Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

Chapter 284: Destiny (1)

I looked at the advertisement proposal text from Daeheung Savings Bank and fell into deep thought.

'Could it be an order from President Choi Eun-Tae?' I wondered.

It was possible for a savings bank to send loan advertisement texts and it was not unusual for them to want to use a popular actress as a model.

However, I was convinced that it was more than just a coincidence given the previous incidents.

After a brief moment of contemplation, I made a decision. 'I have no choice but to meet them in person.'

I had asked Lee Soo-Chan for information about Daeheung Savings Bank without Kim Dong-Soo and Choi Man-Sik's knowledge. Unfortunately, there was still no result. It seemed like it was time for me to take direct action to find out why Choi Eun-Tae was looking for his son at this point and what he planned to do after finding him.

In the meantime, Yoo-Jin's interview ended successfully.

After politely greeting the reporters, Yoo-Jin approached me. "Oppa, it's over."

"Good job. Here, drink some water."

At that moment, Jang Moon-Ki, a reporter from Star Special, rushed over with a camera. Panting, Jang Moon-Ki gave a thumbs-up. "Miss Yoo-Jin, your interview skills are getting better day by day. With interviews, you improve the more you do it."

"It's all thanks to you for asking good questions, Mr. Jang," Yoo-Jin replied with a smile.

"Ha ha. You think so?"

After repeatedly praising Yoo-Jin, Jang Moon-Ki casually brought up a suggestion. "Team Lead Jung. You have to keep your promise, remember?"

The smooth progress of the interview just moments ago was due to Jang Moon-Ki's support. I had asked for his help in advance and promised him an exclusive interview in return.

"Of course, Mr. Jang. But today is a bit difficult. I'll set a date soon. Something came up unexpectedly," I replied.

Jang Moon-Ki responded with a disappointed expression. "In that case, one interview won't be enough."

"Then I'll arrange another exclusive interview with one of the other actors from Team Jung. How does that sound?"

Jang Moon-Ki's expression brightened at my suggestion. "Okay~ by the way, you can look forward to today's article. You know my writing skills, right?"

Today was the airing of episode 10 of In the Name of God and Star Special had promised to feature a special article on Yoo-Jin.

I took the chance and asked, "Shall I send you the promotional materials as well?"

"As expected, you're good at your job. That would be great. And send over a few well-taken photos too," Jang Moon-Ki said with a grin before running off amidst the reporters wrapping up the interview.

After greeting the reporters once more, I returned to the set. Every staff member I met along the way gave a thumbs-up in support.

"Miss Yoo-Jin, the interview you did with the reporters just now is already up."

"Hey. I'm sorry, but after the shoot, could you sign two autographs for me? My twins have been pestering me and said they'll focus on their studies if they get your autograph."

"My daughter, on the other hand, says she wants to become a shaman like Cheongmyung and make a lot of money. Could you please tell her not to do that, Miss Yoo-Jin? She'll listen to you."

Despite the absurd requests from the staff, Yoo-Jin listened and replied without a frown.

At that moment, Cha Soo-Yeon urgently called for Yoo-Jin. "Miss Yoo-Jin! We need to hurry up here! The previous scene ended earlier than expected and it's already your turn."

"Yes! I'm coming~"

Seeing her name being called repeatedly among the staff made me feel proud inside.

Just last winter, Jung Yoo-Jin was an extra actress whose name the staff didn't even know. Now, she had grown into a popular actress dominating the scene.

***

While Yoo-Jin was preparing for the shoot, I called Lee Soo-Chan. "Hey, Soo-Chan. Have you found out anything about Daeheung?"

Lee Soo-Chan replied with hesitation.

-The other party is being extremely cautious, so it's been impossible to find out anything.

"Is that so?"

Given that this involved his own flesh and blood, it seemed that Choi Eun-Tae was being careful as well.

At that moment, Lee Soo-Chan cautiously posed a question.

-Um, hyung-nim. Should we step in ourselves instead of using a private detective? If we plant a few of our guys in the Myeongdong loan market, we might be able to...

I cut him off sharply. "No, there's no need to go that far. It could be dangerous. I'll meet with them personally soon."

Lee Soo-Chan replied with surprise.

-You're going to meet them directly?

"Yes."

-Then let us go with you, hyung-nim.

"No. I actually have an official opportunity to meet them, so I'll handle it myself."

-Understood. But please give us a call before you go into Daeheung.

Lee Soo-Chan said he would stand by outside just in case anything happened.

"Alright, let's do that."

Lee Soo-Chan responded with a relieved voice after I agreed to his suggestion.

-I'll also inform Eun-Gi hyung-nim.

