Chapter 32

32. Contract Terms

'No more, no less, just two people.'

President Oh Tae-ho, who had been listening to the phone, swallowed hard.

This time, six students from the CMI Acting Academy participated in the audition. He never even dared to dream of being selected as a supporting actor.

He hoped that at least two fixed supporting roles would be secured. If that happened, it would mean that the CMI Acting Academy had accomplished something.

The rest would be the responsibility of CM Entertainment.

Although CMI Acting Academy and CM Entertainment are owned by the same company, they are essentially separate business units.

However, it was an internal practice to use CM Entertainment actors as if they were CMI graduates in promotions.

Of course, actors often used CMI Acting Academy's practice rooms to create a rationale.

For example, Yeo So-yeon, who had been active as a supporting actor in High School, was actually an idol from CM Entertainment, but she could be used freely for CMI Acting Academy promotions.

The main roles would be filled by CM Entertainment. Of course, since the next generation of aces who were virtually cast had participated in the audition, there would be no problem with their performance.

For the academy, securing two fixed supporting roles would be a sufficient achievement. After all, High School is the dream of teenagers.

President Oh Tae-ho, whose face alternated between anxiety and expectation as he listened to the phone, suddenly stiffened.

"Wait, all of them failed?!"

Not a single one was selected?

President Oh Tae-ho was momentarily speechless with shock.

"No, Manager. That can't be. Did you misunderstand something?"

In fact, the results announced by the CM Entertainment manager were not the official notification from the production side.

Before the official notification, there was a route to get the results early from CM Entertainment for possible behind-the-scenes work.

The information was obtained through an internal collaborator, and although it had never been wrong so far, it was not the official notification.

President Oh Tae-ho wanted to cling to any possibility.

"It must be a mistake, Manager."

— "Oh, really? Are you doubting my information, President?"

The manager's harsh voice echoed through the phone.

"No, I'm not doubting you, but maybe they got the information wrong…."

— "That's what I'm saying, President. The information is solid, so don't have false hopes."

The manager's tone was firm.

"Then, is there any way to change the results…?"

— "Don't even think about it. The entertainment side is also in a bad mood. They're not in the mood to care about the academy."

"Huh? What do you mean? I thought Do-yun and Ha-neul were confirmed for CM Entertainment?"

President Oh Tae-ho's eyes widened in confusion.

"No way! How could Do-yun fail? He was the most certain card for CM Entertainment!"

It was unbelievable. Kim Do-yun was currently the best resource among actors who could play teenage roles in CM Entertainment.

He had considerable recognition as a child actor and his acting skills were impeccable.

Most importantly, he was the only one who could play the cold and charismatic character Jin Seo-jin, according to internal evaluations.

"Who else could play Jin Seo-jin if not Do-yun?"

President Oh Tae-ho's eyes widened even more at the answer coming from the phone.

"No! Are the production team crazy? He has no acting experience at all!"

President Oh Tae-ho's hand holding the phone trembled.

He couldn't even imagine it.

Woo Jin-hyuk from SH Acting Academy.

He never thought that name would come up here.

***

'Is this for real?'

Even though the call had ended a while ago, President Oh Tae-ho still couldn't believe it.

Well, if it were just a supporting role, it might be understandable, but Jin Seo-jin is a major character, not a role for a complete novice.

He had heard that quite a few well-known actors were eyeing the major supporting roles in High School 2.

It wasn't just an unbelievable event; it was humiliating. The insulting conversation with the manager still echoed in his ears.

— "But, President, do you know SH Acting Academy, where Woo Jin-hyuk goes? It's nearby, run by Yeon Sung-hoon."

"Yes, I know. It's just a small, insignificant academy."

— "Oh, insignificant."

"Why SH?"

— "That insignificant academy got three major supporting roles this time. Woo Jin-hyuk, and another one called Yeon Se-ryun, who is Yeon Sung-hoon's daughter."

"Huh? Yeon Sung-hoon's daughter?"

— "Oh, you didn't know? You're closer to them, yet you're less informed than me. And Min Seo-yeon. She had no agency before, but after the audition, she went to SH Acting Academy."

The manager clicked his tongue.

— "While a small local academy was poaching an unaffiliated kid, what were we, the large academy, doing? Tsk."

'...'

— "Anyway, an insignificant place got three, while our prestigious academy got none."

The manager's sarcastic words twisted President Oh Tae-ho's insides, but he had nothing to say.

— "At least, our entertainment side managed to save face with Jeong Ha-neul."

"I'm ashamed, Manager."

— "Do you think I'm not ashamed? The problem is that the CEO is in a bad mood."

"Ha. I'm really sorry."

— "We claim to be a gateway for teenagers, a specialized academy for college entrance exams. Please, do better, President Oh. If the CEO is in a bad mood, we're all in trouble, you know?"

'...'

— "The official casting announcement is in two weeks. Getting this information early isn't something anyone can do. You know that, right? I'm on your side. We're just salarymen, after all."

'Shit. What do you mean, on my side?'

President Oh Tae-ho could see the mocking expression on the manager's face.

'I'll give this guy a good punch someday to clear my mind.'

— "Don't be stingy and ruin things. Think of it as giving up your year-end bonus and go big. Make it an offer they can't refuse."

"Yes, I understand. I'll handle it well."

Even though the call had ended a while ago, President Oh Tae-ho nervously placed his phone on the desk, still ruminating over the conversation.

Thud.

Unable to contain his anger, he shouted.

