After the Jeong Hwansik incident had been temporarily settled.
While filming was proceeding smoothly, the assignment of a manager for Gang Hajun was being delayed.
It was because Kkumdongsan Entertainment had clashed over opinions during the process of selecting his manager.
“He’s still a rookie; is there really any need to use high-class personnel?”
The department head said.
“We can watch him for a bit, and if he seems fine, switch him out then. It won’t be too late.”
“Department Head. The more we push Gang Hajun quickly, the more it benefits us too. He’s a talent we don’t need to drag our feet on.”
A road manager’s duties generally involved managing a celebrity’s schedule.
Because of that, it seemed like there wouldn’t be much difference no matter who you used, but that wasn’t the case.
Even among on-site managers, their business ability and support ability were like heaven and earth.
Especially for a manager in charge of a rookie actor, the two abilities above were essential must-haves.
Only then could they bring in more opportunities to appear in works, and of course, make condition management possible through appropriate pace adjustment.
In that respect, assigning a manager with short experience unconditionally just because someone was a rookie was a mistake, a loss.
Moreover, in the case of someone like Gang Hajun who showed outstanding promise, all the more so.
“At least team leader level has to be attached to him.”
Yun Donghui asserted aggressively.
Of course, he had deliberately adjusted it upward.
He had noticed signs that they would stick a novice manager on Gang Hajun and was making a preemptive move.
“Even so, there’s an unspoken rule. Shouldn’t we maintain fairness with the other kids?”
The department head expressed dissatisfaction.
From his position, it was understandable.
It was not enough that they had given preferential contract terms to a nameless rookie; now they were insisting on manager privileges too.
If Gang Hajun were a top-class star, no—even if they compromised a hundred times over and he were a flash-in-the-pan star, it might be different.
He didn’t like Yun Donghui’s way of handling matters.
They were far too different from Kkumdongsan Entertainment’s existing policies.
Just as when in Rome do as the Romans do, he had thought that when coming to Kkumdongsan, they would follow Kkumdongsan’s policies, but that had been a huge mistake.
“Obsessed with that damn fairness, you can’t raise anyone.”
Yun Donghui was unwavering.
Just like when he had been at TPJ.
The two’s sharp confrontation continued.
“Ugh, how long are we going to keep going in circles? There’s no progress, none! I’ll just handle it myself……”
In the end, the department head, unable to stand it any longer, attempted to force a unilateral decision.
At that, Yun Donghui cast bait as if he had been waiting.
“It can’t be helped.”
He spoke as if bestowing a favor.
“I’ll just take one step back. If we keep dragging this out, we’ll end up with nothing to show for it.”
“Chief Yun, you…… Whew! So you’ve finally bent that stubborn streak of yours.”
“Even if not team leader level, let’s go with a manager whose skills have been verified to some extent. That much should be fine, shouldn’t it?”
“That doesn’t fit fairness either, but well……”
The department head was still grumbling, but ultimately Yun Donghui’s plan was successful.
‘The basics of negotiation: pretend to concede something big while demanding something relatively small.’
A satisfied smile rose on Yun Donghui’s face as he left his seat after wrapping up the meeting.
**
Gang Hajun received Yun Donghui’s call and headed to Kkumdongsan Entertainment.
Finally, his manager had been assigned.
It had been only a week since he stamped the contract.
During that time, Gang Hajun had waited leisurely and immersed himself in drama filming.
He had heard the general circumstances from Yun Donghui beforehand, so there had been no need to be impatient,
but fortunately, the conclusion came faster than he had prepared himself for.
“Hello, I’m Yeo Seungcheol.”
The person who was chosen as Gang Hajun’s manager after the war of nerves between Yun Donghui and the company was Yeo Seungcheol.
Twenty-eight years old, he was in his third year as a road manager.
His physique was imposing, and he seemed to have good stamina as well.
