Top Star By Luck [EN]: Chapter 147

“Media Future, this kind of trash deserves to be eliminated from the industry.”

Lee Minki held his breath at the intense statement, like an axe blade sinking into wood.

What should he say?

‘It feels refreshing, but refreshing, but refreshing, but something, something…….’

It was so intense that he unconsciously looked for a reason to object.

But thinking about it, there was no reason to object.

Lee Minki steeled himself and said with a firm gaze.

“I think so too. It’s only natural for trash companies to go bankrupt.”

“Exactly.”

Director Seo Jungwoo continued as if he had been waiting for the words.

“I investigated their internal structure, and it’s more like a labor dispatch agency than an entertainment company. Most of the actors they have are bit-part specialists, and they’re just exploiting them and sucking up cash.”

“What do they use the money for?”

“That’s the problem. It doesn’t seem like they’re reinvesting it anywhere. So, it’s probably all going straight into the CEO’s pocket.”

It was a typical scam entertainment company business model.

They send people to any job that pays, then extort their daily wages under the guise of commission.

“The ending is usually the same in these cases.”

Director Seo Jungwoo said with a hint of anger in his voice.

“No matter how much money they accumulate, they keep delaying payments, promising to settle accounts later, and then they disappear in the end.”

“……”

“Leaving only the contracted people in the lurch. They end up enriching the CEO for three years without getting a single penny.”

Accurate.

Too accurate.

The exact actions of Media Future Company that Lee Minki remembered were flowing from Director Seo Jungwoo’s mouth.

“There will be more victims who were lured in with contract commissions, and if they received investments, there will be that money too. Looking at the office location, it’s closer to a paper company [a company that exists only on paper, with no real assets or operations].”

“So, it was a company established for the purpose of fraud from the beginning?”

“Yes, it’s obvious.”

Director Seo Jungwoo said definitively.

“Looking at the timing of its establishment, it was about four years ago. Considering the number of people they’ve contracted and the timing… they’re probably getting ready to blow it all up.”

This was accurate too.

In just a few years, CEO Ham Chihyun would run off with the company’s money.

Lee Minki was slightly impressed by Director Seo Jungwoo’s prediction, as if he were looking into the distant future.

‘Maybe it’s because he’s in the same industry that he can see these things.’

Same industry.

Director Seo Jungwoo would probably consider being associated with that term a disgrace, though.

“It doesn’t seem like it will last long even if we leave it alone. Looking at the company structure, it’s good for short-term exploitation, but the financial state can’t be good in the long run.”

“It will go bankrupt.”

“That’s for sure.”

The collapse of the company itself was inevitable.

However, the victims who would be created in the meantime were a separate issue.

‘That bit-part actor, I didn’t even know his name.’

Even though Lee Minki was also a victim of Future Media Company, he didn’t even know that actor existed.

Did they even have a proper contract?

‘Of course not.’

Lee Minki knew all too well that the answer was no.

[Did you receive a contract fee?]

[Huh? No? I paid a deposit at first. They said they would return it later.]

What company takes a contract fee from an actor?

Of course, it’s normal to pay it the other way around.

But that bit-part actor didn’t even seem to notice anything strange.

[They said that contract fees are just nominal and don’t mean anything anyway?]

Ham Chihyun must have sweet-talked him well.

‘Was that person the only one who was deceived like that?’

He already knew that the answer was no.

It was just the tip of the iceberg.

‘I can’t save everyone just because there are difficult things in the world. But at least I shouldn’t feel uneasy.’

So, he had no choice.

Just this once.

It was the moment he was harboring the thought of meddling for personal revenge just once.

Why?

Because he had seen it right in front of his eyes.

[It doesn’t make money right now, but the company is working hard to get me roles here and there. They said they’ll start settling accounts from next year. Then I think I can make a living just by acting. Haha, someday like Lee Minki sunbaenim… Ah! Never mind.]

That innocent look on the rookie actor’s face as he chattered away.

If he hadn’t seen it, he wouldn’t have known, but if he had seen it, he couldn’t ignore it.

