Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 790: Miso Effect (2)

[KBC Haze (煙霧) First Script Reading: The Birth of a Legendary Horror Thriller (Star Exclusive Choi So-Hye)]

-Today, the production company Mirinae hosted the first script reading for KBC's new drama Haze (煙霧). The reading room buzzed with energy as the cast—already the talk of the town—faced off in a fiery battle of performances.

...

(Video Clip 1: First script reading clip of Jung Miso, who plays Illyeong, the child sacrificed as an offering in Haze.)

(Video Clip 2: Scene showing a dramatic life-or-death confrontation between Jung Miso, the child sacrifice, and Park Sang-Gyu, the shaman trying to turn her into a spirit guardian.)

(Video Clip 3: Clip where Haze's female lead, Ju Yung-In, first encounters Illyeong's spirit, now a vengeful ghost named God Illyeong, played by Jung Miso.)

(Comments)

-Jung Miso's acting is insane. That's an eight-year-old?

-That's unreal. Go Miso.

-Agreed. But her co-star Park Sang-Gyu's expressions and delivery are no joke either.

-He's the lead from Doppelgänger, and a rookie actor under Hoop Entertainment. He's a chameleon from the theater world! I was bummed that no one knew him, but I'm so glad he's finally in the spotlight.

-Still, isn't Ju Yung-In the real standout here? You don't just win the Grand Prize for nothing.

-Seriously! So when does it air?

-Can we get the full read-through? These three one-minute clips aren't enough!

...

[KBC's Haze First Script Reading. Explosive Acting! Next Week's Hoop Entertainment IPO Gets a Major Boost! (Weekly Star Jang Moon-Ki)]

-Jung Miso, the prodigy. Park Sang-Gyu, the surprise. Sung Gyu-Hwan, the wildcard. Ju Yung-In, the queen.

Not one weak link among these master-class actors. Their performances set viewer expectations ablaze.

(Comments)

-I usually don't trust anything Jang Moon-Ki writes, but I'll give him this one.

-I heard Hoop Entertainment's going public. I'm buying.

-Haha, you're late. The waitlist's already full.

-Still worth buying. This one's heading for a double upper limit.

-Wait, aren't both Jung Miso and Park Sang-Gyu under Hoop Entertainment?

-Ju Yung-In is too.

-What?

-Ju Yung-In's agency, JU Entertainment, is a subsidiary of Hoop Entertainment. JU Entertainment's revenue is recorded under Hoop Entertainment.

-Whoa, that means everyone but Sung Gyu-Hwan is under the Hoop Entertainment's umbrella. That settles it. I'm buying. Guaranteed double upper.

...

After I uploaded the script reading clips featuring Miso, Park Sang-Gyu, and Ju Yung-In, the portal articles exploded with comments. They came so fast I couldn't keep up.

At that moment, President Han Yoo-Sik burst into laughter as he scrolled through the articles and comments.

"Hahaha! Chief Jung, we can finally breathe easy. This is huge!"

"Yes, Mr. Han. It really is."

That's when a flood of Kk Talk messages from reporters came pouring in.

Buzz~

They begged for more footage, pleading in their texts. However, that wasn't the only place in chaos.

Buzz~ Buzz~

Comment notifications were going wild on Yoo-Jin's Instargem post. Her phone buzzed nonstop until I finally had to switch it to silent. When I finally checked Yoo-Jin's account, I saw her follower count had skyrocketed past one million.

[Jung Yoo-Jin@Miso_1004]

[Posts: 1,627, Followers: 1 million, Following: 350]

-Miso on set, script reading clip (>.<)!

(Comments: 2,123)

-Miso, I love you so much it hurts.

-When did she grow up like this? Miso's skills are on another level!

-Miso, let's go win the Grand Prize this year!

-Even if she's not the lead, can't they still give her the acting award?

-At this point, Miso isn't just the best child actor. She's the best actor in the universe.

...

With a million followers, we really should have held an event. Yet there was just no way today. As I scrolled through the exploding comments, I handed the phone to Yoo-Jin.