Yun Donghui had kept an eye on Yeo Seungcheol as Gang Hajun’s manager from the start.
Given the reality that there were quite a few novice managers who couldn’t endure even a month before running away, three years of experience meant his tenacity and aptitude were already proven.
On top of that, since he had mainly done actor support, the fact that he had a high understanding of the work was also pleasing.
Above all, he even possessed a secret weapon that other managers didn’t have.
“I’m Gang Hajun. I’ll be in your care.”
Gang Hajun and Yeo Seungcheol, meeting face to face in the reception room, shook hands.
The two seated individuals and Yun Donghui exchanged brief small talk.
“Are you currently filming a drama?”
In the midst of that, Yeo Seungcheol asked Gang Hajun.
“Yes. It’s been a little over a week since crank-in.”
“How are you handling hair and makeup?”
“I’m relying on the makeup team hired by the filming crew. Since it’s the role of an ordinary job seeker, there’s nothing to pay special attention to. The PD also said that if I’m too made up, it hurts the realism, so it’s better to keep it moderate.”
“There’s no need to go to a shop right away. If done wrong, it might actually stand out. You don’t have any clothing sponsors yet, do you?”
His questions continued for quite a long time.
They included not only matters he needed to know in advance regarding the drama, but also curiosity about the actor he would be in charge of himself.
‘He’s meticulous.’
Gang Hajun thought.
He liked that at least the other man didn’t seem like the type to work half-heartedly.
Though Yun Donghui had surely attached him as a decent manager.
Yeo Seungcheol was busy writing down Gang Hajun’s answers in a notebook he had prepared.
Soon, conscious of Gang Hajun’s gaze, he became awkward.
“Ah, I just asked questions like I was covering a story. It’s a kind of occupational habit.”
“Occupational habit?”
Gang Hajun asked back.
Yun Donghui, who had been waiting silently until Yeo Seungcheol’s barrage of questions ended, answered in his stead.
“This guy comes from a student journalist background.”
He had decided to speak casually to Gang Hajun from the day after the contract.
His explanation continued.
“Once he starts asking questions, his temper isn’t settled until there’s not an inch of doubt left, or so he says. But don’t worry too much. He doesn’t throw question bombs just anytime.”
Gang Hajun, who had been nodding, carefully spoke up.
“But why didn’t you pursue being a journalist?”
“I did journalist work throughout university, so I wanted to try something else. Honestly, I got the job out of curiosity, but this line of work suits my aptitude better. It’s fun too.”
Yeo Seungcheol answered.
If you thought about it, it couldn’t really be called far-fetched.
Whether journalist or manager, they were the same in that they were professions dealing with people.
It was just that the point at which one could feel a sense of fulfillment differed.
“You, do you know what’s really special about Manager Yeo?”
“What is it?”
At Gang Hajun’s question, Yun Donghui raised his thumb.
He then answered.
“His connections are incredible.”
Yeo Seungcheol’s secret weapon.
It was none other than ‘school ties.’
Quite a few of his seniors, juniors, and classmates had advanced to become professional journalists.
Some senior a few classes ahead already had his own newspaper.
“Ah, well, it’s not so grand as to be called connections.”
Contrary to his reserved answer, Yeo Seungcheol’s expression was full of pride.
The filthy entertainment industry where all sorts of media play ran rampant.
Yeo Seungcheol would become a solid ally and shield for Gang Hajun there.
Sometimes more effectively than the PR team attached to the company.
**
Two days later, filming for
Gang Hajun rode the sedan the company provided and headed to the set.
It was certainly not the luxurious van commonly associated with the term ‘celebrity car,’
but it was a better model than the compact car of his father’s that he had been driving temporarily.
Getting out of the car, he first went to PD Min Useok and introduced Yeo Seungcheol.
“Wow, it’s been who knows how long since I heard the news that you signed a management contract, and now I finally see your manager’s face!”
