Be My Family (1)

Sitting across the table, carving into a thick cut of meat, the breathtakingly handsome young man suddenly blurted out a question.

"Hey, when your current contract is up, you want to switch agencies?"

"...?"

"You told me before. That you weren't getting along with your current agency."

"I did?"

"Yeah. You said you hated them. You definitely said you were going to dump them and find a new one next time."

"..."

Hearing this, Frederic fell into deep thought, genuinely wondering if he had ever uttered such words.

They were at a steakhouse downtown. The place was moderately noisy, leaving it unclear whether the surrounding patrons recognized Sion behind his sunglasses or not. In any case, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Frederic stared blankly at Sion, who was busy slicing up a 400-gram steak and devouring it in massive chunks without even bothering to add sauce, before giving the exact same response.

"...I did?"

"Are you going to make me repeat myself? Fine, you're buying today."

"You said you were buying! And besides, that's not true!"

"What isn't?"

"Me not getting along with my agency! It's not like that at all! The CEO there takes such good care of me! Are you sure you're not confusing me with someone else?"

"...Tsk."

"W-Why the attitude?"

When Frederic asked in a fluster at Sion's tongue-clicking, a shameless reply came back.

"I thought if I said it like that, you'd agree you hated them even if you actually got along."

"Why on earth would I do that?!"

In his sudden irritation, Frederic shouted so loudly that the other patrons in the restaurant began to turn their heads toward their table. As whispers started to ripple through the room, Sion Lee's chewing speed accelerated. He had to shovel it in and get out before they were recognized. His intentions were glaringly obvious. Pulling his cap down even lower and burying his face in his plate, Sion prompted Frederic to ask cautiously:

"...By the way, did you always eat this much?"

"I started working out recently. I think I'll have to take my shirt off soon."

"Oho... sounds like you're preparing another massive project?"

"Exactly. So pass the salt, and pour me another glass of water."

Since that had been his job ever since the middle of shooting Season 3, Frederic did as he was told. ...At this point, catering to Sion's needs had become second nature to him.

"Anyway, you have no intention of switching agencies for the time being?"

"Yeah. ...Ahem, why? Do you have a place you want to recommend?"

To Frederic, who was showing a sliver of interest, Sion Lee pointed his fork and gave a loaded reply.

"Our agency."

"...With all due respect, that's a bit much."

"Why?"

"It's tiny. I heard they don't have any decent actors besides you. ...Wait, do they even have anyone else?"

"What does that matter? With me there, it's already a major agency."

"Is that so...?"

"You know how it is. An agency's size ultimately comes down to who they can work with. In that regard, we're a much better choice than your current agency. Because of me, we get all kinds of offers from major studios. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Which means, depending on the role, even if it's not for me, there are plenty of opportunities to pitch other suitable actors from our roster."

"..."

Frederic began to ponder this seriously. Is... is he right?

The agency he was currently signed with had far more employees and actors than Sion Lee's agency... but they certainly didn't have a mega-star on Sion's level. Because of that, the channels through which roles came in were always mediocre, so Frederic wasn't entirely without worries regarding the very point Sion had just raised.

But in the end, he shook his head. "Sorry. But they've put up with my temper for this long, so I want to stick with them a bit longer."

"Oho. Chomp, chomp..."

"Don't sound impressed while chewing your steak. It sounds sarcastic."

"Gulp. No, I'm genuinely impressed. I was just thinking about how much you've grown. When we first met, you were kicking staff members' butts and refusing to drink anything but Evian."

"...Why do you keep making up stories that never happened?"

"I'd love to rewrite your faulty memories someday. Anyway, even if it's not you, introduce me to any actors you know who are looking for an agency. Preferably someone with a decent face."

"I'll... ask around."

Frederic avoided his gaze, giving a half-hearted answer as he focused on his meal. He had agreed, but his attitude made it clear he wouldn't put much effort into it. However, swallowing the remaining hundred grams of steak in a single bite, Sion smirked.

