บท 188: A Way that Suited Me (1)
"We've been spread press releases to publishers, but we are still lacking."
"It's best if he appears on the real-time search rankings. Who's really hot in our company right now?"
"Songha. And them, Pretty Girls. Should we ask Mr. Sunwoo…"
The female PR employee trailed off. The Team 2 Leader, who was sitting at the seat of honor, frowned. As soon as she mentioned Jung Sunwoo's name, the heated mood of the room cooled. The Team 2 Leader gestured to Chief Jo Byunghwan.
"Get Inho and Jijoon together for dinner and take a picture."
"Understood."
"Jijoon is great. I'll let a few reporters now so that they publish articles right away."
Team Leader Park of the PR Team settled the matter with a smile. Then she handed him an envelope.
"The amount of buzz around 'Love Again' increased drastically over the week."
Her pen pointed at the SNS buzz monitoring graph. It was the result of analyzing specific keywords. The gazes of the Team 2 Leader, Chief Jo Byunghwan, and a few Team 2 and PR Team employees landed on the increasing graph.
The Team 2 Leader rubbed his beard and asked,
"How is it compared to Alive?"
"Alive had a ton of top stars. It had an extravagant cast and was a blockbuster, while Love Again is a melodrama, no matter how good the director is. We can't really compare the two."
"Then what if we compare Nam Joyoon and Inho?"
Team Leader Park frowned. Gazes were exchanged multiple times in the quiet office. The Team 2 Leader and Song Inho and Jung Sunwoo and Nam Joyoon. Their relationship was well-known amongst W&U employees.
Nam Joyoon had proved himself to be a rising star in Chungmuro and Jung Sunwoo confirmed his discerning eye, so all that remained as the Team 2 Leader and Song Inho's results. The company was as interested in Song Inho's debut as Love Again's success.
Would the Team 2 Leader be able to regain face after losing it thanks to a rookie?
Or would he be dealt a fatal blow after confirming he didn't possess a good eye?
The Team 2 Leader waited for Team Leader Park's reply in a leisurely manner. Rubbing the tip of her pen and tapping her tablet with her other hand, Team Leader Park said,
"Mr. Joyoon was quiet until the preview. SBE Film hid him like it was a blind marketing strategy. We poured a lot of work into promoting Inho even before the preview. He went on interviews, production briefing sessions, and promotions."
"So?"
"… We can't compare them too. The buzz around Inho is incredible."
Team Leader Park sighed as she showed him an increasing graph.
As if he had been waiting for those words, the Team 2 Leader smiled in satisfaction.
The male PR Team employee pressed a button. The elevator was stopped in the basement.
"The Team 2 Leader is really concerned about Mr. Nam Joyoon."
"To be exact, he's more concerned about Mr. Sunwoo than Mr. Joyoon."
The female employee added after looking around. The male employee tapped the floor.
"It seems like Mr. Sunwoo's going to lose at this rate."
"What? Alive was a huge hit!"
"You have to look at the movie and actor separately. It's not like that movie was a huge hit because of Mr. Joyoon."
"Still, you have to consider that Mr. Joyoon played a big role in drawing in the audience early on! His acting skills were recognized by the public, and his filmography now contains a movie with over ten million viewers. From a completely unknown actor to…!"
"I think Song Inho's reception is just as good."
The female employee opened and closed her mouth at the male employee's words.
"Look at the actors on their own. You saw the movie. Song Inho's not bad at acting himself."
"… He was good."
"His character was good too. Outwardly, a kind rich young master, but inwardly, an emotionally deprived, rebellious youth. He gives off a sad feeling because he's not the lead. He's in a lot of scenes, and it seems like the director put his all into making his role charming over the male lead."
"Although they were aiming for it, they did manage to pull it off."
The female employee's voice grew quieter. The male employee gestured to his face.
"On top of that, Song Inho has this, his face. He's garnering a ton of attention on social media because of his face. He would probably have a huge fandom if he was an idol. If we look at marketable qualities, he's better than Mr. Joyoon."
The male employee added while licking his lips.
"I bet he'll become a huge star as long as he's lucky."
"Hey, Mr. Nam Joyoon's good too! He's sexy and has that dangerous charm!"
"Look here."
The male employee tapped his tablet and showed her the screen. Song Inho's profile picture filled the screen. As soon as she saw his refreshing face, smiling with a straw hat on his face, her cheeks flushed. Her unconsciously opened lips let out a hot breath.
