episode_0082

KJ Entertainment was a large entertainment agency in South Korea, not as dominant as PM, but expected to surpass PM in the near future. They were considered a major entertainment planning agency with the potential to lead the entertainment industry.

The recent girl idol group Aegis, which captured the hearts of teenagers and young adults, was a product of KJ Entertainment.

The popularity of Aegis was truly remarkable. Three out of the four songs released simultaneously topped the charts, making Aegis almost synonymous with girl idols in South Korea.

The motto of KJ Entertainment was “Every girl is an idol.”

Their founding principle and company casting policy was that even ordinary girls could have the potential to become idols.

Therefore, in addition to regular auditions and SNS casting, they personally scouted potential future idols to confirm their talent firsthand.

While the expanded internet world and audition programs played a significant role in talent recruitment, there were still many girls living without realizing they could be someone’s light and beacon.

“One Grande size and one plain yogurt smoothie, please.”

“Got it, your order is taken.”

Yes, the girl with olive-colored hair that brightened up this spacious cafe with its cheerful light was one of the hidden gems waiting to be discovered on the sandy beach.

Although the casting manager, Kwon Hanguil, wanted to shout “Eureka! I found her!” in excitement, he restrained his emotions to maintain a calm demeanor.

There were many pretty girls out there, and casting managers often misjudged them. Some looked fine on the surface but faltered when engaged in conversation. In severe cases, they might already be trainees under another company.

While there were ways to entice them with better conditions or even poach them, industry ethics prevented such actions. In those cases, one had to step back with tears in their eyes.

“Could you please return the card? It’s right here in front of you.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, my apologies.”

However, this girl was different. Regardless of her affiliation, she felt the need to take her to the headquarters and show her to the experts.

Their conversation was ordinary, but her voice was incredibly charming. It was a voice that could captivate people, making them willing to serve her after just a minute of conversation.

The cafe part-timer who engaged in conversation with her and the onlookers who witnessed their interaction falling for her could be considered a perfect example.

A casting manager should not be embarrassed. Rejection was part of the job, and sometimes they were mistaken for suspicious individuals. However, they should not hesitate or waver. That’s why Hanguil moved forward.

Moving forward,

“Hello. I’m sorry for sitting down suddenly and startling you.”

He approached a flower wandering around the garden and spoke.

“Yes.”

A candid response, without hiding any emotions. Nowadays, people preferred genuine individuals over those who feigned innocence. Fans could tell if an entertainer genuinely enjoyed their work or simply smiled for money.

“Oh, you’re the honest type. That’s very good. So… could you please take a look at this business card first?”

Hanguil handed her the business card without flinching. Everything about him was contained in the small card placed on the table.

It was rare for someone to offer a business card like this. Due to the high reputation of KJ Entertainment, many people tried to take advantage of it.

Some girls who entered with the right mindset couldn’t withstand the pressure and left, leaving negative reviews about KJ Entertainment online. He had experienced it a few times already.

“Could we have a brief conversation? I’m interested in casting students.”

But for this girl, the business card comes first. As a manager responsible for long street casting, his intuition was shouting out that this girl would be okay.

If he were to be rejected coldly, he would be rejected, and such messy situations would never happen.

“No?”

Yes, that’s how it goes.

In response to the lukewarm reaction, Kwon Hanguil’s mind cleared up as if a cleaner had been run through it.

There were plenty of things he wanted to say, but his thoughts became distant, as if a pet cat had turned off the computer he was working on.

“Uh, um.”

His language skills had deteriorated to the point where he could hardly be considered a veteran casting manager. Feeling the girl’s sharp gaze, Kwon Hanguil attempted to reboot his thought process, but the girl’s mental barrier was faster.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in being an idol. And I hope you’ll make way for my friend who will be coming soon.”

Kwon Hanguil’s hand quickly retrieved the business card. The business card didn’t fit in his wallet as usual. In the end, he impatiently folded the business card in half and roughly stuffed it into his wallet before getting up from his seat.

“I apologize for bothering you.”

But can he just leave like this? Shouldn’t he at least find out if she is affiliated with another company?

