Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

To me, my parents were the people who left a helpless infant in front of an orphanage on a cold November dawn.

Fortunately, the nuns discovered me before their early morning prayer. If they hadn’t, I wouldn’t be alive because the temperature was below freezing point and the cloth wrapping me was thin.

Perhaps because Kang Eun-Gi suffered alongside his mother, his resentment toward his father whom he had never met was much stronger than mine.

Because of that reason, I answered Lee Yeon-Sil’s question like this.

"To me, Sister Michaela was both a father and a mother. So don’t bring up that talk ever again. Besides, if he really wanted to find his son, he would have come himself. Sending someone else doesn’t make sense."

My sharp words made Lee Yeon-Sil flinch, but she didn't give up on trying to persuade me.

Lee Yeon-Sil never knew her parents’ faces like I did, but she had always wanted to meet them. She believed there must have been an unspeakable reason that her parents abandoned her.

-But still. Contact them just in case. I got their business card for you.

"Business card?" I asked.

I couldn't make sense out of this situation.

'Why would the president of a large savings bank in Seoul look for someone else’s child?' I wondered.

That's when a thought came to mind.

"Maybe he’s not looking for a son but trying to collect a debt from Eun-Gi?" I asked.

-No way. If that were the case, he would have just found Eun-Gi oppa, not you.

"But they didn’t know if Eun-Gi or I was the son. They just asked if we had fathers or not, right?"

-Yes, but…

"Don’t get your hopes up for nothing and calm down. I gave up that expectation long ago," I replied coldly.

Kids at the orphanage lived with the hope that their parents would come back for them someday. But that hope faded with each passing year and eventually turned into hatred for their parents.

I went through the same process.

By age twelve, I completely gave up that hope and replaced it with hatred.

-But still, oppa…

I drew a firm line at Lee Yeon-Sil's disappointed words.

"That's enough. I’ve forgotten about my parents a long time ago, so don’t bring it up again."

-I-I'm sorry, oppa.

I consoled Lee Yeon-Sil and asked about her health.

"By the way, how are you feeling?"

-I'm good. Working in the fields with Mom every day made me stronger. Mom’s just amazing, you know? We could survive even if a war broke out with all the vegetables we grow.

"Good. Eat lots of vegetables and take care of yourself. I’ll visit soon."

-Bring me some honey hotteok from Daehakro when you come. I’ve been craving sweets!

"Okay, I will."

I let out a long sigh as soon as I hung up the call with Lee Yeon-Sil.

Though I had forgiven Lee Yeon-Sil and Kang Eun-Gi, I couldn’t feel the same about my parents.

I had never seen or met them, but their reasons for abandoning me didn’t make sense to me.

I decided to clear my mind and focus on the task at hand.

I felt I’d lose my mind to the bubbling anger if I continued thinking about my parents.

***

When I went up to the office, Lee Yung-Jin called me urgently.

I tried to run away because of what had happened with Do Ran-Hee earlier, but that wasn’t why Lee Yung-Jin was looking for me.

"Mr. Jung! Take a look at this," Lee Yung-Jin cried out to me.

"What, what is it?"

"So Yi-Yung is competing against us," said Lee Yung-Jin as he handed me his phone.

[(Breaking News) So Yi-Yung cast as the lead actress in Festival of Money]

[Star-studded cast in Festival of Money]

[So Yi-Yung's first drama choice is Festival of Money]

[Festival of Money vs In the Name of God. Who will win the Wed-Thu drama slot?]

So Yi-Yung was a genius actress who won awards as easily as eating a meal since her debut. She had always avoided participating in dramas but decided to join a competing drama in the same time slot.

"Didn’t So Yi-Yung say she wasn’t interested in dramas?" Lee Yung-Jin wondered.

I nodded. "Yes, she said she hated the chaotic scripts in dramas."

But I knew the real reason she stayed in the movie industry rather than the drama industry.

During her time at Top Entertainment in my past life, her nickname was Money Bug. She pretended to be uninterested in dramas because she was obsessed with maintaining her high value. After all, dramas didn’t pay her as much as movies did.

But So Yi-Yung's decision to leave the screen for a drama meant only one thing.

"She must have gotten a huge fee this time," I remarked.

Lee Yung-Jin nodded. "Yes, I heard she's getting paid 150 million won per episode. Including extras, it’s rumored to be 200 million won."

