung reluctantly lowered her voice. "Fine. But Mr. Kim, I need you to rece mywyer! She''s not cutting it." "Did our Attorney Lee make a mistake?" "If ipetence counts as a mistake, then yes. She''s been eating up my money without getting anything done." Kim Tae-Jin turned his gaze to Lee Moon-Yung. "Attorney Lee, did you make any professional errors with Mrs. Yoo?" Lee Moon-Yung bowed her head without any excuse. "No, I didn''t." Yoo Sun-Jung red, but Lee Moon-Yung remained honest in her response. Kim Tae-Jin continued, "Did Mrs. Yoo ask you to do anything illegal by chance?" Lee Moon-Yung mped her mouth shut. "..." At that moment, Kim Tae-Jin''s eyes shed with understanding. Lee Moon-Yung maintained her professional ethics by keeping her client''s matter confidential from her firm''s representative. Satisfied with Lee Moon-Yung''s response, Kim Tae-Jin nodded to himself before turning to Yoo Sun-Jung. "Mrs. Yoo, are you sure you want to terminate your contract with Attorney Lee?" "Yes! And I want you to take over the case, Mr. Kim. I''ll pay double the fee." Kim Tae-Jin calmly took out his phone and pressed the record button. "Let''s handle this one step at a time. I''m recording this for legal rity. As of this moment, Attorney Lee Moon-Yung is relieved of her duties representing Mrs. Yoo Sun-Jung in the copyrightwsuit. The termination of the contract takes effect immediately. Do you, the client, agree?" Yoo Sun-Jung smirked. "Yes, I agree. Let''s follow the procedure. So, Mr. Kim, will you take over the case?" Kim Tae-Jin gave a faint smile and then stopped the recording. "I''m sorry, but that won''t be possible." Yoo Sun-Jung frowned. "What did you say?" Without changing his expression, Kim Tae-Jin held up his phone. "Take a look at this." On his phone, a live broadcast from the MeTube channel Entertainment Buzz was ying. "Wh-what is this?" Kim Tae-Jin rewound the video by five minutes. The screen disyed the stage at the small banquet hall of the Intercontinental Hotel in Samseong-dong. On the stage were Lee Ji-Yeon, Han Woo-Ju, Gae Eun-Sook, Kim Soll-Ip, and Jung Yoon-Ho. Lee Ji-Yeon had a microphone in hand and was speaking loudly. -Did they say Writer Han stole from Yoo Sun-Jung? Don''t make meugh! The real thief is Yoo Sun-Jung! The gathered reporters buzzed with excitement. -Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon, is that really true? -Of course, it''s true! Writer Han''s work is one I''m directly involved with. Do you think I''d lend my name to a project if it were stolen? Just a few words with her were enough for me to know the truth. Lee Ji-Yeon then revealed that she was joining Hwaranjeon as a supporting writer, handling several key episodes. The room erupted into chaos at the news that the legendary Lee Ji-Yeon was supporting a rookie writer like Han Woo-Ju. Next, Gae Eun-Sook stepped up to speak. -A week ago, Writer Han came to the KBC writers'' office and left her synopsis with me. I''m here to testify to that fact. -You''re directly contradicting Writer Yoo Sun-Jung''s ims. Do you have any evidence? The dates don''t seem to match. -Whenever Ie across a good piece of work, I jot down a short review in my diary in case I need to rmend it to a PD or another writerter. I left a note about Writer Han''s Hwaranjeon a week ago. It''s synced to a backup server, so I can verify the date. As Gae Eun-Sook tearfully made her confession, the room filled with the sh of cameras. Then, Han Woo-Ju held up a piece of A4 paper and dered, -And it''s not just this project. The previous work, Under the Big Tree, was also mine. And here''s the original ending I wrote, which Mrs. Yoo Sun-Jungpletely changed! Finally, Jung Yoon-Ho stepped forward and shouted. -Two more of Mrs. Yoo Sun-Jung''s former assistant writers just texted me saying that their work was also stolen. We''ll be sending out press releases to the reporters here. Eager for a scoop, the reporters bombarded them with questions. Kim Tae-Jin paused the video at that moment. "You were hiding quite a lot from us, Mrs. Yoo." Yoo Sun-Jung waved her hands frantically with her face drained of color. "No! No! These bastards are lying! Mr. Kim, you don''t believe this, do you? You''re mywyer!" Kim Tae-Jin shook his head with a cold expression. "Have you forgotten already? You just agreed to terminate your contract." "B-but that was just to start a new contract with you!" "Well, that''s no longer our concern. KJ Law Firm will no longer be representing you, Mrs. Yoo. You''ll need to find a new firm if you want a newwyer." Yoo Sun-Jung angrily pointed an usatory finger at Kim Tae-Jin. "Hey! How dare you! Do you know how much money I''ve paid you over the years? You can''t do this to me!" As Yoo Sun-Jung began to lose control, Kim Tae-Jin calmly made a call. "Send in four female security guards, please." Realizing her outburst wasn''t working, Yoo Sun-Jung switched tactics and began pleading. "Mr. Kim, please! I''ll pay triple¡ªno, ten times the fee! Just take the case! Everything they said is a lie!" Kim Tae-Jin remained unmoved, not even blinking. Soon, four female security guards entered the office. Kim Tae-Jin said to the guards, "She''s paid us well over the years, so make sure she''s escorted out safely." "Yes, sir." The four guards quickly moved to restrain Yoo Sun-Jung, who began to thrash and scream. "Hey! Let go of me! Let me go! I''ll sue all of you!" Despite her cries, the security guards didn''t flinch, lifting her off the ground and carrying her out. "Mr. Kim, I''ll pay ten times the fee! Pleeeaase!" Yoo Sun-Jung''s desperate pleading echoed loudly through the hallway as she was carried out. Kim Tae-Jin watched Yoo Sun-Jung''s retreating figure with a shake of his head, then turned his attention to Lee Moon-Yung. "Attorney Lee!" "Yes, Mr. Kim!" "When dealing with garbage, the first thing you need to learn is how to cut ties quickly. Just because a client tells you to do something doesn''t mean you should cross the line into illegality." Lee Moon-Yung lowered her head in shame. "I''m sorry... I really am." "Yes, you should be. You lost before even getting into the fight." Kim Tae-Jin''s words made Lee Moon-Yung shudder. Then, Kim Tae-Jin said something unexpected. "And if you n to take on more cases in the entertainment industry, keep a close eye on Hoop Entertainmentp''s Team Lead Jung." "Huh? Team Lead Jung...but why?" Kim Tae-Jin raised his phone and showed her a message. "Take a look at this. This was sent to us because they didn''t want to escte the situation." As Lee Moon-Yung read the message on Kim Tae-Jin''s phone, a chill ran down her spine. The message detailed various illegal actions and evidence that could lead to the revocation of her license to practicew. "This is the result of underestimating someone just because they''re ''only a talent agent.'' Don''t forget¡ªhe''s not someone to be taken lightly." Lee Moon-Yung trembled, feeling a deep sense of defeat from someone she had dismissed as merely a talent agent. *** After the sessful press conference, I received a text message from President Kim Tae-Jin of KJ Law Firm on my way to drop off Han Woo-Ju. [President Kim Tae-Jin: I''ve done as you asked, so let''s consider thewsuit against Attorney Lee dropped.] Just before entering the banquet hall, I had sent him a recording of Lee Moon-Yung''s conversation at KBC, capturing her vitions of the Attorney Act and attempts to coach false testimony. I had also mentioned that I didn''t want to escte the conflict with KJ. Being the sharp man he was, Kim Tae-Jin had promptly severed ties with Yoo Sun-Jung. It would have been a tough battle if KJ Law Firm had decided to pursue the case to the end, but fortunately, things had worked out in our favor. With KJ''s influence no longer shielding Yoo Sun-Jung, the media was now unleashing a flood of unrestrained articles. [Writer Yoo Sun-Jung''s Habitual Script Theft Finally Exposed!] [The Beginning and End of Her Crimes¡ªA Comprehensive Investigation into Yoo Sun-Jung''s Misdeeds.] [Shameless Writer¡ªHow a Famous Writer Used Power to Steal a Mentee''s Talent. More Dramatic Than a Drama!] ... As Han Woo-Ju read the articles in the passenger seat, her face lit up with relief and happiness. "It''s really over, Mr. Jung!" "Yes, it''s all over." Han Woo-Ju kept reading the articles with a bright smile, clearly feeling a sense of freedom after finally breaking free from the shackles that had bound her. She was smiling more genuinely than I had ever seen before. When we reached Han Woo-Ju''s neighborhood, I pulled the car to a stop. "I''ll get the writing studio set up soon and get back to you." Han Woo-Ju hesitated for a moment before looking up at me. "But, um, Mr. Jung... could you speak to me more casually when it''s just the two of us? I''m only 23 years old..." Seeing my ufortable expression, she quickly added. "You speak casually to the actors, right? I''m part of Hoop Entertainment now, so please treat me the same way." But I shook my head. "Why not...?" "From now on, the scripts thate from your pen will affect the livelihoods of countless actors and productionpanies. Regardless of your age, I can''t treat you casually when so much responsibility rests on your shoulders." The fate held in a drama writer''s hand was no small matter. The sess or failure of their work could impact dozens, if not hundreds, of lives in this industry. Because of this, drama writers were given respect and deference as soon as they broke into the industry. It might be a heavy burden, but it was something Han Woo-Ju needed to ovee on her own. Just the 50-episode Hwaranjeon alone would require at least 15 billion won in production costs and the oue of that investment was now in her hands. "You''ll do well. You already seeded with Under the Big Tree, didn''t you? Have confidence," I reassured her. Han Woo-Ju nodded and slowly raised her hand to shake mine. But then, she suddenly reached over from the passenger seat and wrapped her arms around me. Being petite, all she could manage while seated was an awkward hug around my arm. "Mr. Jung! Thank you so much! Because of you, I''ve really be a writer. I promise I''ll do my best!" I considered pulling away, but something told me I shouldn''t. Instead, I left my arm where it was and gently patted her back with my other hand. "Everything''s going to be fine now, Ms. Han." I had to stay there andfort her until she finally regained herposure. *** The next day after the interview, the viewership ratings for episode 11 of In the Name of God came in at 29.7%. While the rate of increase had slowed slightly, any upward movement when the viewership ratings were already nearing 30% was still a significant achievement. Thanks to this, Yoo-Jin''s face was glowing with happiness from the moment she woke up. "At this rate, we''re definitely going to break 30%." "Of course we will! It''s just a matter of when." Yoo-Jin beamed and nodded enthusiastically. "But when will the script for the next project be ready?" "It might take a little while." "I hope it''s ready soon!" Since the current project was nearing its final stages, Yoo-Jin was brimming with anticipation for the next one. Beside her, Miso was wearing an equally excited expression. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, am I going to be in this one too?" "Do you want to be in it again, Miso?" "Yes! I really want to!" I crouched down to meet her eye level and asked, "But you''ll have to audition for it. Are you okay with that?" I teased her yfully that she would have to take a test, but Miso responded confidently. "Yes! I''ll go to the audition and get first ce!" She looked absolutely certain she would seed. "Is that so? Then let''s make sure you nail the audition and win the role!" "Okay!" Then Yoo-Jin asked, "Oppa, who''s the director this time?" "I have someone in mind." "Who is it?" "It''s not set in stone yet. I''ll tell you once it''s confirmed." One of the candidates I was considering was PD Oh Bok-Hee, who was on the verge of resigning from MBS. "Alright, let''s get ready. Sang-Bong will be here soon." Having won the dispute over Han Woo-Ju''s work, I was curious about how the people at the office would react today. At that moment, my phone rang with Lee Soo-Chan''s call. "Hey, Soo-Chan. What''s up?" -Hyung-nim! I have bad news! Nalsae''s been captured! "What?" Nalsae, who had been tracking down Choi Eun-Tae''s son under orders from Kim Dong-Soo, had been captured by someone. Chapter 304: Choi Eun-Tae (1)

Chapter 304: Choi Eun-Tae (1)

''Nalsae''s been caught?'' I wondered. An intense warning rm rang in my head. If any information about Choi Eun-Tae''s son leaked from Nalsae, both Kang Eun-Gi and I could be in serious danger. I immediately told Lee Soo-Chan to meet me at Reverse Entertainment and hung up the phone. Seeing my troubled expression, Yoo-Jin tilted her in confusion. "I''m sorry, Yoo-Jin, but I need to go. Something came up suddenly," I apologized. "What''s going on? You look really worried..." "Don''t worry. But I''ll be a bitte today." After reassuring her that it was nothing serious, I quickly headed to Lee Soo-Chan''s office. When I arrived, about 20 people including Lee Soo-Chan and Choi Dong-Hyuk were already gathered to form abat team. "Let''s go. We don''t have much time." "Yes, hyung-nim." They were prepared with masks, stab-proof vests, and baseball bats, but I didn''t say anything given the urgency of the situation. We split up into five cars and headed straight for Namyangju in Gyeonggi Province. Nalsae had a tracking device on him, so we were able to see his location on the app. Just then, Choi Dong-Hyuk, who was in the front passenger seat, received a call. "Hyung-nim, it''s a call from the surveince team." They reported that Nalsae had been dragged into an abandoned factory building in Namyangju. The surveince team closest to Nalsae right now was observing from a distance with binocrs as they were unable to gauge how many people were inside the building. Choi Dong-Hyuk''s face hardened as he suggested, "Hyung-nim, what if we send in the team first even if it''s a bit risky?" I shook my head. "No way. What if someone gets hurt? Let''s go in together. No matter how urgent it is, I won''t risk my men getting injured." Choi Dong-Hyuk shook his head in admiration. "Hyung-nim, you''re really something else." "What do you mean?" I asked. "Aren''t you nervous? We''ve been through this kind of thing before, but you''re just a regr office worker." Ever since I hade back from the brink of death, I suppose I had developed a stronger resolve. "Stop talking nonsense and focus on Nalsae." "Okay, hyung-nim!" Choi Dong-Hyuk nodded and turned his attention back to the mission. A short whileter, we arrived at the location. We parked about 500 meters from the factory to avoid detection. "Soo-Chan, did you prepare the masks?" "Yes." I took a deep breath, pulled on the mask, and even donned the stab-proof vest just in case. Then I turned to Lee Soo-Chan. "I''m sorry. You''re caught up in this because of me." Lee Soo-Chan gave a smallugh. "It''s also for Eun-Gi hyung-nim, so don''t worry about it. And hyung-nim, you''re one of us." "Thanks." We got out of the cars and grabbed our baseball bats, aware that the enemy might be armed. Lee Soo-Chan looked back and reminded everyone, "We''re here to subdue, not to fight. If things get dangerous, just block and retreat! Remember, we''re not gangsters anymore. Got it?" Everyone nodded in agreement. Lee Soo-Chan, Choi Dong-Hyuk, and I led the way. Soon, we reached the location where the surveince team was stationed. From about 50 meters away, we could see the dpidated abandoned factory. Two members of the surveince team approached us and bowed their heads. "We''re sorry. The team protecting Nalsae was about to change shifts when they suddenly attacked..." As they were about to kneel in apology, I grabbed their arms to stop them. "Why are you kneeling? Get up." ording to their report, there were currently four people inside the factory. "But we''ve been hearing screams from inside." I exchanged a nce with Lee Soo-Chan. "It sounds like we''re running out of time. Let''s go." "Alright." Leaving the unmasked surveince team behind, we quickly made our way toward the factory. First, Choi Dong-Hyuk led the group and guided the younger guys as they swiftly moved to the factory''s wall. Seeing no one exiting the building, Lee Soo-Chan and I followed with the remaining team. As we pressed ourselves against the wall to peek through the dirty windows into the factory, I could see Nalsae tied to an old chair with his hands bound behind him in the middle of the shabby factory. His face was a mess, clearly the result of a severe beating. At that moment, two men standing around him began to question him aggressively. -Why the hell are you keeping so quiet? Just spill it! -I heard you make a living off dirty work like taking paparazzi photos. So why''s your mouth so tight now? -Hey! Just tell us who President Choi''s son is and we''ll let you go. -Yeah, let''s make this easy for all of us. Kang Eun-Gi is the President''s son, right? Otherwise, why would his people be protecting you? Doesn''t make sense, does it? I had expected Nalsae to spill everything under pressure, but surprisingly, he had kept his mouth shut. When Nalsae didn''t respond, one of the men who was wearing a gold chain swung his fist. Nalsae''s head snapped to the side with a sickening thud. -Hey! Get it together! Barely conscious, Nalsae groaned. -Ugh... I... I don''t know... I don''t know anything... I immediately turned to Lee Soo-Chan upon watching the scene. "Soo-Chan, let''s get him out of there. He hasn''t talked yet." Normally, I would have been more cautious considering therge open space around the factory and the multiple potential escape routes. However, getting Nalsae out before he could reveal anything was more important. Lee Soo-Chan nodded and turned back to signal the team with hand gestures, the kind you''d expect from military training. Having caught the signal, Choi Dong-Hyuk moved forward with five others and kicked the door down with a loud crash. As the door burst open, Choi Dong-Hyuk and his team rushed in followed closely by Lee Soo-Chan and me. When we walked in, two men standing next to Nalsae shouted in surprise. "Shit! Where did these guyse from?" "Fuck this, there''s too many of them! Run!" Realizing they were outnumbered, they bolted without looking back. Choi Dong-Hyuk was the first to chase after them, but they were already a fair distance away. "Catch them!" The team desperately chased after the two men at Choi Dong-Hyuk''s shout, but the kidnappers were already sprinting toward the opposite exit. One of the two men shouted, "Hey! Start the car!" We heard the sound of a car engine revving up on the other side of the factory as if there were more of them waiting outside. As soon as the two men reached the exit, the door mmed shut behind them. Choi Dong-Hyuk followed them and kicked the door, but it wouldn''t budge perhaps because they had locked it from the outside. A momentter, we heard the roar of the car speeding away. Breathing heavily, Choi Dong-Hyuk called out, "Yung-Hoon, Sang-Cheol! Get in your car and chase them!" "Yes, hyung-nim!" While Lee Soo-Chan and Choi Dong-Hyuk scrambled to organize the pursuit, I approached Nalsae who was slumped over with his head down. His face was swollen and blood was dripping from his split lips, but he kept muttering the same thing over and over. "Ugh...I don''t know... I don''t know anything..." I quickly moved behind him and untied his hands. "Mr. Beom-Jun!" "Ughhh... I-I already told you I don''t know anything..." "It''s me!" As I freed Nalsae''s hands, I removed my mask in front of him. Nalsae flinched and slowly lifted his head. His swollen eyes struggled to focus, but they eventually locked onto mine. "Team Lead Jung...?" "Yes, it''s me." Recognizing me, Nalsae suddenly began tough with his chest heaving. "Holy fuck. It''s good to see you... ha ha ha ha..." Instead of letting out a sigh of relief, heughed like a madman while blood and saliva dripped from his mouth. I looked around and asked for some water. One of the younger guys handed me a bottle, and I waited for Nalsae to finishughing. When he finally calmed down, he raised his trembling right hand. "I don''t need water. Just give me a cigarette." Lee Soo-Chan frowned after tidying up nearby, but I nodded. "If anyone has a cigarette, give him one." I didn''t particrly like the guy, but he had shown some loyalty. After all, anyone who kept their mouth shut while getting beaten to a pulp deserved at least that much. One of the guys lit a cigarette and handed it to Nalsae, who took a deep drag with difficulty. As the smoke escaped his mouth and nose, he winced in pain. Nalsae coughed and then sighed heavily. "I knew you''de to get me. That''s why I didn''t say a word even when those bastards were beating me up." The more he thought about it, the more upset and emotional he seemed to get as his voice trembled with anger and frustration. "You went through a lot. But what exactly happened?" After another drag of his cigarette, Nalsae began to exin what happened. *** Recently, Nalsae resumed his search for Choi Eun-Tae''s missing son under pressure from Kim Dong-Soo. However, it turned out to be much easier than expected to locate the remaining candidates which caused someplications. The candidates were supposed to be working at construction sites in the provinces, but most of them were at home due to the ongoing economic downturn. Having met all the candidates in just a day or two, Nalsae had no way to stall for time. So he decided toy low until I met with the Daeheung Savings Bank representatives. Just as he was about to go into hiding, a group of masked men showed up and kidnapped him. The rest was just beatings. As soon as I heard his story, I was certain of one thing. ''This was definitely the work of Choi Man-Sik.'' There were only two people who would go to such lengths to obtain this information: Choi Man-Sik and Choi Eun-Tae. Among the two, Choi Eun-Tae had arranged to meet with me and Daeheung Savings Bank directly¡ªso it was unlikely he would resort to such extreme measures. "But from what I heard, those guys seem to think Eun-Gi is President Choi''s son. Is that true?" Nalsae spat on the ground. "Yeah. They must''ve seen people from Reverse Entertainment hanging around me and jumped to that conclusion." At that moment, a chilling thought crossed my mind. I immediately turned to Lee Soo-Chan. "Soo-Chan, are you able to get a message into the prison?" "Yes." "Then contact Eun-Gi right away and warn him. There''s a chance they might target him." "I-I got it." Lee Soo-Chan quickly called hiswyer. "Mr. Kim! File for an immediate visitation and warn Eun-Gi hyung-nim that he''s being targeted!" As he exined the situation, Lee Soo-Chan''s hand trembled slightly from the tension. "Hyung-nim, they say they can reach the detention center in about ten minutes!" Hoping nothing would go wrong, we helped Nalsae into the car. I decided to deal with Choi Eun-Tae''s matter sooner rather thanter. ''If I waited any longer, who knows what Choi Man-Sik might do?'' With that thought, I called Director Jang Ki-Ho of Daeheung Savings Bank. After about four rings, Jang Ki-Ho answered. -Hello, Mr. Jung, How rare for you to call first. What''s the asion? "Mr. Jang, please be honest with me. Are you trying to meet me because of the search for Mr. Choi''s son?" -What? No, no, that''s not it at all! "Is that so? Then I''ll cancel our meeting tomorrow. Yoo-Jin has no interest in doing amercial for the savings bank. Thank you for your time and I''ll be hanging up now." Just as I was about to end the call, Jang Ki-Ho''s tone changed. -Hey! Wait a second! Just hold on! Now we were getting somewhere. The real Jang Ki-Ho, the enforcer of the Daeho faction, wasing out. -Let me check with the big hyung-nim and call you back. Don''t talk to anyone else in the meantime, got it? "I''ll give you ten minutes. The situation is really fucked up right now." And less than two minutester, I received a call from Choi Yung-Ho, the president of Daeheung Savings Bank. -So, how did you find out we''re looking for Mr. Choi''s son? Choi Yung-Ho''s voice was filled with suspicion. "Wouldn''t it be strange if I didn''t know?" I exined to Choi Yung-Ho how I hade to know the information. -We tried to be cautious, but it seems we weren''t careful enough. But hold on a second! Does this mean Choi Man-Sik has already figured out who Mr. Choi''s son is? "I can''t say for sure, but it''s clear they''re suspicious of Eun-Gi right now." There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. It seemed the unexpected turn of events had thrown him off, but I couldn''t afford to wait around. "But why is he suddenly looking for his son now?" I asked. Choi Yung-Ho let out a short sigh before answering. -It''s not really a question I should be answering, but... given the circumstances, I''ll tell you. What reason does a father need to find his child? Mr. Choi is getting on in years and it seems his blood ties are bing more important to him. It didn''t seem like there were any sinister motives behind finding his son, though I couldn''t fully trust his exnation. "Understood. Then please set up a meeting with him right away!" -Got it. I''ll get in touch with Mr Choi and I''ll call you back. The call ended with that. I hadn''t nned on meeting Choi Eun-Tae, but I had no choice given how things were unfolding. As I saw Lee Soo-Chan making phone calls to someone, I leaned back in my seat and thought about how to handle things if Choi Man-Sik decided to target me. At that moment, Lee Soo-Chan''swyer called. "It looks like the visit is over, hyung-nim." It should have been about the time they finished the visit at the detention center, so Lee Soo-Chan quickly answered the call. However, I noticed Lee Soo-Chan''s face going pale as he continued the call. His jaw clenched and he gripped his phone so tightly his knuckles were turning white. "Soo-Chan, what''s wrong?" I asked. He didn''t respond even when I called his name. I called out again, more urgently this time. "Lee Soo-Chan! What happened?" Lee Soo-Chan finally spoke with his voice trembling. "Eun-Gi hyung-nim... he... he was stabbed." "What?" Chapter 305: Choi Eun-Tae (2)

Chapter 305: Choi Eun-Tae (2)

"He''s not.. dead, is he?" When I asked if Kang Eun-Gi was dead, Lee Soo-Chan shook his head."No, his life isn''t in danger." A brief sigh of relief escaped me. "Who stabbed him? And how badly is he hurt?" Still trembling, Lee Soo-Chan replied, "I don''t know. Thewyer just got a call from the warden and is heading back inside now." We didn''t know how severe the injuries were or who was responsible. Lee Soo-Chan clenched his fists and spoke angrily, "Hyung-nim, this has to be Choi Man-Sik! That bastard must''ve done this!" If someone managed to reach Kang Eun-Gi inside the prison, it had to be someone with Choi Man-Sik''s level of influence. Nheless, I couldn''t jump to conclusions just yet because it could also be someone who had held a grudge against him from his gangster days. While I was lost in thought, Lee Soo-Chan suddenly shouted to Choi Dong-Hyuk, "Dong-Hyuk, let''s head straight to Future Imagination Savings Bank!" "Alright. The tools are in the trunk, so we''re ready to go immediately." Future Imagination Savings Bank was thepany where Choi Man-Sik served as a director. Lee Soo-Chan was about to take the walkie-talkie when I grabbed his hand firmly to stop him. "Soo-Chan, hold on!" Lee Soo-Chan turned to look at me with his eyes sharp and dangerous. "Are you telling me to hold back?" His gaze was like that of a man back in his gangster days. However, I wasn''t intimidated¡ªnot when I had already experienced death and even traveled back in time. I spoke harshly as I had to snap Lee Soo-Chan out of his rage. "How dare you look at me with those eyes! What? Are you going to take a swing at me too? Do you not see me as your hyung anymore?" At that moment, Lee Soo-Chan''s eyes refocused and he was brought back to his senses. "N-no, that''s not it..." Though he had calmed down, I could still see the frustration on his face. He was clearly angry that I seemed soposed while Kang Eun-Gi was hurt. I pressed Lee Soo-Chan even further. "Get a grip, Lee Soo-Chan! Eun-Gi turned himself in so you guys could live a normal life, and now you want to storm into a savings bank with weapons? What, do you want to make headlines? Or maybe you''d rather just tell the cops you''re going back to being gangsters?" My words seemed to hit home as Lee Soo-Chan''s resolve began to waver. After all, Choi Man-Sik was a respected director at Future Imagination Savings Bank. Lee Soo-Chan gritted his teeth and struggled to control his anger. Then, I spoke to the now calmed Lee Soo-Chan. "Don''t get me wrong. I don''t intend to let Choi Man-Sik off the hook." Lee Soo-Chan''s eyes shed with interest. "Are you serious, hyung-nim?" "Of course. So don''t act rashly and focus on checking Eun-Gi''s condition for now. And make sure the guys in the detention center with Eun-Gi stay calm." "Okay, hyung-nim. And... I''m sorry about earlier. I just lost it because I was too angry." "It''s fine. Now get on the phone and make some calls." Lee Soo-Chan finally began to make several phone calls, issuing instructions to keep things under control. *** It felt like time hade to a standstill. For about ten minutes, not a single call or message came through. My phone, which was usually buzzing with work-rted notifications, was eerily silent as if something was waiting to happen. Buzz! At that moment, Lee Soo-Chan''s phone began to vibrate. "Hello? Ah, Eun-Gi hyung-nim? Are you okay?" The moment I saw Lee Soo-Chan''s face brighten, I couldn''t help but let out a sigh of relief. "It''s Eun-Gi hyung-nim. He''s calling from the ambnce." "Put him on speaker." "Okay." When Lee Soo-Chan switched to the speakerphone, I could hear Kang Eun-Gi''s voice. -Yoon-Ho? I almost died, damn it. Apparently, Kang Eun-Gi was secretly making the call using the paramedic''s phone. Rxing my previously tense expression, I responded, "Judging by your voice, it doesn''t seem like you''re seriously hurt." -Nope. I got stabbed but it''s not too bad. He had been cut with a knife, but it was only a superficial wound on his arm. "So what happened?" -Some guy attacked me after I met with thewyer and was heading back in. Things could have been much worse if you hadn''t warned me in advance. "Do you know who did it?" -No idea. The guy was high on drugs so he only babbled nonsense... I need to find out more. I didn''t know what to say to a man who''d nearly died. This was someone who had promised his mother and Yeon-Sil that he wouldn''t live like a gangster anymore. However, under these circumstances, I couldn''t simply tell him to keep that promise. Sensing my internal struggle, Kang Eun-Gi reassured me. -Hey, I''m not a gangster anymore. But once I find out who''s behind this... I''ll deal with it differently, so don''t worry. A sigh of relief escaped me without realizing it. That''s when Kang Eun-Gi suddenly said something unexpected. -By the way, thanks, Yoon-Ho. "For what?" -For sticking by the guys! If it weren''t for you, they might have already done something stupid. The two men''s eyes looking at me darted quickly, seemingly worried they might get scolded. I decided to change the subject smoothly. "Nah, these guys... they''re over that gangster stuff now." Lee Soo-Chan and Choi Dong-Hyuk both bowed their heads repeatedly to express their gratitude. "By the way, which hospital are they taking you to?" -I have no clue. They won''t tell me. I guess it''s because I''m a criminal. I had a hunch about where they were taking him, but I pretended not to know. "Alright. Take care of yourself. I''lle visit soon." -A criminal getting visitors? I doubt they''ll allow it. And don''t tell Yeon-Sil about this, okay? I don''t want to worry her." "We''ll see how you behave." -Man, that''s even scarier. Just as we were about to end the call, Kang Eun-Gi''s voice turned serious. -Yoon-Ho, you''re going to meet President Choi, right? "Yeah." "Then tell him this for me." Kang Eun-Gi''s tone, which had been light and joking just moments ago, suddenly became low and deliberate. -Tell President Choi to stay out of my sight. "..." -I almost got killed thanks to him showing up out of nowhere and messing up our lives after all these years. He better hope he''s not my father! If I ever see him, I won''t let it slide. Most people would be eager and happy to meet their father after so many years. However, that sentiment didn''t apply to Kang Eun-Gi and me. Just thinking about the pain of growing up without parents was enough to make us grind our teeth. "Got it. I''ll tell him that." -They''re telling me I have to hang up now. I''ll call youter. And you should be careful too. Choi Man-Sik mighte after you. "Yeah, don''t worry." I realized that I would have to meet Choi Eun-Tae no matter what this time, whether it turned out well or badly. I needed to find out who his son was. Perhaps because of Kang Eun-Gi''s warning, a sense of unease wouldn''t leave me. At the same time, a chilling thought began to creep into my mind. ''Damn it. It can''t be, can it?'' *** At the director''s office of Future Imagination Savings Bank, Yang Ji-Hoon, the chief secretary standing nearby, whispered something into Choi Man-Sik''s ear. Choi Man-Sik wore a cold expression and said, "The junkie failed, huh? I had high hopes for his knife skills." "My apologies, sir." Unsurprised by the failure, Choi Man-Sik continued, "Never mind that. Have you stationed the men at thepany entrance?" "Yes, I''ve ced some of the best men there." A sly smile crept onto Choi Man-Sik''s face. "Don''t spill any unnecessary blood. Call the police as soon as they arrive. This is our chance to take them all down at once." "I''ve already informed the local police chiefs in advance." Since the hitman sent to eliminate Kang Eun-Gi had failed, Choi Man-Sik naturally assumed that Kang Eun-Gi''s associates would retaliate. He nned to use the police to round them up and lock them all away. With Kang Eun-Gi''s men neutralized, taking care of Kang Eun-Gi himself would be a piece of cake. At that moment, Yang Ji-Hoon asked, "If they don''t show up, should we proceed with n B right away?" Choi Man-Sik nced at his watch. "They showed up at the factory in Namyangju earlier to rescue Nalsae, right?" "Yes." "Given the time it takes to get here, they should be storming in within the next 30 minutes. If they don''t, go ahead with n B." Choi Man-Sik had set multiple traps to capture Kang Eun-Gi. Yang Ji-Hoon nodded before leaving the office. "Understood." With urgent matters taken care of, Choi Man-Sik sat on the sofa. Then he turned to Ju Ho-Sung, the Team Lead from Hoop Entertainment, who was seated opposite him. "Team Lead Ju, we might just hit the jackpot thanks to you. If things go well, I''ll back you over Kim Dong-Soo!" Ju Ho-Sung grinned broadly while rubbing his palms together. "I wasn''t aiming for that, but I''ll do my best if you give me the opportunity." A week ago, Ju Ho-Sung''s radar had caught Nalsae meeting with Kang Eun-Gi''s people. Sensing a chance to make a significant move, Ju Ho-Sung bypassed Kim Dong-Soo and directly reported the information to Choi Man-Sik. In response, Choi Man-Sik had made a bold move to have Kang Eun-Gi eliminated in prison. After all, the mere fact that Nalsae was associating with people from Reverse Entertainment was enough to make him suspicious of Kang Eun-Gi. On the outside, Ju Ho-Sung appeared to agree eagerly with whatever Choi Man-Sik said. However, he actually felt differently on the inside. ''Fuck. I knew he was crazy, but I didn''t think he was this much of a lunatic!'' Ju Ho-Sung remarked inwardly. All Ju Ho-Sung had done was voice his suspicions. He had not expected that Choi Man-Sik would actually attempt murder. As he yed along with the conversation, cold sweat trickled down his back. At that moment, Choi Man-Sik handed him a white envelope. "Take this. It''s your reward." "This wasn''t what I was aiming for, sir." Ju Ho-Sung swallowed nervously as he declined the thick envelope, feeling as if it held the price of his life. "What is it? Are you scared? You''re not going to tell me now that Kang Eun-Gi isn''t the President''s real son, are you?" Snapping back to his senses, Ju Ho-Sung quickly responded, "No, absolutely not! I''m certain he is!" Choi Man-Sik smiled. "Good. He better be or you''ll have to take responsibility, Ho-Sung!" Ju Ho-Sung swallowed hard. ''Take responsibility... Does he mean I''ll have to pay with my life?'' He started to doubt whether they were still in awful country like South Korea, but the die had already been cast. There was no turning back now. Choi Man-Sik lightly patted Ju Ho-Sung''s cheek. Despite the pping sound, Ju Ho-Sung didn''t flinch. "That''s right. If you''re going to do something big, you need that level of conviction. Oh, by the way, I hear Jung Yoon-Ho is about to be promoted to chief. Is that right?" "Yes, sir!" "I''ll see what I can do to dy that. In the meantime, why don''t you take on a few more actors and manage them? I''ll make sure to slip you some extra cash." Ju Ho-Sung''s face lit up at the mention of direct financial support. "Thank you, Mr. Choi!" "But don''t forget my orders." "Yes, I''ll prepare only A-grade actresses for Mr. Park''s after-party." Ju Ho-Sung was secretly soliciting actresses for Choi Man-Sik, some from Hoop Entertainment and others from differentpanies. "Good." As they continued their conversation, 30 minutes passed. Choi Man-Sik stared at his wristwatch in silence and muttered to himself. "Looks like they''re noting after all." Then he picked up the phone. "Yeah, it''s me. Looks like we''ll have to go with n B." The voice on the other end responded affirmatively. *** The detention center where Kang Eun-Gi was being held typically sent its patients to Seoul H Hospital. I remembereding here in my past life when Lee Sung-Joon, who had been jailed for marijuana, needed emergency surgery for a burst appendix. Based on my memory, Kang Eun-Gi was likely on the seventh floor where the hospital kept prisoners. I quickly stepped into the elevator, keeping a low profile. Both Lee Soo-Chan and Choi Dong-Hyuk followed closely behind me, carrying a flower basket and a gift set of drinks respectively. As the elevator doors closed, Lee Soo-Chan asked, "Hyung-nim, why did you bring us here with a flower basket for a hospital visit?" "Eun-Gi is probably admitted here." "Here?" "Yes." At that moment, Choi Dong-Hyuk chimed in, "But we won''t be able to visit Eun-Gi hyung-nim anyway. Are you nning to break him out?" "What do you think this is, a movie? Eun-Gi isn''t on death row. Why would I break him out?" It was true that visiting a prisoner who had just been attacked wouldn''t be easy, let alone orchestrating an escape. However, I had a different reason foring here. ''If it''s Choi Man-Sik, he might try to kill Eun-Gi again,'' I thought. The man known as the Viper of Myeongdong wasn''t one to give up easily. I turned to the others with a serious expression. "Listen carefully. As soon as we reach the seventh floor, drop everything and follow me immediately if there are no police at the entrance." If Kang Eun-Gi had been admitted here, there should be two officers guarding the elevator entrance on the seventh floor and another one in the hallway outside his room. Additionally, if Choi Man-Sik was targeting Kang Eun-Gi again, all three police officers would be absent. Lee Soo-Chan asked, "Do you really think that bastard can control the police too?" "I can''t say for sure. But if anyone could, it''s him." In my past life, Kim Dong-Soo managed to escape various legal troubles thanks to his connections with politicians, high-ranking police officers, and prosecutors. Lee Soo-Chan and Choi Dong-Hyuk''s eyes shed with determination upon grasping the situation. "Understood." As we nervously reached the seventh floor, the elevator chimed and the doors slowly opened. Ding! The police officers who should have been guarding the elevator and the room were nowhere to be seen. My hunch was right. Chapter 306: Choi Eun-Tae (3)

Chapter 306: Choi Eun-Tae (3)

The police were nowhere to be seen on the seventh floor of Seoul H Hospital and the nurse''s desk where someone should have been sitting was also empty. At that moment, I shouted loudly, "Kang Eun-Gi!!" Then, I heard Kang Eun-Gi''s voice from Room 706, the farthest of the six rooms on the 7th floor. "Over here!" I ran like a madman and grabbed the door handle of Room 706. Click. I felt something catch. At the same time, I could hear sounds of a struggle and cursinging from inside the room. "Fuck! Piss off!" I immediately kicked the closed door without hesitation. Bang! However, the door wouldn''t budge. It seemed something had been ced to block the sliding door. "Hyung-nim!" Lee Soo-Chan and Choi Dong-Hyuk, who had followed me, finally caught up. "Let''s all kick it together!" Once again, the three of us kicked the door. Crash! The door still didn''t open. "One more time!" At that moment, I heard a ttering sound as whatever was blocking the door flew off. And finally, the sliding door creaked open. Inside the room, Kang Eun-Gi was on the bed with one hand cuffed, facing off against a knife-wielding man with his IV pole. However, with one hand restrained, all he could do was desperately try to push the man away. I quickly closed the distance and threw a punch at the chin of the man in the ck hat. Smack! The man''s chin snapped to the side with a dull thud. In that instant, the man in the ck hat still clutching the knife crumpled to the floor. "Huff, huff... Eun-Gi, are you okay?" I quickly asked. Kang Eun-Gi snatched the knife from the unconscious man. "Huff, huff, huff... How did you know toe here?" Before I could answer, Lee Soo-Chan and Choi Dong-Hyuk rushed in and shouted, "Hyung-nim! Are you alright?" Kang Eun-Gi nodded with a knife still in his hand. The immediate danger had passed, but I couldn''t rx just yet. I said, "First, put down the knife." "What?" "Let''s talk after you drop the knife." It was only then that Kang Eun-Gi realized he was still holding the knife. "Oh, right. Who said I was going to stab anyone with it?" Kang Eun-Gi tossed the knife to the floor. tter. The metal made a clinking sound as it hit the hospital tiles. At that moment, Lee Soo-Chan and Choi Dong-Hyuk hurriedly approached the man in the ck hat and tied his hands behind his back with a belt. Looking at the man, Kang Eun-Gi spoke in disbelief. "Damn. I really thought I was going to die just now." "If you were going to die, it would''ve happened already." I checked Kang Eun-Gi over, and he wasn''t seriously injured, aside from a few scratches. Kang Eun-Gi pointed to the man lying on the floor. "Yikes, look at this guy. Yoon-Ho, your fists are practically weapons." "Stop joking around. Where are the police?" I asked. Kang Eun-Gi shook his head. "I don''t know. I thought it was strange that the whole ce suddenly got really quiet and then that bastard came in. No matter how much I screamed, the nurses didn''te." It seemed like money had been slipped not just to the police but to the nurses as well. "But how did you get here? Weren''t you heading to Daeheung Savings Bank?" Kang Eun-Gi asked. "I couldn''t shake the feeling that if it was Choi Man-Sik, he wouldn''t just let you go..." I replied. "Was it your intuition again? Or did you have another premonition dream?" "Yeah, something like that." Kang Eun-Gi looked at me with disbelief in his eyes. "That''s unbelievable. Do you really have some kind of sixth sense or something? More than that, am I even really President Choi''s son?" "Judging by Choi Man-Sik''s actions, he probably thinks so." Facing a near-death situation without even knowing if he was truly Choi Eun-Tae''s son, Kang Eun-Gi let out a dumbfoundedugh. "Tsk. That bastard Choi Man-Sik. Trying to kill someone just because of suspicion, huh? Isn''t thatpletely insane?" "Yeah, he''s pretty unhinged." That''s when Choi Dong-Hyuk asked, "Hyung-nim, what should we do with this guy?" Kang Eun-Gi let out a deep sigh. "Man, I must really be a saint now. Just leave him and call Attorney Kim right away. Tell him I almost died. And call Prosecutor Seo too. Ask him what the hell is going on here¡ªthis isn''t some ritual to pray for my death, is it?" Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill was the ace prosecutor from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors'' Office who had taken Kang Eun-Gi''s surrender. "Yes, hyung-nim," replied Choi Dong-Hyuk as he moved to the corner of the room to make the call. Taking advantage of the moment, Kang Eun-Gi turned to me and said, "Yoon-Ho, you need to leave now." "Huh?" "If you stay here, you''ll get dragged into the investigation too. So get out of here quickly. I''ll say you were never here." Kang Eun-Gi pushed me with his free hand, and Lee Soo-Chan also urged me to leave quickly. I pointed at the man in the ck hat and asked, "But what are you going to do about him?" Lee Soo-Chan replied, "Don''t worry. I''ll say I knocked him out. I''ll take the fall for it." Choi Dong-Hyuk cut in, "Don''t be ridiculous. You''re leaving with Yoon-Ho hyung-nim." Lee Soo-Chan''s face twisted in confusion. "What are you talking about?" "I''m going to follow Eun-Gi hyung-nim to prison," Choi Dong-Hyuk replied. "You... wait. Don''t tell me?" "Yeah. Who knows when another bastard mighte after him?" said Choi Dong-Hyuk as his eyes gleamed. Sensing something ominous, I shouted, "Choi Dong-Hyuk! If you''re nning to do something to that guy and take the me, I''ll kill you myself!" Choi Dong-Hyuk flinched and looked at Kang Eun-Gi. Kang Eun-Gi let out a small sigh. "Why are you looking at me, idiot? I can''t win against Yoon-Ho. Just do what he says." "B-but hyung-nim..." Kang Eun-Gi continued, "And if you really want to go to prison with me, don''t beat that guy up. Just confess to some of your old crimes. Seriously, how does your brain onlye up with the worst ideas?" Choi Dong-Hyuk scratched his head andughed awkwardly. "I guess old habits die hard. I''ll do as you say, hyung-nim." Choi Dong-Hyuk stepped up to protect Kang Eun-Gi and cover up my presence here. Then Kang Eun-Gi turned to Lee Soo-Chan and said, "Soo-Chan, you''ve got a lot of work to do. You''ve done well so far, so keep managing thepany until I get out." "Hyung-nim! I want to go in with you too." "If you go in too, who''s going to take care of the younger guys?" Lee Soo-Chan lowered his head in silence. Kang Eun-Gi then motioned to me. "You''re going to meet President Choi, right?" I nodded. "Yeah." "Then take this with you," said Kang Eun-Gi as he raised his hand over his head and pulled out a clump of hair. "This should be enough for a DNA test, right?" "That should do it." "Let the old man satisfy his curiosity, but tell him not to expect to see me even if I turn out to be his son. Shit. That bastard almost got me killed twice in one day, so how could he have the nerve to ask to see me?" I nodded at the furious Kang Eun-Gi. "Got it. But are you going to be alright? The police are involved now." "Don''t worry. Nothing will happen as long as Dong-Hyuk is with me. Besides, everything is gonna be alright if I keep pressuring Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill. That guy''s pretty tough." Being called "tough" as a prosecutor meant that he conducted investigations with conviction without being swayed by political influences. In other words, he would definitely protect Kang Eun-Gi. I carefully wrapped the hair Kang Eun-Gi gave me in a handkerchief and said to him, "I''ll visit youter." "Alright. Take care of yourself." "You should be the one who''s careful!" As I took the elevator, I made up my mind to meet Choi Eun-Tae directly rather than the president of Daeheung Savings Bank. *** When I got to the first floor of the hospital, I told Lee Soo-Chan to lower his head and tread carefully. "Wait a moment." "Hyung-nim, what''s wrong?" When I sat down on a chair near the elevator, Lee Soo-Chan naturally followed. A few momentster, I saw three police officers heading toward the elevator. They were holding coffee cups but they all looked tense, not even taking a sip. At that moment, I was certain. ''It''s these guys.'' These were the officers who had been bribed and left their posts so the attacker could get in. I wanted to take them down right then and there, but I held back and memorized their names. I also secretly recorded a video of them without making any noise. ''Yang Tae-Ho, Lee Jun-Yung, and Park Hyun-Joong.'' Realizing why I had asked him to wait, Lee Soo-Chan began trembling with anger. I said softly to Lee Soo-Chan, "Just remember their names. Don''t do anything reckless and end up in prison. Make sure to tell Prosecutor Seo about these cops, got it?" Lee Soo-Chan restrained himself with superhuman patience. "Y-yes, I will." However, the police officers didn''t go up right away but were dragging out their time. To avoid suspicion, I turned my attention to a group of middle-aged women nearby. "Ma''am, what are you watching?" "Oh, that!" The woman pointed to therge LCD screen in the hospital lobby, which was showing a rerun of Episode 11 of In the Name of God from yesterday. It was the one where Yoo-Jin and Manshin Wol-Ah appeared alternately on the screen. I couldn''t help but chuckle at how much my situation had changed. ''You''ve changed a lot, Jung Yoon-Ho.'' In my past life, I wouldn''t have risked my life getting involved in things like this. However, ever since I had a second chance at life, I was surprised at how much I was looking out for those around me. That''s when KkTalk messages from Yoo-Jin, who was currently filming on set, started flooding in. [Lovely?Yoo-Jin: Oppa, I''m on a break from filming. Are you okay?] [Lovely?Yoo-Jin: Oppa, there''s nothing wrong, right?] [Lovely?Yoo-Jin: Why aren''t you answering? Are you sick?] [Lovely?Yoo-Jin: Huh? Are you really leaving me on read? Wow... You must be really busy. But still, leave a message so I won''t worry.] I hesitated, not knowing how to respond, but then quickly sent a brief message. [Jung Yoon-Ho: I''m busy. I''ll exin when I get hometer!] [Lovely?Yoo-Jin: You''re alive! Oppa! Do you know how worried I was?] I kept apologizing to the concerned Yoo-Jin. As I was exchanging messages with her, the police officers were still waiting for the elevator. At that moment, the women nearby began making a fuss while looking at Yoo-Jin''s face on the TV. "Isn''t that the famous actress, Jung Yoo-Jin?" "Yeah, that''s her. And she also yed that old shamandy you liked so much." "Really? How did such a young girl y that shaman granny? Just how?" "I heard they used some Hollywood special effects makeup or something like that." "Yeah, I almost faintedst week watching the morning show!" Nearly everyone recognized Yoo-Jin, proving the drama''s immense poprity as reflected in its nearly 30% viewership rating. Then, a female patient in her forties with curlers in her hair suddenly mentioned the viewership ratings for tonight''s episode 12. "It''s going to surpass 30% today, right?" "Oh,e on. 30% is a bit much." "What are you talking about? It''s definitely going to surpass 30%!" At that moment, the patients started betting on whether the viewership ratings would hit 30% or not, splitting into two groups. Themotion caught the attention of the police, who turned their gaze toward us. I subtly turned my back to them and joined in the betting, pulling out a 50 thousand won bill. "I''m betting that it''ll go over 30%!" The patients all turned to look at me. "Which room are you in?" I simply smiled without answering. "Handsome young man, we need to know which room you''re in to let you join the bet." "I''m just here visiting. So if I win, please donate this money to the pediatric cancer fund box over there. If I lose, use it to buy something tasty for everyone." The patient from Room 505, who seemed to be the oldest, gave me a big grin. "There''s no backing out, okay?" "Of course not!" As we continued talking, I noticed that the police had disappeared. I bowed to thedies and asked them to continue supporting Yoo-Jin before leaving the hospital with Lee Soo-Chan. *** When we arrived in the hospital''s underground parking lot, I said, "Soo-Chan, you should go on ahead." "Hyung-nim, let me drive you since your car is still at ourpany." "I''ll pick up the carter. Besides, you need to contact Prosecutor Seo and take care of the other guys." "That''s true, but..." "Don''t worry and just go. I''ll be fine." Lee Soo-Chan bowed deeply and replied, "Understood. And thank you so much for today!" Touched by his gratitude for saving Kang Eun-Gi, I patted his shoulder. "Eun-Gi is like a brother to me too, just as he is to you. There''s no need to thank me." Lee Soo-Chan smiled widely. "I''m really lucky to have you as my hyung-nim." "Enough with the ttery. Get going." "Okay, hyung-nim!" Lee Soo-Chan gave me another quick bow before getting into his car. As I watched his car disappear, I immediately called the president of Daeheung Savings Bank. Before the phone could even ring once, President Choi Yung-Ho answered. He told me he was still waiting for Choi Eun-Tae''s response. "You must have an easy life." -What? "Did you know that Eun-Gi almost died again?" -What? What do you mean? I calmly exined the situation. -That bastard, Choi Man-Sik... "Enough of that. I want to meet with Mr. Choi right now." After a brief pause, he replied. -Okay. Come to the house in Myeong-dong. I''ll let Mr. Choi know you''reing, so we''ll meet there. "Understood." After hanging up, I immediately called Kang Gam-Chan as well. However, as soon as he answered, he began scolding me. -How could you be unreachable all morning like that!? Kang Gam-Chan was scolding me like a concerned father. Oddly enough, his worry made me feel a bit better. "I''m sorry. Something urgent came up..." After catching his breath, Kang Gam-Chan asked. -Sigh. So what happened? Tell me. I hesitated for a moment but then started telling him about Choi Eun-Tae, Kang Eun-Gi, and me. I exined how an estranged father had reappeared and how it had put my life in danger. For ten minutes, Kang Gam-Chan silently listened to my story. When I finished, he quietly said. -You''ve been through a lot. I felt a surge of emotion welling up inside me. His concern was genuine, and I could tell just from the tone of his voice. Then Kang Gam-Chan spoke again with a bit of difficulty. -If you''re going to President Choi''s house, let mee with you. Kang Gam-Chan was offering to apany me for support. *** We arrived at a traditional house in Myeong-dong, where Kang Gam-Chan and I were guided by Choi Yung-Ho who hade out to greet us. The serene traditional house with its quiet tiled roof felt almost eerie with no one in sight. Choi Yung-Ho pointed to a room connected to the main hall. "You can go in here. Mr. Choi is waiting for you." "Alright." "And Mr. Kang, we ask that you wait outside." However, Kang Gam-Chan shook his head. "I have no intention of sending Team Lead Jung in there alone." As Choi Yung-Ho''s expression turned troubled, a calm voice came from inside. -Let them both in. "Yes, sir." The moment Choi Yung-Ho gestured upwards, Kang Gam-Chan and I removed our shoes at the stepping stone before stepping into the main hall. After taking a deep breath, we proceeded into the room where Choi Eun-Tae was waiting. Chapter 307: Choi Eun-Tae (4)

Chapter 307: Choi Eun-Tae (4)

In the master bedroom of the traditional house in Myeong-dong, Choi Eun-Tae dressed in traditional ramie clothes sat upright on a golden cushion. Although average in build, his striking silver hair immediately caught my attention. Despite his advanced age, his sharp features hinted that he must have been quite handsome in his youth. As I silently observed him, Choi Eun-Tae lifted his head to meet my gaze. Even amid the chaos involving Kang Eun-Gi''s attack, his eyes remained steady and unwavering, stirring a storm of emotions within me. Nheless, I managed to keep my feelings under control. Regardless of who he was to us, he was still the major shareholder of Hoop Entertainment. At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan broke the tense silence. "Mr. Choi, aren''t you going to ask us to sit?" Choi Eun-Tae smiled faintly and gestured to the two cushions in front of us. "Please, have a seat." "Thank you, Mr. Choi." Kang Gam-Chan immediately sat down and I followed suit, taking my ce on the cushion. Silence fell over the room once again. As the chirping of sparrows outside echoed ten times over, Choi Eun-Tae and I simply faced each other without uttering a single word. Sensing the continued tension, Kang Gam-Chan attempted to lighten the atmosphere by steering the conversation. "I didn''t know you had a biological son, Mr. Choi." "I didn''t know either. That''s why I''ve been in this predicament until now." "I see. However, I don''t think that statement can be an excuse for what Yoon-Ho and Eun-Gi went through today," said Kang Gam-Chan with a slight hint of emotion. While his words could be seen as somewhat disrespectful, Choi Eun-Tae nodded in agreement. "I think so too. This situation doesn''t seem like one that can be resolved with mere words." "So, what do you n to do now?" "First, it''s important to determine who my son is. We can talk aboutpensationter." Kang Gam-Chan frowned. "That''s rather selfish of you." Someone''s life was in danger, yet here he was¡ªfocused on finding his biological son and simply assuming marypensation would suffice. His cold and heartless attitude proved why he was known as the most notorious moneylender in Myeong-dong. Choi Eun-Tae let out a faint smile with the wrinkles on his forehead deepening into a single line. "Well, I''m not a hypocrite. Isn''t it human nature to be a little bit selfish?" Kang Gam-Chan gestured toward me and said, "There are altruistic people too. For instance, like this young man here." I was about to disagree, but I realized that he wasn''t entirely wrong upon reflection. ''I really have changed a lot.'' As Kang Gam-Chan pointed out, I had been living for people rather than money ever since I traveled back in time. Choi Eun-Tae was left speechless and Kang Gam-Chan nudged me to speak. "Yoon-Ho, if you have something to say to Mr. Choi, now''s the time." Kang Gam-Chan''s eyes conveyed a clear message that he was on my side no matter what happened. With that reassurance, the nervous pounding in my chest that began ever since I walked into this room slowly subsided. I faced Choi Eun-Tae and asked, "What is the real reason you''re searching for your son?" Choi Eun-Tae stared at me intently before letting out a sigh and beginning his story. "Sigh. It''s because of that bastard Man-Sik, whom I adopted. You know him too, don''t you?" "I do." "Yes. That bastard betrayed me and embezzled quite a bit of money. Not that it amounts to even a tenth of my wealth, but still... What a disgrace this is in my old age..." People were likely starting to pay more attention to the young Choi Man-Sik than to the aging president. Although Choi Eun-Tae''s influence was still strong, it wouldn''t be long before he found himself inevitably pushed aside. "Why did you adopt such a dangerous person and end up in this mess?" I asked. "How was I supposed to know? I didn''t even know I had a biological son. And back then, I was young too. Man-Sik reminded me of myself¡ªhe got results by any means necessary." "So now that the dog you raised has bared its fangs, you''re looking for a younger one to fight the betrayer in your ce? Is that why you''re searching for your son?" I replied straightforwardly. My words seemed to hit a nerve as the wrinkles around Choi Eun-Tae''s eyes deepened like a tremor. ''This is just ridiculous. Searching for his son with such ulterior motives! And because of this, Kang Eun-Gi nearly died!'' I seethed with anger. The image of Kang Eun-Gi handcuffed and struggling desperately was still vivid in my mind. Recalling that scene caused the calmness in my chest to give way to a rising tide of anger. Choi Eun-Tae noted, "You''re quite direct with your words." "Maybe it''s because I''m not a hypocrite like you, Mr. Choi," I retorted. I tried to control my tone, but my words came out harsher than intended. This was the first time I had struggled so much with controlling my emotions since traveling back in time. The more I tried to calm down, the angrier I felt. At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan sensed my change and ced hisrge hand on my knee. The moment I felt the warmth from his hand spread through my knee, my anger began to subside like magic. Startled, I looked at Kang Gam-Chan who shook his head gently with a kind expression. For a brief moment, I found myself wishing he were my father. Nodding, I took a deep breath and steadied myself before asking Choi Eun-Tae again. "Is that really all there is to it?" Choi Eun-Tae let out a long sigh and shook his head. "The truth is, I''m not even sure myself..." "Excuse me?" "The reason? To be honest, it''s less about getting back at Choi Man-Sik and more about wanting to see my son just once," Choi Eun-Tae muttered before letting out a deep sigh. Then, he continued, "I don''t know if I should hug him, apologize to him, praise him for growing up well, or beg for his forgiveness. There''s so much I want to say that I don''t even know where to start. Right now, my mind is filled with thoughts of what I''ll do if I meet him. So don''t bother asking about unimportant reasons." Every word he spoke was heavy with regret, so much so that I couldn''t understand why he had waited so long to seek his son. Hearing this, Kang Gam-Chan responded, "Mr. Choi, if you''re unsure, why not do all those things?" "All of them?" "He''s been living alone for decades. You and I both know the pain of growing up without parents, don''t we?" Kang Gam-Chan said with a tinge of emotion. This was the first time I had heard that Kang Gam-Chan had also experienced a childhood without parents. I hadn''t expected it at all. Choi Eun-Tae nodded in agreement. "Perhaps you''re right. If I find my son, I''ll do as my heart tells me." Kang Gam-Chan then turned to me. "Yoon-Ho, don''t you think it''s time to find out who Mr. Choi''s real son is?" I nodded and pulled out the paper envelope containing Kang Eun-Gi''s hair. Choi Eun-Tae''s eyes flickered slightly. "What is that?" "It''s Eun-Gi''s hair," I answered. "Is that... so?" There was a slight tremor in Choi Eun-Tae''s voice as he looked at me and asked, "And... don''t you have something of your own?" With a brief sigh, I pulled out another paper envelope I had prepared in advance. "Here it is." He took the envelope in silence and pressed the bell by the table. Less than three secondster, Choi Yung-Ho rushed in. "Mr. Choi, did you call?" "Take these two hair samples to Dr. Kim." Choi Yung-Ho''s eyes widened as he received the envelopes. "Ah, yes, of course." "How long will the results take?" "I heard it takes about five hours with express processing." "Tell them to run the tests immediately and to inform us as soon as the results are in. I don''t care what it costs!" For the first time, urgency cracked through Choi Eun-Tae''s usually calm demeanor. Choi Yung-Ho respectfully took the envelopes and left the room. The room was filled with sighs passing back and forth between us. Then, Choi Eun-Tae looked at us and said, "While we wait for the results... Let''s chat a bit about the world. Let''s talk about what''s going on." Soon, we began to talk about thepany matters while having the snacks Choi Eun-Tae''s secretary brought. *** Though I had hoped to hear more about Choi Eun-Tae''s past, he remained silent about himself. However, I was somewhat relieved that we only discussed Hoop Entertainment. "So, you''re curious about Choi Man-Sik?" Choi Eun-Tae asked. "Yes. Why is it that the wealthiest man in Myeong-dong hasn''t been able to get rid of Choi Man-Sik and instead seems to be losing ground? Is it because he''s your adopted son and you can''t bring yourself to act against him?" "There was a time when that was the case. But not anymore." "Then why haven''t you set things right?" Choi Eun-Tae let out a bitterugh. "Haha. That snake is so cunning that it''s not easy to catch. On top of that, the Future Imagination Savings Bank I owned has fallen into Man-Sik''s hands, along with the 15% stake in Hoop Entertainment that the bank held." Originally, Choi Eun-Tae held 30% of Hoop Entertainment while Kang Gam-Chan and Choi Man-Sik had 29% and 10% respectively. The remaining shares were held by Lee Gi-Cheol and other shareholders from the Suhyaejong line. Choi Eun-Tae exined that he indirectly owned a portion of Hoop Entertainment''s shares through two savings banks, but when one of those banks was taken over by Choi Man-Sik, half of his Hoop Entertainment shares went along with it. "That bastard Man-Sik secretly acquired shares from the other Suhyaejong shareholders. So now he''s most likely holding more than 30% of the shares." In other words, Choi Man-Sik had be thergest shareholder of Hoop Entertainment. This was an unforeseen development. Choi Eun-Tae continued, "They''re wary of my remaining influence for now, but they''ll surely stage a coup if they get the chance." Kang Gam-Chan asked, "Given your financial power, isn''t it possible to fight back?" "Yes. I won''t lose if ites down to a financial battle. Once thepany goes public, I can buy up shares with money." "Then why haven''t you taken action yet?" "Politics!" With that one word, everything made sense. I asked Choi Eun-Tae, "Are you saying Choi Man-Sik has connections in the political sphere?" Choi Eun-Tae nodded. "That''s right. He''s about to get engaged to the daughter of Park Sang-Gon, the ruling party''s candidate for party leader. He''ll soon have the next ruling party leader as his father-inw. Possibly a future president of the country, you know." I couldn''t help but let out a hollowugh. The man who had been targeting Kang Ji-Yung was suddenly getting engaged to the daughter of the ruling party''s candidate. Then, something clicked. ''Wait a minute... Park Sang-Gon?'' I pondered. I paused the conversation and quickly checked my nner. Sure enough, there was still an entry rted to Park Sang-Gon. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: September 30, 2020] -11:30 p.m.: Seoul Naksan Park parking lot. (Report: Instructions passed to Team Lead Kang Myung-Gil.) In my past life, I had received instructions from Kim Dong-Soo to meet someone at the Naksan Park parking lot. However, I ryed the instructions to Kang Myung-Gil as I had something else to attend to. Later, Kang Myung-Gil bragged about meeting an aide to Assemblyman P after the meeting. When I asked who it was, he wouldn''t say. About a monthter, he revealed while drunk that Assemblyman P was Park Sang-Gon and that he had handed over a bag of money to his aide. As I recalled these past memories, Choi Eun-Tae asked, "Did... something else happen to Eun-Gi?" He must have misunderstood because I had been staring intently at my phone. "No, it''s nothing, Mr. Choi." "That''s a relief..." Then I followed up with a question. "So, do you n to deal with Choi Man-Sik?" Choi Eun-Tae looked at me with interest. "Are you nning to take on Man-Sik? It won''t be easy." "It surely won''t be easy alone. But things might be different with others, don''t you think?" Choi Eun-Tae nced at Kang Gam-Chan. "This young man is more daring than I expected. Yet it doesn''t sound like empty bravado." Kang Gam-Chan smiled broadly. "It''s like seeing a younger version of you, Mr. Choi." "Ahem! I wasn''t this reckless!" denied Choi Eun-Tae. "Well, when the young shoeshine boy Choi Eun-Tae said he would be the cash king of Myeong-dong, everyone probably thought he was crazier than this," Kang Gam-Chan said jokingly. Choi Eun-Tae shook his head. "Let''s leave that story aside. You asked what I n to do about Choi Man-Sik... I''ll tell you." Choi Eun-Tae began speaking calmly, "I intend to destroy everything that bastard stole from me! I''ll make sure I return him to the days when he was just a beggar on the streets of Myeong-dong!" Though his expression and tone wereposed, the resolve in his words was chilling¡ªso much so that I thought it might have been less unsettling if he had simply expressed his anger openly. His words sent a shiver down my spine. After finishing, Choi Eun-Tae sighed. "Is that answer sufficient?" I nodded and replied, "Yes. If that''s your n, then I''ll bring you information about Representative Park Sang-Gon." Choi Eun-Tae''s eyes shed with sharp interest. "Do you have something on Representative Park?" "I can get you photos of him receiving bribes. To be precise, it''ll be photos of his secretary receiving bribes. But the evidence will implicate him." Choi Eun-Tae grinned. "I won''t ask how you''ll get it. Just bring it to me. Once Representative Park is dealt with, I''ll take care of Choi Man-Sik next." "Understood." Though Kang Gam-Chan looked curious, I kept silent as I couldn''t exin it anyway. Just as our patience was starting to wear thin, we heard someone running across the wooden floor of the veranda. The door swung open, and Choi Yung-Ho stood in the doorway with a yellow envelope in his hand, his face flushed with tension. "Mr. Choi! The results are here!" "H-hurry. Bring it here." There was a sense of urgency in Choi Eun-Tae''s expression as he extended his hand to grab the envelope. When Choi Yung-Ho handed over the envelope, Choi Eun-Tae''s hands trembled as he opened it. With a rustling sound, two crisp white A4 sheets emerged from the envelope. The moment Choi Eun-Tae read the words on the paper, tears began to stream down his face. It was astonishing to witness Myeong-dong''s most ruthless, tearless moneylender crying. "M-Mr. Choi!" Choi Yung-Ho called out. Choi Eun-Tae waved him off and indicated that he was fine. "I''m okay..." With trembling hands, Choi Eun-Tae turned the paper toward me. "Take a look... at this." On the test report beneath the title "Client K," the words "99.9994% paternity probability" were printed in bold letters. Chapter 308: Family

Chapter 308: Family

[Client A and Client K are confirmed to be in a parent-child rtionship.] Client K was Kang Eun-Gi and he was indeed Choi Eun-Tae''s son. At that moment, I felt a mix of both relief and disappointment. The disappointment came from realizing that I had no father, while the relief stemmed from knowing that the notorious moneylender wasn''t my father. "Eun-Gi was my son... He was my son all along..." Choi Eun-Tae muttered to himself. His hands trembled as he held the paternity test report close to his chest as if he were holding his son. Although there was still a mountain of issues to be resolved, I offered my congrattions. "Congrattions, Mr. Choi." Kang Gam-Chan and Choi Yung-Ho quickly followed suit. "Congrattions, sir." "Congrattions, Mr. Choi." Choi Eun-Tae nodded in response. "Thank you... Thank you all..." Then he turned to me after wiping off his tears and asked, "Team Lead Jung, are you... disappointed?" I shook my head. "No." "Is that so..." For a brief moment, a flicker of disappointment crossed Choi Eun-Tae''s face. "Alright, give me a moment." After a few deep breaths, he regained his usualposure and began issuingmands to Choi Yung-Ho. "Use whatever resources are necessary, even if it means mobilizing everywyer in the country, to get Eun-Gi out of prison! I won''t stand by and watch my son get stabbed in prison again!" "Yes, sir!" "And keep a close watch on those around Man-Sik. Investigate the guy who stabbed Eun-Gi, track down his rtives, and dig up everything. I''ll make sure their bones are picked clean!" "Understood." The orders backed by power and wealth kepting. Though Choi Eun-Tae''s instructions teetered on the edge of legality, Choi Yung-Ho didn''t bat an eye. But I couldn''t just stand by and let this happen. "Please wait a moment," I said. Choi Eun-Tae looked at me with a puzzled expression. "What is it?" "Eun-Gi won''t want this. In fact, he''ll be extremely opposed to it." "Why? Why would he be against seeing his own father?" I took a deep breath and ryed the message that Kang Eun-Gi had left me. He had said that he had lived his entire life without relying on his parents and nearly died because of them, so he wouldn''t ever want to see them. The reason he gave me his hair wasn''t to reconnect with his father but to sever any lingering attachments. He also warned that if his father ever showed up, he wouldn''t take it lightly. I had softened the wording, but Choi Eun-Tae''s face still twisted in response. "He...he really said that...?" "Yes." "And even knowing he''ll inherit all my wealth, he still refuses to meet me?" "Eun-Gi has plenty of money already," I added. Having absorbed the ck funds of the Kanghan faction, Eun-Gi was so wealthy that even most tycoons couldn''t unt their wealth in front of him. Choi Eun-Tae seemed to be lost in thought for a moment upon hearing that Eun-Gi wasn''t one to be swayed by money. Then he looked at me as if struck by a new thought. "Then you must help bridge the gap! Aren''t you his closest friend?" However, my answer was already clear. "I can''t do that...until Eun-Gi acknowledges you as his father." At that moment, Choi Eun-Tae red at me. "What did you just say?" Choi Eun-Tae''s eyes zed as if he were about to devour me. Seeing this, Kang Gam-Chan quickly stepped in front of me. "Mr. Choi, please. Let''s stop this here." "President Kang! Why are you siding with him? Don''t you understand how I feel?" "Pressuring him won''t work. He''s not someone who responds well to force." Choi Eun-Tae retorted sharply, "If he won''t listen to me, throw him out of thepany!" For the first time since entering the room, Kang Gam-Chan raised his voice. "Don''t say something so ridiculous, sir! This is the man you should be begging to stay, not throwing out!" "What?" "If you let him go, every single famous celebrity at Hoop Entertainment will follow him out the door. If that happens, I won''t be able to fend off the Suhyaejong line backed by Choi Man-Sik!" "You mean... even you wouldn''t be able to stop them?" Kang Gam-Chan shook his head heavily. "I''ve already stepped back from hands-on management for some time now. If Yoon-Ho leaves thepany now, there''s no way I can hold back the Suhyaejong line." "Is it really that serious?" "Yes. And in that case, how do you n to prevent Choi Man-Sik from using Hoop Entertainment''s celebrities to lobby politicians? Are you going to give him wings?" "E-even so, I can''t just not meet my own son!" Choi Eun-Tak replied in frustration. "I''m telling you not to let your emotions ruin everything!" yelled Kang Gam-Chan. Choi Eun-Tae trembled with anger. Kang Gam-Chan continued, "So you should wait until Kang Eun-Gi¡ªno, until Choi Eun-Gi forgives you! Of course, that means you''ll have to beg for his forgiveness first." ''Forgiveness?'' I wondered. As I thought about it, I realized Kang Gam-Chan was right. Choi Eun-Tae needed to seek forgiveness from Kang Eun-Gi first. At that moment, Choi Yung-Ho, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "Sir. Do you want to find your son, or do you want to keep your pride?" Choi Eun-Tae red at him. "Yung-Ho, even you''re saying this?" "I''m only saying this because I care about you, sir. The tangled threads can only be unraveled by those involved." Choi Eun-Tae let out a hollowugh, seemingly unable to believe what he was hearing. "Hahaha... A knot must be untied by the one who tied it, huh..." Even the most powerful moneylender in Myeong-dong who was used to getting his way now faced a challenge he couldn''t simply bulldoze through. Choi Eun-Taeughed for a while longer before suddenly stopping. "Alright. If that''s what it takes, I''ll do it." Then, to everyone''s surprise, Choi Eun-Tae slowly bowed his head to me. Everyone in the room froze at the unexpected scene. "Team Lead Jung, I''m sorry for dragging you into this mess. Please forgive me. And... Please, help bridge the gap between my son and me. This is the only wish I have left in this life..." The man who was feared by even the wealthiest and most powerful in the country was now bowing his head and asking me, a mere talent agent, for help. Caught off guard by his sudden action, I hesitated for a moment. Then Kang Gam-Chan broke the silence. "Yoon-Ho, maybe you could give him at least one chance?" As Kang Gam-Chan suggested, this wasn''t a decision I could make. After a brief moment of consideration, I slowly nodded. "I''ll try to convey your message when I visit Eun-Gi." Choi Eun-Tae lifted his head, his face lighting up with hope. "W-will you really?" "But there''s a condition." "A condition?" "If you step in now, Choi Man-Sik will target Eun-Gi even more aggressively." Choi Eun-Tae let out a deep sigh. He knew he had no right to argue given that he was the reason his son''s life was in danger in the first ce. "So you''re saying I should just stand by and watch?" "Yes. And if possible, spread false information that you haven''t found your son." "Are you suggesting a strategy of deception?" "Yes. While they''re almost certain that Eun-Gi is your son, they''re not 100% sure. Confusing them could buy us some time." Choi Eun-Tae let out a series of bitterughs, refusing to ept that after finally finding his son, he had to pretend as if he hadn''t. Nheless, he eventually nodded. "Alright. I''ll do as you say. And after I''ve dealt with Man-Sik, I''ll beg for Eun-Gi''s forgiveness." "Thank you for making such a difficult decision." "But just as you''ve promised me, please make sure to tell Eun-Gi that I''m his father!" "Understood. And just a word of caution: don''t even think about donating to Angel Orphanage. Eun-Gi''s people are already watching over it." Choi Eun-Tae hesitated but eventually nodded reluctantly. "Alright, I won''t." "In exchange, I''ll keep you updated on Eun-Gi''s situation from time to time." "Thank you." For a moment, a worried expression crossed Choi Eun-Tae''s face. "But are you sure it''s okay not to protect my son directly?" "Eun-Gi has requested special protection from Prosecutor Seo at the Central District Prosecutor''s Office." "Ah, Seo Jae-Ill, that guy. If it''s him, that should be fine." Choi Eun-Tae seemed reassured upon recognizing Seo Jae-Ill. That''s when Choi Eun-Tae brought up another matter. "Oh, and... if you help me reconcile with my son, I''ll give you half of the Hoop Entertainment''s shares that Man-Sik holds as a reward. What do you think?" Choi Man-Sik currently held 30% of Hoop Entertainment''s shares, directly and indirectly, which meant Choi Eun-Tae was offering me 15% of the shares. I immediately shook my head. After all, I had no desire to profit from my friend''s situation. "I can''t ept any reward rted to Eun-Gi''s matter." I already held shares worth 300 million won in Yetterang after investing twice. With the stock expected to rise dramatically in theing years, I was set to umte significant wealth of over 5 billion won. If I could reinvest that money I could secure a substantial stake myself by the time Hoop Entertainment went public. Moreover, the issue of shares wouldn''t even be a concern with Choi Man-Sik out of the picture as I was confident in handling the situation with Kim Dong-Soo on my own. "First you refuse this, then that! At least ept a reward for saving my son!" After a moment of consideration, I agreed. Choi Eun-Tae''s expression finally brightened and he began outlining the reward. "Ahem. Since Choi Man-Sik isn''t officially the representative director of the savings bank, I''m still the major shareholder. I''ll make sure you get the position of chief!" "That sounds appealing," I remarked. "But I''ll set some conditions that other shareholders can ept." "Conditions?" "Yes. Let''s say... achieving 10 billion won in sales. Can you do that?" With Lee Tae-Poong''s movie set to release, Kang Ha-Na debuting on music shows, and the additional ie from Hwaranjeon, I was confident. I nodded. "Yes, that''s definitely achievable." Choi Eun-Tae smiled. "Then I look forward to working with you, Chief Jung!" He was already speaking as if I had already assumed the position. *** At Imagination Capital run by Choi Man-Sik, which managed the bad debts of Future Imagination Savings Bank, Choi Man-Sik leaned back in his chair and frowned as he spoke on the phone. "You failed...?" Choi Man-Sik couldn''t understand this situation. He had nned for countless contingencies, yet everything had fallen apart. Even the people at Daeheung Savings Bank hadn''t made a move. Just then, his fianc¨¦e Park Sang-Ah tilted her head curiously. "Did it fail?" Because Park Sang-Ah had helped arrange for the police to step aside temporarily, she was curious about the oue. "You told the police to step away for a bit, right?" Choi Man-Sik asked. "Yes." "But it seems they stayed away for quite a while and his people barged in in the meantime." Park Sang-Ah pouted. "Oh? So are you ming me right now?" "No, that''s not it..." Park Sang-Ah approached Choi Man-Sik. "Don''t me others for your failures. You should have sent someone morepetent in the first ce." "..." "And given the circumstances, why don''t you take a break? My father''s party leader election ising up, so it''s better to stay quiet for a while. You understand what I mean, right?" Choi Man-Sik let out a long sigh. With Park Sang-Ah''s words making it clear that he shouldn''t make any further moves, Choi Man-Sik had no choice but to agree. "Alright." Park Sang-Ah shed a yful smile. "Mr. Man-Sik, you don''t seem to be in the best mood. Why don''t we go out for a drink? It''s on me." Choi Man-Sik nodded and stood up. "Oh, and you shouldy low for a while as well, Team Lead Ju." Ju Ho-Sung swallowed hard and nodded, realizing the severity of the situation. Then Park Sang-Ah turned to Ju Ho-Sung and remarked, "But didn''t you say you''d take responsibility if Kang Eun-Gi wasn''t President Choi''s son? Given that the people from Daeheung Savings Bank haven''t made a move despite themotion, isn''t it possible that President Choi''s son is someone else?" Ju Ho-Sung felt cold sweat trickling down his back at Park Sang-Ah''s casualment. Then, Choi Man-Sik shook his head. "I still believe Kang Eun-Gi is the son. Maybe Daeheung just hasn''t gotten the news yet." "Well, we''ll find out for sure once we do the DNA test. Anyway, let''s go. I''m starving." "Yeah, let''s go grab something to eat." As the two of them left, Ju Ho-Sung felt his mind go nk. Overwhelmed by the realization that he had stepped into something far more dangerous than he had anticipated, his face slowly turned pale. *** After leaving Choi Eun-Tae''s house, I immediately called Lee Soo-Chan. He informed me that I wouldn''t be able to visit Kang Eun-Gi for at least two weeks and that Eun-Gi was now under special protection from Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill. I asked him to let me know as soon as a visit was possible, then got into Kang Gam-Chan''s car. On the way home, Kang Gam-Chan advised me to focus solely on securing the position of chief and to forget everything else for the time being. Thankfully, he didn''t press me on how I nned to obtain the photos of Representative Park Sang-Gon¡ªthough he did express concern and reminded me multiple times to be careful. When we arrived near my house, I stepped out of the car and bowed deeply. "Thank you so much for today, sir!" "There''s no need for thanks. Just call me if you need anything." Kang Gam-Chan waved through the window before driving off. I bowed once more before heading toward my home in Cheonho-dong. It was almost 10 p.m., and the streetlights illuminated the quiet neighborhood. As I walked under the dim lights, countless thoughts crossed my mind. ''He wasn''t my father after all...'' Choi Eun-Tae wasn''t my father. Perhaps that was why I felt an emptiness in my chest and a sense of loss that was hard to shake off. As I counted the cracks in the pavement, I soon found myself standing in front of my house. I opened the door after greeting the guards who were always on duty, expecting no one to be inside. However, to my surprise, a group of people were sitting in the yard and waiting for me. "Oppa! What the heck happened?" "Uncle Yoon-Ho! Are you okay?" "Hyung, are you alright?" "Team Lead Jung, is everything okay?" Yoo-Jin, Miso, Haru, and even Jung In-Ji were all there, looking at me with concern. At that moment, a smile unconsciously spread across my face. "It was just a busy day, that''s all." They all sighed in relief and began speaking at once. Yoo-Jin grumbled and nagged, "Oh,e on! We were worried sick!" "Uncle Yoon-Ho, you didn''t even check my KkTalk messages! Hmph!" Miso pouted, puffing out her cheeks. However, the way she nced at me showed that her mood would quickly improve with just a little attention before the meal. Haru added in a voice mixed with scolding and relief, "Hyung, I was really worried." Jung In-Ji clutched her chest in relief and gestured toward the house. "As long as you''re alright, that''s what matters. Come on in, I made some soybean paste stew and rice." ''Yes, these people are my family,'' I thought. Family: The people who live under the same roof and share meals. The ones who care for me. Seeing them, the emptiness in my chest began to dissipate rapidly. Smiling brightly, I shouted my return home with joy. "I''m home~!" Chapter 309: Oh Bok-Hee (1)

Chapter 309: Oh Bok-Hee (1)

The morning after meeting with Choi Eun-Tae, I woke up with a clear sense of purpose. Before I could work on reconciling Kang Eun-Gi and Choi Eun-Tae, I had to focus on two key tasks. First, I needed to expose the corruption of Representative Park Sang-Gon, Choi Man-Sik''s future father-inw. Because of this reason, I opened my nner to confirm the date when Kang Myung-Gil would deliver the bribe. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: September 30, 2020] -11:30 p.m.: Seoul Naksan Park parking lot. (Report: Instructions passed to Team Lead Kang Myung-Gil.) Since it was clear that their influence had even reached the police, I realized that I had to take matters into my own hands. The second task was securing the position of chief. The independence that came with that role would function as a shield to help protect my people from Choi Man-Sik''s interference. Smack! I pped my cheeks with both hands to get myself together. After a good night''s sleep, the emptiness I felt from learning that Choi Eun-Tae wasn''t my father had faded away. "Alright, time to get started again," I uttered. I threw off the nket, got up, and headed to the kitchen while checking the articles. [In the Name of God Episode 12 reaches 30.2% viewership ratings!] [The highest viewership ratings in 10 years! Writer Lee Ji-Yeon''s unstoppable streak!] [In the Name of God already a strong contender for Drama of the Year, Best Lead Actor, and Best Neer awards?] [Jung Yoo-Jin: A frontrunner for Best Neer awards at SBC and MBS?] The 12th episode of In the Name of God which airedst night ended up surpassing 30% viewership ratings. I saw 77 missed calls and 315 unread KkTalk messages from PDs and ADs from MBS, KBC, and SBC, all requesting appearances on various drama, variety, and cultural shows. If I hadn''t put my phone on silent mode, I probably wouldn''t have gotten any sleep. After drinking some cold water in the kitchen to clear my head, I headed to Haru''s room. "Haru, it''s time to get up for school." Haru curled up under the nket and struggled to open his eyes. Recently, Haru had been extremely busy as he waspeting in the preliminaries for Master of Table following his appearance on Master of Mukbang. Haru blinked a few times upon hearing my voice before sitting up suddenly in a panic. "H-hyung! What time is it right now?" "7 a.m. There''s still plenty of time, so don''t worry and go wash up." Haru folded up his nket and got out of bed. He had grown at least 3 cm taller and was now even taller than Sae-Ri. While Haru washed up, I opened the rice cooker to prepare breakfast. Today''s menu was kimchi tuna fried rice. As I took out the sesame oil, kimchi, and tuna, my phone rang. [Caller: MBS President Choi Sang-Byung] "Is this a congrattory call for the viewership ratings?" I muttered. When I answered the phone, Choi Sang-Byung''s urgent voice came through. -Team Lead Jung! You need toe to thepany right now! "I''m sorry?" -We need to finalize the contract! Remember? "Oh..." Come to think of it, we hadn''t signed the contract with MBS for Hwaranjeon yet. "I''ll head over with the writer and the directorter today." -Good. And if possible, bring Miss Yoo-Jin along... Wait, does she have time, though? "She has a tight schedule, but she cane after her afternoon shoot. I''ll give you a call between 3 and 5 p.m. once we''re done on set. -Okay, see youter! After hanging up, I fell into deep thought. Although we had nned to sign the contract with MBS, the KkTalk messages I received earlier made me reconsider. [KBC CP Yang Joon-Soo: Our president says he can match the terms MBS offered! Please consider our proposal!] [SBC CP Jung Sam-Ryong: Team Lead Jung, our president wants Miss Yoo-Jin and you at thepany ASAP. Should Ie to pick you up in the morning?] After In the Name of God surpassed 30% viewership ratings, KBC and SBC quickly changed their attitudes. "But still, MBS takes priority," I said to myself. Even though the other broadcastingpanies were offering more money, I wasn''t going to abandon MBS who had reached out first. Just then, Haru walked out of the shower while shaking his wet hair. Because he was growing it out to a bob, his hair now reached just over his ears, swaying as he moved. I yfully teased Haru as he dried his hair with a towel. "Haru, should I get you a shampoomercial?" Haru smiled brightly, making me smile too. "I don''t take ads under 50 million won anymore. You know that, right?" I knew Haru was joking as he wasn''t money-minded, so I decided to tease him further. I said with an exaggerated voice, "Come on, just 50 million won? It should be at least 100 million!" Haru''s eyes widened in surprise. "N-no, hyung. I was just kidding!" "I know. But I''m serious, though." Last week, the 11th episode of Master of Mukbang had a viewership rating of 11.3%. Since it surpassed 10%, Yang Eun-Jung, the marketing director at CK Foods, increased the advertising fee by 50 million won. As a result, the total fee for Haru''s "Neat Day Curry" ad was now 120 million won. Nheless, what mattered more than the higher fee was seeing Haru so cheerful, unlike before. "By the way, hyung, is today''s breakfast kimchi fried rice?" Haru asked. I nodded. "Yeah. We got some sesame oil from Sae-Ri''s family as a gift. I''ll use that." "Awesome! Should we invite Yoo-Jin noona, Miso, and Mrs. Jung too?" "Invite them all! I''ll show off my cooking skills today." I wanted to repay everyone who hadforted mest night when I was feeling down. I opened the cupboard and pulled out a can of Spam, upgrading the menu from kimchi tuna fried rice to Spam kimchi fried rice. As the savory aroma began to fill the kitchen, I couldn''t help but hum to myself. "Kimchi~ Kimchi~ So good for you and so tasty too~" Before I knew it, I was singing along to the kimchi song like Miso. *** At the Yangpyeong set, we were filming the 17th episode of In the Name of God. With viewership ratings surpassing 30%, the staff had an extra spring in their step as they worked on thetter part of the series. "Alright, let''s move on to the next scene quickly!" "Yung-Cheol, run to Set 2 right after this cut! Okay?" "Yes, sir!" Everyone was smiling, but there was no avoiding the sweat of exhaustion on their faces. Seeing this, I called three nearby coffee shops and ordered 300 cups of coffee and 300 sandwiches. A short whileter, the deliveries from the three coffee shops arrived. "Why don''t we take a break and grab a snack, everyone?" I said to the crew. The atmosphere on set instantly became more lively. "Wow. Mr. Jung, thank you!" "Miss Yoo-Jin, thanks for the treat!" The talent agents of other lead actors looked at me as if they made a mistake. After all, these "bribes" could change how the staff treated the actors significantly. Filming resumed after the bustling snack break. While Yoo-Jin was busy on set, I tidied up the waiting chairs. That''s when Cha Soo-Yeon approached me and said, "Mr. Jung, thank you so much. You really gave everyone a boost." I smiled. "No problem. After breaking 30%, it was only right to treat everyone." Cha Soo-Yeon smiled warmly but then cautiously asked, "So, is it confirmed that your next project will be with MBS?" Due to the bankruptcy of the drama productionpany Red Moon, Cha Soo-Yeon''spany, Blue Dragon, had risen to the top of the industry. She saw this as a golden opportunity to widen the gap between herpany and the second-ranked production house by securing Hwaranjeon. I shook my head. "No, it''s not finalized yet. I''m heading to MBS this afternoon to sign the contract." "Then could you possibly dy that contract a bit?" "Are you nning to produce Hwaranjeon?" "If I get the chance, yes. You know that independent productionpanies have more budget flexibility, right? I can pull in some hefty investments." "I''m not sure... I''ve already discussed it with the president of MBS..." I replied hesitantly. Cha Soo-Yeon grabbed my arm and pleaded, "Come on~ If you haven''t signed the contract yet, at least hear our offer. I''ll get back to you within three hours, okay?" "I''ll think about it." I realized it never hurts to have more options, so I asked Cha Soo-Yeon to send the terms via KkTalk once they were decided. *** After passionately portraying the character Manshin Wol-Ah, Yoo-Jin returned to her waiting seat. Since this was thest scene involving Manshin Wol-Ah, I was about to help her remove the costume. Just then, Kim Soo-Hee, the veteran actress who had just finished filming, approached us. Yoo-Jin quickly stood up and greeted her warmly. "Mrs. Kim, you did such a great job today." "Don''t be so formal¡ªyou and I are getting older together, you know?" Kim Soo-Hee teased. Yoo-Jin winked yfully and gave a witty reply. "Should I start talking to you like Mrs. Jin Yoo-Jung then?" "Come on, everyone knows who you are now and that would just be weird. Do you want to get on people''s bad side?" Yoo-Jin scratched her head. "I guess you''re right." Kim Soo-Hee nced at both of us with a smile. "Thanks to you two, I''m really grateful to have been part of a drama that hit 30% viewership ratings. I just wanted to say thank you." Yoo-Jin responded quickly. "No, we should be the ones to thank you, Mrs. Kim!" "Not at all. Anyway Yoo-Jin, I heard you''ve already picked your next project. Is that true?" "Yes, I''m about to sign the contract." "Then maybe I should audition for a role in your next drama." "For real?" Kim Soo-Hee looked at me with a knowing nce. "Everyone''s saying that sess is guaranteed if they stick with Team Lead Jung." In Hwaranjeon, the only roles suitable for veteran actors like Kim Soo-Hee were viinous ones. While these roles could be impactful, they also came with risks. Audiences would often associate the characters with the actors, which could harm their public image. I said, "I''m not sure there''s a suitable role for you in this one." But Kim Soo-Hee smiled mischievously. "Is that so? I heard the writer has crafted some excellent viins this time." "I also heard that you missed out on some ad opportunities after ying a viin in In the Name of God. Maybe it''s time to take on a role that brings in more positive attention." Advertisers were usually hesitant to hire actors who portrayed viins, because the better the actor was at the role, the more disliked they became. However, Kim Soo-Hee burst intoughter. "Listen, Team Lead Jung. At my age, public opinion doesn''t mean much. I''ve made enough money and won enough awards. At this point... all that''s left is to challenge myself before I die. I want to try roles I''ve never done before. For an actor, there''s nothing more thrilling than that." Only then did I realize that Kim Soo-Hee hadn''te to me on a whim. "If that''s what you want...I''ll try my best to find you a good role." "Thank you, Team Lead Jung." Kim Soo-Hee then looked at me with a meaningful expression. "Oh, and remember what I said before?" "Huh? What do you mean?" "You know, when I told you to reach for the stars and go global." In the past, Kim Soo-Hee had suggested that Yoo-Jin and I join her agency, urging us not to be confined by Hoop Entertainment if we wanted to go global. "I remember." "Well, I was wrong. You were right." I stayed silent, letting her continue. "In my younger days, I used to envy those morous foreign actors I saw in Japanese magazines. I wanted to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them... But times have changed, haven''t they? Now, they''re the ones looking for Yoo-Jin overseas." I nodded. Yoo-Jin''s poprity was indeed rising not only in Asia but also internationally with fans asking for English subtitles for her work. "So keep doing what you''re doing. You two should dream even bigger than I ever did. You don''t have to go overseas to make it big¡ªmake sure the whole world knows Yoo-Jin''s name even if she stays in Korea. What do you say? Can you do it?" Kim Soo-Hee offered us her heartfelt encouragement, suggesting that Yoo-Jin and I aim even higher than she ever had. After exchanging a nce with Yoo-Jin, we both answered her in unison. "Yes, ma''am!" Kim Soo-Hee nodded and gave a warm smile. *** After wrapping up the on-site filming, Yoo-Jin and I headed to the MBS headquarters. We were greeted by Kang Gam-Chan, Kwak Moo-Hyuk, and the writers Lee Ji-Yeon, Kim Soll-Ip, and Han Woo-Ju. After exchanging pleasantries, we quickly made our way to the president''s office. Inside the president''s office, we found Choi Sang-Byung sitting with Drama Department Head Kim Gyuk-Shik. "Wee, Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon! Please, have a seat. Ah, and Miss Yoo-Jin is here too!" With In the Name of God surpassing 30% viewership ratings, Choi Sang-Byung was eager to pay special attention to Lee Ji-Yeon and Yoo-Jin. However, Lee Ji-Yeon snorted and quickly put him in his ce. "Mr. Choi! We''re here to discuss Hwaranjeon today, so shouldn''t you greet the main writer first?" Realizing his mistake, Choi Sang-Byung hurriedly corrected himself. "Oh dear! Ms. Han, I apologize for my oversight." When Choi Sang-Byung bowed politely to Han Woo-Ju, she began to blush. "Th-there''s no need to be so formal, sir. Please, just speakfortably..." At that moment, Lee Ji-Yeon interjected yfully, "Hey, Writer Han. if you''re being so meek as the main writer, how are Soll-Ip and I supposed to carry ourselves as the assistant writers?" Kim Soll-Ip joined in and agreed with Lee Ji-Yeon. "Exactly! If our main writer is so humble, we''ll get walked all over by the broadcasting station. You need to carry yourself with confidence!" In truth, a rookie writer acting too assertively could face criticism. However, it was an entirely different situation when handling a major project like Hwaranjeon. A lead writer of a big drama held the livelihoods of dozens, if not hundreds, of people in their hands. Hence, it was better to present oneself with confidence and assertiveness. Taking the advice to heart, Han Woo-Ju nodded in understanding. Choi Sang-Byung guided the writers to their seats first. "Please, Ms. Han. Have a seat here." After they were seated, Kang Gam-Chan, Kwak Moo-Hyuk, and I took our ces on the sofas. The conversation then quickly turned to the contract details. Everything was as agreed upon with no changes. Yoo-Jin''s appearance fee was confirmed at 100 million won, securing her status as an S-grade celebrity. However, one issue arose. "We''re thinking of appointing CP Choi Tae-Joong as the main CP and PD Yang Hyun-Seop as the director. What do you think, Ms. Han?" ''Yang Hyun-Seop as the PD? That''s a terrible idea,'' I thought. While Choi Tae-Joong had plenty of experience with historical dramas, Yang Hyun-Seop had built his reputation on trendy dramas and had no experience with historical settings. Moreover, in a year, he would disastrously fail with At the Edge of the Sword, a fusion historical drama he directed. Hence, I cautiously suggested PD Oh Bok-Hee who had handled Hwaranjeon in my past life. "Mr. Choi. I''m sorry, but could we have Mrs. Oh Bok-Hee direct this instead?" Kim Gyuk-Shik was taken aback by my suggestion and eximed, "What? You want to entrust this major project to the worst troublemaker in the drama department?" Indeed, PD Oh Bok-Hee had a notorious reputation. She was a ten-year veteran PD who was currently under disciplinary action for assaulting a lead actor on hertest project. Chapter 310: Oh Bok-Hee (2)

Chapter 310: Oh Bok-Hee (2)

Oh Bok-Hee was the drama-crazed PD. Having turned 37 years old this year, she lived and breathed dramas, and was recognized as the top drama PD. However, her intense focus on drama production often led to shes withcent cast members. For instance, when the lead actor Choi Tae-Woong becamecent and gave a half-hearted performance in her previous work Magic Lamp, she openly scolded him in front of everyone. Choi Tae-Woongshed out and said she was being ridiculous for putting so much effort into a mere drama. This situation escted when Oh Bok-Hee grabbed Choi Tae-Woong by the cor, sparking a physical fight. Although the fight ended quickly thanks to bystanders intervening, a humiliated Choi Tae-Woong stormed off the set. MBS''s President Kim Gyuk-Shik and TK Entertainment''s President Kim Tae-Kwon had to step in to resolve the conflict. Although Choi Tae-Woong eventually returned to the set and filming resumed, the two never reconciled and the production was a tense bncing act until the end. As a result of this incident, Oh Bok-Hee was ced under disciplinary action. Although she might seem like a problematic PD at first nce, her actions stemmed from her passion and dedication to drama production. I needed someone like Oh Bok-Hee who would put her all into Yoo-Jin''s first drama as the lead. Additionally, she was the director of Hwaranjeon in my past life and helped the drama achieve an average viewership rating of 25% despite the copyrightwsuit issue. Now that the copyright issue has been solved, I was confident we could aim for an even higher viewership rating. I also had another reason for choosing Oh Bok-Hee. In my past life, Oh Bok-Hee had stood by Han Woo-Ju who was cornered by thewsuit, and showed loyalty by enduring criticism alongside her. High viewership ratings and loyalty were the two reasons I rmended Oh Bok-Hee to Kim Gyuk-Shik. "Yes, I''d like Mrs. Oh Bok-Hee to take on the role of PD for Hwaranjeon." Looking surprised, Kim Gyuk-Shik began to dissuade me. "This isn''t good. It seems like Team Lead Jung doesn''t really know PD Oh''s personality, but she is..." "I heard she''s currently under suspension for causing trouble because she''s so obsessed with dramas." "What? So you''ve heard. But you still want to work with PD Oh even knowing that?" I nodded. "Yes." Kim Gyuk-Shik questioned further, "Even though she hit the lead actor?" "She must have had a good reason to do so." Kim Gyuk-Shik looked at me as if he couldn''t believe what he was hearing. "PD Oh isn''t someone who holds back just because the main lead is a woman!" I replied straightforwardly, "If Yoo-Jin gets scolded by PD Oh because she doesn''t meet her standards, we''ll dly ept the feedback as long as it''s justified." "For heaven''s sake! Are you confident or just not thinking at all?" At that moment, Yoo-Jin standing beside me replied even more nonchntly, "I''ll work hard so I don''t get scolded, Mr. Choi!" Choi Sang-Byung turned to Lee Ji-Yeon with a frustrated look on his face. "Ms. Lee, aren''t you going to stop this?" "How many times do I have to tell you? I''m just here as an assistant writer," Lee Ji-Yeon responded dismissively. Choi Sang-Byung then turned to Han Woo-Ju. "Ugh. Then what do you think, Writer Han?" Han Woo-Ju answered confidently, "I fully trust Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho''s judgment!" "Sigh...Jeez." As both sides were at a standoff, Kang Gam-Chan intervened. "Mr. Choi. Since MBS also has someone in mind, why don''t we meet them all first before deciding?" Choi Sang-Byung nodded. "That sounds like the best approach for now." Choi Sang-Byung then instructed Kim Gyuk-Shik, "Let''s start by calling in CP Choi Tae-Joong and PD Yang Hyun-Seop." "Yes, sir." Kim Gyuk-Shik picked up the phone and called their candidates. *** While waiting for Choi Tae-Joong and Yang Hyun-Seop, I checked my nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: December 21, 2021] -09:50 p.m. On the Edge of the Sword Episode 20 Viewership Rating 8.9%. ''I see it''s still the same,'' I thought. The fusion historical drama On the Edge of the Sword directed by Yang Hyun-Seop in my past life did not reach double-digit viewership ratings even by its 20th episode. The oue was disastrous since he had taken on the project just for the sake of buffing his portfolio as he didn''t like or care about historical dramas. The entry remained unchanged, so my conviction to entrust Hwaranjeon to Oh Bok-Hee only grew stronger. Soon after, Choi Tae-Joong and Yang Hyun-Seop arrived. Since Choi Tae-Joong, who was well-versed in historical dramas, led the conversation, it initially seemed promising. However, as more questions came from writers Han Woo-Ju and Lee Ji-Yeon, Yang Hyun-Seop began to show hisck of knowledge. After the meeting, the two left the president''s office. Kim Gyuk-Shik cautiously asked for feedback. "What do you think, Writer Han?" Han Woo-Ju replied carefully, "Mr. Choi seems knowledgeable about historical dramas, but Mr. Yang doesn''t seem to know them well. He didn''t even recognize ''Geonmora,'' a Si word meaning ''castle,'' despite having read the first episode of the script." Kim Gyuk-Shik looked flustered. "Wh-who would know words like that? Singuage, really?" "That''s why I used mostly mixed Gyeongsang dialect and Joseon-era historical drama speech, leaving out a few Si words to make it easier for viewers to understand. However, it seemed like Mr. Yang didn''t even understand the hierarchical speech system." The hierarchical speech system referred to unique honorifics often used in historical dramas to reflect social status. As it became evident that Yang Hyun-Seopcked knowledge about historical dramas, Kim Gyuk-Shik fell silent and backed down. At the same time, Choi Sang-Byung who had been praising Yang Hyun-Seop also stepped back while clearing his throat awkwardly. That''s when Kang Gam-Chan subtly joined the conversation. "Mr. Choi. Now that it''se to this, shouldn''t we at least meet with PD Oh as well?" Kim Gyuk-Shik reluctantly nodded. "Fine...I''ll call her in." Kim Gyuk-Shik made a call. However, a sharp voice could be heard from the other end of the line, causing him to lose his temper. "Ah, why are you bringing that up now? Juste to the President''s office quickly! What? You can''te? Hey! You stubborn fool! Don''t you know that Miss Jung Yoo-Jin and Ms. Lee are here to see your glorious face!?" After hanging up, Kim Gyuk-Shik cleared his throat repeatedly. "That temper of hers...ahem." A momentter, the door to the president''s office opened. "Ugh, why did you call me? Weren''t you the one who told me to get lost? You said that someone like me wasn''t needed in the drama department!" As soon as Oh Bok-Hee sat down, she grumbled curtly. With her short hair and horn-rimmed sses, her first impression was more like a writer than a PD. Oh Bok-Hee greeted us as well. "Hello, I''m Oh Bok-Hee." She bowed slightly and spoke to Lee Ji-Yeon with whom she was familiar. "Ms. Lee, it''s been a while. How have you been?" Lee Ji-Yeon smiled. "Nothing much other than missing you since you never keep in touch." Oh Bok-Hee shrugged. "I couldn''t reach out because I didn''t want to bother a star writer like you. Please understand. Anyway, I''m going to quit thepany soon." Lee Ji-Yeon''s eyes widened. "You''re quitting thepany?" "Yes. I can''t take it anymore. They keep telling me to make everything half-heartedly, but how can you make a drama half-heartedly? I''ll just go independent." Shocked by Oh Bok-Hee''s sudden deration, Kim Gyuk-Shik eximed in surprise. "What are you saying now right? They want to entrust you with the directing! Writer Han and Miss Yoo-Jin are here to see you!" Oh Bok-Hee simply replied nonchntly. "So what? If another problem arises, you''ll just tell me to leave again. Anyway, I came to give you this. Here, Mr. Choi." Oh Bok-Hee handed over a white envelope she had brought with her. Scribbled messily on the envelope were the words "Resignation Letter." Choi Sang-Byung looked at the resignation letter in disbelief. "What do you think you''re doing?" "Can''t you see? It''s a resignation letter. I even wrote it out neatly!" "This is neat writing?" The sloppy handwriting resembled ancient hieroglyphs. Oh Bok-Hee''s face turned red as she shouted. "That''s right! I''m terrible at writing! So what!" Her actions and words were sharp as if she had a lot pent up inside. Choi Sang-Byung and Kim Gyuk-Shik''s expressions darkened as they felt their dignity waspromised in front of the guests. ''This isn''t good,'' I thought. Sensing the situation taking a strange turn, I quickly intervened in the conversation. "We would really like you to take on Ms. Han''s debut project, Mrs. Oh." Oh Bok-Hee turned her head toward me. "So you''re the famous Team Lead Jung, huh? I''m sorry, but I''m nning to quit thepany. Please find another director, Mr. Jung. There are plenty of good PDs at MBS besides me." Oh Bok-Hee shook her head and showed no hesitation. I frowned. ''This is troublesome...'' I did not recall Oh Bok-Hee being this edgy in my past life. She was several times more sensitive now than usual probably because she was about to resign. This was likely the result of MBS''s higher-ups having one-sidedly taken the star actor Choi Tae-Woong''s side and ming everything on Oh Bok-Hee in thest incident. In the end, I had no choice but to y a different card. "Then could you at least review Ms. Han''s synopsis and script? We have up to episode three, written coboratively by Ms. Han, Ms. Lee, and Ms. Kim." Han Woo-Ju wrote the first episode of Hwaranjeon. However, the second and third episodes were mostlypleted by Lee Ji-Yeon and Kim Soll-Ip based on the synopsis written by Han Woo-Ju. I mentioned this to tempt Oh Bok-Hee. Given her passion for dramas, there was no way she would refuse a script co-authored by Writers Lee Ji-Yeon and Kim Soll-Ip. Oh Bok-Hee hesitated and cleared her throat. "Ahem. Fine. Then I''ll just take a quick look. But I''m not doing this because I want to make a drama. You know that, right?" "Of course. You can just take a look and give us your feedback." Fearing she might change her mind, I quickly handed her the tablet. "You can start with the synopsis and then check out the scripts up to episode three." Oh Bok-Hee took the tablet and began reading the script slowly. Her initially sullen face gradually showed signs of interest as she turned the pages. After quickly finishing the script, she immediately approached Han Woo-Ju sitting on the sofa. Oh Bok-Hee spoke as if nothing had happened with a bright smile on her face. "Ms. Han, did you really write this? It''s too polished and entertaining for a beginner writer. Oh, wait, you wrote Under the Big Tree, didn''t you? I''m sorry, my bad." Han Woo-Ju beamed at the sudden change in Oh Bok-Hee''s attitude. "Mrs. Oh, do you really think my script is good?" "Yes. Especially how each character is vividly alive, it''s really something... I would really...really like to make... Oh, what am I saying?" Oh Bok-Hee mumbled to herself, tapping her lips and saying it was a slip of the tongue. I expected this reaction knowing her passion for dramas. After conversing briefly, Han Woo-Ju nodded firmly. "I would also like Mrs. Oh to direct my work!" Oh Bok-Hee nced toward Choi Sang-Byung and said, "I really want to, but I don''t think I can because I''ve been cklisted by the higher-ups..." The moment Oh Bok-Hee expressed her desire to make the drama, Choi Sang-Byung and Kim Gyuk-Shikid out their conditions. "Alright, PD Oh. We''ll lift the suspension immediately, so take charge of directing this drama right away!" "Alright!" "But we''ll choose the CP. Is that okay with you?" Oh Bok-Hee squinted her eyes. "Who are you nning to put in charge?" "Jin Hyung-Soo!" Oh Bok-Hee''s face twisted. "But Mr. Jin knows nothing about historical dramas! And historical dramas require a lot of money¡ªwhy would you put Mr. Jin in charge?" Jin Hyung-Soo, mostly known for directing daily dramas, was nicknamed the "Cheap CP" within the broadcasting station. Unlike daily dramas, saving on production costs doesn''t necessarily lead to good results for Wednesday-Thursday dramas. In my past life, all MBS dramas suffered dismal ratings for a while when Jin Hyung-Soo became the head of the drama department. However, that was a future only I knew. ''How do I persuade them?'' I wondered. The thought briefly crossed my mind, but I soon shook my head. After all, this wasn''t the only broadcasting station around. I pondered, ''If PD Oh goes independent, should I try to persuade another productionpany to make it?'' At that moment, proposals for Hwaranjeon started flooding in via KkTalk messages. ''What perfect timing.'' Now that I had several negotiation cards in hand, there was no need to y along. Meanwhile, Choi Sang-Byung continued to argue that he could notpromise on keeping Jin Hyung-Soo. Eventually, Oh Bok-Hee grew tired and raised her hands in surrender. "Fine, then I''ll just give up. I can''t work with Mr. Jin. It''s a shame, but please just ept my resignation." Choi Sang-Byung''s face twisted in frustration. "Hey! Are you trying to mess with me? You''re doing this on purpose, right? Aren''t you?" "I''d rather submit my resignation rather than make a project that will tarnish my name!" Choi Sang-Byung stared intently at Oh Bok-Hee, then shifted his gaze to me. "Team Lead Jung. If you absolutely have to work with PD Oh, then consider my offer off the table!" He was telling me to choose between a drama that already had a broadcast slot and Oh Bok-Hee. The eyes of Kang Gam-Chan, Yoo-Jin, and the writers all turned toward me. Seeing their trusting gazes filled me with newfound confidence. ''Alright, time to move on to n Bm,'' I decided. I immediately handed Choi Sang-Byung the KkTalk messages I received. "What''s this?" Choi Sang-Byung asked. "I''d like you to take a look at it, sir." With a frown, Choi Sang-Byung began reading the KkTalk messages I had received. "Jung Yoo-Jin''s fee is 107 million won. Total production cost of 20 billion won? What''s this now?" When Choi Sang-Byung saw the proposal sent by Blue Dragon''s Chief Cha Soo-Yeon, his face started to show signs of bewilderment. However, that wasn''t the end of the KkTalk messages I received. "And if you look at the messages from KBC and SBC CPs below that...." I continued. [KBC CP Yang Joon-Soo: Jung Yoo-Jin''s fee is 105 million won. Same conditions as MBS with a total production cost of 15 billion won. But you know we have our own set, right? Realistically, that saves us 7 billionpared to other stations.] [SBC CP Jung Sam-Ryong: Team Lead Jung! We''ll definitely pay more for Jung Yoo-Jin''s fee than MBS and KBC! Juste over and let''s talk! The President insists on meeting you!] Even KBC and SBC were requesting meetings. Choi Sang-Byung looked back and forth between my phone and my face. Meeting his gaze directly, I responded. "I wanted to make this work at MBS if possible... but I understand. I''ll consider MBS''s offer as off the table. We''ll take our leave now." Just as I lifted myself off the sofa, Choi Sang-Byung shouted urgently. "Team Lead Jung! Wait! Stop! Freeze! I''ll offer 110 million won for the appearance fee! I''ll meet all your conditions on top of that!" In his desperation, Choi Sang-Byung called out terms that surpassed all the offers I had received. Chapter 311: Oh Bok-Hee (3)

Chapter 311: Oh Bok-Hee (3)

The moment they realized MBS wasn''t the only option, the power shifted to our side. "Team Lead Jung! We''ll let PD Oh choose the CP she wants! And for Writer Han, we''ll offer 30 million won per episode given her experience with Under the Big Tree! Deal? This is the best offer. You know that, right?" A series of truly extraordinary proposals were pouring in. "Mr. Choi, then how much will you provide per episode for the production cost?" I asked. "I''ll raise it by 50 million per episode, making it 350 million! How''s that?" "Thank you so much. However, I''d like to revise the script fee contract." If the writer''s fee was 30 million won per episode, that would be 1.5 billion won for 50 episodes. However, what I wanted was an incentive contract. In my past life, Hwaranjeon included a 2% guarantee use on additional revenue and overseas rights, earning over 1 billion won. "What''s wrong with the script fee? It''s already the best deal!" Choi Sang-Byung eximed. "Yes, I know. But I''m not asking to raise the fee." "Then what is it?" "I''d like to reduce the per-episode fee in exchange for including incentive conditions in the contract." "Incentives?" "Yes. Depending on the percentage you offer, I''m willing to cut the fee by up to 10 million won per episode." After briefly calcting, Choi Sang-Byung eximed, "1%!" I immediately shook my head. "Please offer 3%!" "1.5%!" "Please offer 3%!" "2%! No more!" "Please offer 3%!" "What? Look at this guy!" "Please offer 3%!" I said insistently. "You... if you''re going to keep insisting on 3%, then shut your mouth," Choi Sang-Byung replied curtly. "..." "What, don''t actually shut your mouth! Are you trying to pick a fight with me?" the surprised Choi Sang-Byung retorted. "..." "Young man, why are you being so stubborn? Let''s bothpromise and agree at 2%!" I shook my head and held up three fingers. In moments like this, not retreating was the answer. "So you''re saying it''s 3% or nothing? Speak up!" "You said you''d meet all our conditions, didn''t you?" Choi Sang-Byung let out a long sigh. "Man, I''ve never experienced a negotiation like this in my life. Fine, 3%! But we''ll lower the per-episode fee to 20 million won. Deal?" "Deal!" As soon as the negotiation ended, Choi Sang-Byung trembled. Although he was the one who initially proposed the drama production, he couldn''t believe the situation had turned against him. Everything was falling into ce just as I wanted, from Yoo-Jin''s poprity, the buzz from thewsuit involving Writers Han Woo-Ju and Yoo Sun-Jung, In the Name of God surpassing 30% viewership ratings, and now, to otherworks showing interest in Hwaranjeon. At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan smiled with satisfaction."Shall we draft the contract then?" Choi Sang-Byung let out a deep sigh. "If we don''t get this signed quickly, who knows what else might happen. Let''s sign it right away, Team Lead Jung." With a look of utter defeat, Choi Sang-Byung contacted the legal team. While waiting for the contract, Choi Sang-Byung asked me, "Team Lead Jung! Were you really nning to go elsewhere? You weren''t, were you?" I grinned and gave a vague response. The truth was, I wasn''t really considering going anywhere else if I could help it since MBS was the first to make an offer. Meeting other partners and negotiating contract terms from scratch would have been a real headache. In any case, my first showdown with MBS, the leader among the three major broadcastingworks, ended in aplete victory for me. *** As soon as we stepped out of the president''s office, Oh Bok-Hee acted as if she had never been under any restrictions, and spoke to me with a bright expression. "They don''t say Mr. Jung is doing well for nothing. You were quite something in there." I scratched my head and smiled awkwardly. She continued, "Thanks to you, my suspension was lifted. Let me know if there''s anything I can do for you." "There''s nothing much I want other than the roles that Mr. Choi promised," I replied. "Is that really all? You''re not nning to interfere with the project?" "Yes, that''s really all. And how could a talent agent be involved in directing?" "Wow, you are amazing." Oh Bok-Hee stared at me for a moment and turned to Lee Ji-Yeon. "Ms. Lee, what''s Team Lead Jung''s real identity? Is he the son of a chaebol or something? Or maybe the sponsor of this drama?" "Can''t you tell? He''s just a talent agent." Oh Bok-Hee looked incredulous. "No way! You''re telling me a mere talent agent can push the broadcasting president and department head around?" Lee Ji-Yeon chuckled yfully. "You''ll find out more about him gradually. But one thing''s for sure¡ªSoll-Ip, Writer Han, and I came here because of Yoon-Ho." "So you''re saying that you won''t let me off easily if I get on Mr. Jung''s bad side, right?" Lee Ji-Yeon smirked. "Yoon-Ho wouldn''t do anything to get on your bad side in the first ce." Oh Bok-Hee turned back to me. "We''ll be seeing each other often, so we''ll get to know each other gradually. But just so you know, I don''t make dramas half-heartedly. The schedule will be tight and the talent agents will be screaming because of the timetable. Are you okay with that?" "As long as you deliver good viewership ratings." Then Yoo-Jin beside me also spoke up. "Mrs. Oh! I''ll do my best too." Oh Bok-Hee nodded. "Perfect. I''ll ask CP Ryu Han-Joon to be in charge. If you have anyints, say so now." CP Ryu Han-Joon had 20 years of experience but wasn''t able to be promoted to department head. In my past life, he left MBS with Oh Bok-Hee and helped create Hwaranjeon. I smiled. "Please proceed as you see fit, Mrs. Oh." "I''m already starting to like you." Oh Bok-Hee looked at Han Woo-Ju with satisfaction. "Ms. Han, when will the script be finished?" Han Woo-Ju grabbed her phone. "I''m not sure exactly, but I''ve written up to episode five so far." "Could you give me the finished parts so I can start nning the direction?" When Han Woo-Ju sent the script via KkTalk, Oh Bok-Hee read through it while standing. "The further it goes, the more interesting it gets. I''ll bring all the best staff within thepany. Just trust me!" "I''m counting on you." We then nned to set a new casting schedule once around ten episodes of the script werepleted. "Alright, let''s do that." Thus, the grand project with a budget of 17 billion won took its first step, all centered around rookie writer Han Woo-Ju and drama enthusiast Oh Bok-Hee. *** As soon as we got home, Yoo-Jin made an expression like she was in a dream. "Oppa, is it true that my fee is 110 million won per episode?" Yoo-Jin kept asking the same question, seemingly unable to believe it. "Of course. When you get the contractter,minate it like Miso did," I teased her. Yoo-Jin stuck her tongue out yfully. "Heh, I really should." Yoo-Jin couldn''t believe how much her life had changed since her days of working part-time at Burger Queen. I had traveled back in timest December and it was August now, so it hadn''t even been a full year since her life turned around. Whenever the TV was on, Yoo-Jin''s face appeared everywhere and her cutouts were disyed on the streets. Burger Queen was even nning tounch a Yoo-Jin burger and a Miso burger soon. Looking at the dreamy-faced Yoo-Jin, I asked, "But isn''t it tiring for you?" "What is?" "You have to start filming the next drama right after this one ends." Yoo-Jin shook her head. "It was much worse before. I''m working less and earning way more than I used to, so what''s hard about that? I''d say I''m blessed, don''t you think?" Hearing her happy response made me feel that all my efforts hadn''t been in vain. "Then how about we order something to celebrate tonight? Or should we go eat some Hanwoo beef?" "Really?" "Sure. Name anything. It''s on me!" Yoo-Jin smiled and replied, "Then special pork stew with rice and a te of blood sausage!" "Huh? Just that?" "What''s wrong with pork stew with rice? Plus, Miso loves it so much." Even though she had signed a multi-billion won contract, she was content with just pork stew and blood sausage as a celebratory meal. She may have be an S-ss celebrity, but her desires hadn''t changed much. At that moment, the door on the second floor opened and Miso came in, holding hands with Jung In-Ji. "Mom~~ I''m home~!!" She was dressed like a little chick with a yellow hat and yellow backpack. Then, she saw me. "Oh? Uncle Yoon-Ho''s here too? I''m home~!" Watching Miso bow, Yoo-Jin eximed, "Miso, how about pork stew with rice for dinner? Uncle Yoon-Ho is buying! Oh, and blood sausage too!!" Miso shouted with joy. "Then I want liver and lungs too!!" At that moment, Iughed even more than when we secured the multi-billion won contract. *** The news that we had signed a contract with MBS for Hwaranjeon left Team Jung''s members in a daze in Hoop Entertainment''s meeting room. Lee Yung-Jin swallowed nervously and asked, "Mr. Jung. Miss Yoo-Jin''s fee alone is 5.5 billion won, right?" "That''s right." A brief silence followed. The pride of finally having an S-ss actor filled Team Jung with confidence. "Wow, is this for real?" "This is amazing~!" "No way! 5.5 billion won for just one drama?" Lee Yung-Jin and the others hugged each other in excitement. "1 billion won wille in as an advance next month and the rest will be paid in installments. We''ll see an additional 2 billion won in revenue from her appearances this year alone." "At this rate, we might exceed 10 billion won this year from actors and singersbined!" As of now, our sales through September had reached around 5.7 billion won from both actor and singer divisions. With Haru, Lee Tae-Poong, Han Woo-Ju, and Cherry Blossom, we were well on track to hit the 10 billion mark. "Alright. Everyone, calm down. Ms. Eun, how''s Ha-Na''s preparations going?" Kang Ha-Na was going to debut on a terrestrial music show next week. Today was the day her track would be uploaded to the music charts in preparation. "Is there any issue with the update preparations?" "No, we''ll upload the track on the Mng site at noon today." "Got it. And when is Eve One registering their track?" This week, Global Produce 47 aired itsst episode and the project girl group Eve One was formed with the top 11 ranked members. Eve One was also set to appear on music shows next week. "I heard they''re registering their track tomorrow." "Understood. Oh, and make sure to remind them to carry out some publicity during Ha-Na''s live broadcastter." "Sure, will do." After checking Kang Ha-Na''s schedule, I inquired about the face meeting to decide her music show appearance slots for next week. "When are the face meetings with SBC, KBC, and MBS?" "They''re scheduled about two hours from now. Ran-Hee is on standby at KBC in case of any unexpected issues." "Alright. I''ll join after the team leads'' meeting." "Yes, Mr. Jung." "Okay, that concludes our meeting. I''ll be off to the team leads'' meeting then." "Okay! Have a good meeting!" After wrapping up Team Jung''s meeting, I headed to the meeting room on the sixth floor. Inside, I could see Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung deep in conversation. ''Just wait a little longer...'' I remarked inwardly. Both of them were henchmen of Choi Man-Sik. Just as Choi Eun-Tae had advised me to be patient, I had to keep my emotions in check until Choi Man-Sik was dealt with. Even though Kang Eun-Gi had almost died, I sat down as if I knew nothing. At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung''s gazesnded on me. I hid my true feelings and offered them a slight nod. They flinched, but reluctantly nodded back. Just then, Kang Gam-Chan walked in and the meeting began. "Alright. Everyone''s here, so let''s get started." The meeting kicked off with reports from each division and updates from the team leads. Next came the mention of my promotion to Chief. Kang Gam-Chan announced, "Team Lead Jung has kept his promise and secured the Hwaranjeon contract with MBS. Let''s give him a round of apuse!" At Kang Gam-Chan''s words, Gu Seong-Cheol and everyone else pped. I stood up, bowed to the team leads, and waited for what would be said next. "The shareholders agreed with the overall proposal, but they added one condition for the promotion to Chief." "What''s the condition?" "By the end of the year, Team Jung must achieve 10 billion won in sales." The unexpected condition stirred murmurs among the team leads. "That''s pretty tough, isn''t it?" "10 billion won? Isn''t that basically saying they don''t want to promote him?" It was because they were asking for results that far exceeded the usual division sales targets, not just on a team level. At Hoop Entertainment, if a team surpassed 5 billion won in sales and then achieved 5 billion won again the following year, they started discussing promotion to division level. For instance, Kim Dong-Soo, who was originally a team lead in Actor Division 1, was promoted to Chief after achieving 6 billion won in sales for two consecutive years. Subsequently, they also created Actor Division 3. Anyway, reaching 10 billion won was an enormous sales target for a single team. Even those who were dissatisfied about my promotion fell silent. After all, it was as if I was being told to meet the two-year sales criteria within the remaining three months. "Can you do it, Team Lead Jung?" Kang Gam-Chan asked. Kang Gam-Chan''s question was met with my spirited response. "Yes, Sir!" "Good. Let''s aim to create Division 4 by the end of the year." At that moment, the vibration of a KkTalk notification buzzed. I tried to ignore it, but I had to check my phone as the notifications kepting. The message that greeted me was shocking. [Do Ran-Hee: Mr. Jung! We''re in big trouble! It looks like Ha-Na won''t be able to appear on the music show next week!] It was devastating news out of the blue. Chapter 312: Music Show Stage (1)

Chapter 312: Music Show Stage (1)

''Ha-Na can''t perform next week?'' Since we had everything prepared for her music show appearance next week, I quickly messaged Do Ran-Hee on KkTalk to ask what was going on. [Team Lead Jung: What do you mean? Why can''t she appear on the show?] [Do Ran-Hee: It looks like KNET is lobbying the station CPs. I think CK Inc. is also involved.] Even though I was in the middle of a meeting, I informed Kang Gam-Chan that I had an urgent matter to attend to. "Mr. Kang, I need to go to the broadcasting station." "Why the broadcasting station?" "It seems there''s a bit of an issue with the face meeting." When I exined what Do Ran-Hee had said, Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "Alright, go quickly." "Yes, sir." I left the meeting room and headed to KBC, taking Eun Ji-Yoo with me. *** A face meeting referred to meeting directly with the PD a week before a music show to decide the performance order. This meeting consisted of several steps, starting with arge sheet of paper titled [Face Meeting Application] posted in front of the PD''s office. The paper usually went up the night before the face meeting at midnight. Talent agents would arrive early in the morning and write the names of their agencies and artists on the paper, starting from the top. When the PD arrived in the morning, they would take the paper down to review and then notify the talent agents of the meeting order and times. Since about 70 to 80 teams applied in a single day, securing an early slot was crucial. It was not umon for schedules to be set from earlier slots, leaving those withter slots unable to even have their meeting. For Hoop Entertainment, Do Ran-Hee had been running around to KBC, SBC, and MBS stations since 3 a.m., securing slots 18, 32, and 68 respectively. But even before the meetings began, Do Ran-Hee heard from a familiar AD that Kang Ha-Na might not be able to perform next week. Eun Ji-Yoo and I reached KBC within 30 minutes and headed straight to the seventh floor where the face meetings were taking ce. Upon arriving, we found talent agents from other entertainmentpanies gathered and chatting noisily. "Eve One is debuting right after the finals? Lucky them!" "And what about Hoop Entertainment''s Kang Ha-Na? We''re making aeback after a year and a half, but what if we getpletely overshadowed? It''s driving me crazy." "But you know...I heard Kang Ha-Na won''t be appearing this time." "Why?" "I heard KNET and CK Inc. pulled some strings to make Eve One take first ce." "Makes sense. Considering the lineup next week, Kang Ha-Na is definitely the biggest threat. She''s got a million subscribers on her MeTube channel alone." "Right. So it seems like KNET is working hard to push outpetitors, lobbying CPs at the stations and even pressuring them with ads from CK Group." "Kang Ha-Na really stepped on some crap this time." "But if Kang Ha-Na''s out, maybe our Kiwi Girls can grab a spot~?" "Don''t be ridiculous. If there''s an open slot, it''s going to our Tank Boy!" What Do Ran-Hee had told me was now spreading among the talent agents. Indeed, there was no such thing as a secret in the world of broadcasting. Once a talent agent found out about something, it wouldn''t take long for every other talent agent to find out. Nheless the talent agents quickly fell silent as soon as I appeared. Hiding my burning frustration, I greeted them and made my way to the break room where Do Ran-Hee was waiting. Inside the break room, Do Ran-Hee, who hadn''t slept all night, was leaning against the sofa with red-rimmed eyes. "Ran-Hee." "Oh? Mr. Jung!" Do Ran-Hee jumped up and ran toward me. With her bloodshot eyes wide open, Do Ran-Hee approached me looking like a crazed zombie ready to bite. When I took a step back, she stopped right in front of me. "Why are you backing away?" Do Ran-Hee asked. ''Because I don''t want to get bitten,'' I remarked inwardly. Anyone would step back if someone with bloodshot eyes lunged at them like that. However, I yed it cool and asked about the current situation. "Anyway, have you heard anything more about Ha-Na''s performance being postponed?" "All I know is that KNET and CK Inc. are pulling some strings." For a moment, I considered calling the president. However, I quickly dismissed the idea. After all, this wasn''t something I could just call a broadcastingpany''s president about. If I wanted to make that call, I needed something to bargain with first. "Just take a break for now. I''ll go into the face meeting with Ms. Eun and see what''s going on." After calming Do Ran-Hee down, I chatted with a few friendly talent agents to gather more information alongside Eun Ji-Yoo. However, there wasn''t much to learn aside from the news that KBC was pouring a lot of money into staging Eve One''s debut. A momentter, Yang Jong-Woo, the talent agent from TNT Entertainment who had just finished his face meeting, pointed toward the PD''s office. "Team Lead Jung, you''re up!" I opened the door to room 702 where PD Cha Tae-Hee was pushing aside the CDs and promotional booklets left by previous talent agents with a sigh. Next to her was CP Kim Yung-Gook who oversaw KBC''s music shows. It was rare for a CP to attend face meetings, and the whole thing gave me a bad feeling. Cha Tae-Hee pointed to a chair. "Mr. Jung, please have a seat." "Yes, ma''am." After greeting the two, I proceeded with the usual introduction of Kang Ha-Na''s profile, the concept of her new song, and handed over the CD. That''s when Kim Yung-Gook reacted immediately, just as I had expected. "Team Lead Jung, how about dying Kang Ha-Na''s performance by two to three weeks? There are just too many groups scheduled for this week, so it''d be best if you could yield this time." The only silver lining was that it wasn''t a cancetion but a postponement. However, there wasn''t much difference from my perspective. Everything had been prepared for Ha-Na''s stage next week and everything would fall apart if it were dyed by two weeks. I was dumbfounded and challenged Kim Yung-Gook, "Mr. Kim! How can you suddenly ask us to dy her debut? Ms. Cha promised a great debut stage for her!" Kim Yung-Gook leaned back in his chair with a smug look. "It''s not like we signed a contract or anything, so what promise are you talking about? Besides, I heard Ha-Na makes good money on MeTube¡ªwhat''s the point of performing on public TV where there''s no money?" Kim Yung-Gook was tantly hostile. Aside from KNET''s lobbying, it seemed he was also upset that Ha-Na didn''t debut on their music show first. "There seems to be some misunderstanding here. Ha-Na was just anxious after failing on Global Produce 47, so we only tested the waters with MeTube," I exined. I did my best to exin by mixing truth and lies, but Kim Yung-Gook''s response remained cold. "You opened up way too big for that reason, didn''t you? Jung Yoo-Jin even advertised it on her Instargem and you''ve been preparing for broadcasts every day!" Kim Yung-Gook retorted. "We were just doing our best, sir." "Come on, let''s be honest. I saw yesterday''s broadcast and you''ve set up the studio just like a radio show! You might as well keep going there instead." Kim Yung-Gook clearly had a grudge against those using tforms like MeTube, because the growing influence of MeTube channels was diminishing the power of broadcasting stations. As Kim Yung-Gook raised his voice, Cha Tae-Hee frowned. At that moment, Kim Yung-Gook cleared his throat, saying he understood. "Anyway, I came here myself because PD Cha owes you a favor and couldn''t refuse. So let''s leave it at that and meet in two weeks." Power struggles in broadcasting have always existed, but I felt a surge of anger having not experienced this sort of treatment recently. I considered fighting back but held my temper. If I lost it here, they might cancel Ha-Na''s performance altogether. "What are you doing? Aren''t you leaving? The nextpanies are waiting for their meetings," Kim Yung-Gookined. An abrupt dismissal was one of the powers that music show CPs wielded. In my past life, when I was at Top Entertainment, I could push back against the broadcasting stations with numerous artists under us. Unfortunately, things were different now. Golden Road had disappeared without a trace and Cherry Blossom was on hiatus, leaving no leverage for negotiations. For now, I had no choice but to step back. "Oh. And on your way out, ask Chief Lee Chan-Dong from Ace Entertainment toe in," Kim Yung-Gook added. Perhaps due to his loud voice, the door suddenly swung open and Lee Chan-Dong walked in. "Ah! Mr. Kim, it''s been a while!" Lee Chan-Dong walked in with a big smile and Kim Yung-Gook grinned broadly. "How long has it been? We should meet more often." "From tomorrow, I''ll make sure to visit you every day. Also, let''s grab dinner tonight. I''ve found a great restaurant." "Ha ha ha. You''re something else, really." As the two started chatting warmly, Eun Ji-Yoo and I gave a slight bow and left the room. Cha Tae-Hee, who had been looking apologetic, raised her hand and gestured as if to make a call. She probably meant to discuss this matterter, but there wasn''t much she could do in this situation anyway. With the CP being so tantly involved, there was nothing she could do as a PD. *** After finishing the face meeting, I headed down to the parking lot to go to SBC. At that moment, the fuming Do Ran-Hee finished a call and approached me. "Mr. Jung. I''ve checked again, and it''s the same with SBC and MBS...What should we do now?" "What else? We still need to go to the face meetings." It was frustrating and infuriating, but we had to attend the face meetings at the other stations first. If we didn''t attend, they''d use it as an excuse to exclude us more easily. We attended the face meeting at SBC, but it was the same story. SBC''s Popr Music PD Baek Jang-Ho at least apologized and made his request in a more considerate manner, but the result was still a two-week dy. It felt as though the broadcasting stations had coordinated their stance, all pushing for a two-week postponement. That''s when Do Ran-Hee, who hadn''t slept since early morning, finally snapped. "Mr. Jung! I''ll just go online and expose everything that happened today and go down in a ze of glory!" With herbored breathing and a hint of madness in her eyes, Do Ran-Hee was on the verge of breaking down. "Are you nning to die alone? The broadcasting stations won''t even bat an eye," I replied. "Then what? Are we just going to sit here and take it?" I shook my head. "No. If the CPs are the ones acting out, we need to meet with their higher-ups and put them in their ce." At that moment, Do Ran-Hee opened the door and started to get out. "Where are you going?" I asked. "Aren''t we going to see the department head? Or is it the president?" Do Ran-Hee responded. "No, not the higher-ups here. We''re going to meet the MBS department head first." We needed to attend the MBS'' face meeting anyway, and I had a useful card to y with the MBS department head. *** On the way to MBS, I made several calls to get a clearer picture of the situation. It turned out that the CPs from the three major broadcasting stations were colluding: They were pushing for Eve One by agreeing to dy Kang Ha-Na''s broadcast appearance by two weeks. The official reason was pressure from CK Inc. and KNET, their advertisers. However, the real reason was that they were unhappy with Kang Ha-Na debuting on MeTube first. For the ridiculous reason that appearing on MeTube was seen as disrespecting the broadcasters, they were trying to manipte Kang Ha-Na''s broadcast schedule. With a clear understanding of the situation, I resolved to give the CPs a taste of their own medicine. I decided to start with MBS, which had the most vulnerabilities. If I could deal with MBS first, the rest¡ªSBC and KBC¡ªwould likely fall into ce. Once the collusion fell apart, the stations would quickly shift to fiercepetition. As soon as I arrived at the MBS parking lot, I checked my nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: October 10, 2020] -07:00 p.m.: CP Bang Sang-Oh of MBS moves to KNET. (Note: Sensitive personality. Choose gifts carefully.) Currently, Bang Sang-Oh, CP of MBS'' Show! Music Center was preparing to transfer to the music-specialized channel KNET. And there was one more thing. Around this time, MBS''s Entertainment Department Head Jang Byung-Hoon was also nning to move to TVM. For this reason, I decided to target these two first. I also briefed Kang Ji-Yung on the situation over the phone, just in case. -Just make it happen no matter what! Leave the rest to me. Feeling reassured by Kang Ji-Yung''s response, I got out of the car confidently. Before meeting the higher-ups, I headed to the twelfth floor for the final face meeting at MBS. But this time, I was met with the news that the face meeting had already ended. Disappointed talent agents grumbled as they came out of the elevator. "So are we just Eve One''s sidekicks now? Looks like Chul-Min hyung''s long-awaitedeback stage might get ruined at this rate." "Seriously, how can we live without the backing of a major agency?" "Hey, at least you got a stage. What about me? I didn''t even get to see the PD''s face¡ªwhat am I supposed to tell Jini?" The talent agents who hade for the face meetingined as they disappeared one by one. With the face meeting also ending in failure, I took a deep breath. Now, I had no choice but to y hardball myself. ''Let''s see how this goes.'' After taking another deep breath once again, I immediately called MBS'' Entertainment Department Head Jang Byung-Hoon. Unaware of the situation, Jang Byung-Hoon answered the call with a cheerful voice. -Hey~ Team Lead Jung! What''s the asion? Does Yoo-Jin want to appear on a variety show? Although he was set to move to TVM soon, Jang Byung-Hoon wasn''t one to ck off on his current duties even for a day. Because of that, he had been encouraging Yoo-Jin to appear on MBS variety shows. "It''s not about that. But can I have a quick meeting with you?" -What''s with the serious tone? What''s going on? "It''s nothing major...but I just thought of giving you a gift for your new job." The moment I mentioned his transfer, Jang Byung-Hoon''s voice turned urgent. -Team Lead Jung, where are you right now? "I''m on the twelfth floor." -I-Is that right? Come up to my office immediately! His transfer was still top secret. Hearing about it from an outsider like me must have been quite a shock to him. I agreed and ended the call. Then I turned to Eun Ji-Yoo and Do Ran-Hee beside me. "Let''s start by taking down MBS." ''Broadcast station''s power trip? I''ll show them what a talent agent''s power y looks like.'' Chapter 313: Music Show Stage (2)

Chapter 313: Music Show Stage (2)

At the MBS Entertainment Department Head''s office, Jang Byung-Hoon red at me and Eun Ji-Yoo with fierce eyes. "Where did you hear about my transfer?" I gave a vague reply. "There are ways to find out." "What ways!" "I can''t tell you." "You''ve got to be kidding me!" "I''ll keep my mouth shut. But in return, I need you to do me a favor." Jang Byung-Hoon couldn''t contain his anger and snapped at me. "Hah, you''ve got some guts! You''re trying to make a deal with me even in a situation like this?" "Mr. Jang, I believe there''s no better gift for your transfer than me keeping this information under wraps. Don''t you agree?" Jang Byung-Hoon''s expression shifted as he stared at me. His ongoing negotiations for the TVM transfer could be ruined if this information was leaked. I continued, "I''m not an unreasonable person. If you grant my request, I''ll get you an additional gift you won''t be disappointed with." "Trying to bribe and coax me, huh? Do I look like a pushover to you?" Jang Byung-Hoon retorted. "Mr. Jang, would I be doing this if I wasn''t desperate?" Jang Byung-Hoon looked me straight in the eyes. "It seems like something is going on." After a brief moment of thought, Jang Byung-Hoon asked, "Is that gift you''re talking about a promise to have Yoo-Jin appear on a show at the station I''m transferring to?" "With you moving, I should at least show that much sincerity. Shouldn''t I?" At that moment, the anger on Jang Byung-Hoon''s face eased a little. Yoo-Jin, the hottest actress these days, rarely appeared on variety shows. So her appearance alone would generate a lot of buzz. Then, Jang Byung-Hoon turned to Eun Ji-Yoo and asked, "And what about yourpanion here? Can she keep her mouth shut?" Eun Ji-Yoo nodded firmly and kept her lips tightly sealed. Jang Byung-Hoonughed dumbfoundedly in disbelief. "They say there are no secrets in this world and they were right. Alright, tell me what you want." "I apologize for my urgency and the rudeness." "Forget that. Just get to the point." "I want Kang Ha-Na''s music show debut stage next week to be restored to the original schedule." Jang Byung-Hoon tilted his head in confusion. "Kang Ha-Na? The MeTube singer with a million subscribers? Why? Was she supposed to be on our music show next week?" "She was scheduled to, but it got suddenly canceled." After I exined the current situation, Jang Byung-Hoon scratched his head in frustration. "That Music Center''s CP Bang... That guy''s aplete jerk and he won''t listen to me..." At that moment, I brought up Bang Sang-Oh''s situation. "By the way, I heard a rumor that Mr. Bang is also moving to KNET." Jang Byung-Hoon''s eyes gleamed instantly. After all, Jang Byung-Hoon and Bang Sang-Oh were known for constantly shing, almost like sworn enemies. "Is that information certain?" Jang Byung-Hoon asked. "Yes." As I nodded, a meaningful smile spread across Jang Byung-Hoon''s face. "That bastard. He must''ve taken bribes to get in KNET''s good graces." "..." The moment I silently agreed, Jang Byung-Hoon answered decisively. "Alright. You don''t care about the order, do you?" "No. But I''d appreciate it if you could give us two stages." "Not one, but two?" "We''ve nned a special performance topete against Eve One." After a brief moment of deliberation, Jang Byung-Hoon nodded. "Alright, let''s do that." "Can I get confirmation by today?" "Today? Hah. Just hang around nearby and wait for the PD!" "Yes, Mr. Jang." After saying goodbye to Jang Byung-Hoon, I left the office with Eun Ji-Yoo. *** Less than 20 minutes into our wait in the MBS parking lot, Ju Han-Soo, the director of Music Center, called me. -Team Lead Jung. Ahem, it wasn''t really my intention... you see... Ju Han-Soo exined that it wasn''t his decision but rather orders from Bang Sang-Oh. "So can Ha-Na appear next week?" -Yes. But she''ll be first or second to perform¡ªare you okay with that? The first slot on a music show was typically reserved forplete rookies. It was the least desirable because they had to arrive the earliest and wait the longest. However, I agreed immediately. If we could secure her appearance, there were ways to change the orderter. "Thank you, Mr. Ju." -Alright then, see you next week. As soon as Ju Han-Soo hurriedly ended the call, Do Ran-Hee cheered beside me. "Yay! Mr. Jung, are you going to contact KBC and SBC now?" "No." "Why not?" "What do you mean why not? We''ve been bowing our heads until now, so it''s time for them toe to us. Don''t you think so?" I was confident that SBC and KBC would call me once the news that we secured Ha-Na''s appearance at MBS spread. The broadcasting stations tried to y power games with us. However, it was now my turn. We immediately returned to the office to prepare Kang Ha-Na''s music upload. The songs we nned to upload tonight were Kang Ha-Na''s ''New Beginning'' and ''Soulfire'', the duet with Kim Jong-Hoon. We felt that just ''New Beginning'', which was already known, wouldn''t be enough topete against Eve One''s new song. The music upload was scheduled for midnight. Kang Ha-Na, who usually did live broadcasts until past 11 p.m., ended early tonight and was waiting in the meeting room. "But where''s Jong-Hoon?" I asked. "Oh, it''s because of his jinx." Kim Jong-Hoon, who was a guest on Kang Ha-Na''s live broadcast today, was currently waiting in the basement recording studio for the music chart results. He believed that if he saw the music chart results himself, he would jinx himself and the song wouldn''t rank any higher. "Alright, we''ll go get him once the results are up." A littleter as the clock struck midnight, Eun Ji-Yoo eximed, "It''s uploaded!" Cherry Blossom''s ''Hurry Up!'' previously entered the Mng chart at 15th ce. We all waited anxiously to see how this release would rank. Momentster when the chart rankings appeared on therge LCD screen in the meeting room, Do Ran-Hee shouted loud enough to shake the room. "Mr. Jung! This is amazing! Look at that!" When Kang Ha-Na''s song rankings appeared, everyone began tough in disbelief. "This is crazy...!" [Mng Chart] Third ce Kang Ha-Na ''New Beginning'' (New Entry) Fifth ce Kang Ha-Na & Kim Jong-Hoon ''Soulfire'' (New Entry) ...... "''New Beginning'' debuted in third ce!" "''Soulfire'' is fifth! This is huge!" "So what happens now? Are we fighting for first ce among ourselves?" "Who knows? We''ll find out tomorrow when Eve One''s song is uploaded." Thanks to the publicity efforts via Kang Ha-Na''s MeTube live, ''New Beginning'' debuted at third ce immediately. Moreover, the duet ''Soulfire'' by Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon also entered fifth ce. The influence of Kang Ha-Na, who achieved a million subscribers and a Gold y Button, was clearly showing. Kang Ha-Na blinked at the chart results. "Y-Yoon-Ho oppa. Is this for real?" "Yep. You''re in third and fifth ces." Kang Ha-Na''s face lit up with a dreamy and ecstatic expression. At that moment, Do Ran-Hee hugged Kang Ha-Na tightly. "Ha-Na! Congrattions!" "T-Thank you, Ran-Hee." The two friends hugged each other tightly and celebrated the moment. Shortly after, the chart rankings were updated again. [Mng Chart] First ce: Kang Ha-Na New Beginning (+2) Second ce: Kang Ha-Na & Kim Jong-Hoon Soulfire (+3) ...... "M-Mr. Jung. Could there be some kind of mistake?" Just ten minutes after entering the charts, Kang Ha-Na''s song had already climbed to first ce. Still in disbelief, Kim Mi-Hye from the promotion division pulled up thements on the songs on the LCD screen. (Comments) -OMG. Why does ''New Beginning'' sound so much better? Did her singing style change? -I''m addicted! Can someone make an hour-long version of this song? -A duet with Kim Jong-Hoon! Ha-Na is really hitting the big leagues now! -Listening to ''Soulfire'' at this hour is giving me chills. -Kim Jong-Hoon''s singing style seems to have changed a lot too. I never liked his voice before, but this time, it''s really good. The songs were great, but thements pouring in were all focused on praising the improved singing styles. Our team members kept giving thumbs up to Seo Yeon-Woo, our vocal trainer, who scratched his head shyly. Amidst the lively atmosphere, the meeting room door opened halfway and Kim Jong-Hoon peeked in. "Yoon-Ho, how did it go?" Although he initially wanted to avoid jinxing the results, his curiosity got the better of him. I smiled. "Come in and see for yourself." "No, I told you I would jinx it. Just tell me if it''s good or bad." Kang Ha-Na rushed over and grabbed Kim Jong-Hoon''s arm. "There''s no higher rank left to climb! Come in and see for yourself." Having no higher rank to climb meant first ce. Kim Jong-Hoon stepped into the meeting room and nced at therge LCD screen to confirm the ranking. "Yes! We''re first on the duet song chart!" Kim Jong-Hoon shouted with his powerful voice which filled the room. Then he walked over to Seo Yeon-Woo with an excited expression. After all, he had been receiving vocal training from Seo Yeon-Woo every day. "Mr. Yeon-Woo, my reputation haspletely changed thanks to you. How can I repay you?" Seo Yeon-Woo waved his hand dismissively. "No, no. It''s all because you did so well, Jong-Hoon hyung-nim. I didn''t do much." "There you go again. Well, I''ll prepare a gift myself, then." Kim Jong-Hoon shook Seo Yeon-Woo''s hand energetically, promising a surprise. Still ted, Kim Jong-Hoon turned to me this time. "Yoon-Ho, so we just need to prepare for the MBS stage?" "No, we need to prepare for SBC and KBC as well." "But why? Didn''t they reject us?" "Just wait. They''ll be the ones calling us soon." There was no way the three major broadcasting stations would sit idly after seeing these rankings. With two songs debuting at first and second ces right upon release, they definitely wouldn''t just watch and do nothing. And there was one more thing. "Ran-Hee, how''s the fan pageing along?" "I''m about tounch it." Kang Ha-Na''s fan club ''ONE & Only'' was set to open for registration on an online tform. With just a few clicks, Do Ran-Hee set up the fan page on the portal site. "Mr. Jung, it''s done!" Momentster, membership started skyrocketing as soon as a post about the fan cafe went up on Kang Ha-Na''s Instargem. "Five hundred, six hundred...Mr. Jung! The membership growth is insane!" Do Ran-Hee eximed excitedly. The fan page membership count was increasing by a hundred every second. Do Ran-Hee danced joyfully as she asked, "Mr. Jung, what about thememorative gifts we promised to the fan club members?" "What do you mean? We''ll give them all, of course." Among the general members who joined the fan page, those who deposited 10 thousand won would be upgraded to official fan club members. The fan club gifts were premium goods of the highest quality. Kim Jong-Hoonmented enviously, looking at me. "Ha-Na''s fans are so lucky." "Nope. Don''t even think about it!" I warned him. Kim Jong-Hoon bristled. "What did I even do?" "You were about to say you wanted to join ourpany again." Kim Jong-Hoon pouted. "You''ve got some nerve, reading my mind like that..." At this point, I could tell what he was about to say just by looking at his eyes. However, with President Lee Seo-Joon of SJ Entertainment having sent me another message today warning that he wouldn''t take it lightly if Kim Jong-Hoon left, I absolutely couldn''t allow it. At that moment, the call we had been waiting for finally came in. "Oh, it''s here." [Caller ID: KBC PD Cha Tae-Hee] "Everyone, quiet for a moment!" The staff, who had been excitedly chatting, immediately fell silent. It was time to negotiate with the broadcasting station. When I answered the call, Cha Tae-Hee''s urgent voice came through. -Mr. Jung! C-could I see you right now? It was currently 12:30 a.m. and most office workers were already soundly asleep by now. "You''re asking me toe to the broadcasting station at thiste hour?" I asked. -N-no! I''m actually on my way to yourpany now. I didn''t answer right away. The tides had already turned in our favor, so holding out a bit longer would secure us the best conditions. "Well, it''s reallyte, so I''m not sure it''s possible to meet right now..." Cha Tae-Hee''s voice grew even more desperate. -Mr. Jung, please! We know it''s all our fault, so let''s talk face-to-face! Our CP ising with me too! If Kim Yung-Gook wasing along at this hour, it meant the directive hade from at least the department head level. I figured the broadcasting station must have been thrown into a frenzy upon seeing Ha-Na''s song shoot to number one on the charts. This was my chance to y hard to get. "Well... I''ve already promised MBS an exclusive appearance. I''m sorry, but I don''t think there''s much to discuss even if youe." At that moment, Kim Yung-Gook''s voice erupted from the other end of the line. -What? You''re doing an exclusive debut at MBS? "Yes. After getting turned down by you earlier, I went to MBS and begged, and finally secured a stage under the condition of exclusivity. So it''d be difficult to backtrack now." Kim Yung-Gook responded frantically. -Nothing''s impossible if the conditions are right! We''ll be at yourpany in five minutes, so let''s talk in your office! Please, let''s just discuss this face-to-face, alright? Before I could respond, Kim Yung-Gook abruptly ended the call as he was worried I might refuse again. After hanging up, I turned to my team with a big grin. "KBC''s PD and CP areing in person." The team''s faces lit up instantly. Then, I turned my attention to Do Ran-Hee, who hadn''t slept for 24 hours straight. "Ran-Hee, is this good enough for you?" When I asked if she was satisfied to see the PD and CP this flustered, Do Ran-Heeughed and shook her head. "Hehehe, not yet. When theye, please take me with you. I want to see them apologize right in front of me. Hehe." Do Ran-Hee''s bloodshot eyes were slowly filling up with a hint of madness. I immediately shifted my gaze to Eun Ji-Yoo. "Ms. Eun,e with me instead. I don''t think I can take Ran-Hee¡ªshe might do something crazy." "Should I?" Do Ran-Hee grabbed my arm and eximed urgently. "Oh,e on Mr. Jung! Don''t do this to me, please!" "Alright, alright, just let go! You''re stretching my clothes!" "Yes, sir!" In the end, I decided to take both Eun Ji-Yoo and Do Ran-Hee with me to Lee Dong-Min''s office. Since a CP wasing, at least one chief from our side had to be there. I was determined to get the best conditions possible and make Kang Ha-Na''s stage the best it could be. Chapter 314: Kang Ha-Na VS Eve One (1)

Chapter 314: Kang Ha-Na VS Eve One (1)

As soon as Cha Tae-Hee sat down, she immediately started making excuses. "Honestly, I really wanted to do right by you because of my promise, Team Lead Jung." Since I remained silent, Cha Tae-Hee''s speech grew even more frantic. "But you know CK Inc.¡ªKNET''s parentpany, right? They pressured us and threatened to pull their ads if we didn''t meet their demands. Hey, what''s with the looks? You don''t believe me? I swear it''s true!" Despite Cha Tae-Hee''s endless excuses, I still hadn''t agreed to let Kang Ha-Na perform. After all, there were still more conditions I wanted to secure. As I kept silent, Kim Yung-Gook couldn''t hold back any longer and eximed. "I''m sorry! Team Lead Jung, I was a scoundrel! What do you want me to do? Should I kneel? Look, I''m kneeling! Seriously!" Kim Yung-Gook made a move to kneel, causing a bit of amotion as people tried to stop him. Seeing this got rid of my previous hard feelings slightly. I spoke. "To be honest, I''m willing to amodate you since you both came all the way here and for your reputations. But..." Immediately sensing what I wanted, Cha Tae-Hee quickly cut in."How about double the original stage budget!? We''ll set it up like a real concert, so just please agree to let her perform!" Kim Yung-Gook eagerly chimed in as well. "That''s right, Team Lead Jung! You know our art director studied abroad, right? We''ll make a stage that''s unrivaled by other stations, so let''s just seal the deal." ''That''s what I thought. Since you tried to mess with us, coughing up that much is only fair,'' I remarked inwardly. Even the previously fuming Do Ran-Hee appeared to be almost satisfied with these offers. "Ran-Hee, what do you think?" I asked. Do Ran-Hee smirked and shrugged. ''You''re gonna leave it to me, huh?'' I thought. Just as I was about to respond, I received a call from the entertainment department head of SBC. "One moment, please." I excused myself and answered the call. At that moment, a booming voice immediately came through. -Team Lead Jung! I think our staff made some mistakes today. But let''s just forget it ever happened! "No, I don''t think it''s something that can be brushed off so easily." -What do you mean it''s something you can''t brush off? These things happen on the job, you know! I''m not one for petty negotiations, so I''ll give you exactly what you want for the music show stage. Just tell me whatever else you need and I''ll make it happen! With such a bold offer, I spelled out specific conditions clearly while making sure Kim Yung-Gook and Cha Tae-Hee could hear. As soon as I finished the call, now panicked Kim Yung-Gook began to urge Cha Tae-Hee. "PD Cha! You know what''ll happen if our stage is seen as subpar, right? I''m counting on you!" "O-of course! I''ll make sure our stage doesn''t lose to anyone!" "Okay!" Thanks to thepetition between the three major broadcasting stations, Kang Ha-Na was promised the best debut stages of all time. *** The 11 final winners of Global Produce 47, who had finished their final stagest week, gathered at their 120-square-meter dorm located in Cheongdam-dong after a few days off. As part of KNET, Eve One would be active as a group for the next year and a half under K& Management. After waking up at 7 in the morning, Park Ye-Seul stretched out on therge sofa in the living room and checked her phone. To her surprise, the entertainment news was filled with articles about Kang Ha-Na. [Kang Ha-Na''s ''New Beginning'' Makes a Shocking Chart Debut! #1 on the Mng Chart in Just Ten Minutes!] [Kim Jong-Hoon, Who Suddenly Announced a Hiatus, Makes a Comeback with Duet ''Soulfire'' with Kang Ha-Na!] [Kang Ha-Na''s New Song and Duet Track Simultaneously Top the Mng Chart at #1 and #2! Chart Sweep!] [Kang Ha-Na''s ''New Beginning'' and ''Soulfire'' to Be First Revealed on MBS Show! Music Center] "What the heck! How is Ha-Na unnie''s song number one?" Park Ye-Seul eximed. That''s when Choi So-Yung, who used to be in the samepany as Kang Ha-Na, opened her door and frowned. "Why so grumpy at this early hour? What is it now?" Park Ye-Seul frowned and held out her phone. "Look at this." Soon, the other members of Eve One started waking up and gathering in the living room as well. "What is this? We''re releasing our song today too. Isn''t this going to make things tough for us?" As the members grumbled, Park Ye-Seul, the youngest of the 11-member Eve One, raised her voice. "Unnies, are you seriously going to start whining before we even begin?" Her words were bold and unrestrained, given her personality and the fact that she was currently the most popr out of the rest. The 25-year-old Ye Eun-Woo, the leader of Eve One, agreed with Park Ye-Seul. "Ye-Seul is right. Let''s not get discouraged before we even start, okay?" At that moment, 21-year-old Choi Yeon-Joo, who ranked second in the poprity vote, spoke up. "But we should stay on our toes. Kang Ha-Na''s got a million subscribers backing her and she coborated with Kim Jong-Hoon. If we want to win, we need to pull out all the stops too." Despite Choi Yeon-Joo''s calm words, Park Ye-Seul stomped her feet in frustration. At that moment, Lee Hee-Jin, Eve One''s talent agent and director of K& Management, came out of her room disturbed by the noise. Lee Hee-Jin raised her voice to intentionally dete Eve One''s spirits. "Why are you being so loud this early in the morning?" Instantly, all the Eve One members lowered their gaze. Lee Hee-Jin continued, "If you''ve got the energy to chat since morning, why not use it to practice more? Doesn''t everyone know the first week of debut is the most important? We absolutely have to take first ce on this week''s music shows!" All 11 members of Eve One sped their hands and responded in unison. "Yes, ma''am!" However, despite Lee Hee-Jin''s scolding, Park Ye-Seul had entirely different thoughts running through her mind. ''Ha-Na unnie, just wait and see what would happen during the live broadcast.'' Having trained together during their time at Eyestone Entertainment, Park Ye-Seul knew Kang Ha-Na''s weaknesses better than anyone. Kang Ha-Na was strong during practice but weak in actual performances. Back in their Eyestone days, Park Ye-Seul would rattle Kang Ha-Na''s mental state before monthly evaluations by sticking gum on her clothes or hiding one of her cherished shoes, causing Kang Ha-Na to botch her monthly evaluation stage. Recalling those times, a faint smile crossed Park Ye-Seul''s lips. *** Thanks to a full day of media y, the entertainment news section waspletely filled with articles about Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon. SJ Entertainment had also poured in advertising money for Kim Jong-Hoon''seback. And at 9 p.m., it was time for Eve One''s new song ''FLORIA'' to make its chart debut. With both rankings now avable forparison, everyone stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to the LCD screen. [Mng Chart] First ce: Kang Ha-Na ''''New Beginning'''' Second ce: Kang Ha-Na & Kim Jong-Hoon ''Soulfire'' ...... Fourth ce: Eve One ''FLORIA'' (New Entry) Eve One''s new song debuted at an impressive fourth ce. Under normal circumstances, it would likely climb to first within two to three days. Trying to maintainposure, our team members feigned confidence. "Not bad, huh?" "W-well, Ha-Na is still ranked higher, so it''s fine." "Yeah! There''s nothing to be scared of!" At that moment, the meeting room door burst open, and Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon ran in together. "What ce is Eve One?" "They debuted in fourth ce." Kim Jong-Hoon asked in an impressed voice. "They''re no joke, huh? What about us?" "We''re holding our positions." "Oh, then that''s fine~ I was worried for nothing." Reassured that they were still ahead, Kim Jong-Hoonughed loudly with his confidence soaring. Hisment slightly brightened the previously tense atmosphere. Kang Ha-Na turned to me and asked, "Yoon-Ho oppa, did you get any word from Mr. Lee?" "I was just about to call him." In preparation for the head-to-head battle with Eve One, I had another move ready. For Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon''s first joint performance, our team''s geniusposer Bang Seon-Woo had spent the night rearranging ''Soulfire'' into an oriental-style orchestra version. To elevate the performance of ''Soulfire'' to its peak, we were in the process of casting the Seoul Korean Traditional Orchestra as session musicians. Currently, Lee Dong-Min was meeting with the orchestra''s conductor. I took a deep breath and called Lee Dong-Min. After a few rings, Lee Dong-Min answered the phone. -Oh, Yoon-Ho. The negotiations just wrapped up. "Did you get their approval?" -Yeah. Just as you said, Conductor Kang Ho-Yeon is really open. I was a bit tense thinking a traditional music conductor might be difficult to deal with, but I guess I didn''t have to worry. "I told you, didn''t I? He''s surprisingly positive about coborating with other genres." -He really was. He got really excited and started talking about trying out all kinds of versions like you said. That''s why the discussion got a bit long. As I expected, Conductor Kang Ho-Yeon readily agreed to the proposal. He even suggested trying various versions like daegeum and geomungo arrangements. -And he asked to make sure to have the autographs ready as promised. And the tickets to the music show too! "Don''t worry. I''ve already prepared everything." This sess wasrgely due to the high quality of the song ''Soulfire''. Additionally, the fact that Kang Ho-Yeon''s two daughters were fans of Kim Jong-Hoon also yed a significant role. Knowing this beforehand, I had pushed forward with something everyone said couldn''t be done. -Oh, and he also asked for Ha-Na''s autograph. It turns out that Mr. Kang''s wife is a dedicated subscriber to Ha-Na''s channel!" Thrilled by the good news, I replied enthusiastically, "Yes, sir!" With that, everything was set to ensure Kang Ha-Na would take first ce. Now all that was left was the actual performance. *** It was finally September 12, the day of the MBS music show. As soon as I woke up early in the morning, I checked my phone. [KNET''s Hit The Bottom and Rise Again, Ha-Na! Final Episode Viewership ratings: 10.1%!] [Eve One''s New Song ''FLORIA'' Debuts at Third on Mng Chart!] [Eve One: The Beautiful Rainbow-Colored Charms of 11 Members.] [Kang Ha-Na vs. Eve One: Who Will Win This Week''s Music Show Battle?] Over the past week, Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon had focused on publicizing their songs via their MeTube broadcasts. Yesterday, the final episode of TVM''s reality show Hit the Bottom and Rise Again, Ha-Na! surprisingly took the top spot in its time slot on cable. The showdown between Kang Ha-Na and Eve One was what had captured the spotlight. Eve One had also been fiercely publicizing their song through various variety programs as they were aiming to snag first ce before the music show. However, despite their efforts, Kang Ha-Na''s ''New Beginning'' and the duet ''Soulfire'' retained the first and second spots on the charts. Eve One''s ''FLORIA'' ranked third. It was a close call, but we were still in the lead. ''Judging by the articles, Park Ye-Seul must be fuming by now,'' I thought. Knowing Park Ye-Seul''s personality, I was sure she couldn''t contain her anger at this point and made a mental note to remind the talent agents to be vigntter. I stretched before getting out of bed. "Phew. Let''s get going, then." With time running short, I quickly showered and headed to thepany. *** We started our day after picking up Kang Ha-Na and the staff from thepany. Following a stop at the salon for Kang Ha-Na''s hair styling, we arrived at the MBS waiting room where Kim Jong-Hoon was already waiting. Before I even had a chance to properly greet Kim Jong-Hoon, AD Choi In-Seok came in saying it was time for rehearsals. "We''ll do the rehearsal for ''Soulfire'' first because of the sound check." Though ''New Beginning'' was set to be performed first, ''Soulfire'' had to be rehearsed ahead of time to run sound tests with the traditional orchestra. "Alright, we''ll get them changed and send them up right away." The waiting room suddenly became a hive of activity. Lee Mi-Ri, in charge of outfits, pointed to two makeshift dressing rooms she had set up in one corner of the room. "Miss Ha-Na, go into the left dressing room and wear the outfit in the pink box. Mr. Jong-Hoon, go into the right dressing room and wear the one in the ck box." Lee Mi-Ri had managed to secure a sponsorship from Yang Ji-Sook, a renowned fusion hanbok designer known for her sophisticated designs. Momentster, the two came out of the makeshift dressing rooms in their outfits. Kang Ha-Na twirled on the spot in her hanbok. "Yoon-Ho oppa, how do I look?" Her red hanbok skirt was embroidered with soft pink azalea flowers. On top of that, her ivory-colored jacket featured golden thread embroidery of gentle winds and drifting clouds. I couldn''t help but exim in admiration. "Wow, you look amazing!" Standing beside me, Do Ran-Hee ced her hands on her forehead and bowed. "Her Royal Highness has arrived~~" Kang Ha-Na smiled and yed along. "Thank you~ I shall remember your name~" Do Ran-Hee grinned and raised her head. "Thank you very much~" With their yful exchange over, the two sped each other''s hands. "But seriously, you look stunning, Ha-Na. You really do!" "Thanks, Ran-Hee." Now close friends, the two bounced on their feet, with excitement. Kim Jong-Hoon walked out a bitter and spread his arms wide. "How do I look?" He wore a slim-fit ck durumagi[1], adorned with subtle gold azalea flower embroidery. "You look like you could step right onto a runway. It''s perfect," Iplimented him. "Thanks for thepliment, Yoon-Ho. Hearing that from you really lifts my spirits." Everyone in the waiting room was in awe of the unexpectedly elegant hanbok attire. Even AD Choi In-Seok, who had been urging them to hurry with rehearsal, was momentarily captivated. pping my hands, I broke the spell and got everyone moving. "Alright. Let''s get going, everyone." Everyone snapped out of their daze and got back on track. "Ahem. Yes, please follow me," said Choi In-Seok as he opened the door and motioned for everyone to follow him. Do Ran-Hee, Eun Ji-Yoo, and I followed Choi In-Seok, along with Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon as we made our way to the stage. As we walked down the narrow corridor toward the stage, the members of Eve One, having finished their rehearsal, were approaching us. At that moment, a sense of unease crept over me. Park Ye-Seul''s gaze was fixed on Kang Ha-Na. 1. Durumagi ? Chapter 315: Kang Ha-Na VS Eve One (2)

Chapter 315: Kang Ha-Na VS Eve One (2)

"Want to be your Eve! Hello, we are Eve One!" The narrow corridor was crowded, but all 11 members of Eve One bowed deeply as they greeted us. At the front, Choi In-Seok reluctantly waved them off. "Okay, okay! Save the greetings forter. Let''s keep it quick and move along!" However, even after greeting us, Park Ye-Seul''s gaze wouldn''t leave Kang Ha-Na. Sensing trouble, I quickly moved closer to Kang Ha-Na. At that moment, I saw Park Ye-Seul subtly extend her foot. Even though there were security cameras in the hallway, she knew it wouldn''t be caught on camera with so many people crammed into the narrow space. Before I could intervene, Park Ye-Seul''s shoe stepped on the hem of Kang Ha-Na''s hanbok. Kang Ha-Na, who was looking straight ahead, stumbled. "Oh, oh?" Fortunately, I was prepared for such a situation and managed to catch her before she fell. Thud. Kang Ha-Na stopped while slightly tilted forward. "Are you okay?" I asked. Kang Ha-Na let out a sigh of relief and nodded. "Phew. Yeah. I''m sorry, oppa. My dress got caught..." Kang Ha-Na straightened up and shook her head. "It didn''t just get caught," I said. Kang Ha-Na tilted her head. "What?" Park Ye-Seul thought she was clever but she was still too green to handle someone like me in this game who had been through it all. Before Park Ye-Seul could say anything, I raised my voice loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Park Ye-Seul! Did you try to mess up Ha-Na''s stage on purpose? Why''d you step on her dress?" Thrown off by my quick usation, Park Ye-Seul stammered in a flustered voice. "I-it w-was an ident." "An ident?" "Y-yeah, it was." That''s when Choi In-Seok, who was walking ahead, stopped and turned around. "We''re already runningte. What''s going on now?" It was a hectic time with the rehearsaling up, and any disruption was sure to be annoying. I immediately told him that Park Ye-Seul had stepped on Kang Ha-Na''s dress, causing her to almost fall. With minor provocations like this, it was important to address them firmly so they wouldn''t dare try such tricks again. Choi In-Seok''s face twisted in irritation after hearing what I said. "Park Ye-Seul. If Ha-Na''s performance gets ruined, are you going to take responsibility?" Park Ye-Seul found herself stuttering. "I-it''s just..." My quick response had shifted the situation away from what Park Ye-Seul intended. She began to panic, unsure of what to do. That''s when themotion caught the attention of Lee Hee-Jin, who was busy leading Eve One. She approached us and retorted, "Hold on! It''s a tight space and anyone can make a mistake! Don''t you think you''re being too harsh on her?" As the third inmand at K& Management who oversaw its operations, Lee Hee-Jin wasn''t an easy opponent. However, Choi In-Seok wasn''t one to back down either. "Mrs. Lee, are you teaching these kids to pull stunts like this already?" Choi In-Seok said with a frown. Lee Hee-Jin flinched. "What do you mean, stunts? Aren''t you being too harsh over a simple mistake?" Park Ye-Seul who was beside her quickly nodded. "I-I swear, I didn''t mean to do anything bad to Ha-Na unnie! Really!" They denied the usations as they knew there''d be no hard proof. Choi In-Seok scoffed but eventually settled the matter with a stern warning to Park Ye-Seul and Lee Hee-Jin. "I won''t inform the PD this time, but I won''t let it slide if it happens again. Do you understand?" Flustered, Lee Hee-Jin tried to respond but Choi In-Seok coldly turned his back on them. Lee Hee-Jin then red at me this time. We hadn''t even faced off on the main stage yet, but I was already on their bad side. Nheless, I calmly met her re. With her experience, there was no way Lee Hee-Jin didn''t know what was going on. ''An ident? Yeah, right. Just looking at your face, it''s clear you were in on this too,'' I remarked inwardly. I brushed off the dust on Kang Ha-Na''s hanbok and nced at Park Ye-Seul. I could tell how frustrated she was by looking at her trembling. "Ye-Seul, what are you doing? Come on, we''ve got no time to waste," Lee Hee-Jin urged. "Y-yes, ma''am." At Lee Hee-Jin''s urging, Park Ye-Seul turned and disappeared down the hallway. In the meantime, I finished brushing off the dust from Kang Ha-Na''s hanbok. "Thanks, oppa. I''m okay now." "Good. Shall we go then?" Having won this little scuffle with Park Ye-Seul, Kang Ha-Na and I headed to the rehearsal stage. *** In Eve One''s waiting room, Park Ye-Seul was getting a scolding from Lee Hee-Jin over the incident in the corridor. Although Park Ye-Seul nodded and said she understood, she didn''t mean it. When Lee Hee-Jin left to meet with the PD, Choi So-Yung quietly approached Park Ye-Seul and asked, "Are you okay?" Park Ye-Seul pouted and vented her frustration. "How could I be okay? Anyway, how did that talent agent catch on? It was perfect!" Hearing her muttering, Choi So-Yung remarked, "You should''ve done it better if you were going to do it. What was that?" "Ugh, leave me alone! That talent agent ruined everything," Park Ye-Seul grumbled. Then, she looked at Choi So-Yung. "By the way, unnie. I''m going to the bathroom. Want toe with me? I''ve been feeling uneasy since drinking water earlier." "Oh? Sure, why not." Though they bickered, it was still convenient to move as a pair as they''d always stuck together since their Eyestone days. After informing their talent agent, the two headed to the bathroom on their own. After all, the talent agents couldn''t follow each of them all the time with so many members. But just then as the two were leaving the bathroom, they saw Kang Ha-Na and her talent agent, Do Ran-Hee, approaching from down the hallway. At that moment, Park Ye-Seul''s eyes gleamed. Sensing something off, Choi So-Yung asked, "What are you nning now?" "I''m just going to talk. You just watch, unnie." Choi So-Yung followed, wondering what Park Ye-Seul was up to. When Kang Ha-Na spotted Park Ye-Seul, she hesitated for a moment and stopped in her tracks. Park Ye-Seul put on a sad face, sping her hands together. "Ha-Na unnie, I''m really sorry about earlier. It wasn''t on purpose, I swear." Choi So-Yung also yed along and greeted Kang Ha-Na warmly. "Unnie, how have you been?" That''s when Do Ran-Hee stepped forward and blocked their way. "Sorry, but Ha-Na is busy right now and doesn''t have time to chat. Could you move aside?" Park Ye-Seul pouted in response to Do Ran-Hee''s sharp tone. "Talent agent unnie, I already said it was an ident. And it''s been so long since we''ve seen each other. Can''t we talk just for a little while? There''s still some time before the main broadcast." Do Ran-Hee found it absurd that they were pretending to be friendly after intentionally stepping on the hanbok. "You two are really..." Do Ran-Hee was about ready to go all out and argue with these kids. Just then, Kang Ha-Na stepped forward. "Ran-Hee, let me talk to them for a moment." "But Ha-Na, you don''t have to. I can handle this..." "I''m okay." At her celebrity''s request, Do Ran-Hee reluctantly took a few steps back, staying close enough to intervene if anything happened. As Do Ran-Hee moved away, Park Ye-Seul smirked and revealed her true colors. "Unnie, you''ve really transformed, huh?" Seeing the opportunity, Choi So-Yung chimed in as well. "Yeah, you''ve been ignoring our callstely. Just because you''re popr now, does it mean you can ignore us?" They thought if they could rattle Kang Ha-Na, they might just have a chance to turn the music show rankings in their favor today. Even though the two girls, who were ten years younger than her, were saying things to get under her skin, Kang Ha-Na only stared at them silently. Park Ye-Seul sneered. "Why aren''t you saying anything? Are you nning to ignore us from now on, huh?" Kang Ha-Na stared at them for a moment and sighed. "You guys came all this way just to say that?" Park Ye-Seul''s eyes red up. "Just to say that? What did you just say?" At Park Ye-Seul''s response, Kang Ha-Na let out another short sigh. "Forget it. I was foolish to expect anything more." "What?" Kang Ha-Na continued in a firm tone. "Park Ye-Seul, Choi So-Yung. I''d appreciate it if you didn''t talk to me anymore." Both of them looked shocked. They never expected Kang Ha-Na, who used to be so timid and always smiling awkwardly, to speak so firmly. "Unnie, what did you just say?" Kang Ha-Na had changed. She was no longer the scared and meek outcast. Standing before them was a confident and assertive Kang Ha-Na. Kang Ha-Na spoke with a resolute expression. "I thought maybe if you apologized for stepping on my dress, I''d let it slide... but forget it. If you pull something like this again, I''ll bring up everything you guys did to me back in the Eyestone days on my live broadcast!" Kang Ha-Na was currently streaming to over 7,000 live viewers every night after 11 p.m., and her MeTube channel had over a million subscribers. If Kang Ha-Na were to start talking about her time at Eyestone, Park Ye-Seul and Choi So-Yung wouldn''t be able to handle the bacsh. At that moment, Park Ye-Seul and Choi So-Yung realized just who they were up against. The Kang Ha-Na in front of them was not the timid girl who used to cower and watch their every move: she was now a MeTuber with a million subscribers and the top artist on the charts. Finally grasping the situation, Park Ye-Seul and Choi So-Yung stammered in response. "H-Ha-Na unnie, are you...are you threatening us right now?" "Threatening? Is telling the truth considered a threat?" Kang Ha-Na wanted to be someone confident in front of her fan club ''ONE & Only''. She also wanted to be someone worthy of Jung Yoon-Ho''s trust. Instead of unsettling Kang Ha-Na, Park Ye-Seul found herself shaken. Y"W-who said we wanted to be friends? Fine! We won''t talk to you anymore!" Park Ye-Seul unconsciously took a step back and spoke to Choi So-Yung. "So-Yung unnie! Let''s go! We have to get ready for our performance too." "Yeah, let''s go." The two turned around and quickly ran off. As she watched them disappear, Kang Ha-Na let out a heavy sigh. "Huff, huff..." Kang Ha-Na felt a bit pathetic for losing her temper against kids ten years younger. At that moment, a warm voice spoke from behind her. "Ha-Na, you finally seem like a real celebrity now." "Right? It looks like she can handle things on her own now." When Kang Ha-Na turned around, she saw Jung Yoon-Ho and Do Ran-Hee standing there with bright smiles on their faces. Kang Ha-Na''s face began to turn red. "Wait... did you hear everything?" "Yep." "From where?" Jung Yoon-Ho smirked and replied, "From the beginning." At that moment, Kang Ha-Na''s face flushed with embarrassment at his words. *** Thanks to her daily MeTube live broadcasts, Kang Ha-Na''s mental fortitude had be like steel. She had learned to stand her ground and how to stand up to her rivals'' harassment as a million-subscriber MeTuber. Seeing how much Kang Ha-Na had grown, I praised her. "Well done, Ha-Na." Kang Ha-Na replied in a quiet and timid voice with her face still red. "I-It''s nothing to be proud of, arguing with those young kids..." "If you had kept quiet, you would''ve looked even more foolish. But leave the fighting to us talent agents from now on, okay?" There was a limit to humility and politeness, especially in the entertainment industry which was like a battlefield. Being too nice could lead to more bullying. Sometimes, you had to show anger to avoid being taken for a fool. Considering everything, it was impressive that she had tolerated those brats who were ten years younger all this time. As I smiled and patted Kang Ha-Na on the shoulder, she squirmed and looked embarrassed. "What? I told you, you did great!" I eximed. Kang Ha-Na whispered in a small voice. "Uh, I, um... need to use the bathroom..." "Ohhh." ''No wonder Do Ran-Hee had also been sweating nervously beside her,'' I thought to myself. "Go, go! Quickly!" I urged her. Without needing to decide who went first, the two of them bolted toward the bathroom. A little while Kang Ha-Na came out, we began the final checks for her main stage performance. The contenders for today''s number one spot were Kang Ha-Na''s ''New Beginning,'' her duet with Kim Jong-Hoon, ''Soulfire,'' and Eve One''s ''FLORIA'' "Are you confident?" I asked her. Exuding the confidence of a top contender, Kang Ha-Na replied boldly. "Yes, oppa!" *** After Eve One''s first performance began, it didn''t take long for Park Ye-Seul to make a choreography mistake that she hadn''t even made during rehearsal. In a part where everyone was supposed to move to the right, she spun in the wrong direction. The first debut stage mistake made the entire group''s faces turn pale. Flustered, Park Ye-Seul made a series of big and small mistakes, ruining Eve One''s trademark precision choreography and exposing their inexperience. It seemed that the earlier sh with Kang Ha-Na had shaken Park Ye-Seul instead. After their performance, Park Ye-Seul and Eve One hung their heads as if they hadmitted a crime. "Keep your heads up! I told you not to lose confidence over mistakes! Just do better next time!" Lee Hee-Jin encouraged them. "Okay..." Given her position, Lee Hee-Jin chose to encourage them rather than scold them. However, not a single member of Eve One could raise their head. Now, it was our turn. Standing at the side of the stage, I spoke to Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon who were taking deep breaths. "Just enjoy singing up there." Kang Ha-Na tilted her head in confusion. "Huh? But what if I mess up like Ye-Seul did?" "If you do, you do. That''s no big deal." Kim Jong-Hoon looked incredulous. "Yoon-Ho, didn''t you see Eve One mess up just now? Shouldn''t you be telling us not to mess up?" I smiled and responded. "It''s okay to make mistakes and it''s okay to fail. No matter what happens, I''ll cover for you." In an instant, the tension in their faces started to melt away. Kim Jong-Hoon, who had been warming up his fingers to y the piano, shook his head in disbelief. "Seriously, Yoon-Ho. You''re something else. Don''t you think so, Ha-Na?" "Right, oppa? It''s like nothing fazes him in situations like this." The twoughed and chatted, shaking off thest of their nerves. That''s when we heard the MC''s voice booming through the speakers. "Now, let''s wee today''s number one contender, ''New Beginning''! Please give them a big round of apuse!" A staff member nearby signaled to us. "It''s time. Go on up, both of you!" Kim Jong-Hoon took a short, deep breath and nced at me. "Yoon-Ho, we''re heading up." Kang Ha-Na smiled. "Oppa, we''ll be back." I nodded at the two. "Go and have fun." They both beamed as they stepped onto the stage, determined to im the number one title. Chapter 316: Kang Ha-Na VS Eve One (3)

Chapter 316: Kang Ha-Na VS Eve One (3)

As the two stepped onto the stage, Kang Ha-Na''s fan club, "ONE & Only," began waving their merch in the audience seats. After greeting her fans, Kang Ha-Na strapped on the acoustic guitar that was resting on a chair prepared on stage. Kim Jong-Hoon took his ce at the grand piano that had been set up earlier. And then it happened. When the audience realized Kim Jong-Hoon was the piano session musician E.O.D for ''New Beginning,'' cheers erupted. "Kim Jong-Hoon is doing the piano apaniment?" "This is amazing!" "Wooo! Oppa, congrats on youreback!" The cheers from Kim Jong-Hoon''s fans grew louder, prompting Kang Ha-Na''s fan club "ONE & Only" to respond with their own chants. "We love you, Kang Ha-Na!" "Vocal Goddess, Kang Ha-Na!" The voices of the two fan groups filled the public hall, overwhelming Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon with emotions as they waved back in gratitude. A momentter, the lights gradually dimmed in preparation for the song. The audience collectively hushed, and spotlights shone on Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon. Sitting at the piano, Kim Jong-Hoon took a short breath and began the apaniment for ''New Beginning.'' The clear sound of the piano echoed through the hall like shattering ss. Kang Ha-Na''s acoustic guitar then joined in, gentlyyering over the piano apaniment. The two instruments created a beautiful harmony and Kang Ha-Na''s sweet voice added the final touch. ¡ºPeople say~?¡» With that, ''New Beginning'' debuted on the music show. Simultaneously, a quiet thrill swept through the audience. Kang Ha-Na, who had longed so desperately for her debut as a singer, and Kim Jong-Hoon, who had braved near-death experiences, were finally making a fresh start. Another heartwarming moment was unfolding before my eyes. Do Ran-Hee and Eun Ji-Yoo who were beside me sped their hands tightly, softly chanting words of encouragement. "Ha-Na, you got this!" "Ha-Na, stay strong!" As if responding to their heartfelt wishes, Kang Ha-Na showcased her skills to the fullest. Watching her perform, I also silently cheered with the same hope and support¡ªfor the bright future ahead where Kang Ha-Na would rise to the top tier of singers. ''Ha-Na, you''ve done well,'' I remarked inwardly. *** As ''New Beginning'' concluded, loud cheers erupted from the audience. Kang Ha-Na''s fan club "ONE & Only" stood up and waved their banners enthusiastically. "Whoo! Kang Ha-Na, you''re the best!" "Jong-Hoon oppa! The piano was incredible!" "Ha-Na noona! Marry me!" There was a strange shout mixed in, but there was no time to dwell on it. "Come down quickly, hurry!" I said. Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon hurried off the stage. Next up was their performance of ''Soulfire.'' While the traditional Korean orchestra moved Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon''s instruments, we sprinted back to the dressing room to change outfits. With just seven minutes left until the next performance, there was no time to properly celebrate the sess of the previous performance. "Move! Everyone, out of the way! No greetings for now!" shouted Choi In-Seok, sprinting ahead of us to clear the path. Startled idols stopped their greetings and pressed against the walls, making the once-crowded hallway part like the Red Sea. We followed in a single file behind Choi In-Seok, and as soon as we reached the waiting room, Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon began changing clothes. "Hurry, hurry!" "Okay!" "We got it." After numerous practice runs of quick outfit changes, it took Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon less than four minutes to change into their new attire. Lee Mi-Ri checked their outfits onest time and gave the final OK. "You''re good!" "Then let''s go, quickly!" Choi In-Seok urged. We lined up again and followed Choi In-Seok back toward the stage. "Huff, huff, huff!" We reached the stage entrance with one minute to spare. I quickly asked Choi In-Seok for an extra two minutes to allow the two to catch their breath. After all, Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon had sweat beading on their foreheads from the sprint. "Mr. Choi, please just give us two more minutes!" Without waiting for a reply, I gave instructions to Yang So-Ri. "Check the makeup, Ms. Yang." "Yes, Mr. Jung!" "Everyone else, use the fans in the meantime." Lee Mi-Ri, Eun Ji-Yoo, Do Ran-Hee, and I all whipped out handheld fans, desperately trying to dry the sweat from Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon. We did everything we could in the short time avable to ensure they were in the best possible condition before stepping on stage. Meanwhile, Choi In-Seok was also buying time by pleading with the PD over the inte. "Sir, just two more minutes, please! If we rush them up there now, they won''t be able to perform live!" Soon, a look of relief washed over Choi In-Seok''s face as the PD finally agreed. "Yes, sir! Thank you! Starting in three minutes? Got it!" With the extra time, we fanned even harder with even Yang So-Ri blowing air from her mouth to help dry them off. After doing everything I could as a talent agent, I called out confidently, "We''re ready, Mr. Choi!" With just ten seconds left on the clock, the nervous Choi In-Seok hurriedly gave the signal through the wireless inte. "Yes, sir! We''re ready! Yes, they''re going up now!" Choi In-Seok nodded rapidly and gestured toward the stage. At that moment, the crew turned on the dry ice machines. Buzz. A faint whirring noise filled the air as ayer of mist slowly covered the stage. At the same time, the MC''s voice boomed throughout the hall. "And now, we present another first ce contender! ''Soulfire!'' The song that brought Mr. Kim Jong-Hoon back from his hiatus! Let''s hear it now!" As the MC announced their performance in a loud voice, Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon bumped fists. "Ha-Na, let''s nail this." "Of course, we will. Yoon-Ho oppa has done so much for us." The two looked back at me with determination in their eyes. "Yoon-Ho, we''ll bring back another first ce with this song too!" "If we win first ce, the trophy''s all yours!" Their confidence in also iming the first ce for ''Soulfire'' might have sounded unfounded, but it was exactly what I had hoped to hear. I smiled and raised my fist in support. "Go and give it your all!" With smiles on their faces, they finally stepped up onto the stage. "Oh my gosh! It''s Kim Jong-Hoon!" "Oppa, you look amazing!" "Ha-Na unnie, you look so beautiful like a fairy!" Cheers erupted from the audience as the vibrant red lights hit the stage. Then the enthusiastic cheers gradually quieted as the performance was about to start. As the stage was set for ''Soulfire,'' Kang Ho-Yeon, the conductor of the Seoul Korean Traditional Orchestra, gave the cue. "Hey!" Kang Ho-Yeon''s loud shout echoed through the hall followed by the deep and resounding beats of therge traditional drum. Boom, boom. The powerful and majestic sounds of daego reverberated as Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon began to sing ''Soulfire'' with their voices blending beautifully. An enchanting disy of East Asian fantasy was unfolding on the stage. *** [MBS Show! Music Center Joint First ce! ''New Beginning'' and ''Soulfire''!] [Million-subscriber MeTuber Kang Ha-Na. Once again, making her presence known with ''New Beginning''!] [''Soulfire.'' Overwhelming live performance! A fantastic coboration with the Korean traditional orchestra!] [''Soulfire,'' an amazing stage production reminiscent of a concert stage!] [Eve One''s ''FLORIA''. Unfortunately, Third ce!] After the stage was wrapped up, I couldn''t stop smiling at the entertainment articles popping up. ''Soulfire'' managed to tie for first ce with ''New Beginning'' in the live voting due to the impact of its live performance, despite the decline in streaming rankings. Eve One''s ''FLORIA'' also put up a good fight, but the score difference with the other two songs was overwhelming. After having dinner with the Seoul Orchestra team, we took the car back to thepany and the entire journey was filled with cheers. "This is amazing, Ha-Na!" "Two songs from the first album tied for first ce? Has this ever happened before? This is definitely one for the books." "I knew Ha-Na would do this well!" "Ha-Na, can we get first ce tomorrow too?" "Of course, it''s going to be first ce again. Right?" After calming down the excited talent agents, I told everyone to take a look at the first-ce trophy I got from Kang Ha-Na. "Come on, everyone. Take a look at the first-ce trophy!" "Wow~ So this is what the first-ce trophy looks like!" "Hey, let''s take a photo! I need a photo!" Everyone took turns holding the trophy and taking pictures as we happily arrived at thepany. As soon as I headed toward the lobby after letting Do Ran-Hee handle the parking, apuse erupted from everywhere. Some talent agents even handed out small gifts. "Kang Ha-Na, I really enjoyed your performance!" "Great job! Here''s a little congrattory gift for sessfully finishing your first music show!" Moved by the warm reception, Kang Ha-Na teared up and bowed her head. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" Talent agents passing by gave thumbs-ups and Kang Ha-Na had to stay in the lobby for a while, epting and reciprocating the congrattions. On the other hand, some talent agents started whispering enviously in one corner. "I''m telling you, Team Lead Jung is no ordinary person." "From Cherry Blossom to now Kang Ha-Na. Everything he touches turns to first ce." "That guy. They do say his nickname is Forteller. Does he really have some kind of prophetic dream or something?" Honestly, it stung a little. It was true that I already knew the future. Nevertheless, even after knowing who would seed, I had never once failed to do my best for my celebrities. After all, I wanted to make sure they found happiness in their lives as soon as possible. So I held my head high, unbothered by the jealous remarks directed at me. Knowing the future didn''t guarantee sess anyway. *** In the meeting room of Team Jung, team members began reviewing today''s music show events and preparing for tomorrow. We had to perform four stages in total at SBC and KBC tomorrow. "Ms. Eun, we would not have made it on time if not for Mr. Choi''s help in leading the way today. Make sure to request staff assistance for tomorrow as well," I reminded Eun Ji-Yoo. "Yes, Mr. Jung!" "Mrs. Lee, make sure they wear their hanbok undergarments in advance tomorrow. It will help save some time." "I''ll take care of it." From dressing room logistics to outfits, we reviewed everything that happened today and thought of ways to save even a few extra seconds. The harder the talent agents worked, the easier it was for the celebrities. "Alright. Ran-Hee, you head to SBC first tomorrow, and Ms. Eun, go to KBC first to check things." "Got it!" Everyone''s faces still showed no sign of exhaustion, probably because they were so happy with today''s sess. "Is there anything else to add, Mr. Jung?" At Eun Ji-Yoo''s words, I stood up and said, "It''s true that Ha-Na did a great job, but it wouldn''t have been possible to achieve a smooth performance if not for all of you. Thank you so much." I bowed my head to the team members, expressing my sincere gratitude for following through with the impossible schedules all this time. My gesture surprised the team and they quickly stood up from their seats. "Oh, no, Mr. Jung!" "W-we didn''t really do anything. We just did what you told us to..." Kang Ha-Na also joined in and expressed her gratitude. "No, really. Thank you so much, Ms. Eun, Ran-Hee, Mrs. Lee, and Ms. Yang too. Without all of you... I don''t think I would''ve been able to get first ce today." Moved by Kang Ha-Na''s confession, the team members started shedding tears of joy. Just then, a phone call suddenly came in. [Caller ID: PD Oh Bok-Hee] ''Why is PD Oh calling at this hour?'' I wondered. Hwaranjeon was still in the process of scriptwriting by Han Woo-Ju with assistance from writers Lee Ji-Yeon and Kim Soll-Ip, while Oh Bok-Hee was assembling her staff at MBS. "Let''s keep our volumes down for a moment," I told everyone. The noisy atmosphere quickly quieted down. Wondering if there was an issue, I hurriedly answered the call. However, Oh Bok-Hee made apletely unexpected proposal. -Mr. Jung! Let''s use that song as an original soundtrack! "I''m sorry?" -You know, the one performed today! ''Soulfire.'' Let''s use it for the Hwaranjeon''s original soundtrack! I''ll pay a hefty price for it! ''Soulfire'' was the original soundtrack for Gwanghae''s Day, which had won a film festival award in my past life. It was a song that conveyed the intense struggle and effort of the main character to seize power with a grand atmosphere. However, Oh Bok-Hee wanted to use it for Hwaranjeon. Since it was a coborative workposed by Kang Ha-Na, arranged by Bang Seon-Woo, and with lyrics by our team''s exclusive lyricist, Jang Ye-Bin, I couldn''t decide on my own. "You said you would pay generously for the song, right?" -Of course! I''m practically living off squeezing money out of our president these days. And don''t even think of calling less than 20 million won! Some drama PDs didn''t pay for original soundtracks, arguing that just having the song featured in the drama was a tremendous publicity opportunity. As such, some singers andposers gave their songs for free hoping that it would help publicize their songs. If the song became popr, they could earn royalties from copyrights anyway. However, Oh Bok-Hee was not only offering to pay for the song but was offering more payment as well. This made it hard for me to refuse. "I''ll get back to you within ten minutes." -Set the price and contact me! "Yes, ma''am!" An unexpected ie opportunity arose right after the music show ended. When I ryed the news from Oh Bok-Hee, the meeting room erupted in excitement. "Really?" "This is huge!" The good news didn''t stop there. As if on cue, Do Ran-Hee and Eun Ji-Yoo''s phones started ringing incessantly. It was for advertising proposals. "Oh, yes, Mr. Choi. A new Han-Gwa product ising out? You''re offering 100 million won?" "Yes, Mr. Park. 70 million won?" Finally, advertisements were flooding in for Kang Ha-Na too. Then, my phone rang again. Thinking it was a call from an advertiser or agency, I answered enthusiastically. Unfortunately, it wasn''t the call I had anticipated. -Is this Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho? "Yes, how can I help you?" "This is Seo Jae-Ill, a prosecutor from the Central District Prosecutor''s Office. I''d like to meet you regarding Mr. Kang Eun-Gi. Do you have time right now? The low and serious voice belonged to Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill from the Seoul Central District Prosecutor''s Office who was handling Kang Eun-Gi''s case. At that moment, my heart began to race. It was certain that this was about saving Kang Eun-Gi. I was about to say I was busy, but his next words left me speechless. -Please spare a moment. I''m at Cafe Goindol right in front of yourpany. This was bound to happen sooner orter. Taking a deep breath, I replied, "I''ll be there right away." Chapter 317: Seo Jae-Ill (1)

Chapter 317: Seo Jae-Ill (1)

After instructing the team to organize the list of advertisements pouring in for Kang Ha-Na, I quickly left thepany. Caf¨¦ Goindol, where Seo Jae-Ill was waiting, was less than a five-minute walk from the office. However, I deliberately walked slowly while calling Lee Soo-Chan. "Soo-Chan, do you know anything about Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill?" Lee Soo-Chan answered the call and began talking about what he knew about Seo Jae-Ill. The 35-year-old Seo Jae-Ill was known as the ''Mad Dog'' of the Seoul Central District Prosecutor''s Office. He was a prosecutor who led all kinds of investigations from high-profile corruption cases to everyday crimes. He worked as if he were the one safeguarding all of society''s justice, which made him a nuisance even amongst prosecutors. Nheless, the fact that he was called the ace in the elite Seoul Central District Prosecutor''s Office was proof of hispetence. Moreover, most gangsters didn''t even dare make eye contact with him due to his enormous physique and national team-level judo skills. Lee Soo-Chan exined that he was known as one of the few reliable prosecutors. -That''s why Eun-Gi hyung-nim chose to turn himself in to Prosecutor Seo¡ªto avoid getting backstabbed. "Got it. I have a rough idea of what kind of person he is." Ending the call with Lee Soo-Chan, I learned that even my visits with Kang Eun-Gi were in the hands of Seo Jae-Ill. The reason Seo Jae-Ill was seeking me out was likely because of the incident at the hospital where Kang Eun-Gi was attacked. With that thought, I steeled myself and quickened my pace. After all, I didn''t know when I might be implicated. As I entered Caf¨¦ Goindol, arge figure immediately caught my eye. Just as Lee Soo-Chan had said, there sat a man around 190 cm tall with muscles threatening to burst out of his suit and a buzz cut. If I hadn''t known better, I might have mistaken him for a gangster. Despite his intimidating size, he was eating honey bread piled high with whipped cream on top of an espresso. As if the honey wasn''t enough, he kept adding more from a small white jar beside him. A random thought filled my mind. ''The bear''s eating honey...'' Shaking off that fleeting thought, I took a deep breath and approached him. After a brief greeting with Seo Jae-Ill, I took a seat. Heplimented Kang Ha-Na, saying he became a fan after watching today''s music show and even offered to buy me coffee. However, I declined his offer and got straight to the point. "Why did you want to meet me?" I asked. Seo Jae-Ill responded casually. "I came to see you because of the incident at the hospital." ''As I had expected.'' Still, I feigned ignorance not knowing exactly why he sought me out. "What hospital incident?" "Come on~ I''m just here for a friendly chat, so please cooperate. If you tell me the details of Kang Eun-Gi''s attack, I''ll leave right away." "I only went to H Hospital that day because I heard that the detention center where Eun-Gi was staying often used it. I thought it might be worth checking out, but I didn''t get to meet Eun-Gi that day." "Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho, you shouldn''t lie to a prosecutor." Seo Jae-Ill smirked as he pulled out a few photos from his pocket. The photo taken at 11:15 a.m. showed me, Lee Soo-Chan, and Choi Dong-Hyuk together, visiting the hospital before getting on the elevator. There was no issue with that. However, when I saw the next set of photos, I was at a loss for words. From the first floor to the ninth floor, there were photos of every entrance except for the seventh floor and I was nowhere to be seen. In other words, there was a photo of me entering the elevator but none of me exiting. "Mr. Jung. There was no trace of you exiting on any floor except for the seventh floor where the security camera was down. You got off the elevator at 11:25 a.m. I''ve already confirmed that five people had entered the elevator for ten minutes, so please don''t lie." He pinpointed the one weak spot I thought I had covered¡ªtruly worthy of being called an ace prosecutor. However, I shamelessly continued, unfazed by his remarks. "So what?" Seo Jae-Ill looked at me incredulously. "Wow. I didn''t think you were the kind of person to be this uncooperative." "You said this isn''t an official interrogation, right? I got scared for a moment and lied. Yes, I went to the seventh floor. But that''s all there is to it." "You mean to tell me that you heard your friend fighting inside the room but didn''t go in?" "I''m just an ordinary person, you know? While my younger colleagues rushed in to stop it, I stayed outside. I was too scared to move." Seo Jae-Ill red at me. "And you expect me to believe that?" "Whether you believe it or not, I have nothing more to say." "Mr. Jung, if you continue to be so uncooperative like this, I''ll have no choice but to issue a formal summons for questioning." "Then please go ahead and send a formal summons." I was not a criminal so his options were limited. I drank the cold ss of water on the table calmly despite the piercing gaze of Seo Jae-Ill. *** We stared at each other in silence for a while. Eventually, Seo Jae-Ill broke the silence first. "Look, I didn''te here to make things difficult for you, so let''s cooperate a bit. Even though Kang Eun-Gi was a former gangster, he came to me on his own ord to surrender. That''s why his sentence isn''t too harsh. What I''m really worried about is him going back to being a gangster." Finally, he began to reveal the real reason he sought me out. He continued, "On top of that, neither the attacker nor Kang Eun-Gi is saying anything about this assault incident. I need some kind of lead to pursue the investigation, don''t I?" I looked straight at Seo Jae-Ill and asked, "Do you genuinely care about Eun-Gi?" "Well, to be honest, I''m mostly pissed because someone targeted someone under my watch." His answer was surprisingly straightforward. Then, he added, "But! Just as much, I also want to help someone who''s genuinely trying to turn his life around and live right. Once someone pays for their crimes, they deserve a chance to live a new life, don''t they?" There probably weren''t many prosecutors in South Korea who would give this much consideration to a criminal''s rehabilitation. I hesitated for a moment but then realized that having an ally would be better than fighting alone against Park Sang-Gon and Choi Man-Sik. Of course, this wouldn''te for free. "Then when will you allow Eun-Gi''s visitation? Now that I think about it, a memory that you might like just popped into my head." Seo Jae-Ill scoffed. "Are you trying to make a deal with a prosecutor?" "Oh... The memory that wasing back to me seems to be fading away." Seo Jae-Ill gave me a look of disbelief. "You really have a way with words..." "..." "Alright! I''ll arrange the visitation. Just tell me what you know." I straightened up and responded, "First off, I don''t know who the attacker is." Seo Jae-Ill''s face twisted at my words. I quickly spoke up, worried he might start cursing at me in frustration. "But I can give you one hint." "A hint?" "Yes. Check the security camera footage of the abandoned factory entrance in Naegok-ri, Namyangjust Friday. I don''t know the car''s license te number, but it entered around 10 a.m. and fled in a hurry around 11:20 a.m.." "Not the hospital but Naegok-ri, Namyangju?" "Yes. The guys who sent attackers to Eun-Gi had also kidnapped one of Eun-Gi''s associates before the incident." If he pursued the kidnappers, it would likely lead him to Choi Man-Sik. It would be good if he could catch Choi Man-Sik with this, and if not, he could at least catch some of his underlings. Seo Jae-Ill listened to my story for a while in silence and stood up with a smile. "You''ve given me a hint, so I''ll dig into it. But you''ll need to provide a proper answer the next time we meet." "If you follow up on the information I''ve provided, you''ll naturally get closer to the core of the matter." "Well, we''ll see about that. And... visitation with Kang Eun-Gi will be allowed starting a week from now." With that, Seo Jae-Ill left the caf¨¦. I returned to thepany, curious about what results he would bring back. On the way back, I bought plenty of drinks and sandwiches for the team to enjoy as ate-night snack. *** [KBC Music Stage: First ce ''Soulfire,'' Second ce ''New Beginning,'' Third ce ''FLORIA''...] [''Soulfire:'' A Fantastic Coboration of Pop Music and Traditional Korean Music!] [Kang Ha-Na Dominates the Charts with ''New Beginning'' and ''Soulfire.'' Emerges as the Absolute Powerhouse in Streaming!] [Kang Ha-Na''s Golden Age: The Secret to Reaching One Million MeTube Subscribers in the Shortest Time¡ªEngagement!] Over the weekend, Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon swept the top rankings for all three major broadcasting stations as well as cable music shows. Notably, ''Soulfire'' managed to take first ce on KBC to everyone''s surprise, and surpassed ''New Beginning'' which came in second. Kang Ha-Na outperformed Eve One even on SBC which heavily weighed broadcast scores. As a result, even more advertising offers started pouring in for Kang Ha-Na. There were over 50 advertising offers just over the weekend alone. Out of those, I chose the best fits and selected six only. The total value amounted to an impressive 750 million won. Kang Ha-Na, who was filming advertisements for the first time in her life, called her mother in disbelief. "Mom, they say I got ad offers~" -It''s not some weird ad, right...? "No, it''s for choctes and confectioneries..." Each time Kang Ha-Na mentioned a product from a well-knownpany, her mother, overwhelmed with joy, started tearing up. Soon after, Kang Ha-Na handed the phone to me as well. -Mr. Jung! I''ll never forget this kindness. "It''s nothing, ma''am. We''re the ones grateful to Ha-Na for all the help she''s given us." After exchanging thanks for a while, I tried to hand the phone back to Kang Ha-Na. At that moment, Lee Mal-Soon, a veteran singer who hade to the meeting room to congratte Kang Ha-Na, held out her hand to me. "Team Lead Jung, let me have the phone." "Pardon?" "What''s the matter? I just want to chat with Hyun-Ji unnie after so long." Kang Ha-Na blinked in surprise. "Mrs. Lee, do you know my mom?" "Ye. When I was a rookie, your mom was so kind to me." After getting Kang Ha-Na''s permission, I handed the phone to Lee Mal-Soon. With a joyful expression, she started the call. "Hyun-Ji unnie, it''s Mal-Soon! It''s been a while, hasn''t it? Yes, it''s Mal-Soon, the cutiepie! You used to say I was cute and adored me." Kang Ha-Na''s mother, Kim Hyun-Ji, was once a copy singer of the trot superstar ''Kim Hyun-Ja.'' Lee Mal-Soon was now speaking to Kang Ha-Na''s mother warmly as if she were her own sister. No one could utter a word as they were stunned by the unexpected connection between the two. "Yeah! And I''ve been watching Ha-Na closely ever since she joined ourpany. Don''t worry, Ha-Na will do well. Team Lead Jung here has been taking great care of her." At that moment, Lee Mal-Soon put the call on speakerphone and revealed the real reason she had asked for the phone. "Team Lead Jung. If Hyun-Ji unnie decides to return to her career, can you help her?" Though it was an unexpected question, I responded immediately. "Of course, I''d be happy to help." Suddenly, Kang Ha-Na''s mother''s voice came through the speakerphone. -B-but, at my age... Lee Mal-Soon raised her voice in protest. "What about your age, unnie? From the sound of your voice, you''ve got at least another 20 years on the field! And instead of just being happy watching your daughter seed, wouldn''t it be great if we could do shows together in ourter years?" With Lee Mal-Soon''s continued urging, Kang Ha-Na''s mother''s trembling voice could be heard. -B-but it feels a bit too sudden... Sensing the moment, I joined in. "If you ever feel like making aeback, please let me know anytime! I''ll personally make sure you have all the support you need!" Kang Ha-Na''s mother began to waver after repeated encouragement. -I-I''ll... think about it. I hadn''t expected this at all, but it seemed I might end up recruiting a promising trot singer. We ended the call after hearing her positive response. At that moment, Lee Mal-Soon looked at me with a grin. "Team Lead Jung, make sure you hold on to Hyun-Ji unnie. If you manage her well, it''ll be like getting your hands on a small business. You know what I mean?" With the right song, a trot singer could generate earningsparable to top-tier idols. I knew a good number of trot songs that could make it big. As I was about to respond with a grateful expression, I realized why Lee Mal-Soon was so active in helping. ''Could it be that she''s doing this to help me boost my performance and be a chief?'' I wondered. The celebrities I had supported were now returning the favor. "Thank you, Mrs. Lee. Thanks to you, I''ll have no trouble meeting my targets," I thanked her with a smile. Lee Mal-Soon smiled and waved her hand dismissively. "There''s no need for thanks. I should be the one thanking you. Thanks to Team Lead Jung, my dinner show is sold out until early next year!" After that, Lee Mal-Soon shared stories about her rtionship with Kang Ha-Na''s mother before leaving the meeting room. I asked Kang Ha-Na to try persuading her mother and then moved on to check on Yoo-Jin''s situation. The 15th and 16th episodes of In the Name of God continued to perform well with viewership ratings of 31.9% and 32.1% respectively. "Miss Yoo-Jin has been promised S-ss treatment for her next project Hwaranjeon, so handle all iing offers ording to that level from now on," I instructed my team. "Yes, Mr. Jung!" After giving further instructions, I wrapped up the meeting with Team Jung. "Alright, I have to head out early for a meeting about Tae-Poong''s project. Take care, everyone." Lee Tae-Poong''s Beyond the Boundary was finally set to premiere next week. The distributionpany had requested a meeting to schedule stage greetings for the opening week. However, before that, I needed to meet Kang Eun-Gi. After all, Seo Jae-Ill had pulled some strings to arrange an early meeting with him. *** When I arrived at the detention center and requested a special visitation, Kang Eun-Gi came out with a bandage wrapped around his arm. As soon as he saw my face, he sighed. "Sigh. You don''t need to say anything. I already know." "Know what?" "It''s me, isn''t it? I''m that old man''s son, right?" I nodded silently. Kang Eun-Gi leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling, letting out another sigh. "Sigh. Damn it, this is fucked up..." Even after finding out who his father was, he showed no sign of happiness. He exhaled deeply, then looked at me. "Did you tell him what I said?" "Yes." "Good. It''s better to just keep pretending we don''t know each other like before. It''s easier for both of us that way." Kang Eun-Gi''s hand resting on the table was clenched so tightly it looked like the blood cirction might be cut off. Watching him seethe with anger, I spoke calmly. "Alright. Then let''s talk about something else." Kang Eun-Gi flinched, but I deliberately changed the subject. Knowing his personality, he''d probably just dig in his heels and stubbornly refuse even more if I pressured him to meet his father. "By the way, about Prosecutor Seo¡ªI heard he''s the ace of the Central District Prosecutor''s Office and he''s definitely something else, huh?" I remarked. Kang Eun-Gi seemed like he wanted to ask more about his father, but his pride kept him from speaking up. Just then, something unexpected came out of his mouth. "Oh, right. Yoon-Ho, Prosecutor Seo is about to get demoted." "What? Why all of a sudden?" "He''s been digging into the kidnappers and now he''s on the higher-ups'' radar." ''What? The ace of the Seoul Central District Prosecutor''s Office is facing demotion just for investigating the kidnappers?'' Chapter 318: Seo Jae-Ill (2)

Chapter 318: Seo Jae-Ill (2)

"What''s that supposed to mean? Why is Prosecutor Seo getting demoted?" I asked. "I heard the higher-ups ordered him to stop the investigation. He is resisting, but he''ll be reassigned to a provincial post if this continues," Kang Eun-Gi exined. Seo Jae-Ill had uncovered that the kidnappers of Nalsae were part of a violent gang called the Icheon faction operating in Icheon, Gyeonggi-do. However, as soon as the investigation began, the Icheon faction suddenly disbanded and the kidnappers'' whereabouts became unknown. Additionally, before the authorities could even issue wanted notices for the missing kidnappers, pressure came down from above. Enraged, Seo Jae-Ill confronted his superiors and was now on the brink of demotion. "It looks like Choi Man-Sik pulled some strings, huh?" I remarked. Kang Eun-Gi nodded in agreement. "But Yoon-Ho, did you mention Choi Man-Sik''s name to Prosecutor Seo by chance?" "No, I just tipped him off to look into Nalsae''s kidnappers." Even though I knew how capable Seo Jae-Ill was, I didn''t expect him to take down someone as big as Choi Man-Sik, the future son-inw of a high-ranking government official, in one go. I had hoped he might at least sever Choi Man-Sik''s underlings, but it seemed Choi Man-Sik''s side had acted more decisively than I''d anticipated. "If Prosecutor Seo gets demoted, what will happen to you? What about your safety?" I asked with concern. "Don''t worry. I''ve got plenty of people here on my side." "Stop with the nonsense and tell me the truth!" "...It''ll get a bit tougher, I guess." If Seo Jae-Ill were demoted, a different prosecutor would be assigned. And in that case, those targeting Kang Eun-Gi''s life would have more freedom to act. I needed to find a way to prevent Seo Jae-Ill from being demoted. ''What should I do?'' I wondered. That''s when a thought crossed my mind: if I reported the incident involving Park Sang-Gon''s aide, Seo Jae-Ill might be able to use that card to avoid his demotion. I decided to check my nner just in case. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: September 30, 2020] -11:30 p.m.: Naksan Park Parking Lot, Seoul. (Report: Instructions ryed to Team Lead Kang Myung-Gil.) As expected, nothing in the schedule had changed yet. However, before I could act on this, there was something I needed to confirm with Kang Eun-Gi. "Eun-Gi, do you really trust Prosecutor Seo?" "Yeah. He might look rough but he''s got a good heart. Right after I got stabbed, he sent someone to check on Yeon-Sil too. He''s got too much pride, but he''s not the type to take the wrong side." It was the same answer I''d heard from Lee Soo-Chan. "Got it. I''ll try to sort out the issue with Prosecutor Seo." "How are you nning to do that?" "Don''t worry about it. I''ve got my ways." Just as I turned to leave, Kang Eun-Gi cautiously spoke up. "Yoon-Ho, about... that old man, what''s he like?" "What do you mean?" Kang Eun-Gi mumbled without meeting my eyes, "You know...that rich old man." It seemed he couldn''t bring himself to say "father" as he stumbled over his words. I thought it would take a little longer for him to bring up his father. However, being stuck in the detention center, Kang Eun-Gi was showing a slightly more vulnerable side than usual. Still, I intentionally answered nonchntly. "He''s old and looks frail to do anything. Finding his son before he dies is apparently hisst wish." "..." "But if you ask me, it''s all just a show. If you''ve decided not to meet him, draw a firm line and stick to it." Kang Eun-Gi reluctantly responded, "Yeah, I guess I should..." ''What a stubborn guy through and through,'' I thought. It seemed like it wouldn''t be long before Kang Eun-Gi would ask to meet his father first. "Alright then, I''m leaving. Take care of yourself." "Yeah, you too. Stay safe." After saying goodbye to Kang Eun-Gi, I left the detention center. As soon as I stepped out of the front gate, I spoke to Lee Soo-Chan who hade along with me. "Soo-Chan." "Yes, hyung-nim." "Try bringing up President Choi asionally with Eun-Gi." "But he might get ufortable with it." I shook my head calmly. "Eun-Gi always says one thing but feels another. Even if it means they''ll meet and argue or part ways again, they still need to meet at least once." Lee Soo-Chan nced over at the detention center. Being an orphan himself, he understood the longing for a father better than anyone. That''s why he understood our situation more than anyone else. Lee Soo-Chan nodded. "I''ll do as you say." "But don''t push too hard. Just bring it up now and then. Read the room carefully." "Yes, I will." After repeating my instructions, I walked with Lee Soo-Chan toward the parking lot. Then, Lee Soo-Chan suddenly remembered something and said, "Oh, by the way, hyung-nim. We sent Nalsae to the U.S." "Oh? It looked like he was hurt pretty badly. I thought he''d be stuck in the hospital for a while. Is he already better?" "No. We thought it would be dangerous for him to stay here, so he decided to receive treatment in the U.S." Nalsae, who had gone to the U.S., said he was going to find Choi Sung-Ae¡ªKim Dong-Soo''s weak spot. "He said he''d find Choi Sung-Ae no matter what and asked that you avenge him." I still didn''t feel much affection for Nalsae, but at least he had contributed to our cause this time. If my name had been leaked instead of his, it might have been me who got hurt instead of Kang Eun-Gi. "Alright. Take care, I''m heading off first." After parting ways with Lee Soo-Chan, I called Choi Eun-Tae before meeting with Seo Jae-Ill. When I finished exining the situation, Choi Eun-Tae spoke in a trembling voice. -Were the injuries severe? "No." Choi Eun-Tae sighed, a mix of relief and regret in his breath. -And...he hasn''t mentioned wanting to meet yet? "It''ll take a few weeks, so please be patient and wait. If you rush things, you might end up making things worse." -Ugh... Understood. I also updated him on Seo Jae-Ill''s current situation and suggested that I give Seo Jae-Ill the photos of Park Sang-Gon''s aide receiving money. -Alright. But make sure you also give me a copy. That way, I can take action too. "Yes, I will." -And make sure Prosecutor Seo doesn''t find out that Eun-Gi is my son. "I already nned to keep that hidden." As I was about to end the call, I asked something that had been on my mind. "By the way, did you have a hand in the ''99 Bokbunja'' ad offer that came in for Ha-Na?" Kang Ha-Na''s average contract price ranged from 90 to 120 million won, but the ''99 Bokbunja Can'' deal was a whopping 150 million won for just a six-month contract. I''d scrutinized the contract thoroughly because it was an unusually good offer, but I couldn''t find any issues with it. However, Choi Eun-Tae came to mind the moment I signed the contract. As expected, Choi Eun-Tae cleared his throat awkwardly. -Ahem! I have no idea what you''re talking about. He was trying to support me, worried that I might not reach the 10 billion won sales target. -A-alright. Anway, I''ll look into Prosecutor Seo''s situation too! Goodbye now! Click. Clearly flustered, Choi Eun-Tae hurriedly ended the call. The notorious loan shark of Myeong-Dong was showing kindness to me because I was his son''s friend. Surprisingly, it didn''t feel bad at all. *** When I called Seo Jae-Ill to arrange a meeting, he came straight to the office. Unlike his previouslyposed figure that had once calmly pressured me, he now appeared disheveled as if he hadn''t slept for days. His hair was messy and his face was slick with oil. Upon seeing me, Seo Jae-Ill immediately demanded, "Who exactly are you fighting against?" In the past few days of investigating Nalsae''s kidnappers, Seo Jae-Ill had encountered situations typically faced when dealing with corporate conglomerates or high-rankingwmakers. He sighed and said that he''d been digging through evidence without sleep to resist the unjust orders from above. I looked at him and said, "From now on, you must keep what I''m about to tell you a secret." "Don''t worry, my lips are sealed. Just tell me quickly." Looking into Seo Jae-Ill''s bloodshot eyes, I reminded him once more. "This involves more than just one or two lives." Realizing he was too worked up, Seo Jae-Ill started taking deep breaths. He stood up abruptly and headed to the restroom. Momentster, he returned after having washed his face andbed his hair. Then he sat before me with aposed posture. "I have neverpromised an informant''s identity since bing a prosecutor." I began to feel a bit of trust when I met his unwavering and confident gaze. I continued, "The truth is, Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon is involved in this." Seo Jae-Ill fell silent upon hearing Park Sang-Gon''s name. ''Does he think he''s stepped on something nasty?'' I wondered. I didn''t think Seo Jae-Ill was the type to cower at the mention of a big name. When he raised his head, his face was lit with a look of excitement. "I knew it... If it''s Park Sang-Gon, it all makes sense." "Moreover, Choi Man-Sik of Future Imagination Savings Bank is also involved," I added. At that moment, Seo Jae-Ill''s turned even more eager. "If it''s Choi Man-Sik from Myeong-Dong, he''s someone I''ve been gunning for anyway." Seo Jae-Ill, like me, had a past conflict with Choi Man-Sik, whom he investigated for illegal loans and embezzlement, but was released forck of evidence. Seo Jae-Ill thought for a moment before asking, "From what I can gather, it seems that Eun-Gi stumbled upon some dirty secret of Park Sang-Gon''s. So acting under Park''s orders, Choi Man-Sik targeted Kang Eun-Gi. Is that correct?" I nodded. "More or less." Keeping the fact that Eun-Gi was his son hidden naturally led to such a conclusion. I yed along with his assumptions, offering just enough to align with his reasoning. Seo Jae-Ill pped his hands, saying he''d found the direction for the investigation. "Okay, then we''ll target Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon. Beating around the bush isn''t my style." Relieved to have a way to break through the blockage, Seo Jae-Illughed. "Haha. But really. If you were going to give me information, why didn''t you just do it right from the start instead of making it so roundabout?" "I''m sorry about that. I really wasn''t sure about you at the time..." "Oh,e on. Do I really look that rough?" I wanted to be honest and answer yes, but I shook my head as I didn''t want to hurt his feelings. "I tend to be quite suspicious of others," I exined. Seo Jae-Ill didn''t seem convinced, but I held my ground. Then, I proposed an idea to help save him from his demotion. "Would it help if there were photos of Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon''s aide receiving money?" Seo Jae-Ill quickly nced around and lowered his voice. "Of course. Do you have such evidence?" When I nodded, his face brightened considerably. But if I disclosed this too soon, the contents of my nner might change. For this reason, I only told him it would be avable around the end of the month and promised to deliver the evidence on the day itself. I continued, "And meeting with President Choi Eun-Tae, Choi Man-Sik''s adoptive father, might help in resolving this matter." Seo Jae-Ill tilted his head. "Choi Eun-Tae? The big shot loan shark from Myeong-Dong, right? I heard he''s mostly retired... Is he somehow involved in this too?" "No. But think about why Park Sang-Gon, a political heavyweight, would want to make a giant in underground finance like Choi Man-Sik his son-inw." Seo Jae-Ill''s eyes widened. "Are you saying he''s trying to snatch up Choi Eun-Tae''s wealth?" "Exactly. The alliance between the two is all about President Choi Eun-Tae''s fortune. Legally, an adopted son is eligible for inheritance." "This sounds like something out of a trashy drama..." Choi Man-Sik''s betrayal of his adoptive father and his attempts to eliminate Kang Eun-Gi, the biological son, were clearly motivated by his desire to monopolize Choi Eun-Tae''s assets. His alliance with Park Sang-Gon was undoubtedly for the same reason. Because the pie was too big to eat alone, he needed protection from the political sphere. Seo Jae-Ill nodded. "Understood. I''ll start digging on my end as well." The demotion was set for mid-next month, and he said there was still time until then. After shaking hands with Seo Jae-Ill, I got up from my seat. Besides dealing with the matter of Choi Man-Sik, I also had a backlog of work to handle in my main job. *** [In the Name of God Episode 17 Viewership Ratings: 32.7%! "Which Episode Will Break the 35% Wall?"] [Beyond the Boundary, VIP Screening on September 24th. Celebrities Gather!] [The Most Anticipated Release of the Second Half of the Year, Beyond the Boundary Premieres on September 25th!] It was September 24th. A day before the premiere of Lee Tae-Poong''seback film Beyond the Boundary, a VIP screening attended by celebrities was held. I headed to LT Cinema inside LT Tower located in Jamsil with all the celebrities from Team Jung. Sitting in the middle of the back row, Miso was thrilled to be surrounded by Yoo-Jin, Cherry Blossom members, Haru, and Kang Ha-Na. "Miso, do you like going to the screening that much?" I asked. "Yes~ I love it!" Miso eximed excitedly while hugging her Powertuff Girls doll tightly. Then she turned to me and asked, "Oh, right, Uncle Yoon-Ho. But why don''t dramas have screenings?" "Why? Would you like it if dramas had screenings like this?" Miso blinked her eyes in excitement. "Yeah! It''d be great if we could all get dressed up in nice clothes and gather together." At that moment, Sae-Ri shook her head and said that it wouldn''t work. "Miso, screenings are only for movies." Miso blinked. "So we can''t? Dramas can''t have screenings? Huh? Sae-Ri unnie?" "No, Miso. They can''t." Miso pouted slightly, and that''s when an idea struck me. "Who says they can''t? They can!" At that moment, Miso''s eyes widened. "Really?" "We can have everyone gather before the drama airs and do a live broadcast on MeTube." We could create a prologue broadcast introducing the drama and stream it live on MeTube. We''d select a host, gather the cast members, and interact with people in the chat. ''It''d be perfect publicity!'' I thought. When I gave my suggestion, Miso raised both hands in the air and cheered. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, you''re the best!" I smiled. "Yeah? Then you''re the best too, Miso!" Miso started singing happily as we headed to LT Tower in high spirits. Following the parking attendant''s guidance, we parked on the VIP-designated parking floor. After getting out of the car, we began fixing our outfits for the photo taking before entering the theater. Just then, a yellow Ramborghini pulled into the parking lot. With its eye-catching color, all eyes turned toward the Ramborghini. As the car stopped, the right gull-wing door opened and a familiar face appeared. It was So Yi-Yung, an actress from Chungmuro who hadpeted with us in dramas. ''What is she doing here?'' I wondered. So Yi-Yung stepped out of the car in a tight silver dress that clung to her body. Then a man got out of the driver''s seat. At that moment, my fists clenched tightly without realizing it. ''Fuck. Why is he here?'' I cursed inwardly. The man was none other than the genius film director Jo Jae-Kyung with whom I had a fierce and bitter history in my past life. Chapter 319: Beyond the Boundary Screening (1)

Chapter 319: Beyond the Boundary Screening (1)

Jo Jae-Kyung was the only son of Son Yung-Im, the fifth child of the honorary president of CK Inc. As a fourth-generation chaebol and a film director, Jo Jae-Kyung received the Grand Prize at a domestic film festival with his movie Sang-Hee''s Daily Life at the young age of 25. From that moment on, Jo Jae-Kyung became the center of attention in the Korean film industry. When he was exempted from military service, he immediately went to study abroad in the U.S. where he achieved further sess. While studying abroad, he won the Best Screeny Award at just 26 years old in thepetitive segment at the Berlin Film Festival with Miss YOU! Ms. KIM!, a film invested in by CK Entertainment. From that day on, he was hailed as a genius director. Having turned 27 years old this year, his poprity rivaled that of celebrities with his good looks and solid family background. However, I was tangled in a bitter rtionship with Jo Jae-Kyung. Born into a chaebol family and brimming with talent, he was used to throwing his weight around¡ªand being a film director further fueled his sense of entitlement. If the writer was the king of dramas, the director was the king of movies. On set, he treated actors like his subordinates and used celebrities'' talent agents as if they were his personal servants. It wasmon for him to hit talent agents if he was displeased or to change schedules at will. He would even send talent agents on errands without providing details, like buying lingerie for a female celebrity he fancied without telling them the size or ordering them to buy oysters freshly picked by a diver from Sokcho while shooting in Incheon. For this reason, talent agents dreaded being on set with him. Nevertheless, because Jo Jae-Kyung''s films were always box office hits, avoiding him entirely was not an option. After all, thepany would often instruct talent agents to keep him happy by any means necessary. Moreover, CK Entertainment, which held significant influence in the Korean film industry, was headed by Jo Jae-Kyung''s uncle. Hence, no one in the industry dared to oppose him. ''But why has he returned to Korea now?'' I wondered. In my past life, he hadn''t returned to Korea at this time. He was supposed to return in February next year after finishing filming a romantic fantasy movie titled The Thousand-Year Fox overseas. Yet for some reason, he hade back a few months earlier than expected. ''Well, people avoid shit because it''s dirty, not because it''s scary,'' I remarked inwardly. There was no benefit to getting involved with Jo Jae-Kyung, so I hurriedly urged my group to get out of the car. "Come on, let''s hurry inside." Just then, I heard a voice stopping me. "Hey, you over there!" ''Still doesn''t bother calling people by their names, huh?'' I thought. Standing over 185 cm tall, Jo Jae-Kyung was wearing a multi-million won Italian designer suit. He was sporting a blue shirt with two buttons undone. That shirt alone could cost hundreds of thousands of won. Jo Jae-Kyung, who had been holding So Yi-Yung by the waist, nodded when our eyes met. He was making it clear that he was the one calling me. I simply ignored both of them. "Come on, guys. Let''s head inside quickly." Yoo-Jin, Miso, and Cherry Blossom began walking through the passage connected to the parking lot at my urging. At that moment, Jo Jae-Kyung''s voice boomed through the parking lot. "What''s with these rude talent agents these days? Hey! Don''t you hear me?" His loud voice startled the celebrities ahead, making them flinch and hunch over. Feeling slightly irritated, I turned my head. I had no intention of letting my celebrities be intimidated, after all. Incredibly, as I turned my head, I saw So Yi-Yung''s silver mini bag glinting as it flew toward me. ''That crazy bastard...'' I cursed inwardly. I instinctively caught the mini bag mid-air. Snatch. Instead of getting hit, I neatly caught the bag which caused Jo Jae-Kyung to furrow his brows. "This asshole..." said Jo Jae-Kyung. I frowned. ''I was going to let it go, but now I can''t.'' I walked straight toward him and held the bag firmly. Jo Jae-Kyung stared daggers at me. "What do you think you''re doing?" I said coldly. "You''re just a mere talent agent, and yet you have the nerve to look me in the eye? And you should answer right away when I call you!" Jo Jae-Kyung yelled. As expected, he started throwing his weight around the moment he saw me. However, I had no intention of ying along with his nonsense. "Why should I answer just because you call me?" I retorted. "What?" When Jo Jae-Kyung sighed in disbelief, So Yi-Yung standing beside him snapped in anger on his behalf. "Mr. Jung! Don''t you know who this is?" "Yes, I know. He''s the son of CK Inc.''s President Son Yung-Im, the so-called genius director Jo Jae-Kyung." "Then why are you acting this way?" I responded with a cold expression. "Why should it matter to me that he''s a genius? Does being a genius give him the right to speak rudely to someone he''s just met? Or to throw a bag at me? Huh?" "Oh, you fucking little..." Jo Jae-Kyung cursed. I interrupted him. "Watch your mouth: this is a warning. And here, take this back." I tossed the bag right back at Jo Jae-Kyung just as he had thrown it at me. The designer bag thudded against his chest and fell to the ground, causing So Yi-Yung to jump in surprise to catch it. Jo Jae-Kyung scowled deeply and shouted, "I heard Jung Yoo-Jin''s doing well, so I was considering casting her in my next project. But thanks to you, that''s definitely off the table!" I looked into Jo Jae-Kyung''s zing eyes, almost forgetting the situation and feeling the urge to shout "Thank you!" I had no desire to work with him anyway. Suppressing the urge to smirk, I nodded calmly. "Alright. Do as you wish." Jo Jae-Kyung looked at me as if he was stunned by my unexpected reaction. "What... what did you just say?" "I said go ahead. Yoo-Jin won''t even set foot in your projects, Mr. Jo. Is that clear?" Everyone in the industry knew that when Jo Jae-Kyung made a movie, CK Entertainment, headed by his mother''s family, fully handled the investment and distribution. This was the reason top star So Yi-Yung stuck close to him and endured his antics such as throwing her cherished bag. However, I had no interest in such offers. Jo Jae-Kyung scanned me from head to toe, baffled that someone would reject his proposition. Then I offered him a piece of advice. "And in the future, don''t raise your voice in front of the other celebrities." "How dare you little..." Jo Jae-Kyung growled and clenched his fist, unable to control his anger/ He seemed unfazed despite the countless security cameras and car dashcams in the parking lot. I scoffed. ''Well, Jo Jae-Kyung wouldn''t be Jo Jae-Kyung if he worried about the consequences.'' At that moment, So Yi-Yung threw herself in front of him in an attempt to calm him down. "H-hold on, please!" "What are you doing, Yi-Yung? Why are you stopping me?" Jo Jae-Kyung said in frustration. "Mr. Jo! Please calm down! This guy knows how to box!" "Let go! How strong could he possibly be!" So Yi-Yung clung to Jo Jae-Kyung''s arm and shouted at me, "What are you doing? Get out of here before Mr. Jo gets angrier! Do you want to be cklisted from the industry?" It was hard to tell if she was trying to help me. Regardless, there was no way I was going to let this nonsense slide. So I issued a warning, drawing on a particr event from my memory. "Mr. Jo! From now on, don''t show any interest in me or my actors¡ªunless you want to see articles about your habitual gambling in casinos." At that moment, Jo Jae-Kyung froze in an instant. "H-How do you know about that..." Currently, my nner still held a few entries about Jo Jae-Kyung. One was about his habitual gambling in casinos while he was in the U.S., and another was about him not paying his assistant director. I had only mentioned one of those incidents, which was enough to stun Jo Jae-Kyung. All he could do was scream and demand how I knew about it. "That''s none of your concern. Let''s just avoid each other from now on," I replied dismissively. After saying my piece, I turned sharply and walked away. I could hear him huffing and puffing behind me, but no more bags were thrown my way. I reassured the group with a calm smile. Holding Miso''s hand, I walked toward the screening room and asked her, "I''m sorry Miso, were you scared?" Miso shook her head. "I wasn''t scared at all!" "Really?" "Of course! You''re so good at fighting, Uncle Yoon-Ho!" "Me?" I nced around curiously, wondering who might have told her that. At that moment, one person in particr seemed unusually flustered. "Sae-Rri, was it you?" Sae-Ri flinched. "W-what?" "It was you, wasn''t it?" "M-me? No, no way! I swear on my older brother, it wasn''t me!" "You don''t have an older brother." "Exactly," Sae-Ri mumbled as she avoided my gaze before quickly turning away and running off. I shook my head. "Kids these days..." Leaving behind Jo Jae-Kyung and So Yi-Yung who were still fuming, our group headed to the VIP screening of Lee Tae-Poong''s Beyond the Boundary. *** A VIP screening was typically held the day before a movie''s release, where the director and lead actors invited celebrity friends to watch the film. Since this was Choi Sung-Moon''stest attempt at reaching ten million viewers, the event drew twice as many celebrities as other screenings. Celebrities stood in the photo zone, making remarks about the film and wishing sess for Beyond the Boundary. Pyo Eun-Mi watched the photo zone with a fond smile for a while before standing up. "I''ll go in first. Mr. Jung, aren''t youing?" "Oh, I''ll follow shortly." Yoo-Jin, Miso, and the rest of the group followed Pyo Eun-Mi into the theater first. And shortly after, Lee Yung-Jin arrived, escorting an elderly couple. "Why are you sote?" I asked him. "There was traffic." "I see. You did well." Lee Yung-Jin turned to the couple. "This way, please. I don''t think you''ve met Mr. Jung before, right?" The couple with Lee Yung-Jin were Lee Tae-Poong''s parents: Lee Sang-Woo and Yoo Ji-Ye. Both of them were tall and possessed striking looks, especially Lee Sang-Woo, whose appearance rivaled that of many seasoned actors. Now it made sense where Tae-Poong got his looks¡ªit was all in the genes. We had spoken on the phone before, but this was our first time meeting in person. I bowed deeply to the couple who had made the effort toe all the way here. "Thank you foring all this way." Lee Tae-Poong''s mother grabbed my hand with her rough hands and helped me up. "Oh, I hope us country folks aren''t causing trouble bying and going, Mr. Jung." "Not at all. This is Tae-Poong''s first film as the lead. Of course you both should be here." Lee Tae-Poong''s parents looked touched as they were here to witness their son, who had once struggled with dyslexia and considered quitting acting, now proudly starring in Choi Sung-Moon''s film. "I was wondering where Tae-Poong got his good looks from, and it turns out he''s a spitting image of both of you," I said with a smile. Lee Tae-Poong''s mother squeezed her husband''s hand tightly. "Tae-Poong takes after my husband more than me. Back in the day, he was known as the most handsome man in Gangwon-do." Lee Tae-Poong''s father cleared his throat, looking a bit embarrassed. "Oh, you''re talking nonsense!" I smiled and responded, "I think you''re still the most handsome man in Gangwon-do, sir." Lee Tae-Poong''s mother nodded enthusiastically. "See, Mr. Jung, you get it! He''s the best in my eyes too." Her unexpected deration of love made Lee Tae-Poong''s father clear his throat again. "Ahem, oh dear... ahem!" Seeing that Lee Tae-Poong''s parents were still so in love was a heartwarming sight, especially on a day like today. They repeatedly expressed their gratitude, saying that their son''s life had finally turned around since meeting me. After exchanging greetings, I gestured toward the theater. "Now it''s time to see the results of Tae-Poong''s hard work." "Yes, Mr. Jung." At that moment, Lee Tae-Poong''s father held out two gold-wrapped parcels that he had been carrying. "Oh, I almost forgot! Please take these, Mr. Jung." "What are these?" "It''s pine nuts. I picked only the best ones, so you can enjoy them with your family." I wanted to decline, but Lee Tae-Poong''s mother insisted that I ept them. "Please, just take them. We''ve already sent some to yourpany separately. One of these is for you and your family at home, and the other is for your family in Gwangju when you visit." It seemed that Lee Tae-Poong had mentioned my circumstances to them. Unable to refuse any longer, I epted the gifts. "Thank you." I asked Lee Yung-Jin to load the wrapped parcels into the car and then headed toward the theater with Tae-Poong''s parents. *** In front of VIP Hall 1 where the screening was taking ce, Lee Tae-Poong was personally checking tickets for the attendees. "Yes, row F, seat 8. It''s in the middle once you get inside." Lee Tae-Poong greeted each guest with a warm smile, prompting the fans to cry out in delight. "Kyaa! Oppa! I''m a huge fan!" "Me too! I''ve been your fan since you first debuted." "Could you please sign my ticket, oppa?" Rather than heading inside, the fans flocked around Lee Tae-Poong. As a result, Lee Dae-Ho and I were busy bowing and apologizing repeatedly. "We''ll try to make some time for autographs after the screening. For now, please head inside as there are others waiting. Yes, thank you, thank you." Making a celebrity apologize was a talent agent''s failure. All the awkward and ufortable moments fell on the talent agent''s shoulders. Fortunately, at least there were no hair-pulling or harsh insults to deal with. After bending over in apology so many times that my back ached, I finally made our way inside the theater as thest ones. The stage greetingsted about ten minutes after which Choi Sung-Moon and the actors took their seats. "Please set your phones to vibrate or silent mode..." Following the announcement requesting everyone to observe proper etiquette, the lights began to dim. The VIP screening of Beyond the Boundary, where actor Lee Tae-Poong poured his soul into his performance, had officially begun. However, just as the movie started, the theater which was supposed to remain silent began to stir with murmurs. Chapter 320: Beyond the Boundary Screening (2) Chapter 320: Beyond the Boundary Screening (2) The sight of Lee Tae-Poong filling the massive screen was nothing short of shocking. Instead of the long-haired pretty boy image, a man with a sharp jawline and short hair was exuding raw masculinity. The audience, so captivated by Lee Tae-Poong''s sessful image transformation, forgot the need for silence and continuously expressed their admiration. Momentster, the shirtless Lee Tae-Poong breathed heavily and began running alone through a rain-soaked training ground. Rainwater flowed between his defined, bronze six-pack abs, eliciting gasps from both men and women in the audience. "Wow, look at that body. I''m so jealous. No matter what I do, I can''t get that." "Isn''t it just unfair to have that face and that body?" "I wish the movie was just full of Mr. Tae-Poong..." "Look at those abs. Is he even human or some kind of beast?""Ahem!" Only after Choi Sung-Moon cleared his throat did the audience snap back to reality and quiet down. In the next scene, Lee Tae-Poong appeared in North Korean special forces attire as he crossed from China into North Korea. Half-submerged in the cold and fast-flowing waters of the Amnok River, Tae-Poong''s face painted ck for camouge barely peeked above the water''s surface. His piercing gaze visible just above the waterline was as sharp and chilling as that of a wild dog, sending shivers through the audience. Everyone was enthralled by Lee Tae-Poong''s intense expression and felt the tension in their own bodies. As the scene transitioned to his infiltration into North Korea for a mission, a relentless series of action sequences unfolded. Despite not using a stunt double, Lee Tae-Poong executed moves with such intensity and precision that one might have thought a professional action actor was on screen. In a subsequent scene where North Korea''s State Security Department''s investigation into the protagonist''s dual identity tightened, Lee Tae-Poong performed hair-raising escape scenes that left viewers on the edge of their seats. Everyone in the audience was sweating along with the action on screen. As the movie moved past its midpoint, romance began to blend into the previously action-driven plot. After sessfully rescuing a brilliant North Korean nuclear physicist and his daughter and bringing them safely to Seoul, Lee Tae-Poong received orders from his superiors to live with the rescued daughter and personally protect her. At that moment, Lee Tae-Poong''s character who had been stern and stoic since the beginning of the film began to show a different side. Awkward speech,ck of expression, hesitant bodynguage, and a series of clumsy attempts at orchestrating romantic gestures unfolded. Every time Lee Tae-Poong''s character made a fumbling mistake as he had never dated a woman before, the audience couldn''t help but burst intoughter at the sheer absurdity of it. Lee Tae-Poong''s portrayal of a man experiencing his first love was so detailed that it was both endearing and amusing. However, this was a reflection of Lee Tae-Poong''s true self. After all, Lee Tae-Poong had never dated anyone else except for an ex-girlfriend who once ckmailed him. As this elite National Intelligence Service agent raised as a killing machine gradually regained his humanity and became an ordinary man of his age, the audience marveled once again. Lee Tae-Poong fully embodied the diverse character traits of the protagonist in Beyond the Boundary. Gone was the Lacking David image that had once defined him. Now, it was all about Lee Tae-Poong, the acting fanatic. Finally, the film reached its climax. When Lee Tae-Poong''s love interest was taken hostage by North Korean operatives, he mmed his head into the ground and screamed in agony. Moved by Lee Tae-Poong''s heartbreaking performance, the audience covered their mouths and began to cry. At that moment, I knew Beyond the Boundary would surpass ten million viewers, and that Lee Tae-Poong would be a top star. *** [CAST] National Intelligence Service Agent Choi Sung-Ha / Lee Tae-Poong North Korean Major Choi In-Sol / Lee Tae-Poong As the movie ended, the names of the cast began to roll on the screen during the closing credits. Taking the top spot was my actor, Lee Tae-Poong. I started filming with my phone to capture this emotional and meaningful moment. ''Tae-Poong, you did great,'' I remarked inwardly. Perhaps because of the overwhelming emotion, my hand holding the phone was trembling slightly. Meanwhile, the lights came on to guide those who wanted to leave the theater first. However, not a single person got up to leave. Everyone was still sitting, sharing their thoughts on the film as they watched the ending credits. "The movie was really well made." "I''ming back tomorrow to watch it again." "Did you see Lee Tae-Poong''s scream earlier? Wow, it made my heart drop." "Lee Tae-Poong''s acting has improved so much, hasn''t it? Whether it''s action or romance, he doesn''t miss a beat." As the audience murmured among themselves, the ending credits finished and the lights in the theater turned onpletely. At that moment, Choi Sung-Moon, Lee Tae-Poong, and the supporting actors, who were all seated in the front row, stood up. Seeing the audience still in their seats, Choi Sung-Moon called out loudly, "Did you enjoy the movie?" The theater erupted in cheers at once. "Yes~~!!" "It was amazing!" "Mr. Choi, it looks like your movie will hit ten million again!" Lee Tae-Poong kept bowing repeatedly with tears welled up in his eyes, and his parents couldn''t contain their joy as they listened to the overwhelming praise from those around them. Suppressing my own happiness, I joined the staff in guiding the audience toward the exits. Until this moment, I thought the VIP screening had ended as aplete sess. *** Whenever there was a VIP screening, a photo zone was set up near the theater exit because the impressions shared by celebrities and regr attendees were often used for publicity purposes. Given the positive viewing atmosphere, I expected nothing but good words to be exchanged. However, as I led Yoo-Jin and Miso out of the theater, I spotted someone in the photo zone spouting some absurd opinions. It was Jo Jae-Kyung. The so-called genius director was standing there with a dissatisfied look as he shared his thoughts on the movie. "As expected of Mr. Choi Sung-Moon, the movie featured fast-paced storytelling and thrilling action. However, it was hard to overlook how the movie''s filled with clich¨¦s which makes it feel somewhat outdated." Caught off guard by the unexpectedment, the reporters quickly asked for rification. "Did you just say it felt outdated?" "Yes. To be honest, it seemed like it was too focused on catering to popr demands resulting in a work that feels boxed in. More content with the present rather than striving for innovation, wouldn''t you agree?" A young, internationally awarded genius director throwing a challenge at a director known for his ten-million-viewer films was bound to make headlines. Eager for a scoop, the reporters began typing furiously on theirptops. However, Jo Jae-Kyung''s critique didn''t end there. "Oh, and I''ve read plenty of articles iming that Mr. Lee Tae-Poong''s acting has improved. Do you all agree with that sentiment?" For a moment, the reporters'' hands stopped typing in unison. Jo Jae-Kyung enjoyed the expectant looks of the reporters curious about his next inmmatory statement and continued. "To me, he just seemed like an average action actor. Is it just me? Oh, but I have to admit, he''s still incredibly handsome! Seeing him in person, his face alone is definitely the top in Korea." My blood boiled and anger surged inside me. With just a few words, Jo Jae-Kyung was belittling someone''s earnest effort and dragging it through the mud. This is why I despised that man so much. He was indifferent to others'' pain and only cared about himself. The rising fury made me start to tremble unconsciously. Just then, I felt a warm and soft little hand tugging at my sleeve. When I turned, Miso was looking up at me and blinking her eyes. "Uncle Yoon-Ho." Miso''s eyes were filled with concern. "Don''t be angry!" "Huh?" "Uncle Yoon-Ho, your face looks really scary right now!" Miso eximed. Ever since I was young, my expression wouldpletely disappear whenever I got truly angry. For this reason, people often couldn''t tell when I was angry because my expression would gopletely nk. However, Miso was reading my emotions perfectly with her keen eyes. "I''m¡­not mad¡­ though," I replied. "Lying is bad! You look really angry, like this!" said Miso as she made devil horn shapes with her index fingers. Seeing this, Yoo-Jin also stepped in to calm me down. "Oppa, remember what you said before? There are plenty of people like him in the entertainment industry. Just let it go. Rx, rx~" Oddly enough, her words brought a sense of relief and my anger started to subside. I took a deep breath and said, "Alright, I''ll do as Miso says." Miso smiled broadly. "Yeah! They say holding back is winning!" Nheless, I still felt differently on the inside. Just because I restrained myself didn''t mean Jo Jae-Kyung would appreciate it. He''d likely see it as a sign of weakness and push even harder. So confronting Jo Jae-Kyung was inevitable. After reassuring Yoo-Jin and Miso, I began to mentally organize my next steps. With Jo Jae-Kyung stirring up trouble, the media would be quick to publish rted articles. At this point, it was impossible to stop the press from writing about it. The goal now was not to be overshadowed by Jo Jae-Kyung''s narrative. ''How do I bnce this out?'' I thought hard. Just then, Ju Yung-In approached me with quick steps. "Oppa, don''t fall for it. That guy is doing this on purpose." "I''m sorry?" "There''s a rumor that hepleted a film while in the U.S." she continued. ''No way. Could it be? Did Jo Jae-Kyung return early because he finished producing The Thousand-Year Fox ahead of schedule?'' The future had shifted in ways I wasn''t aware of. "So this whole stunt is something coordinated with CK Entertainment?" I asked. "Bingo. He probably sees this as the perfect opportunity to go head-to-head with Director Choi." It was a clever move to target the period when other studios were avoiding releasing their films against Choi Sung-Moon''s. The Thousand-Year Fox hadn''t even released a trailer yet, so it would likely be at least three weeks before it hit the theaters. That meant I also had to go all out during that time. Thanks to Ju Yung-In, I now had a clear grasp of the situation. I turned to her and expressed my gratitude. "Thank you." Ju Yung-In seemed taken aback and her eyes widened. "Do you really mean it?" "Yes. Thanks to you, I''ve cleared my head." At that moment, she blinked and spoke up. "Um¡­ if that''s the case, could you do me a favor?" "If it''s within my capabilities." "It''s not too hard. When we go to China, could youe with me? Director Wang Long said he''d like you toe along too. Look at this." Ju Yung-In pulled out her phone and showed me an email from Wang Long. She was scheduled for a meeting in China soon because of her role in the uing film Wolf of the Battlefield. Since Ace Entertainment didn''t have a talent agent who spoke Chinese and because of my close rtionship with Wang Long, he had requested my presence. While it wasn''t a difficult favor, leaving Yoo-Jin behind made me hesitate. She continued, "For this trip, I''ll leave the Chinese agency''s revenue in your hands, Mr. Jung. I''ll also send a cooperation letter to Hoop Entertainment to make it official business." Though the president of Ace Entertainment might not be pleased, Ju Yung-In didn''t seem bothered. She pointed out that Ace Entertainment hadn''t yed any part in securing her role in Wolf of the Battlefield, so they wouldn''t have much toin about. That''s when Yoo-Jin chimed in from beside me. "Oppa, you should go." "Huh? Really?" "Yes. You have an appointment to meet with Wang Long oppa and his father, and you mentioned you wanted to see Ling Ling too. It makes sense to get everything done while you''re there." "Well, that''s true. But¡­ are you really okay with that?" I asked Yoo-Jin. Yoo-Jin nodded. "Yes, I''m fine with it." It was impossible to read her thoughts because she was smiling brightly. Given the circumstances, I agreed to Ju Yung-In''s proposal. I turned to Ju Yung-In. "Under one condition: I''ll arrange the schedule. And let''s focus on dealing with that guy first for now. We''ll talk about the restter." After finishing our conversation, I headed back to the theater to summon someone who could handle Jo Jae-Kyung. Just then, Choi Sung-Moon came out of the screening room after finishing his greetings. "Team Lead Jung, what''s going on? What''s with that look on your face?" Choi Sung-Moon asked. "Mr. Choi, you came out at just the right time." If anyone could stand up to Jo Jae-Kyung, it was Choi Sung-Moon. I immediately informed him that Jo Jae-Kyung was belittling Beyond the Boundary. As soon as he heard this, Choi Sung-Moon shouted loudly at Jo Jae-Kyung, "Director Jo! What on earth are you saying right now?" Jo Jae-Kyung shrugged nonchntly with a smug expression. "Can''t I have an opinion as a fellow director?" No matter how much of a genius Jo Jae-Kyung was, there was no way Choi Sung-Moon would stand being insulted by a much younger hoobae. "What? Fellow director? Where does a brat still wet behind the ears get off talking like that?" Choi Sung-Moon snapped. Known for his fiery temper, Choi Sung-Moon pointed his finger at Jo Jae-Kyung and approached him aggressively. In response, Jo Jae-Kyung escted his provocations even further. "That''s a bit harsh, don''t you think? Let''s be honest here¡ªit''s true that your works are a bit too formic, Mr. Choi!" With voices raised, it seemed like the two mighte to blows at any moment. I quickly held onto the agitated Choi Sung-Moon as my goal was to silence Jo Jae-Kyung, not to create headlines about Choi Sung-Moon''s involvement in an altercation. I whispered directly into Choi Sung-Moon''s ear while ensuring only he could hear. "Mr. Choi, I have a way to bring Director Jo down. So please calm down for now and redirect the reporters'' attention toward us." Fuming, Choi Sung-Moon asked me, "You really have a way to take down that bastard?" Knowing Jo Jae-Kyung''s weaknesses, I confidently replied, "Yes, Mr. Choi!" "Alright then, let''s do it." Choi Sung-Moon took a deep breath and began topose himself. Just at that moment, Jo Jae-Kyung boldly made an explosive announcement to the reporters as he felt like he had won the argument. "Oh, by the way, my firstmercial film, The Thousand-Year Fox, will be released nationwide next week. My film features a much more sophisticated direction, so I suggestparing it with Beyond the Boundary." The screening venue erupted in chaos in an instant. Instead of congratting the team on their movie premiere, Jo Jae-Kyung had shamelessly promoted his own film. As Ju Yung-In had said, CK Entertainment was seizing this moment to position Jo Jae-Kyung as a rival to Choi Sung-Moon. Of course, it was clear that Jo Jae-Kyung had eagerly volunteered for this role. In my past life, Jo Jae-Kyung had a history of climbing to the top by trampling on other directors. I scoffed. ''Is that how you want to y it, Jo Jae-Kyung?'' I stared at Jo Jae-Kyung as he dered war against Beyond the Boundary, and began to recall every piece of information I knew about him from my past life. I was determined to bring him down.
Ristretto''s Thoughts Ristretto: Damn. Jo Jae-Kyung messed with the wrong person ?? Maggy: HAHA can''t wait to see how Jo Jae-Kyung is gonna regret this. Also,I feel like at this point, Yoo-Jin and Jung Yoon-Ho are unofficially a couple lolol ??
Chapter 321: Park Sun-Jae (1)

Chapter 321: Park Sun-Jae (1)

