Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

Chapter 38: Taking an Audition

Please visit fr𝐞𝐞w𝒏.𝒸𝑜𝔪 website to read fastest update

“Yoo-Jin. Do you remember when I told you not to believe everything you see?"

Yoo-Jin flinched at my words. "Don't tell me that sunbae is also someone who can’t be trusted."

"Yes, she’s someone you absolutely shouldn’t trust. If we were to compile a list of everyone in this industry who's holding a grudge against Park Jin-Hee, it would fill a whole truck. You have no idea how well she backstabs people with that cute face."

Not only did Park Jin-Hee steal other actresses’ roles, but she also stole their men to shake up her competitors.

"And there must be over 20 people who have had their boyfriends stolen by Park Jin-Hee."

Yoo-Jin looked at the door through which Park Jin-Hee left with a look of disbelief.

"But she really doesn't look like someone who would do that..."

"I’m speaking the truth. Anyway, be extra careful around her."

"Seriously, there's not a single trustworthy person in this entertainment industry, is there?"

"That's why I told you before that this industry is like a battlefield. Now, let's get going."

But suddenly, Yoo-Jin stopped and gave me a sidelong glance.

"Wait. Does that mean I shouldn't trust you either, oppa?"

"I'm the only exception. Trust no one but me."

"That sounds like a line I've heard before... but I'll let it slide."

I felt a twinge in response to Yoo-Jin's gaze but kept my expression unchanged and nodded.

"If an actress can't trust their talent agent, who can they trust? Right?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"Oh? You don't trust me?"

"I do trust you."

"Are you giving a half-hearted response again?"

Yoo-Jin put her hands to her forehead and slightly bowed from her waist, reminiscent of a character in a historical drama. "I sincerely believe in you, oppa! Please believe in my sincerity!"

I couldn't help but laugh at her dramatic gesture.

‘I'll let it pass this time, seeing her earnest performance.’

***

As we headed to the audition room, I noticed a 30m by 30m audition stage set up with a camera for filming on one side. Staff members were positioned nearby to manage the scene.

"Miss Park Jin-Hee? Miss Jung Yoo-Jin?"

Park Jin-Hee and Yoo-Jin, who were sitting and waiting to be called, stood up and bowed their heads.

Jo Eung-Gu, the head of Blue Dragon, mumbled to himself with a satisfied look. "They both look better in person."

On the sides of Jo Eung-Gu sat Production Chief Cha Soo-Yeon, PD Kang Soo-Hoon, and Writer Kim Soll-Ip.

However, the last person sitting in the judges' seats was a real big shot—he was Jung Sam-Ryong, CP from SBC Broadcasting.

‘Why would someone of his rank be here at this event?’

In the past five years, Jung Sam-Ryong had achieved over 20% viewership ratings for three consecutive dramas, positioning him as the top producer coveted by scouts from cable networks.

He was a star CP acknowledged by everyone. But he turned down lucrative scouting offers to stay in public broadcasting with the intention of eyeing the next director position at SBC's drama department.

In other words, having Jung Sam-Ryong at the audition for a supporting role in an outsourced drama was like having the Minister of Education attend an elementary school entrance ceremony.

"The drama time slot was suddenly decided, so we had to rush the auditions. I hope Miss Park Jin-Hee and Miss Jung Yoo-Jin will understand," explained Cha Soo-Yeon.

Park Jin-Hee responded with a light smile and waved her hands.

However, the exchange of glances between Cha Soo-Yeon and Park Jin-Hee seemed suspicious. Looking at Cha Soo-Yeon and Jo Eung-Gu whispering to each other, I quickly noticed that they were pushing for Park Jin-Hee.

Kim Soll-Ip was mouthing 'I didn't know either' toward my direction.

‘It makes sense. She would have contacted me earlier if she had known this.’

I responded to her with a 'It's okay.' After all, it wasn't Kim Soll-Ip's fault that the production company changed their mind.

If the writer had a strong reputation like Lee Ji-Yeon, the production company wouldn't even consider replacing an actress that the writer had recommended. But such a situation was quite common for rookie writers.

Still, I had no intention of being brushed aside so easily.

"Now, the role of Kim Twilight was one that Ms. Kim put a lot of effort into. Both of you have memorized the script, right?"

Park Jin-Hee replied cheerfully to Cha Soo-Yeon’s question. "Yes, Ms. Cha!"

"Miss Jin-Hee, it’s very nice to see you full of energy."

