Top Management

An awkward silence settled.

Do Hyeong-tae, looking queasy, attempted to mend the atmosphere.

"Uh, so... actually, Joowon has a bit of an... image problem."

Ever since I started managing Lim Joowon, I’ve heard this endlessly.

He’s well-known, but more famous as a fixed member of variety shows rather than as an actor.

After succeeding in a sweet romantic comedy, he kept getting cast in similar roles, which further solidified his typecast image.

"The image is, well, too 'Hey, I'm a celebrity!' It’s strong in variety shows. Ah, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Some roles suit that celebrity-like image."

Perhaps because the carrot of Seo Ji-joon was dangling before him, Do Hyeong-tae tried his best to diplomatically reject Lim Joowon.

"But in our movie, it could be distracting. Yejoon has a tough life, supporting his family and paying off debts through part-time jobs. When you see Lim Joowon’s face, it feels like he’s about to go off to a party, doesn’t it?"

"Look, Yejoon isn’t an easy role."

Director Lee Chang-in told me.

"He needs to feel both world-weary and yet boyish."

It’s about Lim Joowon.

"Though he appears bright, he’s actually sensitive and prickly. And he has an inferiority complex."

It’s about Lim Joowon.

"It’s a precarious role, as if he’s on the edge of causing trouble."

Ah. So it was Bae Myungjin?

He did cause trouble.

"Director, I wouldn’t insist on such an absurd casting for such a good script. But the Joowon I know can genuinely play Yejoon to perfection."

I opened the photo album on my phone.

"Just put aside Joowon's celebrity image for a moment, and look at his face."

I had pre-selected photos of Lim Joowon that matched the character’s image from the script—full body, close-up, smiling, expressionless, and rough-looking.

Director Lee Chang-in bowed his head and flipped through each photo of Lim Joowon.

Watching him, I spoke up.

"How about meeting Joowon once?"

"Huh?"

"Think of it as an audition, just informally."

"No."

Director Lee Chang-in looked away from the photos.

"But Yejoon is a better fit for Bae Myungjin. It would be rude to reject him after bringing him in just to see his face, so maybe not an audition..."

"…Yes, then. Count your chickens before they hatch."

There’s no direct path ahead.

It might be time to take a detour.

*

Suddenly, it was autumn.

Despite the muggy heat last night, today was perfect for an outing.

Breathing deeply brought a soft, sun-soaked scent.

The sky was high, cloudless, and brilliantly blue. The occasional breeze made my steps feel lighter as I walked along the pavement.

It was such a pleasantly good day.

I did a bit of investigating on people.

It didn’t take long.

I just needed to know exactly what was necessary.

*

Upon arriving at the company, I headed straight to the publicity team.

“Ah? Chief Jeong, are you just coming in?”

“Yes. I was dealing with something outside.”

“You look really fresh today? Did you sleep well last night?”

“That so? I didn’t sleep a wink.”

“…On stimulants?”

I chatted briefly with the staff of the publicity team, then looked around the office.

“Where’s Manager Park? I saw him on the phone.”

“He might be with the division head.”

I went straight to the division head's office.

After knocking, I opened the door, and inside, the division head was leisurely seated alone.

“Hello. Where’s Manager Park?”

“He stepped out to make a call. Probably fighting with a reporter somewhere over a scoop.”

The division head looked at me with a complicated expression.

“If you’re not too busy, have a seat.”

“I have something urgent, so I’ll come back later.”

Next, I headed toward the outdoor smoking area. Manager Park was in the middle of a heated phone call, cigarette and phone in each hand.

“No way. Who said that? Eh? Who said Ji-joon was criticized?”

As I approached, Manager Park raised an eyebrow at me.

Crushing his cigarette, he waved his hand to disperse the smoke.

“Anyway, just write the article, I really won’t stay quiet! You’ll know I mean it when you get a formal complaint!”

After hanging up, Manager Park shook with barely contained fury.

“Are you okay? I have something to discuss briefly.”

“Not okay. Can you believe these calls? Probing if Ji-joon lost a role, it’s suffocating, and I can’t even vent it out!”

“Manager Park.”

“Huh?

 Ah.”

Manager Park’s shoulders slumped.

“I’ve been having trouble controlling my anger. Well, you said you had something to talk about?”

“Shall we go to a conference room? It’s a bit noisy here. And there are eyes around.”

“Need to talk somewhere quiet? What is it?”

“Let’s go.”

“You’re making me feel like I’m about to get PTSD. I really…”

I pushed Manager Park into a dark, deserted conference room.

Then I got straight to the point.

“I’ve come across a scenario I like.”

That moment.

Manager Park’s eyes suddenly lit up like a dead fish coming back to life.

“…Really? What kind of project?”

“It’s Director Lee Chang-in’s next film. He has already decided on Bae Myungjin for the lead.”

“Bae Myungjin? Ah, he acts well. Planning to cast Songha for the female lead?”

“No. I want to bring in the protagonist.”

“…What?”

Manager Park froze as if broken.

“It’s a dual lead, and it would be perfect if Seo Ji-joon and Lim Joowon did it together. I have to consult with the script, but I really hope it gets cast that way.”

