Chapter 737: White Day (1)

Actor Division 1 at Hoop Entertainment had always been the core team since the company's founding, holding the most important position. The top actors were always part of Actor Division 1 and most of the company's profits came from there. As a result, the company's direction always aligned with Actor Division 1.

However, everything changed after my regression.

Bang Sang-Yung, who led Actor Division 1, was kicked out of the company and several actors moved over to Actor Division 2. As a result, Actor Division 1's status had fallen to the point where it now rivaled that of Actor Division 2, led by Gu Seong-Cheol.

Perhaps out of frustration, Chief Choi Eun-Seok, a graduate of Suhyaejong who led Actor Division 1, joined forces with others from the same background at Guanwoo Entertainment and opposed everything I tried to do.

But at this very moment, Choi Eun-Seok was reaching out to me, claiming to speak on behalf of all Actor Division 1 talent agents. He said we should now stand together on the same side. It was the moment all my prior efforts finally started to pay off.

Still, I couldn't trust his words at face value after everything that had happened.

I masked my joy and acted surprised. "Why the sudden change, Mr. Choi?"

Choi Eun-Seok let out a long sigh. "To be honest, I thought we could handle things just fine even after Director Bang left the company. But when Jo Min-Sung moved to Actor Division 2, that's when it hit me.

Ah

, so this really isn't the same Actor Division 1 anymore."

Choi Eun-Seok lowered his head, tapping the ground with the toe of his shoe as if struggling to go on. Then he took a deep breath and looked up at me.

"So here's the thing... I want to bring our team back to what it used to be. I'd like your help with that, Chief Jung. You know, right? Even if our Actor Division 1 team leads all came from Suhyaejong, Hoop Entertainment is everything to them."

Choi Eun-Seok had spent most of his career as a talent agent at Hoop. And while the other Actor Division 1 team leads were also Suhyaejong graduates, Hoop had been their very first company. That was why, back when Kim Dong-Soo led Actor Division 3 and used the Suhyaejong network to confront Kang Gam-Chan and other executives, they hadn't chosen a side.

There was no sign of falsehood in Choi Eun-Seok's tone or eyes, but I still couldn't jump to agree. The Choi Eun-Seok I knew was more pragmatic than anyone. In other words, there had to be another reason—a more practical one.

"Is that all there is to it?" I asked.

Choi Eun-Seok answered in a flat tone. "No. There's no point hiding anything at this stage. To be blunt, we're lining up behind you. Because it seems like you're going to be the future of Hoop Entertainment."

"The future?"

"Yeah. Everyone opposed bringing Jang So-Yeon in, but you made her a hit as soon as she joined. With skills like that, there's nothing you can't do. And now that Mr. Chairman plans to give you shares, you'll become a major shareholder too. In other words, we're joining the Jung faction."

𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

The idea of people lining up behind me was a bit unsettling. However, Choi Eun-Seok's plan had a critical flaw. I had no intention of moving up the ranks.

"Even though I have no plans to get promoted?"

"You're... not going to? Why not?"

"I was given the chief title early because I wanted to work without upper-level interference. It wasn't just about promotion."

Choi Eun-Seok looked visibly taken aback by the unexpected answer. "S-So you mean you're planning to stay a chief for the time being?"

"Well, that might change someday, but for now I'm not looking to move up. Still, will you stand with me?"

In a company like Hoop Entertainment, most managing directors were busy schmoozing with other firms or broadcast executives. Yet I much preferred personally managing my entertainers, just as I was doing now. And from this position, I could change more lives than ever.

Choi Eun-Seok hesitated for a moment before looking at me. "Chief Jung. It might be awkward to ask at a time like this, but I have one question."

"Yes. Go ahead."

"Then... are you thinking of going independent?"

He must have assumed my lack of ambition meant I had plans to start my own thing.

I gave a relaxed smile and replied firmly. "I like Hoop Entertainment; Mr. Gu and Mr. Kang took care of me when I had nothing. And you too, Mr. Choi—back when I was living in that tiny studio, you got scolded by your wife for buying me a vacuum cleaner. I want to hold on to those memories I made at Hoop."

Even though I had grown distant from Choi Eun-Seok, he had visited my place not long after I joined the company. Back then, he handed me a small vacuum cleaner, saying he had won it in a giveaway then left without another word.

It wasn't until much later that I learned the truth. He had known I was an orphan and secretly bought it for me without telling his wife. Apparently, he got caught when she saw the receipt and ended up getting scolded for it.

And it wasn't just Choi Eun-Seok who helped me. The other Actor Division 1 team leads had also given me little things like coffee, a meal, small gifts.

"Just because of... that?"

