---

A few days have passed since the broadcast that wasn’t really a clarification.

Fortunately, it seems that the broadcast quelled any further disruptions afterward.

Of course…

[Miro, isn’t this during filming?]

[Looking at Moon Chang-sik’s SNS, there aren’t any pictures with Miro, so they probably have no relation, right?]

[So, has Miro crossed the line?]

[Compilation of scenes featuring Miro from the movie.]

The community will likely keep my bait rolling for a while.

After spending some time on the community site, I checked the time and thought it was about time to head to the living room.

“What’s for breakfast today?”

“Kimchi stew, I put in some meat, so eat before it cools.”

Since Manager Kim had to leave early for work, Mrs. Jang and I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before heading out.

Today was a filming day, so under normal circumstances, we would have left at dawn, but today we took our time.

Why, you ask?

“Ooh…”

“Wow… Is that it?”

Starting today, the company’s vehicle was supposed to arrive.

We marveled at the black van parked in front of the main gate, where Mrs. Jang had come out with me.

“Y-yeah, it seems like it?”

Is that the vehicle that the company provided?

Honestly, it’s a bit overwhelming.

It looks a bit too big for just me, doesn’t it?

I’m not a major actor or anything.

“Wow, even if we got into an accident, I’d probably be fine.”

“Haha…”

…It quite literally looks that way.

If there were an accident, the other car would likely crumple up.

Anyway, with a mixture of nervous anticipation, I opened the main gate and walked towards the van.

This has to be the right one.

They called to confirm they’d arrived at my house, so it must be.

That means I’ll be meeting my new manager for the first time today.

The one I’ll be commuting with from now on, so I was feeling a bit tense.

Click.

The front door opened.

“Ah.”

And stepping out was…

“Actor Kim Soo-hyun, nice to meet you.”

It was a large, stoic man.

“Ah, yes, nice to meet you.”

“I’m Park Kang-seok, the new manager.”

He was just a bit shorter than Moon Chang-sik, yet definitely on the taller side among men.

And broader too.

He had a somewhat lumpy vibe.

He gave off a bear-like feeling.

His appearance was more fitting for a bodyguard than a manager.

Stomp, stomp.

Slide.

That new manager walked up to me and opened the back seat door of the car for me.

“Ah, thank you.”

Um… this is reassuring.

He’s the kind of build that could probably fold any average adult in half.

Since he opened the door, I took a seat in the car.

“Ooh…”

The inside of the car looked even more spacious than it appeared from the outside.

With this, I could probably lie down if I reclined the seat.

Click.

At that moment, the front door opened again, and Park Kang-seok got in the driver’s seat.

“Please fasten your seatbelt.”

“Ah, yes.”

As I fastened my seatbelt and leaned against the back of the seat, pressing down on the cushion in a gentle rhythm, the car smoothly started moving.

“Ooh…”

Maybe it’s because the car is big and nice?

It feels stable and heavy, not easily shaking.

As the car left the neighborhood and started speeding away, I thought about how I had been wondering how we’d get to today’s external filming location, and it’s nice to have a manager now.

“You drive well.”

“Ah, yes, I’ve been doing it for a while.”

I tested the waters for conversation.

He didn’t seem like the type to initiate a chat, so I’d have to break the ice if I wanted to get to know him.

“How old are you?”

“I’m 32, in Korean age.”

“Oh, I see.”

…I thought he looked to be in his late 30s to early 40s.

It’s surprising he’s around Nam Han-kyung’s age.

“Do you workout?”

“Yes, whenever I can.”

“How much can you lift in the three big lifts?”

“I haven’t checked, so I’m not sure.”

“Okay…”

Hmm….

He’s a bit stoic, but he answers all my questions.

That’s not bad.

Maybe this is better than someone who talks too much.

I can just start the conversation, no problem.

I’m confident in balancing the interaction.

I should get to know what kind of person he is during our ride.

“How long have you worked as a manager?”

I heard he wasn’t newly hired but was an experienced one attached to me, so I was curious about how long that experience was.

From his skilled demeanor, it seems he’s been at it for a while.

“I’ve worked for five years.”

“Wow… that’s quite a while.”

Five years…

Considering Park Kang-seok’s age, it feels like a long time.

He started in his mid-twenties and has been doing it since then.

“May I ask where you worked before?”

“I was in charge of idols.”

“Idols?”

Isn’t Sang-sik Entertainment specializing in actors?

When I expressed my doubts about idols, Park Kang-seok elaborated.

“One of the idols I was responsible for in my previous agency scouted me when they finished their contract and moved here.”

“Aha.”

So an idol who transitioned into an actor scouted Park Kang-seok when they switched agencies.

That certainly indicates skills.

“Um… then why did you end up with me instead of that person?”

But if he got scouted and moved, why did I become his responsibility?

That could be a bit of a tricky question, so I asked carefully.

However, Park Kang-seok answered plainly through the rearview mirror.

“He went to the army.”

“Ah…”

…Then it can’t be helped.

So it seems he became my manager by sheer luck, given that he had no work in the meantime.

From my standpoint, I hit the jackpot.

A veteran with experience is now my manager!

As I spent the time asking various questions, before I knew it, we’d arrived at the filming location.