Yoo-Jin's eyes widened in surprise. "Whoa, what is this? These comments are insane!"

Yoo-Jin and Miso stared at the phone together, cheering nonstop. That was when an unexpected call came in.

Buzz~

[Caller: Daebak Securities President Cha Dae-Hyun]

Daebak Securities was overseeing Hoop Entertainment's IPO, and their president was calling me directly. As soon as I picked up, Cha Dae-Hyun's excited voice came bursting through.

-Chief Jung! What on earth happened? People are going nuts trying to buy Hoop Entertainment stock!!

He explained he had been busy with other matters when a flood of clients suddenly stormed in, demanding shares. No matter how many times he explained that the public subscription was set for the 29th and 30th, it didn't matter and nobody was listening.

Just like that, Miso's video was causing a ripple effect far beyond what I had imagined.

***

The article about Haze's script reading had triggered more of a storm than expected. I told Han Yoo-Sik to hurry and hire a dedicated PR person, then left Mirinae and walked 50 meters over to our company with Yoo-Jin and Miso.

As we stepped inside, all the talent agents were on the phones, responding to nonstop calls. It felt more like a brokerage than an agency.

"Yes, that's correct. Ah—no, the company isn't selling shares directly. Please contact Daebak Securities."

"Yes, yes, sir. You can subscribe to the shares through the securities firm."

"You want to send a gift because you're a Miso fan and come by in person? Oh, and buy stock while you're at it? I'm afraid that's not possible, ma'am."

"Oh no, sir, you're calling again? We know everyone thinks we're selling stock, but we're not lying. Really."

People kept calling with absurd offers to buy stock. They would say they had money and were big investors, so buying from them would be a huge benefit. Ridiculous calls like that just kept pouring in. They were exhausting and unbelievable, but the talent agents in Division Jung remained unfailingly polite. After all, they knew this kind of attention meant the stock they held was about to skyrocket.

Do Ran-Hee and Lee Yung-Jin, in particular, were being extra courteous on the calls. Nevertheless, it couldn't go on forever. So I raised my hand and stepped in.

"That's enough. From now on, do not answer any calls from unknown numbers. Focus on your actual work. Only respond to calls from reporters and advertisers."

'We've been considerate enough toward potential shareholders.'

"Yes, Mr. Jung!"

Leaving the rest to PR, I called composer Yoon Sae-Yeon, whom I had met earlier in the morning. She had said she was taking her roommate Han Hye-Jung to Life Clinic for back treatment.

After a few rings, Yoon Sae-Yeon picked up.

-Oh, yes, Mr. Jung.

"Where are you right now?"

-Ah, Hye-Jung and I got to the alley by the office. But there are so many reporters out front... we don't know what to do.

Apparently, reporters had gathered outside to cover today's news.

"Stay put. I'll send someone."

I chose Talent Agent Choi Dae-Gi, since his face wasn't well-known.

"Mr. Choi, please escort composer Yoon Sae-Yeon and Han Hye-Jung."

"Yes, Mr. Jung."

Choi Dae-GI gave a respectful idol-like bow and headed out.

A little while later, Yoon Sae-Yeon and Han Hye-Jung showed up. Yoon Sae-Yeon had a laptop bag slung over her shoulder. She must have stopped by home to change and then gone to the clinic, now dressed in clean jeans and a T-shirt.

Yoon Sae-Yeon smiled and said, "This is Hye-Jung, my friend and partner I mentioned on the phone. Say hello, Hye-Jung. This is Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho."

Han Hye-Jung, slender with short hair, was dressed head-to-toe in a green tracksuit. Since she was heading to the hospital for her back, she must have chosen something comfortable.

"How's your back, Ms. Hye-Jung?" I asked.

Han Hye-Jung placed a hand on her lower back and answered, "After the shot and some physical therapy, it feels way better. I'm wearing a brace too. And thank you—"

I stopped her before she could bow. "There's no need to bow. That's bad for your back. I'm just glad I was able to buy such great songs."

Han Hye-Jung looked at me and replied with quiet determination. "I'll repay you with our music."

