NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor - Chapter 231

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 231. Byeon Hak-gyu

Yeon-woo and his group moved to a quiet waiting room inside the small theater and explained to Hong A-yoon the circumstances that led them to seek her out.

 

“Director Lee Yong-su…?”

 

Hong A-yoon had been wondering why Saebyeol, where even established actors found it difficult to sign contracts, had come looking for her, but hearing Director Lee Yong-su’s name seemed to clear up some of her confusion.

 

“But, you want to use me as the female lead?”

“Yes. We’d like to cast you in the new romance film ‘Moon’ that we’re producing.”

 

Director Yoon Mi-yeon nodded and answered Hong A-yoon’s question, whose face still showed confusion.

 

If Yeon-woo hadn’t been present, Hong A-yoon would naturally have thought this casting offer was a scam.

 

No matter how much a director recommended her, who would select a rookie actor like herself—no, an aspiring actor?

And not just any company, but Saebyeol.

 

Despite appearances, it wasn’t some insignificant production company that hadn’t produced a single film or drama.

 

Anyone with interest in the industry now knew that Saebyeol Media was where only the core personnel from LN had gathered after leaving the company.

 

If only Director Yoon Mi-yeon had come with such a proposal, Hong A-yoon, who had been burned many times in the entertainment industry, would have thought it was a scam impersonating Saebyeol.

 

But right before Hong A-yoon’s eyes sat star Ryu Yeon-woo, smiling openly.

 

It was a soul-stirring proposal, but she had to ask what needed to be asked.

 

“Um, excuse me…”

“Yes. Please speak comfortably.”

 

Hong A-yoon hesitated before continuing.

 

“Earlier you said you’d also resolve the contract issue I’m tied up in…”

 

At Hong A-yoon’s words, Yeon-woo smiled and nodded.

 

“Yes. I’ll resolve that problem cleanly for you.”

“May I ask how…?”

“The proper way. We plan to simply pay off the entire debt that Plus Ten unfairly accumulated during Hong A-yoon’s trainee period, cleanly and without any legal battles, and buy you out. To bring the actor Hong A-yoon from Plus Ten to Saebyeol.”

 

Hong A-yoon hesitated before speaking.

 

“The thing is, my debt is larger than you might think…”

“I’m aware. The debt accumulated over 7 years and 3 months as a trainee is a little over 600 million won. We’re prepared to pay it. If Hong A-yoon chooses Saebyeol.”

 

At Yeon-woo’s words, Yoon Mi-yeon and Kim Min-su’s eyes widened.

 

“600 million in 7 years? Everyone knows Plus Ten is trash now, but this is too much. How can training cost nearly 100 million per year? Are they raising Premier League players or Olympic representatives?”

 

Yoon Mi-yeon was venting her frustration as an industry insider at the transparent scam, but Hong A-yoon shrank back upon hearing those words.

 

“It, it really is too much, isn’t it? I’m sorry. I was so stupid…”

 

Hong A-yoon looked back and forth between Yoon Mi-yeon and Yeon-woo before hanging her head.

 

It seemed like actor Ryu Yeon-woo was interested in casting her, but it didn’t appear to be something agreed upon with the director.

 

After all, the company’s decision-maker would be the director, not the actor.

 

But contrary to Hong A-yoon’s thoughts, Saebyeol was Ryu Yeon-woo and Ryu Yeon-woo was Saebyeol.

If Yeon-woo said he would do it, then it would be done.

 

Of course, separate from that, Director Yoon Mi-yeon wanted to save the fragile actress before her.

 

Yoon Mi-yeon had a more by-the-book personality than anyone, and her motto was to handle all matters fairly and justly.

 

Yoon Mi-yeon wrapped Hong A-yoon’s hands with both of hers as she hung her head low.

 

“Actor Hong A-yoon. Please accept our proposal. You must.”

“…Yes?”

“If you’re thinking we’re helping out of pity, please abandon that thought immediately. We need Hong A-yoon. As an actor.”

 

It was the first time in her life she’d heard someone say they needed her as an actor.