If the girl who rejected Kwon Hanguil were to join another company, it could be a significant loss for the company as a whole. If KJ Entertainment couldn’t have her, then no other company should either. She should be left as a public good.

“By any chance, are you a trainee affiliated with somewhere?”

The girl blinked her jade-colored eyes and hesitated to answer. It seemed like she was deeply contemplating something, as it showed on her face for a moment.

“I’m not a trainee affiliated with any company, nor am I a current idol. I appreciate the offer, but I have my main job. I’m sorry.”

Although the trouble was caused by Kwon Hanguil, the girl either didn’t know or didn’t care, bowing her head deeply. Looking at her flowing hair, Kwon Hanguil’s heart ached.

Why should this girl be the one to apologize? No, leaving that aside, isn’t she too pure and kind? To corrupt such talent. It’s nothing short of a disaster for humanity.

Kwon Hanguil took out a new business card from his wallet and placed it on the table. He had to step back, but he had to leave room for future possibilities.

“If you ever change your mind, please contact me. I’ll be waiting. Thank you for listening, then.”

After giving a 90-degree bow that he wouldn’t even give to the CEO, Kwon Hanguil coolly left his seat.

Approach with stickiness, but leave coolly when departing. That was the virtue of a casting manager affiliated with KJ Entertainment and the company’s guideline.

*

Watching the man leave, I looked at the business card in my hand again.

“KJ… It feels like I’ve heard of it somewhere.”

Thinking about searching the internet to see if it’s famous, Siwoo’s urgent messages arrived one after another.

— Jung Siwoo: Almost there

— Jung Siwoo: Ready

Oh no, already.

I roughly shoved the business card into my handbag and turned my gaze out the window. The drinks hadn’t arrived yet because the place was busy, but it wouldn’t matter even if the vibrating pager went off in the middle.

I didn’t have the courage to go inside the café where Baek Cheong was. Even though I could speak harshly, I was just a fifteen-year-old girl.

Oh, there he is.

Siwoo appeared across the street and waved his hand at me by the window. I smiled widely and waved back at him.

‘Let’s act as usual. Just like usual…’

To let Baek Cheong know of his certain defeat, I could do any acting. Even when I first told Siwoo the outline of the plan, I was already prepared for such determination.

“Just think as usual.”

“Will that be enough?”

“It’s sufficient. You know how I look when I face Baek Cheong.”

“True.”

However, after listening to Siwoo’s words, I realized how we usually treat each other. We casually chat and joke around like twins, but to others, it feels completely different.

The way Jung Siwoo treated Baek Cheongha? It was like a stone Buddha. To be precise, he was barely suppressing feelings of disgust, with an indifferent expression on his face.

It’s no wonder he was tormented even though it’s not something he enjoys. Who would enjoy being whipped? You have to give a carrot along with the stick.

I kept caring for my one and only younger sister, but getting whipped made me gradually angry.

…No. Upon further thought, maybe it was a blessing in disguise that Baek Cheongha didn’t know how to use the carrot and stick strategy.

Jung Siwoo is an easier man than I thought, so he might have actually accepted the professor’s proposal.

The thought that my future in 3 years might not be death, but marriage to Baek Cheongha, is more terrifying than death itself.

Creak, the automatic door opened. Siwoo walked in and comfortably sat in front of me. I carefully examined the clothes of the seated man.

A t-shirt without a single wrinkle, a jacket that’s not worn unless it’s a concert, and a slim-fit pair of pants that he doesn’t have many of. It may look the same as usual, but this is a carefully planned outfit.

Of course, Siwoo usually sticks to hoodies and jeans. Wearing a jacket means it’s not the usual Siwoo.

He even casually slipped his hands into his pockets.

“Did you put some effort into your outfit today?”

I complimented Siwoo for trying to create a date-like atmosphere, and it led to a huge storm.

“Even from a distance, I felt it, you look like an idol today.”

“Cough, cough. Cough. Kaboom….”

I coughed reflexively.

An explosion occurred, and half of the fireworks factory flew away.