Chapter 28

Jung Saerom fixed her gaze on me and stared intently.

"Actress Kim Hyunji... Do you know what it means?"

"Yes. If you ask the reason, it's the same as when I was a pure macho writer."

"Are you suggesting an audition again this time?"

"Ah, that's... "

It will surely be difficult.

When I worked with Im Jaejun, I was an actor without an agency, but now Kim Hyunji is officially under Tempest Entertainment.

If I cast Kim Hyunji as the lead actress, Tempest will have to bear the full responsibility.

If people say she got the lead role because of her background and the company's influence, there won't be much to say.

"I believe in Mr. Kim Jinwoo, the writer."

"Manager! "

Yeo Minseo shouted, but Saerom ignored her and spoke to me.

"I believe in you because you have proven it with your work."

"Thank you... "

"But."

Saerom cut me off with a flat tone.

"I haven't decided to cast Hyunji as the lead in the next project yet."

"Really...?"

"Even if the writer doesn't work with us on the next project, there's nothing we can do about it."

"..."

"I can't do anything that would harm the company. That's the position I'm in."

"Um... Is there no way?"

Without Manager Jung Saerom's approval, I can't cast Kim Hyunji as the lead.

Kim is under Tempest, and she has no connection to me.

"Once the script is more developed, let's discuss it again."

"Ah... That might be better."

"Please bring only up to the fourth part."

"Understood."

The scene where the female lead gets into a car accident in the last chapter of the first part of the new work.

Only I can think of Kim Hyunji for that scene.

Then, Saerom said to Yeo Minseo in front of me.

"Minseo, let's just give up on this project... "

"No, it's fine."

"What?"

"I'll do it. The supporting female lead. Whether it's Kim Hyunji or anyone else, I'll outperform them with my acting."

She's so confident, it's scary.

It seems like she's really serious, which makes it even more frightening.

Then, Yeo Minseo stared at me intently and asked.

"Of course, you won't refuse, right?"

"Well, um... "

"Indeed... "

"Of course, I will refuse."

"What?"

Would you let a single actor ruin a project?

"The balance will be off, right? Isn't that basic?"

"..."

Yeo Minseo bit her lip hard, as if her pride was hurt.

She must feel wronged for being criticized by a rookie writer like me.

"You'll regret this today!"

"Maybe."

It seems like you'll regret it yourself.

Then, Yeo Minseo abruptly stood up and left.

Manager Jung, who remained, sighed and said.

"You didn't have to say it like that, did you?"

"Well, it would be awkward if there were any lingering feelings."

"Really, is that the real reason?"

"Maybe?"

Now, I think I should get up too.

"Where are you going?"

"To find my actor."

"???"

It's finally time to deal with the homework I've been putting off.

* * *

A residential area with houses closely packed together.

Although it's in the metropolitan area, it's on a high ground, so I had to climb many stairs.

"Barum Entertainment... It's not just a mess, is it?"

A dilapidated house.

A fence covered in spider webs.

A door without any oiling.

Creak─

Moreover, there was no lock, so anyone could enter.

"Is this the right place?"

I found it through an internet search, but I'm not sure if I came to the right place.

Bottles of alcohol stacked in the yard caught my eye.

No matter how hard I try to be unbiased, this is too much.

I'm not sure if I can trust an actor from such an agency.

Thud, thud─

"Is anyone here?"

It seemed to have been a beautiful Korean-style house once.

Now, it looks like a dilapidated abandoned house at first glance.

Then, someone responded from inside.

"Who are you?"

A man in a worn-out outfit, probably from a recent binge, stared at me with sunken eyes.

"Is this Barum Entertainment?"

"So what?"

Why are you speaking informally?

"I want to talk to President Kang Cheoljung."

"That's me."

Oh, really.

"Please don't speak informally. Let's have a conversation... "

"You were the one who entered someone's house without permission."

".... You're right."

I was wrong.

Rumble─

Then, the sound of a motorcycle came from outside.

When I confirmed the person entering, my head spun.

'Kang Jun...'

It wasn't an exact match, but it was close enough to recognize.

It was enough to confirm that this was the actor.

"Uncle? Who is... "

Kang Jun, who calls the beggar president 'uncle'.

Given that they share the same last name, they seem to be real relatives.

"Um... Are you here to collect money?"

He took off his helmet with a company logo, having just finished a delivery job.

There was a strange hostility in his eyes and tone.

"Are you talking to a loan shark now?"

"Then, who are you... "

This is ridiculous.

"I'm a pure macho writer."

"What? What do you mean... "

"..."

I stared at them with a blank expression.

Then, their faces showed surprise.

Especially President Kang, who stuttered badly from shock.

"R, really? Mr. Pure Macho Writer!?"

"It's a relief that you're still keeping up with the outside world."

"Writer, please, come inside... "

There doesn't seem to be anywhere to sit inside.

A moment later,

At least there was some instant coffee in paper cups prepared.

There were a few cups stored, probably for guests.

"You can get them at the community center. Haha."

"Please... Can you not say things like that?"

"Ah, um. What brings a writer to such a humble place... "

President Kang Cheoljung, sweating cold, carefully started the conversation.

His eyes seemed to be full of expectations.

This is like magic.

The moment I saw his eyes, the words to cast Kang Jun came to my throat.

Creak─

But, the front door opened again, and an unexpected visitor entered.

Is this some kind of meeting place? Why is the front door always open?

"Huh, bro. Is this the place?"

