Yang Tae-Min, who had been standing there in a daze, finally came to his senses and shouted,

"Si-Jin hyung-nim! Are you saying you'll abandon me after I've served you day and night all this time?"

"You're really moving to Actor Division 4?" Even Team Lead Na Gyu-Cheol joined in, pleading desperately.

Nevertheless, Kim Si-Jin ignored both of them and spoke to me. "Chief Jung. I know you've been busy lately. I won't ask you to manage me personally. Just keep picking my projects like you did today. You can do that much, right?"

I had intended to show the difference in our abilities as talent agents, but I had never meant to display my skills to the point where an actor would ask to change talent agents. Still, if an actor requested a change in management as a condition for renewing his contract, there was no way I could refuse.

However, accepting it outright could create serious complications, so I set a condition of my own.

"It would probably be best if you spoke with Mr. Ju Ho-Sung first." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"What is there to talk about? I'm saying I'm moving!"

At that moment, Yang Tae-Min spoke urgently. "Mr. Kim Si-Jin. We still have several commercial contracts in progress. If you transfer right now, they'll all be suspended."

Kim Si-Jin snapped his head toward him. "Yang Tae-Min. Are you threatening me right now?"

Kim Si-Jin's expression turned fierce, and Yang Tae-Min immediately shut his mouth. The idea of a talent agent threatening an actor was so ridiculous that I was about to say something.

Just then, the meeting room door burst open and Ju Ho-Sung rushed inside.

Bang.

"Mr. Kim Si-Jin! What do you think you're doing right now?"

Judging by his urgent expression, one of the talent agents from Actor Division 3 must have contacted him—apparently without realizing the situation had already been resolved.

At that moment, Kim Si-Jin spoke to Ju Ho-Sung as if the timing were perfect. "Chief Ju. I'm moving to Division 4, so keep that in mind."

"What are you talking about right now? I brought you a project from Director Jang Gun-Woo instead of Headbutt Boy."

"Director Jang Gun-Woo's project?"

Jang Gun-Woo was a famous director, forty-five years old, known for balancing both artistic value and commercial success. Five years ago, he had suddenly declared he wanted a break and left Chungmuro to travel to Tibet.

"Yes. I heard he just returned to Korea. We're supposed to meet him later today, so how can you suddenly say something like this?"

Kim Si-Jin looked visibly shaken. He hadn't expected Ju Ho-Sung to secure another project the way I had. But unfortunately, Ju Ho-Sung had brought the worst possible one.

Jang Gun-Woo's next project, The Reincarnated One (Tulku, sprul sku), would fail even more disastrously than Headbutt Boy. And during filming, Jang Gun-Woo would repeatedly fly off to Tibet whenever he claimed he needed inspiration, dragging the production out for five years before the movie was finally completed.

However, the bigger problem was that Jang Gun-Woo was lying. He had entered Korea just last week and was acting as if he were ready to start filming immediately. In reality, he simply needed money to fund another two years of living in Tibet, so he was trying to rush a contract. The script hadn't even been written yet.

So I immediately revealed what I knew from before my regression. "You absolutely shouldn't take Director Jang Gun-Woo's project. I looked into it after hearing he'd arrived in Korea last week and the script hasn't even been written yet."

Ju Ho-Sung shouted in a flustered voice, clearly not expecting me to know details about Jang Gun-Woo. "What do you mean we need to look at the script? It's Director Jang Gun-Woo!"

"What do you mean there's no need to look at the script? How can a talent agent say something that irresponsible? If the film fails, will you take responsibility?"

In the film industry, one of the most dangerous mistakes was investing or accepting a role based solely on the reputation of a famous director or a famous writer. Successful people didn't always keep succeeding. In fact, the more famous someone became, the more likely they were to fall into their own world and fail even harder. That was why President Kang Gam-Chan always advised us to read the script first before deciding whether to take a role.

Pointing that out, I raised my voice at Ju Ho-Sung. In response, his voice rose even higher in response.

"What do you mean fail? He said this project would easily hit eight million viewers!"

"You know he always exaggerates like that. And whether you knew it or not, I can't sit by while an actor gets tied to a project that doesn't even have a script yet."

After saying that, I turned to Kim Si-Jin and gave him my advice.

