Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 566: Check (1)

Oh Bok-Hee finally gave the first-minute viewership ratings for Hwaranjeon.

-We kicked off with 17.3 percent in the first minute!

"Over 17 percent?"

-Yes. MBS says it's the highest debut since The Hidden Side of Marriage four years ago. Everyone from the drama division to programming is going wild. They're calling it our World Cup semifinals moment.

The Hidden Side of Marriage had made headlines four years ago as a textbook example of a sensational drama, surpassing 40 percent in viewership ratings. Its first episode had opened with 17.1 percent. Now that record had been broken, and MBS was in a frenzy.

"What about Queen Jeong-Hee?"

-That started at 13.2 percent.

We had expected the numbers to be close, but the gap turned out to be significant.

"Looks like today's events had an effect."

Park Chan-Sik had spent more than double the promo budget on Queen Jeong-Hee, but the back-to-back scandals involving Hyun Sang-Beom and himself turned the tide in our favor.

-That, and thanks to the power of the You & Me fan club. Women in their 30s and 40s seem to be flocking to us.

You & Me, the fan club for Yoo-Jin and Miso, had gone all out on community platforms, amplifying the earlier incident involving the reporter at Miso's roll call. A subgroup called Miso's Guardians had also rallied hard, drawing strong reactions from parents in their 30s and 40s.

"From how things are going, our drama should stay ahead for now."

-That's what I think too, though we'll have to wait and see. I'll keep sending updates on viewership ratings via Kk Talk. And tell Miso she was amazing today, even after all the stress. Her acting's fantastic.

"Yes, ma'am."

Oh Bok-Hee ended the call abruptly, saying the control room was calling.

I turned to everyone in the living room. "It opened at 17.3 percent. Queen Jeong-Hee started at 13.2 percent."

Yoo-Jin shouted with joy. "Wow~ That's huge! A four-point difference?"

In TV viewership ratings terms, 1 percent roughly equated to about 300,000 viewers, assuming thirty million TV owners in Korea. A 4 percent difference meant over a million viewers more.

Miso threw both arms in the air and shouted. "Wow~~ We won! Hooray!"

Eun-Byul and Han-Ul joined her with their own cheers. Soon, Yoo-Jin, Deok-Bae, Yeon So-Hee, Chae Sang-Woo, Lee Mi-Ri, and even Han Yoo-Sik and Lee Ah-Eun sitting on the sofa, all burst into laughter and cheers.

Moments later, Yoo-Jin gently lowered her hands and calmed Miso. "Miso, let's watch the drama now~"

Miso dropped her arms and refocused on the TV. "Okay, Mom!"

Everyone else also settled in again, turning their eyes back to the screen. However, my eyes weren't on the drama—they were on the people gathered here.

Miso, watching TV with her hands clasped. Eun-Byul and Han-Ul's mouths were agape as they watched Miso act. These were children who, in another life, had died young. Now, they were alive and laughing.

Yoo-Jin, Deok-Bae, Chae Sang-Woo, and Lee Mi-Ri each had once lived in grief after losing a child. Now they were all together, smiling so brightly.

Just seeing it made my heart swell.

And I had transformed the lives of Han Yoo-Sik and Lee Ah-Eun, holding hands on the sofa.

Even though today had been physically exhausting, the feeling that I had helped change someone's life filled my chest with deep satisfaction.

As I watched a scene more touching than anything on TV, a warm smile spread across my face. I finally turned my eyes to the screen.

***

It was 10: 55 p.m.

As the ending song 'Hwayeonga' sung by Seo Yeon-Woo played, the first episode of Hwaranjeon came to a close.

The peak viewership ratings was a stunning 19.8 percent. For a fusion historical drama's premiere, it was a record-breaking start.

Meanwhile, the competing drama, KBC's Queen Jeong-Hee, closed at 15.3 percent. Despite strong performances from lead actors Park Woo-Joon and So Yi-Yung, the early lead had widened too much to recover.

"Thanks to Miso's amazing performance, Hwaranjeon beat Queen Jeong-Hee."

Everyone nodded in agreement to Yoo-Jin's comment and offered sincere congratulations to Miso, who had shone from the very first episode.

"Miso, your acting today was really wonderful~!"

"Yeah. You totally lived up to your title as last year's best child actor."

"Miso, how do you feel?"

Miso smiled sheepishly and tilted her head. "I don't know! I feel weird. My face is hot, and my hands are hot too."

Clearly excited, Miso kept clenching and unclenching her small hands. Unlike the past when she would act without knowing what it meant, now that she understood, the thrill was overwhelming.

Seeing Miso's flushed face, I gently said, "Alright, let's take a slow breath with me. Inhale~ exhale~"

Miso closed her eyes and placed her hands over her chest, then followed me with a deep breath. "Fuuu~ haaa~ Oh? I feel better!"

Miso's eyes popped open.

"Uncle Yoon-Ho, it worked!"

"Yup. Do that whenever you start to feel overwhelmed."

