Chapter 61: The Other Side (1)
Chapter 61: The Other Side (1)
Hwang Min-hwa, an actress under Nova Entertainment.
What I remembered of her from my past life was that she was an actress who had starred in a ten-million-viewer box office hit.
She was someone who never really got caught up in scandals, and her only somewhat unusual trait was her career history.
Specifically, the fact that she changed agencies frequently.
After leaving Nova Entertainment, the agency she moved to was Horizon Company. It was a company classified as a solid second-tier agency.
After that, she went through several more agencies before finally landing at RY Entertainment, one of the "Big Three" management companies.
Yes, the very place I had turned down.
‘Her career was flawless, too,’ I thought, taking a sip of my Americano.
While her performance in dramas was merely decent, she truly soared whenever she did a movie. One could say she had a keen eye for scripts.
Over the next five years, Hwang Min-hwa would star in two films with over five million viewers and one ten-million-viewer hit.
Furthermore, there was one specific reason she had become a hot topic.
‘The fact that she appeared in Director Jo Bang-woo’s final work.’
There was only one film that failed for Hwang Min-hwa, a woman who had otherwise never tasted defeat in the film industry.
Coincidentally, it was Director Jo Bang-woo’s movie, Seoul Escape.
Despite receiving substantial investment, the film flopped as if by some cruel joke. It was released in many theaters, and the reviews said the content was good, but it ended its run with poor box office results.
Total viewership: 1.5 million.
An absurdly low figure considering the budget invested. It ended tragically with Director Jo Bang-woo taking his own life, leaving the film as his posthumous work.
Perhaps because of that, Hwang Min-hwa never included Director Jo Bang-woo’s film in her official career profile. Since she wasn't the lead, she could get away with it, but still...
"Seo-yeon, was everything okay at school?"
"Yes."
I had left school a bit early and hurried to the agency. By the time I finished my Americano, Park Eun-ha came running toward me, out of breath.
She was holding two cans of coffee in her hands, but she smiled awkwardly when she saw the Americano already in mine.
"Ah, you already bought one. Sorry."
"No, it’s okay. If you give it to me, I’ll drink it on my way."
"Really?"
Park Eun-ha, who had looked a bit dejected, smiled happily as I took the can from her.
‘I heard she used to be Hwang Min-hwa’s manager.’
Did she know why Hwang Min-hwa was leaving Nova Entertainment?
I wanted to ask, but Eun-ha always had such a subtle, uneasy reaction whenever Hwang Min-hwa was mentioned that I couldn't bring myself to do it.
Moreover, Park Eun-ha apologized far too easily. Just now, she had apologized even though she hadn't done anything wrong.
"Since the first shoot is only a few days away, don't push yourself too—"
It was just as Park Eun-ha was saying that.
The moment we were leaving the agency, a woman was walking through the entrance.
She looked to be in her late twenties. With striking blonde hair, a slender figure, and sharp features, she gave off a luxurious impression. Even though she wasn't wearing any obvious luxury brands, her appearance alone made you think of them.
It was as if she had a visible golden aura. I reflexively stopped in my tracks.
"Oh my."
The woman must have noticed me too, as she lowered her large black sunglasses and smiled.
"Nice to meet you. You’re Seo-yeon, right? I’ve heard a lot about you."
Hwang Min-hwa.
The ten-million-viewer actress and the flagship star of Nova Entertainment.
"Hello."
"Wow, I’d heard stories, but you really are pretty. A high school student?"
"Yes."
She gave a soft smile at my answer.
"I see. Unfortunately, I’ll be leaving soon, but let’s get along for the time we have left."
"Yes. Thank you for your kindness."
When I bowed politely, a strange glint appeared in Hwang Min-hwa’s eyes as her smile widened. It was a look of satisfaction.
"See you later."
After saying that, Hwang Min-hwa walked away, the rhythmic click-clack of her heels echoing behind her. And following her was her manager...
‘...Huh?’
I caught a glimpse of the manager’s face as he passed by. It was an ordinary face, but I could tell.