"What do you mean? It was the first time since leaving the orphanage that anyone ever showed me kindness or paid attention to me. Back then, that meant everything to me."

It was those small gestures from the staff that helped me endure the tough life of a talent agent. That attention and warmth from back then were priceless to me.

Just then, the elevator arrived empty.

Ding.

The doors opened, but Choi Eun-Seok didn't step in. He just stared at me. The doors slowly closed again.

Ding.

The sound seemed to trigger something in him, because Choi Eun-Seok lowered his head. "I'm sorry, Chief Jung."

Caught off guard by the sudden apology, I reached out and helped him up. "Please, raise your head. What's gotten into you?"

Choi Eun-Seok looked remorseful. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I didn't know you cared about Hoop Entertainment this much. I thought you were just another guy chasing success.

Sigh

... If I'd known how attached you were to this company, I would've had this conversation a long time ago."

"I should've spoken up first. I apologize."

"No, no. I'm the sunbae here. It's my fault for not reaching out. But hearing how you feel, it makes me want to ask you even more to take us in. Our Actor Division 1 team leads may have lost their way for a moment, but we all want to protect Hoop. If it's not too late, please take us in."

Trust didn't build overnight. But without reaching out, it was never built at all.

So I reached out to Choi Eun-Seok first. "All right, Mr. Choi. But it's not about taking you in. We're moving forward together. What do you say?"

Choi Eun-Seok clasped my hand firmly. Our joined hands were full of resolve.

"Got it. Then let's do this together."

"Yes, sir."

And just like that, Actor Division 1—the division with the most actors in the company—chose our side.

Ding.

The elevator returned and opened with a chime.

"Chief Jung. Shall we head up?"

"Yes, Mr. Choi."

I stepped into the elevator with my new ally, Choi Eun-Seok, ready for the White Day morning meeting.

That's when Choi Eun-Seok flashed a sly smile and said, "Just wait. You're going to love today's meeting."

'

Huh? What the heck is he planning?

'

***

Kang Gam-Chan entered the meeting room. The first thing he did was hand out White Day gifts to the female chiefs and team leads.

"Just a reminder to not give the actresses or staff some half-baked chocolates. Make sure it's something decent. Problems always start from the little things."

"Yes, sir.."

Then Kang Gam-Chan turned to me. "Chief Jung, how's the wedding prep going for Haru's mother this afternoon?"

"It's all taken care of, sir. There's no need to worry."

"Good. Being a talent agent isn't just about the broadcasts. You've got to take care of your talent's personal affairs too. Never forget that the basics matter most."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"And... Thanks for all the work getting Jang So-Yeon launched as a model yesterday."

With a look of approval, Kang Gam-Chan reaffirmed that I had made the right call. At that moment, the faces of those who had opposed bringing Jang So-Yeon in twisted in silent defeat.

I dropped the final blow on everyone who had opposed bringing Jang So-Yeon in. "

Oh

, and next week, So-Yeon's face will be up on the outdoor billboard at Daechon Department Store's Samseong Station branch as a Louis' Batton model."

"Wait, what? There?"

The meeting room immediately broke into a stir. The billboard outside the Samseong branch of Daechon Department Store was the most high-profile advertising spot available. Only top-tier celebrities ever made it up there. And now, a rookie like Jang So-Yeon was about to appear on it.

"Well, damn. Chief Jung brought us a lucky charm!

Hahaha

. Great job. Seriously, well done."

"Thank you."

That's when Chief Ju Ho-Sung of Actor Division 3, bitter as ever, piped up with a jab. "Not to spoil the mood... but I heard Jang So-Yeon has issues on her mother's side too, not just her adoptive father, Detective Jang Bok-Gil. You're prepared for that, right?"

I didn't know how Ju Ho-Sung found out, but he was clearly aware of the shady rumors surrounding Jang So-Yeon's mother.

Even before the regression, her mother had used Jang So-Yeon's name to borrow money and commit fraud. Now that Jang So-Yeon was in the spotlight again, there was every chance something similar could happen.

I was about to assure everyone I had contingencies in place, but Choi Eun-Seok suddenly raised his voice and jumped in for me. "Hey, Chief Ju. So what? Are you saying we should drop Jang So-Yeon now?"

Ju Ho-Sung blinked in surprise, staring at Choi Eun-Seok. They had been on the same side until now, attacking me together. And suddenly, Choi Eun-Seok was defending me.

"Mr. Choi? What's this all of a sudden..."

"‘All of a sudden, my ass! Cut the backhanded sniping. You really think Chief Jung didn't prepare for that level of risk?"

Not just Ju Ho-Sung, but all the team leads and chiefs from Gwanwoo Entertainment looked utterly stunned. But it didn't stop there.

