Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 530: Chief Jung Yoon-Ho

『Hoop Entertainment Actor Division 4 Chief Jung Yoon-Ho』

A business card as luxurious as the one I received from Kang Gam-Chan was placed inside a wooden card case. A wave of satisfaction washed over me as if I had earned recognition from my colleagues.

Beside the business card was an oak-colored frame. Inside was a photo taken last night at the MBS Acting Awards, right after Yoo-Jin won the Best Actor Award. It showed me with the talent agents of Division Jung, celebrating. In the picture, everyone was gathered at a fried chicken restaurant after the ceremony, holding up chicken and pickled radish with forks in both hands while grinning widely beside me.

Seeing these two gifts, something surged up in my chest. Before my regression, I had no such colleagues back in my Top Entertainment days. Now, I was surrounded by them.

Lee Yung-Jin noticed my emotional expression and smiled. "I printed the photo, hoping we'd have more moments like this."

"Thanks, Yung-Jin..."

I had received such a heartfelt gift. The next package I opened contained two luxury suits, a briefcase, a tie, and a pair of high-end dress shoes perfect for formal occasions. These were premium items, collectively bought by everyone who had chipped in.

Honestly, I would have been content with just the business card and the framed photo. I was about to suggest returning the expensive suits, bag, and shoes, saying I would accept only the sentiment behind them.

But before I could, Lee Yung-Jin spoke first as if expecting my reaction. "Mr. Jung, you're the face of our division now. Let's not argue just this once and please accept them."

Do Ran-Hee, usually playful, spoke seriously. "Yung-Jin oppa is right. If you dress well, it boosts our confidence too."

Even the reserved Eun Ji-Yoo nodded. "Thanks to you, we're all getting generous bonuses this year. We could afford this much."

Last year, the actors and singers under Division Jung generated over twenty five billion won in revenue. As a result, the team members received performance bonuses ranging from thirty to seventy million won each. They had pooled a portion of that money for this gift, saying it wasn't a burden at all.

With everyone staring at me with hopeful eyes, I couldn't refuse. I clasped my hands together and bowed. "I'll wear them well. And... let's work hard together this year too!"

We had achieved an unprecedented level of success last year, but this year mattered even more. Sophomore slump meant the second-year curse—and I had no intention of letting any of my actors or singers suffer from it.

From the upcoming Hwaranjeon and Jiri Mountain to the global idol project and the solo debuts of our singers, I was determined to lead all of them to success with Division Jung.

As if reading my thoughts, the talent agents echoed my words. "We'll do our best too!"

Laughter filled the room as we shared the cake we had prepared. While watching the New Year's Eve bell-ringing ceremony on TV, my phone vibrated.

[Battery low. 5% remaining. Please charge your device.]

'My battery drains too fast these days...'

Talent agents were always on the phone, so their batteries depleted much faster than those of regular users. Some even replaced their phone batteries every six months.

Because my phone had Everyday installed, I always carried a portable charger. But now, even that was becoming difficult and the screen had started showing signs of burn-in. Before my regression, I would have gone straight to a service center to get it replaced. However, I couldn't even consider it now, fearing Everyday will disappear. freewebnoveℓ.com

As I was thinking about this, Do Ran-Hee, who was eating cake beside me, tilted her head. "Mr. Jung, shouldn't you at least replace your phone battery? Your phone keeps beeping like crazy lately."

I plugged in my phone to charge and replied, "Yeah, I probably should."

I would hold out as long as possible before attempting a battery replacement and screen repair. In the meantime, the bell-ringing ceremony ended and the SBC Acting Awards resumed. The MC pushed through the late-night fatigue and spoke energetically into the microphone.

-Now, let's continue the awards ceremony. Next up is...

I glanced at my charging phone and set my worries aside for the moment, turning my focus to the TV screen.

After all, Yoo-Jin's award category was coming up soon.

***

-SBC Acting Awards's Best Actor Award goes to Miss Jung Yoo-Jin for Blue Sky! Congratulations!

Yoo-Jin won the Best Actor Award for her role as Twilight in Blue Sky. It was already past 1 a.m and she must have been exhausted, yet she confidently walked onto the stage and gave her acceptance speech. She thanked her fans for their support, wished everyone a Happy New Year, and expressed her hopes for another great year ahead.

She had every reason to be tired, but her bright and cheerful smile was now that of a true professional.

For the Grand Prize, Ju Yung-In and Ju Sung-Jin, the lead actors of Blue Sky, were announced as co-winners. Throughout the drama's run, the two had been known as the Ju-Ju Couple. They stood side by side and waved to their fans.

With that, the SBC Acting Awards came to an end.

"Shall we head backstage now?"

"Yes, Mr. Jung."