Jo Jae-Kyung announced loudly at the VIP screening of Beyond the Boundary that his own film would be released soon. "What? Is that true? This time it''s amercial film?" "But you''ve only done art films until now. Why the sudden shift tomercial cinema, Mr. Jo?" "And are you really releasing it without any prior publicity?" Jo Jae-Kyung responded with a rxed smile to the reporters'' barrage of questions. "I''ve always wanted to domercial films. And I believe one week is enough for publicity. As long as the work is good, the audience will naturallye through word of mouth, won''t they?" Most films run their publicity efforts at least two to three weeks, or even up to six months, before their release. However, Jo Jae-Kyung, who CK Entertainment backed, did not. Choi Sung-Moon had barely managed to calm down, but he instantly red up again at Jo Jae-Kyung''s provocations. "Is that guy out of his mind? How dare hee to someone else''s event and pull this nonsense?" I whispered to Choi Sung-Moon about one of Jo Jae-Kyung''s weak points. "Mr. Choi, try provoking him by mentioning that he''s a rich kid backed by CK Entertainment. It''ll get to him." "Will that childish tactic really work?" "Yes. Trust me on this one." "Alright." After taking a deep breath, Choi Sung-Moon said loudly, "As expected~ the CK family''s young master does things differently. Nationwide release with no proper publicity efforts? Should we start calling you the rich kid director instead?" At that moment, Jo Jae-Kyung''s confident smile faltered for the first time. After all, the term "rich kid" was his Achilles'' heel. Just as Lee Tae-Poong had endured mockery as the "Lacking David," Jo Jae-Kyung had always been dogged by the notion that his sess was thanks to his maternal family''s business, CK Entertainment. Seeing Jo Jae-Kyung shaken simply by the mention of being a rich kid, Choi Sung-Moon got energized and continued his verbal onught. "Oh yes! So what if you use your mommy card to get your films made? Hey, a director''s a director, right? You have my full respect. I''m jealous of you, rich kid!" Unable to hold back any longer, Jo Jae-Kyung shouted in frustration at the boisterous Choi Sung-Moon. "Mr. Choi! Watch your mouth!" Jo Jae-Kyung probably hadn''t expected such a direct confrontation from a star director like Choi Sung-Moon. The bystanders were taken aback, but Choi Sung-Moon had always been known for his entricity. He even got into fistfights with lead actors in his younger days. Choi Sung-Moon didn''t show any signs of embarrassment. "Well, if you''re so pissed, do you want to settle this with fists? What is it? Don''t you do fistfights because you''re a rich kid? Didn''t you say we are both directors? Let''s take off the rank badges and have it out, you brat!" Jo Jae-Kyung couldn''t keep up with Choi Sung-Moon''s rough and brash manner. Realizing he couldn''t win this verbal spar, Jo Jae-Kyung turned away. At that moment, the reporters'' cameras shed again. "Mr. Jo Jae-Kyung! Are you just going to back down like this?" "Could you say a few more words before you go?" Thanks to Choi Sung-Moon''s performance, we were able to prevent Jo Jae-Kyung from stealing all the attention. *** [Director Choi Sung-Moon of Beyond the Boundary shes at VIP Screening!] [Director Choi Sung-Moon''s Beyond the Boundary vs. Director Jo Jae-Kyung''s The Thousand-Year Fox] [A sh of Generations Representing Korean Film: New vs. Old!] [Sessful VIP Screening of Beyond the Boundary! Film Sess and Publicity Win?] [Lee Tae-Poong. Obsessed with Acting!] [CK Entertainment''s The Thousand-Year Fox Set for Release Next Week!] After the uproar at the VIP screening venue subsided, I entrusted Miso, Yoo-Jin, and Cherry Blossom to Lee Yung-Jin while I headed to LT Entertainment''s headquarters with Lee Tae-Poong and his cousin Lee Dae-Ho. Shin Jong-Ki of LT Entertainment, who was in charge of distribution, had called for a strategy meeting and extended the invite to me. President Shin Jong-Ki of LT Entertainment was the first to open his mouth. "Jo Jae-Kyung, that asshole caused a mess. How do you suggest we handle this?" The tension in the room thickened as the normally refined Shin Jong-Gi spoke harshly. Choi Sung-Moon quickly responded, "Team Lead Jung says he has a solution. What are you so worried about?" "Team Lead Jung?" All eyes turned to me. I cleared my throat and began, "Currently, Mr. Park Sun-Jae, the assistant director of The Thousand-Year Fox, hasn''t received any payment." "Jo Jae-Kyung hired a Korean assistant director for a film shot in the U.S.?" "Yes. Mr. Park Sun-Jae was specifically hired because of his proficiency in English. However, he still hasn''t been paid for his directing fee of 100 million won." At that moment, everyone''s eyes began to sh. After all, unpaid wages were grounds for legal action. *** Having turned 34 years old this year, Assistant Director Park Sun-Jae poured everything into his film career despiteing from a poor background. He was a versatile talent who had worked in props, production, and the directing department, and was well known for his proficiency in English having served in KATUSA. As he gradually built his career, Park Sun-Jae''s name caught the attention of Jo Jae-Kyung who was looking for an assistant director fluent in English. Jo Jae-Kyung put effort into recruiting Park Sun-Jae, and Park Sun-Jae eventually agreed to assist with the production of The Thousand-Year Fox on the condition that he would be paid 100 million won after filming wrapped in the U.S. However, about a month into the U.S. shoot, Jo Jae-Kyung got hooked on gambling after a casual visit to a casino and eventually dipped into the production funds provided by CK Entertainment. Jo Jae-Kyung ended up losing all the production funds at the gambling tables, leading to unpaid wages for the staff. In response, the American crew immediately hiredwyers to preparewsuits. rmed by the unexpected events, CK Entertainment''s U.S. branch was keen on protecting the president''s grandson and paid the wages to cover up the scandal. However, Park Sun-Jae was the only Korean staff member and was directly hired by Jo Jae-Kyung. Jo Jae-Kyung dyed paying Park Sun-Jae''s wages, using the excuse that he would help thetter debut as a director in the future. Park Sun-Jae didn''t raise anyints initially as he thought that a wealthy family like Jo Jae-Kyung''s wouldn''t default on payment. Despite this, Jo Jae-Kyung repeatedly dyed the payment he had promised and failed to deliver on the promised support for Park Sun-Jae''s directorial debut. Frustrated, Park Sun-Jae eventually approached the media to expose the issue. Only then did Jo Jae-Kyung use CK Entertainment''s influence to hastily silence Park Sun-Jae by promising to make the movie he had been assured. Unfortunately, that was all a trap. CK Entertainment signed a contract for a film with a total investment of 3 billion won and paid Park Sun-Jae an advance of 100 million won. However, they subsequently dyed the remaining payments under various pretexts. Park Sun-Jae trusted CK Entertainment and began production, only to find himself heavily in debt. No one had heard from Park Sun-Jae since then, but the events were still recorded in my nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: March 13, 2021] -10:00 p.m.: Actor Division 3 Meeting. (Meeting content: Agreement with Director Jo Jae-Kyung and Assistant Director Park Sun-Jae. Ensure confidentiality among internal staff.) [Date: May 15, 2021] -11:00 p.m.: Report on Director Jo Jae-Kyung''s habitual gambling at the LCM Casino in Las Vegas. (Meeting content: Check for gambling incidents amongpany actors.) Upon hearing that Park Sun-Jae had not been paid, Shin Jong-Ki asked excitedly, "Do you know him well?" "Yes, well... I know him," I replied. Though we hadn''t met yet, I quickly glossed over my answer because we would eventually meet very soon. "Then let''s see if we can get in touch with Park Sun-Jae. Can we call him right now?" asked Shin Jong-Ki "May I ask what you''re nning to propose?" "We have several movies in production. How about cing him on one of those projects as a crew member?" I shook my head, thinking that wouldn''t be enough. "Mr. Shin, have you considered producing another film?" "What do you mean by that?" "Mr. Park Sun-Jae is currently working on a script and it''s exceptionally well-written." Shin Jong-Ki was deep in thought because film production wasn''t cheap. After a while, he finished pondering and asked, "What''s the genre of the project he''s preparing?" "It''s a natural disaster thriller," I answered. "A natural disaster thriller? That''s a genre that requires a lot of budget." "We''ll be filming in Jiri mountain, so the costs won''t be too high." I exined the synopsis of Jiri Mountain, a project that Park Sun-Jae had tried to produce but had to scrap. It was about a group of people stranded at a mountain lodge due to a snowstorm, among whom a psychopathic killer was lurking. Shin Jong-Ki could estimate the production cost just from hearing the synopsis. "In that case, it would cost about 2 to 3 billion won." I nodded. "Yes, it should be around that amount. I believe the initial script was also sent to LT Entertainment." Shin Jong-Ki paused to consider. "Hmm...but we already have a lot of projects lined up for the second half of the year..." I yed my final card. "If you take charge of production and distribution, Tae-Poong will take the lead role." At that moment, Shin Jong-Ki''s eyes gleamed. "Are you serious?" 3 billion won is a lot of money, but if Lee Tae-Poong stars in it, the situation would change drastically. Just the news that Lee Tae-Poong, who received a phenomenal response at the Beyond the Boundary screening, chose Jiri Mountain as his next movie would be huge. Moreover, Jiri Mountain was a project with strong potential to be a hit. In my past life, the industry considered it an unfortunate masterpiece that vanished without reason. Shin Jong-Ki looked at me. "No take-backs?" "Nope. And to reduce risk, Tae-Poong will take no upfront fee¡ªjust a running guarantee." At that moment, Shin Jong-Ki eximed in excitement. "Then it''s a done deal! Get him on board no matter what! Tell Park Sun-Jae we''ll produce his movie and proceed with thewsuit under his name!" "Yes, sir." I instructed Lee Dae-Ho and Lee Tae-Poong to prepare for the stage greetings starting tomorrow, before heading to Guro immediately where Assistant Director Park Sun-Jae lived. *** A weary-looking 34-year-old Park Sun-Jae was sitting behind the counter of a convenience store in Guro at 12 midnight and fiddling with his phone. "They said they''d get in touch...but why haven''t I heard anything back yet?" It had been a month since he returned to Korea. He still hadn''t received his 100 million won directing fee for The Thousand-Year Fox, but he hadn''t pushed for it due to Jo Jae-Kyung''s promise to debut him as a director. Yet after revising and sending the script for Jiri Mountain every day, Jo Jae-Kyung kept giving the same old excuse that it wasn''t good enough and hadn''t replied for the past week. "Should I just go and demand the unpaid directing fee...?" Park Sun-Jae mumbled. For now, his living expenses were being covered by his girlfriend of ten years, Ahn Yoo-Joo. She said she''d support him so he could focus solely on writing scripts and working toward bing a director. However, Park Sun-Jae knew he couldn''t keep relying on her. As such, he started working a four-hour night shift at a convenience store to avoid interfering with his scriptwriting. He let out a sigh and uttered to himself, "Sigh. Okay. I''ll go see him tomorrow." Since he couldn''t just wait around, he decided to confront Jo Jae-Kyung the next day. That''s when the convenience store door opened. Ding! Park Sun-Jae shook off hisplicated thoughts and stood up. "Wee." Three customers walked in: tworge men and a woman. Park Sun-Jae greeted them, but the customers silently headed straight for the liquor section. The two men wearing blue and red caps were both over 180 cm tall. The three of them also wore jumpers from a nearby college: Woonjung University. ''College students, huh...'' he thought. The trio ced five bottles of soju and a bag of shrimp chips on the counter. "Ring us up." There were five bottles of soju but only one snack. If Park Sun-Jae had the money, he would have liked to buy them some fried chicken or something. Sympathizing with the students'' situation which reminded him of his own, Park Sun-Jae spoke without thinking. "Drinking like this will be hard on your stomach..." At that moment, things started to take a strange turn. "What''s it to you? Are you going to buy the snacks for us, then?" Park Sun-Jae realized his mistake at the woman''s sharp response. "Oh, no. I''m sorry. I''ll ring you up right away." "Ugh, so annoying. What a loser." Park Sun-Jae felt a surge of anger, yet he had no choice but to hold back since he had been the one who misspoke. That''s when the guy in the blue cap turned to re at Park Sun-Jae and mmed his hand on the counter. "Hey, dude. Are you messing with her, huh?" Park Sun-Jae felt his heart sink. Dealing with a troublesome customer like the ones he had only heard about on his first day on the job was unexpected. "I-I''m sorry," Park Sun-Jae apologized. "Sorry? Do you think just saying sorry is enough? You pissed her off! How are you going to make up for that?" Park Sun-Jae squeezed his eyes shut and decided to offer apromise. He knew that a fistfight would be no use against two sturdy guys. "You can just go. I¡¯ll...pay for the soju and shrimp chips myself." The guy in the blue cap bristled. "You think we¡¯re beggars or what? You think that¡¯s enough?" "Th-then what do you want?" Park Sun-Jae asked. The guy in the red cap nced at the woman as if he had been waiting for this. "Dong-Mi, what do you want to eat?" "Me? A pint of H?agen-Daze. Shrimp chips are enough for snacks, and ice cream is the best cure when your stomach hurts from soju!" "You don¡¯t have money but you still always go for the fancy stuff. Go grab it." Without waiting for permission, the woman dashed over and grabbed two pints of ice cream. The total bill was over 24 thousand won. Then, the guy shouted, "Hey! Grab one more. We need at least three." Three pints came to over 36 thousand won, about the same as Park Sun-Jae¡¯s day¡¯s wage. "O-oh, no. You can¡¯t do this. If you do, I¡¯ll have to call the police..." At that moment, the guy in the red cap raised his thick fist. "You call the cops and you¡¯re dead¡ªdo you really want that?" Park Sun-Jae trembled and shook his head. "N-no." "Should¡¯ve just done that from the start." Park Sun-Jae reached for the register and asked meekly, "Then could I see your ID, please..." The guy in the blue cap scowled fiercely. "Hey! Can¡¯t you tell I¡¯m a college student?" "Even if you¡¯re in college, you still need to be over 18..." At that moment, the guy in the blue cap cracked his knuckles. "That¡¯s it! Old man, you¡¯re getting a beating first!" "Ahh!" Park Sun-Jae yelled. At that moment, the bell above the door chimed. A well-dressed, handsome man dashed in like lightning and grabbed the blue cap guy¡¯s fist. "Where does a high school kid get off trying to punch an adult?" Despite being half the size of the blue cap guy, the well-dressed handsome man held his hand tightly. Park Sun-Jae blinked and said, "High school...er?" The faces of the three troublesome customers twisted in shock. Chapter 322: Park Sun-Jae (2)

Chapter 322: Park Sun-Jae (2)

At the convenience store where Park Sun-Jae worked part-time, a male student in a blue hat got angry and raised his fist when Park Sun-Jae asked for his ID. When I saw this from outside the store, I hurriedly opened the door and grabbed the blue hat student''s hand and he started yelling, "What the heck! Let go of me!" Although he was quite big, he couldn''t shake off my grip with the strength of an average person and a high school student. At that moment, the student in a red hat stepped forward to help his friend. "Damn it! Let go of that hand!" Taking advantage of the situation, I pulled the blue hat student''s hand in front of me. "Huh? What the¡ª?" The blue hat student was pulled helplessly by me, causing him and the red hat student, who was rushing, to collide mouth-to-mouth. "Mmmph!" "Uff!" The two boys who suddenly ended up kissing each other screamed in shock. "Aaah! What the heck!" "Fuck! Damn it!!" "Oops. Sorry, that wasn''t intentional." At that moment, the female high school student screamed loudly and ran away. The blue hat student wiped his lips and shouted with a face full of anger. "Fuck you! I swear I''m gonna get you today!" But I shrugged my shoulders. "By the way, I called the police before I came in. Are you sure you''re okay with that? Oh, and for the record, your buddies outside have all run off." I realized they were high school students because I overheard their friends in school uniforms talking outside the store before I came in. The two boys nced at each other briefly and started to back away. "You bastard! You better watch your back!" Spewing more crude curses, the two of them turned and ran away. "Where did they even get those college jumpers from anyway...?" I muttered to myself. I clicked my tongue and then turned to Park Sun-Jae to ask, "Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?" Park Sun-Jae bowed deeply. "Oh, no, no. But how did you know they were high school students? Ah, no, I meant to say, thank you for your help." "There''s no need to thank me. I just overheard their friends in school uniforms talking outside earlier. They said they got the clothes to buy alcohol and cigarettes." "Oh, I see~" Just then, the door chimed and the police entered the convenience store. Our conversation was momentarily interrupted. "Who called the police?" "Yes, over here." I exined the situation to the police, and Park Sun-Jae showed them the security camera footage of what had just happened. A little whileter, the police looked annoyed and turned to leave as they said they probably wouldn''t catch the culprits since they were minors and there was no serious harm done. "We''ll investigate, but it''s unlikely we''ll make any arrests." "Take care." When Park Sun-Jae thanked them, one of the officers raised his hand slightly before leaving. I didn''t even bother to nod as I was disappointed by theirck of action. After the police left, Park Sun-Jae sighed in relief. "Thank you again." I handed him my business card and introduced myself. "I''m Jung Yoon-Ho, Team Lead at Hoop Entertainment. I came to see you because of the Jiri Mountain project you''re working on." Park Sun-Jae lowered his head in embarrassment. "I''m sorry, but that project hasn''t even secured a productionpany yet. I haven''t even thought about casting actors..." I quickly added, "No, I''m here to introduce investors and a distributor to you. You should establish the productionpany yourself." Park Sun-Jae looked at me nkly. "Wait, what? What? Are you serious?" "Yes. However, there is a condition that the lead actor must be Lee Tae-Poong." "Debut? W-with L-Lee Tae-Poong as the lead actor?" Park Sun-Jae was so surprised that he stepped back, tripped over a chair, and fell on his backside. *** I helped Park Sun-Jae up from the floor. "LT Entertainment will invest in your script and handle distribution as well. The budget is set at 3 billion won." "3... billion won!" Park Sun-Jae was left speechless after hearing the terms. "As I mentioned, the condition is that Lee Tae-Poong has to star as the lead. But did you have someone else in mind for the lead role by chance...?" Gulp! Park Sun-Jae''s Adam''s apple moved conspicuously. "N-no! I don''t have anyone in mind! More than that, I can''t tell if I''m dreaming or awake right now." "If you find it hard to believe, you can call President Shin Jong-Gi of LT Entertainment." Even though it was past midnight, Shin Jong-Gi was still awake and waiting for my answer regarding Jo Jae-Kyung. However, Park Sun-Jae stopped me as I was about to make the call. "Please hold on a moment." "Yes?" "Why are you making such a generous offer to me? The draft I sent to the filmpanies was a rushed one, not something worthy of such an offer..." I looked him in the eye and spoke honestly. "Actually, I want to publicize what happened to you during your time as an assistant director for The Thousand-Year Fox." When I said I''d produce his movie in exchange for exposing Jo Jae-Kyung, Park Sun-Jae flinched. After a brief moment of contemtion, he took several deep breaths and politely shook his head. "If that''s the condition, it''s going to be difficult." CK Inc. owned about 40% of theaters in Korea. So if he exposed Jo Jae-Kyung, he could lose half of the distribution. Above all, the reason Park Sun-Jae rejected my offer was that he wasn''t the type to cause harm to others despite what he had endured. "Thank you for helping me today... but I''ll pretend I didn''t hear your proposal." However, I couldn''t just back down like this. I decided to bring up the approach I had thought of on my way here. "Please don''t refuse right away. How about discussing this proposal with your girlfriend? As far as I know, your girlfriend has been eagerly waiting for you to debut as a director." "How do you know that...?" I was aware that Park Sun-Jae''s girlfriend, Ahn Yoo-Joo, was supporting him fully so that he could be a director. When I suggested that at the very least he should talk to her, Park Sun-Jae fell into deep thought. The current time was 12:15 a.m. In the end, he reluctantly picked up the phone. A momentter, Ahn Yoo-Joo came running after 15 minutes and caught her breath. "Is it true? That someone will turn your project into a movie? Who?" With shoulder-length bobbed hair, Ahn Yoo-Joo, dressed in a suit, was working as an ountant and secretary at a small filmpany called Lee Sun Films. "Uh, so here''s what happened." Park Sun-Jae exined the terms he had been offered to his girlfriend. He told her that while the offer to produce the movie was real, it came with the condition of targeting Jo Jae-Kyung. After listening to the whole situation, Ahn Yoo-Joo shook her head with a troubled expression. "Thanks for the offer, but oppa''s career as a director will be over if you target Director Jo Jae-Kyung. I''m sorry but we have to refuse." However, knowing her future, I responded bluntly. "You''re working at Lee Sun Films, right? Thatpany is in terrible financial shape. If it goes bankrupt, what are you two nning to do for a living?" Ahn Yoo-Joo made a bitter expression. "You''vee well-prepared." I nodded. "Yes. And I also understand how risky my proposal is for Mr. Park." Park Sun-Jae looked stunned as if he had no idea. "Yoo-Joo, is yourpany... going bankrupt?" As Park Sun-Jae wavered, Ahn Yoo-Joo spoke firmly. "Don''t worry about that, oppa. Whether I serve tables or work at construction sites, I''ll support you until you make your directorial debut." "B-but, still..." "Oppa! I''m speaking as your representative right now, so could you please be quiet for a moment?" Park Sun-Jae closed his mouth at Ahn Yoo-Joo''s sharp rebuke. ''Well, if your girlfriend has supported you for ten years, you should carry her on your back for the rest of your life and it still wouldn''t be enough,'' I remarked inwardly. From that moment, I focused on persuading Ahn Yoo-Joo rather than Park Sun-Jae. "Miss Yoo-Joo, do you really believe that Mr. Sun-Jae has talent?" Ahn Yoo-Joo looked offended. "Of course! I may work as an ountant at a filmpany, but I''m a writer too. If you look all over South Korea, you''d find only a handful of storytellers like Sun-Jae oppa. If you''re looking down on us because we don''t have much, then I have nothing more to say." I calmed the indignant Ahn Yoo-Joo. "Then what do you think iscking in Mr. Park''s Jiri Mountain script?" Ahn Yoo-Joo was taken aback and couldn''t answer immediately. "T-that''s..." "You can''t think of anything, right?" After pondering for a moment, Ahn Yoo-Joo nodded. I continued probing. "Is it because CKcks money? Because Mr. Park Sun-Jae doesn''t understand the field? Surely, Director Jo Jae-Kyung knows the skills of someone he''s worked with." At that moment, Ahn Yoo-Joo blinked as if she realized something. "No way..." I nodded slowly. "Yes, it''s because of jealousy." Ahn Yoo-Joo''s eyes began to waver. At the same time, Park Sun-Jae looked incredulous. "You''re saying that Jo Jae-Kyung, the genius director, is jealous of me?" *** In my past life, there was a rumor that Jo Jae-Kyung, when heavily drunk at a drinking party,mented that the real genius was someone else. The subject of that rumor was none other than Park Sun-Jae who came from a humble background. Of course, Park Sun-Jae wouldn''t even get to debut due to Jo Jae-Kyung''s interference. When I recalled those memories and brought them up, the two of them couldn''t say anything further. "So as long as Director Jo Jae-Kyung is around, Mr. Park Sun-Jae will never get to debut. Even so, will you keep avoiding the fight?" I asked. "..." "I don''t need you to handle everything on your own. I just need your cooperation. I''ll take care of the rest for you," I reassured them. Park Sun-Jae and Ahn Yoo-Joo looked at each other. My exnation of why the script for Jiri Mountain kept getting rejected made sense. At that moment, Park Sun-Jae opened the convenience store''s counter and stepped out with a resolute expression. "I''ll do it, Mr. Jung!" Ahn Yoo-Joo gasped in surprise. "O-oppa!" "Yoo-Joo, let''s grab this opportunity!" "But if you fight CK..." Park Sun-Jae approached and held Ahn Yoo-Joo''s cheeks with both hands. "I can''t stand hearing you groaning in pain every night from working so hard anymore." "..." "And you. Lately, you''ve beening homete after serving tables at night." "..." "Let''s get married after my debut, just like Mr. Jung said, okay? To be honest, I can''t stand seeing you struggle alone any longer. It''s too painful." It wasn''t the most romantic proposal, but Ahn Yoo-Joo nodded with tears streaming down her face. "Alright. And oppa, I''m sorry. I wanted to get you a better debut..." "What do you have to be sorry for? Jo Jae-Kyung is the problem. And with Mr. Lee Tae-Poong agreeing to star, isn''t this a pretty solid debut? It''s good enough!" Park Sun-Jae wiped the tears from his girlfriend''s face. Ahn Yoo-Joo sniffled and nodded, showing a truly happy expression. Afterforting each other for a while, the two held hands and turned to me. "So what happens now? Do I be part of Hoop Entertainment?" I shook my head. "No, I''ll help you two establish your own productionpany." Since it was uncertain how Jo Jae-Kyung would retaliate, it was best for Park Sun-Jae to have an independentpany. After a brief discussion, I called the President of LT Entertainment. -How did it go? "I got their permission." -Okay. Bring them in early tomorrow morning! "Yes, sir." At that moment, a schedule was being deleted from the nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: March 13, 2021] -10:00 p.m: (Deleted Schedule: Actor Division 3 Meeting. (Meeting content: Agreement with Director Jo Jae-Kyung and Assistant Director Park Sun-Jae. Ensure confidentiality among internal staff.) *** "I''lle to pick you up early in the morning. It looks like we''ll be busy all day tomorrow, so please prepare in advance." Ahn Yoo-Joo agreed to take a day off tomorrow and apany us to LT Entertainment. "Yes, I''ll see you tomorrow, Mr. Jung." "Oh, and take this." I handed over the premium Hanwoo beef gift set I brought with me when I entered the convenience store. "What is this?" "It''s Korean beef and beef bone broth. Boil it well and enjoy it so we can wrap up the contract tomorrow with energy." Although the two of them politely declined, I just said I''d see them tomorrow and made a quick exit. Because my car was parked a little further away in a double-parked area, I walked calmly while checking entertainment news on my phone. [Director Jo Jae-Kyung. The Thousand-Year Fox Simultaneous Nationwide Release by CK Entertainment! October 2nd!] ...... "Jo Jae-Kyung is really spending a lot of money," I remarked. There were as many articles about The Thousand-Year Fox as there were about tomorrow''s release of Beyond the Boundary. However, I was sure that it would soon be nothing more than wasted money. Just then, I heard a familiar voice from the dark alley as I approached my car. "Hey, old man. Did you go to the convenience store to eat some ramen or something? We''ve been waiting for a while." The high school students I had fought with at the convenience store earlier were staring at me. There were three boys and two girls. I looked around, but there were no security cameras in sight. "What are you looking at?" "It looks like he''s searching for a security camera." "Wake up, dude. There are no security cameras around here." Most of the cars didn''t even have dash cams, so there was no risk of being caught on camera. "First, take out your wallet and get on your knees. If your wallet''s fat enough, we might just let you go. Right, guys?" ''What a pathetic threat,'' I thought to myself. Whether it was in my past life or now, thugs in groups couldn''t see even a step ahead. ''I''m the one who benefits from theck of security cameras,'' I scoffed at the thought. When I let out a faintugh, the blue hat high schooler whose hand I had grabbed earlier clenched his teeth. "You bastard. You''reughing? Is this guy crazy? Hey! Let''s get him!" "Okay~" The male high school students got into a fighting stance and started to rush toward me. Just then, a luxury sedan drove into the alley and stopped about ten meters away from us. "What the heck? What''s that?" Thunk. At that moment, all the front and back doors opened simultaneously and four enormous men far bigger than the high schoolers in front of me suddenly stepped out. "Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho, pleasee with us." ''What now? Man, I''m really popr today, aren''t I?'' I thought. Chapter 323: Counterattack (1)

Chapter 323: Counterattack (1)

At the dead end crowded with cars in an alley located in Guro, a group of five high school students stared at me. At the same time, four men who arrived in a sedan blocked the exit. The group of high school students seemed scared just by the sight of the burly men who had stepped out of the car. "What, what the hell? Are they real gangsters?" With their short, square-cut hair, these hulking figures probably looked like actual gangsters to the local thugs. The students probably wanted to run away immediately, but there was no escape from being in a dead-end alley. Thanks to that, I focused solely on the burly men who hade for me. "Someone wants to see me? Who sent you here?" The man at the front of the group smirked and stepped forward. "You don''t need to know that. Juste along if you don''t want to get hurt." I took a closer look and recognized him: he was Lee Dong-Woong, a stuntman from DW Action School. He was a security studies graduate who would eventually be a well-regarded martial arts director in the film industry. The parentpany of DW Action School was none other than CK Entertainment, Director Jo Jae-Kyung''s maternal family''s business. I immediately knew who had sent them and taunted them. "Let''s see if you can take me." There were no security cameras here. In other words, there would be no issues if I threw punches. When I answered with a smile, Lee Dong-Woong looked at me in disbelief. "You know, I was trying to be polite but now you''re getting toofortable with me here." "Don''t be ridiculous. Should I really be polite to kidnappers like you?" Lee Dong-Woong scowled at the word "kidnapper," and turned to his crew. "Ugh, fuck it. We''re short on time, so just rough him up a bit and drag him over." "Yes, hyung-nim!" The three burly men approached with confident expressions. "Let''s keep it easy, man." "Juste along for a bit, alright?" When I got into my stance without a word, the guy at the frontughed smugly. After all, it was three against one with a significant difference in weight ss. I waited for them to let their guard down. ''Attack first, win first,'' I thought. "Look at this guy. It looks like you took some boxing lessons but with those weak punches..." Smack. As his jaw turned, the bulky guy who had beenughing yfully passed out on his feet. Realizing what had happened toote, the thug on the right swung his fist reflexively. However, my fist moved first. Wham. ''Another hit to the jaw. One shot, one kill,'' I remarked inwardly. As the second thug also copsed, thest one swung his fist with all his might. However, I dodged by slipping past his punch with a weaving motion before taking a backward step to create distance. "Huh?" The moment his punch swished through the air, the thug''s expression turned to shock. Seizing the moment, I stepped forward and threw a left uppercut. Thwack. His head jolted like a punching bag from the solid punch. I caught the dazed thug and gentlyid him on the ground, then gestured toward Lee Dong-Woong. "Should Ie to you, or are youing to me?" Lee Dong-Woong blinked in disbelief upon seeing his three men fall. "Y-you... who the hell are you?" Lee Dong-Woong instinctively started to back away without realizing it. "Aren''t youing? Then I''ll go to you," I replied. "Wait! Please, hyung-nim!" I stopped just one step away from being able tond a punch. "What is it?" "T-to be honest, we didn''t want to do this either. We''re not gangsters: we''re stuntmen." "I know that, idiot. You''re Lee Dong-Woong from DW, right?" "H-how did you know that?" "Male actors'' talent agents usually know about decent stuntmen. But I didn''t know you were into this kind of petty thug work," I remarked. Despite his appearance, Lee Dong-Woong was 26 years old¡ªa year younger than me. When he realized I knew who he was, his face turned pale. Committing a crime in front of someone who knew your identity meant he was essentially done for in the film industry. "Hyung-nim! Please, forgive me just this once!" Lee Dong-Woong begged. Thud! Lee Dong-Woong dropped to his knees. "You better exin everything in detail," I demanded. Lee Dong-Woong spilled everything about who he was and his circumstances. He said the order came from the action school''s president, and that it was supposed to be a simple task: just scare me a little and take me to Jo Jae-Kyung. Lee Dong-Woong said he had agreed without thinking much. "Is that all?" Lee Dong-Woong nodded. "Yes. He said just to bring you to the Gangnam office." "Not ''bring,'' more like ''drag'' me there," I scoffed. Thankfully, it wasn''t because of Park Sun-Jae. It seemed they were after me because I mentioned the casino issue when I shed with Jo Jae-Kyung. I patted the shoulder of the stiffened Lee Dong-Woong. "Let''s not do anything unnecessary that tarnishes the film industry''s reputation next time, okay?" "Y-yes! Absolutely not!" "When you get back, tell your boss that you lost after a fierce fight. They''ll believe it since your guys are hurt, right?" Appreciating my generosity, Lee Dong-Woong bent at the waist in a deep bow. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" Lee Dong-Woong nervously nced at me as he began waking up the fallen guys. "Hey, hey. Get up." The thug who had fainted iled his hands in front of him. "Ugh!" "It''s me, Dong-Woong!" The thug blinked his eyes. "Dong-Woong hyung?" "Yeah, you''re alright now. Rx." The thug stared at me and scooted backward while sitting. "Now that it''s over, wake up the others too." One by one, Lee Dong-Woong helped the guys into the car as they woke up. Then they quietly backed out of the alley. Just then, I slowly turned my head at the sound behind me. Rustle. The group of high school thugs who hade looking for me were lined up against the wall, trying to climb over it. ''Come to think of it, Ipletely forgot about them,'' I realized. "Hey, you kids! Freeze!" I yelled. Instantly, all five high school thugs froze in ce. *** "Duck walk!" "Quack quack!" "Live honestly!" "We will!" "H-hyung-nim! We won''t do it again! So please!" "Oppa, I was just following them. I swear it''s true." "Quiet, and do five more rounds back and forth!" I couldn''t bring myself to hit these kids who had lost the will to resist. As such, I decided to punish them this way instead. With their hands behind their backs, they were on the verge of tears while hopping and waddling like ducks under my instruction. "Stop!" I called out. The kids copsed to the ground in an instant. Sweat was pouring down their foreheads like rain, their clothes soaked, and they were all gasping for breath. If I had enough time, I would have kept them at it until the morning sun came up. Unfortunately, I didn''t have that kind of luxury. "Try to live honestly, okay?" I urged them. "Yes, yes." They all nodded their heads frantically, but I didn''t really trust them. I took their IDs and contact information, took photos of them, saved their numbers, and then handed the IDs back. I gave them a warning. "If I catch you doing this crap again, I''ll send your IDs and contact info straight to a prosecutor I know. And of course, you''ll have a chat with me too. I guarantee it won''t go easy for you then." As I clenched my fist and made a cracking sound, the high schoolers shook their heads vigorously. "N-no, we''ll never do it again!" "Alright, I get it. Now get out of here." The kids staggered to their feet before bowing deeply once more and apologizing. "W-we''re sorry, sir! Goodbye!" They slowly slunk away while ncing at me, then ran off at full speed. I let out a sigh and finally headed to my parked car. "Seriously, Jo Jae-Kyung. Trying to pull off a kidnapping?" I muttered under my breath. I knew he had a reckless side, but I didn''t expect him to try something this crazy. After getting into my car, I immediately called Seo Jae-Ill. -Oh, Mr. Jung. What''s up? "I have something to report." I quickly reported Jo Jae-Kyung''s habitual gambling at the LCM Casino in the U.S. and also mentioned that Park Sun-Jae hadn''t been paid. For a moment, Seo Jae-IIl''s voice quivered with a hint of satisfaction. -So that young brat from CK Inc. is pulling this crap, huh? "Yes. As soon as it''s morning, I''m nning to proceed with filing aint for the unpaid wages." -Got it. It won''t be easy, but let''s give it a try. I''ll push things on my end as well. "Thank you, Mr. Seo." -By the way, how''s the issue with Assemblyman Park''s photosing along? That''s the main thing we need to deal with... Five days from now, I had to take photos of Park Sang-Gon''s aide. Since the scheduled event in my diary remained unchanged, I responded confidently, "I''m preparing for it. I''ll contact you as soon as the date is confirmed." -Understood. Since we need to do a raid that day, please notify me at least a day in advance. Seo Jae-Ill promised to protect me from Jo Jae-Kyung, but I told him it would be fine. By tomorrow, things would progress so quickly that Jo Jae-Kyung wouldn''t be able to make a move anyway. *** CK Entertainment was the top ranking entertainmentpany in South Korea, covering management, film production and distribution, music, and even owning half of the nation''s theaters. However, in the president''s office at CK Entertainment''s headquarters, the president was nowhere to be found. Instead, Jo Jae-Kyung was sitting there. "How could a mere talent agent... find out my secret?" he mumbled. There were only a few people who knew he habitually frequented the LCM Casino in the U.S. He only went to VIP rooms, so no one at the casino would spill the beans. Jo Jae-Kyung had asked DW Action School''s President Jo Dae-Won to bring Jung Yoon-Ho to him, but that n had failed. Despite sending four highly skilled martial artists, they couldn''t even bring one person back and ended up getting beaten instead. Infuriated to the core, Jo Jae-Kyung swung a golf club and struck Lee Dong-Woong and his crew. As a result, Lee Dong-Woong and his group ended up with worse injuries than what they had gotten from Jung Yoon-Ho and were taken to the hospital. Due to themotion, Jo Jae-Kyung was summoned by Son Hyung-Tae, who was the president of CK Entertainment and his uncle. Jo Jae-Kyung sat alone in the empty president''s office and let out a deep sigh. Just then, the door creaked open and Son Hyung-Tae walked in. Beside him was his secretary, Choi Sung-Hee, who was a former beauty pageant winner. "Jae-Kyung, why did you beat up the boys like that yesterday? It was a hassle to cover it up," Son Hyung-Tae remarked. Jo Jae-Kyung frowned and kept his mouth shut. His uncle, Son Hyung-Tae, was furious when he found out that Jo Jae-Kyung had used the production budget for The Thousand-Year Fox to gamble in casinos during filming. Jo Jae-Jyung had no desire to bring that incident up again and get scolded. "I, well...had my own reason..." "Is it a girl problem? Alright, let''s just talk business today then." As Son Hyung-Tae extended his hand, Choi Sung-Hee handed over a tablet and began her report. "Mr. Jo Jae-Kyung''s The Thousand-Year Fox is set for release next Friday in all CK theaters. We''re currently negotiating with theaters outside of LT, and it seems we''ll secure 65% of the theaters nationwide by next week and up to 70% by the following week." Son Hyung-Tae smiled contentedly as he touched Choi Sung-Hee''s hand. "Secretary Choi is really good at her job. Looks, skills¡ªshe''s got it all. That''s why I can''t let her go." "Thank you, Mr. Son. But there''s a risk involved." "What risk?" Choi Sung-Hee maintained a nk expression and mentioned Jo Jae-Kyung''s name. "Mr. Jo still has unpaid dues from his time in the U.S." Son Hyung-Tae''s face twisted immediately. "Hmm... I thought we dealt with all that back then, did we not?" "I thought so too. But it turns out Mr. Jo was hiding the biggest one." Hearing that Jo Jae-Kyung had verbally promised to pay Park Sun-Jae 100 million won, Son Hyung-Tae began trembling as his eyes shifted toward the namete on the table. "U-uncle, please calm down!" Jo Jae-Kyung pleaded. "Shut up! You''re getting hit today!" Son Hyung-Tae grabbed the namete. However, just before he could throw it, the office door swung open. "Hey, Son Hyung-Tae! Who do you think you''re throwing that at?" A high-pitched and shrill voice cut through as a woman in her fifties appeared. It was Son Yung-Im, a consultant for CK Inc. and also Son Hyung-Tae''s older sister and Jo Jae-Kyung''s mother. "Mom!" Jo Jae-Kyung cried out. Son Yung-Im smiled gently at her son. "Yes, my boy." Son Hyung-Tae slowly put the namete down and tried to calm his anger. Even among siblings, he could never act recklessly toward this sister. From childhood, only his sister Son Yung-Im had ever taken the side of the ill-tempered Son Hyung-Tae. "Noona, this idiot messed up again!" Son Hyung-Taemented. "Idiot? Watch your mouth! Young people can make mistakes! Didn''t you make mistakes too? Haven''t I covered up things Dad shouldn''t have known about?" Son Yung-Im retorted. "Ah, how long are you going to keep bringing that up?" "For life, maybe?" Son Hyung-Tae sighed. "Sigh. Jo Jae-Kyung, pay that money and settle this quickly! You''ve got plenty of cash, so why can''t you figure out when to save and when to spend?" Feeling the sting of his uncle''s irritation, Jo Jae-Kyung flinched. At that moment, Son Yung-Im sneered. "Pay, my foot! Jae-Kyung, you don''t need to pay. When you pamper those with a humble background, they''ll just keep pushing their luck! Never give in!" Son Hyung-Tae clutched his chest in frustration. "Noona! Don''t you get the risk here? The sooner we deal with problems like this, the better!" "All this fuss over a small issue, and you''re crying risk?" Son Yung-Im scoffed. Just then Choi Sung-Hee, who had been standing quietly, handed over her tablet. "Mr. Son, you need to see this." "What is it now?" Articles were rapidly popping up on the tablet that Choi Sung-Hee handed over. "This is driving me crazy. What the hell is this now?" Son Hyung-Tae cursed. Son Hyung-Tae was beginning to think that maybe he should have smashed his infuriating nephew''s head with the hard namete despite his sister''s interference. He screamed, "Hey! Jo Jae-Kyung! What are you going to do about this now?" Son Hyung-Tae practically threw the tablet at Jo Jae-Kyung. As Jo Jae-Kyung caught the tablet, his body started trembling. "Th-that damned low-life..." The Assistant Director he had looked down on, Park Sun-Jae, was hitting him head-on. *** [Director Jo Jae-Kyung giving false hopes! "Making excuses about producing the next film, but hasn''t paid a dime."] [The Thousand-Year Fox. 100 million won in unpaid wages to Assistant Director Park Sun-Jae!] [The Thousand-Year Fox. What really happened in the U.S.? Proper wages for Americans but exploiting Koreans with passion pay!] [Beyond the Boundary. Nationwide release today!] [Beyond the Boundary''speting film, The Thousand-Year Fox, stumbles right from the start?] ...... Early in the morning, I took Park Sun-Jae and Ahn Yoo-Joo to LT Entertainment and finalized the contract. As soon as the signing was done, LT Entertainment immediately deployed reporters to start an expos¨¦ interview. An hourter, the entertainment section of every news outlet was stered with the story. Shin Jong-Gi of LT Entertainment read the articles and burst outughing repeatedly. "Those CK bastards must be panicking now, huh? Hahaha!" I told Assistant Director Park Sun-Jae¡ªno, now Director Park Sun-Jae¡ªand Ahn Yoo-Joo, who would soon be the Head of nning at Sun-Jae Films, to giddy up. This was just the beginning of the war, after all. Soon after, Choi Sung-Moon and Pyo Eun-Mi also arrived at LT Entertainment. Having read the articles, Choi Sung-Moon had a broad smile on his face. "Hahaha! That brat, Jo Jae-Kyung. He must be in real hot water now, right?" "Indeed, sir." Just then, Shin Jong-Gi''s phone began to ring. It was a call from Team Lead Lee Eun-Joo who was out in the field for LT Entertainment. "Everyone, hold on a moment." It was currently 11 a.m.¡ªtime for the morning movie audience counts to be reported. "Oh, yeah?" Shin Jong-Gi''s face began to brighten as he took the call. Still holding the phone, Shin Jong-Gi shouted, "All theaters in Seoul have sold out the morning shows!" The first sign of Beyond the Boundary''s sess had just started to arrive. A momentter, even better news came pouring in. Chapter 324: Counterattack (2)

Chapter 324: Counterattack (2)

Shin Jong-Gi picked up his phone and said, "It''s CK Entertainment''s President Son Hyung-Tae on the line." "Go ahead and take it." "Okay." Shin Jong-Gi switched to speakerphone, clearly intending for Park Sun-Jae¡ªnow no longer an assistant director but a full-fledged director¡ªhis girlfriend Ahn Yoo-Joo, Choi Sung-Moon, and Pyo Eun-Mi to hear the conversation. "Hey there~ President Son." Immediately, a tone of surrender came through the phone. -Let''s call it quits here, Mr. Shin. Shin Jong-Gi simplyughed dismissively, looking as if he wouldn''t be satisfied until he hadpletely brought his opponent to his knees. He replied, "You want to make peace now? You must have thought I was some fool or pushover all this time." -If you have any conditions you want, just let me know... "You should take the initiative to suggest the conditions. For example, how about dying the release of The Thousand-Year Fox by two months?" -Damn it! If you''re going to make such absurd demands, let''s forget it. "Okay, suit yourself." Desperate, Son Hyung-Tae threatened Shin Jong-Gi that he could reduce the number of theaters showing Beyond the Boundary. -Mr. Shin, you haven''t forgotten that Beyond the Boundary is currently showing in CK theaters too, have you? CK Entertainment owned about 40% of theaters nationwide and banning Beyond the Boundary from its theaters would affect the audience numbers. However, Shin Jong-Gi didn''t even blink. "Go ahead and pull it if you can! First, you send Director Jo Jae-Kyung to stab me in the back. Now, you want to sweep it under the rug?" -Sweep it under the rug? That''s harsh! Besides, what do you expect me to do about Director Jo Jae-Kyung going off the rails? "Hey, President Son. Do you take me for a fool? The whole world knows Director Jo is your nephew, so don''t give me that bullshit." As the argument between the two escted, Son Hyung-Tae eventually dered war. -Are you saying we''re going all the way with this? "Of course!" -Fine, let''s see what happens then. Son Hyung-Tae hung up abruptly, seething with anger. Shin Jong-Giughed heartily for a while, then chuckled awkwardly as he noticed Choi Sung-Moon''s presence. "Mr. Choi. Ahem, don''t worry too much. President Son is just bluffing." Choi Sung-Moonughed aloud. "I know. Why would they pull a film that''s selling out morning shows? That would be like cutting their own throat." "Exactly. If they tried that, the audience would protest immediately. Besides, even in the unlikely event they do cut the theaters, we at LT will increase the screening venues to make up for it. So don''t worry," Shin Jong-Gi added. Choi Sung-Moon chuckled. "Haha, I knew you had it all figured out." Shin Jong-Gi confidently assured everyone that his bold words weren''t without reason. Indeed, even if theater chains had the right to adjust their screenings, pulling a popr film would certainly cause bacsh from the public. "But we''ll still double the advertising budget for the next month just in case," Shin Jong-Gi assured everyone. At Shin Jong-Gi''s promise, satisfiedughter broke out among everyone in the meeting room. Choi Sung-Moon also stood up with a brightened expression, saying he would join the actors for stage greetings from the morning screenings and spend the day with them. "With such strong support, I think I should do more stage greetings too." Shin Jong-Gi agreed and then gave me a thumbs-up. "And Team Lead Jung, good work." I smiled. "Thank you, sir." However, I didn''t n to end things here. After all, someone like Jo Jae-Kyung wasn''t the type to take a hit quietly. I asked Shin Jong-Gi to ensure the safety of Park Sun-Jae and his girlfriend Ahn Yoo-Joo. Given that Jo Jae-Kyung was the kind of person who would send stuntmen to try to kidnap me, there was no telling what kind of trouble he might cause. "If that''s the issue, don''t worry. I''ve already arranged for them to use one of our affiliate hotels," said Shin Jong-Gi. He had already taken measures to ensure their safety as if he had shared my concerns. ''Just wait a bit, Jo Jae-Kyung. This is only the beginning,'' I thought. After sessfullynding the first blow against Jo Jae-Kyung, I headed back to thepany to prepare for the next attack. *** I hurried to the meeting room upon returning to Hoop Entertainment. With the sess of Beyond the Boundary already showing promising results from day one, all the talent agents in Team Jung were busy handling Lee Tae-Poong''s matters. The flood of inquiries was so overwhelming that there was hardly any time to breathe. Kim Mi-Hye seemed to have received good news. "Oh, yes, understood! Thank you very much!" After she ended the call, she eximed brightly, "Mr. Jung, they''re saying it''s sold out everywhere!" By 2 p.m., the movie was sold out nationwide. I immediately gave new instructions. "Distribute Tae-Poong''s photos and press releases to the entertainment reporters right now. Make sure to ask them to highlight the fact that every seat is sold out." "Yes, Mr. Jung!" As the movie''s poprity surged, the number of articles about Lee Tae-Poong also spiked, cing his name at the top of real-time search rankings. A momentter Kim Mi-Hye eximed, "Mr. Jung! The articles are starting toe out!" "Put them up on the screen!" Kim Mi-Hye immediately disyed the rted articles on therge LCD screen in the meeting room. [Director Choi Sung-Moon''s Beyond the Boundary surpasses 250,000 viewers by 2 p.m.!] [Beyond the Boundary continues smoothly despite themotion caused by Director Jo Jae-Kyung.] [Love and bloody battles between North and South: Beyond the Boundary even draws the elderly to theaters¡ªan unusual trend.] Alongside these favorable articles, there was another unexpected advantage. Someone had captured and uploaded a video of the altercation that took ce during yesterday''s VIP premiere, showing Jo Jae-Kyung raising his voice and criticizing us. Fortunately, thements were filled with negative reactions toward Jo Jae-Kyung. At this point, the public opinion battle was clearly andslide victory. In fact, Jo Jae-Kyung''s initial n to create a rivalry with a ten-million-viewer director for his firstmercial film wasn''t entirely a bad idea. After all, the public loved a good rivalry. However, the conflict between Jo Jae-Kyung and Choi Sung-Moon ended up being framed as a battle between the privileged and the underprivileged rather than just apetition between the old and new generations. As a result, CK Entertainment and Jo Jae-Kyung''s provocations ended inplete failure. Moreover, the story of how Americans were paid while Park Sun-Jae was not only fueled public outrage further. Suppressing the twitch at the corner of my lips, I instructed my team, "Alright, let''s handle this carefully. Any media interviews thate in, just direct them to me." As I was about to focus on work, I received a call from TVM. It was PD Yoo Hyun-Ji from Master of Mukbang. Upon answering, Yoo Hyun-Ji started speaking in an unusually sweet tone. -Mr. Jung~. "How have you been, Ms. Yoo?" -Well, you remember that we were supposed to negotiate Mr. Tae-Poong''s appearance fee, right~? We had agreed to negotiate for Tae-Poong and Miso to appear together in the follow-up to Master of Mukbang. "But wasn''t that scheduled for early October?" Yoo Hyun-Ji spoke in an awkward tone. -W-well, how about we do it a bit earlier~? "I''m sorry, but things are too hectic right now. So I don''t think we can discuss that." -Wow~ That''s really harsh. Don''t you remember how TVM has gone out of its way to amodate you in the past, Mr. Jung? Thinking back, she wasn''t wrong. I kept my mouth shut at a loss for words. Then, Director Jo Eung-Cheon''s urgent voice came on the line this time. -Team Lead Jung! Come on, don''t do this! You know we''re strapped for cash, right? ''TVM, strapped for cash? Yeah, right,'' I remarked inwardly. I replied firmly. "I''m sorry, sir, but we''re flooded with inquiries right now. If the negotiations don''t work out, we''ll take other offers. Tae-Poong already has a movie lined up for his next project and..." Jo Eung-Cheon urgently interrupted. -Wait! Okay, okay, just don''t! Stop! We can''t have that! At the same time, Yoo Hyun-Ji chimed in. -Please, just don''t say you won''t do it! I was just asking about the fee. Let''s talkter! Click. The two hung up without getting anything in return. Soon, calls started pouring in from heads of variety shows and CPs from the three majorworks, as well as cable variety show PDs. We had not only the main broadcasting stations reaching out, but even cable shows as well. I smiled. ''I knew this would happen.'' Having sessfully propelled Beyond the Boundary and Lee Tae-Poong into the spotlight, it was now time to put an end to Jo Jae-Kyung. I left the meeting room and immediately called Seo Jae-Ill. "Mr. Seo, what''s the progress of the two cases that we''ve discussed?" Normally, prosecutors didn''t share updates on ongoing investigations. However, since I was the informant, I was getting some rough updates. -The case has been assigned to apetent prosecutor, so it should be handled well. But it''ll take some time since it''s awsuit against a conglomerate. So keep that in mind. Seo Jae-Ill suggested it wouldn''t be easy to handle the case swiftly as the other party most likely had top-notchwyers representing them. "In that case, what if we get the media involved? Would that speed up the investigation?" I suggested. Seo Jae-Ill chuckled. -Haha. Mr. Jung, you sure know your stuff. Yes, that''s right. When things get noisy, the higher-ups tend to push for a quicker resolution. "Then I''ll go ahead and stoke the mes." -It''ll be quite embarrassing for a prosecutor if I don''t get this done promptly. Alright, I''ll make the necessary preparations on my end too. After ending the call with Seo Jae-Ill, I immediately reached out to the best person in Korea to stir up a story. "Hello, Mr. Jang. I''ve got something to tip you off about." -A scoop? "Of course. But it might need to be leaked as a rumor." Jang Moon-Ki''sughter echoed through the phone. -Hahaha. You know I''m the king of rumors, right? I''m Jang Moon-Ki, the rumor king! *** Yesterday, we had a total of 550,000 viewers at 623 theaters nationwide. Today, we had double the number of theaters screening the movie. I thought, ''We could aim for a million viewers in a single day at this rate.'' If this trend continued, surpassing ten million viewers would be more than achievable. Nheless, despite the articles about Park Sun-Jae being published, CK Entertainment was still promoting that The Thousand-Year Fox would be released as scheduled. "They''ve really lost all sense of fear, huh?" I remarked. However, once Jang Moon-Ki''s article dropped this afternoon, I was sure that CK Entertainment wouldn''t be able to hold out any longer. It was a good morning with everything falling into ce. I heard Jung In-Ji announce that breakfast was ready and headed downstairs. The dining table was already set with tofu stew and various side dishes. "Thank you for the meal!" I said with a smile. Slurp! The spicy and savory tofu stew topped with floating chili oil was so delicious that I quickly devoured two bowls of rice. After finishing the meal, Yoo-Jin spoke excitedly, "Oppa, Miso and I are going to watch the movie again today." Today, we rented out Theater 7 at LT Cinema located in Apgujeong just for Hoop Entertainment actors and staff. Yoo-Jin was nning to take a photo to post on her Instargem after watching the movie again. "Really? Then why not take Mrs. Jung with you?" I asked. Jung In-Ji tilted her head. "Me, to the theater?" "Yes, ma''am, you''re also an employee of Hoop Entertainment, aren''t you?" Yoo-Jin and Miso pped their hands in realization. "Oh, that''s right!" During Miso''s custody battle, Jung In-Ji was registered as a talent agent and was receiving a sry, so she was certainly eligible to go. When I called thepany, Lee Yung-Jin confirmed he had already reserved a spot for her. Hearing this, Jung In-Ji looked deeply moved. "Lately, I''m really enjoying life thanks to you, Team Lead Jung." Jung In-Ji wiped her tears and brought out a te piled with strawberries for dessert. "Eat plenty, Team Lead Jung." "T-thank you." Jung In-Ji smiled broadly. Filled with abundant love and a full stomach, I hurriedly prepared for work. As I got in my car and started the engine to head to thepany, I received a KkTalk message from Jang Moon-Ki. [Jang Moon-Ki: I''ve published the article, so check it out! And don''t forget your promise about giving me that exclusive scoop!] "He must''ve been in quite a hurry." As soon as I saw the KkTalk message, I checked the portal site for the article. [Genius Director J Suspected of Habitual Gambling at LCM Casino!] -Thevish spending of a third-generation chaebol who squandered the entire production budget on gambling. Jang Moon-Ki had hit the mark with a ''rumor'' article and blurred Jo Jae-Kyung''s photo just enough to avoid legal trouble. Thements were already flooding in. (Comments) -Director Jo Jae-Kyung. Total trash! -Hey, be careful mentioning his real name. You''ll get sued! -That JJK guy has always been known for his arrogance. -What''s going on? Yesterday it was unpaid wages, and today it''s gambling? -Wow, what a piece of trash. He''s using staff sries to gamble? What a scumbag!! Not a single person defended Jo Jae-Kyung and the situation was turning overwhelmingly in our favor. I smiled. "This is perfect." Just then, a call came in from Ahn Yoo-Joo as soon as I started the car. -M-Mr. Jung! Director Jo Jae-Kyung just showed up here! "What? How did he find the ce?" -I don''t know! There are bodyguards and even awyer with him. It''s chaos right now! Apparently, Jo Jae-Kyung had found his way to the hotel that Shin Jong-Gi had arranged for them and was causing amotion. "I''ll head over right away." I immediately started the car and sped toward the J Hotel in Samseong-dong. Actually, this was even better. ''Jo Jae-Kyung. Today is the day you get buried.'' Chapter 325: Counterattack (3)

Chapter 325: Counterattack (3)

Samseong-dong J Boutique Hotel was privately owned by Shin Jong-Gi, the president of LT Entertainment. After receiving the call, I headed straight to J Hotel where Park Sun-Jae and his girlfriend stayed. As I exited the elevator at the 13th floor, I could hear Jo Jae-Kyung shouting down the hallway. "Let go! Are you gonna let go or not? Hey! Attorney Kim! Sue this bastard!" "Mr. Jo, please calm down..." "Calm down? What do you mean, calm down?" Jo Jae-Kyung''swyer and bodyguards were entangled with hotel staff, security, andwyers sent by Shin Jong-Gi. Amid it all, Jo Jae-Kyung was shoving aside hiswyer and berating Park Sun-Jae. "Hey! Park Sun-Jae! I told you I''d pay you! And you still spread that in the news?" "How many times have you just said you''d pay without actually doing it? Plus, you broke your promise to produce the movie!" Park Sun-Jae retorted "That''s because your script wasn''t polished enough!" "I''ve had enough. I''ve already decided to go with LT. I don''t want to be involved with you anymore." Jo Jae-Kyung''s face twisted in anger. "Hey, Park Sun-Jae. Do you really think you can keep working in this industry after being disrespectful to me?" Park Sun-Jae flinched. It was true that LT Entertainment might be protecting him for now, but he knew that it wouldn''tst forever. The moment Park Sun-Jae hesitated and was left speechless, I stepped in. "Mr. Jo, are you threatening him right now?" Park Sun-Jae and Ahn Yoo-Joo''s expressions brightened significantly when they saw me. At the same time, Jo Jae-Kyung shouted at me. "Hey! You''re the one behind all this, right? From the casino to stirring up Park Sun-Jae!" ''Does he take me for a fool?'' I thought. I calmly shook my head and feigned innocence. "You''re using the wrong person without any evidence." At that moment, Jo Jae-Kyung yelled and suddenly charged at me. "Evidence or not, you''re dead today!" Various thoughts shed through my mind. ''Should I just knock him out? No, there are too many witnesses for that. Let him hit me? Not a bad choice.'' There may not be any security cameras around, but there were plenty of witnesses. If I went down from his punch, it could easily push Jo Jae-Kyung further into a corner. The distance between Jo Jae-Kyung and me was about five meters. Just then, I caught a glimpse of hiswyer''s face over his shoulder showing a resigned expression as if everything was already over. Then a thought quickly crossed my mind. ''Wait, getting hit in the face isn''t really ideal, is it?'' I subtly backstepped to gauge the distance. Jo Jae-Kyung''s fist aimed at my face missed and grazed my chest. As his half-hearted punch made contact with my chest, I threw myself backward with all my might. "Aaaargh!" With a scream as if I''d been stabbed by a knife, I iled my arms as I flew through the air. Simultaneously, I braced myself for a backward fall and prepared tond properly. Thud. The fall made quite a loud noise, thanks to my full effort innding the right way. Lying on the ground, I groaned in pain and furrowed my brow. "Ugh..." I wondered if I was overdoing it, but upon seeing Jo Jae-Kyung''s stunned expression, I knew it was right. Jo Jae-Kyung stammered with his fist still extended toward my direction. "N-no, it''s not what it looks like... I didn''t hit him. I just grazed him!" Thewyers sent by Shin Jong-Gi stepped forward. "Director Jo! Why are you attacking someone innocent? What are you, a thug? Huh?" "Are you okay, Mr. Jung?" Park Sun-Jae and several hotel staff rushed over to me. "Are you alright, Mr. Yoon-Ho?" As people gathered around, Jo Jae-Kyung shouted frantically. "Attorney Kim! No, that''s not true! That bastard is just acting right now!" However, Jo Jae-Kyung''swyer squeezed his eyes shut. There were too many who had witnessed the incident. Judging by the shocked expressions around me, it seemed my acting was quite convincing. At that moment, the oldest-lookingwyer on Jo Jae-Kyung''s team instructed the security guards. "Leave this to me and quickly get Mr. Jo downstairs!" "Yes, sir!" As the guards lifted and escorted Jo Jae-Kyung away, he shouted, "Hey, you idiots! Are you blind? That guy is just pretending right now!" Although Jo Jae-Kyung was telling the truth, no one believed him. After Jo Jae-Kyung was dragged to the elevator, one of hiswyers approached me. "Excuse me... You''re Mr. Jung, right? We''re willing to offer a generous settlement if you agree not to press charges. If you refrain from suing, we''ll ensure that you receive substantialpensation." The business card he handed me read Park Sang-Choon, Legal Team Lead of CK Entertainment. If I had agreed to the settlement, I would have likely received a decent sum of money. Nheless, I refused as I couldn''t pass up this golden opportunity to damage Jo Jae-Kyung''s reputation. "I have no intention of settling," I said. Ignoring the pleadingwyer, I painfully lifted my phone while still lying on the floor. "Mr. Jang." -Hey, what''s up? Did you see the article? It came out great, huh? "I''ve been assaulted." -What? "I''m at the J Boutique Hotel in Samseong-dong right now. I was assaulted by Mr. Jo Jae-Kyung. I think there might be some misunderstanding... but I have no idea why I got hit." -Really? Are you serious? His voice sounded pleased though I hoped it was just my misunderstanding. "You''re notughing, are you?" -Ahem, no, of course not. Send me a photo! I''ll write up the article right away. "Understood." Jo Jae-Kyung''swyer lookedpletely defeated, but I wasn''t nning to stop here. ''If you start something, you must see it through to the end,'' I remarked inwardly. After finishing the call with Jang Moon-Ki, I made another call. "Mr. Seo, do you have a moment to talk?" -I was just about to call you after seeing the casino-rted article. This is great timing. The case will be assigned to a special team. Thanks to you, things are progressing smoothly. As I spoke with Seo Jae-Ill, Jo Jae-Kyung''swyer seemed to have lost all strength in his legs and sank to the ground. "That''s not the main issue here. I was just assaulted by Mr. Jo Jae-Kyung at the hotel." -You''re going to press charges, right? I received a thorough guide on how to file aint from Seo Jae-Ill, then got up with some help. First, I needed to go to the hospital to get a medical certificate. Leaving Jo Jae-Kyung''s stunnedwyer behind, I headed for the elevator. ''Adios, Jo Jae-Kyung.'' *** As soon as I filed theint at the prosecutor''s office, the articles started popping up. [Director Jo Jae-Kyung Involved in Assault Incident with Talent Agent J] [Director Jo Jae-Kyung Causes Chaos at Hotel!] [CK Entertainment Acknowledges Responsibility Despite Jo Jae-Kyung''s Personal Misconduct; Indefinite Postponement of The Thousand-Year Fox Release!] [Prosecutors Begin Investigation into Director Jo Jae-Kyung''s Illegal Gambling at LCM Casino!] Kwak Moo-Hyuk, who apanied me, nced at the articles and chuckled. "Haha. You really finished him off." "You''ll handle the aftermath, right?" I asked. "Yeah, don''t worry. Just focus on Tae-Poong. Anyway, The Thousand-Year Fox won''t be hitting the theaters." CK Entertainment canceled the release of The Thousand-Year Fox which was scheduled for next week. The decision was due to the flood of negativements and the boycott movement that had erupted. At that moment, Kwak Moo-Hyuk spoke quietly. "I heard from Mr. Kang. You''re nning to cut out the rotten parts within thepany, huh?" The night before, I had immediately met with Kang Gam-Chan after my call with Seo Jae-Ill to candidly reveal that Kang Myung-Gil was set to hand money to Park Sang-Gon''s aide. I told him that I would exclude Kang Myung-Gil''s face when handing over the evidence to the prosecutor to avoid causing trouble for Hoop Entertainment. However, Kang Gam-Chan shook his head. He said that even if it meant undergoing a prosecution investigation himself, he wanted to take this opportunity to root out the corruption. He also said he would only tell Kang Ji-Yung and Kwak Moo-Hyuk about it. I bowed my head apologetically to Kwak Moo-Hyuk. "I''m sorry." "Sorry? Don''t be! If we handle it early, wee out ahead. Just make sure you handle it well! Got it?" "Yes, Mr. Kwak." Kwak Moo-Hyuk patted my shoulder. "Stay strong! Keep it up as always." I nodded. "Then I''ll head back to thepany now." "Alright. I''m going to meet with Jo Jae-Kyung''swyers. But you know getting him detained over this matter will be tough, right?" Kwak Moo-Hyuk responded. "I know. Getting him detained with a two-week medical certificate would be an overkill." "Instead, I''ll make sure to get a hefty settlement." I wasn''t aiming for detention anyway. What I wanted was to bury Jo Jae-Kyung using the media, and I''d already seeded perfectly in that. After saying goodbye to Kwak Moo-Hyuk, Ifortably shifted my focus solely to Lee Tae-Poong''s matters. *** The weekend had passed and it was now Wednesday, September 30th. [Beyond the Boundary Surpasses One Million Viewers Per Day on Saturday and Sunday! (1,132,123 on Saturday, 1,115,615 on Sunday)] [Beyond the Boundary Surpasses 4 Million Viewers in Just Five Days!] Over the weekend alone, the movie attracted one million viewers each day. Additionally, Monday and Tuesday brought in nearly 800,000 viewers each. Combined with the 550,000 viewers fromst Friday, the total viewers surpassed four million. Thanks to this sess,ughter echoed louder than ever in LT Entertainment''s meeting room/ "This is great! Absolutely fantastic! Let''s keep this momentum going!" Shin Jong-Gi eximed while beaming. Choi Sung-Moon also nodded approvingly with a satisfied expression. Overjoyed, Shin Jong-Gi made me an additional offer. "Since this whole situation was resolved so smoothly thanks to Team Lead Jung, I''m willing to grant you one request!" After a brief moment of thought, I asked for the best reward I could think of at the moment. "If that''s the case, could you slightly increase the production budget for Mr. Park Sun-Jae''s project?" Shin Jong-Gi grinned. "Alright. But there''s one condition." I tilted my head. "A condition?" "Yes. If you agree to my condition, I''ll increase the budget to 5 billion won." ''An extra 2 billion won for just one condition?'' I wondered. Whatever the condition was, it seemed worth epting. "What is it?" I asked. "You''ll be in charge of casting. That''s my condition." I was taken aback by his unexpected remark. Casting was a director''s prerogative. However, when the directorcked connections with actors or was unfamiliar with the industry, they would sometimes employ a casting director to find suitable actors for the roles. Shin Jong-Gi was essentially asking me to take on that role. "But how could I presume to cast the roles with Mr. Park Sun-Jae on board..." I shook my head, but Park Sun-Jae quickly intervened. "Mr. Jung, in fact, I was the one who initially asked Mr. Shin to make this proposal. I''ve done my homework on you over the past two days and I heard your eye for talented actors is exceptional." "You''re too kind," I replied. "It''s not ttery. I heard Mr. Choi also requested your help with the lead for Rage of God." Choi Sung-Moon had indeed asked me to help cast the lead for his next project. Park Sun-Jae showed no signs of backing down. "As you''ve seen from the script, the role of the psychopathic killer is just as crucial as the lead in the case of Jiri Mountain. But I envisioned overseas actors while writing, so I couldn''t think of any suitable domestic actors. I''m counting on you, Mr. Jung." ''A psychopathic killer role, huh...'' I thought. At that moment, one name immediately came to mind. ''Ko Jae-Soo.'' However, he was signed with TK Entertainment, not Hoop Entertainment. Casting Ko Jae-Soo wouldn''t be easy, but with 2 billion won on the line, I had to make it happen no matter what. I nodded. "Understood. I''ll secure the best actor for the role." As if expecting this response, Shin Jong-Gi burst into a big smile. "Alright, alright! Enough with the stressful talk! We''re throwing a celebration party for surpassing four million viewers today, are you alling?" Everyone nodded, but I apologized and excused myself. After all, today was September 30th¡ªthe day of the ruling party''s leadership election and the day Kang Myung-Gil was set to hand over money to Park Sang-Gon''s aide. *** It was currently 10:20 p.m. and I had parked my car in the lot below Naksan Park. "Sigh. I guess I''ll have to walk up..." I muttered to myself. The parking lot at Naksan Park which sat on the mountainside had limited parking space, which meant that I would risk getting noticed if I were to drive my car up. "They must have nned for 11:30 p.m. on purpose." The car park at Naksan Park closed at 11 p.m. which meant all the cars would have left. It seemed like they intended to wait until other cars were gone before conducting the transaction. "I''ll just go up and check things out." As I headed toward the parking lot, I double-checked the schedule on the nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: September 30, 2020] -11:30 p.m.: Naksan Park Parking Lot. (Report: Instructions to be delivered to Team Lead Kang Myung-Gil.) The scheduled event remained unchanged. However, I still didn''t understand why they chose this location instead of a more private ce like a hotel or a lounge. I sent a KkTalk message to Seo Jae-Ill, letting him know I had arrived at the scene. Seo Jae-Ill replied and stated that he was preparing to raid from the university area. He asked me to back off now, but I refused as there was always the possibility that the scheduled event could disappear unexpectedly even before the time arrived. I insisted that I would just hang around like someone out for a casual stroll and ended the KkTalk chat. At that moment, the results of today''s party leadership election started appearing. [Park Sang-Gon Elected as Ruling Party Leader for a Sixth Term!] The portal featured a photo of Park Sang-Gon and his daughter, Park Sang-Ah, celebrating together. "So the money being handed over today was a congrattory payment for the election win," I remarked. I started to get a vague idea of why Kim Dong-Soo had sent money in my past life: Kim Dong-Soo aimed to use this opportunity to lobby the political circle. A little whileter, I reached the entrance of Naksan Park where the central za and a convenience store were visible in the distance. However, an unexpected scene awaited me. [Construction in Progress] [No Entry from 10 p.m. September 30th to October 1st.] The entrance to Naksan Park which was on an uphill path was marked by a red LED sign disying the construction message and a no-entry sign. Moreover, the whole park, which was usually well-lit even at night, was now dark. At that moment, I heard a voice calling me. "Hey, who''s there?" I asked. "Can''t you see the no-entry sign?" Two burly men in reflective vests and holding red beacons approached me from where they had been crouching. ''What the hell is this?'' I wondered. Not only was the parking lot off-limits, I couldn''t even enter Naksan Park now. Chapter 326: Damage (1)

Chapter 326: Damage (1)

There was a sign prohibiting entry at the entrance closest to Naksan Park''s parking lot, located on an uphill path between the houses. The tworge men who approached me waved light batons. "Hey! Can''t you see the sign that says it''s under construction?" "What business do you have herete at night?" Their rough tone made me respond reflexively. "I just came for a night time walk." Naksan Park''s walking path was well-known as a night stroll route, so my excuse didn''t seem unusual at all. However, they looked at me with suspicion as I was alone. "You came here alone? Without a girlfriend?" Irritated, I retorted, "Why? Do you need a girlfriend to take a walk? Can''t singles take walks too?" The two continued to eye me with suspicion. In my past life, I used toe here with Ju Yung-In asionally. I quickly put on a deeply aggrieved expression and shouted, "Yes, that''s right. I got dumped! This is a ce I used to visit asionally with my ex-girlfriend, so I just came by! Are you satisfied now?" Only then did the two men finally chuckle. "Haha. Well, I get it. But not today. The power''s out here and it''s dangerous, so go back. The whole park is closed." Their suspicions seemed to ease as they began to spill information freely. ''All entrances are controlled?'' I wondered. It was best to retreat for now. I dropped my shoulders and said with a gloomy expression, "All right. I''lle back another time." "Yeah, cheer up. But you look like you''ll get a new girlfriend soon! You''re good looking." "Like that''s up to me." I turned around after exchanging awkward farewells with them. About 20 meters down, I nced back and saw two red cigarette embers. Hearing their chuckles, it seemed they were gossiping about me. "They don''t seem like people who do this kind of work..." I muttered. I had done night shifts asionally in my past life¡ªso I could tell they weren''t just ordinaryborers guarding a construction site. I immediately sent a KkTalk message to Seo Jae-Ill to inform him of the situation. *** Seo Jae-Ill confirmed that all entrances to Naksan Park were indeed blocked and then contacted me via KkTalk. [Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill: What exactly is going on here?] [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: All I know is that a deal is taking ce here. I don''t know the details.] All I knew was that a deal was going to happen here. However, with this level of preparation, it seemed like Kang Myung-Gil was not the only one who would being. Seo Jae-Ill agreed with my assessment. [Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill: It looks like there''s a bigger deal than we expected. Should we request additional support...] Seo Jae-Ill had brought only a few trusted investigators as he was being on the outs with his superiors. If he were to request support, there was a risk of information leaking. ''What should we do...'' I thought hard. I hesitated for a moment, but I couldn''t miss this perfect opportunity to catch Park Sang-Gon. [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: Mr. Seo, let''s do this.] [Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill: What?] [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: I know a way to sneak up near the parking lot.] I remembered a mountain path from my past dates with Ju Yung-In at Naksan Park where I could sneak up to the parking lot without being detected. Although Seo Jae-Ill seemed uneasy about me taking on such a risky task, he had no choice but to ept my proposal because he didn''t know the suggested path. [Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill: Be careful. And if it gets even a little dangerous, abort the mission immediately.] [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: Understood.] After ending the KkTalk conversation, I headed straight to the residential area attached to Naksan Park. *** "Huff, huff, huff." Passing through the narrow path between the alleys of the residential area, I took the mountain trail at the end and climbed up, arriving just above the parking lot. The current time was 11:20 p.m. The parking lot lights were off, but thanks to the streetlights in the nearby residential area, it was bright enough to make out faces. Oddly enough, there wasn''t a single car in the parking lot. ''They cleared them all out,'' I noted. I figured they must have been worried about the dash cams in the parked vehicles and sent them all away. After sending a KkTalk message to say I had arrived, I hid behind a tree and caught my breath for a moment. ''You''ve really changed a lot, Jung Yoon-Ho,'' I thought to myself. Even though catching Park Sang-Gon and Choi Man-Sik was the goal, I had be bold enough to surprise even myself. At that moment, I received a KkTalk message. [Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill: Multiple cars areing up now. Be careful. (Photo attached)] The photo I received on KkTalk showed seven vehicles lined up in a row. At the front and rear were white one-ton trucks marked "Construction Vehicle", and sedans were mixed in between them. ''As expected, it wasn''t just Kang Myung-Gil.'' A little whileter, the white one-ton truck arrived at the park entrance and the two guards who had stopped me earlier climbed into the truck bed. The truck drove up to the parking lot entrance, and one of the men with a light baton got out of the truck bed to lift the lowered barrier. Then all the following vehicles entered the parking lot in a line. At that moment, Yoo Sang-Gi, the aide from Park Sang-Gon''s office, unexpectedly stepped out of the construction truck at the front instead of a Merciless Bends sedan. "Come on, you all know our boss is impatient, right? This isn''t the end, so move quickly," Yoo Sang-Gi urged. The men who got out of the sedans started swiftly moving boxes, but Kang Myung-Gil was looking around cluelessly. "Hey, what are you looking around for? Hurry up and load it!" Yoo Sang-Gi said with frustration. "Yes, yes! I''m sorry," Kang Myung-Gil replied. In my past life, Kang Myung-Gil would boast about his exploits as if he''d done something daring. However, seeing him now was almostughable. About three minutester, apple boxes were piled high in the back of the truck and Yoo Sang-Gi covered them with a tarp. A muchrger transaction was taking ce than I had anticipated. I was about to send a KkTalk message after capturing the whole transaction on video when Yoo Sang-Gi''s walkie-talkie suddenly crackled. -Red! Red! Red! Yoo Sang-Gi''s expression changed in an instant. He quickly added, "Damn it! We''ve been spotted! Everyone, get out of here!" Yoo Sang-Gi quickly jumped into the truck and started the engine. ''What''s going on? Did Prosecutor Seo get spotted by the guards at the entrance?'' I wondered. Without time to assess the situation, I sent a KkTalk message. [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: Mr. Seo! Recordingplete. But they got a call and are bolting!] [Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill: Okay!] In our haste to reply to each other, Seo Jae-Ill and I made some typos. However, I didn''t care and kept sending KkTalk messages. [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: Aide Yoo Sang-Gi is in the white one-ton truck. The license te is 96O 3412. They loaded the boxes under the tarp and tools in the back.] After sending the message, I looked up and saw the cars exiting in the opposite direction from the entrance. Just then, the truck at the back turned 90 degrees to block the road to prevent any pursuit. I ryed the situation once more to Seo Jae-Ill, who replied that he would pursue them via another route. Five minutes after everyone had disappeared, I brushed off my clothes and stood up. "...They''ll catch them, right?" I muttered under my breath. I worried about what would happen if they didn''t catch them, but I had done everything I could. Still, I had to take the same rough path back down since there was a chance those who left might return. I finally brushed the dust off my clothes upon reaching the parking lot where my car was parked. Ten minutester, a KkTalk message arrived from Seo Jae-Ill. [Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill: I got him!] "Yes!" I eximed happily. I excitedly asked if he had caught anyone else, but capturing Yoo Sang-Gi was the best he could do due to ack of manpower. [Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill: I''ll be busy from now on, so I''ll contact you with details tomorrow! And please send me the video you recorded.] [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: Got it!] Using arge file transfer app, I sent the video file of the transaction scene. Afterward, I immediately called Choi Eun-Tae in Myeong-dong. "I recorded the transaction scene. What should I do with it?" Choi Eun-Tae replied with a chuckle. -Haha. How much will you sell it for? You can sell it for a high price. Lately, Choi Eun-Tae had been saying he would pay for the information every time we called. Knowing that he was asking me to help him meet Kang Eun-Gi quickly, I responded firmly, "No, thank you. Just make sure you handle Choi Man-Sik properly!" -Got it. Then I''ll handle the payment myself. Choi Eun-Tae hung up, insisting that I receivepensation for the work. "He is just unbelievable." I shook my head, then called Kang Gam-Chan right away. "Mr. Kang, I filmed the transaction scene. The prosecution has also caught the aide." In response to my excited tone, Kang Gam-Chan replied in an elevated voice. -Good job. Come to thepany right away. "Yes, sir." With Kang Myung-Gil''s downfall guaranteed, it was now time to strategize on how to tackle Actor Division 3. *** Kang Gam-Chan''s close associates, including Kwak Moo-Hyuk, Kang Ji-Yung, and Jung Soo-Hyuk, were all gathered in the president''s office at Hoop Entertainment. Kang Gam-Chan asked Kwak Moo-Hyuk, "What will the fallout be like?" "It won''t be minor. After all, Hoop Entertainment was effectively caught bribing the newly elected ruling party leader today. There will be a prosecution investigation and a media bacsh." Kang Gam-Chan frowned. "We''ll have to endure that much. But for now, let''s talk about how to handle the Suhyaejong line." Nodding, Kwak Moo-Hyuk continued. "First of all, it would have been impossible for Team Lead Kang to hand money to the ruling party leader without Chief Kim''s permission. If the prosecutor investigates Team Lead Kang, I expect Chief Kim''s name wille up immediately." Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "Yeah, even I get scared in front of a prosecutor. Team Lead Kang won''t be able to hold out." "That''s right." "Okay. Prepare to initiate the dismissal process as soon as Chief Kim gets arrested." "But will the shareholders stand by quietly? Chief Kim is currently the key figure in the Suhyaejong line," Kwak Moo-Hyuk asked. Kang Gam-Chan was willing to trade Hoop Entertainment''s image and a prosecution investigation to deal a critical blow to the Suhyaejong line. He even nned to implicate Kim Dong-Soo along with Kang Myung-Gil and put them both behind bars. Kang Gam-Chan replied, "I''ll handle the shareholders. And let''s take this opportunity to conduct a full audit of Actor Division 3. We need to squeeze out any internal festering issues. Don''t you agree?" With Kang Gam-Chan saying he''d take responsibility for the shareholders, the rest of us also pitched in with our own ideas. We didn''t manage to get in touch with Seo Jae-Ill, so we continued discussing how to handle the situation among ourselveste into the night before finally concluding the meeting. Since there was no time to go home, I slept for about three hours in the overnight room. I dragged my tired body to take a shower which helped clear my head a little. When I checked my phone, I saw that every newspaper was coveringst night''s events. [Chase in Downtown Seoul Last Night! Suspicious Money Deal on the Day of the Ruling Party Leader''s Election!] [Aide Yoo Sang-Gi of Ruling Party Leader Arrested at the Scene!] [Seoul Central District Prosecutors'' Office to Summon Ruling Party Leader Park Sang-Gon.] [Park Sang-Gon In Hiding; Hasn''t Shown Up at Party Office.] ''Is it all over now?'' I wondered. I checked my nner just to be sure. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: November 11, 2022] -1:00 p.m: Top Entertainment Inauguration Ceremony. "Not yet, huh..." The schedule for the establishment of Top Entertainment likely wouldn''t disappear until after Kim Dong-Soo left thepany. At that moment, I overheard talent agents whispering in the hallway outside the shower room. "Hey, did you hear? A talent agent from Ace Entertainment gave money to Aide Yoo yesterday." "I heard a rumor that it was TK." "Damn, the heads of the entertainment industry¡ªare they all paying bribes or something?" "Seriously, I hope we''re not on the list..." Just as I was thinking the situation was bigger than expected, I heard somemotioning from the lobby on the first floor. ''What''s going on?'' I wondered. Curious, I leaned over the second-floor railing to look down at the first-floor lobby. ''Are they here already?'' Ten men and two women in ck suits were shouting in the lobby, telling everyone to stay put. The man leading them unfurled a white paper and shouted, "Everyone, stay where you are! As of now, we are conducting an emergency search and seizure!" At the same time, his team members yelled. "Hey! Don''t move!" "They said Team Lead Kang Myung-Gil is in Actor Division 3, right?" "Go! Search everything!" The investigators started moving with blue boxes in hand. Although we were prepared for this thanks to the heads-up from Seo Jae-Ill, it felt a bit surreal now that it was actually happening. Just then, my phone rang. [Sender ID: Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill] ''Looks like he finally has some time.'' As soon as I answered, I asked him to go easy on us as promised. "Mr. Seo, please ask the prosecutors who came to be a bit lenient." At that moment, Seo Jae-Ill responded with a bewildered voice. -What? Prosecutors came? I was just about to head over myself right now. What are you talking about!? I quickly switched to a video call and showed the faces of the people in the first-floor lobby. "Then who are these people?" I asked. Upon seeing their faces, Seo Jae-Ill gritted his teeth and shouted. -Park Sang-Gon, that son of a bitch... The ones who hade to thepany were political prosecutors aligned with Park Sang-Gon''s faction. Chapter 327: Damage (2)

Chapter 327: Damage (2)

I asked Seo Jae-Ill about the identity of the person leading the investigators again. "The man at the front is the prosecutor who''s part of Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon''s camp?" -Yes, that''s Go Jin-Taek. He''s from the Eastern District Prosecutors'' Office. He''s aiming for a seat in the National Assembly, so he''s aligned himself with Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon. The investigation into Park Sang-Gon''s slush funds was currently being handled by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors'' Office. However, even Seo Jae-Ill didn''t understand why the Eastern District Prosecutors'' Office was involved. -I''ll look into the situation quickly and get back to you. "Understood. Also, try contacting Mr. Choi Eun-Tae." -That''s... something I need to think about. "You should reach out while you still can. You don''t want to regret itter. The other side won''t hesitate to use any means necessary." -I''ll call youter. Seo Jae-Ill hesitated for a moment before hanging up. ''Is this the power of the ruling party leader?'' I wondered. I finally realized the true strength of the person I was up against. "Well... I didn''t expect you to go down easily," I muttered under my breath.1 Though the opponent was formidable, I had no intention of giving up just like that. I headed straight to the president''s office to report on the unfolding situation. *** Despite being aware of the ongoing search and seizure at Actor Division 3, Kang Gam-Chan sat calmly on the sofa inside the president''s office on the seventh floor. On the flip side, Kang Ji-Yung and Jung Soo-Hyuk who were seated nearby appeared a bit tense. After bowing and greeting them, I told them about my conversation with Seo Jae-Ill and how the search was more serious than it seemed. "Does this mean another prosecutor is trying to cover this up?" "Yes. Considering that Prosecutor Go Jin-Taek is aligned with Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon, it''s certainly a possibility." Jung Soo-Hyuk furrowed his eyebrows. "So we don''t know where the fallout willnd." Worried about the potential ramifications, Jung Soo-Hyuk decided to quickly head to the Finance Division. However, before he could leave the room, Go Jin-Taek suddenly barged in with a loud thud. Go Jin-Taek held up a warrant and made the cold announcement. "We''re from the Eastern District Prosecutors'' Office. We ask for your cooperation." Kang Gam-Chan stood up and asked, "Cooperation, huh... To what extent do you need us to cooperate?" Go Jin-Taek smirked and directed the two investigators who had apanied him. "Seize everything!" "Yes, sir!" The two investigators unfolded blue boxes to start collecting documents. At that moment, Kang Ji-Yung shot up from her seat and raised her voice. "Sir! What do you mean seize everything? How are we supposed to work then?" "What? Are we supposed to go easy on criminals?" Go Jin-Taek barked back. Kang Ji-Yung''s frustration grew. "What did you say? Criminals?" Go Jin-Taek spoke as if it was entirely our fault. "Well, what else do you call people who bring money to influential political figures?" Realizing there was no other option, Kang Gam-Chan tried to calm Kang Ji-Yung down. Nheless, we couldn''t just sit back and ept this. If it was true that Park Sang-Gon had sent Go Jin-Taek, it could escte into a problem for the entirepany. I stood in front of them and said, "First, please show us the warrant. Isn''t it thew to properly present it before conducting a seizure?" Recently, the scope of search warrants had be more stringent and limited. As such, I couldn''t believe that the warrant included the president''s office for actionsmitted by Kang Myung-Gil. When I blocked the investigators, Go Jin-Taek looked at me with a visibly annoyed expression. "What is it now? Who are you?" "I''m Jung Yoon-Ho, Team Lead of Actor Division 2." Go Jin-Taek scoffed. "It looks like you''ve watched some courtroom dramas, but reality is different from drama. Move aside while I''m asking nicely." "I request once again: please show us the warrant first!" I demanded. The moment I saw Go Jin-Taek''s brows furrow, I felt more certain of my suspicion. I quickly added, "If you refuse to show the warrant, we''ll file awsuit for illegal search." Go Jin-Taek fumed for a moment before reluctantly handing me the paper. "Here! Look! But do you even know what you''re looking at?" He must have thought that I wouldn''t understand since I was just a talent agent, but I had been through three search and seizure warrants in my past life. Upon closely reading the warrant that Go Jin-Taek produced, the scope of search was limited to Hoop Entertainment''s Finance Division and Actor Division 3 just as I suspected. I smirked and nodded. "I can see that the president''s office is not within the scope of the warrant." Go Jin-Taek gave me a once-over and chuckled. "Ha. You''re a real nuisance. Fine, hold on a moment." Go Jin-Taek picked up his phone as if it was no big deal. "Hey, it''s me. What''s the status of the additional warrant for the president''s office?" I frowned. ''No wonder he seemed so confident.'' It looked like he had already arranged to extend the search to Kang Gam-Chan beforeing. However, since the warrant wasn''t issued yet, this search was still illegal. As I was about to argue the procedural issues, I noticed Go Jin-Taek''s face darkening during his phone call. "What? Who said that? Damn it!" The moment I saw the call end with swearing, I knew immediately that he hadn''t secured the warrant. "Who? Seo Jae-Ill from the Central District? Fuck..." Go Jin-Taek cursed. I looked straight into Go Jin-Taek''s wavering eyes and spoke. "Why don''t youe back when you get the warrant, sir?" Grind! Grinding his teeth, Go Jin-Taek red at me fiercely. "You little bastard. We''ll meet again." Then Go Jin-Taek stormed out with the prosecutors who had apanied him. "Phew..." I let out a sigh without even realizing it. Kang Gam-Chan approached and patted my shoulder,plimenting my handling of the situation. "Since when did you know how to read a warrant?" I scratched my head. "Well, I''ve been caught up in a fewwsuits here and there." "We avoided unnecessary trouble all thanks to you. Well done." I gave a polite nod before saying I should head downstairs. "I''ll go down and make sure those people don''t cause any trouble." "Yes, go. Team Lead Kwak might have a hard time alone, so you might want to hurry." I immediately rushed to Actor Division 2 and started protecting Team Jung. Two prosecutors showed up, but they couldn''t ask for anything and ended up leaving because I was there. *** As the search and seizure operation was wrapping up, Kang Myung-Gil walked into thepany. Because the prosecutors hade with an arrest warrant, they apprehended Kang Myung-Gil as soon as they saw him. "Hey, I''ll go without resistance, so can you at least take the cuffs off? Come on!" Kang Myung-Gilined. "Shut up and just go!" The prosecutors dragged Kang Myung-Gil out. However, he didn''t put up much resistance which was surprising. I was puzzled. ''What is this attitude?'' The Kang Myung-Gil I knew was a weakling who would have begged on his knees and med Kim Dong-Soo in a heartbeat. Yet, he was unnervingly calm as if he had something up his sleeve. Kang Myung-Gil''s unusuallyposed demeanor was unsettling. Momentster, Go Jin-Taek and his team left thepany with their boxes filled from the search and with Kang Myung-Gil. Once the van carrying the prosecutors and investigators departed, the talent agents finally started to calm their nerves and began whispering among themselves. "What the heck? Is it over now?" "Who knows." "Damn it, what the hell is going on?" "Do you think thepany might shut down?" As the worried murmurs of the talent agents continued to spread, the voice of Kang Gam-Chan came over thepany building''s speakers. [All employees, please gather in the small auditorium on the second basement floor.] All of Hoop Entertainment''s employees stopped what they were doing and headed downstairs. In the small auditorium on the second basement floor, Kang Gam-Chan pped his hands to draw everyone''s attention. "Alright! You''ve probably heard roughly about the situation, but it seems like quite arge sum of money was involved, making it hard to dismiss this as just Team Lead Kang Myung-Gil''s misdeeds." Kang Gam-Chan candidlyid out thepany''s current issues and then made a surprise announcement that seemed well-prepared. "As a response, ourpany will be conducting a special internal audit. So everyone should be aware and get ready!" Everyone knew that this directive was aimed at the chief of Actor Division 3 and those aligned with the Suhyaejong line. As a result, employees'' expressions varied based on their affiliations. However, even amidst all this, Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung were nowhere to be seen. ''Where have they run off to now?'' I wondered. *** At an upscale Japanese restaurant called Cheongha located in Yeouido, Choi Man-Sik, Kim Dong-Soo, and Ju Ho-Sung were seated around a table. The table wasden with food, but Choi Man-Sik was silently pouring himself drink after drink. Due to the slush fund scandal, his engagement party scheduled for a weekter had been postponed indefinitely. Choi Man-Sik filled his ss and lifted his head to re at Kim Dong-Soo. "You went behind my back... and made payments to Assemblyman Park ?" Kim Dong-Soo, who was kneeling across from him, quickly bowed his head. "N-no, sir. Aide Yoo contacted us first...and we thought you were aware of everything." At the excuse of excessive loyalty, Choi Man-Sik let out a bitter smile. "Do you think I''m some kind of idiot?" Last night, Choi Man-Sik and Ju Ho-Sung were preparing to entertain Park Sang-Gon and other ruling party members when they heard that Aide Yoo Sang-Gi had been caught. Hence, they ended up canceling all events. It was onlyter that he learned Kim Dong-Soo was involved in the incident. Choi Man-Sik wanted to fire Kim Dong-Soo on the spot, but he had no choice but to hold back as he had no immediate recement. After all, Ju Ho-Sung hadn''t yet firmly established himself at Hoop Entertainment. As his anger red up again, Choi Man-Sik threw the ss of liquor at Kim Dong-Soo''s face. Ssh! Kim Dong-Soo, now drenched in alcohol, lowered his head. "I-I''m sorry, sir. It won''t happen again." Choi Man-Sik red at Kim Dong-Soo with bloodshot eyes and shouted, "If you ever align yourself with political figures again without my approval, you''re dead. Got it?" "Yes! Yes! I swear it won''t happen again." Choi Man-Sik wiped the alcohol off his hand and asked Kim Dong-Soo another question. "What about that friend, Kang Myung-Gil? Did you handle the aftermath properly?" Kim Dong-Soo quickly nodded. "I met himst night and gave him 100 million won. I also met his parents this morning and handed them another 100 million won." "In cash?" "Yes." Kim Dong-Soo added that he promised to hire the bestwyer to get Kang Myung-Gil out quickly and to give him 300 million won as soon as he was released. "Tell him you''ll give him 500 million won in total and promise to find him a job as a talent agent at anotherpany once he''s out. And assure him that you''ll call him backter," Choi Man-Sik added. "Team Lead Kang... really?" Kim Dong-Soo asked with surprise. "What is it? Are you asking because you think he''s ipetent?" "Honestly, he''s not very useful. Even with this incident..." Choi Man-Sik sneered. "Tsk. Don''t try to overthink with that dull brain of yours and just do as you''re told. You need to offer more than expected to keep his mouth shut. Even a dull de has its uses. Just like you!" "U-understood, sir. I''ll contact him right away." Choi Man-Sik reluctantly handed him a handkerchief. "Wipe yourself." "T-thank you." As Choi Man-Sik''s anger subsided a little, Ju Ho-Sung, who had been watching cautiously, finally asked. "Sir... what happens to Mr. Park now?" "Why? Are you afraid my future father-inw will go down like this?" Ju Ho-Sung swallowed nervously. "No...I was just wondering what we should do moving forward." Choi Man-Sik took a long drink and then spoke to the two men. "Aide Yoo has been in the game for years and he won''t be shaken by something like this. He''s nning to take all the me and say it was a solo act." As Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung let out a relieved sigh, Choi Man-Sik continued. "That''s that for my future father-inw, but it won''t have a small impact on us either. Our old man called an emergency shareholders'' meeting today and it looks like they''ll be discussing your dismissal, Chief Kim. They''ll probably say you were involved as well." Kim Dong-Soo''s face turned pale. "M-Mr. Choi, please help me." When Kim Dong-Soo sped his hands together and pleaded, Choi Man-Sik waved him off. "Don''t worry. I can''t stop the disciplinary action, but I''ll make sure you don''t get fired." "Th-thank you." "But!" "But?" "Next time, you''ll have to take the fall instead of Team Lead Kang no matter what it is. Agreed?" It was implied that Kim Dong-Soo would have to cover for any future mistakes made by Choi Man-Sik as well, but Kim Dong-Soo nodded. After all, there was no other way to survive in this situation. "I''ll do as you say." Choi Man-Sik then turned to Ju Ho-Sung. "And Team Lead Ju. Since Chief Kim will be sidelined for a while, you''ll need to take extra care of Actor Division 3." "Yes, Mr. Choi. But..." "What now?" "Is this really okay? No one will believe that Team Lead Kang did this alone." Choi Man-Sik smirked. "Who said he did it alone?" "S-surely not..." "That''s right. There''s someone we''ve kept around for times like this, remember?" Ju Ho-Sung asked with a shocked expression. "M-Mr. Lee Gi-Cheol?" "Exactly. When I offered him a billion won beforeing here, he agreed without hesitation. Anyway, we''ve been hit hard this time. So everyone should keep their heads down for now. Got it?" "Yes, sir..." Just then, Ju Ho-Sung asked with a worried look. "But with Mr. Lee stepping down, there won''t be any executive-level members left from the Suhyaejong line. Are you just going to watch that happen?" Choi Man-Sik smirked. "Don''t worry. I''ve got someone useful though he''s not from the Suhyaejong line. He should be joining us shortly." At that moment, the door creaked open and a man appeared. "Oh, you''re here just in time. We were just talking about you..." When Choi Man-Sik raised his hand in greeting, Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung were left speechless. The man who walked through the door was someone both of them knew well. *** While thepany was in chaos due to therge-scale audit, Kang Gam-Chan had left to attend a shareholders'' meeting. After the meeting ended, Kang Gam-Chan immediately called me and asked me to go to Choi Eun-Tae''s residence in Myeong-dong. Even though Team Jung was being audited as well, I headed straight to Choi Eun-Tae''s house since there was nothing for them to worry about. When I entered the room, I found Choi Eun-Tae and Kang Gam-Chan with regretful expressions and asked, "Why do you both look like this?" Choi Eun-Tae spoke with a stern face. "I am too ashamed to meet you, Team Lead Jung." "I''m sorry?" Kang Gam-Chan chimed in from the side. "Director Lee Gi-Cheol took the fall. He imed he ordered Team Lead Kang to make the payments." ''No wonder the schedule to establish Top Entertainment hadn''t disappeared from the nner,'' I realized. "So Director Lee Gi-Cheol is taking all the me and going to prison?" "Yes." "Then what about Chief Kim Dong-Soo? Is he going to get away without any punishment?" "Not exactly." Lee Gi-Cheol and Kang Myung-Gil were set to be fired, while Kim Dong-Soo would receive a three-month suspension. "But that''s the best we can do for now. There''s no evidence, and President Choi Man-Sik as well as the other shareholders opposed further action." Of course, Choi Man-Sik wouldn''t stand by and watch his right-hand men be cut off. "Oh, and Chief Bang Sang-Yung will be promoted to Director to rece Director Lee Gi-Cheol. Just a heads-up." I tilted my head. "Mr. Bang as Director?" I was surprised to think that Bang Sang-Yung would join hands with the Suhyaejong line. Bang Sang-Yung, who had once asked me to join his line, saw this as an opportunity and made his move. Even Choi Eun-Tae had no grounds to oppose pushing Bang Sang-Yung forward. After all, he wasn''t from the Suhyaejong line and his performance in thepany was exceptional. As I let out a hollowugh in disbelief, Choi Eun-Tae tried to console me. "Don''t be too disappointed though. We are preparing arge-scale offensive against Assemblyman Park . Even if the aide epted the money, who in the world would believe that? Just wait a little longer. I''ve already made all the necessary moves..." At that moment, there was a loud thumping on the wooden floor followed by a low voice from outside the door. "Mr. Choi. It''s me, Yung-Ho." It was Choi Yung-Ho, Choi Eun-Tae''s right-hand man and the president of Daeheung Savings Bank. "Yes. Come on in." The door swung open and Choi Yung-Ho entered with a grave expression. "Things have gottenplicated with Assemblyman Park''s side." "What do you mean by that all of a sudden?" Choi Yung-Ho sighed deeply and exined. "Aide Yoo Sang-Gi... hanged himself in the detention center." It was bing increasingly clear that we were up against the ruling party leader. Chapter 328: Damage (3)

Chapter 328: Damage (3)

Upon hearing the news that Park Sang-Gon''s Aide Yoo Sang-Gi had attempted suicide, Choi Eun-Tae mmed the table in frustration. "What the hell is wrong with that detention center? How do they keep screwing up like this?" Already furious that his son Kang Eun-Gi had nearly been stabbed in the detention center, Choi Eun-Tae couldn''t contain his anger upon learning that Park Sang-Gon''s aide had attempted suicide. Calming himself down, he asked, "So how is that bastard doing?" "Fortunately, they found him quickly so he didn''t die. But he''s in aa," Choi Yung-Ho replied. Choi Eun-Tae let out a short sigh. "Sigh. What about a suicide note?" "There was one." "What did it say?" "From what I gathered... it basically imed he was responsible for everything and expressed apologies to Assemblyman Park and his family." Choi Eun-Tae let out a bitterugh. "Ha. I thought I''d seen all the dirty things this world had to offer and that nothing could surprise me anymore, but this world is still beyond myprehension." His expression showed his disgust with the dirty deeds of politicians. He continued to ask, "Is there any way to find evidence linking Assemblyman Park to this so-called suicide?" "Yoo Sang-Gi has been Park Sang-Gon''s closest aide for 20 years. I''m sure he''s covered his tracks well." Choi Eun-Tae frowned and tapped the table absentmindedly as if trying to think of a solution. After letting out a deep sigh, he finally looked at me with an apologetic expression. "Team Lead Jung, it seems... this might take a bit longer than expected." Kang Gam-Chan standing beside him patted me on the shoulder and forced a smile. "Let''s not be too disheartened. The opportunity wille. No, it will definitelye." Though I had somewhat expected this since the scheduled event in the nner didn''t disappear, facing reality still felt a bit disappointing. Nheless, I had no intention of giving up here. I had faced even worse situations in my past life and didn''t back down. "Since we''ve created a crack this time, it''ll be easier to take them down next time," I added. Choi Eun-Tae cleared his throat and spoke. "Thanks to you, Team Lead Jung, we managed to get our hands on a remarkable card. But I feel truly ashamed by the result." I shook my head. "Not at all. We''re not gods, so how could anyone foresee everything?" "So what will you do now?" I straightened my shoulders and replied confidently, "I''ll do what I''ve always done." "What''s that?" "Make more friends and crush my enemies." With Kim Dong-Soo suspended for three months, my n was to destabilize the talent agents and actors under him and pull them over to my side, ultimately delivering a critical blow to Kim Dong-Soo. The same went for Chief Bang Sang-Yung, who had betrayed Kang Gam-Chan and was now promoted to the director position. Choi Eun-Tae let out a chuckle. "Haha. I don''t know about anything else, but I must have some luck in myter years. I found my son and he has such a reliable friend by his side." Kang Gam-Chan nodded in agreement with Choi Eun-Tae''s assessment. "It seems like it might be time for us to retire. Don''t you think, Mr. Choi?" "Indeed. Perhaps we''re getting old. We feel disappointed and drained while this young man is brimming with energy and spirit." Choi Eun-Tae and Kang Gam-Chan looked at me with proud expressions. Then, Choi Eun-Tae added, "I''ll find another way to deal with Assemblyman Park. It will take time, but I won''t give up for my son''s sake. So don''t worry." "Yes, Mr. Choi." Choi Eun-Tae nodded and then nced at Kang Gam-Chan. "Alright, then let''s discuss our next move. Chief Bang, no, Director Bang. How do you think he''ll act now?" "Director Bang will..." Kang Gam-Chan began toy out the ns one by one for what would happen next and how he intended to bring down Bang Sang-Yung, strike a blow to Actor Division 3, and confront Choi Man-Sik''s camp. While it wasn''t aplete victory, it was clear that thepany''s power dynamics had significantly shifted in favor of Kang Gam-Chan''s line. *** For the past two days, Hoop Entertainment had been in chaos as they were conducting an internal audit. Such measures normally wouldn''t have been possible due to resistance from the Suhyaejong line. However, with Kang Myung-Gil''s misdeeds, no one dared to oppose the audit. Moreover, rumors circted that Kim Dong-Soo and Lee Gi-Cheol were also implicated, prompting the most intense audits thepany had ever seen. While Hoop Entertainment was dealing with its own turmoil, South Korea was in an uproar over the bribery allegations against Park Sang-Gon. This wasn''t just about a low-ranking official: it involved the leader of the ruling party. When I parked my car in thepany''s underground parking lot and clicked on the portal news app, the headlines were dominated by the scandal. [Aide Yoo Sang-Gi Attempts Suicide: Still Unconscious.] [Ruling Party Leader Park Sang-Gon Apologizes for Aide Yoo Sang-Gi''s Personal Misconduct!] [Aide Sells Out 20-Year Employer''s Name to Fund Campaign.] [Park Sang-Gon Holds Tearful Press Conference: "I Haven''t Taken a Single Penny!"] I clicked on the article with the highest views. The video showed Park Sang-Gon on his knees while crying. With arge banner above his head proiming a public apology, he repeatedly bowed and med his ownck of virtue. He even dered that he had no desire for money and nned to donate all his assets to society. As if on cue, members of his party began to rally around him to defend him as an innocent man who only made the mistake of trusting his aide, and they questioned how wronged he must have felt to offer up all his wealth. As a result, the public outcry for his resignation was gradually dying down. "The ruling party leader really is something," I muttered. Though it was a bit disappointing, there was some satisfaction in having paved a thorny path for the man most likely to be the next president. "Mr. Park, you got lucky this time but it won''t be the same next time," I remarked to myself. I didn''t have a concrete n for dealing with him at the moment, but he was bound to make simr mistakes as long as he kept associating himself with Choi Man-Sik. With that thought, I turned off the video of Park Sang-Gon''s fake tearful performance and checked the KkTalk message from Lee Soo-Chan. [Lee Soo-Chan: Hyung-nim. We''ve secured five of the ten people whose hidden camera photos were leaked to Kim Dong-Soo. Should we start preparing for thewsuit now?] Even if victims of hidden cameras were promised protection, perhaps only one in a hundred would agree to testify. If the victims were celebrities, the number might drop to one in a thousand. Furthermore, even if they were active celebrities who hadn''t yet been threatened by Kim Dong-Soo, there was no guarantee that any would testify, even if there were ten of them. [Jung Yoon-Ho: No. We need as many as possible, so let''s go for all ten. We''ll settle the costster.] [Lee Soo-Chan: Don''t worry about the money, hyung-nim.] Knowing that I was targeting Kim Dong-Soo, Lee Soo-Chan said he would also move quickly. I turned off the engine and got out of the car after finishing the conversation on KkTalk. When I approached the elevator, the announcement of personnel changes was disyed on the LCD screen. [Personnel Announcement] 1) Team Lead Kang Myung-Gil (Dismissed) 2) Director Lee Gi-Cheol (Dismissed) 3) Chief Kim Dong-Soo (Three-Month Suspension) _______________________________________ 4) Chief Bang Sang-Yung (Promoted to Director) 5) Team Lead Choi Eun-Seok (Promoted to Chief of Actor Division 1) 6) Assistant Manager Kang Do-Woon (Promoted to Team Lead) 7) Employee Lee Yung-Jin (Promoted to Assistant Manager) 8) Employee Do Ran-Hee (Promoted to Assistant Manager) Bang Sang-Yung had precariously bnced between the two lines until Hoop Entertainment was split apart in my past life, but he made his move much earlier this time. "Mr. Bang, why would you grab onto such a rotten lifeline? Seriously?" I remarked under my breath. I thought to myself that I would have to deal with Bang Sang-Yung along with Kim Dong-Soo as I got on the elevator. When I reached the office, Lee Yung-Jin greeted me with an awkward smile. "You''re here, Mr. Jung." I smiled. "Congrattions on your promotion. You saw the announcement, right?" "Yes. It''s all thanks to your efforts, Mr. Jung." When I nced to the side, Do Ran-Hee who had also been promoted looked equally ufortable. "Why the gloomy atmosphere when you''ve been promoted?" I asked. Lee Yung-Jin scratched his head and nced around nervously. With the prosecutors having recently shaken up thepany, everyone seemed on edge. Not wanting to see Team Jung''s members looking so deted, I immediately ordered everyone to gather in the meeting room. A short whileter, the entire team gathered together, except for Lee Dae-Ho who was touring provincial stages with Lee Tae-Poong. There were members handling actors and singers, Yang So-Ri in charge of make-up, stylists Lee Mi-Ri and her husband, and Kim Mi-Hye in charge of publicity. Everyone looked anxious as they were unable to hide their concerns about thepany''s future. I pped my hands to gather their focus. "Attention, everyone." The murmuring died down and all eyes turned to me. "I know you''re all worried. But if thepany were truly in danger of going under, would they be issuing new appointments? Also, this matter has nothing to do with Mr. Kang, so there''s no need for concern." However, their expressions still didn''t lighten. After a brief hesitation, I recalled what it was like when I was just a team member and added, "Let me make you a promise. If anything happens to Hoop Entertainment, I''ll take responsibility for every member here. So don''t worry." Only then did some relief begin to show on their faces. "Of course, that''s assuming the worst-case scenario. Everything will return to normal as soon as the audit ends, so just focus on your work," I assured them. Lee Yung-Jin scratched his head and responded, "I''m sorry. It''s just that the reporters have been heavily targeting entertainmentpanies. I guess I got a bit scared without realizing it." Do Ran-Hee nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I usually don''t get rattled by much, but... this time it really got to me." "I didn''t know Ran-Hee gets nervous too," I teased. "What, am I not human?" she retorted. "Well, I thought maybe not," I joked. She red at me. "What''s that supposed to mean?" Iughed off Do Ran-Hee''s re and suggested we have a meeting since we were all gathered. Returning to our desks wouldn''t help anyone focus on their work right now anyway. "Alright, then let''s start the morning meeting right away." First up was Lee Tae-Poong''s matter. The movie Beyond the Boundary starring Lee Tae-Poong was expected to surpass five million viewers by tomorrow. "At this rate, we anticipate reaching ten million viewers by the end of the month." "That''s great. As for securing ads for Mr. Tae-Poong, we''ll start that in earnest once we hit ten million viewers. Got it?" "Understood. In the meantime, I''ll set aside the most lucrative deals." "Good. And how''s it going with Haru''s Table of Mukbang?" Haru''s show, Table of Mukbang, was about to enter the semifinals. "Thepetition is tough, but the expectation on set is that he''ll at least be the runner-up." "Winning would be ideal. Promote it well and prepare ordingly. The finals will be live and viewer votes will count." "Yes, Mr. Jung!" After wrapping up the actor-rted updates, we moved on to the singers'' briefing. "It''s been three weeks since Ha-Na''s debut song was released, but the track is still climbing the charts. Following her appearance on a public broadcast, the subscriber count on Ha-Na''s MeTube increased by over 20%." Kang Ha-Na, who debuted on September 12, was holding the top spot for the third consecutive week and was projected to maintain it next week as well. Herpetitor, Eve One, had been trailing behind Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon, and was still stuck in third ce, prompting rumors of an expeditedunch in Japan. Then Eun Ji-Yoo brought up Cherry Blossom. "Um, Mr. Lee Dong-Min suggested finalizing Cherry Blossom''seback date." Originally, Cherry Blossom was set to have theireback in early October. However, with Kang Ha-Na''s ongoing sess, it was necessary to adjust the schedule to avoid ovep. "I think it would be best to aim for mid-October around the 17th or 24th," I replied. Since Kang Ha-Na primarily focused on the MeTube tform, she nned to conclude her activities after five weeks of holding first ce. After all, she needed a break due to the demands of TV appearances and daily MeTube broadcasts. "Alright, then I''ll inform Singer Division 2 of the updated timeline." "I''ll visit Mr. Leeter to discuss the details, so let him know we''ll finalize things then." As the meeting neared its end, I gave the team a final directive. "And after lunch today, Team Jung will all be out on fieldwork. Make sure to report that." "Pardon??" "Well, with the tense atmosphere in the office due to the audit, let''s just spend the afternoon out on site after lunch." As soon as I suggested using fieldwork as an excuse for an early finish, everyone caught on. Smiles naturally appeared on my team members'' faces. I smiled. "And the lunch is on me today. Meet me in front of Hanwoo Myungga." The moment I mentioned treating them to Hanwoo for lunch, their faces instantly lit up with joy. After the meeting ended, the employees started returning to their desks one by one. When I was left alone to tidy up the meeting room, I was overwhelmed by a strange feeling. I hadn''t expected my team to prefer hearing that I would take responsibility over thepany taking responsibility. In my past life, I used to think that bearing the responsibility for someone else''s life was burdensome. However, I now felt like I had be a stronger person the moment I said I''d take that responsibility. *** After a belly-filling lunch at Hanwoo Myungga, I told my team members to go on their "fieldwork" as nned. Do Ran-Hee patted her full stomach and asked, "Mr. Jung. You''re not just going back to the office, are you?" "Of course not. I''m on fieldwork today too." "Where are you going?" "Cheonho-dong. Today''s the day Yeon-Woo moves in right across from my ce." Do Ran-Hee smacked her forehead, realizing she had forgotten. "Oh, right! Then I''lle with you, Mr. Jung." "No, take a break today. I''ve already arranged for people to help." Vocal trainer Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother had seen improvements in her condition ever since she started her medication. Recently, her condition had stabilized to the point where there was almost no difference from before the dementia set in, allowing them to finally attempt the move. If they had moved when she was still confused, she might not have adapted and could have tried to return to their old home. I waved goodbye to my team. "Alright then. Everyone, enjoy your fieldwork and I''ll see you all tomorrow." After firmly declining my team members'' offers to tag along, I headed to Cheonho-dong. The house Seo Yeon-Woo was moving into was a two-story house directly across from Yoo-Jin''s ce. The elderly couple who had lived there previously had moved in with their son, so the house was avable for rent at a cheap price. It was the same price as a three-room apartment elsewhere, and thendlord''s son had already remodeled the house once for his mother which made it perfect for Seo Yeon-Woo and his grandmother. Moreover, the security guards stationed in front of Yoo-Jin''s house were in a good position to keep an eye on things in case of any incidents. I parked my car at home and headed straight across the street. The moving boxes had already been dropped off, and Yoo-Jin and Miso were helping to organize the items with their hair tied back. Yoo-Jin spotted me. "Oh, oppa!" Miso smiled and called out excitedly, "Uncle Yoon-Ho! Look at my new clothes!" "Wow~ Miso, you look so pretty!" Iplimented her. Yoo-Jin and Miso were sporting pink headscarves and dress-style aprons that they had somehow gotten their hands on. Seo Yeon-Woo, who was also busy unpacking, greeted me with a bright face. "Hyung, you''re here!" "Yeon-Woo, where''s your grandmother?" I asked. "Oh, she''s in the master bedroom organizing the bedding." "Hold on, let me say hello to her first." Leaving the three of them in the kitchen, I headed to the master bedroom. Knock, knock. "Come on in." A peculiar tremble started within me as soon as I heard the low and gentle voice. There was strength in her voice now unlike before. "Hyung, go ahead. She''s been wanting to see you since this morning," Seo Yeon-Woo urged. This was the first time I''d be meeting her again since our initial introduction. With a heart full of anticipation, I slowly opened the door. Chapter 329: Table of Mukbang (1)

Chapter 329: Table of Mukbang (1)

Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother was arranging the golden bedding in the master bedroom with Jung In-Ji. I bowed respectfully and greeted her. "How have you been? I''m Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho. Do you remember me?" At that moment, Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother slowly stood up from her seat. "Now I finally get to see your face properly, Mr. Jung." "Then I should take this opportunity to greet you properly. Please sit and ept my bow." "Oh, please don''t. There''s no need, Mr. Jung." Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother held my hand tightly with a warm smile. Unlike before, her grip was firm. "Thank you so much for finding us this house. Yeon-Woo and I are indescribably grateful." "Not at all. Yeon-Woo does his job so well that I''ve received a lot of help from him." Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother shook her head. "Every person needs someone who recognizes their value to truly shine. Both Yeon-Woo and I know well the grace you''ve shown by giving him that opportunity." If I hadn''t traveled back in time, Seo Yeon-Woo might have ended up with a disability and his grandmother could have passed away while lost in her own mind. It was moving to realize that I managed to help someone like this after my return. At that moment, Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother let out an awkwardugh. "Haha. By the way, I heard I made a big mistake when we first met." "Pardon?" "I was so shocked when I found out I gave you expired snacks..." I smiled and replied, "It''s fine. I enjoyed them." That''s when Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother nced at the corner of the room. As if recognizing the cue, Jung In-Ji handed over a rectangr object wrapped in packaging. "Here it is, Unnie." "Thank you, In-Ji." It seemed the two had already be close enough to talk to each otherfortably. Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother handed the wrapped item to me, but she seemed uneasy for some reason. "I bought some snacks. I heard you liked them, Mr. Jung..." After thanking her and unwrapping the package, I understood why she seemed so nervous. "This is..." Inside the package were five different vors of choctes with Powertuff Girls characters on them¡ªthe same snacks I always bought for Miso. Just then, Miso entered the room at the perfect time and eximed, "It''s Powertuff Choctes! Uncle Yoon-Ho, do you like those too?" The moment I saw Miso''s bright and expectant eyes, I broke into a big smile. "Yes, I like them more than anything in the world!" "Hehe. Uncle Yoon-Ho, you''re just like me~" Only then did Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother look relieved. She added, "The shop owner in the neighborhood said you often buy these, so I got some. But I worried as I didn''t know if it was really okay." It was true I had bought them several times, but they were actually all for Miso. Yoo-Jin and Jung In-Jiughed from the side as they knew the backstory, but I casually unwrapped a chocte and popped it into my mouth. I felt the smooth texture of the chocte as the five different cream vors burst in: strawberry, kiwi, apple, pear, and peach. It was my first time actually eating them, and it wasn''t bad at all. "Wow. It''s tasty." When I gave a thumbs-up, everyone burst intoughter again. "Please take a rest. I''ll help out while I''m here," I said. "Oh dear. But Mr. Jung, you must be tired..." "Not at all. It looks like most of the work is done already anyway. Please take a rest." After exchanging goodbyes with Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother, I stepped out into the living room. *** Fortunately, we finished cleaning quickly as there wasn''t much left to unpack. I went home, took a shower, and then returned to Seo Yeon-Woo''s house. "Yeon-Woo, have you put together a rehab program for Ling Ling?" I asked. "Yes, here it is," Seo Yeon-Woo replied and handed me several A4 sheets filled with a detailed schedule. The schedule was packed with stretching exercises, meals, hydration, rest times, and vocal practice routines¡ªall meticulously nned from the moment Ling Ling woke up to her bedtime so as to keep her voice in optimal condition. After checking the schedule, I spoke to Seo Yeon-Woo. "I''m nning to go on a business trip to China soon, and I''d like you toe with me." "To China?" "Yes. I think it''d be good for you toe along to reassure Ling Ling''s parents." No matter how determined Ling Ling was, sending a sixteen-year-old middle school girl to Korea to prepare for a girl group debut was not an easy decision. I thought having a thorough and caring trainer like Seo Yeon-Woo would definitely help convince Lily and their parents. However, Seo Yeon-Woo seemed hesitant to respond right away, probably because he was worried about leaving his grandmother alone. "I''ll arrange for another caregiver to help on the days you''re away," I told him. After a brief moment of thought, Seo Yeon-Woo finally nodded. And so, we agreed to go on the China trip together. "By the way, how about Korean Chinese food for dinner since you moved in today?" I asked. Yoo-Jin, who had finished her shower and rejoined us, eagerly raised her hand and said, "It''s a tradition to have Korean Chinese food on moving day! I''ll treat you all today!" Miso also got excited and began to wiggle her hips in delight. "Mom, can I have Jjajangmyeon?" "Of course you can~ piggy piggy!" "Oink oink!" Seemingly in high spirits today, Yoo-Jin and Miso exchanged yful banter whileughing cheerfully. At that moment, Seo Yeon-Woo insisted on treating us instead. "Come on. On moving day, it''s the person moving in who should pay. It''s on me now that I''m earning well." "That''s right. Yeon-Woo, you got a bonus this time, didn''t you?" Thanks to Kang Ha-na and Kim Jong-Hoon''s songs sessfully reaching number one, Seo Yeon-Woo received a bonus of 10 million won. "Yes. Order anything you want today!" Seo Yeon-Woo eximed. Seeing Seo Yeon-Woo so confident and self-assured unlike before brought a warm smile to my face. "Then let''s try ordering everything from the Golden Dragon''s kitchen!" "Sure! I''ll ce the order." I had Hanwoo for lunch, and now I was having Korean Chinese cuisine for dinner. Although I was d to have a series of delicious meals, the most satisfying part was seeing Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother''s improvement and Seo Yeon-Woo''s newfound confidence. Thanks to them, my earlier disappointment at not havingpletely dealt with Kim Dong-Soo disappeared. *** Although I went to work the next day, thepany was still in turmoil due to the ongoing audit. With Lee Gi-Cheol urgently arrested yesterday, the employees were visibly tense. However, everyone in Team Jung and Actor Division 2 looked energetic. ''Feeding them Hanwoo was definitely the right call,'' I thought. As soon as I put my bag down, Lee Yung-Jin brought up work before even greeting me. "The October issue of Womans has sold over 100,000 copies in just five days, and Mrs. Jang wants you to contact her urgently." "She''s probably trying to get freebies at a discount again. Just tell her I''m not here." "She said she''lle find you if you don''t call." "If shees, tell her I died." The cover for the October issue of Womans featured Yoo-Jin as both Cheongmyung and Manshin Wol-Ah, gracing the front simultaneously. Previously struggling to sell over 50,000 copies, Womans now printed 100,000 copies for the first edition alone thanks to Yoo-Jin. As a result, the "Interview with the Cover Model" in the October issue was allocated twice as many pages as usual. However, Jang Ji-Hye kept using the increased page count as an excuse to ask me for ways to get the freebies at a cheaper price. At that moment, I received a call. [Caller ID: Jung Sang-Bong] "It''s Sang-Bong calling. Just a second." Currently, Jung Sang-Bong was at TVM for Haru''s Table of Mukbangpetition which had been scheduled since the morning. "Hey, Sang-Bong." -Mr. Jung, I think you shoulde to the filming location. "I was nning toe anyway, but why? Did something happen?" Today, Haru was set topete in the semifinals of Table of Mukbang. Unlike in my previous life, two members had changed: one of them was Haru, and the other was Lee Jin-Taek from TK Entertainment whom we had previously gotten into a fight with during Master of Mukbang. I asked if there had been any trouble with Lee Jin-Taek, but Sang-Bong assured me that wasn''t the case. -The head writer hinted that Haru had done enough by now and suggested it might be time for him to leave. At that moment, I jumped up from my seat immediately. The head writer''s words suggested that they were nning to eliminate Haru today. "I''ll be there right away!" I hung up and quickly told Lee Yung-Jin to follow me. "Pardon? But there''s still time before Haru''spetition," Lee Yung-Jin remarked. "It seems like they''re nning to drop Haru in today''s round." Lee Yung-Jin sprang up as well. "Then this isn''t the time to just sit around. Let''s go." Leaving the Womans magazine matters aside, we headed straight to TVM without hesitation. *** Table of Mukbang was a TVM variety show where celebritiespeted in cooking battles, and it recently topped its time slot with a 10.3% viewership ratingst week. In today''s semifinals, contestants would prepare a meal using pre-arranged pork. Since the show featured celebrities who were non-professional chefs, they were informed of thepetition theme three to four days in advance and asked to bring their ingredients. However, they suddenly nned a game that involved switching the contestants'' cooking ingredients today. On the way to TVM, I called Jo Eung-Cheon to figure out what was going on. "Mr. Jo, have you heard the news by chance?" -News? What news? When I informed him about the n to eliminate Haru, Jo Eung-Cheon said he hadn''t heard anything about it. -Why would PD Jo want to drop Haru? He ys such a crucial role in Table of Mukbang. "I''m not sure either. They''re introducing an unnned game all of a sudden, and the writer is subtly pressuring us to let Haru leave." -Is that so? I''ll head down to the set immediately. "Thank you, sir." Then, I called Jung Sang-Bong right away and instructed him to keep an eye on the situation until I arrived. *** When I arrived at the set of Table of Mukbang, the staff were quietly focused on their tasks without any sign of disturbance. In a corner of the set, they were preparing the game board meant to eliminate Haru. ''What is going on here? Did they overturn the decision?'' I wondered as I looked around. Just then, Jung Sang-Bong spotted me and came over. "Mr. Jung, you''re here." "Hey, Sang-Bong. Where''s Mr. Jo?" "He came down for a bit and then went back up after talking to the PD." "What? So the issue hasn''t been resolved?" "No. He came in angry at first, but he just told everyone to do their best and left after a few words with the PD." That''s when a thought shed through my mind. ''No way. Did this ordere from someone above Jo Eung-Cheon?'' I thought. Otherwise, there would be no way Jo Eung-Cheon would have backed down after just a few words. If that was the case, the only likely person would be the president. However, if we were to include the parentpany CK Inc., then there would be quite a few other likely people. ''Where is this ordering from?'' I wondered. I couldn''t understand why they wanted to eliminate Haru, nor who was behind it. "Sang-Bong, I''ll take control of the situation from here. By the way, where''s Haru? Is he alone?" "No, he''s with Ms. Yang So-Ri, getting his makeup touched up." "Alright. Yung-Jin, you go check on Haru. And Sang-Bong, you stay here with me." "Yes, Mr. Jung." "Call me if anything happens." "Understood." Lee Yung-Jin bowed to the staff and headed toward Haru''s waiting room. I took a deep breath and tried calling Jo Eung-Cheon again. However, he wasn''t picking up my call. [Beep beep... The person you are trying to reach is not answering. Please leave a message after the tone...] ''He''s... avoiding my call?'' Jo Eung-Cheon avoiding my call confirmed my suspicions. Meanwhile, PD Jo Han-Ill of Table of Mukbang continued giving instructions and preparing for the shoot. "Alright, everyone. Check the set and start with the camera tests. As soon as Mr. Lee Jin-Taek arrives, we''ll begin filming right away. So stay on standby!" "Yes, sir!" After giving instructions to prepare the game, Jo Han-Ill started talking with the head writer, Lee Yoo-Yung. As much as I wanted to confront him immediately, causing a scene in front of the staff could result in even bigger retaliation. Eventually, I started thinking of another way. ''I should try calling PD Yoo first.'' I figured that if I asked Jo Han-Ill''s girlfriend, Yoo Hyun-Ji, I might be able to get some inside information. When I called, Yoo Hyun-Ji picked up immediately. -Mr. Jung! My lovely Mr. Jung is calling me first, huh~? Why would that be? Since we had yet to negotiate Lee Tae-Poong''s appearance fee, she answered with her unusually and overly sweet tone. "Ms. Yoo, have you heard anything about the Table of Mukbang?" She paused briefly and then spoke cautiously. -Actually... Apparently, the directive had been from the line of CK Inc.''s Executive Director Choi Jin-Woong. He had ordered that Haru''s appearance on the show end today as they wanted to push Jung Jin-Soo from Ace Entertainment instead. Having turned 28 years old, Jung Jin-Soo was a rising A-ss star backed by Ace Entertainment and was set to star in TVM''s uing drama Haunted Cabin. -I even told PD Jo to hold out a little more, but it seems like the pressure from Executive Director Choi''s side is intense. Yoo Hyun-Ji told me that she was sharing this information because she trusted me and asked me to keep her name out of it. She also added that she hoped I would negotiate a lower fee for Lee Tae-Poong''s appearance. Just then, a name shed in my mind. ''Jo Jae-Kyung. That bastard...'' CK Inc.''s Choi Jin-Woong was on good terms with Son Yung-Im, Jo Jae-Kyung''s mother. Jo Jae-Kyung was using his mother''s connections to mess with Haru. Having figured out the situation, I thanked Yoo Hyun-Ji once again. "Thank you so much. I will definitely repay this favor." -Is that a promise? "Yes, ma''am!" After hanging up, I couldn''t help but let out a hollowugh. "Ha. Jo Jae-Kyung. So you''re pulling strings, huh?" Even though Jo Jae-Kyung was currently under investigation by the prosecution, he was still holding a grudge against me and audaciously engaging in such underhanded tactics. "It''s time to teach that naughty baby a lesson," I uttered with determination. With the resolve to bring Jo Jae-Kyungpletely to his knees, I immediately called Kwak Moo-Hyuk. -Hey, Yoon-Ho. What''s up? "Mr. Kwak, could you arrange a three-party meeting with CK Entertainment''s president and Jo Jae-Kyung as a condition for dropping thewsuit?" Currently, Kwak Moo-Hyuk was negotiating with CK Entertainment''swyers over my assault case. -Why the sudden request? I exined that Jo Jae-Kyung''s people were pulling strings to eliminate Haru from Table of Mukbang. -Jo Jae-Kyung, that lunatic. Is he out of his mind? Haru is one of the main appeals of that show! "Yes, exactly. So please ry the message that I''m willing to drop thewsuit if they put a stop to what''s happening to Haru. I''m certain CK Entertainment''s president isn''t aware of this situation." -If Son Hyung-Tae finds out about this mess in the midst of everything, he''ll blow his top. Got it, I''ll contact him right away! "Thank you, Mr. Kwak. And if they refuse to help, tell them I''ll go public and expose the whole ordeal involving CK Entertainment." -Okay. Don''t worry! I hung up the call with a satisfied grin. "Jae-Kyung, what were you thinking?" One of the few people Jo Jae-Kyung feared was Son Hyung-Tae, the president of CK Entertainment. Son Hyung-Tae was normally aposed man, but he could be explosive when it came to people who caused him losses¡ªeven if they were family. At that moment, I suddenly found myself eagerly anticipating the uing three-party meeting with Jo Jae-Kyung. Chapter 330: Table of Mukbang (2)

Chapter 330: Table of Mukbang (2)

Thewyers from CK Entertainment who handled all of Jo Jae-Kyung''s affairs were huddled in his office, racking their brains over the situation. They couldn''t hide their frustration, as no viable solutions emerged to resolve the matter. Jo Jae-Kyung refused to admit wrongdoing and was stubbornly unwilling to offerpensation. Eventually, Park Sang-Cheon, the head of CK Entertainment''s legal team, took the lead and spoke up. "Mr. Jo! We can''t resolve the issue like this. The overdue directing fees must be paid, and you need to settle the assault case with the talent agent. That''s the simplest way!" Jo Jae-Kyung smirked while digging his ear. "How much are those directing fees anyway? Just whip up some documents and cover it up! We can use the LA branch likest time." "If you do that, it will only escte the situation." "Didn''t we handle thepany funds that went into the casino smoothly back then? You guys are getting paid to handle stuff like this, aren''t you?" Park Sang-Cheon had broken into a cold sweat trying to cover up the previous incident where the CK Entertainment LA branch had recklessly filled in the financial gaps. After all, it was a clear case of the owner''s family membermitting an illegal act. Of course, one of the CK Inc.wyers'' duties was to keep the owner''s family''s scandals from going public. "That''s why we fired everyone at the LA branch after that! We even had to give them extra severance pay to keep them quiet!" Park Sang-Cheonmented. Jo Jae-Kyung looked at him with eyes full of annoyance. "So what? Are you saying you can''t do it?" Park Sang-Cheon gritted his teeth and tried his best to hold back his anger. Despite being a scoundrel, Jo Jae-Kyung was still part of the owner''s family. Park Sang-Cheon tried topromise by suggesting they resolve at least one issue. "Then let''s at least settle the smaller matter. With the talent agent''s two-week medical certificate, it''s barely worth awsuit. We can handle it quickly if you pay around 10 million won in settlement. Theirwyer will likely be satisfied with that amount." "10 million won?" Jo Jae-Kyung scoffed. He ground his teeth andshed out angrily, "Do you think I''m made of money? There''s no way I''m paying! Absolutely not! Especially not to that bastard¡ªnot a single penny, got it?" Just then, Park Sang-Cheon received a call on his phone. Upon seeing the caller ID, Park Sang-Cheon immediately stood up to answer. The call was from Son Hyung-Tae, the president of CK Entertainment. "Yes, sir. Yes. Understood." After hanging up, Park Sang-Cheon let out a sigh. He then turned to the otherwyers present. "We''ve been ordered to return to headquarters." The otherwyers looked puzzled. "But what about Mr. Jo''s case?" "We''re to halt everything and head back immediately. It''s the president''s order, so let''s get moving." Hearing that it was the president''s order, Jo Jae-Kyung looked shocked and hastily asked, "Wh-What about me?" Park Sang-Cheon struggled to suppress a smile as he replied, "You''re to settle the issues today and go to thepany tomorrow. Otherwise, it seems like Mr. Son is prepared to sever ties with you. If you have doubts, feel free to call him yourself." After delivering Son Hyung-Tae''s message, Park Sang-Cheon bowed onest time. The otherwyers began closing theirptops and packing up. Jo Jae-Kyung asked with a trembling voice, "What? Are you seriously... leaving?" As thewyers bowed and exited, Jo Jae-Kyung finally realized that the situation was far from ordinary. "What the hell... Who the hell is this Jung Yoon-Ho anyway?" *** [Caller ID: Legal Division Team Lead Kwak Moo-Hyuk] The anticipated call came through. "Yes, Mr. Kwak," I answered the call. -Luckily, Son Hyung-Tae acted as you predicted. "Thank you for your hard work." -Hard work? Not at all. Through Kwak Moo-Hyuk, I conveyed the message to Son Hyung-Tae that I would unconditionally settle the assault case involving Jo Jae-Kyung. I also included a bted apology for not considering Son Hyung-Tae''s dignity earlier. -But Team Lead Jung, you missed out on a chance to make some big money. "What could I get from settlement money with just a two-week medical certificate anyway? Ensuring Haru doesn''t face unfair treatment in thepetition is far more important." -Right. Anyway, you''ll need to meet with President Son tomorrow, so contact me as soon as thepetition wraps up. "Understood, Mr. Kwak." As soon as I hung up, I clenched my fist tightly. Jung Sang-Bong beside me asked, "How did it go?" "We''ll probably get an update soon. Let''s wait and see." Shortly after, the phone of Lee Yoo-Yung, the head writer inspecting the set, rang. "Yes, yes, sir. Ah, understood. I''ll inform PD Jo Han-Ill as well." Looking flustered, Lee Yoo-Yung approached Jo Han-Ill and whispered something in his ear. Upon hearing her, Jo Han-Ill quickly began issuing instructions. "ADs, stop what you''re doing and gather up! Writers, everyonee over too!" The staff swarmed around Jo Han-Ill in an instant. "See that?" I gestured. Jung Sang-Bong looked at me in awe. "Wow. This is amazing." Soon, Jo Han-Ill instructed them to revise the cue sheet. "Cancel the revised version and revert to the original n. Get the set in order quickly and remove the game board! Hurry!" The staff looked confused, but they started reorganizing the set. Meanwhile, Haru, now done with his makeup, approached me. "Hyung, when did you get here?" Haru greeted me with his usual smiley eyes and brimmed with joy. I smiled back. "I got here just now. By the way, are you feeling confident today?" "I''m not sure. Now that we''re down to the final contestants, everyone''s cooking is at a professional chef level..." Today, Haru nned to cook charcoal-grilled bulgogi using pork fed with Andong apples and aged white kimchi stew. I added, "Will you be able to finish in time though? I heard you need to prepare side dishes too," "Since I''m doing two main dishes, I''ll only serve a few sides¡ªfresh kimchi, pickled onions, and just peri leaves and lettuce." "That''ll definitely save you some time. And what about the dipping sauces?" Haru answered confidently without hesitation, "I''ve prepared a fish sauce dip, soybean powder sauce, and a special ssamjang. It''s good on its own, but I prepared three options because I wanted to cater to the judges'' tastes." "Good. Don''t be too nervous and just think of it as serving delicious food to the elders back home. Got it?" "Yes, hyung!" I cheered him on. "Just do what you always do. Haru, you got this!" Haru clenched his fist before heading over to his cooking station. As the contestants took their ces, Jo Han-Ill announced the instructions. "We had initially nned a game to switch ingredients, but it has been canceled due to inadequate preparation. I apologize for the confusion caused to the contestants and the hosts." Thankfully, everything was back to normal and Haru began wiping down his station in anticipation of thepetition. "Alright, please get ready to start cooking." Haru, along with Lee Jin-Taek from TK Entertainment, Park Joon-Seo from TNT Entertainment, and Jung Jin-Soo from Ace Entertainment, began checking their ingredients with tense expressions. Momentster, the judges entered the panel area: Baek Jong-Suk, the head of a franchise, Lee Soon-Ja, a culinary researcher, and Yeo Won-Hee, the president of the Traditional Food Preservation Association. Once the judges were seated, MC Kim Jin-Tae arrived and apologized. "I''m sorry for beingte." Kim Jin-Tae put on his mic and reviewed the cue cards handed to him. He quickly flipped through the cue cards and gave an OK sign. Jo Han-Ill gave the cue to start filming. "Alright, everyone~ standby. We''ll begin in five seconds. Ready... Action!" Kim Jin-Tae grabbed the mic and eximed, "Finally, today is the semifinals of Mukbang''s Table..." Following Kim Jin-Tae''s introduction, Baek Jong-Suk announced today''s cooking challenge. "Today''s theme is a full meal prepared with pork." After talking at length about the benefits of pork, Baek Jong-Suk announced the start of thepetition. "The four contestants who have made it to the final stage are allowed 60 minutes of cooking time! You may begin now!" At that moment, the four contestants broke into a sweat, each striving to present their best dishes within the time limit. *** My mouth grew dry with tension as I watched Haru and hispetitors cooking. The contestants who had made it to the semifinals all possessed skills that could rival professional chefs. In particr, Lee Jin-Taek had attended a school for culinary geniuses, so he was no pushover. Since the theme had been provided in advance, the menus thepetitors prepared were no ordinary dishes. Lee Yung-Jin asked with a worried expression, "Mr. Jung, it seems like everyone got their recipes from professional chefs. Isn''t Haru''s dish a bit too in?" "Just wait and see," I replied. Haru''s dish, charcoal-grilled pork and aged white kimchi stew, were what his Russian mother often made. However, they looked like something you''d find in a simple diner, and that was why Lee Yung-Jin was concerned. "Ah, this is nerve-wracking. Kimchi stew tastes best when made with well-fermented red kimchi. I hope that pork doesn''t taste too gamey," Lee Yung-Jin remarked. "Are you trying to jinx Haru into losing?" I questioned. Lee Yung-Jin waved his hands. "N-no, of course not!" However, Lee Yung-Jin was not the only skeptic. The otherpetitors also sneered at Haru''s dishes. After all, the dishes probably looked too simple to them. Nheless, Haru continued cooking steadfastly with an undeterred expression. There was only one minute left on the clock. Haru began ting his charcoal-grilled pork on a rectangr te. ''There are only 30 seconds left now,'' I thought. Sweating profusely, Haru carefully transferred the well-simmered aged white kimchi stew onto a round te. Ding~ "Time''s up! Please take your hands off your dishes now." Just as time ran out, Haru lifted his hands from his dishes, which signaled the end of thepetition. Haru was drenched in sweat from head to toe after having cooked two main dishes within an hour. ''You did very well, Haru,'' I remarked inwardly. Regardless of the oue, I was determined to congratte Haru for his hard work. Baek Jong-Suk took a moment to gaze at the dishes prepared by the four contestants before heading first to Lee Jin-Taek''s dish. Lee Jin-Taek''s pork dish was an exquisite steak that you''d expect to find at a top-tier restaurant. Lee Yung-Jin whispered a smallint as he observed the situation, "It probably just looks good, nothing more." However, Baek Jong-Suk''s evaluation went against Lee Yung-Jin''s expectations. Baek Jong-Suk cut a piece of the steak and took a bite, nodding with satisfaction. "As always, it seems like the Master of Mukbang audition was a turning point for you, Mr. Jin-Taek. Your food has transformed entirely. This is a magnificent dish that''s well worth paying for," Baek Jong-Sukmented. Lee Jin-Taek bowed his head. "Thank you." Culinary researcher Lee Soon-Ja and Yeo Won-Hee, the president of the Traditional Food Preservation Association, also nodded in agreement before offering praise. Next, it was Jung Jin-Soo''s and Park Joon-Seo''s turns to be evaluated. Though their evaluations were slightly below Lee Jin-Taek''s, they weremended for showcasing their unique styles. Finally, it was Haru''s turn. Baek Jong-Suk licked his lips in anticipation and approached Haru''s table. "It''s been a while since I''ve had charcoal-grilled pork. Let''s give it a try, shall we?" Haru''s table presented a traditional Korean set meal with steaming white rice, charcoal-grilled pork, aged white kimchi stew, and a few side dishes. On the rectangr te, the charcoal-grilled pork was garnished with shredded green onions and pickled onions, while the round te featured aged white kimchi stew with pork wrapped in cabbage, served with a light broth. Haru pointed to the sauces as Baek Jong-Suk approached to taste his dish. "You can dip the pork in the sauces. You can also wrap it in fresh kimchi or lettuce." Baek Jong-Suk smiled. "Which sauce do you rmend, Mr. Haru?" After hesitating for a moment, Haru pointed to the soybean powder sauce. "I rmend you try it with soybean powder." "Alright, then I''ll eat it as you suggested." "And please make sure to have it with the green onions and the pickled onions. It''s best that way." Baek Jong-Suk nodded in agreement. He ced some green onions and sliced onions on the soy-marinated charcoal-grilled pork, then dipped it generously into the yellow soybean powder sauce before bringing it to his mouth. "Hmm~" With the first bite of the charcoal-grilled pork, Baek Jong-Suk crossed his arms and slowly savored the taste. Momentster, he eximed, "Huh, this is interesting!" The judges beside him nodded in agreement. Lee Soon-Ja promptly concurred. "Right? It looks just like charcoal-grilled pork... but I can''t quite put into words how it tastes." Yeo Won-Hee also agreed. "It looks like regr pork bulgogi, but the seasoning is entirely different." At that moment, Baek Jong-Suk grinned and picked up his spoon. "This seems like it would pair perfectly with rice. Just a moment." Baek Jong-Suk scooped a generous amount of rice into his mouth, followed by another piece of pork dipped in the sauce. At that moment, his face instantly lit up with delight. "Everyone, try it with rice." However, Lee Soon-Ja and Yeo Won-Hee decided to try it differently, wrapping the meat in lettuce and peri leaves. "Wow~ this is definitely a dish that makes you crave more rice!" Baek Jong-Suk then turned his attention to the aged white kimchi stew. "Alright, now let''s try the aged white kimchi stew. This is quite a rare treat..." He picked up the neatly rolled piece of aged kimchi with pork and popped the whole thing into his mouth. Chewing thoughtfully, Baek Jong-Suk''s expression shifted to one of pleasant surprise. "Oh, my goodness." Simultaneously, Lee Soon-Ja and Yeo Won-Hee who had just swallowed their bites eximed in unison, "Oh my! Oh my goodness! Chapter 331: Table of Mukbang (3) Chapter 331: Table of Mukbang (3) Everyone''s eyes were on the three evaluators. While the basic shooting script had been set in advance, the evaluation and judgment of the taste were entrusted entirely to Baek Jong-Suk, Lee Soon-Ja, and Yeo Won-Hee. The PD urged them to share their evaluation and signaled with a gesture. However, instead of giving an evaluation, Baek Jong-Suk took another big spoonful of rice and bit into the aged white kimchi stew once more. The other two evaluators followed suit and took bites along with the rice, showing surprised expressions again. Then Baek Jong-Suk looked at Haru and asked, "Mr. Haru, where did you learn to make this dish?" Haru replied flusteredly, "Oh, I learned it from my mom. She got the recipe from a friend''s house." While the typical red kimchi stew was less than a hundred years old, aged white kimchi and bossam have existed for much longer. Sae-Ri''s family had long made aged white kimchi stew by wrapping aged white kimchi around bossam and Haru''s mother learned the recipe and passed it on to Haru.Haru had simply prepared the dish taught by his mother. Baek Jong-Suk nodded. "That exins this vor. I was surprised that the aged white kimchi prepared traditionally was wrapped around the bossam. The depth of vor was astonishing like a dish made by a daughter-inw of a traditional Korean family. Thank you for the meal." Yeo Won-Hee beside him also nodded in agreement. "I was surprised too. I never imagined Mr. Haru could make a dish with such deep vors at only 16 years old." Lee Soon-Ja concurred. "The way you captured the precise time needed for the meat to be tender and melt in the mouth was remarkable. It must have been difficult to make it in such a short time, but it''s clear you have the skill to make it to the semifinals. Thank you for the meal." Following Baek Jong-Suk, the other two judges also offered praise. Next, Baek Jong-Suk pointed to the charcoal-grilled bulgogi. "But this bulgogi marinade used for the charcoal-grilled bulgogi¡ªdid you develop this soy sauce marinade yourself?" Haru hesitated before responding. "No, I just followed the method my mom used." Baek Jong-Suk tilted his head in curiosity. "Then why does this charcoal-grilled bulgogi remind me of shashlik, a dish eaten in Russia? That''s why I..." At that moment, tears began to stream down Haru''s big eyes. "Mr. Haru?" As Baek Jong-Suk looked at Haru in surprise, he wiped her tears and said, "Oh, I''m sorry." Though I had asked Lee Soo-Chan to find Haru''s mother a while ago, there had been no news about Natalia''s whereabouts. There had been no contact from his mother despite Haru''s face being shown on TV. Perhaps that was why Haru couldn''t hold back his tears when his mother''s home country, Russia, was mentioned. Startled, Lee Soon-Ja offered Haru a red handkerchief. "You''re ruining such a pretty face. Why are you suddenly crying, Mr. Haru?" Yeo Won-Hee alsoforted Haru with a sympathetic expression. Although Jo Han-Ill and the staff were momentarily taken aback, they professionally focused the cameras on Haru. Haru wiped his tears and repeatedly bowed his head to everyone around him. "I''m sorry. I suddenly thought of my mom who''s from Russia. To be honest... I don''t know where my mom is right now." "Oh dear, I didn''t know there was such a story. I''m sorry for bringing it up¡­" Baek Jong-Suk wore an expression filled with regret as he nodded in understanding. "So that''s why I tasted the shashlik I used to eat in Russia. But the interesting part is, that it feels like aplete Korean dish again when you eat it with rice. That''s why I asked." Lee Soon-Ja and Yeo Won-Hee echoed his sentiment. "Yes, it''s fascinating how each bite brings out a different vor depending on the sauce. Did you add something to the seasoning?" Haru nodded. "Yes, I mixed in some of the spices my mom used. It''s great as it is, but mixing in spices made the vors even more diverse." Haru was exining how his dish made with a fusion of two cultures resulted in the creation of his charcoal-grilled bulgogi. Having had his questions all answered, Baek Jong-Suk expressed his gratitude and well wishes. "Thank you for the wonderful meal, and I hope you will be reunited with your mother soon." Jo Han-Ill''s face brightened further upon the revtion of Haru''s story about his mother. After all, broadcasting professionals naturally favored stimting stories over in ones. ''They''ll probably use this in the teaser,'' I thought. Seeing the main writer already typing away, it was clear that they would focus on this in the uing interview. I immediately told Lee Yung-Jin to prepare. "Yung-Jin, get ready for the interview." "Yes, Mr. Jung." At that moment, the writer nced at her phone and whispered something to Jo Han-Ill with a surprised expression. Jo Han-Ill nodded with a delighted expression and gave directions through his wireless inte. MC Kim Jin-Tae nodded as he received Jo Han-Ill''s message and took the microphone right after Baek Jong-Suk finished his evaluation. "Alright. That concludes the evaluations of all the dishes. Now, Mr. Haru. I heard you grew up in the same neighborhood as Miss Kim Sae-Ri from Cherry Blossom. Is that correct?" Haru had no reason to hide his connection to Sae-Ri, but the sudden question caught him off guard and left her momentarily speechless. As Haru hesitated with a troubled look, Baek Jong-Suk gently interjected. "It''s okay. What''s wrong with having a childhood friend? Can''t a boy and a girl be friends?" Encouraged by Baek Jong-Suk''s friendly dialect, Haru eased up a bit. "The truth is... Sae-Ri and I are hometown friends. My mom and Sae-Ri''s mom were close too. The aged white kimchi stew you had earlier is something we used to eat at Sae-Ri''s house." Baek Jong-Suk nodded with a kind expression. "They say that a friend who shares food is a true friend. You have a good friend." "Thank you." Since I had anticipated this situation when bringing Haru to thepany, I told Lee Yung-Jin to prepare for this as well. The moment the evaluations ended, Jo Han-Ill stood up. "Alright, let''s take a short break. We''ll have a ten-minute rest while the judges finalize their decision. Scriptwriters and writers, go and try the dishes quickly." The writers were required to taste the food for the sake of the script editingter as knowing the vor profiles would help them decide on subtitles and background music. As the staff indulged in the food delightedly, Haru walked over with a worried expression and slightly teary eyes. To ease Haru''s burden, I spoke first and told him not to worry. "You did great. And don''t worry about the situation with Sae-Ri. We''re already prepared to release a press statement." "But still..." Haru muttered. "What''s wrong with mentioning your mom and childhood friends? Haru, you''re doing everything just fine. Just keep doing what you''re doing," I assured him. Only then did Haru''s worried expression lift. I continued to encourage him. "And today''spetition was truly impressive. I think you have a shot at winning." Haru blushed and shook his head. "No, it''s nothing. Jin-Taek hyung was really good too, so we''ll have to wait and see." Seeing Haru in a much brighter mood, Lee Yung-Jin yfully joined in. "Jin-Taek, who? You are the best, Haru!" "Hyung, lower your voice a little..." Haru quickly urged Lee Yung-Jin. "What''s wrong with my voice?" Worried that other talent agents might hear, Haru asked Lee Yung-Jin to lower his voice. However, Lee Yung-Jin didn''t care and continued to cheer Haru on despite the res from the other talent agents. Upon seeing Haru''s spirit slightly lifted, I brought up the uing interview. "They''ll likely ask about your mom in the personal interviewter. If you don''t want to answer, you don''t have to." Haru looked at me intently. "Really?" "Yes. I''ll find a way to block it if you''re ufortable about it. But it might be good to share a little if possible. If you say nothing, the broadcast team might edit things however they want." After a moment of thought, Haru nodded. "Alright. Then I''ll talk a little." "Alright. I''ll make sure they don''t ask anything too harsh, so don''t worry." In my heart, I wanted to run a big campaign on the show to help find Haru''s mother. However, I couldn''t act rashly without knowing her situation or whether she wanted to meet Haru. That''s when Choi Sang-Yung, the youngest AD on the scene, hesitantly approached us. "Um...Mr. Jo wants to see you." Lee Yung-Jin got up instead of me since I was talking with Haru. "I''ll go." "Ah, not you, Mr. Lee. Mr. Jo specifically asked for Mr. Jung¡­." Seeing Choi Sang-Yung''s uneasy expression, it seemed likely that Jo Han-Ill wanted to discuss the n to eliminate Haru from thepetition today. I told Lee Yung-Jin to stay behind and take care of Haru before heading toward Jo Han-Ill. "Oh, Team Lead Jung. You haven''t been on site muchtely, but here you are." Jo Han-Ill greeted me and feigned indifference while pretending not to know about his attempt to eliminate Haru. I was always amazed by the broadcasting station people''s shamelessness every time I dealt with them. "I''m here because it''s the semifinals. So, why did you call me over?" I asked. "For the personal interviewter, we''re nning to have Haru talk about his mother and Sae-Ri. Is that alright? I promise to make it look good on screen." When Jo Han-Ill imed it would be a big help for viewership ratings, I firmly drew the line. Apart from being annoyed by his earlier attempt to eliminate Haru, I also had something else I wanted to secure. "Do you really want to leave a scar on a kid''s heart like that, Mr. Jo?" Jo Han-Ill coughed awkwardly when I deliberately sounded curt. "Ahem, I didn''t mean it like that exactly..." "And regarding the issue with Sae-Ri¡ªare you not aware that anything involving boys can be fatal for a female idol?" Jo Han-Ill waved his hands in panic with a perplexed expression. "N-no, that''s not what I meant. Why are you so on edge today?" "I apologize. I heard Haru was going to be cut from thepetition today, so I''m not in a good mood." Though the matter had been resolved, I deliberately acted petty. "Ahem, bringing up something that''s already over doesn''t help anyone..." Jo Han-Ill cleared his throat repeatedly and continued. "I know better than anyone that Haru has been the biggest contributor to our viewership ratings. But what can I do with pressure from above? Can''t you cut me some ck this time, Team Lead Jung?" Seeing the anxious expression on Jo Han-Ill''s face, I was certain that Haru wouldn''t be cut. Now, it was time to state my demands. "Then what kind of portrayal will you give Haru in this episode?" Only then did Jo Han-Ill finally realize my intent and replied, "I''ll make this episode a Haru special. Deal?" "But the topic of his parents is sensitive..." "Don''t worry. I''ll handle it gently so it won''t hurt him in any way. You can trust me." I reluctantly agreed. "But if Haru finds it too difficult to share his story, I will stop the interview." "W-wait, what do you mean you''ll stop the interview?" Jo Han-Ill asked with a worried look. "Or should we just quit altogether?" I replied nonchntly. After staring at me in silence for a moment, Jo Han-Ill finally surrendered. "Alright, fine. I made a mistake earlier, so we''ll do it your way this time, Team Lead Jung." The tense negotiation with Jo Han-Ill had ended in aplete victory for me. *** After ten minutes, it was time to reveal the results of the evaluations. Baek Jong-Suk first announced who would be eliminated. "First to be eliminated is Mr. Park Joon-Seo who made the braised pork ribs. It was excellent, but I''m left wondering how it would have tasted without the tomatoes. I think this is the end of the road for you, Mr. Joon-Seo." Park Joon-Seo of TNT Entertainment bowed with a lighthearted expression. Having made it to the semifinals of the cooking audition while nning hiseback after being discharged from the military, he seemed content after getting some media attention. Next, Jung Jin-Soo of Ace Entertainment faced elimination. Baek Jong-Suk offered him some words of encouragement while maintaining Jo Han-Ill and the broadcasting station''s dignity. "When this show started, Mr. Jung Jin-Soo was the least skilled among all participants. To be frank, I didn''t expect Mr. Jin-Soo to make it this far. I think he might be the one who improved the most in this season of Table of Mukbang in many ways." Jung Jin-Soo epted his elimination with a smile. "Thank you so much." Now, only Lee Jin-Taek and Haru were left. "These two will be moving on to the finals." Both Haru and Lee Jin-Taek bowed their heads upon Baek Jong-Suk''s praise. The two, who had met again after Master of Mukbang, extended their hands toward each other. "Haru, your aged white kimchi stew was really delicious!" "I''m really d to bepeting against a talented person like you, hyung." "Same here. You know, I''ve been trending in rted searchestely thanks to you." Lee Jin-Taek had be quite humble unlike when we first met. The sharp edges of his personality had softened and his rxed demeanor had won over the viewers. After greeting Lee Jin-Taek, an excited Haru came over to us. "Hyung! I made it to the finals!" "Congrattions." Haru greeted the talent agents with a huge smile. "Alright, Haru. Enough with the greetings. You have your personal interview in five minutes, so let''s fix your makeup first. Go get ready." At the recording site, personal interviews required additional time. Haru nodded. "Yes, hyung." At that moment, Baek Jong-Suk, who had been chatting with the judges, quickly approached us. "Mr. Baek," I greeted him. "Oh, yes. I have something to discuss about the dish Haru made earlier," Baek Jong-Suk replied. "Pardon? What do you mean by that...?" Baek Jong-Suk grinned and made an unexpected proposal. "Actually, I''d like to develop a product using Haru''s recipe." "You mean Haru''s charcoal-grilled bulgogi?" Baek Jong-Suk was the top franchise expert in Korea. And here he was, suggesting the development of amercial product based on Haru''s dish. Chapter 332: Apology (1)

Chapter 332: Apology (1)

I once sold kimchi under Ju Yung-In''s name in my past life. Back then, Ju Yung-In only lent her face and received a 0.5% royalty on sales which turned out to be quite a significant profit. However, I couldn''t even imagine the potential earnings if we decided to work with Baek Jong-Suk who operated on a muchrger scale. "Haru, what do you think?" I asked. Haru hesitated for a moment, then looked at me. "What do you think, hyung?" "I think it''s a good idea. Working with a figure like Mr. Baek is a rare opportunity. " Baek Jong-Suk waved his hand modestly with a pleased expression. "Oh, Mr. Jung. You''re making me blush. I''m just a businessman." "Exactly." "Pardon?" "You''re suggesting this because you see Haru''s menu as a product that can make money, right?" Baek Jong-Sukughed heartily. "Haha. Is that how it''s interpreted?" Smiling contentedly, Baek Jong-Suk continued, "We can discuss the detailed termster, but I''m thinking of offering a 1% royalty on sales. How does that sound?" I immediately extended my hand for a handshake. "I''ll visit yourpany soon with our legal division''s team lead." "Great. Let''s set up a meeting as soon as the finals wrap up next week. We''ll also need to discuss advertising costs separately." "Thank you so much, Mr. Baek." "I''ll evaluate the dishes fairly for the finals, so don''t rx just yet." With the business talk wrapped up, Baek Jong-Suk looked at Haru. "I would like your help when we start developing the product, Haru. Can you do that?" "Of course, Mr. Baek! Thank you!" "I should be the one thanking you. We''re doing this to make money, after all. Hahaha." Baek Jong-Suk chuckled heartily and walked away. A littleter, Haru calmly shared stories about his mother and Sae-Ri in the personal interview. He spoke about not resenting his mother who left him when he was young. He said he could understand why she had left, and all he wanted was just to see her. Haru also shared anecdotes about his sibling-like rtionship with Sae-Ri. Thanks to me "persuading" Jo Han-Ill earlier, there were no ufortable questions. *** After wrapping up the semifinals of Table of Mukbang, I called Choi So-Hye. Choi So-Hye wanted to interview Haru and Sae-Ri, and she immediately came to the office as soon as I gave my consent. The moment we finished setting up the interview in the meeting room on the fourth floor, Sae-Ri walked in. "Oh? Hi, Ms. Choi~ You''re here already?" "Hi, Sae-Ri~ yeah, I came early because I missed you so much." Sae-Ri greeted Choi So-Hye warmly and then sat next to Haru. After a brief camera setup, the interview began. One of the interviewees was Haru who had be a rising star in the mukbang world, and the other was Sae-Ri¡ªa popr idol gearing up for aeback. With both of them in the same frame, Choi So-Hye couldn''t hide her smile. Choi So-Hye started by asking about their connection. "How long have you two been friends?" Sae-Ri beamed as she answered, "Haru and I have been friends since we were born. Haru''s parents worked at our orchard. To be more precise~ I pretty much raised Haru myself. I even took him to school every day!" As Sae-Ri raised her chin slightly with a proud expression, Haru and the talent agents couldn''t help but feel embarrassed. Choi So-Hye tried her best to hold back herughter and asked further, "Mr. Haru, you should say something too. Do you agree with Miss Sae-Ri?" Sae-Ri gave Haru a look, silently urging him to give a good answer. Haru grinned and nodded. "Yes. It''s true that Sae-Ri raised me. She''d drag me up mountains and across fields, making me eat all sorts of weird nts. She''d also suggest we go steal apples from her grandpa''s orchard. Oh, and she once forced me to eat bugs from apples, saying silkworm pupae were good for you..." As Haru continued, Sae-Ri iled her hands in a flustered panic. "Hey! Why are you distorting our beautiful childhood memories like that! Are you really going to do this?" "I''m not distorting anything. It''s all facts." When Haru didn''t back down in this yful argument, unlike how he would in the past, Sae-Ri yfully grumbled about how the sweet Haru from their childhood had vanished somewhere. As the two naturally reminisced about their childhood days, the interview material kept piling up. After 30 minutes of the interview, Choi So-Hye turned off the recorder. "Alright, let''s wrap it up here." Haru and Sae-Ri quickly stood up after finishing the interview. "Thank you for your hard work, Ms. Choi!" "Thank you so much." Choi So-Hye nodded with a smile. "You two look great together. Don''t worry, I''ll make sure the article turns out well." After entrusting Haru and Sae-Ri to Lee Yung-Jin and Do Ran-Hee, I followed Choi So-Hye to the underground parking lot and reminded her to ensure that the article wouldn''t spiral into a scandal. "Don''t you trust me?" Choi So-Hye asked. "I trust you, but I''m just concerned that it might turn into a mess if other reporters copy the article." "I understand what you''re worried about, but don''t worry. I''ll keep a special watch on it." Choi So-Hye raised her hand as she got into her car. However, at that moment, Choi So-Hye rolled down her window and stuck out her head. Zing. "By the way, I heard Haru almost got dropped from thepetition today. Is that true?" "You''ve heard already?" "Of course. So who up top at CK tried to get Haru cut? Give me the source and I''ll make sure to stomp on them." The fact that Jo Jae-Kyung had pulled strings through CK Inc.''s executive director was already something I had discussed with the CK Entertainment''s president and agreed to keep under wraps. I shrugged my shoulders. "You know I can''t say anything." Choi So-Hye pointed at me with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "You''re always so tight-lipped even when I know you have tea to spill." ''She really knows me too well,'' I thought. I smiled. "We''ll see. I''ll give you a call if things don''t go well tomorrow." "Promise?" "Yes, Ms. Choi." "Okay, then. I''m off. Bye~" Choi So-Hye drove off with a gleeful expression. About two hourster, the interview articles she had written started popping up. [Cherry Blossom''s Sae-Ri: Childhood Friends with Haru, the Recent Hot Mukbang Star!] [Table of Mukbang: Haru Prepares a Dish from His Lost Mother''s Recipe. The Audience Was Moved to Tears.] (Comments) -Haru and Sae-Ri were childhood friends? Wow, that''s amazing. -But neither of them has an ent. -They look great in their old photos together. I wish I could go back to those days. -They''re just like siblings. -These two talk in such a cute way. -It''s like watching two elementary school kids together. LOL. -They''re really childhood friends, huh? Thanks to Choi So-Hye writing the article well, the narrative of them being childhood friends was cemented in the minds ofizens instead of any scandal. I finally felt a sense of relief and turned to the team gathered in the meeting room. "Alright. We got past a major hurdle. Now, let''s discuss Haru''s nextpetition." Next week''s finals for Table of Mukbang had the theme, "A Three-Meal Table to Serve Someone Special." Concerned about what Haru would cook, Lee Yung-Jin asked, "Mr. Jung, I know a few culinary professors. Should I try to contact them?" "What for?" "To help with menu selection, of course." I shook my head. "No, there''s no need." "Huh? But why?" "It''s not a bad idea, but Haru seems to have something in his mind already." Lee Yung-Jin asked again, "Are you really going to leave it all up to Haru?" I nodded. "Yep. He''s done fine on his own until now. He came up with all the semifinal dishes himself. So let''s not meddle unnecessarily and just let him be." Since Haru insisted on handling thepetition by himself, I told him I would focus solely on the publicity side of things. I turned to Kim Mi-Hye. "So Ms. Kim, please post some ads on Haru''s Instargem, and please ask Yoo-Jin and the other Team Jung''s actors to show their support as well." Kim Mi-Hye, in charge of promotions, responded enthusiastically, "Yes, Mr. Jung!" Team Jung''s meeting went smoothly from there. Things seemed to fall into ce effortlessly. Lee Tae-Poong''s Beyond the Boundary was drawing in crowds, Kang Ha-Na''s music show was winning, and everything else had been going well since Kim Dong-Soo was suspended and stoppeding to thepany. However, despite an intensive audit uncovering various corrupt practices within Actor Division 3, Kim Dong-Soo hadn''t made an appearance at thepany even once. ''What is that guy Kim Dong-Soo up to?'' I wondered. Since the schedule for the establishment of Top Entertainment hadn''t changed, I decided to call Lee Soo-Chan and asked him to look into what Kim Dong-Soo was up to. After all, knowing your enemy was crucial to victory. *** The next day, I called Kwak Moo-Hyuk first thing in the morning and arranged to meet him an hourter at the entrance of CK Entertainment. I stretched as I got up. "Sigh. Alright, time to get up. Hup!" I bounced up from the bed like a spring and went to the living room while doing more stretches. The sunlight streaming through the window felt unusually warm today. The thought of making Jo Jae-Kyung apologize lifted the corners of my mouth. In high spirits, I raised my hands in the air and let out a cheer. However, perhaps due to the sudden burst of movement right after waking up, a sharp pain shot up from my calves. ''Ah, it''s a cramp!'' I winced in pain. I immediately tried to correct my posture as soon as I felt my calf muscles twisting. At that moment, the front door opened and I heard Yoo-Jin and Miso''s voices. "Oppa, it''s time to eat." "Uncle Yoon-Ho, let''s go get breakfast! Grandma made soybean paste stew and grilled mackerel!" They came at such a perfect time, causing me to miss the chance to relieve my cramp. To make matters worse, the cramp began to spread to my other calf as well. "Aaargh! Cramp! Cramp!" I yelled. Startled by my scream, Yoo-Jin and Miso hastily rushed inside. "Oppa, where? Where?" "Both calves! The calves!" I continued groaning in pain. I clenched my teeth and copsed onto the spot. I bent my upper body forward and tried to pull my toes, but I couldn''t muster any strength. The muscles were spasming uncontrobly and causing excruciating pain. Seeing this, Yoo-Jin pressed down on my toes with her weight. "Ugh, oppa. Is this making you feel a bit better?" "Y-yeah, like that... th-there..." Thanks to Yoo-Jin''s efforts, the tangled muscles started to rx. Meanwhile, Miso crouched beside me and shouted with a worried expression. "Meow! Meow!" "W-what''s that supposed to mean?" I asked with a puzzled look. "I''m a cat," Miso replied. Miso exined that cats always chased away mice when they appeared[1]. I was about to say that it wasn''t helpful at all, but hearing it somehow brought me psychologicalfort. At that moment, I blurted out to Miso before I knew it. "M-Miso, can you do it a bit louder?" Miso beamed and responded in a loud voice. "Meeeooo~~!" *** As I parked my car at CK Entertainment''s headquarters and was skimming through some articles, Kwak Moo-Hyuk''s car pulled up shortly after. "You''re early," said Kwak Moo-Hyuk. "Yes, the roads weren''t busy." "Alright, let''s head up." When we got off on the 22nd floor where the president''s office was located, we were greeted by the secretaries wearing bright smiles. "The president is expecting you. This way, please." With the sess of Beyond the Boundary, Son Hyung-Tae was keen on maintaining good rtions with us. He rose from his seat when we entered the president''s office. "Ah, Team Lead Jung. You''re here!" "Yes, sir." Son Hyung-Tae weed me with a deliberately cheerful expression. Once we sat down, Son Hyung-Tae began to pacify me with a troubled expression. "I was so shocked when I heard my thoughtless nephew apparently threw a punch at you, Team Lead Jung! Please let it slide just this once, for my sake." "How could I refuse when you''re personally asking for forgiveness? And thank you for handling yesterday''s issue so well. Oh, by the way, please feel free to speakfortably." Son Hyung-Tae''s face lit up. "Hahahaha, should I? Just as I''ve heard, you''re indeed a straightforward person who holds no grudges. Alright then." Because I was nning to rely on Son Hyung-Tae''s influence to discipline Jo Jae-Kyung, I did my best to appease him. Just then, a buzzer sounded. Beep. -Mr. Son, Mr. Jo has arrived in the lobby. Son Hyung-Tae frowned. "Tell that brat to bow properly when he walks into my office." However, the secretary spoke again in a hesitant tone. -Uh... there''s a small issue... "What is it?" -He didn''te alone. Mrs. Son Yung-Im is with him. "What?" Son Hyung-Tae furrowed his brows upon hearing Son Yung-Im''s name. Son Yung-Im was the fifth sibling in CK Inc. and was three years older than Son Hyung-Tae who oversaw the entertainment business. She was also famously known as an overprotective mother to her only son, Jo Jae-Kyung. "Tell Mdm. Son to wait outside for a bit." -Um, the thing is... she said if she can''te in together, she''ll leave with Mr. Jo. Son Hyung-Tae''s face turned red with frustration. While he was putting on a gentlemanly front in front of me, Son Hyung-Tae''s temper was not much different from Son Yung-Im''s. The situation could spiral out of control if he lost his cool, so I stepped in to defuse the tension first. "It''s fine, Mr. Son. Let''s see them together." Son Hyung-Tae barely managed to suppress his anger and looked at me. "Are you sure about this?" "Yes. We''re here to reconcile, so it doesn''t matter who joins. Besides, I''ll leave as soon as I receive an apology. I have no intention of making things difficult for you, Mr. Son." I intentionally chose words that would please him. After all, Son Hyung-Tae was expected to serve as CK Entertainment''s president for at least the next decade. Son Hyung-Tae sighed briefly and looked at me with an embarrassed expression. "I truly don''t know how to face you, Team Lead Jung. If it weren''t for my nephew, I''d just¡ª!" Son Hyung-Tae fumed and expressed his frustration, but I remained silent. After a moment, Son Hyung-Tae collected himself and pressed the inte. "Send them both up." -Yes, sir. Not long after, the door to the president''s office swung open. Son Yung-Im was the first to enter with her expression sharp and visibly angry. Behind her, Jo Jae-Kyung followed with a simrly defiant look as if he were the one who deserved an apology. ''Of course. That''s who you are,'' I remarked inwardly. Fortunately, I had already prepared myself for this and mentally cataloged every misstep that had urred at CK Entertainment. If Jo Jae-Kyung refused to apologize, I was ready to unleash something that he would never be able to handle. 1. Cramp and mouse have the same pronunciation in Korean ? Chapter 333: Apology (2)

Chapter 333: Apology (2)

Inside CK Entertainment''s president''s office, Jo Jae-Kyung and Son Yung-Im walked in as Son Hyung-Tae gestured toward the sofa across from mine. To reinforce the formal nature of this meeting, he addressed them with their titles. "Please have a seat here, Mrs. Son, Director Jo." Son Yung-Im and Jo Jae-Kyung sat down reluctantly across from us. At that moment, Son Hyung-Tae seized the opportunity to steer the conversation before they could even speak. "Alright, alright! It seems like there''s been a bit of a misunderstanding here, so why don''t we have Director Jo apologize quickly and sign the settlement? Team Lead Jung here is a busy man!" Jo Jae-Kyung hesitated as Son Hyung-Tae pushed for an apology. Even in my past life, Jo Jae-Kyung had never apologized to anyone. As I curiously waited to see how Jo Jae-Kyung might handle this, Son Yung-Im abruptly intervened with a burst of irritation. "President Son, before we talk about any apology from him, Director Jo needs to receive an apology first." ''Wow. What audacity,'' I thought. For a brief moment, the muscles in Son Hyung-Tae''s forehead twitched at the sheer absurdity of her words. "Mrs. Son, could you please step back a little here?" Son Hyung-Tae responded. "President Son, do you have any idea how much we''re losing because Director Jo''s next project got scrapped? His reputation is in tatters and we''re hemorrhaging money. No way can I have Director Jo apologize under these circumstances." Son Hyung-Tae raised his voice and red at Son Yung-Im. "It''s not canceled but just dyed a little bit! Why don''t you calm down a bit?" Then, he turned back to Jo Jae-Kyung to pressure him again. "Hey, Director Jo! Team Lead Jung is willing to settle this as long as he gets an apology. So why did you have to drag Mrs. Son along and cause this mess?" But of course, it wouldn''t be Jo Jae-Kyung if he apologized so easily. Arms crossed, he spoke up with no intention of apologizing. "I came here today out of respect for you, uncle. But seeing that guy''s face... I just can''t apologize." "What?" "I swear, I didn''t even hit that bastard! And do you know how many times I''ve been interrogated by prosecutors already?" Son Hyung-Tae barked back angrily. "Director Jo! Are you really going to do this?" "Why are you yelling? You''re going to burst my eardrums," Jo Jae-Kyung retorted. Son Hyung-Tae was momentarily speechless at Jo Jae-Kyung''s defiance. At that moment, Son Yung-Im jumped to her son''s defense. "That''s right! Now that we''re talking about it, it''s all this man''s fault that Director Jo is in this mess! We should be the ones demanding an apology first! And Hyung-Tae, are you even aware that this guy ratted on Jae-Kyung''s stress-relief trips to the casino to the prosecutors?" Son Hyung-Tae huffed in anger. "What are you talking about without any evidence?" "Evidence? Can''t you see it just by looking?" Son Yung-Im continued to threaten me, demanding to know how I found out about her son''s casino visits and warned that she wouldn''t let it slide if I didn''t exin. Since I had already anticipated such a confrontation, I calmly delivered the response I had prepared. "Who told you I ratted him out to the prosecutors?" "What?" "I''m an orphan who''s never even been to America. How would I know if Mr. Jo was gambling or robbing banks halfway around the world?" "W-well...that...that''s..." Only then did everyone in the room show signs of doubt. "You hear all kinds of rumors when you work on set with actors. I just overheard something while passing by. But I thought I''d throw a wild guess when Mr. Jo, whom I barely knew, was so dismissive of me." Son Hyung-Tae nodded and agreed. "Yeah, I found that part a bit odd as well." "Anyway, it''s likely someone who knows Mr. Jo well enough and bears a grudge against him. Of course, it would be someone familiar with his trips to the casino and has been to the U.S. as well." ''Just like the future me, though that version of me doesn''t exist in this timeline,'' I remarked silently. My brazen and unppable response left Jo Jae-Kyung and Son Yung-Im visibly unsettled. Son Yung-Im was momentarily speechless, but insisted that I was the one who tattled. "H-hey, don''t think you can talk your way out of this! It was you, wasn''t it!?" Suddenly, Jo Jae-Kyung standing nearby also started siding with his mom. However, Son Hyung-Tae took my side. "From what I''m hearing, Team Lead Jung is making more sense. Anyway, you two¡ªstop with this nonsense that''s not helping anyone! Director Jo, just apologize first." "Uncle, why are you always picking on me? If that jerk apologizes first, then I''ll do it too!" Jo Jae-Kyung yelled. Son Hyung-Tae shouted loudly, "Hey! Jo Jae-Kyung! Are you really going to act like this?" I could see Son Hyung-Tae was starting to get really angry. ''Alright, then it''s time to put on a show,'' I thought. I turned to Kwak Moo-Hyuk, who hade along with me. "Mr. Kwak, I don''t think we cane to an agreement today. I don''t understand why I have to put up with this kind of treatment here." Kwak Moo-Hyuk nodded as if he had been waiting for this. "That''s exactly what I''m saying. We came here because Mr. Son promised to mediate, but... if it''s gonna continue like this, we should just leave." As we got up to leave, Son Hyung-Tae quickly stopped us. "Whoa, whoa! Where do you think you''re going? I heard Mr. Tae-Poong''s next project is set, right? We need to discuss that first before you leave! I''m nning to promote it properly, so sit down! Come on!" I promptly stopped in my tracks. ''He''s going to promote Lee Tae-Poong''s next project, Jiri Mountain? Now that''s a different story.'' At that moment, Jo Jae-Kyung burst out screaming and interrupted. "Ah! Mom! Stop Uncle! He''s really gone mad! He says he''ll promote that bastard''s project, not mine!" Son Yung-Im tried to intervene at Jo Jae-Kyung''s whining. But before she could, Son Hyung-Tae, who had been holding back, finally exploded. "Hey! Jo Jae-Kyung! Do you know what''ll happen if you don''te to an agreement now? The government is gunning for you! You know that?" ''The government is after him? So that was it,'' I realized. Even though Lee Tae-Poong''s Beyond the Boundary was doing well and gaining daily poprity, Son Hyung-Tae was the fifth son of the powerful CK Inc. and the president of CK Entertainment. Now I could finally understand why he was trying so hard to mediate and adopt a humble posture toward me. It was because the government was trying to shift the public''s attention onto Jo Jae-Kyung who was caught up in the spoils of the rich scandal due to the incident involving Park Sang-Gon receiving bribes. That meant I held all the cards right now in this ce. ''This is getting interesting,'' I thought. Jo Jae-Kyung was embroiled in a scandal about the privileges of the wealthy, and Son Hyung-Tae needed to cover it up as soon as possible. Realizing the situation, I nced sideways. Kwak Moo-Hyuk was also nodding as if he had the same realization. Thanks to Son Hyung-Tae stepping in, I no longer had to risk exposing the CK incident I knew about. ''This is going to be resolved easily.'' At that moment, Son Hyung-Tae took the initiative when Son Yung-Im tried to interrupt again. "Noona, if you interfere with this matter one more time, I''ll cancel the contract with YM Distribution. So just stay quiet." YM Distribution was Son Yung-Im''s personalpany which handled all the popcorn and beverage supplies for CK Entertainment. Son Hyung-Tae was threatening to cancel the contract that ounted for 90% of thepany''s revenue. Son Yung-Im eximed in shock, "H-Hyung-Tae!" "I''ve got approval from Father for this. So don''t make me angrier and just keep your mouth shut!" Son Yung-Im trembled at the mention of the approval of the honorary president of CK Inc. With his sister silenced, Son Hyung-Tae then red at Jo Jae-Kyung. "This is yourst warning. Jae-Kyung, do you want to go to jail or apologize?" Only then did Jo Jae-Kyung realize the seriousness of the situation. "Uncle! You can''t mean jail... just for this?" "Still can''t see what''s going on, huh? You think I don''t know you''ve been wasting your time fooling around with women under the excuse of making movies?" "Uncle..." "Hey, idiot. Watch the news once in a while! The government and the ruling party are trying to shift all the attention from Assemblyman Park onto you! You clueless fool!" Jo Jae-Kyung''s face turned pale as Son Hyung-Tae''s tirade poured out. Having always looked down on others and solving everything with money, Jo Jae-Kyung couldn''t ept that there was an even stronger force¡ªpower. Son Hyung-Tae spoke as if he was looking at a bug. "I''m the one who puts your movies in theaters and I''m the one who produces them, Jo Jae-Kyung! You really think you''re the one in charge just because I''ve spoiled you?" Jo Jae-Kyung was trembling upon experiencing mistreatment he had never faced in his life. Son Hyung-Tae continued, "Aren''t you going to answer me? What are you going to do, huh? Are you going to apologize? Or are you going to jail?" Jo Jae-Kyung barely managed to slowly speak up. "Fine... I''ll agree." "Apologize first before anything else!" yelled Son Hyung-Tae. Jo Jae-Kyung trembled and red at me. It was clear he didn''t want to apologize, but he reluctantly gave a slight bow. "You little punk...you better apologize properly!" said Son Hyung-Tae as he grabbed Jo Jae-Kyung by the back of the neck and forced him down. Bang! The moment Jo Jae-Kyung''s forehead hit the table, there was a dull thud. Son Yung-Im screamed in shock as her son''s head mmed into the table. "Hey! Son Hyung-Tae! What do you think you''re doing right now!?" Son Hyung-Tae gritted his teeth and red at his sister. "Noona, didn''t I tell you not to interfere? Fine then. As of now, YM Distribution''s supply contract is terminated, so keep that in mind!" "N-No, Hyung-Tae, wait..." Son Yung-Im pleaded. Son Hyung-Tae shouted, "Don''t make me angrier and stay quiet! Next, I''ll cut off business with your husband too!" Son Yung-Im''s husband was the president of Yecheon Construction, and CK Inc. had been giving significant construction orders to Yecheon Construction as well. Fearing the end of that business, Son Yung-Im finally fell silent. Son Hyung-Tae then turned back to Jo Jae-Kyung once again. "Dear nephew, I didn''t quite catch that. Say it again, louder this time. What. Did. You. Say?" Jo Jae-Kyung trembled, then slowly began to speak. "I-I''m sorry... I apologize, M-Mr. Jung. I did you wrong." It was the first time I had heard Jo Jae-Kyung say he was wrong. Maybe that was why I felt a strange sensation wash over me. "Team Lead Jung. You heard that clearly, right?" Son Hyung-Tae asked as he stared at me. Seeing the furious look in Son Hyung-Tae''s eyes, I realized it was time to be cautious. If Iplicated things now, that anger would spill over onto me too. I calmly took a deep breath and replied, "Yes, Mr. Son. I ept the apology. And as I mentioned earlier, I don''t intend to ask for any settlement money." Finally, the anger on Son Hyung-Tae''s face began to subside. "You don''t need settlement money? Are you sure about that?" "Yes, sir." Son Hyung-Tae looked at me up and down with an intrigued expression. "I thought you were just saying you wouldn''t take the money. But you really meant it, huh?" "Yes, Mr. Son. But perhaps you should let go of Mr. Jo first..." Only then did Son Hyung-Tae release Jo Jae-Kyung''s neck. Jo Jae-Kyung gasped for air and clutched his throat. "Cough, cough!" Looking worried, Son Yung-Im examined her son''s neck anxiously. Son Hyung-Tae watched with a disgusted expression before catching his breath. "Now that the apology is done, everyone except Team Lead Jung please step out." ''What? A sudden private meeting? What exactly did he want to talk about?'' I wondered. *** Jo Jae-Kyung red at me as he left the president''s office with Son Yung-Im. Even Kwak Moo-Hyuk stepped out, leaving only Son Hyung-Tae and me. Son Hyung-Tae cleared his throat and spoke. "I''ve shown you quite an embarrassing sight." "It''s nothing, sir." "That brat grew up spoiled and turned into a bastard. I hope you understand, Team Lead Jung." His tone suggested he wanted me to agree, but I couldn''t respond. If I agreed, I would be admitting that Jo Jae-Kyung was a brat myself. Although he had harshly treated both Jo Jae-Kyung and his sister earlier, Son Hyung-Tae was very close to his sister based on my past memory. Hence, I couldn''t get involved carelessly. To avoid getting drawn into his narrative, I quickly changed the subject. "More importantly, why did you ask to meet me alone?" "Hmm. First, I''d like you to keep what you heard earlier a secret." He was asking me to keep quiet about the government''s n to use Jo Jae-Kyung as a scapegoat and direct the heat toward CK Entertainment. I feigned ignorance. "What are you talking about? I didn''t hear anything." "Wow. Team Lead Jung, you really have a knack for this." I responded with a slight smile. "And there''s one more thing..." Now, the real deal was about to begin. Son Hyung-Tae leaned in slightly toward me. "I heard you are quite close with President Shin of LT Entertainment. How about bing closer with me from now on?" "Pardon me?" "To put it simply, I''m saying you should ditch President Shin and start working with me. What do you think?" His tone was incredibly soft,pletely different from when he was dealing with his nephew. "You mean you want to work with me?" "Yes. If you could pick and rmend some projects to me, it would make my job a lot easier." Son Hyung-Tae acknowledged that I yed a significant role in the sess of Beyond the Boundary. Moreover, he had also reviewed the draft script of Jiri Mountain which was being kept at CK Entertainment. "The project Jiri Mountain¡ªthough it''s just a draft, was still quite impressive. From that alone, I can tell how exceptional your eye for selecting projects and actors is. That''s why I want to work with you, Team Lead Jung." I was in disbelief. ''He needs me? No way...'' At that moment, the events I had sorted through regarding CK Inc.st night shed through my mind. One year from now when the current president of CK Inc., Son Myung-Woo, gets investigated and detained by the prosecution, a power struggle among the remaining siblings would ensue. This conflict would arise because Son Dae-In, the honorary president and former leader of CK Inc., distributed his shares evenly among all his children. In the end, the current president Son Myung-Woo would quell the rebellious younger brothers after being released from custody and consolidate his position as president by acquiring their shares. However, that was a future only I knew. Unaware of this, Son Hyung-Tae seemed to be preparing for the inevitable session battle within CK Inc. For now, what he needed was someone who could bring him a golden pot of honey. In other words, he wanted someone who could pick sessful projects and deliver solid results. ''This is huge,'' I thought. I had already changed the future heir of Daechon Inc. with my own hands, and now I found myself getting involved in the session n of CK Inc. when it hadn''t been long since I had shaken the leash of the ruling party leader in South Korea. Fortunately, I didn''t need to actively involve myself in any disputes this time, unlike with Daechon Inc. However, there was still something that needed to be addressed first. "But what about Mr. Jo and Mrs. Son? Surely they''re not just going to stay quiet?" I remarked. At that moment, Son Hyung-Tae gave a sly smile and responded with an unexpected answer. Chapter 334: Shadow (1)

Chapter 334: Shadow (1)

"Don''t worry. I''ll handle those two. I''ll send Director Jo to the U.S. And if I guarantee my sister a few stakes, she''ll keep quiet as well." He also mentioned that the release of Jo Jae-Kyung''s film The Thousand-Year Fox would be postponed indefinitely due to negative public opinion. "I''ll make sure Director Jo doesn''te back for at least a year. No, maybe two years would be better. Just say the word and he won''t be able to return as long as you''re beside me. How does that sound?" Son Hyung-Tae was reiterating that he had chosen me over Jo Jae-Kyung. ''What should I do?'' I pondered. After a brief consideration, I epted his proposal with conditions. After all, the projects I had in mind weren''t exclusive to CK. "I''ll assist you in the same way I''ve helped President Shin of LT Entertainment. That''s the only promise I can make." Son Hyung-Tae stared intently at me. "I hate sharing, you know?" His words carried a hint of a threat, but I had no intention of changing my stance. When I remained silent, Son Hyung-Tae sighed instead of threatening me further. "Sigh. Alright, let''s agree on that for now." I breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. "Understood, sir." Son Hyung-Tae added, "Oh, and take the settlement money. It''sing out of Jae-Kyung''s ount anyway. He hates losing money more than anything. You should at least get some payback, don''t you think?" I declined. "It''s fine. Receiving an apology from Director Jo Jae-Kyung himself is enough." Son Hyung-Tae shook his head. "No, that won''t do. I''ll tell them to raise the settlement to 100 million won, so just take what they give." Suddenly, he was offering a settlement of 100 million won. However, that money felt like a shackle. As I pondered how to turn it down, I found a way to refuse nicely. I replied, "Then please send the settlement to the foundation I usually support for disadvantaged youths." This way, I could snub Jo Jae-Kyung and also put the money to good use. Money itself wasn''t the problem: it was how people used it. Son Hyung-Taeughed heartily at my response."Look at this guy. The more I see, the more interesting you get!" Greed seemed to deepen in Son Hyung-Tae''s eyes as he looked at me. *** I received a call from Shin Jong-Gi, the president of LT Entertainment, as soon as I woke up the day after meeting the president of CK Entertainment. -You met with President Son yesterday, didn''t you? What on earth happened? Shin Jong-Gi sounded pleased as he mentioned that CK Entertainment had decided to expand the screenings of Beyond the Boundary. I told him what had transpired. "Mr. Son was so encouraged by the sess of Beyond the Boundary that he promised to fully support Mr. Park''s Jiri Mountain as well." -Huh! That sly guy made such an offer? "Yes." -Team Lead Jung. You haven''t decided to work with President Son, have you? We agreed to do Jiri Mountain together! Quick-witted as always, Shin Jong-Gi probed cautiously. Because I had made a deal with Son Hyung-Tae to keep our agreement quiet, I answered with hints of reluctance. "No, of course not, Mr. Shin." -Good! As you should! And I''ll make sure to put extra care into Jiri Mountain. You can trust me on this! Shin Jong-Gi emphasized that I should not forget LT''s role in Jiri Mountain before hanging up. "This is ridiculous," I muttered. Thanks to my eye for picking projects, I had now established a direct connection with the respective heads of two major film distributionpanies. Two dayster, CK Entertainment''s expansion of the screenings showed immediate results in audience numbers. [Lee Tae-Poong drives over 6.2 million viewers in ten days with Beyond the Boundary.] [Lee Tae-Poong rises above acting controversies, showcasing overwhelming presence.] At this pace, reaching ten million viewers seemed possible within the next ten days or so. Lee Tae-Poong''s poprity was naturally soaring, and my phone as his talent agent was constantly ringing off the hook. -This is Writer Choo Mi-Hye from Morning Garden. We''d like to do a short interview with Mr. Lee Tae-Poong. Would he be avable today? -Hey! Team Lead Jung! It''s PD Bang Man-Han from Visible TV. Remember we met once before? I''ve got a great new concept I''d like to discuss... -We''re nning a show where Mr. Lee Tae-Poong and various idols survive on a deserted ind, taking care of all meals on their own. Is this something he might be interested in? Currently, Lee Tae-Poong couldn''t appear on any shows as he was touring provincial stages. Hence, all I could do was apologize repeatedly. "I''m sorry, sir. Tae-Poong can only join once his provincial stage tours are over. Yes, yes, I hope you understand." Apologizing was no easy task, but this was nothing for Lee Tae-Poong. After all, I was his talent agent. At that moment, I got a call from Seo Jae-Ill. He seemed to have been busy dealing with the aftermath of Park Sang-Gon for the past few days. "Yes, Mr. Seo." -Team Lead Jung, I''m afraid I have some bad news today. It seemed like things hadn''t gone well judging by his voice. "Judging by the tone, it sounds like you failed to catch Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon." I heard Seo Jae-Ill sigh over the phone. -Sigh. Yes. That''s what happened. Yoo Sang-Gi, the aide who had attempted suicide, had regained consciousness. However, he imed everything was his own doing, causing the investigation into Park Sang-Gon to lose momentum. -It seems Assemblyman Park has been promised a pardon if he bes president. Even with a twenty-year sentence, he didn''t even blink. "Then what about Choi Man-Sik?" -Well, I n to reassess the direction of the investigation after meeting President Choi Eun-Tae. Since Choi Man-Sik wasn''t directly implicated in the bribery case and there was still no evidence of him targeting Kang Eun-Gi, Seo Jae-Ill said he intended to meet Choi Eun-Tae. It seemed that the once obstinate Seo Jae-Ill had finally developed some flexibility. He realized that in order to take down bigger evils, he needed to gather more allies. "What about the police who were guarding Eun-Gi''s hospital room? Wouldn''t digging into them lead us to Choi Man-Sik?" -Actually, I was already considering taking a closer look at them. If they were receiving those kinds of orders, then it''s not just Choi Man-Sik but likely high-ranking police officials involved too. Park Sang-Gon might be connected as well. The spark of the investigation which I thought had died outpletely was rekindling. -Anyway, I''ve wrapped up discussions with the Eastern District Prosecutors'' Office. The investigation into Hoop Entertainment will conclude at an appropriate point, so don''t worry. "Thank you for your consideration." -Take care of yourself and let''s meet up once things settle down. "Of course." However, just before hanging up, Seo Jae-Ill said something unexpected. -Thanks to you, I''ve received a lot of help. I avoided demotion and even made some connections with important people. It''s all thanks to you, Mr. Jung. I was a bit flustered to receive such unexpected gratitude. "Oh. No problem, Mr. Seo." -There''s no need to be modest. I''ll definitely repay this debt. After that, Seo Jae-Ill ended the call, mentioning he had a lot to take care of. "Phew." It was a bit disappointing not to have dealt with Park Sang-Gon this time, but we had still dealt a significant blow to the Suhyaejong line within thepany¡ªand to Kim Dong-Soo as well. On top of that, I had gained a strong ally in Seo Jae-Ill. Choi Eun-Tae had also started watching my back. Perhaps because of that, it felt like my dream of blocking the establishment of Top Entertainment and solidifying Hoop Entertainment was drawing ever closer. Just then, I received a KkTalk message from Kang Gam-Chan. [President Kang Gam-Chan: All team leads and above, please gather in the sixth-floor meeting room. We will announce the audit results and introduce the new directors and chiefs.] After assigning the work to Lee Yung-Jin, I headed straight to the venue. *** The atmosphere in the meeting room was different from usual. This wasn''t just because of the audit results announcement but also due to changes in the lineup of attendees. Bang Sang-Yung was sitting in Lee Gi-Cheol''s seat, and Chief Han So-Yoo, who had recently moved from ANK Music, was in the seat of Chief of Singer Division 1. Creak. When the door opened, the tired looking Kang Gam-Chan entered with Jung Soo-Hyuk. Kang Gam-Chan sat down with a heavy expression. After letting out a short sigh, he began announcing the audit results. "The recent audit has revealed significant corruption within Actor Division 3!" In reality, only a few issues were uncovered because Kim Dong-Soo and Lee Gi-Cheol had made some preemptive moves. However, it was impossible to cover up all the years of umted corruption in such a short time. As such, quite a bit of corruption was exposed. Kang Gam-Chan did not hide the fact that there were issues with the management of Actor Division 3. As the employees murmured, Kang Gam-Chan raised his hand. "Quiet." When the noisy atmosphere settled, Kang Gam-Chan continued. "Since Chief Kim is already on suspension, further disciplinary actions are difficult at the moment. Nheless, depending on the investigation, he could be demoted or even dismissed." Everyone''s jaws dropped in surprise. If Kim Dong-Soo were to be demoted, it would mean going down from chief to team lead: It was essentially a message to leave on his own. The faces of the team leads under Actor Division 3 started to turn pale, as there was a real possibility that the entire Suhyaejong line could copse. Kang Gam-Chan ignored the team leads'' dismay and continued his stern rebuke. "Just because you''ve been given autonomy doesn''t mean you have the right tomit corruption. From now on, regr audits will be conducted, so keep that in mind!" Nobody dared to object to his deration of conducting regr audits to scrutinize each team''s operations. Kang Gam-Chan continued. "And here, we have Chief Han So-Yoo who has just joined us from ANK Music. Let''s wee her with apuse." As everyone pped, Han So-Yoo stood up and gave a brief introduction. "I''ll do my best. I look forward to your support." She kept her introduction short due to the unsettled atmosphere. Then, Kang Gam-Chan turned to Bang Sang-Yung. "And Director Bang, you should say a few words." At Kang Gam-Chan''s urging, Bang Sang-Yung stood up and said, "For the time being, I''ll be handling the responsibilities previously managed by Mr. Lee Gi-Cheol and overseeing Actor Division 3 as well." Aligned with the Suhyaejong line, he quickly filled the gaps left by Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo. Then, he turned to Han So-Yoo. "Also, Ms. Han joined us during a turbulent time. Please don''t let these issues affect you and focus onunching the debut team that came with you." Han So-Yoo nodded. "Yes, Mr. Bang." Kang Gam-Chan hurriedly wrapped up the meeting as if his main goal was to address the audit results. After the short meeting ended, an idea came to mind. If I could poach Kim Dong-Soo''s actors and talent agents while he was away, it would make ousting him much easierter. Just then, an even bolder thought struck me. ''Actor Division 3... Maybe it''s time to take them over entirely.'' If Kim Dong-Soo were demoted to team lead, this wouldn''t be an impossible task. After all, Team Jung''s performance was unmatched except for Actor Division 1. ''Let''s see what I can do,'' I thought. If everything went well, stopping the establishment of Top Entertainment might happen unexpectedly. *** It was October 5th, 9 p.m. With the relentless schedule continuing day after day, I felt like it was going to kill me. I had copsed from overwork and stress before in my past life¡ªI couldn''t let that happen again. "I''m leaving early today. If anything urgentes up, send a KkTalk message or leave it on my desk. I''ll check it tomorrow morning." I left work a bit early and spent time ying with Miso. By 10 p.m., Miso had fallen asleep. After putting Miso to bed, I watched TV in the living room on the first floor. Before I knew it, it was 11:40 p.m. At that moment, Yoo-Jin came home after finishing a long shoot. "Ah~ I''m exhausted. Oppa, I''m back!" "Hey, you must be really tired," I remarked. The episode 21 they shot today would air in two days. They had been filming without major issues until now, but the schedule had been dyed due to the many variables present on-site. Yoo-Jin sighed briefly and asked, "Oppa, what time do we leave tomorrow?" "The shoot starts at 5:30 a.m., so we need to leave by 4 a.m. I''ll be on set tomorrow too, so keep that in mind." Yoo-Jin groaned. "Ugh... I''d better get to bed early if we''re leaving at 4. You should get some rest too." I offered my help. "I''ll take Miso up to the second floor for you." "Oh, but I can do it..." "No, Miso has gotten a lot heavier." Miso usually slept on the first floor when Yoo-Jin came homete. Upon arriving home, Yoo-Jin would carry Miso up to the second floor. However, Miso had grown taller and heaviertely as she had been eating well and sleeping soundly. I went into the master bedroom, greeted Jung In-Ji, and gently picked the sleeping Miso up. Half-asleep, Miso opened her drowsy eyes slightly. "Hehehe, it''s Uncle Yoon-Ho." "Yes, Miso. Go back to sleep. Your mom''s here now." "Mmm... Okay. Mommy... wee home." Miso nodded her head, still in my arms. "Miso, I''m sorry I came home sote," said Yoo-Jin. "It''s fine, Mom. I had fun today too. But I''m sleepy." Miso''s eyes slowly closed as she buried her face into my chest. "She must be really sleepy. Let''s get her upstairs quickly." "Okay." Yoo-Jin gently pinched Miso''s chubby cheeks before leading the way. Afterying Miso down in her room, I told Yoo-Jin I''d see her tomorrow and headed up to the third floor. Just then, my phone vibrated. [Notification: A new schedule for ''Jung Yoo-Jin'' has been added for October 6, 2020.] A new scheduled event alert popped up for the first time in a while. ''What is it this time...'' I wondered. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: October 6, 2020] -09:00 a.m. [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Jung Yoo-Jin receives emergency treatment near the Yangpyeong set location. Filming postponed by one day. "What is this? Yoo-Jin''s going to get hurt?" I uttered in shock. The drowsiness that had been creeping in instantly vanished. After a moment of consideration, I made a bold decision. ''I''ll have to postpone it.'' No matter how tight the shooting schedule was, I couldn''t just stand by and watch Yoo-Jin get hurt. I called Kim Sung-Woon, who would be in the editing room, and asked him to push the shoot back to after 9 a.m. "Mr. Kim, can we start tomorrow''s shoot four hourster? Yoo-Jin''s not feeling her best." -Is that so? Ah, but the schedule''s really tight... How bad is it? His voice was clearly flustered given the hectic shooting schedule. "It''s not too serious, but I want to take her to the hospital in the morning to get an IV drip." Only then did Kim Sung-Woon speak in a relieved tone. -Alright, then I''ll rearrange the shooting order. Could you be on set by 10? "Yes, sir! Thank you so much!" After repeatedly thanking him, I hung up and checked my nner right away. As expected, the scheduled event had disappeared. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: October 6, 2020] -09:00 a.m. (Deleted event: [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Jung Yoo-Jin receives emergency treatment near the Yangpyeong set location. Filming postponed by one day.) Finally feeling relieved, I headed to the bathroom to wash off the cold sweat. However, the moment I stepped out of the shower, my phone vibrated again. The current time was 12:05 a.m. "Is it Mr. Kim?" Wondering if he had messaged me to ask about the earlier conversation, I checked my phone and saw that a new scheduled event had appeared. [Notification: A new schedule for Jung Yoo-Jin has been added for October 6, 2020.] "October 6 again?" I had pushed back the reporting time and managed to delete the scheduled event from my nner, but now there was another event for the same day. Feeling uneasy, I quickly checked the schedule. The moment I saw it, I couldn''t help but shout out loud. "What the hell is this?" [Everyday V10.1] [Date: October 6, 2020] -01:00 p.m. [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Transported to the emergency room. (Note: All schedules are canceled for four weeks.) A more severe event than before had appeared on the nner. Chapter 335: Shadow (2)

Chapter 335: Shadow (2)

It was past midnight. Haru suddenly opened the door and stepped into the living room, possibly drawn by my raised voice. "Hyung? What''s wrong? Is something going on?" Haru asked. "Oh, sorry. Did I wake you?" Haru shook his head. "No, I was just nning the menu for this week''spetition." Haru was preparing for the finals of the Table of Mukbang this Saturday. The cooking theme was "Three meals a day to serve to a precious person." Haru had been upte every night struggling to think of ideas as he hadn''t decided on the menu yet. I patted Haru''s shoulder and assured him it was nothing serious. "I was just surprised by how many people came to see Tae-Poong''s movie. Anyway, do you want some help if you''re having trouble deciding on the menu?" "No, I''ll handle it myself." "Alright, but let me know if it gets too hard." "Yes, hyung~" I gently pushed Haru back into his room. "Okay, then go to bed now. You need to sleep early to grow taller." "Goodnight!" "Yeah, you too." After saying goodnight to Haru, I rechecked my nner but found no changes to the schedule. I had already asked Kim Sung-Woon to reschedule the shoot, and I couldn''t possibly do so again. Besides, it wasn''t like we had the luxury of time to skip tomorrow''s filming session altogether. In the end, I had no choice but to face it directly on-site. I suppressed my anxious heart and headed to bed. I tried to lie down and closed my eyes but couldn''t fall asleep. ''Why did a new schedule appear out of nowhere?'' I fretted. As I mulled over the reason for the new schedule popping up, one thought suddenly crossed my mind. ''Wait a minute. Could it be... someone is targeting Yoo-Jin on set?'' That seemed like the most reasonable assumption. I immediately got up from bed and sent KkTalk messages to Lee Yung-Jin and Jung Sang-Bong. I suggested they entrust their schedules to other talent agents and apany Yoo-Jin to the site tomorrow instead. *** It was 5:30 a.m and there were still two hours left before we had to leave for the shoot. I spent the whole night checking through the fan letters stored in the storage room as I was worried that a stalker might be lurking. I rubbed my bloodshot eyes and mumbled. "I have no idea who it could be..." I went through more than a thousand fan letters, but there was nothing suspicious that hinted at a stalker. I went outside to check with the securitypany staff who guard the ce 24/7, but they said they hadn''t seen anyone suspicious. I returned home and organized the fan letters scattered in the living room while waiting for Lee Yung-Jin and Jung Sang-Bong to arrive. "Who the heck could it be? What''s going on?" I asked in frustration. I sped my head, but no answer came to mind. It was now 6 a.m. and Lee Yung-Jin, Jung Sang-Bong, Lee Mi-Ri, and Yang So-Ri arrived. I expressed concerns about seeing suspicious individuals frequently around Yoo-Jin, creating a sense of urgency. Even though I didn''t know the exact cause, it was crucial to stay alert and keep a close watch on Yoo-Jin for now. Lee Yung-Jin spoke with a bewildered expression. "If it''s a stalker, shouldn''t we contact the police?" "But it might just be my imagination. Let''s all get through today and stay alert. Pair up and keep close. And if you see anyone suspicious, report them to me immediately." Fortunately, they didn''t ask for more details since all four of them trusted me. "Yes, Mr. Jung!" "Oh, and I called the Kimbap Store to order 80 sets of kimbap with soup, so make sure to pick them up on the way." "Got it." "Alright, let''s eat and get moving." We had a hearty breakfast with the help of one of the talent agents, Jung In-Ji. After all, there wouldn''t be any time to eat at the site today. *** We arrived at the Yangpyeong filming location. Episode 22, which we were filming today, was set to air in two days. As such, the staff were running around busily, too busy to even sit down. Everyone looked particrly tense and on edge than usual because it was an important episode where Manshin Wol-Ah dies and exits the show. I instructed Yoo-Jin to get her makeup done and then went to find Kim Sung-Woon. In the monitoring tent, Kim Sung-Woon was holding the cue sheet and shouting orders nonstop. "Dong-Jin, tell Mrs. Kim Soo-Hee that we''ll be reshooting scene 318." "Again? But Mr. Kim, we''re running out of time..." "Do you want to release a half-baked project just because we''re short on time? Go talk to her and also inform Yung-In as well." "Yes, sir!" Even in this hectic situation, Kim Sung-Woon was ordering retakes to aim for perfection. I called out, "Mr. Kim, we''re here." Kim Sung-Woon turned his head. "Oh, you''re here?" "Yes, I apologize for the dy." "No worries. By the way, how is Miss Yoo-Jin feeling?" "She''s much better now." "That''s good to hear. We''ll start shooting scene 300 shortly after 12:45 p.m., please be ready. Also, please have a rehearsal with Mr. Byung-Jun around 12:30 p.m.." I nodded. "Understood. By the way, we brought some kimbap. It''s for lunch, so can we distribute it to everyone right now?" Before arriving on set, I called Cha Soo-Yeon to inform her we had arranged for the kimbap as a snack. My n was to be on the lookout for anyone who might seem like the stalker while distributing the kimbap. Kim Sung-Woon, holding two rolls of kimbap and soup, nodded. "Kimbap is certainly better than a lunchbox on busy days like today." Kim Sung-Woon spread out the foil and started chomping down on the kimbap while keeping his eyes on the cue sheet. "Then I''ll get going now since I have to hand out kimbap to the rest of the staff." "Alright, Mr. Jung." After a brief bow, I left Kim Sung-Woon. It was currently 10 a.m., and the incident in my nner was expected to happen at 1 p.m. Since there were still a few hours left, I handed out kimbap with Jung Sang-Bong while observing people''s faces as we went. However, there was no one particrly suspicious. In the end, I had no choice but to return to Yoo-Jin without any leads. By then, Yoo-Jin had finished her makeup for Manshin Wol-Ah and was waiting for me. Perhaps because of the buzz about the tight schedule on set, even the usually bold Yoo-Jin seemed unusually tense. As her talent agent, it was not only my job to ensure her safety, but also that she didn''t mess up her acting. "Yoo-Jin, what''s wrong?" I asked her. Yoo-Jin stuck out her tongue slightly and expressed her anxiety. "W-well, they keep saying there''s not enough time...and it''s making me nervous for no reason. I''m worried that if I make a mistake, it will dy the entire filming schedule..." I smiled reassuringly at her. "Just focus on what you can do. Leave the schedule to the production team and us, okay?" When I encouraged her to forget everything else and focus solely on her performance, Yoo-Jin smiled and nodded. "I don''t know if it''ll work, but I''ll try to clear my mind." "Good. If you do well today, let''s go eat something delicious tonight. It''s on me." Yoo-Jin pouted her lips. "Hmph. Are you going to take me to that buckwheat restaurant again and only feed me buckwheat noodles and brown rice?" Yoo-Jin was referring to the previous week when I promised her a hearty meal but ended up taking her to a healthy buckwheat restaurant. Though I felt a pang of guilt inside, I kept a straight face. "Oh, no. Today, I''ll let you eat whatever you want." "Really? Is that a promise?" "Yeah, really!" Yoo-Jin clenched her fist with an excited expression. "Okay, got it." Feeling relieved at the sight of a brightened Yoo-Jin, I gathered the talent agents next to the waiting area. "Did anyone see anything suspicious?" "I didn''t see anything." "Neither did I." "You''d think someone would stand out with all these people around, but I haven''t seen anyone." We even checked in with the bit-part actors, but there were no significant findings. I nodded. "Alright. Still, don''t let your guard down on set just yet." "Yes, Mr. Jung." I instructed the talent agents to keep a close watch on Yoo-Jin and checked my nner again. However, the schedule remained unchanged. ''Who could it be?'' I wondered. *** Hours passed without any progress. I began to wonder if perhaps it wasn''t a stalker targeting Yoo-Jin but just an ident. As such, I helped by carrying and checking equipment whenever I had a free moment. Nevertheless, the schedule in the nner remained the same. It was now 12:20 p.m. and there was less than an hour until the incident was expected to ur. Trying to calm my anxious heart, I gave instructions to Yang So-Ri. "We''ll rehearse the stabbing scene in ten minutes. Since the makeup might smudge, please ensure there''s time for some touch-up before the actual shoot." "Yes, Mr. Jung." Next, I instructed Lee Mi-Ri to prepare the costumes. Then, I started reading the script for scene 300, which involved the death of Manshin Wol-Ah. That''s when it hit me: a ridiculous thought filled my mind. ''Could it be that Lee Byung-Jun is going to stab Yoo-Jin for real?'' I quickly shook my head.''No, that''s too far-fetched.'' In the Name of God had a viewership rating of 34%. Plus, Yoo-Jin was a key factor driving that poprity. If something were to happen to Yoo-Jin, Lee Byung-Jun, who yed the role of the psychopath, wouldn''t be able to continue working in the industry ever again. ''Still, I can''t be too sure. I shouldn''t keep my guard down,'' I thought. Although this was an absurd possibility, I kept it in the back of my mind since TK Entertainment had always been looking for a chance to take me down. A momentter, Lee Byung-Jun from TK Entertainment approached me with the prop knife he would use today. Beside him was Jin Chul-Min, the talent agent from TK Entertainment. Lee Byung-Jun smiled as he looked at Yoo-Jin. "Your makeup is incredible no matter how many times I see it. Miss Yoo-Jin. I mean, Mdm. Manshin Wol-Ah, I look forward to working with you today." 35 year old Lee Byung-Jun was a supporting actor with 12 years of experience. He hadn''t stood out much until now, but he was gaining significant recognition for his viin role in In the Name of God. Yoo-Jin quickly bowed in response to her sunbae''s greeting. "Thank you. I look forward to working with you, sunbae-nim." "Alright. How about we run through the rehearsal?" Lee Byung-Jun raised the dagger with an oak-colored handle that he had brought. Though it was a stic knife without a de, the paint job was so realistic that it looked like a real knife. I was about to ask to inspect the knife out of worry, but Lee Byung-Jun demonstrated by stabbing his own palm. Squish, squish. The de smoothly sank inward. "Don''t be scared. It doesn''t hurt at all." Yoo-Jin let out a short sigh of relief. "But what about the blood?" "The prop team will put fake blood in the handle here after the rehearsal. When the de goes in, it''s supposed to spray out blood immediately. Oh, and take a look at this knife too." Lee Byung-Jun kindly handed the knife to Yoo-Jin. Yoo-Jin waved it around a bit, even pressing it against her own stomach. "It really doesn''t hurt at all, huh?" "Of course not. Your value is beyond imagination. We can''t afford for you to get hurt, right?" Lee Byung-Jun''s kind demeanor helped ease some of my suspicions. "Alright, we''re short on time, so let''s start the rehearsal." "Yes, sunbae-nim." The two of them took their positions and began the rehearsal. Lee Byung-Jun slowly moved to stab Yoo-Jin from the front. "I''m going to stab you like this from here." Lee Byung-Jun carefully slid the de under Yoo-Jin''s armpit. It would look like he was stabbing her in the chest on screen, but the knife would be going into the space under her armpit in reality. Following Lee Byung-Jun''s movements, Yoo-Jin slightly opened her arm just as the knife was about to touch her. "Then I''ll open my arm a little and react just as the knife touches me¡ªlike this." Lee Byung-Jun pushed the prop knife under the slightly opened armpit. At the same time, Yoo-Jin shuddered and groaned. "Ugh..." Lee Byung-Jun holding the knife was pressed closely against Yoo-Jin. From a distance, it really looked like the entire de had plunged into her body. Pleased with their coordination, Lee Byung-Jun smiled and stepped back. "As expected, you''re good. You probably didn''t even need the rehearsal." Yoo-Jin rxed her expression and replied. "Not at all, sunbae-nim." "You''re so humble. Anyway, do your bestter too, okay?" "Yes, sunbae-nim!" Lee Byung-Jun smiled and returned to his waiting chair. I had watched the entire rehearsal from start to finish, but there were no signs that he intended to harm Yoo-Jin. ''It doesn''t seem like it''s Lee Byung-Jun.'' Still concerned, I asked Yoo-Jin, "Are you okay?" Yoo-Jin raised both arms and said, "Yes, sunbae-nim avoided me well when he stabbed, even though my angle was off." Yoo-Jin pointed under her armpit as if it was amazing. There were no injuries and everything seemed fine. Now, only twenty minutes remained. No matter how much I thought about it, there was nothing else suspicious besides the stabbing scene. ''Should I ask to see the knife that will be used in the actual recording?'' I wondered. I considered running to the props team immediately in case Lee Byung-Jun switched the knife but ultimately changed my mind. If my suspicion was wrong, I would end up disrupting the filming. I was already getting res for arrivingte on set, so I decided to try another approach first. "Yoo-Jin,e with me." "What? Where to?" "Let''s go to the car and put on some protection." In the van, there was a stab-proof vest used during the scene with Kang Eun-Gi. "It didn''t hurt when I got stabbed earlier. Why the protection?" Yoo-Jin asked. "You never know. You might get caught up in the moment and make a mistake during the scene. It''s better to be safe just in case." Though I still didn''t know who might be targeting Yoo-Jin, wearing the stab-proof vest would ensure she wouldn''t get hurt. For now, I nned to do everything I could. After thinking it over, Yoo-Jin nodded. "Alright." I called Yang So-Ri and instructed her to help Yoo-Jin put on the protective gear, then stepped outside the van. It was now 12:50 p.m. Yoo-Jin came out of the van wearing protective gear. At that moment, the nner entry was deleted. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: October 6, 2020] -01:00 p.m. (Deleted Schedule: [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Transported to the emergency room. (Note: All schedules canceled for 4 weeks.)) I raised my eyebrows in shock. ''So the incident caused by the knife was urate after all.'' I had figured out what was causing the injury. Now, the next step was clear. It was time to find the culprit. Chapter 336: Shadow (3) Chapter 336: Shadow (3) I averted another crisis by putting a protective gear on Yoo-Jin. Wiping the cold sweat off my forehead, I asked Yoo-Jin as she got out of the car. "Is it ufortable?" Yoo-Jin moved her hands around and shook her head. "No, it''s better than I thought. It''s not noticeable and prettyfortable. Where did you get something like this?" "I know a ce. Anyway, let''s get ready for the shoot right away if you''re okay." After leaving Yoo-Jin with Lee Yung-Jin, I hurried over to Cha Soo-Yeon. In front of the set where the shoot would take ce shortly, Cha Soo-Yeon was alone under a tent as she organized scattered props and cue sheets. "Ms. Cha, are you busy right now?" "Oh, Mr. Jung. What brings you here?" "Ah, I just wanted to ask you something."I requested her to double-check the prop knife because I was worried Yoo-Jin might get hurt. Cha Soo-Yeon wore a troubled expression. "The props team will be up in arms if we mess with that... It''s hard to refill the fake blood and the whole shoot could be dyed if it leaks by mistake." She exined that there were originally two prop knives, but one was broken. "Then I''ll just take a look." Cha Soo-Yeon thought for a moment and then agreed. "Alright. Just a moment, please." After a moment, Kim Yung-Joo, the youngest member of the props team, brought a tray with the knife after receiving a call from Cha Soo-Yeon. She was being careful, making sure the fake blood in the handle didn''t spill. "Ms. Cha, here it is. I brought the knife." "Hold on." Cha Soo-Yeon told me to check it out. I took a close look without touching the knife and saw that the de had been sharpened when it was supposed to be blunt. "Ms. Cha, someone has sharpened this de." "Pardon me?" "Look over here." It was sharpened so subtly that you wouldn''t notice unless you looked closely. "W-what is this?" The de made of reinforced stic could still cause injury if swung in its current state. On closer inspection, I noticed there weren''t any tiny holes for fake blood to spurt out. It also seemed like the handle had been wiped clean beforehand, making fingerprint retrieval impossible. After inspecting the knife, I grabbed it to confirm my suspicions. "Huh?" Kim Yung-Joo and Cha Soo-Yeon looked surprised. "This isn''t the knife for today''s shoot. It''s slightly heavier too," I said. Although it looked like a regr stic knife, the de''s hardness made it noticeably heavier. I added, "And... look at this." I immediately plunged the knife into a styrofoam box used for storing kimbap on the table. Thud! Even though it was a stic knife, the de didn''t bend or retract when it hit the surface of the box. Instead, it pierced straight through the solid 5 cm styrofoam lid. Startled, Cha Soo-Yeon looked at Kim Yung-Joo in shock. "What? W-why is the knife so sharp?" Kim Yung-Joo shook her hands with her face white beyond pale. "I-it wasn''t me! Ms. Cha, the team lead from the props team just told me to bring it over. I swear!" With the situation almost resulting in an ident, Kim Yung-Joo tried hard to prove her innocence. Cha Soo-Yeon calmed down and bit her nails as she pondered. "The props team lead isn''t the type to make mistakes like this..." After wearing a serious expression, she turned her head toward me. "Hold on. I''ll request to stop the filming. Please wait here." I also wanted to stop the shoot. But if I wanted topletely root out the crisis for good, this was the moment to make a move. If I couldn''t identify the culprit now, Yoo-Jin could be at greater risk in the future. "Ms. Cha, hold on a second." Cha Soo-Yeon was about to take the knife to Kim Sung-Woon, but stopped in her tracks upon my call. "What is it?" "Let''s proceed with the filming first," I replied. "With this knife?" "I have an idea." I asked the frozen Kim Yung-Joo if there were any prop blood packs. "Yes, we have about four prepared as a backup." "Could you bring me two of them without anyone noticing?" Kim Yung-Joo blinked. "Right now?" Cha Soo-Yeon urged Kim Yung-Joo. "Go get them right now, Miss Yung-Joo." "Y-yes, Ms. Cha." Kim Yung-Joo nced at Cha Soo-Yeon, then hurriedly ran toward the props team. After Kim Yung-Joo disappeared, Cha Soo-Yeon asked with a worried look. "What are you nning to do?" "What if switching the prop knife wasn''t a mistake?" I suggested. "What do you mean it wasn''t a mistake?" Cha Soo-Yeon asked with a frown. "To be honest with you, I brought all the talent agents from thepany today because of the rumor that a stalker is targeting Yoo-Jin." Cha Soo-Yeon''s face turned pale. "Then we should definitely stop filming. What if Miss Yoo-Jin gets hurt?" "I''ve already put a protective gear on Yoo-Jin." "What?" "Just in case." Cha Soo-Yeon sighed in relief. "That''s good." "Whoever swapped the prop is likely expecting Yoo-Jin to get stabbed. I n to use that moment to catch the culprit." After a brief moment of thought, Cha Soo-Yeon nodded. "Alright, then I''ll ask Mr. Kim for his cooperation." In the scene where Yoo-Jin was to be stabbed, the knife was supposed to go under her armpit while she pretended to be stabbed in the chest. If we attached a blood pack under her armpit, blood could still spurt out even if the knife didn''t retract into the handle. At that moment, the panting Kim Yung-Joo returned with the blood packs. "M-Mr. Jung, here they are. I made sure no one noticed." "Good job. And please don''t tell anyone about this. If word gets out, you know you''ll be the first suspect, right?" Kim Yung-Joo nodded fervently. "Yes, okay!" "Now, please follow me without making it obvious." "Yes, Mr. Jung." I took the blood packs and hid them in my jacket before heading to the filming location with Kim Yung-Joo. *** Dressed in the Manshin Wol-Ah costume, Yoo-Jin was talking to Lee Byung-Jun as they waited for the prop knife. When Kim Yung-Joo brought the knife, Lee Byung-Jun carefully took it from the tray as he thought it was a special prop that would release blood when pressed. "Hopefully, we get it in one take..." he remarked. Lee Byung-Jun worried that if there was an NG, the dy from changing into new bloodstained clothes and refilling the knife with blood would slow the shoot. ''At least it''s clear Lee Byung-Jun isn''t involved,'' I remarked inwardly. Relieved, I quietly approached Lee Byung-Jun. "Mr. Byung-Jun, listen to me carefully. Don''t be surprised or show it on your face." Lee Byung-Jun flinched but quickly smiled. "Why are you acting all serious suddenly?" "That knife, it''s not a special prop. Look closely. Do you see the de is sharpened?" Lee Byung-Jun nced at the de and immediately realized the problem. "W-what? What is this?" "Keep your expression in check. Someone switched the knives," I replied in a low tone. Lee Byung-Jun tried to hide his shock, but he couldn''t stop his voice from trembling. "Th-Then shouldn''t we stop the filming first?" "No. I already put protective gear on Yoo-Jin. We need to catch the culprit. If we don''t catch them now, they''ll pull this stunt again." Then, I called Yoo-Jin over. "Yoon-Ho oppa, what''s up?" "Yoo-Jin. The knife that Mr. Byung-Jun is holding¡ªthe de doesn''t retract." "What?" "Someone swapped the prop with another one. It''s a reinforced stic knife, but the de is sharpened." Yoo-Jin asked with a puzzled expression. "Then what do we do? We can''t film with that, can we?" "We can. Since you''re wearing protective gear, you won''t get hurt as long as you match the moves. Let''s proceed as nned." "As it is?" "Yeah. And everyone is on standby to catch the culprit." Although it was to prevent a bigger danger, the one who had to perform the risky stunt was not me but Yoo-Jin. As such, I sought Yoo-Jin''s cooperation. "If we don''t catch the culprit now, they''ll try something again. But of course, we''ll stop the filming now if you''re scared." Yoo-Jin, who had been quietly listening, shook her head. "No. It''s making me nervous in a good way. And I''m wearing protective gear, aren''t I?" ''Honestly, she''s really brave,'' I thought to myself. "Alright, then I''ll leave it to you. You can trust us." "Okay, oppa." "Wait just a moment." Leaving the determined Yoo-Jin behind, I ran to Kim Sung-Woon. "Mr. Kim, do we have time to fix the makeup?" Kim Sung-Woon nodded heavily. Cha Soo-Yeon standing beside him discreetly made an ''O'' shape with her fingers, signaling that the discussion was over. "We''ll start shooting in two minutes. Please hurry up." I called Yoo-Jin over and took her to the car to attach the blood pack under her armpit. With the help of Yang So-Ri, Yoo-Jin quickly got the blood pack attached and returned to the set. Yoo-Jin looked at me. "Make sure you catch the culprit, oppa." "Don''t worry." With her arms pressed to her sides, Yoo-Jin carefully headed to the set. *** All the talent agents started recording the scene while pretending to film Yoo-Jin on their phones. This was to catch the culprit who might act differently from the others. A momentter, Kim Sung-Woon grabbed the mic. "Alright. This scene will cause a huge dy if there''s an NG, so let''s get it in one take. Actors, give me a signal when you''re ready." Manshin Wol-Ah, sitting on the floor of the house used as a shrine, took a deep breath and got into character. When she gave a light gesture to indicate readiness, Kim Sung-Woon shouted. "Ready~ Action!" The moment the camera started rolling, Manshin Wol-Ah let out a long sigh. ¡ºIt''s such a beautiful day to die...¡» Looking up at the sky with a forlorn expression, Manshin Wol-Ah gently picked up the phone. Then she slowly dialed a number with trembling hands. Ring ring. The ringtone yed out loud on the speakerphone, but there was no answer from the other end. ¡ºThe person you are calling cannot answer the phone right now...¡» As if sensing it might be herst call, Manshin Wol-Ah began to leave a quiet voicemail. ¡ºMy dear daughter, stop drinking so much and make sure to eat your meals. I sent some kimchi, so make sure to put it in the fridge before it over-ripens. Got it?¡» After finishing her message, Manshin Wol-Ah hung up the phone. She shed tears with her eyes filled with regret. ¡ºI tried to leave ast will, but all I could do was nag. No wonder Cheongmyung avoided me. I''m pathetic, truly pathetic.¡» A momentter, Manshin Wol-Ah wiped her tears and looked at the main gate beyond the courtyard of the shrine. ¡ºWhat are you doing standing over there? Why don''t youe in?¡» Lee Byung-Jun entered the shrine with a cold expression. In his right hand was the problematic knife. ¡ºI waited because it seemed like you were saying goodbye to your daughter.¡» ¡ºNow that you''ve heard everything, you should know¡ªI didn''t mention you to my daughter, so don''t you dare touch her!¡» Lee Byung-Jun snickered and raised the knife. ¡ºIf you can get stabbed by this knife and endure the pain without even a whimper, I might grant that wish.¡» In the drama, the psychopath was trying to kill Manshin Wol-Ah to get revenge on Cheongmyung, who constantly interfered with him. Manshin Wol-Ah red at Lee Byung-Jun and spoke. ¡ºThen swear to the ghost that possesses you! Promise that if I meet your demands, you won''t harm my daughter!¡» Lee Byung-Jun flinched, then patted his chest and smacked his lips. ¡ºSo that''s why they call you a shaman. Fine. I swear it to the spirit that has imed my soul.¡» Finally reassured, Manshin Wol-Ah spread her hands. ¡ºThen go ahead. Do as you please.¡» ¡ºAlright. Let''s see how long you can endure. I''ll stab you exactly four times. You won''t die right away, so hang in there if you want to protect your daughter.¡» Lee Byung-Jun snickered as he walked slowly toward Manshin Wol-Ah. As Lee Byung-Jun slowly raised the knife, Manshin Wol-Ah gulped with a nervous expression. At that moment, I also started scanning the surroundings with tense eyes. ''There must be someone showing a different reaction...'' Just then, a woman showing a distinctly different expression from the staff in this moment when everyone was tense caught my eye. She was none other than Script Supervisor Jang Si-Ah, known as an obsessive fan of Ju Yung-In. I could see her barely holding back a smile. ''It''s you! You are so dead now!'' I clenched my teeth and started staring intently at Jang Si-Ah.
Ristretto''s Thoughts Some fans are just crazy smh
Chapter 337: Shadow (4)

Chapter 337: Shadow (4)

The Script Supervisor was the person responsible for recording everything that happened on set. They kept track of how many NGs urred, the shooting order, any instructions from the PD, and any issues that arose within the filming or props team among other details. They would thenpile all this information to create an edited script, which was then passed on to the post-production team. Therefore, no one would find it suspicious if the script supervisor was anywhere on set. That was also why neither I nor Cha Soo-Yeon suspected her of being the culprit. However, despite our strong suspicions, we still needed definitive evidence. ''How do I catch her...'' I wondered. As I was racking my brain for a good method, the filming continued. Lee Byung-Jun snickered as he skillfully stabbed the knife into Manshin Wol-Ah, who was sitting on the wooden porch of the shrine. At that moment, Manshin Wol-Ah leaned forward and matched the movements. St! Red blood sttered from the spot where the knife struck and stained Manshin Wol-Ah''s white robes a deep crimson. ¡º...¡» ¡ºYou know what? I''ve stabbed people more times than I can count, but you''re the first one to endure it this much. Honestly, I''m impressed.¡» Lee Byung-Jun, ying the psychopath, cackled. He slowly pulled out the knife and then plunged it into the chest area once more. As Manshin Wol-Ah trembled and endured the pain, Lee Byung-Jun cheered. ¡ºWow. You are amazing. Are you really going to endure all four stabs?¡» ¡ºNow...only two, two... left...¡» All the staff were so engrossed in Lee Byung-Jun and Yoo-Jin''s performance that they were speechless. However, Jang Si-Ah couldn''t hide her startled expression. She was in shock that Yoo-Jin, who should have screamed and copsed after being stabbed, continued the scene without any issue. I became more certain that she was the culprit. Seemingly sensing something was off, Jung Sang-Bong and Lee Yung-Jin quietly approached me. "Mr. Jung, Script Supervisor Jang is..." I nodded. "I know. Even if you saw it, just pretend you didn''t. We''ve identified the suspect. Now we just need to catch the evidence." The two nodded in agreement. Meanwhile, Manshin Wol-Ah had taken all four stabs: twice under her left armpit and twice under her right. Manshin Wol-Ah barely caught her breath and leaned against the wooden porch with her body drenched in blood. Her once-white robes were now dark red and blood trickled down from her mouth. Lee Byung-Jun shook his head. ¡ºYou''re tough. Really tough. I thought the daughter was tough, but the mother''s even worse.¡» ¡ºCough... all, all four... Cough.¡» ¡ºSo I''m supposed to spare your daughter because you endured all four stabs?¡» Manshin Wol-Ah nodded weakly. At that moment, Lee Byung-Jun burst intoughter that echoed across the set. His voice tinged with a chilling madness filled the entire set. ¡ºHahahaha. No way. I n to kill that bitch Cheongmyung just like you.¡» ¡ºIf you break... your promise, you''re destined for eternal damnation... Cough.¡» Lee Byung-Jun turned away with a sinister smile. ¡ºDo you know what people call me? A demon. And do you know where demons live? In hell. So it doesn''t matter where I go. Wherever I am is hell whether it''s this world or the afterlife. Hahaha.¡» Manshin Wol-Ah lying on the wooden porch began gasping for her final breaths with all her remaining strength. She then looked up at the blue sky and slowly raised her right hand. ¡ºCheongmyung... I''m... sorry...¡» Manshin Wol-Ah''s mouth slowly opened as she took onest breath. At the same time, her heaving chest stopped. The hand that pointed to the clear sky to mark the final moment of her life fell to the ground as soon as she finished speaking. With an awe-inspiring performance that sent chills down the spine, Yoo-Jin''s portrayal of Manshin Wol-Ah finally came to an end. Kim Sung-Woon jumped up and pped his hands. "Cuuuuut!!! Bravo~ No, Brava!!" Apuse poured out for Yoo-Jin, who had wlesslypleted the difficult scene without a single NG. The staff simultaneously stood up and gave a round of apuse. "Jung Yoo-Jin is the best!" "Wow~ Miss Yoo-Jin! You''re such an amazing actress!" "Mr. Byung-Jun, you really are a natural viin!" As praise rained down on the two actors, Yoo-Jin and Lee Byung-Jun came down from the set with bright smiles. Yoo-Jin shed her role as Manshin Wol-Ah, a character almost like her alter ego now, and bowed to the staff at a 90-degree angle. She expressed her gratitude to the staff who had participated in this ridiculous attempt to y a dual role. Even Jang Si-Ah reluctantly pped her hands. "Yung-Jin, please take care of Yoo-Jin." "Yes, Mr. Jung." I immediately rushed to Cha Soo-Yeon. It was time to catch the culprit. *** In a corner of the set where no staff were present, I showed Cha Soo-Yeon the video of the staff''s reactions when Yoo-Jin was being stabbed. "Look closely at the Script Supervisor Jang Si-Ah''s expression." Jang Si-Ah was smirking to herself in the video I showed Cha Soo-Yeon. Moreover, she was the only one who couldn''t hide her uneasy expression while everyone was cheering for Yoo-Jin''s ster performance. Everything was caught on camera. Cha Soo-Yeon clenched her fists and started trembling with anger. "This is infuriating. How dare that crazy bitch...!" In the Name of God was achieving record-breaking sess for Blue Dragon. Cha Soo-Yeon, who was eager to take this opportunity to solidify their position as the industry leader, would not tolerate this situation. Cha Soo-Yeon was ready to tear apart Jang Si-Ah at any moment, but I held her back and said, "Even though she seems suspicious, this is only circumstantial evidence." Cha Soo-Yeon paused and looked back at me. "Then what are you nning to do?" "Do you think someone who pulled a stunt like this will give up easily? Now that we know who the suspect is, I''ll handle the rest." I had a feeling that the nner would reveal new information after midnight regarding this incident. Of course, I would have to wait until after midnight to confirm that. After all, the nner only showed one new entry each day for new events. After a brief moment of contemtion, Cha Soo-Yeon spoke in a frustrated tone. "Then I''ll inform Mr. Kim about this." "With Mr. Kim''s personality, he won''t just turn a blind eye... Will that be okay?" "He''ll likely wait if I tell him that you''re looking for evidence. Don''t worry. If he does start to lose it, I''ll try to calm him down." "Alright. I''m counting on you, Ms. Cha." After parting ways with Cha Soo-Yeon, I headed straight to where Team Jung''s talent agents were. It was important to finish today''s filming without any further issues. *** All of our team members stayed close to Yoo-Jin to provide tight protection until midnight. Just as I had expected, a new schedule popped up right after midnight. [Notification: October 7th. A new schedule for Miss Jung Yoo-Jin has been added.] I immediately checked the nner. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: October 7, 2020] -00:55 a.m. [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Jung Yoo-Jin, deep scar on the face. Appointment with Doctor Jo Dae-Jin at Hansung University stic Surgery. I fumed. ''A scar on a celebrity''s face? There''s no way...'' I took a deep breath to suppress the boiling anger. "Huff. Huff~" There were 55 minutes left until the incident was supposed to happen. Once I managed to calm down, I quickly sent a message to the talent agents on KkTalk. [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: What''s Ms. Jang Si-Ah''s current location?] Since following her alone might tip her off, the talent agents took turns tracking the whereabouts of Jang Si-Ah. Shortly after, I received a message from Lee Yung-Jin. [Assistant Manager Lee Yung-Jin: She just entered the chicken coop.] [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: Okay. I''ll head over there right away, so wait for me.] After entrusting Yoo-Jin to Jung Sang-Bong and Lee Mi-Ri, I headed to the chicken coop with Yang So-Ri. *** An abandoned chicken coop located in a secluded corner of the set was a 50-meter-long rectangr greenhouse-like structure with several side doors. Because this was a ce where chickens were once actually raised, the chicken cages were still intact. Even though it was the next filming location, the staff were so busy that the area feltpletely deserted. Since the script supervisor recorded everything that happened on set, they often had the cue sheets and filming schedule memorized. As such, Jang Si-Ah was exceptionally aware of the times when there were no staff around and could evene up with dozens of excuses even if she got caught. When I approached the chicken coop, Lee Yung-Jin, who had been hiding and waiting for me, waved. "Mr. Jung, over here." "Yeah." I carefully approached and peered inside through the window. Just as I had expected, Jang Si-Ah was sawing the chicken coop cages with a hacksaw. She was sweating profusely and bending the sharply cut edges at right angles. ''Wow, she is actually out of her mind,'' I remarked inwardly. Soon, this location was set for a fight scene between Lee Byung-Jun and Yoo-Jin ying Cheongmyung. There were quite a few scenes where they would collide with the metal cages, and it seemed she had nned this by deliberately cutting and bending the cages to make them dangerous. I shook my head. ''She is insane...'' Grinding my teeth, I began recording everything on my phone. Then I immediately checked the nner again. [Everyday V10.1] [Date: October 7, 2020] -00:25 a.m. (Deleted Schedule: [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Jung Yoo-Jin, deep scar on the face. Appointment with Doctor Jo Dae-Jin at Hansung University stic Surgery.) Fortunately, the schedule was deleted right away. ''You''re finished now!'' I thought. All that was left now was to deal with her with the evidence captured. A momentter, Jang Si-Ah stood up from her spot after dusting off her hands. I immediately stopped the video recording and spoke to the talent agents who hade with me. "Yung-Jin, you go around to the other side. Ms. Yang, please go with him. I''ll corner her from the left." Both nodded and bent down to avoid being seen through the window as they quickly walked to the opposite door. I headed toward the left entrance of the chicken coop. As I opened the thick, ck greenhouse door, Jang Si-Ah was startled and froze in her tracks. "W-what is this?" "What are you doing here, Ms. Jang Si-Ah?" I questioned her. Despite my raised voice, Jang Si-Ah responded shamelessly. "I''m just doing a quick site check under the director''s orders." "Isn''t that something the props team should be handling?" "Well, we''re short on hands. I majored in art and even worked with props at a filmpany." I waved my phone at her to confront her tant lies. "Stop with the nonsense. I recorded everything outside, so just give up already. Ms Jang Si-Ah. You''re the one who swapped the knife, right?" At that moment, Jang Si-Ah was stunned and bolted toward the opposite door. However, Lee Yung-Jin and Yang So-Ri were already blocking that exit. Jang Si-Ah tried to push her way through, but she only ended up bouncing off as Lee Yung-Jin and Yang So-Ri stood their ground. Thud. Jang Si-Ahnded on her rear on the ground. I slowly approached her as she realized there was no way out. "There''s nowhere to run. So stop causing further trouble, Ms. Jang Si-Ah." A drama created with the hard work of many actors and staff should be known for its entertainment value and viewership ratings. It should not be marred by a stalker issue like this. That''s why I nned to handle this matter quietly without involving the press. I walked up to her step by step and stood in front of her. At that moment, Jang Si-Ah spat at me. "Fuck! Fine, I did it. Call the cops if you want!" "You''ll regret this..." I warned her. Jang Si-Ah scoffed. "Regret? The only thing I regret is not being able to ruin that bitch Jung Yoo-Jin! If she were gone, Yung-In could really be sessful!" Seeing that she still showed no remorse, I decided she needed a different kind of punishment before calling the police. "Yung-Jin,e inside." The door of the greenhouse opened and Lee Yung-Jin came running in. "Yes, Mr. Jung." I immediately gave Lee Yung-Jin a specific instruction. "Go bring Miss Ju Yung-In here. And ask Ms. Cha toe, too." "You want me to bring Miss Yung-In... here?" "Yes. Tell her that her stalker tried to attack Yoo-Jin. She''lle right away." At that moment, Jang Si-Ah''s expression turned pale. "What? No, wait... I-I was wrong! Please, wait!" Just as I thought, there was something she feared more than the police. It was the thought of being hated by the celebrity she adored. *** A little whileter, the bewildered looking Ju Yung-In arrived at the chicken coop with Cha Soo-Yeon. "O-oppa, what''s going on? My fan... targeted Yoo-Jin?" Though Yoo-Jin''s poprity had surpassed hers in this drama, Ju Yung-In was still the lead actress of a series that had consistently broken 30% viewership ratings. Her improved acting had received rave reviews more than just poprity, and offers for her next projects were pouring in. However, if I reported this incident to the press, all of that coulde crashing down. Knowing this, Chief Ahn Yung-Hee of Ace Entertainment who hade along, was also visibly pale. Rather than exining the situation, I handed my phone to Ju Yung-In to show her the recorded video. "Take a look at this." As Ju Yung-In, Ahn Yung-Hee, and Cha Soo-Yeon watched the video, their expressions simultaneously twisted in dismay. "Have you told the press about this...?" "Not yet. But I won''t have a choice but to tell them if Miss Yung-In''s side doesn''t handle this properly." Quick to grasp the situation, Ju Yung-In immediately understood what she had to do. "We''ll handle it on our own. Please leave it to us, okay?" When I nodded, Ju Yung-In clenched her teeth and approached Jang Si-Ah. "You! Why did you do this?" Jang Si-Ah began babbling nonsensical excuses, iming it wasn''t her fault. "B-but Miss Yung-In, you''re the lead of this drama! You did all the hard work and Yoo-Jin just reaped the rewards. This isn''t fair!" As Jang Si-Ah continued her twisted reasoning and excuses, Ju Yung-In stared at her coldly. Her eyes were full of contempt and disdain. Jang Si-Ah flinched under her re. "Why are you looking at me like that? You know it too, Miss Yung-In! That sly fox cozied up to the writer and stole all the good scenes! That''s why I did this to Jung Yoo-Jin and..." p~ At that moment, Ju Yung-In pped Jang Si-Ah across the face with all her might. Chapter 338: Shadow (5)

Chapter 338: Shadow (5)

Having been pped, Jang Si-Ah held her cheek and looked utterly stunned. She had done it all for Ju Yung-In, but she never imagined she would be pped instead of being understood. Ju Yung-In trembled with anger and red at Jang Si-Ah. "People like you... I hate you the most! Why do you meddle in my affairs and make others miserable? And you still call yourself my fan?" As Ju Yung-In scolded her harshly, Jang Si-Ah''s face turned pale as if her soul had left her body. She then began sobbing uncontrobly. Taking the opportunity, I signaled Cha Soo-Yeon to take Jang Si-Ah away. Cha Soo-Yeon nodded and picked up her phone. "Mr. Park, please bring a couple of discreet staff members from the props team to the chicken coop." ''Alright. This is enough,'' I thought. Jang Si-Ah had tried to harm someone driven by her obsessive fandom, but she was as much a patient as she was a criminal. A momentter, two staff members from the props team came and escorted the half-dazed Jang Si-Ah away. Cha Soo-Yeon sighed and looked at me. "Mr. Jung, thank you for handling this quietly. We''ll take care of Script Supervisor Jang discreetly with ourwyer." "If possible, please make sure she receives treatment at a hospital rather than prison," I replied. "We''ll do that." "I''ll send you the recorded video now." After sending her the video via KkTalk, Cha Soo-Yeon thanked me once more and left the chicken coop first. "Yung-Jin, we should go too." I nodded at Ju Yung-In and stepped out of the chicken coop with Lee Yung-Jin and Yang So-Ri. At that moment, Ju Yung-In followed us out and called out to me. "Wait a moment, oppa." Ju Yung-In still seemed worried that I might leak this to the press. In truth, this wasn''t her fault at all. She was, in fact, just another victim in this situation. I had no intention of tarnishing her name by involving the media. I said to Ju Yung-In, "I won''t inform the press as promised. And if you''re truly grateful, stay strong and do your best until the very end." As the lead actress, Ju Yung-In couldn''t afford to waver until the drama concluded as the lead actress. That way, Yoo-Jin''s performance would also shine brightly. "I will..." "Then take care." Just as I was about to turn away, Ju Yung-In called out. "I-I lost this time, but I won''t lose next time!" Determination was evident in Ju Yung-In''s eyes. For a moment, a thought crossed my mind as I looked at her and asked, "Yoo-Jin is already confirmed as the lead for Hwaranjeon. You''re not nning to join that show as a supporting role just to try and upstage her, are you?" Ju Yung-In shook her head. "I''d rather not shoot a drama at all than take a supporting role now!" "So are you nning to take the lead role in another drama andpete head-to-head?" Ju Yung-In responded with a determined expression. "Exactly!" ''Right. That''s the Ju Yung-In I know,'' I thought. In its own way, it would be good if Yoo-Jin were to have a rival. So I replied with a faint smile. "Understood. Well then, I''ll be off, I''m busy..." After giving a short farewell, I turned to head back to Yoo-Jin with my team. At that moment, Ju Yung-In''s voice called out from behind me. "And thank you for today, Yoon-Ho oppa." Ju Yung-In''s words of gratitude were starting to feel a bit more familiar. *** When I returned to the waiting area, Yoo-Jin was sitting there having just finished filming. As I told her that we had caught the culprit, she let out a short sigh of relief. "Phew. Thank goodness. But who was it?" "Script Supervisor Jang Si-Ah. But don''t worry. She won''t be allowed back on set." Visibly relieved, Yoo-Jin patted her chest. "Thank you, oppa." "There''s no need to thank me. It''s what I''m supposed to do. Any talent agent would do this much." Yoo-Jin smiled softly. "I know now that not every talent agent is like you, oppa." I grinned in response. "If you''re that grateful, just keep giving it your best until the final shoot." Yoo-Jin knew a serious ident could have happened. But since we dealt with the problem early and prevented any harm, she was able to regain herposure more quickly than expected. "But why did she target me?" Yoo-Jin asked. I hesitated for a moment but decided to be honest. "She''s a huge fan of Ju Yung-In. She didn''t like that you were overshadowing her." At that moment, Yoo-Jin fell silent, lost in thought. Worried that Yoo-Jin might me herself, I quickly drew a line. "Yoo-Jin, don''t overthink it. It''s not your fault and you have no reason to feel sorry. Jang Si-Ah was the one who was out of line, not you. Don''t dwell on this and just focus on your acting." I was concerned that kind-hearted Yoo-Jin might start caring about the stalker''s feelings. However, Yoo-Jin surprised me with her unexpected response after snapping out of her thoughts. "I need to work even harder." "Huh?" "If I let this get me down, it would be like betraying the fans who support me. I feel bad for Yung-In and Ms. Jang Si-Ah... but this isn''t something I should step back from or apologize for." I couldn''t help but feel proud to think that the girl from Cheonho-dong, who once worked at a Burger Queen and had so many worries, had grown this much. Yoo-Jin seemed to think her words were arrogant as she stuck out her tongue shyly. "But you have to let me know if I ever get too full of myself, okay?" "Sure, I will. But keep being confident just like now. It suits you better." With renewed determination, Yoo-Jin shouted enthusiastically. "Yes! I''ll do my best out there!" Even though it was past midnight, Yoo-Jin was ready to give it her all again, insisting that things wouldn''t go the way Jang Si-Ah wanted. *** On October 7th, Episode 21 of In the Name of God hit a viewership rating of 34.8%. Today was October 8th: the day Episode 22 would air, where Manshin Wol-Ah died and Cheongmyung took revenge. The members of Cherry Blossom who were preparing for theireback gathered in the living room on the first floor. Since they wouldn''t have time next week due toeback preparations, they nned to have a celebration party a week earlier than the final broadcast. There were ten minutes left before the drama started. While Haru and Jung In-Ji were preparing food, we all sat around in a circle and chatted. Sae-Ri had just finished a choreography lesson at Park Seon-Nyeo''s aerobics academy and was sprawled out on the sofa. "Huff, huff... Oppa, I feel like I''m going to die even before theeback~" "Sae-Ri, have things been toughtely?" "Yes. Mrs. Park is really going all out with our lessons this time, saying she wants to build stamina tost through twelve weeks. She''s not kidding around!" "She was probably disappointed that the ''Hurry Up'' promotions ended early because of stamina issues." "Yeah, that''s what she said." Just then, Yang Eun-Bi who was sitting nearby joined the conversation. "More importantly, Yoon-Ho oppa, I saw on Ha-Na unnie''s MeTube channel that a ton of new original songs areing out. Is she nning to release another album?" Sae-Ri looked startled. "What? Does that mean we have topete against Ha-Na unnie too?" Kang Ha-Na was set to step down from music show stages after next week. The selfposed songs she was currently working on were mainly intended for release on MeTube, so there wouldn''t be any directpetition between Cherry Blossom and Kang Ha-Na. However, seeing Sae-Ri''s flustered reaction made me want to tease her a bit. "What''s the matter? Are you not confident?" Sae-Ri fidgeted awkwardly. "It''s not that I''m not confident... I just don''t like the idea ofpeting against Ha-Na unnie." I grinned mischievously and asked again, "Should we dy Cherry Blossom''seback a bit then?" At that moment, Sae-Ri clenched her fist and shouted with unfounded confidence. "No way! And Ha-Na unnie already won first ce for four weeks, so we can definitely win this time. I''m sure of it!" Yang Eun-Bi smiled at Sae-Ri''s spirited answer. "Can you say exactly what you just said in front of Ha-Na unnie?" Sae-Ri''s eyes darted left and right nervously. "W-what do you mean?" "You just said you''d beat Ha-Na unnie! You said that just now." Sae-Ri''s voice trailed off and grew quieter in an instant. "Well, I did, but..." ''What a little bragger she is,'' I remarked inwardly. Still, it was nice to see Sae-Ri showing some confidence. I exined, "Ha-Na''s main activity will be on MeTube, so she won''t ovep with you guys on music shows. There might be a little ovep on the music charts though." Sae-Ri sighed in relief. "Phew~ Thank goodness." "Anyway, let''s do our best this time too." Only then did Sae-Ri finally beamed and shouted cheerfully. "Okay!" As the four of themughed and chatted, the tteokbokki made for ate-night snack arrived. "Let''s eat while we wait." Although all four of them were on a diet for theireback, I allowed them to eat tteokbokki since they had all starved today. When the tteokbokki was ced in front of them, their eyes lit up. "Yay! I''m having two eggs!" "I want extra sauce, please. I''ll mix it with the eggs." "I''ll take lots of fish cakes." "I just want the rice cakes." Each of them held out their tes and asked for their tteokbokki in their own style. As Jung In-Jiughed and served the tteokbokki, Episode 22 of In the Name of God began. *** Episode 22 of In the Name of God was all about Yoo-Jin. The first half showed Manshin Wol-Ah dying, the mid-section captured Cheongmyung screaming in agony over her mother''s death, and the second half featured intense action scenes fighting the psychopathic killer. For 50 minutes straight, the episode was gripping from start to finish whilepletely drawing viewers into Yoo-Jin''s performance. After the psychopathic killer barely escaped alive, Cheongmyung began the mourning rituals with the help of the male lead, Choi Kang-In, and the female lead, Bang Shin-Ae. No other guests showed up at the house of Manshin Wol-Ah except for the two main characters. Cheongmyung sat alone on the wooden porch and sang a mournful song. Cheongmyung''s requiem under the moonlight was deeply moving, touching the hearts of all who heard it. After the drama ended, I turned topliment Yoo-Jin on her performance but saw Yoo-Jin hugging Miso tightly while shedding tears in silence. ''I know. You worked really hard, Yoo-Jin...'' I silently remarked. Yoo-Jin had put in tremendous effort to bring the character of Manshin Wol-Ah to life from her speech, habits, expressions, and movements. She observed the elderly whenever she visited senior centers and repeatedly went over her lines until the script was worn out just to fully immerse herself into the role of Manshin Wol-Ah. Now, it was time to finally let go of the character Manshin Wol-Ah. "You did well, Yoo-Jin," I said as I patted her on the shoulder. Yoo-Jin gently nodded while Miso, who was nestled in her mother''s arms, tilted her head and asked, "Mom, why are you crying? Are you sad?" "No, it''s because I''m happy..." "Then why are you crying if you''re happy?" "Adults cry even when they''re happy." "Oh, I see~" With that conversation, Yoo-Jin and Miso slowly bid farewell to Manshin Wol-Ah. Just at that moment, my phone started buzzing incessantly. Advertisers, reporters, and PDs from various broadcasting stations were all reaching out to Yoo-Jin. I raised my eyebrows. "Here we go again." I set my phone to silent as usual, but then the KkTalk messages started pouring in this time. Among them was a message from Jang Ji-Hye, the president of Womans. [Womans President Jang Ji-Hye: Team Lead Jung. Let''s discuss next month''s cover. How about we do a full feature on Team Jung this time? Lee Tae-Poong, Haru, Yoo-Jin, and Kang Ha-Na. What do you think?] Though it was good news, this was something I had to decline. After all, it would be best to feature one person at a time on the cover to maximize exposure and benefit. At that moment, an app update notification suddenly popped up. [Everyday V3 has been released.] [Would you like to update the nner? YES/NO? (Applicable versions: Everyday V2, Everyday V10.1)] ''Right, the app update was around this time,'' I recalled. I tried to check the patch notes, but just like thest time, I couldn''t view them without updating the app first. [Unable to run the program.] [Would you like to update the nner? YES/NO?] I decided. ''If that''s the case, of course I''ll just hit YES!'' At that moment, the instation files started downloading immediately. [Downloading instation files.] [Downloading Everyday V3 instation file.] [Downloading Everyday V11 instation file.] This time, the V11 file was being downloaded instead of V10.2. A major version upgrade meant arge-scale update was underway. As soon as the file transferpleted, I checked the patch notes. [Everyday V11] [Description] -30% of the overall nner schedule has been confirmed to be altered. -The previously changed schedules have now affected future schedules. [Patch Notes] -1. New schedules for ''Kim Sae-Ri,'' ''Yoo Eun-Ah,'' ''Kang Ha-Na,'' and ''Lee Tae-Poong'' under the user''s management have been added. -2. For each star, only one new schedule per day will be allowed. -3. New schedules rted to the newly added stars will be notified via alerts. The newly updated Everyday V11 now included the names of all the members of ''Faithful'' that I was managing. True to its nature as a major update, I could now manage not only Yoo-Jin but also other individuals. Just then, new schedules started popping up as if on cue. [Notification: A new schedule for ''Jung Yoo-Jin'' has been registered for October 15, 2020.] [Notification: A new schedule for ''Kim Sae-Ri'' has been registered for October 24, 2020.] [Notification: A new schedule for ''Lee Tae-Poong'' has been registered for October 25, 2020.] As stated in the second point of the patch notes, separate future schedules appeared for each star. "Hopefully, they''re all good schedules..." Feeling anxious, I started checking the newly updated schedules one by one. October 15th was for Yoo-Jin''s fan club meeting, and October 25th was a routine event where Lee Tae-Poong would wrap up a local event and return to Seoul after a month of screenings. However, the schedule for October 24th was quite troubling. [Everyday V11] [Date: October 24, 2020] -10:00 p.m. [NEW. Kim Sae-Ri] Kim Sae-Ri. Assault on Girlfriend7''s Cha Do-Hee. (Meeting agenda: Preparing for negotiations with Ace Entertainment.) ''What? Our sweet Sae-Ri is going to assault someone?'' I wondered in disbelief. It was something I just couldn''t believe. Chapter 339: Cha Do-Hee (1)

