The Face Genius Actor

Episode 021

“As you know, Tree Actors is one of Korea’s leading actor management agencies. Numerous actors have grown here and risen to stardom. I can confidently say that there’s no agency more attractive than Tree Actors.”

Yoo Da-won said this while placing documents with contract terms on the table.

Certainly, Tree Actors was an attractive company, second to none.

Even without considering my past connection, everything was definite.

Their influence on the entertainment industry was that great.

But clearly…

‘Why do I feel so uncomfortable?’

At first, I couldn’t figure out the reason.

Because I felt glad to meet Yoo Da-won right away, I didn’t notice that aspect.

I could even feel that Yoo Da-won was trying to make me comfortable.

But after the atmosphere loosened up, the situation changed.

Yoo Da-won was approaching the contract with me in a business-like manner.

A method that hid Tree Actors’ weaknesses and emphasized its strengths.

I didn’t necessarily think this was bad.

But I couldn’t help feeling some resistance.

‘It feels like I’ve… become just a product…’

Even I was surprised that I was feeling this way.

In the past, during my Sorisaem Theater days, I didn’t realize this at all during my first meeting with Yoo Da-won.

Rather, I was happy that they saw me as a complete actor.

The numbers Yoo Da-won presented seemed professional.

The popularity of the actors Yoo Da-won mentioned felt like my future.

But now I knew all of this was illusory.

While numbers were indeed helpful for business, they didn’t guarantee good works.

It was good to be stimulated by looking at top actors’ popularity, but I couldn’t say it would be in my hands right away.

What I needed now wasn’t a mirage-like fantasy.

Even if it wasn’t equally concrete, I wanted to gain someone’s trust.

Even if I didn’t have great abilities, if I grew on trust, at least I wouldn’t give up on my dream.

Just like how I grew on my father’s trust and never let go of my dream of being an actor.

But unfortunately, I couldn’t get this feeling from the conversation with Yoo Da-won.

‘It’s too rigid…’

This made me think again about the meeting with Festa Entertainment.

Kim Jun-man didn’t just create a comfortable atmosphere in the meeting.

He revealed Festa Entertainment’s strengths and weaknesses without reservation, as if laying out everything.

“Honestly, Festa Entertainment isn’t a company like Tree Actors, which is among Korea’s top agencies.”

“We barely make it into the top ten, but we’re lacking in many aspects compared to large agencies. This means we don’t have the ability to insert actors without sufficient acting skills into good projects. But there’s one thing I can promise for certain.”

“We will never exploit Actor Lee Si-joon under any circumstances. We will always treat you according to your skills and do our best to help you thrive in such places.”

It was surprising to be this honest from the first meeting.

So I couldn’t help but ask Kim Jun-man this question.

“That’s amazing. Is it okay to tell everything like this? What if I run away?”

But Kim Jun-man answered my question with a relaxed smile.

“Haha. If you run away, there’s nothing we can do. We can only watch. But I believe in Actor Lee Si-joon’s discernment and skills. We wouldn’t have requested a meeting in the first place without this level of confidence.”

Then Kim Jun-man confessed that he had tormented Goo Kyung-mo to hear about me.

He didn’t hide that he had also called Seo Myung-hee separately to ask a lot about me.

‘Some might find this burdensome…’

But I didn’t feel that bad about it.

Rather, I thought this level of effort was natural to form a connection with someone.

On the other hand, I trusted Kim Jun-man’s belief a bit more.

So I was deeply impressed by the meeting with Kim Jun-man.

And for that very reason, the meeting with Yoo Da-won felt a bit more disappointing.

“It might sound funny coming from me, who belongs to Tree Actors, but… I hope Actor Lee Si-joon doesn’t miss this opportunity. There’s almost nothing more precious to a rookie actor than a connection with Tree Actors.”

Yoo Da-won said this as the meeting was wrapping up.

