Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Tail
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Eventually, I signed the contract right there in the office and walked out.
The fine print hadn't really registered at all, even up to the last moment, but who cared about the details anyway.
The only odd thing was the primary condition for coveting Baek Hee-jin's talent.
- Receive an 'invitation' from 'Baek Hee-jin'.
Invitation. Dictionary definition: 'calling upon a person by summoning them.' I didn't know the precise meaning right away, but I had a good idea of what I needed to do.
An invitation was something you extended to people worth the effort, after all.
'Make Baek Hee-jin think I'm worth it.'
Producing results. That came first. And I was pretty confident about that.
Ding-.
I took the elevator down to the third floor and stepped out.
"Woo-jin!"
Seok Woo hyung must have been waiting anxiously because he rushed over the second I emerged and grabbed my shoulders.
"So, how'd it go? What the hell, man? Why'd you suddenly pull a stunt like that?"
I gave him a small smile and said,
"Seok Woo hyung. Let me reintroduce myself. I'm Jung Woo-jin, actor with Stone Actors."
"...Ha. Alright. Congrats."
After signing with Stone Actors, I moved out of my old one-room apartment into the company dorm they provided for their actors.
Son Sia, who had to handle schedules for [Don't Look for Me], got assigned a new personal manager.
Of course, I got my own dedicated one too.
"Hyung-nim, it's time. Let's go!"
"Yeah."
The name of my first personal manager was Jang Jin-woo—pretty similar to mine, actually.
He wasn't an aspiring actor or anything; he'd done some part-time gigs as an assistant manager out of interest in the industry and had just joined Stone Actors as a newbie.
So in terms of manager know-how, I probably had the edge.
Driving skills too...
Bang-. Honk-.
Horns blared from outside the car. A minor mishap from his clumsy lane change.
I sat quietly in the car, taking stock of my current situation.
First off, my talents. Just looking at them made me feel full.
Chosen Exceptional Appearance (A+)
Acting Genius (A)
Precise Body Control (B+)
Natural Acting Gestures (B+)
Quick Emotional Immersion into Roles (B+)
Refined British English Pronunciation (B)
Fluent English Conversation (B)
Unshakable Composure (B)
Natural Smile (B)
Coquettish Expression (C+)
Flashy Driving Skills (C+)
Attractive Character Shaping (C+)
Mammon's Reward: Elevate one talent of A-grade or lower by one rank.
To be honest, when I got Mammon's Reward, I considered using it right away on 'Acting Genius (A),' but I held off.
Something told me I could covet talents even higher than 'Acting Genius.'
'No real shortages right now anyway, so I'll play it smart and use it when the moment's right.'
As I mulled that over,
"Woo-jin hyung-nim! We're here."
We arrived at a Korean restaurant in Cheongdam-dong, following the address I'd been given.
"Hyung-nim, just call when you're done, and I'll come get you!"
"Nah, go ahead and head back. I'll grab a cab."
"Uh..."
"I won't call, so go on."
"Ah, got it!"
I sent Jin-woo off and stepped into the upscale restaurant with the sign "Baeksong."
Passing through a neatly manicured, elegant garden, I spotted someone waiting.
A man who looked like a broadcaster, ID badge around his neck, glanced back and forth between me and the paper in his hand before approaching. I caught a peek—it was my profile photo.
"Ah! Actor Jung Woo-jin, this way! Go around the left entrance over there, and there's a room—head on in!"
The spacious VIP room already had guests.
Choi Hyun-yong PD, writer Hong Ye-won, the casting director, and one unfamiliar man. Four in total.
And three others facing them, their faces out of view.
"Whoa! Actor Jung Woo-jin, over here!"
Choi Hyun-yong PD jumped up from his seat and waved me over.
I entered the room and bowed to the production team.
"Hello!"
"Woo-jin, sit with the other actors over there."
Sure enough, they were the actors.
"Hello? I'm actor Jung Woo-jin, your junior."
"Nice to meet you..."
"Wow, I've heard the stories, but this is my first time seeing your face in person. Nice to meet you."
"Come on in."
A low mid-range voice: Lee Jae-hoon, co-lead with Son Sia.
A bright, tinkling tone: Lee Sin-ah, playing a supporting role.
Kim Jae-hyun, who'd risen recently but was famous as a premium supporting actor—with Son Sia added, this was an insanely luxurious cast.
Choi Hyun-yong PD looked at me and said,
"Actor Son Sia said she'll be a bit late due to schedule but will try to make it if possible. You two are from the same agency, so you're in the loop, right?"
"Yeah, of course."
I knew all about it. I'd been her personal manager, after all. But they didn't seem to know that part.
A sudden question popped into my head. Everyone here was a lead or supporting actor.
'Do I even belong here?'
