Chapter 124:
Yang Manchun pulled down the bandage that had been covering his mouth, speaking roughly. Despite having only removed the bandage around his mouth, his face was visibly swollen, indicating the severity of his injuries.
"Leave the company?"
No matter what profession you're in, being told to leave the company can be quite disconcerting. Especially if you're the breadwinner responsible for supporting a child who looks at you like a rabbit and a lovely fox-like wife.
But Yang Manchun had no family to support.
"Leave the company' means the company won't protect me anymore."
The reason Yang Manchun was so afraid was that, for several years, he had been involved in numerous dirty deeds under the title of "KL Entertainment Director." Some were done for the company's profit, but most were for his own selfish desires, often involving activities that violated the law.
But if he left the company like this, he would lose the protective shield that had kept him safe all these years. It wouldn't be surprising if the police knocked on his door at any moment.
"1 Manager No, did 1 Manager really say that?"
Yang Manchun asked with a trembling voice as if he couldn't believe it.
"Yeah, yeah. If it were the CEO, would he have told you to leave? It's even better this way, isn't it?"
"Oh, no. Why? Leave the company over just that one thing?"
"I don't know. I don't care. I'm just here to pass on what 1 Manager said."
Chaeyeon smiled consistently as she spoke. However, her gaze at Yang Manchun was incredibly cold.
It's unbearable to live like this. Yang Manchun grabbed Chaeyeon's arm and pleaded.
"2 2 Manager. No, Manager. Please don't do this and just tell me clearly. That way, I can I can fix whatever needs fixing."
Chaeyeon looked at Yang Manchun's hand, holding onto her arm, with disdain. His trembling arm was truly pitiful to behold.
But Chaeyeon was not moved by Yang Manchun's desperation.
"Manchun, do you know what Kwon Seokhoon is doing now that he's left our company?"
Chaeyeon pulled her arm away roughly as she spoke.
"Kwon Seokhoon? I don't know. He took away the TV and phone to stabilize his condition. Besides, with no visiting allowed, how could I know?"
"Don't bother with those trivial things. Hmm. I see. Then let me tell you. Do you know what Kwon Seokhoon is up to?"
Chaeyeon calmly continued speaking as she took out lipstick from her bag and stood in front of a mirror. Yang Manchun seemed puzzled by Chaeyeon's actions, but he silently watched her apply lipstick.
"Kwon Seokhoon auditioned for OS Entertainment. Because of that, the little actors in our company are in chaos."
"That guy"
"Not just the kids, even the decent actors are in turmoil. The managers are no exception. Well, the managers probably knew that OS Entertainment treated their talents much better than our company."
Chaeyeon turned her face from side to side, admiring her lips. With a satisfied smile, she said to Yang Manchun, "So, to strengthen internal solidarity, prevent actors from leaving, and offer a sacrifice that would capture everyone's attention."
"A sacrifice? You want me to be the sacrifice?"
"Yeah. I can't do it, can I? We're not even that close."
""
"But kicking out Managers 4, 5, and 6 wouldn't make much sense. It happened in the first place because of you."
At the mention of sacrifice,' Yang Manchun's body began to tremble. He could see what awaited him in the future.
Then,
"It was a hidden camera all along!"
Watching Yang Manchun in that state, Chaeyeon clapped her hands like a child who had just enjoyed a funny play. Looking at him with an astonished expression, Yang Manchun asked, "What does that mean?"
"What do you mean! It means exactly what it sounds likehidden camera!"
""
"Manchun, was my acting good? I could debut as an actor rather than a manager at this level, right?"
In her playful tone and actions, Yang Manchun seemed bewildered and sighed in disappointment.
"You should play pranks within limits! Why play with someone's life?"
"Huh? Why get mad over a joke?"
"Shut up. Before I split you in half and kill you."
"Oh, come on. Playing with people's lives is all the same, isn't it? Oh, are you scared because you almost died for real?"
Yang Manchun gritted his teeth, getting more agitated. The more intense his reaction, the louder Chaeyeon's laughter became.
"Oh, I haven't laughed so heartily in a long time, thanks to Manchun. Sorry, sorry."
With no response from Yang Manchun, Chaeyeon stood up from her seat.
"Still, not everything was a lie. The company atmosphere is really bad right now. One of your 3rd-floor guys who is it? I don't know the name. Anyway, one of the team leaders is aiming for your position, trying to become a manager."
"Manager? He dares to challenge my position? Wait, is it the 3rd team leader? That guy, without any gratitude"
"Well, you climbed up the same way, didn't you? What's the problem?"
"Anyway, I came to advise you on that. I thought I should give you a heads-up between us."
Chaeyeon smiled slyly and headed towards the door. Whether it was because the tension had eased or not, Yang Manchun could now sense the strong scent of Chaeyeon's cosmetics and perfume that he hadn't noticed before.
"Alright then, I'm going. Oh, and about the plastic surgery I mentioned earlier, let me know if you really need it. I can create a completely new person for you"
"So, what does 1 Manager say about this whole situation?"
As Chaeyeon was about to leave, Yang Manchun urgently called out to her.
