Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

Chapter 411: Kim Beop-Min Audition (1)

I reviewed the footage of Go Jae-Soo devouring the pheasant. The sharp expression on his face conveyed madness beyond rage. It was sheer anguish.

'This is intense,' I thought.

Like Oh Myung-Jin in Jiri Mountain, who had been treated as less than human for years, Go Jae-Soo had also spent much of his career languishing at the bottom of the industry and being snubbed.

Perhaps as a result, his chilling expression seemed to perfectly embody Oh Myung-Jin, manifesting his rage against the world, others, and himself.

I immediately sent the video capturing Go Jae-Soo's raw intensity to the company's marketing team.

I submitted the footage with a formal request to allocate promotional resources to Go Jae-Soo, equal to those for Lee Tae-Poong. I added that framing the film as a showdown between the two actors would ensure both their success.

Next, I forwarded the same video to President Jang Ji-Hye of Womans via KkTalk and followed up with a call.

When I proposed making Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo the main models for their next campaign, Jang Ji-Hye's voice was filled with admiration.

-Wow, this is incredible. Isn't he the same guy who caught that killer in Jiri Mountain?

"He sure is."

-Hm...

After a moment of contemplation, Jang Ji-Hye spoke again in a concerned voice.

-But this video is a bit too intense. Most of our audience is women in their twenties and thirties.

"Hold on."

Acknowledging her concern, I quickly sent a still image of Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo glaring at each other in front of the wood-burning stove.

This time, Jang Ji-Hye's voice brightened.

-Wow! This could be on the magazine cover!

"Does that mean you'll use them as cover models?"

-Okay! Let's schedule an interview with them soon.

"Thank you, Mrs. Jang."

-But in exchange, let's have a weekend golf game within a month. Deal?

"Deal!"

After securing the partnership with Womans, I reached out to Jang Moon-Ki and Choi So-Hye, sending them the images and footage.

On the day the promotional campaign for Jiri Mountain kicked off, I requested their full support in highlighting both actors equally.

With that, I had done all I could to promote Go Jae-Soo. As I hung up, I glanced at Go Jae-Soo who was still giving his all on set.

I made a promise to myself: 'Mr. Jae-Soo, I'll give you wings. Now fly as high as you can.'

Go Jae-Soo had only been known as a villain actor in my past life.

In this life, I was determined to pave an entirely new path for him—a life as a true star, crowned as Korea's greatest character actor.

***

As I ended my calls, Deok-Bae approached with his expression noticeably animated after watching the performances.

I asked, "What do you think after seeing Tae-Poong and Mr. Jae-Soo's acting?"

"For the first time, I think I'm starting to get what acting is about."

"Is that so? That's good. But don't rush to try and act like those two just yet. Tae-Poong and Mr. Jae-Soo are at the top of their game right now. Don't get discouraged if you can't match their level."

"I understand. I wasn't thinking that far ahead anyway."

Raising the bar too high could make learning more difficult, but I could see the determination in Deok-Bae's eyes. He was resolved to eventually reach that level no matter how long it took.

I continued, "Alright then, how about we use this break to practice some action scenes?"

In past life, Deok-Bae had been renowned for his extraordinary reflexes. Since the audition would involve the action director teaching him how to wield a sword, my goal today was simply to assess Deok-Bae's natural talent.

I gestured, "Let's go over there."

I led Deok-Bae to an open area beside the lodge where the artificial snow hadn't reached.

Breaking off two dry branches, I handed one to Deok-Bae. "You'll be using wooden swords for practice on set, but these will do for now."

"But hyung, I've never done kendo or anything like that."

"That's fine. The action director will guide you through rehearsals tomorrow. I just want to see how your reflexes are."

Deok-Bae nodded and gripped the branch in his hand. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Alright, I'm coming at you. Just block, okay?"

"Got it."

I immediately lunged at Deok-Bae with swift movements. Simultaneously, Deok-Bae instinctively swung the branch to intercept mine.

Clack, clack.