"Damn! Is this for real? Is it for real?!"

Bang! Bang!

His hand, red with anger, trembled.

It was already a shocking event that Kim Do-yun had lost his role to Woo Jin-hyuk.

And now, all three had swept the roles?

President Oh Tae-ho bit his lip.

He needed to stay calm. What's done is done. The key was how to fix it.

While he couldn't do anything about Yeon Se-ryun, who was Yeon Sung-hoon's daughter, he had to bring Woo Jin-hyuk and Min Seo-yeon back.

He had to get them out before the official casting announcement.

Even if the manager hadn't said it, he should have done it anyway. It was time to take a bold move.

'I'll prepare an offer they can't refuse.'

He was confident. This wasn't the first time.

Securing promising talent by getting information first was a thrilling experience.

President Oh Tae-ho picked up the intercom.

***

"Hey! Jin-hyuk, come here quickly."

In the small living room of Jin-hyuk's house, President Oh Tae-ho waved from the dining table, which connected the living room to the kitchen.

Since there was no space for a sofa, President Oh Tae-ho sat at the dining table and looked pleased.

'This should be easy.'

That was his thought when he first stepped into Jin-hyuk's house.

He had brought a proposal that the family, who were not well-off, couldn't refuse.

As soon as Jin-hyuk sat down, President Oh Tae-ho started his pitch.

The greatness of CMI Entertainment, the greatness of CMI Entertainment, and the greatness of CMI Entertainment.

"I think I've explained enough about our academy and agency. I'll get straight to the point. We want to sign an exclusive contract with Woo Jin-hyuk. Of course, we'll provide a signing bonus. The signing bonus is…"

President Oh Tae-ho paused dramatically, like a host at an awards ceremony, before continuing.

"Ten million won."

President Oh Tae-ho's shoulders straightened.

A ten million won signing bonus for a high school student who hadn't even debuted was a huge amount.

Of course, after Jin-hyuk's appearance in High School 2, ten million won would be nothing.

The significant promotional effect for the academy was an added bonus.

This was the power of information. The ability to buy undervalued talent at a low price. This was why CMI Entertainment invested in information.

"Immediately upon signing, we will provide all the support for Jin-hyuk's education and activities."

President Oh Tae-ho played his trump card, but Jin-hyuk and his parents' reactions were not what he expected.

'What? Are they too shocked to react?'

They all looked too calm.

"Excuse me, President."

"Yes, please speak. Father."

"I'm not familiar with this, but…"

"Ah, of course. Please ask anything you want."

Jin-hyuk's father, Woo Bong-soo, nodded and continued.

"Jin-hyuk has only been learning acting for a short time. It seems like too much for a beginner…"

No, this man should be grateful for such a generous offer! A man in a poor situation!

"Father, we see great potential in Jin-hyuk. I've been evaluating students for a long time. CMI Entertainment isn't a small shop."

President Oh Tae-ho observed Jin-hyuk's parents' expressions.

'Of course. They don't believe it. Well, it's natural for people in their situation to be suspicious when offered ten million won. Maybe it's fortunate that they are cautious. Tsk, tsk.'

Just as President Oh Tae-ho was about to start his speech again, Jin-hyuk cut in.

"I understand what you're saying."

"…Huh? Yeah, yeah."

Jin-hyuk spoke to his father and mother.

"What should we do, Dad? Should we discuss it as a family and make a decision?"

Father Woo Bong-soo thought for a moment before answering.

"Jin-hyuk, your opinion is important. What do you want to do?"

"I… I think it would be best if you let me handle it, Dad, Mom."

Woo Bong-soo nodded at Jin-hyuk.

"President, let's go outside and talk separately."

"Huh? Okay? Is that okay?"

President Oh Tae-ho looked at Jin-hyuk's parents. Woo Bong-soo said to him.

"Sure. Talk to Jin-hyuk separately."

As Jin-hyuk was about to move to the entrance, his father, Woo Bong-soo, stopped him.

"Jin-hyuk."

"Yes."

"Whatever you do, don't decide based on our financial situation. I won't allow it. I don't want you to bear that burden."

"Don't worry, Dad. It's not about that."

Unlike Woo Bong-soo's concerns, Jin-hyuk had a different reason for moving.

He wanted to talk more freely without his parents.

The only reason Jin-hyuk was being polite to the uninvited guest who had rudely entered his home was for his parents.

He didn't want to be disrespectful in front of his kind parents.

***

"Okay, let's talk, Jin-hyuk."

The gentle tone he had forced. Jin-hyuk twisted his lips.

Ten million won. What a shallow man.

Jin-hyuk immediately knew. He had passed the audition.

Would a man like this, who discovers and nurtures talent, offer such a good contract? Impossible.

But if he brought ten million won, it was obvious.

Ten million won meant the estimate was more than enough.

Not over a long period, but in a short time, he thought he could definitely get a return. He wouldn't accept any loss.

There was no other possibility. If he thought he could definitely get ten million won from Jin-hyuk,

It was the casting for High School 2.

They must have obtained the information about the successful candidates before the official announcement.

"First."

As Jin-hyuk spoke, President Oh Tae-ho focused on him.

"Coming to my house like this is very unpleasant. I want an apology."

"Uh, what? No, it's all for Jin-hyuk… I mean, I'll apologize for that."

"Then, I'll stand up. I don't want to talk to someone who can't apologize for their mistakes."

Jin-hyuk stood up. President Oh Tae-ho called out urgently.

"Ah,