Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

[A rookie MeTuber, Miss K. Allegations of fraudulent contracts.]

[She will do anything to become popular. MeTuber emerges as the source of fake news. Is this really okay?]

[Shocking! Violence and coercive language toward younger colleagues from the same company!]

(Comments)

-This is crazy. The reason she couldn't debut for six years was because of her personality?

-K stands for Kim?

-No, Kang.

-The former agency was a saint for feeding and housing her for six years.

-Damn, I'm dying to know who this is! Just give us the initials!

-Reporters avoiding names to dodge lawsuits, LOL. I understand though. Getting sued by Hoop Entertainment is scary.

-LOL, you'll get sued!

Park Ye-Seul had finished two days of training for Global Produce 47 and was in the meeting room of Eyestone Entertainment snickering while reading comments on the article.

She looked over at Choi So-Yung and asked, "So-Yung unnie! Did you see this?"

Choi So-Yung, who had been slumped over the table, sat up. "You mean Ha-Na unnie's article?"

"Another victim of Do-Jin oppa's elaborate lies, huh? Today’s meal will taste more delicious than usual thanks to this great news."

"Hey. Do you enjoy Ha-Na unnie’s misfortune so much?"

"Who said I enjoy it? It's just the truth."

"You crazy bitch. Control your expression."

"What did I even do?"

Choi So-Yung clicked her tongue. "If you're going to hide your feelings, do it properly."

Park Ye-Seul quickly covered her mouth with her hand. "And what about you? Your expression looks like you won the lottery."

"What? Don’t you know I maintain a poker face in front of others?"

At that moment, the meeting room door opened and Yang Eun-Cheol and Na Woon-Seok appeared.

"What are you so proud of that you're gossiping about someone else? You dropped to third and tenth place this week!" Na Woon-Seok rebuked them.

The annoyed Park Ye-Seul grumbled at Na Woon-Seok's scolding. "Oh, come on, it’s ridiculous that Choi Hye-Won is first."

"What’s ridiculous about it? Hye-Won is pretty and talented," Na Woon-Seok retorted.

"Ugh! Mr. Na, you're always praising Choi Hye-Won. Whose side are you on?"

Na Woon-Seok sneered. "That’s why you should work hard to showcase your charm. Singing? Dancing? They don't matter. Charm is everything for a celebrity."

Choi So-Yung muttered under her breath, "Hye-Won is being heavily promoted by her agency lately, but our president just talks and doesn't act on it at all."

Yang Eun-Cheol's face hardened for a moment. "Choi So-Yung! Watch your mouth!"

"Ugh, what? Did I say something wrong?" Choi So-Yung yelled back.

Then, Na Woon-Seok spoke to Yang Eun-Cheol with a cold expression. "By the way, Chief Yang. The issue with Kang Ha-Na is being handled well, I heard?"

"Ah, yes, sir. Do-Jin is working on it."

"Tsk tsk. Look at Ha-Na suffering because she dared to leave me. That bitch shouldn't have..."

"This is all on her. She wouldn't be going through this if she hadn't underestimated you, Mr. Na."

Listening to the two's conversation, Choi So-Yung swallowed hard when she realized that they were the ones behind Kim Do-Jin's sudden attack on Kang Ha-Na.

She realized the reason they were having this conversation in front of them was to warn the girls that they, too, would face the same consequences if they ever crossed the line.

"I-I'm sorry, Mr. Na. I just got a bit emotional…" Choi So-Yung stammered.

Seeing the two bow their heads hurriedly, Na Woon-Seok shrugged as if he didn't understand why.

"It's okay. These things can happen when you're working. Just make sure to take care of your own responsibilities. Got it?"

Park Ye-Sul and Choi So-Yung nodded, looking dejected.

Na Woon-Seok gave instructions to Yang Eun-Cheol with a satisfied expression. "Tell Do-Jin to push harder. Why is he holding back now that he's left the company, huh?"

"Should we tell him to try to bring Kang Ha-Na down completely this time?" Yang Eun-Cheol asked.

"Just hearing that makes me feel better. Go ahead. I'll call the reporters and make sure they engage fully in this plot."

As the conversation between Yang Eun-Cheol and Na Woon-Seok continued, Park Ye-Sul and Choi So-Yung's expressions grew increasingly grim.

***

Lee Dong-Min, Yoo-Jin, and I arrived in front of the villa in Jamsil where Jo Soo-Yung and her daughter Yu-Mi lived.

I had initially planned to come with Lee Dong-Min alone, but Yoo-Jin insisted on joining after hearing about the situation.

"Yoo-Jin, there was no need for you to come along..." I told her.

However, Yoo-Jin shook her head holding paper bags in both hands. "I know the work of the single mothers' support center the best."

To help Jo Soo-Yung and ask for her testimony, I planned to check if the single mothers' support center, Hansarang, could send some support over. However, Yoo-Jin overheard my conversation with them and insisted on coming along to help herself.

After all, Yoo-Jin regularly donated to Hansarang and helped single mothers.

Lee Dong-Min once again told her to stay in the car, but Yoo-Jin insisted on following us inside.

