Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 479: The Foodie Nomads (1)

[Everyday V12]

[Date: December 10, 2020]

-03:00 p.m [NEW. Lee Tae-Poong] Visited Tongyeong A Hospital Emergency Room. Filming of The Foodie Nomads canceled.

-05:00 p.m [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin] Gyeongju on-site filming canceled. Moved to Tongyeong A Hospital Emergency Room to check on Miso's condition.

Currently, The Foodie Nomads had just finished filming its first episode, Gyeongju Temple Cuisine. Today, they were planning to film the second episode, Tongyeong Cuisine, with Lee Tae-Poong, Miso, Haru, and our team of talent agents heading to the Tongyeong location.

But now, the planner was indicating both Lee Tae-Poong and Miso would be taken to the emergency room.

"What on earth happened?"

At that moment, I noticed the Horoscope of the Day on Everyday.

[Everyday V12]

[Horoscope of the Day: Beware of illness.]

"Tongyeong, illness, and the emergency room after a day... Does that mean the incubation period is one day? And today's filming location is the oyster farm... Could it be...?"

As I organized my thoughts, the conclusion came quickly.

'It must be norovirus.'

Norovirus might just result in an upset stomach for adults, but it could be fatal for a young child like Miso.

It was then that I understood why Horoscope of the Day had warned me today. Since I would also join the The Foodie Nomads members at the scene and eat with them, I had to act fast.

The first thing I did was to call Jung Sang-Bong.

-Yes, Mr. Jung.

"Sang-Bong! Are they planning to eat raw oysters at the oyster farm today?"

-I haven't checked the script yet. But I heard they're taking a barge to harvest oysters at the farm directly.

The Foodie Nomads was a show where Lee Tae-Poong drove a camper van with Haru, Miso, and Bae Yeon-Jin playing the role of Miso's mom, cooking and eating local foods on location. Occasionally, they even did part-time jobs at the locations to obtain ingredients and cook.

Today, they were scheduled to work at the oyster farm and bring back raw oysters.

I decided to take immediate action.

"Sang-Bong, where are you right now?"

-I'm in Gyeongju and about to leave for Tongyeong.

The travel time from Gyeongju to Tongyeong was about three hours. For me, it would take around four hours if I left home right now and took the Gyeongbu Expressway and the Daejeon-Tongyeong Expressway.

The time gap had to be minimized because It would be difficult for either Jung Sang-Bong or Lee Dae-Ho to refuse the PD's demands on-site.

I ran downstairs quickly and gave instructions.

"Sang-Bong, I'm heading to Tongyeong now. Try to delay your departure as much as possible!"

-Huh? Why?

"It's winter and there's a norovirus outbreak in Tongyeong. If they eat raw oysters during filming, it could be bad. You won't be able to handle PD Yoo Hyun-Ji alone. I'll take responsibility, so buy some time."

-Wait, norovirus?

"Don't let the kids hear. Be discreet."

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-I'm sorry. Haru and Miso are asleep, so they didn't hear anything.

Jung Sang-Bong explained that Haru and Miso sitting in the back seat were fast asleep.

"Good. And don't say a word about this at the site until I arrive."

Though I was 99% sure it was norovirus, speaking without evidence could cause unnecessary trouble. I needed proof and a solution before addressing the issue.

-Got it. I'll delay as much as I can.

By then, I had reached my car on the first floor.

"I'm leaving for Tongyeong now. Hang in there. I know it'll be tough, but let's do our best."

The whole filming schedule would get disrupted if the lead actor was late, but there was no other choice.

-It's fine. Isn't enduring the criticism part of the job as a talent agent? That's what you said, hyung. Don't worry, I got this.

Jung Sang-Bong confidently explained how he would stall for time, using excuses like the kids feeling nauseous or needing extended restroom breaks. He had certainly picked up a lot of tricks while working with me.

After hanging up, I called Lee Tae-Poong and gave him the same instructions before hurrying toward Tongyeong.

***

I arrived at today's filming location, the Tongyeong oyster farm, faster than I expected after three hours and forty-seven minutes of driving.

The Iman-ri Oyster Farm in Tongyeong's Iman-ri was located by a small bay dotted with countless buoys floating on the water. On one side of the bay stood a large prefabricated building with a sign that read Iman-ri Oysters.

This facility served as a one-stop factory where oysters were harvested, shucked, and packed. The building seemed relatively new with its prefabricated walls still pristine, showing no peeling paint.

