Chapter 126: Confrontation

As I shot back at Kim Dong-Soo in informal speech, his face turned red with rage.

"Y-you...what did you just say to me?"

"I said you'd be dead before you could touch my people."

We were close enough to hear each other's heavy breathing. I could see the veins in Kim Dong-Soo's bloodshot eyes.

Swoosh!

At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo suddenly grabbed my collar as he was unable to control his anger.

"Have you actually lost your mind!? Who do you think you're talking to!?"

Kim Dong-Soo's aggressive behavior made my heart race.

I thought to myself, '

Should I hit him? Just one punch. Yes—just one punch. I could argue it was self-defense.

'

With that thought, I clenched my right fist and aimed for Kim Dong-Soo's jaw right in front of me.

But at that moment, I noticed the blue recording light blinking on Kim Dong-Soo's car's dashcam.

The hot blood rushing through me cooled instantly. If I had swung my fist, it would have been recorded by that dashcam and I could get in big trouble.

I relaxed my fist after a moment of hesitation. But I had no intention of just standing there while he grabbed my collar.

Thwack!

I raised my hands and struck down hard on Kim Dong-Soo's wrist grabbing my collar.

"

Keuk!

" Kim Dong-Soo grimaced and rubbed his wrists.

"You better watch how you talk to me. It's unpleasant to hear," I said coldly.

Kim Dong-Soo gritted his teeth and growled.

Grind!

"You really wanna test my limit, huh? Don't you know that getting rid of someone like you would be no trouble at all if I set my mind to it?" Kim Dong-Soo said threateningly.

'

I know what you're capable of doing.

'

No one knew more about Kim Dong-Soo than I did. On the other hand, Kim Dong-Soo neither knew much about me nor the things that I was aware of.

When Kim Dong-Soo tried to threaten to fire me, I gave him a warning in a low voice. "March 17th, Executive Kim Moon-Sung from Yesung Industries. April 5th, Director Yoo Jin-Hyuk from Jinah Planning. May 12th, Director Chae In-Ho from Hanos Production. Do these ring a bell?"

As I listed the past schedules, Kim Dong-Soo's previously bold face instantly turned pale.

What I had just mentioned were the names of executives that Kim Dong-Soo solicited and tried to bribe that I had learned about while acting as Kim Dong-Soo's driver in my past life.

"You, you..."

Kim Dong-Soo's hands began to tremble. He must have thought mentioning Yoo Jin's name and threatening me would make me kneel, but he was sorely mistaken.

"I'm warning you—and this is just the beginning. If any of my people get hurt, I'll blow up everything done by the actors in Actor Division 3 along with what you've done," I gave a stern warning.

Kim Dong-Soo was seething with anger but had no choice but to keep his mouth shut.

At that moment, I realized that the Kim Dong-Soo, whom I had thought was so formidable, was actually nothing significant. Kim Dong-Soo was no match in front of my decade's worth of experience and my planner.

I straightened my disheveled clothes and looked directly at Kim Dong-Soo. "Have you got anything else to say?"

Unable to speak, Kim Dong-Soo just trembled. It felt like I had just lit a fuse on a time bomb, but I had no regrets. As long as he didn't find out the extent of what I knew, my warning would definitely put a brake on his actions.

I took a deep breath, returned to my calm demeanor before the confrontation, and spoke calmly.

"Then I'll be heading in first, Mr. Kim."

I headed for the elevator in the underground parking lot after politely bowing to Kim Dong-Soo.

As the elevator doors closed, I could see Kim Dong-Soo standing there like a soulless figure, still in shock.

***

Kim Dong-Soo couldn't come to his senses.

After all, what Jung Yoon-Ho had mentioned earlier involved highly confidential arrangements between corporate executives and aspiring trainees.

"H-how could that punk know about this?"

Kim Dong-Soo was already aware that Jung Yoon-Ho had a good understanding of Actor Division 3 actors. But he had no idea that Jung Yoon-Ho even knew about those secret deals.

He was so shocked that he felt chills down his spine and his hair stood on end. However, he couldn't sit back and do nothing. Kim Dong-Soo needed to find a way to deal with Jung Yoon-Ho.

Kim Dong-Soo narrowed down the possibilities of how Jung Yoon-Ho could have learned about the meeting dates to two: eavesdropping or betrayal.

