Masterpieces Require Sacrifice (5)
"So, what happened next, unnie?"
"There wasn't much of a 'next'."
Inside the set, Manager Sun-yul spoke with a face still etched with bewilderment.
"I got summoned to the president's office, went in shaking, and there was no end to the cursing. Senior Im was groveling on the floor, and the head of headquarters was glaring like he wanted to devour me…."
"I thought the president was supposed to be a mild-mannered guy."
"Well, he does try to maintain that image. He just explodes sometimes."
"Hmm."
Anyway, Sun-yul, who had been slurping instant ramen at home that morning with a muttered "life fucking sucks," suddenly found herself dragged into this awkward mess and forced to speak up.
She was dazed, and the president's voice was stern.
— Manager Im Jeong-bae here claims you neglected your duties by not lodging an official protest with MBS. What do you think?
—Uh, well… I do feel a bit wronged….
—Why is that?
—Even if, say, Ji-yu's screen time really got cut, couldn't there be a more elegant way to handle it…?
—Such as?
—First, I'd target Actor Kang Min.
—Hm?
—It's not widely known, but this whole project started because he pulled in the writer and PD. He already has sway, and his influence is massive… I didn't think he'd be the type to begrudge us, so I'd approach him first. Seems like the best move….
—And if that fails?
—Th-then the writer…?
—If that fails too?
—W-well… we'd have to blow it up?
—?
Trembling, Sun-yul didn't even realize what she was saying.
—Start with rumors. Like, a famous foreign actor bullied her way into stealing Ji-yu's role, and there are people siding with her—something vague like that to apply intangible pressure.
—….
—If that doesn't work, leak it to a few reporters and let it explode in waves. Pull some in, have others trash it to divide opinions, spread confusing info on who's siding with who, buy off a few influencers to stir things up, get actors to chime in, turn it into a public opinion war—should get us to fifty-fifty, right…?
—….
—Once we break fifty percent, we win the vote anyway… With SGS's domestic clout, we'd probably edge it out, don't you think…? Then we could approach the broadcaster from a position of strength….
—….
—Uh, if even that fails… I checked the contract, and there's this poison clause….
Did she say something wrong?
As the president's silence deepened with every word, the head of headquarters blinked in shock, and even Im Jeong-bae—who'd been itching to butt in—gaped vacantly, Sun-yul began to shake.
This wasn't good.
With interest rates skyrocketing lately, getting fired now would be a real disaster—
And a day later, for some reason, Sun-yul was back as Yoo Ji-yu's manager.
Her colleagues whispered from a distance: "You hear?" "Yeah, can you believe it?"
'?'
Even at the broadcaster, Wiztone's Director Chu Yeon-ji—infamous for ruthlessly crushing rivals—passed by with a tsk of her tongue.
"Manager Sun."
"Yes?"
"You're one scary lady."
'…?'
What…?
What the hell did I even do…?
Sun-yul swallowed her tears and headed to work.
Fortunately, her assigned actress gave the returning manager a reasonably warm welcome on set.
"Glad you're back, unnie. I really couldn't stand that woman."
"Ji-yu…!"
"Can you believe it? I asked her to get coffee, and she brings back a caramel macchiato. A machiato, of all things. She's lost her mind."
"Ji-yu…."
Her eyes still prickled a bit, but whatever—it was fine. As long as she could scrape by as a coffee shuttle, long and thin.
Sun-yul was content with reclaiming her old spot and fetched an Americano.
So, everything was okay.
Until a ridiculously famous person from a ridiculously famous place—who'd clearly heard the rumors—approached her.
He adjusted his new glasses with a glint and opened his mouth.
"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Sun. I'm Lloyd Gonzalez, director and executive at S&W. Currently assisting with MBS's project."
"I, uh, know who you are…."
"Hm?"
"We've met plenty. I follow Ji-yu to set a lot… At least ten times…."
"…."
"…."
"…It's been a while, Miss Sun. I trust you remember Lloyd Gonzalez."
Lloyd Gonzalez lifted his glasses as if nothing had happened.
What shamelessness.
Sun-yul gave up pointing it out and asked.
"So, what brings you here?"
"Oh, since I'm just the messenger making a request, I'll be direct. Interested in an overseas agency?"
"…Pardon?"
"More precisely, interested in handling Actor Kang Min at an overseas agency?"
"…?"
What kind of insane nonsense was this— Sun-yul blinked blankly.
And that was the beginning of it all.
Those in the know knew one thing.
Just a week ago, Aislinn Lewis had been utterly confident.
Fame.
Age.
Even pedigree.
Apart from that slightly unpleasant hospital room experience, there was no one on that little set who could match her.
Coming all the way to Korea might have bruised her pride a bit, but at this point, it was as good as over.
Kang Min would end up on Broadway with her.
Aislinn was certain of it.
But a week later, Aislinn started thinking.
Maybe,
just maybe—
That little set wasn't just gathering world-class crazies?
"Oh, congrats, Ais! They say in Korea, this is like celebrating a new phone plan."
"Shut up."
Aislinn kicked her manager away and pressed her throbbing temples.
It had been one hell of a week.
Just recalling it brought on a headache—more than one or two things.
—Cut. Bad angle. Again.