"Mr. Kim Si-Jin. You don't have to come under my management. You don't even have to choose the project I'm recommending. But you absolutely must not take Director Jang Gun-Woo's film. He already booked a ticket to leave the country in two weeks."

Kim Si-Jin blinked in surprise. "He's leaving the country in two weeks?"

"Yes. He's flying to India to meet His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. Right now he's completely absorbed in religion and mysticism. Movies are the last thing on his mind."

At that moment, Ju Ho-Sung spoke urgently. "Mr. Kim Si-Jin, don't fall for what Chief Jung is saying. This is Director Jang Gun-Woo we're talking about! And if he's meeting the Dalai Lama, why would he go to India instead of Tibet? That's obviously a lie!"

This was exactly why people needed to know what they were talking about.

I snorted and answered him. "Who said the Dalai Lama lives in Tibet? Tenzin Gyatso currently resides in Dharamshala, India."

"Dharam-something? What kind of nonsense is that?"

"Dharamshala. It's a city in India. That's where the Tibetan government-in-exile is located. Try learning something before you talk."

Flustered, Ju Ho-Sung's face turned bright red.

At that moment, Kim Si-Jin stepped in to calm him. "Chief Ju, I'm sorry. I already promised Mr. Shin Jong-Ki of LT Entertainment over the phone that I'd take the project. I can't break that promise and go with another film."

"Mr. Kim Si-Jin! Please reconsider. It's Director Jang Gun-Woo's film!"

"No. Even if I think about it again, my answer won't change. Hearing Chief Jung just now really woke me up. Mr. Kang always told us at company dinners never to choose a project without reading the script first, no matter what... I must've forgotten."

"..."

"Thank you for everything, Chief Ju."

At that moment, Ju Ho-Sung shouted while trembling with anger. "You'll regret this! If you leave Actor Division 3's management, the advertisers we brought in won't renew their contracts with you. Are you sure you're okay with that?"

Kim Si-Jin's expression instantly turned cold. "So both the chief and the team lead start threatening me the moment I cut ties? Hah. I can't believe I've been letting trash like this manage me all this time. Looks like choosing Chief Jung was the right decision."

Snorting angrily, Kim Si-Jin raised his finger toward the talent agents.

"Listen carefully. I'm going to tell every actor in Division 3 exactly what happened here today."

"M-Mr. Kim Si-Jin..."

Ju Ho-Sung tried to salvage the situation, but it was already too late.

Just then, my phone vibrated.

Buzz.

I checked the message and saw an urgent notification from Kang Gam-Chan.

[President Kang Gam-Chan: All team leads and above report to the meeting room immediately!]

Because the fallout from CK Entertainment's attack was so severe, he was calling everyone in at once.

I immediately turned to Kim Si-Jin. "Mr. Kim Si-Jin. There's a meeting for team leads, so please wait on the fourth floor for now. After the meeting, let's go to LT Entertainment together."

"Alright. Let's get out of here for now."

"Okay."

I grabbed the doorknob to leave with Kim Si-Jin.

"Oh, right. I almost forgot."

I turned my head sharply and said to Yang Tae-Min, "Mr. Yang. Since I successfully persuaded Mr. Kim Si-Jin as promised, you won't have any objection to being referred to the disciplinary committee, correct?"

Yang Tae-Min lowered his head deeply.

Ju Ho-Sung looked startled and asked, "What disciplinary action?"

I explained, "Mr. Yang grabbed Yung-Jin by the collar and assaulted him. You should probably expect about a three-month salary reduction."

"What?"

Ju Ho-Sung's face twisted again.

Bang.

As soon as I opened the conference room door, Kim Si-Jin strode out first. I followed right behind him. As we walked toward the elevator together, I made eye contact with the employees from Actor Division 3 in the office.

When I had first entered, they had looked openly hostile, but now—perhaps after hearing the conversation from inside the conference room—they looked extremely wary. They were probably worried I might snatch away their actors too.

So I deliberately smacked my lips and gave them a gentle smile. "Does anyone here have something they'd like to say to me? If any actors start giving you trouble, just let me know. I'll take care of it."

Every talent agent in Actor Division 3 hurriedly turned their gaze away.

"N-No, sir."

"Ah, right... what was my actor's schedule today again..."

