Chapter 73

Stardust Promotion, one of the influential artist agencies in RB, is home to numerous artists who excel in various fields, boasting a plethora of heavyweight stars. In particular, the female artists under their management stand out, and there are also many foreigners. Therefore, Stardust is known as the "Heavenly Star" in RB. Stardust Promotion has also organized its actors into different departments, including Entertainment Department 1, Entertainment Department 2, Entertainment Department 3 (which further divides into 3B Junior and Momoiro Clover Z, with 3B Junior further dividing into Ebi's Middle School and Mini TiA☆Bears. Department 3 is a large department, housing many highly recognized actors, such as Kikuchi Kyoko, among others), Entertainment Department 5, Entertainment Department 6, and Entertainment Department 8. Additionally, there are other departments like the Newcomer Project Department, Newcomer Development Department, Planning Room, CM (Commercial) Department, and the Asia Department. The organization is based on the varying levels of recognition of each actor! Moreover, it includes singers and groups under its management.

Stardust Promotion has a very good relationship with Johnny's & Associates, forming a natural alliance. However, recent events have caused some烦恼 for the upper management of Stardust. The young actor Yamada Takayuki, who the agency has been promoting, has refused the agency's renewal request, which has infuriated the upper management of Stardust.

In the meeting room at Stardust Promotion's headquarters,

"He has already fired his agent..." a woman with orange hair respectfully said to a tall figure.

"When?" The black silhouette gently turned around, revealing a man in his fifties. He had a square face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, with a stern expression that naturally commanded respect.

"While filming 'Meteor Butterfly Sword'..." the woman bowed slightly, not daring to look up at the middle-aged man.

"'Meteor Butterfly Sword'? The TV drama that the young man named Kurokawa is filming..." the middle-aged man realized.

"Yes, President..."

"Let it be... Since he has already made up his mind to leave, let him go... Don't stop him. That incident was our mistake... I believe he already knows the outcome... So he has made his own choice. I look forward to your choice, Yamada... Also, make sure the previous agent keeps his mouth shut. Understand?" The middle-aged man smiled faintly.

The woman was taken aback. She wasn't stupid... Yamada Takayuki might have already signed with Kurokawa.

...

The post-production of 'Meteor Butterfly Sword' was in full swing, but at this time, a news item from Fuji TV sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry.

The popular actor, Yamada Takayuki, who played the lead role of Meng Xinghun in 'Meteor Butterfly Sword,' had refused to renew his contract with Stardust Promotion and officially became an independent artist!

For a time, media from all sides flooded to Stardust Promotion's headquarters and Yamada Takayuki's residence, hoping to get confirmation from the parties involved. However, to everyone's surprise, no matter how resourceful the journalists were, they couldn't find Yamada Takayuki.

However, a representative from Stardust Promotion did accept an interview from the media.

"Yes, Yamada-san has refused to renew his contract with the agency... It is truly regrettable. Yamada-san is an excellent artist... His departure is a significant loss for the agency... However, I still wish Yamada-san the best in his future endeavors!"

Stardust Promotion's statement left the media who came for the interview speechless, and the questions they had prepared were rendered useless.

"Do you know where Yamada-san is?" A journalist asked, only to find that almost all his colleagues were looking at him with disdain... Damn, we are the omnipotent kings without crowns, how embarrassing it is for you to ask such a question...

The representative of Stardust Promotion smiled... The meaning was clear...

Yamada Takayuki's departure from Stardust Promotion sparked interest from other agencies, especially Yoshimoto Kogyo, which lacks traditional artists. As the largest comedy artist agency in RB, Yoshimoto Kogyo dominates over 70% of variety shows. In entertainment programs, Yoshimoto Kogyo is the absolute ruler! However, due to the lack of traditional artists, Yoshimoto Kogyo often falls short in competition with Johnny's & Associates in TV dramas and films.

As the most popular artist at the moment, Yamada Takayuki's departure presented an opportunity... An opportunity to break Johnny's & Associates' monopoly on idol TV dramas. If they could sign Yamada Takayuki, they could turn him into a brand for Yoshimoto Kogyo.

On May 30th, while Yamada Takayuki was still missing, Deputy President Ohsaki Yo of Yoshimoto Kogyo extended an olive branch to him.

"Yamada-san is a very excellent artist, and his talent is beyond doubt... His decision to leave Stardust Promotion without hesitation shows that he is a very independent person. Stardust Promotion has indeed restricted his development... If possible, our agency is willing to provide Yamada-san with all the support we can..."

Ohsaki Yo's statement caused a stir in public opinion. Before Stardust Promotion's representative could respond, the representative of Johnny's & Associates jumped in, accusing Ohsaki Yo of stirring up trouble...

Vine Island Kikuko, the deputy president of Johnny's & Associates, said to the media, "Mr. Ohsaki is a very successful person, and his status in the entertainment industry is well-known... However, his personal moral standards are lacking... Stardust Promotion has provided sufficient support and development for Yamada-san over the years... We cannot let such an outstanding agency be tarnished by his words..."

Gossip reporters instantly felt that spring had arrived for them, as the heads of the two super agencies engaged in a verbal battle... It was a feast for the eyes, and the most important thing was that they wouldn't lack for news material... The other two agencies watched the confrontation between these two rivals with a cold eye.

As the parties involved, Yamada Takayuki and Stardust Promotion seemed to have become spectators, with the main characters becoming the two agencies...

On May 31st, Yamada Takayuki's good friend, the popular young actor from Burning Production, Oguri Shun, came out to support Yamada Takayuki... Sensitive journalists noticed that the absolute king of the entertainment industry, Burning Production, seemed to be getting restless...