Chapter 188:
"OS International Secretary?"
As Lee Minyoung received the business card extended by Kang Kyungsik, she examined it carefully. It was indeed an OS International business card.
"Why did OS contact me?"
Baffled, Lee Minyoung questioned, and Kang Kyungsik chuckled in response.
"Well, we should at least share a meal or some tea, but time being what it is, let me get straight to the point. Our President expressed a desire to bring you on board with OS International."
"Me?"
"Yes. I've heard that you've been of significant assistance to the actor Kang Jinseok, who is under our agency. We are truly grateful for your help."
Lee Minyoung responded as if it were nothing extraordinary, dismissing Kang Kyungsik's words.
"I didn't do anything particularly for Kang Jinseok. I just stumbled upon something while investigating another case."
In reality, it was to help Jinseok, but that couldn't be openly admitted."And I have no intention of quitting my job as a prosecutor yet. There's still much to do."
This, too, was a lie.
After concluding this case, Lee Minyoung had plans to resign as a prosecutor.
Knowing that she had made too many enemies within the prosecution due to this case, she was well aware that continuing organizational life would be difficult.
"Is that so? Nonetheless, before you decline, would you be willing to hear the terms?"
"It's not about the terms; it's about my personality. If you take me, OS International will find it quite exhausting."
"Why?"
"I only know law and principles. My nature doesn't fit well with corporate life."
As if concluding her words, Lee Minyoung moved to get back into her car.
However, at that moment,
"It's a good thing. That's exactly what our President is hoping for from Deputy Chief Prosecutor-nim."
Kang Kyungsik unexpectedly made this remark.
In response, Lee Minyoung, who was about to get into her car, turned to look at Kang Kyungsik.
"If that's what the President wants, what does that mean? What are you trying to say?"
"I mean sticking steadfastly to principles in the face of any external temptations. Our President, Oh Haneul, desires that strength in Deputy Chief Prosecutor-nim."
"…?"
"He wants you to play the role of candidly sharing uncomfortable truths. Oh, and just to be frank, we're not looking to bring you in to expand connections in the legal field."
Lee Minyoung had thought that OS International had sought her out for legal advice rather than ethical reasons. It seemed like a crafty maneuver to acquire favorable ‘connections.'
However, the reality was quite the opposite.
As Lee Minyoung stared at him blankly, Kang Kyungsik chuckled lightly and continued, "The President suggested placing you in the audit or legal team, but personally, if you were to join our company, I'd like to have you in the secretary's office."
"If it's OS International's secretary… the Strategic Planning Office sets the company's operational policies, isn't it? It's just called a secretary's office in name."
"You certainly know your way around. Originally, there was an employee in the secretary's office, like you, who had been marked as my successor, but they left for another place. I hope you can take on that friend's role."
Lee Minyoung was genuinely surprised by his words.
"Someone left the OS International secretary's office for another place?"
It was an unusual occurrence unless it was a less-than-desirable workplace.
Perhaps sensing Lee Minyoung's curiosity, Kang Kyungsik smiled and said, "You also know this person well."
"Someone I know? An employee who left the OS International secretary's office?"
"Yes. Currently, he is Jang Sunho, the team leader in charge of actor Kang Jinseok."
"…?"
"I hope you can take on the role that he used to fulfill. Ever since Sunho left for Kang Jinseok, the secretary's office has been a bit disorganized. It could use some restructuring."
After finishing his statement, Kang Kyungsik checked his watch.
"It's already five in the morning. I might have detained you for too long. I've given you my business card, so please think about it carefully and contact me. You're welcome anytime."
"Ah… Yes."
Lee Minyoung nodded hesitantly.
After Kang Kyungsik replied with a bow, he drove away. Watching the gradually disappearing car, Lee Minyoung recalled his words from earlier.
"So… Kang Jinseok's manager was originally a staff member in the OS International secretary's office?"
Come to think of it, she vaguely remembered hearing something about it somewhere before.
The managers at OS Entertainment were known for being exceptionally high-spec. It seemed that the rumors were true.
"Was he originally the deputy head of the secretary's office?"
Thinking of Jang Sunho, Lee Minyoung chuckled.
