Threat, Proposal, Persuasion
Park Hyeong-sik, the manager, blinked in surprise and asked, "Oh? If it's good news, does that mean our Ho-jun's screen time in Black Bride is getting longer?"
Getting longer?
I wasn't sure about that.
I couldn't say whether his role in Black Bride would grow, but the share of entertainment headlines he owned was probably about to swell by a lot.
Holding back a laugh, I answered, "Something like that. Do you have time sometime soon?"
"Oh, come on. If it's good news, I'll make time even if I don't have any! How about tomorrow evening?"
"Perfect. Let's have a drink and talk."
"Sounds great! Managers need a little socializing like this now and then!"
Park Hyeong-sik burst out laughing.
"Then I'll see you tomorrow evening."
"Yes. Have a good day, Manager Park."
"You too, Manager Kwon."
I ended the call with Park Hyeong-sik as if we were old friends, and the corners of my mouth lifted.
That was an easy appointment to set, but...
Should I threaten him, or should I make him an offer?
I rubbed my chin, thinking it over.
Either way, I can definitely send Kwon Ho-jun crashing down...
The real issue was making sure only Kwon Ho-jun went down, while minimizing the damage to Black Bride.
After all, Kwon Ho-jun is one of our supporting actors.
As I thought about how to shape the whole flow, I found myself muttering aloud, "Maybe I should try a threat and a proposal together?"
My target wasn't Park Hyeong-sik.
It was Kwon Ho-jun, the man Park Hyeong-sik was wrapping in layers of protection.
That meant there was no need to make Park Hyeong-sik an enemy.
Having made up my mind, I looked up at the sky.
"Clear."
The autumn sky was as clear as my mood, and my heart felt strangely warm.
I wanted tomorrow, when I met Park Hyeong-sik, to come already.
***
I handled only the essentials at work and left early.
Of course, leaving work didn't mean the job was over.
Even at home, I kept talking with Reporter Seo and kept an eye on Kwon Ho-jun's movements.
"Damn, that Kwon Ho-jun. He's really a nasty one," Reporter Seo said, clicking his tongue.
"Usually drug users will take something at least once in a club or a room salon, but this guy does the same thing overseas! He doesn't even go near clubs or room salons!"
"So he only does drugs in places where he's sure he'll be safe."
"Ugh! That's why no one even whispers the usual rumors here in Korea! Honestly, if I hadn't followed your lead and come abroad, I never would've caught on."
I scratched my chin slowly.
If Kwon Ho-jun was this careful...
then it was basically impossible for Reporter Seo to dig up any more evidence on his own.
So that's how it is. Threat and proposal. I need both.
By the time the call with Park Hyeong-sik came tomorrow, I had a much clearer sense of the line I needed to take.
With the photos Reporter Seo has now, it's hard to pin Kwon Ho-jun down as a full-blown drug addict.
Even if we tried, Seoul Forest Entertainment would move to bury the evidence.
They'd shave heads, wax bodies, destroy evidence, and use every trick they could think of.
And if things dragged on like that, dirty articles and sources would start sticking to Black Bride one after another.
So I need to take Kwon Ho-jun out with one solid blow.
For that, it was important to get firm evidence out of Park Hyeong-sik.
After sorting out my thoughts, I ended the call with Reporter Seo and nodded.
"Good. Let's handle it this way for now."
Then the next day, I woke up feeling, oddly enough, refreshed.
Not only was I in good condition, I was so full of energy it felt like it might burst out of me.
In that best possible state, I got dressed and headed to headquarters.
Following my usual morning routine, I bought a cup of coffee and went up to the rooftop smoking area. Manager Seok-du, who was already there, spotted me and waved.
"Hey, Manager Kwon!"
I gave a small nod and walked over to him. Next to him, Kim Hae-chan, the Team 3 leader at Baekhak Management, greeted me casually.
"Well, look who it is. Star manager Manager Kwon, right?"
Hm.
