Chapter 52 - Do You Have Time on the Holiday?

“I-I failed the audition?”

Ryu-hwa couldn't believe her ears.

She hadn't participated in any other auditions lately, so this had to be about the Wol-hwa audition for 'Unshakeable Dynasty'.

“Yeah! The call just came in!”

Kim Do-gyun shouted, looking different from his usual self.

“I told you not to make any mistakes! What kind of mess did you make at the audition hall!”

“I-I did it properly!”

Ryu-hwa hurriedly explained.

“I greeted the judges properly when I entered the audition hall, and I acted properly too! There were no problems!”

“Then why did you fail!”

“How should I know!”

Ryu-hwa truly couldn't understand the reason she had failed.

“Did you really do it properly? Did you go after memorizing the script properly?”

“I-I went after memorizing it properly.”

“Speak honestly. Didn't you get all your lines wrong?”

“I-I got them a little wrong! But there's no way I'd fail for just that!”

It's true that Ryu-hwa had entered the audition hall without having perfectly memorized the script.

Because even while waiting, she had only been looking at her phone.

However, that was because she had believed Kim Do-gyun's words that he had already pulled all the strings.

“You said you already spoke to the PD and the casting director, Director! I believed those words and was at ease, but...!”

At those words, Kim Do-gyun frowned.

In fact, even from Kim Do-gyun's perspective, this situation was difficult to understand.

Because he had spoken with PD Park Jong-hoon and Casting Director Yoon Hae-soo and had thought everything was fixed.

Yoon Hae-soo had even taken the money envelope.

“Haah, I'm going crazy...”

This wasn't a matter that would end with just failing one audition.

Ryu-hwa's drama advancement was closely connected with N.A.N's overseas expansion strategy.

They were planning on proceeding with a global project while actively getting involved in the drama's overseas export, but if Ryu-hwa fails the audition like this, they have to drastically revise the plan.

“Director, who on earth was it that pushed me out at the audition?”

Ryu-hwa asked with a wronged expression.

“You said that besides me, it was only kids with no experience or who were lacking in looks.”

“I heard a kid named Kim So-yeong got it.”

“Huh? Kim So-yeong?”

“Is it a kid you know?”

"It's Newstarz's Kim So-yeong!"

Kim Do-gyun's eyes widened at Ryu-hwa's words.

“What? You mean the girl group Newstarz?”

“Yes! She was at the audition hall too! A kid who had no acting experience at all...!”

“……”

Kim Do-gyun's expression became serious.

“An idol with no acting experience pushed us out and snatched the role?”

“I met their manager at the audition hall too, and it was a bit strange! He spoke as if he believed they were going to get the Wol-hwa role!”

“Is that really true?”

“Yes, it is!”

Ryu-hwa turned her head and looked at her dedicated manager.

“You saw it then, right? Their manager saying strange things!”

“Uh…”

The manager, who was suddenly singled out, made a flustered expression.

“W-Well. I didn't think it was that strange...”

“He even said something sarcastic to me! Don't you remember?!”

“Ah, I think he might have spoken in that way...”

In fact, Ryu-hwa was the one who had spoken sarcastically first.

The other party had merely been retorting to Ryu-hwa's words.

“They cut in and snatched our role! That's why he was laughing at me!”

“Yeah, so that's what happened...”

Kim Do-gyun ground his teeth.

“As it is, I heard that Haram Entertainment has been using their influence with HBS lately. Last time, they even secured a set pre-recording on 'Music World'.”

“Ah, as expected...!”

“It seems they sprinkled some money around, those sons of bitches.”

Haram Entertainment had lobbied HBS and made the role go to Kim So-yeong.

Kim Do-gyun guessed as such.

“Now I understand why PD Park Jong-hoon returned the envelope. It must have been because Haram Entertainment handed over more.”

Kim Do-gyun's tone grew increasingly heated.

“We had already secured it, and they're snatching it away? They really have no fear?”

It was a role that UBX had already claimed, but for them to snatch it away with a higher bid... this was the same as picking a fight.

“Director, are you just going to stay still? When Haram Entertainment screwed us over like this? Shouldn't you teach them a lesson?”

“Yeah, that's true, but…”

If it were like the old days, he would have utilized his various connections to retaliate and make them suffer disadvantages in the broadcasting world.

However, these days, that kind of behind-the-scenes maneuvering has become difficult.

This was because last year, a case where large agencies kept small-medium agencies in check in that way was exposed by the media and became a big issue.

Several involved industry insiders were arrested, and even at UBX, one director-level employee is currently on trial.

