Chapter 30: Master (2)

Translator: Dreamscribe

What? Forty million won? Kang Woojin couldn’t hide his shock. He was slightly surprised at thirty million won, but it had suddenly jumped by ten million won. Something was going awry again. Why all of a sudden? Kang Woojin wanted to ask outright, feeling frustrated.

But to CEO Choi Sung-gun, Woojin was a monstrous actor.

Asking his worth only made CEO Choi Sung-gun smile. Although Kang Woojin was still reeling from the shock, he maintained his poker face as much as possible. And he repeated Choi Sung-gun’s answer in a low voice.

“Forty million won?”

“Yes. It’s possible, Woojin.”

Kang Woojin felt slightly numb to reality. Right? When he was working at a design company, ten million won was a sum that took a whole year to save. Now it comes and goes in seconds. It’s startling. Though startled, Woojin tried to keep his cool.

There was no reason to reject it.

‘He misunderstood things on his own. I’m innocent.’

Now he had to continue the conversation naturally, very calmly. However, there was no need for a lengthy explanation. Missteps in speech are enemies of the concept. A careless line could make one look flippant.

‘Each moment is like walking on thin ice.’

Though no one knew, Woojin was fighting a fierce battle inside, conjuring up a polished and cool response.

“I’m curious why that amount was determined.”

Unsurprisingly, CEO Choi Sung-gun folded his hands solemnly and explained.

“…Actually, these days, there’s a trend to avoid signing bonuses. Some top stars even prefer not to take them, accepting houses or other things instead.”

“Yes.”

“The same goes for rising rookie actors who have made a name for themselves with a few successful movies or dramas. Including their trainee period, when they transfer after a 7-year contract, they take a foreign car instead of a signing bonus.”

“Yes, I roughly know.”

“The point here is ‘transfer’. Signing bonuses are mostly given when an artist transfers. Whether it’s an actor or idol, there’s rarely a signing bonus for the first contract. Everyone starts as a trainee. If the kid’s good, they might give a little pocket money?”

Soon, CEO Choi Sung-gun pointed at the unfazed Kang Woojin.

“But Woojin, you’re a bit special. You’re practically completely unknown, with only two works to your name, and one of them is a short film. But it’s safe to say that there’s never been a case like this. You know that, right?”

“Go on, please.”

“However, to be honest, to the public, you’re still a regular person. In the entertainment world, money ultimately comes from recognition. If another agency sees this signing bonus, they’ll think we’re crazy. Because your recognition is zero. But those who have seen you at script readings are willing to invest. They see the future.”

“…”

“In the end, it’s about recognition. Whether by the agency or the public.”

CEO Choi Sung-gun paused for a moment.

“Woojin, your acting is amazing. I was moved by an actor’s performance for the first time in a while.”

He concluded his explanation.

“It’s great that you joined ‘Profiler Hanryang’ because you were captivated by the director and the writer. But the future in the entertainment industry is always uncertain. If ‘Profiler Hanryang’ fails, your obscurity will continue. ‘Exorcism’ is a short film, so the public will hardly watch it.”

That wasn’t wrong. Only Kang Woojin knew the future hint of the work.

“If that happens, I and the other agencies that approached Woojin will have given a signing bonus of forty million to a ordinary person. Because of such uncertainty, regardless of Woojin’s exceptional acting skills, other agencies won’t offer more than forty or fifty million. Some agencies would even need approval from higher-ups.”

Ah, rejection is very frustrating. When Kang Woojin was inwardly agreeing, CEO Choi Sung-gun suddenly spread out the clear file he had brought. It was a contract.

“But actually, the signing bonus is not that important in this situation. It’s just a courtesy or an expression of appreciation for Woojin’s acting. The key here is, as you know.”

Soon, CEO Choi Sung-gun pointed to one part of the contract with his index finger.

“The distribution ratio and the contract period.”

I see. Kang Woojin had another realization. And it seemed like he needed a bit of bragging. Well, just use some of the things Director Shin Dong-chun said. Woojin lowered his voice.

“You don’t need to invest money, time, and education in me.”

