Chapter 182
Chapter 182
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: Part 2 - Trainee Han Se-yeon
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Entering the room I’d been guided to, Rep Yoon and a stunningly beautiful woman were waiting for me.
Clearly two people, but one presence stood out strangely large among them.
Sorry to Rep Yoon, but he might as well have been air compared to that bright, shining figure dazzling my eyes.
“Director, hello! Thank you for coming all this way. Come on, Se-yeon, say hello.”
“Yes!”
The woman Rep Yoon called Se-yeon hurriedly stood from her seat and began composing herself.
Sweeping her long hair behind her ear, she bowed her head with elegant grace.
“Hello. I’m Han Se-yeon, a trainee at Starlight Enter.”
“Han Se-yeon...”
Her name was as pretty as her face.
Honestly, with looks like hers, even a name like O Mal-ja would’ve felt beautiful.
“Ah, yes, Rep Yoon and Se-yeon-ssi. Nice to meet you. Please, have a seat comfortably.”
I shook hands with them one by one, then sat across from them.
True to the spacious, upscale room, a massive table sat between us, hiding Se-yeon’s thighs from view. But the exposed line of her shoulders and the way her top strained against her ample chest were more than enough eye candy.
‘Her face goes without saying... and her body looks incredible...’
Even under the dim lighting, her fair skin glowed purely, her collarbones alluringly revealed.
Full breasts that gave her body seductive curves, flowing into a slender waist like a slide.
From that earlier glance, her hips were wide too—thighs perfectly parted for easy access.
“...”
Maybe because I’d scanned her so blatantly, the moment our eyes met, Se-yeon...
I figured she’d demurely bow her head and avoid my gaze, but instead, she flashed a coy smile and played right back.
...As expected, she had some real spunk.
Proactive and bold—it was a sight to behold.
I couldn’t help but smile at her feisty display as I turned to Rep Yoon.
“She really does look just like the photos, as you said, Rep Yoon. No, the real thing is way better.”
“Haha! Right? Actually, Se-yeon shines even more in person.”
“Does she take well to the camera? Video presence is what matters.”
“Oh, no worries there, Director. On camera, she moves like a doll—it’s...”
From there, Rep Yoon launched into an enthusiastic pitch about his trainee.
Se-yeon instinctively followed the camera, looked gorgeous on screen without a hint of awkwardness, showed talent across dance, vocals, acting—he was convinced she could juggle idol work and acting, spinning a whole speech about it. Honestly, I tuned out halfway.
With a body this perfectly shaped and killer visuals like hers, her entertainment potential was already a done deal.
“I scouted her right off the street after endless persuasion...”
“Hm? Street casting?”
“Yes! Both trainees under me were handpicked by me pounding the pavement—no formal auditions!”
Did he have a pussy radar grafted to his skull or something?
Spotting a girl this smoking hot on the street...
Besides Se-yeon, there was that Hanna or whatever—she looked delicious too. Snagging two prime pieces off the pavement...
As expected, Rep Yoon had killer instincts as a scout.
“I see. Anyway, where’d you find a gem like this...”
“Near the university district—a girl who really stood out. I worked hard to convince her. ‘Ever thought about trying entertainment?’”
“University district? How old are you, Se-yeon-ssi?”
“Ah... I’m twenty-one.”
“Twenty-one... perfect...”
I’d been worried she might be too young, but twenty-one hit the sweet spot.
“So, Director. Se-yeon trusted my word, dropped out of college, and jumped into training. Couldn’t we get her even a small broadcast slot...?”
Rep Yoon glanced at me cautiously, finally broaching today’s purpose.
At that, I turned my gaze to Se-yeon.
“Just give me the word, and I’ll work my hardest... Please, Director.”
Se-yeon clasped her hands over her chest and pleaded pitifully.
“Hmm...”
“Director!”
“Please...!”
“Hmm...”
I closed my eyes, pretending to mull it over. How long had it been when the sound of wheels rolling grew louder from outside?
Knock knock knock—
“Coming in~”
The door opened, and in wheeled Manager Lewis of Room Bread, pushing a serving cart into the room.
The cart was loaded with booze, fruit, and perfect drinking snacks.
“Huh? Manager, I said we’d just talk quietly—no need for drinks.”
“Aw, come on, we charged the room fee—how could we not serve anything? Bad for business! At least pretend to have some, haha!”
“Ah, this is awkward...”
“Top-shelf booze and premium snacks—give ’em a try!”
