Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

Knock knock.

“Mr. Kang. It’s Yoon-Ho.”

"Yes, come on in."

As I entered the president's office, Kang Gam-Chan's praise followed.

"You did a great job. Thanks to you, we avoided a big mess."

Kang Gam-Chan told me I did well and worked hard. His face was full of smiles as he patted my shoulder. He also mentioned that negotiations had concluded well to ensure that the rookie actress, who almost became a victim of a terrible crime, would be protected by making sure her photos were published with a mosaic if needed.

Furthermore, he had received a firm response that Choi Jun-Woo would receive the maximum sentence. Even the police and the prosecutor had promised not to inquire about my identity.

"Ah, and I should give you this first."

"Huh?"

Kang Gam-Chan handed a white envelope to me. When I made a puzzled expression with the envelope in my hand, Kang Gam-Chan opened his mouth.

"What are you doing? Check it out. I can only show off if you check it."

What Kang Gam-Chan handed to me in the president's office was a check—but not just any check. It was a million won check. And there were three of them.

"Three million won?" I asked, not quite understanding the reason behind this unexpected bonus.

"It’s a year-end bonus. The Choi Jun-Woo incident was a huge help to the company. It surely silenced those who were grumbling about your promotion."

Thanks to me preventing In the Name of God from going under because of Choi Jun-Woo, Kang Gam-Chan said he had received a firm commitment from Lee Ji-Yeon to cast two actors from Hoop Entertainment in her next drama.

"So let's make sure to get the calculations right," Kang Gam-Chan said.

'Man. He is awesome.'

I took the envelope and bowed my head in gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Kang."

But suddenly, Kang Gam-Chan’s expression turned stern.

"And there's something I always say..."

However, I knew exactly what he was going to say next.

"Are you about to say that it's not over until we step on stage?"

Kang Gam-Chan cracked a smile at my quick response. "No, it's not over even when we're on stage. It’s only over when the curtain falls."

The saying ‘it's not over until we step on stage’ was Kang Gam-Chan's catchphrase. It was a saying that I, too, had adopted and frequently repeated after being influenced by him.

But today was the first time I heard the next part of his saying.

‘It's not over until the curtain falls? In that case...’

"Are you saying we should work ourselves to death?"

Kang Gam-Chan laughed with a grin. "Haha. The interpretation is up to each individual."

But at that moment, I noticed that Kang Gam-Chan was wearing the same clothes as he had two days ago. Looking at how the collar and cuffs of his shirt were grimy, I could tell that he hadn't gone home at all.

‘Working so hard must have contributed to his stroke.’

After a brief moment of contemplation, I broached the topic of Kang Gam-Chan's health.

"Mr. Kang, when was the last time you had a health check-up?"

Kang Gam-Chan rolled up his sleeves to flaunt his muscular arms. "A health check-up? Why? Do I look like I lack energy?"

Despite his old age of 60, his muscles were even more defined than mine. If it weren't for his face, he could pass for an active UFC fighter.

But I continued to speak with concern. "You must go for regular check-ups, Mr. Kang. I've heard that President Kim of Louis Entertainment and the president of Stepping Stone Entertainment couldn't focus on management due to health deterioration, which was how the company went into disarray."

My earnest tone wiped the smile off Kang Gam-Chan's face. In my past life, I was not the type to speak out or make my superiors uncomfortable. Even while cleaning up after Kim Dong-Soo, I only grumbled as I endured any unpleasant tasks.

But having died once and having a second chance at life, I couldn't live exactly as I had before. I had to do the right thing even if it meant being nagged and cursed at.

I prepared myself for the scolding I expected from Kang Gam-Chan and closed my eyes tightly.

But Kang Gam-Chan did not scold me.

"…Geez. I must really be getting old, considering how a young guy like you is worrying about me after just one night without sleep."

When I opened my eyes, I could see a hint of bitterness on Kang Gam-Chan's face.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Kang."

As I bowed deeply, Kang Gam-Chan came to my side and pulled me up.

"Don't bow so frivolously because I’m not reprimanding you. Keep bowing and it will only become a habit."

"You always say that a talent agent's flexibility is the key…"

Kang Gam-Chan looked at me with warm eyes and spoke again. "Do I really look that tired to you?"

"Yes, sir…"

Dark circles hung heavily under Kang Gam-Chan’s eyes, making him resemble a panda.

‘That’s probably due to his habit of sleeping poorly in saunas after consecutive drinking sessions to sign contracts.’

Kang Gam-Chan slowly opened his mouth after a moment of contemplation.

"Kang Ji-Yung has also been pestering me to go for a health check-up."

"Then…"

"Alright. I'll join the staff for the New Year's health check-up. Are you satisfied now?"

I grinned and bowed my head. "Thank you for accepting the loyalty of your employee."