Despite the speed of my strikes, Deok-Bae blocked every single one without a miss. Though he had never trained in swordsmanship, his movements were impressively sharp.

"Not bad. Let's speed it up. Ready? Hya!"

Deok-Bae kept up effortlessly even as I picked up the pace.

Watching Deok-Bae's incredible reactions, my concerns about his ability to handle action scenes melted away.

***

On the morning of the audition, the helicopter dropped us off at the Gyeongju set.

We were supposed to descend from Cheonwang Mountain Lodge a day earlier and travel to Gyeongju. However, thanks to Shin Jong-Ki's generosity, we were able to spend an extra day at the lodge.

This extra time allowed Deok-Bae to receive private acting lessons from Lee Tae-Poong and Go Jae-Soo during their breaks.

We waved goodbye to the helicopter as it took off to return to Cheonwang Mountain Lodge.

I dusted Deok-Bae's clothes and gave him a pep talk. "Straighten your shoulders, Deok-Bae. Starting now, you're Hoop Entertainment's most promising rookie actor."

Deok-Bae looked slightly awkward dressed in a luxurious long cashmere coat and an expensive suit, but quickly adjusted to his polished appearance.

Steeling himself, Deok-Bae nodded resolutely. "Got it, hyung."

I patted Deok-Bae's shoulder and began sharing tips about this industry as we walked toward the set. "Stay humble, but don't let anyone look down on you."

"I'll remember that."

"And always be mindful of the cameras. Don't scowl or show frustration. If you really need to let out some anger, do it with a smile. Got it?"

"Yes, hyung."

After about two minutes of walking, we reached the entrance to the Hwaranjeon set which recreated the Silla-era's Wolseong fortress.

Oh Bok-Hee spotted me and waved excitedly. "Mr. Jung!"

I led Deok-Bae over to her, and her expression brightened as she took in his appearance.

"Wow, he looks even better in person," she remarked.

The picture I had sent earlier showed Deok-Bae with messy hair and casual clothes outside a hospital.

Now, he wore a sleek black cashmere coat, a tailored suit, and sported wavy, parted hair. Deok-Bae looked every bit the elite scholar Kim Beop-Min, a character returning from studies in Tang China.

I smiled and asked, "Thank you, Mrs. Oh. By the way, who else is here for the audition?"

"I invited five, but only three showed up. Seo Yi-Jun from Ace Entertainment, Park Jung-Min from TK Entertainment, and Deok-Bae."

I couldn't believe what I had just heard. I asked, "Park Jung-Min?"

"Yes, he is TK Entertainment's up-and-coming rookie. Do you know him?"

'Do I know him? Of course I do.' I remarked inwardly.

In my past life, Park Jung-Min had played Kim Beop-Min in Hwaranjeon.

A rising star from TK Entertainment, Park Jung-Min had already made a name for himself as a nineteen-year-old actor and model with a tall height of 180 cm.

With about 200,000 Instargem followers, Park Jung-Min had been a well-known influencer in Seoul even before his debut with entertainment companies lining up to sign him.

Not only did he have the looks, but his talent was undeniable as well. In time, he would grow into a respected actor and earn the admiration of veteran performers.

Seo Yi-Jun from Ace Entertainment was another formidable contender.

With his pale skin and soft features, Seo Yi-Jun had initially trained as an idol before transitioning to acting. A few years later, he would rise to fame as one of the "Four Best Looking Actors of the Next Generation."

"Not exactly an easy crowd, huh?" I remarked.

Oh Bok-Hee nodded. "Honestly, I didn't expect the competition to be this intense either. I was surprised as well."

I was glad I had done everything I could to prepare Deok Bae.

At that moment, murmurs rose from the set entrance.

"It seems like they're here. Wait, why are the presidents with them?"

The people accompanying Seo Yi-Jun and Park Jung-Min weren't just their talent agents. They were Im Sung-Hak, the president of Ace Entertainment, and Kim Tae-Kwon, the president of TK Entertainment.

