Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 565: Karma (3)

After suppressing Oh Han-Guk, who posed a threat to his reappointment, Park Chan-Sik mobilized gangsters to secure the rights to Haze, a drama originally being produced by Mirinae.

This was the very project he had once personally canceled from the lineup.

"President Park said he thought the drama called Haze would make money. So he told us to quickly collect the loaned money and bring down Mirinae. Then he suggested we make a drama together afterward. Our hyung-nim gave the okay," the source explained.

Han Yoo-Sik's eyes widened when he heard how Mirinae went under. Shaking with anger, he turned to me and asked, "Chief Jung. I'd like to do an interview with MBS right now. Can you set it up?"

"What kind of content do you plan to cover in the interview?"

"I know where President Park sent the embezzled money. If I speak up, most of the executives at KBC will be swept away. I've kept quiet to avoid collateral damage, but I can't hold back any longer."

"Understood. I'll contact MBS and arrange the interview right away."

Meeting Han Yoo-Sik to bring down Park Chan-Sik was the right decision. At that moment, Jang Ki-Ho from Daeheung Savings Bank pointed at the gangsters from the Myeongdong Rebuild Crew.

"Chief Jung. Things seem mostly settled, but what do you plan to do with these guys?"

The four gangsters began trembling. Their eyes begged for mercy, claiming they had only followed orders.

I said, "Since it's come to this, getting testimony from them could be helpful."

All four quickly nodded. "We'll do as you say. Just... Please protect us from our hyung-nim."

Jang Ki-Ho stepped in. "There's no need for that. I'll handle the call with Oh Dong-Sik from Myeongdong Rebuild Crew. You just make sure you testify when the reporters come, got it?"

The four nodded like obedient lambs. "Yes, sir!"

Then Jang Ki-Ho looked at me. "We'll take them to the Myeongdong headquarters of Daeheung Savings Bank. Send the reporters there. That's the best place to conduct their interviews."

"Thank you for your consideration."

"No problem. I'll be going now. Good luck~."

When the suited men Jang brought along disappeared with the gangsters, I called Choi Yung-Ho to express my gratitude.

"Thank you for your help."

-There's no need for thanks between us. Oh, and we'll take over all of Mirinaes' debt. We'll also push for the rehabilitation process as quickly as possible.

Choi Yung-Ho promised to use the legal team to restore Mirinae to its former state. Though Daeheung Savings Bank would be taking over the debt, only the original principal of three hundred million won would remain-not the inflated billions claimed by loan sharks.

"I don't know how I'll repay this favor."

-We owe you more. After all, we entrusted Hoop entirely to you.

Choi Eun-Tae felt guilty about having left Hoop Entertainment solely in my hands.

-If you need funds, we can lend them to you.

"No need. We'll handle things from here."

With a solid script, the right actors, and Han Yoo-Sik's connections at KBC for broadcasting, producing the drama wouldn't require much money.

-Is that so? Alright then. We'll expedite the corporate rehabilitation process.

"Thank you."

Thanks to Choi Yung-Ho, we could revive the production company Mirinae quickly. After ending the call, I scheduled an interview with MBS' President Choi Sang-Byung. The interview was set for 8 p.m.

During a call with Choi Sang-Byung, Han Yoo-Sik shared details of Park Chan-Sik's corruption. They needed some lead time to conduct preliminary research if they wanted the story to make the 9 o'clock news.

After the call, I turned to Han Yoo-Sik and his wife. "Mr. Han, shall we go now?"

Han Yoo-Sik looked at me with fervent eyes and asked once more. "Chief Jung. Can you fully back me up? I want to show those bastards, who I once thought of as my own sons, that I, Han Yoo-Sik, am far from finished!"

There was a new fire blazing in the eyes of the old broadcaster who had once given up on everything.

"Yes, sir! I'll do everything I can."

"Thank... you."

Han Yoo-Sik nodded, then turned to look at his wife.