That person was Lee Minki.

He was like Lee Minki’s mirror.

It was his past self that he had wanted to avoid, but had finally faced.

Trauma.

That which he had barely covered and buried deep in his heart resurfaced and overwhelmed Lee Minki.

But.

‘How long are you going to keep avoiding it? I’m the victim.’

He had a reason now.

He was thinking of mixing in some personal feelings this time.

Why did he meet that bit-part actor on the set?

Why did Ham Chihyun appear in front of him?

He thought about it.

Luck was on his side, but why did it set up such an uncomfortable situation?

In the end, Lee Minki realized.

‘It’s giving me a chance for revenge.’

This was also his luck.

“I was curious as to why you specifically requested this information, Actor Lee.”

Director Seo Jungwoo opened his mouth in a calmer voice.

The words that quietly flowed from his opened mouth in the next moment.

“You must have a grudge against this company?”

The words felt heavy as they were unemotional.

“……”

Lee Minki blinked for a moment at the accurate words, like a divining rod [a forked rod used to locate underground water or minerals], and then nodded, as if dropping a weight from the sky. He said, “Yes, as you said, Director, it seems like they’re engaging in fraudulent contracts with their actors.”

It wasn’t over yet.

Lee Minki took a small breath and continued.

“To be honest, the public interest is a big reason. If I just ignore it, my juniors will suffer.”

The public interest was a big reason.

It would help many people.

However, it wouldn’t be bad to just turn a blind eye and pretend not to know.

It would be more rational, if anything.

There would be no harm to him from ignoring it.

His life would flow peacefully.

Like a great flood on the other side of the world, or an earthquake in the neighboring country, as long as the place where he lived was peaceful.

But.

‘I can’t do that. No, I won’t.’

He didn’t want to.

‘Do nothing? For whose benefit?’

The wicked would live wickedly.

The victims would suffer.

For whom is this world?

For whom is this turning away?

‘Bow your head because you’re afraid of possible repercussions?’

It was a ridiculous thing.

Wasn’t that the person who ruined his life?

Wasn’t that the person who ruined many people’s lives?

‘If I leave it alone, wouldn’t that make me a pushover?’

If he could, shouldn’t he step up?

Some rational person might say that this meddling is just a moment of mental victory.

‘So what if it’s a mental victory.’

Mental illness is also an illness.

If the world doesn’t give medicine, shouldn’t he prescribe medicine for himself?

That was all.

Good deeds don’t need a big reason.

There’s no need to come up with grand reasons to convince himself.

Like cutting a radish with a drawn sword [acting decisively and efficiently], he would just execute what he had decided.

“I couldn’t just leave it alone if I knew about it.”

Director Seo Jungwoo continued as if he knew it would be like this.

“The Actor Lee I know isn’t someone who would pay attention to other agencies. But if you’re interested in such a small company, I thought it would be meddling.”

“Well… that word ‘meddling’ is accurate.”

Lee Minki coughed.

In fact, from someone else’s perspective, there was no more accurate word than meddling.

The current Lee Minki had no connection to Media Future Company at all.

All he did was have a few conversations with that company.

“It’s not bad meddling. It’s not meddling that can’t be done.”

Director Seo Jungwoo continued as if it were nothing and continued again.

“If we have enough evidence, we can spread the article through the media and try to make it public. It’s possible as early as tomorrow.”

“That fast?”

“I found out during the investigation, but there’s a rookie in my contact list who has a contract with this company.”

“Who is it?”

“It’s an old student of Trainer Kim Ahsung.”

Lee Minki’s expression was momentarily dyed with embarrassment at those words.

Why is that name coming up here?

No, he has hundreds of rough students, so even if it’s a small agency, it’s not strange to have one or two connected.

“If we combine the contract conditions and the activities so far, we’ll probably get a suitable controversy.”

The calm explanation flowed like water.

It looked very familiar.

In the midst of the skilled words and actions, as if he had done it several times, Lee Minki swallowed hard and asked.

“Wouldn’t that put a burden on JC if something goes wrong?”

