Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 567: Check (2)

So Ji-Min said, "I'll be blunt. Just get us an extra 10 million won per episode."

"You're asking for more money?"

"Yeah. I mean, even if Mr. Han used to be a KBC executive, he's not working there anymore. We don't need to grovel. I'm already being generous considering the old ties. So ask Mr. Han if he can pay more. I'll also ask Ji-Seon again."

Yang Ji-Seon was already paid thirty million won per episode—7.2 billion won for 24 episodes in total. But after Mirinae's bankruptcy, there was no longer any obligation to refund that money. Now, So Ji-Min was exploiting the situation to drive up Yang Ji-Seon's price.

Sure, talent agents and companies were supposed to get the best deals. Yet, demanding even more from Mirinae, just as it was clawing its way back to life, was clearly a move to sabotage the deal. Pretending to be considerate of Han Yoo-Sik, So Ji-Min was actually trying to make it impossible for Yang Ji-Seon to join Haze.

Though anger flared up inside me, I chose to reason calmly for Yang Ji-Seon's sake. "Ms. So. Mr. Han already paid Miss Ji-Seon far above market value last time. Asking for another ten million per episode now seems a bit excessive."

So Ji-Min scoffed. "Excessive? Back then, thirty million was a good deal. But Ji-Seon's market price isn't thirty million anymore."

"What do you mean, not anymore? What are you talking about?"

"Last night, I met with Writer Guk Bong-Soon at a bar. She offered Ji-Seon a role in her next project, Nines, verbally promising forty million won per episode for the second daughter's role."

Writer Guk Bong-Soon was a star, having achieved a 20% average viewership ratings with The God of Sales. Her new project, Nines, about a multi-generational household, was attracting major industry buzz.

Apparently, she had promised Yang Ji-Seon the second daughter role at forty million won per episode.

"So we have to match that if we want Ji-Seon to give up Nines and come back to Haze."

Now it made sense why So Ji-Min sounded so confident.

But suddenly, a memory about Nines came rushing back. Although Guk Bong-Soon was a powerful writer, the actual casting for Nines was controlled by CP Ahn Byung-Tae. If my memory was right, that role had already been promised to someone else.

I discreetly pulled out my phone to check the planner.

[Everyday V12.2]

[Date: July 12, 2021]

-10:00 p.m.: Monday-Tuesday Drama Nines First Episode Viewership Rating 5.3% (Note: Serious backlash online over Ahn Ji-Yoon's poor acting as the second daughter. CP Ahn Byung-Tae seems displeased—be cautious.)

'As expected.'

Before the regression, Ahn Byung-Tae had forced his niece, Ahn Ji-Yoon, into the second daughter's role, despite her total lack of acting skill. As a result, Nines crashed despite a strong script, peaking only at 12% viewership ratings.

Completely unaware of this, So Ji-Min was demanding more money and threatening to leave Haze for what was destined to be a disaster.

Only I knew the full picture. Even so, I had a duty as a talent agent to be honest for the sake of an upright actress like Yang Ji-Seon.

I asked, "Excuse me, but have you confirmed this offer directly with Mr. Ahn?"

"No? But come on, he loves Mrs. Guk. It's as good as confirmed."

"Please double-check. That role has already been promised to someone else. If you're not careful, Miss Yang Ji-Seon could end up stranded."

I spoke as politely as I could, but So Ji-Min twisted my words in her mind.

"What, are you saying you don't trust me because I asked for more money?"

"No, that's not it. I'm just saying we should verify everything properly. And in terms of success, Haze is the better bet. Please don't let Miss Yang Ji-Seon miss out on a golden opportunity."

So Ji-Min narrowed her eyes and glared at me. "Forget it then. If that's how it's going to be, let's call the whole thing off. Honestly, I didn't even want Ji-Seon to go back to a drama that already flopped once. We'll go with Nines instead!"

So Ji-Min drew a firm line and claimed there was no legal obligation left. She kept throwing negativity around, saying Haze was doomed since it had collapsed once already.

'Well, that's that.'

At this point, I had done everything I could. It was time to activate Plan B.

Just then, Kang Gam-Chan looked worried. "Chief Jung. The casting is one thing, but aren't you concerned that Hoop Entertainment might get some bad press? How will you handle that?"

"I was thinking of introducing another actress from our agency to fill the role. We can't afford to let the company be accused of backing out."

Suddenly, So Ji-Min exploded in irritation. "What are you saying, Chief Jung? Are you calling Ji-Seon a scam artist?"

'Good ears, huh.'

It wasn't legally a scam, but morally, it sure was.