Chapter 339: Cha Do-Hee (1)

I felt dizzy. October 24th was the day Sae-Ri would be making hereback with Cherry Blossom''s new song, ''My First Love Story.'' ''But why did this have to happen on the day of hereback of all days?!'' I agonized. More than that, I couldn''tprehend the idea of Sae-Ri hitting someone. She¡¯s all talk and bluster, but at the end of the day, she was just a loud, harmless kid. I considered the possibility that the gossip might have been spread by Ju Kang-Yong, a reporter from Entertainment Big News known for his tabloid stories. However, the meeting agenda in my nner clearly mentioned preparing negotiations with Ace Entertainment. That meant there had to have been some kind of physical contact, be it a shove or a p. However, there was another issue. ''Who''s Cha Do-Hee? I don''t remember any such name.'' In my past life, there was no one named Cha Do-Hee among the members of Girlfriend7. No matter how much I tried to recall, the name didn''t ring a bell. Wondering if Sae-Ri might know her, I asked, "Hey, Sae-Ri... do you happen to know anyone named Cha Do-Hee?" Sae-Ri, who had been eating a spoonful of egg soaked in tteokbokki broth, froze mid-bite. "Cha Do-Hee from Andong Best Elementary School, ss 2-2?" Sae-Ri stared at me with a wary expression. Not knowing what this was all about, I answered affirmatively for now. "Y-yeah, that''s right. Do you have any history with her?" Sae-Ri quickly turned her head away. "No." ''Why is she reacting like this?'' I wondered. Clearly, there was something between the two. At that moment, Haru sitting beside Sae-Ri spoke up. "Do-Hee used to be Sae-Ri''s best friend when they were younger, but she moved to Seoul in third grade. But how do you know Do-Hee, hyung?" Sae-Ri shouted at Haru, "She wasn''t my best friend!" Haru quietly averted his gaze. When the sulking Sae-Ri pouted her lips like a duck, Woo Yeon-Hee gestured to me, indicating that she would try to calm Sae-Ri down. Since I had never seen Sae-Ri this upset before, I gestured back to Woo Yeon-Hee to look into it and let me knowter. "Alright, I got it. Sae-Ri, I won''t ask anymore. So let''s wrap it up, okay?" "Promise?" "Yes. And I''ll buy you ice cream on the way, so let''s keep up the good work tomorrow too, okay?" Only then did Sae-Ri''s expression soften a bit. Her cheeks were still puffed up, but the duck lips were gone. Sae-Ri asked hesitantly, "Then... Can I have mint chocte...?" I replied, "But Sae-Ri, you never liked mint chocte before." Woo Yeon-Heeughed as she replied. "She''s started eating ittely because I do." "Is that so?" Sae-Ri stared at me intently. "What? Are you one of those mint chocte haters too, Yoon-Ho oppa?" I never cared for mint chocte before, but I answered without thinking when Sae-Ri''s eyes met mine. "What are you talking about? I''m going to have some tooter. I love mint chocte." Sae-Ri''s previously clouded face by thoughts of Cha Do-Hee finally brightened with a smile. "Then are you a mint chocte fan too, oppa?" I gave a resigned look. ''What did I just get myself into?'' However, it was toote to back out now. I nodded reluctantly. "Yeah, a huge mint chocte fan. That''s me." Yang Eun-Bi and Yoo Eun-Ah gave me looks as if telling me not to push myself too far, but this was nothing if it meant cheering Sae-Ri up. I stood up and shouted, "Alright, shall we go? Let''s go~!" "Let''s get it~!" After leaving Yoo-Jin''s house, I stopped by Baskin Robbins 51 on the way back to Cherry Blossom''s dorm. I ordered a Mint Chocte King for Sae-Ri and myself, a Mom is a Supergirl for Woo Yeon-Hee, a Quadruple Cheese for Yang Eun-Bi, and an Almond Bonbonbon for Yoo Eun-Ah. We each got our own cups and started eating at the dorm. That night, I tried mint chocte ice cream for the first time in my life. ''It''s actually not bad at all.'' I thought. That was my first impression of mint chocte ice cream. *** "T-this isn''t right... Mint chocte really isn''t for me..." I groaned. When I woke up the next day, I felt bloated. It seemed like it was because of the mint chocte I hadst night. After making a few trips to the bathroom, I was sprawled out on the living room couch and fiddled with my phone. Just as expected, entertainment news sections werepletely filled with articles about thest episode of In the Name of God. [In the Name of God Episode 22 Viewership Rating Soars to 36.7%! Breaks the 35% Record!] [The Shocking Death of Manshin Wol-Ah in In the Name of God!] [Ster Dual Performance by Jung Yoo-Jin in In the Name of God!] [Psychopathic Killer Yoo Han-Myung vs. Cheongmyung in In the Name of God.] (Comments) -Was Jung Yoo-Jin''s solo showst night for real? -Even though we already know it''s Yoo-Jin, it was still hard to believe Manshin Wol-Ah was her. -Jung Yoo-Jin''s acting is at a legendary level. No one disagrees with that, right? -She''s definitely one of the top-tier actresses in Korea. She''s showing what it means to be a true acting genius. -LOL, these viewership ratings are insane. Thanks to Yoo-Jin''s incredible performance, In the Name of God shattered the 35% viewership ratings mark, the benchmark for a mega-hit. No Wednesday-Thursday drama had achieved such high viewership ratings in thest ten years. With this, Yoo-Jin was practically guaranteed an award this year. "There''s going to be a flood of ad offers," I remarked. When I checked my phone, I saw 52 missed calls and 315 KkTalk messages. I felt a bit intimidated just thinking about having to go through all of them. "Guess I better head to work." Just as I struggled to get up, a KkTalk message arrived from Woo Yeon-Hee. [Woo Yeon-Hee: Yoon-Ho oppa, I asked Sae-Ri about it. Apparently that Cha Do-Hee girl used to bully her.] I was surprised. ''Sae-Ri was bullied? With her personality?'' Sae-Ri''s family was prominent in their region, which made it unlikely for anyone to mess with her so easily. I immediately replied with a question because I couldn''t understand. [Jung Yoon-Ho: But Sae-Ri''s grandfather is a major figure in that area. How could that happen?] [Woo Yeon-Hee: Cha Do-Hee''s dad was the district governor there.] A district governor had immense power, especially in rural areas where most things operated through connections. With that, it made sense why Sae-Ri''s influential family wasn''t enough to protect her back then. [Jung Yoon-Ho: Do you know how badly she was bullied?] [Woo Yeon-Hee: She wouldn''t tell me, but Sae-Ri''s never been this upset before, so I''m really worried.] [Jung Yoon-Ho: I''m sorry to ask you this, but can you keep an eye on her mental state? I''lle by the dorm as soon as I''m done with work.] [Woo Yeon-Hee: Okay.] As soon as I finished replying to Woo Yeon-Hee messages, Haru came out of his room and rubbed his eyes. "Good morning, hyung. Did you sleep well?" ''What perfect timing.'' "Yeah. Haru, can you tell me a bit about Cha Do-Hee?" Haru scratched his head and began to speak reluctantly. "Well... Sae-Ri and Do-Hee were best friends throughout first and second grade. They were always together, so much that people thought they were fraternal twins." Haru continued to exin that their rtionship began to take a turn for the worse in the second grade when Sae-Ri''s grandmother threw a party for Haru''s birthday. Apparently, the two girls had a huge fight during the party and theypletely drifted apart afterward. "Any idea why they fought?" I asked. Haru shook his head. "No, I don''t know." A thought urred to me. ''Wait a second. Now that I think about it, if the girls fought at Haru''s birthday party...'' When I carefully studied Haru''s face, he tilted his head in confusion. "What is it, hyung?" "Nothing. It''s nothing." I had a suspicion that it might be rted to a childhood first love, but I couldn''t be sure. Anyway, if the scheduled event regarding Sae-Ri hitting Cha Do-Hee remained, Cherry Blossom''seback would be ruined. I had to act fast. At that moment, Haru added. "Oh, and hyung, Do-Hee''s father is a current member of the National Assembly." Haru exined that Cha Do-Hee''s father, Cha Sang-Tae, was the handsome National Assembly member representing the newly established Yeongdeungpo-gu constituency. Haru exined he was also known as a doting father to his daughter. A sitting National Assembly member was definitely not an easy opponent, but I had no intention of backing down. "Thanks for the info. Hurry up and get ready. I''ll take you to school today," I told Haru. "Really? That''s awesome!" Haru eximed. It had been a while since I personally took him to school. When I told him I would drop him off, Haru beamed and hurried to the bathroom. *** After dropping Haru off and arriving at thepany, I found Team Jung''s members waiting for me with tired eyes. "...Hi, Mr. Jung." Lee Yung-Jin and Do Ran-Hee slumped over their desks and turned only their heads to look at me. "What''s wrong with you two?" Lee Yung-Jin silently held up his phone in silence. It showed the same number of missed calls and KkTalk messages as I had received. "Did you seriously take all those calls?" Lee Yung-Jin struggled to get up and answered. "Yes..." "But why?" "I got promoted to Assistant Manager, so I have to work harder." It seemed like neither of them had slept properly and both had shown up at the office at 4 a.m. Yoo-Jin had received a total of 55 ad offersst night, of which nine were offers of 500 million won or more. Taking into consideration our existing ads, we could ept up to three without ovepping. I praised them. "The both of you have done well." Do Ran-Hee shook her head. "This much is necessary for a promotion to a division." I was impressed. "Wow, our Assistant Manager Do. You''ve changed since your promotion. Keep it up like this and I''ll make sure you get promoted to team lead next." "Like this? So you mean I should work like I did at 4 a.m. this morning...?" "Yes, of course." At that moment, Lee Yung-Jin and Do Ran-Hee nced at each other. "Ran-Hee, let''s not be talent agents in our next lives," Lee Yung-Jin remarked. Do Ran-Hee shuddered dramatically, saying she got chills. "Oppa, I almost quit being a talent agent in this life just now!" I smirked internally. ''If you two died and came back to life, you''d be talent agents again in a heartbeat.'' After all, it was far easier to travel a path you''ve been down before than to venture into the unknown. Then, Lee Yung-Jin with his tousled hair handed me two sheets of paper. "Mr. Jung, the first page is a list of the ad contracts that came in yesterday..." "Okay." He continued. "And the second page is thepany''s revenue summary. And guess what? Our team has already surpassed 10 billion won in sales." I snapped to attention. The condition for promotion to Chief was to hit 10 billion by the end of the year, and we had already surpassed it. "How did we exceed 10 billion in sales so quickly?" I asked. Lee Yung-Jin gestured. "Look at the second page." When I turned to the second page, I saw an unexpected name listed under Team Jung''s revenue records. "Mrs. Lee Mal-Soon...?" Lee Mal-Soon was managed by Singer Division 2 but 30% of the revenue she generated was attributed to our team. "Mrs. Lee Mal-Soon insisted that her revenue should be attributed to Team Jung because it''s all thanks to you." "Oh, wow. What should I do to thank her?" "We already sent her a bunch of red ginseng slices and throat remedies as a gesture of gratitude from the team budget." However, this was not the end. We also received the entire revenue from Under the Big Tree, which had been taken by Yoo Sun-Jung. I remarked as I looked at the page. "At this rate, we might not just reach 100 billion by the end of the year but 200 billion." Today was October 9th and we still had about two months and three weeks left until the end of the year. Considering the year-end stage revenue from Lee Mal-Soon, we could possibly hit 200 billion. Once Hwaranjeon began production, the actor fees and writer''s royalties would start pouring in as well. "Ran-Hee, what do you think about having a Cherry Blossom concert at the end of this year?" I asked. Do Ran-Hee tilted her head. "How would we manage that with just a few songs?" "We can bring Ha-Na and Jong-Hoon and do it together." "So basically a joint concert?" "Yeah." Cherry Blossom was preparing three songs for theireback. The first title track was ''My First Love Story,'' and the other two were ''Autumn Winter Rain'' and ''The Twice-Blooming Cherry Blossom.'' All three songs were title track-level pieces, and they had four songs to perform including the previously released ''Hurry Up!'' If the four members each had a solo stage and a joint performance, we could create a setlist with about nine to ten performances. We could even increase the number of stages by adding guests. "It''s still a bit tight though..." Do Ran-Hee responded. "We can do it on a smaller scale. And if we invite the new trainees from Singer Division 1 as guests, they''ll be happy too," I suggested. Do Ran-Hee looked at me warily. "You mean Treviang?" "Yeah." Currently, Singer Division 1 was managed by Chief Han So-Yoo who recently joined Hoop Entertainment from Suhyaejong, recing Chief Cha Sang-Jin. Do Ran-Hee hesitated. "I''m not sure about putting them on stage..." "Why? Because they''re from the Suhyaejong line?" "..." "That''s exactly why we should do it." "What?" "With Chief Kim gone, now is the perfect time to pull those Suhyaejong kids over to our side." While Kim Dong-Soo was suspended, I nned to bring as many of his people over to my side as possible. This was to counter Choi Man-Sik''s attempt to seize control of thepany by using Bang Sang-Yung as his frontman. Though hesitant, Do Ran-Hee agreed to give it a try. "I''ll start nning it out." "Oh, by the way, Sae-Ri and Girlfriend7''s Cha Do-Hee don''t get along. So keep an eye on them." "How bad is it?" "She was Sae-Ri''s bully." Do Ran-Hee''s eyes narrowed. "She dared... to bully Sae-Ri? Should I leak this to all the reporters I know? No, I''ll go there myself and pull out every single strand of her hair!" ''Savage as always, Do Ran-Hee,'' I remarked inwardly. Even after exining that it happened in elementary school, Do Ran-Hee was fuming and said she couldn''t stand it. "Anyway, her father''s a member of the National Assembly." Do Ran-Hee froze in an instant like a malfunctioning robot. This time, it had gotten through to her. "Really?" "Yeah, he''s a rookie assemblyman in Yeongdeungpo district. So we''re the ones who''ll get hurt if we mess with them." An assemblyman was a different opponent from a chaebol. I had already experienced it with Park Sang-Gon. They were monsters who could push all responsibility onto an aide and even drive them to attempt suicide. "Anyway, I need you to dig a bit deeper since those two have that history." "Yes, Mr. Jung." "And Yung-Jin, check on the progress of Haru''s Table of Mukbang final round tomorrow." "Okay, Mr. Jung." "Then I''ll go see Sae-Ri. Keep up the good work." I nned to go to the dorm and try to convince Sae-Ri until the nner entry disappeared. At that moment, Kim Mi-Hye burst in and shouted. "Mr. Jung! We have a big problem!" "What is it?" "Look at this!" On the tablet that Kim Mi-Hye held up, there was a headline from a tabloid article. [Uingeback group C''s main vocalist Miss. K. More than just childhood friends with fellow actor Mr. H from the same agency? (Entertainment Big News)] The article was published by Entertainment Big News, the tabloid where the despicable reporter Ju Kang-Yong worked. It was also the same newspaper that would release the article that Sae-Ri allegedly assaulted Cha Do-Hee. However, the article included some surprisingly specific details that seemed to lend credibility to the gossip. -Their Childhood friend Miss. C: "The two have been more than friends since they were kids..." -Testimony from rookie girl group member Miss. C: "They must be dating by now, right? There was this one time when..." The information shared could onlye from someone who knew them personally, and it was clear that Miss C was likely Cha Do-Hee. ''Fate really has a twisted sense of humor,'' I thought. I had nned to handle this quietly, but I couldn''t back down now with this preemptive strike. I was Sae-Ri''s talent agent and I had to protect her. At that moment, the meeting room was filled with the sound of Team Jung''s talent agents'' phones ringing all at once. -Phone call~! -Answer the phone~~! -Hurry, hurry~ up, up! Chapter 340: Cha Do-Hee (2)

Chapter 340: Cha Do-Hee (2)

Entertainment Big News was a tabloid that saw its credibility plummet after targeting Yoo-Jin. They hadn''t been getting much exposure recently. However, their article made it to the top of the entertainment news page today for some reason. At that moment, reporters from other entertainment newspapers started calling and asking about the truth. "It''s not true! It''s a lie." "What are you talking about? They''re just in the third year of middle school!" "Why are you asking me that, Reporter Park?" "Are you out of your mind? Just because you''re a reporter doesn''t mean you can say anything you want!" Perhaps they had received malicious questions from the reporters, the talent agents began responding with harsh voices. Kim Mi-Hye sighed. "They seem to havee after us fully prepared this time." Normally, we would have simply dismissed it as gossip. But since Miss C''s testimony was quite detailed, the public was taking this article as fact. "Mrs. Kim, did you contact Entertainment Big News?" "I tried calling them on the way here, but they wouldn''t answer no matter how many times I tried." "Then we''ll have to go in person. Get ready." "Yes, sir!" Even as we were talking, Haru and Sae-Ri''s names were climbing the real-time search rankings. After reminding the team members once more to respond firmly, I headed to the underground parking lot. The first ce to visit was, of course, Entertainment Big News. Next stop was Ace Entertainment. Even though Entertainment Big News wrote the article, the fact that there was Miss C''s testimony meant Ace Entertainment was involved, too. ''You''re all done for,'' I thought. *** We arrived at the Entertainment Big News headquarters. However, our car got stuck at the entrance to the parking lot. "Hey, I''m telling you. You can''te in!" "Then could you please contact Mr. Go Dong-Min? I just want to talk to him in person. Please?" The security guard firmly shook his head. "That''s enough. I have nothing more to say to you. Move your car right now!" It seemed as if they had already informed the guards about us beforehand, as the guard blocked entry with a stern attitude. In the end, I had to park on the roadside where thepany entrance was visible without even getting inside. Kim Mi-Hye sitting in the passenger seat asked, "Mr. Jung, what are you going to do now?" "We''ll have to wait a bit here. They''lle out for lunch soon." It was currently 11:20 a.m, and lunchtime was just around the corner. Looking at the entrance of the Entertainment Big News building, Kim Mi-Hye had an anxious expression. "But what if they get food delivered?" "No, Go Dong-Min is a gourmet. He''ll make sure to eat properly." Kim Mi-Hye gave me a look, wondering how I knew something that even she, who was in charge of publicity, didn''t. However, there was no time for exnations now. Five minutes passed quickly as I thought about how to handle this situation. "Oh, there he is." At 11:30 a.m., Go Dong-Min finally walked out of the building. About five other reporters also followed him out. I gave Kim Mi-Hye specific instructions. "When I get out of the car, move over to the driver''s seat." "What are you nning to do?" "There''s no time to exin in detail. Just keep the engine running and be ready to leave immediately." I turned on the recording app on my smartwatch and got out of the car. Watching Kim Mi-Hye get out from the passenger seat, I quickly walked over to Go Dong-Min. "Hello, Mr. Go." At that moment, Reporter Lee Pil-Seon standing next to Go Dong-Min shouted angrily. "How dare you barge in like this after what you''ve done? We have nothing to say to you, so get lost right now!" Because of my past conflict with Reporter Ju Kang-Yong, there wasn''t a single reporter at Entertainment Big News who didn''t know me. "I have something important to tell you, Mr. Go." "What kind of nonsense are you trying to pull this time? Get lost now!" That''s when Go Dong-Min raised his hand. "Stop. Since he came all the way here, let''s hear what he has to say." ''Yes, that''s the spirit. They probably wrote that article just to make money anyway,'' I thought. Go Dong-Min subtly hinted that he would take down the article if I paid. "It seems like you''vee with a good offer. Am I right?" When I nodded, Go Dong-Min told the reporters to step back. "Reporter Lee, take everyone over there for a while." "But Mr. Go! This guy is the one who sent Ju Kang-Yong sunbae to jail." "So what?" "Pardon? I-I mean..." "Don''t meddle and just do as I say." The reporters stepped back at Go Dong-Min''s annoyed tone. After looking around the surroundings for a moment, Go Dong-Min asked again. "So, how much are you offering?" As he asked for an initial offer, I responded in a barely audible voice. "Let''s not beat around the bush and get straight to the point. How about 300 million won?" I raised both hands as if I''d given up. Seeing this, Go Dong-Min''s face broke into a broad smile. He seemed to think he had finally gotten back at me for what happenedst time. He dismissed the offer without even blinking. "Isn''t a total of 300 million won a bit low? If it''s 300 million won each for Sae-Ri and Haru, then maybe. Don''t you think so?" He insisted that the two of them earned much more than that. "Sigh~ Okay, fine. Will that be enough?" I responded. Go Dong-Min''s face brightened up. "Hahaha. Sure. I hope you''re not too upset. You win sometimes and lose sometimes when you work,, you know. Let''s discuss the details at the office." "Understood. But by the way..." I said before pausing and leaning slightly forward while speaking in a voice only Go Dong-Min could hear. "Who gave you the tip-off? I have my suspicions, but..." Go Dong-Min nced around and answered, "Isn''t it obvious?" "Is it Ace Entertainment?" "Yeah, Ace Entertainment. Who else wouldmission something like this?" Then I asked onest thing. "And Miss C is Cha Do-Hee from Girlfriend7, right?" Go Dong-Min frowned. "Are you just going to keep asking questions without paying up?" "How about an extra 100 million won? It will go directly to you only, Mr. Go. All you need to do is just clear up my doubts." Go Dong-Min cleared his throat. "You''re putting me in a tough spot here... You''ll handle the money legally, right?" "Of course." Only then did Go Dong-Min start talking after a few more coughs. "Yeah, it was Cha Do-Hee. I heard she used to be childhood friends with Sae-Ri and Haru." Now I was certain who had testified. "Thank you, Mr. Go." When I bowed, Go Dong-Min tilted his head. "What for?" I tapped the screen on my smartwatch to stop the recording. After all, I had gotten all the information I needed. Looking directly at me, Go Dong-Min asked again. "What are you thanking me for?" "Our legal division''s team lead will soon send over the paperwork for my proposal. Awsuit for 300 million won each under Sae-Ri and Haru''s names, totaling 600 million won. And an additional 100 million wonwsuit directly to you, Mr. Go." I never said I''d pay him. He was the one who misunderstood from the beginning while I just went along with it. Realizing he had been tricked, Go Dong-Min''s face turned red out of anger. "Y-you... How dare a brat like you make a fool of an adult?" "Thanks for your help~ I''ll see youter." After finishing my words, I ran away at full speed. The shocked Go Dong-Min chased after me and shouted loudly. "Hey! Catch that guy!" At that moment, the young reporters behind him started chasing me upon hearing his voice. "Stop right there!" "Damn it, I knew he''d pull something like this!" I had moved quickly, so there was a good distance between me and the reporters. I shouted to Kim Mi-Hye in a loud voice, "Go! Go!" Seeing me running toward her, Kim Mi-Hye quickly opened the door. Thunk. When I jumped into the car and locked the door, Kim Mi-Hye immediately stepped on the gas. Vroom. Barely managing to shake off Go Dong-Min and his group, I finally let out a sigh of relief. "Phew~" Kim Mi-Hye drove straight onto the main road and asked with a shocked expression, "What on earth did you say to him?" "Oh, I just did a little recording. Let''s head to Ace Entertainment now." If they tried to deny anything after hearing this recording, I was prepared to upload the file to the inte. *** We arrived at Ace Entertainment''s underground parking lot. Through Ju Yung-In''s talent agent Ahn Yung-Hee, I had arranged a meeting with Girlfriend7''s producer, Epil K. After parking, we checked the news to understand the current situation. "They''ve got some nerve. Now they''re using real names?" I remarked. [Cherry Blossom''s Main Vocal Sae-Ri. Rumored to be in a rtionship with fellow agency member Haru.] "Mrs. Kim, tell the reporters who wrote this article to be prepared for the consequences." "Yes, Mr. Jung!" Kim Mi-Hye started calling each reporter one by one with a fiery look and raised her voice. "Mr. Kim! So you really want to go all the way with me, huh? What? What did you say? Hey! How old are you?" While Kim Mi-Hye was battling with the reporters over the phone, I chatted with the Hoengseong Girl''s High School girls via KkTalk. [Sung Ji-Yeon: Mr. Jung! Leave it to us! We''ll gather everyone and start working on it.] [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: Thank you~! I''m counting on you girls.] Despite being busy with exam prep, the Hoengseong High School girls replied that they would rally everyone to respond to the articles and maliciousments. A littleter, we got out of the car after Kim Mi-Hye finished making her threatening calls to the reporters and headed to the lobby. After meeting Ahn Yung-Hee in the lobby of Ace Entertainment, we took the elevator. "Producer Epil K and Chief Lee Chan-Dong are the ones who led this incident," said Ahn Yung-Hee. She exined that Epil K, who bore a grudge because of the giarism issue involving Bang Seon-Woo''s song, and Lee Chan-Dong, who had been fired as Ju Yung-In''s talent agent, were the main culprits behind this situation. "Thank you for the information." "There''s no need to thank me. After all, you covered up for us at the filming site when Yung-In had issues." Although we''ve had our fair share of troubles before, Ahn Yung-Hee was someone who definitely believed in give and take. In the meantime, the elevator had reached the 11th floor. As we entered the meeting room, Epil K and Lee Chan-Dong were waiting for us. Epil K''s real name was Kim Pil-Seok and he had once tried to copy Bang Seon-Woo''s song. He stood there with his arms crossed while looking at me mockingly. Next to him, Lee Chan-Dong watched us with an amused expression. Ahn Yung-Hee said to me, "Alright, I''ll get going then. Go ahead and talk." "Yes, Mrs. Ahn." As the meeting room door closed, Lee Chan-Dong started the conversation first. "Editor Go Dong-Min just called me. He said you made an illegal recording, Team Lead Jung!" "Illegal recording?" "Yes!" I responded with a smirk. "I''m not even going to submit it to court, so what''s the big deal?" "What?" "But listen to this. What do you think would happen if this recording identally spread all over the inte?" I ced my smartwatch on the table and yed the recording. -Yeah, Ace Entertainment. -You''ll handle the money legally, right? -Yes, Cha Do-Hee from Girlfriend7 is the one who said it. Hearing the three key statements, Lee Chan-Dong and Epil K''s expressions darkened in an instant. "I don''t intend to spread this myself... But if I were to lose my smartwatch by chance and someone else leaked the recorded content online, there wouldn''t be much I could do, would there?" I said with a smirk. I hinted that I would pretend to lose the smartwatch and have a private investigator release it. Realizing what I meant, Lee Chan-Dong ground his teeth and tried to threaten me. "There will be consequences if you handle things like that." Epil K also red at me with fierce eyes. "You clearly don''t know who you''re messing with. If you knew how influential Do-Hee''s family is, you''d be shocked." "I''m aware that Cha Do-Hee''s father is Assemblyman Cha Sang-Tae. But with the ongoing party leader''s bribery scandal, I suppose it''s not a good time for a rookie assemblyman to make waves, is it? You both should be more aware of the situation!" Seeing that I wasn''t backing down, the two''s faces grew even darker. "So what''s it going to be? Are you going to take the article down or do you want to take this all the way?" Lee Chan-Dong hesitated. "W-wait a minute. This isn''t something we can decide on our own." "Then what?" "We''ll discuss it among ourselves and get back to you." "That''s ridiculous. Stop with the nonsense. Once we leave this room, there''s no turning back." Even while we were talking, the rumor was spreading rapidly. There was no way I was backing down now. I had to settle this here and now no matter what. "Alright. Let me call the President and..." Lee Chan-Dong nced at me as he made the call. A momentter, President Im Sung-Hak of Ace Entertainment arrived. "Oh my, Team Lead Jung. You came all the way here?" Standing next to Im Sung-Hak was a girl about 170 cm tall. She was none other than Cha Do-Hee, the assemblyman''s daughter who gave false testimony in the article about Sae-Ri. *** Just as Cha Sang-Tae was known for his good looks, his daughter Cha Do-Hee was also quite attractive. It looked like she hade straight from practice: her hair was wet with sweat and she was smiling brightly in her pink tracksuit. ''What is this?'' I wondered. She should be feeling intimidated in a situation like this if she was just a regr trainee. After all, her false testimony had brought the team lead from anotherpany to protest. However, Cha Do-Hee was different. She smiled as if this were all a joke."Are you Sae-Ri''s talent agent, oppa?" "Yes, I''m Sae-Ri''s talent agent." Cha Do-Hee extended her hand for a handshake. "Wow~ You''re so handsome. I thought you were an actor. Oh, by the way, I''m Cha Do-Hee. Nice to meet you, talent agent oppa!" "I don''t think we''re in a position to be shaking hands." Cha Do-Hee pouted her lips. "Are you mad at me right now?" I felt it was pointless to have any further conversation with Cha Do-Hee, so I turned to Im Sung-Hak instead. "Mr. Im, you heard what happened on your way here, right? What are you going to do now?" Im Sung-Hak shrugged his shoulders. "If it''s about Girlfriend7, you should talk to Do-Hee here. That''s why I brought her." Cha Do-Hee smiled and pointed at herself with her thumb as if to say I should deal with her. At that moment, I started to understand the situation. I had thought Cha Do-Hee was merely following orders from thepany, but she was actually one of the masterminds. It wasn''t umon for child stars who grew up in the entertainment industry to be like adults too soon. ''But for a trainee who hadn''t even debuted yet to wage a media war against her rival? You''re quite an interesting kid, aren''t you?'' I remarked inwardly. Chapter 341: Cha Do-Hee (3)

Chapter 341: Cha Do-Hee (3)

In some cases, small agencies, struggling financially and often burdened by chronic deficits, would eagerly include the daughter of a wealthy family in their debut lineup when she brought in money, hoping to be an idol. In return, the wealthy family funded album production, outfits, operational costs, and music videos. So everyone from the president to the talent agents treated her like a princess. However, it was impossible that Ace Entertainment, the toppany in the industry, had a shortage of production funds. This meant there could only be one reason. Since entertainmentpanies were being criticized for their shady financial dealings with the ruling party leader, they needed the protection of Assemblyman Cha Sang-Tae. That''s why Im Sung-Hak was casually epting something that usually only happened at small agencies. It was absurd, but not entirely iprehensible. Even during my time at Top Entertainment in my past life, Kim Dong-Soo often resolved situations that were way over his head by relying on politicians. ''So the one in control here is Cha Do-Hee,'' I thought. I immediately turned my gaze to the sixteen-year-old Cha Do-Hee. Cha Do-Hee blinked herrge eyes and asked, "Talent agent oppa, did youe all the way here to ask us to take the article down?" "Yes, that''s correct," I responded firmly and politely. Cha Do-Hee pouted and began toin. "But why are you talking so harshly? I just answered what the reporter asked me..." "How did you do the interview for such nonsense to be published?" Cha Do-Hee stuck her tongue out slightly and answered, "The reporter just twisted what I said. You have no idea how shocked I was." Looking surprised, Cha Do-Hee ced her hand on her chest. Her expressions changed so naturally that I thought she would be good at acting. "Stop beating around the bush and answer me. What are you nning to do now?" I questioned her. "I''m sorry~ I''ll call my mom right now and ask her to have the article taken down. Is that good enough?" I had met many people in my past life but never encountered anyone like Cha Do-Hee. Usually, those who relied on their parents'' influence refused to admit their mistakes and acted even more aggressively¡ªlike Director Jo Jae-Kyung. However, Cha Do-Hee easily admitted her wrongdoing and even apologized. She even called her mom and asked her to handle the issue right away. "Mom. Yeah, it''s Do-Hee! Can you please have the article about Sae-Ri and Haru taken down? Huh? Yeah, that''s the situation. Love you. See you at dinner~" After finishing the call, Cha Do-Hee spoke nonchntly."My mom said she''ll handle it right away!" At that moment, Im Sung-Hak sitting beside her joined the conversation. "Team Lead Jung, just wait a bit and the article will be taken down! Do-Hee made a mistake since it was her first interview, but we''ll make sure she''s more careful in the future." It was obvious that he was lying just looking at his expression. However, arguing over that wasn''t as urgent as having the scandal article about Sae-Ri and Haru corrected. I made a request. "Mr. Im, Ace Entertainment should also release a correction article that Miss C is Cha Do-Hee here and her testimony is false." Im Sung-Hak agreed. "Okay. Since Do-Hee made a mistake, I''ll take care of it. We''ll do as you say." Surprisingly, Im Sung-Hak readily picked up the inte and called the director of the promotion team. "Hey, it''s me. Release a correction article right away. Include an apology to Hoop Entertainment as well." Im Sung-Hak looked at me after ending the call. "Is that good enough?" "I''ll give you my response after confirming the article. And our president will be calling separately," I replied. "Alright." A momentter, I got a call from Do Ran-Hee. -Mr. Jung! Entertainment Big News just called to say they''re taking down the article! They''ll post an apology article right away too! Cha Do-Hee smiled brightly and said, "See? I told you my mom would handle it." The issue was resolved faster than expected. As the main tabloid article from Entertainment Big News was taken down, other rted articles started disappearing quickly. Cha Do-Hee continued. "By the way, can you please let me meet Sae-Ri? I want to apologize to her in person for what happened today!" ''No way,'' I remarked inwardly. Unless Sae-Ri wanted to meet her, I had no intention of letting that happen. Since the urgent matters were now resolved, I decided it was time to put Cha Do-Hee in her ce. ''If I let a person who was bold enough to use the media get away with it, who knows what she might do next,'' I thought. Cha Do-Hee persistently asked me with a yful charm if I could help her arrange a meet-up with Sae-Ri. However, I responded coldly. "Miss Do-Hee, do you know that a bullying rumor is scarier for an idol than a dating scandal?" "Oh,e on~ Who doesn''t know that?" "I''m d you''re aware. Then consider this a warning. If you dare spread any more nonsense about celebrities from ourpany, we''ll release an article iming that you bullied Sae-Ri." Cha Do-Hee tilted her head. "What? Did Sae-Ri say that? That I bullied her?" "Not just Sae-Ri but Haru said the same thing. If necessary, we can go to Andong to find more witnesses." For the first time, Cha Do-Hee looked flustered. "Haru said that? That''s ridiculous. He''s not the kind of kid who would say something like that..." The mention of Haru wiped the rxed smile off Cha Do-Hee''s face in an instant. I warned her. "In any case, I don''t let it go easily once I start something. So you better keep my words in mind!" As the atmosphere turned serious, Cha Do-Hee looked at Im Sung-Hak as if pleading for help. Recognizing her gaze, Im Sung-Hak turned to confront me. "Team Lead Jung, isn''t it a bit too much to go after her just because she made one mistake? If you keep this up, we won''t just sit back and watch." Epil K and Lee Chan-Dong joined in. "Team Lead Jung, don''t overdo it. Who targets someone before they even debut?" I stared back at the three of them and replied, "Why did you mess with our artists in the first ce? Didn''t you learn anything after the ZIZAK members were wiped out?" The boy group ZIZAK managed by Lee Chan-Dong was practically disbanded after messing with Cherry Blossom with Golden Road. At that moment, the three red at me as if they wanted to tear me apart. Without batting an eyelid, I warned them again not to mess with our artists, even unintentionally, and then got up and left. With the Entertainment Big News article taken down and the correction published, there was no reason to stay any longer. "Mrs. Kim, let''s go." "Yes, Mr. Jung." I checked my nner as soon as I left the meeting room. [Everyday V11] [Date: October 24, 2020] -10:00 a.m. (Deleted Scheduled Event: [NEW. Kim Sae-Ri] Kim Sae-Ri. Assault on Girlfriend7''s Cha Do-Hee. (Meeting agenda: Preparing for negotiations with Ace Entertainment.)) It seemed that directly warning Cha Do-Hee had been the right move. I let out a sigh of relief and headed to Cherry Blossom''s dorm to calm the startled Sae-Ri. *** Cha Do-Hee couldn''t shake her frown even after Jung Yoon-Ho left. Im Sung-Hak tried tofort her with a worried expression. "Do-Hee, don''t worry too much. He''s just trying to scare you." At that moment, Cha Do-Hee shook her head and suddenly said something out of the blue to Im Sung-Hak. "Mr. Im, can we recruit that oppa?" "Recruit? You mean Jung Yoon-Ho?" "Yes. I want that talent agent oppa... I want him." As Cha Do-Hee continued with her unexpected deration, Im Sung-Hak cleared his throat. "Ahem. What do you mean you want him... Why so suddenly?" "You know even you can''t do anything against me because of my parents, right? But that oppa, he even had the guts to threaten me. And most importantly... he''s handsome." Im Sung-Hak looked troubled upon hearing her words as Cha Do-Hee was known to have a demanding personality. "It''s not as easy as it sounds, Do-Hee," Im Sung-Hak replied with a frown. Cha Do-Hee red back. "You always say things are difficult, Mr. Im." Im Sung-Hak frantically waved his hands. "No, I''m not saying it''s impossible..." Im Sung-Hak hesitated, wondering if he should reveal that he had already tried and failed to recruit Jung Yoon-Ho. At that moment, an idea popped into Im Sung-Hak''s head which would make recruiting Jung Yoon-Ho possible. If all went well, he could even secure Ju Yung-In''s contract renewal, since the recruitment of Jung Yoon-Ho was also a condition that Ju Yung-In had set. Im Sung-Hak spoke up. "If you want something, of course we should make it happen. But recruiting that guy won''t be easy. As you saw, he''s got a lot of pride." "So what do you suggest?" Cha Do-Hee asked. "If your father helps us a little, it might be possible." Cha Do-Hee''s face brightened. "Well, there''s nothing I can''t get if I ask Dad. Alright, I''ll talk to him." As Cha Do-Hee hummed happily, Im Sung-Hak and Lee Chan-Dong exchanged nces. "By the way, Do-Hee, it''s time for practice. Didn''t you say you''d never lose to Sae-Ri?" "Oh, right. I''ll go to practice now~" Whenever Sae-Ri was mentioned, Cha Do-Hee''spetitive spirit red up. *** As soon as I walked into Cherry Blossom''s dorm, Sae-Ri blinked her eyes and ran over as she looked up at me, eyes brimming with tears. "Yoon-Ho oppa! What happened?" I gently wiped the corner of her eyes and smiled. "What do you think? I took care of everything~" "Sigh~ That''s a relief." The members of Cherry Blossom sighed in relief andforted each other. I ced the cheese tteokbokki and fried snacks I had brought on the table. "Everyone, eat this to relieve some stress." "Thank you~" The girls, who hadn''t eaten anything since the chaos broke out in the morning, eagerly tore into the food. While Cherry Blossom quickly unpacked the ck bags with food inside, I took Lee Ju-Yung to the kitchen to brief her on what had happened at Ace Entertainment. Lee Ju-Yung wore a surprised expression. "Huh? A sixteen year old did all that?" "Her mom helped, but she''s got a natural talent for causing trouble. It''s no wonder Sae-Ri dislikes her." Lee Ju-Yung looked sympathetically at the living room. "So what do we do now?" "Tonight, try to get more information from Sae-Ri about Cha Do-Hee." The more we knew about Cha Do-Hee, the better we could prepare. "Understood. I''ll do that." After giving Lee Ju-Yung a few more instructions, I returned to the living room. "Everyone, listen up while you eat." The Cherry Blossom members paused their eating in unison. "For theeback stage, all of our team talent agents will be there to support you. So just focus on your performance. If reporters ask about this incident, direct them to the talent agents. Sae-Ri, make sure to tell them that Haru is just your childhood friend." All four nodded. "And Sae-Ri. Just so you know, your grandparents will being up for youreback." Sae-Ri blinked in surprise. "Grandpa''sing?" "Yes, they''reing to see your performance." With her grandparentsing, I didn''t have to worry about Sae-Ri''s mental state even if Cha Do-Hee tried to provoke her. After all, Sae-Ri would only want to show her best side in front of the grandparents she loved. "Anyway, the new song turned out great, so let''s aim for first ce. We can''t lose to someone like Girlfriend7, right?" Sae-Ri responded enthusiastically and the rest of Cherry Blossom joined in. "Of course not!" "We got this!" Just as they were shouting with determination, Sae-Ri''s face suddenly fell. "Sae-Ri, what''s wrong?" I asked. "I was supposed to cheer for Haru at his final match tomorrow. But now that my schedule''s been canceled, I''m worried. Haru has no family..." Sae-Ri exined sadly. "Canceled? Who said that?" Lee Ju-Yung sighed and answered. "Mr. Bang Sang-Yung." Then Woo Yeon-Hee added, "Yes, he said we should take it easy for a while since the activities areing up." Bang Sang-Yung was giving instructions to Cherry Blossom in his own way. However, my approach was different. At times like this, I preferred to boldly face the public rather than hide away. "Don''t worry, Sae-Ri. I''ll report it directly to Mr. Kang, so just stick to your original schedule for tomorrow." Sae-Ri''s face lit up. "Really?" "Of course! Who would dare stop you if you want to do something?" Sae-Ri jumped into my arms. "You''re the best, Yoon-Ho oppa!" At that moment, all the exhaustion from today''s struggles seemed to vanish. *** After a whirlwind day, I woke up and immediately checked the entertainment news section. The atmosphere in the entertainment news hadpletely shifted overnight. [Hoop Entertainment files a 700 million wonwsuit against Entertainment Big News for malicious scandal articles.] [Ace Entertainment issues another correction.] [Cha Do-Hee from Girlfriend7 exins tearfully on social media: "Sae-Ri and Haru are childhood friends. I''m truly sorry to both of them."] [Hoop Entertainment prepares to sue maliciousmenters.] Despite Entertainment Big News repeatedly publishing apology articles, Kang Gam-Chan refused to ept them and went ahead with thewsuit. He also threatened to sue Ace Entertainment, forcing them and Cha Do-Hee to issue public apologies again. Thanks to Kang Gam-Chan''s bold legal action, maliciousments quickly disappeared. The few remaining maliciousmenters were swiftly dealt with by the Hoengseong High School girls. Just as I was feeling relieved while reading the news, I heard Haru''s voice calling me from the living room. "Hyung~ it''s time to eat!" "Okay~" When I went out to the living room, the dining table was set with steaming white rice, soybean paste stew, rolled omelet, and four types of pickled side dishes. "Why did you go through so much trouble this morning when you have apetition today? I was nning to make breakfast for you," I remarked. "Ah, I was just practicing." "Practicing?" "Yes. This is the breakfast I''ll be presenting on today''s show." The dish Haru had to prepare today was ''Three Meals a Day for a Precious Person.'' The meal he prepared for thepetition was the first meal of the day, breakfast. I scratched my head. "I don''t know if I''m worthy of eating such a special meal." "Come on~ Of course you are, hyung. Please try it and give me your feedback." If Haru was cooking for a precious person, it was probably for his mother. Feeling a bit guilty, I picked up my spoon. The steaming white rice was chewy and each grain seemed to burst gently in my mouth. Next, I tasted the soybean paste stew. The savory and salty taste of the soybean pastebined with the soft tofu and perfectly cooked zhiniplemented the rice perfectly. Lastly, the rolled omelet melted in my mouth, harmonizing sweet, salty, and umami vors in a delightful way. Lost in the deliciousness, I found myself eating eagerly. "This is amazing!" Haru beamed brightly. "Really?" Just then, a long-awaited message from Lee Soo-Chan arrived on KkTalk.. [Lee Soo-Chan: Hyung-nim, I found a lead on Haru''s mother.] Chapter 342: Mayfly (1)

Chapter 342: Mayfly (1)

Lee Soo-Chan sent a photo along with his KkTalk message. With her hair dyed ck, Haru''s mother Natalia was dressed in a caregiver''s uniform. I carefully sent a reply, making sure Haru wouldn''t notice. [Jung Yoon-Ho: Where is she now?] [Lee Soo-Chan: She was at Hyo Nursing Hospital in Suwon Until six months ago, so I sent some people there. I''ll get back to you soon.] [Jung Yoon-Ho: Alright. If you find her, make sure to tell her that Haru is desperately looking for her. Also, get her contact information. Oh, and don''t forget to reassure her she doesn''t need to worry about Haru''s father.] [Lee Soo-Chan: Got it, hyung-nim.] As much as I wanted to share this good news with Haru, I suppressed my emotions. With the important final match just around the corner, it would be risky to distract him¡ªespecially if we failed to find his mom in Suwon. "Hyung, are you busy?" "No, I''m done now." I put down my phone and resumed eating the meal on the table. "This rice is really good. Is it a different kind?" I asked. "Yes, it''s freshly milled new crop rice. And please try the steamed cabbage too." Haru said he forgot about the steamed cabbage and quickly went to get it from the stove. "Dip the cabbage in this soy sauce here." As I followed Haru''s instructions and dipped the steamed cabbage in the seasoned soy sauce, a smile spread across my face. The sweet juice of the cabbage filled my mouth, blending perfectly with the salty taste of the sauce to create such a savory vor that I didn''t even think of trying other side dishes. "Wow~ this is amazing. You might win today just with this cabbage dish. How did you manage to get such aplex vor from cabbage alone?" Haru grinned. "It''s a secret recipe." "By the way, who is this meal dedicated to?" Haru looked at me with sparkling eyes and smiled. "That''s also a secret." It seemed he still wasn''t ready to reveal who his most precious person was. "Alright, got it. Anyway, just do your best today." "Okay." "Let''s eat quickly since we need to stop by the shop. You should eat some too." "Sure." Haru and I quickly finished our meal. Then I told Haru to go wash up while I started doing the dishes. After I finished the dishes, I packed Haru''s clothes and cooking tools. The high-end knife set I had bought him for thepetition looked as shiny as new, showing how carefully he had treated it. I also packed a knife sharpener and a few extra outfits for him to change into at the venue. ''I really hope Haru''s mom can make it to the final match...'' I thought. I fervently wished that Lee Soo-Chan would find Haru''s mother in time. After all, the person Haru wanted to serve his meals to was almost certainly his mom. *** I left Haru in the care of Lee Yung-Jin who hade over and then headed to Cherry Blossom''s dorm. As promised, I was going to take the Cherry Blossom members as guests to the final match of Table of Mukbang. It was 9:30 a.m. when I arrived at Cherry Blossom''s dorm. The ce was silent as everyone was still asleep. While I waited for the members and Lee Ju-Yung to wake up, I checked thetest articles. [Table of Mukbang, Final Round Live Broadcast. 5 p.m. First Part! (Total of Three Parts)] [Table of Mukbang Final Voting Text. 1577-8282] [Table of Mukbang Haru''s Famous ''Charcoal Bulgogi'' from the Semifinals. Coboration Product with CEO Baek Jong-Seok Coming Soon. Late October!] Last week''s semifinal broadcast of Table of Mukbang had a 11.5% viewership rating, which was exceptionally high for an audition program. Thanks to yesterday''s scandal, Table of Mukbang dominated the real-time search rankings and news articles. "I wonder what today''s viewership rating will be like." Just then, I heard the door to Woo Yeon-Hee and Sae-Ri''s room creak open. Woo Yeon-Hee was always the first to wake up. However, surprisingly, it was Sae-Ri who came out of her room first today while rubbing her swollen eyes. "Sae-Ri, are you okay? What''s wrong with your eyes?" I asked. Sae-Ri struggled to open her puffy eyes. "Huh? When did you get here, oppa?" "Just now. But what''s wrong with your eyes? Did you cry because of Cha Do-Hee?" Sae-Ri shook her head. "No, it''s not that..." Woo Yeon-Hee, who had followed Sae-Ri out, greeted me and answered for her. "It''s because she ordered tteokbokki against night. She tried to sneakily order Yeopgi King Tteokbokki without us knowing, but we caught her." ''Two servings of tteokbokki in one day? That''s a bit much,'' I remarked inwardly. Woo Yeon-hee turned to Sae-Ri and reprimanded her. "You shouldn''t have done that. Do you know how many calories there are in tteokbokki?" Sae-Ri flinched and tried to make excuses. "But yesterday was one of those days when I really needed it! Spicy food is the best way to relieve stress!" Woo Yeon-Hee yfully pulled on Sae-Ri''s cheeks while nagging. "That''s why I let it slide. But staying upte and eating snacks still deserves a scolding!" Sae-Ri''s cheeks stretched like mochi as she whined. "Unnie~ oww, that hurts!" Sae-Ri squirmed and resisted, but she couldn''t escape Woo Yeon-Hee''s grasp with such a difference in arm length. Meanwhile, I fetched an ice pack from the freezer. "Sae-Ri, let''s get that swelling down first." "Oppa, give it to me. I''ll do it." "Alright, here you go." I handed the ice pack to Woo Yeon-Hee. When Woo Yeon-Hee ced the ice pack on Sae-Ri''s face, Sae-Ri let out another scream. "Aaah! It''s cold!" With Sae-Ri iling around, Eun-Ah and Yang Eun-Bi woke up and appeared at the door. "Hi, Yoon-Ho oppa~" Although thepetition didn''t start until 5 p.m., we needed to be at the studio by 2 p.m because we had a pre-interview scheduled. Considering the time needed for hair and makeup at the salon, we had to leave within the next 30 minutes. "Everyone, hurry up and get ready. I''ll buy lunch boxes for everyone on the way except for Sae-Ri." There was no other way to reduce the swelling on her face. Sae-Ri sped her hands together. "Yoon-Ho oppa, can I just have half a roll of kimbap?" "Nope. Not a chance." "Aww, that''s so mean," Sae-Ri whined and pouted pitifully, but I steeled my heart as I looked at her swollen eyelids. While the members were getting ready, I had the chance to learn from Lee Ju-Yung why Sae-Ri and Cha Do-Hee had fallen out. On Haru''s ninth birthday, Cha Do-Hee saw the birthday present Haru received and wanted it for herself. Although Haru offered to give her something else because it was a gift from Sae-Ri, Cha Do-Hee insisted she wanted that specific gift. When Haru hesitated, Cha Do-Hee mentioned Haru''s mother who worked as a housekeeper for her family, using it to pressure Haru. In the end, fearing that his mother might lose her job, Haru gave up Sae-Ri''s gift. "A second grader did that?" I uttered with disbelief. Lee Ju-Yung nodded. "Yes. When Sae-Ri found outter, she had a huge fight with Do-Hee. They''ve been enemies since then." I shook my head disapprovingly. "She''s been pulling power ys and causing trouble since she was that young, huh... It''s like she was born for this." Knowing the backstory, I understood why Sae-Ri despised Cha Do-Hee so much. I recounted Cha Do-Hee''s behavior at Ace Entertainment and reminded Lee Ju-Yung again to keep a lookout for Cha Do-Hee. "Keep a close eye on Do-Hee. She''s not an ordinary kid." "Yes, Mr. Han Myung-Ho and Mr. Lee are also discussing countermeasures." Just then, Sae-Ri''s grandfather called. [Caller ID: Sae-Ri''s Grandfather] ''Why is Sae-Ri''s grandfather calling at this hour?'' I wondered. I asked Lee Ju-Yung to look after the kids. After she left the room, I answered the call alone. -Is this Team Lead Jung? "Yes, sir." -Team Lead Jung, I''m ashamed to even speak to you right now. "Pardon? What do you mean all of a sudden?" -It''s Hyung-Moon, that rascal. Today''s the day he was supposed to be discharged from the rehab center, so we went to pick him up. But he apparently left on his own early in the morning. He said he was heading to Seoul to see his son. "Mr. Lee Hyung-Moon?" Haru''s father, Lee Hyung-Moon, had been in an alcohol rehabilitation center. Today was supposed to be his discharge day and Sae-Ri''s grandparents had gone to meet him. However, several hours before they arrived, Haru''s father had left the facility alone. Even though we had taken various measures to protect Haru, it wasn''t easy to prevent his biological father from seeing him. ''What do I do now?'' I mulled. Of all days, something like this had to happen on the day of the finals. Nheless, I responded in a cheerful voice to reassure Sae-Ri''s grandfather. "It''s alright. You''ve already done so much to keep everything under control and I''m grateful for that. He may just want to see his son after being discharged from the rehab center. It might not be a big deal." -I hope not. Anyway, let me know if anything happens. My wife and I will head up to Seoul immediately. I could hear Sae-Ri''s grandmother sighing on the other end of the line. Just the fact that they had managed to keep things under control all this time was already a huge help. After calming down the worried couple, I hung up. I immediately called Lee Yung-Jin and warned him to be on the lookout in case Haru''s father showed up. -If it''s Haru''s father, you mean that scumbag... "Yung-Jin." -Sorry, my bad. "It''s okay. I feel the same as you. But be careful with your words and ask the on-site staff to screen all external guests as much as possible." We were nning to distribute tickets to about 100 audience members at the event, so it was possible for unknown people to get in. -I''ll do my best. "Alright. Thanks and I''ll see you there soon." On the day we found a lead on Haru''s mother, his father wasing to Seoul. *** At the filming site of Table of Mukbang finals, I left Haru in Lee Yung-Jin''s care and Cherry Blossom with Do Ran-Hee and Lee Ju-Yung, before leaving to greet Producer Jo Han-IIl. Just then, Jo Eung-Cheon from TVM, who was standing in one corner of the studio, called out to me. "Team Lead Jung, could I have a word with you?" Jo Eung-Cheon was with PD Yoo Hyun-Ji who had directed Master of Mukbang. I intentionally put on a stern expression and nodded. "Yes, Mr. Jo." Jo Eung-Cheon had failed to shield Haru from the pressure of CK Group''s Executive Director Choi during thest incident, allowing Haru to be almost eliminated. "I can tell you''re still upset about what happened. I''m sorry. Mr. Choi was so forceful that I couldn''t do anything to stop him." "I understand that, but what disappointed me more was that you didn''t even take my calls." Jo Eung-Cheon cleared his throat awkwardly. "Ahem. I apologized already, didn''t I?" At that moment, Yoo Hyun-Ji stepped in. "Mr. Jung, please understand. Mr. Jo was in a difficult position because of his ties with Mr. Choi''s side." Thanks to Yoo Hyun-Ji''s information, we managed to get through that crisis. ''I guess I should let it go at this point to save her face,'' I thought. Besides, leaving a moral debt with Jo Eung-Cheon could be beneficial for me. I nodded. "I understand. So why did you call me?" "What do you think? We need to start negotiating the appearance fees for the drama that will follow Master of Mukbang at the end of the month." Yoo Hyun-Ji immediately joined in. "Mr. Jung. You haven''t forgotten your promise to lower Mr. Tae-Poong''s appearance fee, right?" "Of course not. I''m not the type to go back on my word depending on the situation. But are you sure you want to negotiate here, not at the office?" Both Jo Eung-Cheon and Yoo Hyun-Ji nodded. "We can''t afford any more dys, so let''s settle it verbally here." They wanted to have at least a verbal agreement on the appearance fee first. "I wanted to say Tae-Poong''s fee is 40 million won per episode..." I hadn''t even finished speaking when their mouths dropped open. "...But I''ve settled on 20 million won. A promise is a promise, after all." Both of them let out short sighs. They seemed to realize that I had already made a significant concession. The two of them looked pleased. "Considering Mr. Tae-Poong''s poprity, 20 million won per episode is practically a steal. Getting a top-tier actor for that price... It''s not bad." However, securing Lee Tae-Poong''s contract wasn''t my true objective. Lee Tae-Poong was just a supporting role in the drama. What I really wanted was a fair deal for Haru''s appearance fee as the lead. "So, how much are you nning to pay Haru?" I asked. The two of them tilted their heads with puzzled expressions. "Haru?" Lee Tae-Poong''s appearance fee was set at 20 million won. No matter how popr Lee Tae-Poong was, the lead in the sequel to Master of Mukbang was Haru. I continued with a satisfied smile. "It wouldn''t make sense for the lead, Haru, to have a lower appearance fee than the supporting actor, Tae-Poong. Right? Especially since he''s reached the finals of Table of Mukbang, and if he wins today..." At that moment, realization dawned on their faces. They finally understood that I had dragged out the negotiation over Lee Tae-Poong''s fee to push for a higher fee for Haru. "H-how much are you asking for?" I looked at the two confidently and said, "Haru is the one who achieved consecutive viewership ratings of over 10% in both drama and variety shows. I would like his fee to be raised to 50 million won per episode!" "50 million just for Haru?" "T-then that''s 70 million for both?" My principle was that a star should be treated like a star. I nodded at them with a grin. In an instant, their faces turned pale. Chapter 343: Mayfly (2) Chapter 343: Mayfly (2) Haru''s appearance fee for Master of Mukbang had been 2.5 million won per episode. I multiplied that by exactly 20 and quoted 50 million won per episode for the sequel. Jo Eung-Cheon swallowed hard and responded, "T-Team Lead Jung, isn''t 50 million won a bit too much?" However, I had no intention of lowering Haru''s fee. This was the perfect time to raise Haru''s value with all the buzz around his next project. "My apologies, but we''ve already received numerous offers to cast Haru, so..." Yoo Hyun-Ji blinked and gave me a pitiful look. "Can you please lower Haru''s fee just a bit? He''s still young and there will be plenty of opportunities to raise it in the future." "I''m sorry, but Haru''s current market value is much higher than what you two are estimating." Seeing that I wasn''t going to budge, Yoo Hyun-Ji yed herst card. "If we increase Haru''s fee, we''ll have to cut back on the staff. You know how tough things are right now, don''t you? It would be a shame if all those people from the outsourced productionpany lost their jobs, wouldn''t it?" It was a predictable negotiation tactic, but not something I could simply dismiss. It was true that frencers could lose their jobs if the negotiations fell through. However, ording to my calctions, TVM could definitely afford Haru''s fee."I know that the ad rates for slots before and after shows featuring Haru have been hitting record highs. Even the rerun viewership ratings are high, so I hear the rerun ad rates are quite impressive as well," I replied. Yoo Hyun-Ji flinched. "How¡­ how do you know that?" "Well, no matter how much the broadcasting station tries to keep it quiet, it''s obvious that the ad agencies talk." The drama Haru appeared in had unusually high rerun viewership ratings. So even though the ad rates were higher than other dramas, these two were still trying to lower Haru''s fee despite having earned tens of billions in additional ad revenue through Master of Mukbang. When I countered with data, Yoo Hyun-Ji began to speak emotionally this time as another tactic. "Really? Are you going to be this strict?" I looked at her as if to say, ''Why are you stating the obvious?'' ''Isn''t negotiating supposed to be strict?'' I remarked inwardly. At that moment, Jo Eung-Cheon, seemingly unwilling to give up, tried another tactic. "Team Lead Jung, let''s make it easy for both of us. How about 40 million won per episode? That''s our limit. Sure, we can pay 50 million. But if we go that high, the staff will get a pay cut." ''Still trying to save money, huh?'' I thought. I had no choice but to use my own brinkmanship tactics. "Understood. Then I''ll have to take Haru to the new program SBC is producing. I''m sure they''re willing to offer over 50 million won for him." SBC had recently offered Haru the lead role in a new 10 p.m. drama, Story Bar. They wanted him to y a grandson who helps his grandmother run a bar, and the actress Lee Sa-Rang was being considered for the grandmother''s role. At that moment, Yoo Hyun-Ji suddenly raised her hands in a panic. "W-wait, wait!" Yoo Hyun-Ji and Jo Eung-Cheon asked me to give them a moment and then started whispering to each other. After a short discussion, Jo Eung-Cheon spoke with a determined look. "Alright, alright. I''ll admit I made some mistakes, so we''ll agree to 50 million won per episode. Is that good enough?" "Then what about the pay cut for the outsourced production staff? If Haru''s fee is being raised at the expense of their pay, I won''t agree to it." "Okay, fine! We''ll increase the production budget by 20%, so it should be just barely manageable." Indeed, the entertainment industry was fascinating. It was a world where poprity outweighed money, power, and talent. Convinced I would raise the price again if we waited until tomorrow, they hurried me. "Alright, then let''s record the agreement before anything changes!" I tried to hide my victory smile. ''I got you.'' Yoo Hyun-Ji and I took out our phones and recorded a verbal agreement. Afterpleting the deal and expressing my gratitude, Yoo Hyun-Ji smiled and made onest request. "Now that Haru is officially with us, please make sure he wins today." "Yes, ma''am!" After saying goodbye, I returned to our team''s waiting area with a lighter step. *** There were two hours left until the start of part one of the finals of Table of Mukbang. Haru and Lee Jin-Taek were being interviewed at the cooking table at the front of the set. Meanwhile, the previously eliminated stars, Cherry Blossom members, and Lee Byung-Jun from TK Entertainment were waiting their turn for interviews in the guest seating area. As the audience seats were still empty, all the staff''s attention was focused on the set. A momentter, Jo Han-Ill called for a short break as Haru and Lee Jin-Taek''s interview ended. "We''ll take a ten-minute break. After the break, we''ll start with Cherry Blossom and Mr. Lee Byung-Jun''s interviews. All talent agents, please get them ready." I quickly gathered the Cherry Blossom members who were waiting in the guest seating area and said to Saei-Ri, "Sae-Ri. Once the interview starts, they''re definitely going to focus a lot of questions on you. You know what you need to do, right?" Sae-Ri nodded, understanding that they would bring up what happened yesterday. "Yes, I''ll just say that Haru and I are childhood friends and that the rumors arepletely false. That''s good, right?" "Exactly. No matter what questions they ask, just answer them that. Don''t get caught off guard." "Got it!" "And if they ask anything too tricky, Yeon-Hee and Eun-Bi, you two should cut in and change the topic. Okay?" Woo Yeon-Hee and Yang Eun-Bi nodded in agreement. "Okay." Shortly after, microphones were handed to the Cherry Blossom members as they returned to the guest seating area. When the interview began, the host focused all the tricky questions on Sae-Ri, just as expected. However, Sae-Ri responded perfectly and deflected every single question. "So you''re saying you and Mr. Haru are just friends? You''re not just saying that for the broadcast, are you?" "We''re not just friends: we''re really close friends. We grew up together since we were kids, after all." Sae-Ri didn''t waver at all no matter what they asked. In fact, she evenunched a counterattack at the end. "And my grandmother consulted a famous shaman who said I shouldn''t date until I''m 26!" The audience buzzed with excitement at Sae-Ri''sment. "26? But¡­ that''s ten years from now." "Yes. I only n to love my fans until then. I love you, Cherry Blossom Family!" Sae-Ri sent a flurry of small finger hearts toward the camera, saying it was for her fan club. Kim Jin-Tae, the MC who had tried every trick to get a reaction out of Sae-Ri, could only surrender in the end. *** It was 4 p.m, and there was only one hour left until thepetition. However, my focus wasn''t on Haru but elsewhere. I was worried Haru''s father might show up here. I let out a sigh. ''Of all days, why did they have to choose 50 audience members through a live draw today...'' Out of the 100 audience members, half would be chosen through a live draw, making it impossible to fully control the situation. Just then, I received a call from Lee Soo-Chan. He had sent people to the Suwon nursing hospital where Haru''s mother was supposed to be, and it seemed like they finally had an update. I stepped outside the studio for a moment to take Lee Soo-Chan''s call. "Did you find her?" -Yes. Mdm. Natalia is still working at the hospital as a caregiver. Finally, we found Haru''s mother. At that moment, I let out a sigh of relief without realizing it. "Phew~ So did you meet her?" -No. She hasn''te in yet because she is on the night shift. The nursing hospital where Haru''s mother worked had strict security, so they couldn''t even get inside. Instead, they managed to confirm her presence by speaking with visitors leaving the hospital. They also learned that she was working under the name ''Na Yung-Hee,'' not Natalia. "Alright. Call me as soon as she arrives. I need to talk to her." -I will. "And thank you. I owe you as always." -Not at all. We''ve received so much help from you too. My legs felt shaky after hanging up the phone. On the day of Haru''s final match, we also found his mother as if it were all fated. "Thank goodness..." Now, even if Haru''s father tried to make a scene and take Haru away, I could resolve the issue by convincing his mother: the other legal guardian. Time passed quickly and it was now 4:20 p.m. "Let the general audience members in,"manded Jo Han-Ill over the inte. The entrance doors to the second-floor audience seats opened and pre-selected audience members and those chosen on-site started entering. They appeared to be mainly family groups with at least three people in each group. However, among them, a man wearing a ck cap and standing alone caught my eye. ''Is this really fate?'' I wondered. Despite asking the staff to keep him out, Haru''s father Lee Hyung-Moon had somehow managed to show up here as if by some cruel twist of fate. He took a seat in the far-right corner of the audience section. As soon as I spotted him, I quickly called the talent agents over. "Haru''s father has entered the venue." Lee Yung-Jin''s eyes widened in shock. "What? But I showed his picture to the ADs and told them not to let him in under any circumstances!" However, with the chaos of a live broadcast, it wasmon for such requests from talent agents to be overlooked. It wouldn''t help to argue over who was at fault now. "The AD outside must have made a mistake," I remarked. Lee Yung-Jin looked apologetic. "I''m so sorry, Mr. Jung. I should have been more careful." "It''s fine. That''s not important right now. He''s in the far-right corner of the audience section and he''s wearing a ck baseball cap. Make sure he doesn''t get anywhere near Haru. Got it?" "Yes, sir." The talent agents'' expressions turned grim, knowing how Haru''s father had treated him. I quickly reminded them to keep it together. "Stay focused. What will you do if Haru finds out?" "Yes, Mr. Jung." "We have some time, so I''ll go to the audience section and try to handle it myself. Stay at your positions and be ready in case anything unexpected happens." As the talent agents turned to leave after receiving instructions, I shared a bit of hopeful news. "By the way, we just found Haru''s mother. So we only need to get through this stage today." Only then did the talent agents'' expressions brighten slightly. "Really?" "Wow, things are falling into ce." "If Haru''s mother is here, this could solve everything." "Right? But don''t let your guard down and stay alert until the end." As soon as the talent agents returned to their positions, I quickly exited the studio on the first floor and headed to the second-floor audience section. *** With the staff pass around my neck, no one stopped me. The entrance to the audience seats was on the second floor of the studio. The corridor on the second floor was bustling with staff running around. I took a deep breath and opened the door to the audience section. After pushing aside the ckout curtains that prevented light from seeping in, I stepped into the studio. As I had seen earlier, a man in a ck cap was seated in the most secluded corner of the second-floor audience seats. It was Haru''s father, Lee Hyung-Moon. I cautiously approached him and whispered, "Mr. Hyung-Moon, could we talk outside for a moment?" The man, who had been looking down, turned his gaze toward me and looked startled. "Gasp!" "Please, let''s talk outside without causing a scene..." I urged him Lee Hyung-Moon nced around nervously and reluctantly nodded. "O-okay, let''s do that." After leading Lee Hyung-Moon out of the audience seats, I asked him bluntly, "Why are you here?" He swallowed hard and wore a pitiful expression. "I''m here because today is Haru''s final match. I''ve ovee my alcoholism and just wanted to see him. I swear, I''m fine now!" "You''ve recoveredpletely?" "Yes. I just want to see his face and then I''ll leave. I was curious to see how much my boy has grown..." He insisted that he would leave quietly after thepetition, but I didn''t believe him. In my past life, the most troublesome actors I dealt with were those addicted to alcohol and drugs. After all, substance abuse weakened a person''s willpower and could destroy them. Moreover, Lee Hyung-Moon''s demeanor was suspicious. ''He seems too normal.'' People who have just recovered from addiction usually showed symptoms like lethargy and depression due to alcohol withdrawal. However, the Lee Hyung-Moon standing before me was far too lively. ''He must have had a drink right after leaving the hospital.'' Even a small drink could temporarily restore an alcoholic''s energy like rain in a drought. However, one drink would be two, and eventually, they would fall back into their old habits. ''I''ve seen this too many times to be fooled,'' I thought. I replied, "If you truly care about Haru, you should leave now. Don''t forget the agreement we signed stating that you''d paypensation if you ever showed up in front of him again." At that moment, Lee Hyung-Moon''s desperate expression suddenly vanished, revealing his true colors. "Damn it... do you really have to do this?" "I''ve dealt with people like you more times than I can count. Did you forget our agreement? You epted the money and promised never to appear in front of Haru again!" I responded firmly. "Oh, that? Awyer I met in rehab told me that any contract made under duress is invalid," Lee Hyung-Moon retorted. "You are unbelievable. Do you really believe awyer you met in rehab?" Lee Hyung-Moon chuckled. "Haha. Of course I do. But don''t worry. I''m not here to cause trouble." "Then what do you want?" "I''m Haru''s biological father. I''m not going to cause a scene and block my own chance at money. Just deposit half of the earnings into my ount and I''ll keep my mouth shut." Lee Hyung-Moon patted my shoulder and wore a smug smile as if he''d won. However, now that I had found Haru''s mother, I had no reason to hold back. We were already preparing to file awsuit against him. I grabbed his hand that was patting my shoulder and squeezed it tightly. There was an audible cracking sound as bones collided. Crack. Lee Hyung-Moon''s face twisted in pain. "Ahhh!" I didn''t care and let out all the anger I had been holding in. "You''ve got to be fucking kidding me!"
Ristretto''s Thoughts Here we go again
Chapter 344: Mayfly (3)

Chapter 344: Mayfly (3)

Haru''s father, Lee Hyung-Moon, dropped to his knees in the hallway with his hand clutched in mine. "Hey, hey! You better let go of me! Let go!" he yelled at the top of his lungs. As I released his hand, he lost his bnce and fell backward in his attempt to pull away. Thud. Lee Hyung-Moon patheticallynded on the marble floor with a loud thud and yelled under his rough breath. "Ugh!" Then he got up and rubbed his hand which had turned red. "Just you wait. I was going to let this go quietly, but now you''re done for!" I wasn''t sure what gave him such confidence, but he seemed brimming with it. "That''s my line," I retorted. I had gathered all the evidence of Lee Hyung-Moon''s abuse toward Haru when I took him in. Now that we had found Haru''s mother, I could easily proceed with a parental rights terminationwsuit. After all, Haru''s guardianship would naturally be transferred to his mother once we won. At that moment, security guards approached us when they noticed themotion. "What''s going on here?" I showed them my staff pass and identified myself as Haru''s talent agent. "A stalker who''s been following Haru showed up, so I''m throwing him out." "Oh, I see." The priority of the security team at the broadcasting station was the safety of the celebrities appearing on their shows. Hearing that the intruder was Haru''s stalker, their expressions hardened in an instant. "Hey. What are you even doing at your age? Get out of here right now!" "You''re not going to like what happens if you keep causing trouble here." As the guards growled and closed in on him, Lee Hyung-Moon frantically waved his hands. "C-causing trouble? Stalker? No way! What are you talking about? I''m Haru''s father!" The guards looked at me with uncertain expressions. "Is this true, Mr. Jung?" "He is Haru''s father, but he''s been in a rehab center for alcoholism and has a history of abuse. He showed up here right after getting out and demanded money from his son." The guards exchanged looks and then began speaking into their intes. "Yes, please check on Haru''s father. Yes, yes." While they were confirming his identity, Lee Hyung-Moon shot me a smug look as if to say "Let''s see you try and get rid of me now." At that moment, the guard receiving updates began to nod. I couldn''t understand what they were talking about because he was talking through an earpiece, but his expression grew increasingly stern. As soon as he ended the chat, he and the other guards surrounded Lee Hyung-Moon with scary faces. "You''ve been beating him since he was a kid, huh?" "How could anyone hit their own child?" They must have received a direct message from the PD, as they started speaking sharply. Shocked by their unexpected reaction, Lee Hyung-Moon stammered. "W-what are you saying? I told you, I''m Haru''s father!" The guards took hold of Lee Hyung-Moon by his arms, linking them with theirs. "You''re not listening at all, are you? Come with us." Lee Hyung-Moon struggled. "Hey! Let go! I said let go of me!" In the end, Lee Hyung-Moon was hoisted into the air by the two burly guards. "Let''s go quietly, sir." "Why would you show up on such an important day for your son? What were you nning to do here anyway? Are you really his father?" The guards continued berating Lee Hyung-Moon as they carried him out. Thrashing his legs and shouting, Lee Hyung-Moon turned his rage on me. "Let go! Jung Yoon-Ho! You fucking bastard! This isn''t over! Just wait and see what I''ll do!" Lee Hyung-Moon''s furious voice echoed down the hallway. Fortunately, the studio doors were soundproof and no one inside was aware of themotion outside. I let him go for now because there were too many eyes and security cameras around, but I had no intention of ending it like this. ''I need to bring Haru''s mom here as soon as possible,'' I thought. If I drove quickly enough, it would take about an hour and ten minutes to reach Suwon Hyo Nursing Hospital where Haru''s mother worked. It seemed I would have to go there myself and bring her back. That way, I could perfectly counter any moves Lee Hyung-Moon might make. I immediately contacted thepany to proceed with thewsuit preparations and informed Sae-Ri''s family who were on their way to Seoul that Lee Hyung-Moon had shown up at the venue and been removed, and that I was now heading to Suwon to find Natalia. *** At Suwon Hyo Nursing Hospital, Na Yung-Hee rubbed her sleepy eyes as she woke up in the cramped on-call room. "Yawn~ that was a good sleep." Na Yung-Hee stretched and nced at the clock on the wall of the on-call room. "Hmm? It''s already 6:10?" Na Yung-Hee began stretching and left the on-call room to prepare for her night shift. At that moment, Head Nurse Lee Jung-Mi who was coincidentally passing by looked surprised upon seeing her. "Oh? Ms. Yung-Hee, did you not go home yesterday?" "No, the hospital bed is quitefortable." Lee Jung-Mi shook her head. "Goodness, Ms. Yung-Hee. You''re such a hard worker. You need to take it easy sometimes. You can''t just work all the time, you know?" It baffled Lee Jung-Mi that Na Yung-Hee had avoided drinking, watching TV, or doing anything besides working for the past five years. Na Yung-Hee smiled gently. "I feel best when I''m working. By the way, how''s Mrs. Bok-Nam in Room 301?" Though her shift didn''t start for a few hours, Na Yung-Hee asked about a patient''s condition. Lee Jung-Mi shook her head. "You''re impossible. Anyway, Mrs. Bok-Nam is a bit down because she can''t go for walks right now." "I see, I''ll go check on her." "Just check quickly ande out. Let''s go have dinner together." "Okay~" Na Yung-Hee bowed before heading to Room 301. When she entered the six-person ward where only Park Bok-Nam remained and watched TV. Park Bok-Nam had fractured her ankle a week ago while getting out of bed and hadn''t been able to go for walks since. Na Yung-Hee asked with a smile, "How''s my beautiful Mrs. Bok-Nam doing? How''s your leg?" Park Bok-Nam, who turned 85 years old this year, finally turned her gaze away from the TV. "Look who it is! Miss Korea is here!" "Oh, there you go again. I''m no Miss Korea." "To me, you''re even prettier than Miss Korea!" "Thank you for saying so." Na Yung-Hee adjusted the elderly woman''s nket and asked, "By the way, do you need to use the bathroom?" "No, I''m fine for now." Just then, Park Bok-Nam pointed to the TV she had been watching since earlier. "Hey, Ms. Yung-Hee. Can''t we have food like that here? It looks so delicious." On TV, the second part of Table of Mukbang finals was airing. Baek Jong-Suk was expressing his admiration for the red soup being presented as a final dish. "That red soup is called borscht and apparently it''s a Russian dish. Doesn''t it look tasty?" "I guess so. I''ll ask and find out." Park Bok-Nam nodded appreciatively. "By the way, I heard you were originally from Russia too. Is that true?" Na Yung-Hee smiled with her eyes curving into crescents. "Yes, but I don''t remember much from back then." "Oh~ is that so?" Na Yung-Hee nodded. "Yes. But Mrs. Bok-Nam, is that TV show really that good?" Since she didn''t watch TV herself, Na Yung-Hee didn''t understand what was so entertaining about it. "Yes, it''s so moving and impressive to see that little boy making it to the finals. It makes me tear up. Look there, look!" said Park Bok-Nam excitedly. Park Bok-Nam pointed at the screen where Baek Jong-Suk was speaking. -Is it still a secret who you made this dish for? In response, Haru, the young boy on screen, didn''t say a word and only smiled faintly. -Ah, Mr. Haru really knows how to handle a broadcast. Alright, let''s have a taste first. It''s apletely different dish from the soybean paste stew we had earlier, though. The broadcast disyed captions identifying the dishes as Russian borscht soup, shashlik, and bread. At that moment, Na Yung-Hee suddenly froze in ce as she watched the TV. Then she started shedding tears as big as raindrops. Drip, drip, drip. Seeing Na Yung-Hee cry, Park Bok-Nam was startled and reached out her hand. "What''s wrong, Ms. Yung-Hee? Are you thinking about your homnd? I can ask the kids to bring some Russian food when they visit. Do they sell that in ces like Itaewon?" Na Yung-Hee wiped her tears and shook her head. "N-no. I''m okay, Mrs. Bok-Nam..." Just then, the door swung open and Lee Jung-Mi appeared. "Ms. Yung-Hee! The chief said to hide you quickly!" "Hide me? Why?" "Someone''s here to take you away!" Na Yung-Hee''s legs instantly buckled at those words and she clutched the side of Park Bok-Nam''s bed. Lee Jung-Mi hurried over to support Na Yung-Hee. "I-it''s okay. The chief is holding them off right now. Let''s go, quickly!" "Yes, yes, Ms. Lee." Terrified as if her heart was about to burst, Na Yung-Hee quickly left Room 301. *** After arriving in Suwon, I headed straight to the chief''s office at Hyo Nursing Hospital. ording to the private investigator in charge, the hospital chief personally conducted pre-admission consultations. I made an appointment with the chief under the pretense of discussing my grandmother''s admission process, and only revealed my true intentions once inside the office¡ªI was looking for Na Yung-Hee, also known as Natalia. At that moment, Chief Kim Chul-Soo who appeared to be in his early 40s pressed the inte button with a wary expression. He then asked Head Nurse Lee Jung-Mi to check if there was a patient named Natalia. However, when I quickly rified that the person I was looking for was not a patient but a caregiver, Kim Chul-Soo tilted his head in confusion. "We don''t have anyone by that name among our caregivers... Perhaps you have the wrong information?" Though Kim Chul-Soo yed dumb, I had already verified everything. ''It looks like they won''t reveal anything easily,'' I thought. Realizing I would have to wait with the private investigator team, I stood up. "I''ll leave for now, but please tell Ms. Natalia that her son is desperately looking for her. And let her know that Haru''s father is using his parental rights to obstruct his son''s future." Kim Chul-Soo seemed like he wanted to say something, but he kept his mouth shut in the end. He pressed the inte and called for security. Two security guards entered as the door opened. "Mr. Kim, what''s going on?" Kim Chul-Soo nced at me. "Please escort this gentleman politely to the main entrance." "Understood." The two security guards nked me. "Pleasee with us." I stepped into the hallway with the guards leading me. Just then, the private investigator team waiting outside called. -Ms. Natalia just exited through the back entrance. What should we do? In that instant, I realized Kim Chul-Soo had been stalling me to buy time for Natalia to escape. That was the reason he had instructed the guards to guide me to the main entrance. "Don''t let her get away! Hold her there¡ªI''ming right now!" I eximed. The security guards looked shocked. "What are you doing?" "My apologies, but I''m in a hurry." I shook off the guards and dashed toward the emergency stairs. After exiting through the back door, I saw two private investigators blocking two women on their way to the parking lot and one of them was Natalia¡ªHaru''s mother. With her hair dyed ck and pinned up, Natalia was trembling as she hid behind the woman in a pink nurse''s uniform. I signaled the private investigators to step back and apologized to the frightened women. "I''m sorry, Ms. Natalia! I didn''t mean to scare you. I had no choice because I just had to get a message to you." Natalia nced nervously and spoke. "Wh-what message?" "Haru is desperately looking for you right now." Natalia''s face lit up with surprise. "Mr. Haru? He''s looking for me? Not my husband?" Something felt off. I was puzzled. ''Did she refer to her son as Mr. Haru? Why would she call her own child that way?'' Suddenly, a chilling thought crossed my mind. ''No way. Could it be... has she lost her memory?'' ording to Sae-Ri''s grandmother and people from the neighborhood, Natalia had adored Haru more than her life. She used to call him her "treasure" all the time. Even while fleeing from her abusive husband, she had left a letter with Sae-Ri''s grandmother asking her to take care of Haru until she coulde back for him. However, Natalia didn''t seem to recognize Haru, which could only mean one thing. I tried to keep my voice steady as I asked, "Ms. Natalia, have you... lost your memory?" Natalia nced at Lee Jung-Mi beside her. At that moment, Lee Jung-Mi clutched Natalia''s hand tightly and shouted, "Wh-why would Ms. Yung-Hee lose her memory? It''s nothing like that, so please just go away!" It seemed Lee Jung-Mi thought I was sent by Natalia''s husband. The moment I was about to rify the situation, Kim Chul-Soo urgently burst through the back entrance of the hospital with one of his slippers left behind in his rush. "Wait a minute!" Kim Chul-Soo was panting heavily as he stood in front of Natalia and Lee Jung-Mi while spreading his arms wide. "You can''t take Ms. Yung-Hee away!" Kim Chul-Soo''s eyes filled with intense suspicion shot daggers at me. It seemed he hadpletely misunderstood, thinking I was here to take Natalia to Lee Hyung-Moon using Haru''s name. Just then, Natalia who had been trembling the entire time cautiously spoke up. "Mr. Lee, Ms. Lee... please let me talk to him for a moment. I don''t think this man is lying." "Are... you sure?" "Yes. And he said I have a son..." The realization that she was a mother seemed to give Natalia a small surge of courage. At Natalia''s words, Kim Chul-Soo and Lee Jung-Mi reluctantly stepped aside. "Your name is Jung Yoon-Ho?" "Yes. I''m Mr. Haru''s talent agent. And Mr. Haru is currently living with me away from his father." I briefly exined who I was in response to Natalia''s question. Then, I asked. "But is it true that you''ve lost your memory?" Natalia nodded slowly. "Yes. All I know is that I was running away from my husband and had a car ident five years ago. I don''t remember anything else." My suspicions were confirmed. Natalia had lost all her memories except for the fact that she needed to flee from her husband¡ªeven the memories of her own son. Chapter 345: Mayfly (4)

Chapter 345: Mayfly (4)

Natalia asked me with an anxious look in her eyes, "Could you please tell me what exactly is going on right now and why you came to see me?" "Of course, as long as you also share what happened to you during that time." "Alright, I''ll do that." Hoping to bring back her memory, I told her everything I knew. After hearing how I signed a contract with Haru and helped him debut, Natalia seemed to let her guard down a little. "My husband''s name was Lee Hyung-Moon?" "You really don''t remember that name?" "No. I only remember being terrified of him hitting me and running away from him. I remember nothing else." "Then do you not remember your son''s name, Haru? He''s been on TV a lot recently." "No, I had no idea until you mentioned it. I don''t watch TV at all, so..." "I understand. Now it''s your turn, Ms. Natalia. What exactly happened to you during that time?" At that moment, Kim Chul-Soo lowered his guard and stepped in. "I''ll exin. I remember that day more vividly than she does." After apologizing for the misunderstanding, Kim Chul-Soo began to recount the past. Five years ago, Natalia was involved in a hit-and-run ident in front of the nursing hospital. Fortunately, Kim Chul-Soo found her at the scene of the ident while returning home early in the morning. He immediately brought her to the hospital and she barely survived after emergency surgery. Natalia was in aa for two months and only remembered fleeing from her husband when she woke up. She had forgotten everything else. Kim Chul-Soo exined he treated Natalia with dedication and concluded his story. "I wanted to help her find her identity, but she panicked every time I tried. So we were never able to go to the police." Natalia nodded. "I was afraid I''d be dragged back to my husband if I went to the police..." Thanks to Kim Chul-Soo and Lee Jung-Mi''s help, Natalia had been able to live without leaving a trace. Kim Chul-Soo paid Natalia''s sry in cash, and Lee Jung-Mi rented a studio apartment for Natalia under her name. ''No wonder it had been so hard to find any trace of Natalia. It finally all makes sense,'' I thought. After hearing the story, I bowed to Kim Chul-Soo and thanked him. Then, I asked Natalia to meet Haru. After all, she was the only one who could protect himpletely from his father''s abuse. "My husband... is now threatening my son?" Natalia asked with worry in her eyes. When I told her that Lee Hyung-Moon was trying to extort money from Haru, Natalia began to cry. "Don''t me yourself. It''s not your fault, Ms. Yung-Hee," Kim Chul-Soo consoled her. However, Natalia shook her head. "No. No matter how hard my life was, I should have protected my child. I should have... but I... I... I abandoned my son and ran away on my own. And now this..." As Natalia''s guilt began to deepen, I told her that she had left Haru in the care of the vige before she left. "Before you left the vige, you left a letter with Sae-Ri''s grandmother. You said you woulde back for Haru after earning enough money. You asked her to take care of him until then." I called Sae-Ri''s grandmother to prove I was telling the truth. When Sae-Ri''s grandmother picked up the call, an excited voice came through. -Team Lead Jung, have you found Natalia? "Yes, I''ve found her." -Oh my! That''s wonderful! Such wonderful news! Sae-Ri''s grandmother hummed joyfully. However, when I told her that Haru''s mother had lost her memory, her tone turned sorrowful. -Natalia lost her memory? Why? How? "I''ll exinter. But for now, could you ask Sae-Ri''s father if he could do a video call with us?" Hoping that it might help Natalia recover some memories, I suggested a video call. -Just a moment, Team Lead Jung. After a brief conversation, the screen switched. Sae-Ri''s grandfather, grandmother, and parents were all in a car on their way to Seoul. -You''ve found her! -You really found her? -Oh my goodness! Natalia! -Natalia~ it''s me. Do you remember? They all cheered the moment the four of them saw Haru''s mom, saying they had finally found her. Sae-Ri''s grandmother in particr burst into tears and cried out. -Oh, Natalia. Don''t you really remember my face? I''m your mom! "You''re...my mom...?" -Yes. You said you''d be my daughter because you were lonely without a mom. You don''t remember? "I... don''t remember." At that moment, Natalia began to cry and clutched her chest in sorrow. She spoke with Sae-Ri''s family for a while but ended the call without recalling anything. She said they felt familiar but she couldn''t remember them, and she started crying again. "It all feels so familiar... Everyone seems so familiar... but I just can''t remember..." Lee Jung-Mi hugged her shoulders. "Ms. Yung-Hee, that''s enough. You don''t need to remember everything at once." Natalia sobbed. "N-no, Ms. Jung-Mi. Just a little more... just a little... Haru, my son, is being threatened by his father. I need to do something." "But what if you copse? Do you know how you look right now?" It was clear that recalling memories wasn''t easy for her as her face had gone pale. It seemed like we''d have to dy asking for Natalia''s help for now. No matter how urgent Haru''s situation was, it wasn''t more important than Natalia''s health. I would have to fight with the evidence I had and hope that Haru''s mom would get better. At that moment, Natalia suddenly grabbed my arm. "The final stage. Can we still make it if we go now?" There were still 20 minutes left before the third stage started. The broadcast wouldst for another 1 hour and 20 minutes, so we could just make it if we left now. "That''s possible, but...I think it would be better for you to rest first." Natalia shook her head. "No. I can''t abandon my son twice. If you don''t take me, I''ll go by taxi." Although she didn''t remember Haru, Natalia was clearly aware that she was his mother. She started movingpletely differently from a moment ago. Eventually, I reluctantly agreed. The moment Natalia showed her determination, Kim Chul-Soo spoke to me. "Then I''lle with you too. It''s better to have a doctor present in case anything happens. Please wait a moment." Kim Chul-Soo quickly ran back into the hospital. In the meantime, Lee Jung-Mi wiped Natalia''s tears. "Ms. Yung-Hee, don''t push yourself too hard. Your memory will return one day, so stay positive." "Yes, I will." A momentter, Kim Chul-Soo returned with a medical bag. "Let''s go." "Yes, sir." I drove Kim Chul-Soo and Natalia from Suwon to Seoul. *** We barely made it to the TVM studio, with ten minutes left till the broadcast ended. After parking and entering the studio, the cooking had already finished and they were preparing for the evaluation. Haru had served bean sprout sd as the appetizer. As for the main dish, he presented grilled Andong short ribs and deboned Andong mackerel. For dessert, he made an apple crumble using apples from Andong. Most of his dishes were made with ingredients easily found in Haru''s hometown. In contrast, Lee Jin-Taek prepared a royal dish, tarak porridge, as an appetizer, followed by galbitang and pyeonsu[1] as the main dishes. For dessert, he served iced persimmon on a ckcquer tray adorned with mother-of-pearl. Haru''s simplicity and Lee Jin-Taek''s grandeur were opposites in every way. While the two were waiting for their food to be judged, I headed to the backseat of the staff area next to the stage. Lee Yung-Jin, who was watching the stage, was surprised to see Natalia. "Is, is this her?" "Yes. This is Haru''s mother, Ms. Natalia." Lee Yung-Jin lowered his voice since they were in the middle of filming. "I''m d you''re here. Haru has been waiting for this moment." Natalia nodded with tears welling up in her eyes. Then she turned her gaze to the set without a word. Almost instinctively, her eyes fixed on Haru who was filming. Meanwhile, Baek Jong-Suk''s final evaluation began with Haru''s turn first. "Mr. Haru, this is your final meal. Who did you prepare today''s dishes for?" Haru took a deep breath and answered. "I made this meal for someone who gave me hope." "Hope?" "Yes." Something seemed off. I thought he was making this meal for his mother, but he was saying it was for someone who gave him hope. ''Ah, he must mean he found hope even when struggling thanks to his mom,'' I thought. Baek Jong-Suk smiled. "You like speaking in riddles. That''s fine. What about the dishes you presented in the semifinals? They were Russian cuisine." Haru nodded. "They were for someone who taught me the importance of family. So I wanted to serve them the family dishes I learned from my mom." ''Wait a minute. If he wanted to serve his mom''s cooking to someone else, does that mean it''s for a different person? No way... it couldn''t be?'' I pondered. Baek Jong-Suk smiled. "Then is this third meal also for the same person?" "Yes. I put my all into it. It''s my first time making a course meal." "Is there a special meaning behind it?" "I put my earnest hope into it, asking that they stay with me until the end since we started out together." Baek Jong-Suk looked pleased. "Whoever that is must be very lucky to hear such a heartfelt confession from you, Mr. Haru. Now, please tell us. Who is this person?" Haru answered with a shy expression. "It''s my talent agent, Yoon-Ho hyung." My head buzzed for a moment. ''Could it really be that all those dishes today were for me?'' I felt grateful, shocked, and utterly baffled at the same time. I had been so convinced that it was all for his mother because he had kept it such a secret, but I was wrong. ''It was for me!'' I realized. Suddenly, all the efforts I had made throughout the day to help Haru didn''t seem in vain. At that moment, Haru turned his head and waved at me. "Yoon-Ho hyung, thank you~" Simultaneously, the cameras all turned toward me. That''s when Haru''s eyes met Natalia''s. "Mom...?" Haru''s wavering gaze shifted to me next, asking what was going on with his eyes. At that moment, Natalia standing next to me started crying and spoke. "Moye sokrovishche..." Natalia muttered something iprehensible and then copsed toward me, losing consciousness. *** Haru''s mother fainting caused amotion. "Call 119! Call 119, now!" Even though it was a live broadcast, amercial break started which gave us about five minutes to handle the situation. "Control room! Edit out that scene immediately and give us three minutes! We''ll handle it fast." The moment Jo Han-Ill urgently instructed the control room, the studio cameras 1 and 2 turned toward us. I gentlyid Haru''s mother down on the floor. Kim Chul-Soo, who hade with us, carefully checked her condition. I didn''t know what was going on, but I knew what I needed to do. I urged Lee Yung-Jin who was standing by in a daze. "Yung-Jin, I''ll stay here. You go to Haru quickly." "Yes, sir." Lee Yung-Jin quickly ran to the set tofort Haru standing there frozen. In the midst of the murmuringmotion, Kim Chul-Soo conducted a few tests before finally sighing in relief. "We''ll need to confirm with a CT scan, but it seems she fainted from temporary shock." As soon as the doctor made his assessment, the staff let out a collective sigh of relief. I immediately asked Kim Chul-Soo for help. "Mr. Kim, please take Haru''s mother to the hospital. I''lle by after the broadcast." After a moment of consideration, Kim Chul-Soo nodded. "I''ll take her to the hospital and contact you after checking her condition. As for having Ms. Yung-Hee and Mr. Haru meet, let''s decide after assessing the patient''s condition." "Okay. I''ll follow your advice." Watching Kim Chul-Soo provide emergency care, I fell into deep thought. ''She must have regained her memory.'' I didn''t know how much she had remembered, but it was clear she had recognized Haru. ''But what does "Moye sokrovishche" mean?'' I wondered. I couldn''t even search for it because I had no idea how to spell it out. At that moment, the pale-faced Haru holding Lee Yung-Jin''s hand walked over. With a dazed expression, Haru spoke. "Moye sokrovishche... It''s something my mom used to say to me all the time." Even after being apart for years, his voice was filled with longing as if his feelings for his mother had never faded. "What does it mean?" I asked. Tears streaming down his face, Haru spoke again. "It means... my treasure." 1. square-shaped mandu (dumpling) in Korean cuisine ? Chapter 346: Mayfly (5)

Chapter 346: Mayfly (5)

At the finals of Table of Mukbang, Haru watched his unconscious mother with tears streaming down his face. It had been five years since hest saw her, but he couldn''t even touch her and had to step away as she was receiving emergency care. A momentter, Kim Chul-Soo finished the emergency treatment and let out a sigh of relief. "Phew..." Kim Chul-Soo wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked at Haru. "So you''re Haru. Your mom was just a bit shocked, so don''t worry too much." "Thank you..." Haru responded softly. Seeing how anxious Haru was, Kim Chul-Soo spoke gently. "Come here and hold your mom''s hand for a moment. Just gently." When permission was given, Haru carefully held his mother''s hand with trembling fingers. "Mom..." Haru called out to her, but Natalia showed no response. At that moment, 119 emergency paramedics arrived at the studio entrance with an orange stretcher. "Where is the patient?" "Right over here. I''m her primary doctor." "Then pleasee with us." Kim Chul-Soo patted Haru on the back. "Haru, your mom will be fine. Let''s meet againter, okay?" Haru nodded and let go of his mother''s hand. The paramedics carefully ced Natalia onto the stretcher and secured her. "Alright. Everyone, please step aside." Kim Chul-Soo said he would call once they arrived at the emergency room, then quickly left the studio with the paramedics. Now, less than two minutes remained before the live broadcast resumed. The live broadcast would be disrupted if more than two minutes passed. At that moment, Jo Han-Ill motioned from afar for me to return to the set. I called out, "Haru." Haru, still staring at the exit his mother had left through, came to his senses. "Yes, hyung." "I hope you can win with the meal you prepared today." "..." "Let''s meet your mom with the winner''s trophy." After a brief hesitation, Haru nodded. "I will." I continued, "And...thank you so much for the meal. I''ve already enjoyed it with my eyes." Haru shook his head. "No, I should be the one to thank you¡ªfor saving me and for finding my mom." At that moment, Haru hugged me tightly. "Hyung... thank you." "You''re wee, Haru," I replied and patted his back gently to calm him down. "Come on, let''s go back. Mr. Jo might cry waiting for us," I urged him. When Haru nodded, Yang So-Ri quickly came over to wipe his tears and fix his makeup. Now, only one minute remained. Haru quickly turned around and hurried back to the set. *** In the five-minute break for the live broadcast, 4 minutes and 30 seconds had already passed and only 30 seconds remained. From this point on, any mistake could lead to a broadcast disaster. Jo Han-Ill called for the filming to resume immediately. "We''re going live right away. Mr. Jin-Tae, start by talking to Haru then go straight to the judges for theirments." "Yes, sir." "And Mr. Baek, please keep the deliberation short and announce the results immediately." As soon as Baek Jong-Suk nodded, Jo Han-Ill gave the signal. "We''re live now! Everyone, stay focused. Ready~ Action!" At that moment, Kim Jin-Tae picked up the mic and pointed at Haru. "Mr. Haru, you must have been very surprised to see your mother whom you haven''t seen in a long time, here today." Haru held back his tears and nodded. "Yes, I was...very surprised." "Regardless of the oue, I hope today will be a memorable day for you." "Thank you, Mr. Kim!" Kim Jin-Tae smoothly continued from the moment Haru''s mother appeared. In the meantime, I checked the live broadcast of Table of Mukbang on my phone. Because the scene of Natalia copsing had aired, the live chat was blowing up. [Table of Mukbang Chat Room] -Bon Bon Shake it Shake it: What? Was that really Haru''s mom? Is this a documentary, not a variety show? -Yellow Cucumber: Wow! His lost mom came back during the finals? -Matcha Coffee: Seeing Haru cry makes my heart ache. Haru, don''t cry! -Cabbage vored Cake: Congrats on finding your mom! -Skills of Fist Fight: Haru deserves to win today to celebrate his reunion with his mom! -Best Earthling: Make sure you vote, everyone! ... The winner of the Table of Mukbang finals would be decided by abination of the judges'' scores and the viewers'' votes. Because of what happened earlier, Haru''s fans were rallying in full force. In the meantime, Baek Jong-Suk began his evaluation on set. "It''s wonderful that Mr. Haru reunited with his mother. Congrattions." "Thank you." "Now, let''s start the evaluation." Baek Jong-Suk began assessing the two contestants'' final dishes. "The dishes prepared by both contestants are of a level that professional chefs would create. So, the conclusion that we judges reached is..." Baek Jong-Suk paused for a moment and a drumroll echoed in the studio. After about ten seconds, Baek Jong-Suk announced the results. "We believe both of you deserve to win, so we dere a tie!" There was an uproar in the studio. No one had expected the judges to dere a tie. As Jo Han-Ill urgently signaled, Kim Jin-Tae, sweating profusely, picked up his cue card and spoke. "Ah, yes, this is an unexpected result. The final decision will now be made by the viewers'' votes. The text vote will be tallied in one minute. This is a crucial moment, so please cast your vote right now!" There was only one minute left to count the votes. Even the staff and talent agents on-site who hadn''t voted earlier were now busy casting their votes. After a short while, the minute was up. Kim Jin-Tae announced the end of voting. "Alright, the voting is now closed!" Just then Jo Han-Ill''s face turned pale as he shouted into his wireless inte. "Mr. Jin-Tae, the server''s crashed! Stall for time!" Kim Jin-Tae looked flustered as he fidgeted with his cue card. "We just received an urgent message." He struggled to continue with beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Due to the overwhelming response from viewers, the voting server has temporarily crashed." No longer looking at his cue cards, Kim Jin-Tae ryed information from his earpiece. "We received ten times the expected votes and we''re experiencing difficulties in counting. Uh, so... 1.2 million viewers voted, and it will take about ten more minutes to get the results." Kim Jin-Tae wiped the sweat from his face before continuing. "We''ll return after a shortmercial break and show some memorable dishes from the past episodes. We''ll announce the final results as soon as the tally isplete." After Kim Jin-Tae''s announcement, TVM''s Table of Mukbang switched tomercials. Thework disyed an apology notice, and a message appeared in the top-right corner of the screen during themercials that read: "Table of Mukbang Finals Text Vote Tallying in Progress." Though they managed to buy some time, the staff were still in crisis mode. "Get the voting server back up! What are the engineers doing?" "Mr. Jo! We''re trending number one on real-time search rankings right now!" "I don''t care! Once we have the results, we''ll cut to the broadcast immediately. So don''t leave your posts!" While the staff were moving frantically, I checked the real-time search rankings. [Live Search Rankings] 1. Table of Mukbang Finals 2. Haru 3. Haru''s Mom 4. Lee Jin-Taek 5. Server Down 6. Table of Mukbang Server Crash ... Thanks to Natalia''s appearance, Table of Mukbang was the center of attention. After six minutes had passed, Jo Han-Ill shouted, "We''ve got the results! Cut themercials and go live. Everyone back in position!" He must have pushed the tech team hard as what was supposed to take ten minutes was done in six. "Cuttingmercials in ten seconds. Standby~ Action!" Simultaneously, Kim Jin-Tae wiped his sweat and looked at the camera. "Ladies and gentlemen, we finally have the results!" Once again, the drumroll echoed through the set. "I won''t drag this out. Today''s winner, with 941,123 out of 1,212,313 votes, is Mr. Haru!" As soon as the winner was announced, Haru''s legs gave way and he leaned against the table with both arms. Confetti popped and rained down from the ceiling of the set. Still in disbelief, Haru covered his face with both hands. His shoulders were shaking as he wept. When Lee Jin-Taek approached to congratte him, Haru wiped his tears with his arm and thanked him. "Mr. Haru, pleasee up and ept your trophy." When Baek Jong-Suk called him, Haru stepped forward. Handing over the winner''s trophy, Baek Jong-Suk said, "Congrattions, Mr. Haru!" "Thank you, Mr. Baek." As congrattions continued, Baek Jong-Suk spoke about the pop-up restaurant featuring the finalists'' dishes. "The dishes these two showed today will be served in one month at Restaurant Yeon in Apgujeong, Seoul. So please show your support." The broadcast ended with the announcement that these dishes could also be tasted at Baek Jong-Suk''s restaurant. "Cut! Good work, everyone!" "Good work!" The staff wiped their sweat and congratted each other. Given the reactions fromizens, it seemed likely that this episode would far exceedst week''s 11.5% viewership ratings. I asked the talent agents who hade with us to take care of the cleanup. "Yung-Jin, please take care of things here. I''m going to the hospital with Haru." "Yes, sir. You should go quickly." Just then, my phone rang. "Is it Dr. Kim?" However, it was apletely unexpected call. -Hello, Mr. Jung. I''m Kim Yong-Suk from KY Law Firm, representing Mr. Lee Hyung-Moon. It seemed Haru''s father, Lee Hyung-Moon, had hired awyer. The name of the firm sounded familiar. ''KY Law Firm? Where have I heard that before?'' I wondered. That''s when a memory shed in my mind. ''KY Law Firm... that''s the family Eun-Ah almost married into.'' The head of the KY Law Firm, whose son once almost married Eun-Ah, was calling me now. *** KY Law Firm was one of the top ten corporatew firms in Seocho-dong. Kim Yong-Suk, the head of KY Law Firm, had once almost be Eun-Ah''s father-inw. ''Of all the people Lee Hyung-Moon could hire, he went to Kim Yong-Suk?'' I pondered. It was too much of a coincidence to be a mere ident. -Hello? Are you still listening? I snapped out of my thoughts and answered. Whatever the case, it was clear that Kim Yong-Suk was now my enemy. "I''m busy right now, so please get straight to the point." -Then I''ll get straight to the point. We will be filing awsuit against you, Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho¡ªfor verbal abuse, physical assault, and threats made against Mr. Lee Hyung-Moon. We will be sending a legal notice to both Hoop Entertainment and you, so I wanted to give you a heads-up. "Did you just say... threats?" -You heard me correctly. You verbally and physically assaulted Mr. Lee who was distressed over his missing wife, didn''t you? "Did you not hear what Lee Hyung-Moon did to Haru?" -I believe that''s not something a third party should interfere in. It''s a family matter, after all. In other words, Kim Yong-Suk was saying I shouldn''t have meddled in family affairs because Lee Hyung-Moon had parental rights. -Oh, and we''ll be filing awsuit for the recovery of Mr. Lee Haru''s earnings as well. If thepany spends even a single penny without proper authorization from now on, we''ll be suing for breach of contract and demanding several times that amount inpensation. "I understand. And please tell Mr. Lee Hyung-Moon this: I''m holding back until tonight. If he apologizes now, I''ll let it go." After hanging up, I immediately called Kwak Moo-Hyuk at Hoop Entertainment to prepare for the situation. Then I called Kim Chul-Soo to check on Natalia''s condition. -We''re at Seven Star Hospital. Miraculously, Ms. Yung-Hee has regained some of her memories. She wants to see Mr. Haru, so you shoulde right away. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" I eximed with joy as I repeatedly bowed my head. I held the phone tightly and said I woulde immediately before hanging up. Haru, holding a trophy in his hand, quickly rushed over and asked urgently, "Hyung, where is my mom?" "She''s at Seven Star Hospital in Gangbuk. She just woke up. Let''s go right now." Now that Natalia had regained consciousness, I had no concern left for Lee Hyung-Moon nor was I worried about the threats from Kim Yong-Suk at KY Law Firm. ''How dare he threaten Haru?'' I fumed. From now on, I nned to show those two lunatics exactly who they were dealing with. Chapter 347: Lee Hyung-Moon (1)

Chapter 347: Lee Hyung-Moon (1)

We arrived at the parking lot of Seven Star Hospital located in Gangbuk. I helped Haru put on a hoodie, a baseball cap, and a mask. Because of the incident at the Table of Mukbang finals where his lost mother appeared, Haru became the most talked-about person in Korea. As such, we had no choice but to disguise him to avoid causing a scene at the hospital. "Even though your mom''s memory is back, it''s notpletely restored yet. So don''t be too surprised when you see her," I exined. Haru nodded. "Yes, I understand." I exined everything that had happened to Natalia on the way to the hospital, and Haru handled it calmly. "Wait a moment. I need to make a quick call." When I called Kim Chul-Soo, he informed me that Natalia had been moved from the emergency room to a VIP room. -She''s in VIP Room 1101. We couldn''t put her in a general room considering Mr. Haru''s situation. "Oh, then we''ll take care of the hospital bills¡ª" Just then, Haru interrupted beside me. "Hyung, let me pay. Please, let me do this." Haru never bought anything for himself, but he held out his card and insisted on covering the over 1 million won per night cost of the VIP room for his mom. Nheless, Kim Chul-Soo responded first. -I''ve already paid for it. Don''t worry and you can juste up right away. Kim Chul-Soo ended the call, saying it was no trouble. Haru tilted his head and asked, "Hyung, who is this Dr. Kim?" Although I had a general idea, I only told Haru what I knew to avoid giving him any preconceived notions. "He''s the one who''s been taking care of your mom for the past five years." Haru paused for a moment. "He''s a good person...I owe him." Haru''s voice was filled withplex emotions. "Come on, let''s just think about your mom for now and go see her." I got out of the car first and guided Haru while shielding him as we moved through the VIP entrance. *** VIP Room 1101 was over 50 pyeong in size. Haru''s mother was lying on the bed and resting after receiving a sedative. A doctor and two nurses were monitoring Natalia''s condition, while Kim Chul-Soo stood nearby and watched over her with a worried expression. Seeing his mother''s pale face, Haru, who had remainedposed until now, started to tear up again. "Mom..." At that moment, Doctor Choi Ill-Joon gently patted Haru''s back. "Mr. Haru, your mom will wake up soon after she finishes the IV drip. So don''t worry too much." Haru nodded with tears streaming down his face. Kim Chul-Soo stepped aside and said, "Haru, take a seat here." Haru thanked him and sat down on the stool next to the bed. He held his mother''s hand tightly and stared at her closed eyes. When the IV bag was nearly empty, Natalia let out a faint moan. "Ugh..." Haru instinctively cried out, "Mom, are you okay?" Hearing her son''s voice, Natalia struggled to open her eyes. At that moment, tears began to pour from her eyes as if a faucet had been turned on. The VIP nurse rushed over to wipe Natalia''s tears and adjusted the electric bed. With a soft whirring sound, the backrest of the bed slowly rose to a vertical position. Natalia tried to speak. "Aah... Aah..." However, the nurse intervened. "Please don''t force yourself. Take it slow." Haru held his mother''s hand tightly and said, "Mom, I''m okay. Just take your time... slowly." Natalia gently caressed her son''s cheek and struggled to speak. "H-Haru... I''m... really, really... sorry..." "No, Mom. I''m the one who should be sorry. I should have found you sooner... I didn''t know you were going through so much while I...I..." "No, if I hadn''t left the house like that..." Ovee with emotion, Haru couldn''t hold back any longer and hugged his mother tightly. He let out all the feelings he had been holding back and cried out loudly. "Mom... I missed you! I missed you so, so much! Mom!" Haru''s tearful voice filled the room. At the same time, Natalia burst into tears and released everything she had held in. "Yes... I missed you too..." Kim Chul-Soo, the medical staff, and I turned away to give them some privacy. *** A little whileter, Haru barely managed to calm down and held Natalia''s hand. "Mom, do you remember everything now?" "Some things are still a bit hazy, but I remember everything about you." "Even my birthday?" "Of course. It''s November 1st. And I''m sorry for leaving you alone for so long. I wanted to bring you back sooner, but it didn''t work out." Wiping away his tears, Haru held his mother''s hand tightly and began to share everything that had happened. He talked about how he became an actor and how he was living in Seoul. I hadn''t realized Haru could talk so much as he spent the next hour telling his mom everything he had been through. After listening quietly, Natalia patted Haru''s hand. "Haru, I have something to discuss with your talent agent. Can we continue talkingter...?" Haru nodded reluctantly and got up. "Okay..." As Haru left with Kim Chul-Soo, I was left alone with Natalia. She sped her hands together and bowed her head. "Thank you. I''ve regained my memory thanks to you." "Not at all. It''s because you found the courage to see Haru, Ms. Natalia." "No, if you hadn''te to find me, I wouldn''t have had the courage to do this." After repeatedly thanking me, Natalia''s expression turned serious as she asked, "You said Haru''s father came looking for him, right?" "Yes. He even filed awsuit just a while ago. He''s determined to get his hands on Haru''s money." Natalia frowned and made up her mind. "I''ve had enough of running from Haru''s father. I don''t care what happens to me, so please just make sure Haru doesn''t get hurt." She said she was even considering divorce and asked me to use any means necessary for Haru''s sake. "I will do everything in my power to help." Now that Haru''s mother had hardened her resolve, it was my turn to take action. I immediately called reporters Jang Moon-Ki and Choi So-Hye. Since the KY Law Firm was involved, I nned to go all out. ''Mr. Kim Yong-Suk, let''s see how well you can defend yourself this time,'' I thought. I intended to take this opportunity to settle things with Kim Yong-Suk, who had also troubled Eun-Ah. Next, I called the publicity and legal divisions to inform them of the situation, and also called Kang Gam-Chan to give an update. After making several calls and handling the necessary arrangements, Natalia smiled and said. "I understand now why Haru trusts and relies on you, Mr. Jung. You''re so capable..." "You tter me. Ahem." Clearing my throat, I asked Natalia for a favor. "Oh, but there''s something I''d like you to help with." "I''ll help you with anything. Just say it." "If you agree, I would like to have Mr. Lee Hyung-Moone here." Natalia gripped the nket tightly and trembled. "Is it for Haru''s sake?" "It''s for both Haru and you, Ms. Natalia." I began to exin my n to Natalia. After listening to my exnation, Natalia nodded. "If it''s for that reason, I have no choice. I''ll do as you say, Mr. Jung." With Natalia''s consent, it was time to set the trap. I immediately called Seo Jae-Ill. "Mr. Seo, I have a favor to ask..." Seo Jae-Ill replied warmly. -How can I help? *** A day passed, and the story of Haru and Natalia''s reunion at the Table of Mukbang finals was all over the news. With the support of the promotion division at Hoop Entertainment pushing articles written by reporters Choi So-Hye and Jang Moon-Ki, public opinion quickly swung in our favor. [Table of Mukbang Winner Mr. Haru''s Tragic Family Story] [Haru''s Father''s Unreasonable Demands: "My Son is Mine, So His Money is Mine Too!"] [Haru: "Now, I Want to Protect My Mom!"] (Comments) -Wow, that scumbag should be thrown in jail immediately. -What the hell? He''s demanding all the money Haru earned saying he should control Haru''s finances because he''s his father? Is he even human? -Is this really a country ruled byw? He beats his wife and kid, then extorts money from his son? And he''s not in jail yet? -What a piece of trash. And he calls himself a parent? Disgusting. As expected, the public opinion was overwhelmingly in support of Haru. I showed the phone to Haru and his mother and reassured them. "If we''re lucky, they''lle to the table within two days, or at most, a week. And since Mr. Lee Hyung-Moon has already taken the bait, things could wrap up even sooner." Yesterday, I met Seo Jae-Ill, who introduced me to his colleague, Yang Hyung-Sik. Yang Hyung-Sik was a prosecutor specializing in domestic violence cases, and he advised me to file a restraining order after seeing the evidence of abuse we had recorded when Haru first joined us. Following his advice, I applied for a restraining order under Haru and Natalia''s names. I received news this morning that the restraining order had been delivered to Lee Hyung-Moon. Just a moment ago, Lee Hyung-Moon called me, screaming and demanding to know where I was. I told him exactly where I was because I knew he would be too impulsive to consult hiswyer and woulde straight to me. When I told Haru that his father might being to the hospital soon, he began to tremble. Despite her own fear, Natalia gripped her son''s hand tightly. "Don''t worry, Haru. We just need to do what Mr. Jung says." "I-I know. But just thinking about seeing Dad makes my heart feel like it''s going to explode..." I calmed them both down and assured them there was nothing to worry about. For their safety, I had stationed two security guards inside the room just in case¡ªand one of them was recording the entire scene on his phone. "Don''t worry. I won''t let himy a hand on you or your mom," I assured Haru. "Yes, hyung." Just then, a rough voice came from outside the room. -Let me go! Let go of me! Who are you to stop me from seeing my wife and kid!? ''Speak of the devil,'' I thought. "Let him in." When I signaled the guards posted at the VIP room entrance, they opened the door. "Let him through." As the security guards outside the room stepped aside, the fuming Lee Hyung-Moon stormed in. "How dare you! Who gave you the right to p a restraining order on me?" Lee Hyung-Moon was holding the restraining order in his hand, waving it around angrily. "Don''t you understand what a restraining order is, Mr. Lee Hyung-Moon?" Lee Hyung-Moon strode up to me, standing nose to nose. I could smell the stench of alcohol on his breath. "You think this piece of paper can stop me? You''re messing with the wrong guy!" Seething with anger, Lee Hyung-Moon looked past me and shouted at Natalia and Haru. "Oh, so the runaway wife is here! And the ungrateful brat, too!" Though Lee Hyung-Moon''s vulgar threats filled the room, I let him continue without interference since we were recording everything. Natalia held Haru''s hand and responded firmly. "Go away. We have nothing to say to you!" "Hah! Listen to her speak! Where do you get off talking like that to her husband? Hey, you want to die?" Lee Hyung-Moon tried to lunge toward the two, but I stepped in and blocked him before he could get any closer. "Get out of my way! Who do you think you are to stop me?" he yelled. I warned him, "You should leave while you can¡ªunless you want things to get ugly." Lee Hyung-Moon snorted. "Ugly? The only one who''ll get hurt here is you!" Then, he turned to Haru and shouted. "Hey! Lee Haru! Come over here right now! Break your contract with that worthlesspany! I''ve found a much better one for you!" Haru stood his ground. "No! Who are you to tell me to break my contract?" "Hey! I''m your guardian, you little brat! You think you''re safe just because you haven''t been hit for a while? Do you want to get beaten again?" The moment Lee Hyung-Moon raised his hand out of habit, I instinctively grabbed his wrist. "Your bad habits haven''t changed, have they, Mr. Lee Hyung-Moon? And I''m the one with guardianship now, not you. Did you forget about the contract?" "That contract is void! And let go of me! I said, let go!" Lee Hyung-Moon struggled to free his hand, but I didn''t let go. I called Yang Hyung-Sik immediately. "Mr. Yang. Mr. Lee Hyung-Moon is here at the hospital causing trouble." -He''s at the hospital despite the restraining order? "Yes, and he''s brought the order with him." Yang Hyung-Sik responded coldly. -I''ll send an officer right away. They''ll be there from the nearby precinct in three minutes. Please wait. "Thank you, sir." As soon as I hung up, Lee Hyung-Moon started thrashing around even more. Then, I heard footsteps outside the room. It seemed too soon for the police to arrive, and I realized it was none other than hiswyer: Kim Yong-Suk from KY Law Firm. I released my grip on Lee Hyung-Moon''s wrist and told the guard to open the door. When the door opened, Kim Yong-Suk rushed in with a panicked expression. "Mr. Lee Hyung-Moon! What are you doing here?" "What do you think I''m doing? I''m here to get my runaway wife back!" "P-please, let''s talk outside. Now!" Kim Yong-Suk grabbed the still-furious Lee Hyung-Moon and dragged him toward the exit. Kim Yong-Suk was the kind of person who could twist the situation and even use this as evidence that Lee hadn''t vited the restraining order. I couldn''t let him get away with that and quickly added, "Mr. Lee, have you heard that Ms. Natalia ns to file for divorce?" At that moment, Lee Hyung-Moon stopped in his tracks. "What did you say?" Lee Hyung-Moon red at Natalia. "Hey! Natalia! Is that true?" Still holding Haru tightly, Natalia shouted back, "Yes. We''re already over!" Lee Hyung-Moon cursed. "Th-that bitch! Just because I haven''t hit you in a few years, you think you can disrespect your husband?" Enraged, Lee Hyung-Moon shoved Kim Yong-Suk''s arm aside and charged at me. "This is all your fault, you bastard!" Click. Just then, the door to the hospital room swung open and the police officers I had been waiting for arrived. ''Perfect timing.'' Chapter 348: Lee Hyung-Moon (2)

Chapter 348: Lee Hyung-Moon (2)

Inside the Seven Star Hospital VIP Room, the enraged Lee Hyung-Moon swung his fist at me as he med me for everything. However, his punch was so slow that I easily dodged it. Losing his bnce, Lee Hyung-Moon stumbled and fell t on the floor. The police officers sent by Yang Hyung-Sik didn''t miss their chance and pounced on him. One grabbed his arm, and the other wrapped his neck. "Mr. Lee Hyung-Moon, you''re under emergency arrest under the Special Act on the Punishment of Domestic Violence!" At the same time, Kim Yong-Suk''s face turned a dark shade of disbelief. Click! Handcuffs snapped onto Lee Hyung-Moon''s wrists as he struggled and kicked. "Let go! Let me go! I''m here to take my wife and kid! Who are you to stop me?" "Stay still!" Realizing he was getting nowhere, Lee Hyung-Moon turned to Kim Yong-Suk. "Hey,wyer! Do something! You''re mywyer, aren''t you?" Kim Yong-Suk shook his head coldly with a grim expression. "I must''ve been crazy to take on a client like you and end up in this mess..." Simultaneously, Kim Yong-Suk pulled out his phone. "Yes, it''s me. I''m dropping Lee Hyung-Moon''s case. Release the prepared press statement and make sure everyone knows KY Law Firm is officially withdrawing from this case." It seemed Kim Yong-Suk had been preparing his exit since I started the media offensive. "What? A-and you call yourself mywyer?" Lee Hyung-Moon roared. However, Kim Yong-Suk simply responded with a disdainful look as if he were talking to a worm. "I''m not yourwyer anymore, so stop acting like I am. Who barges in here without consulting theirwyer after receiving a restraining order? You''re an idiot." "W-what did you just say to me?" With a look of utter exasperation, Kim Yong-Suk turned to the police. "I''m no longer representing him, so take him away or do whatever you want." As soon as Kim Yong-Suk renounced his representation, the police tightened their grip on Lee Hyung-Moon. "Stop resisting and stay still!" "How could youe here when a restraining order is in ce?" "Hey, look at this. He''s been drinking too... The prosecutor and judge will love this, Mr. Lee Hyung-Moon." When the two officers yanked the struggling Lee Hyung-Moon to his feet, he screamed in pain. "Ow! My arm! It hurts! I''m telling you, it hurts!" Seemingly briefed by Yang Hyung-Sik, the police forcefully dragged him out of the room. While issues like divorce and custody still needed to be resolved, I wasn''t too worried anymore. After all, no judge would side with someone who vited a court-issued restraining order and resorted to violence again. I turned to Haru and Natalia. "It''s all over now. You can rx." The still-shaken Haru and Nataliaforted each other. "Mom, it''s all over now. You must''ve been so scared." "No, I wasn''t scared at all because you were here with me." Just then, Kim Yong-Suk approached me and whispered quietly. "Team Lead Jung, how about we have a little chat outside?" I had a good idea of what he wanted, but this wasn''t the ce for such a conversation. "Sure. Let''s go." I told Haru and Natalia to stay calm, then followed Kim Yong-Suk out of the hospital room. *** As I followed Kim Yong-Suk out to the hallway outside the VIP room, he said nothing while simply looking me up and down. His eyes were questioning how someone like me, a mere talent agent, could orchestrate everything that had happened. At that moment, the look in Kim Yong-Suk''s eyes reminded me of Eun-Ah''s father, Yoo Han-Seok. It was a gaze that divided people into sses, seeing those below him as if they were nothing more thanmoners. ''They say like attracts like,'' I remarked inwardly. Kim Yong-Suk''s eyes held the same arrogance as Yoo Han-Seok. "I noticed you''ve already worked the media and the court in your favor. It''s a very clever setup. But how did a mere talent agent orchestrate such a meticulous n?" "Is that why you called me out here?" I asked. Kim Yong-Suk shook his head. "No... That''s all in the past now. I wanted to talk about Eun-Ah." "Eun-Ah?" After a brief pause, he continued. "I''m sure you know that I''m a friend of her father''s and that we were supposed to be inws." I nodded. "Good. Just know that Eun-Ah will be terminating her contract after this promotion cycle." Kim Yong-Suk brought up the past incident when I prevented her forced marriage, saying he still intended to make her his daughter-inw. I couldn''t help butugh in disbelief. "Hah. Wasn''t that matter already settled? Even her father has given up on the idea. Who are you to say otherwise?" "Don''t be insolent. I''m the one who decides when something is over! Do you want to see her family ruined overnight?" Kim Yong-Suk threatened me. At that moment, a surge of anger red up in me. I realized that the real scum wasn''t Lee Hyung-Moon¡ªit was this man standing in front of me. "What is it? Now that Eun-Ah, who was once a struggling idol, has be a national star, you want a piece of her? Because she''s making way more money now?" I retorted. Eun-Ah''s father had tried to marry his daughter off to satisfy his inferiorityplex with Kim Yong-Suk, essentially selling her off. However, the situation now was entirely different. Cherry Blossom''s revenue this year alone was around 20 billion won, nearly matching KY Law Firm''s, with the potential to surpass it next year. The agitated Kim Yong-Suk shouted back. "Hey! How dare you talk about money! What do you take my family for?" ''Huh? Is this not about money?'' I wondered. Suddenly, I realized another reason he needed Eun-Ah. "Are you nning to join politics?" I asked. KIm Yong-Suk flinched. "You young fool. You have no idea how the world works, do you? If you want to live long, you should watch your mouth." I was right. Kim Yong-Suk wanted a celebrity daughter-inw by his side to bolster his image during his political campaign. ''What a scumbag,'' I cursed silently. I didn''t hide my contempt as I stared back at him. Kim Yong-Suk replied haughtily. "I''ll decide what I say and when. Since you like talking about ss, I''ll respond in kind." Taking a deep breath, I shot back. "Who does KY Law Firm think they are, aiming for our Eun-Ah? Maybe KJ Law Firm, the industry leader, could have a shot! Our ss is different!" "Wh-what? ss?" I continued. "Yes. And let me be clear: there''s no chance we''ll ever let Eun-Ah meet your son. So wake up from your little dream!" Feeling humiliated, Kim Yong-Suk gritted his teeth. "You''re sure you won''t regret this?" I had already regretted enough in my previous life, so I nodded calmly. "You''re the one who should make sure you don''t end up regretting this." I had no desire to continue this conversation any longer. "Escort him out, please." The security guards in the hallway surrounded Kim Yong-Suk. "Shall we go?" As the officers grabbed Kim Yong-Suk''s arm, he shook them off furiously. "Let go, you jerks! I can walk out on my own!" Kim Yong-Suk red at me, seething with rage. "You... You just wait and see." As Kim Yong-Suk turned and headed toward the elevator, I immediately called Eun-Ah''s mother. I knew what he was nning, and I wasn''t going to sit around and let it happen. After listening to my exnation, Eun-Ah''s mother responded calmly but firmly. -Even if it ruins our family, I will never hand Eun-Ah over to that trash. My husband didn''t know, and now he''s furious. Don''t worry. Just do what you think is best, Mr. Jung. "Understood." The moment I got Eun-Ah''s mother''s approval, I immediately called Choi So-Hye. "Do you want to write an interesting story?" She let out a triumphant hum. -Ah, I knew I''d get lucky today after having a good dreamst night. Was it because of you, Team Lead Jung? So, what''s the story? "Just now, Mr. Lee Hyung-Moon vited a restraining order and caused a scene in the hospital room. He''s been arrested." -What? That guy''s totally insane! Having recently be a fan of Haru, Choi So-Hye burst out angrily. -Should I write an article on that? I continued. "And there''s one more thing." I shared what Kim Yong-Suk had said when he came to the hospital in addition to what Lee Hyung-Moon had done. -Those scumbags are causing a stir together, huh? Just wait. I''ll make sure to destroy KY Law Firm''s reputation without mentioning Eun-Ah''s name. Argew firm like KY was bound to care about its reputation and public opinion, because big clients didn''t like to work withwyers embroiled in controversy. "Please handle the article with care." -Deal, but you owe me a nice drink soon. Okay? "Of course. I''ll set something up with Ms. Kang soon." -Sounds good! After ending the call with Choi So-Hye, I looked down the hallway where Kim Yong-Suk had disappeared and smiled. "Mr. Kim, let''s see how well you handle this." *** It didn''t take long for the events at the hospital to hit the news. [Haru''s Father Arrested for Viting Restraining Order and Causing Trouble in a Hospital Room!] [K Law Firm. "As Long As They Pay, Anyone Can Be Defended?"] (Comments) -Are they crazy? How can anyone defend Haru''s dad just for money in this climate? Arewyers really as smart as they think they are? -KYwyers have always had a bad reputation. -Watch out. These people really know their way around thew. -No decentw firm would defend human trash like that. -Here''s a list ofpanies KY advises: Jaeshin Inc, Myungjoon Inc, Alice, Jaehwa, Lucky... As Choi So-Hye started criticizing KY Law Firm along with Lee Hyung-Moon, things unfolded as expected. Netizens began listing thepanies that KY Law Firm represented taken from their website. KY Law Firm initially tried to dismiss the criticism and imed they were only providing legal advice to Lee Hyung-Moon, even threatening to sue thementers. However, within 30 minutes, they changed their stance and issued an apology, likely due to pressure from their corporate clients. They even announced they would offer free legal services to domestic violence victims for a month. I smiled quietly upon watching KY Law Firm''s hasty response. This incident likely cost KY Law Firm at least a few hundred million won in revenue. Some clients probably terminated their contracts with the firm to avoid any association with the controversy, and potential clients likely decided to take their business elsewhere. By midnight after all the turmoil, Kim Yong-Suk finally called me. -So you really want to go to war with me, huh? ''You got that right,'' I silently remarked. Kim Yong-Suk''s tone was sharp, but I responded calmly. "What are you talking about, calling sote at night?" -Team Lead Jung, did you think I wouldn''t know that you''re using the media to sabotage KY Law Firm? You know that could lead to awsuit for business interference, right? "I have no idea what you''re talking about. Are you sure you''re not misunderstanding something?" He continued to mention my name and thew firm''s, using terms like "business interference" and "incitement." It was perfect for recording. Although recordings like this may not hold up as legal evidence, they were incredibly useful for swaying public opinion. And if it was about recordings, I was an expert. I smirked at Kim Yong-Suk''s pathetic attempt and replied dryly. "If that''s all you have to say, I''ll be hanging up now." -H-hey! W-wait a minute! Click. Kim Yong-Suk kept calling back, but I simply added his number to my blocked list. "Who does he think he''s messing with?" I muttered. If Kim Yong-Suk was serious about entering politics, it was likely he wouldn''t give up on Eun-Ah anytime soon. I hardened my resolve. ''But as long as I''m around, his dream will nevere true.'' If the opportunity arose, I intended to stop him from entering the political arena altogether. Garbage belonged in the trash, after all. *** The next day, Natalia''s health improved rapidly and we began the discharge process. The fact that her husband was now in custody greatly contributed to her finding peace of mind. Although she still hadn''t regained all her memories, staying in the hospital wasn''t going to guarantee further recovery. So I decided to bring her to my home for the time being. As soon as I opened the front door, we were greeted by Yoo-Jin, Miso, Sae-Ri''s family, and the Cherry Blossom members all gathered in the yard. "Wee back! Congrattions on your discharge!" "We''re d to have you back, Ms. Natalia!" Natalia bowed her head with tears streaming down her face. "Thank you so much." At that moment, Sae-Ri stepped forward and presented a bouquet she had prepared in advance. "Congrattions on reuniting with Haru, Auntie." After handing over the flowers, Sae-Ri made a heart shape above her head. Natalia smiled brightly. "Thank you, Sae-Ri. You''ve grown so much..." "Hehe, right? I''ve gotten much taller, haven''t I?" Natalia replied with a contented expression. "Yes. And you''ve be even prettier, too." Since Sae-Ri hadn''t grown much taller, Natalia yfully avoided the topic to keep Sae-Ri''s spirits up. Nheless, Sae-Ri seemed delighted with the response as she beamed. "Auntie, you''re just as beautiful as before!" "Thank you. And Sae-Ri, please continue to get along well with Haru." "Don''t worry! I''ll protect Haru, so leave it to me!" Sae-Ri pounded her chest with pride, which made everyone including the Cherry Blossom members burst intoughter. Unfazed, Sae-Ri lifted her chin confidently. Then Sae-Ri''s grandmother, who was moved to tears at seeing Natalia again after such a long time, expressed her emotions. Holding Natalia''s hand tightly, she spoke warmly. "Alright, let''s go inside. I made yukgaejang because I know how much you love it." "Yes, Mom." Natalia held Sae-Ri''s grandmother''s hand as if she were her own mother and headed inside. In the dining room, the table was filled with dishes prepared by Jung In-Ji, Sae-Ri''s grandmother, and Sae-Ri''s mother. Yukgaejang, grilled charcoal bulgogi, japchae, and braised short ribs covered the table, and we all enjoyed a lively meal together for the first time in a long while. After the meal, Natalia expressed her wish to see Haru''s room. "Of course. Let''s go upstairs." I left the others and guided Natalia and Haru up to the third floor. After all, there was a very important conversation that the three of us needed to have from now on. Chapter 349: Lee Hyung-Moon (3)

Chapter 349: Lee Hyung-Moon (3)

When I opened the door to the third floor where Haru and I lived, the first thing that caught Natalia''s eye was the scattered shoes lying around. Natalia stood at the entrance and nced at the shoe rack before stepping forward to organize the disordered shoes neatly. "Mom, I could have done that..." "It''s okay. I wanted to do it for you." Natalia organized the shoes with a happy expression. "Your feet have grown a lot, Haru. Are you wearing 240mm now?" "Yeah." "You''ve grown 10 millimeters in no time." After tidying up the shoes, Natalia wore a satisfied expression as she looked at Haru''s height which had now reached her eye level. Natalia smiled. "You''ve grown so much since Ist saw you. I was so worried you wouldn''t grow taller..." Haru replied happily, "The doctor said I''d growfortably to 180 centimeters." Natalia was flooded with emotion as she looked at Haru''s room, now filled with signs of his middle school years¡ªso different from when she had left him. She clutched her chest and med herself for not being there when her child needed her the most. "Haru, you have grown so much but I wasn''t there for you when you needed me...I can''t even call myself your mother." Haru calmed the tearful Natalia and took her to his room. "Mom, look at this. I got this as a gift from a fan. Isn''t it pretty?" While Haru exined each gift he received from his fans, I stepped outside to give them some private time. I went to the kitchen to make some barley tea and ced some snacks on the living room table. Haru''s cheerful voice kept echoing from the room and Natalia responded enthusiastically each time. After a moment, Haru came out holding his mom''s hand excitedly. Natalia looked at me and bowed her head with her hands sped together. "Mr. Jung, thank you so much for taking care of Haru all this time." "It''s nothing. Haru takes care of himself very well." "No. If it weren''t for you, Haru wouldn''t havee this far. He''s always been so quiet and reluctant to step forward." "Don''t you worry. I''ll keep looking out for him, so please have a seat first." Natalia sat down with Haru. She held the cup of barley tea on the table and then spoke carefully. "Well... I should probably start with that talk, right?" When I nodded, Natalia looked at Haru. "Haru... I think I''ll have to stay in Suwon for a while..." Haru froze at the sudden news. "W-what? But Mom! You''re not going to live with me? I can take care of you now. What do you mean by that!?" Natalia held Haru''s hand and looked at him fondly. "I know. You are doing well and can take care of me... But I need to keep my job because of the custodywsuit." Haru tilted his head. "Lawsuit?" "Yes. I need a stable job to win the custody battle after divorcing your dad." Due to Haru''s father''s alcoholism and violence, they were in a favorable position. However, the fact that Natalia had suffered memory loss and left Haru behind could be used against her. To secure our victory, thewyers advised that it would be best for Haru''s mom to maintain a stable job for now. Hence, it was decided that Natalia would return to the Suwon Hyo Nursing Home where she worked. Haru responded with urgency, "M-Mom, then why don''t you be my talent agent? That''s a stable job too." Haru looked at me, clearly not wanting to part with his mom. "Right, Yoon-Ho hyung? Then Mom wouldn''t have to go to Suwon." "Haru, let''s hear your mom out first and then we''ll talk." Haru turned his gaze back to his mom. Natalie replied, "Actually, Mr. Jung suggested that to me as well and I gave it a serious thought. However, I don''t know anything about being a talent agent." "But still..." Haru mumbled. Natalia held Haru''s hand tightly and gently patted it. "The doctor advised me not to change my environment too drastically and to stay calm. He also rmended that I continue doing what I''ve been doing." Haru''s eyes filled with tears. "We just met and now you''re saying we have to... live apart again?" Natalia wiped away the tears welling up in Haru''s eyes. "What do you mean live apart? If you say you miss me, I''lle up to Seoul right away. And we can spend weekends together too." Haru kept his lips tightly sealed. Natalia''s voice quivered as if she was also in pain. "I don''t want to go either, but I don''t want to give your dad any chance of taking you away. You understand me, right?" Haru finally nodded and tried to hold back his feelings for his mom''s sake even though it wasn''t what he wanted. At that moment, Haru suddenly thought of something he could do. "Then Mom! I''ll buy you a house in Suwon! You said you''re living in a studio apartment now, right?" Natalia held Haru''s hand tightly with a proud expression. "My son has really grown up..." New ad offers for Haru had been flooding in after the final round of Table of Mukbang and it took us time to sort through them. Buying a house wouldn''t be a problem considering how much Haru was projected to earn. Nheless, Natalia assured Haru. "It''s okay, Haru. I have money too. I''ve saved up 100 million won over the years." ''Wow. 100 million won saved over five years,'' I remarked inwardly. Even though she hadn''t remembered Haru''s existence, Natalia had worked as a caregiver and saved every bit of money with the sole thought of "saving up." Now that she had regained her memory, she finally realized that money was for creating a life where she could live with Haru after taking him from his father. With that money, Natalia was nning to find a new home. If she could secure a home on her own, it would add points in the custody battle. After a moment of thought, Haru looked at me. "Hyung, is it possible for me to take two days off from my schedule each week? Just for a while." I nodded. "Of course. It''s fine even if you say you only want to work two days a week. Don''t worry. Or should we just take aplete break for a while?" It would be a risky thing to say if thepany found out, but I wanted to grant Haru''s wish. In this life, the happiness of those I care about came before money. Besides, there were ways to get Haru back on track even if he took a month off considering his current situation. However, Haru shook his head. "I have fans now... I can''t just take a long break like that. I only need two days off each week." After giving such a thoughtful answer, Haru looked at his mom. "Mom, I''lle down to Suwon on weekends. It''s a quick trip by subway." ''What nonsense! Even a passing dog wouldugh at what he just said!'' I thought. I quickly butted in. "Subway? Do you want to shut down the whole subway system? The talent agents will drive you when you go to your mom''s. And from now on, you''ll have separate transportation to school too." Haru scratched his head and said okay. That''s when a sudden thought struck me. "Oh, Ms. Natalia. What about we do this for the Suwon house?" "What?" I continued, "I know someone who owns an officetel. The sale price is 500 million won, but you can move in with just 100 million. You can get a loan for the rest and pay it off slowly. It has good loan terms too." The husband of Jang Ji-Hye ran arge constructionpany called Yuseong Construction, and he owned a VIP officetel with security facilities in Suwon''s Yeongtong area. With the current economic downturn, prices have dropped and some units might be vacant. "Is there such a ce?" Natalia asked. "Yes. If you''re interested, I can contact them." "Yes, please look into it." As soon as she gave her permission, I immediately called Jang Ji-Hye. Before the third ring, Jang Ji-Hye picked up. -Oh my, what a surprise that Team Lead Jung is calling me first! Jang Ji-Hye sounded sulky since I had been avoiding her callstely. I quickly tried to pacify her. "I''ve just been busytely. How about a round of golf when things settle down?" In an instant, Jang Ji-Hye''s voice brightened a little. -Okay~ You got it! But why did you call? "Well, I wanted to talk about the November issue cover model. Originally, Ha-Na was going to do it alone¡ªbut how about adding Haru to it?" At that moment, Jang Ji-Hye''s voice shot up two octaves. -Really? Really? For real? "Yes. We have to strike while the iron is hot. How about Haru and Ha-Na as a one-plus-one package?" -Hold on. After clearing her throat, Jang Ji-Hye asked again. -Then what do I need to do? Knowing you, there''s no way this is for free... "Actually..." I asked Jang Ji-Hye if she could ask her husband to sell one of thepany-owned units at Hu Officetel at a lower price. -Is it for you, Mr. Jung? If so, don''t bother buying one. Just use one of the units we have. We''ve got plenty avable. "Oh, it''s not for me." -Then who''s it for? "You saw the show where Haru met his mother, right? His mother wants to live there. Haru will be visiting her often, too." Jang Ji-Hye''s voice went up a notch. -Oh my, is that so? But you know, my husband''s been eager to y golf with you. You know that, right? "H-he even gave me golf clubs, so I should definitely... y more often." -Then hold on a moment. Thirty minutester after hanging up the call, I was able to purchase apany-owned unit at about 10% below market price. This allowed Haru''s mother to secure a residence at the Hu Officetel, which had excellent security facilities. *** Natalia would be moving to Suwon in a week. Until then, she decided to stay in Haru''s room and spend time together to make up for lost moments. The next day, I woke up early and went straight to work. However, as soon as I opened the door to the fourth floor where Actor Division 2 was, all the talent agents stood up and gave me a standing ovation. "Team Lead Jung! Great job!" "Mr. Jung, you were amazing!" "Wow, as expected of Mr. Jung. I heard you personally found Haru''s mother, huh?" "He is Star Jung, indeed. You really pulled it off again." I couldn''t help but blush at all the praise. In the past two days, the story of Haru reuniting with his mother had filled every portal site. Moreover, the final round of Table of Mukbang achieved a 16.3% viewership rating despite being on cable. All the articles rted to Park Sang-Gon and the bribes associated with Hoop Entertainment disappeared and were reced by news about Haru. Because of this, Actor Division 3 had to keep their heads down while the status of Actor Division 2 was rising. I would have my own independent team by the end of the year, but until then, I was still part of Actor Division 2. I bowed and thanked everyone one by one. "Thank you, thank you so much." By the time I returned to my seat, my back was sore. As soon as I sat down, Do Ran-Hee ran over. "How about a team dinner today to celebrate Haru''s win? Hanwoo! Hanwoo!" At that moment, I threw out a casual question. "It was you, wasn''t it?" Do Ran-Hee flinched. "What...do you mean?" "It was you." Do Ran-Hee avoided my gaze. "Well, I''m not sure what you''re talking about~" "I''ll buy you some Hanwoo if you admit it." Do Ran-Hee nodded right away without hesitation. "Yes, it was me. I''m the one who suggested giving you a standing ovation when you came in today!" ''I knew it.'' I frowned. "Don''t do things like that next time. It''s embarrassing..." "But what you did was so amazing. We had to do something!" Do Ran-Hee eximed. "Anyway, let''s enjoy dinner today on thepany card since thepany audit is over. I''ll get permission from the chief," I replied. Do Ran-Hee danced around in excitement. "Yay! Hanwoo! Hanwoo!" Just then, my phone started to ring. [Caller ID: Director Bang Sang-Yung.] When I answered, Bang Sang-Yung said he needed to see me right away. "But there''s a team lead meeting soon," I replied. -Yes, I know. I need to talk to you before the meeting, soe up immediately. ''What could he want to talk about?'' I wondered. I hung up and headed to Bang Sang-Yung''s office. *** Bang Sang-Yung inherited the private office that Lee Gi-Cheol used. However, the interior waspletely different. The once-vintage decor was gone and reced by ck, white, and gray furniture arranged in a minimalist style. Bang Sang-Yung pointed to a white sofa. "Have a seat." His face used to be stern and unreadable before, but now he wore a rxed smile. It was probably due to the confidence he gained after aligning himself with Suhyaejong and securing a powerful backer. As I sat down, Bang Sang-Yung started talking about recent events. "Team Lead Jung. You are impressive as always. Your team''s revenue has already surpassed 14 billion won, and you handled the situation with Mr. Haru very smoothly. I have high hopes for you in the future." "I was just lucky," I responded in a neutral tone. Bang Sang-Yung nodded with a sly grin on his lips. "Luck, huh... Luck... But when luck repeats itself, it bes a skill. Right?" At the same time, his eyes turned sharp like a snake''s as he scanned me up and down. He was starting to resemble his new backer, Choi Man-Sik. "But what did you call me for?" I asked. Bang Sang-Yung withdrew his gaze and asked. "Actually, I''m curious about one thing." "What is it?" "Why are you still staying with thispany? With your abilities, you could have gone independent long ago." The reason I stayed was to set Hoop Entertainment right and to be with the people I care about. Moreover, I didn''t want to carry everything on my own after going independent. However, instead of exining myself, I asked him the reason for his question. "Why do you ask all of a sudden?" Bang Sang-Yung''s eyes gleamed. "I''m asking because I''d rather have you as an ally than an adversary if you''re nning to stay in thispany." That''s when I immediately understood what he meant: Bang Sang-Yung was giving me a final chance to decide if I would join his side or not. Bang Sang-Yung tried to lure me in with all sorts of sweet promises. "Stay on my side. If you do, I''ll put you in this director''s seat before you turn thirty!" Nheless, I had already made my decision. I straightened my posture and dered my stance to Bang Sang-Yung. "If that''s the case...then we are enemies from now on." Chapter 350: Clue (1)

Chapter 350: Clue (1)

Not having expected me to dere war on him right to his face, Bang Sang-Yung looked shocked. Then, he burst intoughter. "Haha. You really have no fear, do you?" Bang Sang-Yungughed for a while before suddenly erasing the smile from his face. "I''ve heard your deration of war. Now, get out." He issued an order for me to leave with a cold expression. I stood up and was about to walk out, but stopped and turned around. "But why aren''t you leaving thepany, Mr. Bang?" Bang Sang-Yung''s eyes gleamed sharper than ever as he responded. "Do I look foolish enough to reveal my ns to an enemy?" At that moment, I understood his intentions. ''This man... He ns to devour Hoop Entertainment entirely.'' Although he had been pushed out by Kim Dong-Soo in my past life, he was now backed by Choi Man-Sik and was lying in wait like a viper ready to strike. Now, I had another enemy to deal with besides the Suhyaejong line. Nheless, I felt relieved in a way. After all, Bang Sang-Yung had dropped his ambiguous stance and made it clear that he was my enemy. *** Next was the team lead meeting. Bang Sang-Yung started the meeting by raising his voice, opposing my intention to cut back on Haru''s schedule. "I know you care a lot about the actors'' needs, but you''re overstepping boundaries by cutting back on schedules at the team lead level. Don''t you know that, Team Lead Jung?" A team lead only had the authority to adjust schedules in case of on-site issues. This was a sensitive matter as schedules impacted revenue. As I wasn''t yet an independently operating chief, it was no surprise he immediately challenged me. However, after seeing Haru''s eyes that day, I couldn''t say thepany came first. There were so many things I wanted to say, but I restrained myself and answered calmly. "I''ll be more careful in the future." "Being careful isn''t enough. I understand that it''s a talent agent''s job to handle celebrities'' issues. But if you''re constantly making exceptions, when will we ever make money?" Bang Sang-Yung argued. Bang Sang-Yung prioritized performance over the individual circumstances of the celebrities. He continued. "Restore Mr. Haru''s canceled schedules immediately and I''ll let this go." However, I couldn''t hold back any longer. "I''m sorry, but I''m afraid I can''t do that." Bang Sang-Yung frowned. "What did you just say?" Challenging the newly appointed director head-on caused a stir in the meeting room. At that moment, Gu Seong-Cheol stood up and tried to calm me down. However, Kang Gam-Chan pulled him back down by his jacket as if to say ''Let him handle it himself.'' I gave a slight nod to Kang Gam-Chan in appreciation for his trust, then turned back to Bang Sang-Yung. "Has the money I''ve made for thepany been so insignificant that it''s causing concern?" Bang Sang-Yung''s eyes narrowed like a snake''s. "Of course, your performance is acknowledged. But you''re not a chief yet, are you? Before exercising unteral authority, you need consent from the team lead''s meeting. Isn''t that right?" "Isn''t it a bigger loss to focus only on following procedures and let the celebrities'' mental health deteriorate as a result?" I retorted. "So? Are you going to keep working like this?" "I''ll follow your orders anytime if I fail to meet performance targets with my way of doing things. But until then, I''d appreciate it if you allowed me this much flexibility." As our conversation reached an impasse, Bang Sang-Yung tried to bring the other team leads into the discussion. "Hey, Team Lead Jung. Do you think the other team leads here are stupid? Do you think they drag half-asleep kids out just to fill up schedules for no reason? Don''t you know that celebrities have a limited shelf life?" The reason talent agents yed the viin by pushing celebrities through packed schedules was simple: the nature of the entertainment industry was that once this season was over, there was no guarantee of the next one. That was why they pushed celebrities to the limit¡ªletting them sleep only four hours a day and feeding them all three meals in the car while attending events. Bang Sang-Yung''s remarks garnered support from team leads who were struggling to produce results as well as members of the Suhyaejong line. However, I had no intention of agreeing with that logic. "Limited shelf life? Not a single actor under my management has been without a follow-up project. If you select the right projects and manage them well, it''s not just a brief season. You can maintain consistent sess," I shot back. All the actors under my care including Yoo-Jin already had their next projects lined up. When I countered with proven results, Bang Sang-Yung became visibly ufortable. I seized the opportunity and turned to address the other team leads. "And from now on, I n to support everyone to the best of my ability. Just let me know whenever you need help. I''ll handpick sessful projects like a sniper. Trust and use ''Yoon-Ho''s Picks''! Please make use of them often." While Bang Sang-Yung had made ufortable remarks, I lightened the mood with humor. At that moment, team leads struggling under performance pressure began to exchange meaningful nces. For them, it was better to workfortably with my guidance than to suffer sleepless nights. When it seemed like some of the Suhyaejong members were aligning with me, Bang Sang-Yung''s face turned beet red. "Y-you! Are you going to keep behaving like this?" That''s when Kang Gam-Chan, who had been watching quietly until now, pped his hands. "That''s enough, Director Bang." "But Mr. Kang. Regardless of the situation, thepany''s hierarchy is..." Kang Gam-Chan banged on the table loudly and shouted. "As of yesterday, Team Jung''s revenue alone exceeded 12 billion won!" "..." Kang Gam-Chan continued. "And if you add in the iing advertisements for Mr. Haru, how much do you think that will be?" Bang Sang-Yung stuttered, "That''s..." "I''ve already said this before, but Hoop Entertainment is all about results," Kang Gam-Chan said firmly. He raised his voice, emphasizing that systems exist to produce better oues. "Moreover, public opinion about ourpany has improved significantly thanks to Mr. Haru''s situation. The image damaged by the lobbying scandal involving Assemblyman Park has been greatly restored. You''re aware of this too, aren''t you?" As Bang Sang-Yung faltered, Kang Gam-Chan issued a final warning. "If you''re sitting in a director''s chair, you need to broaden your perspective. Think in terms of the bigger picture. Do you understand?" Bang Sang-Yung''s face flushed with embarrassment. He had tried to corner me as an enemy but ended up appearing petty. Grinding his teeth, Bang Sang-Yung bowed his head. "I apologize. I just wanted to do better... It seems I made a mistake." Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "Good. I like that you apologized quickly." Then, he looked at me with a satisfied expression. "And Team Lead Jung, you should apologize too for acting without consulting thepany first. Strictly speaking, you''re not a chief yet, are you?" "I''ll be more mindful in the future," I responded. Kang Gam-Chan raised his eyebrow. "But you''re not going to say you won''t do it again?" I shook my head. "No. My celebrities are my top priority." Kang Gam-Chan burst outughing. "Hahaha. That''s right. I always say that a talent agent''s priority should be the celebrity and thepanyes second. That''s how you ensure contract renewals." Kang Gam-Chan then looked at the other team leads. "Everyone, don''t get bogged down by the system and try to find efficient ways to work. Don''t you feel embarrassed watching the youngest team lead seed?" Since it wasrgely due to Kang Gam-Chan''s efforts that Hoop Entertainment existed as it did today, no one dared to speak and only lowered their heads silently. Kang Gam-Chan quickly wrapped up the discussion. "Alright, let''s get to the business reports then. We''re short on time." I hid my satisfied smile and focused on the meeting, having sessfully disrupted Bang Sang-Yung''s first attempt at control. The first round against Bang Sang-Yung ended with a perfect victory for me. *** The reports began starting with Actor Division 1. When it was my turn, I reported that Lee Tae-Poong''s Beyond the Boundary was expected to reach ten million viewers by next weekend. I also updated everyone on the progress of Yoo-Jin''s next project Hwaranjeon and the activities of other actors and singers. After listening to the report, Kang Ji-Yung asked a question. "How is the fan meeting for Yoo-Jin and Miso on the 15thing along?" Yoo-Jin''s online fan club recently merged with Miso''s to form "You and Me." The name was the same as the one for the Chinese fan club that Ling Ling had created. On the 15th, they were scheduled to gather at Hoop Entertainment''s underground theater to celebrate the union and watch episode 24 of In the Name of God together. "It''s progressing smoothly without an issue. The amodations for after the group viewing have also been booked," I reported. "Make sure to manage the fans well, especially the minorsing from outside Seoul. Contact their parents in advance. Things could get messy otherwise," Kang Ji-Yung advised me. "We''ve only invited those who have received permission and confirmation from their parents. Most of the minors we''ve invited live in Seoul. For thoseing from out of town, we have two from Gyeonggi-do and three from Chungju. After the event, talent agents will personally take them home." Kang Ji-Yung responded with a satisfied expression. "You''re thorough. It seems that I need not worry since you''ve already taken care of everything." "I''ll double-check to make sure nothing is missed." Then Kang Gam-Chan asked, "When is your trip to China?" "It''s the day after the offline fan meeting, on the 16th." "Good. While you''re there, finalize the schedule for Ling Ling''s return to Korea. We need tounch the new girl group." When I go to China, I would also be meeting Ling Ling''s parents to confirm her return date to Korea. After all, we had to prepare for therge-scale project of creating Hoop Entertainment''s first multinational girl group. I nodded. "Yes, sir." Kang Gam-Chan added, "And since you''ve already met the requirements for promotion to chief, select one more team lead for both the actor and singer divisions besides Team Lead Park In-Ki. You can pick from within thepany or recruit externally." "I''ll let you know as soon as I''ve made a decision." Hearing that I should choose new team leads for the team made me realize that my promotion to chief was now just around the corner. As long as I didn''t make any big mistakes that would warrant severe punishment, bing a chief was almost guaranteed. *** As the meeting was wrapping up, Chief Han So-Yoo requested to speak. It was about Treviang, the girl group set to debut in two months. Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "Go ahead, Chief Han." Han So-Yoo spoke hesitantly, "To be honest...we need more support." Kang Gam-Chan tilted his head. "But there shouldn''t be a shortage of resources in Singer Division 1?" "We''re struggling because we don''t have specialized hip-hop staff." "That''s true. Ourpany is certainlycking in that area. So what do you need?" Han So-Yoo from Singer Division 1 said she was facing difficulties preparing for Treviang, a group she had trained for three years. "We need to strengthen the choreography team a bit more. Also, I''d like to increase the budget allocated for the music video." Their debut song, titled ''Treviang'' just like their team name, was a hip-hop-based track mixed with electronic elements. In my past life, it had been number one on music shows for two weeks. Although it was overshadowed by the second single from Girlfriend7, Treviang had sessfully built a strong fandom with their first track. However, as Hoop Entertainment had never created a hip-hop girl group before, Han So-Yoo was worried about the support from Singer Division 1 alone. At that moment, Bang Sang-Yung spoke up as if waiting for this cue. "How about getting external consultation? The HIT-TEAM specializes in hip-hop choreography, and MAKEWITH is good at producing music videos." HIT-TEAM was a B-boy group that had won first ce in international dancepetitions and had several skilled female members. MAKEWITH was also a music video productionpany that had recently gained recognition. Since they were all part of the Suhyaejong line, Han So-Yoo smiled and nodded. "That would be great. Could you make the connection?" "Of course. I''ll support you fully, so don''t worry." As soon as their conversation ended, I raised my hand. "For choreography and music videos, Mrs. Park Seon-Nyeo from our team and Mr. Lee Seok-Hyung are also very skilled. If needed, we''re more than willing to cooperate. We''re in the samepany after all, right?" Han So-Yoo flinched. Park Seon-Nyeo had proven her abilities with the choreography for Cherry Blossom while Lee Seok-Hyung had sessfully created a buzz with Kang Ha-Na''s debut music video. Knowing Park Seon-Nyeo was also well-versed in authentic hip-hop, Han So-Yoo hesitated for a while before speaking reluctantly. "I''ll consider it... if necessary." Just as I thought, Han So-Yoo, desperate for good results, had taken the bait I''d thrown. I smiled and bowed my head. "Feel free to contact me anytime. We''re all part of the Hoop Entertainment family, so there''s no need to feel pressured." My goal was to expand my influence as much as possible within thepany before Kim Dong-Soo returned. Ideally, I would prevent his return altogether. *** As I was leaving the meeting, I received a phone call. [Caller ID: Lee Soo-Chan] I answered the call immediately. "Hey, Soo-Chan. Has Eun-Gi''s trial date been set?" -Yes. It''s scheduled for next Thursday. The trial had been postponed due to Kang Eun-Gi''s surgery, but now the date for the first hearing had been set. "Is that so? Alright. See you then." -But hyung-nim, I''m actually calling because I have some information about Kim Dong-Soo that you asked me to look into. "Yeah? What is it?" -That guy''s been frequently meeting with visitors from China. "China?" -Yes, from Hwayeon Media Inc. Apparently, they''re representatives from arge Chinese entertainmentpany. "Hwayeon Media Inc., you say?" If Kim Dong-Soo was in contact with Jiang Wei from Hwayeon Media Inc., it was clear he was plotting something. However, that wasn''t the real issue. -But it might be difficult to track him going forward. "Huh? Why?" -Kim Dong-Soo has met someone quite dangerous. "Did he team up with gangsters?" -I''m not sure because it was someone I hadn''t seen before, but he didn''t seem like a gangster. Lee Soo-Chan said the person''s gait and movements suggested a background in the military or police, but he exuded a danger that most gangsters couldn''t match. At that moment, a certain possibility struck me. ''Could it be... Kim Dong-Soo''s intel team?'' In my past life, Kim Dong-Soo had used his own intelligence team to create a so-called ''X-FILE'' filled with celebrities'' secrets. With that ''X-FILE,'' he controlled the entire entertainment industry. Ever since I traveled back in time, I had been searching for any trace of this intelligence team¡ªand it seemed they were finally surfacing. This was a double-edged sword that could either dominate or destroy the Korean entertainment industry. Chapter 351: Clue (2)

Chapter 351: Clue (2)

Kim Dong-Soo created the X-FILE with the help of his secret intel team, using it to manipte key figures in the entertainment industry. The X-FILE contained numerous scandals, including drug and gambling issues, and even implicated politicians and conglomerates. It would be a terrifying weapon if someone truly powerful were to get their hands on it. Hence, I had been trying to track down Kim Dong-Soo''s intel team ever since I traveled back in time as I was aware of the dangers posed by the X-FILE. Unfortunately, I hadn''t been able to find any traces of them. However, now that Kim Dong-Soo had been suspended from thepany, clues were finally resurfacing. Kim Dong-Soo''s hidden power was revealing itself. I calmed my excitement and spoke to Lee Soo-Chan. "Soo-Chan. From now on, it''s okay to miss a few details. Just keep your distance from Kim Dong-Soo and watch. If you get too close, they mighte after you." -Do you know who it is? "It''s just a guess, but I''m almost certain." Our opponents were people handling information. Unlike me, Lee Soo-Chan had many vulnerabilities, and if he dug too deep, he could be targeted. After a brief moment of hesitation, Lee Soo-Chan agreed. -Understood. Oh, and I took a photo. "A photo?" -Yes, I''ll send it via KkTalk. I took it yesterday. Lee Soo-Chan sent a picture of someone who might be part of the intel team. The photo showed a man in histe forties wearing a baseball cap pulled down low, making it difficult to see his face clearly. Nheless, this was already a step in the right direction, given that I hadn''t even seen the intel team''s faces before in my past life. -Then I''ll see you at Eun-Gi''s trial next Thursday. "Yeah, see you then. And... thank you as always." -You don''t have to thank me. Not between us. After hanging up, I fell into deep thought. I couldn''t chase after them myself since it was a potentially endless task and dangerous situations could arise. I needed someone capable¡ªsomeone who could handle things if a problem arose during the process. At that moment, one person came to mind. *** I arrived at Choi Eun-Tae''s mansion in Myeongdong. After I greeted him, Choi Eun-Tae anxiously inquired about Eun-Gi''s situation. "The trial is next Thursday, but has Eun-Gi said anything about wanting to see me?" "Resentment built up over twenty years won''t disappear overnight. Please trust me and be patient," I replied. ording to Lee Soo-Chan, Kang Eun-Gi had been asking about Choi Eun-Tae frequently these days, suggesting that his closed heart was starting to open a little. It seemed like I would be able to bring good news soon. President Choi Yung-Ho of Daeheung Savings Bank chimed in to support me. "Sir, as he said, don''t be hasty and wait patiently. At least now you know where your son is, don''t you?" Choi Eun-Tae grumbled with a sullen expression. "Yung-Ho, whose side are you on?" Choi Yung-Ho smiled softly. "You know I''m always on your side, Mr. Choi." "Then why are you saying Team Lead Jung is right?" Even as Choi Eun-Tae protested, Choi Yung-Ho continued to smile. Despite his grumbling, Choi Eun-Tae soon changed the subject. "Anyway, what brings you here today?" I showed Choi Eun-Tae the photo I had received from Lee Soo-Chan. "This guy is feeding information to Chief Kim. Could you please look into him?" Choi Eun-Tae looked at the man in the photo and tilted his head in thought. "Yung-Ho, isn''t this the guy?" Choi Yung-Ho nced at the photo and frowned. "Yes, that''s him. How could I ever forget his face?" At that moment, a shiver ran down my spine. The identity of Kim Dong-Soo''s secret intel team, which he had hidden so well in my past life, was about to be revealed. "Who is he?" I asked. Choi Eun-Tae exined the man''s identity to me. *** The man was known as Colonel Baek. Being a former ck agent from the National Intelligence Service, he operated along the China-North Korea border and conducted countless covert missions. He was discharged after being implicated in a corruption scandal in China, and then went on to form his own intel team which specialized in high-stakes information, such as political scandals. However, no one knew if Baek was his real surname or if he had ever actually held the rank of colonel. It was just how he introduced himself. I initially thought the person in the photo was simply a member of the intel team. However, he turned out to be the team leader¡ªColonel Baek. "How did youe across Colonel Baek?" I asked. Choi Eun-Tae exined, "I hired someone to dig up dirt on a political figure who was opposing me. And the next day, a stranger showed up at my house and told me that I should hire the best of the best if I wanted the job done right. The guy I originally hired just quit without giving any reason." At that time, the man had introduced himself as Colonel Baek. "Still, Colonel Baek''s services wouldn''te cheap. Kim Dong-Soo can''t possibly afford him, can he? Maybe Man-Sik is funding him?" "I''m not sure. But I''ve received reports that Kim Dong-Soo has been meeting with President Jiang Wei of Hwayeon Media Inc." Choi Eun-Tae''s eyes sharpened. "So it seems Kim is trying to secure a new backer outside of Man-Sik, huh?" "I think so too. But we should confirm the source of the funding: whether it''s from Choi Man-Sik or Jiang Wei." Choi Eun-Tae looked at Choi Yung-Ho. "Yung-Ho, you''ll have to handle this. Find out who''s funding him." "Yes, sir." Choi Eun-Tae then turned back to me. "Leave this to us, Team Lead Jung. We have a score to settle with this guy, too." In the past when Choi Eun-Tae had hired Colonel Baek for an investigation, he had ordered one of his subordinates to dig into Colonel Baek''s background. However, that subordinate ended up betraying him and joining Colonel Baek, causing significant damage. Choi Eun-Tae, who had been harboring a grudge, now looked eager for payback. I was d I hade here. Without even setting conditions, they were now willing to investigate Colonel Baek on their own. After agreeing to stay in close contact with Choi Eun-Tae regarding this matter, I called Lee Soo-Chan. I was nning to leave the task of tracking Kim Dong-Soo entirely to Choi Eun-Tae''s side. At that moment, Lee Soo-Chan answered in a hurried voice. -Hyung-nim, I''m in Myeong-dong right now and that guy we saw yesterday has shown up again. Lee Soo-Chan had gone to check in on his team who was observing Kim Dong-Soo from a distance and Colonel Baek had coincidentally appeared in the area. Fortunately, Myeong-dong was close by. "Do you think you can catch him?" -I''m sorry. I saw him enter an alley, but I don''t know where he went. I''m just watching the entrance because I didn''t want to follow too closely and get caught. I quickly looked at Choi Eun-Tae. Choi Eun-Tae and Choi Yung-Ho''s eyes glinted sharply. "Come to think of it, today is the second day." Colonel Baek usually met clients only twice. The first meeting was to confirm their identity, and the second was to ept the job. If that was the case, this was a golden opportunity. Choi Eun-Tae''s eyes gleamed as he spoke. "Yung-Ho, take the team and head out right now." "Yes, sir." Choi Yung-Ho immediately started assembling a team in a hurry. In the meantime, I told Lee Soo-Chan to keep an eye on Colonel Baek and make sure he didn''t get away. *** At the shabby Chinese restaurant, Taesung Jjambbong, in Myeong-dong, Kim Dong-Soo and Colonel Baek, who was wearing a ck cap, were silently sipping tea. This was Kim Dong-Soo''s second meeting with Colonel Baek following yesterday''s, as Colonel Baek had promised to exin how to handle future requests today. After five minutes of silence, Colonel Baek''s phone rang. Colonel Baek simply nodded in response to the caller. "Yes. Got it. Send it to me via text." Not knowing what was going on made Kim Dong-Soo increasingly anxious. Ever since he received a warning from Choi Man-Sik that making one more mistake would result in him shouldering all the me, Kim Dong-Soo had sought out Jiang Wei to secure another path. In response, Jiang Wei introduced him to the man sitting in front of him: Colonel Baek. "Colonel Baek... So how do I ce a request from now on?" Kim Dong-Soo asked. The man in the ck cap set his tea down and smiled enigmatically. "President Jiang Wei will cover the costs, so you just need to ce the request, Mr. Kim. If you have any business, contact me using this phone." Colonel Baek handed him a new smartphone, saying it was a burner phone. As Kim Dong-Soo took the phone, Colonel Baek spoke again. "Oh, and this will be ourst meeting." "What do you mean this is ourst meeting?" "Just as I said. We won''t be meeting in person anymore. Now, I''d like you to confirm something." Colonel Baek handed his phone to Kim Dong-Soo. Kim Dong-Soo''s eyes widened. "This... this is..." On the screen were pictures of Kim Dong-Soopletely naked. "Is this you?" Colonel Baek asked. "What... what the hell do you think you are doing right now!?" Kim Dong-Soo responded agitatedly. Colonel Baek grinned as he scrolled through more photos. As he did, images of Kim Dong-Soo and various celebrities entangled in scandals kept appearing endlessly. Sweat started dripping from Kim Dong-Soo''s forehead. "H-how did you get all this...?" "If you betray us or bber about meeting me, these photos will be released to the media. Understand?" Kim Dong-Soo nodded quickly. "Y-yes, I understand..." Colonel Baek chuckled and put the phone back in his pocket. "When I take on a job, I only ask for two things from my clients. One: keep my identity a secret. Two: don''t lie to me. It''s pretty simple, isn''t it? As long as you keep the promise, you won''t have to worry about these photos being leaked." "I-I understand." Colonel Baek nodded. "Well then. I''ve already received the advance payment, so make your request. What information would you like?" Kim Dong-Soo''s eyes glinted. "I want a list of every celebrity''s scandals!" Until now, Kim Dong-Soo had used private investigators to gather dirt on celebrities. However, that level of information wasn''t enough topletely control them. With Jiang Wei promising to fund him continuously, Kim Dong-Soo nned to create his own secret file. Colonel Baek smiled faintly. "That sounds interesting. But with the money I received from President Jiang Wei, I can only cover two top-tier celebrities." Kim Dong-Soo asked with surprised eyes. "What? Didn''t you say you received 1 billion won as an advance?" "Yes. It''s 500 million won per person, so 1 billion covers two." "Why is it so expensive?" "You wanted information strong enough to control celebrities permanently, didn''t you? If you want information at a private investigator''s level, you''re free to leave. Or you can choose four lower-tier celebrities instead." The cost of information varied depending on the target. After some hesitation, Kim Dong-Soo decided to go with S-ss celebrities. "Alright, then dig up dirt on two S-ss celebrities. I don''t care who they are as long as they''re people I can recruit by the end of this year." Colonel Baek smirked. "I''ll find the most suitable candidates andpile a file. You''ll be satisfied, I assure you." Colonel Baek''s confident demeanor made Kim Dong-Soo hopeful. At that moment, Colonel Baek suddenly asked, "To make it easier tomunicate, why don''t we give that file a name?" Kim Dong-Soo responded as if he had been waiting for this. "X-FILE." "X-FILE, huh... ssic and easy to remember. Alright, let''s call it that." A broad smile spread across Kim Dong-Soo''s face. Just then, his phone rang. [Caller ID: Jung Yoon-Ho] "Why is this guy calling at a time like this?" It was as if Jung Yoon-Ho had been waiting for Kim Dong-Soo to meet with Colonel Baek. That''s when Colonel Baek''s expression suddenly twisted. "You haven''t told anyone about our meeting, have you?" The moment Colonel Baek reached into his coat, Kim Dong-Soo quickly shook his head. "N-no! Absolutely not." Colonel Baek looked at him suspiciously. "Answer it on speakerphone." "Okay." Swallowing nervously, Kim Dong-Soo answered the call. "Yeah? What is it?" -Mr. Kim, it''s Team Lead Jung. I''d like to see you right now. "Why the hell would I want to see you?" I have something important to discuss. I''m in Myeong-dong right now. Where are you? Colonel Baek gestured with his hand, signaling Kim Dong-Soo to hang up. "Forget it. I''m not interested in seeing you right now!" Click. As soon as Kim Dong-Soo hung up, Colonel Baek red at him. "You really didn''t tell Team Lead Jung about our meeting, did you?" "I didn''t! I swear!" Colonel Baek looked around cautiously as he nced toward the kitchen. "Then call him back and bring him here right now." "What do you n to do?" "I''ll slip away, so I need you to keep him upied." Colonel Baek quickly stood and rushed toward the kitchen. Following his instructions, Kim Dong-Soo called Jung Yoon-Ho back. "Actually, I do have something to say. I''m at Taesung Jjambbong in Myeong-dong. I''ll send you the location. Come alone and let''s talk over a drink." -I''ll be there soon. *** I arrived at the entrance to the alley leading to Taesung Jjambbong in Myeong-dong. It had taken me less than five minutes to get there from Choi Eun-Tae''s house. As I got out of the car, six more vans pulled up behind mine. Screech. Choi Yung-Ho and thirty of his men all sporting buzz cuts and dressed in ck suits poured out from the vans. At that moment, Lee Soo-Chan who had been guarding the alley entrance ran up to me. "You''re here." "What''s the situation?" "No one hase out yet." Because Taesung Jjambbong''s building had multiple exits, Lee Soo-Chan couldn''t be sure. However, he exined no one had left while they were watching. I pat him on his back. "Good job, Soo-Chan. Mr. Choi''s people will take over from here on." "Yes, hyung-nim." That''s when Choi Yung-Ho began instructing his thirty men as if they were on a rabbit hunt. "Search every alley and block all the exits!" "Yes, sir." The men in ck suits ran down the alleys connected to Taesung Jjambbong. I turned to Choi Yung-Ho and said, "Colonel Baek might still be inside with Kim Dong-Soo." "We''ll search the surrounding area. You go inside and update us on the situation." I had a tracking device and a bug hidden on me just in case. "Understood." Taking a deep breath, I began walking toward Taesung Jjambbong. Chapter 352: Clue (3)

Chapter 352: Clue (3)

Taesung Jjambbong in Myeong-dong, the rundown restaurant with around ten tables, waspletely empty. On table 8, where Kim Dong-Soo sat, was a bottle of baijiu and a half-eatenrge te of sweet and sour pork. Across from Kim Dong-Soo was another untouched ss¡ªevidence that someone else had been there until now. The set of chopsticks next to the ss further confirmed this. ''Colonel Baek must have already left,'' I thought. I described the scene inside so that Choi Yung-Ho listening in could understand. "It looks like someone was with you just now. There''s leftover food and they left without drinking. Must have been in a hurry." When I sat down across from Kim Dong-Soo, he clicked his tongue. "Tsk. You really came alone. You''ve got guts, I''ll give you that." "You told me toe alone, didn''t you? Anyway, what are you doing in a dump like this? Shouldn''t you be at home reflecting if you''re suspended?" "Why should I reflect? Don''t you know it was Team Lead Kang and Director Lee Gi-Cheol who got caught bribing Assemblyman Park? I''m the victim here!" "How many people at thepany do you think believe that?" "Who cares what the employees think? Once I''m back, they''ll all shut up anyway." "Do you really think that? It seems like the Suhyaejong line has already sided with Mr. Bang under Mr. Choi Man-Sik''s instruction." Kim Dong-Soo smirked. "Whether it''s President Choi Man-Sik or Director Bang Sang-Yung, I''m still the top dog in the Suhyaejong line. Just wait and see. Once my suspension is lifted, they''ll all line up under me!" Kim Dong-Soo''s confident attitude made it clear that he had indeed joined forces with Colonel Baek. "But you''ve never been one to frequent rundown ces like this, have you?" "Enough with the nonsense. Why did you want to see me?" With everything outside handled by Choi Yung-Ho, I decided to ask Kim Dong-Soo what I''d been wanting to know. "There''s something I really want to ask." After a brief pause, Kim Dong-Soo spoke. "Go ahead. If it''s worth answering, I''ll answer." "Why are you so desperate?" Kim Dong-Soo was trying to climb higher by bribing politicians and offering celebrities favors. I thought he might change a bit after being suspended, but he took this opportunity to team up with Jiang Wei and Colonel Baek to create the X-FILE. Despite all the changes I had made after traveling back in time, he seemed to be moving ording to fate as if predestined. Kim Dong-Soo looked at me with a crooked smile. "You''re seriously asking because you don''t know?" "Yes, I''m asking because I don''t know." At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo suddenly downed a ss of baijiu and shouted. "Because I want to seed! I want to rise to the top! How else can a guy with nothing make it? You have to catch the attention of the powerful to even have a chance! You still don''t know that?" That''s when I finally realized why I kept myself around Kim Dong-Soo despite hating him so much in my past life. ''We''re the same,'' I silently reflected. Kim Dong-Soo resembled me in my past life. He reminded me of my past self who would do just anything to seed. This meant there was only one ending for Kim Dong-Soo who was moving like an unstoppable train: he would feel an unquenchable thirst and try to get whatever he wanted at all cost. I figured Kim Dong-Soo probably didn''t even know how far he could go. After all, I had the same experience in my past life. Kim Dong-Soo gritted his teeth and red at me. In my past life, his life was a stretch of highway with no obstacles. However, he found himself blocked at every turn now. Just like how I was trying to view Ju Yung-In differently now, I tried to see the changed Kim Dong-Soo as a different person than the one I knew in my past life. Unfortunately, Kim Dong-Soo was bing an even worse person than before. Kim Dong-Soo stared straight at me and said, "Then let me ask you something this time." "What is it?" Kim Dong-Soo red at me and asked, "Why are you so obsessed with Hoop Entertainment? Is it because of Jung Yoo-Jin? Because of Miso? You could just take them and leave along with those who follow you!" Without answering him, I poured the baijiu into an empty ss on the table. After filling the ss to the brim, I downed it in one gulp. The baijiu felt like it was burning my mouth and throat as it went down with the intense fruity aroma stinging my nose. Wiping the baijiu from my lips, I shouted at Kim Dong-Soo. "As long as you''re in this industry, it''ll be the same no matter where I go." Kim Dong-Soo blinked in confusion. "What?" "Kim Dong-Soo. No matter where I am, you''ll try to get rid of me and Yoo-Jin. People like you always eliminate anything that gets in their way. So rather than facing that outside, it''s better to break your power here at Hoop Entertainment. Isn''t that right?" Kim Dong-Soo red at me. "...How do you know me so well?" ''Because I traveled back in time,'' I answered in my heart. We exchanged a few more questions but only one thing became clear. ''Fate doesn''t change,'' I concluded. This was true at least for Kim Dong-Soo, who was destined to live out the life I had experienced in my past life. In that case, I had to stop himpletely to protect my celebrities and to protect Hoop Entertainment. I stood up while keeping my eyes fixed on Kim Dong-Soo''s burning gaze. "We''vee up the same path anyway. So let''s go all the way to the end. That''s what you want too, Isn''t it?" Kim Dong-Soo chuckled. "Hahaha. You know, when I think about it, you''re a lot like me. That''s probably why I hated you but sometimes liked you too." I wanted to say no, but the words didn''te out easily because I still had a part of me that was like him. Kim Dong-Soo no longer looked at me and instead reached for the baijiu as if he wanted to drink alone all night. I left him there chuckling to himself and slowly turned away, thinking that only one of us would be left standing in the end. *** Click. As I stepped out of Taesung Jjambbong, I walked into the alley outside where Choi Yung-Ho was waiting with a stern expression. He had heard everything inside through the listening device. Choi Yung-Ho looked at me and said, "Don''t let it shake you. You''re not the same as Kim Dong-Soo." "..." He continued, "He only thinks about himself. But what about you? You have friends and family you''d risk your life to protect." At that moment, I felt like my efforts to change after returning weren''t in vain. At least I had changed enough to earn such an evaluation from others. I gave a faint smile. "Thank you." "There''s no need to thank me. I''m just stating the truth." Just then, the walkie-talkie on Choi Yung-Ho''s belt crackled. -I''m sorry, Yung-Ho hyung-nim. We found no traces of that man. -Yung-Ho hyung-nim, no traces here either. There are no security cameras or car ck boxes around, so tracking is difficult. -Yung-Ho hyung-nim, we have no idea where he went. They had searched every alley but still found no trace. "Search again, thoroughly!" Choi Yung-Ho instructed them. -Yes, sir! Choi Yung-Ho finished giving the instruction and wore a troubled expression."We must have been toote." At that moment, I mentioned that the ce we had just been to wasn''t somewhere Kim Dong-Soo frequented. "Chief Kim always hated shabby Chinese restaurants like this. It''s strange that the ce ispletely empty too. Could this be a location where Colonel Baek meets people?" Choi Yung-Ho''s eyes lit up. "That makes sense. People like Colonel Baek who do such work tend to avoid unfamiliar ces." Then Choi Yung-Ho immediately picked up his walkie-talkie. "Sang-Sik, get me the contact information for the owner and the head chef of Taesung Jjambbong right away." -Yes, sir. ''Now that I think about it, there wasn''t anyone in the kitchen earlier...'' I thought. I also mentioned that Kim Dong-Soo was the only one there when I entered the restaurant. Choi Yung-Ho acknowledged this and patted his chest, telling me to leave the rest to them. "We''ll investigate the owner and see if they know anything about Colonel Baek. We''ll find him one way or another, so don''t worry." "Thank you." Even though it was a difficult task, I still made the request to stop Kim Dong-Soo and protect my celebrities. To prevent anyone from getting hurt because of greedy people, and to make sure that scumbags like them don''t take over the world I live in. *** My daily life as a talent agent continued as usual after I met with Kim Dong-Soo. Today was thest day of filming for In the Name of God. The grand finale of months of hard work was finally here. Kim Sung-Woon announced the end of the long journey. "Cut! Good job, everyone." Everyone from the actors to the staff began pping and congratting each other onpleting the shoot. "Well done, everyone." After the lead actors were given bouquets, Cha Soo-Yeon personally handed one to Yoo-Jin. "Well done, Miss Yoo-Jin." "Thank you." When Yoo-Jin smiled as she received the flowers, Cha Soo-Yeon yfully added, "Ah, it''s a shame that Manshin Wol-Ah couldn''t be here." Yoo-Jin yed along. "Should I quickly put on the makeup ande back?" "I''m kidding, just kidding." The staff continued to approach Yoo-Jin, shaking hands and expressing their desire to work with her again on future projects. Seeing this made me feel as if I were being praised as well. However, the expression on Lee Ji-Yeon''s face, who hade to watch the final shoot, didn''t seem rxed. Thinking it was perhaps due to the emptiness thates after a project ends, I bowed my head deeply in sincere respect. "Thank you so much, Ms. Lee! Thanks to you, Yoo-Jin has be a lead actor!" Lee Ji-Yeon shook her head, saying that wasn''t the issue. "What else could matter when my actress wants to work with another writer now?" Lee Ji-Yeon was reluctant to let go of Yoo-Jin whom she had enjoyed working with so much. "Is this what it feels like when your man runs off with another woman? Ah, seriously. What do I do with this feeling?" she mumbled. I hurriedly tried to soothe Lee Ji-Yeon as her muttering grew louder. "Ms. Lee, this is just a temporary detour while you prepare your next project." Lee Ji-Yeon red at me. "Yoon-Ho~ You know that''s exactly what a cheating man would say, right?" I scratched my head. "I-is that so?" At that moment, Lee Ji-Yeon let out a smallugh. "Haha. Alright, fine. I''ll let it go this time because you''ve helped me so much. You revived this project, supported me, and guided me all the way. It''s all thanks to you, Yoon-Ho." Lee Ji-Yeon''s frustration at parting with the project was showing in her yful demeanor. "But Yoon-Ho~ I want to give you a gift. Is there anything you want? Should I get you a new car?" There was only one thing a talent agent could wish for from a writer. "After Hwaranjeon ends, I''d like to ask for a drama with Yoo-Jin as the lead," I answered. Lee Ji-Yeon burst outughing and clicked her tongue. "Hahaha, you win. You want a project for your actor as a gift? Pfft, Yoon-Ho, you''re truly a talent agent through and through~" Lee Ji-Yeon agreed and quietly watched the set where filming had just wrapped up withoutining further. Having finished greeting the staff, Yoo-Jin holding her bouquet approached. "Ma''am! When did you get here?" "I came while you were filming yourst scene." Yoo-Jin asked with a warm smile. "How did I do?" "Are you really asking that?" As Yoo-Jin received recognition from Lee Ji-Yeon, tears began to fall from her eyes. Lee Ji-Yeon smiled warmly and wiped away her tears. "Why are you crying?" "Because I''m happy..." "If you''re happy, you should be smiling, not crying!" Lee Ji-Yeon scolded Yoo-Jin in a sharp tone, but she couldn''t stop the tears welling up in her own eyes as well. At that moment, Ju Yung-In, who had been hesitating in the distance, bit her lip and approached. "Ms. Lee, thank you for your hard work!" Lee Ji-Yeon turned her head. "Yes, thank you for working hard too, Yung-In." Ju Yung-In hesitated for a moment at Lee Ji-Yeon''s tone, which waspletely different from when she spoke to Yoo-Jin, but she soon smiled and replied. "I don''t think I was able to satisfy you with this project. Next time, I promise I''ll do better!" "Alright. You''re not a hopeless actress, so I''ll be looking forward to it." Then, Ju Yung-In extended her hand to Yoo-Jin. "Let''s keep doing well together, Jung Yoo-Jin." Now a leading actress, Yoo-Jin shook Ju Yung-In''s hand. The two held onto each other''s hands tightly and wrapped up the drama they had worked on together, acknowledging once again how their positions hadpletely reversed. "Alright, Ju Yung-In." *** It was October 15th, the day of the final broadcast of episode 24 of In the Name of God, and the first offline meeting of Yoo-Jin and Miso''s fan club, You & Me. I arrived at the office early in the morning to prepare to wee the You & Me fan club members attending today''s event. "Make sure you share the list of minors and give me a copy too." Today, the talent agents were each assigned a minor to be responsible for. "Are you taking on some too, Mr. Jung?" "Yes. Sang-Bong went to pick up Yoo-Jin and Miso. I''ll cover for him until they arrive." "Understood." Lee Yung-Jin sent me the names of three You & Me fan club members who were minors. "Kim Yoo-Yeon, Lee Sang-Eun... and Cha Eun-Sol?" The name looked familiar. I quickly checked the KkTalk message Lee Yung-Jin sent. [Lee Yung-Jin: 1. Cha Eun-Sol (Yesung High School 3rd Year, Cheongju) Contact: 010-2345-XXXX, Mother''s Contact: 010-2346-XXXX, ...] "Yes, it''s Cha Eun-Sol!" Three years from now, Cha Eun-Sol would be one of the top ''homema'' in the industry and her photos alone would garner hundreds of thousands of views on average. ''Homema'' was short for ''homepage master,'' referring to someone who posted photos and videos of celebrities on their personal website. Recruiting her would be equivalent to having the best publicity team in the industry. However, I had failed to recruit her in my past life for various reasons. ''I won''t miss this chance this time!'' I thought. Unlike in my past life, I had no intention of letting this golden opportunity slip through my fingers now. Chapter 353: Cha Eun-Sol (1)

Chapter 353: Cha Eun-Sol (1)

It was 5 p.m. Fans from the newly merged fan club, You & Me, began lining up in front of thepany to support Yoo-Jin and Miso. About 150 people were invited to fill the small theater today. "Talent agent oppa! When can we go in?" Despite the repeated questions from the fan club members, Lee Yung-Jin smiled warmly and answered, "The original time to enter is 5:30 p.m., but you can go in as soon as the theater is ready. Just don''t sit anywhere other than your assigned seats. Everyone knows that, right?" The fan club members who were wearing school uniforms grumbled yfully at Lee Yung-Jin, "Can''t we just go in by order of arrival? We were the first ones here!" "Well, no. Even if you came early, it doesn''t work like that. I told youing early wouldn''t help, didn''t I?" "Ugh~ such a boomer." "Seriously~" Though he was called a ''boomer,'' Lee Yung-Jin held back his frustration. "Why are you calling me that? I''m only 27, you know?" The kids giggled. "Then you''re a young boomer!" That''s when Do Ran-Hee approached the young fan club members with a wide smile, like someone who had gone insane. "Oh my~ kiddos, you won''t be allowed into the theater if you speak carelessly like that. Should I swap roles with this young boomer oppa for today?" The fan club members who had been teasing Lee Yung-Jin quickly shut their mouths at once. They figured something unexpected could happen judging by Do Ran-Hee''s expression. ''As expected from Do Ran-Hee...'' I remarked inwardly. Although the designated seating had caused trouble for Lee Yung-Jin and some of the other talent agents, there was no other option. Without assigned seats, fans might rush to grab the front rows upon entering the theater, leading to potential idents. If that happened, today''s event would be canceled. Therefore, everyone balloted for their assigned seats with consideration given to allow groups who registered together to sit together. As I was organizing the line, I got a KkTalk notification. [Lovely?Yoo-Jin: Oppa, I''ll be there in ten minutes!] [Miso?Angel: Uncle Yoon-Ho, I''ll be there in ten minutes too!] [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: When you arrive, go straight to the underground parking lot. Make sure you don''t stick your head out of the car window.] If Yoo-Jin showed her face through the car window, the carefully organized line could easily fall apart. Hence, I told them to go straight to the parking lot with the curtains drawn. After replying to the KkTalk messages, I looked for the three underage fans I was in charge of. I looked around and spotted them. ''There they are.'' At the very end of the long line were three girls chatting with each other. Having previous experience as homema, Kim Yoo-Yeon and Lee Sang-Eun brought their DSLR cameras. Meanwhile, Cha Eun-Sol held a smallpact digital camera with her face full of anticipation. Cha Eun-Sol wasn''t a homema yet but just an ordinary high school fan girl. ''Now, let''s see if I can reel her in,'' I thought. Suppressing the grin that was about to break out on my face, I slowly made my way over to pick up this future top-tier homema. *** At the end of the long line of fans, I found Cha Eun-Sol and her friends chatting. Kim Yoo-Yeon, Lee Sang-Eun, and Cha Eun-Sol¡ªthe three high school friends had only been able to attend the fan club meeting today because it was their school''s anniversary. All three were wearing name tags on their casual clothes to make it easier for Yoo-Jin to recognize them. Kim Yoo-Yeon nced at Cha Eun-Sol''s camera and tilted her head in curiosity. "Eun-Sol, what''s up with your camera?" Lee Sang-Eun nodded in agreement. "Yeah, if you''re going to be a homema, why not spend a bit more on a better one?" I almostughed at the absurdity. ''Criticizing the future top homema of Korea for her equipment, huh?'' Cha Eun-Sol had carried a DSLR with a massive lens in my past life, but she had gained fame long before that. She had already shaken up numerousmunities with just photos taken on her phone. However, that was still three years into the future. Feeling embarrassed by her small camerapared to her friends, Cha Eun-Sol''s voice became quieter. "What can I do when I don''t have money?" As Cha Eun-Sol grumbled, her friends responded apologetically. "Well, it''s better than having nothing." "That''s true." Cha Eun-Sol''s shoulders slumped slightly. At that moment, my steps quickened without realizing it as I couldn''t just stand by and watch my future team member lose confidence. I approached them and spoke. "You guys are Yoo-Yeon, Sang-Eun, and Eun-Sol, right?" Kim Yoo-Yeon turned her head toward me, smiling brightly and warmly. "Oh? It''s Mr. Jung. Hello!" The most important thing for fangirls was building a good rtionship with thepany''s talent agents. After all, being on good terms with talent agents helped them get early information on the celebrities'' schedules and secure good spots for photos. However, considering what I''d just witnessed, Kim Yoo-Yeon probably wouldn''t be getting any prime spots from me in the future. Nheless, I spoke as kindly as possible because she was still a fan of Yoo-Jin. "I''ll be in charge until the evening since Sang-Bong is busy. But I see Yoo-Yeon and Sang-Eun are using good cameras. Are you two in charge of taking photos today?" "Yes. The fan club president asked us to handle the photos today." The fan club president had entrusted them with the responsibility of taking photos for the fan page as they were both experienced homemas. "Then Eun-Sol, are you also taking photos for the fan page as well?" Cha Eun-Sol shook her head. "No, I''m not good enough yet. I just brought my camera to take some for myself." She sounded like she didn''t think she was qualified to upload photos of Yoo-Jin to the fan page. ''What? That''s nonsense!'' I remarked inwardly. I gave Cha Eun-Sol a warm smile and reassured her. "Skill doesn''t matter when you''re taking pictures of someone you love. As long as your heart''s in it, that''s all that counts. Right?" Cha Eun-Sol''s expression brightened a little. "And can you send me some of the pictures you taketer?" I asked. "The ones I take?" "Yeah. I want to give them to Yoo-Jin. Oh, and to Miso as well." Cha Eun-Sol nodded eagerly with a bright expression. "For sure, talent agent oppa!" Taking photos with inadequate equipment only highlights a person''s actual skill. I nned to use this opportunity to check Cha Eun-Sol''s future potential and also her current skill level. After boosting Cha Eun-Sol''s spirits, I turned to Kim Yoo-Yeon and Lee Sang-Eun. "You two as well. Please make sure to take great photos for the fan page today, okay?" Although I wasn''t happy with how they treated Cha Eun-Sol earlier, I spoke kindly as they were still valuable members of the fan club. In response, Kim Yoo-Yeon and Lee Sang-Eun grinned and answered cheerfully. "Okay, talent agent oppa!" "Leave it to us!" Nodding enthusiastically, the two girls began discussing with Cha Eun-Sol how they should take their photos. *** In Hoop Entertainment''s underground theater, all 150 fan club members had taken their designated seats. It was now 5:30 p.m. Episode 24 of In the Name of God was scheduled to air at 10 p.m., but several events were nned before that. No professional MC had been hired since it was a small event, so I took on the role myself. I introduced Yoo-Jin and Miso with a bit of exaggerated ir. "All right, thank you so much for waiting! Please wee the always beautiful Jung Yoo-Jin and always shining Jung Miso!" Holding Miso''s hand, Yoo-Jin waved at the audience as she stepped onto the stage. Yoo-Jin dressed in a pure white gown and wore a lily hairpin, while Miso wore a pink dress and had her hair styled in a cute apple ponytail. "Unnie! You look so beautiful today!" "Noona! Please look over here!" "Miso, look over here! Right here!" "Ahhhh! Miso!" "Miso is so cute!" The cheers from the You & Me fan club had doubled now that they werebined. Fans began snapping photos of Yoo-Jin and Miso with their cameras and phones. Kim Yoo-Yeon and Lee Sang-Eun holding their DSLRs took continuous shots from both sides of the aisle. However, Cha Eun-Sol still hadn''t started taking pictures. After a short while, Cha Eun-Sol finally began photographing once she had finished setting up. She was intensely focused on Yoo-Jin and Miso on stage, moving with such steady precision that there wasn''t even the slightest shake in her shots despite the high-pitched screams echoing around her. I nodded to myself. ''She''s got talent and there''s no doubt about it.'' I was curious about the photos Cha Eun-Sol was taking. *** The first event on the schedule was the appointment ceremony for the fan club staff. The fan club was now managed by Choi Sang-Min, Jung Ah-Reum, and Lee Ji-Ho, who had previously worked with the Cheonho-dong''s Burger Maiden fan club. Since they couldn''t use their nicknames like ''Burger Man,'' ''Patty Girl,'' and ''Lettuce Boy'' in this formal setting, Yoo-Jin handed them the certificates using their real names. After Yoo-Jin handed out the certificates, Miso eagerly insisted on giving them one as well. "Please take good care of us, oppa and unnie!" With each certificate Miso handed out while shaking her ponytail, the three fan club staff members clutched their hearts in adoration. Once the ceremony ended, it was time for the fan signing and photo session. Yoo-Jin and Miso sat side by side at a table and shook hands with the approaching fans while making eye contact. "What''s your name?" "Wow! Your name is so pretty, unnie. Ye-Ji~!" As Yoo-Jin and Miso personally signed autographs for each fan, the fans screamed in delight. Then, the time came for the program Miso had been most excited about. "Now, we''ll begin the ''Follow Miso''s Fishcake Making'' segment!" Arge batch of pre-made fish cake dough was brought out and ced on a stic-covered table. Miso, wearing a bread-shaped hat and an apron, stood at the table. Her face was filled with a bright smile, and she had sanitary gloves on both hands. "Alright~ I''ll be taking five volunteers to make fishcakes with Miso!" Honestly, I doubted anyone would want to make ''fishcake dough'' at an event like this. However, I waspletely wrong. "Me!" "I''ve recreated all of Miso''s fishcake recipes at home! Pick me, pick me!" About 30 out of the 150 attendees shot their hands into the air. At the same time, Miso''s face lit up and her excitement echoed through the microphone across the small theater. "Wow~~" That''s when even more people started raising their hands as if under a spell. "M-me too!" "Mr. Jung! If you don''t pick me, I''m not going home today!" As Miso cheered on, more hands shot up as if enchanted by her energy. In the end, I had to conduct a ballot as 53 people had raised their hands. Only five lucky fans were selected while the rest descended from the stage with disappointed expressions. The chosen volunteers followed Miso''s lead, putting on aprons and sanitary gloves. Then they gathered around the table and began to make the fish cake dough after watching Miso. Miso started shaping the fishcake dough on the table with her small hands. "To make a T-Rex, you have to knead the dough like this!" As Miso formed the tail, legs, and head of a Tyrannosaurus-shaped fish cake, the others began to follow suit. She managed to craft a 30cm-long T-Rex fish cake using only dough and flour. I was surprised by how it turned out. ''Wow. It really is a T-Rex.'' Miso proudly pointed to her creation, but the fans'' fish cakes were only half-formed. "Tada~! See? It''s easy!" Seeing this, Miso walked around and offered her thoughts on the fans'' creations. "Oh! This one''s an elephant!" "This... is a giraffe, right?" "This one... looks like a monkey... maybe? I''m not sure!" "Wow~ This one''s a mermaid!" It was supposed to be a ''follow Miso''s fish cake making'' session, but creative masterpieces were popping up everywhere instead. However, the kind-hearted Miso showered everyone withpliments, saying they did a great job no matter what they made. Shortly after, the finished fish cakes were handed over to the talent agents and delivered to the kitchen where they would be deep-fried. The remaining dough would be shaped into round fish cakes by the kitchen staff. The event continued in a lively and enjoyable atmosphere. *** During a brief break, I called Cha Eun-Sol to a quiet corner of the small theater. "Eun-Sol, could I take a look at some of the photos you''ve taken so far?" After thinking for a moment, Cha Eun-Sol selected a few photos and handed them to me. "Which of these three do you like the most?" I was left speechless as soon as I saw the photos. ''This is incredible. Were these really taken with apact camera?'' One photo showed Yoo-Jin and Miso holding hands while waving to the audience. Another captured Yoo-Jin crouching down, listening to Miso with a bright smile. The final one was of me standing beside Yoo-Jin and Miso to introduce them while the two looked at me and smiled. The photos of Yoo-Jin and Miso were so vibrant and full of life. It was as if a professional photographer had shot them with a top-tier DSLR. If she had better equipment, she could showcase the talent she had possessed to be a homema in my past life. At that moment, Cha Eun-Sol looked at me with a worried expression. "Mr. Jung, which one do you like the most?" I snapped back to reality and replied, "I like all of them, but... I think the second one is the best." Cha Eun-Sol tilted her head in confusion. "I thought the third one had the best expressions... it looks the most lively." To be honest, I agreed with Cha Eun-Sol. However, I couldn''t choose the third one, because there was an unexinable flutter in my heart when I saw the way Yoo-Jin looked at me in the photo. ''I definitely can''t let that one be made public...'' I thought. Ignoring my racing heart, I requested Cha Eun-Sol. "Eun-Sol, can you do me a favor and delete thatst photo with me in it?" Cha Eun-Sol looked puzzled. "Is it really that bad?" "No, it''s not that... it''s just that this is a fan club for Yoo-Jin and Miso. It might be a bit weird if a talent agent is in the photo." "I don''t mind, though..." "Even if you don''t mind, there are plenty of fans who wouldn''t like seeing a talent agent in a picture with their favorite celebrities. Please, just do this for me." After a moment of hesitation, Cha Eun-Sol nodded. "Okay. But it seems like a waste to just delete it. So I''ll give it to you, Mr. Jung." "Thanks. Yoo-Jin and Miso will love it." Cha Eun-Sol smiled happily. Having confirmed her talent, it was time to make my move. "Eun-Sol, you seem to have a real gift for photography. Once you get into college, how about working part-time at ourpany?" Currently, Cha Eun-Sol had applied to Hongyeon University''s design major through early admissions. ording to my memory from my past life, she would pass the first round with a breeze. Knowing her future, I sweetened the deal and offered her an hourly rate of 15 thousand won with additional incentives. However, Cha Eun-Sol bowed her head without hesitation. "I''m sorry, Mr. Jung. But I don''t think I can do that." Just like in my past life, Cha Eun-Sol turned down my offer right from the start again. However, unlike before, I knew exactly why she was refusing this time. ''Well then. It''s time to start negotiating.'' Chapter 354: Cha Eun-Sol (2)

Chapter 354: Cha Eun-Sol (2)

Cha Eun-Sol''s parents ran a small food stall called "Eun-Sol Snacks" near her school. However, their business declined after several franchise tteokbokki shops opened in the vicinity, leaving the family in financial difficulty. This meant that Cha Eun-Sol''s family was unsure if they could afford the tuition and enrollment fees even if she got epted into college. In my past life, she entered college but considered taking a leave of absence every year due to the financial strain. Knowing Cha Eun-Sol''s situation, I made a bold offer. "And on top of that, I''ll cover your college tuition and enrollment fees. What do you think? Still not interested?" Cha Eun-Sol''s eyes widened in surprise. "Huh? Really?" I continued. "Oh, right. And there''s apany dorm avable, so you could stay there throughout your four years of school." "A-are you serious?" "Of course. And even if you don''t get into college, I''m still going to hire you." Although I was certain she would pass the early admission process, I mentioned the possibility just in case. Cha Eun-Sol looked at me in disbelief. "What... what makes you trust me enough to offer such a good deal?" "I just really like the feel of your photos." Cha Eun-Sol''s expression showed that she wanted to ept the offer right away. ''That''s right. It would be crazy to refuse under these terms,'' I remarked inwardly. She hesitated and eventually lowered her head. "I''m sorry...but I don''t think I can do it right now." I was taken aback by her answer. ''What? Did she actually just say no?'' "I-I''ll contact youter." Cha Eun-Sol looked like she had no other choice and returned to her friends. I was momentarily stunned and unable to process her refusal. "E-Eun-Sol?" Then it hit me why she had turned me down. ''Right... she mentioned her dad is strict, didn''t she?'' Her dad wasn''t an issue in my past life since I met her when she was already in college. However, right now, Cha Eun-Sol was still a senior high school student. At this life stage, her parents still had an absolute influence on her career decisions. However, I wasn''t about to give up. After all, Cha Eun-Sol was almost convinced by me. ''I guess I''ll need to get some extra proof to win her over,'' I thought. To strengthen my case, I sent a KkTalk message to Kang Ji-Yung to push for Cha Eun-Sol''s recruitment. [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: Ms. Kang, I want to add someone to the Publicity Division. Here are some sample photos. (Fan meeting photo 1), (Fan meeting photo 2), (Fan meeting photo 3).] The moment I sent the message, my phone rang immediately. -Who took these photos? "Do you like them?" I asked. -Of course! I haven''t seen this much life in photos since Gu Mi-Oh! Gu Mi-Oh was a top photographer who was only engaged in major projects like shooting covers for Womans. She was known for capturing vibrant expressions in milliseconds and extracting colors more urately than aputer could. Right now, Cha Eun-Sol''s skills were beingpared to Gu Mi-Oh''s. "Actually, the person who took these is a high school senior. So..." As soon as I exined my offer to recruit Cha Eun-Sol, Kang Ji-Yung responded without hesitation. -Hire her immediately! Presenting the results and exining the situation made the approvale surprisingly easily. Now, it was time for round two of convincing Cha Eun-Sol. *** Now that I had full authority over scouting Cha Eun-Sol, I felt reassured and continued with the rest of the fan meeting schedule. The three fan club administrators were live-streaming the event, creating a huge buzz on social media. As a result, the top trending search term was ''You & Me Fan Club Live!'' The fan meeting progressed sessfully and moved toward its conclusion. At 10 p.m., the final highlight of the fan club offline meeting arrived: the viewing of Episode 24 of In the Name of God. As the fan club members settled in their seats for the screening, I turned off the lights in the small theater. The final episode intensely unfolded over the next hour, ending with Cheongmyung avenging herself against the psychopathic serial killer. As soon as the episode concluded, the lights came back on in the darkened theater. "Jung Yoo-Jin is the best!" "Jung! Yoo! Jin! Jung! Mi! So!" "You & Me!" Yoo-Jin and Mi-So stood up, deeply bowing to the fans in response to the thunderous apuse. "Thank you so much!" Just then, I received a call from Kim Sung-Woon. I quickly shouted, "Everyone, hold on! It''s the call about the viewership ratings." The theater fell silent in an instant without a single sound. My heart raced as I answered the call. -The final episode''s viewership ratings are in! "What''s the percentage?" After a brief pause, Kim Sung-Woon yelled into the speaker so loudly that it nearly echoed through the room. -It''s 39.5%! As soon as the unbelievable figure was announced, the fan club erupted with cheers and nearly shook Hoop Entertainment to its core. "That''s amazing~~!!" Fans were shouting and celebrating, sharing their excitement. *** It was finally time for everyone to go home. The talent agents guided everyone out of the small theater except for the underage members who would be escortedter. "Alright~ please exit this way." There were 15 underage fans still in the theater. Most of them were from Seoul, so the talent agents would personally drive them home. Hence, they had to wait in the theater until the other fans left. Cha Eun-Sol, Kim Yoo-Yeon, and Lee Sang-Eun, who lived in Cheongju, were supposed to be driven home by Jung Sang-Bong. However, I pulled Cha Eun-Sol aside near the stage to make another attempt at convincing her. Cha Eun-Sol apologized. "I''m really sorry, Mr. Jung... It''s a generous offer, but I don''t think I can ept it." I was about to tell her I could speak with her father when her phone rang. "Oh? It''s my mom." "Huh? I just contacted her earlier and told her we''d drop you off ourselves." Cha Eun-Sol answered the phone with her expression also showing confusion. However, her face grew darker as the conversation went on. "N-No, Dad... it''s not like that." It seemed her father had called using her mother''s phone. ''It looks like she came here with just her mom''s permission without telling her dad,'' I thought. It was amon situation. "I-I''lle home right away. I''m sorry. No, you don''t have toe. Thepany said they''d drive me back. Okay, bye." After hanging up, Cha Eun-Sol''s face was filled with fear as if my earlier offer was seemingly forgotten. Though I had a business trip to China tomorrow, I realized I had to head to Cheongju tonight to convince her father. If Cha Eun-Sol got scared and gave up on fangirling now, the future could change drastically. I quickly told Jung Sang-Bong to take Yoo-Jin and Miso home while I drove Cha Eun-Sol and her friends to Cheongju. If Cha Eun-Sol continued to support Team Jung''s actors and singers, their rise to the top would be twice as fast. I couldn''t afford to miss this opportunity. *** At 1:20 a.m., I headed toward Cha Eun-Sol''s house with her as thest stop after dropping Kim Yoo-Yeon and Lee Sang-Eun off at their homes. In the distance, the blinking sign of Eun-Sol Snacks came into view. Cha Eun-Sol''s house was a two-story brick building with the snack shop upying the first floor. Light spilled out from the shopte into the night, and standing in front of it with his arms crossed was a man¡ªCha Eun-Sol''s father, Cha Jong-Taek. Cha Eun-Sol hunched her shoulders upon seeing her father and muttered, "What should I do?" "Don''t worry. I''m here." I reassured Cha Eun-Sol and parked the car slowly in front of the shop. As soon as we stepped out, Cha Jong-Taek approached us with a stern expression. I had braced myself to receive a scolding, but he bowed politely to my surprise. "My immature daughter seems to have caused you trouble. Thank you for bringing her home sote." Although he was surely angry, Cha Jong-Taek remained respectful. "It''s nothing. I should have contacted both you and her mother beforehand. That was our mistake," I responded politely. "No, the fault is mine for being too caught up in the shop to pay attention while my daughter was out sote." When Cha Jong-Taek took the me, Cha Eun-Sol couldn''t bear the heavy atmosphere and spoke up. "D-dad, actually today..." "Eun-Sol, we''ll talkter." Cha Jong-Taek''s firm attitude made Cha Eun-Sol lower her head even more. I decided to speak up. "Sir. Before you scold Eun-Sol, could we have a quick conversation?" Cha Jong-Taek shook his head. "It''ste and she has school tomorrow. You should head back now." Cha Jong-Taek was clearly furious that his daughter, a senior high school student, had lied and gone to Seoul without his permission. However, I couldn''t just walk away and leave Cha Eun-Sol like this. As her potential team lead, I couldn''t ignore the challenges she was facing. "I won''t leave until you hear me out," I replied calmly but firmly. Cha Jong-Taek stared at me intently. "No matter what you say, it won''t change anything." "If you hear me out, I''m sure you''ll reconsider." Cha Jong-Taek let out a short sigh. "Alright, I''ll give you three minutes." I nodded. ''Three minutes would be more than enough.'' I immediately pulled out my phone, ready to show him the card I had prepared to win Cha Eun-Sol over. "Please take a look at this article." Cha Jong-Taek took my phone and began reading the article. "You & Me Fan Club Meeting at Hoop Entertainment Theater, including the final episode viewing of In the Name of God. What''s this supposed to mean?" "Please check the author''s name at the bottom of the article." "What are you trying to do here?" Cha Jong-Taek frowned and asked. "You said I had three minutes. So please bear with me." Cha Jong-Taek sighed again and continued reading. "Author: Reporter Choi So-Hye. Photo courtesy... Cha Eun-Sol?" Seeing his daughter''s name, Cha Jong-Taek''s eyes widened in shock. I quickly exined. "These photos were taken today by Eun-Sol herself, and they''ll be on the front page of Central Daily Newspaper''s entertainment section tomorrow." Central Daily Newspaper was a major newspaper, printing 100,000 copies daily in addition to its online distribution. The fact that his daughter''s photos would be featured there began to shift Cha Jong-Taek''s expression. "Did Eun-Sol really take these photos? It''s not someone with the same name?" When I gestured toward Cha Eun-Sol, she quickly stepped forward and held up herpact camera. "Dad, I really took those photos. Look!" Cha Jong-Taek looked perplexed when Cha Eun-Sol handed him the camera. "When did you even buy this camera?" "I saved up my allowance..." Cha Jong-Taek''s expression wavered. "Allowance? But I didn''t even give you much this year. How did you save up for this?" "I just bought it recently and it was second-hand from a friend. So it was really cheap. It''s true!" Hearing that she had bought the camera by saving what little allowance she had and getting it second-hand left Cha Jong-Taek speechless. His face showed a mix of regret and guilt that he couldn''t even buy his beloved daughter a new camera due to financial hardships. As Cha Eun-Sol said, it was clear that he loved his daughter deeply despite his strictness. His opposition to her fangirling was likely out of a desire for her to seed by getting into a good university. However, the path to sess for Cha Eun-Sol wasn''t in academics¡ªit was somewhere else entirely. Sensing the opportunity, I pressed on. "Sir. After seeing the photos, the reporter from Central Daily Newspaper asked me to introduce her to Eun-Sol. However, I refused immediately. Why? Because I n to scout her myself!" Cha Jong-Taek looked at me with an astonished expression. "You''re saying... you''re going to scout Eun-Sol?" "Yes. After she gets epted into college, I n to register her as an intern in the publicity division and offer hourly pay along with incentives. Oh, and we can also sign a contract guaranteeing a full-time position upon graduation." At that moment, the door to the shop creaked open and Cha Eun-Sol''s mother, Lee Joo-Sun, rushed out to defend her daughter. "Dear, please go easy on Eun-Sol! She''s been under so much stresstely that I told her to take a break and let her go for a bit!" Lee Joo-Sun grabbed her husband''s arm as he blushed, clearly embarrassed. "I-I''m not scolding her. Why don''t you go back inside for a moment?" "Then why aren''t youing inside? I''m the one who told Eun-Sol that she could go!" Lee Joo-Sun said anxiously. Cha Jong-Taek responded sheepishly, "H-hey. Don''t do this in front of a guest. This isn''t about scolding her. Mr. Jung here wants to hire Eun-Sol, so we''re discussing that." Lee Joo-Sun stopped shaking her husband''s arm and looked at me in disbelief. "You''re saying you want to hire our daughter?" "Yes, ma''am." "But she hasn''t even gone to college yet." "What does college have to do with talent?" Just then, Cha Jong-Taek spoke up as if he had made a decision. "Then can you put what you''re saying in writing?" He wanted to make sure everything was legitimate. I responded with a smile, "Of course. Could you hand me my phone?" Realizing he was still holding my phone, Cha Jong-Taek handed it back to me. "Here you go." I showed him the electronic contract I had prepared in advance on my phone. "Please take a look at this." The contract was set to take effect after Cha Eun-Sol''s college admission, covering her tuition and fees. It also included that we offer an hourly rate of 15,000 won and guarantee 50% overtime and 100% for special assignments. "You''re even offering to cover her college tuition? For just a few photos...?" Cha Jong-Taek asked with a puzzled look. I met Cha Jong-Taek''s gaze and confidently replied. After all, I knew better than anyone the value of Cha Eun-Sol''s photography. "Sir. While you may not see it, one of Eun-Sol''s photos could make millions rise or fall. In this industry, her talent is something we desperately want to recruit!" When I acknowledged Cha Eun-Sol''s talent, her previously shrunken shoulders in her father''s presence began to straighten¡ªalmost as if she were spreading the wings of her passion for fangirling. Cha Jong-Taek asked one final question. "T-then if my daughter doesn''t get into college, does that mean the offer is off the table?" I shook my head. "Not at all~" I smiled and showed him a second electronic contract I had prepared. This one wasn''t tied to any college admission. I added, "In fact, it''s even better for us if she doesn''t get into college. We would hire her as a full-time employee right after she graduates high school. She will join my team immediately!" Cha Jong-Taek and Lee Joo-Sun exchanged stunned nces as if they couldn''t believe what was happening. After a brief pause, Cha Jong-Taek looked at his daughter and spoke words I didn''t expect. "I had no idea my daughter had such talent... I''m sorry for always telling you not to waste your time on things like this." Cha Jong-Taek gently stroked Cha Eun-Sol''s hair and apologized. At that moment, tears began to stream down Cha Eun-Sol''s face as she threw herself into her father''s arms. "N-no, Dad... I''m the one who''s sorry." Cha Jong-Taek patted her back andforted her. "You''ve worked so hard. I''m sorry... and I love you." They stood there for a long while, crying and embracing each other. After they calmed down, Cha Jong-Taek, having epted his daughter''s passion for fangirling and her career, turned to me with a sheepish expression. "Um... Mr. Jung, would you like toe in for some ramen?" It was the moment I officially recruited Cha Eun-Sol, the future top-tier homema in the industry. Chapter 355: Ju Yung-In (1)

Chapter 355: Ju Yung-In (1)

The day after the fan meeting and the broadcast of the final episode of In the Name of God, I finalized the contract with Cha Eun-Sol. We decided her work would officially start once her college eptance was confirmed. After receiving a warm farewell in Cheongju, I returned to Seoul and got only three hours of sleep before heading to Incheon Airport with Seo Yeon-Woo. Ju Yung-In had been cast as the lead in Wolf of the Battlefield, a massive action blockbuster funded by Shanghai New Media Inc., and I was assisting with the contract for the project. Additionally, I had to introduce Seo Yeon-Woo as a vocal trainer to Ling Ling''s parents and meet Wang Long''s parents as well. I also had to discuss maintaining a friendly rtionship with Shanghai New Media Inc. in a meeting. As I parked the car at Incheon Airport and headed to the entrance with Seo Yeon-Woo, the entrance was already packed with fans waiting for Ju Yung-In. With the immense sess of In the Name of God, Ju Yung-In solidified her status as a top star, making her uing international debut highly anticipated. "When is Yung-In unnieing?" "They said her flight''s at 2:30, so she should be here soon since she has to arrive three hours early." "She''sing in about five minutes. I got a text from Mrs. Lee." "What? Do you have her personal number?" "Of course! How else would we know where toe?" A girl who seemed to be a fan club organizer shrugged as she spoke. On either side of the fan club members were reporters with tripods checking their watches while eagerly waiting for Ju Yung-In''s arrival. After all, Ju Yung-In was the lead in the recently concluded hit drama In the Name of God. It was currently 11:30 a.m. ''She''ll be here soon, I thought. I sat on a bench near the check-in counter and turned to Seo Yeon-Woo. "Once Ju Yung-In enters the departure gate, we''ll follow her. But remember, we''re not supposed to know each other on the ne." Seo Yeon-Woo nodded. "Okay, hyung." He wore a puzzled expression as he nced at the crowd outside the airport. "But how did all these people know to gather here?" "The talent agent from Ace Entertainment tipped them off in advance." It wasmon practice for entertainmentpanies to inform fan clubs when their artists were leaving or arriving at the airport. Not only did this help fans and paparazzi capture departure or arrival photos, but it also served as a way for thepany to unt the star''s poprity. The more fans that showed up, the more the public perceived the star''s poprity. Reporters were notified for the same reason. Hence, Ju Yung-In''s fan club members had been at the airport, armed with banners, since early in the morning to show their support. At that moment, an international call from Wang Long came in for me and I told him that we would be leaving soon. "Yeah, we''ll be heading to the departure gate in a bit." -No, that''s not what I''m calling about... Wang Long''s voice sounded troubled. "What''s wrong?" -Ourpany''s Vice President, Deng Chao, is unhappy with the contract you and I signed. And by the way, Director Jang Tae-Yoon is also in Deng Chao''s line. You should be aware of that. The president of Shanghai New Media Inc., Zhou Xiaoyan, had made the deal with Hoop Entertainment through Wang Long. Although the twopanies had signed a 50:50 partnership, Deng Chao and Director Jang Tae-Yoon of Wolf of the Battlefield weren''t pleased with the revenue split. "So they think giving Hoop Entertainment half of the profits is too generous, huh?" I remarked. -To be honest, yeah. Mr. Ju and I have been keeping them in check so they can''t openly protest, but I wanted to give you a heads-up. Shanghai New Media Inc. was at least ten timesrger than Hoop Entertainment in terms of revenue. Signing a 50:50 profit-sharing contract was already an unusual deal for such a massivepany¡ªand some of the executives were using this as an excuse to attack Wang Long, using him of being unfit for management. "They''re probably also criticizing you for being a nepo baby, right?" -Yeah, exactly. Wang Long confirmed that since it was already known within thepany that he was the son of Deputy Secretary Wang Min, there shouldn''t be any major issues with the final contract. However, I wasn''t one to leave even the smallestints unchecked. "Don''t worry, I''ll take care of it," I reassured him. -How are you going to handle it? "Trust me, they won''t be calling you a nepo baby after I''m done." I had a few cards up my sleeve to back up my position, including Hoop Entertainment''s recent performance. -I figured you wouldn''te to China without a n. I''ll leave it to you, then. "Okay." After ending the call with Wang Long, I let out a short sigh. Indeed, politics were tough everywhere whether in Korea or China. ''People are the same wherever you go,'' I thought. That''s when there was a suddenmotion at the entrance of Incheon Airport. ''She''s here.'' The fans started screaming upon watching the white van carrying Ju Yung-In pull up. "It''s Ju Yung-In!!" The moment Ju Yung-In, wearing a pink Channy two-piece, stepped out of the van, the cheers grew louder and louder. "Oh my goodness! Unnie!" "Unnie, please look over here!" "Over here, unnie!!" Camera shes went off everywhere, but Ju Yung-In casually removed her sunsses and smiled brightly at the crowd. Despite her gracious fan service, she made sure to prominently disy the bracelet, earrings, and brooch she was wearing. At her level of stardom, Ju Yung-In was essentially a walking advertisement. She was showing off thetest designer bags, shoes, and essories. Before In the Name of God, she had found it bothersome to highlight her sponsors'' products even if she was given them for free. However, she was all about giving the best possible exposure to her sponsors now. ''Looks like she was inspired by Yoo-Jin,'' I observed. Yoo-Jin frequently showcased the products she endorsed on social media, which made her unofficially the most beloved celebrity among advertisers. Recently, this level of exposure had even started to influence how much she was paid for sponsorships. Ju Yung-In had subtly changed to avoid being overshadowed by her rival, Yoo-Jin. For over two minutes, Ju Yung-In unted her sponsored essories before sping her hands together. It was a signal that the show was over. At that moment, her talent agent Ahn Yung-Hee began to aggressively push through the crowd. "Okay, okay. Reporters, please step aside. We''ll schedule interviews separately when she returns. Mr. Kim! Please listen to me and don''t block the way!" Security guards who had been waiting inside the airport rushed over to escort Ju Yung-In. "Sorry, we''reing through." With the guards'' help, they moved faster toward the departure gate. Only after Ju Yung-In checked in and entered the departure area did the fans reluctantly quiet down and disperse. Seo Yeon-Woo looked half-dazed, perhaps because it was his first time seeing such chaos. I patted Seo Yeon-Woo on the shoulder. "Take a good look, Yeon-Woo. You''ll experience this someday too." Seo Yeon-Woo blinked at me. "Me? Really?" I nodded and smiled. "Yeah. Don''t you remember? I promised to make you a singer. I''ll make you so sessful that twice as many fans as this wille to the airport for you." I did not forget my promise to debut Seo Yeon-Woo as a singer. Finally, he seemed to visualize that future and nced at the path Ju Yung-In had just walked, as if imagining his moment of stardom. *** Thanks to Ju Yung-In, Seo Yeon-Woo and I sat in seats 8A and 8B in business ss on the flight to China. Ju Yung-In and Ahn Yung-Hee were seated directly in front of us in 7A and 7B. As I settled in, I noticed two reporters sitting in the back of the business ss section along with a familiar homema who followed Ju Yung-In everywhere. Since the ne hadn''t taken off yet, I immediately sent a KkTalk message to Ju Yung-In. After all, I was acting as her agent today. [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: There are reporters on the ne. Rookie reporter Jong Min-Suk from Baro Star and Reporter Gu Ji-Am from Entertainment All Times are sitting in 7D and 8D. Be careful.] Seat 7D was directly across the aisle from 7B. Ju Yung-In''s seat 7A was a bit farther away, but the reporter would easily be able to see what Ju Yung-In was doing if he stood up. [Ju Yung-In: Wow. I''ve never seen those two reporters before. How did you know they''re reporters?] [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: Let''s just say I have my ways of finding out. So don''t turn your head and act naturally. Once wend, security and staff from Shanghai New Media Inc. will be waiting. Join them quickly. See you at the headquarters.] [Ju Yung-In: Got it, oppa. Oh, but by the way...] Just as she was about to say something else, my phone buzzed with a notification. [Notification: October 18, 2020. ''Jung Yoo-Jin'' has a new schedule update.] Today was October 17th, which meant something new woulde up for Yoo-Jin tomorrow. Even though I was on a ne bound for China, Yoo-Jin''s schedule was always a priority. I paused my conversation with Ju Yung-In and quickly flipped to the entry for the 18th in my nner. No matter how urgent things might be, nothing was more important than matters rted to Yoo-Jin. However, what I saw on the nner waspletely absurd. [Everyday V11] [Date: October 18, 2020] -09:00 a.m. [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Scheduled event canceled due to health reasons. (Video conference content: Rumors of a dating scandal between Ju Yung-In and Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho, handling follow-up responses.) Yoo-Jin was originally scheduled for an interview with Central Daily News'' reporter Choi So-Hye tomorrow. The interview was arranged as part of the deal to feature Cha Eun-Sol''s photos in the article. However, the interview was now being canceled for an outrageous reason: a scandal involving me and Ju Yung-In. My eyes widened. ''A dating scandal between Ju Yung-In and I?'' It was ridiculous, but I couldn''t dismiss it just because it sounded improbable. After all, the Everyday app had always been urate. ''Could Ju Yung-In be the one orchestrating this?'' I wondered. Nheless, I quickly shook my head. Knowing Ju Yung-In, she wouldn''t pull a stunt like this¡ªespecially not during one of the biggest moments of her career in China. After all, we started dating only during her career slump when she was at her lowest in my past life. I dismissed my suspicions of her and instead focused on the likelihood that a reporter might fabricate the story. As my response was dyed, Ju Yung-In sent another KkTalk message. [Ju Yung-In: Oppa, what''s going on? Is something wrong?] As I was about to reply, Jong Min-Suk sitting in seat 7D suddenly got up from his seat. It seemed like he was trying to sneak a peek at Ju Yung-In''s phone screen under the pretense of going to the restroom as she continued texting me. [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: The reporter in 7D is getting up. Let''s talkter. Cover your phone screen.] [Ju Yung-In: Okay, we''ll talkter then...] Ju Yung-In calmly put her phone away, pretending nothing had happened. Jong Min-Suk looked disappointed and smacked his lips as he walked toward the restroom. ''Could he be the one behind this?'' I wondered. Currently, the main suspects were Jong Min-Suk, Gu Ji-Am, and the well-known homema seated in business ss. However, I couldn''t rule out the possibility of a random passenger from the general public. A single carelessment on social media could easily spark a scandal. I had no idea who was trying to link me and Ju Yung-In to a dating scandal, but I had no intention of letting them seed. ''Whoever it is, they won''t get away with it!'' I thought. Suppressing my racing heart, I mentally reviewed all the possible scenarios that could unfold. "We will be taking off shortly..." After the announcement over the PA system echoed as the loud engine roared to life, the ne began slowly moving toward the runway. *** After the long flight, the ne touched down at Shanghai Airport. Thanks to the business ss ticket, I was able to quickly make my way out of the arrival hall. While Ju Yung-In was surrounded by a crowd of Chinese fans, I spotted someone from Shanghai New Media Inc. waiting to greet me. "Right over here, Mr. Jung!" A man with a short buzz cut was holding a sign with my name on it and waving enthusiastically. After exchanging greetings with Wang Long''s employee, I followed him to a ck Merciless Bends Springer waiting at the airport entrance. "This is your ride." I nodded. "Got it." When the rear door of the Springer opened, I saw Wang Long already seated and waving at me. "Hey, brother! You made it!" "Huh? What are you doing here? Who''s taking care of Miss Yung-In''s side?" I asked. Wang Longughed and signaled for me to hop in. "The real VIP is you, isn''t that right?" I climbed into the van and asked about the situation. "So who went to greet Miss Yung-In then?" "Don''t worry. My team is handling all the guests from Korea. A new director is assigned to her." "Okay, I trust you." "Alright, let''s roll!" As we drove toward the Shanghai New Media Inc. headquarters located about 30 minutes away, Wang Long brought up the final episode of In the Name of God from the previous night. "How the heck did you hit 39.5% viewership ratings? Korean viewership ratings always blow my mind. Over here in China, 3% is an already huge deal." In China, even a 3% viewership rating was considered a massive sess, and anything above 5% was extraordinary. With the massive poption of China, a 1% viewership rating easily surpassed the poption of Seoul. For instance, the highest-rated drama in the first half ofst year reached over 6% and amassed 1.5 billion views through streaming alone on Yooko, the same tform that would stream Wolf of the Battlefield. "Well, it''s bound to be like that with the poption difference and the number ofworks." "Still, congrattions. From what I''ve seen in the news, it looks like you''re set to sweep all the year-end awards." "Thanks, but it''s all because Yoo-Jin did so well. As for the awards, yeah, the odds are pretty good." "You''re admitting that? Haha," Wang Long chuckled. I nodded. "Of course. Yoo-Jin''s definitely got the Best New Actress award in the bag." As we exchangedpliments, Wang Long shifted the conversation to his father. "By the way, you haven''t forgotten about the meeting with my father tomorrow, right?" "How could I forget?" Deputy Secretary Wang Min, one of the key power figures in China, was eagerly looking forward to meeting me. He had insisted on treating me as his son''s benefactor. "But does your father still talk about me often?" I asked. "Yeah, he always says he can''t wait to see you." Just thinking about Wang Min''s stern face made my heart race. Last week, Wang Long reminded me to think of a gift I might want from his father. I originally hadn''t nned to ask for anything, but a challenging request hade up. At that moment, Wang Long looked interested. "What''s that look for? Last time you said you didn''t need anything." "I''ve changed my mind. Something came up." "What is it?" Looking at the excited Wang Long, I decided to tell him first about the favor I wanted to ask his father as I needed to know whether it was even possible. However, as I spoke, Wang Long''s expression slowly hardened. Chapter 356: Ju Yung-In (2)

Chapter 356: Ju Yung-In (2)

As we made our way to the Shanghai New Media Inc. headquarters in the car, I told Wang Long about the heavy request I needed to make to Wang Min. As expected, Wang Long seemed troubled. "You want to ask him to keep President Jiang Wei in check?" I nodded. "Yes. Mypetitor, Chief Kim Dong-Soo, has teamed up with President Jiang Wei." It would be a significant achievement if I could weaken the connection between Jiang Wei and Kim Dong-Soo. With Kim Dong-Soo''s financial support drying up, he wouldn''t be able to obtain information easily from Colonel Baek. Wang Long frowned as he mentioned that Jiang Wei had the backing of a high-ranking party official in the Beijing faction. "Well... they''re part of the Beijing faction..." In contrast, Wang Min belonged to the Shanghai faction which left Wang Long uncertain. I asked, "Do you think it might be too difficult?" Wang Long shook his head. "I''m unfamiliar with politics, so I think it would be best to speak directly with my father. If he can''t grant your request, he''ll suggest an alternative solution without hesitation. So don''t worry about it." ''As if I could really not worry,'' I remarked inwardly. He was just a deputy secretary of Shenzhen right now, but he would rise to the ninth rank in the Chinese Communist Party in seven years, bing a contender for the presidency. Knowing the future sometimes felt like a heavy burden. Unaware of my circumstances, Wang Long smiled and patted my shoulder lightly. "They say just knock and it will open~ You know? Just make sure to speak to him." "Alright. I''ll speak to him." Wang Long pointed at the distant headquarters building of Shanghai New Media Inc. "Okay. Now, let''s handle business with those old guys first." He discussed in more detail the factional disputes involving the Vice President''s group that he had told me about beforeing to China. "That Vice President guy is..." *** With its five 50-story buildings, the headquarters building of Shanghai New Media Inc. was ten times the size of Hoop Entertainment. It was evenrger than the headquarters of South Korea''s top ten conglomerates. Following Wang Long, I entered a meeting room on the 50th floor that looked like a sky lounge. Ju Yung-In, Ahn Yung-Hee, and Zhou Xiaoyan of the Shanghai New Media Inc. were already inside. Zhou Xiaoyan was in his mid-fifties and had a robust build and a kind expression. He greeted us. "Wee, you''vee a long way." I smiled and handed over a gift. "Thank you for the warm wee. This is a gift from our President." Zhou Xiaoyan''s face lit up upon seeing that the gift from Kang Gam-Chan was red ginseng. I had prepared this gift in advance knowing from my past life that it was his favorite. "It''s handmade red ginseng crafted by a master." "Wow, what a precious gift. Please convey my sincere thanks." Then Ju Yung-In also presented a gift, just as I had previously advised her. "I brought Moonbaeju, a traditional Korean spirit. I prepared the strongest one since I heard you enjoy strong drinks." When I tranted Ju Yung-In''s words, Zhou Xiaoyan brightened up again as he enjoyed showing off his drinking prowess. "It''s a gift that suits my taste perfectly!" Satisfied with the gifts from Ju Yung-In and me, Zhou Xiaoyan repeatedly expressed confidence that today''s meeting would go well. We chatted casually while waiting for Jang Tae-Yoon who would be the director of Wolf of the Battlefield in which Ju Yung-In would be starring. I took on the role of the interpreter, switching between Chinese and English. That''s when the secretary entered to announce the arrival of Jang Tae-Yoon and Deng Chao. "Tell them toe in." "Yes, sir." After the secretary left, it wasn''t even a minute before Deng Chao appeared with Jang Tae-Yoon. Deng Chao was dressed in a high-end suit and his sharp physique suggested he took care of himself. Following him, Jang Tae-Yoon walked in wearing his trademark ck leather jacket. Jang Tae-Yoon had lived in China for a long time, and he had a Korean father and a Chinese mother which allowed him to speak both Korean and Chinese. "Nice to meet you." After exchanging greetings, the contract wasid out immediately. Since all business negotiations had already beenpleted, only Jang Tae-Yoon''s signature remained. Ju Yung-In tried to lighten the mood by mentioning that she had watched all of Jang Tae-Yoon''s previous works, but his expression remained stiff. I was surprised because I had heard that he was excited about casting South Korea''s top actress just two days ago. ''Is he trying to cancel the contract altogether?'' I wondered. Before arriving, I had been warned by Wang Long that the factional conflicts were intense. However, I didn''t expect them to go as far as stalling on the contract. Jang Tae-Yoon replied indifferently in Chinese despite being able to speak Korean. "But do we need to sign this contract right now?" The atmosphere in the meeting room grew cold. At the same time, Zhou Xiaoyan erupted in anger. "What is the meaning of this, Director Jang!?" Ju Yung-In couldn''t understand Chinese but sensed something was wrong just from the tension in the room and looked at me with worry. I gave Ju Yung-In a reassuring smile before addressing Jang Tae-Yoon. "Mr. Jang, I''m Jung Yoon-Ho. We spoke over the phone before." Jang Tae-Yoon pretended not to remember our conversation. "Oh, is that so?" "If Miss Yung-In takes the lead role, I can assure you that she will work harder than any other actress. You know she received rave reviews for her dedication in herst drama, even shaving her head and pushing herself to the limit." Jang Tae-Yoon tilted his head. "Well, from what I read in today''s Korean newspapers, it seems like Miss Jung Yoo-Jin is getting all the attention... I''m not sure if a lead actress who lost to a supporting actress can lead in a Chinese film where she doesn''t even speak thenguage..." Unable to watch Jang Tae-Yoon''s sudden stubbornness, Zhou Xiaoyan intervened. "Director Jang! What''s gotten into you all of a sudden? We agreed to use a voice actor for thenguage issue and you were happy when Miss Ju Yung-In agreed to take the lead role!" Jang Tae-Yoon shrugged. "Well, things can change from one day to the next, can''t they? An actor''s status doesn''t remain the same every day." I finally understood why Jang Tae-Yoon was behaving like this. ''He''s following Vice President Deng''s orders to put up a fight, huh?'' I had heard from Wang Long that Deng Chao''s side was dissatisfied with the profit-sharing terms. Because of this, Jang Tae-Yoon was now dragging his feet even though he had initially been enthusiastic about Ju Yung-In. I had anticipated some resistance, but it was more tant than expected. Nheless, I couldn''t afford to back down on our first negotiation in China. ''Alright. Let''s see where this goes,'' I thought. I turned to Jang Tae-Yoon who was still refusing to sign the contract and spoke. "Miss Ju Yung-In hase to China fully prepared. She''s determined to create a masterpiece with you, Mr. Jang. Are you really willing to let go of such a dedicated actress?" For a moment, a flicker of hesitation appeared in Jang Tae-Yoon''s eyes. Losing the chance to work with the lead of In the Name of God which had just achieved top viewership ratings in Korea must have stung. My words seemed to have an impact as Jang Tae-Yoon nced toward Deng Chao. However, when Deng Chao gave a subtle shake of his head, Jang Tae-Yoon mped his mouth shut. If that''s how they wanted to y it, I had to push back. I fixed my gaze on Jang Tae-Yoon and revealed the card I had prepared. "Alright. If Miss Ju Yung-In isn''t needed here, I''ll cancel the contract as her agent and leave right now. Then I''ll request the lead role in Director Yang Yang''s film, Wang Family''s Dream, which Beijing Media Inc. is currently producing!" Director Yang Yang was Jang Tae-Yoon''s lifelong rival. Even in my past life, the two had constantly disparaged each other and undermined each other''s work. As soon as I mentioned Yang Yang''s name, Jang Tae-Yoon jumped up and shouted. This time, he shouted urgently in Korean. "W-wait! Wait a moment! Did you just say Yang Yang?" "Yes, you heard me correctly." If Ju Yung-In took on the lead role in Yang Yang''s film, he would surely boast about it excessively. Known for his skill in manipting the media, Yang Yang would likely criticize Jang Tae-Yoon for failing to recognize Ju Yung-In''s worth andbel him an ipetent director. Yang Yang would say things like Jang Tae-Yoon had poor judgment or that he wasn''t in the same league as him. He would surely use every opportunity to tear down Jang Tae-Yoon with such remarks. Shaken by my words, Jang Tae-Yoon quickly changed his stance. "H-hey, it seems there''s been some misunderstanding here. I was merely testing Miss Ju Yung-In''s determination!" That was an outright lie. Nevertheless, I had to pretend to believe it for now. After all, the terms with Shanghai New Media Inc. would be far better than Beijing Media Inc. anyway. "So are you going to sign the contract?" "Yes, let''s do it right away!" Jang Tae-Yoon opened the contract as if he would sign it immediately. At that moment, Deng Chao cut in with a sharp tone. "Mr. Jang, are you really satisfied with the profit distribution?" Jang Tae-Yoon''s hand froze as he was about to sign. "Ahem. To be honest... I wouldn''t say I''mpletely satisfied." Jang Tae-Yoon had sided with Deng Chao because he thought his share would be reduced, as the 50-50 split between Shanghai New Media Inc. and Hoop Entertainment also applied to him. In response to Deng Chao''s provocation, Zhou Xiaoyan stepped in. "Vice President, why don''t you give it a rest? Why are you still arguing over a decision that''s already been made?" President Zhou Xiaoyan held significant power within Shanghai New Media Inc. However, Deng Chao also had influential backing which made him a difficult opponent. While Wang Long could have resolved this easily with his father''s influence, it wasn''t a situation serious enough to warrant that. Deng Chao shrugged and replied, "Now that we''re on the subject, let''s be honest. We own the broadcast rights and distributionwork in China. Do you really think it makes sense to give away half of the profit?" When Korean agencies expanded into China, they often epted contracts with an 80-20 or even 90-10 split. The reason was simple: the vast Chinese market was too difficult to navigate alone. Without leveraging theworks that Chinese entertainment agencies have cultivated, it was nearly impossible to secure broadcasting rights. Because of this, Chinesepanies often held the upper hand in negotiations with Korean counterparts. Zhou Xiaoyan clenched his teeth and pushed back against Deng Chao. "Do you have any idea how many talented actors Hoop Entertainment has?" "I do. But with the current Korean Wave ban, it''s not like we can make proper use of them." I spoke directly to the dissatisfied Deng Chao. "So you''re saying that Hoop Entertainment wouldn''t be able to enter the Chinese market without Shanghai New Media Inc.''s help. Is that correct?" Deng Chao nodded. "Don''t take it personally. I''m just being realistic. We''ve invested a lot to establish ourwork in China too and maintaining it requires a substantial amount of money." I asked, "Do you really believe that Hoop Entertainment cannot enter the Chinese market without the help of Shanghai New Media Inc.?" Deng Chao let out a scoffingugh. "Of course. The Chinese market isn''t that easy, you know. Even if you have a top star at yourpany, they''re no use without a distributionwork here. That''s the reality." "I understand." At that moment, I turned my gaze to Wang Long as if on cue. "Mr. Wang Long, have you mentioned the offer I received from Hwayeon Media Inc. to the Vice President?" "No, I haven''t. So far, only I know about it. But it seems like now is the right time to bring it up." Wang Long looked directly at Deng Chao with a stern expression. "I heard that President Jiang Wei of Hwayeon Media Inc. is trying to recruit Team Lead Jung and offered a nk check." In an instant, Deng Chao''s expression began to change. He looked as if he couldn''t believe that Jiang Wei of Hwayeon Media Inc., apany farrger than Shanghai New Media Inc., would attempt to recruit me personally. "I-is that true?" "Yes, we confirmed it through multiple sources within Hwayeon Media Inc. In other words, Hoop Entertainment could enter the Chinese market through Hwayeon Media Inc. even without us. And it would be through Team Lead Jung right here!" Simultaneously, Deng Chao''s face turned pale as he looked at me. "That... that can''t be... President Jiang Wei is such an arrogant man... and he wanted to recruit this guy?" As the Vice President in charge of Shanghai New Media Inc.''s entertainment division, Deng Chao found it hard to believe that Jiang Wei, a figure even more influential than Shanghai New Media''s president, would take such an interest. Seemingly enjoying the moment, Wang Long pressed on. "And that''s not all. I''ve heard that even Chief Ryu Shin, President Jiang Wei''s right-hand man, went to Korea to try to scout him personally. Feel free to verify it yourself if you don''t trust me." As Wang Long continued speaking, Deng Chao''s voice began to falter. With Wang Long''s assistance, it was now my turn to strike. I smiled as I delivered my final blow to Deng Chao. "Well, if you''re truly unsatisfied, why don''t you just terminate the contract with Hoop Entertainment altogether? But keep in mind: the breach would be on Shanghai Media Inc.''s side so you''d have to pay the penalty." When Deng Chao was left speechless and unable to offer a retort, Zhou Xiaoyan eventually stepped in. "Vice President, that''s enough. If you push any further and Team Jung ends up partnering with Hwayeon Media Inc., I''ll report today''s events directly to the chairman!" Deng Chao''s face turned ghostly pale. After all, the chairman of Shanghai New Media Inc. was someone who could easily destroy his career. "M-Mr. Ju, I was only thinking of ourpany''s interests..." Deng Chao stuttered. "You can''t cover up your petty mistake from earlier no matter what you say now. It''s better to keep your mouth shut!" Deng Chao trembled and hung his head in defeat. It was a wless victory for me. Chapter 357: Ju Yung-In (3)

Chapter 357: Ju Yung-In (3)

President Zhou Xiaoyan of Shanghai New Media Inc. apologized on behalf of Vice President Deng Chao for themotion and increased Ju Yung-In''s appearance fee by over 30%. Ju Yung-In''s initial fee for Wolf of the Battlefield was 5 billion won, but it was raised to 7 billion won in one go. "Our Vice President Deng Chao made a mistake. Please forgive him, Team Lead Jung." Thanks to Deng Chao''s confrontation, Ju Yung-In''s fee increased and Hoop Entertainment''s standing became more solid. On top of that, my position grew even stronger than before. "Understood. Then let''s consider this matter settled." "Thank you." After finalizing the contract, we took amemorative photo. Deng Chao reluctantly posed for the photo before slipping away. Meanwhile, Jang Tae-Yoon stayed behind as he was eager to coborate with Ju Yung-In and disyed apletely changed attitude. Now, no one at Shanghai New Media Inc. would dare interfere with us. *** Wang Long booked me a suite in Shanghai Penins Hotel on the same floor as Ju Yung-In. Before he left, he told me to rest well and that we''d see each other in the morning. Seo Yeon-Woo fell asleep as soon as he took a shower as he hadn''t slept a wink the night before due to the excitement of his first overseas trip. After showering, Iy on the sofa in the spacious living room of the 100-pyeong luxury suite. It was 11:40 p.m. and the prediction about tomorrow morning''s scandal involving Ju Yung-In remained unchanged. [Everyday V11] [Date: October 18, 2020] -09:00 a.m. [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Schedule canceled due to health reasons. (Video conference content: Rumors of a dating scandal between Ju Yung-In and Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho, handling follow-up responses.) "Who could be writing this article?" I muttered. I hadn''t been close enough to Ju Yung-In to be captured in a single photo from the moment we finalized the contract until I arrived at the hotel. "Are they really fabricating something or what?" At that moment, the hotel doorbell rang suddenly. "What''s this? I didn''t order any room service..." I rubbed my damp hair and walked toward the door. "Who is it?" "It''s me, Yung-In." A chill ran down my spine for a moment. If a photo were taken now, it would confirm the dating rumor. I responded without opening the door. "What brings you here at this hour?" "I need to talk to you." "It''ste. A reporter might see you, so please go back for now." "I''ve already checked and no reporters are around. And... if you don''t open the door, I''ll just stay here." One thing that hadn''t changed about Ju Yung-In from my past life was her persistence. "Please take a step back from the door for a moment," I replied. I looked through the peephole to check outside. Only after seeing that no reporters were around did I open the door slightly. Ju Yung-In stood there in a simple white t-shirt and jeans. "What brings you here at this hour?" I asked. Ju Yung-In''s eyes widened in surprise like a startled rabbit and her ears turned bright red. "Uh, um... well..." Ju Yung-In couldn''t continue and lowered her head deeply. It seemed she had misunderstood since I hade out in a bathrobe. I quickly rified the situation. "I''m wearing clothes under the robe, so don''t get the wrong idea." Ju Yung-In looked up and retorted with a flustered expression. "W-what do you mean by the wrong idea! I-I never thought that!" "Let''s just say you didn''t. Anyway, why are you here? Is there something you need?" Ju Yung-In nced around the surroundings nervously. "Could we talk inside? People might see us out here..." Ju Yung-In had a point. If we were seen talking like this, it could easily lead to rumors. It would definitely look suspicious with me leaning against the door in a bathrobe and her pleading to be let inside. "Fine,e in for now." "Thank you." A deep rose fragrance surrounded Ju Yung-In as she walked past me, reminding me of the scent I was familiar with in my past life. After letting her in, I closed the door and checked through the peephole again. Fortunately, there were no reporters. However, the future event remained in the nner. ''Is it not because she came here?'' I wondered. Feeling somewhat reassured, I walked away from the door and headed to the living room. There, Ju Yung-In had taken a seat across from the spot where I had been sitting earlier on the sofa. She looked at the tablet on the table and the Chinese TV that was ying, and then clicked her tongue. "Have you been working until now?" "It''s just for local research." "All you do is work, work, work~ You know, if I think about it, you''re kind of a workaholic. You know that, right?" "More importantly, why did youe here alone?" Ju Yung-In pouted slightly. "Mrs. Lee had a stomach ache and she''s resting for a while. I couldn''t bring her with me when she''s unwell, could I?" After answering, she nced around the suite. "By the way, it feels like your room is bigger than mine. I knew it¡ªDirector Wang Long is probably lying when he says he''s my fan. He''s actually your fan, isn''t he?" "Let''s not change the subject. What do you want to talk about?" Ju Yung-In nodded in agreement. "I just came to thank you for today." "There''s no need to thank me. It''s my job as an agent to secure a good deal. I just did what I promised." Ju Yung-In shook her head. "But I know you don''t like me, oppa. To be honest, I didn''t think you''d go this far when I came to China. I was actually moved by what you did earlier." Memories of my past with Ju Yung-In were long buried. After all, she and I were different people now no matter what happened back then. I had initially kept my distance because she had bullied Yoo-Jin. However, since Yoo-Jin had forgiven her, I had no lingering animosity toward her. "You already apologized to Yoo-Jin and made peace with her, didn''t you? Now that you''re no longer bothering her or me, there''s no reason for me to dislike you." A slight smile appeared on Ju Yung-In''s face. "So you don''t dislike me anymore?" "That''s right." At that moment, Ju Yung-In leaned closer toward me with a smile. The rose scent grew stronger, almost dizzyingly intense. Just as I was about to lean back in fear that she might do something unexpected, she stopped at a distance of about 30 centimeters and spoke. "If you don''t dislike me, then can I ask you one thing?" I had no idea what Ju Yung-In intended to ask, but I noticed a slight tremble in her voice. "What is it?" I asked. Ju Yung-In looked directly into my eyes and asked, "Are you... currently dating Yoo-Jin?" "W-what did you just say?" I stuttered while taken aback. "You heard me. Are you dating Yoo-Jin?" "Um... that''s a bit ufortable to talk about." "Please, just answer." Ju Yung-In''s persistence made me slowly shake my head. "No, I''m not." "Then... do you have any intention to?" The moment a talent agent dated a celebrity under their care, it was as good as losing their credibility as a talent agent. They would bebeled as someone who seduced their own celebrity and they would be a pariah within thepany, finding it difficult to be hired elsewhere. ''Not to mention the gossip and rumors that would spread through the broadcasting industry,'' I thought. Scandals involving presidents of entertainmentpanies and celebrities did surface sometimes, but they vehemently denied them for good reason. No matter how much I cared for Yoo-Jin, there could be no romantic involvement while I continued as her talent agent. Ju Yung-In''s face scrunched slightly, perhaps because I hesitated to respond. "You won''t... answer?" "I''m speechless because the question is so absurd!" I refuted her statement. "Is that so?" Ju Yung-In''s expression brightened once again instantly. Her constantly shifting expressions made it seem like she was performing a mask-changing act. "Alright then. If you don''t dislike me and you''re not romantically involved with Yoo-Jin, let''s try dating for just one month. I''m discreet. There wouldn''t be any issues with dating anotherpany''s talent agent, right?" For a moment, I felt like I couldn''t breathe. ''Did I hear that right? She suddenly wants to date? And just for a month?'' The absurdity of it all made my response equally absurd. "Have you been drinking?" Ju Yung-In blew a soft breath my way. There was no scent of alcohol but only the fresh minty smell mixed with the faint scent of peach lipstick. "I haven''t had a single drop and my mind is crystal clear. It''s a month until Wolf of the Battlefield starts filming! Just spend that time with me. If I can''t win you over by then, I''ll give up. What do you think?" Ju Yung-In''s deep brown eyes locked onto mine with an unwavering gaze. For a moment, it felt like an electric current ran through me. Her first date proposal in my past life had been just like this. ''It''s exactly the same...'' I thought. Ju Yung-In had also asked to date for just a month in my past life. The setting was different, but her rose fragrance vividly brought back memories. At the same time, a sense of unease crept over me. ''Fate and destiny,'' I thought. I had made many changes through hard work since my regression, yet certain events stubbornly remained unchanged. Despite all the efforts to alter the future, only about 30% of the events on Everyday V11 had shifted. That meant that 70% of the events had stayed the same. ''Is this what fate is?'' I wondered. Even after getting Kim Dong-Soo suspended, Colonel Baek reemerged and Kim Dong-Soo started meeting with Jiang Wei. I realized that stopping the disbandment of Hoop Entertainment and preventing the establishment of Top Entertainment was far moreplex than I had initially thought. -Fate doesn''t change easily. It was a lesson I had learned on the first day I saved Miso. And thanks to Ju Yung-In, it surfaced in my mind again. I quickly regained myposure. ''Get it together, Jung Yoon-Ho.'' I counted to ten in my head, then spoke cautiously to Ju Yung-In who was still staring at me intently. I let a hint of gratitude slip through as she had helped remind me of what I had forgotten. "I''m not as cool as you, Miss Yung-In. I can''t just casually date for a month and then move on. I''m sorry." As if expecting my refusal, Ju Yung-In gave a counter-proposal. "If you don''t want a month...then what about forever? How about that?" Of course. This, too, was the same as what had happened in my past life. When Ju Yung-In showed interest in me in my past life, I was ttered that a top star wanted me and epted her proposal. However this time, I made a different choice. I had already lived a chaotic life ruled by emotions once. This time, I wanted to change my destiny and that of Hoop Entertainment. As my thoughts cleared, the pressure I felt also disappeared. I let out a long sigh and looked directly into Ju Yung-In''s eyes before calmly saying, "Sigh. I''m sorry. But as long as I''m working as a talent agent, I have no intention of dating." Ju Yung-In''s expression turned sharp. "So does that mean you really won''t date or get married?" "This kind of conversation is making me feel ufortable. Let''s drop the personal questions, okay?" "Please, just answer me!" Ju Yung-In''s persistence made it clear that she wouldn''t back down without an answer. "I''m sorry, but I have to keep my head down. You know how I''ve been at odds with the Suhyaejong line. I don''t have the time or energy to be distracted by romance right now." After realizing how difficult it would be to stop the formation of Top Entertainment, I couldn''t afford to be swept away by emotions. Ju Yung-In bit her lip slightly and pressed on, "Is there really no chance you''ll change your mind...?" "There isn''t." Ju Yung-In finally pulled away from me and let out a sigh. "Oppa. You''re... so difficult." She shook her head as if she couldn''t believe what kind of person I was. I stayed silent and waited for her to gather her emotions. After a few deep sighs, Ju Yung-In managed to brush off her disappointment. "Let''s just pretend I never made that suggestion today. Ugh~ this is so embarrassing." "I''ve already forgotten it." Ju Yung-In''s earlobes turned red, likely from the sting of being rejected. "Then since I got rejected, can we at least talk morefortably from now on? It''s so stiff when you keep your distance and I don''t like it!" "Let''s take it slowly. Step by step..." "Fine. But promise you''ll loosen up before the end of the year!" Ju Yung-In got up and fanned her face with her hand. "Tsk. How many times do I have to get turned down by one guy?" She muttered to herself, then spoke with renewed determination. "Anyway, I''m going to give this project my absolute best. I''ll prove that I''m a level above Jung Yoo-Jin, so you''d better be ready." She returned to her usual confident demeanor as if she hadn''t just been feeling down. ''Yes. That''s the Ju Yung-In I know,'' I remarked inwardly. I nodded. "Understood. From tomorrow, talent agents from Ace Entertainment will be handling your schedule. But if anythinges up, call me right away." "Of course. You''re still my agent while I''m in China, oppa." Ju Yung-In gave me a smile that was a bit too bright before heading toward the door. Her steps were unsteady, but I didn''t say anything or offer any support. I knew that whatever words I could offer or any help I could give wouldn''t bring her anyfort right now. Just then, I stopped Ju Yung-In as she was about to leave. "Wait a moment." The time was 11:55 p.m., and the schedule in my nner still hadn''t disappeared yet. "Check if anyone''s outside before you go." I looked through the peephole on the hotel door and spotted a man in a hoodie and a cap standing in the hallway. He was wearing a mask, making it impossible to identify him. ''Is that a reporter?'' I wondered. I stepped back from the peephole and spoke. "Someone''s outside, so wait a bit before leaving." "Alright." Ju Yung-In and I stood close, almost sharing the rose-scented air between us as we silently waited for the man outside to leave. My heart began to beat a bit faster, but I chalked it up to nerves and ignored it. After a moment, I checked through the peephole again. ''He''s gone.'' Then, I nced at my nner for confirmation. [Everyday V11] [Date: October 18, 2020] -09:00 a.m. ([NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Schedule canceled due to health reasons. (Video conference content: Rumors of a dating scandal between Ju Yung-In and Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho, handling follow-up responses.)) ''So it really was a reporter,'' I thought. With the deletion of the scheduled event, I let out a sigh of relief without realizing it. "Phew~" "Is he gone?" "Yes, he''s gone. You can leave now." "Okay..." Ju Yung-In answered weakly and hurried out with her head down as soon as I opened the door. Click. As I closed the door, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. Just then, a new notification popped up. [Notification: A new schedule for ''Jung Yoo-Jin'' has been added on October 18, 2020.] "What is it now?" The moment I hurriedly checked the new schedule, a dumbfoundedugh escaped me. [Everyday V11] [Date: October 18, 2020] -10:00 a.m. [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Schedule canceled due to health reasons. (Video conference content: Entertainment All Times Reporter Gu Ji-Am. Rumors of a dating scandal between Ju Yung-In and Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho with a photo! Handling follow-up meeting) Reporter Gu Ji-Am from Entertainment All Times who had been on the same flight as us turned out to be the one nning to break the dating scandal between Ju Yung-In and me. ''So it was you, Reporter Gu?'' I scoffed. Gu Ji-Am had a history of questionable activities. Since we were in China, where such matters could be dealt with more directly, there was a way to handle him cleanly. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 358: Ju Yung-In (4)

