Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 730: Butterfly (1)

On the 2 p.m. MBS News, the anchor delivered breaking news.

-This morning around 9 a.m., at the emergency room of Hospital A in Apgujeong, a detective chief surnamed J from the Gangnam Police Station attempted to abuse his power and kidnap someone. However, Prosecutor Seo Jae-Ill from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office received an anonymous tip and arrested Detective A on the spot.

Beep.

Inside the president's office at TNT Entertainment, Yoo Kang-Seok turned off the TV with a flushed face.

"That idiot Detective Chief Jang! What the hell was he thinking?"

It was no wonder why he hadn't been answering calls. Now it all made sense.

At that moment, Jin Myung-Gyu, the former vice chairman of Jinseong Inc., crossed one leg over the other and spoke. "Detective Chief Jang didn't drop our name, did he?"

Yoo Kang-Seok gulped hard at the chill in Jin Myung-Gyu's stare. "N-no, he wouldn't dare. He's not that stupid. I'll send a lawyer and grease some palms. Then he'll keep quiet."

"Make sure he doesn't lead anyone back to us."

"Yes, sir."

From the sofa, Jin Myung-Hee added in a sharp voice, "Make it clear that if he talks, he won't get away unscathed. Got it?"

Yoo Kang-Seok bowed repeatedly to the siblings.

After calming his sister, Jin Myung-Gyu asked Yoo Kang-Seok, "So what's the next move?"

"With Detective Chief Jang in custody, the setup is no longer viable."

"Obviously. I know that!"

"First of all, I plan to quickly scale the company by recruiting top-tier actors with the funds you've invested. We'll approach the networks and content partners and push them to choose TNT over Hoop."

"You think the broadcasters will go for that? Jung Yoon-Ho and Hoop's influence only keeps growing."

"What can't be done with money? PDs love money."

Yoo Kang-Seok emphasized that TNT Entertainment had come this far because the lobbying worked.

Jin Myung-Gyu nodded but she was still unsatisfied. "Fine. But even so, you need a star to front the company, right?"

Yoo Kang-Seok's eyes gleamed. "Exactly. That's why I'm planning to push Gyu-Ri, who's starring in Hwaranjeon. She's top-tier in both looks and acting for her age. With the right support, she'll blow up for sure."

"You mean Min Gyu-Ri? The one playing Princess Do-Hwa in Hwaranjeon? She's the one in our Jinseong chocolate ads, isn't she?"

"Yes, that's her. In two days, there's the Asia Brand Conference. I'll be meeting Ryan Kim, the executive director at Louis' Batton. I plan to recommend Min Gyu-Ri as the main model for their new accessories brand launching next week."

"Wait. Recommend means she hasn't been confirmed yet, right?"

"Ryan's an old college friend of mine, so I've got the upper hand. If we can guarantee some sales, the deal will be sealed."

"So if we promise to buy the new accessories, we get the model slot?"

"Exactly."

Jin Myung-Gyu fell into thought. If Louis' Batton was launching a new accessories line, they would want to make a splash. Five billion won might not be enough. However, a ten billion won was doable, although steep. High-end accessories could always be resold, so he could treat it as an investment.

Jin Myung-Gyu nodded. "Then I'll pre-purchase around ten billion won's worth. But they keep the stock until I call for it."

Then Jin Myung-Hee chimed in, "I can do about five billion won under the same condition."

Just like that, the two siblings had pledged to buy fifteen billion won's worth. Yoo Kang-Seok's face lit up instantly. That amount would cover one-third of Louis' Batton's projected annual sales for the brand.

"With fifteen billion won, I think I can secure the deal!"

Jin Myung-Gyu furrowed his brow. "You shouldn't say you think you can seal the deal—you have to. And make sure they understand this too: once I return as the vice chairman of Jinseong, this kind of money will be pocket change. Got it?"

"I'll keep that in mind. And I'll make sure to repay your support."

A smile crept across Yoo Kang-Seok's face. However, he had no idea what Jung Yoon-Ho was preparing at that same moment.

***

The day of the Asia Brand Conference at Jinseong Hotel in Samseong-dong had arrived.

Jang So-Yeon, who had been hospitalized with injuries to both feet, was finally discharged this morning. I disguised her and placed her in a wheelchair, then headed to Suite 1203 at Jinseong Hotel. We were scheduled to do her makeup in the suite before the conference began.

Click.

When I opened the door to the suite, Yang So-Ri and Lee Mi-Ri, who had rushed over at dawn, were already inside waiting for us with everything prepared.

"You're here, Mr. Jung."

After greeting each other, Lee Mi-Ri looked toward Jang So-Yeon in the wheelchair. "How are your feet feeling?"

Jang So-Yeon forced a smile. "Much better now."

"That's a relief."

At that moment, Yang So-Ri held up a pair of custom-made silicone foot guards. They had been tinted to closely match Jang So-Yeon's skin tone and padded with a soft lining to reduce pain.