“We’re here.”

“Ah, thank you.”

I got out of the car and saw people bustling around outside.

“Phew…”

It’s definitely comfortable.

Of course, the long travel has me a bit tired, but it’s nothing compared to public transport.

Taxis shake so much that I’d get motion sickness if I stayed in one for too long, but this van is relatively smooth.

“Let’s go.”

Park Kang-seok and I entered the bustling filming location together.

Most of the scenes from the early part have been filmed already.

What makes me anxious is the mid and later parts.

Heavy emotions and various incidents occur in the latter half.

I’m worried since Sera has a lot to do during those scenes.

It seems it’ll be tough to keep the relaxed pace like now.

As we delved deeper inside, I spotted a familiar face up ahead.

“Han-kyung!”

It was none other than Nam Han-kyung.

Even in the heat, he was suited up for filming.

…I’ll have to wear something similar later, I suppose?

The thought of filming while sweating like a fountain makes me sigh.

Everything is fine, but it is a bit hot…

“Oh, you’ve arrived. Uh, who is this…?”

Nam Han-kyung looked at Park Kang-seok, my large manager, with a questioning expression.

Given how suspiciously strong he looks, it’s understandable.

Nam Han-kyung seems tall and like he’s fit, but he’s not bear-like like Park Kang-seok.

In fact, he has more of a lean muscle build and sharp impression.

If I had to compare, more of a handsome snake vibe.

“A new manager.”

“A manager? Oh, so you’re part of an agency now?”

“Right. I just signed a contract.”

Nam Han-kyung’s expression showed surprise at the news of my contract.

Is it that surprising?

Thinking back, it was strange that I had been without an agency until now.

“…I thought you wouldn’t be interested in that kind of thing.”

“I’m someone who needs care too.”

“Hmm… well, congrats on signing with an agency. Where at?”

“Oh, just a second.”

Isn’t it normal for a working person to ask where your agency is when they hear it?

I hadn’t had one until now, but now I finally do.

I confidently pulled out my business card from my pocket and handed it over.

“Here.”

“Is it necessary to give a business card…?”

Nam Han-kyung looked bemused for a moment but took the card nonetheless.

“Sang-sik Entertainment? Oh, the one with Moon Chang-sik!”

“Do you know it?”

“Of course. Chang-sik is the leading actor there. They have many other actors as well.”

“Oh… is that so?”

It’s a bit surprising that he knows Sang-sik Entertainment, while I had no clue.

Is it a famous name among actors?

“They have good connections with other places, so do well there.”

Good connections, huh?

That’s true.

Sometimes the director sends me links asking if I’d like to film something from companies he knows.

“By the way, you seem pretty knowledgeable?”

“I was actually scouted there, so I thought about it a bit.”

“Oh, really? Why didn’t you end up going?”

If he liked it, why did he decline?

Did another place offer him better terms?

“I felt it would be inappropriate for me to go.”

“Ah, really?”

“Well… it’s not for a strange reason, but there’s already a leading actor there. I felt I wouldn’t have a place being squeezed in.”

“I see…”

He’s thinking strategically, after all.

With Moon Chang-sik as their leading man, the attention would definitely lean that way.

It wouldn’t seem appealing for a young male actor to join in.

“Shouldn’t you be heading off to prepare soon?”

“Oh right.”

Now that I mention it, we do need to get ready.

I was so preoccupied talking to Nam Han-kyung the moment I arrived that I lost track of time.

I need to fix my hair and change clothes first.

“Manager, I’ll be right back.”

“Ah yes.”

“Stay here with Han-kyung.”

“Me?”

Since it’s Park Kang-seok’s first time on set, keeping him beside Nam Han-kyung should help him learn the ropes just fine.

He’s a veteran manager, so it’s not like I need to worry.

Leaving Park Kang-seok behind, I headed to the dressing room where I saw a familiar stylist.

“You’re here, Soo-hyun!”

“Ah, yes, I’m counting on you today as well.”

I heard that the agency is going to start sending me to the shop in the morning, so will I need this stylist less now?

Of course, I’ll occasionally need assistance during shoots, but I won’t have to come to them every morning like before.

“Today’s going to be quite a glam look.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes, the director asked for a bold look.”

Hmm… if it’s the first scene we’re filming today, that makes sense.

I think we’re shooting the scene where the female lead meets up with the cafe owner.

Since the female lead meets up with her friend before seeing Sera…

I naturally pictured Han Se-ryeong in my head.

…Will we get this scene right?

At least since it’s a cafe scene, I won’t have to worry too much about my feet hurting from heels while sitting down—thinking that, I received my makeup, changed into expensive outfits, and stepped outside the filming location.

I wondered where Park Kang-seok might be.

With my makeup and outfit drastically changed, I worried he might not recognize me from a distance, but then I spotted a big guy in the corner.

…Guess it’s easy to recognize me.

But why is he sitting over there while I told him to stick with Nam Han-kyung?

I approached to see if something was wrong, and—

“Why are you here, Oppa?”

“Se-ryeong!”

“…Didn’t you leave the agency?”

“That’s…”

“You didn’t even say anything before leaving…”

‘Se-ryeong?’

An interesting situation unfolded before my eyes.

 

---