"That's exactly what I wanted to hear. Then shall we go sign the contract?"

"Yes, Mr. Jung."

"Let's bring Seon-Woo in for the signing too."

I called Bang Seon-Woo, who was down in the basement recording studio.

"Seon-Woo, can you come up now?"

-Yes. Where to?

"Come to the president's office."

-On my way~

At that moment, Yoon Sae-Yeon and Han Hye-Jung suddenly lit up beside me.

"Wow... Are we really going to meet Composer Bang Seon-Woo?"

"Mr. Bang Seon-Woo..."

Being composers themselves, meeting the industry's top hitmaker was like meeting an idol. After all, Bang Seon-Woo was Korea's most in-demand composer, working with Cherry Blossom and Project I.O.A.

'Seon-Woo. Looks like you just gained two more fans.'

***

With Yoon Sae-Yeon, Han Hye-Jung, and Bang Seon-Woo all present, the contract was signed in Hoop Entertainment president's office.

Over the next five years, royalties would be split 60-40 in favor of the composers. And Hoop Entertainment would pay each of them 3 million won monthly, along with a two-room DH Villa near the office as their new residence.

As we went through the contract, we talked a lot and I got to learn more about the two of them. Yoon Sae-Yeon and Han Hye-Jung were both 25, having studied composition together at Suhyaejong. They had been working under Composer Choi Tae-Yong for two years now. In that time, they had written about 200 songs together. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Two hundred songs?" I asked, surprised.

They both nodded. "But only about half of them are actually usable."

Kang Gam-Chan chuckled in delight. "Hahaha. And they work fast, too. Looks like Chief Jung brought in the real deal."

I had already sent their demo tracks to the company when we signed with Choi Tae-Yong. Kang Gam-Chan had been impressed not only by 'Dreams Come True,' but also by the other songs I had signed—'Spring Light Flutter,' 'Cherry Blossom Path,' 'A Thousand Days in a Day,' and 'This Song, That Song.' Now, hearing they had such production power, he couldn't hide his excitement.

Bang Seon-Woo, too, looked thrilled as he turned to them. "Please come down to the studio and let me hear the rest. I couldn't sit still after hearing your songs earlier. My heart's still pounding. And 'Dreams Come True'—that one's an absolute masterpiece!"

As Bang Seon-Woo praised their work, Yoon Sae-Yeon and Han Hye-Jung could barely contain their joy.

"Really?"

"Th-thank you. Thank you so much!"

While we chatted, I brought up something a little harder with Kang Gam-Chan. "Mr. Kang, may I ask for a favor?"

"If it's you, Chief Jung, anything."

"The five songs I purchased—they're under Hoop's copyright, correct?"

"That's right."

"I'd like to share the copyright revenue from those songs with the original composers. Would that be possible?"

'Dreams Come True' was going to become the theme song for the film She Was Beautiful. And that one song alone would easily rake in three billion won a year. Even knowing that future, I still asked for the original creators to get their share.

Yet to my surprise, Yoon Sae-Yeon and Han Hye-Jung immediately shook their heads.

"Oh, no, really. We can just make more songs."

"Yes, that's right. What you've already done is more than enough. We're truly grateful and have no complaints at all."

Lacking real-world experience, the two were about to give up rights they absolutely deserved. However, I couldn't let that slide. Not with a clear conscience. There were a million ways to make money, but not like this. So without responding to them, I turned and locked eyes with Kang Gam-Chan.

At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan's expression hardened as he stared at me. "So what you're saying is... the company should give up profit?"

I shook my head without hesitation. "No, sir."

"No? But you just said we should split the song revenue."

"If we're talking raw profit, yes, the company would take a hit. But if you think of it as buying trust with the two composers here, I'm confident this will benefit the company in the long run. Composers who can deliver great songs like this are rare. You know better than anyone that sometimes, not even money can buy a good song—like with Seon-Woo."

A contract composer's work didn't go to anyone but the company's own artists. For example, Bang Seon-Woo's songs at Hoop Entertainment never left the building without my say-so.

