Free Web NovelManager Ma’s face, buried against a neck pillow, was thick with exhaustion.
“If it’s going to turn out like this, then just like when we invested in <Strange Tales>, we should also put money into <The Great Garland>—!”
“No.”
Manager Ma cut him off immediately.
“It’s already on a knife’s edge because of the child-actor influence. And now we add our money on top of that? Huu.... That’s basically a formal declaration of war....”
Manager Ma pursed his lips and let out a long breath.
“A very loud announcement that our side’s influence will be overwhelming.”
Filling the investor gap with money wasn’t an option. Letting Han Yeoreum’s influence fade was close to impossible. And changing her image all at once required a gamble. Waiting for mentions to naturally die down over time wasn’t feasible either.
‘There’s no way the production company, which needs to announce the <The Great Garland> casting confirmation, will wait for us.’
Even in Manager Ma’s eyes, Gi Juye had become the safer choice.
“...If it comes to this....”
No matter which path he chose, it was a dead end. There was no exit in sight.
But Manager Ma was one of the pillars of JC ENM’s success. He couldn’t back down with such a strong script on the line. His mind started spinning rapidly.
‘What do we do?’
To change Yeoreum’s image in the short term, variety shows were the best option.
‘But if her image gets consumed too heavily....’
That would push her even farther away from the wistful first-love image. Worse, on variety shows, it was impossible to avoid mentioning <Strange Tales>.
‘The best scenario is for investors and producers to choose Han Yeoreum—and then persuade Eun Baekhap....’
They needed trust in Han Yeoreum.
One audition would be enough to convince them, but the problem was that if Eun Baekhap’s side dug their heels in before the audition even happened, Yeoreum wouldn’t be given the chance at all.
‘This is close to impossible.’
And if Eun Baekhap, the prospective lead, refused, the next step was obvious.
‘If even Eun Baekhap says no, do you think other actresses would accept Han Yeoreum?’
Seeing Manager Ma’s grave expression, the marketing team staff barely dared to breathe.
Tick—tick—tick—.
The silence was so deep that the ticking of the office clock’s second hand sounded loud.
‘...In that case, maybe we give it a little time....’
The conclusion they reached was that the best option was to look for another role instead of Yeon Huijae in <The Great Garland>.
When a rising actor rushes things, it usually backfires.
‘Han Yeoreum’s skill isn’t going anywhere....’
That was Manager Ma’s rational Plan A: choose a different character from among the scripts that had come in on the strength of that belief.
‘...But I still want her to play Yeon Huijae!’
He wanted to see Han Yeoreum as Huijae—smiling even while being rained on—overlaid atop the image of Seoryeong, soaked and pitiful in the rain.
Manager Ma began desperately grinding his brain to construct Plan B.
‘I need to give them a reason to choose Han Yeoreum, even after accounting for the penalties.’
JC ENM maintained good relations with Taiwanese platforms. If they offered a hand in distribution, an audition opportunity was something they would gladly provide.
‘If we put forward the unprecedented condition of waiving merchandise fees for <Strange Tales> in Taiwan, we can renegotiate the Taiwanese platform fees for KBC’s <The Great Garland>.’
If JC ENM—fresh off claiming the number one spot with <Strange Tales>—acted as the intermediary, both sides would welcome it.
‘...It’s a ridiculous amount of effort for a single audition, but.’
Han Yeoreum was JC ENM’s first actor. She was worth this much investment.
‘If JC raised Han Yeoreum, then it’s also JC’s job to build the stepping stone that lets her take on a new role.’
That was when—
Bzzzt—.
Manager Ma’s phone vibrated.
After checking it, Manager Ma tilted his head sharply to one side. Not a slight tilt. A full-on lean.
“Chief, did something happen?”
Manager Ma had witnessed all kinds of incidents and accidents, but this kind of curveball was new even to him.
“...They’re saying <The Great Garland> will hold a joint audition—with Gi Juye....”
“That’s great! If it comes down to an audition, that basically means we win!”
The marketing team burst into cheers. Manager Ma, however, opened his mouth with a face full of confusion.
