King of Dying Acting 120 - Masterpieces Require Sacrifice (10)
Kang Min's belated decision to look for an agency wasn't born from any grand intention.
"...Actor Kang."
"Yes, speak."
"I know it's not my place to butt in, but it seems like you need an agency. Ones who can explain your situation as thoroughly and appropriately as possible."
That was what Director Lloyd Gonzalez had said to him during the Emmy Awards ceremony.
"?"
Kang Min hadn't felt particularly desperate at the time. But when someone of Director Lloyd's caliber went that far, he figured it meant something and filed it away in his memory.
And by coincidence, it came to mind during a meal after the Must Die to Live shoot.
So he just asked the senior actor sitting next to him.
"Senior."
"Yeah?"
"How did you end up with your agency, sir?"
"...Huh?"
"Just got curious, that's all."
"......"
There are no secrets in this world, but at this point, there wasn't even anything secret left to spill. The rumors spread like wildfire.
Most entertainment agencies flipped out.
KDS,
SGS,
Even Wiztone Entertainment again—
The big five major agencies started scrambling in every direction.
But up to this point, it still wasn't juicy enough for the reporters.
"Every time I post an article about which agency Kang Min might pick, the hate comments explode... 'Who paid you off?' 'He'll handle it himself, why write the damn article?'..."
"You wrote it like you were picking a fight, you idiot."
"If I just post it straight, I don't get any views..."
"Don't be greedy, you moron. Just patch it together moderately. Kang Min getting an agency was only a matter of time. It's not worth expanding the newsstand over."
"Tch..."
If anything, the situation so far had been the weird part—no agency was the abnormal state. Having one was normal.
He'd probably just go with whichever of the big five offered the fattest paycheck—that's what the reporters figured at this stage, treating it as a minor story good for a few thousand views.
But soon, the mood started to shift.
Slowly at first,
Then rapidly.
"Uh, word is UTA in the US might be jumping in...?"
"Lloyd Gonzalez from S&W seems to be making moves too..."
"Sigh, it's obvious bluffing, you idiots! The first one's just Stefan Geisler putting in a good word 'cause he likes him, and the second one's agency is a total joke—smaller than a booger. You buying that?"
"Rumors say one of the US big two agencies, WMA, is moving..."
"Same with CAE..."
"Fuck, can we stick to realistic talk?! Kang Min's hot shit, but he's still a rookie! What the hell do they lack that they're making this fuss?!"
"Editor-in-chief! Confirmed: a WMA executive secretly visited Korea!!"
"...What?"
"Eyewitness reports of a CAE gold-tier agent too! They scheduled a meeting with a manager from a domestic agency!"
"......"
The Entertainment Today reporters fell silent as if by agreement. Then they all looked at one spot.
The usually laid-back editor-in-chief twitched his eyebrow.
Nothing was certain yet.
They might be chasing a massive red herring and eat shit for a year straight.
But in entertainment journalism, all the glory goes to whoever launches the rocket first, and returns always come with risks.
"Damn it."
Even the pessimistic editor-in-chief was a survivor who'd clawed his way up in the cutthroat world of sports papers and tabloids. The conclusion was inevitable.
After a brief sigh, he coolly made the call.
"Alright, let's launch it and see."
The next day, the world exploded.
The following three days were pure chaos.
One actor dominated every major headline in entertainment news.
Those who kicked it off.
Shills paid off by foreign agencies.
Shills paid off by domestic agencies.
Nationalist cheerleaders chugging the hanboks.
Sherlock Holmes cosplayers turned Hullock Shomes.
Stalkers.
And even MBS, the supposed black hand behind it all.
Info and bullshit tangled, speculation and deduction piled up—it was impossible to tell what was what.
Among all the messes Kang Min had stirred up, this was one of the rare incomparable shitshows.
But oddly, the biggest victim of the chaos wasn't any of the mentioned parties. They were breaking out in cold sweats somewhere entirely different.
Specifically, inside a small café.
"Sorry I'm late, Miss Sun. I'm Smith from WMA."
