Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 577: Their Plan (2)

"Ms. So, what exactly do you think you're doing right now?"

So Ji-Min, who had been talking to Jo Min-Sung about his next project, turned around in surprise. "Chief Jung? What are you doing here at this hour...?"

Maybe it was because I wasn't supposed to be here and should have been at the company, but shock was clearly written on her face.

Yet, So Ji-Min quickly wiped away her startled expression and spoke shamelessly. "I had business at the network and thought I should drop by to say hello to Mr. Jo Min-Sung. Is that a problem?"

Unlike the brazen So Ji-Min, Jo Min-Sung looked a little guilty for having discussed his next project and greeted me apologetically. "Uh... Chief Jung, you're here."

I nodded. "Yes. I was nearby, so I thought I'd stop by for an on-site check. But where's Mr. Ju?"

"I'm not sure. He got a call and stepped out earlier, but he said he'd be right back."

Ju Yung-Hoon might be a bit playful and laid-back, but he wasn't the type to leave the set without a reason. That meant something had definitely happened.

However, that was something to look into later. First, I had to stop So Ji-Min from swaying Jo Min-Sung.

"I thought I heard you talking about Mrs. Guk Bong-Soon's The Nine Lives a moment ago. Is that right?"

Determined to double down, So Ji-Min didn't even try to hide it. "That's right. Everyone in the industry knows that Mrs. Guk Bong-Soon wants Mr. Jo Min-Sung as the lead. What's the issue?"

Before the regression, the male lead of The Nine Lives was an actor named Bae Jin-Soo from Ace Entertainment.

At first, he appeared as the stylish first son-in-law of the Jang family, driving a Ferrori and playing a righteous lawyer who stood up for the weak. However, he got divorced in episode five and later suffered a humiliating ordeal. By the time of my death, he had become the star of every infamous meme.

It was a role a top actor concerned about his image should never take. But naturally, the more you told someone not to do something, the more they wanted to do it.

So I decided to take the indirect approach. "If you want to do the role, you're free to take it."

Jo Min-Sung looked a bit awkward. "I'm not saying I've decided to take it or anything..."

"I know. You just heard the offer. But if you really think The Nine Lives is better than River's Edge, the one I recommended, then go ahead and do it."

Jo Min-Sung frowned as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Really?"

"Yes. Honestly, I'd like to grab onto your leg and beg you not to take it, but the final decision is your right as an actor. I just want you to know one thing."

"Hm? What's that?"

"The moment you take that role, you'll become the face of the most humiliating meme that will haunt you for life."

Jo Min-Sung's eyes widened. "A meme?"

"Yes. It'll probably be plastered all over every online community, immortalized forever."

At that moment, So Ji-Min, who had been listening silently, cut in with fury blazing in her eyes. "Chief Jung! Why do you always have to speak so harshly, like in that last meeting? Do you have some kind of grudge against Writer Guk Bong-Soon? How can you call it a humiliation meme when the male lead drives a Ferrori and plays a charismatic lawyer?"

"And I'd like to ask you, Ms. So. Did Mrs. Guk pay you or something? Why are you so desperate to push that drama?"

So Ji-Min's face turned red. "Maybe you're the one who got paid! Dropping writer Guk Bong-Soon's project to push some script by a no-name writer—how does that make any sense?"

At her words, Jo Min-Sung also began to look a little doubtful. From a logical standpoint, what So Ji-Min said wasn't wrong.

The project I had recommended, River's Edge, was written by a rookie writer named Lee Yo-Jin and produced by a small company called Tell Me Something. In contrast, The Nine Lives was written by Guk Bong-Soon and produced by the competent CP Ahn Byung-Tae, as an in-house SBC production.

Based on those facts alone, anyone would naturally lean toward The Nine Lives. But since I was the only one in this world who knew the future of both dramas, I spoke firmly.

"Sure, the lead character Han Chul-Yong in The Nine Lives starts off as a cool lawyer. But from episode five, he becomes a punching bag. He gets pelted with tofu by his wife and sister-in-law, slapped with pickled kimchi, falls into a sewer, and despite being a lawyer, gets scammed and ends up homeless. And you're recommending that role a headline actor, not even a supporting one?"

Jo Min-Sung's face turned pale as he listened to me. He was currently the face of major cosmetics, shampoo, and conditioner ads. If what I said was true, those advertisers would be bombarded with complaints and might even demand to terminate their contracts.