Chapter 358: Ju Yung-In (4)

Ju Yung-In sat at the rooftop bar on the 14th floor of the Penins Shanghai Hotel, a ce where the stunning night view of Shanghai spread out before her. However, she paid no attention to the view and focused instead on drinking whiskey straight. After downing three shots of strong whiskey in quick session, Ju Yung-In called the bartender over for a fourth. "Hey, over here~" That''s when Ahn Yung-Hee, who was sitting next to her, tried to intervene. "Yung-In, that''s enough." "Mrs. Ahn, I got rejected today. I''m about to lose my mind, so let me have just one more. Okay?" Ahn Yung-Hee shook her head with a calm expression and showed no sign of surprise. "We have an early schedule tomorrow, remember? You''ve had enough. It''s time to head back and sleep. Come on." Ju Yung-In started to grumble. "Ugh. First I got turned down by a guy and now my talent agent''s getting on my nerves. Ah, Ju Yung-In has such a poor life!" Ahn Yung-Hee nced around. Although the people around them were mostly Chinese, her heart raced with anxiety that someone might understand their conversation. Fortunately, the nearest table was far enough that their conversation wouldn''t be overheard. Ahn Yung-Hee sighed in relief, then lowered her voice and spoke sharply. "Hey! I told you to give up, didn''t I? It''s obvious that guy isn''t interested in you, so why keep chasing him? He''s not the only man in the world." "No, he''s not. But there''s no one else like Yoon-Ho oppa." "What?" "I''ll be honest. I originally chose to act in the projects chosen by Yoon-Ho oppa just to outshine Yoo-Jin. But do you know what''s funny? I ended up getting trampled instead. And yet, I seeded even more. Thanks to him, I reached this position that I could never climb to before no matter how hard I tried. And now he''s even opening the doors for me to break into the Chinese market? Isn''t that hrious?" Under Jung Yoon-Ho''s guidance, Ju Yung-In had be the S-ss top star she had always dreamed of being. To her, Jung Yoon-Ho was like Midas: a man whose touch could bring sess. As long as she could have him, she didn''t care about rumors or scandals as they would only slow her down temporarily. Ju Yung-In believed that she could reach even greater heights with Jung Yoon-Ho with her. And somewhere deep inside, Jung Yoon-Ho was also the man who had awakened a pure kind of excitement in her. That''s why she still liked him. As Ju Yung-In kept talking about Jung Yoon-Ho, Ahn Yung-Hee shot back once again in a hushed voice. "Keep your voice down, seriously! What if someone hears you?" "So what if they do? No one would believe that a guy actually turned down Ju Yung-In. Right?" At that moment, the bartender returned with the fourth whiskey ss. Ahn Yung-Hee intercepted the drink before it could reach Ju Yung-In''s hand. "I''ll take that, thank you." When she spoke in Korean and gestured with her hand, the puzzled bartender tilted his head and left. "Why are you drinking my whiskey? Give it to me, Mrs. Ahn!" Ju Yung-In protested. "Quiet. Let''s just go back to the room, okay?" "I''m not going anywhere until I get another drink. Come on, give it to me~" Ahn Yung-Hee had never seen Ju Yung-In this heartbroken before and was about tofort her when a thought suddenly crossed her mind. ''Wait a minute. Maybe I can use this.'' On further reflection, Ahn Yung-Hee realized that Jung Yoon-Ho''s resistance to dating could be an advantage. ''Jung Yoon-Ho said he doesn''t date within the samepany, didn''t he?'' Im Sung-Hak had made a mistake from the start by not properly securing the contract with Ju Yung-In. If they couldn''t bring Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho over to Ace Entertainment within a few months, the chances of renewing Ju Yung-In''s contract would disappear. But from what she heard tonight, it seemed like a potential solution was within reach. If she could offer Ju Yung-In a bit of false hope, she might be able to keep her tied to Ace Entertainment a little longer. ''It''s better for her to stay at Ace Entertainment than to go back to Hoop Entertainment even if it means convincing her she has a 1% chance of being with Jung Yoon-Ho,'' Ahn Yung-Hee thought. With this n in mind, Ahn Yung-Hee carefully began to set the stage. "Yung-In, are you really the type to give up so easily?" Ju Yung-In red at Ahn Yung-Hee with her flushed face. "What did you just say?" "You used to be known for being tenacious. Remember when you were a rookie and you managed tond the exclusive contract with that jewelry brand ''Bambam'' that Yoo Ji-Yung held onto for six years? Where''s that fighting spirit now? Are you really the same Ju Yung-In?" Ju Yung-In''s legendary story from her rookie days involved taking over as the face of a jewelry brand that a top star, Yoo Ji-Yung, had represented for six years, all within just one year. Ju Yung-In frowned. "Are you trying to cheer me up or make fun of me?" "I''m cheering you on. I know it''s not what a talent agent should say, but I just feel bad for you. No tree is too strong to fall after ten strikes! Be kind, warm, and keep trying. Don''t give up!" Ju Yung-In looked at Ahn Yung-Hee in disbelief. "Seriously? You''re going to support me? Really, Mrs. Ahn?" "Yes, that''s what I''m saying. But for now, let''s call it a night and head downstairs, okay?" At that moment, Ahn Yung-Hee spotted the bartender from earlier talking quietly with another man at a nearby table. It was someone she recognized. "Yung-In, isn''t that guy... Reporter Gu Ji-Am from Entertainment All Times? The one who was on the same flight as us?" Ju Yung-In squinted toward the end of the bar. "Yeah, it''s him. But what''s he doing here?" Suddenly, a chill ran down Ahn Yung-Hee''s spine. Seeing him talking with the bartender, it seemed likely that he was digging into what Ju Yung-In had been saying earlier. "Hey! Ju Yung-In! Get up now!" Ahn Yung-Hee said urgently. "Huh? Why?" Ahn Yung-Hee hurriedly pulled Ju Yung-In by the arm, left some cash on the bar, and made her way toward the opposite exit as if fleeing. "That bartender knows Korean!" That''s when Ju Yung-In snapped back to her senses. If an article came out about this, Jung Yoon-Ho might think she had deliberately leaked the scandal herself. She frantically tried to get her phone from her handbag, but her alcohol-dulled hands wouldn''t cooperate. Ju Yung-In shouted in panic, "Mrs. Ahn! My phone! I need to call Yoon-Ho oppa right now!" "Oh my goodness, Ju Yung-In! You''re thinking about a guy even in this situation?" "It''s not like that! I need to tell him I didn''t leak the story on purpose!" "Huh...what?" "Quick! Or it''s all over!" Ahn Yung-Hee hastily retrieved the phone from Ju Yung-In''s bag and handed it to her. Just as Ju Yung-In unlocked the phone, a name popped up on the screen. [Caller ID: Jung Yoon-Ho] It was as if he had read her mind. Seeing his name, Ju Yung-In''s heart fluttered once more. He always seemed to show up during critical moments like a princeing to the rescue. "This is why... I just can''t give up on him..." she muttered. Ju Yung-In answered the call right away. "Oppa! I''m..." -Where are you right now? I heard that Gu Ji-Am is targeting you. Ju Yung-In fought back the tears that threatened to spill and replied, "I''m on the rooftop. Reporter Gu Ji-Am is talking to the bartender here, and I don''t know what to do. I slipped my tongue while I was drunk... I thought the bartender didn''t speak Korean, but I guess he does." -I understand. I''ll handle it, so you just go back to your room immediately. "O-okay, oppa." The moment Jung Yoon-Ho said he''d take care of it, the urgency of the situation started to feel like someone else''s problem. She had faith that Jung Yoon-Ho would find a way to resolve this. "Mrs. Ahn, let''s get back downstairs. I don''t want to run into Yoon-Ho oppa." "What are you nning to do?" "Oppa said he''d handle Reporter Gu." Ahn Yung-Hee could only shake her head at Ju Yung-In''s unwavering belief in Jung Yoon-Ho. She realized that Ju Yung-In was far more deeply invested in Jung Yoon-Ho than she had initially thought. *** Wang Long quickly identified Gu Ji-Am on the Penins rooftop using the photo Jung Yoon-Ho had given him. Ju Yung-In had already left the scene, and he spotted Gu Ji-Am passing money to the bartender. The 33-year-old Gu Ji-Am, a reporter for Entertainment All Times, had a history full of questionable dealings. Bribery, writing false articles for cash, extortion, and shady liaisons with women were all part of his repertoire. ording to what he had heard from Jung Yoon-Ho, Gu Ji-Am was full of weaknesses¡ªmaking him an easy target for someone like Wang Long to deal with. ''There he is.'' Wang Long instructed the security officers he had brought with him to block all exits. Gu Ji-Am and the bartender were still in negotiation, oblivious to what was happening. "Here, take this. It''s a thousand yuan. Is that enough for you to talk?" The bartender held the cash and furrowed his brow. "That''s not enough." "What? Hey!" "You need to give me at least 3 thousand yuan." "Fine! I''ll give it to you, but only after you give me the information!" "If you don''t pay upfront, I''m not saying anything." "God, you''re so difficult! Why can''t you understand?" The bartender responded in fluent Korean. "This is not my problem, Mr. Gu. You''re the one who''s desperate here. Do what you want." Gu Ji-Am scowled and let out a sigh. "Ugh, fine. Just wait here. I''ll go downstairs and get the money." However, when Gu Ji-Am turned around, he found Wang Long standing directly in his path with four uniformed security officers. "What... who are you people?" "Are you Reporter Gu Ji-Am?" asked Wang Long. "So what if I am?" At that moment, Wang Long gave a sharpmand. "Take him." The security officers grabbed Gu Ji-Am. Wang Long ignored Gu Ji-Am''s protests and instead pulled out a stack of 100 yuan bills from his pocket. "Hey, bartender. Here''s 10 thousand yuan." "P-pardon me?" "Wang Jiao, a second-year architecture student at Shanghai University! You will keep quiet about what you heard tonight until the day you die. Understand?" The bartender clutched the money Wang Long held out and nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, I understand!" Frightened out of his wits, the bartender ran off without looking back. Meanwhile, Gu Ji-Am stared at Wang Long with a dumbfounded expression. "W-who the hell are you people?" Wang Long smirked. "We''re here to fix your bad habits." "What are you talking about?" Wang Long turned to the security officers and gave them new instructions. "Take him somewhere quiet. There''s no need to cause a scene here." At that moment, the security officers lifted the struggling Gu Ji-Am as if he weighed nothing. Despite Gu Ji-Am''s frantic yells, no one came to his aid¡ªnot even the rooftop bar''s staff or patrons. *** In Room 404 of Penins Hotel, Gu Ji-Am was surrounded by five men in ck suits and knelt on the floor. One of them was Wang Long, the director of Shanghai New Media Inc. who was responsible for producing Wolf of the Battlefield which Ju Yung-In was set to star in. "Why are you doing this to me?" Gu Ji-Am asked nervously. Wang Long casually pulled out his phone and showed a photo. "You were nning to use this to break the story of Ju Yung-In''s dating scandal, weren''t you?" The photo Wang Long disyed showed Ju Yung-In and Jung Yoon-Ho briefly passing each other near the airne restroom. At a nce, it looked like a couple having a private moment in a cramped space. Gu Ji-Am swallowed hard. "W-what are you talking about?" "Do you want me to call the bartender back andpare stories? Aren''t you supposed to be a reporter?" Gu Ji-Am clenched his jaw and shouted defiantly. "So what if I am?" "What?" "D-do you think you can just threaten a reporter from South Korea like this?" Wang Long scoffed. "You really don''t understand the situation, do you?" He turned to one of the security officers beside him. "Hack into this asshole''s phone and extract all the information he has. His data is probably stored on a microSD card." The officer nodded with a slight bow. "Yes, sir. We''ll extract everything." Gu Ji-Am shouted, "W-what are you nning to do with my phone!?" "I looked into you, and it seems you''ve been to China fifteen times in the past six months. You''ve gained quite the reputation in the nightlife scene here for having... particr tastes." Gu Ji-Am''s face turned pale. It was clear that Wang Long knew all of his dirty secrets. "T-that''s..." "Don''t even think about ying dumb. Do you have any idea how many eyes we have watching in Beijing and Shanghai? You love to take pictures while you''re out partying, so I''m sure there''s plenty of evidence here. And don''t feel too safe just because your phone is locked. We''re quite skilled at hacking." Visibly out of his mind, Gu Ji-Am began to sp his hands together in a plea. "W-wait. W-what do you want from me? Just tell me and I''ll do it." Wang Long raised a hand to signal the suited man who was about to leave. "Hold on for a moment." The man stopped in his tracks. Wang Long turned to face Gu Ji-Am who was still kneeling. "You''re going back to Korea tomorrow morning. When you do, you''ll tell your superiors that your phone and camera were stolen. Understood?" "P-pardon me?" "And not a word about Ju Yung-In. Do that and you''ll be fine." "That... that''s it?" "Yes, but remember this! If you go against my instructions, the photos on your phone will end up on every major online tform in Korea." "N-no... that''s..." The threat of exposing those photos was far worse than a jail sentence. Gu Ji-Am''s phone and camera contained hundreds ofpromising photos of him with various naked women. Gu Ji-Am''s head bobbed up and down rapidly. "Y-yes, I understand." Wang Long finally cracked a smile. "You should consider yourself lucky that I''m letting you off this easily. If it were up to me, I''d have thrown you into a Chinese jail right away. The only reason I''m letting you off is because I don''t want the Korean embassy kicking up a fuss." With a cold expression, Wang Long addressed the security officers. "Take this guy to the airport tomorrow morning. Make sure he doesn''t even use the bathroom without supervision." "Yes, sir!" Leaving two officers behind to guard him, Wang Long pocketed Gu Ji-Am''s phone and camera and walked out. Gu Ji-Am couldn''t even stand up despite the pain in his knees from kneeling, especially under the intense watch of the officers. At that moment, an overwhelming need to use the restroom hit Gu Ji-Am. ''Damn it... I''m so screwed.'' *** [Everyday V11] [Date: October 18, 2020] -10:00 a.m. (Deleted Scheduled Event: [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Schedule canceled due to health reasons. (Video conference content: Entertainment All Times Reporter Gu Ji-Am. Rumors of a dating scandal between Ju Yung-In and Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho with a photo! Handling follow-up meeting)) Wang Long called me once he had handled the situation. -Yoon-Ho, don''t worry. That guy won''t be able to spill a word. If he tries, it''ll be the end of his career. "Thanks, Wang Long." -There''s no need to thank me. Rather, we should be the one to thank you. If the scandal involving Ju Yung-In had spread, it would have been a major setback for Shanghai New Media Inc. as well. Using the information I had provided, Wang Long had resolved the problem with Gu Ji-Am neatly. Right after, my phone buzzed with a call from Ju Yung-In. -O-oppa... I didn''t mean for any of this to happen... Ju Yung-In''s voice was heavy with guilt. "It''s fine. Don''t worry about it. Get some rest and focus on your schedule tomorrow." -Thank you, oppa. I''m so sorry about what happened. I''ll make it up to you...I promise. Though I told Ju Yung-In it was okay, she kept repeating her thanks and her promises to repay me. Click. After ending the call, I leaned back on the living room sofa in my hotel room. Then I opened my nner again to review my fate. ''Kim Dong-Soo establishing Top Entertainment, Choi Man-Sik''s betrayal of Choi Eun-Tae, and the numerous scandals and hidden stories in the entertainment world...'' Many of these events remained unchanged in my nner. ''So this is my fate, is it?'' However, I had no intention of submitting to this fate. No matter what challenges came my way, I was determined to confront them head-on¡ªjust as I did today. ''Fate? Screw that!'' I thought. I turned to the first page of my Everyday nner and wrote down my resolve. - I decide my own fate. Chapter 359: Gift (1)

Chapter 359: Gift (1)

It was our second day in China. I took a shower as soon as I woke up and checked my messages from Ju Yung-In and Ahn Yung-Hee. [Ju Yung-In: Oppa, I''ll give you a gift when we return to Korea.] [Chief Ahn Yung-Hee: Yung-In just started her schedule. The people sent by President Lim from Korea have also arrived. And thank you for yesterday. If it weren''t for you, Yung-In would''ve faced a lot of trouble.] Being the top star she was, Ju Yung-In managed to keep up with her schedule despite the previous night''s events¡ªa situation that would have caused many other celebrities to cancel. I sent a message back telling them to reach out to me if anything came up and then picked my clothes for a meetingter with Wang Long''s father and Ling Ling''s parents. Wang Long''s father was a deputy secretary in Shenzhen. Currently, he was already a powerful figure but would soon rise to be one of the most influential people in China. As for Ling Ling''s parents, I knew little about them beyond the fact that they ran a major business. After contemting the best attire for the asion, I eventually opted for a suit I always wore. My phone rang at 8 a.m. sharp, and it was Wang Long on the other end. -Are you up? "Yeah, I just got up." -Good. Head down to the hotel lobby when you''re ready. "Okay, I''ll be right down." I instructed Seo Yeon-Woo to bring the documents containing Ling Ling''s training schedule and made my way down to the lobby. There, Wang Long stood waiting with a few men dressed in ck suits. "Did you sleep well?" he asked. I smiled. "Yeah, thanks to you." "We sent Reporter Gu to the airport this morning." "He... didn''t suffer any injuries, did he?" Wang Long shed a grin. "We just made him kneel all night. That''s all." My eyes widened. "All night?" "Yeah, so he left in a wheelchair. Oh, and we didn''t let him use the restroom either. He might have wet himself a bit." Wang Longughed, exining that he could have treated Gu Ji-Am even more harshly but had shown restraint. It was at that moment that I truly understood the reality of dealing with the son of a powerful Chinese official. As we stepped outside the hotel lobby, a Rose-Rise limousine, a Merciless Springer, and a convoy of security vehicles were waiting for us. "What''s all this?" I asked. "Security detail. The Rose-Rise is from Ling Ling''s father and the Merciless Springer is from my father." Seeing therge vehicles and the lineup of security personnel, it finally hit me that I was on my way to meet some of the most influential people in China. *** After about a 15-minute drive outside of Shanghai, we arrived at a grand mansion that resembled a fortress. As we entered the grounds, we were greeted by a beautiful and expansive garden reminiscent of the Pce of Versailles. ''This is incredible...'' I remarked inwardly. The garden stretching roughly 300 meters in each direction featured towering statues of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals each about five meters tall. In the center of the gardeny a vast artificialke whererge koi swam gracefully. Having never seen a property of this scale, Seo Yeon-Woo nced around in shock, trying to take in the overwhelming surroundings. "Wee. This way, please." We were guided by the waiting butler to enter the mansion. Inside, artifacts like porcin pieces from the Qing Dynasty were disyed in acrylic cases to showcase their historical grandeur. The mansion was filled with items that could only be afforded by those with immense wealth. "Everyone is waiting in the sitting room." We followed the butler to arge and elegant room where several people were gathered. In the center sat Wang Min, Wang Long''s father who held the nickname "The Tiger of Shenzhen." Just like his nickname, he had a rugged face with arge and imposing build. To his left was Wang Long''s mother, a former famous celebrity whose beauty still shone through. Beside Wang Long''s mother were Ling Ling, Lily, and their parents. They were all dressed in formal suits and dresses to wee us. ''Good thing I wore a suit,'' I thought. Wang Long said, "We''re here, Father." I followed up with my own polite greeting. "Thank you for having me. It''s a pleasure to meet you." Wang Min rose and shook my hand warmly. "Thank you foring. It''s truly a pleasure." Wang Long looked slightly bewildered as he interjected. "Father, what''s with the wee?" "It''s been a while since I''ve met a friend of my son''s. Why shouldn''t I greet him warmly?" "When I brought other friends home ever since I was young, you never spoke a word to them and just frowned..." "That''s because they weren''t friends. They were just lining up for favors from our family." At that moment, Wang Long''s mother smiled kindly and spoke. "Wang Long, your father just feels a bit awkward. You know the way he is. And Mr. Yoon-Ho, wee." "Oh, there''s no need to be so formal, ma''am," I replied. Wang Long''s mother smiled. "Oh my, ma''am? I rather like how that sounds." Wang Min cleared his throat and gestured toward Ling Ling''s parents. "Please greet our inws as well[1]. They''ve been looking forward to meeting you, Mr. Yoon-Ho." Ling Ling''s parents stood up and bowed politely. "Thank you so much. We are deeply grateful for saving our daughter''s life." I also introduced Seo Yeon-Woo to the couple, and they warmly weed him as he would be teaching their younger daughter. After the lengthy introductions, Wang Min patted my shoulder. I nodded. "Oh. Yes, sir." "Just like I said over the phone, I hope you''ll consider me as a father figure from now on. Feel free to reach out if you ever need anything." Wang Long rolled his eyes at his father''s long speech and grumbled. "Father, why don''t we sit down first and chat?" "Of course. Let''s have breakfast first. Let''s keep it simple since it''s morning." "Yes, sir." When Wang Min gestured, the butler responded immediately and made a call. "Bring it in right now!" As soon as the words left his mouth, it took less than three minutes for carts full of food to arrive. Breakfast started off with delicate Chinese cold appetizers, followed by a clear bird''s nest soup called qingtang yanwo. Then came roasted cod, Peking duck, an array of mushroom dishes, and even the famous Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. Each dish served was passed down through the family. With more than 30 dishes being served, it felt more like a state banquet than a simple breakfast. ''He said he wanted to keep it simple...'' I thought to myself. There was a touch of the typical Chinese ir for grandiosity, but the genuine desire to show gratitude for saving his son''s life was clear. Feeling appreciative, I followed Chinese dining etiquette and enjoyed the meal. Wang Minmented, "You seem quite familiar with table manners. It must be due to your work in the cultural field." "You tter me, sir." It was actually due to my experiences in my past life, but Wang Min''s favorable impression of me continued to grow throughout the meal. *** Tea was served after the grand breakfast. When I lifted the lid of the delicate Chinese porcin teacup, a cloud of steam was released. The dark tea was pu-erh, which was known for itsck of strong aroma or vor. It was a tea once favored by Qing Dynasty emperors. I smiled and said, "It''s been a long time since I''ve had pu-erh. This cup feels more like a precious treat than the feast we just had." Wang Min looked at me in surprise. "Do people drink pu-erh in Korea too?" "It''s notmon, but I''ve had the chance to try it a few times, so I thought I''d show off a bit." In China, pu-erh tea was often synonymous with wealth. Aged pu-erh was typically not drunk, but rather used as a form of bribe or investment. Some well-preserved pu-erh from the 1920s could even sell for over 200 million won per block. The tea we were drinking wasn''t quite as valuable as the top-tier aged teas, but it was still clear that Wang Min had spent a considerable sum to procure it. Just as expected, Wang Min spoke with a touch of pride. "This tea is a 1950 yinji pu-erh. A single block is worth around 100 million won, but its value could easily triple if you age it for another 50 years. If you like it, take a few blocks with you when you head back home." I almost choked on my tea at his offer. ''What would I even do with a tea worth hundreds of millions of won?'' When I looked overwhelmed and troubled, Wang Long''s mother lightly chastised her husband. "Instead of that, why don''t you offer something more practical?" "Ahem. Well, what''s wrong with offering both tea and something else?" "Dear!" "Fine, fine." Wang Min cleared his throat before turning back to me. "Ahem. So, have you given any thought to the request I mentioned earlier?" I hesitated, unsure whether or not I should bring up my request. ''Asking him to help keep President Jiang Wei in check is no small favor.'' As I lingered in silence, Wang Min spoke again. "Hmm. It seems you''re having second thoughts. How about this? We''ll each tell you about the gifts we have prepared. Perhaps that will help you decide. Compare our gifts to something you have in mind before making a decision." With that, Wang Min and President Li Kejun, Ling Ling''s father, exchanged a knowing smile and began describing the gifts they had nned. However, what they revealed exceeded anything I could have imagined. *** First, Wang Min offered his gift with a smile. "I can arrange for one of your selected dramas or films to be aired here each year starting next year." Countries around the world including South Korea saw China as a major market due to its massive poption. However, gaining entry into the Chinese market wasn''t easy. It required navigating the strict Party censorship, enduring rounds of reviews and often leveraging bribes and guanxi (connections). Only after all that can a piece of content be released in China. Wang Min was offering me a direct path, bypassing the usual restrictions even though it was amid the Korean Wave ban. Not to be outdone, Li Kejun spoke up. "My gift isn''t as grand as my inw''s, but I''m prepared to fund the establishment of an entertainment agency for you. If you set it up in Korea, I''ll provide about 3 billion won in capital. If you choose to set it up here in China, I can offer up to 50 million yuan." Li Kejun assured me that the initial capital would be a gift and he promised further investment at ten times that amount. Despite the typical exclusivity of the Chinese, their offer to me was very generous as they saw me as part of the family. ''This is unbelievable...'' I silently remarked. I felt genuinely tempted. However, I couldn''t ept their offers. The presence of Kim Dong-Soo and his information team including Colonel Baek as well as the unpredictable moves of Choi Man-Sik made my priorities clear. After taking a deep breath, I bowed my head respectfully toward the two men. "Thank you so much for your incredibly generous offers. But this isn''t quite what I need right now." Wang Min wore an intrigued expression as if he was interested. "Is that so? Then I''m curious to hear what you have in mind. President Li Kejun here and I put our heads together toe up with those offers... What could be so important that you''d turn them down?" I took a moment to gather my thoughts and spoke candidly. "If you hear me out and decide you''re not interested, feel free to refuse. I didn''t save Wang Long and Lily with any expectation of a reward anyway. It was purely a stroke of luck." "Luck, you say..." Wang Min muttered to himself and took a nce at Li Kejun. He added, "There''s a saying: a wise general can''t defeat an intelligent general, and an intelligent general can''t defeat a lucky general." Li Kejun nodded in agreement. "It seems we may have encountered a lucky general." The two shared a satisfied look and nodded before turning their attention back to me. Wang Min asked, "Are you familiar with this idea?" I nodded. "It''s from The Art of War by Sun Tzu, isn''t it?" Wang Min nodded. "Exactly. We Chinese tend to favor those who are blessed with fortune over those with mere skill. Whether you had a dream or you have special powers, it''s true that you saved my son and daughter-inw. So what if it was pure luck? what matters is the oue, right?" "Go on and tell us what you truly want. What can we do for you?" With the two''s encouragement, I finally voiced my request. "There''s just one thing I ask... I hope you can help keep President Jiang Wei in check." Out of all the adversaries I faced, Jiang Wei was the most formidable. He was backed by high-ranking and influential party officials wielding power. I was concerned about Colonel Baek from Kim Dong-Soo''s information team as well, but Choi Eun-Tae had agreed to handle that side of things. If Wang Min could keep Jiang Wei in check, it would solve two problems at once: I could steer clear of Jiang Wei''s attention while Kim Dong-Soo would struggle to afford Colonel Baek''s high fees, making it harder for him to ess critical information. However, as soon as I made my request, I noticed Wang Min and Li Kejun''s expressions harden. *** For a few moments, silence settled over the room. After about three minutes. Li Kejun eventually turned to Wang Min and spoke. "Mr. Wang, it seems our benefactor is more ambitious than we expected." "Indeed. To ask us to keep someone like President Jiang Wei in check... that''s quite a bold request." When I was confused by their reactions, Wang Min turned to me. "I''ll be honest with you. President Jiang Wei is a difficult opponent, even for me. It made sense that Jiang Wei with his close ties to top officials within the Communist Party would be a tough adversary, even for Wang Min. I felt the sting of disappointment but knew there was no choice but to withdraw my request. "I apologize for making such an unreasonable request." It seemed like I would have to think about alternative ways to deal with Jiang Wei. However, Wang Min''s next words caught me off guard. "It seems you''ve misunderstood me. I said it would be difficult, not that it''s impossible." It was like a ray of sunlight breaking through storm clouds. 1. Wang Long and Lily aren''t married yet, but Asians call each other inws once they are engaged ? Chapter 360: Gift (2)

Chapter 360: Gift (2)

Despite being a deputy secretary in Shenzhen, Wang Min had to carefully consider his approach when dealing with someone as powerful as Jiang Wei. Nheless, he eventually decided to stand by me¡ªhis son''s savior. Li Kejun nodded in agreement. "A true friend is someone who sticks by you during difficult times." At that moment, I let out a sigh of relief without realizing it. "President Jiang Wei is part of the Beijing faction while we belong to the Shanghai faction. In that sense, we''re already rivals. I can''t confront him head-on, but I can certainly keep him in check." The two assured me that while they couldn''t prevent Jiang Wei''s activitiespletely, they could stop him from directly targeting me. They mentioned that if they stirred enough trouble in China, Jiang Wei would be too distracted to focus on Korea for a while. However, Wang Min also cautioned thatpletely cutting off financial support to Kim Dong-Soo wasn''t feasible, as money always had a way of reaching its target, no matter the obstacles. Li Kejun added with a smile, "But if the Party gets involved, the funds President Jiang Wei is sending to Korea could be reduced to a tenth. So don''t worry too much." It wasn''t perfect, but it was more than satisfactory. After all, I would know the next steps by checking my nner. I couldn''t hide my delight as I responded, "That''s more than enough. Thank you, Mr. Wang Min." Wang Min chuckled and corrected me. "Haha. Didn''t I tell you to call me ''Father''? I''ve heard that''s what you call a friend''s father in Korea, isn''t it?" Feeling slightly awkward, I scratched my head and replied, "Yes, Father." Wang Min nodded. "That''s much better. Now, tell me¡ªwhat happened between you and President Jiang Wei?" I exined how I had first encountered Jiang Wei in Korea and how he had be fixated on me. I told them about how he had offered me a nk check which I had declined, and how he seemed determined not to give up. Upon hearing the story, both Wang Min and Li Kejunughed heartily. "Well, well! Even the great President Jiang Wei can''t always get his way!" "But our task won''t be easy. Will it, inw?" "Indeed not. If someone as ambitious as President Jiang Wei has taken an interest in this, it won''t be a simple matter." "Also, we need to ensure President Jiang Wei doesn''t establish a branch of Hwayeon Media Inc. in Korea. If he does, it''ll be harder for us to keep him in check." "Absolutely. If he sets up shop in Korea, it will be tougher to keep him in check." "Hahaha! It looks like I''ll have to suffer through somete-night drinking sessions with Party officials." "Hahaha, don''t worry, I''ll make sure to get you some good medicine for your liver!" Despite the difficult task, they seemed to be enjoying the challenge. They were impressed that Jiang Wei, known for his keen eye for identifying talent, had taken an interest in me, recognizing that I must possess significant potential. Wang Min turned to Wang Long with a grin. "Long, it looks like President Jiang Wei is going to be a formidable opponent." Wang Long smiled back confidently. "I''m ready to face anyone with Yoon-Ho by my side." Wang Minughed heartily. "I now see why you were so determined to make Yoon-Ho your friend!" Everyone in the room joined in theughter as we raised our sses to toast the new alliance. Clink! The sound of champagne sses filled the room as we celebrated the beginning of our pact. *** With the request addressed, I moved on to the next matter: Ling Ling''s debut in Korea. Dressed in a white dress and a scarf around her neck, Ling Ling looked at her mother and blinked nervously as if silently asking for her support in facing her father''s opposition. However, her mother turned out to be the one who fired off the more pointed questions as she asked how idols were managed in Korea and what the debut process would look like. Without hesitation, I presented the detailed training schedule that Seo Yeon-Woo had prepared. As I shared the ns and evaluations from Hoop Entertainment''s staff regarding Ling Ling''s potential, I could see her parents were impressed. "All our staff believe Ling Ling has great potential. Especially given her fluency in Korean and her bright personality, we believe she can grow into an A-ss star," I said. Ling Ling''s parents reviewed the training schedule prepared by Seo Yeon-Woo and they seemed amazed and satisfied. "Even our employees at RedPay couldn''te up with a n this thorough." "Indeed, we should show this to our staff." A thought suddenly crossed my mind.''Wait... is Li Kejun the same Li Kejun of RedPay?'' At that moment, I had to take a moment to calm myself. RedPay was an electronic pay systempany set to go public on the Shanghai stock exchange in just two years with a market cap in the trillions. It turned out that the president of thepany was Ling Ling''s parents. No wonder they had been so generous in offering to fund the entertainmentpany¡ªthey had the means to back it up. Satisfied with Seo Yeon-Woo''s meticulous training n, Ling Ling''s parents made a final request. "Please take good care of our daughter." "Don''t worry. I will do everything I can to make her a star," I assured them. Upon hearing their approval, Ling Ling jumped up and hugged both of her parents. "Thank you, Mom and Dad!" Ling Ling''s parents patted her back and smiled warmly. "Remember, you have to work hard even on your own." Ling Ling replied eagerly, "Yes, I will!" It was then decided that afterpleting her transfer process at her international school, Ling Ling would move to Korea in a month to begin her training. After suggesting that he would pay for all the additional fees, Li Kejun proposed an idea. "Since we''ll be covering the extra production costs, why not expand this into a Korea-China-Japan joint project? We could even create three separate units: one for each country and have them promote this ordingly." As a businessman, Li Kejun was proactive and visionary. I had considered something like this before as well, and there was no reason to refuse with the promise of financial backing. I quickly agreed. "That sounds like a great idea. Let''s do it." Thus, the global idol project tentatively titled KCJ was born. *** Wang Long, Lily, and Ling Ling had alle to the Shanghai airport to see me off as I prepared to leave China. As I loaded the gifts I had received from Wang Min and Li Kejun, along with presents from Lily and Ling Ling onto a cart, Wang Long pulled me aside to share a final piece of information. "My father wanted me to tell you something. The offer to reserve one Chinese drama or movie just for you is still valid." Wang Min had mentioned this was a parting gift not in exchange for saving his son but as a gesture of bing my "father" in China. Wang Long continued, "If you don''t ept it, the opportunity will just disappear. So make sure you use it." Though I hesitated briefly, I figured it would be rude to reject such a thoughtful gesture. "I guess I can''t refuse this one." Feeling both surprised and grateful for the unexpected gift, I called Wang Min to express my thanks. -Make sure to keep in touch. It would be even better if you visited often. "I''ll make sure to visit regrly, Father!" -Haha, good, good. Although Wang Min was the father of my friend, I had now gained a new father figure. I couldn''t help but feel that this was, perhaps, the greatest gift Wang Min could offer me. *** I finally arrived at Incheon Airport. After finishing all our business in China, Ju Yung-In and I returned to Korea. However, Ju Yung-In, apanied by numerous fans, had already left the airport ahead of me. I also hurried home, eager to review everything that had happened over the past three days. Once the reporters had followed Ju Yung-In out of the airport and things quieted down, Seo Yeon-Woo and I headed to the parking lot. After about two hours, we arrived at my home in Cheonho-dong. As soon as we parked, Seo Yeon-Woo quickly got out of the car saying he was worried about his grandmother. "Hyung, I''m going to head in first." "Go ahead. Say hello to your grandmother for me. I''ll visit tomorrow." "Sure, thanks!" said Seo Yeon-Woo before he hurriedly dashed through the gate. I parked the car and confirmed with the security team that there had been no issues during my absence. The peace and calm I had returned to was hard-won, thanks to the efforts in China to quash the scandal with Ju Yung-In. I greeted the security guards and headed inside with my luggage and the gifts I had brought back from China. "I''m home!" I eximed. Waiting for me in the living room were Jung In-Ji, Natalia, Yoo-Jin, and Miso. "Uncle Yoon-Ho!" Miso eximed as she jumped up from her seat and ran toward the door. It had only been two days, but she greeted me as if I had been gone for months. I lifted Miso up with a smile. "Look, Miso. I brought back some gifts from China: snacks and fan letters from your Chinese fans." Ling Ling, the president of Yoo-Jin and Miso''s Chinese fan club, You & Me, gave me letters and gifts from their fans. I pointed to the suitcase full of gifts, but Miso shook her head slightly and looked back at me. "What is it? Don''t you want to open them?" I asked. "Gifts aside, I''m more excited that you''re back." Miso''s answer melted away the fatigue from my trip. Yoo-Jin looked at me and said, "You must be tired, oppa." "I''m fine. Has everything been okay here?" "Yes, nothing major other than getting Miso ready for her audition next week." Right now, the script for Hwaranjeon had beenpleted up to episode 14 and the auditions for the child actors were scheduled for next Thursday. Yoo-Jin had also been practicing for her role as the drama''s production was set to begin at the end of the month. However, she seemed to be struggling a bit with the historical drama format. I asked, "What''s wrong?" "The pronunciation and tone are a little tough for me." "Don''t worry about it. I''ll contact Mrs. Lee Sa-Rang for help. She''s an expert in historical drama speech and can give you some lessons." Yoo-Jin smiled brightly. "As always, I need you with me, oppa." It had only been a short two-day trip, but Yoo-Jin joked that she felt a little lost without me. However, she still hadn''t asked a single question about my trip to China or about Ju Yung-In, which surprised me a bit. Miso pointed to the suitcase. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, can I open this?" I nodded. "Of course. Go ahead." "Yay!" While Miso eagerly unzipped the suitcase to see her gifts, Yoo-Jin excused herself to get some drinks from the kitchen. Seizing the moment, I quietly followed her and asked, "You''re not going to ask about what happened in China?" I felt a little uneasy after Ju Yung-In''s confession. Her question about whether I was dating Yoo-Jin had echoed in my head the entire trip back. Even though I told Ju Yung-In it wasn''t true, seeing Yoo-Jin again made my heart race almost as if I had done something wrong. Yoo-Jin smiled as she pulled drinks from the fridge and replied calmly. "If something important happened, you would''ve told me already. Wouldn''t you, oppa?" I had half a mind to confess what had happened with Ju Yung-In. However, before I could, Yoo-Jin spoke again. "And... even if something did happen, I trust you, oppa." Yoo-Jin''s words and the knowing look on her face suggested that she knew something. Without waiting for my response, she poured the juice into sses and headed back to the living room, calling out to Miso. "Wow, Miso! What''s that?" Miso held up arge doll dressed in a purple Chinese-style outfit. "It''s a Jiangshi Powertuff Girl doll! They don''t sell these in Korea!" "Oh my. How lucky you are, Miso!" Watching Yoo-Jin''s bright smile, I couldn''t help but think to myself that this was the right path. ''That''s right. As long as I remain a talent agent... nothing like that would happen.'' As a talent agent, my job was to help Jung Yoo-Jin and Jung Miso grow into stars. At that moment, Miso waved me over with a beaming smile. "Uncle Yoon-Ho! Come eat snacks with me!" I smiled back and responded, "Sure, let''s do that." Yoo-Jin nced over at me with a warm smile as if she could read exactly what I was thinking. *** As soon as I arrived at the office the next day, I summoned a meeting with the talent agents of Team Jung. After my experience in China, it became clear once again that fate did not change easily. With this realization, I was determined to act more aggressively. Whether it was Kim Dong-Soo standing in my way, Bang Sang-Yung trying to trip me up, or Choi Man-Sik targeting me, I was ready to push through it all. My priority was tightening my grip on Hoop Entertainment. Despite the early meeting, the talent agents of Team Jung arrived with a sense of anticipation as they were eager to hear about my aplishments in China. I announced, "I''ve secured the rights to sell one production a year to China without being affected by the Korean Wave ban." Lee Yung-Jin blinked in disbelief. "Y-you really broke through the Korean Wave ban?" "It''s not official, but yes. That''s essentially what happened." The expression on his face said it all. It was hard for him to believe that I had achieved something even Ace Entertainment, Korea''s top agency, hadn''t managed. I quickly added, "However, this is strictly for our team. The quota is under my name, not Hoop Entertainment''s." "As expected of Mr. Jung!" I nned to tell Kang Gam-Chan about this but had no intention of sharing this information with anyone else. After all, too many people would covet this kind of deal. "Now, onto the next agenda item. Let''s discuss expanding our team and restructuring our personnel." Kang Gam-Chan had ordered us to bring on more talent agents for both actors and singers in addition to Park In-Ki. My first choice for promotion was Eun Ji-Yoo. "For the singers, Ms. Eun Ji-Yoo will take over as team lead." Eun Ji-Yoo, who had been quietly taking notes as if this had nothing to do with her, blinked in surprise. "M-me?" "Yes. You''ve practically handled Golden Road on your own before and you''ve also been managing Cherry Blossom''seback by yourself. You''re more than qualified." "But Mr. Han from Singer Division 2 did most of the work." "No one is perfect from the start, are they? You don''t need to be so modest. In fact, it was Mr. Han who rmended you." As Eun Ji-Yoo remained speechless, apuse broke out from the others. "Congrattions, Ms. Eun!" It seemed everyone but Eun Ji-Yoo had expected this. Then, I turned to look at Lee Yung-Jin. "Yung-Jin. As for the team lead for the actors..." Lee Yung-Jin cut me off and said, "Thank you, but I''m really not ready yet." "Right. Unfortunately, there''s too much scrutiny for you to get promoted this time." Lee Yung-Jin nodded in understanding. "That''s fine. Honestly, I''m already lucky enough to have been promoted to assistant manager..." I continued, "But prepare yourself for next year''s second quarter. We''reunching a new team in our division and I want you to lead it." "Wait, what?" For now, Park In-Ki would handle the team under my management while I nned to recruit someone from Actor Division 1 to lead another. However, I needed Lee Yung-Jin to take charge of a third team. Lee Yung-Jin blinked in disbelief. "How many actors are you nning to recruit?" Currently, Team Jung had S-ss actors like Jung Yoo-Jin, Lee Tae-Poong, and Sung Ho-Joon, as well as A-ss actors like Haru and Miso. The inclusion of Yoo Eun-Ah, who would practically be an S-ss actress in the future, would bring the total to six. However, after reviewing my list of potential recruits, I realized that we could bring in around 15 more actors, excluding the two members of Faithful who were currently in talks with Jung Sang-Bong. All of them were A-ss or higher. At that moment, Lee Yung-Jin''s face turned pale. Before he could process what I had said, I continued. "Out of those, three areing from Actor Division 3: one S-ss and two A-ss actors. And those actors are..." As I named the actors I had in mind from Actor Division 3, everyone''s jaws dropped. The reason was clear¡ªthese were actors Kim Dong-Soo had personally scouted. Chapter 361: A Ten-Million-Viewership Actor (1)

Chapter 361: A Ten-Million-Viewership Actor (1)

The three actors I nned to bring over from Kim Dong-Soo''s Actor Division 3 included S-ss actor, Song Ji-Hwan, and A-ss actors, Ahn Ju-Hee and Sung Han-Yung. These actors were all scouted by Kim Dong-Soo himself. The 45-year-old Song Ji-Hwan was primarily known for ying kings in historical dramas. However, after the boom in historical dramas died down, he had been underperforming for an S-ss actor. My n was to bring Song Ji-Hwan in with the promise of casting him in Hwaranjeon. Ahn Ju-Hee, a veteran actress aged 67 this year, had given a powerful performance as a mother in Love Fading by the Sea five years ago. However, as she had been very picky with her choice of roles, she was almost abandoned by Kim Dong-Soo. Nheless, I already had a project in mind for her. Lastly, Sung Han-Yung was someone I managed to recruit to my side when I went to Actor Division 3 as a Trojan horse. When I sessfully predicted his next project would fall through, I was able to pull him over to my side. Upon hearing about these top-ss actors, Lee Yung-Jin was momentarily mesmerized. Then, he started to panic, saying he couldn''t do it. "They''re not rookies but they''re veteran actors! How am I supposed to manage them? I can''t do it. Just fire me!" "I''ll hire more staff for you," I assured him. "Even if you do, I''ll still have to manage all of them!" ''Wow, Lee Yung-Jin has be quite sharp,'' I thought. As Lee Yung-Jin continued to whine and protest, Do Ran-Hee got up from her seat. Then she walked over to him and delivered a wrestling-style "chop" with a smile on her face. p. With a sharp sound, Lee Yung-Jin clutched his chest. "Ugh." Lee Yung-Jin red at Do Ran-Hee and shouted. "Why did you...?" "Yung-Jin oppa. Just do as you''re told. Our lives are already over in this lifetime!" Do Ran-Hee then asked with a resigned expression, "Mr. Jung, what about me?" Though she sometimes did crazy things, moments like this made Do Ran-Hee quite reliable. "Why ask when you already know the answer? It''s obvious, isn''t it?" Do Ran-Hee shrugged. "I was just double-checking." "Yeah, you''re right. You should start thinking about leading a team too. Next year, we''ll be expanding the singer''s side of things as well." There was no time to hesitate once I hadmitted to run full speed ahead. Initially, right after traveling back in time, I thought I just had to win against Kim Dong-Soo in an internalpetition. However, the scale of my enemies had now grown far beyond what I imagined. ''In this situation, I might as well expand my team''s size and increase my weight ss,'' I pondered. Do Ran-Hee sighed deeply. "Sigh. It''s my own fault for being obsessed with Hanwoo and joining this team. Fine, I''ll prepare for it. We''ll be hiring new employees too, right?" I nodded. "Yes. But before that, I want to handle staffing internally. Can you each take charge of poaching one assistant manager-level person?" "Should I lure them by saying they''ll get more incentives if they join our team?" Do Ran-Hee asked. "Tell them there''s also a special bonus." Unlike the other teams, our team was also managing our celebrities'' MeTube channels. In other words, we had extra ieing in¡ªso I told Do Ran-Hee to make it clear that they might not have a chance to jointer if they didn''t take this offer now. I told her to shout at them ''Do you want to hit the jackpot? Then join Team Jung!'' "Got it. I''ll pick only the workaholics." Lee Yung-Jin next to me muttered to himself,pletely out of it. "Everyone''s crazy... They''re all definitely crazy..." I ignored Lee Yung-Jin''s mumbling and turned my attention to Jung Sang-Bong. "And Sang-Bong, you should start preparing for a promotion to assistant manager too." "Me too?" "There''s no exception. For you, it''s by June next year. And it''s February at the earliest." I knew better than anyone that Jung Sang-Bong was good at his job. With a grateful expression, Jung Sang-Bong replied, "Yes! Mr. Jung!" Seeing this, Lee Yung-Jin and Do Ran-Hee shook their heads and said I was turning the innocent Jung Sang-Bong into my avatar. *** As I had already set a recruitment list for talent both inside and outside thepany, we started the meeting about Lee Tae-Poong next. "Okay, let''s talk about Tae-Poong now. Yung-Jin, how''s the ten million viewer celebration eventing along?" Beyond the Boundaries, which premiered on September 25, reached 9.75 million viewers by its fourth week. When CK Entertainment took a bold move to increase the number of screens, the record was elerated by about a week ahead of schedule. "We''ve prepared it for tomorrow at the LT Tower main branch." "Oh, and we''ll hold another one at CK Entertainment''s headquarters two dayster, so make sure you know that." "Yes, sir." "Is Tae-Poong on his way?" "He''sing up from Busan as we speak." Lee Tae-Poong had halted his local tour schedule set until the 25th of this month and was urgently heading to Seoul for the ten million viewer event. "Okay." At that moment, my phone suddenly chimed with a notification. [Notification: A new schedule has been added for ''Lee Tae-Poong'' on October 30, 2020.] I quickly checked the October 30 schedule, fearing something might have happened to Lee Tae-Poong. [Everyday V11] [Date: October 30, 2020] -10:00 p.m. [NEW. Lee Tae-Poong] Announcement of the dy in the Jiri Mountain production schedule. ''Whose decision is that?'' I wondered. At the same time, a call came in from Shin Jong-Ki, the president of LT Entertainment. -Team Lead Jung, it seems like we''ll need to dy the production schedule for Jiri Mountain. "Didn''t you say you wanted to start as soon as possible? Why the sudden change?" Shin Jong-Ki sighed. -Sigh. You know Director Gong Hak-Beom, right? Gong Hak-Beom was a renowned master director and the head of the Korean Film Directors'' Association. "Yes, I know him." -Mr. Gong personally picked Tae-Poong for his next film. "Excuse me?" Gong Hak-Beom was famous for openly expressing his ambition to win the Palme d''Or before he died, and the film industry was eager to support the veteran. Now, Gong Hak-Beom imed to have a script that was certain to win an award and specifically requested Lee Tae-Poong for the role. -The film is titled Once in a Lifetime. The title''s decent, but... I was so dumbfounded that I couldn''t help but blurt out the future. "That movie''s going to flop big time." *** The 70-year-old Gong Hak-Beom, had made a significant impact on Korean cinema with weighty films such as Tyrant which depicted the life of King Yeonsan, Iron Blood portraying post-war Korea, and The Night of Seven Days which dealt with a coup in Korea. However, he was invited to the Cannes Film Festival ten years ago for his film, Spirit, which was about the life of a shaman. Ever since then, he became obsessed with winning an award and started making only art films. As one of the most influential veteran directors in the industry, Gong Hak-Beom had an enormous influence on the film industry. Going against Gong Hak-Beom''s wishes was practically career suicide for an actor as it would mean being cklisted from future film roles. Nevertheless, knowing the fate of his next film, I couldn''t stop myself from saying it would flop. On the other end of the call, Shin Jong-Ki sounded startled. -Team Lead Jung, have you seen Mr. Gong Hak-Beom''s script by chance? Gong Hak-Beom was notorious for not showing his scripts to anyone before production began as he believed no one had the right to evaluate them. However, I already knew everything about the film he was making. Gong Hak-Beom''s Once in a Lifetime was about mysterious events that took ce at one of the five sacred temples in Korea which were said to house relics of Buddha. Though it would get it invited to the Cannespetition solely for Gong Hak-Beom''s reputation, the film would receive harsh criticism from the judges due to its poor plot which featured a devout Korean Buddhist using Buddha''s power to fend off spies sent by ancient Japanese Esoteric Buddhism to steal sacred relics. At that moment, a brilliant idea came to me in response to Shin Jong-Ki''s question about how I knew the script. "I heard some things from Production Director Choi Jin-Sung, the production director." Choi Jin-Sung was Gong Hak-Beom''s right-hand man. When he got drunk, he would often boast about working with Gong Hak-Beom and spill bits of the script. When I exined that I had gotten a part of the script from Choi Jin-Sung, Shin Jong-Ki sighed heavily. -He should just stick to what he''s good at... like Korean modern history or something... "Yes, I think the same. It doesn''t look promising." Shin Jong-Ki sighed again and agreed. -Well, this is a mess... But Team Lead Jung, you understand my position, right? I''m sorry, but it''s difficult for me to reject Director Gong''s offer. Even for Shin Jong-Ki, the president of LT Entertainment, it was nearly impossible to refuse when Gong Hak-Beom decided to make a movie. If LT Entertainment declined to invest in a project backed by such a giant in the film industry, it would create a lot of resentment toward thepany. Moreover, Gong Hak-Beom was the most celebrated alumnus of Suhyaejong, thergest power in the Korean entertainment industry. Antagonizing him could also mean falling out of favor with Suhyaejong. However, that was Shin Jong-Ki''s problem. I couldn''t let dark clouds loom over Lee Tae-Poong who had just be a ten-million-viewership actor, nor over Park Sun-Jae who had just be a director after oveing the obstacles. "I''ll take care of it." -You will? But how? "I have a way." -Can you tell me what it is? "I''m sorry, but I need to confirm a few things first. I can''t exin it at this stage right now. Shin Jong-Ki thought for a moment and then asked. -Is there anything I can do to help? "Please arrange a meeting with Mr. Gong." -Actually, there''s a dinner nned for tonight... Can youe? "Please, that would be perfect. We need to resolve this before tomorrow night''s ten million viewer event." -That''s what I like to hear. Alright, it''s a deal! Shin Jong-Ki confirmed the dinner for 7 p.m. and hung up. After the call ended, I let out a hollowugh. "Hah. How dare you target a ten-million-viewership actor?" It wasn''t just that Gong Hak-Beom''s script was a mess that made me dislike him so much. He was a criminal who would eventually face awsuit aftermitting various corrupt acts. And I had all the details recorded in my nner. [Everyday V11] [Date: September 1, 2021] -10:00 p.m. ''Master Director Gong Hak-Beom used of embezzling film production funds.'' Involved with the Korean Film Council''s Director, Kang Sang-Soo. (Central Daily Newspaper, reporter Kang In-Han) KOFIC, short for the Korean Film Council, wielded immense power over Korea''s film industry. However, it wouldter be revealed that arge portion of the funds KOFIC allocated to Gong Hak-Beom annually had been embezzled for his personal use. In my past life, the public was shocked to learn that the revered director had stolen public funds and criticized him harshly. At the time, Hoop Entertainment wiped the filmography of all the actors who had appeared in his movies to cut all ties with him. That was the reason I knew everything about the scandal involving Gong Hak-Beom. After all, Kim Dong-Soo, who was also connected to the Suhyaejongwork, had tasked me with cleaning up the aftermath. ''It looks like I''ll have to expose this,'' I thought. There was no other way to remove the obstacle standing in the way of Lee Tae-Poong and Park Sun-Jae''s futures. I had to do something even if it meant creating some distance between me and KOFIC. The reporter who broke this story back then was Kang In-Han from Central Daily Newspaper''s social affairs department. I could easily contact him through Choi So-Hye. Just then, a KkTalk notification popped up, reminding me of the team lead meeting. "I guess I''ll have to get approval from above first," I muttered. I had faced bacsh thest time I adjusted Haru''s schedule without permission, so I figured it would be better to get the green light this time. *** At the team lead meeting, I reported the results of my business trip along with documents confirming Shanghai New Media Inc.''s full support. "That concludes my report." Kang Gam-Chan congratted me and announced that the idol project, tentatively titled KCJ, would be assigned to Lee Dong-Min under his personal approval. After we wrapped up the rough discussion about the audition schedule, I immediately brought up the issue concerning Lee Tae-Poong. "Mr. Kang, there''s a problem with Tae-Poong." "He''s about to reach ten million viewers tomorrow... What problem could there be?" "Director Gong Hak-Beom wants Tae-Poong for his next project." For a moment, Kang Gam-Chan''s face twisted with displeasure. "Mr. Gong?" The meeting room suddenly became restless as one of the top-grossing actors from Hoop Entertainment was about to be forced into an artistic film aimed solely at winning international awards rather than generating profit. Bang Sang-Yung also scowled. "Everything was going so well, and now this? What a load of crap." Although he was from Suhyaejong as well, Bang Sang-Yung wasn''t thrilled about Gong Hak-Beom''s pick, especially since he hadn''t produced any significant results over the past ten years. However, Bang Sang-Yung quickly resigned to the situation as he understood the power Gong Hak-Beom wielded in the film industry. "Let''s just think of it as stepping in something bad, film it quickly, and get it over with. Just make sure the contract clearly defines the filming period." At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan raised his hand to silence Bang Sang-Yung and asked for my opinion. "Let''s hold off on Director Bang''s take for now. So what do you think, Team Lead Jung?" I didn''t hesitate and voiced my strong opposition as if I had been waiting for it. "How can we throw Tae-Poong, who just became a ten-million-viewership actor, into an art film that''s bound to fail? I won''t do it even if it costs me my life." Everyone looked at me with disbelief. When the chatter in the meeting room grew louder, the clearly-annoyed Bang Sang-Yung chimed in again. "Team Lead Jung! And what if things go south? How do you n on handling the aftermath?" At that moment, I had a sudden idea: I should bring over an actor from Bang Sang-Yung''s Actor Division 1 as well. It would be the perfect way to undermine Bang Sang-Yung who seemed to oppose everything I did. I tried to hide my smirk. ''In that case, a little fishing might be in order.'' I spoke up. "I''ll take full responsibility. But in return, please give me full authority over the matter." Bang Sang-Yung shouted in frustration. "Full authority again?!" "Yes, sir. If I fail to resolve this issue, I''ll ept any punishment." I threw a tempting bait to Bang Sang-Yung, who was always looking for a reason to bring me down. ''Come on, take the bait,'' I thought. At that moment, Bang Sang-Yung suppressed his trembling voice and finally said, "Once you''ve said it, there''s no going back. You know that, right?" The big fish took the bait. Chapter 362: Ten-Million-Viewership Actor (2)

Chapter 362: Ten-Million-Viewership Actor (2)

Gong Hak-Beom was regarded as the most respected senior by his hoobaes from Suhyaejong, ranking first as the mentor they looked up to. As such, it wouldn''t be beneficial to reveal Gong Hak-Beom''s corruption now in Hoop Entertainment where more than half of the members were alumni of Suhyaejong. Someone in this very meeting room would surely rush off to inform Gong Hak-Beom. Therefore, I had no choice but to keep my mouth shut for now. Instead, I proposed that I would take all responsibility if I were given full authority over this matter and failed. Bang Sang-Yung asked again, "Let me ask you one thing. Do you understand what will happen if things go wrong?" "Yes, I do. That''s why I said I''d ept any punishment." If I failed, it wasn''t just me at risk: Hoop Entertainment as a whole could face bacsh from the film industry. People would say that Lee Tae-Poong had be arrogant now that he had be a ten-million-viewership actor. That was how powerful Gong Hak-Beom was at the moment. Bang Sang-Yung turned to the team leads and chiefs gathered in the meeting room, most of whom were Suhyaejong alumni. "What do the team leads and chiefs think?" Everyone nced at each other and hesitated before speaking up one by one. "If we fail, it''s going to be a disaster. Why take such a big risk?" "But considering Team Lead Jung''s track record this year, maybe we should trust him again this time." "What are you talking about? This isn''t something a single team lead can handle!" "That''s why he''s asking for full authority, isn''t he?" "Wouldn''t it be a good idea to stroke the pride of Korea''s top veteran director a little?" "I disagree. This time, we should just ept it as bad luck and let Tae-Poong endure a few months of hardship. Remember a few years ago when Ace Entertainment''s Yang Min-Hyuk turned down Mr. Gong''s offer? He was basically cklisted from the film industry and ended up in theater." Various opinions were expressed, but most of the voices leaned toward agreeing with Bang Sang-Yung. Gu Seong-Cheol and Park In-Ki tried to support me, but they seemed frustrated as their argumentscked substance. Seeing that the majority of the team leads were on his side, Bang Sang-Yung became more confident. "Mr. Kang, what do you think?" Kang Gam-Chan made it clear that he was firmly in my corner. "Have I ever doubted Team Lead Jung?" Even though I hadn''t had time to fully exin the situation, Kang Gam-Chan openly supported me. His unwavering trust weighed heavily on me as always. Bang Sang-Yung replied, "If that''s your decision, then I''ll ept Team Lead Jung''s condition. I won''t ask how he ns to handle this and I''ll grant him full authority over the matter." Atst, my opponent had taken the baitpletely. Now it was time to reel him in. I added, "But if I sessfully block Gong Hak-Beom''s unreasonable demands, I do have one request for a reward." "Hmm? What is it?" "You said earlier that Hoop Entertainment will suffer as a whole if I fail. But that also means if I seed, we''ll all benefit. So I believe a reward is fair." Bang Sang-Yung looked at me incredulously. "What in the world...?" Kang Gam-Chan chuckled and sided with me again. "Well, he''s not wrong. What do you want, Team Lead Jung?" Without missing a beat, I said, "Team Jung is about to be promoted to a division. Although we''re bringing in actors and talent agents from outside, our in-house employees are still more familiar." Bang Sang-Yung said in annoyance, "Stop beating around the bust and just get to the point." "In short, I would like permission to bring over any actors or talent agents from other divisions as long as they''re willing to join us." There was no shortage of actors and talent agents eager to join my rapidly growing team. Bang Sang-Yung realized what I was up to and tried to stop me but it was toote as Kang Gam-Chan responded before he could. "But if you fail, Director Bang''s scolding will be severe. Are you okay with that?" "I''m fine. I don''t expect to fail anyway." Kang Gam-Chan turned to look at Bang Sang-Yung. "How about you, Director Bang? Will you ept the conditions?" Bang Sang-Yung gritted his teeth as if he had been cornered. "Fine... but I''ll also report this to the shareholders. If this fails, the damage to Hoop Entertainment will be too great. We''re still dealing with the aftermath of the prosecutor''s investigation and the bribery scandal, aren''t we?" ''Go ahead. Report it if you want,'' I remarked inwardly. Kang Gam-Chan nodded in agreement. "Then let''s grant Team Lead Jung full authority over this matter." Everyone except Kang Gam-Chan looked uneasy about this decision, but I wasn''t afraid. After all, I already knew everything I needed to resolve this issue. *** After leaving the meeting, I immediately called Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill. I gave him a precise tip-off about the people involved in Gong Hak-Beom''s corruption and their crimes. Seo Jae-Ill was startled. -Are you sure about this? "Yes. If you investigate the financial records of Chief Choi Jin-Sung, Mr. Gong''s right-hand man, you''ll find everything. He handles Gong Hak-Beom''s money." After a brief pause, Seo Jae-Ill responded. -Understood. I''ll take on this case. I''ll gather information from junior prosecutors first and get back to you. As soon as I hung up, I immediately opened my nner to check the schedule. [Everyday V11] [Date: October 30, 2020] -10:00 p.m. [NEW. Lee Tae-Poong] Announcement of the dy in the Jiri mountain production schedule. "It hasn''t disappeared yet," I muttered. Despite reporting it to Seo Jae-Ill, the scheduled event remained unchanged. This meant that Seo Jae-Ill''s help alone wasn''t enough. It seemed I would need to meet with Kang In-Han, the reporter who had exposed this issue in my past life. After all, what prosecutors did best and what reporters did best were different things. I immediately called Choi So-Hye, a fellow reporter at Central Daily Newspaper. *** I arrived at a Korean restaurant named Flower Road which was located in Apgujeong. I walked along a path with a transparent acrylic floor lined with blooming flowers underneath and made my way to reserved room No. 7. Choi So-Hye had already arrived with her sunbae, Kang In-Han, the reporter I was hoping to meet. Kang In-Han with his short athletic hairstyle and a firm expression made him look more like an athlete than a reporter. Choi So-Hye greeted me with a wave. "You''re here." Since this case was being jointly investigated by the social and culture departments, both of them were present. When I sat down after greeting them, Kang In-Han stared at me intently. "Is this the guy you are so taken with, Reporter Choi?" "Sunbae, stop saying unnecessary things. Don''t provoke him. He''s the best source of information we''ve got." When Choi So-Hye growled, Kang In-Han backed down. "Alright, alright. You''re acting like he''s your boyfriend or something." "Sunbae!" When Choi So-Hye yelled, Kang In-Han shrank back. "Sorry~ Then let''s hear what the informant has to say." "Let''s eat first. I haven''t had a meal yet today." It was 1 p.m., and I had been running around all morning without eating. Kang In-Han tried to dig into my background while waiting for the meal, but I turned the tables and left him speechless. "You''re 38 this year. You''ve covered the corruption scandal at Daechon University and the embezzlement case at Dream Path Art Museum. Oh, and right, that one got cut off by the editor-in-chief, didn''t it?" Kang In-Han looked at me with an astonished expression. "What''s with this guy?" "I just wanted to assure you that the information I''m providing is solid," I answered. Kang In-Han nced at Choi So-Hye. Choi So-Hye simply shrugged confidently. "If I were you, I''d spend less time doubting and more time investigating the tip-off. I told you, he doesn''t bring us bogus information." "Sigh. I guess I''ll have to." Kang In-Han finally dropped his skepticism and paid attention to my tip-off. I exined the embezzlement scandal involving Gong Hak-Beom, his right-hand man Choi Jin-Sung, and KOFIC''s key figure, Kang Sang-Soo. "All three of them are Suhyaejong alumni and they have a close-knit rtionship." As Iid out details about where the three often met and the projects they worked on together, Kang In-Han''s jaw dropped. He quickly added, "Team Lead Jung, we should definitely stay in touch." At that moment, Choi So-Hye growled. "Sunbae! Don''t even think about stealing my golden goose!" Despite the spread of Korean course dishesid out on the table, both of them seemed far more interested in me than the food. *** At 6:50 p.m., Lee Tae-Poong arrived in Seoul after finishing his regional tour. I immediately instructed Lee Dae-Ho to admit Lee Tae-Poong to the VIP ward at Seven Star Hospital. After all the effort he had put into the past month''s tour, I figured he should rest up with an IV drip in thefort of the VIP room. However, Lee Dae-Ho sent me a KkTalk message within just ten minutes. The message included six photos of Lee Tae-Poong lying in the VIP room with an IV drip attached. "Wow, the makeup is incredible," I remarked. In the photos, Lee Tae-Poong looked like he was on the verge of death¡ªhis lips were pale and sweat was dripping from his forehead. The makeup was so realistic that it almost made me feel like I should visit him. "Now Dae-Ho hyung-nim is starting to handle things like a real talent agent." These photos were convincing enough to dispel any doubts. The meeting with Gong Hak-Beom was scheduled for 7 p.m., and I still had time to spare. I took the elevator up to the meeting room while checking out the articles about Lee Tae-Poong on my way. [Beyond the Boundary reaches 9.75 million viewers as of October 19. 10 million viewers expected tomorrow!] [Life is a one-shot! Lee Tae-Poong reaches ten million viewers with his first lead role!] [Master director Gong Hak-Beom praises Lee Tae-Poong''s acting, and expresses desire to work with him.] I rolled my eyes. ''Oh,e on.'' Gong Hak-Beom was already trying to ride the wave of Tae-Poong''s poprity, hoping to use his name to draw attention to his art film as he knew that the general public wasn''t interested in his movies. "Some people just have no shame," I muttered, shaking my head as I headed to the meeting room. *** When I arrived at the meeting room, Shin Jong-Ki was already there, looking worried as he greeted me. "Team Lead Jung, where''s Tae-Poong? Mr. Gong is excited to meet him." "Tae-Poong can''t make it today." Shin Jong-Ki frowned. He was clearly worried that rejecting Gong Hak-Beom''s offer outright without even showing up might be too risky. "Team Lead Jung, if you want to persuade Director Gong, you''ll need to bring Tae-Poong with you." It seemed like I would have to deal with Shin Jong-Ki first before tackling Gong Hak-Beom as he couldn''t read the room. At that moment, I decided to y one of my cards. Partnering with Son Hyung-Tae, the president of CK Entertainment, came in handy at moments like this. "Mr Shin. If you don''t feelfortable, we can have Jiri Mountain produced by anotherpany." "Anotherpany? Don''t tell me... are you talking about Son Hyung-Tae?" "Yes, Mr. Son Hyung-Tae said he could block any external pressure." The mention of Son Hyung-Tae, Shin Jong-Ki''s rival, instantly ruffled his feathers. "Don''t be ridiculous! Do you actually believe him? That guy''s bluffing because it''s not his problem!" Son Hyung-Tae yelled. To be honest, I agreed. Son Hyung-Tae had only said that casually as it wasn''t his issue. Nheless, now was the perfect time to irritate Shin Jong-Ki. Feigning ignorance, I insisted on going forward with CK Entertainment which finally made Shin Jong-Ki back down. "Fine, fine! Mr. Gong isn''t as powerful as he used to be, so I''ll hold out as long as I can. Just don''t mention going to CK anymore!" The moment Shin Jong-Ki gave in, I put on a yful smile. "Who said I''d go? There''s a bond between LT Entertainment and our Hoop Entertainment, after all." "Ugh, stop talking if you don''t mean it!" Shin Jong-Ki scowled. At that moment, the door to the meeting room creaked open. "Are we a bitte?" The 70-year-old Master Director Gong Hak-Beom walked in holding a dark oak pipe between his teeth and wearing a beige hat. Beside him stood Choi Jin-Sung, his 57-year-old production director, who handled everything for him. I immediately activated the recording app on my smartwatch. Known for their loose tongues, the two were bound to make a slip-up. *** Inside LT Entertainment''s meeting room, Gong Hak-Beom took his seat and asked without hesitation. "Can I smoke in here?" Although smoking inside the building had long been prohibited, Shin Jong-Ki, eager to amodate the "old-timer", slid over an ashtray. "Of course, Mr. Gong!" Gong Hak-Beom packed his pipe with tobo, lit it, and took a long puff. "Sigh..." The satisfied Gong Hak-Beom nced around the room. "Where''s Tae-Poong?" Shin Jong-Ki awkwardly grimaced. "My apologies. He wasn''t feeling well, so he had to check into the hospital for a bit..." Before Shin Jong-Ki could finish, Choi Jin-Sung suddenly cut him off angrily. "When the great Mr. Gong Hak-Beom calls, shouldn''t he crawl here if he has to?" Shin Jong-Ki clenched his teeth in frustration. There was no way it would be pleasant to hear such words from a production director who was merely riding on Gong Hak-Beom''s influence. After all, Shin Jong-Ki was the president of LT Entertainment, the secondrgest film distributor in Korea and a subsidiary of a major conglomerate. Nheless, he held back, knowing the weight of Gong Hak-Beom''s influence in the film industry. However, I wasn''t about to hold back. Gong Hak-Beom and Choi Jin-Sung had once dominated Korean cinema, but they were now nothing more than criminals in my eyes. Today, I intended to eliminate this garbage once and for all for the sake of Lee Tae-Poong and Park Sun-Jae. Chapter 363: A Ten-Million-Viewership Actor (3)

Chapter 363: A Ten-Million-Viewership Actor (3)

Gong Hak-Beom took another puff of his cigarette and muttered to himself. "Young actors these days have no manners. A director calls and they''rete? That would''ve been unthinkable back in the day." His words were so ridiculous that I didn''t even feel the need to respond. ''Where could you find an actor as polite and well-mannered as Tae-Poong!?'' I remarked inwardly. Any lingering shred of respect I had for him from my past life quickly vanished. He was no longer a sunbae in the film industry worthy of admiration but just an old-fashioned, arrogant man¡ªnot to mention that he''s a criminal. "I''ll go get him right away, Mr. Gong!" said Choi Jin-Sung who was about to get up. However, Gong Hak-Beom waved him off. "There''s no need. Since his talent agent is here, we can just talk with him." Choi Jin-Sung continued to butter him up. "As expected! This is why you are the best, Mr. Gong. Even when someone below you is being so disrespectful, you graciously forgive him like this..." "Haha. Enough with the ttery. Let''s get to the point." The two of them were in perfect sync as they drummed up their own show. Shin Jong-Ki tried his best to suppress his frustration and introduced me as the talent agent who had helped resurrect Lee Tae-Poong''s career after a slump. However, Gong Hak-Beom only cared about his own agenda. "That''s none of my business nor am I interested. Stop beating around the bush and let''s get straight to it. Team Lead Jung, I''d like to use Tae-Poong for my next project. Is that alright?" Gong Hak-Beom''s tone wasn''t one of asking but rather confirming. That''s when Choi Jin-Sung jumped in to stir things up even more. "Come on, Team Lead Jung, why are you hesitating? You should be thanking Mr. Gong! Don''t you know that starring in one of his films guarantees a trip to Cannes?" I had seen enough of their charade which had been running for decades. I straightened up and rejected Gong Hak-Beom''s offer. There was no point in being subtle with him as he wouldn''t get it anyway. "Thank you for considering Tae-Poong, but I''m afraid he already has another project lined up. It won''t be possible to work with you this time, Mr. Gong." Gong Hak-Beom''s expression darkened as he crossed his arms. His furrowed brow showed his irritation. Upon seeing Gong Hak-Beom''s expression, Choi Jin-Sung started berating me."Team Lead Jung, are you out of your mind? Mr. Gong''s film is set to finish filming by the end of this year and will head straight to the Cannespetition. Do you think another opportunity like this will evere along?" They had been repeating this same spiel for thest ten years, ever since they were invited to Cannes. I apologized, "I''m sorry. I believe such a great opportunity should go to an actor more suitable than Tae-Poong. Perhaps someone like Park Chan-Yoo from Ace Entertainment or Lee Soo-Jong from TK Entertainment?" I attempted to pass the bomb to Ace Entertainment and TK Entertainment. However, the displeased Gong Hak-Beom only puffed on his cigarette in silence. Then Choi Jin-Sung tried a different approach, now attempting to persuade me instead of reprimanding me. He said, "Look, one of the judges this time is Asian. This is a rare chance for Korean films, which have been overlooked in the past, to get the recognition they deserve. With Mr. Gong''s script and direction, Judge Zhang Mian''s support, and Tae-Poong''s acting, the Palme d''Or is practically in the bag!" Director Zhang Mian of Taiwan had indeed yed a major role in getting Gong Hak-Beom''s Once in a Lifetime into the Cannespetition. However, Zhang Mian would eventually give the harshest critique after seeing the film, feeling deeply betrayed by Gong Hak-Beom. I replied politely, "Mr. Gong''s project will surely be invited to Cannes and there''s no doubt about that. As much as I''d love to join, we''ve already signed a contract for Tae-Poong''s next project. I can''t break it, I''m sorry." When I refused to back down despite all their attempts to entice me, the visibly irritated Gong Hak-Beom put down his cigarette and red at me. "What is Tae-Poong''s next project again?" "It''s Director Park Sun-Jae''s Jiri Mountain." "Who''s producing it?" "LT Entertainment is both producing and distributing it." Gong Hak-Beom turned to Shin Jong-Ki with a smug look. "Hey, President Shin. Can''t the production be postponed? I''ll be done filming in a month if we start in December, just in time for the Cannes submission deadline. Jiri Mountain can wait until after that, right?" Shin Jong-Ki''s face tightened with difort. Gong Hak-Beom continued, "What is it? If it''s ufortable for you to handle directly, just give me Director Park Sun-Jae''s number." "What are you nning to do?" Shin Jong-Ki asked with an anxious look. "I''ll ask him for his understanding since I want to use Tae-Poong first. If Director Park is okay with it, there won''t be any problem. Right?" Gong Hak-Beom replied unapologetically. When Shin Jong-Ki handed over the number, Gong Hak-Beom immediately called Park Sun-Jae. -Beep... Beep... The person you are trying to reach is unavable... However, Park Sun-Jae did not pick up. I had anticipated this and told Park Sun-Jae not to pick up the phone as I didn''t want him to be swayed by Gong Hak-Beom''s nonsense. When Park Sun-Jae didn''t answer, Gong Hak-Beom''s anger grew and he raised his voice. "What''s going on? Why isn''t he picking up?" Frustrated, Gong Hak-Beom tried calling Lee Tae-Poong next. -Beep... Beep... The person you are trying to reach is unavable... Lee Tae-Poong didn''t answer either. "You... you... these bastards..." Gong Hak-Beom cursed. Unable to reach either of them, Gong Hak-Beom''s face flushed red like spicy gochujang sauce. At that moment, Choi Jin-Sung realized they were deliberately avoiding the calls and shouted, "Hey, Team Lead Jung! Are you really going to y this game? You''re going to throw away a golden opportunity to elevate Korean cinema because of your stubbornness?" ''Elevate Korean cinema? Lee Tae-Poong had already done that by reaching a ten million viewership with Beyond the Boundary,'' I thought to myself. Lee Tae-Poong''s Beyond the Boundary had already sold distribution rights to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and Southeast Asia, at record-breaking contract prices. ''If that isn''t elevating Korean cinema, then what is?'' I remarked silently. I let their ridiculous ims slide in one ear and out the other. The fuming Choi Jin-Sung turned to me as he gritted his teeth. "Team Lead Jung, you might be young and ignorant of how the world works. But if you keep going down this path, you could bury Lee Tae-Poong''s career along with yours! Do you know how many people would jump at the chance to work for Mr. Gong?" I tried to hide my smirk. ''Ah, finally, the threats had begun.'' In today''s world, it was hard to believe someone would stoop to such intimidation tactics¡ªespecially when everything was being recorded. ''This should be enough,'' I thought. I had treated them with respect, and I had also recorded everything they said. I had endured enough of their arrogance. Now, it was their turn to face the consequences. ''It''s turnover time, Mr. Gong and Mr. Choi.'' I hardened my expression and addressed the two directly. "Trying to steal an actor who''s signed a contract is absurd enough, but now you''re resorting to threats? Don''t you feel any shame?" Gong Hak-Beom and Choi Jin-Sung stared at me in disbelief. Then, Gong Hak-Beom turned to Choi Jin-Sung and said, "Chief Choi. Did I hear wrong? Is my old age ying tricks on me? What did this kid just say?" Choi Jin-Sung struggled to speak. "N-no, sir! You''re sharp as ever. You''re still at the top of your game." Even now, Choi Jin-Sung continued his bootlicking. Then he turned on me like I had personally wronged his parents. "Hey, you little brat! Are you out of your mind? You''d better apologize to Mr. Gong right now!" "I won''t. And I''m not the one who''s out of mind here¡ªyou two are. How is it normal to demand someone star in a film without even reading the script?" I retorted. "Hah, why you little...!" I quickly interrupted him. "And one more thing, don''t call me ''brat.'' I''m not your subordinate, so watch your words. Got it?" Gong Hak-Beom mmed the table furiously. "How dare a lowly talent agent like you talk to me like that!" His entire body trembled with rage as he red at me. As the situation was escting quickly, Shin Jong-Ki finally stepped in. "That''s enough!" It seemed like Shin Jong-Ki finally chose sides after quietly observing. I had been worried he might support Gong Hak-Beom. However, to my surprise, he took my side. "Mr. Gong, you know I''ve respected you on many asions, right? So please, give in this time. Honestly, Lee Tae-Poong isn''t the only actor avable, is he?" Shin Jong-Ki said firmly. As the president of a major entertainmentpany and a scion of a conglomerate, Shin Jong-Ki wasn''t someone even Gong Hak-Beom could dismiss easily. If this turned into an all-out war, Gong Hak-Beom would suffer significant losses as well. Gong Hak-Beom frowned. "So, President Shin. Are you saying you side with Team Lead Jung?" Shin Jong-Ki nodded. I hadn''t expected the earlier mention of CK Entertainment''s Son Hyung-Tae to work so effectively. Gong Hak-Beom, now visibly upset, stood up from his seat abruptly. "Fine, I''ve heard both of you loud and clear." Clenching his cigarette pipe tightly between his teeth, Gong Hak-Beom red at us for a moment before storming out of the room. Choi Jin-Sung followed close behind and pointed a finger at me. "You''ll regret this!" He shot onest re at Shin Jong-Ki and me before storming out as well. Bang! The meeting room door mmed shut. At that moment, Shin Jong-Ki copsed into his chair with his face drained of color. "We''re doomed..." Shin Jong-Ki muttered, convinced that the entire film industry would soon turn against them, driven by Gong Hak-Beom''s influence. However, that was only true as long as Gong Hak-Beom had any power left. Now that he would soon be embroiled in a criminal scandal, there wouldn''t be a single person in the world who would be willing to defend him. "Don''t worry too much, sir. There''s a way out of this," Iforted him. "What way?" At that moment, my phone rang faster than expected¡ªit was Choi So-Hye. -Team Lead Jung, Kang In-Han sunbae hit the jackpot. He''s pushing the article live as breaking news. Check it out. "Excuse me for a moment, Mr. Shin." "Huh? What is it?" Ignoring Shin Jong-Ki for a moment, I immediately checked the Central Daily Newspaper online article. [Breaking News: Director Gong Hak-Beom, "Years of Production Fund Embezzlement Alleged"] -Suspected embezzlement of funds allocated annually by KOFIC discovered! -The quality of Gong Hak-Beom''s films targeting the Cannes Film Festival had deteriorated solely because of his budget cuts. -The truth about an industry veteran who forced unpaidbor on his production staff! -Even lead actors were required to work without guarantees! Since I had provided urate information, they pushed out the breaking news within hours. I smiled. ''Korean journalism isn''t dead yet.'' I let out a sigh of relief and pointed to the article for Shin Jong-Ki to see. "Take a look at this." "This... wait, was this your doing?" "No, but I''m close to Reporter Choi So-Hye from Central Daily Newspaper. So I got a heads-up beforeing here. That''s why I was able to stand firm against them." When I twisted the sequence of events a little, I saw a smile return to Shin Jong-Ki''s face. "Ah, you sly devil! You should''ve told me if you had this kind of information!" Shin Jong-Ki said with relief. "I didn''t want to say anything until it was certain. I was ready to take full responsibility if it didn''t work out." When I exined I was trying to protect him, Shin Jong-Ki burst into heartyughter, clearly pleased with my response. "Haha! You didn''t need to do that for me...but I''m relieved this worked out." As Shin Jong-Ki began making calls, I casually nced at my nner. ''Wait, what?'' [Everyday V11] [Date: October 30, 2020] -10:00 p.m. [NEW. Lee Tae-Poong] Announcement of the dy in the Jiri Mountain production schedule. I furrowed my brows. ''Why isn''t this disappearing?'' Even after the embezzlement article had gone live, the scheduled event hadn''t changed. *** After discussing countermeasures with Shin Jong-Ki, I returned to Hoop Entertainment. However, the scheduled event hadn''t been erased from the nner yet. I was about to call Choi So-Hye to figure out what was happening when she messaged me first. [Reporter Choi So-Hye: I wen''t b.e recheble for s bit. Arrested.] I read her message out. "I won''t be...reachable...for a bit...Arrested?!" I hurriedly called Choi So-Hye, but she didn''t answer. I tried to call Kang In-Han next, but he wasn''t reachable either. "Don''t tell me... Mr. Kang got arrested too?" To make matters worse, the article that had been up on the social page of Central Daily Newspaper had been taken down. "They''re arresting reporters in Korea? Who could''ve done this?" I might understand if this were some tabloid newspaperpany. However, Central Daily Newspaper was a major newspaper with significant clout. Yet, their reporters were being detained. ''What on earth is going on right now?'' I wondered. Of course, I had expected some pushback and I had warned both of them about it. ''But this?'' "Could someone higher up have gotten involved?" I muttered to myself. At that moment, it suddenly struck me that the things I knew from my past life might only be the tip of the iceberg. With that unsettling thought, I immediately called Seo Jae-Ill. However, Seo Jae-Ill wasn''t answering, possibly caught up in something urgent. Hence, I decided to leave him a message via KkTalk detailing the current situation. At that moment, I heard Do Ran-Hee''s urgent voice. "Mr. Jung! We have a problem!" Do Ran-Hee hurriedly came running toward me with disheveled hair. "What''s going on?" I asked. Gasping for breath, Do Ran-Hee stammered with her face flushed. "Huff, huff... Director Kang Sang-Soo from KOFIC and Team Lead Gu Jung-Moon are here looking for you!" KOFIC''s director had immense power in the film industry, and he hade in person. This could only mean one thing: they were here to pressure us into casting Lee Tae-Poong as the lead in Gong Hak-Beom''s film. Kang Sang-Soo was the key yer behind Gong Hak-Beom''s embezzlement scandal. Nheless, what shocked me even more was the mention of the other person who had apanied him. "Team Lead Gu Jung-Moon? Are you sure?" I asked. Do Ran-Hee nodded. "Yes, why?" Gu Jung-Moon was the right-hand man of Kim Heung-Bok, who had chaired the Korean Film Council for 15 years. That meant Kim Heung-Bok, the head of the Suhyaejong film cartel, was involved in this matter. The tip of the iceberg had finally emerged. ''So Chairman Kim Heung-Bok is the mastermind behind everything!'' I realized. It all made sense now. The reason they had gotten away with the embezzlement for so long was because Kim Heung-Bok had been at the top protecting everything. Having pieced things together, I asked Do Ran-Hee, "Where are they now?" "They''re in the meeting room on the sixth floor. Mr. Bang went to greet them first, and I think Mr. Kang is headed there too." I patted Do Ran-Hee on the shoulder, trying to calm her down. "Don''t worry, Ran-Hee. Nothing''s going to happen." Even if the entire Suhyaejong line wasing after me, I had no intention of backing down. In fact, this could be the perfect opportunity to root out the cancerous corruption that had taken hold of the film industry. Suppressing the excitement in my chest, I made my way to the sixth floor. Chapter 364: A Ten-Million-Viewership Actor (4)

Chapter 364: A Ten-Million-Viewership Actor (4)

As I opened the door to the meeting room on the sixth floor of Hoop Entertainment, I saw Kang Gam-Chan, Kang Ji-Yung, and Bang Sang-Yung seated near the entrance. Across from them sat Kang Sang-Soo and Gu Jung-Moon. "Is this him?" Kang Sang-Soo asked. Kang Gam-Chan introduced me, "Team Lead Jung,e and introduce yourself. This is Mr. Kang Sang-Soo from KOFIC, and this is Mr. Gu Jung-Moon." "Nice to meet you. I''m Jung Yoon-Ho." However, neither of them bothered to acknowledge my greeting. They immediately began pressuring me. "There''s no need for a long conversation. Go see Mr. Gong and apologize right now. And figure out how to convince Mr. Lee Tae-Poong to star in the movie." Before I could respond, Kang Gam-Chan stepped in."As I''ve already said before, that won''t be possible." Kang Sang-Soo chuckled condescendingly. "Hahaha. Mr. Kang, our chairman personally asked for this to be settled. Don''t you understand what that means?" I frowned. ''Personally asked? How ridiculous.'' They were abusing their power within KOFIC to disguise a tant threat as a favor. Just as Kang Gam-Chan was about to object again, I spoke up. "Tae-Poong already has his next project lined up. It''s called Jiri Mountain and..." Gu Jung-Moon interrupted me with a sneer. "Isn''t Jiri Mountain still just a script? You can push that back and shoot Mr. Gong''s movie first." Kang Sang-Soo also added anotheryer of pressure. "It''d be best if you cooperate. I''m tired today, so let''s make this easy. Okay?" The reason these people from KOFIC felt so emboldened to act this way was simple: they controlled ess to funding. Most Korean films relied on government funds during their early production stages through funds like the ''Film ount Sub-Fund'' and the ''Cultural ount Production Fund,'' all collected through government channels. The organization with the most significant influence over this initial investment was none other than KOFIC. Naturally, Jiri Mountain was set to receive government support during its early stages as well. So their threat was clear: if we didn''tply, they''d pull the funding for Jiri Mountain. However, their intimidation didn''t faze me at all. They would soon be taken down along with Gong Hak-Beom''s corruption scandal anyway. Nheless, since Bang Sang-Yung was present, I needed to make my refusal clear and exin why. "Excuse me, but...haven''t either of you seen the news about Mr. Gong''s embezzlement?" I asked. For the first time, a flicker of unease crossed their faces. "Hey! Those are just malicious rumors spread by people jealous of Mr. Gong Hak-Beom! The reporters are simply printing nonsense!" ''That''s right. Exactly what I had expected,'' I thought. "Is that so? Then what do you think of this?" I said as I yed the recording I had from LT Entertainment. -If you keep this up, we''ll bury Lee Tae-Poong and anyone else. Do you have any idea how many people would jump to help Mr. Gong? As Choi Jin-Sung''s threatening words yed out, the faces of Kang Sang-Soo and Gu Jung-Moon turned pale. "So these people who would jump to help Mr. Gong... are they you, Mr. Kang Sang-Soo, and Mr. Gu Jung-Moon?" I questioned. At that moment, both men shot up from their chairs with faces flushed with anger as if caught off guard. "You are utterly disrespectful! How dare you use us of such nonsense?" "You think you''ll get away with this?" Simultaneously, Kang Sang-Soo turned to Gu Jung-Moon and shouted. "Team Lead Gu! There''s no point in talking any further. Let''s go! We need to report this to the chairman right away." "Yes, sir!" As soon as Kang Sang-Soo and Gu Jung-Moon stormed out of the room, Bang Sang-Yung quickly followed them and called out in an attempt to smooth things over. "Mr. Kang! Mr. Gu! Please wait a moment! We can talk this over!" I scoffed. ''Talk things over? What a joke. They are probably just gonna gather to discuss their next steps within the Suhyaejong line.'' With the three of them gone, Kang Gam-Chan turned to me with a serious look on his face. "Yoon-Ho. Are you sure you can handle this with KOFIC involved?" "I''ve already passed everything I know to the reporters and the prosecutor. I didn''t realize even Chairman Kim Heung-Bok was tied into this though." Kang Gam-Chan shook his head, clearly astonished by the revtion. I stood up to leave to rescue the arrested Choi So-Hye and proceed with my n. "Well then, I''ll head out to wrap things up." Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "Good luck. Keep me updated with any changes." "Understood, sir." There was no time to waste. If I dyed even a little, Kim Heung-Bok and the Suhyaejong line could y a dirty trick. Every minute mattered. *** At the parking lot of the Seoul Jongro Police Station, I reported thetest developments to Seo Jae-Ill and filled him in on everything. Seo Jae-Ill responded quickly, exining that he had just finished a meeting with the chief prosecutor and was already on it. That''s when the ss doors of the police station swung open. Kang In-Han and Choi So-Hye, looking exhausted but defiant, walked out. They were apanied by awyer from Central Daily Newspaper. The moment they stepped out, Kang In-Han and Choi So-Hye raised their fists toward the police station in protest. "Can you believe they detained reporters? I''m not letting this slide! Just watch!" "Ugh! If only I were ten years younger!" Worried they might get into more trouble, I honked the car horn to get their attention. Honk! Only then did the two look over and spot me. "Hey! Team Lead Jung!" After saying goodbye to thewyer, they hurried over and Choi So-Hye got into the passenger seat and asked, "How did you know we were here?" "I heard from Reporter Lee Tae-Yoon that you were arrested while covering the story, so I reached out to Prosecutor Seo for help." "Team Lead Jung, you''re quite resourceful, aren''t you?" Kang In-Han chimed in from the backseat. "Now that I think about it, I haven''t had a proper meal since I got thrown in the holding cell. Let''s go get some soup! There''s this amazing spot called Joseon Jumo Gukbap just around the corner..." Both seemed hungry, but it wasn''t the time for a leisurely meal now. I quickly replied, "We''ll have to eatter. I''ve uncovered the real mastermind behind this corruption scandal." At the mention of the real mastermind, their journalistic instincts kicked in and their expressions turned serious. "Who is it?" "Who are we talking about?" I didn''t beat around the bush and got straight to the point. "Chairman Kim Heung-Bok. You know him, right?" Kim Heung-Bok had held his position as the head of KOFIC for 15 years and was a central figure in the Suhyaejong''s film cartel. At that moment, Kang In-Han ground his teeth in frustration. "Of course I know him! He''s the one who reported us and had us thrown into the holding cell when we went to cover KOFIC!" "Well, he''s the one at the root of all of this." The two of them exchanged a nce. "Sunbae. Now that I think about it, hasn''t Chairman Kim Heung-Bok always supported Director Gong''s films no matter what?" Choi So-Hye asked. "That exins everything. Let''s go, Reporter Choi! I won''t be able to eat until we take that man down!" Kang In-Han eximed. "Got it, sunbae." They asked me to drop them off at their office, saying they were going to rally other reporters and take KOFIC apart. Judging by the fire in their eyes, it seemed like I wouldn''t have to worry anymore. "Shall we go, then?" As I started the engine, I noticed something. Finally, the scheduled event on my nner was disappearing. [Everyday V11] [Date: October 30, 2020] -10:00 p.m. (Deleted Scheduled Event: [NEW. Lee Tae-Poong] Announcement of the dy in the Jiri Mountain production schedule.) *** The next day at the LT Entertainment theater in Samseong-dong, the celebration for Beyond the Boundary reaching a ten-million viewership was in full swing. In the middle of the event with fans, Lee Tae-Poong was being interviewed by reporters as Gong Hak-Beom and Choi Jin-Sung were being arrested at that very moment. I was watching it all unfold on my phone. -Mr. Gong! Is it true that you spent film production funds on personal entertainment? -There''s a rumor that the massive amount spent on your son''s education abroad came from government funds¡ªcan you confirm this? -Mr. Gong Hak-Beom! You''re said to have a close rtionship with the chairman of KOFIC. Are you admitting to this collusion? The reporters bombarded them with sharp questions, but neither Gong Hak-Beom nor Choi Jin-Sung said a word as they boarded the police transport van. The once-proud and confident director who always exuded authority in front of the cameras was now a shell of his former self. As a criminal, he bowed his head to avoid the cameras that had once spotlighted him his entire life. Click. The door to the police van closed. A reporter holding a microphone began exining the details of the scandal to the public. -Director Gong Hak-Beom, who squandered public funds meant for the arts on personal luxuries, has been exposed for his corrupt dealings with high-ranking officials including the chairman of KOFIC and other Suhyaejong alumni... The reporter began naming all the aplices including Kim Heung-Bok. ''It''s over,'' I thought. This was the moment the Suhyaejong''s hold over KOFIC and the film industry began to crumble. At that moment, Choi Sung-Moon of Beyond the Boundary approached me. "Did you have anything to do with this, Team Lead Jung?" I took my eyes off my phone and responded, "Not at all, Mr. Choi. It''s just a coincidence." I exined that I merely held my ground against Gong Hak-Beom''s pressure and it was a pure chance that the scandal became public. I had no intention of spreading rumors about my involvement, but Choi Sung-Moon smiled knowingly. "Well, it couldn''t have been easy standing up to the king of the film world like that. Thanks to you, Tae-Poong and Director Park are both grateful. Of course, so am I." Hearing such praise from someone as prominent as Choi Sung-Moon made me feel a bit emotional. Just then, I sensed someone approaching. Turning around, I saw Park Sun-Jae, who would be directing Jiri Mountain, standing hand-in-hand with his girlfriend, Ahn Yoo-Joo. "Thank you so much, Mr. Jung." "Ah, Mr. Park and Ms. Ahn." At that moment, Park Sun-Jae handed me a white envelope decorated with a ribbon. "What is this?" I asked. "It''s a wedding invitation. Thanks to you, we''re finally able to get married." When I opened the invitation, I saw that the wedding was scheduled for October 29 adorned with a beautiful flower design drawn by Ahn Yoo-Joo herself. I smiled. "So you''re finally getting married." For the past few days, Park Sun-Jae had been half out of his mind. After barely recovering from a sh with genius director Jo Jae-Kyung, he had to deal with master director Gong Hak Beom''s attempts to block Jiri Mountain from being released. However, now that Gong Hak-Beom had been arrested, he could finally proceed with his wedding without any further dys. Ahn Yoo-Joo, who had be Park Sun-Jae''s lifelong production manager, also smiled brightly as she bowed her head in thanks. "Thanks to you, my fianc¨¦ was able to get through such a difficult time. We''re truly grateful, Mr. Jung." As I looked at the couple holding hands and bowing, all the stress from the past few days seemed to melt away. What I had protected wasn''t just Lee Tae-Poong''s career, but the lives of these two people as well. *** [Beyond the Boundary surpasses ten million viewers!] [Beyond the Boundary sets box office records! Nopetition in sight.] [''Ten-million-viewership actor'' Lee Tae-Poong announces his next project: Jiri Mountain directed by rookie director Park Sun-Jae.] During the ten-million-viewership celebratory event, Lee Tae-Poong publicly announced that his next project had been confirmed. Thanks to that, Jiri Mountain was now trending alongside Beyond the Boundary as a rted search term. "What are you staring at so intensely, oppa?" Lee Yeon-Sil asked. I was in a Merciless Springer van, traveling from Gwangju in Gyeonggi Province to our home in Cheonho-dong. As Kang Eun-Gi''s trial was the next day, I was taking Lee Yeon-Sil, who was 20 weeks pregnant, and my mother, Sister Micha, to Seoul. "I''m just reading some news about Tae-Poong and other stuff." "Is that so? Do you think I''ll be able to meet Tae-Poong oppa when we get to your house?" "Tae-Poong oppa? You''re older than him, you know." "Come on~ Someone like Lee Tae-Poong is automatically an ''oppa'' no matter what." It seemed Lee Yeon-Sil was determined to call any celebrity she liked ''oppa,'' no matter their age difference. ''She might even call Haru oppa,'' I remarked inwardly. Fan dedication was truly something. At that moment, my mom smiled warmly. "My son, you''ve grown so much. Is it because you''ve been recognized at work?" To my mother, I had always been the dependable and admirable son. "Maybe it''s because I''ve been eating well recently. And Mom, your face looks much healthier now." After recovering from her stomach illness, my mom''s face looked much better than before. "Don''t even get me started. Yeon-Sil has been hovering around me constantly to make sure I take care of myself. It''s driving me crazy!" Lee Yeon-Sil grumbled in response. "That''s because you wouldn''t eat properly, Mom!" Watching the two of them bicker like a real mother and daughter brought a smile to my face. In my past life, I lost both of them far too soon. However, now, they were alive and well before my eyes. Though I wanted to continue enjoying this light conversation, there was something important we needed to discuss first. "Mom, Yeon-Sil... You''ve heard that we found Eun-Gi''s father, right?" My mother gently held Lee Yeon-Sil''s hand and Lee Yeon-Sil nodded. "Yes, I heard." "So, I was thinking... What if you both met with President Choi Eun-Tae? Eun-Gi wants to meet his father, but he''s struggling with his emotions and can''t bring himself to agree." Kang Eun-Gi had shown subtle signs of wanting to meet his father. However, earlier this morning, he still refused. This decision came shortly after hearing that Lee Yeon-Sil would be attending the trial. -I can''t ept a loan shark like President Choi Eun-Tae as my child''s grandfather, Yoon-Ho. At that moment, I had to ept that I was wrong. The Kang Eun-Gi I knew in my past life no longer existed. That was why I decided to ask my mother and Lee Yeon-Sil to act as intermediaries. This was not for Choi Eun-Tae''s sake but for my brother who was bottling up his emotions and suppressing his true desires. That''s when my mother spoke up. "How about I meet him first and decide afterward?" My mom immediately understood that I wanted to help Kang Eun-Gi free himself from his emotional burden. "When should we arrange the meeting?" I asked. "Right now!" she replied. True to her fiery nature unlike usual nuns, my mother dered that she would go see Choi Eun-Tae immediately to judge whether he was truly worthy of being Kang Eun-Gi''s father. Without hesitation, I turned the van around and headed for Choi Eun-Tae''s residence located in Myeong-dong. Chapter 365: Entangled Feelings (1)

Chapter 365: Entangled Feelings (1)

As soon as the car stopped in front of Choi Eun-Tae''s mansion in Myeong-dong, the gate opened as if they had been waiting. At the same time, Choi Yung-Ho rushed out with three sturdy men: they were the leaders of the Daeho faction and directors of Daeheung Savings Bank. When I helped my mom and Lee Yeon-Sil get out of the car, Choi Yung-Ho bowed deeply. "Wee, Sister Micha. And... Miss Yeon-Sil." The other three men bowed their heads in unison. "Wee!" My mom, dressed in her nun''s habit, bowed politely. Choi Yung-Ho continued, "Please don''t misunderstand. Mr. Choi couldn''te out in person to greet you due to his illness." It seemed like Choi Eun-Tae had fallen ill after hearing that Kang Eun-Gi ultimately refused to meet with him. "I see. It''s fine, so don''t worry about it." It was clear that my mom was making an effort not to hold any prejudice. Choi Yung-Ho sighed in relief. "Understood. The wind is chilly. Pleasee inside." At that moment, my mom turned her head. "Yeon-Sil, would you like to wait in the car?" Lee Yeon-Sil tilted her head in confusion. "Why? I also want to meet him." "Just listen to me." Lee Yeon-Sil nodded. "Okay. Then I''ll wait with Yung-Jin oppa here." My mom understood better than anyone else how much Kang Eun-Gi did not want his unborn child to meet Choi Eun-Tae. Holding her belly carefully, Lee Yeon-Sil returned to the car. For a moment, Choi Yung-Ho looked disappointed. But with my mom''s decision already made, there was no way to bring Lee Yeon-Sil into the mansion. My mom took my hand and turned her gaze toward the main gate. "Let''s go inside, Yoon-Ho." Only after holding my hand did my mom step toward the entrance of the old mansion. *** Inside the living room of the mansion, Choi Eun-Tae greeted us with a pale face. "Please have a seat here, Sister. And wee, Team Lead Jung." My mom bowed politely. "Thank you for weing us. I wish you a speedy recovery." "Thank you." My mom sat down on a cushion with my support. Then she simply stared at Choi Eun-Tae without saying a word. ''She must be thinking about the past,'' I guessed. When Kang Eun-Gi was first taken to the orphanage, he ran away every day for a month to look for his biological mom. In the following month, he refused to eat as he was convinced that his father, who might be somewhere, woulde to find him. Each time, my mom held Kang Eun-Gi in her arms and soothed him, telling him his parents would surelye. She repeatedly told Kang Eun-Gi that his parents would certainlye to find him because he was a good and lovely child. Having always consoled Kang Eun-Gi like that, she wanted to meet his parents even more than Kang Eun-Gi himself did. Yet now that she was finally facing Kang Eun-Gi''s father, many thoughts seemed to be running through her mind as she remained silent. As the silence grew ufortable, Choi Eun-Tae finally spoke first. "Sister, could you please help me meet Eun-Gi?" After a brief moment of hesitation, my mom cautiously asked, "Do you know why Eun-Gi went to prison, Mr. Choi?" Choi Eun-Tae shook his head. "To be honest, I don''t know the details." After taking control of one of the most notorious gangs in the Gyeonggi area, Kang Eun-Gi immediately chose to turn himself in. Even after nearly being killed by Choi Man-Sik, he had no intention of leaving the detention center. Kang Eun-Gi''s choice directly contradicted Choi Eun-Tae''s life philosophy where sess was achieved by any means necessary. My mom began exining why Kang Eun-Gi went to prison. "Eun-Gi turned himself in because he wanted to be an honorable father: one his soon-to-be-born child wouldn''t be ashamed of. He wants to atone for his sins and be reborn." Choi Eun-Tae looked at us with a baffled expression. "Th-that makes no sense..." Though Choi Eun-Tae slightly raised his voice in confusion, my mom remained unfazed. "You asked me to help you meet Eun-Gi, didn''t you?" "Yes." "Then I need to confirm one thing with all due respect." It seemed my mom was deciding whether to help Choi Eun-Tae or not. "You can ask me anything you''d like." Staring directly at Choi Eun-Tae, my mom posed her question. "If Eun-Gi epts you as his father... would you be willing to pass on what you have to him?" Choi Eun-Tae answered as if it were obvious. "Of course. I''ve found my son, so I must pass everything on to him." "Everything?" Choi Eun-Tae repeated, "Everything." My mom''s expression hardened. "From what I know, you lend money at high interest rates and make a business out of collecting it." "That''s correct." "And would you be encouraging Eun-Gi, who turned himself in to wash away his sins, tomit those same sins again?" At that moment, Choi Eun-Tae''s face flushed red. Even though my mom had spent her life caring for children, she knew exactly how Choi Eun-Tae had built his fortune. Choi Eun-Tae was the kingpin of the private loan market in Myeong-dong and a giant in South Korea''s underground finance world. The throne he upied was one held by those who had sold their souls for money, and guarding it came with a cost that could never be paid lightly. Despite my mom''s efforts to exin Kang Eun-Gi''s perspective, Choi Eun-Tae gave the wrong answer. At that moment, sweat began to bead on Choi Eun-Tae''s forehead. ''Wow, my mom is intimidating...'' I thought. Before we arrived, I never expected her to push him this hard. However, for the sake of Kang Eun-Gi who wanted to turn over a new leaf, my mom was testing the formidable Choi Eun-Tae. The perplexed Choi Eun-Tae finally regained hisposure before asking, "Then are you saying that in order to meet my son, I must also confess all my sins and turn myself in like Eun-Gi?" My mom shook her head. "They say everyone has their own path. The way to redemption is different for everyone. Eun-Gi has his way and you have yours, Mr. Choi." After a moment of contemtion, Choi Eun-Tae spoke as if a thought had struck him. "Then how about this? I will take full responsibility for every child at the Angel Orphanage. With enough money, they won''t be mocked for not having parents and can receive the best education. How about it? Would you allow me to meet Eun-Gi then?" Choi Eun-Tae was trying to buy his way to a solution with money. My mom''s expression showed further disappointment. "I can raise my children on my own, sir." She then looked at me as she finished speaking. "Yoon-Ho, it seems this won''t work." Choi Eun-Tae''s attitude of trying to solve everything with money must have deeply disappointed her. My mom ced her hands on her knees, preparing to stand up. Just then, Choi Eun-Tae called out urgently, "Wait! Please, wait a moment!" My mom paused and looked back at Choi Eun-Tae as if she wanted to give him a chance. This time, Choi Eun-Tae appeared to be in serious thought. My mom stood there silently and waited for Choi Eun-Tae to finish thinking. *** After thinking for a long time, Choi Eun-Tae finally spoke with difficulty. However, he was now wearing a more rxed expression. "You said everyone has their own way, didn''t you, Sister?" "Yes, Mr. Choi." "My answer may not please you, but I''ll say it anyway." My mom silently nodded. "First of all, I have no intention of letting go of what I have." My mom tilted her head as if she was confused. Choi Eun-Tae quickly continued. "But I will change the way I conduct business." "The way you conduct business?" Choi Eun-Tae began exining what he intended to do. "Yes. About half the people who borrow money from me aren''t upright. But the other half are poor, struggling people who have no one else to lend them money. So I will help those in need as much as I can." Once again, Choi Eun-Tae''s solution involved money. However this time round, there was a different sincerity in his tone. He continued, "If I were to leave this business, countless people would fight viciously to take my ce. The one who seeds me would likely bleed the powerless even more than I do. I will ensure that doesn''t happen." Choi Eun-Tae was right. If he stepped down from his role in the loan shark business, others would fight to take over and blood would be spilled. The bigger issue was that whoever reced him would likely exploit the vulnerable even more. Given his significant influence over the Myeong-dong market, Choi Eun-Tae prioritized stability. Unlike other loan sharks, his interest rates were already lower than most. He added, "To someone like you who serves God, my world may look like a cesspool. But people live here too. So... can''t youpromise with me and allow me to make this ce a bit better?" Choi Eun-Tae had found a way to maintain integrity in the world he lived in. Following God''s teachings and spreading goodness withoutmitting further sins was the life my mom lived. Though Choi Eun-Tae''s answer was different from my mom''s values, it still represented a form of good. After all, he was willing to provide direct help to those in need. After listening quietly, my mom sped her hands together and began to pray. Momentster, she finished her prayer and opened her eyes. With a long sigh, she looked at Choi Eun-Tae with a slightly warmer gaze. "I understand your intentions, Mr. Choi. I hope you achieve them¡ªand when you do, I''d like to meet again." The moment Choi Eun-Tae sensed hope in my mom''s words, he responded in a trembling voice. "Thank you, Sister..." My mom shook her head. "No, I should be thanking you. I came unannounced and said some harsh things, but you didn''t turn me away. I appreciate that." My mom stood and bowed politely. Choi Eun-Tae also stood, bowing deeply in return. It was a moment where two people, who had walked entirely different paths all their lives, began to understand each other. *** At the mansion''s front gate, Choi Eun-Tae personally came to see us off. "Have a safe trip back." Choi Yung-Ho and his men bowed deeply as well. My mom wore a kind expression and bowed in return. "I apologize for the trouble." The moment I helped her into the car, my mom quietly spoke. "Next time, I think we can let him meet Eun-Gi." "Really?" "He''s already repenting. His way of repentance is different from mine, but each person has their own path." Though Choi Eun-Tae hadn''t used the word "repentance," my mom believed that his heart was what mattered most. "Now, shall we go see where my son lives?" Looking as though a heavy burden had finally lifted from her shoulders, my mom smiled brightly. Proud of my mom, who hadn''t backed down even against Choi Eun-Tae, I smiled back and replied, "Yes, Mom!" *** We arrived at the house in Cheonho-dong. As soon as my mom met Jung In-Ji, she presented various kinds of kimchi she had made herself as a gift. "Thank you for always looking after Yoon-Ho." "It''s not me looking after him but it''s more like Mr. Jung looks after me." The two of them held hands and began talking about me. At that moment, we heard the sound of Yoo-Jin entering with Miso. Instantly, Lee Yeon-Sil sitting beside me lit up with excitement. Though they had video-called a few times, this was their first time meeting in person. With a bang, the front door on the first floor swung open and Yoo-Jin and Miso rushed in. "Oppa! We''re here! Oh? Yeon-Sil unnie, you''re here early!" "Auntie!" Since Miso had also seen Yeon-Sil on video calls, she recognized her face and greeted her warmly. Kicking off her shoes, Miso ran over and bowed deeply. "Uncle Yoon-Ho! I''m back from kindergarten!" "Did you have a good day?" I asked with a smile. Miso then greeted Sister Micha and Lee Yeon-Sil with the same deep bow. "Grandma! Auntie! You''re here!" Thanks to me always referring to my mom as "Mom," Miso had started calling Sister Micha "Grandma" as well. She also referred to Lee Yeon-Sil as "Auntie." Lee Yeon-Sil responded with a touched expression, "Miso, how have you been?" "Good!" Miso eximed. After tidying up her shoes at the entrance, Yoo-Jin greeted Lee Yeon-Sil warmly. "Yeon-Sil unnie, you must be tired froming all this way." "It wasn''t too bad. I''m doing fine." With the greetings out of the way, everyone gathered in the living room. "Yeon-Sil unnie, how far along are you?" Yoo-Jin asked. "Twenty weeks now. It''s starting to get a little ufortable," Lee Yeon-Sil replied as she touched her belly. At that moment, Miso blinked and stared at Lee Yeon-Sil''s lower belly. "What is it, Miso?" Lee Yeon-Sil asked. "Auntie, when is the babying out?" "It''ll be another 20 weeks." "20 weeks... that''s... hmm..." Miso started counting on her fingers. Though she excelled at acting for her age, math was still a challenge for her. "That sounds like a long time!" "Haha, it''s not that long." "Will youe to our house again after the baby''s born?" Looking at Miso''s sparkling eyes, Lee Yeon-Sil smiled and nodded. "Of course! I''lle visit you, so youe visit me too." Miso looked over at Yoo-Jin. "Mom! Is that okay?" "Of course, it is." By "Lee Yeon-Sil''s house," we meant Angel Orphanage in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, where I grew up. I nned to be the first to rush over once my niece was born. After all, it would be like meeting another family member I hadn''t been able to meet in my past life. After finishing the talk about the baby, the conversation shifted to the little details about me¡ªwhat I liked to eat, what kind of work I did, how I was treated at thepany, and so on. Several hours passed and it was time to go to bed. "Alright. It''s time to head up to bed, Mom, Yeon-Sil." Since Haru''s mom had gone down to Suwon to check out a house, the guest room on the third floor was empty. Just then, Lee Yeon-Sil grabbed Yoo-Jin''s hand with a meaningful look. "Yoon-Ho oppa. Yoo-Jin and I will sleep on the second floor tonight." "With Yoo-Jin? Why?" "Yeah, we have some things we want to talk about¡ªjust the two of us." ''Huh? What could they possibly need to talk about?'' I wondered. Chapter 366: Entangled Feelings (2)

Chapter 366: Entangled Feelings (2)

At Jung Yoo-Jin''s house in Cheonho-dong, she served tea for the guests gathered around the living room table after putting Miso to bed. Once Jung Yoo-Jin sat down, Lee Yeon-Sil smiled and asked, "Yoo-Jin, Yoon-Ho oppa makes things really difficult, doesn''t he?" Lee Yeon-Sil was well aware of Jung Yoo-Jin''s situation as they had shared many conversations over the phone. Jung Yoo-Jin smiled. "I''m okay, Yeon-Sil unnie." Sister Micha chimed in and agreed with Lee Yeon-Sil. "Yoon-Ho can be a bit clueless about these things. Please be patient with him, Yoo-Jin." Jung Yoo-Jin blushed, knowing exactly what they were talking about. "It seems like Yoon-Ho oppa doesn''t even think about dating while working as a talent agent..." Lee Yeon-Sil and Sister Micha nodded in agreement. "Oppa can be so old-fashioned when ites to things like this. Right, Mom?" "He''s always been like that since he was little. He always drew the lines so clearly that it drove people crazy!" Jung Yoo-Jin sighed softly. She understood how dedicated Jung Yoon-Ho was to his work as a talent agent, which made it hard for her to express her feelings easily. However, after Jung Yoon-Ho returned from the China trip, where he went alone with Ju Yung-In, Jung Yoo-Jin''s worries started to grow. It was all because of a text message she received from Ju Yung-In the day before Jung Yoon-Ho returned. -Yoo-Jin, I can never give up on Yoon-Ho oppa. There was no context, but Jung Yoo-Jin sensed that something had happened between Ju Yung-In and Jung Yoon-Ho in China. Though Jung Yoo-Jin tried to act as if everything was fine, it was far from easy. Seeing the concern on Jung Yoo-Jin''s face, Lee Yeon-Sil reassured her. "Don''t worry, Yoo-Jin. Yoon-Ho oppa isn''t the type to be kind to someone he doesn''t care about." Sister Micha also nodded in agreement. "Exactly. I was so surprised when I saw how Yoon-Ho treated you, Yoo-Jin. He''spletely changed." Hearing that Jung Yoon-Ho had changed because of her brought a soft smile to Jung Yoo-Jin''s lips. However, she couldn''t help but feel a little envious that only Lee Yeon-Sil and Sister Micha knew about Jung Yoon-Ho''s past. Jung Yoo-Jin cautiously asked, "What was Yoon-Ho oppa like when he was younger?" Then, Lee Yeon-Sil and Sister Micha began to share everything they knew about Jung Yoon-Ho all night. *** The next morning after breakfast, I drove my mom and Lee Yeon-Sil to the courthouse. Curious about what they had talked about with Yoo-Jinst night, I asked them. However, the two simply smiled with dark circles under their eyes from talking all night. Then, my mom asked out of the blue, "By the way, my son." "Yes?" "Have you thought about getting married?" "Huh? Why are we talking about my marriage now? I''m only 27!" I replied hastily as I was caught off-guard by her question. Mom nced over at Lee Yeon-Sil. "Eun-Gi is 27 and he already has a child." Lee Yeon-Sil grinned and shed a peace sign. My mom turned back to me with an expectant look in her eyes. However, I couldn''t answer easily. Even though my life seemed peaceful on the surface, there were plenty of people targeting me. "I have a lot to take care of first. When that''s done... then... I''ll think about it," I muttered. "Alright. Then can we aim for before you turn 30?" "Well..." Just as I was trying to dodge the question, my mom suddenly hunched over and clutched her stomach. "My stomach has been acting up againtely. I want to at least see my son get married before I suffer more~" Lee Yeon-Sil giggled. It was obvious that my mom was exaggerating, but I couldn''t just ignore her. I let out a sigh and then replied, "Okay, okay. Fine. But please promise me that you won''t get ill." My mom smiled brightly as she straightened up. "Son, I believe in you. You know that, right?" "Yes..." Both my mom and Lee Yeon-Sil seemed satisfied with my answer. They still wouldn''t tell me what they talked about with Yoo-Jinst night and I wasn''t sure how the topic of my marriage came up at all. At that moment, Lee Yeon-Sil asked cautiously, "Do you think Mr. Choi will show up today? Anyone can sit in the public gallery right?" "No, he won''t. He promised Mom he wouldn''te." Choi Eun-Tae had originally nned to secretly observe the trial from the public gallery. However, he called mest night to say he wouldn''t attend the trial as he wanted to appear in front of his son with dignity only after taking down Park Sang-Gon. Nheless, there was another reason why Choi Eun-Tae couldn''te: he had received information that someone sent by Choi Man-Sik would be present in the courtroom today. The fact that Choi Eun-Tae had found his biological son was a closely guarded secret and known only to a few insiders. Choi Man-Sik wasn''t aware of this yet and would immediately find out the truth if Choi Eun-Tae were to appear in court. After telling my mom what Choi Eun-Tae had told mest night, she smiled gently. "When the timees, I''ll have to step in and convince Eun-Gi." "Don''t worry, oppa. I''ll help Mom bring them together," Lee Yeon-Sil assured me. Lee Yeon-Sil had always hoped that everyone from the orphanage, including herself, would one day reunite with their lost families. Just like that, we agreed to set things right in Kang Eun-Gi''s twisted fate. After all, there could be no greater gift for Kang Eun-Gi, who was seeking redemption and a fresh start. *** "I sentence the defendant, Kang Eun-Gi, to one year in prison!" The judge, dressed in a ck robe, struck the gavel against the wooden block. Bang, bang, bang. As expected there was no suspended sentence for a former gangster let alone a leader of a violent organization even though he had turned himself in. At that moment, my mom and Lee Yeon-Sil, who had been clutching their rosaries and praying beside me, swayed and leaned against me. However, Kang Eun-Gi epted the verdict calmly. He then nced at me with his eyes full of a silent request. ''Yoon-Ho, take care of Yeon-Sil and Mom.'' ''Don''t worry.'' ''And look after your niece, too.'' ''You take care of yourself, Eun-Gi.'' In that brief moment when our eyes met, we exchanged an unspoken understanding without needing words. For a fleeting second afterward, Kang Eun-Gi''s gaze swept the gallery. It was clear that he was disappointed Choi Eun-Tae wasn''t there. After Kang Eun-Gi was led out of the courtroom, I helped my mom up."Mom, let''s go." "Shall we?" My mom forced herself to stand with my support and pretended to be okay. I couldn''t help but notice that more gray hairs seemed to have appeared at her temples. A feeling of guilt rose in my throat, but I swallowed it down. I decided to lift my mom and Lee Yeon-Sil''s spirits. "Mom, how about we go for some Hanwoo today? It''s my treat." My mom gave a faint smile and replied, "If it''s my son treating, anything''s fine... but I''m actually craving budae jjigae today." Budae jjigae was one of Kang Eun-Gi''s favorite dishes, and it was clear she wanted to eat it while thinking of him. "Sure, I know a good ce. Let''s go there." Lee Yeon-Sil tried to smile as well. "Oppa, let''s add cheese to the budae jjigae[1] and get extra noodles!" Lee Soo-Chan who had been quietly standing nearby also added, "Hyung-nim. I''d like ham and dumplings added please." "Okay, we''ll order a bigbo with everything." Trying to lift our spirits, we headed to the famous Heungbu Budae Jjigae in Seoul, waiting for the day when Kang Eun-Gi would atone for his sins and return to us. *** In VIP Room 1 of Fukuoka Japanese Restaurant in Apgujeong, Choi Man-Sik sat with Lee Sang-Pil, Park Hyung-Moon, and Bang Sang-Yung. Therge table was filled with aged sashimi and tempura dishes, but no one touched the food. Instead, they were just drinking with tense looks on their faces. Lee Sang-Pil downed another shot of warmed sake and asked coldly, "Director Bang. Now that Mr. Kim Heung-Bok has stepped down, the support we used to get is going to stop. Do we have a backup n?" Bang Sang-Yung tilted his head. "Someone else from the Suhyaejong line will take that seat anyway, so what''s the worry?" Although Bang Sang-Yung wasn''t from Suhyaejong, he knew better than anyone that half of Korea''s cultural industry was controlled by people from that school. "It''s not that simple. The government is determined to appoint someone outside of Suhyaejong these days." At that moment, Choi Man-Sik raised his hand to silence the conversation. "Let''s focus onpany matters instead." Choi Man-Sik turned to Bang Sang-Yung and spoke in a low voice. "What''s your n for handling Team Lead Jung after you loosened the reins on him with Director Gong''s incident? He''ll try to pull all the promising actors into his team now." As a reward for handling the case involving Gong Hak-Beom, Jung Yoon-Ho gained the freedom to recruit talents at will within Hoop Entertainment. Rumors of people from the Suhyaejong line defecting were already circting. Feeling the cold stares of the group, Bang Sang-Yung shrank slightly. "...Don''t worry. I have a n." "Whatever your n is, you''d better move quickly," Choi Man-Sik warned him. Just then, Choi Man-Sik''s phone rang. "Yes, it''s me. What''s the update?" -Mr. Choi didn''t show up and neither did anyone from Daeheung. It was news that neither Choi Eun-Tae nor anyone from Daeheung Savings Bank had attended Kang Eun-Gi''s trial. ''So the old man still doesn''t know that Kang Eun-Gi is his blood, huh...'' Choi Man-Sik thought. Choi Man-Sik recently managed to get someone to smuggle out Kang Eun-Gi''s toothbrush from the detention center. He used it to do a DNA paternity test on Kang Eun-Gi and Choi Eun-Tae and received results that Kang Eun-Gi was indeed Choi Eun-Tae''s biological son. However, it seemed that Choi Eun-Tae was still unaware of that. Choi Man-Sik had his doubts for a moment but then shook his head. ''If that old man knew, he wouldn''t just sit back. He''d do whatever it took to clear Eun-Gi''s name be it through dismissal of charges or bail.'' After the failed assassination attempt, making another move on Kang Eun-Gi was no easy task¡ªespecially now that Choi Man-Sik''s future father-inw, Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon, was under suspicion for receiving slush funds. For now, Choi Man-Sik could only take somefort in the fact that Choi Eun-Tae still didn''t know who his son was. After all, even Choi Man-Sik had to be cautious with the ongoing investigation. "Is something wrong, Mr. Choi? Is there any bad news?" "No, it''s a personal matter. Continue your conversation." The priority now was dealing with the problems at Hoop Entertainment. If they left things as they were, thepany could end up in Jung Yoon-Ho''s hands. Just then, the sliding door opened and Team Lead Ju Ho-Sung from Actor Division 3 rushed in. "Mr. Bang! Jo Min-Sung from Actor Division 1 has gone to meet with Jung Yoon-Ho." "What? Jo Min-Sung did?" Jo Min-Sung was one of Hoop Entertainment''s top stars personally managed by Bang Sang-Yung since his days as a talent agent. "For what reason?" "I''m not sure, but he ditched Actor Division 1''s Chief Choi and went to meet Jung Yoon-Ho alone." At that moment, Choi Man-Sik shot Bang Sang-Yung a terrifying re. "So Jung Yoon-Ho made the first move. How do you n to stop this?" Gulp. Bang Sang-Yung swallowed hard before shooting up from his seat. "I''ll handle Min-Sung personally!" Bang Sang-Yung''s desperate shout echoed through the VIP room. "Okay. Then what are you waiting for? Why aren''t you running there right now?" questioned Choi Man-Sik "Yes, sir!" The distance from the Japanese restaurant to Hoop Entertainment was a one-minute sprint. Bang Sang-Yung immediately got up and ran toward Hoop Entertainment, determined to regain control. *** The child actor auditions for Hwaranjeon were to begin tomorrow followed by auditions for supporting roles through the end of the month. Finally, Yoo-Jin''s first lead role in Hwaranjeon was about tomence. I was preparing to head to the broadcasting station when Han Woo-Ju and Oh Bok-Hee asked to meet to discuss casting matters. Just then, I heard someone calling me. "Team Lead Jung, do you have a moment?" It was Jo Min-Sung, Hoop Entertainment''s top star. Actor Jo Min-Sung stood at 185 cm with handsome features and a charming smile. He was 36 years old and one of the biggest stars in Korea. Jo Min-Sung generated more than half the revenue for Hoop Entertainment''s Actor Division 1 and had ranked among the top three Korean male actors for six consecutive years. Before his military service, he gained poprity in romanticedies. However, after his discharge, he shifted to historical dramas and sharpened his acting skills. Unlike the S-ss actor Sung Ho-Joon I brought in, Jo Min-Sung also had an exceptional eye for choosing projects. That was why he hadn''t shown much interest in me until now. After all, he had generated 20 billion won in revenue on his own just this year alone. Yet today, Jo Min-Sung sought me out and wanted to have a quiet conversation for some reason. "This ce isn''t quite right. Shall we go to Mr. Gu''s office?" I asked. Since Gu Seong-Cheol happened to be nearby, I got permission to use his office. Once we were alone in Gu Seong-Cheol''s office, Jo Min-Sung looked at me intently. "We''ve passed each other often, but this is our first time officially meeting, isn''t it?" "I should have introduced myself earlier. I apologize." Jo Min-Sung was incredibly busy, so this was the first time we''d properly greeted each other. I asked, "So what brings you to me today?" "I heard that Tae-Poong got the HY Automercial today." "Ah... so it''s about that." Lee Tae-Poong had been receiving majormercial offers after Beyond the Boundary hit 10 million viewers. For male actors, the most lucrativemercials were cars, phones, and apartments. Among them, HY Auto had approached him with an offer of 700 million won. Although Lee Tae-Poong was suddenly receiving S-ss treatment, there was a problem. For the past five years, Jo Min-Sung had been the exclusive model for HY Auto. On top of that, he was set to renew his contract with them next week. I nced at my phone to check if the schedule had changed. However, everything was still as nned. [Everyday V11] [Date: October 27, 2020] -7:00 p.m. Dinner at Sambuja Galbi. (Jo Min-Sung from Actor Division 1. HY Automercial. Annual 1.5 billion won, 5-year renewal celebration dinner) ''Of course,'' I thought. This meant that HY Auto''s recently promoted Director Park Sang-Jong was trying to use Lee Tae-Poong as leverage to reduce Jo Min-Sung''s endorsement fee. In my past life, Park Sang-Jong had attempted something simr and used Cha Tae-Hoon from Actor Division 3 to lower themercial fee¡ªthough it fell through when Vice President Lee Tae-Jun intervened. After all, Lee Tae-Jun was a huge fan of Jo Min-Sung. However, since Lee Tae-Jun was currently upied with a factory expansion in the Czech Republic, he wasn''t paying attention to themercial renewal this time. As such, Lee Tae-Poong couldn''t possibly take thismercial. However, this knowledge of the future was something only I possessed. As I stood there thinking in silence, Jo Min-Sung stared at me and asked, "Um... are you going to ept the offer for thatmercial?" I was about to tell him that Lee Tae-Poong had no intention of taking the HY Automercial. However, at that moment, a brilliant idea shed through my mind¡ªa way to pull Jo Min-Sung into my team. 1. Budae jjigae ? Chapter 367: Jo Min-Sung (1)

Chapter 367: Jo Min-Sung (1)

Full of pride, Jo Min-Sung had never given much thought to a mere team lead like me¡ªuntil now However, things were different now. The fact that he allowed mutual honorifics despite my young age signaled that he recognized me as an equal. Regardless, I couldn''t afford to act weak if I intended to bring such a prideful actor into Team Jung. I nned to leave a strong impression on Jo Min-Sung by showing that I wielded the power to control major advertising deals. If I seeded, there was a chance Jo Min-Sung would want to work with me as he always preferred talent agents who matched his level. When he asked if I was going to ept the HY Auto Inc. ad, I calmly responded, "HY Auto Inc. has offered quite favorable terms to Tae-Poong. We''re thinking positively for now." At that moment, Jo Min-Sung, the main figure of Hoop Entertainment, fell into contemtion. It seemed like he hadn''t expected me to respond this way, especially given his personal visit. After a brief hesitation, Jo Min-Sung slowly spoke. "How about this? If you decline that ad offer, I could give up the lead role in my next project, First Love Romance, to Tae-Poong." Jo Min-Sung had an exceptional eye for picking projects and was usually about 80% urate. In this industry, even a 50% sess rate was considered a hit. So an 80% track record was almost as if he had divine foresight. For Jo Min-Sung to offer a project he had chosen himself was quite a proposition. He continued, "Director Yuk was torn between Tae-Poong and me but ultimately chose me. If I step down, he''ll offer the role to Tae-Poong right away." Jo Min-Sung added thatnding the lead in Director Yuk Hyun-Moon''s romanticedy would easily be worth 700 million won. However, the offer held no value for me as I knew the future. I turned him down. "I''m sorry, but it doesn''t seem worth it." "Not worth it? What do you mean? Have you not seen the script yet...?" "No, I have. The script is well-written." ''But what good is a great script when the movie will fail before it''s even made?'' I remarked inwardly. First Love Romance was a romanticedy from Director Yuk Hyun-Moon, who typically drew in at least 5 million viewers on average. The project itself wasn''t bad, but it would fall apart before release when the investors went bankrupt. Jo Min-Sung tilted his head in confusion. "Then why are you refusing?" "Don''t you know my nickname? They call me Star Jung the Fortune Teller. I can choose Tae-Poong''s next project myself." When the negotiation stalled, Jo Min-Sung asked bluntly, "Then do you have any other demands? Think carefully. I can''t let go of that ad." Jo Min-Sung''s attachment to the HY Auto Inc. ad wasn''t just about the money: As part of a secret side contract, Jo Min-Sung received a custom-tuned car from HY Inc. every year. Racing that car in Yongin was his only hobby, so he was desperate to keep the deal. As Jo Min-Sung grew anxious, I presented him with one condition. "Actually, there might be one way..." "What is it?" "I don''t pit actors from the same team against each other for ads or projects." At that moment, Jo Min-Sung''s face hardened. After all, I had indirectly told him to join my team. "Is there really no other option?" "Well, I can''t think of a reason to turn down the HY Inc. ad right now." Jo Min-Sung''s expression shifted with every second. ''Shall I leave an even stronger impression?'' I wondered. Taking this opportunity, I decided to reveal a piece of information I knew. "And about that First Love Romance you mentioned..." "What about it? You said you wouldn''t take it even if I offered." "That''s right. But Mr. Jo Min-Sung, it''s in your best interest not to take the lead role in that movie either." A sh of confusion passed over Jo Min-Sung''s eyes. "What do you mean...?" "Check the financial status of Taeseong, the investmentpany. They won''tst another month." Jo Min-Sung put down his coffee. "Taeseong going bankrupt? That''s absurd..." "If I''m wrong, I''ll hand over the advertisement without any conditions." Taeseong Investment, thepany funding First Love Romance, was the thirdrgest in the industry. The idea that they might go under was enough to shock Jo Min-Sung. Just then, the door burst open and Bang Sang-Yung rushed in drenched in sweat. Bang! "Min-Sung! What are you doing here?" I clicked my tongue. ''What a shame. A little more time and I would have definitely sealed the deal.'' In an instant, Jo Min-Sung smoothly switched gears and began acting as if nothing was wrong. "I was just discussing with Team Lead Jung whether Tae-Poong and I should appear on a variety show together. But what brings you here, Mr. Bang?" It was clear Jo Min-Sung didn''t want to reveal the nature of our conversation¡ªwhich meant he was intrigued by my offer for him to join my team. As Jo Min-Sung stood up, he nced at me. "Please ask Tae-Poong if he''d be interested in joining me on Running Show. I think we''d get a good reaction if we appeared together. I''d like to ride on my hot junior''s poprity for once." "Of course, I''ll let Tae-Poong know." "Good. Then I''ll be off." When I yed along with Jo Min-Sung''s performance, he gave a satisfied smile as he exited the room. This was something I had realized only after traveling back in time: I was pretty good at acting. Jo Min-Sung disappeared along with talent agent, Chief Choi Eun-Seok, from Actor Division 1, who had been waiting outside. However, Bang Sang-Yung didn''t follow. Bang Sang-Yung pointed his finger at me. "Team Lead Jung, what kind of tricks are you pulling right now?" "Tricks? You heard it yourself. We were just discussing a variety show appearance." "A-and you expect me to believe that?" "Mr. Bang, what are you going to do if you don''t believe me?" "What...?" I took a step closer to Bang Sang-Yung. "You''re worried, aren''t you? You''re thinking, ''What if Jo Min-Sung decides to move to Team Jung?''" Bang Sang-Yung swallowed hard. I continued, "You haven''t forgotten how you said you wouldn''t stop any actor or talent agent who wanted to leave, have you? Or does that not apply to the stars of Actor Division 1?" Bang Sang-Yung hadn''t anticipated that an Actor Division 1 star, someone he had personally scouted, woulde to see me. This was why people should be careful with their words¡ªone slip of the tongue and it could all fall apart. In all honesty, I would have been the one in trouble if I hadn''t managed to resolve Gong Hak-Beom''s incident. However, now that the matter was settled, it was Bang Sang-Yung''s turn to face the heat. I looked at my watch and said, "Well, we can continue this conversation another time. I have to head to MBS. I need to discuss the casting issue for Hwaranjeon with Producer Oh." I ignored Bang Sang-Yung''s intense re and made my way to the underground parking lot. *** At MBS, I discussed the production announcement and promotions for Hwaranjeon and rmended six actors from Hoop Entertainment as agreed beforehand. After about three hours of meetings at MBS, I returned to thepany to find quite amotion. -I heard Mr. Jo Min-Sung met with Team Lead Jung. -So is Jo Min-Sung moving to Team Jung? -That''s what it sounds like. Apparently, Director Bang''s face turned beet red. -Man, this is crazy... Do you know how much revenue Jo Min-Sung brings in by himself? Could this shake up Actor Division 1? -They say Team Jung might bring in talent agents too. Should I take my actors and move to Team Jung as well? The only reason Jo Min-Sung hade to me was to ensure he didn''t lose the car advertisement. However, rumors had spread like wildfire that the top star of Actor Division 1 had begged to work with me first. ''Just as I had hoped,'' I thought. As soon as I sat down at my desk, Lee Yung-Jin wiped the nervous sweat from his brow and approached me. "I did as you asked, and the results are even better than expected." Before heading to MBS, I had secretly instructed Lee Yung-Jin to spread rumors that Jo Min-Sung was considering joining my team. This was the result. "Good job." "But do you really think this will shake up Mr. Jo Min-Sung?" "He won''t be swayed. But Actor Division 1? They''ll definitely be shaken." If the talent agents in Division 1 start doubting Jo Min-Sung, he would only grow disappointed in them. "Yeah, it seems like Division 1 is the most unstable." "Anyway, all the work we''ve done will be for nothing if HY contacts Jo Min-Sung, so schedule a meeting with HY for tomorrow," I instructed Lee Yung-Jin. "But tomorrow is Miso''s audition day, isn''t it?" "That''s why we need to meet early before that." HY Auto Inc. was trying to pit Jo Min-Sung and Lee Tae-Poong against each other to lower the ad fees. To get Jo Min-Sung to move, I had to make some moves of my own. "Oh, and I''ll be heading to Actor Division 3 for a bit." "What for this time?" "I''m going to offer an invitation to Mr. Song Ji-Hwan from Actor Division 3." Lee Yung-Jin scratched his head with a troubled look. "Is it really okay to bring in so many people like this?" "We have to strike while the iron is hot. Now that I have permission, we need to expand while we can. This is a rare opportunity." If I aggressively brought in actors who wanted to join Team Jung, it could shake thepany to its core. Then naturally, there would be a directive from above to hold back. Before that happened, I nned to secure as many key actors as possible. *** Actor Song Ji-Hwan was known for his powerful performances, often cast as a king in historical dramas. However, with the decline of traditional historical dramas and the rise of fusion historical dramas, the roles he preferred were bing scarce. Recently, the stress had even given him gastritis. Song Ji-Hwan immediately perked up the moment I brought up a role that matched his style. "Is there a role for me in Hwaranjeon? I heard actors from Hoop already filled all the avable roles." "Ah, but you don''t belong in the same category as those supporting actors, do you?" I asked with a subtle smile. "Then...?" "I''ve already gotten approval from the writer and producer." When I visited MBS earlier, I had secured a deal with Oh Bok-Hee and Han Woo-Ju to offer the role of the king in Hwaranjeon to Song Ji-Hwan. After a moment of consideration, Song Ji-Hwan nodded. "But do I have to join your team if I want this role?" I could tell Song Ji-Hwan had clearly heard the rumors circting in thepany as that was his first question. "No. I only offered you because I believe no one could bring this Shi king role to life better than you." I didn''t pressure Song Ji-Hwan, because I knew he was the type to outrightly reject something if there were too many strings attached. "More than that, why don''t you give the PD a call? I''m sure they''re waiting for you," I suggested. Song Ji-Hwan agreed and called the PD. "Oh, yes, yes. I''ll stop by MBS tomorrow then... Thank you so much, Mrs. Oh." After finishing the call, Song Ji-Hwan looked at me with a pleased expression. "Team Lead Jung. If you''re not too busy, would you like toe to my house for dinner tonight?" At that moment, Actor Division 3 began buzzing. Song Ji-Hwan was known for being a devoted husband, and it was rare for him to ask his wife to cook unless it was a special asion. Except for Kim Dong-Soo, none of the other talent agents in Actor Division 3 had ever tasted a home-cooked meal by Song Ji-Hwan''s wife. The talent agents shot me sharp looks and silently urged me to decline. However, I ignored them and epted the offer. I couldn''t possibly pass up the golden opportunity to recruit an S-ss historical drama actor. That night, I sessfully got a drunken promise from Song Ji-Hwan to join Team Jung. It was all thanks to the thoughtful gift I had prepared for his wife based on my memories from my past life. *** Today was Miso''s audition day as well as the day of Lee Tae-Poong''s HY Auto Inc. ad meeting. Dressed in a hanbok, Miso twirled around in ce with a big smile on her face. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, am I pretty?" "Of course you are." "Hehe~" "Alright. I have an appointment, so you''ll head to the station with the Taekwon masterter. Okay?" "Okay~!" I turned to Yoo-Jin. "Yoo-Jin, I''ll head to MBS as soon as I finish my morning schedule. And remember to wear a hat and disguise yourself well¡ªpeople will recognize you." Yoo-Jin nodded. "Don''t worry, I''ve got it covered." Since Yoo-Jin would be apanying Miso as her guardian to the station today, I made sure to remind her to disguise herself carefully. However, as she packed Miso''s things, a worried look crossed her face. "Oppa, I heard rumors that Jo Min-Sung sunbae-nim might join our team." "Nothing''s been decided yet." Yoo-Jin frowned, concerned that she might lose more of my attention. "If Jo Min-Sung sunbae-nim joins our team, who will manage him?" "I''ve got someone in mind who can handle him well." Jo Min-Sung wasn''t high maintenance as he had his own personal talent agent. So if he moved to our team, I nned to have Lee Yung-Jin manage him while I just helped with project selections. "And besides... I''ve got you to take care of. So how could I manage Jo Min-Sung?" Yoo-Jin''s face flushed red. "Oppa..." Seeing Yoo-Jin so touched, I teased her by listing names on my fingers. "And there''s Miso, Haru, Tae-Poong, and..." Yoo-Jin puffed up her cheeks and yfully pinched my arm. "Ouch!" "Hmph! Are you going to list everyone from Team Jung now?" "How''d you know?" Yoo-Jin giggled softly. At that moment, my phone rang: it was Jo Min-Sung. "Yes, Mr. Jo." On the other end, Jo Min-Sung''s voice sounded a bit deted. -Last night, Mr. Bang Sang-Yung struck a deal with HY. I''m sorry to Tae-Poong, but HY decided to renew their contract with me. "Pardon me? What do you mean?" I was left speechless after hearing the situation. It wasn''t the same as my past life where HY signed a five-year contract with 1.5 billion won per year. This time, they had cut his yearly fee from 1.2 billion to just 1 billion won, signing a 3-year deal. A contract with lowered fees usually happened when an actor''s poprity has waned. For Bang Sang-Yung to personally handle the negotiations and end up with such a bad deal was unbelievable. ''Is he out of his mind, lowering his own actor''s worth like that?'' I wondered. However, when apetitor made mistakes, that was my chance to shine. Now was the perfect time to show mypetency and offer something beneficial to Jo Min-Sung¡ªand also reveal Bang Sang-Yung''s ipetence. "Mr. Jo Min-Sung! I can get you an extra 500 million for that ad. Let''s meet right now." -You''re saying you can get me more money, not steal the ad? "Exactly!" After a brief hesitation, Jo Min-Sung''s voice came through again. -I''m heading out in an hour. Come to thepany before then. The moment the call ended, I knew this was my moment. ''If I y this right, I might actually bring over the ace of Actor Division 1,'' I thought. Chapter 368: Jo Min-Sung (2)

Chapter 368: Jo Min-Sung (2)

As I walked into the meeting room of Actor Division 1, I saw Jo Min-Sung sitting in the center with Bang Sang-Yung on his right and Choi Eun-Seok, who had be the chief of Actor Division 1, sitting on his left. Once I sat down, Jo Min-Sung spoke with a stern expression. "Let''s cut to the chase since we don''t have time. What exactly do you mean by getting me more ad money?" I responded without a moment to catch my breath. "Mr. Park deliberately pitted you and Tae-Poong against each other to cut the ad fees. If things continue this way, you''re just ying into their hands." Jo Min-Sung frowned as if he couldn''t believe it. At that moment, Bang Sang-Yung turned on me. "Team Lead Jung! The discussion is already settled. Why are you still dragging this out? You refused to back down on the HY ad just yesterday, didn''t you? So what''s this new game you''re ying?" I red at Bang Sang-Yung and answered. "All I did was turn it down just once and you think I''m ying a game? Think logically. If I had epted the offer immediately without hesitation, what would that have done to Tae-Poong''s reputation?" Lee Tae-Poong was now a 10-million-viewership actor and an S-ss lead. At the mention that I was trying to protect my actor''s reputation, Jo Min-Sung finally nodded in understanding. "I get that. But even so, why the sudden change of heart to help me? I''m not even your actor." "As I said, I was just trying to push back a bit. I had no intention of causing you any harm, Mr. Jo Min-Sung." Jo Min-Sung eyed me suspiciously as he scanned me from head to toe. I tried to persuade Jo Min-Sung once again. "Think about it. If I were only looking out for myself, would I have shared the roles from Hwaranjeon with other divisions?" Thanks to my previous efforts to maintain a good reputation, Jo Min-Sung''s gaze softened slightly. "Alright, I''ll give you that. But let''s get to the point. How exactly are you going to get me more ad money?" "From what I know, Vice President Lee Tae-Jun, the eldest son of HY Auto Inc., is a huge fan of yours, Mr. Jo Min-Sung." Jo Min-Sung nodded. "That''s right. He personally chose me as the model for HY Auto Inc. five years ago." "Then this will be easy to exin. Mr. Lee Tae-Jun doesn''t know about this ad negotiation," I replied straightforwardly. The rtionship between Lee Tae-Jun and Jo Min-Sung began eight years ago, after Lee Tae-Jun was appointed director of HY Auto Inc. and saw the mid-sized SANTA series fail miserably. At the time, Lee Tae-Jun, who had justpleted an MBA at Harvard, faced criticism from both inside and outside the business world, with many calling him a nepo baby. After being promoted to vice president three yearster, Lee Tae-Jununched the GX-7, a four-door sports sedan. Then, he secured Jo Min-Sung, who was the hottest actor at the time, as the ad model. Thanks to Jo Min-Sung''s poprity, the GX-7 achieved unprecedented sess followed by the equally sessful GX-8 SUV and GX-9 luxury sedan. As a result, Lee Tae-Jun believed that half of his sess was thanks to Jo Min-Sung. On the other hand, Park Sang-Jong, the newly promoted director and a veteran marketer from a major ad agency, was infamous in the industry for shing actors'' ad fees to boost his own performance. This entire negotiation was something that Park Sang-Jong had pursued on his own for his own gain. Iid all of this detail out to Jo Min-Sung. Jo Min-Sung tried to digest all the information. "You''re saying... Mr. Lee Tae-Jun doesn''t know about this ad negotiation?" I shook my head. "Not at all. He''s been in the Czech Republic for two months dealing with the establishment of a factory. Didn''t you know?" Jo Min-Sung quickly nced at Bang Sang-Yung. Bang Sang-Yung''s face flushed with embarrassment. "Well, I hadn''t heard that. When I contacted thepany''s secretarial office, they just said he was busy..." "Don''t you have Mr. Lee''s phone number?" "I do. But isn''t it a bit much to bother someone as busy as him over something like this?" I immediately pulled up a photo of Lee Tae-Jun at a signing ceremony with the Czech Prime Minister and showed it to them. It was a fresh article from just yesterday. As Jo Min-Sung carefully examined the article, he turned his attention back to me. "So you''re telling me you knew all of this from the start?" "To be honest... yes I did." Jo Min-Sungughed incredulously. "Haha. Youpletely yed me." "I apologize if that''s how you felt." I was sorry, but I didn''t put on a submissive face. Showing weakness in front of someone like Jo Min-Sung, who only worked with top-tier people, was something I absolutely couldn''t do. "Do you know why I desperately need that advertisement?" "I do. Should I exin it here?" When Jo Min-Sung nodded, I immediately mentioned the confidential contract use about receiving a tuned sports car every year. "Even if youmission a private tuningpany, the fine-tuned work from HY Auto Inc. is honestly unmatched. That''s why you need this ad, isn''t it?" Jo Min-Sungughed in disbelief. "You even know about that? I''ve really been ying into the palm of your hand, haven''t I? Hahaha." As Jo Min-Sung''sughter grew louder, Bang Sang-Yung''s face gradually turned pale. Once he stoppedughing, Jo Min-Sung asked, "Then let''s get to the point. How can I get more money?" "It''s not difficult. Call Mr. Lee Tae-Jun right now and arrange for dinner." "A dinner?" "Yes. He''ll be back in Korea in a few days, so express your interest in renewing the contract over the dinner. Just tell him you''ll leave the amount entirely up to him." Since Lee Tae-Jun was someone who valued appearances, it was certain he would raise the amount. After all, the scheduled event in my nner remained the same. [Everyday V11] [Date: October 27, 2020] -7:00 p.m. Dinner at Sambuja Galbi. (Jo Min-Sung from Actor Division 1. HY Automercial. Annual 1.5 billion won, 5-year renewal celebration dinner) After a brief thought, Jo Min-Sung spoke to Bang Sang-Yung. "Mr. Bang, please call Mr. Lee right now." Bang Sang-Yung stammered in a flustered tone. "Min-Sung, there''s a process to things. Skipping over Director Park and calling Mr. Lee directly is..." "The fight started from their side the moment they tried to cut my fee. Honestly, I held back because of Mr. Lee''s standing. But if that''s not the case, there''s no reason to hold back, right?" "Well, that... that''s..." "Call him right now. Or should I call him myself?" Bang Sang-Yung stepped back. "No, I''ll do it." He grabbed his phone and started heading out. Then, I stood up as there was something I had to do."Then I''ll take my leave. Miso has her audition today." Jo Min-Sung nodded. "Tell Miso I''m rooting for her." "Thank you." Just as I was about to leave after saying goodbye, Jo Min-Sung spoke up. "And once this contract is settled, let''s meet separately." Jo Min-Sung subtly hinted at his intention to switch teams. "Of course. Just let me know when." Not only had I saved him from losing billions in ad fees, but I had also demonstrated my ability to control major deals. The oue was practically decided. "M-Min-Sung..." Bang Sang-Yung called out in a desperate voice, but Jo Min-Sung didn''t pay him any attention. I left the meeting room, watching as Bang Sang-Yung''s face turned ghostly pale. *** On the way to the MBS station, I got a KkTalk message from Jo Min-Sung. [Jo Min-Sung: I called the Vice President as you suggested, and he was the one who brought up renewing the contract first. We''re meeting when he''s back in Korea next week. After that, let''s also meet.] It turned out Lee Tae-Jun, unaware of what Park Sang-Jong had done, apologized and offered to renew the contract under even better terms than before. He even asked Jo Min-Sung to be the model for the uing VIP luxury sedan, the CX-10. I didn''t have to see Bang Sang-Yung''s face to know how he must have looked. I finally let out a sigh of relief and made my way to the MBS broadcasting station. *** I arrived at the MBS broadcasting station where the Hwaranjeon child actor auditions were held. The auditions were held for kids who had passed both the initial document screening and a second round of video submission reviews. The 30 girls and 30 boys who were shortlisted would go through live auditions today and tomorrow. Miso, who had easily passed both the first and second rounds, was waiting with Jung Sang-Bong and Yoo-Jin for her third-round live audition in the audition room on the seventh floor. As Do Ran-Hee was driving, she asked, "Mr. Jung, why am Iing along?" "We''re here to scout any promising child actors. If we find someone good, we''ll try to recruit them. You should also watch what I do and learn." Some of the kids who passed the auditions didn''t have agencies, so talent agents often hung around audition sites to recruit promising talent. Still, Do Ran-Hee didn''t seem convinced and asked, "But Mr. Jung, I''m in charge of singers." "Do you want to manage singers for the rest of your career? You need to gain diverse experience if you want to climb higher." As a talent agent, it was fine to specialize in either singers or actors. However, being able to handle both would make someone more versatile and valuable. If Do Ran-Hee aimed to rise above her current level, that experience would be crucial. Do Ran-Hee asked cautiously as if she read my intentions, "Mr. Jung, how far do you n to help me grow?" I pointed ahead and said, "As long as you keep your eyes on the road and drive safely, I''ll help you reach whatever goal you''ve set for yourself. Just don''t get us killed, okay?" Do Ran-Hee quickly turned her gaze back to the road and said, "Thank you so much!" "There''s no need to thank me. As your team lead, it''s my job to guide you." I felt a bit guilty for the heavy workload I had always given Do Ran-Hee. In return, I nned to reward her with substantial bonuses and rapid promotions. At that moment, my phone started ringing. [Caller ID: Jung Yoo-Jin] "Hey, Yoo-Jin." -Oppa, I''m in the PD''s office. You cane here. "Why are you there?" -My disguise got busted. Apparently, Yoo-Jin had escaped with some staff members while Miso was with Jung Sang-Bong. I had Yoo-Jin in disguise for this exact reason, but it seemed that wasn''t enough. "Got it. I''ll head there with Ran-Hee." *** As I opened the door to the PD''s office located on the seventh floor of MBS, I saw arge LCD screen on the wall disying a storyboard for the child actors to perform. The scene showed three young princesses smiling at each other set against the backdrop of a pce from the Si period, which was the setting of Hwaranjeon. CP Ryu Han-Joon and PD Oh Bok-Hee were discussing the storyboard while scrolling through it. Exhausted from writing, Writer Han Woo-Ju was dozing off on a sofa. Everyone lookedpletely worn out after spending the past week working on the storyboard. "Mr. Ryu, Mrs. Oh. I''m here." Hearing my voice, Oh Bok-Hee and Ryu Han-Joon looked up from the monitor. "Oh, you''re here." At that moment, Yoo-Jin, who had been quietly reviewing the storyboard in the corner, shyly waved her hand. "Oppa." "I told you to stay well-hidden. How did you get caught?" Yoo-Jin stuck out her tongue and answered, "Miso waved at me and I thought she was so cute so I waved back. That''s how I got caught." Apparently, Miso had enthusiastically waved at Yoo-Jin. Getting caught up in the moment, Yoo-Jin waved back excitedly¡ªwhich, of course, led to her being recognized. It seemed like bringing Yoo-Jin to crowded ces might be a challenge from now on. Judging by her disappointed expression, Yoo-Jin seemed aware of this too. "I really wanted to watch Miso''s audition..." At that moment, I came up with a way for Yoo-Jin to watch Miso''s audition. I immediately turned on my tablet and initiated a video call with Jung Sang-Bong at the scene. "Oppa, what are you doing?" Yoo-Jin asked. "Hold on a second." A momentter, Jung Sang-Bong answered the KkTalk video call. Simultaneously, the screen showed both Jung Sang-Bong and Miso. -Mom! Miso, who had been sulking because her mom wasn''t there, brightened up instantly and waved happily at the screen. Yoo-Jin opened up the tablet and waved back at Miso. "Miso!" -Mom, where are you right now? "I''m in the PD''s office. I''ll keep watching you through this, so hang in there, Miso." Miso, who had the number 30 sticker as thest contestant, nodded. Beside her was her kindergarten friend, Jin Gong-Ju, who had number 25. Oh Bok-Hee had carefully arranged the order, giving the more experienced kidster numbers to avoid intimidating the others. "Now that Mr. Jung is here, shall we head to the audition room?" Oh Bok-Hee nudged Han Woo-Ju who was still sprawled on the sofa."Writer Han, wake up. It''s time to go." Han Woo-Ju blinked awake. "Oh? Mr. Jung is here..." "Ms. Han. Once the audition is over, go home and get some rest. Ran-Hee will drive you," I said. I helped the unsteady Han Woo-Ju to her feet, then turned to Yoo-Jin. "Yoo-Jin, you''ll have to stay here until the audition is over." "Got it." Just then, Do Ran-Hee quickly volunteered and said she would stay with Yoo-Jin. "Mr. Jung, I''ll watch the child auditions here with Yoo-Jin." "Will you?" I had wanted to give Do Ran-Hee some field experience, but there was no choice given the situation. At that moment, a familiar face appeared on the tablet screen in front of Yoo-Jin. ''Wait, is that...?'' A future star had arrived at the audition room for Hwaranjeon: it was the ten-year-old child actor, Kang Si-Ah. In my past life, she had be a rising star by the time she was in her mid-teens. She was also a tragic figure who had been exploited for years by the acting academy, ES Academy, that she was part of. ''If she''s here, that woman must be nearby too,'' I remarked inwardly. I urgently called out to Jung Sang-Bong who was still on the video call. "Sang-Bong, can you move the camera a bit to the right?" -Oh, sure. Jung Sang-Bong panned the camera to the side. Just as I thought, sitting beside Kang Si-Ah was a middle-aged woman wearing Channy sunsses with her arms crossed. It was Choi Yi-Sun, the president of ES Academy. She was the scammer who would exploit Kang Si-Ah''s earnings for the next six years. In that instant, I knew exactly what I had to do. As soon as Miso''s audition was over, I nned to take down Choi Yi-Sun and save Kang Si-Ah from her fate. Chapter 369: Child Actor Audition for Hwaranjeon (1)

Chapter 369: Child Actor Audition for Hwaranjeon (1)

As I opened the door to the Hwaranjeon''s child actor audition room on the seventh floor of MBS, I saw a wide stage about 30 meters across with seating in front of it. The front rows were filled with child actors and their parents, while the middle and back rows were packed with representatives from entertainmentpanies, corporate PR teams, and entertainment reporters. The talent agents were likely here to scout promising young talent, while the PR staff and reporters were undoubtedly present because of Yoo-Jin and Miso. Soon after, Han Woo-Ju, Oh Bok-Hee, and Ryu Han-Joon made their way to the judges'' table on stage to begin the auditions. I also moved toward the seats where Miso was sitting. At that moment, corporate PR staff and reporters rushed toward me as if they had been waiting for this chance. "I''m Chief Jo Hyun-Moo from Pacific Tuna! Just give me ten minutes of your time, Mr. Jung. Please?" "Team Lead Jung! Please let me have just one quick interview with Miss Yoo-Jin! You know I write good articles!" "Can we do a one-on-one interview about Miso, Team Lead Jung?" They were all moring for ads and articles, desperate for content. I said, "Please don''t do this and just send an official offer through thepany." "We''ve been trying to reach you but you never answer. That''s why we came here in person. Just give us a quick response now." "If you send your proposal by email, I''ll get back to you by tomorrow." They finally let me go only after I promised them that I would respond to them. "Alright, Team Lead Jung. You made a promise!" Once I was free from the PR staff and reporters, I headed over to sit next to Miso. "Miso, have you prepared a lot?" I asked. Miso, who had been video-calling with Yoo-Jin, turned her head toward me and responded confidently, "Yes! I practiced a lot with Mom, so I''m good!" However, I could hear the crunching of snacks through Miso''s phone''s speaker. "Miso, can you hand the phone to me for a second so I can talk to Yoo-Jin?" I asked. Miso handed over her phone. "Here!" On the screen, I saw Yoo-Jin lounging on the PD''s office sofa while munching on chips. "Yoo-Jin, what are you doing right now?" I asked with a poker face. -Zero calories if it''s tasty, right? When I caught her snacking, Yoo-Jin started humming the jingle from the chips''mercial and sped up her munching. ''That chip has crazy calories!'' I silently remarked. I thought of the first script reading for Hwaranjeon next week and urgently shouted, "Yoo-Jin, a ton of reporters are going to be at the script reading next week." As Hwaranjeon was one of MBS'' most highly anticipated dramas, I had been informed that many reporters would attend the first script reading. If Yoo-Jin wanted to avoid any embarrassing photos, she would need to start managing her image now. At that moment, Yoo-Jin''s hand froze in midair. -Oppa? Why didn''t you stop me earlier! "I''m stopping you right now, aren''t I?" -I-I guess so. "By the way, where''s Ran-Hee? Why are you alone?" Yoo-Jin gave me a sly grin. -She''s in the bathroom. I shook my head. ''Ah, so she''d seized the opportunity to give in to the temptation of snacks.'' I made a mental note to hold Do Ran-Hee responsible for herpse in supervision and double her workload as punishment. With a disappointed expression, Yoo-Jin reluctantly put the snack down on the table. -Don''t worry. I only had a couple, like two. "Liar. I saw at least five chips disappear into your mouth while I was watching." Yoo-Jin averted her gaze and made an excuse. -Oppa, it''s not good to be so nitpicky. ''Just unbelievable.'' I handed the phone back to Miso since Yoo-Jin had stopped snacking. While Miso was gaining confidence from her conversation with her mom, I turned my attention toward finding Kang Si-Ah and spotted her. ''There she is.'' Kang Si-Ah was sitting alone in the fifth right-most seat in the front row and was focused on her script. ''It''s good to see you, Si-Ah,'' I remarked inwardly. Kang Si-Ah was ten years old and would be a rising star a yearter in the weekend drama, Valley of Fate. However, behind that sessy a tragic future. Over the next six years, Kang Si-Ah would be exploited by Choi Yi-Sun, the head of ES Acting Academy, and lose 1 billion won under the guise of lesson fees and activity expenses. I only found out about this after she was signed to Top Entertainment. However, it was toote by then. Kim Dong-Soo had strictly ordered me to stay out of it, as Choi Yi-Sun''s husband was none other than Jang Hyun-Soo: a CP at MBS. However, in this life, I had no intention of just standing by. ''I need to talk to Kang Si-Ah...'' I thought. I scanned the room to see if Choi Yi-Sun might interfere. Fortunately, she was currently chatting with another parent who had brought their child to the audition, leaving Kang Si-Ah unattended. "Yung-Ah is in the A ss at the academy, so she''ll do just fine. Don''t worry, ma''am." "Hahaha. Mdm. Choi, I trust youpletely. And your husband is the CP at MBS, right?" "Oh no, no, let''s not talk about that here. Haha." It looked like their conversation would drag on. I seized the opportunity and moved to the seat behind Kang Si-Ah. Then I greeted her carefully. "You''re Kang Si-Ah, right?" Kang Si-Ah, engrossed in her script, turned to look at me. Her wary eyes were filled with caution. "Who... are you?" "Oh, I''m sorry if I startled you. I''m Jung Yoon-Ho, the team lead from Hoop Entertainment. You know Miso, right? I''m her talent agent. I also manage Yoo-Jin." I introduced myself quickly and handed her my business card. Kang Si-Ah rxed a little and nodded. She had a delicate frame and pale skin, almost as if she might break at a touch. She was wearing a dark navy sweater and jeans, which was a modest outfit that wasn''t quite appropriate for an audition. "Why don''t you and your mom stop by ourpany sometime?" I suggested. Kang Si-Ah tilted her head. "Why would we go to Hoop Entertainment?" "Because I want to scout you." Kang Si-Ah nced around and looked for Choi Yi-Sun. I added, "Oh, right. Your academy does management too, doesn''t it?" Kang Si-Ah stopped looking for Choi Yi-Sun and nodded. "Yes. I''m with ES Management. They cover my tuition in exchange for that." "Even so, how about keeping it a secret from Mdm. Choi for now? You and your mom cane by first, and I''ll handle things with Mdm. Choiter. If you join Hoop Entertainment, I can debut you right away. I already have a perfect role for you." Kang Si-Ah''s eyes lit up. "Really? Does that mean I can start making money right away?" Just like before, Kang Si-Ah was eager to help her mother, who had a hearing impairment, by providing financial support. For a moment, my anger toward Choi Yi-Sun red up. ''How could she exploit a kid like this?'' That''s when Choi Yi-Sun finished her conversation and started heading toward us. Suppressing my anger, I spoke quickly to Kang Si-Ah. "Looks like Mdm. Choi ising. Hide the business card, and good luck with your audition today!" "Okay." Kang Si-Ah quickly tucked the card into her pocket and I returned to my seat, acting as if nothing had happened. I vowed once again to recruit Kang Si-Ah as soon as possible. *** The child actor auditions began. Each child was given five to ten minutes. However, by the time they had auditioned up to number 22, none of the kids had particrly stood out. Then it was Kang Si-Ah''s turn¡ªnumber 23. Choi Yi-Sun gently patted Kang Si-Ah on the shoulder and encouraged her. As Kang Si-Ah stepped onto the stage, Oh Bok-Hee asked softly, "Could you introduce yourself, please?" "Hello. I''m number 23, Kang Si-Ah..." As soon as Kang Si-Ah began speaking, Oh Bok-Hee tilted her head slightly. "Is your voice usually this quiet?" "Uh, yes. A little..." "You have a beautiful voice. But if you could project a bit more from your diaphragm, it would be even better. Now, how about we have you y the role of Princess Jeong-Hwa, the eldest princess?" "Okay!" Kang Si-Ah closed her eyes for a brief moment. Then, she began portraying Princess Jeong-Hwa, exuding grace and nobility as the eldest princess. ¡ºPrincess Yu-Hwa, didn''t I tell you? As a princess of Gyerim, you must always maintain decorum. Now that you''re older, it''s time to stop associating with those of low status!¡» The moment Kang Si-Ah''s refined voice echoed through the room, Oh Bok-Hee''s expression brightened. Her voice had a resonance that set her apart from the other child actors who had auditioned so far. I nodded. ''Indeed. She''s got talent.'' Han Woo-Ju and Ryu Han-Joon also looked pleased. However, Kang Si-Ah''s performance soon started showing ws despite her talent. She exhibited excessive emotions and made unnecessary hand gestures, likely a result of the wed techniques instilled in her by Choi Yi-Sun¡ªthe failed actress. As the performance went on, the judges'' expressions began to sour. Additionally, Kang Si-Ah had one critical w: due to her mother''s hearing impairment, her speech was slightly unclear and she had inherited that habit. The sharp Oh Bok-Hee did not miss this point. "Let''s wrap it up here for now... Thank you, Miss Si-Ah." "Thank you so much," said Kang Si-Ah as she bowed and stepped down from the stage. Although she seemed somewhat satisfied with her performance, all I could think about was recruiting her as soon as possible. After all, the bad habits she had picked up needed to be corrected quickly. After that, several more children with recognizable faces began their auditions. Next up was contestant number 25¡ªJin Gong-Ju. Perhaps because she was aware of Miso''s presence, Jin Gong-Ju had refined her performance. Each word was articted clearly and her movements were deliberate. It was evident she had been working with a good acting coach, as her performance had improved significantly since her previous role in In the Name of God. Jin Gong-Ju''s outstanding performance kept the judges busy scribbling on their score sheets. After a few more child actors took the stage, it was time for the most anticipated contestant. It was number 29¡ªYang Yi-Ji. Nine-year-old Yang Yi-Ji''s mother was top actress Lee Tae-Yeon, one of the most respected actresses in her 40s known for her remarkable acting skills. Following in her mother''s footsteps, Yang Yi-Ji had shown an early talent for acting and was regarded as a child prodigy. In my past life, she had evennded the role of Princess Yu-Hwa, the protagonist of Hwaranjeon. Now, Yang Yi-Ji took the stage and began portraying Princess Yu-Hwa. Her performance seamlessly conveyed both the warmth of a princess who enjoyed mingling withmoners and the elegance of a royal. This brought smiles to the faces of Han Woo-Ju and Oh Bok-Hee. With both Jin Gong-Ju and Yang Yi-Ji delivering outstanding performances, potential lead candidates were emerging. Then it was finally time for contestant number 30¡ªMiso. Miso confidently strode onto the stage and loudly shouted, "I''m Jung Miso, number 30!" Her bold and confident voice brought smiles to the slightly weary faces of the judges. "Miso, which princess would you like to y?" "I''d like to y Princess Yu-Hwa!" Princess Yu-Hwa was the lead character of Hwaranjeon, the one role Miso had her heart set on. Oh Bok-Hee smiled warmly and nodded. "Alright, Miso. Can you show us a scene? Scene 11, where you''re ying by the stream. Is that okay?" "Yes!" "And could you also sing for us? Do you think you could handle that?" "Yes! I can do it!" Miso responded energetically as always. "Alright, let''s see it then." "Okay! Number 30, Jung Miso! I will now begin my performance." Miso took a deep breath and slowly began immersing herself in the character. *** Scene 11 took ce on a summer night in Seorabeol, where the three princesses¡ªJeong-Hwa, Yu-Hwa, and Do-Hwa¡ªyed in a stream under the watchful eyes of their attendants. As the scene began, Miso lifted her hanbok skirt slightly just enough to reveal her feet in flower shoes. Then she slipped off her shoes and left them on the stage as if she were actually about to step into the water. She cautiously extended her toes forward as if testing the cold water. Miso flinched and lifted her foot slightly. Then she shook it yfully as if surprised by the cold yet full of joy. Miso didn''t make a single sound because she had to keep with the decorum of a princess, but she portrayed her delight entirely through her facial expressions. Miso then took two more steps forward and stopped abruptly as if both her feet were now fully immersed in the cold stream, shivering in response to the cold. After a brief pause, Miso began singing ''Seorabeol Moonlight'', a song from Scene 11. ¡ºUnder the bright moon of Seorabeol...¡» The song lyrics expressed a wish for the people of Seorabeol who lived where the bright moonlight shone to live happily under the benevolent king. Han Woo-Ju had written the song in Middle Korean for the script, as the Si-eranguage would have been too difficult to understand. However, the song remained challenging even with this adjustment, because it contained archaic sounds andbialized consonants not used in modern Korean. Yet having learned from Yoo-Jin, Miso sang each word with perfect pronunciation. Her clear and pure voice filled the audition hall. As Miso''s song echoed through the room, child actors and reporters who hadn''t left were captivated and listened intently. With that, Miso finished performing Scene 11. Ryu Han-Joon eximed with praise, "Cut! Wow, that was excellent!" Han Woo-Ju pped enthusiastically, and Oh Bok-Hee also nodded with satisfaction. Just as I thought Miso had secured the role of Princess Yu-Hwa, Oh Bok-Hee surprised everyone. "Miso, you were amazing. But could you try Scene 22 for us this time?" Oh Bok-Hee requested a scene she hadn''t asked of anyone else. "Scene 22?" Scene 22 was the first scene where the three princesses¡ªJeong-Hwa, Yu-Hwa, and Do-Hwa¡ªbegin to sh. It was a heavy scene that required them to express intense anger, hatred, and jealousy. The problem was that Miso struggled with darker emotions. As a naturally kind child, feelings like anger were foreign to her. When asked to perform a scene that exposed her weakness, Miso hesitated for a moment. Oh Bok-Hee asked, "How about it? Do you think you can do it?" I was worried she might give up. Contrary to my concerns, Miso confidently answered with a determined expression as if she was ready to break through the wall in front of her. "Yes! Number 30, Jung Miso! I will perform Scene 22!" Just as Miso responded with confidence, Oh Bok-Hee asked her to wait a moment. "Miso. It''ll be hard to evoke emotion alone, so I''ll assign you some partners." Oh Bok-Hee called on two more actors from the remaining contestants in the audience. "Number 25, Jin Gong-Ju. Number 29, Yang Yi-Ji. Could you both join us on stage?" It was at that moment I understood why Oh Bok-Hee had waited until now to test Scene 22. She had narrowed down the candidates and was saving this scene as the final test. ''So this is the realpetition, huh?'' I thought. In my past life, such a test didn''t happen as there hadn''t been any child actors on par with Yang Yi-Ji. This time, both Jin Gong-Ju and Jung Miso were promising talents. As a result, Oh Bok-Hee was putting the child actors against each other to ensure the drama''s sess. This meant the oue of the Scene 22 audition could very well change whonded the coveted roles. Chapter 370: Child Actor Audition for Hwaranjeon (2)

Chapter 370: Child Actor Audition for Hwaranjeon (2)

Scene 22 of Hwaranjeon had been rewritten and revised multiple times by Han Woo-Ju. Han Woo-Ju initially thought that asking child actors to express suchplex emotions was too much for them. However, Lee Ji-Yeon and Kim Soll-Ip advised otherwise. They insisted that the potential of young actors should never be underestimated. If the actors truly couldn''t handle the scene, the directors would deal with it on set. Thus, Hwaranjeon''s script was created without amodating the actors'' limitations. Since it was now in the hands of Oh Bok-Hee¡ªwho was obsessed with perfection¡ªthe audition standards naturally rose even for the child actors. Yang Yi-Ji and Jin Gong-Ju both tightly clutched their hanboks and took the stage when their names were called. When the three child actors stood together, Oh Bok-Hee gave her instructions. "Miso will y Princess Yu-Hwa. And as for the eldest Princess Jeong-Hwa and the youngest Princess Do-Hwa... Yi-Ji and Gong-Ju, you can decide between yourselves." At that moment, Yang Yi-Ji, who was two years older than Miso and Jin Gong-Ju, raised her hand confidently. "Yi-Ji, what is it?" "Has it already been decided that Miso will y Princess Yu-Hwa?" Despite it being in the middle of Miso''s audition for the role of Princess Yu-Hwa, Yang Yi-Ji boldly questioned it. Her expression showed that she couldn''t ept why someone with four years of acting experience like her was being overlooked. "Yi-Ji, your performance was excellent too. But you know your singing was a littlecking in Scene 11, right?" Yang Yi-Ji responded assertively despite her young age, fully aware of her identity as a celebrity. "If I practice more, I can do it better!" "Is that so?" "Yes!" "Then how about this? After everyone goes through their parts, we''ll give everyone a chance to try out as Princess Yu-Hwa." Yang Yi-Ji''s eyes sparkled with excitement. She was clearly hoping the roles might still change if she performed well. As expected, Oh Bok-Hee was creatingpetition even among the child actors to ensure the drama''s sess. Yang Yi-Ji nodded and understood the terms. "Then I''ll start with Princess Jeong-Hwa." "Alright." Oh Bok-Hee then turned to Jin Gong-Ju. "And Gong-Ju, will you begin with Princess Do-Hwa?" Jin Gong-Ju quickly read the room and nodded. "Yes! I''ll do whatever you ask." "Alright, let''s begin right away." Scene 22 focused on the quarrel between the young princesses. This was the moment Miso had been most nervous about. Since Yoo-Jin''s video call was still open, I asked her, "Yoo-Jin, do you think Miso will be okay?" Yoo-Jin seemed equally uneasy. She held tightly onto Do Ran-Hee''s hand and replied. -I''m not sure... When we practiced, she didn''t fully understand the emotions and just memorized the lines to get through it... Just then, Oh Bok-Hee gave the cue to begin the scene. "Alright then. Ready~ Action!" *** In Scene 21 of Hwaranjeon, the royal prophet Mu-Mu delivered a prophecy to the three princesses, who shared a close rtionship like real sisters although they had different mothers. -When the most beautiful flower of Gyerim blooms, the other two will lose their light forever. In other words, when one of the princesses ascended to the throne, the others would meet their deaths. Following the prophecy, distrust grew between the factions supporting each princess, eventually leading to deadly sword fights among their bodyguards. Scene 22 took ce the day after blood was shed. As the three princesses meet on their way to see the king, they recognize each other as enemies for the first time. First up, Yang Yi-Ji who was ying Princess Jeong-Hwa red at Miso and shouted. ¡ºYu-Hwa. Did you really think that I, the first flower of Gyerim, would die by the sword of someone like you?¡» Yang Yi-Ji''s sharp voice dripped with hostility. At only nine years old but with four years of acting experience, Yang Yi-Ji had grown up watching Lee Tae-Yeon perform. Acting had been her life for half of her young years. Drawing from that experience, Yang Yi-Ji stared down Miso with murderous intensity, her body trembling as if barely able to contain her rage. It looked like she was ready to leap at Miso if given permission. At that moment, Miso tightly clenched her fists and spoke back to Yang Yi-Ji. ¡ºPrincess Jeong-Hwa. Why do you use me of a crime I did notmit? I simply stand against the swords of those treacherous men who seek to divide Seorabeol in two.¡» ¡ºW-what? Treacherous...?¡» As Yang Yi-Ji red up in anger, tears welled up in Miso''srge eyes and began to fall. Although Miso''s performance wasn''t bad, the emotional tone was off. Miso''s portrayal leaned more toward sadness rather than expressing anger. Perhaps because of this reason, Oh Bok-Hee tilted her head in confusion. This wasn''t the Miso who had impressed everyone earlier. Next, Jin Gong-Ju took her turn. ¡ºPrincess Jeong-Hwa. I''ve been suspicious of Princess Yu-Hwa ever since she started pretending to be kind while mingling with themoners. With that innocent face of hers, she''s deceived not only the king but all of us. She ns to wipe us out without dirtying her own hands!¡» Jin Gong-Ju also delivered her lines with a steady and controlled performance that rivaled Yang Yi-Ji''s. Her biting remarks toward Miso were full of contempt and her piercing gaze was loaded with distrust. Jin Gong-Ju''s emotions were so clear and well-executed that she could hold her own even among adult actors. ''This isn''t good...'' I thought. With Yang Yi-Ji and Jin Gong-Ju both delivering ster performances, Miso''s acting seemed even weaker. If her performance at the climax of Scene 22 was her limit, it was hard to be confident that Miso wouldnd the role of Princess Yu-Hwa. Despite her struggles, Miso continued to give it her all. Unfortunately, her limitations were apparent. At this point, Miso still didn''t fully understand how to portray anger. Eventually, Oh Bok-Hee called, "Cut!" The three girls panted heavily, exhausted from pouring out their emotions in such a short time. After a brief break, Oh Bok-Hee announced a role switch. "Alright, let''s switch roles and try again." From then on, the three actresses rotated between ying Princess Jeong-Hwa, Princess Yu-Hwa, and Princess Do-Hwa. When Yang Yi-Ji took on the role of Princess Yu-Hwa, she skillfully expressed the emotional depth needed for Scene 22. After all, it was an important scene where the once gentle and kind-hearted Princess Yu-Hwa finally revealed her royal dignity and anger. Next, Jin Gong-Ju delivered an even more intense portrayal of Princess Yu-Hwa''s fury. Compared to the others, Miso''s performance had fallen short for this particr scene. Finally, Oh Bok-Hee called for the end of the audition. The exhausted children copsed into their seats. Oh Bok-Hee told them to rest while she discussed the performances with the other judges. A few momentster, Oh Bok-Hee returned with a serious expression. "It''s hard to make a final decision right now as each of you showed strengths and weaknesses. In three days, we''ll hold a final audition to determine the roles." It wasn''t unusual for roles to change even before filming began, so Oh Bok-Hee''s decision wasn''t surprising. Oh Bok-Hee then gave the three girls feedback, hoping it would help them for the next audition. "Yi-Ji. Your portrayal of a princess'' grace and weight is outstanding. However, you need to bring out more of her yful energy in the earlier scenes." "Gong-Ju. Your emotional delivery is clear and strong, but sometimes it''s too sharp in ces where it should be softer. Work on that for next time." "Miso, you were great overall. But I''d like you to focus more on the climax. If you want to be a great actor, that''s an area you need to improve." As expected, Oh Bok-Hee had clearly identified Miso''s weakness. This meant it wasn''t something that could be overlooked. Oh Bok-Hee would undoubtedly focus on that exact issue during the next audition. It seemed like Miso needed a teacher¡ªsomeone who wouldn''t hesitate to give her tough and direct guidance. Yoo-Jin had helped her as much as she could, but this called for a different kind of acting coach. At that moment, a name suddenly came to mind: actress Choi Ji-Yung, who had hit rock bottom after her scandal with yboy Choi Jong-Hyuk but made aeback. Having tasted the highs and lows of life, I was sure she could help Miso tap into the emotions she struggled with. *** After finishing the audition, Miso returned to her seat while pouting her lips in frustration. She clutched her hanbok skirt tightly, clearly upset. "Miso, don''t worry. You''ll do even better at the final audition," I encouraged her. Since this was the first time Miso hadn''t secured a role right away, I was worried that she might be discouraged. However, my concern was unnecessary. Miso looked up at me with her eyes determined. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, what should I do?" "Huh?" "How can I get better at acting?" I felt guilty for ever doubting her. Miso wasn''t giving up, but she was facing her challenges head-on and working to ovee them. It made me feel proud of how much she had grown. "I''ll find the perfect teacher for you, Miso." Miso nodded enthusiastically. "Then I''ll work really hard!" "Alright. I''ll call the teacher right now." "Okay!" Seeing Miso''s renewed determination, I immediately called Choi Ji-Yung. Choi Ji-Yung answered, saying she was on Jeju Ind now and would be back home tomorrow afternoon. -I''m free after 6 p.m, tomorrow. Can we meet then? "Of course. Thank you so much, Ms. Choi." After arranging to meet at her home the next day, I left the audition hall. When I told Miso that I had found her a teacher, her face brightened and she said excitedly, "Uncle Yoon-Ho! Let''s go see Mom now!" "Alright, let''s go." Since Yoo-Jin and Do Ran-Hee were still in the PD''s office, I hurried to get them. That was when I heard a loudmotion from the end of the hallway. "Kang Si-Ah! Why did you stammer so much in Scene 17? How many times have I told you to get your diction right!? And after two years of training, why are you still so bad at expressing emotions?" "I''m... sorry, Mdm. Choi." "Sorry? How many times do I have to hear that? I told you. You have tond this role no matter what!" At the end of the hallway where all the other kids had already left, Choi Yi-Sun was berating Kang Si-Ah. The real problem, of course, was Choi Yi-Sun herself and her terrible acting guidance. At that moment, Choi Yi-Sun shifted to an even more unreasonable attack on Kang Si-Ah. "Si-Ah, do you even know how much money is being spent on you? Lesson fees, costume fees, transportation costs..." Choi Yi-Sun began listing a bunch of expenses that a ten-year-old like Si-Ah couldn''t possibly understand. ''She hasn''t changed one bit, has she?'' I thought. Choi Yi-Sun had always used this tactic of constantly reminding Kang Si-Ah of the costs involved in raising her as a star. However, this was all a setup. If Si-Ah ever switched agencies or when it was time to settle ounts in the future, Choi Yi-Sun would use this to justify stealing from her earnings and im high expenses. Although I needed to address Miso''s acting issue, my meeting with Choi Ji-Yung was scheduled for tomorrow afternoon and there was still some time. Right now, Kang Si-Ah''s situation took priority. I turned to Jung Sang-Bong and said, "Sang-Bong. Go to the PD''s office and take Miso and Yoo-Jin home. Tell Ran-Hee to drive Ms. Han Woo-Ju back as well." "Understood." "And Miso. Practice hard with your mom, okay? I''lle home tonight to check on you." "Okay! Uncle Yoon-Ho, you need to watch my acting againter, alright?" "Of course. I will." Miso nodded and held Jung Sang-Bong''s hand before heading to the PD''s office. After sending her off, I made my way over to where Kang Si-Ah was still being scolded. "Mdm. Choi?" Choi Yi-Sun, who had been berating Kang Si-Ah, turned to face me. "Oh, Mr. Jung! Hello." After a brief greeting, I got straight to the point. "How much would it take to transfer that child to Hoop Entertainment?" For a moment, Choi Yi-Sun looked stunned. She was clearly caught off guard by the sudden proposal. Soon, her face lit up with a bright smile."Oh, are you interested in Si-Ah?" "Yes. She has some ws, but her voice and presence are appealing. I''d like to try working with her, but it depends on the transfer fee. If it''s reasonable, I''d like to negotiate." The moment I threw out the bait, the greedy Choi Yi-Sun took it without hesitation just as expected. She had no idea the sweet bait was hiding a sharp hook inside. Suddenly, Choi Yi-Sun hugged Kang Si-Ah tightly as if she hadn''t just been scolding her. "Hahaha! Indeed, you have a keen eye! Si-Ah is quite the talent, isn''t she? How about we head to my office and discuss this in more detail?" Choi Yi-Sun even added a nasal tone to her voice, clearly pleased. I nodded. "Sure. Let''s do that." As I nned to save Kang Si-Ah, I also made up my mind to bring down ES Acting Academy along the way. ''When pulling weeds, you have to get the roots.'' Chapter 371: Kang Si-Ah (1)

Chapter 371: Kang Si-Ah (1)

On the way to ES Acting Academy, I followed Choi Yi-Sun''s car while making a call to Kang Gam-Chan. "Mr. Kang, I found a child actor from ES Acting Academy during the audition. She seems quite promising." -Are you nning to bring her over? "Yes." -You should be able to handle that yourself by now, shouldn''t you? So why the call? "The thing is... her contract situation is a bit tricky." I exined that acquiring Kang Si-Ah would likely involve a legal dispute with ES Acting Academy. After a moment of consideration, Kang Gam-Chan asked, -Is she worth it? "If we fix a few ws, she''s ready to contribute immediately. She has great potential for the future." -If it''s a pick from Jung Yoon-Ho, of course I trust your judgment. Go ahead and proceed. I''ll back you up if anything goes wrong. "Thank you so much, Mr. Kang." Kang Gam-Chan had my back as always. A short whileter, I arrived at ES Acting Academy. The building was a seven-story tower located near Gangnam Station. Looking at the fancy building, I could immediately tell a lot of under-the-table deals had been made. After parking in the basement parking lot, I headed to the director''s office. Kang Si-Ah and Choi Yi-Sun were already there, waiting for me. "Please have a seat over here, Mr. Jung." I sat down on the couch after a brief exchange of pleasantries. Then, Choi Yi-Sun pointed to the photos and autographs of famous actors who had trained at ES Acting Academy, iming that Kang Si-Ah would be just like them one day. However, I cut Choi Yi-Sun off in the middle. "I''m sorry, but I''m in a bit of a hurry. Can we get straight to the point?" "Hahaha, of course! I know you must be busy managing some of the top actors these days. My apologies." Choi Yi-Sun quickly shifted gears and turned her attention to securing Kang Si-Ah''s transfer. "Si-Ah. If you move to Hoop Entertainment, you''ll have more opportunities to appear in dramas. What do you think? This could be a great opportunity for you." Kang Si-Ah replied, "I don''t really know, so I''ll do whatever you tell me to." Choi Yi-Sun patted Kang Si-Ah on the head. "You see how obedient she is? She''s such a good child." With a willing Kang Si-Ah, it was time to move on to the next step. "Then I''ll need to speak with her mother," I said. "Oh, don''t worry about that. Si-Ah only has a mother, and her mother gave me full authority over her decisions," Choi Yi-Sun exined. She assured me that everything was in her control with a signed power of attorney and the family seal. "Alright, then let''s get to the point. How much are you asking for her transfer?" I asked. Choi Yi-Sun beganying the groundwork to inte the price. "Well~ raising an actor takes a lot of money as I''m sure you know..." Then, she nced at Kang Si-Ah before continuing. "Si-Ah, why don''t you step outside for a moment while we adults discuss things?" "Yes, ma''am." Kang Si-Ah got up and bowed politely before leaving the room. Click. As soon as the door clicked shut, Choi Yi-Sun dropped her pleasantries and revealed her true self. "I''ll need to go over the numbers to be precise. But roughly speaking, we''ve spent about 100 million won on her lessons and other expenses over the past two years. But of course, we need to make a profit as well...How does 200 million, no, 300 million sound? After all, she still has six years left on her contract." I was so dumbfounded that I almost swore out loud. ''100 million won over two years for Kang Si-Ah?'' For most child actors, the usual expenses would be simply acting lessons and meals. Of course, there were elite S-ss students who received additional lessons in dance, singing, horseback riding, golf, piano, and violin. However, Kang Si-Ah had never received that kind of education, and there was no doubt about this fact as I had reviewed this information in my past life. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn''t have agreed to such an outrageous sum. Unfortunately, it seemed like there was no other way to secure Kang Si-Ah. "Alright. That amount is quite big but doable. Hoop Entertainment will take good care of her. Please send me the expense reports for the money spent so far." In the entertainment industry, financial reconciliations always required expense reports as detailed records were needed to properly ount for costs when revenue came in. My n was to get the reports from Choi Yi-Sun and then initiate legal action against her. However, I needed to agree to a deposit first. Choi Yi-Sun''s face lit up as if she thought she had caught me in her trap. "Of course! But, um... would it be alright if I send the reports by tomorrow morning? I just need a bit of time to finalize them." She was clearly buying time to fabricate the reports. Pretending to think it over, I nodded. "That''s fine. Since we''re here, shall we discuss the deposit as well? How about 30%?" "Haha! Sure. But just remember: if you break the contract, you''ll owe me ten times the deposit." "Don''t worry. We have no intention of breaking the contract." "Haha, I was just making sure." Humming happily, Choi Yi-Sun walked over to her desk to retrieve the contract. After briefly reviewing it, I found no major issues. I sent the contract to Kwak Moo-Hyuk right away and got his approval to sign it. -Sign it and fax it over. I''ll process the notarization and deposit right away. "Understood, sir." A short whileter, the contract,plete with Kang Si-Ah''s mother''s seal and power of attorney, was finalized. ''Leaving the family seal with someone like Choi Yi-Sun is so dangerous...'' I remarked inwardly. I made a mental note to talk to Kang Si-Ah''s mother about properly managing her seal in the future. "The deposit should be in your ount within ten minutes," I replied. Choi Yi-Sun beamed and extended her hand for a handshake. "Well then, please take good care of my precious Si-Ah. I''ve personally invested a lot into her." I resisted the urge to pull my hand away and forced myself to shake her hand. "Is it alright if I take Si-Ah home today?" I asked. "Feel free to. She''s practically part of Hoop Entertainment now." Choi Yi-Sun looked delighted as if she thought she had taken advantage of me. ''You''ll soon find out who the real fool is, Mdm. Choi,'' I thought With that, I said goodbye and exited her office. When I stepped outside, Kang Si-Ah was standing outside and nervously sping her hands together. "Si-Ah, the contract is done. Are you ready to go?" Only after hearing my gentle voice did Kang Si-Ah finally rx and smile. "Yes, Mr. Jung!" *** Kang Si-Ah''s home was a small 15-pyeong rental apartment in Amsa-dong. The drive from Gangnam took some time, which gave us the chance to talk along the way. "Actually... there''s something about my mom..." Kang Si-Ah said hesitantly. She was unsure how to exin her mother''s hearing impairment. "I already know about your mom''s hearing disability, so don''t worry. It doesn''t affect your contract at all." "H-how did you know?" ''How else? From the future, of course,'' I remarked inwardly. "Let me just say that checking an actor''s background is standard procedure," I answered her. Kang Si-Ah''s mother only had 20% of her hearing ability since birth. Without her hearing aids, she could barely understand conversations. However, her hearing aids were so old that she could hardly hear at all these days. She was currently working at a small Korean pancake shop owned by a friend in the market. Kang Si-Ah looked at me anxiously and asked, "Mr. Jung...when will I be able to debut?" Since I was the casting director for Jiri Mountain, I nned to rmend Kang Si-Ah for a child role in the drama. "You know Jiri Mountain, right? The project where Lee Tae-Poong will be the lead? I''ll get you a role in that as a child actor." Kang Si-Ah''s face lit up with excitement. "Really?" "But first, we need to fix the weaknesses in your acting." "I''ll fix them no matter what, I promise!" "Good. I''ll also assign you a teacher, so don''t feel like you have to do it all on your own." Kang Si-Ah gave me a wide smile with her eyes curving into crescent moons. "Yes, sir!" "But let me ask... are you in a hurry to debut because of your mom?" Kang Si-Ah nodded. "Yes. If I start earning money, I can buy my mom new hearing aids. Then she could find a job that''s less hard on her." She was only ten, but her sense of responsibility and maturity were beyond her years. I realized that the first thing I needed to do was get her mother a new hearing aid¡ªnot only for her well-being but also because I would need her help in bringing down ES Acting Academy. I decided to tell her the truth. "Oh, by the way. Si-Ah, there''s something you need to know." "What is it?" I exined the situation as simply as possible for Kang Si-Ah to understand. I told her about the wrongdoings of Choi Yi-Sun and what I had nned to do to protect her from further harm. *** Screech. "This is where I live, Mr. Jung." Kang Si-Ah opened the door to a narrow hallway in an old apartment building. As we stepped inside, the smell of sizzling oil wafted from the kitchen. It seemed Kang Si-Ah''s mother had finished work early after receiving the long KkTalk message from Si-Ah and was now making Korean pancakes. Kang Si-Ah shouted as loud as she could, "Mom! I''m home!" At that moment, her mother, Jo Eun-Hye, hurried to the entrance while wiping her hands on her apron. After adjusting her hearing aids, Jo Eun-Hye spoke with a slow and slightly slurred voice. "Ah, h-hello... I''m Si-Ah''s mother, Jo Eun-Hye." I spoke clearly and enunciated each word so she could read my lips, "It''s nice to meet you, ma''am. You have a lovely name." Jo Eun-Hye, who could read lips to some extent, smiled warmly and led us into the living room. "Thank you. Pleasee in, Mr, Jung." "Yes, thank you." Kang Si-Ah and I sat in the modest living room. The apartment was small with two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a small living room, all showing signs of age and wear. It seemed like I would need to find Kang Si-Ah better living arrangements soon. A few minutester, Jo Eun-Hye brought out a te of freshly heated Korean pancakes[1] and a bowl of sikhye[2]. Even though it came from the market where she worked, it was warm and looked delicious. "You must... be hungry. Please... eat." "Thank you so much." Not wanting to refuse her hospitality, I ate a few pieces of the Korean pancakes. It was tasty, but I set my chopsticks down after the third or fourth piece. "The food is delicious. But I think we should talk about business now." Jo Eun-Hye nodded and replied in her slow, deliberate speech, "Yes... I heard... that Si-Ah... will be moving... to Hoop Entertainment." "That''s correct, ma''am. We n to take good care of your daughter at Hoop Entertainment." Jo Eun-Hye smiled warmly and held her daughter''s hand. I noticed small burn marks on her hands, likely from frying Korean pancakes at the market. It was clear that she had been working hard to raise her daughter on her own. "That''s... good news... for my daughter," she remarked with a smile on her face. "Mom! Mr. Jung said I''m going to debut soon!" Kang Si-Ah eximed. "De...but?" "Yes! I''ll be in a movie soon, so you won''t have to work so hard anymore! The movie starts filming in a month!" Jo Eun-Hye smiled gently. "It''s okay... I can still... work. You, my daughter... live how you want to... Don''t worry... about me." "I''m not worrying about you, Mom. And this is how I want to live. I want to make things easier for you." Kang Si-Ah''s words were so sincere and touching. However, I couldn''t let sentimentality distract me from what needed to be done. I quickly spoke. "Ma''am, I need you to listen carefully to what I''m about to say." "Yes...please go ahead." "First, I want to assure you that Hoop Entertainment will protect your daughter no matter what." Kang Si-Ah, who had been briefed on the situation earlier, held her mother''s hand reassuringly. I continued to exin, "Now, here''s what I''m nning to do..." *** A momentter, Jo Eun-Hye asked with a slightly uneasy expression, "So...what will happen...to Mdm. Choi?" It was clear that she was struggling to believe that Choi Yi-Sun, the person she had trusted so much, was actually a fraud. ''No wonder she had entrusted Choi Yi-Sun with her personal seal and power of attorney,'' I thought. I looked at her and replied slowly, "That fraudster will go to jail and she''ll be cklisted from the industry. Her husband too, of course. Don''t worry, Si-Ah won''t be harmed in any way. But I''ll need you to be brave, ma''am¡ªit will make things much easier." While Hoop Entertainment could press charges for fraud on its own, having Kang Si-Ah''s mother involved as a contract party would make the case stronger and faster. As Jo Eun-Hye hesitated unsure of what to do, Kang Si-Ah spoke up with something that tipped the scale. "Mom. I didn''t want to worry you so I never told you this, but... I never ate while I was at the academy." Jo Eun-Hye''s eyes widened in shock. "What? But they said...they provided meals... I only gave you enough money...for transportation." Kang Si-Ah shook her head. "No, Mom. Mdm. Choi rarely even gave lessons and I had to buy my own food." Jo Eun-Hye''s face crumbled as her eyes began to tremble. "S-so...you''ve been starving...this whole time?" Even I didn''t know about this. ''How could she attend the academy every evening after school untilte at night without being fed?'' I was so dumbfounded that I was at a loss for words. Yet even in this moment, Kang Si-Ah tried tofort her mother in a bright voice. "It''s okay, Mom. You know I don''t eat much anyway." However, Jo Eun-Hye couldn''t contain her emotions and started sobbing, clutching her chest. "You...should have...told me..." "Mom, you''ve been saving money by eating only Korean pancakes from the market every day. How could I eat by myself knowing that?" Jo Eun-Hye grasped her daughter''s hand tightly. "Well, I''m a mother...you are...different." "Aw, Mom, don''t cry. If you cry, I''ll start crying too." Tears welled up in both of their eyes. At that moment, I tightly clenched my fists without realizing it. ''Choi Yi-Sun, how can you call yourself human?'' However, something about their situation seemed off. ''Do they have a debt? Even though she works a part-time job at a Korean pancake shop, it doesn''t make sense for them to be this short on money.'' Hearing that Jo Eun-Hye hadn''t even reced her hearing aids in seven years despite the fact that government subsidies made them rtively affordable proved how poor they were. That''s when an unsettling thought crossed my mind. "Ma''am, has Mdm. Choi ever asked you for extra money?" I asked. Jo Eun-Hye hesitated to answer. Her perplexed expression showed that I had hit the nail on the head. My blood began to boil with anger. ''Choi Yi-Sun, you''re not getting away with this.'' 1. One type of Korean pancake ? 2. Sikhye ? Chapter 372: Kang Si-Ah (2)

Chapter 372: Kang Si-Ah (2)

Upon hearing my question about whether Choi Yi-Sun had ever asked for money, Jo Eun-Hye nced nervously at her daughter. "Well... it''s just that..." "Ma''am, I need you to bepletely honest with me. That''s the only way we can fix this." Jo Eun-Hye nodded and reluctantly exined the truth. "She asked for money every month, saying it was for activity expenses... But she told me to keep it from Si-Ah, so I transferred the money directly into her ount every month." Rage boiled up inside me once again. Choi Yi-Sun had treated Kang Si-Ah disrespectfully, justifying it by iming she hadn¡¯t charged Kang Si-Ah for tuition. In reality, she had been secretly siphoning money from Si-Ah''s mother¡¯s hard-earned wages. Most of the money Jo Eun-Hye made from working 14 hours a day frying Korean pancakes had been going directly into Choi Yi-Sun''s pocket. There was no way I could let trash like Choi Yi-Sun go without severe consequences. *** As soon as I learned that Choi Yi-Sun had been extorting money from Kang Si-Ah''s mother, I called Kang Gam-Chan from the apartment in Amsa-Dong. After hearing the full story, Kang Gam-Chan''s voice turned cold and serious. -Let''splete the remaining payment and officially register Si-Ah as part of Hoop Entertainment by the end of today. I''ll notify the legal division but you can handle the follow-up. Do whatever''s necessary and give me a report afterward. Do you understand what I mean? Kang Gam-Chan''s decisive approach made it clear that he was ready to act boldly to protect Kang Si-Ah. He wanted to fully secure Kang Si-Ah''s ce at Hoop Entertainment first and deal with thepensationter. I had initially nned to start awsuit only after paying the deposit. After all, following Kang Gam-Chan''s way would be safe but it would take a long time to receivepensation. However, with Kang Gam-Chan''s clear backing now, I could move more aggressively. "Thank you, sir." -There''s no need to thank me. Once we receive the expense reports from ES Acting Academy, I''ll take care of the remaining payment. Just be ready to take action. "Understood, sir." -And scum like that need to be crushed. Don''t go easy on her. I could feel anger in Kang Gam-Chan''s voice. "Yes, sir!" When I gave a firm response, he ended the call, stating he was about to have a strategy meeting with Kwak Moo-Hyuk and Kang Ji-Yung. I put my phone away and turned my attention back to the mother and daughter beside me. Both of them held my hand tightly with their eyes filled with hope. "Mr. Jung! I promise I''ll work really hard!" Kang Si-Ah eximed. Despite her young age, Kang Si-Ah was ready to give everything for her future. The final paperwork and full transfer would take a few more hours, but there was something I needed to take care of first. I looked at Jo Eun-Hye and said, "Ma''am, I''d like you toe with me for a bit." Jo Eun-Hye, who had been wiping her daughter''s tears, looked confused and tilted her head. "Huh... where to?" "Let''s go get you fitted for a new hearing aid." The hearing aid she had been using for seven years was clearly worn and outdated. Startled, Jo Eun-Hye quickly responded, "Oh, no, that''s not...necessary... Mr. Jung." "It''s no trouble at all. The cost will be covered by ourpany''s welfare fund, so you don''t need to worry." As most child actors didn''t have dedicated talent agents assigned, their family members would usually step in to take the role. If Jo Eun-Hye were to travel to filming locations with Kang Si-Ah, a reliable hearing aid would be essential. Moreover, Kang Si-Ah had developed a slight dy in her speech due to frequent conversations with her mother. It affected her diction, even causing her to mispronounce some words. This wouldn''t be a big issue if Kang Si-Ah were an average person. However, clear pronunciation was necessary for an actor. I exined to Jo Eun-Hye that she needed to get a new hearing aid and work on her pronunciation for her daughter''s sake. Only then did Jo Eun-Hye eventually agree. "If it''s for Si-Ah''s sake... I''ll follow your lead, Mr. Jung." "Thank you. Alright. Things will get hectic once ES Acting Academy sends the expense reports, so we''ll need to move quickly. Let''s go." With that, I took Jo Eun-Hye and the excited Kang Si-Ah to Kim Soo-Myung''s clinic for a new hearing aid. *** After conducting a thorough hearing test at Kim Soo-Myung''s clinic, we ced an order for a new hearing aid. Kim Soo-Myung grumbled that his clinic wasn''t a full-service hospital, but he meticulously reviewed Jo Eun-Hye''s condition as always. We arranged to pick up a top-of-the-line digital hearing aid in a week and left the clinic with a temporary one for now. Jo Eun-Hye nced around in awe with tears welling up in her eyes. Kang Si-Ah asked with an excited expression, "Mom! Can you hear my voice clearly now?" "Yes, I can hear everything so clearly. My dear daughter..." When Kang Si-Ah grabbed her mother''s hand with a happy expression, they both started crying tears of joy at the same time. At that moment, my phone rang. It was Kang Gam-Chan. -Yoon-Ho. Si-Ah is officially part of Hoop Entertainment as of this moment. "Did you receive the expense report?" I asked. -Yes, I got it. And let me tell you¡ªit''s a disaster. Kang Gam-Chan then informed me that he would send the expense report to me via Kk Talk shortly. Now it was time to turn the tables. I was nning not only to file charges against Choi Yi-Sun on behalf of thepany but also to support Jo Eun-Hye in herwsuit. ''All the money that had been extorted from her¡ªplus interest¡ªmust be returned,'' I thought. "I''ll get started right away," I replied to Kang Gam-Chan. -Good. The publicity division is also preparing articles for the press. After ending the call with Kang Gam-Chan, I called Choi So-Hye. My voice trembled slightly with anger as my blood boiled once again while I exined the situation. "Ms. Choi... I have something to report." -What''s going on this time? You sound so serious. "It''s about..." After I detailed what happened to Kang Si-Ah at the ES Acting Academy, Choi So-Hye''s voice trembled with fury as if she were the one who had been exploited. -I''ve heard so many bad rumors about that ce, so I was thinking about looking into it anyway. This will make a perfect story. "We have solid evidence. I''d like to meet in person." -I''ll bring Kang In-Han sunbae with me, let''s meet up right now. Where are you now? "I''m near Apgujeong." -Alright, then let''s meet in front of yourpany. We''ll head there right away. Eager to start the investigation, Choi So-Hye ended the call immediately. Next, I contacted Seo Jae-Ill to report the "non-recyble trash," as I put it. Finally, I helped Jo Eun-Hye re-register her personal seal, emphasizing that anyone asking for her seal in the future should be treated as a potential scammer. *** After having an interview with Choi So-Hye and Kang In-Han the next day, I went to the Seoul Central District Prosecutor''s Office with Jo Eun-Hye, Kang Si-Ah, and Kwak Moo-Hyuk to file an officialwsuit. Seo Jae-Ill reviewed the bank transaction records that Jo Eun-Hye had provided before recording Jo Eun-Hye''s verbal statement for the case. Next, he turned to examine the expense report handed over by Kwak Moo-Hyuk. A few momentster, Seo Jae-Ill tilted his head in confusion and asked, "Are you saying all these lessons were provided?" Kwak Moo-Hyuk shook his head. "Not at all." I also held a copy of the expense report sent from ES Acting Academy. [Expense Report (Kang Si-Ah)] -Food Expenses: 500,000 won per month (Total over 24 months: 12,570,000 won) -Flower Arrangement Lessons: 2,370,000 won -Horseback Riding Lessons: 5,350,000 won -Archery Lessons: 2,350,000 won -Fuel Expenses: 11,340,000 won per year ... The expense report was full of lessons Kang Si-Ah had never taken. Choi Yi-Sun had no problem writing such a shamelessly inted report as she relied on her influential husband, CP Jang Hyun-Soo from MBS, to protect her. Kwak Moo-Hyuk exined to Seo Jae-Ill why the report was false. Seo Jae-Ill then turned to Kang Si-Ah and asked, "Si-Ah, can you answer honestly? Did you eat meals regrly at the academy?" Kang Si-Ah shook her head. "No... I only ate a few times when the older girls shared snacks with me." Seo Jae-Ill forced a smile with a frown appearing between his brows. He was clearly trying to keep his temper in check as he continued his questioning. "Did you ever receive horseback riding lessons?" "Just once... it was a field trip in Chuncheon." Another wrinkle appeared on Seo Jae-Ill''s forehead. "A-and archery?" "Once at a free experience event in Suwon..." Seo Jae-Ill''s face reddened as he struggled to contain his anger. "Hahaha. So you just tried it once for the experience, huh? And what about flower arranging?" "I did it once at the Gangnam Culture Center." Seo Jae-Ill''s face grew redder, and he eventually stopped asking questions. Then, he told one of the investigators to take Jo Eun-Hye and Kang Si-Ah outside the office for a moment. "Mr. Kim, please take them outside for a moment and offer them something cold to drink. Bring us five bottles of drinks as well with ice..." The investigators, who were just as furious after hearing the details, didn''t need any more exnation. "Yes, sir." Once Jo Eun-Hye and Kang Si-Ah had left the room, Seo Jae-Ill erupted. "What the fuck! This woman hatched a meticulous n to steal from them, didn''t she? And what''s with the fuel expenses? The kid rode buses and subways, yet she imed over 10 million won a year in fuel costs? This insane bitch!" Seo Jae-Ill was seething with rage as if he was ready to throttle someone. After a few deep breaths, Seo Jae-Ill turned to Kwak Moo-Hyuk. "What''s Hoop Entertainment''s stance? You''re not nning to settle quietly, are you?" "Absolutely not. Our president has instructed us to see this through no matter the cost." "Good. I''m ready to go all in on this, so prepare yourselves." With Seo Jae-Ill and Kwak Moo-Hyuk fully aligned, there was little need for my involvement now. A prosecutor and awyer were determined to pursue justice aggressively with the goal of exposing every detail of Choi Yi-Sun''s fraud. *** After finishing up the report at the Seoul Central District Prosecutor''s Office, we returned to Kang Si-Ah''s apartment in Amsa-dong. By then, the entertainment news was aze with the stories I had leaked to the media. [Gangnam Acting Academy Under Investigation for Child Abuse and Extortion] [Famous Acting Academy used of Secretly Extorting Money from Parents] [Shocking Reality of an Acting Academy! "They Even Starved the Kids to Save on Food Costs"] (Comments) -They''re actually starving kids? Seriously? -They feed you well even at construction sites. Nothing angers me more than people messing with food. -Are there actually still ces like this? -Isn''t the director''s husband a CP from MBS? Anyone got facts on that? -I attended that academy. We had to buy food from their cafeteria, but it was so bad I wanted to puke after just one bite. And they banned us from bringing in outside food, so we couldn''t even eat elsewhere. -That''s because you weren''t in the top sses. The S and A sses got special meals. But of course, you have to pay 5 million won a month for that privilege. ''It''s all over,'' I remarked inwardly. Thements section was flooded with usations from former students and parents who had been through the same at ES Acting Academy. After reading the articles, Jo Eun-Hye asked, "Mr. Jung, what next?" The only thing that changed was her hearing aid, but Jo Eun-Hye''s previously slow and unclear speech now came through much more distinctly. Along with her effort, her pronunciation was naturally improving, likely due to her increased ability to hear herself. "Just focus on protecting your daughter for now. If Director Choi Yi-Sun contacts you, don''t respond at all." "Yes, Mr. Jung." Just then, my phone rang. Choi Yi-Sun had called me instead of calling Jo Eun-Hye. [Caller ID: Director Choi Yi-Sun] ''You''re quite sharp, aren''t you?'' I thought. Considering the news broke right after we signed Kang Si-Ah, it wasn''t surprising that she suspected me. I answered the call while activating the recording function. "Hello?" Choi Yi-Sun''s furious voice boomed through the phone. -What do you think you''re doing right now? "Did you really think you could cheat Hoop Entertainment with those fake expense reports? You should''ve expected this much." There was a brief pause before Choi Yi-Sun spoke again. -You... nned this from the start, didn''t you? As expected, she was sharp enough to see through the situation. However, I wasn''t foolish enough to confirm it, as she might also be recording the conversation. "What nonsense are you talking about? And really, don''t live your life like this. After hearing what Mdm. Jo told me, I''m ashamed to be in the same industry as you." -Wh-what did you just say...? Hey, you''re just a two-year rookie! I''ve been in this business for over 20 years! "Oh, I bet you''ve filled your pockets real good in those 20 years. Well, get ready to cough it all up. I hear you own four apartments in Gangnam, huh? That should cover thepensation nicely." Choi Yi-Sun seethed with anger and shouted. -You think you''re going to walk away from this unscathed? My husband is Jang Hyun-Soo, the CP at MBS! "Oh, right. As we speak, our president is probably exining all of this to MBS''s president." -W-what...? Only then did Choi Yi-Sun''s voice begin to tremble. Simultaneously, I could hear loud banging in the background from her line. -Mdm. Choi, Mdm. Choi! There are reporters outside! -Please stop pushing! Mdm. Choi isn''t here! -Director Choi Yi-Sun! We know you''re in there! Outside, the noises of reporters, angry parents demanding refunds, and people trying to stop them were echoing loudly through the phone. "It sounds like you''re busy, so I''ll let you go. Oh, and I''ll visit you soon... in prison." Choi Yi-Sun gave no response as if she was out of it. With that, ES Acting Academy was crumbling. *** [ES Acting Academy Under Investigation for Excessive Student Fees and Fraud!] [ES Acting Academy Has Been Secretly Extorting Money From Parents!] [ES Acting Academy Took Over 2 Billion Won in 15 Years!] By the next morning, Choi Yi-Sun was arrested. Because child exploitation was a crime that could not be forgiven, it was clear that escaping charges wouldn''t be easy no matter how expensive awyer she hired. Furthermore, Kwak Moo-Hyuk had even coordinated with aw firm run by one of his hoobaes to help the victims file a jointwsuit. Meanwhile, Choi Yi-Sun''s husband, CP Jang Hyun-Soo, was under internal investigation at MBS after being called in by thepany''s president. With both Jo Eun-Hye and Hoop Entertainment leading the charge, taking down ES Acting Academy happened faster than I could have imagined. After sessfully resolving Kang Si-Ah''s situation, I returned home feeling a weight lifted off my shoulders. When I arrived at the house in Cheonho-dong, Yoo-Jin and Miso were already at the front door, ready to head out. Yoo-Jin asked, "Oppa, is it all over now?" I nodded. "Sorry for beingte. Have you been waiting long?" "No, it''s okay." "Alright, shall we go then?" With Kang Si-Ah''s issue resolved, it was now time to tackle Miso''s struggle with expressing anger in her acting. Chapter 373: Evolution (1)

Chapter 373: Evolution (1)

Once a top star, Choi Ji-Yung hit rock bottom after bing entangled in a scandal with Choi Jong-Hyuk, the infamous older-woman lover. Nheless, Choi Ji-Yung was now steadily rebuilding her career at Altoran nning. Her financial situation had improved a lot recently, and she had just moved into a luxurious 60-pyeong vi located in Nonhyeon-dong. Beep beep. The oak-colored electronic door opened. Standing at the entrance, Choi Ji-Yung greeted us with a bright smile. "Wee! Come on in~." As we entered the living room, familiar faces were waiting for us. Jo Soo-Yung, BJ Do-Jin''s ex-girlfriend, was holding her daughter, Yumi. "Yoon-Ho oppa. Yoo-Jin unnie. It''s been a while." Since Jo Soo-Yung mentioned she had something to consult with me about today, I suggested we all meet together. At that moment, Yumi, who was cradled in Jo Soo-Yung''s arms, stretched out her hands toward me and mimicked her mother''s words. "Oppa! Wee!" Yumi''s speech had improved quickly in the time I hadn''t seen her. Although she was still at the stage of copying her mother''s words, it was a significant leap forward. I asked, "Yumi, did you miss Uncle Yoon-Ho a lot?" Yumi tilted her head and asked back, "Uncle?" "Yes, Yumi. Say Uncle Yoon-Ho~." Yumi tilted her head to the side, then began to shake it vigorously. "No! Appa!" Yumi stubbornly refused, perhaps because the final consonants were hard for her to pronounce. She stretched out her hands toward me and shouted, "Appa-ppa~!" In the end, I decided I could fix my titleter and reached out to hold Yumi in my arms. Yumi touched my face as she sat in my arms. Yumi used to be underweight but now, even her fingers were chubby from eating well. Fascinated by seeing my face after a long time, Yumi giggled while touching my eyes, nose, and mouth. "Appa! Appa!" "Yumi, you need to say hello to Auntie Yoo-Jin and Miso unnie too." Yumi turned her head toward Yoo-Jin and Miso. "Wee! Auntie! Unnie!" Still in my arms, Yumi slightly bowed her head. Seeing this, both Miso and Yoo-Jin looked at Yumi with hearts practically popping out of their eyes. "Yumi! It''s me, Miso unnie! Do you remember?" Yumi nodded as if she recognized her. "Yes! Miso unnie!" Miso grabbed Yumi''s small hand and burst intoughter. After the simple introductions, we all sat down in the living room. Jo Soo-Yung reached out to take Yumi from my arms. "Yumi, Uncle Yoon-Ho needs to talk about work now. Come to Mommy." When Jo Soo-Yung tried to pull Yumi away, she clung to my chest like a ko and held on tightly. "Noooo!" "Oh my, look at her!" Jo Soo-Yung remarked shyly. Miso shook her head in amusement. Jo Soo-Yung sighed deeply and said, "Fine. You can stay with Uncle Yoon-Ho, but you can''t disturb him. You have to be quiet, okay?" Yumi nodded. "Okay!" Now that she had started talking, her ability to express herself was much clearer. Even in my past life, I remembered Yumi to be quite expressive with her likes and dislikes. Furthermore, her cuteness had been a big help in Jo Soo-Yung''s sess as a BJ. Once Yumi quieted down, Choi Ji-Yung smiled and got straight to the point. "Alright. So you want me to take a look at Miso''s acting, huh?" "Yes. Mrs. Oh Bok-Hee is being quite particr." Choi Ji-Yung originally rose to stardom through her deep emotional acting. After being betrayed by someone she loved and hitting rock bottom, people said her emotional range became richer than ever. On top of that, Choi Ji-Yung already had a knack for coaching younger actors in emotional acting. That was the reason I asked her for help. I wanted to know if there was a way to add anger and hatred to Miso''s performance. Choi Ji-Yung wore a serious expression. "Mr. Jung. It''s possible, but do you really want to go through with it?" Choi Ji-Yung was worried that if Miso learned how to convey negative emotions, she might be overwhelmed by them. I had the same concern, and that was why I hadn''t brought in a coach for that part of her acting until now. However, Miso was so eager to learn that I couldn''t help but give in. After all, being too overprotective wouldn''t help Miso grow either. I replied, "I''m not going to force Miso. But if she''s this determined, I won''t stand in her way." "Hmm... it won''t be easy." Choi Ji-Yung murmured to herself. Then, she looked at Miso with a worried expression and asked, "Miso, do you really want this role that badly?" Miso nodded. "Yes! I really want to act with my mom. That''s why I begged Uncle Yoon-Ho to help me." "You asked Mr. Jung for help?" "Yes!" Choi Ji-Yung looked at Miso. "Miso. Aren''t you afraid of acting?" "No! Not at all. It''s fun." "Wow, that''s really impressive. I''m still scared of acting..." Miso tilted her head. "Why?" "Because it''s like walking down a path where you can''t see the end. And you don''t even know if it''s the right one." Miso didn''t understand Choi Ji-Yung''s cryptic answer. However, Miso confidently replied, "Even if it''s hard, even if you''re tired or scared, you can never give up. The moment you give up, everything''s over!" Choi Ji-Yung paused and stared at Miso. "Oh my, listen to her talk." She seemed amazed that a seven year old could speak with such conviction. However, what Miso had said was actually a line from her favorite cartoon series, The Powertuff Girls. It was something that Leader Blow always said to encourage her teammates. Unaware of this, Choi Ji-Yung continued to be in awe of Miso. "If you really feel that way, let''s give it a try. Alright. Wait just a moment..." As Choi Ji-Yung fell into deep thought, the living room slowly grew quiet. *** After a while, Choi Ji-Yung stood up and extended her hand to Miso. "Miso, shall we go to the practice room?" Director Park Woo-Min of Altoran nning had made a soundproof room in Choi Ji-Yung''s house to help her recover as quickly as possible. Miso stood up and took Choi Ji-Yung''s hand. Just as I was about to follow them, Choi Ji-Yung shook her head. "Mr. Jung, it''s better if you don''te." "Pardon?" On top of that, Choi Ji-Yung wouldn''t even let Yoo-Jin in. "Yoo-Jin, you stay here with Soo-Yung and Yumi." "Me too?" "Yes. Especially you and Mr. Jung shouldn''te in." "Why not?" "You''ll understandter." With that simple exnation, Choi Ji-Yung took Miso and headed into the room. *** Yoo-Jin''s face was filled with concern. "What''s this lesson going to be about?" I answered, "Don''t worry. She''s not the type to be harsh." Since I''ve spent a lot of time around actors, I knew a bit about lessons myself. The only thing bothering me was why Yoo-Jin and I weren''t allowed to watch. "It looks like this will take some time. Should we deal with Soo-Yung''s issue first in the meantime?" "Sure." Jo Soo-Yung''s problem was that her subscriber count wasn''t increasing as much as she had hoped. Jo Soo-Yung had been feeling guilty, thinking she was being a burden to Altoran nning. However, the solution was simpler than she thought. "You haven''t really put Yumi on your streams much, right?" I asked. "No. People keep making weirdments in the chat." A BJ had tomunicate with their viewers, but that also came with all kinds of harassment. Because of this, Jo Soo-Yung was hesitant to put Yumi in front of the camera. After thinking it over for a moment, I suggested a coboration with Kang Ha-Na. With her six years of trainee life, Kang Ha-Na had built up a strong mental fortitude and had reached the point where she could even counter the chat in real-time. "With Ha-Na unnie?" "Yes. Learning from Ha-Na will be really helpful." "Okay." "And... to be honest, it might be better to feature Yumi on your stream." After the incident with BJ Do-Jin''s assault, the public showed a lot of interest in Yumi. However, out of an instinct to protect her daughter, Jo Soo-Yung was afraid to put Yumi in front of the camera. She was worried about what would happen if her little girl was insulted by the viewers. "Are you sure it''s okay to put Yumi on?" Jo Soo-Yung asked hesitantly. I nodded. "Yes." In my past life, the viewers actually became more cautious with their words after Yumi started appearing on Jo Soo-Yung''s streams. So I confidently reassured her. "Just focus on showing how well Yumi is growing. Don''t even look at the chat." "But do you really think that''ll increase my subscribers? I mean, what''s so fun about a mom ying with her kid...?" I smiled and lifted Yumi in my arms. Yumi giggled as if she was ticklish. "Kya ha ha ha! Appa-ppa!" As Yumi''sughter filled the living room, everyone''s faces naturally lit up. The moment I put her down, Yumi immediately asked to be lifted again. "Again! Again!" Even though it was the same thing over and over, no one could take their eyes off Yumi. I repeated the action until Yumi finally got tired and settled back into my arms. "See? You just can''t look away from her, can you?" It was only then that Jo Soo-Yung, who had been staring nkly, came to her senses. "You''re right..." "So don''t be scared and just give it a try. Don''t worry about what people say and just show them how happy you are with Yumi. That alone will bring in more subscribers." "How... happy I am?" "Yeah. When you''re happy, the viewers will feel it too." I knew the regrets that weighed on Jo Soo-Yung. The childhood she lost too quickly had left a deep scar on her heart. However, she had to rise above that past now and find happiness for herself and for Yumi. Jo Soo-Yung lowered her head. Yoo-Jin, who was next to Jo Soo-Yung, wrapped her arms around her shoulders. Pat, pat. As Yoo-Jin patted her back, tears slowly fell from Jo Soo-Yung''s eyes. That''s when Yumi in my arms stretched her hands out toward her mom. "Mama! Don''t cry!!" At Yumi''s words, Jo Soo-Yung quickly wiped her tears and lifted her head. "I... I''m not crying, sweetheart." "Really?" "Yes, really. And you know, Yumi¡ªyou are mommy''s happiness." "Happiness?" "Yes, happiness." "I''m~ happiness!" When Yumi smiled brightly, Jo Soo-Yung made up her mind once again. As a mother, she resolved to face the world alongside her one and only daughter. "Oppa, then I''ll leave it to you. I''ll do the coboration with Ha-Na unnie and bring Yumi on stream." I nodded. "You made the right decision. Think of it as early education for Yumi. Who knows? Maybe one day she''ll be a real star." "Oh,e on~. There''s no way." ''She doesn''t believe me,'' I remarked inwardly. I made a mental note to remind Jo Soo-Yung of this moment when Yumi eventually became a popr child actor. With that, Jo Soo-Yung''s concerns were resolved. *** Click. The door to the soundproof room opened about 20 minutester. Choi Ji-Yung and Miso, covered in sweat, came out. Whatever acting they had practiced inside, Miso''s eyes were bloodshot and traces of tears lingered around her eyes. That''s when Miso''s shoulders started shaking as she saw us. The startled Yoo-Jin ran over and hugged Miso. "Miso, what''s wrong?" Miso kept her lips tightly sealed and didn''t answer. "Was it hard?" Yoo-Jin asked with concern. Miso nodded. "There, there. You did great," Yoo-Jin consoled her. Miso clung tightly to Yoo-Jin without saying a word. As Choi Ji-Yung wiped her sweat, she pulled me aside to a corner. Then she took me out of Miso''s earshot and asked with a surprised expression, "Mr. Jung. What is up with Miso? Is she a real genius or something?" "I''m sorry?" "She absorbed everything I taught her like a sponge! I was so shocked that I nearly fainted." Miso had only spent about 20 minutes practicing her acting in the soundproof room. However, in that short time, she apparently learned everything she needed to. Baffled, I asked Choi Ji-Yung, "What exactly happened? You have to exin this to me." Choi Ji-Yung looked a bit troubled. "I''m sorry, but Miso doesn''t want to talk about it until the audition tomorrow. Oh, and I have a favor to ask of you and Yoo-Jin." "A favor?" "Please don''t go into the audition tomorrow. Neither you nor Yoo-Jin should be there." I couldn''t understand why we shouldn''t be visible to Miso, just like today. Nheless, we had no voice but to follow the expert''s advice. *** The day of the final child actor audition for Hwaranjeon came. Jung Sang-Bong escorted Miso to the seventh-floor audition room at MBS. Meanwhile, I parked in the MBS parking lot with Yoo-Jin. We were nning to watch the live stream of Jung Sang-Bong''s updates from the scene. I asked, "By the way, didn''t Miso say anything to you?" Yoo-Jin answered, "Nope, not a word. Every time acting was mentioned, she kept her lips sealed. I think she had a phone call with Ms. Choi Ji-Yungst night, but she even told me to leave the room." ''Miso kept the secret from Yoo-Jin too? What kind of lesson did she receive?'' I wondered. Just then, Jung Sang-Bong started the video call. -Mr. Jung, I''m starting the stream now. "Okay." It seemed like Yang Yi-Ji and Jin Gong-Ju had both sharpened their acting skills. Their expressions showed they were ready for battle. That''s when I noticed someone totally unexpected. Yang Yi-Ji''s mother, whom we didn''t see on the first day of the audition, appeared below the stage. She was Lee Tae-Yeon, one of the top five actresses in her 40s, and she was watching the stage intently with her arms crossed. "Oppa, Mdm. Lee Tae-Yeon is here," Yoo-Jin remarked. "Yeah, I see her." "Do you think she''s here to put pressure on the audition?" "Of course." Yoo-Jin''s face filled with surprise. "Then shouldn''t we go in as well?" "No. That''ll only backfire." There were a few reasons I specifically requested Oh Bok-Hee to direct Hwaranjeon. Oh Bok-Hee was someone with a firm sense of direction that she wouldn''t easily cast Miso just because they''re acquainted for the sake of the show''s sess. In other words, Oh Bok-Hee wouldn''t be swayed by external pressures no matter who came¡ªbe it actress Lee Tae-Yeon or anyone else. At that moment, Oh Bok-Hee acknowledged Lee Tae-Yeon seated in the audience. -Mdm. Tae-Yeon. Aren''t you busy? You''vee all the way to the child actor audition? -I happened to be at MBS for filming and decided to stop by to watch my daughter''s audition. Please don''t mind me. It was clear Lee Tae-Yeon wanted Oh Bok-Hee to pay attention to her presence. However, Oh Bok-Hee reacted exactly as I expected. -Then I''ll pretend you''re not here. At that moment, Lee Tae-Yeon''s face slightly twisted. Oh Bok-Hee didn''t flinch at all. In fact, shepletely ignored Lee Tae-Yeon and immediately had Miso start performing the role of Princess Yu-Hwa. Oh Bok-Hee addressed the three child actors. -Alright. Let''s see how much you''ve improved, shall we? -Yes, ma''am! -Alright, let''s start with Scene 22. Miso, are you ready? -Yes. Miso slowly closed her eyes. Recognizing that Miso was trying to immerse herself in the role, Oh Bok-Hee waited for a moment. After a brief pause, Oh Bok-Hee shouted in a loud voice. -Ready~ Action! At that instant, Miso''s eyes shot open and she began delivering a performance unlike anything we had ever seen before. My eyes widened. ''What... what is this?'' The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 374: Evolution (2)

Chapter 374: Evolution (2)

Scene 22 took ce the day after the sh between the subordinates of the princesses, which happened due to the prophecy that two princesses would die if one of them ascended the throne as queen. This was the scene where the three princesses first recognized each other as enemies and it yed a key role in driving the early part of the drama. The role of the eldest, Jung-Hwa, was yed by Yang Yi-Ji. It seemed like she had undergone special training from her mother, Lee Tae-Yeon, for three days as her lines aimed at Miso wereced with sharp thorns. Her emotions were clearly conveyed and her diction was wless. It was a performance that far exceeded what one would expect from a child actor. At that moment, Miso also showed an equally surprising performance. Her expression was icy cold as she clearly recited her lines. ¡ºWhen the flower of Gyerim blooms fully, the other two flowers will lose their light forever... Is it because of that prophecy that you''re trying to kill me?¡» Her acting restrained anger, but beneath it simmered emotions like a volcanic eruption. Yang Yi-Ji stammered as she was taken aback by how much Miso''s performance had changed in just three days. ¡ºPrincess Yu-Hwa... that''s not what I meant...¡» Miso took a step forward. ¡ºGo ahead. Dare put your hands on my people and I''ll be watching you with my eyes zing!¡» Yang Yi-Ji''s steady acting began to falter as she was overwhelmed by Miso''s intense performance. The fierce hostility in Miso''s delivery made it difficult for Yang Yi-Ji to face her head-on. Miso continued to press Yang Yi-Ji even further with her small frame projecting so much power that her voice echoed throughout the audition room with each line. At that moment, Yang Yi-Ji unconsciously stepped back two paces. Yang Yi-Ji quickly regained herposure and stopped, but it was toote to reverse what had already happened. After confronting Yang Yi-Ji, Miso turned her gaze to Jin Gong-Ju this time. Miso''s eyes were filled with the same fury she had felt toward her enemies, just like Princess Yu-Hwa who had nearly died the night before. It was then that Jin Gong-Ju, mesmerized by Miso''s acting, missed her cue to speak. Oh Bok-Hee who was sitting in the judge''s seat didn''t miss the moment. Only when Oh Bok-Hee made a disappointed expression did Jin Gong-Ju snap back to her senses. Determined not to be outdone, Jin Gong-Ju gathered herself and resumed acting. Her performance had improved significantly from three days earlier, likely due to her immense effort. However, Miso erased Jin Gong-Ju''s performance at once with just a cold smirk. Miso slowly walked toward Jin Gong-Ju with a cold expression. When they were so close their noses almost touched, Miso began to harshly confront her. ¡ºI saw with my own eyes someone dressed in my pce''s attire enter your pce injured. And they never came out again.¡» ¡ºT-that''s...¡» ¡ºThe one who targeted Princess Jung-Hwa and the one who framed me¡ªit was all you, wasn''t it?¡» Miso''s expression as she faced Jin Gong-Ju was as cold as ice. She was radiating the majesty of a queen no one could dare to challenge. At that moment, Oh Bok-Hee called out. -Cut! Good work, everyone! It was clear that Oh Bok-Hee saw no point in continuing the audition further. At the same time, Jin Gong-Ju and Yang Yi-Ji, overwhelmed by Miso''s intense acting, copsed onto the floor. ''It''s over,'' I thought. Even though the audition had ended, Miso continued to re down at the two who had fallen with her gaze sharp and piercing. Seeing this, Oh Bok-Hee called out again with a louder voice this time. -Miso, stop! It''s over! Miso flinched and finally stopped upon hearing Oh Bok-Hee''s booming voice. Simultaneously, tears began streaming down Miso''s face. She had been so deeply immersed in the role that she struggled to snap out of it. The hatred and anger Miso had directed toward her scene partners had been so intense that it left them shaken, but the emotional aftermath was just as powerful. "Yoo-Jin, let''s go in now," I said. "Okay!" There was no need to see any more. Even without further watching, it was clear that Oh Bok-Hee wouldn''t change her mind no matter what other performances she saw. The level of acting Miso had shown just now was something neither Yang Yi-Ji nor Jin Gong-Ju could match. Now, Miso needed to be consoled. Just as I was about to get out of the car, my phone rang. [Caller ID: Oh Bok-Hee] It was as if she had read my mind. I ended the video call with Jung Sang-Bong and answered Oh Bok-Hee''s call. -Mr. Jung, where are you? "I''m in the MBS'' parking lot right now." -Is that so? Thene to the audition room on the seventh floor immediately. "Okay, I''ll bring Yoo-Jin with me." After ending the call, Yoo-Jin and I headed straight to the seventh floor audition room of MBS. *** We walked into the front door to the audition room on the seventh floor of MBS. By this time, Miso had barely managed to escape the character''s hold and was sobbing in Jung Sang-Bong''s arms on stage. Yoo-Jin called out to her, "Miso!" Miso spotted us and ran toward us across the stage. "Mom! Uncle Yoon-Ho!" Tears welled up in Miso''s eyes as she ran. I worried Miso might trip over the hem of the hanbok she was wearing. Sure enough, Miso stepped on the edge of her hanbok. The moment Miso stumbled, I quickly rushed onto the stage and caught her in my arms. Jung Sang-Bong was right behind her and reacted quickly, but I was just a bit faster. Held tightly in my arms, Miso burst into tears. "Uncle Yoon-Ho! Waaah!" Yoo-Jin also climbed onto the stage and started crying too as she asked, "Miso, what''s wrong? Why are you crying?" Still in my arms, Miso reached out toward Yoo-Jin this time. "Mom!" Yoo-Jin embraced Miso and gently soothed her. Meanwhile, Oh Bok-Hee announced to Yang Yi-Ji and Jin Gong-Ju that the roles had been decided. "Yi-Ji, you''re confirmed for Princess Jung-Hwa. Gong-Ju, you''ll be Princess Do-Hwa. Let''s meet at the production presentation, okay?" Yang Yi-Ji nodded without protest as she understood that her skills couldn''t measure up to Miso''s. That''s when Lee Tae-Yeon, seated in the audience, suddenly stood up. Lee Tae-Yeon red at Yoo-Jin, Miso, and me. Her eyes zed with anger over her daughter''s defeat. "Team Lead Kim, bring Yi-Ji here." "Yes, ma''am." Kim Jun, the talent agent from TK Entertainment, escorted Yang Yi-Ji down. As soon as her daughter came down, Lee Tae-Yeon grabbed her hand and stormed out of the audition room. Jin Gong-Ju also left with the nanny who had apanied her. Only then did Oh Bok-Hee approach me. "Mr. Jung... what on earth did you do to Miso?" There was only one answer I could give. "Ms. Choi Ji-Yung gave her a one-point lesson." "No matter how much of a one-point lesson it was, Miso''s acting was..." "Isn''t this what you wanted?" Oh Bok-Hee nodded. "Yes, it is... but I still can''t wrap my head around it." We couldn''t even ask Miso because she was still crying. Hence, there was only one way to satisfy her curiosity. "Actually, I don''t know all the details either. You should ask Ms. Choi Ji-Yung yourself." "Could you call her for me?" When I made the call, Choi Ji-Yung picked up almost immediately. -Mr. Jung~? "Ms. Choi, this is PD Oh Bok-Hee. You''re on speakerphone, by the way." -Ah, yes. It''s been a while, Mrs. Oh. "Miso''s audition just ended, and I have some questions." -What''s the result? "You already know, don''t you..." -So she passed. "Yes, but I''m curious and also a bit concerned." Oh Bok-Hee was worried that Miso''s powerful performance might have been a fluke. She was unsure if Miso could deliver that same level of intensity again when the shoot began. Choi Ji-Yung burst intoughter. -Don''t worry. That was already the third time Miso''s performed that way. Choi Ji-Yung then began to exin what had happened during training. *** Choi Ji-Yung said she gave Miso only one specific scenario: she asked her to close her eyes and imagine that her mom and Uncle Yoon-Ho were gone. She told Miso to imagine that she was left alone in this world and she told her to open her eyes. Then, she told Miso to think that the person she saw in front of her was the one who had killed us. Choi Ji-Yung exined that she instructed Miso to express exactly how that felt without holding anything back. The only reminder was to never forget that Miso''s character was still a princess. The reason Yoo-Jin and I couldn''t be present at the audition was to avoid breaking Miso''s immersion in the scene. At that moment, Han Woo-Ju chimed in through the speakerphone with a concerned voice. "You had a child actor perform that kind of scenario...?" Choi Ji-Yung quietly responded. -Miso isn''t just any child actor. She''s a genius. "But still. How could you...?" -Miss Han, should we really limit what an actor can do beforehand? Directors have their domain, and actors have theirs. Choi Ji-Yung was directly quoting what Lee Ji-Yeon had once said. Oh Bok-Hee''s eyes sparkled upon hearing Choi Ji-Yung''s words. "Ms. Choi." -Yes, Mrs. Oh? "The role of the second empress, Princess Yu-Hwa''s mother, is still open in Hwaranjeon. Would you be interested in the part?" Choi Ji-Yung was silent for a moment before she asked. -You know how the media and the public stir up controversy every time I''m cast, right? Once a top-tier actress, Choi Ji-Yung had made aeback after publicly revealing her past in a press conference. However, drama forums would explode with negativements whenever she was cast in a new role. Nheless, Oh Bok-Hee didn''t blink an eye. "I''m Oh Bok-Hee. If the acting''s good, I''ll handle the rest." -Well then... How could I refuse? It''s possible to say no to a project picked by Mr. Jung and directed by Mrs. Oh. The second empress, Princess Yu-Hwa''s mother, was a character full of humanity. She was wed, emotional, and sometimes caused trouble for her daughter. It was the kind of role that required significant acting skills to pull off. Han Woo-Ju agreed with Oh Bok-Hee''s choice. With that, Choi Ji-Yung was cast as the second empress. After ending the call with Oh Bok-Hee, Choi Ji-Yung addressed me. -Mr. Jung. "Yes, Ms. Choi Ji-Yung?" -Miso is probably feeling overwhelmed. Please take good care of her. Choi Ji-Yung was asking me to help manage Miso''s emotional recovery after being so deeply immersed in her role. "Don''t worry. Yoo-Jin is alreadyforting her." -Don''t leave it all to Miss Yoo-Jin. You''ll need to make an effort too. Miso was just as terrified of you disappearing as she was of losing her mother. "I understand. I''ll make sure of it." -Good. Let her rest well today and please bring her back tomorrow or the day after. Choi Ji-Yung reassured me she would help Miso process the remaining emotions before ending the call. Now that Oh Bok-Hee realized Miso''s ster performance wasn''t a one-off thing, she gave Miso a thumbs up. "Miso, great job. Your acting has really improved." Miso slowly nodded in Yoo-Jin''s arms. Her eyes were still filled with tears, indicating she hadn''t fully escaped from the deep emotional state. At times like this, it was a talent agent''s job to lift the actor''s spirits. I gave a bright smile and scooped Miso into my arms. "Miso, how about we go have some gamjatang with me today?" I suggested going to the same gamjatang ce we had gone to the day I saved Miso after traveling back in time. At that moment, a small smile appeared on Miso''s face. "And noodles...?" "Of course, we''ll get all the noodles you want." Miso sniffled and held up two fingers. "Two... servings!" Having defeated all her strongpetitors and secured the role of the child version of Princess Yu-Hwa, Miso had one request as her reward: gamjatang. ''Then of course I''ll get her as much gamjatang as she wants,'' I remarked inwardly. "Okay! Today''s the day we get everything Miso wants!" A shy smile began to spread across Miso''s tear-streaked face. *** The day after Miso''s final audition, I went to work and gathered Team Jung to share the news that Miso had been cast as the lead. The team members were unsurprised, saying they knew it would happen and hadn''t been worried at all. However, there was an issue over the weekend. I had been so busy that I wasn''t able to attend Cherry Blossom''seback stage. "Are the girls upset?" I asked. Do Ran-Hee nodded. "Yes, especially Sae-Ri. She''s really upset." Cherry Blossom''seback song, ''My First Love Story,'' took first ce yesterday. "Were there any run-ins with Cha Do-Hee?" "No. There were no issues thanks to the entire Singer Division 2 following them around. Plus, Sae-Ri''s grandparents being there definitely helped a lot." "That''s a relief." Girlfriends7 had won third ce upon debuting. Hearing that there had been no conflict between one of their members, Cha Do-Hee, and Sae-Ri was reassuring. Still, I couldn''t just let things slide like nothing happened. "We''ll have to properly n Sae-Ri''s birthday party next week. Let''s all work on the event." Sae-Ri''s birthday was on October 30. That would be the perfect time to give her a gift and formally apologize. As we were wrapping up the meeting, my phone rang. [Caller ID: Jo Min-Sung] ''Just as expected.'' "Who''s calling?" "It''s Mr. Jo Min-Sung." "Mr. Jung, do you think he''s calling to join our team?" The eyes of every team member lit up with anticipation. "Well, we''ll find out soon enough." Jo Min-Sung had followed my advice and met directly with Vice Chairman Lee Tae-Jun to secure a renewal of his contract. His new contract included 15 billion won per year, a custom-tuned car, and tickets to international motor shows. Lee Tae-Jun also extended Jo Min-Sung''s contract for five years as an apology for the mess caused by the new director. When I picked up the phone, Jo Min-Sung spoke with a satisfied voice. -Mr. Jung, I think it''s time we had a serious talk about our rtionship. I couldn''t help but smile. If Jo Min-Sung wanted to talk, it could only mean he was thinking about switching management teams. "Of course." -Are you free right now? I''m at thepany. How about we meet in the meeting room on the seventh floor?" "Yes, sir." The seventh-floor meeting room was reserved for executives. Ready to bring Hoop Entertainment''s top star Jo Min-Sung into my team, I headed to the seventh floor. Chapter 375: Crack

