Chapter 702: Haze Audition (4)

Even someone as good-natured as Han Yoo-Sik couldn't hold back once Hwang Jin-Seo brought up rumors of a pre-selected casting.

"Mr. Hwang! That's way out of line! Pre-selected casting? The audition isn't even over yet. What kind of nonsense is that?"

Han Yoo-Sik's voice rose, but Hwang Jin-Seo scoffed. "Oh, come on. Am I wrong? You rearranged the order of the auditions out of nowhere, didn't you? And now you're telling me my acting isn't even on par with Park Sang-Gyu's? President Han, your judgment is seriously lacking, don't you think?"

The truth was, Hwang Jin-Seo himself had asked to go earlier due to a personal schedule. Now he was ignoring that and insisting the role had already been decided, lashing out at everyone. It was absolutely absurd, given that everyone at the scene could see Park Sang-Gyu had delivered the stronger performance.

At that moment, the entertainment reporters were the only ones enjoying themselves, their fingers clicking away at their keyboards. Some even mumbled under their breath, hoping for fists to fly.

-If President Han and a veteran actor start brawling, that's gonna be huge... are they fighting yet?

'

Such hyenas...a lot of them.

'

However, if Han Yoo-Sik actually got into a fight with Hwang Jin-Seo, the drama would be tainted before it even started. So I stepped in right away.

"Mr. Hwang. Are you really asking who lacks judgment here?"

Hwang Jin-Seo snapped his head toward me. "What did you say?"

"You were the one who completely misread the character and just shouted your way through God Wolryeong. You ignored your partner actor and performed solo. That level of acting isn't enough to be demanding anything from Mr. Han."

Park Sang-Gyu also had limited prep time, yet his performance came together far better than Hwang Jin-Seo's. He had experience playing countless roles in quick succession during his time in the theater. Even if it was last-minute, he still pulled it off. After all, the audition scene was predetermined.

Hwang Jin-Seo, on the other hand, probably skimmed the script at best, relying solely on his career and raw fundamentals. His recent decline in performance had just as much to do with that kind of laziness.

Apparently irritated by my words hitting a sore spot, Hwang Jin-Seo bared his teeth and came at me. "What gives a talent agent the right to talk about character analysis or performance chemistry? You think you know more about acting than I do?"

Hwang Jin-Seo tried to crush me with his sixty years of career weight, but I didn't blink. "Do I have to act to see what's right in front of me?"

"Wow, listen to this little punk. Jung Yoon-Ho. Don't think I don't know you're trying to rig this whole thing for that half-baked rookie Park Sang-Gyu just because you two are close."

It was true I helped Park Sang-Gyu get a shot at the role, but I never believed he was guaranteed to get it. The final call belonged to the production team of Mirinae.

And there was a huge problem with Hwang Jin-Seo's so-called 'pre-selection theory.' The role of God Wolryeong wasn't a lead. It was a supporting character—more precisely, a villain.

In this business, it was not even considered strange for a director to pre-select a role like that. Put another way, if the production truly wanted someone, they wouldn't need an audition at all just like how Miso had been cast as God Illyeong without ever auditioning.

"Mr. Hwang. Are we casting a lead here?"

"What...?"

"You're going on about this much over a supporting role? If Mr. Han really had someone in mind, there wouldn't even be an audition."

The reporters started murmuring. They knew I wasn't wrong.

"T-that's..."

While Hwang Jin-Seo faltered, I calmly walked up to him. I lowered my voice so only he could hear.

"Mr. Hwang. If you keep this up, I might have to drop a little story in tomorrow's news about your affair with the madam of Red Eyes and your private gambling at an illegal casino."

Hwang Jin-Seo, who had maintained a forty-year marriage, was secretly involved with the madam of a high-end club in Gangnam, twenty years younger than him. Then about a year from now, the truth about him deceiving his family for years and living in a semi-cohabitation with a much younger woman would eventually be exposed, and he would end up paying an enormous divorce settlement.