"Ah, it's always a hassle to come here."

Just as I was seriously considering cutting ties with Kang Jun, a real loan shark appeared.

"Hey, Barum. When are you going to dispose of that old motorcycle?"

"Well, if we sell that, we can pay the interest for a month."

A man with a rough face and a scar on his cheek sauntered in.

Behind him, a tall man with broad shoulders followed, whose face I recognized.

'I thought he was an office worker, but he also works in the field.'

The first man with the scar spoke to me in a harsh tone.

"What's this? A new actor?"

"No, it's not... "

But, the tall man tilted his head and said.

"Wait a minute. I've seen this face before?"

"Um... Nice to see you again. Haha."

"What do you do?"

You're being too harsh, sir.

"I'm leaving now. Haha!"

"What?"

"Goodbye!"

The beggar president and Kang Jun stared at me with wide eyes.

They seemed to think we had become close, with moisture in their eyes.

Then, I shook off their gaze and walked out the front door.

I feel like smoking. I quit in the military.

"This is a bit unfair."

If it were a really pretty and kind actress, I would have tried to help.

But with this uncle and nephew acting so pitiful, it's hard to cut ties.

"Huh..."

Still, Kang Jun's acting is amazing.

The protagonist in "The Regressor Who Erases Memories," who swallows his sorrow after being forgotten by his family.

With such a tough reality, it's impossible for him not to deliver a touching performance in the drama.

"He's going to be a method actor."

If the next project succeeds, he can pay off his debts and rebuild this dilapidated house.

"Maybe I'll help him this one time, with someone else's money."

* * *

"Money... You want to borrow?"

"No, you need to be precise.

"So, you want me to lend money to them?"

"That's correct."

".... Why should I?"

Saerom looked at me with a bewildered expression.

'If you ask why, I have nothing to say.'

Behind me, two country bumpkins were looking around.

I brought the Kang family, with the help of the tall men.

They were curiously poking around the office.

Out of embarrassment, I wanted to throw them into the Han River.

"If I must give a reason... Because Kang Jun is the male lead in the next project?"

Instantly, Saerom's eyes widened as she looked at Kang Jun.

After thinking deeply, she slowly spoke.

"Hmm... Then, let's do it this way."

"Really?"

Then, Saerom smiled slightly and continued.

"We will evaluate Actor Kang Jun on our own and then help you."

"Oh... So, you'll pay off all the debts?"

"Yes. And we plan to acquire Barum Entertainment."

"Acquire?"

The sound of Kang President and Kang Jun taking a deep breath was heard.

Was that me?

"Yes. We will acquire Barum. Isn't that what you want, President Kang?"

"Ah..."

Well, it's better than holding onto a collapsing agency.

"Yes, it's an honor! I'll do my best!"

Kang President loudly declared and bowed, and Saerom slowly spoke.

"However... "

An agency with only one actor, a nephew, and a mountain of debt.

Considering Tempest's scale, this is more of an absorption than an acquisition.

Click, click─

Then, Saerom took out a document envelope from a cabinet.

She placed a new contract in front of me and said.

"Put yourself up as a deposit."

"Ah, so this is a slave contract?"

"Hmm, there are no slaves who earn 150 million won a year, right?"

".... You're rich."

A five-year exclusive contract with a writer of Jung's level.

The salary is the base, and there's a separate amount for each project.

Including incentives and support for assistant writers.

"What is the guarantee for?"

"Of course, it's a guarantee for the success of the next project."

"Also, the ratings?"

"Of course."

".... If the next project fails, you want me to sign the exclusive contract?"

"Yes."

To offer 150 million won a year to a failed writer.

Is this person a land speculator?

"If you agree, Actor Kang Jun will now be under Tempest... "

"Yes. But... "

"The rights to Actor Kang Jun will be with Mr. Kim Jinwoo."

"Even the profits?"

"Yes. Except for the company's investment costs. Additional incentives and stock options will be provided."

".... Is that okay?"

"Of course."

This is almost like a stock.

And a stock with a guaranteed high ceiling.

I wonder if corporate acquisitions are this easy.

'Most importantly... '

Could Manager Jung Saerom make such a decision on her own?

On the surface, it looks like a merger, but in reality, it's different.

The content is about investing in me, not Barum Entertainment.

Deciding unilaterally without consulting the president.

This is not just a key figure in the company, but an owner.

In fact, there's no loss for me.

If my next project succeeds.

'Low risk, high return.'

The bigger Kang Jun gets, the more my influence grows within Tempest.

I might even grow to become a major shareholder here.

On the other hand, Tempest can tie me down regardless of the success of the next project.

Using Kang Jun if it succeeds, and the exclusive contract if it fails.

I didn't expect them to go to such lengths to keep me.

"Hmm... "

Manager Jung Saerom stared at me intently.

"Why? Are the conditions not to your liking?"

"No, no. It's not that... "

When Saerom smiled slightly, the two men couldn't take their eyes off her.

'I'm getting a reality check.'

Do I have to sacrifice myself for these people?

No, I should focus on the work.

If I cut ties with Kang Jun, what tasks will I have left?

First, I need to find a male lead suitable for the next project.

With only about four days left for the first part, I have until the day after tomorrow.

'It's impossible.'

And if I use my right to change actors on Kang Jun like this.

If a controversial actor appears later, I won't be able to remove them arbitrarily.

"Let's sign the contract right away."

"Sure."

Manager Jung's proposal, with a wide smile, might be a poisoned chalice.