Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: KS Entertainment (2)
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"Secretary Yoon, please come in with the staff member who just showed actress Jeong Gyeowol around."
"Yes, sir, CEO."
CEO Kim Seul-ong called his secretary right after swiftly finalizing the contract with Jeong Gyeowol.
It was the first time she'd seen someone use the intercom in real life—something she'd only witnessed in dramas or movies.
A spark of interest lit up in Jeong Gyeowol's eyes.
It was an item she had no reason to use unless she was filming a corporate drama, which only made it all the more intriguing.
Jeong Gyeowol absorbed every single one of Kim Seul-ong's actions, etching them deeply into her memory.
She might have thought she was just enjoying the spectacle, but in her mind, a remarkably detailed analysis was unfolding.
The way he walked leisurely to his desk. A person of Kim Seul-ong's stature clearly hadn't taken special walking lessons, yet there was no sway in his steps.
His physical balance was impeccable. He undoubtedly had a dedicated professional trainer overseeing a systematic workout regimen.
He placed the contract on the desk and pressed the intercom.
It was a command, but delivered without any air of authority. It carried consideration and respect.
Jeong Gyeowol always picked up on the essence of others' lives through their actions, expressions, and mannerisms.
It was a habit that could be called an occupational disease.
She unconsciously analyzed everyone she encountered.
By now, it happened so naturally that she wasn't even aware of it.
This time, it wasn't actors playing chaebol heirs in dramas or movies.
She was face-to-face with someone who could genuinely be called a chaebol.
And she observed his behavior with meticulous scrutiny.
It was like laying the groundwork for corporate drama roles.
A few more meetings with CEO Kim Seul-ong, and she could strut around impersonating a chaebol without a hint of awkwardness—perfectly in character.
The foundational skills honed over twelve years of obscurity were now blooming in the body of female Jeong Gyeowol.
They synergized with her innate talents, evolving into abilities far beyond what she realized.
These were feats impossible with female Jeong Gyeowol's talents alone.
Or with male Jeong Gyeowol's efforts alone.
"Jun-seung? Why don't you show actress Jeong Gyeowol around the company?"
"Oh, yes, sure thing! Let's go, actress."
Yoo Jun-seung seemed startled that the CEO knew his name, momentarily flustered, but he quickly pulled himself together.
He led Jeong Gyeowol out of the CEO's office.
No specific instructions had been given, yet the secretary stayed behind as if it were the most natural thing.
And the CEO continued as if that were equally expected.
"Here's actress Jeong Gyeowol's contract. Pass it along to the management team."
The secretary took the contract and asked, sounding surprised.
"...Is Jeong Gyeowol that big of a deal?"
"Hmm... I was planning to observe her for a few days, but I had a feeling I'd lose sleep if I let her slip away like this."
"She'll be a star on par with actor Cheon Tae-seong. You must've had a similar vibe back then."
CEO Kim Seul-ong typically held multiple meetings with prospects he liked.
There was only one exception: Cheon Tae-seong.
He'd had an unshakable gut feeling that he'd regret it forever if he didn't sign him on the spot. After just a two-hour meeting on the first day, he'd shoved the contract forward. Now, Cheon Tae-seong was an actor who could rightfully claim the title of Korea's top star.
But with Jeong Gyeowol, it was even stronger.
They'd inked the deal before ten minutes had even passed.
"This one's even bigger. Make sure her treatment is top-notch. Assign her a sharp rookie manager and have an executive mentor her on the job. Build a solid rapport so that when renewal talks come up, that manager's word alone seals the deal."
"I'll pass that along, and the secretary team will keep an eye on it too."
"Tell the Content Division and Creative Division to put together planning proposals for Jeong Gyeowol's Stargram and NewTube, tailored to each, and send them up."
"Got it."
"And... have them contact her for a supporting role in a drama wrapping up in the next month or two. Doesn't need many scenes—just something impactful."
"I heard actress Jeong Gyeowol's about to start cranking on the movie Nomen. Should we bundle that in?"
"If the schedule's tight, we'll coordinate with director Kim Chi-seung. The script's not trash-level, so no need to scrap it. She's family now, so we'll handle the Nomen side too... I think that's enough for now. I'll handle the finer details myself in tomorrow's meeting."
"Understood."
Once the secretary left, CEO Kim Seul-ong sat back in his chair and made a call somewhere.
Jeong Gyeowol had clearly left a profound impression on him—her name popped up even in the phone conversation.
"Jeong Gyeowol? She's even better than I expected. I was wondering why you'd overhype someone for once, but turns out I was the one underestimating her."
