Chapter 54: Movie Casting (1)
Chapter 54: Movie Casting (1)
"The title of the movie is The Chaser. They contacted me saying they absolutely want to cast you, Seo-yeon."
The Chaser.
The title Jo Do-yul mentioned was the same as the movie etched in Seo-yeon’s memory.
As for how that movie had performed in the past...
It had a total of 2.5 million viewers during its theatrical run.
It was a decent performance—neither a massive hit nor a failure.
However, considering the circumstances behind that number, it was actually an incredible achievement.
"Now, it’s not really my place to say this, but it’s such a great opportunity that I think it would be good if you considered it, Seo-yeon."
Jo Do-yul must have taken quite a liking to Seo-yeon, seeing as he went as far as to leave her with those words.
And he had every reason to.
The Chaser was originally an ambitious project prepared by the GH Group.
The investment was substantial, and the cast was quite impressive.
But.
"Ju Seo-yeon?"
Lee Ji-yeon asked Seo-yeon with a puzzled expression.
Her eyes were demanding to know what was going on.
"Hmm."
Seo-yeon tapped both her cheeks with her palms before looking at Ji-yeon.
Before dealing with the movie casting, there was something she had to do first.
Namely, finding an agency.
Various scenarios flashed through her mind.
A part of her wondered if there might be something better out there.
However, a "better" company didn't necessarily mean it would be better for her.
Therefore.
"Is it possible to talk to the CEO today?"
It was time to decide on the matter she had been putting off.
*
"Did you hear? About Ju Seo-yeon, the one who recently made a comeback."
"Ah, did I see the play? Of course. Man, her aura was no joke."
"No, not that."
RY Entertainment, known as one of the Big 3 agencies in Korea.
It was an agency currently undergoing aggressive business expansion, indiscriminately scouting any star who was even remotely popular.
A certain actress's name had recently reached their ears.
"Apparently, she doesn't have an agency."
"What? You're talking about Ju Seo-yeon, right?"
The performance she showed in this recent play was at a level that didn't seem possible for someone her age.
It was the first time they had felt that kind of thrill from a young actor.
Would Park Jung-woo, Jo Seo-hee, or even the slightly less prominent actors of their generation be capable of that?
Honestly, they weren't sure.
And such an actress was still a free agent without an agency?
There weren't many agencies that could hear that and stay still.
"Manager Song."
And as if to prove it, a heated discussion was underway at RY Entertainment's 'Actor Management Division.'
"What do you think of actress Ju Seo-yeon?"
"Well, since she's only shown us a play so far, I can't be certain, but she's definitely an actress to look forward to."
First of all, the impact she showed in the recent variety show Looking at the Past and Memories was significant.
She had more than doubled the viewership ratings of a show that was on the verge of failing.
However.
Because the ratings had been so low to begin with, the impact didn't feel quite as visceral.
"There's a lot of buzz, and quite a few articles are being published. This might be the peak of her brand value."
"True. But she's already used up the premium of it being her first project after her comeback, so... hmm."
Lee Hwi-rok, the head of the Actor Management Division, scratched his chin with his thumb, lost in thought.
"Still, it would be a waste to let her go to another place. Her look is great, for starters."
"Right. She was cute as a child, but she really grew up well without any 'awkward phases.'"
"Her acting seems solid too. If we land her a good project, the picture looks quite promising."
He spoke those words and soon reached a decision.
There was no reason not to snatch up a hot commodity on the market.
Furthermore, signing an actress who was a hot topic would likely have a positive impact on their stock price.
"Manager Song, I'm counting on you. You know the drill, right? Let's see the conditions... Giving her a signing bonus on par with an A-list actor seems like too much."
"Somewhere between B and C, then?"
"Exactly. Even B is a lot. Let's go with C. And you know that figure is already inflated because of her recent buzz, right?"
"Of course."
Just a little better than C.
He gave the okay sign as he said that.
Generally, a signing bonus is set at about 30 percent of the amount an actor is expected to earn during the contract period.
Actors are typically divided into 18 grades, with child actors usually falling into the lowest 1st to 5th grades.
Seo-yeon's career consisted entirely of child acting, and even that was followed by a ten-year hiatus, so naturally, her grade wouldn't be very high.
In fact, from their perspective, they were being quite generous.
"We're probably the only ones among the Big 3 stepping up, so I'll make sure to tell them to secure the contract for sure."
"Right, send someone who's well-spoken and quick on their feet."
They laughed as they spoke.
Their faces looked as if they had already successfully closed the deal.
It was only natural.
They were one of the Big 3 agencies that everyone knew by name.
A rookie like Seo-yeon would probably bow down in gratitude for the chance to join them.
So, their assumption was perfectly logical.
Until that moment, at least.
*
Nova Entertainment.
It was the agency Ji-yeon belonged to, and in the industry, it was ranked around the 3rd tier.
In fact, being 3rd tier was already quite good.
There were countless agencies whose names weren't even known.
"Oh my, our Seo-yeon! Have you finally, finally decided to sign with us?!"
When she arrived at Nova Entertainment, the CEO, Kang Chan-yul, ran out to greet her.
He was just over forty, but based on his appearance alone, he looked to be in his early thirties.
His hair was a bright blonde.
He really lives his life youthfully, Seo-yeon thought once again.
"Hello."
"Oh, please. I heard from Ji-yeon. You're looking for an agency?"
Seo-yeon nodded at Kang Chan-yul’s friendly tone.
