"What?"
Park Mun-cheol, who had been listening to the report in silence, lifted his head. As if doubting his own ears. But Yi Hi-jun's expression remained unchanged.
"Auditioning for the Jin role."
"Why the hell audition? You're already fixed for Louis, aren't you? No—more importantly, the production company said they weren't casting anyone else for the other roles."
Hoo. Yi Hi-jun muttered as he straightened his fingers.
"Things shifted a bit during the meeting. But honestly, I like Jin better than Louis. Way more screen time, way more pivotal. I've been stuck in this goody-two-shoes image for years now. Time to switch it up."
"Why decide that on your own?"
"...Then whose call should it be?"
"You should've run it by the company. This isn't some random director—it's Jin Kyung-mun. Kicking away a locked-in role for an audition? What if you bomb it? How do you cover the opportunity cost?"
Park Mun-cheol rolled up his shirt sleeves in utter disbelief, the air growing thick with intimidation. Yi Hi-jun shot him a glare laced with irritation and a heavy sigh. The manager caught in the middle felt like he was dying inside.
"You're already assuming I'll fail?"
"Yi Hi-jun. Get your head straight. Debut five years ago, and in those three years of leads, has anything actually blown up? It's time to land a real hit."
Leads were leads, sure—but flops just burned through your image without mercy. You'd have the name value, but no box office pull.
"Can't you feel the scripts drying up?"
"Ah, come on, Team Leader."
"You're young, so you can afford this shit. But if you don't nail a wedge here, you know what happens."
Weeding out. Pay negotiations stall either way—can't hike it, can't drop it. Who'd cast an actor with shitty returns on investment? Better to smash it as supporting first; long-term, it benefited the company and the talent way more.
"Bend that pride now, or it'll hurt worse when you're older."
"That's straight-up cursing me."
"Haa. What the fuck did you even do there? Huh?"
With a sigh, Park Mun-cheol exploded at the manager. The guy flinched, ducking his head and clamping his mouth shut. Yi Hi-jun waved him off like he couldn't stand the sight.
"Forget it. Anyway, it's done. Production's hashing out the Jin role, so audition's coming up soon. Just know that. If it flops, we'll look at that JTV daily drama offer."
He stood to leave. Company or not, if the actor himself hated it—what could they do? Just as he shoved the manager toward the door.
"You. Stay."
"M-Me?"
"Who else?"
Park Mun-cheol grabbed the manager. Something felt off, no matter how he sliced it.
Yi Hi-jun shot the manager a wink—keep your mouth shut—before heading out.
Tak—the door shut. Park Mun-cheol crooked a finger at the manager. Come closer.
"What went down at that meeting?"
"Huh? What..."
Demon. The guy's instincts were demonic.
"Mongnett hammered it down. Louis only. So why the flip? And that kid was all compliant before the meeting."
The manager squeezed his eyes shut. He'd already synced stories with Yi Hi-jun, but there was no escaping this demon.
'Sorry, Hi-jun.'
Plan was to tell the company they'd ironed out differences post-meeting. Embarrassing as hell. Even shoving for Louis, the fact some unheard-of rookie had wedged in midway...
'Production seemed game too. Damn it.'
"Well..."
No choice. The manager spilled every detail, from arriving at Mongnett to leaving.
Harsh truth: his paycheck came from Team Leader Park Mun-cheol, not Hi-jun.
"—so it kinda worked out mutually. Hi-jun hated Louis, and Mongnett's eyeing other actors..."
"Uh-hum. So that's the deal."
Park Mun-cheol nodded, finally piecing it together. Production felt bad, left some casting wiggle room.
"Yi Hi-jun, that little shit. Clever."
He let out a wry chuckle and stubbed out his cigarette. Now the picture was clear—what a company man had to do next.
"Dig up who's in the running for Jin."
"What for?"
"Gotta know the opponent before you play your hand—fold or go all-in. You think Hi-jun's got the audition locked?"
Tsk tsk. Park scolded the manager with a tongue click. What was done was done. Like it or not, time to push.
Plus, supporting to lead? No downside.
"Alright—by tomorrow."
"Ah... got it."
Couldn't juice Hi-jun's skills overnight. Drag the rival down instead. Poke agency or actor—no soft spots.
Park turned to dismiss him, then paused.
"Wait."
Oh yeah—missed the big one.
"Who's the rookie?"
"Rookie? The one who came to say hi midway?"
"Yeah. Know him?"
"First time for me. Name was Ha... Ha... Moo-young?"
The manager mumbled, fumbling the name. Park Mun-cheol's face twisted.
What'd he just say?
"Ha Moo-young? The Ha Moo-young I know?"
"...Who's that to you, Team Leader?"
"Never mind. Scram."
At his word, the manager bowed quick and bolted—like fleeing a tiger's den.
"Ah, damn."