The moment I brought up the fact that up, Hwang Jin-Seo's face began to pale. "How... how do you know that, Chief Jung?"

"You don't need to know that part."

Hwang Jin-Seo's arrogant expression started to shift.

"When I mentioned gambling, did you really think I only meant overseas junkets? If you'd stepped back quietly, I would've let you leave with some dignity. Instead, here you are, trying to trample an eight-year-old. Don't you have any shame?"

I looked at Hwang Jin-Seo with pure contempt and continued whispering. Part of me wanted to expose everything to the press right then and there. Still, with all the enemies I was already dealing with, I figured I would give him one last chance.

That was when Hwang Jin-Seo suddenly grabbed my arm. "Chief Jung, wait. Just a moment. Calm down. Let's talk."

The man who had been so aggressive now spoke with a desperate tone.

"Why are you doing this now?"

"If you don't blow up my secret, I've got something to tell you too. I didn't come here today on my own. Someone put me up to this. Do you really think I'd throw a fit over some supporting role just because I felt like it?"

'

So that's what it was.

'

Even if he had faded from the spotlight, it made no sense for someone like Hwang Jin-Seo to risk everything like this.

"Who sent you?" I asked.

"First calm the reporters down. In return, promise you won't say a word about what you just mentioned."

"Fine. Start by telling them this was all a misunderstanding."

"Yeah, yeah. I will."

Hwang Jin-Seo ended our whispering, relaxed his stiff face, and then smiled at me before bowing politely.

"Sorry about all this. Seems I jumped to conclusions. I sincerely apologize."

The reporters tilted their heads, confused by the sudden change.

"Mr. Hwang, what did he say to you?"

Wearing an awkward smile, Hwang Jin-Seo turned to the reporters. "Nothing much. I just misunderstood after hearing Chief Jung's explanation. I overreacted, that's all."

As the reporters exchanged skeptical glances, he tried to add a bit more.

"I guess I was overcompensating. Honestly, getting upstaged by a rookie hit a nerve. Anyway, is there any way we can skip writing about this? If you can keep today quiet, I'll make it worth your while."

The reporters hesitated for a moment. Soon enough, they agreed after deciding that being treated to a proper feast is worth keeping quiet about the day's event.

"Alright. It's not like we want to stir things up on day one of a drama audition."

Nods came from all directions.

After thanking them, Hwang Jin-Seo turned to Han Yoo-Sik and bowed deeply. "Sorry, President Han. I... went too far."

Han Yoo-Sik nodded with a stiff expression. "

Ahem

... It's fine."

Once the situation was under control, Hwang Jin-Seo leaned in and whispered to me. "You know Park Hyung-Moon, right? One of Hoop Entertainment's shareholders."

"Yes."

"He told me to come here and stir up trouble today. In return, he promised me the lead in a big-budget historical film he's investing in. Honestly, I wasn't keen on this either... but a lead role at my age? That kind of offer doesn't come around often."

This was unbelievable. Park Hyung-Moon and the shareholders siding with Choi Man-Sik were trying to sabotage Hoop Entertainment's stock listing. I was tempted to leak the story immediately, but someone like Park Hyung-Moon wouldn't be careless enough to leave behind evidence.

So I gave Hwang Jin-Seo one clear instruction. "Understood. I'll keep your secret. Just make sure you tell Park Hyung-Moon the plan failed."

"Yeah, of course. I will."

Hwang Jin-Seo forced a smile, then quickly disappeared with his TK Entertainment talent agent.

And just to be sure, I checked Everyday.

[EveryDay V13]

[Date: July 3, 2022]

-10:00 p.m. Washed-up top star Hwang Jin-Seo. Secret second household exposed, sudden divorce, massive settlement payout.

As expected, Hwang Jin-Seo's fate hadn't changed. After all, people's behavior and destiny weren't things that shifted so easily.

***

After Hwang Jin-Seo fled the set under the excuse of having another schedule, the remaining actors continued their auditions for the role of God Wolryeong. Even among the seasoned actors in their sixties, very few could match Miso's rhythm and energy.

