Top Management

"Isn't this crazy?!"

Marketing team leader Park burst out, his face having rapidly deteriorated over the past two days.

It was understandable.

[Peter Pan Entertainment Representative Gu Jung-min: "The old-fashioned approach of W&U's Baek Hansung was the problem"]

[Peter Pan's Hollywood Venture? Gu Jung-min foresaw its early failure]

Representative Gu Jung-min was indeed a seeker of attention.

He would post several times a day on his personal SNS and the official Peter Pan account, half of which were self-praises about his achievements, and the other half were blatant criticisms of Baek Hansung. There was no subtlety in his attacks.

Our marketing team had protested to the Peter Pan Entertainment side, but to no avail.

The Peter Pan marketing team had given up on the Representatives antics. If the affiliated celebrities caused trouble, they might complain to the Representative, but if the Representative himself was the issue, there was no answer, they said.

A male member of our marketing team said with a sickened expression.

"Its a relief we dont have to worry about this kind of thing."

"I can't even imagine our representative embarrassing himself on SNS like that. Maybe getting lined up at the prosecutors office for a photo opportunity, but not this."

A brief silence followed the female staff member's comment.

Nevertheless, as Representative Gu Jung-min continued to fuel the fire, idle journalists kept snooping on his SNS. Whenever he posted something, they rushed to publish articles about it.

And then they would press our marketing team for feedback, eager to stir up a fight between Peter Pan and W&U.

The response was, well...

-Enough with the media play; more articles about the representative than about Kwon Inju.

-Everyone knows, here the representative... Ugh... I wish I didn't know.

-Seeing Kwon Inju's interview, it seems like he was cast in Stranger almost by cosmic luck, pretending like he had a grand plan for entering Hollywood.

-Did you know Gu Jung-min just had his profile picture taken? Reporters choose the good photos of Baek Hansung but the bad ones of him, so he selects his own photos for SNS lol crazy guy

-Shouldnt he rather update his actors profiles? What the hell is this, ninth year of fandom and I've never seen such nonsense, really...

As Team Leader Park chugged his sparkling water with ice, I asked.

"Has the representative said anything?"

"He tells us not to worry about it, but it must be bothering him."

Team Leader Park glanced at his watch.

"He just went into the broadcasting station; I wonder if anything will come up there."

"He's at the broadcasting station?"

"Yes. GTBN. Hes been busy lately."

Was it because of the content production business they were preparing?

Just then, I was reminded of that day.

"Team Leader!"

A female member of the marketing team urgently pointed at her laptop.

"You might want to see this."

A headline appeared on the screen.

[Exclusive Interview]

Actress Yun Sang-ah, 'Going to the US with W&U was the biggest mistake of my life'

The day Team 1 pulled out of their international business and returned home, reporters in front of them recorded a tearful interview with Yun Sang-ah, who had earned the nickname "Hollywood Star Syndrome."

After our legal and marketing teams had sorted things out, it had been quiet. But why an exclusive interview now?

The headline was ridiculous, but the article was even worse.

During her time in the US, Yun Sang-ah had faced all sorts of irrational and shocking situations, and the W&U staff and the team leader were too irresponsible and incompetent, she had ranted.

And at last.

[After signing an exclusive contract with Peter Pan Entertainment, Yun Sang-ah said, 'Thanks to the genuine persuasion of Representative Gu Jung-min, I've regained my courage. I want to try something new with Peter Pan Entertainment.']

Meanwhile, an actor of Peter Pan Entertainment, Kwon Inju, was recently cast in the Hollywood blockbuster Stranger...

Without realizing it, I glanced at Team Leader Park's face.

It was ghastly.

"Who still writes this nonsense, whos the reporter?"

After confirming the media outlet and the reporters name, Team Leader Park grabbed his phone and stormed out. He was determined to tackle the issue before the ice in his cup melted.

It was about time for me to head to an external meeting, so I stood up too.

The taste in my mouth was bitter.

