Chương 193: A Way that Suited Me (6)
"Seo Jijoon and Im Joo…"
The director groaned. His words were cut off by a sigh. He rubbed his temples as he mumbled, 'Oh, what a headache.' The way he looked at me changed. It was as though I was a pain in the neck instead of a lucky charm.
"Jung Sunwoo. You need to calm down. I think you just said that without thinking."
He tried to reason with me. His attitude was different from his normally not-so-serious self.
I glanced next to me. The one who needed to calm down seemed to be someone else. The Team 2 Leader's face was dark. He glared at me with a menacing look. If he could kill with his gaze, my body would have been torn off limb by limb and scattered on the carpet.
The director said,
"I understand how you feel. I get it, but if you're going to stir trouble, it should be within your capabilities. How do you plan on dealing with the aftermath if you take them with you? Are you crazy?"
I was shockingly calm right now.
I thought I would have trouble breathing or my hands would be shaking once I said those words, but it came out so nonchalantly as if I was deciding what I was going to eat for dinner. My body and mind moved naturally like a stream.
Examining my reaction, the director shook his head.
"Let's act like that didn't happen. Let's do that, CEO."
"Hmm, personally check with them."
Rather than agreeing with him, CEO Baek Hansung replied with an order.
"… Check?"
"Seo Jijoon and Im Joowon's opinion."
Taken aback, the director's butt jolted. I also flinched.
I had thought that they wouldn't outright reject the idea if Seo Jijoon and Im Joowon revealed their intentions to join my team since companies tended to cater to actors on their level. However, I didn't think it would proceed so quickly.
I had thought he would ask something more from me. His actions made me wonder if the Team 2 Leader had fallen out of CEO Baek Hansung's favor.
I gave CEO Baek Hansung a doubtful look. Our eyes met. Like the director, he also looked at me differently. On one hand, it looked like he was watching an amateur's cute actions, but on the other hand, it looked like he was pleased.
Either way, it seemed like he had hoped I would act like this.
He looked at me and Song Inho before gesturing with his chin,
"You two should step out. I think the Team 2 Leader and I need to have a talk."
The Team 2 Leader was silent. His gaze simply stabbed at my back.
I brushed my seat and got up. After saying goodbye, I brought Song Inho out of the CEO's office. I was walking while guessing at what kind of conversation would take place when I didn't hear any footsteps following me. I turned around, and Song Inho wasn't unable to regain his senses like he was being washed down a current. His no longer tearful face looked dazed.
"Hyung, is this all? Is it fine like this?"
"We'll have to make it fine."
I lightly raised my shoulders when the CEO's office burst open. The Team 2 Leader rushed at me like a mad boar. Just as I thought he was going to hit me, I was hit with his fist. Another fist made its way towards me as I faltered.
"Team 2 Leader!"
"Hyung!"
I didn't plan on getting hit twice without making a sound. I quickly pulled my head back. The Team 2 Leader's fist narrowly brushed passed the bridge of my nose. Song Inho and the director rushed over when I grabbed his arm. Then they grabbed the Team 2 Leader's shoulders and pulled him off me.
I pressed my aching cheek and swallowed. There was a disgusting taste in my mouth. Maybe something ripped.
"Hyung, are you all right?"
The Team 2 Leader stopped Song Inho, who was coming over.
"Song Inho! What's your problem? What did I not do for you?!"
"Team leader."
"If there was something you didn't like, you should have said so. What are you doing?!"
Song Inho's face distorted miserably. The Team 2 Leader continued to shout,
"Do you think I'll let you or that bastard off after suffering like this? I told you that this industry was small. Do you think good rumors will spread about a guy who abandons his benefactor as soon as he makes it big? Worthless personal…!"
"The rumors should be that the actors were moved during an internal restructuring."
I replied while taking a step forward.
"He's the rising star of W&U. Weird rumors won't be good for the company either. It'll make things difficult for the PR Team. Also, even if he changes teams, he's still part of the W&U family. I don't think you should say things like not letting him off no matter how angry you are…"
Threats had to be made by the right person in the right place.
"Also, wouldn't that be best for you as well?"
"What?"
