Chapter 20:
"After everyone's hard work!"
"It was truly the best!"
Following the conclusion of the play, the team of "From the Ground" rented an entire bar in Daehak-ro. Although not a large establishnt, it was cozy enough for the cast and crew to sit together comfortably, eat, and drink.
"Above all, the side dishes here are delicious."
So Yijin, the writer, whose presence had been scarce since the auditions, extended her glass with a bright face.
Beside her, Director Seo Mihee clinked glasses with her. Having already had a few rounds, Seo Mihee's face was quite flushed.
"Yooil, cheers~"
Han Yooil clinked glasses with a smile.
"You worked hard, Director."
"Ha, right. I really did work hard."
Laughing cheerfully, Seo Mihee drained her glass and left her seat to make another toast with Jung Suho.
The assistant director, her face as red as Seo Mihee's, lowered her eyebrows and whispered to Yooil,
"Yooil are you okay now?"
"Huh?"
"During the curtain call, I thought you were going to faint."
"Ah! Right. The tears were really flowing like rain"
"Seeing Yooil cry made
tear up too."
""
Embarrassed.
Han Yooil, who was just about to get tipsy from the rounds of drinks, felt as if he had suddenly sobered up.
"It wasn't that serious."
"Ay!"
"It was! Seriously! It was intense!"
The assistant director, oblivious to Han Yooil's feelings, clapped her hands and added more.
Don't worry, it wasn't too bad.
'
Sohow, that consolation made him feel even worse.
Han Yooil picked up a slice of cucumber from in front of him, trying to calm his mind.
"Ah, right!"
Seo Mihee, who was filling her glass with a satisfied face after toasting with Jung Suho, suddenly exclaid,
"There's a senior who desperately wanted to join our after-party I told them they could co I forgot to tell you guys. Sorry! My bad!"
The table responded generously to the director's boisterous apology,
"Ah, it's okay~"
"Why the formality all of a sudden! That's just like you, Director!"
"But Director, who is it?"
Asked by the staff, Seo Mihee giggled and replied,
"Oh, you know, soone with a lot of money and a bit of bad luck."
"Wow, Director, you had a rich senior?"
"Who is it?"
"Is it from the National University of Arts, Directing Departnt?"
As the staff made curious conversation, the door opened.
The first thing Yooil noticed was the tall figure and broad shoulders. A man in a fitting suit strode into the bar.
"Nice to et you."
The man with striking features and a gentle smile continued,
"I'm Jang Jaehyun."
Han Yooil examined the unfamiliar man. Eyes with deep double eyelids, a high nose, and thin lips
Why does he look oddly familiar?'
He's the brother of Jang Jaeyi, the director who ca looking for Han Yooil yesterday.
"!"
Yooil realized why the man seed oddly familiar.
But he didn't have the luxury of ti to ponder further. Brion quickly added information.
Also, he's the CEO of JJ Entertainnt.
Han Yooil gazed at Jang Jaehyun, his eyes wide with recognition.
People around who had already recognized him were whispering among themselves.
"Who is that guy?"
"He's a CEO of an entertainnt company."
"Which company?"
"That one, JJ"
"Wow, the one with Go Heeyeon and Park Younghyun?"
As people whispered among themselves, they suddenly looked at each other with confused expressions.
Why is he here?'
It wasn't even a drama wrap-up party but a play after-party, a setting quite distant from an entertainnt company CEO.
Ignoring the whispers around him, Jang Jaehyun behaved as if he couldn't hear them. After exchanging greetings with Director Seo Mihee, he calmly took a seat. Having briefly greeted Jung Suho, he then addressed Han Yooil at the next table.
"Nice to et you, Actor Han Yooil."
Yooil responded with a smile and a greeting, prompting Jang Jaehyun to stand up abruptly, his imposing stature startling those around him.
CEO Jang Jaehyun extended his large hand and said,
"I'm a fan."
That was the first encounter between Han Yooil and the CEO of JJ Entertainnt.
* * *
It seems CEO Jang Jaehyun has co here because of you, Mr. Han Yooil.
Not long after Jang Jaehyun's arrival, Brion spoke in a calm voice.
Really?'
Considering that seed like an overestimation of oneself.
Contradicting Yooil's thoughts, CEO Jang Jaehyun spent so ti conversing with Director Seo Mihee at the sa table. Seo Mihee, her face as red as a ripe tomato, was wagging her finger at him.
"How did soone as busy as you co all this way~? Even during our school days, you avoided these kinds of gatherings~"
"I really enjoyed the play."
"What? That's not like you! Even when other seniors tried to hold you back, youd disappear without a change of expression and teleport away as soon as class ended!"
Seo Mihee, quite tipsy, began to list Jang Jaehyun's past behaviors, but he maintained his serene smile.
anwhile, So Yijin watched Jang Jaehyun with interest.
He ca all the way to the after-party because he liked the play?'
As a playwright for musicals and plays, So Yijin wasnt particularly well-versed in the broadcasting industry. However, she occasionally heard rumors about a few entertainnt company CEOs through Kim Mijin.
Among them, the most morable was the story about the CEO of JJ Entertainnt.
A few days ago, when Yijin t Kim Mijin,
"Right~ There's really one weird CEO~"
"Oh, really? Weirder than you?"
"Hey! You wanna die~?"
After playfully exchanging banter, Mijin shared,
"Jang Jaehyun, the CEO! Once he's fixated on sothing, he never lets go~ A real tenacious one~! When he was recruiting Go Heeyeon, he even followed her to her temple~"
Thats right. She had ntioned that.
