Episode 5
5
Gim Seonguk, who had confirmed that Hyeonu was heading toward the JK headquarters, sat in his seat with anxious eyes.
"Seonguk. What are you doing?"
"Oh, hyung. You're here?"
He was close to Gim Seonguk and the CEO of WS Entertainment. CEO Bak Jeonghun had just returned from buying a few simple things to tide him over at a nearby convenience store. On his clumsily shaved jaw, bits of stubble were poking out here and there, but rather than making him look unkempt, he gave off a warm and kindly impression. There was also his dependable, burly frame that gave the feeling of looking at a sturdy bear.
Fitting such an impression, CEO Bak asked Gim Seonguk—who had said he probably wouldn't come in today—a different question rather than asking if something had happened.
"Have you eaten?"
"Food?"
At the word "food," he checked the time and saw that it was already nearly evening. Just how lost in thought had he been? Since this had never happened before, both Gim Seonguk and CEO Bak wore puzzled expressions.
"Judging by your reaction, it seems you haven't eaten."
"Is our CEO Bak having cup ramyeon and triangle gimbap again?"
"There's no other complete food like this."
"Complete food, my foot..."
"So, you're not going to eat?"
The cup ramyeon wrapper had been half peeled back and filled with hot water; it hadn't even fully cooked yet was already giving off an enchanting aroma.
"I'm eating because I have no choice."
"Haha. How many months has that 'no choice' been going on?"
"Where did you go?"
"I watched some videos floating around the internet and SNS, and met some people."
"How were they?"
"What do you think. You know well that nine out of ten don't have enough talent to debut, right?"
Since the establishment of WS Entertainment, only one person had succeeded in being cast. Moreover, that person was a talent with exceptional acting ability rather than singing or dancing, and they happened to need talent in singing and dancing as well.
"Then today..."
"Forget it, let's eat first. I have something to tell you after we're done."
He had clearly said today's outing had yielded nothing, so why did he look so happy? CEO Bak's eyes were filled with joy and certainty.
Cup ramyeon and gimbap.
The menu was humble, so naturally the meal did not last long. Having emptied even the broth in an instant, CEO Bak barely held back his urge to speak and waited for Gim Seonguk to finish eating.
"What on earth is it that has you so restless?"
"Haha. You'll be surprised when you see it too."
"Really? I also had something to tell you today."
"Really? What kind of day is today? How long has it been since we both brought good news?"
WS's first good news had been when they found the perfect talent. A talent who had shown acting prowess befitting a veteran actor, though lacking much talent in singing and dancing. That day, for the first time, both CEO Bak and Gim Seonguk had brought good news, and coincidentally, the two pieces of news were the same.
"Now talk. We're done eating."
"Hehe. Take a look at this."
What CEO Bak showed was YouTube. And not just any video—a trending one. But even before the video started, the thumbnail showed a scene very familiar to Gim Seonguk.
"You know where this is, right? Downtown, ten minutes away."
"How could I not know?"
"Watch closely."
With a confident expression, CEO Bak started the video, and in it appeared Hyeonu singing with the first line slightly cut off. Despite having seen and heard the scene in person, Gim Seonguk watched the video with focus as if hearing it for the first time. Seeing and hearing in person was important, but for the job called entertainer, being seen on video like this was extremely important too.
'The screen presence is good too.'
It wasn't a high-quality video, and since it hadn't been filmed properly, it shook slightly here and there—a crude video that unconsciously impeded immersion. Of course, since it was filmed and uploaded by an ordinary person, there was naturally no room for complaint, but rather, it seemed that Hyeonu's abilities stood out all the more because of the crude video.
It gave a fresh, different feeling than seeing it in person. The gestures he aptly displayed matching the song gave the feeling as though he had turned that entire street into his own concert hall.
"What do you think?"
"Why ask when you know the answer?"
In the past, CEO Bak had been a little quicker, but not this time. Because Gim Seonguk had already finished conversations with Hyeonu regarding WS's values and contract details.
Confirming the faint smile spreading across Gim Seonguk's face, CEO Bak triumphantly changed the screen on his phone. Right to his contact list. Among the many phone numbers, he went to the small list of favorites.
"It means I've already gotten his contact, doesn't it?"
"His contact? How?"
"You know I have a friend who's a convenience store owner, right?"
"That hyung? I know him."
CEO Bak changed the screen once more to check the video's comments. Among the many comments, the one CEO Bak pointed to was a comment saying they thought they'd seen him working at a nearby convenience store.
"Here. A comment saying they saw him at an LS convenience store. And guess which branch this is? It's the one where my friend is the owner."
"So you checked and it was true, and you got his contact right away?"
"Yep. At this point, the goddess of fortune is taking our side, don't you think?"
How could coincidences line up so perfectly? They say if coincidences continue, they become inevitable. And coincidences could also be artificially created. Therefore, CEO Bak firmly believed that Hyeonu and WS shared an inevitable connection, and before contacting Hyeonu, he told Gim Seonguk first.
