Chapter 87
Chapter 87
Managing Connections is Important.
“Twinkle? Isn’t that from 40 years ago? How would I know? The CEO might, but…”
“Right?”
“But why do you ask?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Please just forget I said anything.”
Manager Park didn’t think much of it. In truth, he had too much on his mind to dwell on it. He had another meeting in just a few hours.
‘He’ll figure it out himself.’
It was meddlesome to interfere when Yu Yeon-seo hadn’t even asked for help. If he really wanted to know, he was the type to just order the CEO to find out. Lee Tae-gyeom, thinking he’d said something unnecessary, slapped his own mouth.
He sat down with the two managers at a nearby soup restaurant. As Lee Tae-gyeom discreetly set out the spoons and chopsticks, Manager Park spoke.
“He said he’s taking about two weeks off, right?”
“Yes.”
“What does he do when he’s on break?”
“I’m not really sure. I think he just stays home.”
If he’d gone out, there should have been sightings of him somewhere, but there were hardly any. And he wasn’t pulling stunts like spraying cash with a money gun in a busy downtown area or wrecking his own supercar like he used to.
Compared to the past, when they always had to be on high alert because he was so unpredictable, him being a homebody was far better. Of course, that didn’t mean they could completely relax… Manager Park, who had cleaned up many of Yu Yeon-seo’s messes from behind the scenes, let out a small sigh.
“He finally gets a break, he should go on a trip or something.”
“He recently went to an island, so I don’t think he’s in the mood. Oh, but he does seem to go out occasionally if people like One Seven or Park Min-woo contact him.”
“Really?”
“He’s been getting close with a lot of people lately. Like Jin Su-ho and Park Seung-hwan.”
Manager Kim, who had been eavesdropping from the side, widened his eyes in surprise. Park Seung-hwan, an actor with three ten-million-viewer films under his belt, had proven box-office power, so many investors were eager to be on his good side. Moreover, as a highly respected senior in the acting world, he had a reputation for taking rookie actors who caught his eye under his wing and helping them grow into well-known names.
Jin Su-ho was also a leading male actor representing the 20s and 30s demographic, and the appearance fees for other leading male actors in his age group were benchmarked against his.
“Wow, they’re all big shots.”
“Yu Yeon-seo is a big shot, too.”
“He’s on a whole other level, a game-breaker. Honestly, for all he has, he was on the quiet side. If it were me, I would’ve been throwing my power around long ago.”
Manager Park chuckled at Manager Kim’s words. Lee Tae-gyeom stared at them, astonished. It was always the managers who were frantic, cleaning up the messes whenever Yu Yeon-seo caused trouble related to work. He never expected such a generous assessment.
“I thought you guys would hate him.”
“Objectively speaking, sure. Besides, there were probably rumors intentionally inflated to keep him in check, right? With his background, he suddenly decides to become an actor. Of course people would think he’s coming to take their piece of the pie.”
“Ah…”
True, there had been all sorts of bizarre rumors. Lee Tae-gyeom nodded, while Manager Park shook his head, muttering, “That’s because you’re not his primary manager.”
“Anyway, there are still a lot of gnats buzzing around him, right?”
“A ton. Sometimes I even get calls from strangers on my number, talking nonsense about whether I can set them up with Yu Yeon-seo.”
When rumors that Yu Yeon-seo’s personality was actually decent started to gain traction, there had been an explosion of texts and calls from unknown people. Recalling that time, Lee Tae-gyeom shivered.
A natural-born commoner, he hated this kind of attention. Believing he was in no position to arrange such favors and was just a road manager, he had ignored them all. This was one of the reasons Im Seung-hyeon had deemed him trustworthy.
“There must be no end to the people trying to get close. Did you know that even among our actors, many are asking for an introduction to Yu Yeon-seo these days?”
“Really? To that Yu Yeon-seo? They’ve got guts.”
“Befriending an investor brings a lot of benefits. Even back when his personality was awful, there were a few who asked me to set up a meeting.”
There were actors who would maintain friendships with decent investors and then demand a specific role in a project, claiming they could bring the investor on board. Among them, Yu Yeon-seo was the most tantalizing prey.
He had so much money and such a powerful background that even other investors wanted to connect with him. If Yu Yeon-seo had had a good personality, he would have likely maintained good relationships with almost every investor.
