Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

After Choi Man-Sik left the company, Gu Seong-Cheol called the team leads of Actor Division 2 into his office.

Gu Seong-Cheol patted me on the shoulder with pride and complimented me generously. "I had my doubts, but you've finally managed to bring in Jo Min-Sung. You've really done well, Yoon-Ho."

I replied with a grin. "He's still three months away from officially joining us, though."

"But it's practically a done deal, isn't it? Min-Sung isn't one to reverse a decision once he's made up his mind—he's too proud for that."

The other team leads eagerly echoed Gu Seong-Cheol's sentiment.

"Mr. Gu. Right now, Director Bang's group and the Actor Division 1 team are practically in mourning. They used to brush us off saying we only handle supporting actors, and they used to act so superior."

"Same goes for Actor Division 3. They've been completely dazed ever since they heard Song Ji-Hwan and Sung Han-Yung are coming over to Actor Division 2."

Gu Seong-Cheol burst out laughing, and everyone celebrated my success as if it were their own.

After a moment, Park In-Ki smiled faintly and spoke up. "Mr. Gu, I think it's time you told us why you gathered us here."

Gu Seong-Cheol stopped laughing and cleared his throat before speaking, "Actually... I called everyone here to see if there was anything we could do to support you, Yoon-Ho."

I had only thought about taking care of Actor Division 2, so the thought that I might receive help hadn't even crossed my mind. However, such a stance of mine must have made Gu Seong-Cheol and the other sunbaes of Actor Division 2 feel apologetic toward me.

Their willingness to help me without jealousy or envy truly touched me. It was the moment I felt more confident in my choice to stand by Actor Division 2 ever since I traveled back in time.

That's when one request came to mind.

"If that's the case, could I ask one thing?" I replied.

Gu Seong-Cheol tapped his chest firmly and replied, "Of course, you can ask anything you want. Just say it."

"Then I'd like to ask for your help in preparing for the year-end awards ceremony."

Gu Seong-Cheol tilted his head. "Whose awards ceremony?"

"Yoo-Jin, Tae-Poong, Miso, Ha-Na, Haru, and Cherry Blossom's."

"So everyone except Sung Ho-Jun?"

"Yes. Mr. Ho-Jun will probably have to wait until next year, but the rest should have no issues winning as long as we prepare well."

Gu Seong-Cheol looked around at the team leads with a bright smile. "This is true. With Actors Jang Jun-Hyuk and Park Eun-Sung under Team Lead Park and Team Lead Ju's management having barely worked this year... there's no one to really push from Actor Division 2 except for Team Jung's members."

"Exactly."

"So everyone, what do you think? Shall we pool our efforts for the first time in a while?"

A lot of work went into preparing for an awards ceremony. Apart from fan votes which reflected general popularity, the votes from industry insiders and reporters were also crucial. In other words, connections played a significant role and that's why sometimes there were results that were hard for the public to understand.

We would need to lobby fans, reporters, and broadcast staff for votes as early as a month before the ceremony. However, this wasn't something I could manage alone.

If the celebrities under my management missed out on awards due to the company's lack of preparation after all the hard work my actors put in this year, I wouldn't be able to accept that.

"Yoon-Ho's been working so hard this year. Of course, we should help him."

"I'm in favor."

The team leads once again showed their enthusiasm as if they were celebrating their own achievements. Feeling the warmth of their support, I decided to share a plan I had been considering: a plan to expand Actor Division 2.

Once I branch off with Park In-Ki to form my own division in the near future, Actor Division 2 would shrink back to its previous state of managing only supporting actors. I couldn't let those who valued me return to their former neglected position.

"Mr. Gu. Since we're on the topic, there's something I'd like to discuss."

"Go ahead. Say what's on your mind."

"Well…I was wondering if you could help develop the actors I'll be recruiting in the future within Actor Division 2."

"Huh? Once you're promoted to Chief, you'll be busy enough growing your own team. Why would you pass them on to us?"

"Because there'll be quite a few of them."

At that moment, Oh Duk-Gu realized what I meant. "It looks like Yoon-Ho here is planning to pull over any actors he can from Actor Divisions 1 and 3."

Gu Seong-Cheol's eyes widened as he looked at me. "Is that true?"

I nodded.

The soon-to-be-formed Division Jung wouldn't have enough talent agents to manage all the actors. Plus, I was planning to recruit additional actors externally, so I thought of transferring most actors from Actor Divisions 1 and 3 over to Division 2.

My division would operate as a small and specialized team, while Actor Division 2 would expand in scale. That way, we could support each other.

