Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All - Chapter 297: Han Woo-Ju (1)

“What is this?”

Originally, Kang Ha-Na’s vocals were known for her sweet voice combined with strong vocal techniques to effortlessly cover all ranges.

However, her strengths across all ranges were being maximized after a brief training session with Seo Yeon-Woo.

Everyone in the recording studio began to be deeply captivated by the newly evolved Kang Ha-Na’s singing.

The song ended a moment later, but a heavy silence still lingered in the recording studio until Kang Ha-Na came running out of the recording booth. “I did really well just now, right? Right? I’m not imagining it, am I?”

“That was incredible!”

“Is this really the same song?”

As everyone simultaneously gave her a thumbs-up, Kang Ha-Na was overjoyed to the point of fainting.

It was the moment Kang Ha-Na acknowledged Seo Yeon-Woo, who was three years younger, as her teacher.

“Mr. Yeon-Woo, you’re amazing! How did you do it?” she asked jubilantly.

Seo Yeon-Woo couldn’t hide his surprised expression either. “Miss Ha-Na, you’re the amazing one here. How did you manage to do that in one go?”

The meeting of two geniuses had produced astonishing results.

Excited, Lee Dong-Min dramatically raised the terms of the contract. “Let me offer you new conditions! Salary of 40 million won, a three-room apartment near the company, and a caregiver for your grandmother! What do you think?”

Seo Yeon-Woo’s jaw dropped in disbelief at the even better conditions. “Th-thank you so much!”

A moment later, the second test began when the members of Cherry Blossom arrived.

Once again, the results were a huge success.

Not only Sae-Ri, who could hold her own as a vocalist anywhere, but also the members who specialized in dance agreed that it was the best training they had ever received. They all called Seo Yeon-Woo a genius teacher.

After deciding to start proper training the next day and sending off Kang Ha-Na and Cherry Blossom, I immediately played the song that Ling Ling had sung for Seo Yeon-Woo.

However, Seo Yeon-Woo’s expression turned serious as soon as he listened to the song. “I’d need to hear her in person to be sure, but it sounds like her vocal cords are quite weak.”

Once again, Seo Yeon-Woo’s judgment was spot on. It was incredible to think he could identify a problem with the vocal cords after just one listen.

I asked, “If there’s an issue with her vocal cords, would it be difficult for her to continue as a singer?”

Seo Yeon-Woo shook his head. “Oh, no. I wouldn’t say so. I taught a student in a similar situation last year, and they ended up joining Ace Entertainment as a trainee under good management.”

“Really?”

“Yes. The girl you just mentioned, Ling Ling, especially knows how to produce pretty notes. So I think it should be more than possible if she switches to a technique that uses her vocal cords less. Of course, I’d need to hear her in person to make a more accurate judgment.”

Indeed, bringing in Seo Yeon-Woo was the right decision.

With no reason for any further delay, we headed straight to Kang Ji-Yung’s office.

After hearing what had happened in the recording studio, Kang Ji-Yung immediately presented a contract. “You can start work tomorrow. Team Lead Jung, can you handle his housing arrangements?”

“Of course.”

“Since he is taking care of his grandmother, try to find a place without stairs.”

“Yes, I will.”

We quickly finalized the contract, fearing that someone might take Seo Yeon-Woo away.

After completing the contract, we went down to the underground parking lot to take him home. As I got Seo Yeon-Woo into the car, I also called Wang Long.

“We’ve found a highly skilled vocal trainer. I played the song Ling Ling recorded earlier, and he thinks he can manage it,” I updated him.

-Really?

It had only been a few days since Wang Long had gone to China, and he was clearly surprised that we had already found a trainer.

-Our president is currently on a business trip to London, so it’ll take a few days to get confirmation.

“Don’t worry, it’s not urgent. I just contacted you to let you know so you can give Ling Ling the good news.”

-Great. Ling Ling is going to be really happy. Thanks, Yoon-Ho.

“Don’t mention it. Anyway, take care!”

I let out a sigh of relief after hanging up the phone.

At that moment, Seo Yeon-Woo hesitated as if he wanted to say something.

“What’s wrong? Is everything okay?” I asked.

“Well, it’s just that you’re much older than me… so could you speak comfortably? You’re my team lead now… and we’re in the same company.”

It seemed that the formal language made him feel distant. Seeing this, I extended my hand to Seo Yeon-Woo. “Sure. Let’s get along well from now on.”

“Yes, hyung-nim!”

Only then did Seo Yeon-Woo grab my hand with a happy expression.

***

Wanting to drop him off as close to his house as possible, I turned into the alleyway leading to Seo Yeon-Woo’s house.

“Hyung-nim, you can just drop me off here. It’s double-parked up ahead, so it’ll be hard to get your car out if you go further.”

