The following morning, Ha-Na and Ha-Min, brimming with enthusiasm, officially registered their new company, "Rising Star." They quickly secured a sleek, glass-fronted office building that mirrored their ambitious dreams. Eager to assemble a top-notch team to dominate the industry, they posted recruitment notices online.
Despite resigning, Ha-Min had to serve his notice period, forcing him to temporarily return to Ilhwa Corporation. He needed to negotiate with HR for an early departure, a task that was anything but straightforward and proving to be challenging.
Behind the scenes, Ae-Ra, ever the schemer, made it nearly impossible for him to leave. She knew Ha-Min's unwavering loyalty to Ha-Na. Even after Ha-Na moved to the States, he remained steadfastly by her side. Ae-Ra had tried every trick in the book—offering wealth, leveraging her status, and even resorting to threats. When none of these worked, she sidelined him, ensuring he had no real work.
Suspicious that he might be leaking information to Ha-Na, Ae-Ra treated him as an outcast. Now that he was leaving, the company hypocritically claimed they couldn't afford to lose such an "excellent resource," pressuring him to serve the full notice period and assigning him real work to keep him busy, hoping to hinder Ha-Na's progress by keeping her right-hand man occupied.
Their duplicity was staggering. Ha-Min's determination to break free and return to Ha-Na's side only grew stronger. He knew Ha-Na needed him now more than ever. If she discovered the hurdles he was facing, she would undoubtedly turn to Old Kang for help, and Ha-Min couldn't bear to add to her burdens. She had enough on her plate without his problems adding to her stress. Determined to protect her from further worries, he chose to keep his struggles to himself, steeling his resolve to overcome the challenges alone.
He would definitely find a way to leave, not just for his sake, but for Ha-Na, who needed him.
.....
Back at home, Ha-Na opened her phone and found messages from Ha-Min. "These are the artists you previously worked with, some influential ones nearing contract renewal, and a few promising newcomers," read the message. Attached was a PDF.
Ha-Na's eyes sparkled as she scrolled through the document Ha-Min had painstakingly compiled. Despite his own struggles, his dedication shone through every page. The list was filled with several prominent artists, each a potential asset for Rising Star.
The document was meticulous, with each artist's photo and profile summarized concisely. As she flipped through the pages, a parade of dazzling faces greeted her.
However, there were too many good-looking people in the entertainment industry, and an overwhelming number of them had looks like his.
Ha-Na knew she needed more than just good looks; she needed substance.
She skimmed through each profile, her mind whirring. Ha-Min had been thorough, including their personality and detailed background checks. Being in Entertainment industry means scandals could erupt at any moment, and they couldn't afford any missteps, especially at the beginning. New artists often faced intense scrutiny, and even the slightest hint of controversy could drag them through the dirt.
Her choices had to be strategic. The document highlighted each artist's pros and cons, meticulously detailing how they could bring value and recognition to Rising Star. She assessed their behavior traits, weighing whether they would fit into the company's culture and values. Her mind raced with possibilities, her thoughts a blend of excitement and caution.
With Ha-Min by her side, she felt invincible. Together, they would make Rising Star shine the brightest. But she was acutely aware of Ae-Ra's potential sabotage. They needed to choose someone trustworthy or influential enough to withstand Ilhwa's potential wrath and someone who could bring in work to keep the company operational.
Normally, that wouldn't have been a problem with her connections, but she doubted any would risk Ilhwa's anger. Not everyone was as privileged as she was, and she knew that well.
She continued flipping through the names leisurely, her thoughts methodical and sharp. This list was more than just names; it was the foundation of Rising Star. She needed to balance star power with reliability while building a cohesive and loyal team.
Many were promising, but the ones she favored might be hesitant to join her, while others didn't seem star-worthy.
At least she had Jeong Yohan, who would return soon after his Hollywood film shooting.
Yohan was currently the most popular, most profitable male actor, earning the title of "Most Handsome Man of the Year" from all over the globe.
With him in the company, they wouldn't have to worry about their ship sinking, but she still needed to do her part and couldn't just sail on one person's revenue and survive on it. She needed to expand Rising Star into a potential company to prove herself.
She flipped the pages, one by one, in silence.
When she flipped to the middle page, her fingers paused and her gaze landed on the name under the picture.
It was Yoo Sun-Jae, who was on equal footing with Yohan.
The two of them were roughly the same age, so their positions were very close, and they were fierce competitors.
A mischievous idea sparked in her mind. What if she could bag both artists who always fought against each other under one roof? Their combined star power could be a game-changer, drawing immense attention to Rising Star.
Satisfied with her idea, Ha-Na continued to review the list. The popular artists were enticing but came at a high cost. She needed to find someone who fit their budget and brought immediate value.
Just then, her phone buzzed with a message from Hyun-Jin, interrupting her thoughts.