Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 570: BiHyungRang (3)

I flexed my fingers and spoke to Han Woo-Hyuk. "From now on, I'll give you a sports massage and acupressure therapy."

"A massage...?"

"Yes."

Before the regression, among the actors I managed, there was a veteran named Kang Gi-Tae who was an outstanding actor but notoriously difficult.

At seventy years old, Kang Gi-Tae had numerous aches and pains, so he often slipped out to get massages whenever he could. He even stopped filming if he felt uncomfortable.

But once he started leaving the set, his reputation plummeted. To prevent him from walking off, I learned an acupressure massage from none other than Kim Soo-Myung himself.

Although I wasn't as skilled as the professionally trained Kim Soo-Myung, thanks to my strong grip, I was actually better for quick, high-impact condition boosts like now.

Han Woo-Hyuk nodded in agreement. "Understood... I'll leave it to you."

I pulled down the thick blanket covering Han Woo-Hyuk to his waist and placed my hands on his back.

"It'll hurt a little."

"That's fine. I can handle pain well."

"That's good to hear. Then, here we go."

At the same moment, I pressed firmly into the upper trapezius muscles behind his neck with my fingers.

Instantly, the supposedly pain-tolerant Han Woo-Hyuk let out a scream. "Aaaargh! No! This is way too painful... W-Wait! Mr. Jung, stop!"

Miso, who had been watching, gasped and clamped her hands over her mouth. But then she quickly clasped her hands together and cheered in front of Han Woo-Hyuk.

"Goblin uncle! You can do it~!"

When Miso looked at him with worried eyes, Han Woo-Hyuk shut his mouth tight and began enduring the pain. Thanks to that, I was able to massage him a little more easily.

'Miso, you're a lifesaver.'

In many ways, Miso was truly helpful.

***

At first, I focused on forcibly stimulating his energy points to boost his vitality. And after ten minutes, I shifted to relieving his fatigue.

Eventually, Han Woo-Hyuk, who had been screaming earlier, fell into a deep sleep with his eyes closed.

"Phew..."

Since I hadn't rested even once while massaging him, by the time thirty minutes had passed, my entire body was drenched in sweat. At that moment, a bead of sweat from my forehead dropped onto Han Woo-Hyuk's back.

Drip. Drip.

Miso handed me a towel to wipe my forehead.

"Thanks, Miso."

"You're welcome!"

Hearing our voices, Han Woo-Hyuk slowly opened his eyes. "Ah... I'm sorry. I must have dozed off."

Thanks to the massage, not only had he slept soundly, but there was strength back in his previously weak voice.

I finally removed my hands from Han Woo-Hyuk and said, "All done. Now, get up and try moving around. Let me know if anything feels uncomfortable."

Han Woo-Hyuk slowly sat up and rotated his arms and legs. Doubtful at first, his face soon brightened.

"I feel like I could stay up all night shooting today!"

"It's just a temporary boost, so don't push yourself too hard. And after one more scene, we're heading straight to the hospital."

"Yes, Mr. Jung."

I then helped Han Woo-Hyuk put on a warm long padded coat, and together with Miso, we stepped out of the waiting tent.

Once Han Woo-Hyuk reappeared and his recovery was confirmed, the staff showed relieved expressions.

Oh Bok-Hee gave me a thumbs-up and shouted into the megaphone. "Alright everyone, let's go with the last scene for today. Let's focus and nail it in one shot without any NGs! After that, we'll take a break too."

The current time was 9:20 p.m. It was almost time for Episode 2 of Hwaranjeon to be broadcast. Oh Bok-Hee said that after shooting this final scene, we should all watch Episode 2 together.

Following her instructions, the staff started moving around so fast that their feet almost blurred.

***

Standing by the wall of Moon Palace, Han Woo-Hyuk checked the camera movement with the assistant director during a short rehearsal.

At that moment, Yoo-Jin, having finished her makeup touch-up, approached me. Holding her script tightly in her hands, she was preparing for the upcoming scene with Han Woo-Hyuk.

"Yoo-Jin, are you feeling okay?"

Yoo-Jin nodded. "Yes. I didn't shoot many scenes today anyway. By the way, oppa, isn't Woo-Hyuk sunbae's acting incredible? It felt like he poured his whole soul into it."

"He's desperate, that's why."

After falling ill four years ago and enduring continuous chemotherapy, all he ever wished for was to act again. Now that his desperate wish had come true, he was pouring his entire soul and stamina into his performance.

