"What? 40 million won?"
Kang Woojin couldn't hide his shock.
He had already been surprised when it was 30 million won, but now it had suddenly jumped by another 10 million. Something clearly felt strange. Why had it suddenly become like this?
Woojin wanted to ask bluntly.
But to CEO Choi Sunggeon, Woojin was a frightening kind of actor.
When Woojin asked about his value, CEO Choi simply smiled. Woojin still hadn't fully recovered from the shock, but he forced himself not to show it. In a low voice, he repeated the number.
"40 million won?"
"Yeah. It's possible, Woojin."
Woojin felt his sense of reality dulling.
Back when he worked at the design company, it took him an entire year to save 10 million won. Now that amount had disappeared in an instant.
It was unbelievable.
Still, Woojin forced himself to remain calm.
There was no reason to refuse.
'He misunderstood things on his own. I'm innocent.'
Now he just had to keep the conversation flowing naturally. Long explanations were unnecessary. A careless word could ruin the atmosphere.
'Every moment feels like walking on thin ice.'
No one noticed, but a fierce internal battle was raging inside Woojin's head as he carefully constructed the most composed response possible.
"I'm curious how that amount was decided."
CEO Choi Sunggeon folded his hands and began explaining calmly.
"…Actually, these days the trend is not to give signing bonuses. Some top stars even refuse signing bonuses and instead receive things like houses."
"I see."
"The same goes for rookie actors who build their reputation through a few successful films or dramas. When they move agencies after finishing their seven-year contracts that began during their trainee days, they often receive imported cars instead of signing bonuses."
"Yes. I'm generally aware of that."
"The key word is 'transfer.' Signing bonuses are usually paid when an artist transfers agencies. Whether actor or idol, it's rare for someone to receive one on their very first contract. Everyone starts as a trainee. If they show talent, they might receive a small allowance."
CEO Choi pointed toward Kang Woojin.
"But Woojin, you're a bit special. You're practically unknown, and you've only appeared in a single short film. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say there's no precedent for a case like yours. You understand that, right?"
"Please continue."
"But honestly speaking, to the public you're still basically an ordinary person. In this industry, money ultimately comes from recognition. If other agencies saw this signing bonus, they'd think we were crazy."
CEO Choi leaned back slightly.
"Your public recognition is essentially zero. But the people who saw you at the script reading are willing to invest. They saw your future."
Silence filled the room for a moment.
"In the end, what matters is recognition. Recognition from the industry or from the public."
CEO Choi paused.
"Woojin, your acting is incredible. It's been a long time since an actor's performance moved me."
Then he continued.
"Joining Profiler Hanryang after impressing the Director and the writer was a great decision. But the future in this industry is always uncertain."
"If Profiler Hanryang fails, your anonymity will continue. And since The Private Investigator is a short film, the general public probably won't have many chances to see it."
That wasn't wrong.
Only Kang Woojin knew hints about the future of those projects.
"If that happens, then the agencies that approached you—including me—would essentially be paying a 40 million won signing bonus to an ordinary person."
"Because of that uncertainty, no matter how incredible your acting is, other agencies wouldn't offer more than 40 or 50 million won. Some agencies would even need approval from their executives."
Ah.
Rejection really did sting.
Just as Woojin silently acknowledged that, CEO Choi opened the transparent file he had brought.
It was a contract.
"But honestly, the signing bonus isn't the important part here. It's just a token of appreciation for your acting."
He tapped a section of the contract with his finger.
"The real key is this."
"The distribution ratio and the contract period."
I see.
Woojin looked like he understood.
At the same time, a small urge to show off surfaced inside him.
'Use what Director Shin Dongchun said.'
Woojin lowered his voice.
"You won't need to invest money, time, or training in me."
CEO Choi nodded with a smile.
"Exactly. That's a huge advantage for any agency. Right now you probably wouldn't be satisfied with any agency's conditions. But once your career grows, you'll eventually need one."
"Yes."
"So I thought about it. What would Woojin want besides a signing bonus?"
CEO Choi slid the contract across the table.
"The typical profit split for an unknown actor who went through the trainee system is about 5:5 or 6:4."
"But Woojin, you're already a complete actor. In other words, the agency doesn't need to spend a single won on you."
He emphasized the next part.
"The split will be 9:1."
"Naturally, we take the 1."
"And the contract period is one year."
These were extremely aggressive terms.
CEO Choi added calmly.
"To put it simply, this is a preview of what BW Entertainment is like."
"After one year, you can decide whether to renew or not. What do you think?"
Woojin lowered his gaze to the contract.
"Please explain the contract details."
Meanwhile, at the filming set of Profiler Hanryang.
The set was divided into several sections and was nearing completion.
PD Song Manwoo was inspecting various parts carefully.
"Can't you hear that sound here? It's creaking."
At that moment—
♬♪
His phone rang.
After checking the caller, PD Song Manwoo answered casually.
"Ah, Chief Choi. Did you see the actor from the script reading?"
A man's voice came through the phone.
It was Chief Choi from the major film production company Box Movies.
"Yes, I saw him well. PD, do you happen to know Kang Woojin's contact information?"
"The guy who turned the script reading room upside down. Could you give me his number?"
"My number?"
"Yes. I gave him my business card during the script reading, but he hasn't contacted me for a week."
"He must have seen the production company name. This has never happened before."
PD Song Manwoo grinned.
"Well, he's not the type to move just because he hears a big name. He's pretty stubborn."
"But it's not exactly easy for me to hand over his number."
"I've been busy."
"I doubt he's ignoring Box Movies. There must be some reason."
Then PD Song Manwoo suddenly remembered something.
Box Movies contacting Kang Woojin…
Wasn't a famous Director starting a new project with them?
He recalled a recent article.
