Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Episode 19: Unexpected Opportunity (5)
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In the Pobokjeoldo waiting room.
Kim Sang-heon, who had been focused on preparing for the Game World recording, asked Kang Han-do with a puzzled look.
“LC Entertainment? Why bring them up out of the blue?”
“Just curious.”
Kang Han-do replied with an awkward expression.
In truth, he had received a scouting offer for Choi Ye-hee, and because of that, he was going to a meeting with LC Entertainment staff alongside her. He wanted some information, so he asked Kim Sang-heon about the company.
He didn’t specify the exact reason for the question.
He was simply pretending to be a rookie comedian showing curiosity about LC Entertainment, a company often called a major corporation.
“LC isn’t a bad place. From what I’ve heard from people working there, they treat their talents well.”
“What kind of treatment specifically?”
“Welfare benefits and such. And there was that recent incident. One of their actresses, Min Seo-hee? She got caught up in scandal rumors once, but LC Entertainment held a press conference right away, warning against spreading false info, and it all blew over as a non-issue. I heard from a contact that even though the scandal bait was floating around, reporters held back from writing articles because LC was working behind the scenes.”
“I see.”
“Thanks to their quick response, the actress didn’t take much of an image hit. Anyway, it’s a good company.”
“Hmm…….”
This was exactly the kind of story Kang Han-do wanted to hear.
The behind-the-scenes side of LC Entertainment that wasn’t widely known.
From Kim Sang-heon’s network, at least, the company didn’t seem to have a bad reputation.
No matter that Kang Han-do was from the future, he didn’t have every piece of information at his fingertips.
He only knew what he had seen, heard, and felt.
While listening to various stories from Kim Sang-heon.
Jang Seok-du, who had been subtly eavesdropping on their conversation, chimed in naturally.
“My friend happens to be signed with them right now. He says it’s way better than his old agency.”
“What was his previous agency?”
“Taker Entertainment.”
“What? That place is already known for good treatment.”
Kim Sang-heon asked with a surprised expression.
As he said, Taker Entertainment was also reputed in the industry as one of the top agencies for artist management.
For it to feel even better than that—Kang Han-do couldn’t even imagine what level of operations LC Entertainment maintained.
“That just means LC is that good.”
“Apparently so?”
Through the two of them, he got a rough image of what kind of company LC Entertainment was.
It was undeniably a good place, with no room for suspicion.
But putting that aside.
‘The real question is whether they’ll actually take Ye-hee-ssi on.’
Even though Choi Ye-hee had received the scouting offer first, that didn’t guarantee she could debut as an entertainer.
There could be troubles in the middle, leaving both sides with sour feelings and parting ways.
The first step had to be done right.
‘Good thing I stepped up.’
Still, it was much better for her to go to the meeting with Kang Han-do rather than alone.
Though his field was different, Kang Han-do was well-versed in the entertainment world.
The decisive day was tomorrow afternoon at 2 PM.
Until then, he needed to gather as much information as possible using his connections.
But before that, there was something to handle first.
“Alright, Game World team, gather up.”
“Yes!”
At Kim Sang-heon’s call, Lee Yo-su, Jang Seok-du, and Kang Han-do came together.
The leader, Kim Sang-heon, extended his hand downward, and the other team members stacked their hands on top of his one by one.
It was their unique pre-corner ritual to hype themselves up.
“Game World, fighting!!”
“Fighting!!!”
The Game World team shouted energetically and ramped up their preparations for the Pobokjeoldo recording.
Worrying about Choi Ye-hee was fine, but first, he needed to tackle the main job right in front of him.
* * *
Yoon Chae-won, the CEO of LC Entertainment.
He was known in the entertainment industry as an eccentric.
But in a positive way, not a negative one.
Even while running a major agency like LC Entertainment, Yoon Chae-won had structured the system so that every aspect of his artists’ management passed through his own hands.
He even scouted personally by going out himself.
Even as CEO, his passion hadn’t died.
Today was no different.
Choi Ye-hee, the woman LC Entertainment had her eye on.
For the meeting with her, CEO Yoon Chae-won prepared personally.
“This should do it.”
In his mid-40s, Yoon Chae-won admired his fully suited-up figure in the full-length mirror.
As someone in the entertainment business, he paid a lot of attention to dressing sharp.
As he was checking himself out, a knock came from the CEO’s office door.
Knock knock.
“CEO, it’s about time to head out.”
“Got it. I’ll be right there.”
“Yes.”
At the young man’s words, Yoon Chae-won replied that he’d come out immediately.
After a final check that his tie was straight, he strode out.
Choi Ye-hee. She was undoubtedly a gem-like existence.
But still an uncut rough stone.
It was Yoon Chae-won and LC Entertainment’s job to polish that stone and present it to the world as a beautiful jewel.
Was it the joy of meeting a new gem rough?
His steps naturally gained strength.
