Chapter 23: I shot it.
“Get up, man.”
When Oh Seok shook Kyungmin’s shoulder, he got up without even opening his eyes. It smells like ramen. After eating so much of it as a snack yesterday, it’s ramen again.
“……Senior, you’ll get sick if you keep doing that.”
“It’s better than starving to death. I have a class soon. Eat quickly and go before the kids arrive. It’s already two o’clock. Two o’clock.”
Kyungmin, who was just holding his chopsticks blankly, scratched his head and looked around. The drinking session from the previous day was gone, and so was Muyoung.
‘Was it a dream?’
“It wasn’t a dream. Muyoung cleaned up early in the morning and left. He must be busy with assignments and stuff.”
“You can read minds too, sir.”
“It just happens naturally when you get older.”
He also brought a hangover drink to say thanks for letting him stay. What a nice guy. Kyungmin muttered as he wiped his face.
“It doesn’t feel real.”
A rookie who wants to join Big Win Entertainment. One who has both looks and talent! It was the first time this had happened in the company’s three years of existence.
“The people at the company will be happy. He’s a newbie.”
“I guess so? Everyone’s going to flip out. Haha.”
There are currently two actors under contract. They were both founding members who had been with the company since its inception, thanks to the CEO’s connections. Kyungmin hesitated as he was about to eat the ramen.
“But, do you think that guy might be mistaken about something?”
“What?”
“The unit of the signing bonus. Or maybe he doesn’t know much about the situation here yet…….”
When he recalled the smile he had when he received the business card, it seemed possible. He was so pure that it raised doubts. Why Sealing? Of all places? Why?
“He knew well. Two small ones.”
Two million won. It’s a lot of money in a way, but in this industry, it’s an amount that’s only applicable to child actors.
“He wasn’t confused.”
If that’s the case, it’s even more incomprehensible. Of course, as a company employee, it’s a welcome development. But as a ‘failed actor’ senior…… it’s appropriate to go to Sealing. Noticing his anguish, Oh Seok tapped the bowl with his chopsticks.
“Do you have so little confidence in the company?”
“It’s not so much a confidence issue, but—”
“I asked him this morning. I asked if it was because of me.”
“Because of you, senior?”
He’s an acquaintance of the director, so he wondered if he had expressed his intention to sign a contract out of a lighthearted desire or a wish to repay a favor. But contrary to his concerns, Muyoung’s answer had its own criteria.
Criteria that he didn’t understand at all.
“It’s absolutely not that. He said he likes your impression because it’s so sparkly.”
“……I’ve never heard that in my life.”
“I thought the kid was still drunk too. Also, among the management, you’re the only one he talked about ‘acting’ with.”
Just signing bonuses, ratios, conditions, or promises to make him a star, etc.
It was an important conversation, but for Muyoung, that wasn’t the essence.
It was the sincerity of ‘acting’ itself.
To truly live the life of a character, a higher level of acting ability was required. It required his own effort, but the surrounding environment was also important.
“More than anything, he said it would be good for you to be his manager so he could practice his lines.”
At Oh Seok’s playful remark, Kyungmin bit his lip firmly. It was somehow touching.
It was the first time someone saw him in such a good light, and it had been a while since he’d met someone who was pure passion itself.
“I haven’t seen the contract yet, but judging by the atmosphere, it seems like it’ll go ahead if there are no major issues. The company will probably say okay too, right?”
“Of course. The people at the company will carry him around.”
“Even though he looks dumb, he’s got a good instinct.”
It was a web drama that no one paid attention to. Whether it gained popularity thanks to Muyoung or whether Muyoung rode that wave, he didn’t know…… but either way, it was a solid hit.
“He’s got a good eye too.”
An essential element in an actor’s success is the ‘ability to choose a project.’ No matter how hard you act, what’s the point if people don’t watch?
“Really?”
“By the way, before the meeting with the company, can I review the contract? He asked me to look it over because he said he didn’t have anyone to do that for him. I’m worried about him because he’s my student.”
“Sure. We don’t play around with stuff like that.”
The epitome of a standard contract.
That was one thing he could be confident about. Rather, because the company itself had no merits, they offered much better terms.
“Then, should I send it here first?”
“Yeah. I’ll look at it and pass it on.”
After finishing that conversation, Kyungmin felt a sudden hunger. The relief that everything was real and the anticipation for the future. He called the company as he ate the soggy ramen.
[We’ve cast a rookie. It’s Ha Muyoung, the high school student from the first episode of the web drama Late Night Pocha. He said he wants to review the contract before the meeting, so please prepare it.]
A few days later.