Being sensitive to the emotions of others, I felt a faint, protruding emotion.
Fear.
It was an emotion I had become very familiar with recently while playing a certain game. Fear is a very complex emotion that cannot be narrowed down to just one thing.
And that was...
"..."
The same went for Park Eun-ha, who had been chatting beside me until just a moment ago.
I watched them for a moment, then used my phone to contact someone.
*
"Jung-woo Oppaaaaaaa!!"
"Look over here, just once!!"
Park Jung-woo, who had recently been selected as the brand ambassador for the luxury brand Viol, was greeting people at a department store in Gangnam while dressed in high-end attire.
It was his first official public appearance in a while. Dressed in a sharp suit, Park Jung-woo waved to the rows of women lined up to see him. Every time he waved, women broke out in screams as if they were losing their minds.
The best among actors in their twenties. His popularity proved that his reputation was no fluke.
"So cool—"
Just then, a rather lifeless cheer reached Jung-woo’s ears. It was a voice that sounded like it was being squeezed out by force. Even amidst the deafening screams, that peculiar sound was strangely clear.
"...?"
Puzzled, he turned his head.
He saw a girl with black hair cupping her hands around her mouth, shouting with what appeared to be her best effort. Amidst the glamorous crowd in front of the department store, her school uniform stood out.
"..."
Park Jung-woo reflexively rubbed his eyes. Why was she there?
For a moment, he thought he was hallucinating. Was he just tired? He pressed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger before looking again.
"...Wow."
An even more half-hearted cheer reached him. It wasn't a hallucination.
"Get that kid into the van."
Park Jung-woo whispered to the bodyguard beside him, pointing toward the girl with a careful gesture so that the crowd wouldn't notice.
And then, after the event ended.
Park Jung-woo finally managed to reach his van.
"...Are you out of your mind?"
Those were the first words out of his mouth as he opened the van door. Inside, Seo-yeon was sitting there, drinking a can of coffee.
"Why did you show up so suddenly without even calling?"
"You showed up at my place without calling before, too."
"..."
Jung-woo couldn't find a comeback for that.
"And I did call, okay? You’re the one who didn't pick up."
Seo-yeon showed him her phone screen. Sure enough, the caller ID was clearly displayed. When Jung-woo checked his own phone, he realized Seo-yeon was indeed in his recent call history. He must have missed it because he’d been so busy the last few days.
"Fine, whatever. Anyway..."
He crossed his arms, tilted his head halfway, and then ran a hand roughly through his hair.
"You should be careful. What if someone sees you?"
"There aren't many people who recognize my face to that extent yet."
Well, that was true since she hadn't appeared in a drama or movie yet. Still, she was at a level where anyone would recognize her name. He didn't know if he should call her bold or just fearless for an actress.
"Sigh."
It wasn't like she was the type to listen even if he told her.
"So."
Park Jung-woo said as he took off his stifling suit jacket.
"...?"
As he took off the jacket, he felt Seo-yeon staring intently at his body.
"What?"
When he asked why she was looking like that, she replied, "What's your Big Three total?"
"Big Three?"
"Your lifts. At the gym."
Why was she asking that? Though puzzled, Jung-woo looked down at his own body. He had been working out quite hard lately, so he had a fairly solid build. Feeling a bit proud, Jung-woo smirked.
"Almost 400 kg now? I passed 300 a long time ago."
"Ah, I see."
"...?"
It was a strangely deflated reaction. Seo-yeon even had a rare, triumphant smile playing on her lips. A face that said, I won.
"...What about you?"
"Oh, I haven't really bothered counting since I passed 600."
"?"
600? Did he hear that right?
He looked at Seo-yeon’s body. No matter how he looked at her, she had the slender frame of a high school girl. Park Jung-woo let out a short laugh. If she was going to bluff, she should at least make it believable.
‘...What kind of conversation am I even having with a girl?’
It felt like he was talking to a male friend, asking "What's your SBD?" and feeling a subtle sense of competition. Anyway.
"So, why did you come?"