It made sense, as they had known each other for ten years.
She had been tagging along after Ji-yeon and frequenting the agency even without a contract, so they couldn't help but be close.
If anything, she found it fascinating that Kang Chan-yul still welcomed her so consistently.
He shouldn't be desperate for actors anymore.
Back when Ji-yeon first joined, Nova Entertainment was much smaller.
Of course, it was larger than Ji-yeon's previous agency, 'Eunha Entertainment,' but it was just one of those common, run-of-the-mill agencies.
It was the kind of place where someone of Ji-yeon's caliber would be treated quite well.
However, after ten years of struggling and steady growth, it had become an agency worthy of being called 3rd tier.
The number of actors and singers signed there now exceeded forty.
Among them were quite a few veteran actors and even some celebrities who could be considered A-list.
Their flagship star was Hwang Min-hwa.
She was an actress whose brand value had skyrocketed after appearing in a movie that drew ten million viewers.
After this, one of their idols will hit it big, and they'll rise to the 2nd tier.
But there was still some time left before that happened.
Nova Entertainment was an agency that had risen higher than it had in her previous life.
It fell just short of the 1st tier, but it was a place free of scandals.
There were a few incidents that could have caused it to stumble significantly, but those were problems that could be overcome.
"The conditions are the same as what I told you before."
"...Really?"
"Of course. I'm not saying this just because we're friends."
They sat facing each other in the company's reception room.
Ji-yeon was waiting outside, so only Seo-yeon and Kang Chan-yul were present.
Unlike his previous lighthearted demeanor, he continued speaking with a calm face.
"I don't have much, but there's one thing I can say with confidence."
Kang Chan-yul.
He was originally someone who had risen to a fairly high position at XN Entertainment, one of the Big 3.
From the time he entered the industry until he became independent and started his own company, he had seen countless celebrities.
"I have a pretty good eye for people."
"...Is that so?"
He gave a bitter smile at Seo-yeon’s somewhat ambiguous reaction.
"I once had a conversation with the actor Park Sun-woong. He referred to a star's talent as 'starlight.'"
A star.
The essential talent they possess.
The ability to emit a light that draws the eyes of others.
He called that starlight.
"It's an abstract expression."
Perhaps because he was an actor, Park Sun-woong liked to speak that way.
As if he were performing in a play.
"Those who harbor a spark, and those who harbor starlight."
Both are qualities of a star.
But.
Kang Chan-yul had once discussed Seo-yeon with Park Sun-woong.
He was curious if the other man had seen the same thing in Seo-yeon that he had.
And he had said it.
That she was a child like starlight.
"This is an investment."
Kang Chan-yul said.
"I see great potential in the actress Ju Seo-yeon, and I am investing in that. So the conditions... haven't changed at all from the past."
A signing bonus on par with an A-list actor.
In truth, he wanted to give her an S-grade bonus, but the directors would oppose that, so this was the maximum he could give at his discretion.
However, if she achieved even a little bit of success, he could raise her to S-grade at any time.
That was just how this industry worked.
"..."
Even though Seo-yeon had come here with her mind made up, there were still parts of her that hesitated.
In fact, because they were close, she hesitated even more.
And she knew just how good the contract terms he was offering were.
Even the profit split was 8:2.
Generally, when a celebrity signs with an agency, they sign at 7:3.
7 for the celebrity, 3 for the agency.
That was the industry average.
But starting at 8:2 was extremely unusual.
He had even said he would increase this ratio further.
Honestly, Seo-yeon was confident.
Talent.
She certainly believed she possessed it.
However.
Starlight.
She didn't know if it was a talent as grand as what Kang Chan-yul and Park Sun-woong had described.
The past life she had experienced.
And the abilities of the reincarnated Ju Seo-yeon.
Even the knowledge of the future, knowing which projects would succeed.
Despite all that, an instinctive fear remained.
"...Yes. I've decided."
Seo-yeon said, looking at Kang Chan-yul.
There was no more time to hesitate.
She thought of the two people who had come to see her after her play ended recently.
Ten years ago.
They were connections she had made through just a single project.
People who were already in a place so high she couldn't even compare herself to them.
Competitive spirit.
Perhaps it was a spark like that which ignited in Seo-yeon’s heart.
And.
"I look forward to working with you."
A top star.
The promise she had once made to a friend.
To keep that promise, it was now time to run.
*
And the next day.
"Hello there."
As Seo-yeon was leaving school for her play after classes ended, a man spoke to her.
A man in a black suit with a fresh impression.
He scanned Seo-yeon and then smiled brightly.
"I'm Assistant Manager Shin Min-chul from RY Entertainment."
"Ah, yes."
He handed Seo-yeon a business card and spoke.
Her looks alone are definitely worth it.
If she had the level of acting skill he'd seen on TV, she would grow as an actress in no time.
After thinking that far, Shin Min-chul cleared his throat and spoke.
"The reason I'm here is that I was deeply impressed by your performances in Close Your Eyes and Looking at the Past and Memories."
At his words, Seo-yeon just stared at him blankly.
Why is she reacting like that?
She should be jumping for joy right about now.
That's what Shin Min-chul thought, but he figured she was just stunned and continued.
"So, to get to the point, we at RY Entertainment would like to—"
"I've already signed a contract."
Seo-yeon’s calm reply cut Shin Min-chul off before he could even finish.
How did Shin Min-chul react to that?
"...Pardon?"
He could only freeze in a daze.