Approaching Danger
Inside the van in the SBC underground parking lot, Yoo-Jin slumped in her seat, resembling melted sticky rice cake.
"Great work today, Yoo-Jin."
"Phew. This was my first script reading…but it was just as tough as acting. It doesn't feel much different."
"It's because Ju Yung-In made the atmosphere so tense. Script readings are typically for actors to align and get familiarized with their characters and get to know each other."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, but let me ask you one thing. Did you really memorize the entire script?"
Yoo-Jin pondered for a moment before answering. "I memorized most of it, but not perfectly. I actually made a few mistakes. Did you notice?"
'Mistakes? Where? Even the actors in the room didn't notice any.'
I was speechless at Yoo-jin's ingenuity—it was no wonder Ju Yung-In was outmatched by her.
Yoo-Jin checked my expression and continued to sigh heavily. Upon listening to her reproach herself, saying she still has a lot to learn, I hid my astonishment and nodded.
'Excellent. That's the right attitude.'
I never expected her to make such huge progress after receiving the script.
"You must have been busy taking care of Miso. Where did you find the time to analyze the script so quickly?"
"Miso doesn't bother me while I'm practicing acting. She just quietly draws or studies."
"That's good of her."
However, Yoo-Jin sighed regretfully when Miso was mentioned, feeling sorry for not spending enough time playing with her.
"It's okay, don't be too hard on yourself. Let's play with Miso a lot at the sled park later."
"Oh, right. About that sled park—I'll talk to the company. I'll tell them I insisted on going so you had no choice but to let me."
"Hey. Already using your actor's privilege to make requests? No, thank you."
"Ah, is it too much? Hehe."
As her talent agent, it was my job to follow her wherever she wanted to go. Yoo-Jin was suggesting a leisure trip disguised as work.
"By the way, I did draw the line firmly with the male actors as you advised. Was that okay?"
"Are you talking about Ju Seong-Jin and Choi Jong-Hyuk?"
"Yes. They are my sunbae colleagues in the same drama, so I felt like I was being a bit too rude. I feel bad..."
"No, no. You did well. Don't even make eye contact with them."
Then, it hit me. The 'unease' I felt when Choi Jong-Hyuk approached Yoo-Jin was probably not unfounded. After all, there had to be a reason for such unusual behavior.
In my mind, one face flickered.
'Ma Dong-Pal.'
There was a high chance he might have instructed his agency's actor Choi Jong-Hyuk to seduce Yoo-Jin. In fact, it would be weird if he hadn't given such instructions. Given that Yoo-Jin took over Park Eun-Bin's role and ad, I couldn't help but think Ma Dong-Pal must be up to something.
Although this was just speculation, Choi Jong-Hyuk could have possibly been bribed with this role by Ma Dong-Pal.
'The pieces fit together too well.'
There was nothing entertainers feared more than dating rumors. Such scandals had the potential to cause entertainers, especially female rookies, to lose their fanbase. A single scandal could easily end their career in just one day. Just lining up the actresses who fell from grace due to such scandals could fill a stadium.
To illustrate these risks and caution Yoo-Jin, I started revealing the various incidents involving Ju Seong-Jin and Choi Jong-Hyuk—the untold stories that never reached the media and the scandals quashed by the company before they erupted. For instance, the time Ju Seong-Jin got involved with a married woman which led to her husband creating havoc at the company. Another incident involved him dating multiple women simultaneously and getting caught on set.
As I narrated these sensational stories, Yoo-Jin's eyes widened in shock. Her eyes sparkled as if she was watching a melodramatic drama.
"Wow! That's crazy! They did that outdoors? Oh my, why would they?"
Yoo-Jin's reactions were spot on. Indeed, the stories from the entertainment industry were quite fascinating. Yet, the thought of Yoo-Jin potentially becoming part of such a scandal made me shudder.
"Anyway, come to me immediately if you feel something's not right."
"Got it."
After I finished speaking, Yoo-Jin leaned back in her chair. "Oppa, I'm going to sleep a bit. I'm suddenly feeling a bit sleepy."
"Sure, rest up."
Today's script reading must have been mentally taxing for her. After all, she was taking on a major role for this entire drama, unlike her first drama The Morning Takes Off.
I watched Yoo-Jin as she fell asleep and made a silent vow.
'Don't worry, Yoo-Jin. I won't let anyone lay a finger on you.'
I drove more carefully than ever, cautious not to wake Yoo-Jin up.
***
"Fuck!"
Coming down to the underground parking lot, Choi Jong-Hyuk cursed aloud.
His manager, Yoo Han-Seok, was startled by Choi Jong-Hyuk's sudden outburst. "What's wrong, Jong-Hyuk?"
"That asshole Ju Seong-Jin is eyeing Jung Yoo-Jin!"
"Ju Seong-Jin? Why would he?"
"I don't know. He said he's got his eyes on Yoo-Jin first."
"T-then what do we do now? With the proposal from Mr. Ma..."
"Ugh, just stop talking. Can't you see I'm in a bad mood? Let me think!"
Yoo Han-Seok frowned. Despite being six years older than Choi Jong-Hyuk, he never got the respect he deserved from the latter. It was only natural for him to feel unpleasant.
'He is always so rude.'
Buzz.
At that moment, Yoo Han-Seok's phone rang.
"Jong-Hyuk, it's a call from Mr. Ma."
"Mr. Ma?"
"Yeah."
"Give me the phone."
Choi Jong-Hyuk took a deep breath and answered the call.
"Yes, yes. I did as I was told. But all I could do was greet her. Yes. Then, what should I do now? Yoo-Jin's talent agent is guarding her closely."
Choi Jong-Hyuk scowled at the voice berating him from the other end.
"I'll do whatever it takes, so just keep your promise to cast me as the lead in Director Kim Jong-Sam's next work and make sure Park Eun-Ah stars alongside me. Yes, I know, okay?"
After hanging up, Choi Jong-Hyuk muttered to himself. "Phew. A young rookie like Jung Yoo-Jin is not my type anyway..."
Click.
At that moment, a car door next to him opened and revealed a slim silhouette of a woman.
"Sorry to interrupt. But it seems like I accidentally overheard your conversation, oppa."
Stepping out of the car, Ju Yung-In smiled slyly.
***
While her talent agent, Kang Myung-Gil, was delayed in discussions with the production team about her schedule, Ju Yung-In had gone down to the parking lot first and ended up overhearing Choi Jong-Hyuk's phone conversation.
At that moment, Ju Yung-In's mind began to race with possibilities. If a scandal broke out between Jung Yoo-Jin and Choi Jong-Hyuk, she wouldn't have to see that detested face of Jung Yoo-Jin anymore.
"Ju Yung-In? Why…what are you doing here?"
Caught in their scheming, Choi Jong-Hyuk and Yoo Han-Seok began to sweat. After all, Ju Yung-In was from the same company as Jung Yoo-Jin.
"You should've been more careful before making such calls. As an actor, shouldn't you have checked your surroundings?"
Choi Jong-Hyuk tried to make excuses, looking at Ju Yung-In. "I-it's not what you think. It seems like there's a misunderstanding here..."
"What misunderstanding? I heard you're trying to bring down Jung Yoo-Jin in exchange for a lead role in a drama."