Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

"What do you mean, a disqualifying factor?"

Team Lead Han Gwang-Hyun looked as if he could not understand why I refused to accept him. He had revived Kang Moo-Song, who everyone said was washed up, and his team's current sales were the highest in Division 3. He had even started being called the ace of Actor Division 3.

However, to him, work was the only thing that mattered. As a result, he was far too indifferent to what happened to his own family. And because of that, one schedule entry related to him remained in my Everyday.

It was tomorrow, no less.

[Everyday V13]

[Date: May 5, 2021]

-02:00 p.m.: Seven Stars Hospital Funeral Hall, Special Room 3. Death of Han Gwang-Hyun's eldest son, Han Tae-Joon.

Han Gwang-Hyun's eldest son, Han Tae-Joon, suffered from childhood asthma. However, when the father who had promised to take him to the amusement park on Children's Day did not show up, he headed there alone with his mother. During the trip, his asthma inhaler malfunctioned, causing an attack that led to his death.

At the time, Han Gwang-Hyun had his phone turned off while drinking in the afternoon with Kang Moo-Song and a broadcasting station director, so he only rushed to the hospital four hours after his child had died. The tragic part was that the tragedy he would suffer did not end there.

[Everyday V13]

[Date: May 5, 2026]

-02:00 p.m.: Seven Stars Hospital Funeral Hall. Obituary of Director Han Gwang-Hyun.

Han Gwang-Hyun divorced his wife soon after his son died. Like me after I lost my smile, he buried himself in work and eventually secured the position of director at Top Entertainment. Along the way, he even earned the nickname God of Sales.

He continued to rise without pause, but took his own life five years later on May 5th, Children's day. He went alone to LT Amument Park, the place his son had wanted to visit, took photos there, carefully placed them in his son's columbarium and then left this world by his own hand.

That was why I could never accept Han Gwang-Hyun into my team unless he changed. Because if things continued this way, he would destroy both his family and himself. And that attitude would also affect Integrated Division 4, where we understood that people were more important than money.

Before I could tell him the reason, however, he began pressing me about what this disqualifying factor was.

"I know it sounds awkward for me to be saying this about myself, but I'm genuinely capable. I may be from Suhyaejong, but I don't lean toward any faction and I know every strength and weakness of the broadcasting station PDs inside out. Besides, don't you know I brought Kang Moo-Song, the actor I manage, back to life? The rookie actors our team manages all have high potential too. Choi Yi-Jung, Yoo Seo-Hye, Park Soo-Hyung, Oh Jin-Hwan, and Yang Tae-Gyu are all talented enough to become stars if they just meet one good project! I can bring every one of those actors with me, so why won't you accept me?"

'What good is all that ability? '

His family would die, and he would die too.

I watched him passionately explain how capable he was and calmly opened my mouth. "Mr. Han."

"Yes?"

"Why are you a talent agent?"

"Pardon? Why are you asking that all of a sudden...?"

"I was just curious."

"You said I had a disqualifying factor, but instead of telling me, you're asking this random question?"

Since there was something I wanted to find out from him, I kept applying a little pressure. "You can drop it if you don't want to answer. I'm not the one who needs this."

"No, it's fine. Can I be completely honest?"

"I like honesty."

"I thought about starting my own company someday!"

Every talent agent at every entertainment company thought the same thing when they first joined. They would grind away at the company, then go independent and establish their own agency.

'But then... wait a second. Had thought about it?'

"You had?"

Han Gwang-Hyun stared at me intently. "I originally planned to go independent. I have ambition and greed too, after all. But after seeing you succeed, I changed my mind. I realized that if I grew under you, I could go even further."

'He changed his future plans because of me?'

If that was the case, then maybe there really was a way to change him.

"Mr. Han. What are you doing tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow? I'm going to LT Amusement Park with my wife and son. My son is five years old, but because of his asthma, he's never been able to go to an amusement park before. I promised him I'd definitely take him this time."

Before the regression, I had heard that his son was rushed to the hospital around 10 in the morning while heading to LT Amusement Park. And he died at noon. While his son was fighting between life and death, Han Gwang-Hyun spent the afternoon drinking with Kang Moo-Song and people from KBC before finally arriving at the hospital far too late.

I had already prepared everything needed to stop that tragedy, but I still gave one instruction so the father himself could prevent it if possible.

"Then tomorrow around lunchtime, take a photo with your family at the amusement park and bring it to me. If you do, I'll accept you into Actor Division 4."

