One Day as a Manager (1)
“Cut! That’s a wrap for today.”
As the cameras shut off, the actors finally relaxed, exchanging greetings with one another.
“Great work, everyone.”
“You too.”
“Hwa-ran, you were fantastic today. Let’s do it again next week.”
“Thank you.”
The director gave Hwa-ran special praise. She was already respected as an actress, but her variety show charm had landed her two regular gigs.
After saying goodbye to the crew, she stepped out to find Park Gwang-cheol waiting by her car.
“What brings you to my set?”
“Nothing much. Let’s grab a bite.”
Hwa-ran’s eyes widened at Park Gwang-cheol’s words.
“You bankrupt or something?”
“You nuts?”
“Only calling to borrow money? I’ll kill you and then myself.”
“No!”
“Then why the sudden nice guy act? Here to say goodbye before offing yourself?”
“If you don’t wanna eat, forget it.”
As Park Gwang-cheol turned to leave, Hwa-ran scurried after him, hooking her arm through his.
“I was just shocked—it’s so out of character. Wow, tomorrow the sun’s rising in the west for sure.”
“Where to?”
“Anywhere but President Tae’s place.”
“You don’t watch the news there, right?”
“When do I have time for news? I barely have time to memorize scripts.”
“You need to watch the news and stay informed about the world. No news makes you dumb, being dumb means scripts take forever, and no time for news. Vicious cycle.”
“News makes you smarter? That’s gotta be a glitch. Sure, common sense maybe.”
“See? Smart catch. You’re just playing dumb to take it easy.”
“Stop peeking into my life.”
Hwa-ran dropped the teasing, her tone turning serious.
“You okay?”
“Nope.”
“Let’s go. Stuff ourselves silly—it’ll cheer you up. Where to? My treat today.”
Someone spoke up from behind them.
“Mind if we treat you to dinner?”
They whipped around in surprise.
Jang Cheon and Lee Yeon stood side by side. Park Gwang-cheol was stunned. So was Hwa-ran.
Hwa-ran shook her head.
“What is this? Tomorrow the sun really rises in the west… two suns maybe.”
The four ended up at a hen stew restaurant near a valley.
It was one of Park Gwang-cheol’s go-tos—a secluded spot known only to insiders.
“Picked somewhere quiet on purpose. Figured you had something to say.”
Park Gwang-cheol’s instincts were sharp.
“Talk after we eat.”
Park Gwang-cheol was tense inside but secretly thrilled. He’d never expected Jang Cheon to seek him out. The massive inferiority complex he felt toward Jang Cheon was real.
He’d stormed out vowing never to see Jang Cheon again, but now, face-to-face, he was just glad to see him.
Lee Yeon smiled at Hwa-ran.
“I’ve been watching you on TV lately.”
“Haha, wanna visit set? Come anytime.”
“Really?”
“Director’ll be after your number the second he sees you.”
“No way.”
Park Gwang-cheol jumped in.
“Nope! We sign her first. Visits later.”
Hwa-ran laughed.
“See? Even he thinks so.”
Park Gwang-cheol nodded.
“Everyone’s got eyes. Of course he’d want her. Anyway, no!”
Park Gwang-cheol glanced at Jang Cheon. He remembered the car ride warning not to hit on Lee Yeon.
His eyes signaled: This isn’t flirting—it’s business. I really want her.
Lee Yeon glanced at Jang Cheon with a smile.
“What do you think? Should I try acting? Who knows, maybe it’s my calling.”
She said it jokingly, but Park Gwang-cheol tensed, awaiting Jang Cheon’s reply.
Jang Cheon smiled.
“I believe you’d excel at anything.”
Park Gwang-cheol clapped with his mouth.
“Clap clap clap—unanimous. Park Enter it is.”
Lee Yeon laughed helplessly.
The unexpected group made for a lively meal.
After devouring hen stew packed with premium herbs, they sipped tea on the backyard platform. The crisp mountain air lifted their spirits despite the chill.
While Lee Yeon and Hwa-ran stepped out for a walk, Jang Cheon and Park Gwang-cheol talked.
“What’s up?”
“Need your help wrapping up this mess.”
“My help?”
Park Gwang-cheol blinked in shock—it was the last thing he expected.
“With what?”
“Murim Alliance hosts monthly shows for their martial artists, right?”
“Yeah. Concerts, plays, recitals. They love culture stuff. Bet some execs skim off the top big time.”
“Can you get one of your singers or actors in?”
“Why?”
“Need to get inside the Murim Alliance.”
