Be My Family (2)
As soon as the news broke that Jim Carrey had been in contact with CK Agency, all of Hollywood was thrown into a frenzy. While the general public merely shrugged it off with a casual "Oh, really?", industry insiders who understood the inner workings of the business were utterly shocked. It was only natural. "The bigger the star, the bigger the agency they sign with." That was an absolute, unquestionable law of Hollywood.
"What...? Is this actually real?"
"They say they're only in talks. Let's wait and see."
"But wait, Jim Carrey? Can CK even handle a giant of that caliber?"
"Well, thanks to having a powerhouse like Sion Lee, they've been building connections with several major studios lately."
"Even so, look at the difference in weight class. Why would he choose them over CAA or WMA?"
"Maybe the appeal of having more freedom to move was what drew him in."
Ironically, the larger the agency an actor belonged to, the less control they had over their own career. Because these massive corporations operated strictly on the logic of capital, the larger they grew, the more they viewed their talent as mere commodities. This was why some A-list actors occasionally chose to go independent, operating without any agency at all. Yet, even that carried significant operational risks, making the decision a delicate balancing act with its own set of pros and cons. Therefore, when looked at from that perspective, Jim Carrey's potential move to CK Agency wasn't entirely absurd.
"If he goes there, Jim Carrey will be able to choose whatever roles he wants."
It was an open secret to anyone working in Hollywood that Jim was currently dissatisfied with his career being pigeonholed solely into comedy. And CK was known as a highly liberal agency, with rumors rampant that its Asian-American head allowed Sion Lee absolute freedom to select his own projects.
"It's no wonder he's interested. But still..."
Journalists began to chew over CK Agency like a piece of gum, their fingers flying across their keyboards.
"Since every other agency is aware of the situation now, it'll be difficult for CK to actually land the contract in the end. Sure, Sion Lee is signed with them, but they have nothing else. I heard their internal staff consists of just two people, including the CEO."
That was the dominant opinion regarding the leaked reports. Although it briefly became a hot topic in the media, the buzz was driven more by the sheer star power of Sion Lee than by the reputation of CK Agency itself. As more concrete details failed to emerge, the general consensus shifted to the belief that the media had simply jumped the gun, eager to hype up a potential connection between Jim Carrey and Sion Lee.
Yet, behind the scenes, CK Agency was moving faster than anyone precisely because of its small physical scale. Their newly relocated office in West Hollywood was at least five times larger than their previous one. Sion Lee's very first reaction upon seeing it had been, "Can we put a pool table in here?" which said it all. In this new space, where the CEO's office, conference rooms, and utility rooms were clearly partitioned, the very first thing Charlie Kang did was conduct interviews.
"We will begin the interview now."
"I'm Jen Eisenberg!"
The junior agent applicant exuded the raw, eager passion of a fresh graduate. Starting with him, Charlie rapidly hired a flurry of new employees. He brought on an accountant, hired in-house legal counsel to replace their previous external firm, recruited a PR specialist, a dedicated casting liaison, and even absorbed several agents who transferred over alongside their own rosters of actors. In the blink of an eye, the agency's staff grew to over ten people.
Previously, CK Agency had been able to operate with such a skeleton crew only because of the sheer versatility of its CEO, Charlie Kang, and its agent, Chloe Arietta. With the two of them working in perfect harmony to manage Sion Lee while keeping an eye on a few minor clients, the simple structure allowed the company to run smoothly without any major hiccups. But they could no longer afford to operate that way.
"..."
Late one night, after weeks of non-stop overtime, a disheveled Charlie finally slumped into his chair and stared out at the empty office. Who the hell said being a CEO was easy? His responsibilities had multiplied exponentially, keeping him chained to his desk and unable to go home. Thinking of his wife and children waiting anxiously for him at home, Charlie felt a sudden wave of sentimentality. He leaned deep into his chair and let out a heavy sigh.
Even so, it was incredibly rewarding. It's been a long time since I've seen Sion this motivated. Of course, Sion was always passionate when it came to casting and acting, but since Charlie wasn't directly on set with him during those times, there had always been a slight sense of detachment. Now, it was different.
"Charlie. To survive in Hollywood, you have to build a kingdom. From what I've seen, that's the only way."
Perhaps his transition into blockbusters had sparked a shift in perspective. Unlike his earlier days when he relied purely on his "instincts" to jump from film to film, Sion was now moving with calculated, business-minded precision. And Charlie wholeheartedly agreed with that vision. I heard Tom Cruise also established his own production company while keeping his existing agency.