To address the first possibility, Kim Dong-Soo tried to calm his racing heart and picked up the phone.

-

Ha ha

. What makes you call me today? Miss me?

The nasal voice from the other end of the phone irritated Kim Dong-Soo.

"Jin So-Mi! I'm not in the mood for jokes right now!"

-

Tsk

. Fine. What is it?

"Do you know someone who can detect eavesdropping devices?"

-Of course I do. But you know you could get that hidden camera criminal guy to do it, right? Is it something urgent? If it's urgent, I can call someone I know.

"Are you saying that guy can detect eavesdropping?"

-Yes. He's pretty skilled. Good at stealing, cracking safes, and all.

"Great. But when did you say he'd be available?"

-He'll be out in two days at 5 in the morning.

"Got it. I'm hanging up now."

Fortunately, he wouldn't need to find someone new. After hanging up on the grumbling Jin So-Mi, he immediately called Ju Ho-Sung.

"Team Lead Ju, where are you right now?”

-I'm currently at A-Lab in Nonhyeon-dong, having a drink with Mr. Cha Tae-Hoon.

Ju Ho-Sung reported that he was consoling Cha Tae-Hoon, who had been dropped from the audition by pouring him whiskey.

"Then get a designated driver to send Cha Tae-Hoon home and come to the office immediately."

-Right now? But if I send him off like this, Mr. Cha might...

"This is more important!"

-I understand, Mr. Kim.

Kim Dong-Soo took out a cigarette after hanging up the call, but for some reason, the usually pleasant smoke felt harsh today.

"

Ugh

! Damn it!"

Irritated for no reason, Kim Dong-Soo threw the cigarette he was smoking onto the ground. The cigarette butt bounced on the blue urethane floor and emitted a red glow.

After stomping out the cigarette butt, Kim Dong-Soo thought about how to crush Jung Yoon-Ho.

"How dare this insolent brat challenge me?"

It was Kim Dong-Soo's style to return any blow tenfold. If he had been the type to give up just because the opponent was tough, he wouldn't have made it this far.

"Alright. Let's see who falls first."

As his startled heart calmed down, Kim Dong-Soo's competitive spirit began to flare up.

***

I went up to the director's office and reported that Lee Tae-Poong had secured the lead role in

Beyond the Boundary.

Hearing the report, Kang Ji-Yung's face brightened and she said, "I was hoping, but I didn't expect him to actually win against Cha Tae-Hoon. As expected from Assistant Manager Jung."

"It wasn't me. It was possible all thanks to Tae-Poong who survived a week on just water and salt."

Kang Ji-Yung winked and suggested that it was thanks to me anyway. "But it was you who brought Mr. Tae-Poong to our company, wasn't it?"

"You're too kind, Ms. Kang."

After finishing the report to Kang Ji-Yung, I handed the draft contract to Kwak Moo-Hyuk.

Then I shared the threats I had received from Kim Dong-Soo in the underground parking lot.

Kang Ji-Yung's face froze. "Chief Kim...said that to you?"

But she quickly regained her composure with her eyes flashing like a predator's.

'

Thinking of how to fight back after only a few seconds of worry...well, that's Kang Ji-Yung for you.

'

"So? What did you do?"

"I sternly warned him not to threaten me."

I didn't tell Kang Ji-Yung that I knew about Kim Dong-Soo's future because I had no evidence to prove my words. And Kim Dong-Soo couldn't be ousted without solid evidence. After all, this company was fundamentally established with Suhyaejong's capital.

Gu Seong-Cheol, who had been listening beside Kang Ji-Yung, joined the conversation with a serious look.

"Ms. Kang. Are we just going to watch Chief Kim make his moves?"

The fuming Kang Ji-Yung shook her head. "Of course not. We have to fight. If he's targeting Assistant Manager Jung who's part of my team, he's essentially targeting me."

Her lips were tightly pursed and her expression was filled with determination. Kang Ji-Yung started giving orders immediately.

"Assistant Manager Jung, report anything related to Kim Dong-Soo's movements from now on."

"Yes, Ms. Kang."

"And sunbae Gu. You know that Suhyaejong's line is grooming Singer Division 1 and Actor Division 3 to push us out, right?"

"I know," Gu Seong-Cheol replied.

"We need to retaliate. We'll funnel more funds into Actor Division 2 and Singer Division 2, so consult with Mr. Lee Dong-Min and try to beef up our lineup this year."