“...Apparently, Ji Haebeom was the one who suggested it.”
* * *
This was a department store in Apgujeong that housed the high-end brand P. An event promoting a newly released watch was in full swing.
As usual, Yun Hyeonjo arrived earlier than his appointment time and let out a light sigh.
‘Ah.... I got roped in....’
It was because of the phone call he’d received just moments earlier. A junior asking to use a birthday coupon. In some ways, it was a simple request. Not a difficult favor.
“...You want me to say that to Ji Haebeom?”
“Yes....”
“Who put you up to this? This doesn’t sound like something you’d come up with alone.”
“It was just my idea, sunbae....”
“Liar.”
Sometimes, though, a single sentence is enough to flip the entire board. What Han Yeoreum had asked for was a carefully calculated wish.
“If it was an unreasonable request, I’m sorry. I got greedy.”
There was no way only one or two scripts hadn’t come in from Chungmuro.
‘Even if Director Ja’s project is good, wouldn’t it be better for her filmography to leave a moderate impact as a lead rather than a strong one as a child actor....’
She had a good eye for projects—she could just choose one of them. And yet Han Yeoreum was being greedy.
“You really want this? Using a wish coupon just to appear in a four-episode role seems pretty inefficient....”
“I want it that badly. Truly.”
Normally, Yun Hyeonjo would have declined politely. It was easier to neither give nor receive anything. He hated being tired more than anything. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
“Ah.... This is why it’s easier not to accept things.”
But he had already accepted something, so there was no helping it. What he’d received from Han Yeoreum was something Yun Hyeonjo himself had lost. frёewebnoѵēl.com
For the junior who had taught him ad-libs again—
“...Alright. Fine. I’ll say something. But don’t expect it to actually go through.”
“Thank you! You’re seriously the best sunbae!”
He’d decided to say just one line.
Just then, a dark silhouette approached near Yun Hyeonjo’s van. A black van of similar size. Ji Haebeom’s car.
Yun Hyeonjo stepped out and gave a light wave. Seeing him through the window, Ji Haebeom opened the door and got out.
A man who stood out more clearly the darker it got.
That was the nickname Ji Haebeom had been given right after debut. Thanks to his sharp facial structure, his natural lines stood out even more in shadow.
From the brow ridge down to the eye hollows, then along the jawline, the gradation of shadows consistently placed Ji Haebeom at the top of lists for best real-life visuals among male celebrities.
“Hello, hyung. Long time no see.”
His heavy voice echoed through the parking lot. Seeing Ji Haebeom smile warmly, Yun Hyeonjo replied casually.
“I heard. You’re doing <The Great Garland> as the lead.”
“It’s not confirmed yet, but the script’s pretty good.”
“I’ve got a favor to ask.”
Yun Hyeonjo asking for a favor. The air around them tightened for a moment. The nearby staff exchanged looks.
Everyone knew that when Ji Haebeom was a rookie, Yun Hyeonjo had /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ guided him.
They might call it a favor, but no matter what Yun Hyeonjo asked for, Ji Haebeom had to listen.
“Hyung, when you say things like that, you scare me.”
Despite his words, Ji Haebeom’s eyes sparkled. There was clear anticipation—something interesting was about to happen.
“Participate in the <The Great Garland> audition. As the child actor.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. You.”
Was there anything more absurd than demanding something about an audition for a project you weren’t even appearing in? Right now, Yun Hyeonjo was essentially saying: you take the lead role in <The Great Garland>, and while you’re at it, open an audition and personally pick the child actor you’re recommending.
Understanding instantly, Ji Haebeom burst into loud laughter.
“Hyung. How can you make a request this big? You never accept anything even when people try to give it to you, and now you come in swinging.”
“It’s not a solicitation, just a favor. I didn’t say you have to pick them.”
“It’s because of her, right. Seoryeong.”
Yun Hyeonjo nodded slightly. Leaning against Yun Hyeonjo’s back as he pressed the elevator button, Ji Haebeom spoke playfully.
