Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Episode 22: Manager (2)
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The moment Kang Han-do laid eyes on Nemide, he couldn't control his expression.
What was the right word for it? Bewilderment was the strongest feeling.
Lee Yeon-ju, the executive, asked him.
"Your reaction doesn't seem great. Do you not like having a female manager by any chance?"
"Oh, no. It's not like that."
In this day and age, showing any sexist attitude could spell disaster.
Kang Han-do immediately shook his head, making it clear that wasn't his intention.
Oblivious to the full story, Lee Yeon-ju placed a hand on Nemide's shoulder and introduced her.
"You've probably already guessed from the name 'Nemide,' but she's a young woman who lived abroad for a long time. Her true value will shine when Han-do takes on overseas schedules later. She speaks English really well."
Honestly, conversational English wasn't something Kang Han-do needed that badly right now. He was already swamped just handling domestic schedules—overseas ones were a whole other story.
"And one more thing."
Lee Yeon-ju leaned in and whispered something memorable into Kang Han-do's ear.
"She has incredibly high likability. People with her style are usually great at sales. I specially assigned you a super ace manager with you in mind, so I'm really looking forward to your future exploits."
It was a statement that seriously undermined her credibility.
The Nemide that Kang Han-do knew was absolutely not the sweet, sales-savvy type.
As all sorts of doubts swirled in his head.
Lee Yeon-ju suddenly checked her vibrating smartphone.
"Oh, sorry. Something urgent came up, so I have to step out for a bit. You two can get along without me, right?"
Nemide was the first to respond.
"Yes, of course. Take care, Executive."
"See you later then. Oh, why don't you grab a coffee at the café nearby? Nemide. I gave you the company card, right?"
"Is this it?"
"Yeah. Use that for any work-related payments from now on. Just don't swipe it too much—other departments might notice."
"Got it."
"Then I'll head out first."
The moment Lee Yeon-ju left, Kang Han-do let out a deep sigh.
"How did this happen?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you my manager?"
When he came to his senses, Nemide had really become Kang Han-do's manager.
Honestly, he'd thought manager work was beyond her. He still did.
He had no idea how she'd passed the manager test. LC Entertainment's hiring standards were notoriously strict. Yet Nemide had become an LC Entertainment manager in a short time.
That was what puzzled him.
Nemide smiled faintly.
"The president really took a liking to me. He didn't hold back on the praise, saying young people like me are exactly what the industry needs these days."
"Do you have a driver's license?"
One essential requirement for a manager was a driver's license.
Nemide pulled out a license from her wallet.
"Just in case, I got the large vehicle one. I didn't know I had a knack for driving."
"......"
Getting even a regular Class 1 license was one thing, but a large vehicle one was no small feat. Yet Nemide had obtained it without much trouble.
'She's showing this much enthusiasm. I can't ask to switch managers now.'
He didn't dislike Nemide. He was just uneasy.
Even so, denying her a chance entirely would be unfair.
"Anyway, since it's come to this, let's make it work."
"Yes. Looking forward to working with you!"
Nemide beamed brightly.
How much synergy this duo would produce remained to be seen.
* * *
On the day of the Pobokjeoldo recording.
Kang Han-do found himself taking a different route to work than usual.
Waiting briefly in front of his house, a black car pulled up in front of him.
The window rolled down, and a familiar woman's voice came from inside.
"Han-do-nim, good morning."
At Nemide's voice, Kang Han-do greeted her back.
"Good morning. And you can drop the 'nim' honorific now. People will see us working together from now on. If a manager uses super formal speech with their assigned celebrity all the time, it might lead to weird misunderstandings."
"Then what should I call you?"
"Just Han-do-ssi or something."
"Yes?! But how could I possibly......"
"It's fine. I'm not that big a deal. And we're partners who have to move together from now on. Let's start by making the honorifics casual and then slowly sync up."
"If Han-do-nim says so...... Okay. Then I'll call you Han-do-ssi!"
Kang Han-do had always felt a bit uncomfortable with Nemide using extreme honorifics toward him. Now it finally felt a little more relaxed.
As Nemide drove, Kang Han-do reviewed the Game World script and inwardly marveled.
Not at the script. At Nemide.
'Her driving's pretty good.'
Honestly, he'd been really anxious at first. She'd only gotten her license recently, so he wasn't sure about entrusting his safety to her. But that worry turned out to be unfounded.
She drove safely without going too slow. Thanks to Nemide's steady skills, they arrived at the broadcasting station right on time.
Nemide said to Kang Han-do, who got out first.
"I'll park and follow right after."
"You know where the filming set is?"
"Yes. I scouted it the day before yesterday."
Pre-scouting too. An exclamation escaped Kang Han-do's lips.
Had Nemide always been this thorough? He started to believe Lee Yeon-ju's words weren't just hype, at least a little.