"Y-yes! I'm Sun Yeol!"
Sun Yeol, manager for actress Yoo Ji-yu and executive at SGS Entertainment, was blankly scrolling articles when she startled at the sound of footsteps and shoved her phone away.
The man who sat across from her after the greeting had a deeply suspicious vibe.
Specifically, pitch-black suit, pitch-black sunglasses, a rugged exposed face, tight lips—and his name was Smith.
Sun Yeol swallowed involuntarily.
Mr. Smith fiddled with his sunglasses.
"The press got a leak, so I had no choice."
"You shook them off on the way?!"
"I managed to evade them... Pardon?"
"...N-no, sorry... Just slipped out..."
Sun Yeol, realizing she'd blurted nonsense, averted her eyes slyly.
Then squeezed her eyes shut.
'What the hell... Why me...!'
Strictly speaking, Sun Yeol's life so far had been as unremarkable as grass swaying in the wind.
She'd just gone with the flow through elementary, middle, and high school, graduated from a so-so college, stumbled into entertainment work via part-time gigs, and risen by screaming and pulling apart kids who grabbed hair without spilling blood.
Even landing Yoo Ji-yu as a client wasn't from some great recognition—it was because the previous manager took bribes, and they trusted she wouldn't pull stupid shit.
Drifting through life, basically.
'But...'
That easygoing existence started twisting horrifically due to Senior Im Jeong-bae's sorcery.
Even worse, Sun Yeol couldn't even grasp why she was being white-eyed.
'What the fuck is it!'
Sun Yeol felt utterly wronged.
'People whispering behind my back! Even acquaintances I thought were close starting to avoid me! Even that slimy Chu Yeon-ji exec looking terrified! What did I do...! Who's framing me...!'
Now even Senior Im Jeong-bae's resignation was being pinned as her scheming(?). For someone who prided herself on living diligently and kindly, it was maddening.
So in a fit of anger, she'd shown up for this shady meeting...
'Maybe a mistake...'
Staring at Agent Smith before her, doubt crept in if this was the right call.
Was it?
Shouldn't she scream for help and bolt right now?
As Sun Yeol fidgeted anxiously, Mr. Smith crossed his legs with a serious expression.
And opened his mouth.
"Before we start, one question."
"Y-yes...?"
"You know we're eyeing a contract with Actor Kang. But our approach wasn't elegant, so even if successful, the uproar continues. True?"
"Y-yeah, probably..."
The symbolic power of the US big two agencies crashing historic Korea for Kang Min's fame was immense. Sun Yeol had never heard of such insanity.
Who even does what to cause this...
"Then let me ask."
Mr. Smith fixed his gaze intently.
"If we succeed with Mr. Kang, what's the best way to handle this noisy situation?"
It was obviously a test. Unsatisfactory answer, and regardless of HQ's call, he'd withdraw on his own.
Mr. Smith focused his gaze.
"Uh..."
Unfortunately for him, Sun Yeol's demeanor was utterly untrustworthy.
Fidgeting nervously with her fingers, occasionally zoning out. Her head was blank, naturally.
'Hm.'
Mr. Smith was sorely disappointed. He figured HQ misjudged based on papers alone.
That held until Sun Yeol, who'd been tanking her score, finally spoke up.
"Uh, wouldn't making it more noisy be better?"
"...Meaning?"
"Y-you might not know, but... Korean agencies are huge. And huge means tentacles everywhere...? Naturally, if they can't have the opportunity, they'll prefer turning it to ashes. At least, they'll try to smear mud properly, whatever it takes."
"...Continue."
"G-good thing Actor Kang Min's a huge issue-maker, so plenty to bury it with... Broadway bait, Hollywood, S&W contract rumors, or Netflix collabs—pump out articles like crazy to muddle everything. Once the public starts cheering, no downplaying matters..."
"That's a lot of work."
Not bad.
Mr. Smith gave passing marks but furrowed his brows more intimidatingly. Preemptive pressure.
He growled deliberately.
"You think we can prepare all that?"
