Chapter 60

Actor Hwang Min-hwa of Nova Entertainment.

The only thing I remember about her from my past life is that she was an actress who appeared in a Ten Million Movie.

She wasn’t really someone who caused much gossip, and if there was anything slightly unusual about her career, it was just one thing.

That she often switched agencies.

After leaving Nova Entertainment, she joined Horizon Company, which was considered a mid-level management company.

And after passing through several more agencies, she eventually ended up at one of the Big Three management firms, RY Entertainment.

Yes, that’s the place I had refused.

“Her career was impeccable as well.”

I thought this while taking a sip of my Americano. In dramas, she was always steady, but once it came to movies, she seemed almost untouchable.

Perhaps she had good instincts. Over the next five years, Hwang Min-hwa would star in two films that surpassed five million viewers and one Ten Million Movie.

There was another reason she became a topic of conversation.

“Because she was the last actress to appear in Jo Bang-woo’s final film.”

Even though Hwang Min-hwa, who never tasted failure in movies, had one unsuccessful film to her name, and it happened to be Director Jo Bang-woo’s movie *Gold Hunt*.

Even with apparent strong financial backing, the film somehow failed miserably. While it received decent reviews for the content, it wrapped up with poor box office results.

Audience count: a mere 1.5 million.

Compared to the investment that had been made, it was an absurdly low number. The film’s failure culminated in the suicide of Director Jo Bang-woo, leaving it as his final work.

Could this be why…

Actor Hwang Min-hwa didn’t include Jo Bang-woo’s movie in her career portfolio. Perhaps since it wasn’t a lead role, she could omit it…

“Seoyeon, was school okay?”

“Yes.”

Because she had left school a little early, she came rushing to the agency. By the time I finished my Americano, Park Eun-ha was hurrying towards me, slightly out of breath.

She had two cans of coffee in her hand, and upon seeing the Americano in my hand, she sheepishly smiled.

“Ah, you already got some. Sorry.”

“Oh, it’s fine. You can give me one to have on the way.”

“Really?”

The deflated Park Eun-ha seemed to perk up at my accepting the can and smiled happily.

‘I heard she was originally in charge of Actress Hwang Min-hwa.’

Why would she know why Hwang Min-hwa left Nova Entertainment? But every time I tried to ask, I hesitated because of the subtle reactions Eun-ha showed whenever Hwang Min-hwa was mentioned.

Also, Eun-ha apologized too easily, even when she hadn’t done anything wrong.

“Don’t push yourself too much now since we’re just a few days away from the first shooting.”

It was just as Park Eun-ha was saying that…

We were about to leave the agency when a woman was entering the main entrance.

Late twenties, probably.

Her dazzling blonde hair, slender figure, and sharp features gave off an air of luxury, as if she didn’t need any designer labels to exude class. It was as if a golden aura surrounded her, causing even me to subconsciously stop in my tracks.

“Wow.”

Seemingly noticing me, she removed her oversized sunglasses and smiled.

“Nice to meet you, Seoyeon. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Hwang Min-hwa.

A Ten Million actress and top star of Nova Entertainment.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, I’ve heard so much, but you’re even more beautiful in person. Are you in high school?”

“Yes.”

She smiled happily at my answer.

“Well, it’s a pity, but I’m about to leave, but until then, let’s get along well.”

“Yes, thank you for looking out for me.”

When I bowed slightly in gratitude, Hwang Min-hwa smiled with satisfaction in her eyes.

“See you next time.”

With that, she walked away, clicking her heels. Following her was her manager…

“Uh?”

As the manager passed by, his face didn’t leave any particular impression, but I could sense something.

Even though I wasn’t normally sensitive to others’ emotions, the faint flicker of fear was something I’d become familiar with through a recent game.

Fear—a very complex emotion, not easy to identify with just one characteristic.

Was it…

“?…”

Even Park Eun-ha, who had moments ago been chattering beside me, was feeling the same.

I looked at her for a moment.

Then I reached out and called someone on my phone.