Just as I was thinking of ways to counteract Park Hyung-Moon's sabotage, the lead actress of

Haze

, Ju Yung-In, arrived. She was originally scheduled to observe the auditions for the islanders, fishermen, and tourists at 3 p.m., but she showed up about thirty minutes early.

Since the auditions were still ongoing, Ju Yung-In quietly slipped in and approached from the back. She exchanged a brief nod with Park Sang-Gyu, who was standing beside me, then leaned in to ask me a question.

"Oppa, that's Mr. Park Sang-Gyu, right? The one who supposedly out-acted Mr. Hwang Jin-Seo?"

"Yeah."

"That's insane. Where do you even find actors like him?"

'

The future.

'

But of course, I couldn't say that, so I gave her a vague answer.

"There are great actors everywhere. They just don't always get the chance to prove it."

Ju Yung-In grinned. "Thanks to you, we've got another great addition to

Haze.

This drama is going to be a hit, isn't it?"

I simply gave a knowing smile.

Meanwhile, Miso's performance continued. Ju Yung-In turned her attention to the audition and began shaking her head in disbelief.

"Miso is only in first grade, and even veteran actors can't keep up with her. How far is she going to climb?"

Miso's expressions were becoming more vivid, fully embodying the character of God Illyeong. Ju Yung-In watched with a trace of competitiveness in her eyes. As for me, I was just cheering Miso on with all my heart.

'

You've got this, Miso

!!'

I cheered every time Miso finished a scene, and Ju Yung-In kept shaking her head as if she didn't know what to do with me. By the time the two-hour audition ended, there was no doubt in anyone's mind who had won the role of God Wolryeong.

Eventually, Han Yoo-Sik approached and whispered, "Mr. Sang-Gyu. Be ready for the script reading next week."

Park Sang-Gyu responded with a grin and a whisper of his own. "Yes, sir."

Relieved, I left Miso and Park Sang-Gyu at the audition site and headed for Hoop Entertainment nearby.

If Park Hyung-Moon was pulling strings behind today's disaster, then it was time to come up with a proper countermeasure.

***

In the president's office at Hoop Entertainment, I informed Kang Gam-Chan that Park Hyung-Moon had orchestrated an interference in the audition.

Kang Gam-Chan's face flushed red with anger. "I'll report this to Mr. Chairman and find out just how far those bastards have gotten."

"More importantly, sir, I don't think this is something we can just let slide."

"I agree. This must be a ploy to block the IPO."

I had the same thought. A single scandal before an IPO can tank the entire process. Even if a company puts its stock on the market, investors would hesitate to buy into a firm surrounded by unsettling rumors.

"Don't worry. We already anticipated something like this might happen, didn't we?"

As Kang Gam-Chan said, we had expected resistance—but not to this extent.

I said, "We'll need to step up our defenses."

"How?"

"We take away their leverage."

Park Hyung-Moon's company, True Angels, was an investment firm that focused on entertainment. If we could just get a list of companies they've invested in, we might be able to throw a serious wrench in their plans.

"Would it be possible to get a list of those investments?"

"Mr. Chairman would know."

I nodded and immediately called Choi Eun-Tae.

-Chief Jung? Is something going on?

Even just meeting with Kang Eun-Gi had already brightened Choi Eun-Tae's tone. When I briefly explained what had happened that day, his voice quickly turned sharp.

-That bastard Hyung-Moon, how dare he... don't worry. I'll take care of it.

"No, sir. I have an idea. But I'll need a list of the companies True Angels has invested in. That's the only way I can trap Park Hyung-Moon."

I knew a few subscription-based gossip outlets in the securities world that dealt in buying and selling insider info on celebrities.

If I went through them, I could seriously damage Park Hyung-Moon's investments. But first, I needed to find out which companies True Angels had invested in.

-

Hmm

...I'll have someone look into it and get back to you.

"I'd appreciate it if you could do it as quickly as possible."

