This Life is Splendid

Episode 9

Yoon Joo-hyuk was very different from the average staff. He was someone who was always at the top, but never seemed to be at the bottom. To be exact, he seemed like someone who had only ever been at the top.

Joohyuk also knew that other people thought he was arrogant and cocky. But he didn’t intend to change that.

“I like the edit. Let me know when you’ve done the rest.”

“all right.”

After Director Sami Hyun left the editing room, Joo Hyuk quietly stared at Da Eun’s face. Feeling thirsty, he grabbed the cup that was next to him.

I wanted to see you.

* * *

Today was the day I was supposed to stop by my agency and meet Director Moon Ki-jung.

Do-yoon guided Da-eun to the director’s office. Director Moon, who had been on the phone, smiled and waved at her.

For an average man, his long hair flowed softly around Director Moon’s cheeks. Like some celebrity, he had a face that looked great with a leaf cut.

As Da-eun bowed and sat down on the sofa, Do-yoon quickly brought down the coffee and placed it in front of the seat where Director Moon was sitting and Da-eun’s seat.

“Yes, please come in.”

Director Moon politely ended the call, took a deep breath, and sat down. He drank a cup of coffee filled with ice in one gulp and asked.

“Da-eun, you said the filming went well?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, I was able to return safely.”

When Da-eun answered without a hitch, Director Moon laughed heartily and rubbed his palms together.

“Director Sami Hyun personally called me and praised me. I also recognized you when you auditioned at our agency. You did well.”

“thank you.”

Director Moon, who was watching Da-eun quietly greeting him, suddenly got up as if remembering something, went to the desk, and brought out a tablet PC.

“ is over now, right?”

“yes.”

“Then take a look at this.”

Da-eun accepted the tablet that Director Moon handed her. There were several files displayed on the screen, which were scenarios for various works such as movies and dramas.

“It’s a work where a supporting role is guaranteed.”

‘BM Company’, which Da-eun signed a contract with, was also a production and investment company for movies and dramas. Thanks to this, the company was able to often include its actors in the works it produced and invested in.

In fact, it was a common practice in the industry, and because of this, the profit distribution ratio was higher than that of other agencies.

“Take your time.”

“yes.”

While Director Moon drank the remaining coffee, she carefully looked over the titles of the works first.

She knew what would be popular in the next three years. She looked for familiar titles, whether movies or dramas, and checked the stories one by one.

Is what I knew before the regression correct?

Da-eun’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the various works. This was the romantic comedy drama written by Yang Song-hee, in which Noh Hye-young had a supporting role before returning.

This work also had a supporting role guaranteed thanks to BM Company’s investment. It was a very successful work.

but.

Although the work itself was guaranteed to be a box office hit, writer Yang Song-hee was also famous for her plagiarism controversy.

No matter how well it goes and even if it wins an award at an awards ceremony, it would not be a wise choice to get caught up in controversy.

“Sir, I want to do this.”

After thinking for a moment, Da-eun chose one of the works, displayed it on the screen, and handed it to Director Moon Ki-jung.

“Hmm. That’s a good choice. There’s one spot left. Can we start filming right away?”

“Yes. I want to start working right away.”

It was writer Kim Hee-sook’s human drama that was scheduled to air on the same day and at the same time. It was also a work that Da-eun’s agency, BM Company, was in charge of producing and secured her a supporting role.

“Okay. Then I’ll contact Director Shin Jeong-geun and set up a meeting. And this.”

Director Moon handed me the script for and a small USB.

Since he said we had to start filming right away, I understand the script, but what is this? Da-eun tilted her head as she accepted it without thinking.

“These are works that have a long production period. So, I suggest that you decide on your next work in advance.”

It was an unexpected remark. Da-eun greeted him with wide eyes.

“thank you.”

“Thank you. That’s my job. Today, I’m going in and diligently memorizing the script.”

“Yes. Let me go in.”

As I left the office, Do-yoon, who had been working, suddenly got up and came over to me.

“Are you going home?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Do-yoon smiled brightly at Da-eun’s greeting and picked up his car keys. He said that his face was starting to itch as he sat in the office.

On the way home, Da-eun thought about Director Moon.

What was BM Company like before you returned? Even then, you signed a contract with BM Company before you graduated.

However, he was fired due to burns and other reasons.

Hye-young, who passed the audition with Da-eun and signed a contract, has remained with BM Company ever since.

Because of that, Da-eun had come to know the news about BM Company even though she didn’t want to.

