13
## Chapter 13
Yoo Euicheol was the CEO of CS Film.
He was also a director at CS Media.
"So why has the project been delayed this much?"
At the moment, his frustration had nothing to do with CS Film.
It was all because of CS Media.
"The variety shows are one thing, but the drama doesn't even have a filming schedule yet. It's been over two months since the first draft of the script was finished."
There was only one reason for his foul mood.
Earlier that day, his older brother, Yoo Euihyung—the CEO of CS Media—had called out of nowhere and exploded.
"You're a director, aren't you? The company's a mess and you don't even know that Kim Jungsoo's new drama hasn't even started filming yet?"
'It's your company, so why are you yelling at me...?'
He'd almost snapped back.
But technically, he was still a director of the company.
So instead, he vented his frustration at Team Leader Ha Sooyeol from CS Media.
"What's causing the delay?"
"Most of the major casting has been completed, sir. The problem is that one of the lead child roles still hasn't been finalized."
"The child lead? Didn't we already connect them with Bae Jiho?"
"Yes. That's confirmed. The issue is Kim Taesan's younger role."
"I see."
Although it was technically a child role, the character was a high school student.
That meant they needed an actor in his early twenties.
Unfortunately, there weren't many suitable actors in that age range.
"Wasn't CS Entertainment supposed to send someone?"
"Before that could happen, Lee Chanhwi's audition was scheduled. We expect things to move much faster starting next week."
Lee Chanhwi?
The Lee Chanhwi?
If that was true, then the project would probably get back on track.
"So CS Entertainment still hasn't sent anyone? It's Kim Jungsoo's project. Anyone they recommend would practically be guaranteed."
"The pool of actors in their twenties is..."
There was no point continuing.
Yoo Euicheol ended the call and immediately dialed his older sister.
"I'm coming over."
"When?"
"Now."
Fortunately, his afternoon was free.
He called his secretary.
"Let's head to CS Entertainment."
"Yes, sir."
---
On the way there...
'He's right.'
His brother hadn't been wrong.
Lately, he'd been so busy that he'd completely neglected CS Media.
CS Media, CS Entertainment, and CS Film were deeply connected.
Beyond ownership and corporate structure, they relied heavily on one another.
'I should use this chance to review every stalled project.'
He opened his tablet and began reviewing them.
Traffic was terrible because it was lunchtime.
By the time he finished reading through the reports and approving the pending documents...
They had finally arrived.
"I'll go up alone."
Whenever he met his sister, Yoo Euiju, he usually dismissed his secretary.
He took the elevator to the tenth floor.
"I'm very sorry, but the CEO is currently in a meeting."
"..."
He frowned.
'I told her I was coming.'
Still...
He had shown up without warning.
He couldn't really complain.
"...It's fine. Let me know when she's finished."
Rather than waiting in the VIP lounge...
He decided to walk around the building.
This headquarters held many memories.
More specifically...
Memories of Yu Hana.
When she was younger, she'd dreamed of becoming a drama producer.
Later, she wanted to work in the content business.
He'd brought her here countless times.
Every floor reminded him of a different memory.
Then...
He stopped.
On the seventh floor's memorial hall...
A familiar face smiled back at him from a group photo.
"2020 Seoul Girls' High School Tour."
It wasn't difficult to find Yu Hana.
'Was it around this time...?'
She had always been incredibly affectionate.
People used to call her "Daddy's shadow."
But after entering high school...
A quiet distance had grown between them.
It was only natural.
He'd become busier.
He spent less and less time at home.
He understood why things had changed.
Even so...
It still hurt.
He cleared his throat and quietly left the memorial hall.
He wasn't old enough to cry over a photograph of his daughter.
Not yet.
Buzz...
His phone rang.
[Daddy's shadow Yoo Euicheol. Come up to the tenth floor.]
"...I'm almost fifty. Could you at least respect my social status?"
Muttering under his breath, he headed back toward the lobby.
Then...
His eyes landed on a tall young man.
'Who is that?'
Good-looking young men weren't unusual in an entertainment company.
But this one felt different.
Even from a distance...
Even seeing only his profile...
He had an unmistakable aura.
'An actor? A model?'
No...
If he were a rookie, there was no way he should give off that kind of presence.
Yet Yoo Euicheol couldn't recognize him.
"...Ah."
Before he realized it...
The young man had already left the building.
'Should I follow him?'
He shook his head.
'What am I thinking? I'm the CEO.'
Instead...
He decided to ask his sister later.
She might know who the young man was.
---
"Wait... You actually signed a rookie contract with unbelievable terms? And they even gave you an audition for Kim Jungsoo's Light and Darkness?"
I couldn't help smiling.
"What? Why are you laughing? Were you making fun of me?"
"I was laughing because you're cute."
"...Hmph."
We were having dinner at a fine-dining restaurant called Sieun in Mapo.
The meeting with Yoo Euiju had just ended.
For the first time...
I planned to pay for dinner.
"The signing bonus will be transferred as soon as you leave. No other company does this. Not even Forest. I like making sure people know when I've done something generous."
Most rookie actors didn't receive a signing bonus.
But Yoo Euiju had transferred a substantial amount immediately after signing.
That was her philosophy.
When recruiting talented people...
She believed in giving them everything.
The same had happened in my previous life.
Rumor had it she'd even bought Lee Chanhwi a luxury apartment when recruiting him.
"I'm treating tonight! Don't worry about money!"
"Not 'tonight.' You mean 'tonight too.' Besides, I already said I'm paying."
"No! You don't even have any money!"
"I do now. I got my signing bonus."
"No! That's exactly why you shouldn't spend it recklessly!"
Even if I saved every penny...
I'd never become as rich as Hana.
I wisely kept that thought to myself.
"I'm paying."
"Nope. I am."
Looks like I'll have to secretly pay while pretending to use the restroom.
I kept that thought to myself as well.
"So what happens to I Go to School? You started filming before signing."
"Since I accepted the role beforehand, they won't take a share of the payment. My scenes are almost finished anyway."
"Seriously? Aunt's so generous."
"Haha."
It was an independent film to begin with.
There wasn't much money involved.
"They're also assigning me a stylist, a manager, and a company vehicle as soon as they're ready."
"That's incredible! You're really going to make it now."
I gently pinched Hana's cheek.
"One more question. When's the audition? You're still filming, aren't you?"
"I'll ask the production for permission. That's pretty normal."
"Oh? Since when did you know things like that?"
I've worked on enough productions.
I simply smiled.
"So..."
"When's the audition?"
"...Tomorrow."
"...What?"
The smile disappeared from Hana's face.
"Tomorrow?! Seriously?!"
Unfortunately, because the production schedule had been delayed...
The audition was tomorrow afternoon.
"Luckily I only have morning filming."
"But that's way too sudden..."
She looked genuinely worried.
"What role are you auditioning for?"
"Young Kim Taesan."
She gasped.
"Kim Taesan? Didn't the news say Lee Chanhwi was being considered? If it's already making headlines, isn't he basically confirmed?"
"It's okay."
Lee Chanhwi was every bit as talented as Bae Jiho.
Even so...
I wasn't worried.
"I'm confident."
Not because I was certain I'd beat Lee Chanhwi.
But because no matter who stood across from me...
I was confident I could give a performance that was unmistakably my own.
And confident that it would move the people making the final decision.