I looked at So Ji-Min, ready to respond.

But before I could, Kang Gam-Chan's sharp gaze cut across the room first and locked onto Kim Jang-Bi.

"Director."

Kim Jang-Bi answered, "Yes, sir."

"At Gwanwoo Entertainment, do your team leads normally interrupt the president mid-conversation?"

"N-no, sir."

Kim Jang-Bi gritted his teeth and glared at So Ji-Min.

Feeling the pressure, So Ji-Min flinched and lowered her head. "S-sorry, sir. I got carried away because I didn't want my actress to be disrespected."

'It's not the actress we were criticizing, Chief So. It's you.'

Kang Gam-Chan stared at So Ji-Min for a moment, then turned his focus back to me.

"Anyway, Chief Jung. Which actress are you thinking of recommending? Considering the production company's current situation, we need to be realistic."

Everyone glanced nervously, silently praying it wasn't Yoo-Jin.

I smiled slightly and announced the name I had in mind for Plan B. "It's Ju Yung-In."

"Yung-In?"

The room buzzed louder. Ju Yung-In, who had swept Best Actress awards at both the MBS and SBC awards last year, was currently the highest-paid actress in the industry. No one could believe I was suggesting her for a once-canceled drama from a barely recovering production company.

Kang Gam-Chan gave me a skeptical look, but also seemed intrigued. "Yung-In's part of one of our subsidiaries, so technically it's not impossible. But can you afford her fee? You just said you couldn't pay Yang Ji-Seon an extra ten million per episode."

"I have a way."

"What way?"

"First, I'll confirm whether she's even interested. She was planning to stop by the office today anyway."

"Ah right, she said she'd come by after her move."

Ju Yung-In had just bought a five-story building about fifty meters from Hoop Entertainment to set up her own agency, JU Entertainment. She intended to use the first two floors for her new company, and today was her moving day.

Buzz buzz~

At that moment, a call came through from Ju Yung-In.

[Caller ID: Ju Yung-In]

I lifted my phone and said, "Looks like Yung-In is here. I'll ask her now."

"Alright."

I switched to speakerphone and asked.

"Hey, Yung-In."

-Hi, oppa. I'm in front of the office. Should I come up?

"Yeah, but first, can I ask you something?"

-What is it?

"There's a project called Haze produced by President Han Yoo-Sik's company. Would you be interested in appearing?"

-Sounds like you're in a meeting—your voice is echoing.

"Yeah, I am."

-I'll come up and answer in person.

Ju Yung-In, being a former Hoop Entertainment actress, knew the setup well.

"Alright. I'll wait for you."

I hung up, feeling the heavy stares of everyone in the room.

***

About a minute later, Ju Yung-In and her talent agent, now President Ahn Yung-Hee, entered the meeting room.

"Hello! I'm actress Ju Yung-In from JU Entertainment. And this is my talent agent and president, Mrs. Ahn Yung-Hee. You all know her, right?"

As part of Hoop Entertainment's subsidiary network, JU Entertainment had launched as Ju Yung-In's own agency with Ahn Yung-Hee as president.

After exchanging brief greetings with everyone, Ju Yung-In turned to me to answer the earlier question. "Yoon-Ho oppa, I'll take the lead role in Haze."

It was as expected of Ju Yung-In. Without even hearing any conditions, she immediately agreed because it was a project picked by me.

Then suddenly, So Ji-Min blurted out in panic. If Ju Yung-In, the most popular actress, joined a project she had just trashed, the probability of Haze's success would skyrocket. Clearly rattled, So Ji-Min began to stir trouble.

"Miss Yung-In! Are you out of your mind? You're choosing Haze?"

Ju Yung-In tilted her head. "My head's perfectly clear. And why should I care about your opinion when picking my next project?"

Stung by Ju Yung-In's unexpected backlash, So Ji-Min stumbled. "Ah, I mean... what I meant was... Haze doesn't have a high budget for production. I might've sounded harsh, but I was just trying to advise you."

Ju Yung-In snorted arrogantly, just like she had when I first saw her after returning to the past. "And who do you think you are to give me advice?"

"I'm..." fгeewёbnoѵel_cσm

As So Ji-Min tried to reply, Ju Yung-In cut her off by raising her hand. "Save it. I trust Chief Jung Yoon-Ho's pick more than any clumsy advice you can give. So don't bother."

So Ji-Min's face twisted in frustration.

Then Kim Jang-Bi, trying to save face, jumped in. "Miss Yung-In, I understand you trust Chief Jung's judgment. But don't you think you should hear more about the situation?"

