NOVEL WEB Episode 111 - Identity
Not long after waiting in the park’s parking lot near the officetel, a silver car pulled up to the entrance.
– Ziiing. –
“Congratulations on your award, Team Leader,” Han Hae-woon said, rolling down the driver’s side window.
Yeon-woo chuckled at the greeting.
“Thanks, but no need for congratulations.”
He got into the passenger seat and quietly pointed at the dashcam. Han Hae-woon promptly unplugged the power cord.
“From now on, don’t record any of this. Memorize everything I’m about to tell you.”
“Understood,” Han Hae-woon nodded, ready to listen.
Yeon-woo took a deep breath and began to relay the information he had obtained from the shadowy information brokers in Berlin.
“First off, ‘Baek Sol’ is the name of an organization. Or rather, it’s a faction within a larger organization.”
“Is it a secret organization within the National Intelligence Service (NIS)?” Han Hae-woon asked.
Yeon-woo nodded and continued.
“October 13, 1990.”
“The day the South Korean government declared a ‘War on Crime and Violence,'” Han Hae-woon interjected.
In late 1990, the government announced the ‘10.13 Special Declaration’ through a presidential statement, launching a massive crackdown on violent organizations. It was such a monumental event that a similarly named film was released and became a major hit.
“All the domestic drug organizations were wiped out at that time, but within a year, groups under the Chinese Triads and Japanese Yakuza moved in to fill the void and started the drug trade again.”
“That makes sense. As long as there’s demand, the drug trade won’t disappear. Hmm, I wasn’t even in elementary school back then.”
It was an event from 30 years ago. Yeon-woo recalled how Baek No-ya had been caught up in factional fights and ended up in prison during that time.
“So, the National Intelligence Service, or rather, the ‘Agency for National Security Planning’ (ANSP) as it was known back then, began secretly controlling the domestic drug trade.”
“Since they couldn’t eliminate it, they decided to manage it themselves. That’s a plan you couldn’t imagine today…”
“But it continued up until now,” Yeon-woo revealed.
Han Hae-woon’s eyes widened in shock.
“What? You mean to say that ‘Baek Sol’ has been operating as a secret organization within the NIS for 30 years? Is that even possible? I thought there was a major overhaul of personnel when the ANSP was disbanded and the NIS was established.”
“That’s right. I joined in 2001, and there are only two classes above me. Most of the high-ranking officials were appointed from outside.”
“But how did those remnants manage to survive?”
Yeon-woo stroked his chin before speaking.
“Managing the entire domestic drug distribution would generate enormous financial gains. Initially, they followed orders from above, but when the military regime ended, those who gave the orders suddenly disappeared.”
“They would never have given up that kind of profit,”
Yeon-woo nodded and continued.
“Listen carefully, Hae-woon. ‘Baek’ means white, and ‘Sol’ means to lead. Their sole purpose is to control the distribution of white powder and share the immense financial profits among themselves to maintain their system.”
“Hmm, so what do we do next?”.
“They maintain a strict number of seven members. When one dies, they select a successor and rigorously indoctrinate them before allowing them to join,” Yeon-woo explained.
Han Hae-woon’s eyes lit up.
“So, the recently identified figure, Ha Ju-ran, who is disguised as the Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Jung Chan-sook, is one of them…”
“Exactly. And there’s another person named Kim Gye-sik, who is known to foreign intelligence agencies because he frequently deals with overseas suppliers.”
Han Hae-woon repeated the name ‘Kim Gye-sik,’ trying to recall where he had heard it before.
“It sounds familiar… although it’s a common name.”
“You might have heard it. After all, he’s officially a member of the NIS,” Yeon-woo said.
“So, we’ve identified two out of the seven,” Han Hae-woon noted.
Yeon-woo nodded. “And there’s someone who oversees all of them, known as the ‘Hoiju’. We need to identify all seven and take them down simultaneously. If we start an official investigation on the two we know, the rest will go into hiding and wait for years until things settle down.”
Han Hae-woon pondered for a moment before grinning.
“At least we have a clear direction now. All we need to do is run towards it.”
“Quit smoking first. How do you expect to run with those lungs?”
“Ahem. I’m cutting down gradually.”
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“What? What do you mean there’s no one to send to Korea?” Bernard Penton, a casting director in Hollywood, slammed the documents he was holding onto the table and rubbed his forehead in frustration.
