Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 770: The Owner of the Script (2)

As soon as I sided with Writer Wang Mi-In, Writer Choi Eun-Se's eyes shot upward.

"Why is Chief Jung getting involved in something between writers?"

Up until last week, Choi Eun-Se had been the head writer of Talk Show! Entertainment World, but because of me, she lost that position. On top of that, Wang Mi-In's debut episode had scored a whopping 15.5% in viewership ratings this week. It was a massive success. Naturally, Choi Eun-Se was glaring at me with open hostility.

"I'm sorry, but I believe I'm involved in this as well."

Saying that, I subtly slid my hand into my pocket and firmly pressed speed dial number 5. A vibration signaled that the call was connecting to MBS' PD Kim Sung-Woon.

In truth, internal affairs at a broadcasting station hit harder when exposed from within rather than leaked to the press. That was why I intended to 'live broadcast' the situation here to Kim Sung-Woon, so he could spread the word within MBS.

Buzz~

A buzz confirmed that Kim Sung-Woon had answered the call. I swiftly adjusted my hand in my pocket to minimize the receiver's volume so his voice wouldn't leak out.

At the same time, I began yelling loud enough for Kim Sung-Woon to hear everything clearly. "You came here because of the film script She Was Beautiful, which Ms. Wang wrote during her time at the MBS Broadcasting Academy, didn't you?"

"H-How do you know that...?"

"And since that script is under contract with us, tell Mr. Go Gi-Dong to cancel everything he's done to steal Ms. Wang's script and turn it into Reborn Idol. Understood?"

Ga Ae-Joo jumped in, her voice urgent. "Writer Wang. Is that true? You handed over the script for Reborn Idol to him?"

"That's... that wasn't the title. When I submitted it to Mr. Go during class, it was titled She Was Beautiful."

"Same difference! Just answer clearly. Did you give him the rights to the script or not?"

"Yes, I did."

The verbal agreement was only about adapting it into a drama, but now it effectively included film rights as well.

Ga Ae-Joo, who had maintained a polite tone up to now, threw that aside. "What the hell gives you the right to sign contracts on your own? You think being a head writer makes you invincible? You should've discussed something that important with the chief of the writing team!"

As Ga Ae-Joo suddenly screamed, Wang Mi-In shrank her shoulders in panic.

'Who do you think you're yelling at?' 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

I raised my voice to counter Ga Ae-Joo. "Ms. Wang is a freelancer, so there's nothing wrong with her signing outside contracts. Why are you shouting at her? If you're going to yell at anyone, maybe start with Director Go Gi-Dong, who stole the script?"

"Hey! I'm talking to Writer Wang right now! What gives a talent agent the right to butt in?"

That's when Wang Mi-In shouted back. "Don't yell at Mr. Jung! And why am I the one getting blamed when I'm the original author? Director Go Gi-Dong is the one who stole the work!"

"H-How dare you glare at me like that? You're with MBS, aren't you? Then you should've reported this kind of thing to your superiors! At the very least, to the chief of the writing team!"

The so-called chief of the writing team at MBS referred to Choi Eun-Se standing next to Ga Ae-Joo.

Wang Mi-In snapped. "Oh, so I'm MBS when it's convenient? And just because I'm freelance, I have to pay extra for meals at the company cafeteria. Why should I report something like this?"

"You see? This is what happens. You got promoted too quickly and don't know how this industry works! Haven't you heard of traditions that senior writers have always followed?"

At that moment, Choi Eun-Se bowed her head to Ga Ae-Joo. "I'm sorry, Ms. Ga. I should've trained her beforehand, but she got promoted so suddenly I didn't have time to teach her."

"Sigh... No, it's not your fault, Writer Choi. Everyone else manages just fine without being told. She's the odd one out. And just look at how she talks back. She has absolutely no manners."

When it came to being rude in the broadcasting world, Ga Ae-Joo was unrivaled. She didn't earn the nicknames 'Rude Witch' and 'Rainbow Writer' during her writing days for nothing. That latter nickname came from her mood swings different every single day of the week.

And standing right beside her, Choi Eun-Se was her number two. In any case, the two most insufferable people in the room were tag-teaming against Wang Mi-In.

Choi Eun-Se went on the attack again. "Hey, rookie. Listen carefully. Every piece you created at the MBS Broadcasting Academy belongs to MBS. In other words, whatever deal you made is void. Got it?"

"What... Do you mean?"

"What do you think I mean? You think the Broadcasting Academy's tuition was cheap for no reason? Every project you worked on while attending was given priority rights by MBS!"

"T-That's..."

The MBS Broadcasting Academy was government-subsidized. However, MBS also invested money to train aspiring writers. Thanks to that, students could enter the industry at a low cost. In exchange, MBS had priority rights over any content produced during the course.

Yet there was one loophole in that clause. It required the writer's final consent to activate. Of course, most writers didn't even consider fighting back against the network and would hand over their work practically under duress.

