Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 535: Han So-Jin (1)

[Everyday V12.1]

[Date: January 2, 2021]

-10:00 p.m [NEW. Kim Sae-Ri] <Behind the Scenes in Entertainment> "Cherry Blossom's Talent Agent Mr. J involved in assault incident at MBS," "Cherry Blossom voluntarily withdraws from music broadcast stage," "11-week first-place streak record shattered"

I couldn't believe what I was reading.

'How could I commit assault at a music broadcast, where hundreds of people, including artists, talent agents, and staff, were coming and going?'

But Everyday never lied.

'Should I just walk away right now? No. If avoiding it were enough, I wouldn't have ended up committing assault in the first place.'

Thinking it through, there was no way I would cause a scene like that, especially on a day as important as Cherry Blossom's potential 11th consecutive music show win. And if by some miracle I did end up using force, it would only be to protect the girls from some serious threat—like if a male idol got too aggressive, or a stalker managed to breach security and threatened them.

Eventually, I decided not to leave the site. Instead, I committed to avoiding using my fists at all costs while stopping whatever danger might be coming their way.

With that warning from Everyday burned into my mind, I turned to Do Ran-Hee and gave her a heads-up. "Ran-Hee, keep your eyes open today. And if anything feels off, just get away from the scene and call me right away. I'll handle the rest."

Since Cherry Blossom members were girls, there were places I couldn't go. So, I had to make sure we could intercept any threats in those areas.

Do Ran-Hee assured me she will be careful. Today was a huge day, and she admitted she was nervous too, hoping everything would go smoothly.

Just then, the waiting room door flew open and Moon Yung-Sae, the AD of Show! Music Center, appeared.

Bang!

At 30 years old, Moon Yung-Sae was known for his kind personality and would one day become a music show PD.

"Ah, Mr. Jung! Here you are."

"Hello, Mr. Moon."

Scratching his head with an apologetic look, Moon Yung-Sae hesitated. "Um, it's very hard for me to ask...but could you possibly give up your performance slot today?"

"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"

"Well, Mrs. Han So-Jin requested to take the final stage..."

Normally, the final stage was reserved for the top 1st-place contender of the day because the later the stage, the higher the viewership ratings and attention.

However, Han So-Jin wanted Cherry Blossom's spot. Yet, I couldn't let that happen today, when Cherry Blossom was aiming for an 11-week win. Not even for a diva like Han So-Jin.

I replied, "I'm sorry, but today is the day our girls are challenging for their 11th consecutive win. Giving up their slot on a day like this just isn't right."

Moon Yung-Sae sighed. It was clear he was being pressured from above.

I suggested, "Mr. Moon, what if she goes first? That might work better, don't you think?"

"I did suggest that. But she insists on the final slot. It's her comeback tradition, she says. Claims it's a jinx if she doesn't."

Just like athletes, many singers and actors cling to superstitions. However, this was a lie. The only jinx Han So-Jin had, to my knowledge, was wearing red shoes on stage. When that wasn't possible, she would wear red slippers instead.

If this weren't the day of Cherry Blossom's big record challenge, I might have considered it. After all, avoiding conflict would prevent Han So-Jin from taking it out on the girls later.

But we were on the verge of breaking a national record and I couldn't yield. As Cherry Blossom's talent agent, I had a duty to secure that moment for them.

I shook my head and said, "I'm sorry, but I really can't allow that."

"Understood. I'll let the PD know. Just please understand this didn't come from me or the PD."

Moon Yung-Sae bowed his head slightly and closed the waiting room door with an uneasy expression.

Thud.

As the door shut, Do Ran-Hee finally exploded with frustration. "Isn't Mrs. Han So-Jin going too far? She knows we're aiming for a record, and she still dares to ask for our stage?"

"She's just used to being treated like royalty. What can you do?"

Back in her prime, Han So-Jin had been treated like a queen at broadcast stations due to her immense popularity. Even now, long after her peak, she hadn't let go of that special treatment and occasionally pulled rank like this on-site. People tolerated it just to avoid the hassle in the past, but that was three years ago.

Do Ran-Hee asked, "You don't think Mr. Oh Se-Chan will rearrange the lineup on his own, right?"

"No. If that were the case, they wouldn't bother consulting us like this. And if there really is pressure from above, I'll go straight to the president and flip the whole thing over."

Today, I had already saved the production presentation for Hwaranjeon and landed Seven Star Electronics Mobile Division as a replacement advertiser after HK Inc. pulled out. So today, of all days, I had enough leverage to make my voice heard at MBS.

Still, Cherry Blossom hadn't returned from their waiting room visits.

"Why aren't the girls back yet?"

"They should've been here by now..."

I couldn't shake the unease, especially after what I had read in my planner earlier. And the fact that Han So-Jin had asked to swap her stage time only made things more suspicious.

The moment doubt crept in, I stood up. "Ran-Hee, I'm going to find the girls."

"Huh? Where?"

"If they're not back yet, it probably means they're being held up by a sunbae somewhere... and it's not likely to be Mrs. Lee Mal-Soon. I'll go check Mrs. Han So-Jin's waiting room."

"Should I come with you?"

"No, you stay here and call me the moment they return. Just in case we miss each other."

"Okay, got it."

Leaving Do Ran-Hee behind in case of a mix-up, I headed straight to Han So-Jin's waiting room.

***

Han So-Jin's waiting room was the farthest from Cherry Blossom's—a small, temporary room assigned last-minute due to her late addition to the lineup.

This was why top-tier artists never booked on the day of a show. A cramped waiting room could tank a performer's mood and energy.

When I arrived, I reached for the door. The moment I was about to open the door, loud voices were spilling from inside.