There was still about 600 meters to his house, but he said he’d walk from here.

“Are you sure? Alright.” I said as I parked the car at the entrance of the alley.

“But hyung-nim…” Seo Yeon-Woo said hesitantly.

“You can speak comfortably with me too,” I assured him.

“Okay, hyung. I don’t know how to thank you for everything today.”

Seo Yeon-Woo didn’t know how to repay me for saving his life at the construction site and offering him a job.

I smiled. “If you’re really grateful, just take good care of the kids you’ll be teaching. That’s all I ask.”

Seo Yeon-Woo nodded vigorously. “I’m really confident in my teaching skills. I’ll bring out the best in the singers I train.”

“Just hearing that makes me feel reassured.”

Seeing Seo Yeon-Woo’s joy, I made another suggestion. “Yeon-Woo, you originally wanted to be a singer, right?”

“Yes…”

Seo Yeon-Woo had initially aimed to be a singer but had given up because of his appearance.

However, I wanted to give him hope. “Let’s work hard as a vocal trainer for a few years. Then I’ll make sure to produce your album.”

Seo Yeon-Woo was stunned, his expression blank with surprise. “R-really?”

“Yeah. You’ll need to focus on helping others achieve their dreams for now, but I’ll help you achieve yours later. So please take good care of our kids.”

Seo Yeon-Woo nodded enthusiastically with a joyful expression. “Of course, hyung!”

As I patted Seo Yeon-Woo on the shoulder and was about to send him off, I noticed the neighborhood grocery store just ahead.

At that moment, an idea crossed my mind. “Yeon-Woo, let’s get out.”

“Huh?”

I turned on the car’s hazard lights and headed to the neighborhood grocery store with Seo Yeon-Woo.

The owner, who had been dozing off, welcomed us. “Welcome.”

“Sir, do you have egg cookies here?” I asked.

“They’re inside, over there.”

I quickly strode into the store. Seeing the piles of egg cookies, I grabbed several and put them in a basket. Then I told Seo Yeon-Woo behind me to buy some snacks as well.

“I promised to buy them for your grandmother, so I have to keep that promise. And get anything your grandmother likes and anything you want too.”

Seo Yeon-Woo stared at me.

“What are you doing? Go on and choose what you want. I have to head back soon,” I quickly urged him.

Hearing that I was in a hurry, Seo Yeon-Woo lowered his head and picked up a single custard cream snack. “My grandmother likes this.”

“Just one? What about something you like?”

“I’m fine.”

Unable to stand it, I started filling the basket with various snacks. “This one’s pretty good, and this one’s not bad either. I tried this one from Miso and it was delicious. Oh, and let’s get some drinks too.”

I filled the basket with snacks and bread until the shopkeeper was fully awake.

Seo Yeon-Woo, now holding plastic bags full of snacks and drinks in both hands, looked unsure of what to do. “This is too much, hyung.”

I waved my hand. “It’s not that much. And here.”

I pulled out a white envelope I had prepared in advance from my pocket. “Use this to get by until your first paycheck comes in. The company will cover the moving expenses, so you can use this for living costs.”

It was 2 million won.

Given Seo Yeon-Woo’s current situation, even this amount might not be enough. But I put in just the right amount as I thought giving him more might make him uncomfortable.

Seo Yeon-Woo shook his head. “N-no, really. I have money.”

“You didn’t even get paid for today’s work, so take it. I’ve got plenty of money.”

Since he was holding plastic bags in both hands, he couldn’t resist and had to accept the envelope I handed him.

“But still…”

“Just take good care of your grandmother, eat well, and stay healthy. That’s my first order as your team lead. This money is pocket money, so don’t even think about paying it back.”

Although he would receive a salary, the money needed for his grandmother wouldn’t be a small amount.

From the start, Kang Gam-Chan had given me a hefty bonus to use for situations like this. I didn’t hesitate to spend that money on Seo Yeon-Woo.

“Your grandmother must be waiting for you. Go on inside.”

As I nudged him forward, Seo Yeon-Woo reluctantly started walking toward his house.

Only then did I get back into the car.

As I fastened my seatbelt and prepared to drive off, I saw through the rearview mirror that Seo Yeon-Woo had stopped and was bowing his head toward me. “That kid. He really doesn’t listen.”

I started the car and waved out the half-open window. “See you tomorrow!”

Seo Yeon-Woo’s voice echoed down the alley. “Hyung-nim, I’ll work hard and give it all I’ve got! I swear!”

***

The day after signing a contract with Seo Yeon-Woo, Hoop Entertainment was once again in an uproar.

Despite only ten episodes of In the Name of God having aired, the broadcasting station’s PDs and CPs were calling us every day.

Since I was avoiding their calls, they were trying to reach me through not only Actor Division 1 and 2 but also the Singer Divisions.

