Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 181

The End of Paradise (6)

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CEO Roh Jung-man.

The head of Roman Entertainment, a key player in the DG acquisition, and a legendary figure who achieved a rags-to-riches success as a manager.

He had seen a lot over the years.

Since stepping into the entertainment industry alone, how many things had happened?

-What the hell is this guy saying?

-He came into this industry without knowing anything; let’s teach him a lesson!

-He needs to be beaten to come to his senses. Let’s rough him up first, and then talk. His mind will change.

In the early days, when he was young, the entertainment industry was rife with violence and gangsters.

If you spoke out against the unfair contracts of unscrupulous bosses, fists would fly first. If you couldn’t stand it and overturned the office, they would come up with brazen excuses.

-Roh Jung-man. Hey, you unethical bastard. That’s how it is here!

-Do you think you’ll have anywhere to go by doing that? We need to screw over celebrities and trainees before they make it, so we can make a living.

-You’re thinking about their human rights? I’m giving you serious advice; you’ll die first if you keep going like that. You have to see things as things. Who sells a cow tied to the market while worrying about its feelings?

That’s how it actually was.

To release artists tied to ridiculous, malicious contracts, coercion and threats… violence were more effective than legal advice.

Team leaders who made them take out private loans to get their signatures, people closer to gangster dens than entertainment agencies—it was dizzying to fight with them.

Even when he started his own agency and was running around trying to undo malicious contracts, a company president who held a grudge sent people after him.

‘Did they threaten me with a knife… or swing a steel pipe?’

He couldn’t remember well, but it seemed like it was probably both. Even now, there are still a few old scars inside his charcoal gray suit.

The reason he didn’t give up on this industry was because of his nephew, who is no longer in this world.

‘Mom, Dad, Uncle, I’m sorry everyone. But I think this is it for me. I won’t cause trouble in the next life.’

A common melodrama. His nephew, who dreamed of becoming an idol, entered an agency… was tied to a malicious contract, and after being shuffled around overseas as a trainee, made an extreme choice.

After seeing the last sentence of his nephew’s suicide note, an ordinary employee of a large corporation became a road manager hiding his resentment.

Like that, for twenty years.

After overcoming countless hardships and thinking he had kept his promise to some extent, an unheard-of monster appeared before Roh Jung-man.

‘He was a type I had never seen before. Even though I thought I had been around for a long time.’

How many artists had he gone through or been involved with?

He had seen enough people who were good at acting or singing, or who ignited their talents like a flame, burning their own life force.

Such people usually burned brightly and then faded away, or were consumed by their own light and stepped into the darkness on their own.

But Park Gun was different from anyone else.

An iron man.

An actor can never be insensitive. Especially if they are so deeply immersed in a role that method acting is suspected, it takes time to break free from the possessed role.

But to be able to freely immerse and escape from that crazy acting ability as if turning it on and off with a switch?

On top of that, a martial arts director-level talent with perfect looks and action, and even a civilian from the military who had never acted before?

“No one would have believed it. Even I did.”

Muttering indifferently, Roh Jung-man turned his gaze to the window of the 숙소 [Sookso; lodging/accommodation].

It seemed like the barbecue party was still in full swing, and loud noises continued to be heard from outside.

“Cheers!”

“Let’s do well in tomorrow’s filming too!”

Through the conversation just now, the thought that he had vaguely had while flying to New Zealand became concrete.

Park Gun had crossed the 임계점 [Imgyejeom; critical point/threshold].

“······.”

Humans are not iron men.

A hero who solves everything and is nonchalant is just a legendary warrior.

Was it even possible to have perfect acting skills, superhuman stamina, and flawless mental strength?

Even from the moment of his debut, Park Gun had shouldered the burdens of his colleagues in areas other than acting.

“An idol with acting controversies, an actor who had a scandal, a problem child director from 충무로 [Chungmuro; the traditional center of the South Korean film industry, often used as shorthand for the film industry itself], a colleague in the agency who has been suffering from his family······.”

It’s no exaggeration to say that all of them solved their problems thanks to Park Gun’s influence.