At the same time, I had to admit that the Yoo Da-won I originally knew didn’t exist here.

‘Perhaps Tree Actors… was an agency that wanted to use me as a flower vase until the end.’

My thoughts even extended to such unfavorable places.

So I finished the meeting with Yoo Da-won without saying much.

I showed a bright smile just once during the final greeting, which was my last courtesy to Yoo Da-won.

“Actor Lee Si-joon is really… handsome…”

Fortunately, Yoo Da-won seemed satisfied with my courtesy.

* * *

As soon as I finished the meeting with Tree Actors, I called Kim Jun-man to sign a contract.

So the second meeting took place, and after modifying a few detailed conditions, we finalized the contract.

Kim Jun-man looked dumbfounded after the contract was quickly finalized.

“This is…”

“What? Is something strange?”

“Honestly, I didn’t think we’d get to work with Actor Lee Si-joon. I heard Tree Actors had approached you.”

“Yes. We even had a meeting. But I preferred Festa Entertainment and Team Leader Kim Jun-man.”

“May I ask the reason?”

“You agreed to trust me even though you don’t know me well. So I decided to trust Festa Entertainment too. Isn’t it good to grow on each other’s trust?”

“Growing on each other’s trust…”

Kim Jun-man seemed to think about something for a moment, then smiled and held out his hand to me.

“I like that. I’ll do my best to make sure we have that kind of relationship, as Actor Lee Si-joon said.”

I nodded and shook Kim Jun-man’s hand.

Then Kim Jun-man immediately started talking about work.

“As per your request, I’ll connect you with all the good scripts that have come to the company by this evening.”

“I asked for that because I’m eager for work, but I’m not without discernment. Please select at a level where I can audition appropriately.”

“I understand what you mean. However, given that is receiving good reactions, there will be many places where Actor Lee Si-joon can audition.”

“I’m glad the company thinks that way.”

“Also, regarding your vehicle, is it okay if you temporarily use a 6-seater car owned by the company?”

“That’s fine with me, but… I heard the word ‘temporary’ in the middle. Will I get a separate personal vehicle?”

“Of course. Festa Entertainment provides vehicles to all actors as a rule. So the vehicle issue is resolved… By the way, what style of manager do you prefer?”

“I’m surprised. Do you even match the style of manager I want?”

When I asked with genuine surprise, Kim Jun-man smiled.

“It will be difficult to assign a manager that perfectly matches your needs. But we’ll try our best to match as much as possible.”

Even at Tree Actors before my regression, they never asked about this…

Festa Entertainment seemed to handle things delicately.

It was clear, seeing how they treated a rookie actor even after signing the contract.

I felt again that I made a good decision to contract with Festa Entertainment.

“Hmm. It’s an issue I haven’t thought about before, but personally, I’d prefer someone who isn’t too quiet.”

“You want a manager who can be a decent conversation partner.”

“Yes. I don’t really prefer a stiff atmosphere… But I’m not asking them to forcibly be my conversation partner.”

“I think I understand the feeling. Is there anything else you’d like?”

“Since we talked about vehicles earlier, I thought… I’d like someone who drives safely.”

“Someone who can be a conversation partner and drives safely… That’s not a difficult condition.”

Kim Jun-man said this and started scrolling through his smartphone.

Then he found a photo and showed it to me.

“This is a second-year manager named Yeo Kyung-chan. He doesn’t have much experience, but he fits your conditions perfectly.”

A face tanned dark in sportswear.

“He might be older than me, but… He doesn’t look young. Does he like mountain climbing?”

“He likes mountain climbing, but I heard he especially likes rock climbing. Is that okay?”

It felt unique, but I didn’t dislike it.

The first impression was just a bit strong.

“No, it’s fine. Please make this person my manager.”

* * *

While I was signing the contract,

had aired up to Episode 10.

Fortunately, the future of hadn’t changed.

The ratings increased with each episode, and the day after Episode 10 aired, it recorded its highest rating of 8.7%.

