Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 855: Emergence of a Strong Enemy (1)

Before the regression, HK Inc. had once ventured into the entertainment business. Their ambition was sparked by the rise of streaming services and the global popularity of Korean films and dramas, which brought in massive profits.

Although the media criticized the move, accusing a conglomerate of overreach, HK Inc. went ahead undeterred.

However, their entertainment business faltered from the outset. Despite investing 200 billion won to gather top talent across the board, the industry was a far cry from their previous lines of business.

The entertainment world revolved around people and HK Inc. never understood that. As a result, they clashed with stars—who lived off their pride—over the pettiest things and even ended up in lawsuits with their own talent.

Eventually, many celebrities fled and HK Entertainment became a place to avoid. To make matters worse, a member of the owner's family sent from the head office kept causing scandal after scandal, hastening the downfall.

Because I had witnessed every step of HK's rise and fall in the entertainment industry before my regression, I had no fear about them starting the business again even if it was being led by Hong Moon-Gyu, the founder of the twelfth-largest chaebol in Korea.

So I said this to Choi Eun-Tae, who was worried. "Mr. Chairman. In this business, choosing good projects is important, but managing people is even more crucial. But Chairman Hong Moon-Gyu won't understand entertainers in the slightest. Even if he brings in an experienced middle manager, I'm confident I can beat them. Please trust me."

After a short pause, he replied. Choi Eun-Tae had some experience himself thanks to Hoop Entertainment.

-If it weren't for President Kang Gam-Chan or you, I wouldn't have known how to run Hoop Entertainment. All right. You handle the entertainment side. I'll cut off HK Inc. and the others' funding.

Thankfully, Choi Eun-Tae left the entertainment business to me.

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman."

-Sure. And you've really done a great job. Thanks to you, we brought down that bastard Park Sang-Gon much more easily than expected.

Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon lost every by-election and stepped down as party leader. Nevertheless, the schedule entry still hadn't changed on Everyday. It still said Park Sang-Gon would become president.

So I gave Choi Eun-Tae one more piece of advice since it was not over until it was truly over.

"You're the one who worked hard, Mr. Chairman. But Park Sang-Gon won't go down that easily. The ruling party has no alternatives."

Under normal circumstances, another candidate would've emerged. But right now, the ruling party had no one as strong as Park Sang-Gon.

Choi Eun-Tae let out a deep laugh.

-Hahaha. Is that another one of your hunches?

"Yes."

Then, Choi Eun-Tae spoke in a low, calm voice. His words carried the edge of a blade.

-I'll never let the man who tried to kill my son walk free. So don't worry. I won't take my eyes off him until I end his political career.

Hearing Choi Eun-Tae's resolve, I figured I didn't need to worry anymore.

"Understood, Mr. Chairman. Then I'll take my leave."

-Get some rest tonight. Maybe it's an old man's sentiment, but I always worry about your health.

"I will."

With that affectionate nagging, more like a friend's father than a chairman, the call ended.

Then I heard the sound of splashing water. It came from the stone tub in the courtyard of our hanok-style hotel suite, where hot spring water was overflowing. I had filled it for Yoo-Jin, who had spent the whole day acting. So I stepped out onto the wooden floor and headed to the next room. Yoo-Jin had asked me to let her know when the tub was ready.

"Yoo-Jin. The water's ready. You should take a soak and sleep well."

She had said she would unwind in the hot spring bath and get a good night's sleep. Since tomorrow's shoot didn't start until the afternoon, she had time.

Just then, I heard a dying voice from inside the room.

"Ugh... Oppa... I feel like I'm gonna die... I'm just gonna sleep like this... No smile left in me..."

It seemed Yoo-Jin was in no condition for a hot spring bath.

'Well, nothing I could do then.'

"Alright. But did you take off your makeup?"

"Yesh..."

"That shaky voice tells me you're lying. Get up and wash it off with a cleanser before you sleep."

"Okaaay..."

"Don't just say okay. Be thorough about it. Want me to come help? Or should I at least bring you some hot spring water?"

Yoo-Jin grumbled in a hoarse voice. "Mom... I just wanna sleep..."

'Calling me 'Mom' now just because I nagged her?'

