Chapter 785: Not You

The moment I heard that Min Gyu-Ri was coming to Hoop Entertainment, I was so shocked I had to ask again. "Wait a second, what did you just say?"

Min Gyu-Ri smiled sweetly and shrugged. "I told you. I'm going to Hoop Entertainment. The major shareholders at TNT Entertainment have no intention of keeping the company going, so if it goes bankrupt, my contract will naturally be voided."

Apparently, the Jin siblings of Jinseong Inc.—Jin Myung-Gyu and Jin Myung-Hee—had pulled out of TNT Entertainment the moment news broke that President Bang Sang-Yung had been arrested. At this rate, TNT Entertainment would be officially declared bankrupt in just a few days.

That was why stars like So Yi-Yung, who were still under TNT, were already planning their escape and setting up meetings with talent agents from other companies. Min Gyu-Ri had made contact with Hoop Entertainment.

"Hold on. I've never heard about this."

When scouting a high-profile actor like Min Gyu-Ri, there had to be an executive meeting, and only after President Kang Gam-Chan signed off could it be finalized. However, there hadn't even been an executive meeting yet and I hadn't heard a word about her joining us.

Min Gyu-Ri shrugged again. "

Oh

, Mr. Kim Jang-Bi personally came to scout me. He said he was going to tell Mr. Kim Gwan-Woo too, so isn't that basically a done deal?"

Recently, Min Gyu-Ri had ridden the popularity of

Hwaranjeon

to land a major ad campaign as the face of Clear Soju, the second-largest brand in the liquor industry. Her line in the ad"A glass of Gyu-Ri, please" paired with a cute pose had become a viral catchphrase, and her value was skyrocketing beyond belief.

Because of that, Director Kim Jang-Bi, a former talent agent at Gwanwoo Entertainment, had approached her directly to bring her into Hoop Entertainment. Min Gyu-Ri was confident in the move, saying the matter would be reported to Vice President Kim Gwan-Woo.

However, she wouldn't be able to join Hoop Entertainment as long as I was around.

"So you're not officially with us yet. I thought—"

Just then, Min Gyu-Ri formed a little cup shape with her hand like she was holding a shot glass, winked with her left eye, and reenacted a scene from the commercial. "Oh come on~ Like you'd really reject me? I'm Min Gyu-Ri. Don't you know how hot I am right now?"

But I answered by quoting Kang Gam-Chan. "Have you ever heard the saying, it's not over until it's over?"

"Nope!"

"Well, then this is a great opportunity to learn that such a saying exists."

Ever since the regression, I have given most people a second chance. Nevertheless, Min Gyu-Ri was an exception.. It wasn't because she was the reason for my death before the regression, but it was because she was simply the best liar I had ever known.

Just as I turned to leave knowing nothing more needed to be said, Min Gyu-Ri grabbed my arm.

Grab.

Min Gyu-Ri stared straight into my eyes and asked, "Mr. Jung, why do you hate me so much?"

At that moment, Yoo-Jin, who was standing nearby, flared up and glared at Min Gyu-Ri. "Hey, Min Gyu-Ri. Who said you could grab oppa's arm? Let go!"

Yoo-Jin smacked Min Gyu-Ri's hand off my arm. It seemed she was worried I would get accused of rough behavior and possibly get sued.

"It's fine, Yoo-Jin."

I calmed the furious Yoo-Jin down and then looked directly at Min Gyu-Ri.

To be objective, Min Gyu-Ri was beautiful and cute. She also had a sexy charm. On top of that, her acting skills were leagues above her peers and she had that undeniable aura of a star. She was the kind of talent any talent agent would want.

However, there was a saying—sometimes talent is poison. She believed in her talent too much, lived on her own terms, and treated talent agents like servants. Especially after getting involved with sponsors, she started ignoring both the company and the networks altogether.

She might not have caused any trouble yet because she was still new, but now that she was gaining popularity, it was only a matter of time. I knew Min Gyu-Ri far too well, so I gave a clear answer. She was not someone who would ever change.

"You asked why I don't like you, right?"

"Yes!"

"Let me ask you the opposite. Why should I like you?"