“That’s dirty.... Lately you only hang out with young kids. What about old guys like me?”
“If you’re old, I should be building a coffin.”
“When I told you to come hang out at my place, you said no unless it was an official schedule.”
“I didn’t even drink when I went.”
“Then why did you go?”
At Ji Haebeom’s question, Yun Hyeonjo straightened his posture as usual. From the moment he stepped out of the elevator, the schedule would begin.
“Just—because it’s fun?”
Yun Hyeonjo stepped into the elevator and met Ji Haebeom’s gaze. At that answer, Ji Haebeom took a leisurely step forward.
“...Did that kid tell you to say that too? That it’s fun?”
Yun Hyeonjo didn’t bother answering. The bait had already been cast.
Whether the big fish bit or not was no longer up to Yun Hyeonjo.
* * *
“Myeong Jeha-ssi!”
“Please look left just once more!”
Bathed in flashing lights at the photo wall, Myeong Jeha stepped into the store. When he slipped the watch the clerk offered onto his wrist, the shutter sounds erupted once again.
“It’s time to use the wish coupon.”
Earlier that morning, Myeong Jeha had called Han Yeoreum. By the flow of things, now was the right timing.
With a single word from Ji Haebeom, you could shake not only investors but production companies as well. And the one who moved Ji Haebeom was Yun Hyeonjo.
“That one line is enough? What if Ji Haebeom refuses to audition.... Seriously, my crime is acting too well....”
“That won’t happen.”
Myeong Jeha could read the board better than anyone. He had played this game to death already. The only variable left to him was Han Yeoreum.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Ji Haebeom has sharp instincts—but he’s also endlessly curious.”
During his off periods, he locked himself indoors and binge-watched every single hit.
A notorious film and drama addict who memorized famous works.
Ji Haebeom, whose eye for scripts surpassed even top-tier production companies’ predictions.
“He likes interesting things.”
Right on cue, Ji Haebeom was entering with a swarm of cameras. Smiling naturally in front of the lenses, he wore his usual business smile.
But Myeong Jeha could see the subtle difference. It was Ji Haebeom’s expression when he was expecting something fun.
“Just prepare for the audition.”
At that moment, their eyes met. Ji Haebeom nodded slightly toward Myeong Jeha.
A brief greeting. Myeong Jeha bowed in return. Then a pair of sharply polished shoes entered his field of vision.
Ji Haebeom approached.
“My child actor, Myeong Jeha-ssi, is here too. Nice to see you.”
“Hello, sunbae.”
“Mind if I ask you something?”
“Please, speak freely.”
That playful gaze was something Myeong Jeha already knew well.
“Why did you insist on joining <The Great Garland>?”
“Because the project is good.”
“—Don’t lie like that. You shouldn’t try to fool an adult.”
Ji Haebeom grabbed Myeong Jeha’s wrist. As he pretended to check the watch, shutters fired in rapid succession.
“If you’ve already stamped your face into the film industry with two ten-million-viewer hits.... When you said you wanted to do a drama, your agency chief must’ve collapsed.”
Ji Haebeom’s mind worked fast. He understood exactly how interests tangled around a single project. He was an actor who could read the board.
“And not even a lead—just a child role. All image consumption, no return.... Right?”
“....”
“You’ve already branded yourself as ‘the policeman guy’ in your last film. Using a child role to raise name recognition is already past that stage....”
Myeong Jeha had prepared two pieces of bait.
One was Yun Hyeonjo’s request.
“Then why insist on doing a child role? I really don’t get it.”
And the other—
“Do I need some grand reason?”
Kicking aside the coveted position in the film industry that everyone wanted, and choosing a drama child role instead.
“Because it looks fun.”
It was a gamble by the rising star, Myeong Jeha.
At least the Ji Haebeom he knew would never walk away from something this interesting.
“I see.”
Ji Haebeom unclasped the watch from his wrist. Lightly rubbing his now-bare wrist, he smiled.
“I’m starting to get interested too....”
Ji Haebeom’s decision was clear.
The big fish had bitten.
