34. where do you want to go with me

The connection between the entertainment industry and gangsters.

Since the days when black and white films were prevalent, the relationship between the two has been a close relationship that cannot be broken.

It is also true that the entertainment industry had its roots in the entertainment business in the first place, so it could not be related to gangsters.

Looking back on the days of the Republic of Korea, there was a time when Lim Hwa-soo of the Dongdaemun faction caused controversy by beating actors while taking control of the entire entertainment industry at the time.

In fact, according to the results of the prosecution’s investigation, there was also information that 14 domestic gangs were directly or indirectly involved in about 28 entertainment agencies.

Beatty Stars CEO Jang Seok-hyun was one of those people who created an entertainment agency.

Starting from the bottom, Piki, he was in charge of the entertainment department of a large nightclub, and after a short organizational life at KB in Myeong-dong, he entered the entertainment industry in earnest in 2008.

Although organizing activities were suspended, she maintained good relations with the gangsters and managed the agency, and selected trainees to form the ambitious 4-member girl group ‘Jasper’.

However, it wasn’t ‘totally ruined’, but the first album was finished in an ambiguous state that was not successful, and with the feeling of trying one more time, Jang Seok-hyun asked his acquaintances to invest. Thanks to the willing investment, Jasper was able to continue his 2nd album activities.

And, as if to be rewarded, Jasper’s activities for the 2nd album become very popular and successful. Although ‘Jasper”s activities came to an end due to the poor performance of the third album, the company was able to breathe again thanks to Jung Seol-ah, who has recently been receiving good responses as an actor.

“They told me not to worry about my life… I never thought it would be resolved like this again. Anyway, what happened to my brother all of a sudden?”

Jang Seok-hyun was heading to Gangnam at the call of Kwon Hyung-seok, the head of the KB faction, whom he serves as his older brother.

The place we arrived at was a high-class Japanese restaurant in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, and each room was a private room, so it was a good place to have a conversation.

When Jang Seok-hyeon followed the waiter’s guidance and entered the reserved room, two middle-aged men were already sharing a drink.

“Kuh… He’s also the boss of the room. Five? So, is Seokhyun here? Come on in.”

“Yes brother, how are you? It’s long time no see.”

Jang Seok-hyun sat next to Kwon Hyung-seok and looked at the person across from him. He was a middle-aged man in his mid-to-late 40s, with very thick lips and torn eyes, giving him a greedy look.

“So Seokhyun is very busy these days? Is this older brother very sad these days? There is no contact either.”

“Oh hey brother. sorry. I couldn’t contact you often because I thought you might be busy. I will do it more often in the future.”

“Yes yes! Oh, this person in front of you knows the Hanyang Ilbo, right? Chairman Bang Geuk-hyun, owner of the Hanyang Ilbo, and Bang Won-woo, the son of Hanyang Sports CEO. Hurry up and say hello.”

Surprised by the appearance of a big man, Jang Seok-hyun jumped up and bowed 90 degrees to Bang Won-woo.

“Hut. I didn’t know. My name is Jang Seok-hyun, who runs a small entertainment agency. It’s an honor to meet you, boss.”

“hahahaha, you’re a friend who knows manners uncharacteristically these days, right? There must be a reason why President Kwon praised him so much.”

“Thank you for a good look.”

Knowing his identity, Bang Won-woo seemed to like Jang Seok-hyun’s frozen posture and offered him a drink with a grin.

“sit down. Get me a drink.”

“I’ll pour you a drink too.”

Bang Won-woo and Jang Seok-hyun filled each other’s glasses, and the drinking party began in earnest.

The story was mainly in the form of Bang Won-woo talking and Kwon Hyung-seok and Jang Seok-hyun responding.

“That’s why I didn’t mean to send the president of BH Construction to the goal. Whoops, what a price to pay for ignoring the media. I hope the bastard who was shoveling somewhere will come to me.”

“I met the nobleman when he was in charge. Ha ha ha let’s! I’ll pour you a drink.”

Just as the drinking party was getting ripe, Bang Won-woo gave a signal to Kwon Hyung-seok with a wink.

“Hey, Seokhyun. You should take it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be introduced to a room boss like this in a place like this. They say life comes with three chances. From what I can see, one of those three times is today.”

“Ah yes. Alright bro Where would I go and meet a great person like the boss of the room? I’m drinking it nervously because I’m afraid I’ll make a mistake.”

It was true. In fact, in order to succeed in the entertainment industry, it was impossible to leave out connections with so-called politicians or wealthy people. Among them, Bang Won-woo was the president of a major media company, so the influence he could have directly or indirectly on the entertainment industry was enormous.

To be honest, it was easier for Bang Won-woo to blow up his company than flipping his palm, so there was a need to somehow make it visible to Bang Won-woo.

“You are doing very well. The reason I called you here is that the boss of our room really wants to see you. I’ve talked about you to the room manager before. I mean, the CEO of the agency, Seolah Jeong, who is currently on the rise, is my younger sister that I cherish the most.”

Having said this, Jang Seok-hyeon, who was quick to notice, was able to immediately find out how things were going. Jeong Seol-ah caught Bang Won-woo’s eyes, and Kwon Hyung-seok, who noticed this, planned to use himself to give Bang Won-woo a Jeong Seol-ah spawn.

‘The fuck was wrong.’

“hahahaha, our Seol-ah is very busy these days. I’m a kid who only knows acting, so even on my days off, I’m holding on to the script, so it’s hard for me to see his face.”