But I wasn't one of them.

I stepped in and raised my voice. "That clause only applies if the writer consents, doesn't it?"

"If she doesn't, what then? Are you saying she's ready to burn bridges with the network? Huh? Sigh... Hey, Chief Jung. Unless you plan to take full responsibility for Writer Wang's entire career, don't go meddling!"

Before the regression, I had my own broadcast planning ideas stolen by higher-ups. On those days, I would drown my frustration at a street tent bar. I endured it all because I was under the company and the sunbaes. However, I didn't want to live that way in this life. One lifetime of regret was enough.

Maybe that was the reason I couldn't stand by and watch someone by my side go through the same thing. Especially not someone like Wang Mi-In, who was going to write Yoo-Jin's first movie.

I turned to Wang Mi-In and said, "Ms. Wang. MBS isn't the only network out there."

"What do you mean?" Wang Mi-In asked in a confused tone.

"I'm saying that even if MBS cuts ties with you, there's still KBC and SBC. And if not them, there's always cable."

"You're saying... we go to another network?"

"Yes. If this continues, we'll have no choice. One more thing. Hoop Entertainment, our company, provides full support to the writers under our management including Writer Han Woo-Ju. We also have strong ties with the drama production company Mirinae, whose president, as you know, is Mr. Han Yoo-Sik, former executive director of KBC. In other words, we've got solid connections with the KBC network."

"Mr. Jung..."

"On the film side, we're also well connected with LT Entertainment and CK Entertainment. Oh, and for the film adaptation of She Was Beautiful, Yoo-Jin here is set to play the lead. By the way, President Shin Jong-Ki of LT said he'd invest on the spot if it's She Was Beautiful. Meaning, we could go into production as early as tomorrow."

"So what you're saying is... you want me to join your company?"

"Yes. If you do, I'll take full responsibility for your future as a writer!"

Since Wang Mi-In had only just debuted, I had never considered recruiting her for her own sake. But the situation had changed. At this rate, she would be crushed under Choi Eun-Se and Ga Ae-Joo before her career even began. So I decided I would become her shield.

"Oh, and as for today, I'll make sure this goes public. I'll blow it up in the press."

Still on the call with Kim Sung-Woon, I said it with extra emphasis.

Maybe because of that, Wang Mi-In nodded with newfound strength. "Screw it, yes. I'll do it. You're the one who got me this head writer gig anyway, right? Fine. I'm in!"

Thanks to Ga Ae-Joo and Choi Eun-Se, I now had Wang Mi-In on board.

I smiled. "Thank you. Then let's go. We've got places to be."

"Where?"

"To our company to finalize your contract, and then to the drama production company. Legally, since we've got the drama script, we can get your authorship of the film scenario recognized too."

Now that we had the drama script in hand, there was no need to hesitate.

At that moment, the writers' meeting room door swung open and Kim Sung-Woon rushed in, out of breath.

Click.

"Chief Jung!"

Still holding his phone, Kim Sung-Woon's face had turned pale.

Feigning innocence, I turned mine off and asked casually. "What brings you all the way to the writers' office, Mr. Kim?"

Catching on, Kim Sung-Woon steadied his breath and played along. "O-Oh, I just came to say hi since I heard you were here. Also, the department head wanted to see you. Would you be able to come?"

If it was Kim Gyuk-Shik of the drama department, that would be a huge help. Thanks to his back-to-back successes with In the Name of God and Hwaranjeon, he was currently a leading candidate for executive director.

"Let's go together."

I was about to follow Kim Sung-Woon, taking Yoo-Jin and Wang Mi-In with me.

Just then, Ga Ae-Joo shouted, "Where do you think you're going?!"

Seething with rage, Ga Ae-Joo quickly made a call.

"Mr. Yang! Where are you right now?"

-Me? I'm at the office.

"Could we talk in the executive meeting room?"

-If you want to talk, of course. But what's going on?

"Thanks to Chief Jung from Hoop, our station's reputation is in shambles. I need you to step in!"

-Bring everyone upstairs.

Click.

Ga Ae-Joo ended the call and shot me a glare that could burn through steel. "If you don't want to make an enemy of MBS, follow me."

'Fine.'

After all, I wasn't trying to pick a fight with MBS, just with Ga Ae-Joo.

Kim Sung-Woon's eyes lit up and he stepped in beside me. "Let's just go together for now. I'll have Mr. Kim meet us there."

"Understood. Let's go."

We all headed toward the MBS executive meeting room. Meanwhile, Kim Sung-Woon's fingers were moving quickly, sending Kk Talk messages.

***

Inside the meeting room, Director Yang Sang-Hyuk was waiting along with Han Seok-Young, head of the variety department, and Cheon Yi-Sang, a director from TK Entertainment. Kim Sung-Woon came in last, after letting everyone else enter.