Disputes between celebrities and their agencies were a dime a dozen. What had happened with Team 1 in the US, whether Yun Sang-ah and the Team 1 leader had gotten along well or not, was unknown. But one part of Yun Sang-ahs interview particularly caught my eye.

The team leader was too irresponsible and incompetent.

What must it feel

like to hear such words about oneself through a news article, especially from an actress one might once have considered their own?

I cut off the trailing thoughts.

I felt filthy.

Severely so.

After the external meeting, I returned to the company and encountered familiar faces in the parking lot. Tall, pale-skinned, striking features and a presence that screamed celebrity without any need for embellishment.

Lee Dokyung. Jang Yohan.

Just like Yun Sang-ah, these were actors from Team 1 who had failed in the US and returned.

The two approached, reeking of alcohol instead of perfume.

Are you Team Leader Jung Sunwoo?

Yes, hello. But you didnt drive here after drinking, did you?

At my words, Lee Dokyung paused, then suddenly started to laugh meaninglessly.

Am I crazy? If I did that, headlines would scream, 'Lee Dokyungs alcohol addiction, how far has the former top star fallen, learned nothing but trouble in Hollywood.' Only I drank, he didnt.

Lee Dokyung pointed to the person next to him, Jang Yohan, who was yawning tiredly under a deeply pulled-down cap.

Despite returning, both had recently filmed new movies and dramas, and as far as I remembered, the results hadnt been too bad. Yet, they still looked decadent and gloomy, like the day they had escaped the cameras at the airport.

Do I smell a lot like alcohol?

Yes.

Looks like Ill get an earful from our Team Leader Yun again.

If you know that, you should stop. Youll ruin your stomach.

Jang Yohan said.

How can I not drink after seeing that interview with Yun Sang-ah? Am I a sociopath?

Lee Dokyung scrutinized me with a furrowed brow.

But you look more decent than I thought. I thought youd have a terrible personality.

...Who? Me?

I heard you were close to Son Chaeyoung. I had some prejudices. Ah, nowadays isnt Lee Songha our companys main banner? Doesnt Son Chaeyoung mess with her?

...

She did? Well, I get annoyed too. Some go through hell and dont make it, while others just sweep awards at international film festivals?

Lee Dokyung then turned his gaze to the elevator display.

Team Leader Jung, they say youve never failed before? Everything you touch turns to success. Maybe...

He trailed off, clicking his tongue.

No, never mind. I have some loyalty. Our team leader has done things for me.

Then he muttered.

Anyway, those were the good times. We had our days too.

The elevator soon arrived at the parking lot and opened. Lee Dohyung and Kang Jiaan entered. Watching their backs, which seemed to be swallowed up, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.

If the venture overseas had not ended in failure, there would have been no problem at all.

Everyone would have cheered for that success, and no actor would need to find someone to blame for the failure. And...

Suddenly, words I had spoken in the future came to mind.

Don't hesitate, and succeed at all costs.

That's the only way to avoid witnessing the unpleasantness.

***

On the fifth floor, in the outdoor garden smoking area.

The team leader loosened his tie and messed up his hair, more disheveled than usual, and sat on a bench. A sigh-like puff of cigarette smoke scattered into the air.

"I've done all the ranting I can, but they say they can't edit the article."

Holding takeaway coffee in both hands, Director Park of the PR team pushed the door open with his shoulder.

"Did you get something from Peter Pan Entertainment? It seems better not to comment from our side. Given the fuss last time, the majority think Yoon Sangah has caught the Hollywood star disease again."

"Really?"

The team leader threw his cigarette into the ashtray and took the coffee.

"Thanks."

"What are you going to do?"

"About what?"

"About Yoon Sangah."

"I said the right thing, didn't I?"

The team leader opened the plastic lid and gulped down the cold coffee.

"I was right to take him to America, and I was right about failing due to my incompetence. Just leave it. Once I've said all I want, it'll quiet down."

"It's not just burnout; he's turning into a recluse."

Director Park scanned the team leader up and down.

"How did Team Leader Yoon end up like this?"