My eyes widened. "200 million? That’s insane! That’s on par with Jo Min-Sung from our Actor Division 1!"

The average fee for S-class actors was usually around 100 million won per episode plus extras.

But So Yi-Yung, who’s appearing in her first drama, was getting 200 million with extras. That put her on the same level as Jo Min-Sung from Actor Division 1 who was known to be the highest-paid actor in the country.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity. "This is crazy...Well, it does make sense, though. So Yi-Yung wouldn't have moved if it wasn't for that much money."

Lee Yung-Jin asked with a worried look, "What should we do? So Yi-Yung’s first drama will generate a lot of buzz."

"Yung-Jin, are you a fan of So Yi-Yung?" I asked him.

"N-no, it’s not that…"Lee Yung-Jin stuttered.

'He’s definitely a fan,' I remarked inwardly.

So Yi-Yung was the rising star of Chungmo Street, and she not only had enchanting looks but also a mesmerizing voice and acting talent that's said to appear only once in a hundred years among many different actors.

So Yi-Yung had received lots of positive reviews for her lead role in Love, That’s Nothing two years ago.

I glared at Lee Yung-Jin making a troubled expression and said confidently, "Don’t worry. Our drama will win."

So Yi-Yung was definitely a tough opponent, but I knew So Yi-Yung’s issues better than anyone.

After all, I was the one who turned her into a true top star in my past life.

***

We arrived at the filming location in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province at 6 in the morning.

Before getting out of the car, I checked the preparations for Kang Ha-Na’s MeTube broadcast tonight.

I reviewed and replied to the checklist Do Ran-Hee sent.

[Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho: I’ll come down to the recording studio after 10. Make sure the broadcast is ready by then.]

[Sexiest goddess in the Universe Do Ran-Hee: Okay~ See you later, Mr. Jung.]

After sending the KkTalk message, I turned to the back seat and said, "Yoo-Jin, we’re here."

Yoo-Jin opened her eyes wide and looked around. "Are we... eating?"

"No. We’re at the filming location."

Yoo-Jin wiped the drool from her mouth and smiled. Because she had been watching her diet due to constant filming, she had been thinking about food even in her sleep.

I thought I should clear her schedule for some rest after this drama shoot.

"And... Here's a hand mirror," I said while handing her the mirror.

Yoo-Jin tilted her head and accepted the mirror. Startled, she wiped the dried drool from her mouth and asked, "Did... you see?"

I smiled at her awkward grin. "You're still pretty even when you drool, so don't worry about it."

When I joked to cheer her up, Yoo-Jin shivered saying that I was being too cheesy. "Oh, come on. Not in the morning~"

Despite her words, Yoo-Jin's face began to brighten up.

"Alright, let's go. We need to get off for the shoot."

"Okay~"

I got out of the car with Yoo-Jin answering with a cheerful voice.

But unlike usual, the filming set was full of commotion. It turned out the news about So Yi-Yung being the lead in our rival drama had caused a stir.

The audio director frowned at the murmuring noise. At the same time, Kim Sung-Woon stopped the shoot and shouted through a megaphone, "Why is it so noisy in here!? Everyone, focus on filming!"

Kim Sung-Woon's scolding immediately restored order among the staff.

As the staff apologized and began to move hurriedly, Kim Sung-Woon shouted once again, "It doesn't matter who the lead in the rival drama is. Just do your job and stay sharp!"

With his relentless charisma, Kim Sung-Woon quickly resumed filming at a faster pace than usual.

Because of that reason, Yoo-Jin's shooting schedule was brought forward by 30 minutes.

"Oppa, I'm going to shoot now," Yoo-Jin said to me.

"Alright. Good luck!" I cheered her on.

"Thank you~!"

I watched Yoo-Jin enter the set and then headed to the van.

***

I started cleaning the car while Yoo-Jin was filming.

I wiped the seats and shook off the mats when I sensed someone behind me.

"Is cleaning a car part of the team lead's job as well? You could just assign it to the team members, you know."

I turned to see Ju Yung-In standing there with an exasperated look.

I pulled out the remaining mat and replied, "What's wrong with a team lead doing some cleaning? And my team members are too busy for this, so I do it."

Ju Yung-In pouted. "Why were you so harsh on me when you're so nice to your team members?"