After hearing my answer, Yoo-Jin clenched both her fists with renewed determination. "Oppa, I'm really going to work hard!"

"Huh? That's sudden. Why are you saying that?"

"Well, after seeing Woo-Hyuk sunbae's acting, I realized how lazy I've been. Honestly, I was just acting to make a living. But after winning awards, I got cocky and stopped trying as hard."

I was left speechless. The idea that she hadn't been working hard was entirely her own perception. In truth, Yoo-Jin always poured her whole heart into her craft.

'Seriously, who in the world works harder than you?'

Except for the time spent eating, sleeping, and playing with Miso, Yoo-Jin never slacked off on practice. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

Just as I was about to tell her that wasn't true, Miso nodded beside me in agreement. "That's right, Mom! I've been slacking off on acting practice too because of schoolwork! But from now on, I'll work hard at both!"

Miso clenched her little fists with fiery determination. Seeing that, Yoo-Jin exclaimed, "Alright, Miso! Then let's have a competition to see who works harder!"

"Okay!"

Yoo-Jin and Miso hooked their pinkies together and cheered each other on.

'If you two are getting that fired up, what are the rest of us supposed to do?'

Just then, Han Sang-Hee, playing Princess Jeong-Hwa in the next scene, walked over from a distance. Perhaps because she recently renewed her contract for the Real Dew soju commercial, she looked full of confidence from her facial expression to her footsteps.

However, it seemed that confidence wouldn't last much longer.

'Han Sang-Hee, I'm sorry. You're probably going to be the first casualty.'

Between Yoo-Jin who had steeled her resolve and Han Woo-Hyuk who was acting with his life on the line, Han Sang-Hee was going to be caught right in the middle.

At that moment, Yoo-Jin, fired up with determination, spoke to me. "Oppa, I'm off."

Maybe because she was determined not to be outdone by Han Woo-Hyuk, she seemed far more energized than usual.

"Y-Yeah... Go ahead."

Yoo-Jin turned and slowly walked toward the set.

A little later, Ma Dong-Pal, who was in charge of preparing Han Sang-Hee, quietly approached me.

"Hey, Chief Jung."

"Mr. Ma. How have you been?"

Ever since Ace Entertainment split and TK Entertainment rose to the number one spot, he had been acting much more arrogantly.

"I've been good. But Chief Jung, I hear Hoop Entertainment's doing well lately?"

Since I didn't feel like picking a fight, I responded politely. "TK Entertainment becoming number one is a much bigger achievement. Congratulations on reaching the top."

"Hahaha. Is that how it is? Thanks."

Just then, a man's voice suddenly called out from behind.

"Hey~ you two, so this is where you were!"

Ma Dong-Pal turned his head. "Oh? Mr. Yoo, you're here."

It was Yoo Moon-Ho, the 46-year-old promotion director of One Sip Milk, who sported a bold parted hairstyle. One Sip Milk was mainly in the dairy business and ranked second in the milk industry.

"Ahem. I see Mr. Jung is here too."

I greeted, "It's been a while, Mr. Yoo. How have you been?"

"Well, you know. No reason I wouldn't be doing well."

He was still curt because we had once flatly rejected a model offer from One Sip Milk for Yoo-Jin.

At that moment, Yoo Moon-Ho spoke to Ma Dong-Pal. "Director Ma. After the shoot, why don't you and Miss Sang-Hee join me nearby?"

Instantly, Ma Dong-Pal's face lit up. "W-Wait, has Sang-Hee been confirmed as the model?"

"Yes. As long as there are no major disagreements about the conditions, it'll be finalized with Han Sang-Hee."

"Thank you!"

"There's no need for thanks. It's just because Han Sang-Hee is doing well these days."

The two laughed and chatted, but I had no interest in their conversation. After all, the company One Sip Milk itself had a lot of issues.

While the two talked, Oh Bok-Hee finally grabbed the megaphone. "Alright, everyone quiet down. Staff, report your preparations!"

It was finally time to film today's last scene—the ending scene of Episode 5.

***

The ending scene of Episode 5 in Hwaranjeon was where BiHyungRang escorted Princess Yu-Hwa from his bamboo grove to the wall of the Moon palace.

However, hiding there were the subordinates of Princess Jeong-Hwa, lying in wait to capture the goblin. Princess Jeong-Hwa planned to catch the legendary goblin and force him to sign a contract to make her queen.

Yoo-Jin and Han Woo-Hyuk, who were ready first, stood by the palace wall and gave their signal.