"Hmm. A suitable next project for my actor is..."

Watching the pitiful reactions of the Actor Division 3 talent agents, I let out a small chuckle.

After finishing my little act of revenge for Lee Yung-Jin, I headed to the elevator with the unintended spoils of war—Kim Si-Jin—by my side.

***

Since CK Entertainment had started canceling casting for scheduled projects from early that morning, Kang Gam-Chan had summoned every team lead and above to the meeting room.

Once everyone was seated, Kang Gam-Chan calmly explained the situation and began outlining the response plan.

"Some of you may already know, but yesterday there was a power struggle between LT and CK, the two major distributors. Because Chief Jung Yoon-Ho helped LT, CK Entertainment started targeting our company's actors this morning and excluding them."

In the past, someone would have already burst out shouting, but after we had cleared out many internal enemies, everyone simply nodded with composed expressions.

"For now, each division should report the extent of the damage."

Since this situation had started because of me, I intended to apologize first.

At that moment, Chief Gu Seong-Cheol of Actor Division 2 spoke up before I could. "They didn't touch the projects involving our S-class actors. Only projects involving A-class and below actors were canceled, and only the ones that were just beginning."

Chief Cha Eun-Seok of Actor Division 1 followed up. "It seems unlikely they'll touch actors already appearing in currently airing productions. However, actors who were scheduled for new dramas entering TVM have had their casting canceled."

Reports came in that several actors had lost roles they had been cast for, but the damage was smaller than expected. Moreover, the chiefs and team leads in the room weren't blaming me but they were loudly criticizing CK Entertainment, the outside enemy.

Seeing everyone unite in the face of the crisis, Kang Gam-Chan's stiff expression softened into a smile.

At that moment, Director Kang Ji-Yung added, "We've already started preliminary meetings with terrestrial networks and OTT platforms, so make sure you calm the actors under your management first. We'll definitely introduce better projects to the actors who suffered losses."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Everyone talked about staying united, but there were still those who pushed back.

Chief Baek Sung-Beom of Actor Division 5 spoke up. "Mr. Kang, wouldn't it be better if we took the easier route?"

Kang Gam-Chan narrowed his eyes at Baek Sung-Beom. "Are you suggesting that Chief Jung should bow his head to President Son Hyung-Tae of CK Entertainment?"

"I'm not saying he absolutely has to... but that could be one possible solution."

Kang Gam-Chan glared at Baek Sung-Beom. "Chief Jung didn't do anything wrong. Why should he do that?"

"Sir. When we go to the broadcasting stations, do we bow our heads because we did something wrong? If we want to make our work easier, we could just close our eyes this once and—"

Bang.

Kang Gam-Chan slammed his hand on the table, cutting Baek Sung-Beom off. "If this were ordinary power harassment, I could go myself and bow my head instead of Chief Jung. Talent agents bowing their heads isn't exactly a big deal. But don't you realize this situation won't end with that?"

"Wh-What do you mean it won't?"

"CK Entertainment is pushing this hard because they want us to kick Chief Jung out of Hoop Entertainment. Do you think I'd actually give them what they want?"

Baek Sung-Beom finally shut his mouth. Even though I was only a chief at Hoop Entertainment, I was effectively the company's second-largest shareholder, essentially one of its owners. And above all, Kang Gam-Chan would never cut me loose.

Still, the team leads from Baek Sung-Beom's Actor Division 5, Ju Ho-Sung's Actor Division 3, and So Ji-Min's Singer Division 3 all wore deeply dissatisfied expressions.

I could have pretended not to notice and let things pass, but I couldn't allow the entertainers under their management to suffer because of it.

So I immediately spoke to Kang Gam-Chan. "Mr. Kang, I prepared something to respond to today's situation."

Kang Gam-Chan stopped his outburst. "Prepared something?"

"Just a moment."

I immediately turned on my tablet and sent a file to the personal email accounts of the division chiefs.

[Email Subject: Upcoming Project List for Our Entertainers]

[Bulk Send: Recipients (Each Division Chief)]

Right then, the chiefs' phones vibrated as the emails arrived.

Buzz.

"Everyone, please check your email," I said.

The chiefs tilted their heads in confusion and opened the message. The moment they saw it, their eyes widened. What I had just sent was a three-month list of upcoming projects for the actors and singers of Hoop Entertainment.

