Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Agency
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The reporter's question about what she would do next.
Regarding this, Chae Soo-jeong gave an answer containing nothing but the pure truth.
"Next schedule... for now, I think I'll go home and sleep soundly all day with my daughter. I just returned from Japan, so I'm really tired."
"Haha, I see."
"Rest is definitely important."
The reporters gave light chuckles at her honest response.
However, separate from how she had naturally dodged the question like this,
the three people listening could not help but feel their insides burning with anxiety.
'Rest... rest?... I... I hope it's not the kind of rest I'm thinking of...?'
'No way... the fire just started blazing, there's no way they'd stop activities now...'
'I heard she went through a lot in Japan... could it really be...?'
The word "rest" could mean many things, so they suddenly felt a wave of unease rising within them.
It wasn't impossible, but since they had inwardly been hoping to appear on a broadcast with Soo-jeong,
being rejected here would lead to considerable disappointment.
At that moment,
whether aware of their reactions or not, Soo-jeong looked at the reporters and continued in a light tone.
"I need to rest well to run hard again. I think things will get pretty busy soon."
'Huh?'
'Busy... with soccer?'
'No... so what exactly is she planning to join...'
Whether intentional or not, Chae Soo-jeong tossed out an intriguing teaser until the very end.
In response, the three could only feel their insides burning as they desperately spun their hopeful imaginations.
Having barely finished the interview, Chae Soo-jeong boarded the vehicle heading home.
Even though she clearly looked exhausted, she had only put Seon-hwa to sleep and remained awake with a calm expression. Watching her, Ha Yu-ra, who was gripping the steering wheel, cautiously asked.
"Aren't you tired? I heard the shoot was intense, and then you came back from overseas and did this interview."
"Haha... it would be a lie to say I'm not tired here. But it's okay. This much is fine."
Chae Soo-jeong replied with a light laugh.
Back during the past shoot,
and even now in this moment.
It was something she felt every time, but watching her who was always steadfast without a hint of wavering, Yu-ra could not help but admire her once more.
'Really... every time I see her, I think she's an incredible person.'
At first, Yu-ra had simply called her "teacher" out of admiration for her acting skills.
However,
after filming together and getting a closer look at her daily life, Yu-ra gradually came to realize the true nature of this person named Soo-jeong.
Her acting skills were impressive, of course,
but the strengths this woman Chae Soo-jeong possessed were not limited to that.
Mental fortitude.
Hard like a boulder,
and the power to hold her ground unshaken by any storm—
Yu-ra thought that this was perhaps the greatest fearsome aspect of actress Chae Soo-jeong.
'Anyway... the important part is what's next...'
However, no matter how admirable and respectable a person she was, if they didn't work together, it would be like a jewel slipping into someone else's hands.
Since PD Lee Dong-cheol planned to take a break after this project ended,
her choice was crucial if they wanted to continue with Soo-jeong beyond this.
"Um... Teacher, can I ask you one thing?"
"About the next project?"
"!... Uh... yes. Th-that..."
Chae Soo-jeong had unexpectedly pierced right to the heart of the matter.
As Yu-ra wondered if she had even learned mind-reading, she continued with a surprised expression.
"Wh-what do you plan to do in the end? The movie I suggested..."
"I'm going to do it. Film a movie with you, Yu-ra."
"! Ah..."
Yu-ra showed a surprised expression at Soo-jeong's matter-of-fact response.
Immediately after, the anxiety that had filled her heart inwardly was replaced with deep joy.
Separate from how she had slightly delayed her answer, Yu-ra hadn't expected such ready agreement,
but anyway, now she could continue working with her teacher.
Feeling a bit of excitement at that fact, Yu-ra quickly began to speak.
"Th-thank you, Teacher! Th-then I'll let the director know. Oh, and... th-that... what was it... Ah, right, the agency! We need to sort out the agency issue quickly too, right? Now that the drama's done, we can't keep relying on ZTBC anymore!"
Up until now, during the drama shoot, ZTBC staff had been helping manage Soo-jeong's schedule in place of a manager.