I parked in the lot and stepped out of the car. At a nearby dock, I could see Yoo Hyun-Ji scolding Lee Dae-Ho and Jung Sang-Bong.

"You two! When exactly did you leave Gyeongju? How can you show up this late?"

Lee Dae-Ho and Jung Sang-Bong apologized repeatedly, bowing their heads. "We're sorry."

Thanks to their efforts to delay, filming hadn't started yet.

I quickly called out, "Ms. Yoo."

Yoo Hyun-Ji’s gaze softened when she saw me. "Mr. Jung."

"I'm sorry. I heard the situation while on my way here. This won't happen again."

Yoo Hyun-Ji lowered her voice slightly. "Still, this isn't okay. If you're going to be late, you should at least let us know clearly."

I refrained from making any excuses and repeatedly apologized. "I'm very sorry."

Not wanting to escalate tensions with me, Yoo Hyun-Ji finally backed down. "Fine. But we'll start filming in thirty minutes, so make sure everything is ready."

I subtly gestured toward Lee Dae-Ho and Jung Sang-Bong. "You two. Please go get Tae-Poong, Haru, and Miso ready to stand by."

"Yes, Mr. Jung," they replied, bowing again before retreating.

Seeing this, Yoo Hyun-Ji addressed the staff. "AD Park, keep the number of people boarding the barge to a minimum. AD Choi, pre-shoot scenes 10 and 11 over at the oyster factory near the shore. Production team, double-check the parking spot for the camper van."

"Yes, Ms. Yoo!"

With that, the staff sprang into action.

Yoo Hyun-Ji took a deep breath to calm herself further and said, "I might've raised my voice too much. Sorry about that. It's just that they kept saying they'd arrive soon but didn't show up."

"I understand."

Yoo Hyun-Ji fiddled with the cue cards and continued, "Today, we're only filming scenes 6, 10, and 11. Be prepared for that."

"Scene 6... Is that the one where they harvest oysters on the barge and bring them to the factory?"

Scene 6 involved Lee Tae-Poong and Haru boarding a barge to pick oysters at the farm. Miso and Bae Yeon-Jin would join them on the barge to help prepare a simple meal. They were also supposed to film eating freshly shucked oysters.

Having reviewed the script on the way here, I knew exactly which scenes Yoo Hyun-Ji meant.

Yoo Hyun-Ji answered, "Yes. We're only shooting a little today because everyone's exhausted from travelling. The owner of the oyster farm has organized a dinner for us, so we'll recharge and continue filming tomorrow."

If that was the case, not only the main cast but also the entire staff could be at risk.

"Well then, I'll get back to preparing for the shoot..." Yoo Hyun-Ji said, turning to leave.

However, I stopped her. "Excuse me, Ms. Yoo."

"Yes?"

I showed her a news article about norovirus on my tablet. "If you look here, you'll see that norovirus warnings have been issued across the southern coast recently. Isn't eating raw oysters a bit risky?"

Yoo Hyun-Ji glanced at the tablet and replied, "I've heard about that too, but this place is supposed to be safe. It's a clean environment and the facilities were built recently. Isn't norovirus something you catch in dirty conditions?"

As Yoo Hyun-Ji said, everything at this location was state-of-the-art and even the barge was brand new.

But my planner only dealt with the facts.

"Still, you never know. Everyone could get sick if norovirus is present and filming would become impossible. Could we at least avoid eating raw oysters?"

Yoo Hyun-Ji hesitated but eventually shook her head. "That's difficult. Eating raw oysters is part of the contract."

"That's a paid advertisement condition?"

"Yes. This location was introduced to us by Tongyeong City, and it's one of the conditions."

It turned out that the second episode of The Foodie Nomads was set to air in February, coinciding with the Tongyeong Oyster Festival planned for the southern coast. A scene showing the cast eating raw oysters was non-negotiable as they needed to promote oyster sales during the festival.

I suggested, "What if they only pretended to eat and spit it out instead?"

Yoo Hyun-Ji contemplated it. "Well... I don't know about that."

"Then how about skipping the barge scene for now? I asked CK Foods to send someone for testing on my way here. We could wait for the results before shooting the next scene, right?"

The Foodie Nomads had CK Foods as a primary sponsor, just like the previous season of Master of Mukbang. So on my way here, I had already contacted Yang Eun-Jung, CK Foods' Promotion Director, to request a norovirus test.