Just lit one up, and now craving another. Park Mun-cheol flicked his lighter with a mutter.
"...Keeps getting under my skin."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇"Jackpot~! Oh man, jackpot!"
Na Geum-dong bounced around the office, shoulders pumping. Moo-young watched in blank amusement. Fifth lap already—no fatigue?
"Moo-young, you're blowing up! Huge!"
"President. You're too hyper—sit down, please?"
Go Kyung-min finally snapped. Guy who huffed at stairs—where's this energy from?
"Hey! Go Team Leader! Lap with me right now. Good day like this, you gonna sit fat?"
"Reading the contract. Contract."
"Take it slow! Review window's till next week!"
Go Kyung-min shot a glare in lieu of words. No dice—Na Geum-dong flopped onto the sofa.
"Oof. Worn out now?"
"If Moo-young wants, I'll do another lap."
"Haha, no need. I'm good."
"Anyway, Moo-young. You're insanely lucky. Debuting in a Jin Kyung-mun flick—no bit part, straight supporting!"
Moo-young cupped his cheeks, grinning ear to ear. Still sinking in. Dream production, master director, perfect role! All boxes checked. And the kid co-star?
"Can't wait for chemistry with Yuna."
"Hell yeah. That girl's pro-level. Seen Uncle Next Door? Bud's fresh green. Called the unrivaled child genius."
Go Kyung-min eyed Moo-young while listening. Unrivaled genius? Moo-young matched it.
'Synergy's gonna be nuts.'
Genius on genius. Their office meet-up? Audience catnip. Short clip, but sparks flew.
"President. Check the front."
"Huh? Yeah, yeah."
Go Kyung-min handed the contract over, explaining. Newbie film fees had baselines.
"Moo-young. This is your debut, right?"
"Yep."
"Standard newbie pay: 200-300k low end, up to a mil high. Experience rules—raw talent fights for scraps."
Moo-young sipped his green tea, nodding.
"But director and production dig you hard, and Louis ain't basic support. Locked in at this."
9 million won. Low if you thought half-year to year shoot, no episodic pay.
But "I love it."
Moo-young's voice brimmed with genuine thanks.
"Where else you get this?"
2 mil advance felt like winning life; now 9 mil. Post 7:3 split, still millions!
"Right? Debut's the prize—tons take zero pay."
Generous ones. Agencies even fronted cash. Minus to build face time first. Investment for the ladder.
"Production slips 200k 'transport'—straight back to them."
"But you? Jin Kyung-mun gig with full pay. Killer start. Dead serious."
Director famed for staff perks. Pay up, work smooth.
"Yuna's camp probably greenlit for that rep."
Child labor rules, brutal content—parents freak. But Jin Kyung-mun? Rumor-level trust.
"Anyway, we review, you final sign-off. Casting locks post-Yuna: you."
"For real?"
"Mongnett says summer—late June, early July crank-up. Clear decks now."
"Ah. Got nothing to clear."
Hehe, sheepish grin from Moo-young. Month left—loose now, same then?
Go Kyung-min checked the board's post-its.
"BornToRi model shoot date incoming, profile prep too. Finals and semester end overlap? Chaos if gigs pile—prep early. Schedules snowball. Month's short."
"Ah, right."
Moo-young clapped, got it. Manage credits for next sem.
Pulled his phone to list tasks.
"Oing."
DeptSeniorModel signup for Today University mag starts today—interested? Campus gives separate scholarship too."Today University?"
What was that? Sounded familiar...
Moo-young tilted his head as Go Kyung-min stacked profile portfolios.
"Manager hyung. Know Today University?"
"Huh? That national college mag? Campus promo rag. But Moo-young—these are my picks—"
Pro profile photogs' samples. Tailored to Moo-young's vibe... options slim.
Budget caps too.
"Solid ones backed up on sched. These quick, but work's iffy personally. Thoughts?"
Spread by price: cost, quality, turnaround—all balanced.
"Hmm."
Moo-young pored over each. Nothing screamed it. Drag on—Go Kyung-min rummaged under table.
"Today University... think we had one."
Agency couldn't ignore. Monthly flood of hot young college kids.
Pulled a dusty last-year issue, plopped it down.
"Like this. Campus intros, majors, local spots—campus life bible. Why? Audition?"
"Friend tipped me—scholarship too...?"
"Sweet. Launchpad for tons. Song Joong-ki, Hwang O-seul both Today U alums."
Moo-young half-tuned out, eyes glued to the mag. Sparkle sparkle. Glitter? Wiped—no.
"Dusty, huh?"
"Nah. Fine."
Right—flower pollen! But why this mag? What now?
Moo-young weighed portfolios, mag, text.
"Manager hyung."
"Yeah?"
"Gotta hire a separate profile photog?"
"What else?"
His verdict.
"If Today University shoots it, can we use that for profile?"
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Read 147 more chapters ahead on NovelDex!
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