In the end, an actor had to look out for their own career. In that sense, Sion's proactive approach was a calculated strategy to carve out a path of survival within the ruthless Hollywood system. Realizing this once again, a weary smile tugged at the corners of Charlie's lips.
"Alright, I'll follow you. Wherever you go, however far it takes us."
Beyond their shared bond as fellow Koreans, Charlie Kang trusted Sion Lee—who was now shining as a true, undeniable superstar—more than anyone else in the world.
A few days later, at a private, upscale restaurant nearby.
"Ah, Mr. Lee!"
As soon as Sion stepped inside, Terry Semel of Warner Bros. rose from his seat as if he had been eagerly waiting, greeting him with a warm smile. Sion slipped off his sunglasses and shook his hand.
"Haha! It's been a while. I hear you've been incredibly busy lately...!"
"Not at all. It's mostly agency business, so there's no reason for an actor like me to be busy."
"I have ears, you know. At any rate, you are remarkably multi-talented. You're still so young, yet I wonder if Hollywood has ever seen an actor quite like you before."
Terry offered a knowing, meaningful smile. "I invited you here today because I think it's about time we start discussing some serious business."
"Sounds good. That's exactly what I was hoping for."
Sion grinned, noting the executive's overly enthusiastic welcome. Unlike acting or showmanship, business isn't exactly my forte, but in the end, even business is about selling an image. Although he had merely sketched out the broad vision and delegated the rest to his reliable partner, Charlie Kang, people couldn't help but project that strategic brilliance onto Sion himself. It was on the foundation of this steadily rising prestige of CK Agency that Sion sat at this business meeting today.
It might seem like a mere formality, but it's a necessary one. If this meeting helped him grow into an even bigger star, it would naturally elevate the agency. And as the agency grew, it would pave a smooth, wide highway for all the actors signed under it. Sion and Charlie were building an ideal, symbiotic relationship where each success fed into the next.
After exchanging warm pleasantries and settling into his seat, Terry hesitated for a moment before speaking in a roundabout manner.
"I've discussed this with a few trusted executives internally, but we haven't reached a definitive conclusion yet."
"Hmm, and here I thought you just said 'serious business'..."
"Ah, let's order our food first."
He smoothly deflected. Sion, who had been putting on a slightly disappointed face, grinned inwardly at the mention of food. In truth, he had been needing to eat hearty meals lately anyway.
"Steak. One kilogram, lean cut."
"...Excuse me?"
"Huh?"
The waiter taking the order and Terry both stared at him with wide eyes, but Sion remained unfazed.
"Please."
"Th-their steaks are indeed very good, aren't they?"
Facing an awkwardly smiling Terry, Sion's expression turned dead serious.
"I'm preparing in my own way."
"...For what?"
"To build a body fit for the role. After all, having some muscle is always a plus, isn't it? I won't be able to achieve an overwhelming size like Arnold, but I want to build a physique that feels rare and striking when you look at it."
That was how seriously Sion was preparing for this project. Confronted with such dedication, Terry momentarily found himself at a loss for words. Sion Lee. To use a culinary metaphor fitting for the restaurant setting, he was like a "truffle" to Terry Semel and Warner Bros. Exquisite, highly valuable, and possessing an incredible aroma, yet too distinct to throw into just any ordinary dish. Because of this, Terry's mind was consumed with the desire to craft a project that would showcase this premium ingredient to its absolute fullest. But how?
Sion Lee was, at his core, a beautiful young man. Even if you lined up every Hollywood star from the past to the present, his looks would easily hold their own. He was elegant, strikingly handsome, and perfectly proportioned—a man of such flawless symmetry that an ancient sculptor would have praised him as the golden ratio incarnate. Furthermore, and quite importantly for a leading man, he showed absolutely no signs of hair loss. He could also grow a very clean, sharp beard.
A blockbuster franchise fit for such an actor. Terry wanted to secure the maximum possible commercial viability. A film that everyone, from adults to children, would love. He wanted to print T-shirts, release VHS tapes, sell action figures, and rake in massive profits just like they did with Batman... That was the fundamental vision Terry had initially conceived. Thus, he had initially considered using Shadowrun as a base, but... The technology isn't there yet. And it's too difficult to understand. He felt that a world where magic and advanced technology coexisted would be too difficult for the contemporary public to digest. On the other hand, going full sci-fi would require building the lore entirely from scratch, not to mention the extensive technical cross-verification needed for the visual effects. So, that idea was currently on hold. It was difficult. Incredibly difficult.