"What?"

"You don't respect your sunbae actors and you treat your talent agent like a servant... I can't think of a single reason why I should like you."

Maybe Min Gyu-Ri had never heard anyone say they disliked her to her face, because she snapped. "An actor just needs to be popular and make money! Don't you know I'm ranked number one as the most promising next-generation actress? Sure, I'm still a bit behind Jung Yoo-Jin now, but soon I'll be the top star. Why do you hate me?"

It wasn't impossible for her to become the next big thing. Yet to get there, she needed a talent agent who would cover up her messes. Someone like I used to be before my regression. Without a talent agent like that, she was just a ticking time bomb.

I scoffed and said, "Don't kid yourself. As long as I'm around, there's no way you'll surpass Yoo-Jin. And even if by some miracle you do blow up for a while, you won't last."

Realizing she couldn't convince me, Min Gyu-Ri started trembling with frustration. "Just wait and see! You'll regret it!"

"What's there to see? I already know how it ends." With that, I turned away taking Yoo-Jin with me. "Let's go, Yoo-Jin. There's no need to hear any more."

"Okay."

Leaving Min Gyu-Ri shaking with rage behind, I turned my back.

'

Min Gyu-Ri. You're a lost cause

.'

***

After parting ways with Jung Yoon-Ho, Min Gyu-Ri stormed off toward the waiting tent.

Flap.

As she pulled back the tent flap and entered, Chief Jang Sam-Duk from TNT Entertainment, who had been about to eat a cup of ramen, quickly hid it behind his back in surprise.

"This is so annoying!" Min Gyu-Ri yelled.

"

Oh

, you're back?"

Min Gyu-Ri stormed in and shouted angrily. "

Ugh

! What's wrong with that jerk Chief Jung?"

Jang Sam-Duk felt relieved, realizing she wasn't mad about him sneaking ramen alone. However, he was confused. Just earlier, Min Gyu-Ri had been thrilled about moving to Hoop Entertainment. She had even performed well in her scene with Jung Yoo-Jin and gone off to meet Jung Yoon-Ho, saying she would earn his approval on her own. Now she was back, and her expression was a wreck.

"Gyu-Ri, what happened?"

Min Gyu-Ri threw off her thick coat in frustration. "

Ugh

, Chief Jung says he's going to block me from joining Hoop!"

"What? Why would that guy do that?"

Jang Sam-Duk was stunned. Just last night, he had drinks with Kim Jang-Bi and even treated him to get Min Gyu-Ri's transfer to Hoop sealed. If it all fell through now, everything would have been for nothing.

"I don't know either! That's what's even more frustrating!"

Jang Sam-Duk couldn't make sense of it. With

Hwaranjeon

's success, Min Gyu-Ri was generating billions a year through ads alone. Just signing her would have been a guaranteed win, so ignoring her made no sense at all.

"Come on, don't give up. Think this through."

"

Ah

, I don't care. That guy just flat-out said he doesn't like me!"

"Nobody says stuff like that for no reason. Did you do something to piss him off?"

"Could the rumors about Chief Jung and Jung Yoo-Jin dating be true? Maybe he's using me as a scapegoat because Jung Yoo-Jin and I don't get along!"

"No way. I've been in this business long enough to know that when actors and talent agents are dating, it always shows. They sync their schedules to travel together, wear matching accessories, stuff like that... But Chief Jung and Jung Yoo-Jin? They don't even travel together, not even domestically."

"But don't they live in the same building?"

"Yeah, but he probably only sleeps there. Chief Jung is notorious for having a packed schedule. All anyone ever says is that they see him at the station or on set."

"Then I seriously don't get it!"

Jang Sam-Duk recalled something from a few days ago. "Hey... did you maybe rub someone the wrong way at the Louis' Batton fashion show?"

Min Gyu-Ri's expression instantly twisted. "

Ugh

, don't even bring that up! Chief Jung brought some rookie named Jang So-Yeon and stole the contract I was about to sign! Why are you blaming me? I was the victim!"

"R-right. Sorry."