“Yes, it probably will. There may be talk that we attacked the same company without business ethics. And there’s no point in hearing bad stories.”

“Then.”

It was the moment Lee Minki was about to ask if he was willing to take the risk.

“Still, if this kind of company remains in the industry, it will continue to have a negative impact on the same industry workers. Also.”

Thud.

Director Seo Jungwoo said, closing his laptop.

“The person who sees the trash first should clean it up.”

“Ah.”

Lee Minki was slightly impressed.

He was starting to understand.

Director Seo Jungwoo already regarded Lee Minki’s personal grudge as his own company’s business.

No, maybe it was a different thought.

[We can do this much.]

It could have been sales.

It’s not difficult to dig up the dirty parts of a cheap company in the industry and write an article about it.

It’s as simple as crushing an ant with your finger.

This may have been JC’s intention.

…

…

This was Lee Minki’s thought.

Director Seo Jungwoo’s thoughts were a little different here.

‘Media Future Company, I wondered, and it worked out well.’

Director Seo Jungwoo already knew about the existence of Media Future Company even before Lee Minki mentioned it, and he roughly understood the company’s business practices.

However, he didn’t touch it because there was no point in getting involved in a pile of shit.

Asking the media for help is like taking on debt.

There’s no end to stomping on trash one by one.

But.

‘The actor did something.’

If the trash that caught his eye made our actor uncomfortable, that was a slightly different story.

‘I should take care of it at the same time.’

Just taking on debt is a donation.

But if you take on debt for investment, it’s a worthwhile deal.

This is business.

A business that buys goodwill from Lee Minki, a future star, no, a star in progress.

And also, anyway.

‘If it gets to the CEO’s ears, they’ll destroy it first.’

There was a selective anger control disorder right above him.

It was Director Seo Jungwoo’s judgment that it was better to end it on his own before things got noisy and he went to the office and swung a bat.

He had the will and the power.

He had a reason to act, so there was no reason not to.

“Now, all that’s left is what reason to report to the media.”

“Um.”

At that moment, Lee Minki opened his mouth.

“Actually, I have a good idea.”

* * *

Ham Chihyun.

A scammer who specializes in luring rookies with contracts and exploiting them with small jobs that make money right away.

But his business card says he is the CEO of [Media Future Company], a new actor specialty agency.

Why was he like that?

He didn’t feel very good today.

‘It’s ominous.’

He usually didn’t feel good, but today was even worse.

‘Something, something is bothering me.’

Was it because of Lee Minki?

Lee Minki, whom he met yesterday.

He arrogantly ignored everything he said.

He didn’t like it.

He’s only been in the industry for less than 5 years, where did he learn such a high-handed attitude?

‘Is that so? Is that so? Really? What a habit.’

He didn’t like it.

If someone approaches you with good intentions and talks to you, you should at least accept it like a social person.

He’s not a kid.

“CEO……”

“What?”

The employee turned his head as if startled by Ham Chihyun’s sharp reaction.

That employee was also an accomplice of Media Future Company.

‘He should do his job properly.’

Of course, that employee also squeezed the employees to the limit of the law, citing industry practices.

[If you grow with the company and build your career, Yonggi will have a good opportunity.]

He probably didn’t have any affection for the company.

But he was going to blow up the company before he changed jobs, so it didn’t matter.

‘Yes, it’s coming soon. Let’s be patient a little longer.’

It wasn’t far off.

It was just one year.

In a year, he would take the money he had saved and go to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and live luxuriously there without envy.

Today is just a time to endure for that bright tomorrow.

‘It’s fun.’

People must have goals.

As he thought of a positive future, peace soon came to Ham Chihyun’s mind.

He had to work hard today too.

That was when he thought.

“Um… CEO.”

The employee, who had tucked his tail in a little while ago, trembled and opened his mouth.

“Right now, Lee Minki is doing a live broadcast on his SNS……”

“So what?”

She swallowed hard at the sharp reaction and said.

“The story about our contract conditions is coming out there right now?”