Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 564: Karma (2)

Han Yoo-Sik, who was formerly an executive director at KBC, ended up leaving the company due to Park Chan-Sik's scheme, but still harbored affection for KBC.

It was where he had spent his entire career, and many of the hoobaes who had followed him remained in the Programming and Drama departments.

In the end, Han Yoo-Sik suppressed his resentment and quietly resigned, using his severance pay to establish a drama production company called Mirinae.

After that, Han Yoo-Sik visited Park Chan-Sik, who had pushed him out, to request reconciliation. He said he didn't want to see KBC divided and proposed they avoid causing harm to each other. Park Chan-Sik reluctantly agreed to Han Yoo-Sik's gentlemanly truce offer.

Han Yoo-Sik then began producing Haze, and the script was finally completed after two years. He met with Director Oh Han-Guk, who was aligned with him, and set the tentative broadcast date between May and August of this year.

However, a week ago after Hwaranjeon and Queen Jeong-Hee clashed over preview viewership ratings, Park Chan-Sik made a move. When Queen Jeong-Hee started to fall behind Hwaranjeon, Park Chan-Sik, feeling that his reappointment was at risk, began undermining his rivals.

As a result, the scheduling for Haze was canceled. With the sudden cancellation, Mirinae, which was supposed to receive ten billion won from the network, faced severe financial hardship. They had already rented additional equipment and assembled a production team, expecting the show to air.

The shocked Han Yoo-Sik tried to secure a slot with other networks, but was rejected by all. With Hwaranjeon and Queen Jeong-Hee monopolizing public attention, no network wanted to risk investing in a costly drama.

With its final financial lifeline cut off, Mirinae collapsed rapidly in just a week.

Even though it was all orchestrated by Park Chan-Sik, I inadvertently played a part in the matter because I was the one who made Park Chan-Sik nervous.

After hearing the story, I asked Chief Hyun Jong-Yeon, "Then do you know where Mr. Han Yoo-Sik is now? Did he go to his children's homes?"

At that moment, Hyun Jong-Yeon snapped and shouted,

-Hah! Children? Those bastards are barely human.

"Pardon me? Why?"

-Those people have over ten billion won, yet when Mr. Han asked for help, they didn't give a single penny. Both he and his wife were deeply hurt by that.

Han Yoo-Sik has two sons and a daughter. I had heard they were a doctor, lawyer, and professor, doing well and quite wealthy. Still, they coldly refused their parents' request to borrow just five hundred million won.

With that amount, Han Yoo-Sik could have repaid loan sharks and secured a broadcast slot at another network to survive the crisis.

"What kind of trash are they? They accept inheritance but shut their mouths when their parents are struggling?"

-Exactly. I heard Mr. Han gave them everything, but I never thought they'd completely turn their backs. Anyway... I'll give you their new address. I couldn't help with the move, but I plan to visit in a couple of days. They only moved with a small clothing bag, so their condition must be very poor.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of it."

Hyun Jong-Yeon thanked me and sent the address via Kk Talk. When I saw the address, I realized it was in Amsa-dong, not far from here.

I immediately turned my car toward Amsa-dong.

***

After driving for about ten minutes, I arrived in Amsa-dong. My destination was a residential area full of narrow alleys.

I parked my car in a public lot about three hundred meters away and got out. Checking the address, I began walking. Soon after, I reached an alley with two branching paths.

As I looked at the tightly packed, old houses, a short sigh escaped me.

"Sigh. They used to live in a luxury home in Cheongdam-dong... and now they're here." freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

The address I had led about a hundred meters into the left alley.

Just as I was about to move, I noticed an elderly couple struggling to push a cart loaded with cardboard up the sloped alley on the right. Even though there wasn't much on the cart, it looked too heavy for the two of them.

"Well... I won't be too late if I help them push for a bit..."

The scheduled article that was supposed to go up at 10 p.m. had been canceled anyway, so I had some time to spare.