CEO Choi Sung-gun, who had been smiling, nodded his head.

“That’s correct. That’s a big advantage for any agency. You probably wouldn’t be satisfied with any conditions from any agency right now. But as you grow, you’ll need an agency.”

“Yes.”

“So I thought about it. What would Woojin find sweet in addition to the signing bonus. Maybe a taste? That’s what I thought. Understanding the market trend?”

Choi Sung-gun, who answered arbitrarily, pushed the contract towards Woojin.

“The standard payout ratio for a unknown actor who has gone through being a trainee is about 5:5 to 6:4. But Woojin, you are a finished product. In other words, the agency does not need to spend a dime.”

He emphasized his point.

“The payout ratio is 9:1, of course we are the 1. And a contract term of 1 year.”

What’s this? These radical terms? At that moment, Choi Sung-gun said meaningfully.

“In a nutshell, it’s just a taste of what our bw Entertainment is like. Decide whether to extend it or not after a year. What do you think?”

In response to his question, Kang Woojin lowered his gaze to the contract and answered softly.

“Please explain the contract.”

Meanwhile, on a drama set.

The set, divided into several sections, was in the final stages of construction. Here, PD Song Man-woo appeared, actively checking various aspects of the set.

“The sound here, can’t you hear it? It’s creaking, right?”

Then.

– ♬♪

His cell phone rang. PD Song man-woo, after checking the caller, nonchalantly picked up the call.

“Ah- Chief Choi. Did you see the actor you came to see on the reading day?”

A male voice was heard through the phone. It was a person named Chief Choi from the major film company ‘Box Movie’.

“Yes, yes. I’ve seen it well. PD, uh- do you happen to have the number of the guy who turned the script reading room upside down? Kang Woojin. Can you tell me his number?”

“Number?”

“Yes. Actually, I did give him my business card at the script reading, but he hasn’t contacted me for a week. I’m sure he saw the name of the film company, but it’s the first time this has happened…”

PD Song man-woo chuckled as if he understood.

“Well, that guy doesn’t move based on the name. He’s quite stubborn. But isn’t it a bit difficult for me to just give out his number?”

“I’m in a bit of a hurry.”

“Hmm, I’m sure he’s definitely not ignoring Box Movie- he must have a reason.”

As PD Song Man-woo trailed off, a thought suddenly occurred to him.

‘Box Movie contacted Kang Woojin- aren’t they starting a project with that director now?’

PD Song man-woo recalled an article he recently read. One of the country’s renowned master director had started a production with Box Movie. If you piece together the timing, the answer was quite simple.

‘Are they trying to snag Kang Woojin?’

It was a strong possibility.

‘If Kang Woojin joins that director’s project… That would make the movie extraordinary.”

PD Song man-woo, who had been imagining this scenario in his head, suddenly smirked.

“If you’re in such a hurry, should I ask Woojin for you?”

A few dozen minutes later. Back in the office of bw Entertainment.

Kang Woojin and CEO Choi Sung-gun were sitting opposite each other. CEO Choi, was busy explaining the contract to Woojin in detail. He was quite passionate. Kang Woojin listened to the explanation, but also discreetly observed CEO Choi Sung-gun.

‘Whatever happened, this situation must contain several misunderstandings? Perhaps Hong Hye-yeon’s influence played a part too.’

Surely, she must have exerted her influence as well. That means there’s no way he would get these conditions if he went to another agency. Upon reflection, there was no place with better conditions than here at bw Entertainment. At least that’s what Kang Woojin thought.

He needed ‘experience’, and a 9:1 ratio and 1-year contract?

This introductory contract was tailor-made for Woojin.

‘Well, it’s good to have someone I know. It’s a bonus that it’s Hong Hye-yeon.’

The entertainment industry was unfamiliar to Woojin. If even the agency he’s going to be a part of is unfamiliar, the fatigue will double. Either way, you need to play along with the game, right? Then isn’t it better to go with a place where he feels more at ease?

Kang Woojin made a decision on his own, unbeknownst to CEO Choi Sung-gun.