“Come on, Yu Yeon-seo isn’t in a position where he needs introductions. They’d flock to him on their own.”
“True.”
“Anyway, it’s amazing that the subject of this conversation is that same Yu Yeon-seo.”
Manager Park felt a sense of novelty.
For the once-walled-off Yu Yeon-seo, who barely interacted with anyone, to be socializing with people in the same industry was a huge step forward. Furthermore, with sightings of him with One Seven spreading, hypotheses emerged that perhaps his departure was the agency’s fault, or that there was pressure from his family. As a result, his reputation as a deserter was also starting to fade. Not that Yu Yeon-seo was the type to care about such an image…
“By the way, what happened with that thing?”
“What thing?”
“Didn’t something come from Juseong?”
“Ah…”
Lee Tae-gyeom looked up at the two managers’ conversation.
“What is it?”
“Well, not long after he was discharged from the hospital, a request came from Juseong Group.”
They had politely requested that the company no longer stand by and watch the damage to Yu Yeon-seo’s image. Seizing the opportunity, CEO Han had personally sent over the evidence he had collected on the spread of malicious rumors and excessive hate comments about Yu Yeon-seo. It was all material he had been steadily gathering in preparation for the day Yu Yeon-seo might say, ‘This isn’t working. Let’s just wipe them all out.’
“For real?”
Yu Yeon-seo didn’t seem to know, though. Lee Tae-gyeom’s mouth fell open. Then again, they were devoted enough to invite a manager to their home for a test.
“Seeing as how those kinds of posts have become scarce lately, it looks like they’re working hard. We should have done it, really, but he was so stubborn…”
Manager Park changed the subject.
“Anyway, are you having any difficulties with work?”
“Not at all. Honestly, it would be tough on my own, but having an older brother figure around…”
“Ah, that assistant.”
Im Seung-hyeon was famous enough for even Manager Kim to know of him. In fact, Yu Yeon-seo’s personal assistant was famous in his own right. Manager Park narrowed his eyes and looked at Lee Tae-gyeom. Not missing the meaning behind that gaze, Lee Tae-gyeom quickly added.
“It’s not like the assistant does my job for me. He only does what Yu Yeon-seo, and only he, tells him to do. It’s just… you know that feeling of reassurance just by having someone next to you?”
“I think I get it. He’s huge. I thought he was a bodyguard.”
“I heard he was on the national team reserve when he was younger.”
“I knew it. I could tell he was an athlete.”
As far as Manager Park was concerned, Im Seung-hyeon was practically an outsider from a completely different company.
“Let me know if you need additional staff.”
“I’ll ask him about it.”
“Alright. For now, let’s eat.”
As expected, when people from the same industry gathered, there was plenty to talk about. Burying their faces in their bowls, they devoured the soup in an instant and wiped the sweat from their faces.
“Do you still bring him scripts?”
“Yes.”
He selected them carefully, but they were almost always rejected. Lee Tae-gyeom sighed. It would be better if Yu Yeon-seo just went to the company and picked them out himself.
“Stop doing that for now.”
“Why?”
“I’ve dropped a hint, so they’ll respond. Still, wouldn’t a film be better than a drama?”
He had subtly spread the word to the production companies. By tomorrow, the rumor would likely have circulated through all of them: ‘The haughty Yu Yeon-seo will consider investing in a project and even lower his appearance fee if he likes it.’ The film industry was just that small.
“Is there a difference between dramas and films?”
“Well, films are generally held in higher regard than dramas.”
Manager Park gave a thumbs-up.
“What, are you ranking them?”
“Pretty much. It’s less so these days, but that perception still exists. The Yoon Jeong-woo we just met with is a film pureblood; he openly dismisses people from other backgrounds.”
“That’s a bit… like something out of a novel.”
“Annoying, right?”
Lee Tae-gyeom was at a loss for words at that. The two managers laughed as if his reaction was amusing.
“But is it okay for us to talk like this?”
“We’re only saying it because it’s just us. This is what managers talk about.”
Is that so? Lee Tae-gyeom nodded, yet he couldn’t shake a feeling of discomfort.
Meanwhile, Yu Yeon-seo, who had received Lee Tae-gyeom’s call, was also lost in thought.
