Chapter 86: Trojan Horse (2)
"Lately, do you know who the actors in our Actor Division 3 consult first when discussing their next projects?"
Lee Gi-Cheol’s expression gradually hardened as he listened to Kim Dong-Soo’s words.
"Is it Jung Yoon-Ho?"
"Yes, sir. The actors are so proactive that we can't stop them from approaching him."
Kim Dong-Soo and Lee Gi-Cheol had been receiving large sums of money from various production companies in exchange for influencing the actors’ decisions in choosing their next projects because the actors tended to choose projects that were strongly recommended by their own companies.
It did not matter whether the project would succeed or fail as they would typically receive the money before the projects were even released.
For this reason, they had been able to generate substantial funds without any major issues until now. Unfortunately for them, with Jung Yoon-Ho’s involvement now, it became difficult to continue creating these under-the-table deals.
Lee Gi-Cheol asked with a flustered expression, "Don’t tell me...that even the S-grade stars you personally manage are wavering?"
The rebates from the projects involving the top stars Kim Dong-Soo managed were beyond one’s imagination. Lee Gi-Cheol was asking if Jung Yoon-Ho was interfering even with those actors.
Kim Dong-Soo shook his head. "No, I've taken care of those actors myself."
The relieved Lee Gi-Cheol let out a sigh.
"It looks like we’ll need to get Jung Yoon-Ho out of Actor Division 3 as soon as possible."
"Hah, this is just unbelievable!"
Lee Gi-Cheol suddenly felt as if the sweet coffee made by Jung Yoon-Ho had turned into bitter poison.
***
"Yes, sunbae. PD Choi Eun-Soo really likes those ginseng extract sachets. So bring a few when you go to see her."
"Really? Are you sure about that?"
"Forget it then, if you don’t believe me."
“Oh, come on. You know that’s not what I meant.”
"And she’s a health enthusiast so she always keeps ginseng, deer antler, and black garlic around her... Oh, right. You know the whole black garlic they sell these days? Bring some of that too."
"Okay! If Dong-Jin hyung gets cast as the lead, I’ll give you a huge treat."
Assistant Manager Jung Sung-Gon, owing me a favor, dashed out of the break room after hearing my advice.
Actor Sung Han-Yung, who turned thirty-five years old this year, clicked his tongue as he watched Jung Sung-Gon leave and asked with a confused expression, “Tsk, tsk. Why are all talent agents asking you about this information? Wasn’t that guy in this industry five years before you?”
"Yes, sir. He was."
"But Mr. Jung. How do you know all this stuff?"
"..."
I didn't answer but just smiled contentedly.
"Ah, here you go again. You always have secrets, don’t you, Mr. Jung?"
Sung Han-Yung playfully teased me and then stood up as he dusted off his pants.
"By the way, when are you going to review my new project contract, huh?"
"You should submit it to the legal division for review."
"No. The review takes too long there. Just take a quick look at it for me."
I agreed to review Sung Han-Yung’s new project synopsis and contract.
At that moment, Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo entered the break room. The staff started to leave like a receding tide. I, too, bowed my head and was about to leave, but Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo stopped me with a stiff expression.
"Assistant Manager Jung, follow me!"
Kim Dong-Soo had an ominous look in his eyes.
***
In Lee Gi-Cheol's office, the coffee I had made was left half-drunk on the table in front of the sofa.
Lee Gi-Cheol’s voice was laced with anger. "You! What have you been up to lately?"
"What do you mean, sir?"
"Why are you going around doing things nobody asked you to do?!"
Lee Gi-Cheol’s thunderous voice echoed across the room. He was furious that I was mingling with other actors instead of just taking care of Ju Yung-In. He even accused me of treating the company like a playground. nove(l)bi(n.)com
'Why do you think I’m mingling with other actors? It’s obviously to thwart your schemes.'
***
It was March 16th and I was at the filming location of Blue Sky.
