Chapter 963: Infiltrate (3)

“You are going where?” Choi Yeon-Ha asked in stupefaction.

Kang Jin-Ho replied nonchalantly. “To Britain, Miss Yeon-Ha.”

“Britain? As in the United Kingdom?” Choi Yeon-Ha opened her eyes slightly wider. “Wow. Who knew you were such a globetrotter?”

“Something requiring my attention happened over there, you see?” Kang Jin-Ho chuckled slightly while scratching his cheek.

Choi Yeon-Ha sucked in a deep breath while looking at how relaxed Kang Jin-Ho seemed leaning against the cafe's comfy couch.

‘He’s such a strange man, isn’t he?’

One could say they’ve been around each other for a long time now. In terms of actual time spent together, it might not be that long, but this man named Kang Jin-Ho had already infiltrated too deeply into nearly every facet of Choi Yeon-Ha’s life by now to say otherwise.

However, despite how relatively brief their time together had been, Choi Yeon-Ha's impression of Kang Jin-Ho must've changed too many times to count!

‘And he looked oh-so innocent in the beginning, too…’

The first impression she got back then was starkly different from what she got now. However, she was more focused on Kang Jin-Ho's looks rather than his personality back then, wasn't she?

The first impression Choi Yeon-Ha got from him was… An idiot who didn't even utilize his superior looks properly? Something like that?

Such a thing wasn't rare, though. Surprisingly enough, quite a few male celebs had no idea their looks were good enough to reach superstardom.

So, Choi Yeon-Ha also figured Kang Jin-Ho was one of those cases.

But this Kang Jin-Ho gave off a totally different impression than that version.

‘It feels like he’s got more time on his hands.’

Kang Jin-Ho leaning against the couch like that gave off the impression that he was now much more relaxed than before. And also… Was that a hint of the subtle yet suave dignity of a gentleman?

Choi Yeon-Ha hurriedly rubbed her eyes.

‘Nah, can’t be. Maybe my emotions are blinding me.’

The odds of that being true were significantly high!

It was impossible for a person to be truly objective when evaluating another person, after all! They were bound to be influenced by their own tastes and emotions. In that sense, Choi Yeon-Ha's current impression of Kang Jin-Ho must've been quite heavily edited by several layers of special filters!

“...Yup, I must be losing my mind,” Choi Yeon-Ha quietly muttered to no one in particular.

“Sorry?” Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head.

“N-no, it’s nothing.” Choi Yeon-Ha hurriedly waved her hand dismissively, her cheeks getting slightly flushed.

‘Seriously! I'm just beyond help, aren't I!’

There was nothing she could do about thinking that Kang Jin-Ho was handsome. After all, that was objectively true. However, him having dignity? Like an old gentleman?

A mischievous grin floated up on her lips. Dignity, like the one Choi Yeon-Ha was thinking of, didn’t exactly suit a dude who wasn’t even past his thirty yet.

However, what could she do when that was the impression she got?

“Okay. How long will you be gone for?”

“It shouldn’t be long. Maybe around three days? Four?” Kang Jin-Ho casually shrugged. “I might stay longer depending on the situation, but it shouldn’t be longer than a week.”

“A week…?” Choi Yeon-Ha puffed her cheeks. “Did you know I've planned plenty of fun things for us to do over the upcoming week?”

“…”

“Oh, well. It can't be helped, right? If having an accomplished boyfriend is a crime, come lock me up, officer, for I am definitely guilty.”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled awkwardly.

However, Choi Yeon-Ha suddenly chided him, albeit playfully. “Don't grin like that. I'm trying so hard to hold myself back from whining, you know?”

“...Sorry about that.”

Choi Yeon-Ha sighed softly before changing the topic. “Besides all that. Let's talk about the thing you asked me earlier.”

“Ah, that? Of course.” Kang Jin-Ho sat upright while nodding away.

“Apparently, your sister’s talent agency, Code, is facing imminent bankruptcy.”

“...I'm sorry?” Kang Jin-Ho stared in pure stupefaction at Choi Yeon-Ha. "Bankruptcy? But how?”

“Yup,” Choi Yeon-Ha nodded.

“But, that Code is… Huh?”

Kang Jin-Ho didn't know much about the Code Entertainment Company. But he still remembered hearing about how Code ranked within the top four in South Korea's entertainment industry.

“But, how is that possible? I heard it was a pretty sizable corporation in its own right?”

“Yes, you could call Code a large corporation. It’s just that the whole operation has been run without a clear plan.” Choi Yeon-Ha explained, then chuckled slightly at how dazed Kang Jin-Ho looked. He didn’t show such expressions in the past, but now? He seemed to have gotten so much more expressive than before. “No need to get that shocked, Mister Jin-Ho. People in this industry are usually like that.”