Chapter 375: Crack

When I entered the meeting room on the seventh floor, Jo Min-Sung sat at the table and waited for me with a bright smile. Next to him, Bang Sang-Yung sat with a gloomy expression. Across from them sat Kang Gam-Chan and Kang Ji-Yung, both showing the brightest expressions I had seen since traveling back in time. Jo Min-Sung waved as he greeted me. "Team Lead Jung. Pleasee and sit." "I heard the contract has been sessfully finalized," I said. Jo Min-Sung chuckled. "Haha, it seems word has already gotten around." After exchanging some pleasantries, I took my seat. Kang Gam-Chan looked at me with a satisfied smile. "You may have already guessed, but Mr. Jo Min-Sung wants to work with you, Team Lead Jung. What do you think? Can you take it on?" As expected, the purpose of this meeting was to discuss moving Jo Min-Sung''s management to Team Jung. "I would be honored. Supporting Mr. Jo Min-Sung is basically like helping Hoop Entertainment grow, wouldn''t you agree?" Jo Min-Sung nodded with a satisfied expression. "In that sense...I''d like to be managed under Team Jung from now on." The annual revenue Jo Min-Sung generated alone was around 20 billion won. Once he joined Team Jung, it would make our team the highest revenue generator among all departments. At that moment, Bang Sang-Yung''s phone began to ring. "Could you at least keep it on vibrate?" Kang Gam-Chan chided him. Bang Sang-Yung bowed his head apologetically as he answered his phone. "Excuse me for a moment." However, when Bang Sang-Yung answered the call, his face suddenly lit up. "Yes, Mr. Choi. We''re on the seventh floor!" ''Mr. Choi? Could it be...?'' I wondered. Bang Sang-Yung hung up and replied boldly, "Mr. Kang. President Choi Man-Sik has gathered the opinions of our shareholders and is on his way here." As expected, this wasn''t going to be simple. Jo Min-Sung''s position at Hoop Entertainment was more than just a high-earning actor: he was thepany''s gship star. The team he was on would effectively be Hoop Entertainment''s representation. Choi Man-Sik hade to stop this from happening. Momentster, Choi Man-Sik entered the meeting room and interrupted the discussion. "I''m sorry, but I''d like you to dy transferring Mr. Jo Min-Sung''s management team. This is something major shareholder Mr. Choi Eun-Tae agrees on as well." Unaware that Kang Gam-Chan, Choi Eun-Tae, and I were on the same side, Choi Man-Sik was confidently using Choi Eun-Tae''s name. Kang Gam-Chan frowned. "President Choi, appearing like this out of nowhere is not proper conduct. Besides, I am thepany president. I hold the authority over personnel decisions, so enough of this!" "I''m not here to undermine your authority, sir. I''m just asking for three months. Please, just dy the transfer for three months." Kang Gam-Chan tilted his head. "Three months?" "Yes, only until Team Lead Jung''s chief promotion takes effect. That would at least maintain Director Bang Sang-Yung''s reputation as well as the morale of the remaining staff in Actor Division 1. Don''t you think so?" It wasn''t a request more than a demand. However, it was hard to refuse, especially since it was only for three months. Nheless, I knew Choi Man-Sik''s intentions¡ªhe wanted to buy time in hopes that he could somehow get Jo Min-Sung back in the meantime. Just as expected, Choi Man-Sik began coaxing Jo Min-Sung. "Mr. Min-Sung, I''m not asking you not to go. I''m just asking you to wait about three months. Your schedule is packed through the beginning of next year anyway, isn''t it?" "That''s true, but..." "So go ahead and work with Team Lead Jung as needed. But let''s hold off on the management transfer for about three months. If you leave Actor Division 1 now before Chief Choi has even settled in, how is he supposed to manage the department?" Choi Eun-Seok, who had just be Chief of Actor Division 1, had worked behind the scenes with Jo Min-Sung for a long time. By mentioning this connection, Choi Man-Sik was asking Jo Min-Sung to help him save face. ''You''re pretty sharp, Choi Man-Sik,'' I thought. With this, Jo Min-Sung had no choice but to at least consider Choi Man-Sik''s request. Jo Min-Sung nodded. "Fine, three months. But don''t go back on thister." "Of course not!" Choi Man-Sik then looked at me. "Team Lead Jung, is this eptable to you too?" I nodded. "Let''s proceed as you''ve suggested." Kang Gam-Chan looked at me as if to ask why I wasn''t putting up a fight. However, right now, just getting Jo Min-Sung''s consent to transfer teams was enough. Top stars were people with no need topromise. If I tried to go against his decision now, it could easily backfire. Still, I had no intention of just sitting back and waiting. ''It won''t go as you think, President Choi Man-Sik,'' I remarked inwardly. When Jo In-Sung agreed, Choi Man-Sik pped his hands to shift the focus of the room. "Mr. Kang, it seems we''vee to a decision. Would you mind if I borrow Team Lead Jung for a moment? There''s something I need to discuss with him urgently." "Go ahead." With permission granted, Choi Man-Sik suggested we head to Bang Sang-Yung''s office¡ªjust the two of us. *** Choi Man-Sik sat in the main chair and propped his feet up on the table in an empty office. "Living quite a busy life, aren''t you? Anytime there''s a stir in thepany, it''s always your name thates up." "I suppose that''s what happens when you work hard," I replied nonchntly. "Working hard, huh... If you keep going at this rate, you might just swallow up the wholepany." There was a definite edge to his words, but they weren''t exactly wrong. After all, I was indeed trying to shake up things by drawing in A-ss talent from Actor Division 3 along with Jo Min-Sung. "But what did you need to see me about?" I asked. Choi Man-Sik stared at me intently and asked, "What exactly are you counting on to be acting so recklessly? Do you have backing from those guys under Kang Eun-Gi? I heard you''re friends." When he mentioned Kang Eun-Gi''s name, I almost reacted without thinking. The nerve of him mentioning Kang Eun-Gi after trying to kill him was making me furious. However, I suppressed my emotions and replied him calmly. "What''s the problem if someone from Reverse Entertainment is helping me? They''re just childhood friends anyway." Seeing that he was sure of my connection to Kang Eun-Gi, Choi Man-Sik''s lips curled slightly. "Is that so? Well, it would be best to tone it down a bit, even if you''re confident in their support. Kang Eun-Gi was almost killed in a hospital attack, you know. And there''s no guarantee that won''t happen again, right?" The implication was clear: once Kang Eun-Gi was taken out, I would have no one left to rely on. Knowing this was Choi Man-Sik''s way of trying to intimidate me, I answered calmly. "I''ll think it over." "Yes, think carefully. If you want longevity, you have to be prudent." However, I had my own reason foring along so easily. "By the way, do you know how Chief Kim Dong-Soo is doing these days?" Choi Man-Sik tilted his head in curiosity. "Why bring up the suspended Chief Kim?" ''So he really doesn''t know,'' I thought. Then it was time to nt a seed of doubt. I continued, "There''s a rumor going around that Chief Kim has aligned himself with someone other than you, Mr. Choi. Haven''t you heard?" Choi Eun-Tae had personally engaged people to investigate and found out that Choi Man-Sik wasn''t paying attention to Kim Dong-Soo. In other words, Kim Dong-Soo''s recent meeting with Jiang Wei and Colonel Baek was his own doing. Choi Man-Sik''s face shifted as he processed this unexpected turn. "What kind of nonsense are you ying at?" "What do you mean nonsense?" "Do you think I''d believe such baseless nder?" "You''ll find out the truth soon enough, so why would I lie about it?" Choi Man-Sik''s face twisted. It seemed like I had seeded in nting a seed of doubt. ''Using one force to strike another.'' From now on, there was no way the suspicious Choi Man-Sik would believe Kim Dong-Soo outright even if he tried to exin himself and give excuses. Hoping they would end up at each other''s throats, I stood up and said, "If there''s nothing else, I''ll be on my way. I have a lot to do." The moment I turned to leave, Choi Man-Sik red at me. "Team Lead Jung, let me give you a warning." "Go ahead." "Even my patience has limits. Watch yourself." Neither Kim Dong-Soo nor Choi Man-Sik were people I could work with long-term. The world I envisioned had no ce for the two of them. "I''ll give it careful thought." After replying to him and leaving his office, I immediately instructed Lee Yung-Jin to spread the word across Hoop Entertainment that Jo Min-Sung was confirmed to join Team Jung next year. People often said that the way things were phrased made all the difference. Instead of saying that Jo Min-Sung would transfer in three months, I stirred things up by rephrasing it strategically. As expected, inquiries from actors and talent agents about transferring to different teams began pouring in right away. Even with the three-month condition, the fact that Jo Min-Sung wasing to Team Jung was enough to shake things up. At that moment, everyone in thepany began recognizing me as the real power within Hoop Entertainment. *** With the rumor circting that Jo Min-Sung would soon be transferring to Team Jung, the morale among talent agents in Actor Division 3 was plummeting. "Hey. At this rate, won''t Team Jung end up taking over everything?" "What''s Mr. Bang doing, anyway? Is he just going to sit and watch this happen?" "Seriously, this is not the time to worry about Actor Division 1. I heard some of Actor Division 3''s actors are thinking of moving over to Team Jung too." "There''s even talk that Actor Sung Han-Yung is considering a transfer to Team Jung." "Hey! I''ve been with Han-Yung hyung for four years. I don''t even know about it, but how do you know?" At that moment, Choi Man-Sik entered. "You fucking idiots. Letting one person like Team Lead Jung''s lead manipte you..." Choi Man-Sik''s rebuke shut everyone up immediately. Given that most of Actor Division 3''s actors came from Suhyaejong, Choi Man-Sik held even more sway over them than Kang Gam-Chan did. "I''ll handle that troublemaker, Jung Yoon-Ho. So you all just do your jobs properly and stop getting any funny ideas!" Choi Man-Sik yelled. "Yes, sir!" Choi Man-Sik publicly dered that the shareholders from Suhyaejong opposed this decision. However, even with his intervention, those who had already taken Jung Yoon-Ho''s bait couldn''t change their minds. The fact that the shareholders had to involve themselves so urgently showed just how much Jung Yoon-Ho''s influence had grown. As the talent agents returned to their tasks, Choi Man-Sik called Ju Ho-Sung in. Ju Ho-Sung quickly came over and bowed. "Follow me," said Choi Man-Sik as he led Ju Ho-Sung to Kim Dong-Soo''s office. Thud. The door closed and Choi Man-Sik took the main seat on the sofa. "Go on. Report!" After a brief hesitation, Ju Ho-Sung finally spoke. "About 10% of the actors and talent agents in Actor Division 3 are considering leaving." "Not as many as I expected." "But if you focus on A-ss actors, around 30% have expressed their intent to leave along with their talent agents." Choi Man-Sik''s face twisted in frustration. "What the hell have you been doing with actor management? With Kim Dong-Soo away, you should be handling this properly!" Ju Ho-Sung tried to exin. "Team Lead Jung acted faster than we anticipated. If it hadn''t been for Mr. Bang''s swift response, it could have been worse. Over half of them might have left." The impact was worse than expected. Choi Man-Sik held his throbbing head and asked, "So what percentage of Actor Division 3 do you control?" Ju Ho-Sung swallowed nervously. "I''ve secured about half of the actors in Actor Division 3... but the rest aren''t budging. It seems Chief Kim took some separate measures." Choi Man-Sik had always been disappointed in Kim Dong-Soo''s performance. However, he now realized that Kim Dong-Soo had nheless managed to restrain Jung Yoon-Ho to a certain extent. If things were to continue as they were, there was a risk of losing everything tied to Hoop Entertainment before Kim Dong-Soo returned. Determined, Choi Man-Sik decided to make a bold move. "Team Lead Ju. We''re about to announce that three films, each with a production budget of 10 billion won, will be funded by Future Imagination Savings Bank. Get those top actors on board by promising them key roles." Ju Ho-Sung''s face brightened a bit, but it wasn''t enough to turn the situation around. When Ju Ho-Sung expressed his concerns, Choi Man-Sik responded, "Alright. In that case, start scouting forpanies we could acquire. But make sure they have a lot of Suhyaejong alumni." Choi Man-Sik was realizing he would need a new game n to counter the growing influence of Jung Yoon-Ho. He decided that acquiring apany and stacking it with Suhyaejong line people would be the only way to rebnce the scale Jung Yoon-Ho had tipped. However, there was still the issue of managing the influx of new recruits. No one seemed fit for the role. ''In the end, it still has to be Kim Dong-Soo...'' Choi Man-Sik thought. Choi Man-Sik couldn''t think of anyone other than Kim Dong-Soo who was suitable for managing the entertainment side. After all, Ju Ho-Sung was still too inexperienced and Bang Sang-Yung wasn''t fully aligned with their side. At that moment, a seed of doubt Jung Yoon-Ho had nted began to stir in his mind. Choi Man-Sik looked at Ju Ho-Sung and asked just in case, "Team Lead Ju, there''s a rumor going around that Chief Kim has found other backers. Do you know anything about that?" "Pardon? Who would say such a thing..." "Team Lead Jung mentioned it." Ju Ho-Sung bristled, "Do you believe him?" "No, but I figured you might have heard something." "No, sir. Chief Kim wouldn''t do something like that unless he''d lost his mind." Choi Man-sik paused to think. ''He might have lost it.'' Then, he reluctantly nodded. "Alright, but keep an eye on him if you want to keep your position." "Yes, of course." With that, Choi Man-Sik took a few checks from his pocket. "Take the team out tonight for a nice dinner. Right now, it''s important to keep the team in line more than ever." The five checks given were each worth a million won. Impressed by Choi Man-Sik''s generosity, Ju Ho-Sung bowed deeply. "Thank you, President!" Choi Man-Sik waved him off, signaling for him to leave. Ju Ho-Sung bowed once more and closed the door behind him. Thud. As the door shut, Choi Man-Sik leaned back into the sofa. "Damn it... why is everything so tangled up?" Choi Man-Sik felt like he was sinking into quicksand. Out of all his ventures, this entertainment business was the only one that wouldn''t go his way as if someone were reading his every move and blocking him. Nheless, he had no intention to give up. After all, this venture was growing faster than any of his others like a goose thatid golden eggs¡ªa goose he was determined to own. With a sigh, Choi Man-Sik looked over at the namete on Kim Dong-Soo''s desk. "If you''ve betrayed me, you''re dead, Kim Dong-Soo." The seed of suspicion Jung Yoon-Ho had nted was beginning to sprout faster than ever. Chapter 376: Go Jae-Soo (1)

Chapter 376: Go Jae-Soo (1)

After Choi Man-Sik left thepany, Gu Seong-Cheol called the team leads of Actor Division 2 into his office. Gu Seong-Cheol patted me on the shoulder with pride andplimented me generously. "I had my doubts, but you''ve finally managed to bring in Jo Min-Sung. You''ve really done well, Yoon-Ho." I replied with a grin. "He''s still three months away from officially joining us, though." "But it''s practically a done deal, isn''t it? Min-Sung isn''t one to reverse a decision once he''s made up his mind¡ªhe''s too proud for that." The other team leads eagerly echoed Gu Seong-Cheol''s sentiment. "Mr. Gu. Right now, Director Bang''s group and the Actor Division 1 team are practically in mourning. They used to brush us off saying we only handle supporting actors, and they used to act so superior." "Same goes for Actor Division 3. They''ve beenpletely dazed ever since they heard Song Ji-Hwan and Sung Han-Yung areing over to Actor Division 2." Gu Seong-Cheol burst outughing, and everyone celebrated my sess as if it were their own. After a moment, Park In-Ki smiled faintly and spoke up. "Mr. Gu, I think it''s time you told us why you gathered us here." Gu Seong-Cheol stoppedughing and cleared his throat before speaking, "Actually... I called everyone here to see if there was anything we could do to support you, Yoon-Ho." I had only thought about taking care of Actor Division 2, so the thought that I might receive help hadn''t even crossed my mind. However, such a stance of mine must have made Gu Seong-Cheol and the other sunbaes of Actor Division 2 feel apologetic toward me. Their willingness to help me without jealousy or envy truly touched me. It was the moment I felt more confident in my choice to stand by Actor Division 2 ever since I traveled back in time. That''s when one request came to mind. "If that''s the case, could I ask one thing?" I replied. Gu Seong-Cheol tapped his chest firmly and replied, "Of course, you can ask anything you want. Just say it." "Then I''d like to ask for your help in preparing for the year-end awards ceremony." Gu Seong-Cheol tilted his head. "Whose awards ceremony?" "Yoo-Jin, Tae-Poong, Miso, Ha-Na, Haru, and Cherry Blossom''s." "So everyone except Sung Ho-Jun?" "Yes. Mr. Ho-Jun will probably have to wait until next year, but the rest should have no issues winning as long as we prepare well." Gu Seong-Cheol looked around at the team leads with a bright smile. "This is true. With Actors Jang Jun-Hyuk and Park Eun-Sung under Team Lead Park and Team Lead Ju''s management having barely worked this year... there''s no one to really push from Actor Division 2 except for Team Jung''s members." "Exactly." "So everyone, what do you think? Shall we pool our efforts for the first time in a while?" A lot of work went into preparing for an awards ceremony. Apart from fan votes which reflected general poprity, the votes from industry insiders and reporters were also crucial. In other words, connections yed a significant role and that''s why sometimes there were results that were hard for the public to understand. We would need to lobby fans, reporters, and broadcast staff for votes as early as a month before the ceremony. However, this wasn''t something I could manage alone. If the celebrities under my management missed out on awards due to thepany''sck of preparation after all the hard work my actors put in this year, I wouldn''t be able to ept that. "Yoon-Ho''s been working so hard this year. Of course, we should help him." "I''m in favor." The team leads once again showed their enthusiasm as if they were celebrating their own achievements. Feeling the warmth of their support, I decided to share a n I had been considering: a n to expand Actor Division 2. Once I branch off with Park In-Ki to form my own division in the near future, Actor Division 2 would shrink back to its previous state of managing only supporting actors. I couldn''t let those who valued me return to their former neglected position. "Mr. Gu. Since we''re on the topic, there''s something I''d like to discuss." "Go ahead. Say what''s on your mind." "Well...I was wondering if you could help develop the actors I''ll be recruiting in the future within Actor Division 2." "Huh? Once you''re promoted to Chief, you''ll be busy enough growing your own team. Why would you pass them on to us?" "Because there''ll be quite a few of them." At that moment, Oh Duk-Gu realized what I meant. "It looks like Yoon-Ho here is nning to pull over any actors he can from Actor Divisions 1 and 3." Gu Seong-Cheol''s eyes widened as he looked at me. "Is that true?" I nodded. The soon-to-be-formed Division Jung wouldn''t have enough talent agents to manage all the actors. Plus, I was nning to recruit additional actors externally, so I thought of transferring most actors from Actor Divisions 1 and 3 over to Division 2. My division would operate as a small and specialized team, while Actor Division 2 would expand in scale. That way, we could support each other. Nheless , I was a bit cautious about this idea, fearing I might hurt my sunbaes'' pride. After all, it would seem like I was handing everything to them on a silver tter. However, I was mistaken. Park In-Ki let out a heartyugh. "As expected. Team Lead Jung surely knows how to take care of his sunbaes." Gu Seong-Cheol also smiled warmly. "Our youngest has been worrying so much about this ipetent Chief. Haha, look at that..." Watching Gu Seong-Cheolugh so heartily, I quickly lowered my head. "I''m sorry, Mr. Gu." Gu Seong-Cheol waved it off. "There''s no need for apologies! If anything, it''s us who should be sorry for making you worry so much." Even Oh Duk-Gu and Ju Yung-Hoon looked apologetic instead of feeling offended. They said that if they had been more capable, I wouldn''t have had to worry about such things. Since I traveled back in time, I''ve felt more than ever that deciding to stand by Actor Division 2 was the best choice I could have made. It felt reassuring to know that I had such steadfast allies no matter the situation. Gu Seong-Cheol straightened up and said, "Understood. We''ll take on that responsibility. We''ll help them grow and be a strength for you." "Thank... you." "There''s no need for thanks. Really, it''s us who should be thanking you." Gu Seong-Cheol burst intoughter, saying that Actor Division 2 might soon have the highest status within thepany thanks to me. "Then shall we have a gathering tonight?" Gu Seong-Cheol suggested. I replied, "I''ll treat everyone." With a smile, Gu Seong-Cheol shook his head slowly. "Yoon-Ho, this is a time when the Chief should pay. And don''t be too quick to step out of my care. Until you go independent, you''re still my team lead." From Gu Seong-Cheol''s words, I could sense his deep regret about my eventual departure from Actor Division 2. My heart felt heavy, but I responded firmly. "Yes, Mr. Gu! I''ll keep relying on you until I leave!" Gu Seong-Cheol patted his chest proudly. "Good! And even if my wife scolds me, I''ll hold on until the end of the year! Don''t worry." Two months remained until I got my own division. Part of me wished time would slow down before Team Jung''s official independence to a division. *** The gathering ended with our first stop at a pork belly restaurant. Since everyone had ns the next day, we reced alcohol with c and cider. As I turned into a residential alley in Cheonho-dong, the light from a streemp poured through the open driver''s side window. The cold wind stung my face, but my heart was warm, still basking in the kindness my sunbaes in Actor Division 2 had shown. After greeting the security guards patrolling near my home, I parked in the garage. Since it was 10 p.m., Miso¡¯s bedtime, I quietly headed to the third floor. However, as I passed the stairs on the second floor, I heard the door open. Dressed in her Powertuff Girls pajamas, Miso rubbed her eyes and ran over to hug me. I could feel the soft fluff of her pajamas. Nestled in my arms, Miso looked up and blinked as she asked, "Uncle Yoon-Ho, why did youe home sote?" "There was a lot of work at thepany today. But why aren''t you asleep? Were you waiting for me?" Miso nodded. "Yes! I wanted to say goodnight to you!" That''s when Yoo-Jin, wearing white pajamas, walked out of her room and gently patted Miso''s small head. "Miso was waiting up saying she wouldn''t sleep until she saw you." Miso hugged me even tighter without a word. At that moment, I understood why Miso was acting this way. As Choi Ji-Yung had mentioned, ever since Miso immersed herself in the character of Princess Yu-Hwa from Hwaranjeon, she hadn''t fully shaken off its emotional impact. Imagining Yoo-Jin and me disappearing must have unsettled Miso so much that sometimes she even woke up in the middle of the night. Although we were scheduled to see Choi Ji-Yung for therapy tomorrow, I wanted to do what I could before then. I gently pulled Miso back and swept aside her messy hair. "Miso, I''m not going anywhere. I''ll always be by your side and we''ll be together." Miso looked directly into my eyes and asked, "Really?" I nodded. "Of course. No matter where I am, I''lle right to you whenever you want to see me." ''Even if it means going back in time again...'' I silently remarked. My response, filled with all my sincerity, seemed to satisfy Miso, as she smiled and lifted her pinky finger. "Promise...?" I hooked my pinky finger with Miso''s and answered, "Promise!" Miso''s face began to light up with a big smile. "Alright, now it''s time for good kids to go to sleep, right?" Holding Yoo-Jin''s hand, Miso waved at me. "Goodnight, Uncle Yoon-Ho! Bye-bye~" The little girl who had radiated charisma as Princess Yu-Hwa, the second princess of Gyerim, was returning to her innocent self as she left behind some of the darkness in her heart. *** The moment I woke up early in the morning, I immediately checked my nner out of habit. Thankfully, there was nothing unusual on the agenda for the members of Team Jung today. Feeling relieved, I moved on to the entertainment news section. [Beyond the Boundary surpasses 12 million viewers!] [Anticipation builds for Lee Tae-Poong''s uing film, Jiri Mountain!] ''It''s time to bring Go Jae-Soo on board,'' I thought. The 34-year-old Go Jae-Soo was a viin role specialist who had risen to prominence with an unforgettable performance in my past life. Three years from now, he would y the role of Choi Jung-Woo, a serial killer hunting the protagonist in the horror film, Chamber of Blood, a role that would showcase the performance of a lifetime and draw significant attention. His striking appearance, intense gaze, slender frame, and unique, deep voice marked him as a standout in my past life. With his exceptional character interpretation and in-depth script analysis, he created a character that surpassed the director''s vision, transforming into a premium supporting actor who shook off the frustrations of his earlier obscurity. Today, I was setting out to recruit this very actor. As the casting director for Jiri Mountain, I would be responsible for confirming the role of the psychopathic killer in this horror-thriller. After a quick shower, I called the talent agents to track down Go Jae-Soo''s current location. In less than thirty minutes, I learned that Go Jae-Soo was currently in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province to y a minor role in a reenactment show called Real Situations 24. The show aired every Thursday and he was appearing as an extra, earning a daily rate of 10 thousand won. Surprisingly, he had gone to Ilsan alone without a talent agent. "They didn''t even think it was worth sending a talent agent so they let him go on his own?" I muttered. I felt a sh of anger, but quickly realized this could work in my favor for recruitment. After gathering my things, I headed swiftly to the filming site in Ilsan. *** At Brother Galbi located in Gyeonggi-do Ilsan, the KBC Real Situations 24 production team was setting up an out-of-business barbecue restaurant as a filming location. With a packed schedule and so many people bustling around, no one seemed to notice me. I nced around and saw that Lee Ju-Hwan, the PD in charge, was discussing the storyboard with the lead actors. In the meantime, the on-site management was left to his assistant director, Yang Hyun-Jong. "What''s with that window? It looks haunted! Call the repair service now!" "Hey! You, the production team''s rookie! What''s the deal with that sign we ordered? Why isn''t it here yet?" "I just checked and they''re about ten minutes away. They''ll be here soon." With the restaurant closed for six months, there were countless things to fix and redo. "We need everything set by eleven! Hurry up!" Yang Hyun-Jong was notorious for treating staff and lesser-known actors harshly, often resorting to insults or even physical aggression if things didn''t go his way. Since my only goal was to recruit Go Jae-Soo, I had no intention of crossing paths with him. After all, he was one of those broadcasting bigwigs who threw his weight around. ''More than that, where is Go Jae-Soo?'' I wondered. Soon enough, I spotted Go Jae-Soo crouched alone in a corner of the set as he hunched over his script. ''There he is.'' With his sharp features and hollow eyes, Go Jae-Soo''s prominent cheekbones revealed how exhausted he was on his face. As a minor actor constantly at risk of being let go, he seemed stressed and had lost weight. It was unfortunate, but luckily, his look was perfect for the role of Oh Myung-Jin, the psychopath character in Jiri Mountain. Just then, one of the staff members yelled in Go Jae-Soo''s direction. "Hey, you over there! Move another table over there." "Yes, sir!" Go Jae-Soo sprang up and walked over to therge barrel-like table with a wide round top where the staff pointed toward. In underfunded productions like this, bit-part actors often helped out with crew work to stay in the good graces of the team and avoid being cut. At that moment, the table slipped from Go Jae-Soo''s grasp and fell to the ground. Thud. It sounded like the drum was filled with something heavy. As the loud noise rang out, Yang Hyun-Jong scowled and stormed over. "Hey! If the equipment gets damaged, are you going to pay for it?" In an instant, Go Jae-Soo immediately hung his head, looking as if he hadmitted a grave offense. "I''m sorry, Mr. Yang!" he quickly apologized "You''re sorry? Is that all? Damn it. I only let you stay because you begged me to let you stay on set saying you''d do anything for the role. But just look how useless you are! You even broke something earlier, didn''t you? That''s it. Get out!" "S-sorry, sir. I''ll pay for everything!" "I don''t care! Just get lost!" I had intended to stay in the background until filming wrapped. However, the moment Go Jae-Soo started bowing over and pleading, the ¡°Hot-Headed Jung Yoon-Ho¡± in me began to emerge. Chapter 377: Go Jae-Soo (2)

Chapter 377: Go Jae-Soo (2)

The actor I had in mind for the role of the psychopath, Oh Myung-Jin, in Jiri Mountain was Go Jae-Soo. Go Jae-Soo could not stand up for himself and endured unfair treatment from AD Yang Hyun-Jong on set. This was because he had spent six years at TK Entertainment with only minor and supporting roles, which eroded his confidence. He was not only gued by the fear of losing his roles but also burdened with the reality of making a living. The weight of reality was crushing his acting dreams. Nheless, Go Jae-Soo could deliver a ster performance with the right role and encouragement. I shouted at Yang Hyun-Jong who was berating Go Jae-Soo as useless. "Mr. Yang, don''t you think you''re being a bit harsh to the actor?" As I raised my voice, Yang Hyun-Jong snapped back irritably. "And who are you, huh?" Some of the staff on set recognized me, but Yang Hyun-Jong did not. "I''m a talent agent." "Talent agent? Oh, so the agency finally assigned him a talent agent, huh? Well, tell your actor he doesn''t need toe back tomorrow. Honestly, these nobodies act as if they''re something." Go Jae-Soo''s face turned pale at the sudden dismissal. "Mr. Yang, please, I..." Yang Hyun-Jong interrupted Go Jae-Soo before he could finish. "I only hired you because you imed you''d do anything for a role, and now you backstab me? Hey! Don''t let me see your face at this studio ever again, got it?" As Go Jae-Soo looked downcast and tried to bow again, I quickly grabbed his arm and spoke up. "I''m not Mr. Go Jae-Soo''s talent agent. I''m Jung Yoon-Ho, the team lead of Hoop Entertainment and talent agent of Lee Tae-Poong. I''m also the casting director for LT Entertainment''s uing film Jiri Mountain." A buzz rippled through the set. Some might not know who I was, but everyone knew Jiri Mountain: the next project of the industry''s hottest actor, Lee Tae-Poong. The fact that I was a casting director of Jiri Mountain meant that I held the authority to assign roles to anyone I wanted. I continued, "I actually came today intending to scout Mr. Go Jae-Soo. And this dismissal seems well-timed. I''ll take Mr. Go Jae-Soo with me then." At that moment, Yang Hyun-Jong shouted, "T-that''s a lie! Since when does a talent agent act as a casting director?" It wasn''t just Yang Hyun-Jong who didn''t seem to believe me. Even Go Jae-Soo looked uncertain about my im. Fortunately, I had a simple solution. I pulled out my phone and called President Shin Jong-Ki, putting it on speakerphone. After two rings, he answered. -Yes, Team Lead Jung. What''s up? "I''m on speakerphone. I called hoping you could confirm something for me." -You need me to confirm something? "Yes, someone here doesn''t believe I''m the casting director for Jiri Mountain." -Huh? Who''s the fool who doesn''t trust Team Lead Jung? Shin Jong-Ki''s booming voice made Yang Hyun-Jong''s face turn red again. "W-who do you think you are to...?" Yang Hyun-Jong replied with irritation. -If you want to know who someone is, shouldn''t you introduce yourself first? Fuming, Yang Hyun-Jong retorted. "Me? I''m KBC''s AD Yang Hyun-Jong!" -Oh, really? I''m Shin Jong-Ki, President of LT Entertainment. Though he seemed skeptical, Yang Hyun-Jong cautiously asked. "A-are you really Mr. Shin...?" -Unless there''s a fake Shin Jong-Ki around. If you''re in doubt,e to ourpany and confirm it yourself. At this, Yang Hyun-Jong began to panic. As president of a major distributor, Shin Jong-Ki was on par with the broadcasting studio''s top executives. In fact, he was known to have connections with broadcasting heads¡ªand just a few words from him could severely hinder Yang Hyun-Jong''s already dyed promotion. "A-ah, no, sir." Yang Hyun-Jong sweated nervously and began to stammer an exnation. Just then, PD Lee Ju-Hwan of Real Situations 24 casually approached us, pretending not to know what was happening. "What''s all the fuss about?" "Well, it''s just that..." When a staff member quickly exined the situation, Lee Ju-Hwan nced at us before harshly turning on Yang Hyun-Jong. "Apologize right now!" "But Mr. Lee!" Yang Hyun-Jong protested. "If you want to make it in this field, you''d better learn to bend a little. How can someone your age not know that?" Lee Ju-Hwan was smart enough to protect his own position. The utterly deted Yang Hyun-Jong mumbled as he lowered his head toward me. "I''m sorry. I didn''t recognize who you were..." "You owe that apology to Mr. Go Jae-Soo, not me," I replied. Yang Hyun-Jong frowned briefly, then bowed his head to Go Jae-Soo. "I''m sorry, Mr. Jae-Soo. I... went too far this time. It''s just that I''ve been under a lot of stresstely." Looking a bit dazed, Go Jae-Soo epted the apology. "N-no, it''s all right." Then I spoke to Shin Jong-Ki while still on the phone over the speakerphone. "Mr. Shin, I''ll talk to Mr. Go Jae-Soo''s agency and get back to you." -Okay. I''ve got no other appointments today, so just call me whenever. "Yes, sir." Silence settled over the set after I ended the call. After all, a powerhouse like Shin Jong-Ki had intervened for Go Jae-Soo, who had been treated worse than the crew. As Yang Hyun-Jong was clearly mentally shaken, I looked at the frowning Lee Ju-Hwan and asked, "Then, may I take Mr. Go Jae-Soo now?" Lee Ju-Hwan nodded. "It seems like things have gotten awkward for both sides. Go ahead." "Thank you, Mr. Lee." I gave a slight bow, then led a stunned Go Jae-Soo away from the set. *** On the way to TK Entertainment, Go Jae-Soo fidgeted nervously in the passenger seat. "U-um, Mr. Jung... shouldn''t I call Mr. Yang to apologize?" "Why is that?" "Well, he is part of the broadcast production team...and we might run into him again." An AD at a broadcast station would eventually be a PD¡ªsomeone with considerable authority over actors. "Don''t worry. You won''t be seeing him anytime soon." Once this film wraps up, Go Jae-Soo will be moving away from TV and exclusively into film work. Once Jiri Mountain was released, I was certain no one would dare to belittle him again. "I can guarantee that no one will take you lightly after this film, Mr. Jae-Soo," I assured him. Having epted taking on the role of the psychopath Oh Myung-Jin in Jiri Mountain, Go Jae-Soo asked cautiously, "Do you really... think that will happen?" "Absolutely." "But why do you believe in me so much...?" ''Why? Because I''ve been through this before in my past life and I know,'' I remarked inwardly. Nheless, I couldn''t say that. Instead, I gave him the exnation I had prepared. "I''ve seen every minor role you''ve yed. I''ve noticed that when you take on intense roles, you have a presence that rivals any lead actor. I value that quality highly." I recounted every character Go Jae-Soo had brought to life since his debut. As I did, Go Jae-Soo lowered his head with his voice small and shaky. "No one... no one''s ever recognized me like this before..." Surprisingly, many supporting actors were tied to their agencies without getting chances to grow. Many actors were initially hired with potential but then sidelined when they were unable to show their abilities. Go Jae-Soo''s words were tinged with that bitter reality. To be honest, I also wouldn''t have made such a bold move if I hadn''t known his future. Investing in a minor actor without an agent was never an easy choice, after all. *** I parked in the public parking lot and headed into the TK Entertainment lobby with Go Jae-Soo. TK Entertainment employees recognized me, and I could hear their murmurs. "Isn''t that Team Lead Jung from Hoop Entertainment?" "Yeah, that''s him. But who''s the guy with him?" "Not sure. Maybe he''s a new talent?" "He looks too scrawny to be a lead, though." Even though Go Jae-Soo was technically a TK Entertainment actor, none of the employees recognized him. Instead, they seemed to think he was beneath the standards of someone under my management. I looked at them. ''I can hear you all!'' I reassured the discouraged Go Jae-Soo and led him to the reception desk. The receptionist recognized me and asked, "Mr. Jung, what brings you here today?" I gestured to Go Jae-Soo. "I came to discuss having Mr. Go Jae-Soo join our uing project." Then, the receptionist wore a troubled expression. "Um, pardon me... but which division is he with?" In the entertainment industry, it wasmon knowledge for reception staff to know all the actors affiliated with theirpany. Yet, even she didn''t know who Go Jae-Soo was. Go Jae-Soo blushed with embarrassment and answered, "I''m...Division 1..." "Division 1?" Division 1 was known to house some of the more prominent actors in TK Entertainment. However, Go Jae-Soo was merely a background actor without any support from a talent agent. The receptionist answered with an apologetic look. "I''ll contact the chief of Division 1. Could you please wait here in the lobby?" "Understood." I led the visibly deted Go Jae-Soo to a seat in the lobby. Employees passing by looked only at me and barely noticed Go Jae-Soo, despite him being one of their own. About five minutes passed before the receptionist approached us again. "The managing director has asked to meet you upstairs. Please follow me." We stood up and followed her to the elevator. Just as we were about to get on, Go Jae-Soo suddenly grabbed my arm and whispered to me, "Mr. Jung. You said my acting was good, right?" "Yes, good enough that I''d like you to join my team." Go Jae-Soo tightly clenched his teeth and said, "Then... could you consider scouting me?" I was hoping he would say it, but actually hearing this directly from the actor made my heart race. "Are you serious?" Go Jae-Soo said pleadingly, saying that he doesn''t care how much he gets paid. "Yes. I don''t want to stay in a ce where people don''t even know my name." Then there was only one answer I could give him. "If you choose to join me, I''ll make sure that everyone in Korea knows the name Go Jae-Soo." At that moment, Go Jae-Soo''s face lit up as he sped my hand. "Yes, Mr. Jung." "But don''t ever lower your pay. That''s part of an actor''s pride and also the pride of the talent agents who support them." Unless an actor was willing to work for free, undervaluing themselves didn''te off as them being humble: it only made people think they were weak. Go Jae-Soo nodded in understanding. ''I''ll have to change my approach now,'' I thought. It wouldn''t be too hard to propose a role for Go Jae-Soo at TK Entertainment, but getting him to leave TK was an entirely different matter. *** On the 12th floor of TK Entertainment, Director Ma Dong-Pal was there waiting for us as soon as we exited the elevator. "Well, you''ve got guts, Team Lead Jung. Do you even know where you are right now?" "It''s been a while, Mr. Ma." "Bullshit. It hasn''t even been that long since west met on set." Then Ma Dong-Pal nced at Go Jae-Soo beside me. "And this here... he''s Go Jae-Soo, right?" "Yes, sir." "Good. Let''s head inside. The president is waiting." It was unheard of for apany president to step in for a minor actor''s casting offer. Then the reason was clear¡ªit was because of me. I stopped and asked, "What''s the point of all this?" Ma Dong-Pal gave a sly grin. "You didn''t know our president has been keeping an eye on you?" The president of TK Entertainment, Kim Tae-Kwon, was once a gangster though officially he had cut ties with his past. However, I knew he was still connected to those circles. He was a real gangster. Now, someone that dangerous wanted to see me in person. The only silver lining was that Director Cheon Yi-Sang, who had it out for me, was away on a business trip. I thought for a moment, but there seemed to be no other way to secure Go Jae-Soo. "Well, I suppose there''s no choice. Lead the way." Ma Dong-Pal smirked. "Alright. Follow me." We followed Ma Dong-Pal down the hall to the president''s office. Click. Ma Dong-Pal opened the dark oak door to TK Entertainment''s president''s office. As it slowly swung open, I saw Kim Tae-Kwon wearing a suit and seated in the highest seat. Though he was old, he maintained a muscr frame, suggesting a strict fitness regimen. "So we finally meet, Team Lead Jung." Given the issues between us over Park Eun-Bin and Petite More, there was no reason for him to like me. Yet Kim Tae-Kwon wore an oddly yful smile. "I''m sure I''m not someone you''re d to see, so thank you for weing me," I replied. "Keeping grudges over past things, are you? Don''t worry. Unlike Director Cheon, I''m a gentleman." The irony of a former gangster calling himself a gentleman wasughable. Chuckling, Kim Tae-Kwon instructed Ma Dong-Pal to bring us tea. "Hahaha. Dong-Pal, make some tea. Yours is the best, after all." "Yes, sir." Ma Dong-Pal moved to the side of the office and began brewing coffee. He stirred the coffee with precision despite hisrge hands. Meanwhile, Kim Tae-Kwon straightened his posture and asked, "So, what brings you here today?" I gestured toward Go Jae-Soo. "I came to offer Mr. Go Jae-Soo a role. I also heard that he has only a few months left on his contract, so I was hoping we might bring him over to ourpany." At that moment, Kim Tae-Kwon broke into a deep smile. "The mighty Jung Yoon-Ho made a move just to recruit a bit-part actor?" Though Kim Tae-Kwon spoke casually, I could see his curiosity grow. Looking back and forth between me and Go Jae-Soo, Kim Tae-Kwon leaned in with a grin. "Well, how much are you offering?" It was clear Kim Tae-Kwon wouldn''t let go of Go Jae-Soo so easily. However, I hadn''te here without a n. I had a hold on one of Kim Tae-Kwon''s weaknesses, just in case. Chapter 378: Go Jae-Soo (3)

Chapter 378: Go Jae-Soo (3)

TK Entertainment''s Kim Tae-Kwon had officially retired from gang activity and rebranded himself as a respectable businessman. However, he continued to manipte the Tae-Kwon faction from behind the scenes. Three yearster, TK Entertainment would be investigated by the prosecution under the suspicion ofundering funds for the Tae-Kwon faction. I was aware of this fact because I was managing a coborative project with TK Entertainment for Top Entertainment at that time in my past life. That very scheduled event remained in my nner. [Everyday V11] [Date: November 10, 2023] -10:00 p.m.: Team Lead meeting. (Meeting Agenda: Prosecutor''s investigation into TK Entertainment Kim Tae-Kwon''s moneyundering. Persistent suspicions of him managing the Tae-Kwon faction. Review of joint investment projects with TK Entertainment.) At that time, Kim Tae-Kwon was questioned but was eventually cleared of any direct involvement with the Tae-Kwon faction. No evidence of moneyundering was found, but TK Entertainment was fined for inadequate ounting practices. I knew this incident wasn''t enough to send Kim Tae-Kwon to prison, but it surely was a useful leverage point as he had been under investigation for nearly a year. Mentioning this event, however, would mean preparing for a serious sh with him. So negotiation came first. When asked about Go Jae-Soo''s payout, I met Kim Tae-Kwon''s gaze and replied, "The remaining contract term is six months. And recently, TK Entertainment hasn''t even provided him with a talent agent, right? Since you''ve been treating him like an outcast anyway, 10 million won seems reasonable." Kim Tae-Kwon scowled and looked over at Ma Dong-Pal. "Director Ma, what''s this about not assigning a talent agent?" Ma Dong-Pal froze in the middle of making coffee. The fact that even Ma Dong-Pal looked tense showed just how dangerous Kim Tae-Kwon was. As Ma Dong-Pal set the coffee on the table, he replied cautiously, "Well... it seems like he had to go alone today due to a shortage of field staff." Kim Tae-Kwon''s gaze grew sharp. "So we made a mistake?" "Yes." "Hahaha. What an inconvenience..." At that moment, Kim Tae-Kwon abruptly pped Ma Dong-Pal sitting next to him, hard enough for the sound to echo in the office. Ma Dong-Pal''s head jerked to the left as he staggered and struggled to steady himself. A bright red handprint was left on his right cheek. With a chilling expression, Kim Tae-Kwon said, "How dare you let an actor go alone on set? Aren''t you going to apologize immediately to Mr. Go?" Ma Dong-Pal held back his anger and bowed to Go Jae-Soo. "I... I apologize, Mr. Jae-Soo." Go Jae-Soo''s face went pale. "N-No, Mr. Ma. It''s fine." ''This is ridiculous,'' I thought. The only reason Kim Tae-Kwon was putting on this threatening act was to intimidate Go Jae-Soo and me, hoping to gain an upper hand in the negotiation. Nheless, having seen it all before, Kim Tae-Kwon''s tactic only seemedughable to me. I answered without a hint of emotion, "What goes on within thepany is your business. Now, please answer me. Will you ept the 10 million won or not?" Seeing that his threat hadn''t affected the offer at all, Kim Tae-Kwon looked at me with a grin. "Do you like sashimi?" I furrowed my brows. ''Huh? Why bring up sashimi all of a sudden?'' Then, I nodded. "Yes, I do." "I knew it. People who like getting things easily never seem to hate sashimi." "I''ll take that as apliment." "Hahaha! You''ve got guts. I like you more and more." Afterughing to himself for a while, Kim Tae-Kwon continued. "Director Ma, why don''t you take Go Jae-Soo outside for a bit?" "Yes, sir." Ma Dong-Pal promptly stood and bowed respectfully before escorting Go Jae-Soo out of the room. Thud. The door to the president''s office closed. At that moment, Kim Tae-Kwon revealed his true nature. "Hey, Jung Yoon-Ho. Do you think I''d give up an actor for a mere few pennies? Especially one you have your eye on?" As expected, he wasn''t going to make this easy. I was impressed by how quickly he grasped the situation in such a short time. I asked, "Then what do you propose?" "It was you behind the Petite More incidentst time, wasn''t it? Director Cheon Yi-Sang is fully convinced it was because of you. That cost us a loss of no less than 10 billion won, you know." Just because he suspected me didn''t mean I needed to confirm it. I shrugged and replied, "Don''t go around using an innocent person." "Deny it all you want but it won''t matter. We''re sure it was you." "And?" "You''re going to make up for that loss. Isn''t that only fair?" "So are you saying that you''ll only let Mr. Go Jae-Soo go if I hand over 10 billion won?" Kim Tae-Kwon gave a dark smile. "Now we''re finally on the same page." Considering Go Jae-Soo''s worth, that amount was absurd. I briefly considered dying the transfer by a few months, but quickly dismissed it. There was no way I would leave Go Jae-Soo under TK''s control, not even for a day. The negotiation was over. Eventually, I decided to y my hand and mention Kim Tae-Kwon''s weakness. "Please don''t push me into a corner like that. Did you really think I came here unprepared?" Kim Tae-Kwon gave a mocking smile. "Oh, I''m so scared now. It seems like you have a card to use on me, huh? Let''s hear it." "I know that TK Entertainment isundering money for the Tae-Kwon faction." Flinch. Kim Tae-Kwon''s face instantly went rigid at the mention of tax evasion. Gone was his casual expression, reced by a fierce hostility. Kim Tae-Kwon red at me with a growl. "You little son of a bitch...How dare you...." I continued unfazed. "Entertainmentpanies often have opaque expenses, making them perfect for moneyundering. There''s plenty of unounted money and a lot of operational costs get written off. Am I wrong?" Grinding his teeth, Kim Tae-Kwon asked, "Who''s behind your back to let you act so recklessly?" "I don''t particrly rely on anyone. I just make good use of the information I know. And if this isn''t enough, I''ve got more cards up my sleeve." I bluffed, hinting that I might reveal something worse if he escted things. Fortunately, Kim Tae-Kwon fell for it. He seethed with anger for a long time before speaking again. "Are you really willing to make an enemy out of me over a mere minor actor?" "This isn''t just about a minor actor. This is Mr. Jae-Soo''s life we''re talking about." Go Jae-Soo had incredible potential to grow as an actor with just a bit of support. This was about more than just a career: it could change his life. Kim Tae-Kwon didn''t respond and simply stared at me in silence. Ten seconds passed, then thirty, then a full minute. Finally, Kim Tae-Kwon sighed and leaned back on the sofa. "...Fine. Take him." "There''s no changing your mind, okay?" Kim Tae-Kwon waved his hand dismissively. "Fuck off before I do!" I handed him the documents to terminate the contract and a waiver of any future ims. "Then please sign here." Kim Tae-Kwon quickly scrawled his signature. It was done. As soon as I had his signature, I stood up. "I''ll send the transfer papers to the legal division." "Do what you want. Just remember¡ªif I hear a single word about all the shit you said today, I''ll assume it came from you even if it didn''t." "I have no intention of taking this to a full-blown war with you, Mr. Kim." I left the executive office with a slight nod. Click. As I exited, the scheduled event in my nner was being deleted. [Everyday V11] [Date: November 10, 2023] -10:00 p.m. (Deleted Scheduled Event: Team Lead meeting. (Meeting Agenda: Prosecutor''s investigation into TK Entertainment Kim Tae-Kwon''s moneyundering. Persistent suspicions of him managing the Tae-Kwon faction. Review of joint investment projects with TK Entertainment.)) ''It''s done,'' I thought. TK Entertainment wasn''t the kind ofpany that would copse over something like this, so I put my phone back in my pocket without a second thought. Outside the executive office, I saw the visibly deted Go Jae-Soo sitting. The moment Ma Dong-Pal saw me, he urgently asked, "So? What''s the decision?" "From today, Mr. Go Jae-Soo is officially an actor under Hoop Entertainment." Ma Dong-Pal''s face twisted in disbelief. "Mr. Kim actually approved that?" "Go in and see for yourself if you don''t believe me." Not trusting my words, Ma Dong-Pal dashed into the executive office. In the meantime, I calmly escorted Go Jae-Soo out of TK Entertainment. *** As soon as we stepped out of TK Entertainment''s main entrance, Go Jae-Soo stopped in his tracks. When I turned around wondering why, I saw Go Jae-Soo staring at the building with tears streaming down his face. I handed Go Jae-Soo a handkerchief and tried to console him. "It must have been a shock. I meant to handle this gradually, but things escted rather quickly." Gripping the handkerchief tightly, Go Jae-Soo shook his head. "No, Mr. Jung, it''s not that... Ah..." After several deep breaths, Go Jae-Soo looked back quietly at the towering 22-story TK Entertainment building. Then he spoke in a voiceced with regret. "TK Entertainment scouted me six years ago. I felt like I had the whole world in my hands back then..." Being scouted by the industry''s second-rankedpany must have filled Go Jae-Soo with dreams of bing a top star. However, that had all been an illusion. Like mostpanies, TK Entertainment treated its artists differently based on their perceived value. A few elite members were thepany''s primary moneymakers, while the rest were kept around just in case¡ªbecause, in this industry, even supporting actors sometimes got lucky and hit it big. Go Jae-Soo had endured this false hope until now, and it was only after leaving TK that he realized the truth. Go Jae-Soo wiped away his tears and steeled himself. "I look forward to working with you, Mr. Jung." "Then let''s go over the contract terms. We''ll offer you 50 million won as a signing bonus with a five-year contract." Go Jae-Soo''s eyes widened. "F-fifty million won, for five years...?" "If the amount feels a bit low for the term..." Go Jae-Soo quickly shook his head. "No, it''s more than generous. I... I don''t know what to say." "That''s good to hear. Additionally, I''ll secure you a key supporting role in one project each year. epting the roles is up to you, of course, and it will all be in the contract as well." What Go Jae-Soo wanted most was solid roles and I knew I could match him with roles better than any other talent agent out there. "Then shall we head to sign the contract?" I asked. "Oh, yes..." When I gave him a smile, Go Jae-Soo followed me with a dazed expression as if he were a child entranced by the Pied Piper. *** Back in the president''s office at TK Entertainment, the furious Kim Tae-Kwon was rampaging and destroying office supplies in his path. Crash! A secretary peeked into the room at the loudmotion but quickly shut the door upon seeing the tense scene. Smash! Only after breaking the flower vase he had received as a gift did Kim Tae-Kwon let out a heavy sigh and stop. "Huff huff..." Sinking into the main seat on the sofa, Kim Tae-Kwon epted a ss of ice water from Ma Dong-Pal who had just entered. After downing it in one gulp, Kim Tae-Kwon gave his orders. "Dong-Pal, contact Japan immediately and have Director Cheon return." "But he''s on a month-long assignment, isn''t he?" "I know, but that bastard Jung Yoon-Ho has found out about our moneyundering." "H-how could he... But Mr. Cheon handled everything himself. No one could possibly know." Taking a deep breath to regain hisposure, Kim Tae-Kwon finally steadied himself. "Quietly find out how this happened. There might be a rat among us." "Understood. And what about Jung Yoon-Ho?" Kim Tae-Kwon calmed his breath and replied, "Leave him alone!" Ma Dong-Pal looked confused. "You''re not going to drag him in and teach him a lesson?" Kim Tae-Kwon raised his head and red at Ma Dong-Pal. "You like baseball, don''t you?" "I do." "Have you ever seen a yer with a batting average of 1.000?" "No way. Not even in video games." "Well, that''s what Jung Yoon-Ho is¡ªa perfect hitter." Ma Dong-Pal thought it over, eventually nodding in agreement. Kim Tae-Kwon took a deep breath and gave instructions. "Jiri Mountain is definitely going to be big. Send every actor without a role to the Jiri Mountain auditions. And keep a close eye on any project that Jung Yoon-Ho is connected to from now on." Ma Dong-Pal clicked his tongue in admiration upon hearing Kim Tae-Kwon''s instructions. He had thought working alongside Jung Yoon-Ho was impossible, but he realized that there might be a way to benefit from his sess after all. *** After finalizing the contract at Hoop Entertainment, I headed to the underground parking lot with Go Jae-Soo. Go Jae-Soo looked dazed and asked, "So there''s an audition in a week?" "Think of it more as a final check before official approval." In a week, Go Jae-Soo would perform in front of Park Sun-Jae and Shin Jong-Ki to confirm his casting for the role. My rmendation meant it was 90% certain, but the final decision still rested with the director. "The signing bonus should be in your ount within two hours, so take care of any urgent debts by tomorrow. And starting the day after, I''d like you to practice with Tae-Poong. I believe a week will be more than enough for you to master the role." Lee Tae-Poong was nning to rent a small room at a hermitage on Seorak Mountain to immerse himself in his role for Jiri Mountain. I had reserved the room next door for Go Jae-Soo to practice alongside him. "I appreciate the thoughtfulness..." "There''s no need to thank me. Go home, have a good meal, and get plenty of rest." After encouraging Go Jae-Soo, I instructed Lee Yung-Jin to drive him home. After all, I couldn''t have my actor riding the subway or taking the bus. As Go Jae-Soo climbed into Lee Yung-Jin''s car and left the underground parking lot, I started my own car, ready to take Yoo-Jin and Miso to meet Choi Ji-Yung. Just then, my phone began to ring. [Caller ID: Ju Yung-In] Chapter 379: Trauma Therapy

Chapter 379: Trauma Therapy

I hesitated the moment a call came from Ju Yung-In. ''What''s going on?'' I hadn''t spoken to her or exchanged any messages after the incident in China. Nheless, as it could have been about work in China, I reluctantly answered the call. Instantly, Ju Yung-In''s cheerful voice came through. -Oppa, what are you up to? "I''m always working. But what''s up? Did something happen with the work in China?" -As expected of you, Yoon-Ho oppa. Your after-service is top-notch. "Well, the money you earnes into ourpany. Of course I need to pay attention." My contract with Ju Yung-In allowed me to receive 5% of her ie from Wolf of the Battlefield. -But are you really going to keep using formalnguage? Didn''t you say we could speak informally from now on? Since Ju Yung-In''s confession, I recalled having to agree to one thing to prevent her from going overboard¡ªallowing informal speech. To be honest, I had been using formalnguage on purpose to keep a distance. I was afraid my past memories might be clearer if I became closer to her. However, since I had already made a promise to her, I couldn''t keep ignoring her any further. "Fine..." At that moment, Ju Yung-In''s voice rose by two tones. -Oh? You just spoke informally! Didn''t you? "Enough. Just tell me what''s up. I need to go pick up Miso right now." -Wow~ Miso is so lucky to have you take care of her every day. Can''t you take care of me like that too, oppa? "I''ll hang up if you keep beating around the bush." Once I started speaking informally, it quickly became easier than I thought. -Tsk. Fine, fine. You''re so prickly... but I guess that''s part of your charm. "Alright... I''m hanging up..." Only then did Ju Yung-In speak up. -They decided to screen Wolf of the Battlefield in Chinese theaters, not just on Yooko. They''re nning a national release, so I wanted to let you know. In my past life, Director Jang Tae-Yoon''s Wolf of the Battlefield couldn''t be screened in Chinese theaters due to the Korean Wave ban. As a result, it was shown only on Yooko in China though theaters screened it in Korea, Australia, the US, and Japan. Now, Ju Yung-In was telling me it could be shown in theaters in China as well. "How did that happen...?" I asked with surprise. -What? Wasn''t it thanks to you? Mr. Wang Long said we should thank you for it. That''s when I suddenly remembered the authority granted to me by Wang Min, Wang Long''s father. Wang Min had promised to allow one work to screen in theaters despite the ban on Korean media. Although I hadn''t mentioned any project for this year, it seemed he approved it after hearing that I was managing Wolf of the Battlefield. Since I didn''t have any other films to release in China this year, I figured I should take advantage of the goodwill. "That''s good news." -Aren''t you happy? Why do you sound so cold? "It''s just that I''m kinda surprised by the news. I''ll look into it and take care of the details. Now, I''m hanging up¡ª" -Oh, stop saying that! That''s so heartless! Anyway, here''s the real reason I called... I sent you a gift, oppa. "A gift?" -I told you, remember? I promised to give you a gift. Don''t you remember? It btedly dawned on me that she had once promised me a gift as a thank-you for handling her situation and avoiding a scandal in China. "I thought I made it clear I didn''t need anything." -Well, I don''t care. I sent it anyway! Oh, It should have arrived by now. Open it and let me know what you think. I''m heading to a shoot, so I''ll hang up now! Click. "What in the world did she send...?" Just then, I imagined Yoo-Jin opening the gift Ju Yung-In sent. Yoo-Jin never touched my belongings, but I couldn''t predict her reaction to something sent from Ju Yung-In. A chill ran down my spine. As I felt the urge to return home quickly, I pressed down hard on the elerator. *** Zing. The moment I arrived at the house in Cheonho-dong, the electric garage door slowly lifted. The way it was rising so slowly today was making me anxious. ''Hurry up already...'' My heart pounded like crazy, worried that Yoo-Jin might have seen Ju Yung-In''s gift. ''Why did Ju Yung-In even send a gift...?'' I wondered anxiously. I turned off the engine and stepped out of the car after parking. At that moment, Yoo-Jin and Miso came running out. They were already dressed and ready to go to Choi Ji-Yung''s house. Miso, with her hair in a bouncy ponytail, ran over and wrapped herself around me. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, why are you sote? Were you busy again?" "Yeah, a little bit." Yoo-Jin approached with a smile. "Are we leaving right now?" "Yeah, but I need to...check something before we leave." At that instant, Yoo-Jin spoke up. "Oh, oppa. The delivery came earlier, so I epted it for you." My eyes widened. "For me?" I felt my voice tremble slightly without realizing it. "Did you... see it?" "See what?" Yoo-Jin asked. "No, I mean... Did you look at the package?" "Come on~ how could I look at your things without consent? I just left it in the living room on the third floor." "It wasn''t too heavy, was it?" "It''s pretty hefty¡ªmaybe around Miso''s weight?" Just then, Miso still clinging to me pouted. "Mom! I''m not heavy!" Yoo-Jin turned her gaze to Miso. "Really? I didn''t know! You''ve been eating so muchtely that I can''t even lift you anymore~" "Mom, you''re a meanie!" As Miso pouted and buried her head into my chest, Yoo-Jin consoled her, saying it was just a joke. ''Well, as long as she didn''t look at it,'' I silently remarked. Since we were tight on time for our appointment with Choi Ji-Yung, I decided to check out Ju Yung-In''s giftter. "Let''s get going. We''re almostte for our appointment." Yoo-Jin tilted her head and looked puzzled. "You''re not going to check the package?" I forced myself to act casually and shook my head. "It''s not urgent. Miso''s ns are more important, so let''s go see Ms. Choi." "Alright." By then, Miso was no longer sulking and pointed toward the car with her finger. "Let''s go~!" Following Miso''s lead, Yoo-Jin raised her finger and echoed, "Yes, let''s go~!" With that, we headed to Choi Ji-Yung''s house. *** When I pressed the doorbell upon arriving at Choi Ji-Yung''s house in Nonhyeon-dong, a familiar voice greeted us¡ªbut it wasn''t Choi Ji-Yung''s. -Yoon-Ho~ The door''s open. Come on in~ It was the voice of Lee Ji-Yeon. As I opened the door, Lee Ji-Yeon was standing beside Choi Ji-Yung. "Ms. Lee, what brings you here..." I asked. "Yoon-Ho, hi~" As Lee Ji-Yeon greeted us, Yoo-Jin and Miso bowed their heads politely. "Hello, Ms. Lee~!" At that moment, Lee Ji-Yeon crouched to Miso''s eye level and congratted her. "Miso, congrattions. I heard you got cast as the young lead actress in Hwaranjeon." Miso took off her shoes, ran up into the living room, and headed straight to Lee Ji-Yeon. Standing in front of Lee Ji-Yeon, Miso shed a big smile and replied, "Yes, Ms. Lee! I tried really hard." Lee Ji-Yeon smiled and nodded. "Yes, I heard all about it. I heard you beat all the other kids and came in first~." "Hehe. But it was a bit tough this time. Yi-Ji unnie and Gong-Ju did really well too." "That Yang Yi-Ji kid is the one everyone says is the best at acting these days. But since you beat Yi-Ji, that makes you the best now, right?" "Really?" "Of course! I watched the audition recording, and it was so impressive that I came here topliment you in person." "Hehe." However, something felt a bit unusual. While I knew Lee Ji-Yeon was fond of Miso, she seemed especially supportive today. That''s when Lee Ji-Yeon gave me a wink. Suddenly, I understood why she was acting this way. ''She''s doing it on purpose.'' It seemed Choi Ji-Yung had asked Lee Ji-Yeon toe and help Miso relieve any lingering negative emotions. In the meantime, Miso took Lee Ji-Yeon''s hand and headed toward the living room table. Yoo-Jin and I followed them into the living room. After setting down the melon we had brought as a gift, we spent a few minutes chatting about various things. Ten minutester, Choi Ji-Yung stood up slowly. "Alright, Miso. How about we start some acting practice now? But today, we''ll do something different fromst time." Miso replied excitedly and jumped up from her seat. "Yes! I''d love that!" This time, Choi Ji-Yung suggested that Yoo-Jin join them in the practice room. "Yoo-Jin, I need your help for this one." "Me?" "Yes, there''s a role you can help with." Yoo-Jin tilted her head in curiosity and followed the two into the practice room. Once the soundproof door closed, I moved to sit across from Lee Ji-Yeon. "So what brought you here today, Ms. Lee?" "Ms. Ji-Yung asked me toe and lend a hand." ''Just as I thought'' I remarked inwardly before asking, "But what exactly are they doing that requires Yoo-Jin''s help?" "I don''t know all the details. But from what I heard, they''re doing some acting exercisesbined with psychological therapy." "Psychological therapy?" "Yes. I think Ms. Ji-Yung did some part-time work at a psychiatric clinic back when she was struggling. You know about drama therapy, right? For psychological treatment, they use role-ying." Now that Lee Ji-Yeon mentioned it, I recalled hearing of that approach where role-y was used to help patients with psychological issues process their buried emotions. At the same time, I found myself looking toward the practice room where Miso had gone. Miso always delivered surprising performances, so I somehow trusted that she would do well this time too. Nevertheless, this was no easy matter and Miso was only seven years old. As much as she wanted to do this, I felt a pang of regret for not stopping her. Just then, Lee Ji-Yeon patted my shoulder. "Yoon-Ho~ don''t beat yourself up. With Miso''s talent, she would have had to face this sooner orter anyway. Plus, this is a healthy way to start processing all kinds of emotions." "But still..." Lee Ji-Yeon quickly interrupted me. "Nope! Just think of it as her going through growing pains a little sooner than most. So you just need to stay close by to support her. Miso will handle it just fine." I thought it over and realized Lee Ji-Yeon was right. For Miso to be a true actress, it was essential to understand every emotion deeply. Seeing my worried expression, Lee Ji-Yeon smiled and said, "Miso really does have a way of keeping us all on our toes, doesn''t she?" Experiencing the emotional aftermath of a role meant her immersion was that strong. The clearly impressed Lee Ji-Yeon noted that Miso was born to be an actress, just like her mom. I nodded. "Yes. She surprises me constantly." After traveling back in time, I hadn''t even imagined Miso would have such talent. At just seven years old, Miso showed a level of skill that could sway everyone around her¡ªmuch like Yoo-Jin. *** After about an hour, the door opened with a soft click and Miso''s little head peeked out. Miso looked at me with a big smile. Although there were traces of tears around her eyes, her face seemed much brighter than thest time I saw her. I opened my arms wide, weing her with a warm smile. Miso sprinted over and jumped into my embrace. "Uncle Yoon-Ho~!" Miso began to chatter away with a bright grin in my arms. "I did something really cool in there." Her face radiated with joy as if she had let go of all her negative feelings. "Oh, really? Did you~?" "Yes! With Ms. Ji-Yung..." Following Lee Ji-Yeon''s advice, I nodded with enthusiastic encouragement, hoping Miso could release her negative emotions more quickly. *** We all gathered around the living room table and waited for the steamed king crab delivery. King crab was Choi Ji-Yung''s favorite dish and I had ordered it as a gesture of gratitude. Choi Ji-Yung spoke in an excited tone. "Mr. Jung, I''ll give Miso lessons once a week from now on." I hugged Miso close and replied, "Thank you very much. I''ll make sure to arrange payment with thepany." At that moment, Yoo-Jin interjected, "Oppa, I''ll cover Miso''s lesson fees." "No, it''s fine. Thepany can handle the expenses." Choi Ji-Yung chimed in with a yful pout. "We''re really going to talk about money between us?" Choi Ji-Yung insisted she wouldn''t ept any payment, saying that no amount of money could repay the kindness of giving her a second chance. I shook my head. "You should never give free lessons. Rather, you should charge a lot to show everyone how valuable you are." Once rumors that Choi Ji-Yung was giving one-on-one lessons started to spread, requests from other agencies would pour in. She was already known for her intense and bold acting and for supporting her hoobaes on set. In this industry, reputation and fees were often closely linked in determining one''s standing. As such, I nned to broadcast Choi Ji-Yung''s lesson rates widely to demonstrate that Top Star Choi Ji-Yung was back in full force. Choi Ji-Yung instantly understood my intention. "Ah, seriously...you are making me emotional." With a grateful expression, Choi Ji-Yung murmured how thankful she was just for having been given a new start, let alone help with managing her reputation. After a brief moment of consideration, Choi Ji-Yung said, "Then I''ll only give lessons to actors under Hoop Entertainment. I won''t even consider other agencies." This exclusive ess to Choi Ji-Yung''s lessons gave me a significant advantage, especially since I was working to bring more actors within thepany to my team. I thought about it for a moment and decided it was too good an offer to pass up. I smiled. "I''ll be counting on you, Ms. Choi." Choi Ji-Yung smiled and joked, "With you taking such good care of my reputation, how could I possibly work with anyone else? You''re responsible now!" I yfully joined in. "Shouldn''t you be asking Mr. Park Woo-Min to take responsibility instead?" Choi Ji-Yung replied in a flustered tone. "Why are you bringing up Woo-Min oppa here...?" Recently, Choi Ji-Yung and Director Park Woo-Min had grown quite close. I had even heard they had been going on "work-rted" dates, though nothing significant had developed yet. Yoo-Jin chimed in with a mischievous grin, "Ms. Choi, are you dating Mr. Park now?" "Ms. Choi? You can just call me sunbae." "Alright, sunbae-nim. But are you really dating him?" Choi Ji-Yung''s face turned a bright shade of red. Gone was the charismatic actress from moments before. Now she looked more like a schoolgirl confessing her first crush. "Well, it''s just... Woo-Min oppa is so cautious." "What do you mean?" Choi Ji-Yung replied with a pout, "He keeps saying that dating between a talent agent and an actress could lead to rumors, so we haven''t really progressed." At that moment, Yoo-Jin looked even more frustrated than Choi Ji-Yung and questioned. "What? If he likes you, he should just say so and go for it. Why bring up this whole talent agent and actress issue?" Chapter 380: Gift

Chapter 380: Gift

I wondered if Choi Ji-Yung''s dating life was something worth getting upset about, but Yoo-Jin''s expression was too serious to interrupt. When Yoo-Jin remarked what was wrong with a talent agent dating a celebrity, Choi Ji-Yung agreed enthusiastically. "Right? Exactly! With my age, why should I worry about such things? Really!" "Why should age matter, anyway? If we went outside together right now, everyone would still see you as the younger sister." Choi Ji-Yung''s face lit up. "Pfft. Just hearing that makes me feel good. But the problem is, he still hasn''t confessed. It''s baffling how he''s stuck in such outdated thinking in this day and age." "Seriously, Mr. Park is being way too stubborn." Then Choi Ji-Yung and Yoo-Jin suddenly turned their gazes toward me. "Mr. Jung, what do you think? You''re also a talent agent, so what are your thoughts on Woo-Min oppa?" "Yeah, tell us. Do you think it''s a problem for a talent agent to date a celebrity?" I didn''t know why the conversation had turned to me, but guilt washed over me for some reason. After all, I was the one who brought up the topic. "Maybe Mr. Park is just being cautious. After all...if a celebrity''s dating life is revealed, it could impact their poprity." Choi Ji-Yung pouted and gave me a sideways nce. "Who doesn''t know that? But if we keep worrying, when are we supposed to date? I might end up spending the rest of my life alone at this rate." I found myself at a loss for words. "Well, that''s..." "So why don''t you lend me a hand, Mr. Jung? Give Woo-Min oppa a little nudge," Choi Ji-Yung suggested. I was put on the spot once again. Just as I struggled to respond, Lee Ji-Yeon chimed in. "Come on, you two. Why be so old-fashioned? Ji-Yung, why don''t you just make a move yourself?" Choi Ji-Yung tilted her head. "You have a point." Lee Ji-Yeon continued, "Then go ahead and confess today! Otherwise, you''ll be left alone forever. Or just threaten to not show up for your schedule if all else fails." Lee Ji-Yeon knew exactly what talent agents feared most. A grin spread across Choi Ji-Yung''s face, showing she fully intended to take that advice to heart. Yoo-Jin also joined in theughter for some reason, though I couldn''t shake an uneasy feeling about it. At that moment, Choi Ji-Yung eximed with a refreshed look as if finally resolved. "First, I''m gonna eat some crabs and gather some strength!" Lee Ji-Yeonughed and encouraged Choi Ji-Yung. Just then, the king crab I had ordered finally arrived. "Oh! It''s here!" Choi Ji-Yung hummed a little tune and went to the door to receive the food. "Thank you. Oh, and here''s a tip for you." Clearly in high spirits, she handed the delivery driver a generous tip of 20 thousand won. Meanwhile, I carried the box over to the table. Opening the Styrofoam box, I found a perfectly steamed, four-kilogram king crab arranged neatly inside. Salty steam rising from the bright red crab tempted me to snap off a thick leg right then and there. Soon, Choi Ji-Yung returned and took her seat. "Thank you for the meal, Mr. Jung!" "I look forward to your continued support." When I offered Choi Ji-Yung a w, she winked at me and cracked open the massive w with gusto. Crunch! Everyone quickly grabbed a leg and prepared to dig in. As everyone was about to take a bite of the tender white crab meat, Choi Ji-Yung shouted with a w in her hand, "Today, I''m going to confess for sure!" I thought perhaps I should message Park Woo-Min and warn him that he might end up pricked by a crab w if he turns down her confession today. "Alright. Let''s eat first then talk!" At Lee Ji-Yeon''s cue, we all started devouring the sweet and salty king crab with gusto. Slurp. Chomp. Crack. Snap. With everyone focused on eating, only the sound of us tearing into the crab filled the living room. *** Inside Room 201 of Window Vi located near Samseong Station, Colonel Baek sat at the dining table and organized incriminating information on celebrities on hisptop. His client, Kim Dong-Soo, wanted dirt that would keep stars under his control. The ten billion won advance payment from Jiang Wei was supposed to yield two S-ss celebrities'' secrets for Kim Dong-Soo''s X-FILE. Because the price tag was 5 billion won per person, the work required significant time to prepare. "Sigh." Colonel Baek leaned back and stretched his arms. On the screen was a list of the S-ss celebrities he had managed to uncover so far. "Ace Entertainment''s Ahn Sang-Min, TK Entertainment''s Park Eun-Bin, TNT Entertainment''s So Yi-Yung, Bless Entertainment''s Choi Dae-Yeon... all of them reek of scandal," he muttered. He had managed to pull together a list of about five S-ss stars so far. Once his men gathered more intel, he nned to select two to hand over. Just then, he heard knocking. Knock-knock, knock-knock-knock, knock-knock. After hearing the series of knocks which served as a secret code, Colonel Baek opened the door with ease. Click. "Come on in." A man in his thirties with a sharp look, shaved head, and hoodie entered. His name was Choi Jun-Ho, one of Baek''s subordinates and a former associate of Choi Eun-Tae. As Colonel Baek returned to the table, he asked, "What''s the status with Ju Yung-In?" Colonel Baek had tasked Choi Jun-Ho with investigating Ace Entertainment''s S-ss star, Ju Yung-In. Choi Jun-Ho replied, "Reporter Gu Ji-Am isn''t talking." Choi Jun-Ho had instructed Gu Ji-Am of Entertainment All Times to trail Ju Yung-In in China, but Gu Ji-Am refused to reveal anything. Colonel Baek sat at the kitchen table and raised an eyebrow. "So he must have found something, huh?" "That''s my guess, but he insists he came up empty-handed no matter how much I pressed him. He even warned us to stop asking for tips... he seemed a bit rattled," Choi Jun-Ho replied. Colonel Baek smirked. "Jung Yoon-Ho. Looks like that guy has some solid backing." Choi Jun-Ho tilted his head. "Pardon?" Colonel Baek continued, "Otherwise, a guy as corrupt as Gu Ji-Am wouldn''t keep quiet, would he?" Choi Jun-Ho nodded in agreement. "Do you still have the files on Reporter Gu Ji-Am?" asked Colonel Baek. "Are you nning to meet him in person?" Colonel Baek smirked. "With the amount we''re getting from our client, of course I should. Besides, getting Ju Yung-In back would certainly please Kim Dong-Soo." Choi Jun-Ho nodded and handed over a USB drive from his pocket. "Understood. Here''s information on two more S ss targets I''ve dug up." Colonel Baek took the USB with a nod. "Keep gathering as much as you can. Kim Dong-Soo''s a guy we can probably squeeze for the next ten years." Colonel Baek was aware that Jiang Wei had temporarily halted his funding for Kim Dong-Soo. However, he figured Kim Dong-Soo would have little trouble finding a new source of money, so he wasn''t particrly worried. Nheless, he had specified that the second payment be ready before he handed over more files. "What about the task of investigating President Choi''s side?" Colonel Baek recalled nearly getting caught by Choi Eun-Tae''s men thest time he met Kim Dong-Soo at Taesung Chinese restaurant in Myeongdong. He managed to escape through an air vent thanks to the restaurant owner, but the owner was eventually captured by Choi Eun-Tae''s subordinates. Although the owner hadn''t divulged anything yet, it was hard to predict how long he could hold out. "I cut all loose ends, but they''re still closing in," Choi Jun-Ho replied. "Then we''ll have to change all the safehouses. Make sure the team knows the addresses and meets in person¡ªno phone or text." "Yes, understood." "Alright then, get going. I need to head over to China. When I''m back, I''ll meet with Reporter Gu Ji-Am." "Safe travels, sir." Colonel Baek packed hisptop into his bag and put on his hat. Then, he left the vi with his characteristically silent steps. Five minutester, Choi Jun-Ho also exited the vi and vanished in the opposite direction to continue gathering celebrity scandals for Kim Dong-Soo''s X-FILE. *** When I returned home, I took Yoo-Jin and Miso up to the second floor before heading up to the third to check on the gift Ju Yung-In had sent. As I opened the door to the third floor, I saw arge gift box from her ced in the middle of the living room. Just then, Haru, who had gone down to Suwon, walked out of the bathroom. "Oh? Haru, when did you get back?" "Ah, I arrived about thirty minutes ago." Though I was curious about Ju Yung-In''s gift, I was even more interested in how things were with Haru and Natalia. "So? Did you find a good ce for your mom?" "Yeah. It was amazing! Mom loved it, so we signed the contract right away." Hue Officetel owned by Womans'' Jang Ji-Hye''s husband was equipped with VIP security features. "And how''s her condition?" "Her health has improved, but her memory hasn''t changed much sincest time. She still remembers everything about me though." "That''s a relief at least." "Oh, and she wanted me to give you this." Haru handed me a yellow envelope which contained a letter handwritten by Natalia. [To Mr. Jung.] -Thanks to your care, my health has greatly improved. It seems thewsuit with Haru''s father will also be resolved smoothly... It was a heartfelt letter repeatedly expressing gratitude and assuring that she wouldn''t forget the kindness I had shown her. She even mentioned that she would check in on Seo Yeon-Woo''s grandmother when shees to Seoul next time, saying that was all she had to offer. Her presence was enough of a blessing and a gift to me. Thanks to her, Haru could smile so brightly now. "Haru, tell your mom I truly appreciate her gift." "Huh?" "She''ll understand if you say it that way." Somehow, I felt she would know what I meant. Haru nodded in agreement. "But, hyung..." "What is it?" "I need some advice." "About what? You can tell me anything." Haru hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Well... it seems like my mom and Mr. Kim are pretty close..." "Is that so?" Kim Chul-Soo, head of Suwon Hyo Nursing Hospital, was very fond of Natalia. "Haru, what do you think about that?" I asked. Haru hesitated and remained silent. I probed further. "What is it? Are you worried about your dad?" "No. Mom and Dad are getting divorced, so I''m not really concerned about that." Haru showed no lingering attachment to his father, aware that holding onto it only hurt his mother. "Then what''s on your mind?" "I''m just worried about Mom." Haru felt that his mother was deliberately distancing herself from Kim Chul-Soo because she felt guilty about neglecting Haru for so long. Yet Haru genuinely wanted his mom and Kim Chul-Soo to find happiness together. "Look at you, all grown up," I remarked with a smile. ''Kids grow up so quickly. It''s amazing how fast they mature,'' I thought. I assured him, "I''ll make time to talk with Mr. Kim and your mom. That will be after the divorce is finalized, of course." Only then did Haru''s face break into a wide smile. "Thank you! I''m so d I talked to you about this, hyung." I pat Haru on the shoulder. "Alright, then go get some rest. You must be tired." "Okay. See you tomorrow." Haru looked relieved and went into his room. "Today really is full of good news," I muttered. I smiled as I finally turned my attention to the box in the living room. There was a sticker on itbeled "JOY," which was Ju Yung-In''s English name. She must have used it to avoid catching Yoo-Jin''s attention. When I cut through the tape, I found the box filled with premium ck cases from high-end brands. Inside were an Ormani cashmere coat, two winter suits, a pair of shoes, and even a Hermos briefcase¡ªan entire luxury set. The suits fit perfectly as if tailored to my measurements, and even the shoes were exactly my size. I was momentarily stunned at how well Ju Yung-In knew my favorite brands, colors, and sizes. ''How could she possibly know all this?'' I wondered. Thebined cost of these gifts easily surpassed that of a new car. Although it was already 10:30 p.m., I couldn''t help but call her. -Did you see my gift, oppa? Ju Yung-In asked excitedly, but Iposed myself and answered calmly. "Yes, I saw it." -Hehe, you''re finally speaking casually. I like it. Keep it up. "But this gift is a bit much. I''d say you spent around 30 million won? -Wow~ You''re good! How do you know luxury prices so well? Do you shop for your actors or something? ''No. It''s actually because you gave me the same types of gifts in my past life. That''s why I''m familiar with them,'' I answered in my heart. Back then, Ju Yung-In had insisted I needed to wear luxury brands to match her, just as she was doing now. Shaking off the memories, I replied to Ju Yung-In. "Still, it''s too expensive. I feel uneasy epting it." -Oh, it''s a custom order from Italy so I can''t return it anyway. Custom orders for luxury items took at least a month toplete, which meant she had ced this order even before the China incident. "Custom order? When did you ce it?" -When you got me cast in Wolf of the Battlefield. But I got the bag here. Anyway, this is nothingpared to what you''ve given me, so wear it or don''t¡ªit''s up to you. But I don''t do returns! Click. With that, Ju Yung-In abruptly ended the call. "Ju Yung-In, you really..." I was at a loss for what to do with these gifts. After a long moment of hesitation, I closed the cases and carefully stored the box in the storage room. I decided I would only open it again after I hade to terms with my past memories of her. *** The day after recruiting Go Jae-Soo, I was called to a meeting with Kang Gam-Chan as soon as I arrived at thepany without time for our usual team briefing. When I entered the president''s office, Kang Gam-Chan was waiting with Kang Ji-Yung and Jung Soo-Hyuk and they were all wearing serious expressions. I asked, "What''s going on so early?" "That bastard Choi Man-Sik proposed that we distribute 30% of the shares owned by shareholders to employees as stock options andpany stock." I frowned. "Pardon? He wants to release 30% of the shares?" Our employee stock ownership program would allow employees to buypany shares at a discount. At that moment, I suddenly realized Choi Man-Sik''s intent. "He''s nning to distribute shares to employees who''ll follow his lead and then reim themter." It was a tactic to weaken the shareholders'' influence and win over the staff, ultimately paving the way for him to take over Hoop Entertainment. Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "Exactly. I think he ns to give shares to the talent agents who are considering leaving their division for you and use this to keep them in line. In the end, he''s aiming to devour Hoop Entertainment entirely." "He''s pretty crafty," I remarked. "That''s why I wanted to discuss it. We need to devise a countermeasure for this," Kang Gam-Chan said in a serious tone. Choi Man-Sik''stest move was indeed bold. At that moment, an idea struck me like lightning. Kang Gam-Chan noticed my expression and asked, "Do you have an idea?" I grinned and nodded. "Yes. In fact, I think this might turn out to be Choi Man-Sik''s biggest mistake." Chapter 381: Way Back Home (1)

Chapter 381: Way Back Home (1)

Choi Man-Sik''s intention to distribute ourpany''s shares to the employees was not out of love for them. He only offered them stocks at a low price to demand loyalty and had nned to retrieve those shares post-IPO to secure control of Hoop Entertainment in his own hands. However, I had a way to turn his n against him. I turned to Kang Gam-Chan and said, "Mr. Kang, let''s fight fire with fire." I suggested bringing in more talent agents to counter Choi Man-Sik. Kang Gam-Chan frowned bitterly and said, "Unlike President Choi who controls Suhyaejong, we have no idea who we can trust. So how can we expand like this? If we bring in people recklessly, Choi Man-Sik will take them all." Nheless, no one knew it better than me when it came to a list of trustworthy andpetent talent agents. "Please give me a moment," I replied as I sorted through the talent agents I remembered from before my past life. I shortlisted thirty capable and loyal talent agents in the industry and sent the names to Kang Gam-Chan via KkTalk. Kang Gam-Chan asked, "You want me to bring in these people?" "Yes, they are steadfast and skilled individuals I''ve met while working on the ground. Plus... I kept an eye on those who showed loyalty." The fact that none of them were from Suhyaejong particrly caught Kang Gam-Chan''s interest. I proposed, "And please ensure the right to purchase ourpany''s shares is essible to all employees." As he looked at the list, a slight smile appeared on Kang Gam-Chan''s face. "I recognize some of these names. So, you''re saying we should bring these people in?" "Yes, sir." If Choi Man-Sik didn''t have exclusive rights to buy ourpany''s shares, then the game''s rules were simple: whoever brought in the most talent agents to their side would win. I intended to bring in the most reliable talent agents I could before persuading even those Choi Man-Sik recruited to join my side. After all, I possessed a weapon that Choi Man-Sik didn''t. It was the knowledge of which projects would seed. If I leaked that information, I was confident the actors and talent agents would eventually side with me. Watching my confident expression, Kang Gam-Chan chuckled softly. "Understood. I''ll reach out to those on this list first." Kang Gam-Chan promised to bring them in with the best treatment possible. At that moment, Kang Ji-Yung raised a question. "If we''re bringing in talent agents, we''ll need even more actors... Do we have a list of actors to recruit?" "I have some in mind if we have the financial resources." "We don''t need to worry about funds with this year''s excellent revenue." Seizing the moment, I handed over the names of thirty actors I had preselected. Three were A-ss, while the others, though less prominent, were profitable hidden gems. Kang Ji-Yung nodded in approval. "They look good. Mr. Gu and I will review this list and proceed." "I also have a few actors not on this list. I''ll bring them in myself." "Please do so." Kang Gam-Chan looked at us with a determined expression and spoke firmly. "Alright. This time... let''s make Hoop Entertainment number one in the industry." Kang Gam-Chan had always managed thepany conservatively, believing that only by keeping thepany in the ck and ensuring stable management could its affiliated celebrities achievesting sess. However, Kang Gam-Chan was shifting his management principles this time. By aiming for the industry''s top position, he was willing to endure potential short-term losses to implement an expansionary policy. Nevertheless, I had already devised ns to keep thepany profitable to prevent any chance of Kang Gam-Chan''s management capabilities being questioned just because of deficits. Kang Gam-Chan looked at me with renewed resolve. "I trust you, Yoon-Ho." His gaze of trust made my heart swell as I responded with determination, "Yes, sir!" *** Kang Ji-Yung and Jung Soo-Hyuk had work to attend to and left the president''s office right after our meeting ended. With only the two of us remaining, Kang Gam-Chan called Choi Eun-Tae. -President Kang, I''ve already heard about the situation. What do you think about me voicing opposition at the shareholders'' meeting? "I appreciate it, but we can handle this on our own," Kang Gam-Chan replied. Kang Gam-Chan had requested that Choi Eun-Tae focus solely on removing Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon. -Are you sure? That rascal Man-Sik seems to be acquiring smaller entertainmentpanies to expand and gather more allies. "That rather works in our favor. Once this game ends, Hoop Entertainment will rise to be the industry''s number one." Choi Eun-Tae burst into heartyughter. -Hahaha. It looks like you''re ready to take some risks. Confident, are you? "Sir, I''m Kang Gam-Chan." -Indeed, I know your capabilities very well. Then, Choi Eun-Tae directed his question to me. -What do you think, Team Lead Jung? "Don''t worry. I won''t fall for President Choi Man-Sik''s tricks," I replied. Choi Eun-Taeughed with satisfaction. -Reliable, indeed. Hahaha. After a heartyugh, Choi Eun-Tae ended the call. Then, Kang Gam-Chan and I began discussing follow-up measures. However, my mind wasn''t on Choi Man-Sik at this moment. Instead, it was on Kim Dong-Soo. ''He''s not the type to let things slide...'' I pondered. *** In the visitation room inside Seoul Detention Center, the disheveled figure of Kim Dong-Soo waited for Lee Gi-Cheol. "Damn it... Jiang Wei. Now he says the funds are dyed?" Last night, Ryu Shin, Jiang Wei''s right-hand man, called to say funds wouldn''t be avable for a while. Apparently, Jiang Wei was currently under a financial investigation in China. While this was something that Kim Dong-Soo could tolerate, there was a bigger issue: Colonel Baek. Colonel Baek had somehow found out Jiang Wei''s funds were temporarily blocked and contacted Kim Dong-Soo. -No money, no information. Do you understand? Kim Dong-Soo yelled back, promising that the funds would be avable soon and asking for the X-FILE of two S-ss celebrities as an advance. Colonel Baek agreed but threatened that the second payment had to be ready by the time he provided the information. Otherwise, Kim Dong-Soo could expect no further contact. Growing anxious, Kim Dong-Soo began searching for a separate source of funds and eventually reached out to Lee Gi-Cheol. Though Lee Gi-Cheol was ipetent at managing celebrities, he had maintained solid connections for years. Thud. At that moment, the steel door nged open and a disheveled detainee appeared on the other side of the acrylic partition. Once a director at Hoop Entertainment, Lee Gi-Cheol''s hair hadpletely turned white. "Inmate 1123. You have ten minutes for visitation." Lee Gi-Cheol nodded and approached the acrylic partition to take a seat. Hiding his true intentions, Kim Dong-Soo put on a sympathetic expression. "Mr. Lee, are you alright?" Lee Gi-Cheol made a bitter face. "Mr. Lee? I''ve been fired from thepany." "Once a director, always a director to me," Kim Dong-Soo said unabashedly. Although Kim Dong-Soo had initially intended to use and discard Lee Gi-Cheol, he changed his mind upon realizing that he could also face the same fate and be abandoned by Choi Man-Sik. Hence, he needed loyal people like Kang Myung-Gil or Lee Gi-Cheol, even if they were ipetent. Lee Gi-Cheol asked, "Enough of the nonsense. Why did youe? Just get to the point." "The truth is... President Choi Man-Sik is nning to divide the shares held by the shareholders and distribute them to the employees." "What do you mean by that?" Since entering prison, Lee Gi-Cheol hadn''t received visitors other than hiswyer. Even his family did not visit him. Lee Gi-Cheol had not received any news regarding thepany''s affairs, and the news from Kim Dong-Soo was the firstpany update he had received since being incarcerated. Kim Dong-Soo revealed that after his own dismissal, Jung Yoon-Ho had swiftly taken control of thepany. "President Choi ns to gather a third of the shareholders'' shares and distribute them as ourpany''s stock to the talent agents to block Jung Yoon-Ho." Lee Gi-Cheol''s face turned pale. He held a 7% stake in Hoop Entertainment. Even if 1% post-IPO were worth a billion won, 7% would amount to 7 billion won. Giving up a third of that would mean losing 2.1 billion won¡ªmoney Lee Gi-Cheol valued more than life itself. "What the hell do you mean by that!? Who gave him the right to distribute shares?" Lee Gi-Cheol responded agitatedly. "It seems President Choi intends to use shares to buy talent agents'' loyalty, nning to buy back those sharester to take control of thepany all at once." Lee Gi-Cheol fumed with anger. "That crazy bastard Choi Man-Sik. What does he see in Jung Yoon-Ho to go this far? Burning down the entire house to catch a single pest? Business people should stay calm!" Kim Dong-Soo unintentionally let out a sigh upon hearing Lee Gi-Cheol''s words. He briefly reflected on how the ripple effects caused by Jung Yoon-Ho led to Lee Gi-Cheol''s imprisonment. Yet this fool still didn''t grasp the threat posed by Jung Yoon-Ho. As much as Kim Dong-Soo wanted tosh out, he held back. He was here today because he needed Lee Gi-Cheol''s help. "That''s why I was thinking... shouldn''t we prepare to change our allegiance? Relying on Choi Man-Sik might get us tossed aside." "You''re saying we should abandon Choi Man-Sik?" "We''re just tools to be used and discarded by him in the end, right? Honestly, has that man visited you even once since you''ve been here?" "...¡± "I found out that half of the actors in Actor Division 3 still want you and me back. If we can just get rid of Kang Gam-Chan''s supporters, Hoop Entertainment could be ours!" "That''s true. I''ve invested so many years in Hoop Entertainment. Frankly, I''m the one who built Hoop Entertainment more than Kang Gam-Chan ever did." Though Lee Gi-Cheol''s words were absurd, Kim Dong-Soo continued his ttery. "Exactly. With the right backer, taking control of Hoop Entertainment isn''t impossible for us." Lee Gi-Cheol fell into deep thought. "Give... give me some time to think." "I can''t give you too long. The situation is urgent." "T-thene back tomorrow. I''d have made up my mind by then." Kim Dong-Soo stood up and bowed. Even though Lee Gi-Cheol asked for a day to think, it was as good as having him on board. Suppressing a smirk, Kim Dong-Soo vowed to one day repay this humiliation. *** In a small windowless gosiwon room in Daehak-ro, Go Jae-Soo was packing his belongings. Tomorrow, he would go to a mountain temple on Seoraksan to practice acting with Lee Tae-Poong. "I''ve lived here for so long..." he mumbled. Afterpleting his military service, Go Jae-Soo began preparing for the civil service exam at the age of 26. However, he fell deeply in love with the charm of the theater after tagging along with a friend to watch a y. However, being drawn into theater made it impossible to focus on studying. As such, Go Jae-Soo eventually gave up studying at 28 years old and decided to pursue a career as an actor. Entering a theaterpany in Daehak-ro, Go Jae-Soo quickly showed his talent andnded a lead role within two years. Then, he was scouted by a talent agent from TK Entertainment who noticed him by chance. Yet after joining TK Entertainment, he only managed to get minor roles and had yet tond a substantial part. Now, things were different. If he were to pass the final confirmation with the director and the investors next week, he could secure the major role of Oh Myung-Jin in Jiri Mountain. Go Jae-Soo nned to give everything he had during the one week on Seoraksan and hopefully finally escape this dreary gosiwon life. At that moment, a call came in. [Caller ID: Second Aunt] "It''s Aunt again." His second aunt who lived right next to his parents would always call, hiding her worries behind her nagging. When her eldest son, the same age as Go Jae-Soo, got epted into Seven Star Electronics five years ago, she pushed him to get a job anywhere. Then when her second son became a level 7 civil servant this year, she nagged Go Jae-Soo to give up his futile dreams and at least attempt the level 9 civil service exam again. Although Go Jae-Soo transferred with a contract fee of 50 million won, his role was still undecided. He didn''t want to answer his aunt''s call but eventually did so relucantly as he was worried that something might have happened to his parents. "Hello?" -Jae-Soo, have you heard the news? "What news?" -Your dad. He fell in the cabbage field and might have fractured his hip. "What?" ''Is this what it means to be truly unlucky?'' Go Jae-Soo remarked inwardly. Go Jae-Soo was supposed to leave for Seoraksan early tomorrow morning, but now his father was injured. ''What should I do?'' Go Jae-Soo wondered. His heart ached to hear the news and wanted to rush to his father. After all, his father had silently supported him all this time despite all the nagging from rtives. Go Jae-Soo''s aunt clicked her tongue and continued. -Isn''t it because you''re wasting your time with acting dreams that your dad is trying to earn every penny he can? You should just start preparing for the civil service exam again... "Aunt, is this really the time to say that when Dad''s injured?" -Why are you yelling? I''m just worried about you. Worried! "I''m hanging up now!" Go Jae-Soo hastily ended the call and dialed his father. However, his parents didn''t pick up perhaps because they were too preupied with the incident. At the same time, his ns for tomorrow came to mind. "Oh... this is driving me crazy," he grunted. Back at TK Entertainment, talent agents never tolerated personal matters. He wasn''t sure how things would go at Hoop Entertainment, but postponing his trip to Seoraksan right after transferring would hardly be looked upon kindly. He struggled to figure out how to exin this to Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho. However, the worry over his father''s possible serious injury finally pushed him to call Jung Yoon-Ho. "Mr. Jung, actually... would it be possible for me to leave tomorrow evening instead of in the morning?" -Is something wrong? "It''s my father..." Go Jae-Soo exined the situation with a trembling voice. At that moment, Jung Yoon-Ho suddenly raised his voice. However, it was for the exact opposite reason of what Go Jae-Soo had expected. -Your father''s injured and you''re worried about work? Get dressed immediately and get ready. I''lle pick you up and take you to him! At that moment, huge tears began to flow down Go Jae-Soo''s face. Thepany he had just joined, Hoop Entertainment, was a ce filled with genuine warmth. "Thank... you, Mr. Jung." Chapter 382: Way Back Home (2)

Chapter 382: Way Back Home (2)

At 6:30 p.m., I parked the car in the emergency room parking lot at Jinju Gyeongsang National University Hospital and headed to the ER with Go Jae-Soo. Although Go Jae-Soo''s parents lived in Sancheong County in Gyeongnam, there was only a health center nearby, so they had no choice but to bring them here. The moment I entered the emergency room, I saw Go Jae-Soo''s father sitting on bed number three, pleading to be discharged. "Doctor, a little rest at home will make me better. Just discharge me, will you?" "Sir, you need to get a proper examination first. It''s clearly a fracture," the doctor replied. "How many times do I have to say it? I can''t afford the hospital bills." "If you really can''t afford it, there are ways to get help from the government. Let us examine you first." Someone who seemed to be Go Jae-Soo''s mother suggested at least getting an X-ray. However, Go Jae-Soo''s father kept shaking his head repeatedly, saying he just couldn''t afford it given their situation. Seeing this, Go Jae-Soo clutched his chest and shouted, "Dad, didn''t I tell you I got a big bonus when I changedpanies? Get the checks and surgery done right away, okay?" Go Jae-Soo''s father turned his head. "Jae-Soo, how did you¡ªdid your aunt call you again?" Go Jae-Soo had tried calling multiple times on the way to the hospital, but his parents had turned off their phones entirely because they didn''t want to worry their child. Only after contacting his aunt did Go Jae-Soo learn his parents had been brought here. "Does it matter if Aunt called? I have money, so get admitted immediately!" Go Chang-Han, Go Jae-Soo''s father, wore an embarrassed expression. "You don''t have to spend your hard-earned money like that. I''ll rest at home for a few days and recover, so don''t worry." Exasperated, Go Jae-Soo looked at the doctor. "Doctor, if the guardian consents, can we proceed with the checks and surgery? Please operate right away." "Yes, but there''s not much we can do if the patient strongly objects to it." In the end, I had no choice but to step in. "Sir, ma''am, nice to meet you. I''m Mr. Go Jae-Soo''s new talent agent, Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho." The moment I gave my greeting, Go Jae-Soo''s parents bowed their heads with embarrassed expressions. Go Jae-Soo''s mother, who had been sitting on a chair beside the bed, stood up. "Oh, I didn''t know that our son''s talent agent was here too. We''ve kicked up such a fuss in front of you... Please, sit down." Meanwhile, Go Jae-Soo''s father lowered his head. "I''m a useless father." He must have been in pain from the fracture, but he tried to tolerate it in front of me. Sweat dripped down his forehead and temple. I tried to persuade him. "Sir. If you don''t get properly examined, Mr. Jae-Soo won''t be able to focus properly on his acting. Thepany covers all hospital bills for the families of our stars, so please get treated." Seeing that Go Jae-Soo''s father was unsure what to do, Go Jae-Soo''s mother finally stepped in. "Didn''t you hear what Mr. Jung just said? You''re causing more trouble like this." "Exactly, Dad. If you get the surgery, I can focus on my work with peace of mind. Right?" Eventually, Go Chang-Han relented for the sake of his wife and son. "A-alright. Fine." At that moment, I immediately turned to the doctor. "Please arrange for a VIP room. And if necessary, proceed with the surgery immediately." The doctor''s face brightened since VIP patients weren''t restricted by treatment costs. "Oh, is that so?" I continued, "By the way, please discuss the hospital bills with me from now on. Our actor Mr. Go Jae-Soo will soon be busy with a film titled Jiri Mountain." The doctor''s eyes widened. "Jiri Mountain? As in Mr. Lee Tae-Poong¡¯s uing film?" "Yes, Mr. Go Jae-Soo here will be appearing in it." "Really? Wow, I''ll have to ask for an autographter!" Suddenly, the startled Go Jae-Soo''s parents asked, "Our child will appear in Jiri Mountain? Is that true?" "Are you serious?" They were so shocked at the mention of their son appearing alongside Korea''s most popr actor that their native ent slipped out without realizing it. When I looked at Go Jae-Soo wondering why he hadn''t told them, he simply scratched his head and said, "It''s because the role hasn''t been confirmed yet." Though he had mentioned thepany transfer, he probably hadn''t nned to tell them about Jiri Mountain until it was official that he had gotten a role in the film. "Well then, Mr. Jae-Soo. Talk to your parents and exin the situation carefully. I''ll go to the administration office to handle the payment." "Yes, sir." I bid goodbye to Go Jae-Soo''s parents, who still looked like they were in disbelief, and then headed to the emergency room''s administration office. *** After settling the payment at the administration office, I stepped out of the emergency room and waited for Go Jae-Soo. In the meantime, ambnces continued to arrive at the entrance. "Ugh..." "Aaah!" Cries of pain rang out every time an ambnce''s doors opened, followed by the patients'' guardians pleading for the doctors and nurses to save their loved ones. With scenes of life and death unfolding before me, I was overwhelmed by a wave of emotions. While I had the chance to relive a second life after death, others would never have that opportunity. At that moment, I found myself sping my hands in prayer. I prayed for the traffic ident patient who had been brought into the emergency room in delivery attire just moments ago and for the child, whose face was as pale as a sheet, cradled in the arms of his mother. I prayed that no one here would die, at least not today. Whirr. That''s when the automatic door opened, and Go Jae-Soo came out. "How did it go?" "He just went in for the examination and they''ll proceed with the surgery as soon as an operating room opens up." "That''s good news." However, Go Jae-Soo appeared hesitant. "What''s wrong?" I asked. "Um... I''ll pay for the hospital bills myself." "Excuse me?" "I just don''t think thepany would cover everything. I haven''t proven myself as an actor yet, have I?" Go Jae-Soo indeed had a point. In truth, I had charged the full amount on my personal card for him. Except in special cases like S-ss actors,panies didn''t typically cover the full hospital bills for an actor''s family. They usually cover up to about 20-30% at most. However, if Go Jae-Soo seeded, this expenditure would be nothing. There was an incentive tied to his sess, after all. "Don''t you already have enough expenses? Instead of worrying about your dad''s hospital bills, just focus on your script. That would truly help both thepany and me," I assured him. After a moment of silence, Go Jae-Soo''s eyes lit up with determination. "Thank you, Mr. Jung. I''ll make sure to deliver a performance that satisfies you." "That''s all I ask for." That''s when two women in their fifties approached us in front of the emergency room. "Oh? Isn''t that Jae-Soo?" "When did youe down, Jae-Soo?" They were Go Jae-Soo''s first and second aunts, Yang Hyun-Ja and Yang Suk-Ja. They had always nagged at andpared their sons to him. Even in this situation, his aunts went at him with their usual concern-disguised nagging. "Jae-Soo. Honestly, it''s time to quit that acting thing. Stop clinging to something with no potential." "Don''t you feel anything seeing your dad work so hard? Grow up already, will you?" Before Go Jae-Soo could respond, I stepped in first as his talent agent. "Ladies, you won''t have to worry about Mr. Jae-Soo''s future anymore. He''s set to appear in the film Jiri Mountain soon." Yang Hyun-Ja and Yang Suk-Ja looked at me with a dismissive expression. "And who exactly are you?" "I''m Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment, thepany Mr. Jae-Soo recently joined." Yang Hyun-Ja and Yang Suk-Ja scoffed. "We heard he''d be in a film soon when he joined TK Entertainment too. Whether it''s Jiri Mountain or Baekdusan, it''ll just be another minor role, won''t it?" "And what kind ofpany name is Hoop Entertainment? I heard all these entertainment talent agents are con artists..." The two women didn''t believe a single word I said. After all, it was true that Go Jae-Soo hadn''t gained any fame even after joining TK Entertainment, the secondrgest agency in the industry. "Anyway, Jae-Soo. Just think it over one more time, okay?" After adding onest unnecessaryment, the two women passed by us and entered the emergency room. Whirr. As the automatic door to the ER closed, Go Jae-Soo looked embarrassed. "I''m sorry, Mr. Jung." "No, it''s fine." People like Yang Hyun-Ja and Yang Suk-Ja only believed what they saw with their own eyes. To them, Go Jae-Soo was always just a powerless and unconfident third-rate actor. However, I had no intention of standing by idly. Managing an actor''s mental state was also part of a talent agent''s job. At that moment, I received a phone call. [Caller ID: Lee Dae-Ho] ''It looks like he''s here.'' On my way to the hospital, I had asked Lee Tae-Poong, who was attending the 14-million-viewership celebration event for Beyond the Boundary in Busan, toe to Jinju Hospital. Since we were meeting tomorrow at Seoraksan anyway, I figured it would be good for him to meet Go Jae-Soo early and head up together. When I answered the call, Lee Dae-Ho asked where he should go. -Mr. Jung, I see Gyeongsang University Hospital in front of me... Is this the ce? "Yes. Pleasee to the emergency room parking lot and pass my message to Tae-Poong." I asked Lee Tae-Poong to give Go Jae-Soo a confidence boost to ensure no one could look down on him ever again. *** A short whileter, the ER door opened. Yang Hyun-Ja and Yang Suk-Ja rushed out with horrified looks. The two startedining and nagging without offering any support. "Jae-Soo, are you out of your mind? Do you even know how much a VIP room costs?" "You know we can''t help with the money, right?" Just then, Lee Tae-Poong''s massive white Merciless Springer pulled up to the ER parking lot. Lee Tae-Poong stretched and stepped out as he noticed me. He waved and walked over. "Yoon-Ho hyung!" "Hey, Tae-Poong. Right over here." At that moment, Yang Hyun-Ja and Yang Suk-Ja looked at me and Lee Tae-Poong in astonishment. "Oh my gosh! Is that...?" "How is Lee Tae-Poong... here?" While the two looked shocked, I embraced Tae-Poong and shared a warm greeting. Then I gestured toward Go Jae-Soo who stood beside us. "Introduce yourself. This is Mr. Jae-Soo, someone you''ll be working closely with. It''s best to start getting to know each other." "Oh, so this is Jae-Soo hyung." After breaking away from our hug, Lee Tae-Poong respectfully extended his hand to Go Jae-Soo. "I''m Lee Tae-Poong. It''s a pleasure to meet you." As the renowned actor reached out, Go Jae-Soo grasped his hand with his own trembling slightly. "Yes... yes... Mr. Tae-Poong." "Oh,e on~ You''re about ten years older than me, hyung. Just call me Tae-Poong." "Excuse me?" "Go ahead. The sooner we getfortable, the quicker we can sync up in our acting." In Jiri Mountain, their characters spoke casually to each other. Eventually, Go Jae-Soo rxed and spoke more casually. "Ah, okay... Tae-Poong." "Yes. Please keep calling me that from now on. By the way, hyung, your voice is really nice to listen to. Did you train it?" As the two engaged in a friendly conversation, Yang Hyun-Ja and Yang Suk-Ja were left utterly speechless. They stood there with pale expressions and muttered words of disbelief. "Th-that can''t be." "How... how could someone like Jae-Soo..." Lee Tae-Poong continued to treat Go Jae-Soo warmly as I had asked. "Hyung, so how did you get scouted? If Yoon-Ho hyung chose you, it must mean you''re really good at acting..." When even Lee Tae-Poong showed excitement about Go Jae-Soo''s acting, the two aunts couldn''t utter another word. At that moment, I saw Go Jae-Soo''s once-hunched shoulders gradually straightened. *** A day had passed. Last night, Lee Tae-Poong mentioned wanting to tour the Jiri Mountain location as a preliminary site visit since he hade all the way here anyway. In response, Go Jae-Soo''s father, Go Chang-Han, suggested that we stay at a mountain lodge near the summit. He had a brotherly friendship with the owner. The mountain lodge was located near Cheonwangbong, so if his friend could allow us to stay over, it would be a better practice location than Seoraksan. When Lee Tae-Poong readily epted the suggestion, Go Chang-Han called Oh Tae-Wan, the owner of the lodge. Oh Tae-Wan agreed for them to visit the lodge but didn''tmit to allowing an extended stay. After hanging up, Lee Tae-Poong suggested that we go up and ask for permission in person. So now, here I was, climbing the mountain with Go Jae-Soo, Lee Tae-Poong, and Lee Dae-Ho. The Cheonwang Mountain Lodge sat slightly below the peak and required a six-hour hike. Although taking a shuttle up to Beopgye Temple and walking from there would only take about an hour, we chose the walking route for a more thorough site visit. After roughly six hours of hiking, Go Jae-Soo stopped. Then he suddenly veered off the trail into a dense forest. "Follow me this way, slowly." Watching Go Jae-Soo walk through an unmarked path, I asked, "This is the lodge?" "They haven''t taken any guests for over ten years. Mr. Tae-Wan lives alone there now." There used to be a path but over a decade of having no visitors had caused it to disappear entirely. We followed Go Jae-Soo through the trees for about fifteen minutes. Then suddenly, a wide path appeared in front of us. The gravel-covered road was dotted with tall grass which grew up to waist height. "We''re only about fifteen minutes away from there." However, a weathered white wooden sign was hanging on a rope strung across the path. [Private Property. No Entry for Outsiders] Go Jae-Soo slightly lifted the rope and gestured for us to follow. "Mr. Tae-Wan is not too fond of strangers. But since I''m here, don''t worry, and juste in." "Alright." Though there was some grass, the t path made walking a bit easier. We continued for another fifteen minutes. That''s when the S-shaped roof of the lodge came into view. Go Jae-Soo pointed toward the lodge and said, "We''re here. That''s it." At that moment, my phone suddenly vibrated. Curious, I checked and found that my nner was notifying me of a new schedule. [Notification: A new event has been scheduled for Lee Tae-Poong on October 25, 2020.] "October 25? That''s today." I immediately checked today''s schedule. [Everyday V11] [Date: October 25, 2020] -12:50 p.m. [NEW: Lee Tae-Poong] Emergency postponement due to injury. (Report details: 12:45 p.m., 119 helicopter take-off time. Emergency transport to Jinju Gyeongsang Hospital.) ''What is this?'' In the middle of Jiri Mountain at an altitude of 1,400 meters with no clear path, an update hade in about Lee Tae-Poong getting injured. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 383: Jiri Mountain (1)

Chapter 383: Jiri Mountain (1)

I checked the nner schedule again to find clues about Lee Tae-Poong''s injury. [Everyday V11] [Date: October 25, 2020] -12:50 p.m. [NEW: Lee Tae-Poong] Emergency postponement due to injury. (Report details: 12:45 p.m., 119 helicopter take-off time. Emergency transport to Jinju Gyeongsang Hospital.) The presence of a 119 helicopter meant that he would be seriously injured. It was currently 11:15 a.m. Although I didn''t know exactly when the ident might happen, the time of the helicopter departure was clear. Considering the distance from the helicopternding site and estimating the time it would take for the helicopter to arrive from the base, the most critical period was approximately 30 minutes to an hour from now. Given the circumstances, the highest likelihood of injury was during the descent. After all, it was quitemon for beginners with limited hiking experience to get injured on the way down due to leg fatigue. Finally, I decided to descend only after 12:50 p.m. I thought we might be able to avoid the danger if we only headed down after seeing the schedule disappear. At that moment, Lee Dae-Ho, who had been walking around with his phone, approached me. "Mr. Jung, is your phone also not getting any signal?" "Huh? Oh..." I had been so focused on the nner that I didn''t realize there was no signal on my phone. ''The schedule update stilles through even when there is no signal,'' I thought. "Yeah, I can''t get any signal either." Just then, Go Jae-Soo standing ahead of us responded. "This happens sometimes around here. Don''t worry too much¡ªthe signal wille back shortly." Yesterday, the lodge owner, Oh Tae-Wan, had a phone call with Go Chang-Han. However, Go Jae-Soo exined there were times like today when the signal went out which would make contact impossible. I turned to Lee Dae-Ho. "Tae-Poong''s strength has been drained significantly from the hike. Please stay close to him and make sure he doesn''t get hurt." "Understood, Mr. Jung." Lee Dae-Ho also looked exhausted but there was no other choice given the situation. The one relief was that Go Jae-Soo was still full of energy, so I didn''t have to worry about him. Go Jae-Soo imed he had been climbing Jiri Mountain since he was young. Furthermore, his previous unconfident demeanor as seen in Seoul hadpletely vanished here. "We''re almost there. Let''s keep moving." We followed Go Jae-Soo and resumed walking toward the lodge. *** We finally arrived at the Cheonwang Mountain Lodge. The two-story lodge, built over seventy years ago by Oh Tae-Wan''s grandfather, was muchrger than I had expected. One wall alone stretched over 30 meters and the massive lodge even had an annex building attached. However, with little upkeep, weeds had grown knee-high between the gravel in the open area in front of the lodge. The wooden exterior of the lodge had weathered many seasons over the years and faded to a grayish-brown color. On top of that, the lodge was surrounded by dense trees that stood over 20 meters. The roof of Cheonwang Mountain Lodge was even covered in wisteria vines, which made it hard to spot unless you looked closely. Go Jae-Soo turned to face us and spoke. "Um... please understand that Mr. Tae-Wan is a bit gruff and shy around strangers." He exined that Oh Tae-Wan had retreated to the mountains after his business went bankrupt due to a friend''s betrayal and his subsequent divorce. Despite his family wealth providing him with everything he needed, the wounds inflicted by others led him to be a recluse. The only people he still kept in touch with were Go Jae-Soo''s family, with whom he had shared a bond like brothers since childhood. Just then, a dog started barking somewhere nearby. Woof! Woof! "Ah, that must be Deuk-Gu barking." "Deuk-Gu?" At that moment, a white dog''s head appeared and disappeared through the grass before approaching us. Secondster, the grass parted, and a small white dog with dreadlock-like fur covering its eyes jumped out. Resembling a Shih Tzu with matted fur, the dog growled cautiously upon seeing us. Grrr. Go Jae-Soo reached out his hand with a flustered look. "Deuk-Gu, it''s me. Don''t you remember?" Grrr. "Deuk-Gu, it''s really me!" Deuk-Gu tilted its head. Woof? "Yes, it''s me, your hyung, Jae-Soo!" Woof! Woof! Upon finally recognizing Go Jae-Soo, the dog named Deuk-Gu wagged its tail enthusiastically. "Where''s Mr. Tae-Wan?" Woof! Deuk-Gu turned its head as if understanding the question. At that moment, a man with long, and unkempt hair appeared from the lodge''s annex in the distance. He stood about 180 cm tall and was holding an ax in one hand, looking like something out of a horror movie with his eerie appearance. However, Go Jae-Soo waved excitedly at him. "Mr. Tae-Wan!" At the same time, the man slowly raised his free hand. "Why are you sote?" "Because I didn''te alone this time." I felt a bit more at ease the moment I watched the two greet each other warmly. That''s when Oh Tae-Wan took a nce at me. I introduced myself on behalf of the group. "I''m Jung Yoon-Ho, the talent agent working with Mr. Go Jae-Soo." "I heard from hyung-nim." n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Lee Tae-Poong and Lee Dae-Ho also greeted him, but Oh Tae-Wan merely nodded and showed no expression. It seemed he truly had cut himself off from the world, as he didn''t appear to recognize who Lee Tae-Poong was. After greeting us, Oh Tae-Wan gestured for Go Jae-Soo toe over. "How about ramen for lunch?" "Perfect timing, I was getting hungry. Ramen''s the best in the mountains." "Come on in." As Oh Tae-Wan started walking toward the lodge, Deuk-Gu eagerly followed him and pushed through the knee-high grass. When Deuk-Gu stopped at the door and wagged his tail, Oh Tae-Wan rummaged through his pockets and handed him a snack. Woof! After giving Deuk-Gu a treat, Oh Tae-Wan silently opened the wooden lodge door and went inside. Watching Oh Tae-Wan, Go Jae-Soo let out a deep sigh. "Even though he looks rough, Mr. Tae-Wan actually has a soft heart." At that moment, Lee Tae-Poong returned after snapping photos all around. "Yoon-Ho hyung, it feels like it would be a waste to just practice here." "What do you mean?" I asked. "Wouldn''t this be perfect as a filming location? How about bringing the director to see it?" Lee Tae-Poong suggested. The setting of Jiri Mountain was a snow-covered shelter in the mountains isted from the outside. Seeing the size and location of Cheonwang Mountain Lodge, a few adjustments could make it an ideal filming spot. I replied, "Let''s make sure we have permission to stay here for a few days first." "Should I try to get permission? I mean, I''m pretty famous these days, right?" "Didn''t you notice? He didn''t recognize you at all." Go Jae-Soo nodded in agreement. "There''s no TV in the lodge. Plus, Mr. Tae-Wan hasn''te down the mountain in over a year..." Lee Tae-Poong looked a bit taken aback. Here in Cheonwang Mountain Lodge, Lee Tae-Poong was nothing more than a simply handsome young man. *** When we opened the door to Cheonwang Mountain Lodge and stepped inside, a spacious living room greeted us. In the center of the room stood a t metal wood stove with a decades-old chimney pipe attached, where a kettle or pot could be ced. Oh Tae-Wan exined that each room had a simr stove. Oh Tae-Wan crouched in front of the stove and loaded firewood into it. "I have ramen and rice, but rice is cold." When Go Jae-Soo nced at me, I smiled and signaled that it was fine. All I needed was to confirm if we could stay here for a few days anyway. "Ramen with cold rice is perfect. That''s all we need." "Sounds good." Oh Tae-Wan headed to what appeared to be the kitchen and returned with arge aluminum pot big enough to serve ten people. Then, he poured water from arge container easily enough for a meal and sat down beside the stove. Lighting dried leaves with a lighter, he blew gently until the mes caught onto the firewood. A few minutester when the dry wood finally ignited, Oh Tae-Wan looked at me and asked, "Chang-Han hyung-nim asked if Jae-Soo and that pale guy over there could stay here for a few days. Is that correct?" I nodded. "Yes, sir." "Since it''s Chang-Han hyung-nim''s request, I can''t refuse..." After a brief frown, Oh Tae-Wan sighed heavily and continued. "I''ll allow only Jae-Soo and that guy. But they''ll have to handle the food themselves." The excited Lee Tae-Poong clenched his fist in joy. However, I couldn''t leave just the actors behind. "We''ll do whatever you ask, so I would be very grateful if Talent Agent Lee Dae-Ho and I could stay here as well." Oh Tae-Wan shook his head firmly. "No. Only those two. I can''t stand having too many people around." With Oh Tae-Wan''s resolute refusal, Lee Tae-Poong nodded and indicated he was fine with it. Go Jae-Soo also offered to look after Lee Tae-Poong in my stead, but I couldn''t ept that. Instead, I asked for a moment to think it over. Since the schedule of Lee Tae-Poong''s potential injury hadn''t disappeared yet, I wanted to wait until after that time to leave. "I''ll give you my answer after a bit more thought." Oh Tae-Wan nodded slowly. "Take your time." Tick, tock. The current time had just passed 11:20 a.m. *** It was now 11:35 a.m. The water in the pot atop the wood stove began to boil and the lid of the aluminum pot rattled. Oh Tae-Wan lifted the lid, added six packets of ramen, and began stirring. My mouth started watering upon seeing the noodles turn pleasantly firm. Five minutester, Oh Tae-Wan handed out wooden bowls and chopsticks. The rough surfaces made me wonder if he had carved them himself. "Let''s eat," said Oh Tae-Wan. Everyone scooped a portion from the pot. Slurp! As I took a bite, the perfectly chewy and firm noodles made my eyes widen in delight. ''Why does this taste so good?'' I wondered. The difort I had felt earlier faded away with each warm sip of broth and bite of noodles. Even without kimchi, the noodles, broth, and cold rice made it delicious. The current time was 11:50 a.m. and we finished our meal in no time. My nner had predicted the rescue helicopter would be summoned at 12:45 p.m. Considering the time taken to exit the lodge, we had now entered the timeframe where an ident could ur at any moment. To be certain that the scheduled event would disappear, I needed to leave the lodge only after 12:50 p.m. ''There''s just one more hour to wait,'' I thought. Then, Oh Tae-Wan asked, "So, what are you going to do?" I apologized. "I''m sorry, but I can''t leave Tae-Poong and Mr. Jae-Soo here alone. We''ll head back down with them." Lee Tae-Poong looked disappointed, but there was no other choice. However, I requested to stay for another hour before heading out. "Our legs are really shaky from the climb. Could we rest here for an hour before heading down?" Oh Tae-Wan nodded. "Fine. But don''t leave toote. If you descend after sunset, there''s a risk of idents." I could tell that Oh Tae-Wan was trying his best to amodate us since we came here at Go Chang-Han''s rmendation. Thankfully, there was a shuttle bus avable at the nearby Beopgye Temple and we nned to take that route down. At that moment, Deuk-Gu started barking loudly outside the lodge. Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof! Oh Tae-Wan turned his head and asked, "Is someone elseing?" I shook my head. "No. My team doesn''t even know where this ce is." Oh Tae-Wan slowly stood up. "I''ll go check outside for a moment." Go Jae-Soo tried to stand as well. "I''ll go with you." "No, you stay here." "But what if it''s a wild boar or something?" Oh Tae-Wan gripped his ax tightly. "A wild boar''s nothing. A bear came aroundst time and I chased it off by myself." "That''s even more of a problem!" That''s when a chill ran down my spine. ''Could it really be a bear? No... surely not.'' I became on high alert as I recalled an article about a Jiri Mountain ck bear almost attacking someone recently. Oh Tae-Wan told us to stay put and grabbed the ax that was leaning beside the door. Creak. He opened the wooden door and stepped outside. Thud. As the door closed behind him, I turned to the rest. "Stay alert, everyone... and pick up anything that could be used as a weapon just in case." "Why?" "Because we''ll have to fight if a beares in." Although Go Jae-Soo, Lee Tae-Poong, and Lee Dae-Ho couldn''t help butugh, I grabbed a piece of firewood from a pile in the corner of the lodge. It was about the thickness of a baseball bat, around 60 cm long, and fitfortably in my hand. Upon seeing me so alert, the other three eventually also picked up simr pieces of wood. Just then, Deuk-Gu''s barking began to grow louder outside. Grrr- Woof! Woof! Woof! I wasn''t sure what he was barking at, but it was clear that something was wrong. I quickly instructed Lee Dae-Ho, "I''ll go out first. Please stay here and guard the others." "Should Ie with you?" "No, I''ll go alone." That''s when Go Jae-Soo insisted oning along. "Whether it''s a bear or a boar, it''ll be scared and run away if there are more people. Plus, I know this area better." I couldn''t ignore the advice of someone who had yed in these mountains since he was a child. "Alright, but I''ll lead. You follow behind me, Mr. Jae-Soo." "Understood." I cautiously opened the door slightly and peeked outside to assess the situation. At that moment, Deuk-Gu''s barking echoed around the left corner of the lodge and grew louder with each echo. Grrr- Woof! Woof! Woof! Chapter 384: Jiri Mountain (2)

Chapter 384: Jiri Mountain (2)

I opened the door slightly to peek outside but all I heard was Deuk-Gu barking. Oh Tae-Wan was nowhere in sight. Then, the sound of Deuk-Gu''s barking gradually grew distant as if he were leading someone away. Grrr- Woof! Woof! Woof! At that moment, I turned to Lee Dae-Ho behind me and instructed, "Take Tae-Poong and head upstairs to the second floor right now." "Yes, Mr. Jung." Lee Tae-Poong hesitated and offered to help. "Hyung, wouldn''t it be better if we all went out together?" "I can move more freely if you''re not out there. Don''t you trust me?" I responded. Since the scheduled event regarding Lee Tae-Poong''s injury was still active, I couldn''t take unnecessary risks. "Alright. Be careful, hyung." Lee Tae-Poong reluctantly followed Lee Dae-Ho up to the second floor. Only after they were safely out of sight did I feel a bit of relief and step outside. "Let''s go, Mr. Jae-Soo." "Okay." However, as soon as we stepped outside the lodge, Deuk-Gu''s barking ceased. After a brief thought, I headed toward the left corner where the sound hade from earlier. "Let''s stick close to the wall." "Yes, Mr. Jung." Go Jae-Soo and I moved cautiously along the wall to approach the corner of the lodge. The knee-high grass brushing against our legs made a soft rustling sound. Rustle, rustle. When we were about five meters away from the corner, a faint and unfamiliar male voice reached our ears. "Are you alone here?" "Of course... I''m alone... who woulde... to such a rugged ce..." I could hear Oh Tae-Wan replying with difficulty. Simultaneously, I clenched my right fist and came to a halt. Go Jae-Soo also froze as if he heard the voices as well. From the sound beyond the corner, it was clear that Oh Tae-Wan was being restrained by someone. ''Was it a person?'' I wondered. It turned out Deuk-Gu had been barking at a person, not a boar or a bear. Swallowing nervously, I tightened my grip on the 60cm wooden club in my right hand. That''s when the man and Oh Tae-Wan''s voices grew clearer. "Got any food?" "I used up all my supplies... if you''re hungry, go down to the base..." "Don''t you dare lie to me. You''re dead if I find a packet of ramen." "Do whatever you want... I have no attachment to this world anyway..." It was clear that Oh Tae-Wan was trying his best to prevent the man from entering the lodge. However, it seemed his efforts were in vain. "No attachment to the world? What a joke. People who truly don''t care about the world would already be dead. So stop the nonsense and get up. I haven''t eaten all day running from the cops." At that moment, Oh Tae-Wan suddenly yelled out, "Run! Ugh..." Oh Tae-Wan''s words were abruptly cut off. I wanted to rush in immediately, but I couldn''t act recklessly without knowing the exact situation around the corner. "So there are others here, huh?" I couldn''t hear Oh Tae-Wan anymore but only the stranger''s voice. I signaled to Go Jae-Soo, suggesting we would ambush the man as soon as he rounded the corner. Go Jae-Soo understood the signal and nodded. That''s when the sound of grass being trampled grew louder, indicating that the man was approaching. Rustle, rustle. "Ugh, couldn''t he just cut down this grass?" the man grumbled, seemingly annoyed by the knee-high grass impeding his movements. Thanks to this, I could roughly gauge his distance. ''3 meters... 2 meters... 1 meter... Now!'' At that exact moment, the man rounded the corner. He appeared to be in his mid-forties, wearing camouge pants, with long hair and sharp eyes. The man held a military knife in his left hand and wielded the ax he had taken from Oh Tae-Wan in his right hand. "W-what? Who the hell are you people?" the man uttered in shock, as if he had not expected anyone to be lying in wait. Without wasting the moment, I swung my wooden club with all my might toward his wrist. Smack! The blow to his wrist made him drop the knife. However, he was no amateur: gritting his teeth through the pain, he reflexively swung the ax with his right hand. I quickly dodged by leaning back as I didn''t have time to counter with another swing. Whoosh! The heavy ax narrowly missed my face. Just then, a heavy impact sounded. Thud! The man screamed and dropped the ax as he staggered. "Ahh!" Go Jae-Soo had struck him from behind. ''This is my chance!'' I thought. Seizing the opportunity, I punched the man squarely in the jaw. Thwack! In an instant, the man fell unconscious and copsed forward. Thud. I tried to catch my breath. "Huff, huff, huff..." It had been a long time since I had faced an armed opponent without any protective gear. However, I was more concerned about Go Jae-Soo. When I turned to him, I saw his face had gone pale as expected. Even though he was an actor who yed a psychopathic killer on screen, confronting a real armed assant was an entirely different experience. Nheless, there was no time for him to be stunned. "Mr. Jae-Soo, please check on Mr. Oh Tae-Wan''s condition immediately." "Okay." As I held down the unconscious man, Go Jae-Soo moved over to check on Oh Tae-Wan. Go Jae-Soo pushed through the grass and examined Oh Tae-Wan, signaling that he was okay but unconscious. "Bring him over here quickly." "Understood." A momentter, Go Jae-Soo carried the unconscious Oh Tae-Wan on his back and returned. I also hefted the unknown assant over my shoulder. ''This guy is no ordinary person... Who could he be?'' I wondered. Swinging an ax at someone without hesitation wasn''t something a normal person would do¡ªat least not without prior experience. I didn''t know his exact background, but chances were he was a criminal, especially given his mention of evading the police. ''Was this why Tae-Poong would be in danger?'' I pulled out my phone to check the nner. The time was now 12:00 p.m. Yet the schedule in the nner remained unchanged. [Everyday V11] [Date: October 25, 2020] -12:50 p.m. [NEW: Lee Tae-Poong] Emergency postponement due to injury. (Report details: 12:45 p.m., 119 helicopter take-off time. Emergency transport to Jinju Gyeongsang Hospital.) At that moment, a sense of dread swept over me. ''Deuk-Gu had moved off far earlier, right?'' I thought. It was as if Deuk-Gu disappeared to lure someone away. If so, there was a chance this unidentified man had aplices. A shiver ran down my spine. "Mr. Jae-Soo, I think this guy might have aplices." "What do you mean...?" "There''s no time to exin. Let''s get inside first." "Alright." Go Jae-Soo dragged Oh Tae-Wan back toward the lodge. I hurried inside as well, pulling the unconscious man along. Thud. After closing the lodge door, I looked for atch to lock it. But thetch was so old and broken that locking the door wasn''t an option. The only choice was to stand guard here myself. Go Jae-Soo anxiously asked, "Mr. Jung, what should we do now?" "For now, please get Mr. Oh Tae-Wan to a safe spot. And if you can find anything like a cable tie, please bring it." "Oh, okay." Go Jae-Soo pulled Oh Tae-Wan along and headed toward Room 101. In the meantime, I pulled the unconscious man''s jacket halfway off followed by his sweater, and pulled it over his head. Then, I also half-lowered his pants. With just his jacket held in ce, it would be almost impossible for him to resist: he couldn''t see, his arms were bent back, and his legs were restricted. The current time was 12:05 p.m. The scheduled event regarding Lee Tae-Poong''s injury remained. To think I would encounter criminals in such a remote and rugged ce was absurd. I was dumbfounded, but there was no time to dwell on it. Just then, Go Jae-Soo came out of Room 101. "Iid Mr. Tae-Wan on the bed and the cable ties should be in the storage room on the second floor." ''Perfect timing.'' "When you go up to the second floor, please inform Tae-Poong of the situation and tell him to stay cautious." Go Jae-Soo nodded and hurriedly ran upstairs. The time was now 12:06 p.m. I checked on the unconscious man, but he showed no signs of waking. ng. At that moment, the door to Room 101 opened and the pale-looking Oh Tae-Wan spoke weakly, "Ugh...ah, r-run..." "Are you alright?" I asked. Oh Tae-Wan managed to speak with difficulty upon recognizing me. "Ughh...T-two... two of them..." "That''s good to know. We''ve already caught one." Knowing the number of intruders alone was a significant help. However, Oh Tae-Wan frowned and shook his head. "There''s an... emergency stairway... on the second floor..." "Emergency stairway?" At that moment, Deuk-Gu''s barking started up again outside. Bark! Bark! Woof, woof, woof! The barking which had faded was now getting louder and closer. I quickly asked Oh Tae-Wan, "Where is the emergency stairway?" Oh Tae-Wan was gradually regaining his senses. "Around the corner, to the left... connected to Room 201..." ''Damn it.'' The person who would injure Tae-Poong was likely a different one, not this man. I said to Oh Tae-Wan. "Hold on tight here to his jacket and sweater. That way, he can''t get free." Nodding, Oh Tae-Wan grabbed the jacket and sweater securely. Then, I handed Oh Tae-Wan a piece of firewood from the pile beside the stove. "Hit him in the head if he shows any sign of waking." "Got it." I considered running straight up to the second floor but changed my mind. If the aplice entered through the emergency stairwell rather than the main entrance, attacking from behind would be more effective. In the end, I made a decision. ''I''ll circle around and hit him from the back.'' I steeled my nerves and dashed outside toward the front of the lodge. It was now 12:08 p.m. *** Go Jae-Soo found the cable ties in storage room 204 and intended to warn Lee Tae-Poong about the situation on the second floor. ''Which room is he in?'' he wondered. The usable rooms on the second floor were from 201 to 203. Not wanting to draw attention from any intruders outside by shouting, Go Jae-Soo knocked softly on each door. ''Room 203.'' Knock, knock. ''Room 202.'' Knock, knock. There was no response from either room. Then, he came to Room 201. At that moment, the sound of someone stepping on old metal echoed in Go Jae-Soo''s ears. ng. ng. In an instant, memories from Go Jae-Soo''s childhood spent ying in this lodge came back to him. ''That''s right. There''s an emergency stairway here.'' Room 201 in Cheonwang Mountain Lodge was connected to an outdoor emergency metal stairwell. However, the door connecting to the stairwell was hidden, looking like an ordinary wooden wall without any "Emergency Exit" sign. ''An aplice ising in from outside,'' Go Jae-Soo thought. Realizing the danger to Lee Tae-Poong, Go Jae-Soo hurriedly opened the door to Room 201. Bang! The startled Lee Tae-Poong and Lee Dae-Ho turned to him, raising their makeshift clubs defensively. Go Jae-Soo shouted, "It''s me!" With a sigh of relief, Lee Tae-Poong and Lee Dae-Ho lowered their clubs. Go Jae-Soo urgently shouted, "Get out quickly!" "Pardon?" "What''s going on?" They looked confused, not understanding the urgency. At that moment, the emergency door connected to the stairwell in Room 201 burst open with a violent kick. Bang! As the wooden door swung open with a bang, a chilling mountain breeze swept into the room. Standing there was a man in military fatigues holding a military knife with a menacing expression. "Where''s my friend?" the man asked. It was toote to run. Go Jae-Soo lunged at the man and swung his club. "Ahhh!" However, the man dodged him effortlessly. Thud. Go Jae-Soo''s club struck the wall and rebounded off. The man quickly snatched the club out of Go Jae-Soo''s hands. "Are you insane, trying to get yourself killed?" Lee Tae-Poong and Lee Dae-Ho finally snapped to their senses but hesitated to make any move as they were caught in the standoff between Go Jae-Soo and the intruder. However, abandoning Go Jae-Soo to escape wasn''t an option either. Just then, the man''s gaze shifted to Lee Tae-Poong and a smirk appeared on his face. "You''re Lee Tae-Poong, the movie star. Right?" The man seemed interested in Lee Tae-Poong. Realizing the danger, Go Jae-Soo squeezed his eyes shut and yelled, "Tae-Poong! I''ll hold him off¡ªrun!" Go Jae-Soo lunged at the man, unwilling to let anyone get hurt after he had brought everyone to this ce. Despite this, his resolve was in vain as the man easily blocked his charge and raised the knife. "You dumbass, you should know who you''re messing with. That''s how you end up dead, got it?" the man scoffed. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om In a split second, shes of his parents'' smiling faces from yesterday at the hospital crossed Go Jae-Soo''s mind. ''Mom, Dad... I''m sorry.'' Bracing himself for the inevitable pain, Go Jae-Soo clenched his teeth. His body trembled with sheer terror at the thought alone. Then, he heard the man''s taunting voice. "What a fucking pathetic idiot." ''To think this is thest words I hear before I die...'' Go Jae-Soo remarked inwardly. Go Jae-Soo had only justnded a major role and the idea of dying before he could confirm it was unbearably unfair. This was just like the saying about how unlucky people can even break their noses when they fall backward. ''Mr. Jung... I''m sorry...'' he silently remarked. However, the pain he was anticipating never came. Thanks to this, a ridiculous thought crossed his mind. ''What happened? Did I die so quickly that I didn''t even feel the pain?'' Go Jae-Soo slowly opened his eyes and saw the panting Jung Yoon-Ho gripping the man''s neck with one hand and holding the man''s arm with another. "What did you just say to my precious actor?" Jung Yoon-Ho snapped. Chapter 385: Jiri Mountain (3)

Chapter 385: Jiri Mountain (3)

As I turned the corner of Cheonwang Lodge, the assant was already entering through the second-floor emergency door. I quieted my footsteps and hurried up the emergency stairs. Upon reaching the second floor, I witnessed the assant trying to stab Go Jae-Soo who was holding him tightly. I quickly lunged at the assant''s back, grabbed his neck and arms, and narrowly prevented Go Jae-Soo from being stabbed. At the same time, I twisted the assant''s arm backward and pushed him forward. "Keuk!" the assant groaned in pain but didn''t let go of the knife. Finally, I delivered a knee strike to his face. Thud. The assant staggered, having been hit in the temple. "Ugh." Not missing the opportunity, I swung my fist into his jaw again. Pow. Struck squarely in the jaw, the assant lost consciousness and dropped the knife from his right hand. "Huff, huff, huff..." I caught my breath and turned to Go Jae-Soo. "Are you alright?" Still clutching the man, the startled Go Jae-Soo blinked and nodded. "Yes, yes... I''m alright." Go Jae-Soo was still trembling. I asked, "Do you have cable ties?" "H-here they are." After receiving a bundle of cable ties from Go Jae-Soo, I handed half to Lee Dae-Ho. "Mr. Dae-Ho, there''s one more person on the first floor. Go down and tie him up too." "Yes, Mr. Jung." Lee Dae-Ho quickly headed downstairs. After binding the hands of the unconscious man, I took out my phone to check my nner. [Everyday V11] [Date: October 25, 2020] -12:50 p.m. (Deleted Scheduled Event: [NEW: Lee Tae-Poong] Emergency postponement due to injury. (Report details: 12:45 p.m., 119 helicopter take-off time. Emergency transport to Jinju Gyeongsang Hospital.)) ''It''s finally gone!'' I eximed silently before letting out a deep sigh. I closed the emergency door. Click. From the inside, it looked like a perfect wooden wall. I turned and noticed Go Jae-Soo staring at me with an intense and flushed expression. I cautiously asked out of curiosity, "Is there something on my face?" At that moment, Go Jae-Soo gave an unexpected answer. "I...I''ll pledge my utmost loyalty to you, Mr. Jung." His sudden deration caught me off guard. Nevertheless, I assured him I understood since dedication was always weed. Lee Tae-Poong chimed in yfully. "Another one''s fallen for Yoon-Ho hyung, huh?" "What are you talking about?" Tae-Poongughed mischievously and reenacted my entrance. "Hyung, you just burst in and shouted, ''Don''t touch my actor!''" "..." "Yoon-Ho hyung, what will you do with all this poprity? Soon, people might not even be able to see you!" Suddenly, my face flushed. Lee Tae-Poong seemed to be getting bolder by the day after having be a famous actor. His mimicking my earlier actions in front of everyone made me slightly embarrassed, especially since he kept doing it over and over. "Tae-Poong, enough already. Haven''t you had enough?" I rebutted. When I imitated a famous line from an old movie, Lee Tae-Poong was disappointed that he couldn''t keep teasing me and smacked his lips in mock regret. Then, I gestured to the unconscious man. "Let''s take him down to the first floor." "Got it, hyung." We carried the fallen man and headed down to the first floor. *** The sound of the police helicopter''s rotors echoed over the clearing in front of Cheonwang Lodge. Twenty minutes had passed since I had sent Lee Dae-Ho to contact the police and emergency services on the path we hade from. The ground was rtively t, allowing the helicopter to attempt anding despite the tall grass. The wind from the rotors bent the knee-high grass in all directions. As the helicopter descended and touched down, five officers disembarked with heads ducked. The highest-ranking officer among them saluted us. "You have done very well. I''m Chief Superintendent Park Ill-Soo." It was rare to see an officer of his rank with three hibiscus stars. After returning his salute, we handed over the two men we had restrained with cable ties. Park Il-Soo instructed his men. "Take them away." "Yes, sir!" The two men tied with cables struggled, but they were no match for the officers. Because the noise from the helicopter made it hard to converse, I briefly exined the situation. "They lunged at us with knives, so we had no choice but to defend ourselves." I simultaneously handed over the two knives I had sealed in a transparent bag. Park Ill-Soo epted them with a smile. "It''s fine. Both men are suspects in the Jinju family robbery-murder case. You shouldn''t have any issues." "The Jinju family robbery-murder case?" "Yes. We confirmed they fled to Jiri Mountain during the chase... but we didn''t expect them here. Thanks to you, we''ve prevented further loss of life. Thank you." I hade down in a hurry because Go Jae-Soo''s father was injured, so I hadn''t known about the case. Both men were indeed murderers. I shuddered. ''To think we had fought those criminals...'' n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Park Ill-Soo suggested we discuss the details after descending the mountain. "By the way, we would like you toe down with us on the helicopter to give a statement..." "Could I do thatter? We''ll head down on the emergency helicopter once we finish up here." "Then can youe to the Jinju police station please?" Park Ill-Soo requested. "Yes, I''ll go straight there after we''re down," I said. I continued, "Here''s my business card. Contact me once you''re down and I''ll arrange a car." With a case of this magnitude, reporters would surely swarm around. It was a prime opportunity to promote Jiri Mountain. I quickly thought of a way to promote both the film and Go Jae-Soo. "Um, Mr. Park. Would you mind dying any press release for a while?" Park Ill-Soo hesitated for a moment before responding. "Hmm... alright. But please be as quick as possible. Reporters have already caught wind of it and we can''t hold them off indefinitely." "Understood. I''ll contact you as soon as possible." Park Ill-Soo took my business card and boarded the helicopter. The police helicopter gradually lifted and disappeared into the sky. Only then did we all let out a long sigh of relief. "I can''t believe they were real murderers..." Still shaken, we slumped to the ground. Oh Tae-Wan leaning against the wall and rubbing his neck finally spoke. "You said you wanted to practice here, didn''t you?" Lee Tae-Poong nodded urgently. "Yes." "Then go ahead. As for me, I think I''ll take this chance to head down and rest for a month or two." Having encountered murderers alone outside the lodge, Oh Tae-Wan seemed thoroughly shaken. He then turned his gaze to me. "Thanks to you, Team Lead Jung, I''m alive. I don''t know much about films, but if you need this lodge, go ahead and use it. It''ll be empty for two months anyway." "Are you sure?" "Do whatever you want as long as you don''t destroy the walls¡ªpaint it, rece the roof... just make it livable." "Then I''ll not only repair it but upgrade it!" I eximed happily. The props team in film production could handle just about anything. Restoring this lodge would be a simple task. Just then, Deuk-Gu wagged his tail as if in agreement. Woof! Woof! Go Jae-Soo also looked pleased and invited Oh Tae-Wan to stay at his house. "Mr. Tae-Wan, why don''t you stay with us for the next two months? My Dad''s been homebound since he got injured and we have extra rooms anyway." "Yeah, I was actually nning to visit hyung-nim." Go Jae-Soo smiled as he said he was d it worked out, knowing his father would enjoy thepany. At that moment, we heard the sound of the 119 emergency helicopter approaching. "Let''s all head down together." Oh Tae-Wan might have had a concussion after having been knocked out by a blow to the back of his head, and I had cut the skin on my right hand fromnding punches with bare fists. We were all sore and tense after facing murderers, so I had arranged for hospital visits just in case. Therge 119 helicopternded and we helped Oh Tae-Wan aboard. Deuk-Gu came along as well. Afterwards, the helicopter headed to the Jinju Gyeongsang Hospital. *** Once down the mountain, I called thepany to request revisions to the press release we had prepared. The story now emphasized that Go Jae-Soo had caught the suspect on Jiri Mountain. I headed straight to the police station and gave my statement exining what had happened, but we circted the press release we''d prepared ourselves. By the time I returned to the hospital, the news had started to break. [Jinju Family Murder Case Suspect Captured by Top Star Lee Tae-Poong and Rookie Actor Go Jae-Soo of Hoop Entertainment] [Main Cast of Jiri Mountain Apprehends Real-Life Killer During On-Site Research] [Go Jae-Soo, Cast as Psychopathic Killer Oh Myung-Jin in Jiri Mountain, Catches a Real Murderer] As the articles spread, Go Jae-Soo''s name quickly climbed the real-time search rankings and hit number seven. With his name gaining traction, I could finally receive some proper medical treatment. *** It was 11 p.m. Lee Tae-Poong, Go Jae-Soo, and Lee Dae-Ho entered my room 1202 after receiving their medical treatments. I had a bandage on my right hand. All seven private rooms on the 12th floor were now upied by people connected to Hoop Entertainment including Go Jae-Soo''s father and Oh Tae-Wan, allowing everyone to move aboutfortably. The moment Lee Tae-Poong sat on the sofa, he started grumbling. "I didn''t even do anything. Hyung, your name should''ve been in the article." Lee Tae-Poong questioned whether it was thepany''s idea not to mention me. I shook my head. "Of course not. I specifically told them to revise it." "What? Why?" "What''s the point of a talent agent''s name being out there? It''s better for the actor''s name to get exposure." As expected, about seventy percent of the article''s content was about Go Jae-Soo. However, in order to generate buzz, it was crucial to mention Lee Tae-Poong. That was why I kept my own name out to let the story highlight Lee Tae-Poong''s role. Though Go Jae-Soo looked embarrassed, he couldn''t argue when I exined it was all part of our publicity strategy. Creak. When the door opened, Park Sun-Jae and Shin Jong-Ki entered. "Team Lead Jung, are you alright?" "Mr. Jung!" Park Sun-Jae and Shin Jong-Ki hade all the way to Jinju upon hearing I was in the hospital. "So everyone is here." Though I had informed them that Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo were also hospitalized, they hade to my room first. I felt a surge of gratitude. "I''m fine, Mr. Shin, Mr. Park." "But what happened to your right hand?" "Oh, this?" I exined that the bandage on my hand was just from a small scrape that bled a little which finally put them at ease. Only then did the two sigh in relief. "That''s good to hear. And by the way, I saw the photos you sent of Cheonwang Lodge. Director Park also liked it, so let''s change the location. I''ll handle the arrangements." Shin Jong-Ki even offered to rent a helicopter to make it easier for the crew to ess the lodge. "Thank you." Shin Jong-Kiughed heartily as he praised me. "There''s no need to thank me. You''ve already started promoting the film on your own! I can''t fall behind now, can I?" Then he turned his attention to Go Jae-Soo. "So, you must be Mr. Go Jae-Soo!" Go Jae-Soo stiffened nervously as he greeted him. "Ah, hello, Mr. Shin." "Hahaha! Why is the actor who caught the killer so tense?" "N-no... it''s not that..." Just as Go Jae-Soo was about to exin, I shook my head. I had already briefed Shin Jong-Ki over the phone, so he was pretending not to know on purpose. The same went for Park Sun-Jae. However, Go Jae-Soo shut his eyes and blurted out, "I haven''t even had the chance to show Mr. Park my acting yet. I apologize for all this before I have even secured the role." Originally, we had nned a few days of intensive practice before making a final casting decision. However, the media was already referring to Go Jae-Soo as a main cast member of Jiri Mountain. Shin Jong-Ki chuckled and patted Go Jae-Soo''s shoulder. "With the articles already out, the game''s over. How would we exin switching actors to the public now?" Park Sun-Jae nodded in agreement. "I had already made my decision the moment Mr. Jung rmended you. I trust his judgment on your acting skills." Shin Jong-Ki said, "Is that so? Me too! Hahaha." It was only natural that neither of them wanted to pull out an actor who was making headlines. Go Jae-Soo looked stunned, but they both encouraged him to give his best. "I-I''ll do my very best." With that, Go Jae-Soo officially secured the role of Oh Myung-Jin in Jiri Mountain. Just then, the door slid open and there was a suddenmotion. Click. "Yoon-Ho oppa!" "Oppa!" "Uncle Yoon-Ho!" The members of Cherry Blossom, Kang Ha-Na, Yoo-Jin, and Miso all rushed in at once. "Are you alright?" "Where are you hurt?" "Oppa! W-what happened to your hand?" As soon as they heard the news, the girls hade all the way to Jinju. Even though Cherry Blossom had an event in Busan tomorrow, Kang Ha-Na and Yoo-Jin didn''t have anything scheduled. Yet they still came all the way down. "I''m fine. It''s just a small injury." I reassured them it was only a minor scrape that needed some bandaging, but they didn''t seem convinced. On the verge of tears, Sae-Ri asked if I would never be able to use my right hand again, making the mood even more serious. Eventually, I decided to remove the bandage and show them the wound to convince them. However, they wouldn''t let me, causing more of an uproar. As such, I justy there under their concerned stares. I felt ufortable like I was lying on a bed of needles, yet my heart was swelling with joy. Unlike my past life, my celebrities hade running as soon as they heard I was hurt. The thought of no longer being alone made me smile, It further assured me that my decision to prioritize people over money was indeed the right one. Chapter 386: Busan World Pop Festival (1)

Chapter 386: Busan World Pop Festival (1)

Last night, Cherry Blossom finally left the hospital room around 1 a.m. as they needed to rest for a scheduled event in Busan tomorrow. However, Kang Ha-Na, Yoo-Jin, and Miso didn''t leave the room. The three decided to sleep in the adjoining room and travel back to Seoul with me. When I woke up early and tried to sit up, I felt a heavy weight pressing down on me. "Ugh... What''s going on?" I muttered. I turned to find two people seated on a chair on each side of the bed, asleep with their heads on the nket. They hugged the nket tightly from both sides, making it taut and pressing down on me. ''No wonder I felt constricted.'' To anyone else, it might have looked like they were caring for a seriously ill patient. But I had simply had a long night after climbing Jiri Mountain at dawn, managing media responses, and handling the kids. ''But how long will I be stuck like this?'' The nket felt as restrictive as a straitjacket, so I started shifting to free my upper body. At that moment, Yoo-Jinsensed my movement and woke up. "Oh, oppa. You''re awake?" Yoo-Jin''s voice was still thick with sleep. "Yes, just now." Kang Ha-Na also woke up. "Oppa, how are you feeling?" "I''m fine. Thanks for taking care of me, Ha-Na." Kang Ha-Na turned her face away to rub her eyes, likely worried about having any sleep residue. "N-no problem." Meanwhile, Yoo-Jin began scrutinizing me. "Phew, that''s a relief." Yoo-Jin sat up after checking that I was fine. Only then did the nket loosen and I could finally sit up as well. I raised my body and smiled at Yoo-Jin. I''m sorry for making you worry." "It''s okay. I heard you were helping out Tae-Poong oppa and Jae-Soo oppa." Yoo-Jinined, saying I attracted trouble and jokingly suggested it was time for an exorcism. Just then, my phone vibrated. "Yoo-Jin, give me a moment.." I paused the conversation to check my phone by the head of the bed. [Notification: October 26, 2020, New schedule for ''Kim Sae-Ri.''] October 26 was today. I quickly checked the details and saw an unexpected change. [Everyday V11] [Date: October 26, 2020] -08:00 p.m. [NEW. Kim Sae-Ri] Performance order change at Busan World Pop Festival. ''Huh? What''s going on?'' I wondered. The Busan World Pop Festival which Cherry Blossom was scheduled to participate in was a K-POP concert hosted by Busan City that spanned two days with concerts and fan meetings. Cherry Blossom was set to perform as the headlining act of the festival''s opening ceremony which would attract over twenty thousand people. With the previous song ''Hurry Up!'' holding the number one spot for nine weeks consecutively and theireback song ''My First Love Story'' immediately topping the charts, Cherry Blossom was currently the hottest idol group in Korea. As singers usually received encore requests at the final performance, we had nned for about three songs. This was to help the girls gain experience performing in front of tens of thousands since we were nning a year-end joint concert. However, it seemed like the schedule had been changed. ''Why all of a sudden?'' I considered a few possibilities, but I couldn''t tell what was going on. Just then, the door slid open. "Mr. Jung!" Do Ran-Hee, who was supposed to leave soon for Cherry Blossom''s event in Busan, ran into the hospital room. She continued, "I got a call from the event operations manager! Girlfriends7 will be doing the final performance for the Busan World Pop Festival! We''ve been bumped to the slot before them!" Do Ran-Hee exined the situation to me, saying that our initial two songs had been reduced to one. Instead, Girlfriends7, who were ranked third on music shows and second on streaming charts, would get to perform two songs. "They didn''t say why?" I asked, Do Ran-Hee shook her head. "No. I think you''ll have to speak directly with the head of the World Pop Festival operations team." "Got it." I sat up in bed and spoke to Yoo-Jin. "Yoo-Jin, take Miso with you and head back to Seoul with Ha-Na." "What about you, oppa?" "I think I''ll need to go to Busan." There was something off about this situation with Cherry Blossom. For a major event of this scale to have the performance order of a popr girl group changed suggested that someone influential was pulling strings behind the scenes. Yoo-Jin hesitated briefly but then nodded. "Alright. But at least say goodbye to Miso before you go. She was really worried." "I will." I told Do Ran-Hee to wait and headed to the adjoining guardian room. Miso was sprawled out on the bed having kicked off the nket. Her small lips were moving as if she was eating something in her dream. "Miso." When I called her name gently, Miso stirred. "Mmm... Hmm..." "Uncle Yoon-Ho has to go to work. I''m sorry, but you''ll have to go to Seoul with Mom." Upon hearing my words, Miso sat up abruptly and grabbed my arm as if to say ''Don''t go'' with her eyes still half-closed. It seemed my injury had really scared her. "I''m sorry for worrying you, Miso. But something''se up with Sae-Ri, so I need to go check on her. I''lle back soon after it''s done." Rubbing her eyes, Miso replied with a hint of sadness in her voice. "Okay..." I pulled the disappointed Miso into a tight hug and patted her back. At that moment, Miso wrapped her little arms around me tightly. "No more getting hurt, okay? Promise." Feeling a lump in my throat, I smiled and answered, "I promise." After hugging Miso tightly, I finally left the hospital room. I entrusted the three of them to Jung Sang-Bong waiting outside, then quickly started the discharge process. After picking up my medication and heading out into the hospital lobby, I turned to Do Ran-Hee. "How many reporters were there when you came in?" "Reporters? There were about five. Why do you ask?" "We need to address the Jiri Mountain incident first before handling Cherry Blossom''s issue." It was now 8 a.m. and reporters who left Seoul would just be arriving. "Prepare yourself, Ran-Hee." "Didn''t we finish with the reporters after yesterday''s interview?" she asked. I shook my head with a smile. "This is just the beginning." Since the car was parked in the first-floor garage, we had no choice but to go through the lobby. Just as expected, crowds of reporters were gathered outside the ss doors leading to the parking lot and were attempting to enter the hospital. "Just a moment! We only want to see him for a second!" "No, only patients'' guardians are allowed inside." Having switched the automatic doors to manual mode to hold back the reporters, the hospital security guards were sweating as they struggled to manage the crowd. I reassured the startled Do Ran-Hee to stay calm. "When a big story breaks outside of Seoul, remember that the day after is even more crucial. It takes time for reporters to arrive from Seoul." Do Ran-Hee looked at me with admiration. "Mr. Jung, you rarely attend local events but how do you know this so well?" I feigned indifference and replied, "I figured all that out in my first year as a road talent agent." "When I was a road talent agent, I was always so busy I couldn''t even notice anything else..." Do Ran-Hee uttered with admiration as she gazed up at me with sparkling eyes. ''I''m sorry, Ran-Hee. The truth is, I only learned this after going through years of experience in my past life,'' I remarked inwardly. At that moment, one of the reporters spotted me through the ss doors. "There! It''s Team Lead Jung!" Not wanting security to get hurt, I grabbed Do Ran-Hee and stepped outside. The reporters swarmed around us immediately. Since I recognized most of them, they started firing questions. "How are Mr. Lee Tae-Poong and Mr. Go Jae-Soo? Are they okay? I heard they''re hospitalized." "Team Lead Jung, really? Aren''t you being a little unfair? Couldn''t you have at least called me beforehand about this?" "I heard you saw the killer with your own eyes?" Facing the reporters, eager as wolves ready to devour their prey, I began reenactingst night''s scene from the lodge and repeated what I had told the local reporters in Busan. Naturally, Do Ran-Hee took on the role of the killer. Do Ran-Hee raised her hand with a frown. "Mr. Jung, like this?" "Okay. Now twist your waist a bit. Bend a little more. Scowl a bit more. Perfect." With Do Ran-Hee standing there, I channeled Go Jae-Soo to reenact the scene in front of the reporters. "The killer was right in front of Mr. Go Jae-Soo, but the killer was so intimidated by Mr. Jae-Soo''s aura that he trembled..." I answered the reporters'' questions, making sure Go Jae-Soo was the main focus. I even managed to promote Jiri Mountain in between. However, Do Ran-Hee had to suffer during the reenactment. "Ran-Hee, no! Copse right there!" I instructed her. Do Ran-Hee let out a strange groan and copsed. "Graaah!" Lying sprawled on the ground in the parking lot, her gaze of admiration was fading fast. I had a feeling I would have to buy her some Hanwoo tonight. At least now we practically had our headline: Go Jae-Soo''s intimidating aura made the killer freeze. *** After the interview, we got into the car in the hospital parking lot and caught our breath. I handed the wheel over to Do Ran-Hee since my right hand was still bandaged. "Good job back there, Ran-Hee." Do Ran-Hee shot me a re, seemingly resenting me for making her y the role of the killer. Before she couldin, I tried to appease her. "I''ll buy you a premium Hanwoo!" At the mention of the 55-thousand-won-per-serving Hanwoo restaurant near the office, Do Ran-Hee flinched. Nheless, she didn''t give in right away, perhaps because rolling around on the ground was too embarrassing and exhausting for her. "D-do you really think I''ll forgive you with just some Hanwoo? I''m not that easy, you know!" Do Ran-Hee retorted. "But how about Baekje Galbi''s marbled Hanwoo?" The moment I mentioned the ultra premium 80-thousand-won-per-serving beef restaurant, Do Ran-Hee''s lips curved into a smile. "Deal!" Do Ran-Hee was indeed helpless when it came to Hanwoo. "Anyway, pass me the contact info for the Pop Festival operations team manager." Wiping the corner of her mouth, Do Ran-Hee handed me the number for the Busan World Pop Festival operations team manager. "Team Lead Oh Jong-Mi, huh?" "Do you know her? I heard she''s super strict." "Of course I know her." Oh Jong-Mi, was the team lead of operations. With 15 years of experience at the Busan Tourism Corporation, she practically controlled most events in Busan. In other words, crossing her meant we might not get invited to future events in Busan. Despite that, I had no intention of epting the lineup change as it was. When I called, Oh Jong-Mi answered immediately. After I exined the situation, she kept repeating the same response. -It was a decision made by the operationsmittee, so we would appreciate your cooperation. "Is this even fair? Shouldn''t you exin the reason at the very least?" Oh Jong-Mi kept dodging the question. Celebrities usually did not have any leverage in massive events like these, but there was still onest card to y¡ªone that only poprity could pull off. "In that case, let''s just call off today''s performance," I remarked coldly. At that, Oh Jong-Mi''s voice shot up. -Are you threatening me right now? n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om They had already promoted Cherry Blossom''s appearance extensively to draw in the fans. If Cherry Blossom didn''t perform, there would definitely be a bacsh. Still unwilling to back down, Oh Jong-Mi responded with another threat. -You do realize that not only next year''s event but all other Busan City-sponsored events might be off the table for you if you go through with this, right? Busan alone hosted dozens of events every year and most of them were overseen by people from this operationsmittee, rotating from one to another. However, I had no intention of bowing to her threats. "Yes, I understand. Then I''ll post on social media right away to let fans know that Cherry Blossom won''t be able to attend. You can let the higher-ups know that''s how it''ll be." While my main goal was to set things right, I had prepared myself for the worst possible oue. At that moment, Oh Jong-Mi responded in an rmed voice. -Wait a minute! "No. There''s nothing more to say or hear." -I just need to report this to my superiors! I''ll get back to you within five minutes, so please wait. Please! Click. She probably hadn''t expected that I was willing to walk away. When I ended the call, Do Ran-Hee asked, "Mr. Jung, who do you think pressured her?" "For a change like this... it would have to be someone at least at the deputy mayor level or higher." Currently, Busan''s mayor was Gu Yang-Ho from the opposition party, and this year''s Busan World Pop Festival chairman was Deputy Mayor Yang Sang-Choon. However, cultural events like this were just ways to build their resumes to people at the level of mayor or deputy mayor. They wouldn''t care about the performance order of idols. To politicians, celebrities were nothing more or less than just entertainers. For this reason, I was certain this was the work of someone who knows the industry well. It was also possible that Oh Jong-Mi herself stirred things up for a little fun. However, the prime suspect was someone else: Cha Do-Hee''s mother, Yoo Hye-Joo. She was the wife of Assemblyman Cha Sang-Tae and the only daughter of Yoo Hyun-Pil, president of JH Media. JH Media based in Busan operated as an advertising agency on the surface, receiving and distributing ads to media outlets. Nheless, I knew what thepany truly was. Behind the scenes, it took orders from major corporations to get rid of damaging articles. Bribery scandals, corporate corruption, and the misdeeds of third-generation chaebols all disappeared quietly, thanks to them. They achieved this by recruiting retired broadcast and media personnel at high sries, much like how bigw firms hired former high-ranking judges and prosecutors. In my past life, people like Kim Dong-Soo used to handle dealings with them alone. However, I was at least aware of what they were up to. Just then, my phone rang. [Caller ID: Unknown] Normally, I wouldn''t answer calls from unknown numbers as talent agents got all kinds of offers. This time, I couldn''t ignore it. This was probably the person behind Cherry Blossom''s schedule change. "Hello?" -Mr. Jung? "Who is this?" -This is Do-Hee''s mother. I was right. Yoo Hye-Joo, Cha Do-Hee''s mother, was the one who changed the Busan World Pop Festival performance order. Chapter 387: Busan World Pop Festival (2)

Chapter 387: Busan World Pop Festival (2)

As soon as I heard Yoo Hye-Joo''s voice, I asked, "Were you the one who changed the girls'' performance order?" -Oh my, what makes you say that? Yoo Hye-Joo avoided a direct answer, perhaps wary of being recorded. The moment I heard her calm voice, I knew for sure she was behind this. "Let''s not y games here. I''d like you to fix the girls'' lineup right away." -Don''t be so harsh like that. I heard from Ms. Oh Jong-Mi that you were having some trouble, so I thought I''d see if there was anything I could do to help. I clenched my teeth in anger. ''Offering help when she was the one who caused the problem in the first ce, huh? The audacity.'' "Help sounds great. So how exactly do you n to help?" I asked nonchntly. At that moment, Yoo Hye-Joo''sughter deepened on the other end of the line. -Hahaha. This isn''t something we should discuss over the phone. How about we meet face-to-face? I have a proposal, too. Aside from burying corporate scandals, JH Media was involved in a variety of activities. One of their core operations was hosting exclusive parties for corporate executives and their families, supplying celebrities for these events. Yoo Hye-Joo''s proposal likely involved sending some of my celebrities to one of those secret parties. They would pay five to ten times the usual appearance fee, but sponsorship offers often came up at these events. I knew it would be best to refuse right away, but I was suddenly struck by the idea of meeting her in person. In my past life, people like her at JH Media were handled directly by Kim Dong-Soo, so Icked firsthand information about them. ''Knowing your enemy well is key to winning any battle, after all,'' I thought. The more intel I had on them, the better prepared I would be. "I''lle to you." -Great. Thene to the penthouse at Haeundae K Hotel in Busan. I''ll leave a word at the lobby: just say you''re here to see Director Yoo. Conveniently, Cherry Blossom was also staying at Haeundae K Hotel. "Understood. I''ll head there immediately." Click. After ending the call, I gave Do Ran-Hee a brief overview of the situation. I exined that JH Media held enormous sway over the press with the power to create or suppress scandalous rumors. "Wow... Seriously? There''s apany that does that?" Do Ran-Hee remarked with surprise. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "Yes. Whenever you don''t see articles about certain celebrities mingling with big shots, it''s thanks topanies like this handling the cleanup." Only in her second year of work, Do Ran-Hee looked incredulous upon hearing such things. "Regardless of the pay, don''t ever agree to those secret parties. It can mess up the girls'' lives." Do Ran-Hee nodded emphatically. "But what should we tell the girls? Should I inform them about the change in the lineup?" "No, don''t say anything until it''s finalized. Anyway, we''re runningte. Let''s get going." Do Ran-Hee nodded and started the engine. On the way to Cherry Blossom''s hotel, I received another call from Oh Jong-Mi. -You heard from the vice operation chair, right? Though JH Media was a sponsor, Yoo Hye-Joo''s name didn''t appear on any officialmittee lists. "Oh, she''s a vice operation chair?" Oh Jong-Mi sidestepped the question, saying that the pamphlets and website hadn''t been updated. It was clear just how powerful JH Media was. I told Oh Jong-Mi that I would discuss further after meeting with Yoo Hye-Joo, then hung up and continued my journey toward Busan. *** At Haeundae K Hotel in Busan, I sent Cherry Blossom up to their room on the 12th floor before heading down to the lobby, stating I was there to meet Yoo Hye-Joo. Chief Kim, who was at the desk, got up and took the elevator with me up to the 15th-floor penthouse. While the elevator climbed, I took out my phone to review my schedule. [Everyday V11] [Date: October 26, 2020] -08:00 p.m. [NEW. Kim Sae-Ri] Performance order change at Busan World Pop Festival. It was now 1 p.m., and rehearsal was scheduled for 3 p.m. There were still two hours to spare. Ding. The elevator stopped on the 15th floor. When the doors opened, two sturdy bodyguards stood at the entrance to the penthouse. After a quick ID check, the two guards led the way and opened the red door of the penthouse. The door opened to reveal the living room, featuring towering two-story ss windows that offered a panoramic view of the Haeundae Sea. On the sofa facing the ss wall sat Yoo Hye-Joo, the only daughter of JH Media. Though she looked like an ordinary wealthy housewife at first nce, she was the hidden hand connecting celebrities, reporters, and corporations. Yoo Hye-Joo greeted me in a light pink two-piece dress. "You arrived quickly." Her long and light-brown hair was tied back, falling to her waist. When I approached her with the bodyguards, Yoo Hye-Joo extended her hand for a handshake. "It''s our first time meeting, right? I''m Do-Hee''s mom." However, I had no intention of shaking her hand. I simply spoke nonchntly. "Now that I''m here, will you correct the performance order?" "First, turn off your phone and smartwatch." With Yoo Hye-Joo watching, I powered down my phone and smartwatch. Yoo Hye-Joo gave a subtle signal to the guards who proceeded to check me for any other devices. Only after the thorough inspection did Yoo Hye-Joo''s expression rx. She said, "If you grant me just one favor, I''ll restore the original performance order." While I hade here to restore Cherry Blossom''s performance order, it seemed necessary to dete Yoo Hye-Joo''s confidence first. "You seem to misunderstand. I didn''te here to negotiate." "Oh? Is that so? What a pity. I hate just giving in." "Then perhaps we should each mind our own business." I stood up as if to leave, showing that the performance order was all that mattered to me. Just then, the two bodyguards standing behind the sofa ced their hands on my shoulders. "You arrogant punk! Who do you think you''re in front of?" "If you don''t want to crawl out with a broken leg, sit down while I''m still being nice!" I stopped moving and spoke in a low voice. "If those hands aren''t off me by the count of three, you''ll be eating only ice cream for the next week. One..." "This bastard''s out of his mind." "He''s got guts, doesn''t he?" The guards scoffed and dared me to try. "Two." Yoo Hye-Joo sitting opposite watched intently as if testing what I would do. ''Well. If she wants a showdown, I will dly give her one,'' I remarked inwardly. "Three." At that, I twisted my shoulders slightly. As my shoulders shrugged off their grip, the two guards lost their bnce and leaned forward slightly. I took advantage of the moment, pulling down on both guards'' arms. The guards, bothrge men, lurched forward. Their midsections hit the back of the sofa, making them somersault over it. Crash! One guardnded sprawled out on the table between Yoo Hye-Joo and me. "Ugh..." Without giving them time to recover, I immediately raised my fist. Thud. Thud. With my bandaged right hand, I threw a couple of punches just shy of their chins before pulling back. "Do you want me to continue? If you do, get ready to be on a strict ice cream diet." Realizing I was showing them mercy, the guards looked confused and dejected. Just then, Yoo Hye-Joo''s face twisted with anger. Her trusted guards had been overpowered before her very eyes. "You worthless fools! Bring in the head of security and you two, get out!" The red-faced guards swallowed their pain and hurried out while apologizing. "W-we''re sorry, ma''am." Clunk. Once the two guards left and the door closed, Yoo Hye-Joo took a deep breath to regain herposure. She finally seemed ready to talk. She nodded slowly. "All right. I''ll restore the performance order. But why don''t you at least hear my proposal first?" I nodded reluctantly. Yoo Hye-Joo crossed her legs and continued. "A distinguished family member whom I owe a favor to has returned to Korea after five years. So I''m nning a private party in Cheongdam-dong the day after tomorrow. I''d like all the Cherry Blossom members, Mr. Lee Tae-Poong, and Miss Jung Yoo-Jin to attend it. But don''t worry¡ªotherpanies will be sending various actors and singers as well." "Who is this distinguished family member?" "You know that''s ssified information." At that moment, a memory clicked and I recalled exactly who she was referring to. Of the people capable of hosting a secret party right now, only one person had recently returned to Korea: Kang Hyuk-Jun, the second son of KQ1 Inc., a top semiconductorpany ranked 55th in the business world. Known for his interest in women, Kang Hyuk-Jun was likely hosting a secret party funded by his father''s wealth. If the event was in Cheongdam-dong, it was probably at the private club called Third. I had been there once on Kim Dong-Soo''s orders in my past life, so I even knew its exact location. Completely unaware I was gathering information from our conversation, Yoo Hye-Jooid out her terms. "For the performance fee, I''ll offer five times what we''re paying at this Busan World Festival. Cherry Blossom usually gets 10 million won per song, so I''ll pay 50 million won for each song. That''s 100 million for two songs. How about it? Oh, and for the actors, they''ll each receive 100 million just for attending." I pretended to consider it, then shook my head. "I''ll pass on that offer." "Oh,e on. Hear me out. I''ll also add a 50 million won service fee for you." I scoffed and replied, "Even if it were 1 billion won, my answer would still be the same." "Why don''t you call your celebrities and ask them directly? They might want toe." "Don''t waste your time with tricks." Yoo Hye-Joo''s eyes turned cold at my blunt rejection. "I didn''t expect you to be so difficult. Keep this attitude up and it coulde back to bite you." "Then should I bring up what Cha Do-Hee did recently?" I mentioned the incident where Girlfriends7''s ace, Cha Do-Hee, had led a bullying scandal. Though she could brush it off as a youthful mistake, the early-stage fandom of Girlfriends7 was too fragile to withstand such a blow. For a moment, Yoo Hye-Joo red at me. "So you''re seriously looking to pick a fight with me, huh?" "Not a fight, but a deal. If you restore the original performance order, I''ll never bring it up again. How about that?" An uneasy silence hung in the air. Ultimately, Yoo Hye-Joo, who had been staring daggers at me, backed down. After all, this issue concerned her only child while mine was merely a professional one. "Just don''t ever mention my daughter''s name. If you do, I won''t hesitate to turn everything upside down," Yoo Hye-Joo warned me. "Fine. Then please start by restoring the girls'' performance order." "I was nning to do that anyway." Yoo Hye-Joo made a call somewhere. "It''s me. Restore the performance order! Just do as you''re told! Stop asking questions!" In the end, Yoo Hye-Joo reluctantly restored Cherry Blossom''s original performance slot. I had to keep quiet about Cha Do-Hee''s scandal in return, but that no longer mattered. Now, I had gotten something far better: information about Kang Hyuk-Jun''s private party. ''I''ll leave Cha Do-Hee alone as promised. But you and JH Media? I won''t let either of you off easy,'' I silently remarked. I had no intention of letting JH Media continue to hinder Cherry Blossom and Team Jung. *** At the Busan World Pop Festival''s closing stage, Cherry Blossom held their microphones and sang before an audience of 20 thousand fans. Half the crowd seemed to be Cherry Blossom fans waving their light sticks in unison. -Forever Leader Woo Yeon-Hee! -Lovely Power Yang Eun-Bi! -Pretty Angel Yoo Eun-Ah! -Cutie Sexy Kim Sae-Ri! The slogans were a bit embarrassing, but when shouted by tens of thousands in unison, they acted as a vitamin boost for the girls who were worn out from the stage performance. Dressed in stage outfits resembling school uniforms¡ªa yellow id jacket over a white blouse and ck red skirts¡ªthe four members of Cherry Blossom smiled brightly as they ran across the stage. Then came the moment to sing the chorus of their new song, ''My First Love Story.'' Woo Yeon-Hee, Sae-Ri, Yang Eun-Bi, and Eun-Ah paired up, each raising one hand above their heads to form hearts. The four formed a heart and began singing the chorus in beautiful harmony. ¡ºMy First Love Story~¡» At that moment, the Cherry Blossom''s fan club, Cherry Blossom Family, shouted so loudly it shook the concert hall. -L! O! V! E! Forever our love! With each wave of excitement from the fans, a sense of pride filled me for having protected this stage. Watching them shine like stars on stage, I joined in the chant with enthusiasm. "L.O.V.E. Forever our love!" My cheer seemed to energize Do Ran-Hee, Lee Ju-Yung, and even Han Myung-Ho, who all began waving their light sticks passionately to join in the chant. After the first song wrapped up, it was time for the second song, ''Hurry Up!'' In response to the performance order change, we decided to forgo an encore. Instead, we nned to hold a mini-concert at tomorrow''s Busan fan meeting to make up for it. Just then, the event''s head, Oh Jong-Mi, approached us hesitantly. "Mr. Jung..." She nced nervously at me before suddenly bowing her head. I asked, "What can I help you with?" Oh Jong-Mi lifted her head slightly and spoke. "Well... Could we possibly allow two encore songs? The Deputy Mayor came with his family, and it turns out his daughter is a Cherry Blossom fan..." ''The Deputy Mayor''s daughter is a fan of Cherry Blossom?'' The tables hadpletely turned. I couldn''t help but feel a smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth. ''What should I do with this?'' Chapter 388: Busan World Pop Festival (3)

Chapter 388: Busan World Pop Festival (3)

At the Busan World Pop Festival''s final stage, Cherry Blossom performed confidently and showed off their skills before an audience of 20 thousand without a hint of intimidation. Although it was their first time on such a big stage, they radiated energy and won over the crowd. Amid the audience''s enthusiastic response, they wrapped up their new song, ''My First Love Story'', and took a moment to catch their breath to prepare for their massive hit, ''Hurry Up!'' Covered in sweat, the four members encouraged each other as the cheers grew louder. With the rising intensity, the event organizers lowered their postures and requested an encore. However, I wasn''t willing toply withoutpensation considering the disruption from the earlier performance order change. ''They better give us an appearance fee for the encore song as well,'' I thought. I replied hesitantly, "I don''t know. I''m afraid it might be difficult due to scheduling conflicts and our singers'' health..." Oh Jong-Mi began to apologize profusely. "Believe me, what happened earlier was beyond my control. I''m really sorry about that." Oh Jong-Mi exined that she was just following the instructions of Vice Chair Yoo Hye-Joo. "So who is requesting the encore?" I asked. "It''s the chairman." The chairman of the Busan World Pop Festival was Deputy Mayor Yang Sang-Choon of Busan City. There was nothing good about having a conflict with politicians. Given his political standing, I wanted to avoid shing with him¡ªespecially since the schedule changes originated from Yoo Hye-Joo, not him. Knowing time was on my side, I decided to let the situation linger. "I''m sorry. But with the performance order chaos from earlier, Cherry Blossom members are not at their best." Oh Jong-Mi sighed as she sensed my intent. "Please just tell me your conditions and I''ll do my best to make it work." As a veteran with 15 years of experience in such events, Oh Jong-Mi understood my intentions. After pretending to think, I responded reluctantly, "If you pay the same rate for each encore as the previous performance, I''ll persuade the singers andpany." Oh Jong-Mi''s face turned pale. "You''re asking for an additional 20 million won for two songs?" Encores were typically unpaid, but I had grounds to ask since they were the ones who first caused the disruption. Just then, the excited MC on stage took the microphone. "Alright, folks! Next up, it''s ''Hurry Up!''¡ªthe song that held the number one spot for nine straight weeks! Let''s all get up and sing along!" The roar of 20 thousand people rising was thunderous and echoed like a detonation. Surprised by the sound they had generated, the crowd began to cheer. Thrilled by the heated atmosphere, Cherry Blossom members jumped and shook their microphones energetically. Oh Jong-Mi''s face turned even more pale as she watched the crowd, clearly aware that an encore request was inevitable. Seeing this as my moment, I turned to Do Ran-Hee. "Ran-Hee, get ready to take the girls to the hospital right after the performance." Do Ran-Hee gave a wicked grin. "Hehehe... Perfect timing, I was going to give them a vitamin boost anyway." At that moment, Oh Jong-Mi cut in urgently, "Wait, wait! Please stay! I''ll be back in a moment after checking, so please don''t leave! Okay?" Oh Jong-Mi rushed off to speak with the other staff. As Do Ran-Hee paused before heading toward the car, she asked, "Hehehe. Mr. Jung, do you think they''ll meet our terms?" I gestured to the 20 thousand fans dancing to ''Hurry Up!'' "What do you think will happen if we leave without an encore right now?" I asked with a smile. Do Ran-Hee smirked. "Riots? Rebellion? Uprising?" "Bingo." In a situation like this, there was no way they could refuse my proposal. Just then, Cherry Blossom''s ''Hurry Up!'' began to y. ¡ºHands up high~¡» -Hurry Up! The audience sang along to the chorus and bounced in ce in unison. The booming vibrations echoed through the concert hall like an earthquake. Caught up in the excitement, the audience got even rowdier and the ''Cherry Blossom Family'' members in attendance belted out the lyrics with all their might. Do Ran-Hee gulped at the breathtaking scene and replied. "Wow~ If the girls leave the stage without an encore, things are really going to get wild." I nodded. "Exactly. So all we have to do is wait patiently." The chairman was a politician, and politicians always made a move in situations like this to avoid public criticism. *** With only one minute left till the end of the song, Oh Jong-Mi came rushing over out of breath. "Huff, huff, huff... Are three... three encore songs possible?" Oh Jong-Mi was panting as she asked for three songs. "Not two songs, but three?" "I''ll add another 40 million won!" I pretended to consider it for a moment, then nodded. "All right, let''s do that. And the contract?" "Forget the contract: I''ll wire the money right now!" Oh Jong-Mi said she had the authority to process the payment and would transfer it immediately. "Ran-Hee, go quickly and tell Assistant Manager Lee Mi-Ri and Assistant Manager Yang So-Ri to prepare the costume change. Inform Mr. Han Myung-Ho as well." "Yes, Mr. Jung!" After Do Ran-Hee ran off to the waiting room, Oh Jong-Mi held up her phone to show me the screen. "Please check." The 40 million won transfer to thepany ount was confirmed. I replied with a bright capitalist smile, "I look forward to our continued partnership in the future, Ms. Oh." Now that we had the deposit, there was no need to push any further. Oh Jong-Mi sighed and instructed the MC through the inte. "Cherry Blossom will perform three encore songs. Prepare to elicit the most dramatic response possible!" Just like that, the encore stage for the opening ceremony of the Busan World Pop Festival was underway. *** [Cherry Blossom ignites the stage at the Busan World Pop Festival''s opening ceremony!] [A sea of 20,000 fans gathered at Haeundae!] [Cherry Blossom performs three encores!] [Busan World Pop Festival''s opening ceremony was a massive sess, thanks to Cherry Blossom!] The opening ceremony stage of the Busan World Pop Festival ended triumphantly thanks to Cherry Blossom. With the encore performances, we even managed to double our event fees. The next morning, I took the Cherry Blossom members back to Seoul after finishing the Busan fan meeting. After sending Cherry Blossom to their dorm, I returned to the office and headed straight to Kang Gam-Chan''s office. Having reported about JH Media the night before, I was here for a strategy meeting. Kang Gam-Chan gestured to the sofa as if he had been waiting for me. Once I took my seat, Kang Gam-Chan asked, "So JH Media made an offer, huh?" "Yes. They made an offer not only to Cherry Blossom but to all of Team Jung." n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "Some things just never change." Kang Gam-Chan was said to have a bitter history with Yoo Hyun-Pil, the president of JH Media. Back in Kang Gam-Chan''s active days in the industry, JH Media held even greater influence than it did now. JH Media''s secret parties ran constantly as many celebrities were looking for sponsors, Even Kang Gam-Chan had unintentionally found himself involved in one of those events at one point. "Those guys don''t easily give up on their targets. So, what''s your n now?" Kang Gam-Chan asked. "I''m nning to take down JH Media with this opportunity." I exined that tomorrow night, KQ1 Group''s second son, Kang Hyuk-Jun, would be holding a secret party in Cheongdam-dong. After some thought, Kang Gam-Chan asked, "That sounds good, but the problem is JH Media can stop the story from getting published. If an article''s going to be released, it''ll have to be written by someone willing to risk their job. Do you know anyone like that?" JH Media had the power to control stories in the press, making them vanish if necessary. To prevent this, I had already arranged a n over the phone with Choi So-Hye. "At Central Daily Newspaper, each team lead approves online articles overnight after the editor-in-chief leaves work. Reporter Choi So-Hye said she would take responsibility and make sure the article gets published as the team lead of the culture section." Kang Gam-Chan nodded slowly. "Hmm. If you''re that well-prepared... I''ll help too. Let''s finally expose JH Media''s true nature to the public." JH Media had always avoided letting the public know what they really did because no VIP would trust them again if their real activities were revealed. Kang Gam-Chan held quite a grudge against JH Media and promised me he would give his full support. *** Cha Do-Hee of Girlfriends 7 returned home to her luxury vi in Hannam-dong in Seoul two days after the Busan World Pop Festival event. "Mom, I''m home!" Yoo Hye-Joo weed her daughter in an evening dress. "Wee, my lovely daughter." Pouting, Cha Do-Hee replied, "But Mom, what happened the day before yesterday? Weren''t we supposed to get the closing stage performance?" "I''m sorry. It didn''t work out because of Team Lead Jung." Yoo Hye-Joo sat her daughter on the sofa and stroked her hair. Cha Do-Hee frowned. "What? Was Yoon-Ho oppa being difficult again?" "Look at you, already calling him oppa!" "Well, I should get used to it since he''ll be mine soon." Yoo Hye-Joo grinned at her daughter''s smile. "Don''t worry, dear. I''ll do whatever it takes to make sure he ends up with you. That''s why I''m starting by shaking up the people around him." "Won''t he end up hating you for that?" "So what if he does? Besides, I can tell he''s not someone who would be swayed by money after meeting him in person. Men like him need to be pressured with weakness." "Well, you''re good at that kind of thing. Do whatever you need to, Mom." Yoo Hye-Joo found Jung Yoon-Ho''s behavior infuriating. But since he was the man her daughter wanted and was undoubtedly talented as a talent agent, she held back and focused on her ns. If she could get such a capable man on her daughter''s side, he would be an incredible asset. On top of that, she nned to involve the actors and singers he managed in her secret parties as well. "Why don''t you freshen up and rest? I have to step out for a bit for work." "What? I just got back and you''re leaving?" "It won''t take long. Let''s go shopping together when I get back." Nodding, Cha Do-Hee headed upstairs to her room. Only then did Yoo Hye-Joo check on the preparations for the secret party in Cheongdam-dong. Although she had a staff member dedicated to handling secret parties, she still needed to make an appearance for KQ1 Group''s second son. However, as soon as she made the call, she heard a troubling response. -Mrs. Yoo! Reporters are camped outside the building! "What? How did they find out the club''s location?" The previously hidden location of the secret club had somehow been leaked. -I... I don''t know either. A cold sweat broke out on Yoo Hye-Joo''s back. She had to find a way to stop them. KQ1''s president, Kang Seok-Jin, was also the head of her husband''s political campaignmittee. If his son''s scandal became public, it could affect campaign funds. Furthermore, those attending the secret party were sons and daughters of high-profile business and political figures. If news got out, the fallout would be catastrophic. Yoo Hye-Joo called Yoo Hyun-Pil as she hurried to the parking garage. "Dad, we have a crisis! Reporters have caught onto the Cheongdam-dong secret party!" -I understand. I''ll do what I can to hold them off. But contact your husband and get him involved right away. A politician stepping in will be the fastest way to put a lid on this." "Yes, right!" Yoo Hye-Joo quickly called her husband. "Honey, the reporters caught onto the party in Cheongdam-dong. Since it''s being hosted by President Kang''s second son, please use your influence to stop it! Yes. Quickly!" The moment her husband, Cha Sang-Tae, agreed to take action, Yoo Hye-Joo arrived at the parking garage. Yoo Hye-Joo sat in the back of her Merciless Bends and instructed her driver. "Mr. Choi! Get to Cheongdam-dong, now! Ignore all signals if you have to!" "Yes, ma''am!" The Bends sped out of the garage toward Cheongdam-dong. In the back seat, Yoo Hye-Joo made another call to order that all guests evacuate immediately through the emergency exit. After hanging up, Yoo Hye-Joo ground her teeth. "Whoever''s behind this, I won''t let them get away with it!" Yoo Hye-Joo vowed to find and deal with the person who had revealed Third''s location. *** Third, the secret club in Cheongdam-dong, looked like an ordinaryrge house on the surface. However, its basement housed a fully soundproofed club. With no signage and ess by invitation only, very few knew its exact location. Nheless, I had been here several times with Kim Dong-Soo after bing a director at Top Entertainment in my past life. Thanks to that, I was able to give Choi So-Hye So-Hye the club''s location. Right now, Choi So-Hye was standing at the club''s front entrance and trying to gain entry with a few friendly reporters. She even was broadcasting the whole scene live on MeTube. [Exclusive coverage by Central Daily Newspaper''s Culture Section] -Shocking live broadcast! The hidden world of the top 0.01%, where chaebol children indulge in secret revelry. (Current viewers: 5,123) -This is the site of the secret party where KQ1 Group''s second son, Kang Hyuk-Jun, is partying with celebrities... -Hey! Don''t touch me! What''s that? Privacy vition? Trespassing? Then call the police! Go on, call them! -What are you doing? Get rid of those damn reporters now! Despite thete hour of 11 p.m., viewership was rising quickly with the stream''s link being shared on major onlinemunities. A shouting match erupted between the reporters and the private security who didn''t shy away from physical confrontations. Meanwhile, I had parked opposite a two-story house two blocks away from Third. The unassuming brick house in front of me was connected to Club Third''s underground emergency exit. While Choi So-Hye was covering the front entrance, I waited here to record footage of Kang Hyuk-Jun and the celebrities as they exited through the emergency route. At that moment, the lights switched on inside the house. ''They''reing out much sooner than I had expected.'' I quickly reclined my seat to take the video I nned to pass to Choi So-Hye. My car''s windows were tinted, making it hard to look in from the outside. Regardless, I figured it would never hurt to be cautious. I subtly raised my phone and began recording the peopleing out through the emergency exit. The party attendees wearing sunsses and masks started to emerge withints. "What the fuck. Who the hell snitched?" "Third got busted? This kind of thing actually happens?" "Damn, I was ready to party tonight..." Fortunately, Kang Hyuk-Jun who came out with a woman clinging to him hadn''t bothered to cover his face, allowing me to capture it clearly. At that moment, the woman in Kang Hyuk-Jun''s arms bumped into another guest which caused her mask to slip off. It was someone I knew. ''You... What are you doing here?'' Chapter 389: JH Media

Chapter 389: JH Media

A in two-story house was used as the emergency exit for the secret club, Third. The door opened and people began to emerge. Even though it was at night, most of the attendees of the secret party wore hats and sunsses, making it impossible to recognize them. However, Kang Hyuk-Jun, the second son of KQ1 Group''s president, wasn''t wearing a mask, allowing me to capture his face clearly on video. The real issue was the woman apanying Kang Hyuk-Jun. ''Park Eun-Bin. What are you here?'' I wondered. The girl group Petite More had been put on indefinite hiatus due to a scandal involving digital music chart maniption. While the public assumed the group had essentially disbanded, I suspected otherwise. TK wouldn''t abandon a group that could still generate profit with album sales due to their overseas fanbase. Park Eun-Bin was likely attending the party to speed up hereback. After all, she could bring forward hereback by several months with a sponsor''s help. Just then, luxury cars lined up along the residential street to pick up the VVIPs. Kang Hyuk-Jun stood at the front and shouted to the others. "Hey! Everyone, scatter! I''ll call you againter!" "Got it!" The party members hurriedly climbed into the vehicles at Kang Hyuk-Jun''s call. It was such a rushed situation that no one even nced in my direction. Vroom. In less than a minute, all the cars had disappeared. I ended the recording and let out a sigh. "Park Eun-Bin, how did you fall this far?" I had also unexpectedly secured a powerful piece of evidence against Kang Hyuk-Jun. With a well-known celebrity like Park Eun-Bin involved, simply mentioning her name would turn this into a massive scandal that even JH Media cannot cover-up. Eager to share the good news, I immediately called Choi So-Hye. However, no matter how many times I tried calling, she didn''t pick up. -The person you are trying to reach is unavable... Growing anxious, I checked the livestream Choi So-Hye had been running. [The stream is currently offline.] Cho So-Hye''s MeTube live broadcast was off as well. "What''s going on?" I muttered. Starting to feel uneasy, I clicked on themunity post where the video link had been shared. [Cheongdam-dong Chaebol Heir Secret Party] (Comments) ... -FullBuyout: What''s this? Lol, the cops and security are in cahoots. They are surrounding and beating up one reporter. -Calf: They''re saying it''s private property trespassing or something. -CocoaTalk: Does trespassing mean you can get beaten up like that? -TodayHanRiverFeelsWarm: Are alleys private property now? They''re arresting all the reporters in front of the house too. -Monster7: All the reporters are getting hauled away. But ten police cars? Is that for real? -KillHeart: This is crazy. They cuffed a resisting reporter and threw him into the car. K-Cops are really making a statement. Another proud moment for them. Thements mentioned that Choi So-Hye had been arrested for resisting the police. I clicked to read the next page ofments to get more details. [This post is unavable.] However, it seemed someone had pressured the tform administrators into deleting the posts. "What the¡ª?" I quickly searched for the post on othermunity sites, but all the earlier posts had vanished. "This is unbelievable. They deleted everything that fast?" I finally felt the extent of JH Media''s power. Just then, my phone rang. [Caller ID: President Kang Gam-Chan] When I answered, Kang Gam-Chan''s urgent voice came through. -Yoon-Ho, it looks like Central Daily Newspaper is nning to cut ties with Reporter Choi So-Hye. Korean reporters were known for protecting one another. However, a major outlet like Central Daily Newspaper was now abandoning Choi So-Hye as she had crossed JH Media. While we initially started with a transactional rtionship, Choi So-Hye had undoubtedly been a tremendous help to me. Thanks to her exclusives, I managed to take down adversaries and help my celebrities. Moreover, it was my request to her to investigate this matter that led to this situation. If things were left as they were, Choi So-Hye not only risked being fired from Central Daily Newspaper but also faced a real chance of being detained for over a year. After a brief thought, I decided to find a way to rescue Choi So-Hye. "Mr. Kang, I believe there is a way to help Reporter Choi." -Whatever it is,e to the office first and we''ll discuss it in person. "Yes, sir." I immediately turned the car around toward Hoop Entertainment. *** I entered the president''s office where Kang Gam-Chan, Kang Ji-Yung, and Jung Soo-Hyuk were gathered to discuss the situation. Kang Ji-Yung offered me a ss of water as I sat down. As I drank, Kang Gam-Chan filled me in on the current situation. "The legal division says that Reporter Choi faces charges of illegal trespassing, stalking, spreading false information, assault, and so on..." After hearing the details, I pulled out the video footage of the secret party members exiting through the emergency house. "Mr. Kang, could we use this video to negotiate?" In night mode, the video clearly showed the faces of Kang Hyuk-Jun and Park Eun-Bin. Kang Gam-Chan''s previously tense expression brightened. "With a video like this, JH Media would definitely want to negotiate. It would be nearly impossible to stop the fallout once Park Eun-Bin''s name is involved." My guess was right. Kang Gam-Chan continued, "But are you sure you''re okay giving up like this? You might not get an opportunity like this again." I answered, "Opportunities aren''t something that juste along: they''re something you create. We''ll deal with JH Media another time. For now, saving my allyes first." Kang Gam-Chan gave a satisfied smile. "Right. Friendse before profits." The only question remaining was who would negotiate with JH Media. Since I had started this, I volunteered to handle the negotiation myself. Just then, Kang Gam-Chan spoke in a low voice. "I''ll go meet them myself." n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "But Mr. Kang, I should¡ª" Kang Gam-Chan shook his head. "This is Hoop Entertainment''s business as well. It''s only right for me to go." Kang Gam-Chan stood up and put on his coat. "If you don''t hear from me within an hour, contact Mr. Choi in Myeongdong. I''d rather avoid asking for help, but we might not have a choice if things go south." "Understood." Kang Gam-Chan and Jung Soo-Hyuk quickly left the office. Meanwhile, I stayed behind with Kang Ji-Yung and began making calls to secure Choi So-Hye''s release. *** At JH Media''s Seoul office, Yoo Hye-Joo was on the phone with the president of KQ1 Group after managing the situation. "Mr. Kang. We''ve detained all the reporters and have deleted all their files, videos, and everything that they uploaded. So you can rest easy now." -Teach those arrogant reporters a lesson. Let them see what happens when they mess with the wrong people! "Don''t worry, Mr. Kang." -Oh, and please pass along my thanks to Mr. Assemblyman. "Of course. And soon, we''ll host you at First for a proper reception." First was the private lounge reserved exclusively for VVIPs. Second, a private club, was where sessors were entertained, and Third, was the club for second and third generations of elites. In addition to public rtions and covering up corporate scandals, JH Media maintained connections with powerful political and business figures by creating these private spaces for them. As she ended the call, Yoo Hye-Joo wiped the cold sweat from her brow and leaned back in her chair. "But who on earth leaked Third''s location?" Despite the millions invested in outfitting Club Third, its disclosed location meant it could never be used again as security was crucial for hosting VIPs. Rumor had it that Choi So-Hye, who was in police custody, still hadn''t revealed her source. Just as Yoo Hye-Joo picked up her phone to pressure Choi So-Hye into naming the whistleblower, her secretary suddenly entered. "Mrs. Yoo! President Kang Gam-Chan of Hoop Entertainment is here to see you." "President Kang? Why? Did any of his celebrities attend tonight''s party?" "Originally, Yeo Eun-Sil from Hoop was supposed to attend but she canceled yesterday." "Then he must be here toin that we tried to lure his celebrity. Tell him I''m busy and to go back." The secretary shook his head. "No, ma''am... He ims to have video footage of the people who attended tonight." "What? How would President Kang have that?" "I''m not sure, ma''am." After a moment''s thought, Yoo Hye-Joo sighed as she saw no choice. "Fine, send him up right away." "Yes, Mrs. Yoo." The secretary closed the door behind him. Shortly after, Kang Gam-Chan entered with Jung Soo-Hyuk. Suppressing her irritation, Yoo Hye-Joo greeted them with a smile. "Please have a seat, Mr. Kang. I''ve heard a lot about you from my father." Yoo Hye-Joo''s father, Yoo Hyun-Pil, had often warned her about Kang Gam-Chan. He had described Kang Gam-Chan as someone who could easily be at the top of the Korean entertainment industry given his capabilities. He was also a man with zero tolerance for anything he deemed uneptable. Now that such a man had leverage over JH Media, Yoo Hye-Joo preferred to settle things amicably if possible. Kang Gam-Chan wasted no time on pleasantries. He sat silently on the sofa and took a phone out of his inner pocket, cing it on the table. "Let''s start by showing you the footage we have," said Kang Gam-Chan as he pressed y. The screen disyed a video of Kang Hyuk-Jun and Park Eun-Bin embracing as they exited through the secret passage. "If the charges against Reporter Choi aren''t dropped within thirty minutes, I''ll expose JH Media as the host of the secret party along with footage of Kang Hyuk-Jun and Park Eun-Bin," Kang Gam-Chan threatened. Yoo Hye-Joo''s eyes widened. "What did you just say?" Kang Gam-Chan nced at his watch. "You have twenty-nine minutes and forty seconds left." Yoo Hye-Joo retorted with a dumbfounded expression, "Are you... threatening me right now?" "Twenty-nine minutes and thirty seconds." "Can''t you at least answer me when I ask?" Unfazed, Kang Gam-Chan continued to announce the time every ten seconds. In the end, Yoo Hye-Joo had no choice but to relent. She knew that JH Media could face prosecution for arranging sponsorships and tax evasion if the secret party was exposed. Even more critical than a legal investigation was the potential loss of trust from their elite VVIP clients. For years, JH Media had done everything possible to keep its name out of the media. This time, Yoo Hye-Joo went as far as enlisting her husband''s political influence to deploy police and paying substantial sums to have posts taken down frommunity sites. If this footage were leaked, all those efforts would go to waste. "Fine, I''ll do as you say. But in return, you''ll hand over the original footage." Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "I''ll give it to you as soon as Reporter Choi is released." Yoo Hye-Joo trembled with anger as she dialed her inte. "Get Reporter Choi released immediately. Tell thew firms to withdraw all charges. Stop asking questions. Just do as I say, understand!?" Visibly furious, Yoo Hye-Joo mmed the inte down in a rough manner. Bang! *** Ten minutes passed and a deafening silence filled the room. Just then, a call came through with news that Choi So-Hye had been released. After taking the call, Yoo Hye-Joo informed Kang Gam-Chan. "Is that enough for you?" Kang Gam-Chan nodded before he called hispany. "Delete all the footage once Reporter Choi is out." After Kang Gam-Chan ended the call, Yoo Hye-Joo shot him a re. "You''re not keeping a copy, are you? If so, I won''t just sit by." "Do you think I''m like you?" Kang Gam-Chan leaned back on the sofa, saying he would leave once Choi So-Hye was released. Taking a chance, Yoo Hye-Joo cautiously asked, "Could Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho have been behind this?" Just two days ago, Yoo Hye-Joo had suggested that Jung Yoon-Ho attend the secret party. Given his talent, the idea crossed her mind that he might be behind this scheme though she couldn''t imagine how he could have found the location. Kang Gam-Chanughed dismissively. "You''re overthinking things. Even if Team Lead Jung is capable, a mere two-year talent agent wouldn''t know the location of a high-level club." JH Media had connections with media, corporations, and even the political elite. To protect Jung Yoon-Ho from JH Media''s attention, Kang Gam-Chan imed full responsibility. ''Yoon-Ho can''t be dragged into this,'' he thought. When Kang Gam-Chan kept a poker face, Yoo Hye-Joo looked uneasy and said, "I suppose you''re right. But I must say, Mr. Kang, your informationwork is impressive. Third''s location was top-secret." "No secret is forever, is it?" Yoo Hye-Joo tried to glean information from Kang Gam-Chan, but all her attempts failed. Soon, a call confirmed that Choi So-Hye had been released from the Gangnam Police Station. Kang Gam-Chan stood up with a smile. "It was a pleasure doing business with you." With a victorious expression, Kang Gam-Chan left with Jung Soo-Hyuk. Bang! The moment the door closed, Yoo Hye-Joo was overwhelmed with rage and began smashing items in her office. "How did he find out!?" she bellowed. With Third''s location exposed, she would have to do an overhaul. She had to also relocate and remodel First and Second, with projected losses exceeding 30 billion won. The massive financial blow left Yoo Hye-Joo reeling. *** With Kang Gam-Chan''s sessful negotiation, Choi So-Hye was promptly released from police custody. Outraged that the Central Daily Newspaper had tried to abandon her, Choi So-Hye resolved to establish a newpany, Star Exclusive, two years earlier than she had originally nned. Thanks to JH Media, I now had a valuable ally ahead of schedule. When Kang Gam-Chan returned to the office, he brought even better news. "You won''t see a trace of JH Media for at least a few months." Relocating all the secret clubs and securing them again would cost JH Media hundreds of billions. With the extensive damage we had inflicted, JH Media''s threat was gone at least for the time being. Even though we had deleted Park Eun-Bin''s files as part of the deal, I didn''t mind. By stepping into the secret party, Park Eun-Bin had likely set her own downfall in motion. The next day, Park Sun-Jae and Ahn Yoo-Joo''s wedding took ce at the LT Hotel wedding hall. Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo, who had been practicing their scenes at the Cheonwang Cabin on Jiri Mountain, attended to add star power to the event. Thanks to this, reporters swarmed the wedding hall to cover the arrival of the duo known for catching a killer, causing another wave ofmotion. Cherry Blossom and Kang Ha-Na also took turns singing at the wedding. The morous guestsparable to the wedding of top stars left Park Sun-Jae and his wife ted. The next day when I arrived at work, Oh Bok-Hee called to inform me that casting for Hwaranjeon was finalized. Upon hearing the cast list, I was left speechless. The three queen consort roles, which were supporting characters, had been cast with S-ss actresses from top agencies. "W-wait a second. Are you serious? S-ss actresses have been cast for queen consort roles?" These were actresses who could easily be leads, yet they had willingly applied for supporting roles. Oh Bok-Hee responded in an excited tone. -Yes. It''s all thanks to you, Mr. Jung! ''Thanks to me? What could she mean by that?'' I wondered. Chapter 390: Hwaranjeon Script Reading (1)

Chapter 390: Hwaranjeon Script Reading (1)

MBS'' drama Hwaranjeon was set in an alternate Si period where Queen Seondeok met a mysterious death, unlike in actual history. After her husband King Eumgalmun ascended as Si''s new ruler, he took three queens, setting the story in motion. Each of the three queens gave birth to a princess and they were named Jeong-Hwa, Yu-Hwa, and Do-Hwa. The drama''s main plot was the rivalry and war among these six women, queens and princesses alike, for the future throne. Thus, the title Hwaranjeon was chosen, symbolizing a "war of flowers." Oh Bok-Hee reached out with news that S-ss stars had been cast for major roles including the princesses, queens, king, and the king''s prophet. The role of the first queen went to TK Entertainment''s S-ss actress, Lee Tae-Yeon. Lee Tae-Yeon, the mother of Yang Yi-Ji, was an actress in her forties renowned for her exceptional acting skills and recognition. She had always taken on only lead roles, but epted a supporting role this time. The role of the third queen went to Ace Entertainment''s thirty-two-year-old S-ss actress, Yoon Joo-Yeon. She had recently drawn five million viewers to the theaters with her thriller movie, Coastal Road. Additionally, the role of the king''s prophet, Mu-Mu, was given to Bless Entertainment''s S-ss actor Lee Soo-Han. Oh Bok Hee had said this was all thanks to me. Confused, I asked, "What do you mean they were cast thanks to me? What does that even mean?" I could hear Oh Bok-Hee''sughter through the speaker. -Hahaha. Everyone insisted they would take any role if Star Jung the Forteller was involved. They even agreed to reduce their fees. Even TK Entertainment''s President Kim Tae-Kwon visited the set personally and pushed his list of actors, saying he didn''t mind a big pay cut. The fact they were following my picks was baffling, but something else caught my interest. "Then who''s ying Princess Jeong-Hwa and Princess Do-Hwa?" -Princess Jeong-Hwa will be yed by TK Entertainment''s Han Sang-Hee, and Princess Do-Hwa by TNT Entertainment''s Min Gyu-Ri. Han Sang-Hee was the main model for the soju brand True Dew. She had recently received an A-ss title for her acting skills and was a hot twenty-eight-year-old icon bncing both acting and modeling. Nheless, what surprised me more was the casting of Min Gyu-Ri as Princess Do-Hwa. Min Gyu-Ri, who was twenty-four years old, was the actress who had won the Best Actress award in my past life at the Hwangryong Film Festival on the very day I copsed. "Wait a minute. Min Gyu-Ri?" -Do you know her, Mr. Jung? "Oh, no. I just... got a bit confused for a moment." "Hmm~ is that so? Anyway, Min Gyu-Ri is a charming and talented rookie. I bet you''ll be impressed too when you meet her. ''There''s no way,'' I thought. Half of the reason for my copse in my past life was the stress Min Gyu-Ri had caused me. With the countless incidents she caused from sponsorships and beyond, my lifespan must have been reduced by years from cleaning up after her. Yet I had no choice but to acknowledge her talent. By next June, Min Gyu-Ri would even secure the lead in the weekend drama, Sound of Morning Sea, by beating 2000-to-1 odds despite never having taken a single lesson. As such, talent agents used to call Min Gyu-Ri the "Devil''s Talent." The news that Min Gyu-Ri would be appearing in our drama stirredplicated emotions within me. However, the Min Gyu-Ri of the present was a rookie actress without any sponsorship ties. I could dy my judgment of her till after we met. In any case, Hwaranjeon had achieved the best lineup with the skills of the cast assembled. Oh Bok-Hee spoke cheerfully. -Thanks to you, we have the perfect cast. And make sure Miss Yoo-Jin is well-prepared. The lead role can''t be overshadowed. "You can leave it to me." -I''m counting on you. Click. Upon hanging up, I immediately called for a Team Jung meeting to give instructions on the publicity strategy for Hwaranjeon. After the meeting, I headed straight home to check on Yoo-Jin''s preparations. *** As I arrived at the Cheonho-dong house and opened the door on the second floor, I saw Yoo-Jin and Miso deeply engrossed in their script practice. The roles they had were of young Princess Yu-Hwa and the adult Princess Yu-Hwa. Princess Yu-Hwa was aplex character who despised power but had to tread a path of brutality to fight against it. She had always struggled to decide whether to im power or face her demise. I was concerned that they might be too stressed as they had to act out a life-or-death situation. However, the moment I watched their practice, I realized my concerns were unfounded. They were not overthinking things like I was. Instead, they were mixing y with practice. Lying t on the living room floor, Yoo-Jin stretched her hands toward Miso. "Princess... um, I-I am so hungry." At that moment, Miso pretended to be a dignified princess and scolded Yoo-Jin. "That''s nonsense! With our father''s reign at peace, how could anyone be starving?" As Miso lowered her voice, Yoo-Jin looked around with shifty eyes and grinned wickedly like a viin. "Our father''s reign? Hehehe. So you''re the princess?" "Ah, no. That slipped out!" At that moment, Yoo-Jin reached out and hugged Miso tightly, acting as Kidnapper No.1 who was abducting the princess. "If you''re a princess, you''ll have to pay the ransom!" Miso eximed with a haughty expression, "I''m not a princess, so release me this instant and I''ll pardon you!" That''s when Yoo-Jin started tickling Miso''s underarms. "Princess Miso, are you really not a princess? But you are so pretty~" Miso couldn''t hold back and burst intoughter. "Kyahahaha! Mom! Mom! I-I am a princess! Hahaha. Stop it! Stop!" Finally, Yoo-Jinughed and let go of Miso. "My princess. You''ve improved a lot in acting, haven''t you?" Miso smiled shyly as her eyes formed crescents. "Really?" "Yes, really!" Afterward, Yoo-Jin demonstrated the adult Princess Yu-Hwa''s scenes which prompted Miso to follow her example. She portrayed Princess Yu-Hwa''s emotions right in front of her, helping Miso to empathize with the character. Sometimes theyughed, sometimes they cried, sometimes they got angry. Thanks to acting therapy with Choi Ji-Yung, they both had be much morefortable expressing a range of emotions. ''They''re good,'' I remarked inwardly. Not wanting to interrupt their practice, I stood by the entrance and waited for it to finish. After about five minutes, Miso noticed I was there. "Oh? Uncle Yoon-Ho is here!" No matter how yful it was, watching the two dive deep into their roles was impressive every time. "Oppa, what brings you here at this hour?" Yoo-Jin asked. I took off my shoes and headed into the living room. "Oh, the casting is done and I wanted to let you know that your co-stars are no pushovers." n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om I ryed the actors'' names that Oh Bok-Hee had mentioned. Yoo-Jin''s eyes widened as she listened to the cast list. "All those amazing people are really going to be in our drama?" With stars like Lee Tae-Yeon and Yoon Joo-Yeon, the cast was filled with S-ss names. I nodded. "Yeah. They all signed on. They were confident the drama would seed." Yoo-Jin became silent and was lost in her thoughts. Until now, Yoo-Jin had been making waves in supporting roles by standing out among the leads. However, it was theplete opposite now. After a moment, Yoo-Jin looked up with a bright smile. "This is going to be fun." "Fun?" "Yes. Since practicing with Ms. Choi Ji-Yung recently, I''ve realized something... the better the other actors are, the more fun it is. How should I put it? It''s like we''re perfectly in sync." I was taken aback by Yoo-Jin''s calm confidence, even when facing Choi Ji-Yung. "That''s great. I''ll make sure to clear all your schedules until the script reading so you can focus entirely on it." "Hmm. Then I''ll go stay with Choi Ji-Yung sunbae-nim to practice together." Yoo-Jin looked at Miso. "Miso, do you want to go to Ms. Choi Ji-Yung''s ce with me to practice? We''ll eat tasty food and sleep over together." "Yes! Then can I eat crab again?" "Miso, do you really really want to eat some crab?" Miso made her fingers into crab pincers and shouted, "Yes! I want to eat a huge amount of crab!" "Alright, I will buy you the biggest crab." Hearing Yoo-Jin''s words, I called Choi Ji-Yung to discuss the arrangements. Choi Ji-Yung answered with a joyful tone. -Really? That''s wonderful. I was just thinking I could use a partner for my own acting practice. "I''ll bring them over right away." -Oh, by the way, Si-Ah has improved a lot. With just some pronunciation correction, she''s growing like Jack''s beanstalk¡ªsky-high! Kang Si-Ah, who was set to y the key role of Lee Tae-Poong''s daughter in Jiri Mountain, had been receiving coaching from Choi Ji-Yung on my rmendation. In just a few days, Kang Si-Ah''s acting had improved enough for even Choi Ji-Yung to praise her. This confirmed that my instincts about Kang Si-Ah''s talent were right. -Practicing with Si-Ah will be very helpful. So bring Yoo-Jin and Miso along. "Yes, Ms. Choi." I packed up Yoo-Jin and Miso''s things in a suitcase and took them to Choi Ji-Yung''s house. *** The next day, we held a birthday party for Sae-Ri in thepany''s small auditorium, streaming it live for an online fan meeting on MeTube. The live stream drew an impressive fifteen thousand concurrent viewers. All of them joined together to sing a heartfelt birthday song for Sae-Ri. In front of Sae-Ri was a mint chocte ice cream cake, her absolute favorite. Only after a mountain of gift-giving did the fan meeting and birthday celebration finallye to an end. After the fans had left, I brought the excited Cherry Blossom members back to their dorm. When we arrived, I handed Sae-Ri a shopping bag. "Sae-Ri, here''s a present." "Thank you!" Sae-Ri opened the shopping bag and took out the gifts one by one. "This is..." Out came frames, each decorated with cherry blossom designs along the edges. Each frame held a photo full of meaning: A picture from when she first met me during hard times, one from when she received her first song from Bang Seon-Woo, a photo from when Park Seon-Nyeo taught them the moves for ''Hurry Up!,'' a shot from when Cherry Blossom took the stage for ''Hurry Up!,'' another from when they won first ce with ''Hurry Up!,'' aeback photo, and finally, a picture from the encore at the Busan World Pop Festival. The moment she saw the precious memories in those photos, tears began to flow down Sae-Ri''s cheeks. "Oppa..." "Happy birthday, Sae-Ri." I thought about giving her a bag or shoes, but I wanted to give her memories instead. If she didn''t like it, I had nned to take her shopping at the department store over the weekend. Sae-Ri hugged the frames tightly and threw herself into my arms. Then she began to cry with a sniffle. "No, this is perfect. I don''t need anything else. Sniff." I handed her a handkerchief and patted her small head as she cried with tears and snot flowing. Woo Yeon-Hee approached us and patted Sae-Ri on the back tofort her while also tearing up. "Stop crying, Sae-Ri. You have a music show tomorrow." "Yes, it''s nice... so why are you crying so much? Sniff." When Yoo Eun-Ah came over to console Sae-Ri with teary eyes, the ever-rational Yang Eun-Bi shook her head in disbelief. "I swear, you guys are impossible! Stop crying, you crybabies!" Sae-Ri pouted as she sniffled. "I''m not... a c-crybaby. Sniff." Yang Eun-Bi feigned exasperation and pulled a tissue from her pocket, holding it to Sae-Ri''s nose. "Yes, you are! Now, blow right here¡ªbig breath!" Sae-Ri blew her nose with a loud honk. "Puuueeeng~" Yang Eun-Bi wiped Sae-Ri''s nose as she smiled warmly with crescent-shaped eyes. But a tear welled up in Yang Eun-Bi''s eye as well. "Our main vocalist, you''ve worked so hard. Let''s keep doing even better. Happy birthday again." "T-thank you, unnie." Though they often bickered, the two were always as close as sisters. With Sae-Ri proudly disying the frame I gave her in the center of the living room, she ended one of the happiest birthdays of her life. *** The day of the script reading arrived. After a good night''s sleep following ate return from Choi Ji-Yung''s house, Yoo-Jin and Miso showed up well-rested at the reading site. As we got out of the car, the reporters swarmed to snap photos as expected. Nearly blinded by the shing cameras, we finally made it inside with the help of MBS security staff. Hwaranjeon''s script reading was held in Room 911 of the MBS headquarters. Upon opening the door, we saw a long rectangr table spacious enough for fifty with rows of chairs for the staff behind it. Since we had arrived early, only Song Ji-Hwan, an actor from Hoop Entertainment''s Actor Division 2, and a few supporting cast members were present. Song Ji-Hwan greeted me with a wave. "Hey there, Team Lead Jung!" "Hello, Mr. Song!" As I bowed to Song Ji-Hwan, Yoo-Jin and Miso followed suit. "Hello, sir!" "Hello, Your Majesty!" Song Ji-Hwanughed heartily at Miso''s yful greeting. After all, he was known for ying kings in numerous productions. "Hahaha! Your Majesty, huh? That works!" While we exchanged cheerful greetings, the other actors began arriving. ''She''s here,'' I remarked silently. Min Gyu-Ri entered, dressed in a soft pink jacket, a white T-shirt, and jeans. Petite with a cute appearance, her round face featured a high nose bridge andrge eyes. With a blend of adorable and pretty features, Min Gyu-Ri was adored by her male fans. To me, however, she was merely a persistent, stress-inducing figure¡ªlike a lingering Helicobacter bacterium. Min Gyu-Ri greeted her sunbaes with augh full of charm. "Haha. Hello! I''m rookie actress Min Gyu-Ri. I look forward to working with you~!" Her friendly demeanor won everyone over immediately and they readily returned her greeting. "Oh, what a polite kid she is." "Thank you, sunbae-nim! I''ll work hard!" Everyone chuckled at the cute and lively rookie actress. As expected, no one seemed to see through Min Gyu-Ri''s facade. Then, Min Gyu-Ri finished her greetings and unexpectedly walked toward us. Chapter 391: Hwaranjeon Script Reading (2)

Chapter 391: Hwaranjeon Script Reading (2)

After finishing her introductions, Min Gyu-Ri walked toward us. Contrary to her polite demeanor, her true nature was the exact opposite. Fans wouldter call her by cute nicknames, but those who knew her true colors had nicknames for her that couldn''t be spoken aloud. She was one of those celebrities whose cute appearance contrasted sharply with her real personality. Min Gyu-Ri bowed politely in front of us. "Hello, sunbae-nims. It''s an honor to meet you all." Song Ji-Hwan nodded. "Nice to meet you. Let''s do our best. I heard you did great at the audition, huh?" "You''re too kind, sunbae-nim." "Not at all. Both PD Oh Bok-Hee and Miss Han said the same. They say a star rookie has arrived." Min Gyu-Ri gave Song Ji-Hwan a charming smile. "Oh my, you are ttering me too much. Haha." However, Song Ji-Hwan, who waspletely devoted to his wife, saw Min Gyu-Ri only as an endearing kid rather than a woman. "Why don''t you both introduce yourselves? I have something to discuss with Ji-Yung," said Song Ji-Hwan before he left to greet Choi Ji-Yung who had just arrived. Then, Min Gyu-Ri turned to Yoo-Jin with a bright smile and extended her hand. "Yoo-Jin sunbae-nim, I look forward to working with you." Yoo-Jin returned the handshake with a smile. "Of course. Miss Han praised you, saying you brought your character to life beautifully. I''m looking forward to your performance as well." At that, Min Gyu-Ri smiled with her eyes and her lips slightly curled up. "Really? I was just doing what I usually do but Miss Han is too kind." When Min Gyu-Ri responded with an air of haughtiness, Yoo-Jin let out a smallugh, seemingly finding the rookie''s boldness amusing. However, Min Gyu-Ri''s next words caught Yoo-Jin slightly off guard. "And sunbae-nim, watch out. If I really put my mind to it, I might just outshine you." Min Gyu-Ri dered her ambition, intending to do what Yoo-Jin once did in supporting roles: steal the show. Had it been Ju Yung-In instead of Yoo-Jin, she would''ve put Min Gyu-Ri in her ce right away, saying, ''Who do you think you are to talk like that?'' However, Yoo-Jin simply brushed off Min Gyu-Ri''s challenge with ease. "You''re a confident hoobae. I''ll be looking forward to it." Perhaps thrown off by Yoo-Jin''s unexpected response, Min Gyu-Ri hesitated slightly. "Oh... yes, yes... Well, I''ll see youter, sunbae-nim." Having failed to provoke Yoo-Jin, Min Gyu-Ri smiled awkwardly and returned to her seat. Yoo-Jin smiled softly. "She looks cute, but her personality seems intense." "That''s why I always say don''t judge people by their looks in the entertainment industry," I remarked. Yoo-Jin shook her head in disbelief, finding the industry endlessly surprising. ''To think a rookie would approach a lead actor with that kind of remark as a first greeting.'' That conversation solidified my judgment of Min Gyu-Ri. ''People rarely change,'' I realized. The silver lining was that I already knew her thoroughly. More importantly, I was d that I wasn''t her talent agent. *** Once all the actors were seated, Oh Bok-Hee, Ryu Han-Jun, and Han Woo-Ju entered. Oh Bok-Hee took her seat at the director''s table and greeted everyone with a warm smile. "Hello, good morning." "Yes, Mrs. Oh." "Good morning." After exchanging greetings with the cast and crew, Oh Bok-Hee stood up. "I''m Oh Bok-Hee, the director. With filming set to start in a week, we pushed up the script reading a little bit. You probably haven''t had much time to practice, so let''s just focus on setting the atmosphere today." Apuse filled the room after Oh Bok-Hee ended her short speech. Next, Ryu Han-Joon introduced himself, followed by a greeting from Han Woo-Ju. "I''m currently working on the midsection of the script and I''ll get it to you as soon as it''spleted," said Han Woo-Ju. After Han Woo-Ju''s words, the cast introduced themselves one by one. Then Oh Bok-Hee opened her script. "Alright, let''s begin with Scene 3 from Episode 1." The sound of script pages flipping echoed through the room. "Shall we start with Miso?" "Yes!" Miso answered quickly. Then, she took a deep breath. In the blink of an eye, her face transformed from that of an innocent seven-year-old to that of the young second princess of Si. Immersing herself in the role, Miso delivered a performance even more astounding than what she had shown during her audition. *** "Okay! That''s it for the child actors'' script reading. Miso, Yi-Ji, and Gong-Ju¡ªwonderful work, all of you." Miso and the other child actors finished their reading with great passion, leaving Oh Bok-Hee visibly pleased with the emotional depth they had disyed. "Thank you, Mrs. Oh!" Oh Bok-Hee looked around proudly. "Child actors'' skills are no joke these days, right?" Choi Ji-Yung, who yed the First Queen, replied, "I might get scolded for not acting as well as Miso if I''m not careful." The actors all burst intoughter. "If the child actors are this good, what are we going to do for a living?" "Miso, take it easy on us, alright?" The energy in the room was heating up from the young actors'' outstanding performances. Then, Oh Bok-Hee pointed to Scene 15 of Episode 1. "Now, let''s move on to Scene 15 in Episode 1. Mr. Song Ji-Hwan, please start when you''re ready." Scene 15 involved the king scolding the queens harshly after hearing about a mishap caused by the princesses outside the pce. Wearing ck-rimmed sses and holding his script, Song Ji-Hwan let out a long sigh. Because it had been a while since hest performed in a historical drama, he seemed a bit tense. After a few deep breaths, Song Ji-Hwan began reciting his lines in a deep and resonant voice. ¡ºHow do the queens raise the princesses that they bring such chaos to Seorabeol! I am deeply ashamed¡ªnot only as king of this nation but also as their father!¡» Song Ji-Hwan''s rich and thunderous voice reverberated through the room as powerful as a roaring tiger, surprising the other actors. When Song Ji-Hwan finished his lines with a dignified and solemn expression, it was Lee Tae-Yeon''s turn. Lee Tae-Yeon looked around with a regal and slightly proud gaze as she embodied the queen. After taking in each of the actresses ying the three princesses, Lee Tae-Yeon turned back to Song Ji-Hwan and delivered her lines. ¡ºAll of this is my fault. So from now on, I will personally take responsibility for the strict discipline of Princess Jeong-Hwa, Princess Yu-Hwa, and Princess Do-Hwa.¡» Lee Tae-Yeon lowered her head as if bearing a heavy guilt. Just then, she raised the corners of her mouth ever so slightly with her expression subtly revealing a hidden intention. It was the kind of nuanced performance that justified her status as an S-ss actress. At that moment, Yoon Joo-Yeon, ying the Third Queen, took over with an intense and defiant tone. ¡ºYour Majesty! You cannot allow this! Remember Mu-Mu''s prophecy: that out of the three, only one will survive to be the pir of Si! It would be better to entrust a fish to a cat than to leave Princess Do-Hwa with the First Queen, who seems eager to see our princesses dead!¡» Yoon Joo-Yeon red at Lee Tae-Yeon with her body trembling as if she were ready to strike. The intense emotions expressed by Yoon Joo-Yeon raised the tension in the room even further. In response, Lee Tae-Yeon met Yoon Joo-Yeon''s gaze directly and shouted. ¡ºAre you saying I intend to kill Princess Do-Hwa? What nonsense!¡» ¡ºHah! Does anyone in all of Seorabeol not know? Rumor has it that the First Queen intends to pluck each of the young blossoms! Have you truly never heard such talk?¡» It was only a script reading, but the two actresses exchanged lines with such conviction that it seemed they were real enemies. Everyone in the room was captivated by the high-caliber performances. Most actors hurriedly flipped through their pages with their expressions tense. Only one person, Yoo-Jin, appeared calm as she followed the rhythm of her sunbaes with confidence as if ready to jump in at any moment. *** Ten minutes flew by in the blink of an eye. Even though only the supporting actors had performed, the staff members were on the edge of their seats and swallowing nervously. The atmosphere was thick with tension as if one tiny prick could pop the balloon. The excited Oh Bok-Hee flipped to Episode 4. "Whew! You all have incredible skills. Now, let''s move to the scene where the three princesses meet the Head of the Hwarang for the first time. Mr. Oh Tae-Hyuk, please take it from here." The role of the Hwarang leader, Guk-Seon, was yed by Oh Tae-Hyuk, the twenty-two-year-old leader of the popr idol group, Raven. Based on my memories, Oh Tae-Hyuk initially appeared awkward when he started acting. Nheless, he quickly improved, eventually earning thebel of a skilled "acting idol." With his good looks, massive fanbase, decent acting ability, and great personality, Oh Tae-Hyuk continued to thrive even up to the day I died in my previous life. After a few deep breaths, Oh Tae-Hyuk began his reading. However, perhaps due to the intense performances he had just witnessed, his voice trembled with nerves. ¡ºY-your Highness... I-I greet you.¡» The other actors exchanged looks as if they had expected this. Most idols weren''t cast for their acting skills but rather for their potential to attract attention to the drama. Though Oh Bok-Hee had cast Oh Tae-Hyuk based on his audition, the stereotype persisted. In the end, Oh Bok-Hee sighed and prepared to call for a break. At that moment, Yoo-Jin smiled with her eyes and ad-libbed a response to support Oh Tae-Hyuk''s line. ¡ºGuk-Seon, why are you trembling so? Could it be that one of us has captured your heart?¡» The room fell silent as everyone turned to Yoo-Jin in surprise, including Oh Bok-Hee who looked puzzled by her choice. Yoo-Jin ignored the stares and kept her gaze on Oh Tae-Hyuk as she patiently waited for him. Perhaps because he was given the extra time, Oh Tae-Hyuk managed to gather himself and continue. ¡ºIt''s just that seeing the three princesses of Seorabeol in person has caused my heart to race without my realizing...¡» In this industry, a single mistake could make or break a performance, and it could potentially even cause a new fear of being on camera. As the lead, Yoo-Jin guided the less-experienced Oh Tae-Hyuk through the scene, while most of the cast, engrossed in their own performances amidst a group of aplished actors, barely noticed. Recognizing the situation, Oh Bok-Hee and the surrounding staff couldn''t help but murmur in admiration. Even though it was her first lead role, Yoo-Jin was showing awareness of her castmates and stepped in to support them. Thanks to her help, Oh Tae-Hyuk got through the scene without an NG and the flow of the performance resumed naturally. This in turn prompted Han Sang-Hee and Min Gyu-Ri to join in. The two were showing admirable acting skills as well, proving they didn''t pass the audition for no reason. Han Sang-Hee portrayed the sharp-tongued and sensitive Princess Jeong-Hwa, while Min Gyu-Ri brought a lively tone to her role as Princess Do-Hwa. The four actors exchanged lines fluidly and heightened the tension as the scene unfolded. Then it was Yoo-Jin''s turn once again. With a warm gaze, she turned to Oh Tae-Hyuk and asked. ¡ºThen, Guk-Seon, who among the three of us do you find the most beautiful?¡» Caught up in that intense moment, Oh Tae-Hyuk answered with a line different from the script. ¡ºI... think Princess Yu-Hwa is the most beautiful...¡» He should have answered "Princess Do-Hwa," but, entranced by Yoo-Jin, Oh Tae-Hyuk inadvertently gave the wrong response. Oh Bok-Heeughed and paused the script reading. "Pfft. Mr. Tae-Hyuk, how could you say Yu-Hwa? This is supposed to be the start of a connection with Princess Do-Hwa!" Oh Tae-Hyuk stopped acting and looked confused. "D-did I say that?" "What, you don''t even know what you just said?" The flustered Oh Tae-Hyuk began to fidget and his earlobes turned visibly red. Oh Bok-Hee couldn''t help but burst outughing. "Miss Yoo-Jin has captured Guk-Seon''s heart, hasn''t she? What should we do? Miss Han, maybe you''ll have to rewrite the script." Han Woo-Ju also smiled broadly. "Mrs. Oh, should I rewrite it right now? It could be interesting if Guk-Seon falls for Yu-Hwa instead." "Ohe on~ that would change the entire plot! There''s no way we can handle that. Absolutely not." Caught up in the exchange between Oh Bok-Hee and Han Woo-Ju, the actors beganughing along. Meanwhile, the flustered Oh Tae-Hyuk nervously gulped down a 500ml bottle of water in one go. Across the room, Han Sang-Hee and Min Gyu-Ri were visibly annoyed. Having been pulled into Yoo-Jin''s pace, they felt as if they had fallen into a scenario she had set up. Once theughter subsided, Oh Bok-Hee grabbed her script and shouted, "We got to see some great acting thanks to Miss Yoo-Jin. Let''s rx a bit and try it again. Mr. Tae-Hyuk, are you ready?" "Yes, Mrs. Oh!" n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "What about you, Miss Sang-Hee and Miss Gyu-Ri?" "I''m good." "Me too." When both actresses nodded with determination, Oh Bok-Hee gave the cue to start again. Moreposed now, Oh Tae-Hyuk continued his performance with much-improved delivery, prompting quiet admiration from the others. His acting was quite promising for an idol, clearing the room of any lingering preconceptions. Looking more confident, Oh Tae-Hyuk seemed genuinely relievedpared to earlier. On the other hand, Han Sang-Hee and Min Gyu-Ri were putting excessive effort into their scenes upon feeling the pressure not to lose to Yoo-Jin. During her next line, Min Gyu-Ri suddenly yelled at Oh Tae-Hyuk with an exaggerated expression. At that moment, Oh Bok-Hee immediately halted Min Gyu-Ri''s performance. "Stop. Min Gyu-Ri, why are you overreacting there? That''s not the character''s tone." Min Gyu-Ri realized her mistake and quickly bowed her head. "I''m sorry." Oh Bok-Hee''s tone grew slightly firm to rein in Min Gyu-Ri''s impulsiveness. "Min Gyu-Ri. I appreciate your enthusiasm but don''t overdo it. Match your sunbaes'' performances! Okay?" That''s when Min Gyu-Ri lowered her head and muttered under her breath. "Ugh... I''m pretty sure I was doing it right..." Having recently joined TNT Entertainment, Min Gyu-Ri had no idea how influential broadcast professionals could be. Her frustration slipped out without her realizing when she heard Oh Bok-Hee''s nagging. Unfortunately for her, Oh Bok-Hee heard her words and shouted with her eyes ring,"''Ugh?'' What did you just say?" At Oh Bok-Hee''s stern reprimand, Min Gyu-Ri''s face flushed bright red and she began to tremble nervously. ''This is going to be a problem,'' I thought. Sure enough, Min Gyu-Ri suddenly stood up, rushed to the door, and bolted outside. Click! I shook my head. ''That''s so typical of Min Gyu-Ri.'' In my past life, Min Gyu-Ri sometimes stormed off like this whenever things didn''t go her way. While I was familiar with her behavior, everyone else in the room stared in shock at Min Gyu-Ri''s sudden exit. "W-what was that about?" uttered the stunned Oh Bok-Hee. Recovering from her shock, Oh Bok-Hee shouted toward the door, "Min Gyu-Ri''s talent agent! Get in here right now before I rece her role!" Oh Bok-Hee was visibly furious and her patience was clearly exhausted. Chapter 392: Hwaranjeon Script Reading (3)

Chapter 392: Hwaranjeon Script Reading (3)

During the script reading for Hwaranjeon, rookie actress Min Gyu-Ri stormed out of the room after Oh Bok-Hee scolded her. Oh Bok-Hee immediately called for Min Gyu-Ri''s talent agent, Jang Sam-Duk from TNT Entertainment, who entered in a panic. Jang Sam-Duk pleaded with Oh Bok-Hee. "M-Mrs. Oh, she''s just a rookie and who doesn''t know any better..." n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Oh Bok-Hee fumed and raised her voice. "No matter how new they are, shouldn''t rookies be taught the basics beforeing here?" "I-I''m sorry. I think she was just really startled. So please, I''m begging you..." "That''s enough. If you don''t want her role cut right now, get yourpany''s president in here." "Mrs. Oh, please! Just give us one more chance..." Oh Bok-Hee''s eyes shed as she raised her voice. "Did you not hear me? Shall I just cut her role right now?" "N-no, I''ll call the president right away." Although Min Gyu-Ri was the one at fault, only her talent agent from TNT Entertainment was taking the heat. In the end, the script reading session was cut short. Trying to calm herself, Oh Bok-Hee addressed everyone. "I would appreciate it if everyone kept today''s events to themselves. If rumors spread, it will hurt all of us. You know what I mean, right?" Oh Bok-Hee looked around, making it clear that any broadcasting issues should stay internal. The actors nodded and they agreed to reconvene for another script reading in three days. "The show will begin filming at the Gyeongju set next week, so please coordinate your schedules to avoid any conflicts." Actors and staff nodded at Oh Bok-Hee''s instructions. Just then, Jang Sam-Duk informed Oh Bok-Hee that theirpany president had arrived and that they would bring Min Gyu-Ri to Oh Bok-Hee''s office right away. "Alright. Tell them toe up immediately." "Yes, ma''am." As Oh Bok-Hee stood up, she looked at me. "And Mr. Jung, could you meet with me in ten minutes? There''s something I would like to discuss with you." I wasn''t sure what it was about, but I agreed. Oh Bok-Hee and Ryu Han-Joon left with Han Woo-Ju, discussing matters with serious expressions. Meanwhile, the remaining actors stood and exchanged baffled looks over the strange experience. "Min Gyu-Ri...she''s something else, huh..." "They say it was the pressure, but how will she handle acting with that attitude?" "Who knows? Either way, we should all keep quiet around reporters. We shouldn''t ignore PD Oh''s request." Everyone shook their heads and quickly left, offering little more than hurried farewells, as most were busy, in-demand actors Just then, Oh Tae-Hyuk, the 180-cm-tall future "acting idol" approached us. He hesitated and fidgeted nervously with his fingers without saying a word. Yoo-Jin smiled with her eyes and tilted her head in curiosity. "Is something wrong, Mr. Tae-Hyuk?" Oh Tae-Hyuk quickly got into a 90-degree angle ssic idol bow. "Thank you for helping me earlier, sunbae-nim." Caught off guard by the idol-style bow, Yoo-Jin hurriedly waved her hands. "Oh, it''s nothing! I make so many mistakes in acting myself, so don''t worry! From what I saw, you''re doing great. Keep it up." That was a lie. Except for her first day when she almost made a mistake in front of Lee Ji-Yeon, Yoo-Jin had hardly slipped up. Nheless, Yoo-Jin was telling a kind lie to encourage Oh Tae-Hyuk. She continued, "Don''t rush yourself and lean on the people around you. If there''s anything you need help with, just ask me." Oh Tae-Hyuk''s face lit up. "Really?" "Of course." Yoo-Jin was only a second-year actress, yet she had grown enough to support others around her. She wasn''t just an actress focused solely on herself anymore but someone who could consider those around her. I felt a small sense of pride. After a brief conversation, Oh Tae-Hyuk spoke up with his face flushed with excitement. "And actually... I''m a huge fan of you and Miso." "Really?" "Yes. I''m a member of the You&Me fan club. My fan club ID is ''Cute and Lovely.''" "Cute and Lovely?" Oh Tae-Hyuk scratched his head awkwardly. "Well, it''s a nickname my group members made up for me as a joke..." The leader of Raven, the top up-anding boy group, was a fan of Yoo-Jin and Miso. It hit me just how much Yoo-Jin''s poprity had grown. At that moment, Miso standing behind me peeked out and looked up at Oh Tae-Hyuk. "Oppa, are you really a fan of my mom and me?" Oh Tae-Hyuk nodded enthusiastically. "Y-yes, Miso." Miso smiled and looked at me. "Uncle Yoon-Ho. Can I have my bag, please?" I asked, "What do you need the bag for?" "I have something I want to give this oppa." "Alright." I handed Miso her pink Powertuff Girls bag. Miso unzipped it and pulled out the collection of her favorite fluorescent Powertuff Girls stickers. "This is a gift from me!" Miso eximed. I wondered if he would really appreciate it, but Oh Tae-Hyuk lookedpletely moved. Then, Oh Tae-Hyuk flipped the back of the sticker over with an excited expression. "Um, Miso, could you maybe sign it for me?" "Sure!" Delighted, Miso ced the sticker on the table and began signing it with a bright smile. "Jung~ Mi~ So~ Done!" Oh Tae-Hyuk asked Yoo-Jin for her autograph as well. With a smile, Yoo-Jin signed next to Miso''s. Oh Tae-Hyuk bowed deeply once more. "I''ll treasure this for life! And I look forward to working with you, Yoo-Jin sunbae-nim!" "Me too. Good luck." "Bye bye, oppa!" Holding the signed sticker as if it were gold, Oh Tae-Hyuk left the script reading room. Just then, Song Ji-Hwan who yed the king, and Choi Ji-Yung who yed the First Queen walked over. Song Ji-Hwan gave Yoo-Jin a thumbs-up. "I kept hearing ''Jung Yoo-Jin this, Jung Yoo-Jin that,'' so I was wondering how good you must be. And now that I''ve seen you act, it''s no joke." Yoo-Jin''s face turned red at thepliment. "Oh, not at all, sunbae-nim." "Come on, don''t be modest. You practically had Tae-Hyuk wrapped around your finger earlier." Choi Ji-Yungughed softly. "Don''t say ''wrapped around your finger.'' Tae-Hyuk might get offended if he heard you." Being of the same age, the two spoke casually like old friends. Then Song Ji-Hwan turned to us and said, "I don''t have much on today and neither does Ji-Yung. How about a meal together, Team Lead Jung and Yoo-Jin?" Choi Ji-Yungughed dumbfoundedly. "Are you kidding? These two are way too busy for a meal right now. And so am I!" "Hey,e on. You don''t have time for one meal?" Choi Ji-Yung shook her head. "Not for now. Team Lead Jung found a promising young actress, so I''ve been busy helping with lessons before she heads into filming soon." The news of me nurturing a new talent caught Song Ji-Hwan''s interest. He asked, "Is that so? Then could I meet her sometime?" Choi Ji-Yung asked, "Why?" "If she''s one of Team Lead Jung''s picks, she''s bound to go far, right? I want to secure my spot as her mentor now so she''ll owe me forever!" Song Ji-Hwan had a roundabout way of saying he wanted to repay me for what I did for him. Just as I expected, Song Ji-Hwan turned to me and asked, "Team Lead Jung, would you mind if I helped with her training too?" ''This is amazing,'' I remarked inwardly. With two top actors taking an interest in Kang Si-Ah, this was an invaluable opportunity for her. "I would really appreciate it," I answered, Song Ji-Hwan grinned broadly. "Alright. Oh, by the way, my wife keeps asking me to bring you over to the house. She says she can''t stop thinking about that coffee you made for herst time." If some coffee could cover Kang Si-Ah''s lesson fees, I would more than happily make as much as needed. I nodded with a grin. "I''ll make a bunch and send it to your house." *** I brought Yoo-Jin and Miso with me to the hallway outside Oh Bok-Hee''s office. There stood Jang Sam-Duk, the chief of TNT Entertainment, frowning outside the door. I could hear a conversation between Oh Bok-Hee and the TNT president inside the office. -Mr. Yoo! Why should I trust Gyu-Ri at all? -Mrs. Oh, she''s just a bit mentally fragile. Please understand that she''s new. -What if this happens again? -I''ll personally make sure it never does. TNT Entertainment was a rapidly growingpany, having merged with other agencies to reach the industry''s third rank. However, Min Gyu-Ri''s misconduct was serious enough that their president hade in person to apologize profusely. I told Yoo-Jin to take Miso aside for a bit, then casually approached Jang Sam-Duk. Although he managed So Yi-Yung, with whom I had a bad rtionship, it didn''t hurt to get along with otherpany''s talent agents. After all, talent agents were the source of most insider information about celebrities. I said, "Mrs. Oh seems really upset, huh?" Jang Sam-Duk scowled at me. "Why the sudden friendliness?" "Aw,e on, Mr. Jang. We''ll be seeing each other a lot during the filming of this drama, so let''s be friendly. I''ll do my best from here on out." "You''re something else, aren''t you? Yi-Yung grits her teeth at the sight of you and Jung Yoo-Jin, so how do you expect me to be friendly with you?" "You don''t just handle So Yi-Yung, though. And what''s the point of talent agents butting heads anyway?" "Hmm... I suppose so. But still, no." "Come on, let''s keep it casual between us. By the way, it must be tough dealing with Gyu-Ri. Her personality seems quite the opposite of her looks... where did you even find her?" Perhaps embarrassed by his earlier irritation, Jang Sam-Duk responded readily. "Our president scouted her himself on the street." I didn''t know much about Min Gyu-Ri''s earlier days, because I only encountered her after she joined Top Entertainment in my past life. I decided to press for more details since I figured I would be seeing more of Min Gyu-Ri from now on. I asked, "Why are you going so easy on her, though? She''s just a rookie." "Oh, that? She didn''t want to be an entertainer, so the contract''s structured to her advantage. But at this rate, I''m not sure we''ll even break even." ''So the president had not only scouted her but had also offered a hefty contract,'' I thought. It was clear that no one but the president of TNT could control her. ''They''re going to have a rough time with her,'' I remarked inwardly. Just then, the office door opened and Jang Sam-Duk straightened up. Click. At the same time, Oh Bok-Hee''s stern voice echoed from inside. "If anything like this happens again, I''ll make sure TNT actors are permanently banned from MBS drama productions. Got it?" Yoo Kang-Seok and Min Gyu-Ri bowed deeply before exiting. Unlike Yoo Kang-Seok who looked remorseful and deeply apologetic, Min Gyu-Ri had her lips pursed in a pout. She knew she was in the wrong but refused to admit it. That''s when Yoo Kang-Seok noticed me and recognized who I was. "Mr. Jung from Hoop Entertainment...?" "Nice to meet you, Mr. Yoo." Standing at 180 cm in a high-end designer suit with a Peter Philip watch on his left wrist, Yoo Kang-Seok was well built for a thirty-eight-year-old and looked closer to histe twenties. "Nice to meet you too. I''ve been meaning to meet you, Mr. Jung. This might not be the best time, but... could I see you tonight?" "And what would we be discussing?" "You''ll find it worth your time." Yoo Kang-Seok was a formidable figure who would temporarily secure the number one spot in the industry in two years thanks to aggressive acquisitions. However, his sess wouldn''tst long as he would be burdened by the heavy debt incurred from his rapid expansion. Hence, it wasn''t hard to guess his intention: a recruitment offer. Nheless, I had no interest whatsoever, especially with So Yi-Yung and Min Gyu-Ri at TNT. "I''m sorry, but my schedule is packed. I''m afraid I can''t promise anything." "Still, please contact me whenever you can." Yoo Kang-Seok gave a disappointed look before disappearing toward the elevator with the still-sulking Min Gyu-Ri and Jang Sam-Duk. As soon as they left, Yoo-Jin and Miso came running up to me. "Oppa, was that another scouting offer?" "Uncle Yoon-Ho, are you going to work somewhere else?" I handed Yoo Kang-Seok''s business card to Yoo-Jin. "Where would I go? Here, you take this." Ever since traveling back in time, I had been getting scouting offers so often that Yoo-Jin and Miso had a sense of what had just happened. At that moment, Yoo-Jin took the business card from me and handed it to Miso. "Here you go, Miso!" Miso took the card and suddenly looked around. "That spot will work." "Huh?" "Uncle Yoon-Ho, close your eyes! Quickly!" I did as Miso asked though I kept my eyes slightly open out of curiosity. Miso ran over to the fire extinguisher in the hallway and stuffed the business card under its base, making sure it was well hidden. Miso smiled proudly as if she had just aplished something big and returned to me with a bright voice. "Okay, Uncle Yoon-Ho. You can open your eyes now." "What did you do?" "It''s a secret~" I couldn''t help butugh upon seeing Miso''s innocent smile. ''Don''t worry, Miso. I''m not going anywhere.'' *** I entered Oh Bok-Hee''s office, where Ryu Han-Joon and Han Woo-Ju were. With a sigh, Oh Bok-Hee said, "We gave Min Gyu-Ri a stern scolding, so I don''t think we''ll expect any more trouble from her." I answered, "We don''t mind, but I''m sorry you had to go through the burden, Mrs. Oh. By the way, why did you want to meet with me?" When I changed the topic, Oh Bok-Hee''s expression lightened a bit as she exined. "Oh, I wanted to discuss the original soundtrack." Currently, the main theme for Hwaranjeon was set to be ''Soulfire'' by Kang Ha-Na and Kim Jong-Hoon. The track alone had cost an impressive 25 million won, thanks to Oh Bok-Hee''s wonderful negotiation skills. "Is there a problem with ''Soulfire''?" I asked. "Oh, no, it''s nothing like that. It''s just that there was a suggestion to release an album at the same time as the drama." MBS nned to create an original soundtrack album with about twelve songs for Hwaranjeon. "So I was wondering if we could ask Mr. Bang Seon-Woo, theposer of ''Soulfire'', to produce about six tracks." "Six tracks? Where would you source the remaining songs?" I asked. "We''re nning to ask Epil K from Ace Entertainment to handle the other half." As friendly as I had gotten with Oh Bok-Hee, I needed to tread carefully here. After all, PDs held considerable authority when it came to production. However, in this case, I couldn''t let it slide. "I''m sorry, but we have an issue with Epil K." Of all people, they wanted to bring in Epil K who tried to giarize Bang Seon-Woo''s music. I was nning to confront Epil K at some point, but I was waiting until I had solid proof. Caught off guard by my rejection, Oh Bok-Hee looked puzzled. "Is there some problem with Epil K?" "Yes, Mrs. Oh." Oh Bok-Hee''s face showed deep thought. "Hmm, then what do we do..." Just then, an idea to maximize the original soundtrack album''s profitability struck me. ''Hold on. This could be huge if done right.'' Looking at Oh Bok-Hee, I decided to make a counter-proposal. "What if we took on the entire album project ourselves?" "Are you saying Hoop Entertainment would manage the whole album?" "Yes. If you let us handle it, we won''t charge anyposition fees." MBS'' fees didn''t mean anything to me since I had figured out a way to maximize the album''s profitability. "But why wouldn''t you chargeposition fees? Wouldn''t it be a lot of work for your team to produce the album?" Oh Bok-Hee tilted her head, clearly not understanding my reasoning. Chapter 393: Lobby

Chapter 393: Lobby

Hwaranjeon was a unique historical drama that would achieve unprecedented sess, spreading beyond Asia to the Middle East and Africa. If ourpany managed the entire original soundtrack album, it would also pave the way for the international expansion of the artists I chose. Beyond that, uploading the original soundtrack album to Team Jung''s MeTube channel with detailed subtitles in multiplenguages could bring significant ad revenue from global views. Oh Bok-Hee asked again, "Are you sure you don''t need anyposition fees?" "Yes. But in exchange, please allow us to upload the entire original soundtrack album on MeTube." Oh Bok-Hee smiled. "It seems like you''ve got a n in mind, huh?" "You know me well, Mrs. Oh." "Well, I sure do... Alright, if you''re waiving the fee, I see no issue with it. But isn''t the timeline a little tight to produce twelve tracks? Do you think you can handle that?" "I''ll make sure it happens. There shouldn''t be any problem." With Bang Seon-Woo on board, he could produce one track per day if needed. Oh Bok-Hee nced at Ryu Han-Joon sitting beside her on the couch. "Mr. Ryu, what do you think?" "You and I are already on thin ice with the higher-ups anyway. So what''s one more mark? I say go for it." Oh Bok-Hee nodded. "Understood." Then, she turned back to me again. "Alright then, Hoop Entertainment can handle the album production." I clenched my fists and replied confidently, "I''ll give it my all to make it the best." Then Oh Bok-Hee added, "I trust you. Also, since you''re not taking aposition fee, we''ll offer you 20% of the album''s profits. How does that sound?" "I''m sorry? You''re offering... 20%?" Typically, it was challenging to get revenue-sharing for original soundtrack albums when the broadcaster was producing the drama. However, Oh Bok-Hee was showing her appreciation toward me for choosing her as the PD for Hwaranjeon. Oh Bok-Hee smiled and said, "I told you to take full advantage of MBS." It was rare to receive such preferential treatment from someone as tough as Oh Bok-Hee. This was unimaginable in my previous life. "I''ll gather the best singers and make an outstanding album," I assured her. "I''m counting on you." We would have plenty of buzz with just Cherry Blossom and Kang Ha-Na, but I would probably need to bring in a few additional singers. After all, this was a perfect chance for global publicity. Just as I thought we had finished discussing the original soundtrack, Oh Bok-Hee brought up another matter. "Oh, by the way, are you aware that KBC is nning a grand historical drama to rival ours?" "No, that''s news to me." "It''s called Queen Jeong-Hee and it''s set to start broadcasting next January. We''re their target." I couldn''t believe my ears for a moment. ''Why are they producing it now?'' I wondered. If Hwaranjeon had reached the highest viewership rating in the first half of the year in my past life, Queen Jeong-Hee dominated thetter half. The drama chronicled the life of Queen Jeong-Hee, the wife of the seventh king of Joseon, King Sejo, and one of the most influential women of her time. Though its peak viewership rating of 23% was lower than Hwaranjeon, it was highly regarded as a masterpiece with KBC investing all its resources. Queen Jeong-Hee was led by CP Do Ye-Soo, a veteran with thirty years of experience in historical dramas and a reputation for creating masterpieces. The script for Queen Jeong-Hee should still be under refinement, but now they were bringing forward the shoot by six months. I tilted my head. "Airing in January seems tight, doesn''t it? They haven''t even held auditions yet." Oh Bok-Hee exined, "I heard they''re notifying all the agencies for the lead auditions today. KBC has a pool of seasoned actors for Joseon dramas, so they can probably start right away if they cast the leads. Plus, they''ll be reusing sets from theirst production." It seemed they were serious about moving forward. "Then who will be directing?" I asked. "PD Lee Seon-Chang, and the writer is Ga Ye-Eun." This was the same core team that produced Queen Jeong-Hee in my past life, meaning there were no changes in key staff. If things proceeded exactly like in my past life, there was no doubt Queen Jeong-Hee would turn out to be another quality historical drama. "It won''t be easypetition with talents like that on their side," I remarked. Oh Bok-Hee nodded with a grave expression. However, this situation didn''t quite make sense. I couldn''t understand why they chose a direct confrontation when both dramas could draw high viewership ratings withoutpeting. "Why are they targeting us? We could have avoided shing and shared the viewership ratings instead." "Apparently, they changed the schedule due to President Park''s reappointment situation." KBC''s President Park Chan-Sik''s term would end early next year. As such, the viewership ratings and performance at the end of this year and early January were crucial for his chances of reappointment. Advertisers paid more for high viewership ratings. This year, KBC suffered significant losses due to the sess of the MBS and SBC shows that I had produced with Yoo-Jin. Park Chan-Sik was bringing Queen Jeong-Hee forward to boost his performance record before his term was up. Changing fate hade at a price and this was the result. Oh Bok-Hee added, "That said... we''ll be doubling down on our publicity efforts, so please have Team Jung focus on publicity as well." "Understood. We''ll put in our best efforts." It turned out that releasing the original soundtrack album was part of the publicity n topete with Queen Jeong-Hee. That meant putting even more effort into the original soundtrack album to make Hwaranjeon stand out with unique and buzz-worthy elements. After discussing a few more ideas, we left Oh Bok-Hee''s office and headed to a newly arranged workspace with Han Woo-Ju. *** We arrived at a luxury residence only ten minutes from thepany. This ce offered concierge services like meals and cleaning, much like a hotel. With a beep, I opened the door to Unit 1501. The spacious fifty-pyeong workspace had floor-to-ceiling windows with a sweeping view of Apgujeong. The three-room unit was newly renovated with marble floors and built-in modern equipment. Looking around the officetel, Miso eximed, "Wow, this ce is amazing!" Yoo-Jin also nodded and took in the surroundings. Though neither had much desire for material things, they could still appreciate a nice space. Han Woo-Ju seemed excited but also felt a bit guilty. "Isn''t this a bit much for a first workspace, Mr. Jung?" "Not at all. You deserve it." n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Under the Big Tree alone brought in 1.7 billion won. Given that Han Woo-Ju spent most of her time working from home, I made sure to pick the best possible ce for her. Just then, my phone rang. [Caller ID: Writer Lee Ji-Yeon] "Ms. Lee and Ms. Kim are here." "They''re early." Lee Ji-Yeon and Kim Soll-Ip had nned toe by for a mini housewarming. After finishing the call, I opened the entrance on the first floor through the inte. A short whileter, Lee Ji-Yeon entered and handed over a gift as she took in the surroundings. "Writer Han, you''re so lucky. My first office was a tiny five-pyeong studio that looked like a dorm." Kim Soll-Ip who followed behind Lee Ji-Yeon also gasped in awe. "Please,e on in and make yourselves at home." epting Kim Soll-Ip''s housewarming gift, we headed to the living room. As soon as she sat down, Lee Ji-Yeon asked about today''s events. "So, Writer Han. How was the first script reading today?" "It was quite interesting." "With all those S-ss actors, nobody pressured you to increase their screen time?" "No, nothing like that... but one of the actors did run out during the reading." Lee Ji-Yeon made a dumbfounded expression. "What? What do you mean?" "When Mrs. Oh reprimanded Min Gyu-Ri, she bolted out of the room immediately." Lee Ji-Yeon snickered. "Pfft. She sounds like quite the character. But PD Oh didn''t just let it slide, did she? There''s no way she would just sit back and watch." "Of course not. Mrs. Oh called her back and gave her a proper scolding." Lee Ji-Yeon burst intoughter and shared stories of entric actors from her own experience. "Honestly, it''s a relief she just ran off. Back in my day, I had people showing up at my ce and threatening me over their screen time." Lee Ji-Yeon exined that dealing with drama productions meant navigating challenging personalities with a bit of patience and clever persuasion. At that moment, Lee Ji-Yeon nced at the inte. "That said... it''s about time for something to happen." "I''m sorry? What''s happening?" Just as Lee Ji-Yeon spoke, the inte chimed. Ding dong! Lee Ji-Yeon grinned. "They''re here." I knew this wasing. I hade not only for Han Woo-Ju''s workspace housewarming but also for something else: lobbying for writers. I was here to help address it. Everyone looked at Lee Ji-Yeon in confusion. Lee Ji-Yeon smiled. "Don''t you get it? Lobbyists always show up when a production is about to start." I had also done the same back in the day. If my actor''s role was at risk, I would immediately bring gifts to the writer''s office and do anything to secure screen time. For a moment, Han Woo-Ju looked at me with a perplexed expression. "Um, what should I do?" "It''s up to you, Miss Han." "Shouldn''t I refuse?" That''s when Lee Ji-Yeon responded with a smile. "That''s up to you, Writer Han. But honestly, most writers ept it." "Wait, really?" "Didn''t you know? A lot of writers make some nice extra ie this way." I couldn''t quite understand. ''Why is Mrs. Lee saying this?'' Lee Ji-Yeon was known for refusing bribes. After all, she understood it would affect the roles the moment she epted one. This meant that her words had to carry some purpose here. I stayed silent and watched to see what she had in mind. Han Woo-Ju hesitated and looked at Lee Ji-Yeon. "If I ept... then I would have to give something in return, right?" "You could, or you could not. Honestly, who''s going to challenge the writer? They wouldn''t dare." Han Woo-Ju looked to Kim Soll-Ip for support. Kim Soll-Ip said, "Don''t look at me. I never had anyone bring me gifts when I was a new writer." When she was an assistant writer, Kim Soll-Ip handled these situations for Lee Ji-Yeon and firmly rejected all bribes. As a result, no one had tried bribing her since she became a writer. "What are you going to do, Writer Han?" After a moment, Han Woo-Ju made up her mind. "I''m not going to ept it. If I did, I would feel indebted to them... and it would definitely influence the script." At that moment Lee Ji-Yeon smiled widely as if Han Woo-Ju had given the perfect answer. "Exactly. Money has a way of influencing everything. Think you can just ept it and ignore it? I''ve seen more than a few projects ruined that way." Taking bribes would only destabilize the work. Lee Ji-Yeon was giving this advice as a final lesson. She added, "Fancy and expensive gifts are surely nice. But just buy them with your own money. We make a good living as writers. Don''t let yourself be swayed by this nonsense. That''s all the wisdom I have to share." Han Woo-Ju looked deeply moved. "Thank you, Mrs. Lee..." Lee Ji-Yeon stood up. "Don''t get too emotional. This isn''t over yet. Besides, I think it''s better if I handle the rejection myself since I''m also credited as a co-writer." Lee Ji-Yeon took it upon herself to handle the unpleasant task. When she answered the inte, it wasn''t a talent agent or a representative but a delivery courier. Lee Ji-Yeon addressed him kindly. "Sir, please call the sender and let them know that we''ll cut the actor''s role if they send another package. Yes, just tell them Lee Ji-Yeon Lee said it. And if they don''t get the message or refuse to pay for the delivery, press the inte again." Subsequently, a few more talent agents tried to bring gifts in person but were turned away at the entrance. Meanwhile, we ordered a VIP sashimi tter to celebrate Han Woo-Ju''s first script reading. Ten minutester, the inte chimed again. Ding dong~ I stood up expecting the delivery, but I saw Yoo Kang-Seok and Min Gyu-Ri standing together with their hands sped, looking as if they were waiting for permission to enter. I would have turned them away if it had been just Jang Sam-Duk, but it was hard to ignore apany president who hade in person. *** The office door opened with a soft click, and Yoo Kang-Seok holding a ck shopping bag entered. Min Gyu-Ri followed with her face stiff. Upon seeing Lee Ji-Yeon, Yoo Kang-Seok immediately bowed. He didn''t even bother to sit down and spoke right there in the living room. "Ms. Lee, it''s been a long time." "It has been, President Yoo. I heard there was a little mishap today, huh?" Yoo Kang-Seok was about to apologize again when Lee Ji-Yeon quickly turned her attention to Min Gyu-Ri. "So you''re the one who swore and ran out of the reading session." Even the audacious Min Gyu-Ri looked a bit intimidated by Lee Ji-Yeon''s gaze. Min Gyu-Ri bowed at a ny-degree angle. "I''m sorry. I panicked and made a huge mistake." "Don''t apologize to me. Apologize to the lead writer. I heard you didn''t do that properly before." Only then did Min Gyu-Ri finally turn to Han Woo-Ju and offer a formal apology. "I''m truly sorry, Miss Han. I was so scared in front of Mrs. Oh earlier that I forgot to apologize. I promise it won''t happen again." This was an obvious lie. She had likely bowed earlier out of irritation, not genuine remorse. Han Woo-Ju paused before responding in a calm and low voice. "But there won''t be a second chance. Do you understand?" "Yes..." Trying to ease the tension, Yoo Kang-Seok gave a forced smile. "Miss Han. Gyu-Ri has mustered up the courage to apologize in person, so please go easy on her." Seeing this was enough, I intervened. "Why don''t we all sit down and discuss things?" Lee Ji-Yeon shrugged as she reluctantly agreed, and I offered Yoo Kang-Seok and Min Gyu-Ri cushions to sit on. After they settled, I brought some bottled milk tea from the kitchen and ced it on the table. Lee Ji-Yeon''s gaze then fell on the shopping bag Yoo Kang-Seok had brought. "President Yoo, are you here to bribe Writer Han to prevent the role from getting cut?" "It''s not a bribe, really¡ªit''s just a gesture of goodwill. But...hahaha. It''s hard to know what to do in situations like this." "If you''re uncertain, don''t bother taking it out." Just then, Yoo Kang-Seok spoke with renewed confidence. "Would I ever? I''m Yoo Kang-Seok, after all." Yoo Kang-Seok reached into the ck shopping bag and pulled out an orange box adorned with the Hermos logo. It lookedrge enough to hold a designer bag from its size, likely containing something worth at least ten million won. Like my old self, Yoo Kang-Seok was making a bold move and operating on a different level from most talent agents in the industry. ''You are quite Impressive, President Yoo,'' I thought. Chapter 394: Han Hyun-Ho (1)