In a situation like this, retaliating against Haram Entertainment was not an easy task.

“I'll have to look into it.”

Still, he can't back down like this.

He will retaliate against Haram Entertainment in some way.

Using the status of UBX and N.A.N, I will definitely crush them.

“Where Haram Entertainment is putting their efforts these days... I'll have to find that out first.”

Grit.

Kim Do-gyun ground his teeth.

……

“To the great success of Kim So-yeong's drama!”

“To success!”

A small party was held at Haram Entertainment.

It was a gathering to celebrate Kim So-yeong passing her drama audition.

“Wow, I really can't believe it. To think that So-yeong gets to appear in an important role in an HBS drama.”

“I'm still dazed too.”

Kim So-yeong answered CEO Baek Yeon-ah's words with a shy expression.

“Honestly, I had never thought I could become an actress. That's why I'm so grateful to you, Hyeon-woo oppa.”

Kim So-yeong bowed her head while looking at Baek Hyeon-woo.

“It's thanks to you persuading me so hard, Hyeon-woo oppa, that I was able to challenge the path of an actress. Thank you so much.”

“I'm the one who's grateful. For working hard and getting a good result.”

Baek Hyeon-woo said with a calm demeanor.

“There's still time until the full-scale filming, so let's prepare step by step.”

“Yes, I'll do that.”

At that moment, Laura, who was watching from the side, muttered while drinking her zero-calorie cola.

“Ah, I'm so jealous. Should I try auditioning too?”

“A historical drama seems a bit difficult for you, Laura unnie...?”

“Who said anything about a historical drama?”

“Agh!”

Laura poked the side of Kanade, who was making a cheeky remark next to her.

In fact, because Laura has silver hair and Western looks, it's difficult for her to appear in a historical drama.

However, in other genres, there would be a role that suits Laura well.

“Laura, if you're interested, do you want to try taking acting lessons?”

“Ah, really?”

“If it's Laura, I think you'd do well acting too. If you're going to challenge it seriously, I'll try adjusting your schedule.”

Laura's eyes shone at Baek Hyeon-woo's proposal.

“If you take high-intensity lessons like So-yeong, your skills will improve quickly.”

“Ugh…”

At the words 'high-intensity lessons', Laura's expression darkened.

Watching her, Kanade said urgently.

“I-I'm fine with just going on variety shows. I have no thoughts of going on dramas or movies, so it's okay if you don't adjust my schedule.”

“No, I wasn't particularly expecting you to act, Kanade.”

“Agh, so mean...”

Kanade made a tearful face, and laughter burst out from here and there.

As a friendly conversation was going on like that, Director Choi Tae-hyung, who had been watching from a corner, spoke to Baek Hyeon-woo.

“But, Assistant Manager Baek.”

“Yes, Director.”

“Is it true that N.A.N's Ryu-hwa was also at the audition?”

As Choi Tae-hyung asked, lowering his voice, Baek Hyeon-woo nodded.

“I sneakily heard from the PD in charge, and it seems that talks were originally underway with the UBX side to pick Ryu-hwa.”

“Then how did Kim So-yeong get picked?”

“She was picked for her skill.”

“Good grief...”

Although it's true he got the opportunity by moving Park Jong-hoon's heart, in the end, it was a result obtained because of Kim So-yeong's skill.

“The UBX side is probably going to be a bit displeased. Saying we snatched the role they had already claimed.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah, you've probably earned some resentment.”

Choi Tae-hyung said, crossing his arms.

“The one in charge is probably UBX's Director Kim Do-gyun... he's a person with a personality just as shitty as DP Entertainment's Director Seong Soo-ho. Well, I guess he's managed to hold onto that position because his personality is so shitty.”

“……”

Then was the reason Choi Tae-hyung quit his old company and came to Haram Entertainment because his personality wasn't shitty enough?

Baek Hyeon-woo suddenly had that thought.

“Do you think they'll try to retaliate against us?”

“Well, they probably won't be able to retaliate that openly. Because last year, there was a case that blew up in the media where a large agency did some bad things to try and drive the small-medium ones out of business…”

Choi Tae-hyung made a bitter expression.

“UBX also has something they're on trial for right now. So they probably won't be able to retaliate openly.”

“That's a relief.”

If a large agency uses its money and power to carry out a despicable retaliation, it's difficult to deal with.

Because Haram Entertainment is still a small company.

‘Still... I don't really like the idea of living while worrying about the threat of large agencies.’

What should I do to raise Haram Entertainment's status even more?

Suddenly, he had that thought.

‘What do I have to do to raise our status more so that we're not looked down upon by the large agencies.’

