Chapter 200: Did you spill that well?

Yu Seok, Yu Myeong, and Nicolas sat facing one another across the table.

[W has become quite the topic in the industry lately. Haha.]

[Has it?]

[Yes. You only have three actors under contract so far, yet all three achieved remarkable results on Casting Vote. Every actor people started eyeing after seeing them on the show was already signed somewhere, and then it turned out they all belonged to the same agency. Of course people were surprised.]

[Haha, we were fortunate.]

[It could hardly be mere luck. Everyone is impressed by your extraordinary eye for talent, President.]

[CRD is the truly impressive one. Every year, you produce shows that rewrite the history of American television and continue to go from strength to strength.]

They began lightly.

Praising each other while testing the waters.

[I was fortunate enough to attend the first live broadcast of Casting Vote in person.]

[Is that so?]

[Yes. I was deeply impressed by Mr. Shin Yu Myeong's acting. That incredibly immersive zombie performance... Zombies have mostly been confined to films until now, but it inspired me to think that turning one into a television series might be interesting.]

[Oh...a zombie television series. That's certainly an adventurous idea. I suppose that's CRD for you.]

Thinking about it, Yu Myeong could not recall any proper zombie television series having been made at this point in time.

Come to think of it, I've never considered using that kind of knowledge.

He possessed all sorts of information.

He did not know much about stocks or real estate, but he knew plenty about trends in the film and television industries, as well as good screenplays. He could probably use that knowledge for profit if he chose to.

Yet the thought had never occurred to him.

He had simply been too busy acting.

[We would like to develop various projects with you, Mr. Shin Yu Myeong.]

[The...zombie project?]

[No. I only mentioned that as an example of the inspiration you gave me. Many of our directors and writers are eager to work with the actors here. It seems you have a talent for inspiring temperamental artists.]

With a troubled expression, Yu Seok deferred the proposal.

[We're not in a position to make any immediate decisions. For now, the priority is ensuring Director Kyler's film goes well. And as you know, we're receiving a great many offers from all sides.]

Ho Cheol's eyes widened.

Apparently unable to believe Yu Seok had not immediately seized the hand extended by America's largest production company, he watched Nicolas's reaction anxiously.

But Nicolas readily agreed.

[Of course. This is hardly the sort of matter one decides on impulse.]

[Thank you for understanding.]

[We'll visit often and build trust over time. And please let me know if anything unpleasant happens, like what occurred earlier. Our interest is not limited to Mr. Shin Yu Myeong. We are also interested in your other actors, and I am eager to see how your discerning eye develops this company.]

[May I ask why you're being so considerate toward us?]

At Yu Seok's final question, Nicolas smiled so deeply that wrinkles formed at the corners of his eyes.

[Because a good actor is the most valuable asset there is.]

It was such a simple, sincere answer that it was difficult to believe it had come from the hardened industry veteran they had just witnessed.

 "That man...doesn't seem like an ordinary operator."

"I...like him."

Yu Myeong chuckled at that.

Yu Seok rarely showed that side of himself in front of Yu Myeong, but he too was the type to alter his stance instantly depending on whom he was dealing with.

As skilled as he was at offering carrots, he would surely be equally adept with the whip.

Apparently, he had sensed a kindred spirit in Nicolas.

"The office is nice. Congratulations on opening."

"It's still pretty bare. You didn't have to bring anything... Thank you."

Yu Seok placed the potted plant Yu Myeong had brought by a sunny window, then brewed fresh coffee and carried it over.

He did not forget to switch the office phone to voicemail.

"What will you do if an important call comes in...?"

"What business could W possibly have right now that's more important than Mr. Shin Yu Myeong? And even when you're not here, I put it on voicemail often these days. It rings almost constantly. I need to hire a secretary soon, but I haven't found anyone who meets my standards yet."

Yu Seok explained the situation to him.

He had leased the entire third floor, but since the staff had not yet been finalized, he was only using this one office for the time being.

He planned to bring over employees from Korea who spoke English and had already posted advertisements to hire local staff.

Kai had been assigned a teacher and was currently training in the fundamentals.

"At present, the agency doesn't have any talent available for immediate deployment. Do you have a plan?"

Yu Myeong broached the subject carefully.

W currently had three actors under contract.

Yu Myeong's next project had already been confirmed. Hyo Jun was working himself to the bone in France. Kai was exceptionally talented and had gained a fair amount of recognition, but he still had much to learn.

In other words, none of them could be readily put to work.

"Once the staff is in place, I'm considering holding a special audition with prize money and a contract on offer. Naturally, we'll also announce year-round auditions, but we're still far too new. To establish our name in the industry and draw people in, I think we need something that will attract attention."

Yu Myeong nodded.

He had thought of the same approach, so naturally Yu Seok had as well.

But he probably had not considered this.

"What would you think about having me participate as a judge?"

"...You, Mr. Yu Myeong?"

Yu Seok's eyes wavered slightly.

Simply possessing the actor who had made his name known across America through Casting Vote would already be an enormous advantage when attracting other actors.

But if Yu Myeong appeared as a judge himself, the entire event would become far more compelling.

However...

"The risk is considerable. You're still considered a 'rookie' in America."

No matter how extraordinary Yu Myeong's acting had been, or how firmly established he already was as a top star in Korea, the American public still viewed him as a rookie.

A rookie actor appearing as a judge at his agency's audition could easily be seen as arrogant by anyone inclined to interpret it that way.

An agency should support its actors, not hinder them.

Yet Yu Myeong seemed fully aware of the concern. He grinned.

"In your opinion, am I not yet qualified to judge another actor's performance?"