* * *
Even on an early morning with no recording schedule, Kang Han-do woke up early.
Normally, on such days, he’d sleep in late, catching up on fatigue through sleep or games and other hobbies.
But today held an event as crucial as his main job.
It was the day Choi Ye-hee had her meeting with LC Entertainment.
Kang Han-do checked his outfit in the full-length mirror.
Not a full suit, but coordinated for a semi-formal vibe.
He had no direct connection to LC Entertainment, but working in broadcasting, their paths might cross someday.
From the info he’d gathered, the CEO himself sometimes attended LC meetings.
Of course, the odds of the CEO showing up for a scouting meeting weren’t high, but it didn’t hurt to prepare.
“This should be fine.”
Kang Han-do nodded, expressing satisfaction with his attire.
Not just for Choi Ye-hee, but to avoid giving LC Entertainment a bad impression of himself, he’d put real effort into his look.
Appearance and clothing were the key measures of first impressions.
For a good image at the first meeting, a thorough outfit check was essential.
“Alright.”
After about 30 minutes of coordination, Kang Han-do finally nodded in satisfaction.
The meeting spot was in front of the clock tower, a bit away from Daehak-ro where Choi Ye-hee attended school.
They usually set promises around Daehak-ro, but since this was an important meeting they didn’t want getting out, they chose a less crowded area.
The appointed time was exactly 1 PM.
However, Kang Han-do had separately arranged with Choi Ye-hee to meet an hour early.
Upon arriving near the clock tower, Choi Ye-hee, who was already there, waved.
“Han-do-ssi, over here.”
He approached her quickly and greeted.
“Hello. You’re early.”
“I was too nervous…… I figured coming early might calm my jitters.”
“I see.”
He could empathize with Choi Ye-hee’s words to some extent.
This was the moment her dream of becoming a singer might come true. It’d be weirder if she wasn’t tense.
But with Kang Han-do, who’d been her supporter so far, by her side this time, there was no need for big worries.
Just having him there was immense comfort for Choi Ye-hee.
“Shall we grab a café first?”
“Yeah, that sounds good.”
They were scheduled to have a meal with the LC Entertainment reps anyway.
Before that, they planned to go to a café and hear helpful advice from Kang Han-do.
As the two were having what amounted to a strategy session.
The promised time of 1 PM finally arrived.
“Shall we head over?”
“I’m so nervous……!”
Kang Han-do told Choi Ye-hee, who was clutching her chest, not to get too worked up.
“Once you start talking, it’s not a big deal. Less pressure than an interview or anything, so relax.”
“Yes!”
Hearing this from Kang Han-do, who actually worked in the industry, boosted her confidence even more.
And so, the two moved to the spot.
As they headed toward the clock tower at 1 PM, Choi Ye-hee lightly tugged Kang Han-do’s sleeve.
“Han-do-ssi. That’s him.”
A middle-aged man she’d met once before was standing straight, waiting for Choi Ye-hee and Kang Han-do.
Next to him, another man in his 40s fiddled with his smartphone, wearing a somehow stern expression.
“I haven’t seen the guy next to him before.”
“That person is…….”
Kang Han-do narrowed his eyes.
He recognized him instantly because the man was so famous.
Not well-known to the general public, but a big name in the industry.
It was none other than LC Entertainment’s CEO, Yoon Chae-won.
“Looks like the CEO came himself.”
“Th-the CEO?!”
Choi Ye-hee jumped in shock.
And rightly so—she’d never dreamed that the CEO of a major agency would personally show up for a scouting meeting with someone who wasn’t even a celebrity yet, just a civilian.
Kang Han-do hadn’t expected to run into Yoon Chae-won either.
But that slim chance had happened.
‘The CEO coming in person means he rates Ye-hee-ssi’s talent highly.’
Otherwise, the company head wouldn’t come here himself.
The more important the meeting and encounter, the higher the rank of the attendee.
Even in entertainment, that held true.
Though a rookie, Choi Ye-hee’s skills must have intrigued him greatly for Yoon Chae-won to make the trip.
To sign her somehow.
“Let’s go.”
“Y-Yes?! Okay……!”
With Yoon Chae-won there, they couldn’t just bail out of nerves.
Kang Han-do took the lead for the slightly intimidated Choi Ye-hee.
He strode forward confidently.
“Hello.”
“Hm?”
Yoon Chae-won tilted his head at Kang Han-do’s greeting.
An unexpected face had shown up.
“You’re Kang Han-do, right?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“What brings you here…….”
Yoon Chae-won seemed slightly flustered, apparently not having received word about Kang Han-do.
The man beside him then explained the situation to Yoon Chae-won.
Now understanding why Kang Han-do was there, Yoon Chae-won apologized with his expression and offered a handshake first.
“Sorry. I just heard about you now, Han-do-ssi. Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
The head of the top entertainment company, Yoon Chae-won.
And the rookie comedian, Kang Han-do.
Their fateful meeting began.