"What situation?"

"The production company already went bankrupt once. What Chief So meant was that it might be risky to join. And we were just arguing about an extra ten million won for Ji-Seon's pay. How could such a shaky company afford your fee, which is over a hundred million won per episode?"

Ju Yung-In was indeed a S-class actress now, commanding over a hundred million won per episode after sweeping awards last year.

She smiled slyly and turned to me. "Oppa, how were you planning to handle my fee?"

I shrugged. "I was going to set it up as a running guarantee."

"Running guarantee?"

"Yeah. Starting at 10% viewership ratings, you'd get ten million won. For every 1% above that, another ten million won. If the viewership ratings climb, your pay climbs."

Running guarantees were rare for dramas and more common in films. Nevertheless, in the future, it will become more standard. It was high risk but high return. And if viewership ratings topped 20%, I planned to add bonus incentives.

Haze had hit an average 18% viewership ratings before the regression. With Ju Yung-In's power, it could climb even higher.

Ju Yung-In smiled. "If it hits 19%, that's a hundred million won per episode. If it goes higher, it'll be the highest-paid work of my career."

"That's exactly my goal."

Grinning, Ju Yung-In turned to Kim Jang-Bi with a confident expression. "And there you have it."

Kim Jang-Bi's face twitched in frustration. He knew my plan placed no additional burden on Mirinae.

The moment all the Gwanwoo Entertainment's talent agents fell silent, Kang Gam-Chan smiled warmly at Ju Yung-In. "Yung-In, even though you're technically with our subsidiary, you're still part of the Hoop family. Go out there and crush it!"

It was clear Kang Gam-Chan meant: Show those Gwanwoo folks what real success looks like.

Quick-witted as ever, Ju Yung-In lifted her chin proudly and said, "Mr. Kang, don't you trust me? I'm Ju Yung-In, after all!"

At Ju Yung-In's confident tone, Kang Gam-Chan smiled warmly and then looked at me. "And Chief Jung, make sure you maintain a good relationship with President Han. No matter what, he was a former KBC executive."

"Understood, sir."

"Good, good."

The Hoop Entertainment folks were smiling brightly. On the other hand, the Gwanwoo Entertainment's side—So Ji-Min, Kim Jang-Bi, even Kim Gwan-Woo—looked as if they were hoping Haze would fail.

It was laughable to me, knowing the future.

'Nothing will go the way you're hoping.'

Seeing talent agents willing to throw away their actors' futures just to spite me, I became even more determined that I would drive them out of Hoop Entertainment no matter what.

At that moment, Ju Yung-In beamed at me. "Oppa, I've done my greetings here. Now, can you introduce me to the president of Mirinae?"

"Of course."

With Kang Gam-Chan's permission, I left the meeting room with Ju Yung-In.

***

After the meeting, I headed to JU Entertainment with Ju Yung-In and Ahn Yung-Hee.

A small five-story building was only about fifty meters away from Hoop Entertainment. The first floor was used as a reception and office space, while the second floor housed Ju Yung-In's personal office and the president's office.

While waiting for Han Yoo-Sik of Mirinae to arrive, I looked around the new office.

A short while later, Han Yoo-Sik arrived. Wearing a neatly pressed suit, he looked completely different from yesterday. His hair, now dyed a rich brown, made him look twenty years younger.

"Mr. Han. Welcome."

Han Yoo-Sik glanced at me, blinking in surprise. I had brought not just a replacement actress, but an S-class actress Ju Yung-In, who charged over a hundred million won per episode.

"So the person you mentioned for Plan B... was Miss Ju Yung-In?"

"Yes, sir."

Ju Yung-In smiled brightly and bowed. "Mr. Han. It's been a while."

"Ah, Miss Yung-In. It has indeed."

Having met before, there was no need for formal introductions between them.

"Let's head to the meeting room."

"Oh, y-yes."

Seated inside, I explained the contract terms we had discussed: Starting at 10% viewership ratings, Ju Yung-In would receive ten million won, and for every additional 1%, her pay would increase by another ten million won.

This meant that she would get twenty million won at 11%, thirty million won at 12%, and so on.

Han Yoo-Sik nodded approvingly. "Being paid based on performance isn't bad at all."

I added, "Yes. Investors won't dislike it either. Now, once we lock in the male lead, I'll arrange meetings with investors."

Han Yoo-Sik nodded with satisfaction, then suddenly fixed his eyes on me with a thoughtful look.

And then, unexpectedly, he made a proposal.

"Oh, and Chief Jung. I have a proposal for you."

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