Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

The actor I had in mind for the role of the psychopath, Oh Myung-Jin, in Jiri Mountain was Go Jae-Soo.

Go Jae-Soo could not stand up for himself and endured unfair treatment from AD Yang Hyun-Jong on set. This was because he had spent six years at TK Entertainment with only minor and supporting roles, which eroded his confidence.

He was not only plagued by the fear of losing his roles but also burdened with the reality of making a living. The weight of reality was crushing his acting dreams. Nonetheless, Go Jae-Soo could deliver a stellar performance with the right role and encouragement.

I shouted at Yang Hyun-Jong who was berating Go Jae-Soo as useless. "Mr. Yang, don't you think you're being a bit harsh to the actor?"

As I raised my voice, Yang Hyun-Jong snapped back irritably. "And who are you, huh?"

Some of the staff on set recognized me, but Yang Hyun-Jong did not.

"I'm a talent agent."

"Talent agent? Oh, so the agency finally assigned him a talent agent, huh? Well, tell your actor he doesn't need to come back tomorrow. Honestly, these nobodies act as if they're something."

Go Jae-Soo's face turned pale at the sudden dismissal. "Mr. Yang, please, I..."

Yang Hyun-Jong interrupted Go Jae-Soo before he could finish. "I only hired you because you claimed you'd do anything for a role, and now you backstab me? Hey! Don't let me see your face at this studio ever again, got it?"

As Go Jae-Soo looked downcast and tried to bow again, I quickly grabbed his arm and spoke up. "I'm not Mr. Go Jae-Soo's talent agent. I'm Jung Yoon-Ho, the team lead of Hoop Entertainment and talent agent of Lee Tae-Poong. I'm also the casting director for LT Entertainment's upcoming film Jiri Mountain."

A buzz rippled through the set. Some might not know who I was, but everyone knew Jiri Mountain: the next project of the industry's hottest actor, Lee Tae-Poong.

The fact that I was a casting director of Jiri Mountain meant that I held the authority to assign roles to anyone I wanted.

I continued, "I actually came today intending to scout Mr. Go Jae-Soo. And this dismissal seems well-timed. I'll take Mr. Go Jae-Soo with me then."

At that moment, Yang Hyun-Jong shouted, "T-that's a lie! Since when does a talent agent act as a casting director?"

It wasn't just Yang Hyun-Jong who didn't seem to believe me. Even Go Jae-Soo looked uncertain about my claim. Fortunately, I had a simple solution.

I pulled out my phone and called President Shin Jong-Ki, putting it on speakerphone. After two rings, he answered.

-Yes, Team Lead Jung. What's up?

"I'm on speakerphone. I called hoping you could confirm something for me."

-You need me to confirm something?

"Yes, someone here doesn't believe I'm the casting director for Jiri Mountain."

-Huh? Who's the fool who doesn't trust Team Lead Jung?

Shin Jong-Ki's booming voice made Yang Hyun-Jong's face turn red again.

"W-who do you think you are to…?" Yang Hyun-Jong replied with irritation.

-If you want to know who someone is, shouldn't you introduce yourself first?

Fuming, Yang Hyun-Jong retorted. "Me? I'm KBC's AD Yang Hyun-Jong!"

-Oh, really? I'm Shin Jong-Ki, President of LT Entertainment.

Though he seemed skeptical, Yang Hyun-Jong cautiously asked. "A-are you really Mr. Shin…?"

-Unless there's a fake Shin Jong-Ki around. If you're in doubt, come to our company and confirm it yourself.

At this, Yang Hyun-Jong began to panic.

As president of a major distributor, Shin Jong-Ki was on par with the broadcasting studio's top executives. In fact, he was known to have connections with broadcasting heads—and just a few words from him could severely hinder Yang Hyun-Jong's already delayed promotion.

"A-ah, no, sir."

Yang Hyun-Jong sweated nervously and began to stammer an explanation.

Just then, PD Lee Ju-Hwan of Real Situations 24 casually approached us, pretending not to know what was happening. "What's all the fuss about?"

"Well, it's just that..."

When a staff member quickly explained the situation, Lee Ju-Hwan glanced at us before harshly turning on Yang Hyun-Jong. "Apologize right now!"

"But Mr. Lee!" Yang Hyun-Jong protested.

"If you want to make it in this field, you'd better learn to bend a little. How can someone your age not know that?"

Lee Ju-Hwan was smart enough to protect his own position.

The utterly deflated Yang Hyun-Jong mumbled as he lowered his head toward me. "I'm sorry. I didn't recognize who you were..."