Upon arriving at the set, Kang Han-do greeted his seniors.
"Hello, sunbae-nim!"
"Hey, Han-do's here?"
Kim Sang-heun welcomed him. The moment he saw Kang Han-do, Kim Sang-heun said straight out.
"Congrats, Han-do."
"Pardon? D-did I do something worth congratulating?"
What could it be that even he didn't know about? No matter how hard he thought, nothing came to mind.
Kim Sang-heun chuckled.
"What else? Your stock's skyrocketed thanks to Star House lately. Your name was trending the other day. And before that, transferring to LC Entertainment with O Shin-hoon sunbae. You've got so many things to celebrate it's overflowing, right?"
"Haha. Is that so?"
"At this rate, you'll be a superstar. Even if you make it big, don't forget us. Got it?"
"Why would I forget you, sunbae-nim? No need to worry."
Thanks to Kang Han-do's rising popularity, Game World was indirectly benefiting too.
More audience members were coming specifically to see Kang Han-do on Game World. Before, Game World fans weren't a huge portion. But now, it sometimes got the biggest cheers among Pobokjeoldo corners.
With the situation like this, Kim Sang-heun couldn't help but feel good. And then came more good news.
"We might get an ad offer soon."
"Really?!"
"Shh! It's not confirmed yet, so keep it quiet. Some company said they're reviewing it positively."
"That'd be huge if it comes through."
"It would. I've never shot a single ad in my life. Same for you, right?"
"Yeah. I'm a rookie."
A rookie already starring in three fixed TV programs, and possibly shooting an ad soon. Things even veterans struggled with, Kang Han-do was handling effortlessly.
'Good momentum. Let's keep it going!'
It was the fruit of Kang Han-do's efforts.
As Kang Han-do chatted happily with Kim Sang-heun, a man burst into the waiting room.
It was Jang Seok-du.
"S-sunbae! Did you see just now?!"
"See what."
"There's a super pretty girl outside. Didn't you hear a female actress is guesting today?"
"Nope, first I've heard of it."
"Weird. Maybe a girl group member? But I don't know who. First time seeing her face, but she's insanely pretty."
Just how pretty was she for Jang Seok-du, who avoided women like the plague, to say this?
Kang Han-do and Kim Sang-heun got curious.
"Shall we go check?"
"Sure."
Kang Han-do gladly accepted Kim Sang-heun's suggestion.
They quickly followed behind Jang Seok-du.
Their destination was behind the Pobokjeoldo stage.
A stunning woman chatting with Jo Woo-kim PD came into view.
Jang Seok-du pointed at her.
"That's the one."
The moment Kim Sang-heun saw her, he let out an involuntary "Wow."
But.
Kang Han-do was different.
He wore an expression like "I had a hunch, and sure enough."
Jang Seok-du looked puzzled at his reaction.
"What's up with you, Han-do? Way too lukewarm."
"Actually, that woman's someone I know."
"For real?! Who? New actress? Or girl group after all?"
"No. Well......"
Kang Han-do gave an awkward smile.
"She's my manager."
* * *
Nemide was pretty—pretty indeed. Kang Han-do thought so even on normal days.
Her figure was decent too. Having accidentally seen her naked once, he was even more convinced.
Nemide, with celebrity-level looks, naturally struck up a conversation with Jo Woo-kim PD.
"Please take good care of Han-do-ssi from now on, PD-nim."
"Hahaha, no worries. Man, that guy Han-do. Getting a beauty like you as his manager. He must be thrilled."
"Oh, not at all. Compared to other female celebs, I'm nothing."
"You're too modest. If I were a movie director, I'd debut you as the lead actress right away. Your visuals are already perfect—just need some acting chops to back it up. Hahaha!"
It wasn't flattery; he meant it.
Jo Woo-kim PD had seen countless female entertainers, but Nemide held her own against them in appeal.
As Nemide chatted with him, Kang Han-do approached.
"Sorry for the late intro. PD-nim, this is my manager, Nemide."
"I heard earlier. You're really lucky, you know. Hottest rookie comedian these days, and now a beauty manager too."
"It wasn't intentional."
"Anyway, take Nemide around and introduce her to the staff. It'll help her out a ton as a manager to get familiar with faces."
"Yes, got it."
Kang Han-do had planned to do exactly that anyway.
Every time Nemide greeted them, the staff's faces lit up with smiles brighter than any he'd seen.
Young, old, men, women—all reacted the same.
Halfway through, Kang Han-do thought.
'Looks really do get you far, huh.'
There was a reason "lookism" was a thing. At the same time, he glimpsed a new side of Nemide.
'She's better at talking than I thought?'
No clumsiness. She led conversations smoothly.
Lee Yeon-ju's words came back to him.
Salesperson style.
'Was she serious?'
He'd thought it was just hype to promote her. Now, he had to reevaluate Nemide.