I immediately thinned my voice and replied, "Yoo-Jin~ if you don't want a smack on the back, you'd better get up and wash your face. Or do you want Mommy to come in with a scrubbing towel and scrub you down?"

At that, I heard the rustle of her getting up. "Yes, Mom."

Clunk.

I heard her enter the en suite bathroom. Only then did I let out a sigh.

Splash, splash.

Once again, the sound of hot spring water spilling over the stone tub in the courtyard reached my ears.

It would be a huge waste to let all that water go unused. So I went back inside, changed into my swim trunks, threw on a bathrobe, and stepped out into the yard. In the center stood the stone tub, full of steaming hot spring water.

"I guess I'll soak for about ten minutes before bed."

I took off the bathrobe and slowly dipped my feet into the water.

Splash.

The heat sent a shiver through me as soon as my feet went in.

Ripple.

"Ugh... this is nice."

I slowly lowered myself into the tub, leaned my head back against the stone, and stared up at the chilly night sky. Looking at the stars scattered across the deep blue sky, I thought of all the stars in the entertainment world.

But among them, only a precious few were truly worth keeping—like the Big Dipper shining above my head. Just like the ones beside me now, like Jung Yoo-Jin. And no matter how much money HK Entertainment threw around, they would never be able to take them from me.

I leaned back and savored the bath, quietly wondering how Hong Moon-Gyu would make his move.

***

Flash.

The alarm I had set for eleven rang and woke me up. Maybe it was the bath last night, but I felt incredibly refreshed. I couldn't remember the last time I had slept more than seven hours straight.

Stretching wide, I headed to Yoo-Jin's room and knocked.

Knock knock.

"Yoo-Jin?"

No response came back, so I opened the door.

Yoo-Jin was just stepping out of the bathroom, having finished her shower. A towel was wrapped in a neat swirl on her damp hair.

"Oppa?"

"Hey, you're up?"

"I woke up thirty minutes ago and took a shower."

"Did you sleep well?"

At that moment, Yoo-Jin looked at my face and grumbled. "Wow~ Oppa, look at your skin. It's glowing! I should've taken that bath too!"

"That's why I told you to soak in it."

Yoo-Jin covered her ears and shouted. "La la la... I can't hear you, not listening!"

'Is she a child?'

"Enough of that. Sit in front of the vanity. I'll dry your hair."

Drying her long hair would take forever, so I figured I would pamper her a bit and lift her mood.

"Yay!"

Yoo-Jin plopped herself down in front of the mirror without hesitation. I set the hairdryer to high and started drying her hair.

Whirr~

Her long hair fluttered under the hot air.

"Ugh, that's hot."

"Please endure it, ma'am."

"Wow, this salon's a mess. Ignoring customer complaints like this? I'm reporting you."

"Then I'll report you for power tripping."

Yoo-Jin clasped her hands together. "I'm sorry."

Still, I turned the heat down a notch in the end.

"Better now?"

"It's perfect~ Just right!"

I carefully made sure the hot air didn't hit Yoo-Jin's face. Her hair soon turned light and fluffy. Then I noticed Yoo-Jin grinning at her reflection in the mirror.

"What are you smiling about?"

"Every time you dry my hair, I swear you're a total pro. Be honest, you've done this for other girls, haven't you?"

'I had. To death. Not in this life, but before the regression.'

Click.

I turned off the dryer and began winding up the cord.

"Enough nonsense. Hurry up and get ready. I'll be outside. Just put on your base makeup and get dressed. You'll get your full makeup done on set anyway."

"Sheesh, dodging the question again."

'Because it's not something I can explain.'

"Oh, and I'll put the protective gear on you once we get there."

"Got it. Thank you, oppa."

In today's episode 36, Min Gyu-Ri's character lures Princess Yu-Hwa to the palace during a war with Baekje to assassinate her. There was a scene where Yoo-Jin's character crosses swords with Min Gyu-Ri's Princess Do-Hwa.

Of course, we would stop before the blades made contact and use stunt doubles after that, but we were preparing safety gear just in case. Normally, Assistant Manager Yang So-Ri would've helped, but she was currently down south assisting with special makeup for Park Sang-Gyu's character Wolryeong. So today, I had to handle everything myself.

"I'll be outside, then."