"Th-then don't prepare...?
"?"
"It's not a lie until caught... Bouncing bad checks? No one's buying anyway... If they do, isn't it their fault...? Deals fall through all the time here..."
"......"
"Uh, and you're bribing press too, right? Just run the laundering machine a bit more, wash the origins. Bribe a few to freak out, pin it on them!"
"......"
"Plus, it's stuff you'd do eventually, so not total lies...? Haha, not a good idea, huh..."
Insane—
Mr. Smith shuddered watching Sun Yeol grin nervously.
Unlike appearances, he was a straight-arrow dad of three honest kids. Their mindsets were worlds apart.
They crush with power? She says scatter bad checks? Even launder sources and start fights, blaming suckers if victims emerge?
Cold sweat dripped.
'HQ nailed it. She's qualified to join those guys.'
Personal tastes aside, no reason to hesitate. Mr. Smith spoke straight.
"To the point: WMA offers you $70,000 base salary annually, plus above-industry commissions."
"...Pardon?"
Sun Yeol blinked blankly.
'$70,000?'
$70,000 was how much?
Even at 1,000 won per dollar, 70 million won; current rates... Wait, no! No way they'd just hand this over! Can't fall for it!
Sun Yeol forced steel into her eyes. Mr. Smith read it as a raise demand.
He removed his sunglasses.
"Fine. $65,000. How's that?"
"Th-that's..."
"$70,000."
"Uhh..."
"$75,000."
"......"
Silence fell briefly.
Mr. Smith hardened his gaze.
"$80,000. No more."
"......"
"HQ approved for pulling in Actor Kang. But I see you as prime talent beyond that."
"......"
"Worth trying... Miss Sun?"
"......"
"?"
Sun Yeol still didn't respond.
She was zoned out.
Days after the bizarre meeting,
Sun Yeol wandered the Must Die to Live set half-dazed every visit.
'$80,000, $80,000... Commissions separate... I'm on 32 million pre-tax now, so...''No, snap out of it! Gotta convince Actor Kang Min! How do I even...!''B-but maybe float the idea? Landlady auntie's hinting at raising deposit soon...''No! Crazy talk! Above all, Ji-yu'd be sad if I ditched selfishly! Gotta keep loyalty!'
"Unnie, one Americano please."
"Y-yeah! Anything else?"
"Nah. Oh, after bringing it, don't come in for a bit. Gonna melt this damn... script."
"Okay..."
Sad... really?
Sun Yeol lost confidence.
But overhearing Kang Min and PD Han Ye-seul crushed it further.
Roughly like this.
"Min-i."
"Yes, PD-nim."
"You... okay?"
"? With what?"
"No, uh, it's noisy lately. Lots of reporters; if it's trouble..."
"Ah... Everyone's just bored for topics. It'll die down soon."
"......"
"Heh, more importantly. About my new revelation—"
"......"
Kang Min, with his personality forged by countless nightmares and once barraged as the Unbelievable Villain, had a habit of ignoring trifles.
But Sun Yeol gaped blankly.
No enlightened master would react like this.
'This situation is just "briefly noisy"?''Most would panic, not knowing what to do?!'
Did this guy even need a manager?
Weren't they just baggage?
Sun Yeol shrank more.
'Y-yeah, too greedy maybe...'
He was the youngest Emmy winner ever hailed historic; she, a plain manager. What could she do to help?
She slumped, giving up.
That is,
Until she overheard Kang Min's casual gripe.
"Said I'd make my own Unbelievable, but it's all talk—honestly, no clue if it'll work. Already feels distant."
"Must Die to Live isn't even done, Actor Kang. Focus there."
"Sigh, Director Shim's right."
'...Ah.'
Sun Yeol swallowed hard.
Maybe,
Maybe she could help a little—
She mustered courage.
In other words, trembling, she spoke up.
"Uh, K-Kang Min Actor-nim?"
"Yes."
"I-I have an idea..."
"...?"
It was the moment the final piece of the world-shaking Kang Min Special clicked into place.