So Yijin discreetly observed Jang Jaehyun. While continuing his conversation with Director Seo Mihee, his gaze was constantly drifting to another table. Realizing who was at the end of his gaze, So Yijin soon understood the situation.
"Strange. Now I understand why he's here."
So Yijin murmured to herself, shaking her head slightly. The staff sitting beside her only blinked, not understanding the context.
* * *
With the arrival of CEO Jang Jaehyun, the after-party, which had montarily stiffened, quickly regained its lively atmosphere. About an hour later, Han Yooil stepped outside to cool his heated face. The cold night breeze was refreshing.
"It's cooling."
The feeling of being slightly aloft from the alcohol subsided, becoming more serene. As Yooil was enjoying the winter breeze with his eyes closed, a low voice suddenly erged before him.
"Are you tired?"
"Ah."
It was Jang Jaehyun.
"Just ca out to cool my face."
"Your face looks a bit red compared to a few hours ago."
Saying that, Jang Jaehyun took sothing out of his pocket. It was a lemon-flavored hangover cure.
"I bought a few on my way here. Have one."
"Thank you."
Yooil imdiately opened the hangover cure. With the sound of the cap opening, a bitter yet sweet scent hit his nose.
As Yooil was finishing the last drop of the hangover cure, Jang Jaehyun asked suddenly,
"You t my sister yesterday, didn't you?"
The abrupt question nearly made Yooil choke.
"Yes, the director gave
her business card."
"I heard you haven't received the preliminary contract yet."
"Yes. With the last performance I wanted to focus on the play."
Hearing Yooil's response, Jang Jaehyun smiled, seemingly satisfied. Then, he abruptly changed the topic.
"Actually, what Director Seo Mihee said is true. I'm not the type to enjoy these occasions."
Nevertheless, Jang Jaehyun's uncharacteristic urgency brought him here. Contrary to others' belief that he moved strictly based on ticulous calculation and analysis, he was soone who operated on instinct'. And now, his instinct was whispering to him.
Grab the person in front of you.
Jang Jaehyun's dark eyes were intently gazing at Han Yooil, a steadfast and persistent gaze.
"I'll get straight to the point. I'd like Han Yooil to work with our company."
Mr. Yooil, what will you do?
"I"
After eting Jang Jaeyi, Han Yooil had been pondering continuously.
And his decision had already been made.
* * *
The next morning, Han Yooil stood in front of a building in Gangnam.
Soon, soone rushed out. It was an employee of JJ Entertainnt, wearing their company ID.
"Hello, Actor! I'll assist you with the guidance."
Following the employee, Yooil entered the interior, which was neat and casual. The ash-colored marble floor, white walls, interspersed with objects, and large plants like Monstera, softened the potentially cold atmosphere.
Along the corridor hung black and white photos of barefoot actors in white clothing. The pictures conveyed a pure yet refined image. As Yooil attentively observed the profile pictures, Brion chid in.
That's Go Heeyeon and Park Younghyun.
Actors associated with JJ Entertainnt were mostly known for their solid acting and had been constantly appearing in both big and small projects recently.
"Please take a seat here."
Guided by the employee, Yooil entered the eting room and sat down. It was a small but tidy eting room.
It was about 5 minutes later when the door opened again.
"Have you been waiting long? Sorry about that."
Jang Jaeyi entered the eting room with her hair tied up high, swaying with each step.
Han Yooil sat in the eting room, looking down at the contract offered by Jaeyi. Brion quickly scanned the contract and gave its assessnt.
The terms are quite favorable for a rookie actor.
Typically, rookie actors enter into contracts with a 50-50 profit distribution. However, the contract JJ Entertainnt offered to Han Yooil stipulated a 70:30 profit distribution, with the possibility of renegotiation after a three-year term.
It was an offer Yooil found no reason to refuse.
""
Facing the contract, Yooil felt a strange surge of emotions. Just a few months ago, he hadn't even considered the possibility of becoming an actor. He had vaguely hoped to get an agency, but he had never expected to be offered such favorable terms.
Maybe the CEO or the director had misunderstood his potential. Or perhaps
No.
Brion interrupted Yooil's train of thoughts.
You should have more confidence in yourself, Mr. Yooil.
'
Though emotionless and devoid of warmth, the voice sohow managed to stabilize Yooil's wavering heart.
He let out a small sigh.
Will you sign?
Yooil nodded slightly and picked up the pen.
Everything proceeded rapidly after he signed the contract.
* * *
One morning, Lee Hyejin was abruptly woken up by an alarm from BlueChat. Annoyed, she grabbed her phone but her eyes widened as soon as she saw the post.
"What the Is this for real?"
The early-morning share from her fellow enthusiast was none other than an article about Han Yooil's new agency.
JJ Entertainnt's new face Who could it be?
Rookie actor Han Yooil, joining forces with Go Heeyeon and Park Younghyun
Rookie with a commanding presence in the theater JJ Entertainnt's new gem?
As Hyejin frantically read through the articles, a new BlueChat post caught her eye.
[@yool_actor Our actor's new profile shoot
(photo)]
"Wow."
With a short exclamation, Hyejin clicked on the photo. The profile filling her phone's screen was of Han Yooil, dressed in a white shirt and black slacks, barefoot.
Even with such a basic outfit, he managed to exude such an atmosphere. It was almost unfair.
Hyejin, srized by the profile, grabbed her phone and began posting like a whirlwind. Any trace of sleepiness had long since vanished.
Reviews
All reviews (0)