Chapter 616 (1/2)
-We got an audition scheduled for you, so prepare for that. The reason I’m telling this to you directly is because I have big expectations from you. Team leader Han will tell you the details, so you can hear that from him. This drama is something heavily marketed by YBS. You’ve made your name known through the sitcom, so don’t you think it’s about time you make your face known to more people? You should row while the water is still flowing. If you make your name known to more people with this opportunity, you’ll have an easier time later. Your acting is pretty decent, so you have the potential to become big. Also, your heart is really okay, right? Tell me if you have a problem later. Don’t suffer by yourself and make other people worried. If necessary, we’ll introduce you to a good hospital.
Jiseok reminded himself of the words he just heard as he left the president’s office.
“Since he’s caring about me, does he think that I’m worth it now?”
He did not hide the smile that crept onto his face as he walked. It was well-known that the president of Yellow Star was quite cold to actors without any fame. Jiseok also only talked to him a couple of times when he signed the contract, and never talked to him after that.
“What, did something good happen?”
“Oh, noona.”
Jiseok waved his hand at Chaerim, who stood in front of him. She was wearing slightly tall shoes, a blue shirt, and beige cotton pants. She also seemed to have become taller, but he did not say that out loud. Anyone in the company knew that Chaerim was sensitive about her height.
“Didn’t you go to Japan?”
“The plan was to have a relaxing rest, but my schedule was leaked on the internet. So I postponed it to next week.”
“Popular people have it hard. What brings you to the company?”
“To see the unnis.”
“Unnis, you say….”
“What other unnis are there in this company other than them?”
“I knew it. What is it this time?”
“Blue’s farewell concert.”
“What concert?”
“They want to do a farewell concert. They asked me for my opinions about doing a farewell concert even though it’s been half a year since we officially split up, and gee, I can only say that the president is amazing. He’s the kind of guy who would dig out a body from a grave before selling it to someone else.”
“Ha, haha.”
Seeing Chaerim with a glare on her face, Jiseok couldn’t do anything but laugh. Jiseok was there when Blue had a press meeting. Camera flashes baptized the girls, and those girls hugged each other warmly in front of the journalists and cried as they declared the last moment of Blue. As soon as the press meeting finished though, they wiped their eyes off with some tissue, got on their respective vehicles, and split up without saying goodbye.
Seeing the five fairies of Blue, who split up as though they were refreshed, Jiseok and his manager talked about how the entertainment industry was nothing magical. An idol group, who split up with tears in front of the fans - regardless of what was actually happening - is going to hold a farewell concert after half a year.
The more he thought about that, the more flabbergasted he became. Leading a company really wasn’t something anyone could do.
“So, are you going to do it?”
“Would you do it if you were in my shoes? After all that trouble?”
“How about the others?”
“I wouldn’t know. Minji-unni and Dayoon-unni are doing well as actresses, so they have nothing to lose, but the other two aren’t. They haven’t done any activities ever since Blue split up, and from what I heard, they invested into some franchise and miserably failed.”
“You don’t seem to contact each other, huh?”
“We’ve had enough of each other, so why would I? I just assume that they’re living their lives well. Honestly, I didn’t want to see them today either.”
“You really don’t hold back, huh. Are the other noonas coming now?”
“Probably? Why do you ask?”
“I thought I should watch.”
“Watch if you want to. It’ll be quite interesting.”
“I-I was just joking.”
“Rather than that, what happened to you to be coming out of the president’s office?”
“He told me to do an audition for a drama.”
“You should get yourself together then. You’re quite soft, so it’s likely that people will push you around. Especially that president. Don’t listen to his words fully. He’s not totally trash, but he’s definitely not someone who can be called good.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Keep raising your worth. If you don’t want to get backstabbed later, you will have to do that.”
“Aren’t you being too pessimistic?”
“I’m just saying. I found out that the only things you can trust in the end are money and your own skills. I’m twenty and I’ve realized that already. Aren’t I amazing?”
“Yes, you are.”
Charim made a self-loathing smile before sighing. Although she spoke in a relaxed manner, she probably wasn’t that comfortable with meeting people from the group she split up with.
At that moment, a person wearing training clothes appeared behind Chaerim. From the figure, it seemed to be a woman. She was covering her face with a hood and was yawning as she walked over. She stopped after seeing Jiseok.
“What are you two doing?”
“Oh, it was you, seonbae-nim. I was wondering who it was,” Jiseok said as he looked at Joohyun, who took off her hood. Chaerim turned around.
“U-unni. Hello.”
“Haven’t seen you in a while, Chaerim. How have you been?”
“I’m doing okay. How about you, unni?”
“Well, I’ve just been resting ever since The Witness finished. It’s been a while since I came to the company too.”
“Wow, it must be my lucky day today then. Meeting you here and all.”
Jiseok slightly walked over so that he could see Chaerim’s face from the side. The way she chuckled in embarrassment made her look like a completely different person. Chaerim, who was looking at Joohyun with a slightly flushed expression, suddenly turned around.
Aren’t you going to get going? - she seemed to say with her eyes. Jiseok smiled awkwardly before moving a step away.
“Then I’ll take my leave. Have a nice talk, you two.”
“Jiseok, wait.”
Joohyun stopped him.
“Eh?”
“Aren’t you doing a drama soon?”
“Ah, yes. The president just told me to do an audition.”
“I knew it.”
Joohyun smiled.
“Are you perhaps playing the lead character, seonbae?”
“Yeah. I was originally planning to take a one-year break, but this one looked interesting. That’s why I decided to do it. Plus, I know the writer as well so I have faith in the work.”
“I was just a bundled product then, huh. I did find it strange because I was told to audition for a mini-series on public TV.”
Chaerim interfered after listening to the conversation.
“What’s so bad about being a bundled product? Products that don’t have value can’t even be put in a bundle.”
“Chaerim is right about that. I’m not saying that it’s the right thing to do, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not an opportunity. Don’t feel disappointed and do your best. I’m looking forward to it because I think that it’ll be quite interesting to do it with you.”