So, after about 10 minutes, CEO Choi Sung-gun’s passionate briefing ended, and he looked at Kang Woojin across from him and asked.

“What do you think? I want to assure you that I will do my best.”

For now, just take it easy here.

“……”

Kang Woojin, expressionless, created a silence in the conversation. His mouth opened a minute later.

“CEO, can I add 2 conditions?”

“…I’ll listen.”

“One is not to ask about my past, and the second is to only work on the projects I want.”

“The past… I got a rough idea from Hye-yeon. That there must be some kind of situation. Regarding the project, are you saying I shouldn’t even suggest it?”

“No. I just want to decide on the project myself.”

In other words, he wanted to hold the decision-making power for the projects. Choi Sung-gun seemed okay with it. It would be a problem if he said he wouldn’t do any projects, but if that wasn’t the case, anything would do. CEO Choi Sung-gun smiled.

“Both are possible. We can add them to the contract as well.”

As soon as he heard the answer, Kang Woojin reached out his hand. His action was imbued with a serious demeanor.

“I look forward to working with you.”

In an instant, CEO Choi Sung-gun’s eyes widened slightly as he shook hands with Woojin and asked.

“Does that mean you’ll sign the contract with me?”

“Yes.”

In no time, CEO Choi Sung-gun’s mouth stretched from ear to ear in delight.

“Hahaha! Okay, okay. that’s right. Oh my, I laughed too loudly. It’s been a while since I’ve felt such pleasure.”

From here, CEO Choi Sung-gun moved swiftly. He quickly handed the amended official contract to Woojin.

-Swish.

“Nice to have you on board, our bw Entertainment’s second actor.”

Kang Woojin signed. It was the moment he joined an agency. At the same time, Woojin took out a business card he brought with him and asked something he was curious about.

“I received this business card on the reading day. They told me to contact them, but it’s a film company, not an agency.”

Upon receiving the business card, Choi Sung-gun’s smile deepened.

“Haha, that’s amazing? I didn’t expect work to come in simultaneously with the contract. Let’s see, let’s see – which film company is it?”

At that moment, Choi Sung-gun’s eyes widened.

‘BoxMovie??’

BoxMovie was a major company. Choi Sung-gun quickly flipped the card over. The name of the owner of the business card was revealed.

‘Chief Choi Do-min. As a production PD, he’s the real power at Box Movie. But did he come to the script reading too?’

Suddenly, a lightbulb went off in his head.

“Ah, Director Woo Hyun-goo. You know him, right? One of the master directors in our country. This guy is doing his next work with BoxMovie. And Director Woo Hyun-goo and Chief Choi Do-min are close. Ah! So… is Chief Choi planning to push Woojin into director Woo Hyun-goo’s movie?”

Choi Sung-gun, who had been thinking for a while, met eyes with the expressionless Kang Woojin.

“Woojin. It would be good to meet this Chief Choi. No, we must meet him.”

At that moment.

-Brrrr, Brrrrrr.

Woojin’s phone rang. It was a call and the caller was PD Song Man-woo. CEO Choi Sung-gun, also seemed to have seen it as he gestured to answer the call. Soon, Woojin put his phone to his ear.

“Yes, PD.”

PD Song Man-woo’s voice was heard over the phone.

“Woojin. you should have received a business card from BoxMovie?”

“Yes. But how did you..”

“Chief Choi called me. He asked me to give him your number? So I told him it’s not possible. Instead, I said I’d ask you.”

The timing, right? They were just talking about this. At the same time, PD Song Man-woo spoke over the phone.

“Woojin, I know you’ll handle it yourself. But it wouldn’t be bad to meet with that film company once. It won’t be bad; it’s a big place.”

“Yes, PD. I’ll contact them.”

“Okay. I’ll contact you again.”

-Click.

As soon as the call ended, Kang Woojin roughly relayed the call to Choi Sung-gun, and Choi Sung-gun, now Woojin’s manager, quickly picked up his own phone.

“I’ll call Chief Choi now.”

Then Choi Sung-gun, who was on the phone with the other party,

“You gave our Kang Woojin a business card? Ah, I’ll tell you the details when we meet, haha. Yes, yes.”

