Chapter 39

38. Competent Manager

The proposal was to suggest including this song as the theme for the female lead in the popular cable drama "Her Second Life."

Upon hearing the explanation, Producer Jang and the composer cheered. The efforts of large production companies and music production firms to have their songs featured as OSTs in famous dramas are indescribable. Just being able to make a proposal to such a place was a stroke of luck.

"It's not confirmed yet. I'm just suggesting it because the song's atmosphere fits the female lead's situation very well."

"Even that much is a significant opportunity."

"Of course. Such opportunities don't come easily."

The actress Kim Hye-ju from Triz was currently starring in "Her Second Life." Moreover, Gyun-woo and she had a significant connection. When Gyun-woo first started working as a manager, he had been her bodyguard and road manager.

Kim Hye-ju was also quite close to Team Leader Woo. They called each other "sister" and "younger sister," and Kim Hye-ju had been helping her since she transferred to Triz.

As soon as Gyun-woo heard the composer's song, he immediately thought of the drama "Her Second Life." The song fit the female lead's situation, who regains confidence and embarks on a second life after a divorce, through a new relationship.

The first theme song, which was fast and lively, had already been released. However, a warm and soft song like the composer's had not yet appeared. So, it wouldn't hurt to make a suggestion. Besides, since this drama was not pre-produced, there was room to squeeze in.

"If it's a drama that's already airing, wouldn't the OSTs already be decided?"

"It's by Park Ji-yeon, the writer of this work."

"Oh! Kim Hye-ju's adoptive mother."

"Yes, she's often called that. She really cares for Kim Hye-ju, and they've already worked on three projects together. She will definitely choose the OST that best suits Kim Hye-ju's scenes."

With that, Gyun-woo concluded by saying he would do his best with the song. Tae-ju was pleased with the situation that was beneficial to him, but he also felt a bit uneasy.

He had to dedicate his remaining vacation, which was less than ten days, to recording the busking OST and another OST. Even if he skipped the weekly healing interview, it felt like his workload was continuously increasing.

'Is this really a vacation? I feel like I've done a lot of work, but why doesn't it feel like a break?'

"Isn't it a bit much to do OSTs one after another?"

"Since the genres are all different, it should be fine, right? And the release times are different too."

"Um, yeah, that's true."

"Also, even for actors, having one of their own songs can be quite useful. Especially since Tae-ju can sing well, this is a good opportunity."

The criteria for selecting drama OSTs were gradually changing. Instead of just looking for famous singers, they were now focusing on songs that fit the drama's content and scenes.

Of course, top singers were still the most common, but songs by singers from audition programs and indie bands were also frequently used. Tae-ju, though not yet famous, could seize the opportunity if his song fit the drama's scenes.

"Alright, let's set the recording schedule."

Seeing the possibility of his friend's song being released, the excited PD spoke up brightly. Gyun-woo approached the PD to start coordinating the schedule. The composer, watching this, approached Tae-ju and handed him a USB.

"I'll prepare the lyrics by tomorrow. Please get familiar with the song first."

"Sure, I will."

He had no intention of refusing someone who was so happy. The song was good too. The situation had already unfolded. His manager was also pushing the project to help him.

Though he felt a bit disappointed about his vacation, it was hard to call it a vacation from the beginning. He was preparing for the filming of "Melody," taking violin lessons, and filming the healing interview, along with recording the OST. It was just that there was no actual filming, so it wasn't a break.

'If it weren't for the garden, I don't know what would have happened.'

Gyun-woo finished coordinating the schedule and was exchanging greetings with people. Tae-ju also followed Gyun-woo to say goodbye and prepare to leave. He had a healing interview shoot in the morning, so he needed to go home and rest.

*

On the way back, Gyun-woo told Tae-ju that "Forest Cafe" had aired. The show broadcasts the footage from a two-day, one-night shoot over two weeks.

Yesterday, scenes of entering the ranch and working at the cafe were aired. Gyun-woo mentioned that Tae-ju's scenes were prominent in that episode and advised him not to go out alone, as many people would recognize him.

"Nobody will recognize me. I need to appear in a drama for that. The healing interview is broadcast weekly, but without Tae-san, no one will recognize me."

Tae-ju thought he was still fine. Before the regression, he only started being recognized on the street after appearing as a supporting actor in a drama.

He didn't think people would recognize him from a five-minute appearance on the healing interview or from "Forest Cafe" with Jin-hyuk. He had little experience in variety shows and felt awkward acting like a star without any notable works.

However, when Gyun-woo gave him a serious warning, he agreed to follow his advice.

"Don't take it lightly, Tae-ju. Please be careful when you go out."

"Sure, I will."

After becoming a broadcast actor in the regression, he had to endure a lot. He often had to avoid people's gazes and unintentionally caused trouble. As a result, he was always looking for places without people. This time, it seemed it would be the same.

He wasn't uncomfortable with people's gazes. He had received a lot of attention since his debut due to his appearance. He was used to it, but it was a problem for Tae-san, Tae-woo, and Yeon-woo, who always accompanied him.

This time, he planned to spend as much time as possible with them when he had free time. He wanted to go camping and travel, which he couldn't do before the regression. He also planned to visit the orphanage frequently as promised.

Chang-seong might have his own situation, but he felt bad about getting a ride from him again like last time. Using the company van for personal matters was also uncomfortable.

He thought he should buy a car for future outings or personal errands.

"Manager, I think I should buy a car. It's also for carrying instruments."

"I'll look into it."

