Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut - Chapter 529

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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529. Entering the Eye of the Typhoon (1)
That night.
Kwon Myung-eun found herself lost in thought.
-This has to work, CP. We absolutely have to go with Kang Ha-jin.
-How could I not know that? What are we supposed to do about Essentric? Essentric!
Essentric was currently the most famous entertainment agency in the country, and recently had been aggressively expanding its territory by recruiting large numbers of entertainer-type actors capable of both acting and variety shows.
Among them, the one who stood out most prominently was Ha Tae-jin, a young male actor in his late thirties, who had earned fame as a unicorn-like performer—blessed with the image of an intellectual “brain-sexy man” from a prestigious university, exceptional acting skills, striking looks and impressive physicality, overflowing confidence, and the rare gift of impeccable character.
KTBC’s aggressive push for this “In the Chaos” was significantly influenced by Ha Tae-jin’s participation as well.
-…Or maybe we could slightly modify the plan and just bring both of them―.
-The Executive Director was there today watching our entire shoot. Do you have any idea how much of a fuss that actor made, saying Kang Ha-jin was stealing all the rookie positions? He said if we bring Kang Ha-jin, he’d cut not just Son Je-u but Ha Tae-jin too. So what am I supposed to do? Do you have money, Kwon PD? Does Studio A have that kind of leeway?
-….
-Tsk, I told you from the start we should just go with Son Je-u…. What do we do now?
But where there is light, there is shadow.
Essentric was also quite famous for using the star power of its actors to throw their weight around against broadcasting stations.
This time too, they had used S-tier “Ha Tae-jin” as bait to force a bundle deal with Son Je-u, a rising rookie actor they were newly promoting, which had caused considerable trouble. Eventually, we got him on the casting shortlist under the condition of receiving production investment….
‘If only that stupid kid had just properly secured his own meal ticket….’
The CP’s claim that the unexpectedly appeared Kang Ha-jin had stolen the character meant for rookie actor Son Je-u was absurd.
Son Je-u showed nothing during today’s shoot. To be honest, even without Kang Ha-jin, I wouldn’t have wanted to bring Son Je-u along.
“….”
Kwon Myung-eun quietly gazed up at the night sky.
I briefly considered pulling out the cigarettes in my inner pocket, but remembered Go Writer’s warning that if I kept smoking like that, I’d suffocate to death in the Mastering Room, so I refrained.
My recollection continued.
-Ha-jin.
After the shoot ended, after the meeting with the CP.
I met with Kang Ha-jin.
Officially, it was for a meeting with a casting candidate, and unofficially, it was for an honest conversation between senior and junior who hadn’t seen each other in a while.
-I’ll be straight with you. I want to do this show with you. Obviously, right? That’s why I called you.
-….
-…But the higher-ups are telling me not to bring you.
At that Gamjatang Restaurant we used to frequent during our senior-junior days.
I poured an entire bottle of soju straight down my throat on an empty stomach before the gamjatang broth had even cooled, and said that. Kang Ha-jin simply went through the familiar motions, generously ladling gamjatang onto my plate and casually pouring soju into my glass.
-Senior. In this world, there’s something called a “glass.” It’s a tool designed for people to pour and drink water or beverages from….
-Just take it easy, will you.
-….
-Why do you always have to do everything yourself and give me a headache? Did you think I wouldn’t have made sure you got cast no matter what?
If only you, Kang Ha-jin, had been a little less greedy.
If you’d just blended in a little more smoothly.
If you’d only done that, maybe the CP and Essentric wouldn’t have classified you as a person of concern, and would have simply seen you as a pawn to generate early buzz.
I honestly knew I was being unreasonable myself.
‘Moderation in variety shows. And with Kang Ha-jin, no less?’
Waiting for hair to grow on a stone Buddha’s head would be faster.
With that thought, Myung-eun downed the soju Ha-jin had poured for her in one gulp.
-Seriously… at least eat some broth while you drink. Don’t treat soju like it’s soup.
-Anyway! Don’t worry about it.
-Senior, are you drunk?
-I’m sorry, but there’s no way I can stay sober right now. The thing is, the CP is being difficult, but the entire production team is completely on your side. I’ve already laid some groundwork, so once we get a reaction, we can flip the situation around….
-Is it because of Essentric? Son Je-u…was it? He’s been getting a lot of push lately.
At Ha-jin’s words, which made it sound like he knew everything, Myung-eun stopped mid-motion as she was about to scoop some broth and looked at him.
Even though it was a Gamjatang Restaurant she’d asked him to bring her to, Kang Ha-jin hadn’t touched his own spoon at all, resting his chin on one hand. As he looked at her like that, he let out a low chuckle and straightened up. The hand holding the ladle slowly stirred the gamjatang on the opposite side.
-How did you know that?
-The kids told me before I came to shoot today? I’m still in the company’s Assistant Director chat room. They keep inviting me back every time I leave, then I leave again and they invite me back.
-…These damn kids.
I’d been wondering where all the company’s confidential information was leaking from, and it turned out to be these loose-lipped youngest members.
As Myung-eun thought about gathering all these guys together once she got back to the company, she chewed the meat, bones and all, with vigor. While her insides oscillated between heaven and hell, Ha-jin simply took a sip of water.
Watching his carefree demeanor irritated her for some reason, so Myung-eun set down her spoon with a clatter and added her piece.
-You! What? If you know something like that! You should! What? Be more careful…. Ugh, I should have figured it out back when you were spitting out ideas like a machine during the material meeting. How have you been doing PD work all this time? Doesn’t it frustrate you every time a cast member’s face falls?