Unlike the staff whose complexions were bright thanks to recharging their energy during the two days without filming, the area under PD Min Useok’s eyes was dark.
It seemed he hadn’t been able to rest properly, having tackled post-production work in spare moments.
Even so, he welcomed Gang Hajun and his manager gladly.
“I’m Min Useok, in charge of main production for
“I’m Yeo Seungcheol.”
Yeo Seungcheol respectfully grasped the hand PD Min Useok extended first.
He had an impassive expression but was inwardly flustered.
It was rare for a main director to introduce himself so politely to a mere road manager.
Though it might differ depending on the situation or rank, on-site managers were usually treated merely as intermediaries between actors and staff.
“May I receive a business card?”
“Yes, of course.”
At PD Min Useok’s request, Yeo Seungcheol quickly pulled out his card case.
It was the first time he had been asked for a card by someone first.
He would usually have to plead with the other person while pitching just to get one accepted,
and even if they did accept it easily, it was common to see them show clear annoyance and immediately stuff it into their pockets.
‘Is he treating me well because I’m the lead actor’s manager?’
Yeo Seungcheol asked himself, placed in this unfamiliar situation.
‘That’s probably not it.’
And a negative self-answer returned.
While working as a road manager, he had once been in charge of a rookie actor in a similar situation to Gang Hajun.
It had been a drama that deliberately cast a new face as the lead for star discovery purposes,
and by luck, that actor had been selected as the lead.
What had been the main staff’s attitude then?
Far from treating him kindly, they had ignored even the actor.
There was nothing particularly humiliating about it.
Naturally he had been angry, but that was the usual situation.
“Now you can really focus on acting alone. I can look forward to what’s ahead, right? Though you’re already more than excellent as is.”
“Of course, PD-nim.”
“I believe in our Hajun.”
Yeo Seungcheol cast a sidelong glance at Gang Hajun and PD Min Useok conversing harmoniously.
He felt he could tell without needing to grab and ask.
Why the atmosphere here was so different.
PD Min Useok perceived Gang Hajun as a ‘colleague who would breathe together and create the work.’
Yeo Seungcheol recalled the conversation he had with Yun Donghui.
—If anything happens to Gang Hajun, report to me separately. Because he’s under my special management.
—What’s the reason?
—Gang Hajun will become a monster rookie.
He had been expecting it, but he hadn’t known he would feel it this tangibly.
Yeo Seungcheol thought.
‘This is exactly why I do manager work.’
There was a common point between journalists and managers.
Knowing something ‘already’ that others ‘didn’t yet know.’
Still, the reason being a manager better suited his aptitude was simple.
Because it was more thrilling.
Watching the process of a future star growing and contributing to his achievements.
That wasn’t luck just anyone could enjoy.
Yeo Seungcheol wanted to quickly verify Gang Hajun’s acting directly with his own two eyes.
Filming preparations were complete.
The first scene to be filmed was the one where Baek Seongchan, in the drama, is invited to Yi Jinhwan’s house and spends time together.
In the very next take, it was planned that Yi Jinhwan’s manager would come and scold Baek Seongchan.
Seong Sihyeon, unlike usual when he always put effort into his hair, had styled himself naturally today.
It was because of the setting that he was intentionally skipping filming and spending healing time at home.
While Im Changseop, in the role of the manager, was waiting briefly outside the frame,
Gang Hajun and Seong Sihyeon took their positions in the living room and kitchen respectively.
The two wore expressions exactly opposite to their usual selves.
Gang Hajun was expressionless, while Seong Sihyeon wore a faint smile.
It was a sight that felt completely natural, as if that were their original selves.
When rehearsal ended, red lights came on on three cameras holding different angles.
“Hai!”
Clack!
Click!
“Heh…….”
Just as they were about to begin the actual filming, an unexpected noise mixed in.
PD Min Useok’s ‘cue’ faded weakly.
“What, who’s that?”
Everyone’s gaze gathered toward the source of the sound.