I turned toward the right alley. After jogging about thirty meters uphill, I caught up with the cart. I started pushing the cart alongside the old woman.

"Let me help you a little, ma'am."

The woman pushing the cart gave me a small bow. "Thank you, young man."

At that moment, I couldn't believe my eyes. The white-haired woman, now dressed in secondhand clothes, was Lee Ah-Eun—Han Yoo-Sik's wife.

She had always looked tidy and graceful. Just a few months ago, at 60 years old, she had black hair and a refined appearance. Now, gone were the elegant clothes and she looked completely worn out.

"Ma'am...?"

Recognizing me, Lee Ah-Eun looked startled. "Mr. Jung... what are you doing here...?"

Shocked, I turned to check the face of the man pushing the cart. As I feared, it was indeed Han Yoo-Sik, the former executive director of KBC and head of the production company Mirinae.

Just a few months ago, he was a stylish gentleman in a suit with full black hair, even at 63. Now, he looked like just another elderly man.

"Team Lead Jung, what brings you here?"

They still called me by my title from before my promotion, having not seen me since. But that wasn't important now.

Not knowing what to say, I hesitated. "Mr. Han... How...How did this happen..."

Han Yoo-Sik let out a sigh. "It just... turned out this way."

I snapped out of my daze. "Please, can we talk for a moment?"

The couple exchanged glances, then nodded. "Alright. Let's park the cart and talk. Our home is just up ahead."

Contrary to the address I had been given, Han Yoo-Sik's house was a nearly collapsed ruin at the end of the sloped alley on the right.

"That place?"

"Yes. Let's head up first and talk."

I pushed the cart up and parked it in the small yard. And then, they told me what had happened.

***

They said the address I was originally given had been correct.

But just two days after moving to Amsa-dong, loan sharks tracked them down and the landlord kicked them out. They had even lost their deposit to the loan sharks and were essentially thrown out onto the street.

Then they spotted this abandoned house nearby and moved in. Desperate to survive, they borrowed a cart from the local recycling center four days ago and began collecting cardboard.

Their white hair wasn't just from hardship, but it was also because they hadn't been able to afford dye.

If I hadn't helped the struggling elderly couple, I might not have met them again for a long time.

Just then, Lee Ah-Eun pulled something from a broken cabinet. It turned out to be yogurt[1] given out by the recycling center.

"I'm sorry. This is all we have..."

I couldn't bring myself to reject her sincerity, so I smiled and replied, "It's more than enough. Thank you."

Even though my heart ached, I forced it down and drank the yogurt, making it look like I enjoyed it.

"Thank you. That was refreshing, ma'am."

"Um... I'm going to make dinner soon, so please wait a bit. I'll go down to the store and buy a few things."

After the regression, I had once visited Han Yoo-Sik's house with Yoo-Jin. It was for casting in Haze, though it ended up not happening. Still, the couple had insisted on treating us to bulgogi hot pot.

Now, even though they didn't have much, they still wanted to serve something to a guest like me. Even in the midst of all this, her warm kindness made my chest ache.

I stopped Lee Ah-Eun. "Come on now, what are you saying? You gave me yogurt, so this time it's my treat. What would you like? Just say the word."

When Han Yoo-Sik said nothing, Lee Ah-Eun glanced at him and answered cautiously. "Then maybe... just jajangmyeon. It's his favorite."

At that, Han Yoo-Sik shook his head. "No. Get jjamppong. That's your favorite."

Even now, the couple's affection for each other was clear.

I smiled and said, "Then Mr. Han, you'll have the seafood jajangmyeon, and ma'am, you'll have the seafood jjamppong. I'll order some tangsuyuk on the side as well."

Lee Ah-Eun smiled, perhaps relieved to not worry about this meal. As I watched her, I saw Han Yoo-Sik looking bitter, and I placed the call to the Korean Chinese restaurant.

Then, I turned to Han Yoo-Sik and began to say what I had come to tell him.