“You can’t just walk in?”
“Wanna scout naturally, without them knowing.”
If the Alliance Leader was under pressure, clues might lurk in the atmosphere—something felt only by blending in, not sneaking or being watched. No point hopping walls without a target.
“Put one of your celebs on the lineup. Lee Yeon and I go in as manager and coordinator. Can do?”
Park Gwang-cheol checked his phone for the schedule.
“Short notice… but yeah, doable.”
The lineup was set, but with some grease and legwork, he could squeeze one in. Park Enter had that pull.
“Then I’m counting on you.”
“Hold up! Why should I?”
“Friends.”
“What?”
Park Gwang-cheol gaped in disbelief.
Jang Cheon stood and headed toward Lee Yeon and Hwa-ran approaching from afar.
Park Gwang-cheol yelled after him.
“Then why’d you take my 30 billion? Not friends, you said! Why friends now? Gimme my 30 billion back!”
Jang Cheon ignored him, chatting and bidding farewell to Hwa-ran in the distance.
Lee Yeon came over, said goodbye, and left with Jang Cheon.
“Sucker. Total mark.”
Park Gwang-cheol grumbled, but he was grinning. Jang Cheon asking him for help? And calling him a friend? It kept replaying in his head.
Hwa-ran approached.
“Lee Yeon’s even better up close. Really want her at our agency—hang out all the time. What’s with you? Been drinking?”
“Drinking? What?”
“Your face is flushed.”
“Dunno. Heat of the moment maybe.”
“Good food, good times—why heated?”
“The ginseng in the stew kicking in. Quit grilling me. Hey, you know the Murim Alliance celebration shows?”
“Yeah, monthly. You never send anyone—bad ROI.”
“Actors go too?”
“Sometimes, premiere days—sing a song or two. Why?”
“Wanna dust off your old skills?”
“Huh?”
“Never mind. Let’s go.”
Park Gwang-cheol and Hwa-ran followed suit and left.
“Why enter the Murim Alliance concert?”
Lee Yeon asked curiously on the drive back.
“To scout inside. Entertainers arrive early for prep, show starts afternoon—plenty of time to look around. Way better than sneaking in at night.”
Lee Yeon just smiled at the casual assumption he could infiltrate the Murim Alliance at night. First time she heard it, she’d call bullshit. Now? She knew he could.
“Taking me this time?”
She asked cautiously—lately, Jang Cheon handled things solo.
“Good to visit before your BST exam. Motivation boost.”
“Like touring your target college pre-admissions.”
“Haha, exactly.”
“Fail, and the regret hits harder.”
“You’re working hard. I know you run home to train every day.”
“Oh, you knew. Squeezing in practice however I can. It’s tough, but time’s the real killer.”
“Cover with focus.”
“Focus?”
“Chop time, ramp up concentration. People snag unexpected wins stealing leisure hours. You can too.”
“Got it. I’ll push.”
True. Half-assed hours yield nothing. But locked-in 30 minutes? Hours’ worth. Job’s non-negotiable—focus is survival.
“Believe in yourself. Human concentration’s underrated.”
“Yes. I’ll give it my all.”
“Need any help?”
Tempting offer. With Jang Cheon’s aid, BST was a lock.
But Lee Yeon refused.
“I’m good. If I can’t do it solo, I shouldn’t at all.”
Jang Cheon smiled.
“Well said. Good luck!”
“Thanks.”
Lee Yeon steeled herself again. She’d covered her sick dad’s bills and siblings’ tuition alone since childhood. Four part-time gigs a day, never shady.
Like always, she’d earn this exam through grit.
Only after max effort and hitting her limit could she run a little cafe contentedly.
The day before the Murim Alliance concert, Bishop called with new business.
“Night submitted an approval request.”
Jang Cheon checked the photo and details on his phone.
“Starting with an SGC branch. Korea setup’s prepped by Night—should move fast.”
“All good, but really buying this building?”
“Night says SGC Korea deserves it.”
“Not your take?”
“Night’s call. He’s pouring meaning into our first homeland branch. If you worry about eyes on it—no one links Night or Boss to SGC. They’ll never suspect starting this big.”
Jang Cheon’s gaze deepened. He knew it wasn’t just his call. Korea meant something different to each, but it was their homeland too.
“Approved. Proceed.”
“Thanks, Boss! Night’ll be thrilled.”
“Make your Boss happy.”
“Hahaha.”
Jang Cheon hung up and walked to the window.
Today, his gaze at the nightscape held none of its usual emptiness. His first branch was taking root here.