"I'm sorry, honey. I promise I'll make your life comfortable again like before."

Lee Ah-Eun gripped her husband's hand and cried silently. "Yes, dear."

"Alright, let's pack up first."

"Okay."

Unlike when they first arrived, the couple began packing their things with hopeful expressions. Since they didn't have many belongings, it didn't take long to load up the suitcase.

While they packed, I checked my planner.

[Everyday V12.2]

[Date: February 15, 2021]

-2:00 p.m. <Schedule Entry Deleted>

(Deleted schedule Entry: Congratulatory wreath delivery for KBC Park Chan-Sik's reappointment.)

Finally, Park Chan-Sik's schedule entry was disappearing.

'Goodbye, Park Chan-Sik.'

Once everything was packed, Han Yoo-Sik said, "Let's return this cart to the junk shop on our way down. It kept us fed for a few days, after all, so we should return it to its owner."

"Got it. I'll take the front."

I smiled and grabbed the front bar of the cart. The cold steel felt oddly pleasant in my hands.

"Alright~ Let's go."

Han Yoo-Sik and Lee Ah-Eun grabbed the rear of the cart. "Let's roll."

And with hope in our hearts, we left the abandoned house in Amsa-dong.

***

In the president's office at KBC, Park Chan-Sik and the executives were nursing their exhaustion with caffeine as they pushed through a long meeting.

The first agenda was the arrest of Reporter Hyun Sang-Beom and ten other KBC reporters for causing a disturbance at a police station. The second was growing online outrage among elementary school parents over illegal trespassing incidents.

Just earlier, they had declared a hardline stance, threatening to sue malicious commenters with the legal team. However, the situation was rapidly deteriorating.

"Don't these kids know what fear is these days? Even after we threaten a lawsuit, they just cuss more?"

Legal Director Lim Won-Sik frowned. "Mr. Park, the kids these days aren't afraid of lawsuits. Even if we catch them, they're too young to punish properly. I think we should stop here."

"Sigh~ Alright. Do that."

Lim Won-Sik finally let out a breath. "Yes. I'll issue the directive right away."

Just then, the door to the president's office burst open, and Executive Director Han Sung-Gyu, Park Chan-Sik's right-hand man, stormed in.

Bang!

"Mr. Park! You need to see this!"

"What now!"

Han Sung-Gyu turned on the TV.

Beep.

As the screen lit up in the president's office, MBS's 9 o'clock news was already airing a breaking report, hosted by anchor Yoo Sung-Han.

-KBC President Park is suspected of embezzling funds using three drama production companies.

-The embezzled money allegedly reached former National Assembly members A and C, who were also on the broadcasting committee...

-(Testimony from former KBC executive XX) President Park conspired with those in power to remove executives who stood in his way. Here is the evidence...

A pixelated Han Yoo-Sik was laying bare everything about his former employer, KBC.

Park Chan-Sik's face went pale. "That... that bastard... is he out of his mind?!"

Everything he had desperately tried to keep hidden was now being exposed. There were even things revealed that Han Yoo-Sik wasn't supposed to know.

At that moment, a call came in.

[Caller ID: Jung Yoon-Ho]

As soon as Park Chan-Sik saw the caller ID, he answered the phone and shouted.

"You bastard! This is all your doing, isn't it?"

His voice thundered through the receiver, but the other party responded nonchalantly.

-That's why you shouldn't have messed with my actors. Right?

"You psycho!! You think dragging Han Yoo-Sik into this is going to work? You think you can handle the fallout?"

-Why would I handle it? That's your responsibility, Mr. Park.

Fuming with rage, Park Chan-Sik screamed again.

"You fucking piece of trash! I'll destroy you!!"

-Will you have the time for that? Seems like your reappointment is out the window now. Oh, hold on. There's someone else who wants to speak with you.

A moment later, a familiar voice came from the phone.

-It's been a while, President Park.