Chapter 394: Han Hyun-Ho (1)

When Han Woo-Ju saw therge orange Hermos gift box, she was so perplexed that she stared nkly. Even Lee Ji-Yeon seemed taken aback as if she hadn''t anticipated something of this scale. The previous gifts had mainly been fine delicacies like dried yellow corvina, matsutake mushrooms, and premium Hanwoo, but Yoo Kang-Seok''s generosity was on a different level. I had also used this strategy myself asionally in my past life, and it turned out that such extravagant gifts had surprisingly strong effects. When people received such an expensive gift, they typically reacted in one of two ways. The first was to ept it with some reluctance, in which case they 100% helped me with my request. The second was to t-out refuse. They sometimes got angry as they refused, but that didn''t actually matter. As long as my intent¡ªthat I regard them seriously enough to offer this kind of gift¡ªwas conveyed, things tended to smooth outter on. However, with her limited experience, Han Woo-Ju didn''t fall into either category. The moment Yoo Kang-Seok saw Han Woo-Jupletely at a loss of words, he took the opportunity to bow deeply. "Please take good care of Gyu-Ri for us. She made a big mistake today, but she''s genuinely talented. I''m giving you this purely as a gesture of apology. There''s absolutely no other reason." Han Woo-Ju looked at me with her eyes pleading for help. I immediately addressed Yoo Kang-Seok. "Mr. Yoo, it seems like Miss Han feels quite ufortable, so I believe it''s best to take it back.'' "Hahaha. I-is that so?" Yoo Kang-Seok seemed a bit surprised by my unwavering stance. "And since Miss Han has epted your apology, I think you should be on your way now." "What? Right away...?" n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om He probably nned to promote Min Gyu-Ri a bit more after apologizing, but there was no chance of that. ''As if his influence could extend here,'' I remarked inwardly. Because I had used the same tactic myself, I was familiar with how to handle it. I promptly stood up and pointed to the entrance as I knew situations like this didn''t benefit from leniency. "We''ve got sashimi deliverying soon." A pricey leather bag that we couldn''t even eat was pointless. All I wanted was a slice of sashimi to feed the hungry Miso clutching to her stomach beside me. This was the moment the Hermos bag was outdone by a VIP sashimi set that included a spicy stew as part of the set. The flustered Yoo Kang-Seok said, "Well, then at least let me cover the meal expenses." "I''ve already paid for it." "Oh... I see. Well, then. Next time, I''ll treat you properly." Yoo Kang-Seok returned the Hermos box to the shopping bag and stood up. Having achieved nothing besides apologizing for Min Gyu-Ri''s mistake, he looked visibly disappointed. After apologizing to Yoo-Jin as well, Yoo Kang-Seok and Min Gyu-Ri headed toward the entrance as I saw them off. As they reached the doorway, Yoo Kang-Seok suddenly grabbed my arm. "Mr. Jung, could I possibly speak with you outside for a moment?" Seeing his earnest expression, I couldn''t refuse. "Only until the sashimi arrives," I replied. *** Now that there was no one around to keep her in check in front of the elevator, Min Gyu-Ri was already pouting her lips. I wondered what she nned to do if I reported herpleteck of remorse. Clearly disappointed by her behavior, Yoo Kang-Seok let out a deep sigh. Ding. When the elevator arrived, Yoo Kang-Seok handed Min Gyu-Ri the gift bag and car keys. "Gyu-Ri, could you go down to the basement parking lot and wait in the car?" "You want me to go alone?" Yoo Kang-Seok''s voice rose with his patience thinning. "You''re not a three-year-old. Can''t you take the elevator by yourself?" "Okay. I''ll go down." Min Gyu-Ri gave a half-hearted farewell and headed down alone. Yoo Kang-Seok let out a sigh. "I''m really sorry, Mr. Jung." "There''s no need to apologize. It''s hardly my first time seeing celebrities behave like that." Yoo Kang-Seok looked sheepish and spoke again. "But you really seem close to the writers." "Well, we''ve built a rtionship of mutual support over time." "I envy you. Coming from a non-talent agent background, I still find it challenging to approach field PDs and writers." "They''re tough to deal with even for those who know them. Ipletely understand how you feel." "Hahaha. Is that so?" After a heartyugh, Yoo Kang-Seok''s expression grew morefortable as he got to the main point. "The truth is, ourpany grew too quickly and I asked to meet because weck someone to bridge the gap." "By ''the gap,'' do you mean an executive position?" "Yes. When we acquired thepany, we put the former owners in executive roles. But they''re all focused on protecting their own interests." Yoo Kang-Seok was originally from an entertainmentpany''s business nning department, and he understood the industry well. However, he had no talent agent experience and admitted that thepany was struggling to manage the actors effectively. "So Mr. Jung...would you perhaps be interested in a vice president role at TNT Entertainment?" I had expected a recruitment pitch but was surprised it was for a second-inmand position. I was struck by the boldness and directness of the offer. Looking me straight in the eye, Yoo Kang-Seok continued. "I believe I understand this industry better than anyone. But without a partner who knows the field from a talent agent''s perspective, I''m limited. I''ve been searching for that partner and you''re perfect for the role. With you onboard, I''m confident we could reach the top of the industry in no time." "But I''ve only been a team lead for two years." "That''s exactly the point¡ªa two-year team lead! Age doesn''t matter. I believe in people working in positions that match their abilities. I mean, even I am seen as a young and inexperienced guy by the industry veterans, right?'' Though Yoo Kang-Seok''s boldness was impressive, I had no interest. What I wanted was to work alongside actors I personally wanted to nurture. "I appreciate the offer, but I''m happy with my position at Hoop Entertainment." Almost as if anticipating my response, Yoo Kang-Seok immediately presented an alternative. "T-then how about being a vice president for just two years? If we reach the top in those two years, we''ll share the presidency. What do you say?" I had wondered how TNT had managed to reach the top in my past life, and now I saw why: Yoo Kang-Seok had unrelenting drive and daring offers. Of course, the same characteristics that led to their sess ultimately caused their downfall when thepany''s expenses spiraled out of control. Just then, the elevator dinged and the delivery person walked out. I shifted aside and asked, "Is the delivery for suite 1501?" "Ah, yes." "You can head that way." "Thank... you." While the delivery person walked in the direction I indicated, I pressed the elevator''s down button. "I''m sorry, but I''ll have to decline that offer as well." "Sigh. Is that so...?" "Yes. I really enjoy working at Hoop Entertainment. But since you seem to think well of me, I''ll offer one piece of advice. Don''t coddle Min Gyu-Ri too much. The more lenient you are, the more she''ll walk all over you.'' Rather than urging him to focus on thepany''s internal stability which he would probably ignore anyway, it was a hundred times better to suggest he manage Min Gyu-Ri carefully. "Thank you... for the advice." Lost in thought, Yoo Kang-Seok entered the elevator. Ding. As soon as the elevator doors closed, I rushed to suite 1501. My mind was already filled with images of thinly sliced parrotfish sashimi and a bubbling spicy fish bone stew. *** After dropping Yoo-Jin and Miso off at home, I returned to thepany as I needed to handle follow-up work for a proposal to produce the original soundtrack album for Hwaranjeon. As soon as I arrived at the office, I headed straight to Singer Division 2 where Lee Dong-Min was stationed. Lee Dong-Min was nning a global idol project for Ling Ling and greeted me warmly. "I heard the news. You secured the Hwaranjeon original soundtrack album contract, huh?" I nodded. "Yes, that''s right." I had reported the original soundtrack project directly to Kang Ji-Yung because of the contract, so word had spread quickly around thepany. "You managed to wring out a 20% increase from those stingywork folks. That''s very impressive, Yoon-Ho." Even the sunbaes in Singer Division 2 standing behind Lee Dong-Min offered their congrattions. "Well done, Team Lead Jung!" "Great work, Yoon-Ho. I can''t think of anyone else who could pull it off like you." "Thank you so much!" After acknowledging their praise, Lee Dong-Min stood up. "Knowing Seon-Woo, he''s probably already startedposing." "Probably not yet. I told him to wait until he read the script first, so I don''t think he''s started yet." "You think so? Then let''s head down quickly." Lee Dong-Min and I headed directly to the basement recording studio. On the way down in the elevator, Lee Dong-Min asked, "If you''ve secured the whole album, that''s at least twelve songs. Who''s going to sing them all?" "For now, I''m excluding ''Soulfire'' and nning to assign one song to Kang Ha-Na, two to Cherry Blossom, and two to Sae-Ri." "And what about the rest?" "I''m considering Treviang''s leader Oh Ji-Ah and Ms. Kang Ji-Yoon from Singer Division 1. I''ll have to think over the other spots." Treviang was a hip-hop idol group nurtured by Chief Han So-Yoo, while Kang Ji-Yoon was a female singer with twelve years of experience in Singer Division 1. Lee Dong-Min tilted his head with a puzzled expression. "What about Han Hyun-Ho? Are you seriously nning to leave out the ''Prince of original soundtracks''?" Forty-two-year-old Han Hyun-Ho who was in his twentieth year as a singer had once been a wildly popr bad singer. He was even nicknamed the Prince of Bads. He had sold over a million albums, still had a loyal fan base, and retained his clear and appealing voice. Recently, he had gotten the nickname ''Prince of original soundtracks,'' thanks to his frequent contributions to movie and drama soundtracks. Just two months ago, he topped the original soundtrack chart and ced second on the overall music chart with the soundtrack from the movie Dongcheon River. However, I had no intention of using him. In just a month, he would be arrested for assaulting his girlfriend. As I debated how to exin this, we reached the second basement level. Ding. The elevator doors opened and we stepped into the basement recording studio. At that moment, I heard amotion. -Hey, Bang Seon-Woo! You know it''s a guaranteed hit if I sing the original soundtrack, right? Just give me three solid tracks. It''s not like I''m asking for much, is it? I hade down with excited anticipation to work on an album with Bang Seon-Woo, but what greeted me was an entirely unexpected situation. "What...what is going on?" Lee Dong-Min wondered. "Mr. Lee, isn''t that Hyun-Ho hyung-nim''s voice?" I asked. "It sounds like it, doesn''t it?" Having heard that an album was being produced, Han Hyun-Ho hade down to the basement studio and was intimidating Bang Seon-Woo to demand songs. ''This guy...'' Lee Dong-Min and I immediately dashed toward Studio 4. *** When I opened the door to Studio 4, I saw the forty-two-year-old Prince of Bads, Han Hyun-Ho, sitting on the sofa and threatening Bang Seon-Woo. Standing at 186 cm with a handsome face, Han Hyun-Ho had a deceptively gentle appearance that hid a rather violent nature. As Han Hyun-Ho kept pressuring him, Bang Seon-Woo sat with his head down and nervously nced around like a student being scolded by a teacher. A singer berating aposer waspletely absurd. As soon as I entered the studio, I called out, "Seon-Woo! What''s going on?" Bang Seon-Woo lifted his head and looked at me. For a moment, his eyes showed a hint of relief. "Hyung..." I nodded and walked over to stand in front of Bang Seon-Woo. "Hyun-Ho hyung-nim, please talk to me about this matter from now on." Han Hyun-Ho motioned dismissively. "Hey, Team Lead Jung. A talent agent should stay out of this. Can''t you see the singer andposer are talking here?" "I''m thatposer''s talent agent, so you''ll talk with me instead." Han Hyun-Ho scoffed at me as if the idea wereughable. "Evenposers have talent agents now?" "I personally took responsibility for Seon-Woo when I brought him here." Han Hyun-Ho leaned forward. "It seems like sess has gone to your head. Hey, do you even know who I am?" "I do. Is there anyone in thispany who doesn''t know the Prince of original soundtracks?" "Then why are you blocking me? You''ve got some nerve." "Please watch your words, hyung-nim." Han Hyun-Ho red at me and asked, "Let me ask you something. Honestly, is it too much to ask for three of the twelve original soundtrack tracks?" "How can we hand over songs when we haven''t even decided on the album''s tracks? Wouldn''t it make sense to discuss it after we know what we''re working with?" "Is there any song I couldn''t handle? Besides, me singing the songs would benefit you all too, wouldn''t it?" Han Hyun-Ho tried to justify himself as if he were doing us a favor, but it was ridiculous. ''He''s just here to stake a im now that he sees this drama''s likely to be a hit. This is unbelievable...'' I thought. On the way to thepany, MBS had uploaded a MeTube video clipping only the parts where Min Gyu-Ri stumbled during the script reading with the actors. As a result, Hwaranjeon was now second in real-time search rankings. With all this attention even before airing, Han Hyun-Ho must have decided Hwaranjeon would be a sess, hoping to ride the wave. After all, hitting number one on the charts would be a breeze if he sang for such a talked-about drama. As the tension between Han Hyun-Ho and me escted, Lee Dong-Min stepped in and raised his voice. "Hyun-Ho, that''s enough. Coming here and pressuring theposer isn''t the way to handle things." Lee Dong-Min was three years older than Han Hyun-Ho. Havinge from a music background himself, Lee Dong-Min had once been Han Hyun-Ho''s producer. Nevertheless, since Han Hyun-Ho was a major name and had been with Hoop Entertainment from the beginning, Lee Dong-Min still had to tread carefully with him. "Hyung, isn''t that a bit harsh? Pressuring theposer? Who else in thispany could sing the theme for such a major project?" Han Hyun-Ho retorted. "Even so, this isn''t how you should treat aposer." Han Hyun-Ho shot Lee Dong-Min a re. "Hyung, don''t tell me you''re nning to give the songs to some otherpany''s singer. Is that why you''re making excuses now?" Lee Dong-Min hesitated. "Well..." "What? Seriously, hyung? That''s suspicious." "I mean...nothing has been decided yet. Why rush when we haven''t even set the album concept?" "Are you kidding? You''re just making a simple issueplicated! Let''s make this easy for both of us. Are you giving me the songs or not?" In the face of Han Hyun-Ho''s raised voice, I responded firmly. "Who we choose for the album is our business." "What?" "And I''m sorry, but there''s no ce for you in this album." ''A ce in the album? Your ce is in prison, Han Hyun-Ho,'' I growled. Chapter 395: Han Hyun-Ho (2)

Chapter 395: Han Hyun-Ho (2)

The Hwaranjeon original soundtrack album has a minimum of twelve songs. When I told him I couldn''t give him a single track, Han Hyun-Ho red at me as if he wanted to devour me. "Are you serious about not giving me any songs?" "Yes, I''m serious." "This is absurd. What''s the reason, huh?" "Who would give songs to a singer whoes here to intimidate theposer, especially when the album concept hasn''t even been decided yet?" Of course, I was excluding Han Hyun-Ho because I knew he would be arrested for assault soon, but that was a future only I was aware of. I phrased it in a way Han Hyun-Ho could understand, but he had no intention of listening and raised his voice instead. "You''ve got to be kidding me. Fine, then listen up. If my name isn''t attached to this original soundtrack, you''d better be ready." "Ready for what?" "It means the uing contract renewal is off the table. And it''ll be all because of you!" There were still six months until Han Hyun-Ho''s contract with Hoop Entertainment ended. His contract had always been automatically renewed every two years since the day he joined. However, he was now threatening to stop that. Nheless, this was great news to me. If Han Hyun-Ho were to leave Hoop Entertainment, thepany''s name wouldn''t end up tarnished by scandal. Getting up from the sofa, Han Hyun-Ho shed a spiteful smile. "Oh, by the way, I remember Ace Entertainment wanted to meet with me. Maybe I''ll give them a visit." With that, Han Hyun-Ho left the studio. Taken aback, Lee Dong-Min quickly ran after Han Hyun-Ho. "Hey! Han Hyun-Ho! Stop! Hold on a second¡ªAce Entertainment? What are you talking about?" I left them to sort it out and turned to Bang Seon-Woo. "Seon-Woo, are you okay?" "Oh, yeah. I was just a bit thrown off by how hard he was pushing." "Don''t worry about it. You can work on this album however you want. Just focus on the quality of the songs." Bang Seon-Woo nced down the hallway where Han Hyun-Ho had disappeared. "But hyung, we don''t have many male singers in thepany. What will we do without Hyun-Ho hyung-nim?" "If we need a male singer, I''ll bring one in. Don''t you trust me?" I remarked as I tapped my chest. Bang Seon-Woo let out a smallugh. "Haha. Why wouldn''t I trust you?" Just then, Lee Dong-Min returned and exhaled a deep sigh. "Sigh. Yoon-Ho, that guy''s hot-tempered, but he usually cools off quickly. He''ll probablye back to apologize tomorrow. I''ll smooth things over then, so..." I interrupted him. "There''s no need to do that. I really have no intention of giving any songs to Mr. Han Hyun-Ho." Lee Dong-Min''s eyes widened. "You were being serious? You weren''t just trying to put him in his ce?" "No. I''ve been hearing troubling rumors about himtely." "Rumors? What rumors?" I calmly told him part of what I knew about the future. *** With his height of 186 cm and his actor-worthy good looks, Han Hyun-Ho was known for his good looks. Furthermore, he had a gentle voice that earned him titles like "Prince of Bads" and "Prince of Original Soundtracks," gaining the adoration of countless women. Thepany generally stayed out of his private life as he had never touched drugs or been involved in serious scandals. However, trouble was brewing two months ago with his new girlfriend: Yoon Myung-Hee. She was an actress under a small agency called Angel Productions, known for her striking beauty and exotic allure. The moment Han Hyun-Ho saw her, he was instantly smitten and pursued her aggressively, ignoring the fifteen-year age gap. Yoon Myung-Hee initially refused Han Hyun-Ho but eventually yielded to his persistent affection. Since then, Yoon Myung-Hee devoted herself to Han Hyun-Ho. However, once she started treating him well, Han Hyun-Ho couldn''t resist his old habits and cheated on her. Yoon Myung-Hee pleaded with him to stop, but Han Hyun-Ho felt constrained and started to hit her. He eventually went too far, and the record of that incident was still preserved in my nner. [Everyday V11] [Date: December 15, 2020] -10:00 p.m.: General meeting (Meeting Agenda: Han Hyun-Ho arrested for assaulting his girlfriend, actress Yoon Myung-Hee. Decision pending on whether topensate her agency, Angel Productions.) After severely beating his girlfriend, Han Hyun-Ho was ultimately arrested and even detained. And because Yoon Myung-Hee suffered such severe trauma that she could no longer pursue acting, Hoop Entertainment had topensate her agency. At that point, Hoop Entertainment also terminated its contract with the imprisoned Han Hyun-Ho. I decided to share this information with Lee Dong-Min since he was one of the few people who showed genuine trust in me no matter what I told him. "They say Hyun-Ho hyung-nim has been hitting his girlfriend. It''s apparently a regr thing and it''s bound to lead to a serious incident soon." Lee Dong-Min turned pale. "Hyun-Ho... that guy isying hands on a woman?" "Yes." "T-then shouldn''t we report it to the police right away?" "I want to, but his girlfriend will probably deny it if we do. She seems to really care about him." I vividly recalled what Yoon Myung-Hee had told me back then: that she hadn''t been hit but just slipped in the bathroom. Then finally a weekter, the drunk Han Hyun-Ho brutally swung a golf club at Yoon Myung-Hee, breaking her bones and shattering her trust. The furious Lee Dong-Min asked, "This is a real mess. Is there any good way to handle this?" If it were up to Han Hyun-Ho, he would try to drag both Lee Dong-Min and me into trouble. Believing himself to be the best in the world, he wasn''t the type to stay quiet after his ego had been bruised. "Mr. Lee, don''t worry too much. I''ll think of a n." Reassuring the nervous Lee Dong-Min, I sent the Hwaranjeon script to Bang Seon-Woo''s tablet and asked, "Seon-Woo, do you want to start by reading the script and brainstorming the album concept?" "Yep, okay." Bang Seon-Woo nodded and headed to the desk in front of the control panel. As he focused on the Hwaranjeon script on his tablet, I also fell into deep thought. Besides Lee Dong-Min who fully trusted me, neither Singer Division 1 nor Bang Sang-Yung would believe my words without evidence. Hence, I needed to find a legitimate reason to exclude Han Hyun-Ho from the album. *** Thirty minutes passed. While reading the Hwaranjeon script, Bang Seon-Woo suddenly set down the tablet. He hummed softly like an orchestra conductor and began waving his fingers in the air. After a moment, he looked up with his face glowing with excitement, not just from an album concept but because he had also started envisioning melodies. "Hyung, I think...I''ve got it. I''m already hearing the melodies." "Already?" "Yes. I''ve roughly drafted out about five songs. It''s still very unpolished, but I can see where the rest are heading too." In that short time, Bang Seon-Woo came up with the outlines for five tracks. He would need to read more of the script for the remaining songs, but he didn''t expect any major issues as the main characters would be introduced in the first fifteen episodes anyway. Bang Seon-Woo''s brilliance consistently exceeded expectations. "Alright, tell me about the album concept." Eagerly, Bang Seon-Woo exined the ideas he hade up with. "I want to align the album concept with the title, Hwaranjeon¡ªthe War of Flowers. Bold and intense, but also gentle and intricate. Since the drama centers around a struggle for the throne, we need an epic and grand feel as well." I wondered if it was possible to capture all those elements at once. "So we''ll likely use mostly female singers, huh?" Bang Seon-Woo nodded. "I would say about 70%. But we can''t exclude male vocals altogether. For historical drama original soundtracks, character theme songs are essential. And for the grand, epic tracks, male vocals might suit it better." "Then how many solo male tracks do you think we''ll need?" "At least three or four. We''ll need male vocals for the king''s theme, the prophet''s theme, Gukseon''s theme, and for Kim Beop-Min''s theme as well." Kim Beop-Min was a major supporting character in the drama and the son of Kim Chun-Chu, who was in love with Princess Yoo-Hwa. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "And what kind of vocalists will you need?" I asked. "Well, one track could go to Jong-Hoon hyung. But we''ll also need someone with a deep and rich baritone. Plus, one singer with a higher tone." At that moment, a few singers came to mind. I said to Bang Seon-Woo, "Alright, at least two male vocalists. I''ll make it happen." Having mostly created bads and dance songs recently, Bang Seon-Woo was excited to have a chance to explore a variety of styles again. Just then, Lee Dong-Min''s phone rang. It was Bang Sang-Yung calling. As I expected, it seemed that Han Hyun-Ho had caused a stir. "It''s about Hyun-Ho hyung-nim, right?" I asked. Lee Dong-Min nodded. "Yeah. Seems he rushed over to report it." Lee Dong-Min answered the call and my suspicion was confirmed. -Chief Lee. Get up to the conference room immediately. Bring Team Lead Jung with you. "Yes, sir." After ending the call, Lee Dong-Min turned to me. "Yoon-Ho, I''ll go up on my own, so don''t worry about it. Just keep working." "No, let''s go together." Though Lee Dong-Min offered to handle it on his own, I saw no reason to put it off. After all, I had already figured out a way to keep Han Hyun-Ho off the album. *** We arrived at the meeting room. With Kang Gam-Chan absent, only Kang Ji-Yung, Bang Sang-Yung, Han So-Yoo from Singer Division 1, and Team Lead Lee Yung-Seop, who managed Han Hyun-Ho, were present. Just as expected, criticism over the fact that one of their top artists had threatened to jump ship to Ace Entertainment started pouring in. Lee Yung-Seop seemed especially upset as he voiced his frustration. "Mr. Lee. It''s not just a single original soundtrack track but we''re talking about an entire album, right?" Lee Dong-Min frowned. "So what do you expect me to do?" "If three songs are too much, then at least let him have two. I''ll try to calm Hyun-Ho hyung down." "And you think that''s up to me?" With Lee Dong-Min''s blunt refusal, Lee Yung-Seop turned to me instead. "Team Lead Jung, don''t you think you''re going too far? What are you going to do if Hyun-Ho hyung switches over to Ace Entertainment tomorrow just because you won''t give him the songs?" At that moment, Bang Sang-Yung intervened to mediate. "We''re here to find a solution, not to argue. Let''s work out a reasonablepromise. And Team Lead Lee Yung-Seop, try to keep it professional." "Sigh...Yes, Mr. Bang." After calming Lee Yung-Seop, Bang Sang-Yung looked at me. "How about this, Team Lead Jung? Give him a single for one track and he can feature on another. That''s a reasonable middle ground, isn''t it?" Since losing Jo Min-Sung, Bang Sang-Yung had be much more cautious around me. Though this was a fairly reasonable offer, I still drew a firm line. "I''m sorry, Mr. Bang." Bang Sang-Yung''s eyebrows shot up. "Why? Are you refusing just because I''m the one asking?" "No, it''s not about that... I think you''re all misunderstanding the situation." "What do you mean by that?" ''We have a former top artist in his forties and the hottestposer in the industry,'' I remarked inwardly. It was astonishing that they didn''t understand who had the upper hand here. I turned back to Lee Yung-Seop who was still visibly angry. "It seems you''re still not quite getting it... Let me ask you one question, Mr. Lee." "What is it?" "Which would you choose between a singer and aposer?" Lee Yung-Seop couldn''t finish his words. "Of course..." I had just asked a simple question about choosing between Han Hyun-Ho, a singer who scored well on the charts once or twice a year, and Bang Seon-Woo, aposer who churned out hits one after another. No matter how renowned Han Hyun-Ho was, he couldn''tpare to the copyright revenue Bang Seon-Woo had generated this year alone. Unlike mostposers, Bang Seon-Woo was under contract with thepany, meaning that 20% of his substantial earnings directly contributed to Hoop Entertainment''s revenue. Yet here Han Hyun-Ho was, trying to intimidate Bang Seon-Woo simply because Bang Seon-Woo was younger. A singer intimidating a chart-toppingposer was utterly absurd. It should have been the singer pleading with theposer for a track, not the other way around. Furthermore, the fact that this matter wasn''t stopped by his talent agent but escted into a meeting was a failure. I pressed further and targeted the now-speechless Lee Yung-Seop. "We all acknowledge that Mr. Han Hyun-Ho once sold a million albums. It''s true he has contributed a lot to thepany. But that doesn''t mean he can talk down to Bang Seon-Woo, who''s currently the topposer in Korea. Does it?" "Th-That''s..." "And since we''re on the subject, how do you think PD Oh would react upon hearing about this? If Seon-Woo decided he couldn''t produce any songs under these conditions, could you handle the fallout?" "N-No, I..." If anyone should have kept Han Hyun-Ho in check, it was Lee Yung-Seop. He should havee to me¡ªor better yet, gone directly to Bang Seon-Woo¡ªto apologize and ask for his cooperation. Instead, Lee Yung-Seop brought this issue to the Chief, the Managing Director, and the Director, escting the situation needlessly. As a result, my words now carried more weight than ever. It was clearer than ever who was indispensable: Han Hyun-Ho or Bang Seon-Woo. Lee Yung-Seop''s face turned pale and he lowered his head in silence before finally managing to speak. "I...I''m sorry, Team Lead Jung." Chapter 396: Han Hyun-Ho (3)

Chapter 396: Han Hyun-Ho (3)

The question of whether to choose Han Hyun-Ho, the "Prince of Original Soundtracks," or Bang Seon-Woo, the chart-toppingposer, was swiftly settled. I knew Lee Yung-Seop wasn''t one to hold a grudge or create factions within thepany. Hence, I softened my tone and replied, "It''s alright, Mr. Lee. I spoke too harshly as well." Lee Yung-Seop who bowed his head slowly looked up at me. "I can imagine how much Hyun-Ho hyung-nim must have hounded you. I understand." The tension in Lee Yung-Seop''s face rxed slightly. "Thank you... for understanding." Bang Sang-Yung chimed in. "Team Lead Jung has a point. We may have been indulging Han Hyun-Ho a bit too much." The atmosphere in the room had entirely shifted in my favor, to the point where even Bang Sang-Yung couldn¡¯t deny it. Just then, Kang Ji-Yung cut in at the perfect moment. "Alright, it sounds like we have a conclusion. Mr. Lee, you go and try to calm Mr. Hyun-Ho down. If he insists on going to Ace Entertainment, we''ll have to let him go." "B-but Ms. Kang! Hyun-Ho hyung is still in his prime..." "Well, that''s why I said if he insists. Make it clear to him that if this happens again, it won¡¯t just be about letting him go¡ªit¡¯ll be about showing him the door Lee Yung-Seop looked deted and nodded. "Yes, Ms. Kang..." "Mr. Lee, please also update him on the oue of the meeting and let us know his final decision." "Understood." Then Kang Ji-Yung turned to me. "And Mr. Jung, make sure you reassure Mr. Bang and keep him in good spirits. Let him know we won''t interfere with the album and that he can work freely." In recognition of Bang Seon-Woo''s talent, Kang Ji-Yung started to address him as "Mr. Bang." "Okay. I also spoke with Seon-Woo, and he''s nning to reserve some tracks for the artists in Singer Division 1." Han So-Yoo from Singer Division 1 let out a sigh of relief and looked at me. "Thank you so much, Mr. Jung." "No problem. Just make sure to treat Seon-Woo to a meal sometime." Han So-Yoo''s position was precarious, having joined Hoop Entertainment through the rmendation of Kim Dong-Soo who was currently suspended from work. Had her division been excluded from this major project, it would have been a serious setback for her. As such, Han So-Yoo couldn''t hide her gratitude for my consideration. I added, "Oh, and Ms. Han. Treviang''s leader Oh Jin-Ah is also on the original soundtrack vocalist shortlist. Please prepare her for a vocal testter on." "Jin-Ah?" For a singer about to debut, joining the original soundtrack of a prime-time drama was an incredibly appealing opportunity. Treviang had endured a long trainee period and even switched agencies mid-way toe to Hoop Entertainment. I knew they would be sessful in the future, but right now, they must be feeling uncertain and daunted. This original soundtrack opportunity could be life-changing for them. Moreover, this gesture would alsoy the groundwork for bringing Han So-Yoo over to my side. Kang Ji-Yung stood from her chair. "Well, everyone''s busy, so let''s wrap up the meeting here. I have matters to attend to as well." Bang Sang-Yung nodded in agreement. The meeting that was convened because of Han Hyun-Ho had ended in a decision to exclude him. Thanks to Han Hyun-Ho, everyone basically received a lecture from me. I was confident now that even if his assault scandal broke, no one would stand by him as they did in my past life. *** On our way back down to Singer Division 2 after the meeting, Lee Dong-Min asked, "So what''s your next move?" "First, I''ll report the situation to Mr. Kang. Then, I''ll go see Mr. Han Hyun-Ho''s girlfriend," I answered. "What are you hoping to aplish? From what I hear, it seems like she''s not going to listen to anybody." "I''ll have to try to persuade her." It would be difficult, but it was the only solid approach for now. "Is there anything I can do to help?" Lee Dong-Min asked. "Just keep me updated on Han Hyun-Ho''s movements." "Got it. Oh, and who are you thinking of rmending to Seon-Woo for the male vocalists? Excluding Jong-Hoon, of course." "Yeon-Woo." "Which Yeon-Woo?" "Seo Yeon-Woo." "The vocal trainer?" "Yes." Lee Dong-Min''s expression hardened. "Yeon-Woo''s got talent, sure. But he''s not exactly the most distinctive vocalist..." When Seo Yeon-Woo first joined thepany, he had sung for the producers in Singer Division 2. Lee Dong-Min had listened and shook his head back then, noting that Seo Yeon-Woo''s singing was technically good but didn''t have that pull to captivate an audience. Nheless, that was in the past. I quickly added, "Mr. Lee. You haven''t heard Yeon-Woo singtely, have you?" "No, I''ve been too busytely." "You should hear him. His vocal style, power, and technique¡ªeverything''s changed. You''ll be surprised." Lee Dong-Min''s expression grew serious. "Is that so?" I nodded. "Yes. He used tock confidence and self-esteem which was what affected his voice. But after training other singers, he''s regained confidence and his true potential ising through." "Hmm. It sounds like you have made up your mind." "Pretty much. So let''s ask him to do the guide vocals for this song and we can use it as a hidden audition." "And the song?" "I''ll ask Seon-Woo topose it in Yeon-Woo''s range. Once we have the melody set, we can run the test. Ye-Bin will handle the lyrics." After a moment of thought, Lee Dong-Min nodded. "Alright. I''ll set him up as the guide vocalist for this track." "Thank you, sir." Next, I called Bang Seon-Woo to give an update of the situation. I could hear the excitement in Bang Seon-Woo''s voice. After all, he and Yeon-Woo were the same age and had already be close friends. -Really? Yeon-Woo''s going to sing? "That''s right. You told me his voice had improved, didn''t you? So go all out and help Yeon-Woo show his full potential. -Absolutely, hyung. I''llpose two tracks by the end of today. Although Bang Seon-Woo had also wanted to see Yeon-Woo debut as a singer, the early criticism from the talent agents had held him back from saying anything. With Seo Yeon-Woo set for a test tomorrow, I called Kang Gam-Chan to exin everything that had happened including the situation with Han Hyun-Ho and his girlfriend. Kang Gam-Chan was furious over Han Hyun-Ho''s behavior. -We don''t need trash like that in ourpany. Do what you think is best. "But... the press maye down hard on Hoop Entertainment." -That''s the price we pay for poor management of our celebrities. Just focus on protecting Ms. Yoon Myung-Hee from further harm. Call me if you need anything else. "Thank you, Mr. Kang." n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om My confidence grew with Kang Gam-Chan''s strong support. Though I already had some ns to handle the media, I still needed to prepare for contingencies. The one person Yoon Myung-Hee might still listen to was Im Ha-Yeon, her agency''s president. For this situation to be resolved more smoothly, I needed to bring Im Ha-Yeon to my side. An idea to do so came to my mind and I decided to call Oh Bok-Hee. "Mrs. Oh, I have an actor I would like to rmend if that''s alright." -How about a role as Princess Yu-Hwa''s bodyguard? "That would be perfect." -Got it. We''ll hold a test from the PD department, so keep that in mind. And keep us updated on the original soundtrack progress, alright? "Understood, ma''am." Ending the call, I immediately contacted Im Ha-Yeon, president of Angel Productions, to share that a good role had just be avable and asked if she would be interested. *** Angel Productions was a small agency located near Exit 7 of Hongik University Station. In my past life, I visited this ce to manage the fallout of Han Hyun-Ho''s assault scandal. Back then, it was to handle the serious injuries Yoon Myung-Hee had suffered. Nheless, I was confident I could prevent this incident from happening this time. After parking, I called Im Ha-Yeon. "Ms. Im, I''ve arrived." -Oh, really? I''ll be right down. Click. Im Ha-Yeon came down shortly to greet me herself. "Wee, Mr. Jung!" The forty-three-year-old Im Ha-Yeon bounced toward me with a light blue suit and permed hair. Before I knew it, she had taken my hand in hers and was greeting me with a warm smile. "So, there''s a role for Myung-Hee?" she asked. "Yes. I just spoke with Miss Han and Mrs. Oh Bok-Hee. She''ll need to pass their final confirmation, but they seemed very positive." "Oh my, how can I thank you?" "There''s no need to thank me. I''m just making the introduction." "I still appreciate it a lot. Come on, let''s go inside¡ªit''s cold out here." Im Ha-Yeon led me to a tiny elevator, which could barely fit four people, up to their office. Inside their thirty-pyeong office were desks packed tightly in a single room and a separate office for the president. "Our office is a bit cramped, isn''t it?" Im Ha-Yeon remarked sheepishly. I smiled. "The size of the office doesn''t matter. People are the real assets in this industry, right?" "Haha, I like that perspective." Im Ha-Yeon led me to her office with a smile and sat down on the sofa. She revealed that Yoon Myung-Hee had actually auditioned for the role of Princess Do-Hwa in Hwaranjeon. She exined, "I had heard some good things about you, Mr. Jung. So I pushed Myung-Hee for that role. But as expected, thepetition was fierce and she didn''t make it. Wasn''t it Min Gyu-Ri who got the part? She was phenomenal in the audition." "Ah, yes." I bit my tongue, holding back the urge to mention that Min Gyu-Ri had fled the set during the script reading. "Anyway, thank you foring to see me in person. I had been hoping to meet you for a while now." "By the way, isn''t Ms. Yoon Myung-Hee here today?" I asked. "No. She doesn''t have a schedule today, so she''s resting." "Could shee here for a quick conversation?" "Of course! I''ll tell her toe now. She lives just five minutes away." The excited Im Ha-Yeon called Yoon Myung-Hee. Thanks to the offer of a role, our discussion was progressing smoothly. Click. -Hello...? Yoon Myung-Hee''s voice sounded faint through the speakerphone. "Myung-Hee, were you sleeping? You sound a bit off." -Ah, yes... I''m not feeling well. "I''m sorry to bother you on your day off. But you know about Hwaranjeon, right?" -Of course. I auditioned for Princess Do-Hwast time... but I didn''t get it. "Well, they''d like to offer you the role of Princess Yu-Hwa''s bodyguard. You have a Taekwondo certificate, so this would suit you well. Oh, and Mr. Jung from Hoop Entertainment is here as well." -Of course, I''m interested... but I''m really not feeling well today. Could we talk tomorrow instead? Something was clearly wrong. Her voice was strained as if she were forcing herself to speak through pain. Concerned, I quickly checked my nner. [Everyday V11] [Date: December 15, 2020] -10:00 p.m.: General meeting (Meeting Agenda: Han Hyun-Ho arrested for assaulting his girlfriend, actress Yoon Myung-Hee. Decision pending on whether topensate her agency, Angel Productions.) The scheduled event remained unchanged, meaning history was repeating itself. It seemed like I would need to see for myself what was happening. At that moment, Im Ha-Yeon nced at me. "Um, Mr. Jung. Maybe it would be better if you and I talked about this matter. Myung-Hee sounds like she''s really not feeling well." However, I replied firmly, "I''m sorry, but I can''t guarantee that the role will still be avable once I leave. As you know, it''s a highly sought-after drama." After a brief hesitation, Im Ha-Yeon made her decision. "Myung-Hee, we''ll juste to your ce. You really can''t miss out on this opportunity." A quiver of anxiety echoed in Yoon Myung-Hee''s reply. -O-okay... I''ll be waiting. *** Yoon Myung-Hee lived alone in a small, ten-pyeong studio apartment located in Hongdae just a five-minute walk from her agency. Beep, beep, beep, beep¡ªbeep. Click. Im Ha-Yeon punched in the door lock code, but the door didn''t open. Instead, it seemed to hit some kind of safetytch. "Huh? Why isn''t it opening?" -One moment~ As Yoon Myung-Hee replied, we heard the sound of hurried footsteps approaching from inside. Im Ha-Yeon turned to me. "She must still be tidying up. I''m sorry, Mr. Jung." "That''s fine." Soon, we heard the sound of thetch unlocking and the door slowly opened. "P-pleasee on in..." Yoon Myung-Hee stammered. Yoon Myung-Hee, who had captivated even the womanizing Han Hyun-Ho, looked alluring even now. However, it was clear she was struggling as she leaned against the wall by the front door, barely able to stand. What caught my attention more than her beauty was the pain she seemed to be enduring. Sweat beaded on her forehead and neck with hair clinging to her face. On top of that, there were signs of a hurried cleanup¡ªa nket hastily thrown over something beside the bed and stains on the floor from something spilled. No matter how much she tried to cover it up, traces of a visitor were still evident. ''Could Han Hyun-Ho have been here today?'' I wondered. Earlier, Han Hyun-Ho had been told he wouldn''t be included in the original soundtrack album lineup. I figured he must havee here to take out his anger. ''That miserable bastard,'' I cursed silently. I knew I had to immediately get Yoon Myung-Hee out of this toxic rtionship with a foregone conclusion. Yoon Myung-Hee gestured for us toe in. I wanted to take her straight to the hospital, but I couldn''t drag her there against her will. After all, Yoon Myung-Hee had defended Han Hyun-Ho to the end in my past life. If I tried to force her now, she would likely stay silent. So as much as it pained me, persuading her had toe first. I took off my shoes and stepped into the living room with Im Ha-Yeon close behind me. Im Ha-Yeon gently wiped the sweat from Yoon Myung-Hee''s forehead and whispered, "You don''t look well at all. Shall we go to the hospital first?" "N-no, I''m... I''m f-fine..." "Oh..." Though the two spoke in a near-whisper, I could hear them clearly because I was paying my full attention to them. My anger surged to the surface, but I fought it down and took a seat. As I thought of ways to convince Yoon Myung-Hee, I also began nning how Han Hyun-Ho would pay for what he had done. Chapter 397: Han Hyun-Ho (4)

Chapter 397: Han Hyun-Ho (4)

As soon as I sat in Yoon Myung-Hee''s ten-pyeong officetel, I quickly shared my proposal. "It is the role of the bodyguard for Princess Yu-Hwa, and you will be appearing until episode 15. There are many scenes with the lead, so the role is quite significant. The appearance fee is 1 million won per episode." Usually, minor roles were paid between 300 thousand won and 500 thousand won. Having an appearance fee of 1 million won meant it was a semi-lead role. Yoon Myung-Hee''s face brightened slightly. "It is not just about the money. I don''t mind the role as long as I can appear in the drama." She was an actress with two years of experience. As she had been jumping between minor roles, getting her face known through any role was the priority. Bing recognizable to the staff, writers, or directors would allow her to aim for the next project. Seizing the opportunity, I made another suggestion. Before convincing her, I wanted Yoon Myung-Hee to know she had potential and a future as an actress. I added, "And since I am the casting director for Jiri Mountain, I wanted to ask... Would you be interested in appearing in the film with Mr. Lee Tae-Poong? It is a victim role, but the character is strong and there are quite a few lines." Yoon Myung-Hee''s eyes widened. "Really? Y-you are rmending me for a role in Jiri Mountain too?" "Yes. With your visuals, Ms. Myung-Hee, I think you could leave a strong impression. The appearance fee is around 10 million won." For a moment, the pain on Yoon Myung-Hee''s face disappeared and was reced by anticipation. Even Im Ha-Yeon smiled brightly and said, "Thank you for visiting us in person and offering such good proposals... We will definitely repay this kindness." Now that the role proposals had won their favor, it was time to convince Yoon Myung-Hee to forget Han Hyun-Ho and focus solely on acting. As I pondered how to broach the subject, the excited Im Ha-Yeon lightly tapped Yoon Myung-Hee''s shoulder and asked her to express her gratitude. "Myung-Hee, go ahead and thank Mr. Jung properly." However, Yoon Myung-Hee grabbed her shoulder and bent forward in pain. "Ah!" Although she tried to suppress the pain by closing her mouth, her body reacted reflexively. "Oh my! What is wrong?" Im Ha-Yeon eximed with concern. Yoon Myung-Hee broke out in a cold sweat. "I-it''s nothing, Ms. Im." "What do you mean nothing? Let me see." Yoon Myung-Hee waved her hands dismissively. "M-Ms. Im, not with Mr. Jung here. I will talk to youter and..." This was my chance. Sensing the moment, I began to reveal what I knew. "Did someone hit you by any chance?" Yoon Myung-Hee''s face turned pale. "N-no! I just tripped and fell..." "Judging by your condition, it seems much worse than that." Im Ha-Yeon realized something was wrong. "Myung-Hee, follow me to the bathroom right now." "Ms. Im..." "Now!" Im Ha-Yeon shouted with a mix of concern and anger, then got up from her seat. "Mr. Jung, you may leave for today. I will visit you tomorrow to apologize properly." "Could I stay? I promise to keep quiet. Besides, I might be able to help." After hesitating briefly, Im Ha-Yeon nodded. "Alright. Then please wait for a moment..." Im Ha-Yeon led Yoon Myung-Hee into the bathroom and closed the door. Click. I quickly checked my nner. [Everyday V11] [Date: December 15, 2020] -10:00 p.m.: General meeting (Meeting Agenda: Han Hyun-Ho arrested for assaulting his girlfriend, actress Yoon Myung-Hee. Decision pending on whether topensate her agency, Angel Productions.) Perhaps because I had not convinced Yoon Myung-Hee yet, the scheduled event remained unchanged. At that moment, voices began leaking out from the bathroom where the two were talking. -What the heck! Are you crazy? If you are going to hide something, hide it properly! Who did this to you?" -I-it''s not what you think, Ms. Im. -Do not lie! This is clearly intentional! Who did this? -Please keep your voice down...Mr. Jung might hear us outside. -Does that matter right now? No matter how important a role is, it is not more important than you! Who did this? Are you going to tell me or not? -M-Ms. Im... -If you do not tell me by the count of three...I will call the police immediately. Speak! -... A momentter, the door opened slightly and Im Ha-Yeon stepped out with her face flushed red. "Myung-Hee, change your clothes ande out." Yoon Myung-Hee answered as she shut the door. "Okay..." Click. Once the door closed, Im Ha-Yeon approached me. "Mr. Jung." "Yes?" "Forget the role for now. Let''s talk." The desperate look she had just moments ago as she pleaded for a role was gone. It was likely because the name Han Hyun-Ho of Hoop Entertainment had been mentioned. "Do you know who did this to Myung-Hee?" Im Ha-Yeon looked at me sternly and asked. "Who was it?" I responded. "Han Hyun-Ho from yourpany. That tall weasel-like jerk." "I see. More importantly, how is Ms. Myung-Hee''s condition? She did not look good." "She needs to be hospitalized immediately!" I nodded and lifted my phone. "Understood. I will call 119 first, then." At that moment, Im Ha-Yeon grabbed my hand in a hurry. "What are you doing?" "What else? I am calling 119 to get her to a hospital and notify the police." My calm response left Im Ha-Yeon flustered instead. "Are you crazy? What if this turns into a scandal after she goes to the hospital?" "Then are you nning to let the guy who did this go unchecked?" "N-no, of course not!" "Or are you hesitating because she might lose her recently secured role?" "Th-that''s part of it, but..." "Or is it because you are afraid Hoop Entertainment might try to cover it up? Or do you think I am here to help bury the issue?" Im Ha-Yeon closed her mouth. I figured that must have been the answer. It was not umon forrger entertainmentpanies to pressure smaller agencies to cover up incidents with offers of money or roles. I continued, "I believe that people whomit crimes should pay for them. That is also what our president has always emphasized." Im Ha-Yeon looked at me with skeptical eyes. "You could just be saying that." "If that were the case, why would I be trying to report this to the police?" When I firmly stated my intention to report the case, Im Ha-Yeon finally understood my sincerity. She nodded. "Sigh... Fine. Then go ahead and¡ª" At that moment, Yoon Myung-Hee endured her pain and rushed out to grab the hem of my clothes. "No, please! Do not report it...O-oppa just made a mistake." Im Ha-Yeon red at Yoon Myung-Hee with her eyes zing. "Myung-Hee! Are you seriously going to act like this?" "Ms. Im! Please, I am begging you!" Frustrated, Im Ha-Yeon clutched her chest. "You silly girl. You could die like this. People who hit others out of habit do not just stop there! It only gets worse. One day, you could really end up dead." "O-oppa has been under a lot of stresstely... That is why it happened. He is not usually like this." "Are you kidding me? It does not matter if it is regr behavior or not: hitting someone is never eptable!" Yoon Myung-Hee''s tears started flowing down her cheeks. More than just physical pain, she was emotionally scarred. As I pondered what to do, I decided to console her as gently as possible. Each time Im Ha-Yeon pressed her, Yoon Myung-Hee became more defensive of Han Hyun-Ho. Suppressing my anger, I began to persuade her. "Ms. Myung-Hee. You know, do you not? This is not love." "... " "I understand that right now, you feel scared, exhausted, and wish someone would help." Yoon Myung-Hee flinched and nced at me. "I will help you. So please... listen to me. If this continues, you will only get more hurt." "..." "Saying they hit you because they love you¡ªthat is just what criminals say. And no matter what you do, this will eventually blow up. Please do not let yourself be the victim. If an articlees out, would you not rather it be on the entertainment page than on the social news page?" "... " "So please stop here. Before loving someone else, love yourself first. If something happens, it will leave a deep scar in your parents'' hearts too." For the first time, Yoon Myung-Hee, who had been silent until now, started crying harder at the mention of her parents. Every time Han Hyun-Ho lost control and hit her, she must have been terrified and in pain. Yet she endured it because she loved him that much. I pointed to Im Ha-Yeon and said onest thing. "And what about Ms. Im? If you were seriously hurt, how would she feel? Would you let her live with the guilt of not protecting you forever? This is not just your issue." In my past life, after Yoon Myung-Hee was hurt, Im Ha-Yeon gave her all thepensation, treatment costs, and constion money, before shutting down herpany. She med herself for failing to notice her actress'' injuries. Yoon Myung-Hee''s acting career and Im Ha-Yeon''s fate depended on Yoon Myung-Hee''s decision now. I silently and desperately wished for Yoon Myung-Hee to change her mind, since it was the only way for things to change. Yoon Myung-Hee cried silently as she looked at me and Im Ha-Yeon. Then, her head dropped as if she had given up. I felt like my heart was sinking, thinking it might be over. ''Is this really not going to work?'' If Yoon Myung-Hee did not let go of Han Hyun-Ho, he would be released quickly even if he were to be arrested. Additionally, that would mean he would likely inflict even worse violence on her. Since I could not be with Yoon Myung-Hee 24/7 to protect her, the decision had to be hers. That''s when Yoon Myung-Hee opened her mouth. "P-please... " Her voice was so faint that I could barely hear her. "Pardon me?" "Please help me... " said Yoon Myung-Hee as she burst into tears and covered her face/ To be certain, I immediately checked my nner. [Everyday V11] [Date: December 15, 2020] -10:00 p.m. (Deleted Scheduled Event: General meeting (Meeting Agenda: Han Hyun-Ho arrested for assaulting his girlfriend, actress Yoon Myung-Hee. Decision pending on whether topensate her agency, Angel Productions.)) ''It''s done.'' I let out a short sigh of relief and spoke to the tearful Yoon Myung-Hee. "Thank you for finding the courage to do the right thing. From now on, I will do everything in my power to help both of you." Yoon Myung-Hee broke down and began to cry uncontrobly. Im Ha-Yeon patted her back gently, avoiding the areas where she had been hit. "Why didn''t you ask for help sooner, Myung-Hee? Why did you endure it all this time?" "Ms. Im...sniffle.'' "Don''t cry. It''s okay now. You don''t have to worry anymore." Now that Yoon Myung-Hee had let go of her hopes for Han Hyun-Ho, I could move freely. I said, "Ms. Im." "Yes?" "First, we need to take Ms. Myung-Hee to the hospital." "Ah, understood." I pulled out a corporate card from my inside pocket and handed it to her. "And here, take this." "W-what''s this?'' "It would be best to use a VIP room to prevent Han Hyun-Ho from showing up at the hospital. Ourpany will cover all the costs, so please use it without hesitation for Ms. Myung-Hee''s sake." "O-oh, no. We also have expenses..." "It''s our fault for not knowing and stopping this earlier. We''re not trying to hush things up with this, so don''t misunderstand and please just use it for Ms. Myung-Hee''s sake." Running a deficit was routine for small agencies like Angel nning. They couldn''t afford to worry about even small expenses, so I couldn''t burden them further. Im Ha-Yeon tightly shut her eyes before epting the card. It must have hurt her pride, but she did it for her actress. "Alright, Mr. Jung. I''ll ensure Myung-Hee is protected in a VIP room." Then, I called Kang Gam-Chan to discuss what would happen next. When informed that Yoon Myung-Hee would be filing charges and had agreed to testify about the assault, Kang Gam-Chan responded warmly. -Ms. Myung-Hee. I''ll support you as well, so don''t lose heart. Once you''re feeling better, I''ll visit you in person. The previously isted Yoon Myung-Hee was now surrounded by people who were willing and could help. Hence, she found the courage to end the toxic rtionship she once thought was love. After ending the call with Kang Gam-Chan, I assured them that Yoon Myung-Hee''s role offers were still valid before dialing 119. Momentster, Yoon Myung-Hee was on her way to the hospital in an ambnce for treatment and a medical assessment to help her case against Han Hyun-Ho. Leaving the officetel, I made another call¡ªthis time to Choi So-Hye. "Ms. Choi, I have an exclusive scoop. Are you interested?" -Of course I''m interested. What is it, Team Lead Jung? I told her about Han Hyun-Ho''s, but added the condition that the story''s release had to align with my timing. Choi So-Hye agreed. -Alright. While it''s important to expose a piece of trash like that, we also need to consider the victim. I''ll be waiting in thepany lobby for your cue. "Thank you so much. I''ll contact you once the schedule is set." -Got it. Watching Han Hyun-Ho''s arrest will be a blockbuster scoop! Hehe. After ending the call with the excited Choi So-Hye, I immediately dialed Seo Jae-Ill. *** The next day, Kang Gam-Chan held a team lead meeting after finishing the morning tasks. As the agenda was about the OST for Hwaranjeon, Han Hyun-Ho attended the meeting as well. Han Hyun-Ho swaggered and nced at us. "I heard you all were talking a lot about me yesterday." n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Kang Gam-Chan answered briefly. "Yes." "Did anything change?" "There''s nothing to change¡ªit''s already been decided." Han Hyun-Ho red at Kang Gam-Chan coldly. "You''re being ruthless even after all the years we''ve spent together. Fine, then. Can I move to Ace Entertainment? After all, you chose Bang Seon-Woo over me." Kang Gam-Chan asked calmly. "Did Ace Entertainment promise to manage you well?" "Of course. Unlike here, they''re assigning me my own team. So let''s terminate the contract right now." "Right now?" "Wouldn''t that make things easier for both sides? Let''s not leave on bad terms after all this time." Thinking he was leaving, Han Hyun-Ho''s tone became more aggressive. Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "Alright. Let''s do that." Kang Gam-Chan instructed Kwak Moo-Hyuk to prepare the termination papers immediately. Within minutes, Kwak Moo-Hyuk returned with the documents. After signing the papers, Kwak Moo-Hyuk handed one copy to Han Hyun-Ho and left the room for notarization. When the termination was finalized, Han Hyun-Ho sneered at us. "Well, good luck without me, everyone. And you, President Kang¡ªthis isn''t how you should act. I''ll be watching you closely." Han Hyun-Ho discarded any pretense of goodwill as soon as the contract was void. Kang Gam-Chan simply looked at him with a calm expression. "Don''t worry about us. Worry about yourself." Han Hyun-Ho scoffed, acting as if he had nothing to fear. "President Kang, you''ll regret letting me go!'' Then, he turned to leave the room. At that moment, the door suddenly opened. Bang! "Is Mr. Han Hyun-Ho here?" Right on cue, tworge police officers entered the meeting room. I smirked. ''Goodbye, Han Hyun-Ho.'' Chapter 398: Han Hyun-Ho (5)

Chapter 398: Han Hyun-Ho (5)

After Yoon Myung-Hee was admitted to the hospital yesterday, Seo Jae-Ill immediately applied for an emergency arrest warrant from the court. This was triggered by Han Hyun-Ho''s incessant barrage of threatening texts and calls, demanding to know where she was. As a result, a senior officer with a short buzz cut and a younger officer arrived at the meeting room with a warrant in hand. The senior officer, arge man with amanding presence, confirmed Han Hyun-Ho''s identity before presenting the warrant. The officer listed the charges written on the warrant, "Mr. Han Hyun-Ho. You are under arrest for assault, battery, and uwful confinement against Ms. Yoon Myung-Hee..." Then, he continued with the Miranda warning. "You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney..." Han Hyun-Ho shouted angrily, "Are you saying Myung-Hee reported me? That girl would do anything I say and even pretend to die if I told her to. Don''t spout nonsense! Who put her up to this?" The senior officer narrowed his eyes and red at Han Hyun-Ho. "Come quietly. There are plenty of people watching." "Go quietly? Like hell I will, you bastards! I''m not going anywhere!" Han Hyun-Ho cursed. Having been pampered as a celebrity, Han Hyun-Ho refused toply with the officers'' instructions. The senior officer shook his head and turned to the younger officer. "Take him in." "Yes, sir." The younger officer approached Han Hyun-Ho and tried to avoid escting the situation in front of the onlookers by not immediately pulling out handcuffs. Instead, he stood beside Han Hyun-Ho and locked arms. However, Han Hyun-Ho resisted violently. "Let go of me! I said let go!" "Stop resisting. If you continue, we''ll have no choice but to cuff you." "You''re fucking insane! I didn''t do anything wrong!" At that moment, Han Hyun-Ho identally struck the younger officer''s face as he tried to yank his arm free. Thwack! "Ugh!" The younger officer staggered back. He clutched his nose and blood began dripping between his fingers. At that moment, the senior officer''s expression turned ice-cold as he witnessed the scene. "You''ve justmitted obstruction of justice, Mr. Han Hyun-Ho." "Obstruction of justice? This is ridiculous!" Han Hyun-Ho retorted. The senior officer said nothing in response. Instead, he twisted Han Hyun-Ho''s arm behind his back and swept his leg out from under him. Thud! A heavy sound echoed as Han Hyun-Ho was mmed to the floor. "Aaagh! Damn it, that hurts!" Despite his screams, the senior officer remained unfazed and swiftly cuffed his wrists behind his back. Click. Now restrained, Han Hyun-Ho writhed and shouted desperately. "Are you all just going to stand there and watch? Someone call Team Lead Kwak already! Aaaagh!" Lying t on the floor, Han Hyun-Ho called out for Kwak Moo-Hyuk, the legal division''s team lead. At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan looked down at Han Hyun-Ho with a cold and detached expression. "Why should we?" Han Hyun-Ho stammered with his voice full of panic. "M-Mr. Kang!" "You''ve already left us behind, haven''t you? From now on, talk to Ace Entertainment. Didn''t you say they''d take good care of you?" "Th-that''s...!" Han Hyun-Ho was left speechless. He finally realized the full extent of his situation¡ªhis once-protective agency was no longer shielding him. On top of that, there was no guarantee Ace Entertainment would step in to help him in a mess like this. Kang Gam-Chan maintained his stoic demeanor and turned to the officers. "Officers, what are you waiting for? You''ve apprehended a criminal. Shouldn''t you be escorting him out?" The senior officer paused momentarily and asked, "Excuse me... isn''t Mr. Han Hyun-Ho a celebrity under thispany?" Kang Gam-Chan responded calmly, "His contract was terminated just moments ago. Don''t worry about it and just take him away." Hearing that Han Hyun-Ho no longer had an agency, the senior officer''s expression brightened slightly. "Ah, I see." Kang Gam-Chan then turned to the younger officer and asked, "By the way, are you alright? There''s a hospital nearby. Why don''t you get checked out? We''ll cover the medical expenses." The younger officer, still holding his nose, shook his head. "I''m fine. It''s no big deal." I handed the younger officer a tissue and he epted it with a polite nod and used it to stem the bleeding. With a slight shift in demeanor, he firmly grabbed Han Hyun-Ho''s arm. Han Hyun-Ho yelled, wailing like his life depended on it. "Ouch! Stop! You''re hurting me!" The officers simply dragged Han Hyun-Ho to his feet. "M-Mr. Kang! Mr. Kang! I''m sorry! Cancel the termination! Please! Hey! Yung-Seop! Why are you just standing there? Do something!" Han Hyun-Ho pleaded. Han Hyun-Ho''s desperate cries echoed in the meeting room, but Lee Yung-Seop and the other talent agents averted their gazes. They showed him no sympathy and thoroughly ignored him. Watching with a cold expression, Kang Gam-Chan gestured toward the door and spoke to me. "Team Lead Jung, why aren''t you holding the door for the officers? They''re doing the hard work of taking this criminal away." "Yes, sir. I''ll also escort them down to the first floor," I hurried to open the meeting room door for the officers. With a cheerful demeanor, I guided the officers to the elevator and down to the lobby. *** Ding. The elevator arrived on the first floor. As we stepped out of the elevator and into the lobby, curious nces turned into wide-eyed stares from the other talent agents present. "What the...? Why is Hyun-Ho hyung being arrested by the police?" "Do you think it''s drugs?" "No way. That guy doesn''t do drugs. Alcohol, maybe." When none of them stepped forward to intervene and simply watched the scene unfold, Han Hyun-Ho''s face flushed bright red with embarrassment. At that moment, the sound of camera shes echoed. Click, click. Lying t on the lobby floor, Choi So-Hye began snapping photos of Han Hyun-Ho''s face. As the founder of Star Exclusive, an entertainment news outlet, she wasn''t about to miss the exclusive scoop I had handed her. Cho So-Hye spared no effort and took photos from every possible angle. "Stop taking pictures!" Han Hyun-Ho yelled as he struggled to avoid having his face captured. Regardless of how much he squirmed, he couldn''t escape Choi So-Hye''s determined lens. After capturing enough humiliating shots, Choi So-Hye stood up and began her relentless questioning. "Mr. Han Hyun-Ho, are you aware that your girlfriend sustained fractures requiring four weeks of recovery?" "H-how would I know that?" "Why did you resort to such severe violence?" "Violence? It was just a minor bump!" "Is it true you have a pattern of seducing unknown actresses and discarding them once you''re bored?" "No! Absolutely not!" "Do you n to apologize to the victim?" Even as she asked the questions, Choi So-Hye continued snapping photos to ensure Han Hyun-Ho''s public humiliation would be immortalized online. *** Han Hyun-Ho was hauled away like luggage into the police car parked in front of thepany. Choi So-Hye wiped the sweat from her forehead and reentered the lobby. "Thanks, Team Lead Jung." "Don''t mention it. So, how did the photos turn out?" "Perfect! These are pure gold!" Choi So-Hye showed me her camera. The screen disyed a series of distorted close-ups of Han Hyun-Ho''s face, all unttering. "Shooting from below doesn''t pull any punches, does it?" "Exactly. That''s why everyone takes selfies from 15 degrees above. If it''s shot from below, even someone like Lee Tae-Poong might look bad... Actually, no, Lee Tae-Poong would still look good from any angle." ''Fair enough.'' I remarked inwardly. "And I''ll also give you the names of Han Hyun-Ho''s other girlfriends," I said. "What? You mean there''s more than one?" "Yes. Lee Soo-Yeon, Park Eun-Chae, and Lee Seo-Ni. All three are rtively unknown actresses. If you can get their testimonies about his violence, it''ll boost your viewership for sure." As Choi So-Hye hurriedly wrote down the names, her expression brightened. "This guy is total garbage." "Pretty much." Choi So-Hye said she would track down these women for interviews. Considering they were actresses likely hoping for some publicity, they would probably jump at the chance. Unlike Yoon Myung-Hee, who had been genuinely devoted to Han Hyun-Ho, those actresses saw him as a means to further their careers. "So, are you nning to hold an opening ceremony for yourpany?" I asked. Choi So-Hye had recently founded Star Exclusive in a small office with three other reporters after the JH Media incident. "Who has the time for that? I''ve got to cover more stories just to pay my team''s sries. Even today when I left, they told me, ''Boss, bring back lots of money!''" "Still, you should n something. As a congrattory gift for your opening, I''ll arrange exclusive interviews with all the Team Jung members one by one." "Really?" "I told you I''d help, didn''t I?" Choi So-Hye looked genuinely moved. "Thank you. Seriously." "There''s no need to thank me. You''ve done plenty for me and endured all those hardships." "Ah, getting thrown in lockup for a story is nothing for a reporter. Thanks to you, though, I''ve got a new goal." "What is it?" "I''m going to grow mypany into a powerhouse and personally take down JH Media." If Star Exclusive could regain the level of influence it had in my past life when it rivaled major dailies, this wasn''t an impossible goal. Choi So-Hye added, "By the way, Reporter Kang In-Han is joining us soon. So please look after him." In my past life, Star Exclusive had been purely an entertainment paper with a near-nonexistent social affairs section. However, after dealing with the JH Media incident, they realized how intertwined the entertainment world and power structures could be. As such, they decided to expand their focus and even hired Kang In-Han to cover broader societal issues. If things keep progressing, Star Exclusive might grow to be evenrger and more influential than it was in my past life. ''I should give them full support,'' I thought. With a reliable partner like Choi So-Hye, I was more than willing to help. "Anyway, look forward to today''s article." Skipping the elevator, Choi So-Hye opted for the emergency stairs, saying she didn''t have a moment to waste as she headed to the basement parking lot. *** Within hours, the promised articles were live. [(Exclusive) The Prince of Original Soundtrack, Han Hyun-Ho, Turns Out to Be the Prince of Violence?] [(Exclusive) Han Hyun-Ho, Kicked Out of Hoop Entertainment.] [(Exclusive) Behind Han Hyun-Ho''s Gentle Looks Lies a Beast: Girlfriend Sustains Four-Week Recovery Fracture.] [(Exclusive) Han Hyun-Ho Arrested on the Spot!] [(Exclusive) More Victims Emerge: Three Additional Women use Han Hyun-Ho of Assault.] (Comments) -Han Hyun-Ho looks sweet, but his character is trash. -Hoop Entertainment cut ties with him the same day. No excuses, just immediate action. They have my full respect. -This is Jung Yoo-Jin''spany, right? Their president is known for his charisma and sharp image. -Han Hyun-Ho. Now he''s unemployed. LOL Thanks to the well-timed articles from Choi So-Hye, Hoop Entertainment began receiving praise for their quick and decisive action. If the news had first broken as "Hoop Entertainment''s Han Hyun-Ho," thepany''s reputation might have been irreparably damaged. This was why timing and tone in media coverage mattered so much. The wrong sequence of words couldpletely alter the narrative. I felt relieved I had called Choi So-Hye in advance. Just then, my phone rang. [Caller ID: President Im Ha-Yeon] Worried something might have happened to Yoon Myung-Hee at the hospital, I quickly answered. "Yes, Ms. Im?" -Mr. Jung, it''s me, Myung-Hee. Yoon Myung-Hee was calling from Im Ha-Yeon''s phone. -I just saw the news that Hyun-Ho oppa... no, Mr. Han Hyun-Ho, was arrested. "Yes, it''s all over now. Rest assured. We''ve removed him from thepany as well, so he won''t be getting out easily." -Thank you... so much. "You don''t need to thank me. This happened because we failed to manage things properly from our end. How are you feeling, by the way?" -I''m feeling much better. "Good. Focus on your recovery. And once you''re ready, let''s finalize the roles we discussed." I could hear Yoon Myung-Hee''s voice quivering with emotion. -Thank you...truly. I will... repay this kindness, no matter what. "You can repay it by bing a healthy and dedicated actress who excels in her craft." -Understood... Fortunately, the fear in Yoon Myung-Hee''s voice had lessened significantly. *** Seo Yeon-Woo had just arrived at the recording studio in the basement,pletely unaware that he would mark his debut as a singer for the Hwaranjeon original soundtrack album. When he called to inform us of his arrival, Lee Dong-Min and I, who were holding a meeting in Singer Division 2, immediately headed down to the basement recording studio. When we entered Studio 4, Bang Seon-Woo was deeply engrossed in his work and surrounded by his equipment. His disheveled hair suggested he hadn''t slept in two days. Beside him, lyricist Jang Ye-Bin was scrawling revisions on her lyrics with her hair equally unkempt. I said, "You two should take a break. There''s still plenty of time." Bang Seon-Woo and Jang Ye-Bin looked up simultaneously. Bang Seon-Woo smiled with bloodshot eyes. "I like to get the main lines down when inspiration strikes. It makes arranging easierter." Jang Ye-Bin rolled her eyes. "Mr. Jung, you know this guy makes about 20 different arrangements for every song, right? And somehow, they all turn into entirely new songs." "Look who''s talking, noona. You''re always rewriting lyrics because you think you''vee up with something better. No wonder you can''t finish your novel¡ªyou''re too busy dreaming up new plots." "Hey! Why bring that up? Do you want to die?" "Wait, noona. Do you still dream of writing novels?" "Of course, I do! My ultimate dream is to write a grand epic fantasy like The Queen of the Rings or Throne of Kings before I die! You got a problem with that?" Watching them bicker like siblings, I quietly turned my attention elsewhere. Seo Yeon-Woo sat on a sofa in the corner and waspletely absorbed in memorizing Jang Ye-Bin''s lyrics as if this was all routine. ''This guy''s focus is seriously impressive,'' I silently observed. Seo Yeon-Woo believed he was here as a guide vocalist¡ªa singer who records demo versions of songs to help other performers understand theposer''s intentions. He had no idea the song he was about to sing was actually meant for him. After carefully studying the lyrics for a while, Seo Yeon-Woo finally noticed our presence. "Oh, you''re here." "Yes. Did you get some practice in?" "I did." The song Seo Yeon-Woo would perform today was ''Hwayeonga'', the theme song for Kim Beop-Min: the eldest son of Kim Chun-Chu who loved Princess Yu-Hwa in the story. In actual history, Kim Beop-Min was the first son of King Taejong Muyeol andter became King Munmu. But in Hwaranjeon, Kim Beop-Min was portrayed as both a suitor to Princess Yu-Hwa and a rival for the throne within the Kim family. Thus, ''Hwayeonga'' had to convey Kim Beop-Min''s conflicted emotions¡ªhis love for the princess and his loyalty to his family''s ambitions for the throne. Havingpleted the setup, Bang Seon-Woo looked at Seo Yeon-Woo. "Yeon-Woo, are you ready?" "Yeah. I''ve memorized the lyrics. I''ll head in now." Seo Yeon-Woo picked up the printed lyrics and entered the recording booth. Bang Seon-Woo pressed the inte button tomunicate with him. "Yeon-Woo, even though this is just a guide, make sure to interpret the song properly. If you ck off, we won''t be done today." "You''re not nning to make me sing for ten hours again, are you?" "Only if you don''t sing it right. Think of yourself as Kim Beop-Min and pour your love for the princess into it. Do that, and we''ll be done in one take." "Got it." "And remember, the first verse and the second verse should feelpletely different. Make sure to highlight the contrast." "Understood." n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Standing before the microphone, Seo Yeon-Woo cleared his throat a few times and nodded to signal that he was ready. Bang Seon-Woo released the inte button and smirked. "You''ll be amazed when you hear Yeon-Woo sing." With a grin, Bang Seon-Woo pressed the recording and yback buttons. At that moment, the introduction to ''Hwayeonga'' filled the studio speakers. The sad melody of a piano set the base, oveid with the delicate vibrations of a bipa. The moment Seo Yeon-Woo''s voice emerged, the recording studio was enveloped in magic. Chapter 399: Hwaranjeon Crank In (1)

Chapter 399: Hwaranjeon Crank In (1)

The clear and pure voice like that of a boy choir member echoed from the studio speakers. Although I knew Seo Yeon-Woo had a wide vocal range, it was my first time hearing such a refined tone. Seo Yeon-Woo''s clear voice devoid of metallic harshness sent shivers down my spine. When Seo Yeon-Woo sang the climax earnestly, I felt as if I had be Kim Beop-Min for a moment. I was so ovee with emotions that I instinctively clutched my chest. He wasn''t at this level just two weeks ago, but his skills had improved drastically since then. Seo Yeon-Woo''s singing was so beautiful and moving that everyone in the studio was left speechless, staring at him in a daze. As the first verse ended, there was a brief instrumental interlude. Immersed in the performance, Lee Dong-Min kept expressing his amazement. "When did he... get this good?" Bang Seon-Woo replied to Lee Dong-Min''s trembling voice with a soft smile. "He was always talented." Lee Dong-Min tilted his head in disbelief. "I''ve heard him during guide recordings, but I don''t think he was this good." "He said he naturally tensed up whenever he held a mic. Everyone initially doubted Yeon-Woo could be a singer, remember?" Seo Yeon-Woo had been singing at live clubs for a long time. However, instead of singing his own songs in his own voice, he mimicked famous singers'' voices because the club guests expected to hear familiar songs. Over time, this led to himpletely losing his unique voice. When Seo Yeon-Woo first came to thepany, everyone who heard him sing had a unanimous opinion. They said his voicecked individuality and he couldn''t seed as a solo artist. They thought he would fit better in variety shows as an impressionist singer. Bang Seon-Woo continued, "That''s what people used to say... But ever since he came back from China, he has started finding his own voice. I don''t know what happened there." ''Sinceing back from China? Could it be because I promised to help him be a singer?'' I wondered. I had promised Seo Yeon-Woo at Incheon Airport to make him a singer after seeing Ju Yung-In in the spotlight. Since then, Seo Yeon-Woo must have worked tirelessly to truly be one. I figured he must have ced all his trust in my uncertain promise. ''This kid. To think he''d go this far...'' Overwhelmed with gratitude and pride, I felt my chest tighten. "From then on, Yeon-Woo found his own style in the process of training Cherry Blossom and Ha-Na noona. Iposed the songs while watching Yeon-Woo''s voice evolve," Bang Seon-Woo said with a proud smile. Fortunately, Seo Yeon-Woo had the full support of Bang Seon-Woo, a geniusposer who tailored songs to match the singer''s voice. I began to think Seo Yeon-Woo might be the standout of this album. At that moment, Bang Seon-Woo turned toward the recording booth. "Oh, the second verse is starting. Listen to it¡ªit''s extraordinary." This time, Seo Yeon-Woo''s voice transformed once more. It was as though he had be a one-man orchestra as he seamlessly delivered the second verse like a popera singer. While still as pure as in the first verse, his voice now carried a majestic quality. As a result, the beautiful high notes resonated with a power that seemed to shake the recording studio. Marveling at Seo Yeon-Woo''s relentless effort, I slowly closed my eyes and immersed myself in his song. *** Click. As the instrumentals for ''Hwayeonga'' concluded, the recording button on the control panel automatically popped up. Having finished the recording, Seo Yeon-Woo emerged from the booth with sweat glistening on his forehead. "Hey, Bang Seon-Woo. Why''d you make the song so difficult? Any singer would drop dead trying to sing this!" The grumbling Seo Yeon-Woo approached and drank a ss of water from the table. However, when no one responded, he tilted his head in confusion. "Why do you all look like that?" Seo Yeon-Woo failed to grasp what was going on when he saw Lee Dong-Min in a daze and me overwhelmed with emotion. After all, he believed that he had only performed a guide vocal. Hisck of self-belief remained the same despite the many changes he went through. Bang Seon-Woo smiled and looked at Seo Yeon-Woo. "Don''t you know why I made the song so challenging?" "I have no idea." Bang Seon-Woo nced at me. "Hyung. He''s such a fool, isn''t he?" At that moment, I pped my hands to express my overflowing emotions toward Seo Yeon-Woo. p, p, p. "You''re amazing, Yeon-Woo!" Seo Yeon-Woo gave me a puzzled look. "What?" Then, Lee Dong-Min suddenly stood up and gave Seo Yeon-Woo a tight hug. "Yeon-Woo, you little rascal! Why''ve you been hiding that you can sing this well?" "W-why are you acting like this, Mr. Lee?" Lee Dong-Min turned to me. "Yoon-Ho, I think he really is a fool." Seo Yeon-Woo looked at me, still not understanding what was going on. "Hyung, what''s all this about?" "What do you think this is about? You just sang your debut song." Only then did Seo Yeon-Woo realize that the song had been made specifically for him. "This is my song...?" Bang Seon-Woo smiled. "Yeon-Woo, who else do you think could handle this song? I made it for your vocal range from the start." Seo Yeon-Woo looked at me with a face full of emotion. "Hyung...can I really sing this song?" "Of course. Didn''t I promise I''d make you a singer?" Seo Yeon-Woo was overwhelmed with emotion and lowered his head. "Thank you... Yoon-Ho hyung." I patted Seo Yeon-Woo on the back as he bowed. "There''s no need to thank me. Actually, I''m the one who''s grateful. You trusted me and worked so hard all this time." Seo Yeon-Woo''s lightly trembling body gradually stilled. With that, I chose the first singer for the Hwaranjeon original soundtrack. Momentster, Seo Yeon-Woo raised his head and prepared to sing ''Hwayeonga'' again which was now fully his own. Just then, Bang Seon-Woo intervened. "Sing it again after the arrangement is finalized. And while we''re at it, try ''Moonlit Woman'' too." "Why that one?" Seo Yeon-Woo asked. "I wrote that one with you in mind as well. You''ve got such solid midrange vocals." "I''m not sure if I can pull it off, but... okay." Seo Yeon-Woo reluctantly returned to the recording booth to sing another song: ''Moonlit Woman''. The song was about King Eumgalmun visiting the still-iplete nine-story pagoda of Hwangnyongsa, reminiscing about Queen Seondeok as they once walked the site under the moonlight. It was a mournful love song that carried the anguish of losing his beloved first wife without knowing why, and it required a heart-wrenching sorrow to be conveyed. Unlike the earlier piece, this one demanded deep midrange and low notes, and Seo Yeon-Woo executed it effortlessly. ''He''s a one-man orchestra,'' I marveled. There were no better words to describe Seo Yeon-Woo. Unlike in the past when hecked his own voice due to mimicking others, he could now infuse every register with profound emotion and his unique tone. *** During the team lead meeting the next day, discussions revolved around the arrest of Han Hyun-Ho the previous day and its aftermath. Then, Kang Gam-Chan inquired about the Hwaranjeon original soundtrack recording from the day before. "Yeon-Woo received two songs?" "Yes, I believe Seo Yeon-Woo can take on ''Hwayeonga'' and ''Moonlit Woman.''" At that moment, the room broke out in murmurs. There was skepticism because the team leads had all heard Seo Yeon-Woo sing after he joined. Park Hyun-Sik, the team lead of Singer Division 1, frowned and questioned, "Team Lead Jung, how can Seo Yeon-Woo rece Han Hyun-Ho? Even if you brought him in... isn''t this too much? At the very least, you should''ve found someone on Han Hyun-Ho''s level." At forty-five years old, Park Hyun-Sik was fairly close to Han Hyun-Ho. Perhaps because of this reason, he wore a dissatisfied look on his face. Anticipating this reaction, I handed over the recording file I had brought. "Why don''t we listen to the recording first and then decide? The original soundtrack isn''t fully produced yet and it''s just the base melody, but it should give you a clear sense of Yeon-Woo''s voice." Sung Min-Suk yed the file through the speakers in the meeting room. For the next five minutes, everyone in the room was half-dazed and captivated by Seo Yeon-Woo''s voice. *** As Seo Yeon-Woo''s song ended, the meeting room was steeped in silence as the attendees were still stunned by the impact of his performance. At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan cleared his throat and broke the silence. "Ahem. He''s... very good." Looking around with a confident smile, he added. "I think it would be worth nurturing him properly. Does anyone object?" Even Park Hyun-Sik, who had been grumbling moments before, was captivated by Seo Yeon-Woo''s voice and kept silent. Kang Gam-Chan turned to me. "Team Lead Jung, prepare Yeon-Woo for his debut as well." "Yes, sir!" n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Just like that, Seo Yeon-Woo filled the void left by Han Hyun-Ho perfectly. Nheless, I didn''t n to stop here. I intended to use this opportunity to recruit more singers and expand Singer Division 2. Recently, Bang Sang-Yung, Actor Division 1, Singer Division 1, and Actor Division 3 without Kim Dong-Soo had all been aggressively recruiting to increase their size. Additionally, Choi Man-Sik was soon expected to announce ns rted to employee stock ownership, citing shareholder opinions. To counter this, we also needed to scale up as quickly as possible. Fortunately, preparations for that were well underway. *** The day of Hwaranjeon''s crank-in arrived. I drove early in the morning to the Gyeongju set. After parking, I helped Yoo-Jin and Miso, who were slumped in their seats, out of the car. As Yoo-Jin and Miso stretched, they gasped in amazement at the massive pce set before them. "Wow, oppa. This ce is incredible!" "Uncle Yoon-Ho! The pce is huge!" Five years ago, MBS had constructed this enormous set for the historical drama The Era of the Three Kingdoms. With support from Gyeongju City and MBS''s long-term nning, they recreated Si''s Moon Pce and made the set three timesrger than typical historical drama sets. Despite MBS''s ambitious vision, The Era of the Three Kingdoms ended with dismal viewership ratings, and the set was criticized as a waste of money. However, this allowed us to start filming Hwaranjeon without dy. Though part of the set was still under renovation and resembled a construction site, it was a significant advantage. One reason I chose to produce Hwaranjeon with MBS was this set. By avoiding extra costs for a Si-era set, we could hire more supporting actors and provide stable pay for the staff. For example, we could even employ arge number of extras for battle scenes. "This ce is really something else." Jung Sang-Bong, Lee Mi-Ri, and Yang So-Ri, who had apanied me, were also awestruck as they nced around in amazement at the massive site. "Alright, let''s stop being impressed and get going. We need to go greet Mrs. Oh and prepare for the press interviews." With rumors of KBC holding auditions for Queen Jeong-Hee, MBS''s top executives were already on edge. That was the reason press interviews had been scheduled on the very first day of filming. First, we needed to report to Oh Bok-Hee upon arrival. Hence, I led the group toward the production team''s tent where monitoring equipment was being set up. Inside, team members were connecting monitors and devices with cables while Oh Bok-Hee was deeply engrossed in the continuity files. "Mrs. Oh, we''re here." "Ah, right on time." Oh Bok-Hee greeted us with a bright smile and introduced the assistant director nearby. "Let''s see... Everyone, meet our AD, Geum Eun-Dong. He''ll manage the set in my absence and oversee Team B, so make sure to get acquainted." A tall andnky man of about 190cm extended his hand for a handshake. Geum Eun-Dong would be a PD next year and sessfully direct five consecutive dramas at MBS before founding his own productionpany. In other words, he was someone worth building rapport with, like Kim Sung-Woon and Oh Bok-Hee. "Hello, Mr. Geum." Geum Eun-Dong offered a faint smile. "Hi, I look forward to working with you." Because he was not much of a talker, Yoo-Jin and Miso wrapped up their introductions quickly. At that moment, Oh Bok-Hee pulled me aside. "Mr. Jung, there''s something I''d like to discuss with you. Can you step outside for a moment?" "Of course." Following Oh Bok-Hee out of the tent, I noticed her sigh as she pointed toward one corner of the set. "Mr. Jung, do you see that?" Under a tent designated for the actors'' waiting area, two groups were sitting apart. One side led by Lee Tae-Yeon and Han Sang-Hee consisted of people from TK Entertainment, while the other group was from Ace Entertainment. In that instant, I understood what Oh Bok-Hee wanted to say. I asked, "The power struggle has already started?" In dramas, tensions often escted along hierarchical and factional lines. The most contentious issue was usually the shooting order. Some actors arrived at convenient times, finished filming quickly, and left, while others waited overnight and only wrapped up their scenes by dawn. With such a high-caliber cast, disputes over shooting schedules had already begun. "It''s calmer now, but earlier? It was chaos¡ªthankfully, no one cursed. Miss Yoo-Jin should avoid getting entangled and not take sides. Stick to the schedule as closely as possible." For leads, filming always took precedence. If Yoo-Jin deviated from her schedule, it could reignite power struggles among the other actresses. "Of course, I''ll make sure of it. Don''t worry." Oh Bok-Hee said with a deep sigh of relief, "I''m so relieved that Miss Yoo-Jin is the lead." Just then, Min Gyu-Ri arrived on set. After greeting her seniors, she chose the best-looking chair and casually plopped down. All the surrounding actresses turned their gaze toward Min Gyu-Ri, a rookie who had just taken the lead actress'' designated chair¡ªthe one meant for Yoo-Jin. A palpable tension like the calm before a storm began to fill the air. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 400: Hwaranjeon Crank In (2)

Chapter 400: Hwaranjeon Crank In (2)

About 20 meters away, chairs were arranged in rows under the tent set up as the actors'' waiting area. Each chair had a namete on the backrest with the actors'' roles and names, allowing everyone to find their designated spot. However, the lead actor''s chair stood out even without checking the backrest. It was ced in the coolest spot in the tent, and next to it was arge ice box filled with bottled water and drinks. This privilege was standard across sets to acknowledge the importance of the lead actor, who bore the heaviest burden with the most scenes and led the story. However, when Min Gyu-Ri arrived, she casually chose the most appealing seat and sat down. As earlier chaos over the filming order had already shaken the set, Oh Bok-Hee was now ring daggers at Min Gyu-Ri. Another conflict was brewing over seating this time. "How dare she... Where does she get off...?" Oh Bok-Hee growled. With her nerves on edge, Oh Bok-Hee grabbed a red megaphone. Just then, Yoo-Jin finished speaking with Geum Eun-Dong and approached Oh Bok-Hee. "Mrs. Oh, it''s fine. I don''t mind." Oh Bok-Hee shook her head firmly. "No, Miss Yoo-Jin. If you don''t sit there, it''s going to cause even bigger problems." I nodded in agreement. "Yoo-Jin, if you don''t take that seat, the other actors will fight to im the lead chair next time. Just look at the way Lee Tae-Yeon sunbae and Yoon Joo-Yeon sunbae are staring now." Noticing Lee Tae-Yeon and Yoon Joo-Yeon''s pointed gazes, Yoo-Jin finally nodded. "Alright. But let''s go over and exin calmly. She''s a rookie, after all. We''ll think of something else if she refuses." Thankfully, Yoo-Jin was kind. A p might havee first if it had been an ill-tempered actress. After finishing up with Oh Bok-Hee, we quickly headed toward the actors'' waiting area with Miso. *** Under the shade of three long tentsbined at the waiting area, chairs with name tes were scattered about. Yoo-Jin walked directly toward the chair meant for her. At that moment, Jang Sam-Duk came rushing over. Noticing the frosty stares from the surrounding actors, he was rmed and shouted at Min Gyu-Ri. "Hey, Min Gyu-Ri! Get up right now! Why are you sitting there?" "Huh? Do chairs have owners? There''s no namete or anything." Jang Sam-Duk pointed at the namete on the back of the chair ."There is! Right here!" Realizing her mistake, Min Gyu-Ri eximed in surprise, "Oh~ so seats have assigned owners?" "Exactly! Don''t just do whatever you want if you don''t know! I told you to check with me first!" Grumbling, Min Gyu-Ri got up from the chair. "How was I supposed to know? And why are you yelling at me?" "Because it''s frustrating! That''s why!" Min Gyu-Ri pouted and nced at the lead chair with envy. "But the lead actor''s chair is in the best spot." "Of course it is. It''s for the lead." "Ugh, it must be nice to be the lead~." "Then do your best this time and aim for a lead role in your next project." "Fine, I will." What could have escted into a major argument was resolved thanks to Jang Sam-Duk''s intervention. At that moment, Min Gyu-Ri noticed us and bowed her head. "Hello, sunbae-nim~" "Hi, Miss Gyu-Ri. Have you been doing well?" Yoo-Jin replied kindly. Min Gyu-Ri responded with a slight smirk. "I didn''t know it was your seat, sunbae-nim. Sorry about that." Her tone was subtly sarcastic as if questioning the need for assigned seats. Unfazed by such petty power ys, Yoo-Jin simply smiled it off. "There''s nothing to apologize for. Mistakes happen." "Thank you for understanding." Just then, Miso looked up at Min Gyu-Ri and tilted her head curiously. "But why are you upset, Auntie?" The smile froze on Min Gyu-Ri''s face and her expression betrayed a hint of unease. "W-what do you mean by that, Miso?" "Are you sick? Or did someone scold you?" Miso''s keen observation skills allowed her to sense Min Gyu-Ri''s current emotions immediately. However, she couldn''tprehend why Min Gyu-Ri was upset. ''She must be displeased about giving up the seat to Yoo-Jin,'' I thought. Caught off guard by Miso''s innocentment, Min Gyu-Ri''s face flushed bright red. "N-no, why would I be upset? Not at all!" Min Gyu-Ri''s awkward and defensive response made the surrounding actors burst outughing. To divert Miso''s attention, Jang Sam-Duk hurriedly stepped in. "M-Miso! Hello!" Miso turned to Jang Sam-Duk and greeted him with a polite bow. "Hello!" "Well, you see... Gyu-Ri is just nervous because of the shoot. So since you''re an experienced sunbae-nim, could you look after her? You''re her sunbae-nim, after all..." Flustered, Jang Sam-Duk inadvertently asked the child actor to take care of the rookie. In response, Miso puffed out her chest confidently. "Okay! Since I''m the sunbae-nim, I''ll take good care of Auntie!" Miso''s pure-hearted reply sent the actors into fits ofughter. "Well, technically, Miso is a sunbae-nim. Haha." Lee Tae-Yeon ying the role of Queen 2ughed so hard she clutched her stomach. Yoon Joo-Yeon cast as Queen 3 teased Min Gyu-Ri. "Hey, hoobae over there! You better learn from Miso sunbae-nim, okay?" As the S-ss actresses chimed in, Min Gyu-Ri''s face turned even redder. She looked as though she wanted to flee the scene but seemed determined to hold her ground, likely recalling a previous incident. At that moment, Yoo-Jin gently patted Miso on the head with a smile. "Miso, you shouldn''t talk that way to adults regardless of whether you are a sunbae-nim or not." N?v(el)B\\jnn "Why?" "Because it''s rude. You mustn''t speak to your elders like that, okay?" Miso''s eyes widened. "Really? Mom, is that true?" "Yes, so go ahead and apologize." Looking apologetic, Miso turned to Min Gyu-Ri and bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle. "I''m sorry! I didn''t know better! Please forgive me, Auntie." With her hands on her stomach, Miso demonstrated a textbook-perfect apology. Though Miso''s sincerity was evident, Min Gyu-Ri said nothing and simply turned her body away. Concern filled Miso''s gaze as she looked back at Yoo-Jin. "Mom, what should I do? I think Auntie is angry! Maybe she hates me." "No, she''s just flustered. For now, let''s go greet the other sunbae-nims." After a brief moment of thought, Miso nodded. "Okay. I''ll apologize againter." Thanks to Miso''s innocent actions, the tense atmosphere on set naturally dissipated. Yoo-Jin then looked at me and silently asked where to begin her greetings. ''Start over here,'' I gestured with my eyes and led Yoo-Jin and Miso to Lee Tae-Yeon, the most sunbae-nim actor present. "Hello, sunbae-nim." Dressed to impress for the first day of filming, Lee Tae-Yeon greeted us with a confident expression. "Ah, hello. So PD Oh is starting with episode five today. Have you practiced a lot?" "I did my best, but I''m not sure how it''ll turn out. I''m nning to follow the directions closely." Since the set''s construction wasn''t fullyplete, today''s crank-in would only cover scenes from episode five which featured the adult cast. At that moment, Lee Tae-Yeon gestured to Han Sang-Hee seated beside her, who yed Princess Jeong-Hwa. "Sang-Hee over here has been practicing like crazy too. It should be fun when you two work together." Han Sang-Hee looked at Yoo-Jin and replied, "Yoo-Jin. Let''s give it our allter, okay?" "Yes, sunbae-nim!" Han Sang-Hee exuded confidence, iming she was entirely different from their script reading sessions. Lee Tae-Yeon then turned to Miso with some advice. "Miso, make sure to do your best. My daughter''s been practicing a lot too, so you can''t make any mistakes, okay?" Lee Tae-Yeon''s daughter, Yang Yi-Ji, exchanged a challenging re with Miso. Nheless, Miso was unfazed. "Okay! I''ll work hard!" Just as we were about to finish our greetings and move to Yoon Joo-Yeon, Lee Tae-Yeon added anotherment. "Yoo-Jin, be careful. A lot of people here are hoping to use this drama as their stepping stone to rise, just like you." It was a veiled warning about the many supporting actors aiming to outshine the lead. At that moment, Yoo-Jin paused in her tracks and smiled. "Well, I doubt it''ll be that easy." Yoo-Jin''s face radiated confidence as she gave a bold response to the subtle provocation. As a result, it was Lee Tae-Yeon whose expression hardened. ''Good job, Jung Yoo-Jin.'' With herposed demeanor, Yoo-Jin subtly reminded everyone of her role as the lead and refused to be drawn into petty power ys. *** Oh Bok-Hee grabbed her red megaphone and shouted, "Everyone, gather up for a photo! The reporters will be arriving shortly, so let''s meet in front of the pce in five minutes." The actors'' talent agents began moving quickly. "Mrs. Tae-Yeon, your hair! We need to fix it!" "Joo-Yeon unnie, your costume''s wrinkled. Stand up so I can iron it out!" "Hey, Gyu-Ri! Wipe your mouth and touch up your makeup, quickly!" The waiting area turned into a flurry of activity. Meanwhile, Lee Mi-Ri and Yang So-Ri also began adjusting Yoo-Jin and Miso''s makeup and styling. Jung Sang-Bong tore open two warm packs and handed them to Yoo-Jin and Miso. "Keep these in your pockets and warm your hands whenever you can." "Oh, Sang-Bong oppa, you''re so thoughtful." Blushing, Jung Sang-Bong scratched his head upon hearing Yoo-Jin''spliment. "It was Mr. Jung''s idea to prepare these in advance." It was already November, and the chilly winds were sweeping through the set. Preparation was crucial as the temperature and humidity could easily ruin the actors'' condition. As long as I was here, I wouldn''t let anything outside of acting affect their performances. Once ready, we moved to the pce steps. Geum Eun-Dong stood at the bottom of the stairs and directed the actors'' positions. "Miso will stand at the center in the front row. Everyone else, please arrange yourselves symmetrically on either side." Dressed in historically urate Si-era hanboks, the actors lined up on the stairs leading to the pce with Miso and Yoo-Jin as the focal points. Miso took the central spot in the first row, while Yoo-Jin stood directly behind her in the middle of the group. Behind them stood Choi Ji-Yung ying Queen 2 and Song Ji-Hwan portraying King Eumgalmun. Oh Bok-Hee nced toward the parking lot. "Let the reporters in." The staff nodded and removed the barricades, allowing the reporters to rush forward like a pack of hyenas descending on their prey. *** Cameras shed as the reporters snapped photos and created a dazzling light show. The actors lined up in neat rows began instinctively crowding toward the center and disrupted the formation. "Wait a moment! Why is everyone crowding in the middle? Please spread out!" Geum Eun-Dong intervened to reorganize the line and widen the spacing, but the gaps closed again as soon as his attention shifted. This happened because most of the actors were used to being leads, each vying for the spotlight at the center. After the photos were taken, the reporters mored for interviews. However, Oh Bok-Hee firmly declined their request. "We''ll give you time for interviews after filming is done. For now, please leave." "What? You''re just sending us off? How are we supposed to know when filming will end?" "Please keep your distance and use telephoto lenses to shoot so you don''t disrupt the actors." Despite the reporters'' pleas to get closer for their photos, Oh Bok-Hee remained firm. After all, allowing them to take pictures at all was already a concession following higher-ups'' instructions as they feared thepetition from rival productions. "Alright, move along now~" Following Oh Bok-Hee''s orders, the staff ushered the reporters out and preparations for Hwaranjeon''s shoot resumed. *** The first scene to be filmed took ce in the grand hall where the three princesses announced their ns topete in a weaving contest. King Eumgalmun promised a grand reward to the princess who produced the most woven cloth by the autumn harvest. This scene would depict the beginning of the princesses'' rivalry over the prize. Meanwhile, the banished reporters set up telephoto lenses on their camera bodies like fervent idol fans outside in the parking lot. The atmosphere was tense with hundreds of people including staff watching. Aware of the reporters'' presence, Yoo-Jin appeared slightly nervous. I handed her a liquid herbal supplement and some water to rinse her mouth. "Focus only on your acting. Soon, the entire nation will be watching your performance. A hundred reporters are nothingpared to that, right?" Yoo-Jin''s face lit up. "The entire nation? That''s a great way to put it." When Yoo-Jin smiled warmly, Miso chimed in with excitement. "Then is Mom a national actress now, Uncle Yoon-Ho?" "Do you know what a national actress is, Miso?" I asked. "It''s an actress whom everyone knows!" Miso eximed. Although Yoo-Jin had be quite popr, she wasn''t quite at that level yet. Nevertheless, I believed she could earn that title by the end of this drama. I smiled and nodded. "Exactly. She''ll be one by the end of this drama." Miso cheered as her crescent-shaped eyes sparkled with joy. "Wow~ That''s amazing!" Thanks to Miso''s cheerful energy, Yoo-Jin stood from her waiting chair with confidence. "Alright then. I''ll head in." "Go get them." With a brief deep breath, Yoo-Jin walked toward the set. It seemed she didn''t need the herbal supplement after all as it remained on her chair. "Jung Yoo-Jin, you got this!" Yoo-Jin raised a clenched fist in determination without looking back. *** The grand hall set was spacious enough to hold at least 100 people. After the actors had finished preparing, the reflectors, boom microphones, and Jimmy Jib camera were set up. Once the staff filled the set, Oh Bok-Hee held her megaphone and looked visibly tense. "Alright, let''s hoist the sails for Hwaranjeon! Is everyone ready?" "Yes, Mrs. Oh!" From all around, confirmations for Hwaranjeon''s crank-in standby echoed. Oh Bok-Hee took a deep breath and shouted, "Got it. Let''s begin Hwaranjeon! Episode 5, Scene 1. Ready~~ Action!" The new version of Hwaranjeon, which had reached over 25% viewership ratings in my past life, was now beginning with apletely different cast. However, the shoot suddenly took an unexpected turn. Chapter 401: Hwaranjeon Crank In (3)

Chapter 401: Hwaranjeon Crank In (3)

Song Ji-Hwan, ying King Eumgalmun, delivered a stable and professional performance. Lee Tae-Yeon, Choi Ji-Yung, and Yoon Joo-Yeon, the three queens, also showcased their prowess. Together, they proved why they were considered S-ss actors. Surprisingly, Min Gyu-Ri, whom I had deemedcking in skill, held her own against the veteran cast. In historical dramas, actors had to employ archaic honorifics like "shall" and "granteth" while portraying situations far removed from everyday life. This made historical dramas a notorious "graveyard for rookies." Yet, Min Gyu-Ri delivered her performance without a hint of awkwardness. Her precise eye movements, restrained facial expressions, and, most notably, her voice projection, perfectly suited the historical drama''s demands. ''Well, that girl does have a devil''s talent...'' I thought. In my past life, Min Gyu-Ri had auditioned for the weekend drama Morning Sound of the Sea and snagged the lead role without a single acting lesson, beating odds of 2,000 to 1. Acting had always been second nature to her and required no effort. As a result, hard work was never part of her vocabry. Perhaps motivated by Yoo-Jin, Min Gyu-Ri had put immense effort into her performance over the past week andpletely transformed. Thanks to this, the atmosphere on set grew heated with excitement. The current scene involved the king tasking his three princesses with a weavingpetition and promising a grand reward to the winner. This prompted apetitive rivalry among the princesses. Having erased all traces of herckluster table-read performance, Min Gyu-Ri began delivering her lines with a yful ir. Standing in the center of the grand hall set, Min Gyu-Ri asked with bright and sparkling eyes. ¡ºYour Majesty, is it true you''ll grant whatever we wish for if we win the weavingpetition?¡» At that moment, Song Ji-Hwan, who was seated on the golden throne as King Eumgalmun, let out a heartyugh. ¡ºHaha, do you have something you desire, Do-Hwa?¡» Min Gyu-Ri smiled coyly like the affectionate and ambitious Princess Do-Hwa she portrayed. ¡ºYes, Your Majesty¡» Song Ji-Hwan responded with a kind and warm tone. ¡ºAlright then. But first, let us hear from the other princesses. Princess Jeong-Hwa, you may speak first.¡» Not to be outdone, Han Sang-Hee gritted her teeth and began her performance. ¡ºI would like a lute bestowed upon me.¡» ¡ºA lute? Why would a princess need a lute?¡» ''Han Sang-Hee is doing pretty well, too,'' I noted. Though she didn''t possess the innate talent of Min Gyu-Ri, Han Sang-Hee was also an actress who passed Oh Bok-Hee''s rigorous auditions. Unlike during the script read, she now delivered her lines withposure and proved why she was on the brink of achieving S-ss recognition. As a result, Hwaranjeon, which had seemed like it might be a one-woman show with Yoo-Jin dominating, was finally transforming into the real "war of flowers" that Han Woo-Ju had envisioned. Han Sang-Hee continued to respond to Song Ji-Hwan''s question with a calm and measured voice. ¡ºI wish to y the lute to soothe Your Majesty''s fatigue whenever you are weary from state affairs.¡» ¡ºHaha, is that so?¡» In the story, the fate of who would be the next queeny entirely in the hands of King Eumgalmun. Thus, the three princesses worked tirelessly to earn their father''s favor. Song Ji-Hwan''s portrayal of King Eumgalmun was that of a doting father overjoyed even by his daughters'' insincere ttery. He responded with a heartyugh as he was delighted by the princesses'' yful affection. At that moment, Min Gyu-Ri raised her hand as per the script and stepped ahead of Princess Yu-Hwa to make her request first. Song Ji-Hwan smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. ¡ºHaha, so what is it that our youngest wants so urgently?¡» ¡ºYour Majesty, I wish to borrow thete queen''s sacred relic for just one day.¡» n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om ¡ºWhat? You wish to borrow the sacred relic?¡» The sacred relic of thete Queen Seondeok was a golden bell infused with the divine aura of the Heavenly Talisman. ording to the story, the bell had the mystical ability to ring on its own when its owner was in danger and was a treasure reserved exclusively for the reigning monarch. The court officials in the grand hall began murmuring, as the sacred relic was an object only a king could possess. Despite his doting affection for his daughters, the king was still a king. With a hint of sternness, Song Ji-Hwan rebuked her. ¡ºDo you not understand the implications of a princess asking for the sacred relic, Princess Do-Hwa?¡» ¡ºI do, Your Majesty. But I merely wish to offer it at an altar to honor Queen Seondeok.¡» ¡ºAn altar?¡» ¡ºYes, Your Majesty. I am well aware that you have been troubled by sleepless nights. I wish to borrow the relic, ce it at thete queen''s altar, and offer prayers so that she may watch over you.¡» Min Gyu-Ri wlessly portrayed the role of a dutiful daughter seeking to please her father. Her performance was so natural that even staff far from the set began murmuring. -She''s really good. -No wonder herpetitors left defeated after the auditions... She deserves it. -Wow, she doesn''t even flinch among these veteran actors. Who knows about her personality, but she''s born to act. -She''s going to be a star. Her soft and round look is exactly what people here love. -But could she overshadow Jung Yoo-Jin? If a supporting role is toopelling, the lead might lose her presence. Even staff members who had previously criticized Min Gyu-Ri for her table-read mishap began to warm up to her. This shift in perception underscored how captivating her acting was. Her performance reflected a level of skill that wouldn''t normally be seen for years toe, leaving me slightly unsettled. Nheless, my faith in Yoo-Jin remained unshaken. Soon, it was finally Yoo-Jin''s turn. With a pleased expression, Song Ji-Hwan looked at Yoo-Jin standing below the steps and asked, ¡ºWe''ve heard the wishes of the two princesses. Now, it''s Yu-Hwa''s turn. What would you like, Yu-Hwa?¡» Yoo-Jin, portraying Princess Yu-Hwa, sped her hands together and replied. ¡ºI humbly request rice and meat in abundance, Your Majesty.¡» ¡ºRice and meat? For what purpose?¡» ¡ºThose participating in the weavingpetition must dedicate the next month entirely to this task, leaving their livelihoods in disarray. Their families will undoubtedly endure hardship. I wish to distribute rice and meat tofort them, Your Majesty.¡» Song Ji-Hwan''s jovial expression froze instantly. ¡ºWhat you desire is not objects but the hearts of the people. Is that truly your wish?¡» In a monarchy, power belonged solely to the king. However, this power stemmed from capturing the hearts of the people. As such, anyone¡ªbe they kin or otherwise¡ªseeking the people''s favor became a rival to the throne. Thus, Song Ji-Hwan''s scolding carried the icy weight of potential treachery. Yet Yoo-Jin raised her head and met Song Ji-Hwan''s gaze unwaveringly. ¡ºThe people''s hearts belong solely to you, Your Majesty. I am but a tool to support your reign. This act will be carried out in your name alone, so please set aside your concerns.¡» Their eyes locked in the air in a silent battle of wills. However, Song Ji-Hwan''s stern expression soon softened and he burst into heartyughter. ¡ºHahaha. How admirable! Our second princess is the very image of thete Queen. Truly, this is a blessing for Gyerim.¡» Gyerim was an ancient name for Si, and thete queen referred to Queen Seondeok. As Song Ji-Hwan''s boisterousughter echoed, the eyes of Han Sang-Hee and Min Gyu-Ri began to harden with envy. Yoo-Jin''s performance exuded an authenticity that set her apart. Her expression, voice, and gestures all came together seamlessly to transform her into Princess Yu-Hwa herself. Then, the same staff who had earlier praised Min Gyu-Ri began whispering once again but this time about Jung Yoo-Jin. -Wow, as expected of Jung Yoo-Jin. The others are good, but she''s on another level. -There''s a reason why there''s hype surrounding Jung Yoo-Jin. -Small details make the masterpiece. The level of detail is just different. -This drama is no joke. -Still, Jung Yoo-Jin is clearly the best. As Yoo-Jin''s performance progressed, the consensus grew stronger: the lead actress truly stood apart from the rest. *** The first scene of Hwaranjeon was a resounding sess. Oh Bok-Hee''s excited voice rang out with her mood lifted by the sessful start to the drama. "Cut! That was great!" The staff shared her enthusiasm. "Mrs. Oh, this drama is going to be a hit!" "I wouldn''t know¡ªI don''t have the confidence to fail!" From supporting roles to leads, everyone had delivered exceptional performances and the joy was evident on the faces of the crew. A short break was given to prepare for the next scene. During the pause, Yoo-Jin approached the waiting area. She was drenched in sweat, clearly having had to bring her best to match the greatly improved Min Gyu-Ri and Han Sang-Hee. I said, "Yoo-Jin, take a seat." "Okay." As soon as Yoo-Jin sat down, Lee Mi-Ri checked her costume and Yang So-Ri wiped the sweat from her forehead. At that moment, Yoo-Jin suddenly grabbed the back of her neck. "Ugh, my neck..." Yoo-Jin''s hair was adorned with numerous gold essories and her natural hair was extended with long braids. Though it was far lighter than the massive wigs worn by the queens in Hwaranjeon, Yoo-Jin winced andined about the weight of the adornments and extensions. "Is it that heavy? It''s not even a kilogram with everythingbined." "No way! It feels way heavier than that!" Yoo-Jin protested. "You''re probably just not used to it. Hold on a second." I quickly asked Lee Mi-Ri to remove at least the essories. Once they were taken off Yoo-Jin sighed with relief and rotated her neck, emitting cracking sounds from the strain. "Ugh... I thought I was going to die." "Yoo-Jin. If this is hard, how are you going to handle wearing a full wig?" Lee Tae-Yeon, who yed the first queen, was wearing an borate wig weighing about 6kg. Choi Ji-Yung and Yoon Joo-Yeon, ying the second and third queens, wore 5kg wigs. Yet the three of them satfortably and used neck supports while sipping on drinks as if the weight was nothing. Seeing this, Yoo-Jin shook her head. "Oppa. I don''t get married in this drama, right?" "The script is only up to episode 20. How would I know?" In my past life, Princess Yu-Hwa, the female lead in Hwaranjeon, did not marry in the story. However, after bing queen, she had to don numerous ornaments and therge wig associated with the role. ''I guess there''s no need to tell her that in advance...'' I remarked inwardly. Since wearing a wig daily would naturally strengthen her neck muscles, I decided to feign ignorance. Sometimes, not knowing the future is a blessing. "Oppa, can''t you ask Ms. Han about itter? Please?" Yoo-Jin pleaded. "Fine. But in the meantime, how about building some muscle... just in case?" Yoo-Jin quickly caught on and red at me. "So I do wear the wig..." Caught off guard, I casually handed her a zero-calorie c. "I don''t know anything, really." Yoo-Jin epted the drink with a smirk. "Alright, I''ll do some neck exercises. But oppa, how was the acting?" "As always, you were the best." "No, not me. What about Min Gyu-Ri? She''spletely different from just a few days ago, isn''t she?" ncing briefly at Min Gyu-Ri, I shook my head. "She looked promising at first. But after that, there wasn''t much to write home about." "Come on, be honest. I can take it." Seeing that Yoo-Jin wasn''t discouraged in the slightest, I decided to give her a truthful answer. "Hmm... If I''m being honest, she''s good. With a bit more effort, she might evene close to your level." Yoo-Jin nodded as if she had expected this. "She hasn''t even taken acting lessons and yet she''s that good... Her talent is no joke. I guess true geniuses really exist, huh?" "Of course they do. I''m looking at one right now. Acting genius Jung Yoo-Jin!" "Pfft. Oh,e on~ oppa." Yoo-Jinughed brightly, clearly in a good mood from my yful answer. "Don''t worry. Min Gyu-Ri is an unpredictable bomb. As long as you stay focused on your acting, you''ll be fine." Yoo-Jin tilted her head in curiosity. "A bomb? Is something going to explode?" "Uh... well..." Thinking about the countless scandals Min Gyu-Ri had caused in my past life gave me the uneasy sensation of a stomach virus ring up. I shook my head to avoid dwelling on those memories. "No, just rumors going around. Anyway, when ites to talent, you''re no less exceptional. The key is consistency. Do you know how many people burn out as fleeting stars?" In my past life, Min Gyu-Ri had frequently cked off whenever she felt like it, which led to wildly fluctuating career sess. That''s why people called her "a devil''s talent." "Ah, so you''re saying I shouldn''t let my guard down and should keep working hard?" "Bingo. As long as you keep up what you''re doing now, there''s nothing to worry about. Min Gyu-Ri can never catch up to someone as talented and hardworking as you." At that moment, Yoo-Jin smiled and murmured to herself, "Well, you are on my side, after all..." Yoo-Jin''s words made my heart unexpectedly race for some reason. Just then, Oh Bok-Hee called out to the actors. "Alright, everyone, we''ll resume in five minutes. Standby!" While Lee Mi-Ri re-pinned Yoo-Jin''s golden hairpieces, Yoo-Jin looked up at me with a mischievous grin. "Oppa, can''t you get me a wig and essories that weigh, like, 100 grams total?" ''Turn a kilogram into 100 grams? I may have time-traveled, but I don''t know alchemy,'' I thought to myself. Then there was only one way to handle this: mind over matter. "Just think of it as 100 grams. You can do it! Your neck is made of steel!" Yoo-Jin gave me an exasperated look. "Ugh, fine. I''m heading back now." "Jung Yoo-Jin, you got this!" With a dramatic sigh, Yoo-Jin grabbed her neck and raised her fist. I couldn''t tell if it was to muster strength or to let me know she would deal with meter. *** "Okay, that''s a wrap for today!" "Thank you for your hard work!" As the sun began to set, the first day of filming came to an end. Thanks to the actors'' ster performances, the shooting progressed 20% faster than expected. When Yoo-Jin returned from the set, Miso greeted her enthusiastically and raised both thumbs. "Mom, you were the best!" "Really?" "Yeah! You looked like a real princess!" "Did I? Then who was the prettiest?" "You!" "Really? Thanks, Miso!" Yoo-Jin kissed Miso''s cheek and sent her to the van as she still needed to greet her sunbaes. Just then, I noticed someone walking toward us. ''Why is sheing here again?'' I wondered. It was Min Gyu-Ri confidently approaching on her own, leaving Jang Sam-Deok behind. Despite one overacted scene causing an NG earlier, her overall performance had been solid. This left her face full of self-assurance. Stopping in front of Yoo-Jin, Min Gyu-Ri bowed slightly. "Yoo-Jin sunbae-nim, you worked hard today~." Yoo-Jin smiled and nodded politely. "Oh, not at all. I was really impressed by your amazing acting today, Miss Gyu-Ri." Min Gyu-Ri replied with a confident grin, "Right? I told you I wouldn''t lose to you. So I worked a little harder." Herment wasn''t just acknowledgment but a deliberate provocation: Look how good I am when I try. For a moment, Yoo-Jin nced around. I let out a slight frown. ''What are you nning to do, Yoo-Jin?'' The instant she confirmed that the other sunbaes and talent agents were out of earshot, Yoo-Jin''s expression transformed into her practiced professional smile¡ªthe kind she had used when first meeting Petite More''s leader, Park Eun-Bin. I raised my eyebrows. ''Well... knowing Yoo-Jin, she did show remarkable patience until now.'' Then, with a bright smile, Yoo-Jin began to say things Min Gyu-Ri could never have anticipated. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 402: Hwaranjeon Crank In (4)

Chapter 402: Hwaranjeon Crank In (4)

"Did you eat something bad, Miss Gyu-Ri?" Yoo-Jin asked. Caught off guard by Yoo-Jin''s direct jab, Min Gyu-Ri looked flustered. "W-what did you say?" With a polite yet pointed tone and a smile firmly in ce, Yoo-Jin calmly reprimanded Min Gyu-Ri. "Having apetitive spirit is great, but stoping over to pick fights with me all the time. It''s not like your skills will improve or mine will deteriorate because of it, right?" Yoo-Jin continued, "Oh, and remember. There are a lot of sunbae-nims and observers here. Be mindful of how you act¡ªone misstep could cost you everything." Min Gyu-Ri''s brows furrowed as she red at Yoo-Jin. "Miss Yoo-Jin... Is this who you really are?" Yoo-Jin scoffed lightly. "What kind of person would that be? Someone who mirrors the behavior of someone rude and disrespectful?" From the beginning, it was Min Gyu-Ri who had provoked Yoo-Jin. Now that the roles were reversed, her frustration was clear with her temper ring. Min Gyu-Ri snapped, "I thought you were nice, but it turns out you''ve got quite a temper." "I do try to be nice unless someone crosses the line." In my past life, the Min Gyu-Ri I knew would have grabbed her opponent by the hair by now. Seeing the growing tension, I hurried closer to Yoo-Jin and got ready to intervene. Perhaps because of the nearby crowd, Min Gyu-Ri barely managed to hold herself back. Yoo-Jin maintained her bright, professional smile and began to wrap up the conversation. "The sunbaes areing this way. Why don''t you head off now? It wouldn''t look good if they overheard us, don''t you think?" In other words, Yoo-Jin was telling Min Gyu-Ri to piss off. Min Gyu-Ri red at Yoo-Jin and responded, "J-just you wait! I''ll make sure I''m more famous than you by the end of this drama!" "Maybe you should save that for when you''ve actually managed to do it?" Unable to match Yoo-Jin''s verbal sharpness, Min Gyu-Ri snapped with a frustrated expression, "You''re so annoying!" "Well, that''s your opinion. I happen to think I''m pretty nice." "Oh, whatever!" The seething Min Gyu-Ri spun around and stormed off. Only then did Yoo-Jin let out a deep sigh and dropped her practiced smile. "Ugh, keeping that up after so long felt like my face muscles were going to cramp." As the lead, Yoo-Jin had shown remarkable restraintpared to her earlier days. Still, she didn''t let Min Gyu-Ri cross the line unchecked. At that moment, Yoo-Jin turned her gaze up to me. "But oppa, why didn''t you step in to stop me?" ''Why would I stop you? You were winning,'' I thought. "I was cheering for you because you were doing great on your own," I replied with a smile. "What? Oppa, you''re supposed to step in when I''m fighting, not cheer me on!" "I didn''t feel like stopping you. Why would I?" "Huh? But...I was counting on you to stop me if I went too far." I couldn''t help but burst outughing upon seeing Yoo-Jin''s flustered expression. "Hahaha. Pfft. Don''t worry. I''ll step in if it ever gets out of hand. And by the way, you handled that perfectly. We''re not pushovers, after all." Yoo-Jin grinned mischievously and saluted me yfully. "Yes, sir!" "Take a break!" "Thank you, sir!" Yoo-Jin dropped her hand and asked, "Oppa, should we go meet the sunbae-nims and then head to the interviews?" "Sounds like a n. Let''s go!" After greeting her sunbaes one by one, Yoo-Jin made her way to the parking lot where the reporters were waiting. *** After being reprimanded by Jung Yoo-Jin, Min Gyu-Ri stomped back to thepany van. Bang! She mmed the door shut, prompting the stylist in the back seat to ask curiously, "Gyu-Ri, did something bad happen?" "Myung-Ji unnie, don''t talk to me right now. I''m pissed off, okay?" Stylist Yoo Myung-Ji flinched and mped her mouth shut. Min Gyu-Ri was infamous for being someone even the TNT''s president didn''t dare cross. Just then, the van''s back door slid open again. tter. TNT Entertainment''s Chief Jang Sam-Duk climbed in as he was panting and began to scold Min Gyu-Ri. "Huff, huff... Gyu-Ri, why didn''t you bid farewell to the sunbaes? Why are you hiding out here?" Min Gyu-Ri furrowed her brows and snapped back, "Ugh, I''m so annoyed! Why do I have to do that stupid greeting stuff? Do they think I''m some idol? Actors just need to act well, don''t they?" "Save that attitude for when you''re the lead. And don''t forget: you promised the president you''d behave from now on!" TNT''s president had threatened that if Min Gyu-Ri got on a PD''s bad side again, she would have to pay back her signing bonus several times over. While Min Gyu-Ri''s family was well off, losing that money wasn''t an option¡ªnot only because it was a lot, but because she had already spent it all on luxury goods. The frustrated Min Gyu-Ri punched the armrest of her seat. Thud! Min Gyu-Ri''s slender arm bounced off the leather padding. "Ugh, this is so annoying!" N?v(el)B\\jnn Jang Sam-Duk nced at Min Gyu-Ri''s tantrum, then slyly provoked her. "Well, if you do well this time, maybe you''ll get the lead role next time. Then you can do whatever you want." Min Gyu-Ri turned to Jang Sam-Duk. "Mr. Jang." "Yeah? What is it?" "Can you get me an acting coach?" "An acting coach? But you''ve been saying you didn''t need one and practiced on your own this past week." For thest week, Min Gyu-Ri had worked hard on her own and delivered an unexpectedly solid performance today. Despite TNT Entertainment offering to help, she had rejected their involvement, saying she didn''t want anyone meddling. However, she was asking for assistance now. "If I want to catch up to Jung Yoo-Jin, I have to do something." "Catch up to Jung Yoo-Jin? Watch your words! What if someone hears you and it backfires?" "Ah, who cares about that? Can you get me a coach or not?" Jang Sam-Duk hesitated before he cautiously suggested, "What about So Yi-Yung?" "That rude unnie?" Jang Sam-Duk nodded, hiding his thoughts that she was just as bad as So Yi-Yung and replied, "She''s the best actress in ourpany." "Yeah, but she recently lost out to Jung Yoo-Jin, didn''t she?" "That wasn''t about acting but it was the script. Just give it a try. You''ll improve for sure." "Do you think she''ll agree to teach me though?" Suppressing his disbelief at Min Gyu-Ri''s unexpected reaction, Jang Sam-Duk replied, "I''ll ask the president to pair you with her. Also, try learning from other coaches too." After a moment''s hesitation, Min Gyu-Ri asked, "Do you think Mrs. Kim Soo-Hee from In the Name of God would be avable?" "I''m not sure, but I''ll look into it." "Okay. Tell them if they''re going to invest in me, they better do it right." "Got it." Finally satisfied, Min Gyu-Ri straightened herself and got out of the van. As she stepped out, she made a firm resolve: before this drama ended, she would surpass Jung Yoo-Jin. After all, there was no room for second ce in her life¡ªwell, except for academics. *** After sessfully finishing her farewells with the sunbaes and handling the media interviews, Yoo-Jin, Miso, and I arrived at the traditional hanok style hotel near the Gyeongju set where she would stay for the duration of filming. The Anbinjae hotel, a traditional hanok inn, had been rented to minimize Yoo-Jin''s need to travel back and forth to Seoul during shoots. The staff member guided us to Room 1004 from the lobby. "This way, please." With a creak, therge wooden gate of the standalone hanok opened. Inside, three spacious rooms were connected by a broad wooden floor. In therge courtyard, there was an outdoor stone hot spring bath. The bath had no roof above it, and lying in the warm water while gazing at the sky seemed like a slice of paradise. The staff pointed at the empty hot spring and said, "This is a real hot spring. It''s great for relieving fatigue with a foot soak or a half-body bath." The visibly excited Yoo-Jin and Miso asked, "How do we get the hot water running?" "If you press the red button, it will fill with hot water within an hour. Press the blue button for cold water and the green button to drain it." As soon as the exnation ended, Yoo-Jin pressed the red button to start filling the hot spring. "Don''t worry. it will automatically stop once it''s full," the staff remarked. "Got it!" Watching the hot spring water gush out, I tipped the staff member and sent them off. When I ced Yoo-Jin and Miso''s luggage on the wooden floor, the two immediately darted into thergest room. Following them, I saw the heated floor covered with thick golden bedding that resembled a mattress in its plushness. Yoo-Jin and Miso gasped in amazement. "Oppa, this ce is amazing!" "It''s so nice!" I couldn''t help but feel happy too upon seeing their delighted expressions. "But oppa, isn''t this ce expensive?" Yoo-Jin asked with concern. "Don''t worry about it. You''ve got to spend some of what you earn or it''ll all just go to taxes." Even though she earned over 100 million won per project, Yoo-Jin''s frugal nature hadn''t changed. Then Miso turned to Yoo-Jin and asked, "Mom, can I lie on the bed?" "Of course! This is our home for now." With Yoo-Jin''s permission, Miso leaped onto the soft bedding. "Hi-yah!" Flump! The thick golden bedding billowed as it enveloped Miso''s small body. Rolling around happily, Miso eximed, "Mom! The bed is so soft! Try it!" Yoo-Jin carefullyy down on the bedding as if afraid to wrinkle it. "You''re right. It''s so soft!" "Right? Isn''t it just?" "Yeah!" At that moment, Miso patted the bedding and looked at me. "Uncle Yoon-Ho,e here! Quick, quick!" Yoo-Jin and Miso rolled to one side, making room for me. I had no choice but to carefully lie down next to Miso. Swoosh. As my back touched the soft bedding, its silkiness surrounded me. The feel of the smooth fabric against my neck and hands was soforting that I couldn''t help but smile. ''Ah~ this is nice.'' It even smelled faintly of warm sunlight. Just then, a rumbling sound broke the serenity. When I looked around, Miso, who was lying next to me, was clutching her stomach. "Miso, are you hungry?" I asked. Miso giggled shyly and stuck out her tongue. "Yes..." "Then shall we go eat?" Miso beamed and asked, "Uncle Yoon-Ho, what are we having?" "Since we''re at a hanok hotel, we should have Korean traditional cuisine, right?" "Yay! Food, food, food!" As I stood, Yoo-Jin and Miso quickly got up too. Without even unpacking, we headed straight to the Korean restaurant. *** After finishing a full-course Korean meal, I prepared to head back to Seoul alone. Miso with her belly round and full from dinner was lying on the bedding while lightly patting her stomach. Then she sat up and asked, "Uncle Yoon-Ho, can''t you stay? I have acting tomorrow!" "I would love to stay and head back with you tomorrow, but I''ve got a meeting first thing in the morning. I have to go." Miso pouted with her lips curling outward. "Aw...'' I wanted to spend another day with her too and maybe soak in the hot spring that was already filled with warm water. In my past life, I hadn''t had the chance to enjoy a proper bath, let alone a hot spring. Unfortunately, I had a pile of tasks waiting at thepany. Additionally, filming for Jiri Mountain had already begun. I also had to pick up Kang Si-Ah who was in Seoul for acting practice and bring her to the Jiri Mountain set. It was already 7 p.m. Late as it was, I had no choice but to leave now. "Do well in your shoot tomorrow, Miso. And I''ll see you in Seoul the day after, okay?" Clutching Yoo-Jin''s hand, Miso waved her small hand at me with a hint of sadness. "Then promise you''ll call as soon as you arrive in Seoul. Okay, Uncle Yoon-Ho?" "Okay, Your Highness Princess Miso." Miso escorted me to the door with a wistful expression. "Bye, Uncle Yoon-Ho!" Yoo-Jin stood beside Miso and mimicked her. "Bye, oppa!" I smiled and waved back at the two. "Bye, Miso! Bye, Yoo-Jin!" Since the on-site talent agents needed the car, I took a taxi to the train station. *** I arrived at Seoul Station via the KTX. As I stepped out of the second-floor exit, streams of people flowed toward the subway. One face surfaced in my mind as I looked around: Choi Deok-Bae. Among the members of "Faithful," he was as loyal to me as Lee Tae-Poong had been. At neen years old this year, Choi Deok-Bae was tall with rugged and masculine features. He had exceptional athleticism, making him a promising next-generation action star. However, when Hoop Entertainment split apart in my past life, he stayed loyal to Kang Gam-Chan who had scouted him off the streets and remained with thepany. As a result, he never achieved great sess as an actor as Hoop Entertainment in its declinecked the influence to secure good roles for him. Incidentally, Kang Gam-Chan had discovered Choi Deok-Bae near Seoul Station. ''Where are you, Deok-Bae...?'' I wondered. In my past life, Choi Deok-Bae had kept his past a secret, leaving me with only Seoul Station as a clue to find him. There was no address to trace him either since he hadn''t even registered for an ID card back then. I had asked Lee Soo-Chan to hire a private investigator to track him down, focusing on the area around Seoul Station. Hoping for an update, I pulled out my phone and made a call. After a few rings, Lee Soo-Chan answered. -Yes, hyung-nim. "Any leads on that kid, Deok-Bae, I mentioned before?" -Not yet. We''ve beenbing the area around Seoul Station but haven''t found anything. "Alright. Keep up the good work." Just as I sighed and was about to end the call, Lee Soo-Chan added. -By the way, regarding the victims of Kim Dong-Soo''s hidden camera scandal... "Yeah? How''s that going?" -We''ve nearly wrapped up the recruiting. By next week, the final one should be onboard. The n to strike back at Kim Dong-Soo was almost ready. Next week, I would need to visit Reverse Entertainment to persuade the actresses to file charges against him. I would also need to ensure their protection against any potential retaliation. Just then, I felt a light bump as I navigated the crowd heading toward the subway gates. "I''m sorry," muttered a tall man in a ck hat as he passed by and bowed his head slightly. It was a minor collision, something I wouldn''t have thought much of. However, a sudden chill ran down my spine. I instinctively reached into the inner pocket of my cashmere coat. I fumbled through my pocket, but my hand came up empty with no wallet. ''Pickpocket?'' I quickly turned toward the man in the ck hat, now about ten meters away. I shouted, "Hey! ck hat! Stop right there!" "Damn it," the man cursed and immediately darted into the crowd and weaved through the sea of people. Without hesitation, I yelled and began chasing after him. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 403: Choi Deok-Bae (1)

Chapter 403: Choi Deok-Bae (1)

In the cramped alleyways on the opposite side of Seoul Station, I chased the pickpocket through a maze of twisting underpasses and uphill streets. However, as soon as I entered abyrinth of narrow and sloped paths lined with old buildings, I lost sight of him. The maze-like alleyway and buildings made it impossible to find where he went. "Damn it, where did he go?" Losing the money was irritating, but the thought of reissuing my ID and credit cards was even more aggravating. "I guess I''d better start by reporting it stolen..." Just as I pulled out my phone to make the call, I heard voices not far away. -Huff, huff, huff. Hyung, what are you doing here? -I was heading home after work and saw you running, so I followed you. What''s that? Did you steal another wallet? -... -Hey, give it back right now! -Huff, huff. I can''t! Wangpal hyung said he''d do whatever it takes if I didn''t bring him 200 thousand won by tonight! -So you think you can just pickpocket someone? -Huff, huff. Hyung, I really don''t want to steal either! But... but... there''s no other way! Someone was scolding the pickpocket, who seemed equally reluctant to have stolen my wallet. Although the situation wasn''t clear, I followed the voices to retrieve my wallet first. ''Where are they?'' As I carefully turned the corner, another narrow alley came into view. At the dead end, a tall man was admonishing the man in the ck hat who had stolen my wallet. The man in the ck hat was undoubtedly the pickpocket. However, the tall man was someone I knew. At that moment, my heart began to pound in my chest. ''Deok-Bae... What are you doing here?'' Standing at about 185cm with sun-kissed skin and shoulder-length wavy hair, Choi Deok-Bae looked just as I remembered. His chiseled features and thick eyebrows gave him a rugged appearance, but his youthful face revealed his age¡ªjust neen. I wanted to call out his name but I held back, worried that shouting his name might make him wary of a stranger. At that moment, the man in the ck hat noticed me. "H-hyung... that''s the wallet''s owner..." Deok-Bae, though only neen, was being addressed as "hyung" by the pickpocket, who seemed even younger. Deok-Bae nced at me before extending his hand toward the ck hat. "Dong-Jun, hand over the wallet." "O-oh, okay." The pale-faced pickpocket reluctantly passed my wallet to Deok-Bae, who then approached me and bowed deeply. "Mister, here''s your wallet back. Just please don''t report this to the police. He had his reasons." The wallet no longer mattered. At the moment, finding Deok-Bae was the real victory for me. Honestly, I felt so relieved that I could have handed the pickpocket some money and danced a jig. I grabbed Deok-Bae''s hand. "I won''t report him. But could you give me your phone number?" "Huh? Why do you need my phone number?" I quickly resorted to a talent scout''s typical approach. "You''ve heard of street casting, right? With your height and good looks, you''d make a great celebrity. Oh, here''s my card..." In my excitement at finding Deok-Bae, I ended up rambling like an amateur scout trying too hard. Deok-Bae took the card with a skeptical look and tilted his head. "These things are always scams, aren''t they?" "They''re not. If you don''t believe me,e to ourpany and check it yourself. It''s called Hoop Entertainment..." However, before I could finish, the sound of loud footsteps interrupted us. "What now?" When I turned around, I could see five bulky men approaching, each holding wooden bats. "Dong-Jun! We''re here to collect the money!" "A promise is a promise, right~?" The color drained from the face of Dong-Jun, the pickpocket. It seemed his earlier mention of needing 200 thousand won was rted to these goons. At that moment, Deok-Bae immediately stepped in front of Dong-Jun to shield him. It seemed like I would have to take out some trash first if I wanted to have a proper conversation with Deok-Bae. *** I moved closer to Dong-Jun and asked in a low voice, "How old are you?" "I-I''m sixteen..." "You''re so young. What''s your connection with those guys?" "They''re... just older guys from my neighborhood." "Neighborhood guys? They''re clearly gangsters." "Yeah..." Dong-Jun exined that he had been forced into pickpocketing by a now-defunct child exploitation ring eight years ago. Stealing my wallet was something he felt he had no choice but to do because of the thugs standing in front of us. "So that''s how it is, huh..." As I processed his story, a man who appeared to be the leader of the group stepped forward and yelled, "Hey~ Who are you? You don''t look like a friend of Deok-Bae''s judging by your outfit." The solidly built man looked to be in his mid-twenties with cauliflower ears, which was a telltale sign of experience in judo or wrestling. That''s when Deok-Bae stepped in front of me. "Wangpal hyung, leave this guy alone. He''s just a passerby." The man called Wangpal nced at me. "Ah, is that so? Well then, get lost. But first, hand over everything you''ve got and strip down to your underwear. Oh, don''t worry¡ªwe''ll let you keep the boxers. Wouldn''t want to embarrass you too much." Deok-Bae leaned over and whispered urgently, "Mister, you need to run. These guys don''t mess around. They''re real gangsters." "What about you?" I asked. "Don''t worry about me. Just get out of here." Though I could tell Deok-Bae could hold his own in a fight, the numbers clearly had him on edge. Running away wasn''t an option for me. If I lost Deok-Bae here, I didn''t know when or if I would find him again. "No thanks. Do you seriously think they''d let me go? They''re practically itching to strip me down to my underwear." I moved to stand beside Deok-Bae and began unwrapping my cashmere coat, twisting it tightly around my left arm. Once bundled, it formed a decent makeshift shield. Deok-Bae stared at me incredulously. "Mister! This isn''t a joke! These guys aren''t just threatening with words. They are actual gangsters!" "Don''t worry. They can''t do anything to me," I reassured him. At that moment, Wangpal smirked and started tapping his wooden bat against the ground. The dull thud echoed ominously. "Hey~ Is this a reunion or what? What are you two whispering about? Huh?" I finished my conversation with Deok-Bae. "Let''s deal with them first and then we''ll talk. Alright?" Turning to the thug leader, I beckoned him with my finger. "Come on, Wangpal. Show me what you''ve got." Wangpal''s grin vanished and was soon reced by a snarl. "This crazy bastard..." The furious Wangpal barked an order to his crew. "Get him!" N?v(el)B\\jnn "Yes, hyung-nim!" At hismand, the group charged with their bats raised. I nced at Deok-Bae. "Deok-Bae, stay out of this. Just back me up when needed!" "B-but, hey, mister! Wait a second!" Leaving behind an rmed Deok-Bae, I stepped forward without looking back. The narrow alley left little room for movement, and Wangpal''s four goons lined up before charging one by one. "Hey, man. Save the hero act for the movies!" Whoosh! The first thug swung his bat with force. However, in such tight quarters, his angle of attack was predictable. I raised my left arm wrapped in my cashmere coat to intercept the blow. Thud. The impact made a dull sound but didn''t hurt much. "Huh? What the hell?" Before he could react, I stepped forward andnded a straight punch to his jaw. Wham! When the direct hit caused his knees to buckle, he crumpled to the ground and fell unconscious. Using my coat-wrapped arm like a shield, I systematically took down the others as they lunged at me. Thump! Thump! They fell like dominoes in the narrow alley. I exhaled, surveying the aftermath. "Phew~" Wangpal''s eyes widened in disbelief. "What the... who the hell are you?" Wangpal stared at me with a mix of confusion and fear clouding his face. I smirked. "Me? Just a sryman." While technically a talent agent, it wasn''t a lie: I worked a regr job, after all. That''s when Deok-Bae''s anxious voice rang out behind me. "Mister! Wangpal hyung knows judo! Be careful!" Simultaneously, Wangpal tossed his bat aside with a smirk and stepped forward. "I see you''ve done some boxing judging by your stance. But let me tell you¡ªwhen ites to street fights, judo is king. Come on, let''s see what you''ve got!" Wangpal raised his hands and took a grappler''s stance intending to grab my cor. Against a skilled judoka, letting him grip my clothing would spell disaster because throws like the shoulder or hip toss could easily follow. Wangpal''s thick neck made him a tough opponent and I wasn''t confident a single punch would knock him out. If my strike failed, I would be in serious trouble. At that moment, Wangpal lunged without warning. ''I guess I have no choice.'' I swiftly grabbed a bat one of the fallen thugs had dropped and swung it with all my strength toward Wangpal. Crack! "Ugh!" The bat struck his head and Wangpal copsed to the ground with a heavy thud. Thump. Wangpal''s massive body sprawled across the alley floor. "You idiot. Who said I''d fight fair with you?" I remarked. Though I was a bit worried about potential fallout, there were no security cameras here. I could always feign ignoranceter and im I was too scared to remember what happened. Fortunately, the swing hadn''t been lethal and Wangpal was still breathing although out cold. Now, it was time to tie up loose ends. When I turned to the witnesses to persuade them, I found Deok-Bae staring at me with his mouth agape. "M-mister, were you in some kind of special forces?" I shook my head slowly. "Nope. I''ve been exempted." *** After subduing the thugs, I immediately called Seo Jae-Ill who sent ten officers to the scene. "Stay still!" the officers yelled. Wangpal cursed, "Ah, damn it! Why are you arresting just us? We''re the ones who got hit!" The police handcuffed Wangpal and his gang and escorted them downhill. "You guys already have fifteenints filed against you. You''re done for, Wangpal!" It turned out Wangpal and his gang were infamous for terrorizing the residents of this area, and they were known as the "Wangpal Gang." Though small in number, their cruel and exploitative methods earned them a notorious reputation. I watched as the police hauled off the Wangpal Gang, then dialed Seo Jae-Ill. "Thank you so much, Mr. Seo." -Don''t mention it. But when you have time, I''d like you to drop by for a witness statement. There''s also something I''d like to discuss. "Understood." -By the way, it seems like you''re doing more criminal catching than me. Should I consider retiring as a prosecutor? "Not at all, sir." -In any case, please stop by my office even if it''ste. "I will." Only after ending the call with Seo Jae-Ill did I let out a sigh of relief before turning to Deok-Bae. Doek-Bae looked at me with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. "Uh, mister... who are you?" "I told you. I''m just an ordinary sryman." Well, technically, I was a time-traveling talent agent. Just then, Park Dong-Jun, the pickpocket, dropped to his knees with a thud. "I... I''m so sorry, mister! Please, spare me..." It seemed seeing Wangpal taken down so easily had left Park Dong-Jun terrified. I realized that I hadn''t formally forgiven him yet as I was focusing on the precarious situation earlier. Deok-Bae stepped in front of Park Dong-Jun and bowed as he spoke on his behalf. "Mister, Dong-Jun is only sixteen. Please have mercy. If something happens to him, his grandma might not survive. She''s bedridden after being hit by a hit-and-run driver, and he''s been working to support her." Tears welled up in Park Dong-Jun''s eyes as he stammered, "I''m sorry, mister. Wangpal hyung demanded I give him a cut of my earnings. If I didn''t bring the money, he''d beat me senseless. I didn''t have a choice... Please don''t report me." I learned that Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother was his only family. She had been collecting recybles when she was hit by a car, leaving her bedridden for days. A wave of heaviness swept over me. ''Why are there so many despicable people preying on the vulnerable in this world?'' After letting out a heavy sigh, I stepped past Deok-Bae and ced a hand on Park Dong-Jun''s trembling shoulder. For a moment, the startled Park Dong-Jun flinched, likely thinking I was about to hit him. ''How could someone so timid manage to pickpocket anyone?'' I wondered. Instead, I patted his shoulder lightly and helped him to his feet. "Stand up." "Huh?" Park Dong-Jun slowly rose wide-eyed like a startled rabbit. "Rx. If I had nned to report you, I''d have done it when the police were here. I understand your situation now, so stop bowing and apologizing." Tears streamed down Park Dong-Jun''s face. "Sniff... Thank you... I''m so sorry..." At only sixteen, he was bearing burdens no one should shoulder alone. Once I had calmed Park Dong-Jun, I turned back to Deok-Bae. "Now, about what we were talking about earlier. Deok-Bae, how about bing a celebrity?" I felt the atmosphere had eased a bit between us after forgiving Park Dong-Jun and fighting alongside him. However, Deok-Bae scratched his head and rejected my offer without hesitation. "Sorry, but no." "What? Why not?" "I... I need to work to support my younger sibling. It''s hard enough just to make ends meet every day. I don''t have the luxury to dream about being a celebrity." Deok-Bae exined that he was doing grueling temp work at a warehouse, loading and unloading packages to scrape by. However, something didn''t sit right. ''A younger sibling?'' I wondered. In my past life, Deok-Bae hade to Hoop Entertainmentpletely alone. That''s when a chill ran down my spine. If he had no sibling in the past, it could only mean that something tragic would happen to this sibling before then. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 404: Choi Deok-Bae (2)

Chapter 404: Choi Deok-Bae (2)

"Deok-Bae, you have a younger sibling?" I asked. "Yeah, but he''s not my biological brother." "What... what do you mean?" Deok-Bae hesitated for a moment before saying hesitantly, "Actually... I''m an orphan." He exined that he had been abandoned without ever knowing his parents, and the adults in this neighborhood had raised him. At some point, a woman with a child had moved into the area, and they had lived like siblings since then. Unfortunately, that woman died tragically in an ident two years ago, leaving her son behind. Now, Deok-Bae was raising her child as his younger brother. The boy''s name was Choi Han-Ul, and he was a seven-year-old. When I asked Deok-Bae why he hadn''t sent Han-Ul to an orphanage, he revealed a heart-wrenching story. The woman had pleaded with him before she died to never send her son to an orphanage, as she had grown up in one and endured every kind of hardship imaginable. That sounded exactly like the Deok-Bae I knew¡ªonce he had made a promise, he would stick to it no matter what. Nheless, this revtion only solidified my suspicion that something tragic would soon separate Deok-Bae from Han-Ul. Otherwise, Deok-Bae wouldn''t havee to Hoop Entertainment all alone in my past life. ''So that''s why he looked so hollow when I first met him.'' I had assumed his gloomy expression came from a hard life. I finally understood the deeper story behind it. ''I need to convince him to be a celebrity and meet his brother as soon as possible,'' I thought. Changing tactics, I adjusted my pitch to appeal to Deok-Bae''s circumstances. "Deok-Bae, ourpany provides housing and living expenses for celebrities who need it. If you agree to join, you''ll be able to live in a much better environment than this." Deok-Bae looked at me with disbelief. I felt like a sleazy salesperson, but desperate times called for desperate measures. As he mulled it over, I delivered the final blow. "And if Han-Ul needs a legal guardian, I can take care of that too. He''s seven now, right? He''ll need to start school next year. But without a guardian, he won''t be able to enroll. Am I wrong?" Deok-Bae hesitated before he cautiously asked, "Can I ask you something first?" "Of course. You can ask me anything." "In your honest opinion, do you think I could seed in the entertainment industry? This isn''t the first time someone''s scouted me, but you''re the first to offer money upfront." His careful consideration revealed his prudent nature. I smiled. "You''ll do great as a celebrity with your looks and voice. Trust me." Deok-Bae''s standout qualities weren''t just his tall and masculine build but also his deep, resonant voice. In my past life, fans were so captivated by his voice that they created an online fan club called "Deep Voice." Next to us, Park Dong-Jun chimed in excitedly, "Deok-Bae hyung, say yes! If you be an actor, you''ll have no trouble raising Han-Ul!" Finally, Deok-Bae nodded after a long pause. "As long as it covers our living expenses... fine. I''ll do it." I couldn''t help but clench my fist in triumph. "You made the right choice. Now, let''s meet your little brother first. I should introduce myself properly." Deok-Bae nodded again and turned toward the uphill path. "Follow me." "Got it." The three of us started up the steep hill toward Deok-Bae''s home. On the way, our conversation revealed a startling fact: Deok-Bae didn''t have a resident registration card because he didn''t realize he was eligible to get one. Although Deok Bae was neen years old in Korea, he was still seventeen by international age because his birthday had not yet passed. He had thought he had to wait until he was eighteen by international age to apply. What shocked me more was Han-Ul''s situation. "You''re telling me Han-Ul doesn''t even have a birth certificate?" I asked in shock. "No. His mom thought that the country would take Han-Ul away from her. And I... also worried that he might be taken by the orphanage. So I was nning to register him when I became an adult." "I-I see." I couldn''t believe that there were still kids who didn''t have a birth certificate these days. One more task was added to my checklist thanks to this, but I was so overjoyed by finding Deok-Bae that I didn''t mind. "Don''t worry. I can help you take care of that as well." Deok-Bae said with a grateful expression, "Thank you so much, hyung." *** Entering the winding and narrow building on the hill, I was greeted by a dimly lit corridor with tightly packed rooms on either side. At the very end of the hallway was Deok-Bae''s room. Deok-Bae unlocked the door with a click, and an icy draft¡ªcolder than the air outside¡ªimmediately hit me. The sight inside left me dumbfounded. ''W-what... is this?'' In a room barelyrge enough to be three pyeong, there were books crammed into every avable space. In the midst of it all, a seven-year-old boy sat curled up under a thin nket with his breath visible in the freezing air. "Huff, huff..." The rmed Deok-Bae ran into the room and shouted, "Han-Ul! What are you doing?" The boy woke up and slowly looked up at Deok-Bae. "Oh, hyung... When did you get back? Cough cough." The small and adorable boy smiled brightly upon seeing his older brother. However, he was shivering from the cold with his face pale and his lips bluish. "Did you turn the boiler off again? I told you to keep it on when I''m not here!" Deok-Bae replied in a worried tone. Even as Deok-Bae scolded him, Han-Ul only smiled sheepishly. "Using gas costs a lot of money. You work so hard to earn it... I thought saving it was the least I could do." Han-Ul was only seven years old. However, he wanted to ease his older brother''s burden, so he tried to save money the only way he could¡ªby enduring the freezing cold, wrapped in a nket on the frigid floor. The concerned Deok-Bae shouted in frustration and turned on the boiler. "Who asked you to worry about money? Why don''t you ever listen to me?" "Hehe... Sorry, hyung. My bad. Cough cough." Pain shot through my chest, the kind that twisted and pulled at the heartstrings. Nheless, there was no time to linger in such feelings. Han-Ul''splexion was far too rming. "Deok-Bae, move for a second," I said. Stepping aside at my request, Deok-Bae watched as I pressed my hand to Han-Ul''s forehead. His skin was burning with fever. ''Damn it.'' My bad hunch was confirmed. The reason Han-Ul wasn''t with Deok-Bae in my past life was because he died. ''If we leave things as they are, this could turn deadly.'' Looking at me with dazed and feverish eyes, Han-Ul suddenly slumped into my arms. Thud. The boy''s small body was as light as a feather. Without wasting a moment, I lifted him up with both arms. "We''re going to the hospital¡ªnow!" I eximed. Just like the way I had lost Miso long ago, Deok-Bae had also lost the only family he had. ''No wonder he never opened up about his past.'' The painful memories had likely torn at his heart every day, exactly like the torment I had endured before the regression. Clutching Han-Ul tightly, I took off running as fast as my legs could carry me. *** "Huff, huff, huff." Deok-Bae''s ce was tucked into a maze of narrow alleyways on a steep hill, making it impossible for an ambnce to reach the door. That left me no choice but to carry Han-Ul to the main road myself. Park Dong-Jun ran ahead and led the way for Deok-Bae and me in panic. "Hyung! Over here!" "Deok-Bae, take Han¨CUl. I''m calling 119." "Okay, hyung." Deok-Bae carried Han-Ul on his back and started running as I followed him and called 119. "Hello, we have a kid suffering from high fever. Pleasee as soon as possible." -Where is your location? "This is..." Park Dong-Jun responded on my behalf. "We''re heading down from Dongja-dong''s shantytown to Huam Intersection! Please save Han-Ul!" -An ambnce will be there in three minutes. Please don''t hang up and continue sharing the location with us. "Understood. We''ll reach Hwam Intersection in about two minutes. There are three of us, and we''re carrying a seven-year-old child on our back¡ªyou won''t miss us." -Got it. At that moment, Park Dong-Jun pointed the way again. "Hyung, to the right!" A momentter, we arrived at Huam Intersection. Even past 11 p.m., the streets bustled with traffic. Panting heavily, we finally came to a stop. That''s when we heard the sound of sirens and we saw the shing lights of the 119 ambnce across the median strip. Together, we waved our arms and shouted at the top of our lungs. "Right over here!" The ambnce made a sharp U-turn upon spotting us. Screech! The ambnce came to a halt right in front of us. The side door opened, and a paramedic stepped out. "Are you the one who called?" "Yes!" After verifying, the paramedic opened the rear doors and turned to me. "Only one guardian can ride. Who will it be?" "Can''t we both go?" n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "Sorry, only one! Quickly now!" Without hesitation, I turned to Deok-Bae. "Deok-Bae, get in!" Deok-Bae wasted no time climbing into the ambnce. I quickly added, "Deok-Bae, head straight to Gangbuk Seven Star Hospital! I''ll follow behind. Don''t worry about the money and focus on getting treatment. Give my business card to the doctors!" "Got it!" The doors shut with a click and the ambnce sped off into the distance. Vroom. Before I knew it, the vehicle disappeared from sight. Only then could I catch my breath. "Huff, huff, huff." My back was drenched in sweat and I felt as though I had just run a marathon. I couldn''t even recall how we had made it here. Park Dong-Jun, who had guided us, was also dripping with sweat. While scanning the street for a passing taxi, I turned to Park Dong-Jun. "Dong-Jun." "Y-yes?" Park Dong-Jun''s voice was shaky. He was likely still nervous from his earlier pickpocketing mistake. I wasn''t about to hold that against him as I understood his situation now. Besides, it was thanks to him that I had met Deok-Bae. Reaching into my wallet, I pulled out some cash and handed it to Park Dong-Jun. "Take this." When I handed over five fifty thousand won bills, Park Dong-Jun looked bewildered. "Why... why are you giving this to me?" "I''m heading to Seven Star Hospital''s ER right now. Bring your grandmother there too. If the paramedics can''t help, pay the neighbors or someone nearby to help you. Got it?" "My grandmother?" Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother had been hit in a hit-and-run ident. Without proper treatment, she had been bedridden at home. To support her, Park Dong-Jun had taken up collecting scrap paper. The pickpocketing was forced upon him by the Wangpal gang demanding money in exchange for his freedom to work. "She got hurt in a hit-and-run, didn''t she? I''ll cover the medical costs. Just bring her in." The flustered Park Dong-Jun stared at me. "But still... I stole your wallet..." "You didn''t do it because you wanted to. Now stop wasting time and hurry! Do you understand?" Meeting Deok-Bae through Park Dong-Jun was nothing short of fate, and I couldn''t just let this slide. I said, "A taxi''sing. And if you run into any trouble, call me using the card I gave you. Okay?" "Yes, hyung." A taxi pulled up in front of me. I opened the rear door and instructed the driver, "I''ll pay double the fare, so please take me straight to Gangbuk Seven Star Hospital''s ER!" The driver responded enthusiastically. "Alrighty! Hold on tight!" With that, the taxi sped off and quickly picked up speed. While the ride bounced me around the backseat, I called Kang Gam-Chan to let him know about an actor I was determined to recruit. -You must really be impressed by him considering you''re willing to support them financially and even act as a guardian. "I''ll cover all the expenses, sir." Kang Gam-Chan let out a heartyugh. -Don''t worry about it. Let''s apply the same conditions we used for Yoo-Jin when we brought her in. I''ll also send Team Lead Kwak to the hospital, so don''t worry too much. Kang Gam-Chan even promised to handle Deok-Bae''s ID registration and Han-Ul''s birth certificate, as well as any guardian-rted issues. "Thank you so much, sir!" At that moment, the Gangbuk Seven Star Hospital''s ER came into view in the distance. *** At Gangbuk Seven Star Hospital''s ER, I wasted no time looking for Han-Ul. I was worried that the ER might have refused treatment because Han-Ulcked a birth certificate. Thankfully, the doctors didn''t turn the ill child away. However, the hospital administration office was a different story. They were frustrated because Deok-Bae wasn''t legally recognized as a sibling and he didn''t even have an ID. "Sigh... What should we do about them?" I spotted the flustered admin worker and quickly handed over my business card. "I''ll vouch for both Choi Han-Ul and Choi Deok-Bae''s identities." The worker''s expression instantly brightened. "Really?" "Yes. Let me settle the payment as well." "In that case, sign here please." After paying the fees, the senior administrator stepped forward and scrutinized my card. "Hoop Entertainment? Isn''t that thepany Jung Yoo-Jin belongs to?" "Ah, yes. I''m her talent agent." "Oh~ we''ve got a VIP here." Hoop Entertainment wasn''t widely recognized not too long ago. However, thanks to Yoo-Jin, many people now knew thepany by name. "We usually contact the police, city hall, and other authorities under these circumstances." "I understand, but please give me some time. Ourpanywyer will be here shortly to handle everything." ording to the book, the hospital should have already reported this to the authorities. However, thanks to the administrator being a fan of Yoo-Jin, they were willing to offer some leniency. Shortly after, Deok-Bae emerged from the ER. "Excuse me, sir..." Before Deok-Bae could finish, I interrupted. "You can just call me hyung. I''m only twenty-seven." "Yes... hyung-nim." "Hyung." "Okay, hyung." I smiled and asked, "So, what did the doctor say?" "They said it was close. Just a bitter and things could''ve been really bad." Han-Ul''s severe malnutrition and prolonged untreated cold had developed into pneumonia. "Phew~ Thank goodness." The realization that I had saved Han-Ul''s life hit me hard and my legs gave out, sending me into a chair in the ER waiting area. The thought of saving another life filled my chest with an overwhelming sense of aplishment. That''s when I noticed Deok-Bae standing before me with tears welling in his eyes. Deok-Bae, who had always kept his word, made an unwavering vow to me in a trembling voice. "Hyung... Han-Ul is alive thanks to you... I''ll never forget this kindness..." Tears streamed from Deok-Bae''srge eyes. They were not tears of regret but of joy. I couldn''t help but think that perhaps being pickpocketed wasn''t bad luck after all. Maybe it was fate and the universe''s way of bringing me and Deok-Bae together. For the first time, I silently thanked a God I didn''t believe in and offered a prayer of gratitude. ''Thank you for granting Deok-Bae and me this second chance.'' The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 405: Choi Deok-Bae (3)

Chapter 405: Choi Deok-Bae (3)

I handed a handkerchief to Deok-Bae, who was shedding tears. After wiping his tears with the handkerchief, Deok-Bae and I sat next to each other on the chairs in front of the emergency room. While waiting for Kwak Moo-Hyuk to arrive, we shared many stories that allowed me to understand how difficult it had been for Deok-Bae. Shortly after, Kwak Moo-Hyuk arrived. "Team Lead Jung, is this the guy?" "Yes. He doesn''t even have an ID, so he needs to be registered. Please help him be Han-Ul''s guardian. If that''s not possible, I will be Han-Ul''s guardian instead." Kwak Moo-Hyuk scratched his head with a troubled expression. "There''s a lot to handle, huh?" "Yeah, but this guy will be a cornerstone of ourpany." Kwak Moo-Hyuk nced Deok-Bae up and down. "He''s ruggedly handsome and his bronzed skin makes him look manly. Well, your choices have always been spot-on." "Do you think so too, Mr. Kwak?" "Yeah. Oh, and Mr. Kang told me to give him all the help he needs, so leave the rest to me." When Kwak Moo-Hyuk promised to help with everything, Deok-Bae bowed his head deeply and thanked him. Kwak Moo-Hyuk responded, "You should thank Team Lead Jung here. He''s the one who vouched for your identity, after all." Deok-Bae nodded. Not long after, Park Dong-Jun arrived at the emergency room with his grandmother. I waved my hand. "Oh, Dong-Jun, right over here..." "Oh, hyung!" Park Dong-Jun eximed with a bright smile upon seeing me. After finishing a conversation with the administration chief, Kwak Moo-Hyuk asked who Park Dong-Jun was. Park Dong-Jun flinched and shrank his neck. However, I didn''t mention that he was involved in pickpocketing. "It''s a long story. But anyway, he''s also someone I decided to help," I exined. Kwak Moo-Hyukughed heartily. "Haha! Team Lead Jung, how about taking this opportunity to convert to a clergyman? Like your mother." I scratched my head and replied, "I''ve actually thought about it before, but it''s not easy. By the way, can''t we file awsuit against the hit-and-run driver who injured Dong-Jun''s grandmother?" The reason Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother was bedridden was because she had been hit by a car while collecting waste paper at dawn. However, the police refused to file a case, saying they couldn''t catch the culprit. Knowing this, I couldn''t just ignore their situation. At that moment, Kwak Moo-Hyuk signed the cross and answered, "Yes, Father." Kwak Moo-Hyuk''s face was a mix of mischief and admiration. *** After leaving the boys with Kwak Moo-Hyuk, I visited Seo Jae-Ill at the Seoul Central Prosecutor''s Office. Since it was midnight, Seo Jae-Ill was the only one left in the office. After a brief greeting, I gave a quick summary of the events at Seoul Station. Seo Jae-Illughed in disbelief. "It hasn''t been that long since Ist saw you, but you''ve already aplished so much in such a short time?" "Well..." "Should I rmend you for an award certificate or something?" "No, Mr. Seo." I had no interest or use for such amendation. After I gave a simple statement as a witness, Seo Jae-Ill assured me that there wouldn''t be any issue settling this matter since the Wangpal gang had many other charges. I was about to return to the hospital when Seo Jae-Ill stopped me. "I''ve found some information on the police officers who were absent during Mr. Eun-Gi''s assassination attempt at the hospital." When Kang Eun-Gi was transferred to the hospital after he had been stabbed in prison, the police guarding the entrance to his ward temporarily left their post. As such, the assassin managed to enter with a knife and attempt to kill Kang Eun-Gi. Since the assassin remained silent, the only lead was those officers. Finally understanding why he had called me at such ate hour, I asked, "Did you find a lead?" "Yes. One of Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon''s aides was seen meeting with those officers, but it wasn''t the aide who was found hangedst time." This was encouraging news. "So are you going to investigate Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon right away?" "No. If we proceed recklessly, it could fail again likest time. I n to gather more evidence first." Last time, the case was blocked because one of Park Sang-Gon''s aides took the fall for everything. This time, Seo Jae-Ill was determined to gather undeniable evidence and see it through. I couldn''t help but let out a sigh of relief. "Phew." Seo Jae-Ill smiled. "Oh? What''s that sigh all about? Don''t tell me you thought I was cking off all this time?" ''To be honest, I did,'' I remarked inwardly. Nheless, I couldn''t admit that in front of a prosecutor. "Of course not. Absolutely not, Mr. Seo." "Mr. Jung, you''re terrible at lying about things like this. Haha." Seo Jae-Illughed for a while before handing me a cup of coffee he had prepared in the office. He continued, "There have been many eyes watching me, so things have been dyed. But I''ve truly been working myself to the bone. Also, don''t worry too much about President Choi Man-Sik. I''ve already marked the shady dealings of Future Imagination Savings Bank." Seo Jae-Ill exined that he was taking a safe approach which would take time, but he was sure that both of them would be dealt with thoroughly. Based on the information I had provided, Seo Jae-Ill had been preparing to take down both Choi Man-Sik and Park Sang-Gon. "So don''t worry. We''ll see it through to the end this time for sure," Seo Jae-Ill assured me with a smile. Once the investigation wasplete, Choi Man-Sik would no longer be able to influence Hoop Entertainment. Then, I would finally be able to drive out the Suhyaejong line and Kim Dong-Soo from Hoop Entertainment. The things I had been longing for were gradually bing reality. *** I returned to Seven Star Hospital at 1 a.m. Kwak Moo-Hyuk had to return to the office to handle matters concerning Deok-Bae and Park Dong-Jun. When I arrived at the emergency room and made a call, Deok-Bae hurriedly came out. "Hyung, you''re here." "How''s Han-Ul doing?" "He''s doing much better than before. He''s actually been looking for you. Do you want to see him for a bit?" "Shall I?" I followed Deok-Bae and headed inside the ward. On bed number three, Han-Uly with an IV needle in his left arm and an oxygen mask on. When I waved at Han-Ul, he smiled shyly and opened his mouth to speak. The sound was muffled because of the oxygen mask, but I could understand his words as he spoke slowly. "It''s...Superman... Uncle..." ''Superman Uncle?'' Han-Ul said I swept in with my coat pping behind me like a Superman and saved his life. At that moment, I felt a lump in my throat. "I''m not Superman. Your hyung is the one who carried you and ran after leaving the building," I replied. Han-Ul spoke with difficulty with his eyes crinkling into a smile. "You...are...Superman." The pure and innocent smile in Han-Ul''s eyes seemed to wash away all the pain of running desperately for him. I nodded with a smile. "Alright, if you say so. How are you feeling now, Han-Ul? Better?" Han-Ul nodded and smiled shyly again. Han-Ul''s once pale and bloodless face now had a healthy flush, rosy like a peach. Unlike the cold room he had been in before, this ce was filled with warmth. I cheered him on. "Han-Ul, hang in there for a little longer. You''ll be staying in the hospital for a few days. And once you''re discharged, we''ll move to a clean new house. Okay?" At that moment, Han-Ul suddenly turned to Deok-Bae with a surprised expression. "I... don''t want to go... to an orphanage... I won''t go." The startled Deok-Bae quickly exined the situation. "Han-Ul, that''s not it. We''re not sending you to an orphanage. From now on, I''ll be working with Superman Uncle here and he''s going to find us a new home. I''d never send you to an orphanage. You trust me, right?" With Deok-Bae''s gentle assurance, Han-Ul nodded with a relieved expression. I said, "That''s right, Han-Ul. So don''t worry about anything and just focus on getting better, okay?" At that moment, Han-Ul looked up with a worried expression. "Han-Ul, what''s wrong? Are you hurting somewhere?" "Superman... Uncle... if the hospital bill... costs a lot... my hyung... will have a hard time..." Han-Ul was now worried about the hospital bills burdening his brother. He was only seven years old, yet his care for his brother was deeper than that of most siblings. I smiled andforted Han-Ul. "Han-Ul, you don''t need to worry about that at all. Your hyung is going to make a ton of money from now on." "Really...?" "Of course. So let''s get better soon, do all the things you want to do, and go to school. How about that?" Han-Ul looked up at Deok-Bae. "Hyung... can I really... do that?" Deok-Bae gently hugged Han-Ul. "Yes. From now on, I''ll do everything for you. Anything you want. But promise me this¡ªif you''re in pain, tell me. Don''t hold it in. What would I do without you?" As Deok-Bae''s tears fell, Han-Ul smiled shyly in his brother''s arms. "Okay, hyung... I promise... I won''t do that again." I felt a sting in my eyes upon seeing the two brothers embrace in tears. Momentster, a nurse approached to administer an injection. "Han-Ul, your smile looks so nice." Han-Ul smiled again with his eyes crinkling, making the nurse smile softly. "Han-Ul, you are going to grow up to be as handsome as your hyung." Hearing this, Han-Ul looked even happier. As the nurse prepared the injection, the nurse spoke again. "Han-Ul, do you like your hyung?" Han-Ul nodded. "Yes. My hyung... is the best... in the world." Deok-Bae''s lips curled into a smile. It was clear why he was willing to do anything for his little brother. The nurse remarked how heartwarming the two were as she tended to Han-Ul with even greater care. After administering the injection and checking on his condition, the nurse turned to me to provide an update. "His fever has dropped significantly and his breathing has improved. You can rest a bit now. I''ll contact you as soon as a room bes avable." "Ah, by the way, how is Mr. Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother doing?" I asked. "Hmm... Sheined about back pain. But after the examination, we found no issues with her bones. However, she is severely malnourished. She should recover quickly with proper meals and rest." It seemed her condition had worsened due to not eating well after being hit by the car. "Thank you for letting me know. Also, could you ce Han-Ul in a shared room with Dong-Jun''s grandmother?" "Sure. I''ll arrange that." After the nurse left, I realized what I needed to do. "Deok-Bae, Han-Ul¡ªstay here for a bit. I''m going to visit Dong-Jun''s grandmother." Leaving Han-Ul in Deok-Bae''s care, I went to visit Park Dong-Jun and his grandmother. At bed five, Park Dong-Jun sat beside his grandmother and held her hands tightly with tears streaming down his face. His grandmother, Yang In-Ja, gently patted his head, trying to console him. "Me being like this has made things so hard for you, hasn''t it?" "No, Grandma. It''s not hard for me at all." Park Dong-Jun answered bravely, but his eyes were full of tears. I waited silently until their conversation ended, then cleared my throat to make my presence known. "Ahem." Startled, Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother tried to sit up. "Ugh..." "Please lie down, ma''am." Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother paused with a sigh and spoke with regret. "You''ve done so much for us, yet I haven''t been able to properly thank you. I don''t even have the face to meet such a kind benefactor." It seemed she had mistaken me for a benefactor. "Not at all, ma''am." After exchanging simple greetings, I sat next to Park Dong-Jun. "Ma''am. How do you n to make a living once you recover?" Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother answered calmly, "My grandson is still young... I''ll have to go back to collecting scrap paper." "Instead of doing that, could you please help take care of Han-Ul and Deok-Bae? I''ll give you 2 million won a month." From my earlier conversation with Deok-Bae, I knew that Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother had a soft spot for Han-Ul and took good care of him. Hence, I made this proposal. Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother looked startled. "You are offering such arge amount to someone like me?" "Yes. Deok-Bae will debut as an actor soon, so someone will need to handle the household chores. Moreover, we can''t leave young Han-Ul alone. They need a live-in guardian and I''m too busy to do it myself." "But there must be someone better than me..." "No. From what I see, you''re the perfect fit. Please live with Deok-Bae and Han-Ul. I''ll also provide for rent and living expenses separately." Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother blinked in surprise. "Would an old woman like me be of any use...?" "I heard you''ve always taken good care of Han-Ul. So please help us." As I sincerely requested, Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother nced at her grandson, then closed her eyes and nodded. "Then I''ll roll up my sleeves and look after Han-Ul. Deok-Bae and Han-Ul are like my own grandsons, after all." "Thank you so much. We''ll prepare for the move as soon as you''re discharged." I handed Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother my business card just in case. At that moment, Park Dong-Jun looked at me. "Hyung, um... is there anything I can do?" "You?" Park Dong-Jun nodded and added, "You''ve done so much for us and I should do something too. I don''t need money, so at least let me run errands for you." Hearing his earnest desire to repay the favor, Iughed and responded. "Then... go study." "I''m sorry?" "You''re only sixteen. What work? Don''t joke around. Once your grandmother is discharged, focus on studying." Despite hisrge frame, Park Dong-Jun was still a kid. He looked at me nervously. "But I don''t go to school..." "Is cram school there to learn how to make soup? Take the GED and go to high school properly." Park Dong-Jun lowered his head with a pout. "Okay..." His grandmother smiled warmly. "My dear Dong-Jun is in big trouble now. He''s terrible at studying... What will he do?" Park Dong-Jun''s face turned red. "G-Grandma! You know I do well at anything once I try!" This year, my bonus at Hoop Entertainment alone exceeded 500 million won excluding my annual sry. Supporting their livelihood was no problem for me at all. *** The next morning as soon as a two-person ward became avable, I moved Han-Ul and Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother into room 1653. After settling them in, I instructed Park Dong-Jun to stay on watch and stepped outside the hospital for a while. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om I needed to purchase some essentials, catch a short nap, and then deal with the issues of resident registration and birth certificates for Deok-Bae and Han-Ul. Just as I was about to head home, I received an unexpected call from Oh Bok-Hee. [Caller ID: PD Oh Bok-Hee] Worried something had happened at the Gyeongju filming site, I quickly answered the call. -Mr. Jung, I''m sorry to bother you so early in the morning. "No worries. Did something happen?" At that moment, Oh Bok-Hee made an unexpected request. -Could you possibly introduce a male actor in histe teens? A role has suddenly fallen through. As it happened, Deok-Bae was neen years old. It felt as though all his past struggles were being rewarded as an opportunity seemed to have opened up before him. After all, the role suggested by Oh Bok-Hee wasn''t just any ordinary role. Chapter 406: Acting Practice (1)

Chapter 406: Acting Practice (1)

Oh Bok-Hee suggested the role of Kim Beop-Min, who appears in episode 20 and beyond of Hwaranjeon. Since filming for this role would only begin in about two months, there was plenty of time to prepare after passing the audition. Moreover, most people considered the role of Kim Beop-Min to be just a decent supporting role as the script by Han Woo-Ju had only beenpleted up to episode 25. As everyone was certain the role wouldn''t have much screen time, there wasn''t much interest in it. This was why Oh Bok-Hee offered the role without much hesitation. However, I knew the future of this role. In my past life, Kim Beop-Min became aplex character¡ªboth a political rival of Princess Yu-Hwa and a man who secretly admired her. The character grew in importance and gained audience affection, resulting in an expanded role. The actor who yed Kim Beop-Min back then was Park Jung-Min, a rookie actor from TK Entertainment, and he shot to stardom with just this one role. In this life, Oh Bok-Hee had already precast Yang Tae-Seung of Yehwa nning for this role. However, this role had unexpectedly be avable again. I asked excitedly, "Did something happen to Mr. Yang Tae-Seung?" Oh Bok-Hee replied in frustration. -He suddenly imed to have developed a panic disorder. Even though we told him to get treatment ande back in two months, he said he just couldn''t do it. "It kinda sounds like an excuse." -I think so too. He probably got offered the lead in another project. Yang Tae-Seung, a twenty-one-year-old rookie actor, performed well in MBS''s fusion historical drama Romantic Swordsman Palman Daejanggyeong instead of Kim Beop-Min in Hwaranjeon. He even shaved his head to y a monk, but the movie drew fewer than 300,000 viewers. It seemed he had chosen the certainty of a lead role over an uncertain supporting role again in this life. ''He''s throwing away a winning hand for a losing one. What a pity,'' I thought. I felt almostpelled to offer condolences. To someone with knowledge of the future, this role of Kim Beop-Min was a must-have. With filming for the role starting only two monthster, there was also plenty of time to get ready. -So what do you think? Do you have an actor to rmend for Kim Beop-Min? "Yes, I do!" -Is that so? Then can you bring them over in three days? Preferably someone fresh and new. "Huh? Three days? But filming doesn''t start for two months, right?" Three days was far too short a timeframe. Although Deok-Bae had a talent for acting, he was more of a hard-working learner than someone who picked things up instantly. While his action skills were unmatched, acting in dramatic scenes required a different approach. "Mrs. Oh, could you please give us at least two weeks to prepare? The actor I have in mind is promising but still a bit unpolished." -That''s difficult. TK Entertainment and Ace Entertainment are already sending candidates in three days. But honestly, I''d prefer to go with someone you pick which is why I reached out. "So there will be an audition." -Yes, but no more than five candidates will be invited. An audition would put Deok-Bae with no acting experience at a significant disadvantage. Still, the opportunity to secure the role of Kim Beop-Min was too valuable to pass up. "Could you at least specify the scenes to be used for the audition? There''s so little time to prepare." -I was about to tell you anyway. The audition will cover two scenes: Scene 11 from episode 20 with Princess Yu-Hwa and Scene 33 from the same episode with Guk-Seon. Just those two. With only two scenes to focus on, the odds slightly improved. I knew someone who could give Deok-Bae pinpoint lessons for those exact scenes. "Understood. I''ll prepare ordingly." -By the way, who is the actor you''re rmending? It''s not Haru, is it? The role of Kim Beop-Min required a masculine appearance befitting a character in histe teens. Haru, on the other hand, was sixteen years old with an androgynous look¡ªmaking him unsuitable for the role. "Please wait a moment. I''ll take a picture of the actor right now and send it to you." -Right now? "Yes." I turned to Deok-Bae and said, "Deok-Bae, let me take a quick picture of you." Deok-Bae tilted his head in confusion. "Me?" "Yeah. The PD wants to see your photo. Just look straight ahead as you are." I told Deok-Bae to look straight ahead instead of at me, as asking someone with no posing experience to look at a camera could result in an awkward photo. As Deok-Bae turned his head, the winter breeze swept back his wavy, shoulder-length hair and revealed his face. The moment his sharp jawline, distinct features, thick eyebrows, and bronzed skin were highlighted by the morning sunlight, I knew it was the perfect moment to snap the picture. sh! "There we go." The photo, which looked like a work of art even to me, was sent to Oh Bok-Hee via KkTalk. -Oh my goodness! Where on earth did you find an actor like this? Oh Bok-Hee was clearly impressed by Deok-Bae''s manly features. "Do you like him?" -Of course! But he looks pretty tall. How tall is he? And how old? "He is 185 centimeters and 19 years old." -He''s a bit tall, but his looks and age are perfect. Okay, just make sure he''s got the basics for acting. Don''t worry too much about action scenes¡ªour stunt director will handle that anyway. It seemed Deok-Bae''s masculine appearance had left a strong impression on Oh Bok-Hee. She only asked for the basics, but that was the hardest thing to define because everyone had a different standard for what "basic" meant. Additionally, we would have to prepare thoroughly since I didn''t know which actors TK Entertainment and Ace Entertainment would send. After ending the call, I told Deok-Bae, "Deok-Bae, you''ve got an audition." "Already?" "Yes. In three days." Deok-Bae asked worriedly, "Do you think I can do it?" "Don''t worry. Just trust me." Although time was tight, having only two scenes to prepare made it manageable with the right approach. As we headed to the taxi stand in front of the hospital, I handed Deok-Bae a tablet. "You must be tired, but look over the script while we head home. You don''t need to memorize it¡ªjust get a sense of the mood. Focus only on Scene 11 and Scene 33 from episode 20." Taking the tablet, Deok-Bae tilted his head again. "But hyung, how do I read a script?" I pointed to the script disyed on the tablet and exined, "A script is divided into dialogue and stage directions. The character''s name here marks the lines they say, and the descriptions between the dialogue show the surrounding context." Deok-Bae nodded and pointed at the parentheses in the script. "What about these?" "Those show the actions the character performs while speaking." "Ohh." After learning the basics, Deok-Bae began focusing intensely on the script. "Just get familiar with what a script looks like for now. When you meet the acting coach, you''ll properly learn how to act." Deok-Bae was so absorbed in reading that he didn''t respond at all. His level of focus was astonishing. *** We finally arrived by taxi at the Cheonho-dong house. I handed Deok-Bae a set of sweatshirt and sweatpants and told him to shower first. I came out from the shower and saw Deok-Bae still deeply focused on the tablet as if failing this audition meant the end of the world. "Deok-Bae, let''s sleep for a bit and pick this up afterward," I urged him. Only then did Deok-Bae finally look up from the tablet. However, he was still holding onto the tablet. I led him to the guest room and told him we would meet again in four hours. "After you wake up, we''ll visit Han-Ul at the hospital and then head to the acting coach." The acting coach was none other than Choi Ji-Yung. She was filming in Gyeongju yesterday but had returned to Seoul for an early-morning scheduled event. Our appointment with her was six hours away. The n was to sleep for four hours, check on Han-Ul, and then head to her ce. Deok-Bae asked, "But aren''t we supposed to go to thepany?" "Yeah. When I told the President you had a role to prepare for, he said to focus on the audition. We can go to thepanyter." With my attention on Deok-Bae, all the tasks I needed to handle at work were being covered by Gu Seong-Cheol. "Alright then. See you in a bit." After saying goodbye to Deok-Bae, I returned to bed. Setting an rm, I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep almost instantly. *** "Gasp!" My eyes snapped open suddenly. When I checked the time, I saw that about three hours had passed. "That wasn''t... a dream, right?" I muttered. The process of meeting and bringing back Deok-Bae felt so surreal that I pinched my cheek just to be sure. "Ouch..." The pain confirmed that this was all real. Though I still felt a bit tired, I got out of bed. When I stepped out of the room, I heard Deok-Bae''s low voiceing from the guest room. ¡ºYou were... the renowned Princess Yu-Hwa?¡» Despite having worked a loading shift, carrying Han-Ul on his back, and staying up all night, Deok-Bae was awake before me to practice his lines. I thought of cooking something but decided against it to avoid interrupting his practice. Instead, I decided to start preparing items to take to Han-Ul''s hospital room. At that moment, I heard Deok-Bae''s voice again. ¡ºSo you are the famous Princess Yu-Hwa!¡» ''What is this?'' I wondered. The tempo, ent, and even the tone of Deok-Bae''s voice had changed dramatically. In my past life, Deok-Bae never let anyone see him practice acting as he felt embarrassed by what he had considered inadequate skills. Now, I was finally witnessing what his practice looked like. I stood outside the door and listened to Deok-Bae''s voice. Deok-Bae repeated the same line over and over, experimenting with changes to his vocal delivery, tempo, and ent, as if assembling pieces of a puzzle to find the perfect tone for the scene. When he seemed satisfied with a version, he repeated it three to four times to refine it further before he started adding emotion to the line. His tone was cheerful sometimes and angry sometimes. At times, he sounded flirtatious and curt other times. Though his approachcked structure and direction, Deok-Bae was giving his all and wracking his brain to figure it out. After more than fifty repetitions of the same line, Deok-Bae finally moved on to the next one and repeated the same process. No one had taught Deok-Bae this method but it was something he had developed on his own. I had heard that every actor had their unique way of mastering a script, but I hadn''t expected this level of dedication. Come to think of it, directors who had worked with Deok-Bae in my past life often remarked that his lines carried a depth that was hard for other actors to match despite being an action actor. ''So this is what they meant, huh?'' I remarked silently. Originally, I had nned to focus on making Deok-Bae a top-tier action star. However, I was reconsidering my n now. Perhaps he could be an action-oriented superstar with incredible depth. Nheless, seeing him push himself so relentlessly without rest, I decided to intervene. I knocked on the door lightly. "Deok-Bae? Are you awake?" The door opened and Deok-Bae stepped out. His face looked pale and his eyes were bloodshot. "Don''t tell me... you didn''t sleep?" I asked in shock. "No. There''s an audition in three days." Deok-Bae said it so matter-of-factly that I was at a loss for words. "Aren''t you tired?" "I''m a bit tired, but it''s fine." I started to worry that I might have pressured Deok-Bae too much because of how good the role of Kim Beop-Min was. No matter how valuable the role, it wasn''t more important than Deok-Bae himself. I exined, "Even if you don''t get the role this time, it won''t affect you negatively. There are plenty of other roles, so don''t stress over it. Just treat it as an experience." Deok-Bae shook his head. "I want to seed in one try. Han-Ul''s wish is for me to find a job that doesn''t involve physicalbor." Young Han-Ul believed that if he studied hard, he could one day help his brother. As such, he often reread old books to prepare for that future, exining why their tiny room had been filled with books. Hence, Deok-Bae wanted to be a brother that Han-Ul could be proud of as soon as possible. It seemed I would also need to give it my all for this audition. "Alright, give it everything you''ve got. I''ll handle the rest." "Thank you, hyung." "Then how about we stop by the hospital and then get something to eat? Although it''s a bit early, you need energy to keep going." "Okay." I told Deok-Bae to wash up and packed the essentials we needed for the hospital. It was time to visit Han-Ul, who was eagerly waiting for his brother. *** In the two-person ward at Gangbuk Seven Star Hospital, I ced the items needed for the next few days in the room for Han-Ul, Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother, and Park Dong-Jun. Then I spoke to Han-Ul. "Han-Ul, your brother will be busy with auditions for a few days. So please understand if he cannot be here as much, okay?" Still wearing an oxygen mask, Han-Ul nodded. He looked at Deok-Bae and lightly clenched both fists. "Hyung... you got this!" Deok-Bae gently brushed back Han-Ul''s hair. "Thanks...I will do my best and return with good news." Encouraged by his younger brother''s support, the exhaustion faded from Deok-Bae''s face. At the same time, his eyes burned with determination as if he were ready to conquer anything. Seeing this, I also started mapping out every possible way to ensure Deok-Bae''s sess. After all, it was my job as his talent agent to help him achieve his goals. *** n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Before heading to Choi Ji-Yung''s house, I decided to review the Hwaranjeon script at the hospital''s parking lot. [Hwaranjeon ¨C The War of Flowers] [Episode 20, Scene 11] A carriage speeding through Seorabeol nearly hits a fallen beggar. A noblewoman walking nearby is startled and attempts to save the beggar. At that moment, Kim Beop-Min, who returned from studying abroad in Tang for over a decade, witnesses the scene. He quickly steps in to lift the beggar and seeds in rescuing both the beggar and the woman. Upon seeing the woman''s face, Kim Beop-Min falls for her at first sight. However, he soon discovers that she is none other than Princess Yu-Hwa: his political rival. ... Scene 11 in episode 20 depicted the fateful encounter between Princess Yu-Hwa and Kim Beop-Min. As I read the script, an idea of how to help Deok-Bae came to mind. I immediately called Yoo-Jin. After ending the call, Yoo-Jin video-called me back. [Video Call ¨C Jung Yoo-Jin] -Oppa! You said you''d call as soon as you got to Seoul. Why are you calling sote? -Uncle Yoon-Ho! Hmph! Why did you call sote? On the screen, Yoo-Jin and Miso yfully puffed out their cheeks in mock annoyance. The two were rxing in an outdoor hot spring and dressed in swimsuits. Miso wore a pink Powertuff Girls swimsuit and a matching pink bunny-shaped swim cap. Yoo-Jin''s swimsuit was an entirely white ensemble that was designed for kids. I almost burst outughing at Yoo-Jin''s childlike swimwear but held it in and replied, "Sorry, I got caught up with something." When I briefly exined how I had rescued Deok-Bae the previous night, the two immediately brightened and expressed their relief at the news. ''Such good kids.'' "By the way... Yoo-Jin, can you help Deok-Bae?" I asked as I shared my n to help Deok-Bae ace the audition. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 407: Acting Practice (2)

Chapter 407: Acting Practice (2)

[Video Call ¨C (Jung Yoo-Jin)] -Alright, I''ll do that. I had asked Yoo-Jin to perform Scene 11 from Episode 20 and record it on video. Practicing acting is far more effective with a partner than doing it alone. If Deok-Bae could watch and practice alongside Yoo-Jin''s performance through the video, it would be a great help to him. If I had asked Ju Yung-In or Min Gyu-Ri for this in my past life, they would''ve cursed me out and questioned how a mere talent agent dared to make such a request. However, kind-hearted Yoo-Jin readily agreed to record it for me. I was beyond grateful that she was an actress under my management. [Video Call ¨C (Jung Yoo-Jin)] -Since Miso and I are done with the hot spring, I''ll record it right away and send it over~ -Yeah! Uncle Yoon-Ho, I''ll y the beggar! The two were so excited that their energy eased some of the weight off my shoulders. "Thanks, both of you." Giggling, Yoo-Jin and Miso replied with bright smiles. -Then hurry up and visit us soon~ "Alright!" With one solution in ce, it was now time to head to Choi Ji-Yung''s house for Deok-Bae''s lesson. *** When I arrived at Choi Ji-Yung''s house and rang the doorbell, Kang Si-Ah came running to the door. "Mr. Jung!" Kang Si-Ah eximed with glee. "Si-Ah, have you been practicing hard?" I asked with a smile. "Yes! Ms. Choi made it so fun to learn!" Jiri Mountain had already begun production and was progressing smoothly. Young actress Kang Si-Ah was waiting for her first scene on set. After today''s final lesson, she would join me tomorrow at the Jiri Mountain filming location. I also nned to take Deok-Bae to the set because I thought seeing Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo''s acting would help him prepare better for his audition. I was willing to do whatever it took to get Deok-Bae ready. While exchanging greetings with Kang Si-Ah, her mother came out to wee me warmly. "Mr. Jung, pleasee in." Kang Si-Ah''s mother had been speaking more clearly ever since she received her new hearing aids. She also seemed much more cheerful now that she was less burdened. Every time I saw people whose lives had improved because of my efforts, I felt deeply moved. "I can see you''re doing much better now," I remarked. "It''s all thanks... to you, Mr. Jung." We briefly sped hands in greeting before Choi Ji-Yung stepped forward and spoke. "Mr. Jung, Si-Ah''s lesson is done, so shall we start with Deok-Bae? You''re wee to join us today." "Thank you, Ms. Choi." Deok-Bae and I immediately followed Choi Ji-Yung to the practice room. *** The practice room at Choi Ji-Yung''s house was designed with three walls made of sound-absorbing material, one full-length mirrored wall, and equipment set up for monitoring performances. Additionally, eight cameras were installed around the room to capture footage from various angles. There was even a refrigerator inside. "This is seriously top-notch," I said as I looked around the room. Choi Ji-Yung smiled and replied, "Isn''t it a bit over the top?" Park Woo-Min from Altoran Entertainment had made significant investments in the practice room to help Choi Ji-Yung quickly regain her skills. "Over the top? If ourpany''s practice rooms were like this, we''d have noints." After all, the ability to objectively review one¡¯s own performance on a monitor was invaluable. Choi Ji-Yung turned to Deok-Bae. "Alright, let''s get started." "Okay." Having already exchanged greetings earlier, Choi Ji-Yung addressed Deok-Bae by name in a friendly tone. "You''re only working on two scenes, right?" Deok-Bae swallowed nervously. "Yes." "You''ve never taken acting lessons before?" "No, never." "Okay, let''s start by reading through the lines from the script." Deok-Bae opened the tablet and adjusted his posture. At that moment, I decided to speak up. "Um, Ms. Choi. I don''t mean to interrupt, but earlier, Deok-Bae practiced on his own. Could you take a look at that first?" "Is that so? Alright, let''s see what he''s got." Choi Ji-Yung nodded and suggested starting with what he had practiced. "Don''t feel pressured, Deok-Bae. Just show me what you were working on earlier." Deok-Bae set the tablet aside and took a deep breath. "I will start now..." As soon as he got the go-ahead, Deok-Baeunched into his performance. ¡ºYou are... the renowned Princess Yu-Hwa?¡» In that single line, Deok-Bae conveyed Kim Beop-Min''s bittersweet realization that the person he had fallen for at first sight was also his political rival. However, a w immediately stood out. ''His expression is too stiff and emotionless.'' n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Focused solely on delivering the lines, Deok-Bae''s face had frozen into a rigid mask. I hadn''t noticed that as I only heard his voice at home. Choi Ji-Yung gave Deok-Bae a warm smile. "Okay, stop there." She continued, "Interesting, Deok-Bae. It''s clear this is your first time acting, isn''t it?" "Yes." "But there''s a surprising depth to your delivery. Have you been preparing a lot?" The curious Choi Ji-Yung probed further. "How about trying a different version this time? You said you experimented with different takes at home, right?" Deok-Bae nodded and delivered the same line again. This time, the tone waspletely different and exuded an almost predatory desire to embrace the other person immediately. Hearing Deok-Bae''s delivery, Choi Ji-Yung smiled again. "This is fun. Do you have any other versions?" "I do." "Keep going until I tell you to stop." Deok-Bae nodded and performed the same line repeatedly, infusing it with a different emotion each time. Though his expressions stillcked variety, his vocal delivery and emotional range weren''t bad. "Cut! That''s enough!" Choi Ji-Yung turned to me with a smile. "Mr. Jung, where did you find this kid? His facial expressions aren''t there yet, and his breathing and tempo are unpolished... but his delivery is impressive. His voice is amazing as well." Though there were many shorings, Choi Ji-Yungmented that Deok-Bae''s lines carried weight and substance. She even noted that his pleasant voice made the same lines sound better. After showering Deok-Bae with praise, Choi Ji-Yung asked curiously, "Be honest with me, Deok-Bae. How many times have you read through the audition scenes?" "Uh... I actually don''t remember." "You don''t remember?" "I think I''ve gone through them dozens of times but I stopped counting after that." Choi Ji-Yung looked impressed. "Wow~" She clicked her tongue in disbelief and asked, "So you read the same line differently every single time?" "Yes, because I didn''t quite understand it." Choi Ji-Yung looked at Deok-Bae with a satisfied smile. "You''re already doing character research just like a professional would." "Am I? I just didn''t know what I was doing..." As the flustered Deok-Bae fumbled for words, Choi Ji-Yung raised her hand. "It''s fine. It''s apliment. But right now, that''s not the way to practice." "Then how should I do it?" "First, let''s pick just one interpretation of the character you''ve been working on." "Just one?" "Yes. Then, focus entirely on mastering that single version for the audition scenes." The audition for the role of Kim Beop-Min in Hwaranjeon involved only two scenes: Scene 11 from Episode 20 with Princess Yu-Hwa for the general acting part and Scene 33 from Episode 20 with Guk-Seon for the action part. I needed Choi Ji-Yung''s help specifically for Scene 11 from Episode 20. Choi Ji-Yung continued, "And the other candidates for Kim Beop-Min are in theirte teens, right? Don''t worry. With the skill you just showed, focusing on just one scene is enough." Choi Ji-Yung believed that perfecting a single scene could give Deok-Bae a good chance at passing the audition. Deok-Bae nodded with determination. "I''ll do whatever it takes to pass the audition!" If Deok-Bae managed to secure the role of Kim Beop-Min, there would be a two-month gap before filming began. This was because Kim Beop-Min would only be introduced in episode 20, with his role gradually bing more prominent from episode 25 onward. This meant ample time to prepare after passing the audition. That timeline was the reason I believed Deok-Bae had a good shot at sess. After all, we could tackle the other parts after passing the audition. Choi Ji-Yung turned to me. "I can help with the general acting for Scene 11 where he would be acting with Yoo-Jin, but how are you handling the action scene?" "I''ll take care of that myself," I answered. In my past life, Deok-Bae''s action skills were among the best in the entire industry. That''s why I decided to y to his strengths¡ªminimizing action practice and maximizing focus on general acting, where he was weaker. Choi Ji-Yung nodded in agreement. "Alright. Then I''ll train him exclusively for Scene 11." "Thank you." "Oh. By the way, if he passes the audition, what''s the n after that?" "I''d like to ask for your continued guidance." Choi Ji-Yung smiled. "Got it. First, let''s focus on getting him through the audition." Bringing Choi Ji-Yung back to the industry was proving to be one of the best decisions of my life. With a fiery look of determination, she turned to Deok-Bae. "Let''s not waste time since we don''t have a lot. From now on, think of me as Princess Yu-Hwa." "Yes, ma''am!" And with that, Choi Ji-Yung''s lesson began. *** In the practice room, Choi Ji-Yung took on the role of Princess Yu-Hwa to act alongside Deok-Bae. However, she harshly pointed out Deok-Bae''s mistakes whenever they took breaks in between. "Do you call that a smile? Kim Beop-Min is far more expressive than that! Start over! From now on, you''re not Choi Deok-Bae but you''re Kim Beop-Min!" "Yes, ma''am!" "Again! Look at yourself in the mirror! Why do you think we have a mirror here? It''s to see how you look when you act! See how awkward you look?" "Yes!" Even as Choi Ji-Yung repeatedly demanded corrections, Deok-Bae didn''t show any sign of frustration. In reality, making an actor perform the same scene repeatedly can be incredibly stressful. That''s why even seasoned actors grow irritable after a series of NGs during shoots. However, Deok-Bae epted every critique withoutint and showed steady improvements. Given that he hadn''t slept properly for thest two days, his condition must have been utterly wrecked. Yet, he persevered. Finally, after a long while, with Deok-Bae drenched in sweat, Choi Ji-Yung raised her hand and gasped for air. "I... I surrender. I can''t anymore... I feel like I''m going to puke..." Choi Ji-Yung copsed into a chair and wiped the sweat from her forehead. When I quickly handed her a bottle of cold water, she gulped it down in one go without even pausing to breathe. After finishing the water, Choi Ji-Yung looked at Deok-Bae and said, "You''re the most determined rookie I''ve ever seen in this industry. You''re amazing, really." They had gone over the same scene a hundred times. Choi Ji-Yung expressed her admiration and admitted that sheer stubbornness had kept her going. When I handed water to Deok-Bae, he drank it just as quickly as if he was parched. Choi Ji-Yung smiled and offered Deok-Bae advice. "From now on, practice on your own. And don''t be afraid. No one expects perfection from rookies on set anyway. Plus, your senior actors will likely support you. So act with confidence, okay?" "Okay!" Hearing Choi Ju-Yung''s advice, Deok-Bae immediately stood up, took a deep breath, and resumed practicing. His relentless dedication to improving was evident as his performance showed noticeable progress. Inspired by Deok-Bae''s unwavering determination, Choi Ji-Yung and Kang Si-Ah, who had been resting, quietly opened their scripts and started practicing alongside him. Deok Bae''s passion and effort were contagious, motivating those around him. *** The next day, I arrived at the LT Tower rooftop helipad with my group as Shin Jong-Ki had arranged for a helicopter to transport us to the Jiri Mountain filming site. As I waited with Team Lead Lee Eun-Joo, Kang Si-Ah, and her mother, I kept an eye on Deok-Bae. Despite being on his third consecutive day of almost no sleep, Deok-Bae remained immersed in the script. Deok-Bae had been asionally ying the video Yoo-Jin had sent of Scene 11 from episode 20 and practiced in sync with her performance. Thanks to his persistent efforts, Deok-Bae''s acting had noticeably improved since we began. At that moment, the loud thud of helicopter rotors filled the air as it descended and stirred up a gust of wind. As the helicopternded, the rooftop door opened and Shin Jong-Ki entered with his secretary. "Team Lead Jung! Hop in right away." "Yes, sir!" After a quick greeting with Shin Jong-Ki, I stepped into the helicopter through its open rear door followed by the others. Once seated, we put on headsets which muffled the roaring noise of the rotors. Shin Jong-Ki spoke through the headset. -Team Lead Jung, is the young man next to you the new recruit? "Yes, Mr. Shin." -He has a rugged, masculine look. Are you nning to cast him in one of our films as well? Deok-Bae''s appearance alone had captured Shin Jong-Ki''s attention. However, with the weight of the Hwaranjeon audition for Kim Beop-Min already on Deok-Bae''s shoulders, it was impossible to consider another role at this point. "Unfortunately, he''s still a rookie and isn''t ready for that yet." -Hmm... is that so? What a pity. But you''ll make sure he gets a role in the next film, right? There was no issue with future opportunities. "Of course, sir." About 50 minutester, the Jiri Mountain filming location, Cheonwang Mountain Lodge, came into view through the helicopter windows. Here, I nned to provide Deok-Bae with his second lesson. *** The helicopter touched down in the open field in front of Cheonwang Mountain Lodge. After dropping us off, it carried a few staff members and lifted back into the air. The swirling rotors scattered artificial snow in all directions. As it hadn''t snowed yet this season, artificial snow had been created with machines to simte a blizzard for the scene. As the helicopter noise faded, Park Sun-Jae and his wife, Production Chief Ahn Yoo-Joo, came out to greet us. "Wee, Mr. Shin." Shin Jong-Ki responded with a smile. "I hope I''m not interfering by showing up again." It wasn''tmon for the head of a production and distributionpany to visit the set frequently. However, with Lee Tae-Poong drawing fourteen million viewers through Beyond the Boundary, Shin Jong-Ki often visited this location. "Now, let''s see... where is our lead actor?" "He''s waiting inside the lodge for the next scene. It''s a short break." "Ah, I see." Though Shin Jong-Ki looked eager to head inside immediately, he politely stepped aside to allow greetings to continue. This gave me the chance to greet Park Sun-Jae. "I''m sorry for beingte, Mr. Park." Bowing my head, I apologized for not visiting earlier as several days had passed since production began. "Not at all. I heard from the Hoop Entertainment''s talent agents that you''ve been very busy." "I have been. But I''ll make sure to carve out more time and visit regrly from now on." Park Sun-Jae waved it off with a smile, then turned his attention to Kang Si-Ah apanying me. "Si-Ah, you''re here too." Kang Si-Ah bowed as she greeted him. "Hello, Mr. Park!" "Good to see you. So, have you been practicing your acting?" Park Sun-Jae asked. "Yes! I''ve learned so much from Ms. Choi Ji-Yung!" Kang Si-Ah eximed excitedly. After the introductions, Park Sun-Jae nced at the tall young man beside me. "And who is this striking young man?" Park Sun-Jae eyed Deok-Bae with interest. With Deok-Bae''s tall stature, distinct features, and deep gaze, it was clear that Park Sun-Jae was already imagining him in a movie role. "Oh, he''s a new recruit I brought along today to observe the set." "Well, since he''s here, how about giving him a small role? Practical experience is far more valuable than just observing..." I smiled and shook my head. "Thank you so much, but he doesn''t have any acting experience yet..." While giving him experience on set wasn''t a bad idea, Deok-Bae''s audition was tomorrow and it wasn''t feasible. Park Sun-Jae looked disappointed. "I see. I guess I''ll have to wait for the next opportunity. Alright, everyone. Let''s head inside. They''re waiting for us." "Yes, Mr. Park." Following Park Sun-Jae, we made our way into the Cheonwang Mountain Lodge. The moment we stepped inside, an absurd situation unfolded before our eyes. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 408: Jiri Mountain Filming Site (1)

Chapter 408: Jiri Mountain Filming Site (1)

Creak. As I opened the door to Cheonwang Mountain Lodge and stepped inside, I saw a wood-burning stove in the center of the living room. Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo sat across from each other. Although the filming was temporarily paused, the two were still immersed in their roles and ring at each other. As such, the staff preparing for the shoot couldn''t greet Shin Jong-Ki properly when he arrived. ''So they''ve already started getting into character...'' I thought. The scene was so captivating that I quickly began recording them with my phone. At that moment, Lee Tae-Poong''s gaze turned toward us as the people around him bustled about. I thought he would snap out of his immersion and greet Shin Jong-Ki. Instead, he simply spoke to Kang Si-Ah. "Oh, my daughter. You''re here." The movie Jiri Mountain, which we were filming, was a disaster thriller about seven members of a university mountaineering club reuniting after ten years for a trip to Jiri Mountain. The plot continued with the group seeking refuge in Cheonwang Mountain Lodge during a heavy snowfall. There, their vengeful, psychopathic former member, Oh Myung-Jin, appeared, seeking revenge for events from a decade ago. In the movie, Lee Tae-Poong yed the role of Kang Dae-Hyun, the mountaineering club''s president from ten years ago. His character was a widower raising his daughter, Kang Yung-Ah, alone. Worried about leaving his daughter alone at home, Kang Dae-Hyun brought her to the club reunion where he faced countless challenges protecting her from the vengeful Oh Myung-Jin. Lee Tae-Poong''s character consistently expressed profound love for his daughter throughout the movie. As a result, the way he looked at Kang Si-Ah was filled with warmth. Kang Si-Ah was flustered to hear her name suddenly called, but she quickly clenched her fists and responded energetically. "Hi, Dad!" In the blink of an eye, Kang Si-Ah was also absorbed in her role. Lee Tae-Poong smiled and stretched out his arms. "It''s cold. What are you doing out there? Come here." "Okay~" Kang Si-Ah ran quickly and threw herself into Lee Tae-Poong''s arms. Lee Tae-Poong patted Kang Si-Ah''s head as he asked, "My daughter, what took you so long to get here?" "I was ying outside. I even built a snowman." "There are moon bears in Jiri Mountain, so you have to be careful. What if a bear goes ''roar'' and takes you away?" "For real?" "For real~! Roar~!" At that moment, Kang Si-Ah made a frightened expression. "Eek~ that''s scary." Lee Tae-Poongughed and hugged Kang Si-Ah tightly. "It''s okay. I will protect you no matter what. Forever!" Kang Si-Ah lifted her head and held out her pinky finger. "Pinky promise?" Lee Tae-Poong hooked his pinky with hers and smiled with his eyes. "Pinky promise!" This was from Scene 22 where the father and daughter made a promise. Seeing this, Park Sun-Jae and the staff looked on with satisfaction. They had been worried about the child actress'' performance, but it felt like an impromptu audition had just taken ce. I felt reassured, knowing that entrusting Kang Si-Ah to Choi Ji-Yung had been an excellent decision. Even in this situation, Go Jae-Soo sitting opposite the wood stove maintained a cold expression and added more firewood to the mes. Crackle. The dry branches crackled and splintered in the fire. Immersed in his role, Go Jae-Soo simply stared nkly at the burning mes. Shin Jong-Ki let out a small sigh of admiration as he watched the two actors who didn''t respond to his presence. "Hahaha. I guess this is a vibe I shouldn''t interrupt." This made Park Sun-Jae look somewhat troubled. "I''m sorry. Both actors are deeply immersed in their roles right now." "No, don''t be. Greeting me isn''t important. The film''s sess is what matters. Don''t worry about it. In fact, it''s nice to see them so focused." "Thank you for understanding." Shin Jong-Ki stepped aside with Lee Eun-Joo and moved to a corner of the lodge to avoid causing any disruption. "Don''t mind me and just keep filming, alright?" "Yes, sir." I also moved to the side with Kang Si-Ah''s mother and Deok-Bae. Once we cleared the space, Park Sun-Jae resumed the shoot. "Alright. Let''s save the proper greetings for mealtime and resume filming right away. Actors, please standby." Having spent many years as an assistant director, Park Sun-Jae gave instructions with an air of authority. As the staff busied themselves, Kang Si-Ah slipped out of Lee Tae-Poong''s arms and went to sit next to the youngest member of the directing team. Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo red at each other with the wooded stove between them, waiting for the cue to start filming. At that moment, Filming Director Lee Tae-Sik, with twenty years of experience, raised his hand. "Director Park, the camera team is ready." "The camera team''s good. What about lighting and sound?" Park Sun-Jae asked. "Just a bit more setup and we''ll be done on this side." "Sound team is ready!" Lee Tae-Sik had been specially assigned by Shin Jong-Ki to support Park Sun-Jae The filming director was typically the second most important person after the main director on set. As such, assigning someone skilled and experienced, like Lee Tae-Sik, to the rookie director seemed intentional. Though Lee Tae-Sik had a reputation for being stern and overbearing, his work was highly regarded. However, the face of the assistant cameraman next to Lee Tae-Sik looked familiar. ''That guy... isn''t he Woo Dong-Ho?'' I wondered. The twenty-five-year-old Woo Dong-Ho would be the most sought-after filming director in Korea within five years. He had the ability to capture a director''s intent while producing stunningly beautiful visuals. Despite winning awards at various amateur film festivals during his school years, he was currently relegated to tasks like organizing camera cables as an assistant. ''What a waste. If only this film were left to Mr. Woo Dong-Ho...'' I remarked inwardly. As much as I regretted it, I couldn''t overstep the boundaries with an established camera team already in ce. "We are all set." As the staff finished their preparations, Park Sun-Jae turned his attention to the monitoring screen. N?v(el)B\\jnn Taking advantage of the moment, I handed Deok-Bae a tablet with the Jiri Mountain script. "Deok-Bae, forget your current role for a moment andpare the script with their performance. It''ll help a lot for tomorrow''s audition." When Deok-Bae trained under Choi Ji-Yung, he learned about acting dynamics with female co-stars. Now, watching the tension between male actors would be invaluable. Since there was a confrontation scene with Gook-Seon in the audition, this was the perfect opportunity to prepare for it. After all, seeing is believing. I told Deok-Bae to focus on Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo''s performances, setting aside his work on Hwaranjeon for now. Nodding, Deok-Bae found the portion of the script for the uing Scene 33 and began reading it. At that moment, Park Sun-Jae raised his hand. "Alright, everyone. Quiet on set. Ready~ Action!" With that, Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo began acting with razor-sharp expressions. Their words carried an intensity as chilling as a biting wind. *** As Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo delivered their passionate performances, Deok-Bae focused on their acting. Meanwhile, my eyes were fixed on the monitoring screen that Park Sun-Jae was watching. No matter how impressive the actors'' performances were, the audience would only see what was captured on that tiny screen. However, what unfolded on the monitor left me speechless. ''Why is the filming director doing whatever he wants?'' The filming director''s role was to trante the director''s storyboard into visual footage. Yet, the monitor showed footagepletely different from Park Sun-Jae''s storyboard. I repeatedly checked the storyboard provided on set just in case, but the result was the same. Park Sun-Jae''s storyboard called for tight shots of the actors'' faces to highlight their emotional expressions, but the monitor disyed wide shots of their full bodies. In other words, Lee Tae-Sik was taking liberties with the direction. ''Why is Director Park Sun-Jae just letting this happen?'' I wondered. Wondering if he had given separate instructions, I observed Park Sun-Jae''s reaction. As expected, Park Sun-Jae''s expression wasn''t good. Meanwhile, Lee Tae-Sik seemed utterly engrossed in his work as he was filming excitedly. Watching this, I began to understand why the situation had unfolded this way. ''Park Sun-Jae is being dismissed as a rookie and Lee Tae-Sik is shooting as he pleases.'' This film was entirely funded by LT Entertainment. Since Lee Tae-Sik was personally rmended by Shin Jong-Ki, Park Sun-Jae had no choice but to endure it while swallowing his frustration. Nheless, this wasn''t right. The ultimate responsibility for the film should lie with Park Sun-Jae. Regardless of whether the movie turned out great or a disaster, the authority over direction belonged to the head director. No matter how experienced Lee Tae-Sik was, this was overstepping boundaries. After some deliberation, I tapped Ahn Yoo-Joo on the shoulder. When she turned to look, I handed her my phone with a message written on the memo app. [The filming director seems to be shooting as he pleases. How long has this been going on?] Ahn Yoo-Joo pursed her lips tightly before writing a response below my message. [Since the first day. He keeps saying he''s in charge of filming and has been doing whatever he wants.] I took back the phone and typed another message. [Why didn''t you tell me sooner? It''s already been a week.] [I thought about it, but he was rmended by Mr. Shin...and if we lose him now, we won''t make the screening deadline. So Mr. Park said he''d just shoot and fix it in post-editing.] ''This won''t do,'' I thought. If the writer were the king in the world of drama, the director held that title in film. Furthermore, since Park Sun-Jae was the one who wrote the screeny for Jiri Mountain, no one understood the work better than he did. No matter how much of a veteran the filming director was, he had no right to interpret the director''s vision at will. If this continued, bigger problems could arise as the shoot progressed¡ªthe film might end up beingpletely different from its intended vision. This would not only jeopardize the film''s sess but also potentially harm the careers of Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo. I had to make a decision. [Ms. Ahn, Mr. Woo Dong-Ho over there is highly skilled. He''s more than capable of recing Filming Director Lee Tae-Sik.] [Mr. Woo?] Ahn Yoo-Joo nced at the twenty-five-year-old Woo Dong-Ho with her doubtful expression, questioning how someone so young could fill that role. After all, the more experienced a filming director, the better their skills typically were. [He may be young, but he has worked as the filming director for short films like Ajeon, The Fate of Tae-Hu, and Yanghwaju since he was twenty.] Short film festivals rarely garnered much attention. However, Ahn Yoo-Joo, who had worked as an ountant and secretary for a small filmpany called Lee Seon Films to support her boyfriend, had encountered countless scripts and movies. Hence, she recognized the titles I mentioned. [I know those films. They were visually stunning. Are you saying Mr. Woo Dong-Ho shot those?] When I nodded, Ahn Yoo-Joo''s eyes sparkled with newfound determination. Park Sun-Jae had endured countless hardships¡ªbeing trampled on by Director Jo Jae-Kyung and tormented by Director Gong Hak-Beom¡ªjust to finally hold the megaphone. To now face trouble from a rogue filming director was a bitter twist. Nheless, with Woo Dong-Ho present, a solution was within reach. [Ms. Ahn, what will you do?] As both a wife and the production chief for this film, Ahn Yoo-Joo made her decision. [I''m going to cause a scene.] The moment I saw Ahn Yoo-Joo''s resolute expression, I wrote a note and handed it to her. [I''ll support you.] *** Park Sun-Jae called for a stop to the shoot with a displeased expression. "Cut! That''s it for now." At that moment, the intense confrontation between Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo gradually subsided as they both took deep breaths toe out of their immersion. While Lee Tae-Poong''s performance was impressive, Shin Jong-Ki''s eyes sparkled as he admired Go Jae-Soo whose delivery made every line memorable. "As expected. Everyone brought in by you is something, Team Lead Jung. Don''t you agree, Director Park?" "Uh, yes... well..." Park Sun-Jae''s reluctant response made Shin Jong-Ki look confused. "Is everything okay? Something doesn''t seem right to you?" As Park Sun-Jae hesitated over how to respond, Ahn Yoo-Joo stepped forward to answer. "Mr. Shin. Actually, there is a bit of an issue with the shoot." Both Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo delivered outstanding performances, and the director didn''t call for any retakes. Hearing there was a problem nheless, Shin Jong-Ki tilted his head in confusion. "What''s the issue?" "The shooting isn''t following the storyboard." "What do you mean by that?" At that moment, Lee Tae-Sik frowned. "Hey, Chief Ahn. It sounds like you''re saying that for my ears." "Good observation." "What did you just say?" Lee Tae-Sik''s voice rose, but Ahn Yoo-Joo didn''t back down. "You heard me. You''re not even referencing the storyboard when you shoot." "Listen. Things won''t work if you stick too rigidly to the storyboard. To capture the essence of the scene, you need to adapt and adjust on the spot. Understand?" "Since when did disregarding the storyboard be ''adapting''?" "What? This is absurd. Do you think you can just say whatever you want like that?" As the filming director and production chief shed head-on, the atmosphere on set turned icy. I was about to step in to support Ahn Yoo-Joo. However, Park Sun-Jae acted before I could and confronted the filming director directly. "Mr. Lee. I''ve held back until now, but I just can''t continue shooting with you." I decided to observe for the moment and wait for the right opportunity to lend my support. For Jiri Mountain to bepleted properly, Lee Tae-Sik needed to be removed. ''Director Lee Tae-Sik, you''re out.'' Chapter 409: Jiri Mountain Filming Site (2)

Chapter 409: Jiri Mountain Filming Site (2)

When Park Sun-Jae dered that he could no longer work with him, Lee Tae-Sik red and fumed. "Director Park, what did you just say?" "I told you. I can''t work with you anymore." "Why?" "You''ve been ignoring the storyboard and filming however you like. Honestly, I can''t even tell if this is my movie or yours anymore." Lee Tae-Sik raised his voice. "Listen, Director Park! Are you just following your wife''s advice and trying to ruin this movie? Do you know how much money is at stake here?" "I do. That''s why I''m being careful." "Then listen to my advice! Don''t cling to that useless storyboard!" "That ''useless storyboard'' was created by me!" As the argument between the head director and filming director escted, Shin Jong-Ki raised his hand. "What are you two doing in front of me?" In response, Lee Tae-Sik spoke up as if he had been wronged. "Mr. Shin, this is unfair. I came here to help this greenhorn director at your request, and now I''m being humiliated like this?" "Enough. First, you should apologize for what you just said before we even discuss work." Lee Tae-Sik frowned. "Excuse me?" "I''m talking about yourment about Director Park following his wife''s advice. That was over the line. Isn''t Chief Ahn the production chief for this film?" Lee Tae-Sik reluctantly replied, "Fine. I''ll apologize for that." "Not to me. To Director Park!" Turning to face Park Sun-Jae, Lee Tae-Sik said begrudgingly, "Director Park, I think I went a bit overboard. I''m sorry... about that." The slightly calmer Park Sun-Jae replied, "I''ll ept your apology." Then Shin Jong-Ki addressed Park Sun-Jae this time. "Director Park. Disagreements like this happen all the time during filming. You''re both adults, so make up and focus on the movie. You know how tight the screening schedule is." Park Sun-Jae let out a short sigh. "I understand. But from this moment on, I need a promise from Mr. Lee that he will not direct on his own again. If he agrees to that, I see no reason to continue fighting." At that, the previously subdued Lee Tae-Sik''s voice rose again. "Director Park! If this movie flops, will you take responsibility? You want me to just keep quiet when my name will be in the credits too? If you want a yes-man filming director, go find someone else." Park Sun-Jae furrowed his brows. "It seems we can''t reach an understanding. Fine. I''ll find someone else." Seeing Park Sun-Jae remain firm, Lee Tae-Sik turned to Shin Jong-Ki. "Mr. Shin. You asked me toe here ready to hole up in this lodge, but I can''t do this anymore. I''m done here." "Hey! Are you two seriously doing this right now?" Shin Jong-Ki yelled. Lee Tae-Sik turned away without answering. "Hey! Camera team, pack it up! We''re not needed anymore." The camera crew hesitated before responding. "B-but Mr. Lee..." "What is it? Didn''t you hear me? Or do you not want to work with me anymore?" Most of the four-person camera team had worked with Lee Tae-Sik for years. Naturally, they followed his lead rather than Shin Jong-Ki''s and began packing up their equipment. The dumbfounded Shin Jong-Ki exploded in anger. "What are you people doing? How are we supposed to shoot without a filming director?" "Didn''t you hear what Director Park said? He doesn''t need me!" Lee Tae-Sik retorted. I couldn''t stand by any longer. It was time for me to step in. "Mr. Shin." Shin Jong-Ki turned to me. "What is it, Team Lead Jung?" "Let''s stop trying to mediate this situation." Shin Jong-Ki frowned in frustration. "Why are you acting like this too? You should be trying to calm things down." "How can Mr. Park get the visuals he wants in this situation? It would be better to bring in someone else," I remarked. "But who''s better than Director Lee in the current film industry?" At that moment, I pointed to Woo Dong-Ho, who was gathering equipment near Lee Tae-Sik. "Right here." Shin Jong-Ki blinked in disbelief. "What? This young man?" I nodded. "Yes. He''s young, but he has plenty of experience." Then, I turned to Woo Dong-Ho and asked, "Mr. Woo, would you consider taking charge of the camera?" "M-me? Are you serious?" "Yes. I''ve seen all the films you''ve worked on. They''re all outstanding." As I listed Woo Dong-Ho''s past achievements, Shin Jong-Ki''s frustrated expression began to shift. A viable alternative had presented itself. Shin Jong-Ki asked. "So you''re saying this film will be fine if we entrust it to him?" I replied, "Yes. I''ll take full responsibility. Mr. Woo has already served as the filming director for over three short films." Shin Jong-Ki nodded. "Hmm. If Team Lead Jung guarantees it... fine, I''m on board." Then, he looked at Woo Dong-Ho. "Are you up for taking the role of filming director? I''llpensate you at the level of a three-year veteran." "Uh, I... well..." Woo Dong-Ho stuttered. "What''s the problem? You''ll be treated ording to your ability." The entire camera crew frowned at the sudden proposal. Promoting the youngest member to the position of filming director seemed like an insult to the more senior members. However, I wasn''t choosing based on seniority but skill. That''s when Lee Tae-Sik raised his voice and confronted Shin Jong-Ki. "Mr. Shin, are you seriously going through with this? Who does that talent agent think he is..." Shin Jong-Ki''s expression turned cold as he red at Lee Tae-Sik. "Who is Team Lead Jung? He''s the person I trust the most when ites to box office sess!" "W-what does that mean..." Lee Tae-Sik stammered. Shin Jong-Ki simply ignored him and continued, "And another thing, Director Lee. Do you think I''m some pushover? When I try to mediate the situation, you''re supposed topromise appropriately!" Shin Jong-Ki was no ordinary figure. He was the CEO of the secondrgest Korean film distributorpany and a member of the LT Inc. conglomerate. As such, he was someone most wouldn''t dare to challenge. Only then did Lee Tae-Sik realize the gravity of the situation and his face froze. He finally understood that his career with LT Entertainment might be over if he kept this up. "M-Mr. Shin, that''s not what I meant..." "Enough. Don''t say another word." Shin Jong-Ki cut him off and turned back to Woo Dong-Ho. "You''ve heard everything. Are you willing to take on the role of filming director?" Woo Dong-Ho replied cautiously, "Ick experience... but I''ll do my best." "If Team Lead Jung rmends you, you''re notcking. Just focus on supporting Director Park. That''s all I need." "Yes, sir! I''ll keep that in mind." Woo Dong-Ho also nced at me and bowed his head. Meanwhile, Lee Tae-Sik, unable to contain his anger, stormed out and mmed the door behind him. Bang! The old door of Cheonwang Mountain Lodge rattled loudly. Afterward, the rest of the camera team hesitated before gathering their equipment and following Lee Tae-Sik out. Thud. Shin Jong-Ki snorted in irritation before addressing the remaining staff. "Alright, that''s enough. The situation''s over, so let''s get back to work. Isn''t the schedule pretty tight?" "Yes, sir!" The staff snapped out of their daze and returned to their stations. *** N?v(el)B\\jnn Woo Dong-Ho walked toward the Steadicam that Lee Tae-Sik had left behind. A Steadicam was a specialized piece of equipment designed to stabilize the camera during filming, using shock absorbers and a gimbal to prevent shaking. With the original camera team gone, Woo Dong-Ho, now the filming director, was trying to put on the vest with the special mounting rig by himself. Some staff members moved to help him, but I stepped in first to assist. "Ah, thank you." "No problem, Mr. Director." "Director? But I''m just a cameraman..." "Didn''t you hear what Mr. Shin said earlier? From now on, you''re the filming director for Jiri Mountain." "Sigh... this feels overwhelming. I''ve never worked on something thisrge before..." "It''s just a bigger budget but everything else is the same. Stick to the Jiri Mountain storyboard and there''s nothing to worry about." Woo Dong-Ho nodded with the gear securely strapped on. "True, the storyboard is excellent. Alright, I''ll do my best. And, um... thank you." I smiled. "You''re wee. By the way, would you mind if I rmend someone to assist you from behind?" In a tight space like this, focusing solely on the camera while maneuvering with the Steadicam could be dangerous. That''s why a Steadicam operator always needed an assistant. "Of course, please do." With Woo Dong-Ho''s permission, I immediately called Deok-Bae over. This was a golden opportunity for him to closely observe Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo''s performances. Deok-Bae set down the tablet he had been holding and walked over. I instructed him to ce his hands on the filming director''s waist and exined further. "While filming, Mr. Woo won''t be aware of his surroundings and could trip. Keep your hands on his waist and stabilize him. And while you''re at it, carefully watch Tae-Poong and Mr. Jae-Soo''s performances." "Got it, hyung." Though nervous, Deok-Bae ced his hands on Woo Dong-Ho''s waist. Once preparations wereplete, I turned to Park Sun-Jae. "You can start filming now, Mr. Park." Park Sun-Jae nodded and began issuingmands. "Alright, let''s do this." *** The lighting and sound teams resumed their setups. With Lee Tae-Sik gone, Park Sun-Jae looked slightly tense since any mistakes now would rest squarely on his shoulders. However, that was the essence of a director''s job¡ªto bear the weight of every decision made on set. Taking a deep breath, Park Sun-Jae gave the next instructions. "Alright, let''s begin Scene 33." At that moment, Woo Dong-Ho raised his hand while adjusting the camera. Park Sun-Jae looked at him curiously. "Yes, Mr Woo?" "Um... I''d like to lower the light levels a bit. Is that okay with you?" Apart from filming, the filming director also managed lighting, props, and sometimes even costumes. This was why the role was considered second inmand on a film set. As the young filming director spoke up, everyone on set took notice. After all, the previous filming director, Lee Tae-Sik, had been dismissed for overstepping his boundaries. However, Park Sun-Jae agreed readily. "Go ahead as long as it doesn''t interfere with the storyboard." "Thank you. Please let me know if I ever stray from your vision." "Understood." With a brief exhale, Woo Dong-Ho''s gaze sharpened as he began issuingmands starting with the lighting team. "Could we dim the lights just a bit? Mr. Park?" "Dim them?" the lighting director asked. "Yes. ording to the storyboard, this is supposed to be a tense moment. But the lights feel too bright. Could we lower it by about ten lux?" The lighting director smiled with interest. "Ten lux? That''s easy to fix in post-production." "But that''s not all." "Oh? Then what else?" "Please add two or three more pieces of firewood to the hearth, just enough to blend in a slight red hue to the lighting." When the youngest member of the camera crew, who had previously been handling cables, began issuingmands like a seasoned director, everyone was visibly impressed. Woo Dong-Ho pointed out that the actors'' costumes were too pristine and requested that they be made slightly more disheveled. As a result, even more murmurs of admiration spread throughout the set. The lighting director turned to me with a grin. "Team Lead Jung, you really know how to pick talent, huh?" I smiled. ''Pros recognize pros.'' Since then, the lighting director fully acknowledged Woo Dong-Ho as the new filming director. "Lighting team! From now on, follow Mr. Woo''s instructions immediately! Man-Ho, add one piece of firewood at a time and check if the tones match what Mr. Woo is aiming for." "Yes, sir!" "And what''s the props and costume teams doing just standing around? Didn''t you hear Mr. Woo''s instructions?" "Yes, sir!" With Woo Dong-Ho''s detailed directions, the anxiety caused by Lee Tae-Sik''s departure quickly dissipated. Soon, everything was ready. Park Sun-Jae looked excited as he gave the signal. "Let''s begin. Scene 33. Ready~ Action!" Then, he quickly locked his gaze on the monitor. Just as I had expected, the footage captured by Woo Dong-Ho was entirely different from what Lee Tae-Sik had filmed. Not only did he fully embody Park Sun-Jae''s vision, but he also enhanced it with his creative touch to intensify the storyboard''s sense of urgency. ''As expected of Woo Dong-Ho,'' I remarked inwardly. The difference in quality on the monitor was undeniable. The ted Park Sun-Jae gave instructions happily. "Fantastic! Mr. Woo, please zoom in for a tighter face shot. Yes, that''s perfect." Woo Dong-Ho adjusted the camera to capture close-ups of the actors'' faces. The escting tension between the protagonist and the main antagonist was vividly captured. Trembling eyshes, tense jaw muscles with clenched teeth, and the slow, deliberate movement of cracked lips forming words were perfectly filmed. Thanks to Woo Dong-Ho''s precision in capturing every subtle detail, the sharp emotions of Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo were conveyed with stunning rity. Switching the filming director had been a masterstroke, allowing me to save Jiri Mountain and my actors'' careers. At that moment, Ahn Yoo-Joo nced at the monitor before turning to me with a wide grin and raising both thumbs. She mouthed the words: "Thank you, Mr. Jung!" Chapter 410: Jiri Mountain Filming Site (3)

Chapter 410: Jiri Mountain Filming Site (3)

"Okay~! That was perfect!" Park Sun-Jae shouted, satisfied with Woo Dong-Ho''s work. The staff monitoring alongside Park Sun-Jae also eximed in amazement. "Our young filming director really has a good eye." "Agreed. This feels much better than what Mr. Lee shot." "Director Woo, great camera work~." "Mr. Woo, the characters'' emotions areing through perfectly!" With praise pouring in from all directions, Woo Dong-Ho blushed and scratched his head. Park Sun-Jae turned to me with a pleased expression. "Mr. Jung. If you knew about this talent, you should''ve introduced him sooner." I replied, "I didn''t expect Mr. Woo Dong-Ho to be working here as a camera assistant." Shin Jong-Ki observed the scene and nodded in agreement with Park Sun-Jae. "Judging by the atmosphere here, it seems like this wasn''t a bad choice. Team Lead Jung, you''ve rmended a real gem." At that moment, Park Sun-Jae hesitated, as if he had something to say to Shin Jong-Ki but was unsure how to express it. While the others looked puzzled, I understood immediately. The footage Woo Dong-Ho had captured was significantly better than Lee Tae-Sik''s. I spoke up. "Mr. Park. You''re thinking about reshooting everything from the start with Mr. Woo, aren''t you?" Park Sun-Jae nced at Shin Jong-Ki and was hesitant to respond. "Well, that is..." Shin Jong-Ki burst outughing. "Hahaha. Do what you need to do when I''m not here. If the director wants to reshoot, who''s going to stop him?" Park Sun-Jae''s face lit up with relief. "Mr. Jung, will Mr. Go Jae-Soo and Mr. Tae-Poong''s schedules allow for reshooting?" When I looked at the two actors, both nodded without hesitation. After all, no actor would turn down the chance to create even better scenes. "Of course." "I''ll do whatever you say, Mr. Jung." The excited Park Sun-Jae dered to the staff that the scenes from the past week would be reshot. "Alright, then we''re reshooting everything we''ve filmed over thest week. Production and direction teams, please adjust the shooting schedule ordingly." The difference in quality from just one scene was apparent to everyone, so no one objected to Park Sun-Jae''s decision. Just then, we heard a loud creak as the lodge''s front door swung open on its rusty hinges. Everyone turned their heads toward the noise. The person at the door was none other than Lee Tae-Sik, who had stormed out earlier in anger. Shin Jong-Ki furrowed his brow and asked, "Now what?" Lee Tae-Sik hesitated awkwardly before speaking. "Excuse me, Mr. Shin... Could you arrange for a helicopter? We have a lot of equipment to move." The staff used helicopters to travel up and down the mountain due to the heavy equipment they had to transport. Shin Jong-Ki crossed his arms and red at Lee Tae-Sik silently for a moment before finally nodding. "I''ll have the equipment brought down. You''ll have to walk." It wasn''t a perfect offer, but Lee Tae-Sik begrudgingly epted. "Understood..." After giving a reluctant bow, he mmed the door shut as he left. Bang! The Cheonwang lodge''s door rattled loudly as it closed, and Shin Jong-Ki scowled. "That guy still doesn''t get it." Muttering to himself, Shin Jong-Ki immediately turned to Lee Eun-Joo. "Team Lead Lee." "Yes, Mr. Shin?" "The equipment is ours, right?" "Yes." "Then when you reach the base of the mountain, send Director Lee and his crew a text confirming receipt of the equipment. For anything else they have, send someone to retrieve it." Lee Eun-Joo nodded. "Understood." Lee Tae-Sik had been renting LT Entertainment''s equipment for his work. However, that privilege was now revoked after he provoked Shin Jong-Ki. Seeing how decisive and cold Shin Jong-Ki could be, I couldn''t help but be reminded of his chaebol roots. As I shook my head slightly in awe, Shin Jong-Ki tilted his head. "Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?" I had no intention of criticizing Shin Jong-Ki''s sharp judgment. After all, I certainly wasn''t going to defend Lee Tae-Sik, who had nearly sabotaged the film. "Not at all, sir. I just wanted to thank you for trusting me and going with Director Woo Dong-Ho." When I smiled and offered a bit of ttery, Shin Jong-Ki chuckled. "Would I ever ignore your advice? Anyway, shall we eat first?" "Yes, sir." Shin Jong-Ki pped his hands and addressed the staff. "Alright, everyone! A full-course hotel meal is on its way from the base of the mountain. Let''s take a short break and eat when it arrives!" At that moment, cheers erupted among the staff. "As expected of you, Mr. Shin!" "Mr. Shin, we love you!" Laughing heartily, Shin Jong-Ki raised both hands to calm the crowd. "Haha, it''s not that big a deal. Come on now, settle down! Hahaha!" Shin Jong-Ki truly knew how to take care of his people. *** Dishes from LT Hotel soon arrived, covering a spread of Korean, Chinese, and Japanese cuisine. The table boasted rice and seafood stew, sushi, stir-fried chili chicken, crispy chicken with sauce, and even Korean beef with deodeok. Thanks to insted containers, every dish came steaming hot. "Wow, eating jajangmyeon in the middle of the mountains is just amazing." "Of course, LT buffets are the best! The quality of the meat is on another level!" I served crispy chicken to Deok-Bae beside me and asked, "Deok-Bae, how did it feel watching the performances up close?" Deok-Bae''s face glowed with excitement. "Honestly... it felt like I wasn''t on a film set but inside the world of the movie." "Do you have a clearer idea of how to act after seeing them?" Deok-Bae hesitated briefly before replying cautiously, "A little bit, yeah." It seemed that watching the performances had given Deok-Bae some inspiration. Just then, Shin Jong-Ki asked Ahn Yoo-Joo, "Where''s Mr. Go Jae-Soo? I''d like to have him join us for the meal." "Oh, he stepped outside the lodge to prepare for the next scene. He''s scouting the area, I believe." "The next scene?" "Yes, Scene 57." Scene 57 depicted the psychopathic killer Oh Myung-Jin, isted for three days outside the lodge, regaining strength by hunting and eating a pheasant raw. It was a pivotal moment that showcased Go Jae-Soo''s unhinged intensity and set the tense tone for the early part of the film. Shin Jong-Ki furrowed his brow. "They''re not actually having him eat a live pheasant, are they?" Ahn Yoo-Joo replied, "No. After the pheasant is caught, it''ll immediately be switched with a prop. Only the feathers will be plucked on set and the rest will be handled with a dummy." "A prop? A dead pheasant? But eating''s still eating, isn''t it?" "The actual eating will be filmedter with him eating chicken and the CGI team will edit it into the scene." The relieved Shin Jong-Ki let out a sigh. "Oh, I see." That''s when a thought crossed my mind. Go Jae-Soo was known for his extreme dedication to his craft. If he thought it would enhance his performance, he was capable of almost anything. I furrowed my brow. ''No way... he wouldn''t actually... right?'' *** The artificial snow machine behind Cheonwang Mountain Lodge whirred loudly and spewed pristine white snow down the slope. As the snow settled on the branches and leaves between the trees, it created the illusion of a heavy snowfall. Click. The snow machinepleted its task and came to a stop. d in a thick jumper, Park Sun-Jae grabbed his megaphone. "Props team, did you adjust the snow depth to 20 cm?" The props team on the slope plunged a ruler into the snow to check. "Sir, it''s at 20.5 cm." "Good work. That''s close enough. Now, bring out the live pheasant." The props team brought out a live pheasant, its wings pping wildly. The bird''s leg was tied with fishing wire to ensure it couldn''t escape. On the slope, the props team secured the pheasant by winding the wire around a tree about three meters in front of Go Jae-Soo. Go Jae-Soo, now dressed in a white protective suit, headed toward the snowy slope. Woo Dong-Ho followed him up the slope with Deok-Bae''s assistance. "Deok-Bae, make sure you keep a good grip on me," Woo Dong-Ho reminded Deok-Bae. "Yes, sir." Although five more camera crew members had arrived with the meal from the base of the mountain, I had requested Deok-Bae stay for this shoot to learn as much as possible from observing the actors. Woo Dong-Ho positioned himself carefully with the steadicam and signaled that he was ready. Park Sun-Jae looked tense as he shouted, "We''ll go as soon as Mr. Jae-Soo is ready." Go Jae-Soo nodded and copsed onto the snowy slope before lying down with only his face exposed. He then raised a hand and signaled "okay" without a word. Woo Dong-Ho confirmed, "Mr. Park, we''re all set." Looking around the set, Park Sun-Jae called out, "Alright, let''s get this in one take. Ready~ Action!" The shoot for Scene 57 which showcased the deranged killer Oh Myung-Jin began. As the scene unfolded, I started recording footage with my phone for promotional material. *** The pheasant tethered by its leg wasn''t trying to escape but was instead pecking fervently at the feed ced before it. Having been starved for the shoot, it was utterly focused on eating. Meanwhile, Go Jae-Soo crawled through the snow like someone who hadn''t eaten for three days and inched closer to the pheasant. Despite snow slipping into his clothing, he didn''t flinch once. When he was just inches away from the pheasant, Go Jae-Soo froze for a moment. He crouched and held his breath. As soon as the pheasant lowered its head back to the feed, Go Jae-Soo lunged. Snap! n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om The pheasant pped its wings furiously, but it was toote. Go Jae-Soo had it firmly in his grasp. This was the highlight of Scene 57. Go Jae-Soo chuckled maniacally and licked his lips as he opened his mouth wide. Then he moved his mouth toward the pheasant''s neck. ''He''s not seriously going to eat it, is he?'' I wondered quietly. Just as I debated intervening, Park Sun-Jae yelled out abruptly, "C-cut! Okay!" At that exact moment, Go Jae-Soo''s teeth stopped millimeters from the pheasant''s neck. It was as though Park Sun-Jae had anticipated this moment perfectly, cutting the scene with impable timing. Then he gave an order urgently to the props team. "M-Mr. Choi, switch out the pheasant immediately!" A wide-eyed staff member hurriedly brought over a dead pheasant. Handing off the live bird, Go Jae-Soo snatched the dead one with startling speed. Then he licked his lips before he brought his teeth back to the pheasant''s neck. At that moment, Park Sun-Jae quickly shouted through the megaphone, "Mr. Jae-Soo, all you need to do is just pluck the feathers with your teeth. We''ll handle the rest with CGI." Go Jae-Soo maintained his crazed expression and was fully immersed in his role. Eager to wrap the scene, Park Sun-Jae called out again. "Scene 57, continue. Ready~ Action!" At that moment, Go Jae-Soo bit into the dead pheasant''s neck with his teeth. Crunch. The vivid sound of bones cracking filled the air and the faces of the staff watching turned pale. "Ptuh! Ptuh!" Go Jae-Soo began plucking the pheasant''s feathers with his teeth and spitting them out repeatedly. His eyes glinted like those of a wild animal and the feathers sticking to the corners of his mouth heightened the killer''s deranged aura. That''s when Go Jae-Soo suddenly opened his mouth wide and bit into the featherless flesh of the pheasant. Without hesitation, he began chewing with feathers still clinging to the meat. Chomp chomp. Crunch. "Kekeke..." The grotesquebination of chewing sounds of bones and his maniacalughter brought the psychopathic character Oh Myung-Jin to life in vivid detail. The intensity of Go Jae-Soo''s performance left the staff stunned with their expressions frozen. I frowned anxiously. ''I need to stop this.'' Just as I was about to call out to Park Sun-Jae, I saw Go Jae-Soo''s throat move. Gulp. At that moment, Park Sun-Jae leapt up in shock and shouted, "Cut! Cut! Okay! Mr. Jae-Soo, spit it out! You can''t eat that!" The horrified staff rushed toward Go Jae-Soo. However, I was the first to move, sprinting ahead of everyone else. *** "Caaah~ptooey!" Go Jae-Soo spat out the piece of raw pheasant he had swallowed. Though his face was scrunched up in difort, there wasn''t a trace of regret in his expression. I handed Go Jae-Soo a bottle of mouthwash as he finished expelling the raw meat. "Here you go, Mr. Jae-Soo." Go Jae-Soo took the bottle and rinsed his mouth thoroughly. "Man, that was unbelievably gamey. I''ve tried chicken sashimi before, so I thought it would be simr. But... What a shock. I think it was because the bird was so freshly caught, but there was still some blood leaking out. Hahaha." When Go Jae-Soo smiled and said he could never do that again, I couldn''t find the words to respond as his determination to seed was palpable. After a moment, Go Jae-Soo scratched his head sheepishly and said, "I guess I went a bit overboard trying to do a good job, huh?" "It''s fine, Mr. Jae-Soo. But please don''t do that again. I''m more worried about your health than anything else," I replied with a worried look. Go Jae-Soo nodded, then mentioned he had taken deworming medication in advance just in case. "But... aren''t you supposed to take that afterward?" I asked with my brows still furrowed. "Oh... is that so?" Realizing his mistake, Go Jae-Soo started fussing saying he needed to take another doseter. At that moment, an idea for a way to market Go Jae-Soo as one of Korea''s finest method actors struck me. I looked at him with determination. ''Mr. Jae-Soo, you can count on me.'' My actor had given it his all. Now it was my job, as his talent agent, to let the world know that. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 411: Kim Beop-Min Audition (1)

Chapter 411: Kim Beop-Min Audition (1)

I reviewed the footage of Go Jae-Soo devouring the pheasant. The sharp expression on his face conveyed madness beyond rage. It was sheer anguish. ''This is intense,'' I thought. Like Oh Myung-Jin in Jiri Mountain, who had been treated as less than human for years, Go Jae-Soo had also spent much of his careernguishing at the bottom of the industry and being snubbed. Perhaps as a result, his chilling expression seemed to perfectly embody Oh Myung-Jin, manifesting his rage against the world, others, and himself. I immediately sent the video capturing Go Jae-Soo''s raw intensity to thepany''s marketing team. I submitted the footage with a formal request to allocate promotional resources to Go Jae-Soo, equal to those for Lee Tae-Poong. I added that framing the film as a showdown between the two actors would ensure both their sess. Next, I forwarded the same video to President Jang Ji-Hye of Womans via KkTalk and followed up with a call. When I proposed making Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo the main models for their next campaign, Jang Ji-Hye''s voice was filled with admiration. -Wow, this is incredible. Isn''t he the same guy who caught that killer in Jiri Mountain? "He sure is." -Hm... After a moment of contemtion, Jang Ji-Hye spoke again in a concerned voice. -But this video is a bit too intense. Most of our audience is women in their twenties and thirties. "Hold on." Acknowledging her concern, I quickly sent a still image of Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo ring at each other in front of the wood-burning stove. This time, Jang Ji-Hye''s voice brightened. -Wow! This could be on the magazine cover! "Does that mean you''ll use them as cover models?" -Okay! Let''s schedule an interview with them soon. "Thank you, Mrs. Jang." -But in exchange, let''s have a weekend golf game within a month. Deal? "Deal!" After securing the partnership with Womans, I reached out to Jang Moon-Ki and Choi So-Hye, sending them the images and footage. On the day the promotional campaign for Jiri Mountain kicked off, I requested their full support in highlighting both actors equally. With that, I had done all I could to promote Go Jae-Soo. As I hung up, I nced at Go Jae-Soo who was still giving his all on set. I made a promise to myself: ''Mr. Jae-Soo, I''ll give you wings. Now fly as high as you can.'' Go Jae-Soo had only been known as a viin actor in my past life. In this life, I was determined to pave an entirely new path for him¡ªa life as a true star, crowned as Korea''s greatest character actor. *** As I ended my calls, Deok-Bae approached with his expression noticeably animated after watching the performances. I asked, "What do you think after seeing Tae-Poong and Mr. Jae-Soo''s acting?" "For the first time, I think I''m starting to get what acting is about." "Is that so? That''s good. But don''t rush to try and act like those two just yet. Tae-Poong and Mr. Jae-Soo are at the top of their game right now. Don''t get discouraged if you can''t match their level." "I understand. I wasn''t thinking that far ahead anyway." Raising the bar too high could make learning more difficult, but I could see the determination in Deok-Bae''s eyes. He was resolved to eventually reach that level no matter how long it took. I continued, "Alright then, how about we use this break to practice some action scenes?" In past life, Deok-Bae had been renowned for his extraordinary reflexes. Since the audition would involve the action director teaching him how to wield a sword, my goal today was simply to assess Deok-Bae''s natural talent. I gestured, "Let''s go over there." I led Deok-Bae to an open area beside the lodge where the artificial snow hadn''t reached. Breaking off two dry branches, I handed one to Deok-Bae. "You''ll be using wooden swords for practice on set, but these will do for now." "But hyung, I''ve never done kendo or anything like that." "That''s fine. The action director will guide you through rehearsals tomorrow. I just want to see how your reflexes are." Deok-Bae nodded and gripped the branch in his hand. "Alright, I''ming at you. Just block, okay?" "Got it." I immediately lunged at Deok-Bae with swift movements. Simultaneously, Deok-Bae instinctively swung the branch to intercept mine. ck, ck. Despite the speed of my strikes, Deok-Bae blocked every single one without a miss. Though he had never trained in swordsmanship, his movements were impressively sharp. "Not bad. Let''s speed it up. Ready? Hya!" Deok-Bae kept up effortlessly even as I picked up the pace. Watching Deok-Bae''s incredible reactions, my concerns about his ability to handle action scenes melted away. *** On the morning of the audition, the helicopter dropped us off at the Gyeongju set. We were supposed to descend from Cheonwang Mountain Lodge a day earlier and travel to Gyeongju. However, thanks to Shin Jong-Ki''s generosity, we were able to spend an extra day at the lodge. This extra time allowed Deok-Bae to receive private acting lessons from Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo during their breaks. We waved goodbye to the helicopter as it took off to return to Cheonwang Mountain Lodge. I dusted Deok-Bae''s clothes and gave him a pep talk. "Straighten your shoulders, Deok-Bae. Starting now, you''re Hoop Entertainment''s most promising rookie actor." Deok-Bae looked slightly awkward dressed in a luxurious long cashmere coat and an expensive suit, but quickly adjusted to his polished appearance. Steeling himself, Deok-Bae nodded resolutely. "Got it, hyung." @@novelbin@@ I patted Deok-Bae''s shoulder and began sharing tips about this industry as we walked toward the set. "Stay humble, but don''t let anyone look down on you." "I''ll remember that." "And always be mindful of the cameras. Don''t scowl or show frustration. If you really need to let out some anger, do it with a smile. Got it?" "Yes, hyung." After about two minutes of walking, we reached the entrance to the Hwaranjeon set which recreated the Si-era''s Wolseong fortress. Oh Bok-Hee spotted me and waved excitedly. "Mr. Jung!" I led Deok-Bae over to her, and her expression brightened as she took in his appearance. "Wow, he looks even better in person," she remarked. The picture I had sent earlier showed Deok-Bae with messy hair and casual clothes outside a hospital. Now, he wore a sleek ck cashmere coat, a tailored suit, and sported wavy, parted hair. Deok-Bae looked every bit the elite schr Kim Beop-Min, a character returning from studies in Tang China. I smiled and asked, "Thank you, Mrs. Oh. By the way, who else is here for the audition?" "I invited five, but only three showed up. Seo Yi-Jun from Ace Entertainment, Park Jung-Min from TK Entertainment, and Deok-Bae." I couldn''t believe what I had just heard. I asked, "Park Jung-Min?" "Yes, he is TK Entertainment''s up-anding rookie. Do you know him?" ''Do I know him? Of course I do.'' I remarked inwardly. In my past life, Park Jung-Min had yed Kim Beop-Min in Hwaranjeon. A rising star from TK Entertainment, Park Jung-Min had already made a name for himself as a neen-year-old actor and model with a tall height of 180 cm. With about 200,000 Instargem followers, Park Jung-Min had been a well-known influencer in Seoul even before his debut with entertainmentpanies lining up to sign him. Not only did he have the looks, but his talent was undeniable as well. In time, he would grow into a respected actor and earn the admiration of veteran performers. Seo Yi-Jun from Ace Entertainment was another formidable contender. With his pale skin and soft features, Seo Yi-Jun had initially trained as an idol before transitioning to acting. A few yearster, he would rise to fame as one of the "Four Best Looking Actors of the Next Generation." "Not exactly an easy crowd, huh?" I remarked. Oh Bok-Hee nodded. "Honestly, I didn''t expect thepetition to be this intense either. I was surprised as well." I was d I had done everything I could to prepare Deok Bae. At that moment, murmurs rose from the set entrance. "It seems like they''re here. Wait, why are the presidents with them?" The people apanying Seo Yi-Jun and Park Jung-Min weren''t just their talent agents. They were Im Sung-Hak, the president of Ace Entertainment, and Kim Tae-Kwon, the president of TK Entertainment. ''They''re pulling out all the stops, huh?'' For the heads of their agencies to personally show up at an audition for a supporting role was an obvious attempt to intimidate the rest. Nheless, I had no intention of sitting idly by. Deok-Bae had poured his heart and soul into this since meeting me, pushing himself to his limits without rest. His efforts would not be in vain. *** With Im Sung-Hak and Kim Tae-Kwon present, I exchanged greetings with Oh Bok-Hee and moved toward the waiting chairs. As I plucked lint from Deok-Bae''s long cashmere coat, I reminded him of what I had said earlier. "Remember what I told you yesterday? This industry is always a battlefield." Deok-Bae replied in a serious voice. "No matter how tough it is, it can''t be worse than what my life has been." Considering Deok-Bae had grown up among gangsters, loan sharks, and street thugs, this probably felt like a stroll in the park for him. After finishing their greetings with Oh Bok-Hee, Im Sung-Hak and Kim Tae-Kwon approached us with their actors. Im Sung-Hak spoke first. "Team Lead Jung, you''re here too?" I asked, "What brings you here in person given how busy you both must be?" "It''s an important audition for a key role so I had to check it out." "Most otherpanies seem to think the role of Kim Beop-Min isn''t that significant. But clearly, you feel otherwise," I replied. Im Sung-Hak smiled. "Thosepanies are blind fools. It''s a role you''ve picked, Team Lead Jung. So of course it''s crucial." Im Sung-Hak then introduced Seo Yi-Jun. "Yi-Jun, this is Team Lead Jung who''s been making wavestely. Go ahead and introduce yourself." A good-looking man standing about 178 cm tall with radiant pale skin greeted me with a charming smile. "I''ve heard a lot about you, Mr. Jung. Please take good care of me~" I smiled. "Likewise, I look forward to working with you." After exchanging polite greetings with me, Seo Yi-Jun turned to Deok-Bae. "Your name is Deok-Bae, right? I hear we''re the same age. Can I drop the formalities?" When Seo Yi-Jun started using casual speech off the bat, Deok-Bae responded tly, "I don''t think it''s appropriate to be informal with someone you just met." "Aw,e on, don''t be so uptight. Even if we''repetitors, we''re still colleagues in the same industry. Can''t we just talkfortably?" When Deok-Bae remained indifferent, hisck of response visibly irritated Seo Yi-Jun. Seo Yi-Jun added, "By the way... is Deok-Bae your real name? It can''t be, right? Did you make it up to stand out?" The psychological battle to unsettle hispetitor had begun before the audition even started. *** Deok-Bae seemed caught off guard by Seo Yi-Jun''s provocation for a moment. However, after a deep breath, he regained hisposure and replied, "Seo Yi-Jun, you told me to talk casually, right?" "Yeah. You can talk to me like I''m your friend. By the way, your name really sticks in my mind. It''s so outdated it''s almost memorable, you know?" At that moment, Deok-Bae did exactly what I had advised him. He smiled, but the words he spoke were anything but friendly. "Hey. What makes you think we are friends? What gives you the right to make fun of my name the second we meet? Do you want to die?" At 185 cm tall, Deok-Bae''smanding presencebined with his sharp words made Seo Yi-Jun flinch. "Y-you bastard..." Deok-Bae ced a firm hand on Seo Yi-Jun''s shoulder to create the appearance of two friendly peers from a distance. "Don''t curse at me, you punk. And consider this my polite warning: get out of my sight right now unless you want to embarrass yourself in front of the adults." Though mild-mannered in front of me, Deok-Bae''s tough upbringing meant he was no pushover. Seo Yi-Jun shook off Deok-Bae''s hand and stepped back. "Damn it..." That''s when the irritated Im Sung-Hak stepped forward. "This punk. Why is he so abrasive?" Deok-Bae turned his re slowly to Im Sung-Hak. "How long have you known me to call me a punk like that?" "Oh, look at this punk talk." Im Sung-Hak scoffed and clicked his tongue before turning to me. "You really did bring someone just like you, huh?" With a grin, I responded, "Thank you for thepliment." "W-what...this is unbelievable!" Im Sung-Hak''s face reddened with fury as he hadn''t expected me to take his words as apliment. Seo Yi-Jun and Im Sung-Hak''s attempts at intimidation ended in total defeat against me and Deok-Bae. *** The furious Im Sung-Hak spun around. "Yi-Jun, what are you standing there for? Get ready for your audition!" As Im Sung-Hak walked off, Seo Yi-Jun red at Deok-Bae. "Just you wait!" Then, he went after Im Sung-Hak. Once they disappeared, Kim Tae-Kwon approached us with a smile. "President Im is the same as always. Everywhere he goes, he stirs up these petty rivalries." ''You''re one to talk, Kim Tae-Kwon,'' I thought to myself. On the set of Hwaranjeon, TK Entertainment''s own Lee Tae-Yeon, cast as Queen Il, had been stirring up plenty of tension herself. Yet here was Kim Tae-Kwon, acting like he had nothing to do with it. "Mr. Kim, I''m sure the sight of me must ruin your day. Why bothering all the way to this set?" I casually remarked. Kim Tae-Kwonughed heartily. "Ruin my day? Who said that? Don''t be ridiculous." "Cut the nonsense. Why are you really here?" I asked. Kim Tae-Kwon shrugged and replied, "Well, we''ve got a lot of TK talent in this production. I thought I should show my face at least once. Plus, Jung-Min is interested in the role." Kim Tae-Kwon then gestured to Park Jung-Min standing beside him. "You know Jung-Min, right?" Standing at 180 cm, Park Jung-Min looked every bit the part of a model, dressed in bold and stylish clothing. "The famous model, right?" I replied. Kim Tae-Kwon nodded and gestured to Park Jung-Min. "Exactly. Go on, introduce yourself." Park Jung-Min nodded curtly in my direction. "It''s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Jung." Unlike most models who tend to benky, Park Jung-Min''s physique was muscr, thanks to his experience in kendo and various sports. After greeting me, Park Jung-Min shook hands with Deok-Bae briefly as he was cautious after seeing how Seo Yi-Jun had been shut down. Still, Park Jung-Min''s eyes showed a mixture of hostility and wariness. Kim Tae-Kwon smirked and said, "Team Lead Jung, why not let this one go? It''s clear that Jung-Min has this role in the bag. Don''t waste your effort." I shrugged. "Let''s see whoes out on top." "Hahaha, ssic Team Lead Jung. Nothing ever rattles you!" Kim Tae-Kwonughed loudly for a long time before he left with Park Jung-Min to join their group. As they disappeared, Deok-Bae spoke quietly, "Hyung, they''re no joke." I replied, "I told you this industry''s tough. But you handled it very well." Deok-Bae''s eyes burned with determination as he nodded. "I''ll win this, hyung." The encounters with Seo Yi-Jun and Park Jung-Min had clearly ignited Deok-Bae''s fighting spirit. *** The audition for the role of Kim Beop-Min in Hwaranjeon began. Oh Bok-Hee announced her intent to make today''s audition as close to the real thing as possible. Hearing this, camera operators set up their equipment, and supporting actors arrived on set to assist. Oh Bok-Hee, Ryu Han-Joon, and Han Woo-Ju sat in chairs ced along the recreated streets of Si''s capital, Seorabeol, nked by traditional tiled houses. At that moment, Geum Eun-Dong approached us to inform us of the schedule. "You''ll wait until Mrs. Oh calls your number. Mr. Deok-Bae, you''re number three and will gost." The order was set: Seo Yi-Jun would go first, followed by Park Jung-Min, and finally Deok-Bae. Once preparations wereplete, Oh Bok-Hee called out. "Let''s begin the audition for the role of Kim Beop-Min. Number one, Mr. Seo Yi-Jun. Pleasee forward." The audition for one of Hwaranjeon''s most pivotal roles had officially begun. Chapter 412: Kim Beop-Min Audition (2)