At first glance, it might just look cool. Is it possible that there is a perfect human being from the special forces, with perfect mentality and physical strength?

But······.

Those who carry too much burden break down.

-When I started acting, the first thing I thought was how grateful I was to the CEO.

A few minutes ago… before he came into the 숙소, Park Gun said in the middle of the barbecue area.

-I came back, but I wasn’t completely back yet. If it hadn’t been for that manager… the Wow কিড즈 [Kids] incident, I would have wandered around for a long time.

Wow কিড즈 was the idol that Park Sun had condoned the 갑질 [Gapjil; abuse of power] and violence during his road manager days.

But what wandering? While Roh Jung-man was tilting his head, the words continued.

-I was able to adapt by getting into 작품 [Jakpum; works/productions] and immersing myself in acting. I actually gained a lot. Above all, I was surprised and happy that my family and the people around me became happy.

Park Gun paused for a moment, then muttered to himself.

-It hadn’t been like that for a while.

‘I guess it’s a story from his special forces days.’ When he came to that conclusion, Park Gun suddenly raised his head.

-This 작품 will be a success.

-It has to be, with Park 배우 [Baeu; actor] working so hard. Besides, you’ve never failed before.

-That was fun in its own way too. To fail hundreds of times, but then to have a life of 승승장구 [Seungseungjanggu; unbroken series of victories] thanks to it after coming back.

-What are you talking about?

Instead of answering, Park Gun closed his eyes. When he opened them again, a faint smile lingered on his gaunt face.

-Thank you for coming. There’s not much left now, so please watch over me until the end.

Jin Ji-yoo and Seo Hee-do approached with their managers from the other side, so the conversation ended.

Sitting in a chair in front of the 협탁 [Hyeoptak; small table], Roh Jung-man crossed his legs as usual.

-There will be no retirement. Unless something happens to me.

Before parting, Park Gun’s words, which he emphasized once again, remained deeply etched in his mind.

The Park Gun he knows is not an actor who will retire. At the same time, he is not someone who would say something without a reason.

The fact that such an actor mentioned his 신변 [Shinbyeon; personal affairs/well-being]······.

“I should leave 유 실장 [Yoo Siljang; Yoo, the department head] behind. If it weren’t for the acquisition, I would have stayed until the end.”

Something will happen.

The intuition of an entertainment CEO who has been in the industry for well over twenty years was telling him so.

*

Korea, Roman Entertainment headquarters.

In the lounge where employees are sparse, people who are difficult to invite are seated again today.

“Hello, Phillip!”

“Yes. Where’s Baek Ha-ni?”

“Ah… she’s over there; she came earlier and is sitting down…”

“I knew it. She’s always kept her promises, even if she was killed for it.”

“Thank you.” Choi Phillip slightly bowed his head to the employee who told him, and strode towards the other side of the lounge.

There, Baek Ha-ni was sitting with her manager, wearing sunglasses.

After greeting Baek Ha-ni’s manager with a nod, Choi Phillip smiled at his colleague who didn’t even turn his head.

“Oh my, our great 배우 [Baeu; actor]. You seem to be holding your nose even higher than before.”

Recently, the person with the highest stock among Roman’s representative actors is definitely Baek Ha-ni.

There isn’t an artist at Roman Entertainment who isn’t hitting the 상한가 [Sanghanga; the daily price limit (ceiling)], but it’s because the 작품 [Jakpum; work/production] she recently entered was a huge hit in China.

The new 작품 by 윤발25 [Yunbal 25; a popular writer], the writer of ‘The Scoundrel Returnee is Back’, is sweeping through Asia even after its completion, leading the second Korean Wave.

“What are you talking about.”

Choi Phillip, who took a seat next to her, folded his arms at the words that came out like a snort.

“Still, Baek Ha-ni’s temper has died down a lot. If it were before, she would have gone abroad and never come back as soon as she had a few hits, but she’s even doing these interviews together. How did the head of 본부 [Bonbu; headquarters/division] win her over?”

“I’m going to leave. As soon as this damn schedule is over.”