The filming of episode 10 was nearing its end. Ever since I promised to take care of Ju Yung-In, I hadn't had a direct conversation with Yoo-Jin at the location. But of course, I would go over to Yoo-Jin’s place after 9 PM to check her schedule and script. But we only communicated via KkTalk on set because Ju Yung-In was always watching me with hawk eyes.
[Lovely?Yoo-Jin : Yoon-Ho oppa. There’s only three days left until you come back, right?]
[Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: Yeah. The department transfer order from Ms. Kang should come out today.]
[Lovely?Yoo-Jin : I guess I have to try my best to rise to the lead role as soon as possible to keep my talent agent from being taken away...]
[Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: Please do. I’m begging you, Miss Jung Yoo-Jin.]
Lately, Yoo-Jin often talked about trying her best to rise to stardom soon to prevent me from being stolen away again and called me her talent agent. It wasn’t a special phrase but I felt mixed emotions whenever I heard it.
At that moment, Kang Soo-Hoon’s voice echoed on set.
"Cut! Okay! Good job, everyone! Let’s move on to the next scene after a quick makeup check for Miss Yung-In and Mr. Sung-Jin."
The scene where Sung Blue, played by Ju Seong-Jin, and Kim Sky, played by Ju Yung-In, first acknowledge their feelings for each other had just wrapped up successfully.
But Ju Yung-In suddenly shook her head.
"Mr. Kang, can we please take a short break before the next scene? I'm not feeling well today."
Kang Soo-Hoon looked disappointed. "Hmm. Then we'll shoot scene 118 first. Please let the assistant director know when you're ready again."
At that moment, Ju Yung-In headed toward the waiting chair while clutching her forehead and staggered. The staff around her tried to help but they couldn't support her because their hands were full with their equipment,
That’s when I instinctively moved toward her. Catching her just before she hit the ground, I held Ju Yung-In in my arms.
"Mr...Jung."
Ju Yung-In looked up at me with an exhausted expression. Cold sweats on her forehead made her act look plausible, but I immediately realized she was feigning illness.
‘I’ve seen you pull this act before.’
However, her panting was so realistic that the alarmed and startled staff rushed over.
"What happened? What's going on?"
"Miss Yung-In, are you okay?"
The chaos ensued as the lead actress collapsed. People were fanning her and fetching water.
Even Kang Soo-Hoon's face turned pale. "Mr. Jung, quickly take her to the hospital. No—should we call 119 instead? Yes, maybe that's a better idea. AD Choi, let’s hurry and call 119."
"Yes, Mr. Kang."
But I raised my hand to stop them.
"No, that’s not necessary. I'll take her to the hospital myself."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Miss Ju Yung-In often has anemia. It's nothing serious, so don't worry too much."
"Then please call me as soon as the examination is over."
I reassured the staff and lifted Ju Yung-In. She wasn't too heavy because she always maintained her weight to look skinny on camera. I placed her in the back seat of her luxury van and drove to a nearby hospital.
Five minutes into the drive, I opened my mouth while looking at the rearview mirror.
"It's time to get up now."
Ju Yung-In flinched. No matter how good her acting was, she couldn't fool me. After all, I had been her exclusive talent agent for many years in my past life.
"I know you’re faking it, so you can stop acting now. You'll be embarrassed when the doctor tells you nothing’s wrong."
Ju Yung-In opened her eyes wide and sat up. "How did you know?"
"..."
I parked the car in a nearby lot without saying a single word and turned toward the backseat to face her.
"It's not the first time I've seen actors act out due to stress. Let's take a quick rest here for a bit and then go back. Unnecessary articles might come out if we take too long."
Ju Yung-In glared at me. "Whose fault do you it is for me to act this way?"
‘What? How the heck should I know?’
Seeing my silence, Ju Yung-In frowned and asked again, "Really? You really don't know?"
"No, I don't."
Ju Yung-In leaned toward me and shouted.
"It's because of you!"