He seemed a bit surprised.

“Huh? You want to see him right away??”

Two hours later. Around lunchtime, at Boxmovie Film Company.

Boxmovie Film Company occupied the 7th to 9th floors of a building in Nonhyeon-dong, and numerous movie posters were hung on the corridors and office walls of each floor.

They were all movies produced by Boxmovie.

Kang Woojin and Choi Sung-gun could be found in a medium-sized conference room on the 8th floor. Both sat in the middle of the ‘ㄷ’-shaped desk. Woojin was secretly looking at the movie posters on the conference room wall.

At this point.

“He’s late.”

Choi Sung-gun, tapping his fingers on the desk, was a little annoyed. It had already been 30 minutes since Chief Choi Do-min was supposed to arrive.

“He made a fuss about not being able to contact Woojin.”

30 minutes was crossing the line. It was undoubtedly a deliberate delay. Anyway, Choi Sung-gun took off his glasses and let out a small sigh.

At this point.

-Creak.

The glass door of the conference room opened and a short man walked in. It was Chief Choi Do-min.

“Hahaha, oh my, I’m sorry. Something urgent came up on the way.”

With a poker face, Kang Woojin clenched his teeth internally.

‘Ah- That line. Damn it, I used to hear that a lot at the design company. This is like PTSD.’

After a brief greeting, Chief Choi Do-min smiled at the expressionless Woojin.

“We finally meet, Kang Woojin? I’ve been waiting for a long time.”

“I had a shoot.”

“Ah, did you? It still took too long. Haha, I was a bit upset because there was no contact for over a week. I thought a new actor who just started building his filmography was ignoring me, you know?”

Though smiling cheerfully, Kang Woojin quickly sensed that Chief Choi Dom-in was upset by the undertone in his voice.

Then Chief Choi Do-min placed a stack of papers on the desk.

“I told the director all about it, but I almost got scolded because I couldn’t get in touch with Woojin. Ah, I’m not blaming you.”

To Choi Do-min, who was waving his hand slightly, Choi Sung-gun asked.

“I’m sorry, but Chief, is the director you just mentioned Director Woo Hyun-goo?”

At that, Chief Choi Do-min’s shoulders shot up instantly.

“Yes, that’s correct. Director Woo Hyun-goo. There’s nothing to hide. It’s already in the news. Hmm, Woojin, you’ll have to audition. But I mean, if it’s your acting I’ve seen, I believe you can outshine all. I mean, it won’t be difficult to join.”

The corner of Chief Choi Do-min’s mouth lifted as he slid the stack of papers forward.

“Here’s the script, take a look.”

Woojin, who picked up the script casually, first checked the cover of Director Woo Hyun-goo’s script. Then, he turned the first page nonchalantly. All this while, Choi Sung-gun was actively thinking.

‘Chief Choi Do-min is strongly pushing this? If Woojin joins the work of Master Woo Hyun-goo right after ‘Profiler Hanryang’, the impact would be…’

It was at this moment that Chief Choi Do-min confidently explained.

“Of course, we have no shortage of funds. It’s Director Woo Hyun-goo’s next project, so investors are lining up to throw money at us.”

Regardless, Kang Woojin casually flipped through the pages of the scenario. He seemed to be skimming and flipping through without really looking. Choi Sung-gun, who was watching him, stroked his chin.

‘Chief Choi Do-min has always been an asshole, but work is work. We can’t lose this crazy opportunity because of this asshole. If he pushes, we have to grab it.’

He firmly resolved to play his role. At this point, Kang Woojin raised his index finger and moved it to the side of the scenario. Of course, no one noticed.

Then, after a brief pause.

After a moment of hesitation, Kang Woojin uttered a low hum.

“Hmm-”

Choi Sung-gun leaned over to Woojin and whispered.

“Woojin, this is an opportunity we must seize at all costs. Honestly, this kind of situation would never come to a newcomer or unknown.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course, it’s a chance to join a work of master Director Woo Hyun-goo. Just take it for now.”

Woojin’s ensuing reply was very dry.

“Yes, please refuse.”