"The movie title is 'The Chaser,' and they contacted me because they really want to cast you, Seo Yeon."
'The Chaser'.
The title Jo Do-yul mentioned was identical to the movie in Seo Yeon's memory.
As for how this movie performed in the past.
Total audience of 2.5 million during its theatrical run.
It was a moderate score, neither too high nor too low.
However, considering what happened in the background of this performance, it was actually an incredible number.
"This isn't really my place to say, but it's such a great opportunity that I think it would be good if you gave it some thought, Seo Yeon."
Jo Do-yul must have really liked Seo Yeon, leaving even those words behind.
Well, it made sense.
The Chaser was originally a movie ambitiously prepared by GH Group.
The investment was substantial, and the participating actors were quite good.
However.
"Joo Seo Yeon?"
Lee Ji-yeon asked Seo Yeon with a puzzled face.
Her eyes were asking what on earth was going on.
"Hmm."
Seo Yeon patted both her cheeks with her palms and looked at Ji-yeon.
Before the movie casting, there was something she needed to do first.
An agency.
Various possibilities flashed through her mind.
The thought that there might be something better.
But a better company didn't necessarily mean it would be better for her.
Therefore.
"Is it possible to talk with the CEO today?"
It was time to decide on what she had kept putting off.
***
"Did you hear? Joo Seo Yeon, you know, the one who made a comeback recently."
"Ah, you mean did I see the play? I did. Wow, the atmosphere was no joke, right?"
"No, that's not it."
RY Entertainment, known as one of the top three agencies in South Korea.
An agency aggressively expanding its business and recklessly recruiting recently popular stars.
There was one actor whose name had recently reached their ears.
"She doesn't have an agency, apparently."
"What? You're talking about Joo Seo Yeon, right?"
The performance she showed in this recent play was at a level that simply didn't look like someone her age.
It was the first time they had felt that level of thrill from a young actor.
Would Park Jung-woo, Jo Seo-hee, or even the peers recently rising to the top, though lesser than them, be like that?
Honestly, it's hard to tell.
An actor like that is still free-lancing without an agency?
How many agencies would stay still after hearing this?
"Manager Song."
And, as if to prove that, discussions about her were in full swing at the RY Ent's 'Actor Management Headquarters'.
"What do you think of actor Joo Seo Yeon?"
"Hmm, since she's only shown a play so far, I can't be certain, but she's an actor worth looking forward to."
First of all, the impact she showed in the recent variety show
Because she raised the viewership ratings of a dying variety show by a little over two times.
However.
Because the original ratings were so low, it didn't really hit home.
"There's a lot of talk, and a lot of articles are being published. So, there's a high probability that her name value is at its peak right now."
"That's right. But the premium of being her first work after a comeback has already been used, hmm."
The head of the Actor Management Division, Lee Hwi-rok, fell into thought, scratching his chin with his thumb.
"But it's a shame to let her go to another place. First of all, her face is excellent."
"Right. She was cute when she was young, and she grew up really well without any awkward phase."
"Her acting skills seem quite good too, from what I can see. If she lands a good project, the picture looks quite good."
Saying so, he soon made a decision.
There was no reason to pass up on a talent floating on the open market.
Moreover, if they caught a recently trending actor, it would also affect their stock price.
"Manager Song, so please take good care of it. You know, right? As for the conditions, let's see... Giving a contract deposit equivalent to an A-class actor seems like too much."
"Exactly between B and C, right?"
"That's right. B is also giving a lot. Exactly C. And you know that's a figure pumped up by her recent topicality, right?"
"Of course."
A little better than C.
He said so and gave the okay sign.
Generally, the contract deposit is set at about 30% of the expected amount the actor will earn during the contract period.
Actors are generally divided into 18 tiers, and child actors are usually in the lowest 1~5 tiers.
Seo Yeon's career was entirely as a child actor, and even that was a comeback after 10 years, so naturally, her tier wouldn't be that high.
Rather, it was a very generous offer from their perspective.
"Probably, we're the only one among the top three agencies stepping forward, so I'll tell them to definitely bring back the contract."
"Alright, you seem like a smooth talker and a sharp one."
They laughed as they said that.
Their faces looked as if they had already successfully finished the contract.
It was only natural.
The top three agencies that anyone would recognize by name.
A rookie like Seo Yeon would want to get in even if she had to bow down.
Therefore, their thinking was entirely natural.
Until that time, that is.
***
Nova Entertainment.
It was the management company Ji-yeon belonged to, and ranked roughly in the 3rd tier in the industry.
Actually, just being in the 3rd tier was quite good.
Because there were countless unnamed management companies.
"Oh my, our Seo Yeon has finally, finally decided to sign a contract?!"
When she went to Nova Ent, Kang Chan-yul, the CEO of Nova Ent, ran out and welcomed Seo Yeon.
He was a little over forty, but appearance-wise, he looked like he was in his early thirties.
His hair was bright blonde.
'He really does live youthfully,' Seo Yeon thought anew.
"Hello."
"Oh, come on. I heard from Ji-yeon. You're looking for an agency?"
At Kang Chan-yul's friendly words, Seo Yeon nodded.
It was understandable, as they had known each other for 10 years.
She had followed Ji-yeon in and out of the agency without even signing a contract, so they couldn't help but be close.
Rather, it was amazing how Kang Chan-yul consistently welcomed her so warmly.