My mood dropped all at once.
Seok-du, standing beside him, smacked Team 3 Leader's shoulder.
"Hey now, Team 3 Leader. Our Manager Kwon hates that nickname, so don't call him that."
"Huh? It's not even a bad nickname. Why does he hate it?"
"That's just how men from Gyeongsangnam-do are."
"Oh, you're both from Gyeongsangnam-do?"
"We grew up in the same neighborhood since we were kids."
Kim Hae-chan let out a hearty laugh.
"I thought Ma Team Leader was taking care of you because you were one of his own. Turns out he just likes you because you're an acquaintance?"
"At first it was because he knew me. Lately, he just takes care of me because I'm cute. Heh heh..."
"Well, everything Manager Kwon touches these days seems to turn into a hit."
Kim Hae-chan turned his head and looked at me.
"At this rate, aren't you going to become the youngest team leader, Manager Kwon?"
After staying silent, I finally answered, "There's still seniority to consider. Team leader's a stretch, Team 3 Leader."
"Come on, where does that kind of thing matter in this industry? If seniority were all that counted, I should've been made director years ago!"
Waving a hand, Kim Hae-chan grinned.
"Our Team 3 Manager Lee Jae-min has been watching you like a hawk. At this rate, the two of you are going to clash someday."
Kim Hae-chan smiled slyly at me. I laughed it off lightly and said, "I don't really care, but that sounds troublesome."
"Oh? So Manager Lee Jae-min doesn't even come close?"
"Hey! Team 3 Leader! There's already enough tension among the managers over team leader positions, so stop stirring up trouble!"
At Seok-du's teasing, Team 3 Leader laughed again.
"My, my, I got carried away again. Since I ruined the mood, I'll head down first. Team 5 Leader, Manager Kwon, take care."
With a friendly smile, Team 3 Leader headed down from the rooftop. Seok-du, watching his back, nudged my shoulder.
"You heard that?"
"Heard what?"
"What Team 3 Leader said. He said the managers are really keeping an eye on you, right?"
I snorted.
Considering I'd already seen Manager Lee Jae-min and Team 3's road managers talking behind my back, it wasn't exactly shocking.
Seok-du draped an arm around my neck and said, "Nervous, aren't you, Chan?"
"Not at all."
"Heh... You punk. Acting tough, huh? But don't worry too much. Your big brother'll cover for you and block anything that comes your way!"
Look at him talking. He should take care of his own problems first.
Then something I had discussed with Lee Ye-ji suddenly came back to me.
They said TAN was planning a singer-songwriter competition show, right?
I scratched my chin slowly for a moment, then asked casually, "Seok-du."
"Yeah? What is it?"
"Do you know anyone in TAN's variety department?"
Seok-du tilted his head.
"TAN? Why are you asking about their variety department all of a sudden?"
"I just heard some strange rumors."
"...Strange rumors?"
"Yeah. Something about TAN planning a competition show."
Seok-du blinked like an idiot.
"What? They're planning a competition show in times like this? What, are they trying to tank their own ratings? Nobody wants competition shows anymore, so what the hell are they thinking, launching another one?"
Hm.
Sometimes I really wondered how our Seok-du had ever become a team leader with eyesight this poor.
I kept the conversation going naturally while laughing to myself.
"Anyway, can you get me some information on that competition show?"
"What's with you? You're not planning something weird again, are you?"
"Come on, I'm not doing anything weird. I just heard they're considering casting To.Any members for it, so I want to get a foot in the door."
A spark of interest appeared in Seok-du's eyes.
"To.Any? So it's some kind of music competition program?"
"Something like that."
"...Hmm. For rookies, it's not a bad schedule, but do you really need to gamble on it? To.Any's already finding its footing, isn't it?"
I nodded. I had no intention of deciding in a hurry either.
After all, this competition show was something where autumn's own will mattered more than anything else.
But there's nothing wrong with finding out in advance.