'Why do you think? Because I didn’t want to get involved with you,' I silently thought.

Ju Yung-In mentioned the note she had handed over earlier with a frown.

"By the way, I heard you did a good job blocking the contract theft for Cherry Blossom. Don’t you feel grateful or feel like you should repay me?" Ju Yung-In asked.

"I could have still stopped it without your help," I replied coldly.

I spoke bluntly, but Ju Yung-In seemed to have misunderstood.

"You could just say thank you..." Ju Yung-In muttered in disappointment.

Feeling dumbfounded, I closed my mouth.

I answered by shaking the mat again.

Ju Yung-In stepped back quickly when the dust flew everywhere. After all, she had a personality that couldn’t tolerate such things due to her cleanliness. That’s why I had to clean the van twice a day when I was in charge of her in the past.

"Oppa! You know I have a dust allergy, don't you?" Ju Yung-In said as she sniffled and was about to sneeze.

"I'm sorry. I'm busy and can't find another time to clean other than now."

Ju Yung-In blew her nose into a handkerchief and looked at me before asking, "By the way, did you see today's news?"

"Are you talking about So Yi-Yung appearing in the rival drama?" I answered.

"Yes. What do you think? Do you think our drama can win against that?" She continued asking.

I could see worry in Ju Yung-In's eyes.

‘No way. Is Ju Yung-In actually nervous?’ I wondered.

Ju Yung-In's appearance fee was currently 90 million won per episode, and she was concerned because she hadn't surpassed the 100 million won mark yet.

In the industry, an actor needed to earn over 100 million won per episode to be considered a true S-class actor.

Ju Yung-In wanted to elevate her status with this project, but she seemed worried that So Yi-Yung might be an obstacle.

I answered firmly to Ju Yung-In's question about the project's success. "It’ll be fine as long as you do well, Miss Yung-In."

But Ju Yung-In was staring intently at my eyes, not my mouth.

Feeling uncomfortable, I asked, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

At that moment, Ju Yung-In smiled suddenly. "Seeing how confident you are, I guess I don't need to worry too much. And I'll keep working hard as usual. Yoo-Jin seems well-prepared too."

That's when I got goosebumps without realizing it—she was gauging the success or failure of In the Name of God not from my answer, but from my attitude.

'Is this why she asked me that question?' I pondered.

Though she was only 24 years old, she instinctively knew how to secure her success. After all, she had auditioned for the lead in In the Name of God solelybased on my choice, not the synopsis.

When I hid my surprise with a dumbfounded smile, Ju Yung-In laughed in a playful demeanor.

"Oh come on~ don’t make that face. I’m not such a bad person, oppa. I’ve just toughened up trying to survive in this industry."

She usually carried herself with an arrogant attitude and treated those of lower status as if they didn't exist.

But now, she wore a kind expression I had never seen before. If I didn’t know her personality and past actions well, I might have even been tempted by her charm again.

But I knew that a person's nature would not change easily. The problem was that pushing her away wouldn't make her leave. In fact, if I pushed her away recklessly now, Ju Yung-In might lash out in jealousy and resentment.

For that reason, I relaxed my shoulders and face slightly before speaking as if to console her.

"To be honest, Miss So Yi-Yung is not an easy opponent. On top of that, Writer Hong Jang-Mi and Producer Han Se-Hwa are formidable as well. Have you read the script for Festival of Money by chance?" I asked.

Ju Yung-In nodded. "Yes, I have."

"I’ve read it too and it pushes hard from the beginning with a fast tempo. But since the tension doesn’t drop in the middle, you’ll have to act with all your might at every moment," I added.

Ju Yung-In's voice softened as she spoke. "I like it when you speak gently, oppa. What else?"

"Miss So Yi-Yung and Producer Han Se-Hwa are both skilled at media play. If it looks like you can’t win, don’t fight. Also, ask Ace Entertainment to spend a lot on publicity."

Ju Yung-In nodded while smiling continuously. "Got it. I’ll tell our Chief to spend a lot on publicity."

But at that moment, Yoo-Jin, who had finished filming, was staring at us intently. "Yung-In unnie, what are you doing with Yoon-Ho oppa?"

Ristretto's Thoughts

Ristretto: Jealousy alert

Maggy: Uh oh. Yoon-Ho, you're in trouble~

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