***

The delivery guy finally found the place and brought the tangsuyuk, jajangmyeon, and jjamppong.

Yet, Han Yoo-Sik and Lee Ah-Eun were on the verge of tears, unable to touch the food. It was because I had just told them I would help them from now on.

If it hadn't been for the fierce battle between Hwaranjeon and Queen Jeong-Hee, the couple likely wouldn't have ended up in such hardship. Feeling a sense of responsibility, I planned to return them to their original fate. I was determined to bring Mirinae back and produce Haze.

"Th-thank you... Team Lead Jung."

"There's no need to thank me, Mr. Han. And ma'am. For now, let's eat first."

"Yes. Team Lead Jung, you eat with us."

Smiling, I handed each of them my business card. "Oh, and I'm a Chief now."

Han Yoo-Sik looked surprised as he read it. "You're already a Chief?"

"Yes."

He turned to his wife. "Honey, I told you this guy was something special, didn't I?"

Lee Ah-Eun wiped away her tears and replied, "You were right. Talented, and such a kind heart too..."

Feeling embarrassed by the praise, I cleared my throat. "The noodles are getting soggy. Let's eat."

As I unwrapped the food and stirred the noodles, Han Yoo-Sik and Lee Ah-Eun finally smiled and picked up their chopsticks.

A short while later after we finished eating and sipped on the complimentary cola from the restaurant, I told them about what happened today with Miso and Eun-Byul. Then, I asked for their help, declaring that I would bring down Park Chan-Sik.

Han Yoo-Sik's eyes changed. "That won't be easy."

"It'll take time if I do it alone. But with your help, I believe it's absolutely possible."

Han Yoo-Sik asked again, "What if we get rid of him and the next guy is just as bad? Most of KBC's current board is in his camp. That's a high possibility."

"But your people are still there, right? If President Park Chan-Sik falls, I plan to fully support your line so they can succeed."

If I could push Oh Han-Guk and the rest of Han Yoo-Sik's people, Park Chan-Sik's line wouldn't be able to maintain their grip on power. Of course, it meant Park Chan-Sik had to fall first.

After a moment of thought, Han Yoo-Sik looked at his wife. "Honey, should we help Chief Jung?"

Lee Ah-Eun nodded. "Yes, dear. Let's stop holding back now."

Han Yoo-Sik hadn't lost to Park Chan-Sik because he lacked talent. It was because he was a decent man who didn't want conflict.

At last, Han Yoo-Sik slowly nodded. "Alright, Chief Jung. I'll help you from now on."

'It's done.'

I suggested, "Then let's head to my place for now. You can rest there tonight. And tomorrow, I'll find you a proper place to stay."

Han Yoo-Sik gently took Lee Ah-Eun's hand. The two of them smiled as if their hardship was finally ending.

At that moment, someone kicked the rusty iron gate from outside.

Bang! Screech! Thud!

A metallic clang rang out as the door swung open. The hinges gave way, and the door fell sideways.

"Old man! Did you really think we wouldn't find you just because you're hiding out like a damn rat?"

Four thuggish men with rough faces entered, shouting. At that moment, I locked eyes with the ugliest of the bunch.

"And who the hell are you?"

I ignored the question and turned to Han Yoo-Sik. "These must be the loan sharks from Myeongdong you mentioned. How much do you owe them?"

Han Yoo-Sik, frozen stiff, cautiously opened his mouth. "I don't know... The debt's grown too large. But the original amount was three hundred million won."

"Understood. I'll handle this."

I stood up.

"Gentlemen, let's have a word."

The thug in front scoffed. "Hey now, butt out. I'm here to collect something from the old man—something about rights to a show or song or whatever."

Right then, I realized someone in broadcasting was backing them. These guys didn't even know what rights they were talking about, yet they were demanding the rights to Haze. It didn't add up.

I decided I should get help from Choi Eun-Tae. If these guys were from Myeongdong, then there weren't many places his reach didn't extend to.

I asked, "Could I maybe speak with your superior?"