"If it was just Inho, maybe there would have been rumors about his personality or something, but if three move teams, wouldn't it look like you are the problem? This industry is a small place. You would lose face if some weird rumors spread."
"You bastard!"
The Team 2 Leader's mood grew more dangerous. The director, who gestured to me to act moderately from the back, eventually facepalmed. He steadfastly held onto the Team 2 Leader's shoulders as though he was worried punches would fly again.
Huffing, the Team 2 Leader glared at Song Inho.
"I don't know how he persuaded you, but don't think…!"
"I begged him to take me."
Song Inho said in a subdued voice. The Team 2 Leader flinched.
"My problem? I told you countless times, yet how can you not know?"
Song Inho let out a frustrated sigh.
"I can't follow your methods. I'm suffocating. Like you said, I'm scared that rumors about how ungrateful I am will spread. However, if I stay with you, I feel like I will come to hate acting. That scares me more."
The more he spoke, the more heavily the Team 2 Leader huffed. He looked like he didn't know what to do with all the shame, betrayal, and rage he felt. The director clicked his tongue and signaled me with his eyes. I took Song Inho and got in the elevator.
As soon as the doors began to close, Song Inho collapsed against the wall.
"Are you okay?"
"I should be asking you that, hyung."
"Well."
I saw the Team 2 Leader between the closing doors. He was glaring at me without taking a single step. I stared back at him. His face distorted even more. Soon, the elevator began to move. Rather than the Team 2 Leader's face, the shiny elevator doors reflected my face.
My face looked refreshed like I had been reborn.
*
Song Inho threw away all his grief after a drink. He was crawling around my living room when I grabbed him and flopped him down on my bed. I struggled a lot because he wouldn't let go of my ankle. The world had become quiet by the time I was able to wrap him up in my blanket.
I emptied the remaining contents of the bottle. My mind was still sober even though I poured down liquor like it was water.
Only my heart seemed to beat more loudly.
I looked out my window, which reflected the streetlights and neon signs outside, before calling someone.
-Who is it?
"It's me, mom."
-Ah, I had forgotten I even had a second son. Do you know how long it's been since you last called?
Her voice hid her sadness.
"Has it been a while?"
-A while? It's been harder to hear your voice than when you went to mandatory military service. Your father lets you off, saying that no news is good news and that it's good that you're busy, but this is excessive. You're obviously busy during the week. Busy on weekends and holidays. Are you the only one that's this busy?
"We all are. Sorry, I'll try my best to come down for Thanksgiving."{1}
I said while checking my calendar. Would I be able to take a day or two off?
-How are you? Are you stressed at work?
Hmm, I did clear away a man who was stressing me out.
"I'm fine. Ah right, I've been promoted."
-Promoted? To what?
"Team leader."
My mom's dazed voice went up a pitch. Chewing on octopus tentacles, I framed the events leading up to my promotion in a good way. My mom listened for a good while before she said in a serious voice.
-Okay, I'll keep this to myself.
"It doesn't matter if others know. This isn't a secret."
-Really? I've become used to watching what I say after you appeared on TV.
My mom laughed awkwardly before adding.
-Though I am happy that you're appearing on TV because you're successful and being promoted for doing a good job, do most people get promoted this quickly? The higher up you are, the more responsibilities you take on. I'm worried.
"… I wouldn't have accepted if I didn't think I could handle it."
-If things are tough, talk to your brother. If it's still not resolved, then come down.
My mom, who was advising me, suddenly laughed.
-I'll pass you the phone!
"Huh?"
-Your father's pestering me, knowing that I'm about to hang up.
I unconsciously smiled. After talking with my father, I decided to call my brother. I chatted with the quadruplets for an hour on speakerphone. I had thought that no other life was as dynamic as mine, but the quadruplets didn't lose out.
After them, I called Neptune, then Seo Jijoon and Chief Lee Bongjoon as well as Im Joowon and Chief Sung. I think I heard that I was crazy at least fifty times while explaining what happened today. In fact, one of them even messaged me saying that.