The two managers are watching, but they don’t get up right away.

Instead, only slightly worried glances intertwine in the air.

‘…It’ll be okay, right?’

‘Yes. They haven’t been fighting as soon as they meet these days… Let’s just wait until 구 배우님 [Goo Baeu-nim; Actor Goo] comes.’

Who are Baek Ha-ni and Choi Phillip?

Roman’s self-proclaimed rivals and enemies. They are people who fought each other even when there was a 실장 [Siljang; department head]-level person was present, even in front of head of 본부 Lee Sang-cheol.

What wind has blown on those people these days that they only exchange relatively peaceful insults?

As evidence that their relationship has eased, haven’t they even approved the company’s own interview where the representative actors all came out to commemorate the completion of 작품 [Jakpum; work/production]?

Choi Phillip, who glanced at his smartphone, asked.

“형 [Hyung; older brother/male friend], the start was said to be from five o’clock, right?”

“Yeah. Soon the filming team and the rest of the staff will all come. There’s no particular control of personnel… with the concept of talking naturally in the lounge. Right, team leader Kang?”

“Yes. They said they’re a little late because the road is blocked, so they’ll probably be arriving soon.”

It’s not possible to only attach road managers to the company’s aces. When the team leader who came with Choi Phillip asked, the team leader who was taking care of Baek Ha-ni also quickly responded.

Choi Phillip, who stretched, muttered.

“That’s why it’s even more amazing. In the past, she would have made a fuss if the staff and actors were later than her. Has she matured in the meantime…”

At that time, a few more people appeared with busy footsteps from the lounge entrance.

Goo Shin-seung, wearing an aviator hat, goggles, and even a bright red pilot’s muffler, had arrived.

“…What is that again?”

While even Baek Ha-ni was making a 질린 [Jillin; disgusted] expression, Goo Shin-seung put his heels together and saluted first.

“Top Air, my name is pilot Phillip.”

“Pilot Phillip is what language…”

“The main character of the movie I’m going into this time is a Korean-American. His father is Korean and his mother is American.”

While rattling off information that no one asked, Goo Shin-seung took a seat, and both team leaders sighed.

“I’m sorry I’m late. You know 상화교차로 [Sanghwagyocharo; Sanghwa Intersection], right? There was a fender bender there, so I just got off and walked from the middle.”

“It’s okay. The filming team is late anyway.”

With this, Roman’s Big 3, the trio of Goo-Choi-Baek, were all gathered.

Except for Park Gun and Jin Ji-yoo, who are abroad filming ‘주신의 서 [Jushinui Seo; The Book of Gods]’, the company’s pillars are together.

Goo Shin-seung, who raised his goggles to his forehead, asked.

“But why are we gathered today? Are we filming an aviation documentary?”

“…Hey, 구 배우님 [Goo Baeu-nim; Actor Goo]. I explained today’s concept like that all the way here…”

“Ah, I couldn’t hear it because of this. Pilots need ear shields.”

Even though Yang Soo-yeon team leader was 치를 떠는데 [Chireul tteoneunde; was shuddering in disgust], Goo Shin-seung calmly pulled out his earmuffs.

Choi Phillip looked around and 정리 [Jeongri; sorted out] the situation.

“Okay, let’s finish quickly because we’re tired. Isn’t it because the CEO asked us to because of that acquisition, to give some strength to the image renovation?”

“He flew to New Zealand after doing that?”

Baek Ha-ni, who had been silent until then, spoke sharply. Choi Phillip shrugged his shoulders as if it was nothing.

“Understand. He said he wanted to go too, but he couldn’t leave because of his China schedule, so he’s like that.”

“Hey, how do you know that?”

“He contacted 준일이 형 [Junili Hyung; Junil, older brother/male friend], saying he was going to 경유 [Gyeongyu; stopover] and barge into the filming location, so he asked him to get him a ticket.”

“I never did that······.”

“Okay, the filming team has arrived! Stop fighting and let’s start!”

In the heart of Seoul,

Another filming began in Roman’s 안방 [Anbang; home turf].

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