"Han Yoo-Sik. You bastard..."

-Still as foul-mouthed as ever. Anyway, it's your turn now. The gangsters from Rebuild Crew who tried to steal the drama rights? They've agreed to testify that you ordered them. So... time to find out just how deep rock bottom really is.

"You think I'm just going to go down like this?"

-I didn't think so at first. But you'll fall surprisingly fast. Oh, and your kids might not turn out much better than mine. We both failed as fathers, didn't we?

"Don't talk nonsense!"

-It hasn't hit you yet, has it? You'll understand once it does. Just think of it all as karma. That might be the only way to keep yourself sane.

Click.

With that, the call ended.

"Hey! Han Yoo-Sik! Hey!"

Park Chan-Sik shouted into the disconnected phone. Gasping, he barked orders at an executive nearby.

"Bring in the president of Hoop Entertainment! From now on, no one under Hoop sets foot in KBC! And get me Han Yoo-Sik!"

Just then, the office intercom buzzed.

Beep~

Irritated, Park Chan-Sik snatched it up.

"What now?"

-Why do you always yell the moment you answer?

It was the sharp voice of the Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission.

"Oh, Mr. Chairman. I'm sorry."

-Never mind that. What were you thinking today, making such a blunder?

"It's not like that! Those reports were all just part of a smear campaign against me and..."

-Enough. I'm calling to deliver the KBC board's decision. Put simply, you're fired.

"What?"

-Of course, resignation would look better. So announce your departure from KBC by the end of today. We're replacing the entire board, just so you know.

"Mr. Chairman! You can't just-"

-You should've been more careful. This isn't a suggestion. And if you try to hold out, be prepared. This mess could bring down both the KBC board and our commission. Do you think we'll spare you?

To prevent this from spiraling into a political scandal, they were cutting him loose.

-One last time. Today's your deadline.

Click.

The line went dead. Park Chan-Sik collapsed into his chair, his legs giving out beneath him. All he could hear was a ringing in his ears. His mind was spinning. All he had done was try to dig up dirt on one actress. He never imagined it would spiral into this.

"Jung Yoon-Ho... what the hell are you...?"

The name etched itself deeply into his mind.

***

In front of the house in Cheonho-dong, Han Yoo-Sik let out a sigh filled with a strange mix of relief and bitterness after finishing his call with Park Chan-Sik.

"Are you feeling satisfied?" I asked.

"More than satisfied. Thanks to you, I landed a solid blow on that bastard Park Chan-Sik."

Han Yoo-Sik wasn't the only one smiling. Lee Ah-Eun looked genuinely relieved too. "Thank you, Mr. Jung."

"It's nothing. Well then, let's head inside."

Thanks to Jung In-Ji asking me to bring them, I brought them to the house instead of a hotel. They hesitated at first, but I reassured them and drove into the house's parking lot.

After parking the car in the yard, I got out first and said, "I'll go in first, so please follow me."

I told Han Yoo-Sik and Lee Ah-Eun to take their time, then went ahead and opened the front door.

As soon as I stepped inside, Baekseolgi and Injeolmi came running to greet me.

"Woof woof!"

"Meow~."

Right after, Miso, Eun-Byul, and Han-Ul came running to the door.

"Uncle Yoon-Ho's here~~!"

Miso still held tightly onto Eun-Byul and Han-Ul's hands. I smiled warmly at the three as they reached the door.

"Did the three of you have fun while I was out?"

"Yes!"

Then Miso and Eun-Byul exchanged glances, turned to me, and shouted with bright energy.

"Uncle Yoon-Ho! Thank you for keeping your promise~~!"

They had seen the news on TV and wanted to thank me in person, even though they had already thanked me over video call earlier. Even after a day packed with chaotic events, their words washed all the fatigue away.

"It was a promise to you, after all. I had to keep it."

Miso gave a proud smile and turned to Eun-Byul. "Eun-Byul, see? Didn't I tell you? Uncle Yoon-Ho keeps all his promises! He's the best, right?"

