By Zephyria “The CEO… wants to cast me as the lead.”
Even though there was no entertainment involved in securing the role, Choi Hong-seo’s voice involuntarily lowered. He knew that unlike himself and Hyun-su, who had been dragged here by CEO Myeong, Jeong Ji-in wasn’t an actor who secured roles through entertainment.
Even though he wasn’t doing it by choice, he felt ashamed for Jeong Ji-in, and he envied Jeong Ji-in’s freedom, unburdened by any weaknesses.
“If this goes well, my life of being dragged around will end. Who knows, Choi Hong-seo, you might even walk the red carpet at Cannes. Haha…”
Even as he uttered words like Cannes and red carpet, Choi Hong-seo scoffed, thinking how ill-suited they were for him. It was like the maggots writhing in a dung heap chattering nonsense, yearning for a butterfly with white wings.
What kind of hellish situations would await me once I stepped through that door?
Dozens, hundreds of times, he had wanted to turn around and run away. He had wanted to expose himself to the world as a male prostitute, a slut. To end it all, saying, ‘Do as you please, CEO Myeong.’ There were hundreds of days he felt that way.
But he couldn’t. How far had he been dragged to get here? How long had he endured? He couldn’t give up now, not after all that. The end was starting to appear. Or so he believed.
To reassure Jeong Ji-in, who was looking at him with concern, Choi Hong-seo forced a light expression.
“I don’t know why they called me here today, but… maybe the director wanted to see you too? You’re not the type to seek out jobs at places like this, the CEO knows that. It’s probably because they wanted to see you.”
And with a smile as bright as he could manage, like a naive younger brother, he added to reassure Jeong Ji-in.
“It would be great if we could work together. Right?”
Jeong Ji-in was one of the few people in the world Choi Hong-seo liked, and he meant it.
■
Director Kang Woo-hyun’s drawing room was decorated with furniture and artworks by famous designers, giving it the atmosphere of a gallery lounge.
Six or seven people were seated on the sofas around a large, heavy table. There was Director Kang Woo-hyun, CEO Myeong of UB Entertainment, a veteran senior actress who had been cast in
“Director, this is Jeong Ji-in, an actor from our UB. Ji-in, please greet him.”
CEO Myeong introduced Jeong Ji-in, whom Director Kang had never met before.
“Hello, Director. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Hmm, yes, nice to meet you. But you’re an actor I’ve never seen before.”
“Yes, like Hong-seo, I don’t have film experience yet. I’ve only appeared in dramas.”
At CEO Myeong’s explanation, Director Kang, still seated on the sofa, scrutinized Jeong Ji-in’s face.
“Good bone structure. Have you had any work done?”
“No. It’s all natural.”
This time, it was CEO Myeong who answered.
While CEO Myeong was diligently pitching Jeong Ji-in to Director Kang, Choi Hong-seo stood beside them, smiling like a mannequin.
Dressed up nicely, with meticulously done makeup and hair, smiling brightly in front of wealthy people comfortably seated on sofas, waiting to be chosen—this was the time for ‘selection.’
Even though his name and face were known, and he was now a fairly popular actor and idol, the situation was not much different from when he first stepped into a host bar. He was still a ‘product’ waiting to be chosen.
Choi Hong-seo vaguely recognized two of the VIPs.
CEO Myeong possessed basic information about the VIPs who frequented the high-end entertainment industry. He had even trained them to recognize key figures beforehand to avoid mistakes when they were called for parties or entertainment.
One man, who appeared to be in his mid-fifties, was the CEO of a large construction company, a subsidiary of a major conglomerate. Choi Hong-seo had already met him at various events. He was a man who enjoyed keeping company with celebrities, regardless of gender, but there was a rumor that he didn’t even glance at ‘products’ over the age of twenty-five. The middle-aged woman next to him was a member of the chaebol family that owned a department store and several foundations.
“I’ve seen you around a few times, but you’re from CEO Myeong’s agency, aren’t you?”
The construction company CEO interjected, showing interest in Jeong Ji-in.
“Your eyes and lips are sexy. How old are you this year?”
“I’m thirty-one, CEO.”
Choi Hong-seo thought it was amusing how CEO Myeong answered every question as if he were a host bar madam, and he let out a bitter laugh inwardly.
“What a shame. Your age isn’t pretty, your age.”