“Really?”

“Yes. A talent agency is different from your usual idea of a company, you see? A company like that is usually one of the two things. A manager or a celeb starts one, thinking it’d be a worthwhile financial adventure. Or, organized criminals hoping to earn some seed money for their other activities.”

“...Hmm.” Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded. That assertion sounded about right. After all, didn’t Kang Eun-Yeong’s first talent agency suffer from several management issues?

“So, it's common to see talent agencies making some good money handing over practically every dime of their earnings to their investors after signing some bad deals. And you also frequently see agencies unwisely trying to diversify their portfolio, only to utterly ruin themselves.”

Even though Choi Yeon-Ha was also a part of this industry, her evaluation remained rather unkind, to say the least.

Kang Jin-Ho frowned deeply. “In that case, should my sister change the agency?”

“Hmm, I wonder… I’m not sure what advice to give you. You see, information in this industry can be reliable… but just as deceitful, too.”

“Oh. Meaning, it’s uncertain.”

“Yes. The situation could be better than what you think. What I don’t get, though, is why Miss Se-Ah is still signed on to that agency.”

“...Sorry?” Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head in confusion.

Choi Yeon-Ha curiously asked, “Why did Miss Se-Ah sign on with Code?”

“Mm? We heard it’s a pretty good agency, that’s why. And its operation is quite sizable, too.”

“Well, sure. That's not entirely wrong,” said Choi Yeon-Ha with a brief chuckle. The way she replied didn't sound all that positive, though. “What you said applies to newbies, Mister Jin-Ho. Have you ever seen top stars in the roster of large talent agencies like Code?”

“…?”

“Even if a talent debuts with a particular agency, it's normal for them to move to a medium-to-small agency when it’s time to renew the contract, you see? That's because they face issues like adjusting profit-sharing percentages and securing enough support for their professional activities. So, an agency like Code shouldn’t be a good fit for a solo artist like Miss Se-Ah.”

“Mm…”

Kang Jin-Ho had no idea what Choi Yeon-Ha was saying. He obviously wouldn’t know how famous celebs chose agencies to represent them or how new acts made their official debuts, after all!

“In that case, what should I do?” Kang Jin-Ho curiously asked.

“Well, moving to a different agency is certainly an option. As long as Miss Se-Ah isn't locked into a ten-year contract… Well, even if that's what happened, I'm sure she can get out of it. You will probably not hold back when hiring capable lawyers, after all. Am I right?”

Kang Jin-Ho nodded. “What about other options?”

“You could interfere and normalize things within the agency.”

“Interfere? What do you mean?”

“Simply put, take over the agency.”

Kang Jin-Ho sheepishly scratched his chin.

‘Take over it, you say…?’

That suggestion didn’t interest Kang Jin-Ho all that much. After all, his plates were already full as-was. In that case, why would he increase his workload by dipping his toes into an industry that barely interested him?

“I’d like to avoid doing that if you don’t mind,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“I also don’t recommend it. If I’m being honest, talent agencies often operate in a way that makes no sense to outsiders, you see? Trying to unpack that will only cause more headaches, too.” Choi Yeon-Ha casually shrugged. “So, I was thinking of recommending another way.”

“I see. What is it?”

“Mister Jin-Ho… How about setting up your own agency?”

“I’m sorry?” Kang Jin-Ho’s brows rose up slightly. “My own… agency?”

“Yes. Your own entertainment company.”

“...Why an agency, all of a sudden?”

“That was the key takeaway from investigating Miss Se-Ah's situation this time, you see?” Choi Yeon-Ha coolly nodded. “The way I see it, I think this might be the best for you.”

Kang Jin-Ho sucked in a deep breath at this unexpected line of attack. He had never thought about doing something like this. “Why do you think that way, Miss Yeon-Ha?”

“Weren’t you trying to figure out the situation with Code to create a safe environment where Miss Se-Ah can do her stuff without any worries?”

“Yes, I was.”

As long as Kang Jin-Ho could ensure that goal, he wouldn’t mind everything else too much, which included how much his little sister made as an entertainer. After all, despite belonging to the group of top earners within the entertainment industry, Kang Eun-Yeong’s earnings were no better than some pocket change in Kang Jin-Ho’s view.

So, he only cared about making her feel secure. That was all.

“Unfortunately, you won’t find such an environment anywhere,” said Choi Yeon-Ha.

“...I’m sorry?”

“Mister Jin-Ho, you don’t know how things are like in this industry. That’s why you think that way. Forget all the talk about Hallyu or tertiary industry or whatever. This industry has a nasty habit of chewing people up and spitting them out without care, you know?”