Just then, Kang Gam-Chan's stern face broke into a wide, booming laugh. "Alright. Just say the same thing to Vice President Kim Gwan-Woo and Managing Director Kim Jang-Bi."

"I'm sorry, sir?"

"They're still fuming because you blocked the recruitment of Min Gyu-Ri. So at the next executive meeting, they'll definitely try to drag this new contract into the mix. Prepare your explanation in advance."

It was a warning that they would try to use this deal against me, payback for clashing over the Gyu-Ri scout. However, I already had a better idea.

"Then how about this instead?"

"What?"

"I'll say this split was part of the offer from the beginning. That it was a condition for scouting them."

If that had always been the deal, the whole issue disappeared.

Kang Gam-Chan let out another hearty laugh and glanced at Legal Team Lead Kwak Moo-Hyuk. "Hahaha. Team Lead Kwak, looks like we need a new contract."

Kwak Moo-Hyuk flipped over the one he had just printed and stood up. "I'll reprint it right away."

"And while we're at it... let's retrieve the copyrights to all their songs from Composer Choi Tae-Yong. You can't let someone else's name take credit for what defines a composer's life."

That's when Kwak Moo-Hyuk offered a cautious warning. "We already purchased the property rights, so we're fine there. But if they sue over moral rights, it could provoke backlash across the composing industry. That could make it harder to secure tracks from major composers down the line, sir."

Nevertheless, Kang Gam-Chan's stance didn't budge. "Why should we care about leeches who don't pay and just exploit young composers? We've got Seon-Woo. Now we've got two more. Just go ahead."

"If that's your decision, sir, I'll make sure we're thoroughly prepared and win."

Kang Gam-Chan wasn't just about money. He believed in giving creators their due. It was as expected of my role model, who allowed me to take pride in being a talent agent. And with a president who valued people over profit, I had no intention of ever leaving Hoop Entertainment or Kang Gam-Chan.

Even if someone offered a fortune to choose between me and money, I knew Kang Gam-Chan would pick me without a second thought.

***

After the contract was signed, we went down to the basement recording studio with the two composers and Bang Seon-Woo. The composers let out shouts of joy as they looked around.

"Wow~ This is the studio we get to work in?"

"Hye-Jung, it's amazing, right?"

"It really is!"

While the two of them stood in awe, checking out Studio 2, Bang Seon-Woo leaned in and whispered to me. "Hyung. You really don't regret it?"

"Regret what?"

"The royalty share."

"Why would I? It's just going to the rightful owners."

Bang Seon-Woo gave a knowing grin like he expected that answer.

"Why are you smiling?" I asked.

"Because you haven't changed a bit."

"Huh? What do you mean I haven't changed?"

"You've got more power than anyone in this company now, but you still fought to make sure those noonas, who have nothing, get what's fair. Just like when you helped me get my music back."

"Well, that's just the way it should be."

"You say that like it's normal, but no one else does it."

Bang Seon-Woo looked at me and smiled gently.

"So... just stay the way you are. If you do, even if no one else does, I'll always stay by your side."

It was something I had never heard before—not in my past life. The words moved me, but I played it off with an awkward smirk.

"You've gotten smooth, huh?"

"Guess I picked it up from being on camera."

Now that he was appearing on Project I.O.A, Bang Seon-Woo had gotten better at mic work and even started wearing makeup.

At that moment, Han Hye-Jung came over with a USB. "Mr. Jung. Here. You asked us to bring some of our songs."

"Then shall we take a listen?"

"Oh, and please just talk casually now. We're coworkers, after all."

"Hm~ alright. I will from now on."

I nodded and plugged the USB into the computer in the control room. Bang Seon-Woo opened the folder and displayed the list of songs they had written. As I looked over the titles sorted in reverse order, I froze.

'Wait. Why is that here?'

'Youth, Once More!' was the song that Lee Mal-Soon sang in my previous life, igniting a trot craze among those in their forties and up. It was a runaway hit.

Recruiting these two turned out to be a divine intervention.

'Jackpot!'