And in this area, Seok-du's information network was every bit as good as Reporter Seo's.
He had the kind of golden connections you build over more than ten years in this business.
That was Team 5 Leader Ma Seok-du's greatest weapon and greatest strength.
And from this moment on, I was planning to borrow that strength of his.
"I'm not in a rush to decide either. I just want to know."
Seok-du thumped his chest.
"Okay. For our hot-shot Manager Kwon, your big brother'll go and ask around properly!"
"It really has been a while since I felt this reassured, Seok-du."
"What? So you're saying I wasn't reassuring before?"
"No. You've always been reassuring. Just in size."
After exchanging a few stupid jokes, Team 5 Leader Ma Seok-du casually made a suggestion.
"You free tonight? Want to grab soju? It's been a while."
I snuffed out my cigarette and smiled faintly.
"No, I already have plans today."
"Plans? What kind? Important plans?"
"Hm... yeah, important, I guess?"
My voice drifted out with a slight tremor of excitement.
"It's a plan I put a lot of work into, so let's pick another day and drink then, hyung. I'll treat you big-time."
***
After work, I headed to a beef barbecue place near Mapo Station. Before going inside, I smoked a cigarette.
The slight tension that had built up was swallowed by nicotine and melted away.
After grinding out the cigarette, I headed to the private room I had reserved.
In his early thirties, with short hair, a man stood up from his seat and greeted me.
"Oh, Manager Kwon."
Park Hyeong-sik, from Seoul Forest. He was also the manager handling High Top, the agency Kwon Ho-jun belonged to.
With a lifted corner of my mouth, I greeted him back.
"Looks like I got here early. You weren't waiting long, were you?"
"I only just arrived myself. Shall we sit?"
After we took our seats, we exchanged the usual small talk.
While we talked, I recalled what Reporter Seo had told me about Park Hyeong-sik's personality.
Meticulous, proud of his work, the type who takes real satisfaction in what he does.
It seemed Reporter Seo had been right. Park Hyeong-sik's tone was full of confidence.
He takes pride in his career and where he stands now.
But the forceful tone and expressions that sometimes slipped out made him seem like someone accustomed to hierarchical, top-down corporate culture.
The type who does what he's told from above.
Having grasped his personality, I muttered to myself, People like this don't respond well to roundabout talk. You have to hit them hard.
He wasn't the type to bend if I came at him indirectly. He'd only come around if I hit him head-on.
And I preferred to hit hard, too.
Then Park Hyeong-sik poured me a drink and asked, "So, Manager Kwon. Why did you suddenly want to meet?"
He prodded at me with an expression that couldn't hide either his excitement or his anticipation.
"Honestly, I was so curious I couldn't sleep last night! Is it true Director Park Jun-seo is going to give our Ho-jun more screen time?"
With a small smile, I answered, "If that were the case, wouldn't Director Park Jun-seo have told you himself?"
"Come on, the rumor's all over the place that this Black Bride project was handled directly by you, Manager Kwon! Director Park Jun-seo even said so himself!"
Oh, so that rumor had spread? Why was I the only one who hadn't heard it?
Meanwhile, Park kept trying to read between the lines with an insinuating tone.
"So what's the reason you set this up today? Come on, Manager Kwon, stop hiding the present and open the bag already."
At his words, I looked calmly at his face for a moment.
I could see the look in Park Hyeong-sik's eyes, stained with expectation and excitement.
I had been wondering how to shock him badly, but it seemed I didn't really need to think that hard.
If I crush that expectation and excitement, that should do it.
Once I made up my mind, I spoke.
"Kwon Ho-jun, that guy of yours uses drugs, doesn't he, Manager Park?"
"......................!"
Park Hyeong-sik held his breath.
Not missing that tiny shift in his expression, I laughed inwardly.
After a beat, Park finally gathered himself and let out an awkward laugh.
"Ha... What's this? Is this some kind of surprise prank?"
I didn't answer. I just lifted my glass.
