Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 690: Plan

"I plan to put Eun-Gi on television as soon as he's released and turn him into a star. That way, his safety will be guaranteed for the time being."

My idea was to present Kang Eun-Gi as a star talent agent and a young businessman in his twenties who had built Reverse Entertainment into the fifth-largest company in the industry, making him famous.

However, Choi Eun-Tae didn't understand why being famous would make someone safer. "What do you mean by saying he'll be safer if he becomes a star?"

I began breaking it down for Choi Eun-Tae. "If he becomes a star, reporters and the public will follow him everywhere, and every move he makes will be reported on social media and in the news. That makes it very hard to harm him. Anyone who tried would risk ending up on the nine o'clock news."

At the center of the group targeting Eun-Gi was Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon, a politician. And what politicians feared most was public opinion. I was certain he wouldn't dare target someone constantly followed by cameras. That would be nearly impossible. Once he was a star, there would be reporters, staff, and bystanders around him at all times.

In short, I was planning to build a human shield around Kang Eun-Gi. Even a reckless man like Choi Man-Sik wouldn't be able to touch him. If word got out that the head of a savings bank had ordered a hit, Choi Man-Sik would lose everything.

"I hadn't considered that. Making him safer by making him more well-known... hahahaha..." Choi Eun-Tae gave a laugh, clearly impressed. "But... Can Eun-Gi really become a star?"

"Don't worry. You've got me, haven't you?"

The truth was, I had done something like this before in my previous life. Back then, I had transformed Kim Dong-Soo, the president of Top Entertainment who was plagued by rumors of entertaining politicians, into Korea's top "sweet guy." I had used MBS' long-running program, The Omniscient Viewpoint, to change his image.

That time, I had cooked the meal only to have someone else eat it, but this time would be different. This time, I would be doing it to save my friend Kang Eun-Gi's life. And the conditions now were better.

Kang Eun-Gi was quite handsome, with charismatic eyes, a solidly muscular build, and a height of 185 cm. With the help of a stylist and makeup artist, grabbing public attention would be easy. I planned to get him on The Omniscient Viewpoint at MBS to draw public interest.

Just as Choi Eun-Tae was getting absorbed in my idea, he hit me with a sharp question. "You could certainly make him a star, and I believe that. But how do you plan to spin the fact that he's been to prison?"

It was a question worthy of someone at the very top of his field. However, I had already considered that.

"I don't plan to hide his past."

"What? Not hide it? How can you trust the public?"

"Not hiding it doesn't mean showing the parts they'd rather not see. I'll show the public that Eun-Gi has turned over a new leaf and then ask for their forgiveness."

Right now, Kang Eun-Gi was taking care of about fifty orphans. I was confident that if the public saw him reflecting on his past and taking responsibility for these children, they would forgive him.

Choi Eun-Tae continued to ask, "That may be, but what about his school days? If a victim of school violence were to come forward, public opinion could turn against him instantly."

"It's fine. Eun-Gi has never committed school violence. Even when he was in the gang, he never touched civilians. That's why he only got a one-year sentence."

"Wait, you're telling me Eun-Gi never bullied anyone in school? Is that even possible?"

"He's been in fights, yes, but he never extorted money or shook people down. Most of the time, the other guy started it. And he never picked on anyone weaker than him."

At the mention that Kang Eun-Gi had never preyed on the weak, a gentle smile spread over Choi Eun-Tae's face. "Alright then. I'll entrust Eun-Gi to you."

"Yes, sir."

Still, Choi Eun-Tae looked disappointed that there was nothing he could personally do to help.

I smiled faintly and said, "I understand you're still worried. So from now on, let's assign bodyguards to Eun-Gi."

Choi Eun-Tae looked startled and repeated my words. "Bodyguards? You mean I can send my people to Eun-Gi?"

"Yes. As soon as Eun-Gi gets out on March 1, he's agreed to come quietly to see you. I've already brought up the bodyguard matter. But they'll need to protect him without drawing attention."

Choi Eun-Tae began to tremble. The thought of meeting his son must have hit him hard. "Is... is that true, Chief Jung?"

"Yes, Mr. Chairman."

"Hah... haha... haha... finally..."

Unable to speak further, Choi Eun-Tae closed his eyes with his deeply lined face trembling lightly. At seventy-six years old, each passing minute meant something very different to him than it did to me. He didn't know how much time he had left. Just knowing he would meet his son left him speechless, his body shivering.

However, I knew how much time Choi Eun-Tae had left—about two years. Before my regression, back when I was at Top Entertainment, I had attended his funeral. The record still remained in Everyday. I checked my phone, half-hoping the good news about Kang Eun-Gi might have changed that fate.

[EveryDay V12.2]

[Date: March 1, 2023]

-3:00 p.m.: Obituary for Chairman Choi Eun-Tae. VIP special room, Seven Star Hospital Funeral Hall.