“Jake has always been reluctant to use Asian actors. It’s always like this.”
“But telling an actor to go to China or Japan for an audition after we’ve already sent a formal contract offer? That’s absurd.”
Bernard Penton had proposed a casting audition for Korean actor Ryu Yeon-woo through LN Entertainment for a new Netflix project. However, the Hollywood production environment still showed a lukewarm response to using Asian actors. Unless they were targeting the Chinese market for the so-called ‘China money,’ they didn’t see much appeal.
“You saw that Ryu won the Golden Bear at Berlin, right? Why the hell is Hollywood still stuck in its own world, going nowhere?”
Penton shook his head in frustration, sick of the pervasive whitewashing in Hollywood.
Whitewashing referred to the practice of casting white actors in roles originally meant for people of color, reflecting a deep-seated white supremacy in the industry.
“The role we offered Ryu was for an Asian-American character, and they can’t even spare a day for his schedule? Unbelievable.”
“There’s nothing we can do. If he doesn’t want to participate, they said to just forget about it. Ever since Jake took over as CEO, he’s been doing whatever he wants,” the assistant explained.
Penton stood up from his seat. “I need to go apologize in person. This isn’t just about the contract; it’s about future relations. Korean content is growing in real-time. The center of the industry is gradually shifting this way… Damn those idiots in LA.”
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“Hey, do you think we can just show up and meet him like this?” Jung Yo-han asked.
“You saw the interview, right? If it’s Ryu Yeon-woo, he’ll understand our sense of romance,” said Hwang Min-kwon, a relatively unknown director, his eyes burning with unfounded confidence after watching Yeon-woo’s airport interview.
He had impulsively entered LN Entertainment’s headquarters into the GPS and set off. Jung Yo-han, knowing it was a long shot, reluctantly followed his friend who couldn’t be stopped once he was switched on.
“Couldn’t we at least make a phone reservation and set up a meeting? If we just show up, we’ll probably get kicked out by security,” Jung Yo-han reasoned.
“Come on, lend me some of your fame. You were a successful CG director in Hollywood. They might agree to meet us,” Hwang Min-kwon argued.
Jung Yo-han looked at him incredulously.
“Who in Korea knows me? Be realistic.”
“But LN also produces films. They might know you somehow,” Hwang Min-kwon insisted, his optimism unwavering.
Jung Yo-han sighed, exasperated. “Fine, do whatever you want. If it gets too embarrassing, I’m running away.”
“Hey, brother. Is that all the passion you have for the film we’re making?” Hwang Min-kwon challenged.
“You always call me ‘brother’ only in times like this,” Jung Yo-han muttered.
Thus, Bernard Penton, Hwang Min-kwon, and Jung Yo-han each headed to LN Entertainment’s headquarters with different thoughts and purposes in mind. Meanwhile, Yeon-woo, who had met with Han Hae-woon earlier, had just woken up from a nap and was on his way to the company with Manager Kim Min-soo.
“Mr. Bernard Penton suddenly wants to meet? There’s still some time left before the audition schedule…”
“Maybe he’s anxious that your value will increase after your recent award and the success of ‘Master Plan’.”
Yeon-woo tilted his head in curiosity.
“If that’s the case, there’s no need for him to see me in person…”
Before long, the car carrying Yeon-woo entered the underground parking lot of the entertainment company’s building.
“Let’s go. They’re waiting for you in the CEO’s office,” Kim Min-soo said as they took the elevator to the top floor.
– Ding. –
As the elevator doors opened, they were greeted by an unexpectedly noisy hallway.
“Please, I beg you. We’ll wait quietly in the corner until he has time. Just let us meet him once,” a man pleaded.
“I’m sorry, but without an appointment, it’s difficult. I’ll relay your message, though,” the head of the management team replied, looking troubled.
Near the CEO’s office, a man was pleading while the management team leader looked uncomfortable.
“Hmm? What’s going on here?”
Yeon-woo wondered as he approached the CEO’s office.
The pleading man noticed Yeon-woo and was visibly shocked.
“Huh! Ryu Yeon-woo…?”
Jung Yo-han, who had been hanging his head in embarrassment, looked up at Hwang Min-kwon’s exclamation.
