Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: KS Entertainment
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Just as I stopped my sloppy boxing and was about to watch some YouTube, a text came in from the FM coach.
[Do you know the actor Cheon Tae-seong? He's not the type to praise anyone, but he's practically worshipping his own agency. It's KS Entertainment. Think it over and text me back.]
He said he'd look into agencies for me, and sure enough, he moved fast.
But I still had zero filmography, and the movie hadn't even started shooting yet.
I wondered if they'd take me on with just a supporting role landed through auditions...
Still, since the coach went to all this trouble, I figured I'd at least check it out.
'...Let's trust all the business cards I've collected so far.'
There were places that wanted me based on looks alone, so no need to get cold feet.
But... who was Cheon Tae-seong?
The way the FM coach said it, like I should obviously know him, meant he must be a huge actor.
If KS Entertainment took me in, he could end up being a colleague, and since he'd debut way before me, I should at least know the basics.
'No, wait—it's not KS taking me in; it's them coming to recruit me.'
No need to shatter my self-esteem when I should be building it up.
I searched Cheon Tae-seong on the all-knowing green window app.
He'd starred in a whopping 18 movies alone.
Adding dramas and variety shows, he had the kind of career that earned him the title of industry senior.
Known as a reliable actor, he seemed to be on a hiatus lately due to marriage buzz.
Being able to uncover someone's entire personal life from your seat was a creepy thought.
But someday, if I blew up, I'd face the same.
That's just how the entertainment world worked.
It'd be full of people digging into everything, even the color of my underwear.
Lots of haters leaving nasty comments, slamming me for no reason.
But after 12 years as a nobody, I knew indifference was scarier than hate comments.
Hate fans are fans too, after all.
While digging into Cheon Tae-seong, I tapped his Stargram account...
12 million followers. Wow.
Enough digging.
Even haters are fine—just follow me, someone, please.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [...Nonhyeon-dong?]
[Yeah, close to your place, right, Winter?]
[Sure is. Thanks anyway. I'll buy you a meal sometime.]
[No worries. It's one of our perks.]
That damn "perk" talk wasn't even getting old anymore.
Anyway, I got KS Entertainment's address from the coach.
Who was I kidding? I was a proud Nonhyeon-dong resident.
Owner of a moldy semi-basement studio renting for 500,000 won a month.
And yet, I'd hustled in logistics, construction gigs, delivery—whatever it took.
Somehow ending up filling my belly with triangle kimbap and cola was all explained here.
Move out as soon as I make money! I'd resolved that 12 years ago.
Now I was the ghost haunting this semi-basement one-room.
Of course, not all of Seoul was like this.
For 500k, you could snag a decent above-ground studio fit for human habitation.
But I was stuck on Nonhyeon-dong.
It was the perfect hub—studios, agencies, distributors, production companies all branching out from here.
Sinsa, Cheongdam, Apgujeong, Yeoksam, Gangnam.
Nothing within walking distance? Nope.
Live on the outskirts, get a sudden meeting? Taxi time.
A few rides like that, and your monthly cab bill exceeds rent.
It was my meticulously calculated residential strategy.
See? Nonhyeon-dong meant I could walk to the company.
Round-trip transit saved already.
And that wasn't all.
Atelier was in Sinsa-dong—walkable too.
More savings there.
'Though... I've been taking cabs a lot lately for someone so strategic...'
Anyway, Nonhyeon-dong was non-negotiable.
And I couldn't afford to upgrade anyway.
So I roomed with my buddy Pang.
Even that was temporary.
Once movie shooting kicked off and real money flowed, first thing: new place.
Maybe the agency would hook me up with a car...?
They wouldn't make a rookie actress who barely snagged a supporting role ride the subway, right? Issuing me a T-money card and calling it a day?
Sudden anxiety hit. I pulled out all the business cards I'd collected.
A thick stack, over 20 cards.
Like hoarding Chinese takeout coupons—reassuring as hell.
Why carry them around like this?
They were my confidence boost.
Pulling out the ones I'd tossed in a drawer yesterday calmed my nerves.
Hesitated on bringing them, but here we were.
Stroked the cards and pocketed them again.
I wasn't some chaebol throwing money at talismans.
Shamanism was all about belief anyway, right?
I just petted these cards for peace of mind.
Admiring how I'd hustled this many.
Confidence restored, negativity shaken off, I headed to the address.
"...This is it?"