"Loyalty? What is this, the Joseon era? Anyway, let's end this topic here. By the way, watching you these days reminds me a lot of my younger days. It's pleasing and energizing."

I deflected the credit to those around me. "Not at all. Everything I did was only possible because you and the chiefs gave me many opportunities."

Kang Gam-Chan let out a quiet chuckle at my response. "Does giving opportunities always lead to success? Frankly, even I might not have been able to achieve what you did with Yoo-Jin’s advertisement deal. You did really well."

My heart swelled with gladness at Kang Gam-Chan's praise. In my past life, I had never received such praise from him. The only thing I had ever heard was 'You’ve worked hard.'

Kang Gam-Chan continued to praise each thing I had done with fond affection in his eyes.

"Just keep doing as you are now."

"Yes, sir! I will continue to give it my all."

"No, just work hard. There's no need to go as far as giving it your all."

Indeed, I had worked myself to death in my previous life.

‘I should work hard but not to the point of death this time.’

"By the way, I spoke with Yoo-Jin over the phone. And..."

Kang Gam-Chan's expression became strange for a moment as he continued.

"How did you find out?"

"About what, sir?"

"How did you find out that Miso is Yoo-Jin's daughter?"

It was rather opportune that Kang Gam-Chan had brought up this issue that needed sorting eventually and I felt that I should take this opportunity to clarify and move on.

"I found out when the firefighters were asking about Miso's family while dealing with the gas leak accident."

As I calmly responded to Kang Gam-Chan's inquiries, he couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment.

"Now that I think about it, you were at the accident scene then too. How many accidents have you been in? It seems like you're really getting rid of bad luck this year."

Thus, Kang Gam-Chan came to share this secret with Yoo-Jin and me

"Take good care of her, Yoon-Ho. She's a kid with a lot of pain."

"Yes, Mr. Kang."

Kang Gam-Chan nodded his head. "And the fact that Miso is Yoo-Jin's daughter will be properly announced through the publicity division, so don't worry too much."

It seemed like Kang Gam-Chan noticed my concern about the trashy articles that would explode if Yoo-Jin became popular.

"Yes, sir."

I bowed my head but had no intention of just sitting back and doing nothing. After all, I was much better than Kang Gam-Chan when it came to dealing with nasty reporters.

***

Ju Yung-In sat on the sofa inside Kim Dong-Soo’s office and made a deep frown as she opened her mouth.

"Mr. Kim. You seem too busy recruiting new actors to care about me recently, right?"

Kim Dong-Soo turned pale at Ju Yung-In's prickly tone and shook his head hastily.

"What do you mean? Did Team Lead Kang treat you poorly by chance? Weren’t you confirmed for the lead role in the new drama?"

Lately, Ju Yung-In had been confirmed as the female lead in SBC's new drama Wind, Cloud, Moon.

"Why would you bring up Team Lead Kang?"

Ju Yung-In’s attitude didn’t fit that of an actress who had just secured a leading role—she was far too indifferent.

When Kim Dong-Soo clarified, an unexpected reply came from Ju Yung-In. "I don’t like that drama. I'm drawn to a different drama, Mr. Kim. What should I do?"

Then, Kim Dong-Soo panicked and raised his voice. "Hey! You’ve just passed the audition for the lead role after so much effort! What do you mean you don’t like that drama!?"

When Ju Yung-In’s expression immediately soured, Kim Dong-Soo instantly regretted raising his voice. Once Ju Yung-In got upset, she could go for days without speaking.

"Sorry, sorry. Let’s hear about what drama you’d like to appear in before we decide anything."

After hesitating for a moment, Ju Yung-In spoke up. "Blue Sky."

Unsure if he had heard her correctly, Kim Dong-Soo asked again. "What did you say?"

"Blue Sky—the drama that Jung Yoo-Jin just joined. Don't you know it?"

"That's not possible! It's written by a rookie writer!"

Kim Dong-Soo tried to hide his dismay and dissuade her.

To abandon Wind, Cloud, Moon, in which she had already secured a lead role, just for another drama by an unknown writer was unthinkable.

"Yung-In, why are you acting this way? Why don’t you choose a different drama by a famous writer instead? I’ll arrange it for you, just as you wish."

But Ju Yung-In shook her head in disdain.

"This is why I told you to read the scripts when you have time."

"Why should I read them?"

"You are so frustrating! I’m saying the script for Blue Sky is good!"

In the face of Ju Yung-In's irritation, Kim Dong-Soo could only blink his eyes with a puzzled look.

Kim Dong-Soo was not confident in his ability to select promising dramas. Yet, he had managed to climb his way to success without any major issues. As a talent agent, maintaining a network with famous actors, renowned directors, and celebrated writers alone ensured a high success rate.

