Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

As soon as I entered the meeting room, I stopped the interview. "Yoo-Jin, you don't need to do this kind of trashy interview. Get up. We're leaving."

At that moment, the look of elation on Yoo Chae-Min's face instantly twisted.

"What… what did you just say? Trashy?"

Yoo Chae-Min glared at me, but I ignored her and turned to Yoo-Jin. "Get up."

Yoo-Jin nodded and stood, prompting Yoo Chae-Min to shout, "If you leave like this, it won't end well for you!"

'How ridiculous. If I were the type to give up to such feeble threats, I wouldn't have stopped this interview in the first place.'

"Ms. Yoo. How did you end up becoming a tabloid trashporter? Huh?" I questioned.

Taken aback, Yoo Chae-Min responded, "W-what did you just call me? A tabloid trashporter?"

I had just thrown together two of the most incendiary words in the reporter world which hit her hard.

Yoo Chae-Min's face turned bright red in anger. "Take that back, right now!"

"Then tell me. What else am I supposed to call this absurd situation? Huh?" I retorted.

At that moment, Editor-in-Chief Choi Min-Jun panted heavily as he burst into the room. "Wait a second! Team Lead Jung, what are you doing? You can't just stop an interview like this!"

'So now he's feigning outrage after planning to sell out with this article. How pathetic,' I remarked inwardly.

I clenched my teeth and glared at Choi Min-Jun. "Mr. Choi, I've worked with Weekly Star in good faith until now, but I'm seriously disappointed. Even if I overlook the fact that it's not an exclusive interview, you think you can screw us over with garbage like this? What is this, a smear campaign against Yoo-Jin?"

Choi Min-Jun's voice trembled as he stammered, "W-what are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb. You're the one who assigned this interview to Team Lead Yoo, weren't you?"

It was an indisputable fact that Choi Min-Jun held the sole authority to approve final articles. He had also made the decision to replace Jang Moon-Ki with Yoo Chae-Min as the interviewer.

I continued, "This incident was clearly initiated by Weekly Star. From now on, I'm boycotting all interviews with your magazine. And that's not just for Yoo-Jin but for every actor and singer under Team Jung."

"B-boycott?"

Choi Min-Jun must have thought he could get away with publishing a hit piece and then smoothing things over later, but he thought wrong.

"That's right. So feel free to copy and paste our news from other outlets from now on!"

"A-are you serious?"

"Have I ever joked about something like this? Oh, and it's unfortunate for you. With all the events we have lined up at year's end, Weekly Star won't be getting any coverage."

Choi Min-Jun's face flushed crimson then pale as my words sank in.

That's when Yoo Chae-Min interjected, "Mr. Choi! What are you so scared of? Just let them go and publish the interview. What's the big deal?"

Choi Min-Jun hesitated, but I shut down his internal debate before it could go any further. "One more thing, if you publish anything from Team Lead Yoo Chae-Min's notes, we'll file a lawsuit immediately. Don't even think about negotiating a settlement."

Yoo Chae-Min scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Lawsuit? Over what? What did I even write that's worth suing over?"

I strode over to her and snatched the notebook right out of her hands.

Yoo Chae-Min shrieked, "What are you doing? Give it back! Right now!"

I ignored her protests and opened it in full view of everyone. Then I began reading the headlines she had prepared in a loud and clear voice for the entire room.

"Jung Yoo-Jin mocks So Yi-Yung's single-digit viewership ratings. Jung Yoo-Jin says only Ju Yung-In is a worthy rival. Jung Yoo-Jin is an arrogant actress who declares herself unmatched!"

With each headline, the faces of Jang Moon-Ki and Choi Min-Jun grew redder. They had probably run worse tabloid stories before, but hearing their cheap tactics exposed in front of their targets was a different matter entirely.

Yoo Chae-Min ground her teeth audibly, but I stared her down without flinching. "When exactly did Yoo-Jin say any of this nonsense? Huh?"

"W-well, the thing is..."

I didn't wait for her answer and immediately turned to Choi Min-Jun. "And as soon as this article is published, the fact that you met Director Lee Gi-Cheol will also be reported to the police..."

That was when Choi Min-Jun rushed over and covered my mouth. "N-now, Team Lead Jung. Why are you doing this? Huh?"

What I was about to bring up was the bribery involving Lee Gi-Cheol. I knew that every year-end, Lee Gi-Cheol discreetly slipped cash to the editors of entertainment newspapers.

I said, "Let... go of me..."

"Ah, yes, of course. Let's talk in my office, okay?"

Choi Min-Jun glanced around nervously before removing his hand from my mouth.