One of the country's master Directors had begun production with Box Movies.
Putting the timing together, the answer became clear.
'Are they trying to hook Kang Woojin?'
That seemed very likely.
If Kang Woojin joined that Director's film…
Then that project would become something extraordinary.
PD Song Manwoo smiled.
"If you're in such a hurry, should I ask Woojin for you?"
Several dozen minutes later.
Back at BW Entertainment.
Kang Woojin and CEO Choi Sunggeon sat facing each other in a meeting room.
CEO Choi was enthusiastically explaining the contract terms.
Meanwhile, Woojin quietly observed him.
'This whole situation is tangled with several misunderstandings.'
'Hong Hyeyeon's influence probably played a role too.'
She must have exerted considerable influence.
If that were the case, Woojin would never receive these conditions from another agency.
Thinking about it carefully, there really were no better terms than BW Entertainment's.
At least in Woojin's eyes.
What he needed was experience.
And a 9:1 split with a one-year contract.
This agency contract felt almost tailor-made for him.
'It's good to have someone I know there.'
'And with Hong Hyeyeon involved, even better.'
The entertainment industry was unfamiliar territory for Woojin. Joining an unfamiliar agency would only double the burden.
Since he had to operate within a fixed structure anyway, it was better to choose somewhere he felt comfortable.
Without CEO Choi noticing, Kang Woojin made his decision.
About ten minutes later, Choi Sunggeon finished his explanation.
"What do you think? I promise I'll do my best."
…
Woojin remained silent.
After about a minute, he spoke.
"CEO, may I add two conditions?"
"…Let me hear them."
"First, don't ask about my past."
"Second, I will only participate in projects I choose."
"Your past… Hyeyeon gave me a rough idea."
"As for projects, are you saying I shouldn't suggest any?"
"No. I want the final decision."
In other words—
He wanted authority over project selection.
CEO Choi didn't seem bothered.
"Both are possible. We can add them to the contract."
The moment he heard that, Kang Woojin extended his hand.
"I look forward to working with you."
CEO Choi's eyes widened slightly as he shook Woojin's hand.
"So you're signing the contract?"
"Yes."
CEO Choi burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Alright, alright. It's been a long time since I felt this happy."
He handed over the revised contract.
"Welcome to BW Entertainment as our second actor."
Kang Woojin signed.
That was the moment he officially joined an agency.
At the same time, Woojin pulled out a business card.
"I received this card during the script reading."
"It says to contact them, but it's not an agency. It's a film production company."
Choi Sunggeon's smile widened.
"Wow. I didn't expect work to come immediately after signing."
"Let's see… which company?"
Then his eyes widened.
"Box Movies?"
Box Movies was a major production company.
Choi flipped the card over.
"Chief Choi Domin… the production PD at Box Movies."
Then something clicked.
"Ah. Director Woo Hyungu."
"You know him, right? One of the master Directors in this country."
"He's making his next film with Box Movies."
Choi looked at Woojin seriously.
"Woojin. I think you should meet him."
"No—actually, you must."
At that moment—
Bzzzz.
Woojin's phone rang.
The caller was PD Song Manwoo.
Woojin answered.
"Yes, PD."
"Woojin, you received a card from Box Movies, right?"
"Yes. But how did you know?"
"Chief Choi called me asking for your number."
"I told him I couldn't give it, so I said I'd ask you instead."
The timing was perfect.
"Woojin, I know you'll handle things well."
"But it wouldn't hurt to meet people from a film production company at least once."
"They're a big company."
"Yes. I'll contact them."
"Alright."
Click.
After the call ended, Woojin relayed the message.
Choi Sunggeon immediately picked up his phone.
"I'll call Chief Choi right now."
Moments later—
"What? You want to see him right now?"
Two hours later.
Around lunchtime.
At Box Movies.
The company occupied floors seven through nine of a building in Nonhyeon-dong. The hallways were filled with movie posters from films produced by Box Movies.
Kang Woojin and Choi Sunggeon sat in a meeting room on the eighth floor.
Woojin quietly examined the posters.
Then—
"He's late."
Choi Sunggeon tapped the desk, slightly irritated.
Thirty minutes had passed since the scheduled meeting time.
Then—
Creak.
The glass door opened.
A short man entered.
Chief Choi Domin.
"Haha, sorry. Something urgent came up."
Kang Woojin kept a calm expression.
'That line again.'
'I heard it all the time at the design company.'
'It's practically PTSD.'
After brief greetings, Choi Domin smiled.
"So we finally meet, Kang Woojin."
"I've been waiting."
"I had a shoot."
"Oh really? Still, it took quite a while."
"I started thinking a rookie actor was ignoring me."
Even though he smiled, irritation was obvious.
He placed a stack of documents on the table.
"I already told the Director everything, but I nearly got scolded because I couldn't reach you."
Choi Sunggeon asked carefully.
"The Director you mentioned… is that Director Woo Hyungu?"
Choi Domin straightened proudly.
"That's right. Director Woo Hyungu."
"It's already public anyway."
"Woojin, you'll need to audition."
"But from the acting I saw, I'm confident you'll stand out."
He pushed the documents forward.
"Here's the script. Take a look."
Woojin casually picked it up.
Choi Sunggeon's mind raced.
If Woojin joined Director Woo Hyungu's film right after Profiler Hanryang…
The impact would be enormous.
Choi Domin continued confidently.
"Funding isn't an issue."
"Investors are lining up because it's Director Woo Hyungu's next film."
Woojin flipped through the script calmly.
Choi Sunggeon leaned closer and whispered.
"Woojin, this is an opportunity you must grab."
"A rookie would never get a chance like this."
"Really?"
"Of course. It's Director Woo Hyungu."
Woojin replied flatly.
"Yes. Please reject it."