I stepped out so Yoo-Jin could change and got dressed myself.

The current time was 12:30 p.m. Sitting on the wooden floor, I waited for Yoo-Jin to come out while checking the day's entertainment headlines. And sure enough, articles about HK Inc. that Choi Eun-Tae had mentioned were popping up.

[Breaking: HK Inc. Announces Entry into Entertainment Industry!]

[HK Inc. to establish HK Entertainment as a new growth engine.]

[HK Entertainment says it will play a leading role in the Korean Wave, despite criticism of conglomerates expanding like tentacles.]

'Nice excuse.'

Just like before the regression, HK Inc. was using the same justification for entering the industry. They claimed massive capital was needed to expand the Korean Wave even further. However, HK Entertainment would suffer huge losses both at home and abroad. There was a saying that a leaking bowl spills inside and out.

Knowing how things would turn out, I scoffed as I read through the article. Then I noticed another article climbing rapidly up the trending charts.

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho of Hoop Entertainment acquires 15.5% stake in company.]

'Well, that made it up here too.'

It had been quietly disclosed late yesterday afternoon, but now the article was starting to gain traction. And the comments section was packed.

(Comments)

-Whoa, he owns 15.5% of Hoop Entertainment stock? How much money is that?!

-What is this? Is he secretly President Kang Gam-Chan's son or something?

-Hoop stock is at 119,500 won right now.

-That puts his shares at over 10 billion won.

-I didn't know being a talent agent was such a lucrative career.

-I'm a senior in high school. Which college major should I choose to become a talent agent?

...

The comment about picking a college major to become a talent agent was the funniest of the bunch.

"The world really has changed."

Owning a stake I couldn't have even dreamed of before the regression was bringing about all sorts of amusing reactions.

Just then, Yoo-Jin came out of the room. "Oppa. I'm ready."

"Alright. Let's go."

I slipped my phone into my pocket and headed to the set with Yoo-Jin.

***

I parked in front of the set lot. I was sure the press would be waiting at the entrance. Because of that, Yoo-Jin, who only had on base makeup, pulled her cap down low and wore a mask as she got out of the car.

"We're going in as fast as possible, got it?"

Yoo-Jin nodded. "Yes."

Quietly, Yoo-Jin and I walked toward the entrance of the set. Fortunately, Min Gyu-Ri was doing an interview with about a dozen entertainment reporters at the entrance.

"Ms. Gyu-Ri, that shampoo commercial got such a great response! But seriously, how many ads have you filmed so far?"

"Ms. Gyu-Ri. People are calling you the second Jung Yoo-Jin these days. Did you know that?"

Thanks to the viewership ratings for Hwaranjeon, Min Gyu-Ri had landed ten different endorsement deals. So now she was being called both the "Second Jung Yoo-Jin" and the new "CF Princess." Just like before the regression, she was making a splash the moment she appeared.

'That's right, Min Gyu-Ri. You do your thing and let's just stay out of each other's way.'

While I was thinking that, Min Gyu-Ri answered the reporter's question with a smile in her eyes. "Does the number of CFs really matter? And being called the second Jung Yoo-Jin is too much. Just call me Min Gyu-Ri."

"Haha. So basically, no comparisons?"

"Is that how it came across? Haha."

The interview continued on in good spirits, until reporter Choi Kyung-Han from Entertainment All Times gave a sly smile and asked,

"Ms. Gyu-Ri. So where are you signing? We heard TNT Entertainment's going through bankruptcy and you've terminated your contract?"

As if waiting for the question, Min Gyu-Ri casually shrugged and replied, "HK Entertainment."

The reporters began murmuring.

"Even if it's a major conglomerate, are you really going with a brand-new company like HK Entertainment? What if they just put their name on the door and never invest properly?"

Min Gyu-Ri grinned wide. "Oh come on. This is HK we're talking about. They wouldn't pull something like that. I already received a hefty signing bonus and the execs they're scouting, plus the top stars joining... it's no joke."

"Really?"

The reporters began to stir. HK Entertainment had been announced, but aside from the declaration, no real details had been released. In other words, this was a scoop.

"Who's joining? Come on, just give us initials," the reporters asked,

"The guys? J, K, T, H. The girls? M, J, Y... or something like that?"

