Chapter 20
Chapter 20
After receiving Nam Siwoo’s message, Baek Seungchan looked up information about Dream Entertainment.
Dream Entertainment.
A relatively new agency, only five years old, but it had quickly established itself in the industry by successfully debuting the boy group ‘Kairos’ and the girl group ‘K-Pink.’ Recently, with K-Pink’s main vocalist Jang Eunji also hitting it big as an actress, the company was actively pursuing actors as well.
Baek Seungchan thought the basic information was fine, but he needed something more practical than what a simple search could provide.
‘Entertainment agency contracts aren’t like signing up for a local gym.’
Contracts with entertainment agencies vary from as short as one year to as long as seven years.
For rookies, the standard contract period is typically five to seven years, as recommended by the Fair Trade Commission’s standard exclusive contract.
If one signed such a long contract without fully understanding it, it could lead to serious problems.
Indeed, controversies over exclusive contracts regularly surfaced in the industry.
Many entertainers had faced such issues, notably the actor-singer Kim Seunggi and former idol Chuchu.
To avoid mistakes like that, Baek Seungchan asked someone experienced in the field, Chief Kim Seongho.
“Chief, do you know anything about Dream Entertainment?”
“Dream Entertainment? Well, I know a bit,” Kim Seongho replied, looking at Baek Seungchan.
“What kind of company is it?”
“Everything they do lately seems to succeed. They have solid capital and take good care of their artists. But why? Could it be…?”
Kim Seongho suddenly widened his eyes and asked sharply.
“Did Dream Entertainment offer to sign you?”
“Not an official offer yet. Siwoo just said we should meet first.”
Baek Seungchan’s words made Kim Seongho smile and nod.
“That’s good! I was worried since you’d need an agency once you start filming ‘The Killer’s Shop.’”
Kim Seongho knew Baek Seungchan’s situation better than anyone. With upcoming filming taking place in both rural and overseas locations, he realized Baek Seungchan couldn’t manage it alone without a manager.
“And what about the CEO of the company?”
“CEO Ji? He’s a good person, very competent.”
“Really? Could you tell me more?”
Baek Seungchan asked, genuinely interested. In any organization, the leader’s character is crucial. The company’s atmosphere and future depend heavily on the person at the top.
Kim Seongho’s assessment of Dream Entertainment’s CEO was overwhelmingly positive.
He had started as an unknown singer but, perhaps because of past hardships, he took good care of his artists. Having suffered from unfair contracts himself, he ran the company fairly and cleanly. And in an industry where money alone doesn’t guarantee success, he steadily grew the company without relying on massive investments—a true professional.
“Seungchan, with your talent, other offers will come in soon. But I think Dream Entertainment isn’t bad. They mainly focus on singers, but recently they’ve been paying a lot of attention to actors as well.”
“That sounds fine.”
Baek Seungchan nodded seriously. If someone like Kim Seongho, who had a good eye for people, praised the company, it seemed trustworthy.
That evening, Baek Seungchan headed to Songdo, not Dongincheon, for a meeting with Dream Entertainment’s CEO.
“…”
Upon arriving, Baek Seungchan froze at the entrance.
Before him stood a private, high-end omakase restaurant. He had seen such places in YouTube videos but had never visited one in person.
“So it’s a fancy place.”
He muttered softly as he entered. A woman in traditional Japanese kimono greeted him with utmost courtesy.
“Hello, may I have the name of the reservation?”
“It should be under Ji Pyeongsan. My companions should already be here.”
“Confirmed. I will guide you.”
The room he was led into was clean and stylishly decorated. A middle-aged man in a casual suit, with a prominent mole near his eye, sat there. Baek Seungchan couldn’t help but murmur.
“CEO Ji…?”
In his past life, he recalled a subordinate who managed the top-tier establishment ‘Hwawolru’ in the Central Plains. The man before him looked strikingly similar.
“Pardon? CEO?”
Ji Pyeongsan raised an eyebrow. Only then did Baek Seungchan shake his head and reply calmly.
“Oh, nothing. I’m Baek Seungchan.”
“I’m Ji Pyeongsan, CEO of Dream Entertainment. Thank you for meeting with me. Please, have a seat.”
Ji Pyeongsan smiled warmly, exuding a gentlemanly and refined aura.
“You look even better in person.”
“Thank you, sir, you look great too.”