No, aside from being an actor, it seemed like the first time anyone had recognized her at all.

 

Hong A-yoon’s vision blurred and shook violently up and down.

 

“…Yes, please take me with you.”

 

***

 

“What? Who?”

“Hong A-yoon. She left 4 years ago. If you look at the trainee files here…”

 

Plus Ten’s CEO Byeon Hak-gyu looked at the profile and photo in the file his secretary handed him and nodded.

 

“Ah, this bitch? I remember her face now. Insolent girl. What’s so hard about pouring drinks? But who said they’re taking her?”

“Saebyeol Entertainment.”

 

At his secretary’s words, Byeon Hak-gyu’s face crumpled.

 

“What, are those bastards some kind of garbage disposal? Why do they keep picking up what we throw away?”

 

Back when Kim Ju-seong was still CEO of LN, he had some weakness exploited and in exchange had to let Jung Su-yeon go with no conditions, but when she hit it big with “White Blood” a few years later and kept succeeding, it was gut-wrenchingly painful.

 

And it was Saebyeol that snatched her up completely.

Though not officially active, Byeon Hak-gyu naturally knew that Kim Ju-seong was behind Saebyeol Entertainment and Media.

 

But now they were taking another former trainee, which really rubbed him the wrong way.

After thinking it over, Byeon Hak-gyu shook his head.

 

“Hmm, no. Any work that brings in money is good work. How much debt did you transfer to this kid?”

“A little over 620 million.”

 

Upon hearing the amount, Byeon Hak-gyu’s eyes immediately curved like crescents.

 

“Oh really? That much? I was generous. Round down anything under ten million and tell them to deposit exactly 620 million.”

“Well… Saebyeol already made the deposit. They said they didn’t need change and deposited 630 million won instead.”

“What? They said they didn’t need change?”

“Yes.”

 

Even though any work that brings in money should be good work, he felt strangely annoyed.

 

“Um, CEO. How should we handle this? Should I pass it to the finance team?”

“No, I’ll handle it properly myself, so… what’s her name?”

“Hong A-yoon.”

“Right. Destroy all materials related to her. Without a trace.”

 

At Byeon Hak-gyu’s words, the secretary bowed and went outside.

 

“Hmm, where should I use this windfall.”

 

Byeon Hak-gyu became excited again at the feeling of sudden fortune.

 

And the CPU of Byeon Hak-gyu’s smartphone placed on the table was spinning furiously at this very moment, running hacking programs.

 

***

 

“Did he bite?”

 

At Yeon-woo’s question, Han Hae-woon, who had been wiretapping using Byeon Hak-gyu’s smartphone, nodded.

 

– Yes. He definitely took the bait.

 

Until now, Byeon Hak-gyu had secretly embezzled funds like this whenever unexpected income occurred.

 

This time, blind money exceeding 600 million had been deposited, and they expected Byeon Hak-gyu’s eyes would roll back and he couldn’t resist.

 

“It’s about time to clean up the trash.”

– He lasted quite long. He’s a pretty lucky bastard.

 

At Han Hae-woon’s words, Yeon-woo grinned.

 

“Lucky? He’s the unluckiest bastard. You know better than anyone how South Korea’s judicial system is a friendly slap on the wrist for criminals. He’ll probably regret not turning himself in earlier until the moment we close our eyes on him.”

 

Until now, mid-level actor Jung Tae-seon and Baeksol’s lackey Jeon Ki-hoon both had articles break first, were arrested by prosecutors, and eventually faced legal judgment.

 

Since there were charges of large-scale distribution, not just simple drug use, prison sentences were handed down and both bastards are currently serving time in prison.

 

But he planned to handle Byeon Hak-gyu differently.

 

‘If I consecutively mobilize the media and prosecutors to cut off those guys’ limbs, they’ll start getting suspicious eventually.’

 

He planned to let Baeksol handle Byeon Hak-gyu directly with their own hands.

 

For that, he just needed to provide a small bridge in the middle.

 

“Alright, let’s start. If possible, let’s finish everything before the agents and I depart for Brazil.”

– Understood.