"Okay~! Oh right, I should say thank you!"

Miso sprang to her feet and gave a deep bow, hands pressed over her belly.

"Thank you so much~!!"

Just like the night she won her child actor award, she offered a bright and joyful bow. The room erupted with clapping and cheers.

Just then, my phone buzzed as if perfectly timed.

Buzz.

There was no doubt that the first of many casting and advertising offers for Miso were coming in.

But before any of those, Han Yoo-Sik turned to me with a proposal. "Chief Jung. Could we cast Miso as God Illyeong in Haze?"

Before I could reply, Miso spoke up first. "Mr. Han! What kind of role is that?"

"Well, let me explain..."

Han Yoo-Sik smiled and began talking about Haze—a drama originally produced by Mirinae.

It was about the mystical events on Yeonmudo, an island shrouded in fog once a month. One week every year, they experienced the Great Haze, a fog so thick it was impossible to see anything. On those nights, islanders never stepped outside, for spirits of the dead were believed to rise from the sea.

During that eerie week, the entire island shut itself off from outsiders.

But one year, a malfunctioning fishing boat drifted ashore on the first day of the Great Haze. That was how Haze began.

Two gods lived on Yeonmudo: God Illyeong, the childlike sun-shadow god, and God Wolryeong, an elderly moon-shadow god.

Han Yoo-Sik wanted Miso to play the role of God Illyeong.

Before the regression, Haze had achieved an average rating of 18 percent, and after airing, it gained major popularity overseas. So casting Miso wouldn't be a problem in terms of popularity.

However, Miso was already filming TVM's The Foodie Nomads and was set to shoot the movie Missing: The Lost Ones with Director Ahn Jung-Hae.

Plus, this year, she was also supposed to start school.

That's when I noticed Miso looking at me with hopeful, pleading eyes, hands clasped. School was fun, sure—but now that she had found joy in acting, she clearly wanted this role.

'What do I do?'

If we could wrap up The Foodie Nomads and Missing: The Lost Ones quickly as planned, Miso would be free to work on just one project starting in March. But I wanted to hear what Yoo-Jin thought.

"Yoo-Jin, what do you think?"

Yoo-Jin trailed off, glancing over at Miso. "It sounds like a really exciting project just from the description..."

Miso gave her mom a double wink with wide, twinkling eyes. "Moooom~!"

Yoo-Jin smiled softly. "Miso, can you really act while going to school? You're going to be busy with homework."

Miso straightened her posture and answered proudly. "I can do it! I even memorized the school song already~!"

Suddenly, she stood and began singing the anthem of Cheonho Best Elementary.

『With broad vision~~~ and upright thoughts~~~ Ahh~~』

Yet, despite her confidence, her voice faltered as she forgot the next lyrics, the tune dragging awkwardly.

Seeing this, Han-Ul gently mouthed the next line to help her. Miso noticed, hesitated, and then stopped singing altogether.

Looking slightly embarrassed, Miso confessed honestly. I'm sorry... I knew it a while ago, but I forgot. But... I'll really do my best."

Miso refused Han-Ul's help, perhaps thinking peeking was wrong. That honest charm made everyone smile.

Yoo-Jin pulled Miso into a hug. "Okay. But let's start after your current shoots finish. And from March, only one project, okay?"

"Yay!!"

Miso wriggled with excitement, grabbing Han-Wool and Eun-Byul's hands, shouting with joy.

When Yoo-Jin looked at me, I nodded and turned to Han Yoo-Sik. "Mr. Han, since there are other schedules, please push Miso's shoot back as far as you can. In that case, we'll confirm Miso's casting."

"Got it. We'll be busy restructuring the company this month anyway. Rehabilitation's going to take time."

"Understood."

"Thank you."

With that, Miso's casting was officially confirmed. Since we were on the topic, we discussed the revival of Mirinae.

The excessive debt weighing down the production company would be adjusted by Choi Yung-Ho. Most of the debt was held by the Myeongdong Rebuild Crew, so the rehabilitation process wouldn't take too long.

However, there was one issue. Because of the current contracts, the lead actors' fees for Haze couldn't be recovered. The amounts were substantial, and if the actors agreed to continue without additional fees, it would accelerate the recovery.

I asked, "Mr. Han, could you try asking actors Sung Gyu-Hwan and Yang Ji-Seon to proceed without extra pay?"

Each was contracted at thirty million won per episode for 24 episodes, amounting to seven hundred million won each, 1.44 billion won total. Saving that amount would give us the much-needed breathing room.

Both actors were not only talented but well-regarded, so keeping them was ideal.

Nevertheless, Han Yoo-Sik looked hesitant. "TNT's Sung Gyu-Hwan might agree... but Gwanwoo's Yang Ji-Seon will be tough."

Yang Ji-Seon from Gwanwoo Entertainment was now handled by our company's Chief So Ji-Min.

Though So Ji-Min was in charge of Singer Division 3, she still managed Yang Ji-Seon, who had started as a singer before becoming an actress.