"How could you say that...! Your acting ability and judgment would make you a better judge than almost anyone. But other people may—"

"Then that's enough. Let's do it."

"But—"

"What does it matter if I have nothing to be ashamed of? An actor proves himself through acting."

At those words, Yu Seok remembered three years earlier.

That calm and humble actor had never been entirely modest when it came to acting.

Even now, he casually spoke words that only someone with absolute faith in his own ability would dare utter.

He really was magnificent.

"You don't have to go this far to help me..."

"You offered me the best possible contract back when I didn't have a single credit to my name."

"I told you that was my hobby."

"Then I'll find myself a hobby too. The hobby of helping Agency W grow."

He had been had.

Yu Seok had once treated another person as a hobby, and now those exact words had been returned to him.

When he burst into incredulous laughter, Yu Myeong chuckled as well.

"I'm joking. Besides, the sooner the agency becomes established, the more convenient things will be for me too. Let me know once you have a date. Ideally, it should be before filming begins."

"Understood."

After Yu Myeong left, Yu Seok's expression changed as abruptly as Nicolas's had earlier.

He turned to Ho Cheol.

"Did you leak it properly?"

 The editorial office of Weekly Hot Entertainment.

"What the hell happened?!"

"Well...a strange list began circulating..."

It had started the day before yesterday, when a list from an unknown source spread across the internet.

Entertainment news programs from certain broadcasters, variety shows, newspapers and the names of several reporters employed by them, most entertainment gossip magazines, and a number of film critics.

The list was a chaotic jumble of all those things, and internet users began investigating.

Their conclusion was:

This was a list of media outlets that had disparaged Shin Yu Myeong after he left Good Enter.

-It looks like almost a third of all outlets that cover entertainment news are on this list. That many media organizations attacked Shin Yu Myeong? How was that even possible? He was already practically a top star before leaving for America.

-You didn't know? That's why Shin Yu Myeong's fans were so furious. What did he even do wrong for them to condemn and tear him down like that?

-He's the pride of Korea, and most of them never offered a single apology after attacking him without evidence?

-This makes me furious. I demand an apology, and until we get one, I won't consume their content. I'm starting a boycott.

The repercussions spread rapidly.

Yu Myeong was currently revered as a national hero in Korea, so the impact of the list was severe.

The media outlets could withstand people beginning boycotts, but...

[I've been a loyal SKT customer my entire life.]

Hello. I have used SKT exclusively since the Speed 011 era and have never once changed carriers in my life. However, after seeing an SKT advertisement in Weekly Hot Entertainment, my loyalty has begun to waver. Weekly Hot Entertainment is a disreputable outlet that routinely publishes baseless gossip, and I do not believe it is an appropriate publication for SKT advertisements. If you continue advertising there, I plan to change the telecommunications company I have loyally used for the past ten years, despite how painful it will be...

"How could they use such a vicious method?!"

"W-Well...considering they're targeting advertisers, the most sensitive weakness of any media outlet, there must be someone behind the scenes giving them instructions..."

"What about Good Enter?! They don't benefit from turning the media against themselves either! Aren't they going to explain that this list didn't come from them?"

"Well...they keep saying they're still verifying the facts..."

They were verifying the facts.

That phrase almost always meant, I'm not going to admit it myself, but it probably isn't wrong.

Then, when several media outlets began pressuring Good Enter, the company dangled the irresistibly tempting bait of a Shin Yu Myeong video press conference.

Afterward, they quietly excluded every outlet that had applied pressure.

"Team Leader! Why weren't we invited?!"

[Ah...so many reporters wanted to attend, but the media room we rented for the conference has limited seating. We're truly sorry. We'll be sure to invite you next time.]

"There are local outlets with less recognition than us on the list. What kind of excuse is that?"

[Many subscribers to regional newspapers are also fans of Mr. Shin Yu Myeong.]

An excuse.

It was obviously absurd, but they could not shout at Good Enter to stop spouting nonsense.

Being unable to report news about Shin Yu Myeong at this moment would be far too damaging.

Besides, there was no telling what other disadvantages Good Enter might impose in the future.

"Would...would it be enough if we published an apology?"

[Pardon? An apology for what?]

"For what we previously wrote about Mr. Shin Yu Myeong..."

[I'm sorry, but we're receiving too many calls right now. We'll be sure to invite you next time!]

Click.

The Weekly Hot Entertainment reporter stared blankly at the disconnected phone.

Advertisements kept getting canceled.

Circulation was falling too.

It had felt wonderful when their sales soared after they fabricated a story suggesting Shin Yu Myeong had fled to America to participate in an audition because he had something to hide, perhaps involving women or drugs.

Only then did a suspicion enter his mind.

Could Director Moon have orchestrated this from behind the scenes...?

He knew exactly how to manipulate the public at the perfect moment.

He concealed the source so thoroughly that the target had no opportunity to retaliate.

He guided the flow of events so that it struck his opponent's most sensitive weakness...

The reporter sharpened his suspicions, then shook his head helplessly.

Even if it were true, what could he do?

At present, the other side held all the power.

Tap, tap.

He opened a blank document and began writing an apology.

 [Good morning, Mr. Yu Myeong! Get in~]

Today was the day of Yu Myeong's first interview with Director Kyler.

Kyler had proposed meeting at the unusually early hour of seven in the morning.

Yu Myeong had been curious, but assumed there must be a reason and agreed.

What Kyler arrived in, however...

was a massive camper van.

[Wow...what is this vehicle?]

[Ah, where we're going requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle.]

[Where...are we going?]

Despite his slender frame, Kyler shifted gears in the enormous vehicle with practiced ease.

[Yosemite National Park. It'll take about six hours, so get some sleep.]