Nonetheless , I was a bit cautious about this idea, fearing I might hurt my sunbaes' pride. After all, it would seem like I was handing everything to them on a silver platter.

However, I was mistaken.

Park In-Ki let out a hearty laugh. "As expected. Team Lead Jung surely knows how to take care of his sunbaes."

Gu Seong-Cheol also smiled warmly. "Our youngest has been worrying so much about this incompetent Chief. Haha, look at that..."

Watching Gu Seong-Cheol laugh so heartily, I quickly lowered my head. "I'm sorry, Mr. Gu."

Gu Seong-Cheol waved it off. "There's no need for apologies! If anything, it's us who should be sorry for making you worry so much."

Even Oh Duk-Gu and Ju Yung-Hoon looked apologetic instead of feeling offended. They said that if they had been more capable, I wouldn't have had to worry about such things.

Since I traveled back in time, I've felt more than ever that deciding to stand by Actor Division 2 was the best choice I could have made. It felt reassuring to know that I had such steadfast allies no matter the situation.

Gu Seong-Cheol straightened up and said, "Understood. We'll take on that responsibility. We'll help them grow and become a strength for you."

"Thank... you."

"There's no need for thanks. Really, it's us who should be thanking you."

Gu Seong-Cheol burst into laughter, saying that Actor Division 2 might soon have the highest status within the company thanks to me.

"Then shall we have a gathering tonight?" Gu Seong-Cheol suggested.

I replied, "I'll treat everyone."

With a smile, Gu Seong-Cheol shook his head slowly. "Yoon-Ho, this is a time when the Chief should pay. And don't be too quick to step out of my care. Until you go independent, you're still my team lead."

From Gu Seong-Cheol's words, I could sense his deep regret about my eventual departure from Actor Division 2.

My heart felt heavy, but I responded firmly. "Yes, Mr. Gu! I'll keep relying on you until I leave!"

Gu Seong-Cheol patted his chest proudly. "Good! And even if my wife scolds me, I'll hold on until the end of the year! Don't worry."

Two months remained until I got my own division.

Part of me wished time would slow down before Team Jung's official independence to a division.

***

The gathering ended with our first stop at a pork belly restaurant.

Since everyone had plans the next day, we replaced alcohol with cola and cider.

As I turned into a residential alley in Cheonho-dong, the light from a streetlamp poured through the open driver's side window. The cold wind stung my face, but my heart was warm, still basking in the kindness my sunbaes in Actor Division 2 had shown.

After greeting the security guards patrolling near my home, I parked in the garage.

Since it was 10 p.m., Miso’s bedtime, I quietly headed to the third floor. However, as I passed the stairs on the second floor, I heard the door open.

Dressed in her Powertuff Girls pajamas, Miso rubbed her eyes and ran over to hug me. I could feel the soft fluff of her pajamas.

Nestled in my arms, Miso looked up and blinked as she asked, "Uncle Yoon-Ho, why did you come home so late?"

"There was a lot of work at the company today. But why aren't you asleep? Were you waiting for me?"

Miso nodded. "Yes! I wanted to say goodnight to you!"

That's when Yoo-Jin, wearing white pajamas, walked out of her room and gently patted Miso's small head. "Miso was waiting up saying she wouldn't sleep until she saw you."

Miso hugged me even tighter without a word.

At that moment, I understood why Miso was acting this way. As Choi Ji-Yung had mentioned, ever since Miso immersed herself in the character of Princess Yu-Hwa from Hwaranjeon, she hadn't fully shaken off its emotional impact.

Imagining Yoo-Jin and me disappearing must have unsettled Miso so much that sometimes she even woke up in the middle of the night.

Although we were scheduled to see Choi Ji-Yung for therapy tomorrow, I wanted to do what I could before then.

I gently pulled Miso back and swept aside her messy hair. "Miso, I'm not going anywhere. I'll always be by your side and we'll be together."

Miso looked directly into my eyes and asked, "Really?"

I nodded. "Of course. No matter where I am, I'll come right to you whenever you want to see me."

'Even if it means going back in time again...' I silently remarked.

My response, filled with all my sincerity, seemed to satisfy Miso, as she smiled and lifted her pinky finger. "Promise…?"

I hooked my pinky finger with Miso's and answered, "Promise!"

Miso's face began to light up with a big smile.

"Alright, now it's time for good kids to go to sleep, right?"

Holding Yoo-Jin's hand, Miso waved at me. "Goodnight, Uncle Yoon-Ho! Bye-bye~"

The little girl who had radiated charisma as Princess Yu-Hwa, the second princess of Gyerim, was returning to her innocent self as she left behind some of the darkness in her heart.

***

The moment I woke up early in the morning, I immediately checked my planner out of habit.

