Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 782: Mistake of the Enemy

On the table inlaid with ornate black lacquer inside VIP Room 1 at Red space, a luxury bar in Apgujeong, five bottles of Valantine's 40-Year-Old whisky were laid out. Each was worth over ten million won with only a hundred bottles produced annually.

Seated in front of them were President Bang Sang-Yung and Hoop Entertainment's Division 1 Chief Choi Eun-Seok, along with Team Leads Kang Do-Woon, Woo Ji-Hyun, and Jeon In-Gyo.

Bang Sang-Yung smiled at them all. "You remember what I said? That when I made it, I'd treat everyone to Valantine's 40? Well, I've finally made it happen. How about we regroup at TNT and get back to working hard together?"

Choi Eun-Seok replied on behalf of the others, his voice tinged with irritation. "When you left the company, you didn't even call us. And now you want to work together again? I thought our connection ended back then."

Choi Eun-Seok, Kang Do-Woon, Woo Ji-Hyun, and Jeon In-Gyo had all been handpicked and hired into Hoop by Bang Sang-Yung himself. They were his hoobaes in the industry. Yet not only had Bang Sang-Yung left without a word, he hadn't contacted them even after returning to TNT Entertainment.

As they voiced their resentment, Bang Sang-Yung lowered his head, gripping the table with both hands. "I've got no excuse for that. I'm sorry. Honestly, I was barely holding myself together. Then I suddenly had to take over TNT and things got crazy busy. You're all like family to me, and I failed you. That's on me. I ask for your forgiveness."

Choi Eun-Seok stood to leave. "Forget it. There's nothing to forgive or not forgive. It's in the past. If this is all you had to say, we'll be leaving now."

However, Bang Sang-Yung quickly grabbed Choi Eun-Seok's arm. "Come on, at least hear the offer. I really came here wanting to treat you right."

Choi Eun-Seok let out a sigh and reluctantly sank back into his seat. "Sigh... Fine. Let's hear it."

The other Division 1 team leads—Kang Do-Woon, Woo Ji-Hyun, and Jeon In-Gyo—who had started to rise, also sat back down with no choice. Once everyone was seated again, Bang Sang-Yung reached for the bottle of Valantine's 40 in front of him.

Pop.

The cap came off with a crisp sound, releasing the sweet, mellow aroma of the ultra-premium whisky into the VIP room. All the talent agents from Actor Division 1, known for their love of drinking, instinctively swallowed.

Bang Sang-Yung grinned. "Alright, let's each have a glass while we talk."

He poured the whisky into Choi Eun-Seok's glass first.

Drip, drip, drip.

Then he filled the glasses of Kang Do-Woon, Woo Ji-Hyun, and Jeon In-Gyo in turn.

Yet Choi Eun-Seok forced himself to look away from his glass and spoke firmly. "Let's skip the theatrics and get to the point."

"Come on. You're so uptight." Bang Sang-Yung let go of the glasses and got to the real offer. "First off, I want to scout you as a Director, Chief Choi. I'll match your salary to two hundred million won. Plus, you'll get a full bonus package."

In this industry, such "bonuses" referred to under-the-table incentives. It was essentially a commission for bringing top-tier actors along during a job switch.

"Not bad. And what about these guys?" Choi Eun-Seok asked.

"I'll promote all three of them to Chief immediately. A hundred million won salary each, how about it? And of course, the same bonus deal applies."

At that moment, Choi Eun-Seok asked again even though he already knew. "And what exactly do you mean by bonus?"

"Why are you playing dumb?"

"Please spell it out clearly."

Eventually, Bang Sang-Yung relented. "Bring over Jin Seo-Jin from Actor Division 1, and I'll give you a hundred million. For any other A-class actor, fifty million. B-class, thirty million."

After Jo Min-Sung, the face of Actor Division 1, had moved to Division 2, Jin Seo-Jin was the only remaining S-class celebrity in Division 1. Four years ago, she alternated between winning Best Actress at the Hwangryong Film Association and in dramas. With the right project, she still had the potential to hit big.

"Hmm..."