'They're pulling out all the stops, huh?'

For the heads of their agencies to personally show up at an audition for a supporting role was an obvious attempt to intimidate the rest.

Nonetheless, I had no intention of sitting idly by. Deok-Bae had poured his heart and soul into this since meeting me, pushing himself to his limits without rest.

His efforts would not be in vain.

***

With Im Sung-Hak and Kim Tae-Kwon present, I exchanged greetings with Oh Bok-Hee and moved toward the waiting chairs.

As I plucked lint from Deok-Bae's long cashmere coat, I reminded him of what I had said earlier. "Remember what I told you yesterday? This industry is always a battlefield."

Deok-Bae replied in a serious voice. "No matter how tough it is, it can't be worse than what my life has been."

Considering Deok-Bae had grown up among gangsters, loan sharks, and street thugs, this probably felt like a stroll in the park for him.

After finishing their greetings with Oh Bok-Hee, Im Sung-Hak and Kim Tae-Kwon approached us with their actors.

Im Sung-Hak spoke first. "Team Lead Jung, you're here too?"

I asked, "What brings you here in person given how busy you both must be?"

"It's an important audition for a key role so I had to check it out."

"Most other companies seem to think the role of Kim Beop-Min isn't that significant. But clearly, you feel otherwise," I replied.

Im Sung-Hak smiled. "Those companies are blind fools. It's a role you've picked, Team Lead Jung. So of course it's crucial."

Im Sung-Hak then introduced Seo Yi-Jun. "Yi-Jun, this is Team Lead Jung who's been making waves lately. Go ahead and introduce yourself."

A good-looking man standing about 178 cm tall with radiant pale skin greeted me with a charming smile. "I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Jung. Please take good care of me~"

I smiled. "Likewise, I look forward to working with you."

After exchanging polite greetings with me, Seo Yi-Jun turned to Deok-Bae. "Your name is Deok-Bae, right? I hear we're the same age. Can I drop the formalities?"

When Seo Yi-Jun started using casual speech off the bat, Deok-Bae responded flatly, "I don't think it's appropriate to be informal with someone you just met."

"Aw, come on, don't be so uptight. Even if we're competitors, we're still colleagues in the same industry. Can't we just talk comfortably?"

When Deok-Bae remained indifferent, his lack of response visibly irritated Seo Yi-Jun.

Seo Yi-Jun added, "By the way... is Deok-Bae your real name? It can't be, right? Did you make it up to stand out?"

The psychological battle to unsettle his competitor had begun before the audition even started.

***

Deok-Bae seemed caught off guard by Seo Yi-Jun's provocation for a moment.

However, after a deep breath, he regained his composure and replied, "Seo Yi-Jun, you told me to talk casually, right?"

"Yeah. You can talk to me like I'm your friend. By the way, your name really sticks in my mind. It's so outdated it's almost memorable, you know?"

At that moment, Deok-Bae did exactly what I had advised him. He smiled, but the words he spoke were anything but friendly. "Hey. What makes you think we are friends? What gives you the right to make fun of my name the second we meet? Do you want to die?"

At 185 cm tall, Deok-Bae's commanding presence combined with his sharp words made Seo Yi-Jun flinch. "Y-you bastard..."

Deok-Bae placed a firm hand on Seo Yi-Jun's shoulder to create the appearance of two friendly peers from a distance. "Don't curse at me, you punk. And consider this my polite warning: get out of my sight right now unless you want to embarrass yourself in front of the adults."

Though mild-mannered in front of me, Deok-Bae's tough upbringing meant he was no pushover.

Seo Yi-Jun shook off Deok-Bae's hand and stepped back. "Damn it..."

That's when the irritated Im Sung-Hak stepped forward. "This punk. Why is he so abrasive?"

Deok-Bae turned his glare slowly to Im Sung-Hak. "How long have you known me to call me a punk like that?"

"Oh, look at this punk talk." Im Sung-Hak scoffed and clicked his tongue before turning to me. "You really did bring someone just like you, huh?"

