Flame was a company run by a small but elite team.
Although their pool of actors wasn’t large, they were all well-established names in the industry.
Even though the company was small, it had connections with investors and producers, ensuring that Flame actors were always featured in good projects.
While inserting famous actors into quality productions might seem easy, it was impossible without the keen eye to distinguish promising projects and substantial negotiation skills.
What pleased me most, however, was that the way Flame treated its artists was different from other companies.
Many agencies claim to prioritize actors over money, but in a capitalist world, such a claim seems unrealistic. Yet Flame was that rare agency that made the impossible a reality.
Perhaps that’s why none of the actors affiliated with Flame ever voiced any complaints about the company.
“Did Flame really contact you?”
Admittedly, it was a bit surprising. Since it was an old incident, I couldn’t remember specific details like who the actors were or who the first signed artist was, but I knew Flame only had top-tier actors.
And now, this established company reached out to me, a rookie?
It must mean they see high potential in me.
Or perhaps, since Flame wasn’t even established yet, they are still in their early stages of assessing actors more casually.
“It might be best to meet them before making any decisions. You never know.”
Of course, there’s always the possibility that this Flame is a completely different company with the same name. After all, Flame won’t be officially established for some time. Thus, it’s wise to keep all possibilities open and meet the representatives.
“Nice to meet you, I am Guhyeok Seo, the management team leader of Flame Entertainment.”
“Nice to meet you.”
The person who showed up at the agreed location was a stylish man in his 30s. Introducing himself as Guhyeok Seo, the management team leader, he looked like someone impervious to needles but seemed oddly nervous, which made me feel strange.
Was this meeting something he should be nervous about?
It was an enigma.
“Flame seems unfamiliar. Is it a new company?”
“Yes, correct. Flame is…”
Listening to Seo’s explanation, it aligned quite closely with the Flame I knew. The vision and operational goals were similar, and there was a ring of truth in his words, unlike the typical empty promises made by other agencies.
Very few agencies, including Flame, have successfully lived up to their promises, but the name itself felt right for me. After all, the symbols of the New Religion were the sun, moon, and fire, with fire being particularly revered by their warriors. As a former member of the New Religion, Flame, or fire, felt rather familiar.
Instinctively, it drew me in. Though I mocked the New Religion as a black enterprise before, seeing these connections felt oddly welcoming, though it didn’t mean I missed those times.
“What are the terms?”
“Ah, certainly. Take a look at this contract…”
I was curious about the value Flame recognized in me, so I asked to see their contract terms.
Examining the conditions outlined in the contract,
“…This.”
“Yes, is there any issue?”
“No, not exactly… it’s too generous, isn’t it?”
“I believe this reflects the sincerity we feel towards actor White Siu.”
It was a surprisingly generous offer.
First, the five-year contract period was normal, but the signing bonus was a staggering 3 billion won. No newcomer ever received such a signing bonus; though technically it’s all debt, offering this much for an unsigned actor was unprecedented.
Moreover, the profit-sharing ratio.
Which company offers an 8:2 ratio for a newcomer? After recovering the 3 billion won, it shifts to 9:1. Even for S-grade entertainers, an 8:2 ratio is almost unheard of, let alone for a rookie.
The scheduling policy was also remarkable. All schedules require final confirmation by the actor. Additionally, actors could reject any schedule they dislike.
The only requirement was to honor one schedule per year preferred by the company, though this was optional rather than mandatory.
What kind of company has these terms?
It was so far from my understanding that my mind was blown.
“Is this a scam?”
“Haha, absolutely not. Do you find the terms satisfactory?”
“Yes, who wouldn’t be happy with this?”
“Good news. Would you like some time to consider?”
“Hmm, consider…”
True, there were no suspicious elements, but the terms were far too favorable. However, if this truly was the Flame I knew, it made sense. This was the Flame known to offer the best conditions in the industry, so offering such terms was plausible.
It was foolish to refuse under such favorable conditions.
“Will we sign here?”
“Of course not, you’ll meet our chairman at our office. We’ll give you the contract for legal consultation before finalizing.”
“Ah, yes.”
Signing at the office would make it more official. Come to think of it, I’ve never heard of Flame’s office.
What did their office look like? Likely splendid, but as a new company, it might still be modest.
“Am I their first actor?”
“Not exactly. There’s already someone else in the final stages of agreement, and they’ll soon announce it to the media. You’ll be surprised.”
Of course, with Flame starting, they’d need a star actor to announce their arrival.
I was relieved not to be their first actor; my reputation wasn’t enough to represent Flame. It would even have been suspicious if they chose me as the first.
“I’ll consider it and get back to you in three days.”
“We’ll be waiting, actor.”
Legal matters must always be handled carefully, so I should review the contract thoroughly before proceeding. Finding a better offer elsewhere seemed impossible.
I was joining Flame – once something only imagined.
Life was full of surprises.
*
The chairman of the mountain climbing club, one of our regular customers at the shop, was a lawyer. I asked him to review the contract.
He praised it as the cleanest contract he’d seen in a while, urging me to sign it without hesitation.
Indeed, this wasn’t one of those low-quality companies that pulled tricks with contracts.
“Then there’s nothing to worry about.”
After confirming the contract, there was no reason to delay.
Calling Manager Seo to arrange the signing, they set an appointment immediately. Their eagerness indicated they were awaiting my quick decision.
I felt good about the situation.
Manager Seo wanted to meet at Flame’s office. I was curious about Flame anyway, so I agreed without changing the location. The condition of their office would reveal much.
Though it was a new company, it should still have some presence to be trustworthy.
I headed towards Cheongdam, where Flame was located, as scheduled.
“Cheongdam, huh. It’s true many entertainment agencies gather here.”
Cheongdam is filled with entertainment agencies. This street, in particular, has a cluster of them.
Following Manager Seo’s directions, I arrived at a location farther into the residential area than I’d expected.
“…”
At the agreed destination, I found an immaculately renovated eight-story building.
The entire structure was covered in black, suggesting it was newly constructed, but with no signboard, it gave off an unusual tension.
“So, Flame is in this building?”
Despite the sleek new building, its all-black design reminiscent of a demon’s realm didn’t sit well with me. However, judging the company’s finances seemed decent, so I chose to look on the bright side.
A shiny office was a good sign compared to a messy storefront.
Acknowledging the building’s oddities, I entered.
To find which floor Flame occupied, since Manager Seo only gave me the address, I started looking around.
Since the building was large, I assumed not being informed was for simplicity.
“Still… isn’t anything here?”
There were no signs, no reception desk, only men in ‘Guard’ vests—the type of muscular Westerners with blonde hair you try to avoid in Seoul.
One approached me, apparently the leader, as I tilted my head.
“What brings you here?”
“Ah… Flame Entertainment…”
“Are you actor White Siu?”
“Yes?”
“In that case, please follow me.”
As I hesitated, the Westerner approached, speaking fluent Korean, picking me up as if I were old acquaintances, thanks to prior instructions from Flame.
What did this Westerner consume to speak Korean so well?
The sight of fluent Korean from a butter-eating Westerner caused cognitive dissonance. Besides, what kind of building required this many guards?
As I followed him into the elevator, pondering these questions, I wondered what exactly this company was about.