The man, who seemed to regret it, swirled his drink and asked the woman beside him.
“It’s not your type either, is it, President?”
“I prefer cute types like Hong-seo.”
“Hong-seo is cute? Haven’t you seen him perform on stage? His stage presence is extraordinary.”
As if to prove that Choi Hong-seo wasn’t the cute type, the man picked up his phone from the table. The veteran actress opposite him lightly chided him.
“CEO Jo, you’re quite the lecher yourself. But isn’t Hong-seo also past the age that’s pretty to you?”
“I know, right? I met him too late.”
Judging by the casual banter, the two seemed to have a friendly relationship.
CEO Jo, the man, scanned Choi Hong-seo, who was dressed in a sleek tuxedo, and licked his lips. His gaze was one of regret, like looking at an overripe fruit whose harvest time had passed. Goosebumps prickled Choi Hong-seo’s arms.
With a smile that felt like his lips were about to spasm, Choi Hong-seo averted his eyes from CEO Jo’s gaze, turning his head naturally.
The remaining VIP.
A man sitting alone on a single sofa at the head of the table caught his eye.
He had no information about this man at all.
He had never entertained him before, nor had CEO Myeong given him any prior briefing.
Perhaps in his early thirties? Or mid-thirties?
Like most incredibly handsome men, it was difficult to gauge the man’s age from his features. He looked like someone in his early thirties with a calm demeanor, but it was also plausible that he was in his mid-thirties who looked younger than his age.
His perfect poker face, which revealed neither his mood nor his personality, made it even harder to guess his age.
It was a stark contrast to CEO Jo. CEO Jo was also a handsome man, well-maintained for his age, but he lacked the same gravitas as the man at the head of the table.
From CEO Jo’s expression and his casual posture, one could immediately discern what kind of person he was and what he wanted from this gathering.
But the man at the head of the table was like a mineral, a painting in a frame, from whom no information could be gleaned.
Still, one thing was certain. Despite looking much younger than the other VIPs, his position at the head of the table indicated he was clearly a VVIP. He was likely the person they needed to impress the most today.
Choi Hong-seo felt nervous because he couldn’t gauge the mood or personality of such an important person at all.
‘Whether the movie gets greenlit or scrapped depends on you, so do it without mistakes. Today, it seems… there will be VIP entertainment after a long time.’
CEO Myeong’s warning resurfaced. Perhaps this man was the one he had to entertain today.
Just as he was about to scratch his lower lip with his teeth out of nervousness, his eyes met the man’s deep gaze. He tried to force a pretty smile, as he always did in front of VIPs, but for some reason, it didn’t work. The corners of his lips twitched awkwardly, as if spasming.
The man, with his legs crossed and hands clasped on his knees, seemed like a ruler who could pierce and control people with his gaze alone. He wouldn’t be swayed by such a superficial smile, and he seemed to be thinking, ‘What shallow trick are you trying to pull?’ He looked as if he might twist those handsome lips at any moment and deliver a ruthless insult.
It was frightening not to know what he wanted. People like CEO Jo were actually easier for ‘entertainment.’
“Director, this is a rather presumptuous remark, but I thought actor Jeong Ji-in might be suitable for the role of a doctor suffering from pet loss syndrome. I prepared him to be introduced to you, Director.”
Right beside them, CEO Myeong was still trying hard to get Jeong Ji-in cast in
“CEO Myeong.”
Upon hearing CEO Myeong’s words, Director Kang’s lips immediately twisted.
“I know you’ve worked hard for this film and I rely on you a lot, but… that’s only regarding matters outside the production. If you try to interfere with the production like this, I’ll be in serious trouble.”
“Interfere? Director, how could I possibly have such thoughts about your film?”
As CEO Myeong sweated profusely trying to placate the fuming Director Kang, Choi Hong-seo and Jeong Ji-in stood like culprits, simply occupying their spots. They stood with their hands clasped, waiting like emotionless dolls for the situation to resolve itself.
“Director, please calm down a bit. This isn’t a gathering meant for our guests to see this kind of scene.”
The actress, who seemed to be close friends with Director Kang, stepped in to mediate. Only then did the atmosphere slightly ease, and Choi Hong-seo cautiously raised his gaze.
His eyes met the man at the head of the table once more. Not wanting to be misunderstood as disrespectfully glancing at a VIP, he immediately lowered his gaze.