"Get up, you punk."
Jeong O-seok shook Go Kyung-min's shoulder, and he hauled himself upright without even opening his eyes. The smell of instant ramen hit the air. They'd scarfed down so much of it as a drinking snack last night, and now more ramen?
"...Hyung, you're gonna get sick like that."
"Better than starving to death. We've got class soon, right? Eat up before the kids get here. It's already two. Two o'clock."
Kyung-min clutched his chopsticks in a daze, scratching his head and glancing around. The drinking party from last night had vanished without a trace. No sign of Moo-young either.
Was it a dream?
"Not a dream. Moo-young cleaned up early this morning and headed out. Guess he's swamped with assignments and stuff."
"You read minds now too?"
"Comes naturally with age."
He'd even left a hangover drink behind as thanks for letting him crash. What a thoughtful kid.
Kyung-min rubbed his face and muttered, "It still doesn't feel real."
A rookie dying to join Big Win Entertainment. And one with both the looks and the talent! It was the first time in the three years since the agency started.
"The company folks are gonna love it. He's a total newbie."
"Yeah, they'll all flip out. Haha."
The agency currently had just two actors under contract, both original members who'd stuck with the boss from day one thanks to his connections.
Kyung-min paused mid-slurp of ramen. "But... you think that kid's maybe misunderstanding something?"
"Like what?"
"The signing bonus amount. Or maybe he doesn't know the industry yet..."
That smile he'd flashed while taking the business card made it plausible. He was so pure it actually raised suspicions. Why pass on Sealing of all places?
"He knows fine. Two small ones."
Two million won. Big money in some ways, but in this business, it was chump change—barely enough for a child actor.
"No confusion then."
Which made it even more baffling. Of course, as a company employee, it was welcome news. But as a "failed actor" senior...
Shouldn't he head to Sealing? O-seok caught the turmoil in his eyes and tapped the bowl with his chopsticks.
"No confidence in the agency?"
"It's not about confidence, more like—"
"I asked him this morning. If it was because of me."
"Because of you, hyung?"
Since the director was his connection. Maybe he'd expressed interest lightly, or to repay a favor. But against expectations, Moo-young had his own reasons.
Reasons that made zero sense.
"Absolutely not. He said your vibe is just so sparkly and bright."
"...First time anyone's ever said that to me."
"I thought the kid was still drunk too. And out of all the management talk, you're the only one he mentioned for acting."
All anyone else offered was signing bonuses, profit splits, terms, or promises to make him a star. Important stuff, sure, but not the core for Moo-young.
It was sincerity toward acting.
To truly live as a character, you needed top-tier skills. Personal effort mattered, but so did the environment.
"Plus, he said it'd be great for script practice with you as his manager."
Kyung-min bit his lip at O-seok's teasing finish. It was touching. No one had ever thought so highly of him, and it had been ages since he'd met someone with such pure passion.
"Haven't seen the contract yet, but the vibe says it'll go through unless something crazy happens. Company'll approve for sure."
"Of course. They'll carry him around on their shoulders."
"Kid seems naive, but he's got killer instincts."
A web drama no one cared about. Whether Moo-young made it blow up or just rode the wave, it was a solid home run either way.
"Good eye too."
Spotting the right projects was key to an actor's success. No point in giving your all if no one watches.
"Really?"
"Hey, before the company meeting, mind if I review the contract? He asked me since no one else checks that stuff for him. He's my student, so I care."
"Go ahead. We don't mess around with that."
It was textbook standard contract. They could even afford generous terms since the agency itself had little to gain.
"Should I send it over first?"
"Yeah. I'll pass it on after."
Conversation wrapped, Kyung-min felt a sudden hunger pang. Relief that it was all real, excitement for what lay ahead. He shoveled the swollen ramen while texting the company.