-That’s why I came out to appear on the show.
-But since it looks like I won’t be able to appear, that’s what’s got me heated!
-But if you hadn’t done that, I would’ve just gotten plain water instead of gamjatang from you today, wouldn’t I?
-….
-Honestly, since I’ve pulled this much content, you’ve got a reason to fight to keep me. If that weren’t the case, would you be someone to give work out of sentiment?
When Myung-eun couldn’t respond to Ha-jin’s words that hit the mark, Ha-jin nodded as if he’d expected as much and continued.
-Senior.
-…What, kid.
-Do you know how to enter the eye of a typhoon?
-Why is this guy suddenly jumping into typhoons while eating gamjatang, and….
-I just need to become the typhoon.
-….
-I’m planning to become a typhoon starting now, Senior.
At the bold declaration delivered in a calm voice, Myung-eun’s thought process came to a halt.
Ha-jin, paying no mind to Myung-eun’s reaction, pulled something from his pocket and held it out to her.
-What is this?
-Someone who can push In the Chaos into the eye of the typhoon.
Ha-jin’s dark eyes gleamed as if they’d found prey. It was the first time since Myung-eun had known Ha-jin that she realized his gaze could be quite fierce.
-When a sucker tries to leave the game, the hustlers raise the stakes. That way, they feel like they’ll lose money if they leave the table, so they sit back down.
-…Raise the stakes so high that Essentric thinks it’s a waste to let their actor drop out?
-Nah, that’s just breaking even.
-…?
-Let’s make them so desperate they can’t get production funding that they shake with anxiety. Make them beg with both hands for us to let them in.
Kwon Myung-eun finally pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
Smoking late at night—it was hardly beneficial for my health, but there was no helping it.
“….”
Myung-eun held the business card in one hand while smoking with the other, lifting it to examine it more closely.
The business card Ha-jin had given me bore a name and title I could never have imagined.
【JDZ Executive Vice President Joo Eun-seok】
‘Now that I think about it, wasn’t there supposed to be one chaebol heir in their group?’
Recalling that this ‘chaebol heir’ was the same ‘long-haired oppa’ who had appeared on Ha-jin’s SNS recently, I exhaled a plume of smoke. The designated smoking area in front of the Studio filled with a hazy cloud of cigarette smoke.
After a moment of deliberation, I dialed the number printed on the business card.
After several rings, a voice came through the phone.
-Yes, hello.
“…Hello, I apologize for calling so late. This is Kwon Myung-eun, PD at Studio A. I received your business card from Kang Ha-jin and am calling to reach out.”
-Ah.
For someone with the title of executive vice president, his voice sounded surprisingly young, but I wasn’t taken aback.
If one of the chaebol heir’s two sons was playing around as an idol, then the other must be firmly controlling the company.
-Hello. This is Joo Eun-seok from JDZ.
I was speaking with the eldest son of the chaebol family.
Just as Ha-jin had said, to make a big move.
In over a decade of working as a PD, I had never taken such reckless action without considering the aftermath, so without realizing it, I stubbed out my cigarette in the ashtray.
“Ha-jin mentioned you. He said you’re someone who could push our program into the typhoon.”
-…Did Kang Ha-jin say that?
“Yes. So I was curious and decided to call. Are you perhaps thinking of investing in our program?”
After receiving the business card and thinking for a while, my conclusion was ‘investment.’
I couldn’t quite recall whether JDZ had any interest in entertainment ventures, but the mere hint of another major investor appearing would make Essentric tense and sharpen their instincts.
-Well…. No, that’s not quite it. We are indeed considering investment plans in broadcasting recently, but ‘In the Chaos’ doesn’t quite align with our brand.
“Then…?”
-I’ve simply been asked to do one thing by Kang Ha-jin.
If not investment, then what could it be?
To my bewildered expression, Eun-seok’s voice came through—gentle yet sharp as a blade.
-‘In the Chaos’ still has no special programming plans on OTT platforms, I hear. I’m told the collaboration with NetPlus fell through. Because of KTBC’s quiet and dignified image, it didn’t align with NetPlus’s pursuit of sensationalism.
“…Yes. You’re well-informed.”
-It’s a basic requirement for anyone in business.
A small laugh escaped Eun-seok’s voice—genteel yet grave.
Yet so impeccably composed that I couldn’t fathom what lay beneath, I felt my mouth go dry.
Eun-seok continued.
-There is one OTT platform showing interest in a joint production of ‘In the Chaos.’ Not only will they provide full production funding, but they’re offering the unprecedented condition of leaving all production matters entirely to the production company.
“Really? But we’ve already circulated our planning proposal beforehand….”
KTBC was as obsessed with OTT distribution as it was with creating signature programs. However, after the deal fell through with NetPlus—when we were nearly at the point of signing the contract—no OTT platform had yet willingly accepted our planning proposal, and we were struggling.
Since it was a large-scale survival program requiring substantial production costs, it seemed we were locked in a game of nerves, waiting either for solid assurance regarding ‘In the Chaos’s’ potential or for the program’s value to depreciate.
‘But investment? With such favorable terms at that?’
To me, who could only gape in disbelief, Eun-seok explained this miraculous situation as if it were nothing special.
Well, I simply asked my close friend, as Kang Ha-jin requested, whether he’d be interested in investing in a broadcast where Younger Sibling’s friend might appear. That’s all I did.
That’s the convenient aspect of having connections in wealthy circles.
At his added remark, Kwon Myung-eun found herself at a loss for words.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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