Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

"70 million won per year! And if the viewership ratings exceed 10%, I'll give you an additional 50 million won instead of 30!" Yang Eun-Jung countered.

She reduced the initial fixed fee and increased the conditional payment instead.

Yang Eun-Jung seemed to think that Master of Mukbang's viewership ratingswouldn't exceed 10%, but I was confident it could easily surpass it.

Yang Eun-Jung spoke to us confidently. "Well? How about it? If the viewership ratings exceed 10%, you'll gain an additional ten million won. Isn't that good? But if it doesn't, then you wouldn't get anything extra."

Lee Yung-Jin glanced at me to ask, 'What should we do?'

I shot him a look of confidence. 'Deal!'

The two of us nodded simultaneously as our eyes met.

Lee Yung-Jin stood up abruptly and bowed. "Thank you, Mrs. Yang!"

I also stood up and bowed deeply. Even though it was a conditional offer, securing over a hundred million won was still impressive.

"Of course, Mrs. Yang."

Yang Eun-Jung stared at us for a moment and then nodded. "I heard Hoop Entertainment is doing well these days. It must be because the young team leads and subordinates are so full of spirit."

"Thank you for seeing us in a good light."

As I joked, Yang Eun-Jung extended her hand to Lee Yung-Jin. "Your name is Lee Yung-Jin, right?"

"Oh, yes."

"You do your job very well. If you ever get interested in food marketing, contact me. I'll treat you well."

"Thank you for your considerate words, Mrs. Yang!"

A newfound confidence appeared on Lee Yung-Jin's face upon hearing high praise from his negotiation counterpart.

At the same time, I felt a bit more confident too.

***

After finishing the deal with CK Foods, we saw Yang Eun-Jung off.

Jo Eung-Cheon sat on the sofa and stuck out his tongue. "You're fearless. What would you have done if I hadn't stepped in?"

"CK Foods isn't the only food company out there, is it?" I teased.

Jo Eung-Cheon stared at me. "I heard that you're doing quite well these days, Team Lead Jung. You're quite sharp, aren't you?"

"Thank you."

"Ahem. If you know that it's a compliment, consider adjusting that actor's fee for Table of Mukbang. Is Talent Agent Lee Yung-Jin handling that too?"

"No, I handle all the fee negotiations for the actors in our team."

However, that was actually a lie. Lee Yung-Jin was too burnt out to handle more deals after his intense negotiation with Yang Eun-Jung.

This was my time to shine.

"Haru's value is..."

At that moment, Jo Eung-Cheon burst into hearty laughter. "Ha ha ha, I just can't win against you."

The per-episode fee for the upcoming variety show Table of Mukbang was 5 million won.

If it weren't for the promise of a tie-in appearance following Master of Mukbang, we would have called for at least 10 million won per episode. Since the appearance was already promised in the contract, we conceded appropriately.

However, it turned out that the reason Jo Eung-Cheon called me to the company wasn't just to discuss the advertisement.

"Actually, PD Yoo has planned another new program," Jo Eung-Cheon said.

"A new program? There's another one other than Hell Tavern?" I asked with curiosity.

"Yes, there is."

For a moment, I thought it might be a bluff and subtly checked my planner.

[Everyday V10.1]

[Date: November 2, 2020]

-09:50 p.m. <Schedule Deleted>

(Deleted Schedule: TVM <Hell Tavern> Episode 1 Viewership Ratings 3.2%)

'Wow. I guess it's true,' I remarked inwardly.

Jo Eung-Cheon called Yoo Hyun-Ji in, thinking it would be better for me to hear directly from her.

Yoo Hyun-Ji scratched her head. "To be honest, I gotta admit it's a bit early to be discussing this now. However, since Master of Mukbang has been receiving better responses than expected, I planned a sequel."

"What is the concept?" I asked.

"We're thinking of filming a mukbang travel show with Mr. Lee Tae-Poong, Haru, and Miso."

The show was tentatively titled Mukbang Travel Diary. It was planned as a sequel to Master of Mukbang where Lee Tae-Poong takes Haru on a nationwide food tour.

"Then how does Miso fit in?"

"We plan to have Miso move around with Mrs. Bae Yeon-Jin, who played the mom role in Episode 3."

Bae Yeon-Jin played Miso's mom in Master of Mukbang and would later achieve great success in five years by exceeding 20% viewership ratings with the drama Genie's Dream.