"Team Lead Yoo here seems a bit overzealous since her transfer to the team. I apologize on her behalf."

Yoo Chae-Min looked incredulous. "Mr. Choi!"

Choi Min-Jun yelled sharply. "Shut up! Who told you to slander Miss Jung Yoo-Jin like this? Team Lead Yoo, it looks like you've sold your soul for clicks!"

It was a typical scapegoating tactic, but I feigned ignorance. I had to reduce the number of enemies to better confront the true mastermind behind this, Yoo Kang-Seok.

At that moment, Choi Min-Jun barked at Yoo Chae-Min. "Team Lead Yoo, return to your desk and have a written explanation on my desk immediately!"

Yoo Chae-Min stared daggers at both me and Choi Min-Jun before storming out of the meeting room.

With Yoo Chae-Min gone, I decided it was time to fix the warped interview. "So, how will we handle the interview from here?"

"Well, there's nothing to handle. Reporter Jang Moon-Ki was originally assigned to this interview, so let's just leave it to him."

At least one thing was resolved. Now it was time to tackle the second issue: nullifying the proposal Choi Min-Jun had received from Yoo Kang-Seok.

"Team Lead Jung, why don't we step into my office now, hmm? Let's discuss this there."

"Understood."

I cautioned Lee Yung-Jin and Jang Moon-Ki to avoid proceeding with the interview until I returned, then followed Choi Min-Jun out.

From a distance, I noticed Yoo Kang-Seok looking somewhat unsettled.

'President Yoo, you'll be dealt with last,' I remarked inwardly.

I was the type to save the best bite for last. So today's main culprit, Yoo Kang-Seok, would be handled last.

***

As soon as the door shut behind us in the editor-in-chief's office, Choi Min-Jun raised his voice. "Team Lead Jung! No matter how unhappy you are with the situation, bringing up lawsuits is going too far! I would've made the final draft appropriate!"

Choi Min-Jun acted as if he were entirely blameless, but I fixed him with a cold stare and spoke. "Let's skip the excuses and cut to the chase. How much did you take from President Yoo?"

The blood drained from Choi Min-Jun's face in an instant. "W-what nonsense is this? Why are you bringing up President Yoo all of a sudden?"

"I'm fully aware that the plan to harm Yoo-Jin through the interview originated with President Yoo Kang-Seok."

Frightened that someone might overhear, Choi Min-Jun anxiously scanned the area before sitting back down. "Team Lead Jung! Where did you hear such things?"

I could press charges against him for the bribe involving Lee Gi-Cheol at any moment. However, I decided instead to subdue Choi Min-Jun and make him my ally. After all, having the top editor of an entertainment newspaper on my side would be incredibly advantageous.

"Are you really unaware of how much money President Yoo is throwing around everywhere these days?" I questioned.

"..."

I continued, "Well, you've made a mistake this time. President Yoo's money is poison."

Choi Min-Jun frowned. "Poison? What do you mean, poison?"

"That man... he's not the type to go down alone."

"You mean he's going to crash and burn? Why? Has his company faltered from all the payouts?"

"That's one reason. And what do you think will happen if even one of the recipients gets exposed? Everyone who took his money will go down together. And let me tell you, the scapegoats won't be the higher-ups. It'll be people like you, Mr. Choi."

Choi Min-Jun's face hardened.

I said nonchalantly, "So return the bribe money and work with me amicably. Honestly, I don't want to clash with Weekly Star. I also have a good relationship with Reporter Jang Moon-Ki."

Choi Min-Jun hesitated and tested me cautiously. "Then... perhaps you could help cover the deficit?"

He was essentially asking if I could offer a bribe equivalent to what Yoo Kang-Seok had given him.

I let out a scoff and shook my head. "No. The only gifts I can give you in the future are semi-dried persimmons and a small bundle of barley dried fish for the holidays."

Disappointment flashed across Choi Min-Jun's face. However, I had another card to play. "Instead, I'll give you something much better than what President Yoo Kang-Seok offered."

At that, Choi Min-Jun's eyes lit up. "What is it? Do you have an exclusive scoop?"

"Yes. It's about who the president of Weekly Star is considering as the next editor-in-chief."

"W-what? How do you know that, Team Lead Jung?"

For professionals, nothing was more critical than securing their position.

The bribes from Yoo Kang-Seok only flowed because Choi Min-Jun held the title of editor-in-chief. So I offered to inform Choi Min-Jun about the successor to his position to help him safeguard it.

I also added a small threat for good measure. "When your daughter gets married soon, wouldn't it be better to have the title of current editor-in-chief rather than former editor-in-chief?"