"Oh, and if any of you manage to poach someone like Jo Min-Sung who moved to Division 2 or anyone of that caliber, I'll give you 10% of their signing bonus as a separate cut."

Bang Sang-Yung was offering additional incentives for top-tier talent, but Choi Eun-Seok didn't respond right away. Instead, he let out a sigh.

"Would it be alright if we talked it over among ourselves before giving you an answer?"

"Should I step out for a bit then?" Bang Sang-Yung asked.

"No. Let's just end it here for today and talk again tomorrow. We need time to think it over."

Bang Sang-Yung glared at Choi Eun-Seok. "Don't tell me you're planning to take my offer and use it to renegotiate your salary with Hoop. There's no way they can match the conditions I've given you."

"I know. And trust me, we wouldn't speak a word of this to anyone."

"Then why stall?"

"We just need time to consider."

Bang Sang-Yung hesitated before finally relenting. "Alright, then. Let's do this. Give me your answer by 7 a.m. tomorrow. The offer's only good until then. Don't regret missing out on a golden opportunity. Got it?"

At that, Choi Eun-Seok's expression hardened. "Tomorrow morning... So this is about the IPO demand forecast, isn't it? All this talk about working with us is just an excuse. The real goal is to sabotage Hoop Entertainment's listing, isn't it?"

Bang Sang-Yung shrugged. "Nice, you're sharp. Makes this easier. Yeah, once you come to TNT, that's goodbye to Hoop. Besides, word is you've been getting humiliated by Chief Jung ever since I left. Wouldn't it feel good to hit him where it hurts? Don't you think so?"

That's when Choi Eun-Seok realized Bang Sang-Yung hadn't heard yet that he had already joined Jung Yoon-Ho's side. So he kept a poker face and gave a sly smile to lull him into complacency.

"I understand what you're saying."

"Good. I'll cover the bill here, so enjoy yourselves. And give me your answer by 7 a.m., alright?"

Choi Eun-Seok shook his head. "No, you brought out such expensive whisky as a gift, so we'll take care of the tab."

Bang Sang-Yung had already prepaid for the five bottles of Valantine's 40. They just needed to cover the cost of the room.

"This place is pricey. Just the base room fee is at least a million won."

Choi Eun-Seok said firmly, "That much, we can handle."

Bang Sang-Yung chuckled. "Alright, fine. Let's say I celebrated quitting with Valantine's 40, and you guys got the second round on me."

"Sure."

"Oh, and finish the rest of the Valantine I opened."

"Take care on your way out."

"Will do~"

With a pleased grin, Bang Sang-Yung left the room.

***

As soon as the door shut, Choi Eun-Seok sighed and pulled his phone from his pocket.

Click.

[Recording Ended]

Choi Eun-Seok muttered to himself, "It's just like Chief Jung said."

A chill ran down Choi Eun-Seok's spine. A few days ago, when he had returned to the company from visiting Suhyaejong, Jung Yoon-Ho had warned him that Bang Sang-Yung would reach out. And now it had come true exactly as predicted.

Frowning, Kang Do-Woon asked irritably. "Mr. Choi, what are we going to do now?"

"Why do you ask? You want to go work for President Bang?"

"Not at all! We're already on Jung Yoon-Ho's side, remember?"

After choosing to support Jung Yoon-Ho, Choi Eun-Seok and the Division 1 team leads had regained their eligibility for internal stock options. Just by siding with Jung Yoon-Ho, he had spoken to the company and secured actual benefits for them. This meant once Hoop Entertainment went public, the people in this room would earn enough to buy dozens of bottles of Valantine's 40 without blinking.

Maybe that was why Woo Ji-Hyun glanced bitterly toward the door Bang Sang-Yung had walked out of. "He ditched us without a word, and now he thinks one bottle of whisky is enough to win us over? Forget the money. I'm never going back to a guy who only shows up when he needs something."

"Exactly. What I hate most is how he's always treated us like his errand boys. I'd rather stick with Chief Jung and see this through. Somehow, when I'm with him, it feels like anything's possible."

Jeon In-Gyo responded to Choi Eun-Seok's words. "The moment we started recording, we already made our choice, didn't we? Let's not waste time and just call Chief Jung now."