As Baek Hyeon-woo was lost in thought.

The cell phone in his pocket vibrated.

“……?”

It was a message from Kim So-yeong.

She's nearby, so why did she send a message?

—Kim So-yeong: Hyeon-woo oppa.

—Kim So-yeong: I got the role this time, isn't there some kind of prize?

When he raised his head, he could see Kim So-yeong, who was among the other members, sending a subtle gaze in his direction.

—Kim So-yeong: I worked really hard all this time.

—Baek Hyeon-woo: Yeah, thinking about it, I haven't done anything for you.

This party was something the company prepared, not Baek Hyeon-woo.

—Baek Hyeon-woo: Is there something you want?

—Baek Hyeon-woo: If it's something I can do, I'll grant you anything.

—Kim So-yeong: Really?

—Baek Hyeon-woo: Because it's such a meaningful achievement.

She had built up various achievements as Newstarz until now, but passing this audition was something Kim So-yeong had accomplished with her own strength.

Therefore, it seemed there should be a special reward.

—Kim So-yeong: Anything is okay, right?

—Baek Hyeon-woo: If it's something I can do.

—Baek Hyeon-woo: Ah, except for something that costs too much money.

—Kim So-yeong: You don't have to worry about that.

—Kim So-yeong: I'll pay for everything, so you just have to come, Hyeon-woo oppa.

As he was unable to send a reply because he couldn't quite understand what she meant.

Kim So-yeong's next message arrived right away.

—Kim So-yeong: Oppa, do you have time on the next holiday?

When he raised his head, he could see the sight of Kim So-yeong, who was hiding her face with her phone and peeking in his direction.

……

A holiday afternoon.

As Baek Hyeon-woo got off at the subway station and came out of the exit, he could see the figure of a tall woman waiting quietly.

She was wearing large sunglasses and even a hat, so he almost didn't recognize her, but fortunately, he was able to speak to her without just passing by.

“You're here early.”

“Ah, you're here?”

Although it was a different style from usual, the one waiting for Baek Hyeon-woo was Kim So-yeong.

“You have a different feel than usual today.”

When promoting as Newstarz, there are many times when Kim So-yeong wears outfits close to a street look. Or, going in the complete opposite direction, there are also often times when she showcases a suit style.

However, right now Kim So-yeong was dressed in a feminine look, matching a light-colored blouse with a black long skirt.

Because it was a completely different style from usual, it seemed that even if she took off her sunglasses, there probably wouldn't be many people who would recognize her as Newstarz's Kim So-yeong.

“Because they're my going-out clothes.”

“It seems to have a different feel from when you're normally traveling, too?”

“When I'm traveling, I tend to wear comfortable clothes. Since I'll be changing into my stage outfit later anyway.”

Kim So-yeong crossed her arms and looked at Baek Hyeon-woo.

“So, is it strange?”

“No.”

Baek Hyeon-woo shook his head and smiled.

“It suits you well. You wear that kind of style prettily too.”

“……”

Kim So-yeong looked at Baek Hyeon-woo silently for a moment.

Since she was wearing sunglasses, it was difficult to know what kind of gaze it was.

“I didn't think you'd answer like that.”

“How did you think I'd answer?”

“Something like, 'Everything suits you'.”

Saying that, Kim So-yeong turned her back and began to walk.

“Because I was planning on getting angry if you answered like that.”

“Why would you get angry?”

“If everything suits me, then there's no reward for carefully picking out and wearing these clothes. As a compliment, that's 30 points.”

Baek Hyeon-woo asked while following Kim So-yeong.

“Then what I just said, how many points is that?”

“About 80 points?”

“What do I have to do to get 100 points?”

“That's a secret.”

Exchanging such small talk, the two of them walked toward their destination.

“But will it be okay? I don't know anything about musicals, wouldn't it be better to go see it with someone else?”

Today, Baek Hyeon-woo and Kim So-yeong had decided to go see a musical together.

This was because Kim So-yeong said she had received a pair of musical tickets through the magazine company she had done a photoshoot for.

Since it was a historical musical set in the Goryeo Dynasty, it also had the meaning of studying in advance of her appearance in 'Unshakeable Dynasty'.

“Someone else, with who?”

“Well, with the members...”

“I mustered up the courage and took the members once before, but they were all bored, so the atmosphere became awkward.”

“Ah…”

“Kanade, in particular, fell asleep in the middle.”

“……”

Kanade, you really...

His heart ached thinking about how embarrassed Kim So-yeong must have been at that time.

Besides, back in those days, they were probably awkward with each other.