"Also, doesn't the paid advertisement contract include clauses for extenuating circumstances like this?"

Still uncertain, Yoo Hyun-Ji asked, "How long will it take for the inspector to arrive?"

"They said they'd come right after finishing an external assignment, so they should be here in about thirty minutes. Testing takes around fifteen to twenty minutes."

Yoo Hyun-Ji wore a troubled expression. As the on-site director, she would have to bear all responsibility if someone got sick due to norovirus.

After some consideration, Yoo Hyun-Ji finally agreed. "Make sure they arrive within thirty minutes. Once the testing is done, we'll start filming."

"Thank you!"

"I really hope it's nothing. If it is norovirus, we'll have to find another location, cancel the advertisement deal, and change the menu... Ugh, even thinking about it makes me shudder."

Yoo Hyun-Ji shook her head and called over Assistant Director Park Eung-Joon to relay our agreement.

"Once CK Foods' inspector arrives and completes testing, we'll start filming. Make sure the location is under control."

"Pardon? But the barge departure has already been delayed, and both the farm owner and the boat captain are furious."

"Park Eung-Joon! With all your experience, you can't handle something this minor?"

Park Eung-Joon grumbled inwardly with an irritated expression. Judging by his expression, he probably thought all this fuss was unnecessary. His displeasure was obvious even as he glanced at me, clearly frustrated about the additional workload.

Nevertheless, this was part of my job as a talent agent. I had to protect the actors under my care no matter what.

As soon as Park Eung-Joon and Yoo Hyun-Ji walked away, I called Park Min-Sang, CK Foods' purchasing manager.

-Ah, Mr. Jung. I'm sorry for the delay. I should arrive within fifteen minutes.

"Understood. I'll be waiting."

Despite all the measures I had taken, the schedule entry still hadn't disappeared from the planner.

'Why... why hasn't it disappeared yet?'

Puzzled, I decided to warn the cast personally and headed to the parking lot.

***

Two Springer vans were parked side by side in the lot.

I gathered Lee Tae-Poong, Haru, Miso, and Bae Yeon-Jin, who held Miso in her arms, to firmly warn them not to eat raw oysters.

"We'll be filming scenes 6 and 10 where raw oysters are eaten. If anyone offers you some, pretend to eat, but don't actually swallow. Afterward, rinse your mouth thoroughly with the mouthwash I'll provide. And remember, we won't attend tonight's dinner gathering. Keep that in mind."

I emphasized that they must avoid the dinner no matter what, even if it caused friction. Yet, the schedule entry showed no sign of disappearing.

At that moment, Miso raised her hand eagerly and asked, "Uncle Yoon-Ho, didn't Mom say we should wash our hands well and cook food before eating? If we eat random stuff, we'll get a stomachache!"

Miso's wide and expectant eyes seeking praise softened my tense mood slightly.

I replied, "That's right, Miso. I'm worried about you getting sick. So even if the PD or writers tell you to eat, just pretend and don't really eat. Okay?"

"Okay, Uncle Yoon-Ho!"

I felt somewhat relieved because I was confident that Miso could fool anyone with her exceptional acting skills.

At that moment, Bae Yeon-Jin, still holding Miso, cautiously spoke up. "Excuse me. There's something I'd like to discuss with you. Do you have a moment?"

"Oh, yes. Of course."

Twenty-eight years old, Bae Yeon-Jin currently didn't have an agency and relied on her older sister as her talent agent. Since her sister had other matters to attend to today, Bae Yeon-Jin had hitched a ride with Lee Tae-Poong from Gyeongju to Tongyeong.

Although her acting was still somewhat rough around the edges, she had been steadily improving. Five years later, she would hit it big as an actress with the drama Genie's Dream. Because of her potential, I had already suggested that she and her sister join Hoop Entertainment.

"When my sister gets here later, I'll tell her we'll sign with Hoop Entertainment."

"Really?"

"Yes. Everyone keeps saying that I got picked for this project thanks to you, Mr. Jung... And I think it's time for me to work with a proper agency."

Bae Yeon-Jin mentioned that she had a gut feeling The Foodie Nomads would be a success after filming the first episode.

I said, "Trust me. You won't regret it."

Despite the norovirus concerns, good news was coming my way.

At that moment, three black sedans entered the oyster farm in a neat line.

Vroom.

However, the moment I saw the people stepping out of the parked cars, I understood why the schedule entry in the planner hadn't disappeared yet.

'Those people are...'