He fell silent, listening intently to the other side, then continued.
"Tae-seong? You said he's a junior you care about, but they have zero connection. Probably don't even know each other. Don't worry about it. Besides, that guy's married. What, you think you're her mom or something? Ridiculous..."
It was a markedly different tone from how he spoke to the secretary or staff.
"Looks like the action school pulled some strings. If she can draw people to her side like that, it's a plus."
He hadn't heard from the FM coach or the action school directly, yet his guess was spot on.
"Yeah, let's meet at home soon. Oh, and I wasn't kidding about coming into entertainment—think it over."
He chuckled and ended the call, then glanced at the sofa where Jeong Gyeowol had sat.
The lingering presence of where she'd been still hung in the air.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
She ended up touring the company building with the staff member the CEO had assigned.
From basement level 4 to the 8th floor above ground. It was so massive, it felt like a department store.
She wasn't sure if they always gave new actors the full tour upon signing.
She'd done a few contracts with extras' agencies before... but those were basically like temp agencies.
For bit parts in movies or dramas otherwise, she'd handled them independently without an agency, so her life had zero overlap with entertainment companies.
'Probably standard procedure, right?'
It'd be weird if even new hires didn't know what their own company looked like, so yeah, everyone probably got the tour on day one.
She followed the staff member methodically, starting from the basement.
The basement alone had two full floors dedicated to the gym.
Not just basic equipment—there were resident trainers and even Pilates rooms.
At this rate, she wouldn't need to spend a dime on personal workouts.
She could jog from home for warm-up, then hit the gym or Pilates—all for free.
This was seriously tempting.
Exercise was always the right choice.
But free exercise?
That transcended into pure gospel.
"This area's the recreation space now."
Just glancing around, it included a billiards room, ping-pong table, and even an arcade.
Did a company really need all that...?
Not being an office worker herself, she had no clue. If no one used it, they'd have repurposed it ages ago.
The tour continued.
There was a grand auditorium, large practice rooms, recording studios, and individual workspaces, interspersed with landscaping that caught her eye.
The entire 3rd floor was the company cafeteria.
A buffet—and free.
'Whoa... Could I just live here?'
Spreading a blanket in a KS Entertainment bathroom would still beat her own place.
"If you haven't eaten, would you like to grab a meal together...?"
"Ah, sure. Sounds good."
The staff member guiding the tour asked tentatively.
Above were office spaces, so poking around would just be a nuisance.
They were heading to the cafeteria anyway, then the cafe, before showing face at management...
It was lunchtime soon enough, so she agreed to eat with the staffer.
"Thank you!"
"...?"
Was eating here such a thrill for company staff?
Well, she'd probably eat here 365 days a year too if she were them.
After lunch with the staffer, they headed to the cafe.
This itinerary felt suspiciously like a date.
Lots of eyes on them—probably because a newbie was getting the grand tour.
She didn't mind, but... wouldn't this staffer catch heat later?
"You sure you're not overdoing it because of me? I could've wandered alone."
"No way! I'm actually so grateful!"
Grateful?
...No wonder they seemed a bit dim; must be high workplace stress.
Occasional slacking like this probably made office life bearable.
They sat with their coffee, and the fidgety staffer finally spoke up, resolved.
"Um... could I maybe get just one photo?"
"Oh, yeah, of course."
Lots of number requests, but a photo ask? First time.
Felt like she was really an actress now—kinda thrilling.
What was the big deal to hesitate over?
She could've done a hundred shots.
She moved beside the staffer for the pic and struck a pose, but their body suddenly stiffened.
'...Oh.'
She'd casually draped an arm over their shoulder.
People got touchy about guy-girl interactions, and here she was acting buddy-buddy.
She kept forgetting she was a woman now.
"Sorry about that..."
"N-no! I liked— I mean, no, it's fine!"
A few more fan interactions like this, and she'd get called a vixen.
She was upright guy Jeong Gyeowol, lone wolf incarnate—foxes were not her vibe.
'Gotta be more careful from now on...'
Similar issue on set: her legs kept spreading unconsciously, earning scoldings from staff.
Wearing skirts took effort at first... but habit kicked in.
Spats were on, spats were invincible.
Even those felt like underwear sometimes.
Each call-out made her face burn red.
Photo done, back at the table—other staff started trickling in one by one.
"Um, sorry, but could I get a photo too...?"
The cafe turned into an impromptu photo fest.
Was this the standard welcome for newbies at entertainment agencies?
These folks saw celebrities up close all the time, so it probably wasn't just her looks.
Whatever. It felt great.