Although the position change was a year away, I made it seem imminent. Lately, I realized I was quite good at subtle intimidation.

At that moment, Choi Min-Jun began to weigh his options: bribe money from Yoo Kang-Seok, his position, future earnings, and his daughter's wedding.

Judging by his expression, the decision wouldn't take long.

***

"Fine! The planned scheme for today is off!"

As expected, Choi Min-Jun's deliberation didn't last long.

"You've made a wise decision, Mr. Choi."

"Ugh, whatever. But keep your promise. Who's the person the president has in mind as my replacement?"

I revealed the name of the person slated for promotion in a year. "Han Dong-Jin, the head of the entertainment department."

"What? Dong-Jin? That idiot is on the president's radar?"

"If you don't believe me, check for yourself. They've probably been hiking together for the past year."

Being five years younger than Choi Min-Jun, Han Dong-Jin always carried a carefree smile. However, this wasn't due to incompetence. Contrary to that, he was cunning like a raccoon hiding its true intentions.

Despite his aversion to exercise, he went hiking every week with the president who was a hiking enthusiast. For a year, they had built a close relationship including their families.

Choi Min-Jun cursed, "Damn it. That guy..."

"Right? So why didn't you join them for hikes and build rapport yourself?"

"I'd have done it already if it were that easy! The president's a complete outdoorsman and hikes across the entire country!"

"Well…if you're not up for it, maybe consider an early retirement."

"W-who said I want to retire?!"

I observed Choi Min-Jun carefully and shared a bit more information. "Oh, and get some Andong soju and bamboo sap wine as gifts."

"The president's wife drinks? I've never heard of that."

"She's a big fan of traditional liquor. She loves it."

Choi Min-Jun looked incredulous. "She always said she doesn't drink during company dinners. What do you mean, drinks?"

"She probably out-drinks the president. From what I know, she's the only person who can keep up with him. That's why he's so whipped."

Though known as a devoted husband, the president of Weekly Star was subdued after losing a drinking competition to his wife.

Choi Min-Jun muttered, "To outdrink that heavy drinker…That's unbelievable."

"Exactly. It's insane."

Choi Min-Jun stared at me in disbelief. "But how do you know so much about the president's household? Huh?"

"It's a trade secret."

Realizing how much I knew about internal affairs, Choi Min-Jun's attitude quickly shifted. "Ah... I really messed up this time. Fine. I'll ensure articles from your side get published properly from now on. Let's call it even for today, especially with the Director Lee Gi-Cheol matter."

"Understood. But from now on, we'll work together mutually. Right?"

"Yes. And...I'm sorry for today."

I had successfully kept the editor-in-chief of the top entertainment newspaper on leash.

I nodded. "Understood. I'll accept your apology. But when is Reporter Jang going to get promoted to team lead? Honestly, our actors have their prestige and they can't keep doing interviews with just a staff reporter forever..."

Choi Min-Jun glared directly at me. "Did Reporter Jang bribe you or something?"

I scoffed. "Pfft. You're joking, right?"

"Well, that stingy guy would take money before giving it. Okay, fine. He was already on the verge of a promotion anyway. I'll make sure it happens soon," Choi Min-Jun muttered as he stood up from his seat, clearly pained by the idea of giving back the bribe money to Yoo Kang-Seok.

Taking advantage of the moment, I checked my planner.

[Everyday V12]

[Date: November 25, 2020]

-10:00 p.m.: <Scheduled Event Deleted>

(Deleted Scheduled Event: [New. Jung Yoo-Jin] Weekly Star Article Countermeasure Meeting. (Meeting Agenda: Refusal to request changes to malicious article titles. Discussion on whether to proceed with legal action.))

I got Choi Min-Jun on my side. Now, it was time to deal with Yoo Kang-Seok.

'President Yoo, do you think you're the only one who can lobby?'

Lobbying wasn't just about money. I dialed a number, ready to leverage my network.

Choi Min-Jun tilted his head in confusion. "What are you trying to do?"

I answered nonchalantly, "Lobby."

The call connected after a brief moment and the person on the other end picked up.

"Ah, he answered." I said with a smile.

Then, I spoke into the phone. "Yes, Mr. Choi. It's Team Lead Jung."

My first target was MBS' President Choi Sang-Byung.

'President Yoo Kang-Seok, let's see if you can stop me now.'

It was finally time to savor the bite I had saved for last.

Having subdued both Yoo Chae-Min and Choi Min-Jun, I recounted every detail of Yoo Kang-Seok's actions to Choi Sang-Byung.

Ristretto's Thoughts

…Jung Yoon-Ho is a scary man