Jang Sam-Duk fell into thought. There wasn't a single person at Hoop Entertainment who didn't know the influence Jung Yoon-Ho held. especially after that recent IPO interview where he practically carried himself like the next president of Hoop Entertainment.

'

Director Kim Jang-Bi told me to trust him... Damn it. Do I need to butter up Chief Jung separately, too

?'

But come to think of it, there wasn't a single case where Jung Yoon-Ho had ever accepted a bribe or a favor.

"I'll try meeting with Director Kim Jang-Bi again."

"Don't just stop at the director. You should talk to the vice president too. And if you can't get their stamp, it's over between you and me! You know there are plenty of talent agents at TNT who want to leave with me, right?"

"Y-yeah. But, just in case it doesn't work out, we could consider another agency—" Jang Sam-Duk carefully brought up the idea of switching to a different company.

However, Min Gyu-Ri immediately shouted back. "Who said I wanted to go to another agency? I'm going to Hoop no matter what!"

Jang Sam-Duk just couldn't understand why Min Gyu-Ri was so obsessed with Hoop Entertainment, ignoring options like TK Entertainment or Ace Entertainment.

"But Gyu-Ri, why does it have to be Hoop Entertainment? Huh? At least tell me why. How else can I decide whether to go all in or not?"

At that moment, Min Gyu-Ri revealed her reason. "I'm going to get into Hoop no matter what... and make that bastard Jung Yoon-Ho kneel at my feet. And Jung Yoo-Jin too!"

Min Gyu-Ri's eyes were wild with rage.

***

"Come on, have a drink, everyone~ Here, have some snacks too~"

It was a rare wrap party on the set of

Hwaranjeon

, and the atmosphere at the barbecue restaurant was lively. Yoo-Jin was going around with a bottle of soju, pouring drinks for the staff. Then, Yoo-Jin noticed PD Oh Bok-Hee's glass was empty and quickly rushed over.

Oh Bok-Hee smiled. "A top star pouring drinks? Thank you, Yoo-Jin."

Yoo-Jin beamed and poured with playful charm. "Mrs. Oh~ You know I totally love and adore you, right?"

"If the world knew our fierce Princess Yu-Hwa had this side to her, they'd be shocked~"

Yoo-Jin held a finger to her lips. "

Shh

! Don't say things that'll tank the viewership ratings~"

"

Pfft

. Why would that tank anything?"

Yoo-Jin's cheeks flushed as she answered, "

Hehehe

. That's embarrassing~ So let's keep it a secret, okay?"

Winking at Oh Bok-Hee, Yoo-Jin trotted off with a soju bottle in one hand and a glass in the other, heading toward Park Ae-Rin, the stunt actress who had done the horseback fight scene today.

"Ae-Rin unnie~ Let me pour you a drink~~"

Yoo-Jin approached the stunt actors' table and poured into Park Ae-Rin's glass.

"Thank you. I'll take it gladly, Miss Yoo-Jin."

"

Aww

~ Come on, now. Don't be so formal. I told you to call me Yoo-Jin~"

"But still, how could I dare?"

Just then, Yoo-Jin set the glass down and placed her hands on her hips. "If you keep this up... I'll sulk!

Hmph

!"

Yoo-Jin puffed up her cheeks, playfully pretending to be upset. Park Ae-Rin's face flushed from the unexpected live dose of cuteness. However, Yoo-Jin didn't let up and leaned in even closer.

Eventually, the flustered Park Ae-Rin gave in with a nod. "O-Okay, I'll do as you say."

"Then say it."

Park Ae-Rin finally spoke. "Alright... Yoo-Jin~"

Yoo-Jin grinned and poured her another drink. "Yay~ Ae-Rin unnie~ One for you~ One for me~"

Humming a tune, Yoo-Jin blended in effortlessly with the stunt actors, making the atmosphere even more cheerful.

"Unnie, let's do a love shot! Love shot!"

Yoo-Jin did a love shot with Park Ae-Rin and even fed her a lettuce wrap. She was even worried about stunts getting hurt in the future shoots.

