As I open my eyes for the new morning, my body groans with signs of wear and tear. The past few weeks have been a nightmare.
Ever since my decision to take this life seriously.
My days haven't been idle.
With the hiring of staff for DPH entertainment, to acting, singing and dancing lessons in addition to high school. I barely feel alive.
Finding not only qualified but also trust worthy individuals has been a really difficult task.
Thankfully I have done what all great leaders do and delegated the problem to someone else.
A small smile grows on my face as I picture the she-demon running around madly.
As if on que, my phone rings disturbing my moment of respite.
Stretching my arm from under the covers, I reach for the call button and with my voice I answer, "Hello?"
My eyes still adjusting to the light, not really asleep and not really awake. Before it fully opens as a female voice suddenly ecstatically exclaims "Dylan! Get Dressed!"
"Morning to you too, noona" I answer back.
The lady on the other end of the phone is my manager and president of DPH Yuri Kim.
She's a former girl group member turned actress who had minor success in TV dramas in the late 80s and 90s.
As her career slowed down, she got married becoming a stay at home mum. Her husband was an everyday office worker, and since his passing a few months ago, she has been trying to start working again.
When I first met her, my first impression was .... strong. Her resume was blank from 99-08 yet she confidently strode into the room facing me. Someone younger than her yet she did not show a sign of surprise, only determination.
She was a mother. You could tell she had gone through up's and downs. Yet she was here for her children.
Her intelligence, will and confidence are traits you don't find anywhere. She had been to various interviews but with 20 years blank in her resume, no one was willing to take a risk. I say no-one but given her looks, I'm sure a few interviewers offered her an 'exchange' which she most definitively refused. Her pride, no her dignity would not allow her to do that.
When I asked her why I should hire her, she answered. " I need this job like humans need air. This could be my last and only opportunity to be in the industry I love"
The desperation and determination in her eyes told me, she will never betray my trust.
Even though, I don't really need a manager, as I could just force production companies to hire me with my financial power.
I want my achievements to be linked to my skill not my money.
So why not take a gamble? I hired her then and there. and she has been working all hours of the day to get the company going.
"I've got an audition lined up"
"Seriously, its literally only been a couple of days since I hired you. Aren't you a bit too efficient? How did you do it?"
" A friend I know is shooting a commercial and looking for a face. The audition is at 8 am today. Get up. Now! I'm coming to get you"
After a quick change into some fresh clothes. The doorbell to my apartment rings and I head down.
Arriving at a salon my hair and make-up get's done professionally.
I must admit even though I don't need it, I just went from a 11/10 to a 15/10.
If people were complaining about Television presenting unattainable beauty standards before, then I don't even know the outrage I will cause once my face is plastered all around the world.
Its snowing lightly, as Yuri drives me to the audition.
As we pull closer, and closer I grow more nervous with every passing mile.
Yuri stops and becons for me to alight. Standing infront of the building I point at the sign in surprise, as I read "Toyato Korean Headquarters ?"
I turn to Yuri as she notices my tone.
A Japanese company as my first employer, you can't be serious!
For those of you who haven't done there History the Anti-Japanese sentiment in Korea is quite strong. Largely attributed to the Japanese invasion of Korea and subsequent rule in Korea from 1910-1945.
"Yuri-noona, Are you sure about this?" I ask. Worried that If I get labelled as a Japanese 'product' from the get go, my time in the industry may already be over before it began.
"Dylan, At least hear, what the advertisement is about. I know it's not the best move to make and may also be risky but .... this is big. The scale isn't something any rookie can dream about."
Seeing her determined face, I decide to trust my instinct or rather trust her.
Because she has just as much to lose as I do (relatively speaking, I mean I'll still be wealthy at least if this blows up in our faces.)
Soon thereafter we are lead by the advertisement department staff into a huge prepared studio. that screams choas. As various members of staff hurry to arrange various sets and backgrounds. Not one soul is in peace.
The person in charge of the Marketing Department was even in the middle of quite a heated discussion about the shooting arrangement with several of the production staff.
Yuri-noona seemingly oblivious of the tense atmosphere suddenly shouts, "Oppa!"
And with that call the man who was just a second ago screaming at his staff suddenly turns around and smiles, "Yuri!"
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Yuri-noona introduces me," Oppa, this is Dylan Park. The kid I told you about. What do you think? Can you use him?"
He eyes me up and down before reaching out his hand, "Hi there. I'm Director Cho. I used to work with Yuri back in her girl group days. She ever tell you about them" He teases as Yuri grows annoyed.
I shake his hand, "Nice to meet you Director. And no she hasn't, I would love to hear about them though" I stress the last part out causing him, to chuckle while Yuri stares us both down.
"Now on to business" His voice turns stern, "Ever acted before?"
"A bit" My past life counts. I think.
"Hmmm, how's your English?"
"Pretty good" I answer
"Oh, really now?" He questions, "Can you say "Smileu fora tomorro" "
" Sure" I respond with an almost perfect standard English accent, "Smile for tomorrow"
He pauses, before thinking as he smiles, "Good, Good. You got it."
"Got what?" I ask confused
He slings his arm around me dragging me to wardrobe department, "Get him changed and ready!" He orders
"What's going on ?" I can't help but ask again
He nonchalantly answers back, " Isn't it obvious? You're hired! Welcome aboard"
"Seriously, Just like that?" We haven't even .... discussed pay.