"What kind of random request is that...?"

"The roads will probably be heavily congested tomorrow, so you'll need to leave early in the morning. Ah, and when you take the picture, your son's asthma inhalers must be visible. Make sure there are two of them, one beside each cheek."

If they went to the amusement park together, they would definitely be able to stop by the hospital on the way. And if they had two inhalers, even if one malfunctioned, the other could stop the attack.

'Of course, I'll be following behind them too.'

No matter what, the priority was making sure the father could save his child's life himself. Only then would he truly realize something.

Right then, Han Gwang-Hyun quickly nodded. "Alright. I don't know what this disqualifying factor is, but if I just do as instructed, you'll accept me into Actor Division 4, right?"

"Yes. But if you don't do what I told you, that's the end of it. No matter what your friends say, no matter what any celebrity says, refuse all of it and go to the amusement park tomorrow. If you can't even follow this simple instruction, then I have no interest in you. I don't care how much money you make or what actors you manage."

"I don't really understand it, but alright. It isn't difficult, so I'll take the picture tomorrow and come back."

Han Gwang-Hyun bowed his head before heading toward the elevator. As I watched him disappear, I prayed desperately in my heart that he would choose his family over success.

'Team Lead Han Gwang-Hyun. Please make the right choice this time!'

***

As soon as Han Gwang-Hyun returned to Actor Division 3, he headed to the lounge. Kang Moo-Song, the thirty-eight-year-old actor sitting there with his legs crossed, looked up when Han Gwang-Hyun entered.

"Gwang-Hyun. So what happened? Are they taking you?"

Han Gwang-Hyun hesitated for a moment, unsure how to answer. Going to the amusement park with his son tomorrow and taking a photo while holding two asthma inhalers sounded absurd. He could not repeat such an incomprehensible instruction word for word. So he changed the subject.

"Tomorrow... they said they'll take me if I just do what they told me to."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"Anyway, hyung. Because of something related to Chief Jung tomorrow, I don't think I can make the lunch meeting with Director Pyo from KBC. So... could we send Cheol-Soo in my place?"

Kang Moo-Song's face twisted instantly. "Hey! I worked hard to set up that meeting, and you're not coming? What does Cheol-Soo know at his level?"

In case his casting in Lee Ji-Yeon's Land of Happiness fell through, Kang Moo-Song had been meeting with a KBC director to sound out a role in A Life Lived Twice as well. But because Jung Yoon-Ho had agreed to accept him, Han Gwang-Hyun was trying to cancel tomorrow's meeting.

"Come on. I'll just do what Chief Jung asked tomorrow, then I'll make sure everything's properly set up so you can get into Writer Lee Ji-Yeon's project."

"Hey, Gwang-Hyun. You're someone who understands reality, so why are you acting like this? You never know how things will turn out, so you need to keep every connection open!"

"Hyung. How many times do I have to tell you? Writer Lee Ji-Yeon and Writer Nam Jong-Ok are on completely different levels. Honestly, I'm only recommending Writer Lee Ji-Yeon's project because it's her first daily drama. Why would someone at your level even do a daily drama? You'd be better off doing another movie instead."

That was when Kang Moo-Song suddenly raised his voice. "You bastard. Don't you know the line behind Chief Jung is packed right now? Lee Tae-Poong, Choi Duk-Bae, Park Sang-Gyu, and even Park Eun-Sung, Jang Jun-Hyuk, and Jo Min-Sung from Actor Division 2 are all lined up there. A movie? Are there even any decent roles left for me? You want me to survive off scraps now?"

"I'll bring you the roles myself! You know I'm good at sales, hyung! And did you already forget that I brought your career back to life?"

"I got revived because of you? Hey, don't make me laugh. I made it because I'm a good actor. What the hell did you even do?"

Han Gwang-Hyun clenched his teeth tightly. He had persuaded Kang Moo-Song into taking projects he hated with every sweet word and trick he could think of, yet now the actor spoke as if none of that effort mattered. Still, a talent agent could never lose his temper in front of an actor.

"Sorry. Anyway, Nam Jong-Ok still isn't the answer."

"Hey, forget it. HK Entertainment is apparently backing Nam Jong-Ok hard this time. Even the KBC director confirmed it."

HK Entertainment had been spreading rumors that they would sponsor Nam Jong-Ok's project with advertising deals and give HK Inc. commercials to the actors appearing in it. That was why Kang Moo-Song was so eager to establish a relationship with Nam Jong-Ok.