"They slip on like socks. Just wear them inside your heels."

"Thank you."

Lee Mi-Ri then presented a pair of Louis' Batton heels, one size larger than Jang So-Yeon's usual size. The foot guards added to her foot size, so they had accounted for that. Both of them had done everything they could to reduce Jang So-Yeon's discomfort.

I said, "I'll leave her in your hands."

"You can count on us, Mr. Jung."

The two women wheeled Jang So-Yeon into the main room. Left alone in the suite's living room, I reviewed the key points I would be presenting to Ryan Kim today.

The most critical was the ad model themselves. After all, sales figures could shift dramatically depending on who was chosen. That point was clear, looking at how Yoo-Jin had helped L.M.L skyrocket to the top of the Korean luxury market in no time. That was the reason I had pulled out all the stops to polish Jang So-Yeon's appearance.

Ryan, in particular, favored models dressed in black tones, so I had reached out to Jason Cho and managed to secure a limited-edition dress and heels from Louis' Batton's Monaco fashion show earlier this year.

The second point I planned to highlight was the advance purchase of products from the new brand line. No matter how close Ryan and Yoo Kang-Seok were as old classmates, what mattered most to him was sales performance. In these cases, the side that could guarantee high-volume advance purchases had the clear advantage.

So I had asked my white knights to pre-purchase inventory. I explained that landing a Louis' Batton campaign would boost Jang So-Yeon's value ahead of their IPO, making it a worthwhile investment.

I double-checked my notes and recalled the time I met Executive Director Ryan Kim before the regression.

Thirty minutes later, someone tapped at the suite door.

Knock knock.

"Come on in."

Click.

Acting President Jin Ah-Ram and Secretary Choi Hee-Seon stepped inside. In her pale blue dress, Jin Ah-Ram looked especially stunning today.

"Is everything going smoothly?" Jin Ah-Ramn asked.

I answered, "Ah, yes. She's getting her makeup done."

And then, the door opened again and Jang So-Yeon emerged.

Click.

To my surprise, Jang So-Yeon with finished makeup came out walking. Although slow, she was on her own two feet instead of a wheelchair.

'What the...?'

This was the same Jang So-Yeon who had once stormed into the company in soaked clothes, demanding to see me in a ragged state. Now, she was completely transformed. Her large eyes, which had once seemed too plain, now radiated elegance with a touch of boldness thanks to the refined makeup. The beauty mark just beneath her left eye added a striking accent to her already fox-like features.

In contrast, her lips were touched with a pale pink lipstick that gave off an innocent, girlish charm. Her long hair, which fell to her waist, was swept to one side in an asymmetrical style. She wore a form-fitting all-black dress with an open back, striking a balance between elegance and bold sensuality.

Yang So-Ri and Lee Mi-Ri had poured their full talent into transforming Jang So-Yeon into a charismatic goddess. Though the model herself, not yet used to the transformation, blushed shyly at her own reflection.

Then Lee Mi-Ri, the mastermind behind today's styling, spoke proudly. "I've done everything I possibly can. She could walk the Paris runway as a main model and still turn heads."

Recruiting Lee Mi-Ri and Yang So-Ri had been a masterstroke. So was bringing in Jang So-Yeon for today's role.

I gave a thumbs-up. "Brilliant work."

Jin Ah-Ram looked impressed. "Wow... at this rate, she's going to get swamped with offers today. Where did you even find someone like her?"

All I could do was smile. There was no way to explain that this blessing had landed in my lap uninvited.

I asked, "Would you mind bringing out the item we asked?"

Jin Ah-Ram nodded and turned around. Choi Hee-Seon retrieved a wooden case from her bag, its surface wrapped in luxurious velvet.

Click.

As the case opened, a limited-edition crystal cross accessory set from Louis' Batton sparkled inside.

"Go ahead and try them on."

Lee Mi-Ri adorned Jang So-Yeon's hair, ears, and neck with the accessories. The moment black and silver came together, it felt like the missing piece of a puzzle had snapped into place. A sense of flawless completion filled the air.

"Wow... So-Yeon is stunning. She's seriously beautiful."

"Right?"

Just as everyone was marveling at her perfection, an idea struck me.

I suggested, "Let's skip the necklace."

Everyone in the suite looked confused. Their eyes seemed to ask why I would want to create a flaw in something already so beautiful.

Speaking on behalf of the room, Lee Mi-Ri voiced her concern. "Mr. Jung, this is a full set. Without the necklace, it'll look incomplete."

"That's exactly why."

"Sorry?"

"Let's leave something missing. That way, people will want to complete it themselves."

Ryan Kim was a perfectionist. And the Ryan I knew would never leave a limited-edition accessory set unfinished.

"Hmm... okay. Let's go with your gut, Mr. Jung."

Lee Mi-Ri reluctantly removed the necklace from Jang So-Yeon's neck. Immediately, something felt off as if something essential had been left out. Yet that was exactly the effect I was aiming for.