“That’s something I hear often.”
The CEO lightened the mood with a little humor.
“Shall we start with dinner?”
“Sure, I was getting hungry anyway.”
Ji Pyeongsan spoke confidently. Course after course of high-end dishes followed, starting with truffle chawanmushi, then sushi, sashimi, and grilled scallops. Each dish radiated care and quality.
“This is amazing—the ingredients are fresh, the vegetables cooked just right. Really good.”
As he spoke, Baek Seungchan observed Ji Pyeongsan’s subtle gestures and behavior.
‘Not bad.’
From his words to actions, there was genuine consideration. It wasn’t acting—it was sincerity. He could feel how much the CEO respected his artists.
“By the way, I should have mentioned this when we met, but I forgot.”
“What is it?”
“Thank you. Thanks to you, Siwoo’s acting improved a lot.”
“My thanks? That’s all Siwoo’s hard work.”
“Of course, but watching Siwoo, it was clear your guidance made a difference.”
Baek Seungchan didn’t bother to argue. Excessive humility could be toxic.
“Seungchan.”
Ji Pyeongsan’s expression grew serious.
“Our actor department is relatively new, but we believe the potential is limitless.”
He confidently pitched his company, and Baek Seungchan felt that conviction.
“So, what do you think about joining Dream Entertainment? I promise our full support.”
“I’m not against it. I’ve looked into the company, and it seems good.”
“Is that so?”
Ji Pyeongsan’s face brightened.
“But contracts can’t be made lightly. I’d like you to see the terms.”
Baek Seungchan had discussed this with Chief Kim. The most important factor was the contract terms.
For rookie actors, the standard split was usually 50:50, but top stars could have 100:0 or 110:0 contracts, depending on their value.
Baek Seungchan knew his worth and wasn’t going to accept typical rookie terms.
“Of course. I actually brought the contracts with me.”
Ji Pyeongsan opened his briefcase and handed over two envelopes.
“Take a look. Both terms are different, but you’ll like either.”
Baek Seungchan opened the envelopes and scanned the contracts.
“Did you really mean to give me these?”
He couldn’t help but wonder. The terms were excellent. Both contracts were for three years. One offered a signing bonus of 100 million won with an 80:20 profit split in favor of the actor; the other had a 3,000 signing bonus with a 90:10 split.
On closer inspection, there were no hidden disadvantageous clauses.
These were contracts fit for a top-tier actor. The signing bonuses didn’t reach top-star levels, but they were far above a rookie’s contract.
“Yes, I did mean to give you these,” Ji Pyeongsan said confidently.
He had only learned about Baek Seungchan that morning after watching the edited version of ‘The Legend of the Nerd.’
Seeing the acting of Nam Siwoo, improved beyond recognition, and Baek Seungchan’s performance shocked him. He decided that Baek Seungchan was a rare talent—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—and prepared these contracts.
Other executives protested that it was too generous for a rookie, but Ji Pyeongsan ignored them.
His instincts told him this was a must-capture talent.
“I’m sincere about you, Seungchan.”
Baek Seungchan felt the CEO’s earnestness.
‘This is familiar too.’
He was reminded of Chief Ji from his past life—someone who saw through people and negotiated sincerely.
“You don’t have to answer right away. Today is just to get acquainted…”
“Let’s sign the contract.”
“Excuse me?”
Ji Pyeongsan blinked, surprised. Baek Seungchan handed over the contract with the higher actor split.
“This one. Let’s sign this contract.”
The terms were better than expected, with no hidden clauses. Plus, the faint sense of familiarity with Chief Ji made him feel more connected.
“Looking forward to working with you!”
Ji Pyeongsan, regaining his composure, responded cheerfully. His smile couldn’t hide his joy.
“One favor before we sign…”
Baek Seungchan made a simple request, and Ji Pyeongsan accepted without hesitation.
A few days after signing with Dream Entertainment, Baek Seungchan left home for the script reading of ‘The Killer’s Shop.’
A black SUV was parked outside—company-provided transportation.
Clunk—.
As he approached, the door opened, and a familiar face appeared.
“Chief, or should I call you Team Leader now?”
“Call me whatever’s comfortable, Actor Baek.”
It was Kim Seongho, now Team Leader and Baek Seungchan’s manager, head of Dream Entertainment’s Actor Team 2.