For example, as much as BM Company is generous to new actors, they also give them a lot of inappropriate instructions behind the scenes.

Director Moon Ki-jung actively opposed CEO Bae Yong-seop’s attempts to bring new actors, especially new actresses, to meetings with investors.

I heard that after about three years of continued differences of opinion, Director Moon left and started his own company.

Da-eun let out a sigh and held the script tightly. In this industry, the contract for a newbie was 7 years. Because of the contract period, she couldn’t leave the agency right away, so she had to stick close to Director Moon for the time being.

And I was planning to follow Director Moon when I got the chance. Since Director Moon was independent in the form of a label, I was able to change agencies without unnecessary lawsuits.

“I’m Actor Kang.”

Da-eun, who had opened the script for , looked at Do-yoon who was calling her. When their eyes met in the rearview mirror, Do-yoon moistened his lips and spoke.

“The CEO wants to see you for a moment.”

At those words, I suddenly remembered the time I ran into Do-yoon before returning.

It was when I started working as a stuntwoman at Hye-young’s recommendation. After finishing the stunt filming, I followed Hye-young to the agency, and Park Do-yoon was there with CEO Bae Yong-seop.

I said hello and joked with Hye-young about having a drink next time, but on the way back, Hye-young said in disgust.

‘I can’t stand seeing that kid being so happy with the team leader position because of me.’

And Hye-young kept spouting off words that weren’t even asked.

At first, Park Do-yoon was my road manager, and I met CEO Bae together with Do-yoon and was introduced to a sponsor that day.

At the time, I thought it was just a simple ‘sponsorship’ because Hye-young was talking about it so excitedly, but it turned out to be the dark side of the entertainment industry.

It would be impossible to not meet CEO Bae Yong-seop at all.

In that case, it would be better to tell him clearly that you don’t need a sponsor when you first meet him. I wonder if he’ll be a good candidate.

I thought about Representative Bae, but there was no useful information.

“What about Director Moon?”

When introducing the sponsor to Hye-young, it seemed like Director Moon Ki-jung was left out. As expected, Do-yoon glanced back and furrowed his eyebrows in embarrassment.

“Please keep it a secret from the director. Representative Bae called me here separately.”

“okay.”

Maybe I’ll meet that sponsor today. Da-eun nodded, saying she understood for now.

While Do-yoon was concentrating on driving, Da-eun immediately sent a message to Director Moon.

I wasn’t sure if I would meet the sponsor together with the representative, so I just mentioned it to Director Moon for now.

It was also strange to refuse to meet with the representative when it was not clear what the purpose of the meeting was.

At that moment, a reply arrived from Director Moon.

I hope it’s for another purpose, but even if a sponsor comes, I hope it won’t be in a coercive atmosphere.

Da-eun covered the script and looked out the window, letting out a complicated breath.

* * *

“Oh my, you’re so pretty. Come in.”

Surprisingly, the sponsor had a clean-cut impression. I had thought he would be a middle-aged man with a lot of greed, but he was young, handsome, and even gentle.

The moment I saw her face, Hye-young’s words came to mind.

‘It’s quite powerful even though it doesn’t look like that.’

Hye-young’s shy expression looked like she was falling in love.

After hearing that, it wasn’t just sponsorship, but it was also a lover’s role that led to things like bedtime, so Hye-young tried to stop her, but Da-eun didn’t listen to her.

Do-yoon, who was standing next to him, extended his hand to CEO Bae and the sponsor. After a brief handshake, CEO Bae introduced Da-eun.

“This is our new actor I mentioned earlier. This time, he filmed a movie directed by Sami Hyun.”

Representative Bae explained to the sponsor, and the sponsor looked at Da-eun with wide eyes as if he was interested. Do-yoon poked Da-eun in the side as if to say hello.

“This is Kang Da-eun.”

Representative Bae burst into laughter, feeling that her attitude was stiff, and added hurriedly.

“You seem nervous. Come on, sit down.”

Da-eun checked her phone as she sat down. She had sent a message to Manager Moon with the address of the meeting place as soon as she entered the parking lot.

I couldn’t figure out the meaning of the short answer. I sighed softly.

I couldn’t tell if she was going to come or if she just said she understood. Anyway, as soon as they sat down, the employee came in through the sliding door and handed out teacups for her and Do-yoon.

Slurp-.

The cup was filled with tea. Da-eun, who was looking at the rippling tea, opened her mouth.

The first priority was to figure out what kind of position this was.

“I haven’t yet received a detailed explanation of what I was invited to.”