To be precise, 'Hee-chan' was a substantial supporting role. Important for ramping up tension in the early and mid parts, but ultimately a villain who gets crushed by the leads and vanishes.
So I tossed out a casual joke.
"Haha. Not sure if I belong in a room with such important people."
"Oh, that? Our writer Hong insisted we bring you... Ow?"
Choi Hyun-yong PD twisted mid-sentence.
Hong Ye-won's face was flushed red.
[Hong Ye-won]
Subordination Level: 20%
Talent Available to Covet: Quick Reading Based on Understanding (B)
⤷ Primary Condition: Acquire 'Hong Ye-won''s phone number.
⤷ Secondary Condition: Fulfill the primary condition first.
The moment I'd locked in my role on [Fixer from Hell], I'd coveted Hong Ye-won's first talent.
Now the second one had appeared.
'Easier than I thought.'
In [Fixer from Hell], Hong Ye-won was my first prey—and top priority.
Hong Ye-won had a pretty face that could rival any actress, but she dressed like the model student type.
Even at the last audition, she'd buttoned her white shirt all the way up, and today was no different—barely any skin showing.
Yeah. She looked like someone heading to an interview, prim and proper. Then, and now.
A crisp white blouse, a black skirt that nearly reached her knees. Black stockings too. Immaculately neat and modest.
The urge to soil that pristine woman welled up from deep in my chest.
Lost in thought for a moment, Choi Hyun-yong PD boomed with a hearty grin,
"Haha! Seeing all our actors' faces really sets my mind at ease. I called the key players together for a pre-script reading meet-and-greet, so relax and enjoy the food! The grub here's top-notch."
Korean course dishes started coming out, and as food and drinks flowed, the stiff atmosphere thawed bit by bit.
Lee Sin-ah, bubbly just like she looked, played atmosphere maker.
"Whoa, really? I always thought writer Hong was the quiet, shy type."
Choi Hyun-yong PD hammed it up.
"Ahem. Can't say much or I'll get pinched again."
"Wh-when did I?!"
"Can I spill? Well, Hong was glaring at me like she wanted to kill me, saying it had to be this guy."
Everyone perked up at the story about Hong's push for me in the 'Hee-chan' role.
The usually reserved writer had aggressively advocated for my casting.
"'Hee-chan' basically sets the drama's tone early on, so he's supporting-lead level! We've got high hopes for you, Woo-jin."
"Haha. I'll do my best."
As the meal's mood warmed up, I excused myself to the bathroom.
On my way back after washing up, I ran into Hong Ye-won.
I spoke first.
"Writer Hong, thank you for thinking so highly of me."
Hong Ye-won hesitated, pulling one foot back slightly.
"Uh, um..."
I knew she was timid, but she seemed especially so around me. Even now. Why wouldn't she meet my eyes?
The problem was, it didn't feel like shy affection for someone she liked.
Her pupils shook like there was an earthquake, shoulders tense as she clasped her hands tight.
Thanks to observing expressions and behaviors as an actor, I could read what Hong Ye-won was feeling right now.
'Fear.'
Hong Ye-won was afraid of me.
But I was the one wanting more. So.
"Writer Hong, if it's alright, could I get your number?"
"Y-yes?"
I smiled brightly and elaborated.
"Of course, you've written such detailed stage directions, so I'm building 'Hee-chan' off that and adding flesh to it, but sometimes I wonder if I'm on track. It'd be great to ask for your advice then. Is that okay?"
"Th-that's..."
The alcohol had me feeling nicely buzzed.
A passing breeze cooled my flushed face pleasantly.
I glanced down at my smartphone. Hong Ye-won's number was saved there. Primary condition cleared.
The secondary condition for coveting Hong Ye-won's talent... was a bit weird.
- Secretly tail 'Hong Ye-won' to her apartment.
Tail the second person whose home I was seeing today? Secretly? Sounded stalkerish... So what happened if I did? What was next?
Thump-thump-.
My heart pounded with excitement for some reason.
"Sir, tail that blue SUV up ahead, please."
The cab driver shot me a puzzled look through the rearview.
I pulled out my 'Hee-chan' mask. A soft smile anyone would warm to.
"You saw her leave the same restaurant, right? She's my girlfriend—we fought, and she stormed off. What can I do? Gotta catch up and apologize. She'll sulk more if I don't."
A twinge of nerves. What if the cabbie asked for the 'girlfriend's' address?
"Heh, tall and handsome, but groveling for your girl."
But my earnest smile must've sold it, because he bought the story and started following Hong Ye-won's car.
Vroom-.
"Drop me here. Thanks!"
I handed over cash above the metered fare and got out.
"Sure thing. Sweet-talk your girl good."
As the cab pulled away, I watched Hong Ye-won enter the apartment complex and park, then melted into the shadows.
[Acquired Hong Ye-won's talent: Quick Reading Based on Understanding (B).]