***

“Big Brother Jung-woo—!!”

“Could you take a look here just once!!”

Park Jung-woo, who had been newly chosen as the face of the luxury brand “Beol,” greeted people, dressed in expensive clothes, at a department store in Gangnam.

Finally, an official public appearance. Park Jung-woo, decked out in a sharp suit, waved at the line of women.

Every single wave from him resulted in screams of fainting fans. He was one of the top male actors in his twenties. This popularity was proof that his fame wasn’t just a bubble.

“Amazing—”

Then, Jung-woo heard an out-of-place cheer in his ears. The odd sound, like one desperately squeezing out a shout, was still audible amidst the cacophony of enthusiastic voices.

“?…”

Curious, Jung-woo turned his head.

He saw a girl with black hair cupping her hands around her mouth, shouting rather enthusiastically. The uniform stood out against the glamorous crowd gathered at the department store.

“?…”

Jung-woo blinked.

What was she doing here?

For a moment, he thought it might be a hallucination. Was he tired?

After rubbing the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger and looking up again…

“Wow.”

…It was no illusion.

“Someone, take her to the van, please.”

Jung-woo quietly instructed the bodyguard by his side, subtly pointing out the girl with a cautious gesture so that nobody noticed.

After the event concluded…

Jung-woo finally managed to reach his van.

“Are you serious?”

That was Jung-woo’s first sentence after stepping into the van. There sat Seoyeon, drinking a can of coffee.

“How did you suddenly show up without contacting me first?”

“You suddenly showed up without contacting me too.”

“…”

True enough, Jung-woo had nothing to retort to that.

“And besides, I did contact you. You just didn’t pick up.”

Seoyeon showed him her phone screen. Sure enough, the call log clearly showed missed calls from her. When Jung-woo looked at his own phone, he realized that Seoyeon’s calls were indeed in his recent call history—just that he’d been too busy the past few days to notice.

“Fine. Anyway…”

Jung-woo crossed his arms and tilted his head slightly before roughly running his fingers through his hair.

“You should be careful. What were you planning by showing up like this?”

“Not many people know my face yet.”

Well, technically, she hadn’t appeared in any dramas or movies yet, so that was plausible. Still, she was well known by name. Perhaps she was more daring than expected. Maybe this female actor had no fear at all.

“Hmm.”

After all, talking to her wouldn’t make her listen.

“So…”

Jung-woo, while removing his suffocating suit top, asked.

“…?”

At his movement, Seoyeon’s eyes seemed to be fixed on his body.

“What is it?”

“What’s your ‘3-on-x’ ratio?”

“3-on-x?”

“Gym.”

Why did she ask that? Though, Jung-woo glanced at his physique, thinking maybe because he’d been working out recently, he had been looking more toned. He felt proud and smirked.

“Almost 400? I’ve surpassed 300 long ago.”

“Ah, that’s great.”

“?…”

Such a deflating response. Moreover, for the first time, a smug smile graced Seoyeon’s features.

“…”

“Like I’ve just won!” That was how her expression felt.

“…And what’s yours?”

“As for me, I haven’t counted after 600.”

“?…”

600?

Was that correct or not? Jung-woo glanced at Seoyeon’s petite figure. It was hard to imagine such a slim high school girl hitting 600 in the gym.

He chuckled lightly.

One should exaggerate in a way that sounds believable.

“…What are we even talking about with this girl?”

It felt like two close male friends comparing “3-on-x” in the gym, trying to subtly outdo each other.

Anyway.

“So, why did you come?”

“Do you know Actress Hwang Min-hwa?”

“Of course.”

Of course Jung-woo knew Hwang Min-hwa since they had acted together in her previous 6-million-viewer movie, *Butterfly*.

Seoyeon, knowing this, sought out Jung-woo directly.

“Tell me about her.”

“Why… Oh. You’re with Nova Entertainment, aren’t you?”

“Hwang Min-hwa.”

Jung-woo slowly rubbed his chin and began reflecting.