"Eurrrg, how is he so good-looking. No, still, he's too much of a younger brother…"
The door slid open. The female employee flinched after taking a step in the elevator. Someone was already standing against the wall. Arms crossed and head down. They could see his calm face under his ruffled hair. He gave off a bleak feeling.
"Inho, did you come to see the team leader?"
The female employee flinched again. Team Leader Park was standing behind them at some point. Seeming to have finally noticed the people in front of him, Song Inho uncrossed his arms and came out of the elevator. On his face was the same bright smile that was on his profile.
"Yes, he told me to come up now that the meeting was over. How are you?"
"Good. People's reactions about you are so good, it makes working worthwhile."
"My parents are also very happy. Please continue to take care of me."
After bowing deeply to Team Leader Park and her employees, Song Inho headed towards the Team 2 Leader's office. His smile quickly faded in a few steps. His face grew dreary once more.
The female employee blankly looked at him.
"It's my first time seeing him like that. He would always have a bright smile."
"What? Isn't he supposed to be excited right now? Why is he so depressed?"
The male employee tilted his head.
Team Leader Park clicked her tongue.
"It seems what's accumulated is about to explode."
He barged in the Team 2 Leader's office without knocking. The Team 2 Leader, who initially frowned, immediately relaxed. Song Inho quickly walked over to him. He glanced at Chief Jo Byunghwan, who was sitting on the sofa, before walking in front of the Team 2 Leader.
"Team leader, am I doing an interview on Entertainment Plus?"
"Yeah. That has the highest ratings amongst entertainment news programs, so of course, you have to."
"Only the male and female leads were supposed to do that. They had already set everything up."
"I called the producer there. They're going to change the setup and add you in."
The Team 2 Leader said as though it was a non-issue.
"I told him to focus on you, so be prepared."
"I can't do it."
The mood in the office instantly grew tense.
"Can't do it? Do you think that program is something a rookie actor can get on just because he wants to? I gave them information on Jijoon's next project to get you on, but why can't you do it? Once they set everything up, you just need to memorize your lines and smile in front of the camera."
"If I suddenly join in, the screen time for the leads drop."
"Why do you concern yourself with that? This is common.."
"I can't even look at Imyeong sunbae's face anymore."
"What?"
Lee Imyeong. He was the male lead of Love Again.
"Team leader, Lee Imyeong's screen time got reduced drastically because of Inho. A lot of the scenes Lee Imyeong shot were edited out as well. Because the movie was so different from the scenario, his expression wasn't very good after seeing the final edited version at the preview."
"So is he trying to start something?"
"He's not doing it outright because there were a lot of eyes, but we are on the same bus when we go on promotional events. Because the male lead is frowning, the mood isn't all that great. Inho's a rookie, so of course, he going to be concerned."
"Now really."
The Team 2 Leader chuckled.
"You're all good besides that soft personality of yours. You need to fix that. If you concern yourself with every little thing, you won't be able to work in this industry. If there are people in the spotlight, there are those that are not."
"I don't want that spotlight using underhanded methods."
Song Inho said in a hoarse voice. Chief Jo Byunghwan hastily examined the Team 2 Leader's complexion. The Team 2 Leader got up from his chair and glared at Song Inho. He looked like he barely managing to keep his anger in as the veins on his neck bulged.
After taking two breaths, the Team 2 Leader deliberately tried to comfort him,
"Other guys beg me to promote them. Also, those without talent will never be able to succeed even if the company runs dry. Getting in, increasing your screen time, and making it was all you. The director was impressed with your acting and analysis of your character, so he reduced Lee Imyeong's parts and increased yours. You need to be happy when you get an opportunity like this. Right?"
Song Inho bit his lips. Blood flowed into his flawless lips.
The back of the Team 2 Leader's hand quickly shot forward and tapped Song Inho's chin.
"Don't bite. You're going to injure your lip."
"Team leader!"
"You're only acting like this because it's your first time in a situation like this. Jijoon was the same. You'll quickly get used to it. So stop with the useless talk and prepare for the Entertainment Plus interview. Right, we're going to take a picture of you and Jijoon for a social media post this evening, so tidy your hair."
"Yeah, Inho. Let's go to the hair shop for a change of pace. Do you want anything to eat?"