“But you said the protagonist is already Bae Myungjin?”

“We haven’t signed a contract yet.”

“Wait a moment.”

Manager Park fumbled for his cigarette pack, then set it down again.

His look towards me was particularly complex.

“…So you’re saying, you want to remove Bae Myungjin and take his role? Right now?”

“Yes. I’ve looked into it.”

I tilted my head slightly towards Manager Park and said.

“There seems to be a problem.”

“…Problem?”

“A woman problem?”

“Ah.”

“The director asked him to lose about fifteen kilograms for the role. But he’s been gaining weight from drinking with women almost every night. Seems he has a girlfriend too.”

“Poor risk management. What if a private scandal breaks?”

Manager Park straightened up.

“Look at our Ji-joon, how professional he is? His private life is clean. If the director tells him to lose weight, he loses it, gains it if needed, and matches the exact body fat and muscle mass required.”

“I think the role of Bae Myungjin would suit Lim Joowon.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Ji-joon is favored by both the director and the production company, no problem there. But Joowon is a bit difficult. The director is so set on Bae Myungjin, he’s not even considering a second choice.”

“The director’s decision is firm... that can happen.”

Gradually, a gleam started to appear on Manager Park’s face.

“How shall we draw up the scenario? Got any ideas?”

“The production company head is lukewarm about Bae Myungjin. And the investment and distribution company that worked on Director Lee’s previous film isn’t too welcoming either.”

“That figures. Bae Myungjin isn’t exactly a box office draw.”

“Approaching from the investment and distribution side might be good. There are plenty of movies that got hit by controversy over an actor. If they feel uneasy about Bae Myungjin, maybe they can persuade the director.”

“Yeah. That would be cleaner.”

“We also want to avoid any noise later about someone snatching a role, right?”

“Of course, we’re not amateurs.”

As the conversation picked up a lively rhythm.

A knock came, and the division head poked his head in.

“What are you two doing? In the dark, not even turning on the light? Dating?”

“…”

After hearing the whole story, the division head looked around the conference room with a smile.

“Ah, this place is truly a hotbed of schemes and plots.”

He joked as he looked at Manager Park.

“Just now you were cursing Peter Pan Gu Jung-min, calling him a bastard for mercilessly snatching our kid’s role.”

“I’m the biggest bastard. I really have no conscience.”

Manager Park shrugged lightly.

“And if Ji-joon enters this film and ends up with a risky partner, the publicity team will keep worrying about potential issues.”

“You seem quite excited.”

“Me? Not really.”

“You’re smiling.”

“I’m just naturally smiley. Can’t help the way I look.”

The division head then turned to me.

“And you...”

“I’m naturally smiley too.”

“No, not like Manager Park, but definitely not you.”

He then pulled up a chair and sat down.

“Alright, all good. But, Chief Jeong, you usually don’t do this kind of thing...”

He glanced at me and asked.

“You sure you’re okay?”

Am I okay?

Honestly, whether it’s a crime or prison, that’s for some uncertain future.

Right now, I’m clearly robbing Bae Myungjin of an opportunity for success.

“My conscience... feels a bit prickly.”

To be honest.

I thought I’d feel nothing.

“Really?”

Manager Park’s eyes widened.

“I don’t feel anything. What should I do? Maybe I’m just too callous.”

“Hold on.”

I silently paid respects to my dwindling conscience for about three seconds.

Then I opened my eyes again.

“I’m okay now. Shall we continue talking?”

***

The job was straightforward.

Easier than I thought possible.

Everything unfolded just as I planned, and a few days later, I heard that Director Lee Chang-in was persuaded again by the investment distribution company to reconsider the role of Lee Yeo-jun.

Of course, the source of the information was CEO Do Hyeong-tae.

I immediately went to Director Lee Chang-in’s workshop, this time with eel sushi in hand.

“Please meet Mr. Joowon just once.”

“Sigh…”

Director Lee Chang-in sighed heavily, clearly displeased.

If this doesn’t work, we’ll need to find another way.

Is the production budget generous?

“Director, since holding auditions and such might be burdensome for both parties, why don’t we just meet casually over coffee? If you still don’t like it, I won’t bring up Mr. Joowon’s name again.”

“Alright, let’s see then.”

Finally, Director Lee Chang-in nodded.

“I’m seeing him because of Chief Jung, but if it doesn’t work out this time, there really won’t be a second chance.”

Someone said that the most important thing is to set the stage.

Once you set the stage...

“When shall we set the date?”

I asked with a smile.

*

While buckling my seatbelt, I called Lim Joowon.

- Chief?

His voice was groggy and muffled. I skipped the pleasantries.

“Mr. Joowon, are you at home?”

- Yes, I just woke up.

“Do you have any plans later?”

- No, I was just thinking about making plans for dinner since I’m bored.

“Don’t make any plans. I’ll be at your place in thirty minutes.”

- Thirty minutes?

After ending the call with a bewildered Lim Joowon, I left the parking lot and dialed Manager Sung Uimin’s number. My mind was exceptionally sharp today.

- Yes, Chief.

“Please postpone whatever you’re doing now, and meet me at Mr. Joowon’s house.”