As Min Gyu-Ri began revealing bits of insider info about HK Entertainment, the reporters leaned in with eager expressions, their attention entirely on her.

'Now's the time.'

While Min Gyu-Ri basked in the spotlight, I nudged Yoo-Jin. "Yoo-Jin. Now's the perfect timing. Let's slip in while we can."

"Okay."

Yoo-Jin and I looped around the back of the car and made our way toward the entrance along the edge of the set wall, trying not to be noticed.

But just then, one of the reporters spotted us. "Hey? Isn't that Jung Yoo-Jin?!"

In an instant, all the reporters who had been questioning Min Gyu-Ri came rushing toward us.

Thud, thud, thud.

In the blink of an eye, we were surrounded.

"Miss Yoo-Jin! Lower your mask, just for one shot!"

"You looked great without makeup last time. Just one photo, yeah?"

"Miss Yoo-Jin, tonight's episode 2 of Hwaranjeon—Do you think it'll break 38% viewership ratings?"

"Hey, be quiet a sec. Chief Jung! Have you heard about HK Entertainment being launched?"

"Chief Jung! What was that photo of Miso the other day? Come on, give me something! You can toss me a bone, right? I need to eat too, man!"

"Chief Jung, the report said you acquired 15% of Hoop Entertainment—was that true?"

Cameras zoomed in from every angle, questions firing at me non-stop.

I tried to calm the reporters down, but in the distance, I could see Min Gyu-Ri's face turning red like a volcano about to erupt. All the reporters had abandoned her mid-interview and rushed over here.

Unfortunately, this wasn't something I could help. It was just the unavoidable result of the difference in status between actors. Still, interrupting another celebrity's interview wasn't polite.

"Apologies. We don't really know much about HK's plans. Since Ms. Min Gyu-Ri is joining HK, you should ask her. As for my stock, let's discuss it later in a proper interview," I said.

"Chief Jung! Just a second—!"

Ignoring the calls behind me, I quickly guided Yoo-Jin into the set.

'Sorry, Min Gyu-Ri. This one's on me.'

I gave Min Gyu-Ri a quick wave of apology as she glared daggers in my direction.

***

Inside the set, Yoo-Jin finished her makeup under the waiting tent.

After that, I pulled out the protective gear and secured it under her hanbok. I wrapped additional padding around her neck and concealed it with a white cloth to make sure it didn't show.

Tap, tap.

I knocked lightly on the padding to check. The solid thud told me it was properly in place.

"All done. Anything uncomfortable?"

Yoo-Jin moved her arms around and smiled brightly. "Not at all."

"Alright then. Let's go."

"Okay."

We had everything ready for the upcoming scene, so I grabbed my bag and we stepped out of the waiting tent together.

Flap.

Just outside, Min Gyu-Ri stood with her arms crossed next to Chief Jang Sam-Deok, waiting for us.

"Hold up. You two. We need to talk."

Min Gyu-Ri's scowl said she wasn't here for a friendly chat.

"What is it?" I asked.

Min Gyu-Ri shot sharply at me. "You did that on purpose, didn't you? Walking by while the reporters were still there."

I responded politely. "No. By the time we parked, you were already being interviewed. So we tried to go around quietly, but the reporters spotted us. You didn't see us hugging the wall?" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Min Gyu-Ri let out a scoffing laugh. "Don't make me laugh. You were walking slow on purpose so the reporters would see you. You were trying to sabotage my interview!"

I stared at Min Gyu-Ri with a dumbfounded expression. Then she curled her lips like she knew everything. "What? Back when I said I was thinking of joining Hoop, you acted like you didn't care. Now that I'm going to HK, suddenly it stings, huh? You think I wouldn't notice?"

I was so taken aback I couldn't even speak. Thanks to Hwaranjeon's popularity, Min Gyu-Ri was landing more CFs and appearing all over TV. It looked like fame had gotten to her head.

If I let this slide, Min Gyu-Ri would definitely go around spreading wild nonsense. It was a little sad, but with her acting like this, I had no choice. It was time to bring out the one remedy that always worked on celebrity syndrome.

'Right. Sometimes, a little scolding is just what it takes to bring someone back to their senses...'