-Hey! Talent agents, you stay out of this!

Han So-Jin's distinct, sharp voice cut through the walls.

Then came Eun Ji-Yoo's voice, who had taken Cherry Blossom to their greetings.

-Mrs. Han, you know they didn't mean any disrespect.

But Han So-Jin only raised her voice.

-Don't give me that! These girls are treating their sunbae like nothing! Back in my day, we couldn't even look our sunbaes in the eye! And what? They're in a hurry so they need to go? They think they're better than everyone now?

-That's not what they meant...

-Quiet! And don't act like they didn't know about my jinx and still pulled that stunt!

Clearly, after her request to swap stage orders had been denied, Han So-Jin was now taking it out on Cherry Blossom. Even with her 20 years of experience, this kind of treatment was inexcusable.

I flung the door open and stepped inside. And what I saw made my blood run cold.

'What is this...?'

Cherry Blossom and the talent agents were all kneeling on the cold waiting room floor.

Han So-Jin sat cross-legged in her chair, looking down at them. Standing beside her were Talent Agent Oh In-Jung from Ace Entertainment and Stylist Park Ye-Yung, both glaring at the girls with their phones in hand.

The absurdity of the scene sent my heart racing, my blood pressure spiking.

Thump, thump, thump.

My heart pounded so loudly it echoed in my ears. I was seconds away from exploding with rage, until the warning from Everyday flashed in my mind.

'Wait... Is this what causes me to snap?'

Right then, I summoned every ounce of willpower to suppress the boiling fury. If I lost control and lashed out, no matter the context, I would be the one at fault. And the fallout would fall squarely on Cherry Blossom.

'Stay calm. Stay calm, Yoon-Ho.'

Just like the warning from Everyday, I couldn't resolve this with violence. But that didn't mean I could stand here and do nothing.

I steadied my trembling voice and called out, "Get up, girls! Ms. Eun, Assistant Manager Eun—you too, stand up!"

The six people kneeling on the cold floor all turned around at once. Tears welled up in Cherry Blossom's eyes, but the moment they saw me, relief washed over their faces.

"Yoon-Ho oppa!"

"Yoon-Ho oppa..."

They called my name as if they had been saved.

I smiled gently to reassure them. "Stand up. What are you doing? You've got a stage to prepare for."

With hesitant movements, Woo Yeon-Hee and Eun Ji-Yoo straightened their numb knees and stood. Lee Ju-Yung followed and began helping the girls to their feet.

At that moment, Han So-Jin snapped. "What the hell is this?! Who told you to get up?!"

Her shrill voice rang through the room, but I ignored her and stepped closer to the girls, extending a hand to help.

Sae-Ri took my hand, her voice trembling as she tried to explain.

However, I gently cut her off. "It's okay. Let's talk later. Just go wait outside for now."

"O-okay, Yoon-Ho oppa..."

Sae-Ri wiped her tears and left, supported by Lee Ju-Yung and the other members.

As Cherry Blossom exited, Eun Ji-Yoo stayed behind, wanting to explain.

I leaned in and whispered quietly, "It's fine. Please go get Mrs. Lee Mal-Soon. Quickly."

"Understood. I'll bring her right away."

And with that, Eun Ji-Yoo hurried out. Now, only Han So-Jin, Oh In-Jung, and Park Ye-Yung remained.

Han So-Jin shouted at me, "Who do you think you are, barging in here telling us how to discipline hoobaes?!"

"Mrs. Han, there's a limit to how far you can take discipline!"

"What? What did you just say to me?"

That's when Oh In-Jung stepped forward with a scowl. "Excuse me, what kind of talent agent are you people at Hoop? We only asked to switch to the final stage, and you stubbornly refused! If Mrs. Han said it's a jinx, you should've made way without question!"

I locked eyes with Oh In-Jung and replied coldly, "I understand the stress of a comeback, but your words are out of line. And the jinx? Give me a break. Mrs. Han So-Jin's only jinx is wearing red shoes on stage. Are you seriously trying to use lies to steal our girls' stage?"

Flustered, Oh In-Jung snapped back. "W-what? Lies? You think you can say whatever you want? Huh?"

Just as I was about to fire back again, Han So-Jin suddenly leapt up and screamed, "No wonder those girls turned out that way with a talent agent like you! Think just because Cherry Blossom is hot right now, even their talent agent can act like a star?!"

I kept my words measured, but my anger simmered beneath the surface. "Don't you think you've crossed the line, Mrs. Han?"

Apparently offended, Han So-Jin stormed toward me, breathing heavily. I thought she was going to scream in my face, but instead, she suddenly raised her hand and swung it at my face like a whip.

Whoosh!

Knowing her history with slapping people, I instinctively stepped back and caught her wrist. Even though I didn't use any force, Han So-Jin screamed.

"Aaaargh!"

At that moment, Oh In-Jung lunged at me. "Let go of her! How dare you touch her hand!"

The moment Oh In-Jung reached out like she was about to grab my hair, I caught her wrist with my other hand. Then I lifted both their arms high above their heads to keep them from flailing.

With their arms raised and toes barely touching the floor, both of them started shrieking.

"Let go! Let me go!"

"Ahhh! Let go! Let go!"

Now, only one person remained—Park Ye-Yung. Then I noticed her phone was pointed at me. I thought she was just holding it, but now I realized that she had been recording from the moment I walked in.

'So that's it. They set this up to make me lose my temper, record it, and destroy me?'

I understood their intention instantly. The warning from Everyday wasn't just about the fight, but it was about this footage leaking.

I was on the verge of rushing in and smashing the phone, but then a perfect idea to counter Han So-Jin and her staff came to mind.

'All of you are done now!'