Park looked at me with a wavering gaze before lifting his own glass a moment later.
We clinked lightly, and I knocked back the soju in one go.
I was surprised at how smoothly the alcohol went down.
Was I in such good shape that I couldn't even taste the liquor?
As I poured more into Park Hyeong-sik's glass, I said, "There was an article last time about an idol member getting caught with drugs, right?"
Now that I'd hit him with a shock, I started laying the groundwork properly. I wanted Park Hyeong-sik to believe I had a solid card in hand.
"I looked into it, and Kwon Ho-jun was very close with that member."
Park's face crumpled at once, and he snapped, harshly, "Manager Kwon! What exactly are you trying to do here?"
"..."
"You asked to meet just to say that? Do you realize you'll be responsible if this goes wrong?"
A snort of laughter slipped out of me.
"Manager Park. Let's keep our voices down."
"...Hah, what are you saying right now?"
"The story I'm about to tell you doesn't sound like one that would please anyone if it got overheard. Should I raise my volume too?"
Park's shoulders twitched.
Meanwhile, I turned over the beef on the grill and said, "I was shocked when I heard it too. Actor Kwon Ho-jun, from the outside, looks so decent and diligent, doesn't he? No scandal in his private life, no dirt in the rumors."
Cutting the beef into bite-size pieces, I went on, "But it turns out the old saying was right: where there's smoke, there's fire. It wasn't that there were no private-life scandals or rumors. They'd just been buried carefully."
I held out the best-cooked piece of beef to Park.
"Then again, if it was a drug issue, they'd have no choice but to hide it. Right?"
"!"
"If it were me, I'd have managed the private life side just as carefully. If the story leaked out the back, there'd be more than a few heads rolling."
Park Hyeong-sik hurriedly grabbed the water cup and gulped down cold water.
Then, after letting out a long breath, he glared at me and asked, "Do you have evidence?"
"Evidence?"
"You're just acting on suspicion, aren't you? Otherwise you would've dropped the article already. Am I wrong?"
Park Hyeong-sik smiled thinly.
But unlike his mouth, the corners of his eyes kept trembling uncontrollably.
Our Park Hyeong-sik wasn't very good at controlling his expression.
I let out a quiet laugh and showed him the photo Reporter Seo had sent me.
"How about this as evidence?"
Park's face jolted.
But he quickly composed himself and shouted in a panic, "T-That's all you have? A photo like this?"
"I never said that was all."
"...What?"
"I met you because I have more solid evidence. Oh, and by the way, do you know something?"
I shrugged.
"The article goes out tomorrow."
"...............!!"
"The Baekhak publicity team, and the reporter who gave me this source, are both planning to make a huge splash out of it. What was the title again...?"
Letting my words trail off, I smiled brightly.
"I think it was something like, 'Kwon Ho-jun at the Center of the Entertainment Drug Ring.'"
"!!"
At my words, Park Hyeong-sik gaped like an idiot. For a moment, I folded my arms and enjoyed the look on his face.
The face that had been full of expectation and excitement just moments ago was now trembling with fear and anxiety.
There. That's a face worth seeing.
Meanwhile, Park Hyeong-sik couldn't hide the rough shake in his voice when he answered.
"S-So what? Are you threatening me right now?"
My eyes widened.
"Threatening you? No. Why would I threaten you, Manager Park?"
It was a threat.
But what came next was a proposal.
"I'll give you a choice, Manager Park."
I lifted the corners of my mouth and smiled.
"Are you going to throw Kwon Ho-jun away by himself? Or are you going to throw him away and save yourself, Manager Park?"
At my offer, Park let out a hollow laugh.
"What the hell does that mean? Are you telling me to betray him?"
"Shouldn't you?"
After the proposal came the persuasion.
Before I knew it, my body leaned forward.
"If this blows up as it is, you'll be the one who ends up carrying the whole thing, Manager Park."
At that, the last of Park Hyeong-sik's resolve snapped.