"No, I'll take care of it myself."

Gyun-woo, looking at Tae-ju in the back seat through the rearview mirror, said that several actors in the agency were looking to sell their cars. Jin-hyuk, for example, regularly changed his car and had several, but he often changed them because many people were interested in buying them.

"If you're okay with a used car, I can get you one at a good price. It's clean and reliable."

"Then, I'll leave it to you."

In the end, Tae-ju decided to ask Gyun-woo for help. It seemed that the managers could handle it faster than Tae-ju trying to find a car himself. He tried to do it himself, but it was solved before he even started.

'Ugh! People are too competent!'

*

The sea worm fragrance he had listed in the shop had all sold out. It felt strange to see it selling so well. Tae-san didn't use the fragrance, but if he had other pets, he might have unknowingly sprayed it on them. The thought made him feel nauseous.

"Wow! Tae-ju, your DP increased."

"That's good, Hee. I was worried because there was so little left."

"Tae-ju, let's make more fragrance."

It was a dilemma. He was selling the fragrance at a decent price using almost free materials. However, looking at the DP he earned, his conscience pricked. Knowing the ingredients, he was worried about continuing to sell the fragrance.

"Hee, let's think about it. The skin cream is also selling well. Let's make and sell that first."

Tae-ju tried to come up with an idea to divert Hee's attention. Recently, Hee was focused on securing DP for the garden. As the manager, it was natural.

'Can we open a cafe in the garden to earn DP?'

"Hee, can we open a cafe in our garden?"

"Later, when the garden reaches level 3."

The garden was currently at level 1. It was initially at level 0, but it reached level 1 after adding decorations. At that time, they installed a medicine workshop in the cottage.

"Our garden is beautifully decorated, so why hasn't the level increased?"

"Tae-ju, we need more decorations, trees, and flowers."

"True, there are still many empty spots. The area around Tae-san's den is also empty."

He understood why Hee was sensitive about DP. To fill the empty spots in the garden, the DP they had was far from enough.

"There's a time sale. Hee, it's 30% off!"

"Tae-ju, we need to buy this."

"That, that one?"

"Yes, we need to buy it."

Hee chose a collection tool that resembled a dragonfly net from his childhood. He had recently bought a net gun too. His taste was consistent.

The sneakers bought during the time sale had a "Jump" skill. They didn't allow jumping as high as in a certain movie, but they did allow jumping a bit higher than usual. The skill had no limit on the number of uses and was always active while wearing them, making them very useful.

"If I wear these and play basketball, I'll get the MVP. It's a shame they're not basketball shoes."

"MVP?"

"Yes, it's a title given to the best player in a match."

Hearing the word MVP, Hee remembered something. He wanted to show Tae-ju, so he took him to the book fragment statue for the first time in a while.

"Shooting stars?"

"Tae-ju, we can catch them with this."

Hee pointed to his net gun and mentioned that the collection tool they just bought could also catch them. The shooting stars in the garden seemed different from the ones Tae-ju knew.

In the garden, you could often see a cluster of stars passing through the dark night sky. The cluster moved continuously between gardens. Sometimes, some stars would fall from the cluster and descend, which they called shooting stars.

"What can we use shooting stars for?"

"Tae-ju, they're delicious."

"Can we eat them?"

Hee showed Tae-ju a picture of a shooting star. It looked like a star-shaped capsule. When twisted open, it seemed to contain candy or snacks. The manual mentioned that catching a uniquely colored shooting star could yield gems or recipes.

Catching shooting stars seemed fun, but since you never knew when they would fall, it felt like waiting indefinitely. Tae-ju told Hee not to wait for shooting stars.

Hee looked disappointed, drooping his wings. But soon, he perked up and led Tae-ju back to the shop.

"Tae-ju, this."

"Hot air balloon?"

The idea was to ride the hot air balloon to catch the passing star cluster. Tae-ju had never seen Hee be so proactive since decorating the garden.

"Hee, we don't have enough DP to buy the materials for the hot air balloon. We can only buy the recipe."

"Hee is sad."

"Hee, why? Why?"

Tae-ju was surprised by Hee's reaction. What was the reason? Hee flew off and returned to the book fragment statue. Tae-ju followed, worried.

"Shooting star collection ranking?"

It was a page showing the ranking for shooting star collection. Tae-ju didn't know such a page existed besides the garden's user manual. At the top of the ranking was a name "Garden Filled with Green Tea Fragrance," with an MVP mark and a crown. Tae-ju's garden had never participated, so it was outside the ranking.

"Do you want to participate in this?"

"Hee wants to be MVP."

"Um, that's a bit..."

Hee seemed to have a strong desire to win. He had hoped to win the moon candy tree event and now wanted to beat the MVP, who had over 1 million points.

"Then, Hee, let's first gather enough DP to buy the materials. We need a lot of DP to make the hot air balloon. Don't rush; let's gather DP together."

"Thank you, Tae-ju. Let's work hard together."

"Haha, sure."

Tae-san had a strong desire to win, challenging Agent S twice. Hee was the same. Even with 0 points, he wanted to beat the MVP.

'Maybe it's my influence. Did my desire for awards affect their growth?'

Spending a lot of time together, it was natural for them to influence each other. Perhaps, as Tae-ju thought, they were influenced by him.

What Tae-ju didn't realize was that he was also being influenced by them. Raising Tae-san made him interact more with others. Spending time with Hee made him more open about expressing gratitude and apologies.

Contrary to his worries, the three were positively influencing each other.