-I'll get you something by tonight.

At that moment, Park Hyung-Moon's name was officially added to the list of people who had ruined their lives by crossing me.

'

Mr. Park, it's time you got a taste of Jung Yoon-Ho's spice.

'

***

The current time was 5 p.m.

I had brought Miso, Park Sang-Gyu, and Yeon So-Hee from the audition to a Korean BBQ restaurant called "Hanu-Hanu Dahanu," in front of Guro Hope Hospital.

While waiting to hear back from Myeongdong, I also wanted to treat Miso to a celebratory meal for starting elementary school. We didn't go to a fancy place in Apgujeong because afterward, I planned to visit Lee Sa-Yeon, who was hospitalized in the VIP ward at Hope Hospital.

The moment we settled into a private room, the first wave of articles started to go live.

[Genius child actress Jung Miso's next project is revealed to be KBC's special drama

Haze

!]

[Rising rookie cast in surprise move! Park Sang-Gyu lands the role of God Wolryeong!]

[Veteran actor Hwang Jin-Seo acknowledges the acting prowess of Park Sang-Gyu.]

[Director Na Tae-Yang's

Doppelgänger

press conference is set for March 7. The lead role goes to Park Sang-Gyu.]

As I was humming happily, the charcoal grill arrived.

Clunk.

The hot coals were placed on the table, then the grill rack was laid on top. Soon, fresh short ribs were laid over the fire.

Sssshhhh~

The juice from the S grade short ribs sizzled as it dripped onto the coals, releasing a rich, savory aroma. I started salivating without even realizing it.

"Meat~ meat~!" Miso grabbed the tongs and began dancing with excitement.

Just then, I heard a familiar voice coming from my phone. It was Yoo-Jin, shouting just like Miso.

-Meat~ meat~!

Yoo-Jin had started a video call and had been chanting for two minutes straight. At that moment, she suddenly shouted in urgency.

-Oppa! Flip it! Right now! Flip the meat, right now!!

Yoo-Jin, who had past part-time experience at a BBQ place, spoke with deadly seriousness. She knew exactly when to flip the meat.

"Okay, okay, got it."

I flipped the meat, and Miso followed suit.

Sssshhhh~

As we turned the marbled ribs, the seared grill marks formed a perfect crosshatch pattern. Just as Yoo-Jin said, they were cooked to absolute perfection.

'

But

...'

"Hello? Yoo-Jin? You're supposed to be filming right now. What are you doing watching us? Are we shooting a mukbang now? Am I a food streamer?"

Yoo-Jin, drooling on screen, replied.

-I don't care. I had to skip dinner because of the shoot. Everyone else had braised silver cutlassfish[1], but I didn't get any. So I'm going to enjoy this vicariously.

Yoo-Jin was currently on Jeju Island filming for

Hwaranjeon

, not in Gyeongju.

"When you come back, let's go eat it together. I'll treat you to the whole set."

-Really? Promise?

"Promise."

Right then, someone called Yoo-Jin over the phone.

-Miss Yoo-Jin, it's time to shoot!

-

Ugh

, they're calling me. Oppa, I'm going to go. Record the video and send it to me, okay?

With that absurd request, Yoo-Jin ended the call. Only then did I finally pick up my chopsticks. Just as I was about to enjoy my first bite, my phone rang again.

'

Ah, the life of a top star's talent agent...a simple meal is never simple

.'

"Who is it this time?"

I glanced at the screen and was taken aback.

[Caller ID: EBC PD Yang Tae-Ji]

It was PD Yang Tae-Ji from EBC's

Round & Round Friends!

, Miso's favorite educational show with a drawing segment.

I answered the call, wondering what this was about. At that moment, I was hit with a chilling proposal.

-Chief Jung. One of our slots opened up. Would you consider letting Miso appear on the drawing segment?

'

Miso... on a drawing show

?'

A cold sweat ran down my spine. This could be the greatest crisis of my life.

1.

Braised silver cutlassfish

☜