Unfortunately, nothing had changed. I could have stopped death by illness, but death from old age was beyond my control. I wasn't sure yet how to tell him, but I planned to do it soon so he wouldn't regret having too little time with his son.

Choi Eun-Tae finally opened his eyes with a long sigh, but this time, there was life in them. "For my son's sake, we must bring down Assemblyman Park Sang-Gon."

"Yes, Mr. Chairman. And from now on, please take care of your health. You'll want to reconcile with Eun-Gi and enjoy your grandchildren."

"Haha. Of course. I'll live forever until my grandchildren are born, and until they have children of their own!"

That grand ambition seemed to bring vitality back to his face. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

I smiled. "Then, I'll take my leave now."

"Ah, alright. And... Chief Jung."

"Yes, sir."

"Truly... thank you."

All I had done was arrange the chance for him to meet Kang Eun-Gi, yet Choi Eun-Tae looked as if he had no more regrets.

"I'll accept your thanks the day Eun-Gi calls you 'father.'"

"Something tells me you'll make sure that happens. Haha."

I gave a sheepish smile and left the house. To make Kang Eun-Gi a star, I had to start negotiating with PD Park Eun-Chan of The Omniscient Viewpoint right away.

But first, there was something else to do.

***

In the meeting room of Reverse Entertainment, with Lee Soo-Chan on board with my plan to make Kang Eun-Gi a hot topic the moment he got out, we began carefully picking which actors and singers should appear with him on The Omniscient Viewpoint. The more famous the celebrity, the faster Kang Eun-Gi's name as their talent agent would spread.

Since Reverse Entertainment had absorbed half of Ace Entertainment, we had plenty of S-class talents to choose from. And there was one perfect candidate: Chae Mi-Hyun.

Thirty-five years old this year, she had been called the queen of romantic comedies since her twenties. Despite her sophisticated looks, her down-to-earth personality made her popular with staff and talent agents. She was also starring in the hit Monday–Tuesday MBS drama Infinite Job-Hunting Era, which had an 18% viewership ratings.

However, she had never once appeared on a variety show. Lee Soo-Chan suggested picking someone else, thinking she would be hard to convince. Yet I shook my head. That was exactly why she could be a headline-grabber. And I knew the real reason she avoided variety programs.

Just then, word came that Chae Mi-Hyun was at the company for work. Lee Soo-Chan immediately asked her to come to the meeting room, and she soon arrived with her talent agent, Yoo Jung-Ae.

After some light small talk, I suggested she appear on a variety program. Even though I was with Hoop Entertainment, Lee Soo-Chan's backing as vice president gave weight to my words, so pitching the program wasn't hard.

"I wanted to talk to you about appearing on The Omniscient Viewpoint," I suggested.

Chae Mi-Hyun smiled brightly but cut me off immediately. "You know I don't do variety shows. Let's pretend I didn't hear this. Well then, take care."

As expected, she refused. Then, as she stood up, she looked at Lee Soo-Chan. "Mr. Lee, I've got a shoot, so is it okay if I leave first?"

That was when I spoke up. "How long do you plan on hiding it?"

Chae Mi-Hyun turned to face me. "What do you mean?"

"Your grandmother, your brother. Jeju Island."

Her face, which had been calm until now, faltered. Then, she snapped sharply like the witch she had once played in The Touch of a Villainess. "Chief Jung! Are you here to threaten me?"

The truth was, she had a much younger brother, eighteen years younger than her, who had an intellectual disability. With both her parents passed away from illness, her grandmother was raising her now-seventeen-year-old brother in Jeju. She had kept her family a complete secret, but every weekend she secretly flew down to spend time with him.

But in two months' time, on Children's Day, tragedy would strike. When fog grounded flights from Seoul, Chae Mi-Hyun told her grandmother she would come the next day. While she was on the phone, her brother left home, saying he was going to meet his sister. On the way, he was hit by a car and died.

That tragic schedule entry was still in Everyday.

[EveryDay V12.2]

[Date: May 5, 2021]

-10:10 p.m.: Entertainment Everywhere: Top star Chae Mi-Hyun's long-hidden intellectually disabled younger brother dies.

She had endlessly blamed herself, believing that if she had revealed her brother to the world, he would have lived. I could still remember her on a morning talk show, crying tears of blood as she spoke of her regret.

I said, "Your grandmother is getting older and won't be able to restrain him much longer. If that happens, your brother—whose judgment is impaired—could wander outside alone, putting him at risk. It would be better to let the world know and accept help. Especially since the house in Jeju is right by the road."

Chae Mi-Hyun's voice began to tremble. "H-how... how do you know that?"

'I regressed, but I guess I can't say that.'

"There are no secrets in this world."