Chief Jo Byunghwan gently rubbed Song Inho's back. Son Inho's gaze alternated between the Team 2 Leader and Chief Jo Byunghwan before biting his lips again. His face distorted. The Team 2 Leader was about to say something when a knock broke the mood.
The Team 2 Leader shouted in an irritated voice,
"Who is it?!"
"Uh, It's me, Lee Bongjoon. I'll come back at another time."
"Come in!"
Soon, the door slowly cracked open. Chief Lee Bongjoon, who had fattened up since going to China, perhaps having had gone on a restaurant spree, walked into the office. His face was that of a baby pig being dragged to the slaughterhouse.
"Yes, um, I heard you were looking for me. If you're busy, I can come…"
"Lee Bongjoon, did you read the scripts I sent you or not?"
"Yes, I did read them."
"If you read them, then you should have replied right away!"
"I'll look over them with Jijoon a little longer."
The Team 2 Leader's face grew ugly.
"You, I've been unhappy with your actions recently, but are you now completely taking after Jung Sunwoo? Or do you want Jijoon to become like Chaeyoung? We've already looked at each one very carefully before sending them to you, so how long are you going to examine them?! Are you not going to get Jijoon to work?"
"It's something we need to carefully consider, so I'll discuss it with Jijoon…"
"If he's stalling, then you should coax him and make a decision!"
Chief Lee Bongjoon stuck to the door at the Team 2 Leader's shout. Then he was pushed aside. Seo Jijoon's face suddenly appeared from the abruptly opened door. He glanced at the office with narrowed eyes. Then he smiled and said,
"Team leader, I'll look over the projects a little longer."
"Jijoon, you…!"
"It's not like I'm not saying I won't do one like a certain someone. I just haven't found one that I really like. Sorry. I'll make a decision as soon as possible and let you know."
He bowed then pulled Chief Lee Bongjoon, who was still standing awkwardly.
"Hyung, let's go read the scripts."
"Go first. I'm talking with the team leader."
"No. I get nervous if I go around on my own. I think I have airport disorder."{1}
"That's panic disorder. Panic disorder."
"Whatever."
Chief Lee Bongjoon looked like he was refusing but was being pulled out by Seo Jijoon, who was much thinner than him. He said goodbye to the Team 2 Leader before shutting the door. He left ten times more quickly than he came in.
"Th-th-that…!"
The Team 2 Leader's face reddened as he even stuttered his words. It looked like sparks would fly out at any moment. Chief Jo Byunghwan looked like he was trying to leave with Song Inho. However, Song Inho's gaze was fixed on the firmly shut door.
His eyes quietly flared up.
After persuading Song Inho then sending him off, the Team 2 Leader shot Chief Jo Byunghwan a glance.
"How long are you going to let him be? I told you to talk to him!"
"Yes, yes, team leader."
Having failed to escape with Song Inho, Chief Jo Byunghwan's head was drenched in sweat.
"His personality is the problem… Chaeyoung never made a fuss about things like this."
"She has no flaws besides that temper of hers. Her not working is also a problem."
The Team 2 Leader flopped on his chair as he clicked his tongue.
As though he had found something to brighten the Team 2 Leader's mood, Chief Jo Byunghwan said with a brightened face,
"Ah, but I heard that Jung Sunwoo has been constantly going over to Chaeyoung's house."
"He still hasn't given up?"
"From what Chief Lee Janghyun said, the mood is getting even bloodier."
His mood seemed to have brightened at the news as the Team 2 Leader smirked,
"Foolish bastard."
***
Son Chaeyoung said,
"Will you not regret it?"
I took a sip of grapefruit juice. It was tart and bitter.
"Whether I regret it or not, that's my problem so you don't have to worry."
"It'll be annoying."
"I'll put up with what I can, but I'll handle it if it's too excessive. What's important is that there is a clear exchange between us. I am using you, and you are using me."
Son Chaeyoung smiled at my reply. Her lips, which were red even without makeup, curled upwards. It was a cunning smile. That moment, I was very concerned that I was making a similar smile.
"Then go tell them."
Son Chaeyoung raised her glass of grapefruit juice. Then she clinked it against mine.
"That Son Chaeyoung will do a new project."
{1} Seo Jijoon said 공항장애 instead of공황장애. Quite similar, but completely different words.
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