Chapter 6 Part 2: Like A Donkey Crossing Cold Water

CEO Park Jung-woo of SU E&M lifted the receiver and spoke.

“Ah, yes, Senior Su-il.

I see.

If the person himself doesn’t want it, then there’s nothing that can be done.

But you’re sure that kid doesn’t have an agency, right?

Haha, I see.

No, not at all.

You must have been bothered—thank you for calling me personally.

Let’s have a drink sometime soon.

Yes, yes.

Understood.

Take care.”

Park Jung-woo slightly puckered his lips as he hung up the phone and spoke.

“So he doesn’t want his contact information passed along?”

Wooju, who had come to see him dressed comfortably in a short-sleeved shirt, shorts, and sneakers, frowned.

“Why?

He’s not already in talks with somewhere else, is he?”

“Senior Su-il says that’s not the case.”

Wooju glanced around the flashy CEO’s office and said,

“Our company should be good enough, shouldn’t it?”

Park Jung-woo smiled and rose from his seat, walking over to the sofa.

“You know how fast rumors travel in this industry, right?”

“I do.”

“Honestly, I already knew before you even came here and mentioned his name.”

Wooju straightened her posture and asked,

“Why?

Did something happen?”

After Park Jung-woo explained what had happened at the drama script reading, Wooju—who had been listening quietly—let out a hollow laugh.

“So Daehwa’s CEO, Song Minsu, must be really embarrassed, huh?”

“Yeah.

They say he can’t even show his face anymore.”

“What about Lee Ji-hoon?

Isn’t Song Minsu practically a gangster?

Didn’t he get hit?”

“Hit?

What era do you think this is?

The ’80s?

No matter how wild Song can be, he can’t touch Daehwa’s top money-maker.

If an article broke out, Daehwa’s image would fall apart instantly.”

“That’s a relief.”

Park Jung-woo gazed at Yejun’s profile, which he had printed out in advance, and said,

“Even if he’s been cast in a broadcast drama, it’s still a supporting role.

His experience is one stage play and one short film.

His older credits are just bit parts, so let’s ignore those.

Honestly, I find it strange that you would move for someone at this level.”

Wooju smiled softly.

SU E&M stands for Space Universe Entertainment and Merchandising.

When Wooju debuted as a singer, Park Jung-woo had been the head manager at her original company.

He later created a separate company specifically for her, building it around her career—hence the name.

Of course, because Wooju brought in enormous revenue through music, acting, and advertising, the company now had multiple artists.

Rather than the music business—which requires massive time, money, and effort to nurture a single team—the company prioritized actors.

As a result, aside from Wooju, who works across fields, every artist under SU E&M is an actor.

That was why Wooju’s influence within the company was so strong.

Wooju took out a folded pamphlet from her bag and handed it to him.

“Watch this.”

“What is it, a movie?”

“Yes.

The only short film actor Ma Yejun has done.

It’s screening until the end of this month, so go when you have time.

No—even if you don’t have time, go watch it.

Then you’ll understand why I’m doing this.”

“Hmm.”

“Oh, and the drama he’s joining this time—casting’s already finished, right?”

“Huh?

You even want to act with him?”

“Yes.

I think I could learn a lot.”

Park Jung-woo let out a dry chuckle.

“Is that something a top actress who’s had four hits out of six dramas should say to a rookie?”

“I still have a long way to go.

My acting works to some extent because of my popularity as a singer.

If I’d started as just an actress, I probably would’ve failed completely.”

Park Jung-woo smiled.

This was exactly why he trusted Wooju enough to go independent and start a company.

An entertainer with clear self-awareness.

A star at the very top of Korea who still wanted to grow endlessly.

“Alright.

That’s the part I like about you.

I’ll definitely go watch the film.”

“Since we’re talking about it—how about right now?”

“Now?”

“Yes.

Do you have a schedule today?”

“Uh… I have a meeting tonight.”

“Then daytime’s fine.

Let’s go together.”

“You’ve already seen it.”

“So what?

I’ll watch it again.”

***

A short while later, Hongdae Space Cinema.

Wooju, once again bundled up tightly as she exited the theater, looked at Park Jung-woo—who stood frozen, mouth agape, eyes wide behind her sunglasses.

Just from his expression, she could tell exactly what he was thinking.

“So?

What do you think, CEO?”

“…This is insane.”

Park Jung-woo turned back to look at the darkened screening room.

“What the hell was that kid?

He was this good?

I was wondering why so many people showed up for a short film.”

“There were over a hundred when I came too.

Same today.”

“Ma Yejun’s impressive, but the director’s solid too.”

“We’re not signing directors, though.”

“Still, information is everything in this industry.

I looked into it—Kim Min-su’s directing the drama, and Jang Young-ho landed the assistant director role.”

“Oh, really?

Then Director Jang will probably debut in the majors soon.”

“If his luck doesn’t completely screw him over, yeah.

In that case, it’d be smart to build connections early.”

“And actor Ma Yejun?”

“We sign him.

No matter what.”

“Hehe.

I knew you’d say that.”

After calling his secretary to cancel the day’s meetings, Park Jung-woo immediately called actor Sung Su-il.

–We’re talking a lot today, CEO Park?

“Ah, Senior.

Sorry to keep bothering you.

