"Something to say…? What is it?"
When I caught hold of her, Ina flinched and put on an even fiercer expression.
[Ina Kim]
[She is intentionally hiding her fluttering heart behind a fierce expression!]
Didn't I tell you to stop commenting on stuff like this...?
Ina tossed her head back, smug and full of herself.
"If you're thinking of coming back as my manager, I can make a special—"
"Huh? I have absolutely no intention of doing that."
"…"
Ina's expression grew even more venomous.
[This time, she is glaring at you with genuine anger!]
I can tell even without you pointing it out!
"Then what do you want to talk about?"
"Are you really starring in Director Seol Kim's Black Crown for your next role?"
Ina wore a puzzled look.
"I am, but why do you ask?"
After a brief hesitation, I figured there was no point in mincing words. I decided to just come right out with it.
"How about choosing a different project?"
But—
"Why should I?"
Ina's reaction caught me off guard.
"Things are practically finalized, so if I'm going to pull out, I need a solid reason. It's not like Director Kim is some nobody I can just walk over."
The fact that she was even asking meant she was already halfway convinced!
"…Are you really going to drop out?"
"Only if your reason makes sense. The script is good enough for Cannes, and honestly? Opportunities like this don't just fall from the sky. Not even for me."
Ina spoke in a sharp tone.
Normally, she was just a crazy bitch who drove everyone insane—but when it came to her craft, she was a thorough professional.
Seeing that side of her every now and then was the only reason I'd managed to survive three years as her manager.
"Are you worried about Director Kim? Afraid he'll hit on me?"
"…Has he done that before?"
"He's been checking out my chest and legs like crazy since our first meeting. Guys like him are a dime a dozen, so I don't care."
"…But what if it causes a false scandal?"
"Me and that old coot? Are you insane?"
Ina looked utterly dumbfounded.
A natural reaction.
I had nothing left to say. I had already laid out everything I knew.
But just as I was hitting a wall, an idea crossed my mind.
Honestly, I didn't know if a trick like this would actually work.
"I… just have a bad feeling about it."
"Huh?"
"When I heard you were starring in Director Kim's movie, I started worrying if you'd be okay. Right then, a cup suddenly shattered."
"…Manager Lim, since when were you so superstitious?"
"I'm not, but isn't it always better to avoid unnecessary risks?"
There are too many uncertainties in the entertainment industry. Who will hit it big, who will spark a scandal, what will become a mega-hit, and what will flop—even the industry's top minds are just flipping a coin.
That's why quite a few people quietly cling to superstitions like shamanic rituals or fortune-telling.
Ina isn't exactly that type, but if something leaves a bad taste in her mouth, she tends to steer clear of it.
"Ha. Chanu, you know you're talking complete nonsense right now, right?"
Chanu was Ina's nickname for me.
…But wait, isn't that what she calls me when she's in a good mood?
On the surface, Ina didn't seem particularly pleased.
She was still glaring at me fiercely.
But…
[She feels deeply touched that you were thinking of her!]
…Ah.
I realized the story I just told must have sounded like a total confession!
"Anyway, fine. I'll think it over. Like you said, Chanu, it's best to avoid unnecessary risks if they leave a bad aftertaste."
At that exact moment—
[Ina Kim has accepted your suggestion!]
She said she would think it over… but it looked like she had already decided to listen to me.
The contents of the appraisal window had changed as well.
[Ina Kim]
[She has escaped the downward spiral toward a total flop and has now opened the door to becoming a Cannes Best Actress Award winner!]
However, that wasn't set in stone just yet.
Because she'll have to find a new project first to actually win it.
This was good enough. As long as I helped her avoid a total flop, whether she won a Cannes Best Actress Award or not was her own business.
I've done more than enough today. Maybe it's best to just clock out early.
I checked the time and clicked my tongue.
[10:00 AM]
I had been dragged away by Ina the moment I arrived at work, so even with flexible hours, sneaking out this early was pushing it.
I should do some field work instead. Is there a location where I can just lounge around comfortably before heading home early?
Because I was lost in thought, I missed what Ina was saying next.
"Then let's do that."
"Yes, let's… wait, what?"
"Help me choose my next project."
"Why should I…?"
Ina shot daggers at me with her eyes.
"Because of you, I'm about to drop out of Director Kim's masterpiece. You need to take responsibility!"
"No, if you want to drop out, go right ahead. And please stop using the word 'responsibility' as it can easily be misunderstood."
"Forget it. Take responsibility and help me choose my next project later. You don't want to? Then let's grab a meal together."
"…Why is that the alternative?"
"Why? Do you hate dining with me? We used to eat together all the time back in the day."
"That was only because I was your manager."
"Hmph. Choose. Either have a meal with me or help me choose my next project. Or you could just do both."
…What is this, a deadly game of 'would you rather'?
Helping her choose her next project is definitely better than having a meal together.
Choosing a project counted as work. Besides, even if she said that, Ina would make most of the decisions herself, so at most, I'd just have to offer some basic advice.
On the other hand, sharing a meal meant sacrificing my personal time. And a rich man's time is precious, after all.
"Instead of a meal, I'll help you choose your next project. Of course, I'm only giving advice—the final choice is entirely yours."
Even though I clearly agreed to help, Ina narrowed her eyes even further.
"Hmph!!!"
Slam!
Whatever it was that ticked her off, Ina turned and stormed out of the emergency stairwell.
"…What is her problem now?"
* * *
To be honest, helping Ina choose her next project wasn't my actual job.
I was just assisting another team on the side, so it wasn't all that important to me.
On the other hand, there was a truly important matter.