Fit for a top actor's agency, huh.
It was massive, majestic—like a skyscraper from a tech giant like the Green Window or Ohseong.
The gleaming floor-to-ceiling glass and massive "KS" logo caught the eye.
No idea why KS, but slapped on that big, it looked loaded with meaning.
Would a place like this really take someone like me...?
My card-fueled confidence plummeted.
The FM coach had texted a number: arrive at the lobby, message it.
Some intern would come down, issue a visitor pass, guide me.
Texted—and instant reply: coming down now.
Even the response speed felt intimidating.
Everyone in the lobby sneaking glances at me.
Full-on cafe in here... thought it was a broadcast station.
The whole building seemed to be bullying me.
'D-don't get intimidated.'
I'm the one bringing money to this agency. They're the ones recruiting me.
Pretended not to notice, fiddled with my phone innocently.
Opened and closed the green window, YouTube—same.
Accidentally tapped Stargram, nearly cracked my poker face, but held it together.
About five minutes.
Felt like fifty. Then a call from that number.
"Where are you right now?"
"Uh... over there on the corner chair."
"Found y— whoa... holy crap."
"...?"
A staffer who looked perfectly intern-like—kinda spacey—guided me to the 8th floor.
We arrived at the CEO's office.
An agency owning a building like this.
Even a director-level meeting would make my heart explode—CEO? No way.
If the goal was to crush a rookie's spirit, mission accomplished.
My mentality was crumbling like snacks.
Wonder if I could even speak properly to the CEO.
Might just stammer and get kicked out.
Knock knock—
"Yes."
"Actress Jeong Gyeowol is here."
"Come in."
The staffer opened the door and grinned.
"This way, actress."
"... "
The spacey intern was pushing my back with a smile.
No backing out now.
Might as well go in without looking weak.
Hardened my expression and stepped inside.
A burly, bold-faced man in a chair looked up from his tablet and stood.
"Thanks for coming. I'm KS CEO Kim Seul-ong."
"Ah... yes, hello. I'm Jeong Gyeowol."
"Have a seat there. Tea? Coffee?"
"N-no, I'm good."
In this vibe, I'd probably spew or choke if I drank anything. Politely declined.
CEO Kim Seul-ong sat across, still holding the tablet.
Wonder if it had some scorecard or whatever.
Glanced at the screen—my face was on it.
I'd braced for a scolding like, "You think we'll scout you on looks alone?!"
"Hmm... No need for us to build you up—you'll become a star on your own."
"Ah... Pardon?"
What, ex-shaman? Face reader?
"Seoul Action School raves about you as their most passionate top talent."
"Oh, th-that's too much praise."
My face heated up. Ears probably red too.
FM coach had spilled the beans.
No clue what he told Cheon Tae-seong, but it must've been huge.
I figured I was the school's most absurd injury case.
"Slow and steady? Or quick and done?"
"...Quick?"
Answered before even knowing what he meant.
"We match. Fast it is. Signing bonus: 5 million. Split: 9.5 to 0.5. Sound good?"
Charging like a bulldozer with busted brakes.
Signing bonus: 5 million won.
Insane for a rookie. I'd prostrate myself in thanks.
But 9.5 : 0.5 split?
Only 5% of earnings? Too harsh.
I'm not some trainee...
Sorry to FM coach and Cheon Tae-seong, but maybe pass on KS...
"That was my ace in the hole, but you're hesitating? What are other places offering...?"
"...The bonus tempts me, but 5% take feels too low to work with. Sorry."
Might get blacklisted by bigshot Kim Seul-ong over this...
But stating reasons clearly and cleanly benefited us both.
A reasonable businessman would get it and let me go...
"Pardon? 5%? Haha, misunderstanding."
"Huh?"
"9.5 is you, 0.5 is us."
"...Pardon?"
95% split + 5 mil bonus?
Had I secretly become a megastar?
Or blown up on Stargram with millions of followers?
Never heard KS's CEO was nuts.
"The one actress Cheon Tae-seong personally recommended. Landed a supporting role solo. Looks that crush top actresses. Trains at action school till collapse for roles. Passionate... and my gut says you're destined for stardom."
"... "
Even proposals weren't this intense...
Bold claims pouring out.
The boldest: the contract terms.
No fumbling lest he change his mind—I scanned the contract quick and signed with a flourish.
For this? I'd clean the company bathrooms with a smile on off-days.