By Zephyria 
After the script reading was over, Yang Rod dropped off Iagon at an acting academy near his home. That was the end of the manager’s job.
After reading, Iagon, who had been frowning without saying a word, got out of the car. Ha-jun also tried to follow, but was caught by Yang Road. He shook his head while holding Haejun’s hand.
“You must not follow.” Did you not just see me frown? If you touch it at a time like this, it will be a big problem.”Let go.””Ah, no.” Brother, you’ll get fired if you keep doing that.Yang Road desperately grabbed Haejun. While they were struggling, Iagon entered the building, and only then did Yang Lord release the hand he had been holding.
“You need to be careful.” When someone looks like they’re not feeling well, it’s not good to say things like “take care” or similar greetings. Please remember.”Haah.” Ha-jun sighed. I felt drained, but today was not the only day. He could meet Iagon tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.
“The schedule is over, are you going to the headquarters?””That’s right.””Let’s go together.” I will take you home. Sure, and please drop the formalities. I am younger.”…Yeah.”Hae-jun, who was tired of arguing, just nodded vaguely.” Yang Road laughed again, hehe.
Iagon was affiliated with Cheongsu Entertainment, an actor management agency under the Wooyoung Group. Cheongsu is said to have taken its name from the first granddaughter of the founder Woo Myung-jin, Woo Cheongsu, who was the mother of Iagon.
The background of Lee Ah-gon, who is the great-grandson of the founder and the son of the agency’s representative, is still a closely guarded secret. The company people quietly talked about the rookie actor Lee Ah-gon, who suddenly appeared riding on the team leader’s coattails and signed a contract under amazing conditions.
It has only been a few days since Ha-jun joined this company, but he has already heard gossip about Lee A-gon several times.
It wasn’t that I listened because I wanted to. There were so many stories that could be heard even when I stayed still.
“It’s about a kid named Iagon.” How did a complete unknown manage to sign a contract under the same conditions as Rising?”The break room door burst open and three men entered.” They occupied the largest table without paying attention to whether there were other people in the lounge and chatted loudly. Ha-jun, who was just going to lie down and rest for a moment in the empty lounge, ended up unable to move at all.
“There is definitely a huge backing, but I don’t know what it is.””I heard that Team Leader Ok, who doesn’t work on-site, brought you here?” What kind of backing is this?”Moreover, you took the lead as soon as you came in.” The investment distribution is under the name of Woo Myung, so it’s natural for our side’s actor to be involved, but the one chosen, surpassing all the illustrious seniors, is the rookie actor Lee Ah Gon? Ah, this is really too much.”It means that they don’t even notice.” The man with the loudest voice said.
“Did I do really well in the audition?”A young-sounding man interrupted and got hit on the head.
“You idiot, how much money goes into making a movie that you would just give the lead role to someone because they did well in the audition?” Leave it to me. Ticket power is not something that exists for no reason. This rookie.A man with a hoarse voice scolded a young man loudly. The youthful voice asked without losing confidence.
“They really say there is no experience?” Nothing?”Well, I heard they made their debut.” I heard you made an independent film.”I heard that it will also appear in
“Wait a moment.” By the way, was that actor Iagon?”What is it?”The topic of conversation that had been wandering for a while returned to Iagon. As if suddenly recalling a youthful voice, she clapped her hands and said.
“I heard a rookie actor caused a historic incident on
“And then?”
The other two men tilted their heads.
“As soon as he arrived, he said he knew they couldn’t refuse him anything, and just left after saying he’d see them on set.”
“What?”
“Good heavens!”
As the two men expressed their shock, the youthful voice sounded pleased.
“Yes, based on the circumstances, it seems like it was that kid, Lee A-gon.”
“That’s incredible. We’ve got a real powerhouse on our hands.”
“What rookie is already pulling that kind of power play. He must really be a congressman’s son.”
“Even if he’s a congressman’s son, he won’t last long acting like that. I’ve seen plenty of guys who crash and burn because they relied on their connections and acted recklessly.”
The man with the loud voice clicked his tongue. The husky voice chimed in.