"Alright then. However, make sure you don't get involved if things get tense. Got it?" Lee Dong-Min reminded her.

Yoo-Jin nodded. "Yes, Mr. Lee!"

With that, the three of us headed to the basement of the shabby villa where Jo Soo-Yung lived.

Ding-dong.

A subdued voice came from inside when the doorbell rang.

-Who... is it?

It was the voice of a young woman in her early twenties.

"Hello. Ms. Jo Soo-Yung, we are from Hoop Entertainment."

-Why…why are people from Hoop Entertainment here? Is it because of Do-Jin oppa? I have nothing to do with him. Do-Jin oppa and I broke up. It's been a while since we met too. I feel sorry for Ha-Na unnie, but I have nothing to say.

Her voice was slightly fearful, so I hurriedly reassured her.

"No, that's not why we're here. We came here to help you. We also have something for Yu-Mi as well."

-Who's Yu-Mi?

It seemed like she was trying to hide the fact that she had a child.

"We came here knowing everything, Ms. Soo-Yung."

At that moment, I heard a child’s laughter in the background over the intercom.

-No, be quiet!

Just as I was about to persuade her to open the door again, Yoo-Jin shouted from behind me.

"Ms. Soo-Yung, we’re here to inform you about the support available from the single mothers' organization. They can help with hospital bills and basic living expenses as well. Please open the door! I also brought clothes and shoes for the baby."

-Huh? Wait, is this…Jung Yoo-Jin’s voice?

I stepped aside so that Yoo-Jin’s face could be seen on the intercom.

Yoo-Jin, holding the paper bags, smiled brightly at the intercom.

-Just, just a moment. I’ll open the door right away.

After the intercom clicked off, the door opened shortly after.

Clack.

As we entered, the smell of baby formula hit us.

The 22-year-old Jo Soo-Yung was holding her baby while wearing a blue tracksuit. The baby's clothes were clean, but they were clearly hand-me-downs.

The baby in Jo Soo-Yung's arms giggled as she looked at us.

"Come on in," Jo Soo-Yung said softly.

Once a promising idol trainee, Jo Soo-Yung welcomed us with disheveled hair as a mother now.

"Your baby is beautiful," Yoo-Jin said with a smile.

A faint smile appeared on Jo Soo-Yung's exhausted face. "Thank you."

Jo Soo-Yung bowed slightly and gestured to the narrow living room floor. "Please have a seat here. I'll get you something to drink."

At that moment, Yoo-Jin handed over the paper bags she was holding and said, "We've already eaten. More than that, Ms. Soo-Yung. Would you like to check this out instead?"

Yoo-Jin began pulling out various baby items from the paper bags from clothes and shoes to dresses and gloves.

Thanks to this, Jo Soo-Yung's face brightened a little more. "Wow, they're beautiful..."

"These will look great on Yu-Mi. Can we try them on her right now?" Yoo-Jin asked in a bright voice.

Jo Soo-Yung smiled slightly. "Are you giving all of this to me?"

"Of course!"

As Jo Soo-Yung lowered her head, Yoo-Jin waved her hand. "Come on, let's get Yu-Mi changed into these."

Jo Soo-Yung nodded and started to undress Yu-Mi.

In the meantime, Lee Dong-Min and I turned away while waiting for her to change Yu-Mi’s clothes.

A moment later, the child's laughter filled the room.

"Kya ha ha ha!"

Yu-Mi seemed to be in a good mood perhaps because she liked her new clothes.

"She's all dressed."

When I turned around, I saw Yu-Mi looking cute and adorable just like in the videos on Jo Soo-Yung's MeTube channel in my past life.

"She looks pretty," I remarked.

"Right? Isn't she as pretty as Miso?" Yoo-Jin concurred.

Jo Soo-Yung waved her hand dismissively. "Not at all, Miss Yoo-Jin. You can't compare her to Miso."

"Oh, come on. Yu-Mi is really pretty too, right?" Yoo-Jin added.

Yu-Mi made a happy sound. "Umama mama!"

At that moment, Yu-Mi in a pink baby dress looked at me. "Papa!"

I scratched my head "Huh?"

Suddenly, Yu-Mi reached out her hands toward me.

"No, Yu-Mi. You can't... No."

Jo Soo-Yung tried to hold Yu-Mi back, but the child whined and began crawling toward me.

"Papa!"

At that moment, Yoo-Jin laughed playfully. "Oh my, it seems like Yu-Mi likes Yoon-Ho oppa."

I extended my hands upon hearing Yoo-Jin's words.

Jo Soo-Yung stood up to get a bib in concern that Yu-Mi might drool and dirty my clothes, but I stopped her.

"It's okay. Don't worry about it," I reassured her.

As Jo Soo-Yung let go of Yu-Mi with an apologetic expression, Yu-Mi crawled over and grabbed my clothes, pulling herself up.

Holding onto me with her tiny hands, Yu-Mi looked up at me with a wide smile.

"Papa papa!"

Yu-Mi smiled angelically with her chubby face.

I extended both arms and supported her back and bottom with my hands. "Yu-Mi, what is it~?"

Yu-Mi giggled and buried her head in my chest. "Mama!"

