Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Manager
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After finishing a fan signing with zero fans at the cafe, I headed to the Management Division on the seventh floor, guided by Yoo Jun-seung.
The seventh floor was split down the middle—one side for singers, the other for actors.
"Actress Jeong Gyeowol! I'm Division Head Choi Gyu-pil. This way, please."
The division head emerged from the singer management section. Since KS Entertainment put more weight on singers and idols than actors, his office was probably over there too.
But whatever.
I had no idea why all these higher-ups kept showing up.
I'd figured I'd meet some executive-level person for a quick meeting and sign the contract.
Then I'd meet another executive to talk about how they'd manage me.
Was this their way of showing how much attention they were paying me?
Or were they trying to intimidate a rookie actress?
'It feels like they're trying to make me feel the pressure... or maybe they're just being considerate...'
Anyway, we headed to the division head's office.
"Coffee? Tea? Something to drink? What would you like?"
"Ah, cola for me, please."
Maybe it was because I'd just met the CEO, who radiated charisma, but the division head—with his mild, approachable vibe—didn't seem all that intimidating.
No risk of me spitting out my drink mid-sip, so I went with a beverage this time.
"Ah... You like carbonated drinks? I'll get it ready right away."
I caught him hesitating at "cola." He must've worked his way up from the bottom.
At least he wasn't some parachute hire.
Actors, singers, idols—they all had to watch their weight, so he reacted naturally to the idea of liquid sugar in a fizzy drink.
"How do you like the company building? It's one of our proudest features. The structure isn't huge, but I can confidently say our welfare facilities outshine most big corporations."
"It's amazing. The gym was great, and all the other amenities too, but especially the cafeteria..."
I started gushing excitedly, then cut myself off before I sounded too much like a pushover.
Advertising how much I love free stuff never ends well.
As our small talk flowed, my cola and his coffee arrived in no time.
The division head took a sip of his coffee and got down to business first.
"Shall we talk work for a bit? What's your current schedule like?"
"Ah... I don't have much going on."
It wasn't false modesty.
I literally had so little it was embarrassing to admit.
The other actors under the agency were booked solid with movies, dramas, CFs, variety shows, you name it.
Singers had events and music shows piled on top, making them even busier.
Me? Just a few quick fitting model shoots at Atelier.
Nomen hadn't even started principal photography yet.
Otherwise, I was an unemployed bum whose only "schedule" was attending Seoul Action School.
He nodded carefully as I spoke.
Was that a "just as I expected" nod?
That might sting a little.
"Per the CEO's instructions, we'll secure a few drama roles soon. Pick one you like, and you can jump straight into filming. Keep up with action school as is... We'll coordinate with the shopping mall and the film company once the drama's locked in."
Things were happening behind the scenes that I knew nothing about.
I'd planned to just audition wherever the agency sent me while hitting the gym.
But no—they were handing me a drama role outright.
"...A drama?"
The division head chuckled at my stunned reaction.
Whether it was an "aww, cute" laugh or mocking, I didn't care.
Who could hate an agency that snagged a drama role on my first day?
"Yes, a drama. Lead role might be tough schedule-wise, so we're aiming for an impactful supporting part."
Even a bit part would've had me bowing in gratitude.
An impactful supporting role?
This... was a major agency?
This... was KS Entertainment?
From today on, KS Entertainment and I were one and the same.
Any attack on them was an attack on me.
We kept chatting afterward.
About how I started as a fitting model at Atelier. How I landed the Nomen audition. Action school stories, and so on.
He seemed most intrigued when I mentioned CEO Kim Seul-gi.
I'd been most confident about the tale where I nearly elbow-murdered Screenwriter Bae...
But nope, he just loved hearing about the pretty lady. Kinda disappointing.
The most shocking part?
After wrapping up these short stories, I had nothing left to say.
The division head must've noticed my repertoire running dry, because he said it was time to introduce my manager and led me to the actor management section.
"Jun-seung, come here a sec."
"Yes, Division Head!"
The division head and this new woman appeared, calling for someone, so naturally my eyes went to her.
But more than half the stares were still on me.
Were they more curious about me than the guy he called?
The employee named Jun-seung, flustered by the attention, approached with slightly flushed cheeks.
He looked familiar—oh, right, the guy who'd given me the building tour on the CEO's orders.
I'd wondered what department he was in. Management, huh.
The division head handed him the car keys and a card, patting his shoulder.