Eventually, Lee Mi-Ri nodded. "You're right. Now that it's missing, I really want to put something there. Ah... what's the word for this feeling?"

"The final touch."

"Yes, that's it. The final touch!"

"Let's leave that last piece to Executive Director Ryan Kim."

Only then did everyone start to smile. With that, everything was ready except for one lingering issue—Jang So-Yeon's injured feet.

"So-Yeon, how's the pain?"

I glanced down at the Louis' Batton heels she was wearing. She had on the custom flesh-toned silicone foot guards Yang So-Ri had made, but they were still thin and pain was inevitable.

Even so, Jang So-Yeon gave me a faint and awkward smile. "I'm okay, oppa. I can bear with it."

The event would run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Yet she clenched her jaw, enduring the pain with a single thought in mind of bringing her siblings back. Her softly trembling voice carried the weight of her suffering.

A good talent agent should help their celebrity forget the pain, even just for a moment. Then, a sudden idea sparked.

"Hold on. So-Yeon."

"Yes? What is it?"

I wasted no time calling her younger brother. The elder of her two younger brothers, Jang Jun-Hyun, answered the video call.

-Mr. Jung? Huh? Noona?

Jang So-Yeon blinked at the sudden appearance of her younger brother. "J-Jun-Hyun?"

-Whoa~ Noona, you're unreal! Are you a celebrity already?

It had only been two days, but her siblings were thrilled to see her. And Jang So-Yeon felt the same.

"Ah, well... it's just makeup."

Then, Jang Myung-Sik squeezed his face into the small screen and shouted excitedly.

-Wow~ Is that really our noona? You look amazing!

Of course they were shocked. She was a full work of art, crafted by professional makeup artists and stylists. Hearing her energetic middle brother's praise, a bit of confidence began to bloom on Jang So-Yeon's face.

Finally, their youngest Jang Yeon-Joo popped her head up between her older brothers. At just four-years-old, Jang Yeon-Joo opened her mouth wide and her eyes even wider, stringing together every word she knew.

-Unnie! Unnie! You look like an angel! You're the prettiest in the whole world!

A soft smile slowly formed on Jang So-Yeon's face. "Yeon-Joo..."

-Yeah, unnie!

"When I make it, I'll come get you as soon as possible. Okay?"

Blushing pink, Jang Yeon-Joo beamed and drew a heart over her head.

-Okay! Got it, unnie. There's twenty eight nights left, so you have to come! I love you~

That's when Jang Jun-Hyun said they had to hang up. He didn't want their mom to find out. Just before ending the call, Jang So-Yeon looked at her siblings and made a little finger heart.

"I love you too~"

And just like that, Jang So-Yeon said goodbye to her siblings.

Click.

The moment the call ended, Jang So-Yeon closed her eyes and took a long, deep breath. When she opened them again, her entire aura had changed. From her captivating features now radiated charisma.

"Oppa. Let's go."

"Alright. I'll escort you today. Lean on my arm."

I held out my arm and helped her up. Then all of us left the suite together.

***

We arrived at the Grand Ballroom located on the first floor of Jinseong Hotel in Samseong-dong.

A banner reading Asia Brand Conference hung above the stage. Below it, about fifty tables were arranged in three neat rows. The first row was filled with top-tier brands like Channy, Hermos, and Louis' Batton, with their invited models seated beside their representatives.

Ju Yung-In was at Channy's table, while So Yi-Yung sat with Hermos. At Louis' Batton's table sat Min Gyu-Ri, the leading candidate for their upcoming accessory campaign, alongside Bae Hee-Jung, who had received the Excellence Award at last year's Hwangryong Film Association.

Bae Hee-Jung was a respected actress whose performance in The Last Refuge—a film about a post–Korean Peninsula nuclear war—had drawn eight million viewers. She was currently the face of Louis' Batton's handbag line.

In the second row were the tables of luxury brand subsidiaries. Finally, the third row was lined with Korea's homegrown brands: HK Inc., LZ Fashion, and L.M.L, the luxury brand under LM Apparel.

The seating arrangement clearly reflected the current standing of Korean brands in comparison to their global counterparts, but I was certain that it would look different by next year. After all, L.M.L promoted by Yoo-Jin was preparing for full-scale expansion across Asia starting this year.

At that moment, murmurs spread through the ballroom. Wearing an all-black dress, Jang So-Yeon had just entered and instantly drew every luxury brand rep's attention.

'Alright...it's time to begin.'

From this point forward, I was going to make Jang So-Yeon the next face of Louis' Batton no matter what Yoo Kang-Seok had in store.

But right then, my phone buzzed with a vibration and the Everyday displayed a new notification.

Buzz~

[Notification: A new schedule entry has been registered for Jang So-Yeon on March 13, 2021.]

However, the details of that schedule entry were completely absurd.

'Huh? What the heck?'