'He shouldn't be desperate for actors by now.'
Just around the time Ji-yeon joined, Nova Ent was a much smaller place.
Of course, it was bigger than 'Eunha Ent' where Ji-yeon originally belonged, but it was just one of the common mediocre management companies.
It was the kind of management where someone at Ji-yeon's level could receive decent treatment.
Over 10 years, they barely survived and repeated modest growth, becoming a management company worthy of being listed in the 3rd tier.
The number of actors and singers under them now exceeded 40.
Among them, there were quite a few mid-level or higher actors, and a celebrity who could be considered A-class.
The celebrity they considered their signboard was Hwang Min-hwa.
An actor whose name value had greatly increased after appearing in a recent 10-million-viewer movie.
'After this, an idol hits the jackpot and they rise to the 2nd tier, but...'
That was still some time away.
Nova Ent was an agency that climbed to a higher place in her past life.
It fell just short of the 1st tier, but it was a place with no scandals.
There were a few incidents that could have shaken them greatly, but they were problems that could be sufficiently overcome.
"The conditions are the same as I told you before."
"...Really?"
"Of course, this isn't being said out of friendship."
They sat facing each other in the reception room prepared inside the company.
Ji-yeon was waiting outside, and only Seo Yeon and Kang Chan-yul were in this room.
Unlike his lighthearted appearance earlier, he continued speaking with a calm face.
"I don't have much, but there is one thing I can say with confidence."
Kang Chan-yul.
He was originally a figure who had climbed to quite a high position in XN Entertainment, one of the top three agencies.
From entering the industry back then until going independent and starting his own company, he had seen countless celebrities.
"I have a pretty good eye for people."
"...Is that so?"
He showed a bitter smile to Seo Yeon, who gave a slightly subtle reaction.
"I once had a conversation with actor Park Sun-woong. He called the talent of a star 'starlight'."
Stars.
The essential talent they can possess.
Emitting a light that draws the gaze of others.
He called that starlight.
"It's an abstract expression."
Maybe because he's an actor, Park Sun-woong liked to speak like that.
As if doing a play.
"Those who hold a spark, and those who hold starlight."
Both are qualities of a star.
'However.'
Kang Chan-yul had once talked about Seo Yeon with Park Sun-woong.
He was curious if the other man had also seen what he saw in Seo Yeon.
And he said.
That she was a child like starlight.
"This is an investment."
Kang Chan-yul said.
"I see the potential of the actor named Joo Seo Yeon highly, and I'm making an investment for it. So the conditions are... no different from the past at all."
A contract deposit equivalent to an A-class actor.
Actually, if it were up to him, he would have wanted to give her an S-class amount, but the directors would oppose it, so it was the maximum he could give at his discretion.
However, if she reaped just a little success, he could raise it to S-class at any time.
Because that was originally the law of this industry.
"..."
Even though Seo Yeon had already made up her mind before coming, there was still a part of her that hesitated.
Rather, because they had a friendship, it made her hesitate even more.
And she knew how good the contract conditions he offered were.
Even the split was 8:2.
Generally, when celebrities sign with an agency, they sign a 7:3 contract.
The celebrity gets 7, and the agency gets 3.
Because that's the industry average.
But an 8:2 split from the start was an extremely exceptional case.
Moreover, he even said he would raise this ratio further.
Honestly, Seo Yeon was confident.
Talent.
She definitely thought she possessed it.
'However.'
Starlight.
She didn't know if it was as grand a talent as Kang Chan-yul and Park Sun-woong had spoken of.
The past life she had experienced.
And the abilities of the person named Joo Seo Yeon whom she was reincarnated as.
Even the future knowledge of knowing which work would succeed.
Still, an instinctive fear remained.
"...Yes. I've decided."
Seo Yeon said, looking at Kang Chan-yul.
There was no more time to hesitate.
She recalled the two who came to see her after she finished the play recently.
10 years ago.
They were ties she had only crossed paths with in a single work.
People who were already in such high places that they couldn't even be compared to her.
Competitive spirit.
Perhaps, a spark of such thought was kindled in Seo Yeon's heart.
And.
"Please take good care of me from now on."
Top star.
The promise she made in front of her friend sometime.
To keep that promise, it was time to run.
***
And the next day.
"Hello."
A man spoke to Seo Yeon, who had just finished her classes and was leaving school for the play.
A man in a black suit with a neat impression.
He scanned Seo Yeon and then smiled brightly.
"I'm Assistant Manager Shin Min-cheol from RY Entertainment."
"Ah, yes."
He handed Seo Yeon his business card and said.
'Definitely, her looks alone are enough value.'
If she has the acting skills she showed on TV, she'll be able to grow quickly as an actor.
After thinking up to that point, Shin Min-cheol cleared his throat and spoke.
"It's nothing else, but I was deeply impressed by your performance in 'Eyes Closed' and 'Past, Looking at Memories', so I came to visit you like this."
At his words, Seo Yeon stared blankly at him.
'Why is she acting like that?'
She should be overjoyed right now.
That was what Shin Min-cheol thought, but assuming she must be so surprised, he continued speaking.
"So, to tell you, our RY Entertainment wants actor Joo Seo Yeon..."
"I already signed."
Seo Yeon's words, calmly answering before Shin Min-cheol could even finish his sentence.
As for how Shin Min-cheol reacted to that.
"...What?"
He couldn't help but freeze blankly.