Oh, buddy, I can read you like an open book.

That night. Having fallen hook, line, and sinker for Sion's wicked scheme, Frederic returned home and immediately pulled out his address book. As he flipped through the pages, he unleashed a torrent of curses aimed at Sion, who had not only dragged him out but also made him pay for the steaks.

"That bastard never gives me anything, yet he always gets free meals out of me and has the nerve to ask for favors!"

Grumbling all the while, Frederic suddenly recalled the movie roles Sion had practically handed to him on a silver platter.

"...Well, I guess it's not like he gave me nothing. Actually, he gave me a shit ton."

Until late into the night, he did his absolute best to call everyone he knew, spreading the word that Sion Lee's agency was looking for fresh faces.

"Oh, Monica? It's me, Frederic. Yeah, yeah, I'm doing great. Hey, did you hear? I'm going to have a massive role in Season 4 of The College Player."

He started the conversation with the typical swagger of an actor his age.

"But anyway, you know Sion Lee, right?"

"...He comes running whenever I call. We were just having drinks and slicing up steaks together a moment ago. Anyway, I heard his agency is currently recruiting actors..."

By evening, Frederic—Sion Lee's faithful minion—had delivered the news to over twenty people. If you counted those who didn't pick up, he had dialed more than thirty numbers.

Thanks to his heroic efforts, rumors that Sion Lee's agency was scouting for talent spread like wildfire through Hollywood, a place where gossip already traveled at supersonic speeds.

A few days passed. Sion, who was working out at home with his trainer, received a phone call.

"...Hello?"

"Jack, long time no see. What's up?"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"I don't know where that rumor got twisted, but I'm not the one expanding it."

...If the rumor had reached the ears of Jack Nicholson, who usually kept to himself without much social activity, there was no telling how fast it had spread.

...That guy did a better job than I expected.

After exchanging brief pleasantries and hanging up, Sion chuckled, only for his trainer to shout from behind him.

"Sion! If you're done with the phone, get back here! We still have sets left!"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming. I'm coming."

Having never done strength training in his entire life, he groaned as he headed back to the home gym he had set up in his converted garage.

Well, he did a good job, so I should send him a box of paprikas later.

He mused, imagining a gift that would make Frederic curse his very existence if he actually received it.

Some time after that, the calendar flipped to September.

Around the time Not My Type wrapped up its six-month theatrical run with over $150 million in earnings, and Batman Forever stabilized its box office run, hitting a cumulative $200 million, Sion Lee received a call from Charlie Kang.

At those words, Sion immediately headed to the cramped office in the heart of Hollywood. Finding dozens of resumes neatly organized on the desk, he grinned and asked:

"What's all this?"

"What do you think it is?! I don't know what kind of stunt you pulled, but this is the result of rumors spreading all over Hollywood! All kinds of actors... what's his name? Ah, they sent these in saying they were recommended by 'Frederic Patterson'!"

"Frederic really came through. I'll have to send him another box of paprikas."

"Dammit, we haven't even decided where to move the office yet!"

"That's why we need to move faster. Once Warner makes the contract offer and we sign it, articles will start popping up everywhere. They'll say, 'Sion Lee, the Ten-Million-Dollar Man!' If an agency represents an actor like that, shouldn't they secure a solid roster of good actors to match?"

"I was thinking it might be less complicated to put it off until after the contract is signed..."

"Why wait? Wouldn't it be better to drop one bombshell after another to raise CK Agency's status in Hollywood as much as possible? We build up the hype, make people expect great things when they work with us, and then we actually deliver. Let's use that momentum to balloon our weight class."

And this was where Charlie Kang's skills, honed over years of working with Sion Lee, would shine. In his efforts to clean up the various messes his client had made in the past, he had naturally built a diverse network of connections within the industry. In a society where racial discrimination against Asians still implicitly existed, he would have been weeded out and forgotten long ago if he lacked such business networking prowess.