"We're ready."

Han Sang-Hee, standing ten meters away with stuntmen dressed in black, also shouted, "We're ready too."

Finally, from the pine forest on the left, stuntmen cloaked in black capes called out, "We're ready as well."

As soon as all the readiness signals came in, Oh Bok-Hee grabbed the megaphone. "Action team behind the palace wall! How's it over there?"

From behind the roughly two-meter-high palace wall, a louder voice than before responded. "We're all ready, ma'am!"

After confirming everyone's status, Oh Bok-Hee gave her final direction. "Alright... With a large-scale action scene, a single mistake ruins everything, so focus. Just follow the rehearsal exactly and don't get unnecessarily nervous. Here we go. Ready~~ Action!"

***

Han Woo-Hyuk, playing BiHyungRang, and Yoo-Jin, playing Princess Yu-Hwa, walked side by side.

Han Woo-Hyuk held the daegeum which BiHyungRang always carried, and began to gently scold Yoo-Jin, who wore a sullen expression.

『From now on, do not come to me directly. Send word through Bandi instead. Do you understand?』

Yoo-Jin stopped walking. She stared at Han Woo-Hyuk with a hurt expression.

『Uncle BiHyungRang, do you not want to see me?』

『Of course I do. It's just that those within the castle are after you, and I worry. Remember this. I am a goblin, and you are human. Even though I care for you, taking on a physical form makes me weaker. So never come to see me in person again.』

In the story, the goblin was a proxy of the heavenly gods and the guardian of all living things. If he revealed himself and harmed a human directly, he would incur the wrath of the heavenly gods and temporarily lose his powers, risking grave danger.

Thus, Han Woo-Hyuk wore an expression full of deep regret. Enemies could appear at any moment, targeting Princess Yu-Hwa.

Yoo-Jin lowered her head like a little niece who didn't want to part from her uncle, and kicked a small stone.

『Hmph. Hmph.』

The stone Yoo-Jin kicked bounced off the palace wall.

Clatter.

Tap, tap.

Although Princess Yu-Hwa was locked in a power struggle to become queen, before the goblin, she was just a naive teenager.

At that moment, Han Sang-Hee slowly emerged from the thick darkness.

Shuffle, shuffle.

The sound of rubber shoes treading on fine sand echoed.

『So that's the goblin of legend.』

『You... were behind this, unnie?』

Han Sang-Hee gave a greedy smile.

『Hahaha. Thank you. To think you would bring the goblin right to me! Thanks to you, I can now make the goblin, who commands rain and wind, mine. Soon, I shall become the queen of Gyerim!』

Finishing her words with a sly grin, Han Sang-Hee raised her hand. In an instant, masked men appeared from behind.

『Seize him! A reward of one hundred gold coins to whoever captures him!』

『We obey your command!』

The masked men screamed and charged forward.

Just then, Han Woo-Hyuk raised his right hand, still gripping the daegeum, and shouted.

『Stop!』

Thud,

The charging men all halted at once, their bodies trembling. But Han Sang-Hee issued another order with a vicious face.

『Capture team, what are you waiting for!?』

This time, men cloaked in black appeared from the pine forest on the left. About ten members of the capture team simultaneously threw off their cloaks.

Swish.

Instantly, red garments soaked in chicken blood were revealed underneath. The stench of chicken blood, which goblins hated, spread through the air.

Han Woo-Hyuk began staggering and covered his nose with his sleeve. The calm expression he had maintained now twisted with confusion.

『Yu-Hwa! Run! They know how to deal with goblins!』

It was a life-threatening situation for the goblin, who despised blood. Yet, Yoo-Jin refused to flee, unwilling to leave him alone.

In the end, Han Woo-Hyuk gritted his teeth and stepped in front of Yoo-Jin. His face showed his resolve to protect her at any cost, even if it meant his life.

At the same time, a deafening roar burst from Han Woo-Hyuk's mouth like the mighty roar of a lion.

『Do not come any closer! If you do, even if it incurs the wrath of the heavenly gods, I will slaughter you all!』

It was such a powerful voice that it made the entire set tremble.

At Han Woo-Hyuk's overwhelming presence, the capture team stuntmen froze where they stood. Even Han Sang-Hee, who had given the order, was intimidated by Han Woo-Hyuk's blazing eyes and forgot her lines.

Although it could have been called an NG, because the reaction was so real, Oh Bok-Hee didn't stop the scene and kept watching.