As a result, the team leads at Hoop Entertainment were begging me to quickly decide on Yoo-Jin’s project.

After wrapping up a noisy meeting with the team leads and returning, I saw that Lee Yung-Jin had a pale expression on his face.

“Why do you look like that?” I asked.

“Mr. Yang from KBC called five times. He begged me to make sure you call him back as soon as the meeting was over,” Lee Yung-Jin explained.

Apparently, Lee Yung-Jin’s phone rang five times while I was at the team leaders’ meeting.

“I-is that so?”

However, that wasn’t the end of it.

Jung Sang-Bong, who looked even paler than Lee Yung-Jin, spoke up. “Mr. Jung, Mr. Jung Sam-Ryong from SBC called seven times. He seems determined to come find you in person.”

I had to refuse the offers from both of them since I had already made a verbal contract with Director Choi Sang-Byung from MBS.

However, there was no way the CPs would accept that. They’d insist that it’s not over until the ink is dry, which led to more pressure.

Since I was already planning to head out to finalize the contract with Writer Han Woo-Ju for Hawranjeon, I spoke seriously to Lee Yung-Jin and Jung Sang-Bong. “Yung-Jin, Sang-Bong, listen carefully. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“I’m going into hiding starting now!”

Lee Yung-Jin and Jung Sang-Bong’s eyes widened in unison.”Pardon?”

“M-Mr. Jung!”

I told the two startled men to hold out for just one more day.

“I’ll just get chewed out if I take those calls now. So I’m going to go and finalize the contract for the next project. After that, I’ll take responsibility for handling both broadcasting stations.”

Lee Yung-Jin sighed and asked, “What should I say if another call comes in? I told him you were in a meeting earlier.”

“Tell him the meeting’s over but you don’t know where I am. Say I’m not answering my phone.”

“Ugh... Understood.”

I quickly gathered my things and reassured them. “Don’t worry too much.”

Lee Yung-Jin grabbed my arm. “Can’t we just turn off our phones too?”

“Nope. Go back.”

I used my authority as the team lead to wrap up the situation and quickly headed to the underground parking lot.

I needed to finalize the contract as soon as possible to avoid falling out of favor with the other broadcasting station CPs.

***

I parked my car in a paid parking lot near Gangnam Station that charged 3 thousand won per 30 minutes and checked my planner.

[Everyday V10.1]

[Date: March 17, 2021]

-01:00 p.m.: Meeting regarding the copyright lawsuit for Hwaranjeon. (Report: Assistant Writer Han Woo-Ju, accused of stealing the scenario from her mentor, Writer Yoo Sun-Jung.)

“It hasn’t disappeared yet…” I muttered.

Hwaranjeon, written by the 23-year-old Writer Han Woo-Ju, would achieve the highest viewership ratings in the first half of next year.

Unfortunately, as soon as Hwaranjeon surpassed a 15% viewership ratings after just four episodes, her mentor, Writer Yoo Sun-Jung, would immediately file a lawsuit and claim that her student, Han Woo-Ju, had stolen her synopsis and used it to write the script.

In response, Han Woo-Ju would vehemently deny the accusation, insisting that everything was her original creation.

However, the lawsuit would end in defeat for Han Woo-Ju as Yoo Sun-Jung had registered the synopsis’s copyright first, giving her the legal upper hand.

At that time in my past life, Yoo Sun-Jung crushed Han Woo-Ju in court with the support of the industry-leading KJ Law Firm. After losing the lawsuit, Han Woo-Ju was no longer able to work as a writer.

My plan was to prevent that from happening. “The synopsis should be ready by now, right?”

My first task was to secure an agent contract with Han Woo-Ju and then immediately register the copyright for the synopsis.

After leaving the paid parking lot and walking 300 meters, I arrived at her apartment complex, Kind Villa where Han Woo-Ju lived in unit 202.

Because her father worked as a day laborer in construction often in the provinces, she lived with her younger brother, a high school senior.

When I reached unit 202, I tucked the gift of premium chocolates I had brought under my arm.

But just as I was about to ring the doorbell, loud voices echoed from behind the faded blue front door.

-Woo-Hyuk! Don’t go!

-Don’t stop me. I’m going to settle this with that woman today.

-Woo-Hyuk, please don’t! She really promised to include my name this time.

-Are you kidding? She said the same thing last time and then released your work under her name! What’s gonna be so different this time?

Han Woo-Ju was desperately trying to stop her younger brother, Han Woo-Hyuk.

From what I could hear, it became clear that this wasn’t the first time Yoo Sun-Jung had stolen Han Woo-Ju’s work.

Ristretto’s Thoughts

Also love those custard cream snacks. Man, Seo Yeon-Woo’s grandmother and I have the exact same taste in snacks