Chapter 240
Sunwoo Jung was visibly startled.
"Manager, I thought you were inside..."
"I just ca in from outside. What's up? Let's go in."
He handed a warm cup of tea to Jaei Jung, who was sitting on the sofa.
Internally, he quickly pondered.
What's going on? I have no clue.
The drama audition went well recently, and the directors response was positive; all that's left is the script reading.
Could there be a personal issue?
"I... I have sothing I want to discuss. If you're not too busy."
"Speak freely. I have plenty of ti."
It seed he needed a big resolve as he hesitated, lips quivering.
When I was considering the worst possibilities,
Jaei Jung finally spoke.
"Could I possibly audition for other roles too?"
"Audition?"
"It seems Ive gained so confidence from the recent drama audition, and I'd like to try other opportunities if they arise. It wouldn't work if the schedules overlap though..."
Ah. Auditions.
He was always enthusiastic about his work.
"I thought sothing serious had happened. Are auditions sothing to be so hesitant about?"
"I just..."
Jaei Jung looked at his teacup and spoke again.
I noticed he hadn't made eye contact even once until now.
"I think I might be too greedy."
"Greed? What's wrong with being ambitious in your work? It's natural."
"But I've made mistakes because of my greed before..."
Mistakes.
The ti Prettygirl almost disbanded because of that 'mistake'. Is that why he's still troubled?
Hes doing well with Prettygirl now, but Jaei Jung always felt different from the other mbers.
While the others basked in the midday sun, Jaei Jung seed to stand alone in the rain.
Sotis, he seed completely subrged in water.
Prettygirls fans liked his 'atmosphere'...
But self-loathing is too grueling an emotion to live with constantly.
"Forget about the past. Everyone makes mistakes, and I'm also constantly tempted to cross the line everyday."
Thinking about it, I'm not in a position to console anyone.
My life is the biggest issue right now.
"Theres no need to hesitate over ambition in front of . I actually prefer people who are ambitious about their work. And about the audition..."
I looked at Jaei Jung thoughtfully, then rembered The Accomplices.
There was a role that would suit him well, though it wasnt a major one.
The problem...
"I have one in mind."
"Yes?"
"But the leads for this movie are likely to be from our company, so even if you audition and get cast normally, people will think it's nepotism. There will obviously be negative reactions."
Jaei Jung listened intently, then spoke imdiately.
"I'm okay with what people say."
"That's not sothing to take lightly. Songha took a lot of abuse during Cat Guardian Ghost. She held up because shes tough."
Thinking back, it was almost madness.
The role in The Accomplices would be a waste...
"I'm ntally tough too. If I pass the audition, I can handle what cos next."
Well...
Having experienced all the bad things a lesser-known girl group could face in a previous agency, he wasnt ntally fragile.
I've seen futures end in suicide due to rumors.
Even now, I often recall that scene.
A dark night. Reporters' palms banging on the window in the rain. The flash of caras like lightning. The reporter's voice asking if I felt responsible for Jaei Jung's death.
Such intense mories.
I rubbed my chin and looked at Jaei Jung again.
"...Let's discuss the audition with the director first."
"Yes, yes! Thank you. I'll work really hard, like Senior Songha."
Like a clearing storm, a bright smile spread across Jaei Jung's face.
Suddenly, I rembered another title attached to a future Jaei Jung.
'The second Lee Songha'
*
Jijoon Seo closed the script.
"It's good, isn't it?"
"Yeah. It's good?"
Throughout the reading, Bongjoon Lee, attached to Jijoon Seo like a Siase twin, nodded.
Regaining so leisure, Jijoon Seo smiled happily.
"Shall we sign it right away? Before sothing else happens."
"I'll set up a eting with the director. Ah, if it goes as planned, youll be shooting with Joowon Lim. Is that okay?"
"Thats fine, right?"
"Friction?"
Jijoon Seo tilted his head slightly. His elongated eyes narrowed.
"Ah, was there sothing?"
"What? Did you have sothing with Joowon Lim? Why didn't I know?"
"It was nothing. I have no problem working. I dont know about him, though. Anyway, that doesnt matter, please set up the eting."
"Alright. It's annoying every ti I
hear about Spy, lets decide on our next project and focus on our own work."
Bongjoon Lee looked at
with a scowl.
"Lets not even associate with those shaless people who have no remorse stealing roles. We're much more cultured and dignified people, right?"
"...Yeah, whatever."
I responded with a soulless face.
Jijoon Seo held the script for The Accomplices and grinned.
"I hope this does better than Spy."
Suddenly, that thought crossed my mind.
"It will."
In the past few days, I might have lost my temper because of future visions,
But this was a relief.
In this mont, I could say with certainty, without a hint of hesitation.
"This project will do much better than Spy."
***
Park Seungho paused as he was pushing open the door of the collection, catching a glimpse of himself in the glass door.
His hair, grown out and slightly unkempt, was swept back to look natural as he entered the shop amidst the familiar scent of oil and a cacophony of voices.
"Hey, Park Seungho!"
"Seunghos here, Seungho, hey, make so room."
Park Seungho settled into a space that had been cleared for him.
"Brother, did you just finish the second round? Youre always so busy by yourself."
"I missed the last train waiting for you, now I have to catch the first one."