"You owe that apology to Mr. Go Jae-Soo, not me," I replied.

Yang Hyun-Jong frowned briefly, then bowed his head to Go Jae-Soo. "I'm sorry, Mr. Jae-Soo. I... went too far this time. It's just that I've been under a lot of stress lately."

Looking a bit dazed, Go Jae-Soo accepted the apology. "N-no, it's all right."

Then I spoke to Shin Jong-Ki while still on the phone over the speakerphone. "Mr. Shin, I'll talk to Mr. Go Jae-Soo's agency and get back to you."

-Okay. I've got no other appointments today, so just call me whenever.

"Yes, sir."

Silence settled over the set after I ended the call. After all, a powerhouse like Shin Jong-Ki had intervened for Go Jae-Soo, who had been treated worse than the crew.

As Yang Hyun-Jong was clearly mentally shaken, I looked at the frowning Lee Ju-Hwan and asked, "Then, may I take Mr. Go Jae-Soo now?"

Lee Ju-Hwan nodded. "It seems like things have gotten awkward for both sides. Go ahead."

"Thank you, Mr. Lee."

I gave a slight bow, then led a stunned Go Jae-Soo away from the set.

***

On the way to TK Entertainment, Go Jae-Soo fidgeted nervously in the passenger seat. "U-um, Mr. Jung... shouldn't I call Mr. Yang to apologize?"

"Why is that?"

"Well, he is part of the broadcast production team...and we might run into him again."

An AD at a broadcast station would eventually become a PD—someone with considerable authority over actors.

"Don't worry. You won't be seeing him anytime soon."

Once this film wraps up, Go Jae-Soo will be moving away from TV and exclusively into film work. Once Jiri Mountain was released, I was certain no one would dare to belittle him again.

"I can guarantee that no one will take you lightly after this film, Mr. Jae-Soo," I assured him.

Having accepted taking on the role of the psychopath Oh Myung-Jin in Jiri Mountain, Go Jae-Soo asked cautiously, "Do you really... think that will happen?"

"Absolutely."

"But why do you believe in me so much...?"

'Why? Because I've been through this before in my past life and I know,' I remarked inwardly.

Nonetheless, I couldn't say that. Instead, I gave him the explanation I had prepared.

"I've seen every minor role you've played. I've noticed that when you take on intense roles, you have a presence that rivals any lead actor. I value that quality highly."

I recounted every character Go Jae-Soo had brought to life since his debut. As I did, Go Jae-Soo lowered his head with his voice small and shaky. "No one... no one's ever recognized me like this before..."

Surprisingly, many supporting actors were tied to their agencies without getting chances to grow. Many actors were initially hired with potential but then sidelined when they were unable to show their abilities. Go Jae-Soo's words were tinged with that bitter reality.

To be honest, I also wouldn't have made such a bold move if I hadn't known his future. Investing in a minor actor without an agent was never an easy choice, after all.

***

I parked in the public parking lot and headed into the TK Entertainment lobby with Go Jae-Soo.

TK Entertainment employees recognized me, and I could hear their murmurs.

"Isn't that Team Lead Jung from Hoop Entertainment?"

"Yeah, that's him. But who's the guy with him?"

"Not sure. Maybe he's a new talent?"

"He looks too scrawny to be a lead, though."

Even though Go Jae-Soo was technically a TK Entertainment actor, none of the employees recognized him. Instead, they seemed to think he was beneath the standards of someone under my management.

I looked at them. 'I can hear you all!'

I reassured the discouraged Go Jae-Soo and led him to the reception desk.

The receptionist recognized me and asked, "Mr. Jung, what brings you here today?"

I gestured to Go Jae-Soo. "I came to discuss having Mr. Go Jae-Soo join our upcoming project."

Then, the receptionist wore a troubled expression. "Um, pardon me… but which division is he with?"

In the entertainment industry, it was common knowledge for reception staff to know all the actors affiliated with their company. Yet, even she didn't know who Go Jae-Soo was.

Go Jae-Soo blushed with embarrassment and answered, "I'm…Division 1…"

"Division 1?"

Division 1 was known to house some of the more prominent actors in TK Entertainment. However, Go Jae-Soo was merely a background actor without any support from a talent agent.

The receptionist answered with an apologetic look. "I'll contact the chief of Division 1. Could you please wait here in the lobby?"

"Understood."

I led the visibly deflated Go Jae-Soo to a seat in the lobby.

Employees passing by looked only at me and barely noticed Go Jae-Soo, despite him being one of their own.