Chapter 412: Kim Beop-Min Audition (2)

Seo Yi-Jun stepped forward with a confident smile. His beige half-coat red dramatically as his brown wavy hair caught the breeze. Standing before Oh Bok-Hee, Seo Yi-Jun greeted her in a cheerful tone. "Mrs. Oh, how have you been?" "I''ve been good, Yi-Jun. It''s been a while. Have you been practicing a lot?" "You know me. I''ve been working to death!" "You always say that, but I hear you''ve been spotted in Apgujeong pretty often these days." "That''s just rumors! This time, I actually mean it." "Is that so? Alright, I''ll look forward to it." "Yes, Mrs. Oh!" After exchanging pleasantries with Oh Bok-Hee, Seo Yi-Jun snapped open a prop fan with a dramatic snap. Then he began to embody the carefree demeanor of Kim Beop-Min with a few yful waves of the fan. Though it deviated slightly from the character envisioned by Han Woo-Ju, Seo Yi-Jun''s delicate and handsome features made his interpretation of the character feel surprisingly fitting. Oh Bok-Hee took her seat on a chair ced amidst the tiled houses of the recreated Seorabeol street set. "Remember. This might be an audition, but we''re doing it like it''s the real thing. Stay sharp¡ªanypse in focus could lead to idents." The audition scene, Scene 11 from Episode 20, began with Princess Yu-Hwa rushing out of the pce and into the bustling streets of Seorabeol. Spotting a beggar about to be struck by a galloping carriage, she threw herself into harm''s way to push him to safety. Though she sessfully saved the beggar, she failed to get herself out of the carriage''s path. At that moment, Kim Beop-Min, who recently returned from a ten-year study abroad in Tang China, witnessed the scene. He swiftly moved to save Princess Yu-Hwa and their faces met for the first time. Kim Beop-Min instantly fell for the woman he had just rescued, but he was unaware of her true identity due to being away for ten years for his studies. It wouldn''t be until a female bodyguard arrived and urgently called the princess by her title that he realized she was Yu-Hwa, the political rival of his family. The scene required actors to portray rapid shifts in emotion including urgency, admiration, and shock in a high-stakes situation, making it a challenging audition. Oh Bok-Hee reminded the action actors ying the beggar and coachman to be cautious, before calling out to Yoo-Jin. "Miss Yoo-Jin, please adjust your performance to match the rookies. Don''t overshadow them, okay?" There were only a few actors who could rival Yoo-Jin''s acting prowess in Hwaranjeon. If she gave it her all, the three auditioning actors would risk beingpletely overshadowed. "Don''t worry, Mrs. Oh. I''ll focus on creating a good rhythm with them rather than standing out." "Thank you, Miss Yoo-Jin. And thanks for showing up in person to support the auditions." "We''re all in this together. I''m happy to help where I can." Oh Bok-Hee looked relieved with Yoo-Jin agreeing to tone down her performance. Then, she turned to Seo Yi-Jun. "Yi-Jun, don''t let your guard down just because Miss Yoo-Jin is amodating you. Even if you give it your all, you''ll struggle to match her level." "Aww,e on. I already know how amazing Yoo-Jin sunbae-nim is." Seo Yi-Jun shot a nervous nce at Yoo-Jin and gave her a polite bow. "I''ll do my best. Please take good care of me, sunbae-nim." Yoo-Jin smiled. "Of course, Mr. Yi-Jun." Taking advantage of the moment, I leaned over to Deok-Bae beside me. "Deok-Bae, pay attention to how yourpetitors act. You can learn a lot." "Yes, hyung." In auditions, those who went after were often advantageous as long as the earlier performances didn''t intimidate the actor. @@novelbin@@ Just then, the staff signaled that everything was ready. Oh Bok-Hee nodded and raised her hand to signal the start of the audition. "Alright, then. Ready~ action!" From the far end of the Seorabeol street set, a carriage pulled by two horses charged forward at full speed. Although it was just an audition, it felt almost like a real production. *** When Yoo-Jin pushed the beggar to safety and copsed, Seo Yi-Jun leaped toward her in a heroic motion. At that moment, the two-horse carriage barreled forward as if it would collide with Yoo-Jin. Though the actual distance was far enough to be safe, Yoo-Jin feigned shock and terror convincingly. In one swift motion, Seo Yi-Jun grabbed Yoo-Jin and rolled across the ground, narrowly dodging the carriage. As the carriage sped past, Seo Yi-Jun brushed the dirt off his coat with a yful smirk on his face. However, the moment he looked up at Yoo-Jin''s face, he froze with a stiff expression. Though the trembling of his cheek was a bit unnatural, Yoo-Jin graciously adjusted her performance to match his level and guided him gently as she had done with Oh Tae-Hyuk in the past. Thanks to Yoo-Jin''s support, Seo Yi-Jun''s acting appeared more polished andpelling. "Cut! Okay!" Oh Bok-Hee''s voice was filled with excitement. "Yi-Jun, you must have practiced hard this time!" Seo Yi-Jun shrugged nonchntly, oblivious to the help he had received from Yoo-Jin. "I told you, I practiced a lot." Han Woo-Ju also nodded approvingly from the sidelines. "Considering how little time you had to prepare, you''ve portrayed a rather charming Kim Beop-Min. I like it, Mr. Yi-Jun." "Thank you, Miss Han." Excited by Seo Yi-Jun''s unexpected acting, Oh Bok-Hee pped her hands. "Alright, let''s see your action next!" "Yes, Mrs. Oh!" The second part of the audition began, this time focusing on action scenes. The sequence depicted Kim Beop-Min and Guk-Seon meeting on the empty streets of Seorabeol at night where they engaged in a dramatic martial arts duel. Oh Bok-Hee called the action director of Hwaranjeon, Ahn Seok-Chil, over. "Mr. Ahn, I''m counting on you for this." "Understood, Mrs. Oh." Ahn Seok-Chil brought out two lightweight wooden swords prepared for the auditions instead of the heavier prop swords. He demonstrated the basic moves meticulously, walking the actors through the choreography step by step. "The key is to make your movements big and visually striking. Action acting is about showing the audience, not fighting your opponent for real. Most importantly, don''t swing the sword outside the designated trajectory under any circumstances." Ahn Seok-Chil swung the wooden sword repeatedly along the same path and showed them the precise timing required for their moves. He continued exining, "Right timing is everything, so pay close attention." He then instructed Seo Yi-Jun and the stunt actor to practice their sequence together. After the rehearsal, the actual action audition began. "Hyaah!" Though Seo Yi-Jun''s battle cry was energetic, his action performance left much to be desired. The choreography required him to simply follow his opponent''s movements while looking cool, but he frequently fell out of sync and disrupted the flow of the scene. Several times, the mismatched timing nearly caused both actors to injure each other. Oh Bok-Hee said with a disappointed expression, "Cut! That''s enough! Any more and someone''s bound to get hurt." Seo Yi-Jun casually wiped the sweat off his forehead and responded without concern. "You know I didn''t have much time to prepare, Mrs. Oh. If you let me pass, I''ll make sure to prepare properly next time. Plus, the stunt double can handle the heavy action anyway, right?" Seo Yi-Jun''s mischievous wink prompted Oh Bok-Hee to chuckle in disbelief. "Haha. That glib tongue of yours. Fine, just go wait over there for now." "Okay, Mrs. Oh." Seo Yi-Jun headed to his seat with an exhausted expression. As he passed by us, he nced at Deok-Bae and smirked as if to say "Can you do better than that?" Nheless, Deok-Bae paid him no attention. He simply focused intently on processing everything he had observed. "And next up... Park Jung-Min!" Park Jung-Min, now dressed in a fitted blue durumagi[1] that clung to his well-built frame, walked confidently toward Yoo-Jin. Yoo-Jin greeted him warmly. "I''m looking forward to working with you, Mr. Jung-Min." At that moment, Park Jung-Min replied with a sly smile, "Me too, noona." The unexpected use of "noona" left Yoo-Jin momentarily flustered. ''What''s with this cocky little brat?'' I wondered. Few industries were as rigid about hierarchy as the entertainment world. Even older actors were expected to address those who debuted earlier as "sunbae" and adhere strictly to honorifics. Despite not knowing her well and even after Yoo-Jin had shown him the respect of speaking formally, Park Jung-Min had the audacity to casually call her "noona" on their first meeting. While his flirty personality was well known, seeing it firsthand was both absurd and frustrating. That''s when Oh Bok-Hee''s voice interrupted the moment. "Jung-Min and Miss Yoo-Jin, are you both ready?" Though momentarily flustered, Yoo-Jin quicklyposed herself like the professional she was. "Yes, I''m ready." "Alright, let''s begin. Ready~ action!" Park Jung-Min wlessly executed the initial sequence and rolled with Yoo-Jin to dodge the carriage. However, as they stood, Park Jung-Min reached out and wrapped an arm around Yoo-Jin''s waist to pull her close without warning. I frowned. ''That brat... where does he get the nerve?'' Unscripted physical contact with an actress without her consent was an unspoken taboo in the industry. While intimate scenes naturally urred in acting, they were always discussed beforehand and agreed upon by both parties. Despite this, Park Jung-Min, a mere neen-year-old rookie, had arrogantly decided to cross that line. I made up my mind then and there. He would not appear on the same project with Yoo-Jin no matter what. ''I''ll deal with you when the audition is over, Park Jung-Min.'' Though caught off guard by Seo Yi-Jun''s move, Yoo-Jin seamlessly shrugged off his hand and continued the scene without missing a beat to stay true to her character. Momentster, Oh Bok-Hee called out, "Cut! Okay. Wow, Jung-Min, your acting has really improved as well!" Park Jung-Min replied with a bow, "Thank you," However, Han Woo-Ju frowned slightly andmented, "The performance was good, but your interpretation of the character is a bit off. Kim Beop-Min isn''t meant to be so clingy. Keep that in mind." Park Jung-Min responded with a nonchnt smile. "Understood. I''ll adjust my performance." Despite his inappropriate behavior of grabbing Yoo-Jin''s waist, Park Jung-Min''s acting definitely surpassed Seo Yi-Jun''s. While Seo Yi-Jun''s portrayal was overly sweet, Park Jung-Min managed to convey a moreyered andplex character aside from his unprofessional conduct with Yoo-Jin. Oh Bok-Hee announced, "Alright, let''s move on to the action sequence." As Park Jung-Min returned to the waiting area, he kept stealing nces at Yoo-Jin. "Park Jung-Min! What are you doing? Pay attention!" Oh Bok-Hee yelled. The startled Park Jung-Min quickly straightened up. "Sorry, Mrs. Oh!" Park Jung-Min took the wooden sword from Ahn Seok-Chil and exuded confidence. Having achieved a third-degree ck belt in kendo, his movements were sharp and the wooden sword sliced the air with a satisfying whoosh. Oh Bok-Hee said, "Alright, let''s see your action performance." "Yes, Mrs. Oh." Park Jung-Min gave a confident smile before beginning his performance. *** ck, ck! With precise timing, Park Jung-Min''s action sequence came to life. Unlike Seo Yi-Jun''s earlier attempt, Park Jung-Min''s kendo experience brought precision and grace to the performance, resulting in a visually stunning disy. Nheless, Yoo-Jin standing next to me was unimpressed as she grumbled under her breath. "Oppa, why''s that kid so sleazy? He''s only neen years old but he''s acting like that?" Yoo-Jin listed her grievances from his inappropriate use of "noona" to wrapping his arm around her waist. Every bit of it had clearly rubbed her the wrong way. "Don''t worry. Once this audition''s over, I''ll teach that punk some manners," I assured her. Yoo-Jin''s anger softened and was reced by a small smile. "Fine. But don''t hit him, okay?" "Hit him? No way. What do you think I''m going to do?" Yoo-Jin studied my face carefully. "Hmm... then bury him?" "Why are you talking like that''s any better? I''ll just... quietly have a word with him." Now fully rxed, Yoo-Jin burst intoughter. "Hahaha. Yeah, right. Coming from you, Yoon-Ho oppa?" Lately, it felt like Yoo-Jin knew me even better than I knew myself. At that moment, the resounding call of "Cut! Okay!" echoed as Park Jung-Min wrapped up his audition and wiped the sweat from his brow. His impressive action performance had left a strong impression, and Oh Bok-Hee couldn''t hide her admiration. "Wow, your kendo training really shows. That was great." "Thank you for the kind words." With such a significant gap in action performance, Seo Yi-Jun''s presence had nearly faded into the background while Park Jung-Min emerged as the frontrunner for the role. Finally, it was Deok-Bae''s turn. I patted him on the back and said, "You''ve got this. Go show them all you''ve got." "Yes, hyung." Taking a deep breath, Deok-Bae walked forward. He was ready to deliver the performance he had been tirelessly preparing for over the past three days without any sleep. *** Although he only had three days to prepare, Deok-Bae had poured every ounce of his energy into practice and even skipped sleep to repeat the scene hundreds of times. The intensity of his focus during such a short preparation period was nothing short of extraordinary. Deok-Bae had honed his performance to the point where his acting was quite convincing, though a few rough edges remainedpared to the polished skills of Park Jung-Min who had years of experience. Catching up to someone with years of acting under their belt in just three days was no easy task. Even so, Deok-Bae''s progress exceeded my expectations. I smiled and silently cheered for him. ''You did well, Deok-Bae.'' "Cut! That''s it!" The judges offered their positive feedback to Deok-Bae. "Your delivery has depth and I appreciate how clearly you enunciated every word." "And that voice... It''s surprisingly captivating. I was almost blushing!" "Did you rehearse separately with Yoo-Jin or something? Your chemistry was seamless." Thanks to hours of practice with videos recorded by Choi Ji-Yung, Lee Tae-Poong, Go Jae-Soo, and Yoo-Jin, Deok-Bae achieved a level of performance that was genuinelymendable. However, Park Jung-Min still remained the top contender. He had not only scored the highest in acting but also demonstrated exceptional movement in the action sequence, befitting his kendo expertise. Oh Bok-Hee said, "Let''s move on to Deok-Bae''s action scene and finish the audition. Mr. Ahn, please guide him through the rehearsal." Due to Park Jung-Min''s impressive acting, Deok-Bae needed to close the gap in the action category to secure the role of Kim Beop-Min. However, I wasn''t worried. After all, Deok-Bae''s reflexes and athletic ability rivaled my own. Ahn Seok-Chil handed Deok-Bae a wooden sword upon hearing Oh Bok-Hee''s instruction. Deok-Bae took it confidently, gripping it with surprising precision. Ahn Seok-Chil tilted his head in curiosity. "Deok-Bae, are you trained in kendo too? Your grip is spot-on." "No, sir. I just mimicked what you demonstrated earlier." Ahn Seok-Chil looked intrigued. "You picked that up just by watching once?" Deok-Bae nodded humbly. "This is interesting. Then do you remember the action sequences of the other actors from earlier? Can you replicate them?" "I think I remember the movements, but I''m not sure if I can pull them off." "Really? Alright, let''s give it a try. Ready?" "Yes, sir." "Get in your position. Let''s go." ck! When the wooden swords met perfectly in sync at their first sh, Ahn Seok-Chil''s jaw dropped slightly. "Mrs. Oh, this kid doesn''t need a second rehearsal." "Can we go straight into the test, then?" Ahn Seok-Chil replied confidently, "Absolutely." While Deok-Bae might struggle to surpass Park Jung-Min''s years of martial arts training in pure technique, action acting wasn''t just about skill¡ªit was about how well the actor brought the choreography of the action director to life. With his towering 185 cm frame and long, well-proportioned limbs, Deok-Bae cut an imposing figure. Simply standing with the wooden sword, he radiated an aura of confidence and charisma. "Alright, if everyone''s ready, let''s start." It was time to see if my gamble on Deok-Bae would pay off. Taking a deep breath, Deok-Bae gripped the wooden sword tightly in both hands with resolve. His determination to win the role was written all over his face. At that moment, Oh Bok-Hee raised her hand to signal the beginning of the audition. "Ready~ action!" With amanding shout, the stunning disy of martial artistry began. At that moment, Deok-Bae, who had been an action actor in my past life, moved with breathtaking fluidity and precision, leaving the entire set captivated. 1. Traditional Korean coat ? Chapter 413: Kim Beop-Min Audition (3)

Chapter 413: Kim Beop-Min Audition (3)

''As expected, Deok-Bae is a natural action star,'' I thought. Thwack! The wooden sword Deok-Bae wielded shed with Oh Tae-Hyuk''s in midair. They exchanged strikes cautiously at first, but the two started to pick up speed as their movements synchronized perfectly. Snap! When Oh Tae-Hyuk swung his wooden sword in an arc, Deok-Bae''s sword moved even faster and precisely intercepted the attack. Even though Deok-Bae hadn''t slept in days, his flowing sword strikes were strong. On top of that, Deok-Bae''s long limbs made his movements look far more dynamicpared to those of his previouspetitors. The most notable thing was that Deok-Bae disyed dazzling movements that perfectly mimicked Ahn Seok-Chil. As such, the resulting scene looked iparably better than the two actors before him. After several exchanges of wooden swords, the two quickly created distance between them. They were preparing for the final sequence of the action performance where Kim Beop-Min swung his sword downward at Guk-Seon who dodged the strike. They were approximately five meters apart. Deok-Bae''s expression was menacing and almost wolf-like. ''This is the finale, Deok-Bae. You''ve got this!'' I silently cheered. With just one scene left in the audition, my sweaty palms betrayed my nerves. @@novelbin@@ At that moment, Yoo-Jin moved closer to me and spoke excitedly. "Oppa, where did Deok-Bae learn swordsmanship like that?" I shrugged. "Well, he was using tree branches to spar with me during his practice." "No way! And he''s still this good?" "Yeah. When ites to action, he''s a total prodigy." At that moment, a button from Deok-Bae''s long cashmere coat fell off. Plink. At the same time, a cold wind blew and caused his coat to flutter like a cape. Sweaty strands of hair clung to his face and swayed in the breeze. Despite that, Deok-Bae fixed his gaze on his opponent for the swordy duel who was standing right before him. ording to the script, Guk-Seon was the most skilled warrior of Si and Kim Beop-Min, who had trained in secret sword techniques in Tang, was his only rival. This setup made it seem as if Deok-Bae was genuinely Kim Beop-Min locked in a life-and-death battle with Guk-Seon. His immersion was soplete that the emotional expression in his action performance far surpassed his earlier general acting. They silently red at each other for several seconds before Oh Tae-Hyuk''s sword tip quivered. In that instant, Deok-Bae leaped into the air with a loud shout. "Ta-ahhh!" Thanks to his height and incredible athleticism, Deok-Bae''s jump was on an entirely different levelpared to earlierpetitors. Deok-Bae moved so swiftly that Oh Tae-Hyuk missed the timing to evade the attack. If things continued, it could lead to a major ident. Even though it was during an audition, I shouted, "Deok-Bae! No!" That''s when Deok-Bae btedly realized Oh Tae-Hyuk wasn''t ready. Unfortunately, it was impossible to halt the momentum of his elerating sword. Instead, Deok-Bae twisted his body. Whoosh. The wooden sword that had been descending toward Oh Tae-Hyuk''s head cleaved through the air. With his body twisted in midair, Deok-Baended hard on the ground. Thud. I immediately ran over to check on Deok-Bae''s condition. "Deok-Bae, are you okay?" Deok-Bae clutched his shoulder with a grimace but forced a smile. Only then did the dazed Oh Tae-Hyuk snap out of it. "Are... are you alright, Mr. Deok-Bae? I was so nervous that I..." "It''s fine, sunbae-nim. I moved too suddenly," Deok-Bae replied. Oh Tae-Hyuk shook his head. "No, it was my dyed reaction." Deok-Bae''s tall stature and exceptional athleticism had led to an unexpected situation. Oh Bok-Hee called out, "Cut! Is everyone okay?" The audition came to an end. Oh Bok-Hee asked with a concerned expression. "M-Mr. Jung, is Deok-Bae alright? He''s not hurt, is he?" I nodded. "Yes, this is nothing... he''s fine." Though Deok-Bae might have some bruising, there was no damage to his bones or ligaments. At that moment, the staff and Oh Bok-Hee began pping. They were expressing their admiration for the acrobatic movement Deok-Bae had disyed midair. Ahn Seok-Chil was particrly enthusiastic and pped so hard it seemed his hands might burst. Oh Bok-Hee turned to Han Woo-Ju with an excited expression. "Miss Han, what did you think?" Han Woo-Ju smiled satisfactorily. "I think we should increase the action scenes! The role of Kim Beop-Min can be made even morepelling. A son from a political family who studied in Tang and returned to Si, but also a martial artist who can rival Guk-Seon¡ªthe greatest sword fighter of Si! Doesn''t that sound amazing?" Ryu Han-Joon also leaned toward Deok-Bae''s favor. "I agree. For some reason, I feel like Deok-Bae could be the secret weapon of Hwaranjeon." At that moment, Oh Bok-Hee smiled and turned to the next person. "And you, Mr. Ahn?" Ahn Seok-Chil, who had remained silent until now, finally voiced his opinion. "If Deok-Bae takes on the role of Kim Beop-Min, I believe I can enhance the action even further. With movements like the ones he showed earlier, he could deliver action sequences other actors wouldn''t even dream of." Although his general acting fell short, Deok-Bae''s extraordinary action performance instantly tipped the scales in his favor. After exchanging nces, the four nodded and Oh Bok-Hee made the decision. "Then the role of Kim Beop-Min goes to Deok-Bae." The audition was a sess. *** When Deok-Bae was confirmed for the role of Kim Beop-Min, Seo Yi-Jun was irritated and Park Jung-Min looked incredulous. Deok-Bae stood up and smiled. "Hyung... did I really pass?" I smiled. "Yes, you''re Kim Beop-Min." Just then, Deok-Bae started to stagger. The aftermath of days without sleep and performing at full strength was taking its toll. I quickly grabbed Deok-Bae''s waist to support him. Deok-Bae''s body radiated intense heat. "Then... I''ll just... rest a little now," he mumbled. "Sure." Deok-Bae gave a faint smile and slowly closed his eyes. "Huh? Deok-Bae?" As Deok-Bae copsed against me, the staff began to panic. "What? What''s going on? Mr. Jung, what''s wrong with Deok-Bae?" "It''s alright. He just hasn''t slept for days." I reassured them whileying Deok-Bae down on the ground. Deok-Baepletely passed out and began breathing deeply. It seemed he had been so exhausted that even his breathing carried the sound of whistling air. I called 119 just in case and asked the staff for a handkerchief. At that moment, Yoo-Jin standing nearby handed one over. "Oppa, take this." "Thanks. Could you also bring some water?" "Of course." I opened the water bottle Yoo-Jin handed me, dampened the handkerchief, and ced it on Deok-Bae''s forehead. I looked down at Deok-Bae in my arms and quietly offered my congrattions. ''Deok-Bae, you did great.'' A faint smile appeared on Deok-Bae''s unconscious face as if he heard my words. *** An ambnce arrived at the set with the ring sound of sirens. "Where is the patient?" "Right over here!" Once Deok-Bae was ced in the ambnce, the paramedics quickly turned to me. "Only one guardian can ride along." All the staff looked at me, but I turned to Lee Yung-Jin and said, "Yung-Jin, go with Deok-Bae to the hospital. Call me if anythinges up." "Me? But shouldn''t you go instead?" "I still have things to wrap up here." Although the audition was over, I couldn''t leave the scene casually since the presidents of Ace Entertainment and TK Entertainment were present. After all, they wouldn''t have traveled from Seoul to Gyeongju without a purpose. Lee Yung-Jin quickly climbed into the backseat of the ambnce. "Alright, Mr. Jung. Then I''ll go and call youter." Only then did the staff let out a sigh of relief. At that moment, Oh Bok-Hee turned to the staff. "Alright, everyone. Let''s take a break and have a hearty meal. The afternoon shoot will proceed as scheduled." "Yes, Mrs. Oh." The staff returned to their tasks with uplifted expressions, pleased with Deok-Bae''s spirited performance. Just as expected, Im Sung-Hak of Ace Entertainment began to make his move. He turned to Oh Bok-Hee and said, "PD Oh, let''s have a word." "I''m sorry, but I''m a bit busy right now. Can we schedule a meetingter?" "Later? No way. The evaluation criteria for today''s audition are a bit strange, don''t you think?" While organizing the script, Oh Bok-Hee furrowed her brow at Im Sung-Hak''sint. "Strange?" "Yes. No matter how close you are with Team Lead Jung, how can you make such a biased decision?" "Are you trying to say that Yi-Jun is better than Deok-Bae?" It was an absurd remark, but Im Sung-Hak replied shamelessly, "Of course he is. We can always use doubles for action scenes. But Yi-Jun was the best when ites to presence, wasn''t he?" Im Sung-Hak''s behavior stemmed from two reasons. First, he wanted to appease Seo Yi-Jun who couldn''t ept the oue. Second, he hoped to use this as leverage to secure future roles for Ace Entertainment actors. However, Oh Bok-Hee immediately saw through his intentions and responded boldly. "So what you''re saying is... I''m a director so clueless about assessing actors that I''d make such a foolish decision, right?" "Hey! Why are you twisting my words like that?" "Twisting them? Mr. Im, save your tricks for someone else. I acknowledge Yi-Jun has improved a lot! But so what? He''s not better than hispetitors in any area!" As Oh Bok-Hee''s tone grew sharper, Im Sung-Hak faltered. "No, that''s not what I meant..." Oh Bok-Hee interrupted him. "Mr. Im, let me warn you to stop while you''re ahead. If you push this any further, Ace Entertainment won''t get anything from this production." There were countless roles for supporting and minor actors in a fifty-episode historical drama. Forpanies like Ace Entertainment with arge pool of actors, securing those roles was crucial. Im Sung-Hak started to back down with Oh Bok-Hee''s unexpectedly firm stance. "Alright, alright! There''s no need to get so worked up... Fine, I''m sorry. My bad." While Im Sung-Hak backed off, I quietly approached writer Han Woo-Ju. It was time to address Park Jung-Min''s earlier antics with Yoo-Jin. "Excuse me, Miss Han...?" Han Woo-Ju, who had been watching the argument between Im Sung-Hak and Oh Bok-Hee with interest, turned to me. "Yes, Mr. Jung?" "You''re aware that TK Entertainment is trying to push their actors into our drama, right?" "Yes, I know." "I suspect Park Jung-Min is also waiting for a chance to snag another role in our production. Have you heard any rumors about him?" Han Woo-Ju''s eyes gleamed. "What kind of rumors?" Sensing the perfect opportunity, I shared some gossip about Park Jung-Min''s history with women. To be precise, it was information I knew from my past life but slightly exaggerated for effect. After hearing my ount, Han Woo-Ju fumed and rolled up her sleeves angrily. "Leave it to me. That guy won''t set foot in my work!" As Im Sung-Hak retreated, Kim Tae-Kwon of TK Entertainment started a conversation with Oh Bok-Hee. "PD Oh, may I have a moment?" "What is it? Are you also here to im Jung-Min did better than Deok-Bae?" Unlike Im Sung-Hak, Kim Tae-Kwon gracefully acknowledged the decision. "No, no. Why would I criticize your judgment? After watching Deok-Bae''s action performance, even I was impressed." Kim Tae-Kwon''s subtle approach shook Oh Bok-Hee slightly. "Ahem... Really?" "Yes. But it''s just that not casting Jung-Min feels like such a shame. Please give him any role in Hwaranjeon and I guarantee he''ll do well." When Oh Bok-Hee showed a hint of hesitation, Han Woo-Ju standing beside me boldly stepped forward. "Actually, I''m not a fan of Mr. Park Jung-Min." Caught off guard by this unexpected interference, Kim Tae-Kwon turned to Han Woo-Ju. "Writer Han, why the sudden opposition...?" "Mr. Park Jung-Min is notorious for his messy rtionships with women. If we cast him and some scandal breaks out, who''s going to take responsibility for that?" Han Woo-Ju questioned. The visibly flustered Kim Tae-Kwon stammered, "W-what are you talking about?" "I didn''t want to bring this up, but I''ll say it. I can understand him dating Choi Tae-In from Bless Entertainment. But two-timing her with a fellow group member? Are you seriously unaware of this?" Choi Tae-In, the leader of the girl group Pinky Love, was twenty-four years old and older than Park Jung-Min. At the same time, Park Jung-Min was also romantically involved with Lee Ye-Ju, another member of the same group. This scandal would cause a huge uproar for Park Jung-Min in about a month, but only a select few were aware of it for now. When Han Woo-Ju mentioned it so abruptly, Kim Tae-Kwon''s face went pale. "N-no... W-where did you hear such nonsense? That''s just a rumor! A baseless rumor!" "A rumor, huh? Then how about we verify it right now? If there isn''t a single photo or contact detail of them on Jung-Min''s phone, I''ll apologize and give him a great role. What do you say?" At that moment, Kim Tae-Kwon gritted his teeth and shot me a re. ''This was you, wasn''t it?'' I returned his re. ''Why are you looking at me?'' Kim Tae-Kwon''s re intensified. ''Who else could it be?'' I maintained a shameless expression, unfazed by Kim Tae-Kwon''s using gaze. ''Do you have proof?'' Just then, Yoo-Jin leaned in and whispered. "Oppa, why are you having a staring contest with Mr. Kim?" "It''s nothing." "It''s not nothing. You were the one who gave that information, weren''t you? Is this what you meant earlier about putting him in his ce?" ''Yoo-Jin is as sharp as ever,'' I thought. When I feigned innocence, Yoo-Jin shed a bright smile. "Honestly, oppa... you''re something else." At that moment, Yoo-Jin spoke in an almost inaudible voice."Thank you..." "Huh? What did you say?" "Nothing. Forget it." Yoo-Jin turned away and began watching Kim Tae-Kwon awkwardly exin himself to Han Woo-Ju while sweating profusely. I wasn''t finished dealing with Park Jung-Min just yet. He had crossed a line he shouldn''t have, and such actions couldn''t go unpunished. So I sent a KkTalk message to Choi So-Hye discreetly without letting Yoo-Jin know. [Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: Ms. Choi, I''ve got a tip for you. It''s about TK Entertainment''s star model, Park Jung-Min...] Choi So-Hye''s reply came instantly apanied by a cheerful emoji of her signature bright, winking smiley face. [Reporter Choi So-Hye: ^?^ Thank you~!] I am Jung Yoon-Ho, and sometimes, I''m a man who holds grudges. Chapter 414: To Home

Chapter 414: To Home

Deok-Bae woke up only after sleeping an entire day, hooked to an IV drip, and receiving nutrient injections at the general hospital in Gyeongju. I was also passed out in the adjacent bed after being attached to an IV as I hadn''t had a proper sleep after tirelessly assisting Deok-Bae with his acting practice nonstop. Deok-Bae still looked visibly tired after waking up the next day. However, his face lit up at the thought of telling his younger brother about his sessful audition. Since neither of us had any serious issues apart from exhaustion, we quicklypleted the discharge process and headed to Seoul with Yoo-Jin and Miso. I needed to check on Han-Ul''s condition, but more importantly, today was the day we nned to visit the house in Amsa-dong that Yoo-Jin''s uncle had uwfully seized. We had nned to go as soon as the property title was transferred back to Yoo-Jin, but the house was in such poor condition that repairs took longer than expected. Only now were we able to visit. After driving for several hours, the Gangbuk Seven Star Hospital came into view. As we approached our destination, Deok-Bae who was sitting in the back bowed his head toward Yoo-Jin. "Noona, thank you so much for letting us stay at your house." Yoo-Jin had graciously offered to rent out the restored house to Deok-Bae, Han-Ul, and their family. Hearing Deok-Bae''s gratitude, Yoo-Jin responded with a warm smile. "A house needs people living in it or it bes a ruin. Besides, if you, Han-Ul, and Dong-Jun''s family stay there, I think myte mom, dad, sister, and brother-inw would be happy. They always loved having a lively atmosphere." The ride to Seoul had brought them closer, and Yoo-Jin now spoke more casually with Deok-Bae. Shortly after, we arrived at the Seven Star Hospital parking lot. Screech. I turned to Yoo-Jin and said, "Yoo-Jin, just wait here for a bit. I''ll check on Han-Ul ande back quickly." "Alright, go ahead. Please send my regards to Han-Ul." "Uncle Yoon-Ho, me too!" eximed Miso. "Okay." With goodbyes exchanged, Deok-Bae and I got out of the car and headed straight for the hospital room. *** When we opened the door to Room 1563 in Seven Star Hospital, only Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother was there. "Oh my, Mr. Jung. You''re here," his grandmother remarked. I stopped Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother as she struggled to sit up in bed. "Oh, it''s okay. Please stay lying down. Where''s Han-Ul?" "They told us to bring him down for a lung checkup, so Dong-Jun took him." Deok-Bae flinched at the mention of a lung checkup. "I-is something wrong with Han-Ul?" Hearing the tremble in Deok-Bae''s voice, Dong-Jun''s grandmother chuckled. "No, no. He''s doing much better, so they''re just checking. Don''t worry." Deok-Bae furrowed his brows. "Really? You''re not just saying that to reassure me, are you?" "When has this olddy ever told lies?" "Never. But still..." "He''s really doing better, so rx. They''ll be back soon after the tests." Only then did Deok-Bae rx. Creak. Momentster, Han-Ul seated in a wheelchair entered the room. Though he was wearing a portable oxygen mask, his expression was much brighter than before. "Hyung... did you pass?" Han-Ul asked with anticipation. Deok-Bae cautiously approached Han-Ul in the wheelchair. Then, he slowly knelt before Han-Ul. "Yeah, I passed... I''m an actor now..." Deok-Bae locked eyes with Han-Ul and tightly held his younger brother''s hand. Han-Ul smiled softly in response. "I knew it. You''re good at everything, hyung..." Hearing his brother''s wheezing voice, tears started streaming down Deok-Bae''s crescent-shaped eyes. "That''s right. Now that I''m an actor, you should get better quickly so we can move into the new house together." Han-Ul nced between Park Dong-Jun pushing his wheelchair and Dong-Jun''s grandmother who was lying on the bed. "What about Dong-Jun hyung and Grandma?" "Of course they''lle with us." Han-Ul smiled bashfully. "That''s a relief..." At that moment, everyone in the room¡ªa family not tied by blood¡ªbegan silently shedding tears together. *** With Han-Ul''s condition improving, the doctors stated he could be discharged within a few days. I told Han-Ul that we should all gather at the Amsa-dong house after his discharge and headed back to the parking lot. Then Yoo-Jin, Miso, and I set off for the Amsa-dong house. We drove through a residential side street wide enough for threerge vans to pass side by side, and Yoo-Jin''s old house soon came into view. "We''re here." The house was a two-story standalone home built on a roughly 80-pyeong plot. It had a rooftop instead of an attic and included a basement. The moment Yoo-Jin saw the house, she began to tremble slightly as she had thought she would never be able to return after her uncle took it from her. Overwhelmed with emotion, Yoo-Jin looked at Miso. "Miso, this was where Grandma, Grandpa, and your real mom and dad lived. And you lived here too." Miso tilted her head in curiosity as she looked out the window. "Mom, did I really live here?" "Yeah. You came here straight from the hospital three days after you were born." "Oh~ I see~" Meanwhile, I turned off the car''s engine and opened the door. "Come on, let''s get out and take a look inside." At my urging, Yoo-Jin unlocked her door and stepped out. She walked slowly to the light-blue steel gate in front of the house. I handed Yoo-Jin the new key. "Here, take this." Yoo-Jin held the key with tears welling in her eyes and approached the gate. She rested her forehead against the gate and whispered, "Mom, Dad...Unnie, Brother-inw... I''m home... I''m here with Miso..." Yoo-Jin''s voice trembled as the memories of all she had endured flooded back. While she took a moment to reminisce, I hugged Miso and waited quietly for Yoo-Jin to regain herposure. After a short while, Yoo-Jin collected herself and inserted the key into the pale blue gate. Click. The sound of the gate unlocking echoed softly as Yoo-Jin turned to Miso. "Miso, do you want to open it together?" "Okay!" Miso eximed. Together, Yoo-Jin and Miso used all their strength to push the gate open. Creak. Thanks to the repairs, the heavy steel gate swung open easily. At that moment, the surprise I had prepared for Yoo-Jin unfolded before her eyes. "O-oppa... is this...?" Yoo-Jin trembled upon seeing my gift. *** Beyond the pale blue gate was Yoo-Jin''s Amsa-dong house, restored to look exactly as it had in the photos from an old documentary. Six deep brown earthenware jars were lined up neatly on the red soil, and next to them stood a small pink children''s bicycle. An orange clothesline stretched across the yard with two freshly washed T-shirts hanging on it. In one corner of the yard stood a fig tree and a persimmon tree growing harmoniously side by side with a small vegetable garden nestled under them. After the property was transferred to Yoo-Jin''s name, I inspected the house on her behalf. Lacking any attachment to the house, her uncle had left it neglected for years and there wasn''t a single part of it in good condition. So I spent my own money and enlisted the help of Blue Dragon staff who had produced In the Name of God to repair the house. After all, drama productionpanies often had close connections with interior design firms. I had initially only nned for simple repairs, but then I handed them Yoo-Jin''s old photographs and asked if they could restore the house to its original state. Blue Dragon went above and beyond, mobilizing their props team to perfectly recreate the setting as it had appeared in the documentary. "What do you think? I put some effort into this. Do you like it?" I asked her with a smile. Yoo-Jin nodded tearfully, her eyes brimming with emotion. "It''s... it''s amazing...Thank you so much." She couldn''t even finish her sentence before tears streamed down her face. At that moment, Miso stood beside Yoo-Jin and handed her a handkerchief. "Don''t cry, Mom. If you cry, it makes me sad too..." Tears were also rolling down Miso''s cheeks. Yoo-Jin knelt and hugged Miso tightly. "I''m sorry, Miso. I just got overwhelmed thinking about the past." "The past?" Wiping her tears with the handkerchief, Yoo-Jin pointed to the house. "You also lived here until you were two. Do you remember?" This house had been where Miso grew up and where Yoo-Jin''s parents and sister''s family had all lived together. Miso shook her head. "No, I don''t remember." Yoo-Jin stood up and took Miso''s hand. "Then let''s walk around together. Maybe something wille back to you if you look closely." "Okay!" I stepped aside, giving them space to explore and spend time together. @@novelbin@@ *** Yoo-Jin held Miso''s hand and led her to a corner of the yard. The first stop was the row of earthenware jars that her mother had treasured. Clink. Yoo-Jin opened one of the deep brown jars and turned to me. "Oppa, why didn''t you fill these?" "I thought about it, but every family has their own unique vor for their jang[1]. I left them empty so you could fill them yourselfter." "But I don''t know how to make jang," Yoo-Jin replied. "You still remember how it tasted, don''t you?" Yoo-Jin nodded. I added, "Then you can recreate it when the timees. Until then, Dong-Jun''s grandmother can use them." Yoo-Jin nodded before she moved on. "That works perfectly." She touched the trunks of the fig and persimmon trees which bore her and her sister''s names carved into them before heading toward the pink children''s bicycle. "This bike... I used to love this thing." "That was the most detailed restoration piece," I remarked. The props team had found a brand-new bike identical to the one in the photos and repainted it to match exactly. Even the training wheels had stickers meticulously replicated from the originals. Yoo-Jin said with a smile, "It feels like stepping into a time machine." "Want to ride it?" Yoo-Jinughed and waved her hands. "Right now? I don''t think I can." Nheless, her expression was filled with nostalgia as she touched the rainbow-colored tassels on the handlebars. At that moment, Miso showed interest. "Mom, can I try it?" Yoo-Jin nodded slowly. "Sure. But only in the yard, okay?" "Okay!" When Miso eagerly climbed onto the bike seat, Yoo-Jin grabbed the back of the seat to steady her. "Mom, hold me tight so I don''t fall. Okay?" "Okay~" Miso began pedaling with a little effort. Though it was her first time on a bike, the training wheels kept her steady and she didn''t fall. "Mom, am I doing good?" "Yeah, you''re doing great." "But still, don''t let go of me~" "Alright, I won''t~" Miso was pedaling excitedly, but she didn''t realize that Yoo-Jin had already let go of the bike some time ago. Miso was riding much better than expected. Reaching the end of the yard, Miso turned the handlebars to change direction. It was then that she realized Yoo-Jin wasn''t holding the bike anymore. "Huh? Mom?" When Miso was startled, the handlebars suddenly wobbled. Yoo-Jin quickly called out. "It''s okay! Miso, don''t be scared! You''ve got training wheels, so you won''t fall." I added, "That''s right Miso. As long as you keep pedaling, you won''t tip over." Though surprised at first, Miso regained her confidence with our encouragement. "Ugh... there!" Pushing past her fear, Miso pedaled harder with her strength. The training wheels wobbled as they touched the ground, but the bike soon steadied and moved smoothly. At that moment, a burst ofughter escaped from Miso''s lips. "Hahaha! Mom, look at me! I can ride by myself now!" Miso''s brightughter echoed over the low walls of the yard. As Miso pedaled confidently andughed happily, Yoo-Jin''s long-buried memories resurfaced. *** Miso sessfullypleted her first bike ride. Yoo-Jin rushed over and wiped the sweat off Miso''s forehead. "Miso, did you have fun?" Dering that she would ride the bike every day, Miso spoke with a confident voice. "Yeah! I was scared at first, but it was really fun." "But not without me around, okay? Promise?" "Okay." "Pinkie swear?" "Pinkie swear!" Yoo-Jin extended her pinky and Miso linked hers with it to seal their promise. Watching the two exchange smiles, I urged them to explore the house further. "Yoo-Jin, you''ve seen the yard. Now it''s time to check out the rooms." Yoo-Jin blinked in surprise. "Wait... did you restore the rooms to how they used to be as well?" "Of course I did." Thanks to the detailed photos Yoo-Jin had provided for the SBC''s documentary The Human Story, restoring the interior was entirely possible. "Oppa...how much did this cost?" "Not much." "No way! This must have cost a fortune. Let me pay for it, please." "Don''t worry. Blue Dragon helped so it didn''t cost that much. Besides, who charges for a gift?" "But still..." "Nope. Just keep working hard like you are now¡ªthat''s more than enough." Yoo-Jin nodded with a deeply moved expression. "Thank you, oppa. Really, thank you." Afterward, Yoo-Jin called Cha Soo-Yeon. "Ms. Cha, I''m here at the Amsa-dong house and just saw the interior work. Thank you so much." -There''s no need to thank me. Our props team said they had so much fun with the project. Tears continued to well in Yoo-Jin''s eyes as she spoke on the phone with Cha Soo-Yeon, prompting Miso to stare at me curiously. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, Mom''s crying a lot today." "Yeah, she is..." "But she''s always smiling in all her old pictures." "Right? I guess Mom''s turned into a crybaby. Don''t you think so?" "Uh-huh. Mom''s a crybaby now." I teased Yoo-Jin along with Miso and waited for her to finish the call. Then, Cha Soo-Yeon asked. -By the way, have you seen a dog and a cat around the house? "A dog and a cat?" -Yes. They used toe around during the repairs and the dog seemed to be pregnant. At that moment, I remembered the white female Pomeranian, Lucky, and the cream tabby Korean Shorthair, Mimi, from the old photos. The two pets had belonged to Yoo-Jin''s sister and her husband. When Yoo-Jin had left the house with just Miso, she had reluctantly entrusted the pets to her uncle and asked him to care for them. However, their whereabouts became unknown when her uncle and his wife had neglected the pets. ''No way. Could it really be them?'' I wondered. We had managed to restore everything in the photos except for one thing¡ªYoo-Jin''s family. However, a glimmer of hope emerged that some part of that family might return. 1. traditional Korean sauce ? Chapter 415: Baekseolgi and Injeolmi

Chapter 415: Baekseolgi and Injeolmi

During the remodeling, Cha Soo-Yeon mentioned that a white female Pomeranian and a cream tabby female Korean Short Hair had often appeared, staring at them before disappearing. Yoo-Jin asked, "Did the two seem close? For a dog and a cat, they were unusually friendly..." -Hmm, I can''t say because we didn''t observe them that closely. Yoo-Jin responded with disappointment, "Thank you for letting us know. We''ll take it from here. Oh, and thank you so much for the renovation work." -No problem at all. Just promise to work with us again for the next drama, okay? "Of course, Ms. Cha! Absolutely!" After ending the call, Yoo-Jin turned to me with an excited expression. "Oppa, could it really be Lucky and Mimi?" "Well, I''ll let Deok-Bae know and tell him to take a photo when he sees them." "Okay, oppa." "Alright, let''s go check out the inside now." Gathering herposure, Yoo-Jin stepped onto the stairs leading from the yard to the first-floor entrance. At that moment, we heard a small sound. Rustle. "Huh? What was that sound?" Since we had just been talking about Lucky and Mimi, I instinctively looked around just in case. As I scanned the area, the rustling sound came again. Miso found the source of the sound and eximed, "Mom! Right over here!" Miso pointed toward a gap beneath the stairs. Nestled there were a newborn puppy and kitten. The fluffy white Pomeranian puppy and the golden cream Korean Short Hair kitten were tightly curled up with their eyes firmly shut, clutching each other for warmth as they trembled. Yoo-Jin gasped and stammered in surprise. "O... Oppa... they look just like Lucky and Mimi." I quickly searched around the yard and near the walls, but there were no signs of their parents. Returning, I told Yoo-Jin, "Their parents aren''t anywhere in sight." Just then, the November chill made the two little ones shiver and whimper. "Whimper~" "Mewl~" Their frail cries were heartbreaking as if pleading for help. Normally, it would be best to leave such animals alone so their mother could return to them. After all, human interference could leave a scent that the mother might reject. However, the puppy and kitten looked dangerously weak and vulnerable in the cold wind. Leaving them there would likely be fatal. Miso crouched down and stomped her feet anxiously. "Mom, they look sick." Yoo-Jin turned to me with concern. "Oppa, what should we do?" There was no sign of their mother nearby, and they seemed too fragile to leave in the cold. After a moment of thought, I made a decision. "Yoo-Jin, how about we take them in?" Both Yoo-Jin and Miso responded immediately as if they had been waiting for this suggestion. "Yes!" "Yes!" As soon as I heard their answer, I reached into the gap under the stairs. The two little creatures I touched were ice-cold. "Whimper~" "Mewl~" Too young to even open their eyes properly, the puppy and kitten nuzzled into my hands, seeking the warmth of my touch. The tiny creatures'' desperate movements for survival spurred me into action. "Yoo-Jin, turn on the boiler and grab a nket from the closet toy down for them." "Got it!" Yoo-Jin quickly ran inside to open the first-floor door and turned on the boiler. Meanwhile, Miso followed closely behind me and sped her hands together. *** Once inside, I ced the trembling puppy and kitten on a nket that Yoo-Jin had set out. The boiler would take some time to heat the room, so I used my body heat to keep the two warm. As the small creatures squirmed, their frailty made Miso step forward. "Uncle Yoon-Ho! Let me hold them! I''ll keep them warm!" "Do you want to try?" I handed the puppy and kitten to Miso who cradled them like a hen protecting her eggs as she curled herself around them snugly. While she tended to them, I headed to the living room to check the security camera monitor I had installed. I had added a motion-detecting security camera just in case Yoo-Jin decided to move into the house. The cameras had been set up three days prior, so I reviewed the recorded footage. Unfortunately, there was no sign of the mother dog or cat during that time. I returned to the room and shared the update. "There''s no footage of their parents." Yoo-Jin frowned slightly in disappointment. "When Deok-Bae and his family move in tomorrow, I''ll let them know to call right away if they see the dog or cat. And if they really are Lucky and Mimi, I''ll hire someone to track them down. Don''t worry too much." "Okay." At that moment, Miso peeked up from her bundle. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, can we name them?" "Do you already have names in mind, Miso?" "Yep! The yellow kitty can be Bori[1] because it''s yellow like barley! And the white puppy can be Bap[2], because it''s white like rice! Together they''ll be Bori-Bap[3]! What do you think?" Miso''s creative naming left me speechless. The thought of naming them "Barley Rice" was amusing but hardly fitting. "Miso, don''t you have another idea?" I asked. Miso turned to Yoo-Jin for input. "Mom, do you think it''s weird?" "Uh... just a little," Yoo-Jin replied, holding her thumb and forefinger slightly apart. After thinking it over, Miso looked at the puppy and the kitten in her arms before she came up with another idea. Looking at the white Pomeranian puppy in her left hand she said, "Then I''ll name this one Baekseolgi[4], because it''s as white as a white rice cake!" The puppy squirmed and stuck out a tiny pink tongue. "Whimper~" "Oh? Do you like it? Hehe, so do I!" eximed Miso. Miso excitedly turned to the kitten this time. "And this one, since it''s all yellow with a little white on its neck... Injeolmi[5]!" The kitten opened its tiny mouth and yawned. "Mewl." "You like it too? Okay, then it''s settled!" The kitten seemed to be simply expressing hunger, but Miso interpreted it as agreement. "Mom, they''re happy with their names! This one''s Baekseolgi, and this one''s Injeolmi!" With a fondness for traditional Korean desserts, Miso had officially named the puppy and kitten after rice cakes. I admitted, "Those names are pretty good." Thanks to Miso''s second attempt, the pair avoided bing "Barley Rice" and were now "Baekseolgi" and "Injeolmi." After warming them up, I carefully took Baekseolgi and Injeolmi from Miso. "Now that they''re a bit better, let''s take them to the vet." "Okay, Uncle Yoon-Ho!" Postponing the house tour, we headed to the nearest animal hospital for a check-up. *** We entrusted Baekseolgi and Injeolmi to a kind veterinarian at the 24-hour animal hospital in Amsa-dong for a thorough examination. Thankfully, there was no major issue apart from the fact that the puppy and kitten hadn''t eaten for several days. "They seem to be about ten days old and are a bit malnourished. But as long as you feed them well, they''ll recover," said the veterinarian. "Should I warm up some milk for them?" "No. Since they''re so young, you''ll need to use a specialized form and feed them with a bottle." Relieved, we purchased form, bottles, puppy pads, and other supplies before heading home. We had informed Jung In-Ji in advance and got her permission to bring the animals home. As such, Jung In-Ji warmly weed Baekseolgi and Injeolmi. "Oh my, are these Baekseolgi and Injeolmi? Aren''t they just adorable?" "Grandma! I named them!" Miso said excitedly. Jung In-Ji, Yoo-Jin, and Miso busied themselves preparing a ce for the puppy and kitten. They heated the form milk and tended to the little ones while I, exhausted from managing Deok-Bae''s audition, headed to the third floor to rest. *** The next morning, I headed downstairs after waking up when a noise that hadn''t been there before caught my attention. @@novelbin@@ "Whimper~" "Mewl~" Baekseolgi and Injeolmi were crawling on their bellies across the floor. Miso was lying on the floor and pping her hands while calling out, "Seolgi~ Jeolmi~e here." The fluffy white Baekseolgi and the round yellow Injeolmi wriggled their way toward her. Just then, Yoo-Jin emerged from the kitchen carrying a bottle. She noticed me and said, "Oh, oppa. You''re already up? Aren''t you going to sleep a bit more?" "No, I''m fine. Why are you up so early?" "I just woke up too. I heard these little ones whining for food." Miso stood up while holding Baekseolgi and Injeolmi in her arms and bowed politely. "Good morning, Uncle Yoon-Ho! Seolgi, Jeolmi, say hello too!" Held in Miso''s hands, the two tiny creatures waved their paws as if greeting me. Their puffy soft fur and pink paws seemed to prove how well-fed they werest night. "Whimper?" "Mewl?" The moment they spotted the bottle Yoo-Jin was holding, they quickly forgot everything else andtched on to suck eagerly. "Whimper~ slurp slurp~" "Mewl mewl~" I finally felt reassured upon seeing how voraciously they drank their form. "They''re eating well." "But oppa, are you really working again today without resting?" Although I deserved a break after working all weekend, the mountain of work waiting for me wouldn''t allow it. I shrugged my shoulders. "Yeah, I''ve got a ton of work piled up from scouting Deok-Bae and the audition." I had to organize Cherry Blossom and Kang Ha-Na''s year-end joint concert, finalize the selection of singers for Hwaranjeon''s original soundtrack, and coordinate schedules for the year-end TV awards and music festivals across the three majorworks. On top of that, preparations were needed for the film awards happening in three weeks at the end of November, where Lee Tae-Poong was expected to win thanks to the sess of Beyond the Boundary. "Wow, you''re seriously busy," Yoo-Jin remarked. "It''s the end of the year, after all. Oh, and you''ll need to get fitted for a dress, so keep that in mind. If I can''t make it, I''ll send Sang-Bong to help you." "Yes, sir~" When Yoo-Jin responded, Miso also peeked up as if wondering about herself. I added, "Don''t worry, Miso. We''ll get your dress fitted too." At that, Miso beamed brightly. "Okay!" Yoo-Jin pointed toward the kitchen, telling me to eat breakfast before heading out. Just then, my phone rang. [Caller ID: Sung Han-Yung] Sung Han-Yung was an actor ted to transfer from Actor Division 3 to Actor Division 2. He and his talent agent, Jung Sung-Gon, were expected to join us soon. It was unusual for him to call so early. When I picked up the call in curiosity, I could immediately hear his urgent voice. -Team Lead Jung! Pleasee to thepany right away. "What''s this about all of a sudden?" -Well, Team Lead Ju said he''dnd me the lead role in a 15-billion-won film on the condition that I don''t transfer to Actor Division 2. But... it''s hard to say no to something like this. Sung Han-Yung had never been offered the lead in a project of this scale, and it was clear he was wavering. "I''ll be there shortly." It was evident that Choi Man-Sik''s carefully orchestrated ns were now in motion. *** Inside the meeting room on the sixth floor of Hoop Entertainment sat Sung Han-Yung, Jung Sung-Gon, Ju Ho-Sung, and Director Park Hwan-Seo¡ªthe man who had offered the lead role in the 15-billion-won film. In my past life, Park Hwan-Seo''s Human Market had been a hit and grossed 5.5 million ticket sales despite its restricted neen-plus rating. With a budget of only 5 billion won, the film gained attention for its gripping screeny, Park Hwan Seo''s excellent directing, and a realistic portrayal of human traffickingworks. The project had attracted considerable interest from productionpanies even at the script stage, so it was understandable why Sung Han-Yung was tempted. Sung Han-Yung greeted me warmly with a wave. "Oh, you''re here, Team Lead Jung." In contrast, Ju Ho-Sung and Jung Sung-Gon both scowled openly. "My apologies for beingte," I replied. Ju Ho-Sung''s expression hardened as he questioned me. "Why are you here, Team Lead Jung? This is a project being handled by Actor Division 3." "Mr. Sung Han-Yung has agreed to be managed by Actor Division 2. Of course I should be here." "But he hasn''t officially transferred to Actor Division 2 yet, has he?" Sensing the opening, Jung Sung-Gon quickly sided with Ju Ho-Sung. "Exactly, Team Lead Jung. I know we talked about moving to Actor Division 2, but honestly, it might not work out. I mean, opportunities like thisnding the lead in a film of this caliber¡ªdon''te around often, right?" The situation was clear: Choi Man-Sik was using investment as leverage to keep Sung Han-Yung tied to Actor Division 3. Meanwhile, Jung Sang-Gon had likely been promised something in exchange for his cooperation. Keeping myposure, I took a seat and replied, "Is that so? Personally, I think Mr. Sung Han-Yung shouldn''t take this role at all." My bombshell statement froze the room. Park Hwan-Seo, the scriptwriter for Human Market, red at me with outrage. "How dare you... Have you even read my script?" "I have." "Then how can you say something like that?" The forty-five-year-old Park Hwan-Seo was a notoriously authoritative figure. His role as a director seemed to embolden him to speak disrespectfully, even to someone he had just met. With the 15 billion won investment secured, Park Hwan-Seo was already acting like a big shot. Park Hwan-Seo continued, "This film is the masterpiece of my career! Everyone says it''s going to be a hit. So who do you think you are to spout that kind of nonsense, huh? What, just because people say you''re a ''fortune teller,'' you think you''re someone special?" Park Hwan-Seo wasn''t wrong about the film''s potential. The script was excellent and the movie would be amercial sess. However, there was one fatal w with this project. 1. Barley in Korean ? 2. Rice in Korean ? 3. White rice made with barley added into it ? 4. Baekseolgi¡ªwhite steamed rice cake ? 5. Injeolmi¡ªrice cake covered with soybean powder ? Chapter 416: Not On My Watch (1)

Chapter 416: Not On My Watch (1)

The movie Human Market told the story of Woo Soo-Han, a corrupt cop who secretly supported a human trafficking ring. When he fell out with the organization, his fianc¨¦e was kidnapped and it set off a chain of events in this crime thriller. In my past life, the lead role was yed by Actor Yang Soo-Wan from Ace Entertainment. Yang Soo-Wan used to be an unremarkable actor but gained significant recognition through this film for ying a despicable viin. Nheless, advertisers avoided him and his subsequent roles were all simrly vile characters. In short, Human Market demonstrated how a single poorly chosen role could derail an actor''s career despite the film being a hit. This was why I responded to Park Hwan-Seo''s fiery outburst with calm confidence. "I didn''t say the movie would flop. In fact, Human Market will be a sess." Park Hwan-Seo looked flustered. "What? Is this bastard mocking me right now?" I replied, "I''m not. I genuinely think it will do well. The characters are vivid, it reflects real-world issues, and the direction will be excellent with you behind the camera. This will easily surpass four million viewers." My unexpected praise left Park Hwan-Seo visibly uncertain. "R-Really?" Though he acted as if my opinion didn''t matter, it clearly did. After all, my reputation as "Star Jung the Fortune Teller" in the industry made my evaluation hard to ignore. At that moment, Sung Han-Yung''s face betrayed hesitation. He had hoped my input would help him decide, but my words seemed to push him toward staying with Actor Division 3. "Team Lead Jung, then why do you think I shouldn''t take this role?" Sung Han-Yung asked. I turned to Sung Han-Yung and answered, "Because while the movie will thrive, the actor could suffer." Sung Han-Yung''s expression turned to confusion. "What do you mean?" "Mr. Park Hwan-Seo has crafted a truly powerful character. So much so that ying this role could cause problems for your future. The despicable viin in this film could be the only highlight of your career. You''ve recently gained recognition in romanticedies, but taking this role could shut the door on such offers entirely." "I-Is that so?" "If you examine the script closely, you''ll see. The character is overwhelmingly intense." Sung Han-Yung''s face turned pale as he fell deep in thought. At that moment, Park Hwan-Seo exploded with anger. "Team Lead Jung, what are you trying to pull? Is this a joke to you? How can a lead actor suffer from being in a sessful film?" @@novelbin@@ Ju Ho-Sung joined in and added, "Exactly, Team Lead Jung. Isn''t that a bit of a stretch?" Jung Sung-Gon also chimed in and used me of being unreasonable. I simply countered with a dismissive snort. "You surely know howmon it is for an actor to be typecast after ying a viin early in their career, don''t you, Mr. Ju?" "Stop exaggerating! That doesn''t happen in Korea!" "You think I''m exaggerating? Does the name Kwak Jung-Tae ring a bell?" That name silenced Ju Ho-Sung in an instant. While still at Ace Entertainment a year ago, Ju Ho-Sung had managed Kwak Jung-Tae, who had yed a character assaulting the female lead in She in the Can Fields. His striking appearance and disturbingly realistic performance had confined him to roles as a robber, violent criminal, or kidnapper ever since. As a result, he had be a disposable actor scraping by with whatever work he could get at just twenty seven years old. While Yang Soo-Wan had at least been cast in prominent viin roles thanks to Human Market, Kwak Jung-Tae had been relegated to trashy parts. ''Come to think of it, I should bring him on board soon,'' I pondered. Though it would be challenging, I knew of a way to rehabilitate his image. In the meantime, I used Kwak Jung-Tae''s story to corner Ju Ho-Sung. Ju Ho-Sung clenched his teeth tightly before retaliating bitterly. "T-That''s not true! Jung-Tae chose to stick with viin roles himself!" "Really? Then should I call him now and ask? Let''s see if he''s been exclusively seeking viin roles like you im." Ju Ho-Sung mped his mouth shut. Sung Han-Yung swallowed nervously and asked, "Does that mean... I really shouldn''t take the lead in this film?" "Exactly. If I were your talent agent, I''d advise against it even if it were a 30 billion won project." "I-I see... Then I won''t do this film. Team Lead Jung, could you wrap things up here for me?" Knowing he couldn''t back out alone, Sung Han-Yung left the matter in my hands. I nodded. "Of course, sir." "Alright, I''ll leave it to you. Mr. Park, please discuss things with Team Lead Jung. I''ll follow whatever decision is made." "M-Mr. Han-Yung!" Park Hwan-Seo eximed. "Talk to my talent agent!" Though Sung Han-Yung''s behaviour might seem somewhat evasive, from a talent agent''s perspective, it was much easier to negotiate when the actor fully entrusted the matter to their agent, as having the actor take full control oftenplicated discussions. After reassuring Sung Han-Yung, I turned my attention to the three people ring daggers at me. It was time to undo everything that had been set in motion, starting with Park Hwan-Seo. I turned to Park Hwan-Seo and said, "I''m sorry, but it seems impossible for Mr. Sung Han-Yung to work with you, sir." I ignored Park Hwan-Seo''s fiery gaze and firmly rejected his casting proposal for Human Market. Bang! Park Hwan-Seo mmed the table and said, "What the hell! If Sung Han-Yung doesn''t take the role, the 15-billion-won investment will fall through! How will you take responsibility for this?" As expected, the investment hinged on having a star actor''s name attached. Nheless, that wasn''t my problem. "Why should I take responsibility for that?" I questioned. "What?" "I''m not a producer. I''m just a talent agent. My job is to manage my actor''s career." "Fuck!" Park Hwan-Seo cursed as he stood up furiously and kicked his chair back. He continued, "Hey! Apologize right now and sign the contract!" I shook my head. "I can''t do that. No matter what you say, I won''t jeopardize my actor''s future." "You can''t? Are you saying you don''t care if Hoop Entertainment''s actors are cklisted from my films?" Ju Ho-Sung turned pale upon realizing the fallout might extend to the rest of Actor Division 3. ''Exactly as I wanted. The bigger the fire, the more satisfying the ze,'' I remarked inwardly. I feigned indifference and replied, "That''s unfortunate, but if that''s your decision, I''ll respect it." I knew Park Hwan-Seo''s trajectory. After thismercial sess, he would pivot to art films like Director Gong Hak-Beom within two years. This meant losing future coborations with him wouldn''t harm Hoop Entertainment significantly. Park Hwan-Seo red at me and huffed in anger. "Fine! Then consider me done with Hoop Entertainment!" With that, he stormed out of the meeting room. Bang! The door mmed shut, leaving Ju Ho-Sung scrambling to his feet. "Hey! Team Lead Jung! Why would you phrase things like that? Now the wholepany is going to suffer, not just Sung Han-Yung!" "What else could I do? Should I have forced Mr. Sung Han-Yung to take the role?" I retorted. "Ugh! You''re all talk and no tact!" Ju Ho-Sung eximed in frustration with clenched fists. Then he ran after Park Hwan-Seo. "Mr. Park! Please wait!" With the situation somewhat defused, I decided to focus on identifying any other A-ss and above actors who might have received simr offers and intended to join Actor Division 2. Before that, I had to deal with the traitorous Jung Sung-Gon. Alone now, Jung Sung-Gon nced nervously at me. "Team Lead Jung, I¡ª" At that moment, I cut him off and spoke bluntly. "Assistant Manager, what the hell were you thinking?" Jung Sung-Gon''s face twisted at theck of formality. "Mr. Jung, isn''t that a bit much? I''m still your senior by two years..." Jung Sung-Gon indeed had more experience in the industry than me and we had maintained mutual respect by using honorifics. However, after this betrayal, I no longer felt any need for courtesy. It wasn''t just that he had gone behind my back after agreeing to join my team. What enraged me more was his willingness to trap his own actor in such a harmful role. Moreover, this meant there was a 99% chance he would pocket under-the-table money, which I absolutely couldn''t tolerate as well. "Given your level of experience, you should''ve noticed the issues with this script! Yet you were willing to put your actor in a role that would ruin their public image? Are you out of your mind?" I reprimanded him. Unable to contain himself, Jung Sung-Gonshed out. "Hey, you bastard! You think you can treat your sunbae like some rookie?" "And you? Do you only see actors as a way to make money? Where do you get off taking bribes from Ju Ho-Sung and still acting high and mighty?" I retorted. Only then did Jung Sung-Gon flinch and step back. "W-What bribes? What are you even talking about?" Unlike the meticulous Ju Ho-Sung who wouldn''t leave any evidence, Jung Sung-Gon was an easier target. He had a well-known weakness forvish spending on upscale bars in Apgujeong and luxury golf clubs. "You got paid in cash, didn''t you? And probably used it to buy a new set of golf clubs. It''s easy to verify. Or should I ask bartender Lee Sun-Jin at Bar Liz in Apgujeong if she recently received any suspicious gifts?" Jung Sung-Gon''s eyes darted nervously. "H-How did you...?" At the same time, Sung Han-Yung turned to re at his talent agent. "Jung Sung-Gon! You sold me out for golf clubs and women?" "N-No, it''s not like that, hyung!" "Hyung? Don''t you dare call me that, you backstabbing scumbag!" Unlike his usual self, Sung Han-Yung cursed and shouted in a loud voice. For someone who had always treated Jung Sung-Gon like a close brother, Sung Han-Yung''s hurt and anger were palpable. Even as Jung Sung-Gon pleaded desperately, Sung Han-Yung refused to forgive him and turned away coldly. He looked at me and said, "Team Lead Jung, I''m heading to see Mr. Kang. Are youing with me?" "Yes." "Alright, let''s go now." Following behind Sung Han-Yung, I immediately called Kang Gam-Chan. It was time to make an example of someone. *** Following the incident with Park Hwan-Seo, I conducted a thorough review of all role offers made to our actors the next day. While Human Market was at least amercially sessful project, the other offers were tied to films doomed to fail. They were works gued by giarismwsuits, problematic directors, or themes ovepping with prominentpetitors. Pointing out these issues led to a domino effect, as nearly all the actors considering such roles withdrew and dered their intent to join Actor Division 2 instead. Sung Han-Yung, ever the charismatic presence, yed a key role in rallying support. As a result, the long-dyed transfer of talents into Actor Division 2 happened all at once. Seven talent agents and ten actors officially moved to Actor Division 2. Meanwhile, Kang Gam-Chanunched an internal audit to investigate whether any talent agents had epted bribes. While Ju Ho-Sung left no incriminating evidence, others including Jung Sung-Gon were ced under scrutiny. Unsurprisingly, no one implicated their superiors or admitted how much they had received. Still, the fallout left Actor Division 1 and 3 in mourning. In contrast,ughter filled our Actor Division 2. Gu Seong-Cheol chuckled heartily. "Hahaha! I knew something was off when those actors suddenly came back with new offers. Well done, Yoon-Ho!" Oh Duk-Gu grinned as well but urged Gu Seong-Cheol to focus. "Alright, Mr. Gu. Please settle down and share what you were saying earlier about the meeting." "Ah, yes! My bad. Let''s get back to it." At today''s team lead meeting, Kang Gam-Chan announced that Hoop Entertainment would acquire Gwanwoo Entertainment, the industry''s sixthrgest agency, by year''s end. Gwanwoo managed 70 talent agents, 50 actors, and five singers, making it a mid-sizedpany. Currently, Hoop Entertainment has 60 actors and 14 singers excluding trainees. Combining the two would catapult us past TNT Entertainment to be the thirdrgest agency in the industry. Furthermore, Choi Man-Sik promised that employees would be offered "employee shares" using pooled funds from thepany''s 30% stock buyback after the merger. Hoop Entertainment shares valued at 30 thousand won each would be avable at a 20% discount. Choi Man-Sik boasted that purchasing these shares would yield significant profits after thepany went public. The announcement prompted Gu Seong-Cheol to furrow his brow in thought. "Still... It''s odd. That Choi Man-Sik guy doesn''t give up his stake for nothing. Yoon-Ho, you must know something, right?" I was well aware that this was all part of Choi Man-Sik''s scheme to dilute the shares of Kang Gam-Chan and Choi Eun-Tae while distributing stock to employees to secure their loyalty. Iid out Choi Man-Sik''s intentions in detail. "President Choi ns to dilute Mr. Kang''s stake, distribute shares to his faction, and eventually reim those shares to take full control of thepany." Gu Seong-Cheol ground his teeth audibly. "Choi Man-Sik, that conniving bastard..." The other team leads also echoed his anger with clear hostility. "Fuck, I knew something felt off." "Of course! That guy wouldn''t let us buy shares without a scheme behind it." Lead Park In-Ki nodded grimly. "Since the employees at Gwanwoo Entertainment are almost all from Suhyaejong, it''ll y right into Choi Man-Sik''s n if they buy shares. Half of Hoop Entertainment''s employees are already Suhyaejong alumni too." "Exactly. Based on the current figures, about 70% of the ''employee shares'' from the 30% pool would end up in his faction''s hands." Everyone looked concerned, but I quickly reassured them. "Don''t worry too much. While it''s true the employee stock purchase program willunch early next year, less than half of the eligible participants are likely to buy in." In my past life, a simr program was implemented in Top Entertainment to encourage loyalty by offering employee stock options. However, employee stock purchases came with a one-year lock-up period, meaning they couldn''t be sold during that time. If the stock price dropped below the purchase price during that period, the buyer incurred a loss. This risk led to less than 50% of employees taking up the offer. Entertainment stocks in particr were notoriously vtile due to factors like signing top stars, box office performance, and scandals. Even Ace Entertainment, the industry leader, once saw its stock plummet from 50 thousand won to just 2 thousand won. The still-worried Gu Seong-Cheol asked, "Even so, wouldn''t they still just go along with it if Choi Man-Sik pushes his people to buy?" I smirked. "There''s a way to ensure they don''t." With that, I outlined a strategy to discourage Choi Man-Sik''s faction from purchasing the employee shares. Chapter 417: Not On My Watch (2)

Chapter 417: Not On My Watch (2)

"First of all, spread the word discreetly. Tell people that thepany is struggling financially after acquiring Gwanwoo Entertainment. Maybe even hint that Hoop Entertainment could go under." Gu Seong-Cheol tilted his head. "Why would we do that?" "If employees hear that thepany might copse, how likely are they to invest in employee stocks? No one wants to put their money into shares that could turn worthless overnight." The strategy was simple: create a cloud of uncertainty. By seeding fear about thepany''s stability, I was confident we could discourage people from purchasing the ''employee shares'' that Choi Man-Sik nned to distribute. The vtility of entertainment stocks made this a usible scare tactic. As expected, my exnation elicited a wave of grins from the team leads who began chuckling like viins in a movie. "Hehehehe." "Hahaha!" Gu Seong-Cheol barely suppressed augh and said, "Ahem, so...we spread rumors to deter their side from buying stocks while our side quietly snaps them up. Is that it?" "Exactly." "When do we start?" "After the Hwangryong Film Festival at the end of the month. Let the excitement from the festival die down first and that''s when the rumors will have the most impact." "Right before the year-end bonuses are distributed would be perfect." "That''s a great n." But there was one precaution. "Make sure our people are informed ahead of time. If they fall for the rumors too, the n will backfire." "You can count on us! We''ll handle that." At that moment, Ju Yung-Hoonughed the most mischievously before he chimed in. "Hehehe. Yoon-Ho, can we use your name for this?" "My name?" "Yeah. If we spread the word that you''re not buying stocks, no one else will dare. Who''d want to invest in shares even ''Star Jung the Fortune Teller'' is avoiding?" It was a surprisingly effective idea. I smirked and nodded. "Then I''ll publicly take a position against buying the stocks¡ªfor now." "And we''ll tell our people you''ll buy eventually so they should get ready to invest." With this n in motion, we aimed to secure as much of the 30% employee stock allocation as possible. It was moments like this that confirmed the value of working with trusted allies. In this life, I wasn''t alone. With mywork of allies, whether it was Kang Gam-Chan leading thepany, Seo Jae-Ill tracking Choi Man-Sik, or others like Choi Eun-Tae and Choi Yung-Ho countering Park Sang-Gon and Colonel Baek, I felt a sense of certainty. Even Wang Long and his father were holding off Jiang Wei overseas for me. This time, I was confident we could stop Kim Dong-Soo and Choi Man-Sik while safeguarding Hoop Entertainment. *** After discussing our ns, I turned to the team leads. "That aside, how are preparations for Tae-Poong at the Hwangryong Film Festivaling along?" The Hwangryong Film Festival set forte November would prominently feature Beyond the Boundary, the blockbuster film starring Lee Tae-Poong. The film had drawn an astounding 14.7 million viewers. Its mainpetition was Fog Horde, a blockbuster by Director Kim Seok-Pil which attracted 10.2 million viewers. However, it was widely agreed that Beyond the Boundary had the edge. Gu Seong-Cheol''s smile faded slightly as he gave his report. "The online voting wrapped up smoothly and we''re currently lobbying the jury candidates." The Hwangryong Film Festival used a weighted voting system with ten jury members each casting a vote and the public vote. Jury members were typically industry veterans such as film directors, editors, orwork executives. Gu Seong-Cheol exined that he had identified the likely jurors and started reaching out with a lot ofte nights and drinking sessions instead of money. He also added jokingly that his liver was starting to have problems from too much drinking. I bowed my head slightly. "Thank you for your hard work." "Hard work? This is nothing. How could we not help after everything you''ve done this year? What kind of sunbaes would that make us?" Gu Seong-Cheol replied. Oh Duk-Gu nodded and chimed in, "Exactly. You focus on moving forward. We''ve got your back." Park In-Ki scratched his head and added, "I mean, how could I not repay you after you saved my neck?" @@novelbin@@ This camaraderie, which I had never heard of before in my past life, struck a chord deep within me. I was reminded of the immense impact my choices had on those around me. Feeling a wave of gratitude, I stood and bowed deeply to the sunbaes working hard for Lee Tae-Poong''s Hwangryong Film Festival''s grand award. "In that case, I''ll take care of all your hangover cures and energy drinks until the end of the year." "Hahaha! Our youngest Team Lead is on the rescue for our livers!" The room burst intoughter, making the mood light and victorious. *** Meanwhile, Kim Dong-Soo sat in a secluded room at a caf¨¦ near Hoop Entertainment. With the room securely shut, he was on a burner phone call with Colonel Baek. "I wired you tenrge. Confirm it." -It''s in. 1 billion won just arrived. "Good. Then send me the first file immediately as promised!" Kim Dong-Soo had sourced a new financier through Lee Gi-Cheol, currently incarcerated. Until Jiang Wei''s funds became essible, this new backer was his lifeline. Kim Dong-Soo''s arrangement involved introducing aspiring idol trainees and celebrities willing to enter "sponsorship arrangements" to elite patrons including business moguls, politicians, or entertainment executives. In return, he was able to make 1 billion won. These high-profile clients always sought discreet rtionships with rising stars, ensuring there was no shortage of demand. For this reason, finding new backers didn''t seem to be an issue in the future. Despite his disgust at the role he now yed, Kim Dong-Soo knew this was necessary to stay afloat until he could regain his footing at Hoop Entertainment. To secure S-ss actors for hiseback to Hoop Entertainment, he needed the sensitive information in Colonel Baek''s X-FILES. At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo received a notification. [Email from COLONEL_100 has arrived.] Kim Dong-Soo opened the file cautiously and muttered a warning. "If this is useless, you''ll regret it." -Don''t waste time talking. Just check it. And remember, have the advance ready for the next batch. "Alright, alright! And since I''ve sent you 1 billion won, send me information about two more S-ss celebrities." -Okay. I''ll contact you again as soon as it''s ready. Click. When the call ended, Kim Dong-Soo angrily let out a curse under rough breath. "Fuck. How dare this piece of shit who makes a living off of stalking others talk to me like that..." Kim Dong-Sooined about Colonel Baek for a while and crunched on the ice from his cold coffee before opening the X-File. However, the file''s contents were beyond Kim Dong-Soo''s expectations. [X-FILE: Oh Joo-Hyun] Current Agency: Ace Entertainment Age: 32 Profile(real): 172 cm, 53 kg, C-cup Roles: Lead in Fogged Blossoms, Supporting actress in Iron-Blooded Girl... Evaluation of Peers: Acting skills 4/5, Singing Skills 2.5/5, Variety Skills 1/5 Strengths: Sophisticated appearance, Capable of leading films and dramas, Fit physique from regr workouts, Natural beauty with minimal cosmetic enhancements, Charismatic speaker Weaknesses: Social media addiction, Gambling addiction, Shopping addiction. Personality: Arrogant and dismissive Liabilities: Financial troubles due to excessive spending, 5 billion won in private loans and personal debts, no uingmercials or projects: considering sponsorship offers Attachments: 1. Photos of gambling in a VIP casino in Macau 2. Private photos from a one-night stand with a Hong Kong model in a VIP suite ... [Created on: November 14th, 2020] Kim Dong-Soo was fuming at the exorbitant price Colonel Baek demanded for the information. However, he couldn''t help but be astonished upon seeing the X-FILE. "This is... beyond imagination," he muttered. Had he known the details were this specific, he would have paid 1 billion won per actor, not 1 billion won for two. With this level of detail, he could easily leverage an S-ss actor to earn tens of millions yearly without them ever leaving his grasp. "With information like this... it''s too valuable to just use carelessly." Initially, Kim Dong-Soo nned to confront the subject directly with the evidence and ckmail them. But with these details, it wasn''t necessary to even show the photos. The gambling addiction, VIP status at a Macau casino, and financial struggles considering sponsorship were enough to secure the target. The data itself was a treasure trove and a leash that would ensure control. If the target ever betrayed him, only then would Kim Dong-Soo consider revealing the photos as a threat. He would ensure they could never escape his grip. A sinister grin spread across Kim Dong-Soo''s face as he imagined the possibilities. With more information like this, he could undoubtedly be the king of the entertainment industry. Just then someone came knocking on the door. Knock, knock. Kim Dong-Soo urgently closed hisptop before viewing the second file. "Who is it?" -Mr. Kim. It''s me, Yang Tae-Min. Kim Dong-Soo let out a sigh and responded. "Come in." The door creaked open, and Yang Tae-Min entered. Yang Tae-Min was Jung Yoo-Jin''s first talent agent and was an assistant manager with four years of experience. He was also from the Suhyaejong line but failed to secure a promotion to team lead. Additionally, Yang Tae-Min was the only one from the Suhyaejong line who had distanced himself from Ju Ho-Sung. "Mr. Kim, you look thinner than usual," Yang Tae-Min remarked. "I''ve had a lot on my mindtely. But never mind that. Have a drink. It''s on me." "Thank you, sir." Yang Tae-Min rang the bell and ordered a caramel frappino in a takeaway cup. As hepleted the order, Kim Dong-Soo asked, "How are things at thepany?" "President Choi Man-Sik hadmitted to funding three movies with budgets of 15 billion won, 11 billion won, and 20 billion won each. However, they all fell through right before signing." Hearing about the copse of deals worth 46 billion won, Kim Dong-Soo smirked. "Don''t tell me this is Jung Yoon-Ho''s doing again?" Yang Tae-Min nodded. "It sure is. Apparently, that man aired the talent agents'' dirty dealings and now it''s chaos over there." "What about the actors?" "Since the investments fell through, many actors have moved to Team Lead Jung''s side. So far, seven talent agents and ten actors have transferred." "Jung Yoon-Ho, that bastard. He''s looting our treasury clean." Yang Tae-Min grimaced as he asked. "So what''s your n now, Mr. Kim? If this continues, our Actor Division 3 is in the most danger." As someone who once had Jung Yoon-Ho under his division and now saw his rise, Yang Tae-Min was seething with frustration. However, Kim Dong-Soo brushed off Yang Tae-Min''s animosity with ease. "Let him run wild for now. In the meantime... cozy up to him. Make it seem like you''re about to move to Actor Division 2." "Excuse me? You want me to work under Jung Yoon-Ho?" Yang Tae-Min''s expression stiffened, prompting Kim Dong-Soo to chuckle. "Haha. Of course not. Just probe him for information. See what he''s up to." "Oh..." "And when the next round of promotionses, I''ll make sure you get promoted to a team lead. So don''t worry." Yang Tae-Min''s sour expression immediately brightened. "R-Really? Do you mean it?" "Yes. Didn''t I promise that loyalty to me woulde with real benefits?" Yang Tae-Min shot to his feet and bowed deeply. "Mr. Kim! I''ll pledge my eternal loyalty to you!" "Sit down. There''s no need to make such a fuss over it." Yang Tae-Min settled back into his chair, his face glowing with joy. Then, Kim Dong-Soo spoke up. "But there''s something I need you to take care of..." "Anything. Just let me know." "Meet with the folks from Gwanwoo Entertainment before the merger andpile a list of promising candidates. Focus on sharp and capable individuals who are familiar with field operations. We need to act before Team Lead Ju Ho-Sung can snatch them up." Yang Tae-Min tilted his head in confusion. "But isn''t Team Lead Ju one of your closest allies?" "An ally? Don''t make meugh. That snake is glued to President Choi Man-Sik and is busy building his own team. If I return, he''ll be the first one I remove." Sensing an opportunity, Yang Tae-Min cautiously asked, "Th-then what happens to Team Lead Ju''s position?" "Isn''t it obvious? You''ll take it, Tae-Min." Before his dismissal, Kim Dong-Soo had been touted as the next president of Hoop Entertainment. The prospect of filling such a pivotal role made Yang Tae-Min''s eyes sparkle with anticipation as he replied excitedly, "T-thank you, Mr. Kim! Truly!" "That''s enough. Go get started and I''ll enjoy my temporary freedom for a while longer." "Understood, sir!" An employee arrived with Yang Tae-Min''s coffee order. After bowing to Kim Dong-Soo, he epted his drink and exited the room. Alone, Kim Dong-Soo opened hisptop again to strategize how to return to Hoop Entertainment with an even stronger lineup than Team Jung. "Alright. Now...who''s next..." As he scanned the next X-FILE, his smirk widened. "This one''s even better... Interesting." With ambition and revenge burning in his eyes, Kim Dong-Soo resolved to return triumphant. *** After ending the meeting discussion on Choi Man-Sik''s employee share ns, I returned to my office to review our counter-strategies. That''s when Sae-Ri from Cherry Blossom appeared. "Yoon-Ho oppa~ Hi~" It was 9 a.m. on a Monday, and Sae-Ri was bursting with energy. "Hey, what brings you here?" I asked. Sae-Ri rushed over and demanded a high-five as she pouted. "You didn''t congratte me for four weeks at number 1!" "Oh, right. My bad. Congrats on your four-week streak at number 1!" Cherry Blossom''s ''My First Love Story'' had been dominating the charts, marking a major aplishment. Though it felt like coaxed praise, Sae-Ri grinned widely. "Thank you~ Thank you~" "Alright, enough of that. Why are you here? Shouldn''t you be resting at the dorm?" "Oh, I wanted to see if Seon-Woo oppa finished my song!" Bang Seon-Woo was currently working on the Hwaranjeon original soundtrack with two songs earmarked as Sae-Ri''s solo tracks. "Aren''t you nervous about debuting them at the year-end concert and starting your solo career?" Sae-Ri put her hands on her hips and exuded confidence. "Not at all! From now on, call me Singer-Songwriter Kim Sae-Ri." "Singer-songwriter? That meansposing and writing lyrics, you know." "Uh, I''ll do that eventually!" I suppressed a smile upon seeing Sae-Ri speak confidently, knowing full well that Sae-Ri''s boldness masked her apprehensions. For this reason, her solo debut was something I had been meticulously nning to ensure her sess. "Alright. Let''s head to the basement studio. Seon-Woo said he''d finish the song today or tomorrow." Sae-Ri cheered and bounced with excitement. "Yay!" Just then, my phone rang. [Caller ID: Do Ran-Hee] Do Ran-Hee was currently at the COEX Convention Hall DX to finalize the venue for the year-end concert. However, as soon as I answered the call, Do Ran-Hee''s urgent voice filled the line. -Mr. Jung! It looks like we won''t be able to secure the venue for the concert. "What? What do you mean by that?" With just over a month until the year-end joint concert, news of venue trouble hit like a hammer. Chapter 418: Venue Booking

Chapter 418: Venue Booking

The COEX Convention Hall DX had been the venue for bad singer Kim Gi-Tae''s year-end concerts for the past five years under Ace Entertainment. However, when they didn''t book the reservation on the application day, we seized the opportunity and ced a deposit to make the reservation. We had nned to pay the bnce today and finalize the remaining venue rental procedures. However, upon hearing this news, Kim Gi-Tae insisted on holding his concert there right away. As such, Team Lead Park Yeon-Soo, the rental manager, imed there was a procedural issue and refunded our deposit to secure the venue for Kim Gi-Tae from Ace Entertainment. This happened because Park Yeon-Soo was an ardent fan of Kim Gi-Tae. Nevertheless, I had a way to resolve this issue. I knew a few things about Park Yeon-Soo''s misconduct and what would soon happen to Kim Gi-Tae. [Everyday V11] [Date: November 23, 2020] -09:00 p.m.: Kim Gi-Tae caught smuggling marijuana. Arrested. -10:00 p.m.: General meeting (Agenda: Kim Gi-Tae''s December year-end concert canceled. COEX Convention Hall DX reservation failure by Hoop Entertainment). One weekter, Kim Gi-Tae will be arrested based on testimony from his supplier and he naturally won''t be able to hold his year-end concert. In my past life, Hoop Entertainment had tried to secure the concert hall upon hearing the news but failed. This was because Ace Entertainment had already nned for another artist to perform in Kim Gi-Tae''s ce. I decided to act immediately this time. I knew that if I waited without doing anything, Cherry Blossom''s year-end joint concert would be ruined. I quickly entrusted Sae-Ri to Lee Ju-Yung before heading to COEX. *** In the hallway in front of the COEX management office, Do Ran-Hee was sitting on a chair with her face flushed. "Mr. Jung!" she cried out as she sprang up from her seat and ran over with her coat pping like a frill-necked lizard. She frowned. "What took you so long?" I struggled to hide my flustered expression and replied, "Traffic. Why are you out here?" Do Ran-Hee lowered her head. I asked, "Were you kicked out?" "Yes..." "You didn''t throw a punch, did you?" "I wanted to, but I held back when I heard you wereing. I just yelled a bit." That''s when I suddenly recalled how Do Ran-Hee had hit 115 decibels during a bet with a decibel meter in the basement recording studio. It sounded like a dinosaur roaring. "You did well holding back. Do you have Team Lead Park Yeon-Soo''s contact info?" "Here it is." The ss door of the management office was firmly shut, so I called the number on the business card. Beep, beep, beep. [The call was not answered. Redirecting to voicemail...] "As expected, no answer." "Mr. Jung, shouldn''t we contact Team Lead Park Yeon-Soo''s superiors at this point?" "No. The venue rental is entirely her responsibility. Even if we call, they''ll just redirect us back to her." Although she was troubled by the situation with Kim Gi-Tae, Park Yeon-Soo had always handled rental tasks until I traveled back in time. Hence, it was safe to assume she wouldn''t be reced by someone else anytime soon. At that moment, Lee Chan-Dong from Ace Entertainment stepped out of the elevator with bad singer Kim Gi-Tae. "Well, well. Who do we have here? Isn''t it Team Lead Jung? What brings you here?" Lee Chan-Dong remarked. "Don''t act like you don''t know," I replied coldly. Lee Chan-Dong grinned slyly and replied, "Now that I think about it, I heard some folks were trying to snatch the year-end venue reservation. Could it have been you?" Do Ran-Hee was about to explode in anger, but I calmed her down as there was no point in arguing with them. It wouldn''t change the oue. Kim Gi-Tae, wearing a beige long coat, sunsses, and pomade-styled hair, smirked. "So you''re that famous Team Lead Jung everyone''s talking about these days, huh?" "Ah, yes." "I''m sorry, but this venue has been mine for the past five years. It doesn''t matter whoes. It''s a no." At just thirty-five years old, Kim Gi-Tae delivered his words arrogantly while looking down on us. Then, the ss door of the management office opened. Park Yeon-Soo dressed sharply in a ck suit and a pink blouse walked in. "Oh my, Mr. Gi-Tae, you''re here!" Park Yeon-Soo greeted Kim Gi-Tae with a radiant smile, but her expression soured when she saw Do Ran-Hee and me. "Ah, Mr. Jung, you''re here... too." "Ms. Park, can we talk for a moment?" I asked. "I don''t have much to say to you. Can you step aside?" Pushing past me, Park Yeon-Soo led Lee Chan-Dong and Kim Gi-Tae into the office. At this point, I was left with no choice. "Mr. Jung, what should we do now?" Do Ran-Hee asked anxiously. "There''s no other choice." I immediately pulled out my phone and called Choi So-Hye. "Ms. Choi, do you have a contact at the Seocho Police Station?" -Yes, I do. Why? "I have a tip regarding singer Kim Gi-Tae." When she heard that the supplier who provided marijuana to Kim Gi-Tae had been arrested, Choi So-Hye let out a cheer. -Okay! If this is legit, I''ll give you a kiss today! "No thanks, absolutely not." I quickly hung up the call. *** Do Ran-Hee and I sat on a hallway bench for about 30 minutes, watching people walk by. However, the scheduled event in my nner remained unchanged. Unable to hold back any longer, Do Ran-Hee asked, "Mr. Jung, are you sure Kim Gi-Tae really did drugs?" "Yeah, he''s a habitual user." "Then how has he avoided getting caught until now?" "His supplier has been extremely cautious. But the supplier is already in police custody this time, so he won''t get away with it." "Will the supplier testify?" "The most unreliable people in the world are drug suppliers. Don''t worry. They''ll spill everything they know and more." Just then, the center''s ss door opened. Lee Chan-Dong stepped out with a grin. "Team Lead Jung. Since it''s all over, how about grabbing dinner with us?" "I''ll pass." Lee Chan-Dong smirked and nodded. "You''re always so prickly. Oh, by the way. My president wants to discuss Ju Yung-In''s case with you. Can you spare some time?" It felt unsettling, but I couldn''t refuse as handling Ju Yung-In''s earnings was a necessary matter. "All right. Let''s do that." "Then we''ll be off. Take care." With smug smiles of victory, the two disappeared. ''Let''s see if they''ll still be smiling at our next meeting,'' I remarked inwardly. At that moment, Park Yeon-Soo peeked out and looked at us. "What''s this? You''re still here?" "Yes. I''d like a moment of your time." Park Yeon-Soo reluctantly turned her head. "Fine. Come in and have a cup of tea before you leave." She seemed at ease, probably confident after securing the venue rental. Her steps were light as she headed to the office. At that moment, a KkTalk message arrived. [Reporter Choi So-Hye: Tyty. You were right, Team Lead Jung. The article will go live tonight. Just wait for it!] Unlike other reporters, Choi So-Hye used her extensivework from working as a culture desk team lead at Central Daily News to obtain quick information. I immediately checked my nner. [Everyday V11] [Date: November 23, 2020] -09:00 p.m.: Kim Gi-Tae caught smuggling marijuana. Arrested. -10:00 p.m.: General meeting (Agenda: Kim Gi-Tae''s December year-end concert canceled. COEX Convention Hall DX reservation failure by Hoop Entertainment). ''What''s this? Why hasn''t it disappeared?'' I wondered. Although I couldn''t understand why, my priority was following Park Yeon-Soo. I turned to Do Ran-Hee and said, "Ran-Hee, let''s go in." At that moment, Do Ran-Hee grabbed my arm. "Mr. Jung, if you handle this well, I''ll treat you to beef today! The Cherry Blossom members have been working so hard for this." I looked at her intently and dered, "Deal!" *** When we entered the office, Park Yeon-Soo led us to a meeting room and served us ck Americano with no sugar. It felt like she wanted us to taste the bitterness of life. She picked up her Americano and replied, "The year-end stage has been confirmed for Mr. Gi-Tae, so what more is there to discuss?" Sip. Park Yeon-Soo took a sip of her Americano and her face glowed with a smile. She must have added sugar to hers. I whispered, ensuring my voice wouldn''t carry outside the room. "Are you aware Mr. Kim Gi-Tae is about to be embroiled in a marijuana scandal?" Park Yeon-Soo''s expression froze in an instant. "L-listen, Mr. Jung. Where are you getting this nderous information? Do you realize it could be grounds for awsuit if this reaches Mr. Gi-Tae?" "An article will be published tonight." I casually showed her the summary of the article that Choi So-Hye had sent me. Seeing the preview, Park Yeon-Soo''s entire body trembled. It was the moment a devoted fan had to confront reality. Then, as if unable to sit still, Park Yeon-Soo suddenly grabbed her phone and stood up. "Where are you going?" I asked. "The restroom. I''ll be right back." Sensing something odd, I checked my nner again. [Everyday V11] [Date: November 23, 2020] -09:00 p.m.: (Deleted Scheduled Event: Kim Gi-Tae caught smuggling marijuana. Arrested.) The 9 p.m. scheduled event had disappeared. However, the note about Hoop Entertainment''s reservation failure at 10 p.m. remained unchanged. [Everyday V11] [Date: November 23, 2020] @@novelbin@@ -10:00 p.m.: General meeting (Agenda: Kim Gi-Tae''s December year-end concert canceled. COEX Convention Hall DX reservation failure by Hoop Entertainment). That meant the venue rental would fail again just like in my past life if Park Yeon-Soo went out of this room to contact Ace Entertainment. I couldn''t let that happen. As Park Yeon-Soo grabbed the meeting room doorknob, I quickly addressed her, "By the way, Ms. Park, how many tickets did you receive this time?" Park Yeon-Soo immediately understood my implication and froze in her tracks. "H-How many tickets? What are you talking about?" "Why pretend not to know? I''m aware you received tickets for the year-end concert. And not justplimentary ones, but general tickets that can be sold." Typically, when a venue was rented,plimentary invitations were provided to the manager as a form of courtesy. Park Yeon-Soo usually distributed these invitations for free to her superiors. However, Kim Gi-Tae provided general tickets that could be sold, notplimentary ones. Each ticket was worth 100 thousand won, and receiving a hundred tickets was equivalent to receiving 1 million won in cash. ''Who knows how much more she might have received in a situation like this?'' I thought. Park Yeon-Soo turned around to protest. "Stop using an innocent person! When did I ever receive general tickets? If you keep this up without evidence, I''ll sue you!" "Go ahead. Then the police can thoroughly investigate whether you received invitations or general tickets and how many." Park Yeon-Soo nervously rolled her eyes. Sensing the moment, Do Ran-Hee jumped into the conversation. "Ms. Park. Mr. Jung always follows through. You don''t have to go down with Kim Gi-Tae just because you''re a fan, right?" Park Yeon-Soo opened her mouth as if to argue but slumped into an empty chair instead. After a long and silent pause, she finally made a proposal. "The bnce payment from Mr. Gi-Tae''s side hasn''t been deposited yet... If you can transfer the payment immediately, I''ll restore the venue rental to your team." Do Ran-Hee''s face brightened and she looked at me with a hopeful expression. "Mr. Jung~ There''s no need forwsuits or conflicts, right? And Ms. Park surely wouldn''t have exchanged those tickets for money, would she?" I feigned hesitation before nodding. After all, Cherry Blossom''s stage was more important than exposing Park Yeon-Soo''s corruption. "Fine. I''ll transfer the payment now. But if you revert the decision again, I won''t stand for it." "Got it. Please follow me." As Park Yeon-Soo gestured for us to follow her, I checked my nner once more. [Everyday V11] [Date: November 23, 2020] -10:00 p.m.: (Deleted Scheduled Event: General meeting (Agenda: Kim Gi-Tae''s December year-end concert cancelled. COEX Convention Hall DX reservation failure by Hoop Entertainment)). The scheduled event had finally been erased. ''Thank you, Everyday V11.'' Thanks to the nner, everything had been resolved smoothly. *** After canceling Kim Gi-Tae''s venue rental and paying the bnce for Hoop Entertainment, the rental agreement was finalized. With notarization in ce, it couldn''t be reversed anymore. As Do Ran-Hee and I left the management center, news articles began to surface. [Ace Entertainment''s Kim Gi-Tae, a habitual marijuana user!] [15-year veteran bad singer Kim Gi-Tae used of smugglingrge quantities of marijuana!] Shortly after, Ace Entertainment released a statement. [Ace Entertainment: "Baseless usations. We will prove his innocence in court."] "This is ridiculous," I muttered. The moment I was relieved that it was all over, my phone rang. [Caller ID: Chief Lee Chan-Dong] It was the same Lee Chan-Dong I had met earlier, but I ignored the call. Do Ran-Hee grinned. "Mr. Jung, aren''t you going to answer?" "No. He''s just going to swear at me, so why should I?" "Fair enough." "By the way, Ran-Hee. Why is your voice trembling like someone''s about to eat you alive?" "M-Me? My voice?" Do Ran-Hee stuttered. "Yeah. Yours." Do Ran-Hee let out a deep sigh and replied, "Fine. Let''s go! Today''s my treat¡ªHanwoo beef!" "Should we invite Yung-Jin as well?" Do Ran-Hee red at me. I quickly averted my gaze and replied, "Never mind. Yung-Jin doesn''t like Hanwoo anyway. Let''s just enjoy it ourselves." "Deal!" That night, I ignored the rice and side dishes entirely, savoring only the Hanwoo beef. I had a modest three servings. After all, beef paid for by someone else always tasted the best in the world. Chapter 419: Helping Sae-Ri (1)

Chapter 419: Helping Sae-Ri (1)

The next day, I arrived at work and greeted everyone cheerfully. "Good morning~" I was brimming with energy this morning after eating three servings of Hanwoo beefst night. Do Ran-Hee red at me despite my bright demeanor. Even though I had told her over dinner that she would be receiving tens of millions of won as a year-end bonus, she insisted that was separate from the present situation. Now that we had secured the concert venue, it was time to coordinate with Singer Division 2. A short whileter, Lee Dong-Min arrived with Han Myung-Ho from Singer Division 2. When I informed them that the venue rental was finalized, Lee Dong-Min said, "Good work. We''re announcing Sae-Ri''s solo debut at the concert, right?" "Yes. We''ll officially dere her solo debut while unveiling the tracks from the Hwaranjeon original soundtrack album." "The PR Division will have their hands full." Kim Mi-Hye shrugged her shoulders. "Just make sure I get a big bonus and I''ll work like an ox." I gave her a thumbs-up in response. At that moment, Lee Dong-Min asked, "But do you think Sae-Ri can handle the pressure of her solo debut?" "There shouldn''t be any issues with Producer Kim Ae-Ran from Ye-Eum nning. By the way, how''s the acquisition of Ye-Eum nning progressing?" Ye-Eum nning was the music-focused entertainmentpany Sae-Ri joined after Cherry Blossom disbanded in my past life. Lee Dong-Min exined, "With only two singers and just President Ahn Ye-Eum and Producer Kim Ae-Ran as employees, there shouldn''t be any problems with the acquisition. We''re meeting today to finalize the terms and sign the contract. You''lle along, too." After Cherry Blossom broke up and Sae-Ri left Hoop Entertainment in my past life, she joined Ye-Eum nning and revived her career. The one who rebuilt Sae-Ri''s shattered mental state and led her to sess was none other than Kim Ae-Ran. The twenty-eight-year-old Kim Ae-Ran had once been on the brink of debuting as an idol but had her dream crushed due to panic disorder just a month before her debut. Although her idol debut failed, Ahn Ye-Eum didn''t abandon her and helped her recover. Eventually, she rose again as a songwriter and producer. Because of this, Kim Ae-Ran paid more attention to the mental well-being of her artists than most other producers. That was why I told Kang Gam-Chan that Kim Ae-Ran was essential for stabilizing Sae-Ri''s solo activities. Moreover, Ahn Ye-Eum wasn''t just a warm-hearted person who refused to give up on a broken Kim Ae-Ran. She was also a capable songwriter and producer with experience fostering global idols. Given that Hoop Entertainment would soon need to undertake a global idol project when Ling Ling arrived in Korea, Ahn Ye-Eum''s experience was invaluable. As a result, Kang Gam-Chan ordered the acquisition of Ye-Eum nning. I replied, "Understood. I''ll join youter." At that moment, my phone ced on the table vibrated. [Notification: November 17, 2020. A new scheduled event has been added for ''Kim Sae-Ri.''] Seeing an update rted to Sae-Ri, I quickly checked the nner. [Everyday V11] [Date: November 17, 2020] -04:00 p.m. [NEW: Kim Sae-Ri] Kim Sae-Ri''s condition faltered. Missed recording for KBC ''Star Talk Show.'' I frowned. ''Sae-Ri will miss her schedule?'' rmed by the message, I immediately asked Han Myung-Ho, "Mr. Han, how was Sae-Ri''s condition this morning?" "She seemed fine and as cheerful as ever. Why? Is something wrong?" At that moment, I received a call from Lee Ju-Yung. Normally, I would have waited and called her back after the meeting. However, with the new information from the nner, I excused myself and immediately answered the call. "Hello?" -Mr. Jung, can youe down to the basement recording studio right away? There''s a problem with Sae-Ri. "A problem?" -Yes. She went into the original soundtrack recording, but something seems to be wrong. She can talk fine, but she struggles to breathe and her voice shakes as soon as she starts singing... I felt as if the air had been knocked out of me. The symptoms Lee Ju-Yung described were ssic signs of a panic attack. Of all days, it had to happen when I was trying to bring Kim Ae-Ran on board. Originally, I nned to have Sae-Ri practice for her solo debut under my and Kim Ae-Ran''s supervision. However, as soon as she arrived at thepany, she ran into Bang Seon-Woo and went straight to the recording studio. Nheless, what was done was done¡ªthere was no point in assigning me. Taking a deep breath, I asked Lee Ju-Yung, "When did it start?" -Just now. We were happily sharing some snacks andughing together before going into the recording booth, but... I figured it would be reckless to jump to conclusions without fully understanding the situation. If it was indeed a panic attack, immediate intervention was crucial. "I''m on my way down now." I ended the meeting immediately and headed to the basement recording studio with Lee Dong-Min. *** In the basement studio on the second floor, members of Cherry Blossom and Lee Ju-Yung were gathered outside Room 4. After briefly greeting the gathered members, I got straight to the point. "Is Sae-Ri''s condition still the same?" "Yes. She was fine this morning and even sang along to an animated song, but now she''s like this." Apparently, Sae-Ri had been happily mimicking the theme song of a children''s animation, Princess Ddu-Bi, even dancing to its catchy "Ddu-Ddu-Bi Ddu-Ddu" choreography. However, her voice trembled like a broken violin now. I hoped it wasn''t the case, but the symptoms pointed to a panic attack. If the condition was severe, she might need to go to the hospital immediately. "I''ll go in and check on her." "Okay." I opened the door and stepped inside the studio. Bang Seon-Woo and Jang Ye-Bin were watching Sae-Ri in the recording booth with worried expressions. Inside the booth, Sae-Ri''s forehead glistened with sweat. At that moment, Bang Seon-Woo pressed the microphone button on the control panel. "Sae-Ri, don''t try to sing the whole song. Just sing one line, okay?" "Okay..." Sae-Ri replied weakly, her voice drained of its usual confidence. Jang Ye-Bin sitting on the sofa finally noticed me entering. "Oppa, when did you get here?" "Just now. Sae-Ri''s condition is still the same, huh?" "Yes. She still can''t get past the first line." "Rx your face. If you look worried, Sae-Ri will feel even more anxious." "Got it." I felt slightly relieved since Sae-Ri wasn''t having a full-blown panic attack, but I couldn''t let my guard down yet. I began recording Sae-Ri''s condition on my phone, as capturing her current state on video was essential for consulting an expertter. Just then, Bang Seon-Woo pressed the microphone button again to address Sae-Ri. "Okay, Sae-Ri. Let''s start with some deep breathing. Breathe in... and out..." Bang Seon-Woo guided her through basic breathing exercises to prevent hyperventtion before signaling the start of the recording. "Let''s cue the intro." Gripping her headset tightly with both hands, Sae-Ri closed her eyes. Click. The sound of the y button being pressed echoed, and the original soundtrack ''Firefly Bridge'' from Hwaranjeon original soundtrackposed by Bang Seon-Woo began to y. The song ''Firefly Bridge'' depicted a scene where Princess Yu-Hwa discovered an arched bridge illuminated by rows of glowing fireflies after wandering alone at night. Captivated by the beautiful glow of the fireflies Princess Yu-Hwa instinctively let out a sigh of admiration. However, the Firefly Bridge was actually a connection between the human and goblin worlds. It was there that Princess Yu-Hwa had a fateful encounter with BiHyugRang, a goblin disguised as a human. Since the song ''Firefly Bridge'' portrayed this dreamy meeting between a human princess and a goblin, it wasposed with an ethereal atmosphere to be blended harmoniously with Sae-Ri''s voice. At that moment, Sae-Ri''s voice emerged from the studio speakers. The first line of the song was meant to be sung softly and beautifully, but it faltered when Sae-Ri''s vocal cords trembled uncontrobly. ¡ºOne~~ step~ two~~ steps. Fireflies...¡» ''This won''t work...'' I thought. One line was all it took to see Sae-Ri was unfit to continue. Though Sae-Ri was doing her best, it was clear she couldn''t keep singing in her current state. I immediately stopped recording the video and shouted at Bang Seon-Woo. "Seon-Woo, let''s stop it. She can''t go on." Bang Seon-Woo turned his head toward me with beads of sweat dotting his forehead from stress. "Don''t worry and trust me. When Sae-Ries out, act as if everything''s fine. How will Sae-Ri hold on if the person she relies on starts to waver?" Only then did Bang Seon-Woo force a brighter expression. "Alright." Bang Seon-Woo turned back and stopped the yback of ''Firefly Bridge.'' Click. Speaking through the studio speakers, Bang Seon-Woo said, "Sae-Ri, why don''t you take a little break? Yoon-Ho hyung is here." Sae-Ri''s head snapped toward me in an instant. Her forehead glistened with sweat and tears began streaming from herrge eyes. "Yoon-Ho oppa... What''s wrong with me?" I smiled. "You''re just tired. It happens to everyone. Don''t worry and juste out for now." Though I was burning up inside, I couldn''t let it show. If even her talent agent wavered, she would have no one to rely on. Click. Sae-Ri opened the door and stepped out. "Oppaaa~" She ran toward me as if we hadn''t seen each other in ten years. Whump! Sae-Ri threw herself into my arms. "Oppa... sob... I... something''s wrong with me... sob..." In an instant, my dress shirt was soaked with her tears. At just sixteen years old, Sae-Ri liked to im she would take over the world as a cute and sexy girl. But to me, she was still just a kid. "It''s okay, it''s okay... Why are you crying?" Confused by experiencing these symptoms for the first time, Sae-Ri was overwhelmed both physically and emotionally. I gently patted Sae-Ri on the back and reassured her. "It''s fine, Sae-Ri. It''s nothing. You''re just tired." Sae-Ri''s slender frame trembled as she sobbed for a long while. *** Once her tears began to subside, I gently held her face in my hands. Her small head fit perfectly in my palms. I spoke gently to her. "Sae-Ri. I''ll help you get better, so don''t worry. For now, go home, eat something delicious, and get some rest." Sae-Ri blinked herrge eyes and replied, "But... I have a scheduled event..." Her words came out slurred because her cheeks were squished. "The scheduled event can be canceled, so don''t worry about those things. That''s what talent agents are for." Sae-Ri nodded her small head repeatedly. "Okay...understood." As I let go of her face, Yang Eun-Bi, who often bickered with Sae-Ri, approached with a worried expression. Yang Eun-Bi dabbed Sae-Ri''s tears with a handkerchief. "Look at this~ Your pretty face is all messed up now." Though they often teased each other, all of Cherry Blossom''s members cherished Sae-Ri as their beloved younger sister. Yang Eun-Bi''s kind and gentle words helped Sae-Ri regain some spirit, prompting her to respond yfully. "Unnie, why are you acting like that? Are you sick or something?" @@novelbin@@ Yang Eun-Bi wiped away Sae-Ri''s tears and forced a smile before replying nonchntly, "It looks like you''re feeling better now. Should we skip resting tonight and head to Mrs. Park Seon-Nyeo for a lesson?" The startled Sae-Ri frantically waved her hands. "No, no! I... I don''t think I''m okay yet." Yang Eun-Bi feigned an exasperatedugh. "Pfft. Always with the tricks." At that moment, Woo Yeon-Hee approached and gently helped Sae-Ri to her feet with a warm smile. "Sae-Ri, leave everything to us. Just rx and rest for now." Eun-Ah also nodded and gave Sae-Ri a tight hug. "Don''t you worry. Everything will be fine." Thanks to the support of the Cherry Blossom members, Sae-Ri''s condition was improving rapidly. Seizing the moment, I signaled to Lee Ju-Yung to take Sae-Ri back to the dorm quickly. Lee Ju-Yung nodded and rallied the Cherry Blossom members to leave in a much higher tone than usual. *** After Cherry Blossom left, Lee Dong-Min cautiously spoke. "Yoon-Ho, I know a psychiatrist who could help. Should we set up a consultation? This looks like early-stage panic disorder. Counseling and medication should work quickly." This was the conventional approach in the entertainment industry¡ªconsult a doctor, get a prescription, and start treatment. This method was effective initially. However, this approach would face bacsh years down the line as many entertainers who temporarily relied on medication to treat panic disorder wouldter suffer from severe depression. I shook my head. "No, I don''t think that''s necessary right now unless it''s severe." "Then what''s your n?" "I think meeting with Ms. Kim Ae-Ran would be the best option for now." Aware that Kim Ae-Ran had personally experienced and ovee panic disorder as well, Lee Dong-Min thought for a moment before responding. "Alright. Since we''re acquiring thepany anyway, let''s see if she can help. If it doesn''t work out, we''ll go with counseling." "Understood, sir." To get help for Sae-Ri''s treatment, we headed straight to Ye-Eum nning. *** Ye-Eum nning located near Gangnam Station Exit 8 was apany with over 20 years of history. It had once flourished during the peak of the album market but had fallen behind with the decline of physical albums and the rise of massive entertainmentpanies. Now, it consisted only of Ahn Ye-Eum, Kim Ae-Ran, and two singers. The current state of thepany was a butterfly effect of Cherry Blossom not falling apart in this life. The building housing Ye-Eum nning was an old structure without an underground parking lot, so we parked in the ground-level lot. That''s when I saw a man lean against a car chain-smoking near the parking area. "Damn it, why the hell is this bitch Yoo-An taking so long? This is bullshit." He was about my height, around 180 cm, but his arms and torso were twice as thick. With a steroid-enhanced physique, he was someone I recognized. His name was Park Hyung-Gu, the boyfriend of Ye-Eum nning''s singer Go Yoo-An. He had briefly worked as a talent agent and was a known thug in my past life. Park Hyung-Gu had even spent time as a gangster but now made a living extorting entertainmentpanies by exploiting their vulnerabilities. If we were to acquire Ye-Eum nning, I had already nned to deal with both Go Yoo-An and Park Hyung-Gu. After all, the pair had been a headache for multiple entertainmentpanies and would continue to be if left unchecked. Now seemed like the perfect opportunity to act. "Fuck. She''s taking forever," Park Hyung-Gu cursed before flicking his cigarette away and going inside the building. Lee Dong-Min stepped out of the car and asked, "Yoon-Ho, who''s that big guy?" "Mr. Lee, let''s hurry. If we''re going to acquire Ye-Eum nning, dealing with him will have toe first." With that, I followed Park Hyung-Gu into the building. Chapter 420: Helping Sae-Ri (2)

Chapter 420: Helping Sae-Ri (2)

Lee Dong-Min and I entered the old building that didn''t even have an elevator. As we climbed the stairs, we saw Park Hyung-Gu ahead of us panting heavily as he ascended. From the third floor where Ye-Eum nning''s office was located, we could hear the voices of two women. One was Go Yoo-An, a singer from Ye-Eum nning, and the other was President Ahn Ye-Eum. -Just stop it! Ms. Ahn, no matter what you say, I won''t change my mind. -Yoo-An, just give me one more month, okay? Just one more month and I''ll do whatever it takes¡ªbeg on my knees if I have to¡ªto get you a broadcast spot. I''ll even find you a new song. Please! -No thanks. Ms. Ahn, I heard you''ve been borrowing money from loan sharkstely. Yesterday while I was at Hongdae, TK Entertainment approached me with an offer. I''m moving there, so don''t try to hold me back. -What are you saying? You''re the only singer we have left at thispany! What are we supposed to do if you leave? And don''t forget you''re still under contract! I had assumed thepany had two singers left, but it seemed one had already left. -Then file awsuit or something! But it''ll only hurt you in the end. And by the way, I want my earnings settled today. At that moment, a third voice chimed in. This time, it was the twenty-eight-year-old Producer Kim Ae-Ran. -Settle your earnings? Hey! How many gigs have you done this year? Do you know how much we''re in the red after covering your wardrobe, your road talent agent''s sry, and your meals? It''s 30 million won! 30 million! -I don''t care about that. Just transfer me 10 million won today and I won''t take this to court. -10 million won? Where are we going to get 10 million won from in just a day? And wasn''t it you who clung to Ms. Ahn''s coattails and begged to join thispany? Now that things are tough, you''re threatening us? The argument grew louder followed by the sound of someone screaming inside the office. That''s when Park Hyung-Gu ahead of us huffed and muttered, "Damn it. This is why I said I should''vee in with her. Ugh!" Park Hyung-Gu spat on the floor and turned his head, noticing Lee Dong-Min and I following behind. "Who the hell are you two?" Park Hyung-Gu questioned. I met Park Hyung-Gu''s gaze and replied, "We''re here on business with Ye-Eum nning." Park Hyung-Gu''s face twisted into a scowl. "Well, today''s thest day this ce stays open. So why don''t you turn around before things get ugly?" Park Hyung-Gu threatened us before turning back and storming up the stairs. Lee Dong-Min tugged at my arm. "Yoon-Ho, let''s just call the police." "No, it''s fine." People like Park Hyung-Gu didn''t respond to words or warnings. If we called the police and he got outter, he could show up at Hoop Entertainment and cause trouble. This needed to be resolved here and now. *** "Hey, Go Yoo-An! What the hell is taking so long?" shouted Park Hyung-Gu as he stormed into the office. Go Yoo-An turned to look at him. "Well, we''ve been through a lot, so I wanted to at least talk it out." Scoffing, Park Hyung-Gu stepped past Go Yoo-An and pointed angrily at Ahn Ye-Eum and Kim Ae-Ran. "Listen up! Hand over Yoo-An''s settlement statement now! If you don''t, I''ll see to it that you all end up in prison for fraud!" Having worked briefly as a talent agent, Park Hyung-Gu knew the weak spots of small agencies and particrly how they oftencked proper financial records. Hearing Park Hyung-Gu''s shouting, I stepped into the office without hesitation and called out, "Hey, big guy. If you don''t want things to get messy, why don''t you turn around and leave?" Although his face appeared to be in his mid-thirties, Park Hyung-Gu was actually a year younger than me at twenty-six. Park Hyung-Gu looked furious as he turned to face me. "This is ridiculous. What the hell did you just say to me?" "You heard me. Leave while you still can." "Look at you fancy-looking punk running your mouth. I''ve had enough. You gave me bad vibes from earlier so this is actually perfect. You''re about to feel what it''s like to face the ''Bulldozer of the Ganghan gang.''" Park Hyung-Gu fumed with anger and ripped off his shirt. Around his neck was a gold chain and his arms were covered in tattoos like a human canvas. In my memory, Park Hyung-Gu was nothing but a low-level thug with no real connections. iming affiliation with the once-notorious Ganghan gang was just a bluff. To make matters even moreughable, the Ganghan gang was the organization Kang Eun-Gi once belonged to before he disbanded it himself. I couldn''t help but burst outughing at the absurdity. @@novelbin@@ Seeing myughter, Park Hyung-Gu grew even angrier. "What the hell are youughing at? Think this is funny? Today''s your funeral, you bastard!" I quickly stepped back and raised my voice. "Hey. Before we get to the funeral rites, let me make one phone call." "Fuck you. You think you can pull something here?" "Rx. I''m not calling the police. Just wait a second." When I held up my phone and showed him the number I was dialing, Park Hyung-Gu tightly clenched his fists. "Fine, go ahead. Make your little call. Think of it as yourst words before I put you down." ''Look who''s talking,'' I scoffed. The call rang twice before the other person answered. -Yes, hyung-nim. -Hey, Soo-Chan, I just need to ask you something. -Of course. Go ahead. -Do you know a guy named Park Hyung-Gu? He ims he''s the ''Bulldozer of the Ganghan gang.'' -Hm...I''ve never heard of him. If Lee Soo-Chan didn''t recognize the name, then it was clear that Park Hyung-Gu was faking any ties to the Ganghan gang. That''s when Park Hyung-Gu shouted, "Who the hell is that on the phone?" Just then, Lee Soo-Chan said in a cold voice. -Me? I used to be the enforcer for the Ganghan gang before it disbanded. Who are you? At that moment, Park Hyung-Gu''s body began trembling as he stammered nervously. "W-Wait... are you really Soo-Chan hyung-nim?" Lee Soo-Chan''s voice turned icy. -Who are you? How do you know my name? Sweating profusely, Park Hyung-Gu stammered, "I-I''m Park Hyung-Gu, sir. I used to be under Gwang-Chil hyung-nim in Osan. Back then, they called me Bul-Gu. I wasn''t in the Ganghan gang...but I was just part of the smaller Osan gang under them." ''Hah. Bulldozer? What a joke,'' I remarked inwardly. -Bul-Gu under Gwang-Chil, huh... You were the doorman for the 99 Nightclub, weren''t you? Yeah, I remember you. So, what do you want? "N-Nothing, sir. Nothing at all." -Nothing? You think I''m going to believe that? This is the first time Yoon-Ho hyung-nim has ever called me about someone like you. Spill it. What did you do to him? Now visibly drenched in sweat, Park Hyung-Gu stuttered. "I-I mean... uh..." Lee Soo-Chan interrupted Park Hyung-Gu in his lethal tone. -Hey, Bul-Gu. Do you have a death wish? Do you even know who you''re messing with? "Wait... is he someone you know, sir?" -Of course I do. He''s Eun-Gi hyung-nim''s blood brother and someone I consider a goddamn legend, you fucking idiot! At that, the color drained from Park Hyung-Gu''s face. His knees buckled and he copsed onto the cold marble floor with a loud thud. Thud! "P-Please, spare me, hyung-nim!" Park Hyung-Gu pleaded. -Spare you? Are you joking? Asking me for help won''t do you any good. Even Eun-Gi hyung-nim bows his head to Yoon-Ho hyung-nim. And you thought you could mess with him? Sweat poured off Park Hyung-Gu''s head as he trembled on the floor. I had hoped to avoid drama with a simple phone call, but things were spiraling out of control. I decided to step in. "Hey, Soo-Chan. Knock it off. The guy''s already sweating enough to fill a pot." -Understood, hyung-nim. By the way, that guy isn''t even from the Ganghan gang. He''s just some low-level thug from a wannabe group called Osan gang. Don''t kill him. He''s not worth it. "Why would I kill him? That''s ridiculous." Lee Soo-Chanughed. -If he ends up in your hands, it''ll be worse than death. Click. I shook my head and muttered under my breath. "Seriously. I call for help and he just spouts nonsense." After hanging up, I looked at Park Hyung-Gu who was now groveling on the floor with his hands pressed together and pleading for forgiveness. "P-please spare me, hyung-nim!" The massive frame of Park Hyung-Gu visibly shrank as he groveled. At that moment, Go Yoo-An shrieked, "O-oppa, what are you doing? Who even is this guy?" The irritated Park Hyung-Gu snapped at Go Yoo-An "Shut your mouth if you don''t get what''s going on!" "Oh my gosh! Why are you yelling at me?" Thanks to Lee Soo-Chan, the situation had be much easier to handle. I gestured at Park Hyung-Gu with my finger. "Stand up." "Pardon? I-I''m fine right here." "Shut up and stand up." Park Hyung-Gu scrambled to his feet. "Yes, sir!" "If you want a settlement statement, you''ll need to wait. Once we''ve acquired thispany, it''ll take some time to sort things out. Surely, you can understand that?" When I said with my fist clenched, Park Hyung-Gu replied, "She''s not my girlfriend anymore." "What?" "I was getting sick of her anyway. It''s time to break up. I don''t know her anymore." Go Yoo-An''s mouth fell open in shock. "O-Oppa... What are you saying right now...?" Park Hyung-Gu ignored Go Yoo-An and rubbed his stomach with both hands. "Hyung-nim, may I leave now? I suddenly really need to use the restroom." His pathetic disy left me too dumbfounded to even consider hitting him. "Sigh...Fine. Get out of here." "Thank you, hyung-nim!" Park Hyung-Gu bowed deeply and hurried off. Thud. Thud. Thud. The sound of his hefty frame thundering down the stairs two at a time reverberated through the building. Left alone, Go Yoo-An''s gaze darted around as she was unsure of what to do. Now that her ally was gone, she nced at the soft-hearted Ahn Ye-Eum. However, Kim Ae-Ran stepped forward and blocked her line of sight. "What are you looking at? Get ready to receive thewsuit papers!" At that moment, Go Yoo-An cast a quick look at me before bolting for the door. With the tension finally broken, the utterly drained Ahn Ye-Eum and Kim Ae-Ran both copsed into chairs. *** In the president''s office at Ye-Eum nning, Lee Dong-Min exined the situation thoroughly to clear up the misunderstanding that I was part of some criminal organization. The fifty-year-old Ahn Ye-Eum who sported a short bob sighed deeply. "For a moment, I thought Mr. Jung was from that side of the world." With pink-dyed hair, a slightly stretched-out T-shirt, ck-rimmed sses, and the exhausted look of someone who hadn''t slept in a week, Kim Ae-Ran nodded in agreement. "Me too." Ahn Ye-Eum chuckled and said, "But thinking about it, I''ve never seen a gangster this handsome. Right?" Lee Dong-Minughed and said, "Sunbae, enough teasing Team Lead Jung. Let''s focus on discussing thepany acquisition." Ahn Ye-Eum nodded but looked concerned. "As you saw earlier, we don''t have any singers left. Wouldn''t it make more sense for Hoop Entertainment to let thepany close and just hire the two of us instead?" Lee Dong-Min shook his head. "If that happens, you''d have to handle all thepany''s debt yourself. Mr. Kang was clear: he wants us to take good care of you. So please don''t suggest that, sunbae." Kang Gam-Chan had stressed repeatedly that Ahn Ye-Eum''sposing and producing skills were invaluable. With her experience in global idol projects, she was a crucial addition to Hoop Entertainment. Ahn Ye-Eum looked uneasy and said, "Sigh. I really don''t need such special treatment..." "Just ept it, sunbae. If you take on the debt alone, there''s no way out." "But still... I have my pride." "Sunbae, hold on." Having already anticipated Ahn Ye-Eum''s resistance, Lee Dong-Min called Kang Gam-Chan and put the call on speakerphone. Kang Gam-Chan''s deep voice came through the speaker. -Ms. Ahn. Chief Lee can''t handle the global idol project alone. With your experience, we need your help. "Thank you, but... all I''ve experienced are failures." -We haven''t even had that much. If it weren''t for that ounting staff''s fraud back then, your group ''Troika'' would''ve achieved much greater sess. Ten years ago, Troika was a girl group made up of three members: Ari from Korea, Siri from China, and Yuri from Japan. They received a decent response during their one year of activity. However, the group disbanded after thepany''s ountant entrusted by Ahn Ye-Eum embezzledpany funds, leaving no budget for their next album or promotions. Recalling that difficult time, Ahn Ye-Eum reluctantly nodded. "Sigh...Alright, I understand. I''ll do my best." -Thank you so much. And...You''ve worked hard over the years. At that moment, tears began streaming down Ahn Ye-Eum''s face. Drip, drip. Ahn Ye-Eum''s emotions overflowed with regret at closing thepany she had poured twenty years of effort into and gratitude for Kang Gam-Chan''s heartfelt words of encouragement. *** Ahn Ye-Eum was brought into Hoop Entertainment as a producer andposer receiving executive-level treatment. Meanwhile, Kim Ae-Ran joined Team Jung as a team lead. Feeling it was unnecessary to hold back, I decided to bring up Sae-Ri''s situation right away. Sae-Ri is showing symptoms of a panic disorder." "Panic disorder?" Kim Ae-Ran''s expression immediately shifted. After all, few understood how devastating panic disorder could be for an artist as well as she did. I handed my phone to Kim Ae-Ran, showing her the recording of Sae-Ri''s practice. "Yes. It first appeared today while she was singing her solo track. Here''s the video." Kim Ae-Ran watched the video intently and reyed it over and over. Despite being only a 30-second clip, she reviewed it countless times before nodding. "I think I can help," said Kim Ae-Ran. We had found a way to support Sae-Ri. Coming here was the right decision. Chapter 421: Helping Sae-Ri (3)

Chapter 421: Helping Sae-Ri (3)

When I looked at Kim Ae-Ran with an excited expression, she smiled faintly and replied, "Although we''ll know more after meeting and talking in person, it does seem that she''ll recover without having to go to the hospital based on your description." I knew she would have a solution, but I didn''t expect her to be this confident. I asked, "Do you happen to know the cause as well?" "It''s likely because of the pressure of debuting as a solo artist. Standing on your own isn''t easy, after all." It aligned roughly with what I had assumed. At that moment, Kim Ae-Ran looked at me and spoke. "Just to be clear, don''t me yourself. Whether it came now orter, it would havee eventually." Kim Ae-Ran immediately caught on to the fact that I was ming myself. I smiled. "Thank you, Ms. Kim." "More importantly, these symptoms haven''t been around for long, right?" "No. They appeared for the first time today. She was even singing along to ''Princess Ddu-Bi'' theme song this morning." "That''s how sudden panic disorder can be. But we do need to address this as quickly as possible... Can we see Sae-Ri right now?" I immediately turned my gaze to Lee Dong-Min. "Mr. Lee. If there''s nothing else, I''ll head to Sae-Ri with Ms. Kim Ae-Ran." Lee Dong-Min nodded. "Go ahead. I''ll need to discuss thepany acquisition with Ye-Eum sunbae anyway." "I''m sorry for always leaving theplicated tasks to you," I apologized. "Don''t mention it. Just make sure you take good care of Sae-Ri." I exchanged smiles and farewells with Ahn Ye-Eum as well. "I''ll see youter, Team Lead Jung~" "Yes, ma''am." "Ma''am? I''m wrapping up the business as of today. Next time, just call me Producer Ahn or Ms. Ahn. My title may say director, but my main role will be producing." "Yes, Ms. Ahn." Then Kim Ae-Ran spoke, "For me, just call me Ms. Kim." "Yes, Ms. Kim." At that moment, Kim Ae-Ran suddenly remembered something. "Wait a moment. Since it''s our first meeting, let me quickly change." Kim Ae-Ran rushed into the changing room and came back dressed. Instead of a droopy T-shirt, she wore a sharp ck suit and reced her ck-rimmed sses with colorful ones. Her messy pink bob seemed to be curled with a straightener, looking much more polished. "Shall we go, Mr. Jung?" *** The moment I opened the front door of Cherry Blossom''s dorm and entered, the spicy smell of chili powder, savory oil, and the rich aroma of meat simultaneously hit my nose. I figured it must be Sae-Ri''s favorite menu¡ªtteokbokki, fried snacks, and soondae[1]. Maybe because I skipped dinner, my stomach began growling the moment I caught the smell. Sae-Ri, sitting in the living room about to eat, waved at me as soon as she spotted me. "Oh? Yoon-Ho oppa~ Come and eat with us!" The snacks on the table must have just arrived because steam was still rising from them. Cherry Blossom also gestured for me to sit. However, instead of taking a seat, I introduced Kim Ae-Ran who followed me in. "Girls, let''s pause eating for a moment and say hello first." When Kim Ae-Ran with her pink hair appeared, everyone looked surprised. Woo Yeon-Hee asked on behalf of the group, "Oppa, who is she?" "This is Ms. Kim Ae-Ran. She''s the new producer joining our Team Jung. Say hello." When Woo Yeon-Hee put down her chopsticks and stood up, the other members also got up. The four of them gave their signature greeting with perfect form, "Hello! Want to bloom forever! We are Cherry Blossom!" Kim Ae-Ran mirrored them by forming her hands into a flower shape and waving yfully. Then, she jokingly stretched her hands out and shouted a cheerful chant, "Bloom forever! Love everywhere! Support everywhere!" The sight was so funny that all the members grabbed their stomachs and giggled. "Pfft." "Haha!" Kim Ae-Ran was already approaching Cherry Blossom warmly. "My name is Kim Ae-Ran, and I''ll be taking care of you from now on. I look forward to working with you guys." "Nice to meet you!" "Just call me Ms. Kim. That''s easier, right?" "Yes, Ms. Kim!" After greetings were exchanged, we all sat around the table. We introduced ourselves briefly while eating the snacks on the table. As we casually chatted, Kim Ae-Ran began talking about her past as if it were no big deal. "Actually...I was preparing to debut as an idol before I became a producer, just like you all." Woo Yeon-Hee''s eyes widened. "Really?" "Why? Did you think I wasn''t pretty enough for that?" "Oh, no. I was just surprised because there aren''t many idol-turnedposers. And Ms. Kim, you''re really beautiful!" @@novelbin@@ Though she imed she wasn''t, Kim Ae-Ran had a stylish beauty that seemed like a mix of Woo Yeon-Hee and Yang Eun-Bi. Kim Ae-Ran smiled, saying it was just a joke. "Pfft. I''m kidding, I''m kidding. Anyway, the group I was supposed to debut with was called Pink Rabbit, and I was the leader." "Pink Rabbit?" When Yang Eun-Bi smiled faintly, Kim Ae-Ran yfully grumbled. "Funny name, right?" Yang Eun-Bi waved her hands urgently. "Oh, no! It''s not that..." "It''s fine. Honestly, I found it funny too. Sigh~ But naming an idol group Pink Rabbit? Isn''t that too much? Green or Blue would''ve been better. For the record, I was pushing for Blue Rabbit. It stood out more and looked cooler. Don''t you agree?" The girls burst outughing, saying that sounded even weirder. It was a story from ten years ago, but Kim Ae-Ran''s humor had everyone captivated. As the conversation continued for a while, Kim Ae-Ran suddenly looked at Sae-Ri and gently brought up the main topic. "But then...I was suddenly hit with panic disorder about a month before our debut. So, well... everything fell apart." I thought to myself, ''Wow. She''s impressive.'' By sharing her experience, Kim Ae-Ran was connecting emotionally with Cherry Blossom. The kind-hearted Cherry Blossom members were getting teary-eyed upon hearing that Kim Ae-Ran never achieved her dream of bing an idol unlike themselves. Sniffling, Sae-Ri wiped her teary eyes and asked, "Ms. Kim, then... are you okay now? I really hope you are." Kim Ae-Ran spread her hands wide. "Of course. I''mpletely fine now. I''m just too old to be an idol anymore, that''s all." "That''s a relief." Sae-Ri and the other three pped their hands, saying they were d she had recovered. At that moment, Kim Ae-Ran wrapped up her story as if waiting for the perfect moment. "So Sae-Ri, you''ll be fine too." "Excuse me? Me too?" "Yeah. I''m sorry, but I think you''re also dealing with panic disorder. But it''s in the very early stages, so let''s just call it anxiety. Yeah, that sounds about right. So I''ll help you from now on, just like my producer did for me." The moment those kind words left Kim Ae-Ran''s mouth, tears started streaming down Sae-Ri''s face like a waterfall. "Huh? Oh? Why am I crying... sniff." Though Sae-Ri called herself a ''cute and sexy queen,'' today she was nothing but a teary crybaby. *** Kim Ae-Ran calmed Sae-Ri down and started sharing her treatment experience. She had seen psychiatrists and tried medications. However, in the end, the most effective solutions for her were exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy. Kim Ae-Ran then began suggesting a few things to Sae-Ri. "Sae-Ri, do you know how to do yoga?" By then, Sae-Ri had stopped crying and shook her head. "No." "Then is there any exercise you like?" Sae-Ri flinched and averted her gaze. Woo Yeon-Hee patted Sae-Ri on the shoulder and answered on her behalf. "Sae-Ri doesn''t like exercising." Sae-Ri pouted her lips. "But I still work hard in my lessons." Kim Ae-Ran smiled and pointed at Sae-Ri. "Then I''ll teach you some simple yoga moves, so let''s start with that every day. It''s great for your mental health. And most importantly, it''s perfect for dieting!" Sae-Ri showed a bit of interest. After all, for idols, the hardest thing was resisting food. "Really?" "Really. So let''s start today." At that moment, the rest of Cherry Blossom members chimed in, saying they would join in for Sae-Ri''s sake. Sae-Ri fidgeted with her fingers. "Um, Ms. Kim..." "Hm? What is it?" "Can''t I still eat tteokbokki and soondae today? Yoon-Ho oppa said I could..." The moment "diet" was mentioned, the snacks on the table seemed to haunt her. Kim Ae-Ran chuckled. "Okay~ Well, diets always start tomorrow, right? But tomorrow morning, we''re doing yoga. Got it?" Sae-Ri cheered and eagerly dipped a piece of soondae into the ssamjang[2]. "Yay!" Kim Ae-Ran tilted her head. "Ssamjang? You''re not dipping it in salt?" "What? Ms. Kim, you''re from Seoul, right?" "Yeah." "That''s why. Try dipping it in ssamjang. It''s so good!" "Really?" When Sae-Ri nodded, Kim Ae-Ran carefully dipped the soondae into the ssamjang and put it in her mouth while squeezing her eyes shut. At that moment, Kim Ae-Ran''s face brightened. "Oh? It''s good!" "Right? Right? See, soondae is best with ssamjang!" "You''re right. I''ll eat it like this from now on." While casually eating tteokbokki, Kim Ae-Ran naturally transitioned into talking about panic disorder treatment. "Mmm... Sae-Ri, do you remember why your voice was trembling earlier?" Sae-Ri dipped her soondae heavily in ssamjang and tilted her head. "No. I just thought, ''This is my solo song,'' and suddenly my heart started racing. It felt like I was all alone in the world." "But in reality, you''re not alone. You''ve got your members, Mr. Jung, and the talent agents." Sae-Ri nodded. "I know, but that''s how it felt. Like I was sinking into the ground." "Hmm~ Then after we finish eating, let''s write down all the things you''re worried about one by one." Sae-Ri tilted her head. "Write them down? Why?" "To see if they''re really things you need to worry about. Most of the time, people worry about things they don''t actually need to." "Hmm. Okay~." "And no coffee or c, okay?" Sae-Ri raised her hand quickly. "I already don''t drink those. They''re bad for my throat." "That''s my good Sae-Ri." Sae-Ri stuck out her tongue yfully and smiled. Kim Ae-Ran asked the other Cherry Blossom members to help Sae-Ri and then turned her gaze to me. "And Mr. Jung, you have the most important job to do." "Me?" It seemed like I had a mission too. *** Kim Ae-Ran quietly led me into the kitchen. Then she exined, "As I suspected, Sae-Ri''s panic disorder is because of the fear of standing alone. She thinks she can do it, but she''s not actually ready yet. So whatever happens, don''t leave Sae-Ri by herself." "Then we''ll need to postpone moving to the new dorm," I remarked. "Exactly. For now, it''s better to keep them in two-person rooms just like now." Cherry Blossom had ns to move to a nearby luxury vi due to their consecutive sesses. However, ording to Kim Ae-Ran, staying in a smaller space like the current one was better. Kim Ae-Ran added, "Oh, and Mr. Jung. Please contact Sae-Ri every day as much as possible. Even if it''s about nothing important, keep showing her that you care. Keep repeating phrases like ''You''re doing great,'' and ''You''ll do even better.'' Earlier, I noticed she kept looking at you while speaking. It seems like she really relies on you." "Understood." "Andstly, please eliminate any uncertainty from Sae-Ri''s schedule." "Uncertainty?" "Yes. For now, organize her schedule so she can follow a set n without any surprises. Don''t ept any sudden changes to her agenda. Panic disorder is deeply rted to anxiety, so you need to remove uncertainty and allow her to move ording to a predictable n. Got it?" For celebrities, unexpected schedules were practically routine. There were times when an emergency call woulde during lunch because a radio guest canceled. Also, details about the timing and location of appearances could also change on a whim. Nevertheless, if Sae-Ri could fully recover from panic disorder, managing her schedule was worth the effort. "Don''t worry and leave it to me." Finishing her instructions, Kim Ae-Ran yfully winked. "If I''d had someone like you back then, I would''ve recovered much faster. Why didn''t youe to me at that time, huh?" I smiled and replied. "I''ll be sure toe earlier next time." There wouldn''t be any ''next time,'' but I said it to lighten the mood. "Pfft. What, are you nning to travel back in time or something?" For a moment, it felt as if my heart sank. Kim Ae-Ran burst intoughter. "I''m kidding, I''m kidding. Honestly, I would have flopped if I had debuted as an idol back then. Looking back now, I can see it clearly." I looked at Kim Ae-Ran earnestly. "I''ll help you be the best producer in this lifetime." Kim Ae-Ran extended her hand. "I look forward to working with you." I shook her hand and smiled brightly. *** The next day, Kim Ae-Ran arrived with her things and officially managed Sae-Ri. Meanwhile, Singer Division 2 began adjusting Cherry Blossom''s schedule in earnest. Some engagements were entirely canceled and we epted the losses. For the broadcasts that couldn''t be avoided, we agreed with the broadcasters that Sae-Ri wouldn''t participate by citing a severe ankle sprain while the other members attended instead. With Sae-Ri''s schedule reduced as much as possible, we anxiously waited for her condition to improve. In the meantime, Yoo-Jin and Miso traveled to Gyeongju for the filming of Hwaranjeon. Miso''s puppy, Baekseolgi, and her cat, Injeolmi, were growing chubby, well-fed, and happy in their cozy home. Meanwhile, Deok-Bae finally escaped his status as an unregistered individual and obtained his resident ID card. I temporarily agreed to be Han-Ul''s guardian with ns to hand over the role to Deok-Bae once he was more settled. Two days passed as I managed these matters. As soon as I arrived at work in the morning, I received a KkTalk message from Kim Ae-Ran. [Producer Kim Ae-Ran: Mr. Jung, Sae-Ri is about to do a recording test. Pleasee to the basement recording studio right away.] It had only been three days since Sae-Ri''s panic disorder symptoms appeared. Yet, they were already testing whether she had recovered. 1. Korean blood sausage ? 2. Korean spicy dipping sauce ? Chapter 422: Helping Sae-Ri (4)

Chapter 422: Helping Sae-Ri (4)

I quietly headed to the basement recording studio and saw Bang Seon-Woo and Jang Ye-Bin standing outside. I asked, "Seon-Woo, how''s Sae-Ri doing?" "I''m not sure. She''s been inside talking for about ten minutes." "But can she really sing? She couldn''t even get her voice out properly a few days ago." "As far as I know, recovering this quickly isn''t exactly easy..." At that moment, cheerful background music began to y from the recording studio as if waiting for me to arrive. The song was ''Ddu-Bi Ddu-Bi,'' the theme song from the children''s animation Princess Ddu-Bi. The song was about Princess Ddu-Bi marching through the forest with animals. Sae-Ri''s voice started flowing through the speakers. @@novelbin@@ ¡ºDdu-Ddu Bi Ddu-Bi~¡» "Huh? She''s... singing?" After spending just a few days with Kim Ae-Ran, Sae-Ri''s voice showed almost no trace of trembling. "Seon-Woo, isn''t this a big improvement?" Perfect pitch Bang Seon-Woo nodded. "Yeah. Her timing and pitch are still a bit off, and there''s still a little vocal shaking... but the average person wouldn''t even notice." The panic disorder that had struck Sae-Ri so suddenly seemed to be fading away like magic. Since ''Ddu-Bi Ddu-Bi'' was a children''s theme song, it was over in just a minute and thirty seconds. I thought practice would end there, but Kim Ae-Ran immediately had Sae-Ri start the next song. This time, it was the Powertuff Girls theme song which Sae-Ri often sang with Miso. ¡ºCheer up~ Power Tuff! Together we~ Power Tuff!¡» Sae-Ri''s voice grew even more energetic as she sang ''Powertuff.'' It was strong and lively, and I couldn''t help but feel a little excited. I turned to Bang Seon-Woo. "How is it now, Seon-Woo?" Bang Seon-Woo replied excitedly, "Her timing and pitch are nearly perfect now, and the vocal shaking is almostpletely gone." A growing sense of hope began to bloom inside me. The test continued for about ten more minutes. Then, the song that had saved Cherry Blossom from disbandment began to y. ¡ºHurry~ Up~!¡» The moment Sae-Ri started singing ''Hurry Up!,'' Bang Seon-Woo spoke first this time. "Hyung, she''s really okay now. At this level, she could go straight on stage!" Sae-Ri''s condition was improving in real-time. Encouraged, Sae-Ri continued and began singing ''My First Love Story,'' the song that had held the number-one spot for four weeks. At that moment, Bang Seon-Woo shouted in a thrilled voice, "Hyung, I think she''s fully recovered now!" I didn''t know exactly what Kim Ae-Ran had done in thest three days, but it felt like a miracle was unfolding before our eyes. Just when I thought it was over, the instrumental for ''Firefly Bridge'' began ying. "Huh? She''s singing that one too?" Thest time Sae-Ri sang ''Firefly Bridge,'' it triggered her panic attack. Worried they might be pushing her too hard, I looked through the ss window into the recording studio. At that moment, Sae-Ri''s voice began to flow through the speakers and blended beautifully with the dreamy instrumental of ''Firefly Bridge.'' ¡ºOne step, then another~ On the bridge where fireflies softlynd~¡» ''Firefly Bridge'' was a five-and-a-half-minute song that required Sae-Ri to push her potential to the limit. It was so challenging that most would lose their breath before finishing it, but Sae-Ri sang all the way through without a single mistake. Click. After the song, Kim Ae-Ran spun her chair around and looked at me through the ss door. "Mr. Jung! Please bring Seon-Woo and Ye-Bin inside." I hurriedly opened the door and stepped in with Bang Seon-Woo and Jang Ye-Bin. Kim Ae-Ran let out a long sigh before speaking in a trembling voice. "Sae-Ri is going to be okay now." My heart began pounding wildly. "Are you sure?" "Yes. We caught it very early, so it was quicker to treat than I thought. It''s all thanks to you, Mr. Jung." "No, it''s all thanks to your hard work, Ms. Kim." "Hard work? Not at all. Sae-Ri overcame this all on her own." Just then, the door opened and Sae-Ri stepped out with tears streaming down her face. She looked pale, likely from the emotional toll of the past few days. Tears still falling, Sae-Ri ran toward me as she always did. "Yoon-Ho oppa~!" Although she was sixteen years old now, she still seemed like a kid to me. Cling. Sae-Ri wrapped her arms around me and sobbed uncontrobly. "Sob sob... I can sing... I can finally sing again, Yoon-Ho oppa." Tears and snot covered Sae-Ri''s face as she cried her heart out. I swallowed my own emotions and spoke as gently as I could. "I told you that you''d get better in no time, didn''t I?" "Yes...sob." I silently patted Sae-Ri on the back as she nodded. A tear rolled down my cheek without me realizing it. *** I left Sae-Ri in the studio and stepped out for a moment into the hallway with Kim Ae-Ran. "Mr. Jung, please keep in touch with Sae-Ri often. She relies on you a lot," Kim Ae-Ran said with a warm smile. "Of course." Only then did Kim Ae-Ran let out a long yawn. "Ahh~ I haven''t slept in days. I''m dying here. I''m just going to sleep now. I don''t care where as long as I can rest." As Kim Ae-Ran walked toward the studio sofa, I quickly stopped her. "Wait, please use the overnight room." I opened the door and called for Bang Seon-Woo and Jang Ye-Bin who were still with Sae-Ri. "Guys, could you take Ms. Kim to the overnight room? I''ll take Sae-Ri back to the dorm." "Okay, hyung." "Sure." With Bang Seon-Woo and Jang Ye-Bin supporting her, Kim Ae-Ran headed for the elevator. A momentter, tear-streaked Sae-Ri came out of the studio. I looked at her and asked, "Sae-Ri, shall we head back to the dorm?" Wiping her tears, Sae-Ri spoke shyly. "But... since I did so well, can we stop for mint chocte ice cream on the way?" Sae-Ri looking up at me reminded me of a pleading kitten. After all she had been through and getting her voice back, I couldn''t say no. "Okay. Today, we''ll go to Basket-Robbins 51 and get a whole tub of mint chocte ice cream." At that, Sae-Ri beamed and shouted excitedly. "Yay~ Then you have to eat it with me, Yoon-Ho oppa!" "Of course. You know I''m a mint chocte fan too." I remembered the stomachache I got thest time I ate mint chocte, but I could endure anything for Sae-Ri. After all, I was her talent agent. Just then, Sae-Ri caught up in her excitement, started bouncing her shoulders and rapping an absurd little tune. "Mint chocte is for mint chocte fans~ That''s right~ Ain''t it~ NRG~ Yeah check it~ Right~ Now!" I couldn''t help butugh at her silliness. ''That mint chocte she''s talking about... I''m pretty sure it''s not that mint chocte. And NRG? What even is that?'' I wondered. Sae-Ri bobbed to the beat awkwardly and waved her hands in the air. She even threw in some hand gestures trying to look cool. However, she simply looked like someone stirring instant noodles in a pot with chopsticks to me. Feeling pleased with herself, Sae-Ri turned to me. "Oppa, don''t you think I''ve got a knack for rapping? Should I add a rap track to my solo? Yea~ Drop the beat! One-two! One-two!" It seemed like her confidence had temporarily skyrocketed now that she had ovee her panic attack. Still, I couldn''t bear to kill her momentum as she had just recovered. I scratched my head. "Th-that''s... a great idea! But for now, let''s go get some ice cream." "Yay~ Let''s get it!" "Yeah, let''s get it!" Moments like these made me think that being a talent agent was one of the hardest jobs in the world. *** After dropping Sae-Ri off at the dorm, I returned to thepany and immediately called for a meeting. Other than Lee Dae-Ho, who was still down in Jiri Mountain for filming, the rest of the team gathered for the first time in a while. I announced, "Sae-Ri''s condition is stable now. There''s nothing to worry about anymore." The Team Jung talent agents erupted into cheers. "Great work, Mr. Jung!" "Wow~ That''s our Mr. Jung!" Their praise was so over the top that it made me embarrassed. I cleared my throat. "Ahem. It''s not because of me. Ms. Kim helped a lot and Sae-Ri pushed through on her own." Lee Yung-Jin pped his hands together. "With such good news, shouldn''t we have a celebratory dinner?" "Sorry, but there''s no time for that. Han-Ul is getting discharged today, so I need to help Deok-Bae move. After that, I have to head straight to Gyeongju." The clock read 11 a.m. Even so, there was still a mountain of work to get through today. "Whoa~ Forget dinner. You won''t even have time to eat, huh?" "Exactly. So let''s get this meeting started quickly." I immediately turned to Kim Mi-Hye. "Ms. Kim, can you start by briefing us on where the Team Jung celebrities stand right now?" Kim Mi-Hye pulled up a presentation on the LCD screen. The chart showed how much airtime our actors and singers upied during prime-timemercials across the three majorworks. She exined, "As you can see, our Team Jung celebrities ount for about 15% of allmercials during prime time." Prime time was the most coveted time slot as viewership ratings were highest and ads were most expensive. If 15% of those slots were taken by Team Jung''s celebrities, it proved just how sessful we were right now. I said, "That''s impressive." "Yes. Plus, revenue is so good that advertisers are looking to extend their slots further." "It''s good, but let''s keep pushing until we hit 30%. Don''t slow down." "Yes, sir!" Next, Lee Yung-Jin chimed in excitedly. "Oh, did you hear? Haru''s charcoal-grilled bulgogi is selling 30,000 units a day!" During the Table of Mukbang semifinals, Haru introduced charcoal-grilled bulgogi using a Russian shashlik recipe. Subsequently, we partnered with Baek Jong-Suk to release a product called Haru''s Charcoal Bulgogi. The product was flying off the shelves, not just because it was delicious, but also because people were deeply moved by the heartwarming reunion between Haru and his mother on the show. "The sales volume must be enormous." "Yes. That means the licensing fee Haru will receive will be enormous too." At that moment, an idea to build on this momentum struck me. "Hold on, everyone. Please be quiet for a moment." I immediately called Baek Jong-Suk, the broadcaster and restaurateur who had judged the cookingpetition. His cheerful voice greeted me through the phone. -Well, look who it is~ Judging by his yful tone, it seemed he was in a great mood¡ªlikely because of how well Haru''s charcoal-grilled bulgogi was selling. "Mr. Baek, how''s business going these days?" I asked. Baek Jong-Suk chuckled. -Haha. Couldn''t be better. If it keeps going like this, I''ve got nothing toin about. After chatting briefly with Baek Jong-Suk, I got to the point. "Mr. Baek, would it be possible to feature Haru on your channel?" Baek Jong-Suk''s MeTube channel boasted a staggering four million subscribers. If Haru could appear on a massive tform like that, the publicity effect would be far greater than any variety show appearance. -This sounds like some strongpetitioning my way. However, if it''s Haru, I''m more than happy to help. Baek Jong-Suk generously agreed to let us share videos on Haru''s channel as well. -I''ll also get TVM on board. They''ll be more than happy as long as their shows get some extra promotion. "Thank you so much, Mr. Baek." -No, no~ I''m the one who should be grateful. If Haru''s MeTube channel got up and running properly, every food brand out there would be lining up to advertise with us. *** After the call with Baek Jong-Suk, I immediately instructed the team to organize a dedicated MeTube editing team. "Haru will be working as a cooking MeTuber, so please get the staff ready." "But we already have two people working under Miss Ha-Na." "That''s not going to be enough. We need to assemble a professional team. Post job openings for a producer and video editors, and let them know interviews will be happening soon." Kang Ha-Na already had a MeTube editing team since she streamed live every night. They also managed Team Jung''s official MeTube channel, "J''Z TEAM." J''Z TEAM was a channel where fans could find all videos rted to Team Jung''s actors and singers in one ce. Right now, most of the uploads were Ha-Na''s. However, with other celebrities joining in, we needed to be prepared. Just then, I got a call from TVM''s Director Jo Eung-Cheon. -Team Lead Jung, I heard from President Baek that Haru''s going to be on his channel? "Yes. We''re nning to film a series of videos soon." -Okay. TVM will fully cooperate with that. Oh, hang on. PD Yoo here wants to talk to you. PD Yoo Hyun-Ji''s excitement was overflowing. -Mr. Jung! The title for the follow-up show has been decided. It''s going to be called The Foodie Nomads. This was good news. The follow-up to The Master of Mukbang had been dyed for a while, so we had been waiting anxiously. "When does filming start?" -We''ll start in early December. Also, you''re free to usework materials for promotion, so take every chance you get to spread the word. "Of course. I''ll make sure of it." -Oh, and ourwork''s year-end awards... you can look forward to them. This year, TVM''s most talked-about figure was undoubtedly Haru. The final live episode where Haru reunited with his long-lost mother became a national sensation, even making headlines on public news broadcasts multiple times. It seemed like Haru needed to start preparing for the year-end awards. ''If things keep going like this...'' I pondered. I could feel it. The goals I had set after traveling back in time were slowly turning into reality. *** After finishing the meeting, I headed down to the underground parking lot to drive to Gangbuk Seven Star Hospital. Just then, my phone buzzed. "It''s another update..." I muttered. [Everyday V4 has been released.] [Would you like to update your nner? YES/NO? (Applicable versions: Everyday V3, Everyday V11)] In my past life, Everyday had rolled out several updates around this period. "If I remember correctly, it was some massive patch involving a horoscope program..." At any rate, I wouldn''t be able to use Everyday or check the patch details if I didn''t update. I pressed the update button without hesitation. "Yes!" Immediately, the instation files started downloading just like always. [Downloading instation files.] [Downloading Everyday V4 instation file.] [Downloading Everyday V12 instation file.] A short whileter, the files finished downloading and the instation wasplete. [Instationplete.] I opened the patch notes to check what had been updated. [Everyday V12] [Details] -40% of your nner''s future events have been altered. -Changes to past events have now affected future events. [Patch Notes] -1. The "Horoscope of the Day" feature has been added. -2. However, the horoscope will only appear on days with a high uracy rate. -3. New scheduled entries have been added for "Choi Deok-Bae." With the V12 update, a "Horoscope of the Day" feature had been added along with a glimpse into Deok-Bae''s future. I didn''t think much of it at first. However, when I noticed the "Horoscope of the Day" feature, I perked up. "Wait a second. Doesn''t that mean I can see my future too?" I had only been able to see the futures of the celebrities until now. Although it was only on days when the horoscope was highly urate, I could now see glimpses of my own future. "Well, horoscopes are usually all over the ce anyway. Maybe this is for the best." I opened today''s schedule with a sense of urgency. Then, I saw something under "Horoscope of the Day" that left me stunned. [Everyday V12] [Date: November 20, 2020] [Horoscope of the Day: You will meet your acquaintance''s lost family member.] "Acquaintance''s... lost family member?" Chapter 423: Savior

Chapter 423: Savior

I didn''t quite understand today''s horoscope of the day, so I checked it again. [Everyday V12] [Date: November 20, 2020] [Horoscope of the Day: You will meet your acquaintance''s lost family.] "Who is the acquaintance and who is this lost family?" No matter how many times I read it, I couldn''t figure out what kind of event it was referring to. I shook off my doubts. "Well, still. This is better than nothing!" Being able to take a glimpse of my own future now was already something. What I liked most was that it only updated on days with a ''high uracy rate.'' That way, I wouldn''t have to get anxious over a fortune that might or might note true. ''Anyway, a lost family, huh...'' For today, it seemed like I would have to stay extra attentive. Satisfied with being able to see both my fortune and Deok-Bae''s future through V12, I headed to the hospital. *** Upon arriving at the hospital, I went to settle the discharge procedures for Han-Ul and Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother. We had already moved everything from the small room in the vige to the new ce through a moving service, so we headed straight to Yoo-Jin''s house in Amsa-dong. I handed a debit card to Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother who looked dazed, and said, "There must be a lot you need right now, so I deposited 5 million won into your ount. Starting on the 25th of this month, you''ll receive 2 million won monthly and you can use this card for living expenses." Kang Gam-Chan told me to provide a separate monthly sry of 2 million won to Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother for caring for Deok-Bae and Han-Ul. Once Deok-Bae''s earnings reached a certain level, her sry would eventually be deducted from his ie. Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother took the card with tears streaming down her face. "I don''t deserve this, but I will gratefully ept it." "Oh, please don''t mention it. You have to care for three grandchildren from now on. I''m the thankful one." Park Dong-Jun''s grandmother, Yang In-Ja, promised to care for Deok-Bae and Han-Ul as if they were her own grandchildren. Then I crouched down to make eye contact with Han-Ul. Hisplexion was looking much better after recuperating for a week. "Han-Ul, are you feeling better now?" I asked. Han-Ul smiled like an angel. "Yes, I''m fine." "Still, be careful. You can''t go outside for the next week." "Okay, Uncle Yoon-Ho." "And you can buy as many books as you want to read." Han-Ul grinned widely. "I heard I can borrow books from the library starting next week." Thanks to Kwak Moo-Hyuk filing his birth registration without dy, Han-Ul could now use the library. "Congrattions, Han-Ul." Han-Ul''s face glowed with a smile. "Thank you so much!" "Alright, should we celebrate the move with some Chinese food? What would you like to eat, Han-Ul?" Han-Ul looked at Deok-Bae and Deok-Bae smiled. "Jjajangmyeon[1] for me." Following his older brother''s lead, Han-Ul also said, "I''ll have jjajangmyeon too." Seeing Han-Ul imitate Deok-Bae always made me smile. Dong-Jun and his grandmother also chose jjajangmyeon. Just as I was about to ce the order, a cat''s cry and a dog''s bark rang from outside the house. "Meooow~" "Woof!" At that moment, I thought of Lucky and Mimi, the pets that Yoo-Jin''s older sister and her husband used to raise. "Deok-Bae,e out with me for a minute." "Okay, hyung." We opened the front door and stepped out, but there was nothing in sight. We passed through the yard and opened the main gate. There a snow-white Pomeranian and a tabby cat with a yellow coat were crying. Suddenly, I remembered today''s fortune. [Everyday V12] [Date: November 20, 2020] [Horoscope of the Day: You will meet your acquaintance''s lost family.] ''Could they really be... Lucky and Mimi?'' I wondered. A chill ran down my spine. If the horoscope of the day was right, then the ''acquaintance'' was Yoo-Jin, and the ''lost family'' must be Lucky and Mimi. ''Now it all makes sense.'' Understanding what the horoscope of the day had meant, I quickly said to Deok-Bae, "Deok-Bae, let''s take them." Deok-Bae quietly nodded. We approached the two animals right away, and they started walking ahead of us as if telling us to follow. A little whileter, the two led us to a shabby two-story house about 50 meters from Yoo-Jin''s house. Beneath the wall, they showed us a puppy and a kitten sleeping there each cuddled up. "We need to take them with us." Since there were no other babies around, Deok-Bae reached out and carefully picked up the two little ones. I also stretched my hand toward the white Pomeranian and the yellow tabby cat that had guided us. I called out the names of the pets that Yoo-Jin''s older sister and her husband used to raise. "Lucky? Mimi?" At that moment, the two animals lowered their guard and slowly approached my outstretched hand. ''Is it really them?'' Sniffing my hand, they began to lick it and let out soft, happy cries. "Woof woof!" "Purr..." Thanks to that, Lucky and Mimi naturally ended up in my arms. I immediately told Deok-Bae, "Let''s take them to the animal hospital first." Without a second thought, Deok-Bae and I rushed straight to the hospital. *** We quickly arrived at the 24-Hour Animal Hospital in Amsa-dong. The veterinarian said, "They''ll only need about two days of hospitalization." The two mothers and their babies were suffering from dehydration, malnutrition, and ticks, but there were no major issues otherwise. I made a video call to Yoo-Jin who was at the filming site. "Yoo-Jin, do you recognize them?" I showed Yoo-Jin the white Pomeranian and the yellow tabby shorthair, each holding their babies on the examination table. Yoo-Jin let out a scream of joy. -Ahhhhh! That''s them! Lucky and Mimi! The white spots on their noses¡ªit''s them! They''re really our Lucky and Mimi! Yoo-Jin instantly recognized Lucky and Mimi by the white spots on their noses. At that moment, the white Pomeranian, Lucky, turned her head toward my phone as Yoo-Jin''s voice came through. "Woof!" Suddenly, Lucky began wagging her tail wildly and barking at the phone as if she had never been weak. It was as if she was asking Yoo-Jin where she had been, why she had left them behind, and saying how much she had missed her. Then Lucky even abandoned her babies before she ran toward the phone and licked it frantically. "Woof woof woof!" -Yes, Lucky. It''s me, your sister! I''m so sorry, Lucky. I''m really, really sorry... Like a long-lost family reunion, Lucky began spinning in circles on the table in excitement. The nurse held the excited Lucky in her arms and calmed her down. "Aww. Did you miss your mom? Yes, yes, I know." "Whimper~" Lucky whimpered as if she understood the nurse''s words. Next up was Mimi. While the nurseforted Lucky, Mimi, the yellow tabby cat, lifted her long tail high and slowly approached the phone. -Mimi! It''s me, your sister! Do you remember me? At that moment, Mimi stared at the phone for a while and then began rubbing her face against it. "Meooow~" With a voice that sounded almost like a child''s, Mimi let out a sorrowful cry as she rubbed her face on the phone repeatedly. At that moment, tears began to well up in Mimi''s eyes. Seeing that, Yoo-Jin also started crying. -Mimi, I''m sorry. I''m really sorry. Ever since Deok-Bae and Han-Ul had moved in, good things had been happening one after another. At the same time, I could confirm that Everyday V12''s "Horoscope of the Day" hade true. *** After setting Deok-Bae up to practice his role as Kim Beop-Min, I arrived at Anbinjae Hanok Hotel located in Gyeongju around 10 p.m. When I knocked on the door to Room 1004, Yoo-Jin and Miso ran out as if they had been waiting. Yoo-Jin asked anxiously, "Oppa, how''s Sae-Ri doing?" "She''s doing better." Yoo-Jin let out a sigh of relief upon hearing my answer. I added, "You can try calling her tomorrow." "Is that okay?" "Yes, but just act like nothing happened. Now, let''s go inside first." After entering with the two of them, I ced my bags on the wooden floor of the hanok''s main hall. Miso suddenly asked, "Uncle Yoon-Ho! Are Lucky and Mimi eating well?" When I showed her a video I had taken at the animal hospital on my phone, Yoo-Jin and Miso''s faces lit up. Yoo-Jin said with a smile, "Even after five years, Lucky and Mimi still get along so well." "Yeah. They tried putting them in separate rooms at the hospital, but they refused to be apart." We had tried to separate Lucky and her puppy from Mimi and her kitten, but they wouldn''t let it happen. So we put all of them together in the same room. "But Yoo-Jin, do you think we really raise all of them? We already have Baekseolgi and Injeolmi." Yoo-Jin looked at me. "We''ll have to find homes for the babies." That''s when Miso spoke up. "No way!" "Miso, we can''t keep all of them." Miso stared at me with her eyes pleading for a solution. "Miso, since it''s hard to raise all of them... how about we ask Deok-Bae and Han-Ul to take care of two of the babies? That way, you can still see them whenever you want." I suggested. Miso thought for a moment and then nodded. "Okay. But I have to be able to see them anytime I want!" "Of course." It seemed we could find homes for the babies. While Yoo-Jin and Miso immersed themselves in nning their new life with their new family, I slipped into the smallest room. Finally catching my breath, I started checking the entertainment news articles for the day. [Professor Han Jung-Ju from Seoul National University of the Arts appointed as the jury president for the Hwangryong Film Festival at the end of November.] [This year''s biggest hit at the Hwangryong Film Festival: Beyond the Boundary.] [Haru Curry: Ranked No.1 in retort food this year.] [Shashlik-style charcoal-grilled bulgogi: Selling 30,000 units daily. What''s the secret to captivating Korean taste buds?] [Ha-Na Tube surpasses 1.5 million subscribers! New selfie with Cherry Blossom members revealed!] ....... About half of the entertainment section was filled with articles about celebrities of Team Jung. However, one particr article stood out to me. [Ju Yung-In''s Wolf of the Battlefield, confirmed for release across China! Politicians from both nations spotlight the film as a catalyst for lifting the Korean Wave ban!] The news was that Wolf of the Battlefield, starring Ju Yung-In and currently filming in China, was also set for an expanded release across all of China. Even though it waste, I called Wang Long from Shanghai New Media Inc. "Wang Long, I heard Wolf of the Battlefield is getting a nationwide release in China." -The article''s out already? Korean reporters are seriously fast! Wang Longughed heartily, clearly impressed. He added that he was nning to visit Korea soon to negotiate the rights for Hwaranjeon. "Alright. I''ll let PD Oh know." -Oh, by the way, did you hear that Miss Yung-In is back in Korea? Apparently, Ju Yung-In, who should have been filming in China and Australia, had returned to Korea. "Huh? Why is she in Korea?" I asked. -I''m not sure. But I heard it was for personal reasons. I probed for more details, but Wang Long said Ju Yung-In hadn''t shared anything further. "Got it. And please thank your father again for me." -Will do. Let''s meet soon. I''ll call before I head to Korea. Click. After hanging up, Iy quietly on the bed and scrolled through other articles to distract myself from thinking about Ju Yung-In. *** The next day, I checked the horoscope of the day as soon as I woke up. Fortunately, today''s high-uracy fortune was already up. [Everyday V12] [Date: November 21, 2020] [Horoscope of the Day: You will meet a savior.] ''A savior?'' The term savior usually referred to someone important or influential. However, in this context, it typically meant someone who brings help or good fortune. ''But who exactly would this savior be?'' I wondered. Puzzled, I tucked the thought away and headed to the filming site ahead of Yoo-Jin. Upon arriving at the site, a swarm of reporters had already gathered in front of the set. I saw that Ma Dong-Pal had ordered a coffee truck and was handing out drinks under a sign with the names Lee Tae-Yeon, Han Sang-Hee, and Yang Yi-Ji. "Come,e! Reporters, have a cup. Yes, yes, I know you''re working hard this morning." "Mr. Ma! I''ll take two cups!" "Of course. You like caramel mhiato, right, Reporter Kim?" The reporters holding their coffee burst intoughter and chatted away. I muttered, "It looks like today''s articles will be TK Entertainment''s share." At that moment, Lee Yung-Jin approached me and said, "Do you really think they''d write a favorable article just because they got coffee?" "Of course they will." Just then, another coffee truck arrived and parked right behind Ma Dong-Pal''s. Screech. It was sent by TNT Entertainment under Min Gyu-Ri''s name. At the same time, Min Gyu-Ri appeared on the side of the set, fully made up and dressed in a princess costume. "Huh? Miss Gyu-Ri, what are you doing here? There''s still 30 minutes before shooting starts." Min Gyu-Ri smiled and tied on an apron. "I came early to make coffee myself for everyone~" Of course, there was a professional barista and she was just serving the drinks. Despite that, Min Gyu-Ri boldly dered that she would make the coffee herself. "Mr. Han! Here''s a caf¨¦tte for you!" "Come on over! If you don''t like coffee, we''ve got matchattes too!" Suddenly, the reporters who had been gathered around Ma Dong-Pal''s truck abandoned their drinks and lined up in front of Min Gyu-Ri. It was a scene straight out of a fan signing event. Min Gyu-Ri cheerfully handed out coffee to each reporter, pausing asionally to strike a photo pose or answer quick interviews. Ma Dong-Pal, who had suddenly lost all his customers, red at Min Gyu-Ri with fierce eyes. Nheless, Min Gyu-Ri didn''t blink an eye. "Mr. Jung, Min Gyu-Ri is...seriously slick, isn''t she?" Lee Yung-Jin remarked. In my past life, Min Gyu-Ri never listened no matter how much I pushed her to treat reporters better. However, she was now showing apletely different attitude perhaps because of Yoo-Jin. After observing the situation, Lee Yung-Jin spoke up. "Mr. Jung. I know it''s a littlete, but should we call for a coffee truck too?" @@novelbin@@ I shook my head. "Forget it. Today''s articles are going to Min Gyu-Ri unless Yoo-Jin herself serves the coffee." At that moment, another coffee truck arrived. Curious about whose truck it was this time, I watched closely as a banner unfolded on the stopped vehicle. [Supporting Jung Yoo-Jin and Jung Miso''s shoot! (From Best Friend Ju Yung-In)] My eyes widened. ''Ju Yung-In sent a coffee truck?'' Ju Yung-In and Yoo-Jin publicly imed to be friends, but they were closer to enemies in reality. There was no reason for her to show this kind of loyalty. Just then, murmurs andmotion rippled through the crowd. A massive white Springer VIP van pulled into the parking lot and Ju Yung-In stepped out of it. "Huh? It''s Ju Yung-In!" "What? Isn''t she supposed to be in China?" "Miss Yung-In! What''s going on?" The attention that had been focused on Min Gyu-Ri immediately shifted to Ju Yung-In. Thanks to this, articles about Ju Yung-In and Yoo-Jin would surely dominate the entertainment news today. Just as the horoscope of the day had predicted, the savior had appeared. 1. Jjajangmyeon ? Chapter 424: Coffee Truck (1)

Chapter 424: Coffee Truck (1)

Ju Yung-In appeared on the Hwaranjeon set, fully made up in her usual dazzling outfit. She wore a bright ivory long coat over a white blouse and beige long skirt, paired with ck boots and a deep gray bag that added the perfect ent. Her hair, still as long as ever, now flowed in a dyed ck shade instead of its former light brown to reflect her role as the ck-haired beauty protagonist in Wolf of the Battlefield. "Miss Yung-In! You must be so busy with filming. What brings you all the way to Gyeongju?" The moment Ju Yung-In arrived, reporters quickly abandoned Min Gyu-Ri to swarm around her. No amount of Min Gyu-Ri''s charm could ovee the gap as Ju Yung-In was simply in another league. Naturally, this would make a world of difference in article view counts. With a bright smile, Ju Yung-In pointed to the coffee truck''s signboard. "It''s written right here. I''m here to cheer for my friends Yoo-Jin and Miso." At the same time, Ju Yung-In faced the cameras with a yful fist pose. "Jung Yoo-Jin, you''ve got this! I''m counting on you!" As Ju Yung-In struck her cheering pose with a cute smile, the reporters'' cameras clicked rapidly. Currently, Ju Yung-In was at the center of national hopes to break the Korean wave in China while solidifying her stardom across Asia with the sess of In the Name of God. It would be no exaggeration to say she was now a top star. Watching the reporters flock to Ju Yung-In, Lee Yung-Jin couldn''t hold back hisughter. "Hahaha. Min Gyu-Ri really went all out today, but she totally stepped in it." Min Gyu-Ri dressed in ceremonial garb and full makeup had been dutifully carrying coffee. However, Ju Yung-In''s sudden appearance stole all attention. "Well, life rarely goes the way you want it to," I remarked casually. I reflected, ''Even in this lifetime, not everything goes my way either.'' After wrapping up a quick interview, Ju Yung-In began walking toward us with the reporters still in tow. That''s when Min Gyu-Ri stepped forward, holding a takeaway coffee cup to intercept. "It''s an honor to meet you, sunbae-nim. I made this coffee myself. Please have a cup." With so many cameras watching, Min Gyu-Ri yed the perfect polite hoobae as she knew that even a single article suggesting ties to Ju Yung-In would be invaluable to her as a rookie. It was a sly move, but she had a knack for seeking out camera opportunities. Unfortunately for her, Min Gyu-Ri underestimated Ju Yung-In. Ju Yung-In subtly shifted into the spot where the cameras would capture her best. After confirming the angle, she asked sweetly, "I''m sorry, but who are you? I''ve been traveling overseas so muchtely that I''m a bit scatterbrained." The flustered Min Gyu-Ri''s face turned bright red. She might have been one of Hwaranjeon''s major roles, but being ignored so thoroughly had caught her off guard. Still, Min Gyu-Ri managed to introduce herself in a trembling voice while suppressing her humiliation. "I''m Min Gyu-Ri. I y Princess Do-Hwa in Hwaranjeon." Ju Yung-In shed a radiant smile. "Oh~ I see. I''ll look forward to your performance, Miss Gyu-Ri. But I''m sorry, that coffee isn''t for me. I appreciate the thought, though." With that, Ju Yung-In didn''t even take the coffee and smoothly walked past Min Gyu-Ri. It was clearly payback for Min Gyu-Ri''s attempt to steal the spotlight. ''Though knowing Min Gyu-Ri, she won''t let this slide quietly...'' I thought. Sure enough, Min Gyu-Ri, now seething, stepped aside and deliberately stomped on the edge of her own long skirt. Wobble. "Oh, no!" Min Gyu-Ri stumbled forward, flinging the takeaway coffee cup into the air. Thud. The cup hit the ground with its lid popping off and sttering dark coffee in all directions. As a result, Ju Yung-In''s ivory coat bore the brunt of the spill and was now stained with unsightly coffee marks. "S-sunbae.. I''m so sorry. What should I do..." Min Gyu-Ri sprawled on the ground and feigned trembling as if she had truly caused an ident when it was intentional. The reporters didn''t miss their cue and snapped away. sh! sh! It was the perfect story: rookie actress VS top actress. The reporters eagerly anticipated Ju Yung-In erupting in anger and cursing at Min Gyu-Ri. If they could capture that moment, a front-page headline was guaranteed. However, something unexpected happened. Ju Yung-In didn''t frown or lose herposure even once. Instead, she calmly helped Min Gyu-Ri up. Ju Yung-In spoke with concern. "Are you alright? Oh no. You''ve got filming to do but now your outfit is ruined. Will you be okay, Miss Gyu-Ri?" Ju Yung-In''s magnanimous attitude, unbothered by her stained coat, drew soft murmurs of admiration from a few reporters. Even with an expensive coat ruined, she prioritized her hoobae actress''s wellbeing. It wasn''t the dramatic scene they had hoped for, but it was still a touching moment. The cameras shed relentlessly. ''Not bad, Ju Yung-In.'' I remarked inwardly. In my past life, these two women had made my life unbearable. Now, watching their subtle battle of wits was both amusing and chilling. Min Gyu-Ri causing a scene in front of reporters was bold, but Ju Yung-In''s wless response was even more impressive. I shook my head and thought, ''No wonder they trampled me so easily back then. How did I ever survive between women like them?'' While the stylist fidgeted anxiously in the background, Ju Yung-In nonchntly lifted Min Gyu-Ri. Min Gyu-Ri''s n to damage Ju Yung-In''s image hadpletely backfired. Min Gyu-Ri must have been burning with rage on the inside, but outwardly, she wore the look of a regretful and apologetic hoobae. Min Gyu-Ri forced sincerity into her tone and said, "Sunbae, I''m so sorry. I''ll make it up to you. I''ll pay for everything." Ju Yung-In simply shook her head with an angelic expression. "No, it''s fine. Where would a rookie even find the money to rece this? Don''t worry about it. This is a limited edition piece by Richard Choi, the top Korean designer in New York. You can''t even put a price on it." With a single statement, Ju Yung-In aplished two things: she subtly scolded Min Gyu-Ri for ruining an irreceable item while presenting herself as magnanimous for forgiving the mistake. Sensing an opportunity, the reporters furiously drafted their headlines. -Ju Yung-Inforts the hoobae actress''s mistake with warmpassion... -Top Korean designer Richard Choi chooses Ju Yung-In. Having lostpletely, Min Gyu-Ri tried to salvage some dignity. "Still, I can''t just let this go. Please let me pay for the cleaning, sunbae-nim." Ju Yung-In shrugged as if relenting. "If it really bothers you, fine. I''ll send the cleaning bill to TNT Entertainment." For the first time, Min Gyu-Ri''s face betrayed genuine shock. "Wait...You knew...?" She hadn''t mentioned her agency earlier when introducing herself, meaning Ju Yung-In had known who Min Gyu-Ri was all along and only pretended not to recognize her. Ju Yung-In shed a sweet smile before handing her coat to the stylist trailing behind her. "Soo-Hyun, this needs cleaning. Can you grab me another coat?" "Yes, unnie." While Ji Soo-Hyun ran off to the parking lot for a new coat, Ju Yung-In posed effortlessly for the cameras in just her blouse and skirt. She showed no difort despite the biting November wind with her expression remaining poised and confident as if to say she was untouchable. Momentster, Ju Yung-In reappeared in a pale pink coat. She smiled briefly at Min Gyu-Ri before turning and walking gracefully toward me. It was a perfect victory. Ju Yung-In had outssed Min Gyu-Ri in every way. *** After promising the reporters an interviewter, Ju Yung-In approached me with her talent agent, Ahn Yung-Hee. Watching Min Gyu-Ri return to her seat, Ju Yung-In remarked with amusement, "Oppa. Min Gyu-Ri''s got quite the nerve, doesn''t she?" "I''d say youpletely crushed her, though." Ju Yung-In shrugged nonchntly. "There aren''t many rookies like her in this industry. But if you can''t handle people like that, you might as well quit this business. But seriously, it was so hard to keep my cool." Iplimented her. "You''re impressive, Ju Yung-In." Ju Yung-In smiled. "If I''m being honest with you, I wanted to rip that hanbok she''s wearing to shreds...but what can I do? As Korea''s representative actress, I have to show some restraint." ''The thought of ruining someone''s clothes over a coffee spill... what a truly extraordinary mindset,'' I remarked inwardly. I asked, "How much was that coat anyway? If it''s a Richard Choi design, it must be ridiculously expensive." "It is. About fifty grand in USD." "What...?" "But Shanghai New Media Inc. gave it to me for free and told me to wear it around. Actually, I should be charging them advertising fees." "If it''s free, you don''t really need to charge Min Gyu-Ri for cleaning, do you?" "Of course I do. It''s mine now, so I can charge what I want. And since her actions annoyed me, I''ll send her a bill for about ten grand. Yeah, I''ll p her with a 10 million won cleaning fee. That girl has some nerveing at me like that," Ju Yung-In argued. Unlike before, Ju Yung-In didn''t bother hiding her true nature in front of me anymore. Ju Yung-In nced around, though her searching didn''t seem particrly earnest. "By the way, where''s Yoo-Jin?" "You really came here to see Yoo-Jin?" "I told you I did." It was hard to believe, but I didn''t press further. That''s when I spotted Yoo-Jin on the other side of the set, dressed in a light blue princess costume. "There she is." The moment Yoo-Jin spotted Ju Yung-In, she froze for a moment in surprise. Then, she held Miso''s hand tightly and began running toward us. *** "Oh my! Miso, you''ve grown so much since Ist saw you!" Ju Yung-In eximed. Ju Yung-In greeted Miso warmly, but Miso simply hid behind Yoo-Jin and gave a small nod. Yoo-Jin pulled Miso closer and asked Ju Yung-In, "What are you doing here?" "What else? I came to cheer you on." "You came to cheer me on? Don''t kid around and be honest. Why are you really here?" Ju Yung-In let out a dramatic sigh and shrugged. "Why are you and Yoon-Ho oppa so suspicious of me?" Yoo-Jin snorted softly. "Say something believable, then. Just this morning, there was an article saying you were too busy to even breathe." Ju Yung-In retorted with a sly grin. "So you''re keeping tabs on my articles now?" Yoo-Jin blinked in surprise and stammered, "What? No... I just see your name pop up in rted searches when I''m reading mine." Ju Yung-In smiled yfully. "Oh~ really?" She added, "You two really are impossible to fool. Fine. The truth is, I actually came to ask Yoon-Ho oppa for advice on something." Yoo-Jin''s expression immediately turned wary. "You''re not up to something shady again, are you?" "Shady? Wow. You really don''t trust me, do you? Did you not see the coffee truck I brought?" "You didn''t bring it for me but you brought it so your name would appear in the headlines. Isn''t that right?" "Wow~ Yoo-Jin, that really hurts. Is that what you think of me?" "Yeah." At that moment, Ju Yung-In grinned wider. "This isn''t working, huh? Still, I dide partly for you. And besides, you''re the only one who knows how to argue with me properly." "That''s not a good thing!" I stepped in to break up their bickering. "Alright, enough of that. Just get to the point. Why are you really here?" Clearing her throat, Ju Yung-In finally got to the real reason. "Actually, CP Do called me and asked if I''d be interested in ying the lead role for Queen Jeong-Hee. I wanted to get your opinion on it, Yoon-Ho oppa." @@novelbin@@ "The lead role in Queen Jeong-Hee?" Ju Yung-In exined that CP Do Ye-Soo from KBC had personally called her, offering the role of the main lead of Queen Jeong-Hee. However, with her currentmitments to Wolf of the Battlefield, Ju Yung-In''s schedule was packed until early next year. Despite that, Ju Yung-In clearly had her sights set on Queen Jeong-Hee. I nced at Ahn Yung-Hee. "Can she manage both projects at the same time?" Ahn Yung-Hee nodded without hesitation. "Yes. Shanghai New Media Inc. has been incredibly amodating, so I think she can handle it. If we decide to work with KBC, they even agreed to provide a private jet for me to travel between the two countries." Since Wang Long was a personal fan of Ju Yung-In, she was receiving far more generous treatment than I had expected. Queen Jeong-Hee was originally a drama set to achieve viewership ratings of 23% in thetter half of next year. With Do Ye-Soo, a veteran who had spent 30 years mastering historical dramas as the chief producer, the results were sure to be solid once again. However, there was one key variable. Regardless of the actors, directors, or CPs involved, Hwaranjeon had Yoo-Jin. If Yoo-Jin''s performance shone and Hwaranjeon became a hit, Queen Jeong-Hee would inevitably take a hit in its viewership ratings. At that moment, Ju Yung-In looked at me with a serious expression and asked, "Oppa. I brought the coffee truck and put Min Gyu-Ri in her ce, so give me an answer. Do you think Queen Jeong-Hee will be a hit or not?" Ju Yung-In had always followed my lead until now. At first, it was to crush Yoo-Jin. Then she simply started following my choices in projects. This time, she was outright asking me for my opinion. ''You really are something else, Ju Yung-In.'' In the past, I might have hesitated to answer this question. However, there was no reason to hesitate now. I was certain that Hwaranjeon wouldn''t lose to Queen Jeong-Hee. Looking at Ju Yung-In, I calmly replied, "It''ll be a hit. CP Do Ye-Soo, Writer Ga Ye-Eun, and Writer Lee Sun-Chang are all masters of historical dramas." The moment I said this, Ju Yung-In, who had been carefully studying my expression, let a deep smile spread across her face. She had clearly already made up her mind about whether to take the role or not. Chapter 425: Coffee Truck (2)

Chapter 425: Coffee Truck (2)

"It looks like I''ll have to turn that role down," Ju Yung-In replied. Contrary to my expectations, Ju Yung-In let it go without a second thought. Puzzled, I asked, "I told you it''s a good project, didn''t I? So why?" Ju Yung-In smirked. "Oppa, I can tell just by looking at your face. ''Queen Jeong-Hee? Sure, it''s a good project. But it won''t stand a chance against us.'' That''s what you''re saying, isn''t it?" The fact that she could read that much from my expression was impressive. I always thought I had a decent poker face, but somehow Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In were the exceptions. With a carefree look, Ju Yung-In added, "I''ve already had to deal with losing to you and Yoo-Jin up close in the same drama. Now you want me to get crushed as part of thepetitor drama too? No thanks. I''ve got my pride." Ju Yung-In backed off so easily that it left me puzzled. I turned to Ahn Yung-Hee. "Mrs. Ahn, is she really not going to take the role?" "It''s fine. Honestly, I wasn''t keen onpeting against your team anyway. We''re nning to focus entirely on China for now. We''ll save the real fight for next time." Ahn Yung-Hee also seemed unusually quick to retreat. It didn''t sit quite right, but pressing them on a decision they had already made didn''t feel appropriate either. Deciding the conversation had run its course, Ju Yung-In smoothly changed the topic. "Anyway, enough about that. I brought a coffee truck all the way here, so the least you can do is buy me a meal, right?" Yoo-Jin answered for me. "Fine. I''ll treat you. Let''s eat together after the morning shoot." Ju Yung-In pouted yfully. "Why don''t you sit this one out? I want to eat with Yoon-Ho oppa." Yoo-Jin frowned. "Wooow look at you! You''re dragging my talent agent off without my permission?" Ju Yung-In, usually so headstrong, now pleaded like she was genuinely desperate. "Come on~ I came all the way from China so let me be just this once. You''ve got to at least treat me to a meal out of courtesy, don''t you think?" Eventually, Yoo-Jin gave in. "Fine, but just for today." "Got it. I''m flying back tomorrow anyway." Though Yoo-Jin still looked slightly disgruntled, she begrudgingly stepped back. Ju Yung-In turned to me with a bright smile. "Oppa, what are you going to buy me?" Since Ju Yung-In helped out today, buying her a meal seemed like the least I could do. "How about gukbap? Sounds good?" Warm gukbap felt perfect for the chilly weather. Surprisingly, Ju Yung-In, who typically wouldn''t settle for anything less than a fine dining restaurant, agreed immediately. "Deal!" It was unexpected, but a promise was a promise. She had certainly yed her role as today''s "savior" perfectly, just like the horoscope of the day had said. *** We moved to the cabin set where the next scene would be filmed. Upon hearing Ju Yung-In had arrived, the staff worked with noticeable enthusiasm. While the lighting crew bustled about, Yoo-Jin sat quietly and reviewed her script. She let out a faint sigh, clearly aware of Ju Yung-In watching her. Given their history ofpetition, it was no surprise that Yoo-Jin felt the pressure. I asked, "Are you okay?" Yoo-Jin smiled softly and nodded. "Yes, I''m fine." However, Miso sitting beside Yoo-Jin shook her head. "Uncle Yoon-Ho! She''s not fine. Mom''s lying right now." Miso, sharp-eyed as ever, immediately noticed that her mom wasn''t quite her usual self. Yoo-Jin gently cupped Miso''s cheeks with both hands. "Miso. You''re not supposed to say things like that, okay?" Miso mumbled with her cheeks stretched like mochi. "Sorry, Mom~ Don''t be angry~" Miso''s speech slurred adorably. Yoo-Jin let go of Miso''s cheeks and softly patted her face. "Pfft. I''m not angry, Miso. I''m just nervous because my rival is watching." "Really?" "Yeah. You know what a rival is, right?" "Uh-huh. I learned about it. For me, Gong-Ju and Yi-Ji unnie are rivals! I can''t lose to them!" "That''s right. I don''t want to lose to Auntie Yung-In either." Miso finally nodded as she was satisfied with the exnation. "Ohhh~" Yoo-Jin then turned to me. "Oppa, make sure you monitor me properly today. If I slip up, tell me right away, okay?" Yoo-Jin admitted she was slightly on edge and asked me to help keep her in check. It wasn''t just Min Gyu-Ri''s usual provocations that were bothering her, but Ju Yung-In being here added even more pressure. I nodded. "Of course. Don''t worry about it." Just then, Miso tilted her head. She chimed in enthusiastically as she was always eager to mimic her mom. "Uncle Yoon-Ho! I want you to monitor me too!" "Alright, Miso. I''ll keep an eye on you too." At that moment, the staff called out, "Miss Yoo-Jin, we''re starting the shoot!" Yoo-Jin rose from her seat and walked toward the set as Miso cheered her on. "Mom, you got this!" It was as if Yoo-Jin intended to show Ju Yung-In exactly what she was capable of. *** The scene being filmed today was Scene 25 of Episode 7. Princess Do-Hwa apanied by her attendants sided with Princess Yu-Hwa and began destroying the looms that the peasants were using for weaving. Princess Yu-Hwa arriving on the scene would discover the destruction and confront Princess Do-Hwa in a physical altercation. Since the script required a fight scene between Princess Do-Hwa and Princess Yu-Hwa, Min Gyu-Ri and Yoo-Jin rehearsed their choreography under the supervision of Stunt Director Ahn Seok-Chil. Oh Bok-Hee checked with the staff on the preparations and called out to the actors, "We''ll get started as soon as the lighting is ready, so please be prepared." While the lighting team hurried to finish setting up the lights, the actors took their positions. Extras ying peasants sat in front of the looms inside the set, while Min Gyu-Ri, her bodyguards, and her maids stood waiting in the yard. Yoo-Jin remained offstage behind the cabin. Oh Bok-Hee turned to Min Gyu-Ri with a script in her hand and began repeating herself. "Gyu-Ri." "Yes, Mrs. Oh?" "Be careful. If Miss Yoo-Jin gets hurt, it''ll be a huge problem. Got it?" Min Gyu-Ri nodded with her expression showing some irritation. "I got it. That''s the third time you''ve said it, though." "Is it? Sorry. Anyway, just be careful and take care of yourself too." Hearing the repeated warnings about not injuring the lead actress clearly didn''t sit well with Min Gyu-Ri as her face showed it inly. Oh Bok-Hee then turned to Yoo-Jin with simr instructions. "Miss Yoo-Jin. Be as careful as you can but make it look intense. You know what I mean, right?" "Yes, ma''am. Don''t worry." Yoo-Jin''s ability to read between the lines and understand even poorly phrased instructionsing from her years of part-time job experience was showing. Meanwhile, Ju Yung-In had somehow slipped to my side and asked, "Oppa, doesn''t Min Gyu-Ri keep messing with Yoo-Jin?" "What? How did you know?" "You saw what happened with the coffee earlier, didn''t you? When I said I didn''t know who she was, she deliberately spilled coffee on me. A girl like that? She''d never leave Yoo-Jin alone. She''s too self-absorbed to just stand back and let someone else shine." At that moment, Ju Yung-In''s old self came to mind and I couldn''t help butugh. "Why are youughing?" "It''s nothing." "Hmm? That''s suspicious. You''re notparing me to her, are you?" She hit the mark, but I firmly kept my mouth shut. "Oh my goodness, that''s it! I knew it. Wow, this is just too much." Ju Yung-In grumbled. However, I didn''t bother responding and simply turned my head. At that moment, Scene 25 of Episode 7 began. "Alright, we are starting the shoot. Ready~ Action!" Min Gyu-Ri stormed into the cabin set with her skirts swirling, nked by her attendants and bodyguards. ¡ºThere''ll be no weaving without looms. Break everything, everyone!¡» Crash! The bodyguards swung their swords to smash earthen jars and looms, instantly turning the scene into chaos. Min Gyu-Ri looked around before grabbing aundry paddle sitting on one of the earthen jars and swinging it gleefully. ¡ºHahaha! How satisfying! Yes, smash it all! Break it to pieces!¡» At that moment, Yoo-Jin burst onto the scene with her voice ringing out powerfully. ¡ºPrincess Do-Hwa! What on earth are you doing? Nevermind the weaving contest being at stake, but destroying these looms? How will the people survive?!¡» Min Gyu-Ri turned her head sharply toward Yoo-Jin upon hearing her thunderous voice. ¡ºYu-Hwa unnie? How did you get here...¡» Yoo-Jin marched toward Min Gyu-Ri with her eyes zing and grabbed theundry paddle in her hand. ¡ºAhh! What are you doing?!¡» Min Gyu-Ri gritted her teeth and resisted with all her might. However, Yoo-Jin''s strength overwhelmed her and the paddle was eventually wrestled away. Min Gyu-Ri lifted her head and red furiously. ¡ºWhy should I care if these vermin live or die?!¡» That''s when Yoo-Jin raised her right hand and swung it hard. Smack! The sound echoed through the set as Min Gyu-Ri''s head snapped to the side. The p was so forceful that Min Gyu-Ri stumbled backward and copsed to the ground. Thud. ''Is that an NG?'' The p was supposed to knock Min Gyu-Ri back a step, not send her sprawling. Min Gyu-Ri''s weak endurance must have been the problem. Also, Yoo-Jin had more strength than the average actress her age as she was used to carrying Miso around all the time. Nevertheless, Oh Bok-Hee didn''t call for a cut, so Yoo-Jin continued the scene. Yoo-Jin''s voice trembled with anger. ¡ºVermin...? You better take back those words!¡» Finally, Min Gyu-Ri exploded with anger and humiliation from getting pped and being thrown to the ground. ¡ºEven my mother doesn''t hit me. Who do you think you are?!¡» ¡ºWhat?¡» ¡ºYu-Hwa, you''re going to die by my hand today!¡» Fuming, Min Gyu-Ri shot up and grabbed Yoo-Jin''s hair. ''What the hell...'' The script called for Min Gyu-Ri to grab Yoo-Jin''s cor, not the hair. However, Oh Bok-Hee did not yell cut. Yoo-Jin didn''t back down and immediately grabbed Min Gyu-Ri''s hair with both hands. Grab! Oh Bok-Hee still let the scene roll, likely too impressed by the intensity of their acting to interrupt. Meanwhile, Miso stood up abruptly with hands on her hips like she was ready to jump in and fight. I quickly wrapped my arms around Miso from behind to calm her down. I whispered softly into Miso''s ear. "Miso, that''s all acting, okay? And remember, you''re not supposed to move until the PD calls cut." Miso mped her mouth shut and gave a firm nod, but continued to keep her eyes locked on Min Gyu-Ri, filled with unmistakable hostility. Next to me, Ju Yung-In quietly murmured, "Oppa, Min Gyu-Ri''s a real fighter, isn''t she?" I nodded. However, she was more like a clueless pup who didn''t realize she was messing with a tiger. Ju Yung-In smirked mischievously. "There''s no way Yoo-Jin''s going to let that slide. I wonder what she''ll do..." As if Ju Yung-In''s words summoned the moment, Yoo-Jin gripped Min Gyu-Ri''s hair tightly and started yanking her around. Min Gyu-Ri gritted her teeth and tried to hold her ground, but she couldn''t match Yoo-Jin''s strength. ¡ºAaaah! Let go! Let go of me! Yu-Hwa unnie! I said let go!¡» ¡ºYou let go first, Do-Hwa!¡» ¡ºLet''s let go on three! One, two, three¡ªahh! Why didn''t you let go?! You''re too strong!¡» ¡ºHah! You think I''ll fall for such petty tricks?¡» As the fight escted, the two of them quickly lost all their royalposure and began brawling like ordinary sisters. Both were now yanking each other''s hair furiously. Their hair ornaments tumbled to the ground and strands of hair started flying everywhere. The extras ying weavers gasped in shock and trembled while the bodyguards and attendants stood frozen as they were unsure of what to do. Eventually, the guards managed to pull the two apart. Thud! However, Min Gyu-Ri''s legs buckled and she fell ungracefully onto her backside again. It was such a perfectly timed moment that Oh Bok-Hee didn''t hesitate to yell cut this time. "Cut! Okay! Wow! That was great! You two were so realistic!" The staff swarmed the scene to check on both actresses. Yoo-Jin brushed them off calmly. "I''m fine, really." She then walked over to Min Gyu-Ri who was still sitting on the ground and extended her hand. "Are you okay, Miss Gyu-Ri?" With everyone watching, Min Gyu-Ri had no choice but to take Yoo-Jin''s hand. "Ah... Yes, I''m fine, sunbae. I''m sorry for getting a little carried away." Yoo-Jin smiled gently. "Hey, it happens when you''re in the zone. Don''t worry about it." Considering how much rougher Yoo-Jin had been, that victory smile on her face said it all. Ju Yung-Inughed beside me and nodded as though she had expected nothing less. "There we go. That''s the Jung Yoo-Jin I know." After the follow-up shots wrapped up, Yoo-Jin returned to her seat. "Oppa, do you think I went a little too far today?" "No way. It was passionate and alive. Great acting." However, Ju Yung-In gave the opposite response. "Oh, you totally went too far. I think you ripped half her hair out." Yoo-Jin grinned mischievously and opened her left hand. A small handful of Min Gyu-Ri''s hair tumbled to the ground. Ju Yung-In stared in disbelief and burst intoughter. "Were you trying to make her go bald?" Yoo-Jin shrugged her shoulders. "Hey, things happen when you''re immersed in the role." Just then, Miso looked up at Yoo-Jin with a worried expression. "Mom, are you okay?" "I''m fine, Miso. This kind of acting needs to look real, so I might have gone a little overboard." "Phew, that''s a relief. I was so worried." "Really?" "Yes." Yoo-Jin smiled and scooped Miso into her arms while flexing her barely visible bicep with pride. "I never lose! Look, I''ve got strong muscles. I''m super strong." "Wow~" Miso poked Yoo-Jin''s "muscles" repeatedly and burst into brightughter. *** Ju Yung-In, who insisted on having lunch together, had ast minute event and rushed back to Seoul. Instead, she sent me a KkTalk message. [Ju Yung-In: Oppa, it was nice seeing your face after so long. :)] For a brief moment, I couldn''t shake the thought that maybe she hade not just to ask about the role but to see me. ''No way. That''s overthinking it, Jung Yoon-Ho.'' I shook off theplicated thought and headed to the set for the child actors'' afternoon shoot. Unfortunately, the shoot didn''t go as nned. The child actors were supposed to wrap up filming today. However, Yang Yi-Ji, who yed the young Princess Jeong-Hwa, ended up with indigestion after lunch and her scenes had to be postponed. With the early wrap, we all headed back to Seoul together. Delighted at the prospect of returning to the set soon, Miso sang happily in the car. "Miso, are you excited?" I asked. Miso beamed, clearly thrilled about dressing up in beautiful hanbok. "Yeah! I get to wear pretty princess clothes at the set!" @@novelbin@@ "Then I will buy you all those clothes someday." "Really?" "Of course~" "Yay!" Seeing Miso''s bright and joyful face recharged me in an instant. Just then, my phone rang. It was Lee Soo-Chan. "Hey, Soo-Chan. What''s up?" -Hyung-nim. We''ve officially signed thest actress, Oh Soo-Jin. I had tasked Lee Soo-Chan with bringing all ten actresses who were victims of the hidden camera scheme orchestrated by Kim Dong-Soo and exposed by Nalsae under Reverse Entertainment''s protection. The primary goal was to protect the actresses from Kim Dong-Soo before their photos get leaked. If Kim Dong-Soo were to use those photos to ckmail them, I nned to hit him back hard with their help. At that moment, Lee Soo-Chan''s voice came through the phone again. -Oh. And as you predicted, Kim Dong-Soo has started using the hidden camera photos as ckmail. "Really? When did it start?" -ording to Oh Soo-Jin, it started about a week ago. The other actresses haven''t mentioned anything yet. Kim Dong-Soo''s moves were unfolding exactly as I had anticipated. "I''ll head over now." If things went well, this might be the perfect chance to finally put Kim Dong-Soo behind bars. Chapter 426: Kim Dong-Soos Hidden Camera (1)

Chapter 426: Kim Dong-Soo''s Hidden Camera (1)

After hearing the news about sessfully recruiting the ten actresses who were victims of the hidden camera incident, I sped up slightly and drove to Seoul. By the time I arrived in Seoul, I got caught in the evening rush hour traffic. The car crawled like a turtle from Yangjae onward, repeatedly stopping and starting. Taking advantage of the brief moments when the car came to a halt, I rested my hands on the steering wheel and drifted into thought. Currently, the original hidden camera photos that Nalsae handed over were in Lee Soo-Chan''s possession, while Kim Dong-Soo held copies of them. If left unchecked, Kim Dong-Soo would undoubtedly use those photos to manipte the actresses. Once an actress got entangled with Kim Dong-Soo, her life as an entertainer would be over. They would be dragged into endless rounds of socializing and catering to others, just like in my past life. Back then, I never bothered to understand their stories and dismissed them as just "those kinds of people." However, in hindsight now, I couldn''t help but feel a deep sense of guilt. Regardless, Kim Dong-Soo''s threats were both a crisis and an opportunity because I could implicate him for ckmail and illegal filming. If it were in my past life, I would have brought the actresses in front of the press and had them publicly use Kim Dong-Soo. Though it would have revealed their identities, it would have been an incredibly strong and certain method to bring him down. Nheless, such exposure would leave too severe a scar on the actresses, so I was searching for another way. At that moment, the traffic light turned red just as I approached Yangjae Intersection. Screech. As I hit the brakes, therge Merciless Bends Springer gently swayed beforeing to a stop. While waiting, I stretched and nced around. That''s when my eyesnded on a giant LCD screen atop a nearby building. Disyed on the screen was an ad featuring Yoo-Jin and Miso with their cheerful faces brightening the night. [Seven Stars Electronics Grande (NEW)] In the ad, the new grande dryer spun around while Miso happilyughed as she ran circles around it with her hands raised high. Yoo-Jin chased after Miso, trying to help her change clothes. The joyful expressions of this mother-daughter duo brought a natural smile to my lips. Next came Haru''smercial. [Haru''s Charcoal Bulgogi (BIG HIT)] Haru wore an apron and grilled the famous charcoal bulgogi in the ad, reportedly selling 30,000 units daily. As the marinated meat sizzled over the coals, Haru sprinkled a mix of green chili and Shashlik''s magic seasoning powder while whispering "§®§à§× §ã§à§Ü§â§à§Ó§Ú§ë§Ö," which meant "my treasure" in Russian. @@novelbin@@ I could also see a woman''s silhouette watching Haru with a nostalgic gaze. -Today, my son is preparing dinner, remembering the dishes I once made for him... Natalia''s voice-over concluded the heartwarmingmercial. The next ad featured the lively members of Cherry Blossom. [Yetterang Snowing Lip Balm!] Sae-Ri, who once suffered from panic disorder, now smiled radiantly as if nothing had ever troubled her. She applied the lip balm with its shimmering pearls enhancing her lovely smile. Watching thesemercials instantly lifted the weight of my earlier worries. ''That''s right, Jung Yoon-Ho. Live like a decent human being. My celebrities are thriving without resorting to those old ways, right?'' At first, I had only focused on one thing: bringing Kim Dong-Soo to justice. After all, it had been the ultimate goal of my life since traveling back in time. However, my perspective hadpletely changed now. Victory at someone else''s expense was a lesson I had learned too well in my previous life. In this second chance, I resolved once more to live as a better person. That''s why I resolved to prioritize protecting the victim actresses above all else as I moved forward. No matter how much I wanted to take Kim Dong-Soo down, I couldn''t let him dictate the course of my second life. At that moment, the loud re of a car horn snapped me back to reality. Honk! The traffic light had turned green before realizing it and cars in the adjacentnes were already halfway across the intersection. I rolled down the driver''s side window and waved an apologetic hand before I started driving again. Vroom. As the car began to move, I heard Yoo-Jin''s voice from the back seat. "Oppa? What were you so lost in thought about?" "Oh? You''re awake." "Yes, I''ve been up since we stopped at the traffic light earlier." "Ah... well..." I hesitated as I was unsure how to exin that I had been grappling with the actresses'' fates and the issue of getting Kim Dong-Soo arrested. Before I could figure out what to say, Yoo-Jin spoke up first. "Oppa. No matter what decision you make, I''m on your side." Yoo-Jin''s voice was husky from just waking up, but it sounded moreforting than ever. Then Miso''s sleepy murmur followed as if imitating Yoo-Jin''s voice. "Mmm... me too... Uncle Yoon-Ho''s side..." Even in her sleep, Miso echoed Yoo-Jin''s words. The sound of their voices full of trust and support filled me with newfound certainty about my choice. I smiled and turned toward the two of them in the back seat. "Thank you, Yoo-Jin. And Miso, too." In the rearview mirror, I could see Yoo-Jin smiling shyly and nodding. *** After dropping Yoo-Jin off at home, I headed to Reverse Entertainment in Sinsa-dong. I parked my car in the basement, then I took the elevator to Lee Soo-Chan''s office. Ding. As I stepped out of the elevator, Lee Soo-Chan was already waiting. "You''re here, hyung-nim." "Yeah. You must''ve worked hard recruiting them all. Well done." "It''s no trouble. By the way, all ten of them will be in the meeting room in thirty minutes. Before that, let''s head to my office. Mr. Im is waiting for you." I nodded and followed Lee Soo-Chan to the office. Inside, Legal Director Im Hyung-Joo and Attorney Choi Dae-Gyu were already seated while reviewing documents. They stood up immediately when they saw me. "Ah, Mr. Jung. Wee." Reverse Entertainment still kept the president''s office next to Kang Eun-Gi''s vacant for my use. Because of that, the twowyers treated me like the head of thepany. I said, "There''s no need to be so formal. I''m not anyone special." Im Hyung-Joo, who turned forty-eight this year, shook his head. "How could we not? You''re bound to take over here someday, anyway." When Im Hyung-Joo smiled good-naturedly in his cheeky tone, I replied with a smile, "No, I n to dedicate my career to Hoop Entertainment. So please, feel free to speak casually." "You never know what tomorrow holds, do you? Haha." No matter how much I tried to deflect, it was pointless. He had clearly made up his mind. After exchanging quick pleasantries with Choi Dae-Gyu as well, I took a seat. Lee Soo-Chan retrieved the hidden camera photos of the ten actresses from a safe. "Hyung-nim, here it is." Each set was neatly organized in file foldersbeled with the actresses'' names. Compared to the X-FILE I had received from Kim Dong-Soo in my past life, these were far less damning. The photos included shots of women kissing men in cars or leaving motels. Despite being rtively tame, these private moments captured in photos would still deal a heavy blow to the actresses if exposed. A nce at the files was enough to make me sigh. Lee Soo-Chan said, "Hyung-nim, if these get out, the actresses will suffer immensely." I nodded and asked cautiously. "Soo-Chan, how many of them have confessed to being ckmailed by Kim Dong-Soo?" "Only Oh Soo-Jin, the one we recruited today." "Just one of them spoke up?" "Yes." Like most people under threat, the actresses were all trying to hide it for now. "Out of the ten, five are A-ss stars. The rest are promising rookies... There''s no way Kim Dong-Soo only contacted Oh Soo-Jin. He must have reached out to all of them." "What do you n to do about it?" Lee Soo-Chan asked. "Can you leave this entirely in my hands?" I replied. "This whole thing started because you asked for my help. Whether you grill it or boil it, it''s all up to you." "Thanks, Soo-Chan." Lee Soo-Chan grinned mischievously. "If you''re really grateful, the office next door is still avable. Why not move in now?" "Anything but that." He joked back, "One day, I''ll convince you to join us." I patted Lee Soo-Chan''s shoulder in appreciation. At that moment, the inte buzzed to signal that all ten actresses had arrived. "Hyung-nim, shall we go?" "Let''s do it." I headed to Reverse Entertainment''srge meeting room with Lee Soo-Chan and the attorneys. *** Reverse Entertainment, formerly Kanghan Entertainment, was originally founded by a powerful gang that dominated the Gyeonggi region. After Kang Eun-Gi disbanded the gang, he rebranded it as Reverse Entertainment. While he liquidated most of the subsidiarypanies under the gang, thepany still retained substantial capital. Thanks to that, the building housing Reverse Entertainment''s headquarters was massive and the meeting room alone could easily amodate over a hundred people. As we stepped into the spacious room, the ten newly recruited actresses were already seated. They ranged from Choi Hye-Yeon, a thirty-year-old industry veteran, to Oh Soo-Jin, a twenty-year-old rookie brought in today. At that moment, the voices of the Reverse Entertainment talent agents suddenly boomed in unison as they greeted me. "Good evening, hyung-nim!" I quickly waved my hand. "Let''s tone it down a bit indoors, alright?" "Yes, hyung-nim!" Their exaggerated greeting seemed to be half in jest these days, but it startled the actresses who looked puzzled at the sight of their talent agents bowing to someone who wasn''t even affiliated with Reverse Entertainment. Lee Soo-Chan standing beside me exined, "Some of you may already know Mr. Jung. He is currently with Hoop Entertainment, but personally, he''s like an older brother to me and was instrumental inying the foundation of Reverse Entertainment." The actresses began whispering amongst themselves and exchanged nces. Lee Soo-Chan continued, "Also, you should know that the request to bring you all here from your former agencies came from Mr. Jung." The moment Lee Soo-Chan finished, Choi Hye-Yeon, the eldest of the actresses, stood and bowed politely. "Thank you very much." "There''s no need for that." "No, gratitude is gratitude. My previous agency had disputes with me, but Reverse Entertainment resolved everything cleanly. They even provided generous signing bonuses." "I''m d to hear that." However, Choi Hye-Yeon''s face betrayed a certain weariness. "But... Why did you recruit us? Gathering us like this makes it seem like there''s some other purpose." As expected of a veteran actress with ten years of experience, she quickly sensed something was amiss. The other actresses also looked equally confused. "Just a moment please." I first asked their talent agents to leave the room. Once they had exited, only I, Lee Soo-Chan, the two attorneys, and the ten actresses remained in the meeting room. Standing up, I distributed file folders containing the hidden camera photos to the actresses. "Please don''t open these until I exin. And when you do, make sure not to show them to anyone else." Choi Hye-Yeon asked, "What are these?" "Before I exin, let me ask you this: Have any of you recently received threatening messages from Chief Kim Dong-Soo?" For a moment, the actresses'' eyes darted about nervously. While celebrities were generally skilled at masking their emotions, they couldn''t suppress their reactions to such a sudden question. Oh Soo-Jin who had already confessed earlier hung her head slightly, while the others shifted their gazes, seemingly lost in thought. That''s when Choi Hye-Yeon reacted angrily. "Threats? What threats? That''s nonsense!" Admitting the existence of the hidden camera photos wouldn''t be easy for them. It was clear they wouldn''t confess willingly. "Alright then, let''s take a look at the files I handed out. As I mentioned, don''t let anyone else see what''s inside." At my words, they cautiously opened their files while keeping them half-covered. The moment they looked inside, their expressions froze solid and their faces turned pale like stone. Choi Hye-Yeon shut her file with trembling hands. "T-This is..." "Now can you answer me? Have you been ckmailed by Kim Dong-Soo or not?" Unable to hold back any longer, Choi Hye-Yeon burst out. "Yes, I''ve been ckmailed! He said if I didn''t work under him, he would spread these photos online. It''s not just me but he''s doing it to all of us!" As I expected, my suspicion was correct. Choi Hye-Yeon''s voice quivered as she asked, "So? What are you nning to do now? Are you going to use these photos against us too?" The unease and anxiety on the faces of the actresses were unmistakable. I met each of their gazes in turn and answered, "These are the same photos Kim Dong-Soo has. We obtained the originals from the photographer he hired to take them." "What?" I continued calmly. "And let me clear up any misunderstandings. I''m not holding onto these to ckmail you. I brought them to give them back to you." "W-What do you mean by that...?" "The SD card containing these photos is gone. Aside from what Kim Dong-Soo possesses, these are the only copies. You can tear them up or burn them. Do whatever you wish." For a moment, Choi Hye-Yeon looked utterly dumbfounded. "You''re handing over the originals... without asking for anything in return?" I nodded. In doing so, I put down the weapon I could have used against Kim Dong-Soo. However, it was to gain something even more powerful¡ªthe actresses'' trust. "I will protect you all no matter what it takes. But to do that, I need your cooperation. Please work with me to file a jointint. The more of you who participate, the stronger our case will be." This n couldn''t seed without their help and their full support was critical. The hidden camera photos we had were stolen by Nalsae and wouldn''t be admissible as evidence in court. To bring Kim Dong-Soo to justice, I needed the actresses to file a formalint which would allow Seo Jae-Ill to raid Kim Dong-Soo''s hideout and seize the illegal photos legally. Choi Hye-Yeon hesitated before asking, "And if we choose not to cooperate?" I had anticipated this question and my answer was ready. "Then I''ll drop the case against Kim Dong-Soo. But even then, I''ll do everything I can to protect you. That''s why I brought you here in the first ce." The actresses murmured among themselves with skeptical expressions. They couldn''t believe I wasn''t going to use the photos for leverage, perhaps because the talent agents they had known until now would have done just that. Choi Hye-Yeon and the others began whispering in hushed tones. ''Was I expecting too much?'' I wondered. A minute of silence stretched on. Just as I was about to ept that I might have to abandon the case against Kim Dong-Soo, Oh Soo-Jin raised her hand. "I''ll do it. Yoo-Jin unnie told me how much you care for your actors. I''ll follow you. What do I need to do?" Oh Soo-Jin''s deration sent a ripple through the group. As they exchanged nces and nodded, Choi Hye-Yeon finally sighed. "Sigh... How can we refuse when you''re going this far for us? Alright, I''ll do it." "Me too. I''ve heard about Mr. Jung. They say he''ll go through fire and water for his actors." "I''ve heard that too." One by one, the actresses agreed. It was just as I had hoped. My efforts to care for my actors were paying off now in the most crucial moment. "Please help us, Mr. Jung." Their words filled me with emotion. For a brief moment, my chest swelled with pride and fulfillment that my second chance at life hadn''t been in vain. After taking a deep breath, I finally revealed my ace card. "Don''t worry. I know exactly where Chief Kim Dong-Soo is keeping the photos." Fortunately, my nner still contained the details of when and where Kim Dong-Soo had set up his hideout. Chapter 427: Kim Dong-Soos Hidden Camera (2)

Chapter 427: Kim Dong-Soo''s Hidden Camera (2)

[Everyday V12] [Date: November 23, 2020] -10:00 p.m.: Chief Kim Dong-Soo''s move to a small-scale officetel in Apgujeong. (Note: Do not hire a movingpany.) Two dayster, Kim Dong-Soo would vacate his Samsung-dong apartment and relocate some of his belongings to another officetel. Following his instructions, only a safe and fourrge cardboard boxes would be moved. Given how much Kim Dong-Soo valued these items, I was certain they contained the hidden camera photos. With this in mind, I nned to submit the actresses''ints to Seo Jae-Ill along with the address and the exact date and time of Kim Dong-Soo''s move. This way, Seo Jae-Ill could secure the evidence needed to arrest Kim Dong-Soo. Choi Hye-Yeon blinked and asked, "Do you really know where the hidden camera photos are?" I replied, "Yes." "Then why didn''t you tell us earlier?" "I wanted to see your resolve first." Even though I knew the location, there was no guarantee the photos wouldn''t leak. That''s why I needed to gauge their determination before moving forward. Woo Ji-Yung, a twenty-nine-year-old actress, hesitated before speaking tremblingly. "Mr. Jung. I know it''s selfish to ask after saying we''d cooperate, but... what if something goes wrong and the photos get released?" I met Woo Ju-Yung''s eyes directly and replied, "You know how Ms. Choi Ji-Yung overcame her scandal and made aeback, right?" "Yes." "Although I don''t expect such a situation to arise, I''ll take full responsibility if the worst happens and help you rise even higher than before, just like I did for Ms. Choi Ji-Yung." Choi Ji-Yung, who starred as the Second Queen in Hwaranjeon, had once hit rock bottom due to a scandal as well. My assurance seemed to ease their concerns a bit. That''s when Lee Soo-Chan stepped in to reinforce my point. "Reverse Entertainment never abandons its actors. And if the photos are leaked by any chance, we''ll cover your living expenses during any hiatus and extend your contracts by the same period." With this promise, the actresses finally rxed and softened their anxious expressions. Their eyes sparkled with renewed determination as they asked, "So what do we do now?" I smiled and replied, "Let''s start by drafting theints." *** While Jung Yoon-Ho was persuading the ten actresses, a bizarre scene unfolded in the private Room 1 of the upscale bar Choice in Gangnam. Ssh! Cold whiskey poured down onto Kim Dong-Soo''s head. The one pouring the expensive whiskey bottle worth hundreds of thousands of won was Oh Joo-Hyun of Ace Entertainment. At the age of thirty-two, she was a popr actress with cat-like looks and a mesmerizing voice. Today, she came to teach Kim Dong-Soo a lesson after he proposed paying off her debt of 500 million won if she switched to Hoop Entertainment. "Hey, Kim Dong-Soo. Cool your head a bit. Pay off my debt, you say? Who the hell do you think you are to say such crap, huh? Do I look like a pushover to you?" Oh Joo-Hyun yelled. Despite his justified anger, Kim Dong-Soo remained perfectly still even as the whiskey streamed down his head. Thunk. After emptying the bottle, Oh Joo-Hyun sat down on the sofa with a mocking smile. Oh Joo-Hyun and Kim Dong-Soo were the only ones in the room. Crossing her arms, Oh Joo-Hyun sneered and red at Kim Dong-Soo. "Don''t you know I can easily make 500 million won with just onemercial?" Kim Dong-Soo used a damp towel from the table to wipe his face. "Unbelievable. Do you even know how much that whiskey costs?" When Oh Joo-Hyun shook her head in disbelief and lit a cigarette, Kim Dong-Soo smirked and stole the cigarette from her mouth before crushing it. "Hey, Chief Kim! What the hell are you doing?" Kim Dong-Soo clicked his tongue and replied, "Quit smoking, it''s bad for your bones. And stop pretending. Everyone knows you haven''t gotten any ad offerstely, so cut the act." The furious Oh Joo-Hyun reached for another ss of whiskey, but Kim Dong-Soo started speaking as he dried his neck with a tissue. "Oh Joo-Hyun: frequent gambling at VIP casinos in Macau and a steamy night with Taiwan''s famous model, David. These stories will be all over the news by tomorrow evening." Oh Joo-Hyun''s face instantly froze when Kim Dong-Soo revealed information that only a handful of people could have known. "W-What? How do you know about that? Wait... Did you call me here to ckmail me?" Kim Dong-Soo grinned and nodded. "Took you long enough to figure it out, huh? Anyway, let''s get to the point. Switch over to ourpany. If you do, I''ll bury the stories and clear your debt." The sound of ice clinking against the cup echoed in the room as Kim Dong-Soo poured whiskey into his ss. Oh Joo-Hyun crossed her arms and stared at Kim Dong-Soo with her sharp gaze assessing whether he was bluffing. After all, she had been through countless battles in the industry and could sniff out a lie. Her eyes caught the faint upward curl of Kim Dong-Soo''s lips. "It doesn''t seem like you''re bluffing." "Of course not." After a brief pause, Oh Joo-Hyun asked, "Alright. Then let me ask one question, Chief Kim Dong-Soo. If I join you, can you handle me? I''m losing my mind because I haven''t gotten any roles or ad dealstely. Can you fix that?" "That''s because you''ve been too busy gambling to work. Start focusing on your projects and you''ll bounce back in no time." "So...what you''re saying is you''ll stop the articles and clear my debt if I follow your lead. Correct?" "I''ll handle the articles. But as for the debt and the signing bonus, you''ll need to get those from someone else." Realizing Kim Dong-Soo''s implication, Oh Joo-Hyun''s face darkened. "What? Are you telling me to get a sponsor? Are you insane?" "Let''s not make this harder than it needs to be. You''re a gambling addict, aren''t you? You need cash to enjoy Macau properly. I''ll introduce you to a wealthy patron who''s discreet and generous." Oh Joo-Hyun quickly masked her shock and gave a wry smile. "Hmph. You should''ve just said that from the start." "You dumped whiskey on me before I even got a chance." Oh Joo-Hyun smiled andid out her conditions. "Okay. Clear my debt, handle the articles, and give me a 200 million won signing bonus. Deal?" Kim Dong-Soo chuckled. "Not bad. But I have one condition too." "Yeah? What''s that?" At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo stood and poured his ss full of whiskey over Oh Joo-Hyun''s head. St. The cold whiskey drenched Oh Joo Hyun''s hair, followed by two ice cubes that bounced off her head and hit the floor with a clink. Oh Joo-Hyun screamed and crouched her shoulders. "Aaah! What the hell!" Only then did Kim Dong-Soo finally smile. "What else? I''m just returning the favor. Here''s my condition: Don''t mess with me again or things won''t end well. Deal?" Soaked and furious, Oh Joo-Hyun red at Kim Dong-Soo like she wanted to kill him. But Kim Dong-Soo didn''t even blink an eye. "What is it? Want to back out of the deal?" Oh Joo-Hyun trembled with rage as she rose from her seat. "You fucking bastard. Bring the money to this exact spot in three days." Bang! Oh Joo-Hyun mmed the door shut behind her. As the room fell silent, Kim Dong-Soo sat back down with a satisfied grin on his face. He had just secured a profit-generating powerhouse S-ss actress with ease¡ªall thanks to the X-FILE. Kim Dong-Soo called his financier with a satisfied expression. "Yes, sir. I got Oh Joo-Hyun. I need 500 million won for her debt, 200 million won for the signing bonus, and 100 million won to kill the articles." -I understand. I''ll wire it by tomorrow night. Click. Kim Dong-Soo pocketed a profit of 100 million won with a single phone call. He was tempted to inte the costs further, but greed would have been unwise as more actors were bound toe under his thumb eventually. As he wiped the sticky whiskey off his skin with a wet tissue, the faces of the actresses in the hidden camera photos crossed his mind. "Hmm. Time to start bringing them in." Among them were A-ss stars and promising rookies including Oh Soo-Jin, Choi Hye-Yeon, Woo Ji-Yung, and Park Eun-Chae. While he didn''t know every detail of their weaknesses as he did with the X-FILE, the photos alone would make recruitment easy. "They should switch over soon enough..." he muttered. Having baited them for long enough, it was time to seal the deal. His next target was Oh Soo-Jin from Bless Entertainment who had been dangling on his line for a week. However, Kim Dong-Soo didn''t know that Oh Soo-Jin had already defected to Reverse Entertainment under the weight of his relentless pressure. As Kim Dong-Soo crunched ice between his teeth, he dialed Oh Soo-Jin''s number. *** In the Reverse Entertainment''s meeting room, the actresses had just agreed to file aint against Kim Dong-Soo when Oh Soo-Jin''s phone rang. "M-Mr. Jung! It''s Chief Kim Dong-Soo!" Oh Soo-Jin cried out. Oh Soo-Jin''s panicked voice made the room tense. I motioned for everyone to stay silent and approached her. "Miss Soo-Jin, take a deep breath first." Oh Soo-Jin tried to steady herself and drew in shaky breaths. "W-What should I do?" "The best thing you can do is record Kim Dong-Soo threatening you. That alone would be grounds for legal action." "Okay, I''ll try." "Don''t be afraid and just think of it as acting. I''m right here with you." It was an unexpected chance, but it could be the perfect evidence to put Kim Dong-Soo behind bars for ckmail if it worked. With onest deep breath, Oh Soo-Jin answered the call. "Hello...?" As Oh Soo-Jin fumbled to press the record button, she identally activated the speakerphone. Although the room stayed silent to avoid spoiling the recording, Kim Dong-Soo''s voice echoed clearly. -Hey, Soo-Jin~ Have you thought it over? Oh Soo-Jin''s voice trembled as she replied. "W-Well..." -What''s the matter? Still can''t make up your mind? Then do you want me to make it easier for you? That''s when the nerves got the better of Oh Soo-Jin and she blurted out in frustration. "D-Do you really think I''d join you after being ckmailed with those hidden camera photos?!" At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo''s tone instantly shifted with suspicion creeping into his voice. -What''s this? Why the sudden attitude? Wait... are you recording this by any chance? "N-No, of course not!" -Hah! So that''s how it is, huh? Alright, Oh Soo-Jin. This is the choice you''ve made. Let''s see where it gets you. Click. The call ended abruptly. The panicked Oh Soo-Jin frantically tried to call Kim Dong-Soo back. "Pick up! Answer me, damn it!" However, it was clear that Kim Dong-Soo, now on high alert, wouldn''t answer. I gently grabbed Oh Soo-Jin''s hand to calm her down. "Don''t worry. You just need to hold on for a few more days." Choi Hye-Yeon stepped forward and put aforting arm around Oh Soo-Jin. "You''re not alone in this, Soo-Jin. Don''t worry too much." "Unnie..." Woo Ji-Yung, currently at the peak of her poprity, also jumped up from her seat. "That''s right, Soo-Jin. Let''s stay strong together." Ironically, Kim Dong-Soo''s phone call ended up strengthening the bond among the ten actresses and they immediately began drafting theirints. *** On November 22, the day after meeting with the actresses, I filed a formalint on behalf of all ten actresses with Seo Jae-Ill. At 10:30 p.m. the next day, I parked and waited near the Apgujeong K Officetel where Kim Dong-Soo was scheduled to move in. Then I received a call from Seo Jae-Ill. @@novelbin@@ -We n to make an emergency arrest as soon as Kim Dong-Soo finishes moving in. "Will you be able to seize the materials inside the officetel during the arrest?" -Unfortunately not. Searching the residence requires a separate search and seizure warrant. The stricter criteria for emergency arrests these days meant they would need to secure a warrant from the court after detaining him. -Don''t worry too much. The night-duty judge handling warrants today tends to favor the victims. "Thank you so much." -You can count on me. Click. I noticed my hands were damp with sweat after ending the call. At that moment, Lee Soo-Chan sitting next to me broke the silence. "Hyung-nim, is this the end for him after tonight?" "I hope so." I couldn''t rx just yet as the Top Entertainmentunch event was still on the schedule in my nner. Things weren''t truly over yet. We waited silently with the car engine off for thirty more minutes. Then, I saw Kim Dong-Soo''s ck Merciless Bends S560 approach in the distance. Sitting in the passenger seat was Assistant Manager Yang Tae-Min. I shouted, "Lie back!" Lee Soo-Chan and I quickly reclined our seats to stay low. The car passed us and entered the underground parking lot. About twenty minutester, Kim Dong-Soo''s car re-emerged from the parking lot. At that moment, a ck car blocked Kim Dong-Soo''s path. Screech! Seo Jae-Ill sitting in the passenger seat stepped out and approached Kim Dong-Soo''s vehicle. Whirrr. The car window rolled down and revealed Kim Dong-Soo sticking his head out. "Who are you?" Seo Jae-Ill shouted, "Who am I? I''m a prosecutor of the Republic of Korea!" In an instant, Seo Jae-Ill yanked Kim Dong-Soo out of the car. "Mr. Kim Dong-Soo, you are under emergency arrest for viting the Prevention of Sexual Violence and Protection of Victims Act!" As Seo Jae-Ill twisted Kim Dong-Soo''s arm to restrain him, I quickly checked the Everyday app on my phone. If Kim Dong-Soo''s arrest became official, the scheduled event for theunch of Top Entertainment would vanish. Chapter 428: Kim Dong-Soos Hidden Camera (3)

Chapter 428: Kim Dong-Soo''s Hidden Camera (3)

[Everyday V12] [Date: November 11, 2022] -1:00 p.m.: Top Entertainment Founding Ceremony. ''Why isn''t it disappearing? Seo Jae-Ill... he''s not the kind of fool who would fumble such a handed-over case.'' Although Kim Dong-Soo had been arrested by Seo Jae-Ill, the scheduled event still hadn''t vanished. Thinking about Kim Dong-Soo, I muttered to myself without realizing it. "His survival instincts...are insane." Lee Soo-Chan next to me asked, "Excuse me? What did you just say?" "Oh, nothing. Forget it." At that moment, Seo Jae-Ill effortlessly lifted Kim Dong-Soo. Kim Dong-Soo screamed in pain with his hands cuffed. "Aaaah! My arm... my arm... it''s going to break!" The unbothered Seo Jae-Ill handled Kim Dong-Soo roughly. "Stop exaggerating already." Kim Dong-Soo yelled at the top of his lungs as the bear-like Seo Jae-Ill carried him to the transport vehicle. Meanwhile, Yang Tae-Min froze in the car with his face pale as a sheet as he fidgeted nervously. I wondered, ''Could it be... because of that guy that the schedule isn''t disappearing? No, that doesn''t make sense.'' Kim Dong-Soo wasn''t the type to share his secrets with anyone. Even in my past life, it took a long time for me to learn anything substantial about him. Considering that, Yang Tae-Min wouldn''t have any idea what he had been moving. Shortly after, Yang Tae-Min started the car and disappeared to somewhere unknown. Only then did I sit up from the reclined seat. Lee Soo-Chan noticed my expression and asked, "Hyung-nim, is something bothering you? He''s been arrested, hasn''t he?" "It''s nothing major but something''s bugging me a little." The fact that the schedule still wasn''t erased from the nner had started to weigh on my mind. "I overheard your call with Prosecutor Seo earlier. It sounded like the search warrant was almost a done deal. Isn''t that the case?" "Well, yes. But..." Lee Soo-Chan''s words nted doubt in my mind. ''What happens if the search warrant doesn''t go through?'' I thought. Nothing in this world was ever 100% certain. If there was one exception, it was my nner. While I didn''t distrust Seo Jae-Ill, I had to prepare for the worst. @@novelbin@@ "Soo-Chan...I''m asking just in case, but...do you know anyone skilled at cracking locks or safes?" Lee Soo-Chan tilted his head curiously. "Are you asking because you''re worried prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill might not get the warrant?" "Exactly. If that happens, I''ll need to use any means necessary to protect the actresses. Do you know someone?" I didn''t want to resort to such methods, but there was a high chance Kim Dong-Soo''s materials in the Apgujeong hideout could be moved elsewhere if the search warrant wasn''t issued. This was the time to prepare for that possibility as dying my decision could put the ten actresses in even greater danger. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Lee Soo-Chan nodded in agreement. "For locks, Opener is the best." "Opener?" "Oh, sorry. I meant Ho-Jae. He''s a master at that sort of thing." "Ho-Jae? Are you talking about Lee Ho-Jae?" "Yes, hyung-nim. You remember him." Lee Ho-Jae was from the disbanded Kanghan gang and someone I had known since our orphanage days. He had been remarkably handy even as a kid, and it seemed he had honed that particr talent in a specialized direction. "Then call him right now. I''ll take full responsibility." All former members of the Kanghan gang had left their lives of crime behind, but I couldn''t think of another solution this time. If the legal means to arrest Kim Dong-Soo failed, the next step would be to destroy the incriminating photos by any means necessary. "I understand. I''ll call him right away." "I''m sorry, Soo-Chan. I keep asking you to do these things." "Don''t be. You''ve always said that for talent agents, their actorse first. Once they''re in Reverse Entertainment, they''re ours to protect." It seemed that Lee Soo-Chan had be a proper talent agent in his own right. He picked up his phone and immediately made a call. "Hey, Ho-Jae. Bring your tools to the alley near Apgujeong K Officetel. It''s time to show off your old skills. Yeah. Right now. Yoon-Ho hyung-nim is waiting, so hurry over." While waiting for Lee Ho-Jae, I started sketching out the internalyout of Kim Dong-Soo''s officetel. Knowing the preciseyout was crucial for achieving our goal within the limited time we would have. The scratch of the pen on the tablet''s screen protector echoed through the car. *** In a windowless interrogation office, Kim Dong-Soo shouted at the top of his lungs. "This is ridiculous! Arresting someone without evidence? Are you even a real prosecutor?" Seo Jae-Ill mmed the table. "Mr. Kim Dong-Soo! There are ten victims who have testified that you filmed them without their consent. Are you seriously going to keep denying it?" "As a prosecutor, can you even arrest someone based solely on usations without evidence?" Kim Dong-Soo had never imagined that the actresses he ckmailed with hidden camera photos would file a collectiveint against him. He had banked on their silence, knowing that the release of those photos could ruin their careers. Seo Jae-Ill red at Kim Dong-Soo. "Just give it up already. The search warrant for your officetel will be issued soon." Sweat started trickling down Kim Dong-Soo''s back at Seo Jae-Ill''s confident face because the photos of the actresses who filed theint were in that officetel. "I-I want awyer!" Kim Dong-Soo protested. Repeating the same phrase like a parrot, Kim Dong-Soo was clearly trying to buy time. He needed to reach hiswyer and stop the search warrant at all costs. Just then, there was a knock at the door. Knock, knock. Seo Jae-Ill called out. "Come in!" The door clicked open, and investigator Ahn Yung-Moon stepped in. "Mr. Seo. Mr. Kim Dong-Soo''swyer is here." "How did they know toe? He didn''t even make a call." "I''m not sure...but they''re insisting that if they''re not allowed to meet their client immediately, they''ll file aint against you." Seo Jae-Ill frowned deeply. "Who''s thewyer?" "Well..." "What? Is it someone big?" Ahn Yung-Moon replied with a sigh, "Yes, he''s from Taesung. And it''s none other than their representativewyer, Kwak Hyun-Sung." Taesung Law Firm was known for taking on any client as long as they paid and it was infamous for using every trick in the book to win cases. It was also thew firm Seo Jae-Ill despised the most. "Ugh, of course it''s Taesung. Fine. Let them in and check again on the status of the search warrant. I want it expedited." Ahn Yung-Moon bowed and left the room. "Understood, Mr. Seo. I''ll follow up immediately." A momentter, a man in his fifties walked in with his silver-rimmed sses glinting. His hair was impablybed and he wore an Ormani suit. It was Kwak Hyun-Sung, the representative of Taesung, the fourthrgestw firm in the industry. "It''s been a while, Mr. Seo Jae-Ill." Seo Jae-Ill frowned even more as he replied, "Well, well. I never thought the great Mr. Kwak Hyun-Sung would stoop to defending a petty criminal like this." Kwak Hyun-Sung retorted with a sly smile, "Times are tough. Even a petty criminal can help keep the lights on. But really, Mr. Seo. You handling a hidden camera case involving celebrities? Isn''t that a bit of a fall from grace for the Central District''s prosecutor?" "Are celebrities not citizens? And how is helping victims of a crime a fall from grace? That''s quite the strange thing to say," Seo Jae-Ill retorted. The two men''s gazes shed in the empty air for a moment with neither backing down. Finally, it was Kwak Hyun-Sung who took a figurative step back. "Well, I think the pleasantries have gone on long enough. Let''s get to the point. My client has been uwfully detained and I''d like him released immediately." Seo Jae-Ill replied firmly, "Uwful? When ten victims file a jointint, it''s hardly uwful. I followed every procedure and have already filed for a search warrant for his residence. You''ll just have to wait." "Still, isn''t this a bit excessive considering you don''t have solid evidence yet?" "Why are you acting like an amateur? Once the warrant is issued, this case will wrap up neatly." Kwak Hyun-Sung said with a mockingugh, "Well, assuming the warrant is issued." "It will be. There are ten victims." "If you say so, Mr. Seo. Now, would you kindly leave? I have matters to discuss privately with my client." Seo Jae-Ill red at Kwak Hyun-Sung. He was clearly unwilling to leave, but he had no choice as thew mandated that awyer must be allowed to consult with their client privately. Seo Jae-Ill muttered before storming out and mming the door behind him. "Do as you please." Bang! The door shut with a loud thud as Kwak Hyun-Sung adjusted his red tie and sat down across from Kim Dong-Soo. Kim Dong-Soo asked cautiously. "So, who sent you?" In his mind, there were only two possibilities. One was Choi Man-Sik, who disliked him but still needed him. The other was his newly acquired backer, Lee Dae-Boong, a four-term independent assemblyman. Lee Dae-Boong came from a family that owned vastnds and a quarry, making him extremely wealthy. He was also well-connected with Park Sang-Gon, the ruling party''s leader. As if reading Kim Dong-Soo''s mind, Kwak Hyun-Sung casually mentioned the second name. "The man you spoke to on the phone sent me. He seemed concerned after hearing about your arrest. By the way, has his namee up during any discussions?" Kim Dong-Soo''s eyes widened and he shook his head hastily. "N-No, I haven''t said a word about him. This has nothing to do with him." Kwak Hyun-Sung smirked. "Good. I''m d to hear that." At that moment, Kwak Hyun-Sung nced at his watch and grinned. "It won''t take long." "I''m sorry? What do you mean by that?" "If the search warrant is denied, you''ll be released immediately. Be ready." "Denied?" Without responding, Kwak Hyun-Sung leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, muttering something about being tired. *** While Kim Dong-Soo and Kwak Hyun-Sung were speaking, Seo Jae-Ill received a call. "What? The warrant was denied? Why? Why would Ms. Lee Sun-Ye reject this?" Judge Lee Sun-Ye was known for issuing warrants without hesitation in cases with many victims. The investigator on the other end stammered. -T-the night duty judge changed. It''s now Judge Choi Sang-Pil. "Fuck! Are you kidding me? How did he end up on duty tonight?" -Ms. Lee Sun-Ye had to leave suddenly due to a family emergency... Choi Sang-Pil was notoriously biased and known to be a judge who always aligned himself with the ruling party regardless of who held power. "This is unbelievable." Seo Jae-Ill seethed with anger. He suspected that Kwak Hyun-Sung from Taesung Law Firm had manipted the situation, but it was only a suspicion without evidence. The worst part was that Kim Dong-Soo would soon be released with the warrant denied. The situation had turned critical as ten victims could be in even greater danger. Seo Jae-Ill chose the only option left to him: he picked up his phone and called Jung Yoon-Ho. "Mr. Jung? I hate to tell you this, but the search warrant was denied." Surprisingly, Jung Yoon-Ho responded as if he had expected this. -Then can you keep him detained for as long as possible? "I can''t guarantee much since the warrant was denied, but I can hold him for about thirty minutes." -That''s enough time. "What are you nning to do?" -Apologies, but I can''t tell you. Just please keep Kim Dong-Soo detained as long as you can. Click. As the call ended, Seo Jae-Ill felt his face flush with guilt. The only thing he could do now was dy delivering the news about the denied warrant for as long as possible. *** Outside the Apgujeong K Officetel, I realized once again the nner was never wrong. The detained suspect was usually released immediately when a search warrant was denied, but Seo Jae-Ill promised to stall for thirty minutes. I resolved to infiltrate Kim Dong-Soo''s hideout and retrieve the materials before he could return and move them elsewhere. With his arrest unlikely now, my priority was to protect the actresses. I turned to Lee Ho-Jae, who was preparing for the task in the back seat, and said, "Ho-Jae, we need to grab everything inside the officetel." Lee Ho-Jae studied the officetel''s floor n on the tablet and nodded. "Got it. How much time do we have?" "They said they''ll hold him for as long as possible, but it''s unlikely we''ll have more than 30 minutes." Lee Ho-Jae frowned and fell deep in thought. "It''s tight, but I''ll give it my best shot." Normally, cracking a safe required knowing the brand, type, and specifications as this could significantly reduce the time needed. However, there was no way to predict how long it would take right now. I said, "Forget it. I''ll go with you." "What? You''reing too, hyung-nim?" "Yeah. It''ll be easier if I go with you. I''ve been here a few times and two people are better than one for something like this." "Having someone familiar with the ce does help." "Great. Now hand me a set of disguise tools." "Here you go." I had already swapped out my suit for arge hoodie and casual pants just in case. Taking the disguise kit from Lee Ho-Jae, I got to work. I pulled on a ck cap, a mask that covered my entire face, gloves, and special rubber soles designed to obscure the size and shape of my shoes. Once my disguise wasplete, I turned to Lee Ho-Jae. "We can avoid the security camera by entering through the parking lot. Let''s head that way first." "Understood, hyung-nim." With a bag slung over my shoulder, I stepped out of the car and said, "Soo-Chan, you stay here. Keep an eye out and call me immediately if you see Kim Dong-Sooing back." "Got it. Just make sure you get out if time runs out. Your safety is the priority, hyung-nim." "Alright." The clock was ticking and we only had thirty minutes. I headed toward the officetel with Lee Ho-Jae, determined to retrieve the hidden camera photos. Chapter 429: Kim Dong-Soos Hidden Camera (4)

Chapter 429: Kim Dong-Soo''s Hidden Camera (4)