Thankfully, there was nothing unusual on the agenda for the members of Team Jung today. Feeling relieved, I moved on to the entertainment news section.

[Beyond the Boundary surpasses 12 million viewers!]

[Anticipation builds for Lee Tae-Poong's upcoming film, Jiri Mountain!]

'It's time to bring Go Jae-Soo on board,' I thought.

The 34-year-old Go Jae-Soo was a villain role specialist who had risen to prominence with an unforgettable performance in my past life.

Three years from now, he would play the role of Choi Jung-Woo, a serial killer hunting the protagonist in the horror film, Chamber of Blood, a role that would showcase the performance of a lifetime and draw significant attention.

His striking appearance, intense gaze, slender frame, and unique, deep voice marked him as a standout in my past life. With his exceptional character interpretation and in-depth script analysis, he created a character that surpassed the director's vision, transforming into a premium supporting actor who shook off the frustrations of his earlier obscurity.

Today, I was setting out to recruit this very actor. As the casting director for Jiri Mountain, I would be responsible for confirming the role of the psychopathic killer in this horror-thriller.

After a quick shower, I called the talent agents to track down Go Jae-Soo's current location.

In less than thirty minutes, I learned that Go Jae-Soo was currently in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province to play a minor role in a reenactment show called Real Situations 24. The show aired every Thursday and he was appearing as an extra, earning a daily rate of 10 thousand won.

Surprisingly, he had gone to Ilsan alone without a talent agent.

"They didn't even think it was worth sending a talent agent so they let him go on his own?" I muttered.

I felt a flash of anger, but quickly realized this could work in my favor for recruitment. After gathering my things, I headed swiftly to the filming site in Ilsan.

***

At Brother Galbi located in Gyeonggi-do Ilsan, the KBC Real Situations 24 production team was setting up an out-of-business barbecue restaurant as a filming location.

With a packed schedule and so many people bustling around, no one seemed to notice me. I glanced around and saw that Lee Ju-Hwan, the PD in charge, was discussing the storyboard with the lead actors.

In the meantime, the on-site management was left to his assistant director, Yang Hyun-Jong.

"What's with that window? It looks haunted! Call the repair service now!"

"Hey! You, the production team's rookie! What's the deal with that sign we ordered? Why isn't it here yet?"

"I just checked and they're about ten minutes away. They'll be here soon."

With the restaurant closed for six months, there were countless things to fix and redo.

"We need everything set by eleven! Hurry up!"

Yang Hyun-Jong was notorious for treating staff and lesser-known actors harshly, often resorting to insults or even physical aggression if things didn't go his way.

Since my only goal was to recruit Go Jae-Soo, I had no intention of crossing paths with him. After all, he was one of those broadcasting bigwigs who threw his weight around.

'More than that, where is Go Jae-Soo?' I wondered.

Soon enough, I spotted Go Jae-Soo crouched alone in a corner of the set as he hunched over his script. 'There he is.'

With his sharp features and hollow eyes, Go Jae-Soo's prominent cheekbones revealed how exhausted he was on his face. As a minor actor constantly at risk of being let go, he seemed stressed and had lost weight.

It was unfortunate, but luckily, his look was perfect for the role of Oh Myung-Jin, the psychopath character in Jiri Mountain.

Just then, one of the staff members yelled in Go Jae-Soo's direction. "Hey, you over there! Move another table over there."

"Yes, sir!"

Go Jae-Soo sprang up and walked over to the large barrel-like table with a wide round top where the staff pointed toward. In underfunded productions like this, bit-part actors often helped out with crew work to stay in the good graces of the team and avoid being cut.

At that moment, the table slipped from Go Jae-Soo's grasp and fell to the ground.

Thud.

It sounded like the drum was filled with something heavy. As the loud noise rang out, Yang Hyun-Jong scowled and stormed over. "Hey! If the equipment gets damaged, are you going to pay for it?"

In an instant, Go Jae-Soo immediately hung his head, looking as if he had committed a grave offense.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Yang!" he quickly apologized

"You're sorry? Is that all? Damn it. I only let you stay because you begged me to let you stay on set saying you'd do anything for the role. But just look how useless you are! You even broke something earlier, didn't you? That's it. Get out!"

"S-sorry, sir. I'll pay for everything!"

"I don't care! Just get lost!"

I had intended to stay in the background until filming wrapped.

However, the moment Go Jae-Soo started bowing over and pleading, the “Hot-Headed Jung Yoon-Ho” in me began to emerge.

Ristretto's Thoughts

LOL Okay, "Hot-headed Jung Yoon-Ho." Show me what you gottttt