Until then, she would move between minor and supporting roles, hardly seeing the light. However, this opportunity could change her life. After all, any small role must be extremely precious to her now.

After contemplating for a while, I felt that it was not a bad idea and nodded. "Scheduling would be the biggest issue, but it shouldn't be a dealbreaker."

Yoo Hyun-Ji's expression brightened. "Mr. Jo, did you hear that? Team Lead Jung agreed! If you cut the production budget again, I'll switch jobs."

Jo Eung-Cheon nodded. "You can expect a good budget this time. I promise to allocate it generously."

The excited Yoo Hyun-Ji explained the rough schedule. "We'll go into detailed planning and preliminary surveys after finishing this episode's filming, so we can expect to start around late October."

"Then let's finalize the contract and negotiate fees after early October," I suggested.

Yoo Hyun-Ji's eyes flashed. "That's because you want to set Mr. Tae-Poong's fees based on the movie's performance, right?"

"Yes."

Jo Eung-Cheon also laughed heartily. "Ha ha. You seem confident that the movie will do well."

I simply smiled contentedly without answering.

'Success? Yes, indeed. It will be a great success,' I silently remarked.

"Alright. I'm curious about the results too. Let's meet again then."

Despite my recent successes, Jo Eung-Cheon still appeared doubtful about the success of the movie.

Unfortunately for him, he would come to regret this moment after the movie's release.

The lead actor's fee for a ten-million-viewership movie was invaluable.

***

After concluding Haru's ad contract with the legal teams from both companies, we wrapped up the meeting.

As we got to the parking lot, Lee Yung-Jin finally let out a long sigh. "Ugh, my heart is still beating so fast. I thought I was going to die."

"You did great, Lee Yung-Jin," I praised him.

"I don't even remember what I said. Yoon-Ho, am I gonna be okay? Do you think I got on their bad side?"

"Why are you worrying now? Did you forget how Mrs. Yang praised you and offered you a position at her company?"

"What? When?"

Lee Yung-Jin fell deep in thought and stared at me. "Oh, was that what it meant when she said to contact her if I'm interested in food marketing?"

He seemed so focused on Haru that he didn't even register the part about himself.

"Yes. And you should deliver the news to Haru yourself since you're managing him."

"Thanks, Yoon-Ho."

I drove home with a smiling Lee Yung-Jin.

It was past 9 p.m. when we arrived.

Miso and Haru were playing tag in the first-floor living room. Miso was waving her hands in the air because she was wearing a blindfold.

"Haru oppa, where are you?"

Haru clapped his hands to show his location. "I'm here! This way!"

As Miso approached him, Haru quickly dodged.

"Oh? Haru oppa, did you just pass by me?"

"I sure did~"

"Aw, I was so close! I almost caught you!"

Yoo-Jin and Jung In-Ji were standing against the wall with pleased expressions and their arms spread out to make sure Miso wouldn't get hurt.

"Miso, you have to catch him quickly."

"Miso, Haru is two steps to your left!"

At that moment, Haru moved toward the front door from which I had just entered and Miso followed the sound of his footsteps.

As Haru found us and was about to greet us, I shushed him.

In that instant, Miso grabbed Haru's back tightly. "I got you!"

Miso took off her blindfold with a joyful expression. "Oh, Uncle Yoon-Ho!"

Haru smiled brightly and greeted us. "Hyung, you're here."

Miso let go of Haru's back and came toward me. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, when did you arrive?"

"Just now."

As I hugged Miso who had her arms extended, she smiled brightly. After greeting her, I looked at Lee Yung-Jin.

Lee Yung-Jin happily told Haru about the advertisement news. "Haru, you got an ad!"

"An ad? Where?"

"For CK Foods' retort products. It's an ad for curry and black bean sauce. I'll bring the contract in a few days, so we can sign it after discussing it with the legal division."

Haru blinked in disbelief. "Really? Did I really get an ad?"

Miso remarked excitedly, "Wow! Haru oppa! Then we'll eat curry and black bean sauce every day!"

Jung In-Ji grabbed Haru's hand. "Oh my, Haru. That's great. That's great news! I'm so proud of you.."

Haru seemed bewildered, not knowing how to react to the news.

I nudged Lee Yung-Jin. "Yung-Jin, you need to tell him the amount."

"Oh, right. I should."

Swallowing hard, Lee Yung-Jin spoke. "It's 70 million won per year. However, if the drama exceeds 10% viewership ratings, it can go up to 120 million won."

Haru blinked in shock and stuttered. "Wait, that's..."