After tidying up the waiting room, we made our way to the backstage area.

***

Even though it was already 1:30 a.m on January 1st, reporters were still waiting backstage, unwilling to go home just yet. They needed to interview Ju Yung-In, who had won the Grand Prize at both MBS and SBC, as well as Yoo-Jin, who had taken home both the Best Actor and Best New Actor awards.

When Ju Yung-In and Yoo-Jin appeared, the reporters framed their questions around the rivalry between them. However, since the organizers requested that they also interview other winners, the two were eventually able to escape the press.

Yoo-Jin approached me with a smile, waving both of her trophies in the air. She hadn't won the Grand Prize, but she looked genuinely happy.

"Oppa, I won two awards today!"

"Congratulations."

"Thanks! And congrats on your promotion too."

"Thanks."

"Oh, right! I'll give you your present when we get home."

"What is it?"

Yoo-Jin playfully winked. "It's a secret~"

She looked like she wouldn't tell me no matter how much I asked.

"Don't make me curious. Just tell me."

"I said it's a secret!"

Winning awards at two major networks seemed to have finally given Yoo-Jin a bit of confidence in her own skills.

At that moment, Cha Soo-Yeon, the chief of Blue Dragon Studio—the production company behind Blue Sky and In the Name of God—walked over.

"Mr. Jung, I heard you got promoted to chief. Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"Becoming a chief in your second year... You never fail to surprise me, Mr. Jung. At this rate, you might be promoted to director before the year is over."

"I was just lucky. And director isn't a position just anyone can get. I have no such plans."

Cha Soo-Yeon chuckled, saying that if I wanted it, it would happen in no time. After congratulating Yoo-Jin as well, she casually glanced around before bringing up another topic. "By the way, does Miss Yoo-Jin have a project lined up after Hwaranjeon?"

"No, not yet. Hwaranjeon is just getting started. Why rush?"

Cha Soo-Yeon smiled knowingly. "Then make sure to do your next project with us no matter what. It doesn't matter which writer you bring in and we'll meet all the conditions. If it's your pick, Mr. Jung, it's an automatic yes."

Normally, a writer and script were chosen first, then actors were cast, and only then did the production team aim for a network slot. Yet Cha Soo-Yeon was prioritizing securing me, the talent agent, over the writer.

"Isn't that a bit much? What if I pick a writer you've never even heard of?"

"It doesn't matter. Even Han Woo-Ju, who's writing Hwaranjeon right now, was an unknown rookie before. And Miss Yoo-Jin's talent goes without saying. Plus, your eye for projects is the best in the industry. Honestly, every drama production company is after your next pick."

As she spoke, Cha Soo-Yeon gestured toward the other drama production staff lingering nearby.

"You know that Blue Dragon, the industry leader, has the most financial backing, right? Just work with us. However many projects you want to do, we can handle them all."

Suddenly, other production company representatives rushed over.

"Hey, Chief Choi! Let the rest of us have a shot too. This is too much."

"Seriously! Chief Jung isn't part of your company, you know..."

"Mr. Jung, work with us. We'll add 10% more to the production budget than Blue Dragon."

"We'll add 20%!"

As the production heads and executives threw ridiculous offers my way, I had to step in to calm them down. "Please, not here..."

At that moment, I overheard Ju Yung-In whispering to Yoo-Jin behind me.

-Yoo-Jin, doesn't it feel like Yoon-Ho oppa is more popular than us?

-From a production standpoint, he's probably more valuable than we are.

-Yeah... if I were a producer, I'd think the same way.

-We should work even harder, don't you think?

-Agreed.

'What are you two even talking about?!'

I turned slightly to glance at them while still trying to handle the production heads. The moment our eyes met, Ju Yung-In and Yoo-Jin quickly looked away and started whistling innocently.

At this rate, the commotion was only going to escalate. I had no choice but to make my escape, saying I had no immediate plans for the next project.

So there I was—newly promoted to Chief and already at the center of the industry buzz on the very first day of 2021.

***

After wrapping up the SBC Acting Awards, I returned home.

By the time I arrived in Cheonho-dong and opened the door, it was already 2:30 a.m. Unexpectedly, Jung In-Ji and Miso were waiting in the yard. Despite it being way past bedtime, Miso was rubbing her sleepy eyes in the attempt to stay awake. Her hair was a mess from sleep.

Miso asked, stifling a yawn. "Uncle Yoon-Ho... you're home now?"

"Why are you still up?"

"Hehehe. I woke up. I wanted to see you before sleeping again. Uncle Yoon-Ho, Happy New Year~~~!"

Miso stretched her short arms high above her head, drawing a big circle in the air as if trying to hug the entire sky.