However, with Reply 1989 coming to an end, they could no longer borrow their help.
It had only been a side favor to begin with, and it wasn't even satisfactory enough to prevent leaks that caused the earlier commotion.
Thus, Yu-ra thought they should resolve the agency issue first before the movie shoot.
At that, Chae Soo-jeong replied with a calm smile.
"Thank you for worrying about it. But I've already got something in mind regarding the agency, so no need to worry too much."
"! Ah... r-really? Where are you thinking of going?"
Personally, she wouldn't mind pulling her into HT Entertainment where she belonged... but realistically, that felt off.
No matter what, bringing a friend to "home" like that was still a bit...
People were already starting to watch her every move, and placing Chae Soo-jeong in such a spot would be too much mental burden for her.
Of course, if Soo-jeong chose it herself, Yu-ra would welcome her with open arms, embarrassment be damned.
However,
"Probably..."
Yu-ra felt unexpected bewilderment at the follow-up answer.
"Ah... no... why there?"
Entertainment agency Asgard.
Commonly known as ASD.
Unlike its grandiose name drawn from mythology,
this place was just one of the many run-of-the-mill small-to-medium agencies,
eking out a lukewarm existence just enough to get by.
A place filled mostly with moderately famous actors and singers of middling popularity,
in that ambiguous position far from the top tier.
And in such a situation,
ASD suddenly faced an unforeseen crisis, struck by lightning out of the blue.
"Um... Jeong Se-hwa? Wh-what do you..."
Yu A-ram, one of ASD's managers.
At this moment, looking at her face full of bewilderment,
Jeong Se-hwa—ASD's nearly sole famous actor—spoke earnestly with an expression brimming with sincere apology.
"I said I won't renew the contract. Thank you for everything until now."
"W-wait a minute, you definitely said you'd extend for another year just a while ago. Doing this now..."
"I'm sorry. Due to personal circumstances, I have to retract that. Well then, I'll be going."
"Se... Se-hwa!"
Despite A-ram's cry, Jeong Se-hwa left the room abruptly.
With the resignation declaration from her, who had practically been one of ASD's pillar supports,
despair began to cloud A-ram's face.
'Wh-what do I do... things are already tough these days...
If even Jeong Se-hwa leaves now...'
Since Jeong Se-hwa accounted for about 30% of ASD's current revenue,
this situation could be called the worst crisis since ASD's founding.
Beyond just a bad work environment,
for A-ram, the president's niece, it was a massive crisis that could shake her life.
In her dizzying state,
A-ram leaned back in her chair, beginning to feel deep despair over this hopeless situation.
At that moment.
-Ring ring ring ring
"...?"
A sudden bell sound.
At the same time, the word "Uncle" clearly visible on the screen.
Even in her utterly dreadful mood, Yu A-ram forced her hand to pick up the phone.
No matter how miserable the situation, work had to be done.
"Yes, this is Yu A-ram."
-"Hey, A-ram. Come to the president's office right now."
"Right... now? ...Haa... Yes, I'll go..."
Replying in a voice devoid of energy, Yu A-ram arduously rose from her seat.
Judging by her uncle's somehow noisy-sounding voice,
he had surely heard about Jeong Se-hwa already.
He had called her to discuss countermeasures, no doubt.
Even so, with no clever ideas coming to mind right now,
A-ram simply stood in front of the elevator in despair, merely trying to kill time.
-Ding
The sound, heavier than usual today, rang out,
along with the elevator doors slowly opening.
But—
"Ah..."
"!? Huh?"
The next moment, the figure of one person visible inside the doors.
The instant she saw it, A-ram was seized by intense surprise instead of her earlier gloom,
and unwittingly let slip a remark.
"...Ha... Han-seo Big Brother?"
"..."
"! Ah..."
A reflexive outburst.
Realizing belatedly how embarrassing her words were,
Yu A-ram's face flushed bright red.
And,
looking at such an A-ram, that person—
Chae Soo-jeong gave a faint smile tinged with slight surprise and subtle delight at the corners of her mouth.
Yu A-ram.
She was the person who had been Plea's manager in her past life.