"...To put it simply, that's the dilemma," Terry lit a cigarette and spoke candidly about his thoughts. He believed this level of honesty was the proper way to show respect to an actor who was giving his all for a potential contract. "You are such an incredibly appetizing ingredient that it's causing me a massive headache."
"That's a fun way to put it. It sounds like the perfect topic to discuss over a steak."
"I mean it. No matter how high-grade a steak we order, you're the kind of person who completely overpowers its flavor and aroma all on your own. That's why I wanted to ask for your thoughts. I mean, you're practically a legend already, aren't you? You went to the cinematic wasteland of Chicago to shoot an indie film just to prove yourself, and then you paired up with a star like Elena Asimov to deliver a breathtaking romance film..."
"This feels like the part where I'm supposed to act humble and say I was just lucky." Sion grinned as he looked at Terry, who was staring intently at him.
"I know better than anyone that you're not that kind of actor."
"Fair point. In that case, let me brag a little. ...I was absolutely brilliant, wasn't I?"
"Bwahaha! I knew I liked you, kid! You're refreshingly straightforward!"
Before Sion arrived, Terry had been trying to mask his slight discouragement over not finding the right answer, but now he was laughing heartily. Having finished his quick analysis of the executive, Sion sliced off a large piece of the steak that had just been served, took a bite, and continued.
"I have charm, don't I?"
"Oh, absolutely. You're the most charming actor I've ever met. If I were a woman, I'd have fallen head over heels."
"And people love me, right?"
"Of course they do. Just looking at the data coming into our office... right after Batman and the Riddler, the best-selling merchandise is the T-shirt for Lucid, the character you played. And that's despite having less screen time than those two and ending up miserably washed down a sewer."
"..."
"I truly believe that is the unique power of Sion Lee as an actor."
He possessed an effortless ability to captivate anyone watching the screen. Calling him an incubus might be a bit rude, but Terry Semel, who had spent the last few days analyzing potential projects for Sion, genuinely believed it. Sion was an actor of intense magnetic pull. Both in reality and on screen, he endlessly lured people into his world. Sometimes he was a wild, reckless rogue; other times, he was a refined gentleman who looked perfectly at home holding a glass of fine wine. Terry had studied all of these facets of Sion in his quest to find the perfect formula.
"Wait a minute..." As he stared at the vibrant young man sitting across from him, a sudden spark of inspiration flashed in Terry's mind. A reckless, unpredictable rogue, yet simultaneously a refined gentleman. "This is practically James Bond."
"I'm more American. Not quite a 'gentleman' like Bond, but more of a 'cowboy.'"
"Oh... now that is interesting. A rogue cowboy, haha!"
"Let's add more layers to it. People love unexpected contrasts. For instance, seeing a superstar who drives a Porsche spending time with kids, or finding out that a guy who drinks every night and starts club brawls actually has a quiet hobby like gardening at home... it drives people crazy."
"I feel like I've just been handed a massive trade secret. Then how about this? What if this guy is actually an elite?"
"What kind of elite?"
"Hmm... top of his class at MIT? Maybe an engineering major..."
Terry continued to pile on character traits as they popped into his head. Sion, maintaining a perfectly casual expression, kept nudging him forward.
"So he's brilliant academically... but he's a rogue and a cowboy."
"Yes! What a perfect character! Let's make him patriotic too, so he served in the military!"
"..."
It was starting to sound like an absurdly overpowered character, but Sion silently chewed his steak and let Terry ramble on in his excitement. Good. Keep going. That was the only way Terry would become completely sold on the idea, building a franchise entirely from scratch with Sion Lee as the blueprint. Wanting exactly that, Sion played along, subtly guiding Terry's train of thought so that, by the end, the executive would believe he had come up with the entire concept himself.
"How about this? He's a misfit who couldn't settle down anywhere, so he's worked all kinds of odd jobs. He's not a rigid professional, but he can get just about anything done. He's not a highly trained specialist like Rambo or Commando, but he somehow pulls off heroic feats while doing whatever job he's handed."
"That's brilliant! It fits the character perfectly! That explains how he has such a wide range of skills!"
Terry babbled on, completely swept up in his enthusiasm. Before long, a working title was coined right there at the table. Bad Contract.
"Any job he takes on is bound to be a 'bad contract.'"
And with those words, Terry Semel proposed what was, ironically, an incredibly good contract.