The boss at the back suddenly snapped. "Enough! Hey, what are you guys waiting for? Drag this punk out and get the old man's seal. Move it!"

"Yes, hyung-nim!"

Three thugs approached through the narrow path by the cart. Judging by their size, they assumed my slimmer build meant I would be easy to handle, which was a grave mistake.

"Step aside, man. Unless you wanna get hurt!"

I calmly stepped in front of Han Yoo-Sik and Lee Ah-Eun. "Please stay behind me, Mr. Han."

"Chief Jung, forget about the rights. Focus on protecting yourself."

"That's right, Mr. Jung. We're fine, really..."

Even now, they were worried about me.

"Don't worry. No one's taking Haze away."

A project that could bring in billions and help Han Yoo-Sik rise again wasn't going to be handed over so easily.

That's when the thug in front reached to grab my collar. I stepped aside and punched his jaw.

Thud.

He collapsed to the ground, unconscious. As the thud echoed, the second thug's eyes changed. "What... what the hell?!"

But before he could charge, I lunged first and struck him down.

Wham! Thud!

'One shot, one kill.'

With two men down in an instant, the third thug froze in terror. "U-uh...?"

The boss shoved the frozen guy aside and charged. "Useless lump! Outta my way!"

He lowered his stance like a wrestler and tackled. I dropped even lower and launched an uppercut to his jaw.

Smack.

"Guh..."

Thud.

The massive thug lay unconscious as he hit the ground face-first. After confirming he was down, I clenched my fist and turned around.

The last standing thug saw my eyes and dropped to his knees. "Sir! Please forgive me!"

I glared coldly. "Unless you want to end up like them, start talking. Tell me everything."

"I... I'm just a grunt. I don't know anything. Our hyung-nim over there does."

"Then at least tell me who you're with."

"We're the Myeongdong Rebuild Crew."

I wasted no time calling Choi Yung-Ho, the bank president and right hand of Choi Eun-Tae.

Choi Yung-Ho said he will send Jang Ki-Ho, an executive at Daeheung Savings Bank and former enforcer of the Daeho gang.

-Ki-Ho happens to be nearby. He'll be there soon.

"I'll wait."

***

I tied up the three unconscious thugs and the one still nervously glancing at me, then tried to calm down Han Yoo-Sik and his wife.

Not long after, the door creaked open and Jang Ki-Ho appeared with a few of his men.

"Chief Jung. Long time no see~"

Jang Ki-Ho had seen me several times at the Myeongdong estate, so he greeted me like an old acquaintance.

I smiled. "Have you been well?"

"Oh, same as always. So these punks came after you, huh?"

Jang Ki-Ho turned his head. Standing at 188 cm with a sturdy build, he exuded authority.

The thugs who had just regained consciousness turned pale at the sight of his face. "K-Ki-Ho hyung-nim...?"

Jang Ki-Ho grinned. "So you know me. That makes things easier. I'm a bit busy today, so let's cut to the chase. Who sent you?"

Until now, they had claimed to know nothing, but finally, the lead thug, Choi Hyung-Seok, began to speak. "Our big boss..."

Jang Ki-Ho let out a snort. "Not the middleman. Tell me who's really behind this. You guys don't care about rights or whatever, right? Hell, I bet you don't even understand what they are."

Choi Hyung-Seok squeezed his eyes shut and confessed, "It was... President Park Chan-Sik of KBC who ordered it."

"Park Chan-Sik?"

Hearing Park Chan-Sik's name come out of their mouths was staggering. He had been the one to cancel Haze, and now he was trying to steal the rights.

Jang Ki-Ho frowned and barked, "Hey! If you don't wanna die, spill everything. Now!"

Threatened by Jang Ki-Ho's force, Choi Hyung-Seok hesitated for a moment before finally beginning to talk.

And in that moment, the absurd and shocking truth behind the downfall of Mirinae started to come to light.

1. Yogurt drink and not breakfast yogurt ☜

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