I’m an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me - Chapter 69

With this, Han Yeoreum’s mainstream appeal was practically guaranteed. The trend-setting teens and twenties were focusing on Han Yeoreum.

Jegal Rok had no doubt that Han Yeoreum would become the protagonist of the new world that JC ENM would create.

His head was starting to ache from the anticipation of how high she could climb.

* * *

“Ah, I’m so nervous.”

This place was Mapo-gu Sangam-dong. Massive terrestrial broadcasting company buildings stood tall, and between them, the gleaming JC ENM building was visible.

And today, I came here to meet Director Jegalrok.

“Calm down, Han Yeoreum… You’re the protagonist… You’re the top rising actor that JC ENM is paying attention to…”

No matter how many times I tried self-hypnosis, my wildly beating heart knew no peace.

Ever since receiving Team Leader Seong’s call last week, I couldn’t sleep day after day. Even now, I arrived 30 minutes earlier than the appointment time. After all, first impressions are important.

‘I can’t look too desperate either.’

I absolutely can’t be intimidated. I need to do some image making. I took another deep breath.

“Hoo-oo…”

I’m so nervous. Really nervous to death. But who am I? Han Yeoreum, who will become the world’s greatest actor. Good. This seems to calm me down a bit…

“Hello, Ms. Han Yeoreum.”

“Wow! You startled me.”

“I apologize if I startled you. I’ve been waiting for a while, and it seemed like your monologue was finished.”

That’s when it happened. A neatly dressed woman politely greeted me and spoke.

She heard everything. I’m screwed. My image and everything seems to have flown away.

“I’m Director Jegalrok’s secretary. I came to escort you.”

“Hello. I’m Han Yeoreum.”

“The director is waiting upstairs, so let’s go together.”

Jegal Rok’s secretary immediately turned around and began guiding me. When she held her access card to the door, the transparent security gate opened smoothly as if welcoming my entry.

Several people in the lobby fixed their gazes on me as if they recognized me.

“That’s Pi Chaewon, right? Pi Chaewon.”

“Oh… that’s right. Director Jegalrok really brought her.”

“See? I was right, wasn’t I? That’s probably why they released the article yesterday in advance.”

I felt like the corners of my mouth were about to rise. That’s right. The first actor chosen by Director Jegalrok. That’s me, Han Yeoreum.

If I could, I’d want to grab each person and give them autographs.

“This way.”

Before I knew it, the elevator doors were open. Jegal Rok’s secretary politely extended one hand, pointing inside. She really was someone with no unnecessary movements. There seemed to be a separate elevator for going to the executive office. The quiet elevator rose quickly.

Knock knock-.

“Ms. Han Yeoreum has arrived.”

The knocking sound was particularly heavy. Beyond the thick door was a big shot who controlled South Korea’s media. My whole body seemed to be trembling.

“Yes. Please come in.”

Permission came from beyond the door, and the secretary twisted the handle to open it. A man with massive windows spread behind his back made eye contact with me.

“…Hello.”

“I’ve been waiting.”

Without realizing it, sweat began to seep into my palms. His piercing gaze from behind his glasses was sharp. I sat on the sofa as the secretary guided me. Soon, Jegal Rok sat on the opposite sofa with documents in one hand. Even in this summer, he wore an impeccable suit.

“First, congratulations on your successful terrestrial broadcasting debut.”

“Ah, thank you…”

I need to act naturally. Even though I did so much image training yesterday, it wasn’t easy.

It was because I already knew how successful Jegal Rok had become before my regression. He was someone who pioneered fields that others couldn’t even think of.

“I think you know what kind of company ours is. I recommend reviewing the contract separately with a lawyer.”

“…”

“To cut to the chase, the conclusion is.”

Jegal Rok personally took out a contract from the document envelope and handed it to me. It was a contract that already had Jegal Rok’s signature and seal.

“JC ENM has chosen Ms. Han Yeoreum.”

I involuntarily swallowed.

I already know what that means. Throughout all of South Korea’s movies and dramas, no, even considering all media, there’s no bigger player than JC.

Investment, distribution, export, import. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say everything starts with JC and ends with JC.

‘Later, it grows even bigger than terrestrial broadcasting…’

A company that grows like a monster riding the flow of the internet chose a mere twenty-year-old rising actor. An indescribable thrill ran up the back of my neck.

“I know other management companies have contacted you. Not signing a contract yet was a wise decision.”

…Really fast with news.

That’s right. When succeeded, all kinds of MCNs with influencers contacted me like rain, and when news spread that I passed the audition, actor agencies started handing out business cards too.

‘But that’s not my goal.’

I didn’t want to belong to a small place. My desire to quickly reclaim what was taken from me had grown stronger.

I wanted to make the time Do Gyeoul had built up seem like nothing. For that, I needed JC.

“I promise unpredictable full support.”

Not only domestically but overseas expansion too. There was no better place than an entertainment company for raising recognition. As Myeong Jeha said, it’s hard to beat the bond and familiarity Do Gyeoul has built with viewers with just one or two hit works.

‘So I need to target the overseas market even more at this time.’

I need a blank slate fandom that will like me more than Do Gyeoul. And here’s one more thing.

“If there’s anything more you want, please say it here and now. We’ll enter contract negotiations without wasting time.”

Soon, South Korea’s media landscape will change completely.

“Can you grant anything?”

“Within reason.”

Two years from now. Netholics will land in Korea.

“There’s a lot I want to learn. Even if I don’t enter a project right away, I want to learn various things. Everything from voice training to physical action. I want to try learning instruments like piano, and I want to become an actor who can act under any conditions, anywhere.”

I need to move as quickly as possible. To snatch my share of roles when good scenarios are circulating.

I never want to miss any opportunity again.

“Are you originally this greedy? Usually people study while entering projects.”

“Yes. I’m very greedy.”

At my answer, Jegal Rok smiled slightly. It was an expression as if he had forgotten his fatigue for a moment.

Jegal Rok nodded lightly and promised to include it in the special provisions.

“Take the contract for now. Check it and contact us with a date to sign it.”

His confidence that I would definitely contract with JC was evident.

I left Jegal Rok’s division head’s office, clutching the thick contract tightly to my chest. Success already seemed visible.

* * *

“How is it?”

Myeong Jeha looked at Han Yeoreum, who was moving restlessly in front of him without a moment’s rest.

This was Dokgo Min’s Studio without Dokgo Min. Myeong Jeha came to review the contract because Yeoreum called him right after finishing her meeting with Jegal Rok. Now Dokgo Min’s Studio was practically Han Yeoreum’s exclusive space.

‘Jegal Rok isn’t usually like this.’

The conditions weren’t much different from the contract Myeong Jeha had received before. At that time, Myeong Jeha had already established himself, while Han Yeoreum was still rising.

“Is it bad? Are there any poison clauses?”

Most media investments revolve around male actors. Big investors also get attached after the male protagonist is confirmed.

‘Especially since overseas sales revolve around male actors.’

The market was cold. The more it went overseas, the more it was about fandom business. Unless you’re a top-tier actor you can count on one hand, a female actor’s power wasn’t that important.

‘But offering these conditions to Han Yeoreum means.’

There were two possibilities.

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