Chapter 69
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Overflowing Proposals
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Yes, yes. Manager Kim. Its been a while. To think youd call me personally.
In the office of the Emergency Iron 777 theater owner.
Kim Sangcheol was busy answering the phone while checking his inbox.
Lately, his inbox was piling up so much that he had to sort it once a day just to keep up.
Yes, Siu? Goodness. How do they all know to call me? Haha.
This was already the fourth call today.
Calls related to the theater were rareone or two a day at mostbut calls related to Han Siu were coming in by the dozen these days.
Having been in the industry for so long, his number had spread far and wide among contacts.
He hadnt changed it thinking it might help with theater connections, but it was proving useful in a different way.
Oh, yes. You sent it by email? Ill check and pass it along to Siu. Of course. I know you well, Manager Kim. Very well. Go ahead and send it.
Kim Sangcheol hung up in a daze and peered at his computer screen.
His shoulder ached from cradling the phone.
Ugh, ow. Is this a theater office or a management agency...?
Even those with just a slight connection to him were sending proposals by registered mail.
Thanks to that, his desk was stacked with offers meant for Han Siu.
Lets see... Another pile of emails today.
Word spread fast.
He hadnt announced it anywhere officially, and it wasnt written down anywhere, but people in the industry already knew through the grapevine that Kim Sangcheol was looking after actor Han Siu.
His inbox was overflowing with proposals for Han Siu.
From entertainment scouting offers to casting requests for various programs, scripts, and stacks of advertising proposals.
This companys too small... This one pays peanuts. Dont they know how hot our Siu is? Tch.
Kim Sangcheol sped through the emails.
Having spent years in the industry, he knew the ins and outs all too well.
His speed at skimming and sorting was impressive.
Kids clothes, ice cream, computers? Wow, Sius really blowing up.
Kim Sangcheol chuckled dryly whenever he spotted ad types hed never gotten himself back in the day.
Considering the buzz that little kid was generating lately, it made sense.
The latest ratings for The Cactus Flower Bloomed had surpassed 30.
Even accounting for the power of weekend prime time, it was an insane number.
And from an unknown rookie writers family drama, no less.
Other networks weekend soaps were tanking hard, leaving KMB the only one smiling.
Heh. Casting offers for Writer Kims dramas too? Oh, just for child roles.
Kim Sangcheol quickly sorted the promising proposals into a separate pile.
Even roughly done, it was over ten.
A proper actor management company wouldve been more systematic, but this was the best Kim Sangcheol could do.
It was gut instinct, but with his experience, it wasnt half bad.
Whew, exhausting. I cant handle this alone anymore.
Even rushing, the afternoon had already slipped away.
He was the theater owner, but phone calls about Siu were nonstop, leaving no time for other work.
Good thing it was about Siuif it werent, Kang Yonghwi and the others wouldve given him the cold shoulder.
Glancing at the clock, Kim Sangcheol let out a deep sigh and closed his eyes, deep in thought for a long while.
How much time passed?
He opened his eyes and slowly picked up his phone, dialing a number.
Hey, Dongwook?
Jingle, jingle.
It had been a while since Id visited the Emergency Iron 777 owners office.
The chamomile tea smell here is always top-notch.
Since it was hot today, Kim Sangcheol had specially brewed it cold with ice floating in it.
Mmm, delicious.
Is it? You always liked that bland stuff.
The aromas great.
...Fine. As long as you like it.
Kim Sangcheol, whom I hadnt seen in a while, chuckled heartily and ruffled my hair.
He tends to mess it up pretty badly, but since itd been so long, I let it slide today.
Sitting obediently as he doted on me, my mom, seated beside me, spoke first.
What did you need to see us about today?
Thats right.
Id planned to swing by the theater on my day off from filming anyway, but Kim Sangcheol had called first.
Asking me to come to the theater.
Not just me, but with Uncle and Mom too.
I rushed over the moment my holiday hit, thrilled.
Hurry up and finish the talk so I could check the practice room too.
Had to show my face to all those new uncles and aunts whod joined recently.
Oh, nothing major. Just wanted to show you these. Maam.
Kim Sangcheol pulled out a pre-prepared binder and handed it to Mom.
Curious, I scooted next to her as she opened it and peeked inside.
Proposals?
I tilted my head at the thick stack of papers.
These are all for Siu?
Mom recognized what they were right away.
But seriously, what are they?
I shot Kim Sangcheol pleading looks to explain quickly.
Maybe reading my eyes, he grinned warmly and explained.
Yes, exactly. Casting proposals for Siu. Variety shows, dramas, all sorts. But the ones I sorted for today are the ad offers.
Gasp.
Ads...?
Ads?
Like those annoying ones that drag on forever right before your drama starts?
Uncle inhaled sharply in surprise at the word.
Mom looked shocked too.
Whats with them?