Jang Seok-hyun indirectly conveyed the fact that Jeong Seol-ah was not that kind of character in order to somehow escape this situation, but Bang Won-woo seemed to have no intention of letting go easily, perhaps because he was firmly attached to Jeong Seol-ah.

“However, can you ignore the words of the agency president? That makes no sense. You are like a rookie who has just made a name for himself. Shouldn’t the president’s words become law?”

“Ha ha ha.. that’s right.”

“In that sense, I mean. You mean the boss of our room seems to like Jeong Seol-ah quite a bit? Find a place where we can have a drink while eating something good.”

“Hmm. No, President Kwon, what else? Your brother will be in trouble.”

Although he said so, it was Jang Seok-hyun who looked at Jang Seok-hyun with eyes full of expectations and felt very disgusted.

And like the script, Kwon Hyung-seok received Bang Won-woo’s words.

“Oh no, boss. I’m not a brother who can’t do even this much. He invested in me when I was in trouble and cared for him like a younger brother. This is not a brother who won’t listen to a favor. Ah yes.”

‘The bastard … I paid for the money, but … There is no way to get out.’

Jang Seok-hyun cursed at Kwon Hyung-seok on the inside, but on the outside he said with a kind smile.

“Hyung-seok is the benefactor of my life. Then I’ll make a table for you sooner or later.”

“Hey! Seokhyun Jang! What kind of rice is rice? Did we call you here to eat? Let’s have a drink somewhere nice. Are we doing anything wrong to her?”

“Hey, President Kwon, stop it. I think President Jang is misunderstanding something, but I was just trying to talk with a hard-working actor who caught my eye, but I didn’t expect to be misunderstood like this. This is quite unpleasant.”

For a moment, Seok-hyun Jang felt sorry for himself. These people in front of me were people who could get rid of themselves like killing ants. Jang Seok-hyun broke down in a cold sweat and immediately bowed down.

“Oh, no. You misunderstood. Since Seol-ah couldn’t drink, I naturally thought of it as a place to eat. Don’t get me wrong. Absolutely not. I apologize if you were offended. Hyung-seok hyung-nim, the boss of the room.”

“Keuheum.. Oh, is that so? I almost misunderstood again. don’t let me apologize By the way, Seol-ah Jeong can’t drink? That’s fine.”

Jang Seok-hyun barely held back a sigh as he talked with a sinister smile on what he was thinking.

“Then settle down within next week and contact me. Decorate it nicely and tell it to come. If the boss of our room catches the eye, it’s fine if it’s good for you and Jeong Seol-ah, there’s nothing to lose. Isn’t that right, boss?”

“As expected, President Kwon knows something. There are many people I know in the entertainment industry. Starting with the heads of regional broadcasting stations, you know the director who recently shot 10 million, right? That…………”

The words of Bang Won-woo, who endlessly boasts of his connections and influence in the entertainment industry, sounded like a threat to bury Jang Seok-hyun using those connections if his words were ignored.

Kwon Hyung-seok and Bang Won-woo, as if they thought they had accomplished their goal anyway, left in the waiting attendant’s car, and Jang Seok-hyun returned to the office and smoked a chain-smoker.

“Whoa… fuck you bastards. I knew this would happen someday, but why now?”

She was Jeong Seol-ah, who was in full swing, and rumors that she worked so hard and did well were circulating among movie and drama officials, so there was a high possibility that she would do better in the future.

“You have to think soberly. There is no hole to escape anyway. And it could be a really good opportunity… The problem is Jeong Seol-ah…”

Seolah Jeong, who she raised as a trainee, was not an easy existence despite being the representative. Even when he was active as ‘Jasper’, if he had any requests or complaints as a leader, he communicated them logically and clearly, and somehow persuaded himself.

“Jeong Seol-ah isn’t that kind of character… how can I take her?”

If he knew Seolah Jeong, he would be the type to jump up and reject this kind of proposal as soon as he made it.

“For now… let’s just take him. Don’t you know that you need to hold at least one strong spawn to grow up on this floor?”

In fact, it was true that sponsors had long served as opportunities and money for newcomers to the entertainment industry who secretly wanted to become stars.

***

next day.

Jeong Seol-ah was on her way to the office of Jang Seok-hyun, the head of her agency, when she was told to drop by the office.

“But why did you ask me to decorate it?”

Jeong Seol-ah, who was reading the script at home, tried to stop by the office dressed comfortably, but when Jang Seok-hyun told her to dress up nicely, she was puzzled and left the house wearing only light makeup, tight jeans, and a white blouse.

“Are you trying to talk about advertising?”

Jeong Seol-ah was very happy to hear that she had recently been offered a commercial shoot. In fact, the biggest source of income for entertainers was advertising income, and shooting a lot of commercials was also a measure of popularity.

“Even taking a picture with Kyuha oppa.”

I was very excited about the filming day because it was a commercial to be shot with Gyuha, who was a lifesaver and co-star in a drama.

Upon arriving at the office, Jeong Seol-ah went straight into the president’s office.

“Boss, I’m here. Did you find it?”

Jang Seok-hyun looked at Jeong Seol-ah’s outfit and frowned as if he didn’t like something.

“Seol-ah, I told you to dress up a bit… Eh, no, this is enough.”

“Yeah? what…?”

“Seol-ah, do you want to go somewhere with me?”