“Oh my god, it’s really him? This is crazy.”
Yeon-woo found their reactions amusing. ‘…Their reactions are quite fresh for men in their late thirties.’
Seeing the bearded man and the nerdy-looking man react like fangirls piqued Yeon-woo’s interest.
“Hello. I have some business here. May I pass through?”
Yeon-woo smiled lightly as he spoke, prompting Hwang Min-kwon to rush forward, ready to grab his pant leg.
“Hello! I’m film director Hwang Min-kwon. I saw your interview and the romance… uh, oof!”
Hwang Min-kwon was quickly intercepted by Manager Kim Min-soo, who blocked his path to Yeon-woo.
Hearing the commotion outside, the door to the CEO’s office opened, and CEO Kim Joo-seong and Bernard Penton stepped out. Assessing the situation quickly, CEO Kim Joo-seong spoke up.
“Hmm, Team Leader Lim, it seems we need to call security.”
“Yes, Sir.”
With the situation having escalated to this point, Jung Yo-han sighed deeply and stepped forward.
“I’m really sorry for my friend’s behavior. We didn’t mean to cause any trouble; we have a script we’d like to propose for production…”
Bernard Penton, who had been watching the man intently, suddenly clapped his hands as if he had just recognized him.
“Director Yo-han?”
“Um… Mr. Penton?” Jung Yo-han replied, surprised.
Seeing this, CEO Kim Joo-seong tilted his head curiously.
“Do you know him?”
In the CEO’s office, Yeon-woo, CEO Kim Joo-seong, and Bernard Penton took their seats. The two men who had caused the commotion were asked to wait outside for a while, as there was an important matter to discuss. If it weren’t for the script they insisted on showing and Bernard Penton’s vouching for their identity, they would have been escorted out by security.
“…So that’s what happened. It’s all my fault. I want to maintain a good relationship with both this company and actor Ryu. I apologize for any inconvenience caused.”
“Hmm, I understand what you’re saying, Mr. Penton. So, you’re saying that to audition, one would have to adjust to the schedules in Japan or China and audition there,” CEO Kim Joo-seong said, clearly displeased despite his professional demeanor.
Bernard Penton shook his head.
“That’s not what I meant at all. The new CEO on our side is a bit…”
CEO Kim Joo-seong nodded and turned to Yeon-woo.
“What would you like to do, Yeon-woo?”
Yeon-woo smiled faintly as CEO Kim Joo-seong asked him in Korean.
“Sir, I think my head has grown a bit. If they don’t want me, why should I bother going?”
“Ha ha ha. Your head has grown indeed. You have the smallest face among our actors,” CEO Kim Joo-seong replied with a laugh, playing along with Yeon-woo’s joke.
Yeon-woo had no intention of becoming arrogant as an actor, but he was even less inclined to be treated like a fool. Given the treatment he was receiving, it was only right not to participate, especially considering the significant changes that would be needed in the pre-contract for the casting audition.
Yeon-woo then turned to Bernard Penton with a gracious smile.
“Unfortunately, it seems this opportunity is not our fate. However, I am always grateful to Mr. Penton for recognizing and valuing my talent early on. I trust your judgment, so if there are good projects in the future, I hope you’ll consider me.”
Bernard Penton, his eyes shining with respect, reached out for a handshake in response to Yeon-woo’s reaction.
“I’m glad you think that way, Actor Ryu. I handle several companies in LA besides this one, so I hope we can maintain a good relationship moving forward,” Bernard Penton said, shaking Yeon-woo’s hand.
CEO Kim Joo-seong observed the conversation between Yeon-woo and Penton, feeling a mix of surprise and admiration. The initial request for Yeon-woo to travel abroad for a casting audition had already crossed a line. He had expected Yeon-woo to show some emotion, especially since even he was quite upset about the situation.
After all, Yeon-woo had only debuted three years ago and was just twenty-one years old. Given his rapid rise, it wouldn’t have been surprising if he had become somewhat arrogant. Yet, his response was a masterclass in political tact and subtle refusal.
‘As always, he seems to have an old soul inside him,’ Kim Joo-seong thought to himself.
Yeon-woo, noticing the CEO’s contemplative expression, spoke up again.
“About the people waiting outside… I’m really curious about the script they’re so desperate to present.”