I was wondering if I could see you for a moment.”

–Now?

I can’t.

I’m on my way to the drama’s wrap party.

“Oh, really?

Then how about we sponsor the drama and cover the dinner costs?”

–Why would your company do that?

Daehwa’s paying today.

“Oh, right.

They’re the main sponsor.”

–Yeah.

“Then around what time will the party end?

If it’s okay, I’d like to treat you to a drink afterward.”

–What’s going on?

Is this about what you mentioned earlier?

“Ha ha.”

Park Jung-woo glanced at Wooju standing beside him.

She held out her hand.

“Uncle Su-il?

Let me talk to him.”

“Ah, Senior.

Wooju wants to speak with you.”

–Wooju?

Oh my, my puppy daughter.

Put her on.

Wooju took the phone, moved to a quiet spot, and spoke in a voice dripping with nasal sweetness and aegyo.

“Daaad~~”

–Oh, my puppy daughter.

You doing well?

Su-il, who had once played Wooju’s father in a drama years ago, was quite close to her and often called her his daughter.

That was why Wooju called him Dad in return.

“Of course~ Dad, are you healthy?

I’m sorry I haven’t visited often.”

–It’s fine.

You’re busy.

“Dad, I heard you’re joining Hong Ji-hyun’s drama.”

–Yeah.

That’s why I’m heading to Apgujeong for the wrap party.

“I kind of miss you.”

–Really?

If my puppy daughter misses me, of course I should see her.

“Not today?”

–I’ve got a schedule today, though.

“I just wanted to stop by and see your face.”

–Oh?

Then come for a bit.

There’s no one here you don’t know anyway.

“Really?

I can come with CEO Park, right?”

–Haha.

Turns out I wasn’t the real goal, was I?

“Hehe.

You really are sharp, Dad.”

–It’s Ma Yejun, isn’t it?

“Yes.

I really want to bring him into our company.”

–But Wooju.

“Yes, Dad?”

–There are already over ten companies calling me, asking me to introduce them to that kid.

“……”

–So hurry up and reel him in.

If you’re late, he’ll get caught in someone else’s net first.

I’ll text you the location.

See you later.

After hanging up, Wooju stared at the phone silently, then handed it back to Park Jung-woo.

“It looks like we need to move fast.

There’s a lot of competition.”

Park Jung-woo slipped the phone into his pocket.

“I know.

Several companies are already moving.”

“Not several.

Over ten.

Let’s secure him quickly, CEO.

He’s not an ordinary actor.”

“Let’s go.

Right now.”

***

They came because it was a wrap party, but at the center of the room sat a ritual table with a pig’s head.

A pig’s head, smiling.

He’d seen them a few times at markets, but it was always unsettling.

How do you even think of cutting off a pig’s head when it’s smiling?

Just imagining it gave him chills.

So wrap parties also doubled as shamanistic rites, apparently.

Yejun arrived alone by subway again today.

Because he came a bit early, he hesitated at the entrance where only staff were present.

Thankfully, a staff member who recognized him from the reading hurried over.

“Actor Ma Yejun.

You’re early.

Please sit over there.”

There were no name cards—apparently, people just sat wherever.

Of course, one had to read the room and choose a seat appropriate to their status.

Yejun chose the very end seat, closest to the aisle.

Facing the wall.

That felt exactly like his place.

Wow.

So this is the legendary wrap party.

But it’s more modest than I expected.

He’d imagined a fancy restaurant, but this was just Studio Jinhon’s office.

They’d cleared out a storage space upstairs, set up tables and chairs.

Catering staff bustled about nearby.

Before he could awkwardly ask for food, a few actors arrived.

Three came together—among them was Senior Jung Il-hwa, whom he’d greeted separately last time.

Yejun jumped up and bowed loudly.

“Hello, Senior!”

The actresses waved and smiled.

They remembered him after just one meeting.

The other actors sat farther away.

Yeah… I was right.

Everyone had their own place.

This seat should be fine, right?

It’s the farthest from the head table.

Just then, loud voices rang out.

Hearing someone loudly greeting staff, asking after their families, Yejun smiled.

It’s Su-il hyung.

He didn’t even know how Su-il knew which staff member had just had a baby.

As Yejun stood to greet him, Su-il clapped first and spoke.

“Oh!

My Yejun!

Thanks to you, I’ve become a total star lately!”

“…Pardon?”

“Oh my, oh my~
What’s my star doing standing up?

Sit, sit.”

Su-il pushed his shoulder down, forcing Yejun to sit, then sat across from him.

Huh?

Is hyung sitting here?

No way.

There was no one around, so he was probably just sitting temporarily.

Just as Su-il was about to speak, he suddenly jumped up and bowed deeply.

“Teacher!

You’ve arrived!”

There was only one person Su-il would treat like that.

Yejun jumped up too, bowing without even looking.

“Hello!”

It was Actor Lee Sooncheol.

Even someone like him attended wrap parties.

“Ah, yes.

Sit, sit.

No need to stand.”

“Teacher!

Please sit here!”

“Thank you.”

Yejun’s face stiffened.

…What?

Su-il hyung and Teacher Lee were sitting at his end-of-the-aisle seat?

Did I completely misread the seating order?

Should I stand up?