Choi Eun-Seok chuckled. "Alright. Then I'm calling Chief Jung now, okay?"

"Yes, sir!"

Without hesitation, Choi Eun-Seok picked up his phone and called Jung Yoon-Ho.

"Hey, Chief Jung. The meeting's over and President Bang left. And just like you asked, I recorded everything."

-Well done, Mr. Choi. I'm on my way to the company now. I'll see you there.

"By the way, President Bang left behind five bottles of Valantine's 40. We didn't touch them, but is this gonna be used against us somehow?"

Jung Yoon-Ho laughed on the other end.

-Hahaha, just bring them to the company. I'll take care of it.

"But what about the glasses he poured into?"

-You didn't drink them, did you?

"Of course not. You told us not to even sip water from him."

-Then just wrap the glasses in plastic and pack them in a Styrofoam box. Give the waiter a decent tip. They'll help.

Seeing how Jung Yoon-Ho handled every detail without flinching reassured Choi Eun-Seok that he had backed the right person.

"Alright. I'll get everything packed and head straight to the company."

-Yes, sir.

Contrary to Bang Sang-Yung's expectations, Choi Eun-Seok and his team were already loyal followers of Jung Yoon-Ho.

***

6:00 a.m. the next morning, everyone in Kang Gam-Chan's line except the ones tied up with Gwanwoo Entertainment gathered in the president's office right before heading to the stock brokerage. It was time to finalize the fallout from Bang Sang-Yung's stunt the night before.

Then, the anticipated headlines began to appear.

[TNT Entertainment Attempts to Sabotage Hoop Entertainment's IPO?]

[TNT's President Offers Lavish Gifts to Hoop Talent Agents and Celebrities as Bribes!]

[President Bang Sang-Yung of TNT Backstabs Former Company Hoop Entertainment.]

[Hoop Entertainment Files Lawsuit Against President Bang Sang-Yung and TNT Entertainment!]

[Hoop Entertainment's President Kang Gam-Chan Pursues Multi-Billion Won Legal Action for Obstruction of Business.]

[Hoop Entertainment's Lead IPO Underwriter Best Securities Also Sues TNT.]

[Best Securities' President Cha Dae-Hyun Speaks Out on Talent-Poaching Scandals in Entertainment.]

"It's up!" someone announced.

The night before, Choi Eun-Seok had provided reporter Chae So-Hye of Star Exclusive and Jang Moon-Ki of Weekly Star with the audio recording and photos from the scene.

Meanwhile, Kang Gam-Chan had given the same material to Best Securities' President Cha Dae-Hyun, who was handling Hoop's IPO, and Choi Yuung-Ho, president of Daeheung Savings Bank.

As a result, not just entertainment news but front pages of major newspapers and economic news outlets were flooded with the story.

While scanning the reports, Kang Gam-Chan immediately issued orders. "Team Lead Kwak. If TNT tries to float some backdoor settlement, ignore it and hit them hard."

"Yes, sir."

Then Kang Gam-Chan turned to PR Chief Sung Min-Suk. "And Chief Sung. Answer the press truthfully, just as it happened."

"All of it?"

"This thing's blown wide open anyway. We need to make sure TNT gets buried. The table's been set, so all we need to do is show up and eat. Chief Jung served it up perfectly." He then turned to Choi Eun-Seok, looking at him with appreciation. "Chief Choi. Thank you. It couldn't have been easy to resist."

However, Choi Eun-Seok shook his head. "It's true I have a past with Bang Sang-Yung. But I'm a Hoop man now. There was nothing to waver about."

"Hahaha, is that so?"

"And more importantly, I'm a shareholder of Hoop Entertainment. What kind of shareholder turns their back on their own company?"

Having his stock options reassigned gave Choi Eun-Seok the confidence to joke around.

Just then, Choi Eun-Seok's phone buzzed.

Buzz~

Choi Eun-Seok looked at the caller ID and turned to the room. "It's... President Bang."

At that moment, I immediately told Choi Eun-Seok, "Mr. Choi, please switch to the speakerphone."

Choi Eun-Seok put the call on the speaker. Then, Bang Sang-Yung's furious voice roared out from the phone.