Amused by her cute gesture, I responded by forming a heart above my head. "Miso, Happy New Year to you too~"

"Heehee! A heart! Yay~~"

Jung In-Ji held Miso's hand and led me inside the house. "Chief Jung, come in for a bit. I have a promotion gift for you."

I tried to refuse, but Yoo-Jin and Miso dragged me toward the first floor. On the living room table sat a neatly wrapped rectangular box and a 30cm-tall wooden case. The pink ribbon on the gift box was sloppily tied, making it obvious that Miso had wrapped it herself.

Just then, Yoo-Jin approached Miso and said, "Oppa, we prepared a gift for you."

"You really didn't have to..."

"No way, we totally had to!"

Yoo-Jin exchanged a glance with Miso, and they both nodded.

"Miso, start with that one."

"Okay!"

With a serious expression, Miso picked up the wooden case with both hands. "Uncle Yoon-Ho, stand up straight for a second."

"...Why?"

Miso hesitated and glanced at me before clearing her throat. "Ahem!"

She was signaling me to stay quiet, so I obediently shut my mouth. Then, the wooden case split open from both sides with a soft click.

Through the opened wooden case, a transparent crystal sculpture wrapped in red fabric was revealed. It was as intricately crafted as the kind of award given at an acting ceremony. Looking closer, the sculpture depicted what appeared to be Yoo-Jin and Miso, holding up the number 1.

At that moment, Miso spoke in a clear voice. "Because Uncle Yoon-Ho cherished and took great care of Jung Yoo-Jin and Jung Miso for a whole year, we present you with the Best Talent Agent Award! Congratulations!"

Yoo-Jin held Miso's hand and extended the wooden case containing the sculpture toward me. Both of them beamed brightly, waiting for me to accept it.

I asked, "This... is a sculpture of you two?"

Miso nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! To me and Mom, Uncle Yoon-Ho is always number one!"

I felt a lump form in my throat.

"Hurry up and take it! It's heavy."

"Yeah, Oppa. Miso's arms are going to fall off."

"O-okay..."

With trembling hands, I accepted the wooden case holding the crystal sculpture. The moment I did, Miso, Yoo-Jin, and Jung In-Ji erupted into cheers and clapped their hands.

Overcome with emotion, I slowly lowered my head. "Thank you... Miso, Yoo-Jin."

Since my regression, being able to feel this kind of warmth was the greatest gift I could ask for. After that, the three of them handed me their gifts. Jung In-Ji's present was a hand-knitted scarf she made herself. Miso's gift was a pair of pink knitted gloves that she made with Jung In-Ji. On the back of the gloves, a yellow heart was embroidered.

"I made the yellow heart myself! The gloves were too hard, so I just picked the color. So from now on, you have to wear them!"

Miso had chosen the pink gloves but had embroidered the yellow heart by herself. The colors caught me off guard, but seeing Miso's proud expression as she confidently handed them to me, I couldn't bear to disappoint her.

I stuttered, "They're... really pretty!"

Miso grinned with satisfaction. "Hehe! Right?"

'I probably can't wear these outside...'

I figured they would be perfect for keeping warm while waiting in the car.

Next up was Yoo-Jin's present. She handed me a Galactica Note 20. "Take it. Your phone has been in terrible shape lately, so I got you a new one."

She knew that the staff had already given me luxury items, so she wanted to give me something I actually needed for my promotion gift. I had planned to visit the service center soon to replace my battery, but now, I suddenly had a brand-new phone.

This was a perfect chance to test whether Everyday could be transferred to a new device.

"Thanks. I was just thinking about getting a new phone."

"Then take good care of us from now on too, Mr. Chief!"

"Of course."

Yoo-Jin held onto the sleepy Miso, who was starting to nod off again. "I'm going to put Miso to bed now. Oppa, you should sleep soon too."

After seeing them off to the second floor, I headed up to the third floor.

***

Once on the third floor, I turned on the living room lights and placed the phone on the table.

"Phew... Why am I so nervous about something as simple as copying data?"

My old phone was a Galactica Note 10, holding ten years' worth of records and constantly updating with new functions. I had no idea whether my ultimate weapon, Everyday, could be transferred. If it worked, I would never have to worry about changing phones again.

First, I powered on the new phone and connected both devices with a cable. Then, I launched the backup program that would mirror the entire setup from my old phone.

[Copying app data...]

An animation appeared, showing files and data being transferred. I clasped my hands together and silently prayed.

'Please...'

Even though it was just data, I couldn't relax. After all, I had no idea how Everyday actually worked.

A few moments later, the phone vibrated and a message popped up, confirming the transfer was complete.

[All files and settings have been copied.]

[App data transfer complete.]

The Galactica Note 20 now contained all my data and apps. With trembling hands, I tapped on the Everyday app.

At that moment, a message appeared on the screen.