"By the way, what did Eun-Gi say?"

I had been too busy to visit Eun-Gi in jail, so I hadn't heard how he reacted after learning about the news of his potential father.

-Well, you know Eun-Gi hyung-nim's personality... He said that Daeheung and President Choi have nothing to do with him, and he'll kill them if they show up in front of him spouting nonsense.

'As expected of Eun-Gi,' I thought to myself.

"How's Nalsae doing? Did he report any unusual movements?"

-Nalsae is doing his best to keep Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung in the dark, but they've been pressuring him all of a sudden. They want results within the next two weeks no matter what.

It seemed that Kim Dong-Soo was desperate to survive following the failed contract with China.

"Tell him to hold out until I meet with Daeheung Savings Bank. We'll take him out after that."

-Okay, hyung-nim. I'll make sure everything is prepared.

After ending the call with Lee Soo-Chan, I took a deep breath and called the number from the text message.

-Hello?

A deep male voice answered on the other end of the line.

"This is Team Lead Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment."

The person who answered was Director Jang Ki-Ho. After a brief conversation, I set an appointment for next week.

-Our president and vice president might join the meeting that day. They're both huge fans of Miss Yoo-Jin.

There was no way I'd let Yoo-Jin take part in an advertisement related to loan sharks and thugs. After all, this was just an excuse to meet them in person.

"I'm sorry, but Miss Yoo-Jin won't be able to come that day due to her schedule."

-Oh, I see. That's unfortunate, but I understand. I'll relay the message then.

Judging by the lack of disappointment in his voice, it was clear that the real purpose was to meet with me, not with Yoo-Jin.

After setting the appointment and hanging up, I started to mentally organize the things I needed to confirm in person.

At that moment, I noticed Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In whispering to each other as they prepared for the shoot in front of the set.

'What are they up to now?' I wondered.

Knowing they're not the type to be that close, I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. I stopped what I was doing and moved closer to the set.

***

Frowning, Hong Hyun-Joo stood in front of the cafe with an antique exterior.

Next to her was a talent agent from TNT Entertainment, fanning her constantly.

For a supporting actress on her first day, she was displaying an excessive amount of arrogance.

Ever since rumors spread that she was the second daughter of the HK Textiles, the staff started treating her with deference, causing her to become more brazen.

"Um... Miss Hyun-Joo, we're about to start filming," said one of the staff members who approached her cautiously.

Hong Hyun-Joo relaxed her frown and adjusted her posture. "Oh, I'm sorry. I must've been out of it because of the heat."

As soon as Hong Hyun-Joo indicated she was ready, her talent agent quickly moved away.

In the upcoming scene 120, Hong Hyun-Joo was playing the role of the girlfriend of a possessed criminal being pursued by the main characters.

Her role was to cause a scene with a cafe employee over a wrong order, which would lead to a confrontation with the main characters.

The supporting actress playing the role of the cafe employee took a deep breath as she stood at the counter.

However, the face of the extra seemed oddly familiar.

'Wait a minute, what's she doing here?' I wondered.

She was Oh Sung-Yeon, an actress who would be known for her exceptional crying scenes and later become a top-tier actress, earning the title of "Queen of Tears" before starring in several hit dramas.

However, she was only 21 years old this year and it would still be several years before she landed a role that would bring her public attention.

I turned to Cha Soo-Yeon. "Ms. Cha, is the person playing the role of the part-timer an extra?"

"Yes, she's just here for today. Why do you ask?" Cha Soo-Yeon replied.

"Oh, nothing. I was just curious."

"If you're interested, should I get her contact information for you? I don't think she has an agency yet..."

I declined, saying I'd contact her directly if necessary.

Meanwhile, the preparations for filming were completed.

"Okay, scene 120. We're rolling. Please stand by."

Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In headed toward the chairs inside the cafe. Hong Hyun-Joo stood at the door of the cafe, waiting for the signal to start.

As soon as the signal was given, Kim Sung-Woon called out enthusiastically, "Alright, scene 120. Ready~ action!"

As the filming began, Hong Hyun-Joo entered the cafe without lifting her head, fiddling with her phone as she placed her order. When the part-timer asked her again, she snapped back and told her to figure it out herself.

A moment later, Hong Hyun-Joo screamed loudly upon seeing the coffee Oh Sung-Yeon handed her.

『Hey! What is this? You call this coffee?』

And then, without warning, Hong Hyun-Joo poured the coffee filled with ice over the part-timer's head.

Splash!

I was taken aback. 'What the hell...?'