"You know the actress Hwang Min-hwa, right?"
"I do."
Hwang Min-hwa. Of course he knew her. Park Jung-woo had appeared alongside her in her recent film Hojup, which drew six million viewers. Seo-yeon had come to see him knowing that fact.
"What kind of person is she?"
"Why are you... Ah. Your agency is Nova Entertainment, isn't it?"
Hwang Min-hwa.
Jung-woo fell into thought, stroking his chin with his thumb. Even so, she had been normal on set. She had a good reputation among actors...
"...Is there a problem?"
"Something just feels a bit off."
"Off?"
Seo-yeon nodded.
"My manager used to be Hwang Min-hwa’s manager."
"Ah~, okay. I get the gist."
Park Jung-woo raised his hand to stop her from saying more.
"I’m telling you this in advance, but you shouldn't say things like that to other actors. Not as long as you're in the same industry."
One must always be careful with their words, anytime, anywhere, and to anyone. Especially to people in the same industry. Seo-yeon’s eyebrows furrowed slightly at his reaction.
"I don't just say these things to anyone, you know."
"..."
Park Jung-woo pondered her words for a moment. Then what was her intention in telling him? Was she saying he wasn't just "anyone"? What did that mean?
"...Anyway, this isn't about any specific actor. It’s just a rumor."
Jung-woo continued, calming his momentarily confused mind.
"There’s an actress who has a great reputation among her peers, but there are rumors that she verbally abuses her juniors and managers."
"Verbal abuse?"
"I’m telling you, it’s just a rumor. There are no witnesses, and we don't know if it was really just verbal abuse."
Power tripping. Jung-woo didn't explicitly use the word gapjil. It was surprisingly common among stars who rose to fame suddenly.
‘I was in danger of that too.’
Park Jung-woo had never not been a star since he was a child. Since he succeeded at a young age, it was easy to become arrogant. And arrogant people tend to look down on others. It was only because of his father and a shock he received as a child that he didn't turn out that way.
"And from what I know, she’s a very greedy person."
"Greedy?"
"I don't mean that in a bad way. It’s just that if the desire to climb higher is excessive, it can become dangerous."
Seo-yeon took his words to heart. She felt she could roughly understand why Hwang Min-hwa changed agencies so often. Kang Chan-yul, the CEO of Nova Entertainment, wasn't the type to mistreat his celebrities. He surely would have treated Hwang Min-hwa like the flagship star she was. It was just that Hwang Min-hwa wasn't satisfied with being the flagship star of Nova Entertainment.
"I’m telling you again, it’s just a rumor. Don't let it out of your mouth."
"Yes."
The way Seo-yeon nodded obediently didn't seem very reliable. Seeing how she’d even appeared on a cable variety show recently, she seemed like the type to do whatever she wanted, which made him incredibly anxious.
‘I’m worried.’
Looking at Seo-yeon’s face, which was always difficult to read, Park Jung-woo eventually asked cautiously.
"...I’m asking just in case, but did she say something to you?"
"No."
"Does she pick her targets based on status...?"
"You told me to watch my mouth."
Jung-woo chuckled at her retort. He then signaled to his waiting manager that it was time to leave.
"I’ll give you a ride for now, so get in. And next time you come, call me in advance."
"I told you, I did call."
Seo-yeon replied grumpily to his words. Anyway.
‘Power tripping, huh.’
Of course, as Jung-woo said, Seo-yeon had no intention of saying anything to Hwang Min-hwa because of this. However...
‘Hwang Min-hwa’s next project is definitely...’
Its release date overlapped with the movie Seo-yeon was about to film, The Chaser. In her past life, Hwang Min-hwa’s starring film Utopia crushed The Chaser and became a massive success, drawing eight million viewers. Utopia was the last project Hwang Min-hwa filmed while under Nova Entertainment.
‘...I won't lose.’
Seo-yeon made a vow to herself. She had always been competitive by nature, but this time, she especially didn't want to lose.
And so, three days later.
The first day of filming for The Chaser arrived.