Team Lead Kang Do-Woon from Actor Division 1 backed Choi Eun-Seok up. "Maybe those who weren't at the scene don't know, but the moment Ms. Jang So-Yeon stepped in, every brand rep turned to look at her. We should protect someone this talented as a company."

Team Lead Woo Ji-Hyun, the female lead of Actor Division 1, chimed in too. "I checked the article comments. The positive reactions were overwhelming, especially from women. The potential is massive. If we let someone like her go, we'd deserve to be called idiots."

And then Team Lead Jeon In-Gyo added the final punch. "Since when did Hoop Entertainment start shaking in its boots over celebrities' families? When Mr. Kang started the company with just Actor Division 1 and Singer Division 1, he only looked for talent. He took on everything else without complaint. Have we grown so big that we've forgotten our roots?"

Choi Eun-Seok and all of Actor Division 1 were now openly standing behind me. When he said to look forward to the meeting, he must've meant

a public show of support from the entire division like this.

Kang Gam-Chan noticed immediately that Choi Eun-Seok had switched sides, and burst out laughing. "

Hahaha!

Looks like Chief Choi and the Actor Division 1 team leads finally opened their eyes."

Choi Eun-Seok and the others bowed their heads. "Yes. We finally did. We apologize, sir."

"No, no. It's fine. Better late than never.

Hahaha!

"

On that White Day morning, Actor Division 1 officially broke away from the Suhyaejong faction and was being absorbed into Kang Gam-Chan's line.

With only two weeks left until the IPO, the momentum was swinging hard in our favor.

***

After the meeting, I drove Yoo-Jin and Miso to Suwon.

The Suwon Royal Wedding Hall had a tall outer wall about three meters high with rows of trees over ten meters tall lining the perimeter. Unless someone flew a drone, it was impossible to get a shot of the ceremony inside. Frustrated, the reporters at the entrance let out heavy sighs.

With help from the security team, I guided us inside the venue. Then Yoo-Jin and Miso, sitting in the back seat, suddenly broke into a strange song. Their faces were tragic as if mourning a lost nation.

"Candy~ Candy~ Where is our White Day candy~?"

"It's gone~ It's gone~ Uncle Yoon-Ho didn't bring us any~"

"Then what~ Then what~ Are we supposed to do now~?"

"Don't know~ Don't know~ Miso's heart is breaking~"

Yoo-Jin and Miso traded verses like they were in a musical.

I turned off the engine and spoke to them. "I told you, your candy is custom-made and on the way. It'll get here tonight. And don't act all pitiful, now. Our fans sent over a whole truckload of candy. Cut the act. It's too real."

The special candy gifts I had ordered for them needed a bit more time to be made, so they wouldn't arrive until later tonight. Since I hadn't given them anything yet, Yoo-Jin and Miso had been goofing around, putting on tragic expressions like they were starring in a melodrama. It was so convincing that my heart nearly dropped.

The two of them giggled and said, "Just kidding!"

If they pulled a stunt like that twice, I would never survive it.

Unable to take it any longer, I handed over some lollipops I had brought as backup. "Here, have these for now!"

Only after accepting the candy did Yoo-Jin and Miso finally quiet down. "Okay!"

With the two pacified, we headed into the wedding hall. Inside, some guests stirred when they saw Yoo-Jin. We ignored the murmurs and made our way to the reception table.

On the groom's side—Director Kim Chul-Soo's side—there were several of his male friends. On the bride Natalia's side, Sae-Ri's dad sat in a suit.

Sae-Ri's dad greeted me as I approached. "Mr. Jung. I'm glad you could make it."

Today, with Haru's mom having no family of her own, not only Sae-Ri's family but the entire neighborhood had shown up in support.

"Yes, sir. I'll go check on Haru and get ready for MC."

"Of course."

After handing over the gift envelope, Yoo-Jin turned to Sae-Ri's dad and asked, "Excuse me, where's Natalia unnie?"

"She's in the bridal room. Go on in. Haru's there too, and so is Sae-Ri's mom."

I took Yoo-Jin and Miso with me toward the bridal room. Inside, Natalia sat on an elegant crimson chair. Dressed in a pure white wedding gown, she looked like a model. She was breathtakingly beautiful.

Miso's jaw dropped as she exclaimed, "Wow! Auntie Natalia, you look like a queen from a fairytale!"

The compliment brought a smile to Natalia's face, which had been tense with nerves. "Thank you, Miso."

Seeing her finally smiling after everything she had been through made the corners of my own mouth lift.

Yoo-Jin offered her congratulations too, and they were chatting happily when Natalia looked around and asked, "Um, could I ask everyone to give me a moment? Haru, you too."

'

Even Haru? What's she trying to say

?'