 

***

 

Prosecutor Kim Ju-ah was racing down the path to success after joining hands with certain powerful figures through a senior’s recommendation.

 

If she continued showing loyalty like this, she had received a promise that she would soon be sent to Seocho-dong.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office in Seocho-dong is the elite course and stepping stone to becoming prosecutor general, so it’s the position all prosecutors dream of.

 

Thinking she had the backing of forces that controlled South Korea’s underworld, the ordinary prosecutors around her who knew nothing seemed laughable.

 

‘People ultimately need to be good at walking the tightrope.’

 

Last time when actor Jung Tae-seon was brought in on drug-related charges, she received quite a large reward just for the easy job of appropriately intimidating him to keep his mouth shut.

 

The important thing wasn’t the monetary reward she received, but that she now had a rope to grab onto and climb to higher places.

 

‘Was that person’s name Han Hae-woon? A complete idiot who’s fallen into mannerism, just handling assigned work appropriately and living without a sense of calling.’

 

She had a relationship with prosecutor Han Hae-woon where they exchanged names in passing and occasionally shared opinions when she didn’t know something. The Criminal Division 3 he belonged to was a violent crime task force, simply put, a place that caught thugs.

 

But the Economic and Fair Trade Crime Task Force she belonged to mainly investigated intellectual crimes.

 

Kim Ju-ah thought she was a true elite who used her brain to catch white-collar criminals.

 

‘What annoying thing is he bringing this time.’

 

Kim Ju-ah was drinking coffee in the break room when Han Hae-woon was approaching with a bundle of papers.

 

“Prosecutor Kim. You were here. I’ve been looking for you for a while.”

“Do you have something to ask?”

“Ah, today I’m not here to ask anything. While investigating the drug offenders I’m handling, I ended up cross-referencing the account details of witnesses, and I think this should be passed to your side.”

 

She reviewed the documents Han Hae-woon handed over.

 

‘Huh…?’

 

For a moment Kim Ju-ah’s eyes widened, but she soon put on a calm face and looked at Han Hae-woon.

 

“Got it. I’ll take charge and handle it.”

“Yes! Then have a good afternoon!”

 

Han Hae-woon gave a good-natured smile, then turned around and walked away.

 

And Kim Ju-ah looked through the materials that Han Hae-woon had given her again.

 

‘Plus Ten’s Byeon Hak-gyu’s slush fund creation and suspicions of tax evasion and embezzlement…’

 

She had picked up information during her involvement in the Jung Tae-seon case that Plus Ten was a business that laundered money for the power brokers she had allied with.

 

‘This is an opportunity to make a mark. Rather than conducting a formal investigation, I should report this directly to them right away.’

 

Kim Ju-ah looked around, then began photographing the materials with her smartphone and sending them somewhere.

 

***

 

In an extremely ordinary-looking private office, a man sat with his legs crossed.

 

Beep─.

 

– This is Kim Gye-sik.

“Come in.”

 

When the man spoke in a chilling metallic voice, the door opened and Kim Gye-sik entered.

 

“I have an urgent matter to report regarding Plus Ten.”

“Plus Ten? Those entertainers?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

 

The man who received the report that Kim Gye-sik handed over while bowing his head skimmed through the documents with an indifferent expression, then chuckled as if amused.

 

“Look at this guy. He’s just like a rabbit. How swollen must he be to leave his liver on land while walking around.”

 

The man continued flipping through the documents and spoke again in his metallic voice.

 

“According to the Tale of the Rabbit’s Liver, the rabbit should go to the sea to meet the Dragon King. This guy probably won’t be able to come back to land though.”

“Yes. I’ll handle it.”

 

The man added to Kim Gye-sik’s words.

 

“Ah, about that Byeon Hak-gyu guy. He’s old so I don’t know if there’s anything useful, but before throwing him into the sea, might as well take out his liver to see how swollen it is. There might be something worth selling. He should pay off his debts, even if just a little, before he goes.”

“Yes. Understood.”

“Good. You can go.”

 

Holding Byeon Hak-gyu’s life in one hand, Kim Gye-sik left the room.

 

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