-Eun-seok, you son of a bitch! After everything I did for you, how could you stab me in the back like this?!

Choi Eun-Seok's face flushed red, his body trembling with rage as he responded.

"You really thought I'd betray the company I've worked hard for, just for a bottle of expensive liquor and a slight raise? And on top of that, you wanted me to poach our own stars?"

-Y-You bastard... I'm going to sue you! Do you know how much that liquor cost?!

Before Choi Eun-Seok could respond, I stepped in, cutting him off.

"That liquor? We've sent it all back. You might want to go check."

The moment Bang Sang-Yung heard my voice, I could hear him gulp on the other end.

-Jung Yoon-Ho... this was your doing again, wasn't it?

It was, but there was no reason to admit it.

"What do you mean? All that happened is, you underestimated Mr. Choi's loyalty to our company."

-You piece of—

"Oh, and just so you know, none of our team drank a single drop of the whiskey you left behind. Everything is documented, so don't even think about lying later."

Just then, a secretary's voice came through the line.

-Sir, there's a delivery for you.

-What delivery?

-They say it's from Hoop Entertainment.

"Go ahead. Open it."

-Hey! What the hell are you—

I ended the call without waiting for Bang Sang-Yung to finish. Then, I blocked his number from Choi Eun-Seok's phone.

Kang Gam-Chan looked confused and asked, "What exactly did you send him?"

I smiled. "The poured drinks were sealed in plastic. The one opened bottle was vacuum-sealed. The remaining four bottles were untouched and sent back to his office."

"Haha. I see."

"And I also included a little gift."

"What gift?"

"Tofu."

"What?"

Just in case Bang Sang-Yung ends up in prison, I sealed some tofu in one of the bottles so that when he gets out, he could still enjoy it.[1].

"By the time he opens it, it's going to be fermented tofu."

"Fermented tofu is still tofu, right?"

Kang Gam-Chan chuckled, half exasperated. "You're really something else. Hahaha."

And just like that, I had completely ended things with Bang Sang-Yung.

***

Two days passed, and it was the morning of Wednesday, March 24. I checked the headlines as I arrived at work.

[TNT Entertainment's President Bang Sang-Yung Arrested]

[Hoop Entertainment IPO Forecast Skyrockets]

[Hoop Entertainment Emerges as Top KOSDAQ Pick Amid Positive Buzz]

[Hoop Entertainment Celebrities Plan to Purchase Company Shares]

With Bang Sang-Yung's arrest, Hoop Entertainment's IPO predictions had surged. Our underwriter, Best Securities, informed us that institutions were swarming them with requests to buy shares. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

We had submitted our IPO price band between twenty thousand and thirty thousand won. The more buyers there were, the higher the final price would be—it was simple market logic. Naturally, I was hoping for the top end, which is thirty thousand won.

And I wasn't the only one. Everyone gathered in the meeting room felt the same.

"Oh please, let it be thirty thousand..." Do Ran-Hee, who hadn't even washed her hair because of some superstition, had her hands clasped in prayer.

She had poured every bit of her savings and broken all her fixed deposits to buy into the company stock plan.

Next to her, Lee Yung-Jin held hands with his girlfriend, also unwashed, muttering, "Thirty thousand... Thirty thousand..."

It was heartwarming that they trusted me this much, but the way they were visibly panicking was a little funny.

"Ran-Hee, Yung-Jin. You two better stay away from gambling. Who puts every last cent into employee stock like this just because I said so?"

At that moment, Lee Yung-Jin stared at me and said, "You're the one who said, 'When it comes to betting on Jung Yoon-Ho, go all in.'"

Do Ran-Hee nodded. "Yeah. You're the one who told us to go big."

"When have you two ever listened to me?"

"We always have."

Come to think of it, they grumbled a lot especially during the hard times, but they never disobeyed an order.

'Alright. Fair enough.'

At that moment, the meeting room door burst open.

Team Lead Park In-Ki came running in, breathless and excited. "The results are out!! Our final IPO price is—"

However, the number Park In-Ki shouted out wasn't thirty thousand won like I had expected.

1. In Korea, when you get released from prison, you eat tofu ☜