—Angle? Did you just say angle, Producer?! What angle do you need swinging this damn seasoned veggie—!
—Actor Lewis, don't half-ass it just because the scene doesn't make sense. I can tell.
—Lord….
—Let me say it again. Camera's low angle, so it has to stab diagonally, precisely. With enough force for the seasoning to splatter just right. Bonus if the kimchi guts fall off in clumps.
—….
—Oh, kimchi guts means radish here.
—…I know.
The producer-slash-director was a madwoman.
Seriously, Aislinn couldn't believe Han Ye-seul shared her rationality and common sense.
Did that woman even have any?
—Hahaha, great! Perfect! Needs a bit more shine, though!
—…If my ears aren't deceiving me, Director, that sounded like you want the green onion to shine, not me. Right?
—Hm? Yeah, pretty much. Lighting's key even for the same swing, but it's lacking. Time to slap on some lightning there for volume.
—….
—Lightning means digital lighting, by the way.
—…I know.
The editing director was even madder.
Seriously, Aislinn couldn't believe that freak was human like her.
Was that thought process even classifiable as human?
—Um… Actress.
—Yes?
—Sorry, really sorry, but… could you swing the daikon?
—….
The writer was too annoying to even acknowledge.
Aislinn was a brilliant actress, skilled in musicals, singing, dance. All sources of her pride.
But no talent helped with swinging Korean pickled veggies or pots.
That was why her week had been utterly ridiculous….
"Oh, Ais. Time to admit it? Someone's missing. That collection of all villains—the root of all evil—"
"I said shut it."
"My god, love is…."
The manager sighed gloomily. Acorn syndrome at critical levels.
But only briefly.
The manager soon dropped the teasing and lowered his tone.
"…So, Ais. Is this really okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"No joke—your treatment. They're using you like a prop."
"Serious for once, huh."
"Not kidding. If this is hazing, we step in as an agency."
The manager frowned.
"Whatever your feelings, you're one of our top actors. Your image taking a hit in this little country shakes our stock right away. Mine's on the line too."
"I know I'm great. Lately this blockhead's making me doubt it, though."
"Don't dodge. You good?"
"…."
Aislinn fell silent for a long stretch. Quite the pause.
But she finally sighed, buried her face in the table, and waved him off with one hand.
"Yeah, I'm good. Totally fine."
"Ais, be honest—"
"Damn it, I'm not an idiot. If that psycho producer was just screwing with me, I'd have decked her. You know me better."
"Meaning…."
"Yeah, it was good. A good role, that crazy one, of all things."
"…."
The manager stared at his charge like she was insane.
Aislinn knew how nuts it sounded and just covered her face in frustration. What actress calls slapping with kimchi a good role?
'But it's true.'
Han Ye-seul.
Yoo Ji-min.
Shim Yu-hyeon—
Those three were definitely crazy.
But they were the kind you couldn't help coveting, even knowing they'd drive you mad.
Aislinn had been sure the moment she saw the unfinished script outline.
"Next three episodes. That'll prove it."
"Hmm…."
"They're geniuses. Hate to admit it, but."
"…."
Kang Min must have hesitated too, but with no better talent, he'd reluctantly—no, really reluctantly—pulled them in.
Truly tragic….
"So anyone can see that Kang guy's the real culprit—"
"Three strikes. One more word, and you'll see what happens, agent."
"…."
"And tell whoever snitched not to worry. This Korea trip's gonna end perfectly."
"…Well, if you're that sure."
With the actress this far in, the agency couldn't push. The manager hoped her judgment hadn't gone off the rails and shut up.
Though her denial phase didn't inspire confidence.
The manager sighed and changed topics.
"Anyway. Can we really snag that Kang guy? That's the key to perfect."
"…We will."
"Please, I'm asking about realism, not enthusiasm, Ais!"
"It's realistic! Totally! For starters, Min hasn't picked an agency yet—that means he has feelings for me!"
"What logic is that…."
Still, the manager half-acquiesced inwardly.
Kang Min was an actor.
And a man.
Actors were sensitive to emotions, men to women's. No way Kang Min missed Aislinn chasing him to Korea. Unless he was a bear.
Probably seriously mulling it over right now. OK or no soon enough.
'Guess I'll prep for the latter.'
The manager placated her nerves while concluding that inwardly.
In other words,
the manager was still overly optimistic.
Exactly two days later, one piece of news rocked the world.
"Kang Min's quietly shopping for an agency unofficially!"
"What? Why now?!"
"Who knows, but it's chaos! KDS is in uproar already!"
"Wiztone and SGS will jump in too!"
"Don't forget UTA stateside!"
Once word spread, agencies flipped out.
Kang Min's position was worlds beyond debut days.
Emmys, and just the other day, proving his worth again in that drama.
Snag him at any cost, and their shaky stocks amid this economy would skyrocket.
"Damn it, move!"
"Treatment—calc max we can offer! Squeeze to the limit!"
"Predict the others' bids! Thoroughly, as much as possible!"
"That damn Im Jeong-bae…!"
"It's Im Jeong-bae, sir…."
"Whatever!"
The fallen gourd had everyone mad with greed. All scrambled frantically.
In the pandemonium,
one manager stared blankly at the ceiling, then squeezed her eyes shut.
'You didn't notice a speck of it, Ais…!'