- Now?

“We’ll discuss the details when we meet. Also, please check if Mr. Joowon’s personal staff is available now.”

- Uh... Yes, I’ll head out right away.

Olympic Boulevard was quiet. When I arrived at Lim Joowon’s apartment in Seongsu-dong, exactly thirty minutes had passed. He opened the door, clad in pajamas and a towel.

“What’s up? Uimin hyung is coming too, did something happen to me?”

Lim Joowon’s eyes trembled as if an earthquake had struck.

“Is this something I need to be mentally prepared for? If that’s the case, I’ll drink some barley tea first.”

“No, I came to talk about a project.”

As soon as we sat down on the sofa, which still looked like a showroom, I spoke.

Lim Joowon’s face lit up.

“Are we discussing the contract for ‘Doctor 25 Hours’?”

Ah.

That was something, indeed.

“No, forget about that. Pretend you never heard of it.”

“What?”

I had looked up Writer Kong Mihee’s social media.

The latest posts resembled those of a budding serial killer.

She was currently bungee jumping in a gorge in New Zealand, trying to get her mind right after a particularly nasty and dirty breakup with Writer Kim Kyungsoo.

“The project I want to discuss with you is a film, and it’s something I really recommend for Mr. Joowon.”

“I’ll do it.”

Lim Joowon quickly approached and said.

“It’s Director Lee Chang-in’s new work. You’re the protagonist.”

“I’ll do it.”

“It’s a crime thriller.”

“I’ll do it.”

“I’ve read the script, and it’s interesting. From what I see, the role suits Mr. Joowon perfectly. If this goes well, it will eliminate any concerns about being typecast.”

“Should I go to the director now?”

“It’s a dual lead role, but if there aren’t any major issues, the other lead will be Seo Jijoon.”

“Seo Jijoon?”

Lim Joowon was about to take off his outerwear in excitement when he suddenly stopped.

His face, previously filled with joy, turned cold as if doused with cold water.

“Am I getting this role because I’m riding on Seo Jijoon’s coattails?”

“If that were the case, would you refuse it?”

“...Is that really it?”

I looked at his distorted face and spoke.

“No. I thought we could try that, but it seemed unnecessary. However, Director Lee Chang-in is not fully convinced about Mr. Joowon. It seems like you’ll have to earn the role through an audition with your own abilities. Is that okay?”

“...Seo Jijoon isn’t auditioning, is he?”

“No.”

“Seo Jijoon...”

Lim Joowon bit his

 lip slightly, then said.

“No, I’ll audition. I’ve had countless auditions during my acting career. Just let me know the date. I absolutely must have this role.”

His eyes burned with intensity.

The eyes of someone who has finally grasped a long-desired opportunity. A mix of rigid pride and battered inferiority, somewhat pitiful.

These were eyes that suited Lee Yeo-jun.

If I show this face to the director now, an audition might not even be necessary.

“But what did Seo Jijoon say? Did you tell him I’m auditioning?”

“No.”

“Is he okay with shooting together? There was a bit of friction during the last company dinner.”

“Friction? What kind of friction?”

“Just a minor thing... while drunk. Nothing serious.”

Had they actually fought?

Avoiding my gaze, Lim Joowon seemed to have a guilty secret.

“I haven’t told Mr. Jijoon yet. You’re the first to know.”

“...Really?”

Upon hearing my words, the corners of Lim Joowon’s mouth twitched.

I handed him the printed script.

Shortly thereafter, Lim Joowon’s personal staff and Manager Sung Uimin arrived one after another. Everyone’s faces were full of confusion.

I showed a photo to the staff.

“I hope Mr. Joowon can look like this. As if he just popped out of the photo.”

It was an old advertisement photo of Lim Joowon that Director Lee Chang-in had looked at for a long time.

“This is... a photo from five years ago?”

“Yes. Can we do it by next week?”

The staff looked up at me, cursing with their eyes.

“To get the jawline like this, he needs to lose at least five kilograms. That was when Mr. Joowon was at his thinnest. We’ll have to talk to the trainer. A few days of fasting, dyeing his hair... we’ll try to make him look as similar as possible.”

Next up was Manager Sung Uimin.

“Please contact the stylist to find a café uniform that suits Mr. Joowon well.”

“Ah, yes, a uniform.”

It didn’t matter if it seemed like an over-preparation.

There are hardly any directors who would dislike a lead actor seriously vying for a role.

“And also look into renting a café for the meeting. If possible, I’d like Mr. Joowon to be able to pretend to be a part-time worker there.”

“Yes, understood.”

Having made the necessary arrangements, I turned my attention away.

Lim Joowon was already immersed in the script, his lips moving silently. He was so focused that the air around him seemed to have a different density.

It was now in Lim Joowon’s hands.

Ultimately, securing the role would depend on the actor’s capability.

*

Seo Jijoon was in the middle of a photo shoot, so I made an appointment and returned to the company.

Then I encountered an unexpected scene.

Jung Jaei was pacing in front of my office.

His hand went up as if to knock, then down, then he turned away, then back to the door, his expression profoundly perplexed.

“What are you doing?”

“...!”

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