CHAPTER 64
After I relayed information about Jang Jun-Hyuk's contract, I also told Gu Seong-Cheol about how Division 3 tried to secure the contract using my name.
In response, Gu Seong-Cheol couldn't contain his anger and repeatedly burst into shouts.
***
The chiefs' meeting at Hoop Entertainment had concluded.
Many significant issues had been discussed but the main topic was the recruitment of Jang Jun-Hyuk.
Gu Seong-Cheol confronted Division 3 for their attempt to intercept Jang Jun-Hyuk's contract, but Kim Dong-Soo kept making excuses till the end, claiming it was a misunderstanding.
Kim Dong-Soo's excuse was that he had heard that TK Entertainment was trying to poach Jang Jun-Hyuk, so he intended to secure the contract first and then transfer it to the Actor Division 2 where Jung Yoon-Ho was.
Gu Seong-Cheol dismissed Kim Dong-Soo's excuse as nonsensical but Kim Dong-Soo insisted on his excuses to the end. Then, he quickly left the meeting room, mentioning that he was in the midst of negotiating a contract with another top star, Cha Tae-Hoon.
"That sneaky snake. His words are always so slick."
Gu Seong-Cheol grumbled about Kim Dong-Soo as he left the meeting room. Then, Lee Dong-Min followed him out and opened his mouth.
"Just let it go. After all, you brought Jang Jun-Hyuk into your division."
Lee Dong-Min tried to console him, but Gu Seong-Cheol could not contain his frustration.
"I feel so sorry for Yoon-Ho. It's such a shame that I can't do anything against that asshole."
Gu Seong-Cheol lamented his inability to act against Kim Dong-Soo's obvious lies.
Then, Lee Dong-Min snickered at Gu Seong-Cheol's reaction.
"Why does it seem like a green newbie is doing a better job than you?"
Gu Seong-Cheol hit back immediately at Lee Dong-Min's teasing joke.
"And what about you? I heard you wouldn't have secured Cherry Blossom's end-of-year stage without Yoon-Ho's help."
Lee Dong-Min's face turned red. "Why, you little...!"
"You're the one who started it first!"
The sparks ignited by Kim Dong-Soo had spread to both Gu Seong-Cheol and Lee Dong-Min.
After a moment, the two felt a bitter taste in their mouths.
"...What are we even doing?"
"I have no idea."
"Chief Gu, are we getting old?"
Gu Seong-Cheol chuckled. "Could you say that in front of Mr. Kang?"
"Are you crazy? Of course not."
The two shuddered at the thought of President Kang Gam-Chan, who, even at the age of sixty, was still robust enough to compete in triathlons every year.
It was then that Gu Seong-Cheol seemed to remember something and asked Lee Dong-Min.
"By the way, Chief Lee. Isn't Cherry Blossom going into their third album soon?"
"I'm not sure whether it will be a third album or a digital single... But we need to get right on it. Now that I think about it, I'm also too ashamed to face Yoon-Ho. I should've cut losses with the second album sooner. I only felt a pang of guilt after hearing Yoon-Ho's critique."
Gu Seong-Cheol nodded at Lee Dong-Min's words. The recent changes in Jung Yoon-Ho's demeanor had even taken him by surprise.
"It's not too late if we properly handle it now. But let's do better to avoid any more embarrassment..."
"Speak for yourself, punk."
Gu Seong-Cheol and Lee Dong-Min shared a laugh as they looked at each other because they thought it was ridiculous that the chiefs were having this kind of conversation over a first-year rookie talent agent.
***
"Ready~ Action!"
It was December 28th, 2019.
On the set of the final episode 26 of Morning Takes Off, Yoo-Jin's passionate performance was unfolding.
"Did you just see Miss Yoo-Jin's tearful acting?"
"They say Lee Ji-Yeon has a sharp eye for actors. Looks like it's true."
"It's been chaotic with no good actresses in Chungmuro but here's a good actress. After this episode airs, she'll probably get a lot of love calls from everywhere."
"But isn't her appearance fee per episode only 100,000 won? I can't believe it. 100,000 won for that acting skill, huh..."
"What can they do? That's the contract. She'll get what she deserves in her next drama."
As the viewership ratings crossed the 20% mark, the staff couldn't hide their excited expressions.
As articles about Morning Takes Off started filling the entertainment news sections, Yoo-Jin's stagnant Instargem also began to update actively.
[Jung Yoo-Jin @miso_1004]
[Posts 24, Followers 10k, Following 150]
It's cold. Too cold. I'm shivering.
(Photo: MorningTakesOff_ShootingSet_CheerUp.jpeg)
#MorningTakesOff #Midwinter #FreezingToDeath #Hungry #Yoo-JinIsOnADiet #LivingOnGreensOnly #Herbivore #EatingGreensEveryDay #GreensAgainToday
[Likes♡ 2,350]
(Comments)
-risa: Oh? Jung Yoo-Jin is back. Watching the drama and loving it.
-garosu10: The scene where you slapped Park Eun-Sung was the best! Didn't know you had such great acting skills. My mom and I are supporting you.
-parknambong: I'm an original fan club member. Do you still live in Cheonho-dong?
-loveYJ: Yoo-Jin, I've been waiting for your comeback. Please visit the fan page.
-padopado: I hope the drama is successful! Well, it already is, so I hope your next drama will be a hit too!
Yoo-Jin's account name was smile angel. The company's promotion division managed the account, but Yoo-Jin wrote the posts herself.
"But who came up with these hashtags? Was it Yoo-Jin?"
'I'll have to ask her after she finishes acting.'
Everything was going well but there was still one nagging issue.
"It was due today, huh..."
Choosing Yoo-Jin's next drama was giving me a headache.
'Blue Sky or In the Name of God?'
Today was the day I had to decide which drama Yoo-Jin would appear in next. But Kang Gam-Chan had not yet found evidence related to Choi Jun-Woo's scandal. Because of this, Gu Seong-Cheol and Kang Ji-Yung were raising their voices every day, insisting on choosing Lee Ji-Yeon's drama over Kim Soll-Ip's.
'What should I do?'
I scanned through my planner and tried to retrace my memory.
[Everyday V10]
[Date: January 15th, 2020]
-11:05 PM (Report) Weekly Star News Flash. Choi Jun-Woo, caught at the entrance of Club BLUE, intoxicated and causing a disturbance. Arrested on the spot.
One month later, Reporter Jang Moon-Ki of Weekly Star would succeed in uncovering the truth about Choi Jun-Woo. When the horrifying photos and videos of a female victim, struck on the head with a beer bottle by the intoxicated Choi Jun-Woo, would be released, people would universally condemn him. Moreover, the situation would escalate rapidly as the cases of harm done to female actresses who had worked with Choi Jun-Woo in the past would also come to light.
To prevent Yoo-Jin's name from being entangled in such a filthy incident, I had to ensure at all costs that she would not be cast in In the Name of God.
'Right. The issue won't be solved just by stalling for time. I need to take action today. What did Jang Moon-Ki say when he broke the exclusive story?'
"Ah, that's right!"
Only now did the statement made by Jang Moon-Ki at that time come to mind.