Eun-Byul nodded with a shy smile. "Yeah, he is!" ƒrēenovelkiss.com

Han-Ul, standing next to them, also nodded along. Seeing the three of them laughing at once made me smile too.

Soon, Han Yoo-Sik and Lee Ah-Eun stepped through the front door. We all exchanged greetings with Yoo-Jin, Yeon So-Hee, Chae Sang-Woo, and Lee Mi-Ri, then gathered in the living room.

As we talked about the events of the day, it soon turned to 9:50 p.m. It was almost time for Hwaranjeon to air.

"Oh~ the preview's on."

The TV was now showing a teaser for the start of Hwaranjeon.

"Alright, enough about work. Let's have some sikhye and enjoy the drama."

Jung In-Ji brought out sikhye and rice cakes, and everyone gathered around the living room table like one big family.

On the TV, Yoo-Jin appeared in the mobile ad for Seven Star Electronics that she shot a few days ago. Dressed in a flowing red gown, she was driving a sports car. Everyone gasped in admiration at how beautiful and sophisticated she looked. Then came a string of ads, all featuring Yoo-Jin, including ones from Yetterang.

Though she smiled at first, Yoo-Jin began to look embarrassed. "Gosh~ Why are there so many... this is embarrassing..."

Yoo-Jin's cheeks turned red, and everyone burst out laughing. The more joy I saw on my actress' face, the happier I became too. The frequency with which a celebrity appeared in ads was a direct measure of their popularity and recognition.

At last, 10 p.m. arrived. The long-awaited premiere of Hwaranjeon was starting.

"It's on!"

Everyone's eyes were instantly drawn to the screen.

***

The TV screen showed a nighttime setting.

On a curved wooden bridge over a stream, Miso, playing the child version of Princess Yu-Hwa, walked hand-in-hand on a moonlit outing with Choi Ji-Yung, playing the Second Queen.

Then, in her royal costume, Miso held out a glowing light orb to Choi Ji-Yung.

『Mother. Look at this. Firefly has come to visit.』

Miso, looking at the glowing firefly in her palm, appeared calm and regal beyond her years.

Choi Ji-Yung smiled as she responded.

『Yes, the Firefly Spirit has come to you too. Just like they once came to me when I was a child...』

Choi Ji-Yung gently stroked Miso's hair.

『Yu-Hwa, go ahead and make a wish to the Firefly Spirit~』

Miso grinned brightly, stretched both hands up toward the sky, and released the firefly into the air.

『Firefly Spirit! Firefly Spirit! Please tell the Goblin to send us clear rain so our people in Gyerim can grow grain and fill their bellies!』

Miso's clear voice rippled across the quiet night sky.

At that moment, thunder roared and lightning cracked across the sky.

Boom!

Plip, plop.

Raindrops began to fall on the parched earth.

The queen and the princess looked at each other and smiled, for it was the first rain in three months. Guards quickly unfurled umbrellas to shield them from the rain.

The scene shifted to ancient Silla's streets, now bathed in rain and lit by umbrellas in vivid reds, yellows, and blues—an enchanting view of a rain-soaked historic city.

In Hwaranjeon, only the Second Queen and her bloodline possessed the spiritual power to communicate with goblins through fireflies. This scene revealed that seven-year-old Princess Yu-Hwa possessed that rare gift.

'Miso's acting is amazing.'

Despite acting alongside Choi Ji-Yung, once a top actress, Miso held her own without a hint of awkwardness.

As we all became absorbed in the drama, my phone rang.

[Caller ID: PD Oh Bok-Hee]

I answered, and Oh Bok-Hee shouted excitedly.

-Mr. Jung! The start-of-broadcast viewership ratings are in!

"What is it?"

She was practically trembling as she shared the very first-minute viewership ratings for Hwaranjeon.

-Our first-minute rating is...

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