Yang Sang-Hyuk furrowed his brows slightly at the crowd storming in. But upon seeing Yoo-Jin's face, he quickly fixed his expression. "Miss Yoo-Jin. I watched the drama again this week. You were great. Let's keep it up. You got this!"

"Yes, sir."

Among the group, top star Yoo-Jin was the only one who Yang Sang-Hyuk warmly greeted.

After a quick round of greetings, his smile faded and he turned to Ga Ae-Joo. "So? What's this about?"

Ga Ae-Joo started speaking, completely one-sidedly. She claimed that the script written by Wang Mi-In belonged to MBS and that it had been handed over to Go Gi-Dong and TK Entertainment for a film adaptation.

Yang Sang-Hyuk rubbed his ear and frowned. "What, you're all fighting over that? Chief Jung?"

I protested. "That script isn't just anything, sir. It's a masterpiece that Ms. Wang poured everything into!"

Everyone else was dismissing it as an average script, but I knew it was a future megahit worth hundreds of millions. I couldn't help but get angry.

Still, Yang Sang-Hyuk let out a sigh. "Look, I get that Director Go Gi-Dong may have acted out of line. But it's not like he wasn't going to pay. Here's what we'll do. I'll make sure she gets a little more than the standard script fee. Let's just end it there. Why stir up unnecessary trouble and ruin the mood?"

"Sir!"

"Ah, don't be so loud. Chief Jung, you've been way too high-profile lately. The station used to be quiet until you started shaking things up. You need to learn how to let things slide sometimes. Tsk tsk."

I was about to flip the whole table when I caught a glance of Kim Sung-Woon and held back. After all, I could wait until Kim Gyuk-Shik arrived.

At that moment, Yoo-Jin slammed her hands on the table and shot up from her seat.

Bang!

"Wow. This is just... unbelievable. You're really trying to swallow someone else's hard work over a few bucks?"

"Miss Yoo-Jin, I think you misunderstood. This is just how things are done. It's standard."

"Standard?"

"Yes. Out of every 100 scripts or screenplays, maybe one gets produced. If we try to do everything by the book with contracts upfront, nothing moves forward."

"And?"

"So senior staff or academy heads get things moving first, and if the investment review goes through later, then they pay for it. It's like a post-payment system."

Yoo-Jin gave a sharp snort through her nose. That habit meant she was really mad.

Sure enough, the fuming Yoo-Jin started speaking again. "I don't care about all those complicated explanations! But one thing's for sure—using someone's work without their permission is wrong."

"I'm telling you, it's not like that."

Then, Yoo-Jin asked a question as if something clicked. "Mr. Yang, didn't you recently buy a new car?"

"Yeah, I signed the paperwork last month when the sales rep came by. But why bring that up now?"

"That car just came off the production line!"

"My car did?"

"No, let's just say it has."

"O-Okay... sure."

"And now imagine the sales rep drives that car around for a whole month without telling you."

"My car?"

"Yes!"

"That lunatic! Why the hell would a sales rep drive my car? What, does he think he owns it?"

"It'd make you furious, right? Someone else driving your car without permission?"

"Of course! Who the hell does he think he—"

Yang Sang-Hyuk stopped mid-sentence. He had just realized the point Yoo-Jin was making with her simple analogy.

'She's gotten sharp. Nice assist, Jung Yoo-Jin.'

When I gave her a thumbs-up, Yoo-Jin lifted her chin proudly.

As Yang Sang-Hyuk fell silent under the weight of Yoo-Jin's logic, I smoothly jumped in. "Mr. Yang, I really don't want to cause unnecessary conflict either. Just cancel the unauthorized movie adaptation that was started without the original writer's consent. But if you can't do that, I'll go all in. Because Ms. Wang Mi-In officially joined Hoop Entertainment today."

Fully aware of how much of a headache I could be when I got serious, Yang Sang-Hyuk let out a sigh.

"That'll be enough?"

"Yes."

"Then..."

Just then, Ga Ae-Joo cried out in disbelief. "Mr. Yang! What happened to you? Doesn't MBS have its pride? How could you fold so easily to some talent agent?! That's not like you!"

"Well, I mean... I suppose..."

That woman just had to ruin a game that was already won. I couldn't wait for Kim Gyuk-Shik to arrive anymore. It looked like it was time to flip the table now.

But just then, Kim Sung-Woon tugged on my arm and whispered.

-Wait a moment. Just a little longer.

-Even if Mr. Kim gets here, I don't think we'll get anywhere with him.

Then Kim Sung-Woon smiled faintly and pointed to the door. To my surprise, the door was slightly open.

'Since when was that door open?'

Thinking back, Kim Sung-Woon had entered last and I hadn't heard the door click shut behind him.

At that moment, I heard a booming voice.

"Chief Jung is just some talent agent? Are you out of your damn mind, Ga Ae-Joo?!"

The door swung open with force, and in stormed none other than MBS President Choi Sang-Byung roaring with fury.