Deputy head of the secretary's office.
Considering her encounters with him while planning to confront KL Entertainment, it seemed like a role that suited him exceptionally well.
While thinking about it, Lee Minyoung glanced at Kang Kyungsik's business card.
"Accepting might not be a bad idea. It could be interesting."
Although she thought positively, it wasn't the time to consider a job change just yet.
With the prosecutions of dozens of influential figures just beginning, she would be busy day and night.
Nevertheless, Lee Minyoung carefully tucked Kang Kyungik's business card into her wallet.
***
"" You said you'd like to audition for the Hollywood project?"
In response to the early morning call from Jinseok, Jang Sunho spoke with a bit of surprise.
[Yes. Even though it's a Hollywood project, I'd like to audition. It seems like it could be a good experience.]
"Oh, yes. If the actor wishes… understood."
After Jang Sunho awkwardly responded, he immediately asked again.
"But, sir. I've translated the synopsis into Korean for you, but the actual script is likely in English. Are you comfortable acting in English?"
This was an obvious concern and a crucial point to confirm.
No matter how good an actor is, if they struggle with the language, it could be a deal-breaker.
Despite Jang Sunho's concerns, Jinseok confidently replied, [Yes, no problem.]
"Alright then, sir. Before I inform Director James Won's team about your intention to audition, can I test your English skills once?"
***
Confirming Jinseok's English proficiency, Jang Sunho couldn't help but be amazed.
‘…He's good at it.'
It wasn't just being good at it.
Jinseok's pronunciation and accent were so fluent that one could believe he was a native speaker.
‘Why did he speak vaguely back then when he's this good?'
With that question in mind, Jang Sunho found another curiosity.
‘Come to think of it, he's good at Japanese too. Is he studying languages separately?'
Perhaps Jinseok had been striving for international success for a long time.
Admiring Jinseok's efforts once again, Jang Sunho said to him, "You're really good. It seems like you're even better than me. I feel embarrassed for saying I'd test you."
"Haha… No, not at all."
After Jinseok replied modestly, he asked Jang Sunho, "Is this good enough to tell Director James Won that I want to audition?"
"Of course. If I had known you were this good at English, I would have encouraged you to actively appeal to international projects a bit more."
After praising Jinseok once again, Jang Sunho continued, "Since you expressed your interest in auditioning, I'll contact Director James Won today. Now that we've decided, the sooner, the better."
***
"Jinseok is going to U.S.?"
Once again, in the busy warehouse, Park Chunsam asked while unloading heavy cargo.
The person standing beside him, carrying a similar load, answered.
"Jinseok sent a KakaoTalk message in the group chat a while ago. Didn't you see?"
"I rarely pay attention to the group chat because you guys always talk nonsense. So, is he going?"
"Yeah."
"Well, Jinseok, that son of a gun, is going to the U.S. and making it big."
Although said playfully, Park Chunsam's voice was filled with pride.
Knowing how hard Jinseok had worked in acting, there was a deep sense of satisfaction in his success.
"So when is he leaving?"
"He said he'll leave as soon as his visa or whatever is sorted out. Normally, it takes a while, but the company is trying to expedite the process. He might leave by next week at the latest."
"Next week, huh? Then shouldn't we meet up and show some support before he goes?"
Upon hearing this, the employees who were eavesdropping around them fell silent.
They exchanged glances and uttered a few words.
"Well, it might be nice to show support before Jinseok goes."
"We're busy, so going to his place might be a bit much. How about we go to the airport?"
"Going to his house might be a hassle. It's probably better to go to the airport."
"That's fine. We could each bring a flower bouquet. And since American food might not suit him, we should also bring some food."
While they usually took over an hour to decide on a menu for meals, showing a lack of unity, the warehouse employees demonstrated a surprising level of determination when it came to matters related to Jinseok.
Once some consensus was reached, the team leader, Park Dupal, spoke up.
"Alright, then let's all go together to support Jinseok on the day of his departure. Dress neatly, no casual attire since it might bother Jinseok. Okay?"
"Okay!"
Unbeknownst to Jinseok, a grand farewell ceremony was being planned.
A very grand departure ceremony, indeed.