Even at the film set, she seemed normal. She was well-liked among her peers…

“…Is something wrong?”

“Sort of suspicious.”

“Suspicious?”

Seoyeon nodded.

“My manager was originally in charge of Hwang Min-hwa’s.”

“Ah, got it. I understand more or less.”

Jung-woo lifted his hand to stop her from saying more.

“I’ll say this beforehand, but it’s better not to talk about other actors like this. Especially within the industry.”

No matter where, or with whom, one should be careful about what they say. Especially so in the same industry.

“So, why did you come?”

“Who is she?”

“That… because you’re Nova Entertainment, right?”

Hwang Min-hwa.

Jung-woo, while pondering, stroked his jaw with his thumb.

Even so, on set, she was regular. Well-liked by other actors…

“…Is there any problem?”

“Maybe.”

Seoyeon nodded.

“My manager, who was originally in charge of Hwang Min-hwa, seems to have something to say.”

“Ah, I get it. Don’t continue.”

Jung-woo raised his hand again, stopping her further explanation.

“Let me warn you beforehand. Don’t go around saying things like this about other actors. Especially when you’re in the same industry.”

One should always be cautious with words, anytime, anywhere, and to anyone. Especially within the same business.

“And what?”

Jung-woo thought for a bit in confusion before continuing.

“I know a rumor circulating among actors. There is a very well-regarded actor among her peers but, it’s rumored that she verbally abuses her juniors or manager.”

“Verbal abuse?”

“Let me emphasize, this is a rumor. There are no witnesses, and it might not even be true that it was abuse.”

Exploitation.

Jung-woo didn’t need to say the word, but it wasn’t uncommon for newly rising stars.

“Heh…”

“I nearly fell into that trap myself.”

Having been a star since childhood, Jung-woo had never once stopped being famous. He had achieved success at a young age, making him prone to arrogance. Arrogance tends to make one look down on others.

His father’s influence…

And the impact he’d experienced as a child prevented him from falling into that pit.

“And, as far as I know, she’s extremely greedy.”

“Greedy?”

“It’s not necessarily bad. But excessive ambition can be dangerous.”

Seoyeon paid close attention to Jung-woo’s words. She began to understand somewhat why Hwang Min-hwa had so frequently switched agencies.

Kang Chan-yul, the CEO of Nova Entertainment, wasn’t someone who would neglect their talents. He undoubtedly treated Hwang Min-hwa as a top star.

It was just that Hwang Min-hwa wasn’t satisfied with being Nova’s top star.

“Let me just say this—this is just a rumor. Don’t say anything out loud.”

“Understood.”

That nodding Seoyeon, looking completely trustworthy, made Jung-woo a bit uneasy. With her recent participation in a cable variety show, it seemed like she was someone who did what she wanted, which made him uncomfortable.

‘Unpredictable.’

Looking at Seoyeon’s unreadable expression, Jung-woo asked cautiously.

“By the way, just out of curiosity, did she say something to you?”

“No.”

“Does she know her place…?”

“Watch your words, right?”

At that, Jung-woo chuckled. He gestured to the waiting manager that it was time to leave.

“I’ll take you back first. Contact me ahead of time the next time you plan to come.”

“I told you; I’ve already called!”

Seoyeon responded a bit irritably to Jung-woo’s words.

Anyway.

‘Exploitation.’

There was no way Seoyeon would speak ill of Hwang Min-hwa based on this. However,

‘Her next work will surely…’

overlap with Seoyeon’s upcoming movie *The Chaser*.

In her previous life, Hwang Min-hwa’s lead movie *Utopia* stomped on *The Chaser* with a staggering 8 million viewers and became a huge success. *Utopia* was Hwang Min-hwa’s last work as a Nova Entertainment actor.

‘I can’t lose.’

Seoyeon made a firm decision. She had always been someone with a strong competitive spirit. But this time, she had no desire to lose.

That way,

3 days later…

The first day of filming *The Chaser* had arrived.

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