Kang Jin-Ho frowned deeply. “I don’t quite follow…?”

“Okay, let me break it down for you. In the case of Miss Se-Ah, she should be able to earn around ten million won per appearance. So, can you guess how many appearances she might make in a day?”[1]

“...Around five times or so?”

“Nope. The correct answer is, ‘As many as she can handle.’

This industry doesn't care about how many hours she sleeps. Or what her health situation is. None of those things matter. Other than the middle of early dawn when no one is awake enough to watch idols, she will be constantly on the move. To get to her next appearance.”

Kang Jin-Ho’s frown deepened. He suddenly remembered how difficult it was to see his little sister home when she was in peak demand. Back then, he figured Kang Eun-Yeong must be getting much-needed rest at the agency-provided lodging.

However, to think she spent all those hours on the road, moving from one location to another. It must’ve been incredibly hard on her.

Kang Jin-Ho shook his head and stared back at Choi Yeon-Ha. “Lately, though, Eun-Yeong isn't doing anything other than staying at home or training at the agency's gym.”

“Of course she would be. It's her off-season, after all. Usually, though, an idol in their peak season will get used to the point of overwork, then left abandoned during their off-season. This cycle repeats on and on for everyone. And, if a junior deemed more competitive than you gets noticed, you won't even receive any attention whatsoever,” Choi Yeon-Ha shrugged again. “That is why the worry-free and healthy working environment you envision cannot be found in any of the agencies, Mister Jin-Ho.”

“Mm…!” Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded away.

It was hard to say he definitely understood the situation. However, it must be true if the person saying it was Choi Yeon-Ha, an industry insider. She had no reason to lie to Kang Jin-Ho, after all.

“So, you think I should set up a talent agency of my own?”

“Yup,” Choi Yeon-Ha nodded coolly, then sipped a mouthful of Iced Americano. After quenching her thirst, she put the cup down noisily in front of her. “You should dig a well if you're thirsty, right? So, if there isn't any, create an agency that fits your criteria. Isn't that how it's supposed to be?”

“Well, technically, yes.”

“This option is one step too far for most other people… But you are loaded, Mister Jin-Ho.”

Kang Jin-Ho sheepishly scratched his cheek. Although it was true that he had money, someone pointing it out and reminding him still made him feel a little awkward. “I've never considered doing something like this. That's why your idea is taking me aback a little.”

“No need to overthink this, Mister Jin-Ho,” Choi Yeon-Ha spoke in a firm tone. “I'm not recommending this option because you have the capital, you know? I'd still have said the same thing even if you were flat-broke. This might be something worth taking on a large debt for, at least that's what I think.”

“Really?”

“Plenty of folks want to get their own agencies going, you know? But they can't, even with lots of funds at their disposal. Can you guess why?”

“No, I can’t,” Kang Jin-Ho briefly shook his head.

“It's due to the… lack of people. An agency can only function when it has the funds, manpower, and talents to manage. The first two can be found easily enough, but the talents? Finding those is the hard part. So, you either nurture unknowns from the ground up and hope for the best or use your connections in the industry to attract talents to your agency. However…! Mister Jin-Ho, you already have the talents to manage.”

Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head a little. “I do?”

“Yes. Miss Se-Ah and…” Choi Yeon-Ha pointed to her chest. “Me.”

“…”

“An actor and an idol. But not just any actor or idol but the top stars in their respective fields. Other people would've jumped at a chance like this, Mister Jin-Ho. In fact, way too many people would love for an opportunity like this even if they have to get loans from banks and loan sharks.”

“H-hold on, Miss Choi,” Kang Jin-Ho urgently raised his hand. “Are you saying you want to join this hypothetical agency, too?”

“Of course. Why would I make money for someone else when my boyfriend owns an agency?”

“…”

What a perfectly logical argument that was!

“Stop making such a dazed, idiotic face and sit up straight like a man, please!”

“…”

Why did it feel like he just got scammed? Since Choi Yeon-Ha was not the type to scam people, this feeling of getting scammed felt so much weirder to digest.

Kang Jin-Ho cautiously spoke up. “But, uh…”

“Yes?”

“Let's say we do this for real. However, I don't know anything about this industry, so… How will I manage it?”

“Don't worry about stuff like that. When you have the perfect person to do that job already.”

“Huh? Who are you talking about?”

“Look over there,” said Choi Yeon-Ha while using her chin to point outside the cafe.

That was when Kang Jin-Ho spotted the figure of Han Eun-Sol standing next to Choi Yeon-Ha's parked van and talking on his phone.

‘Ah… So, there was one.’

The potential manager was right over there!

1. At the time of TLing, around $7250 USD. ☜

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