After sending the files, I opened the one I had sent to Gu Seong-Cheol.

[Actor Jo Min-Sung (May–July Upcoming Project List)]

[Drama]

1. KBC Special Drama May I Call You Mom Once Again?

-Progress: Writer Lee Jin-Yung has just begun discussions with production. (Starting April 20.)

-Action: Visit Writer Lee Jin-Yung's writing studio as soon as possible and secure confirmation for the lead role.

-Notes: Prepare her favorite snacks and gifts. (Andong Dasom Café handmade chrysanthemum tea, and the first-batch morning purchase of chestnut pie from Seoul Rich.)

Writer Lee Jin-Yung values sincerity. Even if she turns you away, keep returning every day for at least a week.

-Box Office Prediction: A project containing the full ten years of Writer Lee Jin-Yung's experience.

2. SBC September Drama The Woman of Andong

...

[Film]

1. The Cave

-Progress: Director Baek Jin-Seop is currently finishing the screenplay.

-Action: The director is developing the script while working part-time jobs. Provide 20 million won in development funding so he can focus solely on the script and secure the lead role.

...

The file I sent contained detailed information about the current production status, what actions needed to be taken, and exactly how to secure the lead role. And it didn't just include S-class actors like Jo Min-Sung, but it covered rookie actors as well.

Suddenly, Gu Seong-Cheol shot to his feet in shock. "What is this? This writer already started a project?"

I raised a finger to my lips. "Please don't say anything further. Each division received different information in their files. How you use it is up to you, but treat it as strictly confidential."

I had provided each division with a tailored solution for their actors. If someone discovered the roles prepared for another division, there were certainly people who would try to sabotage them.

"Oh... oh." Gu Seong-Cheol slowly sank back into his chair, staring at the file as he blinked repeatedly. "Wow... this is incredible."

Although Gu Seong-Cheol's reaction seemed a bit over the top, the other chiefs were just as shocked.

"Wow... this is seriously incredible."

Everyone was glued to their phones, scrolling endlessly through the files.

At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan asked with a puzzled expression, "Chief Jung. What kind of file did you send them?"

I hadn't sent the file to Kang Gam-Chan. If I gave it to him, it would inevitably be shared with Vice President Kim Gwan-Woo as well, and that could lead to a counterattack.

"It's a list of projects and roles that each actor could take on over the next three months," I answered.

Kang Gam-Chan turned to Gu Seong-Cheol. "Chief Gu. If the information is what Chief Jung says it is, will that keep things stable for three months?"

Gu Seong-Cheol answered in a booming voice. "O-Of course! Three months? We could easily go half a year with this. It even includes response strategies. At this level, it's practically a bible!"

'A bible, huh.'

Gu Seong-Cheol was exaggerating a bit.

Kang Gam-Chan let out a sigh of relief and smiled faintly. "If it's a project recommended by Chief Jung, we can trust it. Still, verify it as much as possible before applying it."

"Yes!"

Then Kang Gam-Chan looked toward Baek Sung-Beom. Baek Sung-Beom was more focused than anyone else, sliding his finger across his phone screen.

"Chief Baek, did you receive the file too?"

Startled, Baek Sung-Beom looked up. "Ah—yes. Yes."

"And what about Chief Ju and Chief So?"

Ju Ho-Sung and So Ji-Min also lifted their eyes from their phones with awkward expressions.

At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan spoke to Baek Sung-Beom in a tone of disbelief. "You were suggesting we abandon Chief Jung, yet Chief Jung still considers you part of the same company family. Isn't that interesting?"

Baek Sung-Beom's face flushed bright red.

Kang Gam-Chan clicked his tongue and addressed everyone. "Then we'll base our project selections on the materials Chief Jung provided, and each division will make its own decisions. As for the company, we'll focus on defending the stock price and responding to the rumors."

"Yes, Mr. Kang!"

Everyone responded with bright expressions. After all, they now held replacement project lists for the upcoming roles their actors had lost. And just like that, I had successfully blocked CK Entertainment's first attack against Hoop Entertainment.

This meant it was finally my turn to strike.

'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. President Son. This time, it's my turn. Let's see you try to stop me.'