Top Management - Chapter 192

Chapter 192

Chapter 192: A Way that Suited Me (4)

TL: emptycube / ED: Isleidir

“Let’s see the top keyword of Celebrity Weekly!”

A video began to play at the anchor’s remark . It was a scene of a young, barefoot man chasing after a woman . Park Taepyeong, who sat in the host chair, twirled around .

“Do we really need to see that? I saw that clip a million times online . ”

“Just watch it again . It’s okay to see good things a lot . ”

A female singer, who was a member of the panel, watched the clip with pity .

The young man was crying silently . His tears rolled down his clenched jaw . He stood still when the woman walking in front of him begged him to leave then would follow after her when she turned her back to leave . This happened until the woman disappeared like smoke .

“Yes, as you all expected, the hot keyword is the upstart star, Mr . Song Inho!”

A pop culture critic looked at his cue cards as he briefed the audience,

“He’s a rookie who recently made his debut in the newly released mellow movie ‘Love Again’ . Love Again is about the female lead going to the past and meeting men who might have been her destined soulmate . Mr . Song Inho appeared as her college classmate . Also, his popularity soared immediately after the movie’s release . ”

“Isn’t his popularity really amazing right now?”

The people in the panel were noisy .

“I saw the movie yesterday at the theatres, and women screamed when he came on screen . ”

“They say they go to the movies to see him rather than the movie . ”

“His popularity is so big that…”

An excited entertainment news reporter tapped her cue card with her pen,

“At their press screening, industry insiders predicted the movie’s first-week score would be at most 900,000 . ”

“That’s a huge hit too . ”

“However, after Song Inho became viral on the internet, the movie is gaining a ton of viewers . Its first-week score has already passed 1 . 6 million . It’s incredible . People are sending love calls to pick him up before his worth skyrockets any further . ”

People exclaimed in admiration . The anchor asked another question,

“Reporter Moon, what do you think is the reason behind Mr . Song Inho’s popularity?”

“He really fit his character, Mujin, in the movie . A good-looking man from a wealthy, affluent family, who also has a lot of circumstances . On top of that, the movie ended in a happy ending, but Mujin’s life was a tragedy . That tugged the audience’s hearts even more . ”

Park Taepyeong joined in,

“I thought the movie and actor were decent, but do they warrant such a big reaction?”

“There are a few cases where something becomes a hit beyond expectations . Mr . Heo Kakyung was unknown before instantly rising to stardom with a drama . Ms . Kwon Sori became a hit while making a parody for a 15-second commercial . ”

The entertainment news reporter mentioned a few more cases while counting down with her fingers . The critic added,

“People commonly referred to these cases as fever, syndrome, etc . ”

“Then, professor, do you think Mr . Song Inho will reach the syndrome level?”

The pop culture critic shrugged at the anchor’s question .

“He’s already close . ”

“We should have gotten him on our show . As an upstart star special . ”

The female singer commented outside what was on the script . Park Taepyeong snorted,

“They probably did try but were rejected . There are likely tons of places that want him on their show . ”

“Can’t you call Mr . Song Inho?”

Park Taepyeong blinked at her words .

“Me? I’ve never met him before!”

“But aren’t you close with Mr . Jung Sunwoo of W&U? You posted a picture of you both on social media . Mr . Song Inho’s also from W&U, so can’t you somehow call him?”

“Do you think I can? Is Jung Sunwoo W&U’s CEO? To be able to connect me to any of their actors?”

Park Taepyeong clicked his tongue . Understanding his gaze, the main producer raised his hand .

“We’ll take a break here!”

The staff went on set to prepare it for the next segment . Park Taepyeong took a few gulps of water before glancing at the female singer on the panel .

“Hey, tell me beforehand if you’re going to ask me something not on the script! I was caught off guard!”

“No, I just thought you could at least call him . Even if he became a sensation, he’s still a rookie . ”

“We thought we could definitely bring him on the show because he’s a rookie, but we were completely rejected . ”

The main producer said as he came over . The entertainment news reporter, who was fixing her makeup during the intermission, clicked her tongue .

“He’s not just any rookie . He’s W&U’s rookie . He’s a potential talent, so I hear Team Leader Lee Jangyeob is personally managing him?”

“Really? So he’s been quiet recently because he was managing a rookie . ”

“Who’s Team Leader Lee Jangyeob? I only know the CEO and Jung Sunwoo from W&U . ”

The anchor asked with a puzzled look . Soon, they began discussing the behind-the-scenes of the entertainment industry, which wasn’t on the script .