Kyung-minWe've cast a rookie. Ha Moo-young, the high schooler from episode 1 of the web drama Hanbam Pochah. He wants to review the contract before the meeting, so get it ready.* * *
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇A few days later, Moo-young had been holed up in a corner of the campus café for hours. The table overflowed with major printouts, assignments, and the Big Win Entertainment contract. He'd just learned how packed the library got during exams.
Moo-young-ah. Checked it out—no poison pills, super clean. Newbie splits are usually 5:5, but this is generous at 7:3. You're the 7, of course. Just cut the training period to shorten the contract length."Poison clauses" meant actor-killers like deducting assistant fees from gigs or overly long terms.
Agencies figured rookies needed investment—plastic surgery, extra training—so they set terms at 5-7 years on average.
But Moo-young was jumping straight into work, so there was room to negotiate.
"Hmm."
Moo-young recalled O-seok's advice and scrutinized the contract. It was already revised once by his teacher.
As suggested, the term was now three years.
They're accommodating.
No flaws no matter how many times he read it. Moo-young held the contract to the light and gave it a light shake.
Shhh—
"Pretty."
Just like when he'd seen the web drama posting, flower pollen wafted from the paper. A phenomenon that never failed to amaze.
Finally found the perfect fit!
"Busy? Moo-young?"
Right then, a man pulled out the chair opposite and sat. Black smog rippled alongside the fading pollen.
"Exam period."
It was Park Mun-cheol. Still couldn't see his face.
Moo-young slurped the last of his green tea latte and replied.
"That's why I couldn't get hold of you?"
Yeah. Straight-up blocking.
Moo-young just smiled sweetly.
Constant "let's meet" texts were a pain.
"How'd you find me here?"
"Eh. Coincidence."
Coincidence? Really? No clue how he'd tracked him down.
Moo-young decided to nail it shut for good. Texts and calls hadn't worked, so straight-up!
No!
"Sorry you came all this way. My mind's made up."
Meaning no Sealing contract. Park Mun-cheol crossed his legs and stared silently. No readable expression.
"Regretting the signing bonus?"
"Nah. Thinking somewhere else."
"Somewhere else? Where?"
"Big Win Enter."
"Big Win? Big Win...?"
Nuance of utter cluelessness. He drummed the table with his fingers.
"Weird. No one in the industry matches our offers."
"Found one. Perfect fit."
"Listen, Moo-young. I don't usually go this far. Everyone makes smart choices—no need to drag it out."
Who turns down Sealing?
"I'll match the bonus. Max out the profit split. If you already signed, we'll cover the penalty."
Unprecedented in Park Mun-cheol's casting history. First captivated by Moo-young's charm, then desire, now stubborn pride.
"I'm good."
Moo-young didn't budge. Park Mun-cheol sighed, rubbing his brow.
After all this effort! Why!
"...Choose wisely. You'll regret it."
Moo-young missed it, but the mirror on the wall showed Park's face hardening.
A web drama rookie throwing his hat in the ring. Possibility or not, this was over the line.
"Regret?"
Moo-young blinked innocently, the tone grating—what did he mean?
"An agency dictates an actor's career. Sometimes the company decides if you even get picked up. No matter how good you are, stations might ignore you."
"...Aha!"
"Why do we recruit PDs and writers? Big Win, huh? Doubt it. You'll just be spinning wheels the whole contract."
Heavy veiled threat. Moo-young set down his cup and stared.
Ridiculous. Smog-eaten fool.
Now I get it.
Why the smog poured from his mouth. This guy sinned with words. The evil choking him meant mountains of misdeeds.
"Director."
Moo-young rummaged in his bag for a small pouch—bankbook, seal, essentials. Couldn't leave them in the dorm.
"You shouldn't worry about me."
He pulled out the seal and tapped the contract.
Look closely.
"I'll handle myself. You do you."
Then—thunk.
Moo-young stamped the Big Win Entertainment contract.
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Read 156 more chapters ahead on NovelDex!
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