We arrived at the entrance to unit 1606 of the K Officetel¡ªKim Dong-Soo''s hideout. Beep. "There. It''s unlocked." Avoiding security cameras in the underground parking lot and opening the door had already consumed 10 minutes. We were now left with 20 minutes. Click. As the door opened and we stepped inside, the sensor activated hallway light turned on. The reddish glow illuminated the interior and revealed the space at a nce. It was exactly as I remembered:pletely barren with not a single piece of furniture in sight. Lee Ho-Jae said, "Hold on a second, hyung-nim. There might be a security camera inside. Let me check." "Don''t worry about it." What we were here for were the hidden camera photos¡ªevidence so incriminating that mere possession could ruin someone. In other words, Kim Dong-Soo couldn''t even report the theft of these items to the police. We had only disguised ourselves to prevent Kim Dong-Soo from tracking us downter. "Ho-Jae, this way." "Yes, hyung-nim." I turned off the hallway''s automatic sensor switch and turned on a shlight before heading to the smallest of the officetel''s three rooms. In the smallest room, there was a safe that had been moved earlier today along with ten cardboard boxes. Judging by the number, Kim Dong-Soo must have moved some of them here in advance. "Ho-Jae, you take care of the safe. I''ll check the boxes." "Understood." Lee Ho-Jae unpacked his tools and got to work on the safe. Meanwhile, I opened the boxes and began sorting through their contents. The first three boxes contained nothing but misceneous documents. However, hidden camera photos and incriminating files about actresses began spilling out starting from the fourth box mixed in with the papers. Some of the actresses were long retired while others had been used and discarded by him. The sight of their ruined lives made curses slip out of my mouth. "That bastard, Kim Dong-Soo..." Tick tock. Time flew by as I worked through the boxes. By the time I opened the seventh one, 25 minutes had passed. We were left with 5 minutes, but we still hadn''t left Kim Dong-Soo''s officetel. The hidden camera photos of the actresses we had recruited to Reverse Entertainment hadn''t surfaced yet. ''Are the files in the safe?'' I wondered. Lee Ho-Jae was still sweating profusely as he struggled to crack the safe. It was clear he hadn''t done this in a while and it wasn''t going smoothly. As I opened the eighth box, the 30 minute mark passed. At that moment, my phone rang as if on cue. [Caller ID: Seo Jae-Ill] I stepped out of the room to take the call, knowing what it would be about but needing confirmation. -Mr. Jung, Kim Dong-Soo just left the interrogation room. If Kim Dong-Soo had left the Seoul Central District Prosecutor''s Office, it would take him 10 to 20 minutes to reach here depending on traffic. There was no way to predict exactly how much time we had left. -I''m sorry, but I couldn''t hold him any longer. Taesung''swyer caught on to the warrant denial and there wasn''t much else I could do. "No, you''ve done more than enough. Thank you for your efforts." Seo Jae-Ill had kept his word and bought us as much time as he could. Now, everything was up to us. After ending the call, I immediately dialed Lee Soo-Chan who was waiting in the underground parking lot. "Soo-Chan, Kim Dong-Soo has been released and should be heading your way soon. Since Yang Tae-Min took the car, they''ll likely appear near the entrance. Wait there and cause amotion when they arrive." -Amotion? "Yeah. You''re the Vice President of Reverse Entertainment, don''t you? So confront Kim Dong-Soo. Demand to know what he ns to do by threatening our actresses and stall him until we''re clear. And if you lose track of him, call me immediately." -Oh! Got it! I hung up and immediately resumed checking the remaining boxes for photos. Time raced by like bullets. Tick tock. Tick tock. *** Thanks to Kwak Hyun-Sung from Taesung Law Firm, Kim Dong-Soo was promptly released. As they exited the Central Prosecutor''s Office together, Kwak Hyun-Sung leaned in and whispered. "It seems Prosecutor Seo was after something important at your Apgujeong officetel. You''d better return immediately and dispose of anything incriminating. If you hide it, do it thoroughly." "...I understand. Please extend my thanks to that person." "That''s unnecessary. Just keep your end of the bargain." The "bargain" referred to securing a sponsorship deal with the S-ss actress Oh Joo-Hyun. That was the sole reason for Kim Dong-Soo''s rescue. Kim Dong-Soo bowed respectfully and replied, "I''ll keep that in mind." Kim Dong-Soo called a cab and headed for the officetel. With little traffic at past 1 a.m., he arrived in about ten minutes. Just as he stepped out of the cab, a stocky man approached him. The moment Kim Dong-Soo squinted to see who it was, he was taken aback when the man suddenly yelled. "Hey! Kim Dong-Soo! You''ve been threatening our actresses, huh?" "Who are y..." "Me? I''m Lee Soo-Chan from Reverse Entertainment! Did you really think you could get away with threatening our actresses over the phone?" Before Kim Dong-Soo could react, Lee Soo-Chan lunged and grabbed him by the cor, lifting him clean off the ground with one powerful motion. "Gah! I-I can''t breathe... S-Security! Help! S-Security! Keuk!" All Kim Dong-Soo could do was struggle and cry for the security guard. *** Beep. The safe finally clicked open. Ten minutes had already passed since Ist spoke to Lee Soo-Chan, leaving us with precious little time. "I''m sorry, hyung-nim. I''m out of practice so my hands were stiff," Lee Ho-Jae said sheepishly. "No, you did great. Let''s pack up now." Just as expected, inside the safe were the hidden camera photos of the ten actresses from Reverse Entertainment. "It seems he kept the most important files here." Unlike the other photos scattered in the boxes, these belonged to high-profile victims. Half of them were A-ss actresses while the others were promising rookies. Kim Dong-Soo must have considered their photos especially valuable and kept them safely. As we packed the photos, my eyes caught a stiff and bright yellow envelope that looked recently ced at the very back of the safe. I was in a rush, yet I couldn''t help but open it. What I found inside left me speechless. [X-FILE: Oh Joo-Hyun] ''This is unbelievable...'' It was an X-FILEpiled by Kim Dong-Soo, likely sourced from Colonel Baek. The level of detail was staggering from Oh Joo-Hyun''s personality, skills, strengths, weaknesses, to even her current situation. The worst part was that the file includedpromising photos designed to control herpletely. Holding this kind of file was no different from owning a leash on someone''s life and career. Before I could dwell further, my phone rang again. [Caller ID: Lee Soo-Chan] I quickly stuffed the X-FILE into my bag and answered Lee Soo-Chan''s call. "Hey, Soo-Chan." -Hyung-nim, the security guards showed up and I lost Kim Dong-Soo. You need to get out now. He''s on his way up! "Got it. We''re done here and heading out now." That''s when an audacious idea shed through my mind. While Lee Ho-Jae packed up his tools, I picked up a piece of paper that had fallen to the floor. Then I used a marker to scribble a cryptic message in a way that made my handwriting unrecognizable like a calling card left by thieves. I folded the paper in half and ced it inside the safe, ensuring it would be the first thing seen when the door was opened again. Click. "Ho-Jae, let''s go." "Okay, hyung-nim." We split the bags between us and hurried out the door. "This way." Knowing Kim Dong-Soo would be taking the elevator, we rushed toward the emergency stairs. We kept our steps as quiet as possible as we descended rapidly. While doing so, I called Lee Soo-Chan. The moment he answered, I whispered, "Soo-Chan, have the car ready." -Yes, hyung-nim. I finally had the hidden camera photos in my possession. I even got one of Kim Dong-Soo''s X-FILEs as a bonus. @@novelbin@@ The situation hadpletely turned in our favor. *** Ding. -16th floor. The elevator doors opened and Kim Dong-Soo stumbled out with his disheveled appearance betraying the struggle he had just endured. "Huff, huff, huff... I thought I was going to die." Reverse Entertainment was infamous for having former gangsters as more than half its staff. Worse yet, the actresses he had photographed had all ended up signing with them. Given the circumstances, Kim Dong-Soo had no choice but to keep the photos hidden for now. "Someday... I''ll get them back," he muttered. For now he had bigger problems than Reverse Entertainment¡ªSeo Jae-Ill possibly raiding his hideout. Beep, beep, beep. The sound of buttons echoed as he unlocked the door and stepped inside. However, the lights didn''t turn on. "What the...? Did the sensor light break?" Kim Dong-Soo fumbled around and finally located the sensor switch. Click. As the lights flickered on, Kim Dong-Soo rushed to the room where he stored his files. The moment he opened the door, his legs gave out beneath him. "W-What is this?!" The cardboard boxes were all ripped open with their contents scattered. Anyone could tell at a nce that the ce had been ransacked. He frantically rifled through the boxes, but the hidden camera photos he had stored so carefully were all gone. "Noooo!" he screamed. The materials were as good as his life''s work and losing them sent his head spinning. Then his eyes fell on the safe. The sight of it still securely locked brought a glimmer of hope. "Yes! The most valuable files are in there... as long as the safe is fine, it''s all okay." Dragging himself forward on trembling legs, Kim Dong-Soo reached the safe. Beep, beep. The safe clicked open with the sound of the touchpad. However, the moment he peered inside, all the color drained from his face. The envelopes containing the actresses'' photos were gone, even the bright yellow envelope marked "X-FILE". "N-no... this can''t be happening..." Kim Dong-Soo stammered. At the same time, Kim Dong-Soo''s eyesnded on a folded piece of paper lying in the empty safe. As he unfolded the paper with trembling hands, he read the taunting words scrawled across it. [Guess who~?] Kim Dong-Soo copsed onto the cold floor. "Who... who are you?" It was a clich¨¦ line fit for an old horror movie, but Kim Dong-Soo''s whole body trembled uncontrobly. He couldn''t shake the eerie sensation that someone was watching his every move. He felt as if he were a pawn being manipted on someone else''s chessboard the entire day. Losing everything he had worked to hoard only heightened the dread. ''Choi Man-Sik? Yang Tae-Min? Nalsae? Or... Jung Yoon-Ho? Who could it be?'' Dozens of names shed through his mind, but none of them made sense. ''How could anyone have known about this ce where I just moved in today?'' Then, a sharp pang shot through him. His blood pressure surged and it felt as if thousands of needles were stabbing the back of his neck. Darkness closed in and an eerie silence engulfed the room. Thud. Just like that, Kim Dong-Soo copsed in the icy officetel. *** Back at Reverse Entertainment, I immediately summoned all the actresses from the hidden camera victim list. Alongside Lee Ho-Jae, I distributed the ten photo albums we had retrieved from Kim Dong-Soo''s hideout. They were the same pictures I had shown them two days earlier. "How... how did you...?" "I can''t exin the details, but rest assured. Kim Dong-Soo won''t trouble you anymore. Starting tonight, you can sleep peacefully." Choi Hye-Yeon stood abruptly and bowed deeply. "Thank you... Mr. Jung..." I tried to help her up, but her shoulders trembled and tears streamed down her face like rain. The other actresses followed suit one by one, bowing their heads and weeping. "Sniff, sniff..." "Thank you, sniff..." In the short time they had been dealing with Kim Dong-Soo, the pain they endured must have been unimaginable. I waited in silence to let their tears cleanse the burden they carried. As the tears subsided and the actresses raised their heads, I spoke. "Since we retrieved the photos, sending Kim Dong-Soo to prison will be difficult. He''ll likely walk free due to insufficient evidence even if we press charges." Having dried her tears, Choi Hye-Yeon responded. "That''s okay. Just being able to focus on acting without fear is enough for us." Woo Ji-Yung, Park Eun-Chae, and Oh Soo-Jin all nodded in agreement, expressing relief that the ordeal was over. Afterward, Lee Soo-Chan emphasized to the actresses that they must never reveal how the photos were recovered before letting them leave. Once the room cleared, Lee Soo-Chan and I returned to his office. Lee Soo-Chan gestured toward the remaining bags containing other actresses'' hidden camera photos and asked, "What are you going to do with those?" "I''ll destroy them all... except for one." "One?" I intended to keep the X-FILE on Oh Joo-Hyun. Oh Joo-Hyun was an actress who relished using sponsors to secure roles. She frequently abused her position on set, emboldened by her powerful backers. If she were left unchecked, more victims would surely follow. Keeping the X-FILE wasn''t just about putting a leash on Kim Dong-Soo, but it was also about ensuring Oh Joo-Hyun couldn''t continue her nasty behavior. Lee Soo-Chan said with his frustration evident. "I admit, it''s disappointing we couldn''t finish Kim Dong-Soo off for good this time." "Don''t worry. That jerk''s blood must have run cold by now. And remember, we still have another trump card against him." While we couldn''t implicate Kim Dong-Soo yet, I had discovered another critical weak point: Choi Sung-Ae. When Ju Kang-Yong, the sleazy reporter from Entertainment Big News, had ckmailed Choi Sung-Ae with false articles, I overheard a phone call between him and Kim Dong-Soo in a basement parking lot. The recording of that call held explosive potential. If it were released, countless people would be implicated including Kim Dong-Soo. More importantly, I had learned that Choi Sung-Ae''s sudden disappearance from the entertainment industry was intricately tied to Kim Dong-Soo. That''s why I had dispatched Nalsae to the U.S. to track her down. Lee Soo-Chan nodded "True. If Nalsae finds her and brings her back, it''ll all be over," "Exactly. Speaking of which, why don''t we call Nalsae for an update?" I suggested. "Good idea, hyung-nim. I''ll put it on speakerphone." Beep beep beep. Nalsae picked up after a few rings. -Yo~ What''s up? Isn''t it super early over there? "Hyung-nim wanted an update. Did you find Choi Sung-Ae?" At that moment, Nalsae''s tone shifted and he answered in a startled voice. Chapter 430: Kim Dong-Soos Hidden Camera (5)

Chapter 430: Kim Dong-Soo''s Hidden Camera (5)

Nalsae shuddered audibly and quickly continued. -Ugh, seriously. It gives me chills every time this happens. That forteller guy, he''s really the real deal, huh? Like, actually connected to spirits or something?" "Why? What is it?" -I haven''t found Choi Sung-Ae directly... but I''ve found traces of her. "Traces? What do you mean?" -I''m in LA''s Koreatown right now, and I heard she created a fake identity about three months ago. I stepped in. "Hey, this is Jung Yoon-Ho. How soon can you track her down?" -What? You''re there with him?" "Yeah." After a pause, Nalsae muttered. -Do you also know when I''ll die? "Huh? What kind of nonsense is that?" -I don''t know, you''re so sharp I thought maybe you''d know that too. "Enough with the pointless chatter. Just tell me. When can you find her?" -Geez. Take a breath, will you? This isn''t Korea. One wrong move here and you can get shot! Nalsae thenunched into a tirade about how LA gangs had already aimed guns at his head twice. "Rx. You have enough luck that you won''t die so easily. Now, tell me how far you''ve gotten." Still grumbling, Nalsae replied. -Fine, fine, I''m making progress. I''m working on getting close to the guy who forged her identity. Once I''ve got something concrete, I''ll call. And don''t rush me. I''m working my ass off here. This is my chance to get proper payback on Kim Dong-Soo, Ju Ho-Sung, and Choi Man-Sik! It was clear that Nalsae was holding onto his grudges, swearing he would make all his hardship in the U.S. pay off tenfold. @@novelbin@@ "Alright. Keep it up." -Keep it up? No, no. I need more money if you want me to work faster! Before I could respond, Lee Soo-Chan chimed in cheerfully. "Fine. I''ll double it." -Now that''s what I like to hear. Talk to youter! After the call ended, Lee Soo-Chan turned to me. "Hyung-nim, is it true that Nalsae won''t die?" Because of the rumors surrounding "Star Jung the Forteller," everyone seemed to treat me like some kind of prophet. "How should I know?" "What? Then why did you say that?" "To give him peace of mind. And besides, Nalsae''s the type who knows how to steer clear of danger. That''s why his odds of survival are higher. Oh, and while you''re at it, get him a bulletproof vest with the money." "So you want him to rely on science instead of faith?" "Exactly. It''s the 21st century. Why depend on superstition?" At that moment, my phone buzzed. [Caller ID: Kim Dong-Soo] "This guy... Why is he calling me?" Kim Dong-Soo was calling me after his officetel got ransacked. *** When Kim Dong-Soo asked to meet at a street food tent located near Apgujeong Station, I had no intention of agreeing. Nheless, rejecting him might arouse his suspicion, so I casually said I would be there. I walked for about ten minutes from Lee Soo-Chan''s building to a street food tent nestled between apartmentplexes. Lifting the red vinyl p at the entrance, I stepped inside. The ce was empty except for Kim Dong-Soo who was miserably knocking back shots of soju. Kim Dong-Soo had despised the crushing poverty he endured as a child and vowed never to drink in shabby ces like this when he grew up. Yet here he was, alone in a run-down street food tent. He repeatedly poured himself shots of soju and downed them between bites of fish cake stew. His hair was a mess, his clothes were torn, and his disheveled state was so pitiful even thedy running the tent kept sneaking nces at him. ''Losing those files must have been a massive shock,'' I thought. I walked over casually and pretended not to notice his sorry state as I sat across from him. Kim Dong-Soo slowly raised his head. His bloodshot eyes were filled with seething hatred. Kim Dong-Soo growled, "Jung Yoon-Ho!" I asked calmly. "What do you want?" "It was you, wasn''t it? You little...!" I feigned ignorance and replied, "What are you talking about, calling me out of nowhere?" I picked up a fish cake skewer[1], dipped it in soy sauce, and took a bite. The fish cake was swollen and overcooked. Somehow, it tasted better than usual. Breathing heavily, Kim Dong-Soo slurred, "No matter how I think about it... it was you! Who else could''ve raided my ce?" Kim Dong-Soo pointed at me with a skewer and trembled with rage. I calmly tapped his skewer aside with my empty one, sending it ttering to the floor. Then I smirked before asking, "What are you talking about?" "Don''t y dumb! I''m talking about my hideout! You''re the one who broke into it, aren''t you? You bastard!" ''Oh, he''s sharper than I thought.'' However, Kim Dong-Soo didn''t seem entirely sure. He was grasping at straws, trying to intimidate me into confessing. I decided to mess with his head a little more and replied, "What are you going on about? What hideout?" "Y-you don''t know? The officetel in Apgujeong!" "You bought an officetel?" "..." "Wow, Mr. Kim. Even while suspended, you''ve got money to burn. Buying an officetel and all?" Confusion flickered across Kim Dong-Soo''s face. I casually ate another fish cake and continued, "Before using me, shouldn''t you consider the people around you? You know, like someone who knew the location." At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo mmed the table with his fist. "T-then... Yang Tae-Min. That bastard... could he have betrayed me...?" This was the problem with people who lived by harming others. They ended up with so many enemies that they couldn''t even trust their own allies. The worst part was that their suspicions only created new foes. Kim Dong-Soo began muttering angrily to himself and listed off names: Lee Gi-Cheol and Kang Myung-Gil in prison, Choi Man-Sik, and even Kang Ji-Yung and Kang Gam-Chan. Meanwhile, I waved to thedy and ordered another round of fresh fish cake. She quickly brought out a steaming pot of fish cake stew. Since I hadn''t eaten since dinner, I filled up on the savory broth and skewers. Just then, Kim Dong-Soo grabbed one of the new fish cakes and pointed it at me. "Hey! Jung Yoon-Ho!" "What now?" "You... what makes you so damn great, huh?" "I''m not great at all." "Don''t give me that crap. You hate everything I do, don''t you? Admit it." ''At least he knows that much,'' I remarked inwardly. When I didn''t bother responding, Kim Dong-Soo bit into the fish cake angrily only to spit it out and yelp, "Ah, hot! Damn it!" Kim Dong-Soo dropped the fish cake onto the floor. "Fuck... Why is everything going wrong today?" It truly was Kim Dong-Soo''s worst day. In contrast, it was one of my best. Kim Dong-Soo grumbled before he downed another ss of soju. Sensing he had nothing more to say, I stood up. "Finish your drink and go home. Don''t call me out like this again because I won''te next time." As I turned to leave, Kim Dong-Soo suddenly grabbed my arm. "You... it really was you, wasn''t it? If you return the files, I''ll forgive everything. I''ll pay you 10 million... no, 20 million won. Come on. You''re not the type to use those files anyway, right? You''re a good guy, aren''t you?" ''Ah, so this is why he called me here.'' The sheer absurdity of it all made meugh out loud. I locked eyes with Kim Dong-Soo for a moment before brushing his hand off my arm with a sharp motion. "Whatever those files are, they must be about celebrities'' weaknesses. Let me give you a piece of advice¡ªstop this nonsense. Treat your celebrities sincerely andpete with good projects. What is this, the 1980s? Why are you trying to ckmail people like it''s some cheap soap opera?" Kim Dong-Soo screamed in frustration, "Hey! Jung Yoon-Ho! You think being all righteous and noble will keep you sessful forever? You bastard... you don''t know what the higher world is like. Once you see it, you''ll be just like me!" I stared at him and answered silently in my mind. ''I''ve been to that hellish world already.'' For a fleeting moment, I saw my past self in Kim Dong-Soo''s frenzied outburst. It was the version of me that once justified my actions after achieving sess. Back then, I believed that since everyone else used any means necessary to seed, I had to do the same. However, after living that life and then being granted this second chance, I knew the truth. Life might sometimes show you shortcuts, but those paths always lead to a cliff. A hasty climb built on maniption and schemes would eventually boomerang back to ruin you. I had learned that lesson the hard way, going from the vice president of Korea''s top entertainmentpany to dying alone as a forgotten hospital patient. The fastest route to true sess wasn''t a shortcut. It was the slow and steady path of doing things the right way, enduring hardships, and waiting for your moment to shine. Having already walked this road once, I retorted confidently, "I have no interest in your twisted logic. Don''t try to force or convince me. The path you''ve chosen isn''t a road to sess but a highway to hell." With that, I pulled two 50 thousand won bills from my pocket and ced them on the table. "Ma''am, I''ll cover this man''s drinks. Keep the rest as a tip." Thedy''s previously somber face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you so much!" I nced down at Kim Dong-Soo for a moment before turning to leave. Thud! When I turned back, Kim Dong-Soo was sprawled on the floor having tripped over his own legs while trying to stand. His shirt was stained with fish cake broth. His words barely made it out of his mouth. "You... you''ll... somedaye crawling back to me, begging for help... you''ll see..." I looked at him calmly and replied, "That will never happen. Not even if I have to die again." It might''ve been possible in my past life, but not this time. I left the drunken Kim Dong-Soo behind and stepped out of the tent. The chilly early-morning breeze brushed against my face. As the cold wind sobered my thoughts, I made a renewed vow: after taking down the Suhyaejong line, I''ll make sure Hoop Entertainment has no ce for filth like Kim Dong-Soo. *** The night after meeting Kim Dong-Soo, I went straight to the Central Prosecutor''s Office to see Seo Jae-Ill. Seo Jae-Ill apologized, saying it would be difficult to indict Kim Dong-Soo due to insufficient evidence. Apparently, Kwak Hyun-Sung from Taesung Law Firm had pulled strings with both prosecutors and judges to effectively block our case. Feeling guilty, Seo Jae-Ill kept apologizing andmenting that he had done more harm than good. I ended up drinking with him to console him and didn''t return home until after 5 a.m. When I opened my eyes, it was already 9 a.m. The warm sunlight streaming through the window greeted me as I stretched and got out of bed. I picked up the file I had taken from Kim Dong-Soo''s safe and muttered, "Finally, it''s in my hands." I had been searching for this X-FILE ever since I traveled back in time. Although it was only part of theplete document, it was enough to hold Kim Dong-Soo on a leash. The thought put me in a good mood. After taking the morning off and sleeping deeply for the first time in a while, I feltpletely refreshed. As I got up from my bed, I checked the day''s entertainment news. [KBC Historical Drama Queen Jeong-Hee Casts So Yi-Yung in Lead Role!] [So Yi-Yung Challenges Herself to Reinterpret a Role from Whirlwind Two Years Ago. Same Role in Different Projects.] "So Yi-Yung is ying Queen Jeong-Hee...?" In my past life, this role had gone to the actress Ahn So-Jung. The thought of a prestigious part going to So Yi-Yung made me uneasy. "Well, I suppose there wasn''t much choice given the scheduling issues." Two years ago, So Yi-Yung had yed Queen Jeong-Hee, the wife of King Sejo, in the historical film Whirlwind. Despite being a rookie, her deeply nuanced performance earned her critical acim even in a supporting role. It seemed KBC had initially offered the lead role to Ju Yung-In. However, after Ju Yung-In rejected the role, they rushed to cast So Yi-Yung who not only had experience in historical dramas but had already portrayed the same character once before. Despite So Yi-Yung''s previous drama Festival of Money ending with dismal single-digit viewership ratings, the faulty with the script by Hong Jang-Mi whose constant missteps derailed the show. Nheless, So Yi-Yung''s acting had received considerable praise. ''Still, why do I keep crossing paths with these people? Such rotten luck...'' I wondered. So Yi-Yung and Min Gyu-Ri were two of the actresses I once called the "Three Queens of Trouble" during my time at Top Entertainment in my past life. Naturally, the third member of that infamous trio, Jang So-Yeon, came to mind. At twenty-one years old, Jang So-Yeon was the youngestpared to the twenty-eight-year-old So Yi-Yung and twenty-four-year-old Min Gyu-Ri. Yet, her fiery personality made her no less of a handful. Jang So-Yeon hadn''t debuted in the entertainment industry yet. The three of them had somehow been inseparable. Despite their difficult temperaments, they managed to get along and often caused trouble together. Recalling those days still made my blood boil to the point of waking up in the middle of the night in frustration. Regardless, So Yi-Yung now had a golden opportunity to rebuild her career after the Festival of Money debacle. "I need to stay as far away from her as possible." I shut off my phone and headed for a shower. When I came downstairs, a faint smell of form milk tickled my nose. Yoo-Jin had woken early and was tending to Lucky and Mimi, the two pets she had adopted from Amsa-dong''s animal clinic along with their litters of two pups each. Miso had named the puppies Baekseolgi and Injeolmi, while Han-Ul had named their litters Happy and Love. Yoo-Jin spotted me and shook the form milk container. "Good morning, oppa. Did you sleep well?" "I did, but my body feels sore all over. Oh, did you see the news? So Yi-Yung got the lead role as Queen Jeong-Hee." "Yeah, I saw it earlier this morning." "Don''t let it stress you out. People say she''s good, but you''ve got the edge. You''ll beat her for sure as long as you don''t get intimidated. Got it?" Yoo-Jin smiled brightly. "I''m just going to focus on my own role." "That''s the right attitude. By the way, are you ready for tomorrow''s college entrance exam event?" It was November 25, the day before the national college entrance exam. The actors under Hoop Entertainment were preparing for special events to support exam-takers. Yoo-Jin nodded. "Yes. I even finished wrapping the gift for Eun-Sol." Yoo-Jin nned to head to Cheongju tomorrow at dawn to cheer on Cha Eun-Sol who would be taking her exam there. Cha Eun-Sol, who had been a top homema and a member of the U & Me fan club in my past life, had already secured early admission to a university. For her, the exam was more about meeting the minimum academic requirements. Meanwhile, the Cherry Blossom fan club''s leader group¡ªfour high school girls from Hoengseong Girls'' High School¡ªwere also taking the exam tomorrow. As such, Cherry Blossom would be heading there to cheer them on as well. "Oh, and I won''t be going to Cheongju tomorrow. Sang-Bong will drive you there." Yoo-Jin narrowed her eyes and yfully red at me. "Huh? But Miso ising along as well... Where are you going?" I smiled and replied, "Do you remember Lee Si-Yoon?" "Oh, yeah. The kid who almost got killed by Woo Sung-Chan, right? The smart one?" "Exactly. His parents are working tomorrow, so he''s heading to the exam site alone. I figured I''d give him a ride and cheer him on." Lee Si-Yoon was someone I had met while exposing Woo Sung-Chan, the main lead of Master of Mukbang, as a school violence perpetrator. Lee Si-Yoon had been one of his victims. At the time, Lee Si-Yoon had filed charges against Woo Sung-Chan which led to him attempting to stab him. Fortunately, I had intervened and Woo Sung-Chan from Actor Division 3 was now serving time in prison. Yoo-Jin nodded. "Alright, I suppose I''ll have to give up then." "My gratitude knows no bounds, my queen~" At that moment, Yoo-Jin struck a graceful pose and mimicked Princess Yu-Hwa from Hwaranjeon. "Very well. Out of my boundlesspassion, I grant thee freedom for a day." We both burst intoughter before I replied, "Don''t worry, I took a day off for tomorrow." "I know~" I tilted my head. "Huh? How?" Yoo-Jin looked away and avoided my gaze. Someone from the office must have told her, but she wasn''t about to reveal their identity. I rolled my eyes yfully. "Ugh. Everyone''s such a bbermouth." Then I smiled and changed the subject. "You remember you''ve got the Weekly Star interview this afternoon, right? The list of pre-interview questions is on the tablet''s home screen. Make sure to review it." "Got it!" Today''s interview was titled "Spotlight: Jung Yoo-Jin." It was focused on her role as the lead actress in Hwaranjeon, and it had been arranged at the earnest request of Reporter Jang Moon-Ki. Just then, my phone notification chimed. [Notification: November 25, 2020. A new scheduled event has been added for ''Jung Yoo-Jin.''] I opened the nner to check the sudden addition. However, the moment I read the entry, confusion clouded my thoughts. ''Why would Jang Moon-Ki do something like this...?'' 1. Fish cake skewer in food tent ? Chapter 431: Interview (1)

Chapter 431: Interview (1)

[Everyday V12] [Date: November 25, 2020] -10:00 p.m.: [New. Jung Yoo-Jin] Weekly Star Article Countermeasure Meeting. (Meeting Agenda: Refusal to request changes to malicious article titles. Discussion on whether to proceed with legal action.) An interview was scheduled at 2 p.m. today, with Reporter Jang Moon-Ki from Weekly Star. Though Jang Moon-Ki was known for exaggerations and gossip columns, he wasn''t someone reckless enough to destroy his reputation. Furthermore, the information I had shared with him until now had brought him close to a promotion to team lead. Although I didn''t particrly like him, we had worked well together so far. ''What could have caused this mishap?'' I wondered. Unable to understand the situation, I immediately called Jang Moon-Ki. After a few rings, he answered in an unexpectedly cheerful tone. -Hey, Team Lead Jung! Good to hear from you. "Mr. Jang, you''re aware of today''s interview, right?" -Of course I am! I''ve prepared thoroughly, so juste on over! I tried to gauge Jang Moon-Ki''s intentions, but he seemed genuinely unaware of any potential issue. ''Should I postpone the interview?'' Canceling today would mean rescheduling for another time, but that wouldn''t be possible until after the end of the year. Once the child actors left Hwaranjeon in two days, Yoo-Jin''s tight filming schedule wouldn''t allow her to visit Seoul anytime soon. Severing ties with Weekly Star wasn''t an option either. That left me with only one choice: face whatever it was head-on. "Mr. Jang. Just so you know, I''ll take Yoo-Jin and leave immediately if anything goes wrong during today''s interview." -Come on, why would I do anything stupid? I know you too well to mess with you, Team Lead Jung! "Alright. See you then." -Sure. Just be here by 1:50 p.m. in the meeting room on the seventh floor. After hanging up, I noticed Yoo-Jin watching me with concern while holding Lucky and Mimi''s babies in her arms. "Oppa, what is it? Is something wrong?" Though something was brewing, I couldn''t pinpoint what. "Not really. Just remember, no matter how friendly Jang Moon-Ki seems, never let your guard down with entertainment reporters. Got it?" Yoo-Jin lifted Baekseolgi and Injeolmi, making them answer for her in their little voices. "Woof!" "Meow~" "Yes, Mr. Talent Agent!" I smiled. "Good. I''ll head to the office first and then go straight to Weekly Star." "Okay, see youter!" Just then, Jung In-Ji appeared and poured food into bowls before calling Lucky and Mimi. "Lucky, Mimi! Time to eat. Leave the little ones with Yoo-Jin." At that moment, Lucky and Mimi got up as if they understood. "Woof woof!" "Meow~" The litters tried to follow their mothers, but Yoo-Jin blocked them with her legs. "Happy, Love, Seolgi, Jeolmi. You guys are staying with me for lunch!" The puppies whined and chirped, making various sounds. Yoo-Jin held onto Happy and Love, but Baekseolgi wriggled out and slipped under her leg while Injeolmi climbed over with her tiny ws. "Meow!" Yoo-Jin holding Happy and Baekseolgi in both hands shouted in frustration. "Oppa, can you grab Seolgi and Jeolmi for me?" "Got it." I grabbed Baekseolgi and Injeolmi and fed the two of them with baby bottles. Only after they were fed did I finally eat the toast Jung In-Ji had prepared and headed to the office. *** As soon as I arrived at work, we held a meeting for the publicity campaign rted to tomorrow''s College Schstic Ability Test. The usual slogans for celebrity Instargem posts were brought up: "Good luck! May all your guesses be correct!" They were clich¨¦d but effective. At that moment, Do Ran-Hee raised her hand enthusiastically. "Mr. Jung! How about this: ''If you fail here, your life is over! Go in with a do-or-die attitude!''" As always, Do Ran-Hee never failed to disappoint me. "What do you think they are, some kind of warriors? Do you think it''s the Three Kingdoms era? Do you want our celebrities'' Instargemment sections to be ruined by hatements?" I replied in jest. When I clenched my fist, Do Ran-Hee quickly hid behind Eun Ji-Yoo and muttered in protest, "I mean, it''s to encourage them to give their all at the exam." I red at her yfully. "Encourage them to fail? Most of them probably already feel like jumping into a river and you''re pushing them further." At that moment, Jung Sang-Bong chimed in. "How about this: ''You can do it. You can do it. You can do it.'' What do you think, Mr. Jung?" "That''s not exactly a traditional CSAT cheer, but... why repeat it three times?" Jung Sang-Bong scratched his head. "That was the mantra I repeated to myself before I won my gold medal. It was to remind myself that I''d done my best and to keep my courage." For a moment, everyone looked at Jung Sang-Bong in silence. "Yeah, I remember that. You were losing with one minute left when you won that gold medal, right?" "I actually think that''s a great idea." Everyone voiced their agreement. "Okay, let''s go with that! Assistant Manager Kim, post it on Team Jung''s Instargem and add ''Good luck on CSAT!'' at the start." "Understood, Mr. Jung." It was 1:30 p.m. by the time the meeting ended. Just as I was rushing to Weekly Star, my phone suddenly rang. [Caller ID: Jung Yoo-Jin] Yoo-Jin had gone to Weekly Star earlier with Lee Yung-Jin. Considering this morning''s schedule predicted malicious articles, I answered her call urgently. "Hey, Yoo-Jin. What''s up?" -Oppa, am I doing an interview with So Yi-Yung sunbae today...? "What? No. You''re the only one scheduled for an interview." -But So Yi-Yung sunbae is here in the meeting room, saying she''s doing the interview with me. Yung-Jin oppa went to find out what''s going on. I wasn''t sure what was happening, but I reassured Yoo-Jin. "I''ll be right there." -Okay. Oh, and oppa, the interview isn''t with Mr. Jang Moon-Ki. It''s being handled by the new team lead. "A new team lead? Who?" "Um... her name is Yoo Chae-Hwa? Or was it Yoo Chae-Min?" "Yoo Chae-Min?" "Do you know her?" ''Of course I do.'' Yoo Chae-Min was infamous. Her father was a senior reporter from Light Daily News, and she was nicknamed a gold digger in the industry. She had inherited the beauty of her mother, a former Miss Korea, and used it to extract exclusive stories that earned her that nickname. The problem was her biased articles. While she wasn''t strictly discriminatory between men and women, she often wrote scathing articles about actresses. Iter learned it was due to her own frustration about failing to be an actress herself. ''Now I understand why there''s a sudden change in the schedule.'' It wasn''t Jang Moon-Ki but Yoo Chae-Min leading the interview, and that''s where the troubley. "Yoo-Jin, Reporter Yoo Chae-Min is a master at targeting actresses. Try to dy the interview as much as you can." -Got it. I''ll hide in the bathroom and stall for time. Hurry up! "Wow, Jung Yoo-Jin. Not bad!" -I''ve picked up some tricks over time~ "I''m hanging up for now. I''ll call you back soon." -Okay~ Yoo-Jin had gotten a lot craftier over time from spending lots of time with me. Moreover, her voice sounded noticeably brighter after our call. As soon as I ended the call, I left the meeting room and headed to the underground parking lot while dialing Jang Moon-Ki to get more details. *** I learned more specifics about the situation through my call with Jang Moon-Ki. Jang Moon-Ki had scored several exclusive stories rted to Team Jung and was at the top of the promotion list. However, his chances of advancement disappeared when Yoo Chae-Min backed by her father took over as team lead. To make matters worse, Yoo Chae-Min had suddenly brought in So Yi-Yung and scheduled a joint interview. She argued it would be more provocative to put the actresses of MBS'' Hwaranjeon and KBC''s Queen Jeong-Hee against each other. The editor-in-chief even sided with Yoo Chae-Min, leaving Jang Moon-Ki sidelined. After hearing the full story, I pressed the elerator harder. Momentster, I arrived at Weekly Star''s underground parking lot. Jang Moon-Ki rushed over to greet me. "Team Lead Jung! You''re here." "Has the interview started?" "Not yet. At least it didn''t when I came down." "Got it. Let''s go up right away." Jang Moon-Ki and I headed to the seventh floor together in the elevator. In the hallway outside the meeting room, the talent agents of the actresses being interviewed were waiting. After brief greetings, I turned my attention to the meeting room. I could see the meeting room''s interior through the clear ss. Yoo-Jin sat at the long conference table with So Yi-Yung seated on one side. Opposite them sat Yoo Chae-Min, apanied by Reporter Oh Yung-Hee. ''It''s already begun.'' At thirty-two years old, Yoo Chae-Min had shoulder-length brown hair and wore a stylish outfit as she crossed her legs. While shecked charisma and talent, her visuals rivaled those of actresses. Perhaps because of this, Yoo Chae-Min harbored a deep inferiorityplex toward the actresses. At that moment, Lee Yung-Jin noticed me and quickly approached. "Mr. Jung. I tried to stop it, but Yoo-Jin insisted on proceeding." "It''s fine. You did well. Avoiding unnecessary conflict is better. When did the interview start?" "Just now." To be honest, I wanted to pull Yoo-Jin out of the interview immediately. However, abruptly ending the session would only invite harsher criticism. Headlines would im Yoo-Jin fled out of fear of So Yi-Yung or that Hwaranjeon was losing ground to Queen Jeong-Hee. I knew articles full of sensational exaggerations would be inevitable if I left with Yoo-Jin now. For now, I decided to observe and wait for the right moment to intervene. ''I''ll wait for their mistake and overturn everything in one move.'' I whispered cautiously to Lee Yung-Jin. "Yung-Jin, see if you can find out what the editor-in-chief is up to." "The editor-in-chief? Why?" "There must be a reason they allowed this nonsense." The editor-in-chief had overridden Jang Moon-Ki''s interview and sided with Yoo Chae-Min. This meant they were likelyplicit in today''s malicious article ns. "I''ll subtly probe around and see what I can find." "Thanks." Meanwhile, Yoo-Jin''s interview continued inside the room. *** Inside the meeting room, Yoo Chae-Min looked at Yoo-Jin and asked. -Miss Yoo-Jin. I''d like to ask, how does it feel to take on your first lead role? Any pressure or the like? @@novelbin@@ -There''s always pressure. I want to show viewers my best... -Come on, Miss Yoo-Jin. That answer is so clich¨¦d. It''s boring. -I''m sorry? -That kind of answer won''t give you a good article...Hmm. Let me step up the game and ask a bolder question. Youpeted against Miss So Yi-Yung in yourst project, and you ended uppeting with her once again. It was your victoryst time, but what do you think this time? Are you confident? For a moment, Yoo-Jin and So Yi-Yung both wore a flustered expression. Although answering Yoo Chae-Min''s question wasn''t difficult, it could easily end up being used in a malicious article and ruin their image. Yoo-Jin''s expression briefly froze at the remark but quickly softened when she noticed me signaling through the ss. ''Stay calm.'' Yoo-Jin nodded slightly and took a couple of deep breaths before smiling. Then she responded with aposed demeanor. -Viewership ratings are just numbers. I don''t think acting is about winning or losing. Regardless of the viewership ratings, there''s much I can learn from So Yi-Yung sunbae''s performance. Yoo-Jin''s calm and modest answer made Yoo Chae-Min''s expression twist in frustration. -Come on! Who''s going to read such a dull interview? Don''t you knowizens care about which drama wins in the viewership ratings? Yoo Chae-Min continued to provoke Yoo-Jin, but she maintained herposure. ''Good job, Jung Yoo-Jin.'' When her attempts to rattle Yoo-Jin failed, Yoo Chae-Min shifted her attention to So Yi-Yung. -Miss Yoo-Jin''s answers are so uninspiring. Let me ask you, Miss Yi-Yung. How do you feel about this rematch? So Yi-Yung nced at Yoo-Jin for a moment before speaking. -How do I feel about facing Miss Yoo-Jin again? Excited. To be honest, I''d love to get my revenge this time. -Revenge? -Oh, oops, slip of the tongue. You''ll smooth that out for me, right? -Of course~! Miss Yi-Yung, I didn''t know you were so bold. I love it! Yoo Chae-Min gave her a thumbs-up, and So Yi-Yung matched her enthusiasm. -Then unnie, can I count on you to highlight my part today? -Absolutely. I''ll boost you as much as I can. Their camaraderie was nauseating as the interview went on. At that moment, Lee Yung-Jin returned with an rmed expression. "Mr. Jung." "What is it?" "The editor-in-chief is meeting with President Yoo Kang-Seok from TNT Entertainment." "What? President Yoo Kang-Seok?" "Yes. I don''t know what they''re discussing, but they looked thrilled in the editor-in-chief''s office." That''s when the true culprit of today''s mess became clear. TNT''s Yoo Kang-Seok orchestrated this to sabotage Yoo-Jin''s image and revive So Yi-Yung''s career. ''Yoo Kang-Seok, so you''re the mastermind.'' It was obvious that Team Lead Yoo Chae-Min and Editor-in-Chief Choi Min-Jun had been bribed. ''So that''s what''s going on, huh?'' As soon as I realized what was going on in detail, various countermeasures crossed my mind. However, the best among all was to shake things up with Weekly Star. At that moment, Yoo Chae-Min posed another leading question to Yoo-Jin. -Miss Yoo-Jin, do you have anyone you''d consider a rival? Caught off guard while listening to So Yi-Yung''s interview, Yoo-Jin hesitated before answering. -I don''t usually think about rivals. But, well, there is one person whoes to mind. Yoo Chae-Min''s lips curled into a smile as she began jotting notes. It was her habit to write down clickbait headlines as soon as inspiration struck. -And who might that be? -It''s Yung-In. She''s currently filming a movie in China. At that moment, Yoo Chae-Min''s smirk widened as she twisted Yoo-Jin''s words. -So to sum up, no one but Miss Ju Yung-In is a threat to you? Does that mean Miss Yi-Yung here isn''t even a candidate as a rival? ''That''s it.'' There was no reason to hold back anymore. Since I have decided to shake things up, now was the perfect opportunity. I immediately turned to Jang Moon-Ki and raised my voice. "Mr. Jang, I didn''t agree to this circus of an interview. I''m going to shut this down, so please inform the editor-in-chief." "Huh? Team Lead Jung! W-wait a minute." Before the startled Jang Moon-Ki could stop me, I shrugged off his hand and strode into the meeting room. I was fully prepared to blow the whole thing up. Chapter 432: Interview (2)

Chapter 432: Interview (2)

As soon as I entered the meeting room, I stopped the interview. "Yoo-Jin, you don''t need to do this kind of trashy interview. Get up. We''re leaving." At that moment, the look of tion on Yoo Chae-Min''s face instantly twisted. "What... what did you just say? Trashy?" Yoo Chae-Min red at me, but I ignored her and turned to Yoo-Jin. "Get up." Yoo-Jin nodded and stood, prompting Yoo Chae-Min to shout, "If you leave like this, it won''t end well for you!" ''How ridiculous. If I were the type to give up to such feeble threats, I wouldn''t have stopped this interview in the first ce.'' "Ms. Yoo. How did you end up bing a tabloid trashporter? Huh?" I questioned. Taken aback, Yoo Chae-Min responded, "W-what did you just call me? A tabloid trashporter?" I had just thrown together two of the most incendiary words in the reporter world which hit her hard. Yoo Chae-Min''s face turned bright red in anger. "Take that back, right now!" "Then tell me. What else am I supposed to call this absurd situation? Huh?" I retorted. At that moment, Editor-in-Chief Choi Min-Jun panted heavily as he burst into the room. "Wait a second! Team Lead Jung, what are you doing? You can''t just stop an interview like this!" @@novelbin@@ ''So now he''s feigning outrage after nning to sell out with this article. How pathetic,'' I remarked inwardly. I clenched my teeth and red at Choi Min-Jun. "Mr. Choi, I''ve worked with Weekly Star in good faith until now, but I''m seriously disappointed. Even if I overlook the fact that it''s not an exclusive interview, you think you can screw us over with garbage like this? What is this, a smear campaign against Yoo-Jin?" Choi Min-Jun''s voice trembled as he stammered, "W-what are you talking about?" "Don''t y dumb. You''re the one who assigned this interview to Team Lead Yoo, weren''t you?" It was an indisputable fact that Choi Min-Jun held the sole authority to approve final articles. He had also made the decision to rece Jang Moon-Ki with Yoo Chae-Min as the interviewer. I continued, "This incident was clearly initiated by Weekly Star. From now on, I''m boycotting all interviews with your magazine. And that''s not just for Yoo-Jin but for every actor and singer under Team Jung." "B-boycott?" Choi Min-Jun must have thought he could get away with publishing a hit piece and then smoothing things overter, but he thought wrong. "That''s right. So feel free to copy and paste our news from other outlets from now on!" "A-are you serious?" "Have I ever joked about something like this? Oh, and it''s unfortunate for you. With all the events we have lined up at year''s end, Weekly Star won''t be getting any coverage." Choi Min-Jun''s face flushed crimson then pale as my words sank in. That''s when Yoo Chae-Min interjected, "Mr. Choi! What are you so scared of? Just let them go and publish the interview. What''s the big deal?" Choi Min-Jun hesitated, but I shut down his internal debate before it could go any further. "One more thing, if you publish anything from Team Lead Yoo Chae-Min''s notes, we''ll file awsuit immediately. Don''t even think about negotiating a settlement." Yoo Chae-Min scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Lawsuit? Over what? What did I even write that''s worth suing over?" I strode over to her and snatched the notebook right out of her hands. Yoo Chae-Min shrieked, "What are you doing? Give it back! Right now!" I ignored her protests and opened it in full view of everyone. Then I began reading the headlines she had prepared in a loud and clear voice for the entire room. "Jung Yoo-Jin mocks So Yi-Yung''s single-digit viewership ratings. Jung Yoo-Jin says only Ju Yung-In is a worthy rival. Jung Yoo-Jin is an arrogant actress who deres herself unmatched!" With each headline, the faces of Jang Moon-Ki and Choi Min-Jun grew redder. They had probably run worse tabloid stories before, but hearing their cheap tactics exposed in front of their targets was a different matter entirely. Yoo Chae-Min ground her teeth audibly, but I stared her down without flinching. "When exactly did Yoo-Jin say any of this nonsense? Huh?" "W-well, the thing is..." I didn''t wait for her answer and immediately turned to Choi Min-Jun. "And as soon as this article is published, the fact that you met Director Lee Gi-Cheol will also be reported to the police..." That was when Choi Min-Jun rushed over and covered my mouth. "N-now, Team Lead Jung. Why are you doing this? Huh?" What I was about to bring up was the bribery involving Lee Gi-Cheol. I knew that every year-end, Lee Gi-Cheol discreetly slipped cash to the editors of entertainment newspapers. I said, "Let... go of me..." "Ah, yes, of course. Let''s talk in my office, okay?" Choi Min-Jun nced around nervously before removing his hand from my mouth. "Team Lead Yoo here seems a bit overzealous since her transfer to the team. I apologize on her behalf." Yoo Chae-Min looked incredulous. "Mr. Choi!" Choi Min-Jun yelled sharply. "Shut up! Who told you to nder Miss Jung Yoo-Jin like this? Team Lead Yoo, it looks like you''ve sold your soul for clicks!" It was a typical scapegoating tactic, but I feigned ignorance. I had to reduce the number of enemies to better confront the true mastermind behind this, Yoo Kang-Seok. At that moment, Choi Min-Jun barked at Yoo Chae-Min. "Team Lead Yoo, return to your desk and have a written exnation on my desk immediately!" Yoo Chae-Min stared daggers at both me and Choi Min-Jun before storming out of the meeting room. With Yoo Chae-Min gone, I decided it was time to fix the warped interview. "So, how will we handle the interview from here?" "Well, there''s nothing to handle. Reporter Jang Moon-Ki was originally assigned to this interview, so let''s just leave it to him." At least one thing was resolved. Now it was time to tackle the second issue: nullifying the proposal Choi Min-Jun had received from Yoo Kang-Seok. "Team Lead Jung, why don''t we step into my office now, hmm? Let''s discuss this there." "Understood." I cautioned Lee Yung-Jin and Jang Moon-Ki to avoid proceeding with the interview until I returned, then followed Choi Min-Jun out. From a distance, I noticed Yoo Kang-Seok looking somewhat unsettled. ''President Yoo, you''ll be dealt withst,'' I remarked inwardly. I was the type to save the best bite forst. So today''s main culprit, Yoo Kang-Seok, would be handledst. *** As soon as the door shut behind us in the editor-in-chief''s office, Choi Min-Jun raised his voice. "Team Lead Jung! No matter how unhappy you are with the situation, bringing upwsuits is going too far! I would''ve made the final draft appropriate!" Choi Min-Jun acted as if he were entirely meless, but I fixed him with a cold stare and spoke. "Let''s skip the excuses and cut to the chase. How much did you take from President Yoo?" The blood drained from Choi Min-Jun''s face in an instant. "W-what nonsense is this? Why are you bringing up President Yoo all of a sudden?" "I''m fully aware that the n to harm Yoo-Jin through the interview originated with President Yoo Kang-Seok." Frightened that someone might overhear, Choi Min-Jun anxiously scanned the area before sitting back down. "Team Lead Jung! Where did you hear such things?" I could press charges against him for the bribe involving Lee Gi-Cheol at any moment. However, I decided instead to subdue Choi Min-Jun and make him my ally. After all, having the top editor of an entertainment newspaper on my side would be incredibly advantageous. "Are you really unaware of how much money President Yoo is throwing around everywhere these days?" I questioned. "..." I continued, "Well, you''ve made a mistake this time. President Yoo''s money is poison." Choi Min-Jun frowned. "Poison? What do you mean, poison?" "That man... he''s not the type to go down alone." "You mean he''s going to crash and burn? Why? Has hispany faltered from all the payouts?" "That''s one reason. And what do you think will happen if even one of the recipients gets exposed? Everyone who took his money will go down together. And let me tell you, the scapegoats won''t be the higher-ups. It''ll be people like you, Mr. Choi." Choi Min-Jun''s face hardened. I said nonchntly, "So return the bribe money and work with me amicably. Honestly, I don''t want to sh with Weekly Star. I also have a good rtionship with Reporter Jang Moon-Ki." Choi Min-Jun hesitated and tested me cautiously. "Then... perhaps you could help cover the deficit?" He was essentially asking if I could offer a bribe equivalent to what Yoo Kang-Seok had given him. I let out a scoff and shook my head. "No. The only gifts I can give you in the future are semi-dried persimmons and a small bundle of barley dried fish for the holidays." Disappointment shed across Choi Min-Jun''s face. However, I had another card to y. "Instead, I''ll give you something much better than what President Yoo Kang-Seok offered." At that, Choi Min-Jun''s eyes lit up. "What is it? Do you have an exclusive scoop?" "Yes. It''s about who the president of Weekly Star is considering as the next editor-in-chief." "W-what? How do you know that, Team Lead Jung?" For professionals, nothing was more critical than securing their position. The bribes from Yoo Kang-Seok only flowed because Choi Min-Jun held the title of editor-in-chief. So I offered to inform Choi Min-Jun about the sessor to his position to help him safeguard it. I also added a small threat for good measure. "When your daughter gets married soon, wouldn''t it be better to have the title of current editor-in-chief rather than former editor-in-chief?" Although the position change was a year away, I made it seem imminent. Lately, I realized I was quite good at subtle intimidation. At that moment, Choi Min-Jun began to weigh his options: bribe money from Yoo Kang-Seok, his position, future earnings, and his daughter''s wedding. Judging by his expression, the decision wouldn''t take long. *** "Fine! The nned scheme for today is off!" As expected, Choi Min-Jun''s deliberation didn''tst long. "You''ve made a wise decision, Mr. Choi." "Ugh, whatever. But keep your promise. Who''s the person the president has in mind as my recement?" I revealed the name of the person ted for promotion in a year. "Han Dong-Jin, the head of the entertainment department." "What? Dong-Jin? That idiot is on the president''s radar?" "If you don''t believe me, check for yourself. They''ve probably been hiking together for the past year." Being five years younger than Choi Min-Jun, Han Dong-Jin always carried a carefree smile. However, this wasn''t due to ipetence. Contrary to that, he was cunning like a roon hiding its true intentions. Despite his aversion to exercise, he went hiking every week with the president who was a hiking enthusiast. For a year, they had built a close rtionship including their families. Choi Min-Jun cursed, "Damn it. That guy..." "Right? So why didn''t you join them for hikes and build rapport yourself?" "I''d have done it already if it were that easy! The president''s aplete outdoorsman and hikes across the entire country!" "Well...if you''re not up for it, maybe consider an early retirement." "W-who said I want to retire?!" I observed Choi Min-Jun carefully and shared a bit more information. "Oh, and get some Andong soju and bamboo sap wine as gifts." "The president''s wife drinks? I''ve never heard of that." "She''s a big fan of traditional liquor. She loves it." Choi Min-Jun looked incredulous. "She always said she doesn''t drink duringpany dinners. What do you mean, drinks?" "She probably out-drinks the president. From what I know, she''s the only person who can keep up with him. That''s why he''s so whipped." Though known as a devoted husband, the president of Weekly Star was subdued after losing a drinkingpetition to his wife. Choi Min-Jun muttered, "To outdrink that heavy drinker...That''s unbelievable." "Exactly. It''s insane." Choi Min-Jun stared at me in disbelief. "But how do you know so much about the president''s household? Huh?" "It''s a trade secret." Realizing how much I knew about internal affairs, Choi Min-Jun''s attitude quickly shifted. "Ah... I really messed up this time. Fine. I''ll ensure articles from your side get published properly from now on. Let''s call it even for today, especially with the Director Lee Gi-Cheol matter." "Understood. But from now on, we''ll work together mutually. Right?" "Yes. And...I''m sorry for today." I had sessfully kept the editor-in-chief of the top entertainment newspaper on leash. I nodded. "Understood. I''ll ept your apology. But when is Reporter Jang going to get promoted to team lead? Honestly, our actors have their prestige and they can''t keep doing interviews with just a staff reporter forever..." Choi Min-Jun red directly at me. "Did Reporter Jang bribe you or something?" I scoffed. "Pfft. You''re joking, right?" "Well, that stingy guy would take money before giving it. Okay, fine. He was already on the verge of a promotion anyway. I''ll make sure it happens soon," Choi Min-Jun muttered as he stood up from his seat, clearly pained by the idea of giving back the bribe money to Yoo Kang-Seok. Taking advantage of the moment, I checked my nner. [Everyday V12] [Date: November 25, 2020] -10:00 p.m.: (Deleted Scheduled Event: [New. Jung Yoo-Jin] Weekly Star Article Countermeasure Meeting. (Meeting Agenda: Refusal to request changes to malicious article titles. Discussion on whether to proceed with legal action.)) I got Choi Min-Jun on my side. Now, it was time to deal with Yoo Kang-Seok. ''President Yoo, do you think you''re the only one who can lobby?'' Lobbying wasn''t just about money. I dialed a number, ready to leverage mywork. Choi Min-Jun tilted his head in confusion. "What are you trying to do?" I answered nonchntly, "Lobby." The call connected after a brief moment and the person on the other end picked up. "Ah, he answered." I said with a smile. Then, I spoke into the phone. "Yes, Mr. Choi. It''s Team Lead Jung." My first target was MBS'' President Choi Sang-Byung. ''President Yoo Kang-Seok, let''s see if you can stop me now.'' It was finally time to savor the bite I had saved forst. Having subdued both Yoo Chae-Min and Choi Min-Jun, I recounted every detail of Yoo Kang-Seok''s actions to Choi Sang-Byung. Chapter 433: Interview (3)

Chapter 433: Interview (3)

After giving a direct call to MBS'' President Choi Sang-Byung to report the situation at Weekly Star, I contacted Oh Bok-Hee and Han Woo-Ju as well. Of course, I intentionally left out Choi Min-Jun''s name. Choi Sang-Byung ended the call with a cold voice. Meanwhile, Oh Bok-Hee, who was at the MBS station, erupted in a rage and spat out curses. Han Woo-Ju simply responded that she would head to the station. After all, targeting Yoo-Jin meant jeopardizing the sess of Hwaranjeon. By only thinking of his own actors, Yoo Kang-Seok had overlooked something important. As soon as my call ended, Choi Min-Jun asked awkwardly with a nervous expression, "Uh, Team Lead Jung, hahaha... W-we''re still good, right? I even promised to return the money earlier." Choi Min-Jun knew that if MBS'' top executives came after him, he wouldn''t be able to withstand it. Understandably, Choi Min-Jun''s face was filled with tension. I replied, "Don''t worry. I won''t ever mention your name. In return, please make sure today''s mess is cleaned up neatly." "Y-yeah, of course. Oh, and you can look forward to today''s article. I''ll make it the best." "I''ll hold you to that." The worst article was about to transform into the best one. Moments like these reminded me that I might be better at threats than persuasion. At that moment, Choi Min-Jun stood up and pointed outside. "Team Lead Jung, shall we head out for the rest of the interviews?" "Yes, let''s do that." With the tables turned, my shoulders and steps brimmed with the confidence of a triumphant general returning to the meeting room. *** Jang Moon-Ki unleashed a series of sharp and high caliber questions after taking over as the interviewer. -You''re appearing in this drama alongside Miso again following your previous project. However, now, you''re not ying a mother and daughter. How do you view Miso as a fellow actress? -This is your first time tackling a historical drama as the lead actress. How do you feel about carrying such a significant role? -Miss So Yi-Yung was cast as the lead in the rival drama Queen Jeong-Hee. Many fans are anticipating thepetition between you two. Could you share a word of encouragement? -Miss Jung Yoo-Jin. As an actress, what are your dreams and goals? Jang Moon-Ki seamlessly shifted from reflecting on the project to delving into the actress herself. His questions demonstrated his status as a seasoned reporter. Meanwhile, Yoo Kang-Seok approached me quietly, smiling and seemingly unaware of the call from MBS. He spoke as though everything was business as usual with a friendly tone. "Team Lead Jung, what exactly did you say to make Chief Editor Choi cough up all the money? That guy alwaysined that no amount was enough." I had been cordial to him until now, partly because he seemed eager to bring me on board as vice president. But not anymore. The moment he tried to y games with Yoo-Jin, Yoo Kang-Seok became my enemy. "I''m not in the mood for jokes with you, Mr. Yoo," I replied coldly. "Ah, my apologies. I just can''t help butugh every time I hit a wall dealing with you, Mr. Jung." "Enjoy yourughs while you still can." "What do you mean by that?" At that very moment, Yoo Kang-Seok''s phone started ringing. I was certain it was a call from MBS. "Why don''t you take that call?" "Why? Is Hoop Entertainment nning to sue me?" "You''ll know once you take the call." Yoo Kang-Seok pulled out his phone from his pocket. Without a clue, he answered in a cheerful voice. "Oh! Yes! Mrs. Oh, how are you doing? By the way, I left some red ginseng extract in your officest time. Did you receive it well?" That''s when Oh Bok-Hee''s booming voice erupted through the phone. -You can keep all the red ginseng to yourself! "Excuse me?" -I heard you tried to ruin my lead''s interview. Have you lost your mind? Or are you looking for a fight with me? No, at this point, you''re just dering war on MBS, aren''t you? As a drama fanatic, Oh Bok-Hee wouldn''t hesitate to confront even the president of a majorwork if anything threatened her projects. At this moment, red ginseng or even premium mountain ginseng was the least of her concerns. "No, no, that''s not true. It''s just a misunderstanding. I was simply..." -Do you think I''m stupid? Save your useless excuses and get over here right now! Our president wants to see you! "...Understood." When Yoo Kang-Seok ended the call, he turned to me with fiery eyes. "Did you do this, Team Lead Jung?" "Why ask when you already know?" "You''re ying dirty now, aren''t you?" I smirked as I replied. "Dirty? It''s funny to hear you say that when you used money for lobbying. I used mywork. I won that round of lobbying, so don''t start whining. Now, hurry up and head to the station. Everyone there seems to be boiling with rage." Yoo Kang-Seok red at me silently. I met his gaze before I added, "Let me warn you. If something like this happens again, it won''t end so easily next time. I''ll personally set off a bomb on TNT Entertainment." In my past life, I had learned a great deal about TNT Entertainment. The only reason I hadn''t leveraged this knowledge yet was that the chaos following its downfall would pose a big obstacle to my actors'' sess. Yoo Kang-Seok''s body trembled slightly. After instructing a TNT''s talent agent to bring So Yi-Yung over, he disappeared. Though I didn''t get him to promise he wouldn''t do it again, it didn''t really matter. He wouldn''t dare try for the time being anyway. In the meantime, the interview wrapped up sessfully. *** A few hours after I got home, Yoo-Jin''s name topped the live search rankings. This was thanks to the flood of articles written by Jang Moon-Ki. [Jung Yoo-Jin Takes on Her First Historical Drama.] [The Beautiful Lead of Hwaranjeon, Jung Yoo-Jin.] [Acting Genius Jung Yoo-Jin Ventures into Historical Drama!] [Hwaranjeon''s Jung Yoo-Jin vs. Queen Jeong-Hee''s So Yi-Yung!] [In-depth Interview with Jung Yoo-Jin: A Twenty-Four-Year-Old Actress and Mother.] (Comments) -Wow~ Is this reporter Jung Yoo-Jin''s fan or something? -The photos of Jung Yoo-Jin turned out stunning. Total life shots, aren''t they? -LOL. Did this reporter have a change of heart? They used to write nothing but clickbait garbage. The articles about Yoo-Jin received overwhelming praise. On top of that, Weekly Star went all out with post-editing to make Yoo-Jin look like a goddess. Later, Jang Moon-Ki called to share more good news. He told me a promotion slot for team leads was opening up next year and he was confident about his chances. Jang Moon-Ki also mentioned that he would personally handle my team''s interviews from now on, ensuring Yoo Chae-Min would never get near my actors. While I was receiving this joyful news, Oh Bok-Hee called as well. -Mr. Jung, don''t worry. I gave President Yoo a proper scolding. Miss Han also said she won''t stay quiet if this happens again. "Are you saying you''ll cut TNT''s actors from the project?" -To be honest, l would love to. However, it''s hard to find a young actress who can match Miss Yoo-Jin''s level. Instead, Writer Han says she''ll shave Min Gyu-Ri''s head if it happens again. In thetter half of Hwaranjeon, Princess Do-Hwa is exiled to a temple after losing in a power struggle. Han Woo-Ju was determined to add a close-up scene of Min Gyu-Ri''s head being shaved, making it impossible to use a body double. I thought, ''Min Gyu-Ri can kiss the shampoo and cosmetics ads goodbye if that really happens.'' "It seems Miss Han is extremely angry." -I didn''t expect her to get so furious either. Anyway, President Yoo ended up kneeling and begging before leaving, so there''s no need to worry anymore. "Thank you so much." -Actually, we should be the ones thanking you for stopping the article. Our president mentioned he''d like to see you in person soon. "Understood." -Also, we''ll see each other in Gyeongju two days from now. We can''t lose to KBC or So Yi-Yung after going through all this, don''t you think? Oh Bok-Hee was especially on edge as So Yi-Yung had previously captivated audiences in Whirlwind with her portrayal of Queen Jeong-Hee. I assured her, "Don''t worry. Yoo-Jin will do great." -Of course. Oh Bok-Hee ended the call in a satisfied voice. Right then, I updated Yoo-Jin and Miso about the day''s oue. Yoo-Jin answered, "That''s a relief." At that moment, Miso hugged Lucky, Mimi, and the rest of their little ones as she shouted with enthusiasm. "Lucky! Mimi! Seolgi! Jeolmi! Happy! Love! Everyone, thank Uncle Yoon-Ho! Uncle Yoon-Ho, you did great today~" As Miso bent down to bow, the house filled with the lively sounds of animals. "Woof woof!" "Meow~" "Squeak~" "Mewl!" Our house in Cheonho-dong had truly be a joyful animal farm. *** Tomorrow was the day of the College Schstic Ability Test (CSAT). I nned to escort Lee Si-Yoon, who had nearly been killed by Woo Sung-Chan, to the exam hall and cheer him on. Woo Sung-Chan had been sentenced to five years in prison after his first trial. He imed that he couldn''t remember anything due to being drunk, but the judge remained unfazed. The court handed down an aggravated sentence, citing the prolonged bullying of Lee Si-Yoon and Woo Sung-Chan''s calcted intent to harm. Shocked, Woo Sung-Chan''s parents filed an appeal immediately. However, the mountingwsuits from other victims of his actions threatened to increase his sentence even further. That wasn''t the only fallout. ''Woo Seon-Jae,'' once the most prestigious traditional Korean restaurant in Jamsil, was forced to shut down following an expose by Choi So-Hye on their use of substandard ingredients. After Woo Sung-Chan''s family''s downfall, Lee Si-Yoon began to recover his lost smile. Additionally, Attorney Kim Chan-Sung helped Lee Si-Yoon secure a schrship to support his studies and even helped Lee Si-Yoon''s parents find stable jobs. I called Lee Si-Yoon at 8 p.m. "Hey, Si-Yoon, it''s me." -Oh, Yoon-Ho hyung! "Am I disturbing your studies?" -Not at all. I''m just rxing after dinner. Don''t worry. "That''s good to hear. Listen, about tomorrow... I''ll go with you to the exam hall. Just so you know." -Huh? That''s not necessary... "Not necessary? I heard your parents are working tomorrow. I''lle and cheer you on properly, so look forward to it." Lee Si-Yoon''s voice brightened. -Thank you, hyung. You''re always looking out for me. "Don''t mention it." -All right. See you tomorrow. "I''ll be there by 6:50 a.m." -Okay! Saving Lee Si-Yoon''s life made him feel like a younger brother to me. *** @@novelbin@@ It was November 26th, 4 a.m.¡ªthe day of the College Schstic Ability Test. As soon as I woke up, I checked the news only to find every headline dominated by stories about the exam. [College Schstic Ability Test Day: Record-Breaking Cold!] Dyed by a weekpared to previous years, the CSAT was met with news reports warning of freezing weather. I woke Yoo-Jin and Miso, making sure they dress warmly for the weather. Miso slipped her arms into the down jacket I was putting on her with her eyes still closed and muttered, "Uncle Yoon-Ho... take me... with you..." "I''m sorry, Miso, but I have somewhere else to go." Miso shook her head while still half-asleep. "No... I want to go too." My heart ached upon hearing Miso whimper, but I had no choice. I handed Miso over to Yoo-Jin after dressing her, and she instinctively clung to her mother like a ko. "Mom... tell Uncle Yoon-Ho... to take me..." Hearing Miso''s mumbled plea, Yoo-Jin gently patted her head. "No, Miso. Uncle Yoon-Ho is busy." Miso buried her face into Yoo-Jin''s arms and whined sleepily. "Ugh..." "Oppa, we''ll head out then. Please pass on our regards to Si-Yoon." "Sure, take care." Yoo-Jin calmed Miso down and ced her in the car before heading to Cheongju with Jung Sang-Bong and Lee Yung-Jin driving. Meanwhile, Cherry Blossom split into two cars driven by Han Myung-Ho and Lee Ju-Yung, apanied by Do Ran-Hee and Eun Ji-Yoo to head to Hoengseong. It was now 4:15 a.m. I checked my watch and drove my Merciless Bends to a rental apartment in Jamsil as I figured I might oversleep if I stayed in bed. By the time I parked in the lot of Lee Si-Yoon''s apartment, it was 4:30 a.m. "Maybe I should get just a little more sleep..." I muttered. I set an rm, turned on the heater, and dozed off in the car. *** In the underground parking lot of a club in Gangnam, Oh Min-Sik, the enforcer of the Eun-Gyu gang, checked a message on KkTalk before making a call. "Eun-Gyu hyung-nim, I just received photos of Lee Si-Yoon and Jung Yoon-Ho." Sung Eun-Gyu, the boss of the gang and owner of SEK Entertainment, responded. -Good. Woo Sung-Chan''s parents paid a generous sum, so take Lee Si-Yoon and Jung Yoon-Ho to the factory and make sure they sign the agreements. If they refuse, don''t let them go. "Understood." -And tell Lee Si-Yoon that we''ll pick him up every CSAT season going forward if he doesn''t sign this year. "And what about Jung Yoon-Ho?" -What do you think? Get him to promise that he won''t meddle with Woo Sung-Chan again. Remember, that guy knows how to throw a punch so don''t go alone. Take some backup. "I''m already taking four others. But if he fights back hard, what should we do?" -Just scare him and don''t go too far. If we take it too far, it''ll backfire. All we need are the agreements and his promise to stay away from Woo Sung-Chan. Don''t forget that. As the president of SEK Entertainment, Sung Eun-Gyu was nning to have Woo Sung-Chan undergo cosmetic surgery and relocate overseas to earn money once his sentence was reduced in the second trial. This was part of a deal with Woo Sung-Chan''s parents. "Yes, hyung-nim. I got it." Oh Min-Sik ended the call and started the van. He added, "You all heard that, right? We pick up Lee Si-Yoon first, then Jung Yoon-Ho. Bring the gear, but remember it''s only for intimidation." "Yes, sir!" With that, the van carrying five gangsters began heading toward the rental apartments in Jamsil. *** Beep beep beep. The rm woke me up at 6:30 a.m. Sleeping in the car had left my body stiff. As I stepped outside for a stretch, I was jolted awake by the cold wind. "Ugh... it''s freezing," I groaned. I was d I had bought a scarf, gloves, and a long padded coat as a gift for Lee Si-Yoon. The meeting time was 6:50 a.m. which left me with 20 minutes to kill. I checked my phone out of boredom. To my surprise, the Horoscope of the Day had been updated. [Everyday V12] [Date: November 26, 2020] [Horoscope of the Day: Be careful with your body.] ''Be careful with my body?'' I wondered. Since I had taken a day off, I nned to drop Lee Si-Yoon off at the test center and just rx for the rest of the day. Yet, the horoscope of the day which had a reputation for uracy came with a warning. ''Could it be a traffic ident? Food poisoning? Tripping over a stone and smashing my nose? What is it?'' There was no additional information exining why I needed to be cautious. Still, the warning made me double check my shoces and belt. To prevent slipping on the icy pavement, I even cleaned the dirt lodged in the grooves of my shoes. "This should do the trick... right?" Just then, a sedan pulled into thest remaining parking spot near themunal entrance right next to my car. Chapter 434: The Day of College Scholastic Ability Test (1)

Chapter 434: The Day of College Schstic Ability Test (1)

Screech. The sedan came to a stop and the door clicked open. A familiar face emerged: It was Attorney Kim Chan-Sung. He was Lee Ji-Yeon''s personalwyer and had apanied me in rescuing Lee Si-Yoon. Kim Chan-Sung got out of the car with a surprised expression. "Oh? Mr. Jung, you''re here too?" "What brings you here, Mr. Kim?" "Haha, I came to take Si-Yoon to his test center." "Ah, I was nning to do the same..." "That''s great. Then let''s go up together." I realized it would be better to give Lee Si-Yoon the clothes I brought and have him wear them before leaving. "Just a moment please," I said as I grabbed the prepared gift. Then I entered the apartment''s main entrance with Kim Chan-Sung. While we waited for the elevator on the first floor, I noticed a ck van passing by the front entrance with several burly men who looked out of ce like gangsters. At that moment, the horoscope of the day shed through my mind. ''Could the warning to ''be careful'' be about those guys? Could they have been sent by Woo Sung-Chan?'' Woo Sung-Chan had lost everything and was currently imprisoned. He was facing a hefty sentence since Lee Si-Yoon had refused to settle. I also heard that Woo Sung-Chan''s parents were still desperately pressuring for a settlement under the guise of threats. If my guess was correct, those men were likely sent by Woo Sung-Chan''s parents. They were here to ruin Lee Si-Yoon''s test day and force a settlement, killing two birds with one stone. Thanks to Everyday V12, I had already had a heads-up. There was no way I would let them ruin Lee Si-Yoon''s life as long as I was here. I handed the paper bag full of gifts I was holding to Kim Chan-Sung. "Mr. Kim, please take this." Kim Chan-Sung tilted his head in confusion. "What''s going on?" "I think Woo Sung-Chan''s family is targeting Si-Yoon. I just saw some thugs passing by who looked like they might be after him." Kim Chan-Sung''s face turned cold. "Then let''s call the police immediately." I shook my head. "No, that won''t solve the problem. They''ll just say they were loitering if we report it. And they couldter pose an even greater threat to Si-Yoon." Kim Chan-Sung looked worried as he held the paper bag. "Then what are you nning to do?" "Don''t worry. I''ve got a n." I decided to lure them away to ensure Lee Si-Yoon could take his test without interruption. @@novelbin@@ "Si-Yoon is sensitive by nature, so don''t let him know anything. Tell him the elevator is broken and take him to the rooftop to escape through the opposite stairway. Leave your car behind and take a taxi instead." Kim Chan-Sung blinked in disbelief. "Are you seriously nning to handle this alone, Mr. Jung?" "Yes." Kim Chan-Sung''s eyes widened in shock. "What? That''s ridiculous..." Ding. That''s when the elevator arrived. I smirked. "You know I''m good at fighting, don''t you?" "But even so!" I pushed Kim Chan-Sung into the elevator as I replied. "Please tell Si-Yoon I''m sorry I couldn''t go with him and wish him luck on his test." "I''ll get Si-Yoon to the test center as fast as possible and call you! Please don''t get hurt." I shed a grin and waved. Ding. The elevator doors closed. I immediately headed out to the first-floor main entrance. The security booth nearby had a sign reading "Patrolling" but I saw no guard in sight. At that moment, the van carrying the gangsters parked and searched for a spot. Clunk. The van''s door opened and five burly men in thick ck down jackets stepped out. Their faces were hidden by their caps and masks, making them hard to identify. For a moment, I considered calling the police just as Kim Chan-Sung had suggested. However, if I wanted them to confess who had sent them, I needed to lure them into talking, which wasn''t something the police could handle. However, rushing into a confrontation without preparation could be dangerous. I slipped my hand into my pocket and pressed a speed dial. -Hyung-nim? Why are you calling so early? "Hey, Soo-Chan, I''m at the Jamsil rental apartments. Can you send a few guys over?" -Is something going on? "It''s hard to exin now, but I''ll keep you updated on my location as I move. There are five of them and they look like proper gangsters. I need to get some answers out of them." -I''ll send some guys immediately. Be careful. "Got it." At that moment, I locked eyes with a buzz-cut thug who seemed to be the leader about ten meters away. The buzz-cut thug took out his phone andpared my face to a photo. "Huh? Aren''t you... Jung Yoon-Ho?" The guy next to him nodded. "It''s him, hyung-nim." ''Could it be that I''m also a target, not just Si-Yoon?'' I wondered Thinking back, it made sense. I was the one who had stood in Woo Sung-Chan''s way that day. They weren''t just after Lee Si-Yoon but me as well. Oddly enough, I felt a sense of relief. If they were targeting me, it might be easier to lure them away. The buzz-cut thug called out to me. "But what are you doing here instead of being in Cheonho-dong?" I replied with a brazen expression as if I had been waiting for this. "I figured Woo Sung-Chan might send someone, so I''ve been waiting. Oh, and Si-Yoon is already at the test center. If that''s who you''re after, give up now." The thug frowned before turning to his men and whispering in confusion. As I pondered how to lure all five, the leader suddenly shouted. "Get that bastard!" The buzz-cut thug charged toward me and the other four followed. Prepared for this, I quickly leaped over the flowerbed near the security booth and ran. Thud thud thud. Thanks to the horoscope of the day''s warning, I had tightened my clothing and shoces earlier. My strides felt lighter than ever. When I nced back after running a few steps, all five were chasing me just as expected. To ensure they didn''t give up, I shouted loudly. "Catch me if you can, you fucking idiots!" Their eyes instantly red with rage. "You''re dead if we catch you!" "Stop right there!" "You little son of a bitch, we''ll dice you up!" On the morning of the CSAT, a full-fledged chase had begun. *** I ran through a narrow alley behind the rental apartments and emerged at the back gate. From there, I sprinted straight into Olympic Park. Under normal circumstances, people would have been out exercising, but it was early, freezing, and the day of the CSAT. As such, the park waspletely deserted. The gangsters panted heavily as they struggled to keep up behind me. As the thugs wererge and slow on their feet, I could have easily shaken them off. Instead, I maintained a teasing distance and led them toward the waterfront stage at Olympic Park. Once I reached the waterfront, I stopped to catch my breath and waited for the five to arrive. "Phew..." The waterfront stage at Olympic Park with Lake 88 as its backdrop featured a circr tform surrounded by a semi-circr tiered seating for spectators. I updated Lee Soo-Chan on my current location. "I''m at the waterfront stage at Olympic Park!" -Got it, hyung-nim. We''re almost there. Hold on just a bit longer. "Okay." Just then, the five thugs reached the topmost row of the spectator seats. "You damn bastard... running all over the ce... huff, huff, huff." They plopped their oversized rear ends onto the seats and gasped for air. These guys were so out of shape that just a few minutes of running had them on the verge of copse. They were even wheezing so hard that they ripped off their masks to breathe better. All of them had rough and menacing faces. "Huff, huff, huff..." With my smartwatch''s recording app already running, I called out to them. "Were you sent by Woo Sung-Chan''s parents to grab me and Si-Yoon?" The buzz-cut thug, seemingly the leader, panted heavily before answering. "Huff... Who gives a damn about that? You... you''re dead meat. Just ept it!" ''He''s not taking the bait,'' I thought. In that case, I needed to stall for time. "Come on~ It''s obvious. Why bother hiding it? It was Woo Sung-Chan or his parents, wasn''t it? Am I wrong?" The thug with beady eyes next to the leader spoke between gasps. "Hyung-nim, the way he''s stalling makes it seem like he''s trying to buy time. If the cops show up, we''ll be in deep trouble!" ''Ah, they caught on.'' Still, the buzz-cut leader dismissed the concern. "Doesn''t matter. It takes at least five minutes to run here from the entrance. We''ve got plenty of time. Let''s grab him now." "Yes, sir." The five began descending the tiered seating and closed in on me like hunters cornering their prey. The leader took the center. The beady-eyed one and a scar-faced thug came from the right, while arge-headed thug and another tan-skinned thug nked me on the left. I observed that the tan-skinned thug looked the weakest and decided he would be my first target if it came to a fight. Just as they were about ten meters away, they halted. The buzz-cut leader smirked wickedly at me. "You know, we were just going to take you in for a little talk. But after making us run this much, you owe us big time!" "For what?" I retorted. The leader barked, "Take out the gear!" At hismand, all five drew knives about thirty centimeters long from their coats. ''Damn it.'' These weren''t ordinary knives. They were sashimi knives with des about 20 centimeters long. The way the knives were modified made it clear they weren''t just normal thugs. The first five centimeters of the des were exposed while the rest was wrapped thickly in ck electrical tape. The tape wasn''t just to protect the wielder''s hands but also to control the depth of a stab, preventing idental fatalities. These weren''t just for show¡ªthey were designed to be used. The leader red at me. "We weren''t nning to go this far... but you brought it on yourself." I scoffed. "Do you expect me to believe that?" "Believe it or not, it doesn''t matter. Boys, let''s not hurt him too badly. Just enough to leave a mark, okay?" "Yes, hyung-nim!" The thugs closed in slowly and narrowed the gap. The closer they got, the louder my heart pounded. No matter how good I was at fighting, knives were a different beast. A sharp de could slice through muscles with ease and even a graze could leave me permanently disabled. I just needed to hold out until reinforcements arrived. Thankfully, this open space made it easier to keep them at bay. When I shrugged off my cashmere coat as they approached, the beady-eyed thug chuckled mockingly. "Hahaha! Hey! Are you crazy? You think wrapping that around your arm is going to block us?" Therge-headed thug snickered as well. "You must have watched too many movies. That''s the kind of mistake people make when they''ve never actually seen how sharp these sashimi knives are in action." I raised both middle fingers at them and shouted, "Mistake, my ass. Take this!" With that, I waved my fingers mockingly and flung my cashmere coat at them. p. The coat fluttered through the air and obscured their view. At that moment, I stepped onto the ledge and dove backward into theke. Ssh! A massive spray of water erupted as my body plunged into the freezing depths of the winterke. *** The average depth of Lake 88 was about two meters. Submerged in the icy water, I began swimming along thekebed. The cold stabbed at my entire body like countless icy needles. The darkness of the water amplified my fear and my heart pounded furiously. I clenched my teeth and pushed forward while holding my breath until I was on the verge of cking out. Finally, I surfaced. "Huff, huff, huff." As the cold winter air hit my soaked body, it felt as if my face were being torn apart. The bone-chilling cold made me feel faint, but I forced my eyes wide open to assess the situation. The thugs stared at me in shock from the stage above. They were about 20 meters away. While they weren''t far, they weren''t close enough to act immediately. Though I was in a freezingke, none of them had the guts to jump in after me. Gripping the railing, the buzzcut leader and his crew shouted furiously with their sashimi knives still in hand. "Y-you crazy bastard!" "That...that lunatic!" At that moment, the leader bellowed. "Don''t just stand there gawking! Get down there and grab him!" The beady-eyed thug stammered. "D-do it myself?" "Yes, you idiot!" Watching their hesitation, I floated in the water and taunted them. "Ce... get me...e on." When I raised my middle fingers again and continued provoking them, the fuming buzz-cut leader waved his knife and screamed, "Gahhh! Get in there and grab him! If you don''t catch him, I''ll kill you myself!" At his threats, the four thugs hesitated briefly before biting down on their knives, preparing to jump in. However, they didn''t bother removing their thick down jackets as it was too cold. I scoffed. ''Dumbass.'' Swimming in thick jackets while holding knives in their mouths was absurd. Not even trained soldiers could do that. ''But that''s good news for me,'' I remarked inwardly.z I provoked the thugs once again as they hesitated. "S-scared? You...coward bastards...Ce at me..." My teeth chattered without realizing it due to the cold. At that moment, the leader shouted again and the four thugs jumped into the water simultaneously. Ssh! As the water erupted again, the four thugs surfaced one after another. But they had all lost the knives they had been holding in their mouths. "Blurgh... cough!" "Gah! Ack!" Their waterlogged jackets absorbed theke''s freezing water, leaving them floundering and unable to swim. They were too panicked even to try chasing me. Instead, they struggled toward the shore. "Hyung-nim! Help us!" "Ahhh! I''m drowning!" "S-save me!" The sight of his men iling helplessly left the buzz-cut leader wailing in frustration. "Arghhh! Jung Yoon-Ho, you son of a¡ª!" ''Perfect.'' Once Lee Soo-Chan''s men arrived, I could drag the rest out of the water and interrogate them even if the leader ran off. At that moment, around twenty of Lee Soo-Chan''s men came sprinting toward theke. "Hyung-nim!" "Where are you, hyung-nim?" The tides had turned. Seeing this, I vowed silently to myself. ''Buzz cut, I''m going to dunk you in this water for sure.'' My teeth chattered from the cold and fury, but a smirk crept across my frozen lips as I imagined exacting my revenge. Chapter 435: The Day of College Scholastic Ability Test (2)

Chapter 435: The Day of College Schstic Ability Test (2)

At the Olympic Park''skeside stage, twenty of Lee Soo-Chan''s subordinates surrounded a gang member with a buzz cut. The gang member was Oh Min-Sik, an enforcer for the Eun-Gyu gang. He had attempted to stab Jung Yoon-Ho, who escaped by jumping into theke. Seeing himself encircled by Lee Soo-Chan''s men, Oh Min-Sik swung his knife wildly in the air. "D-damn it!! Don''te any closer!" At the front of the group, Lee Ho-Jae yelled, "Hey, man. Drop that thing. We''re not scared of a knife. Been there, done that." When the men confronting him showed no fear, Oh Min-Sik''s hands began to shake in despair. Lee Ho-Jae''s tone grew sharper. "Listen, buddy. Put it down now unless you have a death wish." Just then, Jung Yoon-Ho''s voice rang out from thekeside. "Ho-Jae! Get those guys out of the water! They''re drowning!" The gangsters who had followed Jung Yoon-Ho into theke were choking and iling in the water. "Keuk! Puff!" "Gah!" Seeing his men in danger, Oh Min-Sik shut his eyes tightly and dropped his knife. "Fine, I surrender. Save my boys first." Seizing the opportunity, Lee Soo-Chan''s subordinates from Reverse Entertainment rushed in and subdued Oh Min-Sik. Then they pulled Oh Min-Sik''s struggling men out of the water one by one. They grunted as they hauled the drenched men onto drynd. "Come on! We need three people per rescue. These guys are heavy from all the water!" "One, two, lift!" Meanwhile, Lee Ho-Jae turned to the others. "The rest of you, get hyung-nim out of there!" Ten men simultaneously bolted to theke''s edge. "Hold on, Yoon-Ho hyung-nim! We''reing for you!" "Hyung-nim!" At that moment, Jung Yoon-Ho floating in water shouted back in exasperation, "You idiots! If you jump in wearing down jackets, you''ll drown too! Stay there! I''lle to you!" Jung Yoon-Ho clenched his fists and swam rapidly toward the shore. *** Once out of theke, I threw off my soaked clothes and wrapped myself in the dry ones Lee Soo-Chan''s men handed over. I muttered, "Ah, I''m freezing. Ugh, it''s so cold..." "Are you alright, hyung-nim?" "Yeah, except for the heart attack you nearly gave me by trying to dive in after me." Relieved, the group broke intoughter. "Haha. Hyung-nim. You''ve got a strong heart, that''s for sure." Lee Ho-Jae returned from a nearby vending machine with steaming cups of coffee, roasted barley tea, and milk. "Hyung-nim, drink this and warm up." "Thanks, Ho-Jae." The warmth spread through me as I took a sip, slowly easing the chill that had gripped my body. Momentster, Lee Soo-Chan arrived with ten more men. He let out a sigh of relief upon seeing that Oh Min-Sik had been subdued and I was safe. Then, without warning, Lee Soo-Chan suddenly sprinted down the steps, leaped into the air, and kicked Oh Min-Sik on the chest. Thud! "Ugh!" Bang! Oh Min-Sik rolled across the ground with a solid hit before he collided with the frozen railing and slumped unconscious. Blinded by rage, Lee Soo-Chan charged at him again. "This bastard...how dare you mess with Yoon-Ho hyung-nim?" At that moment, his subordinates grabbed his arms. "Hyung-nim! Please, stop! You''ll kill him at this rate!" "Let go! Let go of me!" Lee Soo-Chan protested. As Lee Soo-Chan fought back, the four men holding him were dragged along. "Hey! Stop him! Soo-Chan hyung-nim haspletely lost it!" "Hyung-nim! Please! Get a hold of yourself!" Lee Soo-Chan was so furious that he had lost all reason. I was the only one who could stop him. "Soo-Chan!" I yelled. Hearing my voice, Lee Soo-Chan paused mid-charge and looked at me. His eyes carried both fury and relief. I raised my coffee and said calmly, "Leave him alone ande have a cup of coffee with me." Lee Soo-Chan nced back and forth between the unconscious Oh Min-Sik and me, then let out a deep sigh. "Sigh. Alright, fine. Let me go. Hyung-nim''s calling me." The men holding his arms hesitated. "Are you sure, hyung-nim?" "Yes, I''m sure." When they reluctantly let go of him, Lee Soo-Chan straightened his clothes and asked, "So, who are these guys anyway?" Lee Ho-Jae promptly answered, "They''re from the Eun-Gyu gang, a gang based in Jamsil. That buzz cut guy is their enforcer." While I had been changing out of my wet clothes earlier, Lee Ho-Jae had already finished interrogating Oh Min-Sik. "So their boss''s name is Eun-Gyu?" Lee Ho-Jae nodded. "Yes, Sung Eun-Gyu. He runs apany called SEK Corporation dealing primarily with liquor distribution and entertainment venues. He also operates SEK Entertainment as a subsidiary." "Same industry as us, huh? But why did they target Yoon-Ho hyung-nim?" Lee Soo-Chan asked. "Apparently, Woo Sung-Chan''s parents hired them. They paid a hefty sum and secured Woo Sung-Chan a spot in SEK Entertainment after his release from prison." "He still wants to be a celebrity even after he went to prison? Is he out of his mind?" "Um, well... They nned to give him a new name and some stic surgery, then push him to Japan and China to rake in the money." Lee Soo-Chan nodded with a serious expression "Those fucking scumbags dared... Fine. Gather everything on the Eun-Gyu gang and their subsidiaries. We''re wiping them out tonight." I interrupted Lee Soo-Chan''s heated outburst. "Soo-Chan, your coffee''s getting cold. And there''s no need to go that far. Come sit down and have your coffee. I''ve got a n for dealing with them." "Sigh...okay, hyung-nim." Then, Lee Soo-Chan turned to his men. "Take all five of them to Life Clinic and have them hospitalized. Make sure you stay by their side and watch them closely." "Yes, sir." The men carried off the four drenched thugs and the unconscious Oh Min-Sik. Watching Oh Min-Sik being taken away, I suddenly remembered something. ''Oh! I should''ve thrown that buzz cut guy into theke... Oh well, I guess that''s not happening now. Next time I see him, I''ll make him do five rounds of the Ice Bucket Challenge.'' Looking slightly sulky, Lee Soo-Chan plodded over and sat beside me. I looked at him and apologized. "Soo-Chan, I''m sorry for always dragging you into this when you''re so busy." "You can call me a hundred times and I still wouldn''t mind. But hyung-nim, why do you keep getting tangled up with these kinds of people? What if you get hurt?" "I didn''t get hurt, though..." At that moment, Lee Soo-Chan''s eyes widened in anger as he raised his voice. "Do you think that''s an excuse?" I scratched my head and carefully replied, "I had to find out who was behind this. That way, I can press charges with Prosecutor Seo and protect Si-Yoon. He''s a kid who''s going to Seoul National University, you know? What if he gets caught up with scum like this and can''t make it?" Lee Soo-Chan shot back with an usatory tone. "I couldn''t care less about Lee Si-Yoon! Do you not care about yourself, hyung-nim?" "Well... it''s just..." Lee Soo-Chan ignored me and continued, "You''re not some superhero from a movie, are you? Do you have any idea how much we all panic every time something like this happens to you?" "..." "And with Eun-Gi hyung-nim already gone, have you even thought about what would happen to us if something happened to you too?" Lee Soo-Chan said in an exasperated tone. He had a point. Lee Soo-Chan was only twenty six years old, yet he was managing Reverse Entertainment, Reverse Construction, and a host of other affiliates. While he seemed to handle everything well, it was clear he was overwhelmed. Listening to the frustration in Lee Soo-Chan''s voice, I patted his shoulder. "I''m sorry. I''ll be more careful from now on." Lee Soo-Chan let out a long and heavy sigh. After a moment, his anger subsided slightly and he muttered, "You better keep your promise, hyung-nim." "I mean, I had my reasons, but... Never mind. I''m sorry." When Lee Soo-Chan shot me a sharp re, I quickly mped my mouth shut. Lee Soo-Chan took the coffee I had given him and sipped it to calm himself further with another deep sigh. After finishing the coffee, he sighed again and asked, "So what are you nning to do with those guys, hyung-nim?" I looked at Lee Soo-Chan and posed a question. "Soo-Chan, where does a gang''s strengthe from?" Lee Soo-Chan tilted his head in curiosity. "Their fists?" "No." "Weapons?" "Not that either." "Then their numbers?" I shook my head and replied, "Money." At that moment, Lee Soo-Chan stared at me as if he realized something. "Don''t tell me you''re nning to hit their businesses?" "Exactly. I know a bit about entertainment. I''ll get in touch with Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill and have him dig deep. Of course, the Eun-Gyu gang will be taken down too!" The moment I heard the name SEK Entertainment from earlier, I remembered a scandal which happened in my past life. Thepany had used their female trainees as hostesses while running a nightclub, causing a massive societal uproar. The incident had left the entertainment industry in shambles for a time. ''Who would have thought I''d run into those lunatics like this?'' Now that it came to this, I decided I might as well wipe them outpletely before they caused even bigger problems. Lee Soo-Chan asked, "What do you want us to do?" "Now that we know Woo Sung-Chan''s parents are the culprits, there''s nothing more to do. Just get the injured to the hospital. I need to finish this quickly and go check on Si-Yoon." At that, Lee Soo-Chan gave me a slightly irritated look. "Hyung-nim!" "Yeah?" "If I took the college entrance exam, would you take care of me like you do for Si-Yoon?" "Huh? Why are you bringing this up now?" "Just answer me!" It was a strange question, but I responded as if it were obvious. "Of course I would. If you''re taking the exam, it wouldn''t make sense for me not to support you. You''re like my little brother." That''s when Lee Soo-Chan turned to his subordinates and shouted, "Hey! Start preparing for next year''s college entrance exam! I''m taking it too!" It was such an absurdmand that I was left speechless. Nevertheless, instead of arguing with him, his men replied in unison. "Yes, hyung-nim!" "Should we invite a lecturer?" "Hyung-nim, I only graduated middle school... Can I still take the exam?" "Starting today, I''m not sleeping until I''m ready for the exam!" "Me too!" I sighed upon realizing I had forgotten something: most of the men had a rather simplistic mindset after years in gang life. I should have realized they weren''t much different from the Eun-Gyu gang''s thugs like earlier when they were ready to dive into theke. ''It looks like I''ll need to hire a tutor and start them on elementary school lessons first,'' I remarked inwardly. Then, I said to them, "You don''t need to take the exam for me to take care of you, so cut it out. All of you!" It was a day that painfully reminded me of the importance of watching what I said. *** At the Southern Detention Center where Woo Sung-Chan was incarcerated, his parents, Woo Myung-Jun and Lee Yoon-Joo, were visiting him. Woo Myung-Jun assured Woo Sung-Chan, "Just wait a little longer, son. I''ll make sure to get you out." Lee Yoon-Joo added, "My baby. I''m doing everything I can, so don''t worry. Alright?" With inmate number "3174" printed in bold ck letters on a white uniform he was wearing, Woo Sung-Chan showed no sign of remorse as he asked, "Did you get that settlement from Lee Si-Yoon, that bastard?" Woo Myung-Jun replied, "Just hold on. President Sung said he''d take care of it today." Woo Sung-Chan fumed. "Then what about the college entrance exam? You know you can''t let him take it, right?" Lee Yoon-Joo nodded. "Of course. President Sung said he will tell him to settle if he wants to take next year''s exam. So once you''re out, you''ll join SEK Entertainment and make your debut in Japan." "After I get some stic surgery, I''ll change my name too. What do you think of Woo Sung-Joon instead of Woo Sung-Chan?" "Whatever you like, son." "Alright, Mom. Oh, and Dad, what about Jung Yoon-Ho? What''s going on with that bastard?" Woo Myung-Joon smirked. "There''s no need to worry about that. President Sung said he''ll take care of him as well." "Good. But...are you sure this won''t backfire...?" "Of course not. Do you know how much money I''ve poured into this? President Sung''s no fool. He won''t slip up. He''s a pro at keeping mouths shut." Woo Sung-Chan chuckled. "Those bastards are so screwed." Just then, the door to the visitation room creaked open. A corrections officer approached and roughly grabbed Woo Sung-Chan''s arm. "3174! Visitation is over!" "What? But there''s still time left!" "Doesn''t matter. You''re heading straight to solitary confinement." The startled Woo Myung-Joon and Lee Yoon-Joo jumped to their feet to protest. "Why are you taking my son?" "What''s the meaning of this?" Creak. At that moment, the door behind them opened and men in ck suits entered. "We''re from the Central District Prosecutor''s Office. Mr. Woo Myung-Joon and Mrs. Lee Yoon-Joo, you''re under arrest on charges of conspiracy tomit murder against Jung Yoon-Ho and Lee Si-Yoon." Woo Myung-Joon and Lee Yoon-Joo''s faces went pale. It was true that they had hired SEK Entertainment''s President Sung Eun-Gyu, but they had no idea about the attempted murder. All they had asked was to rough up Lee Si-Yoon enough to prevent him from taking the exam and to scare Jung Yoon-Ho into leaving Woo Sung-Chan alone. However, they were now charged with conspiracy tomit murder. "I-I didn''t do that!" "W-what are you talking about?" The prosecutor wore a cold expression upon hearing the two''s cries and barked, "Take them away!" As the corrections officers also dragged out Woo Sung-Chan across the room, he shouted desperately, "Mom! Dad!" "Sung-Chan!" Watching the family call out to each other in despair, the prosecutor in charge of the arrests spoke with icy sarcasm. "It looks like you''ll have a merry time singing Christmas carols together in prison this year." The prosecutor even began singing mockingly. "Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way..." *** Under Lee Soo-Chan''s watchful eye, Iy in Kim Soo-Myung''s clinic while hooked up to an IV drip. Lee Soo-Chan had been nagging at me, worried I might catch a cold. Next to my bed, members of the Eun-Gyu gangy surrounded by Lee Soo-Chan''s men and kept silent as if their lives depended on it. "Eun-Gyu gang? Back in the day, they wouldn''t have dared to lift their heads in front of us." "Do punks even know the rules these days? Do they have nothing to lose trying to stab someone as high up as our hyung-nim?" Each time they raised a fist, the five thugs flinched visibly. I was worried they might cause a scene and inconvenience the hospital staff, but they had been on their best behavior ever since they learned Lee Soo-Chan''s men were from the Kanghan gang. At that moment, the door to the ward suddenly swung open. "Arrest them!" "Yes, sir!" The familiar voice of Seo Jae-Ill rang out as he entered with a team of investigators. "Agh! My arm! My arm!" "Take it easy... please, take it easy." @@novelbin@@ The Eun-Gyu gang members who had tried to stab me were dragged out in cuffs. As Lee Soo-Chan stepped aside, Seo Jae-Ill approached me. "You''ve been keeping yourself quite busy, Mr. Jung." Seo Jae-Ill''s tone carried a mix of amusement and concern. "It just turned out that way. So, how are things with the Eun-Gyu gang and Woo Sung-Chan''s parents?" "The prosecutor who originally charged Woo Sung-Chan is now arresting his parents." Upon hearing Seo Jae-Ill¡¯s words, I let out a sigh of relief. Seo Jae-Ill chuckled softly and added, "Haha. By the way, thanks to you, my promotion to deputy chief prosecutor next year is now guaranteed." "Oh, really? That''s great news. Congrattions!" However, that''s when Seo Jae-Ill''s expression grew serious as he nced around and leaned in to whisper. -We''ve caught one of the cops who disappeared from the hospital that time. Chapter 436: Ahn Jung-Hae (1) Chapter 436: Ahn Jung-Hae (1) At Kim Soo-Myung''s Life Clinic, the investigators arrested the hospitalized members of the Eun-Gyu gang. At that moment, Seo Jae-Ill whispered to me, revealing that on the day Kang Eun-Gi was nearly killed at the hospital, one of the three police officers who had cleared the entrance for the assassin to enter had been caught. I asked, "Is that really true?" Seo Jae-Ill nodded. "Yes. We got lucky and caught him in an unexpected ce." Apparently, one of those three officers had been arrested at an illegal gambling den while spending money recklessly. He continued, "A junior prosecutor is handling the initial investigation, but I n to go down and interrogate him personally soon. Now that I''m set to be a deputy chief prosecutor, this won''t end in vain like before." The deputy chief prosecutor was roughly equivalent to the head of a district office. Seo Jae-Ill''s career was advancing three years faster than his peers with a significant promotion. "I''ll be looking forward to it." Seo Jae-Ill smiled and added, "Oh, and please call me first next time something like this happens." "I''ll make sure to. I''ve learned a lot this time."Seo Jae-Ill also informed me that arrest warrants had been issued for Woo Sung-Chan''s parents on charges of conspiracy tomit murder. "It looks like they''ll spend the year-end holidays with their beloved son in correctional facilities. One in the detention center and the other in prison." Woo Sung-Chan¡¯s parents had initially only given instructions to abduct and intimidate. However, stronger charges were applied since the Eun-Gyu gang thugs had used knives, which resulted in their urgent arrest. "Anyway, get well soon and I''ll be in touchter." "For sure. See you next time." After delivering a slew of good news, Seo Jae-Ill left. *** Once the members of the Eun-Gyu gang were taken away, I finished my IV and got up. I expressed my gratitude to Lee Soo-Chan and his men and suggested having a celebratory dinner soon. Then I headed to the test site where Lee Si-Yoon had taken his exam. Kim Sung-Chan finished his work and met me there. "I was really worried, but I''m d you''re safe." "Didn''t I tell you? I''m good at fighting. Oh, and I''m pretty decent at running too though I forgot to mention that." Kim Sung-Chan clicked his tongue in disbelief, "You¡¯ve got quite the nerve, huh?" Then, the school bell rang. Ding ding ding. The familiar sound of the bell signaled the end of the CSAT. At that moment, countless parents who had been praying outside the test site eagerly waited for their children toe out. A short whileter, the students who had just taken the test that could determine their future emerged with a variety of expressions. "Here theye." The students carried various expressions of relief, disappointment, and resignation. These young students who had endured years of grueling preparation approached their parents, letting their emotions show. "Oh, Dong-Sik. Well done. Look how pale you''ve gotten." "What do you want to eat, my son?" "Forget everything for today and just rest." I felt d I hade for Lee Si-Yoon upon watching families embrace each other. At that moment, I saw Lee Si-Yoon running toward me with a bright smile. "Yoon-Ho hyung!" "Hey, Si-Yoon." Lee Si-Yoon was wearing the clothes I had given him as a gift. Panting slightly from running over, he grinned widely. "I didn''t feel cold at all today thanks to you hyung. I think I did well on the test because of that." "Really? How well?" "I think I managed everything except for one question. I just need topare my answers now." "Whoa~ Are you going to get a perfect score?" Even Kim Sung-Chan looked surprised. "You sound so confident. Maybe you''ll really get a perfect score." Lee Si-Yoon smiled. "I have to aim that high to be your hoobae, Mr. Kim." "Hahaha. Is that so?" Now that I thought about it, Kim Sung-Chan was also a graduate of Seoul National University. "Shall we check your answers?" "Just a moment." Lee Si-Yoon pulled out a sheet of paper, saying he had written his answers on the back of his exam ticket. I handed him a tablet with the official answer sheet I had downloaded earlier. Lee Si-Yoon stood still and began checking his answers. After a while, he folded the exam ticket in half and let out a deep sigh. "What''s wrong? Did something happen?" Seeing both Kim Sung-Chan and I looking worried, Lee Si-Yoon smiled brightly and replied, "I got a perfect score as long as I didn''t mark wrong on the scantron." At that moment, my chest swelled with so much pride that I couldn''t help but hug Lee Si-Yoon tightly. Even the usuallyposed Kim Sung-Chan showed an unusually emotional side. "Well done, Si-Yoon." Lee Si-Yoon''s voice trembled softly as he spoke. "Thank you, hyung and Mr. Kim. It''s all thanks to the effort you both put in for me..." *** Later that evening, we celebrated with a party at a premium Hanwoo restaurant after Lee Si-Yoon''s parents returned home from work. When I casually recounted the events of the day to Lee Si-Yoon over dinner, he once again firmly dered his intention to be a prosecutor. I nned to pay for the meal in honor of gaining a reliable ally for the future, but Lee Si-Yoon''s parents strongly insisted otherwise. "It''s all thanks to you that our son hase this far, Mr. Jung. We''ve been meaning to treat you to a proper meal but you''re always so busy. I''m d we finally found the time today." They exined that the reason they had gone to work even on the day of their son''s college entrance exam was to save up money for a proper meal to thank me, their benefactor. I was momentarily speechless upon hearing the reason. In the end, I couldn''t refuse and graciously epted their heartfelt gesture. That meal felt like one of the most precious I had ever received and left my heart warm. The next day after taking a good rest, I headed to Gyeongjute in the afternoon. It was around 5 p.m when I arrived at the set of Hwaranjeon. Today marked the final shoot for Miso and the other child actors. Holding a megaphone, Oh Bok-Hee called out to the bustling staff. "Alright, everyone! Today is the child actors'' final shoot. Let''s make sure they have an amazing send off!" "Yes, Mrs. Oh!" "And remember, KBC has started production on Queen Jeong-Hee starring So Yi-Yung. We''re the best, but thepetition isn''t weak. So stay sharp!" KBC had also begun filming Queen Jeong-Hee with its president pouring massive funds into publicity efforts to secure his reelection. However, the staff of Hwaranjeon remained unfazed. "Mrs. Oh, don''t tell us that you are nervous?" "Pfft. With the difference in actor levels, there''s no way." The staff''s lively responses lifted Oh Bok-Hee''s spirits. "Well, they can''t match our cast no matter how much of a historical drama expert they are. Okay then, let''s finish today''s shoot and have a wrap party. Deal?" "Deal!" "We''ll start filming Scene 44 of Episode 4 in ten minutes. It''s the poisonous mushroom scene. Everyone, get ready." The staff quickly moved to their respective positions at Oh Bok-Hee''smand. In the meantime, I made my way to the waiting area where Miso was. With winter in full swing, the tent was wrapped in transparent stic and resembled a clear dome. As I entered through the stic door, I saw Miso practicing her lines while loosening her facial muscles in a unique way. "Rang rang rang~ Rong-rong-rong~ Lil lil lil~ Lul lul lul~ Hoi-hoi~" Miso had learned those diction exercises from Yoo-Jin to improve her performance. The scene Miso was preparing for, Scene 44 in Episode 4, involved the three princesses going on a pic to a nearby hill where one of them ate a poisonous mushroom, leading to a life or death situation. In this scene, Princess Jeong-Hwa disguised a poisonous mushroom as an edible one and tricked Princess Yu-Hwa into eating it. After consuming the mushroom, Princess Yu-Hwa copsed in pain and lost consciousness. Despite the challenging scene ahead, Miso looked delighted as always. "Miso, are you feeling okay?" I asked. Miso looked up from her script and turned to me with a bright smile. "Yes, Uncle Yoon-Ho! By the way, how should I fall when I copse after eating the mushroom in Scene 44? Should I fall face down or fall backward? Or maybe flop to the side?" Miso demonstrated several dramatic falls with different screams which I found every one of them charming in its own way. The forward fall was adorable, the backward one was cute, and the side flop was just funny. After a moment of thought, I made my choice. "How about this? Grab your neck like this." I clutched my neck with my left hand while stretching my right hand out dramatically. Then I staggered forward like a zombie, eventually copsing onto my knees as if my strength had drained away. Grabbing Miso''s hand, I gasped dramatically. "Grrr... gasp... in the name of justice... I will... never... forgive you... urgh!" I let out onest dying groan and fell t on my face. A brief silence followed before Miso burst outughing. "Hehehe, Uncle Yoon-Ho. That was the best!" Yang So-Ri, who worked with the makeup team of Hwaranjeon, also burst outughing. "Hahaha. Mr. Jung, you should''ve just be an actor." Hwaranjeon had its own dedicated makeup team, but only major actors with approval from the PD were allowed to bring personal makeup artists. With many actors needing makeup and not enough hands, it was a practical solution. As I stood up and brushed the dirt off my knees, I replied with a grin, "Maybe I''ll be an actor in my next life." "You should!" Though I joked to Yang So-Ri, I knew my acting was leagues behind the real actors. Moreover, even if I were reborn, I would still choose my true calling as a talent agent. Ever the optimist, Miso gave me nothing but endless praise. "Uncle Yoon-Ho! If that happens, promise to act with me!" I smiled and pointed to her script. "What I just showed was an example. It''s probably better if you follow the script and move a little before copsing. Falling right away might feel unnatural." When I exined that the script suggested acting out pain from the mushroom before copsing, Miso nodded thoughtfully. "Got it. I''ll think about it more!" Leaving Miso in Yang So-Ri''s care, I stepped out of the tent and headed to the parking lot to grab snacks for Miso and Yoo-Jin. That''s when I saw Yoo-Jin near the car. "Oh, Yoo-Jin? What are you doing here?" I asked. "I brought the sandwiches that you made for Miso." "That''s a talent agent''s job. Why are you doing it?" "Oh,e on. I have hands and feet, don''t I? Besides, I don''t have any shoots today. I''m Miso''s mom today, so no nagging!" This was why I liked Yoo-Jin. Even though she had be a huge star, she hadn''t changed at all since the first time I met her. That''s when I noticed something unusual in the parking lot.@@novelbin@@ ''Hmm? What are those guys doing here?'' I wondered. Two men stepped out from an old car at least ten years old. They were Director Ahn Jung-Hae and his production manager, Park Hyun-Soo. Looking worn out, the two got out of the car and sighed deeply. Then I remembered, ''Oh, that''s right. Mr. Ahn must be starting a new project.'' The forty-year-old Ahn Jung-Hae was known for tackling socially conscious themes in his films. He debuted three years ago with the movie Hit and Run, which attracted only five hundred thousand viewers. Due to itsckluster performance, securing investments for his next film hadn''t been easy. However, his uing movie titled Missing: The Lost Ones was based on a true story from twenty years ago, and would eventually achieve five and a half million viewers due to its well-developed characters. The movie was set to release in March next year, so production would be starting around now. Unfortunately, Ahn Jung-Hae would remain in financial straits despite the sess of the film. His contract with YH Venture Capital, the main investor, had been so unfavorable that even a hit film would bring him almost no earnings. The head of YH Venture Capital, Yang Hak-Joo, was not only Yang Yi-Ji''s father but also the husband of Lee Tae-Yeon. ''Come to think of it, Yang Yi-Ji yed the child role in Missing.'' I considered getting out of the car to start a conversation, but Lee Tae-Yeon spotted Ahn Jung-Hae first and approached him. Lee Tae-Yeon beamed as she walked over and extended her hand. "Oh my, Mr. Ahn! You''re finally here." Ahn Jung-Hae and Park Hyun-Soo immediately bowed deeply at a 90 degree angle. "I''m sorry we''re a bitte." Their bowing looked almost like they were begging for mercy. Lee Tae-Yeon said cheerfully, "You must have had a tough time getting here." Ahn Jung-Hae hesitantly asked, "So¡­when can we discuss the investment¡­?" At that moment, Lee Tae-Yeon''s expression sharpened as she red at him. "Did you forget what I said? The follow up investment only happens if you cast Yi-Ji as the child actor." When Ahn Jung-Hae didn''t respond, Lee Tae-Yeon grumbled further. "Fine, just watch Yi-Ji''s acting today and think it over again. If she''s confirmed for your movie, I''ll personally handle the investment." "Understood..." It was clear Lee Tae-Yeon had summoned Ahn Jung-Hae to the Gyeongju set to dangle the promise of investment in exchange for casting Yang Yi-Ji as the child actor. While directors were usually the authority figures on a movie set, that power was only reserved for directors who consistently produced hits. Directors who failed at the box office and couldn''t secure funding were not only powerless but often treated like debtors. Judging by Ahn Jung-Hae''s nervous demeanor, it seemed he was deeply in debt and desperate to secure funding to pay it off. Even so, the fact that he hadn''t yet confirmed Yang Yi-Ji as the child actor suggested he had some backbone. "Go ahead, Ms. Lee. I''m not feeling well from car sickness...so I''ll rest a bit and follow youter." Lee Tae-Yeon waved her skirt as she walked toward the set. "Alright, I''ll head over first. Don''t take too long~" Ahn Jung-Hae let out a long sigh. "Sigh... I''m sorry, Hyun-Soo. It''s all because I''m useless..." "Don''t say that, Mr. Ahn. It''ll work out this time." "Ah, I could really use a cigarette." Ahn Jung-Hae pulled out a cigarette, but there was only one left in the pack. "Damn it...this is myst one." Staring at thest cigarette, Ahn Jung-Hae seemed to confront the reality of his poverty. With a wry smile, he held it out to Park Hyun-Soo. "You take it." "No, Mr. Ahn. You should have it." At that moment, I decided to help Ahn Jung-Hae. Ahn Jung-Hae was one of the very few filmmakers in the industry who would take on personal debt to pay his staff, including the lowest-ranking ones. This was extremely rare in an industry notorious for exploiting workers and withholding even meager wages. The thought of him struggling financially even after Missing: The Lost Ones achieved five and a half million viewers was unbearable. I resolved to free Ahn Jung-Hae from the grip of Lee Tae-Yeon and Yang Hak-Joo, the head of YH Venture Capital. Separately, I also had a favor to ask of Ahn Jung-Hae. Turning to Yoo-Jin, I asked, "Yoo-Jin, do you think Miso could take on a role as a child actor in a crime thriller?" When I briefly summarized the plot of Missing: The Lost Ones, Yoo-Jin nodded readily. "As long as you''re on set often to look after Miso." "Of course, that''s a given." "Then it''s a deal! Miso''s been saying she wants to act again besides her food tour show, so this works out perfectly." "Great." With Yoo-Jin''s approval, I now needed to rece the investor and secure Miso as the child actor. I had a pack of Mallboro Reds and a lighter stashed forworking purposes though I didn''t smoke. Grabbing them, I approached the two men who were still politely insisting the other take thest cigarette. Chapter 437: Ahn Jung-Hae (2)

Chapter 437: Ahn Jung-Hae (2)

As I observed the two people offering each other a cigarette in the parking lot, I handed over a pack of Mallboro Red. "Here you go, Mr. Ahn." Ahn Jung-Hae looked at me with surprised eyes. "Oh... Mr. Jung from Hoop Entertainment?" "Do you know me?" "Of course I do. You''re managing several rising starstely." "Haha, thank you for recognizing me. By the way, I really enjoyed your previous movie Hit and Run. It was beautifully shot from the victim''s perspective." Ahn Jung-Hae let out a deep sigh. "How do you even know about that flop of a movie..." "It was incredibly realistic and full of tension. I think it struggledmercially due to insufficient promotion, but the direction was outstanding. It''s rarely seen these days." Ahn Jung-Hae gave a faintugh. "Haha... Well, thank you for thepliment. But a flop is a flop." When he sighed again, I took the chance to peel off the foil from the Mallboro Red pack and offered him a cigarette. "Here you go." Ahn Jung-Hae looked at the cigarette and sighed once more. "I hate to admit it, but I can''t get through this without one right now. Thank you so much." Ahn Jung-Hae took a cigarette and I lit it for him with my lighter. When he tried to offer me one in return, I shook my head. "Sorry, I don''t smoke." "What? Then why do you carry cigarettes?" "Well, it''s part of the job..." Although I didn''t smoke, many directors and staff members did as the pressure of potentially failing a project with massive investments weighed heavily on them. That was the reason I kept a variety of cigarette packs on hand. I chose Mallboro Red today because I knew it was Ahn Jung-Hae''s preferred brand. "That''s impressive. You even know my favorite cigarettes..." I grinned and discreetly slipped the remaining pack into Park Hyun-Soo''s pocket. It was just a gesture to ensure they didn''t feel diminished over something as small as a pack of cigarettes. The thirty-year-old Park Hyun-Soo had been by Ahn Jung-Hae''s side ever since he joined three years ago. His title of chief came about naturally as senior colleagues left thepany. "Thank you, Mr. Jung." The two, who had been mistreated by Lee Tae-Yeon, silently smoked their cigarettes. While a puff couldn''t restore their pride, it nevertheless offered some sce. After finishing their cigarettes, they discarded the butts in a nearby trash can. "Thank you. I won''t forget this kindness." "Oh, don''t mention it." Ahn Jung-Hae gave a bittersweet smile and nodded. "Well, I''ll take my leave now. See you next time." As Ahn Jung-Hae turned to leave, I stopped him. "Mr, Ahn, are you looking for investors right now?" Ahn Jung-Hae paused. "Yes..." "In that case, why don''t we have a chat?" "Are you serious...? Are you going to introduce investors to my project?" "Yes. I know a few people who are interested in your next screeny and would like to introduce them to you." Ahn Jung-Hae''s face lit up as he looked at Park Hyun-Soo who appeared equally excited. "Mr. Ahn, why not hear him out?" "But I need to review Yi-Ji''s acting..." I assured the two, "It''ll just take a moment." After some deliberation, Ahn Jung-Hae made a decision. "Alright, let''s talk for a moment." "First, let''s head to my car." We avoided prying eyes and walked over to the nearby Bends Springer. *** Yoo-Jin was no longer inside the Bends Springer as she left to find Miso. As soon as we sat in the back seat, Ahn Jung-Hae asked, "Do you really know someone willing to invest in my film?" I nodded. "Yes. But before that, could you tell me how many investors you currently have?" When a movie involved multiple investors, the division of profits and equity could createplications. It was essential to first grasp the current situation before facilitating an investment. Ahn Jung-Hae sighed deeply before replying, "So far, there''s only one investor." "Who is it?" "I received funding from Ms. Lee Tae-Yeon." "You mean...a private investment?" Ahn Jung-Hae exined that he had circted the script to various productionpanies and investment firms and the first to respond back was Lee Tae-Yeon. "After reading the script, Ms. Tae-Yeon immediately offered fifty million won to invest," Ahn Jung-Hae exined. Desperate for operational funds, Ahn Jung-Hae quickly epted the offer. As a result, the film rights to Missing: The Lost Ones now belonged to Lee Tae-Yeon. My eyes widened. "What? You handed over the rights...?" "I needed the money to keep things running." If my memory served me well, Missing: The Lost Ones had a total production budget of approximately 3 billion won and grossed around 47 billion won in revenue. Lee Tae-Yeon had essentially secured the rights to a film with such enormous potential for a mere 50 million won. To make matters worse, she was now leveraging this position to have YH Venture Capital invest additional funds in exchange for casting her daughter, Yang Yi-Ji, in the role of Lee Soo-Yeon. Although Ahn Jung-Hae had no desire to cast Yang Yi-Ji for the role, his hands were tied. I finally understood why Ahn Jung-Hae had struggled to make money in my past life. Having lost the script rights, any deal with YH Venture Capital must have been far from favorable, leaving him with only the bare minimum profits. The best solution would be to pay the cancetion penalty and terminate the contract. Typically, penalties were three times the original contract amount, which in this case would mean 150 million won. However, this situation was different. "Huh!? The penalty is ten times?" I replied in shock. "Yes. I was desperate," Ahn Jung-Hae replied with his head down. The penalty was staggering tenfold. No matter how urgent the situation, signing such a contract was reckless. "With both the penalty and Ms. Lee Tae-Yeon involved, I imagine potential investors must have been scared off," I remarked. "Exactly. A few showed interest after reading the script but backed out once they learned the terms. Nobody wanted to risk paying the penalty or antagonizing Ms. Tae-Yeon." Fortunately, the investors I knew were not the type to be intimidated by someone like Lee Tae-Yeon. Whether it was Choi Eun-Tae from Daeheung Savings Bank, Lee Soo-Chan from Reverse Entertainment, or the heads of CK Entertainment and LT Entertainment, they were formidable yers. "Don''t worry. I''ll connect you with investors who won''t be deterred by Ms. Lee Tae-Yeon." "R-really?" "I''ll make some calls, so let''s discuss further after that." The real challenge for me now was deciding which investor to introduce to him. The weary faces of the two men now carried a glimmer of hope. "Alright!" I suggested, "While we''re here, would you like to check out Miso''s acting?" At that moment, Ahn Jung-Hae''s expression turned cautious as he asked, "Are you suggesting I cast Miso as a condition for investment, Mr. Jung?" "No. If you find her performancecking or don''t feel she''s right for the role, you''re free to choose another actor. It won''t affect the investment in any way." Unlike Lee Tae-Yeon, I had no intention of using roles as leverage for investments. However, I was confident that he wouldn''t consider anyone else once he saw Miso act. "Alright. I was nning to review Yi-Ji''s acting anyway... I might as well check Miso''s while I''m at it." We got out of the car and headed straight to the set. *** Scene 44 from Episode 4 was where Princess Jeong-Hwa fed the poisonous mushroom she received from the First Queen to Princess Yu-Hwa. Oh Bok-Hee surveyed the set with a serious expression. "Alright! Everyone, take your positions. The guards and maidservants should stay at the base of the hill, and run up as soon as you hear the call. Let''s do this in one take without wasting energy going back and forth!" The hill on one side of the set stood beneath arge pine tree. In its shade, the three child actresses, Yang Yi-Ji, Jin Gong-Ju, and Miso, waited in a beautiful hanbok. Meanwhile, the supporting actors were positioned at the bottom of the hill getting ready to rush up at any moment. After checking on the staff, Oh Bok-Hee approached Yang Yi-Ji. "Yi-Ji, how are you feeling today?" Yang Yi-Ji answered, "I''m fine! I''ll do my best." Oh Bok-Hee looked reassured as she nodded slightly. "Alright then, let''s get started." "Yes, ma''am!" Oh Bok-Hee called out. "Okay, everyone ready? Episode 4, Scene 44. Ready... action!" At that moment, the child actors began their performance. ying Princess Jeong-Hwa, Yang Yi-Ji hid a white poisonous mushroom behind her back and approached Miso who was crouching and admiring flowers. ¡ºYu-Hwa, I heard you enjoy mushrooms, so I picked some on the way here. Here, I chose the best one for you.¡» Yang Yi-Ji handed over the white mushroom she had hidden while trying her best to hide her trembling hands from nervousness. Miso tilted her head and looked curiously at Yang Yi-Ji. ¡ºJeong-Hwa unnie, where did you find such a rare mushroom?¡» ¡ºAt the base of the mountain. I felt bad about our recent quarrel, so I brought this especially for you.¡» Miso took the mushroom with an innocent expression, not suspecting that it was poisonous despite the slight tension in their rtionship in the story. ¡ºI heard mushrooms are best eaten fresh. I was worried you might find it hard to eat, so I brought a little sesame oil for you.¡» Yang Yi-Ji revealed a small dish filled with fragrant sesame oil. ¡ºGo on, eat it. The mushroom gatherers told me this white mushroom tastes best with sesame oil when fresh.¡» ¡ºYou even brought sesame oil... how generous of you.¡» In the Si era, sesame oil was a luxury. Holding the fresh mushroom and sesame oil, Miso''s mouth watered. However, instead of eating it alone, she turned to Jin Gong-Ju beside her. ¡ºDo-Hwa, there''s only one mushroom, but it''s quiterge. Let''s share it.¡» At that moment, Jin Gong-Ju hastily shook her head. ¡ºNo! I''m okay, unnie. I ate plenty beforeing up and I''m quite full.¡» Youngest Princess Do-Hwa immediately recognized the mushroom was poisonous. However, seeing it as a perfect opportunity to eliminate apetitor without getting her hands dirty, she kept quiet. ¡ºIs that so? Then I suppose I''ll eat it myself.¡» With her mouth watering, Miso dipped the poisonous mushroom generously in sesame oil before taking a big bite. Chewing thoughtfully, Miso''s face lit up with delight. ¡ºIt has such a unique vor, Jeong-Hwa unnie.¡» Yang Yi-Ji replied with a trembling voice. ¡ºDoes it? Since it''s such a rare mushroom, why not have a little more...¡» Yang Yi-Ji responded with a trembling voice, but Miso continued eating the poisonous mushroom without the slightest suspicion. That''s when Miso''s movements slowed and she began an exaggerated disy of agony. ¡ºKeuk! Keuk!¡» Clutching her throat with both hands, Miso appeared to gag and struggle to expel what she had eaten. Her body shook violently as if it were impossible, her face turned red, tears welled in her eyes, and saliva dripped from the corners of her mouth. Miso scratched her body frantically, so convincingly that her performance bordered on disturbing. At that moment, Yoo-Jin next to me spoke in a trembling voice. "Oppa, are you sure Miso didn''t actually eat a poisonous mushroom?" "Don''t worry, she''ll be fine. The props team lead tasted it himself before handing it over." "Oh, right." The mushrooms had been thoroughly tested by the props team lead for safety. Yet Miso''s performance was so realistic that even Yoo-Jin and I couldn''t help but doubt ourselves. Miso extended her trembling right hand toward Yang Yi-Ji. ¡ºUgh... Jeong-Hwa... unnie... what have you... done to me...¡» Seemingly frightened by Miso''s eerily convincing acting, Yang Yi-Ji stumbled backward. ¡ºWhy... why did you covet my position? If only... if only you weren''t here... I could be queen!¡» Tears rolled down Miso''s cheeks. ¡ºA queen''s fate... is determined by the heavens... Do you think... ugh... doing this... will make you queen?¡» When Miso forced herself forward with difficulty, the startled Yang Yi-Ji retreated rapidly until her back hit the tree on the hill. Thud. As Miso drew closer despite trembling, Yang Yi-Ji froze in ce. Step by step, Miso approached and finally grabbed the hem of Yang Yi-Ji''s hanbok. Yang Yi-Ji screamed. ¡ºLet go of me! The queen of Gyerim is meant to be me!¡» Yang Yi-Ji shoved Miso away with all her might and the exhausted Miso helplessly copsed to the side. Lying on the ground, Miso convulsed with her body curling inwards. Yang Yi-Ji who was standing frozen with unfocused eyes finally came to her senses when Jin Gong-Ju snapped out of it first. ¡ºGet a hold of yourself, Jeong-Hwa unnie! You''re the one who gave her a poisonous mushroom, and now you''re showing weakness?¡» ¡ºP-poisonous mushroom? You already knew?¡» ¡ºLooks like you and I now share a little secret, Jeong-Hwa unnie.¡» Realizing her weakness had been exposed, Yang Yi-Ji shook with anger and red at Jin Gong-Ju. ¡ºYou...! If you dare speak a word of this, I won''t let you go!¡» ¡ºYou better watch your own mouth, Jeong-Hwa unnie.¡» The tension between the two exploded in a silent sh of fiery stares. Then their gazes dropped to the motionless Miso lying on the ground. Only then did the two btedly call out toward the bottom of the hill. ¡ºNoooo! Yu-Hwa! ¡» ¡ºYu-Hwa unnie!!!¡» When the two young viins shouted with all their might, the supporting actors waiting below sprang into action and rushed up the hill. ¡ºPrincess Yu-Hwa!¡» ¡ºOh my goodness! What a disaster!¡» As the supporting cast shouted, Scene 44 concluded. "Cut! Okay!" Startled by Miso''s incredibly realistic performance, the staff shouted, "Miso, are you okay?" Even Oh Bok-Hee was flustered as she yelled for someone to call 911. Just then, Miso jumped up from where shey. "I''m fine!" The staff frozen for a moment exhaled a collective sigh of relief upon watching Miso waving energetically with a bright smile on her face. "Wow, I really thought something bad happened!" "What kind of kid acts like that...?" As always, Miso''s acting didn''t disappoint. I nced sideways with a proud expression. Unlike the staff who were somewhat ustomed to Miso''s talent, Ahn Jung-Hae appearedpletely stunned. "Mr. Ahn?" When I called out to him, Ahn Jung-Hae snapped out of his daze and grabbed my hand firmly. "Mr. Jung, is your earlier proposal still valid? About the investment and casting of Miso for the role?" @@novelbin@@ "Of course." It was done. Miso''s acting hadpletely captivated Ahn Jung-Hae. At that moment, Lee Tae-Yeon stormed toward us with a sharp re. Chapter 438: Ahn Jung-Hae (3)

Chapter 438: Ahn Jung-Hae (3)

Lee Tae-Yeon''s sharp voiceced with thorns echoed through the space. "Mr. Ahn, what do you think you''re doing right now?" Ahn Jung-Hae looked at me with an expression like that of a frightened puppy. Though he had expressed his desire to cast Miso, being caught in the act by Lee Tae-Yeon clearly rattled him. I quickly stepped in front of Ahn Jung-Hae to shield him. "What do you mean? Mr. Ahn said he wants Miso as the child actor for his next project." Lee Tae-Yeon red at me and raised her voice. "Team Lead Jung, do you not realize that the rights to Director Ahn''s next project are in my hands? Don''t interfere when you don''t understand the situation!" "Actually, I do want to discuss that matter. You own the film rights to the script, correct?" "That''s right. I own the rights." "Then sell them to me." Lee Tae-Yeon looked at me incredulously as if questioning what game I was ying. "What for? Are you nning to invest in Director Ahn''s project or something?" "Yes." Lee Tae-Yeon shot a piercing re at Ahn Jung-Hae. "I asked you to watch Yi-Ji''s performance, and in the meantime, you''ve been making such bold moves? Mr. Ahn?" The flustered Ahn Jung-Hae stammered, "Well, uh..." Although we had discussed the possibility of an investment, no formal agreement or documentation existed. Fearing Ahn Jung-Hae might retract his earlier stance under pressure, I stepped in to answer. "I heard you paid 50 million won as script development costs and an advance. I''ll pay you three times that, so 150 million won to terminate the contract." Lee Tae-Yeon''s gaze burned with undisguised hostility. "You must be joking. Do I look like someone who invests in films just to earn pocket change like that?" As I had suspected, Lee Tae-Yeon fully understood the value of the script for Missing: The Lost Ones. Lee Tae-Yeon''s sess in the industry was not just due to her exceptional acting talent but also her sharp eye for promising scripts. It was widely rumored in the industry that YH Venture Capital, headed by Lee Tae-Yeon''s husband Director Yang Hak-Joo, had enjoyed a string of sessful investments in films and dramas because of her uncanny ability to identify projects destined for sess. For this reason, YH Venture Capital had grown into one of Korea''s top ten media investment firms. @@novelbin@@ I replied, "Nothing is impossible. Let''s start with your conditions. If we adjust them, we might find a solution that satisfies both parties." Lee Tae-Yeon scoffed. "Do you take me for a fool? I''m pretty good at judging scripts. And you''re good at it too, right, Team Lead Jung? If both of us are drawn to the same project, what does that tell you? It''s going to be a hit. And you think I''d just let it go?" Dealing with intelligent people like her was always challenging. They could deduce their advantage and the potential gains in an instant. "So ultimately, are you saying I''d have to pay the full penalty to get you to release it?" I asked. Lee Tae-Yeon crossed her arms and smirked. "Do you even know how much the penalty is?" "Ten times the original payment, so 500 million won as far as I know." "Wrong! It''s 2 billion won now." Ahn Jung-Hae who had been quietly listening with growing anxiety gasped in shock. "What do you mean? Why is the penalty 2 billion won?" Lee Tae-Yeon smirked again, clearly enjoying the moment. "Last week, YH Venture Capital bought the film rights for 200 million won. The penalty is ten times that, so it''s two billion won. Makes sense, doesn''t it?" Ahn Jung-Hae''s face turned ghostly pale. "T-then... does that mean the money fromst week..." "Yes. Don''t you remember signing the contract with YH Venture Capitalst week? You said you needed funds, so I even helped you get connected." Ahn Jung-Hae froze in ce and was utterly speechless. Meanwhile, Lee Tae-Yeon looked increasingly smug. "Oh, and just so you know, don''t expect to terminate the contract. If you read the terms carefully, you''ll see that the contract remains valid as long as the film is produced within five years." Ahn Jung-Hae''s voice began to tremble. "I... I wouldn''t have signed if I''d known it was that kind of contract. Never!" "Oh my, that''s strange to hear. You didn''t seem to have any issues signing and taking the money back then, so whyin now?" I pieced together the situation from their conversation. In short, Lee Tae-Yeon had purchased the film rights to the script and sold them to YH Venture Capital for a profit. Ahn Jung-Hae, desperate for cash, had taken a portion of the money again. Ahn Jung-Hae had signed the contract without fully understanding the terms as hecked legal knowledge. Unfortunately, with his signature on the documents, there was no way to undo it. With Missing: The Lost Ones needing a production budget of 3 billion won and a 2 billion won penalty for breach, no investor would touch the project. Ahn Jung-Hae lowered his head in despair. Satisfied that she had ruined any attempt to find new investors, Lee Tae-Yeon smirked and spoke sweetly, "So Mr. Ahn! Stop overthinking this. Just cast Yi-Ji as the child actor and YH Venture Capital will immediately provide the remaining production funds. There''s no need toplicate things, is there? My husband will handle everything from there." Lee Tae-Yeon was spouting the kind of promises you would expect from a con artist iming to take care of everything. It was clear now why Ahn Jung-Hae was left with almost nothing despite Missing: The Lost Ones attracting five and a half million viewers in its first run. Lee Tae-Yeon and Yang Hak-Joo had taken the lion''s share of the profits. These were not people I could reason with. If that was the case, my only option was to escte this into full-scale conflict. I warned her, "You''ll regret this." Lee Tae-Yeon chuckled as she looked at me. "Regret? Can you really make me regret anything?" "I do." "Really? Then go ahead. I''ll even give you a move for free." "Then I won''t hold back." Of all the investors I knew, there was one person who could untangle this mess: Son Hyung-Tae, the president of CK Entertainment. CK Entertainment owned 50% of theaters in Korea, making it the number one distributor. I had previously promised to introduce him to a strong project. This promise was made under specific circumstances when his nephew, Director Jo Jae-Kyung, had caused trouble by not paying a 100 million won directing fee to Assistant Director Park Sun-Jae. In exchange for his support during that ordeal, I offered to introduce him to a lucrative opportunity. Now was the perfect time to fulfill that promise. I pulled out my phone and immediately called Son Hyung-Tae. *** Beep, beep~ After a few rings, Son Hyung-Tae answered the call. -Oh, Team Lead Jung. "Yes, Mr. Son. It''s been a while. Sorry for not reaching out sooner." -That''s fine. You should call me more often, though. So, what''s up? Don''t tell me you''re bringing me another project with LT Entertainment. That would disappoint me. Since the call wasn''t on speakerphone, Ahn Jung-Hae and Lee Tae-Yeon exchanged confused looks as they wondered who I was speaking with. I ignored them and continued the conversation as there was something I needed to confirm first. "I wanted to keep a promise but wasn''t sure if you''d remember it." -Of course, I remember. So, have you found a project worth rmending? "Yes, I have." -Is it guaranteed to be a hit? "Absolutely." I had been worried about how to persuade him in case of a rejection, but Son Hyung-Tae agreed enthusiastically. He was keen to increase CK Entertainment''s profits and leverage the results to secure his candidacy as the next president of CK Inc. -Great. I''m ready to invest today. Can youe to my office? "Are you sure? You haven''t even seen the project yet." -Why would I need to check? It''s a rmendation from Team Lead Jung. Oh, by the way, your actor is in it, right? Son Hyung-Tae knew better than anyone that I wouldn''t y games with my actors. He trusted me because of my reputation for valuing them above all else. "Yes. Miso will y a key child role." -Hahaha. Is that so? Fantastic. Tell me the project name and the budget. I''ll prepare it right away. "It''s Mr. Ahn Jung-Hae''s Missing: The Lost Ones." -Oh, I''ve heard of that. The script came to me about a week ago. "Yes, but there''s a problem." -Hmm? What problem? "The rights to the script are held by someone other than the director. Mr. Ahn Jung-Hae wants to cast a different actor, but he''s stuck because of a poorly written contract. When he tried to terminate it, they demanded ten times the original amount as a penalty." Son Hyung-Tae sounded incredulous. -What? How can something like that still happen these days? A penalty ten times the amount? "Exactly." Even at the mention of how absurd this situation was, Lee Tae-Yeon''s expression didn''t falter. After a moment''s thought, Son Hyung-Tae spoke decisively. -Alright. I''ll handle it. With Son Hyung-Tae stepping in, my concerns disappeared. He was the type to exploit every loophole in a contract and even leverage public opinion to secure his position, if necessary. I knew Son Hyung-Tae very well: once hetched on, he never let go. "I''ll switch to a speakerphone. The rights holder is here with us." -Oh, really? Alright. When I switched the call to speakerphone, Lee Tae-Yeon immediately took the offensive. "Excuse me. I don''t know who you are, but if you''re in the same film industry, you''d better wake up. Have you heard of YH Venture Capital? They hold the rights to Mr. Ahn''s film. Oh, and by the way, I''m Lee Tae-Yeon! Actress Lee Tae-Yeon! Surely, you''ve heard of me?" Lee Tae-Yeon tried to use her name and her husband''spany to intimidate us, but Son Hyung-Tae responded with a light chuckle. -Oh~ Ms. Tae-Yeon, is that you? Haha, it''s been a while. This is Son Hyung-Tae. "Son Hyung-Tae? Don''t tell me... you''re Mr. Son from CK?" -Yes, this is Son Hyung-Tae, president of CK Entertainment. Haha, how long has it been since west spoke? At the sound of Son Hyung-Tae''s confident voice, Lee Tae-Yeon''s face contorted in dismay. She had realized her opponent was the president of Korea''s number one film distributor andrgest theater chain owner. No matter how famous Lee Tae-Yeon was as an actress or as the wife of a venture capitalist, in front of Son Hyung-Tae, a royal figure in the corporate world, she was just another individual. The flustered Lee Tae-Yeon stammered. "M-Mr. Son... How do you know Team Lead Jung?" -Hahaha, we''re friends. The slight trembling of Lee Tae-Yeon''s cheeks betrayed her agitation. "But... isn''t there a big age gap...?" -Well, I don''t know the details, but I''ll be taking care of Director Ahn''s project. Since you invested some money, I''ll stick to industry norms andpensate you with a penalty three times the original amount. Lee Tae-Yeon bit her lip and retorted sharply. "Mr. Son, isn''t that a bit much? We invested a lot of effort to secure the rights and prepare the production, and now you''re doing this?" Son Hyung-Tae subtly hinted that if she refused to let go, he could escte the issue publicly. -Ms. Tae-Yeon, let''s be reasonable. The director doesn''t want to work with you. And demanding a penalty ten times the amount? It sounds like you trapped an innocent director in a predatory contract. Wouldn''t it be better to let it go before the media catches wind of this? It wouldn''t look good for you either. Refusing to back down, Lee Tae-Yeon attempted a counter-threat. "Are you threatening me right now, Mr. Son? Don''t you know how bad it looks in the news when someone abuses their power these days? And for the record, CK isn''t the only distributor in Korea. If necessary, we''ll sell this film to LT Entertainment instead." Lee Tae-Yeon''sstment visibly upset Son Hyung-Tae. -Abuse of power, you say... Hahaha, it''s been a while since I''ve heard that. Ms. Tae-Yeon, have you never experienced what real abuse of power looks like? Let me show you. "Excuse me?" Son Hyung-Tae took a deep breath and said coldly. -If you don''t transfer the rights to me, your film won''t be screened in any CK-affiliated theaters. CK Entertainment controlled 50% of Korea''s movie theaters. Without ess to their screens, the film''s revenue would instantly be cut in half. "Th-That''s ridiculous..." However, Son Hyung-Tae wasn''t finished. -One more thing. Starting today, every film YH Venture Capital submits for distribution consideration at CK will be subjected to extended reviews. As far as I know, there are about four projects submitted by YH. How does three years per film sound? Wouldn''t that create some difficulties for your husband? A dy of three years on YH Venture Capital''s investments would result in enormous losses. Son Hyung-Tae was effectively threatening to cripple their film division. Lee Tae-Yeon stood frozen with her face pale. That''s when Son Hyung-Tae delivered his final blow. -Oh, and you mentioned selling the rights to LT Entertainment, right? Sure. Go ahead. The day you do, I''ll make sure the headlines portray LT Entertainment and Ms. Tae-Yeon as hical coborators exploiting directors to produce films. How does that sound? It was a devastating move impossible to withstand. -So, what''s it going to be? Will you hold onto the rights and endure another round of abuse of power? By the way, I''ll be focusing on a story about you personally next. Choosing Son Hyung-Tae as my investor was the perfect decision. He was the only person capable of turning the tables on someone like Lee Tae-Yeon. After a long moment of trembling, Lee Tae-Yeon finally spoke in a strained voice. "I''ll...transfer the rights." It was my full victory. Chapter 439: Miso (1)

Chapter 439: Miso (1)

Upon realizing that Lee Tae-Yeon and her husband had been involved in internal dealings, Son Hyung-Tae ultimately acquired the film adaptation rights for 300 million won. Lee Tae-Yeon nodded. "I understand. 300 million won it is. I''ll inform my husband ordingly and tell him to enter into a contract with CK Entertainment." -Hahaha. Understood. And please don''t hold onto what just happened. Such things happen at work, right? Having felt the full force of Son Hyung-Tae''s power, Lee Tae-Yeon remained silent. Then, she added, "Well, I''ll be off now. I have to go for my daughter''s shoot." -And your daughter''s name is Yi-Ji, right? Please let her know that I have high hopes for her acting in the future. "...I will." Lee Tae-Yeon answered reluctantly and stared daggers at me. Her eyes reflected her resentment for my interference with her ns. Nheless, I calmly met her gaze. "Aren''t you leaving?" "I''m going!" Lee Tae-Yeon shouted before turning to leave. Once she was gone, Ahn Jung-Hae, who had been holding his breath, shouted into the speakerphone. "This is Director Ahn Jung-Hae! Mr. Son, thank you so much! I''ll do my best!" -You''d better. I went through a lot to obtain the rights shing with Ms. Tae-Yeon. If the oue is a mess, it''ll be embarrassing for me, won''t it? "D-don''t worry about that. I won''t disappoint you." -I''m not worried. With Team Lead Jung''s guarantee, why would I worry? Knowing that Son Hyung-Tae had jeopardized his rtionship with Lee Tae-Yeon because of my rmendation, I felt a silent obligation to ensure the film''s sess. Nheless, I knew that if the film drew five and a half million viewers, it would more than justify the cost of Son Hyung-Tae going against Lee Tae-Yeon. In fact, it might attract even more viewers with Miso cast in the lead child role instead of Yang Yi-Ji. I assured him, "Don''t worry, Mr. Son. And thank you for today." -Don''t mention it. I''m d you contacted me directly rather than President Shin for once. "Hahaha. Promises must be kept." While talking with Son Hyung-Tae, I grew curious about news of his nephew, Jo Jae-Kyung. Son Hyung-Tae had mentioned sending him to America, but I decided not to ask and to just end the call since it was a sensitive topic. Just then, Son Hyung-Tae brought the topic up. -Oh. By the way, have you heard about Jae-Kyung? "No, I haven''t." -That punk went with his mother to his grandfather asking for help, so I couldn''t send him to America. "Is that so?" -Yes. That''s why I followed your suggestion earlier even if it was a bit much. Since CK Inc.''s Honorary President Son Dae-In, also Son Hyung-Tae''s father and Jo Jae-Kyung''s maternal grandfather, had stepped in, I couldn''t do anything about it. -Oh, and will you attend the Hwangryong Film Association in a few days? "I''ll be there." -Good. Then see you there. "Yes, sir. Take care." Click. I let out a deep breath after hanging up the call. Though my rtionship with Lee Tae-Yeon had worsened, it didn''t bother me much. Ever since Miso''s actingpletely overshadowed Yang Yi-Ji''s, our rtionship was effectively irreparable anyway. At the very least, I was relieved to have switched investors. That''s when I noticed Ahn Jung-Hae and Park Hyun-Soo crying and asked, "Why are you crying on such a good day?" At that moment, Ahn Jung-Hae grabbed me in a hug. "Thank you! Mr. Jung!" Park Hyun-Soo also embraced me. ''To be squeezed between two men wearing thick jumpers...'' I thought. "Uh, first of all, please let go of me..." I said, trying to wriggle my way out. At that moment, Miso, who had finished her shoot approached us. Tilting her head in curiosity, she squeezed herself between Ahn Jung-Hae and Park Hyun-Soo before suddenly hugging my leg. Miso looked up at me with a yful grin and clung tightly to my leg. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, are we ying hugging games? Then I want to hug Uncle Yoon-Ho too! Yay!" ''Oh dear, Miso. There''s no such thing as a hugging game.'' Nheless, I had no intention of pushing Miso away. Just then, Yang So-Ri also approached us with a teasing smile. With her arms outstretched, her expression seemed to ask ''Should I join in for a hug too?'' This was getting out of hand. I quickly gestured for them to stop and calmed everyone down before heading toward the waiting tent. *** Inside the waiting tent shared by Miso and Yoo-Jin, I discussed Miso''s next project with her. "Miso. Mr. Ahn''s next work is based on a true story from 20 years ago..." I shared the script of Missing ¨C The Lost Ones written by Ahn Jung-Hae with Miso. The role she would y, Lee Soo-Yeon, was one of the kidnapped children in the story. She was the only one to survive among the victims and a key character who revealed to the world that the missing individuals were actually kidnap victims. She was one of the four central roles in the film. After hearing the project details, Miso replied excitedly, "Yes! I want to do it! But I have to tell Mom too..." "I already told her earlier." I had gotten Yoo-Jin''s approval in advance when I saw Ahn Jung-Hae. "Then I want to start filming right away!" As this was a film where the child actor yed a particrly significant role, Miso was already brimming with enthusiasm. Since today was the final shoot at this location, Miso seemed ready to dive into the new project immediately. Ahn Jung-Hae looked pleased and said, "I''ll start production as soon as possible!" Miso pped her hands in delight. "Yay~!" Yang So-Ri smiled and asked, "Miso, should we start makeup now? Take a seat." Miso promptly sat down with a happy expression. "Yes, ma''am!" With Miso''s consent secured, there was only one more thing left to do. "Mr. Ahn, what''s the productionpany''s situation like?" I asked. When Ahn Jung-Hae shrugged and nced at Park Hyun-Soo, he scratched his head before answering on Ahn Jung-Hae''s behalf. "Honestly, it''s not too great. The initial investment of 50 million won was used to pay severance to departing employees." I asked, "Then how have you managed the script work so far? It must have incurred various expenses..." Looking at Ahn Jung-Hae nervously, Park Hyun-Soo confessed, "Thepany is currently running on Mr. Ahn''s wife''s part-time earnings." Ahn Jung-Hae looked embarrassed. "H-Hyun-Soo, why bring that up?" However, their honesty about the situation made things easier. I replied, "Then we need to stabilize the productionpany first." I suggested resolving their debts through investment to ensure stable operations. Having a financially secure productionpany would make it easier for CK Entertainment''s Son Hyung-Tae to invest in the film. Park Hyun-Soo asked, "So you''re saying you''ll invest in the productionpany as well?" I nodded. "Yes, one of Reverse Entertainment''s affiliates will invest." Reverse Entertainment had a small investment firm among its subsidiaries. Originally established as a loanpany by the Kanghan gang, it had cleared most of its debt portfolio under Kang Eun-Gi''s guidance and was now preparing to invest in films and dramas. Furthermore, Lee Soo-Chan had asked me to notify him if I found a promisingpany. "Reverse Entertainment... isn''t that run by former gang members...?" "Yes, that''s correct. Kanghan Entertainment, originally founded by the Kanghan gang crime organization, has changed its name. They''ve turned over a new leaf and are determined to work hard in this industry. I''ll vouch for that with everything I have." For Reverse Entertainment, this was an opportunity to rehabilitate its image through sessful investments. For Ahn Jung-Hae, it was a chance to replenish his empty bank ount. It would be a mutually beneficial arrangement. However, the fact that the former gang members ran thepany left Ahn Jung-Hae conflicted. "Hmm..." "If it makes you ufortable, I can look for another option. But I promise their terms will be the best." At that moment, Ahn Jung-Hae spoke up. "No, it''s not about the loan... we''re already using one, so that''s not an issue. It''s just..." "Just what?" "I''m honestly worried they might use me for moneyundering." I immediately shook my head. "The members of Reverse Entertainment are basically my siblings I grew up with in the orphanage. If anything goes wrong, I will take full responsibility. To ensure that, I will personally invest in yourpany as well." "Even you, Mr. Jung?" "Moreover, we''ll include a use in the contract stating that you can reim the productionpany shares at any time." When Iid out such favorable terms, Ahn Jung-Hae looked puzzled. "Why are you going so far for this?" "Because the more productionpanies that create good works, the better it is for entertainmentpanies like ours to survive." Though I spoke honestly, there was another reason. After the sess of Missing ¨C The Lost Ones, Ahn Jung-Hae would immediately start working on a sequel. The sequel, Missing 2 ¨C The Story of That Day, would achieve even greater sess than its predecessor. [Everyday V12] [Date: December 24, 2025] -7:00 p.m. Director Ahn Jung-Hae. Missing 2 ¨C The Story of That Day Box Office: 12 million viewers. The current project Missing ¨C The Lost Ones was based on a true story from 20 years ago. However, the uing sequel Missing 2 ¨C The Story of That Day was inspired by the "Gwacheon Child Serial Disappearance Case" which would ur in early 2021 over six months. The reason I was investing in Ahn Jung-Hae''spany was that he had tirelessly investigated the case after the first child disappeared and even during the disappearance of the fifth child, gathering material for his film in my past life. Unfortunately, the culprit was never found. That''s why I intended to invest in the productionpany, build a connection with Ahn Jung-Hae, and get involved in the imminent serial abduction case. After all, I was the only one in the world aware of this uing event. When I expressed my intention to invest, Ahn Jung-Hae seemed encouraged but still hesitant to make a decision. At that moment, Miso raised her hand. "Mr. Ahn! Uncles at Reverse Entertainment are nice people!" @@novelbin@@ "Huh?" Miso pointed to her bag. "Uncle Yoon-Ho! Please get my bag!" "Sure, here it is..." When I handed over her pink Powertuff Girls bag, Miso started pulling out various items. "This one''s from Uncle Soo-Chan... this one''s from Uncle Ho-Jae... and this one''s from Uncle Dong-Hoon..." Miso began listing the names of the Reverse Entertainment members. I asked, "Miso, when did you get all these? They''ve never visited your house." Miso tilted her head and held up a goblin stuffy. "They sent them by parcel! They even sent letters telling me to study hard and be good. So I wrote them back too." Ever since Reverse Entertainment was established, the boys had been learning to care for others while working as talent agents. Now, they even sent gifts to the children at Angel Orphanage in Gwangju. Those who weren''t from Angel Orphanage supported the orphanages they came from. Miso must have received her gifts during those deliveries. Perhaps due to Miso''s indirect "endorsement" of the boys, the hesitant Ahn Jung-Hae finally made up his mind. "Fine! Let''s do it! With the use to reim the shares, I can walk away if it doesn''t work out!" "Thank you." Excited, I immediately called Lee Soo-Chan. After hearing about the situation, he readily agreed to my proposal. -Understood. Let''s discuss the contract when youe to Seoul. "Alright. I''ll visit yourpany." -Oh, and if you need extras to y gangsters or workers during the film, let me know. Our guys can pull it off realistically. It''d be hard to find anyone as convincing as us. Ahn Jung-Hae chuckled and made a request. "Please make that happen." -Of course, Mr. Ahn. With the investment issue resolved, I cautiously suggested something to Ahn Jung-Hae."You should call your wife." Ahn Jung-Hae''s face turned red. He cleared his throat several times, then took out his phone from his inner pocket. Its screen was cracked on one side and his hands trembled as he dialed. As Ahn Jung-Hae spoke with his wife, his voice gradually began to falter. "Dear... I... I can finally make the film. The productionpany''s debt has been resolved. I... I''m sorry for all the hardships I''ve caused you until now." As Ahn Jung-Hae''s eyes filled with tears, Park Hyun-Soo and I silently turned our heads away to give him some privacy. *** After finishing the call, Ahn Jung-Hae spoke to me excitedly. "Mr. Jung, I''d like to watch more of Miso''s acting before I leave." "Of course." Following Miso, who had already stepped out of the waiting tent, I headed toward the set along with Ahn Jung-Hae and Park Hyun-Soo. The time was now past 6 p.m. and the sun had set, causing the set to be nketed by darkness. The lighting crew members scurried around, busily adjusting the equipment. "It looks like they''re about to start," I remarked. Yoo-Jin was standing nervously with her hands tightly sped together. "Oppa, do you think Miso can handle a CG scene? I''ve tried it before and acting in front of a greenscreen feels really awkward..." The scene they were about to shoot, Scene 50 from Episode 4, depicted the Second Queen using sorcery to save Princess Yu-Hwa who was dying after eating a poisonous mushroom. In the scene, the Second Queen unveils her hidden mystical powers and exchanges her lifespan for her daughter''s by performing a forbidden ritual. In response to her magic, the goblin BiHyungRang sends his summoned fireflies. In the glow of the fireflies, the Second Queen transfers the majority of her lifespan to Princess Yu-Hwa. Since the scene required a visual spectacle of numerous fireflies, one side of the princess''s room had been set up with a greenscreen for the chroma key shoot. I assured Yoo-Jin. "Don''t worry. Miso will do great." Even adult actors found it challenging to act by imagining things that weren''t visible. Because of this reason, Yoo-Jin''s concern for Miso was only natural. At that moment, amotion arose near the monitor area where Oh Bok-Hee was stationed. "M-Mrs. Oh! P-Please wait! S-Stop..." Oh Bok-Hee, who had been reviewing the storyboard in front of the monitor, suddenly grabbed the storyboard book and began striding toward the set. Geum Eun-Dong followed closely behind her and hurried to catch up. ''No way... Is she really going to do that?'' Oh Bok-Hee seemed ready to do something she had never done since the start of Hwaranjeon''s production. Chapter 440: Miso (2)

Chapter 440: Miso (2)

What Oh Bok-Hee was about to do was provide acting guidance. Acting guidance involved the PD instructing actors to perform ording to the PD''s vision for the drama, and Oh Bok-Hee was famously strict in her acting guidance. Nheless, ever since arriving on the set of Hwaranjeon in Gyeongju, she had not done this yet. This restraint stemmed from an incident during her previous project, The Magic Lamp. While giving acting guidance to lead actor Choi Tae-Woong, a heated argument escted into a near physical altercation and almost derailed the drama''s production. Although the conflict arose from Choi Tae-Woong neglecting script rehearsals and relying on his poprity, the me fell entirely on Oh Bok-Hee.. To avoid such issues, Oh Bok-Hee had promised Choi Sang-Byung to minimize acting guidance when she took on Hwaranjeon. Yet now, the infamously strict Oh Bok-Hee was about to break that promise. Geum Eun-Dong rushed over and grabbed Oh Bok-Hee. "Mrs. Oh! P-Please wait a moment!" Oh Bok-Hee tilted her head. "What''s wrong, Eun-Dong? Is there a problem?" "Yes, there is a problem! Even if it''s just for the child actors, what are you going to do if you upset the S-ss actresses? If anything goes wrong during your guidance, the department head and the president will show up here immediately to discipline you!" Oh Bok-Hee replied calmly. "Discipline? Go ahead. They can take my liver while they''re at it!" "Mrs. Oh!" Laughing yfully, Oh Bok-Hee covered her ears. "Don''t worry. I have no intention of meddling with the S-ss actresses. They''re doing fine on their own, aren''t they? I just want to guide the child actors since they''ve never acted in front of a green screen before." Geum Eun-Dong asked skeptically, "Are you sure?" "What is it? You don''t believe me? Should I go ahead and guide the actresses instead?" "W-What kind of scary joke is that?" Oh Bok-Hee chuckled. "I''m kidding, I''m kidding. I''ll only guide the CG scenes with the child actors. So you can rx." "Sigh~ Fine. I''ll inform the staff about it." Oh Bok-Hee patted Geum Eun-Dong on the shoulder and headed toward the set. Watching this unfold, Yoo-Jin tilted her head in confusion. "Oppa, why is it a problem if Mrs. Oh provides acting guidance?" "It''s because Mrs. Oh''s acting guidance is notoriously strict. She knows the script inside out and provides guidance ordingly, but some actors feel she nitpicks too much and would get defensive." Actors generally disliked being guided by directors. To them, it was a matter of pride as acting was their profession. Yoo-Jin looked puzzled. "Isn''t that a good thing? It can help actors improve and work on their weaknesses. Miso''s never acted in front of a green screen before, so wouldn''t it be helpful?" I trailed off and nced toward the set. "If everyone thought like that, there''d be no fights. Acting is a personal art, so proud actors often hate being guided. Anyway, it''s a relief she''s only guiding the child actors..." Nevertheless, Lee Tae-Yeon was not the type to let anyone guide her daughter''s acting without making a fuss. It seemed like amotion was brewing. *** At the center of the set, one side was draped with a greenscreen, and a luxurious silk cushion was elegantly ced. Misoy on it while reviewing her script and Choi Ji-Yung was going over the script with her. About two meters away, other royal family members sat while waiting for their turn. Oh Bok-Hee greeted the actors busy with preparations and then sat next to Miso to begin her acting guidance. "Miso, you know the fireflies will be addedter withputer graphics in this scene, right?" Miso lying under the nket sat up abruptly. "Yes! The script says the fireflies sent by BiHyungRang wille through that window and surround my body!" Miso pointed to one of the windows and enthusiastically exined the fireflies'' movements aloud. Seeing Miso''s sparkling eyes, Oh Bok-Hee smiled with satisfaction. "That''s right. So Miso, just pretend to be dead until you get the signal, then open your eyes." "But I won''t see the signal if my eyes are closed. Hmm~ How about I open my eyes when the Second Queen falls to the floor in front of me?" Miso suggested innocently as she tilted her head. Oh Bok-Hee''s expression grew even more pleased. "Miso, you''ve really read the script thoroughly, haven''t you?" Miso set down her script book and spread her hands wide. "I did! Mom said Miss Han worked super hard on it and I should read it carefully. I''ve read it ten, no, more than twenty times!" Oh Bok-Hee''s face lit up as if she found Miso absolutely adorable. "Really? Wow, Miso, you''ve done a great job." Miso gave a seated bow with a yful smile. "Hehe, thank you!" "Alright then. From that point on, focus on your hand movements. Imagine a firefly in your hand and gently cup your hands around it..." Before Oh Bok-Hee could demonstrate, Miso brought her hands together and stared warmly into the space between them. "Like this?" Miso''s expression softened into one of tender affection as though greeting an old friend. When Miso transformed into Princess Yu-Hwa in that instant, Oh Bok-Hee couldn''t help but exim in admiration. "Wow~ That''s great! But could you express it just a bit more affectionately? Like you''re looking at someone you love?" Oh Bok-Hee showed a bit of ambition and gave Miso a more detailed direction. Miso pondered briefly before asking, "Then can I imagine it''s Mom and Uncle Yoon-Ho Fireflies in my hands?" "Mom and Uncle Yoon-Ho?" "Yes! I love Mom and Uncle Yoon-Ho the most in the whole world." Miso dered her feelings loudly and without a hint of embarrassment for everyone to hear. Moments like these left me feeling both grateful and a little sorry. With the growing number of actors under Team Jung this year, I hadn''t been able to spend as much time with Miso as before. Oh Bok-Hee nodded. "Alright. Do it just like that." Just like that, Oh Bok-Hee abruptly ended the acting guidance. ''Why is she finishing so early?'' I wondered. The Oh Bok-Hee I knew would usually push an actor for over ten minutes during guidance. But with Miso, she was as gentle as a kind aunt. That''s when it dawned on me that Miso had grown enough to earn the recognition of even the notoriously demanding Oh Bok-Hee. Yoo-Jin tilted her head. "Oppa, she doesn''t seem strict at all." "That''s because Miso''s so well prepared. I bet she''s the first actor to pass so smoothly under Mrs. Oh." Yoo-Jin looked at me skeptically with half-closed eyes, clearly unconvinced. Just as I started feeling a bit defensive, Oh Bok-Hee moved over to Yang Yi-Ji. "Yi-Ji, the scene we''re about to shoot is a tricky one. You know that, right?" "Yes, I know." Pointing to the scene and the set, Oh Bok-Hee began giving instructions. "Good. Princess Jeong-Hwa should look scared with her eyes darting around. asionally, she should nce at Miso lying in the bed as if hoping she''d just die. It''s a bitplex, but don''t get too nervous." Yang Yi-Ji quietly listened before tilting her head. "But Mom said this isn''t my scene, so I could take a break." "No, your face will appear in the wide-angle shots. You can''t look absent-minded. Even if it''s brief, you need to fully immerse yourself in the scene." Oh Bok-Hee exined the emotional flow, gaze direction, line tempo, and even the stage directions for the passing scene. Only then did the astonished Yoo-Jin nod. "Whoa~ She''s no joke." "See? I told you so." "I totally agree!" At that moment, Lee Tae-Yeon, who had been watching, finally stepped in as Oh Bok-Hee''s acting guidance dragged on. "Mrs. Oh. I''ve been coaching my child''s acting, so you don''t need to go this far." Oh Bok-Hee fixed her gaze on Lee Tae-Yeon. "Listen here, Ms. Lee Tae-Yeon." Oh Bok-Hee always addressed her as "Ms. Tae-Yeon" with the utmost respect, but she suddenly adopted a formal and distant tone. This abrupt change left even the confident Lee Tae-Yeon speechless and flustered. "W-what did you call me Mrs. Oh?" "Are you here as a mother or as Actress Lee Tae-Yeon?" "Why are you asking that?" "If you''re here as a mother, I''ll have to ask you to leave the set." Their gazes shed in the air with sparks practically flying. As Oh Bok-Hee and Lee Tae-Yeon argued, Yang Yi-Ji flinched and lowered her head. At that moment, Oh Bok-Hee spoke to Yang Yi-Ji. "Lift your head, Yang Yi-Ji! Right now, you''re not here as Lee Tae-Yeon''s daughter. You''re here as an individual actor!" Even while shing with Lee Tae-Yeon, Oh Bok-Hee treated Yang Yi-Ji not as her daughter but as her own actor. Oh Bok-Hee began addressing Lee Tae-Yeon as if she were just anotheryperson with no understanding of acting. "Yi-Ji has great potential. But if her mother keeps interfering like this, Yi-Ji will never be able to reach her full capabilities." "W-what did you say?" Though Lee Tae-Yeon''s face twisted in anger, Oh Bok-Hee continued without hesitation. "So step back from this final scene. I need to bring out all of Yi-Ji''s potential right now!" When Oh Bok-Hee raised her voice and locked eyes with Lee Tae-Yeon, she red back fiercely. However, Oh Bok-Hee didn''t blink as she delivered her final ultimatum. "Decide now. Will you stay on this set as Actress Lee Tae-Yeon for the shoot, or will you leave as Yi-Ji''s mother and confront me outside?" The standoff between the two prideful women filled the air with palpable tension. It seemed like a physical fight might break out at any moment, leaving the staff around them sweating nervously. Fortunately, Lee Tae-Yeon took a step back. "Fine! Do as you wish!" Lee Tae-Yeon huffed in frustration and turned her attention back to her script. At that moment, Oh Bok-Hee resumed her detailed instructions to Yang Yi-Ji as if nothing had happened. "Yi-Ji, there are a few things to keep in mind when acting in front of the greenscreen..." Although Yang Yi-Ji seemed dazed for a moment, she soon focused on Oh Bok-Hee''s words. It became clear that choosing Oh Bok-Hee as the PD for Hwaranjeon was a wise decision.She was willing to confront even S-ss actresses to improve the drama, highlighting the potential sess of Hwaranjeon. *** After providing detailed guidance to Jin Gong-Ju as well, Oh Bok-Hee returned to her seat. Grabbing a megaphone, Oh Bok-Hee shouted with a tense expression. "Alright, let''s get started! Props team, direction team, production team¡ªmove on my signals. Let''s go! Episode 4, Scene 50. Ready~~ Action!" With Oh Bok-Hee''s call, the filming of Hwaranjeon began. The court physician looked at Miso lying down after eating a poisonous mushroom and shook his head. ¡ºPrincess Yu-Hwa''s soul... has already crossed halfway over the Sanzu River.¡» At that moment, Choi Ji-Yung, ying the Second Queen, cried out in disbelief and pulled Miso into her embrace. Miso pretended to be unconscious and limply leaned into Choi Ji-Yung''s arms. @@novelbin@@ Choi Ji-Yung gently caressed Miso''s face and spoke with heartrending emotion. ¡ºYu-Hwa, please wake up. I''ll give you anything...anything at all. Just please open your eyes.¡» However, Miso''s chest remained utterly still. That''s when Choi Ji-Yung began to wail mournfully. ¡ºYu-Hwa, don''t you hear me? I made an entire basket of flower rice cakes for you. I have a silk dress tailored just for you. So please... please... just open your eyes. I''ll let you do whatever you want, so please...¡» When Choi Ji-Yung''s voice filled with anguish echoed across the set, the staff watched in solemn silence. Then Miso''s body suddenly went limp. Her slender arm fell onto the nket, palm facing upward, and her neck, which had been struggling to hold upright, dropped lifelessly backward. The stunned staff gasped and Yoo-Jin standing nearby grabbed my arm tightly, equally shaken. To think a seven-year-old could convey death through her body so convincingly was astonishing. Every time I saw her, Miso''s movements left me in awe. Each of her gestures was filled with precision and depth. At that moment, Choi Ji-Yung held Miso in her arms and cried out in a high-pitched voice. ¡ºChild! My child! No! Where do you think you''re going, leaving your mother behind?¡» Choi Ji-Yung''s face flushed bright red. Veins stood out on her throat and a roar pulled from the deepest depths of her chest echoed throughout the set. Her heart-wrenching cries wereced with pain so raw it felt like her heart was being torn to shreds. As the intensity escted, the atmosphere on set grew increasingly tense. Then, Choi Ji-Yung tilted her head to the heavens and wailed as if in a funeral dirge. ¡ºHeavenly spirits... Oh heavenly spirits who watch over Seorabeol... I offer all the remaining years of my life to you. Please, I beg you, grant Yu-Hwa her life!¡» Choi Ji-Yung''s voice resonated powerfully, each word saturated with desperation. She then bit down hard on her pinky finger which had been rigged with a special effects device. Fake blood began to drip from her finger in thick droplets. Song Ji-Hwan, ying King Eumgalmun, shouted in protest. ¡ºMy Queen! No, this cannot be!¡» However, Choi Ji-Yung pressed on, using her blood to draw a mysterious symbol on both her own forehead and Miso''s. This was part of the ritual depicted in the drama where she used the power of a goblin to transfer her lifespan to her daughter. As Choi Ji-Yung etched the shapes with the dripping blood, tension among the staff reached its peak. The terrifying brilliance of Choi Ji-Yung''s frenzied performance was something young Miso would now have to mirror and continue seamlessly. Everyone held their breath as they anxiously waited to see how Miso would follow such an intense disy. I, too, couldn''t help but feel both nervous anticipation and excitement for what Miso was about to deliver her performance. Chapter 441: Miso (3) Chapter 441: Miso (3) On the set of Episode 4, Scene 50, Choi Ji-Yung began drawing something on her and Miso''s foreheads with the fake blood from her pinky finger. The strange symbols she was drawing were the goblin script used in Hwaranjeon. In the world of Hwaranjeon, only the Second Queen knew this forgotten goblinnguage. Using these symbols, the Second Queen performed a forbidden ritual to transfer her lifespan to her daughter. She left just enough years for herself until Yu-Hwa reached 18, the age when she could be queen, and offered the rest of her lifespan. At that moment, the goblin BiHyungRang drawn by the sacred blood of the Second Queen epted the deal. Acting as an intermediary for the heavenly spirits he served, the goblin transferred the lifespan. To portray this scene, Choi Ji-Yung drew the symbols with the fake blood and sped her hands together before she began chanting an incantation. When the props team lead signaled with a hand gesture, a junior staff member from the props team quickly turned on a massive wind machine. Whoooosh! As the des of the wind machine spun, a strong gust filled the set and caused doors to rattle and shake. Everything in the princess''s chamber was blown around, while the king, queens, Princesses Jeong-Hwa and Do-Hwa, and the attendants all panicked and created amotion. ¡ºOh my goodness!¡»¡ºYour Majesty! Take cover!¡» ¡ºYou must move! The goblin ising!¡» ¡ºYes, Your Majesty! This whirlwind is surely the goblin''s doing! You could be harmed. Please leave at once!¡» Despite the attendants'' frantic cries, Song Ji-Hwan stood his ground. The child actors also followed Oh Bok-Hee''s detailed instructions and performed their parts with remarkable precision. Thanks to theirmitment, the scene unfolded wlessly without a single weak link. Momentster, the wind machine extinguished the four candles on set. In sync, the lighting crew dimmed the stage lights. In the chaos of the wind-ravaged princess''s chamber, Choi Ji-Yung held Miso in her arms and cried out with an almost wailing tone. ¡ºHeavenly spirits, please take my life and return my daughter''s!¡» The moment Choi Ji-Yung''s voice grew louder and more desperate, Oh Bok-Hee gave another signal to mark 30 seconds allocated for a future CG effect. In Hwaranjeon, this would be the moment when the goblin BiHyungRang responded to the Second Queen''s deal by sending thousands of fireflies. Upon seeing the signal, Choi Ji-Yung adjusted her performance ordingly. Thirty secondster, Oh Bok-Hee gave the final signal for the end of the CG sequence. At that instant, Choi Ji-Yung''s body trembled violently and her eyes rolled back before she copsed onto the ground. Thud. After Choi Ji-Yung''s powerful performance, the crew turned their focus to Miso. It was now Miso''s turn to seamlessly carry forward the intensity of Choi Ji-Yung''s performance. The air on set became thick with tension as any disparity in their acting levels could result in an NG. At that moment, Miso''s limp fingers began to twitch. Twitch. Twitch.@@novelbin@@ The subtle movements seemed deliberately timed with a heartbeat. Through these tiny and precise motions, Miso signaled the return of life. After a few seconds, Miso suddenly snapped her previously closed eyes wide open. Then she slowly raised her upper body and nced around as if trying to figure out where she was. R????¨¯?¨¨?? ¡ºWhy am I... here?¡» In this scene, Princess Yu-Hwa''s life was saved by the goblin but she ended up suffering memory loss as a side effect of her resurrection. Miso, who was portraying Princess Yu-Hwa, wore a fresh and innocent expression as though she had just woken from a long sleep. Then Miso noticed Choi Ji-Yung copsed on the ground. It was time for the highlight of Hwaranjeon''s Scene 50 where Princess Yu-Hwa possessed by the goblin BiHyungRang warned Princess Jeong-Hwa and Princess Do-Hwa. Sweat dampened my palms as I grew nervous. At that moment, Miso looked at Choi Ji-Yung''s fallen body and began trembling as if struck by lightning. Her eyes rolled halfway back as she pointed at Yang Yi-Ji and Jin Gong-Ju while speaking in a chilling, otherworldly voice. ¡ºI have seen it all. The karma you have umted... will bind your remaining years...¡» Miso''s performance as if genuinely possessed sent a wave of terror across Yang Yi-Ji''s and Jin Gong-Ju''s faces. Then Miso gazed at the two of them with a sinister grin. Her body shook again violently as if shocked before she fell limp, copsing onto Choi Ji-Yung. Thud. Miso''s body rested on Choi Ji-Yung''s with all her strength drained. Just like that, Princess Yu-Hwa lost her memory, leaving Princess Jeong-Hwa and Princess Do-Hwa speechless. The filming of Scene 50 from Episode 4 of Hwaranjeon finally came to an end. The poisonous mushroom incident became a tale known only to the goblin, one that hinted at future events in Hwaranjeon. *** "Cut! Okay!" Unable to contain her emotions, Oh Bok-Hee sprang to her feet and pped enthusiastically. "Miso, I love you!" At that moment, Geum Eun-Dong gently nudged her side as a signal to avoid showing favoritism. Realizing there were many people watching, Oh Bok-Hee quickly formed a heart with her hands toward the other actors. "Of course, I love Yi-Ji and Gong-Ju too~ You were amazing as well!" While the performances of Choi Ji-Yung and Miso had been central, the child actors'' reactions elevated the scene''s overall quality. As the actors shook off their immersion in the moment, the staff regained theirposure and erupted in cheers. "Hey, did you see Ms. Choi Ji-Yung''s acting?" "And what about Miso?" "I was worried about how Miso would follow after Ms. Ji-Yung''s intense performance, but that kid nailed it!" "Watching Miso act made my heart race!" The filming director expressed admiration while the youngest member of the lighting team shook his head in disbelief. The props team banged on the wind machine in celebration and Geum Eun-Dong whistled as he held his cue cards under one arm. The apuse didn''t stop as everyone basked in the moment of sess. That''s when Choi Ji-Yung reached out to take Miso''s hand and helped her stand up. Her face was full of admiration for the child actor who had continued her performance seamlessly. "Thank you so much~" "Thank you for your hard work!" This marked Miso''s final filming day for Hwaranjeon, and the curtain fell on her role with resounding apuse. *** After the child actors finished theirst scenes for Hwaranjeon, the staff gifted Miso and the others with armfuls of flower bouquets. Miso returned to the waiting tent, clutching the bouquets with a beaming smile. She looked up at me and asked cheerfully, "Uncle Yoon-Ho, did I do well?" "Of course you did." Miso then turned to Yoo-Jin. "Mom! Did I do well?" Yoo-Jin nodded with tears streaming down her face. "Miso... you were the best." At that moment, Miso squirmed a little and handed me her bouquet. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, can you hold this for me?" "Sure." I took the bouquet from her and Miso walked toward the crying Yoo-Jin. Then Miso spread her small arms and hugged her mother tightly. "Mom, why are you crying? Don''t cry." Yoo-Jin hugged Miso back just as tightly. "I''m crying because I''m so proud of you...I''m so impressed." Miso tilted her little head toward her mother. "But why cry? If I did well, you should pat my head instead." Yoo-Jin gently stroked Miso''s hair. "Alright, Miso. You did so well. I''m so proud of you." Miso''s eyes also glistened with tears as she lifted her face. "I want to keep acting with you, Mom. Is today really the end?" Yoo-Jin cupped Miso''s cheek with her hand. "It''s okay. We''ll have plenty of chances to act together again." "Really?" "Of course!" At that, both Yoo-Jin and Miso turned their gazes toward me. Their eyes conveyed an unspoken demand that I must find a project where they could act together again. I could face down corporate tycoons and major stars without batting an eye, but the intensity of these two gazes was utterly disarming. I reluctantly nodded. "I''ll look for something. Preferably a movie or drama where you can be together from start to finish!" Yoo-Jin and Miso beamed with joy. "Okay!" "Yay! Uncle Yoon-Ho, you''re the best!" It seemed like I would have to drop everything and start searching for a project for them immediately. *** We were having a wrap party at Seorabeol Pork Belly Restaurant to celebrate thepletion of the child actors'' filming. With over 100 people including extras from the historical drama grilling meat simultaneously, the restaurant owner was half-dazed and running around trying to keep up. Nevertheless, his face glowed with happiness as he saw the meat and drinks disappearing quickly. After all, today''s sales would be astronomical. Meanwhile, Lee Tae-Yeon was so upset that she had left without attending the gathering. At our table, Miso and Jin Gong-Ju sat across from each other with serious expressions. They resemble professional yers reviewing a game of Go. Jin Gong-Ju poured soda into a stic cup and handed it to Miso, offering her honest thoughts. "Miso, you were amazing earlier. Your acting was so good!" As the soda fizzed, Miso took the bottle with a smile and poured soda into Jin Gong-Ju''s cup in return. "Thanks, Gong-Ju. You were great too. Since Jin Gong-Ju''s mother hadn''t been present on set, Miso and Jin Gong-Ju had be friends at least during filming. They had be close enough to share a soda and casually review their performances. Their earnest exchange made the surrounding staff burst intoughter. Miso and Jin Gong-Ju raised their stic cups for a toast. "Cheers!" After sipping their soda, Miso and Jin Gong-Ju both shivered. "Ugh, my throat''s all tingly." "Ugh, mine too!" The two set their cups down and clutched their throats with both hands. At that moment, Oh Bok-Hee approached with a feigned expression of sadness. "How am I going to live without seeing my Miso and Gong-Ju~?" "Me too, Mrs. Oh!" "Me too, me too!" As Miso and Jin Gong-Ju hugged her tightly, Oh Bok-Hee couldn''t resist rubbing her cheek against them like she didn''t want to let go. After promising to bring the two back for at least a shback scene, Oh Bok-Hee turned to me and asked me to step outside for a moment. "Mr. Jung, can we have a quick chat?" "Of course." Curious, I followed Oh Bok-Hee outside. Next to a vending machine, Oh Bok-Hee spoke with a serious expression. "It''s about the role of BiHyungRang." "BiHyungRang? Come to think of it, Mr. Sun-Hyuk didn''t show up today, did he?" I asked. The role of BiHyungRang was supposed to start filming today, but Kim Sun-Hyuk, who had been cast for the role, had not arrived on set. "Yes, he got himself into trouble." Kim Sun-Hyuk had been chosen for the role of BiHyungRang through an audition. He was a thirty-two-year-old actor from TNT Entertainment who had striking features and a reputation for delivering strong performances. However, his fondness for alcohol often led to trouble such as drunk driving and assaults, ultimately forcing him to leave the entertainment industry a few yearster. Apparently, Kim Sun-Hyuk had gotten into a drunken fight with a fanst night. While he managed to settle with the fan, the incident could make headlines at any moment. This situation had also urred in my past life where it had been swept under the rug. This time, however, things were different. Oh Bok-Hee continued exining, "With President Yoo Kang-Seok having stirred things up with Miss Yoo-Jin''s interview a few days ago, TNT Entertainment has been ordered to discipline Kim Sun-Hyuk. He''s been fired as part of the effort to clean up risks." It seemed Choi Sang-Byung had been waiting for an opportunity. Kim Sun-Hyuk had been dropped even before he could show up on set. Since Oh Bok-Hee was telling me this, there could only be one reason. I replied, "Don''t tell me you''re asking me to find another actor for the role?" Oh Bok-Hee grinned slyly. "You catch on quickly. Do you have any good candidates in mind?" Finding someone to embody the mystical aura of BiHyungRang wouldn''t be easy. Still, it wasn''t impossible. "I can look for someone." However, Oh Bok-Hee immediately added a difficult condition as if she had been waiting for my response. "Originally, BiHyungRang wasn''t supposed to have much screen time. But we need someone who can hold their own against Ji-Yung or Yoo-Jin in terms of acting skill." "What did Miss Han say?" "Of course she''s fine with it." That left me with onest question. "How much is the budget for their pay?" "That''s the problem. Our production budget is tight, so we can only afford 1 million won per episode." "1 million... per episode?" 1 million won per episode was a decent rate for minor supporting roles with speaking lines in a broadcast mini-series. However, it was far too little to attract an actor capable of matching Yoo-Jin and Choi Ji-Yung. Even 10 million won per episode might not suffice, yet they were offering just one-tenth of that. Furthermore, that wasn''t the end of the conditions. Oh Bok-Hee added, "Also, the actor needs to be around thirty years old." "Are you serious?" "I am. I know it''s a tough ask, but please try. Okay?" It might have been possible to find someone among the experienced supporting actors if there were no age restrictions. But with this limitation, finding someone suitable became almost impossibly difficult. ''What should I do?'' I wondered. At that moment, a name came to mind. ''Han Woo-Hyuk.'' At thirty years old, he had shown remarkable acting skills upon debuting three years ago but had taken an indefinite hiatus due to stomach cancer. By now, he was likely finishing his treatment and preparing for aeback. ''I need to meet him first.'' With a potential candidate in mind, I took a deep breath and responded cautiously. "I can''t guarantee anything due to the low pay, but I''ll try to find someone after the Hwangryong Film Association in three days." As if she had expected this, Oh Bok-Hee promised she would make it worth my while. ''What''s she nning to offer me this time?'' *** It was the day after Miso''s final shoot. Yoo-Jin was scheduled to return with Lee Yung-Jin for the Hwangryong Film Association in two days, so I returned to Seoul with just Miso. After dropping Miso off at the Cheonho-dong house, I went straight to thepany. The staff were gathered near the elevator and chatting idly after finishing lunch. Despite the busy schedule leading up to the Hwangryong Film Association, the topic of conversation was thepany''s uing "employee share" which would only be avable after the year''s end. "I heard it cost tens of billions to acquire the entire Gwanwoo Entertainment. Are our finances okay?" "They haven''t finalized the payment yet. But why not just skip the acquisition? Things are already going well." "It''s not like we can decide that ourselves. By the way, my wife says we shouldn''t buy shares and should save up to buy a house instead. What should I do about that?" "The atmosphere in Actor Division 1 is all about forcing us to buy into the stock ownership n. This is driving me crazy. What if we lose money after buying in?" Gu Seong-Cheol and the team leads from Actor Division 2 had been spreading exaggerated rumors, leaving employees growing increasingly worried. In Actor Division 1, Chief Choi Eun-Seok''s insistence on everyone purchasing "employee share" was backfiring to create even more resistance than cooperation. As soon as the sunbaes spotted me approaching, they mmed up. "O-oh. Team Lead Jung, you''re here." "Good afternoon, sunbae-nims. Were you talking about the Hwangryong Film Association?" "H-huh? Y-yeah. Well, the awards are the day after tomorrow. Tae-Poong is ready, right?" "Yes." "Alright then. Keep up the good work." They quickly fled into the elevator almost as if escaping. Smiling to myself, I waited for the next elevator. Everything was falling into ce and I couldn''t help but feel more at ease. *** When I arrived at the office, Gu Seong-Cheol gestured for me toe over urgently. "Team Lead Jung,e over here for a second." Looking around cautiously, Gu Seong-Cheol leaned in and whispered. "Have you heard about Director Bang meeting with the jurors from the Suhyaejong?" Bang Sang-Yung, who had tried to block Actor Division 3''s actors from joining my team by promising a lead role in a 15-billion-won film, had been keeping a low profile after his failure. However, he was reportedly meeting privately with the jurors for the Hwangryong Film Association happening the day after tomorrow. This didn''t feel right. Meeting the Suhyaejong jurors at this time strongly hinted at an attempt to influence the awards. Just then, my phone buzzed with a notification from my nner. [Notification: A new schedule for ''Lee Tae-Poong'' has been added for November 30, 2020.] November 30 was the day of the Hwangryong Film Association. I quickly flipped through my nner to check the details. What I found written there was utterly absurd.
Ristretto''s Thoughts Ristretto: But Hwaranjeon actually sounds like such a good drama. I''d watch it Maggy: me too!!! It looks really interesting hahaha
Chapter 442: Hwangryong Film Association Preparation (1)

Chapter 442: Hwangryong Film Association Preparation (1)

[Everyday V12] [Date: November 30, 2020] @@novelbin@@ -11:00 a.m. [NEW: Lee Tae-Poong] Discovery of prior contact between Lee Tae-Poong''s associate and Hwangryong Film Association Han Jung-Joo. (Meeting Content: Countermeasures for Lee Tae-Poong''s Voluntary Withdrawal as a Nominee. Director Bang Sang-Yung''s Trap.) ''Huh? Tae-Poong won''t win the Best Actor Award?'' As soon as I read the schedule, I began trembling with anger at Bang Sang-Yung. If Lee Tae-Poong voluntarily withdrew as a nominee, his chance to win the Best Actor Award would disappear. I barely managed to suppress my anger and started analyzing the schedule details one by one. After all, understanding the situation urately was crucial for formting a response. First of all, Lee Tae-Poong''s "associate" likely referred to me. It seemed like Bang Sang-Yung intended to arrange a meeting between me and Han Jung-Joo, the jury chairperson. After that, he would ensure a photo was taken of the two of us meeting alone and create a major scandal, making it look like I engaged in hical solicitation. With the bacsh, Lee Tae-Poong would be forced to resign as a nominee due to public criticism. The solution came to me just as easily once the scheme became clear in my mind. ''I must avoid meeting the chairperson under any circumstances.'' Having made up my mind, my curiosity shifted to how Bang Sang-Yung intended to draw me into his trap. I took a short and calming breath before slipping my phone into my pocket. Then, I reassured Gu Seong-Cheol first. "Don''t worry. No matter what Director Bang tries, Tae-Poong will win the Best Actor Award at Hwangryong Film Association." "R-right?" "Of course. You''re well aware of how well Beyond the Boundary performed, aren''t you?" "Well, yes. There''s a huge difference in audience numbers." The highest-grossing film at this year''s Hwangryong Film Association was Director Choi Sung-Moon''s Beyond the Boundary, which attracted 14.7 million viewers. Itspetitor was Director Kim Seok-Pil''s blockbuster Mist Horde, which drew 10.2 million viewers. The significant difference in box office numbers made Lee Tae-Poong the strongest candidate for Best Actor. Apart from audience numbers, Oh Ji-Seok from Mist Horde was also a formidable opponent as he was known as a skilled actor who frequently appeared as a nominee for Best Actor over the years. "So rx and let''s head to the team leads'' meeting first." "Phew. Alright." After collecting his thoughts, Gu Seong-Cheol and I headed to the team leads'' meeting to prepare for the Hwangryong Film Association. *** When we entered the meeting room, most of the team leads from the actor division were already present. Kang Gam-Chan arrivedte and began praising me as soon as he sat down. "You''ve been amazing on the field in Gyeongjutely, haven''t you? I had drinks with the MBS director yesterday and PD Oh couldn''t stop raving about you." "Yes. Yoo-Jin is doing well as always, but Miso''s acting has significantly improved as well." "Hahaha. Really?" "Additionally, I''m considering casting Miso in Director Ahn Jung-Hae''s new project. President Son Hyung-Tae of CK Entertainment has confirmed investment and distribution for the film." "Oh~ is that so? It looks like we might see Miso at the Hwangryong Film Association next year, huh?" "Yes. It''s entirely possible." Kang Gam-Chanughed loudly and filled the room with his jovial mood. At that moment, Bang Sang-Yung interjected to steer the discussion back to the festival. "Mr. Kang, shouldn''t we start reviewing the Hwangryong Film Association preparations?" Clearing his throat, Kang Gam-Chan began checking the status of the actors. "Ahem. Yes, of course." Currently, Jo Min-Sung from Actor Division 1 had also been nominated for Best Actor with The Righteous Prosecutor: Go Jin-Tae, which brought in 8.9 million viewers. From Actor Division 3, Cha Tae-Hoon was nominated for the Grand Prize with Prince Han-Myung. As many of our actors were nominated, there were numerous details to be checked carefully from costumes to makeup shops and even the transportation on the day of the event. After thoroughly reviewing the schedule, Kang Gam-Chan turned to Bang Sang-Yung and asked, "Ah, and what about the jury list?" Bang Sang-Yung replied, "Here it is." This year''s jury chairperson was Professor Han Jung-Joo of the Seoul National University of the Arts. He was someone with extensive experience as a jury chairperson of numerous film awards. Despite his prestigious position, he was known for his straightforward personality. In my past life, I had gotten along with him fairly well though I hadn''t seen him since. Kang Gam-Chan reviewed the list and crossed his arms. "Most of them are alumni from Suhyaejong, aren''t they?" It was then that Bang Sang-Yung cautiously started. "Um, Mr. Kang?" "Yes? What is it?" "I''ve heard that during this Hwangryong Film Association, the Suhyaejong alumni on the jury are banding together to push for Oh Ji-Seok to win the Best Actor Award." ''So it begins.'' It seemed Bang Sang-Yung was trying to create unease in the room as part of his n to get me to meet with Han Jung-Joo. The moment Bang Sang-Yung mentioned that the Suhyaejong alumni were backing Oh Ji-Seok, a chilly atmosphere spread through the meeting room. Kang Gam-Chan crossed his arms and red at Bang Sang-Yung. "Where did you hear that?" Bang Sang-Yung hesitated momentarily with a troubled expression before answering, "I heard it from Director Lee Dong-Gu, one of the jurors." Lee Dong-Gu was a film director and Suhyaejong alumnus who also served as a professor at his alma mater. Kang Gam-Chan gave an incredulous look. "Why would they back Oh Ji-Seok instead of Tae-Poong?" Bang Sang-Yung exined, "As you can see from the jury list, most of them are Suhyaejong alumni." "And?" After ncing at me, Bang Sang-Yung added, "Well, wasn''t it because of Team Lead Jung that their pride and joy, Director Gong Hak-Beom, ended up in prison? It seems to be an act of retaliation." Kang Gam-Chan mmed the table. "What nonsense! Director Gong went to jail because of a reporter''s tip-off!" "I exined that as well, but they seem to believe that Team Lead Jung was the one who leaked information to the press and prosecutors." Kang Gam-Chan let out a frustrated sigh. "Hah... This is absurd..." Sensing an opportunity, Bang Sang-Yung pressed on. "Moreover, Chairperson Han Jung-Joo was a student of Director Gong Hak-Beom and his wife is reportedly a rtive of Director Gong Hak-Beom. They''re saying this was orchestrated by Chairperson Han Jung-Joo himself." Kang Gam-Chan looked skeptical. "What? That rigid Chairperson Han is orchestrating this situation?" At that moment, I grasped what Bang Sang-Yung was insinuating. In my past life, I was close enough to Han Jung-Joo to have casual meals with him. Contrary to Bang Sang-Yung''s ims, Han Jung-Joo had a terrible rtionship with Gong Hak-Beom. To make matters worse, Han Jung-Joo''s wife despised Gong Hak-Beom for his arrogance. She often spoke of how he belittled her mother while borrowing money and never repaying it. In truth, the two families were only rted in name and were on worse terms than strangers. However, since Han Jung-Joo was a discreet man, very few people were aware of this. It was clear that Bang Sang-Yung was shamelessly fabricating lies about Han Jung-Joo. ''So this is how you n to use Han Jung-Joo, huh?'' Just then, Bang Sang-Yung turned his gaze toward me. "So Team Lead Jung, what do you think? If it''s you, you should be able to persuade Chairperson Han, right? I could arrange a meeting for you. Just rify the misunderstanding and let him know it wasn''t your doing." Bang Sang-Yung was subtly ttering me. ''Quite the strategy, Bang Sang-Yung,'' I remarked inwardly. If I hadn''t received Everyday''s warning, I might have taken the risk and met Han Jung-Joo at least once to verify the rumors despite not trusting Bang Sang-Yung. Kang Gam-Chan then echoed Bang Sang-Yung''s suggestion. "Team Lead Jung, what''s your opinion? From what I hear, Director Bang''s suggestion seems reasonable." After a moment of deliberation, I firmly responded while holding my phone, "No, it''s better not to meet." Kang Gam-Chan asked, "Huh? Why not?" "From what I know of Mr. Han Jung-Joo, he''s not someone who would make biased judgments." Everyone looked surprised by my response, especially Bang Sang-Yung who appeared visibly flustered. Bang Sang-Yung tried exining further, "T-Team Lead Jung. Normally I''d agree with you, but this time is different. Mr. Han''s wife is rted to Director Gong and..." Ignoring Bang Sang-Yung, I said to Kang Gam-Chan, "Mr. Kang, did you know that Mr. Han and Mr. Gong barely interacted? Their rtionship was so poor that they rarely crossed paths." "What?" "And Mr. Han''s wife doesn''t even see Mr. Gong during the holidays. That''s how bad their rtionship is." Kang Gam-Chan looked dumbfounded. "Is that true?" "Yes." This was firsthand information I had experienced in the future. There was no way it could be wrong. Bang Sang-Yung seemed at a loss, clearly not having expected that I might know something he didn''t. He raised his voice with a flustered expression. "Team Lead Jung! Are you implying that I''m lying?" I ended my conversation with Kang Gam-Chan and turned to Bang Sang-Yung. "Mr. Bang. You haven''t actually spoken with Mr. Han, have you?" "W-well, no. But I heard it directly from Director Lee Dong-Gu!" "Then it''s likely Mr. Lee Dong-Gu who''s lying." I couldn''t outright call Bang Sang-Yung a liar without concrete evidence. For now, I decided to let this pass with the intention of gathering evidence linking Bang Sang-Yung to the allegations. Once I had proof in hand, I would expose himpletely. To remove Bang Sang-Yung from Hoop Entertainment for good, such an effort was necessary. Seeing his argument unravel, Bang Sang-Yung nervously turned to Kang Gam-Chan for support. "Mr. Kang, it would be fortunate if Team Lead Jung''s words were true. But ording to what Director Lee Dong-Gu told me, this time it''s really..." Kang Gam-Chan raised a hand to cut Bang Sang-Yung off. "Enough. Director Bang, didn''t we agree after thest incident that you wouldn''t interfere in Team Lead Jung''s work? Surely, you haven''t forgotten already?" "N-no, of course not. But this isn''t interfering. I''m trying to help..." "Team Lead Jung said it''s fine, didn''t he?" Bang Sang-Yung''s face turned red with frustration. Kang Gam-Chan continued, "I appreciate your concern for Tae-Poong, but Team Lead Jung has handled things well so far. Let''s leave it to him." "M-Mr. Kang! What if Lee Tae-Poong ends up not winning because of this?" "That''s a strange way to put it. Are you assuming Tae-Poong won''t win? Because that''s what it seems like to me." Bang Sang-Yung quickly shook his head. "No, no. That''s not what I meant..." "Good. Then starting now, everyone go and verify what Director Bang said!" I urgently added, "Mr. Kang, under no circumstances should we meet with the jurors." Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "Let''s follow Team Lead Jung''s advice. There''s no need to risk unnecessary rumors by meeting the jurors. Stick to phone inquiries only and report directly to me. Understood?" The team leads nodded in agreement. "Yes, sir!" "Alright then, the meeting is adjourned. Everyone except for Team Lead Jung and Director Jung Soo-Hyuk go out and start confirming things." "Yes, Mr. Kang." The sound of chairs scraping the floor echoed as everyone stood up. Bang Sang-Yung hesitated and looked as if he wanted to say more, but eventually got up reluctantly. Just then, Kang Gam-Chan called out, "Director Bang." "Yes, Mr. Kang?" "Pass this message along to Director Lee Dong-Gu: If the Suhyaejong alumni continue this behavior, we will be deeply disappointed. A year-end festival meant to be fair and impartial shouldn''t be tarnished by personal vendettas." Bang Sang-Yung left the meeting room with a strained expression. "I...I''ll try." Seizing the moment, I checked my nner. [Everyday V12] [Date: November 30, 2020] -11:00 a.m. (Deleted Scheduled Event: [NEW: Lee Tae-Poong] Discovery of prior contact between Lee Tae-Poong''s associate and Hwangryong Film Association Han Jung-Joo. (Meeting Content: Countermeasures for Lee Tae-Poong''s Voluntary Withdrawal as a Nominee. Director Bang Sang-Yung''s Trap.)) As expected, my choice had been correct. With Bang Sang-Yung''s scheme thwarted, it was now time for me to strike back. *** Only Kang Gam-Chan, Jung Soo-Hyuk, and I remained in the meeting room. Kang Gam-Chan revisited the situation from earlier. "Yoon-Ho, did you happen to speak with Chairperson Han?" I answered, "No, I just already knew about it." "How could you possibly know something I don''t..." Kang Gam-Chan looked puzzled, but I quickly changed the subject. "More than that, I''m concerned about the lie Director Bang just told earlier." "A lie? But you said Director Lee Dong-Gu was lying, didn''t you?" "I said that to deflect because I don''t have any evidence yet." "So are you saying that Director Bang might be colluding with them?" "Yes. He was likely nning to get me to meet Chairperson Han, snap a photo, and use it to create a scandal." "That''s just..." "If that happened, not only would I be implicated but Tae-Poong''s award would also be questioned on grounds of fairness and he''d lose it altogether." Kang Gam-Chan''s face contorted with frustration as everything I was saying was a usible scenario. "That scumbag, Director Bang...How dare he!" Jung Soo-Hyuk who had been quietly observing also chimed in. "Team Lead Jung has a point. If it was all a setup, Tae-Poong would have no chance of winning the award." Kang Gam-Chan nodded in agreement. Seizing the opportunity, I turned to Jung Soo-Hyuk who ran thepany''s information team. "Mr. Jung, could you start looking into Director Bang''s activities from now on?" "That''s my specialty. I can start tailing him immediately." Then I addressed Kang Gam-Chan, "And Mr. Kang, regarding this matter... may I take it to the end?" By "to the end," I meant pursuing this until Bang Sang-Yung waspletely removed from thepany. Kang Gam-Chan readily nodded. "Of course. I would''ve been disappointed if you hadn''t asked. Proceed immediately." Lee Tae-Poong struggled his whole life with dyslexia and had never received proper recognition. Even when invited to awards ceremonies, he was treated as a mere decoration. Now, he finally stood a chance to win a major award having ovee his dyslexia. There was no way I would let Bang Sang-Yung, who sought to sabotage that, remain in Hoop Entertainment. "This time, I''ll see it through to the end," I muttered with determination. Chapter 443: Hwangryong Film Association Preparation (2) Chapter 443: Hwangryong Film Association Preparation (2) After the meeting, Bang Sang-Yung and Ju Ho-Sung entered Bang Sang-Yung''s room with grim expressions and sat on the sofa. It was because things did not proceed as Bang Sang-Yung had nned. At that moment, Ju Ho-Sung asked with a hardened expression, "What are you going to do now? Mr. Choi Man-Sik was adamant about this and he won''t sit still after such a failure!" "Just be quiet! Let me think!" The n was simple as they only needed to arrange a meeting between Jung Yoon-Ho and Han Jung-Joo. After that, a reporter would take a photograph, and the influential individuals from Choi Man-Sik and Suhyaejong line were supposed to handle the rest. Unfortunately for them, what seemed like a simple task failed because of Jung Yoon-Ho''s unpredictability. On top of that, he knew far too much about Han Jung-Joo''s private rtionships. The more Bang Sang-Yung saw Jung Yoon-Ho, the more he realized he was no ordinary person. ''Damn it. Why isn''t he behaving like his usual self?'' the frustrated Bang Sang-Yung wondered Bang Sang-Yung thought he could definitely bait Jung Yoon-Ho as thetter was always proactive, but it ended up inplete failure.Bang Sang-Yung mmed the sofa''s armrest in anger. Bang! Bang Sang-Yung cursed. "What the hell! He always meddles when told not to, but why is he acting like this today?" Ju Ho-Sung sighed and asked, "Wouldn''t it be better to contact Mr. Choi Man-Sik first for now?" Bang Sang-Yung clutched his head in frustration for a while before finally speaking, "No. First, I''ll meet Director Lee Dong-Gu to discuss this. Team Lead Ju, you find out exactly where Lee Tae-Poong is right now." "He should being up from Jiri Mountain to Seoul." "Don''t just say that, get a specific update!" "Why are you so adamant? Could you at least tell me why?" "I need to pair an actress with Tae-Poong." Since the original n had failed, Bang Sang-Yung had no choice but to resort to a backup strategy he had prepared just in case. The actress he intended to pair with Lee Tae-Poong was Choi Min-Hee, a rookie from Ace Entertainment. Bang Sang-Yung had met Choi Min-Hee through a broadcasting program and knew she was ambitious enough to do anything for sess. Ju Ho-Sung immediately grasped Bang Sang-Yung''s intentions. "Would it be easy to takepromising photos?" "Oh, don''t be so naive. If someone as pretty as Min-Hee gets even halfway undressed and approaches, any man would fall for it. All we need is just one shot." "True. If someone suddenly approaches like that, it''s hard to think rationally. But do you have the paparazzi ready?" "I''ve already prepared one." Ju Ho-Sung looked at Bang Sang-Yung with a knowing gaze. Bang Sang-Yung continued, "Anyway, I n to use that photo to lure Jung Yoon-Ho to the designated location and also invite Chairperson Han there." "And it would be game over if we could get a reporter to take a snap at the right moment." "Exactly!" Though risky, it wasn''t the time to be picky about methods. Ju Ho-Sung saluted and left the room again. "Well, as long as it gets the job done. I''ll find out where Tae-Poong is within five minutes." Bang Sang-Yung took a deep breath and called Choi Min-Hee from Ace Entertainment. -Hello? Mr. Bang? "Yeah, it''s me. Send me a photo of you and Tae-Poong together tonight no matter what it takes. Use whatever means necessary and I''ll make sure you get a big push in return. Just make sure it''s as provocative as possible." -You know it''ll cost at least 20 million won and a guaranteed spot on a program for something like that, right? "Of course." -Okay, we have a deal! What about the photographer? My talent agent is too clueless for this. "I''ll attach a paparazzi to you, so don''t worry. I''ll also update you on Tae-Poong''s location soon." -Got it. Bang Sang-Yung ended the call after giving her additional instructions. Next, he called Han Yeon-Hong, a reporter from Star Patch. He had a hunch that only either Jung Yoon-Ho or him could survive after this incident. "Hey, Reporter Han. It''s me. Can you handle a job for me? Don''t worry about the money. Yeah. Head out right away. I''ll send you the location soon." After finishing his call with the reporter, Bang Sang-Yung left the office and called Lee Dong-Gu who was coborating with him on this matter. "Mr. Lee, let''s meet tonight at 8 at VIP Club Lucy. There''s something urgent I need to discuss with you." Hearing Bang Sang-Yung''s urgent tone, Lee Dong-Gu readily agreed. *** After asking Jung Soo-Hyuk to follow Bang Sang-Yung''s movements, I immediately tracked down Lee Tae-Poong''s location. Knowing Bang Sang-Yung wouldn''t give up easily, I decided to personally protect Lee Tae-Poong until the Hwangryong Film Association awards ceremony. When I called Lee Tae-Poong, he said he was at designer Jason Cho''s studio for the final fitting of the tuxedo he would wear to the festival. Jason Cho was already a promising designer and would go on to win a major award at a New York fashion show five yearster, bing an internationally renowned figure. Fortunately, Team Jung''s Assistant Manager Lee Mi-Ri and her husband Chae Sang-Woo were close to Jason Cho from their time living in New York. Despite being busy, Jason Cho had taken on the task of tailoring Lee Tae-Poong''s outfit. After calling Chae Sang-Woo in the office, I headed to JJ Studio in Cheongdam-dong with him. On the way, Chae Sang-Woo sat in the passenger seat and gave me a heads-up. "Jason Cho''s real name is Jo Chang-Sik. But he hates using his Korean name, so make sure to call him Jason or JJ." Although I already knew this from our frequent encounters in my past life, I pretended not to know. I asked, "Is there a reason he dislikes his name?" "He used to be bullied as a child because he was small and frail. His real name reminds him of those memories and he hates it." At thirty-two years old, Jason Cho was reportedly 163 cm tall and had endured bullying because of his height. Even his first love rejected him, saying they couldn''t date because of his height. Determined, he went to New York and achieved sess in fashion before returning triumphant. To distance himself from his past, he began using a Westernized name. I answered, "I''ll keep that in mind." In the meantime, we arrived at JJ Studio in Cheongdam-dong. JJ Studio was a seven story small buildingplete with a parking lot. When I called Lee Tae-Poong after parking the car, Lee Dae-Ho answered instead. -Mr. Jung, we''re fitting on the fifth floor right now. "Oh, I see. I''ll head up right away." As I stepped out of the car and was about to enter the studio, I noticed something. At one corner of the parking lot, there was a woman sitting in the driver''s seat of a ck car and staring at the studio. Upon closer look, her face looked familiar. It was Han Yeon-Hong, a reporter from Star Patch. At thirty years old, she would be the team lead of Star Patch''s Team 3 in two years and overtake her seniors. She was also a paparazzi who would do anything for money. ''Could she be targeting Tae-Poong?'' I wondered. Considering Lee Tae-Poong was a strong candidate for the Best Actor Award at the Hwangryong Film Association, it made sense. When our eyes met, she quickly lowered her hat and averted her gaze. "Mr. Sang-Woo, please go upstairs first." "I''m sorry?" "It''s nothing. I just need to make a quick call to the office." "Oh, okay. Understood." If I told Chae Sang-Woo what was going on, the news might reach Lee Tae-Poong. I couldn''t burden him with this because he was already nervous about the awards ceremony. After sending Chae Sang-Woo upstairs, I slowly approached the corner of the parking lot. *** Knock, knock. When I tapped on the car window, Han Yeon-Hong, who had been keeping her head down, cautiously raised her face. She had short hair, wore brown sses, and had a round face. I asked, "Can we talk for a moment, Ms. Han?" Creak. The frost-covered window slowly rolled down. With an awkward smile, Han Yeon-Hong answered, "Hahaha. You''re Mr. Jung from Hoop Entertainment, right? I''ve heard a lot about you from my sunbae-nims. I''m Han Yeon-Hong from Star Patch." Pretending to be friendly, Han Yeon-Hong handed me her business card. I took her business card nonchntly. "Well, I guess I''ll take it. What are you doing here anyway?" "What else? JJ Studio is the hottest spot these days. Rumor has it that male actors are all getting their award ceremony outfits here, so I came to take pictures." ''What nonsense. Does she really think I''ll buy that?'' Han Yeon-Hong was the type of reporter who fixated on a single target and stuck to them like glue. "Don''t lie to me. You''re here following Tae-Poong, aren''t you?" Han Yeon-Hong forced an awkward smile. "Oh? Mr. Tae-Poong''s here right now? I didn''t know that. I''m actually here for someone else..." "Who?" "Boy group Raven''s leader, Oh Tae-Hyuk. You know, the one who yed the character Guk-Seon in Hwaranjeon. He''s supposedly getting his outfit for the Hwangryong Film Association made here, so I''m waiting for him." I scoffed and replied to Han Yeon-Hong''s tant lie. " "Oh Tae-Hyuk hasn''t acted in any movies, so he wouldn''t even be invited to the Hwangryong Film Association. And he gets all his outfits made at PNP Studio, not here. So why don''t you be honest before you regret it?" At that moment, Han Yeon-Hong mped her mouth shut and crossed her arms. Her bodynguage seemed to be saying "Do you really think you can make me talk?" Nevertheless, I knew how to loosen her lips. "Are you sure you won''t regret this?" I questioned. Han Yeon-Hong snorted instead of answering. I shrugged. ''Looks like I have no choice.'' I spoke up. "Ms. Han, you epted 50 million won in hush money while investigating TNT Entertainment''s actor Park Doo-Soo, right?" Han Yeon-Hong''s face instantly turned pale and her tightly shut mouth opened right away. "H-how do you know about that...?" "That''s my trade secret, so I can''t say. Anyway, you didn''t share the money with yourpany, did you?" It was not unusual for reporters to ept hush money to bury a scandal. However, the hush money was typically split with thepany. In this case, Han Yeon-Hong pocketed it all herself. I knew this for sure because she drunkenly confessed it to me during a drinking session in my past life. "If your sunbae-nims or the executives at Star Patch found out about this, don''t you think they''d be thrilled? Imagine how they''d react to hearing that you didn''t share the money with thepany. Lawsuits would be the least of your worries. You wouldn''t be able to work in this industry anymore..." Han Yeon-Hong spoke hurriedly in a panicked tone, "W-wait! Please, don''t tell them!" "Then tell me who you''re here for." Only then did Han Yeon-Hong finally admit it. "Fine! I''m here for Lee Tae-Poong!" ''As expected.'' I pushed her a little further. "Did your team lead send you, or are you working alone?" Depending on whether the orders came from above, the number of people targeting Lee Tae-Poong could vary. That''s when Han Yeon-Hong said something unexpected. "I''m working alone. But for this job, yourpany''s Director Bang personally requested it!" ''Bang Sang-Yung? So this was the best n he coulde up with?'' "Is that all? Did he just tell you to follow him?" "That''s it. He said to tail Mr. Lee Tae-Poong and wait for further instructions. I haven''t received any yet." Though I could guess what Bang Sang-Yung had in mind, it was something I could easily thwart. More importantly, I decided to turn this situation against him using Han Yeon-Hong. Judging from the situation, it was clear that Bang Sang-Yung held hands with Suhyaejong alumni judges to push for Oh Ji-Seok. I said, "If you follow my instructions from now on, I''ll keep this to myself." "Anything you say. Just tell me what to do." Han Yeon-Hong was surprisingly cooperative. I smirked and beganying out a n to deal a fatal blow to Bang Sang-Yung. "From now on, follow Oh Ji-Seok." Han Yeon-Hong tilted her head in confusion. "Oh Ji-Seok? But people say he''s squeaky clean." "Do you trust the person who told you that?" Han Yeon-Hong furrowed her brow. "Ugh, that damn Team Lead Park! He lied to me again, didn''t he?" It seemed the false information hade from her superior. I continued, "So just tail Oh Ji-Seok from now on. That guy regrly loses his temper and abuses his talent agents, so you''ll find plenty of dirt." "Really?" "Yes. And with the stress from the Hwangryong Film Association, he''s bound to cause trouble soon." Oh Ji-Seok was an actor from Ace Entertainmentpeting with Lee Tae-Poong for the Best Actor Award. While his public image was that of an all-rounded sportsman who loved fitness, that persona was entirely fabricated by Ace Entertainment. In reality, Oh Ji-Seok was a habitual abuser of his talent agents.@@novelbin@@ He would punch or kick the talent agents over trivial matters¡ªsometimes just because he was annoyed, or because he didn''t like the taste of his lunchbox. Incidents like this were a dime a dozen in the entertainment industry and Oh Ji-Seok frequently crossed the line among them. If I could dig up even one piece of dirt on Oh Ji-Seok, it would be enough to deal a fatal blow not just to him but also to Bang Sang-Yung and the Suhyaejong judges backing him. At that moment, Han Yeon-Hong spoke up. "In return, I have a condition too." "What is it?" "I need material to fool Director Bang Sang-Yung. I agreed to send him pictures of Mr. Lee Tae-Poong every three hours." "Don''t worry about that. I''ll take the photos and give them to you." I tilted my phone and shook it lightly, causing Han Yeon-Hong to smirk. "Okay. Then I''ll start digging into Oh Ji-Seok." "Good. Off you go." However, Han Yeon-Hong removed her hands from the steering wheel and crossed her arms instead of leaving. "Go? Where would I go? Oh Ji-Seok is already here." "Pardon me?" "He went into the studio about ten minutes before you arrived. See that ck Explorer van? That''s the car he came in." "So...Tae-Poong and Oh Ji-Seok are inside together?" "Yep." The situation was concerning considering they werepetitors for the Hwangryong Film Association''s Best Actor Award. With Oh Ji-Seok so desperate for the award, there was no telling what might happen with him and Lee Tae-Poong in the same ce. "I''ll contact youter." "Sure~" Leaving Han Yeon-Hong in the parking lot, I hurried to JJ Studio. The moment I entered the elevator, I pressed the button for the fifth floor and closed the door. The elevator rose quickly and stopped with a ding on the fifth floor. When the doors opened, I saw a modern fitting area decorated in ck and white. One side of the space was a dressing room while the other was set up like a lounge. In the middle of it all, an unbelievable scene was unfolding. "You little punk, how dare you grab your sunbae by the cor? Let go of me!" "Not until you apologize first." Oh Ji-Seok and Lee Tae-Poong were grabbing each other by the cor. Meanwhile, the small and frail Jason Cho was sitting on the floor with his face pale as a sheet. ''What on earth is going on here now?'' Chapter 444: Hwangryong Film Association Preparation (3)

Chapter 444: Hwangryong Film Association Preparation (3)

In the fitting room of JJ Studio location on the fifth floor, Lee Tae-Poong, the lead actor of Beyond the Boundary, and Oh Ji-Seok, the lead actor of Mist Horde, were grabbing each other by the cor. Meanwhile, a man in a white suit was on the floor sobbing. This man was none other than Jason Cho, the president of JJ Studio. Next to him were his secretary and chief, Lee Chae-Hoon and Chae Sang-Woo, who were consoling him. Lee Dae-Ho and Lee Chan-Dong were trying to break up the fight, but Lee Tae-Poong and Oh Ji-Seok refused to let go of each other''s cors. I shouted, "What do you think you''re doing right now?" At that moment, Lee Tae-Poong released his grip on Oh Ji-Seok''s cor and turned to look at me. "Hyung, you see, this is...well..." However, Oh Ji-Seok kept his grip on Lee Tae-Poong''s cor and yelled, "This punk doesn''t even know how to respect his sunbaes! You''re dead today, you little brat!" I was sure Lee Tae-Poong hadn''t done anything wrong. Nheless, even if he were the one who caused the trouble, I had to take his side as his talent agent. Seeing that Lee Tae-Poong was choking from Oh Ji-Seok''s tight grip, I quickly grabbed Oh Ji-Seok''s wrist. "Why don''t we start by letting go, Mr. Ji-Seok?" When I applied force to my hand, Oh Ji-Seok''s face turned red. "Ugh! I-it hurts..." I warned him, "If you don''t let go, you''ll regret it. Please release him immediately." Oh Ji-Seok was confident in his physical abilities due to his love for fitness and innate stamina. However, he was struggling against my grip. After all, he was just an amateurpared to me. With my grip strengthparable to that of a national boxer, Oh Ji-Seok, whose muscles were only for television, was no match. "Aaargh!" Eventually, Oh Ji-Seok screamed and let go of Lee Tae-Poong''s cor. He then held his right wrist tightly while hurling curses. "Fuck. You asshole..." "See, none of this would''ve happened if you had just let go and talked," I muttered. At that moment, Lee Chan-Dongined from a distance. "Hey, Team Lead Jung! How dare you put your hands on our actor?" "Huh? Look who''s talking." Knowing about my boxing background, Lee Chan-Dong could onlyin with words. I ignored Lee Chan-Dong and turned to Chae Sang-Woo. "What happened?" "Chief Lee Chae-Hoon handed over the wrong outfit for the fitting. Mr. Jason realized thister and exined the situation to try to get the outfit back, but Oh Ji-Seok said he liked it and refused to give it up. That''s how it escted..." I roughly understood the situation. "So he threw a tantrum over something that wasn''t even his? He resorted to violence when Mr. Jason tried to intervene, and Tae-Poong stepped in to stop it. Is that right?" "Y-yes." ''That''s what I thought. Lee Tae-Poong would never grab a sunbae''s cor without a reason,'' I remarked inwardly. Having grasped the situation, I gently addressed Jason Cho, still dazed and sitting on the floor. "Mr. Jason, are you all right?" "Y-yes, thanks to Mr. Tae-Poong..." Jason Cho nodded as I extended my hand. When he took my hand, I helped him up effortlessly. He was so light because of his slim build that it felt like I was lifting an idol. That''s when Jason Cho urgently yelled out, "Watch out!" The moment I saw Jason Cho''s face turn pale, I quickly turned my head. Whoosh~ Furious at being ignored, Oh Ji-Seok swung his fist at me. I could have easily dodged it if it were just me. However, if I moved, Jason would be hurt. I swiftly turned to shield Jason. Thud. Oh Ji-Seok''s fist struck my shoulder and stopped. I immediately adjusted my stance and grabbed Oh Ji-Seok''s wrist. When he saw myposed expression, Oh Ji-Seok was startled. "What... what the hell? How can you get hit by my punch and be fine?" I grinned and responded. "Starting from now, this is self-defense. Got it?" It had been one-sided when I grabbed his wrist a moment ago, which bothered me slightly. However, with his punch, I could fight back now without hesitating. Wham! A clean body hook mmed into Oh Ji-Seok''s abdomen. Oh Ji-Seok clutched his stomach and doubled over with a short groan. "Urgh." As a top star, he probably had no memory of being hit like this, which was most likely why he had developed such a nasty habit of throwing punches so recklessly. "Do you think being a celebrity gives you a free pass? Why do you keep resorting to violence?" I shouted, my voice reverberating through the room. Oh Ji-Seok stumbled back in shock. At that moment, Lee Chan-Dong hurriedly stepped in front of me. "Team Lead Jung, stop it!" "Move. I''ll justnd one or two more punches and be done. Maybe three if necessary." "N-no, absolutely not!" Lee Chan-Dong pretended to block me but didn''t dare to try too hard. He knew he would get hurt if I really swung my fist. At that moment, Jason Cho urgently called out in a high-pitched voice to stop me. "Mr. Jung! That''s enough. Stop it, please!" I couldn''t ignore the president of JJ Studio trying to stop me. "...Understood," I muttered. Then, I lowered my fist at Jason Cho''s request and turned to Lee Chan-Dong. "Stop coveting what isn''t yours. Take your stuff and leave. If you have anyints, let''s go ahead and pick up where we left off." Lee Chan-Dong quickly shook his head. "We have noints." Oh Ji-Seok red at me while clutching his stomach with his face twisted in pain. Then, Jason Cho shouted again. "There''s security cameras here, so let''s end this. Mr. Ji-Seok, please leave. I don''t even need the costume fee anymore. Just don''te back." Oh Ji-Seok red at Jason Cho but couldn''t argue after hearing about the security cameras. Lee Chan-Dong supported Oh Ji-Seok and headed for the elevator. "Let''s go, Ji-Seok." As the elevator doors opened and the two stepped in, I called out to them just before the doors closed. "Watch your mouths. Otherwise, I''ll release the security camera footage for everyone to see." Oh Ji-Seok and Lee Chan-Dong trembled visibly. "Jung Yoon-Ho, you... you''ll regret this..." I smirked as I watched the elevator doors close. "That''s my line." I immediately called Han Yeon-Hong, who was still waiting outside. "Ms. Han, Oh Ji-Seok ising down. His face is a sight to see. Make sure you get good shots." -Oh my! What happened? "Why do reporters always want things handed to them? I''m busy, so I''ll hang up." -Mr. Jung! Mr. Jung! With Oh Ji-Seok heading down clutching his stomach in pain, there was no doubt a humiliating photo or two woulde out of this. *** While Jason Cho calmed down, I contacted Kang Gam-Chan to report the situation. "Mr. Kang. Director Bang got the paparazzi to tail Tae-Poong." -Really? Who? "It''s Reporter Han Yeon-Hong from Star Patch. But don''t worry, I''ve got her on a leash for now." -That''s a relief. So, do you think you can get testimony that Director Bang ordered it? "It''s possible... but do you think the shareholders would believe the paparazzi?" -It''s better than nothing. Let''s give it a shot. "Understood. I''ll bring her in if needed. By the way, what''s the situation with Director Bang right now?" -Director Jung Soo-Hyuk is chasing leads with his team. I''ll update you as soon as we find something. "Got it. I''ll gather more evidence to ensure we can take him down this time." -Good. Let''s do that. Bang Sang-Yung was already like a runaway train. He was bound to make mistakes, and those mistakes will give me the evidence I need to bring him down. -Anyway, take care of yourself. "Yes, sir." After ending the call, I noticed that Jason Cho had fully regained hisposure. "Are you all right?" I asked. Jason Cho responded in his usual high-pitched voice. "Thanks to you..." "I apologize for themotion." "Not at all. If it weren''t for you, it could''ve been much worse. Thank you, truly." Then, Jason Cho stood up and turned to Lee Chae-Hoon. "Chae-Hoon, we need to prepare for the fitting. What are you doing~?" The tall and skinny Lee Chae-Hoon stammered with his face still pale, "I-I''m sorry, Mr. Jason. This was all because of my mistake..." "Mistakes happen. You apologized and exined, didn''t you? But if someone still causes trouble after that, that''s their character w. Just do better next time, okay? Don''t beat yourself up over it." Jason Cho, who himself had endured bullying and mistreatment in the past, was nowforting Lee Chae-Hoon, who stood a full 20 centimeters taller than him. Jason Cho''s generous spirit hadn''t changed since thest time I saw him in my past life. In the fashion industry, many designers were known for their difficult personalities. However, Jason Cho was one of the few who truly stood out for his character. Once Lee Chae-Hoon calmed down, he retrieved a tuxedo that had been set aside earlier. Jason Cho held it up and turned to Lee Tae-Poong. "Mr. Tae-Poong, would you mind changing into this in the fitting room?" Lee Tae-Poong nodded and took the tuxedo before heading into the fitting room. A short whileter, Lee Tae-Poong emerged wearing the tuxedo. The ck tuxedo outlined the contours of his body perfectly. It was evident at a nce that the suit was tailored specifically for him. Lee Tae-Poong spread his arms with a satisfied smile. "Hyung, how do I look?" The suit was stunning, further entuated by Lee Tae-Poong''s sun-kissed, slightly tanned skin from filming on Jiri Mountain, and his wavy hair. "You look perfect," I said and gave him a thumbs-up. Lee Tae-Poong grinned broadly while Chae Sang-Woo standing nearby let out a small exmation of admiration. "As expected of JJ Studio, the outfit is incredible. But it''s true what they say: the facepletes the fashion." Jason Cho nodded in agreement. "Thanks to you introducing Mr. Tae-Poong, we''ve created a masterpiece. Thank you, Mr. Chae." Jason Cho affectionately referred to Chae Sang-Woo as they knew each other from New York. Chae Sang-Woo quickly shook his head. "It wasn''t me who insisted on going to JJ Studio. From that point, Jason Cho focused on detailed fitting adjustments. His sharp eye refined lengths and fits down to the millimetre, which was truly impressive. Mr. Jung." "Ah, is that so?" Jason Cho remarked. He grabbed my hand enthusiastically and added, "Thank you for bringing such a great model, Mr. Jung." "Don''t mention it." I couldn''t help but feel that this tuxedo would put Lee Tae-Poong in the spotlight this year. From that point, Jason Cho delved into detailed fitting adjustments. His talent for refining lengths and fits down to the millimeter was truly impressive. Jason Cho said, "The fit is slightly loose since you''ve lost a bit of weight since thest fitting. What will your weight be in two days? I''ll adjust ordingly." Lee Tae-Poong hesitated momentarily, then looked at me for guidance. "Hyung, what should I do?" Having never experienced such precise fitting adjustments, Lee Tae-Poong was unsure. I suggested, "If you n to maintain your current weight, finalize it as is. But since there''s no filming for the next two days, you might gain about 500 grams. Let''s adjust for that." I was specific with my reply since celebrities managed their weight down to the gram. Jason Cho smiled warmly and replied, "Got it. I''ll adjust the fit considering a 500g increase. After dinner, please send me Mr. Tae-Poong''s weight through my phone. I''ll ount for the extra 500g then." I nodded. "Understood." To ensure the best fit for the awards ceremony, Jason Cho made remarkably detailed requests. I had always been impressed by his meticulous nature, even in my past life. Satisfied with the tuxedo, Lee Tae-Poong wanted to select three additional suits. Time flew by while choosing the other suits and it was soon 6 p.m. We ordered simple boxed meals with bossam[1] and ate before weighing Tae-Poong again. Jason Cho used the updated weight to adjust the fitting onest time. By the time wepleted the final fitting for the tuxedo and selected the suits, it was already 8 p.m. Just as we were preparing to leave, Jung Soo-Hyuk called. "Yes, Mr. Jung?" -I''m outside Club Lucy in Gangnam. Director Bang just went in with Director Lee Dong-Gu. We''re waiting outside. What should we do? I pondered over his words. ''Club Lucy near Gangnam Station? If he''s in there, Director Bang Sang-Yung is a rat trapped in a cage.'' Then, I replied. "I''lle in person." I entrusted Lee Tae-Poong to Chae Sang-Woo and Lee Dae-Ho''s care before leaving JJ Studio for the high-end Club Lucy in Gangnam. *** When I arrived at Club Lucy, Jung Soo-Hyuk was waiting in his car. "I considered going in, but they said it''s fully booked tonight," he said. "That''s fine. I have a way." "What''s your n?" "I know someone." "Someone?" "Yes." I had a friend named Go An-Na who was a staff member at Club Lucy. Go An-Na and her younger sister, Go Yoo-Na, were brought to Angel Orphanage in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, when she was just twelve years old. Go An-Na was one of my few friends, but I lost touch with her when I left the orphanage early to escape Kang Eun-Gi. In my past life, Assistant Manager Yang Tae-Min brought me to Club Lucy after I became a talent agent, iming I needed to familiarize myself with such ces for client entertainment. @@novelbin@@ That''s when I reunited with An-Na who was working at the club to support her sister. We were thrilled to meet again and An-Na and I stayed in touch after that. She prided herself on never taking part in after-parties and promised to quit the industry after three more years. Nheless, despite her resolve, she never managed to leave. Go An-Na''s beauty attracted persistent harassment wherever she worked after leaving Club Lucy. Eventually, she returned and became the queen of the nightlife scene. Even as I rose to the position of Vice President at Top Entertainment, we remained in touch and helped each other. However, I had forgotten to reconnect with Go An-Na after traveling back in time. Jung Soo-Hyuk asked, "Is she a close friend?" "Yes. We grew up in the same orphanage. I''m also close to her sister." Jung Soo-Hyuk nodded and handed me a card. "Alright, Take this. It''s from funds that won''t appear in ounting records." "Thank you." At that moment, Jung Soo-Hyuk offered some advice. "In that ce, money is god. Don''t hesitate to spend up to 20 million won. It''ll ensure the safety of both you and your friend." I agreed as I knew what I was about to do involved digging up information on other patrons, which was a risky task. Although Go An-Na would share information willingly with me on ount of our friendship, it was better to be cautious and ensure her safety. After all, I was entering a world where everything had a price. Jung Soo-Hyuk asked, "Is there anything else I can do to help?" I grinned and replied, "Just tell Mr. Kang to prepare for Director Bang''s head to roll." "Will do." After bidding farewell to Jung Soo-Hyuk, I headed toward the entrance of VIP Club Lucy. 1. Bossam ? Chapter 445: Hwangryong Film Association (4)

Chapter 445: Hwangryong Film Association (4)

At the entrance to the VIP Club Lucy, two guards blocked my way. "All the rooms are full today." Aware that Club Lucy was a ce with only private rooms, I said, "I made a reservation." "Oh, my apologies. The name on the list is..." Before they could check the list, I pulled out the cash I had prepared in advance: it was 1 million won in cash. If the two guards split it, that would be 500 thousand won each. "The reservation is valid, right?" The guards nodded. "I''ll escort you to Room 7 right away." As expected, money served as both an ID and a pass here. Room 7 was quite spacious, but that wasn''t where I wanted to go. "No, take me to Room 11." "Room 11 is the smallest room, so it might be ufortable for you to use..." "I came alone. I don''t need a big room. I just want to spend some quiet time, so give me Room 11." Room 11 was the smallest room in Club Lucy, and it was also close to the female employees'' lounge and restroom, which made it the perfect spot to get Go An-Na. "Understood. I''ll escort you there." "By the way, has An-Nae in today?" I asked. The guard grinned. "She just clocked in. Shall I call her for you?" "Yes." The guards spoke directly into the inte. "A VIP guest has entered. Miss An-Na is requested in Room 11." I walked past the door opened by the two guards and headed downstairs to uncover the secrets of Bang Sang-Yung and to see an old friend. *** Following the familiar hallway, I arrived at Room 11. The restroom and the female employees'' lounge were right next door. I ordered a 1-million-won course that I wouldn''t even drink and waited for Go An-Na to arrive. She never answered her phone while working, anyway. Click. The door opened and Go An-Na came in, carrying a silver tray with drinks and snacks. Since this was a VIP social club rather than a karaoke bar, the standard attire was a two-piece outfit. @@novelbin@@ Go An-Na, whose beauty could rival that of a celebrity, appeared in a pink two-piece. She was 171 cm tall with long straight hair reaching her waist, and her skin was so clear it seemed transparent. Her light brown eyes were particrly captivating, making anyone who saw her think she was stunning. Go An-Na was startled to see my face. "What the...Yoon-Ho, is that you?" I raised my hand to greet her. "Hey~ How have you been?" Go An-Na put down the drinks and snacks and immediately started grumbling. "Do you think I''ve been good? I''ve got a so-called friend who never contacts me whether dead or alive." I scratched my head. "Sorry... about that." Like me, Go An-Na also had no friends. Moreover, she thought her job was shameful, so she didn''t keep in touch with our friends from the orphanage either. However, Go An-Na''s job didn''t matter to me at all. Since those from the orphanage often struggled to even findmon part-time jobs, it wasn''t unusual for them to end up working in manualbor or bars. Although I pretended to be d to see her after a long time, Go An-Na didn''t stop nagging. "If you''re sorry, meet me outside and buy me gukbap[1] and soju to apologize. Why waste moneying here?" "All you have to say is nagging after a year? You really don''t change," I replied teasingly. "Cut the nonsense and answer me. Why are you here?" "The truth is, I need to dig into Director Bang Sang-Yung from mypany and Director Lee Dong-Gu. They are both here as guests today and I need your help." It was best to be honest with Go An-Na. We had been close since childhood because we never hid anything from each other. Go An-Na leaned back on the sofa andined. "Well, you wouldn''t havee here if it wasn''t for something like that. Alright, I''ll help." As expected, she agreed readily. Go An-Na added, "Then you owe me gukbap and soju. When will you treat me?" I smiled. "Whenever you call me." "Great. I''ll call you before the year ends. Your number''s still the same, right?" "Of course." However, that''s when Go An-Na started taking out the drinks and snacks she had brought. I asked, "What are you doing?" "I can help for free if it''s your request. This stuff''s expensive, so I''m sending it back." I grabbed the tray she was holding. "Don''t." Go An-Na smirked. "Yoon-Ho, I heard you''re doing well these days. Making a lot of money, huh?" I shrugged my shoulders. "You can hear my news all the way here too?" "Of course. Everyone from the entertainment industry whoes here talks about you. How could I not know? My boy''s be a big shot." "Big shot, my foot. I''m still a small fry." "Oh,e on. You''re as humble as ever. But seriously, you and I have no one to rely on, and even saving every penny isn''t enough. Why waste money? Save it." Go An-Na insisted on not taking my money despite her own difficulties. Nheless, I had no intention of letting that happen. "Forget it. I''m here to spend freely today. And if you act like this, I''ll feel ufortable and won''t be able to see you again. You know I can''t stand being in debt, right?" I asked. Maybe it was because I said I might not see her again, but Go An-Na sighed deeply and set the tray down. "Fine. What do you want me to do?" I took out two items I had prepared in advance from my pocket. One was a small recorder, and the other was a packet of hangover relief pills and liver detox supplements. "Record the conversation between Director Lee Dong-Gu and Director Bang Sang-Yung, then pass it to me. I''ll make sure you''re protected." Looking at the items I ced down, Go An-Na smirked. "If they were tycoons or politicians, maybe. But someone like Director Bang or Director Lee? They can''t dare to touch our club''s staff." "Still, it''s better to be prepared. And your madam covers everything if you pay her, doesn''t she?" Go An-Na smirked. "Your preparations are thorough as always, Jung Yoon-Ho." Go An-Na downed the hangover relief in one gulp and slipped the small recorder into her pocket. "Press once to record and press twice to stop, right?" I nodded. "Alright then. Don''t worry and just wait here." With that, Go An-Na left the room. While waiting for her to return, I pressed the bell again and ordered more drinks I wouldn''t even touch. "Put it on the V3 course." The V3 course was a setup worth 10 million won. The waiter who came to take the order bowed deeply. "Thank you, sir!" "And tell the madam toe personally," I said, handing over another tip of 500 thousand won. It was an excessive tip for a regr waiter, but it was best to spread as much money as possible in a ce where money equaled power. "T-thank you, sir" My title shifted to "sir" in an instant. Every penny was precious, but now was the time to spend it. For Go An-Na''s safety, scattering money as much as possible was the best move. *** Lee Dong-Gu and Bang Sang-Yung sat closely in Room 3 of Club Lucy. The table was filled with premium liquor and female employees sat beside them. Another woman entered the room, but Lee Dong-Gu paid no attention and began shouting. "Director Bang! What is this nonsense? Do you know how much trouble I went through to get Professor Han toe to Samcheonggak tomorrow, and now Team Lead Jung isn''t showing up?" "I apologize. That guy, Team Lead Jung, is too sharp. He just won''t fall for anything," Bang Sang-Yung said with a solemn look. "Then what do you n to do now?" "I''ve gotten the paparazzi to tail Tae-Poong. Also, I''m nning to send a rookie actress to approach him tonight." Lee Dong-Gu''s face red from drinking changed expression. "Are you nning to ckmail him?" "Yes. Once we take photos of them together, we can force Jung Yoon-Ho toe by tomorrow noon." Only then did Lee Dong-Guugh. "Not bad, Director Bang." "So Mr. Lee, please ensure Mr. Han Jung-Joo is brought to Room 12 of Samcheonggak tomorrow. It''s the room with the ss window." "I''ll take special care of that. Just make sure Team Lead Jung gets to that room." "Understood." Bang Sang-Yung finally let out a sigh of relief. "But how are the other judges doing?" Lee Dong-Gu responded while epting the drink poured by a female employee. "Lee Tae-Poong has six votes and Oh Ji-Seok has four." Bang Sang-Yung frowned. "We only have that much even with Suhyaejong gathering their forces?" "Only that much? Let''s be real here. Wasn''t Lee Tae-Poong''s poprity through the roof this year? Even a 6:4 split is a miracle!" Realizing his mistake, Bang Sang-Yung quickly bowed his head. "I''m sorry, sir." As Bang Sang-Yung lowered his head, Lee Dong-Gu cleared his throat and replied. "Ahem. Anyway, we need to make Han Jung-Joo and his allies step down voluntarily. Once I be chairman, we''ll ce our people in key positions. Then we can flip the votes from 6:4 in our favor." "With the two votes for the Best Actor chosen byizens, one for first ce and one for second, we can add those to the jury votes to make the total 7:6 in Oh Ji-Seok''s favor. Right?" "Exactly. We''ll win narrowly, but it''ll look convincing." At that moment, Go An-Na sitting next to Lee Dong-Gu discreetly got up. She had already recorded everything she needed. Just then, Lee Dong-Gu grabbed Go An-Na''s wrist. "Where do you think you''re going?" Go An-Na''s heart sank. If they discovered she was recording, something terrible might happen. Nheless, she kept herposure and answered quickly, "Where would I go, leaving you behind? I''m just heading to the restroom, so don''t worry." Lee Dong-Gu red at her suspiciously. "Don''t tell me you''re..." Go An-Na''s heart skipped a beat, but she maintained a calm expression. Lee Dong-Gu squinted and asked, "You''re not nning to sneak into another room and disappear, are you?" Relieved, Go An-Na let out a smallugh. "Haha. You two came during the first shift, so there aren''t any other guests right now. If you''re that suspicious, why note with me?" Finally, Lee Dong-Gu let go of her wrist and relented. "Be back in two minutes." Go An-Na pouted. "It''s a big one!" At that, Lee Dong-Gu burst outughing. "Fine, five minutes." "Oppa, I''m constipated!" "Don''t joke while I''m drinking. Alright, be back in ten!" Go An-Na grumbled as she left the room, heading quickly to Room 11 by the restroom. *** Go An-Na came back to the room and handed me the recorder. "Here you go." I pressed the y button, and the conversation between Bang Sang-Yung and Lee Dong-Gu yed clearly. I finally had evidence to cut off Bang Sang-Yung. "Thank you, An-Na." "Don''t thank me. I need to head back immediately, so hurry and leave. And... make sure to stop that rookie actress from approaching Mr. Lee Tae-Poong." "Got it." Go An-Na stood up again to leave but looked shocked as she nced at the table covered in bottles of alcohol. The liquor alone on my table amounted to 10 million won. "What the heck? Are you crazy ordering the V3 course?" "I had to hit 10 million won to make sure you wouldn''t get med no matter what. And since I told the madam not to open any of the bottles, she seemed thrilled." Go An-Na stared at me silently. "Yoon-Ho, you... have changed a lot." ''Of course. I hade back after returning ten years into the past,'' I remarked inwardly. "So, do I look bad now?" I asked. Go An-Na shook her head. "No. You look confident. I like it." For a moment, a shadow flickered across Go An-Na''s face before disappearing. It seemed like my changed circumstances made me feel distant to her. I replied Go An-Na. "An-Na, you said you''d leave this industry. Let me help you. How about quitting this job now?" Go An-Na stood up. "I can''t. I haven''t saved enough for Yoo-Na''s tuition yet. I need to move us to a better ce and save more for her studies. I still have to work." I wanted to tell her she would never escape this ce if she kept going like this. However, saying that would be meaningless without a concrete n to offer her. It would only hurt her. As I still had urgent matters to deal with tonight, I decided we would talk about it over gukbap and soju someday soon. I nodded. "Alright. Let''s discuss it another time." Go An-Na stood with her subtle scent of hydrangea filling the air. "Sure. I need to get back now." "Go An-Na." "What?" "What excuse did you use to leave the room?" Go An-Na chuckled. "I said I was going to take a dump." "Oh... good luck..." Judging by Go An-Na''s expression, it seemed convincing. Click. When the door closed, I called the madam again. The madam of Club Lucy entered with hearts practically glowing in her eyes. "My, my~ sir, what can I do for you this time?" Thanks to the 10-million-won V3 course I had ordered earlier, she was acting unusually friendly. "I want to leave a tip for An-Na. Is that possible?" I asked. "Oh my~ you''re so generous." "Cut the chatter. Can I leave the tip?" "Of course. The house takes 30% and the rest goes to An-Na." I handed over my card and replied. "On one condition: no matter what happens tonight, An-Na must not be harmed." The madam took my card and smiled brightly. "Even if you sell the president''s secrets, I won''t question it." "Good. Combine it with the previous orders and charge a total of 20 million won. The amount excluding the liquor cost is An-Na''s tip." The madam''s face lit up. After all, I was boosting the revenue without drinking a single drop. "Got it~ I''ll charge it right up to 20 million won." When the madam pressed the inte, a waiter brought in the card machine. From her seat, the madam entered the amount and swiped my card. The moment the transaction was approved, the receipt was printed and her face brightened further. "Would you like a ride home, sir?" she asked with a smile. "No, I prefer to walk." The madam called out to the waiter, "Thumbs-up! Escort our VIP guest to the entrance with care." "Yes, madam!" The waiter, who had received a 500-thousand-won tip from me earlier, used his phone''s shlight to light my way. "Follow me, sir." After ensuring Go An-Na''s safety onest time, I left Club Lucy without incident. That''s when Jung Soo-Hyuk, who had been waiting for me at the entrance, rushed over. "How did it go?" "It went well. I spent the full 20 million won, though." "Who cares about the money? What about the results?" he asked anxiously. I smiled. "I believe you''ll be more than satisfied." I yed the recording, letting the voices of Lee Dong-Gu and Bang Sang-Yung fill the air. At that moment, Jung Soo-Hyuk broke into a wide grin. "Finally, we can take Director Bang down." "Yes, I think so, too." With the evidence secured, Jung Soo-Hyuk hurriedly called Kang Gam-Chan. By tonight, we would cut off Bang Sang-Yung for good. 1. Gukbap is literally soup and rice together. Depending on the soup, the gukbap changes. ? Chapter 446: Hwangryong Film Association Preparation (5) Chapter 446: Hwangryong Film Association Preparation (5) While Jung Soo-Hyuk was on the phone with Kang Gam-Chan in front of Club Lucy, I called Lee Tae-Poong. As I expected, Bang Sang-Yung had sent an actress to approach Lee Tae-Poong. Even though the paparazzi who had been nning to take pictures had already switched to our side, we had to prepare since anyone could take pictures with just a phone. "Where are you right now, Tae-Poong?" -Me? I just finished fitting and am on my way home. "Stop. Don''t go home and head straight to my ce." -Huh? Why? "A reporter is following you." I left out the part about the actress nning a physical approach on him and only mentioned the paparazzi. After all, the attack wouldn''t amount to much if I could prevent them from meeting. -A reporter is following me?"Yes. My ce in Cheonho-dong has much better security than your home right now. Let''s have you stay at my ce tonight." Currently, Yoo-Jin''s house in Cheonho-dong had security posts set up on both sides of the alley 100 meters from the house. These were installed with the residents'' permission after Yoo-Jin''s poprity soared, strictly controlling outsiders'' ess. Because of this, no one except the residents could approach Yoo-Jin''s house. -Okay, I''ll turn the car around now. "I''ll let Mrs. Jung In-Ji know, so go rest in the guest room on the third floor. We''ll talk in detail when you get here." -Got it, hyung. Even after I hung up, Jung Soo-Hyuk was still on the phone with Kang Gam-Chan. "Understood. Then we''ll wait here." Jung Soo-Hyuk hung up and pointed to Club Lucy as he spoke. "Bank President Choi Yung-Ho ising here now. Chairman Choi Eun-Tae sent him." Choi Yung-Ho was essentially Choi Eun-Tae''s right-hand man. His involvement meant Choi Eun-Tae was personally stepping in. I asked, "Are they seriously holding a board meeting at this hour?" Jung Soo-Hyuk nodded. "When I informed Chairman Choi of Director Bang''s embezzlement, he immediately gathered the shareholders. The recording was decisive." Choi Eun-Tae, who had allied with Kang Gam-Chan, nned to convene an emergency board meeting to propose Bang Sang-Yung''s dismissal. Officially, they should notify the shareholders of an extraordinary general meeting and proceed with the termination. But Choi Eun-Tae preferred to act first and handle the formalitiester. After all, no one dared to question his decisions anyway. Jung Soo-Hyuk''s face showed a light-hearted expression. "They want us to join themter. But before that, shall we grab a bite at the street vendor here?" "Sure. If we''re about to face a storm, let''s fill our stomachs first." "Right." "But what about surveince?" Jung Soo-Hyuk picked up the phone and instructed another information team. "Yes, it''s me. We''ll be eating, so keep a close watch on the entrance and emergency exits. Contact me if anythinges up." After entrusting the surveince to another team, Jung Soo-Hyuk and I walked to the food cart[1] with our arms over each other''s shoulders. *** At the cart, I called Jung In-Ji after ordering udon. Hearing about Lee Tae-Poong''s situation, she readily agreed. -Of course, I have to help. Afterall, I''m getting paid by Hoop Entertainment, too. I''ll take care of him if you''rete, so don''t worry. "Thank you so much." -There''s no need for thanks. It''s just the right thing to do. Oh, also, Miso wants to talk to you. "Sure." When the call was transferred, Miso spoke in a slightly sleepy voice. It was only 9 p.m., but it was already time for Miso to get sleepy since she usually slept around 10 p.m.. -Uncle Yoon-Ho~ Why aren''t youing home yet? "Miso, why aren''t you sleeping yet?" -I can''t sleep because you and Mom aren''t here. Yoo-Jin was currently filming in Gyeongju and Miso was with Jung In-Ji on the first floor. Miso grumbled that Lucky, Mimi, Baekseolgi, Injeolmi, Happy, and Love were all asleep, so she had no one to y with. "Still, you need to get ready for bed and sleep well. After Uncle Tae-Poong receives his award the day after tomorrow, I''ll spend the whole day with you." -You promise? "Okay, I promise." -And... um... you didn''t forget my birthday, right? Miso''s voice hinted at a tinge of concern. "Of course not. December 1. How could I forget your birthday? That''s why I said I''d spend the whole day with you. I even took leave." I had been waiting for Miso''s birthday to arrive ever since my regression. Hwangryong Film Association was on November 30, and the day after would be Miso''s birthday. Though busy with matters concerning Lee Tae-Poong, I had already made preparations for that day. Miso''s voice filled with joy upon hearing my response. -Really? "Yes, really." -Yay!! Then, I''ll go to sleep now! Miso promptly handed the phone back to Jung-In-Ji and went to bed. After asking Jung-In-Ji to take good care of Miso, I ended the call. Jung Soo-Hyuk smiled beside me. "Miso seems to be growing up so well. It''s nice to see, Team Lead Jung." "I feel the same. I can''t believe she''s already about to start elementary school." "And that''s not all. If someone doesn''t know Miso these days, they''d probably be used of being a spy." "That''s true." Previously, Miso had been a neighborhood idol, but she had grown so cute and charming that she was now a national child actress. She had also grown taller and heavier. Seeing Miso grow so much always made me smile. At that moment, two bowls of udon were served. The udon in the aluminum pot was topped with chili powder, chopped green onions, seaweed kes, and a fish cake skewer. I said, "This one''s on me." Jung Soo-Hyuk subtly brought up the card payment from earlier at Club Lucy. "Of course. After swiping twenty million won at Club Lucy earlier, you should at least cover a bowl of udon. Ha ha ha." "Should I order you another bowl?" "Oh, no! At my age, I can''t eat much even if I want to. Ha ha ha." Having uncovered Bang Sang-Yung''s weakness, everything seemed amusing to him. "Let''s eat." From then on, we began slurping the chewy noodles and blowing on them to cool them down. Slurp, slurp. The noodles slid smoothly into my mouth, making a soft sound as they went. I then blew on the seaweed and sipped a hot spoonful of broth. The savory, sweet, and mildly spicy fish cake broth warmed my chilled body. Next, I chewed on the fish cake in the udon. Its bouncy texture made me chuckle as it swirled around in my mouth. As we were finishing our udon, a call came to my phone. [Caller ID: Reporter Han Yeon-Hong] ''Huh? I wonder what''s going on?'' It was Han Yeon-Hong from Star Patch, whom I had met in front of JJ Studio. Wondering if something had happened, I put down my chopsticks and answered the call. "Yes, Ms. Han." Instantly, Han Yeon-Hong''s bright voice came through. -Just now, that man Oh Ji-Seok had a drink at a sushi restaurant and then came out. He scolded the road talent agent for driving here in this cold weather and punched him. I caught it all on camera. It was now 9:10 p.m. There were less than 48 hours until the Hwangryong Film Association. And now, Oh Ji-Seok backed by judges from the Suhyaejong alumni judges, had caused a physical assault incident. "Can you publish the article right away?" -Of course. Oh, and I just got a Kk Talk message saying the actress has been sent to Mr. Tae-Poong. They want the pictures sent to them as soon as they''re taken. What should I do? "What''s the actress''s name?" -They said it''s Choi Min-Hee. Choi Min-Hee from Ace Entertainment was a rookie actress known for hanging around PDs, someone who would eventually crumble on her own without any interference. "Just ignore it. Also, Director Bang will be dealt with by tonight." -Really? Then I''ll just focus on covering Oh Ji-Seok. "Alright. I''ll look forward to your article." As soon as I hung up, news came that Choi Yung-Ho''s party had arrived at Club Lucy. "Team Lead Jung, let''s head out." "Okay." I quickly ced some money on the table and left the food cart. Two vans pulled up at the entrance and as Choi Yung-Ho stepped out of the vehicle, ten others followed him. After exchanging a few words with his group, Choi Yung-Ho walked straight into the club. The security guards didn''t block him. Instead, they bowed at a 90-degree angle and allowed him in. About five minutester, Choi Yung-Ho emerged with a pale-faced Bang Sang-Yung and Lee Dong-Gu. Bang Sang-Yung shouted, "Let me go!" Lee Dong-Gu also said with a frustrated expression, "W-why are you taking me too? Huh?" The two were dragged out without even their coats and carried like luggage by burly men. "Quiet down. Chairman Choi Eun-Tae wants to see you, so stopining and get in the car." "C-Chairman Choi wants to see us? Why?" Choi Yung-Ho warned, "You talk too much. Just shut up and get in the car, okay?"@@novelbin@@ "F-fine." The moment they heard Choi Yung-Ho''s threat, the two obediently climbed into the van. Then Choi Yung-Ho and his men quickly left the front of Club Lucy. Watching the scene, Jung Soo-Hyuk smiled. "Looks like it''s our turn to go as well, huh?" "Yes." Just then, an article written by Han Yeon-Hong went live. [(Exclusive) Late Night Assault Incident. Strong Contender for Hwangryong Film Association''s Best Actor Award, Oh Ji-Seok, Involved in Talent Agent Assault.] -The scene of violence witnessed by this reporter while visiting a restaurant was beyond shocking. -Top star Oh Ji-Seok unhesitatingly threw punches at a young talent agent who couldn''t fight back. -When attempts were made to stop him, the situation ended in the blink of an eye. -Upon witnessing the true nature of Oh Ji-Seok who imed to only enjoy exercising, this reporter was left in utter disbelief. (Photo 1: Road talent agent rolling on the ground) (Photo 2: Oh Ji-Seok striking the talent agent in the chest while he is down) Han Yeon-Hong posted the article along with photos on the Star Patch online main page. Simultaneously,ments started pouring in. (Comments) -HeyOhJiPsycho: So being a star means you can beat people up? Arrest him immediately! Let''s file a petition at the Blue House! -SpecialForces24: What era are we living in? This guy''s got no fear at all. He kept bragging he wasn''t afraid of anything. Turns out it was true. -OnionCrunch: I had a bad feeling ever since he showed off his muscles on variety shows. I must have been crazy to like that kind of person. -CouchWarlord: Looking for party members to raid Oh Ji-Seok''s house [1/4]. It was just past 9 p.m., and the number ofments was rapidly increasing. I immediately handed my phone to Jung Soo-Hyuk. After reading the article, Jung Soo-Hyuk chuckled. "At this rate¡­ Oh Ji-Seok will have a hard time even staying on the nomination list, let alone winning the award." The Hwangryong Film Association judges would vote on the selected films and actors on November 30 at 1 p.m. While Hwangryong Film Association usually didn''t reflect personal issues in its decisions, a scandal of this magnitude would make it hard to uphold that principle. If they voted for Oh Ji-Seok, they would face national outrage. This game was mine. Jung Soo-Hyuk stretched and spoke. "Alright, let''s go bid farewell to Director Bang. Let''s head to Chairman Choi Eun-Tae''s residence in Myeongdong." "Yes, sir." Humming a cheerful tune, we each headed to our cars and drove toward Choi Eun-Tae''s grand residence in Myeongdong. *** As we entered Choi Eun-Tae''s grand residence in Myeongdong, Lee Dong-Gu and Bang Sang-Yung were kneeling on the dirt floor beneath the raised wooden floor of the hanok. On the tform above, Choi Eun-Tae, Kang Gam-Chan, and the other shareholders were seated, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a courtroom interrogating criminals. Upon noticing me, Choi Eun-Tae gestured. "Team Lead Jung,e here." "Yes, Mr. Choi." When I approached the tform, Choi Eun-Tae pointed to the two kneeling men as he spoke. "These wretched men attempted to fabricate scandals involving your actor, Lee Tae-Poong." Choi Eun-Tae''s voice echoed with authority. I feigned shock and red at Bang Sang-Yung though I already knew. "Mr. Bang, is this true?" Bang Sang-Yung trembled and avoided my gaze. Clicking his tongue, Choi Eun-Tae spoke again. "If there are no objections from the board, I propose we dismiss Director Bang for embezzlement. What do you think?" At that moment, Bang Sang-Yung''s head shot up in shock. "M-Mr. Chairman, that''s not¡­ it''s not true!" "If it''s not true, exin yourself. If you provide a valid reason, I''ll reconsider the decision." Bang Sang-Yung hesitated with his eyes darting nervously around the room. His gaze eventuallynded on Choi Man-Sik, who frowned deeply. Seeing this, Bang Sang-Yung quickly looked away. At that moment, Choi Eun-Tae shifted his tone. Then his demeanor softened into a gentle and almost tempting one. "But, Director Bang¡­" Hearing the unexpected gentleness, Bang Sang-Yung cautiously raised his head. "Y-yes, sir?" "I don''t believe you acted alone in this. So just be honest. If you tell the truth, I''ll put everything on the line to protect you. Was someone behind this?" Choi Eun-Tae''s reassuring words caused visible turmoil in Bang Sang-Yung''s eyes. At this moment, Choi Eun-Tae was trying to coax a confession about the mastermind behind this scheme. Everyone in the room including Choi Eun-Tae already knew that Choi Man-Sik was the one pulling the strings. However, evidence was needed to justify taking action against him. Meanwhile, Choi Man-Sik''s expression grew visibly tense. If Bang Sang-Yung named him as the mastermind, he would lose all justification and face the consequences with no defense. After a long moment of hesitation, Bang Sang-Yung shut his eyes tightly and finally began to speak. "Well¡­ I¡­ um¡­" 1. Food carts, or pojangmacha ???? is somethingmonly seen in Korean dramas ?
Ristretto''s Thoughts YESSSS JUST SAY IT
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