With a grin, I responded, "Thank you for the compliment."

"W-what...this is unbelievable!"

Im Sung-Hak's face reddened with fury as he hadn't expected me to take his words as a compliment.

Seo Yi-Jun and Im Sung-Hak's attempts at intimidation ended in total defeat against me and Deok-Bae.

***

The furious Im Sung-Hak spun around. "Yi-Jun, what are you standing there for? Get ready for your audition!"

As Im Sung-Hak walked off, Seo Yi-Jun glared at Deok-Bae. "Just you wait!"

Then, he went after Im Sung-Hak.

Once they disappeared, Kim Tae-Kwon approached us with a smile. "President Im is the same as always. Everywhere he goes, he stirs up these petty rivalries."

'You're one to talk, Kim Tae-Kwon,' I thought to myself.

On the set of Hwaranjeon, TK Entertainment's own Lee Tae-Yeon, cast as Queen Il, had been stirring up plenty of tension herself.

Yet here was Kim Tae-Kwon, acting like he had nothing to do with it.

"Mr. Kim, I'm sure the sight of me must ruin your day. Why bother coming all the way to this set?" I casually remarked.

Kim Tae-Kwon laughed heartily. "Ruin my day? Who said that? Don't be ridiculous."

"Cut the nonsense. Why are you really here?" I asked.

Kim Tae-Kwon shrugged and replied, "Well, we've got a lot of TK talent in this production. I thought I should show my face at least once. Plus, Jung-Min is interested in the role."

Kim Tae-Kwon then gestured to Park Jung-Min standing beside him. "You know Jung-Min, right?"

Standing at 180 cm, Park Jung-Min looked every bit the part of a model, dressed in bold and stylish clothing.

"The famous model, right?" I replied.

Kim Tae-Kwon nodded and gestured to Park Jung-Min. "Exactly. Go on, introduce yourself."

Park Jung-Min nodded curtly in my direction. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Jung."

Unlike most models who tend to be lanky, Park Jung-Min's physique was muscular, thanks to his experience in kendo and various sports.

After greeting me, Park Jung-Min shook hands with Deok-Bae briefly as he was cautious after seeing how Seo Yi-Jun had been shut down.

Still, Park Jung-Min's eyes showed a mixture of hostility and wariness.

Kim Tae-Kwon smirked and said, "Team Lead Jung, why not let this one go? It's clear that Jung-Min has this role in the bag. Don't waste your effort."

I shrugged. "Let's see who comes out on top."

"Hahaha, classic Team Lead Jung. Nothing ever rattles you!"

Kim Tae-Kwon laughed loudly for a long time before he left with Park Jung-Min to join their group.

As they disappeared, Deok-Bae spoke quietly, "Hyung, they're no joke."

I replied, "I told you this industry's tough. But you handled it very well."

Deok-Bae's eyes burned with determination as he nodded. "I'll win this, hyung."

The encounters with Seo Yi-Jun and Park Jung-Min had clearly ignited Deok-Bae's fighting spirit.

***

The audition for the role of Kim Beop-Min in Hwaranjeon began.

Oh Bok-Hee announced her intent to make today's audition as close to the real thing as possible. Hearing this, camera operators set up their equipment, and supporting actors arrived on set to assist.

Oh Bok-Hee, Ryu Han-Joon, and Han Woo-Ju sat in chairs placed along the recreated streets of Silla's capital, Seorabeol, flanked by traditional tiled houses.

At that moment, Geum Eun-Dong approached us to inform us of the schedule. "You'll wait until Mrs. Oh calls your number. Mr. Deok-Bae, you're number three and will go last."

The order was set: Seo Yi-Jun would go first, followed by Park Jung-Min, and finally Deok-Bae.

Once preparations were complete, Oh Bok-Hee called out. "Let's begin the audition for the role of Kim Beop-Min. Number one, Mr. Seo Yi-Jun. Please come forward."

The audition for one of Hwaranjeon's most pivotal roles had officially begun.