As Jo Min-Sung's expression shifted, So Ji-Min cried out in a panic. "Chief Jung! Only three episodes of The Nine Lives have been released. Even if you hate the drama, how can you lie about a story like that?"

Currently, only up to episode three of Guk Bong-Soon's script had been distributed to entertainment companies. However, before releasing her work publicly, Guk Bong-Soon usually circulated her drafts among friends and a few fellow writers for feedback. By now, she would have at least up to episode twelve completed.

So I continued, claiming I had already read them. "You may have only seen up to episode three, but I've read all the way to episode twelve."

"Twelve? But the PD didn't say anything about that..."

"That's because the writer hasn't submitted it to the PD yet. She's still revising it based on feedback from close contacts."

"H-How do you know that...?"

"Isn't getting that kind of information part of a talent agent's job?"

As my exchange with So Ji-Min continued, Jo Min-Sung's face grew increasingly grim. Jo Min-Sung had always prided himself on his ability to evaluate scripts. But realizing too late that the project he thought might be okay was actually a landmine clearly shocked him.

So Ji-Min tried to argue a few more times by nitpicking my words, but she was no match for someone who already knew the future.

Eventually, Jo Min-Sung completely changed his stance. "Ms. So, when suggesting a role, you should know the script in full. What do you think you're doing here? Or... were you trying to trap me?"

"N-No! I wasn't trying to..."

"If not, then you're incompetent. And if so, then you're malicious. Either way, I won't forget this. Oh, right. I'm seeing some friends tonight. Maybe I'll mention what happened with you."

The actors who hung out with Jo Min-Sung were all well-known names. And many of the staff he socialized with were also fairly influential in broadcasting circles. If Jo Min-Sung started saying bad things about So Ji-Min, her standing would surely suffer. Even though she mainly handled singers, she still managed a few actors, including Yang Ji-Seon.

So Ji-Min shouted, "Wait! This is all a misunderstanding! Chief Jung twisted things and made me mess up. I really didn't mean for this to happen..."

"That's enough, Ms. So. And frankly, I'd prefer not to see your face anymore."

So Ji-Min flushed at Jo Min-Sung's sharp words and couldn't say anything further.

Just then, Ju Yung-Hoon came running in, panting, with drinks and coffee in both hands. "Oh? Chief Jung. What are you doing here?"

"Just had a little business. But where did you go?"

"Oh, Director Kim Jang-Bi said the drama director wanted to discuss something, so I rushed over. On the way back, I grabbed snacks for Mr. Jo."

It seemed Kim Jang-Bi had deliberately pulled Ju Yung-Hoon away from the scene to help. Once again, I was glad I came here first.

"Did things go well?"

"Who do you think I am? Like the ace of Division 2 that I am, I sweet-talked the director and got extra scenes added for the final episode."

Ju Yung-Hoon grinned proudly as he said he secured more screen time in that short span.

"But why does everyone look so serious?"

"I'll explain later."

At that moment, the AD from The Court of Heaven approached us. "We're ready to start shooting again. Please get ready."

Jo Min-Sung looked at Ju Yung-Hoon and said, "Yung-Hoon, I'll have the drinks and snacks after the shoot."

"Yes, Mr. Jo."

"Yung-Hoon, can we drop the formalities now? We're the same age. Let's speak casually."

"Aww, not yet. I'll switch to casual speech after I land you a big role."

As Ju Yung-Hoon replied playfully, Jo Min-Sung's face, which had been tense, finally relaxed a little.

"Alright. Deal."

As he stood up and headed toward the set, Jo Min-Sung looked back at me and said, "And Chief Jung."

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry for getting sidetracked. And from now on... if I ever have a dumb idea again, snap me out of it like you did today."

I answered with a grin. "Anytime."

Jo Min-Sung gave a nod and began getting into character. Then, in the blink of an eye he transformed into the drama's lead, Kang Chun-Ha, and slowly walked toward the set with a sorrowful expression. He didn't even glance in So Ji-Min's direction.

Having been thoroughly ignored, So Ji-Min left the set with Yang Ji-Seon without so much as a goodbye.

But I had no intention of just letting her walk away.

'Chief So, now it's your turn. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.'

If she laid hands on my actor, I had no plans of staying idle.

Leaving things in Ju Yung-Hoon's hands, I followed after So Ji-Min.

***

In the hallway outside the SBC set, I quickly caught up with So Ji-Min and Yang Ji-Seon before calling out to her.

"Miss Ji-Seon, could I have a word with you?"

"Huh? About what?"

"There's something you really need to know about The Nine Lives."