"Starting today, you're in charge of Actress Jeong Gyeowol. The car..."
"Pardon? Manager?"
"Whoa?! Me, for Actress Jeong Gyeowol?!"
We blurted it out almost in unison.
Even the ever-smiling division head looked a bit thrown.
"Uh... Is a male manager uncomfortable? I can assign someone else."
"No, no, it's not that. I just didn't expect a manager this soon."
I nearly blurted out, "Actually, I prefer guys!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I barely managed to turn down my shiny new manager's offer to drive me home.
This distance was perfect for walking—a little exercise to toughen up.
Instead, I struck a deal: he'd pick me up without fail for action school.
Couldn't say no to that.
And so, here he was, right in front of my place.
I'd said I'd rest an hour after arriving home before heading out, and he'd timed it perfectly.
He was already keeping me from lounging in bed with Nutube.
'So this is a manager...'
My laziness was already under management.
I hurriedly changed into training clothes and stepped outside.
The manager was waiting in front of the villa, car parked somewhere.
He looked a tad surprised to see me emerging from below, not above.
What? Never seen a basement dweller before?
That expression might hurt my feelings a bit.
"Ah, this way..."
"...Th-thank you."
He offered his hand to escort me up the mere two or three basement stairs.
I couldn't bring myself to take it.
Suddenly, we were as awkward as strangers on a blind date.
"Wh-where'd you park the car?"
"...Pardon?"
"Ah... Just kidding."
"Hahaha... Funny joke..."
If awkwardness had a gauge, we might've shattered it.
We exited the villa with fake ha-has and ho-hos.
A celebrity seemed to be nearby.
The Carnival High Limousine—the hallmark of successful stars.
Wonder when I'd ride one.
'Soon, soon. Dramas, movies—I'll be rich!'
I knew all the usual parked cars around here.
Scanning for the unfamiliar one...
Somehow, it felt like I was walking alone.
My trailing manager had vanished.
'Did he ditch his agency actress because things got awkward?'
I turned in disbelief and saw my manager getting chewed out by a stranger.
"Hey! Where's Actress Jeong Gyeowol?! You left her alone over there and came by yourself?! You going to the schedule solo? I stepped away for a quick drink run for her, and this is what I come back to?!"
"Ah! Where'd our actress go?! Whoa, when did she get that far... Actress! Car's over here!"
"Aigoo, kid..."
People adapt to jobs. You'll get used to it eventually.
His clumsiness didn't bother me.
'Personality matters most. Character is king.'
Of course, if he's still like this months from now, I might feel a tad let down by the company...
But right now? I'd thank him even without a license.
Carnival High Limousine, 9-seater.
With a celeb van right there, who cared if the manager was green?
"Hello. I'm Executive Kim Gyu-jin, here to train Jun-seung for a bit."
"Ah, hello. Jeong Gyeowol. Is... is this my ride?"
"Yes, picked the cleanest one and even washed it. Hop in."
KS Entertainment, my love, my light. After my sneak worship session, I boarded.
Inside, I could almost touch the ceiling reaching up, and the width? Incredible.
Exaggeration aside, I could've run laps in there.
Between the driver's seat and back: DMB, smart device monitor, USB ports. Ceiling light controls I'd never seen before.
Cup holders with hot/cold functions. Air purifier built into the passenger seatback.
Was this heaven?
I poked around, marveling at everything.
The manager and his trainer watched me, equally amazed.
Normal me would've stopped from embarrassment, pretending to be prim.
But current me? Eyes half-rolled back.
Till we reached action school, I fiddled, opened, and reclined everything.
"We're here. You two go ahead; I'll park and catch up."
"Thanks for the drive."
"Aigoo! No need for that!"
Manager said he'd park; the executive escorted me to school.
Me, Jeong Gyeowol. KS Entertainment's pearl and gem, CEO Kim Seul-ong's hidden joker, Carnival High Limousine actress.
Chest out, shoulders back, confident strut inside.
Till those shoulders slumped? Under thirty minutes.
"...You're here to learn techniques... Boxing, right...?"
"Jumping rope is the beginning and end of boxing. Thirty more minutes, then on to the next."
I'd endured rope-jumping, dreaming of flashy moves.
Next: an hour of bouncy front-back steps.
Then thirty minutes stretching only my left hand.
Two and a half hours total, and all I learned was a jab.
I came for action scene moves, but at this rate, I'd end up in a tournament.