Next to me, Ma Dong-Pal flailed his hands and jumped up and down in the attempt to get Han Sang-Hee to snap out of it.

Seeing that, Han Sang-Hee forced herself to continue with a shaking voice.

『T-To stop in fear of the enemy's presence, how dare you call yourselves sword-bearing warriors!? If you fail to capture him today, I shall personally slaughter your families!』

At that moment, the men drenched in chicken blood, who had momentarily frozen, screamed again and charged forward.

『Waaaahhh!』

Staring down the attackers who threw themselves at him without regard for death, Han Woo-Hyuk gripped his daegeum with both hands as if wielding a sword.

That's when Yoo-Jin stepped forward and blocked Han Woo-Hyuk. Her eyes gazing at him were filled with sorrow and regret.

『I'm sorry, uncle. I never wanted to put you in danger.』

『Hm? What do you mean?』

『I heard a similar thing happened when I was little. So I... I wanted to wipe out those targeting you.』

『I see...』

『I'm sorry. But now... I'll protect you.』

After speaking, Yoo-Jin closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, the naive Princess Yu-Hwa was gone, replaced by the charisma of a dignified monarch.

Yoo-Jin looked at the attackers without a flicker of fear, then took a small bell from her sleeve and shook it.

Jingle, jingle.

The clear sound of the bell echoed through the dark night sky. At that moment, the shouts of a crowd could be heard beyond the wall.

『Waaaah!』

Upon hearing the cheers, Yoo-Jin shouted in a chilling voice.

『The Yu-Hwa Army will now protect me and BiHyungRang!』

The voice of a sovereign echoed across the Moon Palace. In an instant, men in navy blue uniforms leapt over the palace wall all at once.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

More than fifty men vaulted the low palace wall and landed.

Thud, thud, thud.

Fifty men surrounded Han Woo-Hyuk and Yoo-Jin. The charging stuntmen all came to a sudden halt. Then, facing the stunned stuntmen, Yoo-Jin shouted with the majesty of a queen.

『Yu-Hwa Army. From this moment, annihilate the enemy!』

The dozens of stuntmen responded in unison.

『We obey your command!』

Ching!

The clear, resonant sound of swords being drawn from their scabbards rang out like music.

『Waaaah!』

The Yu-Hwa Army, clad in navy blue, clashed with and overpowered the blood-soaked assailants. Later, Han Sang-Hee managed to barely escape with the help of the masked men.

Thus, the final scene of Episode 5 wrapped up.

***

Oh Bok-Hee shouted in excitement, "Cut~~! Okay! Wow, Miss Yoo-Jin, Mr. Woo-Hyuk, you were amazing!"

She was completely smitten by the charismatic performance Han Woo-Hyuk and Yoo-Jin had shown.

Even though it was a large-scale group scene, Han Woo-Hyuk and Yoo-Jin stood out overwhelmingly. Thanks to them, all the other actors were reduced to mere background, even Han Sang-Hee.

Because of this, Ma Dong-Pal crossed his arms and wore a disgruntled expression. Despite playing a major role as Princess Jeong-Hwa, Han Sang-Hee had ended up looking like just another extra.

Just as I thought, the awakening of Han Woo-Hyuk and the determination of Yoo-Jin had already created the first casualty.

At that moment, Director Yoo Moon-Ho of One Sip Milk, who had been standing by Ma Dong-Pal, strode over to me with his face flushed.

Then he asked me excitedly, "Chief Jung. That actor... wasn't he the one from three or four years ago? The one who retired because of stomach cancer? His name was Han Woo... something?"

"His name is Han Woo-Hyuk."

"Ah, that's right. But when did he make his comeback? I don't think I've seen him on TV."

"This is his first project since returning."

"I see..."

And then Yoo Moon-Ho suggested, "Would he be interested in doing an ad for our product?"

"Pardon me??"

Just moments ago, they had confirmed Han Sang-Hee as the model. But seeing Han Woo-Hyuk's stunning performance had apparently changed his mind.

Ma Dong-Pal's face twisted in anger. "Mr. Yoo!"

Ignoring Ma Dong-Pal, Yoo Moon-Ho spoke to me. "I'll offer him top-tier terms, like the ones we give to actors who won the Rookie of the Year award. How about it?"

Yoo Moon-Ho was proposing an exceptionally generous offer. However, I had no intention of accepting the ad.

I was aware of serious issues surrounding the One Sip Milk advertisement that only I knew about.

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