About five minutes passed before the receptionist approached us again. "The managing director has asked to meet you upstairs. Please follow me."

We stood up and followed her to the elevator.

Just as we were about to get on, Go Jae-Soo suddenly grabbed my arm and whispered to me, "Mr. Jung. You said my acting was good, right?"

"Yes, good enough that I'd like you to join my team."

Go Jae-Soo tightly clenched his teeth and said, "Then… could you consider scouting me?"

I was hoping he would say it, but actually hearing this directly from the actor made my heart race.

"Are you serious?"

Go Jae-Soo said pleadingly, saying that he doesn't care how much he gets paid. "Yes. I don't want to stay in a place where people don't even know my name."

Then there was only one answer I could give him. "If you choose to join me, I'll make sure that everyone in Korea knows the name Go Jae-Soo."

At that moment, Go Jae-Soo's face lit up as he clasped my hand. "Yes, Mr. Jung."

"But don't ever lower your pay. That's part of an actor's pride and also the pride of the talent agents who support them."

Unless an actor was willing to work for free, undervaluing themselves didn't come off as them being humble: it only made people think they were weak.

Go Jae-Soo nodded in understanding.

'I'll have to change my approach now,' I thought.

It wouldn't be too hard to propose a role for Go Jae-Soo at TK Entertainment, but getting him to leave TK was an entirely different matter.

***

On the 12th floor of TK Entertainment, Director Ma Dong-Pal was there waiting for us as soon as we exited the elevator.

"Well, you've got guts, Team Lead Jung. Do you even know where you are right now?"

"It's been a while, Mr. Ma."

"Bullshit. It hasn't even been that long since we last met on set."

Then Ma Dong-Pal glanced at Go Jae-Soo beside me. "And this here… he's Go Jae-Soo, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Let's head inside. The president is waiting."

It was unheard of for a company president to step in for a minor actor's casting offer. Then the reason was clear—it was because of me.

I stopped and asked, "What's the point of all this?"

Ma Dong-Pal gave a sly grin. "You didn't know our president has been keeping an eye on you?"

The president of TK Entertainment, Kim Tae-Kwon, was once a gangster though officially he had cut ties with his past. However, I knew he was still connected to those circles. He was a real gangster.

Now, someone that dangerous wanted to see me in person. The only silver lining was that Director Cheon Yi-Sang, who had it out for me, was away on a business trip.

I thought for a moment, but there seemed to be no other way to secure Go Jae-Soo.

"Well, I suppose there's no choice. Lead the way."

Ma Dong-Pal smirked. "Alright. Follow me."

We followed Ma Dong-Pal down the hall to the president's office.

Click.

Ma Dong-Pal opened the dark oak door to TK Entertainment's president's office. As it slowly swung open, I saw Kim Tae-Kwon wearing a suit and seated in the highest seat.

Though he was old, he maintained a muscular frame, suggesting a strict fitness regimen.

"So we finally meet, Team Lead Jung."

Given the issues between us over Park Eun-Bin and Petite More, there was no reason for him to like me. Yet Kim Tae-Kwon wore an oddly playful smile.

"I'm sure I'm not someone you're glad to see, so thank you for welcoming me," I replied.

"Keeping grudges over past things, are you? Don't worry. Unlike Director Cheon, I'm a gentleman."

The irony of a former gangster calling himself a gentleman was laughable.

Chuckling, Kim Tae-Kwon instructed Ma Dong-Pal to bring us tea. "Hahaha. Dong-Pal, make some tea. Yours is the best, after all."

"Yes, sir."

Ma Dong-Pal moved to the side of the office and began brewing coffee. He stirred the coffee with precision despite his large hands.

Meanwhile, Kim Tae-Kwon straightened his posture and asked, "So, what brings you here today?"

I gestured toward Go Jae-Soo. "I came to offer Mr. Go Jae-Soo a role. I also heard that he has only a few months left on his contract, so I was hoping we might bring him over to our company."

At that moment, Kim Tae-Kwon broke into a deep smile. "The mighty Jung Yoon-Ho made a move just to recruit a bit-part actor?"

Though Kim Tae-Kwon spoke casually, I could see his curiosity grow.

Looking back and forth between me and Go Jae-Soo, Kim Tae-Kwon leaned in with a grin. "Well, how much are you offering?"

It was clear Kim Tae-Kwon wouldn't let go of Go Jae-Soo so easily. However, I hadn't come here without a plan.

I had a hold on one of Kim Tae-Kwon's weaknesses, just in case.

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