"Hyung. If you get caught playing both sides, it'll become a huge problem."

Kang Moo-Song glared at him coldly. "Hey. You're getting pretty bold now. What, did Chief Jung promise to take special care of you or something?"

"Take care of me? What are you talking about?"

"Then just do what I say, asshole. Since when does a mere talent agent argue with an actor? What? You want to be treated like Chief Jung too? Huh? Seeing Writer Lee Ji-Yeon gift him a Ventley today made you want that kind of treatment too?"

"That's not it..."

"Yeah right. That's exactly it. Anyway, the problem with Chief Jung is that he keeps filling these talent agents' heads with hot air. Ah, forget it. If you don't want to do it, then quit! I'll just hand my management over to Team Lead Yang Tae-Min from now on."

"No, hyung. That's not..."

Right then, Han Gwang-Hyun's phone vibrated.

Buzz.

[Caller ID: Wife.]

It was his wife calling.

'What's with her now, calling while I'm working?'

[Reject Call]

After sliding to decline the call, Han Gwang-Hyun spoke to Kang Moo-Song. "Fine. So tomorrow all I need to do is have lunch with the director, right?"

"I told you not to come. I'll handle it myself."

"Hyung!"

Kang Moo-Song shouted angrily, "Hey, honestly, I don't like Chief Jung. He's not the type to hand out favors just because he's close to someone. And even if I audition for Writer Lee Ji-Yeon's project, he probably won't push for me either. So I'd rather meet the KBC director tomorrow and ask him directly."

As Kang Moo-Song started wavering, Han Gwang-Hyun began to panic. If he transferred to Integrated Division 4 without bringing Kang Moo-Song, then he would end up taking only rookie actors with him. And if that happened, his authority as a team lead would naturally weaken.

Just as he desperately tried to calm Kang Moo-Song down, a Kk Talk message suddenly arrived.

[Wife: Honey, sorry for bothering you while you're busy. Since you took Tae-Hyun's prescription with you, please make sure you buy the asthma inhaler today. Okay?]

Yesterday at the hospital, they had received a prescription for their son's asthma inhaler. However, the pharmacy near the hospital had run out of stock, so Han Gwang-Hyun had taken the prescription with him this morning, planning to buy one at another pharmacy on his way home from work.

He had clearly said he would buy it, yet his wife still seemed uneasy and sent him a Kk Talk message because she could not fully trust him. To be fair, there had been several times when work got busy and he failed to keep his promises. Still, there were hours left before he even went home.

Just as he considered replying, Kang Moo-Song snapped angrily. "Hey, Han Gwang-Hyun. Are you seriously checking Kk Talk while I'm talking to you now? Just because you've been doing well lately, you think you don't need to manage me anymore?"

Startled, Han Gwang-Hyun quickly shoved his phone back into his pocket. "No, hyung. How could that be? It's because of my son..."

"Always your son, your son. Damn it, if you're a man, then focus on work, asshole. If you don't want to work, then quit the company and stay home!"

Han Gwang-Hyun clenched his teeth and abruptly stood up to bow politely. "I'm sorry, hyung. I'll treat you today until you're satisfied, so please calm down."

Only then did Kang Moo-Song curl up the corners of his mouth. "Seriously? You're not just using that as an excuse to ditch tomorrow's lunch appointment, right?"

"Absolutely not. I'll just tell Chief Jung to see me tomorrow afternoon instead."

Kang Moo-Song reached out and patted Han Gwang-Hyun on the shoulder. "This is why I like you. Hey, let's go now. That bastard Jung Yoon-Ho got gifted a Ventley, and it's pissing me off too much to sit still."

"Right now...?"

"What? You don't want to?"

"No!"

"Good. I'm suddenly craving Chinese food. How about we go hard with baijiu and Sichuan sweet and sour pork?"

Kang Moo-Song jumped to his feet and left the lounge whistling. Han Gwang-Hyun's emotions grew complicated—because Kang Moo-Song was right. He really was jealous of Jung Yoon-Ho.

However, it wasn't because of the Ventley. For all this time, he had believed that talent agents would never receive genuine respect in their entire lives, yet Jung Yoon-Ho had completely shattered that perception. And because of that, Han Gwang-Hyun had become obsessed with the thought that he wanted to become like him too.

Yet that same man had told him he had a disqualifying factor.

'What the hell is it?'

No matter how much he thought about it, he could not figure it out, but for now, he decided to follow Jung Yoon-Ho's instructions first. Still, calming Kang Moo-Song down came first.