"Which script should I go with?"
It was none other than Hyunah's next project!
"Which one would you like to do?"
"I'm not sure. I can't seem to choose."
Hyunah was currently stealing the spotlight thanks to her outstanding performance in Crime Society.
But did that mean she had secured her spot? Not quite.
There are countless actors who briefly grab attention like this only to vanish into obscurity.
Moreover, Hyunah had gone through a similar experience in the past.
She had gained attention after a decent performance in her debut, only to crash and burn afterward.
Perhaps that was why her expression was so dark, making it hard to imagine her as a rising star.
[Hyunah Lim]
[She is terrified of failing again!]
Hmm…
I decided to display my empathy skill this time.
"Don't worry too much."
"…Thank you. As expected, you're the only one who truly thinks of me, manager. I'll only trust you."
[Hyunah Lim gains courage from the comfort of her most trusted benefactor (Chanwoo Lim)!]
But I barely even said anything…?!
Regardless.
Her next project must be chosen carefully.
Whether Hyunah secured her spot as a proper actress depended entirely on her next work.
But what if it flopped?
An actress with S-rank potential wouldn't stay buried forever, but she'd face a much rougher road ahead.
The problem is that the scripts we received are all pretty lukewarm.
They weren't terrible. There were even two B-tier scripts.
B-tier script meant it would perform better than average.
Still, an A-tier… ideally, an S-tier script would be nice to have.
If she could land two hits in a row, her standing as an established actress would skyrocket.
In other words, this next project could serve as her stepping stone to becoming a top star in the future.
The issue is that opportunities like that don't come easily. They'll obviously go to top-tier actors first.
Looking for a diamond in the rough was an option, but nothing caught my eye right now.
"For now, let's set that aside and settle something else first."
This next matter was far less stressful.
It was none other than commercial shoots—the ultimate cash cow for actors!
"Quite a few commercial offers have come in. Star Entertainment's policy is to accept every single ad, but I don't recommend that approach."
Filming too many commercials in a short span burned through an artist's image, which hurt them in the long run.
…And besides, it's exhausting for me, too.
"We should focus on commercials that will help your image as much as—"
I paused for a moment.
One of the commercial offers came with an unexpected appraisal text.
I studied Hyunah's face in silence, watching closely.
"M-manager… W-why are you looking at me like that…?"
"Because you look beautiful. You have a pure image, but there's also a strangely alluring vibe to you."
Hyunah's face instantly flushed crimson.
"W-why would you say that out of nowhere…? T-then… should we have dinner together tonight? Oh, w-with some wine, too?"
…What on earth is she misunderstanding?
Just then, Sena walked in.
She was supposed to be out collecting money across all eight provinces, but for some reason, I kept spotting her in the office every day.
"Playboy."
"???"
"Hmph!"
At any rate, I hadn't brought this up out of the blue; there was a reason.
"By any chance, do you like web novels?"
"I read them from time to time."
"How about a web novel commercial?"
"Web novels have commercials, too?"
"Sometimes they do them to promote the platform. It's not common, though."
There was a specific reason I mentioned a web novel commercial.
[The Secret Temptress Commercial Offer]
Type: Romance Web Novel
Compatibility: S+
[Mega-Hit possible if taken by Hyunah Lim!]
People might wonder how a commercial could become a mega-hit, but such cases do exist.
Sometimes, they go beyond merely catching people's attention and become a total sensation.
An actor's status doesn't strictly have to be raised through movies or dramas. If a commercial hits the jackpot, the model's image rises right along with it.
"It's the role of a temptress—a femme fatale, basically. I think your pure, beautiful face combined with a wicked villainess performance would be a perfect match."
* * *
Aren't I working way too hard lately?!
I decided to leave work early today, once again.
I felt like I left early yesterday, too… but since I worked hard, it was probably fine.
Out of habit, I visited the department store's VIP lounge to grab a free coffee.
There are no seats.
I felt this every time, but the competition for seats in the VIP lounge was just too fierce!
But right then—
"Excuse me… are you Manager Chanwoo Lim of Star Entertainment?"
"Yes, I am."
"I am Mincheol Lee, the general manager of this Gangnam branch."
I flinched.
He was the head of the department store!
Did I drink too much free coffee? I did get two cups almost every single day.
The thought crossed my mind for a second, but that didn't seem to be the case.
"There is someone who wishes to meet you. Could you spare a moment of your time?"
* * *
Swallowing hard, I followed the head of the department store.
Sure enough, the figure I had anticipated was waiting for me.
Hye-na's grandfather.
In other words, it was Chairman Giju Lee of Mirae Group!
A literal legend in the Korean corporate world!
Even as a billionaire worth over 100 billion won, standing before such a colossal titan…
Wait a minute… Do I have any reason to feel intimidated? It's not like I'm the owner of some subcontracting company supplying Mirae Group. Whether he's a chairman or not has nothing to do with me.
Is this what they mean when they say money is the ultimate equalizer?
If it were the old me, I wouldn't have even dared to look him in the eye, let alone stand tall in his presence. But now? I didn't feel intimidated in the slightest.
In fact, come to think of it, I felt a little annoyed.
Does owning Mirae Group mean he can just snap his fingers and summon me whenever he wants?
…Of course, I greeted him politely.
He was still my artist's family member, after all.
I decided to show proper etiquette, treating him like any other guardian.
"I am Chanwoo Lim of Star Entertainment, the manager in charge of Hye-na Lee. It is an honor to meet Miss Hye-na Lee's guardian."
Upon hearing my greeting, a peculiar gleam flashed in the chairman's eyes.
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