According to the script, Hong Hyun-Joo was supposed to knock the coffee over with her hand and spill it onto the counter. However, as a rookie actress trying to show off, she decided to ad-lib.

Oh Sung-Yeon stood there drenched from head to toe and Kim Sung-Woon was about to shout "Cut!" in a hurry.

But at that moment, Oh Sung-Yeon handled the situation far better than expected, determined not to cause a retake.

『I'm sorry... ma'am. I'll get you a new one right away.』

'Could it be that a promising talent shows itself early?' I pondered.

Oh Sung-Yeon calmly delivered her lines even with coffee dripping from her hair.

Seeing this, Kim Sung-Woon lowered his hand. He was seemingly impressed by Oh Sung-Yeon's resolve to continue acting despite being an extra.

However, Hong Hyun-Joo, not grasping the situation, got even more carried away and raised her voice further.

She was playing the role of a despicable character according to the script, but it was getting increasingly over the top.

That's when Yoo-Jin, who had been sitting at the table, suddenly stood up. She walked over briskly and grabbed Hong Hyun-Joo by the hair out of nowhere, aggressively shaking her.

It was an ad-lib.

『Gotcha, you bitch!』

『Ahhh! Let go! Are you crazy!?』

Hong Hyun-Joo shrieked as she was being tossed around, but Yoo-Jin continued her performance without blinking an eye.

『You're the crazy one here! How dare does a worthless spirit take over a human body and causes such a scene?』

『"Ahhh! My hair! Let go! I said let go! Ugh!』

This time, Ju Yung-In stood up and spoke to Yoo-Jin with a nonchalant expression, making no move to stop her.

『Hey, she looks pretty human to me. Are you sure she's really possessed?』

『Ugh, what are you talking about? You call yourself a detective with that kind of poor judgment? Has the great shaman from Cheongdam-dong ever been wrong? I can see it clearly. This bitch is possessed. And not just by any spirit, but a real nasty one! Die, you witch!』

Yoo-Jin continued shaking Hong Hyun-Joo's hair for quite a while after that.

Hong Hyun-Joo, who had ad-libbed by bullying the part-timer, ended up paying the price through an ad-libbed retaliation.

***

"Cut~ Okay!"

As soon as Kim Sung-Woon called for a cut, Yoo-Jin quickly let go of Hong Hyun-Joo's hair.

"Miss Hyun-Joo, are you okay? I might have gone too far. I'm sorry," said Yoo-Jin with a casual smile as she shook off her hair-filled hand behind her.

Ju Yung-In also chimed in and sided with Yoo-Jin. "Yoo-Jin really gets into her role sometimes. So even if you're upset, please understand."

Since she had been the one to start it, Hong Hyun-Joo couldn’t respond. Moreover, when the staff praised the scene for being so realistic, she said nothing further. She only turned sharply on her heel and returned to her spot with an unpleasant expression.

At that moment, Yoo-Jin and Ju Yung-In exchanged a knowing glance as if this had been their plan all along.

With the set in a bit of disarray due to the spilled coffee, Yoo-Jin suddenly brought the drenched Oh Sung-Yeon over to our car.

"Oppa, we have some extra clothes in the car, right?" asked Yoo-Jin.

"Yeah, we do. Come over here."

Although Oh Sung-Yeon insisted she was fine, Yoo-Jin pulled her along and dismissed her protests. She knew that it was rare for extras to have a change of clothes on hand.

A short while later, Oh Sung-Yeon walked out looking neat in the clothes Yoo-Jin had given her and I was reminded of my past life.

Since it had come to this, I told Oh Sung-Yeon to contact me if she was considering becoming a full-time actress.

"Really? Me?" Oh Sung-Yeon responded in disbelief.

"Yes. You handled the situation earlier very well despite the surprise. It seems like you have a talent for acting. So if you're serious about pursuing it, I'd be happy to help."

After a brief moment of thought, Oh Sung-Yeon replied, "Can I talk to my parents and get back to you?"

"Of course."

Since she was still a student, she needed her parents' permission. Nonetheless, she seemed almost convinced from the look on her face.

Just like that, today's shoot successfully wrapped up.

***

We returned to Seoul after finishing filming on set.

After dropping Yoo-Jin off at her house, I headed straight to MBS without a moment's rest as I had an appointment to meet with MBS President Choi Sang-Byung regarding Empress Myeongseong 2021.

After I parked the car in the MBS lot, I checked my phone and saw that Yoo-Jin's name had once again risen to the top of the trending searches.

[Live Search Rankings]

1st: Jung Yoo-Jin - Big-Hearted

"Big-hearted?"

Yoo-Jin had become the center of attention again, but for a completely unexpected reason.