Gu Seong-Cheol nodded. "Okay."

I was about to offer my help in recruiting more talent, but Kang Ji-Yung beat me to it.

"And Assistant Manager Jung, please help Sunbae Gu out. There hasn't been anyone you've taken on who's failed, right? Whether it's an actor or a singer, bring them in if you find them good."

"I got it," I replied.

Fortunately, I had someone in mind to bring on board around this time.

'

Kang Ha-Na

.'

Being one of the members of Faithful, she would appear on audition show

Global Produce 47

next month. She would compete with her own songs but get eliminated during the competition due to her unique vocal tone which was deemed unsuitable for an idol.

However, six months later after signing with Singer Division 1 of Hoop Entertainment, she would post a song she had written and composed on MeTube and cause a sensation. With 100 million MeTube views in just a year, Kang Ha-Na would grow into a major singer upon debut.

I planned to bring her to Singer Division 2 this time.

***

At Lee Ji-Yeon's villa located in the upscale neighborhood of Hannam-dong, Lee Ji-Yeon revealed the true meaning behind the new character 'Manshin Wol-Ah' in

In the Name of God

, created specifically for Yoo-Jin.

Yoo-Jin, who was sipping coffee, was astonished. "A dual role?"

"Yes, Yoo-Jin. I believe you can definitely do it."

Lee Ji-Yeon was confident. She believed Yoo-Jin could simultaneously play the roles of the young shaman 'Cheong-Myung', aged 25, and the elderly 'Wol-Ah', aged 65.

I asked writer Lee Ji-Yeon who was smiling confidently, "But isn't that a bit too much, even for her? Yoo-Jin has only started acting seriously for just over five months."

I flattered Lee Ji-Yeon by unwrapping the traditional Korean sweets I had brought as a gift, but she was firm.

"I know you're a competent guy, but do you think you're better than me at recognizing talent in actors?"

"But still..."

"Have a little more faith in your actress. Yoo-Jin is a much better actress than you think."

Actors who took on dual roles always became the center of attention. There was a case where a perennial supporting actor, who played a dual role in the legendary daily drama

The Wife's Seduction

by just adding a mole on his face, became a top star.

'

But there's no guarantee it would be the case with Yoo-Jin.

'

The fact that one of the dual roles Yoo-Jin was supposed to play was a person in their sixties continued to bother me.

Yoo-Jin, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up with a trembling voice.

"Ma'am, I'm not sure about this."

"Don't worry too much. Do you think I would entrust this to you without any thought? Kim Soo-Hee unnie agreed to help," Lee Ji-Yeon replied assuringly.

"Mrs. Kim Soo-Hee?" Yoo-Jin asked.

That reminded me, there was one precedent where a young woman playing an old lady became a topic of conversation.

40 years ago, Kim Soo-Hee played the role of 'Sam-Ryong's Granny' in the blockbuster hit drama

Rural Life

that recorded legendary viewership ratings of over 40% and completely fooled the entire nation into believing she was an actual elderly woman.

The viewers of the drama were all convinced she was a real old lady even though the actor Jung Eun-Soo, who played her son Sam-Ryong, was actually two years her sunbae.

"Yes. The unparalleled Kim Soo-Hee unnie has agreed to assist Yoo-Jin in her elderly role. Still think you can't do it?" Lee Ji-Yeon asked.

With Kim Soo-Hee's help, the idea of Yoo-Jin taking on a dual role started to seem plausible. After some consideration, I eventually agreed with Lee Ji-Yeon's suggestion. After all, it was a potentially groundbreaking plan if it succeeded.

"Yoo-Jin, let's give it a try. Both Ms. Lee and Mrs. Kim have already made so many preparations for you."

After much contemplation, Yoo-Jin finally nodded. "...Okay. I'll give it a try."

The moment Yoo-Jin decided to take on the dual role, a brilliant idea flashed through my mind.

"Ms. Lee."

"What is it?"

"How many people know about Yoo-Jin taking on a dual role?"

"Just us, the PD, and Soo-Hee unnie. Oh, and I mentioned it while having a drink with Soll-Ip. But why do you ask?"

"Well..."

A moment later, Lee Ji-Yeon made an amused expression after listening to my plan.

"This could really turn Korea upside down if we play our cards right. Couldn't it?”