“Is that crazy guy any good at acting?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen him yet either. But I heard the screening results for
“The screening results would be good. It was a highly anticipated project from Withpl, after all. I don’t know how well that crazy guy did in it, but if the work itself is good, he won’t get criticized for just doing the bare minimum.”
“Speaking of which, I heard Withpl is producing a tentpole film in the first half of next year.”
“Really? What’s the genre? Have they set audition dates yet?”
“No, not yet……”
It was a good thirty minutes later when the three men, after putting their heads together to coordinate schedules, finally heaved their heavy bodies up.
Only after hearing the door open and close could Hae-jun finally stretch his body. He unclenched his fists, which he had been gripping tightly for thirty minutes. He was trembling with anger. While the criticism of being a parachute was unavoidable, everything else they said was untrue.
Hae-jun knew better than anyone what had happened with
Despite clearly being hurt, Lee A-gon showed no outward signs and endured it silently. Then, he won over the director with his skills. For such a kind Lee A-gon to be accused of a power play? And what did he supposedly do on the audition day? Anyone who knew Lee A-gon would never say such things. Hae-jun felt upset on his behalf.
“You were here.”
The door opened, and Team Leader Ok poked his head in. Hae-jun composed his expression and bowed. He had been assigned as an intern under Team Leader Ok.
“You had your first ride-along today, right? How was it? Was it manageable?”
“Yes.”
“Did the actor get annoyed?”
“Not at all.”
“Really?”
Team Leader Ok wore a peculiar expression at Hae-jun’s answer.
“He didn’t talk back and get yelled at? Or almost get kicked for loitering around?”
“Team Leader, the actor I’m assigned to is Lee A-gon.”
It seemed Team Leader Ok had mistaken Lee A-gon for a different actor. Hae-jun made sure to clearly state that his assigned actor’s name was Lee A-gon.
“Yes, yes, I know. Lee A-gon.”
Team Leader Ok patted Hae-jun on the shoulder.
“If this actor bothers you, tell me. Please, I hope you work here for a long time. For a very long time. Understand?”
“Yes.”
Hae-jun nodded. He had no intention of leaving until he reconciled with Lee A-gon, even without Team Leader Ok’s emphasis.
Lee A-gon’s day was ordinary. He went to the production company for the script reading, then visited his acting academy, worked out, and returned home. Hae-jun didn’t know what he did during his other hours.
They saw each other every day, but they couldn’t have a conversation. Whenever Hae-jun tried to say something, Lee A-gon would put in his earphones and leave, or disappear faster if Hae-jun followed. When Hae-jun stole glances, wanting to see his face, Lee A-gon would sense it like a ghost and turn his head. He truly conveyed with his whole body that he didn’t want to talk to Hae-jun.
‘I want to talk.’
Watching Lee A-gon’s back as he entered the fitness center with a cold demeanor, Hae-jun stamped his feet restlessly. He wanted to speak to him. He wanted to exchange words. It had been a week since they started living like this. Hae-jun was burning with impatience, wanting to talk to Lee A-gon.
He wanted to say “Hello?” to Lee A-gon and hear “Hello” in return. He wanted to stand next to him, greeting him familiarly. This simple wish, yet it remained unfulfilled, and Hae-jun’s imagination only grew.
‘I wish he’d smile when I talk to him. I want to hold his hand like before, and fiddle with his fingers. I want to walk along the Han River together. I want to feed him chicken and beer while feeling the river breeze.’
Hae-jun ran his hands through his hair.
‘Ah, I’m going crazy. What should I do to win him over? What do I need to do for him to smile at me? I want to call him. I want to ask him what he’s doing after work. I’m going crazy wondering if he’s asleep or not at two in the morning.’
“What are you doing?”
Senior Yang asked Hae-jun, who was on the floor pulling at his hair. Hae-jun slowly sat up. His stress was building up because the person he liked was right in front of him, yet he couldn’t touch him or speak to him.
“Work is tough.”
Hae-jun, unable to say the truth, gave a vague answer. Senior Yang, carrying in dinner, clicked his tongue.
“I was curious anyway. Why are you suddenly a manager? The work is hard, and the pay is low, so it’s not a place people join unless they plan to start their own business, but that’s not you either.”
“I just wanted to try it.”
Because the person I like is there. This was another question he couldn’t answer.