Muyoung had been holed up in a corner of the campus cafe for hours. A table piled with major prints, assignments, and the Big Win Entertainment contract. It was the first time he realized that the library was full during exam period.
-Muyoung, I’ve looked at it, and it’s very clean, with no toxic clauses. The terms are also quite generous, about 70-30 for a rookie, which is usually 50-50. Of course, you’re the 70. But it would be good to shorten the contract period by cutting out the training.
Toxic clauses literally meant clauses that were poisonous to actors. Things like having to pay assistant fees while working on a project, or the contract period being too long, etc.
-Honestly, are you going to get plastic surgery or more training or something?
Aspirants or rookies have a lot to invest in, so the period was calculated with that in mind. On average, it’s about five to seven years. But Muyoung was planning to work on a project right away, so there was room for negotiation.
“Hmm.”
Recalling Oh Seok’s words, Muyoung scrutinized the contract carefully. The content had already been organized once by the teacher. As he said, the contract period had been revised to three years.
‘You’ve adjusted it well.’
No matter how many times he read it, there was nothing to criticize. Muyoung held the contract up to the light and shook it lightly.
Whoosh—
“It’s beautiful.”
Just like when he saw the web drama announcement, flower petals were emanating from the paper. What a strange phenomenon, but it happens every time he looks. He’s finally found the perfect place!
“Are you busy, Muyoung?”
It was then.
A man suddenly pulled out the chair in front of him and sat down. Along with the radiant flower petals, black smog rippled.
“It’s exam period.”
It was Park Moonchul. His face was still not visible. Muyoung drank the rest of his green tea latte and answered.
“That’s why you weren’t answering your calls?”
Yes. That’s what we call blocking.
Muyoung just smiled brightly. It was quite annoying to be constantly asked to meet.
“How did you know I was here?”
“Uh, by chance.”
By chance? Really?
He had no idea how they found out. Muyoung decided to make it absolutely clear, since words and calls weren’t working. Loud and clear! No!
“I’m sorry you came all this way, but my mind hasn’t changed.”
He meant he wouldn’t sign with Sealing.
Park Moonchul crossed his legs and watched Muyoung quietly. His expression was invisible.
“Are you disappointed with the signing bonus?”
“Um, not really. I’m thinking about another place.”
“Another place? Where?”
“Big Win Entertainment.”
“Big Win? Big Win……?”
He seemed to have no idea, no matter how hard he tried to remember.
He tapped the table with his fingers.
“That’s strange. In the industry, there’s no place that offers as much as we do.”
“There is. I really like it.”
“Muyoung, I don’t usually say this kind of thing because everyone makes wise choices. There was no need to go this far.”
When Sealing makes an offer, what rookie would refuse?
“I’ll match their signing bonus. I’ll maximize the settlement ratio too. If you’ve already signed, I’ll even pay the penalty.”
This had never happened in Park Moonchul’s casting history. At first, he was captivated by Muyoung’s charm, then it turned into longing, and now it was gradually becoming stubbornness.
“It’s okay.”
But Muyoung didn’t budge. Park Moonchul sighed and adjusted his eyebrows. How could he react like this when he’s gone this far?! Why?!
“……You have to make the right choice. You’ll regret it.”
Muyoung couldn’t see it, but Park Moonchul’s expression in the mirror on the wall was hardening.
No matter how much potential he saw, he was just a rookie who had debuted with a web drama. Wasn’t this going too far?
“Regret?”
Muyoung blinked and asked again.
His tone was annoying, and he wondered what he meant.
“An agency is so important to an actor. Depending on the company, your acting career could be determined at any time. No matter how good you are, you might not even get picked by a broadcaster.”
“……Oh!”
“Why do you think we recruit broadcasters and writers? Big Win Entertainment, you said? Hmm. In my opinion, if you go there, you’ll just be running around for the whole contract period.”
It was a pretty threatening statement.
Muyoung put down his cup and stared at him. It was funny. The guy was consumed by smog.
‘Now I get it.’
He understood why smoke came out of his mouth.
He was a man who sinned with his mouth. The evil energy inside him must have built up after doing so many things that constrained him.
“Manager, you know.”
Muyoung rummaged through his bag and found a small pouch. It was a pouch containing a bankbook and a stamp. He always carried it with him because he couldn’t leave it lying around in the dorm.
“I don’t think now’s the time for you to worry about me.”
Then Muyoung took out the stamp and tapped the contract. He wanted him to see it clearly.
“I’ll take care of myself. Manager, you should just think about yourself.”
Then he pressed down firmly—
Muyoung stamped the Big Win Entertainment contract.