“Mr . Jung Sunwoo became famous in the last few years, but Team Leader Lee Jangyeob was the one production companies would usually recall when thinking of W&U . He was known for having a good eye and great acumen . If you wanted an actor from W&U, you had to get through him first . ”

“But hasn’t Jung Sunwoo reached that level now? I heard he’s a team leader now . ”

“There are many rumors . That maybe you will have to go through Jung Sunwoo to cast a W&U actor . That you needed to get close to him before it’s too late . However, those rumors have disappeared . ”

The entertainment news reporter nodded her head .

“Yup, because Song Inho’s doing so well . ”

*

Their hurried footsteps sounded out as they walked across a hallway that was as red as the red carpet .

“Greet them respectful and match their reactions . It was hard getting this meeting, okay?”

A man said while turning around . A woman, whose thighs were clearly revealed under her skirt, nodded . Her face, where even her lashes were dolled up, flashed with confidence .

“Don’t worry, chief . I was just too nervous during the audition . I’m more comfortable with situations like this . Who do I have to get close with?”

“The director, production company rep, and the male lead, Heo Kakyung, as well as people from his company are inside . If you get close with the production company, at most, you’ll get a brief role . You need to target the director and Heo Kakyung if you want a good role . ”

“Okay . ”

The woman undid another button on her thin, see-through shirt .

“Chief Choi! Over here . ”

The chief hurried . In front of them, a man wearing a wrinkled dress shirt waved at them . He was the general manager of the movie production company . He said with a discourteous face,

“I can only introduce you . You need to mingle on your own, okay?”

“Oh, that’ll be enough . Our Hyojin will do the rest . ”

The chief quickly pushed the actress forward . After giving her a glance, the general manager opened the door . The serious faces gathered in the room were in the middle of discussing something . Their voices quickly halted at the entrance of the uninvited guest .

The general manager said in a smiling face,

“Director, Mr . Kakyung, this is Ms . Lee Hyojin from Ant Entertainment . She just happened to be in a meeting in another room . She came over because she’s a fan of you both . Come in, come in . ”

“Hello, director! Sunbaenim!”

The actress greeted them while brushing her hair to the side .

“I auditioned not too long ago, but I was so nervous I didn’t properly introduce myself . I prepared a lot but was unable to show my true skill . It was constantly on my mind, and I begged to meet you when I heard you were here . Could I introduce myself briefly before going?”

“You just introduced yourself . Now you can go . ”

The director said . The actress stepped back at the chilly mood .

“Pardon?”

“I received your greeting so go . We are in the middle of an important discussion . ”

The man sitting in the middle smirked . His arrogance glimmered over his forthright, intellectual appearance . He was Heo Kakyung, who would be counted on anyone’s fingers as one of the most popular male actors in their thirties .

The general manager hastily stopped the red-faced actress from greeting again . The producer from the production company, who was sitting on the sofa on the side, shook his stiff face . Belatedly noticing the serious atmosphere, the general manager chased the actress and chief out .

Heo Kakyung said in an unhurried tone,

“The general manager seems to have a lot of free time . To bring an actress no one has heard of before here when we haven’t cast our main female lead . ”

“Mr . Kakyung, that’s not it . We just happened to meet each other here . ”

The general manager smiled awkwardly . The director down the rest of his liquor and asked,

“Mr . Kakyung, who do you want as the female lead?”

“I said it from the beginning . I want Lee Songha . ”

The director let out a drunken sigh . The general manager said in a comforting manner,

“Mr . Kakyung, it’s not like we ignored your opinion, but talks with Ms . Lee Songha didn’t go very well . I had three meetings with Chief Jung Sunwoo . Instead of Ms . Lee Songha, we could get better actress more suiting of your level…”

“General manager . ”

Heo Kakyung cut him off .

“If she doesn’t want to do it, you need to make it so she does . Isn’t that what a production company is supposed to do?”

The general manager opened and closed his mouth a few times before sighing .

“Okay, I’ll try to meet with Chief Jung Sunwoo once mor…”

“That’s okay . ”

The director cut him off this time .

Just as the general manager’s face was about to brighten, the director continued,

“I’ll talk with CEO Baek Hansung . ”

*

“Mr . Inho! Congratulations on your movie!”

Song Inho, who was walking mechanically, creaked to a halt .