He took a moment to steady his breathing and looked at Ju Yung-In. While the quality of a drama often depended on the writer’s potential, he knew Ju Yung-In was not the type to carelessly abandon a leading role she had secured just because of a good script.

"Is that all?" he asked.

Ju Yung-In snorted. "You don't need to know everything. Just trust me this time and do as I ask. You know I have a good instinct."

Silence fell between the two for a moment. However, the one to bow his head in the end was Kim Dong-Soo, as always.

"Alright. I'll talk to the PD and apply for the audition. Since you boasted so much, you'd better secure the lead role."

"Do you not know who I am?" Ju Yung-In said with a smug expression, causing Kim Dong-Soo to relax.

"That's right. My actress should have that kind of confidence. Alright."

But Ju Yung-In was thinking something else.

'Kim Dong-Soo isn't quite cutting it. I need someone more capable than him.'

At that moment, one man's face flashed through her mind—Jung Yoon-Ho. He was said to have an exceptional eye for quality works, unlike Kim Dong-Soo.

‘Why does it matter that his rank is lower than Kim Dong-Soo anyway?’

After all, a talent agent's rank was proportional to the popularity of the celebrity they managed.

'What should rank matter if he is capable?'

A smile spread across Ju Yung-In's lips and grew more pronounced.

***

A frantic week passed by.

As expected, the bankruptcies of Stepping Stone and Louis Entertainment had a ripple effect on the entire industry.

Talent agents and actors from both companies were in disarray over the issue of transferring to other companies, which led to frequent tardiness on set.

This caused the PDs to unleash all sorts of frustration. Thanks to this, talent agents working on-site also sweated bullets trying to catch a break amidst the heightened scrutiny.

I was momentarily distracted from the repercussions of the industry's turmoil but was just as consumed by the frenzy of Yoo-Jin's audition preparations.

Then, it was finally January 7th of 2020, the day of the Blue Sky audition.

Creak!

We arrived at the Blue Dragon Studio in Gangbuk. The Blue Dragon Studio, belonging to one of Korea's top production studios, was as imposing as a huge broadcasting station itself.

A staff member who had come to meet us in the parking lot guided Yoo-Jin and me to the audition waiting room. "Over here. Please follow me this way."

"Don't worry. Just do as you always do and you'll definitely pass. Don't be scared."

"I'm not scared. I took some Uhwang-Cheongsimhwan[1]before coming."

"Really?"

Perhaps the pill was taking effect because Yoo-Jin's expression was calm, almost like a Tibetan monk on the verge of enlightenment.

‘Having a clear mind free of any thought or worry—something like that?’

I hadn't informed Yoo-Jin that she was recommended by the writer. As such, Yoo-Jin believed she was just attending a regular audition.

[Audition Waiting Room]

As I opened the door to the waiting room in the studio, there was already one actress waiting there—Park Jin-Hee.

In my past life, she was an actress who enjoyed a short-lived heyday of about a year and a half after playing the role of Twilight.

'What is she doing here?’

Because I had heard that the role of Twilight was virtually confirmed for Yoo-Jin by the writer's recommendation, I couldn't understand Park Jin-Hee's presence in the audition studio.

"Hello, I'm Park Jin-Hee.” Park Jin-Hee recognized us first and greeted us as her eyes met with Yoo-Jin’s.

Park Jin-hee had an egg-shaped face with big eyes. She was a doll-like beauty who had long charmed the home viewers ever since she started out as a child actor. However, despite her cute appearance, her personality was known to be prickly and sensitive.

Being unaware of such a fact, the startled Yoo-Jin greeted her in return.

"Oh! I should have greeted you first. I'm sorry, Park Jin-Hee sunbae-nim. My name is Jung Yoo-Jin."

"It's okay. And please speak comfortably with me. You're older than me, after all."

"But how could I possibly speak casually to such a respected sunbae-nim..."

Park Jin-hee let out a slight laugh and complimented Yoo-Jin’s acting. "Then do as you please. I'll do the same. But unnie, I saw the drama you were in. Your acting was remarkable."

To an outsider, it might seem like she was fostering camaraderie with Yoo-Jin. But that was in fact her way of putting up her guard against Yoo-Jin.

"Oh, not at all. It was my first drama ever, so I was just fumbling around."

"Ah, you're too modest. Anyway, let's both do well today."

"Yes, sunbae-nim."

"I’ll go ahead then."

Giving a cute cheering pose using both hands, Park Jin-Hee went into the audition room first.

Yoo-Jin looked slightly moved after Park Jin-Hee left.

"Oppa, there are some nice people in the entertainment industry. All the people my age I've seen so far have been so prickly. But that sunbae-nim seems different."

I was dumbfounded.

‘Park Jin-Hee? Nice?’

I shook my head in disbelief.

1. a calming pill formulated with thirty-odd herbs and other medicinal ingredients ☜