The burly manager flashed a friendly grin as he heartily unloaded the drinks and snacks onto the table.
Of course, I’d never actually told them no setup—I’d just hinted beforehand to play along with my mood, and he’d nailed it.
“Then enjoy your time!”
Manager Lewis finished setting the table, bowed briskly, and vanished.
“Ah... what now... I said hold off, but they went full throttle... sheesh.”
“Yeah...”
“Well, since it’s here, how about one round each?”
“Uh...”
Rep Yoon looked extremely troubled at my words.
He couldn’t exactly turn this into a drinking party with Se-yeon here, but he couldn’t embarrass me by making me pop the bottles myself either.
“Ah, don’t worry. Se-yeon-ssi? Casual’s fine, right?”
“Yes! Go ahead.”
“Good. Se-yeon, skip the booze—grab some fruit and snacks. Just me and Rep Yoon will sip a little.”
“But... my manager sister said you’re super weak to alcohol, Rep Yoon...”
“Oh? Then skip it, Rep Yoon? Our talk might run long...”
“Uh... n-no! Let’s drink together, Director!”
And so, we clinked glasses.
.
.
.
.
“Seeing Se-yeon in person, there’s a spot that fits her perfectly.”
“Umm... re-ally, Di-rec-torrr?”
“Yes. From what you told me, Rep Yoon, you want to get your trainees on air first to build buzz, then launch a girl group?”
“Yes... girl idols need mass appeal... hic... that’s key...”
As Se-yeon said, Rep Yoon was weak to booze—his face was red after just a few glasses, tongue getting loose.
This champagne packed a punch, sure, but turning koala on us already...
Not what I’d planned, but even better.
“That too, but honestly, your company needs to debut someone fast to land gigs, right?”
“...Yes.”
“Makes sense. New agencies without capital—office rent, staff salaries, and trainee training costs are insane.”
“...”
Maybe I’d laid it too bare, but Rep Yoon deflated fast, just swirling his glass.
Se-yeon beside him started glancing around awkwardly too—probably feeling guilty about her massive training expenses.
Yeah, with full dance, vocal, acting lessons for trainees, it was about time to start recouping.
I watched them, downed a shot, and held out my empty glass to Rep Yoon—he refilled it.
“Rep Yoon, I’m the Director—I know how agencies tick. No need to look so down.”
“Haha, yes. As you say, we need revenue now...”
“Right. That spot for Se-yeon? It’s for a Newflix new drama.”
“...!”
I pulled a script from my bag.
The one PD Kim Young-jun had confirmed with his writer buddy.
Actually, PD Kim wanted to try drama directing, so I’d greenlit this Newflix project—‘Rising Star’, right there in my hands.
“This is the ‘Rising Star’ drama script. It’s about aspiring idols growing through promo school. Naturally, the role needs dance and vocals—and we haven’t found the right fit yet.”
Rep Yoon’s pupils dilated wildly; Se-yeon’s eyes didn’t just widen—they sparkled like stars.
“Di... Director! If you cast Se-yeon there, I’ll do any- ugh!”
“Hm? Rep Yoon?”
“Rep Yoon, you okay? You’re weak—drank too much?”
“Whew... yeah... Sorry, Director, booze hitting hard... Mind if I hit the restroom?”
“Sure, take your time. I’ll chat with Se-yeon.”
“Yes! Be right back...”
Rep Yoon bolted for the bathroom, leaving just me and Se-yeon in the room.
Suddenly, alone.
“Se-yeon.”
“Yes!”
“Want this?”
“Yes! I really do!”
“Cliché, but why?”
Se-yeon took a deep breath, then spoke earnestly.
“My trainee time’s short, but I worked hard—my skills won’t bow to anyone. I want to prove it through drama, ads, and later, with more trainees at our company, debut as a girl group and build a fandom. And above all...”
“Above all?”
“Our CEO and staff poured night-and-day support to make me succeed—now I want to repay them! I want to be their strength...!”
Hand on her chest, she declared boldly, and I couldn’t help but curl my lips.
“Great mindset. Straightforward and honest—yeah, you’re in.”
I gave the nod and held out my glass.
“Hng...? U-ugh!”
Se-yeon took it as the work deal sealed, snatched it, and slammed it back one-shot.
“Heh... Se-yeon, you’re hitting all the right notes?”
“Tha...nks...”
That heartfelt loyalty to her company folks.
Way easier to leverage Se-yeon’s devotion than strong-arm Rep Yoon.