“Ah… Thank you . But I think you already congratulated me yesterday . ”

“I just wanted to congratulate you for a long time . As long as possible . ”

The W&U Team 2 employee patted Song Inho’s shoulder before disappearing . From then on, he received multiple congratulations . Team 2 had been in high spirits these days . It was thanks to people’s reaction to Song Inho, which was better than they expected . Since the team leader’s office was at peace, so was the rest of the team .

Song Inho took a deep breath in front of the team leader’s office . The door burst open the moment he knocked .

The Team 2 Leader gave Song Inho a bear hug .

“Lucky Charm! That’s what you are!”

His voice was full of energy, like someone who had tasted a rain shower after a drought . Song Inho was that rain shower for the Team 2 Leader . He was a monsoon . Song Inho brought newfound vigor into his mind, which had been exhausted from his resentment towards Jung Sunwoo .

“What did I tell you? Didn’t I tell you that you would receive the rookie award in a brilliant fashion if you just did as I said? How do you feel now that you’re famous?”

Song Inho opened and closed his mouth a few times before saying,

“It’s still… feels surreal . ”

“It’ll definitely hit you when you go about your schedule . How did your parents’ react?”

“… They are happy . They go to the movies every night . They said they’ll go watch it until the movie is no longer playing . ”

“Really? I should send them enough tickets then . ”

The Team 2 Leader led Song Inho to the elevator .

“The CEO is upstairs, so let’s greet him first . He said he wanted to see you . ”

“The CEO did?”

“He normally calls actors up and discusses projects with them . I bet he’s particularly interested in you . There were a lot of rumors going around mentioning you with Jung Sunwoo, Nam Joyoon, and them . But that’s all over now . ”

The Team 2 Leader revealed a satisfied smile . As soon as they arrived at the sixth floor, the secretary approached them .

“The CEO’s inside, right?”

“He is, but the meeting isn’t over yet . ”

“What meeting? Is the director inside?”

“Yes, as well as Team Leader Jung Sunwoo . ”

The Team 2 Leader’s face changed the moment the words ‘Jung Sunwoo’ and ‘Team Leader’ came out of the secretary’s mouth . He made an unpleasant expression like he just saw a pile of trash .

“Why is he here?”

“I’m not sure…”

Frowning, the Team 2 Leader suddenly looked back at Song Inho . Song Inho was staring at the CEO’s office . Maybe it was because he was nervous or excited, but his lips were tense . On the other hand, the Team 2 Leader’s face relaxed the moment he saw Song Inho .

He immediately walked over to the CEO’s office . His steps were steadfast like a triumphant general bringing his spoils of war .

“CEO, this is the Team 2 Leader . I came with Inho . ”

“… Mm . Come in . ”

A reply came after a slight delay . It was CEO Baek Hansung’s voice . The Team 2 Leader looked behind him and gestured with his hand . Song Inho, who had been standing with a complicated expression, began walking mechanically . The Team 2 Leader placed his hand on his shoulder . Then he opened the CEO’s office door .

***

CEO Baek Hansung turned over the contract . Then he nodded .

“Let’s see . ”

As though he had been waiting for it, the director stretched his hand out to the contract . Then he checked the signature on the last page .

“Son Chaeyoung really did sign it . Lucky Charm, what did you do to her?”

“I persuaded her . ”

The director moved his seat over to me .

“If she was someone who could calm down from persuasion, she would be sitting here with us . She doesn’t come to the company unless she has business with you . Spill it . How did you persuade her that the words ‘her people’ came out of her mouth?”

I gave the director, who pestered me to spill my secret, a bitter smile .

CEO Baek Hansung said,

“It seems Chaeyoung really likes you . ”

That’s not it .

I licked my dry lips . Then I went to the point .

“Since she decided her next project, can we continue the ‘team’ discussion from before?”

The director, who had been mumbling to himself, shut his mouth .

Raising his cup of coffee, CEO Baek Hansung smiled faintly .

“You said you had someone you wanted to bring over?”

‘Yes . ”

“And you got the person’s agreement?”

I was about to reply when someone knocked on the door . Then I heard the Team 2 Leader’s voice .

“Mm . Come in . ”

The door burst open as soon as CEO Baek Hansung replied . Then the Team 2 Leader entered with his arm wrapped around Song Inho’s shoulder . In that short moment, both their gazes met mine .

CEO Baek Hansung said,

“Good timing . ”

“Yes, good timing . ”

I said .