“While being an idol, I've also grown distant from my old friends... so I don't have a single person to go see things like this with.”

“……”

“That's why I asked you, Hyeon-woo oppa. Since you said you'd do anything.”

Kim So-yeong said that and looked at Baek Hyeon-woo's face.

“Would it have been better to just ask you to buy me a present?”

“No, it's fine.”

Baek Hyeon-woo shook his head.

“Thinking about it, something like this is more meaningful than just buying you something with money.”

When you're an idol, it becomes difficult to even hang out with friends of the same sex and go see a performance.

That's a part that also needs to be cared for.

“Even if it's not a special occasion like this, if you want to go somewhere but don't want to go alone, tell me without hesitation. As long as my situation allows, I'll go with you.”

“Is it okay to make that kind of promise?”

He had said it out of his own kindness, but Kim So-yeong showed a cynical reaction.

“What will you do if you get a girlfriend later, Hyeon-woo oppa? Are you going to hang out with me then too?”

“No, that's...”

“Unless you swear you won't get a girlfriend for your entire life, don't make such promises. Because it'll cause big trouble later.”

“……”

Even though she spoke like that, her tone wasn't one of being particularly displeased.

Rather, her footsteps seemed even lighter.

“This is my first time seeing a musical, is there any etiquette I need to observe during the show?”

“You have to put your shoes in the shoe locker and enter barefoot.”

“I'm in trouble. My socks are mismatched.”

Exchanging such small talk, they entered the performance hall together.

The seats were in a pretty good location. After they sat in their seats and waited for a while, the performance began.

‘It's what I expected.’

Watching the actors, dressed as warriors from the Goryeo Dynasty, sing, Baek Hyeon-woo was lost in thought.

‘Musical actors' status windows are visible too.’

Originally, the status windows of regular actors were not visible.

However, perhaps because musical actors are people who act through song, it seemed they were treated the same as singers.

‘There are even a ton of Vocal A's and S's. As expected, you have to have outstanding vocal ability to be a musical actor.’

Of course, it's not like taking an S-rank Vocal actor from there and having them promote as a singer will make them a huge hit.

Because the success of a song isn't decided by pure vocal ability alone.

Even if you had the actors over there sing an idol song, it probably wouldn't be very charming.

‘Still, there are many parts worth taking note of.’

Soon, the filming for 'The Idol' will begin.

He heard that among the judges, there is also a veteran singer who is active in musicals.

If he studies musicals on this occasion, it might be helpful later.

Thinking such thoughts, Baek Hyeon-woo focused on the musical.

……

‘He's watching with intense concentration?’

Kim So-yeong frequently glanced sideways at Baek Hyeon-woo in the seat next to her.

She had been very worried because of the memory of when she brought the members before, but it seemed it was a groundless fear.

‘Does it suit his taste? What a relief.’

Stealing glances at Baek Hyeon-woo's side profile as he diligently watched the musical, Kim So-yeong felt a sense of relief.

‘I hope he likes the place for dinner too.’

Today, Kim So-yeong had thought in advance of a place to have dinner after watching the musical.

As she had said when she first brought it up, Kim So-yeong was planning on paying for everything.

Kim So-yeong was the one who asked him to make time today, and she could provide that much of a service.

‘Come to think of it, a lot of people were staring earlier.’

Both on the street and inside the performance hall, she could feel many people's gazes.

It was a different kind of gaze from what she usually received as an idol, so it felt somehow fresh.

‘Hyeon-woo oppa is tall and on the handsome side, so when I walk with him, I somehow feel triumphant.’

In people's eyes, they probably looked like a handsome couple with their tall, good looks.

In reality, they weren't a couple but an idol and her manager, but Kim So-yeong gladly accepted people's gazes.

Shall I say, it was a feeling as if she were in a pseudo-relationship.

‘But Hyeon-woo oppa is really... he can't even go on a date on a golden holiday and is just waiting on an idol, he's so diligent.’

Kim So-yeong looked at Baek Hyeon-woo's face once more.

Without even knowing that the woman sitting next to him was having such thoughts, Baek Hyeon-woo was just seriously watching the musical.

‘Still, oppa, you shouldn't carelessly make that kind of promise.’

Recalling what Baek Hyeon-woo had said earlier, 'If you want to go somewhere but don't want to go alone, tell me without hesitation. As long as my situation allows, I'll go with you,' Kim So-yeong gave a small smile.

‘If you keep taking care of only idols every single day like that, you'll become a middle-aged man without ever getting a girlfriend.’

If he gets old and becomes a middle-aged man like that, who on earth will take him.

Kim So-yeong began to worry seriously.