S-Siu-ya. Youre a real star now!
Huh?
Haha, thats right. Siu-ya, ads arent for just anyone, you know?
Really?
Those endless ads right before your show or smack in the middle of a good movie on TV were such a pain.
Just show the next part already when Im hooked.
Ads didnt have a great image for me, so I replied indifferently, shocking Uncle.
Siu-ya, landing an ad is huge! It means your recognitions skyrocketed.
Recognition?
Yeah, Siu-ya. It means the public loves you so much theyre clamoring for you. I picked just ten good ones. There were tons of minor ones too.
Im that popular now?
Oh.
So getting ad offers proves how popular I am.
Meanwhile, Uncle latched onto something else and nearly fell over in shock.
Really? Theater Owner?! Then the rest are rejected...
I cant decide everything alone, so not fully rejected. Thats why I called you, Dongwook. Need to handle these fast, but I cant nix them all by myself.
Turning down ads...!
Seeing Uncle freak out so much changed my mind.
If hes this worked up, they must really be a big deal...
Now a bit intrigued, I glanced at the proposals Mom was reviewing.
They had logos for sneakers, ice cream brands, and such, with simple concept descriptions attached.
Ha, poor Seonwoos doing great too these days. Emergency Irons about to have two stars, huh?
Your eye for talent is unmatched, Theater Owner.
Right?
Kim Sangcheol and Uncle bantered back and forth, laughing merrily.
Come to think of it, Kim Seonwoo had landed a drama role earlier this year.
A supporting part where he made a strong impression, leading straight to a lead in a weekday drama.
My instincts were spot on.
Id thought hed make it, and seeing him succeed felt rewarding.
Id watched his early-year drama and messaged him too.
Seonwoo hyung does ads too?
Yeah, some outdoor brand, I think.
Hmm. Heesung ajusshi too?
Of course, Siu-ya. Havent you seen? Moon Heesungs on them pretty often.
Oh.
Now that he mentioned it, I think he was in a pizza ad a few days ago.
Guess I was always chanting for ads to end quick, so I hadnt noticed.
First off, I recommend the cereal ad youre looking at now. Good image, no edgy synopsis. Siu chowed down on cereal so memorably in The Cactus Flower Bloomed, so it ties in nicely. Probably contacted us after seeing that. Best for a first ad.
I see.
While we chattered excitedly, Mom finished reviewing the proposals and set the binder down as Kim Sangcheol spoke.
The pays decent too. Some higher ones, but theyd take too much time and tire Siu out, so I recommend cereal.
How much?
Pure curiosity hit at decent, so I asked Kim Sangcheol.
He clamped his mouth shut.
Rolling his eyes a bit, he smiled at Mom.
Haha, Ill tell you the pay details later when Sius not around, maam.
Why?
Its money I earned!
Pure curiosity, but now I really wanted to know since he said that.
Probably cause Im still a kid... How to get him to spill.
No, its fine. I think Siu should know what hes earning. Tell us now.
Kim Sangcheols eyes widened at Moms calm words.
Mom!
Thats my mom.
Beaming proudly, I stuck by her side and nodded vigorously.
Oh, I see. Sius mom is different. Most child actor moms keep earnings from the kids.
Not a bad approach either. Just different styles. I want Siu to grow up knowing the monetary value of his work, the impact it has, and the responsibility that comes with it.
Ugh, our sis is the best. Tough as nails.
Kim Sangcheol nodded with a smile at Moms point-by-point explanation.
Uncle murmured admiration and clapped softly.
I nodded along hard, agreeing completely.
Honestly, even in my past life, Id never managed money.
The ducal family amassed vast wealth, but as non-heir, I was confined to the tower before learning its scale.
Dedicated managers always handled it.
Never struggled with money or pondered its value.
But this lifes different.
I grew up watching Mom and Dad hustle every morning to earn for my food and clothes.
So this time, I need to care about money too.
Staring at Kim Sangcheol with sparkling eyes, urging him on.
If you insist... The cereal ad pays 20 million won. Thats the initial contract fee. If its popular, extensions get negotiated extra.
Wow.
20 million won... Thats 2,000 chickens at Dads!
Thrilled, I looked at Mom.
She looked surprised, eyes wide.
Ooh, big money, huh.
You know the industry a bit, maam, but for a kid, this pay is huge.
Yes, it is.
Hearing that, I shot my hand up.
Ill do it!
Haha, will you?
Yelling at Kim Sangcheol, I felt a soft hand on my head.
Praise? Grinning, I looked up at Mom.
But her face looked somehow bittersweet.
A seven-year-old might miss it, but I understood.
Worry, guilt... Emotions all tangled up.
Its okay, Mom.
Ill make sure you live easy.
No need for bad feelings.
Instead of saying it, I flashed the sunniest smile I could muster and nodded.
Yeah. Sounds fun.