Yang Ji-Seon had started out as a singer and was now making waves in variety shows. At 25, she was known for her cute looks and bubbly charm. She didn't suffer from stage fright, so she quickly adapted to acting and was now considered a promising talent.

Originally, she had been cast as the female lead in Haze, but after So Ji-Min declined it, she was now aiming for the role of Jang Yi-Seon, the second daughter in The Nine Lives.

"Why? Is there a problem with The Nine Lives too?"

At that moment, So Ji-Min spun around and rushed over, blocking her path. "Chief Jung! What do you think you're doing?"

'What else? I'm doing exactly what you had done—returning the favor.'

I shrugged and said, "I was willing to let it slide, but I can't anymore. At this rate, her filmography might be ruined."

So Ji-Min snapped. "Ruined? Fine, say what you will about Mr. Min-Sung, but Ji-Seon already met the PD today and confirmed the role!"

"Did the CP sign off on it?"

"If the PD confirmed it, that's basically the same thing. What more do you want?"

"I already told you it wouldn't happen."

Before the regression, Ahn Byung-Tae had ignored the concerns of both the writer and the PD and forced his niece into the lead role. Because he thought of her like a daughter, he had been completely blind.

Hearing that, Yang Ji-Seon turned to me and asked, "Mr. Jung, is it really true that Mr. Ahn is pushing to cast his niece?"

"If you don't believe me, shall I call him right now?"

So Ji-Min trembled and tried to pull Yang Ji-Seon away. "Forget it, Ji-Seon. Don't listen to Chief Jung. We've got another schedule. Let's go."

However, Yang Ji-Seon shook off her hand. "Ms. So, there's no harm in just checking, is there?"

"Ji-Seon!"

Yang Ji-Seon looked at me and asked, "Mr. Jung. If you're close with Mr. Ahn, could you call him now?"

"I can... but are you sure about this?"

"Of course!"

Despite her young age, Yang Ji-Seon had a sharp, no-nonsense personality. She showed no sign of backing down.

Eventually, So Ji-Min relented. "Fine. But put it on speakerphone so we can all hear it!"

As soon as she gave the green light, I pointed to the break room down the hall. "Let's talk over there."

I led the way into the break room, and Yang Ji-Seon and So Ji-Min followed.

Thud.

After closing the door, I dialed Ahn Byung-Tae. He had called me a few days ago asking to cast Miso as a child actor in The Nine Lives, and this would be my first time calling him since then.

After a few rings, Ahn Byung-Tae answered.

-Hey, Chief Jung! So, are you sending Miso for our show?

"Apologies, Mr. Ahn. Since Miso is starting school this year, all her projects have already been scheduled. But starting at the end of this year, we'll prioritize your productions above all others."

-Ah, is that so? That's a shame.

Ahn Byung-Tae let out a sigh, unable to hide his disappointment.

"Actually, Mr. Ahn..."

-What is it?

" I heard today that actress Yang Ji-Seon from our company has just been cast for the second daughter role in The Nine Lives. I heard even the PD gave the green light, so I wanted to ask for your kind consideration."

Even as I brought up Yang Ji-Seon, I made sure to phrase it carefully so that So Ji-Min couldn't accuse me of twisting the facts. Yang Ji-Seon, standing beside me, clasped her hands tightly in anticipation.

And just as I expected, a hesitant tone came from Ahn Byung-Tae's end.

-Ahem... Sounds like PD Oh might've made a mistake. That role... has actually already been assigned to someone else. What do we do about this?

The expressions on both So Ji-Min and Yang Ji-Seon's faces began to shift rapidly.

"Oh... I see. I'd heard it was already confirmed for our side, so it must've been a misunderstanding."

-Yeah. The PD must've acted without checking with me. I hope you understand. And can you ask Ms. Yang Ji-Seon to stop by sometime? I owe her an apology. I'll treat her to a meal, too. This won't be the end of things, so tell her to keep her chin up.

"Yes. I'll let her know."

-Ahem. Well, I'm busy, so...

Click.

The call ended abruptly, just as things were getting more uncomfortable. Still holding my phone, I slowly turned my head. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Yang Ji-Seon's face was beet red as she stared daggers at So Ji-Min. "Ms. So... What was that all about?"

So Ji-Min swallowed hard, unable to answer.

At that moment, an idea flashed through my mind. Rather than simply putting So Ji-Min in her place, I decided to go a step further and bring Yang Ji-Seon over to our side while I was at it.

'Chief So... Let me return the favor—generously, with interest!'

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