Oh Duk-Gu made a fuss, saying Yoo-Jin's acting was comparable to the top actress, Choi Eun-Jin, who had forty-five years of acting experience.
When Gu Seong-Cheol laughed, Oh Duk-Gu made a frustrated look.
"I'm serious. The on-site staff were captivated by her acting."
Then, Gu Seong-Cheol raised his hand to interrupt Oh Duk-Gu.
"I know—although I wasn't here to see it."
"Huh?"
"I can tell from looking at Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon and PD Jang laughing like that."
Gu Seong-Cheol pointed to Jang Tae-Shik, who was singing praises of Yoo-Jin.
"Cut~! Wow~. Fantastic~! Miss Eun-Yung, Miss Yoo-Jin, that was amazing. But could you go straight to scene 286? If yes, let's roll it in one take."
Yoo-Jin and Choi Eun-Yung whispered among themselves for a moment and formed an "Okay" sign with their arms.
"Alright, let's shoot right away then after adjusting the lighting. Ms. Lee. Is that okay with you?"
"Why are you asking me? It's the PD's role to handle the direction on site."
"Haha, you are right."
Finally seeing the scene going well, Lee Ji-Yeon smiled. Jang Tae-Shik was swiftly managing the chaotic situation and continuing the shoot.
"Alright! I'll treat everyone to BBQ tonight if we finish up to scene 300 before sunset! Those who want to empty my wallet, give your best! If not, just slack off!"
The staff burst into loud laughter.
Jang Tae-Shik's vibrant presence at the scene was undoubtedly fitting for someone who would become one of the leading star PDs of MBS.
Seeing Lee Ji-Yeon's satisfied expression, Kim Myung-Hak was also broadly smiling nonstop.
Taking in the whole scene, Kang Ji-Yung opened her mouth.
"Both of you, wait here. I'll be back soon after greeting Mr. Kim and Ms. Lee."
Knowing I had the support of a family-like team from Division 2 and the competent Kang Ji-Yung, my heart felt at ease.
But then a question arose—with such competent people around, how did Hoop Entertainment crumble under the inexperienced Kim Dong-Soo? Where did it all go wrong?
When I left the company with Kim Dong-Soo in my past life, I was unaware of the company's detailed circumstances as I was only a newbie.
It seemed like I would need to investigate each matter and uncover the clues.
At that moment, my phone rang and I received a KkTalk message.
Ding!
[Assistant Manager Jung Sung-Ah (Finance Division): Mr. Jung. a 2 million won bonus has been deposited into your account.]
'Huh? A sudden bonus?'
[Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: Ms. Jung. Why the sudden bonus?]
[Assistant Manager Jung Sung-Ah (Finance Division): Ms. Kang said to send 1 million won for the previous matter and another 1 million won for today.]
Jung Sung-Ah explained that it was a bonus in recognition of my outstanding work performance. I understood the bonus for today since I had managed the situation on-site well today, but couldn't understand why she gave me a bonus for the previous matter.
'Could it be that she kept her promise to give me a bonus when she was drunk?'
Kang Ji-Yung's favor was making me love Hoop Entertainment even more.
'I wish she'd give me this kind of bonus more often so I can buy some stickers, snacks, and clothes for Miso.'
***
After wrapping up the shoot, Kang Ji-Yung proposed a dinner party for the entire drama production company. There was a three-hour dinner with the filming crew after the shoot, followed by a second round just for Hoop Entertainment's staff.
It was during this celebration that I witnessed the formidable drinking habits of Kang Ji-Yung, who was dubbed 'barrel' due to her capacity to consume a whole barrel of alcohol on her own once she started drinking.
"Hey, Star Jung. Why are you taking small sips only? Be a man! Come on, let's cheers! Drink up! Drink!"
Kang Ji-Yung played traditional Korean beats with a tambourine, laughed, and encouraged me to drink more during the karaoke session.
The ratio of the drink she made me was precisely 2 soju to 1 beer.
The swirling beer foam in the glass seemed to be telling me that I would die if I drank it.
When I mentioned to Kang Ji-Yung that it seemed like the ratio for the drink was reversed and maybe she got it wrong, she disagreed and insisted she made it weaker than usual.
"Hahaha. Drink up! You worked hard today, so you totally deserve it~."
Having already consumed almost a lethal amount of alcohol, I responded to Kang Ji-Yung's offer by gagging.
"Blegh!"
Fortunately, Oh Duk-Gu who was beside me quickly handed me a trash can, preventing a major mistake.
I almost got fired from the company on the day I received a bonus.
***
It was 10:30 PM on December 23rd.
After finishing the shoot for the 24th episode, I headed to Yoo-Jin's home as she suggested watching the first broadcast together.
I noticed the gas stove in her house had been replaced with an induction one, and Miso was holding a smartphone with a Powertuff Girl character phone case decorated with a sticker that read 'Miso Angel ♥ '.
'Great. I won't have to worry anymore.'
After saving Miso's contact, she pulled my hand and led me to sit in front of the TV.
"Uncle Yoon-Ho, over here! The drama is starting!"
Miso held out a cushion for me to sit on.
"Okay."
"Auntie, you sit here."
"Alright, Miso."
With Miso in the middle, I sat on the left and Yoo-Jin on the right as we watched Episode 21 of The Morning Takes Off.
It was indeed a well-produced drama, but Park Eun-Bin's terrible acting stood out to no one's surprise.
However, in the last five minutes of the episode, the atmosphere of the drama drastically changed the moment Yoo-Jin appeared.
Park Eun-Bin, who had been overshadowing the lead actor's performance with her terrible acting, disappeared and Yoo-Jin took her place.
Thanks to Yoo-Jin's ability to adapt and her amazing acting, Choi Eun-Yung's performance also shone. The genuine chemistry between the actors was evident.
'Wait. Yoo-Jin has more screen time than I expected.'
She was given not only full shots but also various mid shots and close-up shots. This amount of screen time was almost on par with a supporting lead.
"Oppa, why do you look like that? Was my acting too awkward?" Yoo-Jin asked in a worried voice.
"N-no. You did an amazing job."
"Really?"
It almost seemed like the production company was giving Yoo-Jin a push.
'Could it be that Kim Sung-Woon had something to do with this?'
Miso, nestled in Yoo-Jin's arms, stared at the TV without blinking her eyes, then opened her mouth.
"Auntie, you are the prettiest."
"Am I pretty?"
"Yes! Yes! You are the prettiest, auntie!"
Yoo-Jin's face brightened. To her, Miso's compliment seemed to mean more than a million others.
Soon, the drama ended.
Yoo-Jin appeared slightly shaken, perhaps from the emotions she felt from watching her own acting for the first time.
"Well? How does it feel watching your own performance?"
"I'm not sure. I feel flustered. And just like you said, I feel like I could become a top actress in the future…"
'That's her first impression?'
"Just trust me. You're definitely going to make it big."
Yoo-Jin smiled and expressed her hope for that to come true.
At that moment, Miso tugged at Yoo-Jin's sleeve after looking at her phone.
"Auntie, auntie!"
"What is it, Miso?"
"What is a live search?"
"Live search?"
"Yes! Look here! Right here. It says auntie's name is in the tenth place of live search!"
I couldn't hide my surprise when I saw Miso's phone screen.
"Already?"
Just like Miso said, Yoo-Jin's name was in the tenth place of Nave's live search.
However, an unexpected word was attached in front of her name.