Watching the scene unfold beside me, Department Head Kim Gyuk-Shik let out a hearty laugh. "

Haha

. Every time I see her, Miss Yoo-Jin really lights up when she drinks."

I glanced around to make sure no one was filming and then replied. "

Ah

, yes. Yoo-Jin does get... pretty cheerful."

"Why are you so flustered? It's great to see. When a lead actor treats everyone that warmly, it really makes being on set worthwhile. Honestly, this drama is doing so well because Miss Yoo-Jin sets the tone like that."

I nodded and poured a drink into Kim Gyuk-Shik's glass, offering a quiet apology for the trouble caused over the schedule adjustments. "Thank you for seeing her in a good light. And let me pour this to apologize for my rudeness today."

Kim Gyuk-Shik chuckled lightly. "Don't worry about it. If anything, we were the ones who overstepped. We're the ones who promised she could shoot the movie. We were trying to undo a done deal. That was our fault."

"I understand. I wouldn't want to share Yoo-Jin with another set either."

"Well, let's finish this glass first."

We clinked glasses.

Clink.

With a clear ring of glass, the soju in our glasses rippled softly.

"Let's wash away any lingering hard feelings with this one shot, yeah?"

"Yes, sir."

As I turned my head, I downed the cold soju in one go. Tonight, it went down sweet and smooth. Since Assistant Manager Yang So-Ri was driving us back to Seoul, I was free to drink a little more.

At that moment, I heard Yoo-Jin's voice.

"Hey! Why are you toasting without me? That's not fair!"

Before I knew it, Yoo-Jin had slipped up beside us, smiling as she held out her glass with both hands. However, her flushed cheeks told me she already had enough for the night. Quietly, I poured soda into her glass.

Fizzzzz.

"Hey, come on~ Oppa!!"

"You've got a meeting tomorrow morning with the president of LT Entertainment, remember?"

"Oh, right!

Hehehe

!" Yoo-Jin giggled and nodded. "Alright, from now on, it's soda shots for me!"

"Okay. Soda it is!"

With her glass now full of soda, Yoo-Jin turned and filled Kim Gyuk-Shik's glass with soju. "Mr. Kim~ Here you go~ Everyone, cheers!"

With Yoo-Jin leading the toast, we all drank again.

Kim Gyuk-Shik reached for a bottle of soda again. "Miss Yoo-Jin, let me pour one for you. Keep taking good care of us, okay?"

Yoo-Jin smiled and accepted the drink. "Of course~"

At that moment, Oh Bok-Hee shouted, "Everyone, quiet down!"

From the big TV in the barbecue restaurant, the 21st episode of

Hwaranjeon

had just ended, closing with Yoo-Jin's character, Princess Jeong-Hwa, staring down Han Sang-Hee.

Oh Bok-Hee jumped up and clasped her phone tightly as if in prayer. Everyone on-site quickly filled their glasses and turned their attention to her.

Then moments later, Oh Bok-Hee answered her vibrating phone.

Buzz~

And then she shouted, "Viewership ratings... 35.0%!"

Cheers erupted around the room.

"Jackpot!"

"Seriously? Mrs. Oh?"

"Wow... 35% on episode 21? What's it going to be by episode 50?"

Hwaranjeon

had become a massive hit, surpassing 35% viewership ratings on its 21st episode.

The thrilled Oh Bok-Hee called out, "Fill your glasses, everyone~"

From here on, every 1% would be harder than the last 10%. Even so, Oh Bok-Hee raised her voice with hope and vision.

"To 40%~~"

As Oh Bok-Hee led the toast, the entire crew joined in.

"To 40%!"

All at once, we toasted again and everyone let out a satisfying exhale.

"

Ahhh

~ That's sweet!"

Even to me, the usually bitter soju tasted sweet.

Only Kim Gyuk-Shik was left frowning deeply. "

Ugh

~ Why does my soju taste so bitter?"

He must have still been bitter about losing Yoo-Jin in the schedule adjustments.

I glanced at him cautiously and offered some comfort. "Should I mix in some soda for you?"

Kim Gyuk-Shik gave me a sidelong glance.

'

Come on. Didn't you just say we were letting go of all our hard feeling

s?'