Chae Mi-Hyun hesitated. She didn't know how the public would react to her keeping her brother's existence a secret all this time. But I could tell what really worried her was the public pointing fingers at her beloved brother.

So I pressed on. "Please trust me. I'll handle your story well on The Omniscient Viewpoint. You know I just turned Deok-Bae's image around, right?"

Only days ago, Deok-Bae had been on the verge of ruin over a Han Sun-Myung scandal, but thanks to me, he was now Korea's hottest star.

"I can do the same for you and your brother's story."

"But still..."

I reminded her of her own words from before my regression. "The public's gaze on your brother might be harsh at times, but that's better than losing him. Be brave for him. I'll help you."

Her pupils shook rapidly. I figured she must have already come close to losing him once before.

Finally, Chae Mi-Hyun looked at me for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Sigh... I always thought I'd have to reveal it someday... might as well do it now. And maybe it's better to tell it through an observational variety show than a documentary. But I want to see the script and the edited footage first. Can you make that happen? That's a PD's call, not something you can just demand."

'Got her.'

"I'll make it happen, no matter what. You can count on me."

Chae Mi-Hyun let out a small sigh of relief. "Then who's going to be my talent agent on the show? Should I go with Jung-Ae?"

Her current talent agent and maternal cousin, Yoo Jung-Ae, already knew the whole story. She was also pulling triple duty as talent agent, road talent agent, and stylist.

"I'll have Ms. Yoo Jung-Ae focus solely on styling, and assign you a road talent agent."

"A road talent agent? Don't tell me you're giving me a rookie?"

"He's not just any rookie, but a big-name rookie."

"Who...?"

"President Kang Eun-Gi, the owner of this company."

Since switching to the entertainment business, Kang Eun-Gi had gone to prison of his own accord without ever gaining any experience as a talent agent. That was the reason I called him a rookie.

"Wait, hold on. He's... in prison right now, isn't he?"

"He's getting out on a special pardon."

Chae Mi-Hyun nodded as if things were starting to make sense. "So... you're planning to manage my image and President Kang's at the same time?"

"Exactly."

Chae Mi-Hyun looked me up and down and clicked her tongue in disbelief. "Now I get why everyone talks about you with such awe. Layer upon layer of bold moves... Phew. Oh, don't get me wrong. That's a compliment."

"Thank you. And I promise we'll have zero tolerance for any hateful comments targeting your brother."

Even someone who could swallow insults to themselves had their limits when it came to family. I repeated that anyone who crossed that line would regret it.

Lee Soo-Chan backed me up. "I'll tell the legal team to earn their pay, and we'll also find a new house where you can live with your brother."

"Please... I'd appreciate that."

Once I had her agreement, I discreetly checked the schedule entry on Everyday.

[EveryDay V12.2]

[Date: May 5, 2021]

-10:10 p.m.: <Schedule Entry deleted>

(Deleted Schedule Entry: Entertainment Everywhere: Top star Chae Mi-Hyun's long-hidden intellectually disabled younger brother dies.)

Thankfully, the schedule entry was gone.

Letting out a breath of relief, I told Chae Mi-Hyun more casually, "Since we're not officially with the same company, I can't take the lead. But I'll support you from the side."

Chae Mi-Hyun extended her hand. "I look forward to working with you, Mr. Jung."

***

As soon as Chae Mi-Hyun left for her schedule, I called PD Park Eun-Chan on speakerphone. When he heard about Chae Mi-Hyun joining, his voice lit up.

-Really? Chae Mi-Hyun chose our show for her variety debut?

Currently, The Omniscient Viewpoint had low viewership ratings—never breaking past 5%—due to its lack of popular stars. But I knew it had a strong hidden fanbase, which was why I had boldly booked Deok-Bae for the show. He had already filmed a teaser today with three weeks of appearances set to start next week.

With Deok-Bae, currently the hottest name in the industry, locked in, Park Eun-Chan was already friendly toward me. Now, with Chae Mi-Hyun, the elusive variety holdout, also showing interest, he was practically over the moon.

-Hahaha. Chief Jung, you're really saving my show here!

Sensing Park Eun-Chan's good mood, I slipped in a tough request.

"However, Ms. Chae Mi-Hyun would like to review the script and footage beforehand. It's her first time showing her true self to the public, so she's understandably concerned."

This was essentially asking for editing control, something most PDs would flat-out refuse. I had backup offers ready, but to my surprise, Park Eun-Chan agreed immediately.

If Ms. Chae Mi-Hyun is in, that's no problem at all~

'Huh? Is this really going to be so easy?'

But then Park Eun-Chan added.

-On one condition...

'Of course. Nothing's ever that simple.'

"What condition?"

At that moment, Park Eun-Chan made an unexpected suggestion.

-Today, starting with the teaser, you appear on the show as Deok-Bae's talent agent. That's my condition. What do you say?

'...He wants me to appear on camera?'