That's when Jo Soo-Yung exclaimed in surprise. "Oh my, what is up with her today?"

Yu-Mi nestled snugly in my arms and rubbed her face against my shirt while clutching me tightly as if she didn’t want to let go.

Her cute actions made me smile involuntarily, almost forgetting why I had come in the first place.

I held Yu-Mi tightly in my arms and asked Jo Soo-Yung, "If you don't mind me asking, when did Mr. Kim Do-Jin stop coming here?"

Jo Soo-Yung, who was still flustered by Yu-Mi's behavior, let out a deep sigh. "It’s been about a month."

"A month ago, huh? That's around when his channel had around 200,000 subscribers."

Jo Soo-Yung acknowledged her situation with a clear understanding. "He probably doesn't want to be tied down to Yu-Mi and me now that he's making enough money."

"Ms. Soo-Yung, how do you plan to manage without Mr. Do-Jin’s help?"

"I’m not sure yet. Raising Yu-Mi alone is already overwhelming. Besides, Do-Jin oppa never really helped us anyway."

At that moment, Yoo-Jin began explaining the support available from the organization. Thanks to her, Jo Soo-Yung’s face brightened significantly.

After listening to everything, Jo Soo-Yung turned to me and said, "You came because of Ha-Na unnie, right?"

Jo Soo-Yung, who had exposed Kim Do-Jin and helped Kang Ha-Na in my past life, mentioned Kang Ha-Na.

I hesitated for a moment but decided to answer honestly, realizing that lying to someone who already knew the truth was foolish.

"Yes. Although it sounds a bit selfish, that's the reason we came today."

After a brief contemplation, Jo Soo-Yung asked, "Then…if it's not too much to ask, how much can you help me? I really need help raising Yu-Mi…"

Jo Soo-Yung put aside her pride for her child.

Thanks to her courage, it became easier to talk.

"In addition to the support from the single mothers' organization, I'll help you get back on stage."

Jo Soo-Yung blinked in surprise. "I'm sorry?"

Seeing her confused expression, I began to explain in detail. Though becoming an idol again might be difficult, she could start anew as a MeTuber. Signing a contract with our company could allow her to live in a much better environment than now.

Jo Soo-Yung's face started to light up as she listened to my explanation.

"I'd love to bring you into Hoop Entertainment, but it's tough to bring you in right away because of the entanglement with Mr. Do-Jin and Ha-Na. So I'd like to introduce you to another company first for the time being."

"Which one?"

"Altoran."

Before coming here, I had called Park Woo-Min of Altoran Entertainment where Choi Ji-Yung was. Because Altoran Entertainment had recently started managing MeTubers, they readily accepted my proposal—although it was practically a favor because I helped with the incident involving Choi Ji-Yung.

"They offered a signing bonus of around 10 million won and a 70-30 revenue split after deducting editor fees. Considering your current situation, they said they'll support you with the minimum living expenses in advance."

After a brief hesitation, Jo Soo-Yung asked again, "Do you think I can do it?"

"Don’t worry too much. A producer will be assigned to you."

"Th-then what do I need to do there?"

"You can utilize your original skills to broadcast. You can do dances or song covers. With some makeup, I bet you could outshine most streamers. You can occasionally appear with Yu-Mi as well."

Though not made up now, Jo Soo-Yung was quite pretty. And above all, she had the secret weapon—Yu-Mi.

Jo Soo-Yung asked cautiously, "Then what you want in return is... for me to testify against Do-Jin oppa's lies, right?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

I thought it would be difficult for her, but Jo Soo-Yung readily agreed to my surprise.

"Okay. I'll testify about what Do-Jin oppa has done until now. I'll also refute all the rumors related to Ha-Na unnie."

Jo Soo-Yung was being courageous for her child.

"Thank you so much, Ms. Soo-Yung. I will do my best to help you."

After a brief moment of contemplation, Jo Soo-Yung opened a drawer and took out dozens of photos. There were photos of Jo Soo-Yung herself injured, photos of her mother beaten, and even photos of baby Yu-Mi with bruises. The photos I had seen in my past life were nothing compared to these photos.

Seeing the photos of the injured baby, Yoo-Jin's eyes flashed with anger. "Ms. Soo-Yung, such trash should be in jail! I will actively help you from now on, so don't worry too much!"

"I would do anything for Yu-Mi," said Jo Soo-Yung with a new determination in her eyes.

Shakespeare once said, "Women are weak, but mothers are strong." Jo Soo-Yung, who became a mother at a young age like Yoo-Jin, was anything but weak.

At that moment, Yu-Mi in my arms suddenly burst into laughter. "Papa! Mama~!"

Thanks to her, smiles began to spread across our faces and eased the tension from the heavy conversation.

I looked tenderly at Yu-Mi. "Yes, Yu-Mi. Let's only meet good people from now on, okay? I'll take good care of you."

Yu-Mi shouted as if she understood my words and smiled brightly. "Papa!"

Ristretto's Thoughts

Ristretto: Even babies love Jung Yoon-Ho. He should just debut at this point LOL

Yojj: Not with those dancing skills…

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