I laid down on my sofa early in the morning. Then I flipped through the scenario I had started reading the night before. My mind filled up as I thought about Song Inho, Seo Jijoon, and Im Joowon's roles on top of Lee Songha and Nam Joyoon.
While I was at it, I brought out all the scenarios, drama proposals, and scripts. I cleared away the liquor bottles and side dishes from the living room table and spread out the actors' photos and posters. Then I looked at each of them.
It was a sleepless yet satisfying night.
*
I arrived back in Seoul after a three-day business trip to China. As soon as I left the airport, I was met with hot, stuffy air. It seemed the heat wave had arrived because my back became soaked even though I wore a t-shirt. Even the people walking on the streets looked somewhat withered.
My thirst burned my throat by the time I arrived at the company. I should buy a drink from a vending machine. No, an ice dispenser would be better. I got out the elevator thinking this and saw the lounge crawling with people.
"Hello."
"Ah, hello, Team Leader Jung."
The mood was uneasy.
The way they were whispering to each other before going silent as soon as I got off the elevator. The way they staggered and nervously greeted me. Above all, the people who were calling me 'Team Leader Jung' were Team 2 chiefs who had recently disregarded me.
Had the incident with the Team 2 Leader surfaced?
I was looking around for someone to ask when the Team 3 Leader called me.
"Yes, team leader."
-Let's meet as soon as you arrive at work.
"I'm already here. I'm in the lounge right now."
The Team 3 Leader and Kim Hyunjo popped out of the office immediately after I said that. Then they each grabbed my arm and dragged me into an empty meeting room. Other employee's gazes followed me.
"What's with the mood? Is it because of the incident with the Team 2 Leader?"
There was no answer. Instead, I looked at the two sitting in their seats. They looked baffled. As they were well aware of what happened between me and the Team 2 Leader, they shouldn't be this agitated because of that.
"What is it?"
"The Team 2 Leader handed in his resignation letter this weekend."
"… Resignation letter?"
Kim Hyunjo nodded.
I recalled the Team 2 Leader's face, which I had last seen in front of the CEO's office. I had thought he would be up to something, but a resignation letter? He just up and left the company? What did he discuss with CEO Baek Hansung that day?
"It wasn't a threat or anything?"
"I thought the same thing when I first heard it too, but it's not. He received investments from China and is apparently planning on becoming independent. He said he had already discussed with his 'children', so he would take those whose contracts were almost up with him. Even excluding top stars like Son Chaeyoung and Jijoon, there are quite a few actors he had brought in."{2}
That's right. They made up the core of W&U's lineup of actors.
Actors like Song Inho and Seo Jijoon, who didn't align with the Team 2 Leader's methods, were a minority. The majority of actors whom the Team 2 Leader brought in from the free agency market approved of the Team 2 Leader's methods and skills. Like Son Chaeyoung in the past.
He was the type who seemed sensitive to betrayal after being stabbed in the back like that.
He said that he would turn his back on CEO Baek Hansung and take the actors who followed him with him?
"So? Did he actually leave?"
"He did."
Kim Hyunjo said, astonished, as though even he couldn't believe it.
The Team 3 Leader, who was quietly sitting there with his arms crossed, added,
"Alone."
"Pardon?"
"He left alone. I don't know if talks didn't go well or something didn't go as planned at the end, but the actors who were supposed to leave with the Team 2 Leader remained. That's why the Team 2 Leader barged into the CEO's office not long ago and caused a huge commotion."
Kim Hyunjo asked the Team 3 Leader,
"Do you think he'll come back?"
"I don't know."
"Even if he's received investments, without any trustworthy actors, won't he just waste away? Rumors will spread that he left the company on bad terms. Even if the CEO doesn't do anything, others will be cautious. Do you think actors will sign with him?"
"He's probably done trying to make a place for himself in the country. If he goes to China though, he'll probably at least make a living."
The Team 3 Leader scratched his disheveled hair. He checked the firmly shut door before leaning towards me. Then he asked in a quiet voice,
"Hey, you've also been offered investments from China, right?"
"… Pardon?"
"Does the CEO know that too?"
{1} FYI, Korean Thanksgiving is in September
{2} Remember, the Team 2 Leader treats actors like they are his own.
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