"Lets see the business cards, business cards! What does an entertainer's managers card look like?"
Already tipsy, the crowd around Park Seungho grew louder.
With resolve, he pulled out a designer card holder he had splurged on and handed out business cards neatly printed with W&U Managent Division, Team 4, Park Seungho. Tired, he said,
"Sorry, I just finished work. I dropped off Songha and ca straight here."
"Lee Songha?"
The casually ntioned na drew imdiate attention.
"Are you Lee Songhas manager?"
"Strictly speaking, Im in charge of Neptune, but lately, Ive been sticking closer to Songha because of her packed personal schedule."
Oohs and aahs of excitent pounded on the table.
"Are you close with Lee Songha?"
"Whats she really like? She seems like she might be difficult."
Faces full of curiosity waited for him to speak.
Park Seungho coughed awkwardly and took a sip of water. He was so exhausted that he could fall asleep within a minute of hitting the bed, yet the satisfaction of attending his university mates' drinking session was undeniable. It was more than worth it.
As he enjoyed the spotlight, from the back of the room soone said,
"Youre not really tight with the celebs yet, right? From what I hear, youre mostly driving. Must be tough always being on the road."
It sounded like concern but was tinged with irritation.
Park Seungho lightly emptied his glass of soju and laughed.
"It's not just tough; it's killing . But this is the best way to learn, on the field. Team Leader Jung Sunwoo started the sa way. It helps you get close to the celebrities faster."
"Really?"
"And Songha is nice. Who says shes difficult? Shes just shy, but once you get to know her, shes very easy to work with. Of all the celebs Ive t at W&U, shes the nicest. So of the others, though..."
He leisurely picked at so peppers and paused, mid-sentence,
"But dont spread what I say here. I signed a confidentiality agreent when I joined. One wrong move and I could get fired and sued."
He feigned seriousness, drawing more intense attention.
"Really? You signed sothing like that?"
"Seeing the things I see with celebrities, I had to. It's not that I cant talk; Ive seen all sorts of ridiculous stuff."
"Oh, just spill a few juicy details!"
"Ill listen and forget all about it here."
"No, I really cant,"
Laughing, Park Seungho took another sip of soju.
His head, heavy with fatigue, buzzed with an odd excitent.
***
It was leisurely.
Soft sunlight seeped through the slats of the blinds.
As he sprawled in his chair, savoring a rare mont of peace,
The door burst open with a knock, and both the PR team leader Park and the departnt head rushed into the manager's office.
It was incredibly intriguing,
like people who had discovered sothing strange.
"Look at this, sothing bizarre just popped up on the internet."
Team Leader Park offered his phone.
"Is it an article?"
"No, just a post on a drama and movie community forum."
"Is it about Mr. Joo-won or Mr. Ji-jun?"
Frowning, he looked at the screen.
[W&U's Jung Sunwoo has revealed an amazing project list]
Insider info: Hong Gildong Jeon, Salt, Spy, Doctor 25 Hours
The insider is Neptune's road manager
He's talking crap. Insider my assDo you even have friends?
Given the last post, better to ignore it
- I certify these are university mates.jpg
?????? Really?
Wasn't sure about Hong Gildong Jeon after seeing the trailer, but now Ill watch it
Thinking about investing? Damn, but Im broke
But posting this stuff online, isn't that bad for your friend? Might get him fired. Better delete it
Photo deleted? Anyone see what it was?
W&U company business card
Fake newsManagers scatter their cards everywhere, and you claim that's proofWhere did you find it?
There was also a staff ID photo? Got it through a ssage
As if he had caught a cockroach, chills ran down his spine.
What is this?
"Wow, youre really making a na for yourself. All kinds of rumors flying around."
The departnt head laughed as he patted my shoulder.
Team Leader Park took up the conversation.
"Seeing Spy and Doctor 25 Hours in there, you must've picked up sothing? But what are Hong Gildong Jeon and Salt about, coming out of nowhere? Could this be a viral tactic from their side?"
"Thats possible. It would be quite effective."
"If that's true, then you really missed the mark. According to Mr. Sunwoo, both Spy and Doctor 25 Hours are likely to flop. This could turn out to be a list of flops instead of hits."
They chuckled as if it were the funniest thing.
I was the only one not laughing.
I just blinked blankly, wondering if this was a dream.
Why in the world...
"How could this...?"
The laughter slowly subsided.
The departnt head and Team Leader Park exchanged glances before looking at .
"Is this list for real? Did this co from you?"
"Really?"
Ignoring their eager questioning, I retraced my mory.
I had never ntioned Hong Gildong Jeon and Salt out loud.
The trace I left...
I abruptly stood and fetched a notebook I had pushed aside on my desk.
Flipping through a few pages, a page marred with ink stains remained,
Listing Hong Gildong Jeon, Salt, Spy, Doctor 25 Hours side by side,
So, to summarize.
Soone had.
Sneaked into my office.
Rummaged through my notebook.
And blabbed about it outside.
What a ss.
"Hey, this is spreading all over social dia now. They're calling it Jung Sunwoos list of next big hits, people are..."
Team Leader Park, looking at his phone, spoke with a shocked expression.
"They're calling it the Jung Sunwoo list?"
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