Yoo-Jin's scene to perform was Scene 13. With Jung Sam-Ryong’s nod, Kang Soo-Hoon signaled the start of the audition.

This scene followed directly after Scene 12, which Park Jin-Hee had just performed. As the red REC light on the camera lit up, Yoo-Jin started sniffing without speaking her lines.

『Ah! As expected of beef—even its fragrance is a blessing!』

Yoo-Jin brought her hands together and recited the lines with a dreamy expression. She looked like a fervent devotee of some newly emerged Beef Religion.

Yoo-Jin continued to sniff as she went on to recite her lines.

Sniff, sniff.

She seemed determined to inhale the smell of the sizzling meat on the charcoal grill. She even fanned the air towards herself, inhaling the aroma of cooking meat.

Then came the highlight of the scene.

『Cough, cough, cough! Mom! Soda! I need a soda! I inhaled the smoke!』

Holding her throat and running around in panic, Yoo-Jin acted out the scene of being hit on the back by her mother.

『Mom. If you don't want to see your daughter suffocating, give me the soda fast! Ouch! Why are you hitting me!』

Yoo-Jin's eyes welled up with tears as she touched her back where she had been hit. With just that one tear, she captivated the panel of judges.

"Shall we have Myeongryun Satto Ribs for dinner tonight?"

"Yeah, I'm craving meat now after watching Miss Yoo-Jin's performance."

"Was Miss Jung Yoo-Jin's acting always this good? This doesn't seem like a performance by a rookie who just debuted."

"It looks like her previous performances weren't just luck."

Yoo-Jin's performance was on a different level compared to Park Jin-Hee's. Her coughing sprayed saliva everywhere, her eyes reddened with tears even without real smoke, and her salivating and gulping almost made the judges hungry.

The just-debuted Yoo-Jin seemed to have completely overshadowed Park Jin-Hee, even though the latter had 17 years of experience.

‘Well done, Jung Yoo-Jin!’

"Cut! Good job!"

Everyone on the panel wore complicated expressions at Kang Soo-Hoon's cut sign. Among them, Cha Soo-Yeon seemed the most unsettled.

'It seems like she's the one who benefited the most from the under-the-table negotiations.'

Similarly, Jo Eung-Gu, who most likely was involved in these shady negotiations, also looked like he was observing the situation.

It seemed like Kang Soo-Hoon was the only one who hadn't been involved with those negotiations.

However, such underhanded means only worked if there was a semblance of skill parity—in the face of such a talent gap, these unofficial under-the-table negotiations were ineffective.

Cha Soo-Yeon barely came to her senses and directed the continuation of the audition.

"Hmm. Both of you are really good. Let's continue to check out scenes 25 and 35, shall we?"

Jo Eung-Gu hastily agreed with Cha Soo-Yeon's suggestion as he tried to salvage the situation. "Y-yes. Let's see more scenes before making a decision."

Jung Sam-Ryong looked at them suspiciously but the two seemed too flustered to notice.

The audition continued with two more scenes. But the outcome was apparent.

The already mentally distraught Park Jin-Hee failed to close the gap with Yoo-Jin's crystal-clear performance, thanks to taking the Uhwang-Chungsimhwan.

Cha Soo-Yeon and Jo Eung-Gu became increasingly anxious. Then, as Park Jin-Hee and Yoo-Jin were about to start the fourth scene, everyone’s attention turned to Jung Sam-Ryong as he opened his mouth to speak.

"Hold on, Miss Jin-hee and Miss Yoo-Jin. Could both of you wait outside for a moment? Can the talent agents please take them out for some fresh air?"

"Of course, Mr. Jung."

Noticing Jung Sam-Ryong’s face barely containing his anger, I quickly got up and took Yoo-Jin out of the room.

***

Click.

With the talent agents and actors gone, Jung Sam-Ryong leaned back in his chair.

"Chief Cha, are you messing with me right now?"

His one sentence laden with irritation caused the staff to freeze on the spot.

"Mr. Jo, you think that I’m a dumbass, don't you? Is that it?"

"No, Mr. Jung, that's not it. Everything is a misunderstanding..."

"Misunderstanding? You think I don't know you're playing games?"

"Well, that's..."

"Look, Mr. Jo. Park Jin-Hee is from Ace Entertainment, isn’t she?"

"Yes."

"Mr. Jo and Chief Cha, both of you must have taken money from Ace Entertainment."

Their inability to respond when confronted with the truth was evident in their restless discomfort.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!