"I believe in you, Charlie."

"...First, I need to find an office quickly. We can't give off the impression of a second-rate company when we hold interviews. West Hollywood seems like a good spot. After all, we have a young, fresh image."

"I never doubt your judgment."

At Sion's praise, delivered with a beaming smile, Charlie fell into slightly deeper thought. Like any ordinary family man of this era, he was a man thirsty for recognition.

"Once we move, we should invite some industry folks and throw a party... To do that, it'd be best to secure a few good faces to showcase by then. Oh... and there's one resume that might surprise you."

"Hmm, what is it?"

Sion braced himself, determined not to be surprised, but the moment he saw the first page of the resume Charlie handed over, his face froze completely.

"...Wait, why on earth?"

"How should I know..."

"I'm scared. Why did a giant bigger than me send this?"

"I don't know either... I was too scared to call, so I haven't even reached out."

After pondering for a moment, Sion dialed the personal contact number listed on the resume.

He hadn't really expected him to pick up, but he actually did.

"...Ah, Jim? It's me, Sion."

"Uh... I've been doing great. But, it seems like someone is running a scam using your name. We received a resume at our agency saying Jim Carrey wants to sign with CK Agency. ...Wait, if that's a scam, how did I get this number?"

In the movie, Sion had played the serious Lucid while Jim played the comical Riddler, but in reality, it was the exact opposite. Actors, as it turned out, often had personalities that were completely contrary to their on-screen images.

"I'll set up a VIP schedule for you right away, sir."

Slightly intimidated, Sion quickly wrapped up the conversation and hung up. Then, with anxious faces, he and Charlie Kang stared at each other like a pair of real-life Dumb and Dumber characters before suddenly bursting into a wild, ecstatic dance.

"This is insane! Holy shit! Jim Carrey actually wants to join our agency!"

"Yi-siony~! You lucky little bastard!! Thanks to you, the day has actually come for our agency to sign a mega-star like him!"

"Charlie! Book a club the moment the contract is signed! Dom Pérignon is on me!"

The two were already counting their chickens before they hatched. But as reality began to sink in, Sion suddenly recalled a piece of trivia about Jim Carrey switching agencies around this time.

That's right. Damn, talk about perfect timing.

He had heard that Jim Carrey had clashed with his previous agency over his salary, and after some higher-up made a comment along the lines of "comedy actors have no future," a thoroughly offended Jim Carrey had jumped ship to another agency around this period.

Knowing that, there was nothing to fear. This wasn't a dream; it was actually happening!

"Let him do whatever he wants! Let's roll out the red carpet for him!"

"Haha! You're an actor too, Yi-siony! I'll roll it out, so you make sure to walk on it with him!"

Charlie had been terrified by the sudden influx of resumes, but the moment his suspicion turned into certainty—that a giant like Jim Carrey was genuinely interested in his agency—his attitude flipped completely.

Yes, this is it.

To survive as an actor in Hollywood, one had to build a massive network. And the pinnacle of such networking was being signed to the same agency.

From that point on, they wouldn't view each other as mere business associates. Belonging to the same organization forged an incredibly powerful bond.

"Let's gather more useful talents and sell them like hotcakes, Charlie!"

"Bwahaha! Yi-siony! You make it sound like we're slave traders!"

And right then. The office door creaked open, and Chloe Arietta, CK Agency's sole employee-level agent, walked in.

"..."

"..."

Realizing they had been shaking their hips and dancing like fools, Sion Lee and Charlie Kang froze in embarrassment, looking like a scene straight out of a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sitcom.

But as always, Chloe approached without a single change in her expression and handed Charlie a freshly printed newspaper article.

"Boss. Our company is in the news."

"...What?"

The two rushed over. A massive headline printed at the very top of the evening paper's entertainment section caught their eyes.

"...O-M-G."

"Yi-siony, you sound like a California middle school girl."

Hollywood was truly Hollywood. The speed at which news traveled was faster than a ghost.