"Before someone else gets his contact, I plan to talk with you and contact him right away."
"Hyung."
"What? Were you going to praise me?"
But contrary to CEO Bak's expectation, Gim Seonguk's expression didn't change much.
"Check today's CCTV."
"CCTV...? That's the good news?"
Sudden talk of CCTV out of nowhere.
"Let's say it is. The real good news is separate."
What was he talking about? Well, he said to check, so he would, but how could CCTV be good news? Moreover, Gim Seonguk was someone who considered finding talent important enough to enjoy it.
"What on earth..."
"From lunchtime."
A monitor sitting in one corner. CEO Bak stepped in front of it and slowly checked the records from today's lunchtime. For several minutes with no visitors, just as his questions were growing, two people appeared on the CCTV screen.
"You and..."
Bringing his face close to the monitor, CEO Bak checked the person standing next to Gim Seonguk, then looked at Gim Seonguk in surprise.
A bright smile as though answering before the question was even asked.
"This person, could it be..."
"That's right. That person."
The talent they had just seen in the video had entered the very building he was standing in right now. After talking with Gim Seonguk for quite a while, he had left. There were no visible, concrete results like signing a contract, but Gim Seonguk had clearly said earlier that the real good news was separate.
"I explained everything about WS. Unfortunately, he already passed JK's audition, but if his mind were already made up, he wouldn't have even had this conversation in the first place."
"You bastard...!"
"Ugh... Don't come near me. I said don't come."
It was a firm warning, but naturally, it was not heeded. With a tearful expression, CEO Bak bolted from in front of the monitor and hugged Gim Seonguk tightly.
"You wonderful bastard...!"
"Argh! Let go! I said let go!!"
Tremendous strength befitting his bear-like physique. His natural strength was impressive enough, but since he also enjoyed exercising separately, his strength was on another level compared to ordinary people.
"M-My waist! My waist is breaking!!"
"*Sob*... Seriously. You really worked hard."
"Urk... He hasn't even answered yet, so don't count your chickens before they hatch."
Gim Seonguk spoke while furrowing his brows and clutching his waist, but CEO Bak already knew him well. He was not someone who would bring something up first unless he was fairly certain.
"Then would it be better if I don't contact him?"
"Doing so might actually be a minus."
"Ah... You said he already auditioned for JK."
"Right. At the very least, keep the current point of contact limited to me. Don't step in, hyung."
"I understand. So what are you planning to do about the contract conditions?"
"I have to do my best within our limits. JK must have offered tremendous conditions for a trainee."
"Tell me if you need anything more."
"Of course. That's what a CEO is for."
How could he not be hateable even when speaking so cheekily?
"Let's just watch the video again."
"CEO Bak is excited. What are you going to do?"
"I have to check if there's anything lacking, and how we can supplement it."
"...Did you already forget being told not to count your chickens before they hatch?"
"Ha... Seonguk."
"What."
"Do you know why people buy lottery tickets?"
"What kind of random nonsense is that all of a sudden?"
"They buy them on Sunday or Monday and enjoy it until Saturday. Ah, what would I do if I won first place? How should I spend it to become known for spending it well?"
"Goodness. Fine. Let's watch again."
Gim Seonguk spoke that way too, but he couldn't hide his anticipation, so he began checking the video again until late at night, struggling to find flaws that weren't easily visible.
-------------------------
"Why are there so many calls?"
Hyeonu, who had woken up, checked the dozens of missed calls listed on his phone. Perhaps because he had been a bit nervous yesterday, he had fallen asleep without even eating dinner, and it seemed the calls had started coming then. Perhaps anxious that he wasn't answering, some places had even sent text messages.
'This is Green Entertainment. You missed our call, so we're leaving a text. We are...'
Some were introducing their entertainment companies.
'This is Hwayang Entertainment. After seeing today's video, we've been looking for...'
Another had sent a text praising yesterday's busking video and asking if he could take just one call.
Although there were a few familiar places besides WS, since he had already finished talking with WS, his destination was virtually decided.
But could my reputation have risen?
Half expectant, half worried, Hyeonu checked his status window.
"Status window."
[Reputation +1]
[Reputation +1]
[Reputation +1]
...
"Wh-What?"
Alarms indicating his reputation had risen began to go off, and finally a window with different contents appeared.
[Your performance video is receiving a good response.]
[Reputation +6]
[Reputation has reached 10 points.]
[Reputation 10 points: Many more people now know your face. But they do not yet know your name.]
"Having my face known is better than nothing. It's only 10 points anyway."
He hadn't thought he would reap this much. With just one busking session, he had created a connection with WS Entertainment, which had only existed in his memory and had just started. On top of that, even recognition according to his reputation score. How many rabbits had he caught in one go?
Hyeonu tossed his phone to one corner and began preparing to go out.
Today's destination was WS Entertainment.
Since the conversation was finished, it was now time to finalize the contract.