"Hyung, wait up!"

Han Gwang-Hyun hurried after Kang Moo-Song. He planned to get Kang Moo-Song completely drunk on baijiu so the actor would cancel tomorrow's schedule.

'Then I'll be able to carry out Jung Yoon-Ho's instructions tomorrow.'

As Han Gwang-Hyun rushed out, the thought that he needed to urgently buy the asthma inhaler was already fading from his mind.

***

Yoo-Jin's throat wasn't doing too well because she had been enduring a brutal schedule going back and forth between the movie She Was Beautiful and the latter half of filming for the drama Hwaranjeon. Because of that, Bang Seon-Woo and Seo Yeon-Woo immediately stopped her training and switched to treatment instead. So I stayed by Yoo-Jin's side all day, taking care of everything while focusing entirely on treating her vocal cords.

And then the next day, Children's Day arrived. After giving Miso the Patsoonie Water Sketchbook Set she had prepared as a Children's Day gift, Yoo-Jin came down to the yard and got into the car.

Holding Miso in my arms, I saw Yoo-Jin off as she climbed into the vehicle.

"Miso, have fun with Grandma today~" said Yoo-Jin.

Miso smiled. "Okay, Mommy."

"Then give me a kiss."

When Yoo-Jin held out her cheek, sleepy-eyed Miso kissed her mother while resting in my arms.

Smack.

"Mommy, have a safe trip~"

Right then, Jung In-Ji and Lee Ji-Yeon waved at her with messy hair. After hearing the diagnosis that Jung In-Ji had been in danger due to orthostatic hypotension, Lee Ji-Yeon had brought her laptop over to the house as she said she would and had been working here since last night.

"Yoo-Jin, hang in there."

"Yoo-Jin, have a safe trip. We'll make sure to keep Miso entertained tonight."

Tonight, just like in the past, LT Amusement Park had been reserved for a late-night private event. It was not just for Miso, but it was so the children from Hansomang Orphanage in Busan and the younger kids from Angel Orphanage in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, who had recently arrived, could greet each other and play together. Of course, the families of Hoop Entertainment's celebrities were included as well.

That was why Jung In-Ji and Lee Ji-Yeon also planned to take Miso to the amusement park after dinner.

Yoo-Jin nodded and spoke. "Oppa. Please take good care of Miso."

"Don't worry and just go. Take care of your throat."

"Okay."

Yoo-Jin tightened the scarf around her neck before closing the car door.

Vroooom.

The moment Yoo-Jin disappeared from sight, I finally let out a breath and checked Everyday on my phone.

'Why hasn't this disappeared yet...'

[Everyday V13]

[Date: May 5, 2021]

-02:00 p.m.: Seven Stars Hospital Funeral Hall, Special Room 3. Death of Han Gwang-Hyun's eldest son, Han Tae-Joon.

Even after I had spoken to Han Gwang-Hyun like that, the schedule entry remained unchanged. I told him to go to the amusement park with his son, buy the asthma inhalers, and take a photo with them. Nevertheless, he still was not listening. However, in preparation for the possibility that Han Gwang-Hyun would not move according to my wishes, I had already made every possible arrangement to save Han Tae-Joon.

Still, realizing that the boy's own father would not even listen to such a simple request made a blazing anger rise inside me. In the end, filled with simmering fury, I called Han Gwang-Hyun. However, he did not answer. I called once more, yet still could not reach him.

Right then, Miso, clutching her Sunrise Doll tightly in her arms, looked up at me. "Uncle Yoon-Ho. Why are you angry?"

I hurriedly fixed my expression and shook my head. "I'm not angry."

"That's not true though. You look super angry. Like this!"

Miso pulled up the corners of her eyes with both hands. Her eyes were so naturally large that she looked adorable instead of angry, but I could not fool her, so I honestly told her what was going on.

"Actually, one mister from work is trying to break a promise he made with me."

"What promise?"

"I told him family should come before work, but he keeps putting work first."

Miso puffed up her cheeks like an angry pufferfish and shouted, "Wow! That's bad!"

"Right?"

"Should I scold him for you?"

"No... it's okay. I will scold him myself."

"You have to scold him! Family should always come first!"

Miso was right. He needed to learn a lesson. And if I wanted to make absolutely certain he understood that family mattered more than work, there was only one way.

'Team Lead Han Gwang-Hyun. Once you lose them too, you'll realize just how precious your family was.'