At that moment, Yoo-Jin patted Haru's shoulder and acted like a sunbae. "Congratulations. That's an unusually large amount for a rookie's ad fee. Both oppas must have worked hard for you."

At that moment, Haru came back to his senses and suddenly jumped at Lee Yung-Jin and me, hugging us tightly and shouting with all his might, "Thank you so much!!"

Haru buried his small head between us and started to sob.

While hugging Miso with my right hand, I patted Haru's shaking shoulder with my left. Lee Yung-Jin also hugged Haru and shed tears together.

After calming Haru, I spoke to Miso. "Miso, we also got a mukbang show for you. We'll shoot it at the end of October and Haru will join too."

"Really? Haru oppa too?" Miso asked excitedly.

"Yes!"

Miso smiled brightly and hugged me again. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, you're the best!"

Miso's hug was a greater reward and happiness for me than any money.

It felt like I had returned just for this moment.

***

Upon receiving the special mission to find Choi Eun-Tae's son, Nalsae Lee Beom-Jun who had been wandering around Gyeonggi Province returned to Seoul.

Nalsae was currently waiting for Kim Dong-Soo at a small café in Apgujeong with a worried expression. He was so nervous that his legs were trembling without him realizing it.

When he limited his search to orphanages in Gyeonggi Province, the target range narrowed down surprisingly quickly.

But the problem was the candidates who emerged from the search.

It was unfortunate that one of the strong candidates was Kang Eun-Gi who was from the same orphanage as Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment.

He shook his head trying to deny it and turned his attention to other orphanages, but his instincts kept bugging him.

'I hope it's not true, but it's likely one of the two!' He thought.

Nalsae was well aware of the fact that he was in great danger.

'Fuck. What should I do?'

He thought it was just a matter of finding someone, but it could turn into a life-and-death situation.

Choi Man-Sik would try to eliminate any competitor who could threaten his position, and Choi Eun-Tae of Myeongdong would move to save his bloodline—which would inevitably lead to a war.

In that case, Nalsae's life could also be at risk.

He couldn't predict what would happen if he informed Kim Dong-Soo that Jung Yoon-Ho was likely Choi Eun-Tae's son.

Nalsae fell into deep thought. 'This is driving me crazy. Should I... should I just go back to prison? I shouldn't have accepted that damned Kim Dong-Soo's help in the first place.'

Even though Nalsae hated prison, it was better than dying. Unable to control his anxiety, Nalsae groaned in frustration.

Ding.

At that moment, the bell rang and the café door opened.

When Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung appeared, Nalsae quickly composed his expression.

Kim Dong-Soo sat down and got straight to the point. "Did you find him or not? Just tell me that."

Already worried sick, Nalsae felt annoyed by Kim Dong-Soo's forceful tone. "What if I didn't find him? What then?"

"What do you think? You go back to prison, you useless bastard!"

At that moment, anger surged within Nalsae. "Damn it. I'm doing everything you asked! I'm really trying hard!"

Then Ju Ho-Sung smiled sweetly and answered on behalf of Kim Dong-Soo. "Hey, Mr. Lee Bum-Jun. It doesn't matter how hard you try. You need to produce results."

"Who the hell are you now?" Nalsae cursed.

Despite Nalsae's rough attitude, Ju Ho-Sung kept smiling. "Me? I'll be managing you from now on. And call me Mr. Ju or I'll make your life really difficult."

At that moment, Nalsae felt chills running down his spine.

Ju Ho-Sung, who looked like he had never fought anyone before, gave Nalsae the chills.

He might appear kind and innocent to others, but Ju Ho-Sung's viciousness was clear to someone like Nalsae who had been through many hardships.

Sensing the danger, Nalsae quickly bowed his head. "Alright. I'm just quick-tempered. Sorry for being rude at our first meeting, Mr. Ju."

A meaningful smile crossed Ju Ho-Sung's lips upon seeing Nalsae quickly bowing. "That's right. A dog should act like a dog. Now, tell us about the progress of your investigation."

That's when Nalsae realized that his safety could never be guaranteed if he told them what he knew.

He thought to himself, 'Fuck this. I'm not telling them anything.'

Nalsae was uneducated and ignorant, but he had managed to survive until now by being quick-witted.

Nalsae's heart began to race, trying to find a way out of this situation.

Ristretto's Thoughts

Hmm, so Ju Ho-Sung is even more dangerous than Kim Dong-Soo?

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