I nodded. "I understand. Since Yang Ji-Seon is under our agency, I'll go talk to Chief So Ji-Min tomorrow. In the meantime, could you handle Sung Gyu-Hwan?"

"Alright, let's do that."

"If worst comes to worst, we'll activate Plan B and seek new leads with fresh investment."

"Sounds good."

"Well, should we call it a night?"

Then, Yoo-Jin, who had been waiting for the conversation to end, spoke up. "Then Eun-Byul and Mrs. Lee can sleep on the second floor with me and Miso, and Deok-Bae and Sang-Woo oppa can take the third floor."

"Got it."

Just then, Jung In-Ji addressed Han Yoo-Sik and Lee Ah-Eun. "You two can sleep on the first floor. I've laid out a warm bedding set for you."

"We're sorry for the trouble."

"Not at all. Once you step into this house, you're family."

Just then, Baekseolgi and Injeolmi leapt down from the sofa, full of energy.

"Woof~!"

"Meow~~!"

Baekseolgi and Injeolmi, who had been lounging on the sofa since the start of the drama, seemed to enjoy the affectionate pets from Han Yoo-Sik and Lee Ah-Eun, rubbing against them contentedly.

"Mr. Han and Mrs. Lee, it looks like you'll be sleeping on the first floor tonight with Seolgi and Jeolmi."

The couple smiled and nodded. "Sounds good."

Just as everyone began heading to their rooms with warm smiles, a news alert popped up.

[BREAKING] KBC President Park Chan-Sik Announces Sudden Resignation

- President Park Chan-Sik of KBC announced his immediate resignation, taking full responsibility for today's events...

When I read the news, I immediately handed my phone to Han Yoo-Sik. "Mr. Han, take a look at this."

Han Yoo-Sik squinted at the small text, then his frown slowly broke into a broad smile. Seeing his expression, I poured a cup of cider from the table pitcher and handed it to him.

"Care for a drink, sir? I promise, this one's the real deal."

With a grin, Han Yoo-Sik gulped the cider down in one go. "Phew~ So this is what cider is supposed to taste like."

"Yes, sir."

There was a refreshing smile on his face, the kind that only comes from watching your tormentor finally fall.

And just like that, the long, exhausting day came to a peaceful, joyous end.

***

Upon arriving at the office the next day, the atmosphere was electric over Hwaranjeon's 19 percent premiere viewership ratings. After all, it had shattered records that had stood for years.

Without time to celebrate, I went straight into the team leads' meeting—the first one since the merger between Gwanwoo Entertainment and Hoop Entertainment. When I entered the meeting room, almost every seat at the long table was filled.

However, the division was clear: To one side of Kang Gam-Chan sat the talent agents of Actor Divisions 2 and 4 and Singer Divisions 1 and 2. To the other side, around Vice President Kim Gwan-Woo, were Actor Divisions 1, 3, 5, and Singer Divisions 3 and 4.

Once seated, Kang Gam-Chan began the meeting by addressing the Hwaranjeon's viewership ratings.

"Chief Jung. Good work. That was a historic start."

"Thank you."

"Let's keep up this pace. Be generous with the staff on set. Treat them like pros. You know what I mean, right?"

"Yes, sir. I'm planning to head to Gyeongju shortly to make sure everything is handled smoothly."

Yoo-Jin and Miso had already left for location shooting earlier that morning, and I planned to rejoin them once the meeting wrapped.

"Good. As you know, the talent agent's job is all about the field. Never forget that."

"Yes, sir."

"Is there anything you'd like to say?"

I took a moment to breathe deeply, then brought up the matter of Yang Ji-Seon returning to Haze.

"Mirinae, which had gone bankrupt, is now undergoing rehabilitation. Naturally, the drama Haze is being revived as well."

A low murmur spread through the room.

Kang Gam-Chan quieted the group and asked, "And?"

"So, Mr. Han asked if it would be possible to have actress Yang Ji-Seon return to her lead role without requesting additional payment."

The room fell into thoughtful silence. Legally, the contract had become void when Mirinae declared bankruptcy. And the original agreement was made between Gwanwoo Entertainment and Mirinae, further complicating things under the merged company.

In other words, only a moral argument remained.

Knowing this, So Ji-Min responded bluntly. "The contract ended with Mirinae's bankruptcy."

"I understand. But for the sake of supporting Mr. Han and maintaining relations with KBC, wouldn't a goodwill gesture be wise?"

With Park Chan-Sik's downfall, Han Yoo-Sik's connections were likely to rise again at KBC. I urged So Ji-Min to consider it for Yang Ji-Seon's own career, as landing the lead in Haze could solidify her status as a serious actress.

So Ji-Min sighed with her brow furrowing. "Sigh~ Seriously... I don't love this, but... if you meet one condition, I'll consider it."

"What condition is it?"

At that moment, from So Ji-Min's mouth came a condition so absurd that I couldn't believe my ears.

'Chief So... Are you a scam artist or what?'

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