"Huh? 1 Manager? Why?"
"Why ask when you know? If he says a word to the CEO, you could be in big trouble."
"Figure it out yourself. I'm still avoiding that person because he's terrifying."
Yang Manchun couldn't respond to Chaeyeon's words. To Im Youngkyung, he was still a useful slave, but to 1 Manager, he had no value at all.
***
"Are these all audition applicants?"
On the way back after another day of shooting , Sunho Jang replied when I asked, looking at the piles of documents in the passenger seat.
"Yes."
Although I didn't count, the amount seemed like it would easily exceed 1,200 in one box. Despite the box completely filling the passenger seat, Sunho Jang casually replied with his usual calm voice.
"It must be really difficult to check each one individually."
As I stared blankly at the pile of profiles, Sunho Jang laughed and said, "I'm not doing it alone, so don't worry too much."
I jumped a little at his words as if he could read my mind. Apparently finding my reaction amusing, Sunho Jang smiled slightly.
"There are as many profiles in the office as there are in the passenger seat. We started receiving applicants yesterday, and it'll probably increase until the deadline next week."
"Wow Isn't that too much? Just with what's here, it looks like easily a thousand."
"I actually felt it was fewer than I expected. During OS International's public recruitment season, we received way more resumes than this. And as I mentioned earlier, I'm not checking them alone, so it's fine."
We continued talking about auditions and profiles for a while. During that time, Sunho Jang's voice remained as calm as usual, and the workload seemed trivial to him.
"Manager, could I take a look at the profiles?"
Even though I was a bit tired after shooting, the more we talked about the auditions, the more my curiosity about the applicants grew.
"Yes, that's not a problem. It worked out well. If you find any profiles you like, let me know separately. We'll prioritize selecting those applicants."
"Haha Saying it like that makes me suddenly feel a bit pressured. I'll just watch."
Smiling gracefully, I picked up the box from the top of the mountain of profiles on the passenger seat.
Even though it was just paper, the word profile' gave a solid sense of pressure. Well, maybe it was because there were so many papers.
It would be really difficult to check each one individually.'
Perhaps reading my mind, Sun-ho Jang spoke, making me jump unintentionally. Finding my reaction amusing, he spoke with a slight smile.
"I'm not doing it alone, so don't worry too much."
After that, we continued our conversation about auditions and profiles. Meanwhile, Sun-ho Jang's voice remained as calm as ever, as if the workload was inconsequential.
"Manager, may I take a look at the profiles?"
Although I was a bit tired from the shoot, the more we discussed auditions, the more my curiosity about the applicants grew.
"Yes, that's not a problem. It worked out well. If you find any profiles you like, let me know separately. We'll prioritize selecting those applicants."
"Haha Saying it like that makes me suddenly feel a bit pressured. I'll just watch."
With a graceful smile, I picked up the box from the top of the mountain of profiles on the passenger seat.
Even though it was just paper, the word profile' carried a certain weight. Well, perhaps it was because there were so many sheets.
How many of them will pass the profile screening?'
I slowly examined the profiles. It seemed there was no specific application format, as each applicant's profile was unique.
Honestly, they had much more impressive credentials than I did two years ago. Moreover, it was evident that each one had put a lot of effort into their profiles.
I hope they all do well.'
With a casual curiosity, I started looking through the profiles, but as I continued, I found myself getting a bit serious. It wasn't long ago that I was in a similar position, going through profiles like this.
As I scrutinized the profiles, Sunho Jang looked at me through the rearview mirror and asked, "Is there a problem?"
"Excuse me?"
"You seem to be taking it seriously."
"Oh, haha. No, it's not a problem. It's just it reminded me of the old times. By the way, Manager Jang, how many people are expected to pass the profile screening among these?"
"It depends on the number of applicants, but we plan to select a maximum of about 100."
Up to 100 people. Just what was in the passenger seat seemed more than that.
The competition is no joke'
Moreover, passing the profile screening doesn't guarantee success in the audition. The profile screening is just the first step; the real audition comes afterward. And then, it will be my role to eliminate the 100 candidates who make it through.
Judging auditions is not an easy task.'
Until now, I had always been the applicant,' so I hadn't realized how uneasy it would feel to be on the other side of the process.
After flipping through profiles for a while, a familiar face caught my eye.
"Hmm?"
Although it was a long time ago, it was someone I couldn't forget.
Iseo-gu'
The guy who used to bully his friends in high school, thinking he was invincible.
Why someone from a well-off family like him felt the need to steal others' money and torment kids was beyond me. Yet, he excelled in academics and teachers didn't really reprimand him.
He dropped out in the early second year to take the GED, and although the faces of other friends were faint in my memory, I remembered Iseo-gu distinctly. He was that much of a menace.
But the reason my forehead furrowed so much, not just from seeing Iseo-gu apply, wasn't solely because he applied for the audition.
He's marked. Does Manager Jang have a thing for Iseo-gu?'
It seemed like Sunho Jang had marked Iseo-gu's name. I figured it was something I needed to discuss.
After all, I have to say something.'
A school bully appearing on an audition program could become an issue. It seemed better to address it before the program encountered problems.