"If you're going to nag, leave. I'm out of energy."

With that, Director Park audibly clicked his tongue.

"Even if you leave Yoon Sangah alone, what about Peter Pan? Just the other day, I heard they were making obvious advances to Songha and Sunwoo."

Suddenly, Director Park smirked.

"Didn't Sunwoo say he'd treat it like a joke if he brought a prize from Cannes?"

"Where did you hear that?"

"It's all inside the company, I hear everything."

"Ah, Director of Team 3, really..."

The team leader roughly rubbed his face.

"But how long are you going to keep things awkward with Sunwoo? Why don't you get closer? You seem to get along pretty well."

"I'm avoiding him on purpose."

"Why?"

"When I see his face, it makes me think too much. It feels like it's going to explode eventually, so I avoid it. The doctor said to avoid stressors as much as possible."

"A doctor? What kind of doctor?"

"A counselor."

Director Park's eyes widened at the nonchalant reply.

"You've been going to the clinic?"

"Apparently, apathy and compulsions are also considered illnesses."

"Did you get insurance before you went?"

"..."

The team leader threw his empty coffee cup into the trash can.

"Anyway, I have no intention of getting close to him."

***

I detached my head from the car window and slapped my cheeks several times.

"Please stop at the crosswalk in front of that coffee shop."

"Yes, the crosswalk."

My eyes were dry, and my stomach churned with caffeine. It felt like I was on a wildly rocking fishing boat rather than in a taxi. It was truly miserable.

"Want some gum to wake up?"

As I went to pay the taxi fare, the driver clucked his tongue.

"Young people should be energetic. If you act like a sick chicken from morning, how will you work? This is gum my daughter bought for me to eat..."

"It's okay. Thank you."

As soon as I got out of the car, the signal changed. The air smelled of wind, albeit tepid, as I crossed the crosswalk, and someone recognized me from behind.

"Team Leader Jung!"

"What brings you here by taxi?"

It was the employees from the PR team, each holding a coffee carrier. Both looked incredibly refreshed and energetic, undoubtedly having had at least seven hours of sleep.

"I didn't sleep last night. I've been lacking sleep lately, so it seemed risky to drive in this condition."

"Goodness, would you like a cup of coffee?"

"No, I've already had about two liters."

While waiting for the elevator in the lobby, a female employee from the PR team spoke.

"You've been getting a lot of calls from the film investment companies, right?"

"How did you know?"

"We get inquiry calls at the PR team too. They want to set up a meeting with the team leader and ask for your personal contact information."

Going out to see a good script usually ends up being a waste of time nine

out of ten times. Some even push a list at you and ask which one seems promising. It's not like I'm visiting a fortune teller.

Well, I'm used to these responses.

Since Cat Guardian Ghost was a hit, it's been years.

The reality TV show about film making played a big part.

That's when they really promoted the title "Midas Touch" for broadcast. The plan to increase the program's buzz worked well, and a meme even started that said to ask Jung Sunwoo about anything.

That meme is still alive and well.

The male employee from the PR team licked his lips as if it was a pity.

"That makes sense, your track record is amazing. If I had invested in all the projects you've picked so far, I would have made a fortune. Have you ever thought about seriously getting into investment?"

"No."

Because my foresight is random.

"Just because it has worked so far doesn't mean it will always work."

Without any context, my ability could disappear one day.

The two PR team employees looked at me with peculiar expressions.

"It's interesting, Team Leader. Despite your success, you seem very realistic. You're not carried away by it. Honestly, I'd trust your word and invest up to two hundred million."

"Do you have two hundred million?"

"If I did, I would."

The elevator arrived at the fifth floor.

I parted with the PR team employees and entered the office, where Seo Jijoon and Director Lee Bongjoon were already waiting. There was still nearly an hour until the scheduled appointment.

Seo Jijoon looked nervous as he spoke.

"Team Leader. Did you read the scenario?"

"I did."

"And? How is it?"

I pulled the scenario from my bag.

It was the work that had kept me awake all night.

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