This was a rating worthy of being considered the best drama of this summer.

Indeed, was recording the best ratings among dramas aired during the same period.

Some people predicted it might even be possible to achieve ratings over 10% with 6 episodes still left until the finale.

I also earnestly hoped for that but didn’t optimistically view the future.

In the past, was a drama that ended without breaking the 10% barrier.

‘It’s not easy for a cable drama to exceed 10% ratings. This result is already excellent enough.’

I sincerely thought this, and I wasn’t the only one thinking this way.

Along with the drama’s success, interest in was growing more and more.

-Wow…. Arrest Episode 10 was insane!

-So what’s next? What’s going to happen?

-I won’t be able to sleep tonight because I’m so curious

-Why do dramas only air twice a week?

-Arrest seems truly legendary, like nothing is missing

-That’s right, the script, direction, music, and actors’ performances are really the best

-Ji Jung-hyun, Han Mi-rae, Seo Myung-hee, Lee Si-joon…. It’s hard to list all the actors who performed well

-Oppa Jung-hyun! I love you so much! Keep it up!

-I’m thinking again how fortunate it is that AMH dropped out

-I still can’t understand where an actor like Lee Si-joon came from

-I heard he’s from the same acting academy as Han Mi-rae

-Isn’t Han Mi-rae’s acting academy the one run by Seo Myung-hee?

-What’s that place? A new treasure trove? I should enroll there too

-No~ You can’t~ Just go back!

Naturally, the interest in the male and female leads of was the greatest.

But the public’s interest seemed to lean more towards Han Mi-rae than the familiar face of Ji Jung-hyun.

The public tends to show more interest in new faces.

I was also receiving a lot of attention for the same reason.

And as this interest amplified, rumors about Double U Acting Academy naturally started to circulate.

It was somewhat expected, as three of the cast members of were from Double U Acting Academy.

Because of this, I haven’t been able to meet with Seo Myung-hee recently.

‘They must be flooded with enrollment inquiries daily, so it can’t be helped.’

It was somewhat regrettable for me, but I didn’t worry too much about it.

In fact, I hardly had any reason to go to the academy as I was busy looking for an agency.

Above all, I was happy for Seo Myung-hee’s success as if it were my own, because I had belatedly heard that Double U Acting Academy’s finances weren’t good.

‘Since it’s like the starting point of my acting career this time, the better it does, the better.’

However, I hoped this atmosphere would stabilize before I started my next project.

I wanted to receive Seo Myung-hee’s help in the future if possible.

Fortunately, Festa Entertainment didn’t put much restriction on me attending Double U Acting Academy.

They were curious about why I was attending an acting academy, but that was about it.

They even offered to cover the academy fees.

‘It’s only been a few days since I signed the contract, but… Festa Entertainment’s proactive work style is impressive.’

On the day of the contract signing,

They assigned a manager and organized scripts for projects I might consider auditioning for, so I couldn’t help but think this way.

Moreover, today they brought up the topic of advertising from somewhere.

-Actor.

“Yes, Manager.”

-If you have time, could I meet you?

“Is it important? I was about to go exercise.”

-It’s something I could say over the phone, but since it’s about your first advertisement, I thought it would be better to meet in person.

“What? Advertisement? Have we already secured an advertisement?”

-We didn’t secure it, but an offer came in first.

“Ah, I see. It would be better to hear the details in person. Where shall we meet?”

A little while later,

I moved to Festa Entertainment’s building with Yeo Kyung-chan, whose hiking outfit was impressive.

And I met with ‘Kim Bo-mi’, who is in charge of the Business Planning Team, to talk.

“Actor! I wanted to tell you in person because it’s quite a big advertisement, so I’m glad you came!”

“I’m surprised it’s already an advertisement. What kind of advertisement is it?”

“It’s a model offer from ‘Sensus’, a specialized cosmetics brand.”