‘I have been letting things slide lately.’
He hadn’t been paying much attention to the manual his original self had laid out. In truth, he’d been so focused on the secret he held that he hadn’t even thought about it.
The same went for investing. It was mostly just telling Im Seung-hyeon, ‘Let’s put some money into this and that.’ He received regular investment reports by delegating to his subordinates, but he hadn’t been actively involved.
‘As an investor, I can secure good projects first.’
He wouldn’t have to go through the agency. Why had he only just thought of this now? He ran a hand through his hair.
Frankly, there hadn’t been a need to look too deeply. So many projects were already coming his way that all he had to do was choose. But while there was a chance of discovering a hidden gem, now that the Baeksan Arts Awards had sparked a desire for accolades, he also coveted a work by a master with a high probability of winning.
“Speak of the devil…”
Just as he was wondering if he should ask Choi Yu-jin, her call came through, and he let out a small laugh.
(Yeon-seo. Have you eaten?)
“Yes, have you, Mother?”
(I’m about to. I heard you’re on a break. Come visit the company sometime.)
“I’ll go tomorrow.”
(You decided that quickly?)
“Oh, is it not a good time for you?”
(No! It’s great!)
Choi Yu-jin answered hurriedly, as if worried Yu Yeon-seo might change his mind.
(By the way, have you changed your strategy recently?)
To package the original’s stubbornness—insisting on a higher appearance fee to compensate for his lack of acting skills—as a ‘strategy.’ What an honor. Yu Yeon-seo chuckled softly.
“Has word spread that quickly?”
(I have people I know in the industry. Managing connections is important.)
“I just wanted to start taking on projects by proven people now.”
(True, you can’t just do rookie projects forever.)
“Speaking of connections… are you close with other investors?”
(For the most part. It’s a good way to keep up with industry news.)
Oh, this is good. Just as Yu Yeon-seo was pondering how to broach the subject, Choi Yu-jin’s cheerful voice came through his ear.
(Why don’t you join our gathering sometime?)
“Me too?”
He hadn’t expected to get the answer he wanted so quickly. Yu Yeon-seo replied, feigning ignorance.
(Why not? You do the same work we do.)
“I’d love to. It feels a bit much to keep making Mr. Im do everything…”
(Well, if you’re going to inherit my company, you need to know how to get your hands dirty.)
“Don’t joke about that.”
(I’m serious.)
After chatting a bit more about their lives, Yu Yeon-seo ended the call and lay down on his bed. The screen of his tablet displayed the search results for his name.
-The number of hate posts about Yu Yeon-seo has really gone down lately.
Did his agency sue?
└No, there wasn’t any announcement like that.
└They just vanished at some point.
└Honestly, this is normal. What’s with this post confirming the lack of hate posts?
-Does Yu Yeon-seo have an idol background or not?
└Here we go again with the Yu Yeon-seo origin story.
└He’s from Juseong.
-The way people are starting these parasocial relationships with Yu Yeon-seo is so cringe.
Seriously, stop. He said he had a headache from stress today, so I had to give him medicine and comfort him for a long time. Seeing him finally fall asleep next to me for the first time in a while is breaking my heart. I realized the world is too small to contain our Yeon-seo. Sighㅠ I guess there’s nothing for it but for me to soothe and cherish himㅠㅠ
So for our Yeon-seo’s sake, everyone please keep it moderate. Our Yeon-seo said he likes me.
└LMAO
└ㅗㅗㅗ
└Young Master, you went through such a thingㅠㅠ I’ll brew some herbal medicine for youㅠㅠ
└└Thank you, brother. Is my brother-in-law well?^^
└What are the replies doing? Roleplaying?
└This is madness. Utter madness.
└Uh, no, my Yeon-seo is right next to me asking, “Honey, why would they write things like this?”
-Why is the parasocial relationship thing trending now?
What’s going on? Did something happen with Yu Yeon-seo?
└A minor actor who was in Gyeolsa was feeding a parasocial thing with Yu Yeon-seo.
└Huh? Is that even possible?
└They were tagging the actor and grabbing attention.
└They were using the support he received for Gyeolsa and a few nice things he did to make it seem like a lovestagram.
└└Isn’t that fake?
└└└The post is deleted now but screenshots are still around.
These people sure live interesting lives.